Of Crystal and Chitin

by Gandalf158

Diamond

        The walls of the room were made of a dark brown crystal that looked like wood grain, and it was lit with light gems. The band on stage was playing an archaic form of all-brass jazz music, which Wolf thought was very nice, and Melody was singing some song from the glory days of the Empire. Wolf, in his disguise, was over at the bar, enjoying some nice cider, and thinking about what he should do next.
        On the one hoof, he thought, I can’t really go anywhere until I’m better. He involuntarily cringed as another wave of pain raced across his nervous system. But on the other, the longer I stay here, the more of a chance that I’ll be found out. They might not have heard the details of the Wedding yet, but they will. Especially with the not-so-happy couple ruling the place.
        As the internal monologue continued, Melody finished her set and came over to his table with another crystal pony following behind her. She had an off-white coat and a dark grey mane and she carried herself the same way that the Canterlot elite did before the wedding.
        “Wolf, I’d like you to meet my boss, Diamond. She owns the club, and it’s named for her.” Melody said, gesturing of the new arrival.
        “A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Diamond.” he said, shaking her hoof.
        “Please, call me Diamond. How do you like my little club?” she asked.
        “I think it’s great. I really like the music here. What kind of music is it, anyway? I’ve never heard anything that sounds quite like it.”
        “I don’t think you would have; it was an Empire specialty, not many outsiders know about it even today. It’s not got a proper name, so we just call it brass jazz.” she said, casting a glance at the band on stage, “So, Wolf, what brings you to our little slice of heaven?” the question hit Wolf like a ton of bricks.
        Wolf started to panic, he didn’t know if she knew about the Wedding or not, so he couldn’t reveal himself to be a changeling, and he couldn’t lie in front of Melody, or she’d get suspicious. He didn’t know what to do, until the band started to play a song, then he had a crazy idea.
        “Hold that thought, Miss Diamond. Miss Melody, may I have this dance?” he asked, much to everypony present’s surprise.
        “Alright, we’ll be right back, Diamond.” the other mare simply waved them off.
        “Have fun you two.”
        The music was a mix between the brass jazz the band had been playing almost all night along with a little bit of Waltz-esque melodies thrown in to make more of a slow dance song. All in all, it was a nice song. Melody and Wolf, not knowing exactly how to dance, kept tripping over each other’s hooves, and most of the conversation was one or both of them apologizing to each other or one of the other couples.
        “I’m sorry, I’ve always had four left hooves.” she said, a small blush forming.
        “It’s okay, I’m not much better.” he replied after another stumble, grimacing from the pain that it caused him. His injuries did not help his dancing.
        They danced, or tried to, and Wolf caught himself staring into Melody’s dark grey eyes, and a blush took over his features as well. She seemed not to notice, a bit too focused on his lighter grey orbs. They almost didn’t notice that the music had stopped, were it not for the fact that Melody was still on the job.
        “Oh! I’m sorry to cut this short, I need to get back on stage.” she said, trotting back up onto the stage.

        “Well, that was quite a show. I take it you don’t have much experience with dancing.” Diamond said, finally catching up to Wolf on his way to the bar for another drink, “So, you never answered my question. What brings you to the Empire?”
        “Just a… spontaneous decision really.” he said, hoping she didn’t pursue it any longer.
        “Well then, where are you from, Wolf Spider?” she asked, and he almost lost it.
        “Trottingham. I’m from Trottingham.” he said, a little too quickly. Thankfully, the club’s owner and namesake didn’t seem to notice.
        “Hmm. Never been to Trottingham, is it a nice place?” luckily, an employee of the club approached her at this time, interrupting her question, “What is it Emerald?”
        The newcomer whispered something into Diamond’s ear that Wolf couldn’t quite catch, but Diamond’s smile faded, “What?!? I’ll be right there. Sorry to rush off like this, but duty calls.” she said.

        Much to Wolf’s relief, Diamond didn’t come back to ask more questions. The night wore on, Melody sang her last set, and the duo left the club, walking down the quiet, nearly empty streets back to Melody’s home. On the way home, Melody struck up a conversation with Wolf.
        “So, what do you think of Diamond?” she asked.
        “She seems nice.”
        “I meant the club, silly! What do think of the club?”
        “Oh!” a third time that night he felt like an idiot, “It was very nice. I enjoyed myself.” he said.
        “I’m glad you liked it. Maybe you can come back sometime when you’re feeling better. Maybe then we can dance without tripping over each other so much.” she said with a sheepish grin.
        “I thought it was fun. By the way, your singing was beautiful, Melody. I mean, I know you told me you can sing, but that was amazing! Where did you learn to sing like that?”
        “My mother taught me.” she said, “She was more into the opera, but I adapted it to my own style.”
        They reached the door to Melody’s home, and they both went inside. It was late, so they bid each other goodnight and went to their respective bedrooms and fell asleep.