//------------------------------//
// Conclusion-For Good Measure 
// Story: A Due 
// by StarkyShy 
//------------------------------//

        You began to lose your patience. “Well? What is it?”

        Octavia looked away, “Yes, it’s true. I know the part already.”

        You raised an eyebrow, “Why? Why fake it?” You were both confused and hurt.

        She sighed, “Because...I just wanted to spend more time with you.” You noticed a blush starting to grow on her face.

        “What? Why not just do it normally, you could have just...invited me over to help me practice.”

        “True, but…” She trailed off.

        “...But?” You leaned forward.

        “That’s just it, I don’t even know why...I just...did because...I kinda like you...” She explained, blushing furiously.

        Your eye twitched, trying to comprehend the situation.

        “I know it makes no sense, but...it’s the truth. I don’t know why I did it, but...I guess I just wanted you to ‘help me’, I suppose. If you gave me some assistance, it makes it more romantic.”

        You shook your head, tempted to just walk outside into the rain and leave. Of course you couldn’t, you were better than that. “Ok, look. I’m still completely confused on what’s going on, but...just give me a minute, then I’ll...I don’t even know.”

        She looked understandably disappointed. “R-right...right…”

        With that, you walked away, it would’ve been too awkward to stay in there. You had to collect your thoughts.

        “Out of all the stallions to pick, she picks me?” you blinked. You sighed, trying to figure out what to possibly do.

        It’s not that you didn’t like her back, it just that you didn’t know if you reciprocated those same feelings. It was just, it was just a lot to handle at the moment. You buried your head in your hooves, more nervous and confused than ever before.

        You stared out the window, the weather seemed to get worse. It was quite a dilemma. Either be rash in your decision, or jeopardize your relationship with a close friend. It’d be rude to leave her like this. You had made your decision. It had to be resolved now.

        You shifted your gaze back to the practice room. Your head still full of doubt. Hoof on the doorknob. Your heartbeat increased as the click of the door sounded off. Your audience was waiting. It was time to tell her. 

The show must go on.

“Octavia?”

“What?”

“...Well, I thought about it...and…”

“And…?” She muttered. You wondered if this was the same mare that you’ve known before. She was usually so collected, so calm and aloof. This was a mare who was unsure, somepony who was vulnerable. It just made your gut twist.

For some reason, the words just wouldn’t come out.

“I-I just...I still don’t know…” you sighed. You immediately saw her become crestfallen. “But…” Her ears immediately perked up.

You smiled warmly, “I’m not entirely opposed to it…”

Octavia gasped, “Y-you mean?”

You shrugged, “We-we’ll see after the concert. I think it might work, but can we please not do anything rash and irrational again? It’s just not like you.”

Octavia brightened up a bit, “Like you haven’t done anything of the sort?”

You sputtered, “Name one time!” You said defensively.

“Well, there was that time when you were at the park with the ducks and…” She began with a smirk.

“Ok! Ok! We do not bring that day of my life up ever again!” You interrupted, causing her to giggle.

“Well, shall we continue our work?”

You looked out the window, the rain barely dripping down. “We shall.”



It’s gonna be fine… Everything is going to be fine. Deep breath in, deep breath out. I am not going to mess this up. You felt a hoof on your shoulder.

“Hey, relax. You’ll do fine.” A soothing voice said. You turned, and silently nodded at her.

As you were called onto the stage, your heartbeat picked up tempo. Your eyes scanned the audience until they found your parents, as well as your siblings. Some of them were fortunate enough to have mates. After this performance, you might just join them in that circle.

You turned to your partner, and your eyes met. At that moment, it was as if you were mentally connected, all thoughts and feelings became one.

Your hoof tapped on the floor as the audience fell silent.

        One, two, three, four.

        It started out slow, an adagio tempo. Simple, connected quarter notes and half notes for the first part of the song. It was simple. Any mistake that might have been made would have to be intentional. Now it began to get harder. The tempo would be the same, but the notes got more complicated. It transitioned back and forth from eighth notes and triplets, not easy for many foals, but to you it was nothing. All it took was a lot of practice and dedication. The music you created alone sounded incomplete, but it only made sense. The piece being played was a duet piece after all, and it would sound incomplete unless both musicians were present.

        But today was different, everything connected, it felt more in tune.

        Halfway through, the tempo would pick up. Your hoof-metronome raised from adagio to andante. Notes came out slightly faster than before. Not a challenge at all, every note played to its full value, every accent played.

        Then came that part, all that practicing building up to this one moment. It was at that point that everything went by at a faster speed, yet the tempo remained the same. There was no thinking, only playing. It came to you naturally, like it was second nature.

        With one final pull, your body tensed, becoming still, the only movement coming from your lungs. There was only silence for a moment, and yet it felt like the longest silence of your life. Without warning, the concert room was filled with loud applause. You turned to your friend and wrapped your hooves around her in relief as roses were tossed in your direction.

        As you separated, the grey mare pulled you in again, locking lips with you for the first time. You didn’t pull away, just close your eyes at let the kiss sustain for as long as she allowed it.

fin