Filly Friends

by thehalfelf

Epilogue: Prelude

Prelude

“What time do you have to leave?” Vinyl asked me, shaking me from my thoughts. She moved to stand next to me in the mirror of our apartment and took my brush from me. “You can’t sit and brush your mane all evening, you’ll be late.”

“When did you get so responsible?” I snarked, but turned around when she twirled the brush. I felt her resume brushing where I stopped. “I’ve got about an hour left, long enough to eat something and get dressed.”

“Do you mind if I leave with you?”

I shrugged. “If you want, but I don’t know if the staff will let you in and I have to go in early to check tuning with my section. You should probably know that by now, though.”

Vinyl floated the brush down to our vanity, then sat in a chair nearby. “I do, but I like going with you. I don’t mind waiting in line for a bit.”

I stood and tied up my mane, to keep it out of my way while I played. It also made it easier to wrangle into my show suit, which I had to put on after dinner. “It’s not quite like Canterlot University, Vinyl. There isn’t really a line.”

“Then I’ll make one.” She stood and followed as I walked into the apartment proper. The table was already full of food, courtesy of Vinyl’s old roommate. She’d opened a diner right after leaving university, and thankfully it was nearby. It had quickly become a favorite of Vinyl’s and not entirely just for the free food.

I ate quickly, then returned to the bedroom to finish dressing. I had a suit to put on, complete with bow tie, as did the rest of the orchestra.

“Don’t worry, I’ll get it,” Vinyl called as somepony knocked on the door. I’d anticipated it, knowing that some friends or family members who couldn’t make it to the show tonight would want to come and wish me well. I didn’t expect Mother to walk in, a small white box and dress bag floating behind her.

“You look beautiful, as always,” Mother said. She draped her belongings across the bed and moved to hug me. “Are you nervous?”

“No more than normal,” I answered.

“I’ve heard you practice and I know you’ll do great.” She stepped back and floated the small box between the two of us. “I have a present for you, for your first show with Legatus’ orchestra.”

“You didn’t have to.” I took the box from her and set it on the vanity, in the light.

“I wanted to,” she replied. “Now, I know that you have a strict dress code, but both Aunt Rosin and myself informed Legatus that this should be fine, at least for tonight.”

I cocked my head, but didn’t answer. Instead, I gently lifted the lid of the box to reveal a single muted pink bowtie, nestled in velvet. Just like Mother’s.

Her magic lifted the bow tie from the box and moved to fasten it around my neck. “My mother gave me a tie just like this when I played my first performance out of the Conservatory. I’m sorry to say I don’t have that bow, at least, not anymore.”

Gently, I tapped the cloth attached to my collar, too overwhelmed to speak. “I’ll take care of it.”

“I know you will.” She hugged me again. When we parted, I pretended not to see the tears in her eyes. “Now you better get going. I need to wrangle your marefriend into a dress and don’t want you caught in the crossfire.”

“See you after the show,” I promised, then left the apartment.

Author's Note:

I'll keep this brief because I have a more traditional super-wordy Extended Author's Note here for you if you want it.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to anyone who has read or will read this in the future. You are all fantastic, and great people. I'd also like to shout out the two people who helped me write this.

quick_study served as an editor, storyboarder, neighsayer, and basically whatever else I needed during writing, up to and including roommate. Dusty Old Qrow only really came in for the last few chapters, but an outside look at a story that wasn't tainted by knowing the outline was a super big help, and it's not a lie to say that his thoughts of the last couple of chapters shaped the edits I posted.

I'm off to go binge the new FFXIV content. See you all later

Comments

[TCC56]

An excellent and well-done tale. Bravo. Thank you for it.

[Noobblue]

I don't really have words here. I probably could give you an advanced critique of your work, suggest whatever, and be generally encouraging but cold.

But this was just really good, and I'm glad I read it.

Thanks.

[Hobbestc]

This was an entertaining and fun ride. Thanx for the show.

[Dusty Old Qrow]

Was an honor to help with this for the last few chapters. A great story through-and-through. Great job, man!

[thehalfelf]

10379788 10380128 10380987
exaggerated stage bow

10381116
Was happy to have you along, and am looking forward to a more complete project with your help.

[EddWar]

Great story.

[thehalfelf]

10399156
Thank you.

[Halsenbert]

I really really love this fic. Thanks for this amazing trip I really enjoyed, From the first chapter to the end.

[thehalfelf]

10422560
Thank you. I'm glad you liked it.

[Ice Star]

Such a sweet way to wrap things up!

And nice, the A/N followed.

[thehalfelf]

10695307
I may be many things, but a liar isn't one. Most of the time.

[Ice Star]

10695407
I suppose if half of you is an elf that at least leaves room for being a liar somewhere in the other half.