Friday morning, I finished up the last book Twilight had given me, and did the drills outlined in it. These were a bit harder than the earlier ones, but I did them to teacher’s exacting standards, as well as the recovery exercises after spell casting. She told me that a unicorn trains in those drills from the beginning, so by the time he or she reaches the higher levels, such drills become second nature, doing them without really thinking about it. Once done with that book, I was given another one, this being noticeably more difficult than the previous one. “Now, I’m not going to let you out of class until you finish this book and pass my pop quiz at the end. So, if you want to keep your promise to the school, get cracking!” she snapped. Knowing her inclination of ‘if you’re not doing it exactly right, you’re doing it totally wrong’, I got cracking. Fortunately for me, she did not stray far, because I had questions this time. When Twilight had trouble explaining, Starlight was able to fill in the gaps so I could continue.
Fortunately for the students, I passed my quiz before lunch, so after I had mine, I headed to the school, bringing my phone and power pack. I just wished I had brought either my extension speaker or the Bluetooth, but I had left them in the car. Good thing the phone has a powerful inboard speaker.
Arriving early, I greeted the class and asked if I could take a seat in the back, to watch the class and the lessons being given until it was my turn to lecture. Cheerilee was teaching history, and I paid attention, because what is history to the ponies is something completely new to me. I just treated it, in my mind, not as history, but like Star Trek or gaming lore. Yes, I was a passionate gamer back home. Been so since I was in my early teens, and had a long-running campaign going, meeting once a month now for almost two decades, fleshing out my Isle Scutae game world. Ponyville and Equestria were no Isle Scutae, but it did give me some ideas.
Cheerilee granted me some extra time before music hour to allow the class to ask some questions. Taking my place at the front of the class, I looked out at the colts and fillies and said, “Okay, now. I’ve heard some of you have some questions. Please state your name when I call on you, so I can attempt to learn it. I know I met you all at Pinkie Pie’s party, but I was sort of swept up IN the party and missed a lot of names.”
A lot of hooves shot up towards the ceiling. I picked one at random. “You first.”
“My name is Diamond Tiara. Why are you a blank flank?” she asked.
“Best as we can figure, we being Princess Twilight and I, it’s because I’m in a whole new body, in a new place, completely different than what I was. From what I have learned from Princess Luna, it’s up to me to make good use of my restart, because if I had remained where I was, I would be dead within a year,” I explained in as neutral a voice as I could manage.
It was like a dark blanket fell over the class for a moment, before one hoof raised up, a hoof belonging to a red and yellow unicorn filly I was acquainted with. “I’m Merry Smile. Just what do you plan to do, Mister Tristan?”
That question brought a smile to my face. “Why, to be as good a friend as I can possibly manage and leave smiles and good memories in my wake after I leave. My music will help, as well as my will to simply be a friend to every pony.”
I pointed to another pony, a yellow filly with a bow in her mane. “Ah’m Apple Bloom. Would you like some help in finding your cutie mark? Ah’m the leader of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and we can help you find out what your cutie mark would be!” she said with obvious pride, indicating the two fillies next to her, a white unicorn who reminded me of Rarity, and an orange pegasus.
“Well, if you really want to help, I’m willing to accept it. See me after class, and we’ll discuss when we can get together. One more before the fun. How about you?” I asked, pointing to a small pinto colt.
“I’m Pip Squeak, and I want to know just how does your music box work? I remember hearing it at the party, and I can’t understand how you got all the instruments and people inside!” said the little fellow in what I would call a Cockney accent.
I considered for a few seconds before replying in a similar voice. “Consider it a form of magic that I can comprehend and explain, but it will take a long time to do so. You know how a record player works, right?” I asked the colt. Getting a slow nod, I kept on going. “What my music box does is essentially like a record player, just vastly smaller and more versatile. If you want to try to learn more, catch up with me after class, and I’ll see if we can make time to talk about it. Deal?”
“It’s a deal, Mister Tristan!” Pip Squeak said enthusiastically, as did some of the other ponies.
“Okay, everypony! If you want to learn what I can possibly teach, see me after class! Now, shall we get to the music?” I asked. The YEAH! I got in response almost knocked me over. I passed out the song lyrics I had made, then held my phone up in my glow.
“We will now listen to the first song on your sheets, the one entitled ‘Simon Says’. We shall listen to it once, then again twice more. The first time, just listen. Afterwards, you may sing along with the music. I know I will. Are you ready?” I asked in my most exaggerated prim and proper professor voice, getting giggles from the class.
I started the phone, and the intro notes boomed out, followed by the lyrics. The whole class paid rapt attention, some hooves tapping gently as I played the song through.
When the song ended, I reset the player. “Did everypony pay attention? Now, this time, you can join in where you feel comfortable. If you don’t want to, just listen and enjoy.” I started the player, and the song restarted. This time, I sang along with the music. Watching, I saw most of the class join in at some of the places, everypony looking like they were enjoying themselves. On the third play, I did not sing, I lip-synched while I performed the move described in the song. I saw six brave colts and fillies get up in the second half to try to dance along with me.
When the song ended, I sank back onto all four hooves. Being upright for that long, moving about and keeping my balance was a bit of an effort. “Okay, kids, have fun?” I asked. The cheering went on for about fifteen seconds, before I went back to my lecturing professor voice. “Same rules apply with the rest of the songs. Please turn your pages to song number two, ‘Five Hundred Miles’.”
By the end of the hour, I was tired, sweat dripping off me. “Okay, kids! Hope you all had a good time! If Miss Cheerilee approves, we’ll do this again sometime, okay?” The cheering reminded me of old tapes of Beatles shows from the sixties. Before my time, actually, but you get my meaning.
Outside, I spoke with a lot of the kids, who wanted to learn more about how things worked. We arranged a time the next day, right here at the school yard, for a lecture. Afterwards, I sat with Miss Cheerilee. “Tristan, you do have a way with the students. What else can you try to teach?” she asked.
“To be honest, Miss Cheerilee, I can lecture about a lot of things, the problem being I’m not so sure about what is applicable here. I could just tell stories, but the music is something I can demonstrate. The culture I came from and the culture I find here are two different things. Some of the songs, I’m pushing the envelope, but I can gloss over them. Others just do not apply here.
“All I can do is the very best I can, and hope it is enough to do the job, whatever the job may be.” I concluded.
“I have an idea. How about, once you return from Canterlot and Princess Twilight gives her approval, you can help me out once in a while. I hope that maths and science are close to what you know to be compatible. How about that idea?” Cheerilee asked me.
“I cannot promise anything right now, Miss Cheerilee, but I will think about it, and get Princess Twilight’s advice. The kids here appear to like me and seem to listen to me. I must admit, I would like to try. Being with the foals is both invigorating as well as enervating,” I said with a smile.
“It sure is. I’ll see you again sometime. I know you’re going to Canterlot next week, so I can’t say WHEN I will see you again, but I know I will! Have a good night, Mister Tristan,” Cheerilee said to me.
“And also to you, Miss Cheerilee. Do have a pleasant weekend,” I said with a slight bow before heading out of the schoolhouse. I just wanted to get back to the castle, take a shower and a nap before having dinner. Those kids wore me out! Made me glad to have been a confirmed bachelor when I was human.