//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: Silence Is Bittersweet // by Truehearted //------------------------------// Silence is Bittersweet, Part 5         While dealing with her devastating heartbreak, Acoustiana was relieved to find that she was going to have time to put herself back together. The conductor informed her that the musical director had received multiple requests to have her concerto featured in a program. As such, they needed time to compose and deal with the influx of donations due to the demand to hear more music like Acoustiana’s concerto.         Hearth Song and Pastel would visit her frequently to ensure their friend was doing well. Pastel made sure to keep her muzzle closed about the entire ordeal─not that she didn’t think Cantaloupe wouldn’t keep it secret from Ray, but more that she didn’t want to gossip about somepony’s personal life without explicit permission first.         Acoustiana eventually felt better, thanks to the reassuring words of her friends, and the numerous apologies from Pastel for not mentioning that Gale Prancer was such an important pony in Ray’s life. Pastel figured Ray would have made mention of her. Acoustiana always made sure Pastel knew she was not at fault, and that her wanting to surprise her friends with the news was the driving force of her heartbreak.         One day, Cantaloupe visited to gossip about how well her fruit business in the city had been going. Her sales with her fruit cart had been so unexpected at first that she never had the mind to ask her patrons why they all of a sudden wanted to buy her produce. Eventually, with all the business she had, her family started sending her help to keep up with demand. So with the extra time, she was able to find out that all the patrons were informed of her wonderfully fresh and superbly grown fruits by a pony they knew. Cantaloupe said she never bothered to press the matter of which pony. She just assumed that her friends were being great pals and spreading the good name of the Walker fruit stand. On her most recent visit, Cantaloupe talked in detail on how her business was doing.         “So now, we managed to make enough money that we got ourselves our own little shop here in town. Bought and paid for, just like my Granddad prefers it. None of the renting some of the other ponies do with their businesses. We like to know the roof over our heads is ours to do whatever we want with and only have to answer to Celestia herself on what we do with it.”         “With the shop, my dad said I get to be in charge. I told him I was happy he believed in me like that, but I turned him down. My cousin Pear Pit is way more organized than I am, so I asked dad to put him in charge and just let me hang on as his advisor pony. Pear was never that good at growing or ambling, only picking and planning. And with me just being an advisor pony, I am able to get more time to hang out with my friends! Isn’t that just great? I’ll be able to go to all your performances, watch Ray do his weather pony thing, and get to mingle with the fancy ponies you and Pastel work with all the time.” Cantaloupe squealed and hopped around the room. “Can you just see me? Me! Cantaloupe Walker, schmoozing with the fancy ponies. I knew selling my fruit here in this town would one day lead to great things.”         “I haven’t seen you around town in a while... actually... Now that I think of it, I haven’t seen you since your celebration party. What's up? Did you finally hook that special somepony? I bet that’s what you were thinking about when we got to talking, wasn’t it? I knew that blush wa... um... did I say something wrong, Tiana?” Cantaloupe noticed that her friend, who was listening while wearing a small smile, had suddenly looked away with a rather sullen expression upon her face.         Acoustiana knew it was about time to deal directly with the problem at hoof. She had brooded long enough. Seeing her friend so worried let her know that she needed to start with telling her what was bothering her.         “I am okay, and I am not okay.”         “What?” Cantaloupe had a look of pure confusion, and she scrunched her face up and tried to figure out if she got her hoof signs wrong.         “You did nothing wrong, Cantaloupe. My problem is that I did have somepony I wanted to meet that night. It didn’t turn out as well as I expected.”         “Oh no. I am sorry to hear that.” Cantaloupe folded her ears back as her mouth fell into a frown, and taking a step forward. “But why haven’t you been around then? Just ‘cause some donkey-faced colt passed up on one of the best things that will ever happen to him, you shouldn’t let that get you down. You're practically a star!” Cantaloupe raised both front hooves into the air as emphasis.         Acoustiana winced at the insult and knew what she had to tell her next would probably make her friend regret those words. Nevertheless, she felt she owed it to her to tell the whole story.         “Cantaloupe, it wasn’t just some colt.” Acoustiana paused and took in a deep breath. “The pony I wanted to see that night was... Ray.”         Cantaloupe’s eyes shot open fully and she fell over onto her back. Acoustiana moved to her side to help her up, and noticed Cantaloupe’s eye was twitching every so often. After a few minutes of suffering shock, the yellow earth pony seemed to come to terms with the information, and her body loosened up from being stiff as a board.         “That... wait... so... Ray? Like, our Ray kinda Ray?”         “Yes.”         Cantaloupe got on her hooves and shook her head. Wither her brow slightly furrowed she contemplated the information.         “I... that makes sense, actually.” Cantaloupe tapped her chin as she looked off at nothing. “Yeah, I can see it. Not my thing, but I can see it.” She dismissively waved her hoof in the air. “So how did...” Cantaloupe’s face fell. “Aw horseapples, he showed up with Gale, didn’t he? That must not have made you feel good.” Cantaloupe pieced all of the puzzle bits into their places, and reached out to pull her friend into a strong hug only an earth pony could provide.         “Yeah, I would stay home, too, if that happened to me. I don’t like this one bit, but I am sure that telling me was important, and I thank you for sharing this with me.” Cantaloupe released her friend to look her in the eye. “Tell me, though, why didn’t you tell me to begin with? It’s not like I would have told Ray or anything. Did you not trust me?”         “Nothing of the sort. I wanted to surprise you and Pastel. I figured Ray would gladly accept my proposal, and we could walk up to the two of you and declare us together. In my mind, it seemed like the best plan ever, with everypony being happy. As you can tell, I was wrong.” Acoustiana slumped to the floor eyeing her hooves.         “I will give you points on the being romantic part. Asking somepony to be your special somepony during your own party is pretty big. And you know what? I would have lost my shoes if that would have worked out. Like right then and there, all four would have just popped off. So no hard feelings on my part, and thank you for thinking of making my day better than it was already. And once again, I am sorry it didn’t work out, but don’t you worry your little horn off. I would bet you twenty melons that if you walked out your door and asked anypony to be your special somepony, so long as they didn’t already have one, they would be all over taking you up on your offer.” Cantaloupe rubbed her neck up against Acoustiana’s and then gave her a light headbutt.         “Thank you. I still don’t believe it, but thank you nonetheless.” Giving a small smile, Acoustiana gave the farm pony a light headbutt of her own.         “Can’t blame you. Heartbreak is a tough shell to get through. But like my melons, once you do, the sweet insides are one hay of a reward.” Sitting up tall, Cantaloupe beamed with pride and nodded her head in emphasis.         “Speaking of your melons, I have spread word of your stand, but I hadn’t been able to yet by that first time your stand was crowded. So I don’t think it was I. It is good to hear your business has done so well, though. It will be nice that you can visit more often.”  Rising from the floor fully, Acoustiana looked Cantaloupe in the eye, trying to look as hopeful as she could.         “You better believe I’ll visit more often.” Cantaloupe poked Acoustiana with her hoof. “Though, you are right. I don’t think you guys would have been able to spread the word of my fruit that fast. If Ray couldn’t do it in all the time he was helping me beforehoof, I don’t see how Pastel could have if she was busy with an artsy thing.” She scratched the back of her head. “Then who the buck helped me out? Eh, it doesn’t matter anymore. Besides, I don’t think any of my customers would remember at this point. Oh well, I sure would like to thank them.” Looking slightly dejected, Cantaloupe recovered as she gave the musician another big hug. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~         Over time, her friends managed to lift Acoustiana’s spirits well before she needed to return to her musical studies. She did request that Pastel and Cantaloupe promise not to speak of her infatuation with Ray. Knowing it would just cause more problems, she was getting over it, and did not feel it needed to be rehashed. Pastel swore some strange oath, and took Cantaloupe aside for a talk. Acoustiana heard the not-so-subtle threats Pastel whispered, and when they returned, Cantaloupe promised the same, though her glances at Pastel gave the feeling that she was unsure of what she was saying.         Being called back to the theater, Acoustiana returned to continue practices. The conductor informed the ensemble that one of the patrons for an upcoming concert requested that he include Acoustiana’s concerto. They were informed that the concert was still in the process of being composed. Going on, he stated that enough of the concert was completed that they would start practicing, as the schedule for rehearsals leading up to the public performance demanded haste from all parties involved.         Acoustiana had an aside with the conductor and asked if a song written by another member of the ensemble could be incorporated. Giving him her word that the song was fantastic, Acoustiana felt that it would work well if done before her concerto. Hesitantly, the conductor agreed at least to hear it out with the musical director so as to confirm Acoustiana’s belief in it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~         “So out of the blue, the musical director and conductor approached me as I started packing my stuff away, and asked me to speak in private with them,” Hearth Song said to her sister in a high-pitched and energetic voice, as Acoustiana beamed with pride at the ponies around the table where they all sat for lunch.         “And then what? Stop teasing me!” Scarlet Topiary was on the edge of her seat, ready to strangle her sister.         “Well, they asked me to play my Luna serenade. I swear to Celestia I dropped my harp then and there, and didn’t even care. I have no idea how Acoustiana pulled it off, but I am now performing my own song before hers. Though the song will be sung by a professional singer, they said. Not that they didn’t like my singing, but... well, I’m not a professional in that way. They said I sung well in the small confined spaces, but for the theater, the song needed more projection, and I didn’t seem to have the ability. Can’t say I am upset about the notion... not sure if I could get the nerve to sing to a packed theater.” Hearth traced circles on the table with her hoof as she lowered her eyes.         “I disagree, but hey, in the end, getting your song out there is all that matters. You have been working on that thing since before you moved to this city. ‘Bout time my sister started getting recognition. You deserve it.”         “Thank you, Scarlet. Always there to support me. And thank you too, Acoustiana. I know this is like the hundredth time, but thank you.” Hearth reached out and hugged her fellow musician.         “I merely repaid the debt I owed to you. So stop thanking me, you silly filly.” Acoustiana had to tap her notepad on her friend’s head to gain her attention that she needed to read her words.         “I think you did far more for me than I, you. The conductor heard your song  already, and I am sure he would have asked you to perform it regardless of my words. Oh, speaking of that, have you seen Hot Air? His expression when he found out that both of us were having our pieces added to the program was priceless! That’ll show that two-bit son of a diamond dog who to mess with next time! Haha!” Hearth rose both hooves into the air in triumph.         “You worry me sometimes.” Scarlet shook her head. “But in any case, congratulations to the both of you once more. So... uh... have you gals tried that new fruit shop that opened recently?” Scarlet’s face started to darken in color as her eyes darted around to find something to occupy them other than the other two ponies at the table.         “The one semi-owned by Acoustiana’s friend? Of course we have, silly. Now, what's with the awkwardness? I thought you got over your fanfilly issues with talking in front of Acoustiana.”         “Erm... well, I figured that since the two of you were having such good fortunes, I would just comment on hers... and... kinda boast that it’s ‘cause of me.” Acoustiana thought that the weak grin and flopped ear look Scarlet had, was adorable.         “So, you're nervous about taking credit for her success? I can see how you would feel ashamed, but why do you think you can claim such a thing?”         “That’s what makes me a bit nervous. But I opened my big mouth, so no point in trying to prance around the bush. I had noticed her stand being empty of customers when she first set it up with that... other pony’s... help.” Scarlet shook her mane and visibly held back unspoken words that were going to be quite unkind. Her eyes had narrowed and her jaw was clenched tightly. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself and continued her story.         “Anyways, after I saw she had been without customers for such a long time, I felt sorry for the poor girl, and cast my plant health spell to see if I could find what was wrong with her fruit. What I found made me wonder why nopony wanted to buy her fruit. They were extra healthy. I mean, like they had more in them than normal plants did. So I went to all the ponies I knew and told them a new fruit vendor had shown up and that the fruit she sold was the best in the city. It took a little while for it to set in, but I managed to convince them it was in their best interest to buy her stock.” Scarlet gave a shy wink to Acoustiana to hint at something. Acoustiana was just confused by the gesture.         “We wondered who could have suddenly changed her fortunes. Cantaloupe would want to know so she can thank you. You’ll probably get, like, lifetime melons or something. That girl just loves giving things out. But answer me this: how did you ‘just’ see this? Her cart was in the middle of the business section, and there aren’t any homes in the area, and I don’t remember seeing any plant or flower shops in the plaza.” Acoustiana managed to write as she took a few moments to think how to word it all right.         “Uh... I kinda live in the garden.” Scarlet’s cheeks burned a deep crimson, matching the streak in her mane.         Acoustiana blinked a few times as she tried to recall her romps through the garden, and she had never noticed a house in it. She gave a questioning look to Scarlet and then to Hearth to search for answers.         “Scarlet, you know how hard it is for somepony that’s not used to you to figure out what all you can do.” Hearth Song rolled her eyes and let out an irritated sigh. “Scarlet’s house is in the far corner. It looks like a large bramble that stretches high up the surrounding buildings. Her house is made out of said bramble, every inch.”         “Did you... want to see it? I mean, if you want to... with Hearth, of course.” Scarlet stumbled on her own words.         Hearth’s eyes went wide as a twinkle of recollection sparked within them. She turned,  grabbed her sister’s face, and stared her directly in the eyes, their muzzles scrunched together.         “Scarlet, are you doing what I think you're doing?”         “Let me go, Hearth. We both know why I am not. I shouldn’t have to tell you.” Scarlet’s eyes gained a fierce look and she easily swatted away her sister’s grasp upon her.         “What? Oh... Oh! I am sorry. Yes, you are right. Sorry, sis.” Hearth looked sullen after she realized something, her earls flattening, and her eyes lowered to the table.         “Will somepony let me in on what you two are going on about?”          “Its personal, no offence.” Scarlet waved away the notepad with her hoof. “My sister got worried about something, but as you can see, her worries were unfounded. However, my offer stands. It has been a while since I have entertained anypony.”          Hearth Song turned to her sister with an accusatory glare. Her eyes burrowed deep into her sister’s, as Scarlet looked back with equal levels of determination. Acoustiana could almost see the mental battle the two were having, waging an age-long sibling battle that the two had perfected over the years.         “A while, eh? Tell me why I should believe that. You had to move out here in the first place because of your guests’ frequent visits.” Hearth flinched forwards.         “I know that... but... things changed, okay! I grew out of that phase.” Scarlet twitched back as her eyes flashed a bit of remorse.         “Just grew out of it? How does a pony─ no─how did you of all ponies manage that?” Hearth Song’s glare intensified.         “I just did, Hearth!” Scarlet threw a hoof into the air. “I needed more and they sure as buck were not going to be providing it.” Scarlet folded her hooves and turned her head slightly to the side. “So leave it be. I am telling the truth!” Scarlet’s eyes began to glisten with increased moisture.         Hearth suddenly relaxed her glare into a caring smile and tackled her sister in a hug. Scarlet let out a small grunting noise by the surprise attack and promptly fell off her seat.         “Fine, you win. You’d better not be using your tears against me on purpose. That’s cheating, remember?”         “I know...” Scarlet’s voice was only just barely above a whisper.         Hearth Song bounced up and took account of those around that may have witnessed the sisterly spat. There were only a few onlookers, aside from the utterly confused Acoustiana, that looked at the two unicorns. Hearth straightened herself out, and helped her sister to her hooves before returning to her seat.         “Sisters─what are ya gonna do? Hehe. Sorry for all that, but if I don’t drill her on some topics right away, she tends to get away with them as I get busy or she figures a way to squirm outta trouble. She is good at that. In any case, I think a visit to her home would be splendid. I haven’t been for longer than I care to admit, but such is the way of things.”         “It’s not like you have any reason to feel bad about it. I told you I like visiting your place. Mine isn’t exactly fit for acoustics, so having you over to listen to you practice never works. Do we have time for a quick tour now? Or should we schedule for another time?” Scarlet looked around for a timepiece to check the time.         Acoustiana pulled out her small watch from her bag, and saw they had plenty of time remaining. She then levitated it over to Hearth so she could relay the good news.         “Seems we do have plenty of time. More than plenty, actually. Wow, it’s only been half an hour. We must have breathed in our food...” As she spoke, the waiter came out bearing their orders.         Scarlet looked at her sister's face and broke out into a fit of laughter. Acoustiana couldn’t help but join in. Hearth looked to the two but failed to keep her expression of annoyance and laughed at herself as well. They paid for their food and took it with them as they headed to Scarlet’s house. As they all ordered sandwiches, it was easy for them to munch while they traveled.         Scarlet lead them through the garden, glancing around and magically pruning some of the flowers as she went along. When the group arrived, Scarlet stopped suddenly and her eyes shot open wide.         “Horsefeathers! Uh, you two wait out here. I need to clean up a few things first. It will just be a moment.” Scarlet ran into the large bramble bush. Acoustiana thought it was impossible─brambles grew so thick with thorns, that she was sure it would have been painful, but saw that the leaves had nothing behind them. No bramble branches at all, just leaves and darkness.         “Ugh, my sister, the ‘I don’t clean up ‘cause it don’t matter’ mare. Pay it no mind. Whenever I visit, she always panics about it, but when I talk to her, she argues that it shouldn’t matter. But she never had important guests, so I can see why she would panic. It is adorable to see her panic.” Hearth Song chuckled more to herself at the thought.         Acoustiana looked closer at the bramble bush. She did admit it was far larger than she remembered. Then again, it did just look like a well-trimmed bramble hedge in the corner of the garden, where one normally would be found to fill up space that couldn’t support more exotic or delicate plant life.         The bramble shook after a few moments, then the sound of leaves rustling, light slamming of hooves, and a heavy thud came from somewhere inside. Hearth looked annoyed upon hearing the sounds, while Acoustiana became concerned. She knew how Pastel got with her place, and since Scarlet and Pastel knew each other as artists, she worried that the same freak-out may be happening inside the dark and ominous bramble house. Taking a tentative step forward, Acoustiana found a hoof barring her path.         “Don’t. If you go in before she is ready, she will panic, and depending on who you are, either burst out into a tirade of insults and profanity, or run into her room in tears, cursing your name for the next week. I am fairly certain you would like neither of those to happen. My sister is passionate in all things she does. I don’t get why cleaning for guests has to be one of those things, but it is. Just be patient,” Hearth Song said with a gentle smile and reassuring nod.         Acoustiana was not entirely set at ease, but she chose to lie down and enjoy the park to get her mind off her worries. She truly did not like the idea of a pony’s suffering because of her, but knew that there was little she could do without making matters worse in this case.         Looking around, Acoustiana took in the sights and scents of the garden. The strongest odor came from the brambles, which exuded a gentle berry smell. Closing her eyes for a moment, she attempted to sniff what else the garden had to offer. She noticed some earthy herbal scents, along with some subtle flowers. The delicate aroma of roses was noticeable, albeit faint. Acoustiana opened her eyes in an attempt to locate the source of all the fragrances.         Aside from the bramble, the other sources were harder to spot. Not knowing what exactly the herbs looked like as they grew, Acoustiana could only guess at what small green plants gave off the thick, musky scent. The flowers were all over, and they were of many types: daisies, tulips, dandelions, and even a few sunflowers. However, finding the roses seemed the hardest of all.         Looking for a rose bush was hard. Try as she might, there didn’t appear to be any shrub-like plants other than the bramble house and the fenced-off sculpted shrubbery. Acoustiana swiveled her head around as she put on a frown, and her ears started to lower. After a few moments, she let out a light snort of frustration and attempted to relax.         The bramble rustled slightly, the leaves swayed and the noise they made accentuated the movement. Shortly after, the bramble seemed to glow with an inner light. The space through which Scarlet had entered the home was now well-defined as a doorway. There was the sound of foliage being moved about, sporadically, and from many different areas of the bramble.         “Okay, all done! You can come in now!” Scarlet yelled from somewhere within her home.         “That took far longer than normal. And she opened all her windows. What is up with her today?” Hearth slowly shook her head before looking to Acoustiana with a wide smile. “Time to head on in and check out the wonders of a horticulturist and her crazy imagination!” Hearth rolled her eyes in opposite directions.         Acoustiana raised an eyebrow at the statement and subsequent gesture. Mentally shrugging, she stood up and stretched her legs, more to help release the tension from searching than from the time being prone.         Hearth Song trotted into the doorway, easily brushing past the leaves that appeared to bar the way. Acoustiana hesitated, but soon followed, wincing in anticipation of thorns as the leaves touched her coat. While pushing past the leaves, she realized there were no thorns. Just the gentle yet firm leaves. She slowly relaxed and took in the room she had just entered.         The house was made entirely from the bramble. The floor was an intricately-woven design using the stems. The furniture was the same as the floor, except that they were interlaced in thick, almost seamless bundles, and then covered in a thin layer of leaves. Acoustiana looked to the walls, and found them to be uniform and straight. They looked just like a bramble should, aside from their being shaped vertically, instead of a rounded bush.         As she admired the walls, Acoustiana finally found the source of the delicate scent of roses. Along the top of the walls, where they met the ceiling, roses sprouted intermittently from a deep-green vine.  The leaves that unfurled along the length of the vine melded into the bramble, such that the vine itself seemed nothing more than a relief: a decorative pattern, sculpted out of the very wall.         Acoustiana admired the large light-pink flowers lining the entire room. Her mind questioned the means by which they stayed so beautiful when they must not receive any sunlight. As she pondered the possibilities of the gentle pink flowers’ ability to thrive inside the house, Scarlet entered through a curtain of leaves.         “Sorry that took so long, but I just wanted to...” Scarlet had walked in with a proud smile, but upon seeing the intense look of wonder upon Acoustiana’s face, Scarlet found herself in a state of shock.         Shaking her head to clear it, Scarlet seemed to flush a smidgen and looked to her roses. She let a warm smile drift upon her face as the wheels of her mind began to churn. With a slight surge of magic, she grabbed hold of one of the roses within Acoustiana’s sight, and plucked it from its stem, levitating it down to the bewildered unicorn.         “Ahem!” Hearth glared at Scarlet with one eye, while the other had its brow furrowed. She then shook her head stiffly at her sister, letting out a small snort.         Scarlet was frozen in place, unable to move or think. Yet she maintained her levitation spell, which had stopped the flower’s descent a few inches from its designated target. Acoustiana, coming out of her thoughts upon the flowers, looked to the source of the noise behind her to see Hearth giving Scarlet a stern look of heavy disapproval. She studied the flower floating not far from her and used her magic to bring it closer so that she could smell it directly.         At first, her magic was unable to wrest the flower from the grip of the magical aura that kept it in the air. After her second attempt, Scarlet released her spell and allowed Acoustiana control of her flower. Acoustiana gently lowered her nose into the center of the rose and took a deep breath.         The aroma of the rose was placating. Acoustiana felt her muscles relax, her mind slow down, and a soothing warmth flow through her body. He eyelids drooped as she wore a goofy smile.         “Scarlet! I cannot believe you! We have to be back at practice in no less than thirty minutes, and look what you did. I swear to Luna, if you did that on purpose I will buck you right in the flank.” Hearth was leaning slightly forward and her face was becoming red. Her eyes narrowed upon her sister, as she hoped they would at least burn a small patch of that orange coat.         “But... s-she looked like she wanted t-to smell it...” Scarlet tried backing up, her ears flat on her head and her tail curling up against her body as she shrank to the ground.         “And pray tell, what was the reason for that the last time I saw you do such? Hmm? Or should I refresh your memory?” Hearth pressed on, not letting up her gaze.         “That was different... she is different...” Scarlet shot Acoustiana a quick glance which was followed by a flash of color to her face. Something inside of Scarlet emboldened her, and her ears shot up as she gritted her teeth. “Besides, so what! What if it is the same reason as that time? Who are you to tell me I can’t at least try?” Scarlet had tears forming in the corners of her eyes as she nearly spat out each question.         Acoustiana, upon finally sensing the disturbance through the bliss of the rose’s aroma, realized there was an issue yet again between the two sisters. During this time, she saw that the kind hostess that so generously gifted her such a wonderful flower was nearing the brink of tears, and her confidant seemed to be the source, yet again. Her mind still muddled, she managed to think enough to distract the two by hurling her notebook into the air between them in hopes of breaking the deadlocked glaring match.         As the notebook sailed in between them, the two sisters lost their ironclad masks and looked to the source. They saw the silent unicorn looking between them, with her eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. Hearth knew that what her sister was attempting was unfair, but also acknowledged it wasn’t her place to be so rude about her attempts to stop it. Scarlet felt shame for what she had done, but only felt pride in her words and what they meant. Slowly rising from her crouched position, Scarlet put on a stern and defiant face against her sister.         “Fine. I will leave it to you then, Scarlet. Know this: I do not approve, nor will I help you in this foalish endeavor.” Hearth gave her sister one last scowl before turning to Acoustiana. Her expression softened, then slowly started forming worry lines upon her brow. “I’ll be just outside, dear. If you need me for anything, and I mean anything, just create some form of spell that can be seen or heard. I won’t be far. I promise.” Hearth then proceeded to trot out of the house.         Acoustiana was now thoroughly perplexed. She knew she had missed something while she was admiring the lovely room with the exceptionally beautiful flower decorations. She tried to think of what might have happened: They entered the room, she admired the room, Scarlet picked one of the flowers and tried to give it to her, Hearth got upset. Acoustiana did not know for the life of her how that made any sense. Why would Scarlet’s gift of a fragrant flower from her own home be something to trigger such anger?         “What about all of this...?” Acoustina started signing only to realize that her words fell upon the deaf eyes of Scarlet. She promptly placed her face into her hoof. A tapping on her shoulder brought her attention to her previously hurled notebook.         “It’s okay. We all forget the little things in life at times,” Scarlet said as she gently levitated the notebook into Acoustiana’s hooves.         Acoustiana released some air in what would have been a groan, and took up her notebook in her own magic.With a small frown and a worried brow, she quickly wrote down her questions.         “Why, exactly, is Hearth so upset about your being generous with giving me one of these beautiful roses? I don’t understand how your giving me a piece of your artwork is such a bad thing. We give hundreds of ponies pieces of our works when we play, so for the life of me, I cannot fathom her issue with this.”         As Scarlet read the notebook, her ears almost immediately folded back and her expression became desperate. Acoustiana noticed that Scarlet seemed to shiver ever so slightly, even though it was rather comfortably warm in the room.         “Well... um... you see... oh, shoot.” Scarlet lay upon the floor and covered her face with a foreleg. “I’ve given ponies those roses before, but with ulterior motives.” Scarlet let out a long sigh before taking a deep breath and folding her legs under herself.         “These roses I bred for their scent, as well as their ability to be used in decoration. They really are beautiful, aren’t they?” Scarlet gave a longing look to her roses. “While I was researching a few ways to increase a flower’s scent without causing a storm of pollen, I came across a spell that... had side effects. That is ancient history though, and the only important thing to know is that when you smell that flower I gave you, you will become relaxed and feel at peace... even if you don’t want to be. I only give those to somepony who is special. Generally they are a special somepony, but not always.” Scarlet felt the blood rush to her face as she tried to elaborate.         “My sister thinks I gave you that flower for... bad reasons. She might be right. I don’t know for sure yet myself. What I do know is that I don’t feel bad for giving you that flower. You have helped my sister get her song known. She has worked on it for so many years, and it means the world to her. Anypony that sticks her neck out like you did, deserves nothing less than the best, as far as this pony is concerned.” Scarlet looked to Acoustiana with a stern face. Her stare was intense, her muzzle giving away no sign of emotion.         Acoustiana felt that she understood the whole line of drama at this point. She was not all too pleased that she was given a flower that had magical properties, at least without being warned first. However, she concluded that the orange mare was just doing her best to show her appreciation, and that her sister assumed the wrong thing. Why the two wouldn’t just come out and say their problems was still a mystery, but she knew that even in her family, communicating secrets, even in privacy, was a difficult thing indeed. So she decided to write a small thank you.         “I believe I understand. I will let Hearth know to calm down about whatever issue it is you two are having. You did this out of kindness and wanting to show your appreciation. I still say I would do this for anypony that had your sister’s skill. Thank you nonetheless. Your house is lovely. The skill it must have taken you to weave all of these branches so quickly is well beyond me. I can see why Pastel speaks so highly of you.” Acoustiana lowered herself to the floor so as to help the other unicorn understand she was no longer feeling tense.         Scarlet’s face wavered only slightly as she read the words upon the notepad. Using her own magic, she placed the notepad into Acoustiana’s saddlebag, which perplexed the musical mare even further.         “Thank you very much for your words. However, the longer you wait to speak with my sister, the harder it will be for her to accept it as truth, if such a thing is possible. I am sorry that our... disagreement has upset you in some way, and I am sorry for not telling you about the effects of my flower. Would have saved some strain, but I wasn’t exactly thinking it was all bad myself. So, off with you, and don’t be late back to your rehearsal on my account.” Scarlet got up, and once more her stern expression faltered for a moment.         Acoustiana knew something was still bothering Scarlet, but figured that it wasn’t her place to push the matter, and as she had lost track of time since arriving at the house, she felt it better to follow her hostess’s advice. With a nod she stood up and headed towards the door, remembering to tuck her flower into her bag.         Scarlet led Acoustiana to the door and opened the curtain of leaves for her. Acoustiana took the cue and headed out to find Hearth Song. This task proved to be simple, as Hearth was close by, admiring a large tree-like bush carved into the shape of the princess, rearing back with her wings partly opened.         “Farewell, you two. Don’t be late for your rehearsal.” Scarlet went back inside her home with a flourish of leaves.         “Wait... Ugh...” Hearth stretched out a hoof towards her sister, but let it slowly fall back to the ground as her sister’s house quickly shook and all the lights appearing from holes on the sides went out.         Acoustiana looked back for a moment, but proceeded to take out her notebook and write something down. She occasionally glanced to Hearth as she wrote, to gauge her feelings on the situation, in case they would affect her words. Hearth, however, merely looked worried as she stood staring at her sister’s house.         “Hearth, I do not understand what issues this visit has brought to the surface for you two. What I do know is that it is a family issue, and as such, I will not pry. Scarlet was just being nice, nothing more. She told me that she is just very appreciative for how I managed to get your song included in the concert. That was the driving reason for her giving me the flower. I am not all too pleased that I was not warned of its effects beforehoof, but they are minor and shouldn’t be an issue. We are just rehearsing, after all.”         Acoustiana trotted over to Hearth and gave her a gentle nuzzle to remind the unicorn that she was still staring at a silent house. Hearth barely reacted, making a small sound while her eyes never left the house. Acoustiana, unsure of breaking the trance, chose to give Hearth a few more moments.         Hearth slowly seemed to relax as the muscles under her coat softened and she once more began to blink. She let out a long sigh, and then turned to Acoustiana and the notepad floating in the air. She took a few breaths before reading her friend’s words.         “Why is she doing this to herself...” Hearth mumbled more to herself. She then shook her head slowly and sat down in the soft grass.         “Acoustiana, you are right. The effects will wear off in a couple of hours, so long as you don’t smell it directly, and it will be just a normal flower by tomorrow. I take some blame in not telling you about it as well, though. I have to admit to using them to help me relax after an exceptionally stressful day. They are rather nice.”         Acoustiana nodded and watched her friend fidget with some inner thoughts that she didn’t want to express. So she simply sat there waiting for some clue as to what she might be able to do to help.         “My sister is a good pony. She was a hooffull growing up. Nearly causing our parents to lose their manes on more than one occasion. Then she started doing this...” Hearth looked to the princess bush, ”and suddenly her life became more... I don’t know. In some ways she matured, in others she just stayed the same rebellious ‘don’t give a flying flank about anything’ mare. It’s why she moved out here in the first place.” Hearth closed her eyes and drew in a long breath through her nose.         “Remember how I told you I moved here from Trottingham?” Hearth asked as she slowly opened her eyes.         Acoustiana hesitantly nodded, even though she found it hard to remember the conversation when she had mentioned such a thing.         “Well, that whole bit of it being hard all on my own had a lot more to do with my sister than it being hard for me to live a life by myself. I always worried about her. She has so much to give this world, but she always manages to mess it up. Take this sculpture of hers.” Hearth pointed to the princess bush. “Do you like it? Do you think it’s beautiful?”         Acoustiana gave the plant sculpture a critical once-over. As she looked, she saw how intricate the details actually were. Not a leaf was out of place, and every curve of pony or jewelry was almost lifelike. Even the wings seemed to be truly feathered in leafy plumage. As she looked further down, she saw the base of the plant that fed the many dense leaves. For the first time, she consciously noticed the low wrought-iron fence that surrounded it. She then spotted the small wooden signs posted on the fence.         “And I see you have found what I mean. Such great beauty my sister was able to create with her topiaries. Only to be sullied by her poor choice of plant. She fights tooth and hoof every time the city council tries to have these removed. They are made of yew. As you have read, they are rather poisonous to us ponies. Sadly, some ponies choose to ignore the sign, and when these berry, the foolish ones take bites out of them.” Hearth waved her hoof to the other dozen or so extravagant plant sculptures that adorned the garden.         “My sister has a large supply of poison neutralizer on hoof at all times.  She just never seems to catch a break. That’s the real reason I moved here. I thought that maybe, just maybe, I could help her out. Maybe I could guide her to make better decisions and change her luck. I have yet to be successful. She had grown a lot since she left our home, but her luck certainly has never changed. Don’t worry about the flower issue. I believe she didn’t mean any harm or mischief. Just her forgetfulness coupled with my desire to keep her safe. Well, her and you, but that’s a moot point now.” Hearth gave her sister’s house one last longing glance.         “Come on, enough of this dwelling on the past. We have our futures to go practice for... Okay, that was a tad dramatic. Hee hee, but we do need to get back to rehearsals.” Hearth gave Acoustiana a warm, honest smile. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~         Scarlet leaned against her wall after closing her doorway. Her sister had seen her, and Scarlet heard Hearth start to say something. She knew all too well that her sister saw what she didn’t want Acoustiana to see. Holding her breath, in hopes that the silence would make her sister go away, Scarlet shivered from all of the emotions running through her.         After a few short moments without the sound of Hearth’s mad rush into the house, Scarlet allowed herself to breathe again. She cantered to her bedroom, the place she would find her solace and source of pain.         From under her bed, she pulled out a small box made of mahogany. Her eyes betrayed her as they slowly began to fill with moisture. She shook her head and told herself that she wasn’t ready yet. She placed the box on her desk next to her window. Opening the box, she levitated out the numerous photos that she had speedily thrown into the box upon her return home. A couple were torn from where they had been hanging on the walls from a well-placed thorn. She kissed them gently in apology for the damage she had caused and slowly placed them around the window, back onto their respective thorns.         Taking in a deep breath, Scarlet looked out her window. The city square was viewable from her room. Her mind began to fill in the scene: a wooden cart, filled with delicious fruits; a scruffy looking, but cute, earth pony tending to her fruits, her expression sullen, yet hopeful; then, as if the princess herself saw fit to bless her, the most beautiful mare she had ever laid eyes on trotted out of the crowd. Her coat, the softest pink. Her mane a creamy green. Her eyes, her most mesmerizing eyes. They were so full of life, with such hope in them. She watched as the mare made strange gestures with her front hooves, becoming dejected and taking out a notepad from her saddlebags. The grace of her movements, the gentle aura of her magic, and the cute way her brow furrowed as she wrote on her notepad simply enchanted Scarlet.         She then remembered how she felt when she saw that mare cringe in fright. The swelling of anger for anypony daring to threaten such beauty. As the mare seemed to feel better, the flood of emotion subsided. She gave silent thanks to the white stallion that seemed to save the day. Colts were good for something in the end. Then she heard a familiar crashing sound that signaled her artist friends’ arrival to the scene.         Scarlet’s mind then flooded her vision with a pink flank. She already felt her heart start to race, her breath quicken, and her face become flushed. Scarlet shook her head to stop the visions, especially that one, along with halting the feelings now invading her body.         With the scene over, she told herself she was ready. Her eyes wasted no time in releasing their dammed up tears. The rest of her body followed suit as she crumpled to the floor, curling herself into a ball, while her body shook with her sobbing.         She had her chance to take her mare. Why did she let her go? Why didn’t she tell her the truth instead of the veiled lie she spoke. Why? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~         As the sun rose, the city came to life. The noise from the street filtered into Scarlet’s room, but she ignored it. She lay in bed, allowing herself to wallow in her misery. She knew a full day of crying would probably help her stop her obsession. “Probably...” she muttered while tears rolled over her muzzle.         “Scarlet... Please don’t be mad with me, but I must speak with you.” Hearth Song’s gentle voice suddenly broke its way through Scarlet’s sorrow.         She knew her sister would be by at some point. She knew her sister wouldn’t let her stay in her grief. Scarlet argued with herself for a brief moment before realizing that making her sister worry for her was worse than confronting her. Turning onto her side, she touched her horn to the wall and opened the door for her sister.         Covering herself with her blanket, Scarlet remained in bed, trying to figure out what she was going to say in response to the things she figured her sister would tell her. The standard “Get out of bed and keep on looking” was annoying, but easiest to rebuke.         Scarlet heard her sister’s hoofsteps enter her room. She heard a small gasp, followed by a gentle sigh. She then felt her sister’s presence on the bed.         “Little sister, why are you doing this to yourself?” Hearth reached out and stroked what little of Scarlet’s mane was visible under the blanket.         Scarlet felt the welling of more tears. The knot in her chest refused to loosen. If her sister hadn’t scolded her by now, then she was truly worried, and would want to help. Scarlet allowed herself this moment of weakness and burst from her covers. Burying her face into her sister, she broke into tears.         “Hush now, small flower. I figured you needed a shoulder, but not this badly. Please try to calm down and talk to your big sis.” Hearth used the soft voice she had perfected for dealing with her sister through the years. She then used her magic to play a gentle tune on her lyre she had brought just for this occasion.         Scarlet’s ears perked at the soft sounds filling her room, pulling her out of her misery and slowing the tide of her tears. She slowly pulled back from her sister. Her face was matted, the new tear stains mingled with the older ones. Her eyes had lost any form of white, and were completely bloodshot.         “Thank you... for not yelling at me...” Scarlet tried to say more but stopped when her sister wrapped her in a strong hug.         “I am sorry for getting angry yesterday. I should have known you had acted without thinking, and didn’t mean anything by it. Will you ever forgive me?”         Scarlet let a small smile creep onto her face. She gently pushed Hearth back and looked into her eyes.         “Always.”         Hearth allowed a modicum of moisture fill her own eyes, but held back the full force of tears. She reminded herself that she had a task to perform, and falling victim to her sister’s emotional state would prevent any form of resolution to the problem at hoof.         “I have only seen you like this once before. Somehow I don’t think dad has kicked you out of your own house and disowned you a second time, which leaves Tiana as the only other source. Tell me how you feel for her, and I promise to keep an open mind.” Hearth lifted her sister's head by a gentle hoof under her chin.         Scarlet whimpered and squeaked for a few moments before taking a few deep breaths, and then sat up on her bed. She saw the bows in her hair all skewed and creased, and decided it best to remove them before talking.         As her mane flowed free, she untied her tail bow as well. Hearth just sat on the bed, allowing her sister the time to collect her thoughts and gain some ease.         “I don’t know what words to use. Ever since I first saw her... I don’t know... it was like some spell was placed on me. I want her. I need her. I want to touch her, to hold her. I want to make her happy, and keep her safe from anything that would harm that happiness. But... ever since that party, I’ve tried to forget about her. I just can’t. And then she goes and gets your song into that concert!” Scarlet waved her front hooves in the air. “How am I supposed to feel nothing for her after that? I just... I don’t know.” Scarlet looked down as her whole body seemed to slump and lose its color.         Hearth sat in shock. Her sister had lusted over many a mare, and she had her bouts of tears over rejection. However, this instance was different, so very different. Not once did Hearth hear her sister talk about her desires for Acoustiana in bed, but instead, she wanted to make her happy. Hearth became suddenly very scared for the question she had to ask. She dreaded the answer, but knew it was her place to ask, now that she had her sister open up.         “Do... do you think that... you love her?” Hearth spoke hesitantly while swallowing back the terror that crept into her chest.         Scarlet’s eyes shot wide as she sat straight up. Her mouth slowly hung low as the realization crept into her mind. Her heart began to thump audibly through her chest.         “Y─yes... yes I do...” Scarlet looked to Hearth, and the two shared an expression of fear.         “What do we do then? I can’t let you stay like this. But you know I can’t help you when she just finished putting herself back together. I just... I don’t know what to do here.” Hearth put her hoof to her temple and started rubbing the new-found pain she was getting.         “We don’t do anything.” Scarlet took a deep breath as she closed her eyes to gain some focus. “I need to deal with this. But... I understand your point.” Scarlet looked at her hooves as she nibbled on her lower lip.         “Well, I can help you figure out what you want to do about this up till lunch today. I told the conductor I would be busy with a family emergency till then. So, throw some ideas out there. Just try and think long term. Be her friend before you try anything. Maybe you’ll get over her if you give yourself time.”         “Well... actually...” Scarlet looked up to her sister with expectant eyes.         “I told you I would keep an open mind, small flower. Just tell me.” Hearth gently stroked her sisters mussed mane.         “Remember that favor you owe me for fetching your harp?” Scarlet snuck in a smirk.         “Yeah?” Hearth became very curious as to what her sister had in mind now.         “Well, how far off is your concert gonna be?” Scarlet regained her color, and a small sparkle appeared in her eye as she fully formulated her plan.         “Not for a few months... why?”         “I’ll tell you in a week or so... Till then, I have something I need to do.” Scarlet  grabbed her sister and gave her a crushing hug while nuzzling her cheek. “Thank you... for everything. I don’t deserve a sister as good as you.”         Hearth returned the hug, “Hee hee, seems we are stuck with each other nonetheless.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~         The day of the concert arrived. Acoustiana had sent out all the invitations she could think of to her family. All her friends had ordered their tickets well in advance. She even went with Hearth Song to get tailored dresses made.         Acoustiana did find Hearth a bit particular when it came to onstage attire. In the end, the dresses they got were of sublime quality, and her dress in particular made Acoustiana feel alluring. A rare feeling, but she rather enjoyed it.         Even with all the changes that had happened, the concert was going to be stupendous. Acoustiana wasn’t fully thrilled at first with the requested change to her concerto, but after hearing out the musical director and the conductor pitch their idea of enhancing her music with the accompaniment of the orchestra, she gave it a willing try and found the results beyond her imagining. The added percussion, the sonorous, layered harmony of a full string section, the bright timbre of brass, and the fleeting chirp of the two flutes. It all added up to a force beyond what she had hoped her music would create.         Acoustiana was preparing her violin and her double bass. She wasn’t going to be using them together at all for the concert, and for that she was quite thankful. Her black dress with silver thread interwoven lay on a chair next to her instruments. Hearth insisted that they both wear the flashy style. Though Acoustiana felt that Hearth wanted to wear it more than she, as she watched the harpist gently slide on her hoofmade stockings that were fitted with her personal plectrums sewn into the heels. Acoustiana did take note that Hearth was putting on her stockings exceedingly slowly, as she had her eyes drooped and a coy smirk.         The reason soon became apparent as a few of the colts groaned, and one of the pegasi whistled her approval. The reactions of the others seemed to ease some tension as the majority of the ensemble let out a small chuckle at the antics. Hearth blushed a bit as the pegasus flew over and gave her a playful wink and nudged her with an elbow before bursting into laughter, which she quickly clamped her hooves to silence.         Acoustiana had not noticed, but after her friend’s antics, the room seemed to lighten as the laughter released the tension. She breathed in the musty air of the back stage. Finishing her last few touch-ups on her instruments: ensuring every string was tuned; polishing the surfaces to be reflective; tightening her bows and getting them well-rosined. She levitated her dress and headed to the mares’ room to put it on. Unlike Hearth, she didn’t feel at ease enough to do something like that in front of others.         Wriggling into her form-fitting dress, Acoustiana gave her mane and tail a once-over to fix up the mess her dress made, as well as to adorn her mane with a sleek black hair band. She admired her reflection, and allowed a moment of sadness that her form would doubtlessly garner her attention, but she knew not from whom she wanted it. Letting out a silent sigh, she shook her head and headed back to her place on stage. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~         Acoustiana was winded. The same was true for most of the orchestra. She had just finished what was the amalgamation of her solo with the accompaniment of the whole orchestra. The energy they all managed to put into it was intense. Though, after the simply enchanting voice of the singer that performed Hearth’s song was finished, she felt like she could do anything.         The crowd was on their hooves, stomping out a thunderous applause as flowers rained upon the whole group. Looking to Hearth, Acoustiana watched as her friend enjoyed her moment of acknowledgement. Hearth was standing next to her harp, nose in the air, eyes shut, basking in the applause as the flowers gently landed on her. Remembering that feeling, Acoustiana was pleased to no end that she was able to assist her friend in receiving it as well.         The lights flickered off of her dress as Acoustiana took her bows of appreciation. The conductor gave the motion for them to depart the stage, so Acoustiana took hold of her violin and prepared for her departure backstage. As she was about to move, she felt a slight tickle on her head, followed by a light pressure under her hairband. Raising a hoof, she discovered a flower was now tucked into her mane. Not wanting to be caught standing still when she should be moving, Acoustiana waited till she was backstage to retrieve the errant flower.         Once safely backstage, Acoustiana took the flower from her hair. When she saw it, a slight shiver went through her. It was an all-too-familiar pink rose. She wasn’t sure what to think of the gift, fighting the urge to smell its wonderful scent because of the effects it would cause.         She then noticed a small white piece of parchment hidden within the petals. Using her magic, she levitated it out and it found it to be a diminutive scroll. Unfurling it, she read its contents.         I am sorry to be doing this, but I had a debt to pay off. The owner of this rose you already know, and she will be waiting for you in the corner where the curtains end and block sight from the stage. Please do not hate me for this, and if things do go poorly, I will do all I can to make this up to you.         -Pastel         Acoustiana was now highly confused. She thought that the message was probably meant for Hearth. Thinking that made the most sense, Acoustiana searched for her fellow musician to relay the misplaced note. She found her speaking with the pegasi, the three giggling about a shared joke. As she approached, she gently ran her bow over her violin so as to make just enough sound to be heard. The three looked over, but the expression upon Hearth’s face worried Acoustiana dreadfully.         “If you will excuse me, ladies, I see Tiana here needs a private conversation. I won't be too long.” Hearth bowed to the two pegasi, who bowed to the two unicorns as Hearth escorted Acoustiana off to the side and out of earshot of anypony nearby.         “Before you try and... uh... write something, I am only vaguely familiar with what was planned for you this night. My sister has something to tell you, and asked me to get her backstage as payback for that night back when your heart was broken. You got her flower, and I see you’ve read some type of note that was attached to it. That is for you, and you alone as far as I am concerned.” Hearth tried to give a smile, but it was obviously forced, as her brow creased with worry and eyes told of uncertainty.         Acoustiana pointed to the note with a hoof and then her head, then in the direction of Hearth. She sat down and scratched at her head and gave Hearth a shrug.         “I can’t tell you more, dear. Just talk with Scarlet. If nothing else, you and I can go party hard and forget all about it, if that’s what you want. I know Pollen Hymn and Water Song are amped to go to a club, so you will have plenty of company, if you’ll have it. So off with you. I am sure that note says something about where to find her... She said she would be hiding so as to be out of the way and to... well... hide.” Hearth caught herself before saying something she would regret. Her eyes darted from side to side before she cleared her throat and then gave Acoustiana a soft nudge with a hoof.         Acoustiana just nodded, and with growing curiosity figured whatever it was Scarlet had in mind must have been embarrassing enough to elicit such responses from her friends. She worried that whatever it was, was probably indecent. Perhaps a risqué sculpture? Scarlet didn’t seem the type, but perhaps she thought Acoustiana would be really into that type of artwork.         Regaining her composure, Acoustiana figured it best to face the artist head-on, try to accept the gift, and let this whole matter be. She headed for the side of the stage where the curtains blocked the view, and nopony seemed to be anywhere near. As she got closer, she saw a pony off in the dark. She was fidgeting, rubbing her forearms together, while apparently watching something on the ground. As she got closer, the pony looked up, and the light flickering off the silver strands of her dress seemed to reflect off the pony’s eyes, causing them to flash many different colors. The pony cleared her throat and slowly moved out of the darkest shadows.         “Th─thank you for... well... giving me this chance.” Scarlet spoke with a shaky voice, as she looked everywhere but at Acoustiana.         Rolling her eyes at the once more seemingly starstruck mare, Acoustiana set her violin down on a stool nearby and trotted over to Scarlet, patting her on the head. She then noticed the extravagant red glittering dress Scarlet was wearing. What she noticed more, though, was how Scarlet suddenly froze stock-still as she got close to her and touched her. This reaction worried Acoustiana, so she moved into Scarlet’s vision to see if she just gave the poor pony a heart attack.         As she did so, Scarlet’s expression went from being stiff in shock to blushing until her face was as red as her namesake. Seeing that the pony was not falling over and still breathing, Acoustiana took a few steps back and sat down to await the pony to gather herself and do, or give, whatever it was for which she had set up this elaborate scene.         The moments ticked by as Scarlet cringed and darted her eyes about. She was on the verge of hyperventilating. Acoustiana was getting slightly annoyed. She reminded herself that she would probably act the same, though. If a great musician had just trotted up to her and patted her on the head like the great Beethooven, or Pegasini, she would probably be doing the same thing. So she quelled her annoyance and simply smiled the best she could to help encourage Scarlet to calm down.         Scarlet eventually started to dart her eyes in Acoustiana’s direction. By the third glance, Scarlet seemed to regain some of her faculties, and began to breathe semi-normally as she stood back up. After another few moments of controlling her breathing, Scarlet appeared to have fully calmed herself.         “That... um... sorry. I am sure you’re... uh... wondering why I asked Pastel to ask you to come back here in the dark... erm... I mean, private area.” Scarlet’s face flushed once more, but far less than it did when Acoustiana looked into her eyes.         “In any case, I wanted to tell you something, but before that, give you a gift.” The dark corner filled with the soft red glow emitted from her horn. Soon, a bundle of flowers floated out from the stage side of the curtains. The bouquet floated near Acoustiana’s hooves and the soft red glow faded.         “I will just need to borrow that rose I gave you, if you don’t mind, that is...” Scarlet looked to Acoustiana with wide eyes and a partially lifted leg.         Acoustiana figured she knew where all this was going and covered her mouth as she silently giggled at her astute assumption. She then nodded to Scarlet and bowed her head slightly to offer up the rose that was tucked behind her ear.         The glow of magic once more banished the darkness, and all the flowers levitated off the ground. They became separated and each floated freely, slowly spiralling in the air. Slowly, the flowers began to intertwine with each other. The flowers bloomed to the greatest size, and the petals took on a glossy shine.         Before long, Acoustiana let her jaw drop as she looked upon the most stunning cape made of flowers. The cape gently floated over to Acoustiana and clasped itself to her back. The remaining flowers, which included the pink rose from Scarlet’s house. remained in the air. These too began to weave together. This time, however, the flowers didn’t bloom like they did for the cape. A sudden flash of red caused Acoustiana to close her eyes and shield them with her forearm.         “Oh my gosh, I am so sorry. Sometimes that happens with this spell... please forgive me!” Scarlet sounded like she was choking back tears as she spoke.         Acoustiana waved her hoof to try and signal all was well as she blinked the spots from her eyes. As her vision cleared, she saw that Scarlet had tear stains quickly forming on her cheeks while she stared at her. Acoustiana folded her ears back as she became worried, but perked them right back up when she saw Scarlet form a smile. Releasing her held breath, Acoustiana gave the other unicorn a warm smile and looked up to the newest flower creation.         Above her floated a tiara made from the flowers. The heads formed a mosaic in the front, and were topped by the crown jewel of Scarlet’s pink rose. It slowly lowered onto Acoustiana’s head, and she felt her black hair band slide off as the flower tiara settled over her mane. She noticed it felt far heavier than she expected a few flowers would, as if it were a real tiara. She slowly reached a hoof up to feel it, just to see if it felt like metal, and found that the loops on the side sure felt solid enough, but the flowers in the front felt as soft as ever.         “As for what I wanted to tell you...” Scarlet froze up. Her muscles clenched and she trembled.         Acoustiana saw the fear in the other’s eyes and tried to pull her mind from the magnificent items she had just recieved so as to help the other mare speak her mind. She knew whatever it was she had to say would pale in comparison to the gifts. With a warm smile and a light flick of her leg, she hoped to urge Scarlet on.         “I... I wanted you to know that...” Scarlet tried to formulate the words. As she stuttered, new tears began to form in her eyes. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. With ears folded back and her head drooping low, she opened her eyes back up and looked to Acoustiana once more.         “I just wanted to tell you how much I loved your voice. Nopony could convey such emotion with words they way you can.” She closed her eyes and lifted her head, but her ears remained folded. “And if anypony,”Scarlet spoke as she opened her eyes staring off to the side with grim determination, “dares to say you have no voice, I’ll have a few choice words for them.”         Acoustiana felt a wave of warmth wash through her from the simple words Scarlet spoke. None of her friends or family, attributed her music to being her voice. Yet this almost unknown pony saw past it all and grasped the truth. A strange knot formed in her chest, ever so small, but the emotion of the words spoken still caused her to cry. Rushing forward, she grabbed Scarlet into a hug. She felt Scarlet tense up, but she slowly relaxed and returned the hug.         Acoustiana promised herself to become better friends with Scarlet. This mare deserved nothing less for the gifts of  flowers and words. Scarlet pulled away from the hug and looked Acoustiana in the eye, both of them with tears in their eyes. Scarlet reached a hoof up and brushed away a tear. The sensation felt warm, with a touch of electricity.         As if a wheel started churning in her mind, Acoustiana felt something familiar about all of the happeings. It was a strange feeling, and she was momentarily stunned by it. She shook her head gently, causing her tiara to slide over her ear.         “Silly filly, careful with that. My magic will keep these alive for only a few weeks, assuming you don’t do silly things like that to break them.” Scarlet used her hooves to replace the tiara. She then took a step back and looked over Acoustiana with a small smile, yet her eyes did not complement the look.         “I should go congratulate my sister now. Thank you again. This meant more to me than you know.” Scarlet slowly started moving out of the darkened corner.         As she passed by, Acoustiana thought she saw Scarlet frown, and her eyes seemed lost in some sad thought. When she turned to try and get a better look, however, Scarlet had faced fully forward and was moving into the light, causing her dress to sparkle vibrantly, illuminating the shadowy hiding spot. By the time Acoustiana’s eyes readjusted, Scarlet had moved past the curtain wall and was headed into the main area backstage.         Acoustiana stood there for a moment. She tried to recall the familiar instances that seemed to trigger something in her mind, yet just out of her reach to conceptualize. She allowed the thoughts to simmer in the back of her mind, as standing alone in a dark corner on this occasion was simply a silly notion. Gathering her violin, she headed back to meet with Hearth and the others to head out and celebrate, as she had no other plans.         As she neared the bustling group of musicians, still milling about and talking amongst each other, Acoustiana spotted Hearth speaking to Scarlet. The sisters were whispering to each other, and neither looked very happy. Hearth appeared agitated with her sister, while Scarlet just looked at the floor with her ears folded back. Taking a few steps towards the sisters, Acoustiana came in to their view.         Scarlet glanced up while whispering something to Hearth, and then turned, heading out the back exit at a brisk canter. Acoustiana raised a hoof to get her to stop, but Scarlet had already left the building.         Hearth trotted over and gave Acoustiana a once-over, admiring her new floral attire. Nodding her approval, she looked to the door through which Scarlet had left, and let out a sigh.         “Well, it would seem all of my worries are gone. I am glad she was able to show you her appreciation.” Hearth smiled at Acoustiana, only to cringe back at the look she received in return.         More things vexed Acoustiana with the whole situation. Something was up, and she figured her friends knew something they weren't telling her. She pulled out the small scroll and revealed Pastel’s name written on it to Hearth.         “So... Pastel is involved in this as well? So why do you look mad? Scarlet said you really enjoyed her gifts, so I am at a loss.”         Acoustiana set her mind on getting answers. She waved over the two pegasi that were talking to each other, a small bit away. They fluttered over and greeted the unicorns with large grins and joyous salutations. Acoustiana raised a hoof to calm them, and prodded the name on the note she had levitated in the air. The pegasi attempted to translate and one guessed that they were being asked to go fetch the pony in question. Acoustiana nodded, and the two saluted and flew off on their task, still grinning like foals and giggling at each other.         “Wow, they didn’t even ask why or anything. How peculiar...” Hearth watched the feathered musicians fly off. She then turned back to Acoustiana, who kept a stern face.         Acoustiana pointed to herself, then to Hearth, and then to Pastel’s name. She followed it up with a couple quick stomps and firmly planted her rear on the floor, assuming a defiant posture.         Hearth let out a groan and rubbed her temple. “Okay, okay... I don’t need to be a mind reader to know you figured something out. Let us wait for Pastel, then, and we shall talk this out.” Hearth sat on the floor and continued to groan and sigh at the confrontation.         Before long, the sounds of clattering chairs and complaining ponies erupted from the stage area. The noise of a galloping pony shortly preceded Pastel’s arrival.         “Are you okay?” Pastel blurted out as soon as she laid eyes on Acoustiana.         “No. You two are keeping a secret from me and I demand answers. Scarlet’s gift was kind and sweet, but did not warrant the reactions you and Hearth Song gave. What is really going on?” Acoustiana signed out and narrowed her eyes on her purple friend.         Pastel contemplated running away. It would be the easiest way out of the whole mess in which she just found herself. However, as it seemed Hearth was dragged into it as well, she knew it would be wrong to leave the other alone in this mess. So she lowered her head and sat next to Hearth Song to try and figure out what went wrong with the plan.         “So... are you mad at me for helping Scarlet with her plan? Or is this about something else?” Pastel ventured a guess.         “All I know is that Scarlet gave me these beautiful gifts, and told me how she likes my music. She was holding something back, just like you two are. What is it? Did I miss a note? Was my dress mussed? What is it you’re not telling me?”         “Hearth... Did your sister forget to mention an important detail of all this?” Pastel looked to the other unicorn with her eyes wide.         “She didn’t tell her. All this planning and she didn’t bucking tell her...” Hearth gritted her teeth but never looked up.         “What... I did all that, to my dear friend... and she didn’t even follow through? Why that little no good sister of yours...” Pastel started to growl deep in her throat.         “Tell me what?” Acoustiana signed and then slammed her hooves onto the floor, causing nearby ponies to look over in alarm. The stares caused Hearth and Pastel to cringe slightly.         “This conversation is a bit one-sided at the moment. Pastel, it would help if you translated for me, but I also think we should probably vacate the building as well, if this is going down the path I think it is,” Hearth said with a solemn look upon her face.         “I agree. Will you allow us to take this elsewhere, Tiana? It involves... personal... very personal... issues that none of us would want to be made public,” Pastel pleaded.         Acoustiana nodded after a moment to accept the arrangement. The musicians made sure that their instruments that remained on stage would be tended to, and that the two pegasi that helped find Pastel received their thanks. The three headed out of the building and made their way through the busy streets until they ended up at the garden. Hearth continued walking into the empty area while Acoustiana and Pastel stood by, wondering why she was going to the source of the issue.         “Don’t worry. She isn’t home. I know my sister. She is off in her thoughts at a safe place less public than here.” Hearth nodded her head for the other two to follow. They complied and the three stopped at a lovely stone bench.         “Okay, so what are we talking about? I am not going to assume anything, so Tiana, dear, if you could please ask your question so that Pastel can translate it, and then we can all be on the same page?” Hearth gave a weak smile.         “What are you all not telling me?”         Pastel let out a sigh and placed her hoof over her face. “She wants to know what it is that she isn’t being told. At this point I can not blame her, as I would also be rather upset at everypony’s keeping a secret this obvious from me.”         “Well... you see...” Hearth rubbed the back of her neck. “My sister kinda, sorta... maybe... likes you.”         “Kinda? Sorta? Maybe?” Pastel frowned and gave Hearth a rather incredulous look as she glared for a moment. “That mare doesn’t kinda, sorta, maybe anything.”         Acoustana was tiring of the pony dance and clopped her hooves together to send that point across.         “I already know she likes me. She told me that months ago. She said I am a special pony for helping Hearth get her song into the concert.”         “Tiana... oh sorry, Hearth. She said she already knows Scarlet likes her, as Scarlet told her as much months ago. Apparently for helping you get your song into the concert.” Knowing her translation duty was over, she let out a sigh and continued. “We don’t mean just like you... she... oh I don’t like this... Hearth you do this, I am not okay with this.” Pastel took a few steps back and defiantly kept her mouth shut.         “Gee, thank,.” Hearth said with a deadpan look. She then looked to Acoustana, her eyes softened and she bit her lower lip.         “My sister will probably hate me for this... but I also know you deserve to know. You have in fact helped me. Just promise me one thing.” Hearth looked straight into Acoustiana’s eyes. “Don’t hold this against my sister, or think poorly on her. As I told you months ago, she is a good pony.” Hearth took in a deep breath.         “The day after she gave you that flower, first thing in the morning in fact, I went see her. I knew by the look on her face, and what you told me she said, that she was not well. I found her in bed crying.” Heart softened her expression and spoke in a soft, gentle voice. “Those tears were because of you, because of how much she... loves you...” Hearth looked away.         “She what?” Pastel yelled as her jaw slowly sagged and her eyes went wide.         Acoustiana felt a slight popping sensation in her head. Suddenly all her encounters made sense. The blushing, the stammering. How Scarlet would look at her. Then the words she spoke came back to her, and the way she removed her tear. “‘I love your voice’... ‘She is different’ … ‘special somepony’...” Acousiana’s eyes went wide. “It almost all makes sense. What doesn’t make sense...  Scarlet... is a mare...”