//------------------------------//
// World-class Faker 
// Story: Journal of Occasional Nonsensicality 
// by Acryliks 
//------------------------------//

"So how long have you been playing the guitar?" Luna asked me.

"Um... about four years now, I think... maybe? Yeah, that sounds right," I thought aloud.

"Well you're very good at it. I've heard some ponies play worse with more experience."

"Hah, yeah... sometimes that whole 'fake it 'till you make it' thing actually works out."

"Well you're clearly not faking it."

"Hm, I would have to be a world-class faker to get away with playing for you, though."

"Ha! I suppose so, no? If you don't mind me asking, why the guitar?"

"Well... I've played plenty of other instruments before. Flute, cello, a little violin, some drums...  none of them really stuck with me, I guess. None of them really made me want to keep learning."

"I see. And the guitar did?"

"The acoustic guitar did. I have an electric back at my place, but I don't play it nearly as much as this one."

"Interesting. Why is that?"

"I think... it's the way it sounds. But more than just... as an acoustic guitar. As an instrument. Acoustic instruments always resonated more with me... no pun intended. And with the guitar? I don't know, it's just... when you play the acoustic guitar, there's no effects or modulation to change how you sound. It's just you and the strings. Everything you do is immediately rewarded. And every mistake you make is highlighted."

"Hmm... very interesting. So it's the purity of the sound you enjoy? The purity of the music?"

"Yes! Exactly! I guess it's a... bit of an... antiquated view, but... you get what you give with pure acoustic instruments. If I spend time practicing and learning then when I do play, everything I do is a direct result of my effort, and that just feels great, ya know?"

"Mhm, certainly. That makes a lot of sense. And I don't think I would call that view antiquated. You're proud of the fact that you can play well. And the only reason you can do that is because you put in the time and effort to learn. What's not to be proud of?"

"Yeah... that makes a lot of sense. Thank you, Luna."

"Of course. When one is as dedicated as you clearly are, one should be encouraged, no?"

"I certainly can't argue with that, no."

"...you said you play the cello?"

"Hm, yeah, I did for a while."

"Really?"

"Yep. Why, do I not come across as a cellist to you?"

"Actually it surprises me to know that you didn't stick with the cello."

"Oh? Why?"

"You seem like the kind of person who would play the cello."

"Mmm, that sounds like an insult."

"Ha! That sounds like an insult to cellists."

"Ya got me there."