Stars sparkled in the clear night sky as calm moonlight brightened Carousel Boutique's guest bedroom. Sweetie Belle's hooves twitched underneath the bed's covers. Sweat formed on her forehead, the droplets creeping down her cheeks. Crickets continued their soft symphony outside while she winced and shivered, tossing and turning.
Sweetie Belle's eyes thrust open. Greeted by the black void of an ethereal realm, her eyes darted about before she rose to her hooves. Two orbs engulfed in flames floated in front of her; the flames from the spheres remained calm as both objects changed from bright green to sky-blue, pulsating in several different hues.
"No!" a voice said in a boisterous tone, causing the two orbs to shatter.
Tiny, glass-like fragments floated into the open space of the strange dark world. The pieces mingled and coalesced with one another, and the object regained its form. Soon, a giant ball floated in front of Sweetie Belle. It split into two fiery, fluorescent, ethereal spheres, glowing in an amber colored light.
Sweetie Belle backed away. Her hooves froze. She tugged on them. She yanked on them. The unicorn filly continued to struggle. She felt her body dragged toward the orbs then closed her eyes.
Thick dark smoke strangled the objects as Princess Luna materialized from the shadows. Her horn glowed with a fierce magical light. Darkness surrounded the princess, and she eradicated it along with the two spheres.
"What's going on?" Sweetie Belle said. Her hooves shook. She looked beneath her, around her, and then met Princess Luna's concerned gaze.
Black clouds withdrew into nothingness. The void dissipated, and a clam, moonlit night, not unlike the one outside Carousel Boutique, greeted the two ponies. Both stood atop a fluffy white cloud in the open night sky while several stars twinkled around them.
Apple Bloom darted from behind Princess Luna. She landed on top her friend, giving a monstrous hug before helping her up. After receiving a nod from Princess Luna, her hoof shot up before Sweetie Belle could speak. "We have to watch it. Ah can't tell yet, but somethin dangerous is about to happen. You, me, Scootaloo, the others... all of us are in danger."
Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes at Apple Bloom. She took a slow, deep breath. "Whatever. I had a nightmare. Princess Luna protected me, and that is that. I knew Rarity should have gone to the store. This is what I get for--"
"Ah ain't playin' Sweetie Belle," Apple Bloom pointed a stern swift hoof at her friend, "This is serious. Ah know your upset, but we are friends. We're the Cutie Mark Crusaders!"
Princess Luna stepped forward. Several clouds swirled around her and the two fillies. The white clouds merged into a solid object, forming a pedestal. On top of the beautiful pedestal stood a large torus shaped object with a hole in it. The tip of Princess Luna's adornment on her right hoof targeted the darkened center of the mystical object. With a concerned tone to her voice, she said, "Please, heed the cautionary words of your friend, Sweetie Belle. My protégé speaks the truth as what you see before us is nothingness." Princess Luna lowered her hoof, "A great danger looms on the horizon. This threat possesses a powerful ability, one that allows it to elude the combined foresight of Apple Bloom and myself. That, my dear Sweetie Belle, is no simple feat."
Apple Bloom tapped a gentle hoof against her chin. She looked at Sweetie Belle. After a sly grin, she turned to Princess Luna, whispered to her, and then faced her friend and said, "Ah got it. Ah know what will prove to ya this is more than just a dream. Head to the clubhouse tomorrow. It'll be a surprise."
Sweetie Belle closed her eyes and opened them; the semi-dark guest bedroom of Carousel Boutique came into view as her vision cleared. She leapt out of bed, peered under it, and, after a yawn, made her way to the bathroom. Her business finished, she trotted toward the window near the bed. The crickets' chirps ceased, and the shadows had lengthened. Several clouds loomed on the horizon while Sweetie Belle's eyes fixed on the shadow of Carousel Boutique's flag, the soft flag wafting in the semi-calm air outside.
"Sweetie Belle?" Rarity said. She tapped her hoof against the guest bedroom's door then opened it. "Is everything ok? It sounded like you were having a nightmare."
"Maybe. Do... do you mind if we talk? If we have sister-to-sister talk?" Sweetie Belle said. She sat on the soft small oval rug near the window. Her front right hoof rubbed against her left one. "I guess you heard about Scootaloo and Apple Bloom back in Canterlot."
Rarity sat beside Sweetie Belle. The two gazed out the crystal clear window to see the stars and moon grace Ponyville with a beautiful night. Several lights in the distant houses flickered then extinguished.
"I want to be happy for my friends. But I -- am, am I going to be left behind? Will they leave me behind? What talent do I have?" Sweetie Belle said.
"Let me answer with a question of my own." Rarity placed her hoof on Sweetie Belle's back, "Did Twilight leave us behind when she became a princess?" Rarity said, gliding her hoof across Sweetie Belle's back several times before removing it. Her gaze turned to the beautiful scene in front of her, star and moon light reflecting off her eyes. "While it would be nice to be an alicorn princess, me and the others weren't destined for it. Twilight is our friend, no matter how much she changes on the outside or inside. To us -- to me at least -- she's still that same shy unicorn that came to Ponyville. Her mane was such a mess the first day I met her. If you were to tell me--"
"And?" Sweetie Belle said with a raised eyebrow. Her heavy eyelids slid down before she forced them to remain open.
"To get at the heart of the matter, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo are your friends. They will be there for you, regardless of them having special talents or not." Rarity said. She glanced at her sister then turned and faced her. With a soft pat to her little sister's head, in a calm voice, she said, "In regards to 'your' talents, you'll only be left in the dust if you let it happen."
Sweetie Belle lowered her head, her eyelids continuing their battle. "But. But how do I find--"
"I know you're worried about your talents, but -- here, for you to say that one color of 'rouge' is the same as another doesn't work. There are several different shades, several different hues. Some are easy to tell apart while others can take a trained eyed. Your friends have their color. You have your color, but you still need to discover it." Rarity said.
"Again. with the. 'Rouge' thing." Sweetie Belle said between two heavy yawns.
Rarity rolled her eyes and shook her head. She gave a warmhearted smile to Sweetie Belle. "Would you like me to ask Twilight if she'll tutor you? She loves this sort of thing, and I bet Twilight would be more than happy to help. It might be great to receive some one-on-one, unicorn-to-unicorn training with a pony -- a princess of magic mind you -- that can help you grow. Maybe have her take you on. As her own. Personal. Student? "
"...."
Sweetie Belle's eyes lost the battle; her breaths drowned out the room's silence. Rarity floated her sister back into the guest bed. She rolled the covers over Sweetie Belle then departed, closing the door softly behind.
*** *** ***
Sweetie Belle stood outside the Cutie Mark Crusader club house. A calm, eerie silence greeted the small area on the Sweet Apple Acres Farm after a small guest of wind whistled passed her ears. Her front hoof crept toward the doorknob, and then pulled back. The Cutie Mark Crusader flag remained motionless atop the clubhouse.
After a final heavy sigh, Sweetie Belle planted a firm hoof in front of her. She shook her head. With a smile she opened the door and said, "Hello?"
"Surprise!" Scootaloo and Apple Bloom yelled in unison.
Several festive red, blue, and gold colored streamers decorated the ceiling, a "Cutie Mark Crusader Anniversary" banner hung with care. In the back, a table, draped with a dark red cloth, held a cake on top of it; the three layered treat displayed the symbol of the fillies' club.
"Wow, you put this all together?" Sweetie Belle said. She trotted into the club house. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo gave hearty grins to Sweetie Belle while she eyed the intricate symbol on the cake.
"It was coming up, and Apple Bloom and I thought it would be great to celebrate our anniversary. Sure, our four hundred seventy seven attempts to find our Cutie Marks have failed..." Scootaloo said, placing a quick hoof over her mouth.
"Ah think what Scoot meant to say is whatever the storm, no matter what happens, we'll stick together. We are the 'Cutie Mark Crusaders,' and we'll never stop the journey. Even when 'that' day comes, we'll still be the same." Apple Bloom said. After a firm hoof placed on her forehead then removed, she shook her head. "What ah mean is...."
Sweetie Belle's eyes widened. She darted toward Apple Bloom. With a firm hoof raised she said, "That's it! You can use your--"
"O no, ah ain't doin that. Even if ah wanted to do it ah can't. Princess Luna has forbidden me." Apple Bloom said. She rubbed a soft hoof against her backside, "We're gonna stay off 'that' subject. Trust me. My poor flank is still hurtin."
Sweetie Belle giggled at Apple Bloom then poked her friend's flank along with Scootaloo, Apple Bloom giving a loud resounding "ouch" from their prodding. Sweetie Belle trotted toward the cake, cut two slices, and passed them out to Scootaloo and Apple Bloom. Her eyes widened at the site of her favorite red velvet cake but turned toward the adjacent table to see a plate near her levitate into the air. The cake was sliced, removed, and then placed on the plate which levitated over towards her.
"Anyways, ah got a little somethin for ya." Apple Bloom said with a wink. She presented a small jewelery box to Sweetie Belle. "It's a little gift Princess Luna helped me find."
"Oooo," Sweetie Belle said. Her hoof glided across the black box's pearl white ribbon. The ribbon unfurled. It laid on the ground while the box's lid was removed with a gentle hoof. "... I've never... just -- Wow! Thank you. Rarity will be so jealous when she sees this. It's perfect. Thank you."
Apple Bloom nodded to Sweetie Belle, "Princess Luna pointed me towards a specialty store."
"I remember Rarity telling me how rare these are to find. Please don't tell me you spent your entire allowance on it." Sweetie Belle said. The strong silk thread of the jewelry piece disappeared against her neck, "Its perfect."
"What in the hay was that?!" Scootaloo said. Her chuckling ceased along with Apple Bloom's. "Sounded like a dragon's roar."
Sweetie Belle, unphased by the boisterous sound, rubbed a soft hoof against her present. Out of the corner of her eye, she witnessed a plate levitate into the air, cut a large piece of cake, and lower itself to the floor. It slid under the table, guided by a lavender colored hoof into darkness.
With a swift tug, Sweetie Belle ripped the table cloth off, leaving the items on top intact. Several "ooo" and "ahh" sounds filled the clubhouse while Apple Bloom and Scootaloo clopped their hooves together.
"Guys..." Sweetie Belle said. She watched Twilight devour the cake. "You know Twilight, I wasn't planning on using magic to serve myself, right?"
"I thought it might be wise to. Accompany all of you. As a. Chaperone?" Twilight said. She ended with a sheepish grin. The mare extricated herself from under the table, stretched her wings, her neck, and then her hooves before sitting down at the table to finish her cake. "Sorry. I ate this morning but I'm still a bit hungry. Sweetie Belle," Twilight smiled, "would you like me to train you in magic? It would be soooo exciting to have a protégé. Well, I mean, I did tutor you all, but it would be great to have a one-on-one pupil to work with. As Pinkie Pie would put it, 'I know I'm excited but are you?'"
Sweetie Belle shook her head then nibbled on a small bit of her cake. She tapped a napkin against her cheek then placed it onto the table. Her eyes focused on Twilight. "No offense Twilight, but I don't see the point. My magic doesn't cooperate. I've read those books in your new library, and, from what I've come to understand, I doubt even you could even figure it out." Sweetie Belle let out a sigh after she finished off the last bite of her cake, "The only thing that cooperated was that broom I practiced with. I guess it doesn't take Apple Bloom's fortune telling to see where this conversation was going to head."
Twilight surreptitiously glanced to her left. Her ears lowered. In a hushed voice she said, "About that broom--"
"It's not fortune tellin'." Apple Bloom pointed a firm hoof at her friend, "Ah prefer the term 'future sight' in all honesty." Apple Bloom said. Her eyes glanced towards the floor. She rubbed her right hoof against her left then looked at the three ponies in front of her, "Ah guess Princess Luna was right in the end."
"About?" Twilight said.
"Ah wanted to prove to her and mahself that you can change the future. Princess Luna said 'events unfold as they are meant to unfold' as she said somethin' along the lines of nothing -- not even magic -- can change a pony's 'destined' path." Apple Bloom said while she mimicked a motion she watched Princess Luna display in front of her. "Ah don't know why, but Princess Luna seemed rather, melan... uhh..."
"Melancholic," Sweetie Belle and Twilight said in unison. Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes while Twilight giggled to herself.
Sweetie Belle's ears were perked, but her gaze remained fixated on the window. Clouds continued to gather in the distance. Her eyes glanced toward Apple Bloom.
"Yea, anyways, she seemed kinda melancholic about it. Princess Celestia--" Apple Bloom said, stopping as she shoved a quick hoof to her mouth.
Sweetie Belle's eyes widened. She made her way to Apple Bloom, "You trained with Princess Celestia?! This is ridiculous. Has Scootaloo trained with Princess Celestia too?!"
"We didn't train with her. Well, 'trained' wouldn't be the right words for it." Scootaloo said.
"I'm outta here. Thanks for the present," Sweetie Belle said. A semi-transparent, purple colored wall appeared in front of her. Her brow furrowed, she faced the three ponies. "Twilight, I'm leaving. Apple Bloom has her 'future sight.' Scootaloo's wings are now 'magical' just as much as they are beautiful. You're the princess of magic. What does that leave me. Nothing."
"Sweetie Belle, it's not like that. Ah didn't train with Princess Celestia. Neither did Scootaloo. Honest." Apple Bloom said.
"Whatever. Tell me though, what happens next, hmm? What am I about to do, 'fortune teller?!' Sweetie Belle said with her furrowed brow maintained.
Apple Bloom shied away. She steadied herself and said, "Your gonna leave. A lamp will fall on Twilight's head after ya slam the door behind ya."
"What?!" Twilight said. Her shield dissipated as Sweetie Belle slammed the door shut. Near the table, a lamp fell from the ceiling and landed near the spot where Sweetie Belle sat at the table. She squinted at the broken objected, repaired it with a quick spell, and placed it on the table that held the plates. She moved toward the door then peered outside, "Your prediction was wrong."
Apple Bloom winced as she watched the rope near the ceiling come loose, a lamp hitting Twilight on the head. "I guess it was the lamp near the door. Princess Luna is still teaching me about specifics. Sorry Twi."
Twilight rubbed her head. She stared at Apple Bloom, her annoyed expression soon relenting. "I know you two are upset, but I have faith in Sweetie Belle. Her potential just needs to 'awaken.'"
"That's what ah'm afraid of. It may be for the best ya didn't tell her about the broom." Apple Bloom said. She grabbed a slice of cake.
"Well?" Twilight said.
"Well, what?" Apple said, gulping down the piece of cake before slugging down a cup of punch.
Twilight glared at Apple Bloom, "Tell me, now. Tell me what you've seen."
"Even if you ordered me to do it, ah can't tell ya what ah have seen. Princess Luna has told me what ah can and can't do. Though it wouldn't change anything, it might make Sweetie Belle angrier." Apple Bloom said.
Twilight relented. She trotted toward Apple Bloom and placed a kind wing over her. "Sorry. I should be more respectful. Through my own little 'experience,' I learned that time will continue forward regardless of how you interfere with it."
"Hey, Apple Bloom?" Scootaloo said.
"Ya?" Apple Bloom said.
"What did you mean by 'it's best you didn't tell her about the broom.'" Scootaloo said.
Twilight let out an audible gulp before she levitated a piece of cake to Scootaloo. "Nothing. It's nothing."
"Twilight, ah know you enchanted the broom. You did it to help train Sweetie Belle." Apple Bloom said.
"It wouldn't do any good to deny what I have done, would it?" Twilight said. From the nearby table, a thick slice of cake was cut. It levitated onto a plate before moving towards Twilight as she sat down near the two fillies. She took large bite out of it, sipped on some punch, and cleared her throat. "To elaborate, I imbued the broom with part of my magic. The spell I used made it respond to Sweetie Belle's commands more easily. In a more blunt perspective, you could call it 'magical training wheels' for a unicorn." Twilight finished off her piece of cake and took another large gulp from her cup, "In my heart, I was afraid Sweetie Belle would give up entirely on magic if she didn't see an immediate improvement, or near immediate improvement, after her failures. Untrained magic can be one of the most dangerous things in Equestria...."
The three ponies continued to chat amongst themselves, unaware of the silhouette that dashed passed the window.
*** *** ***
Sweetie Belle galloped down the faint pathway. Her hooves plunged into the semi-soft dirt road beneath her. She stopped. In a quiet tone she said, "I will find my talent. It 'will' be special. If Apple Bloom and Scootaloo are special, then I'm special too."
The forest's darkness enveloped Sweetie Belle as she continued her journey. Zecora's hut came into view, lights illuminating the Zebra's home. Sounds reverberated amongst the thick trees, and light grew dimmer with Sweetie Belle's progression. Swamp pools bubbled around her, their vicious viscous popping noises inaudible amongst the sounds of the forest's inhabitants. Zecora's hut disappeared behind Sweetie Belle as she continued her arduous trek, going deeper into the Ever Free Forest.
"St-stupid crow," Sweetie Belle dropped to the ground then rose to her hooves, "I can do this. I. can. do this."
Sweetie Belle shook her head, placed a firm hoof down, and moved forward after the quick pit stop. Her steadfast vision pierced into the forest's darkness before she moved forward on shaky hooves. Several dead trees littered the area, a dense canopy of thick branches and twigs blocked what little light would illuminate the area.
"Well, that's one good thing." Sweetie Belle said, muttering to herself. A slight shakiness came to the branch she levitated towards herself. Her outstretched, right front hoof latched onto the branch's end. "Though, I rather not be known for having a special talent of setting fires. Last thing I need is to be renowned as a pyromaniac."
"Fire is life," a voice said in a calm tone.
Sweetie Belle's ear twitched. Her eyes dilated. She felt her heart race. The makeshift torch dropped to the ground; its purple flame refused to illuminate the darkness. The unicorn filly's breathing grew deep and heavy as she turned.
"Why, hello there," the voice said. Two amber colored eyes glared at Sweetie Belle, succeeded by a sinister grin of sharp, pearl white teeth. Between heavy coughs the voice's owner said, "I. Don't get. Many. Visitors."
Sweetie Belle's saddlebag slipped off as she rocketed towards the pathway behind her. She slide between a small space underneath the creature that bolted in front of her.
"Wait. Please. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." The voice said in a serene tone.
Sweetie Belle stopped. She looked behind to see a thick fog dissipate. The torch's purple flame pierced the darkness and illuminated the creature that neared it.
"Wh-wha-what are you?" Sweetie Belle said. Her eyes were met with the image of a lone pegasus mare who stood near the opening to a large cave. A moment taken to clear her throat, Sweetie Belle said, "Sorry, that's rather rude of me."
"It's quite alright. I'm sorry that I startled you." the sky-blue mare said. She approached Sweetie Belle, "Are you alright?"
Sweetie Belle crept forward. Her still dilated eyes fixated on the equine in front of her and traced her outline. In a nervous tone she said, "Wow, you're pretty. You're pretty tall too. And your voice, are you a singer? Sorry..."
"How about we start with introductions. My name is Philomena Cantare." The mare said, giving a polite bow. "You are?"
Sweetie Belle placed a hoof in front of her and bowed. "Sorry, my name is Sweetie Belle. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Cantare patted the filly on the back. She hummed a slight tune, and then removed her hoof.
Sweetie Belle placed a soft hoof onto her chest. Her breathing calmed. She looked on, eyes contracting as they resumed their normal state, to see Cantare's wings disappear. The mare placed a hoof on top of her head and materialized a horn.
"Illusion spells are such wonderful things. It keeps the news hounds at bay." Cantare said with a wink. "Sorry, I'm really a unicorn disguised--"
Sweetie Belle pressed a soft hoof against her chest once more then lowered it, "How?"
"How did I calm your heart?" Cantare said. She smirked then waved to Sweetie Belle with a gentle hoof. In a serene voice she said, "How about you come inside my less than stellar yet humble abode. You caught me a bit off guard with your visit, Sweetie Belle. Those teeth were just an illusion I created. I was decorating for Nightmare Night."
"That was two months ago." Sweetie Belle said.
"Gah!" Cantare screamed. Her voice resonated throughout the cave's passages, the scream succeeded by heavy coughing. She levitated a glass of water over, sipped it, and floated the glass back towards a small table near a candelabra. "This is why I need a calendar. Marking notches in the dirt just doesn't work. Anyways, *cough*, to answer your question about how I was able to calm your heart..."
Cantare, a nodded received from her guest, sat at the table and propped her hooves up on a small stool. She hummed a tune while Sweetie Belle gazed on in awe. Candles, placed neatly in the candelabra's holes, lit themselves, flames birthing into existence on the torches along the cavern's wall. A bright, semi-furnished cave presented itself. Both ponies sat at a small wooden table with minor embellishments carved into it.
"What all living things take for granted -- ones that can speak and be understood while some cannot -- is the ability of their voice. If tempered with magic, the power of voice can go well beyond what it would be capable of on its own." Cantare said. She received a raised eyebrow from Sweetie Belle, combined with a tilted head. "Would you like to see another 'performance?' This may seem familiar." Cantare's horn glowed in an amber colored hue while a small stick levitated towards Sweetie Belle, "This is the branch you broke off the tree outside my cave. I know that spying is a rather atrocious habit, but I couldn't help watching you groan while using your magic."
Sweetie Belle's eyes fixated on the ground. Her expression changed, giving Cantare a melancholic expression before looking back toward the soft dirt. "I can't do anything. That's just some accident. More like a curse. It happens when I try to levitate stuff. The color is--" Sweetie Belle watched the torch change several different hues, "What?"
"The power of your voice has more than just the ability to manifest flames into existence. Of course, setting things on fire would make you look like some kind of pyromaniac." Cantare said, giving a sheepish grin. She sipped on her tea. With the cup placed back onto the saucer, she added a drop of honey to it. "I remember my own problems when I was growing up, being ostracized. I found this especially true since I couldn't control my magic. It took me quite some time to understand my voice and magic had to be in harmony with one another. Do you mind humoring me. I want you to hum a little tune. Give it a soothing melody in your best voice. When you're ready, press your hoof against my neck and illuminate your horn."
Sweetie Belle glanced toward Cantare then resumed her firm staring match with the dirt below her hooves. After a sigh, she rummaged through her bag she brought inside the cave.
"You won't set me on fire. At least, please try not to set me on fire." Cantare said. Her soft hooves touched the dirt. She moved toward her guest then lowered herself to the ground. Philomena Cantare smiled as she looked Sweetie Belle in the eyes. "No grunts, groans or moans. When you're ready, hum a calm, soothing tune in your best voice, Sweetie Belle."
The unicorn filly pushed her saddle bag to the side. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then opened them, exhaling a slow breath. Her breathing steadied. Ever Free Forest's noises were non-existent. Per Cantare's instructions, she hummed a soothing tune then pressed her hoof to the mare's neck and illuminated her horn. Cantare closed her eyes. Several minutes passed before Sweetie Belle pulled her hoof back.
"It burns! Why!" Cantare yelled.
Sweetie Belle reared up, falling off her chair. She darted toward the mare who rose to her hooves and towered above her." Sorry, sorry, sorry."
"Gotcha," Cantare said, booping Sweetie Belle's nose. She grinned at the unicorn filly beside her. "I couldn't resist a joke, though, it was probably an ill timed one. Anyways, let's check on the fruits of your labor."
Cantare took a deep breath, and then hummed several notes. She rubbed a firm hoof against her throat. Her gaze focused on a large, sturdy boulder at the back of the cave. In a slow soft voice, Cantare said, "La..."
The solid boulder launched into the air, crumbling into pebbles as it hit the sturdy cave wall behind it. Several stalactites and stalagmites shook. Cantare's eyes flashed, her horn glowing fiercely, as she produced a shield around her and Sweetie Belle. Thick rocky spears landed on top of the reinforced magical bubble, disintegrating into dust.
"Impressive. I haven't been able to use that little number in quite some time." Cantare said. She ended with a delighted grin as she lowered the shield, taking a seat at the table. Her hooves propped up on the small stool once more, she levitated two small cups to the table and poured some tea. "It looks like you have a rather precious gift, my dear Sweetie Belle. That little spell of yours helped my vocal chords out quite nicely."
"Gift," Sweetie Belle wiped a tear from her eye, "I have a gift?"
"Yes. It's quite the gift. One I thought," Cantare said, giving a heavy cough before she sipped on her cup of tea. She placed the tea cup on its plate and added in four drops of honey. Another sip taken, her voice checked, she said, "One I thought lost to Equestria. That is what I wanted to say, pardon the coughing. This first time worked out rather well, so don't blame yourself that I started coughing again. I shouldn't have overdone it there with 'that' little number since it can take quite a toll on the voice, damaging a user's vocal chords."
Sweetie Belle's hoof grazed the pile of pebbles. Her ears lowered as she scooped up a small bunch. Cantare gave a kind smile in return as she turned toward her with a melancholic expression.
"Don't worry. As you have seen from your own experience, a voice's power to heal can be well on par with its destructive capabilities." Cantare said. The unicorn mare ended with a slight tune in her voice, and both watched the pebble sized pieces float into the air, coalesce, and then re-form into the giant boulder. "There. Not a single pebble out of place."
Sweetie Belle meandered back to her seat. "I'm gonna guess that you aren't taking students."
"I am sorry Sweetie Belle. If I were to take on a protégé, it might raise suspicions. I am in seclusion after all." Cantare said. She gave a sly wink to Sweetie Belle. "With that being said however, I could use a helper. It's hard to subsist on food around this place. How about an equal trade? You bring me supplies, and I will let you watch me practice with my voice. If you help to heal my voice, I'll teach you a little thing or two. Deal?"
"Deal!" Sweetie Belle said but backed away. She tapped her chin with a gentle hoof. "Wait, I don't have a lot of bits to pay for--"
"No worries. I may be a rather strange mare, living in a strange forest, amongst a strange bunch of circumstances, but I'm not some pony who expects a little filly to pay for every whim and wish I want. I'm well aware that fillies and colts don't have two bits to rub together these days." Cantare said.
Sweetie Belle shook her head. She hopped up on her chair, sipped on her tea, and then faced Cantare. "Actually, I get paid for helping my sister with her dresses. I don't think I have enough bits to support your lifestyle though. I mean, these pieces in your place are beautiful, but they look like precious antiques."
Cantare's eye twitched. She smiled, "Y-Yes, 'precious antiques.' Anyways, here's fifty bits. I need you to get me these things for tomorrow. We'll talk then, but I do ask that you keep our meeting here a secret."
Sweetie Belle bid a final, cheery goodbye while she giggled to herself. She felt her hooves float atop the dirt pathway as she headed toward Ponyville. Philomena Cantare turned toward the candelabra and squinted at it. In a quiet voice she said to herself, "Antique? An 'antique,' quite the nerve. These are still in fashion since the day I witnessed Princess Celestia banish Nightmare Moon."