//------------------------------// // Sweet Music- Slice of Life // Story: Hasty Hearts // by Baby Seal Burritos //------------------------------// “Let me get this straight,” Twilight Sparkle rubbed her eyes with a tired hoof, balancing her spectacles precariously on her forehead. “You want to become my apprentice?” Sweetie Belle nodded enthusiastically, but said nothing. Twilight lowered her hoof to the floor with a clack. “And it’s not magic that you want me to teach you, but rather you want to learn about music?” “Yes.” Sweetie Belle’s voice was sweet and chiming, one could very well liken it to a bell if they were so inclined. It had been a while since her voice had stopped cracking and squeaking, but it still sounded so odd to Twilight to hear the once small filly sounding like a proper grown up. She had grown, too, and could now look Twilight right in the eyes with a pleading look that reminded Twilight of the white unicorn’s sister. Sweetie Belle said no more than the single word, imploring Twilight with those huge green eyes to give in. To say yes. Twilight felt that familiar tug in her chest, that same desire to do whatever it was the mare wanted that came when Rarity used it on her. Of course that would be the knowledge Rarity would pass on to her sibling once it became apparent that Sweetie shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near a pair of scissors much less needles. “But why?” Twilight groaned. “Why would you ask me out of all the ponies you could ask to teach you music? I’m about as qualified for that as I am to teach scuba diving.” Sweetie Belle shook her head, those buoyant, pastel pink and purple curls dipping into her eyes with each movement. “You sing all the time, Twilight! Like at your brother’s wedding! And at Rarity’s! And at Fluttershy’s! You’re really good at it!” Twilight bit her lip. She had indeed sung at many a wedding, but it wasn’t as though singing was her talent or even that she was very good. It had been a special favor each time, and she had never been so nervous as each time she had put a microphone to her lips. “Why don’t you ask Pinkie?” Twilight lit up. “Yes! Surely Pinkie is much more qualified to teach you about the nuances of songcrafting. She practically invented it!” Sweetie Belle’s smile drooped into a pout. “I did ask Pinkie.” Twilight cocked her head in confusion. “She said no? I can’t imagine Pinkie turning down an opportunity like this.” Sweetie Belle scuffed a hoof across the ground. “She said that she doesn’t know how she does what she does. She says that she can only sing when the timing calls for it.” Twilight furrowed her brow. “When the timing calls for it? What does that mean?” “I don’t know.” Sweetie Belle shrugged. “But she told me that I should come and ask you.” She stretched a goofy grin across her cheeks and spoke in a terrible impression of Pinkie’s voice, “‘If there’s one pony that could teach you it’s Twilight! Because not only is she the bestest most smartest pony, she’s also a super amazing fantastical singer!’” Sweetie arched an eyebrow at Twilight who broke eye contact with a wavering chuckle. “Oh that Pinkie,” Twilight turned to a bookshelf and began removing books and replacing them at random. “Such a kidder!” Sweetie Belle sidled up next to Twilight, attempting to lock eyes again without success. “So…?” Twilight paused, a volume about relative space floating in the air between them. Sweetie had grown so much since her crusading days. She was now a full grown mare with a cutie mark all her own. Oh how Rarity had pranced around for days acting like she herself had discovered her own special talent instead of her little sister. Rarity would often boast about how Sweetie would be a shining star in Canterlot or Manehatten once she got the proper training. But Twilight wasn’t the proper training Sweetie needed. She couldn’t possibly do any good for the little mare, could she? Twilight asked, softly, “Are you sure you have no better options?” Sweetie paused for a few moments before nodding. “There’s nopony else.” Twilight closed her eyes and remembered, just for a moment, Rarity and all their friends. The days back then were filled with adventure and craziness that had made each quiet moment sacred. But now things were quiet. Ponies had gone their separate ways, and nothing threatened the peace. Perhaps she had gotten a bit lonely in her studies recently. The subjects were growing thin and her eyes were getting tired. She gazed up at the old worn bookshelves and her eyes rested on a white tome that she had never taken the time to read before. She grasped it with her magic and floated it down to eye level without a word. “Musical Theory” is said in gold lettering along the spine. Twilight smiled despite herself. Perhaps it was time to focus on other things for awhile. She looked over to see Sweetie who was barely suppressing a gleeful expression, and she chuckled. “Alright.” Sweetie’s eyes widened and her smile finally broke through. “Really?” Twilight nodded. “I don’t know a lot about the formal mechanics of music, but perhaps we can learn together?” Sweetie threw her forearms around Twilight’s neck and squealed, “Thank you Twilight! Thank you thank you thank you!” Twilight hugged the not so little filly back. It was hard not to cry when Sweetie’s white shoulder reminded her of some other shoulder that she missed so dearly. But the weight of the situation lifted when Sweetie whispered in Twilight’s ear, “Maybe we can invite Pinkie over some time and see if you can’t inspire the timing to call for her to sing.” Sweetie danced out of reach as Twilight took a playful swing at her. Their laughs mingled and it seemed as though they were already well on their way to learning to make music together. ---Author's Comments--- This was written for Thirty Minute Ponies in thirty minutes for the prompt: "One of the Cutie Mark Crusaders becomes an apprentice for one of the Mane Six after their Cutie Mark appears" Hope you enjoyed!