//------------------------------// // Location, Location, Location! // Story: Starlight Venue // by swingbeat //------------------------------// I had awoken with a start as the train stopped in Ponyville. This was the town famous for being the home of The Elements of Harmony and consequently voted as the “most prone to damage”, but around here, its treated like a natural disaster and they quickly rebuild. After getting off, I remembered what Luna had told me. “Go to Ponyville and take a look at the building. I want to know if it is serviceable to what I want and your opinion on it.” So picking my hooves up, I went to the site of the building. After reaching the site, I let out a sigh. I had hoped the photo was black and white, but apparently it wasn't the building in question. To say it kindly, the dilapidated building was very old and according to the papers, it was built sometime after the Apple family founded the town. It originally served as a meeting hall for the town founders, then, when the current town hall was built, it was passed off between owners. It served as a restaurant, a small theater, even a home at one point for somepony named Filthy Rich while a new home was being built. Then it swapped hooves again and turned into a range of things. It didn't even last for a year until it landed on the desk of our Realtor and then finally, to us. The building was grey in color and had a lawn that could make the Everfree look like a trimmed garden. So, hiking my way through the briars and wild grass, I came to the door and opened it with my magic. Looking inside, I saw the remains of what once was a bar. There were two main things I was worried about though. First, the size of the stage, if there was anything left at all. And second, the acoustics of the main hall where the music would be played. Turned out, I was in luck! The stage was large enough to hold a proper big band like Luna had wanted, but not a pony more. I climbed up onto the stage and belted a few notes to check the acoustics. As my voice carried and came back, it sounded right, which was a testament to the original constructors who built it as a meeting hall. Suddenly, I heard a series of voices whisper in the rooms above. “See! I told you it was a bad idea.” “No it ain’t! This here building's been emp’ty fer years! We’re sure to get our cutiemarks in antique findin!’” “Besides, it sounded like some old gramophone playing old Mr. Waddles music.” Oh my poor, poor pride. I decided to go up and investigate the obviously young filly voices and get them out of the building for their safety, when I suddenly heard a crack. It was at that point that a mountain of plaster and floor decided to fall on me. As I wished I had worn a helmet when I got in the building, I saw three young fillies. One was yellow earth pony with a red bow, the other was a unicorn with a white coat, and finally an orange pegasus with a purple mane. As they each asked if I was okay, I had to ask what just happened. Looking at the stage, which now had a gaping hole in the center of it, I looked at my hooves and found that I was now a light blue thanks to the dust and my glasses frames were bent at a weird angle. Taking the bent frames in my aura, and fixing them, I then said, “Okay, I’m a new pony here, I’ll admit, but I highly doubt that three young fillies are allowed in these types of buildings. So I have to ask, what are you doing here?” The yellow one said, “We’re the Cutiemark Crusaders mister! We were in here trying to find some antiques so we could get our cutiemarks in antique collecting!” At that, I rolled my eyes. As I put my glasses back on and stood up, I ushered them out telling them that it was a risk that I was in the building. It was certainly no place for a bunch of kids to be…doing whatever they were in it. As I huffed, I shook most of the dust off and straightened my tie. That was when I saw Rarity again. She was carrying a lot of bags in her magic when she saw the little ones and rushed over. As she was distracted, I tried to get away so I could talk to Luna and settle this whole ordeal. That was until Rarity stopped me. “I really wish I could have met you again under better circumstances, Mr. Swing Beat.” “It’s nothing, really.” “I must apologize for my sister’s behavior. Those fillies always seem to get into dangerous situations.” “Well, fillies will be fillies.” As we chatted the, CMC decided that what we were doing was “grown up talk” and I chuckled at that. As they left, that was when Rarity asked if I could stay for some tea. She was dying to know how the gig went with Luna, so being the gentlecolt that I am, I offered to carry her bags...which she unceremoniously accepted and dumped on me. As I lifted the bags of fabric, I followed her to her store, The Carousel Boutique. Once inside, she magiced the bags away into the back rooms as she talked about how her family was now doing in Canterlot. Apparently in the time that had passed, her cousin’s store was an instant hit! Thanks in part to word being passed that the outfits for Luna’s jazz band wore clothes from the store! As the tea was finally prepared, she passed me a cup, I smelled the aroma and I recognized it instantly. “Ah, my favorite! Lapsang souchong.” I said as I blew on it a bit and took a sip. “You seem to know your teas.” Rarity said. “Of course I do. I have been residing at Canterlot Castle as Luna’s personal minstrel for a while now and she nearly demanded that I know my teas for the off chance I had to attend a meeting with her. Apparently she gets very bored at the meeting that Celestia gives.” Rarity chuckled and said, “Well, I do know that she is very old fashioned.” “You want to know old fashioned? She asked me once if I could play something called a harpsichord. If I hadn't read up on piano history, I would have had no clue as to what that was! Oh, and don't get me started on how she feels about modern fashion. She still remembers when those frilly neck pieces were all the rage! Sometimes when she feels nostalgic, she’ll even put one on!” This got a spit take from the unicorn in front of me, and as she put her tea down, she said, “I didn't know it was that bad! I’ll have to return to Canterlot and help introduce today’s fashion to her.” I laughed at this. As we both calmed, she asked me about how the gig went. “Well, the good news is I got the minstrel part out of it. The bad news is that a song I wrote that was played was enough to make Luna tear up and cry. Tears of joy, that is. But the rest of the band saw it as a very bad thing and pretty much left me holding the bag. So, the band that you saw is no more. Last I heard, Cornet is busy with lessons and the other two are living peacefully without me. They still play every now and then, but without me, they don't do so often.” “That is a shame. A pony that could write a song that could make a princess cry in any form deserves so much better than that.” “Funny you should say that. The reason I am here in Ponyville is because Luna wants to open up a dance hall/venue, and since she does not want many ponies knowing about it, I am being placed as proxy and manager for the whole thing. Pretty much, she’s giving me the keys to a place and expecting me to turn it into a happening with as little help from her as possible. Something about economic disadvantages.” “Well, I can say with a certainty that you and Luna's secret are safe with me, and as for the dance hall, I know a lot of the older ponies will enjoy seeing a piece of history return to life.” “Thanks, but the problem is I can't depend on the older generation for a steady business. What do you think I could do to help with that?” Rarity put a hoof to her chin and thought for a minute and said, “If my memory serves me right, my grandfather mentioned something about ‘swing dancing’ and how he met my grandmother that way. Perhaps give swing dance lessons?” “Seems good. I will think about that.” As I looked at the clock, I noticed the time. So, after excusing myself and saying “see you later” to rarity, I was once more bound to Canterlot with the news of the state of the venue and a plan to get the place hopping in no time.