Book 1 - The Behemoth came to Canterlot

by Equimorto


Spheres

The unicorn regarded the ætherphone in front of her. She'd bought it somewhat on a whim, and it would take some time to learn to use it properly, but she could probably make use of it every once in a while. Besides, it was a nice thing to have sitting around, or so she found. For once her roommate might agree to it.
Recording it properly might be a bit of a hassle if she decided to, which she very well might have given it could give some nice samples, and she'd probably need some extra equipment for that, but using it during her performances would be easy. If she managed to learn to play it well enough, of course. Which she wouldn't if she just sat there watching it.
She did have a guide that talked briefly about how to play one among other things somewhere in the room, she was pretty sure, but she could not remember where. She could always go fetch a more proper guide at the library, even if getting into the library had gotten more complicated than average those days. Hopefully her roommate wouldn't mind her having bought it. It hadn't cost too much, certainly less than most other instruments or tools either of them used.
She tentatively placed her hooves near the antennas. As often the case when an inexperienced pony first touched, or in her case she supposed more broadly interacted with and or tried to play, an instrument they were unfamiliar with, the sound was not particularly pleasant. She pulled her hooves back, mostly so she didn't have to think while still hearing that. But she knew she didn't have to give up on it right there. No one picked up a new instrument and was instantly good with it. She just needed some practice.
Curious she placed her hooves near the instrument again, and listened to the sound change as she moved them. She didn't quite know what she was doing with it, but she did like some of what she heard. A small portion of it. She knew she could bring something out of it, with enough experience and time. She smiled. Maybe what she'd end up making with it wouldn't sound like every future happening at once, but there was still time for that. Maybe. Either way, she'd make something nice with it, and that was what really mattered.