Ivory

by Lithe Kamitatsy

Chapter One

Octavia wondered just how Frederic was able to continue playing. Weren't stallions very vulnerable in that area? Sheer force of will, she supposed. That must’ve been one of the benefits that Frederic got from his stoicism.

The stallion had devoted his life to the piano- a simple physical injury that could possibly leave him sterile and unable to sire a single foal in his lifetime, would never come between him and his true passion of tinkling the ivory keys. At least, that passion was surely hidden behind the painful grimace.

Soon enough, Octavia, Beauty Brass, and Harpo were spent, leaving Frederic Horseshoepin the sole survivor of the pink maniac’s massacre; however, this was short-lived, as the pain eventually caught up to the poor stallion. Frederic’s vision blurred, and he keeled over in his seat.

“Delayed reaction,” said Harpo. “Classic.”

Things, of course, only got worse as the gala proceeded...

As Frederic slowly regained his senses, he could hear what sounded like muffled voices in the distance.

“...you sure he’ll be okay...?” One voice asked.

“...he’ll be fine. He’s made of tougher stuff...” Another voice responded.

“...she got him good...” A third voice said.

Slowly, Frederic opened his eyes, seeing the remainder of his ensemble standing over him.

“I...” he said. “Am wearing an athletic cup from now on.”

“Probably not a bad idea, Fred,” Harpo said as he bent over to help his friend to his hooves. Frederic took a look around, and felt his jaw hit the floor when he saw just how bad the remainder of the Dance Hall looked.

“Was...was there a storm of some sort while I was unconscious?” Frederic asked, somewhat panicked.

“Stampede, actually,” said Octavia.

Frederic’s face took on a bemused expression.

“Don’t ask,” said Harpo.

“I don’t believe I want to,” Frederic stated. “All I remember was taking a seat at my piano, then seeing a pink blur appear at the corner of my vision, and suddenly my world was filled with stars. I managed to keep myself composed as long as I could to keep playing, but it got the better of me...and here we are.”

“We will all mourn the tragic loss of your balls,” said Harpo, bowing his head.

“Oh, shut up.”

“Well, good to see Fred’s just the same as usual,” said Beauty Brass, the sousaphone player with a hearty laugh.

“Any idea on how much we’re being payed for the event? I can imagine not very much...seeing as it looked like it never did finish,” Frederic said, wondering aloud.

“Given our contract,” said Octavia, “we played for as long as we were able. They’ll pay us.”

“They’d better,” said Harpo. “I was straight-faced the entire time.”

“Weren’t you the first to go down, Octavia? I saw you take a tumble shortly after we began,” Frederic pointed out. “I won’t lie- it was difficult keeping a straight face, so good on you, Harpo.”

“Actually, your face was kinda funny,” said Harpo. “Eyes clenched shut, teeth barred...”

“Not helping.”

“All I can hope is that I never see that pink demon again as long as I’m still alive...I don’t think my family jewels can take another beating like that,” Frederic said, not daring to take a step forward just yet. “And I do intend to be a father someday.”

“Well, keep your hooves crossed, buddy,” said Harpo.

“Such a shame...I had been practicing for sometime for this event,” Frederic said. For more reasons than one... he thought as he cast a quick glance at Octavia, feeling his heart sink at such a huge missed opportunity to catch her eye. He didn’t know why that kept happening. He didn’t have a chance. For all he knew she wasn’t even into stallions, let alone him.

“Hey Fred...you okay? You seem downcast,” Harpo asked, concerned for his friend.

“Hm? Oh, I’m alright. Just a bit disappointed is all. It was a big night, and I wasn’t able to perform at my best,” Frederic said, shutting off his emotions for now. “Why don’t you all go on and collect your things while I call the carriage?”

“Sure thing, Fred,” said Beauty Brass.

Once the group had made their way outside, Fred took a seat near his piano, sighing heavily. “Another night, another blown chance,” he said, his heart heavy. “How much longer am I going to keep chasing her? Do I even stand a chance?” he asked nopony in particular. He could feel his eyes stinging with tears, but refused to let them fall.

“Dude,” said Harpo. “Don’t talk to yourself, ponies’ll think you’re crazy.”

Frederic turned around, shocked. “How...how long have you been standing there...?”

“Long as you haven’t been getting the carriage,” said Harpo, sitting down next to him.

Frederic let out a long sigh. “Well, if anyone was going to find out, I’m glad you were the one...I don’t know what I would have done had it been Octavia standing there,” he said, his expression glum.

“Don’t beat yourself up over this, Fred. You’ll get another chance,” Harpo said, patting his friend on the shoulder.

“That’s just it, Harpo...do all these chances even matter? What difference will my effort make if she doesn’t feel the same way, or even see me as a potential significant other?”

“Yes, that can be a bit of a problem with lesbians.”

Frederic blinked. “Wait, what?”

“What, you didn’t know?” asked Harpo. “She’s been seeing this unicorn. Fun girl. DJ.”

“Wait, her?” Frederic asked. “They’re...”

“You need to pay better attention.”

“...I’m such an idiot...” Frederic said, bringing a hoof up to his face. “...It was only a matter of time, I suppose.” He let out a deep sigh, a forlorn expression adorning his face. His heart was broken, and it hurt.

“Hey, hey, hey...” said Harpo. “It’s okay, it’s okay. There are lots of mares in Canterlot. One’s bound to ask you out eventually.”

“I’ll bet none of them play the cello like she does...” Frederic said, “none of them are as smart as she is, or as beautiful as she is.”

“It is going to be outrageously funny when Octavia walks in on this conversation...”

“What are you talking about?”

“Well, she is headed this way,” Harpo pointed out. Frederic scrambled to his hooves, limping away as quickly as he could to call a carriage. Every step he took was met with small pains shooting from his groin, but it was well worth it in comparison to the alternative.

“Did Frederic call for the carriage?” asked Octavia as she made her way over to Harpo.

“Yeah, that’s getting taken care of,” said Harpo.

“Is... he okay?”

“About what, the balls or the other thing?”

Octavia looked at him. “The other thing?”

“Oh, yeah,” said Harpo. “Bad news and good news. Bad news is he’s very depressed.”

“And the good news?”

Harpo lay on his back, his hooves over his heart. “He’s in looooooooove.”

“In love? How odd. I can’t imagine with whom. Either way, whomever she is, she is a very lucky mare,” Octavia said with a smile.

If only you knew, Harpo thought to himself as he rolled his eyes at Octavia.

“What was that for, Harpo? Did I say something out of place?” Octavia asked. Harpo was about to speak when Frederic reappeared.

“The carriage should be here momentarily. I trust you and Brass have all your things in order?” Frederic asked.

“Everything is gathered out front, Frederic,” Octavia said. She then made her way over to him and placed a hoof on his shoulder. “Hey...best of luck,” she said with a wink. Frederic shot a glance at Harpo, who gave a painful, apologetic shrug from behind Octavia. Ignoring the fresh stab now taken at his heart, he nodded.

“Thank you, Octavia. Your support is most appreciated,” he said, lying through his teeth.

“Of course, Frederic. I don’t want you to think of me being just your partner, but your friend.” Octavia gave a warm smile. She was unaware of just what kind of damage she was inflicting. “We’ll always be friends, right?”

Ooh, friendzoned, Harpo thought as he watched this train-wreck of a heart-to-heart between Frederic and Octavia.

Frederic’s eye twitched in a way that was almost undetectable. “Of course, Octavia,” he said with a smile. Harpo decided now would be the best time to intervene.

“Sooooooo,” he said, “who’s in the mood for grape juice?”

“I am,” Frederic said almost immediately, looking for any excuse to leave this conversation. Just something to change the subject to something a little more comfortable and mundane.

“So, Rarity!” said Pinkie. “How’d things work out with prince charming?”

“More like prince charmless,” said Rarity. “What an awful, awful bore he was, not to mention rude. He had no sense of class, and he essentially proved that chivalry is indeed dead.” Spike scowled, looking hurt. “To think he would use me as a shield, that brute...”

“Aww, it’s okay Rarity. So what if he was a big ol’ snobby-nobby meanie pants?” asked Pinkie. “I’m sure there are stallions out there that are waaaaay better than that wishy-washy prince!”

“Yeah!” piped up Spike.

“Thank you, both of you...it really means a lot to me that you’re trying your best to cheer me up,” said Rarity. “I must say, this night was a disappointment, but... I think it’s a lot better now.”

“We all feel that way, sugarcube,” said Applejack. “Tonight just stank all the way around.”

“Tell me about it,” interjected Rainbow Dash. “I had so many shots at talking to Spitfire, and I lost every single one...but hey, Pinkie messing with those musicians was pretty funny,” she said with a snicker.

“Rainbow Dash! I’m surprised at you!” Rarity said, her voice raised slightly. “It’s one thing to laugh at happenstance, but it is entirely another to laugh at another’s misfortune. Those musicians tried their hardest to play what Pinkie asked of them, and I can honestly say I commend them for it,” Rarity chastised. “I am certain you would not take kindly to somepony crashing a Wonderbolt performance!”

Rainbow Dash gasped in horror. “That kind of thing would never happen under my watch!”

“Then you understand what I am getting at. As somepony who respects high-class culture and the more refined aspects of life, I consider music to be one of them. Anypony who decides to take up the calling of being a musician has my respect,” said Rarity, her chin held up high.

“Yeah yeah, I get you Rarity,” Rainbow Dash said, fanning her hoof dismissively at Rarity. “Sheesh, way to be a killjoy.”

“Now now girls, just relax,” Twilight interjected. “I know we’ve all had a long night, but that doesn’t mean we should be jumping at each other’s throats.”

“Twi’s right, girls. Just ‘cause we’ve had a tough break doesn’t mean we get to fly off the handle about it,” Applejack added, backing her up. “We all just need to sleep this off, and try to just forget about what happened tonight.”

“...I agree,” Fluttershy said. “Please stop fighting...”

“Understood,” said Rarity. Rainbow Dash only nodded in response, stifling a grumble.

As much as she wanted to, Rarity could not help but replay the events of the night over in her mind. She felt her emotions running rampant, unsure whether to scream or cry. The stallion of her dreams, turned out to be the stallion worthy of nightmares. So inconsiderate. So rude. So smug. As glad as she was to have rid herself of any desire for the brute, she was forced to face a bitter realization. While her friends all had dreams they wished to accomplish while at the Gala, hers was the only dream that had been broken, aside from being unfulfilled.

“Sugarcube? Are y’all right?” A voice asked, pulling her from her thoughts.

“What?” Rarity asked, coming back to reality. She then noticed that the other girls had gone on ahead, Applejack waiting idly by. “I’m fine, dear. Why do you ask?”

“Well, for one, you just stopped dead. Second, you didn’t answer anypony when we called out to you. There something you wanna get off your chest?” Applejack asked as they continued their walk, albeit at a much slower pace.

“I must say, I’m surprised that you were the one that came to see if I was alright. Believe me I mean no offense when I say this, but you and I haven’t exactly gotten along in the past...” Rarity said.

“Forget about all that,” Applejack said. “You’re my friend, and I take care of my friends like they’re family. I care about you, and I ain’t lying when I say I’m worried about you. C’mon, tell me what’s on your mind.”

“It’s nothing,” said Rarity. “Just a familiar feeling of disappointment.” Applejack raised an eyebrow, seeing through the feeble attempt at trying to play it off.

“I know what you’re selling, sugarcube, and I ain’t buying,” Applejack said with a smirk.

“Fair enough...” Rarity said. With a heavy sigh, she began. “It was that fool of a stallion I was with.”

“Wait, the stallion that said my food was equal to ‘carnival-food?' Why, I’d like to strap him down and –”

“You see my point?”

“I sure do. Yeah, he was about as gentlecoltly as a haystack on fire,” Applejack said. “I’m really sorry you had to put up with that, sugarcube... I can imagine he made your night terrible.”

“You haven’t even the slightest inkling as to how bad it was,” said Rarity. “You know he’s a bad egg when he uses you as a pony cake shield.”

“He did what now!?” Applejack said, feeling her blood come to a boil. “Shoot, if I ever see that no-good blowhard I’ll make sure he goes from ‘Blueblood’ to ‘Bluebelle’,” she growled, to which Spike noticeably winced.

For the first time that night, Rarity laughed. “Now that is something I would pay bits to see,” she said. “It wasn’t so much him that ruined the night...well, yeah, he did ruin the night, but it was also the image I had of him. I expected him to be gentle, kind, sweet, and above all else, a gentlecolt. Unfortunately, I got what I got,” she sighed. The smile she had quickly dissipated. “...I had waited so long to meet him, and he turned out to be horrible. I just want to find a stallion that will treat me with a shred of dignity. It isn’t too much to ask, is it?” Spike began to straighten himself in his chair.

“Of course not, sugarcube,” Applejack said as she turned to face Rarity. She felt her heart sink when she saw tears sliding down her cheeks, her eyes shut tightly as she fought the urge to cry. “It’s okay, sugarcube... it'll be alright,” Applejack soothed as she pulled her friend into a hug. It was at this point that Rarity let herself go, crying quietly into Applejack’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Rarity... but don’t you worry. I’m sure there’s a stallion out there that’ll treat you right, and treat you the way you want to be treated. You just gotta find him is all.”

“H-How will I know if he’s the right one?” Rarity asked, sniffling as she fought to regain her composure.

Applejack smiled. “I’m sure you’ll know when you find him,” she winked. Rarity gave a weak smile, and wiped her face as best she could.

“How awful...my make-up is running,” Rarity said with a small laugh.

“It doesn’t matter all that much. You’ve got the looks to knock over any stallion if you wanted,” Applejack said.

“Thank you, Applejack...really, I mean that. You have no idea how much this has helped me,” Rarity said with a soft smile, embracing her friend once more.

“Think nothing of it,” Applejack said, returning the smile and the embrace. “Now c’mon, let’s get home. I’m tired,” she said.

“Me too, Applejack...me too,” Rarity said, following close behind.