//------------------------------//
// Chapitre Quinze 
// Story: The Operatic Angel 
// by misskoifishpony 
//------------------------------//

Chapitre Quinze

Butterscotch could feel the adrenaline. The rush. The excitement. He tasted the sweet limelight and he actually enjoyed it. He felt so overwhelmed yet exhilarated when the crowd cheered at the end of his songs. He especially felt their joy at the end of the performance when every pony had bowed.

He couldn't believe it. He did it. The shyest and most awkward stallion in all of Paris...performing at L'Opera de Cheval...as a star. It takes his breath away just thinking about it. He really did it.

And it was all thanks to Eris.

Butterscotch left the stage with a big smile on his face. He felt like he could conquer the world. His Baba and sister Bluebell drew him in a tight but joyous group hug. Which cause Butterscotch to laugh happily in their embrace.

Zircoro was the first to say "So proud, so proud! My son...the star the reached beyond the clouds."

Butterscotch remarked in an embarrassed tone, "Oh, I don't know about that Baba."

Bluebell argued "Baba's right, you were a shining star tonight! The brightest that there'll ever be!"

Butterscotch's cheeks turned deep red as he lowered his head to smile.

Then, the happy family walked back together to Butterscotch's dressing room.

Their journey had a great amount of obstacles to over come. They had to maneuver around the staff and performers congratulating Butterscotch on his opening night. And Butterscotch gave his congrats to them as well. Then,they had to push through the enormous crowd surrounding the dressing room door.

Every pony was there! The paparazzi, the critics, actors and singers from other opera houses, aristocrats and business owners across the city! The first to greet the family were the mangers...Shim and Sham.

They pushed Zircoro and Bluebell aside as if they weren't even there. The sisters hanged their forelegs over Butterscotch's shoulders with excited smiles on their faces.

"Congrats dear boy!" Shim proclaimed.

"Indeed, congrats!" Sham added.

Butterscotch nervously smiled and softly replied "Oh um thank you. It was nothing."

Shim burst out laughing "Nothing?! Ha! Did you hear him sis?! He said it was nothing!"

Sham joined in her sisters laughter "Oh you're rich kid! Real rich! Thanks to you,L'Opera de Cheval is real rich now!"

The Shim Sham Sisters left Butterscotch laughing and returned to the praises and cheers of the paparazzi in the mob.

"Well done Monsieur" said a very soothing yet regal voice.

Butterscotch turned around and felt himself awestruck by the sight of...Prince Solaris. Standing before him! His jaw dropped and he felt so small in the tall alicorn's presence.

He squeaked out "P-Prince S-Solaris?"

Then Prince Artemis came from behind his brother and elegantly spoke "We thank you Monsieur for your condemnable performance."

Butterscotch felt even more terrified and nervous. He was now in the presence of two princes! The immortal gods that controlled their land and their day and night! He couldn't breath. Butterscotch felt like he was going to choke.

He squeaked out in a higher tone "Prince Artemis?"

Then, he realized that he wasn't bowing. Why wasn't he bowing?! He quickly collapsed down to one knee and lowered his head before the noble princes.

Prince Solaris gently spoke "It is alright Monsieur. There is no need for you to bow."

The Sun Prince helped the surprised yet scared Butterscotch back on his hooves. Solaris gave the yellow Pegasus a warm smile before letting go of his hoof. Then,Butterscotch noticed that Prince Artemis also shared the same warm smile. The shy Pegasus didn't expect the Prince of the Night to have a smile like that.

Prince Solaris explained "My brother and I are great lovers of music and art. And your performance surely assured us that L'Opera de Cheval will always be our favorite opera house. So thank you."

Then, the princes bowed their heads towards Butterscotch. Butterscotch looked at them with a dumb found look on his face. But soon,he realized that he had to bow his head back at them. In order to be polite. The Princes calmly left the new star...leaving him wondering What just happened?

"Butters!"

Bluebell rushed up to him in a giddy whirl, with a giant grin on her face. Expressing the excitement that dear Butterscotch lacked for the situation. Zircoro serenely walked behind her and gave both his children a warm smile.

Bluebell continued "I can't believe it! You actually got to talk to the Princes! Tell me, are they just as regal as every pony says they are?!"

Butterscotch hesitantly answered "Actually,...they were very intimidating...up close. Nice,...but intimidating."

Zircoro let out a soft yet deep chuckle. Then, he placed his hoof on his son's shoulder. As if to let him know that he shouldn't be afraid of the praises of others...especially praises from royalty. Butterscotch warmly grinned at his Baba,appreciating the support he has been giving him today...and every day.

"Butterscotch!"

The shy Pegasus turned his gaze away his father and sees his friends approaching him. Applejack, Apple Buck, Macreina, Rainbow Blitz, Scootaroll, and Bubble Berry. He especially sees Bubble Berry darting towards him like a bullet.

Bubble Berry called out again "Butterscotch!"

Butterscotch whimpers "Oh dear."

BAM! The pink stallion tackles his friend to the ground and gives him a tight bear hug. Butterscotch gasps for air in his energetic friend's embrace.

"I am so happy for you! You were awesome!" Bubble Berry happily shouted.

Butterscotch replied in between his gasps for air "Thank...you...Berry."

Luckily,Rainbow Blitz helped separate Butterscotch from Berry's clutches. "Alright B,I think Butterscotch gets the point."

Applejack added "We're real proud of ya partner."

Apple Buck cheered "You were just super!"

Macreina nodded her head and let out a smooth "Eeyup."

After that,Rainbow warmly smirked and confessed "Even though operas aren't the coolest thing in my book, your performance made them...ten percent cooler."

Scootaroll added "Maybe even twenty percent since you included in all that flying! That was awesome!"

Rainbow chuckled at the young colt's comment and ruffles the patch of mane on top of his head. This makes Scootaroll playfully push away Rainbow's big hoof and snicker.

Butterscotch's heart felt so warm and full and lively inside. When he first came to the opera house, he didn't have any friends. All his life, he never had a group of friends he can call his own. Yet here he is. Surrounded by friends...so happy for his success...praising in his talent...complimenting him to no end. Butterscotch felt like he didn't deserve all this.

All that he could do was smile and feel thankful for the love and kindness he was receiving tonight.

His blush began to lighten up to a nice shade of pink. He softly uttered "Oh thank you. Thank you every pony. It means so much to me to have you all here. Really."

Applejack smiled and remarked casually "It's the least we can do Butters."

Rainbow added "Yeah, it's no biggie. So,there's no need for you to go all sappy on us." This causes the group to laugh together.

Butterscotch's friends then disappeared into the mob in order to let him and family have some peace in the dressing room. It was amazing how quiet and serene the room was. It was as if the outside world didn't exist. Butterscotch finally understood why great stars loved their dressing room.

He also awed at the amount of flower bouquets that decorated his small room. There were roses and flowers of all sorts, colors,and smells. Was it really all for him? It was like being his little garden back at his old home. All he needed now was his animals friends. Thinking about them...made the yellow Pegasus miss them dearly. The rats and bats and bugs at the opera house are lovely company, but his first animal friends...they were priceless.

He shook his head of these thoughts, trying to focus on his joyous present instead of things he couldn't have anymore.

Bluebell awed in a breathless tone "These flowers are so beautiful! Aren't they Butterscotch?"

Butterscotch quietly nodded his head and answered "Oh yes,very lovely. It's like they gathered all the flowers in Paris into one room."

Bluebell smiled with a gleam in her eye "Well, who better to admire all the flowers of Paris then the garden stallion himself?"

Butterscotch lightly chuckled at Bluebell's remark. However, it reminded him of the life he left behind. The life he had before L'Opera de Cheval. His heart instantly felt heavy and hard. Why did he feel this way? Why couldn't he be happy and thankful for once?!

A familiar and deep voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Bluebell, could you give us a moment? I need to give Butterscotch some fatherly advice and sentiment?"

Zircoro warmly instructed Bluebell. The white unicorn gave her adopted brother one last sisterly smile before exiting out of the room.

There was an awkward silence between the two. Butterscotch knew that his father sent Bluebell for a reason. A reason that had to do with the new tension that has developed over rehearsals. He didn't know why his Baba has been so tensed yet anxious lately. Especially around him. What did he do wrong?

Zircoro then calmly broke the silence "I'm so proud of you my son. I know that...my feelings, over these past weeks, haven't been shown. But that's because...do you trust me? Whatever you need to confess,I will believe."

Butterscotch felt taken back and confused by his baba's train thought. What was he trying to get at? What's going on? He then hesitantly confessed "Of c-course I trust you Baba. Why wouldn't I? If there was something...going on with me...I would tell you. Baba...is there something wrong?"

Zircoro took a moment to reflect on his son's words. Butterscotch didn't sound brainwashed or controlled by Eris. But rather scared and concerned for his father. He soon realized that maybe he should accept this sudden change of Butterscotch's confidence as a gift. A gift from Eris. She may be using her son's good nature to keep her secret, she is however kind enough to help Butterscotch with his passion for music. She was sweet enough to help him come out of his hard shell. A task that he had never accomplished. For years. He shouldn't be punishing his son like this, but rather...keep a sharp eye on Eris.

Zircoro put his strong hoof on Butterscotch shoulder and sweetly whispered "Nothing is troubling me. I'm just happy. So very happy."

Seeing his father smiling so kindly and full of pride at him caused Butterscotch to smile too. He even gave him a hug. A warm and tender hug...between father and son. Zircoro slowly parted from the shy Pegasus and peacefully exited out of the room. Leaving Butterscotch alone in his bouquet garden.

The young tenor decided to take a short nap on the long and red dressing room couch. Just to give him more energy to socialize later with the mob outside. He's certainly a pony not use to hit chatting with other ponies for long periods of time. He rested his head on one arm of the couch...and doze off into his dreams.

Butterscotch couldn't help but dream of a garden. A garden similar to the one back at his old home, but bigger. With more flowers and trees. With more grass to roam on and even take a nap on. A garden with all kinds of animals. Animals both mythical and exotic, like the ones in story books and wise stallion's tales. Just the thought of befriending these magnificent creatures brought a sweet smile to his face.

His dream...felt so real. It was like he could feel the sun rays on his wings. It was like the breeze was gently blowing through his tail and mane. Butterscotch could have sworn that birds were singing all around them. Oh how he loved their adorable little songs. Wait...birds singing?

Butterscotch slowly opened his eyes to see if there were actually birds in his room. He was still on the couch,yet...why could he feel a gust of warm spring wind? Was the window open? He looked up...and his eyes behold the most extravagant garden he had ever seen.

The grass on the floor was so bright and green. It looked like the grass was still fresh and new. Instead of the flowers being buddle into bouquets and strings, they were growing and climbing all over like wild ivy. There were roses, daisies, peonies, kermits, hydrangeas, sunflowers, lavender, tulips, and more. The trees in the wide and vast garden were so tall,strong,beautiful and full of delicate spring flowers. And blue birds perked on the branches of the beautiful trees...singing their songs for all to hear. Butterscotch also saw squirrels, chipmunks, and flying squirrels scamper about. Out into the horizon was a pond. A pond filled with lilies and lily pads along with colorful and spirited fish of many shapes and sizes. A mighty manticore was lying by the pond...nuzzling and grooming a white baby lamb. Not too far away from them was a pride of lionesses. They were napping in the sun with little baby goats at their side. The sky was so blue in this garden world...Butterscotch couldn't spot one cloud.

"I must be dreaming." He muttered to himself.

"Oh you're not dreaming."

Eris magically appeared in front of Butterscotch slowly like silver mist. She had a loving yet mischievous smirk on her face. It was strange for the shy pegasus to see his friend in the day light because...they have only seen each other in the dark corners of the opera house, in her candle lit lair, and just indoors in general. Butterscotch was able to see how pure white her mane was, how her large fang sticking out of her mouth glistened in the light, and how her grey and brown fur looked soft and tamed in the sun's rays.

"Are we...outside the opera house?"

"Nope! Actually,we're still in your dressing room."

Butterscotch's eyes widen. He took in the grand garden they were in once more. Aweing once again at the feet of Eris's amazing yet chaotic magic.

Eris interrupted his thoughts with "Gardens and flowers aren't usually my thing. However, your dream was so imaginative that I just had to bring it to life! What do you think?"

Butterscotch nervously replied "It's amazing Eris, but...did you peeked into my dreams?"

Eris squeaked in a playful tone "Only a little. You were sleeping when I got here, and let's just say I have a way of seeing dreams pop out of ponies' heads. And these dreams just magically present themselves in my presence. I can't help it."

Then,she whispered and winked "Don't tell Prince Artie. He might get jealous."

Butterscotch giggled sweetly "Haha deal."

Eris leaned over to her beloved's face and magically pulled something out of his ear. Butterscotch saw a white rose with a black ribbon bow tied on it's thorny stem.

Butterscotch blushed at the sight of the rose and carefully took it out of her hands. He stuttered shyly "Oh, um, t-thank you."

Eris whispered with a soft smile "You're welcome."

Butterscotch added "You're really shouldn't have."

Eris replied "Oh please, it's the least I could do. I'm the one that should be thanking you."

Butterscotch titled his head to the side in a confused manner. He carefully put his rose next to him and asked "Thanking me? What I did do?"

Eris chuckled "What did you do? I think the real question is what didn't you do? You became the perfect Tenor for my opera house. You brought glory to it once more. Not to mention that..."

She paused and decided to place herself next to Butterscotch. She gently wrapped her tail around his stomach and scoot him closer to her hip. His face reddened instantly.

Eris softly continued "You're the only pony who listens me."

Butterscotch hesitantly added "But that's not true. My Baba listens to you."

Eris retorted "He only listens to my commands. He doesn't listen truly to what I have to say. He doesn't want to hear my opinion...or my dreams...or my fears...or my jokes...or anything that's me."

Butterscotch then asked again "But what about Dopey?"

Eris smiled while explaining "Dopey is a kind and sympathetic stallion but...he doesn't truly understand the complexities of this world like I do. He's a child to me. Not an equal. Only you are my equal."

Butterscotch was catch off guard when Eris cupped his chin with her eagle claw. She stared into his beautiful teal eyes as if her eyes were swimming into his ocean like depths. Her gaze made his heart pound so hard in his chest. It made it hard for the little pegasus to breathe.

Eris lovingly whispered, as if she was praying into the night, "You have given me friendship...hope...and above all...love."

That last word. That one little word...sent Butterscotch's into all too familiar whirlwind. Flashbacks of their first kiss and what it lead to were swirling his thoughts along with the feeling of weakness in his muscles. There was no denying it. She loved him. She truly loved him. But what did he feel about her?

Even though his intense and two week long rehearsals have helped giving him a break from their...current emotional situation, Butterscotch also felt like it denied the inevitable. Eventually, he had to confront his fears and listen to his heart. Why did everything have to be so complicated and rushed?! Why was this so hard for him?!

Because...it could be your first love his little voice answered.

That answer terrified him to the core.

Butterscotch mentally kicked these thoughts of his head and decided to change the topic with Eris.

Yes...Focus on something else. He thought to himself.

Butterscotch then explained to Eris with a friendly smile "Well, it was the least I could do. It's easy to be kind and friendly with some pony who does the same. Although...I feel bad in having nothing to give to you. I mean, I still don't have enough bits to pay you back for all those lessons. And..."

Eris interrupted his worried little mumbling with a light yet infectious chuckle. He looked at her as if silently wondering what he said that could make her laugh.

Her laughter slowly died off. She titled her head slightly to the side and she gave him a look. In Butterscotch's mind, she looked very curious yet suspicious to him. What was going on in that chaotic mind of hers?!

Before Butterscotch could take back what he said, Eris cupped the side of his side with her lion paw. Her paw slowly slide towards his mane and continued to weeve her fingers through his mane. She relished in the delicate and cashmere hair running through her claws. Butterscotch felt his entire face and neck growing hot at her touch.

Eris whispered into his ear "I know a way you can make it up to me."

Her tail tighten it's grip around his stomach. She used her tail to lift her small lover to her chest. He stiffened at the immediate contact. Then, Eris passionately wrapped her arms around him and nuzzled her face into his shoulder.

She sighed "Oh it's been so long since we've done this. I've missed you so much my dear."

Butterscotch slowly melted into their hug as Eris massaged his back. Her firm yet soft touch was so soothing. He could tell that she really missed him. And in a way, he had missed their quiet moments. As much as he is terrified of their intimate moments, Butterscotch still enjoyed seeing the warm and tender side of Eris's personality.

He uttered out meekly "I...I've missed you too."

His answer made Eris cling closer to Butterscotch. His heart began to race even more and the blood was rushing to his face and head.

All of sudden, Eris gently pulled Butterscotch from her chest. Just ever so slightly...so that way...he can still be close to her. Butterscotch's eyes search for a answer from her. What was she going to do?

Eris sighed softly to herself while placing her forehead against his. She loved how soft and warm his face was against her cold fur. Butterscotch had to admit that her cold fur kinda helped with the heat building inside him.

She began to stroke his red cheeks with the side of her paw in a repeated pattern. She closed her eyes and focused on the sweet heat radiating off her darling's fur. Her stroking helped Butterscotch to relax slightly once more...he carefully closed his eyes.

However, Eris's gentle stroking made him ignore the fact that the two of them were slowly sinking into the couch. To be more precise, Butterscotch was leaning his back into the couch. While Eris's body was leaning with his body.

Butterscotch could soon feel Eris's breath getting closer...and closer...to his mouth. Before he could react to it...there was a knock on the door.

Both of their eyes flew wide open. Eris quickly retreated into the darkness into the room while Butterscotch rushed towards the door. In the mist of her retreat, the dressing room returned to it's original.

Butterscotch opened the door with much anxiety...and fear.

"Monsieur Dusk Shine?"

"Good evening Monsieur Daee, can I come in?"