Friendship is Failure #4: Love Doesn't Work That Way

by DakariKingMykan

Act 1: Sun and Strings

ACT ONE

After the cleanup, and the apologies, Starlight kept her eyes more open to prevent more accidents, but eventually they all managed to make it to the palace.

“Twilight!”

“Cadance!”

The two ponies dashed forth and did their happy cheer…

“Sunshine, Sunshine, ladybugs awake!
Clap your hooves and do a little shake.”

They giggled and shared a warm hug, and then Shining Armor came back holding the baby saying “Look who’s here…”

Twilight walked over to her little niece and cooed warmly, “Hey, little Flurry. How are you?”

The baby cooed and shook her stuffed pink elephant that rattled.

“I can’t tell you how glad we are that you’re here.” said Cadance “It’ll be Flurry Heart’s first ever Heart’s and Hooves day.”

“You know I’ll be glad to help out in any way I can.” said Twilight “After all, I think Heart’s and Hooves is a wonderful day, when all ponies and other creatures can really bask in friendship and love.”

Her realitives were happy to hear her say such things, it made them all feel light as feathers and warm inside.

“Say, where’s Starlight gone?” asked Shining Armor.

“Oh, she’s already headed off to Sunburst’s. At least she’s promised not to daydream all day.”

As Starlight walked through the village, she couldn’t but notice all the signs of Hearts and Hooves everywhere she went.

Many couples walking side-by-side… stallions giving flowers and candies to their special mare-friends… some were even serenading their mare-friends with simple songs as the mares listened lovingly from windows.

Even the other animals-- the birds, the pets, even the insects-- were all getting enraptured in the warm feelings that were blowing about.

Starlight couldn’t help but sing as music filled the air…

Look around, can you feel magic that’s in the air
See it grow, the love and the warmth is everywhere
Flowers to give and songs to be sung,
The feeling’s same in everyone

Love’s in the air, Love’s in the air.
A feeling so loving and fair
Love’s in the air, Love’s in the air.
Love is for all to share.

As she walked past more couples, she could see more romance and more love being passed along, and even large posters for the upcoming charity ball.

Feel the love growing, and bask in its light
See all the happiness in your sight
So many different ways to share the love so true
Just open your heart and let it shine through

Love’s in the air, Love’s in the air.
A feeling so loving and fair
Love’s in the air, Love’s in the air.
Love is for all to share.

By the time the song ended, she was only a block away from Sunburst’s house, when a flower petal landed on her face, followed by another one, and another…

She brushed them off, and then she could hear the sound of someone saying “He loves me… He loves me not… He loves me… He loves me not.”

She then looked up in the tree she was standing near and saw a bright yellow Unicorn mare. She had a long and curly brown mane, and her Cutie Mark was that of a daisy with a shining sun above it.

She was sitting on a branch picking petals off a flower, “Loves me… loves me… NOT?! Take that back!” she thundered and then threw the now petal-less flower away, not watching where she threw it and threw it on Starlight’s face.

“Hey!” Starlight called.

The pony looked down, “Oh, I’m so sorry!” she called “I didn’t see you there.” She then suddenly realized whom she was talking to and leapt down from the tree, “Hey, you’re Starlight Glimmer; Princess Twilight Sparkle’s apprentice.”

Starlight blinked “Y-Y-Yes… I am.”

The pony felt as if she was addressing the Princess herself, but she kept hold of herself. “My name’s Sun Rae, maybe you can help me with a bit of a problem I’m having.”

“Oh, well… I…”

“…It’s sort of a friendship problem.”

Hearing that, Starlight couldn’t help but ask “…What kind of friendship problem?”

Sun blushed softly, and rubbed the back of her head with her hoof, “Well… there’s this pony… and I really like him.”

A romantic friendship problem-- Now Starlight seemed interested.

Sun showed her a picture she had with her of the pony she liked. He was a light red Pegasus with a short yellow mane, wearing a green sweater, a white scarf, and strumming a guitar. Even his Cutie Mark was that of multi-colored musical notes on chord

“His name is Strings, and he and I knew each other since we were little. As we got older, we both achieved our goals. I became a florist, and he became musician and songwriter.”

Starlight could see it more clearly now. “Did you ever tell him that you liked him?”

Sun’s teeth chattered “I… I never had the courage too, and besides, I don’t see him too often now.”

“Because of your jobs…?”

“No, he’s been acting very strange for the past two years. He keeps mostly to himself, and he makes more songs about depression than romance and happy endings like he used to.”

Starlight could see this was getting serious, and as Twilight’s student she felt obligated to help out and demonstrate her ability to help those in need.

“Say no more… I’ll help you as best I can.”

Sun smiled warmly, “Thank you so much. This really means a lot to me.”

She looked down at her picture of Strings, and she fell into a deep daze as soft music was heard.

Starlight thought it very cute and walked off with her seemingly new friend… completely forgetting about her initial plans to meet with Sunburst.

Meanwhile, Flurry Heart was put down for her nap. She looked very sweet as she lay in her crib, and both her mother and her aunt pecked her softly on her little head before leaving her to sleep in peace.

“She’s so cute.” Twilight said.

“Yeah, and such a hoof-full…” Cadance joked “anyway, we really need to start organizing the big event; my fly around for Hearts and Hooves.”

Shining Armor came along, “Strings is here. He’s waiting for us in the throne room.”

Twilight’s eyes lit up “The” Strings? The songwriter and musician, Strings…? I used to love listening to his songs. Still do.”

“So do we.” said Shining Armor “Cadance and I used to dance to some of his romantic tunes “Moonlight Will Be You”… “Love is my Song.”

“And my personal favorite… “The Wonders of Love.” said Cadance “And that’s why we asked him if he would perform at the events for the charity ball. His music will be perfect.”

Now Twilight was really excited and just had to meet the pony in person.

When the trio got to the throne room, there he was. Twilight almost felt like Rarity when she got a cool fashion idea or Pinkie Pie when she was overly excited.

Strings bowed to the royal trio, but Twilight dashed right up to him, shaking his hoof vigorously “I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Strings. I’ve loved your music for a long time. Can I have your autograph and a picture with you?”

Her brother used his magic to lift her up, “Easy, Twily… take it easy.”

Twilight blushed, feeling a little embarrassed, “I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it.”

Strings smiled sadly “It’s quite alright.”

“I take it you got our invitation?” asked Cadance.

“Yes, I have.” replied Strings “It was a very kind offer of you, but I am very sorry to tell you this… I must refuse.”

The trio froze on the spot.

“You can’t play at the charity ball this weekend?” asked Shining Armor.

“I’m afraid not…” replied Strings “You see, I have decided to retire from my musical career and move away from the Crystal Empire.”

Now the trio seemed really concerned, “But why would want to retire?” asked Twilight, “And why leave the Empire?” added Cadance.

Strings felt a bit numb inside, and he answered “I… have my reasons. I have simply lost my spark for making albums, as I have with my being here all the time.”

“But your music, it’s so wonderful. It makes so many people happy.” said Twilight. She was starting to sound desperate, not wanting him to retire.

“You’ve fit in so well here for the past two years.” said Cadance “What would make you want to…?”

“Begging your pardon, your highness…” Strings cut in “But I wish to retire from music and leave the Crystal Empire, and I am sorry to say that neither you nor any-pony else can convince me to reconsider.

However, I will give you this.” and he handed the couple a cheque for a large sum of money for the charity. Despite the generous donation, no one said a thing, but Twilight and Cadance felt there was something he was hiding from them. Something personal, but he already had taken his leave before they could ask him.

“Gee, what’s with him?” asked Shining Armor.

The others didn’t know, but all three of them felt disappointed that Strings was refusing a kind offer, not to mention a very charitable one. “I suppose we’ll just have to find some-pony else then. Shame, I was really looking forward to hearing his music.”

“I wonder what would make him want to retire and leave.” wondered Twilight and she planned to find out.

Comments

[Bluecatcinema]

Oh, dear. I don't think Sunburst is going to be very happy...

[Pete100]

If strings won’t do it, then they could always find someone else.