//------------------------------// // Animals and Songs // Story: Tiaras and Parasols // by Starpony999 //------------------------------// I was always set on the path for my cutiemark. Everypony would tell me how great I was with animals, or how wonderful I sounded when I sang. Coloratura peaked around the schoolhouse corner. There was Rarity, sitting next to a bush and singing softly. The white filly was soothing a little white bird that was decorated with a few golden feathers and a golden beak. Coloratura waited and watched as Rarity sang a little lullaby to the shaking bird. As the song ended, Coloratura applauded. "That was so beautiful Rarity! Please tell me you are trying out for the musical." The purple-haired filly jumped at the sound of her friend's voice. At the prospect of being in front of ponies, she violently shook her head. She barely managed to squeak out a response. "Oh no, I couldn't." The mint filly pouted. "Why not? You are a lovely singer!" Rarity never stopped shaking her head. "I-I... have stage fright." Coloratura reached out to stop her friend's head from unscrewing itself. Once she stopped the shaking head, Coloratura pulled Rarity into a hug. I, however, did not want to be a singer. The horror of being on stage with all eyes on me was too much for me to bear. My friends, upon realizing my paralyzing stage fright, would often push me towards my other apparent talent: animal care. The problem was, I did not want to be associated with the nature lovers in my class either. "Hay Rares!" Sandalwood called. He waved his yellow hoof ever so slightly, that the only reason Rarity could tell he was actually waving was that his green treads were swinging back and forth. "Want to go on a nature walk with us?" "It'll be totally awesome," Treehugger added, her green face solemn as always. Her head was swaying back and forth to a beat (sorry, vibe) only she could hear. Rarity cringed the moment that nickname was spoken. She hated that name. "No thanks, guys." Rarity called back, "My mother wants me back by 3:15." Then, as an afterthought, she added, "Maybe some other time," although she hardly meant it. So instead I pursued designing. I would go up to the rock farm and purchase some of their gems with my own allowance, and I would attempt to sow them into costumes for the musicals. "Rarity, Darling, that looks fabulous!" The yellow mare marveled over Rarity's design for Flower. "Madam Play Wright?" Coloratura interrupted, tapping the drama teacher on the shoulder. "Is my dress supposed to do this?" She pointed to the gem-studded belt that was supposed to be around her waist. It was currently lying on the floor while the center of the belt was still attached to her dress at the center. Fruit was spilling out of her saddlebags if she moved even the tiniest bit. Her glasses on the tip of her nose, Play Wright examined the outfit. "No, I don't believe it is." She turned to Rarity. "Darling, could you fix this, perhaps?" The white filly nodded frantically and dashed backstage to grab her spare sewing kit. She returned in a jiffy and immediately started working on restoring Coloratura's outfit. That was the fateful day when I realized sewing was not my true calling. The dresses eventually turned out fine, but they would never stay together. It would take two or three more adjustments before the outfit would work properly. I eventually gave up pursuing designing. It required more work than I could give. It wasn't until a few days later when a large explosion scarred the entire animal population of Trottingham. There was a large, crowd of ferocious animals around the school house. Every pony hid under his or her desk. There was a grizzly bear outside the front door, wood peckers and hummingbirds knocking at the windows, and an alligator that had managed to get in the hallway. I was so scarred, I started humming a tune. I didn't notice how loud my humming was getting until the whole room was silent. The birds had stopped their assault on the window. The bear was no longer roaring. The alligator wasn't moving. Everypony looked at me, amazed. I was so startled that I stopped humming. Almost immediately following my pause, the animals started up again. Mrs. Play Wright urged me to start humming again. She even started it with me. Soon the whole class was singing, and I was leading. It felt right. Soon enough, all the animals left in peace back to their homes, and I was left with this special piece of blue fur on my flank. --------------------------- "Wow...." Di murmured. "Just like that?" Sweetie questioned, surprised. "Are all cutiemarks that sudden?" Diamond Tiara thought back on her own experience in gaining her cutiemark. "Well, when you think about it, they just kind of 'pop' into existence." Sweetie nodded her head slowly, not quite sure if she understood. "Sweetie, dear, is there anypony else you look up to that you can watch in action?" Rarity asked, concerned. "I'm afraid I haven't been much help." "You did fine." Diamond assured the earth pony, placing her foreleg on the mare's. Sweetie rolled her eyes again. She wasn't about to admit it in front of her older sister, but the shy and quiet act really made her gag. "I don't suppose Dawn or Fleur are doing anything interesting today, are they?" Sweetie asked, specifically mentioning the two unicorns of Rarity's friends. The mare stopped to think for a moment, going so far as to tap her chin with her hoof. "Yes, yes I believe they are. Dawn, if I remember correctly, is practicing party spells today, and Fleur, Fleur is probably still working on the parasols and other accessories she has to make for the upcoming Gala." "That means Dawn's the closest, at Sugarcube Corner. Let's go, Di." Sweetie proclaimed. Diamond followed behind the determined filly, giving Rarity a timid 'goodbye' wave over her shoulder. Then she trotted to keep up with her partner as they rushed onward to Sugarcube Corner.