Der Assistent - Round 1 (Closed; Check the OoC thread)

[Davroth]

Manehattan. The big Apple. For those in the business, it was a place of triumph and failure. Those who made it here could make it anywhere, but those who couldn't usually ended up getting chewed up and spit out on the streets of the big city, with no other choice then tugging their tail in and go back where they came from. And in many ways, this competition would be the same way, but it didn't take place in any of the glamorous coffee houses or galleries or clubs of Manehattan. No, instead it took place in one of the warehouse in the city's business districts, that were sometimes used for fashion shows or exhibitions. At the moment, though, it housed a competition, and a highly unusual one at that.

It had all started a few months ago. Photo Finish's personal assistant had resigned, again. It was kind of frustrating at times. Her job required an entourage, but beyond that, a good personal assistant made her job a lot easier. But for some reason, and the blue mare of fashion had no clue what that could be, they never lasted long. But then again, even something like 3 months of working as her PA qualified you for the most prestigious jobs in the fashion industry.

But for Photo Finish, it was a little annoying to search for a new assistant all the time. So she hatched an idea. Instead of just picking one of the hundreds of applications Couture received every day from all over Equestria, she would just invite all of them at once, and let them compete against each other in a series of tests. Surely, among all the applicants, the must be one who would make the perfect personal assistant, right?

Couture, the fashion magazine, had spared no expenses to turn it into a suitable location. After all, Photo Finish was very picky when it came to anything that carried her name. The main room consisted of separate work stations for the contestants, and in front of them, the judge's table.

There had already been a very thorough pre-selection process. From hundreds of contestants, only nine remained. The most capable ones of all of Equestria. Now, the real competition started. In the following days, there would be individual and team challenges. Who would succeed? And who would fail? Only time would tell.

The whole room was shrouded darkness, and each contestant sat behind their work station. They were currently empty, but it would probably not be that way for long. The headlights ignited, and put the spot on the judge's table. Behind it, the contestants saw their judges for the first time, Sapphire Shores, Picture Perfect and, of course, Photo Finish. The room went silent.

[Dunes]

Sapphire Shores leaned across the judges' table, only showing her excitement in a coy smirk. She felt a familiar rush of adrenaline as the spotlight hit her. Showtime.

She was only performing for a crowd of a few, but in this case the more impressive she could be, the better. If she managed to scare anypony off, there was no way they'd be able to withstand working for Photo Finish.

In one smooth movement, she put both front hooves on the table and sat up, head held high. She let a beat of silence pass.

“[colour=#000080]I'm Sapphire Shores, multiplatinum recording artist and fashionista. I got my first record deal four years ago, had my first photoshoot a month after that, and since then I've worked with Clothes Horse, Coutoure, Mane Style, and Mare Claire[/colour][colour=#000080]. I know fashion like I know pop.[/colour]” She held a high note for a moment, letting its decrescendo falling into a phrase. “[colour=#000080]A-A-a-aaaand[/colour][colour=#000080] do I know pop![/colour]”

“[colour=#000080]So when Photo Finish invited me to help judge this competition, I knew I had [/colour][colour=#000080]to accept; it was an honor. Nobody knows fashion like Photo Finish.[/colour]” She winked. “[colour=#000080]But I do come pretty close.[/colour]”

She sat back, her piece over. Now it was time for the next judge's introduction.

[Chapien]

Picture Perfect, quite unlike Sapphire Shores, sat back in his seat, patiently and calmly awaiting for the competition to begin. He had to admit that he was excited for this competition, but not for the reason that everypony would expect. Whenever Photo Finish lost an assistant for whatever incomprehensible reason (after all, who could get fed up with a pony as likable as Photo Finish? No one - right?), Picture Perfect often found himself thrust into the role as Photo Finish's temporary assistant - not in name, but for all intents and purposes, he constantly wound up Photo Finish's de facto assistant (or would a more accurate phrase be servant?).

When the lights turned on, Picture Perfect smiled, appearing rather relaxed, though inside he had to admit he was somewhat nervous. He never had done well in front of a crowd, much less talking to one - that was supposed to be Photo Finish's job, not his!

He took a deep breath once Sapphire Shores finished her introduction, and began his own little speech, speaking rather quietly, but still audible to the contestants (provided they were paying attention, of course), "Gutten Abend. My name is Picture Perfect, and I am a famed abstract artist and fashionista, and a longtime associate of Photo Finish. I've known Photo Finish for years now, and as such am the perfect judge of which one of you will be able to... ah, assist... her needs most adequately. I wish you all luck in this competition!"

He nodded and leaned back, satisfied with his brief speech.

[Davroth]

The blue mare of fashion had sat patiently for the other two judges to give their introduction. She had known instantly that Picture Perfect would have to be part of it. He made for the best assistant she had had so far. But it just wouldn't ever be a permanent solutions. He had his own career to worry about, and in a rare empathetic moment, Photo Finish respected that. It was very unlike her.

Sapphire Shores, though, hadn't been necessarily the obvious choice. Even though she had worked with Couture before, Photo Finish hadn't actually worked personally with her. However, when the time came to choose a second co-judge, Photo Finish had already made up her mind. Sapphire Shores was the obvious choice to her. She had a lot of experience in the business, and had an impeccable sense of fashion, one rivaling her own. Though she wouldn't ever admit to that.

Then it was her turn.

[colour=#dda0dd]"Und I, Photo Finish. I put zis competition together to find ze most capable assistant to work wiz me, Photo Finish, on a prestigious future project. Zis is Der Assistent!"[/colour]

She paused for a moment, putting her hooves on the judge's table, and standing up high to take a quick look through the room and the contestants still in the dark.

[colour=#dda0dd]"Ze first round of zis competition begins....."[/colour]

[QuickLime]

[colour=#800080]Contestant :1 Cashmere Needle[/colour]

Cashmere sat calmly and politely at his station, probably being the ONLY contestant here that actually knew Photo Finish from a prior encounter! Cashmere had long decided it was time he stopped hating

the world of fashion and try to see from their perspective! He couldn’t help but feel like he should try to expand his views which he realized now were…to the very least to say? Very narrow.

Cashmere was from a good family, with a famous older brother, and a mother long praised for quality, Cashmere had the breeding and humbleness that made him perfect for the job as an assistant, an assistant was not supposed to be a big loud noise, they were meant to assist, to aid, and to move fast, Cashmere was very fast.

His work was on display constantly by the ponies that wore his work, and he was blessed with a talent that was being creative on the spot! He knew what to do and what to look for to make something simple and make it fabulous!

Cash wasn’t afraid to lose, losing wouldn’t be the end of the world, an assistant job would be a wonderful prize, but the real prize was going to get to show Equestria what he was capable of, and no amount of losing could snuff that out.

He took a small sip of his water, adjusted his monocle softly, he had big horse shoes to fill! His brother Satin Sheer was a big star in Canterlot due to his designer tuxes and other gorgeous wares, while Cashmere worked primarily with saddle bags, though he also designed clothes, he was currently wearing a very nice vest of his own design, the material a rich purple with silver pin stripes and small Amethyst buttons that glittered slightly, even in the dark.

He knew that being a good assistant meant you had to blend into the background but be ready to spring forward to do whatever task is asked of you, a assistant was humble and polite, all of things Cashmere was and much much more!

The other Contestants weren’t ready for the level of professionalism he was going to bring to this contest…a soft smile spread across his face, he had beaten out tons of others with his calm manner, cool head, and the sheer fact he wasn't in this for a smug sense of superiority, but to do a good job, and to do top quality work...so he wasn't a force to be taken lightly.

[SteelEagle]

[colour=#4B0082]Contestant #2:[/colour][colour=#0033CC] Valen Orange[/colour]

You had to have a certain degree of sickness to want to involve yourself in activities like this. Some special self-loathing to want to become an assistant to a half-crazed mare who in all likelihood viewed most ponies as mobile mannequins and spoke to you thusly. Some mental illness that had taken hold of a poor psyche, a lack of self-respect or care for one's self-esteem. Photo Finish was an abnormally difficult mare to work with who went through personal assistants and aides like a Stalliongrad mare with a cold. The reasons for working for her, with her, were more ethereal and optimistic than anything, even if history seemed to support the notion that if you could make it with her you could make it anywhere.

But for all that, the dream was a powerful nectar and an addictive element that nopony of such inclination had the will to resist for long. You started to count your blessings in an unusual fashion when you yourself were unusual and your tastes started to push you into the path of the emotional hurricane void that was Photo Finish. For Valen, one of the most intense and tumultuous experiences of his life would pay some extreme dividends. He would be rather pleased if six months of cross-Equestrian fashion traveling would do more for him that get him a bit more comfortable in certain clothing and a special somepony. Not that he didn't love his special somepony and the increased confidence, but that didn't do much in giving him a career to look forward to. And if that little excursion had done anything, it had informed him that fashion was his passion.

He looked around at his other competitors. Models. Designers. Very talented ponies, a few who had worked with Photo Finish. He smiled. Nopony here had to deal with Photo Finish for as long as he had, nor with the sort of scheming intensity. He had been forced to travel Equestria as a model. Not just any model; a filly named Gilded Lilly. All day, every day, and Photo Finish had shown no mercy. What worse position could he had been in than having to put up a charade- a rather complex one at that- that didn't just fool others, but held up to her perfectionist state? There was no worse position and he had been successful in handling both her and himself. There was nothing she could do now that could grind him down in the slightest, having gotten used to and adapted to her attitude splendidly. True, others would be better at designing or modelling, but he knew what she wanted and he could deliver. He knew what it took to be her assistant. Der Assistent.

And knowing he could deliver in such a fashion meant that he could stick it out with her as an assistant, and he knew it. Knew it completely. Valen had plans and his experiences as a model, if he could combine it with experience as her assistant, spelled big things. He was extremely close with one of Equestria's best designers as well. The stars were aligned and for a colt accustomed to disappointment and failure, he was pretty excited. he had survived the trials of Equestria and as he looked at the judges in front of him, he knew he would survive them. He had worked with two of them extensively and he was a fancolt, a rather big one, of Sapphire Shores. Not that he'd show it. He had met a few of his idols recently and had learned to keep his emotions under tap for the most part, but if he ever got close top her and they were tasked with something together, he might have to blurt out that he owned all of her music and had attended around a dozen concerts. He was a colt. Sue him for his enthusiasm.

Valen took a deep breath, preparing himself for the challenge to come as he laid his two forelegs on the workstation. he was ready. Ready. Ready.

[colour=#0033cc]Please Celestia let me be ready[/colour]

[SonicRainboomGirl]

[colour=#000000][/colour]
[colour=#000000]DER ASSISTANT CONTESTANT #3: BEBE LESTRANGE[/colour]

[colour=#000000]Bebe flipped her hair once more and applied another coat of lip gloss. The silky smooth (and somehow slightly sticky) chap felt lovely and a little bit cold. The feeling was comforting her nerves, which were practically non-existant anyways. Bebe was used to being surrounded by all kinds of competition, and had learned how to be 100% confident in her abilities.

Yes, Canterlot super-model Bebe LeStrange was trying out to be Photo Finish's new assistant. She smirked, thinking of how her fame and glamour had helped topple all previous competition. Other silly mares and stallions had to work their hooves to the bone to impress Miss Finish, all Bebe had to do was bat an eyelash and say something intelligent.

Bebe had all the qualities of a perfect assistant. She was eye-candy, always leaving stallions drooling and mares shaking with jealousy. Of course a posh mare like Photo Finish would want that at her side, how could she wish for anything less? Secondly, Bebe was flashy as a camera. She could definitely help Photo Finish with all press-related issues. Bebe was used to dealing with scandal and paparazzi, especially after that nasty incident where she flashed her flank accidentally at the paparazzi!

Bebe was also incredibly worldly and intelligent. She communicated well with griffins, zebras, creatures, and ponies. She was good with travel, too! After all, she was exhilarated to be in lovely Manehattan. It was so fabulous, Bebe fit in like scenery! Well, almost. She had been recognized and commended quite a bit, especially since her new ad for Chic Magazine had just been put up on billboards. Bebe never tired of that kind of attention!

She had absolutely demolished previous competition and the thought filled her with a rush of adrenaline. Bebe was a winner, never once in her life had she lost. She won in her career, her genetics, the stallions she fooled around with even! She just won!

And this was something she was definitely going to win.[/colour]

​

[Volt]

CONTESTANT NO.4:

[colour=#ee82ee]Rising Star[/colour]

Manehattan. The city in which she was born, she grew up. The very essence of all her failures and successes. It was truly ironic how the most important events in her life took place here, even after she had moved to Canterlot so many years ago. To be honest, Star was kind of bored right now, as she continued playing with her see-through kefija of blue-violet colours. Of course, she didn't want to prove herself disrespectful with her appearance. Her many, usually flowing naturally behind her back, was now wavy and wrapped around her neck, though still hiding her left eye. Besides the kefija, she allowed herself only for a silver bracelet on her front right hoof. And, of course, subtle eyeshadow, just a tone brighter than her coat colour. Her approach toward the event she participated in was rather... indifferent though. Mare knew her skills, her value, she knew that contests like these mean nothing to her personally. After long days of consideration, she discovered that she had entered this competition only due to her passion towards all forms of art.

The competition didn't matter to her. Star never ceased striving for self-improvement. If there was a sole reason for which she didn't resign up 'till now, it was a chance that she'd learn something new eventually. It was of really, but really great shock and surprise to be announced as one of the nine chosen. She believed in herself of course, but not to an extend in which her skills will be appreciated so greatly. Her effort finally paid off... again. Risi smiled on that remark. Effort and hard work always paid off! Silly filly... That for the first time made her wonder if becoming an assistant would really be such a horrible idea for her. The career boost she'd earn... and all the new things to learn under a supervision of an expert. Of course, in order to do it she had to prove herself... That's what this contest was about, wasn't it?

Star owned a successful business in Canterlot. Being a photographer, especially a one who expertized herself in portraits, demanded a lot of taste, passion, skills and knowledge. Whereas any forms of paintings were simple, since an artist could express himself the way he wanted, photography was whole different all together. You had to work with given materials, there was no way of changing them. All you could do is depend on your bright mind to come up with ideas for improvement. Unfortunately to her, that wasn't the essence of an assistant... They were not supposed to improve visions of others, but mainly follow them. Perhaps advising a few solutions from time to time. Well, basically that's what she did with her customers, but... Star had mixed feelings towards all of this.

Although she had to admit, patience was her strong side here. Years of working with a truly vast fan of customers, fulfilling all kinds of requests and meeting even the most unpleasant critique shaped her personality. Her experience spoke towards her, and it was undeniably the most important factor of all. In the end, she was standing there not because she knew how to smile nicely. Moreover, she was quite a marvel if she had a camera in hoof. Star was simply born to make fantastic, impressive photos! She was proud of her knowledge concerning a professional and decent photo snapping.

Her last thoughts focused around the persona of Photo Finish. Of course she heard of that mare, anypony who had even next-to-none interest in fashion had heard of her. She mentioned in nearly every single little fashion magazine. But Star never truly took a greater interest in Photo's silhouette. Risi never needed any kind of boosts for her career so far. Through her hard work and determination she achieved complete success in her life. But... well, that life became a bit stalled some time ago. Maybe it was a moment to try something new? That's why... there she was. It was highest time for changes.