//------------------------------// // Ch. 4: Your Mind Is a Scary Place Sometimes // Story: All The World's A Stage // by thunderhawk7865 //------------------------------// Astounding. Amazing. Stunning. Fantastic. Beautiful. These are just a few of the words racing through your mind as you assist Rain Shine and a couple of Kirin stallions in closing up the stage. The Kirin mares, including Autumn Blaze, had left. You had promised them results tomorrow morning; the winner would then accompany you to Manehattan to begin rehearsals right away. Dusk was falling on the Kirin village as you gripped a rope with your forehooves and pulled continuously on it, lowering the curtains back down to the floor. Your brain couldn't stop repeating over and over again the words Autumn Blaze sung a few hours earlier. The song was very much stuck in your head and, unlike when that usually happened, you reveled in it. "Never enough..." You whisper to yourself, smiling as you trotted out from behind the curtains, where Rain Shine and the stallions stood chatting. "Thank you all so much for your help." You say to them all, and they turn to face you. "Like I said to the auditioners, I will reveal who got the role tomorrow morning in the center of town." The stallions all started to file out, only leaving you and Rain Shine on the stage in just a matter of seconds. You sigh wistfully, falling to your rump and yawning, holding a forehoof up to your mouth to cover it up. So much had happened today, and you definitely were suffering from sensory overload at the moment. "You look exhausted." Rain Shine giggles, her head cocking to the side as she examines you. "No kidding." You reply dryly. "I...I'd heard the Kirin were talented, but this?" You gesture with your forehooves offstage. "I wasn't ready for this." "Makes it hard to choose doesn't it?" Rain Shine gives you another lighthearted giggle. "Plays are always so hard to cast in the village..." You are silent at that remark. As you look out at the empty auditorium, you feel Rain Shine's eyes boring a hole into the back of your head. You turn your head to look at the Kirin Elder, only to be greeted by narrowed eyes and knowing smile. You laugh nervously. "What?" "You and I both know..." Rain Shine lowered her voice to just above a whisper, keeping her knowing grin, "who you are going to cast for your musical..." She paused to look at your reaction for a moment. "Don't we?" You huff. Damn, these Kirin were good at reading you... Well, the two Kirin you'd met personally, anyway... "Was I that obvious?" You mutter, lowering your head a little to hide your blush. Rain Shine hums at that. "Hmmm...that was part of it, though I'd have cast Autumn Blaze in any role after an audition like that." "She's...amazing." You rise to your hooves, stretching out your wings and turning to face the Kirin Elder. "I've never heard any mare in Equestria sing like that! I-" You pause and sigh, sheepishly looking up at the Kirin Elder. "Yes." He nod. "I am going to pick Autumn Blaze." Rain Shine's smile softened. She took a step towards you and pursed her lips. "How...how ironic..." You cock your head to the side, a bit confused at her response. "What...what do you mean?" Rain Shine was silent for a moment. Then, the Kirin Elder sniffed, closing her eyes. She shook her head and opened her eyes again to look at you. A tear slides down her cheek. "We...just got our dear Autumn Blaze back..." Rain Shine started, never breaking eye contact with you. "And now, we are going to lose her again." You open your mouth, making a silent "ah" and nodding in understanding. "Well, I-" You hesitate. "I understand. She really is special." You sigh. You'd have to settle, it seemed. "I can cast somekirin else if that will-" "No." Rain Shine cuts you off suddenly. "No, this...this is an important opportunity for the Kirin. This production your friend wishes to put on will do wonders for the integration of my people back into the world." Rain Shine's quirky smile finally returns. "It would be absolutely foolish of me to not let Autumn Blaze go. She is perfect for this. And..." She stops herself and chuckles. "Again, what a coincidence that the Kirin who saved us...will go and bring honor to us in Equestria." You stared at the Kirin Elder with many thoughts racing through your brain. The feeling of guilt you were experiencing was quickly being replaced with that of pride... Pride in the fact that you had the Kirin leader's support in that you were doing the right thing. You bid goodbye to Rain Shine and took your leave of the tree-stage. As you step out into the evening air and peer towards the horizon and the setting sun, you sigh. What a day... Then your stomach makes the unholy sound of hunger, rumbling quite loudly. Loudly enough that a passing Kirin couple giggle at you. You try to hide your embarrassment and sheepishly wave back with a forehoof. Have I really not eaten all day? The swear you feel the ground shake with the rumble that follows. No...no I haven't... "Somepony sounds hungry!" A familiar voice chirps from nearby. You turn just in time to see your favorite Kirin exiting her house, using her magic to close the door behind her, her trademark smirk plastered on her face and an eyebrow raised. "I heard your tummy and thought you must be done inside the stage!" "I don't know what you're talking about." You huff, hoping to save what shred of dignity you had left to spare in Autumn's mind. "Uh huh...then that small earthquake I felt was your unnamed shadow then?" She quips. "You heard that?" "It was legendary." Autumn giggled, flicking her tail towards you happily as she trots by you. "C'mon, mister. Let's so grab a bite from the market. I was headed that way anyway." Your mouth salivates as you turn to follow Autumn. You begin to daydream at what the Kirin must consider delectable. "That sounds great!" You fall into step with your Kirin friend as you walk through the village. Silence reigns between the two of you, which you are okay with. Audition days are always long and loud, so it was good to enjoy silence sometimes. As a fellow theatre creature, you could tell the Kirin shared your sentiments on the subject. You try not to look at her in quick, sideways glances... It was fleeting. You did it anyway. The way her burning orange mane glowed in the light of the late evening was absolutely radiant. Her golden eyes were glowing as well, perfectly complementing the rest of her beautiful features. And as you walk with her, the hunger you feel melts away... ...and you let your mind wander places you had obliterated rather quickly the past couple of days. You thought back to when Autumn Blaze tackled you when you first arrived, only in the theatre of your mind, her eyes were half-lidded as she gazed down at you, her muzzle dangerously close to yours. You want to reach up and caress her cheek, but before you can, she leans down and- "Hey! Did I lose you, friendo?" You twitch, jumping slightly as the real Autumn drew you out of your daydream. "Huh? Uh, oh! Um..." You try to hide the heat that had risen in your cheeks from your quick fantasy. "Just...really tired. You know how it is..." Autumn stops and turns, her golden orbs looking you up and down. You gulp nervously, hoping she wouldn't read you like the book she had made you out to be. If she did, you were certain you would have a rather angry Nirik on your hooves... ...or a kick to the breadbasket. That was also a very real possibility. Or both. You try not to shudder at that thought. Before you can contemplate further, she finally nods, and you exhale in relief. "I definitely understand. Well, friendo!" She whirls around and gestures to the center of the Kirin village, where she had taken you. "Bon appetite~!" The center of the Kirin village, which was scarcely populated when you arrived, was now bustling life. Stands that were abandoned earlier were now occupied by their purveyors as they prepared all manner of food that smelled delicious. One stall you passed had a Kirin using his magic to prepare what looked to be fried rice, a magical fire under a frying pan heating the food as he tossed it up and down. As the natural light of the sun faded, you noticed several strung up lights started to shine throughout the trees. It reminded you of Hearth's Warming Eve lights on the houses of Manehattan. "I...really shouldn't be shocked anymore..." You say to Autumn Blaze as she turns to you as if to ask you what you think. "This happen every night?" Autumn nodded with a big smile. "Isn't it great?! The market always opens up like this at dinnertime! It's been a Kirin tradition to gather at the market every night for a meal since...well, as long as I can remember! You know, until the whole 'vow of silence' thing..." She twirls a forehoof around to emphasize that, rolling her eyes. "But! Now that we can speak again, Rain Shine brought it back!" She leans in close, an eyebrow raised. "Ever try fried rice?" You nod once. "Once...it's quite rare in Equestria." "Well, good sir, you haven't lived until you've tried Kirin fried rice! Silhouette loves it!" SMACK "Haha! Does that hurt?" "Not as much as you might think..." The rest of the night passes somewhat like a blur. When the sun finally set, sitting with Autumn and the other Kirin on the village green near the fountain seemed like a dream as you gaze upward at the stars and lights strung throughout the trees... ...and Autumn was right. The rice was to die for! You have never tasted anything like it! Well, with how hungry you were, anything might have tasted good. Either way, you put down three whole helpings of the dish, Autumn chanting your name as if she were at a sporting event as you downed the third bowl. Aside from that, you thoroughly enjoyed your time at the market that night. Why? To the Kirin, you were an ordinary creature, just like them. Sure, they knew you were a famous actor from Equestria, but unlike the ponies on the train here, they weren't wearing their "celebrity glasses" that clouded their minds to the fact that you, too, were a creature not very different from them. Autumn introduced you to several of her friends, many of whom you recognized from auditions, and joined with them in laughing your ass off to one of Autumn's stand-up comedy routines after socializing with them for a bit. You honestly can't remember the last time you had this much fun! It made you quite sad that you had to leave tomorrow. You would have to make a note to visit this place more often after the whole My Fair Kirin thing was over. And, if your friendship with Autumn continued, you would have a reason to visit! ...did it have to be just a friendship? This is the thought plaguing your mind as you sit on the infamous couch of Autumn Blaze in your host's tree house. Autumn had since retired to her room upstairs for a moment, telling you she'd be right back. This left you alone with your thoughts for a moment, which you were grateful for. You'd only known this Kirin girl for two days, and you were starting to think that maybe you wanted a little more than a friendship with Autumn Blaze. Maybe you had a crush on her. Maybe she had a crush on you? Ugh...she's a Kirin, and I'm a pony. It would never work. Sure, inter-species relationships were becoming more common in Equestria with more and more races being reconnected with because of the Elements of Harmony and their various quests. And what of your reputation as an actor and a celebrity that you had carefully crafted over the last couple of years? What would happen to that? As much as you longed to be treated like a normal pony, like the Kirin treated you here tonight, you knew that would never be possible back in Equestria. Plus, it would mess up Follow Spot's plans for My Fair Kirin... You rationalize to yourself. I couldn't do that to my best friend... You decided then and there that that was that. You shouldn't pursue Autumn Blaze. There were just too many things working against it... It's the right thing to do... But if it is, why do you feel more butterflies and find yourself smiling when Autumn reenters the living room from the stairs? "Hey, mister three-bowls of rice McFattyson!" Autumn says cheerfully, skipping up to you and plopping herself down next to you on the couch. "You digest your food baby yet?" You snort, patting your slightly bulging torso. "Hah! I wish...I pray to Celestia that a good night's sleep will take care of it!" You both share in a laugh before falling into silence. You glance to Autumn, who is no longer smiling. In fact, she seems quite...nervous. She lifts a forehoof and uses the tip to trace small circles on the couch cushion. "Soooo..." She turns to look at you. "Have you decided who you're going to take with you tomorrow?" You froze, unable to break eye contact with her. This was it. You knew in the back of your mind you'd have to tell her tonight. You were partially ecstatic that she would come with you, and deathly nervous at the same time. "I have." You nod, pursing your lips, looking down at your hooves. "...um...and?" Autumn presses you. "It...was really quite an easy choice, honestly." You lift your head and gaze back into her golden orbs. "If it's okay, Autumn...I'd like for you to come with me and play Ember Myst in My Fair Kirin on Bridleway." You barely have time to register the force of the impact Autumn causes as she launches herself at you, tackling you and using her forehooves to squeeze you tighter than you've ever been squeezed before. "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh~!" She practically squees. Gods, that was adorable. "Oh. My. GOSH!" She sits up, the biggest smile you've seen her give. "REALLY!?" You laugh as you gaze up at her. "Well, yeah!" You nod. "I mean, everykirin could tell your audition was the best! It won't come as a surprise to anykirin...or anypony, for that matter...that I picked you! Congratulations, Autumn!" "OHHHHHHHHH~!" She squees again, hugging you tightly once more. "Thaaaaaaaaaaaank you! Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyo-" "Urgh...okay!" You gasp, your lungs being restricted by the Kirin hugging you as she straddles you. "Air, Autumn! Air!" "Oh!" Autumn releases her death-grip on you and sits up. "Heh! Haha! S-sorry..." She rubs the back of her head with a forehoof. "I just...get really excited when I get a role." "I know the feeling." You admit. "Now, we need to discuss your...your..." You pause, an intense blush dusting your cheeks. "Contract..." It is at this point you notice the compromising position you are in, and given Autumn's widened eyes, it is clear she noticed it too. She was bucking straddling you. And you were doing it on her couch. "Um..." Autumn slowly nods, but for some reason refuses to move. "Y-yeah...that...that sounds important..." "We should..." You gulp. "Probably get up now." "Haha yeah! M-maybe..." She doesn't move. Silence. "Unless...unless maybe you don't want to get up..." She sheepishly says, rubbing one forehoof with the other. "I..." You start, staring up at her. She's into you, dummy! Do something about it! No! No, I can't! It wouldn't be right on so many levels! Bro, she's straddling you and wants to keep doing it! Take it farther! Start something! Ever fiber of your being wanted to say yes. But you didn't. Your rational thoughts from earlier come rushing back into your mind. And you act. "I can't." You shudder and manage to say, wriggling your way out from under her and sitting up. "I-I mean...I shouldn't..." "Oh..." Autumn scooted back, her eyes falling in embarrassment. "I...I'm so sorry..." "Don't take it the wrong way!" You reach a hoof forward. "Just...need to keep things professional...heh...you know?" "Oh...oh!" Autumn looks up, a small smile of relief on her lips. "R-right. Ha! Of course. Wouldn't be right!" "Exactly!" You nod. "It definitely wouldn't be right!" You both share a nervous laugh before you clear your throat. "So, you should pack up some essentials and be ready to leave bright and early!" You stand and stretch your wings. "The train back to Manehattan will be back to pick us up a couple hours after sunrise." "Oh, I get to ride the train!?" She leaps of the couch and smiles brightly. There she is. She hyperactive Kirin you had grown to lo-....appreciate. "So fun! I can't wait!" "It's not everything it's cracked up to be..." You say dryly, rolling your eyes. You recall the crazy, outhouse-dwelling ticket-master and the hard time you had sleeping on the ride here. "In any case, try to get some rest. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow! Before we leave, I have to announce that you got the part in the town square!" She feigns a serious face and also feigns a military salute. "Aye aye, mon capitan! I'll make sure Private Silhouette packs her things too!" "..." "..." "..." "...where's the slap?" "You're doing this on purpose now, aren't you?" "Haha! Guilty!" SMACK You lay on the couch, staring up at the ceiling. Autumn Blaze had gone to bed, and the lights were turned out, and you were really comfortable. Everything had gone really well over the last couple of days. You groan and adjust yourself on the couch, stretching your forehooves behind your head in a relaxing position and let your mind wander along your mission. Get to Kirin village alive? Check. Find place to stay? Check. Hold auditions? Check. Get blown away by raw Kirin talent? Double check. Get even more blown away by Autumn Blaze's voice? And beautiful mane? And breathtaking eyes? And smoking bod- You purse your lips in frustration and roll over to face the back-rest of the couch, trying to get comfortable and nestle in for the night. You haven't had it this bad for somepony since you played opposite Scarlet Marehanson in that one movie. To make things worse, she seemed to have it bad for you. You sigh wistfully. This was going to be a long night.