//------------------------------//
// Chapter X: The Sound of Music 
// Story: Four Ponies & A Time Machine 
// by SkelePone 
//------------------------------//

“Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.” 
― Anthony G. Oettinger

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Roseluck did not trust the Princess.

She knew it was probably just some little pony whispering in her ear, making her jealous. But the Princess seemed to spend an awful lot of time sitting at Carnegie's bedside while the stallion lay, almost comatose. More time than SHE did, that's for damn sure. It seemed every night before Rose went to bed she'd see the young Celestia with her flowing pink mane standing over him. Then when she woke up, the Princess would still be there. This infuriated her to no end.

She couldn't grouch to Time Turner, because he was busy speaking with Starswirl about making changes to the TROTIS.

She couldn't grouch to Carnegie Porter because he was fighting off an infection and had to take antivenin for the poison that had been launched into his leg.

She couldn't grouch to herself, because that would mean she was crazy. And she didn't want to be that kind of marefriend (was she Carnegie's marefriend?).

So her choices left her with Derpy Hooves. The grey pegasus mare, her new friend and her former rival was glad to listen to Rose complain about the Princess.

"I mean, Derpy, I know she's royalty and all, but Porter is MY stallion. She can't just think she can come along and take him, just because she thinks she's all that."
Derpy sat there, her googly eyes straining as she tried to think of a good response. Her next few words were careful, measured out, and hushed.
"Well... I kinda know how you feel... You were kind of like that with Time Turner..."
Roseluck winced and she felt a pang of guilt.

"Yeah, I know... and I'm sorry I said all those awful things about you... I really think you and him are perfect for each other."
"Thanks," Derpy said with a goofy grin, "and it's okay, I figured you were sorry. As for you and Carnegie... I dunno, I just think you two are an odd couple. An alcoholic and a florist?" She let out a giggle.
"Ah ah ah," Rose sang, shaking her hoof at Derpy, "he's a brewer. And you've seen him when he put on that speech for the deer all that time ago. He can be a hunk when he wants to be."
Now it was Rose's turn to giggle. They began to playfully argue, back and forth, about who's stallion was better.

They were interrupted by Princess Celestia.

"Hello. I'm-"
"Princess Celestia."

The Princess blinked and nodded.

"I guess I should've just asked your own names."
"Hi! I'm Derpy Hooves!" The Princess nodded and bowed her head to Derpy, who bowed back eagerly.
"I'm Roseluck. Carnegie Porter's marefriend." The Princess raised an eyebrow at Rose, who tried her best not to look livid.

"Oh?"
"Oh."
"Ah."
"Oh yeah."

To Rose's surprise, Princess Celestia giggled.
"What's so funny?" She demanded, now letting her anger show.
"You think I'm interested in that alcoholic Earth pony? Believe me, Roseluck, that drunken fool is the last pony on my mind."
Roseluck felt like she was supposed to be relieved, but she felt more offended.

"Well what's THAT supposed to mean 'your Majesty'?! Is my stallion not good enough for you? Well, listen here sister, Carnegie may have his flaws, and a damn lot of them, but I love each and every one of them. I love that he's a loon, I love that he's a drunk, I love that he never takes ANYTHING seriously. And I'll let you know that I'll let him buck my brains out every chance I get, because he's a HUNK when he wants to be. You hear?"

Both Celestia and Derpy sat in hushed silence. Rose was panting, her rage finally cooled. The awkward silence was broken by the sound of stomping applause from the doorway. Carnegie Porter stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame. His coat was struck by a pallor and his face blemished by a dark mark across his left cheek. His leg was heavily bandaged still.

But his eyes sparkled with amusement as a smirk played across his face.

"Ya'll let me buck yer brains out,eh? I migh' jus' hold ya ta that promise, mi'lady." He sniggered as her face turned as red as her mane. She rounded on him.
"When did you get better? Did Starswirl or the Doctor let you get up? You look pale. You better lay back down before I force you."
"Calm down, lassie. I was only pickin' wit' ya."
She leapt from her bed, grasping his neck with her foreleg and pulling him in for a hearty kiss. She heard Celestia wolf-whistle jokingly, but she didn't care. Celestia could call him a drunken fool all she wanted. But he was Rose's drunken fool.

After the kiss, she cooed at him.
"Hey, Porter, why dontcha sing for the Princess and the royals before we leave. We'll want to thank them for saving you after you get all better." Carnegie grinned slyly.
"I dunno. Would I expect a bucking afterwards?"
She leaned in, whispering in his ear. She smelled like honeyed whiskey. A good smell.
"You can count on it."





Two days had passed since that episode in Rose and Derpy's shared bedroom. Carnegie was back to his colorful, lively self. His leg had been fully mended, and his face was free of bruises and marks. He had washed up, once again brushing himself up as the Sober Porter from the deer fortress. Roseluck thought he was hot.
And she didn't waste a moment telling him otherwise.

But now he stood upon a stage, wearing a simple black bow tie, a grim expression on his handsome features as he sang. Queen Selene, noticeably older and once again pregnant, sat somberly, listening to Carnegie's slow, sad ballad. Celestia sat beside her, slightly swaying. Her eyes were downcast. Rose figured she felt bad for the bad things she had said about the handsome stallion singing before them.

"An' King Helios, tha hero
he stood there wit' pride
he stood ground 'gainst the evil,
whippin' it's hide."

Starswirl and many other royal unicorns swayed in rhythm as well. The song of Carnegie Porter flooded through the castle, commemorating the fallen king. Giving comfort to those he had left behind.

The song ended. The last few deep notes resonating across the room. The audience began to stomp in applause. Carnegie bowed low, then strode from the stage. He grabbed a martini from a nearby butler as he removed the bow tie.
Of course.