//------------------------------// // Jazz Ensemble in F Major, "Moonlight Serenade" // Story: Celestia XVII // by brokenimage321 //------------------------------// I took a deep breath, then pressed the mouthpiece of my trumpet to my lips. I worked the valves experimentally with my hoof, then closed my eyes and concentrated. I blew into the horn, and the moonlit courtyard below filled up to the brim with the velvet tones of “A Kiss To Build A Dream On”. Or, something like it, at least. I was still trying to figure out the exact notes. But still, something that sounded something like dear old Mr. Hoofstrong managed to stagger drunkenly around the courtyard below me. I… wouldn’t call it a comforting sound, exactly—I was still too shaky for that—but it was somewhere in the neighborhood, at least. I was out on my balcony again. The moonlight spilled inside my room, illuminating my empty trumpet case, and, beside it, the fallen sheet music that Professor Trebleclef had asked me to spend some time with. I would have done it in a heartbeat, ordinarily—but tonight, I needed some time to myself. It had… it had just been that kind of day. As I played, I fell into the rhythm, and, slowly, the notes faded away. Soon, it was just me, my trumpet, and the music. I poured my soul into that song, and the echoes that bounced back to me off the marble below sounded somehow faraway and sad. Almost like the music knew how I felt, somehow. I started to cry. As the tears rolled down my cheeks, I tried to keep playing, but in the middle of a measure, a sour note slipped out, I cringed, and my trumpet fell suddenly silent. I tried to keep myself together, just for a second—maybe even start the whole thing over again—but I couldn’t even manage that. I put my arms on the railing, dropped my head into my hooves, and sobbed. After a moment, I heard a swoosh and the clack of talons on the rail beside me, and, automatically, I held out one arm. Philomena hopped up onto it, then sidled up to my shoulder, and rubbed fondly against my mane. She was so good to me… sometimes, I felt like I didn’t deserve— Whumph. My ears pricked up. I looked up, then reflexively grabbed the scroll hanging in the air in front of me before it could fall, sending Philomena swooping away with an undignified squawk as I did. I set my trumpet carefully on the marble bench at my side, then walked to my bed, my hooves shaking. I sat, then unrolled the scroll. Hi Cece! Just wanted to drop you a line real quick. I finished my homework early, and we’re due for a storm tonight, so I’m planning on just staying in. How are you? Do you have time to chat? I wiped away my tears, then looked back down at the scroll. It was Wednesday--Twilight usually only wrote on Fridays, when she told me about her latest friendship experience. I mean--I wasn’t gonna complain. Tonight, of all nights, I could use a friend. I leaned over and grabbed a quill off the nightstand. I’m doing alright. Not much is going on here—just the usual. How’s things? I rolled it up, then lit my fireplace with a spark from my horn. I pitched the scroll inside and watched as the flames caught it. Instantly, it vanished, and the little stream of smoke streaked away. I laid back and waited. Whumph. The scroll re-appeared in front of me with a flash of smoke. I grabbed it and tore it open. Below my response was a new reply, the ink still drying: It’s quiet, as usual. Ponyville’s really country, especially compared to Canterlot. But sometimes, that’s nice. How's school working out for you? Still liking it? Yep! It’s still a little weird going to a public school… don’t get me wrong, though, Dream Valley Union High is really nice. Not as many magic classes as the Royal Academy, but I like it anyways… it’s just different. For one thing, I have English with Pinkie, and she’s always a hoot. Pinkie’s in your class? I thought all your friends had graduated?? Rarity and Fluttershy have. AJ’s a senior this year, Pinkie’s a junior, and I’m a sophomore. I think Rainbow dropped out? Good for her, I guess. I could ask around and find out for sure, if you want? Don’t worry about it. I’m not. Speaking of school—how’s Ms. Cheerilee treating you? She’s… alright? I know you appointed her to be my Guardian while I’m out here, but she’s busy all the time, and I don’t think she really knows what to do with me… but she makes sure to have me over for dinner about once a week, and gets me groceries every so often. So that’s nice. I permitted myself a smirk. Looks like that plan was working, at least. And how’s that librarian treating you? Same as always? Mr. Goldleaf is still as… opinionated as ever. We’ve even argued once or twice about whether he can still keep the library’s coffeemaker up in my little kitchen. But he’s actually really nice, once you get to know him, and he really appreciates when I can help him sort books. Brings me cookies from Mrs. Goldleaf every so often, too—even made me my own unofficial “Junior Librarian” badge. In fact… he’s been dropping hints that he’d like me to take over entirely after I graduate, so he can finally retire. ”Miss Librarian Sparkle”... you know, I think I actually really like the sound of that. Now that you mention it… me too. I nibbled on the end of my quill for a moment. Y’know… now that I think about it, I think we might have a game scheduled at DVUH soon. Maybe we could hang out? Oh, really? That’d be fun! You’ll have to ask Grandmother if you could come down early or something. I hesitated. Right now, I didn’t feel like asking Loonie for anything. Maybe. That would be nice. The next note took several minutes to arrive. You should try. You never know until you ask. And maybe you’ll like her, if you give her a chance? I snarled. I grabbed my pen and almost started in on a scathing reply—but suddenly, I heard voices outside my door. I quenched the fire and listened. Hoofsteps came closer, and closer—and, suddenly, through the door, I heard a mare giggle. Beside her, Blueblood said something indistinct, and they kept walking. I waited until they had passed, then lit the fire again. Bleh. Blue brought home another one night stand tonight. Eesh. Really? Yep. I’ll need to find my earplugs before I lie down. Dang. Is he really that much trouble? Yeah. He really is. You’d think, with that star on his butt, he’d spend his nights at the observatory, not cruising for tail, but nooOOoo... Have you considered talking to Grandmother about it? I bit the end of my quill. I hadn’t… but, given that this was Blueblood we were talking about, it might be worth the risk… After a moment’s thought, I dipped the quill in the inkwell. He kisses up to her so much, I don’t think she would do anything. Ah. That’s… unfortunate. I blew my mane out of my eyes. “Unfortunate.” That’s kinda par for the course right now. Another long pause. Cece… is everything okay? My hoofwriting shook a little as I scratched out my reply. ‘Course it is. Why wouldn’t it be? I could almost feel the reproach in her reply. Cece… you can be honest with me. What’s going on? I stared at the letter. Slowly, deliberately, I dipped my pen in the inkwell. Things are going goo I dragged my pen across the line, striking it out. Things are going goo I’m alright, reall Same as usual, everyone just I paused. I took a deep breath, then began to write. Where do I start, Twi? How do I start? I’m so twisted up inside, and I can’t tell anyone except you, and you’re so far away this is the closest I can get to you half the time. My pen started to write faster and faster. Everyone wants me to do so much, to be someone I’m not. Everyone wants me to be Princess & all I want is to be left alone. i hate it, I’m not a politician like Mom or Loonie, i’m a little filly, I should be worried about boys and grades, not accidentally starting a war The scratching of the pen rose to fever pitch. & loonie has it out for me & everything I do gets me in trouble & I don’t know wht to do b/c you asked me not to talk to you about it I just want to scream & break something I want to hurt someone but I can’t because i’m a princess and they want me to do better, Oh Harmony, Twi, I’m so lonely— My pen ran dry. I stared down at the paper and swallowed, two or three times. Slowly, I reached down and picked up the paper in my hooves. I held it there for just a second, feeling the weight of the words, then smashed it up into a tiny ball. I let it drop to the floor, then pulled out a fresh sheet. I dipped my pen again, then started to write. Everything’s fine, really. I’ve just had a long day, is all… Whumph. I looked up, startled. Another scroll had appeared. I snatched it out of the air and read: Oh Harmony, Cease, I’m so sorry. Rarity and Applejack got caught out in the storm, and they needed someplace to dry off, so I brought them inside. I can’t really write anymore tonight, but send me a message, and I’ll answer tomorrow morning!! As I read the words, my blood begin to boil. I growled, then stood up and marched around my room two or three times. I snarled at the empty air, then kicked Froggy across the room, where he bounced off the wall and lay still. Finally, I sat. Yeah, Twi, that’s fine. I understand. I pitched the scroll into the fire, not even bothering to roll it. I walked to my bed and flopped down into it, then pulled the covers over my head. I lay there until I heard the whumph of Twilight’s reply. After a second, I heard it bounce of my nightstand and lay still on the floor. I didn’t move.