“Good evening Sunny, welcome back!” Promenade says as Sunny walks in through the front door of the Barn and Stable.
“Good evening Promenade! You are always so cheerful!” Sunny said.
“You make it easy with your, “Sunny” personality!” Promenade replied with a giggle.
“Oh dear, as if I haven’t heard that one before.” Sunny said with a smile. “I imagine Meryl is with the cutie mark crusaders?” Sunny asked.
“Mhmm. She should be heading in with them now.” Promenade said.
Just then Meryl and the Cutie mark Crusaders barge in. “Hi Miss Promenade!” They all say.
“Hi girls!” Promenade replies. “You three are headed home now, right?”
“Yes ma’am!” Applebloom said.
“In that case I have something for you all.” Promenade responds.
She gives them each a small sweet and sends them on their way. “Thanks again miss Promenade!” Sweetie Bell said.
“Yeah you’re the best!” Scootaloo added.”Second only to Rainbow Dash.” she continued at a lower volume so Promenade couldn’t hear.
Promenad of course heard the comment, gave only a smirk, but graciously accepted second place. “Oh thank you girls, have a good evening!” Promenade said gently.
“Bye Meryl! We’ll try to find your cutie mark again tomorrow!” Scootaloo says.
“Sure thing! Bye guys.” Meryl replied.
“Well Sunny, I prepared yours and Meryl’s dinner but I have an early show time at Canterlot theatre so I must head out.” Promenade said.
“Well that’s a shame, did you at least have something to eat?” Sunny asked.
“I ate before you arrived. It might be a late show as well, it’s back to back performances, so I may stay at my Canterlot place. Please don’t feel the need to stay up for me.” Promenade said
“Alright sweetie, have a good show!” Sunny said
“Thank you Sunny! Bye Meryl!” Promenade replied waving at Meryl.
Promenade heads out for Canterlot taking the train. She arrives at the theatre and greats Lyra, Octavia, and Vinyl Scratch.
“Hi ladies, are you ready for tonight’s show?” Promenade asked.
“Oh hello Promenade, I certainly am prepared, it’s been awhile since I performed for a ballet AND a play!” Octavia said.
“Yeah after the dark spirits were banished, creatures just stopped showing up to live performances.” Lyra chimed in.
Vinyl jumped in saying, “But thanks to the night life being largely unaffected I managed to plug some adverts for Octavia’s and Lyra’s concerts”. She continued “Now creatures from all over want to see not just the orchestra but dances, plays, and other productions like yours Promenade”.
“Yes it does feel good to start performing again. Especially as we have this boom in attendance.” Promenade said. “Well, I have to head backstage to get ready, see you three out there!”
“Of course dear! I can’t wait to see your performance!” Octavia said.
“Me too!” Lyra agreed cheerfully.
Promenade heads backstage and Octavia stared a little too long as the purple mare walks away. Octavia turned around to see Vinyl Scratch leering at her over her glasses with an eyebrow raised. “What Vinyl?” Octavia asked. Vinyl just looked on. “She’s a great dancer, that’s all!” Octavia defended. Lyra rolled her eyes and smiled.
Promenade was backstage waiting for her cue in her dance parts of the play and then waited for the ballet. The music started and the other dancers came out and did their parts. The whole troupe performed for a popular play called “Flame Princess” while Promenade had two performances within the routine, one called “Sun of the Night” and the other “Fire of Daydream”. Together she only danced for no more than ten minutes in the play. She stayed and watched the rest of the show from the back of the stage before performing her part in the ballet.
The night had been a remarkable success and while the creatures departed the theatre the managers of the shows handed out the dancers and musicians pay. Promenade collected her bits and headed out stopping by Lyra, Octavia, and Vinyl first. “Hey Prom, nice moves out there!” Vinyl said.
“Oh thank you Vinyl, your accompaniment along with the orchestra really brought a new energy to the music!” Promenade said.
“Her “wubs” certainly have a way with hyping the crowds” Octavia said rolling her eyes.
“Hey! We’re about to go to “Lights and Sound” where VInyl is going to play some of her new stuff. Wanna join us?” Lyra asked.
“Hmm maybe next time, two performances really took it out of me.” Promenade said.
Vinyl smiled and said, “Fair enough, with those moves I’m surprised you’re still standing. Catch ya later Prom.”
“See you later ladies!” Promenade said trotting off.”
Octavia frowned at VInyl saying, “Really, “Prom”?”
“What, she’s just a really good dancer.” Vinyl said poking her tongue out.
“Let’s go you two! You both owe me a drink, each!” Lyra said pulling them towards the “Lights and Sound” night club.
Promenade stopped by a local library which was just closing shop and bought a few books. She then headed to a toy store and purchased a few stuffed animals. After her purchases she headed to an orphanage and began to hand out the books and toys. She told stories and sung lullabies for the younger foals before bed. The staff and children all greeted her as if she was “mom pony” and when she visited after every show, the eyes of the children would light up.
There were thirty five foals in the orphanage, a number that grew from seven since the aggression from the six spirits. Promenade knew each one by name as well as the six staff that did their best to accommodate almost triple the amount of youngins they were meant to handle. But with Promenades help they managed to supply to orphanage with school supplies, beds, sheets, blankets, everything the foals needed. She also used her connections with the dance troupe to get volunteers every so often.
The sun had been set for a while and Promenade was exhausted. She headed to her home in Canterlot instead of her complementary lodging in the Barn and Stable. She placed a bag containing the remaining toys and books to the side, closed the door behind her, and her back legs collapsed to the floor as she broke down in tears.