//------------------------------// // Chapitre Quatorze // Story: The Operatic Angel // by misskoifishpony //------------------------------// Chapitre Quatorze Butterscotch felt his heart pound in his chest as he and Bluebell walked to the stage. After Bluebell and him ate breakfast together, they changed into their rehearsal gear and strolled to practice together. Today was the official start of auditions for each role, even for the leads. Even though, no stallion ever had the courage to audition against Elusive. And because of this, Elusive gets the lead male role for every play. However, this time was different. Butterscotch was going to audition. Or at least, that's his plan. But as he approached closer and closer to the grand Proscenium stage, his inner frightened colt had other plans. The little voice inside his head kept telling him to go back to his room and hide in a corner. His legs were weak and wobbly, he could feel with each step he took. The blood in his body was coursing throughout way too fast due to his racing heart. Except the blood was not getting to his head and he felt light-headed. Despite this, he retreated to what Eris use to remind him in practice. To breath in and out. Deeply and slowly. The deep breath helps give life and longevity to the notes, and letting them out slowly brings clarity to the song. Breathing is the key essential tool for singing. Plus, it will help with his nerves. So Butterscotch focused on that while climbing up the steps to the front of the stage. Everypony was warming up for the auditions. The ponies in the orchestra pit were loudly warming up their instruments and reviewing their music sheets. Even the white haired conductor was mentally preparing himself for the auditions on his stand above the pit. He sharpened his conductor baton and reviewing his score. Even Elusive, L'Opera de Cheval's tenor, was warming up by practicing his scales in his most bravado voice. Barbara felt weak in the knees hearing her beloved stallion sing, her cheeks felt so warm and they were getting hotter by the second. While, Sweepy Belle was squirting a special water spray into Elusive's mouth between each break. This water was mixed with lemon, ginger, and a hint of honey. This spray deeply relaxed Elusive's voice and allowed him to sing in high quality. But even in practice, he knew that he will nail the audition and fame will soon to be his. Rainbow Blitz and Scootaroll were busy checking and lowering the lines off stage. Applejack and Apple Buck were there to help for strength support on the lines. Bluebell and Butterscotch walked towards the dancers who were clustered near the far corner of the stage. They were all listening to Zircoro and Blueberry on how auditions will go today and what the play will be about. Zircoro emphasized how the dancing part of the story is just as important as the actors and singers on stage. While Bubble Berry told them to simply have fun and dared them to be daring. Butterscotch shuddered at the thought of "being daring". Bluebell noticed this, and wondered why Butterscotch seemed so nervous today. He had no reason to be. He was a great dancer. There are more female dancers versus male dancers in the group, and the theatre is always in need of male dancers for the majority of their plays. Therefore, Butterscotch had a great chance of getting in. He even had an awesome chance of becoming a lead dancer. Finally, Shim and Sham along with royal advisor Dusk Shine arrived into the space. They decided to watch the audition process through the box seats. As mangers, it was their duty to see who will star in the opera's next production...in order to plan out how to advertise the play to the public. Dusk Shine was there...knowing Eris would be here. She had to be. If there was a time to prevent any chance of stardom for Elusive,this would be the time. He had been relentlessly searching for her for weeks, but he keeps running into dead ends. Whenever he got a lead on her, the lead would take him back to where he started. With each night patrol,Dusk Shine becomes more wary and frustrated. He couldn't sleep, he couldn't think, his magic was slowly starting to fail him. He felt like the whole ordeal will never end. Despite this, he prepared his horn for detection of Eris's magic. The conductor cleared his throat and tapped his baton on his stand. The ponies on stage and in the pit silenced themselves and began the audition process. Rainbow Blitz,Scootaroll, Applejack, Apple Buck,Barbara,and Sweepy Belle excitedly watched off stage. Meanwhile, in the shadows of the empty box seat reserved for the Phantom, Dopey witnessed the auditions...in order to see his lovely Esmeralda dance. Seeing her dance reminds him of when they danced together in the sanctuary. His heart still skipped a beat whenever he recalled that precious memory. The conductor first started the auditions for the dancers. He led the music, while Zircoro instructed the specific routines for the dancers to follow. Bubble Berry followed him with energetic and bouncy glee. Though, he added way too many jumps into his audition. But his bounces and jumps were expressive and full of great grace. As expected,Bluebell was the most graceful in her routine compared to the other female dancers. Her beauty entranced most of the males on stage. In fact, her beauty entranced the mares on stage as well. They were so memorized by the way she moved and the way her mane just danced in the air, they felt like they couldn't be jealous of her. They just wanted to fan girl over her all. Dopey was so tempted to cheer loudly to the heavens at the end of her routine, but he couldn't let the others know of his existence. So instead, he smiled and sneaked back into the shadows of the opera house. Then, it was Butterscotch's turn. Despite having dancing as his natural instinct, he still felt nervous when dancing in front of others. However,he closed his eyes and swayed his body to the music. He didn't follow the routine exactly, but Zircoro and every pony agreed that Butterscotch's twist to the routine was beautiful,raw,and pure. And that was the key to dancing. Meanwhile, in the high shadowy rafters of the stage,a pair of glowing gold and ruby eyes followed Butterscotch's every move. Eris was hypnotized by the way he danced to the music, it was like he was singing with his body. In that moment, her deepest wish was to dance with him. She knows that it would be awkward due to their height difference,but she had a feeling that Butterscotch wouldn't mind it. They could make up the height difference somehow. Maybe at the end of their dance...they could kiss. The thought of that made Eris smile and a sweet blush caressed her face. Dusk Shine couldn't believe that...during Butterscotch's dance...he picked up a trance of Eris's magic! And it was somewhere on Butterscotch! He couldn't believe it. At last, a light in the darkness! His search was soon going to end. But what he didn't understand was how. How could Butterscotch have a small trance of Eris's magic? He pointed his horn closer to Butterscotch in order to read how much magic Butterscotch processed, but it was too late. Once Butterscotch's dance ended, Eris's magic disappeared. Dusk Shine groaned and mentally kicked himself. He was so close! Soon the dance auditions ended, and the acting/singing auditions began. Butterscotch's jitters returned once more. His dancing can help him forget so many things, but for such a short time. Once the music ends, Butterscotch's fears resurface. He concluded that he'll audition at the end, build his courage as the auditions progresses. However, each audition felt like an eternity to the shy pegasus. Instead of building courage...he was building anxiety. He's going to embarrass himself, he just knew it! Then, he saw Elusive proudly strut to the center of the stage. While strutting to the spot light, the white unicorn stallion gave the yellow pegasus a dirty look. Butterscotch cowered at The Tenor's dirty look. Once all eyes were on him,Elusive proclaimed like a prince "Maestro!" The conductor commanded the attention of his orchestra and they began to play the song. High in rafters, Eris groans at the sight of Elusive. She summons two ear plugs and stuffs them in her ears. She sighs out "Ah, much better." Elusive proudly sings in his deep operatic voice... I will be there Beside you Through the lonely nights that fall So close your eyes Remember my embrace I will be there Like mercy I will find you through it all This do I swear I will be there His voice sang all the notes correctly, but his tone was not with the lyrics. He was smug and happy when singing it. The song demanded softness, a lover's promise, dedication, longing, loyalty, devotion, sadness, and hope. He didn't understand the song. He didn't understand his role. When his audition was, he bowed to his conductor and to his observers in the box seat. Then, he bowed to the ponies on stage. Every pony clapped moderately for him...that is except for Barbara and Sweepy Belle. They clapped with pride and joy. The conductor tidied his stack of musical scores and announced "Well, splendid work every pony. I will post the results tomorrow and-" "Wait!" Every pony turned around and saw Butterscotch raising his hoof and trying to step out of the crowd. They gasped when they realized that he was the voice behind that interruption. Elusive was especially shocked. Butterscotch squeaked out nervously, "Um, I would like to audition too?" This caused the crowd to murmur and talk within themselves. They were trying to figure out what would convince the newbie to do this. Elusive snarled at Butterscotch, his eyes looking like daggers piercing through the shy pegasus. The conductor looked at Butterscotch for a moment, reflecting on the hesitant but sincere request. As much as he didn't want to anger Elusive, his curiosity got the best of him. "Very well then." Elusive barked "What?! You can't do that!" The conductor raised an invisible eyebrow to Elusive, expressing an unamused expression on his face, "Why not?" Elusive quickly stuttered "Because y-you just announced that auditions were over. That means they're done! Finished! You c-can't make just exceptions!" The conductor the replied trying to contain his smirk "Can't I?" This made Elusive utterly speechless. He couldn't believe it. His own conductor...turning on him. The conductor tapped his baton on the stand and raised it to command the attention of his orchestra and now Butterscotch who was now in the center. Applejack,Apple Buck, Bluebell, and Bubble Berry cheered for their friend. Zircoro smiled proudly at his son. And yet...he feared that his son was being controlled by Eris to do her bidding. He had known for weeks about their lessons. He knew that Eris was controlling his son through music. As much as he wanted to stop Eris and her mind-controlling ways, he knew that he was no match against her magic. He had to wait...talk to his child...and pray that he will understand. The Shim Sham Sisters were intrigued by this yellow pegasus. They leaned in closer with devilish smirks on their faces. If this stallion was good, they could have a new face to advertise for the opera. Bright, shining, new faces always brought in a crowd. Dusk Shine leaned in as well, with his horn pointing towards Butterscotch...glowing slightly with an aura of dark purple and gold magic. Eris watched Butterscotch from the darkness above the stage with great anticipation. She whispered sweetly "C'mon my dearest, you can do it." Butterscotch looked like a deer staring into a forest fire. The stage lights blinded his eyes. He could barely see the kind conductor before him. He couldn't hear his friends cheers, he couldn't hear anything. The only thing he could hear was his small heart pounding and beating in his ears. He almost forgot why he was there. But all of that quickly went away when he heard beautiful, poetic music. The peaceful sound set his mind at an ease,and it allowed him to catch his breath. He closed his eyes and placed one of his front hooves over his heart. The music reminded him of Eris. It was breathtaking...full of depth and indescribable emotion...and yet has glimmer of hope at the end of each note. The image of her flowing white mane and her mischievous smile can to his mind. The lyrics came came to him, as if by magic... In the light that falls at moonrise In the rhythm of the rain In the miracle of ordinary days In the hush of night I will be in the whispers of lovers Everywhere You will find me there... His voice, thanks to Eris's lessons, had became much deeper...more bold...and more tenor-like. And yet, Butterscotch's voice still kept it's soft falsetto quality. His voice was like a dream...and every pony was consumed in this dream. They were speechless. They couldn't take their eyes off him. Bluebell couldn't believe that he was singing...in front of a crowd...no fear and no regret...and it was beautiful. He had never sing before,so...how was he doing it? Was this why he disappeared each morning? In that instant, Bluebell felt a sting of sadness in her heart. They were friends...brother and sister...and yet he couldn't share his passion and talent with her. Zircoro felt a wave of memories crashing upon him. His voice reminded him...of his beloved Christine's music. His voice was like her violin. The way he looked on stage...it was like having Christine back on stage. It was like she had risen from the dead. He felt so happy yet heartbroken all at the same time. Dusk Shine's horn was lighting up like crazy when Butterscotch started singing. Dusk Shine couldn't control it. He had to hide it's glow with The Sisters, but luckily that they didn't notice. All of this didn't make sense to Dusk. Why did Monsieur Butterscotch process some of Eris's magic? Is it possible that...Butterscotch is Eris in disguise? No, that couldn't be right. He thought to himself while shaking his head. No,there has to be something more like...contact. Maybe...just maybe...he's her accomplice! Of course! That explains everything! Why he keeps going to the sanctuary every morning. I have to confront him. Butterscotch continued to sing, but with each note and lyric, he slowly flew higher into the air... In the rustle of a curtain In the bustle of the world In a thousand little unexpected ways When you lift your gaze I will be like the shimmer of one small star Out there Shining everywhere I will be there Beside you Through the lonely nights that fall So close your eyes Remember my embrace I will be there Like mercy I will find you through it all This do I swear I will be there At the end of his solo, Butterscotch slowly returned to the ground. Once he did, all the ponies cheered and stomped their hooves happily for Butterscotch. This caught the shy Pegasus by surprise. He squeaked and cowered in fear when they start surrounding him and giving their congrats. Every pony, that is except for Elusive and Barbara and Sweepy. Elusive scowled at his rival while his brother and Barbara tried to soothe him. Especially Barbara. But Elusive ignored their concerned attempts, and focused on the cause of his fury...Butterscotch. Meanwhile, high in the shady rafters above the stage, Eris was smiling proudly at her sweetheart. Her eyes gleamed with her love for him. She knew that he could do it, and...he exceeded her expectations. Everything was coming together nicely, and her heart is filled with his song. She slowly sang to herself in the darkness, using a spell on to mute her song to the ponies below... In a language never spoken With the promises we made In the endless low that owns me heart and soul In the certainty I will always be true and as near as my next prayer You will find me there In the echo of the ocean In the haunting of the wind In mysterious extraordinary ways Through the darkest sky I will be like the shimmer of one small star Out there Shining every where She closes her eyes and begins to gracefully float and dance in the air to her song... I will be there Beside you Through the lonely nights that fall So close your eyes Remember my embrace I will be there Like freedom I will find you through it all This do I swear I will be there After two weeks of dedicated and intense rehearsals, it was finally opening night. So far,the play was running smoothly and beautifully. Every pony in Paris came to watch the new upcoming star in action. And they were not disappointed. Butterscotch's performance has been spectacular. And Shim and Sham were rolling in the bits. Then, it was the end of Act One and Butterscotch was singing his big solo. The one he sang for the auditions. The emotional core song of his character and his connection to his character's lover. Butterscotch was determined to focus all his might on the music, instead of the thousands of ponies watching his every move. With his eyes closed, he sang with great gusto... In the harbour quarter! Butterscotch could then hear Eris's voice echo behind him, as if she was a ghost wandering through the vast wide open space of the set. However, he had a feeling that she casted a spell to mute her voice from the audience, so that way...she could sing with him...just like before. She beautifully sang... In the stone and mortar! Then, they both joined in at the harmony... In the star that we both share! Butterscotch: In the sound of laughter! Eris: Now and ever after! Both: Look for me I will be there! Soon Butterscotch flew towards the crowd and amazes them with his swift and passionate flight. His voice, along with Eris's soft echo, ringed throughout the walls of the opera house... I WILL BE THERE BESIDE YOU THROUGH THE LONELY NIGHTS THAT FALL SO CLOSE YOUR EYES REMEMBER MY EMBRACE I WILL BE THERE LIKE JUSTICE I WILL FIND YOU THROUGH IT ALL This do I swear I will be there... Eris softly adds in... This do I swear I will be there... They end their duet together, as if whispering to one another... This do I swear I will be there... After the orchestra ends the song on a serene tone, the audience gives Butterscotch a stomping and joyously standing ovation.