The lively and upbeat music of jazz flowed out from my saxophone as the musical notes floated throughout the empty and silent streets of Manehattan. I was standing under the light of a lone streetlamp which flickered in staccato. The only ones who listened to my sound were the dull walls of tall buildings that stood around me, mocking me with its expressionless gaze. Yet, I kept playing, filling the monotonic streets with bright and colorful life of the sweet sound of jazz. Oh, if you were wondering, my name’s Saxy Tone. Yeah, I know it does sounds similar to ‘sexy’ but bear with me here. I’m a single earth stallion who had been kicked out from my parent’s home due to the exchange of hurtful words a week ago with only the fur on my back along with my saxophone and now... I’m playing my saxophone on the side of the street; hoping one generous pony would, at least, throw a bit at me.
I felt the cool night air brushed against my cream colored coat and silver spiky mane as I kept my music as lively as possible to brighten the mood in the sad and monotonic streets. As I swayed my body to the melody of my music, I looked into the night sky, seeing the usual bright moon was hidden behind veils of dark cloud. I closed my eyes, feeling my soul and music fused into one; bringing calmness and brightness to the -- once again -- dull streets. I swung my hips left and right, feeling the music taking over my body as I rhythmically bopped my head. Just as I noticed the end of the song was nearing, I poured my soul and all of my effort into my music, tapping my hoof and shook my head in a beat. I gave a long and steady note at the end, echoing my masterpiece into the night sky with my eyes closed as I kept pouring every soul I had into it.
I slowly opened my eyes, looking at the empty streets once more. I sighed. Ponies in the city were not like the ones who lived in rural towns. They just blew passed by me like I am just another beggar... unfortunately, I am one. I looked at the broken cobble sidewalk under my hooves, seeing only a couple of shiny bits glimmered under the streetlight as it let out a monotonous buzz. “At the very least I have something to eat today,” I muttered as I picked up the bits, putting them next to my saxophone in my instrument’s case. I picked the case up on its handle with my mouth, tasting the bitter taste of old wood on my tongue. I turned my head to the big and shiny city of Manehattan to my left with its various fancy advertisement billboards highlighted with bright spotlights and fancy blimps hovered lazily above the city.
“One day, I’ll be a big star and I’ll show my parents that my music is worth listening to,” I mumbled to myself as I walked along the broken sidewalk, passing the tall dark buildings and empty alleys. Then, I looked into the starless sky. “At least it’s a good night,” I mumbled once more, gazing at the dark space above but somehow or somewhere there was a pony up there just like to rain on my parade... literally. The dark clouds above let out a series of deep grumbles and a flash of lightning brighten the dark sky. Krapow, the thunder boomed. “Gyah!” I yelped as I was startled, dropping my case with a dull thud onto the wet and muddy ground. I let out an exasperated sigh as I shook my head, picking up the case once more. A frown tugged on my face as I tasted the earthy and gritty mud on its handle, eliciting a series of gags from me but I kept the content of my stomach down since... I needed them. I had not eaten for a day and my stomach kept reminding me by grumbling in every sight, scent or even the thought of food.
I sighed, letting the cold rain washed my coat. At least the rain gave me some justice: a free and economical shower. I listened to the heavy pitter-patter of rain dropped onto the stone streets and concrete building rooftops as I headed deeper into the city. Then, I looked over my shoulder, hearing a carriage was being pulled behind me. My eyes widened as I saw a long and sleek black limousine carriage with its gold trimmed edge passed by me but it ran over a puddle nearby, splashing me with dirty water. My coat and my cutie mark; a golden saxophone with a single note coming out of it, were covered with mud, feeling the itchy and gritty sensation on my coat as the mud slowly washed away in the rain.
“Hey!” I screamed, shaking my hoof in anger as I saw the back of the carriage vanishing in the distance with my brows furrowed and my lips pursed. “When I’m a big celebrity, I won’t treat other ponies like that,” I snorted as I continued walking, hanging my head low with my brows still furrowed in anger. The thunderous clouds above reflected my feelings as I trudged once more in the rain.
After an hour of trudging in the cold rain, I arrived at a local diner that stood between a large white and pristine bank building and a tall grey and dull office building. The small yet quaint style of the diner that was designed to look like single train cart brings a bit more life and variety into the street. The sign “Sweet Cotton’s Diner” above the building flickered. I smiled and trotted towards the metal door of the diner. I pushed open the door and the bell above it let out a cheerful ding, noticing my arrival. The bright florescent light and its monotonic hum greeted me as I looked around the near empty diner. Well, it was night time and ponies usually don’t come here unless it’s karaoke night or singles night. I trotted towards the counter as I sat on a stool that was located at the far end -- my usual spot from the day I was kicked out.
I set my saxophone case down on the floor next to me and picked up the couple of bits that I earned that day from the case, placing them the counter. “Hello,” greeted a soft pink unicorn mare who had a curly cream colored mane with a smile on her face. Her eyes; two brown orbs that radiated with kindness were locked onto me. She was wearing the diner’s uniform -- a slightly darker shade of pink dress with a white apron tied in the middle. The mare was my ange-- I mean, the one who helped me when I was scavenging in a dumpster behind the diner for food. Her name was Cotton. I think it’s quite a fitting name actually because she looked like a cotton candy since she was pink – in my opinion, that is.
“What can I do you for?” she asked as she smiled at me once again.
“Um... what can I get for two bits?” I asked in return, pushing the couple of bits across the counter with a sheepish smile. She looked at the bits with a horrified look on her face as if she saw a ghost popped into view.
“Is that all you got today, hun?” she asked as she looked at me with a questioning eyebrow.
“Well... uh...” I blabbered; my eyes darted anywhere except at Cotton’s gaze as I felt a drop of nervous sweat started to trickle down my forehead. She was leaning on the counter with her right fore hoof as her other hoof was on her waist, waiting for me to finish my nonsensical blabber. “Yes,” I sighed, my head hung in shame.
“Aww, don’t worry about it, hun,” she said in a sultry voice as I saw her hoof pushed the bits back towards me. “It’s on me,” she continued with a soft smile on her face.
“R-really?” I asked excitedly with a wide smile plastered across my pathetic face.
“Of course,” she giggled as she trotted into the kitchen.
“Thank you!” I shouted, hearing pots and pans clattered from the kitchen.
“It’s my pleasure,” she shouted back, giggling. I let out a relieved sigh, feeling lucky that I met such kind pony in this unforgiving city. I slid the bits into my hooves as I placed them back inside my saxophone case. My head scanned around at the empty tables in front of me as I listened to the monotonic hum of the lights. My stomach grumbled as I caught the scent of crispy fried grass and freshly baked bread wafted throughout the diner. My tongue lolled out and my eyes rolled in ecstasy.
“You’re sure are hungry,” I heard Cotton’s voice giggled. I quickly sat up straight, wiping the trail of drool off my face. I saw she had a plate of fried grass and bread balanced on her back as she looked at me with a smile.
“I am, actually,” I chuckled with a sheepish grin, scratching the back of my neck.
“Here you go,” she muttered, placing the plates in front of me. I took a deep breath, inhaling the delicious scent of freshly made food then quickly grabbed a hoofful of fried grass. “So, coffee or tea?” she asked with an amused grin on her face.
“Coffee,” I mumbled as I had a mouthful of fried grass. She giggled and trotted off towards the coffee maker in the middle part of the counter, my vision lingered on her flank as I slowly chewed my food. I saw her cutie mark that adorned her cute flank; a plate with a stack of pancakes. She quickly turned around as she caught me eying her cutie mark.
“You are such a naughty boy,” she said in a voice soft like silk and a teasing smile. I blushed in return as I quickly pushed my face into the plate with a clank, eating the rest of the fried grass. Yes, fried grass. Delicious! “So,” she started, setting a cup of coffee in front of me as I tentatively looked up. “How’s your effort to stardom going along?” she continued, leaning on the counter as she rested her head onto her hooves. She was... awfully close to me as I could feel her hot breath lightly brushed against my nose, making me a bit uncomfortable. I mean, I know every stallion wants a mare that are not shy to get close and personal but that’s just it, I needed some personal space and Cotton was entering a bit of ‘me’ space.
“Well, uh...” I started, backing my face away from hers. “It’s not great. Today I heard some celebrity pony was having a concert and that made my usual spot a bit less ponies than the days before,” I continued glumly, picking up the cup of coffee.
“Got any word from your parents? Is there anypony searching for you?” she asked a barrage of questions as she looked at me with pure earnest in her eyes.
“Well... no,” I sighed as I downed the cup of coffee. I let the bitter and rich taste of coffee soothe my taste buds and my aching heart, keeping my mind calm. It does its job but it cannot calm my mind like my music always did for me.
“What’s your plan?” she asked again as she refilled my cup.
“I think I’ll try to find a music producer if not, wow some talent scouts in music competitions,” I answered, tapping my chin in thought as I planned out my strategies.
“Got any place to stay?”
“Well,” I started hesitantly, looking at the rain outside. “The box that I usually crawled into is most likely soaked right now. I guess I’ll try to find some other place that’s safe from the rain,” I answered, looking at her with a sheepish grin as I scratched the back of my neck once more. I saw a horrified look plastered on her face as she listened to my answer, her hooves on her mouth and her eyes glistened under the light. Wow... am I that pathetic?
“That’s horrible,” she gasped, giving me a sympathetic look.
“What more can I do?” I forced out a chuckle as I gave a shrug.
“You stay with me,” she spoke up as she slammed the counter with a hoof; her eyes looked at me with determination.
“I already gave you enough trouble. So I really sho--,” I was cut by another slam.
“No, I insist,” she said with her brows furrowed.
“How about your parents? Aren’t they going to protest about this?” I asked as my face collapsed with worry.
“Don’t need to worry about that,” she chuckled, her expression slowly softens. “I live alone in an apartment nearby,” she explained as she gave me a casual shrug.
“Aren’t your boyfriend going to flip out when he knows another stallion lives with you?” I asked, feeling worried as I thought about my face being pounded by a burly stallion who worked as a part time body builder filled my mind.
“Don’t be silly. I have no time for stuff life that,” she answered as she untied her apron. Her white apron slowly fluttered onto the marble floor as she levitated it into a compartment behind the counter.
“Is it almost closing time?” I asked, looking at the clock hung above the entrance. I noticed it was ten o'clock in the evening.
“Yup, you better eat that bread or I’ll lock you in instead,” she said with a sly smile, giggling. With that, I quickly picked the bread up and greedily chomped down with primal vigor. My ears twitched as I heard Cotton giggled while she looked at me gulping down a cup of hot coffee, my eyes tearing up. Bad move, bad move, my mind protested as I downed the hot liquid into my mouth.
“Done,” I gasped, slamming the cup onto the counter. Took a deep breath as I almost choked myself to death, my chest heaved slowly as my heart hammered inside my throat. Cotton just giggled to my near death experience and walked into the kitchen with the cup and plates in tow by brown magical glow. I wiped my mouth with a hoof and patted my stomach as I sighed in contentment, looking up at the fluorescent light above me flickered. I turned my head to my right as I looked through the diner’s window and noticed the rain had stopped. Well... almost stopped. The cascade of rainfall from before had turned into a weak drizzle.
“Ready?” I heard her voice rang like bells. I quickly sat up and noticed that she was out of her uniform. Her small body greeted my vision as she looked at me with a coy smile.
“U-u-uh yeah,” I stammered, feeling the blood rushed into my cheeks as I picked up my saxophone case with my mouth. I hopped off the stool and walked towards the door. Cotton flipped a switch and all the lights went of with a click. Once we were outside, she immediately locked the entrance with a big golden padlock. I think robbers are most likely interested to the padlock rather than the diner itself, I pondered as I chuckled to myself. She looked at me with a questioning eyebrow as she heard my lone chuckle. “Y-yeah?” I asked, smiling sheepishly.
“Did you say something?” she asked as we walked down the streets to our left.
“N-nothing. I’m just humming that’s all,” I lied, my eyes looking into the dark sky as I let out whistle.
“We’re almost there,” Cotton spoke up as we were approaching a tall – five-story apartment building, near a street corner. She was right; her home was not that far from the diner. It was only a five minute trot. Apparently, the apartment had a couple of empty rooms as I saw a window on the fifth and the third floor was dark. “Mine is on the first floor,” she spoke up as she picked up her pace. I nodded in return, diligently followed her from behind.
“Here we are,” she chuckled as we turned to the first door on the right of the first floor in the apartment building. I saw her door had the number ‘01’ on it. She levitated out a key under the welcome mat and unlocked the door with a soft click. The wooden door let out a long whiny creak as she slowly pushed open the door, reaching for the light switch on the wall by door. With another click, the light in the middle of the room flickered to life, bathing the room with its orange glow. “Welcome to my home,” she giggled as she invitingly waved her hoof to me.
“I hope I’m not intruding,” I muttered as I slowly walked passed her, entering her home. My head looked around, scanning the four wall room. It was not much actually. The main room was not too spacious but it could fit a small family of ponies. There were a few doors that I saw from the front door. Across from me was clearly the bathroom and the door on the right was the kitchen. Then the bedroom is the door on the left, I thought to myself as I looked at the door in question.
An old fashioned black leather couch sat in the middle of the room with a glass coffee table in front of it. The wall on the right had a small bookcase filled with many books which seems to be romantic novels and the wall across from it had many framed photos hung on it. I trotted closer, looking at the pictures. They were mostly pictures of Cotton and her family. A brown unicorn stallion with a green spiky mane was standing next to a yellow unicorn mare with cotton pink mane, both of them were smiling. I assumed those were her parents as I noticed a small pink unicorn foal wrapped in a blanket who was in the mare's cradling hoof.
“Yup, that’s me,” she suddenly whispered beside me, looking at the picture with the loving affection of a child. I just silently stared at her as she looked lovingly into the photo with a smile on her face. “Well,” she spoke up, wiping her eyes with a hoof. “Looks like we’ll share the room,” she said casually with a sly grin on her face.
“W-what?!” I stuttered as I looked at her with my eyes widened in shock and my mouth agape. I was completely surprised about her split second decision on sharing a room. Honestly I want to but as a gentlecolt that I proclaimed myself to be, I had to protest about it. But... she did suggest it herself. Maybe I can—no! Bad Saxy! Bad!
“H-how about I sleep on the couch instead?” I asked with a sheepish grin, scratching my mane.
“Are you sure?” she asked me in a voice like velvet as she gave me a wink. Sweet Celestia! I could feel my heart stopped and my blood rushed into my cheeks and.... ‘other’ parts but I quickly shook the thoughts away.
“Y-yes,” I stuttered, nodding as my smile slowly faltered.
“I’ll get you a blanket and some pillows then,” she chuckled as she entered the bedroom next to the wall of pictures. I let out a sigh which had the mixture of regret and relief. I shook my ‘unsavory’ thoughts away and trotted to the leather couch, setting sad my flank on it. To my surprise, it was comfortable. Well, comfortable compared to the cupboard box that I lived for the past week. But still, I thought of it as a sweet grace of fortune from the goddess herself. I flopped my body on it, letting myself sunk into the soft leathery couch as I closed my eyes.
Then I noticed I was standing on a wooden porch of my parent’s house back in Ponyville. My parent’s had a double-story timber framed house like any other ponys’ house back home with their thatched rooftops. I saw a burly white earth stallion with black spiky mane and tail stood in front of the door with his angry eyes glared at me. Next to him was a small unicorn mare which had yellow coat with puffy green mane and tail who had a sadder expression on her face, her eyes welled in tears.
“I’m not useless! I know I can be a musician someday!” I yelled, my eyes were brimming with tears. I was looking at my parents through blurry vision yet I stood my ground.
“Your music is just a waste of time. Just be a blacksmith like your dad!” my father yelled back, his voice was deep and thundering.
“No! I’ll prove that my talent means something,” I screamed, stomping my hooves onto the wooden porch floor.
“Why don’t you go ahead then and never come back,” my father suggested with his booming voice.
“Please, honey. Don’t say that,” my mother sniffed as she tried to calm my raging father.
“Fine!” I yelled as I stomped my hoof onto the porch for the final time. I wiped my tears away with a hoof, glaring at my father. I saw he was picking up something behind the door and quickly chucked my saxophone case into the lush green lawn. I turned around and walked into the yard as I picked up my saxophone case. I let out a snort and quickly dashed away, leaving my home far far behind as I listened my heart slowly breaking in my chest.
“Please, Tone. Don’t go,” my mother wailed behind me but... I kept on going and never stopped running.
“Mother,” I gasped, my eyes shot opened as my vision was greeted with a worried look from Cotton.
“Are you okay?” she asked, levitating the promised pillows and blanket onto the glass coffee table.
“Yeah, just had a nightmare that’s all,” I grunted as I sat up, wiping my brow from cold sweat. I looked at my front hooves as I felt they were shaking for some reason.
“Are you sure?” she asked again, looking at me with her brows furrowed in worry and her lips pursed together.
“Yes,” I said as I forced a smile, trying to assure the worried mare.
“Do you need anything else?” she asked as she waved her hooves to the blanket and pillows presented on the coffee table in front of us.
“No, this is fine,” I answered, still smiling to the mare.
“Well,” she started as a small smile tugged on the corner of her lips, standing up. “I guess this is goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” I replied. Then, I saw her horns let out a brown glow as the lights turned off with a click.
“Just knock on the door if you need anything,” she said as she walked into her bedroom.
“Okay,” I replied as I placed the pillows on to the couch.
“Night,” she whispered, slowly closing the door.
“Night,” I whispered back as I heard the door closed with soft click. I pulled the blanket up to my chest as I flopped back down into the couch, looking into the dark ceiling. I closed my eyes once again as I slowly drifted back into slumber. Just before I was fully dragged into dreamland, I whispered once more, “Night.”