//------------------------------// // A Whimsical Performance // Story: Moonlight's Sonata // by Sensoriko //------------------------------// It was a beautiful, and pleasant, fall evening in Canterlot. The night sky was clear of clouds and full of stars. The moon was as full and as bright as one could remember. There was just enough of a breeze to keep the night from being too calm and too still, yet it wasn't enough to give a pony a slight shiver. It was the perfect night for an outdoor concert. The Royal Amphitheater was proudly opened to the public an hour ago and after the opening ceremony, a backstage tour, and a speech given by Celestia herself, it was finally time to being the first show of the grand theater’s existence. The lucky ensemble chosen to start this new era of entertainment consisted of four ponies: Frederic Forte on the piano, Harpo Clef on the harp, Beauty Brass on the sousaphone, and Octavia Melody on the cello. “Lucky” was a good way to describe the ensemble, although it didn't always necessarily meant good luck. After all, this was the ensemble during the Grand Galloping Gala fiasco that also involved an out of place rendition of the “Pony Pokey”. And then there was the annual garden party that Octavia and Harpo were a part of. Anypony that had witnessed either event would have assumed that inviting the ensemble to be the first act in the theatre’s history was some sort of compensation. That wasn't to say that the group had no talent. In fact, it was quite the contrary. These four ponies were already well known and accomplished musicians before being invited to the Gala. And tonight, they were going to show the audience just how good they were and prove the doubters that they were more than just the ensemble that played when the Grand Galloping Gala gaffe. One pony in particular wanted to use this performance to not only make others forget about the past, but also give her sense of validation. That pony, Octavia, now stood center stage in front of the hushed crowd. This would be her moment, her time to prove that her dedication to her craft would pay off. All the days and nights spent practicing, writing music, dissecting the music of others were going to pay off for her. Those solitary days…those lonely nights…soon it would all be worth it. Equestria will know the fruits of her sacrifice and labor and they will love it. With her fellow ensemble members positioned and at the ready on both ends of the stage, she drew in a deep breath and took one last look at the crowd. That was when she saw her. Princess Luna would stand out in any crowd. The fact that the princess was even sitting in the crowd, and not in the balcony with her sister, was rather peculiar. Stranger still was how nopony took notice of her being there. However, Octavia found something else strange about the princess being out there; those eyes. Those deep blue regal eyes that were locked onto Octavia’s location seemed to hold some sort of familiarity to the cellist. Octavia must have been staring back at the princess longer than she thought, as she heard a cough come Frederic letting her know it was time for her to start off the concert. Octavia took another deep breath, closed her eyes, and put her bow to string. The next hour was a complete blur to Octavia as the next thing she could recall was the sound of the collective clopping of the audience in appreciation hitting her ears. She opened her eyes and glanced to her fellow musicians that flanked her sides. They had soft smiles on their faces and were ready to give a bow to the crowd. Octavia found it strange that she didn't feel the least bit tired, as she normally did after every performance, but chalked it up to adrenaline still being in her system. As the curtain closed and everypony was packing up their instruments and preparing to leave, a stage hand came up to Octavia with a message that somepony of great importance wished to speak to her in the dressing room. Before any discussion could be had, Beauty Brass decided to gather Octavia’s cello, while giving her encouragement to go meet this pony. Normally, Octavia would have tried to back out or at the very least try to bring somepony along with her. But on this night, she was different. Octavia was energized and full of confidence, thanks to the apparent success of the performance. This mystery pony was obviously here to give Octavia and her ensemble praise and congratulations. Maybe even an offer to do more performances, or a tour. Octavia’s entire swagger quickly evaporated once she opened the door to the dressing room and saw what was waiting behind it. It was eyes. Beautiful blue eyes. The same pair of blue eyes, which caught and held her attention before the start of the concert. However, it was no longer just the eyes that was holding Octavia’s attention. The entire being of Princess Luna had captivated Octavia: her ethereal mane that looked like it was made with the stars themselves, the soft midnight blue of her body that could easily blend with the night sky, the white crescent moon that was resting on that patch of black that was located on her… “Good evening, Octavia,” the princess greeted the cellist. Octavia was snapped back to her senses before she allowed her eyes to wander where they weren't allowed. “G-good evening, y-your hign-ness.” Octavia tried to bow but she was now so full of nerves that she only succeeded in face planting herself to the floor. Octavia expected to hear the princess make a sound of disgust for her clumsiness, but instead she heard Luna make a different sound. She was laughing, and not in a way that would make a pony feel embarrassed. This laugh was gentle and affectionate and it took away most of the embarrassment that Octavia should have felt. Instead, it made the earth pony feel something else. Something Octavia couldn't quite put a hoof on. “I believe you have already bowed to me from up on stage,” Luna said as she made her way to help Octavia stand back up, “There is no need for anymore formalities. After all, this night belongs to you and your ensemble.” Luna slid a hoof under Octavia’s chin and guided her back up. A simple thank you was all Octavia could manage out as she was once again lost in the deep blue of the princess’s eyes. A slight blush appeared on her cheeks when she realized that Luna’s hoof was still holding her chin. That blush only intensified when the princess moved her face to within a breath’s width of her own. “Your music has filled me with such passion, Octavia,” whispered Luna, who was now blushing herself. “Please, forgive me for indulging myself so.” Octavia knew what was about to happen, yet she dared not stop it. In fact a part of her yearned for it. She felt herself lean into Luna’s hoof in anticipation of the coming kiss, when she suddenly felt the hoof slip away and her chin came crashing back to the floor. “Ohhh, that time that hurt,” Octavia said groggily. When she tried to gather herself back up she found herself unable to do so. “What on earth?” She looked about her surroundings and took note of where she was. She was wrapped in sheets…On the floor next to the bed…Inside her hotel room…With the morning sun gleaming through her windows. And with a throbbing pain in her chin and jaw and a confused and cloudy mind, Octavia wondered out loud, “What in the world happened?”