//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: That Wasn't Here this Morning // Story: Symphonies and Wubs // by BLT185 //------------------------------// Symphonies and Wubs I do not own Hasbro or My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Chapter 1: That Wasn’t Here this Morning Ah, Birthdays. One of the few days I always wake up before my alarm goes off. My name is Adam Braun and today is my Twenty-Fifth. Nearly a quarter of a century has passed since my birth and I always wake up early to get a birthday breakfast ready for my roommate and I. it was her birthday as well. I cracked the eggs as I pondered how I would celebrate. A quarter of a century, now that I think about it, it’s a fairly monumental achievement to have lived so long. I needed to do something special today. Unfortunately, my thoughts were soon interrupted by the blaring, tinnitus inducing electronic music from my roommate’s alarm. The music kept playing until Rachael came out of her bedroom in her tattered pajamas, her feet dragging on the ground, her blond hair was a mess. Rachael was always like this in the morning, she wouldn’t be able to properly communicate until she had caffeine in her system. I already had a mug ready for her when she reached the counter. “Happy Birthday” I said cheerfully. She gave me a funny look and sipped her coffee before mumbling something that sounded somewhat like “Happy Birthday to you too.” She placed her face against the countertop clearly she was tired from her shift as the DJ at her job last night. Rachael Banks had been my friend since my freshman year of college. She began living with me when I got a job as a cellist in the local Performing Orchestra. She was having trouble finding work at the time and decided to found me. I decided to allow her to live with me until she saw fit to leave. She got her current job and has more than once attempted to start a relationship with me. I didn’t want to spoil our friendship so I refused, she eventually stopped trying. Breakfast was ready and I served the food, I had prepared omelets. Mine had sautéed mushrooms, cheese and chives while Rachael’s had cheese, bacon and ham. We discussed ways in which to celebrate our shared birthday, she wasn’t fond of any of my suggestions, nor was I fond of any of hers. We decided that we might as well try to compromise. Rachael mentioned that she wanted to make a song that mixed classical and electronic music, she wanted to see if she could get a record deal by selling the song. I agreed simply because it meant I could play my cello. We both decided to turn on the television and watch a few episodes of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. We were both quite fond of it; I had in fact been a closet brony since the second season until I realized so many of my friends liked the show as well. Rachael fell asleep after the episode Vinyl Scratch first appeared; she was Rachael’s favorite pony. I kept watching and trying to find the times where my favorite pony Octavia appeared. I loved her even if she was a, background character with no speaking parts. I have read many a fanfiction involving her and Vinyl Scratch, they remind me so much of Rachael and I. After the season 3 finale I turned off the set and went about my usual tasks on my days off. Usually this meant I would clean the apartment and do some shopping, with the added expense of purchasing a birthday present for Rachael. Later that night Rachael had her head beneath her desk. She was setting up her equipment, to this day I have no idea how any of it worked. “You know Adam; I’ve always wanted to ask you something.” She said as she donned her headphones and hooked up the speakers. “What’s that?” I asked, needless to say I was curious, she knew more about my habits than my own twin brother. “You’re American born and raised, right?” she said. “That’s Correct.” I answered. She tilted her head to the side and asked “Then why do you speak with a British accent?” “It sounds classier than an American accent” I responded, I really didn’t see where she was going with this. “I knew it was forced!” she exclaimed, failing to contain her laughter “Are we going to play music or what?” I said, thoroughly annoyed. She started her turntables as I began to play my cello. I don’t know how it happened but I completely lost focus. The music sounded wonderful, almost ethereal. It seemed to be flowing through the cello rather than out of it. The song seemed almost familiar as though it was from a memory rather than pure improvisation. I saw a familiar white pony with a grey one next to her. They seemed frightened by something I couldn’t see. Then as suddenly, as they had appeared, they vanished. I think I may have fallen asleep while we were working. I was still standing, which was fairly confusing. Rachael had fallen asleep with her face on her turntables. They were still on. I gently nudged her and she awoke with a start looked at me and said “Tavi, what happened?” I hadn’t realized what she said and responded “I think we fell asleep while playing, Vinyl.” She gave me a curious look for a moment and said “what?” “We fell asleep while playing, Rachael.” I repeated “Oh, sorry, your accent sounded different for a moment” she said a grin starting to spread over her face. “I think we both need to call it a night.” Given the annoyances she was giving me regarding my accent, I agreed wholeheartedly. Rachael resumed resting her head on her turntables and began to snore. She did it so often that I no longer questioned it. I decided to take a shower before going to bed. I got a fresh pair of pajamas out of my dresser and went to the bathroom. I washed my upper body and thought in my head “All in all this was one of my better birthdays” As I began washing my lower body I noticed something that was very jarring and most certainly wasn’t there this morning. There was a purple treble clef on my thigh. I looked at the other leg and sure enough it was there to. I was a teetotaler so I most certainly didn’t get it while drunk. Rachael must have pulled a practical joke on me while I was sleeping. I immediately dismissed it. I’ve made it very clear that our relationship is purely platonic and that I do not appreciate pranks. She wouldn’t do something like that... Then again maybe she would. I would have to find out tomorrow, if she starts giggling tomorrow, I’ll know it was her. I know for a fact that if she is pulling a prank, she will not be able to keep a strait face.