//------------------------------// // Staying Happy // Story: A Musician's Shadow // by Evowizard25 //------------------------------// My plan was going better than I could have hoped. I could tell Octavia was warming up to me. We rarely went a day without seeing each other and she eagerly wanted to go out once more. This was perfect. She thinks I’m her friend. HA! One day I’ll prove how naive that train of thought was. Until then, I shall be her friend. Ugh, that word felt bitter to even think. Me, Sombra, King of Shadows, befriending a commoner. The evening was just beginning and nothing much happened. For the best, really. I didn’t feel like dealing with foalish crystal idiots longer then I needed too. Their grating smiles would soon be gone and they’d finally be put to good use. No longer shall they imprison my people and live their putrid lives by hiding behind Equestria’s rump. They will know the folly of their ways, so says I, the rightful king of this land. I wasn’t a king now, however. So that meant I had to deal with whatever life threw my way and not order them or it to be executed. “So,” Octavia began. Our trip around the Empire hadn’t been the most talkative. That was fine with me. The less we talked, the less information I had to create. The less she had to work with meant she would have a harder time figuring out I was lying to her. “You said you were a musician, correct?” I blinked in confusion before catching myself, “A bard, yes.” “I was hoping if you would come with me to the music shop,” Octavia spoke. “That way we could find an instrument that sings to you. One that will help you recapture your lost muse.” The way she looked at me spoke volumes. If I didn’t go, she’d think I was avoiding the issue. She might not press now, but she could in the future. I was intelligent, but not infallible. Something could slip from my lips and my plan would be done for. “Very well, proceed.” I’ll just drain the knowledge from another pony or read a book quickly enough later. Octavia smiled, “You’ll have your muse back in no time.” _____________________________________________________________ I regret never learning an instrument now more than ever. The most I ever relied on was my own voice, but that was mostly because I wished to be rid of my accursed speech impediment as a child. I should have told her I just sang, but now I couldn’t. It’d just feel like an excuse. This is why I prefer to plan things out beforehoof. “So,” Octavia hummed as she looked around. I have to say, she even has pleasant hums. Is she just incapable of producing nothing but song quality music from her lips? “Which is your preferred instrument, Somber?” I was honestly confused by many of the instruments here. Many of them were Equestrian and they were so… strange? Ugly? I didn’t know what to think of many of them. My search was interrupted when a mare bumped into me. She didn’t really budge me and more so ended up on her rump. I was tempted to begrudge her for the act, but stopped when I saw who it was. She was a simple Crystal pony. She was tan with a chestnut mane with a glowing light cutie mark. “Oh excuse me, I’m just a little absentminded today.” I couldn’t speak. This was her: Chestnut Falls. The mare who cared for me, raised me. She was… one of the few who believed in me. Almost like a mother. “Sombra,” a harsh headache smashed it’s way through my skull as she spoke. I did my best not to flinch. “Do not forget your mission. I cannot keep track of you all the time as the magic of this empire is taxing even to talk through it.” “I remember,” and like that, she was gone again. Anger bubbled in my heart once more and I narrowed my eyes. “Perhaps you should be more careful in the future.” I held out a hoof. I needed to appear civil at least. She grabbed it and was on her hooves in no time. She smiled, “So what brings you here.” “A very persuasive friend.” Leaning over my shoulder to look at Octavia, Chestnut giggled. “Ah, i see. Well I shant keep you from her. I just needed to pick up an instrument for… sentimental reasons.” I frowned, “What sort?” I shouldn’t ask, but my curiosity was getting the better of me. “Oh just… ah-ha!” She chuckled as she walked over to a crystal flute. It was a little different then a Equestrian flute, being a little more bulky and made of crystal. “This is it. Oh my little boy used to hate playing this, but I thought he was doing such a good job.” “Your boy?” I trotted over to her side and looked down to see her eyes growing misty. It hurt seeing her on the verge of tears, but my heart would not be swayed. She was nothing to me now. I had to tell myself that. Chestnut sniffed, “Everypony hates him now. I know he did wrong, but…” She hugged the flute to herself. “He was still mine. Now he’s gone and it’s just been hard for me to move on.” I looked down at the flute. I was being a fool. I shouldn’t consider this as an option. Yet, looking at her, I couldn’t help but take the flute in my magic. She looked up in surprise but said nothing as I sat down and started to play with my hooves like she had taught me. I closed my eyes as the music started. I knew it was off kilter and in no ways perfect, but I wasn’t awful with the crystal flute. I played a short diddy based around a small nursery rhyme of an ugly duckling. Nothing special as I didn’t want to play it for long. The moment I stopped playing, Chestnut was looking up at me with a tinge of both shock and happiness. “My boy… that was the song he played the most.” She chuckled and wiped a hoof along her wet cheek. “Thank you.” I nodded and hoofed over the flute, “I’m sure he’d appreciate it.” “Oh, my Sombra was just the sweetest thing.” Chestnut chuckled as she held it tightly. “Of course he would. Thank you, for making this old mare smile again. I mean, really smile.” She moved closer and gave my cheek a kiss. I blushed slightly. She knew kissing me in public was embarrassing. I mean, kissing him. It didn’t help that this new body acted strange around her as well. I know Chestnut is a pretty mare with a well rounded figure…. No, new brain, no. You will not. As Chestnut trotted away with a cute skip in her step, Octavia came to my side. “What you did there was truly magnificent.” “Tis nothing,” I shook my head. “My music was awful.” “Not exactly,” Octavia shook her own head. “True, the notes were misplaced at times and you blew a little too hard. However, there was love put into each and everyone of them. Is she someone important to you?” I was afraid of such questions, “Why do you say that?” “How you inflected your words and your speech,” she explained. “It sounded as though you knew her.” “She just reminds me of my own mother is all,” I shrugged and silently hoped she’d leave it be. She simply smirked, “Blimey, I’d wager you had a thing for older mares.” I blushed, “I do not.” “Or maybe just mares with a taste of music,” she giggled. “I ponder how you might try and sway me like you did with her.” “You are indeed very bold, Octavia.” I narrowed my eyes and huffed. “A musician must be bold in her approach or else she will grow stagnant.” Octavia’s muzzle was inches from his as she softly spoke. “So I shall take that as a compliment, good sir.” With that she walked away and out of the store. “They appear to be out of Crystal Flutes. She bought the last one. Drat. Oh well, we’ll find one another time.” I sighed in relief. At least she wouldn’t pester me about instruments now. “Perhaps singing is your forte,” Octavia called back. I sighed once more, this time in agitation. This plan was getting on my last nerves. ____________________________________________________________________ As a Blueblood, I am to always keep my composure. That meant I had to keep my tongue in cheek when talking with Shining Armor in front of Cadance. My big sister was a delight, but her taste in stallions was questionable. I would rather deal with Chrysalis then that buffon. Perhaps I am being a little too harsh on him, but he’s ruined my suit more times then I can count. Not to mention my mane and that is unforgivable. I knocked on the royal chambers and waited. Without delay, they flew open and I was pulled into a bone-crushing hug. “Ooooh, Bluey~” Cadance giggled as she twirled me around. Pulling back, she smiled brightly. “I’m so glad you’re finally here.” “I’m not the type to keep family waiting,” I cleared my throat. “Of course you’re not,” Cadance booped my nose. “Shining’s in another part of the castle, so it’s just us two.” I sighed in relief, which she caught. “Play nice.” “I’ll try,” I grit my teeth. It wasn’t going to end well. That barbarian put his hooves all over my sister like he owned her. He didn’t deserve to have my sister. Not one bit. I wouldn’t voice this. Cadance was adamant about her love and she seemed so happy. So I kept my mouth shut. “That reminds me,” Cadance tapped her chin. “I invited somepony else. Who were they? Hmmmm.” She moved me slightly to the right and unfortunately, I didn’t see the big red ‘X’ until it was too late. I felt somepony land right on top of me, ending with a butt on my muzzle. One whiff and I could tell it was a mare. “Cadance, hi. Sorry for dropping in like this, but I had to come as soon as possible. We really don’t get much time to spend together these days.” ….Twilight Sparkle was sitting on my face…. Best day or worst day ever? I didn’t know, but I was blushing like mad. My very crush was in such a position that I could feel… Oh dear, my blush got worse. “OH!” Twilight flapped off of me and pulled me up. “Bluey, I’m so, so sorry. I didn’t mean to land on you.” “Th-think nothing of it,” I gulped. I looked over at my sister who had a devious look on her face. She wanted Twilight’s butt on my face. “I-I’m glad to see you again.” Twilight smiled which sent my heart soaring, “Same here. You’ve got to come by Ponyville soon. Don’t mind Rarity. She’s not upset with you anymore so it should be fine.” I sighed in relief. Me and Miss Rarity had settled our differences, even going to the grand opening of a new airship together. That didn’t mean she wasn’t a little agitated with me still. She stepped on my hooves plenty of times that day. Twilight hugged me, to which I couldn’t do anything about. She was hugging me. Twilight Sparkle. The mare I had crushed on since childhood. She hugged me often, but I didn’t know what to do. I just blushed like mad. She giggled, “You’re supposed to hug back silly.” “Yes Blueblood,” Cadance’s grin grew. “Hug her. Hug her nice and tight~” ….This is going to be a long stay.