//------------------------------// // 6: Maneler’s Questions in G# Minor // Story: Inverno’s Opus in A Minor // by CrackedInkWell //------------------------------// Later that day, after the train continued past the Crystal Empire westward, Inverno made his way towards the caboose. Past the dining car, the staff and security barracks towards the very back where the other composers were meant to reside in. It was a long car that held twelve bunk beds, six on both sides as Inverno entered, and past it was a comfortable living room of a few couches, a table in the middle, books, scratch paper, and a baby grand in the corner. However, Inverno walked past that as he went to the very back where there was an observation balcony that looks out to the landscape that flies backward. It was all encased in a see-through crystal, of course. The only pieces of furniture there were a couple of cushions and a tiny table. He found Maneler there, watching the fading outline of the Crystal Empire disappear before entering in a blizzard of dancing snow. Inverno cleared his throat, “I uh… brought you something.” Using his magic, he set a cupcake of white frosting and rainbow sprinkles onto the little table. “I think you might like it. The chief from the dining car had given me a few but I couldn’t eat them all so I figured that you... might…” He trailed off when he noticed that the deer’s expression remained unchanged – emotionless even, as he gazes out at the waltzing snow. “Um… Never mind.” Just as Inverno turned around and was about to open the sliding door, he stopped when he heard: “Why?” The colt craned his neck over, Maneler still hasn’t moved. “Sorry?” Taking in a deep breath, Maneler said: “Of all I’ve heard today, despite the answers that were given, my head is filled with so many questions.” “Didn’t dad and Professor Key told you what’s going on?” “They did. At least, they tried to. But since you, the one that’s responsible for all of this, for bringing me back from the dead when I honestly thought I might have died as a failure as an artist, a husband, a father, a composer… Yet, even knowing when I am and how I came back, the biggest question that keeps popping up is asking… why?” Finally, the deer looked at him square in the eyes, “Why did you bring me back? I never asked for this.” Inverno rubbed his foreleg, eyeing the other cushion. “Could I sit down?” Maneler nodded in which the colt took a seat across from him. For a moment, the young unicorn hesitated as the resurrected composer waited for an answer. “Have you ever been lonely?” The deer blinked. “What does that have got to do with anything?” “Everything.” He replied. “So… have you?” To this, Maneler nodded. “I can guess that Dad and Professor Key have explained how I brought you and several others to life, but I haven’t exactly told them why. Or at least, not fully. Because one of the things you need to know about me is that for most of my life, I have been alone with no one but Papa to look after me.” “I’ve been meaning to ask that. Who was he?” “Have you heard of King Sombra?” There was a very uncomfortable silence between them. “Sombra? As in… King of the Icy North Sombra? Enslaver of the Crystal Empire Sombra?” In shame, Inverno folded his ears back and nodded. “Only… He lied to me. Papa told me that he was a good king and kept me in an apartment for most of my life because he said it was far too dangerous and was trying to protect me. So to pass the time, he taught me everything he knew about music. From copying songs to teaching me to play the organ, even composition. In fact, I knew how to write music before I could spell my own name. I think he wanted me to be the Kingdom’s greatest, most talented musical prodigy in all the land.” Maneler’s jaw dropped. “You mean… You didn’t learn all of this by choice?” “What choice did I had? If anything, I didn’t realize that I even had one. Back then, music was my whole world. I lived in it, breathed in it, even dreamed about it. However, when I was found and learned that Papa had died… it almost destroyed me. The only reason I had to live was the music itself. When Professor Key showed up, he introduced to me centuries worth of music that I never dreamed was possible…” He paused for a moment. “Did Dad tell you that I can see music?” “I think he did mention it somewhat. What was that about?” “You see, I have this ability whenever music is playing, I could see worlds with it. Where most of the time it would be as clear and detailed as you are seeing me now. If the music is detailed enough, I could see… what I think the creator had in mind when they wrote it. (At least, I think is what happens.) So in a way, whenever a piece plays, I get to explore the imaginations of those who long passed away. I know it sounds strange to you (as it does to everypony) but it’s the truth.” “And you would be right. They said that apparently what happened earlier might have been a side effect of this resurrection thing. I didn’t understand it, but what you say might be true… Perhaps I might have projected what you see into reality. It makes me wonder what the others could do. But that still doesn’t explain why you chose me.” “Well, when the professor recommends listening to some of the pieces you wrote, it… it was like meeting a comforting friend. An old one that has experienced much but isn’t bitter about it. That knows what I’ve been going through. So when I chose to resurrect you, I was hoping that maybe I could befriend you as your music did with me.” Maneler looked at him astonished. “Do you mean that? My work meant that much to you?” “Would I brought you back if I didn’t think so?” Inverno answered. “Looking back, I know what I did must be stupid and I might not think things through but… lately… I have no one that I could call a friend beside the Professor. Trust me, the foals that are my age are like from a different planet – I tried to connect with them for weeks, but it became clear that I was too different for them to be friends at all. This is why I decided to… literally, make friends.” “So you brought me back from the dead all because you felt lonely?” “Look, I know I’m in enough trouble as it is. But… What was I supposed to do? I honestly did try to make friends. But nopony would want me because of several things: who my Papa was, my love for music, my singing, my looks, I know I’m too different. And if you were me that you have been alone for as long as I have, entering into a new world but it doesn’t want anything to do with you, wouldn’t you do anything to have friends if you were me?” Another silence as Maneler looked at his cloven hoof. “Alright, I think I understand that. But… Why am I a deer?” “Well, when I was trying to get the physical samples that the ritual required, I went out in public to where the tourists usually come. I’ve spent the whole day trying to find those that closely resembled all of you as possible. The deer that I chose, for example, I picked him because his face almost looked like yours. And the eyes too were like your picture as well. Besides, it’s not just you, I did the same to the rest as I looked for the closest resemblance as I could. Sure, I couldn’t find an exact copy or get my hooves on anything that was from your actual body. Because either something like that is in a museum or lost to time. So I had to substitute for the next best thing.” Inverno asked if there was anything else. “Just two more essential questions,” Maneler said. “First, is this permanent? You didn’t make me immortal or anything, did you?” The unicorn shook his head. “I don’t think so. Otherwise, why would the ritual have instructions to reverse it if I wanted to?” “Huh… It makes me wonder if your father would demand of you to do so when the time comes…” Taking in another deep breath, he further asked his last question. “Where are we going to now?” “As far as I know? Dad said that the next place is another town called Sire's Hollow.” Maneler went wide-eyed when he said that. “What did you say?” “Sire's Hollow. That’s where we’re going next. Why? Have you been there?” “I haven’t been there since…” He shook his head. “That’s a personal matter.” “Why?” Maneler didn’t respond, instead, he returned his attention to the blizzard outside. “For now… I don’t want to talk about it.” “But will you tell me?” Maneler frowned, the moment he looked at him again, there was an icy chill that shook Inverno from the cold look he gave him. “Not. Right. Now.” The colt wisely decided that it was best to leave him as he scampered through the sliding door. After Inverno was out of sight and blurred away through the crystalline walls, Maneler’s eyes fell upon the cupcake that was left behind, eyes filling up with tears. Placing his black, cloven hooves over his face, he wept with no one around except the ghosts in the falling snow. There was something timeless with sunsets. No matter how many he had seen them, Schubit could never be tired of them. If anything, what he was seeing was something out of a painting. Below was the town of Sire's Hallow they were just lighting their street-lamps while their windows were already aglow. Above, a semi-clear, orange twilight sky with purple clouds drifting in a breeze. Between the brilliant lit sky and the dark mountains, he watched as Celestia, even after all these years, performed the same duty to lower the brilliant white sun as a mother would set her foal into a cradle. Sitting on a boulder, Schubet let the stillness of the moment drown him in its tranquility. With the exception of adjusting his glasses, he didn’t let a thought, a word, or a melody come to his mind other than to bask in the last rays of the sun. Or, at least he would if it weren’t for a subtle sound that made his ears stand straight up. “I see you’ve found Maneler’s rock.” A stallion’s voice said behind him. “I didn’t think you would go out this far out, I was starting to get worried about you.” Schubet didn’t have to turn around to see who was climbing up to the boulder with him. He grunted. “Can I at least have this moment of peace, Mr. Firelight?” “I was just wanted to give you the good news was all. That the bookstore is considering hiring you and would like to interview you tomorrow. But I couldn’t exactly tell you that if I didn’t know where you’ve gone to.” “Forgive me if I happened to have a lot on my mind and turned to the one thing that brings things into perspective.” “But going on nature walks? Not that there’s anything wrong, but this far out? I almost came close to calling out for a rescue party.” Schubit now turned his head over to the purple unicorn stallion with the turquoise mane. While he figured out that he was in the future, there was a comforting thought to the composer that at least some style of clothing didn’t go completely out of fashion from Firelight’s high collar to his waistcoat. “Is that so? All of this for a mere nopony?” “I’m just doing this to be kind is all. You needed help and I thought I’d lend you a hoof. Besides, it also helped that you know a thing or two of antiques.” Schubit couldn’t help but roll his eyes at that word. While he quickly figured out that he was centuries from the year 828, there was something… disgusting about calling all the things he knew about as "antiques." Objects that were used commonly for everyday things were now considered collectors’ items when he couldn’t see anything past their practical value. “I told you Mr. Firelight, I needed the spectacles to see and while I’m still grateful for getting these for me, you don’t need to follow me around. You’re generous in giving me food, a room, and possibly a job, but I think you’ve already gone above and beyond in helping me.” “Yes, but could you blame me when you knew so much about our town’s past? As a local historian, you seemed to know quite a bit of what life was like in the early ninth century. Something that there’s not much on anyway. That, and you have similarities to one of our town’s most famous residences.” The composer scoffed, “I’d say two years is a little too short for being considered a resident.” “But that’s exactly my point!” Fireside said. “I mean, you have some resemblance to Franz Schubit, and have knowledge of him as well that I didn’t know about. Please forgive me for getting on your case, but you’re just an enigma to me. Considering that he’s not that well known, how do you know all of these facts about him?” “Um…” Schubit turned his gaze away as his mind was scrounging for a lie that would make a plausible answer. “He was my… great, great, great, grand uncle. I have an ancestor that was a brother of the composer.” “Huh,” Firelight blinked, “I didn’t know he had a brother.” “Well, I-my grand-uncle had three older brothers and a sister before him and my family falls into the oldest brother.” “That makes sense. But how do you know so much about Franz though?” Schubit rubbed the back of his neck. “We have… family stories about him.” “Any of them relating to the town?” He nodded, “I know a few here and there.” “This is wonderful!” Fireside grinned. “You must tell me so I can write it down for my books.” The composer raised an eyebrow. “Why?” “Well, I’m collecting stories about our town’s history and I want to get it as detailed as possible for my passion project of mine.” “Do you have anything better to do?” Schubit raised an eyebrow. “Is there a life outside of antiques and history that you could be pestering over? I mean, do you have a wife or children that might be wondering where you are?” This time he saw a change in Firelight’s expression. “No… At least… Not anymore.” “What do you mean?” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Lately, family life hasn’t been that great. My wife divorced me some time ago and my daughter… I don’t even know where she is.” This caught Schubit’s attention. “Oh… apologies, I didn’t know.” He waved a hoof. “You’re fine. Since I don’t have much of a family anymore I focus my time elsewhere. Besides, my wife and I… We knew that it wouldn’t last. And Starlight… I just… I hope she’s safe somewhere.” “Was she foalnapped?” Starlight shook his head. “Ran away more like it. The last time I saw her, we had a fight, and the next day, she left a note saying not to expect me to see her again. I tied to get the police to figure out where she could possibly have gone to. But…” He lifted his forelegs before letting them fall limp. “Nothing. No traces, no clues, no sightings, absolutely nothing at all. I don’t know if she’s alright. If she’s in a different country. Or…” He shook his head. “I don’t think of the worst that might have happened to her. I just wish I knew that she’s okay somewhere.” Schubit fell silent for a long time as the sun now fully sank behind the mountains. “I wish I could say something. But I’m afraid I don’t have an answer for something like that. You have a different kind of heartache that I have no experience in. So hopefully you might understand why I couldn’t help, as much as I wanted to.” “I can take care of myself,” Firelight replied. “Time won’t make all the pain go away, but it does make it easier.” “More so in this place.” Schubit nodded. “It’s comforting to know that while the world may change, at least the beauty of this valley has not.” “I see what you mean.” Firelight smiled. “It’s one of the things I love about this town, is that for the most part, it has a charm that is timeless. But for now, I’m gonna head back home. And you should be too.” He said as he stood up. “The forests around here can get pretty confusing after dark, so it’s best to start heading down while there’s enough light to do so.” Schubit returned his gaze over the lingering shadows of the mountains. “You can go on ahead. I’ll retire to bed soon. But for now, let me enjoy the moment.” “Okay, just don’t stay out for too long.” The unicorn waited until the hoofsteps of the other faded into the forest. He sat there watching as the sky rolled back from its warm colors of orange give way to deep blue as stars began to dot the sky. In that solitude, he didn’t dare leave until the full moon illuminated the world in blue. He made a mental note to possibly do a sketch of this moment for the piano one day.