Octavia was starting to get very tired of being congratulated. She stopped counting after the 42nd congratulation. While she truly appreciated the amount of sincerity they each held the repetition was starting to grate on her nerves. She was relieved to finally be in the locker room where she could change. She was glad to get out of her Dress Uniform and into a simple bowtie before heading back out. She was running a bit late from all the hand shaking and small talk she did on her way here and she sorely hated to be late.

As she bustled down the streets of Canterlot keeping a trotting pace but not strenuous enough to make her sweat she went over the duties she would be taking over come the following work week. The ceremony had been scheduled at the end of the final day of one week so to offer a good transition point between the commands. There would be a big formation to allow her to address the troops.

Luckily the Music Corps was much smaller than the other two. There were two "Orchestras", one Modern and the other Classical. Each Orchestra was then separated into "Genres", then into "Ensembles" and finally into "Troupes". The other Corps had a lot more separation with almost double the number of unit types and an astronomically higher amount of ponies. While everything above Troupe is named by tradition each Troupe is allowed to come up with its own name. Unlike the Guard the Troupes act in a much more autonomous manner.

Each Troupe has a leader designated the Composing Sergeant that can sign contracts for his Troupe. Each Troupe acts more like a small musical band than a military unit, however, each member is expected to stay within a certain regulation of fitness and combat effectiveness. Basic Hoof to Hoof and anti-magic techniques are trained regularly. After all, when the small looking flute player suddenly has a Minotaur in a choke-hold it usually causes enough confusion and amazement to allow for a quick resolution of issues. That was actually why the Music Corps held the position they did. If something is gonna happen at a ball or gala the ones that will know the most of what is going on are the ones who have been setting the mood and pace of the evening. The Royal Guard are competent but unlike the musicians they won't have eyes on the ponies inside the building as they will be watching for incoming threats not internal ones.

Octavia arrived at her destination at the exact time her Troupe were supposed to meet up. While she was the Major of the entire Corps she still needed a group to play with. So to allow their best to continue playing the Music Corp came up with a rather brilliant idea. Troupes are promoted as a whole. No one person can rise to the top alone. They need the support of their Troupe. In fact, her Troupe was now officially titled the Major Troupe, regarded as the most skilled in the Music Corp by all below them and outside the Corp. This meant more than mastery of an instrument. Most high-ranking members knew at least 5 instruments at master level skill and could work with others to do more than one type of music. While each Troupe had specialties, rising in rank meant mastering other instruments, genres, styles, and continued recitals and performances. Major was not an easy rank to meet, you had to be very team oriented and motivating to your troupe. Who were all currently in a drinking contest, a syrup drinking contest. By Celestia they were all foals.

"Please tell me I am dreaming. Please tell me the current Major Troupe members are not downing a grotesque amount of sugary goo in the middle of a cafe."Octavia spoke to a cream-colored earth mare with two tone blue and pink mane and tail. The three wrapped candies on her flank showed she was not a musician or official member of the troupe. However, as the partner to Lyra she was considered an honorary member by all. Bon-Bon was watching with a mixture of disgust and amusement when she heard Octavia.

"Octavia! Oh, sadly I can't. Lyra started egging Harpo on about who could play better. Beauty and Fredrick got into an argument about who had the better sweet tooth and next thing I knew four bottles of syrup were on the table and they started," She gestured towards them grimacing at the sickened face Harpo made at that moment,"...chugging." As she finished Lyra slammed her empty bottle on the table and wiping her lip. Fredrick followed and Beauty but Harpo finished last by about 5 seconds. Octavia grimaced at the burp Lyra released looking at Bon-Bon with a raised eyebrow and gesture. Bon-Bon just shrugged.

Harpo Parish Nadermane, or just Harpo, was a dark blue coated, blue hair and mane earth colt with a Lyre on his flank. While he was exceptionally gifted in string instruments his real talent was in compositions. He could write music that truly pushed the musicians playing it and stunned audiences.

Lyra Heartstrings was a light green coated, two toned pale-green and white mane and tail unicorn mare with a lyre cutie mark. Her skill came from her magic, she could actually play more than one instrument at a time and even play them differently. At most she could play the same instrument and song with up to 8 instruments but she could play up to 3 different instruments at once flawlessly.

Beauty Brass was a light blue coated, brown-haired earth mare with a bass cleff as a cutie mark. Beauty had a talent rather than skill that set her far apart from others. Her lungs were unstoppable. The mare could hold her breath for a full 2.5 minutes easily. This led to her being a one of the few able to use the tuba or sousaphone for extended periods of time without much fatigue. In fact any wind instrument she could play for far longer than other musicians. With that said her skill with the instruments alone would have had her in the same position.

Fredric Horseshoepin, Fredric not Fred, was a light brown coated earth colt, with white mane and tail, two Eighth notes that overlapped, one black the other a pale brown were his cutie mark. He excels on any instrument. Aside from some of the more exotic choices he has mastered all of the ones anypony could care to name. On top of that he also has a talent for spontaneous compositions, where Harpo writes one before hand that can be practiced, Fredric can start a piece on stage and give enough direction to have the rest of the troupe follow along seamlessly.

"BOOYA, I WIN! I AM THE CHAMPION! MY FRIENDS!" Lyra belted out a slightly off-key and reworded rendition of the song "We are the Champions" by the band Princess. Octavia just shook her head at the display before speaking.

"Alright enough of this, if I am going to be made a fool of then I would prefer we do it somewhere that I can at least be able to drink." At the mention of drinking they all perked up and nodded, quickly paying the bill and following Octavia downtown.

"So what club are we gonna tear up to celebrate the big promotion? I am thinking Hoof Trot," Lyra said walking next to Bon-Bon and entwining their tails together.

"Nah, that place has been getting a bit lame with the rules and they started watering their drinks down," Harpo casually mentioned as he kept running his tongue around his mouth to try and remove the taste.

"How about that new place? What was its name?" Beauty Brass asked aloud as she pondered her own question.

"You mean the one that features all electronic artists? Good idea. What was its name?" Bon-Bon commented.

"BASS DROP! That was the name! I heard a rumor that DJ Pon3 might show up there sometime this weekend. Wouldn't it be awesome for her to come tonight?" Beauty exclaimed suddenly. Octavia slowed a bit and looked at Beauty confused before asking.

"Who?" They all stopped and stared at her in disbelief.

"Seriously?! You don't know DJ Pon3?! She is like the biggest name in the Electronic scene right now!" Fredric screamed at her. Octavia looked a bit surprised at his outburst.

"Well that decides that. Just for the possibility of DJ Pon3 for Octavia we are going to Bass Drop!" Lyra says nudging Octavia forward. Octavia had a feeling for some strange reason tonight was not going to be as enjoyable as she had hoped.

Author's Note

So here is a diagram if I didn't explain it well enough. I feel my writing style is too short. Like I don't explain things I should but then I explain things I shouldn't too much. I don't know its past 5 am and I am tired. I need sleep. But hey I UPDATED!!!!!