Shade's Soliloquy (Chapter Preview)

Shade cocked a quizzical eyebrow at the dark pink mare befor her.

Once again, Death levitated the instrument to Shade with a beaming grin.

"What are you plotting?" Shade dead panned.

"I love it when you sing, Shade. Except that whole screaming, shouting, stuff you do." Death rolled her hoof as to elaborate.

"I am not singing for you."

Death frowned and shoved the guitar into Shade's chest. "Just take the fucking thing and be happy!"

Shade reflexively clutched the acoustic guitar. She watched as Death left the room, closing the door softly behind her. A sigh left Shade.

She had not touched a guitar in centuries. The last time she played one was on stage during her last concert before the bombs fell. The war turned out to be even more profitable than her music career and less stressful. Good times.

What the Hell. . .

Shade sat on her bed and rested the guitar on her legs. Granted, the position felt weird as a quadruped, but felt right. Strumming the first string brought a frown to her muzzle. Untuned. With a shrug, Shade began to masterfully tune the instrument by ear.

Minutes passed and Shade absently plucked the strings with her hoof magic gripping fields. Magic. Shade rolled her eyes. She got a feeling that term would be the answer for many questions to come.

Something bubbled, no, resonated within Shade as she played a particular chord over and over. A sensation she has felt many times during her music career. A song.

The words scratched at her skull, tickled her throat, and moved her hoof.

Here. I am. Trapped again.
Feeling so powerless.
A feeling I can't explain.
One that makes my heart a mess.
Trapped as a child
And I have no clue
If I should be wild
Or be told what to do.

Here.
I am.
Traaaaapped.
Again.

A puppet to the dark mistress,
Whom none can escape.
She shows her happiness.
Her smile I wish I can tape.
Why is she acting nice?
Why do I fall for her kindness?
I thought she was made of ice,
Like my heart in its fullness.

Here.
I am.
Trapped.
Agaaaaiiin.

Why do I feel so conflicted?

Shade stopped playing the guitar and dropped it onto the wooden floor. She panted heavily. Dampness around her eyes made her draw her arm across her face and sniffle.