Several Hours Later
With no surprise to Trixie, Mezza Voce was given a standing ovation, which was only making the now pounding headache she had even worse. All throughout the show she had sensed that slight tingle in the air, the tingle of magic. Yet, it seemed no one else but her had noticed it. Or if someone else had they weren’t saying anything about it. Such a prolonged exposure to it was now giving her a splitting headache she had only experienced after a really tough practice session for her show. Relief finally came as the show ended, the tingle disappearing about the time Mezza had stopped playing, and the crowds finally died down.
“What a splendid show that was. I cannot wait till his next concert,” Fancy Pants said as he started to stand, “Hopefully it will be rather soo-wooooah.”
As he tried to stand, Fancy Pants found his legs buckling a little before gaining balance. Time Turner and Fleur found themselves in similar positions, though Trixie found herself having no problem outside of her headache.
“I say, I’m feeling rather light headed right now. Ah well, these things happen when one sits down for a prolonged period of time, right?” Time Turner said, his energetic habit of a running mouth returning rather quickly considering he had been in a dazed state. Of course, Trixie figured he probably talked like that in his sleep as well.
“Indeed,” Fancy Pants said as everyone stabilized, Fleur soon taking her usual spot right next to him.
“Oh dear, it seems Trixie got the worse of it. Are you all right deary?” Fleur asked. Trixie simply nodded a yes as she held a hoof to her head.
“I’m fine. I-It’s just a bit of a headache is all,” she replied, seeming to satisfy Fleur’s brief moment of concern before her attention was turned elsewhere.
“Are you sure you’re alright Trixie?” Time Turner asked, placing a comforting hoof on her back before she shook it off. While she appreciated his concern, she just wanted to get out of that concert hall for the time being. All the noise of the audience leaving the hall, while diminishing, still bothered her. Besides, she wanted to get away from there just in case that tingle came back again.
“Yes, I’m fine. I just need to get some fresh air for a bit is all,” Trixie said as she started to make her way out of the box and down the stairs.
“Well, if that’s the case, why don’t the two of you join us at our mansion? We can have dinner in the garden, maybe listen to a few records…” Fancy Pants responded as everyone else started down after her.
“NO!” Trixie yelled before cringing at her own voice as she stopped, “I mean…no thank you. I-I had somewhere else I wanted to go tonight. Remember Time Turner?” she asked, hoping the easily distracted stallion could have listened to her long enough earlier that day to actually catch something about herself.
“Somewhere you wanted to go? I don’t remember…OHHHH, right, the nightclubs,” Time Turner said, Trixie giving a slight smile. So he wasn’t completely useless after all.
“Nightclubs?” Fleur said, head tilting a little in confusion.
“R-right. I used to put on shows in some of the clubs and,” Trixie said before being interrupted by Fleur.
“You put on shows? I didn’t know you were a performer! Oh honey, we must go and see Trixie’s show…whatever it is you do. What kind of show do you put on anyway?”
“I used to put on magic shows, but not anymore,” Trixie replied.
Fleur’s face turned rather disappointed before giving out a sad little, “Oh, that’s too bad.”
“Yes, that is quite the disappointment. I’m sure you would have put on an excellent show, since you were able to get a stage here in Canterlot. I guess you want to visit some of your hold haunts then for nostalgia’s sake?” Fancy Pants asked as the group started moving again. Trixie had to give him some credit; he was cleverer than he looked.
“Yeah, that’s exactly right.”
“Wonderful idea Trixie! Wished you had told me about it a little sooner, but wonderful all the same,” Time Turner responded as they reached the outside of the hall.
It was still daylight out, but sunset would be coming soon enough. The fresh air was helping Trixie out a little bit; at least the throbbing pain was dulled enough she could really think about what was going on. While she would have normally enjoyed the offer of going to eat at a mansion, she needed to get her and Time Turner away from these two so she could discuss the issue of that tingle. Something was going on in there, something with magic that was affecting pony’s minds and gave her an excruciating headache. At the very least she wanted to give Mezza a good buck to the face for the latter problem.
“Well, I’m sorry you’re not accepting the invitation, but I won’t stand in the way of fond memories. Please, feel free to call on us anytime you two like,” Fancy Pants responded as he and Fleur started to part ways with them.
“Thank you for the hospitality. Have a nice evening you two,” Time Turner said, waving them goodbye before turning his attention to Trixie.
“Such a lovely couple those two. Very friendly too," Time Turner said cheerfully before turning to Trixie.
"Now then, why exactly do you have such a bad headache and why couldn’t you tell me in front of those two?” he said, his forelegs firmly planted on her shoulders as he locked eyes with her. His face was missing the normal smile, with the glare and slight frown of a pony in serious thought replacing it.
Trixie simply sighed; she should have known that Time Turner suspected something was going on with her.
“…do you mind if maybe have a drink first?”
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Backstage of the Concert Hall
“Oh you were absolutely brilliant sir. The audience loved you, they ate all right up!” said a young, eager colt with a star cutie mark.
“Of course they were. Everpony enjoys the music of the magnificent Mezza Voce,” replied the smoky blue cellist.
The two of them were walking backstage, packing everything up after yet another successful show. Mezza was already finding himself annoyed with this new assistant’s eagerness, but kept him around for the praise. Oh dear Celestia did he love the praise, but should he not? After all, he was the great upcoming star of Canterlot, beloved by all the noble ponies. And yet, he still wanted more.
“But tell me, was she there? Was she as enamored with me as the rest of them?” Mezza asked, packing away his cello in its case.
“Enamored? Sir, she never took her eyes off you for one second during the entire performance!” the colt said, “Not even her companion could steal her attention from you!”
“Excellent, then things are going just the way I want them to,” he said before gazing at a photo that was taped to top of the inside of his cello case. While his assistant finished packing up the rest of the stuff, Mezza Voce muttered to himself.
“Soon we’ll be together again my love. Everypony will know my name, and I will be famous, my music filling every home in Canterlot. And when that day comes, you won’t be able to say no to me ever again. You and I shall dance to the music…forever.”