The green sweater was itchy. The bowtie was too tight. The ponies were too loud. Big Mac was too close.
Marble Pie did not like Ponytone practice so far.
How did she even get roped into this? Of course, she couldn’t say no when she heard Pinkie beg. She would do anything for her sister. But… Big Mac being a part of it might have helped her say yes. Besides that, Fluttershy reassured her that it would be okay.
Everything was nice of course. Her trip to Ponyville was calm and relaxing so far. The train ride was filled with long conversations with Pinkie Pie, with Pinkie doing most of the talking. She was given a room to stay at Sugarcube Corner. Twilight offered a place in her castle, but Pinkie Pie insisted upon Marble and her having a ⅔-of-the-triplets sleepover. If only Limestone had been there to have the three triplets back together. Pinkie would have loved that.
The two sisters had stayed up all night playing games and catching up on what was happening in each other’s lives since the Hearth’s Warming incident. Applejack even payed a visit to Sugarcube Corner to hang out with Marble. She enjoyed that. Applejack loved to bake, and her baked goods were wonderful. Marble and Pinkie and Applejack made rock candy necklaces and traded them around. Marble made extras for her sisters and parents, and Pinkie made one for Maud and told Marble to deliver it to her. Marble agreed happily, and soon enough Applejack had invited her to dinner. Fluttershy and Rarity and Twilight and Rainbow Dash had also come along, and over dinner they talked idly about everything. Marble added a word or two into the conversation, and she enjoyed all of their company.
After all that, Fluttershy asked if Marble would want to join in on Ponytone practice. Rarity even had an extra uniform for her to perform a private show for Pinkie. Marble reluctantly agreed when Big Mac told her that he was in it too, and that he loved it.
Rarity had giggled excitedly and welcomed Marble into the Ponytones with open arms, and when asked if she was excited as well, Marble replied with a firm, ‘Mhm!’.
She was so very proud of herself. She was being so brave.
Fluttershy tapped her shoulder and smiled at her. The music was beginning. It was time to begin singing. Marble tensed up. She had to sing. It was an audience of one, just her sister, but still. She had to sing. For real ponies.
Despite what her family might think, Marble adored singing. She sung to herself in her room all the time, and that was always a wonderful thing she did that made her happy.
Limestone had work. Maud had rocks. Pinkie had parties.
Marble had singing.
Big Mac started by singing low notes, he was a surprising good singer. Fluttershy soon joined in, and soon it was time for them all to sing. She sucked in a deep breath and began the song.
“T-trot outside and you see the sunshine…” Marble whispered, hiding behind her bangs. Rarity smiled again and nudged her. Pinkie smiled brightly from the audience of one and clapped for Marble. This was so much different than at home.
“Something’s in the air today… Sky is clear and you’re feeling so fine…” She sang, louder this time. She could almost hear herself!
Fluttershy beamed at her and giggled. A burst of bravery surged in her and she raised her volume slightly.
“Everything’s gonna be a-okay.” She sang, swishing her tail slightly and peaking out from behind her bangs. She almost believed that line.
Now she just had to hum until the chorus. She hummed happily, glad she didn’t have to sing anymore. This was fun, but exhausting. Pinkie was practically bursting in excitement. Her sisters would be so proud of her! So would mother and father. She was being brave, just like they always wanted her to be! She glanced to her right to see Big Mac humming along with her. The chorus was coming up and she looked up at him. He looked at her too, and they locked eyes with awkward shyness. He blushed and suddenly smiled, winking at her as the chorus approached.
Pinkie cheered from the audience and bounced to the music.
Fluttershy smiled at her.
Rarity nudged her and giggled.
And for once in her life, Marble felt bold.
“And you find you’ve got the music!” She sang clearly, her voice smooth as silk alongside the sea of voices. This was wonderful! Marble felt more amazing than she ever had in her life. Even Hearth’s Warming didn’t compare to the excitement and joy she felt right now. Fluttershy and Rarity gaped as Marble smiled brightly. “Got the music in you!”
Pinkie bounced up and down in the one bench, crying tears of joy as her sister sang proudly.
“Marble you’re amazing!!!” Pinkie practically screamed from the bench.
“Got the music, got the music…” The group sang, all looking at Marble with wide smiles that stretched cheek to cheek.
“Got the music in you!” Marble finished. She smiled brightly and brushed her mane out of her eyes. Balloons had somehow appeared, alongside confetti and streamers. The other members of the Ponytones looked about in confusion. Pinkie Pie bounded over to Marble and she saw a blue cannon behind her. Marble giggled a little at that sight.
Suddenly, hooves wrapped around her and she felt her sister’s warm tears on her shoulder. Pinkie had always been very emotional.
Then she felt more. And more. And more.
And soon she was crying too.
Fluttershy nuzzled her cheek affectionately and Rarity hugged her. Big Mac picked all three of them up and hugged them tightly, Rarity coughing softly and wheezing. Big Mac leaned in and kissed Marble’s cheek. Her eyes widened and she blushed brightly.
The sweater was soft. The bowtie was lovely. The ponies were amazing.
And Marble Pie felt proud.