Unlikely Talent [closed]

[Davroth]

 

Photo Finish departed the train, wasting no time after it had come to a stop at Ponyville, a small hamlet in the middle of nowhere which seemed to be the center of attention whenever something big happened in Equestria these days. But that wasn't really any of her concern, she was here for a different reason. Her magazine was about to sponsor and largely organize a huge fashion tour all throughout this great country, stopping at all the big cities! Las Pegasus, Manehattan, and of course Canterlot, and many more. Most of the preparations were already done, so she wasn't exactly here for business. But the blue mare of fashion never passed on an opportunity to scout for fresh, new talent for her fashion shows. And this was a rare opportunity. 

By pure chance she had found out there was an annual talent show in Ponyville, and the word was that this year a local talent was going to present a new line of fashionable dresses as part of it! What a lucky coincidence. Photo Finish was going to stay in Ponyville for a few days anyway, since her own personal train was going to pick her up there then they would be off to their first stop on their big tour. The mare felt like she had been here before and vaguely remembered some things, but in her pursuit of ze magikz, many things just fell to the wayside, and she was too focused on other things to fret about it.

She stood there next to the train station while her burly stallion assistants were unloading her luggage. She never traveled lightly, and most of it were arrays of different cameras and lenses, for obvious reasons. "Quicker!" She huffed at them and struck a pose. "I, Photo Finish, don't haf all day!" Really, she had plenty of time, the little hotel she was staying at wasn't expecting her for another hour. But there was nothing worse for her to just stand around waiting. Through her tinted glasses she looked around her, scanning the ponies passing her by. A lot of them seemed to recognize her, but so far nopony approached her. She had a certain reputation that preceded her even into the more rural areas of Equestria.

 

[SteelEagle]

Valen as feeling something funky and odd the past couple of days since they had returned from Canterlot but had thought better than to give words to the unspoken worries he was feeling. He couldn't pinpoint what exactly what was wrong or how it could be wrong, or even if it was wrong, but he had an unmistakable feeling that something had been off the past few days. Was it the way he was treated by Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow? The insistence of Glimmer on being a tad too involved? What about the Cutie Mark Crusaders and their friends, the incomparable Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara? In just a few short weeks his life had become a friendly, if tumultuous, mess of expectations and inferences, not to mention plans, hopes, dreams and suppositions to boggle the mind.

 

That was why it was nice just to have a show. He was working with Rarity once more on a fashion line and with the lid sealed semi-securely regarding who Gilded was he was free to focus on the work ahead of them. This talent show would feature musical acts, comedy acts, and of course magical and physical performances. What he was doing with Rarity was just one part of the whole, but an important part it would be for the two of them. Rarity to showcase her natural talent as always, and Valen to ensure his friend that despite recent events, he was as committed a partner in this particular crime as she could ever ask for. And as usual her designs were going to be beyond the expectations of any, simply marvelous and full of the grace and divinity she wove into every inch of her fabrics. 

 

He was just lucky enough to be along for the ride, as would anypony who was here to view it. Other acts were going on ahead of them as the pair sat in the dressing room, preparing for their part of the show to begin. For Valen's part he checked his makeup- light, not garish- and mae sure his pelt game was on point. It was- he felt so much softer and smoother lately, which was a positive thing and all but not one he would expect. Maybe that new shampoo was to 'blame'? Either way he felt like he could model whatever Rarity had come up with. With a nice sigh he prepared himself and entered the next room, where Rarity was. Better to get those clothes on and get comfortable.

"Rarity my dear, vhat a most delectable design!" He said in his Prench accent he had for Gilded, taking a gander at this wonderful fashion. 

 

-------------------------

 

Big Lights, the organizer, approached Photo Finish. He hadnt expected somepony of her caliber to arrive just yet, but that was fine. "Miss Finish, an honor to meet you! To what do we owe this pleasure? Come here to check out the best talent show in the Heartlands? Feel free to setup all you want."

[RainbowFoxxy]

 

"Would I ever dress my most talented model in anything less than the perfect?" Rarity reached forward to smooth the edge of the ensemble Valen was adorned with. It was one of her most cutting edge designs and as Valen had said it was truly delectable!

 

"You look fabulous Gilded Lily!" She smiled softly, admiring the way the dress fell along Valen's haunch line.

 

Though this was just a local talent show Rarity would never do less than her best! She was looking forward to seeing the eyes of all those in Ponyville sparkle as they beheld her hoofwork!

 

"Time for me to away to my seat!" She winked slyly. "Show em' what you've got Gilded!"

 

Rarity made her way outside the dressing area and trotted towards the stage seating. She always maintained a seat with a view that would allow her to see the details in every outfit that was displayed. Of course she was excited to watch all the acts as this wasn't only a fashion show! She knew her sister was going to be preforming with her friends during the show. Rarity smiled.

 

"This is going to be wonderful!"

 

As she looked around her vision narrowed in on a certain light blue mare...Photo Finish!

 

"Oh my!" Rarity's heart beat a bit faster! She hadn't been expecting a huge name in fashion to show up to a Ponyville talent show. It was a good thing she always prepared to show her best!

 

Spoiler

Sorry my computer has decided to not let me change color or bold the text for this post...

 

[Davroth]

 

In true Photo Finish fashion, she didn't turn to answer as Big Lights approached her. She didn't know who he was, but a quick sidewards glance told her that this was somepony who thought of himself as being important but not overly arrogant about it. She struck one of her poses and said: "Yes, I, Photo Finish, haf come to stay for a few days to watch ze talent show." She glanced to her assistants, they were making good progress now. They had to unload so much, the train would probably run several minutes late! "And you are...?" She added, now turning her head towards him, showing him her undivided attention. "You vill help me find ze stage, yes!?" It was hard to tell if that was an order or a request, but it was hard to turn down Photo Finish either way.

 

Despite being a hotbed of all kinds of unusual occurrences, Ponyville wasn't exactly big, and it was a short walk to the talent show, which was to start soon! She gracefully accepted a first class seat with a good view of the runway (which is to say she practically commandeered it), and started assembling her camera with stand. It was a brand new model, with an array of lenses, too! It must have costed a fortune. Her assistants were waiting outside, some were already hauling the rest of her belonging to the tiny hotel she was staying in.

Of course it was hard to see where she was looking behind those tinted glasses, but she did keenly scan the room for anyone notable. It was a small, local affair, so the audience was not like the one at the big fashion shows she usually visited, but there were a few notable faces around, of which she took note. Apparently she had stumbled over something worthwhile here, to her surprise. How could she have missed it up until now? A few seats away from her, there was a white mare who gave her a hard to place look. She must have been of some importance to have such a good seat, but Photo Finish couldn't quite place her. Her attention was focused on the catwalk now, it was about to begin! 

[SteelEagle]

Big Lights wasn't about to take offense at her dismissal. She was Photo Finish. Everypony in the entertainment industry knew how she was, and he knew his status in relation- a big fish here in some ways sure, but that was one small pond. "Oh, I'd be pleased. If you would just follow me, the fashion elements are the first part of the talent show..."

"Of course not, Rarity. You know vhere and vhat makes ze big time!" He responded with a lilting laugh, aware that the both of them had a greater understanding of the fashion industry than any school could hope to be compared to the real life experiences they shared. With that Valen got dressed, a stylish black and red piece with enough poof to attract but tight enough in all the right places to keep the body humble. It was a good piece if not especially notable which was just fine, as an ordinary piece designed by Miss Rarity was without a doubt a show stealing number designed by anypony else in the world. He was lucky to know her, that was for sure. Then again she was lucky to know him, seeing as he was the best of the best!

 

So much so that he was saved for last. The other...designers and 'models'...were decidedly, well, local. And there was nothing wrong with that of course, but it was hard for him to imagine Rarity producing such shoddy work once she was an adult. Or the models being so decidedly...well, fat or unfit would be a rude thing to say, but accurate according to expectations.  Still though they had fun and he supposed that was the important thing. It was easier for him to keep up appearances as Gilded- he noticed that he was having an easier time keeping the feminine voice he had chosen for her going, and even felt it slip into normal conversation. Worrying. Or positive? Hard to tell.

 

Either way his turn came and he hit the runway with style and grace, alternating between a friendly, happy gait and a fierce ability to strike poses, making sure to display the clothes to accentuate his features and allowed his features to make the clothes sparkle, with all the fine detailing and wonderful depth of design and color that made Rarity the best designer in Equestria!

[RainbowFoxxy]

 

Rarity tried her best to keep her attention on the catwalk for the beginning of the show. Though she would have loved to turn and see the reaction from the famous pony behind her, the white unicorn knew how to hold herself in public. It was never appropriate to smother a star. especially not one of the caliber of Photo Finish! 

 

The fashionista instead riveted her attention on the models that made their way down stage. It was true, they were locals, Ponyville's finest! It was easy to see they were there for the sheer fun of it all as many did not quite fit the description of your typical model. Rarity took all this in stride. She had been in Ponyville for along time, long enough to learn to appreciate the simple pleasures of life. Long enough to allow others to enjoy there same pleasures. As one of the local florists struck a pose the unicorn clapped her hooves together.

 

"Bravo darling! Simply stunning!" She waved to the mare of stage. 

 

Then it was Valen's turn. No pony commanded a stage like Gilded Lily. She came down with a carefree trot, working magic on the contours of the outfit. Style by Rarity was at it's finest as she struck a few poses. They could have been in the most prestigious of shows in those moments. The design of the outfit and the presentation of the model were impeccable!

 

"Very nice! So very nice!" Rarity's eyes sparkled in appreciation as Valen turned back down the runway. 

 

At this point she couldn't help but turn to see Photo Finish's reaction...