Equestria Noir Side Story "Old Photograph"

by Jacoboby1

Rating: teen
Tags: Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Other, Romance, Original Character
Length: 5885

While looking through some old items, Irenius Eye tells his son Tailspin the story of how he met Sparrowheart, mother to both Tailspin and Private Eye.

Old Photos can stir up memories in even the oldest beings. This is the case with Private's father Irenius after bringing some old items to Tailspin. An old photo leads Irenius to tell the tale of how he and Sparrow met, how fate had brought these two ponies of vastly different circumstances together all thanks to one song.

Published 2013-12-03 18:20:05 UTC
Last updated 2013-12-03 18:20:05 UTC

Old Photograph

Equestria Noir
Side Story
Old Photograph
By Jacoboby1

Perspective: Tailspin

“You sure you’re okay up there Private?” I asked over the phone.

“Yeah, I’ll be up here until the summit which should be real soon.” Private said to me. “You doing okay?”

“Yeah, Dad’s been great!” I said excitedly as I sat in my chair in our living room. Private was up helping Twilight with some Princess Summit today. It did make me miss him a little, but on the plus side Dad did offer to come by and look after me.

I was glad to have a dad around.

“Okay, you come home safe okay?” I said. “Tell Twilight I said hi too.”

Private laughed and little and said “Alright, I’ll be home soon, you take care.”

“See ya bro,” I said.

We both hanged up our phones and I heard the door opening. I turned to see Dad was walking in, grey coated with a well kept greying mane and blue eyes. I noticed he had a box in his magic. “Sorry it took me a while,” He said. “I had to deal with the post office.”

“Post office?” I asked as I rolled over to him.

“Yes, I was cleaning out the attic before Preventus left.” He replied. “I sent some things I found over here, they were in the post office for safe keeping.”

“Got anything cool?” I asked as he set the box on the coffee table.

“Well, not much, just some old dusty toys neither I nor Preventus play with anymore.” He said, “I was hoping maybe you might breath some life into them.

“Hey, I’ll take some hoof me downs, free stuff is always good.” I said with a laugh.

We dug around in the box and found a bunch of old stuff. Some old shirts, what looked like old pony ranger toys, a bunch of books and all kinds of…

I reached in and pulled out a large book, “Hey Dad, what’s this?” I asked.

He got a look at it and his eyes grew wide, “Why, I can’t believe I tossed this in and didn’t think about it.” He said as he picked it up in his magic, and wiped some dust off it. “This is our old photo album.”

“A photo album?” I asked.

“Yes, in fact,” He opened it and began sifting through the pages a little. “Ah, here it still is.”

I peaked over and looked at the photograph. It was very old by the looks of it, in color but not as clear as modern photos are. It showed...Dad?

He looked like Private did when he was a teenager, man his hair looks weird. He was standing in a park and next to him was...Mom?

She looked, amazing. She had my coat, an electric blue mane, wings tucked at her side. I noticed her cutie mark was a bird with musical notes coming out of it’s mouth. She looked, wow!

“That’s you and Mom?” I asked.

“Yes indeed, back when I was sixteen and your mother fifteen.” Dad said with a smile. “Ah, that was the first photo ever taken of us together. It was on the day we met too.”

“So dad,” I said, smiling. “You gonna tell me how you met mom?”

“Oh, if you insist.” He said, picking me out of the chair and setting me on his lap.

“This isn’t a long story is it?” I asked.

“Don’t worry, I’ll skim over the filler,” Dad said. “I’m not going to keep you here for years.”

“Come on Dad!” I said excitedly. “Tell me the story!”

“Alright,” Dad said with a chuckle. “It all started one summer day, many years ago…”

_____________________________________________________________

Many years ago…

Perspective: Irenius

“Irenius? Are you listening to me?”

I shook my head and back up at mother, her green eyes were accented by the horn rimmed glasses on her muzzle. Her pale blue sun hat was keeping the light from her eyes as she gazed upon me.

We were sitting at a cafe together. It was one of those quaint little affairs that sprung up in Canterlot, with tables outside, where the upper class can sit and ponywatch. The tea in front of me had long since cooled and despite the warm summer heat, I kept feeling a chill every time I thought about today.

“Sorry Mother,” I said, looking up at her. “I was… distracted.”

“Worried about your date with Chantry tonight?” Mother asked.

I nodded slowly, running a hoof through my brown mane. “I just, I’ve never entertained a mare my own age before. I can’t help but feel nervous,” I said, resting my head hopelessly on the table.

“Irenius Eye,” Mother said, gently, “you are a smart, sweet, and kind stallion. No mare could find fault with that.”

“I wish,” I said with a sigh.

“Just try to find common interests,” Mother said. “your father may have tried to arrange this, but that doesn’t mean you can’t like each other.”

I put my head back up and just stared at my tea. “I just don’t want to let father down.” I said. “He’s put so much faith in me. I’d hate to disappoint him.”

“You won’t.” Mother said, “Now drink your tea and keep your chin up. I’m not going to let Pave Diamond say my son is a slouch.”

“I think she’ll say I’m a slouch no matter what I do,” I said, a slight smile on my face.

“I swear, nothing impresses that mare. The sooner her daughter finds somepony decent and gets out of her grasp, the better,” Mother said. “But, from what I hear Chantry is a nice mare. I’m sure you two will get along.”

I looked around and my eyes fell on a telephone pole. I saw an earth pony hanging up a flier and then move along. I read it.

Les Poneys Miserables
Come today at the Celestia Theatre
Tickets available at Box Office

“Les Poneys Miserables?” I said aloud.

“Ah, I’ve heard of that play,” Mother said. “Princess Celestia likes it apparently. Who knows, maybe after your date you could take Chantry there.”

“Maybe mother,” I said, shrugging. “I was never really one for theatre.”

“Only because you never found the time for it.” Mother said with a small laugh and a shake of her head. “I swear, any children you have are going to inherit that workaholism you share with your father.”

“MOTHER!!!” I yelled, my cheeks flushing.

_____________________________________________________________

Perspective: Sparrowheart

Thread in, pull out, thread in, pull out….

“There!” I said, looking upon the dress I just finished. “Oh the bride is going to look amazing!”

The boutique was simple elegance. But then we couldn’t afford to be opulent as the higher-priced boutiques with their white, on white, on white decor and lavish surroundings. Tasteful lace curtains, simple yet comfortable chairs. The mirrors were the most expensive, but you can’t be a proper boutique without a full-body mirror.

I put the dress gently on one of the ponyquens. I liked to imagine I was putting the future bride in a dress whenever I finished one.

That was my lot in life, making others happy, and I loved it.

“Sparry!”

I felt Papa hug me from behind and I smiled. “Hey Daddy, just finished another one.”

“Ah know. Jus’ glad Ah cou’ come home to see mah liddle songbird create yet anodder stunnin’ dress.” Papa said. “Why, if yo’ talent wasn’ singin’ yo’ cou’ have a real career wit dis.”

“It helps pay the bills, Papa,” I said turning around.

My Papa wasn’t a large pegasus. He had my blue coat, a short brown mane and the kindest brown eyes you’d ever seen on a stallion. He was wearing a suit, must have just come from his job as a wedding singer.

He smiled at me and said, “Ah’m proud of ya, Sparry. Ah hope yo’ll keep makin us proud no madda wha ya do. Plus, we all ban geddin’ seats fo’ da whole family t’night.”

“The whole family is coming to the play?” I asked, my silver eyes wide in shock.

“Why of course,” I heard another voice say from the other room.

My Mama was a very pretty mare, she said that stress destroyed whatever looks she had left, what with raising five kids total. She was still pretty in my book though, what with her dark violet coat, long electric blue hair and wonderful silver eyes I got from her. She flapped a little as she entered and said, “We’re not about to miss our baby singing her heart out for the world.”

“Are you sure it won’t cost the family too much?” I asked worriedly.

“Now don’ yo’ worry yo’ head none, chere,” Papa said. “Yo’ let us worry ‘bout dat, we’d ban campin’ outside da t’eatre if we have ta in orda ta listen.”

“Papa,” I said, my wings flapping in embarrassment.

“Now come on Sparrow,” Mama said, “You got other things to take care of, don’t worry about us.”

“If you are sure,” I said, still feeling a little concerned.

“Run along Sparry,” Papa said.

With that, I flew out of the boutique and into the resident part of our shop. I still felt a little guilty that my family was working so hard just to see me perform. I hoped, maybe that if this went well I could help pay for my schooling with the earnings.

It was hard living poor, but there were other benefits to having a large family.

“Mine!”

Of course, there are determinants as well.

I saw a familiar sight as I got into the living room/kitchen. There on the floor were my little brother and sister, Hawkheart and Robinheart. Hawkheart was a violet colored pegasus with short brown hair. Robinheart was a blue colored pegasus that inherited grandmother’s red hair. Both were only a few years old and were fighting over a Smarty Pants Doll.

“Mine!” Robinheart cried. “I want to do a tea party with Smarty Pants!”

“I wanna have him play guard!” Hawkheart cried. “Smarty Pants is a boy, so it’s mine!”

“You played with her for too long last time!” Robin yelled. “Smarty Pants is a girl stupid!”

“Alright, both of you cut it out!” I said, taking the doll away from both of them.

“But Sparrow!” they chorused.

“Now you two should know that Smarty Pants is very expensive,” I said. “We can’t play with her too hard, okay?”

“But Robin-” Hawk tried to start.

“No buts young man,” I said firmly. “Now you both make up right now, Smarty doesn’t like being pulled on.”

Both foals looked at each other, “Sorry, Hawk.” Robin said with a grumble.

“Sorry, Robin,” Hawk grumbled in reply.

“Now was that so hard?” I asked.

“So who plays with Smarty Pants?” They both asked.

“I think I’ll hang onto her for a while,” I said, setting Smarty Pants on the counter where they couldn’t reach her. Some pegasus foals can fly at a young age, thankfully neither of my younger siblings could just yet.

“Aww!” They whined at the same time.

I just chuckled and was preparing to walk back into the boutique, when I heard mama and papa talking.

“What are we gonna do, Blue?” Mama asked.

“I cou’ ged anodder job, Ah heah some bars are hirin’,” Papa said.

I hid behind the door, listening in.

“We don’t know how long that’ll take,” Mama said. “Oh, if only I tried harder in advertising.”

“We’ll make de rent, chere,” Papa said, and I heard Mama sobbing a little. I knew Papa was probably hugging her.

“I just, with Sparrow and Humming’s schooling, Meadowlark about to enter middle school and the foals, it’s just a lot to handle Blue,” Mama said, her sobbing continuing.

“We’ll figah somet’ing out, Dove,” Papa said. “We always do.”

I turned and began walking quietly to my room. I hated hearing conversations like that. They knew they were struggling but work so hard to keep us happy…

Oh Papa, oh Mama, how I wish there was something I could do…

_________________________________________________________

How did you know about Mom’s part of the story?

We were married, we told each other everything, you’ll understand when you and Scootaloo walk down the aisle.

DAD!!

Sorry, anyways moving on,

________________________________________________________

Perspective: Irenius

“Quit fidgeting with yourself.”

I shook my head as I rode in the carriage with Father. My father was a stern stallion, grey coat, short greying black hair and blue eyes I shared with him. He was wearing a suit similar to mine, his expression was rather frightening to anypony not used to it.

“Sorry Father,” I said, looking out the window as ponies walked by. “I’m just nervous about the get together.”

“Chantry is the daughter of a very important friend of mine,” Father said. “I trust you will take this matter seriously.”

“Yes, Father,” I said firmly.

“At least you don’t resort to over flattery like Lazarus does,” I thought I heard him grumble. “Ah, here we are.”

Ugh. Of course it’s super fancy. Linen tablecloths on the tables, dark wood paneling, green wallpaper, crystal glasses, and more silverware than a pony needs, really, to eat with. Everything about this place declared ‘unicorns only’.

Way to inspire confidence….

“I cannot stress this enough, Irenius,” Father said. “Do not mess this up for me.”

“I won’t, Father,” I said as the valet opened the carriage door and I stepped out. It was around noon, and when I entered the place was packed with well dressed stallions and mares. I walked up to the waiter and said, “Uh, I have a reservation.”

The waiter, an orange coated unicorn said in an accent bred for this restaurant, “Ah, Mister Eye, Lady Chantry was expecting you, please do follow me, she got here before you.”

I followed the waiter and saw a mare sitting alone at a table. She was grey coated like I was, with short light red hair and wearing a black evening dress. She was, lovely, but I didn’t feel anything like the books said would happen.

I took a deep breath, strutted to the chair confidently, put on my best winning smile and-

_______________________________________________

DAD!

What?

Tell what really happened…

Oh all right….

________________________________________________

Truth is I was so nervous I couldn’t even move. The waiter gave me a gentle shove in the general direction of the table, I ended up tripping and falling flat on my face.

Everypony gasped as I collected myself. Chantry looked at me and said, “A little spill?”

“Uh, yes,” I said nervously. I dusted myself off and took my seat across the table. “I’m, Irenius Eye.”

“I figured,” She said. “Funny, father said you were taller.”

“I’m uh, still growing.” I said.

“Either way, so you are my betrothed?” She asked, looking at me with inquisical green eyes that did nothing to calm my nerves.

“Yes,” I said, trying to build some confidence. “Father said it would benefit both of our families if we, as my mother would put it, hooked up.”

“A daddy’s colt huh?” She said with a coy smile.

“I uh,” I said, nervousness causing my brain to freeze. I shook my head and asked, “So um, shall we order?”

“I suppose so, we are at a restaurant,” She said, using her magic to open her menu.

This was going to be a looong date…

____________________________________________________________

Perspective: Sparrowheart

“Please Spotlight,” I said, looking on the director as everypony was helping to prepare for tonight.

Celestia’s theatre was a rather large place. It wasn’t as glitzy or as glamorous as a lot of the other theaters, but it still had the elegant mouldings, and carvings that people associate with a theater. The cushioned ledges arrayed in half-circles before the orchestra pit, the grand stage, the limelights… It was magical, in a way, but it was all an illusion. It was meant to take ponies away from their own lives, and into the lives of others.

Spotlight was a young yellow coated stallion with a beret on his orange colored mane and his face was sullen. “My dear, Sparrow, I can’t afford to increase your payment. I’ve got other actors to pay, plus expenses for the theatre, and other things.”

“But my family really needs the money,” I implored. “I’ll work after the play, I’ll do anything you need.”

“I’m sorry, Sparrow, but I’ve already got workers,” Spotlight said. “You have a talent Sparrow, singing is your calling, maybe tonight destiny will come knocking on your door. But for right now, there is nothing I can do.”

I sighed and said, “Thank you for you time though.”

I walked away quietly, and heard another voice call, “Sparrow?”

I turned and saw a grey coated earth pony with long black hair and deep brown eyes stand there. This was Operetta, a good friend and the pony who was playing Eponine in this play.

She looked at me a little concerned, “Sparrow, are you doing alright? I heard you talking with Spotlight.”

“I’m fine, Operetta,” I said with a sigh. “Just, stressed out a little.”

“You do insist on pulling yourself through the muck with everything,” Operetta said with a shake of your head. “Is your family in trouble?”

I shook my head and said, “Operetta, you know I couldn’t ask you to burden yourself with my troubles.”

“Is there a selfish bone in your body, Sparrow?” She asked with a smile.

“Maybe it was my leg, but I broke it in second grade.” I said, trying to find levity in all this.

“If it does become too much, Sparrow, you know friends are never too far away,” She said.

“I couldn’t ask you to worry yourself, you are trying to save up for that cello aren’t you?” I asked.

“I doubt I’d live long enough to master that instrument, but I did promise my mother I’d give it a shot,” Operetta said with a smile. “Now come on, we got a last rehearsal before tomorrow.”

_____________________________________________________________

Perspective: Irenius

The date was a disaster…

It started out nicely, some small talk about business, the weather, and such. Then, it became apparent the longer that I talked to her that I had very little in common with Chantry in terms of personality.

She liked Classical and Jazz, I was into more contemporary works. She dined on vegetables, I ate largely fruit. She liked talking about how she always wanted to go hiking somewhere. I was content to stay in the city.

It only went downhill from there when I tried to impress her with my knowledge of Prench…

Suffice to say, Fancypants wasn’t a good teacher. I ended up ordering literal snails, which as it turns out is a strange delicacy among the Prench.

Chantry dismissed these attempts to impress her, and kept herself occupied with her food.

I’ve never been more embarrassed in my life as I sat there, poking at my new, proper, dish for myself.

Finally, Chantry spoke up, “Irenius.”

“What is it Chantry?” I asked.

“This isn’t working,” She said, shaking her head.

“Maybe uh,” I said, trying to salvage some of the conversation. “Maybe we could skip lunch and walk around town?”

“Irenius, you don’t need to pretend to be interested,” Chantry said, looking at me. “It’s clear to me that, this isn’t working out.”

I looked down at my soup and said, “I’m, sorry to have disappointed you.”

“You didn’t disappoint me, my father did,” She said. “He just figured he’d live off the dowry he’d get from you marrying me. Your father probably thought the same.”

“Even still, I don’t want to let him down,” I said with a sigh.

“Irenius, can I be frank?” She asked.

“You’ve been nothing less since we started talking.” I said.

“You really need to grow a backbone.” Chantry said.

“A backbone?” I asked, tilting my head.

“You aren’t going to be pulled by your father on the ear for the rest of your life.” She said. “You’re almost a stallion, you should take charge of your life, do something crazy, follow what you want.”

“What I want?” I said, looking down again.

“What do you want to do with your life Irenius Eye?” Chantry asked, a little gentler.

I shrugged helplessly, “I just, want to create a future for my family. In truth, I never thought about anything else.” I said.

“Irenius, caring for your family isn’t wrong,” She said. “But at some point, you gotta start thinking about yourself, and wondering if your family is wrong.”

“I’ll... take your advice,” I said. “Sorry about the awful date.”

She smiled for the first time since our date started, “You are a sweet stallion Irenius, whatever mare comes along in your life will be lucky to have you. It’s just not me, I’m not the type of mare you need.”

“What is my type?” I asked.

“I dunno,” She said with a shrug. “All I know is, you’ll know it when she comes.”

“Can I, at least, escort you out?” I asked. “That should be the least I can do.”

“Alright,” She said, getting out of her chair. “Just remember to bring flowers when you do find that girl.”

“You think flowers would’ve hurt my chances with you?” I asked out of curiosity.

“Let’s just say,” She said as we walked out, “I prefer walking in flowers, not being treated like one.”

_________________________________________________________

“WHAT HAPPENED?!” Father yelled at me as I stood in the living room. My family’s home was not exactly the brightest or most colorful place. Dark walls, lamps that lit the room, fancy furniture, everything screamed of our status as wealthy. My mother was sitting off to the side, my fourteen year old brother Lazarus was there as well. Tall, grey coated with green eyes and messy black hair, glasses on his muzzle, Lazarus’ face showed his contempt for what happened.

Then again, I doubt there was anything that didn’t make Lazy cross.

“It-it just didn’t work out,” I said honestly.

“Didn’t work out?” Father asked, his voice showcasing an edge. “You expect me to believe you want to break things off simply because things didn’t work out?”

“Perhaps you were wrong to put trust in him father,” Lazy tried to interject.

“Silence Lazarus!” Father yelled.

Lazarus suddenly came to the conclusion to listen. “Forgive me father.” Only partially. “I simply believe that Irenius wasn’t trying hard enough.”

“At least he tries, unlike Slantus who’s never around,” Father grumbled.

“Dear,” Mother spoke up at last, “perhaps we are all a little stressed. Perhaps we should take in a play?”

“The business partnership could’ve fallen through and you suggest we take in a play?” Father asked with a slight growl.
“Dear, you know we can do this the easy way or the hard way,” She said, her green eyes showing a look of seriousness.

“Fine, we’ll go,” Father said, “But don’t blame me if we suddenly end up on Hidden Sanctuary’s wanted list because of my son’s failure.”

My ears drooped as I heard the cutting words Father gave. But, I was going to see a play, maybe it’ll be nice…

________________________________________________________

We arrived at Celestia’s theatre to a nearly packed audience. For some reason there were an awful lot of Pegasi here. Father made a note to glare at any that passed near. Lazarus just kept giving me sidelong glances the whole night. Mother was the only one by my side as we found our seats and said, “Just try and have fun, we’ll figure something out.”
I just nodded and took my seat, my father was sitting on the other side of my mother. Lazarus was sitting next to Father on the other side. Was it just me, or was he trying to emulate how Father sat…?

Suddenly the orchestra began a bombastic sound and the play began…

I saw ponies dressed in ragged garbs take the stage, shackles on them as they were pulling something. I noticed it was the remains of a large ship. They all glared as a well dressed stallion walked by…

“Serves those prisoners right,” Father commented. “Filthy stallions like them deserve what they get.”

But as I looked, I saw that some were not as, deserving as they appeared.

Look down….look down…

Don’t look him in the eye…

Look down...look down…

You’re here until you die….

Is this...how the common ponies see stallions like us…?

The well dressed stallion stopped in front of one of the larger prisoners and sang,

Now Prisoner 24601, your time is up and your parole’s begun

You know what that means,

The stallion smiled and sang,

Yes, it means I’m free!

The well dressed stallion gave a look that reminded me all too much of...Father

No! It means you get your yellow ticket of leave, you are a thief!

The big stallion countered,

I stole a loaf of bread!

The well dressed stallion got in the big stallion’s face.

You robbed a house!

The big stallion gave a counter glare.

I broke a window pane.

He shook his head and his voice was earnest.

My sister’s child was close to death, and we were starving.

You will starve again, The well dressed stallion sang, Unless you learn the meaning of the law.

The big stallion almost growled as he sang, I know the meaning of those nineteen years, a slave to the law…

The whole song I couldn’t help but feel for the large stallion. I learned in the program that his name was Neigh Val Jean. The stallion was only trying to provide for his family.

“Bah,” Father mocked. “No proper establishment would take him in, he should die on the streets the dog.”

I was also starting to see my father in a very different light at this point…

___________________________________________________________

The play went on, telling of Val Jean’s redemption after a kind stallion took him in. Val Jean, desperate for money, stole silver from the sanctuary. He was caught, and brought before the stallion. But instead of convicting him, the stallion lies and says that the silver was a gift, and Val Jean left before he could receive the rest of the ‘gift’.

Torn by what he had done, Val Jean broke his parole and vowed to change himself. The whole time father mocked Val Jean over what he had done. Normally I would’ve remained silent and obedient. But, just something about the way Father treated his fellow stallion started to scare me.

The play cuts several years later, Val Jean is now the mayor of a town after he turned his life around. We see the hard lives of the poor in Prance, how the region was a boiling pot, waiting for revolution to ignite it.

We saw a group of mares working in a factory and...who was that?

She was at the very end of the table, minding her own business as she sewed an item. By Celestia...I’ve never seen a mare like her…

The way the lights touched her. The way she moved, everything about her was so…

“And what have we here little innocent sister?” One of the mares came over to her, her eyes casted down to a letter on the table. She snatched it before the blue mare could grab it. “Come on Filitine let’s have all the news.”

Before anypony could stop her, other mares gathered around to hear the next line, “Dear Filitine please send us more money, your child needs a doctor there’s no time to lose.”

She was in trouble…?

“Give that letter to me it is none of your business!” Filitine said, snatching the letter away. “With a husband at home and some bits on the side. Is there any here who can swear above, she has nothing to fear she has nothing to hide!”

A fight ensued when the other mares tried to take back the letter. Why were they being so cruel to her? She didn’t do anything wrong!

Suddenly Val Jean stepped in and his voice calmed the tussle, “What is this fighting all about? Will somepony tear these two apart? This is a factory, not a circus! Now come on ladies settle down, I run a business of refute, I am the stallion of this town.” He then turned to the forepony and said, “I look to you to sort this out, and be as patient as you can.”

With that, Val Jean left. The forepony glared at the ladies and said, “Now say how this began!”

One of the mares spoke up, “At the end of the day she’s the one who began it!” she pointed at Filitine.

That’s a lie! They are the ones who took the letter! They are the ones who mocked her for having a child!

By the time I stepped out of my rage, Filitine was speaking, “Yes it’s true there’s a child and the child’s my daughter.” Her beautiful silver eyes looked pleadingly at the forepony. “And her father abandoned us, leaving us flat. Now she lives with an innkeeper and his wife, what’s the matter with that?”

The mares continued to mock her, saying she’ll be nothing but trouble in the end. What the hell? She was trying to care for her child, it didn’t matter how she got it! She was doing a kindness and you all spit in her face!

“Irenius?” I heard mother say.

I shook my head and said, “Sorry Mother, I just lost myself there.”

I watched as Filitine was fired from her job for not giving into the Forepony’s, demands. I was disgusted at the way she was treated. Here was a beautiful, kind mare and they treated her like garbage.

I then watched as it only got worse…

Filitine was desperate to pay for her child’s welfare. She sold her hair, her teeth, and turned to a life of prostitution.

______________________________________________________

What’s that dad?

I’ll tell you when you’re older.

____________________________________________________

There she now lay, on an old broken bed, crying her eyes out. Her coat was matted and her wings ruffled. My heart was broken at the sight of her. I saw real tears flow from her eyes as she sang for the first time...her voice was...angelic…

I dreamed a dream in time gone by…

When hope was high and life worth living…

I dreamed that love would, never die

I dreamed that Celestia would be forgiving

She looked right at Dad and smiled wide as she sang the next part.

But still I dream he’ll come to me…

That we would live the years together,

But there are dreams that cannot be…

And there are storms we cannot weather…

I had a dream my life would be…

So different from this hell I’m living

So different now from what it seems,

Now life has killed the dream…I dream…

I don’t know what caused me to do what I did. I just remember an impulse to do something. I didn’t even get to see her resolution because at the moment when the song ended, I snuck out in the darkness of the theatre.

I left the theatre, and went across the way, to a flower shop.

_________________________________________________________

Perspective: Sparrow

“You were amazing Sparrow!” Operetta said, as the entire cast was celebrating my performance during the intermission.

“A most stunning performance worthy of the books!” Spotlight proclaimed. “You can just relax until you have to be on for the finale, you deserve a good rest.”

“Thank you all,” I said as everypony went to work to prepare for the next act.

One of the stage hands came by and said, “Uh Sparrow, somepony is at the backstage door, says he wants to see you.”

“Probably one of my family,” I said, smiling.

“Do you have any unicorn relatives?” The stagehand asked, raising an eyebrow.

I blinked at this, “No, I don’t believe I have any unicorn relatives.”

“Shame,” The stage hand said with a smile, “The guy looks loaded. He’s in a fancy suit and everything. All I know is he’s at the back door and won’t leave until he meets you, plus the guy’s got flowers.”

Maybe he’s a director trying to butter me up so I could hop to another play after this? Oh well, may as well see him…

I made my way to the backstage door, and opened it…

Oh...my…

He looked my age. His brown mane was well kept, but it looked like he’s been running a mile. He was rather...cute…

“Uh, miss?” He said, nervously staring at me.

“Oh sorry,” I said, smiling. “You wanted to see me?”

“You’re the actor for Filitine?” He asked.

“Yes, that would be me,” I said, and then noticed he was indeed clad in fancy trappings. “Are you some kind of recruiter or sponsor?”

He shook his head, “No, just a fan.” He said, again pretty nervous.

“But the play isn’t even over yet,” I pointed out.

“I-I just had to come back here, I was very moved by your performance,” He said, and in his silver magic he levitated a bouquet of roses to me. He looked so nervous, you’d think I was Princess Celestia. “Here, I, think you deserve these.”

I smiled and took them, saying, “I’m glad, they are very nice. What’s your name?”

“My name?” He said, as if I suddenly asked him to solve a tough math problem.

Why was he so nervous?

Finally he smiled and said, “Irenius, my name is Irenius.”

I smiled and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you Irenius, my name is Sparrowheart, but you can call me Sparrow.”

He smiled and suddenly Spotlight appeared, “Hey you two, seems you’ve earned a fan already Sparrow.”

“Uh, yes she did,” Irenius said, blushing a little.

“Wonderful!” Spotlight proclaimed, “Let’s get a picture to seal the moment! Sparrow’s first fan!”

“Oh that’s really not necessary,” I said.

“Oh posh, Sparrow, enjoy whatever publicity you have, even one fan is better than none, let's head out to the pack for some better scenery!” Spotlight said, pulling out a camera.

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Perspective: Irenius

I didn't know what to feel as I stood outside with this, Sparrowheart. She just seemed to move with such a beauty and grace that I couldn't help but stare at her occasionally. But those eyes, silver, what an uncommon color.

We finally stood together as Spotlight set up the camera in front of us.

She nervously put herself next to me and said, "Irenius, we don't have to indulge him if you're too embarassed."

"No it's alright," I said, trying to keep the nervousness out of my voice. "In truth, I'd like to get to know you Sparrow."

She smiled and said, "I'd, like to get to know you too Irenius, in truth I don't have many friends that are unicorns."

"Nor I with pegasi." I said. "But, let's remedy that shall we?"

"Very well Irenius, I think this is going to be the start," She leaned against me, smiling more, "Of a beautiful friendship."

I smiled and said, "I do believe so Sparrow..."

With that, we smiled and let Spotlight take the photograph...

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“And that Tailspin, is the story, of how I met your Mother…”