You awake to the steady stream of sunlight shining through the front window of the hollowed out tree. You crack your eyes open and stretch out your forehooves, stifling a yawn. You sit up and look around. No sign of your generous host.
It takes a minute for your body senses to start kicking in...
But then, it hits you...the smell food being prepared. You weren't sure what it was, but it smelled delicious.
You also hear a delicate humming coming from the kitchen behind your position on the couch. The humming stops when you turn around and crane your neck to see what's going on in the kitchen. You see Autumn at her stove, her horn alight with a blue aura. She was holding with her magic a frying pan, and something was sizzling within.
This was interesting. The Unicorns you knew, including Follow Spot, had a magical aura that resembled some color of the body, like their eyes or mane. There wasn't a trace of blue on this Kirin girl. Even more intriguing was the fact that only the lighter red highlights on her horn glowed instead of the whole appendage like when Unicorns used magic. Fascinating. The more you learned about the Kirin through observation, the more intrigued you became.
"Oh! You're up!" Autumn Blaze's voice suddenly makes your ears perk up. You can't help but return the smile she shoots you with your own tired one. "Breakfast is almost ready! Hope you like pancakes!"
You scoff, stretching out your wings and flapping them a couple times to get them warmed up. "Who doesn't like pancakes?"
Autumn purses her lips. "Silhouette, but she doesn't need to eat, so I guess it's okay." She smiles and winks at you.
There she goes, talking about her shadow again. It was less creepy now, and more cute. Regardless, you slap a forehoof to your face like the other times.
You trot into the kitchen and sigh, shaking your head. "You have been way, way too kind to me, Autumn. I mean, I just met you yesterday. Lodging and breakfast?" You sigh gratefully. "I can't thank you enough."
She scoffs. "Psh, it's really no big deal." She turns her attention back to the frying pan, flipping the current pancake she was cooking. You then notice that a couple of pancakes are ready to eat, and were placed on a plate to her right on the table. "I learned a lot about Kindness from Fluttershy while she was here. Doing nice things for creatures you don't know are a great way to get to know them better." She nods, flipping the pancake again. "Besides, doing nice things helps to-" She hesitates. "Curb certain emotions those not of our kind might deem...dangerous."
You blink, confused. "What do you mean?" Then the light-bulb goes on in your head. "Oh...the Nirik thing, right?"
She sighs. "You know about that, huh?"
"Kinda hard not to..." You reply, taking a seat nearby. "When Applejack and Fluttershy came back, the papers were all over it...like they usually are when the Elements come back from a quest or something." You place a forehoof on your chin and gaze at Autumn Blaze. "But hey, I get it. Don't be afraid to be yourself around me Autumn..."
Her magic falters, and she drops the frying pan for a moment. There is a slight CLANGing noise that sounds because of it, which causes both of you to jump slightly. She regains her composure and picks up the pan with her magic again, turning her head to face you, her golden orbs widened. "R-really?"
After you calm down from your sudden stroke, you sit back down and nod, giving her a smile. "Really."
"You've...never seen a Nirik, though..." Autumn turns back to the pan, dumping the finished pancake on the plate with the others. "It...can be kind of...well, scary."
Oh no...she's getting a little sad. You feel slightly guilty for prying into what she meant. Time to activate that ol' charm of yours.
"I'm sure I could handle it." You say confidently. "You're such a sweetie anyway...I'm sure Nirik you isn't even bad."
She turns and gives you a look like she's processing what you just said. After a moment, her trademark grin returns, an eyebrow raised. "I'm a sweetie, huh?"
Your eyes widen. Busted.
"I...I, uh..." You stammer. This was impossible. This never happened to you back in Equestria. The subliminal flirting that transpired always ended with the mares swooning. They were supposed to be the ones unable to speak. In a single 24-hour period, this fiery Kirin girl had played you at your own game. "W-well, yeah? Like I said, you've just been really nice to m-me, and-" Wait...why were you flirting with this Kirin again?
Your mind manages to push out that final thought before her heavenly voice draws you back to reality.
"You're adorable when you're flustered." Autumn Blaze's knowing smirk fades before she uses her magic to float the finished pancakes over to the table where you are sitting. "Eat up! You and I have got quite the day ahead of us!"
You sigh, utterly dejected in your defeat. At least she dropped it...
...for now.
"So..." She uses her magic to grab a pancake and place it on her own personal plate in front of her. "You're probably wondering how I did telling everykirin about the auditions today!"
You use a forehoof to grab a fork and reach for your own pancake. Damn, you were jealous of Unicorns sometimes...Kirin now, too. "Actually, yeah!" You respond. "How'd it go?"
"Everykirin knows." She states simply before using her magic to levitate a fork, stabbing the pancake and ripping some of it off.
You are about to do the same when her statement causes you to almost fall off of your chair, your wings splaying out behind you to steady yourself. "Say what!?"
"Everykirin knows." She responded again, this time followed by a mouthful of pancake.
"How!?"
"Ah herve mah werys." She says with pancake still in her mouth. She swallows and grins. "You're welcome, by the way."
You shake your head and stab your own pancake with your fork. "Every minute you do something that shocks and amazes me, Autumn..."
"It's what I do~!" She practically sings before taking another bite and swallowing. "It was easy...I'm kind of a big deal around here, you know."
You take a bite of your own pancake. It's delicious! "Right." You respond, swallowing your food. "You were the Kirin that helped Applejack and Fluttershy with the vow of silence. No wonder you're a big deal." You point your fork down at the pancake, not breaking eye contact with Autumn. "These are damn good, by the way."
She smiles, closing her eyes and cocking her head to the side. "Glad you like 'um! They're Silhouette's special recipe..."
...what...
You bite your lower lip for a moment, confused. This stuff with her moon-banished shadow was just getting better and better. "I...thought you said Silhouette didn't like pancakes?"
"She doesn't." Autumn shrugged, stabbing her pancake again. "But she knows I do! And as my best friend and roommate, she was obliged to share her family recipe with me!"
SLAP! There went your forehoof to your face again.
"Well..." You mutter, dragging your forehoof off of your face. "I'll have to get the recipe from her before I leave then..."
Autumn just giggles.
Autumn was right. Everykirin knew.
After breakfast and a little preparation, you and Autumn step outside her house to a crowd of Kirin surrounding the hollowed-out tree stage. It seemed every female Kirin in the village was present, warming up their voices, their pre-audition jitters showing through. Some male Kirin were there too, but they were standing off to the side or already in some seats. Probably there for moral support for friends, significant others, or family.
Before you could even say anything to Autumn or anykirin else, you are greeted by a cascade of cheers and stomping of hooves when the Kirin notice you. Guess Autumn really knew how to make somepony sound really good. You wave a forehoof at the crowd, a smile splashed across your muzzle. You waved at cheering crowds so wearily often; sometimes your smiles were fake. But not this time. Something about being in an exotic place casting an even more exotic creature just brought you joy.
Autumn Blaze sidles past you, her tail flicking your right wing as she does so, joining the crowd. She turns and smiles, joining in the stomping. She winks at you again.
You were starting to feel a little glad you offered to help Follow Spot at that cafe.
You shoulda dun dat! And you did!
"Okay okay!" You stop waving, but can't wipe the grin off of your muzzle. "Settle down! I've got stuff to tell you before we can start!" The cheering quiets down steadily, and you clear your throat. "Thank you all so very much for coming out here today!" More cheering and stomping for a second. You introduce yourself, giving your name to the crowd in case they already didn't know. "Autumn Blaze has gathered you here today for one purpose..." You strike a dramatic pose and point your forehoof out at the crowd. "One of you will leave here today a star!"
Even louder cheering and stomping. Jeez, there were eating this up! Guess Autumn was right when she said the Kirin loved theatre.
"One of you ladies..." You continue. "Will accompany me back to Manehattan to star as the main character in the new musical, My Fair Kirin!"
More cheering and stomping. It is at this point you see Rain Shine towards the back of the theatre, eyeing the event. When your eyes meet her's, she nods knowingly. You smile and nod in return before turning back to the crowd, your eyes briefly meeting those of Autumn's one more time before extending your wings, and spinning into the air. "Let the auditions...begin!"
A little bit later, you sat with Rain Shine at a table hastily set up towards the front of the rows of seats. Yet, it was just far back enough that you could the Kirin auditioning. You had agreed to let Rain Shine participate in the process as a moderator. It was only fair, seeing as this was a big deal on relations between the Kirin and the ponies. The line of Kirin auditioning was so long you couldn't see the end of it from where you were sitting; in fact, it stretched all the way out of the entrance towards the back.
You settle in and stick your muzzle in your saddlebags, gripping your notebook with your teeth and placing it on the table, along with a pencil to write with.
"You ready for the first audition?" Rain Shine draws your attention, smiling cheerfully. She was clearly excited about this.
You respond with a smile of your own, followed by an enthusiastic nod. Turning back to the stage, you notice a male Kirin, brown fur with a black mane, by the stairs up to the stage, looking to you for directions. You nod. "Send up the first auditioner!"
The stallion nods and waves the Kirin first in line on stage. She trots happily up the stairs and turns to face you and Rain Shine, a broad grin on her face. You observe this Kirin; her hide fur was a dark tan and her mane was a light chocolate color. Her eyes red like Rain Shine's.
"Hello!" You say cheerfully. "And what is your name?"
Before the Kirin could respond, a familiar voice rings out from behind you echoing around the theatre.
"WOO! GO FERN FLARE!" Autumn Blaze yells from...somewhere in the crowd of Kirin.
The Kirin sighs. Her confident smile fades to a nervous one. "F-Fern Flare, sir."
You turn for a moment and gaze around, trying to find Autumn (if nothing else but to give her the stink-eye for her outburst and to see her again). Finding no sign of her immediately in your field of vision, you turn back around and smile, placing your forehooves together. "Well, Fern Flare, it's a pleasure to meet you. The stage is yours."
Fern Flare nods, clears her throat, and begins to sing. You had found a Kirin stallion who could play the piano and had cajoled him into played for the auditioners if they needed it, and he began to play for Fern Flare as she began to sing. Your eyes widen as she belts out this power ballad. You fall into a little bit of a trance as she sings, her eyes closed and a forehoof raised. The song was excellent, and the way she delivered the vocals was incredible. What a way to start the audition process today!
When she was done, your stamp your forehooves on the table, shaking your head. She turning a slight shade of red as a bunch of other Kirin joined in. To your left, Rain Shine remained stoic, yet a small smile adorned her lips.
"Wow!" You say as the stamping quiets down. "Fern Flare, that was incredible! What an amazing song! And you delivered it so well! Thank you! We'll definitely be in touch!"
Fern Flare bows her head and, unable to contain her excitement at having done a good job, trots in place giddily. "Th-Thank you!"
As Fern Flare leaves the stage to rejoin her cheering friends, you take your pencil in your mouth and scribble down a few notes:
Fern Flare
Hide: Tan. Mane: Light brown. Eyes: Red.
Audition: Astounding! Gonna be hard to beat! Belted out a power ballad that rocked the house. Great range.
"Well?" Rain Shine asks as you put your pencil down. "What did you think of Fern Flare?"
"That was incredible!" You remark, shaking your head as the next Kirin comes on-stage. "That's gonna be hard to beat!"
Rain Shine hums in response. "She is one of our village's best vocalists, though..." She looks down at you. "If I'm being honest, Fern Flare falls on the lower spectrum."
If you had water, you'd be doing Equestria's most epic spit-take.
"Say what?" You gasp quite loudly, drawing everykirin's attention. You laugh awkwardly, wave a forehoof, then extend your wings to hide your hushed conversation with Rain Shine. "That was incredible! How can you say that was on the lower end of your spectrum?"
Rain Shine giggles. "You'll find most Kirin have the gift of singing...genetic, I would assume." She turns back to the stage. "Your friend was right to want a Kirin for his production. Let's hope you have a good ear, my friend. This could get long."
You sputter, unable to believe what she just said. How can an entire village of these creatures be so talented?
There's no way... You think to yourself, shaking your head clear of those thoughts and turning your attention to the next Kirin auditioning.
Never has your mind been blown away...nay, utterly wasted in such a manner.
The raw talent this species had, at least among the females, was astounding!
Audition after audition came and went, each female Kirin singing a powerful song that clearly meant a lot to them. None of them had terrible voices. None of them felt bland. Their performances were all spectacular.
The latest Kirin auditioner leaves the stage to more thunderous stomping. You stomp your hooves on the table as well, writing down more notes on the latest Kirin. You sit up straight, stretching your forehooves and wings. You run a forehoof through your mane, wincing at how disheveled it felt.
How long has it been?
You glance up at the canopy. It had to be the late afternoon based on how Celestia's sun had changed position.
You let out a yawn, smacking your lips, as you stare down at your notes.
How in the damn wide world of Equestria am I going to pick just one of them?! You think to yourself.
"Had enough?" Came Rain Shine's voice from your side.
You twitch and turn to face her. "Uh, just tired is all. Been a loooong day. But, wow, what a pool of talent. I don't know who to-" You paused, your eyes skimming through your notes. Your breath catches in your throat in a moment of panic.
No...no...that can't be right...
You use your forehooves to pick up your notes and flip through the pages. "But...but what about-"
"Autumn Blaze?" Rain Shine cocks an eye at you, not doing very well at hiding her smirk.
"Yeah!" You drop your notes, sighing disappointingly. "She said she would-"
"Audition?"
You perk up, your ears flicking upward at the familiar sound of your new friend's voice. Your eyes meet golden orbs once again as you see Autumn Blaze standing on the stage. She isn't wearing her trademark silly grin; instead, she is smiling shyly at you.
"Here I am. I did promise you I would..." She rubs one forehoof with the other, her face flushed slightly red. "I, uh...wanted to go last..."
You nod in understanding. Autumn Blaze had been the first Kirin you had met and talked with. The first Kirin you befriended, you might even wager to guess. Her decision to go last made sense; she clearly didn't want the other Kirin to feel like you singled her out and make it even a little unfair.
You keep eye contact for a moment, the crowd of Kirin in the theatre quieting down as they noticed her under the spotlight.
Now there is only her, gazing at you from the stage, that shy smile on her muzzle.
Wordlessly, you gesture a forehoof forward, signalling for her to begin.
She nods, closing her eyes. Clearing her throat, she gestures to the Kirin by the piano. He nods and begins to play.
The pianist plays for a bit before Autumn Blaze, her eyes closing again, opens her mouth and...
...your ears perk up and your eyes widen.
What is that heavenly noise you hear?
She's quietly ooo'ing to the tune the piano is making. Her voices blends with the piano near perfectly.
Just when you thought you couldn't get any closer to the clouds, she begins to sing.
Your jaw drops slightly as you stare at Autumn. Her voice is absolutely heavenly. All the Kirin you had heard today were talented, but something was different about Autumn's performance. This song was slow, yet powerful; quiet, yet bold. And you feel that with every word Autumn sings. This was phenomenal in every way.
Then she hits the chorus.
...and you are transported to another world...a parallel world where the only inhabitants are you and Autumn Blaze...and for the first time in a very long time...
Tears start to well in your eyes.
Never enough! She belts, again and again. Each time she hits that high note, you can't hold back on the waterworks. You try your best to contain the inevitable sniffles, but it is in vain. You stare in awestruck wonder as she belts out one final "For me!"
The music slows to a halt.
Autumn opens her eyes and looks right at you, her golden orbs shimmering in the light. You swear the very air around her sparkling as she utters one last line:
For me...
The pianist plays a couple more measures, Autumn ooo'ing along, and then...
Silence.
Not just any kind of silence. The kind of silence that hangs in the air. Kind of akin to a spiritual experience, your heart is swollen with emotion from the performance you just witnessed.
When the music stops, you struggle to keep yourself in the parallel world you and Autumn had been seemingly transported to. You sniff, your eyes still wide and brimming with tears. You didn't want to go back to reality. Part of wanted dearly to stay in that reality with Autumn forever.
"Autumn..." You manage, sniffing again. "I...wow..."
Autumn huffs shyly, using a forehoof to wipe some sweat from her brow and to brush some of her mane out of her eyes. Her cocky grin returns when the crowd bursts into a roar of stomping and applause.
You extend your wings and hover, clapping your forehooves together rapidly, shaking your head in awe, as you gaze at Autumn Blaze.
You didn't even know why you bothered holding auditions now. All the Kirin you had seen today were extremely talented, but Autumn...
That feeling you had? It was dead on the money.
You had already made up your mind. Autumn Blaze was born to be a star.
Autumn Blaze was going to play Ember Myst in My Fair Kirin.