A Troublesome Life

It was around noon now and there was plenty left to do. I smiled. I had achieved one of my goals so far; go on a date with Octavia. There were a few more goals I had that had to do with her, but those’ll come in later in the story. Another major goal; get a few gigs and become, hopefully, famous. Whether it be within the town, or all over Equestria, I didn’t care. I decided to see if any places needed any music. So off I went to the nearest place that I could imagine needed music.

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I walked out of the fifth building, empty-hoofed. I began to think no one had a taste for musical art in this town. A while later I decided to head back to the boutique. When I went in I saw the usual sight; Rarity going here-and-there.

“Hey, Rarity: You got a second?” I asked, watching her scuttle around the room, rushing here-and-there with fabrics of many kinds.

“Not now, Strum. I must finish this project soon!” She said, still running around. I looked at what she was creating. It was… odd. I will never understand modern fashion. I walked past her onto the stairway. I walked up to my room and set down my things. I plopped onto the bed with a sigh. I just lie there a few minutes, thinking of what I could do.

A few minutes later my thoughts were interrupted by the bedroom door opening. I glanced over to see Rarity.

“I’m so sorry, darling. I was just so busy. So, what is it that you needed?” She asked. I sat up with a slight groan, and smiled.

“Ah, well, it’s about trying to book a gig. Do you know anywhere I could actually play and… well, get paid for it?” I asked, gesturing to my guitar a few times. She looked at me with a bit of melancholy in her eyes.

“I’m sorry, but I really don’t know anywhere.” She said simply. I frowned a bit, but reluctantly thanked her for trying to help. I took-up my guitar again and trotted out the door, still having hope to find some place. I decided to try Octavia, as she, no doubt, was a fantastic musician. I knocked on her door as I arrived, and it was answered by Vinyl yet again.

“Hi there, guy.” She said. I chuckled.

“I told you last time; it’s Strum.” I said. I could hear faint music in the background. Not the usual ‘wub wub wub’, but the sound of classical music. It was beautiful. Now doubt it was Octavia practicing. I returned my attention to the mare in front of me.

“Can I talk to Octavia?” I asked. She shook her head.

“Sorry, Tavi’s practicing.” She began, “She takes her practicing really strictly. She does NOT want to be interrupted. Last time I tried, she shoved her cello-stick-thing-y up my-“

“Vinyl, I have to stop you there.” I interrupted, “But I really want to speak to Octavia.” She shook her head yet again.

“She really be in a bad mood if she’s interrupted.” Seeing as I would get nowhere, I just sauntered off. I wondered, my pack on my back, the sun still high in the sky, and an optimistic and stern attitude. I was going to book a gig, whether for better or for worse! Well… mainly for better.

While walking I heard a few woosh sounds over-head. I looked up to see streaks of rainbows in the sky.

“Hi, Dash.” I called upwards. She flew into view, and gave a small wave before streaking off again. An idea popped into my mind.

“Hey, Dash, can I ask you somethin’?” I asked. She flew back into view.

“I don’t know… I’m kind of busy right now… Meh, go for it.” She said, as if she didn’t want to help. I could tell that she was just trying to seem tough. She didn’t hide behind it too well.

“You know any places where I can play?” I asked, gesturing to my guitar again. She perked up a bit.

“Hey, uh, Strum; are you able to play rock?” She asked, seemingly interested. I smiled a bit, thinking she may know some place.

“Yeah, actually. I’m pretty good at it too.” I said, smiling a bit wider. She smiled as well.

“How would you like to play for the fastest flier in Equestria?” She asked, smiling wider and looking at me expectantly. My smile faded. I got my hopes up.

“Eh… But, I need to do this for money…” I stated. She frowned a bit.

“Yeah, but I’m pretty famous here in Ponyville. I even have my own fan-club who come and watch me fly and perform stunts.” She stated, smiling confidently. I must say, I was interested now. A fan-club as well as her being famous here? No doubt people would show-up and listen to the music whilst watching her stunts.

“Alright, I’ll take it!” I said, grinning from ear-to-ear. She congratulated me on the accomplishment of playing for, yet again; the fastest flier in all of Equestria. I asked when my first gig would be. She acted to check a watch (which she did not have).

“Right now!” She stated. I blinked, but quickly got out my guitar, expecting something to happen. I readied myself. She flew up into the air, and gave me a little signal. I took it as a signal to start. I played a power-chord. I then began to play a melody to an old Irish tune I knew. It wasn’t necessarily rock, and my guitar didn’t have distortion or treble, but, still. I played it as if it were rock. Obviously Dash was fooled, as she kept giving me encouraging gestures as she flew by. I heard a few voices and cheering behind me. Must be her fan-club, I thought to myself. I glanced back, still playing, to see a group of kids with merchandise that no doubt boosted Dash’s already colossal ego. The thing that really bothered me; they were kids. I can’t take money from children. I summed it up to that they could tell their parents about me, maybe one of them is a restaurant owner that would like my skills in their place of business?

I realized that I had played quite a few songs when in-thought. Some of them weren’t even rock, but blues. I looked up at Dash, who seemingly didn’t care. I went to doing some power-chords in an attempt at metal. Without distortion, it doesn’t sound too much like the sought-after genre. It sounded more like soft rock. No matter the case, I still played-on.

About an hour or more later, my hoof was killing me from dragging along the strings so much. I’m sure I’d have blisters, which is odd, because I haven’t had any since I started playing years ago. Dash landed next to me, panting and sweating. She clapped me on the back.

“Nice job, Strum! Still can’t compare to my awesome flying skills, though. I’m sure if you keep playing for me, it’ll rub off on ya.” She said, laughing a bit. I chuckled a bit and packed-up my guitar. I was still a bit sad due to my expectations being Dash-ed (pun totally intended), but, it was fun. I was about to head back to the boutique, but Dash stopped me.

“So, when are you gonna play for me next?” She asked, obviously liking the musical-aid. I chuckled once more.

“Tomorrow, I guess.” I replied. She smiled. I continued to walk-on. I glanced to the side. Through the buildings I could see the Everfree. I felt an urge to go into it…