Broken Strings and BPM's

Broken Strings, Ch. 20: Funerali di un Angela

I couldn't believe it. She was gone. I couldn't help but think that maybe, if I had gone after her, things would be different.

As I watched the pastor deliver the eulogy, I couldn't help but feel a small pang of guilt bursting through my mind.

"Friends, family members, and acquaintances of the departed, we have gathered today to pay our respects, and say goodbye to Vinyl Scratch. Taken before her time, Vinyl lived her life to the fullest…" I spaced out at this point in the speech, looking at all the ponies that I knew. This was the second time that I'd been to a funeral for a mare that I had feelings for. It was a gut wrenching feeling. I saw Vinyl's parents, Tremolo Bar, and Pearl Beat. I remembered the Hearth's Warming Eve we spent with them in Trottingham. We were happy, then. Other, more familiar ponies were there. Including Octavia, who was Vinyl's friend to the closing of her story, who was accompanied by Treble. I couldn't hold back the tears, any longer. Just as soon as the first tear dropped, I felt somepony nuzzling my neck. I looked to my left, and saw Ivory, in her funeral dress, tears steadily flowing, as well. She looked at me, and nodded, as if to say "It's okay to cry, Bass."

I snapped out of it, just as I heard the preacher welcome anypony to say a few words about the deceased. I was surprised when I felt Ivory nudge me forward. I looked back, and nodded, heading for the podium. As I approached, the pastor stepped aside, And motioned a hoof toward the podium for me.

I took my place behind the podium, and looked out at the crowd. As I went to speak, I felt an intense wave of nerves take hold of me. I nearly choked on my own words. I remember thinking "Come on, dammit! You're a rock star. You should be able to speak in front of a few Ponies!" As I worked through my wave of nerves, I finally mustered the ability to form words again. "Good afternoon, everypony. My name is Deep Bass. As many of you know, Vinyl and I were once to be wed, before we split up. However, I'm not here to talk about the bad times, but to remember the good times. When I moved to Ponyville, about a year ago, I was alone. I had left my last two living family members in Fillydelphia, and went off on my own. Vinyl was the first pony to make an impression on me that wasn't 'Wow! This pony is crazy!' In fact, Vinyl was my first friend in Ponyville. She showed me around the town, an eventually, we became more than friends. She pushed me to become something better than Lunar Black. She pushed me to become Deep Bass again. If it wasn't for Vinyl, I would never have been happy again. So, in closing, I'd like to say thank you, Vinyl. I hope you're in a better place." As I stepped down from the stage, I didn't even notice that my tears had begun to flow freely. Ivory smiled, and wrapped her forelegs around my neck, hugging me tightly her own tears staining my fur. After my speech, Vinyl's parents went up, and spoke, then the burial began. After the burial, Ivory and I decided to stay at my place for a few days, seeing as how the funeral was just outside Ponyville. Treble and Octavia had returned to Fillydelphia, hitching the first carriage they could. Despite everything Vinyl had done, Octavia was still rather grief-stricken. As I opened the door to the home that Vinyl and I once shared, I turned on the lights, noticing the layer of dust coating everything, except for the one thing that I wished was covered in dust: the picture of myself and Vinyl, standing in the snow, together during last year's Winter Wrap-up. I volunteered for the weather team, and Vinyl for the animal team.

I trotted to the picture, and looked at it. Upon closer inspection, I realized that somepony had wiped the dust off with a hoof… and taped a letter to the back of it.

I quickly pulled the letter off, and began reading.

"Dearest Bass:

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for everything. Ever since that fateful day, I've been thinking about you. I never stopped. I guess… seeing you so happy with Ivory Keys… I became so jealous. I did some stupid things, and made some stupid choices. I feel like my time is coming to a close. I think he sent his paid thugs after me… if so, and they find me… goodbye, Bass. I love you. And tell Ivory that if she hurts you, I'll possess a hammer, and break that pretty little face of hers.

Sincerely,

Vinyl.

P.S.: Tell Ivory that she can have my gear that's in the basement. Only if she promises to keep it in good shape, and to use it to beat Flats."

I raised an eyebrow after quickly reading the letter. I turned back to Ivory, tears flowing again. "Ivory… there's something for you in the basement."