One week later
Ah, Saturdays, that one time of the week where ponies could just relax and, well, let loose. Especially college ponies, and Camera was no exception to this. Melody, on the other hoof, wasn't exactly a social stallion, and was deathly afraid of going to parties.
"O-oh, c-come on, C-Camera, y-you can't e-expect me t-to go to a p-party," Melody objected panicky.
Camera couldn't help but chuckle slightly. In the week since he and Melody first met, the two had become bonded, and Camera was well aware of Melody's social anxiety. Wanting to help his friend come out of his shell was the primary reason for his asking to go the party.
"Come on, you can't stay cooped up here practicing your music all the time, you need to get out and have some fun. Don't worry, I'll be right beside you," Camera said encouragingly.
Melody stood in his doorway, considering whether or not he should go. While it is true he shouldn't stay cooped up most of the time, he still felt a wave of nervousness and fear hit him as he thought about what it would be like at a event not even his parents could convince him of attending.
Sighing, Melody's ears drooped and he agreed to go. "Great, this is going to be awesome, let's go", Camera replied, grinning.
The two left Melody's home and made their way to the party, an air of silence between them. For the most of the journey, the only sounds came from nighttime critters and the breathing of the stallions. With Camera leading the way, Melody found himself constantly staring at Camera's butt as they walked.
Sweet Celestia, I just can't stop staring at Camera's plot, my FRIEND's plot. Geez, get a grip on yourself, Melody, the unicorn thought, his mind racing and his face heating up.
"Well, here we are", Camera announced, breaking Melody's train of thought.
Looking up, and still blushing, Melody finally saw where they're journey led them: a jazz club with the sign The Tasteful Stallion.
"A j-jazz c-club", Melody asked, surprised that Camera had chosen such an unusual spot.
"Yeah, well, I figured that this being your first time doing this, you should be exposed to something a little more moderate in order to help you get a feel for it. That, and, I actually love jazz", Camera replied, blushing and rubbing the back of his neck.
You chose this because you were concerned for me? Oh my gosh, that is so sweet, Melody thought, pleasantly surprised.
The duo walked into the club, and Melody was somewhat surprised, as the club was mostly covered in a soft blue light, with tables laid out in a neat, orderly fashioned. Towards the right was a rather extensive bar and a stage was set up towards the back.
"I never knew you liked jazz", Melody said with a sly grin.
"Well, my mother was always fond of the style, though she mainly preferred the old Germane artists", Camera explained.
"Huh, well, you did tell me your parents had a extensive taste in music", Melody replied thoughtfully, recounting what Camera had told him over the past week.
"Hey, Camera, Melody, over here", a voice called.
Turning to see who it was, Melody saw that the voice belonged to a rather pretty pink unicorn mare, with magneta eyes, her brunette mane pulled back into a bun, a blue scarf wrapped around her neck, and a chef's hat for a cutie mark.
"Hey, Cous, glad to see you here", Camera called, smiling.
Baker smiled and proceeded to hug her cousin.
"I'm glad you were able to come, and with your friend nonetheless", Baker replied, smiling before turning to Melody.
"H-hello, my n-name i-is, M-Melody L-Light," Melody greeted, shyly smiling.
"My name is Baker, pleasure to meet you," she replied, shaking his hoof.
Returning to their seats, Melody noticed that three other ponies were seated; one mare, and two stallions. Baker seated next to the one of the stallions, who then proceeded to kiss her softly. The other stallion had his arm around the shoulder of the one other mare, who smiled at the small exchange.
"Well howdy there, glad y'all two could show", the one other mare, a green earth pony with freckles and bright purple eyes said.
The stallion next to her, a bulky brown earth pony, merely nodded his response. Baker giggled and said, "Melody, Camera, these are my friends, Rose Garden, her husband, Thornbush, and of course, my lovely coltfriend, Prep Time".
She referred to the stallion next to her, a bluish-grey unicorn.
Melody smiled and couldn't help but think about how lucky those stallions are to have such beautiful mares by their side. "I-it's a p-pleasure t-to m-meet all of y-you". he responded.
"It is no problem, any friends of Baker are friends of ours", Thornbush replied, his voice somewhat gruff.
"So, Camera, Melody, how are you liking the school", Prep Time asked.
"Well, the first week wasn't too bad, mostly introductory courses and whatnot", Camera replied.
"W-well, t-technically, t-this i-is m-my s-second y-year he-here", Melody explained.
"I'm sorry, but can you please not stutter, its driving me crazy", Prep Time asked, annoyed.
"PREP TIME! You can't just ask a pony not to stutter, Melody can't help it", Baker exclaimed, shocked at the rudeness of her coltfriend.
"What, I can't stand it when ponies stutter, can they just learn not to", Prep Time said.
With a loud hmph, Baker replied, "no, Prep, its not that simple. Alot of ponies suffer from speech impediment, you can't tell ponies to stop something they can't help".
Suddenly feeling the weight of it all come onto him, Melody got up and said, "I-I'm s-sorry, h-he's r-right, I-I'll j-just l-leave now".
He then walked out the door before anypony could say anything.
"Wow, nice job, Prep, way to be a jerk", Baker said, venom dripping in her voice.
"I'll-I'll go check up on him", Camera explained, feeling the need to not only leave the hostile space, but also to check up on his friend.
...
From the time he walked out, Melody ran back home, as fast as his legs could go. Tears clouded his vision and he was pretty sure he was crying, but none of that mattered now. Melody felt humiliated, embarrassed by his speech impediment. I'm sorry, but can you please not stutter. That thought and the ensuing fight raced through his mind.
"MELODY! WAIT", a familiar voice called out to him.
Stopping, Melody turned around and through tear-stricken eyes, he saw Camera raced towards him.
"Melody, are you-" Camera was about to ask but stopped when he saw the condition his friend was in.
Melody looked like he had been crying for a long time, his eyes were puffy and the remains of tear streams were left on his face. Feeling a pang of sadness and sympathy hit him, Camera said softly, "I'm sorry about what happened back there".
Sniffing, Melody replied, " Oh, w-what d-does it m-matter, C-Camera. I'm n-never g-going to fi-fit e-end".
Hearing his friend choke up and sound so distressed, Camera walked over to Melody and drew him into a tight hug. Melody returned the hug and proceeded to cry on Camera's shoulder. ....
Baker had never been angrier in her life. Sure, she got frustrated and even flustered sometimes whenever a recipe goes wrong, or when dealing with a idiotic and disrespectful customer; but never did she consider her own coltfriend, a pony whom she loved and respected, would be so rude and disrespectful to another pony. Especially when that pony was clearly shy and was trying to be friendly.
"Baby, please, I didn't mean to-" Prep began, but not before Baker cut him off.
"Save it, Prep. Ya know, I never thought in a million years you'd be mean to a pony like Melody", Baker replied, gritting her teeth.
The two were standing outside the club now, and even though it was cool outside, Baker couldn't have felt any warmer.
"Oh come on, Baker, Melody was talking too slow and I wasn't in the mood for constant stuttering", Prep responded, his expression souring.
Baker rolled her eyes and groaned. "Still, that's no reason to be a jerk to other ponies", she said.
"Now, you're going to apologise to Melody right now, or Celestia help me, I'm going to make sure you'll stay in the dog house a LONG TIME", Baker continued, adding extra emphasis to the LONG TIME bit.
"Fine, I'll do it", Prep growled.
"Excellent, but you'll still be in the dog house for a bit", Baker replied, a mischievous grin on her face.