Semiquaver's Story

   Soon enough, the other fillies and colts in Semiquaver's school began earning their cutie marks. Semiquaver began to wonder, as everypony of that age did, when she would get hers. She had absolutely no idea what her special talent was, and the pressure was on. All of her friends were getting theirs, and the peer pressure was overwhelming.

   Earning a cutie mark was important to Semiquaver, but it was never something she obsessed over. When everyone she knew got theirs, she maintained her positive attitude and accepted the fact that she had to wait. Waiting was easy for her, because a more pressing problem arose. Her tiny wings were strong, but not strong enough. She had a lot of trouble flying, and couldn't stay in the air for more than a minute.

   Semiquaver voiced her concerns to her parents, who explained that she would get better with practice. Despite their attempts to ease her worries, Semiquaver was anxious to fly better. She tried everything she could think of. She tried to force herself to fly better by jumping off tall things, but it never seemed to work. One time she fell too fast and couldn't stop, breaking her wing.

   Camera Flash and Fashion Flair talked the situation over and tried to brainstorm ways to get the flying issue off their little girl's mind. A few weeks after Semiquaver's wing cast came off, a solution to their predicament came to them in the form of a newsletter. "Piano lessons available for children of all ages. Call Mr Breve for more details," read the article in the school paper. Semiquaver's parents showed the young filly the advertisement and waited eagerly for her reaction.

   To their relief, Semiquaver grinned and squealed, jumping around the kitchen happily. Semiquaver's lesson were arranged and paid for, and soon it was time for the young filly's first lesson with Mrs Minim. The little filly shook in her boots as she walked up to meet her new tutor, her new books in her saddlebags.

   Mrs Minim was a kind-looking, middle-aged mare. She was an earth pony and had a minim rest on her flank. She smiled kindly down at Semiquaver, putting the filly's mind at ease. Semiquaver smiled shyly, and the two of them walked into the music room.

   Half an hour later, Semiquaver trotted out of the music room grinning from ear to ear. Her very first piano lesson had been a huge success, and she was bursting with happiness. Seven days later she went back, and the week after that, and every week until the end of the term. She picked up the technique very quickly, and her teacher was very proud. In her excitement over her new skill, Semiquaver forgot all about her flying problem.

   Soon it became apparent that Semiquaver's talent lay in music. Her proud teacher organized a recital for all her students, including Semiquaver. The little filly was both terrified and excited at the prospect of showing her new skills to everypony. She prepared excitedly, selecting a piece she was learning to practice until the big day.

   A few weeks later, the big night arrived. Semiquaver trembled in terror and anticipation. This was what she had worked so hard for. Some of the older students went first, and they all did very well. This did nothing to help her calm her nerves, as she was younger and less experienced than them. Mrs Minim walked up and tapped the terrified filly on the shoulder, signalling her time to go up. She trotted up to the stage and sat at the piano. She sat in silence for a few seconds to try and still her racing heart.

   Semiquaver took a deep breath and began to play. The notes flew around the room, filling every corner with sound. The air vibrated with the musical waves. She continued to play as the audience sat in rapture, soaking in the happiness she channeled through her instrument. As the music washed over the crowd, they felt her emotions through the sound. They felt her joy in playing the piano, her fears concerning her flying, the happiness she felt when she played with her friends, her boundless energy that coursed through the air. Then it was over.

   There was a moment of awed silence, then a deafening roar as the crowd cheered. Semiquaver sat on the piano stool as the most amazing feeling overtook her senses, and she felt her body fill with joy. She felt her flank tingle. The young filly looked down and everything seemed to go quiet. A moment passed as the realization set in. She squealed as she rejoiced in her discovery. There, on her flank, was a black semiquaver.