1st Movement

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Near the edge of Canterlot, a birthday party for a two-year-old filly was being set up. The party was taken place in the home of Script and Page Everfree, a couple married for four years with their first child. If one didn't know any better, ponies would say that they seemed to be like your average middle-class couple, who were trying to make a living for themselves. Unless ponies don’t know the context of their last name, no one would think anything differently of the Everfree’s, except it, wasn't the case.

For the pegasus filly, Cloud View, her grandpa was quite well known. Not just well known but an adopted member of the royal family, something like how her father was. Although her grandfather wasn't quite a century old, he’s slightly taller than most ponies and looks as if he didn't age beyond his thirties. She and one or sometimes both of her parents had stepped inside the castle from time to time where her aunts lived as well to visit.

But for the moment while her parents were setting up the last few items for the party, little Cloud View was playing with her ball. Watching it bounce off the wall and trying to catch it. When her ball bounced and rolled right passed her, she, along with the family, heard an unusual noise.

It was coming from the front door; it was the sound of a violin playing “Happy Birthday”. Her father went to the door to open it, there in the doorway was her grandpa playing the violin and two other guards standing there.

“I hope I’m not too late for the party?” Prince Harmonic asked, playing the last few notes.

“Dad! You’re actually out of the castle for once!” Cloud’s father happily gave her grandpa a hug.

“Well, I did hear about your daughter turning two, right?” Harmonic replied as he stepped inside, carrying his violin in his aura.

“Hey Harmonic,” Page went up and nuzzled her father-in-law. “We’re just setting up, so you’re actually early.”

“That’s good to hear,” Harmonic nodded, turning to Cloud he said to her: “Hey there Cloudy, happy birthday.”

“Grandpa!” The filly said with a smile. Being two years old, she was been beginning to talk, but she had a somewhat limited vocabulary, such as “Mama,” “Papa,” “Ball,” “Grandpa,” “Sun,” “Moon,” “Cloud,” etc… And although she couldn't form complete sentences, she defiantly seemed to know what those words meant.

“That’s right,” Harmonic nodded. “I have a little present for you.” His horn glowed for a moment before out popped a very decorative box with a key out of thin air. The box looked old with its carved oak and mahogany, its gold leaf and the oval porcelain piece with a painted bird in flight.

“A music box dad?” Script asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Now hold on,” he said as he turned the key. “Just watch.” Harmonic placed the box down in front of his granddaughter and opened it. Inside of the box in the very middle was a cloud made out of white jade. And orbiting around it on a thin piece of medal was a silver figurine of a pegasus whose wings move. The little musical machine plucked out an old haunting melody that was pleasing to the ear.

Cloud seemed intrigued by it. She felt her hooves all over the jade cloud and the silver pegasi. She made the figuring hold still, taking note how when it stopped, so did the music.

“It’s really Pretty,” Page commented. “Where did ya get it?”

“It’s a gift from the Prench ambassador from last year.”

“It’s Prench?”

“Well yes and no,” Harmonic shrugged. “As I was told, the music box is an antique. It belonged to the last Queen of Prance before, you know,” Harmonic lifted a hoof and let it glide across his neck. “The whole revolution broke out.”

“Wait-a-minute!” Page’s jaw dropped to the carpet’s floor, “Are you telling me that this was Antoinette’s music box!”

“Wow, dad,” Script said putting his fore hoof over his forehead. “That’s incredibly generous of you!”

“I didn't need it,” Harmonic replied. “But anyway, that music box is something for her to keep.”

“Grandpa!” Cloud exclaimed. Harmonic smiled as if he understood that she meant “thank you.”

“You’re welcome Cloudy.” The prince looked up; he saw his son’s eyes went wide as cartwheels. “What?”

“What’s gotten into you?” his son asked. “That’s gotta be the first time in years that I've seen you smile at anything.”

“Oh don’t talk about me just yet, what about you two?” he inquired both his son and his wife. “How are things with you?”

“We’re just getting by,” Page answered. “With the new job and a foal, it’s been quite the uphill battle.”

“Well, do you guys need anything?” Harmonic asked. “Do you need money or-”

“No no!” Script shook his head, “Trust us, we’re okay financially. Dad, I've already told you, if we’re doing poorly, we know where to find you.”

“You sure?” Harmonic asked looking around the room. “I mean, if you want to move into someplace nicer I could provide the means to-”

“Dad,” Script interrupted. “Don’t worry about us. We’re fine. But what about you?”

“Me?”

“Yeah,” Page nodded. “This is actually the first time that you came to see us. You've been stuck up in the castle since… you know.”

Harmonic nodded, sighing, he said: “I know. I've been feeling down for a while now and I know it. With Color’s passing and all, I couldn't help but feel – well, lonely again.”

“But didn't you say that you were dating some guard?” his son asked.

Harmonic shook his head, “We broke up a couple of months ago. Turns out we have very little in common. He’s not really the creative type.”

“I’m sorry,” Page said in sympathy, but the Prince waved it off.

“It was for the best I suppose. Better to break it off before any disaster huh?”

“But still, what’s gotten ya into such a good mood?” Script asked.

“Oh, nothing much, it’s just I've been thinking.” The prince mused as one of his hooves pawed at the floor. “Ya know, it’s been awhile since I've played in public. So, perhaps I should join up the royal orchestra once again.”

“It’s a start, I guess,” Script shrugged. “Still, it’s good for you to get out.”

“Well I supposed some fresh air would do somepony good,” Harmonic nodded. “Oh, you guys did say that you have cake right?”

“Well, we already got the cake ready, why?” Page questioned, raising her eyebrow.

“Oh.” The Prince frowned, “then what am I going to do with the two-story marble cake outside?”

“What!?” both parents asked.

“Joking, joking,” Harmonic chuckled. Soon enough, one by one, the other family members came in through the door with warm greetings. Saying things like “Happy Birthday Cloud View,” or “It’s good to see you again Harmonic,” and “That’s not a bad cake.”

Harmonic sat down on the couch, being in the eye of the storm of his relative’s children running everywhere and his sisters’ in-law with their husbands, talking to each other or to his son. His wife sat down next to him with a piece of cake in her hooves.

“Want a slice?” she offered him the small plate with a fork.

“Maybe a little later,” the prince shrugged.

“Alright then… So, have you been in the dating field lately?”

Harmonic raised an eyebrow, “Pardon?”

“Have you been dating lately?” Page clarified.

“No, not really,” he sighed, “I think I need to lay off it for a while.”

Page frowned, “Harmonic, your loneliness has been a national headline for gossip columns; don’t tell me that you don’t need somepony.” Harmonic didn't respond. “Look, I’m sorry for that, but it’s just that we’re concern for you.”

“Why?”

“Well… We know that when you were with your husband, that was the time when you were the happiest. And as a family, we want nothing more but for you to be happy again.”

“I already know that but…” Harmonic trailed off.

“But what?” Page questioned.

The prince sighed and said, “Could I really fall in love again?”

“Of course you can-”

“Wait, just hear me out.” The alicorn interrupted her, “With Color, it was easy since we were about the same age, and that he saw pass the royal titles and that I’m an alicorn. But could I fall in love with ponies that might not be like him? I mean, there’s a reason why I didn't announce ‘I’m looking for a suitor’ since he died. I've seen both of my mother's nearly drowning in oceans of love letters, flowers, songs, invitations to go out on dates and who knows what else. I have seen the stallions and the occasional mares who would try to offer themselves to court them. But I’ll tell you a secret, not a single one that I've seen were really in love with either of them. For most of them, they do it for power or fame and not because of them. That’s what I’m afraid of. Having an endless parade of stallions wanting to have me because I’m a novelty or a tool to get what they want. But even if I do find someone, there’s something else I’m afraid of.”

“And that being?”

“I already had my heart broken when Color died, but could I handle it again from someone who I could have a serious relationship with?”

“That reminds me of a good line from a bad movie.”

“And that was?”

“‘Your heart may get broken, but at least it tells you that you have one.’ But hey, perhaps you rejoining the orchestra might get you to find someone special there. You still want some cake?” Harmonic shook his head.

_*_

The gilded pegasi chariot came to a halt at the Royal Lunar Theater, a place where Harmonic haven’t set hoof in since the day Color died. It was home to the Royal Equestrian Orchestra that, as far as the prince’s knowledge went, has gotten a new conductor as well as a few new members.

Picking up his violin case, he thanked the guards and walked right in, hearing the familiar sound of a tuning orchestra. Though the lobby and the sign that read “Quiet! Orchestra Rehearsals in Progress.” He walked into the familiar red velvet theater where the orchestra was on stage. And as he remembered, some of the orchestras wore either casual clothes or none since they’re not performing yet.

“That’s good, are we ready for our first day of rehearsals?” a gray-coated, chocolate mane unicorn asked. Harmonic quickly assumed that this must be the new conductor.

The violinist cleared his throat, “Excuse me?” he asked getting the attention of the conductor along with the orchestra. “I hope I’m not too late for auditions am I?”

The conductor shook his head, blinking, “Prince Harmonic?!” he along with a good chunk of the orchestra bowed. “What are you doing here your majesty?”

“I told you,” he said, putting down his case and opening it. “I want to audition for the orchestra again. That is if you don’t have enough violinists as it is.”

“Well Sire, this is quite unexpected. I didn't expect you wanted to join us.”

“My apologies conductor…?” Harmonic asked, putting rosin on his bow.

“Pitch sire, Pitch Perfect,” the conductor answered.

“Well Mister Perfect,” Harmonic chuckled at his private pun while taking the violin under his chin. “With your permission, I’d like to audition for you and the orchestra to see if you guys would let me in again.”

“By all means,” Pitch smiled. “Everypony knows you play a real Trotivarius, so please, play for us. I’m sure we’re all eager to hear it.”

Harmonic took in a deep breath and closed his eyes. For a moment, he stood there in a meditative-like state before he let his bow touch the strings. With the first note on the open string, his mind went back to the day he got married. His improvised melody waltzed around his memory of him dancing in the arms of his beloved. It was a happy recollection with a peaceful sound that his violin hummed. He was so caught up in it that he didn't even noticed that he was dancing in the allies until he bumped into one of the seats. In which, he stopped.

“Oh, he-he, sorry,” the prince apologized, “just got caught up in the moment there.”

“No no, that was rather delightful,” Pitch turned to the orchestra. “All those in favor in letting the prince joined our orchestra say ‘aye’.”

“Aye!” the theater rang out. Harmonic smiled, he flew up to take a seat in the violin section.

“Psst!” the violinist turned around to see an old mare sitting behind him. “It’s good to have you back Harm.”

Harmonic thanked her, adding: “It’s been too long.”

“Now then,” Pitch Perfect said, getting the orchestra’s attention. “If there are no more interruptions, let us begin, shall we?” There were nods in agreement. “Now first, we’re going to practice the first movement of Heydn’s fifty-sixth symphony, and then…”

Harmonic rolled his eyes, not only has he played some of these before, but he knew a few by memory – this one being one of them. The conductor raised his baton in the air and the violins and violas soon followed. As they played, Harmonic’s eyes scanned through the stage at the other members, the stallions, and try to deduce who he could start talking to.

‘Not that one, he has a ring on his horn; and so does he… Hmm… What about him?’ He spotted a green earth stallion with a white mane at a cello that was looking nowhere but the score. ‘Then again, maybe he’s seeing somepony else. Probably he’s into mares more like-‘

“Stop,” Pitch Perfect called out, having the instruments quickly died out. “Something isn't right, Violas, could you repeat bar twenty-one again?” They did, Pitch shook his head, “No it’s not coming from you… Clarinets, same thing?” The clarinets did, “Well there’s your problem, you’re a bit flat. Could you guys play it again but get that D flat to a D natural?” the clarinets repeated the bar, hitting the right notes this time. “There you go,” Pitch nodded. “Let’s start this at… bar fifteen if you please.”

The orchestra started playing again, Pitch didn't say anything after they passed bar twenty-one. For a few minutes, the prince let his mind wander again, ‘Then again, is this really a good idea, to begin with? I mean, with Color, we met by matchmakers. Plus, I don’t even know most of these strangers-‘

“Stop,” Pitch called out again. “Cellos, you guys were off beat.”

“Sorry sir,” a white mare in a curly blue mane said.

“Orchestra, rest for a moment,” Everyone except for those at the cello did. As the conductor went up to talk with them, it was clear to Harmonic that he doesn't like this conductor, ‘I don’t know what he’s going on about, but it sounded fine to me. That guy is a bigger control freak then a noble on a good day.’ “.... Let me count time here; start at bar fifty-seven. Ready?” The cellists raised their bows, Pitch tapped a hoof to count time until he heard one of the cellist were out of sync.

As it turned out, the one who was off was a green stallion with the white mane. He gulped. “Look, what’s your name again?” Pitch asked the Cellist.

“Uh… W-Whole Note, sir.” He answered nervously.

“Mister Note, look, I know that this is your first time with this orchestra,” Pitch began. “And I thought that you were one of the best in Ponyville right?”

“Yes, sir.”

“So what’s the problem?”

“I-I’m sorry sir,” Note uttered. “It’s just, uh, there’s a lot on my mind today.”

“Over what?” Harmonic saw Note took a quick glance at him before answering to the conductor.

“It’s nothing, sir.”

“Well, surely you can keep time with everyone else can’t you?”

He nodded.

“Once again everypony,” Pitch trotted up to the conductor’s stand. “Start off from bar fifty-five.”

‘This is going to be one long rehearsal,’ Harmonic thought.

_*_

The clock on the mantel rang out eight o’clock. For the Prince of Inspiration, nine in the morning and eight o’clock in the evening is when he sits down with his assistant and adviser concerning everything and anything that’s related to art. Asides from occasionally holding court and mechanically signing his name to mountains of paperwork, he always sets aside some time for his adviser and assistant.

Harmonic liked to think it was a kind of ritual. In the mornings they would eat a bit of breakfast and discuss a little about art, theater, movies, music, and books. Then in the evening, they would do the same thing, usually to drink something while deciding on what should get green lighted, and give advice on how to improve or change things. In reality, though, it was more like a tiny private gossip club between three ponies over what is acceptable or not.

Since it was late winter, the drink of choice was hot chocolate in courtesy of The Copper Pot Café. A couple of pots of the hot coco along with three cups were already set up with the Prince at his usual seat. And like clockwork, a guard would knock on the door, the Prince would tell them to come in, and the double doors would open up to two ponies taking a bow.

“Good evening Mrs. Meadowlark.” He nodded to his adviser, she was an orange pegasus with a tied up purple mane. Harmonic turned to the other pony, a pony that was made out of blue crystal. “And you must be the new assistant are you?”

He nodded, “I am your Highness. I’m Quill, Quill Feathers.”

“Then come in, the hot chocolate won’t keep warm forever,” Harmonic gestured the two of them to enter. The two of them took a seat from one of the red pillows near the low table. “So Quill, I understand you’re from the Crystal Empire originally, right?”

“I am Sire.”

“Harmonic,” he corrected him. “You gotta call me Harmonic, or Harm for short.”

“I apologize Prin- Harmonic. I’m kinda trained to be formal for this kind of job.”

“In public yes – but in private, I don’t want you to be intimidated by me. Just think of me as your friend, as well as your boss, but mostly a friend overall.”

“I’ll try.”

“Good,” Harmonic smiled. “And you’re aware of what kind of job you have now right?”

“I think so, may I?” he reached for the pot and offered to pour for everypony. As he poured, he continued: “It’s more like reporting if I understand it right. Go through newspapers, letters of requests and some field work to see what’s new in the arts and come back here to inform you guys of what I've found.”

“And to discuss your findings with us,” Meadowlark added. “And speaking of findings, I hope you already did your research I trust?”

“I have,” Quill poured his cup and reached down to pick up a binder. “Let’s see… in art, there’s a request for a statue to be put on display. It’s a statue of Celestia as a foal in casted bronze, they sent us a picture of it and I must say, I think it’s adorable.” He pulled out the picture and handed it over for the others to see.

“Oh, so that’s what she looked like.” Harmonic thought out loud.

Meadowlark frowned, “Has Princess Celestia seen this beforehoof? I mean, it’s supposed to be her right?”

“I’ll send this to mom,” Harmonic lit up his horn and took the picture and the request paper out of Quill’s binder. “That is if there are any objections?” They shook their heads so he put the paper and the photo next to him.

“In theater,” Quill went on, “there’s a casting call right here in Canterlot for a new play. And this one I think you might find interesting Your High- pardon, Harmonic.”

“Why’s that?” Harmonic asked before taking a sip from his cup.

“It’s about you.”

The Prince nearly spat out his drink before saying: “Sorry, I don’t think I've heard that right. Did you just say that there’s a play about me?”

“Did you find out what it’s about? Specifically what the story is?” Meadowlark questioned.

“Only bits and pieces Ma'am,” Quill looked through his binder. “As far as I could make out, I think it’s about the Prince when he was a foal and it follows up until the wedding of his late husband.”

“What kind of play is it?” the adviser asked, “Is it a drama, a comedy, a satire or what?”

“A musical.”

Harmonic tilt his head to the side, “Okay, now I’m curious. How are they going to pull that off?”

“I can’t say,” Quill shrugged. “All I know is that there’s a casting call and that is about it. It looks like they’re trying to keep things under wraps until opening night.”

“I think Harmonic should see the dress rehearsal,” Meadowlark suggested, “After all, if they’re doing a play about you, sir, then maybe you could step in to see how well it really holds up.”

“Yeah, I want to see this out of curiosity,” Harmonic agreed, “I might go for the dress rehearsal, but how about I surprise them and not tell them that I’m there?”

“What’s the point of that?” Quill questioned.

“So I won’t give the actors on stage heart attacks over the fact that I’m watching.”

“But wh… Oh,” Quill quickly realized. Harmonic nodded, telling him that he got the idea.

“Moving on, I haven’t gotten anything from Applewood regarding movies as of yet. In Music, other than you rejoining the orchestra obviously, the rock band, Scorched Saddles, has released a new album. And uh…” Quill trailed off.

“What?” the prince and the adviser asked in unison.

“Well… the lyrics… well,” he took out a copy of the lyrics out of his binder. “Just, take a look.” They did, it took a moment to read through the lyrics, but Quill did see their reactions. Meadowlark eyes went wide while Harmonic’s jaw dropped.

“Are they serious?” they both asked. “That’s absolutely disgusting!” Meadowlark said turning a shade of green.

“Why would you put that into a song?” Harmonic questioned. He handed the lyrics back to Quill. “Give the band a letter to give them a chance to explain this. I don’t know how they’ll try to defend this but… Eck!”

“I understand,” Quill took the lyrics in his own hoof while the other he took a sip from his cup. Putting the piece of paper back in, he continued on through books, in which there was plenty that they discussed through. In the end, the clock on the mantel told them that it was a bit too early to end their little meeting.

“So Quill, did you just came directly from the Empire?”

“Yeah.”

“How’s Shining?”

Here, Quill took on a grim look. “Not good. His Highness would be alright, but everypony in the Empire knows that it’s only a matter of time.”

“Poor Cadence too,” Meadowlark commented. “I can’t imagine what she’s going through.”

“I can,” the Prince said taking a sip. Shaking his head, he added, “She and Skyla, they deserve so much better – not this.”

They nodded in agreement.

“Sir- Harmonic,” Quill quickly corrected himself. “Can I ask you a personal question?”

The prince raised an eyebrow, “How personal is personal?”

“I’m not too sure, but it has to do with relationships.” Harmonic told him to ask away, “Are you seeing anypony as of late? I've heard that you want to move on do you?”

“Well, yeah I’m trying to. But I haven’t found anypony that I've taken interest in. Why do ya ask?”

“Um… Idle curiosity, I suppose.” Quill answered, avoiding all eye contact. Harmonic wasn't too sure, but he thought that he saw a tint of red on the crystal pony’s muzzle.

_*_

“Is something on your mind Harmonic?” Luna asked the very question that was also on Celestia’s mind. Two weeks after he took up his violin and rejoined the old orchestra, the two Princesses noticed that their son’s mood was slowly improving. One big give away was that Harmonic was smiling a little more often than he had in years. But Luna finally asked the question because he was doing something very unusual, he was humming.

“Huh?” the Prince looked up. “Oh, yeah, something is, actually. I’m going on a date tomorrow.”

“Why son,” Celestia smiled. “That is indeed wonderful news. Who is it?”

“Pitch Perfect,” their son smiled. “He asked me to go to dinner with him yesterday.”

“Tell us, what is he like?” Luna inquired.

“He’s our conductor,” Harmonic explained, taking a bite out from his pasta. “In rehearsals, he’s kinda strict, but outside he seems to be a nice guy. He told me that he had a bad breakup awhile back and said that he’s hoping to find somepony to move on. I told him that I was looking for somepony special as well so he offered to go out to dinner with him.”

“How long have you known him?” Celestia questioned.

Harmonic rolled his eyes, “I know what you’re gonna say, ‘Two weeks is a very short amount of time to get to know somepony’, but I guess I have to start somewhere though.” He took another bite, “Besides, who knows, maybe this date might bring something good.”

_*_

“Worst. Date. Ever.” Harmonic angrily muttered through his teeth. With the addition of him clearly frustrated beyond comprehension along with a couple of the Lunar Guards following him back to the palace from the restaurant; everypony within sight had the good sense to stay out of his way. Ignoring the cold, wet snow he’s been marching through for the past three minutes since what happened at the Neighponies restaurant.

Through breaking the ice and crunching snow, though the lamp posts were decorated in the colors of Hearts and Hooves day, his mind kept revisiting what happened.

“Right on time, your majesty,” Pitch got out of his chair and bowed to him.

“There’s no need for that,” Harmonic told him. “For now, just call me Harmonic.”

Pitch smiled, “Alright then.” He and the only alicorn in the whole restaurant sat down at their table. After narrowing down their choices from their menus, the Prince settled on soup while his date went for the chief’s salad and a glass of wine. Their waiter came with a pitcher of water and went with their orders, leaving them with each other for the moment.

“So, Harmonic,” Pitch started. “How are you this evening?”

“Fine, I guess,” Harmonic shrugged, “You?”

“Oh, I’m good… You ever come here often?”

“No,” he shook his head. “This is my first time here actually.”

“I've been here before, and I must say cutie, the food is quite good here.”

“Sorry?”

“What?”

“Did you just call me, ‘cutie’?”

“Well, yeah. Don’t you think that you’re cute?”

Harmonic lit up his horn to pick up the pitcher to look at his reflection. “No, I don’t see it,” the Prince shook his head as he put the pitcher back on the table.

Pitch Perfect chuckled, “What? Don’t you think you’re attractive?”

“No,” the Prince shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

“Oh come on babe, don’t get yourself down.”

“I’m forty-three,” Harmonic deadpanned. “I’m not a foal.”

“Pitch?” the two turned towards this new voice. It came from a mare with a look of confusion in her eyes. “What’re you doing here?”

“Sorry, who are you?” Harmonic asked.

“She’s no one,” Pitch quickly answered, starting to sweat.

“Excuse me?” the mare went up to the conductor. “No one? You call your marefriend no one?”

“Marefriend?” Harmonic asked. “You mean… I thought you had a breakup?”

“What are ya talking about?” the mare asked before her eyes widen in realization. “Are you cheating on me?!”

“Uh…” Pitch’s eyes shifted back and forth.

It was at this moment that Harmonic felt something sharp being stabbed into the heart. He got up, “You lied to me didn't you?” he accused, his eyes narrowing.

“But Sire, it’s not what it looks like,” Pitch said, now knowing he’s been caught.

“You don’t really care about me, do you?” Harmonic questioned.

“That’s not true! I-I-I think you're sexy and-”

That did it. Harmonic’s horn glowed and levitated the pitcher of water over his head, in which he dumped it. He stepped aside, pulling his seat for the mare, “He’s all yours.”

“What?” Pitch asked. “You dumped ice water on my head and then you pull a seat up to her?”

“This is why I don’t want us to see each other again,” the prince said. “I’m a gentlecolt, not a whore.” He turned to the mare, “Happy arguing.” And with that, he turned to the door and left. In which the Night Guards that have been waiting quickly followed him out.

“I can’t believe he would just use me like that!” Harmonic vented, “And on Hearts and Hooves day of all days!” As he and the Lunar Guards marched through the streets and couples got out of their way, Harmonic felt something that he hasn’t felt in a very long time, jealousy. On the day that celebrated couples, his eyes went from couple to couple, getting more upset with each passing one. That here was he, on this day of love that he was once again alone.

But as he marched passed an ice cream shop and his envious eyes scanned the shop, he noticed something very odd. So odd that he stopped in his tracks to take a second look. Through the window, sitting on a stool by the open counter was a stallion who was sitting all by himself. He would shrug this off except for knowing three things. First, it’s Hearts and Hooves; a day where couples would be everywhere in places like this. Second, he has seen this stallion before; it was the green Earth Pony with the white mane that played the cello. And third, by the look on his face, Harmonic saw that he was alone, his eyes looking downward towards his glass of ice cream. There was no hint of happiness in his face.

Part of Harmonic wanted to keep walking, to go back home to vent out his frustrations on his violin. Yet, a bigger part wanted to step inside just to say “Hello.” Even with his date gone to shambles, in a time like this, he needed someone to talk to. It took him a few moments, but in the end, he decided to walk through the glass door. For some who saw him come in, they bowed in respect, but the Prince paid no attention except for the green pony. He tapped one of his wings on his shoulder.

“Excuse me,” Harmonic asked. The cellist turned, his eyes widen in surprise at that was right next to him. “Is this seat taken?”

“Uh… n-no,” he stuttered as he watched the prince take the stool right next to him.

“Thanks,” as soon as the alicorn sat down, a server came right up to him asking what he would have. “A small chocolate malt is fine,” he answered before turning to the stallion. “So, what’s your name again?”

“Whole N-Note, Y-Your Highness,” Note looked down at his desert, trying to avoid eye contact. “If, um… If I may ask, what a-are you doing here?”

“I was about to ask you the same thing unless you want me to start.” Note nodded. “I just got out of a date that just ended in disaster. You?”

“No rea-reason really,” he shrugged. “It’s just that I don’t have anything better to do.”

“On Hearts and Hooves day and eating all by yourself?” Harmonic raised an eyebrow. “I doubt it.”

“What makes you say that?”

“You seemed lonely to me.”

Note looked up, having a raised eyebrow. “Me? Lonely?” he inquired.

“Trust me, I know that look anywhere. Thanks,” that last word as towards the server who gave him his chocolate malt, telling him that it’s on the house. “Look, I just had a bad night and I want somepony to talk to. You looked familiar and by yourself so I thought I’d just pop by to say hello.”

“Say hello to me?”

“Well, yeah. You don’t say very much during rehearsals, so maybe it’s the best time to get to know each other. No?”

“Well… I sup-p-pose.”

“Alright, have about you start.”

“With what?”

“I don’t know. Something, like uh…” Harmonic searched through his mind to figure out a talking point. “Why do you play the cello?”

“The cello? Well, I guess I’m following in the hoofsteps of my idol, Octavia.”

“I had her as my teacher once.”

“You?!”

The Prince nodded, “Uh-huh. Before she passed away, she was once my music teacher. Of course, I had an idea of how to play the violin but, she was the one who really helps me understand how to play it.”

“Really? I didn't k-know that.”

“It’s true, she and her wife, they were a lot of fun to talk to,” Harmonic smiled in nostalgia. “Her wife was funny though, let me tell you. She was very outgoing and just loved life, as well as her job.”

“I wish I could have met them.”

“I guess. So what is it about Octavia that you’d like?”

“W-Well… She proved that Earth Ponies can be good at the cello and the violin without using unicorn m-magic. Uh, n-no offense to you Sire.”

“Ha. None taken. I didn't use magic at all when I started playing.”

“Yeah, I just hope I could make a name for myself as she did with her playing.”

“I’m sure you would, you’re good at the cello.”

Note blushed, “Well, sure. But not fantastic, I do tend to hit some wrong notes.”

“So what? Every musician tends to hit some wrong notes. Even I do so when I play.”

“I disagree,” Note muttered.

“Pardon?” Whole Note flinched.

“Uh… N-Nothing Sire.”

“Please, call me Harmonic. Oh, and thanks for the compliment by-the-way.”

Embarrassed, Note turned away from the prince, but Harmonic chuckled. “Come on now, I appreciate the comment. So what’s wrong?”

Note took in a deep breath, “Nothing.” He answered. There was a moment of awkwardness between them.

Harmonic decided to switch gears to keep the conversation going. “What about family? Do you know any in Canterlot?”

“Not really, they’re in Ponyville, I’m here because of the orch-ord-orchestra.”

“Any parents, siblings, or what?”

“I’m an only child. And yes I do have parents. Mom is one of the librarians for Princess Twilight while dad is a gardener. And I’m the one who plays the cello.”

“Is everything alright with you?” the server asked.

They both told her that yes, the ice cream is good, but before the server went away, Harmonic told her, “I’ll pay for his bill,” much to Note’s surprise.

“What?! You’re paying for me?”

“Why not?” the Prince shrugged, “You were nice to talk with, and you made this Prince’s bad night a whole lot better. It’s my little way of saying thanks.”

“Wow, thank you my Pr-… Um, Harmonic, thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Harmonic was given Note’s check in which he wrote a little note in it before giving it to the server. “You’re a good stallion, maybe we should talk a little more often don’t ya think?”

Note nodded and Harmonic smiled, “Splendid. Have a good night.”

“You too,” Note said, watching the prince get off of his seat, taking the rest of his malt with him out the door. For a moment, Note just sat there having only one question running through his head: ‘What just happened?’

2nd Movement

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“…. Now unless there’s anything we’ve missed, I’ll dismiss the meeting until eight o’clock as always.” Meadowlark and Quill Feathers nodded in agreement, taking the last few gulps from their breakfast meeting.

“Actually Harmonic,” Quill said, “if it’s alright with you, I like to have a quick word with ya – alone?”

“Why alone?” the Prince asked with a raised eyebrow.

“For privacy reasons on behalf of the empire, that is, if your adviser doesn't mind.”

“I understand,” Mrs. Meadowlark got up from her seat. “In the meantime, I’ll drop off our review of Mr. Kubuck’s idea for that space movie.”

“Thank you Meadowlark,” Harmonic nodded and watched his adviser walk out of the room. “So Quill, what do you want to talk to me about? Is something wrong with the empire?”

“No sir, I lied so I could talk to you in private.” The Prince tilted his head in confusion so Quill clarified, “Y-You see, I've heard about how your date with Pitch Perfect went. It’s been in the news for a while now.”

“Why are ya bringing this up?”

“Well,” Quill rubbed a hoof on the back of his neck. “I was… thinking. Are you still looking for someone by any chance?”

“And…?”

“You see, Harmonic, sir, would you… well… consider me, as an option?”

Harmonic blinked, “Come again?”

Quill took in a deep breath, “I’m asking if you want to, go on a date with me sir.”

“Well… This is quite, unexpected to say the least. But why with me in particular?”

“I uh…” the alicorn saw that his assistant was blushing. “I think I have a crush on you. For a while I suppose, and hearing about your break up, I was hoping that, maybe you could give me a chance.”

“I see… I must say, Quill, I’m flattered, but I want to have a little bit of personal time before I start dating someone again. So give me some time to think about it.”

“Oh,” Quill’s ears folded back with a hint of disappointment in his voice. “Yes, sir.”

Harmonic put a hoof on his shoulder, “Look,” he said. “I have nothing against you, it’s just for the moment I need a bit of a break for now. Come to think of it, I think everypony really needs a break. So since you and Mrs. Meadowlark have been working so hard, I’m giving you guys a paid vacation.”

“Vacation!? Paid!?”

“Just for a week” the Prince added. “We’ll talk about this later this evening... And you know what? I think I’ll try convincing both of my mother and my aunt as well. And maybe get my son in it too. Besides, I can’t remember the last time any of them took the time to relax.” Harmonic smiled at his assistant. “But don’t worry, during that time I’ll think about your offer.”

“Well… Thank you.” Quill smiled, “I’m looking forward to hearing from you.” Soon enough, his assistant trotted out the door, leaving the alicorn alone in his room.

He sighed, “Yeah, a vacation. That’s what I need, someplace other than Canterlot.”

_*_

Hours later in the afternoon, the Prince was rehearsing with the orchestra. Ever since the date that went down in flames, the conductor had completely ignored his presents with the exception of the bow. And ever since then, the orchestra noticed Pitch Perfect seemed to get crankier the usual.

“Come on! Louder!” Pitch hollered over the nearly deafening crescendo. When he didn't get the volume he wanted, he threw his baton down to the floor. “Come on! Tchaicoltsky wrote this bit for you guys to play as loudly as possible! Is this really all you got?!”

“W-We’re tying sir,” Whole Note gained what courage he had to tell him: “We’re playin’ as low-loudly as we can.”

“But it’s not loud enough!” Pitch marched right up to the cellist. “Speaking of which, I heard you were off key in that crescendo! Were you even playing at all?!”

“But-”

“Oh! No wonder why I’m not getting the sound I was looking for! It’s because that incompetent ponies like you are what keeping back this orchestra!”

“B-But sir-” Note was cut off, tears now forming in his eyes.

“You’ll have to hear what you’re playin’ kid, or you need to-”

“ENOUGH!!!” During his rule with his adopted mother and aunt, it’s extremely rare that Prince Harmonic Trotivari Everfree would ever use the Royal Canterlot Voice. The last time he had to use it was when he had to make a speech to a huge group of ponies because the microphone was broken. Putting his violin and bow down, he stood up. “Pitch Perfect, I can’t believe you! That you’d take your frustrations out on a pony that you barely knew. And I think I know why, it’s all because of me isn't it?”

The conductor glared at the prince, “Well why wouldn't I? I just got dumped by my marefriend, and not to mention by you, Your Highest Majesty.” Pitch mocked him by giving him a low bow.

“Just because you lied to me about being single and you giving me the worst date in my life, doesn't mean that you could use somepony like Whole Note here for a verbal punching bag!” Pitch with anger in his eyes, his horn lit up a bright red. But before he could do anything, Harmonic added: “And may I kindly remind you that physically harming a Royal is a treasonous offence? You sir, really need to get down from your high and mighty attitude and get over it! For you have only two options here: either keep working with us or find another orchestra, which one is it?”

With Perfect’s aura fading, he let out his frustration by stomping both of his hooves to the stage, but he said nothing – nor did the rest of the orchestra. The conductor took in a deep breath and went back to the stand, “We’ll come back to that movement later, let us move on to the next piece.” He told the orchestra.

When rehearsals were over and Harmonic with putting his violin away, Whole Note went up to him.

“Uh, Harmonic sir?” the Prince looked up. “I-I wanna ta say, thanks – for standing up for me back there.”

“You’re quite welcome.” Shaking his head in amusement, he muttered: “He was acting foalish anyway. My granddaughter is much more mature than his tantrum.”

“Granddaughter? W-What grand… Oh, that’s right,” Note blushed. “I've forgotten, you have a family of your own. Sorry.”

“Ha, I know, I know, I don’t seem that old as I look, do I? You’re forgiven, my friend.” Harmonic closed the lid of his case and latched it shut. “Say, just out of curiosity, what do you do after rehearsal?”

“I just pack up and go home. I know, not much of a life, huh?”

“So is it just you that lives here in Canterlot all by yourself?”

“Yeah, it’s just me. Living in a tiny apartment with no family to tell me what to do and only have Your Highness as the only friend in the entire city.” As Whole Note walked over to his cello to put it in its case, the Prince couldn't help but feel sorry for the guy. It reminded him of the caravan days, completely alone while being surrounded by gypsies.

“But don’t you have somepony special don’t you?”

Note shook his head.

“Really? No marefriends?” another shake. So Harmonic decided to test something, “Coltfriends?” he saw Note stiffen for a moment. ‘Now it looks like we’re getting somewhere,’ the Prince thought.

Taking a breath, Note answered him. “No sir, I’m not seeing anypony, in fact, why are you asking me this? So what I’m a bit of a hermit? What’s in it for you anyway?”

“Because I know what it’s like to be alone in a city of strangers too.” Note didn't say anything. Then, Harmonic got an idea; “Say would you…?” he trailed off, shaking his head.

“What?”

“Nevermind.”

“Come on, you got me curious. Would I what?”

“Would you like to have dinner with our family, with my mothers as well?”

Whole Note’s eyes tripled in size, “Sorry, did you just say dinner?! With the Princesses?!”

The Prince shrugged, “Why not? It’s not like you have anything better to do, you said so yourself.”

“Well… I-I, uh… wow.” Note of course realized what he has been offered. Dinner with both the Princess of the Sun and Moon themselves, something that only the extremely few had the privilege of having.

“Besides,” Harmonic added. “For a family that’s served the finest food on daily basis and in huge quantities, we tend to have so much left-overs – given to food banks mostly.”

“…. Okay.”

“Great, dinner's at seven, or breakfast if you were Luna.”

_*_

“Halt!” both guards stopped Note with their wings. “State your name and business.”

“It’s Pull-Whole Note,” he corrected himself nervously. “I was asked to have dinner with the royal family.”

The two pegasi guards looked at each other, one of them left for a moment, saying he had to confirm this. A minute later, he came back “Follow me.” He instructed the Earth Pony. Complying, he followed the guard though the palace. Up staircases and down hallways, passed the number of seemly endless doors and windows. Through rooms and around servants with the occasional noble, Note took in what he was seeing.

Not to say that he was rather impressed at the art collection. Of statues, stained glass, and paintings, but as they neared the private dining room, there was one painting that made him stop in his tracks. Unlike the other priceless paintings, this one was unfinished. He saw that it was one of Prince Color’s paintings, but he’d never seen this one before. The painting showed the prince, his deceased husband, and their son.

“Please keep up,” the guard told him. Taking one last look, he did. He couldn't but help wonder what was an unfinished painting like that, doing being hanged up on the walls in a place like this. His mind searched, or rather ransacked it to try to find if he had ever seen the painting before. He tried to recall some art books he flipped through, the museums, and the copies of posters that had the name “Color Spectrum” on it. Only his mind came up with nothing. At first he thought it might have been a lost painting, except for the fact that if it’s in the castle, in the capital of Equestria, it can’t be lost.

When Whole Note heard the ghostly chime of clocks that rang out seven o’clock, the guard had made him halt in front of a particular door. He saw him go in, and a moment later he told him to enter. There at a table were not only the two princesses, but he saw the Prince, the son with his wife and their daughter in a high chair. His patriotic instinct was to bow low enough to touch the marble floor.

“Whole Note,” he heard the flutter of wings that stopped in front of him. “Glad you can make it. Uh...You can get up now.” He did as he was told. The cellist walked over to the only other chair that wasn't occupied and sat down in it.

“Grandpa?” Cloud asked Harmonic as if she was asking who this stranger was.

“Dad, who’s this?” Script asked.

“He’s a friend of mine,” Harmonic answered taking his seat with a bowl of soup. “He’s from the orchestra.”

“Nice to meet you, Whole Note.” Celestia gave him a gentle smile. “Are you in the mood for anything in particular for dinner?”

The cellist thought for a moment, “How about a baked potato?” In no time, Note was given a potato with a wide range of condiments. From butter to green onions, from four different kinds of cheeses to imported salt and pepper from Saddle Arabia. “Whoa, is this normal?”

Luna nodded, before she answered, she swallowed her bit of crape. “It is for us. The only company outside of our family is rare. Pray tell, how long have you known Harmonic?”

“I think about a month, Your Majesty.”

“Please Note, titles are meaningless here, you’re just having dinner with our family. Call me Luna.”

“So Harm,” Page said, giving Cloud a spoonful of applesauce. “Why did you call us over?”

“Oh yeah, I've nearly forgotten!” Harmonic put down his spoon, “I was thinking we should go on vacation. For a week at least.”

“A vacation dad?” Script turned to his father.

“Now?” so did his wife. “But I’m still up to my eyeballs in grading my student’s papers as it is. I don’t think I could-”

“Nonsense,” Page’s father-in-law waved a hoof. “We’re Royals remember, we got enough ponies who deal in complicated paperwork, grading your student's papers would be done in no time. And besides, all of you have been working a little too hard as it is, so why not just go somewhere to breathe a little?”

“He does have a point,” Luna said thoughtfully. “Cel, when was the last time either of us took a vacation?”

The Solar Diarch put a hoof to her chin in thought. “I’m not too sure, to be honest. I suppose it has been a little too long since any of us gone somewhere that isn't business related…”

“I don’t know if I can, to be honest,” Page said. “I mean, Spring Break isn’t even here yet-”

“Page, don’t you worry so much,” the prince told her. “As I've said, whatever it is, I’ll take care of it. You don’t have to worry about work… In fact, I’ll use my power as a Prince to get you guys to relax if I have to.”

“But dad, I can’t go this very week,” Script protested. “I’m just finishing the…”

“Finishing what?” Harmonic raised an eyebrow.

“Look, can we wait until next week? I think I should be free by then.”

“Fair enough, does anypony have anything important to do next week?” Harmonic asked the whole table.

‘It’s really weird,’ Note thought. ‘For ponies so high up, it’s like I’m sitting with a normal family.’

All around the table, the princesses, the prince, the writer, and the teacher gave out what they have to do as well as what they could do before that time. What they all agreed on is that it is quite possible that they can go by next week.

“So where are you guys going?” Note asked.

“That’s a good question,” Page mused, “I’m in the mood for someplace exotic. Any ideas?”

“What about that beach in the Bahamares?” Luna asked, “I've heard that you could see all of the night skies on those islands.”

“What about somewhere sophisticated?” Celestia suggested. “With spring just next week, I think Paris should be ideal.”

“What about Sydneigh?” Script inquired, “At least it’s warm down there.”

“There’s always Spain,” Note joined in the conversation. “I've heard the food is really good over there.”

“Spain huh?” Harmonic mussed. “Actually, I like that idea. Anyone else?” One by one, they agreed. “So I guess it’s settled then, we’re going to Spain next week.”

_*_

After dinner was done and over with, Harmonic offered to personally escort the cellist out of the castle. Along the way, they walked passed the unfinished painting that Whole Note noticed earlier.

“What painting is this?” he asked. Harmonic stopped and saw what he was looking at, frowning.

“That painting?” the Prince sighed, “That was the last portrait that Color had ever made.”

“I… I’m so sorry. I didn't know. It’s just that I've never seen it before.”

“I wouldn't blame you, not many ponies know about it either. I mean, many of Color’s paintings are in museums but… I couldn't let go of this one. It’s too personal.”

“Forgive me.”

Harmonic shook his head, “You’re forgiven. I’m not hurt by it; I've gotten over my grief for him.” The conversation went silent so they kept moving. For a few minutes, neither said anything until Note asked: “Do you still miss him?”

“In a way, but not too terribly, Color did say that I should move on; that I should find somepony that makes me happy. Although I confess, it’s somewhat the reason why I asked you over for dinner.”

“You said that you felt sorry for me.”

The alicorn nodded, “Okay, that too. But there’s another reason,” he smiled while adding. “I could tell that you like me.”

Whole Note stopped dead in his tracks, “U-Uh,” his eyes widen, and his cheeks turned red. “W-What do you mean?”

“Look, I noticed the way you acted when we talked at that ice cream shop a few weeks ago. Not to mention when I asked if you had any coltfriends, you stiffen up. And that you tend to stutter over your speech when I’m around. So I made the assumption-”

“Harmonic, I can explain!”

“I’m listening.”

Whole Note took in a deep breath; “Look… you remember how I said that Octavia is an idol of mine?” the prince nodded. “W-Well, in truth, you are too.” He said rubbing one of his legs, “I've listen to some of your recordings as well as some of your music. Y-You’re… Oh Celestia this is embarrassing.”

“Go on, you’re doing fine.” Harmonic urged him on.

“Uh… You’re, I think you’re relatable, to me.” Note admitted, but Harmonic asked him what he meant by that. “You see… After I got my cutie mark (hence, where I got my name from), I began to… notice, some ponies you see. At first, I didn't know what exactly to think of it; I certainly found it confusing since nopony I knew was like me. So of course I was scared at first, until I've heard about you, about your past. And in a way, it gave me hope, ‘if a Prince of Equestria likes colts too, then maybe I don’t have much of a reason to be scared of’. In a way, you helped me come out to my parents.”

“Me?”

“Yes, sir. And you are a talented violinist as well. I mean, who wouldn't admire that creativity from your music? Not to mention your influence in anything that had to do with art. And now meeting you in real life… you really are a gentlecolt that I made you out to be.”

“Why,” Harmonic smiled while giving a small blush of his own. “Thank you, I was hoping to give that impression. But for my part, as I've said, I felt empathy towards you, especially with today at rehearsals. The feeling of being ostracized and not being given a chance for anything.”

Note nodded, “Yeah, I know that feeling.”

“But Pitch did bring up something about you that’s gotten me curious.”

“What’s that?”

“You don’t seem very competent about yourself.”

Note’s ears folded backward, “Oh. It’s that noticeable, huh?”

“Well like I've said, you did seem timid around me.”

The cellist shook his head, “It’s not just towards you, it’s mostly everypony.”

“Why?”

Note took in a deep breath, “Would you promise not to tell the orchestra?”

“Over what?”

“My hearing. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I’m deaf. But I do have a bit of mental disability. You see, have you ever noticed that sometimes I would go off key or off beat now and then?”

Harmonic nodded.

“It’s my hearing. Every now and then, (just now and then mind you) say for example someone is talking to me, I would listen but sometimes I wouldn't hear a word or a whole sentence at times. Say that the conductor says to me, ‘Whole Note, could you make it an A Flat?’ Yet all I hear is, ‘Whole Note, could you make it an _ Flat?’ So it leaves me to figure out what they’re talking about. Hmm… This gives me another reason why you’re my idol now I think about it.”

“Oh?”

“You once thought that you were a, pardon my Equestrian, a freak too. Like me.”

“Note, come here,” he put a wing over the Earth Pony. Motioning for him to walk, Harmonic said: “You know if you said that to me before I was eighteen, I would had agreed with you, overwhelmingly. Yes, I know all too well what it’s like to be completely different from everyone you run into. And yes, I did get hurt because of that fact. But as years went by, I found out that even my (let’s just call it) my physical disability, I learned that I can use it to my advantage. But with you, I don’t know if your hearing is such a disadvantage. Tell me, do you do anything other than the cello?”

“Well, sometimes I try my hoof at composing a little.”

“With your hearing, I suppose you can hear music that nopony has ever listened to. Even when you couldn't hear every note, maybe you might catch something that nopony has heard of.”

“Now you've mentioned it, yeah. Sometimes in rehearsals, I tend to catch a melody or a phrase that I didn't the last time.”

“See, now I have one more question.”

“What?”

Harmonic looked at Note, seeing only confusion there.

“I said I have another question for ya. So, be honest with me here, have you ever thought about dating me?”

Note avoided eye contact. “With you? Oh no I… I-I couldn't.”

“But why not?”

“This is going to sound a bit ridiculous but, I have thought of it but, I just think you might be out of my league.”

Harmonic raised an eyebrow, “Why? Because I’m a Prince?”

Note nodded, “It is. I mean, I’m just an Earth Pony who plays the cello that has a hearing disability. You’re the very Prince of Inspiration. And I’m a nopony.”

“So was I. You remind me of myself in my early days.”

“Is that meant to be offensive or a compliment?”

“A compliment sir, but still, do you still want to have a date with me?”

Whole Note thought for a minute. “….Could I?”

“Well, there’s that vacation, and I’m afraid somepony has already asked me out.”

“Oh,” Note gave him a sad look.

“Now hold on, I’m not outright rejecting you here. I want to give you both a fair chance here. So don’t worry too much.”

“Really?”

Harmonic nodded. “But as of now, I want to have some personal time before I do anything. Alright?”

“Yeah, thanks a lot,” Whole Note said adding a half-smile.

_*_

Looking out of the window, Harmonic overlooked towards the Mareuritanian Sea. The orange-tiled roofs didn't block the view of the sea, nor did the orange trees that had flowers blooming nearby. Since their arrival, they made special arrangements for their weekly vacation at a place called the Azul de Sol Resort. It rested almost on top of the hill that overlooked a town called El Mar de las Perlas. In Equestrian, it translates to “The Sea of Pearls.” Other than its pearls, the town was also known for its orange trees that grew by the seaside. Harmonic like the place, for the air smelled of sea salt and oranges.

As far as he’s heard from Celestia and Luna, the reason why they chose this place was for four, very important reasons. It had great views. The food was excellent. The town was a small artist community. And lastly, it was quiet; which is better than the hustle and bustle of the Spanish capital up north.

The resort itself was only four stories high and painted bright orange. Being a resort, it had a wall around it, (in which with special permission, a few of the Royal Guards patrol around for safety reasons) in which contained the well-trimmed gardens, orange trees, and the swimming pool for the guests.

Harmonic turned to the clock that says it’s almost noon. And not too soon he’d heard a knock on his door. He used his magic to unlock it for the pony he’d been waiting for.

“Grandpa!” his granddaughter said entering the room, followed by her mother.

“Hey Page, hey Cloudy.”

“Hey Harm,” Page said, “You ready to take Cloud out to lunch?”

“That’s what I've been waiting for, is she ready to go?”

Harmonic’s question was answered when Page tossed him the foal bag at him. “These are just a few of the necessities.” Page explained, “It’s got Cloud’s dippers, milk bottles, and the mix for the formula and a few of her toys.”

“Uh, quick question,” the alicorn asked: “Is Cloud old enough to have real food yet?”

“Being two, she can as long as they’re soft foods.”

“I see,” Harmonic nodded, putting the bag around his neck and levitating his violin case on his back. “Anything else?”

“Of course, just keep an eye on her at all times. Make sure she’s safe.”

“Don’t worry,” Harmonic’s horn lifted the little pegasus onto his neck. “We’ll have a guard following us while we’re away. In the meantime, you and Script should enjoy yourselves.”

“Speaking of enjoying oneself, do you know anything of what Celestia or Luna is up to?”

“I think they've said something about the sea, perhaps they’re on a beach somewhere. Anyway, we’ll see you later.”

Harmonic went to the gate and had one of the guards who knew Spanish to follow them as they head into town. The Prince and his granddaughter went down the cobblestone streets, passing by the locals towards the farmers market.

About five minutes of walking later they found the stands that were set up. Selling things from arts and crafts to pastries, from orange flowers to cheese, the owners of these stands tried to get the prince’s attention. Besides, getting a Royal, even if he’s from a different country is always good for business.

It took a little longer than expected, with the guard arguing with several owners over a good price for this and that, the three of them managed to get a meal out of the whole ordeal. And so under the shade of a tree was where the three of them sat down. Harmonic and the guard set to work pealing a few oranges and separating them into pieces.

“Here Cloudy,” Harmonic offered a small piece to her. “Try it.” Curious, she took the piece of orange into her hooves. She felt the squishy slice in her hooves before putting it into her mouth.

“Orange. More.” She said, in which her grandfather was more than happy to.

“Thanks for helping me,” the Prince thanked the guard.

“It’s not a problem Your Majesty. Although I must say that they,” he pointed towards the stands, “put up some very tough bargains. I mean, we were lucky to get the oranges, the cheeses, bread and the milk for what we got. I don’t know much about the worth of bits here, but fifty for that little cheese is ridiculous.”

Harmonic laughed, “I guess that’s what you get for going into a tourist trap.”

“Even so, something like this shouldn't- Uh…” the Guard looked around as if he’d forgotten something.

“Something the matter?” the Prince asked.

“Where’s your granddaughter?” Harmonic looked around too; little Cloud View was nowhere to be seen. At first, panic started to set in until he heard her voice.

“Bird!”

It was coming from right above them; they looked up to an amazing sight. It was Cloud View, in the branches of the tree. Flying. The little filly over the age of two was using her wings above them.

“Cloudy!” Harmonic called out, taking the air himself. “You’re flying!” he took hold of her granddaughter in his hooves. “I can’t believe it! You flew!”

“Bird,” Cloud said again, pointing to the birds that were flying away.

“Yes, you’re flying like a bird,” Harmonic agreed, “Your parents are going to be so proud of you. But for now,” he lowered himself along with the filly back to the ground. “You still need to eat.” He heard the guard chuckled amusingly. “What?”

“It’s nothing Sire,” the Guard said, “It’s how you were a moment ago. It’s like you were her father for a second.”

“Well she is my granddaughter, and we just saw her fly for the first time. You gotta admit that’s quite… what’s the word?”

“Amusing?”

“Joyful. I guess seeing that… Heh, I guess I missed being a father.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Well… How do I explain this? There’s something about having a child that looks up to you and watching them go through life. Call it nostalgia when raising Script, or pride that you have ponies like these to call family.”

“I… I think I understand Your Highness.”

“Do you have foals of your own?”

“Teenagers, as a matter of fact,” he nodded. “If it’s at home or across an ocean, they’re always a hoofful.”

“Trust me, it’ll pass eventually.”

“Fiddle,” Cloud View said, pointing towards the violin case.

“Hold on Cloudy, let me eat this before I can play something.” Harmonic ate his lunch before taking out his violin. “How about something new,” he told her. His horn glowed for that familiar spell to take hold of the violin. The sound of a piano dancing with the violin was heard in the shade of that tree.

_*_

“….And I believe that’s it. Thank you both,” Harmonic said to his adviser and assistant. The clock on the mantel says it's past 10:30. Mrs. Meadowlark got up and so did Quill Feathers. “Quill,” the Prince added, “would you stay here for a moment?”

“Of course, good night Mrs. Meadowlark, I’ll see you in the morning.”

“I’ll see you later as well,” the pegasus yawned. “But for now, I need to get home, good night Your Majesty.” She bowed and left the room, leaving only the prince as well as the crystal pony behind.

“So, I trust your vacation went well?” Quill asked.

“Quite. And during my time to relax, I have been thinking about that offer some time ago.”

Quill’s ears perked up, “Oh?”

“I've thought about it, and I've decided to give you a fair chance.”

“Why sire, that’s great news!” the crystal pony smiled. “When are you expecting-”

“How about now?” Harmonic interrupted.

His assistant blinked, “Now? As in, right now, now?”

“Problem?”

“W-Well not at all, it’s just I didn't expect you want to do this so soon?”

“Why not? I don’t feel tired to go to sleep yet.”

“If you say so, but what do you want to do at this time of night?”

“I've already thought about it,” Harmonic made his way towards the door. “I was thinking a bit of a walk through the gardens. You’re coming along?” Quill nodded and followed his boss out of the room and towards the royal gardens. “So, where do you want to go?” the Prince asked his date for the night. “Do you want to go through the stone garden or the grove?”

Quill put a hoof to his chin, “What about the maze?”

“I don’t think so; they don’t let anypony in at night, and it’s not lit anyway. Although, the ponds are still open at this time of night, plus it’s lit.”

“Alright, let’s head over there.” As the two of them headed forward, weaving between gardens and dirt pathways, the Prince decided to strike up a conversation.

“So,” Harmonic began, “What do you do in your free time outside of work?”

“Outside of work? I write a bit of free verse poetry.”

“I never took you to be a poet.”

“But it’s not really a sole profession. Poetry is nice but it doesn't pay much as an assistant does.”

“There’s something I want to ask of you,” he looked at Quill right in the eye. “And I need for you to answer me honestly.”

“Okay.”

“You said that you have a crush on me. But you never once explained to me why. So, what is it about me that you’d want to go on this date with me?”

“Oh…” Quill’s eyes looked away. “What’s the reason? Well, Sire, you’re quite an amazing prince when it comes to what you've been working with. Movies, music, art, literature, theater, all of that, and the fact that you figure out how to juggle them at the same time is something I admire. You’re a hard worker who gives fair criticism when it’s needed.”

Harmonic raised an eyebrow, “Is that all?”

“No, meeting you, I find that you’re a nice guy,” the crystal pony ended this with a smile.

The Prince hummed in thought, “And this has nothing to do with the fact I’m a prince or an alicorn right?”

Quill shook his head but said nothing. They moved on to the ponds, but Harmonic continued to make small talk. “Tell me, what do you think about family?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Well, for starters, what kind of family do you have back at the Empire?”

“Oh. Let’s see… Mother has passed away a few years ago, leaving me and three of my younger sisters.”

“I’m sorry.”

Quill shook his head, “No, you had nothing to do with you your maj- I mean, Harmonic. She passed away peacefully. Anyway, I’m the oldest in the family. My other sisters are Ruby, Sapphire (those two are twins by-the-way) and Lily who's the youngest.”

“Do you miss them?”

“Not really, I don’t really feel homesickness.”

“We’re here,” Harmonic told his date as they entered the entrance to the ponds. Lanterns and the stairs themselves lit up the area, some of them reflected off from the water. There were Lily-pads and cattails that stick out from the mirror-like water. Here and there, some of them rippled from the fish from underneath.

“It seems peaceful,” Quill commented.

“I think so too, the perfect place for thinking about anything.”

Quill nodded, “I agree. This is a place for…” he trailed off. “I mean, this is lovely. Thank you.”

“Just out of curiosity, have you ever had another relationship before me?”

“Well yeah, but none of them lasted long.”

“How come?”

He shook his head, “That’s not important. What is though is that I’m here with you… in the garden.”

The Prince raised an eyebrow, “Quill, is there something you’re not telling me?”

Quill blinked, “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know for sure but, it’s not that I don’t trust you or anything, but you seemed to give very little information about yourself.”

“That’s not true, I've told you that I wrote poetry, I have three sisters, I work for you and that I like you.”

“But that’s just it. Outside of that, I don’t know anything else about you. I don’t know your view on why you like me other than being a hard worker and being nice. In fact, what do we have in common?”

“Well… uh…”

“Yes?”

“…. We both like stallions?” Quill asked with a sheepish smile. Harmonic returned with a frown.

“You know, as an assistant, you’re great at it, as a lover,” the Prince shook his head. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think this will work out.”

“But… But Harmonic-”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t see you as a penitential.” Harmonic took to the air, “You know where the exit is. Good night Quill, I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” And with that, he left and headed towards his room.

Landing on the balcony, Harmonic went inside into his room and decided that he should go to bed. Lying underneath the covers, he muttered to himself: “Color, finding another special somepony is much harder than you made it out to be.” Sighing, he added, “I wish you were here again.”

_*_

“Much better everypony,” Pitch Perfect nodded in approval. “Thank you for all of your hard work; we’ll do our last two rehearsals for Monday and Tuesday. Have a good day.”

With the orchestra being dismissed, Harmonic put down his violin and trotted over to Whole Note who noticed him approaching. “Hey.”

“Hey yourself,” Note nodded as he started to put his cello away. “How’ve you been lately?”

“Alright I suppose,” he said pawing a hoof on the stage.

“Is something the matter?” Note asked.

“Kinda,” ‘Well, here goes…’ “I was thinking...”

“Over?”

“Well, tonight is the premiere of a play that I would like to see. But the thing is, I've got nopony to go with me because I rely on second opinions. So I was hoping if you’d like to come?”

At first, Whole Note was confused until he quickly realized what he’s been asked to. Eyes widening and blushing a little he asked, “Y-You mean… You’re, uh-”

“Yes,” Harmonic interrupted. “I’m asking you on a date.”

“Well…” Note paused. “What time is it going to be?”

“Seven-thirty. It’s going to be at the Sunrise Theater, you wanna come?”

Whole Note gave a shy smile, “I've got nothin’ better to do.”

3rd Movement

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At seven-fourteen, Whole Note waited outside of the Copper Pot Café, the place where he’d agreed to meet his date for the evening. Pacing around in a tight circle, the cellist couldn't help but feel nervous to some degree without showing it. After all, who wouldn't when they’re dating a Royal for the very first time?

“Whole Note?” the Earth Pony turned his attention to the voice to find the prince. He blinked.

“Uh… Harmonic,” Whole Note said with a raised eyebrow. “Not to be rude or anything but… What’s with the get up?”

Harmonic looked down at himself. He was wearing a silk opera cloak that was black, a top hat that covered his horn and a monocle in his eye. “A disguise for where we’re going,” the Prince explained. “Since I have to go check the play out anyway, I thought it might be fun to go there without anyone in the theater knows I’m there. So for now, I’m just your average theater critic.”

“But the monocle? Isn't that a bit too much? Besides, nopony wears those anymore.” Although Harmonic didn't want to admit it, even with all the reluctance as his horn glowed to remove the monical, Note did have a point. Harmonic placed the glass eye piece into his inner coat pocket.

“It wouldn't hurt to give it some class,” Harmonic muttered.

Whole Note rolled his eyes, “Please, there’s a difference between looking classy and overdoing something.”

“In any case, shall we get going?” Harmonic asked.

“I suppose so,” and with that, Whole Note began to follow the prince side by side. “Uh, just out of curiosity, do you always take your dates to the theater?”

“Actually no,” Harmonic admitted. “Most of them are at restaurants, in the royal gardens or someplace downtown. In truth, I've never really taken anypony to a play before.”

“Really? Not even with your last husband?”

Harmonic thought back for a moment, “Okay, but it was only that one time. The only times when we go out on a date to a theater was for a movie. So now that I think about it, you’re the very first in a very, very long time that I've taken to see a play.”

“Speaking of which, what’s it about?”

“I was told it’s about my early days. But the play has been kept under wraps, even from those who work for me.”

“It’s about you? Isn't this a bit... w-what’s the word?”

Harmonic rolled his eyes, “Egotistical?” Note nodded, “It has to do more about curiosity. I mean, wouldn't you want to see a play if it’s about you?”

“…. Point taken.”

“Note, mind if I ask you a personal question?”

“What?”

“Have you ever been on a date before?”

Note sighed, “Only once. It was w-with my best friend. But the th-thiag- (Blah, there goes the Equestrian language!)” Harmonic chuckled but urged him on. “The thing is, the guy’s straight.”

“But he went out with you?” Harmonic’s eyebrow rose.

“Ya see, at the time, I was in love with the guy once. And he asked me if I had ever fallen in love with anypony before. I kept avoiding the question for days until I told him one night (quickly followed by a rainstorm of apologies). After he’d calmed me down, I told him that I've thought about dating him but was afraid to ask. And I guess it might have been out of pity or something but he’d said yes to it, that I could even set up the whole thing if I wanted.”

“What did you ended up doing?”

“Oh, nothing fancy or anything, a simple picnic in the park. But I went out of my way to get the best of the best food for it. From the best hayburgars, to the best fries, the best sodas, and even a desert – a s’more cupcake I think it was. I picked him up; we ate, talked and laughed a little.” Harmonic saw on his date’s face a smile of nostalgia. “After that he said that if it’s okay by me, he wanted to go to one of those novelty stores since the guy is a collector. I said yes and we went in. While he didn't find anything, I found a huge piece of chocolate that I bought and gave to him.”

“Do you always spoil your dates?” Harmonic joked.

Note blushed, “Your Highness, a gentlecolt should always show his date that he cares somehow. And what better way to show it then giving him gifts of food?”

Harmonic laughed, “Okay, good point. As you were saying?”

“Anyway,” he continued. “After I took him back home, I hugged him and told him thank you for doing that for me. Even though he’d never returned my feelings, I’m always grateful for that kindness he’d shown me. But after that, we went back to being only best friends. We didn't lose anything (thank Celestia for that), but at the same time, nothing was gained either.”

“But haven’t you tried to seek out for somepony else?”

Whole Note shook his head, “No, for a long while, I've convinced myself that nopony would really love me for me.” Harmonic was taken aback at this, his date noticed, “Something wrong?”

“No,” he shook his head, “For a moment there, I thought I've heard a ghost.”

“What?”

“It’s nothing. Also, how old are you?”

“How old? I’m twenty-four. Why?”

“Be honest with me, would you really mind that you’re dating someone who's about twice your age? I mean, I’m forty-three after all.”

“Really? You don’t look any older beyond-”

“Beyond my thirties,” Harmonic interrupted. “Yes, yes I know. But does it really bother you?”

Whole Note thought about it for a moment, “I… I guess not. To me, you don’t seem that old as you make it out to be.”

Harmonic hummed, “I think I’m beginning to like you already. Ah! There’s the theater.”

The two of them waited in line for tickets, when they got there, they found a young mare putting bits away. “Two tickets for box seats if you’d please.” The mare in the ticket booth looked up to the two stallions, but before she could tell them the amount, she stared at the one in the cloak.

“Do I know you?” she asked.

“I don’t think so,” he said calmly, “How much are the tickets for the boxes?” She told him the amount, in which she was given the bits. She rolled up two tickets and a playbill to them, adding: “Enjoy the show.”

As soon as the two stallions received their tickets, they quickly went inside before the mare could get any more suspicious. Once inside, the two stallions made their way up into one of the boxes of the theater. The place was packed with ponies that were curious about this new play about the prince.

Whole Note opened up the playbill. It said that the play is in two acts. He looked at the names of the composer and writer, he’d never heard of a composer named Wild Strings before. But when he looked at who the writer was-

“Harmonic,” he said showing him the playbill. “I didn't know your son wrote this play.”

“What?! Let me see that,” he took the folded paper into his own hooves, and sure enough, he saw the name. “Script Everfree… Well this explains quite a bit.”

The lights dimmed and a spotlight was shown on the stage of the director. He made a short speech, welcoming everyone to the premier of the play. Saying that the play is a kind of tribute to the Prince of Inspiration. “I’ll be the judge of that,” Harmonic muttered to Note, taking off his hat.

“….And now,” the director said. “Without wasting any more time, I give to you, Trotivari.” The audience applauded and the director walked off the stage.

With the overture, the very first thing that they heard wasn't a musical instrument, but somepony humming.

And that humming turned into a song, “Here those bells ringing, soft and low.”

Harmonic recognized it immediately of what it was! “Bring peace through the twilight glow.”

The lullaby! It was the very lullaby that his parents have sung to him! ‘Script must have really done his homework,’ the Prince thought.

“A-Calling to everyone, night has begun.

“Tired from your weary toil, day’s work is done.

“Hear them ring, while my love and I,

“Drift and dream to their lullaby.”

The singing was replaced with a solo violin. The violin was joined with the other violins, then the violas, the cellos, and the double basses. Eventfully, the lullaby rang out in the darkened theater. But soon, the lullaby changed into a series of short bits of other songs, no doubt the music they’re going to hear for the night.

With the overture over, the curtain rises. At first, they saw a unicorn pacing around a workshop filled with string instruments, finished or otherwise. A door opens to a pegasus mare with a look of concern on her face, the stallion went up to her asking if her wife is alright.

“Yes, Melody is alright, she just needs some rest but…” the mare trailed off, getting the stallion (which by now, Note quickly assumed that this might have been Harmonic’s father) worried, asking about the foal. “…. The foal is fine Crescendo. She’s delivered a healthy colt but-” the stallion went right passed her, where stage light lit up a tiny bedroom, with a unicorn mare in bed, holding a baby wrapped in cloth.

“Melody, is the foal alright?” she nodded her head. The one playing Crescendo went up to the bed to take a look at the baby, “Why I don’t see anything wrong,” he said. “He’s a healthy unicorn.”

“Uh, that’s not all.” The one playing Melody said with concern in her voice. The actor asked what she meant by that and she told him to unwrap him. He did, “Are those… wings!?” he turned to the actress. “Melody, an alicorn! No, no this… this has to be some mistake.”

The two of them went back and forth until they heard a knock on the door, in which much of the cast walked on stage with smiles and gifts, singing about the couple finally having a child of their own. They happily sang for the couple to come down to show them the foal. Crescendo went down trying in vain to shoo them away. But in the end, when they get to see the child, they are horrified. They turned to the father, saying that this beast; this demon; this freak of nature must be killed. Melody refused to have her baby killed, and Crescendo did so like wise.

“This ‘demon’ you all call him is my flesh and blood! No, I will not have my son die before he has the chance to live.” In which, he goes into a song, getting the town out of his workshop.

“Crescendo,” Melody asked. “What should we call him?”

The actor thought for a moment, “Harmonic.” He picked up the baby, “His name is Harmonic Trotivari.”

The next scene shows the town a few years later, where the foals were playing around until a foal who looks like Harmonic walked up on the stage, the other foals went up to him, taunting the alicorn in song. The song itself was them calling him names and telling him what their parents have told them about alicorns. Whole Note turned to his date that seemed uneasy at this.

“Ali?” Harmonic whispered, “I haven’t heard that word in years.” The scene ended with a choreographed fight with the foals pulling on the colt’s wings, horn, mane, and tail.

The next scene opened back at the workshop where Melody has prepared a cake with five candles on it. The door opens with Harmonic limping in, crying. The mother went up to the crying foal asking what was wrong. The colt told her about the other foals that’d beaten him, saying how much he hated living here. Crescendo enters with a wrapped present, in which it turns out to be a violin. Melody and Crescendo teach their son how to play the lullaby on the violin in a trio.

When that ended, the stage lights dimmed and turned blue. Harmonic lit a lantern on stage, playing around when suddenly he accidentally bumps the lantern over, causing a stage fire made up of torn red, yellow and orange fabric being moved around by small fans. The alicorn on stage tries to put it out but couldn't. He calls out to his parents in which they ran down and try to put the flames out. When they couldn't, Crescendo yells for his son to get his violin and get out in which the lights went out.

When they came on, the audience saw the town once more, with the townsponies around with a crying Harmonic at the center of the stage. The ponies talked about the fire, and with another song, they blamed it on Harmonic, he runs off stage, taking the violin case with him.

At this point when the audience was applauding the performance, Whole Note turned to Harmonic. The Prince had tears in his eyes, “Are you alright?” Note whispered.

“Yeah,” the Prince wiped the tears from his eyes, “It just brought back so much.”

For a moment, Whole Note wanted to say something to comfort him a little. Except in that instant, his mind went blank. So frowning, he shook his head and returned his attention to the stage.

They turned back to the performance; there was a spotlight on stage of Harmonic, shivering on a pile of white fabric with fake snow falling, he was singing the lullaby. “Mom, dad,” he sobbed, “It’s not my fault... It’s not my fault.” The lights slowly rose as the orchestra plays a gypsy tune. Young Harmonic raised his neck to see the painted gypsy camp in the background. So he got up, saying how much he wants to get warm.

The next scene opens up in the camp with carts all around; Harmonic sneaks around, grabbing an old quilt from one of the carts as he makes his way towards the gypsies. The caravan spots him, takes pity on him and decided to take him with them. The scene ends when the gypsies teaching him a new song.

In the next scene, it opens up at night when the caravan was suddenly attacked, to escape; the young actor playing Harmonic opened his wings and flew to safety. When it was over, he’s approached by an old gryphon. Who sings to him that she knows about his secret, and unless he pays up, she’ll tell everyone.

The next scene opens up with an older Harmonic in the spotlight, confessing to the audience that he’s infatuated with a pegasus, the only problem being, the Pegasus is a stallion by the name of Avi. As soon as that name was heard, Harmonic got up and left the box. Whole Note got up as well and followed him out. “Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked, but the hidden Prince ignored him until they reached the restrooms.

Alone, Note asked, “Harmonic, what’s the matter?”

“Avi?!” the Prince asked in shock. “But… But, how!? I've never told Script about him. Where did he hear about that?”

“Harmonic, what are you going on about?”

Harmonic took in some deep breaths, trying for a minute or so to calm down. “Okay, Avi, was my very first, real crush that I've ever had. But that monster betrayed me! He was the one who threw me into the hooves of mobs to be tortured. Yet, what I don’t get is how could Script have known about him?”

“Do you want to leave?”

Harmonic sighed, “No. As personal as it is, it’s only fair that I see it from start to finish. Besides, this is Script’s play, and I need to be there to support him.” Eventually, the two stallions made their way back to their box. Apparently, they missed a scene or so because now the actors playing Harmonic and Avi were arguing.

“Do you have any idea what you've put me through today!?” the fake alicorn yelled.

“No, and I don’t care.” Avi retorted coldly, “I must admit that it’s a real shame that you didn't die. Perhaps it’s true that Ali’s are unkillable. Then again,” he went up to him. “If I can’t kill a freak like you, at least I can make you suffer.”

“You wouldn't.”

“I can, and you’re going to keep suffering until I’m satisfied. Or do you want the caravan to know you’re both an Ali and a filthy stallion stuffer?”

The Harmonic on stage snorted in anger, “You’re a monster!”

“I’m the monster?” Avi shook his head, “I don’t think so, if there’s any real monster here, it’s you, Harmonic the alicorn.”

The lights faded and the curtain drops. Lights in the theater turned back on, along with a voice that announced the play will continue in fifteen minutes. Whole Note turned to the real Harmonic, “So, what do you think?”

“It’s really eerie.” The Prince confessed, “Although the play is rather rushed, I admit that most of it is accurate. Like what Avi said on stage, he actually said that to me.”

“You’re kidding?” Note asked in discussed.

“No, in fact… That’s exactly what he said to me. At this point, I doubt that Script made that bit up. He had to have some other source.”

“Some other source?”

“It has to be. There’s no possible way he could have known that. But the question is how?”

Fifteen minutes later the second act began, the scene opened in Canterlot all those years ago. From there, Whole Note noticed that his date became much more at ease. He saw how he was discovered as an alicorn, the princesses taking him in, his teachers, and the hatch conspiracy from Celestia to find out his sexuality. He heard his date cry during a scene when a couple of guards comfort him in the hedge maze, singing “Realize this, you are not alone.” He saw his uneasiness when the leader of the gypsies slapped him and Luna’s intervention. He saw the adoption and the acceptance. He also saw, towards the end of the play, the day that he met Color Spectrum, singing the reprise of “Realize this, you are not alone,” and ending the play with a kiss.

Now all the lights in the theater were up. The audience was applauding during when the whole cast took a bow. Then suddenly, Harmonic’s son along with a pegasus stallion in red walked on stage. It was there, that the prince got an idea. He turned to his date, winked at him and said, “Cover your ears.”

“Why?”

With a wicked smirk, he told him, “I’m about to give my son along with the rest of them a surprise of a lifetime.” Note put both hooves to his ears. The prince took off his cloak, clearing his throat, he called out his son.

“SCRIPT FREEVERSE EVERFREE!!!” Harmonic’s Canterlot Voice boomed off the theater's walls as he jumped out of the box and few in the spotlight, casting a shadow on the stage. He heard gasps and whispers as he floated down, landing right in front of his son with a frown on his face.

“D-Dad!” Script said sweating under the stage lights. “What a surprise! I didn't think you’d be coming!”

“How, dare you.”

“Dad?”

“So you’re the one who wrote this play?” his father asked sternly. But before Script could say anything, Harmonic added, “That you of all ponies would write a play behind my back, turn it into a musical, highlighting the worst and best moments of my life,” he put a hoof on his son’s shoulders. “And... it’s not that bad.”

Script blinked, “Huh?”

“I said it’s not that bad. I mean sure, the pacing in the first act was rather fast, but overall, you did a really good job, especially in the second act. Don’t you agree everypony?” He asked this question to the audience, in which they applauded. “But there’s one thing that’s been bothering me though.”

“What’s that?”

“How did you know about Avi? I’ve never once told you about him.”

“Your Highness,” Harmonic turned to the red pegasus who joined his son on stage. He took a bow and said, “My name is Wild Stings, I’m the composer of this play. And I was the one who told him about Avi because I knew him.”

“How did you know about him?” the prince questioned.

“Because… Avi was my father.” There were gasps in the crowd, but the composer continued. “I doubt if you remember me from that Hearths Warming ball years ago, when you invited the whole caravan there, but I was there when you got slapped. And I’ve heard from my dad about what he did to you. So… Prince Harmonic, for everything that my dad has put you through…” the composer was tearing up. “I… I’m so sorry; for everything that my own father has done to you.”

For a moment, Harmonic only stared at him, and then, he went right up to the composer, and hugged him. “It’s not your fault,” he told him. “And besides, the music is catchy.”

There was nothing but applause.

_*_

“That was quite the play,” Whole Note commented. By now, they've already walked out of the theater, and the Prince offered to walk home with him. “I didn't expect you’d be doing that.”

Harmonic shrugged, “Neither did I, but when Script walked up on stage, I gotta think of something to keep him on his hooves.”

Note laughed, “You’re a strange one.”

There was a moment of silence, they walked on as Harmonic tried to think of something to say. Eventually, he thought to go with something that has in common, “So… That cello you play with, is it yours?”

Note shook his head, “Nah, its rent to own actually. The rent for that thing is pretty expensive.”

“How much?”

“Two-hundred-and-fifty bits a month. It’s actually more expensive than the apartment!”

“Two-hundred?” Harmonic shook his head. “A guy like you shouldn't pay so much for something you like.”

“Um… M-Mind if we change the subject?” the Prince nodded. “So after being with me for a while, do you want to do this again sometime?”

Harmonic thought for a moment, “Yeah, I do. I think you’re a good stallion so far. So what do ya say… Next Thursday?”

Note smiled, “I th-thought you’d never ask.”

_*_

About a few months went by, Note and Harmonic would take turns taking the other on a date. Sure, the two of them would exchange some small talk with rehearsals, but Thursday was their special night of the week. If it was Harmonic taking Note out, he would sometimes do something elaborate, such as having dinner in the maze only by old fashion candle light. Or something fun as playing a duet in the reception room in front of the uptight nobles, but instead of classical music, they would do a variation of a pop song for the sake of annoying them.

But when it came to Whole Note taking Harmonic out on a date, his idea was simplistic; a walk through the town, watching/riffing a movie, a swim in a pool, or a snack from somewhere. Harmonic didn't mind the simplicity, in fact, he understood why. The cellist had been doing what he could do giving what money he had that he’d could spare. Although Note didn't admit it, Harmonic could see that he’s embarrassed of the fact. If anything, he was rather sympathetic. So because of this, the alicorn Prince would ask if he needed any money, but Note would always turn the offer down. Saying that he can still get by from what he has.

Now in early June, it was Note’s turn to take the Prince out. He told him that he has some bits left over and suggested to eat out somewhere. After some discussion, they settled on a hayburger with fries. And so they went to the restaurant, sat down and ordered what they’d liked.

The two of them started talking until Whole Note looked to the side; his eyes widen with shock and immediately ducked right under the table. Confused, Harmonic craned his neck under the tablecloth asking what’s wrong.

“Did they see me?” he asked and the Prince asked who. “The yellow mare with glasses and the green stallion with the straw hat, do you see them?” Harmonic looked up from the table to find the ponies he described.

“Uh, yeah,” the alicorn confirmed. “They’re headed this way.”

“Great!” Note cursed, “Don’t tell them I’m-”

“Whole? Is that you?” the mare asked.

“…. Here.”

“Well what are ya doing under the table for?” the stallion asked, craning his neck under the table.

“Uh… Hey dad,” Note said, crawling out from under the table. He was nearly tackled to the ground by the yellow mare in a hug. Harmonic, meanwhile, quickly put the pieces together to realize that these two are his parents. ‘Oh this is going to be one interesting dinner.’

“Mom, dad, what are you doing here?”

“Vacation,” his mother answered. “We thought about seeing you tomorrow to surprise you, but now you’re here!”

“Good to see you again,” his father gave him a hug with a smile. “How are you?”

“I’m fine,” Note answered quickly, his parents turned to Harmonic, still observing from his seat.

“Oh, where are our manors?” Note’s mother asked as she and her husband took a bow to him. “I’m Book Mark, Whole Note’s mother. And this is my husband Green Hoof.”

“The pleasure is all mine,” Harmonic replied. “I was rather curious what you two look like. Note has talked a little about you.”

“Thanks but…” Green trailed off, the unicorn tilted his head to the side. “Wait, what are you and Note doing here anyway?”

“Unless,” Book said before gasping. “Note, dear, are you two-”

“Dating?” Note confessed. “Okay, okay, you caught us.” Harmonic saw his date’s parents’ jaws dropped to the floor.

“You didn't tell them?” Harmonic asked his date.

“Not this soon,” he told him. “I was going to in a couple of wee- eck!” The cellist was cut off when his mother put him under a bone-crushing hug.

“Whole Note, I’m so proud of you!” his mother said in delight. Her son, on the other hoof, was struggling to say something.

“I think he’s saying something about air.” Harmonic’s comment made Book release her son from suffocation. She apologized.

“You don’t mind if we sit with you?” Green asked pulling up a couple of seats with his magic. He added: “It’s been awhile since we've last seen our son after all.”

“I wouldn't mind,” Harmonic shrugged. “I was interested to see you two anyway.”

The two of them took their seats at the table. Now it was Note’s parents at one end of the rounded table and the couple on the other. A waiter came and dropped off their food while giving menus to the parents.

“So…” Green said looking at his menu. “Dating huh?”

“Yeah,” Note answered. While trying his best not to show any emotion, his ears were still folded back in embarrassment.

“How long has it been?” his mother asked, putting down hers.

“We've been going out for a couple of months now.”

“Have things been going good between the two of you?”

“Yeah actually,” Harmonic nodded. “We've met since February from the orchestra. But we've been going out since… What? March?”

Note thought for a moment, “I think so... Yeah, it was in March.”

“So three months?” Green asked, flipping to the next page of the menu.

“Yes sir,” Harmonic answered.

Note’s father put his menu down, and at point blank range, asked a question that made the couple turn red and Harmonic’s wings to nearly open. “And during that time, have you slept with him?”

“DAD!” Note nearly shouting, “What kind of a question is that?!”

“I’m making sure that you are not being taken advantage here.”

“Sir,” Harmonic said looking at Green right in the eye. “I swear on my mother’s crown that I never did anything to him. I mean sure, we hugged and yes even cuddled a little – but only when he asks. But outside of those, I've never stepped over a boundary he’s not comfortable with.”

“In truth I’m-” Note added but quickly stopped.

“You’re what?” Book asked.

“Don’t make me say it,” he muttered, his ears folded back and his cheeks were red.

“Say what?” Green asked with a raised eyebrow.

Note took in a deep breath in defeat, and softly said. “…. I’m still a virgin.” Nopony at that table said anything. Until Harmonic spread his wing over Note.

“Note, you know very well that I won’t ever do anything without you saying so.”

“I know,” Note replied, “It’s just even at my age, I still don’t think I’m exactly… well… ready.”

“Understandable,” Harmonic nodded. “Don’t worry, I can always wait. I've got all the time you could possibly want.”

Note gave a half-smile, “Thanks.”

“You know,” they turned to Note’s father. “You got yourself a good stallion here.”

_*_

“Well,” Harmonic turned to Quill Feathers. “What do ya think?” the Prince was asking about what he was wearing for the Grand Galloping Gala this year. Prince Harmonic was wearing a white uniform with a red and blue sash. Holding the sash together was a golden broach, presented by the Germaneian ambassador.

“In a word, handsome,” Quill said.

“And do you have my violin?”

“Right here,” his assistant presented him the violin and an already rosined bow. Harmonic took them in his aura.

“I’m looking forward to tonight Quill,” Harmonic said as he and his assistant head out of his bedroom door and into the hallway.

“And that being?” his assistant questioned.

“I have a surprise that I’m going to announce.”

This gotten the crystal pony’s attention. “Oh? And what would that be?” he asked with a piece of lead in his stomach. He had heard about the princes’ date with the cellist, which he seemed to like him more over him.

“You’ll see,” Harmonic said with a smile. “But still, I think it’s going to be a good night.”

“If you say so,” Quill Feathers commented. By now he’d already had a guess what might happen tonight. Ever since he found out that Whole Note had been going out with the Prince, he couldn't help but feel jealousy growing inside. But as Harmonic’s assistant, he’d knew better, his boss’s love life was no longer his business since that night in the garden.

The Prince navigated through the ocean of ponies that had a ticket to the gala or the endless number of staff to make sure things ran smoothly. With every pony he passed, they bowed, gave a respectful nod or raise their glasses to him. Some tried to stop to talk to him, a few he had a quick word with and pressed onward until he got to his destination.

In the corner of the Ball Room, a small orchestra was playing. The finest of the fine musicians in Equestria, or at least, that’s what he’s been told. Yet among them was the pony he’s been looking forward to the whole evening.

Sat in a chair with four other cellists was Whole Note. Harmonic approached, gave a nod to him before joining the small orchestra. The conductor was from another orchestra, originally, Pitch Perfect was going to conduct, but he said he had family matters to take care of. So another took his place. The conductor turned, welcomed the Prince and invited him to take the lead in some of the pieces that had a violin solo.

In truth, Harmonic was more than happy to oblige. He was waiting after all so at least it gives him something to do. Most of the pieces they chose for the gala were either a dance such as a waltz or a march. Most of the time Harmonic followed the violin section with the music, but once or twice he would take in the lead with some of the solos.

They played until they got to a particular waltz, but before the orchestra could play, the Prince stopped them. “Just a moment,” he called out. Putting down his violin, he went right up to Whole Note. “Pardon me Note,” he said, “Since this waltz has come up, I want to ask you something.” Here, he held out a hoof to the cellist, “Whole Note, would you honor me to have this dance?”

At first, the cellist in question was stunned. He looked down at Harmonic’s hoof, up to his face and back again. Repeating this a few time. And then, for a moment he stopped, Note made his decision. He put his hoof into Harmonic’s. As soon as he got up, he heard whispers. Looking around, many ponies in the room were looking at them.

“Harm, they’re staring.”

“It’s okay,” Harmonic said, leading him to the center of the room. “Just keep looking at me, you’ll be fine. Conductor, music please,” and with that, the waltz began to play. The woodwinds and the harp played the intro for a moment. Harmonic took a step back and bowed to Note. And Note (nervously) did the same. They went up to each other, took hold in one another in their forelegs, and as soon as the waltz pattern played out, they moved.

With the pattern of the strings and the melody of the brass and woodwinds echoed inside the ballroom, Note could almost make out the whispers around them. But nevertheless, he looked at Harmonic the whole time. When the strings joined in the melody, he imagined a spotlight on them while the room somehow got darker. But he could still see him.

Eventfully as the waltz played on, both of them slipped into the moment. The dance, the music and each other only existed and nothing more.

“You’re doing well for our first dance,” Harmonic pointed out.

“Well, when you've been playing waltzes for over an hour, eventually you’d get how the dance is done just by looking.”

“So in other words, you’re bored out of your mind, right?”

Note laughed, “It’s only about three notes I had to mem-mem-memorize. “

They both laughed, cracking jokes here and there, not caring who was watching. But soon, the waltz came to an end with some applause; bringing the two stallions back into reality.

“Note, there’s something else I want to ask of you,” Harmonic said when the applause died down.

“Yeah? And that being?”

‘It’s now or never,’ Harmonic thought to himself. “Note, these past few months have been some of the happiest that I have been a very long time. During which, I found you to be a good guy. You have a love of music which I admire, your simple yet humble wisdom shines through even when you’re doing badly financially. You look to me not as a Prince, but as a pony who’s looking for something to make him happy once more. So Whole Note,” Harmonic took in a deep breath and let him have it. “Will you be my personal consort to me?”

Note blinked, “C-Consort? Um, you mean, you want me to be your special somepony?” The alicorn nodded. Whole Note went right up to Harmonic and smacked him on the back of the head.

“Ow! What was that for?”

Note smiled, “That was for not asking me earlier ya beautiful idiot.” And with that, he hugged him. “Uh, Harmonic,” he added, looking at him right in the eye with a blush on his cheeks. “If it’s too much to ask… May I?”

Harmonic smiled, having a blush of his own. “Granted.” And with that, Whole Note leaned in for his first kiss.

Amongst those who had witnessed this, Quill Feathers worst fear has been realized. Without so much as saying anything, he stormed out of the room and headed towards the nearest bar.

“Excuse me,” he said, putting some bits on the bar, getting the bartender’s attention. “What’s the strongest that you've got?”

_*_

Whole Note could die happily now; with the evening winding down and with a little extra spring in his step, this was a really good night for him. His consort! Harmonic’s personal consort! He couldn't believe this was happening at all. For the very first time in his whole life, the Cellist has somepony who he could call a lover.

But before he could go home for the night, Note took notice that Harmonic had left his bow behind. So, being the kind of gentalcolt that he was, he thought it would be nice of him to bring it back to him. That is if he could find the right room to-

“Heay yo!” Note turned to the pony that was calling him. He saw a blue crystal pony, putting a bottle to his lips taking a gulp. “I, I knowow youho!” Note could see and hear that this pony was clearly drunk. “You’re-you’re shat, uh, shat piece of flank that zha prince haz got, huh?”

“Excuse me?” Note asked taken aback.

“Yeah! Yo-you’re the ohne, that His Majesty high, had smooched.”

“So?”

“So? SO!” Quill shouted. “So here ah am, getting drunk, ofer tha fact, that tha only gay ali-corn, in tha woold, hast gone fer you. And-And-And my, uh, one way ticket to royal tea, is gone! Because, yous shoved your-your fat flank inta hiz face!”

Whole Note got more and more nervous as he’d approached him, backing into a door. Through his bloodshot eyes, Quill looked up at the door and smiled wickedly. “But zhats, gonna change! Y-You’ll see.”

“Hey! What are you doing?!” Note was suddenly pushed through the door and into a guest room.

“Make you pahey.” Quill said, closing the door behind him, leaving it slightly ajar. Then suddenly, he leaped onto the Cellist.

“Get off me!”

“On zha bed!” the two of them fought a little, but eventually, dragging the earth pony by the ear, Quill dragged him to the edge of the bed, mounting him.

“SOMEPONY! H-HELMPHAH!” Note’s mouth was covered by Quill’s hoof.

“I-I’m a, gonna make sure, you’d don’t walk right again.” Quill hissed in his hear, “Zhis vill teach ya, never, get in the way of things.”

Note let out a muffled scream.

_*_

Harmonic realized that he’d forgotten something. His bow, he’d remembered that he left it in the ballroom last time he’d saw it. Turning a corner, he saw a bow lying in the middle of the hallway. Confused, he trotted up to it, all the while, he heard something as he got closer. It was the sounds of grunting and… sobbing.

Quickly locating where the noise was coming from, he turned to one of the guest rooms with the door ajar, Harmonic flung it open to a horrific sight. There was his new consort, crying his eyes out, his face in pain and struggling to get out from the pony who’s pinning him down.

“NOTE!” the Prince cried out, his horn lit up the room, his aura clinging unto the assailant, flinging him against the wall. Hitting his back to the wall, Quill slid down to the floor. Now, for the first time in a very, very, very long time, Harmonic wasn't just mad, not furious, but in a rage.

“QUILL FEATHERS!!!” he shouted at the top of his Canterlot voice. Before his assistant could react, he took hold in his magic once again. “YOU’RE, FIRED!!!” and with that, he threw him out the door and slammed face first into a column. Harmonic shouted for the Guards to come and arrest him, which was done. And then he shouted to get the Royal Physician as quickly as possible.

Turning his attention to his concert, Harmonic saw that by now, he was still lying on the bed in the fetal position. His hiccup sobs were loud, tears blinding him. Harmonic could barely make out the words, “It hurts.” Two words he said over and over.

Harmonic laid down next to him, putting both hooves and a wing over him, he tried as best as he could to calm him down. “Shh. It’s alright now Note. I’m here. I’m right here for you.” Note on the other hoof leaned into his neck and cried an ocean. The two of them stayed like this until the Royal Physician, along with the assistance of the police came in to take Note away. Harmonic went with them.

That night, after the doctors, the police and all, Whole Note was put into a hospital bed. The Prince throughout the night held onto his clenching hoof.

‘It’s my fault.’ Harmonic thought. ‘This should never have happened to him. I should have found that bow sooner. I should have never left it. Oh Note, my Cellist, please forgive me, this shouldn't happen to somepony like you. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.’

4th Movement

View Online

Script agreed with Page to take their daughter to the playground right after breakfast. With her daughter on his back, he trotted through the streets to the usual way to get to the only few parks that have playgrounds in Canterlot. Besides, he could pick up a newspaper to keep up-to-date on the way there.

He stopped for a moment, gave a few bits to the unicorn at the newsstand that gave him the paper. Script turned the newspaper over to the front page and stopped dead when he read the following headline: “New Consort Raped after Gala.” Under it, there was a picture of the cellist, his father, and a crystal pony.

“Daddy?” little Cloud asked. “What’s wrong?”

Ignoring his daughter, he quickly read through the article. “Oh no,” he whispered. “Cloudy,” he craned his neck over to his daughter. “I’m sorry but, we need to go the castle now. Grandpa needs help. So hold on tightly.”

Cloud View did, and her father galloped through the streets, bridges and alleyways; never stopping until they reached the castle. Going up to the guards, Script asked to see his dad. “I’m sorry sir,” one of them said. “But the prince doesn't want to have visitors at this time.”

“But I’m his son,” Script argued, putting her daughter down.

“I’m truly sorry, but we've been given orders that he shouldn't see anyone unless requested.”

“But my dad needs me,” as Script and the guards argued, the three of them didn't notice that Cloud View had sneaked her way around them and into the castle. Even for a two-and-a-half year old, she had been inside the castle enough times to know where she was going. After all, she was starting to learn fast when a month ago she’d learned how to speak properly.

She walked through the halls and even flew up the stairs a few times until she was on the floor where her grandpa’s room was. Occasionally she ducked or hid from whoever was passing by so she wouldn't be seen.

As she got closer to her grandpa’s room, she heard the sound of his violin. At first, it sounded sad, as if the violin was crying along with the violinist. Hearing this coming from her grandfather’s room, she started to wonder what could have happened that would make her own grandpa cry. She quietly walked closer to the door, trying to listen in as well as be aware of who might be around. She knew that without having an adult around, she still might get into trouble. Then, as soon as she got near to the door, the music suddenly turned wild and even more tragic. She flew up to reach the door handle to open it. And sure enough, the door wasn't locked. Pushing the door, she could see her alicorn grandfather, standing in front of his mantle with tears flowing down his cheeks attacking the violin with his bow.

“Grandpa?” the little pegasus asked as she entered. Her grandfather played on still, not taking notice that she was even there. She got closer still, “Grandpa?” she asked a little louder. But still, Grandpa Harmonic didn't pay any attention to her. Now she was starting to get very worried, but also very scared. She had never seen him act like this before. She had seen him play the violin before, but the way he was playing, and how loudly, and with the ugly notes he was playing faster and faster, how could she be anything but frightened? Going from low to high and back again, and then suddenly, the music became disfigured, as if her grandpa had forgotten how to play the violin. This went on for a moment until Cloud View said: “Grand-”

“WHAT!?” Harmonic and a string on his violin snapped. It was so unexpected, so frightening to the little foal that she began to cry herself. The prince blinked a few times to realize, to his horror, who was in the room with him. “Cloudy, I-I-I’m so sorry. I’m sorry; I didn't know you were there. Please don’t cry.” He put down his violin and hugged his granddaughter. Harmonic kept on apologizing until his granddaughter stopped crying.

“Cloudy, what are you doing here?” he asked. “How did you get in?”

“Daddy got scared,” Cloud explained as best as her speech could. “Daddy and guards are fighting now. I came in to find you. Why you crying grandpa? Have you got a owie?”

Harmonic chuckled, gave the filly a sad smile. “An owie Cloudy? I think I do in a way.”

“Where does it hurt?” Her grandfather tilted his head, asking what she meant by that. “Mommy gives me kisses on my owies to make them feel better. Can I kiss the owie to make it feel better?”

‘Little Cloudy,’ Harmonic thought, trying his best to hold back his laughter. ‘Your logic is adorable.’ “Cloudy, dear, that’s kind of ya. But I don’t think it’s something you can kiss away.”

“Why?”

The prince took a deep breath, “You see, my feelings are hurt Cloudy. I let somepony I cared for very much get hurt by another pony. And I wasn't there to help him when he needed me most. But I was the one who caused it.” Harmonic held his head down, scolding himself. “I wish I wasn't so stupid enough to let it happen at all.”

“Grandpa, why are you being mean to you?”

“Huh?”

“Mommy or Daddy doesn't let me be mean to me, so why are you being mean to you?”

“Because-”

“Did you make the owie?”

Harmonic blinked, “Well no but-”

“Did you meant to make the owie?”

“No, but-”

“So why are you being mean to you?” Harmonic was stunned. Not just because he was left speechless, but this very young filly had bluntly told him the very question that he’s been avoiding all morning. But the little filly wasn't finished, “If you didn't make the owie, why you cry like you made it?”

“I… I don’t know,” Harmonic admitted.

“But do you know what you got to do?” the little filly asked. “You go to the pony who has the owie, and make his owie feel better.”

Her grandfather picked her up, hugging her. “Cloudy,” he said, “you have your other grandfather’s wisdom. Don’t ever lose it.”

“What’s wis-dom?” Cloud View asked innocently.

“I’ll tell you later, now come on, we need to find your dad.”

_*_

With the string on his violin repaired, he returned to where Whole Note was staying – carrying the violin case on his back. After going up to the front desk asking to see his consort, a nurse volunteered to showed him to the room.

“How’s he been doing?” Harmonic asked the nurse.

“Ever since he’s woken up, he has talked about being sore. Emotionally he’s been crying off and on, especially with his interview with the police and the doctors. Also, I've heard him asking where your highness was this morning.”

“Yeah, I do have some explaining to do,” the prince nodded.

“Word of advice, be mindful around him for the time being. He’s been sensitive since...” the nurse paused to think carefully about what she was going to say. “The incident from last night. But I suppose that you being around may help.” She showed the prince to Note’s room. The first thing he saw was Note on the bed, using the little fordable piece of wood as a desk for writing something down.

“Excuse me, Whole Note,” the nurse said getting the cellist's attention. “You have a visitor.”

“Harm?”

“Hey Note,” Harmonic went over to his bedside, giving Note a sad smile as he put the case down. “I think I owe you a bit of an apology and an explanation.”

“Yeah,” Note agreed. “Where were you this morning? I did see you come in with me as well as staying by my side last night.”

“To tell ya the truth. I hardly slept last night since I've only gotten a few hours of sleep. So around five or six, I went home because… I was blaming myself for what happened to you.”

“I don’t quite understand.”

“You see, if I hadn't forgotten my bow, none of this would've happened. For the first few hours, I kept beating myself up for letting this happen in the first place.”

“Harm, don’t.” Note hugged Harmonic’s neck, “Don’t do this to yourself. You didn't know what would happen in the first place.”

“I know, for being over forty, I can be a real idiot at times can I? Anyway, I've gotten so depressed that I didn't want to see anypony. That was until my granddaughter snuck past the guards and into my room. And for being two, she helped me back down to earth and told me that I shouldn't feel so guilty over it. After all, I didn't caused the owie.”

“What?”

Harmonic blushed in embarrassment. “The point is that both of you are right. I should be concern about you, so, how are you doing now?”

“Well… The doctors gave something for, uh – b-being sore. I have been interviewed by police and doctors alike. Being asked about… Y-You know.” Note went silent for a moment. “I've ne-never thought my first time would end up like that.” Harmonic could see his consort’s eyes beginning to water.

“Hey,” Harmonic said softly, but Note didn't hear it. “Hey,” he reached out a hoof, touching his chin to lift his head up. “The pony who’s done this will get what’s coming to him soon. I've been informed that he’s going to be tried in the Crystal Empire. As of now, he’s not going to walk away without some kind of punishment. As far as I've been told, there’s enough evidence against him as it is.”

“Yeah but… To be, taken like that…” Now Note was crying again, “I can’t help but feel… worthless.” Harmonic hugged him.

“Not to me,” he told him softly. “You have brought me back so much happiness that I haven’t felt in years. You saved me from thinking nopony would love me again after Color. That I won’t find anypony like him. But you've proved me wrong. That alone you’re worth more than my crown because you’d decided to give me a chance to love again. Note, I can say this sincerely, you've made me fallen in love with you. You’re not worthless at all.” Note didn't say anything other than hugging him back. For several minutes, Harmonic let him cry on him. His eyes drifted to the paper on the piece of wood, it was unfinished sheet music. The prince made a mental note to asking him about it.

After several minutes of crying, Whole Note let go of the alicorn. “Look,” Harmonic said: “If there’s anything you want me to do, just ask away.”

“Do you think you could get my parents up here?” Note asked.

“I think so, besides, from what Script has told me, the incident has become a headline in the news so your parents would most likely hear about it and be worried about you. But I will send out a request for them to come to Canterlot nevertheless.”

“Thanks.”

“What’s that?” Harmonic asked, turning his consort’s attention to the sheet music.

“Oh, that. I've gotten bored so I writ-wrote-I've wrote-(Blach!) Sorry, I've written this because I was board.” The cellist gave Harmonic the little manuscript. It was written for the cello and done in mostly sixteenth notes in G major. “It’s just a little something to keep, it, off my mind.” His consort added.

“I’m curious of how it would sound,” Harmonic lit up his horn, unlocking his case and taking out his violin. “You mind if I try my hoof at playing it?”

“But it’s not finished.”

“So?”

“And it’s not written for the violin.”

“I’ll be the judge of that,” Harmonic smirked, levitating the hoofwritten manuscript. Putting the violin under his chin, he started to play the first few bars of Note’s music. Every now and then he’d stop, “This is really complicated,” he muttered.

“Heh, I know.” His consort admitted, blushing. “I do tend to lean towards the old Braeoque style music. But I think it’s beautiful though.”

Harmonic did as best as he could, missing some notes here and there before giving the manuscript back to him. “You’re right,” Harmonic told him. “It is missing something.”

“Yeah,” Whole Note nodded. “I think it might take me a while.”

_*_

“All rise,” the bailiff called out to everypony in the crystal courtroom. Princess Cadence entered as well as twelve other crystal ponies that went to their seats. Cadence told the court to sit except for Quill Feathers.

“So,” Cadence said turning to the twelve ponies. “Has the jury reached its verdict?”

“We have your highness,” a yellow stallion said. “We the jury, in regards to Quill Feathers, have found him guilty of rape while being under the influence.”

There were whispers and mutterings in the room. Harmonic heard his consort sighing in relief.

“Order,” Cadence called out. “Quill Feathers, having been tried and being found guilty by a jury of your own peers, do you have anything to say before I pass sentence on you?”

Quill, looked around the room, he spotted the prince in the audience along with the cellist. Both Quill and Note looked at each other for a moment. Note seemed uneasy while Quill’s expression was unreadable.

“No,” Quill answered Cadence. “I think that everything that needs to be said has been said.”

“In that case,” Cadence said, closing her eyes. “I hereby sentence you, Quill Feathers, to be banished out to sea. You shall be taken to the middle of the ocean where you shall be put on a small raft with only a few days of food and water, where you shall drift alone for the rest of your days. While there, you shall get no aid from any vessel from any nation. For you shall be at the mercy of the elements. And since the pain that you've caused to Whole Note physically and psychologically, that has required him to spend some time at the hospital. As well as a year’s worth of psychological therapy, I further order that any relatives you have will contribute into paying the bills until fully paid. This case is close.” She banged the gavel, adding: “Guards, take him away.”

Two armored guards lead Quill Feathers out of the courtroom; Harmonic and Note left the courtroom and headed towards where Cadence said to meet them. She told that after all the courtly proceedings she would meet them in the dining room of the palace.

When they got there, they found not only Cadence but also Shining and Flurry. Shining was much, much older, his blue mane now a pale blue, he had wrinkles all over, and could barely walk without having some assistance to do so.

“Hey you two,” Cadence gave them a nod. Whole Note went up to Cadence, hugged her, and thanked her.

“Hey Uncle,” Flurry Heart went up and nuzzled Harmonic. “How’s it going?”

“Getting better as far as I can see, at least Note is recovering.”

“Oh good,” Flurry nodded. “How long are you and Note staying in the Empire for?”

“We were thinking of going home tomorrow, why?”

Flurry shared her uncle a grim look. “It’s about dad,” she lowered her voice. “I don’t think he has much time now.”

“How much do you suppose?” Harmonic asked, lowering his voice as well.

“I don’t know, a few days perhaps.”

“What are you two talking about?” an elderly voice of Shining asked.

“Nothing much dads,” Flurry replied. Seeing that Note was still talking with Cadence, Harmonic went over to Shining.

“How’s it been?” Harmonic asked.

“Other than I have a few days ‘til I kick the bucket, I’m doing great.” The aged prince joked. “Have you heard anything from Twilie?”

“Not much really,” Harmonic shrugged. “All I know is that she just came back from Coltbet from some diplomatic meeting. I can’t say what’s really going on with her though. We haven’t talked in awhile.”

“I see,” Shining nodded. “Are you going to stay for the funeral? The whole empire is preparing for my death for a while. They even have my tomb ready.”

Harmonic blinked, “For someone who’s dying you’re sure taking this in stride.”

Shining laughed, “I know I’m still mortal. They know it as does everypony in the empire. And you’re telling me as if I shouldn't take this in stride; as if I should be afraid to die.”

“Well, are you?”

He shook his head, “The only time when one isn't afraid to die is when knows that it’s been coming all along. Cadence knew this when she married me remember? And besides, are you going to stay? I think that Cade and Flur would need someone to help them through the grief that’s coming.”

Harmonic craned his neck over to Cadence, Note, and Flurry. “We’ll stay for your guys’ sake.”

“Good,” Shining nodded. “And one last thing I want to talk to ya about, how are things between you and Note?”

“He’s getting better; he still goes to therapists and sometimes cries a little. But other than that, I've been helping him compose lately.”

“Composing what?”

“Well, just a few orchestra and solo pieces here and there; giving him some pointers and suggestions.”

“What about dating wise?”

“We’re seeing each other a little more often. Once it was only on Thursdays, now it’s three or even five times depending on what’s going on. We still practice with the orchestra on our usual days. He’s a gentle guy and his creativity can really be incredible if you’d let him.”

“In other words, going well?”

“Yeah,” Harmonic nodded, “very good.”

Two days later, Prince Shining Armor died in his sleep. Of course, the royal family along with the empire was in attendance for the expected state funeral. Harmonic, as well as Celestia and Luna, did as best as they could to comfort Cadence and Flurry Heart, as well as Twilight who stayed silent most of the time she was there. However, her most trusted assistant Spike did as best as he could.

But there was only so much time that they could spend in the Empire before returning back to Canterlot. On the train home, Harmonic noticed that for a while, Note had been staring out of the window at the passing landscape.

“Something on your mind?” the prince asked.

“Hm? Oh, yeah, I've been thinking.”

“About?”

Note turned to Harmonic, “You do realize that I’m going to die one day too right?”

Of course, the prince was taken by surprise with this question. “Note, what’s all this about?”

“I was just thinking, what’s the point in living forever if the ponies you love would die in the end? I mean, after one death is one thing but to keep seeing everyone that you love die off, don’t you think that you might want to stop loving all together?”

“I don’t think so,” Harmonic shook his head. “Do you honestly think that for ponies that have been divorced once or twice, they would really stop falling in love with another pony? I think that all ponies deserved to love and be loved. I don’t think that death would really stop you. After all, there’s a reason why the phrase: ‘Love is the most powerful force on earth,’ exists you know.”

“Maybe, but…” Note thought for a moment, trying how to phrase his question. “W-Would you still be aby-able (sorry) to fall in love again if- no, when I’m gone?”

“I think it’ll be difficult at first,” Harmonic leaned in, kissing his consort on the cheek. “But as you showed, it is difficult, but not impossible.”

Note was silent for a moment when suddenly an idea hit him, “Hey Harmonic?”

“Yeah?”

“Remember that if there’s anything that I wanted, I could just ask you?”

“What about it?” Harmonic asked with a raised eyebrow.

“I have something, b-but you’d got to hear me out.”

“Kay, I’m listening.”

Note took in a deep breath, “Harmonic, would you take me to Cremona?”

Harmonic’s jaw dropped, “I-I-I’m sorry, maybe I didn't hear that right, but you want to go, where?”

“The place you were born,” Note clarified. “Can you take me to Cremona?”

“But, why there?” Harmonic asked. “I mean, you could have asked me to take you to a war-torn country and I won’t have blinked an eye at it. But still, out of all the places in the world you could ask me to take you, why Cremona of all places?”

“Two reasons: first, when was the last time you've been there?”

Harmonic blinked, “Last time… It was… It was back when I and Color were dating. But that was because I wanted to see my parents’ graves for the last time.”

“So don’t ya think that during all those years that maybe that town might have changed? And second, how can I know about a pony if I don’t know what kind of life they grew up in? I want to go there to see what you've seen. I think by going there would give me a better perception of you.”

“But, it might be dangerous.”

“Or maybe it won’t, after all, you haven’t been there in decades so it could have changed for all we know. I mean, have you tried to find out what’s been going on over there?”

Harmonic thought for a moment. “Alright, we’ll go. But on one condition: we have to let some guards follow us for the sake of our safety. After all, they weren't progressive in terms of couples like us when I was there last.”

Note nodded his head, “Deal.”

_*_

About a month later, though negotiations with his mother and some detective work of what has happened to the town from the last time he’d left, Harmonic, his consort, and four other guards were once again headed towards the icy north.

And like the last time he went, all six ponies were in disuse for safety reasons. Likewise for the fact that none of them were traveling up there in luxury so it didn't draw suspicion from the other ponies around. At least one thing they all could be thankful for while riding one of the public cars is that it had electric heating, unlike the cold outside.

The train zipped through forests, rivers, caves, towns, and mountains along the cold iron tracks. There was snow and ice, just as Harmonic would have predicted at this time of year in September.

Still, Harmonic wasn't exactly looking forward to this trip. Despite what bits and pieces he could gather of what had been going on in the past few decades, he was skeptical. The reason being that everything he’d found about what’d gone on in Cremona, he’d found in letters. These were letters that had been sent to him for the past few years, but he’d never read any of them because he held a grudge against the town. He still remembered his foalhood, the fire, and especially the last time he was there.

These letters said that the town has gone through a revolution and that they've wanted to see him. But the alicorn knew the North’s reputation of tricking ponies to their deaths.

“How much longer ‘til we get there?” Whole Note asked.

“This place looks familiar, so I don’t think we’re not too far now. Note, are you absolutely sure you want to do this?”

His consort nodded, “Yes, I think it might be good for you. Besides, maybe the town has changed.”

“Note, you don’t know this place as well as I do.”

“But those letters-”

“I don’t trust them. Look, I’m sorry but I had a very hard time growing up here. I just can’t accept the fact that this town has changed at all.”

“But isn't it true that everything changes if one gives it enough time?”

“Cremona!” the train conductor called out. “This stop is Cremona. Population: 1,137. The time now is 3 o’clock.” The train slowed down, revealing the town itself. Compared to the last time he was here, the town had certainly gotten bigger. But when the train made a full stop, he noticed something right away, something missing.

“Huh, that’s odd,” Harmonic commented.

“What?” Note asked, looking out the window.

“The last time I was here, the gallows were right there,” he pointed to the empty space of cobblestones. “But now they’re gone, maybe they've been moved.”

“Well come on, let’s see what’s become of this place.” He, his consort and the four guards picked up their personal belongings and stepped out in the cold air.

“Yep,” the hidden prince nodded. “Just as cold as I remembered it.” Harmonic chuckled to his private joke, and he turned to his consort. “Do you want to know where I used to live?”

“S-Sure,” Whole Note shivered. “As long if it’s warmer than out here.” Harmonic lead the way, trying his best as he could remember to navigate through the twisted streets with ponies this way and that until Harmonic stopped. The prince stopped because outside of what used to be his home, covered in snow and icicles, there was a bronze sculpture. It wasn't so much for the fact that Harmonic has never seen this statue from his last visit, rather it was what the sculpture was that made him stop. It was a sculpture of three ponies: a full grown stallion, mare, and a foal; the stallion was carving a piece of wood but like the mare, they were looking at the foal playing the violin – an alicorn foal that was playing the violin.

His consort, along with the guards quickly took notice of this. Whole Note went up to the base of the statues was a little plaque. “The Genius, the Mother and the Innocent Foal. May They Have Eternal Rest.” It was a memorial.

“They made a statue out of me?” Harmonic asked. “But… why? Why would they do this?”

“Perhaps the answer lies in there.” One of the guards pointed to the building behind the statues. It was Harmonic’s home with the sign: “Trotivari Inn & Museum.”

Entering the building, Harmonic saw that it was no longer the part pub, part inn the last time he was here. But upon entering, if it weren't for some of the glass cases, scorch portraits and some of the other ponies around, he’d say that he’d somehow stepped back in time. All around him there were tools, carved woods and string instruments that still hung from the rafters.

“Hello,” a young mare went up to the group. “Welcome to the Trotivari Inn & Museum. Can I help you with anything?”

“Uh yes,” Harmonic answered. “The six of us are looking for a place to stay for the night, do you have any room?”

“Let me go look and see...”

As the mare trotted off to look at the guest book, Whole Note went up to the prince. “Was this place always a museum?”

Harmonic shook his head, “No. It wasn't the last time I was here. It’s really weird to see my old-”

“Good news,” the mare came back with the book and a pen in her aura. “We, in fact, do have room for all of…” the mare trailed off, this raised a few red flags in Harmonic’s mind. “I’m sorry sir, but you seem familiar, have we met?”

“Uh, no?”

“You sure? You seem really familiar to…” the mare looked to the side and her eyes widened. Harmonic turned to see what she was looking at. It was the family portrait, with him in it. Turning back to the mare, she was looking back and forth between him and the painting. “Um… sir,” the mare said with uneasiness in her voice. “Can I see what your cutie mark looks like?”

“Uh…” Harmonic stepped back to his guards. “W-Why would you want to see it for?”

“I just want to be sure of something.”

“Be sure? Of what?” Note could see that his lover was beginning to sweat.

“It’s probably nothing, but can you raise that cloak of yours just in case.”

“In case of-” The mare’s horn glowed a pink light as she raised the prince’s cloak off of him, quickly giving a sharp gasp. His wings now exposed, Harmonic grew pale, memories that about his early days came rushing back to him as the ponies in the reconstructed workshop turned to look at him.

‘No. No. No no.’ Harmonic thought as he hid behind his guards, but the ponies around him approached with wide eyes. ‘Nonono, please no! Not again!’ the prince screamed in his head.

“Fleet,” the mare called out, “Get the mayor!” a pegasus rushed out of the museum. By now, a whole crowd was circling around the six stallions. “Is it him?” one of them muttered. “He’s come back?” said another.

“Look at the cutie mark!” the mare said. “And he’s an alicorn, it has to be!”

“Don’t any of you dare touch him!” the Cellist threatens the crowed. “If any of you so much as mess a single feather on him, I will personally end you!”

The crowed blinked. “Hurt him?” the mare asked. “Why would we hurt him?”

This response made every gear in Harmonic’s head as well as Whole Note’s come to a grinding halt. “Huh?” all six stallions asked in complete confusion.

Five minutes later, a white earth pony stallion came into the museum. His mane was gray and wore glasses over his bright red eyes. When he saw the alicorn, he shook his head a few times in disbelief. “H-Harmonic?” he asked as he approached the six stallions. “Harmonic Trotivari, it’s you! It’s really you isn't it?” he went up and to the dumbfound prince, he shook his hoof. “It’s such an honor meeting you in the flesh. I’m Quick Wit, the current mayor of this town.”

“Okay, stop it,” Harmonic commanded. “What’s going on here? And why is everypony here being… nice?”

The mayor blinked, “What do you mean? Haven’t you read any of the letters we've sent you? I myself have tried writing to you for the past few years.”

“I have… recently,” Harmonic sheepishly said. “But I've been ignoring them since this place brought up some… bitter memories.”

“Oh… I've thought as much. Still, it’s a huge honor having you here.” Wit craned his neck over to the other stallions, “Friends of yours?”

“In a way, these four are some of my guards. This one…” Harmonic paused; he wasn't too sure about how these ponies would react to them knowing about his consort. “Is somepony who’s dear to me. His name is Whole Note.”

“Ah,” Wit went up to each of them, shaking hooves. Coming up to Note, he said to him, “You must be his new consort aren't you?”

“U-Uh…” Note’s nervous eyes widened.

“Not to worry,” the mayor ensured him. “Come, I’ll take all of you to dinner. I’ll explain everything.”

As Mayor Wit leads the six stallions out of the museum, Note leaned over to Harmonic. “How did he know about the whole consort thing?” he whispered.

“I’m not quite sure,” Harmonic whispered back. “But be on your hooves though, he might seem nice, but knowing this place it could turn ugly quickly. So keep your eyes open.”

The mayor led them to a building that over it has the sign: “The White Oak.” The first thing they saw inside was the wooden kegs, a stony fireplace, plates of roasted or boiled vegetables, and a large roomful of eyes looking at them.

After being sat down to a table, Mayor Wit ordered some food and drinks for them. Then Quick Wit explained the past twenty years of the town. He’d explained that ever since the railroad had connected the town to the outside world, they've gotten new books and ponies coming in and out of the town. These visitors would talk about life down south, with its ideas, laws, and customs. At first, the elder ponies didn't like these visitors, saying that it would corrupt the young.

“They'd even tried to outright ban these books as well as warn whoever came to avoid anyone who isn't serving them under penalty of death. But this ended up backfiring.”

“How so?” Note asked.

“That these new ideas should be valued over superstition. These visitors shared them with waiters, maids, ponies who do the laundry, innkeepers and so on. And from there, these ideas spread like wildfire. You might say it was the spark for the Enlightenment movement here. So anyway, the elders tried to suppress anyone or anything that deemed as a ‘threat’ to tradition. Of course, there were some hangings along the way, but that only got more of the town curious as to what they were dying for. A few years later, in this very pub too, the revolution began. I was only out of colthood myself when it happened, but these brave revolutionaries planned to overthrow the elders along with banishing every law and custom so that they rebuild this town biased on reason and kindness. As you can see, that is exactly what happened.”

“But that still doesn't explain why no one is throwing stones at me,” Harmonic commented.

“Aw yes, that,” Wit nodded his head. “After the revolution, we encouraged free information to come into the town, allowing foreign newspapers and such to come right in. It is from these that we've found out about you and your sad beginning in our town. So, we decided to do our own research as to what really happened that night. We've found from several sources of diaries and journals that proved that you were indeed telling the truth. Harmonic, many mayors tried to invite you back here many times so we could apologize to you face to face. We've commissioned those statues and we've tried to rebuild your family’s workshop as best as equinitly possible, because what our fathers and grandfathers have done to you is inexcusable. There’s no question about it. What we've done to that innocent colt like you, alicorn or not, should have never happened. Your Highness, on behalf of the town, we’re truly, truly sorry.”

Whole Note, the four guards, and the mayor looked at the prince. Although his consort could see that his love was trying to hold back his tears, he nodded and quietly said. “Thank you. Those are the words I thought I would never hear coming from a town like this. Although, I have to ask, how did you know about my consort?”

“I told you,” Wit said relieved, “from newspapers. I must admit, many of us were shocked that you… (Oh how do I say this?)…. Trot that way. It took us many years to come around, but eventually we came back to reason in that there wasn't anything wrong about it. In fact, the town committee is putting together a few laws to protect and to give rights to ponies such as you for our children and future citizens.”

“What sort of laws?” one of the guards asked.

“The rights and protections of homosexual ponies,” Wit answered. “With these laws, not only will ponies have the option to marry someone that of the same gender as well as to adopt (as long as they don’t abuse the foals). It also puts in place that parents who throw out their children because they are gay under the age of twenty-one will be charged with foal abuse. Denying another pony for the same reason of service or housing will have to pay a fine of a certain amount. And those who abuse or mistreat another pony base on sexuality will hold accountable. These are the same ideas that Equestria has, no?”

“And you don’t mind that I’m dating him?” Whole Note asked pointing to the prince.

“In this town, as long as there’s no abuse we would leave you alone.”

Harmonic smiled. ‘Looks like this town did grow up after all.’

_*_

After having dinner with the mayor, the prince had two requests for him. In that being that he would like to spend the night at his old home, which was granted. The other being that he would like to have two bouquets of flowers in the morning to put on his parent’s graves.

Harmonic spent the rest of the evening recalling memories, both good and bad with Note. Telling him about the family cat, the instruments his father made, the songs his mother sung, and the very spot where he earned his cutie mark.

When it came the time to go to bed, they headed upstairs. Harmonic was curious about his old room and if the town tried to recreate it. When they opened the door, Whole Note thought for a moment that Harmonic was about to cry. “It’s… It’s like how I remember it,” he whispered. The room was small. It had a bed big enough for two ponies, a few wooden toys with a ball, an oil lamp, a small iron stove, and on the wall over his bed were two little portraits of his parents along with pieces of information on the walls. Harmonic put his violin case on the floor and went straight to the toys.

“I remember these,” Harmonic said, picking up one of the toys with his magic. Note went up to him. “And these aren't recreations either. Look! All of them have burn marks! I can’t believe these survived the fire. Oh, and this,” Harmonic picked up the ball. It was dark red and it looked like it was made out of solid rubber. “I used to play with this for hours, bouncing on the walls and the floor. Of course, it broke a few windows but what fun this thing was!”

The prince turned to his consort, he was smiling. “What?”

“Nothing, it’s just you, seed-see- (blah!) seemed to act like a little colt for a moment.”

“Oh,” Harmonic sheepishly blushed. “Sorry.”

“No no, I get it. It’s just I think it’s amusing.” Neither Harmonic nor Note said anything for a moment.

“Note,” the prince said breaking the silence. “I want to say, thank you for convincing me to come back here. And you were right, this town did grow up.”

The cellist smiled, and he leaned over to kissed Harmonic on the cheek. “You’re very much welcome.”

_*_

Three years after the trip of what would become an annual visit to the icy north, three years after it was announced that Whole Note was the prince’s consort, Harmonic felt that it was time.

The Royal Equestrian Orchestra, the week before Hearth's Warming would put on a concert for the public before the musicians would be dismissed until January. They would play the usual carol arrangements and a piece or two of classical music. But every year, one of the members in the orchestra, who has never played a solo, would get their chance to play in front of a live audience.

It was always done near the end of the concert when the solos would be played. For Harmonic, he had to pull on some strings to make sure that what was about to happen went right. Oh sure, he had to bribe Pitch Perfect into picking who would be playing, but after explaining what for, he agreed.

“Mares and Gentlecolts,” Pitch Perfect announced to the audience. “As a tradition, every year, I would decide somepony from the orchestra to do a solo piece in which they've never gotten the chance to before. I announce that this year’s lucky winner is the cellist, Whole Note!”

Note looked up in surprise, wondering if he’d heard that right. The nearby members urged him to step forward.

“Just a moment!” Harmonic called out, “Uh Note, before you do anything, I’ll allow you to play, but not on that instrument.”

There was confusion in both the orchestra and the audience. “W-What do you mean?” Note asked.

“I mean this,” Putting the tip of his hoof in his mouth, he whistled loudly. “Alright colts, bring it out!” he called out. The doors opened, and down the aisle came some of the Royal Guard, pushing a cello case that was chained to a cart. The guards moved the cart to the very front of the stage in which the case was unchained and put onto the stage. Completely confused, Whole Note along with Harmonic went right up to the case.

“I want you to do your solo on this,” the prince said as he unlatched the case. Opening it up to a beautiful red cello, Harmonic turned to his consort, “Note, I’m giving you two early Heath's Warming presents. This is your first present.” The alicorn picked the cello up with his magic, “I have spent months upon months searching through private collections and auction houses to find this.”

“Why did you do that?” Note questioned.

“Look at the label inside,” the cellist did.

There in the stage light, he saw a name. “Oh my dear Celestia!” he cried out. “Is this… is this, real?!”

Harmonic nodded, “Yes, this is one of my father’s cellos. His last known red cello in existence and I’m giving it to you.”

In shock, Note covered his mouth with both of his hooves. “Oh no, Harmonic I shouldn't! I-I-I don’t know if I should even touch it!”

“But isn't it your dream to own a cello of your very own? A Trotivarius? Well, here it is, ready for you to play on it.”

Eventually, Note sat down in his chair, now in front of everypony. In his right hoof was his bow, and in his left, he held the cello that he’d thought he’d never get in his lifetime. The entire theater was silent now, waiting for him to play something. Whole Note put his bow to the strings, he tested a few notes; listening to the rich, deep and clear sound that rang out.

It was then; inspiration came to him of what he should play. The music he wrote years ago came to mind. Music that he’d played on his rented cello many times in private but never in public.

Taking a deep breath, closing his eyes, he put his bow to the strings, and began to play. In the key of G major, his bow and left hoof danced from one string to the next. The rich rings of the low notes complimented those of the higher notes. Yet both higher and lower strings were not only balancing with each other, but they danced in the theater. Like a pegasi ballerina, the music moved with grace though the air in absolute elegance. With a song that used up all four strings on that priceless instrument.

In Whole Note’s mind, there was one thing that came to mind; his muse for creating this piece. He remembered about the day before he wrote it when he was dancing with Harmonic at that Grand Galloping Gala all those years ago. For at that moment his love made him his consort before he gave him his first kiss. His heartbeat set the tempo at which his music was set to. Scaling up and down at such grace to his ears, each and every note was perfect; so absolutely perfect.

The cellist opened his eyes, in the darkened theater, he couldn't find a single pony who wasn't watching him. Listening with their ears perked up, completely hypnotized at the sound of the Trotivarius he was playing. Note gave a peaceful smile. He daydreamed back to all these years he’s been with the prince. Back to the dates he’s been on, the meeting of family members, seeing the most beautiful places of Equestria with Harmonic beside him, he remembered. He remembered the sandy beaches, the lakes, the sandwiches of cafés, the ice skating, the previous holidays that he’d shared with the prince.

Note couldn't help but shed a few tears, not because out of sadness, but the music and his memories expressed that of pure joy. Now with the finale coming up, the cellist used every skill he had to have his front hooves dance on two strings. He still played a melody while using an open string to ring out a kind of beat. A melody that went higher and higher getting incessantly intense, but as high as he went, he came back down again. But even this his notes went higher and higher until the music exploded in joy. Repeating the earlier theme, he finished while playing the last two notes on two different strings at the same time.

“Brava!” someone cried out. Note opened his eyes to find not only was the audience applauding, so was the orchestra. Even the conductor joined in the thunderous approval. But when the applause died down, Harmonic made his way over to the cellist.

“That was brilliant,” he told him. “But I still have to give you one more present. Something that’s more valuable than the cello.” Whole Note was completely taken aback, what could possibly be more valuable than a cello made by his father? Then, in front of everyone, Harmonic sat down on his haunches right in front of him. “Whole Note, for Hearth's Warming I want to give you something that would express my gratitude and my love for you. I only wanted to give you this only when I knew it was the right time. Until I was sure that you were the one who I can be with every day at my side. Tonight, I am certain that I shall give you this.” Taking in a deep breath, Harmonic said: “Whole Note,” he unfolded his wings, in which one of them held a golden ban, “would you please marry me?”

In Note’s ears, he heard a sound that was the mix of “Ooh!” and gasps with some talk that he couldn't make out. He could have sworn that he could hear his own heartbeat skipping a few beats. Still sitting in the chair, his eyes widen and his jaw dropped in shock.

Then the theater went quiet. It was as if the whole world was waiting on the cellist now. After taking in a few deep breaths himself, he lifted his hoof to him. Harmonic saw a smile on his lover’s face.

“Yes, my Prince.”

Harmonic leaped up and hugged the earth pony. The audience applauded once again as the prince whispered in his ears. “Thank you. Thank you, my King.”

One week later...

The Reign of Trotivarius

by CrackedInkWell

1st Movement

2nd Movement

3rd Movement

4th Movement