Professionalism

This is the end. We go softly. One of the maestro’s hooves met the floor, the low hum of the basses and cellos fading off into silence, leaving only the faint, almost angelic high C to fill the void of the silenced strings. The stallion’s other hoof returned to the ground as the sopranos lessened their dynamic, their voices also fading to nothing as an almost eerie emptiness filled the room. A ghost of a smile could be seen on the young stallion’s face as he turned to bow to the audience, speaking to the crowd after the applause was finished. “With that, I thank you all for coming, and I bid you all safe travels and a good rest of the evening.” His russet eyes came to a close as he trotted down from the stage…

It’s been a long time since I’ve conducted with an orchestra and choir simultaneously…not that I don’t enjoy it. I suppose it's more that I’m not used to it…although… The stallion listened to the flood of positive comments coming from those leaving the concert hall, his smile only growing larger as he heard the various compliments being tossed in their direction. I do well enough, I suppose. Of course, it’s not me; it’s the orchestra and choir. I guide. They act. Opening his eyes, he watched as the members of the choir and orchestra flooded upstairs to grab their things before leaving, gaze moving to the doors. I’d like to congratulate them on a show well done, but…right now, all I want to do is just get some sleep. I’m beat…

Beginning to trot outside of the concert hall, he looked at the sky. Luna, you did a good job with the sky tonight. The stars are shining bright and there's not a cloud in the sky…though, I suppose I have the pegasi to thank for that last bit, instead. A low chuckle left his mouth, rich Canterlot dialect shining through for a moment before he yawned, his body slightly sore from the day’s events.

Manehattan was bustling, even at nighttime; an abundance of carriages awaited both performers and attendees alike, and smiles were in even greater quantity…but the maestro had no such method of transport. It’d be nice to get a ride, but…I know my hotel’s not too far. Aching or not, I’ll walk. Keeping a small smile on his face, he walked away from the concert hall, looking back…

Just about a year, it’s been. Conducting in that concert hall…it’s home. Well, as close to “home” as I’ll get anymore, anyway…mother and father were never exactly fond of my talent. Though I should count my blessings; I finally got to get some exercise for once. A chuckle escaped his lips as he walked into the shadows, black mane and tail blending in with the darkness. It’s good to be back.

Above the usual chatter of the city, the conductor noticed something quite unusual…someone wearing a dark robe. In the midst of a summer night, no less. What…? The stallion paused, the mare continuing to walk toward him as his mind raced for a moment…

"You’re Maestro Step Lock, aren’t you?" The voice was definitely female, that much could be certain…and upon closer inspection, she had very bright yellow eyes, as if she could cry gold at any moment. She seemed as wary as he did…well, almost as wary. Step pulled out his conducting baton, looking over at the mare with an eyebrow raised in an attempt to look threatening, expecting a fight…

Only to have the mare’s horn glow with a golden hue, the baton being lifted into the air and smacking his forehead as she removed the hood on her robe. The mare’s mint green coat, along with her lighter green and white mane seemed to shine in the dark. A grin was plastered onto her face as she levitated the baton out of his reach, the stallion quickly standing on his hind hooves to grab it. Leaping into the air, he swore he had gripped it…only to fall flat onto the concrete, Lyra withholding her laughter as he clutched his stomach. “You’re a funny one. You think a conducting baton’s going to save you? What if I knew how to fire magic blasts or something?” Giggling, she gave the baton back to the maestro, who promptly placed it in his coat pocket as he stood up, a tad irritated at the strange mare.

“Well, your appearance didn’t exactly help my nerves; wearing a robe in the middle of a dimly lit Manehattan sidewalk? You must be a revolutionary in the fashion industry,” The maestro snidely remarked, the mare loudly laughing as she wrapped a hoof around his neck.

“Oh, you’ve got wit. I like you already, y’know that?” She bumped flanks with him, following his lead as he began to trot forward. “Say, where’re ya headed? Home?” A small smile lit his face as he spotted the hotel just a block down…

“Not quite, but you’re not exactly wrong. Given that you’ve been talking to me for this long, I presume you have some sort of business with me, correct?” Step raised an eyebrow quizzically at the mare, who chuckled as she moved a hoof to gently ruffle his mane.

“There’s something I'm here for, yeah…but we gotta take this to your room. It’s something important, so this needs to be on the down low, got it?” She raised an eyebrow over at the maestro, who replied with a curt nod before fixing his coiffure.

“Understood.” The duo entered the hotel, Step unlocking the door and entering the room before looking at the mysterious mare…

Her horn began to glow brightly, and the light expanded throughout the room to envelop it completely, the mare taking off her robe, revealing a saddlebag with a letter sticking out of it. “My name’s Lyra Heartstrings. I’m one of the String players for the Royal Orchestra, and I’m here instead of Princess Moonbutt because she’s busy with some other things.” Lyra smiled, watching as Step Lock’s professional facade immediately shattered.

The stallion's russet eyes widened as he struggled to fully grasp the situation, bowing respectfully. “You...I didn't recognize you in the darkness, Ms. Heartstrings! Oh, it's an-” Lyra quickly slapped his muzzle with the rolled up scroll, a faux stern, professional glare directed at the young maestro.

“Shh. I'm going to get serious because this is supposed to be read 'with great importance', or something like that. Nothing personal.” Her smile disappeared as she cleared her throat, opening the letter and starting to read the contents.

“'To Maestro Step Lock,' that's you, by the way...” The maestro ignored the small jab with a smile, trying his very best to not interject as she continued. “'We have heard of your skill as a conductor at such a young age, and are enthusiastic to see how you would guide our Royal Orchestra; should you choose to accept, Ms. Lyra Heartstrings-'” The mint green mare gestured to herself, smiling as she noticed Step trying (and failing) to contain his excitement by shuffling about. “'will guide you to the train station in the morning. You will receive further instructions when at Canterlot. We hope to see you tomorrow, and congratulate you on this opportunity. Yours truly, Princess Luna: Lunar Manipulator, Co-Ruler of Equestria'-blah, blah, titles and stuff. So, this is your chance to be-”

“YES!” Step's voice boomed as he jogged in place, unable to contain his excitement any longer. “Oh, yesyesyesyesyes**, I accept the position!” The stallion's usually low voice shot up several octaves before he quickly covered his mouth and cleared his throat. “I-I mean, yes. It would be an honor and a privilege, Ms. Heartstrings.” He began to calm down, his voice returning to it's normal pitch slowly as his grin turned into a calm smile (though one that was on the verge of looking creepy as opposed to legitimately happy).

“Now now, calm down...you're lucky I soundproofed the room before I read the letter, y'know. We don't wanna leak any information.” Lyra smiled, sitting down on the hotel bed and looking over at him. “I'll spend the night here, if that's fine. Make whatever peace you have with the ponies here in Manehattan; you won't be coming back here for a long time; a year, I'd say.” The suited stallion bobbed his head, taking off his suit and starting to walk out of the room.

“Understood. I'll be back in just a few moments, Ms. Heartstrings.” The mare looked over at Step, smiling as she casually walked up to the door.

“Just 'Lyra' is fine. Ya don't need to be so formal; I got a feeling we'll be good friends, you and I.” She smiled, watching him leave before settling down on his bed, closing her eyes. If he's this excited for the invitation, I wonder how excited he'll be when he gets there. Newbie's gonna love it.