//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Friends? // Story: A New Symphony // by damandan28 //------------------------------// “That was actually pretty cool,” Dash said. “Pretty cool? That was remarkable,” Twilight said, her eyes aglow with enjoyment. “It was nothing,” I replied. Damn me and my swag. “You mares ready to go?” I asked. They nodded, and we left the house towards Ponyville. “What's the first stop?” “We’re going to stop by Carousel Boutique to introduce you to my friend Rarity.” Twilight answered. Rarity...why does that name sound familiar? We walked up to her store to see a sign and it read: “Closed due to inspiration. We’ll be open soon.” “Huh.  Well I guess we shouldn’t interrupt her. Lets go see Applejack,” Twilight said, turning to head back out of town. As we walked, she asked, “So, Bright...where did you learn to play the violin?” “My father taught me some basics before enrolling me in professionally instructed lessons.  My teacher there took me much farther.” “Where did you move from anyways?” Dash asked. “Manehattan.” “And why did you move here?” she asked, the suspicion clear in her voice. “Dash!” Twilight tried to hush her. “Its alright,” I said. “I moved down here to get away from the hussle and bussle of the big city.” Technically not lying.  We walked on in silence to the town center, where several pony vendors were calling out their goods. We passed many stands until we reached one filled with apples. The vendor was a beautiful orange mare with blonde mane and a cowboy hat. “Howdy Twi, Dash. Whos yer new friend here?” the mare asked. Twilight answered, “This is Mr. Bright Side,” I mentally groaned again, “who just moved in from Manehattan.” “Nice to meet you, Bright.” She shook my hoof with tremendous force. “Likewise,” I replied a little shakily. “Ya’ll wouldn’t happen to know the Orange family, would ya?” “Hmm...oh yeah! They’re big fans of the orchestra, right?” “Eeyup, that's them. Ah never really liked the orchestra myself, but they get a real kick out of it.” “You just have to find one more to your liking,” I offered. “There’re different ones?” “More like different styles.” “Ah never knew.” “Of course--even Dash here has found a style to enjoy.” “Really?” AJ looked at Dash. “Well, yeah. It was different, though! It was…um…” Dash seemed to be struggling for a way to describe it to her liking. “Epic?” I suggested. I like to use that to describe my music. “Yeah, epic!” “Maybe I can play some records for you?” “You have a record player!?” Twilight interrupted. “Um, yeah. Don’t you?” “No, they’re way too expensive.” “Well I’m pretty sure I have an extra one laying around that you can have.” “Oh no, I couldn’t take something like that from you.” “I would feel greatly dishonored if you didn’t accept it.” “…In that case, I graciously accept!” she said, a mix of defeat and joy in her tone. Always works. Then we heard Dash’s stomach growl with hunger. She blushed and gave a weak smile as we laughed. Then my stomach growled ten times louder and the laughter turned to me. As the laughter died down I turned to Applejack. “Would you like to join us for lunch?” “Ah would love to join y’all but Ah gotta stay here and work.” “I understand. Offer still stands to listen to some records, later, when you have some spare time?” “Ah’ll hear ‘em at ‘ur party.” The second the words left her mouth she covered it with her hoof. “Wait, what?” Before I could get a response Dash pushed me away. “Hey I'm pretty hungry here. Let get something to eat,” she said nervously. “But –“ “You wouldn’t want to keep us mares waiting, would you?” Twilight interrupted nervously. Beaten at my own game. I let out a slow sigh, smile and say, “You're right. Lead the way.” Twilight and Dash led me to a café not far from where we were, though that was probably true with anything since the town wasn’t that big. It was such a beautiful day outside that we decided to eat on the porch. After the hostess sat us and left, Dash asked me a question. “So how did you get so loaded?” Shit! “Dash!” Twilight glared at her. “What!? I know you want to know, too.” “That’s not the point! You just don’t as--“ I stopped paying attention and started thinking furiously. Damn, what do I say? Inheritance? No, too spoiled. Lottery? No, don’t wanna sound like a lucky loser. Pimping? Hehe. Oh! Got it. I interrupted their argument, “I worked with my dad. I helped his company get up off the ground and become one of the biggest in Equestria. I then sold my 30 percent of the company and retired here.” “What company was it?” Twilight asked, clearly interested. “Moonlight Bank.” “You mean the 24 hour bank?” “Yes.” Half lying. My dad is the founder and CEO. “Why did you retire?” Dash asked. “I. Hate. Numbers.” “Well, what are you gonna do now?” Twilight asked. “Enjoy life.” “Well, I hope we can help,” Twilight said with a genuine smile. I smiled in reply and a dark orange unicorn mare with a brown mane came over to us. “Hello! I’m Ginger and I’ll be your waitress for today. Can I start you guys off with some drinks?” “Iced tea for me please,” Twilight answered “Cola,” Dash responded. Ginger looked at me waiting for a response. Tequila, tequila, tequila, tequila, tequila, tequila, tequila, tequila, “Water please.” Damn. “OK.  Is everyone ready to order?” We gave her that ‘we have no idea’ look on our faces. “That’s alright, I’ll give you guys a minute.” She left. We were debating on what we should get when Twilight saw a friend. “Hey Fluttershy, over here!” Twilight waved at a pegasus whose coat was cream yellow with a pink mane. “Hey Fluttershy, meet our new neighbor.” “Hello Fluttershy, I'm Bright Side.”  Is it still too late to change my name? “Pleasure to meet you,” she said quietly. “Would you care to join us for lunch?” Twilight asked “Oh I would love to, but I have to pick up some food for the animals…sorry.” “It's alright. Hope to see you soon,” I said with a friendly smile. She said her goodbyes and left. The waitress came back and we ordered our food. While we were waiting for it to show up, I asked the girls where they lived. Twilight said she lived in the tree house library while Dash stayed in a cloud house she built by herself. After more small talk, the food arrived and we chowed down. It was surprisingly good but not as great as Manehattan. Midway through our meal, there was a commotion going on three tables over. “You moron, I said no onions!” I looked over and saw a dark gray stallion with a yellow mane yelling at Ginger. “Now get your stupid flank back there and make it right.” I walked over and gave him a look, growling out, “Lay off her pal.” “Shut your trap you stupid filly.” What!? “The buck you say!?” “You heard me.” “….I’ll kick your fucking ass,” I said in my Manehattan accent.  The stallion got up and threw a left hoof at me, but I ducked and avoided it. I then grabbed his head and slammed it onto his table. I held it there as I spoke to him. “Listen to me, you ignorant prick. You’re gonna pay the bill, give the lady a 100% tip, apologize to her, and leave. You got that?” “Suck my--” *wham* I slammed his head against the table again. “I’m sorry. What was that?” “I-I got you.” I let go of his head and pushed him towards his seat. I see Ginger hand him his bill, which he quickly paid as I hear him apologize and leave. I turn back to the girls, whom had shocked look on their faces. “Sorry about that girls. I’ll get out of your mane.” “Wait, what?” Dash said. “Why would you do that?” Twilight asked. “I might’ve gone too far?” “You probably did but you had good intentions.” “And it was pretty bad flank,” Dash added. “You stood up for that mare and we can't be mad at you for that.” “Thank you ladies, it's hard to find good friends these days.” “Well, I don’t know where you normally meet your ‘friends’ but I’ll tell you that there are plenty of good friends here!” replied Twilight. “Thanks girls.” I sat down and we continued our meals. When we’d finished, I asked for the bill. Ginger and an older blue mare with a green mane walked up. “Hi, I'm the manager of the café and I heard what you did. I would like to thank you for standing up for Ginger here. As a token of my gratitude your meal is on the house.” “Thank you, I really appreciate it, but I would like to pay.” “You will not and that’s all there is to it,” she said with a boisterous laugh. This mare is almost as stubborn as me. I like that. “If you insist... Thank you.” “No, thank you.” With that she left and the girls and I did the same. We walked in silence for a bit when I spoke up. “Can you girls keep walking the same way? I’ll meet up with you in a sec.” “What are you planning on doing?” Twilight asked. “One thing you’ll learn very quickly about me girls; I’m a very stubborn stallion.” I walked back to the café and saw Ginger waiting on the table next to the one we had been at. “Hey Ginger, catch.” I took out a 50 bit piece and tossed it at her. As soon as she caught it I ran back outside, returning to my companions.  They both gave me an odd look, but I just smiled back at them. We walked around the town for about an hour or two until we decided to see if the boutique was open. Damnit, where have I heard the name Rarity before? The close sign had been removed, so we walked on inside.  Though it showed the signs of habitation and use, we couldn’t see anypony around. “Hey Rarity, are you here?” Twilight yelled. “Why, yes darling, I’ll be out in a second,” a voice yelled back from a room. I looked at some of her dresses before she came out.  They seemed so familiar but I couldn’t put my hoof on it. “Is there something you want Twi--“ I looked over to see a white unicorn with a stylish blue mane staring at me. I now know who why she sounds familiar and she clearly knows who I am. Shit.