Music of the Night Part 10: Night Mare, Triumphant
The massive velvet curtains parted, revealing a run-down version of what was very clearly the lower tier of Canterlot. Celestia frowned at the all-male cast, thankful that the opera house was dark and she did not have to mask such expressions. There was a group of all stallions, dressed in complexly layered rags and none of them with shorn fetlocks. Prostitutes. They were male prostitutes. It was not an unheard of concept in Equestria, for ninety percent of the population was female and it really was a competition to find a companion of the opposite gender (even Ponyville could attest to this). So, it had given rise to what came to be called ‘Stallion Barns’, in which a lonely mare could find male satisfaction for a price, if only for a night. Seeing something like that displayed so explicitly on the stage curled Celestia’s stomach a little. Even the crowd below had murmurs of uncomfortable disapproval. It had been almost twelve hundred years since even Celestia herself had maintained a consort, but such ideas still remained. Twilight shifted uncomfortably next to her, and she put a massive wing around her for support.
Cleff was in the group, displayed as symbolically clean and ‘new’ to the group of stallions. The opera was a relatively simple one. A stallion had shamed his family and run away into the night, joining a stallion barn in order to feed himself. But, because of his silky white coat he was intimidating to both customers and the other stallions. To touch him would ruin his virginal white coat, and none dared for he seemed supernatural. (Cleff had been specially groomed with light flecks of diamond dust, fastened in his fur and on his outfit.)
As the play progressed, the mane six kept a sharp eye on box five. Pinkie Pie had taken up residence in box four, especially close to the action and wearing an army helmet complete with twigs and leaves. She’d not moved from where she was crouching for the duration of the evening. From the front row in her seat, Rarity kept turning to check that everyone was in position. Applejack and Fluttershy eyed the crowd. Wherever Nightmare Moon approached from, glittering cloud or not, they would spot her before she did anything bad.
As the play went on, it painted a tragic story for another character. A high official of renown whose people feared her, who spent every night alone pining for a companion. Not only for her bed, but for her love of the night. It was certainly strange to see a character like Nightmare Moon shown this way. Rainbow Dash did her very, very best to look graceful in the stilts and thankfully the script only called for her to walk slowly back and forth on a terrace high above the stage floor. She’d been painted jet black from muzzle to tail, and from a distance like stage performance she made a fairly impressive representation of the dark goddess. The flashy armor was expertly done as well, though thin and just for show.
Rarity watched the play carefully, trying to read between the lines and see into Nightmare Moon’s plans. Cleff she saw as some sort of perfect companion, like a milky spirit who could be stained by a mere touch. Nightmare Moon saw herself as alone and unloved, and had made motions to find a companion in her beautiful nights. The story, the real story, unfolded in front of her. Cleff’s character sent away customers, telling them he could not bring himself to mount strangers in the night. Just like in real life, the character was shy and easily shaken. Rarity saw the parody of events that had probably already happened.
Rainbow Dash groaned a little on stage, then looked down upon Cleff’s character struggling with pawing hooves. She made a very fake-looking angry face that the make-up she had on only magnified into a glare. The stallions swarming around poor Cleff shoo’d the wanting mares away, and burst into chorus at him:
Here the mistress serves the male!
Here the mistress takes her meat!
Here the sacrificial lamb!
Utters out a panicked bleat!
It was strange to see so many bass voices rising in song at the same time. Much less to see so many non-soldier stallions in one place. But, the lewd motions they made towards Cleff during their booming song made even the most jaded opera-goer shift uncomfortably. This was hardly normal play material! What if there were foals in the crowd?! Cleff’s character was shuffled around and made fun of while he looked distressed and frail against their massive shoulders and trained manes. The underbelly of society didn’t look any better when it was dressed up for an opera. One stallion thrust himself forward, pulling poor Cleff to his side with a lewd smile and a conspiratorial guffaw:
Poor young stallion, for the thrill!
On your tongue, for food and sweets!
You will have to pay your bills,
Dancing nightly in the sheets!
Rarity’s face was hot with anger. How DARE Nightmare Moon involve Cleff in an opera that had such bawdy lyrics and themes?! It was beneath his wonderful talent. What was there to possibly gain? She shifted in her seat, a little flushed and short of breath. She pulled at her collar a little (she’d dressed up for the opera, of course), trying to stay calm and just watch the play. Everyone was ready. They just had to endure until the dark goddess made her appearance. She flicked her eyes up to box five. Nothing. The stallion continued, gesturing to a fake room with a waiting mare dressed in cloak and cape.
Serve the meal and serve the mare,
Serve the mistress so that when,
Tables are set and plans are laid,
Nightmare Moon triumphs again!
It wasn’t unusual to take the name of the dark goddess in vain when referring to lewd acts performed in the darkness. Celestia herself frowned a little darkly, but wiped the expression when Twilight glanced up at her. She hadn’t known her sister could write something so… colorful. There was a puff of air, a sound of disapproval, from her nostrils.
Above on the terrace, Rainbow Dash took her cue and reared up. When her stilts struck the ground, ponies hidden in the backdrop crashed cymbals and rolled drums to symbolize a massive storm. The mare meant for Cleff’s character to please fled in terror from the elements. Sprinkles of water went back and forth across the stage to show the storm. Cleff cocked his head, tilting his head back and perking his ears at the dark figure that had saved his virtue. Then, he scampered away. Suddenly, a painted grey Pegasus landed on the terrace next to Nightmare Moon Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash looked pensive over the terrace, looking down at the bawdy scene below. Then she raised her voice:
Aegis Shield my faithful guard and friend!
Once again recite the plan!
Rainbow Dash was NOT the best singer, but she was doing her very best to keep up with the pace of the play and really sell that she was a dark goddess drawn by the sight of a milky white stallion in a stallion barn. It was embarrassing, but the black face paint hid her blush. The grey Pegasus announced to her and the audience:
Your young stallion believes in you,
As the mistress of the night!
When you saw him it was so dark, he could not have felt your face!
He believes he dines with them, those stallion whores at their quick pace!
Furtively I scoff and quaff, stealing what in truth is yours,
For when it’s late, his modesty,
By wine will mellow of out course!
Nightmare Moon Rainbow Dash nodded with grand excitement at the idea of stealing the virginal stallion from among all the filth he’d become entangled in. For what greater prize was there than a stallion who worshipped you and still maintained his virtue in the worst circumstances? Moving slowly on her stilts with a toss of her head, she acted out excitement and eagerness. Her servant was to steal the virginal stallion from the lewd place and make him all hers! Rainbow Dash raised her voice in excitement while her servant went down to the stage to steal Cleff away. The Nightmare Moon character went on:
I shall say ‘come hide with me!
Where, oh where of course my room!
Rainbow Dash threw back her head and gave a great villainous laugh, moving off stage and behind a curtain while the fight scene went on below. The servant Aegis Shield was bucking the snot out of the other stallions, fighting off the mares and doing some rather impressive choreography to fend them away. When all of them lay strewn about the stage Aegis Shield took the submissive Cleff and put him upon his back, cantering away off stage. The audience applauded cautiously, for the play was pausing to shift scenery and such behind the curtain.
Rarity felt herself feeling tensed up all of a sudden. She tried to relax, checking around the room once more. Everyone was still in place. Celestia sat still as a statue, Twilight leaning worriedly into her. Pinkie Pie was still on the lookout in box four, and shrugged when she saw Rarity’s eyes on her. Applejack and Fluttershy had nothing either. Where was Nightmare Moon? The opera was almost over and they’d seen neither hide nor feather of her.
Backstage, Rainbow Dash was drinking greedily from a waiting trough of water. Careful not to smudge her face paint, she gasped animatedly. This opera thing was hard work! The lights were so hot, and she had to shout so loudly since they were not using any sort of sound equipment. Not to mention the big fake horn they’d glued to her face, ugh! She only had a few minutes before the next scene where Nightmare Moon would seduce the virtuous stallion into being her consort of the night. That was the longest song she’d had to memorize and—!
“Sleep.” A voice told her quietly. Magic gripped her mind. Rainbow Dash, stilts and all, pitched over. She was dragged into darkness, hidden amongst ropes and crates. A black figure went the way Rainbow Dash was supposed to go to get ready for the next scene, cloaked in blackness and magic.
When the curtain parted again, it was a bedroom. There was a massive bed of black velvet, stocked bookshelves and a window that looked out into a starry night with a full moon. The lights dimmed and the spotlight behind the moon in the window turned on. It gave the entire stage an eerie almost-blue glow. The virtuous stallion lay sprawled out open the massive bed, his fore-hoof dramatically over his face. The half-empty wine bottle nearby told of what was probably foul play. The audience shifted uncomfortably. This was starting to get just a little too erotic for a stage play, at least more so than they were willing to admit was good for a stage. There were whispers amongst the ponies in the audience, and the room was dead silent while they waited for the scene to start.
The cloaked figure emerged from one side of the stage and into the bedroom. It was under hood and shadow, as was dictated by the script, sliding gracefully around the room and hidden from the beam of moonlight. “Mistress?” Called Aegis Shield from off-stage. “Was this as you wished?” he was indicating the provocative posing and setup of the room.
“Go away, Aegis Shield!” said the cloaked figure, the voice smooth as silk. That was not Rainbow Dash’s voice. “Go away, for the trap— it is set— and it waits for its prey.” She trilled her voice just a little, lowering the mouth-covering of the hood so she could be heard. Cleff’s ears perked in a very obvious way. That was the signal.
All six of the mane six were on their hooves, looking up at Celestia for the go ahead. The sun goddess raised a hoof quickly, steadying them. She did not want them to simply rush the stage and throw everything into chaos. There had to be a proper moment… Rarity was hyperventilating with burning need to just attack Nightmare Moon. But she had to obey her princess. She was barely able to contain herself. She and the others moved discreetly through the audience, trying to find a better vantage point. Meanwhile the play continued, and the character of Nightmare Moon had plenty to say:
You have been brought here,
In pursuit of your deepest urge,
In pursuit of that wish which till now has been silent,
Silent.
I have brought you, that our passions may fuse and merge!
In your mind you’ve already SUCCUMBED TO ME,
Dropped all defenses, completely SUCCUMBED TO ME!
Now you are here with me, no second thoughts, you’ve decided…
Decided.
Nightmare Moon gave a swish of her beautiful black cloak. Magic was already lacing Cleff’s mind and he could feel it now. A warm, bubbling desire from his goddess, no longer hiding but completely out in the open. Want me, the magic said. Yes, his mind said back, I want you. He rose slowly from the bed, a slow and erotic motion that was careful to show a little more than just his flank to her, though not the audience. He could feel her wanting eyes burning into him. He could hear her barely controlled panting, and smell the mild sweat under her armor. The stallion was completely in-tune with his mare of the night, and her haunting song drew him ever-closer:
Past the point of no return—
No backward glances.
Our games of make believe are at an end—
Past the point of if, or when.
No use resisting,
Abandon thought, and let my night begin—
She stood before him, and drew gasps from the crowd when she suddenly grasped him up like a rag-doll. He let out a strangled yelp while she stood over him like a stallion might a mare before furious mating. She was that much taller than he. Nightmare Moon ran her muzzle harshly over the most sensitive spots of his shoulder blades and back.
What rage and FIRE shall flood the soul?
What rich desire unlocks its door?
What sweet seduction lies before— us?
Beyond the point of no— return?
Nightmare Moon stood away from him for a moment, panting a little wildly for a moment. The mane six begged Celestia with their eyes for the go ahead. Her hoof was still held up to stall them, though. The moment had not yet presented itself. All the elements of harmony itched to leap into action. The sun goddess watched with careful eyes, eyeing the body language and hearing the words. So this was the deep and erotic secret her sister had been keeping for so long, her desire for this stallion. She turned her gaze when suddenly Cleff heaved a great breath:
You have brought me to that moment where words run dry,
To that moment when speech disappears into silence—
Silence.
I have come here, hardly knowing the reason why,
For in my mind I already imagine our bodies entwining, defenseless and silent…
Now I am here with you, no second thoughts, I’ve decided—
Decided.
Nightmare Moon pressed erotically to him, and he reared up to put his arms around her. They cheek-nuzzled, which very nearly sent Rarity into a boiling frenzy. Forgetting all about the play she made to mount the stage and impale Nightmare Moon on her horn. It was Applejack who had to tackle her. The audience didn’t even notice. They were mesmerized by what was happening on stage. Cleff continued, slow-dancing on his back legs with Nightmare Moon leading him about the stage-bedroom:
Past the point of no return, no going back now,
Our passion play has now at last begun!
Past the point of no return, one final question,
How long do we two wait before we’re one?
When will the blood begin to race?
The sleeping stars burst into bloom?
When will your night at last, CONSUME!!— us?
Nightmare Moon was walking Cleff backward towards the massive, alicorn-sized bed. There was more than one audience member wildly wondering if perhaps there would be an explicit scene of sex in this play. They’d certainly crossed every other boundry and broken every other rule, why not this one? Not one eye dared leave the stage, they were so drawn in to the scene of passion— of lust— of the virtuous stallion and the goddess who loved him. Their voices raised together as one:
Past the point of no return!
The final threshold!
The bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn!
We’ve passed the point of no— re—turn.
Cleff and Nightmare Moon fell into a quiet silence of slow nuzzling, of her hooves playing slowly with the flaps of his coat. Every mare in the Royal Canterlot Opera House leaned forward in her chair, chewing on her lip. The mane six also watched as Nightmare Moon laid Cleff slowly, erotically back onto the bed on center-stage. Celestia’s heart quivered at her sister’s passion, misplaced and dark though it was… she could see her love just in the slow motions of her lips and hooves. It was a strange thing, and often not Celestia’s realm. Ponies tended to make love at night when the darkness hid them from sight. Her sister had seen far more of such things than she. Rarity looked up at Princess Celestia desperately, whimpering under Applejack’s powerful headlock. She couldn’t let Cleff be molested right up there on stage! Celestia have mercy, she begged silently. It was Nightmare Moon who continued alone, as though whispering to the virginal stallion she’d stolen from the stallion barn. She stroked his mane in slow, loving motions:
Say you’ll share with me one love, one lifetime?
Lead me, save me from my solitude?
Say you’ll want me with you here, beside me?
ANYWHERE YOU GO, LET ME GO TOO!
OH, CLEFF! THAT’S ALL I ASK OF--!
The Royal Canterlot Voice was cut off when Cleff’s hoof seized her cloak and ripped it right off! Nightmare Moon’s disguise fell away with a flourish, the cape and hood flapping away into shadow. The audience was on its hooves in shock, gasping and shouting in fear and confusion.
Celestia’s hoof thrusted forward, and the mane six leapt into action!
End of Part 10