//------------------------------//
// True Harmony 
// Story: The Composer 
// by Smug Anime Girl 
//------------------------------//

The next morning, Celestia found herself sharing coffee with Twilight in a small cafe nestled in a quiet corner of Canterlot. There was a certain awkwardness about the scene, as if her former student was a disappointed mother chiding a very naughty child.

"So that's the situation, Princess." Celestia crushed a sugar packet in her magic below the table, not daring to look up.

Twilight stirred her coffee and sighed. "I understand that you're retired, but that shouldn't stop you from making a difference, right?"

"I suppose not." Celestia agreed. "She is legally his child, though."

"Adopt her." Twilight grinned. "He hasn't been treating her too kindly, we know that for a fact. It's violating one of the six core principles of Friendship."

"Shouldn't we also respect Schuberry's own choice, though?" Celestia asked. Seeing Twilight's slightly apprehensive look, she added on, "This isn't one of my tests, it's a genuine question. Shouldn't we balance freedom to choose with the six friendship values?"

"Even though it may hurt her? I think, due to her young age, she's not entirely capable of deciding for herself. Of course we should respect her decision but we also need to think about her safety." The alicorn dropped some bits on the table. "Let's go, the recital is soon."

"Right." Celestia pushed their chairs in. Outside on the street, a homeless mare held up a sign that said 'will make coffee for bits.' Celestia tossed a few bits into her cup. "Keep it."

"We'll have to talk to Andante after the Gala. Apparently he's in charge of the music." Twilight explained.

"What if she doesn't want to be adopted?" Celestia suddenly spoke up. "I don't want to alienate her, it would make both of us miserable."

"That's why we're going to talk to her." Twilight chuckled. "I don't think I've ever seen you stress over a pony like this before."

"It's because I care." Celestia forced a smile. "You should have seen me trying to plan for you. After Sunset, I didn't know if I had what it took to be a good teacher."

"I'm proof that not only do you have what it takes to be a good teacher, but also to be a good parent." Twilight gestured at herself. "You were practically a second mother to me."

"What about a sister?" Celestia stopped a moment to admire the Royal Opera House. "We've never gotten along perfectly. And even after our, uh, big disagreement we couldn't put our differences aside. We'd make up, then find something new to disagree about."

"Can't you agree about Schuberry?" Twilight pushed the glass door open and held it.

"Thanks." Celestia stepped into the warm interior. They took a moment to admire the paintings on the ceiling before continuing. "That's the idea, but we've argued because of her too."

Twilight brought them away from fancily decorated entrance hall into the rear of the building. The administrative section was far more cramped and modern, filled with offices and practice rooms. The third door on the right was slightly open, and Celestia poked her head in. "Hello, Octavia."

"Oh, Pri-Miss Celestia!" The grey mare stopped playing. "What are you doing here?"

"Looking for Schuberry." Celestia flicked her snout towards the cello. "What are you playing?"

"It's a little etude called 'Sun and Moon' Schuberry wrote for me. It only sounds right when two ponies play." Octavia sighed. "And as you can see, I'm the only one here, so that's just great."

"I see, quite unfortunate." Celestia nodded. "I'll see you soon."

"Right." Octavia readied her bow. "Oh, I think she's down the hall to the left!"

"Thanks!" Celestia called back. The low strumming of the cello pushed them from behind, and the twinkling sound of a piano beckoned them. "That's her."

Twilight stopped and let the older pony continue on her own. Schuberry had her back to the door, and was, well, practicing.

"Hey." Celestia gently rapped the door. "Is that what you're playing?"

"Oh, this? No." Schuberry suppressed a smile, but didn't turn to face the alicorn. "I...I'm just trying something out."

"It's very pretty." Celestia complimented.

"Thanks." Schuberry added a small riff. "Well, they're going to ask us to line up soon."

"We'll be cheering you on." Celestia pulled back and closed the door.

"What's wrong?" Twilight whispered. "Didn't you ask her?"

"I don't think now's a good time. Let's just go find seats." Celestia brushed past Twilight shamefully.





Inside the main hall, the lights were still bright. The two alicorns settled in a gallery to the left and above the stalls, and several ponies down below who noticed the Princess whispered amongst themselves. Twilight was not known to take a particular interest in music.

Celestia leaned back in her chair, hoping to at least enjoy the performances, but that was snuffed out when she noticed Andante sitting amongst the five judges near the back. He had been staring up at her, and when her eyes met his, he looked back down at his clipboard, pretending to not notice.

"Look down there." She whispered. Twilight saw what Celestia was pointing out.

"Oh, right, he's a judge." The Princess muttered.

"He's going to rig the selection." Celestia leaned over the balcony and gave him a pointed stare. "He's going to get Schuberry picked."

"If she's as good as you've told me, it wouldn't be that hard to convince the other judges." Twilight shrugged. "Hey, I'm being realistic."

"We need to have a talk about corruption in the government." Celestia muttered. At that moment, the lights dimmed, and the spotlights cast an orange glow onto the stage. The first performer trotted onto the stage and bowed. He checked over the piano awkwardly. "What's Schuberry's slot?"

"She's number seven, right before the intermission." Twilight answered back. "Do you know what song he's playing?"

"Luna would know." Celestia lamented. "Oh look, they put out a sign."

"Glacial Violin Etude, by Hoofel." Twilight read it off with a disinterested tone. "I can't believe how many songs I've been forced to sit through that are composed by him."

"Nopony will ever accuse the nobility of being particularly adventurous with their culture." Celestia let out a kind of sharp exhale through her nose.

Several other contestants came and went, and the Twilight murmured about how they all sounded about the same. Celestia, however, was impatiently tapping her hoof.

Right before Schuberry's performance, Frederick Horseshoepin took his place on the piano. He placed some sheet music on the stand and started playing. From the outset, it was a very fast, difficult piece to play. It was a song called Andante Virus, originally meant as a duet with a violin. Perhaps he was trying to please Andante.

Suddenly, a violin started playing. There seemed to be no obvious source, yet it was clear and loud. Celestia wiggled her ears about trying to pinpoint the location of the playing.

"You hear that?" The crowd whispered. "Yes, do you?"

Celestia looked closer at the stage. It was that unicorn again, the ghostly one with the light coat and dark mane. She was staring straight at Schuberry, who was waiting behind the curtains. Schuberry was staring right back.

"Do you see her, Twilight?" Celestia asked.

"See who?" Twilight blinked. "Schuberry?"

"No, that unicorn." Celestia pointed more urgently. "She's standing right by the piano!"

"What unicorn?" Twilight squinted. "Where?"

"Nevermind." Celestia tried to get a better look and stood up. Once again, she was hit with a feeling that she knew this mare somehow, and yet, racking her brain did her no good.

Her playing was bold and exciting, overtaking Frederick in both weight and volume. She brought out the most frustrating portions of the playing, and yet, also produced a rich and full sound. The poor stallion was dragged along to her whims; if he didn't follow her tempo, the clash could force him to simply stop playing, leading to a disqualification.

Celestia appreciated his efforts, but she was looking at a doomed stallion; Andante would probably use a supernatural violin duet as an excuse to disregard his entry. They reached the end of the song, and the mare played the final note with great fanfare, raising the bow above her head before slowly lowering it. The audience politely stomped their hooves, still whispering about the strange impromptu duet.

Schuberry watched them pass her as they came back off the stage. Frederick seemed to be ignoring the mare; he simply undid his tie and slumped against the wall. The unicorn threw Schuberry a wink and swaggered off, green and red tail swishing back and forth. The little pegasus stared up at the mare with an amazed expression. Her moment of reverence was cut short by the organizer pony, who gently whacked her with a clipboard and nudged her onto the stage.

She stumbled out under the lights and the audience collectively gasped at her diminutive size and age. It didn't seem to bother her; in fact, she seemed to enjoy the attention slightly. After a polite bow, Schuberry adjusted the bench, accidentally looking up and seeing Celestia. The alicorn waved, but she pretended not to notice.

Without much ado, she pushed down onto the keys, hooves close together. 'Farewell Rose' was a peaceful enough song, but Celestia wasn't quite sure if it was classical. There were hints of jazz, but it didn't move fast enough.

About a quarter of the song in, the tune changed from a gentle repetitive swing to something that stood out more. Any sort of semblance it had with the classical style was shed away, leaving behind a strange amalgamation of different genres and styles. There was a kind of regret about the song, almost as if the filly was apologizing, saying farewell, and explaining her regrets all at the same time.

The main theme repeated itself, and Schuberry looked up at Celestia with a determined look in her face. The alicorn couldn't understand the expression; in all her years, she had never seen anypony look at her like that. As quickly as the filly looked up, she averted her eyes, leaving a haunting impression on Celestia's mind.

"Hey, Celestia." Twilight nudged Celestia's hoof. "What was that about the nobility being adventurous with their culture?"

"To be fair, she's not nobility." Celestia argued. After a moment, she added, "Look at the audience, they don't know how to react."

That was absolutely true. When Schuberry finished, the audience didn't immediately stomp their hooves. Schuberry stood awkwardly on the stage after bowing, and only when Twilight began to stomp her hooves, they slowly joined in.

"They don't look too happy." Twilight observed. "The judges."

"Oh." Celestia held open the door. "Andante will find a way. Things have been going his way so far."

"How much of that was blind luck? You go and see her, I have to use the bathroom." Twilight patted Celestia and galloped off.





Celestia found Schuberry sitting near the entrance munching on an eggplant sandwich. "Hello again."

"Hi."

"Did you see that mare who played the violin?" Celestia slumped down onto the bench in a rather crude way, slouching on the edge of the seat.

"She comes and goes." Schuberry coughed, sending some eggplant bits flying.

"Is everything alright?" She asked softly.

"I guess." Schuberry averted her eyes.

"Andante isn't treating you wrong or anything?"

Schuberry shook her head. "I don't want you to give him trouble."

"I won't, but if he's treating you poorly, you need to say something." Celestia frowned.

"I need to be going," Twilight stopped by. "To Luna."

"Right, good luck." Celestia waved. "Is that eggplant sandwich good?"

"Your hayburgers are better." Schuberry admitted. "Dad's a terrible cook."

As Twilight disappeared around a corner, Schuberry slowly got off the bench and stared at the entrance to the concert hall. "Dad says I can't see you, mom. Sorry." She scurried off away, disappearing between the legs of the other ponies.

Celestia looked at where the filly disappeared. "She still calls me 'mom,' huh..."