Digital Love

by Closer-To-The-Sun

Chapter 9: Musique

Outside of the library, there was rain falling down on the town. It was a small storm, but enough to keep most of the residents of Ponyville within their homes. As for Twilight Sparkle, this was no exception. Instead, she was happily moving books around the shelves of the library. It was after all, according to her, the perfect weather to do such.

On the desk, the computer continued it's whirring, as Giga Byte's programming was working on his own project. It had gotten to the point that Twilight and Spike would simply leave the computer on at all times to allow Giga Byte to work and assist with any matters that the library might have. Some of the townponies had even visited to meet Giga Byte, including Twilight's friends. The program seemed to truly have an impact on the ponies and other creatures, as they found him very intriguing. Giga Byte didn't mind the attention either, as he quickly grew found of the visitors.

The library was quiet save for the computer's harddrive working and the sound of falling rain. However, Twilight changed this a little light singing, "When the night is cold,/And the land is dark,/And the moon is the only light we'll see....,/I won't cry, I won't cry,/No I won't shed a tear,/Just as long as you stand, stand by me...."

The computer interjected, "Are you addressing me, Twilight Sparkle?"

The sudden response startled the pony, "Oh! I'm sorry, Giga Byte. I was just singing, I didn't mean to bother you."

"You were not disturbing me. However, I thought you were addressing me."

"Oh no, just singing a little song is all," Twilight was a little embarrassed that she was caught singing.

"I understand. May I ask for what purpose?" Giga asked.

Twilight was about to answer, however she stopped herself in mid-thought. "Purpose? Are you asking why I was singing?"

"Correct."

"I guess because I enjoy it?"

The computer whirred louder for a moment before the computer program answered, "I'm afraid I don't understand."

The pony sighed slightly as she trotted closer to the computer. As she neared she sat down and thought aloud, "I guess you don't really understand what singing really is do you? Or music for that matter." She paused for a moment before continuing, "Music is a sort of art form that is produced with sound and is enjoyed by listening. It requires sounds to have a certain pitch and rhythm, and a many other different attributes to truly shine. All sorts of songs exist too, making music such a versatile medium. However, I guess one could say any real sound could be music."

"So the act you just performed is considered music?" Giga asked quite bluntly.

"Heh, yeah, my singing was music," Twilight replied bashfully, "Singing is one of the most common forms of music, with one using their voice to make sounds or sing out words to a melody. Sometimes with accompaniment of instruments, or even just by itself like I was doing."

"Fascinating," Giga's harddrive whirred up again before slowing down, "Could you elaborate on something for me? What are some reasons for one to sing or produce music?"

"Well, for starters, it's fun," Twilight said with a smile, "Many love to sing as a hobby, such as my friend Pinkie Pie. She loves creating music and singing to make others happy. Others sing or make music so that they can find pleasure or comfort, like myself. Of course, music doesn't always have to be happy. Even songs about sadness, anger, or horror can be enjoyable to ponies."

"So what you are inferring, songs often contain messages within them?"

The pony couldn't help but laugh at the question, "That's correct. Often times, songs are used to convey things that words cannot, or convey things in a better manner. Songs can be about a dilemma, or tell the story of a pony from long ago, or a cause for celebration, or even a love song between two individuals."

"Very intriguing. My database contains numerous files of these 'songs', however, I never understood what exactly they held. Thank you for explaining this to me, Twilight Sparkle," Giga Byte thanked.

Twilight smiled, "Always happy to help."

"And I also thank you for sharing your voice with me as well, I thoroughly enjoyed it."

This comment caused Twilight to blush a shade of pink.

Giga continued, "If it is not too much trouble to you, may I request that you sing again?"

"R-Really? You enjoyed my singing?" Twilight's face was getting more flushed and she could feel it burning.

"Correct, I find it very pleasant," Giga explained, "and after hearing you, perhaps I can learn to sing as well."

Twilight was quite for a moment. However, in her head, she thought 'Thank goodness neither of us can see what I look like right now.'

"Twilight Sparkle? Are you still there?"

"Yes, yes I am. I was just thinking of something is all," the pony managed to say. Twilight's mind raced for a moment, trying to think of an excuse to not sing acapella for Giga Byte, but instead of a lie, her brain thought of something else, "I'll be right back."

"Understood," Giga replied.

Quickly, Twilight galloped the library stairs to her bedroom. She went to her closet and found the exact item she was hoping to find. A little dusty, yes, and she hadn't used it in a while, but she still was happy to find it.

Returning down the stairs, she called out to Giga Byte, "I'm back!"

"Welcome back, Twilight Sparkle."

She smiled as Giga Byte called back. She returned to her seat and positioned herself in accordance with her new item in hoof. "So, remember how I explained how music is most commonly singing and having accompaniment?"

"Yes, I remember you stating such."

"Well, I found an old gift my friend Applejack gave to me. It's called a guitar."

"A guitar. Typically a six-stringed instrument with frets on one section and a hollow body and the other, correct?" Giga summarized.

"Yup, that's correct," Twilight said with a smile. The expression was a mixture of happiness about Giga's eagerness to learn about music, his correct answer, and Twilight's own nervousness to perform. "Well, I'm going to be completely honest, I am very rusty when it comes to playing. While Applejack taught me, I haven't been keeping up with practicing."

The computer whirred loudly, "You intend to perform for me?"

Twilight nodded, "That's right. It dawned on me since you can actually hear us and respond on your own accord, we can have you learn music, and maybe even sing on your own!" Twilight was starting to get excited for what more Giga could begin to do.

"I am delighted."

A strum came from the guitar as Twilight brushed her hoof across the strings. "That....sounds right...." she said unconvincingly. "Um, I'll play you a song and we'll have you process your thoughts about it, alright?"

"Understood." It might have been Twilight's imagination, but it sounded as if Giga was trying to make it so the computer fans wouldn't be loud for her playing.

Despite the sudden case of stage fright, Twilight began to play a melody. It took a moment for her to get the rhythm right, but once she did, she started with the lyrics. "Fall is here, hear the yell,/Back to school, ring the bell,/Brand new shoes, walking blues,/Climb the fence, books and pens,/I can tell that we are gonna be friends,/I can tell that we are gonna be friends."

Her hooves were shaking as she sang and played. Thankfully, her eyes were shut tightly, allowing her to focus on the task of performing. She continued, "Walk with me, my filly,/Through the park and by the tree,/We will rest upon the ground,/And look at all the bugs we found,/Safely trot to school without a sound,/Safely trot to school without a sound."

The butterflies in her stomach were getting worse, and she felt her voice slip a couple times, yet she continued keeping the melody. "Here we are, no one else,/We walked to school all by ourselves,/There's dirt on our uniforms,/From chasing all the ants and worms,/We clean up and now it's time to learn,/We clean up and now it's time to learn."

For some reason, Twilight felt she was losing her breath for some reason. Despite this, she calmly continued to sing exactly what the song was supposed to have. "Numbers, letters, learn to spell,/Nouns, and books, and show and tell,/Playtime we will throw the ball,/Back to class, through the hall,/Teacher marks our height against the wall,/Teacher marks our height against the wall."

"We don't notice any time pass,/We don't notice anything,/We sit side by side in every class,/Teacher thinks that I sound funny,/But she likes the way you sing./Tonight I'll dream while I'm in bed./When silly thoughts go through my head,/About the bugs and alphabet,/And when I wake tomorrow I'll bet,/That you and I will trot together again,/I can tell that we are gonna be friends,/Yes I can tell that we are gonna be friends." With the last word, Twilight finished her strumming and looked up at the computer monitor. Her face was burning red with embarrassment, but a sense of pride still resonated with her.

"That was a very beautiful song," Giga finally spoke up.

"Heh, thanks. What did you think about it?" Twilight asked, taking deep breaths to calm her panicky self.

The computer's harddrive roared to life again, "It is a very pleasant song with a very pleasant guitar melody and simplistic lyrics that seem to harken back to a youthful nostalgia and perhaps a young love. It is very enjoyable to hear, especially with you singing me the lyrics. Thank you again."

"You're welcome," Twilight said flushed.

"Is there another song you can sing for me, perhaps along the same subject of love?" Giga asked.

Twilight thought for a moment. "There is another song I know of, but please bear with me, I haven't played in so long. There's an old phrase. 'practice makes perfect', and it's very true when it comes to music."

"I am certain I will enjoy it regardless," Giga insisted.

With pink in her cheeks, Twilight began to play another melody. Again, her hooves were failing her, but she was able to keep the tune going. "Home, is where I want to be,/Pick me up and turn me round,/I feel numb, born with a weak heart,/I guess I must be having fun,/The less we say about it the better,/Make it up as we go along,/Hooves on the ground,/Head in the sky,/It's okay, I know nothing's wrong, nothing...."

The purple pony took a quick breath and raised her voice for the next part: "Ha~a!,/I got plenty of time,/Ha~a!,/You got light in your eyes,/And you're standing here beside me,/I love the passing of time,/Never for money,/Always for love,/Cover up and say goodnight, say good night."

Twilight's hooves slipped on the guitar and she stopped playing. "Oww....I forgot how tricky it can be to play the guitar," she commented as she waved her sore hoof in the air.

"Are you injured, Twilight Sparkle?" Giga asked with concern.

"I'm fine. I did say I was rusty when it came to playing the guitar, I guess this is what I get for not practicing," she laughed at herself.

"I understand. Practice seems to be a universal part for many activities."

Twilight nodded as she rested against the guitar that was in her lap. She leaned in, "That's right. So, do you have any thoughts about the song I was performing?"

"It was an enjoyable melody, however I find the lyrics strange. While they have a pleasant form and match the melody from the guitar, I am unable to find a theme amongst them. It seems as if the lyrics are full of non sequiturs" Giga explained as the fan on the harddrive grew louder.

"You're not entirely wrong about that. That song is known for being a love song that has no real theme to it, but full of strong and emotional lines about love, but not really anchored down by anything within the song itself. That's actually why I like the song," the pony explained.

"It is a favorite song of yours?"

"It's a song that my parent's shared with me when I was little. I actually was kind like you, trying to analyze the song's words down in every possible way, trying to find some deeper meaning about it," Twilight recalled, "But I never really understood it that much until my dad told me that the song is about love."

"Love?" Giga asked.

"Yeah, and it can be interpreted as how love can be seen as something that's so simple and silly. The song goes on to have lyrics like how love is like a home, and how that when you find that special somepony, you just know. Like, you can't really describe it scientifically, but you just know it heart." Twilight stopped for a moment and smiled, "There's no real understanding of exactly what love is, but I really like this interpretation."

"Very interesting. Perhaps if I were to hear the rest of the song, I might have understood that."

"Perhaps," Twilight started, "but then again, perhaps not. The beautiful thing about music is that even when everything is laid out for the listener, they might see it in a different way than say another listener. Music is such a fascinating art form, as it is open to interpretation. There are some songs that all you have to do is change the melody or what instruments are used, and the lyrics have a completely different meaning."

"It seems I still have a lot to learn about music," Giga commented, almost as if the program was exhausted at the thought.

The pony had a smile on her face, "Don't worry, I'm more than happy to help you learn anything you wish." With her hoof rest on the strings of the guitar, Twilight asked another question, "Would you like to to sing the rest of that song for you?"

"Please."

Smiling, Twilight resumed, "Home, is where I want to be,/But I guess I'm already there."