My hoof gently fell down on the notes, creating a lovely sound, a familiar sound, a sound that everypony knew but only a select few appreciated fully. I was one of them. The microphone sat next to me, but I rarely sung into it. Ponies would look occasionally ask me about it, but for the most part, they tried not to reach the subject. It was just as well. It wasn't something I wanted to talk about, anyway. If anypony ever asked me, I'd respond with either silence or a complete lie. I just liked to play the piano. I remember playing the piano once or twice as a filly, but for the most part, I stuck to my singing. Those days were over.
"Hey, Sweetie Belle!"
I turned to the sound of the voice, recognising it. He was a local, waving at me. He sat there with a huge grin on her face, as per usual. It made me smile whenever I saw him. Together, we could light up the whole bar. Him with his positive attitude, and me with my music. He was Waldo Whistle, and I saw him as my soulmate. He had the most ridiculous name I'd ever heard, though. He was often teased about it, but it never bothered him. Not like Diamond Tiara's teasing had bothered me. He was much stronger than me. I guess that's what attracted me to him. His strength. His singing. His smile. Everything.
We had met at this very bar, where I had been playing for about a year now, on every night. It was a Wednesday night, so the pub was filled with the old and the sad, the ones who wanted nothing more but to drown themselves in alcohol to stop drowning in their own sorrow. I had come across that kind of folk a lot in my work. I liked to think I did what I did to help them lose themselves in music, but I knew I was only doing this for myself. Firstly, I needed the money. Secondly, I didn't mind playing the piano. In fact, after a while, I came to enjoy it. It wasn't singing, but it wasn't a bad instrument at all. Waldo sat down at a table all by himself. He had just moved into the town, and this was the first place he had been to yet. He looked around at the dark bar, then at the ponies that all sat by themselves. Then he stared up at the cigarette smoke above him. He didn't take his eyes away from it for the next minute or so, so I just ignored him, shaking my head and assuming he was on some type of drug. I continued to set up the notes for the next song I'd play, and soon I was done. I stretched my front hooves and reached towards the piano, playing the first notes of 'Mona Lisa' by the great Nat King Colt. I was sucked into the jazz, smiling as I played, forgetting the depressing surroundings, breathing the cigarette smoke in subconsciously, a smell that would always remind me of romance. However, what I didn't notice in my own fantasy world was that Waldo was staring at me with fixated eyes. After the song was finished, I heard hooves gently walking across the wooden floor towards me. I glanced up from my music sheets, curious. Then I remembered that strange pony who was staring at the cigarette smoke as he walked towards me, looking so determined it was a tad intimidating.
"Do you know 'LOVE' by Nat King Colt?"
I glanced up at him, shocked, as nopony ever requested anything, but also irritated by the painfully obvious question. Just because I happened to be working at this bar doesn't mean I'm a fool, I thought to myself. However, I kept a positive look, as not to insult the customer and get myself fired.
"Sure. I'll play it."
I set up my music sheets, even though I didn't really need them. I knew this song by heart. However, to my shock, he grabbed for the microphone and stood by the piano, waiting for me to begin. I raised an eyebrow at him, but decided I'd let him have his fifteen minutes of fame, if fame can be found in a place like this. The song began. As time went on through the song, my beat became sharper, merrier. He was a great singer. Everypony seemed to turn towards him and smile when he sung. That very night, he was offered a job by the manager. However, he declined. He wanted to be a free pony; he said he sung because he wanted to, not because he had to, and that's the way he wanted it to stay. I admired that about him. Soon enough, after many duets, we started going out and here we are.
His coat was white, pale as anything, while his eyes were bright blue, shining out of his face, especially when he smiled, as it lit up his features. His mane, however, was a long streak of red, causing other ponies to glance at him now and again. However, he didn't mind, so neither did I. He jumped off the long row of seats where he was surrounded by three other ponies, who were all laughing and drinking at the crowded bar, and galloped towards me, his grin never fading.
"Sweetie Beeeeelle!"
He pounced on me and began to poke my face as I continued to play.
"Sweetie Beeeeelle! I have a request!"
I finished off my song, laughing and turning towards him.
"Alright, what is it?"
He handed me a piece of paper which had his trademark large, messy handwriting covering the page. Two simple words were on it.
'Piano Pony.'
I looked up at Waldo, who was still terribly overexcited.
"You've heard of it, right?"
I scoffed, reminding myself of my older sister.
"Of course I've heard of it."
His face brightened, as if it wasn't bright enough. I just wish he could be bright in more than one way...
"Great! I think this song is reaaaally good. I'll sing along while you play, okay?"
I sighed, though I wasn't sure why.
"Oka-"
He jumped on to the piano, standing up on it, and grabbed for the microphone.
"Attention, everypony!"
Everypony looked up at him. Those who had come for the first time waited in anticipation while the regulars simply looked amused, knowing him well.
"Me and my sweetie pie are gonna play you all a song! Hope you like it!"
Applause ran through the crowd, along with cheering and whooping from his friends. He turned to me and winked, a signal to start. My hooves pushed against the keys, beginning the intro, as he waited for his cue, and the entire room became silent, listening in entertainment and cheerfulness.