Chapter 17 - Music of Midnight
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Part One of Two
Music Of The Violin
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"I can't read anymore..."
Complained a green alicorn pony, who was seated on a stool, his head and his forehooves lazily rested on the paper-filled table inside his house by the window.
A blue earth pony mare chuckled at her green pony. She was seated on the other side of the table, busily reading one of the many letters Henry received in the past few months.
They have been reading the large amounts of letters for hours now, ever since they finished eating breakfast and washing the dishes.
"Oh, come on."
Pearl said with a smile as she poked the green pony's nose.
"Don't disappoint your fans."
"Guh..."
He whispered as he slowly rose his head back.
He used his magic to lift his glasses from his head as he brought both forehooves to rub his aching eyes.
"This is ridiculous..."
"Well, it's your fault."
The mare replied teasingly as she opened another letter.
She unfolded the letter, and gasped.
"Oh my, look at this!"
She exclaimed, excited, and caught the green pony's attention as he snapped in full attention, feeling slightly eager to either listen or read, whatever the content was on the letter.
Pearl happily turned the paper towards him.
"It's another long letter!"
She said in an excited tone, and she followed it with a couple of laughs, contrasting Henry's disappointed frown.
It's been almost two weeks since the ponies of PonyVille welcomed spring. The weather in those days were as clear and bright as ever, but now, the Sunday gloomy sky is about to rain, as what was posted on the weather bulletin in front of town hall.
Only a number of ponies were walking on the earthy path of PonyVille, and they were walking at a rather fast pace, trying to get to their destinations before the rain starts.
Soon, the heavens started to shower the land of PonyVille, and as Pearl read another letter, Henry was running a hoof on the table, randomly shifting the letters around until one of the letters with a familiar seal caught a few available light in the area, causing it to shine and catch the bored eyes of the green pony.
He grabbed the letter after recognizing the seal. It was from the princess. From the princess! How could he have not seen this sooner!?
He quickly opened the letter and immediately read the contents of the long letter. It was dated a month before.
---
Dear Henry Hoof,
I am writing to you to inform you of the status of the search for the other changeling races, and as well as Chrysalis. But first and foremost, I would like to apologize for a rather slow progress of the search, but allow me to inform you that the search teams have finally finished searching every parts of Equestria.
Now, for the other changeling races. We have discovered a hidden cave located in San Palomino Desert. The said cave goes underground, until the narrow path ended in a very wide and spacious underground lake, and the walls of the cave were filled with holes all over. On the center of the lake was a giant floating crystal of yellow energy, giving off enough light to see everything around. Unfortunately, what we found were corpses of changelings. And judging from their eyes, they are the fallen race of the yellow-eyed changelings. The place was full of evidence of a harsh and grim battle. And their piece of the Emotion Stone: the Earth's Tear, was not in the said location.
I am sure you are aware of our meeting with Chrysalis back at the Frozen Nurth a few months ago. I should probably let you know that after Chrysalis was defeated during our battle, her minions created a distraction, enough to save their queen and fled from me. I would like to admit that my injuries during the said battle prevented me from stopping her, and for that, I would apologize.
I would believe that her presence in the said location was for her to retrieve the Heaven's Tear from the white-eyed changelings who are more adapt in living in the cold environment of the Frozen Nurth. Unfortunately for her, we managed to stop her, and created enough time to warn the changeling race in the said location, and we believe that they have fled outside of Equestria from Chrysalis, but unfortunately, we also believe that the green-eyed changelings, which is led by the said queen of changelings, gave chase to the fleeing white-eyed changelings.
I would like you to know that I have sent letters of the said information to the neighboring regions, though I have yet to receive their response, if they are so willing to. The changeling race is, unfortunately, a race greatly despised in other regions, but I would still linger to hope that the leaders of the other regions would be merciful.
I believe that you already know about the Emotion Stone, since you are the librarian of my beloved PonyVille, but allow me to remind you of what it is, that is, if you have forgotten, or gained minimal knowledge of the said stone. The Emotion Stone is an ancient artifact that holds great magic. The stone was created by Starswirl himself during his early years, and it was during the time where Equestria is slowly starting to unite. Starswirl's purpose of creating such a stone was for him to provide us an easier way to unite the different races of ponies in different parts of Equestria. During those times, even though the war of heaven and earth has come to an end, the walls in each heart of ponies were still too high and too thick to accept unity. Unfortunately, we have encountered quite a number of problems that Starswirl was not able to use the said stone. One of such events was the Windigos, where Equestria was in the brink of death, but fortunately, a tiny glimmer of hope and friendship that was formed by an earth pony, a unicorn and a pegasus pony managed to create the Flame of Unity, and it was then that Equestria was slowly starting to unite for a better place to live.
We however, do not yet know what would Chrysalis want to accomplish from obtaining the stone.
I would like to end my letter here. If you are not busy, I would like to invite you to the castle for a meeting. If however, you are not able to attend, then I will understand.
The Ruler of Equestria,
Princess Celestia
---
The trip to Canterlot was both quiet and fun. Fun, for Pearl, at least, for it was her first time to be inside a train. She always roam around, looking at every window where she thinks has the best view of a number of scenery.
Henry was simply watching his mare with amusement, and often times, he needed to ask for forgiveness to a number of ponies who got annoyed or got bothered by the blue mare.
After an hour, the sky became clear again, giving the sun the chance to dry the land of Equestria.
During the last hour of the trip, Pearl sat beside the green pony and apologized, though Henry simply shrugged it off.
After arriving in Canterlot, Pearl stuck close to Henry. Even though going to a new place excited her, seeing a lot of ponies still made her feel scared, though a tiny bit, since she was with her stallion.
Even though she was feeling a little bit of fear, she still managed to look around, noticing the tall buildings of the city, where she felt as if she became so small.
"Henry!"
A familiar voice yelled from the other side of the street.
Both Henry and Pearl turned to see a dark-blue unicorn mailpony, who was cheerfully committing jaywalking just to reach them.
Henry smiled as Pearl tried to hide on the green pony's side.
"Been a while, Midnight."
Henry greeted as soon as Midnight got to them.
"So how's life?"
Midnight frowned for a little while, until he quickly replaced it with a small smile.
"Life's been good."
He simply replied, and held his smile against Henry's 'I don't believe you' frown.
He dropped his smile as he took a breath and sighed.
"Okay, no... Life's been really really difficult ever since spring came..."
"Why so?"
Henry asked as Pearl slowly eased a bit.
Midnight then turned around, and pointed at the large school building on the other side of the street.
"See that school there?"
Both Pearl and Henry nodded as Midnight turned to face them, just in time to see their nods.
"Well, I enrolled 'Tavie there, since she always wanted to be like Melody: a musician."
Henry took a glance at the school's name, engraved above the school's gate.
'Canterlot Music School'
Midnight flashed a small smile.
"A week before spring came, Melody and I took 'Tavie there for an entrance exam, and I couldn't be proud that she passed!"
His smile widened, and Henry and Pearl shared a smile.
Though Midnight's smile then turned yet again into a frown.
"I've been dropping her to school before I go to work, and I am also trying my best to spare a little of my working hours to get back home if Melody needed to go somewhere to play her violin, but..."
He took a deep breath as he closed his eyes, and exhaled as he dropped his head low.
"...it's...stressful..."
Henry was about to say something when Midnight brought his head back up.
"Don't get me wrong. I love both of them, and I am willing, really am, to be there for them...but it's just..."
He shook his head a bit.
"...too hard..."
Pearl spoke, giving the unicorn some friendly and supportive words, though Henry did not focus on their conversation as he slowly turned towards the city's clock tower from afar.
Thirty-two minutes after three in the afternoon.
"...yeah. It's a bit of a good thing that 'Tavie's schedule is only during the morning..."
Henry's ears caught a bit of Midnight's voice as he started to drift into his own thoughts.
It is sad to hear the unicorn struggling. And in such a young age. He needs to help him, but how, and if he can, will it help or will it ease their problems a bit?
"...she's starting to get lonesome, being alone..."
A mailpony's salary isn't that big. It was a good thing that they are not paying rent. At least Midnight only has to worry about daily food and Octavia's school. But Melody is helping with their financial problems.
"...around once or twice a week. Yeah, she's still receiving invitations to play..."
So once or twice only in a week?
A school for music is expensive. Surely, Midnight knows about this, and if not, then Melody must have informed him.
"...expensive, yeah, but we can manage, for Octavia. That's her dream, anyway."
So he does know. Adding his salary, plus Melody's...
Then...
"So..."
Henry spoke has he slowly faced the two, who stopped whatever they were talking as they faced the green alicorn.
"What's the problem?"
---
Henry, Pearl and Midnight stopped and stood in front of an old and unkept-looking five-storey apartment building. The red paint of the structure was already fading and gray. Some of the windows are even broken.
"Why are we here again?"
Henry managed to ask in a low voice, even though if he'll use his normal volume, the ponies walking around still won't mind them.
Midnight took a few steps forward and stopped in front of them and turned to face them.
"This is where we live now."
"What?"
Henry gasped.
"But what happened?"
Midnight closed his eyes as he took a breath and sighed.
"I'll explain inside..."
Midnight turned and walked towards the brown door, and Pearl slowly followed.
Henry shook his head in disbelief. Whatever happened, he needed to know.
He looked around, and noticed the left neighboring building of the apartment is an old musical shop, though it looked as if it was still kept clean and presentable, even through it's old fading orange paint, and a few cracks on the wide glass windows and doors of the shop.
Once inside, Midnight walked to the counter and told the receptionist that the two ponies are his guests. The old earth pony mare in the counter simply shrugged and went back to reading the daily newspaper.
Henry and Pearl followed Midnight, who led them to the third floor of the apartment.
While going there, both Pearl and Henry noticed the surroundings: wallpapers decaying and torn, dust-full of portraits hung on walls, creaky wooden stairsteps, broken railings on a number of staircases, dimly-lit hallways where a number of lightbulbs no longer work, while some are flashing on and off, dusty floors, dead plants on pots, brown curtains that looked like it used to be either white or yellow, broken doorknobs where the only way to lock them is either pushing something against the door from the inside or installing a chain lock, and finally, the third door from the staircase was the one where Midnight knocked on the doorknob-less door.
Henry heard a voice from inside, and Midnight then responded, but neither voices couldn't process the words in his head has his thoughts were consumed of how sad this place is, and what was worse, this is where Midnight, who stood in front of the opening door, Octavia, a filly who opened the door, and Melody, who quietly sat on an old-looking sofa, live.
The room itself was small, but still big enough for a family of three or four. The room had a sofa, an old bed, big enough for four ponies, a small dining table near the dirty-looking sink, an old brown tall cabinet for cloths. There was a small room with a closed door, probably the bathroom.
"We have guests."
Midnight simply said as he sat beside Melody and nuzzled her neck.
"Oh?"
Melody said as Henry and Pearl helped themselves in pulling stools from the table and sat in front of the couple, where Octavia joined and sat in between Melody and Midnight.
"You already know Henry. You know, my uncle?"
Midnight asked, and he received a nod from the mare.
"The other one is Pearl, my uncle's special somepony."
Melody let out a small yet warm smile and waved a hoof to where she hoped was in front of her, and fortunately, they were, but Pearl was struck by the realization that the mare in front of her is blind.
How could the beautiful ability to see the beauty of the world was not present for a pony such as she?
She could not imagine how to live a life without the gift of sight.
She shook her head and hung her head low.
Henry noticed Pearl's actions, and placed a hoof on top on her own. Sensing her stallion's hoof made her feel better, at least a bit.
Henry gave her a small smile before facing the couple in front of them.
"Midnight..."
Midnight sighed.
"I know... I know... I have a lot of explaining to do."
Henry nodded.
---
It started after 'Tavie passed the entrance exam. The three of us were so happy that she passed, and we decided to celebrate, but when we got back to the house, Melody's father was there, standing in front of the gates.
It was fine that he was there, that was the first thing on my mind, but after he told us that he sold the house, I got furious. I don't think...I need to go into detail of how I beat the crap out of him, but I know, no matter how much I beat him, I couldn't do a thing to stop him.
He was determined to sell the house and get the money for himself, and what was worse, he left Melody and Octavia, and told them that he no longer wanted to see them ever again. And worst, to prove his point, he threw Melody's violin on the ground, and it broke to pieces...
That hurts...it really hurts to see Melody and Octavia crying like that, and it made me even angrier to see that damn pony easily said those set of words to his own kid and grandkid. I mean, how heartless could that f...creep possibly be!?
It was no use, and I needed to find a place for us to stay. We spent a night on an alleyway, trying our best to hide from police ponies. And the next day, I found this place.
Even though we're living here, I am still thankful...no...we are still thankful, for at least we have a place to sleep through the night, and ponies around who I meet along the way often times gave me invitations for Melody to perform. Maybe once or twice a week, in different restaurants in Canterlot.
But we needed to rent a violin for her to perform. Damn it, violins are too expensive. But at least we could rent some, so I guess that'll have to do...for now.
---
Henry went out of the apartment to feel the cold city spring air, so he could calm himself. Hearing Midnight's story made him angry, really angry, and so he excused himself. They understood, to his relief.
He came to Canterlot to see the princess, but that will have to wait. He needs to do something for them.
He sat in front of the old and rusty iron fence of the apartment. Ponies don't seem to mind him though, but a number of them recognized him and asked what was wrong, but he simply gave them a small yet forced smile and told them not to worry.
Probably from his tone or from his facial expression, the concerned ponies decided to ignore him, to his request. As a number of ponies started to bug him to bring back the annoyance inside him, he stood up after the last pony walked off, and he went inside the music shop just beside the old apartment.
As he swung the glass door open, it hit a bell above, signalling his arrival.
An old earth stallion looked up to him from the counter, and flashed him a smile and a nod before going back to reading a book.
Henry shrugged as he walked around the piles of instruments, staring at them, not to look at them, but to ease himself.
A large piano, cellos, xylophones, trumpets, drums, flutes, and many others.
He stopped after his eyes locked on a glass case on a table, and inside was a very fine piece of instrument. He is no musician, but from the looks of it, he could tell that it was crafted well, probably by an expert of music. Seeing the surface, he could imagine how smooth the wood is. Even the strings looked perfect, even though they only looked plain and simple.
"Ah, we have another sharp eye."
Said the old stallion with a chuckle as he stood up.
"That there's a very fine piece o' violin, my friend."
Henry could only nod in agreement, not even bothering to remove his eyes on the violin.
"Y'know..."
Said the stallion as he got beside the green alicorn.
"...I get quite a few ponies here 'round, and often times, they only took a look at this 'ere violin, and then look elsewhere. You're the second one who gave this baby the attention it so deservely needed."
"Is that so?"
Henry asked as he turned to face him with an arched eyebrow.
The old stallion nodded.
"Yep. The first one's my neighbor. Midnight is his name, I think."
Henry nodded as he turned back to the violin.
"Ya know, from the look of that boy, I could tell that he really wanted this violin. Well, too bad for him if you're here to buy this baby. He used to come here often, asking me if I could let 'im rent this here violin. I would but, I can't just simply put my trust on anypony these days. Have to be careful in this generation, y'know?"
Henry took a look at the price tag, and he had to hold his surprise after seeing the price.
"Yep, sorry, but this baby's that expensive. Used to be displayed in one of the museums here 'till it was given to me during my younger years as a prize when I won in the grand championship musical tournament here in Canterlot."
Henry snapped back to reality after reaching his words. He took a glance at his cutie mark, and of course, a violin, though in a different angle of view if compared to Melody's cutie mark.
He then looked at the wall near the counter, and he saw quite a number of framed photos of an earth pony, playing a violin on stage.
"Yep, this baby used to be my partner, but sad that I could no longer manage steady hooves to play a single simple note when I became old. Ah, the memories."
"I'll take it."
"Well, that's a fine...wait, what?"
He took a step back, completely surprised.
"You serious there boy?"
Henry looked into his sidebag as he used his magic to open it and lift his pouch bag.
"Now how'd you do that? You're a pegasus, for pony's sake."
Henry used his magic to slightly lift his hat to reveal his horn.
The old stallion's eyes grew wide in disbelief.
"Oh my... You're an alicorn? Wow."
He flashed a smile.
"Never knew I'd be this lucky to see one other than Princess Celestia."
Henry lifted the glass case where the violin is and levitated it towards the counter as the old stallion kept on taking as he went back to the counter.
"I used to play inside the castle all the time! I sure made a name back in those days."
He smiled as he shook his head and as Henry brought the bits on the counter.
The door swung open, and the bells rang, and came inside was a dark-blue unicorn pony, and quickly made his way towards the counter.
"Henry," Midnight started as he reached them, "hey, we were starting to worry about you."
"Hey there, boy."
Greeted the old stallion.
"Mighty sorry but this fellow here already bought the violin that you wanted."
Midnight ignored the apologetic-look on the old stallion as he faced Henry's smiling face in disbelief.
"No..."
Henry patted the unicorn's shoulder.
"What? I couldn't just do nothing while my nephew is struggling in life."
---
Midnight carefully removed the violin from the glass casing with his magic, and slowly brought it on Melody's hooves.
With teary eyes, she embraced the violin as she said her thanks.
It was the least Henry could do to help, he told them. The alicorn received a hug from a teary-eyed Midnight and Octavia.
He had to admit, that violin was damn expensive, but, he returned the hug, for he knew it was worth it.
"Also..."
Henry said after the hug broke.
He took something from his sidebag, and levitated a golden cross.
"I---"
"No...!"
Midnight interrupted him, and sent a powerful wave of magic to grab the cross from Henry's magic, and he then brought it back inside his sidebag.
"No more, please."
He shook his head slowly.
"I don't...want to get used to depend on receiving gifts..."
Not really a good set of chosen words, but Henry understood what he was trying to say.
Midnight wanted to prove to himself that he can be a good stallion for both Melody and Octavia.
"I understand..."
Henry smiled, and Midnight reflected the smile back.
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Part Two of Two
Magic Of The Piano
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Melody is invited to perform in one of the famous music restaurants in Canterlot, near the castle. It was convenient for Henry, for not only can he go to the castle to see why the princess wanted to see him, but after that, he can also go there and listen to Melody's performance.
Knowing Henry will be there made Midnight feel a bit nervous, no matter how many times Melody and Octavia told him to relax, even after Henry and Pearl left the restaurant.
It was now five in the afternoon, and Melody is to perform at around seven. They came early for Melody to practice with the restaurant's pianist.
As Melody began practicing, Midnight was curious and stared at the stallion who was on the piano. He had to admit, playing the piano looked simple and fun. Too bad he has never played any musical instruments before, except for tin cans turned into drums, if that counts.
---
The royal guards have already recognized Henry, and so he and Pearl were allowed to enter the castle's gates, even without the princess' presence. Whatever they meant by that, the guards didn't say, so they simply entered and worked their way towards the royal hall, only to find the little filly Twilight, her pet baby purple dragon, and a pale-pink alicorn, almost as tall as Princess Celestia.
The said alicorn's pony-tailed mane has two shades of pink and yellow, her wings are tinier than Celestia's, the tips of her tail were curled up, and she wore golden horseshoes, almost identical to Celestia's, and she has a cutie mark of a blue crystalized heart.
"Henry!"
Twilight shouted, and immediately ran towards him.
"No Twilight! Wait!"
Shouted the alicorn has she gave chase.
The alicorn caught the filly with her magic, and quickly sent the filly on her back as she growled at the green alicorn.
Pearl was taken aback, while Henry simply stood there, trying to see if he missed something.
"What is a changeling like you doing here in the castle?"
The alicorn asked as her horn glowed.
"Princess Cadance, wait!"
Shouted Twilight as she jumped off her back, ran and stopped in between the alicorns.
The alicorn removed the magical energy on her horn, but kept her expression the same.
"Henry's a good changeling! Please believe me!"
"Uh... Hi?"
Henry quietly said, receiving a confused look from the alicorn.
"So..."
The alicorn began.
"This is the changeling you told me about that one day?"
Twilight nodded.
---
"I am truly sorry about earlier..."
The pink alicorn said as she, Henry and Pearl reached the garden behind the castle.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Cadance, and I'm here to temporarily watch over the kingdom and as well as to foalsit Twilight."
She said with a nervous smile.
"Oh," Henry replied, "well, it's good to...make your acquaintance, princess."
Henry bowed, and Pearl as well.
"My name is Henry Hoof, and this is Ocean Pearl."
Pearl waved a hoof at the princess, and she received a smile.
"And I was hoping to see Princess Celestia to talk about something..."
"Well, you can talk to me, if that is no problem."
Cadance replied with a hopeful smile.
Henry flashed a sad smile.
"Well, you see... I don't really know what we are supposed to talk about."
"Oh..."
She hung her head, and took a breath.
She lifted her head back as she let out a sigh.
"Well, Auntie Celestia's not here at the moment. She went to the neighboring regions. I think it has something to do with changelings... She didn't really gave me all the needed information."
Henry looked around for a little while before returning his focus on the princess.
"So uh...when do you think she'll be back?"
Cadance brought a hoof on her chin as she focused her gaze on the sky, deep in thought.
"Hm..." She then brought her hoof back as she looked back at the two ponies.
"Well, it's almost three weeks now since she left."
She shook her head.
"And I am not really sure when she'll be coming back..."
"I see..."
Henry took a breath and sighed.
---
Henry and Twilight are discussing about magic in the garden, while Spike, the filly's baby dragon, is curled on the ground and sound asleep.
A few hooves from them, Princess Cadance and Pearl are enjoying some tea as they sit on one of the garden's tables. The two are taking about life under the sea, since Cadance sensed a strange magic aura surrounding the blue mare.
"I don't think I can perform this spell, Twilight..."
Henry said after reading the description of the spell the filly wanted to try.
"...and I think you shouldn't perform this one."
At first, he couldn't believe that unicorns can even do such a spell: a spell that could give any earth-bound ponies a pair of wings.
"Why not?"
Twilight simply asked as she returned the book to her sight.
"I have made the calculations..."
She said as she levitated a piece of paper from her saddlebag and in front of the green alicorn's face.
"...adjusted the mana requirements to fit my age while still reaching the required amounts of mana energy, though I know you may think it's impossible, but I learned how to draw a little bit of mana from nature such as grass, so that will also help me in performing this spell without exhausting all of my magic, and I really want to try and do this, and when I do, I'll be the first filly to ever perform this spell! Isn't that exciting!?"
She exclaimed as she hopped a few times on the same spot.
Henry could neither read the calculations nor listen to Twilight, for he is clueless to both the written measurements on the paper and the things the filly just said.
"Is...she always like that?"
Asked Pearl, both happy and worried as she gaze at the two magic ponies.
Cadance simply nodded her head as she sipped some tea.
"Yes. She is quite a handful, but I enjoy every moment I spend with her."
Pearl then returned to her with a smile.
"It's strange, but she's like a little sister to me."
She let out a quiet set of chuckles, and Pearl joined her.
"By the way... I hope you don't mind, but..."
Pearl leaned closer, eager to hear what the Princess is about to say.
"...um...why are you with a...changeling?"
Pearl blinked as she flashed a smile.
"W-well..."
And after fighting off the blush, she told a story about how she met the green pony.
---
'I'm not good with music and all that, but listening to Melody's violin sounded really good with the piano...'
Midnight thought as he stood behind the seated pianist, pressing key after key, blending quite melodious to the soothing music of the violin of the mare.
It's going to be a an hour from now before Melody performs in front of the eating customers of the restaurant, though he wondered if the customers could actually hear the music behind the thick curtain. No, he knows the music could be heard.
Not that he minds. Melody's being payed, anyway.
Beside him is a stool, where the filly Octavia is curled and asleep.
Soon, the music ended, and as Melody made small adjustments to her violin, the stallion pianist turned his head to see the unicorn behind him.
"How did that sound?"
The pianist asked through a tired yet satisfied smile.
Midnight could only smile.
"Hey, need I answer that? It sounded great!"
Hearing his voice, Melody managed to smile while adjusting the strings of her violin with closed eyes.
"Hey thanks."
The stallion said as he stood up and stretched his hooves.
"Damn...it sucks to get old..."
He said as he cracked his neck and then turned towards the bathroom.
Midnight, after seeing the bathroom's door closed, turned to the piano. He brought a hoof over a random key, and gently pressed it, making the piano sing a tone, slowly fading.
He thought that if he gets himself a piano as his cutie mark, then he could probably resign as a mailpony, and actually start performing some music around Canterlot, and to be with Melody all the time.
The music industry could provide enough bits for the both of them to send Octavia to school.
But as he randomly pressed a few more keys, his hopes of getting a piano-themed cutie mark is fading away, together with the last key he pressed.
He let out a quiet sigh.
"Midnight?"
Melody called, catching the unicorn's attention, and he began walking towards her.
"Were you the one playing the piano just now?"
"More like randomly pressing the keys..."
He let out a quiet and embarrassed chuckle as he reached her side.
---
After saying their goodbye, Henry Hoof and Pearl slowly made their way towards the restaurant where Melody will be playing. Only less than thirty minutes left before her performance.
As they walked on the sidewalk, Pearl is enjoying the scene with a huge smile on her face as she turned her head left and right. Canterlot was slowly enveloped by the darkness of the night, and a number of street lights were beginning to light up.
Henry was simply cherishing the moment, seeing his mare enjoying the scenes here on earth.
---
"W-what!? Really!? Where!?"
Shouted the pianist as a younger-looking earth pony forced himself inside to see him.
"She's in Canterlot General Hospital!"
Replied the other stallion.
He and Melody were practicing their music when the younger stallion came barging in, bring with him the news that the pianist's wife was sent to the hospital not long ago to deliver a foal.
It's great news for him, but bad for both Melody and Midnight.
"Congratulations."
Melody said with a warm smile, and the pianist replied with a nervous chuckle.
"T-thanks, but..."
Melody closed her eyes as she shook her head.
"You should go, to be there for her."
"But what about---"
"You heard the mare."
Midnight grinned as he gave him a slightly painful pat on his back.
"Go on, get outta here."
Midnight will regret those words later.
After a few seconds of debating in his head, the pianist nodded his thanks and the two earth ponies hastily walked out of the restaurant after he informed the manager of the establishment.
"So...what now?"
Octavia asked with a slight frown.
Both her parents let out a sad sigh.
---
Ponies, even Henry and Pearl, pushed themselves on the wall on a building to make way for two rushing ponies.
"Sorry! Wife giving birth!"
Exclaimed one of them as they continued their haste.
Other ponies resumed their walk with either annoyance or ignoring what just happened, while others smiled and silently wished them well.
Henry and Pearl turned to each other with smiles on their faces.
"I wonder what it's like to give birth..."
Asked Pearl as they continued their walk.
Henry was about to answer casually, when his mind wandered to another direction.
"Wanna find out?"
He let out a chuckle as Pearl playfully pushed him away.
"But really though, we'll get there when we're ready."
Henry said as he nuzzled her cheek.
She returned it with a turn of her head, and slightly kissing his lips.
---
Midnight was peeking through the curtains, and saw Henry and Pearl came inside the restaurant. The two were guided by a unicorn waiter to a table right in front of the stage.
Henry, after he was seated, noticed him and gave a wave of a hoof. Midnight replied with a nervous smile.
He then pulled himself away from the curtain and slowly went towards Melody and Octavia.
They talked to the manager just a while ago, and assured them that even without a pianist, Melody will still perform. With or without a piano, Melody can still perform, the middle-aged unicorn assured them.
Well, at least they can make some bits tonight, though it was a bit sad that Melody won't be accompanied by the piano.
He patted the violinist's shoulder, and kissed her on her cheek.
"You'll do great tonight."
He whispered softly on her ear.
Melody smiled back and said her thanks.
Soon, the middle-aged unicorn stallion came up and informed them that they'll begin in five minutes.
Midnight and Octavia gave the violinist a good luck hug before heading to the side of the stage where the piano stood.
As they got to their places, both ponies turned to face the mare, who is now seated on a stool in the middle of the stage, facing the curtain. She slowly positioned her violin and placed the bow on top of the strings.
Octavia sat on a stool and watched her mother prepare while Midnight's eyes were on the music sheet on the piano. He really wished Melody's performance could be accompanied by the piano.
Midnight took a breath and walked towards the piano. He was staring at the pianist earlier, paying close attention to the keys the stallion pressed during the practice. He memorised a few, but that wouldn't be helpful.
"Two minutes."
The stallion whispered as he walked through the curtain, to welcome the customers and welcome the mare of the night to give them a musical performance.
Midnight took another breath and stared at the keys. None of them made sense to him. He dared a look on the musical sheet, which is opened on the song Melody's going to play. He levitated it with his magic, and turned to the first page.
He blinked.
---
After the unicorn pony on stage greeted everypony in the restaurant, he then introduced the well-known violinist of Canterlot; Melody, as the curtains were slowly being raised.
The ponies gave her a round of applause, even Henry and Pearl. But as the unicorn pony stepped off the stage, Henry's eyes went wide in confusion after seeing the nervous Midnight seated in front of the piano, his eyes focused on the musical sheet, with one torn page levitated beside the musical sheet, and the unicorn is nervously looking on the torn page, and back to the musical sheet.
Melody took a deep breath to calm the nervousness that were still lingering inside her. And as she let out a quiet sigh with a smile, the place slowly became quiet for her music.
She was about to move the bow to start the intro of the music when she heard a piano key that broke the silence. Soon after, another key, and then another, and another, until she finally realized that her pianist came back just in time. Though she needed to focus now, for it's almost her cue to start playing together with the piano.
Unknown to the violinist that Midnight is having a difficult time controlling his nervousness and as he look back and forth from the ripped page of the musical sheet, where it shows the basic notes and where in the piano are the right keys from Do to Ti, then to the musical sheet itself, where the randomly placed notes in different shapes were placed along the five-line grid that always starts with a weird 'S' shape, and then to the piano where he hastily place his shaking hooves to press them.
Because of his nervousness, he didn't even realize that Melody was already playing her violin.
Henry could actually see how nervous Midnight is, but he has to admit that Midnight, so far, is playing quite well with the piano. He smiled after noticing a faint light from the unicorn pianist. Pearl, on the other hoof, closed her eyes and let the rhythm of the music carry her. The other customers enjoyed the music, while some tried to ignore the nervous pianist so they could actually enjoy the music.
They were already in the middle of the song, where Midnight noticed the next following notes were quick and numerous, meaning he needs to quickly press keys after keys after keys. He saw the pianist did those with ease, and he wondered if he can do it as well. Swallowing his doubts, he tried to catch every note.
Melody noticed that something was a bit off with the pianist tonight, but she decided that he may only be suffering from either excitement for having a foal, or nervousness or tiredness, or maybe all three.
Midnight's eyes are shifting rapidly, that it almost looked like he's seeing blurs, as he quickly shifts his eyes from three objects in a fast pace. He didn't mind the sweat that were crawling down from his forehead. He already gained full control of his hooves, with the absence of the shaky nervousness.
Finally, they're reaching the end of the song, to Midnight's relief. There's a part of the end where the piano becomes quiet for the violinist to do her magic with the music, and as he rested the last note for a while, he dared a glance at the crowd.
He expected frowns or faces of disgust. Not only does he is sweating, but he is not wearing the proper clothing for a pianist. Now that he thought about it, it may ruin Melody's reputation for having a pianist such as he, but he saw himself wrong.
The crowd were smiling, and some even closed their eyes. They were actually enjoying the song, or maybe they're just glad the piano became quiet. He didn't bother.
He saw Henry, smiling at him with a hint of 'you have some explaining to do' on his eyes. He replied with a nervous smile before going back to the piano. A few more keys and the music will end.
After Melody slowly stroked a fading note, Midnight started playing the piano with rapid keys, signalling the end, and Melody followed, and afterwards, they both ended the song together.
A second of silence. That simple second lasted too long for Midnight's ears, and it was enough to spark the uncertainty within him. He thought he didn't care, but now that the song was over, rapid emotions of doubt and fear ran through his body. Will he be the one to ruin his mare's career? He could not bear to hold that.
A hoof hitting the floor echoed through the quiet restaurant. It was followed by another, and another, and then another, until the hooves turned into a heartwarming and cheerful round of applause.
Midnight's emotions earlier slowly faded, and it all went away and replaced by pain after the filly Octavia tackled him from his back, giving him a tight hug. The force threw him towards the piano, hitting a few random keys with his chest and hooves.
The crowd didn't seem to mind. In fact, they liked seeing them with their heart-filled hug. It somehow blended well with the song's end.
That alone gave Melody the thought that it was not her pianist that played with her today.
Octavia and Midnight then walked towards the violinist, and both gave her a hug, and the crowd cheered for them.
"Midnight?"
Melody asked, her voice mixed with joy and worry.
"Yeah?"
He whispered, without breaking the hug.
"Were you..."
Henry and Pearl simply continued clapping their hooves.
Henry's focus was on a particular emblem on the unicorn's flank. It's a symbol of change, Henry thought.
Pearl somehow just recently noticed it, and she then turned to Henry with a smile yet worried look.
Henry simply shook his head.
"Don't worry. When he finds that out, I'm sure he'll have...one heck of a night."