As Flux finishes lunch on his day off, he sees Falcata walk by. Remembering how she seemed to have played music, he decides to see if she might want to get back into it. He approaches her a bit awkwardly, still unsure if she'd want him to just interrupt whatever she's doing.
"Um... Falcata?"
Falcata pauses, turning to acknowledge the greeting. Catching sight of Flux, she breaks out into a smile. He'd come a long way from hiding under his fillyfriend's wing when she so much as walked up to him.
"Hi, Flux. What's up?"
"Um, I was wondering if you wanted to, uh, get back into music? The other day at the smelter... it, er, seemed like you missed playing..."
Her jaw drops, hanging open for a long moment, before she clenches it shut. Her topaz eyes go wide with shock, and it takes a moment before she can reply. Even when she finally gets round to it, it is in a noticeably smaller voice than before:
"I.. I - don't play any more, Flux. Not for years." Fourteen years on the 23rd Granite, in fact. Not a note played since; not a single pluck of a lute string.
Falcata drops her gaze to the ground, unwanted memories diverting her attention from the earth pony in front of her. Oh gods, what will I tell him? He'll want to know why!
Her mind spins into overdrive, trying to think of something to say when the inevitable question came.
Flux shifts his hooves awkwardly, realizing he must have stumbled into something painful for Falcata.
"Um... why not? It, uh, sounded like you... miss playing."
Falcata continues to avoid his gaze, conducting an in-depth study of a nearby clump of grass instead.
"I do. But not as much as I miss him...". Her voice trails off into a hushed murmur, and her eyes begin to water. Struggling to maintain her composure, she makes a herculean effort to continue speaking.
"I'm sorry, Flux, it's just... I - knew someone once, back in Coupledye, years ago. I haven't played anything since he... since he passed on." What a way to put it, Falcata, she thinks to herself. You can't even admit it to yourself, can you?
She draws a forehoof awkwardly through the grass, still looking anywhere but at Flux.
Flux nervously inchs closer to Falcata to place a hoof on hers, hoping to reassure her.
"Um... you p-played w-with... or f-f-for him, r-right? H-He wouldn't w-w-want to take s-something else y-y-you love with him, r-right?"
Falcata allows the contact to endure for a few seconds, before gently brushing Flux away. She finally meets his gaze, her eyes still watery. The pegasus still looks like a strange mixture of despondent and nervous.
He doesn't understand at all, does he? If he knew...if anypony knew... I can't even justify it to myself, some days.
"I was - he was - I can't play without him, Flux. He taught me all the songs I knew. I don't even remember most of them."
Falcata lies through her teeth; she remembers them all note for note.
"I - I could probably try to play again, but the joy of playing left me forever the day I - the day Staccato died."
Flux nervously moves to try to look Falcata in the eyes.
"Th-Then play for h-him, Falcata. W-With a n-n-name like Staccato, I th-think he'd want y-you to k-keep playing."
Falcata turns her head away, beginning to lose her composure at the smelter's words.
"I don't think I can.... I - he wouldn't -"
She abruptly stops, not really sure how to put the real reason across to him. I can't just tell him! I haven't told anypony, not in all this time; I'm not about to start now! I can't even make peace with myself; who knows how everypony here would react?
"I don't want to keep playing, Flux. I don't deserve to play his songs." As if that'll ever happen. If that's what I really wanted, I would have thrown his dagger away a long time ago.
"But... but you s-said he wrote every s-song you know. He, um, must think you d-deserve to p-play them."
"Maybe he did think that. I don't. I have no right to play the songs of somepony I - somepony who died. Even the ones which aren't his, if I even knew which ones they were." Falcata murmurs evasively. Maybe I should just tell him; I shouldn't have kept this all to myself all these years. But can I really? What if he misunderstands, what if he tells everypony? What would they think then?
Glaive would know what to do. But even if he were here right now, he doesn't know either. I'd have to tell him first, and I'm not sure even he would look at me the same way afterwards. Nopony else was there, they only have my word for how it turned out!
Paralysed by indecision, Falcata makes no move to continue speaking, her emotions in a jumble as she tries to work out what to do. This certainly wasn't a normal lunch break walk.
Flux looks at her for a few moments, confused and concerned, before continuing.
"But... but why not? And... and if n-not his s-s-songs, m-maybe some others?"
"I -"
Falcata looks at him, stares at the confused, concerned stallion who's timidly been querying her for the past while. I doubt he's ever even lashed out at, let alone killed, anything in his life. Would he even understand?
The pegasus sighs. I've been running too long.
She makes a snap decision, years of yearning for absolution manifesting itself as her gaze becoming steely even through the tears and her voice taking a more serious tone despite its continuing shakiness. Part of her still disagrees, but she's already committed herself.
what are you doing what are you doing don't say it don't say -
"Do you really want to know?."
oh no why did you do that why oh gods above don't don't don't you can't tell anypony not even Glaive much less him you know that -
Falcata ignores her doubts, having gone too far for any of them. Part of her is shocked at the trust she's potentially putting in the forgepony, but she's not listening to her own misgivings anymore.
"Right," Falcata stutters, taking her time to compose herself. Once she's ready, she realizes that she doesn't really know how to begin, or how to lead into it, so she simply dives straight in.
Fourteen years ago, Coupledye
"Falcata! Falcata!" I turned around, smiling as I caught sight of the familiar cherry-red pegasus. As the only other youngish pegasus of my age in this predominantly-unicorn district of the city, he had been my dearest and best friend for as long as I could remember. He had always been a strange one, too; despite his musical note cutie mark and name, he wanted nothing more than to be a soldier, though his natural ability at music was undiminished and undeniable. I always liked to think we'd rubbed off on one another; for while I bore the mark of a sword and, naturally, wanted to join the guard as well, I had a fair amount of musical talent myself. We would pass our days with mixed amounts of fighting, composing, challenging one another and playing duets until the sun sunk beneath the horizon. Mostly fighting, though, especially when we were exercising our shared second special talents; the ability to effortlessly irritate each other into a wrestling match on demand. This in no way made us any less of each other's friend. Far from it.
"What is it now, Stac? More horrific caterwauling you want to pass off as a song?" I teased. He stuck his tongue out in response, not in the least insulted. Some ponies would have called us immature, but we preferred to think of it as being well in touch with our foalish sides.
"Yeah, yeah, real funny. Shut up for once and look at this!" He gestures to his right saddlebag, indicating that he wanted me to look inside.
My curiosity getting the better of me, I complied, reaching into the bag and lifting out something metallic and round. Not being able to see what I had in my mouth, I gently put it on the ground, stepping back to get a closer look. When I saw it, I let out a low whistle. "Nice!"
It was an ornate silver dagger, form and function perfectly blended into the most beautiful weapon I'd ever laid eyes on. When I managed to tear my eyes away from the weapon, I saw Staccato grinning fit to burst. Before I could even ask, he exploded in a torrent of proud explanation.
"Uncle bought me it from the zebra caravans! He says that if I really want to join the town guard, and I really, really, really do, then I should have my own weapon like a proper soldier! Isn't that neat?"
It certainly was "neat". I was almost green with envy, but thanks to a supreme effort of willpower, I was able to hide it under a mountain of scorn.
"Pah! That thing's only fit for displaying on a mantelpiece, not for actual fighting! Whoever heard of using silver for a real weapon? That's absurd!" My cascade of abuse, irritatingly, had the opposite of the desired effect, causing his grin to widen even further.
"Jealous! Mad! Falcy's all jealous!" Even though there was nopony around to hear him jeering, he still knew the fastest way to get on my wick. Abruptly, I launched myself at him, barreling him over as he shrieked in mock fear. We tumbled around, laughing as we playfully wrestled with each other.
Two weeks later, Ruins of Gleamvale
"Scared! Scared! A sword for a cutie mark and still a big coward when faced with a big dark ruin!"
For someone whose special talent was supposed to be music, he was doing a good job of making me look like a fool. I (metaphorically) stood my ground beneath his verbal assault, refusing to be so childish as to seek a height advantage before replying.
"It's no use teasing, Stac. You know we're not meant to go in there."
"SCAAAAAAAARED!"
"You won't-"
"SCAAAAAAARED!"
"I'm no-"
"SCAAAAARED!"
"Right!" That was it. Third time's the charm, as they said, and nopony was going to call me a coward three times and get away with it like that. Call it weak willpower, I called it sticking to my principles. Warnings be damned; honor was at stake.
"I'll show YOU scared, you sniveling little keshi!" With that, I bolted right past him into the arch doorway, hovering ten feet above the paved floor as I waited for him to follow.
"That's more like it! Woohooo!" He let out a huge whoop, speeding past me in a crimson blur and disappearing deeper into the ruins. I followed, recognizing the situation for what it was; a race!
I took off after him, accelerating to a significant speed within seconds, flashing past jutting pieces of sculpted stone as we went deeper into the ruined complex. Parts of the roof were long since crumbled, leaving the place at least dimly lit, but it was still difficult to see where I was going.
As I negotiated a particularly difficult corkscrew, finally catching sight of a speeding scarlet figure some ways in front, there was a strange snick noise from up ahead. Puzzled, I wondered if Staccato had dropped his saddlebag again, or if the strap had snapped under the g-force of his aerial maneuvers. I only realized that it was something far more sinister when he plummeted into the stone tiles, landing with a sickening thud on the ground twelve feet below.
"STACCATO!" I screamed, diving towards him and clattering to the ground. I bounced right back up, galloping to my friends side, but from the moment I saw him it was hopeless. An ancient spear, clearly from a centuries-old trap, jutted from his side, barely deep enough to break the skin. This was reassuring; what filled my heart with dread was the blue ichor smeared along the head. Every little filly and colt could recognize that substance, everypony was taught to recognize it and its creators should they ever be out in the wilds. It was giant cave spider venom; a highly toxic substance that paralyzed the unfortunate recipient within minutes, causing a slow, agonizing death by suffocation as it took effect. The one thing we all knew, though, the one thing ingrained in our minds about this particular poison, was the utter lack of a cure. No other creation known to ponykind could so much as slow the effects of this toxin, let alone prevent them.
I knew all of this, my brain throwing out the facts as he lay there, spasming weakly, but I didn't care. The spear was removed and hurled across the room, the wooden haft shattering against the granite wall. I grabbed him by the head, lifting it up to look at me even as his movements began to cease, seeing my realization of his inevitable fate mirrored in his own eyes. There was absolutely nothing I could do for him, and we both knew it.
Still in a sort of trance, I still hadn't really connected with the reality of the situation before his next actions.
He raised a forehoof slowly, shuffling it along the floor until it reached its target. I followed his gaze to the silver dagger which lay there; it must have fallen out of his saddlebag as he hit the ground. With an awful finality, I knew what he wanted. There was nothing I could do for him, certainly nothing that could save him, nothing except one thing. The last thing I could, or would, ever do for him.
It only took a second. The worst bit was how right he had been before we left; it was a functional weapon, as well as beautiful to the eye.
I told everypony he'd been speared by a diomedian while we were exploring the ruins, and that I had barely managed to escape with my own life. The dagger I kept; my last link to him. I smashed my lute to bits the next day, the wood fragments scattering everywhere like the shattered pieces of my cushy city life. I never touched an instrument since; I didn't want to be reminded, I just wanted to forget all about it. At least I could keep his prized dagger, albeit under wraps, as a way of honoring his memory.
Falcata finishes, eyeing the pony before her with extreme nervousness. I'm not sure this was such a good idea...
"Well, now you know..." she mumbles, anxiously trying to meet his gaze.
Abruptly, she takes a step forwards, a sudden realization having crossed her mind.
"Whatever you think, whether you think I was right or whether I'm a - a murderer, don't you ever tell a soul." Falcata hisses the words caustically, her own guilt and trepidation proving too much to bear for the shattered pegasus.
Flux sits down as she finishes her story, dumbfounded at the tragedy she's had to endure. He can't help but shed tears as he looks her in the eyes.
"Th-There was n-n-nothing you c-could do, Falcata. You are n-n-not a m-murderer. I sw-swear I w-won't tell anypony. B-B-But I do th-think you should p-p-play again. I d-d-don't think he'd b-b-blame you, or w-want you t-t-to b-beat yourself up s-so much over a t-t-tragic accident, Falcata..."
Falcata holds his gaze, staying silent for a long time. The knowledge that somepony else had faith in her motives that day is heartening to the beleaguered pegasus, and she takes comfort from it.
"I've spent fourteen years running from that day, Flux, and I still haven't been able to forget. I'm not sure if I ever can. Maybe I shouldn't. Maybe I should - I should play his songs, honor his memory that way."
She pauses briefly again, breaking eye contact once more.
"I- I'd need a lute. If I were to play again, I mean." The words are like a bell tolling in her mind, over a decade of self-doubt and guilt slowly beginning to wash away.
"Um... do you know h-how to play a lyre? You could, uh, borrow mine until you g-get a lute?"
"Just a little. I used to sometimes fiddle about with Stac's. It was never as strong an instrument for me as my lute, though."
Falcata gives the tiniest of smiles.
"I- I might just give it another go. He always meant for his songs to be played on a lyre, first and foremost. I think I remember the basics of lyre playing, too."
A large shadow passed over Falcata and Flux with a gust of strong wind following it. A moment latter, Stiletto touched down off to the left of the two ponies. She had a saddle bag loaded with scrolls on her right side.
"Hello, Falcata." *She says before nuzzling Flux* "Hello meine freundlichsten Liebe. I am not interrupting am I?"
Flux returns the nuzzle, smiling.
"Heya Stiletto. Um, Falcata and I were about to, uh, maybe play some music?"
Falcata sniffles one last time, wiping away any last tears with a forehoof. Smiling again, she nods.
"Yes, we were about to play some music, so we were."
Stilettos' eyes light up at the mention of music and she smiles, seeming to suddenly have forgotten any other reason for being there.
"I love music! Is it something one can sing a long to?"
"Um... maybe? Falcata says she knows some songs. Uh, Stiletto? Could you, er, take her to my apartment to get my lyre? I need to... um, get another instrument. Meet you there?"
Falcata shakes her head. "I don't think any of them have lyrics. Not that I know of, anyway."
Stiletto looked a little brought down by Falcatas' words but she was soon smiling again.
"Of course I can do that Flux."
Stiletto turned to the sky with a playful look on her face.
"You can keep up with me, can you not Falcata?"
Falcata snorts derisively, flaring her wings. Insufferably proud of her speed, she wasn't going to let Stiletto's teasing go without a witty retort.
"Rest assured that if I actually knew where Flux's apartment was, I'd be there before you'd even taken off." she ripostes, grinning as she does so.
Flux smiles as Falcata and Stiletto start to banter.
"Um, I'll see you two there, then!"
He turns to leave, trying not to think about what might happen if anypony sees him get the instrument.
Stiletto grins devilishly at Falcata and her horn begins to glow
"Ooooooh! Are you sure about that?"
Falcata finds her hooves are being magically held to the ground as Stiletto preforms a full force vertical take off
Falcata squirms and wriggles, but can't break free. A surge of irritation shoots through her; she hates being beaten, especially by perceived cheating. Stiletto may as well have challenged an earth pony to a telekinesis competition; this wasn't fair at all. As the alicorn surges away, she yells after her:
"HEY! Too scared to play fair, or is this how you always go about things? Unhoof me, and we'll see who's the real speed machine!"
Stiletto sticks out her tongue at Falcata as she releases the trapped mares' back hooves first and then her front hooves a half second later
"Glyph says that in a real competition, you must use all your advantages, or you insult your opponents' skill!"
The large amethyst Alicorn then darted off towards Fluxs' apartment.
The pressure suddenly disappearing, Falcata lurches drunkenly forwards like a door on a hinge before her forelegs become free as well. Startled by the wonky takeoff, she narrowly avoids colliding with a tree before she can get her bearings. Looking around, she spots the alicorn picking up speed, heading towards the residential area. Stiletto was too far away to yell something rude at; it was time to let rip. The pegasus rockets off like an arrow from a bow, accelerating rapidly towards the big cheating pink pony up ahead.
Stiletto knew Falcata would be right on her flank unless she used this moment. Now, she was not the fastest flier in Dawnpick, in fact she might be the slowest, but she had clear advantage in wing span and momentum. She had flown high for a reason, now she could dive down and take full advantage of gravity. Using the wind currents to guide her body to the path of least resistance, Stiletto managed to more than double her usual speed as she barreled at the door to Flux's apartment.
The wooden apartment building getting very close very quickly, Falcata has no time for long trains of thought. Focusing only on her destination, she reaches her maximum velocity, easily three times faster than the average pegasus without her armor to weigh her down.
Unsure as to just how fast Stiletto was going and where she was, and without the time to check, she hurtles towards the building, throwing caution to the wind. Despite the alicorn's significant head start, she could still win this.
Stiletto caught sight of Falcata in her peripheral vision but she had no time to pay attention to her if she wanted to make this stop right.
Both of Stiletos' massive chestnut wings flared open and caught was much of the updraft as possible. This caused a huge torrent of wind to blast the ground and send dirt flying in every direction, kicking up a huge cloud of dust. A moment later Stiletto touched down and reached out with her long foreleg to tap the door.
Flux walks to the main stockpile, trying to not look out of place. He is failing miserably, but at least nopony really watches the main pile very hard. He looks around before quickly reaching into a bin and pulling out a small, unassuming box. With it on his back, Flux turns to head to his apartment.
Falcata rockets onwards, the wooden door looming before her at a frighteningly short distance. Suddenly, it disappears from view in a massive cloud of dust, the wind from the alicorn's downdraft buffeting her and ruining her flight pattern. Barely catching a glimpse of Stiletto touching down just in front, presumably about to reach out and touch the door, Falcata is sent corkscrewing off on a diagonal vector, her momentum carrying her straight through a mercifully open window to the door's right. She impacts majestically with a soft mattress, sending feathers everywhere and causing the bed to fall over with a huge thump.
Oh dear.
First Stiletto blinked at the sight of her fellow militant flying through the window of her freundlichsten Liebes' house. The next thing she did was open the door and walk in to find Falcata on the bed.
"Do you not think that you might in fact be being a little bit too forward Falcata. We should go on one date at the very least."
Those words got her up quicker than anything else could. Falcata was well aware of Stiletto's polygamous habits, and she wasn't quite sure if the mare was one hundred percent joking. Now on all four hooves, she took a moment to survey the damage. Flux would definitely need a new mattress, but that looked like the extent of it. Once they got the bed upright again, at least.
She flares her wings again, grinning and taking delight in being insufferable in triumph.
"Too far forward in a rather different manner, I suspect. Not quite speedy enough, even with your fancy tricks!"
"That is a funny thing to say." *Stiletto quips as she saunters inside* "Because I remember it being a race to Flux's apartment, not his bed. If the latter was the contest, then I have beaten you by several months."
Stiletto walks over to Flux's desk and drops off her saddle bag. Then she opens Flux's cabinet to get the Lyre and a new hat.
"Quip all you want, sister, the best pony won." Falcata dearly wishes Stiletto would shut up; she's beginning to feel awkward under the alicorn's almost predatory gaze. Still, her victorious grin is undiminished, and she crosses the room to examine Flux's lyre.
"Um, why are you taking Flux's hat?" she asks, raising an eyebrow.
"This is my hat silly. Do you think Flux would need blue silk sun-bonnet? I just leave some close here so I can get dressed before I leave."
Stiletto closes the cabinet and then used her magic to straiten up the apartment. The ruined mattress is placed outside along with the scattered feathers
"This will not be the first time we had to get a new mattress."
Falcata gives a little cough in the most awkward way possible.
"Um. You don't say?"
Oh gods, hurry up, Flux! This is getting unbearable.
Peering into the cupboard, Falcata is surprised by the amount of feminine clothing inside. The implication is obvious, and she quickly flicks her gaze to a nearby wall, suddenly becoming extremely interested in the woodgrain.
Glaive would not approve, were he here to see this! She giggles a bit at the thought of the prim bearded pony's potential reaction to all of this...debauchery, he'd call it.
As Flux approaches his apartment, he notices the destroyed mattress outside.
'...No, they wouldn't.'
Glad that nopony decided to interrupt him, he walks in to see Stiletto and Falcata looking around. Well, Stiletto is looking through the clothes she tends to leave here, and Falcata is looking everywhere except Stiletto.
"Um, heya Falcata, Stiletto. Uh... what happened to my mattress?"
"Falcata happened to your mattress. I swear, she just has no control over her self, always just diving into things headfirst. Well she got more then she bargained for this time."
Stiletto nodded as she got a new vest from near by coffer.
Falcata rolls her eyes, trying not to let the alicorn's comment faze her.
"What Stiletto is trying to say is that I may just have won the race, and might possibly have destroyed your mattress in the process. By means of a high speed collision."
She does her best to look nonchalant, having resigned herself to the fact that Stiletto was probably not going to shut up any time soon.
"It's a good thing you left your window open, by the way."
Flux looks confused for a few moments before he remembers the race.
"Oh, the race! Um, right. So... welcome to my apartment? I, er, don't have a lot, but, um, at least the tour is short?"
He smiles awkwardly, trying to keep the mood jovial. He looks around for anything interesting to point out, but find nothing.
"So, um, tour over? Are you, er, ready to play?"
"My hoof was on the door when you tumbled inside Falcata."
Stiletto sticks out her tongue and then winks. She finishes changing her vest but a moment latter.
"Yes Flux I am quite ready. Where shall we go?"
"Sure, and I'm the most magically adept pony that has ever lived. You're not fooling anyone with your fibbing."
At the mention of playing, Falcata's heart almost skips a beat. Show time.
"Uh, I think so, yes. Probably."
Flux carefully sets the box on his table.
"Um, I was thinking we should play here. Ponies are, uh, less likely to... notice here, I think?"
"Flux, what have I told you about hiding your talent? Music is meant to be heard and enjoyed by all. The dinning hall, or perhaps outside the temple would be best. It will also give me a chance to dispose of the 'evidence of victory' and pick you up a new one."
This time, Falcata's heart really does skip a beat, going into panic mode. I haven't played in fourteen years and I'm going to debut in front of everypony?
"Uh, actually, I'm not sure that's a great idea. I haven't - I haven't played in quite a while now. I'm not even that experienced with a lyre."
Flux's eyes widen in panic when Stiletto suggests somewhere public to play, but Falcata's response helps to calm him down.
"Um, yes. We shouldn't, uh, practice in front of everypony. Um... maybe once we're... up to snuff?"
"I really believe you will both excel, there is no need to worry about the petty criticisms of others."
Stiletto opens the door magically and indicates with an extended foreleg
"The world is waiting, show it that you are ready."
"Listen to me, Stiletto. I haven't touched an instrument in over a decade; you can be as idealistic as you want, but I am not playing anything in public until I've at least had a go at it in private first!" Falcata adamantly digs her hooves in, beginning to feel stressed again.
Flux looks at Stiletto, desperation plain in his eyes.
"P-Please? N-Not yet..."
Stiletto says nothing, the look of disappointment on her face says 'I expected more from you' more then adequately enough. The door closes quite slowly with audible groan, and very final sounding *Thunk click*
Brushing off Stiletto's rather melodramatic method of closing the door, Falcata steps up to the levitating lyre and takes it in her mouth, being very careful not to damage it. Rearing up and standing in place, she transfers the lyre into her forehooves. It fits snugly enough into her grip, the once-familiar feel calming her down a little. She shoots Flux a querying look, throat too dry with nerves for any words.
Flux keeps away from Stiletto's gaze and simply walks to the box he brought.
'If it was just me I would, but... Falcata needs to ease into it. Well... I hope they don't freak out about the piccolo...'
Opening the box, he carefully pull out the artifact piccolo and holds it in his hooves.
"Um... you lead, Falcata? I'll, uh, try to improvise a simple harmony to your melody?"
The particulars of the piccolo barely register on Falcata; all her attention focused on the lyre in her forehooves. She closes her eyes, doing her best to concentrate fully on the task at hand. Without preamble, she starts to play a slow, deep tune, strumming the strings with more vigor as she gradually recalls more and more of her technique. The song echoes about the room; a soulful melody which she remembered well as one of Staccato's favorite pieces. She continues to play, settling into a consistent rhythm.
Flux places the mouthpiece of the piccolo in his mouth and rears back to ready himself to play as he listens to the melancholic song of Falcata. He listens for about a minute to get a feel for it before he joins in, adding a quiet hopeful harmony to her melody.
The music continues on at a slow tempo, the two instruments working in concert to produce long quavering notes, mournful and profound. To Falcata, it's as if she's gone back in time a good fifteen years. With her eyes closed and the music still thrumming all around, the aural illusion seems almost believable.
Stiletto sits down on her flanks to relax while listening to the pleasant music. The two beautiful harmonies working together quickly enthralling her. The peaceful melody enticing her close her eye and join in, but she waits for the two artist to finish their amazing performance. As the song draws to its' end, Stiletto raise her forehooves and claps them together
"lediglich unglaublich!"
Flux carefully takes the piccolo into his hooves after the song ends and smile at Stiletto and Falcata.
"Um, yes. Falcata, you're very good. Um, if this is you rusty, I can't wait until you get back on your hooves."
Blushing slightly, Falcata puts the lyre back into her mouth and drops to all four hooves again. She mumbles something unintelligible around the instrument in her mouth, but she is clearly smiling. Crossing the room, she places it gently back in the cabinet. She ruffles her feathers, still a bit self-conscious.
"Thanks, Flux. You're great with a piccolo, too. That was really something. Maybe you were right, Stiletto."
As Falcata puts away his lyre, Flux carefully places the piccolo back in it's box.
"Um... Falcata? W-Would you, uh, like to... keep the lyre?"
Stiletto gets back to her hooves and trots over to the cabinet where the two of them stand.
"That is very generous of you meine freundlichsten Liebe."
Shocked by the magnitude of Flux's gesture of goodwill, it takes Falcata a moment to reply.
"Flux, I- I couldn't just take your lyre. I should get one of my own from the next caravan, if they have any. This one- it's yours. You must have had it for ages."
Flux blushes under the scrutiny of the two mares.
"Um... it's alright, Falcata. I have, uh, had it for a long time, but... I think you need it more than I do."
Realizing that Flux is totally serious, Falcata feels herself getting all emotional again. She finds herself lost for words for the umpteenth time, instead just standing there with her eyes watering and a stupid smile plastered across her face. She lifts the lyre with her mouth again, showing the utmost care to the ornately carved instrument.
A smile forms on Stilettos' face and places a wing over Fluxs' withers.
"Everything is much better now, is it not? Discovering excellence is always a joyous event. I will be waiting with great enthusiasm for your next concert."
I smile at Falcata, remembering how I felt when my family gave my that lyre so long ago. When Stiletto places her wing on me, I lean into her slightly, feeling great contentment.
"So will I."