Chapters Author's Note
An introductory chapter.
Prelude to Harmony
A Study of Harmony.
A young white Pegasus is sitting atop one of the book shelves reading quietly. She blows her scruffy brown mane from her eyes and folds her hooves into a comfortable position. Boom! The room shudders as the doors swing open.
Chapter One - Preparations.
Sugar Dove was flying back and forth frantically across her room in the palace.
Royal Palace
"I can't believe we're going to meet the Princesses!" Gamers Edge leapt about gleefully ahead down the long corridor.
Next Morning,
Chapter 2
A Rocky Road.
The excited band trotted down the hillside from Canterlot. The sun had barely risen above the horizon. They animatedly talked about all the places they wanted to see and the things they wanted to do. It wasn't long though before the early start started getting to some of the ponies.
A Race to the bottom.
Edge was fast and was the first to get half way down the hill. However he wasn't pacing himself well and within moments of stopping to breath Steadfast galloped past. Edge wearily lifted a hoof in protest then sighed. Rouge came up behind him. "Are you ok? You look a little ... off."
Meanwhile D had dashed his way through the tree line, occasionally making a trail by carving crosses into tree's with his horn. He had remembered the angle he had come down at and knew which way would return him to the path. After a couple of scrapes and and carving up what felt like half the forest he reached the edge. The light of the sun was dazzling and almost blinded him at first. He blinked and looked about. The path wasn't far from the tree line. Up above was the mountain. Rouge and Steadfast's bright pelts could be seen clearly from there even though they were still a considerable height up.
Back on the trail, having seen D the group were relieved slightly. At least D was alright. "What was he pointing at? Or at least I think he was pointing." Rouge said as the group again took to the task of speeding down the mountain. "Hey! Hold up! I'm not that fast!"
D hopped between trees and branches following his simple trail. This time he took it easy heading back in, careful not to get any more scraps. It took a while but he eventually found dove, he could hear her breathing heavily before he could even see her. When he saw her he found that her eyes were puffy and her forehead and mane were damp.
Back on the trail. Steadfast had reached the bottom. "A new personal best," he muttered to himself. Rouge and Edge still a considerable bit up the hill. "I'll go ahead!" He called up to them.
****
The sun had gotten up extra early this morning. Rouge had taken to early morning tea with her new found friend, Edge and Steadfast to the games consoles and Midnight had work to do. That left Dove and D to themselves sitting quietly at the breakfast table.
** Peaceful Ponyville
Outside D trotted idly along to the town library. He knew the way. He’d noticed the large tree on their approach to the town earlier. The town folk all muttered to themselves as he passed, D thought nothing of it. It was common for ponies to think him strange with his gadgets.
**
The day was getting on. The sun was fully up and Ponyville was bustling and busy. Back in the library a lively group of friends had gathered.
Ghost Light
***
***
***
Its dark, there street lights are glowing softly and all of Ponyville is asleep. Two cloaked figures peek from an alleyway. One is wearing a hooded top, the other a full body cloak of murky brown.
An hour later Dove had Steadfast, Edge and Scribe outside. She didn’t dare wake up Rouge, that would be cruel and D would be too rational to play a prank on. If this worked Scribes writing would make short work of this prank.
Chapter Six
“You know Dove,” D said as the group sat together to breakfast; “I haven’t seen you fly since we came to Ponyville.”
Midday Sun
The group were congregating at the balloon on the outskirts of town. Rouge was talking hushed to Edge.
A tour of Cloudsdale
One trail to another
Later on the group had booked into an inn in Cloudsdale and were waiting anxiously for Dove in the lobby. They had been talking excitedly about the weather factory and Rouge had taken photos for Dove. When Dove arrived she didn’t look happy. She said one thing.
Author's Note
This chapter features Original characters by a deviant artist unitoone. He has kindly let me include them in my story.
Dedication
The group had not responded as Dove had hoped. The giggled at the idea of a grown pegasus sitting a flight test and then after a moment moved on and started going on about how wonderful their day had been. Even Edge seemed a little more relaxed. Dove overheard him mention a pegasus he had met but she was hardly in the mood to listen. They just went on and on until Dove just couldn’t take it anymore. Sneaking out of the inn she waited until she was out of sight and sound then galloped off. She didn’t care where she just galloped. However not being the fittest in the group she didn’t get far. But at least it was away. She couldn’t sit a flight test. She would never pass a flight test.
She eventually stopped trotting around and was about to sit herself down on the spot with an immense amount of displeasure when in the distance a building caught her eye. The setting sun glowed around its edges making it all the more clear and brilliant. The Cloudsdale Stadium; one of the oldest buildings in the town and one of the most loved. From where Dove stood she could hear a familiar sound, one which she had not heard since the last winter solstice festival. The shooting stars of Cloudsdale; the replacement squad for the long disbanded Wonderbolts. The familiar shimmering sound and whoosh of a pegasus in flight was very familiar to her after having sat with Luna at their last display. Perhaps watching them fly would calm her nerves. With a little shimmy she cantered over and let herself into the stadium and worked her way to one of the seating areas.
The ponies which flew about Dove were all acquaintances of Luna but despite being a student at the Castle Dove had never plucked up the courage to say hello at any of the displays. She watched as the oldest colt Star Dust yelled up brashly at the youngest of the team. His belt was a dusty pale navy and like his team he had stars emblazoned on his flank. Dove had always thought he was very loud and a little obnoxious. One the benches near him was Star Light, a white pegasus although her flank looked silver in this light, she swept her blue mane back with her hoof as she took a drink from a stadium side fountain. Dove didn’t know much about her but knew she was quieter than Dust. Above were Star Sky and Star Fighter. It was easy to notice these two. They always stood nearby each other at events and Fighter had the most peculiar mane. The tips would glow red in the dark. In fact it was very rare to see any of these ponies about in the daytime. Maybe they just trained a lot Dove thought to herself. Star Sky was very gentle natured, and was often heard during displays encouraging her team mates. She was also the hardest to spot at night with her dark grey pelt and dark blue mane. During displays they often used her for crowd sweeps. Nopony would see her coming. Fighter was the easiest to spot and despite the obvious presence of their trainer he was the most noticed. Just now in the sunset his black flank was very visible and his single star cutie mark looked out of place in the daytime.
Dove watched them fly about in turns then as a group. They must train for hours. The sun had long since set and Dove wasn’t even tired. She could watch these ponies all night. The moon had now risen and now some stars were twinkling in the dark night. By now the pegasus were getting tired and Dust shouted for them all to cease. He went throw what Dove can only assume was some finishing stretches then dismissed them. Light left straight away without a goodbye or any gesture of recognition. Dust wasn’t far behind her. But the two most tired ponies sat by the water fountain and giggle with each other and smiled. Fighter and Sky.
It was at that moment Dove realised how alone she was. Her friends didn’t seem to understand and now she was sitting outside alone in the dead of night. She started to cry. At first she didn’t even notice the tears. But soon they were just coming and she just sobbed as silently as she could but her breathing quickly became heavy and it was hard to stay silent as she hiccupped to breath. She didn’t hear the two pegasus approach her.
“What’s wrong sweetie?” Star Sky bent down to look dove in the eye, standing a little in front of her.
Dove startled tumbled off her seat and hiccupped. “I’m sorry.” She sobbed, “I...I didn’t mean to ...disturb you.”
Star Fighter kept the most straight face Dove had ever seen but he had a very calming voice. “Its alright we’d finished for the night. Now what is the matter?”
“It’s nothing really.” Dove tried to bluff.
“Come now,” Star Sky smiled a little, “we’re not going to go telling anypony.”
Dove looked up at her, this is the first time had ever seen a pony with eyes like hers. One green and one red, very unusual but very beautiful and she was most sincere.
Dove spluttered everything in one go, “I have a flight test tomorrow and I will undoubtledly fail and my friends don’t seem to understand and if I fail I’ll have to stay behind then all that we’ve achieved will be worthless and I will not be able to finish my study and Luna will be upset and...”
“Woah woah!” Star Fighter held a hoof up. “One thing at a time. Now, did you say Luna?”
“mmhmm,” Dove nodded, getting to her hooves.
“Why would Luna be upset?”
“I’m her student,” She stated, “and I’m on a journey with my friends to gain information for her on a new study. And if I don’t pass this test I’ll hold everypony back.”
“Why would you fail a flight test?” Star Sky tilted her head in curiosity.
Dove just lifted her wings, they were slightly larger than a normal pegasus and always stopped her from doing some of the necessary manoeuvres for a flight test. “My wings are awkward and I’m uncoordinated.”
The pair giggled, Dove felt bruised on the inside. She must have looked it too as the two stopped. “Well then...uh...?”
“Sugar Dove, why don’t we help? I’m sure you’d be wonderful at gliding with wings like that and I bet I could teach you to swirl and dive no bother!” Star Sky said excitedly.
Dove was taken aback. One of the Shooting Stars offering to teach her would be a privilege but she could accept such an offer. She was about to state as such when Star Fighter piped up.
“That would be great! It would be fun to teach somepony instead of taking orders. I do my best flying at night anyway. So how about it?”
Dove wrinkled her nose. “o.k” She said slowly.
“Yeah!” Star Sky squealed, “You can call me Sky and this is Star. It’s much easier than referring to us as our full titles. Come on!” Sky leaped down to the open expanse of the stadium landing on one of the training clouds.
Star smiled and slowly trotted down after her. Dove was so unsure but followed anyway. Why would these two ponies help her? They don’t know her or owe her anything.
“So you study under Princess Luna?” Star asked. He had a very steady and slightly quiet voice. It reminded Dove of a foal in a strange way.
“Yeah,” she responded, “She is trying to recover knowledge that has been lost to equestrian for a hundred years. And the topic at hand is my speciality.” Dove indicated the cutie mark on her flank.
“I’ve only met Luna for a moment myself.” Star confessed, “Star Dust deals with all the royal affairs. I haven’t spoken with her since before ...” He trailed off. Dove has a sense that she shouldn’t ask.
“Come on slow pokes! We need to stretch before getting started!” Sky giggled.
Star rolled his eyes in a sarcastic manner, “To think she is normally a quiet mare.”
Dove came and joined her, gliding clumsily over to the training cloud. Sky was already stretching, Wings to opposite hoof first then push ups, which Dove couldn’t do, then jumps and hovers. Dove was so unfit she struggled to keep up with the athlete. Hovering was a real struggle; Dove couldn’t really get off the ground from the spot. That was the main reason she avoided flying with her friends. When Sky was satisfied with Doves attempts to get started she signalled for her to join her in the air. So Dove stepped up to the cloud edge, took one look down and forward and froze on the spot. She began to panic. What if she couldn’t do it anymore?
“Keep calm.” Star said coming up beside her, “Curl your wings with the air currents. That will change your angle. You can do it.”
Dove was so unsure that each beat of her wings felt heavy. Like her very feathers were made of rock. Gradually and with some very heavy breathing on her part she came to a halt in the air and she beat her wings down against the invisible air around her until she was hovering. She exclaimed loudly, “I did it! I’m hovering!”
Sky withheld a giggle by planting a hoof over her mouth. Star seemed very reserved about the entire exercise. Dove wasn’t sure he approved of the sudden flight lesson with a stranger. Or maybe he thought Dove was a little pathetic. Hovering was a basic manoeuvre and Dove was failing horribly. It was hard to tell.
“Ok let’s get you doing some turns. I’ll spread out some clouds and rings and such and we’ll get you ready for a galloping start.” Sky stated as she flew off midsentence to set up.
“Um...ok but how do I....?” Dove began but didn’t get the chance to finish but Star responded.
“Do what?”
Dove blushed and looked at her hooves.
“What?” He asked with a hint of concern.
“How do I start moving again?”
Star did a little eye roll. “Tilt your wings as you flap and lean forward. To turn change the pacing of your flaps or the angle at which you hold the wind in your wings.”
Dove just smiled and eased herself forward. It was a moment of wobbling and varying heights before Dove made it back to the cloud for a galloping start. Sky had made some cloud swirls and bucked up some hoops. She was happily demonstrating at a fair pace while doing quick loop the loops and bouncing off the stray cloud puff. It was dizzying to watch. Star watched smiling at Sky. Dove could only assume he had a fond relationship of sort s with her; probably best friends.
“You ready?” Sky hollered to them.
“Yeah!” Sky responded, Dove just looked at him as she didn’t feel ready at all, “we’ll go together,” He said to her calmly, “I’ll match your pace, you match my movements.”
Dove nodded and did a little wriggle in anticipation. She took a deep breath and galloped; she lost the feeling in her legs with nerves but kept bounding forward anyway. All she knew was that her instinct took over and the cloud edge was drawing closer and she had to leap and catch the updraft and then she was up in the air and the wind rushed under her and she had to move forward. She looked over to Star and watched his wing tips twitch to catch the breeze. She attempted to mimic. At first she was a little clumsy and he would have to move aside so she didn’t crash but after a moment she had it. After a little while she just assumed from the corner of her eye what he was going to do. A minute longer and she was doing the cloud turns. When she looked over she realised Star wasn’t there. For a second she panicked but only for a second as she realised. She was flying!
After a few hoops and turns she had gained a little speed and was comfort with on the level flying. But she had a feeling there were some important things she still needed to know. “Sky?”
“Yeah Dove?”
“How do I land?”
Again Sky tried to withhold a giggle. So she did a little loop and hovered up a few feet got closer to the cloud and let the air go so that she only dropped a short height. Behind her Star did a galloping landing, whooshing in at speed but trotting in the air so his hooves were prepared for the run. Once on the cloud he slowed himself. Dove nodded at them and did her best to copy. As per the norm her landings were shaky but much better than they had been.
“Ok. Last question promise!”
“Shoot?” Sky grinned.
“When you are on the ground and you need to start flying how do you do it? There isn’t an updraft.”
Sky had to think about this one. Star thankfully had this. “You can use the running start and use momentum to lift you or if you have good legs and strong wings you can lift yourself from a leap. It only takes a little air to lift us. Pegasus have inert magic that aids us in that way.”
For a student under alicorns it surprised her she didn’t think of the inert magic of pegasus.
“That everything? Good! Let’s go get a drink and chill!” Sky declared and trotted over to the fountain. Star and Dove trailing behind.
“I’m just thinking how lucky I’ve been. You have both been wonderful I cannot thank you enough for all you’ve done!”
“Any pony as loyal to a quest as you deserves the help.” Sky said beaming.
Dove grinned.
“I wish there were others with a heart like yours. Like the dedicated ponies of old. Like the Wonderbolts! I heard they were harder working than any pegasus you or I would know.” Star said as his coat seemed to dull and grey like he was looking back on a fond memory but the moment soon passed.
“You’ll have to keep in touch now Dove. No excuse for hiding in the shadows as Canterlot affairs now. You can invite us to your table so Old Dusty can’t jibe us.“ Sky said as a matter of fact.
“I’d love that!” Dove exclaimed, “Does that make us friends?” She said with a nose wrinkle.
“Of course it does. “ Star said. “Now go get some rest and ace that test.”
Dove leapt to her hooves. “You bet! Good night!” and she galloped off into the night.
****
She had passed!
The gang came down to meet her and chat and talk about what to do next. But Dove wasn’t listening. There were some other bystanders she needed to talk to. She trotted over to the fountain where some shadowy ponies were standing and hugged them both. “Thank you both so much.”
“You did great Dove! Just keep in touch.” Sky smiled hugging her back.
“Whip that tail a little tighter on those turns and you’ll be flying with us in no time.” Star joked.
The crew watched her unable to hear or fully make out the ponies from where they stood. But Scribe had an idea, “Is that the Shooting Stars?” He exclaimed but nopony was brave enough to find out.
The group were enjoying lunch outside the rainbow factory gift shop. The mares had some keyrings and were attempting to pick the ones they wanted without arguing. Steadfast was doing his best not to laugh at the pair. D however was ignoring them and was contentedly messing with his wings by looking back and forth at an enchanting lexicon he had picked up back in Ponyville. Edge and Scribe were chatting to themselves.
“So where do you think we’ll go next?” Edge asked casually.
“I have no idea.” Scribe responded, “but knowing Dove she’ll have something in mind.”
It was as if in response that a mail pony flew past. “Excuse me?” He approached, “I was told that I would find a Midnight Scribe here?”
“That’s me,” he responded.
“Here.” He passed him a letter, “I think its urgent.” And he flew off without another word.
“Gotta love the mail force around here, very efficient.” Commented Dove between snatching keyrings.
Scribe had opened the letter and was scanning it carefully. He sighed, then he mused and finally he declared. “I have to go to Manehatten. I’ve been assigned a review there. I could do with this. I am slightly concerned though?”
“Sounds awesome! What’s up though?” Steadfast chipped in.
“My boss wants me to write a bad review. Before I’ve even seen the act I’m reviewing.”
“Why would you be told to do that?” Rouge joined in.
“I assume he’s been paid off by a competing firm to ruin the performer I’m being told to meet.”
“Then we’d best go so you can meet this performer. It’s still professional to follow procedures I assume?” Dove added.
“You all want to go with me?” Scribe looked at them all.
They all nodded almost in unison.
“It’s settled!” Dove declared, “we’re going to Manehatten!”
***
One short balloon ride later and the crew were landing on a rooftop in busy Manehatten.
“Ok so we’re all clear on where and when we are going?” Scribe checked.
D replied “I’m off to sort the hotel for us.”
“I’ll take this opportunity to get my hoof into the comedy circuit.” Steadfast grinned.
“We’re going shopping!” Dove had grabbed Edge and was already dragging him off into the distance leaving D to pick up the gadgetry he had dropped in the process.
Rouge rolled her eyes at Dove but smiled anyway and silently followed a bit behind.
“Guess I’ll see them later. Good luck Gentlecolts I’ll meet you at the hotel.”
The colts nodded and went on their way.
Scribe had only been to Manehatten once. Head office was here and he had done his best to keep his distance. So hopefully if he did right by them he could keep to himself in Ponyville as a small time reviewer.
He worked his way toward the theatre district. This was his first time here. The roads were busy, the walkways were busy, even the air was packed. There were queues out the buildings and on the sidewalks for shows, shops and cabs. Scribe felt a little overwhelmed at first but kept his cool and found the building he was told to head too. He took the side door to avoid the hectic streets and ridiculous queue out the door. Entering he found himself in a long corridor. The vinyl floors went on for ages and there were numbered doors on all the walls. There were ponies galloping about in a rush and others in costumes and warming up their voices and muscles. Scribe tapped the first pony that didn’t look too busy on the shoulder to ask for directions. They nodded in the general direction but as with many performers that he knows they really weren’t interested in talking to him. Cantering in that general direction he finds that he can hear music. A piano is playing and is slowly getting louder as he approaches a room towards the end of the hall. At its loudest he turns to face the door. This seemed like the place.
He tapped on the door and pushed it open. The piano was a recording the music blasting from a digital player at one end of the room. Prancing around the middle of the room is the pony Scribe has come to see. Rhythm Heart; a new comer to the performing world, this young pegasus is about Scribes age, his pelt is a pale sky blue and his mane is a powerful blonde with shimmering streaks through it that glint in the sunlight that occasionally glitters through the window to the small rehearsal studio and on his flank rhythm lines and music notes wave in bold black. The colt sways this way and that in time to the rhythm and he stamps his hooves to the ground with each sudden heavy note.
Scribe waits for the colt to finish. He watches in amazement at the flowing movements and the sudden turns. The colt was very elegant, more so than even Scribe thought possible for a colt. When the music came to its dramatic climax Scribe applauded. The pony was not startled by Scribe instead bounding over gleefully to greet him taking his hoof in his and shaking them then hugging him without thought or permission. “You must be from the press?!” Rhythm Heart announced happily.
Scribe nodded, “Yes, I’m from Ponyville press but this might go further. I hear there is a promotion in this for both of us.”
“Yeah this is my first big show! I’m so excited. What did you think?” Rhythm Heart spoke fast.
“Em. Well I don’t know a huge amount about dancing but that was fairly impressive. I liked that bit I cantered into. “
“Oh that bit. I love that bit too. I enjoy the pulsing sudden nature of the music and I wanted to portray it in style. You know a bit of flair!”
The boundless energy of the colt had Scribe slightly off guard. After all that dancing the colt was still bouncing about delightedly.
“Well uh I suppose we should conduct this interview, is in here ok, it seemed a bit busy out there?”
“All the performers get in such a mix up here. You’d think they had never done a show before! Sure we can do it here. Pull up a couple chairs I’ll just turn my music player off.”
So Scribe set up some chairs by the light of the window. He pulled a dictaphone from his bag and paper, ink and quill and set them down on the window pane. Rhythm Heart noticed Scribe was struggling to set up a place to write so snuck into the corridor knocked a vase off a decorative table in the hallway and dragged the table in before another pony could see. He pulled the table up to Scribe and smiled. Scribe then set up the space and hit record on the machine.
Scribe rambled through the list of usual questions. Who, what, where, why etcetera before asking about the performance and times and dates and travelling and future plans. Rhythm Heart was a natural and answered everything politely and enthusiastically. Scribe was impressed by the colt. His honesty and manner were much nicer than most in the performing arts.
“I never did ask but what drove you to follow this path? I suppose your cutie mark story?”
Rhythm Heart grinned broadly, a gleam in his eyes. “I’ve always loved performing for as long as I can remember. I danced first, made lots of friends. Then moved on to study and teach dance. Before I knew it I was studying acting and singing and everything in between. To be honest I don’t remember ever not having my cutie mark. I love rhythm and music and sound and movement. But I do remember the moment. My first dance teacher, a salsa mare, she was wonderful. She had a wonderful flank that moved so fluidly. She taught me so much. I remember the day I did my first full dance as a lead colt. She was so proud and I just knew right then that I was meant to dance and perform.” The sudden change in his pelt was apparent as his face saddened for a moment and his pelt seemed to grey. “I really miss those days, I wish I could go back and visit. I would love to show her how far I have come. But alas...” He adds the colour returning to his pelt, “Ever onwards!”
“Yes of course,” Scribe stops his recorder. “So how about a preview performance?”
“Yeah I can do that, if you wait till tomorrow morning I have a stage rehearsal I can sneak you in?”
“Sounds awesome!” Scribe responds delightedly, he is really beginning to like this colt and his attitude. “Oh I’m here with some friends could I perhaps take one along?”
“Yeah of course, I love feedback, the more the merrier.” Rhythm Heart shakes Scribes hooves once again before Scribe bids the colt farewell for now and leaves the studio, being careful not to bump into any of the frantic staff milling about.
***
Dove, Rouge and Edge had eventually settled down for an evening meal when Scribe arrived at the hotel. He sat between the two mares and set his belongings on the floor beneath the table.
“Evenings Mares and Gentlecolt.” He said happily.
“Things going well I take it?” Dove asked.
“Couldn’t be any better. I have an invitation to a private viewing of the performance.”
“You’re joking?” Rouge pipes up.
“No. I have a viewing and I can take a plus one.”
“Sounds delightful Scribe, who you planning on taking?”
The colt rubs his chin with his hoof thoughtfully. “You know I’m not totally sure. Would one of you mares like to come?”
Edge who had been quiet up until now addressed Scribe. “Aren’t you meant to write a negative review? How are you going to do that if things are going so well?”
Scribe hadn’t thought of this. He did like the colt. How could he say something bad about this colt when it clearly wouldn’t be the truth? Scribe had always been an honest reviewer. That was how he rolled. “I’m not sure. Perhaps tomorrow’s performance will make things easier for me.”
With that the group ordered dinner and conversed about the shopping that Dove had Edge doing for her. Rouge sat quietly throughout. As she usually did, piping up sometimes to correct Doves excited anecdotes. Steadfast was very late to join the crew and from what Scribe had heard D had been working all evening which was typical of him.
Once all settled in for the night Scribe sat to himself in his room and with his quill in hoof he tickled his chin thoughtfully and attempted to write. He played the recordings over and over and replayed in his head the few movements of the colt he could recall. The more he thought the harder it was to find a fault with this hard working colt. After a few hours of stewing to himself Scribe decided that some rest might be what he needs. Although he knows he’ll probably sit all night as he always does.
***
When morning comes Scribe has barely slept but that isn’t unusual. He had started writing for himself in the night and was feeling content enough to go out and do some good work today. When he got to the hotel lobby Dove was bouncing up and down excitedly.
“Rouge said I can go! She is going out with D. Literally I think....” Dove trails off distracted.
Rouge and D were hardly a surprise to Scribe. He had known them a while and seemed well suited to each other. Although this was the first time he had heard of it. However since Dove was being a little silly he took the comment with a pinch of salt so to speak and dragged her away to the theatre before she started dithering on the subject. It took longer to get there this time as Dove had to stop and take photographs of everything. She always had a camera on her but this was the first time Scribe had seen her use it so much. Once in the theatre district he pushed his way to the rear of the theatre in question and with the same difficulty as last time dragging Dove behind him he made his way to the side door of the stage marked rehearsal. Pushing the door, Scribe can see ponies bustling around and musicians settling and dancers rushing about the stage. Out the front among the seats is Rhythm Heart. He waves to the pair and flies up to meet them.
“Glad you can make it Scribe. And oh my gosh!”
Scribe is bewildered at first then realises that Dove has leapt on Rhythm Heart.
“Oh my word I didn’t realise you were the target of interest! You finally made it to Manehatten?”
“Hang on Hang on!” Scribe halted the pair, “You know each other?”
“He was teaching in Canterlot last we met, he taught me some Salsa. That was awesome by the way.” Dove grinned.
“Yes indeed, I wish we’d kept in touch. We’ll have to catch up some time. So this is your friend then?”
Dove nodded while Scribe just laughed. “Dove you never fail to surprise me. So shall we get on with proceedings? We can maybe all go out for lunch when you have finished your shows? Get properly introduced.”
“A great idea, yes just make yourself comfortable, “Rhythm Heart points a hoof to the seats, “I’ll be on shortly.”
Dove and Scribe hover down to the audience seating. The red velvet seats in steep rows all the way up the tilted floor and then vertically in booths up the walls all around; and the musicians in a little alcove just below the stage; and the stage itself was huge and wide and massive thick curtains to match the chairs are being held up by massive gold cords. Dove sat beside Scribe and giggled with delight.
The stage lit up with a single beam of light. It focused on Rhythm Heart centre stage and stretched out boldly. Dove went instantly silent. The music started, subtly at first then built up as it reverberated around the room. Scribe fixed his eyes on the colt and he pondered on whether he should take notes, but in his heart he knew what he wanted to do.
Rhythm Heart started his performance. He was a bold colt and very flexible. He leapt and bound and spinned and flipped, and from what Scribe could tell without the use of his wings. The music pounded and the colt just kept getting faster and hitting the floor harder until the music came to a sudden and sharp stop and he was panting doing the splits on the floor. Dove bounced up and applauded excitedly. Scribe raised his hooves in support also and professionally waves Rhythm Heart down. The exhausted colt still manages to fly over excitedly.
“What did you think?” He beams.
“You are a natural. I look forward to writing this review.” Scribe confidently replied, “and speaking of this review I must be off as I have to get it written before your show! Do excuse me.” Scribe takes the colts hooves shakes them firmly and takes his leave.
Leaving Dove to beam and make odd girly noises at the colt.
Scribe had so much he wanted to say. And he had made a decision.
***
It was early in the morning and Scribe was sitting in the hotels fine dining room with a paper on his lap and a steaming cup in front of him. In the arts section was his review. His manager had yelled something fierce when he received the last minute piece before it went to print from lack of other resources.
Scribe smiled at his handiwork as he sipped his drink reclined in the chair.
In Manehatten you get the best of the best theatre. But there are very few performers that have really made the cut. However there is one colt who has made it his personal mission to climb that career ladder. And I can say that this colt does not disappoint. Full of energy and with a focus unlike any I have ever seen. He gives a performance that even the greatest of showmares would praise. Enter Rhythm Heart. Manehatten needs more talent like this. And in his showcase he displays an array of modern and show dance with the skill of an extremist earth pony and when he fully utilises his wings there are no words that can describe the elegance that this colt displays. Do not miss this show!
Author's Note
Sorry this took so long to finish it has been a very tricky few months for me.
Chapter three
Don't judge Generosity.
The weary band trotted on. Dove eventually regained the feeling in her hooves and took up the rear, Edge close beside her. Steadfast had taken the lead again and D was surprisingly chatty after having fallen off a mountain. Ahead of them in plain sight now was Ponyville. The first and most important part of their journey.
******* A bright and beautiful morning.***********
The sun rose, the birds sang and Rouge fell out of bed.
"And where are you going?" Rouge enquired.
"What are you writing?" Rouge asked.
Outside a soft breeze blew through the town and swept past the windows. A sequin blew from the boutiques doorway its shine lost in the night.