Behind the dark shades (Photo Finish X Hoity Toity)

Photo Finish was a lie.

Her looks, her accent. Everything about her was nothing but a clever disguise to hide the real mare. The disguise was necessary; it was the only way a simple earth pony from Baltimare could make a name for herself in the big capital of Canterlot. Ponies in high society tended to look down on those that lack the horn to create illusions or the wings to soar the skies. Earth pony artists were only appreciated as musicians because it takes a terrible amount of training to master any instrument. But Photo Finish´s special talent wasn't musical, it was a keen eye to detect the hidden potential in every fashion model and designer. But such keen eye will loose all its power if somepony could see the tenderness in them.

That´s why she wore the glasses. Those thick, tinted shades hid the one thing she couldn't fake. She couldn't hide the pain when one of her shows fails nor the pride when one of her models was given an award. She had the mastered the art to keep a completely unfazed expression but her eyes betrayed her every time.

So when he entered the room, while her body remained frozen in place, a posture that any member of the Royal Guard will envy; her eyes were trembling with fear. Fear of his rejection, of his mockery, of failure.

“Photo Finish, I don't think we had the pleasure to meet,” Hoity Toity, the most influent pony in the fashion worlds, said to her.

“We have not,” Photo Finish replied, her tone harsh and soulless.

“Well, I did assist to one of your Spring Parades. It was quite a spectacle. Making the pegasi models walk the aisle with their wings raised was a clever idea.”

“It was intentional. They were meant to represents the southern birds returning for the spring. It was inspired in a beautiful scene I saw during a visit to a pedestrian town.”

She hated using those words. She hated playing the game of the arrogant ponies that believe that anypony that comes from a farmer or merchant family is not worthy of stepping inside the Royal Palace.

“Ponyville, perhaps? Lovely town. Food not so much, I've never been a fan of apples.”

She didn't reply. It took all her effort to remain still, never showing any signs of weakness.

Hoity cleared his throat and said, “Well then, I'll like to see your designs.”

Photo Finish guided him across the scenario where all the models were getting ready for tonight´s show. Feathers and manes were tied together, glitter applied in eyes and horns, mares were transformed into completely different beings. Hoity observed the transformation carefully, tapping his chin. He didn't said a single word, he just observed and occasionally nodded at an assistant.

Nopony could tell if Photo Finish was nervous, her posture was perfect. It was behind the shades were the truth lied.

“It´s quite an interesting concept,” he said. “A monster themed parade.”

“Not monsters, nightmares! Nightmare Night is coming next week and the best way to welcome it, it´s with a parade of everypony worst nightmares. A terrifying cockatrice, that can turns strayed foals into stone! The vicious timberwolves that roam in the dark shadows of the forest! And the big finale, the Mare that brings nightmares and fears, Nightmare Moon!” she explained.

Her assistants applauded, they admired her work and passions. She appreciated them but she didn't look for their approval., She wanted his, she knew that the snob ponies in Canterlot listened to Hoity toity. That his word was law in the fashion world and she needed to impress him, to make him realize how talented she really was.

She looked at him, not a single expression on her face. But her eyes trembling, her eyes were almost filled with tears, as she waited for his critique.

“It´s...nice.”

The entire room fell silent.

“It´s creative, don't get me wrong. But I feel it´s a little forced. Almost like you're trying to be scary instead of showing actual scary images. That makes it lose some impact. The costumes are too elaborated to be frightening,” he said.

Photo Finish´s mask broke, not even her shades could contain her pain. Her mouth opened in a clear expression of surprise and her body went limp. Hoity and the assistant noticed this but when they tried to reach her, she ran. She turned around so fast that her shades fell off.

Her lies laid in the ground, exposed to all.

Photo Finish ran outside of the building until she eventually reached one of the many bridges of Canterlot. From that spot the entire city was at display. She looked at the Palace towers and the imposing mountain behind it. Looking up at the ancient history of Equestria, she felt as small as a ladybug hiding in a rose field. A little dot that was barely visible, lost in the scenery.

“You forgot these,” Hoity said, handing her a pair of glasses.

Photo Finish took them but didn't put them, she simply stared at them. She stared at the shield she wore every day.  Hoity Toity walked next to her and looked up at the buildings.

“Always impressive. Still, Manehattan has the best looks. Have you seen the city at night?” Hoity asked her.

“I dislike Manehattan. it´s just like Canterlot, only the servants and the snobs trade costumes,” she said and looked back at the towers.  “Every place is the same. I want to visit a different place, where no disguises are needed.”

“You live in such a place, Photo. Every time you put on a show, you show ponies that world. You invite them, to see the world that only you can see.”

She looked at him, surprised. “I was under the impression you dislike my work.”

“I didn´t liked this particular show of yours but, first lesson I learned when I got into the fashion business, is that not everypony is going to like your work,” he said, taking off his glasses and cleaning them with a handkerchief.

“Speaking from experience?” she asked him.

“Everypony is a critic,” he said, dodging the question. He looked at her who was looking back and commented, “Lovely eyes. Why hide them?”

She blushed and turned her face. “I have my reasons.”

“Same reasons for the accent?”

“What about yours?” she replied.

“Genuine Trottingham accent, my dear.”

Photo Finish turned her head again, making a very forced “Hmph!” sound. Hoity smiled and put his glasses back. To any onlooker, it will simply be like the pair of most important ponies of fashion were standing in a bridge, searching for inspiration.

But what the shades hide were their eyes trying to meet. They couldn't allow their bodies to get closer, they had to fight the impulse to hold their hooves, despite both feeling like doing that.

Instead, they adjusted their glasses, keeping the rising attraction hidden from any judgemental eyes. The lie remained in the surface but behind the dark shades, love was in bloom.