E
Source

Noteworthy never planned on becoming a traveling musician. A gifted saxophonist accepted into one of the most prostegious musical academies, Noteworthy never would've dreamed of such foalishness.

Time, of course, challenges all our expectations. Sometimes, dreams change, hearts break, and ties sever.

And, in the end of it all, Noteworthy discovers what freedom truly means.

One night aboard a cruise ship, the stallion with a saxophone recounts his journey to an unexpected fan.

Inspired by the Bob Seger song, "Turn The Page."

Thanks to Regidar, Sir Rustbucket, and Holo for editing.

Thank you so much to Seattle's Angels for featuring this story!

Now featured on Equestria Daily!

Now with a French translation by inglobwetrust!

Rated Everyone.

Chapters (1)
Comments ( 66 )

Huh. This was impressive.

Well done.

~Skeeter The Lurker

O_O


WOW! You wrote something that does NOT have AB and Babs? o_O

Okay, give me a bit to read this, then I'll blabber like an idiot.

*Downloads to the Nook*

Now I need 5 others.... too bad you can't write 5 more stories in 5 minutes. :pinkiecrazy::pinkiecrazy: Earn my advanced like and favorite..... What? don't give me that "Don't count your chicken's before they hatch" look.... This looked impressive.... I will read/add just about anything if the summery hooks me.... The fact it contains Blueblood (the guy you just love to hate) in a "nice?" role is intriguing.

*runs out of things to say*

The feels, this hit me in them... Keep up the good work!

This made me think of Joni Mitchell's clarinetist in "For Free":

Now me I play for fortunes,
and those velvet curtain calls
I got a black limousine and two gentlemen
escorting me to the halls
And I'll play if you have the money,
or if you're a friend to me
But the one man band,
by the quick lunch stand,
He was playing real good for free

His priorities, like Noteworthy's, were different.

Blabbering commenced. This was gold.

You really need to be a published author, because you write better than a lot of them.

jz1

Wow. That was...that was... really good.

However, all I can think about now is Blueblood, returning to Canterlot, and telling Octavia about Noteworthy. That would be the perfect ending to a perfect story.

2913972

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! :pinkiehappy:

2913980

I actually have a huge list of unfinished fics/ideas that have nothing to do with the TR trilogy. Some of them have AB and Babs in them, but in totally different roles. :raritywink:

2913982 2914365

:twilightblush: Wow, Sorren, thank you. I'm glad you liked it. :twilightsmile:

2913997

Thanks, Pyro! I hope you enjoy the story. Don't worry, I will definitely be writing more stories...far more than five! :rainbowwild: Blueblood as a decent soul was an intriguing idea, and I hope I did it justice here.

2914049

Thanks, Inspectah! :moustache: I'm glad you enjoyed it.

2914067

Will do, thanks! I'm glad the feels were felt here. :yay:

2914270

Indeed. That is quite a fitting song for Noteworthy in this story.

2914547

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it! :twilightsmile: That would indeed be the perfect ending. Perhaps Blueblood had a good enough heart to do so.

2913980 And somehow it was just awesome :rainbowkiss:

Must leave review later.

Such a sweet story. :fluttercry:

At times where I assume a story to be good ahead of time, it pays off :ajsmug: Although, I found this story ever so slightly sad. Kinda a trippy sadness that leaves you happy albeit sad in a way you don't understand.

I also found a really odd reference (2nd one I found if its true :pinkiecrazy:)

Noteworthy's backstory (flashback) was suspiciously like Susan Boyle. Weird pony ridiculed before stepping out of stage. He didn't fit this music scene, in fact HOW DARE HE MOCK US WITH HIS APPEARENCE :flutterrage: but when he comes onstage, he plays beautiful music, shocking the hell out of everypony. Now this sounded a lot like Susan Boyle to me.

You could have been going for something completely different, but it really was a lot like her situation to be coincidence. I am feeling confident :ajsmug: that you at least know of her or enough about her to slip her situation in there.

and if I am wrong and it is just a really bizarre coincidence, then in that case you need to change the pop culture references so that I don't connect things in your stories to real life. I am very happy about this story, and glad that I read it. It just left me feeling sad in a vague sense. This doesn't change my opinion of it though.

I will read your tragedies (boy does this sound dirty :pinkiecrazy:) and anything that has the Bad_Seed_72 seal on it I will read... just don't glorify it :fluttercry: and we will be fine....

2915823

Thanks! :rainbowkiss: I look forward to the review! :twilightsmile:

2916440

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it! :heart:

2916942

Glad you enjoyed the story! I left the "Sad" tag off this one, because I believe it's up to the reader to decide if it's a sad story or not. I could make a case either way. Noteworthy's background being similar to Boyle in some ways was intentional, so good job for catching that. :twilightsmile:

Yet another exceptionally well done story. Excellent job :twilightsmile:

I really enjoyed the interaction between Blueblood (you actually managed to get me to like a story with him in it, extra points!) and Noteworthy and how you portrayed Noteworthy as the Stallion who would make the tough call as it were... do I agree with him not going back to find Octavia? No not really, but a hopeless romance is still a romance in its own way and I like the way it played out. The bit with Lyra, where he didn't see her as a romantic interest but rather as an inspiration was excellently done.

So, in typically fashion, I shall leave you with a quote: "Happiness is a subjective thing. So many believe they are happy because they are meeting the expectations of others and are able to buy things that they want. So many others believe they are happy because they do not need to meet these expectations and have no responsibilities. The truth is, as always, something of a compromise. Sometimes, the happiest person in the world is just the one that gets to smile for one more day."

2924062

Thanks, Shadow_Wolf! I'm glad you enjoyed the story! :twilightsmile: I'm glad the bit with Lyra turned out well. As for Noteworthy not going back to find Octavia...I debated putting a "Sad" tag on this for a while, but decided to leave it off. The readers can decide whether he made the right choice, and if he is happy or not. :twilightsmile:

As always, what a fitting and wise quote! :pinkiesad2::moustache:

Daww...what a touching little story.

A fine choice for a saxophone song there, as well. Well done.:twilightsmile:

Hmm....that barkeeper...there's something rather familiar about that barkeeper, methinks...

2936464

Thanks! I'm glad the song fit well, and that you enjoyed it. :twilightsmile:

:pinkiegasp: What would make you say that?! :rainbowlaugh:

Vagabonds, you know... :raritywink:

Effective descriptions, rich narrative and a well setup ambiance... a well executed one shot.
It actually reminds me of one of the first MLP fics I read, that also involved Noteworthy (just "Blues" at the time) and some exploration of the vagabond musician lifestyle.
A shame we'll never see a jazz rendition in the actual show, but you have to admit it probably wouldn't fit the targeted audience. Kudos.

2998333

Thank you! :twilightsmile: And agreed, too bad we won't see Noteworthy play his blues in the show. Ah, well, that's what this site is for. :raritywink:

So did Octavia purposely break ties with him in anger? I'm not sure.

Geez, I have totally got that feeling when you are happy-sad. :pinkiesad2::pinkiehappy:

3120694

Thanks. That's what I was going for. :twilightsmile:

Haven't read this one yet but I already have an idea of what this is based off of. Is it based off of Titanic by any chance? Just a weird vibe I get when I look at the pic you added. 'My Heart Will Go On' instantly plays in my head when I look at the pic you posted along with the story. Is my Pinkie Sense right? :pinkiehappy:

3387192

Unfortunately, it's not based off Titanic, but off the song in the description. The pic was the only one I could find of both Blueblood and Noteworthy. But I can see where you got that vibe! :pinkiesmile:

3387939
Just finished reading this and it was NOT what I expected. I honestly thought that it would be more Titanic-ish. Guess my Pinkie Sense isn't working. :pinkiesad2:

But all in all, just because it wasn't what I expected doesn't mean I didn't like it. I loved it actually. I honestly thought Blueblood and Noteworthy were going to hook up after Note told him about losing Octavia. Boy was I wrong.

Still enjoyed this though. A little sad but nothing too bad. I do feel really sorry for Noteworthy though. Blueblood is right. He COULD be living a better life but I guess it doesn't matter as long as he's happy right? Or is he?

I had a strong feeling that the whole thing with Lyra was gonna be that Noteworthy sneaks out of his dorm one night just to talk to her and they somehow wind up hooking up and Note having to dump Octavia because Noteworthy wanted happiness and Lyra, just by her appearance, gave it to him.

All in all it was a great fic. So much feels for Note though. Poor guy.

Keep up the awesome work Bad! You seriously have yet to fail me.

Think I'm gonna read the Bab's triligy next

3391392

I'm glad you enjoyed it still! :twilightsmile: While there is a tiny bit of romance in the flashback scenes, it wasn't really enough to warrant the Romance tag. Good thing the story was a good surprise. :pinkiesmile:

I do feel really sorry for Noteworthy though. Blueblood is right. He COULD be living a better life but I guess it doesn't matter as long as he's happy right? Or is he?

That's a question only you (the reader) can answer. :raritywink:

And thanks! I hope I don't disappoint you. :moustache:

I hope you enjoy the trilogy as well! :yay:

I hope Noteworthy goes back and be free with Octavia, I cannot help but feel sad for him.

3418936

It is a sad tale, indeed. Maybe he will, maybe he won't. :raritywink:

Nothing tying you down, eh, Noteworthy? Nothing to keep you from looking back.

Well... nothing except the memories.

3452541

Exactly.

Thanks for the fav. :twilightsmile:

There's some really nice nuance in there, as well as scene-crafting. It's so easy for this to sound trite and pretentious, but you pulled it off and turned that into richness instead. Good job, author.

3455108

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :pinkiehappy:

Seattle's Angels found another hidden gem. Beautiful story.

3470551

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. :twilightsmile:

Awww, that was really sweet and uplifting until we found out just what the picture was. A bit of a melancholic end, with a little nugget of hope for the future.

Smooth grammar, with one typo.

Julimare were

Should probably be

Julimare where

All-around well worth the time it took to read it. Well done.

3472352

Whoops! Thanks for catching that. Fixed. :twilightblush:

And thank you. I'm glad it was worth the read. :twilightsmile:

Awesome work, Seed .
It actually made me feel .

I think i'll follow you again and give your "Tangled Roots" series another chance

3479747

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it! :pinkiehappy:

And thanks for the follow (again)! :twilightsmile: I do hope you enjoy the series. If not, I've written many more stories between then and now, and plan to continue doing so.

Very nicely done! Great use of PBB as a contrast in values, without being condescending or cruel about it.:eeyup:

3520927

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :moustache:

If it's up to the reader to decide whether this story is sad or not, I'm going to call it on "yes". Noteworthy here may well be genuinely happy, but to me he just comes off like he's kidding himself because he screwed everything up. Poor guy seems unhappier now than he ever was in the music school. He may not have smiled as much back then, but at least he wasn't a recluse who hides away in his room and talks to a picture. It didn't leave me a sobbing wreck or anything, but this really was kind of a downer. The fact that he considers Prince Blueblood of all ponies a friend should make that obvious.

So good work for making me feel an emotion I guess.

3533589

Hmm, interesting thoughts! I always enjoy hearing what my readers think, especially for more vague stories like this.

Thanks for the fav. I'm glad I made you feel something! I hope you enjoyed it. :twilightsmile:

3534361

I did. Thank you.

3533589
Ohmigosh, exactly what I was thinking. That was what clinched the deal for me when I settled on a final opinion for this story.

It takes more than a smile to be happy. I didn't believe for a second that he is. His motivation to leave school was abstract and external, add that to the fact that presumably Lyra didn't become a traveling musician and it makes even less sense. Great job offers don’t mean enslavement for life either, one can always quit, as I will do every time I feel stagnant.

3670729

Good points. And yup... with work, you can always quit and try something new! Financial setbacks can be difficult, but they can be worked through.

3533589

but to me he just comes off like he's kidding himself because he screwed everything up. Poor guy seems unhappier now than he ever was in the music school. He may not have smiled as much back then, but at least he wasn't a recluse who hides away in his room and talks to a picture. It didn't leave me a sobbing wreck or anything, but this really was kind of a downer. The fact that he considers Prince Blueblood of all ponies a friend should make that obvious.

With one last smile, Noteworthy simply said, "Nothing left to lose," and bowed his head.

I certainly agree with you there DannyJ. I am reminded of that line in Metallica's Unforgiven III:
How can I be lost, if I've got nowhere to go?

Mr Noteworthy may claim to have nothing left to lose, but rather it is like he never had anything to begin with in the first place...

Login or register to comment