Two jaws drop.
DJ-Pon3 sits back in her chair, looking pleased with the result of her dramatic reveal. “Keep it on the down-low, okay? I’m not here to party.”
“But—“ Noteworthy starts.
“But why are you here?” says Lyra, who seems to have recovered from the shock of the sudden appearance of the Equestria-famous DJ better than you and Noteworthy.
Vinyl doesn’t look upset by the lack of awe from Lyra. She spares the turquoise unicorn a smirking glance before looking back to you. “Now, this is pretty classified, hush-hush information, so don’t go spreading it around. Can’t have a million volunteers, see? But there’s a friend of mine who’s looking for somepony to fill a certain position of importance.”
You aren’t excited about the direction this conversation was rapidly pointing towards, given her previous comment about you. “Yes?” you prompt.
“Some old pony named Frederic Horseshoepin just died from cancer, so the Royal Canterlot Orchestra is needin’ a new pianist, and my aforementioned friend who’s actually in the orchestra asked me to take a trip to Ponyville to do a little talent-huntin’.” Vinyl looks pointedly at you. “Somepony told me you can work the keyboard like no other. Hint hint.” She might have winked—her head cocked a little to the side—but her trademark shades hide her eyes completely, so you’re not sure.
“You want me to play for the Royal Canterlot Orchestra.” Your eyes close and you set down your coffee mug. Yeah, the conversation just went there.
“You think? I don’t usually go through this much trouble just to have some tea and cakes, and then be on my way. Hey, they’re short one pony, and you fit the bill.”
“Who was it that told you about me?”
“Uh . . . some pony named Eiffel. Blue, drums for a cutie mark.” The DJ gestures vaguely.
You knead your eyes with a hoof. “I’m going to kill him.”
“So is that a yes?”
“Miss Scratch,” interjects Lyra. “He’s not interested. He’s really not interested in the spotlight, and this is just so sudden and crazy.” Interestingly, Vinyl looks positively stupefied at being referred to as “Miss Scratch”.
“Thanks, Lyra,” you mutter.
“What?”
You ignore her. “Vinyl, can you give me a while to think about it?”
Noteworthy’s jaw drops again. “Wait, you’re actually considering it?”
“Yes, I am.” Where are these words coming from? This is the last thing you want, so why are you leaping at the opportunity?
Vinyl slides a hoof under her hood and scratches the back of her head. “Yeah, I guess. Whatever floats your boat. Just get back to me by tomorrow, m’kay?” The DJ stands, taking a doughnut with her. She tosses a pile of bits on the table, and then disappears.
Lyra leans over the table. “What the hey just happened?”
You don’t answer immediately. Both she and Noteworthy are staring at you. “First off, I’m going to go find Eiffel and strangle him, then I’m going to the library.”
“Um, what?” says Noteworthy.
“I’ve got a book that’s almost overdue. Twilight’ll kill me if I wait another day.”
Lyra pokes your shoulder. “How can you think about that now? Vinyl Scratch just offered you a position in the Royal Canterlot Orchestra and you as good as accepted it! And you’re worried about overdue library books!”
“Book. Singular,” you correct.
A yellow pony at the table next to yours splits off from her conversation to look at Lyra. “Did you say Vinyl Scratch?”
“It was nothing, Carrot Top.”
You stand up. “I’ve got to go.” You gesture at the small pile of bits Vinyl had dropped. “I guess Vinyl paid for breakfast, so I’ll see you later.”
*****
What’s wrong with you?
You’re actually excited to give Vinyl the good news.
You hate the fact that you can do something worthy of any attention, but now you’re eager to show it off. This is completely against the character for yourself that you’ve built up for your entire life—the spotlight is the bane of your existence.
Your mind is normally split off in a thousand directions at once, but you’re a lot more distracted than normal. So distracted that you run headlong into Twilight Sparkle.
“Sorry, Twilight.” You shake your head to get your thoughts in order.
The lavender unicorn doesn’t seem to have suffered any serious damage and is sporting a friendly smile. “That’s quite all right, but are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
Twilight at times seems like a concerned parent, no matter who she’s talking to. “Are you sure? You look a little . . . well, confused. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“No, not really.” You attempt to laugh it off, but Twilight is still looking at you funny. Then you remember an item on your to-do list. “Actually, I was going to come find you anyway. I wanted to return Magical Theory.” You reach into your saddlebag and magic out the heavy tome.
“Oh! Excellent! Did you find it interesting?” The magic forcefield around the book switches from your grey to Twilight’s pink.
You smile falsely. The book had been a long and tiresome read, but interesting nonetheless. Nothing you don’t already know, but a good bit of instruction in theory. “Yes, it was . . . illuminating.” Your voice cracks a little on the last syllable.
“Well, I’m glad. Feel free to stop by the library anytime! I’ll see you later!”
“Yeah . . . bye, Twilight.” As she cheerfully trots off, your mind settles back into its pit of confusion and self-abuse.
Rationally, you shouldn’t be this upset with yourself. But the giddiness you had utilized to make those bold statements is wearing off, and you’re now realizing what agreeing to Vinyl’s request would mean.
Standing up onstage in some ostentatious, Canterlot-style getup with a few dozen other musicians, your every move being closely watched and judged by a thousand silent spectators. More eyes on you at once than you’ve experienced in your entire life, combined. Their cold judgment beating down on you like a hammer.
Sitting down to a highly-polished ivory grand piano.
Playing your music for others to experience.
*****
Sorry about this chapter being a little late! I wrote and rewrote it about 2,357 time, and I'm still not too pleased with it. Hope it's not as bad as I think, maybe it's because I've been staring at it for hours on end.
(Also, bonus points to who can name an episode with Eiffel in it!)
I found nothing wrong, and to be honest i really liked this chapter, best one so far.
I like this story, i was skeptical at first but now that I've read it, i can say that it's a good, lighthearted, almost calming read.
Am i sounding like a fanboy? because i always glorify things right after i've read them.
all in all, faved, tracked~
i want to see where this goes.
Bonus point for me, episode 18, The show stoppers.
787707
Nailed it.
Wow, thanks for the sudden tidal wave of input after weeks of radio silence! I really hope the rest of the story lives up to your expectations!
(And I might have to throw in a few more "dearie"s, just for you) :
(Also, fixed the music reference at the beginning. You like?)
787782
For every "dearie" i find in your future chapters im going to nail a fruit to a tree on my yard and send it to you with an angry mail.
now for my serious reply.
I'll start with why i even decided to read this, i don't like second person all that much and I'm more of the "OMG EPIC ADVENTURE AND MAGIX" type of reader.
But, it was actually the lack of comments that made me want to read it, since i know myself how lame (frustrating) it is to do something and not get any sort of feedback.
So i read it and (sorry) to my surprise, liked it, and now you're stuck with me bothering your every chapter, Deal with it.
Music reference, it's a lot better, i'll give you that, but for further "SRSNESS" i'd suggest actually finding a piano piece (GOOGLE) and just "ponify" it, i always find ponified names add alot of feeling.
there you go.
Also, im serious about the fruits. Stay low on the Dearies and you'll save some fruit.
787860
Well, I'll expect plenty of fruit nailed to trees in my inbox.
Again, thanks for the input, and I'll work on the musical reference. Maybe I'll find something that works.
788118
im serious, fruits will be nailed.
"Prelude in C# Minor Op. 3, No. 2 ", by Sergei Rachmanin"hoof"
that's just an example though, just Google piano pieces, and insert typical Pony name/thingy.
Now it's time for bed, i'll be looking forward to the next chapter :)
And we'll see how much fruit i'll have to sacrifice by then.
Wow I was way off on the OC. I first thought it was Vinyl but it's not even a mare . I'm finally going to read this story hope it is good
"I" am still exactly like me! I am totally loving this!
The character Eiffel appears in many crowd scenes throughout the show, such as in Friendship is Magic, part 1, Applebuck Season, Boast Busters, Winter Wrap Up, The Show Stoppers, The Mysterious Mare Do Well, The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000, A Friend in Deed, The Crystal Empire - Part 1, and Magic Duel. He shares his design with Dr. Hooves, Meadow Song, and Lucky Clover. His cutie mark, visible at the end of the song The Flim Flam Brothers, is a pair of taiko drums.
3576215 He is also known as "The Master" in some Doctor Whooves (Still don't know why he said " I guess it's doctor whooves now not who" as that makes no sense what so ever) So now I can fanboy about being friends with the master