Please
Glittering chandeliers. Formal tuxedos. Long evening gowns. Unlimited cocktails and hors d'oeuvre. Backhoofed compliments said with a smile and vicious gossip whispered behind hooves.
This was the life Au had always dreamed of. She had long since achieved Equestria-wide success, leaving the little filly Golden behind. Now she was the pony everypony longed to be.
"Au, darling," said a mare Au didn't care to recognize, "you simply must pass my regards to your mother. Her latest tour was absolutely phenomenal."
Au's expression was flawless. She knew that. Nothing ever escaped her composure. On the inside, however, she bucked over the nearest waiter and watched as the champagne flutes went flying, shattering when they hit the ground and making an absolute mess. It was a satisfying daydream.
She had not gotten to where she was to play messenger mare for her dearest mother.
"I'll be sure to let her know," Au said with a voice as smooth as silk and promptly tossed the mental note in the bin. "Now, if you'll excuse me, please." She smiled and strode past the mare. Perfect poise. Hooves landing with gliding precision. Back arched just right. Head inclined to catch the light in her eyes. Tail perked to draw attention to her assets.
Through the crowd, she spotted him: her current stallionfriend. Certainly not the first, and most certainly not the last. The only thing constant about her companions was how they never stayed. It was worth it, though; it was worth it just to not be alone.
This one was a fashion critic who had written an article about her father's latest line. She had been his star interview, and now she was his star.
There he was, standing tall and dashing in his tuxedo, a pair of glasses resting on the end of his snout. The dark grey color of his coat was contrasted by the light green mane and tail.
And he was particularly contrasted by the mare latched onto his foreleg like a loathsome leech. Her cute little red pixie-cut mane, her bright blue eyes that couldn't possibly compare to the sapphire of Au's... Who was she?
Au kept her head held high as she approached them. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend, Nitpick, darling?"
His ears turned to her before his head did. "Good evening, Miss Au."
"'Miss' Au?" She stopped short, arching one brow.
Nitpick didn't acknowledge her, continuing as though she hadn't spoken at all. "This is my marefriend, Kitten."
His marefriend.
He hadn't even taken the time to break up with her properly.
A strange bitterness gripped her chest as she stood there. She couldn't speak at first. If she spoke, her composure would fall. If her composure fell, she would fall.
And Au would never fall.
"I see." She offered her hoof to the little doll of a mare. "Charmed, I'm sure."
"Oh, golly," Kitten said in an annoyingly country accent. Her nose scrunched up and she gave a snorting giggle. Deplorable. "It sure is nice to meet a fellow model!"
"Model?" Au scoffed more than said, her hoof still suspended in the air, waiting. "You?"
Kitten beamed. "Yes, ma'am! Nitty here did a review of a little ol' show I was in down in Appleoosa, an' he brought me here to the big city of Canterlot to get my start!"
"It's a refreshing breath of fresh air," Nitpick said, smiling up at Au, daggers in his eyes. "A new face in the world of fashion. Canterlot is so getting tired of seeing the same thing year after year. Ponies do so hate old news, you know."
Was he calling her old news? Au felt her hackles raise and she lifted the hoof up to her face to conceal a laugh. "Oh, I see. Well, Nitty, be sure to take good care of your kitty." She leaned in to place a cordial kiss on his cheek that she wished was laced with venom. "You certainly are an expert at that."
He stiffened and she smirked. Better than venom, she would ruin his career. He would never get an interview with her or her father ever again. Her dad would listen to her. He always listened to her when it didn't really matter.
"Ciao, darlings." She turned and walked away from them, the bitterness returning. That meant she was without a date for the charity banquet for who-even-cared-what. She couldn't be seen alone. The very notion was absolutely unthinkable. Somepony had to fill his place.
Her gaze met that of a stallion she vaguely recognized as a photographer who had been at her last fashion show. He would do. Tossing her mane over one shoulder, she strode up to him, ensuring everything was in place. Stride. Mane. Posture. Sparkle.
"Hello," she practically purred. "I'm—"
"Oh, please, as if you need to introduce yourself." He took her hoof before she could even offer it and lifted it to his lips, his brilliant ruby eyes never leaving hers. "Delighted to meet you."
Au smiled and angled her head just slightly. "How delighted?"
After a brief pause, he leaned in closer, kissing higher up her foreleg. "Quite."
"Well, I'm flattered." She fluttered her long, luscious lashes. "It's a shame more stallions can't see your point of view."
"Is that so? That is their loss, then; this point of view is to die for." He kissed the crook where her foreleg bent, sending a small, pleasant tingle down her spine.
Oh, yes. He would do nicely.
♕
"Good morning, Miss Au," a soft voice said. "It's time to wake up."
Au groaned. Her head throbbed with a deep pain and she ached all over from a night well spent. Slowly, she cracked open one eye to see a figure leaning over her, and her lips curled into a coy smile. "Mm, good morning, handsome."
He cleared his throat. "I'm afraid your... companion from last night has already left, Miss Au."
Of course he had. They always left. But, wait—then who was by her bed? Au's smile fell and she opened the other eye as she lifted her head. In the dim light of her bedroom, his features were barely recognizable, but once she figured out who it was, she frowned. "Oh. Good morning, Dusty."
Dusty Might—her personal valet. Her stallionservant. Her errand colt. Her whatever-she-felt-like-calling-him-that-day. He was a fit earth pony with a mane that resembled a wet mop sitting atop his head, and a tail to match. His pale blue coat contrasted with the dark brown mop-mane that covered most of his face.
The stallion looked down at her with drooping lilac eyes. They always looked so tired. Did he never sleep, or was he just born with them? She dropped her head back onto the pillow and faced away from him.
"I've brought your coffee and breakfast, Miss Au."
Her ear twitched at the sound of a tray being set on the nightstand and she rolled just enough to peer at him out of the corner of one eye. "I'm not hungry." Her gaze trailed over his form. "For breakfast." She rolled over all the way to face him, pushed herself up, and wrapped her forelegs around his neck. With her muzzle right by his ear, she whispered, "Why don't you take care of me?"
Dusty didn't flinch, falter, or really react at all; he never did. "I'm trying to. Eat your breakfast and I'll read your letters."
Au sighed and pulled away from him with a pout on her lips. "Don't you find me pretty?" Her magic pulled the covers back to expose the rest of her form while she stretched out into an alluring pose. "Gorgeous, even? How can you always say no to me?"
Without missing a beat, Dusty lifted the stack of envelopes that had been tucked under one foreleg. "You have two bills, three fan letters, and what seems to be a wedding invitation."
The thoughts of seducing him vanished and she levitated the bagel off its plate. "A wedding invitation? Open that one. See if it's anypony important."
While Dusty opened the envelope, she munched on the bagel and mulled over her wedding checklist. She'd need a new dress and jewelry, for starters, and a date. She could not show up to a wedding without a date. That photographer would make for good leg candy, though she had a feeling that was just an empty fling like all the rest. He'd be long gone by the time this wedding rolled around. After all, she didn't even know his name.
"Ah, here we are. You have been invited to the wedding of Crystal Wishes and Silent Knight on—"
Au's blood ran cold. Her magic flickered out, dropping the bagel onto the bed, and her eyes widened. "What?"
Dusty glanced between the invitation and her. "Which part?"
"No." She snatched it out of his grasp and stared at the words, reading them over a few times. Crystal Wishes? She was getting married? When she felt a tremble start to overtake her, she quickly snapped, "You're dismissed for the day."
"But—"
She glared up at him. "I said you're dismissed. Leave."
With a confused look on his face, Dusty simply nodded, set the rest of the letters on the nightstand, and left the bedroom. When the door shut behind him, Au dropped her composure.
Her breathing went ragged, a cold sweat overtook her, and her jaw clenched. Slowly, the invitation started to tear in half as her magic pulled it apart. Then in quarters. Then in smaller and smaller pieces, each rip more frantic than the last, until she had shredded it so tiny that all she could do was throw them away.
As the confetti of bad news fell to the floor, Au jumped off the bed and stormed toward the door. That miserable mare was getting married. Of course she was! She had everything else, so why not add a husband to her wonderful little life?
She burst into the main room of her spacious luxury condo and looked around. It was empty; Dusty had left. Yes, she had told him to, but he should have known better! He should have stayed.
Nopony ever stayed.
A quiet sob fell from her lips and she stomped a hoof. Why was she so upset? She had everything she had ever wanted! One wall of the living room was covered in trophies, medals, awards, and framed prints of every magazine cover she had been featured on. Her beautiful face looked back at her from every angle in gorgeous gowns most mares could only dream of looking at, much less wear.
In the center of it all was a silver globe dotted with red gems. Two years ago, she had become Miss Equestria. The trophy that matched her cutie mark belonged to her. She was the most beautiful mare in the entire kingdom. Stallions lined up to spend just one—and only one—night with her. Mares fell at her hooves, begging to be her, even if for only just one day.
She had achieved her lifelong dream, so... why wasn't she happy?
... please.
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2000, 2000, 2000... How do you DO that, Crystal??
Totally not wanting to give Au a hug right now.
Definitely not.
There's no way she's very misunderstood and confused about why she's not happy. Not a snowball's chance in Tartarus she just needs to let her composure crack for one minute to let somepony in to give her what she wants.
;A;
Also, can anyone say "All aboard the S.S. AuxDusty?" Hmm. The S.S. Dausty? Austy? We'll think of something.
Just this once, you have my pity Golden.
7446330 I've already got the captain's hat ready for your confident, careful guiding through the tricksy waters of shipping. c:
thumb101.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/878242/328243817/stock-photo-au-gratin-cheese-pasta-328243817.jpg
/stupefied
Work?! Why you not free time? I can no read with customer!
Oh, Golden... I'm gonna give you a hug.
I understood how from her perspective Horsey abandoned her before, but knowing all of this just makes it sting a bit more. And her father heading off to war feels even more like a punch to the gut from her perspective: out of all the ponies she knew, he was probably the most kind and constant. Now, from her perspective, he has abandoned her, like everypony else.
Also, this is my first time commenting on any FIMfiction story ever. Whee!
Yea Lyrica is definitely not the most loving mother...
You know, as much as I still feel that Golden Pants deserves to be taught a harsh lesson and the pain inside her is not an excuse for leniency... and despite the fact the her shallow, basic urges for fame, recognition, companionship are somewhat nauseating... after reading this story, I... I think I would have stayed.
Wonderful work Crystal, once more your writing is intricate, embellished with emotions and this deep understanding of them. That is what I have learned to love in your tales, that is what I seek, and you keep delivering perfectly. Encore! Encore!
Because she never wanted it of her own accord, her mother conditioned her to want those things. She needs to find her own sources of joy, not what she's told to want
Thank you all for reading and commenting!
Always appreciated!! I've been working on this story for a while behind the scenes, so I'm happy to finally get to share it.
7446267 Haha! Well, I wrote each chapter, and they each landed in the 1800-1900 range, give or take. Once I had cleaned them up and edited them, that pushed them closer to 2000. Then it was just a matter of reading through carefully, looking for where I could put in more description or things I could word more clearly... I think the whole x00 thing actually improves my writing!
7446325 Hah! I'd say Upper Crust is the least worst. Lyrica is actively harmful—she pushed her daughter onto a path. Fine Line is passively harmful—she just doesn't pay Horsey enough attention.
7446330 Who would ever want to hug that stuck-up mare?
Au is a sad, messed up little tragedy. I pity her, I really do. I want to slap her, then hug her.
S.S. Dausty FTW!
7446351 She would argue that she doesn't need it, but I think we know differently now.
7446407 reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lol-duck.gif
7446560 media.giphy.com/media/UxREcFThpSEqk/giphy.gif
7446566 Ahh! Thank you for the honor of a comment, I greatly appreciate it!
Au does, too. She's flattered, darling.
Eeeeyup. That's why it was the last straw, and why she finally tried to reach out for help, even though she didn't—and still doesn't—know how.
7446575 She uh... Yeah. She's vain and wrapped up in herself. That's why she pretty much never talks about her, especially in Hopes.
7446907 It's definitely not supposed to be black and white with Au. She isn't forgiven just because of the life she's led, but... she can't be so easily turned away, knowing the pain she carries inside. As I said in an earlier reply, slap her then hug her.
And, thank you.
I'm glad to continue to deliver!
7446957 Yup. That's the problem if you follow too closely in your parents' footsteps. Sometimes the shoes just don't fit and you end up with cramped toes... or, er, something like that...
ss
7447253
You slap, I'll hug. We'll good cop, bad cop her into happiness.
Hell yeah.
Stabbed in the back with a Kitten, harsh.
Hmn, not sure if we should ship GoldenDust or not. As she stands now, I wouldn't wish Au on anyone. By the end of Hopes and the character development I'm assuming Golden will receive? Maybe.
Silly Golden Pants, why would anyone stay if you never ever show anyone your real face?
7447253
I'd ship this. But yeah, only after what 7447574 said.
Hitting on Dusty really was one hell of a low, wasn't it? (No, I don't ship it.)
I, uh, I'd now like to offer my comforting hug services (my mom says I give the best!) in advance of Au's role in "Crystal's Hopes." Please and thank you.
Really, all it takes is sad eyes, broken heart, smokin', hot body, and I'm all yours. In a manner of speaking. Eh, that didn't come out quite right, but you understand, right? Right?
Just let me hug you Au and make it all better! (Don't slap me for being 'common'!)
(Okay, I'm done.)
EDIT: (Not quite.)
"coy"?
7447755 Au5 is 5 times better XD.
*reads chapter titles*
....
Oh
Oh my...
Be careful what you wish for Golden...you might just get it.
I don't even know what to do.
I feel like I can't criticize Lyrica without pie charts.
...
I guess now we know the real reason Fancy Pants joined the army, know what I'm saying?
Knowing Golden Pants side now, I feel pity for her. She has friends, she just needs to reach out them, if she only knew how. like she does in Hopes..
7447430 Aah! The sentiment of that song is perfect.
7447574 Oh, yes. Au has a lot of growing up to do before Dausty can even finish construction, much less set sail. It would just be a terribly destructive and harmful relationship if anything were to happen now.
7447586 It can be hard to be who you really are when this is all you've been for so long! But she's making some amount of effort in Hopes, so...
7447720 I figured this would be a painfully good story for you.
Been working on it for a while, and hey! Look! Now you're not the only one who roots for her in some fashion, so congrats, now you can be the leader of a fan club instead of just a solo fan. 
7447816 Au my?
7448014 That is the danger of wishing, especially when you wish for things like this.
7448168 heheheh. Ouch!
7448877 Sometimes it takes falling to our lowest to realize that we'd rather climb upward.
7449116
Let's hope it continues. :3
7449116
Well, thanks largely to this story, we get to see that Au still feels, which is hugely important. If she was just bitter through and through...
Au is now so distracting that I just want to reach into your story, pluck her out, and show her that things will be alright (once she stops sniping at everyone, of course). It's not quite as strong as my reaction to a friend's character, Aqua Regia, but it's still a hell of a reaction to evoke through writing. So good job, Crystal!
Also, I did it first, so nyah! All you newbie fans are just posers hopping on the bandwagon!
this honestly surprised me as a whole (a good kind of surprise, this is written much sadder then most of what you write (though i shouldn't be surprised with the sad tag) still very good as usual. also sad pony is sad
7449116 I've been pronouncing it closer to 'ow' - like aurum.
Another fantastic edition to the Q&B universe! Really makes you feel for Golden, and I think future chapters of Crystal's Hopes that involve Au will be even more interesting from here on out! :)
I absolutely adore this short. Seems like Au is getting close to a full on Britney Spears/Lohan style meltdown.
Can't wait to see where you take her.
Also, there is someone in this piece that is real bad at hide and seek...
Dammit, now I want to see a full story written on Golden.
I'm consistently amazed at how every time you and Anzel release a story from the perspective of a different pony covering the same events (like in this case - Horsey finally standing up to Au - who knew from the other stories that Au did seem to actually care for Horsey as a friend? Okay, maybe you did as the author.) it never feels quite like the same event. I've read a number of stories and played games that try the same thing (different perspectives that cover the same event) that never quite resonate as well as your stories have.
7449116
And/or to see which way up is.
Ah Golden, we all saw it coming from a mile away, but as the saying goes: can't see the forest for the trees.
Yeah... Golden got all that she wished for... but, in the end, i think this line fits her best
Susumu Kodai: Space Battleship Yamato (1974) (subbed)
Thus is what Golden's victory turned out to be.
How did you get it to say "This is a side story"? I only can see "Sequel" in the edits.
Great story!!!!!
7748017 Glad you liked it!! Haha, I just wrote that in manually.
Oh, okay
. Thanks and keep on writing!!!!
Will Golden be getting another story in the future?
After finally reading this, I was reminded of the second and third verses of the song above. They just seem so perfectly matched to the story of Au, especially in context with the rest of the album (Pink has built up his wall and sealed himself off from the world, and now realizes it's a big mistake but doesn't know how to reach out to people beyond it so he asks them to reach out to him instead)
Hi, this question relates to the "This Story is a Side Story" question. How did you type it in? I tried to do it but nothing happened.
8095560 I just add it to the top of the description, like regular text.
Until they allow us to officially mark side stories, it works well enough for now...
8095596 Ohh!!!!! I get it now!
Thanks a billion!
Nothing gold can stay. ;)