AMORE OBBLIGATO

Chapter 1: Intro

Trotting through the halls of the prestigious Celestia's School of Gifted Unicorns, she couldn't help but feel a little out of place. The stares she garnered, while not exactly hostile, certainly did not make her feel welcome. Granted, you could count the number of earth ponies she had encountered thus far on one hand (and most of those were of the custodial variety), but that hardly excused the reception Octavia was receiving. Just ignore them. I am sure they shall change their tune once I post my flier. She knew that among the many things “upper class” unicorns liked to do, the thing that topped that list was to put on airs of being higher station than they actually were, and one of the best ways to do that was to host a party with live chamber music, or better still, learn to play a classical instrument.

Finally reaching the bulletin board, she searched the cork board, looking for a free space. Just out of curiosity, she read a few of the other notices, smirking at some of them and the odd things they brought to attention, such as advertisements for horn filing workshops and spell duels all competed with the usual things one would find on any bulletin board in a typical school. She shook her head and pulled a couple of pins, tacking her flier to the cork.

QUARTET FOR HIRE

Experienced high school string quartet (two violins, viola, cello) available for parties.
Demo tape available upon fee negotiation.
Also available for tutoring.

Interested parties should leave contact information with classical music teacher at Canterlot High.

Octavia gave a satisfied nod and walked away, confident that with the money she was about to earn, she could finally afford the entry fee to the distinguished music conservatory in distant Prancylvania. With a degree from a school like that, the Canterlot Philharmonic Orchestra would be begging her to play for them.

A few students gathered when she left to read her notice, but walked away disappointed when they read it. The hall cleared of traffic as the last few stragglers left for the day, leaving a lone filly free to go at her own pace without fear of being jostled or hurried along. She was much smaller than the average high school student, but that was only to be expected, being that she was the school's only thirteen year-old senior. Twilight silently sighed in relief at the end of another day without too much obfuscated bullying. Only two shoulder bumps (along with the expected dropping of her books) and three glares marred this otherwise superior day of learning.

The purple filly was in such a good mood, that she hummed a few bars of Bock's Minuet. She walked up to the bulletin board and tacked up a tiny, obscure little note declaring that tutoring lessons in magic and math were now available, and was just as quickly, on her way again.

From the shadows of a column, stepped a gray earth pony filly on the cusp of adulthood and trotted up to the board, silent as a cat. She took down the notice that Twilight had left and put it into her pocket. She was about to continue on her way, when she noticed the flier Octavia had left. Reading it to herself, she murmured, “Hm. She has shown an interest in music lately; probably because of the symphony the princess had taken her to last month.” After memorizing it, she adjusted her flatcap as she stepped through the doors, a new mission in mind after making sure Twilight reached the palace unmolested.

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Twilight walked into the princess' parlor unannounced, as she had been given permission to do just that at any time the alicorn was present. The filly smiled beatifically at the monarch; she found it difficult to do otherwise when she was in Her presence. She noted the door on the opposite side closing with a quiet CLICK as she approached the reclining princess on a divan. “I- I didn't interrupt anything, did I, Princess?”

It was hard to not take notice of the fearful quaver in the filly's voice, but Celestia's soothing, melodic tone calmed her as usual. “Of course not, My Faithful Student. It was merely a servant wondering if our usual after-school tea was going to be canceled since you were so late.” Indeed, the still steaming pot of tea as well as a small plate of shortbread cookies and two cups occupied the table before the divan. Celestia patted the cushion next to her and smiled at Twilight.

Nervously taking the offered seat, the unicorn stammered an apology. “I- I- I'm sorry, Princess. I was delayed by an accident in the hallway. Three laundry carts had somehow crashed, creating a huge mess. I tried to help as fast as I could, but there was just so much laundry, and then it needed to be refolded, and-”

Celestia placed a finger on Twilight's lips, silencing her before she could really get rolling. “It's alright, Twilight. And what did I say about titles in private?”

“S- sorry, Pr- Celestia,” Twilight replied, stumbling over the name which she was unaccustomed to using without her title as well.

With a smile, Celestia gently tousled the unicorn's hair, careful to not put it into too much disarray. Lifting the plate with her magic, she offered them to Twilight, who sheepishly took one and nibbled on it. “Now, then. Before you tell me all about your day, I have an important announcement. I believe it is time to move on to the next phase of your culture education. To that end, I shall be hiring a music tutor for you.”

Twilight's eyes had gone wide with excitement when she had mentioned education, but fell a little when the education involved learning music. “Um...”

“Yes, Twilight?” Celestia asked, already knowing the objection that was coming.

Licking her parched lips, Twilight hesitantly ventured, “Not that I don't appreciate the trouble you through for me, and I want to learn as much as I can about everything, but...”

“Go on.”

“Well, it's just...” Twilight's hands fidgeted in her lap as she sought the words that eluded her. “Well, I'm not the most... musically inclined. I would hate to waste your money or the tutor's time when they might be able to teach students with... talent.”

Celestia silently considered this as she poured tea for the two of them, adding two lumps of sugar in both cups. After taking a sip, she said, “Twilight, did you ever hear the phrase, 'the magic of music'?”

Twilight nodded and immediately went into lecture mode. “I've often heard the phrase, and usually attributed it to the way music always seems to make ponies want to dance or sing along with it. Professor Bluegrass actually gave a lecture in which-”

“Have you ever considered that there might be actual magic in music?” Celestia interrupted.

As per usual, when presented with a new, possibly game-changing notion, the unicorn filly didn't even bother with an inner dialogue, unintentionally including her mentor in her thought process. “Well, I suppose the harmonic resonance of a spell's magical energy could be construed as music if one looks at it at just the right angle. Hmm. Now that you mention it, the mental pathways for some spells often resemble the Asymmetrical Rondo of ABACADAE, or even the Developmental Form's motifs. Interesting. I hadn't considered this before...” Her horn lit as she floated some paper and a pencil over from a bureau that Celestia always kept well stocked in case of Twilight's spontaneous inspiration. She began furiously writing down ideas and notations, stopping only when she felt Celestia rest a hand on her shoulder, pulling her from her reverie instantly.

Smiling gently down at her, Celestia said, “I'm a bit surprised that you hadn't already come to this conclusion on your own, but I suppose we all have our blind spots. Even Star Swirl was renowned for his rich baritone singing voice. This is the other reason I wanted you to learn a musical instrument, and if this works out well, a choral tutor later on.”

The mention of Twilight's second role model caused her to blush with embarrassment. “I thought it was just an apocryphal rumor meant to make him into even more of a legend than he was; kind of like how when Commander Hurricane was born, the hurricane that had been going on outside her home disappeared.”

“Oh, that happened, too,” Celestia said, smiling at the look of astonishment on her student's face. “However, it was because I had diverted it away from populated lands, not because she had somehow absorbed it's energy, as the legend goes.”

Twilight grinned at the monarch's careful delay of information, but the grin quickly faded. “Do... do you really think I can do it? My dance tutor said I had two left hooves, and a big part of music is rhythmic. I think he still has bruises on his shins, as a matter of fact.”

Celestia cupped Twilight's cheek in her palm, bringing their gazes into line. “Twilight, what does the cutie mark on your hip symbolize?”

Swallowing hard, the nervous filly replied, “M- magic?”

“And what have we just been discussing?”

Still caught by Celestia's pale magenta eyes, it took Twilight a moment to comprehend what she was saying. When the words finally sank in, her eyes widened. “This changes everything, Celestia! I have to work on a spell allowing me to better see the flow of magic within music!” She grabbed the sheet of paper again, kneeling down to use the low coffee table as a desk as she worked out new formulae. "Let's see. If I start with an Arc Thrower's Heightened Perception, and then tweak the visual spectrum to-”

Lost to her newest project, Twilight all but ignored Celestia, who was content to sit and watch the young genius warp and twist another unicorn's most prized work to suit her own purpose. Celestia knew that Arc Thrower would have been appalled at how the filly practically turned the careful equations over which he had sweated for years inside out, and made them dance to her tune as easily as if she were calling out the moves for a square dance. Her heart swelled with pride at how easily it all came to the child prodigy, and mentally congratulated herself once more for spotting the vast potential within her.

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Walking up to the music room, Octavia straightened her school uniform before clearing her throat and knocking. The distinctly male voice of her classical music teacher answered from the other side, “Enter.”

Octavia walked in, quietly closing the door behind her. “You wished to see me, Professor Staccato?”

The old earth pony stallion sat on one of the many chairs next to another student who strangely enough, wasn't in uniform, but wearing street clothes. He rose as his star pupil came forward and offered her the chair he had just vacated. “Ah, Miss Melody. Do come in and have a seat. There's someone here interested in the flier you've been putting up all around town for the past few days.”

Octavia examined the gray filly before her with a critical eye, wondering if she could even afford her string quartet, much less whether or not she was throwing the kind of party appropriate for one. Aside from her gray, piebald coat, there was something decidedly odd about her. Still standing, she offered her hand to the stranger. “A pleasure, Miss?” she asked.

“Plain Sight,” replied the filly, who took her hand and gave a firm, but carefully measured handshake. “Likewise, I'm sure. I understand that you're available for tutoring.”

Staccato smiled and backed away. “I'll just leave you two to your negotiations, then. Good luck to you both.”

After he had left and closed the door behind himself, Plain Sight said, “Your teacher seems to think very highly of you, you know. Calls you his 'favorite prodigy'.”

“It would be the height of hubris to extoll my own virtues, but I would say that I am well above average in terms of musical talent,” Octavia replied as they both took their seats. “In what instrument are you interested? I can teach you any stringed instruments as well as some brass and woodwind. Anything else I imagine we could muddle through, but it would be less than ideal.”

Plain Sight smiled, but the expression never really reached her eyes. “I'm afraid you misunderstand. I'm not seeking a tutor for myself, but for my charge.”

Octavia arched an eyebrow at her. “Your 'charge'? Are you a noble's servant?”

“In a manner of speaking,” Plain Sight replied. She opened her denim jacket and pulled out a wallet. Opening it, she displayed a Royal Warrant token. The other mare's eyes widened, a natural reaction, as such things were not often seen by the populous unless a pony was in trouble. “Relax, you're not in trouble, but I needed to prove my authority, so that I can be sure that you realize how important this job could be. Do you still feel up to tutoring, knowing this?”

The musician looked out the window, watching the students loitering outside as they waited for classes to start. Two things kept repeating themselves as she watched. If I do this, it could only help my reputation, and make for a good extra credit on my applications. And think of the money! Royal Warrants are only issued to the princess' most trusted ponies, so she is likely here on her orders. The Royal Vault, while not bottomless, could certainly withstand any fee I could request. Whoa, girl. Get a hold of yourself. Get too greedy, and they shall just find somepony else to do it for cheaper. In any case, we still do not know for whom this offer is made. If it is the princess herself... I do not know if I could withstand that. She cleared her throat and asked, “May I ask for whom these lessons will be?”

Plain Sight grinned at her devilishly. “I can tell you right now that it's probably not for who you're thinking.” Her grin softened a little, becoming a little less shark-like when she noticed the other filly relax just a little. “The princess is already an accomplished musician, and likely has more experience at it than your entire orchestra combined, teacher included. No, it's not the princess, but it is the pony that's gotten closest to her in centuries, maybe even longer. Still interested?”

Right away, Octavia knew of whom they were speaking. There was only one pony in the world that was openly doted upon by the princess, and had been seen at her side at royal functions more often as of late. The cellist had not seen much of her in person, indeed, the public at large shared that condition, but everyone in Equestria knew of Twilight Sparkle, the magical prodigy that had caught Celestia's eye, and secured the most coveted position in all the land. The princess' protégée wielded a considerable amount of clout, if only due to her unique situation. This was definitely a feather in her cap that Octavia could not afford to pass up, especially if she managed to make a decent musician of the unicorn. Looking her guest in the eye, she replied, “I believe I have both the time, and the wherewithal to accept this position.”

Plain Sight clapped her hands together and rubbed them appreciatively. “Fantastic! Now about your fee. I believe that fifty bits per hour is standard, and is quite generous for a high school tutor, yes?” She smiled a bit at Octavia's wide eyed nod, then said, “However, the princess has authorized me to tell you that if your student's progress reaches a certain level of skill by the end of the year, a special bonus is to be given to you. A sort of ah, incentive for you. She will of course, have her own incentive to perform well, and is suitably motivated and excited to begin her lessons. Does this sound fair to you?”

To say that Octavia was flabbergasted would have been a vast understatement. Fifty bits? And a bonus? Her mind was all a whirl with all that she could afford with that much when she left for the conservatory. Why, that would cover a very large portion of the costs her scholarships didn't. She could even afford to eat real food almost everyday instead of having to subsist off of ramen and pizzas! Shaking her head, she nodded. “Er, yes, that sounds generous. Thank you.”

“Oh, don't thank me yet. Wait until you've actually started tutoring her. She can be a very... demanding pupil.” With that last ominous warning, Plain Sight stood and walked to the door. She had placed her hand on it, but paused and turned to face her again. “Two last things. One; report to the palace tomorrow at three-thirty pm, sharp. This is an instance where punctuality counts for a lot, and not just with the princess. And two; do not mention the word, 'tardy'. Your student has a... thing about that word.” The filly gave a visible shudder as she walked out the door, leaving Octavia, who now had all the coherent speech capability of a stunned brick.

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Trotting at a brisk pace, Twilight quickly made her way through the streets of Canterlot. Despite her eagerness to get to her new tutor, she couldn't help but think of all the things that could go wrong. What if I have no musical talent? Will that hinder my studies in magic? What if The Princess decides to stop mentoring me if I fail? This last thought made her shudder in fear. There was truly nothing scarier to her than failing her idol, and there were almost no lengths to which she wouldn't go to avoid doing so.

So wrapped in her own thoughts was she, that she hadn't even noticed that she had arrived at the palace. As she made her way to her apartment, she briefly considered changing out of her school clothes, but after noting the time, decided to just drop off her books and have a quick visit with Spike before heading over to the room Celestia had set aside for the new lessons. She walked into the apartment and called out, “Spike, I'm home!”

A purple, scaled head poked out from the balcony above, and he smiled down at her. “Hey, Twi. Good day at school?”

Twilight smiled up at him, happy to see the first genuinely friendly face since she left the palace this morning. “So-so. I told you about the new tutor yesterday, right?”

“And the day before that, and the day before that. Honestly, Twi, I wouldn't have forgotten since you reminded me this morning, neither,” the dragon replied in an exasperated sigh as he walked down from the upstairs library.

“Either,” she automatically corrected. “We speak The Princess' Equish in this home.” Plopping her backpack on the coffee table, she pulled out a thin folder, and placed it down. “Here's today's lessons for you, Spike. Some algebra, history and general science.” She put a finger to her chin in thought, before digging out a few loose papers and added them to the folder. “Better put some Equish work in there, if you still can't tell either from neither.”

Spike groaned as he plopped down on a chair nearby. “Aw, come on, Twi; it was just a slip of the tongue. Besides, you're already giving me algebra. You know how much I hate math, and now you're adding Equish on top of all that?”

Twilight shook her head and sat on the couch facing the table to start sorting through the papers in the folder. “I'm sorry, but I will not have our language butchered like that. The Princess entrusted you into my care, and I take my role as your guardian and teacher very seriously.” She noticed him sulking on the chair, and gave his head spines a ruffle. “Cheer up, Spike. Once you pass the standard mathematics course test, I won't make you learn any more math, unless it's necessary for my research projects.”

The dragon took little comfort in this proclamation. “Yeah, I'll bet you intentionally pick projects that require me learning more math, too,” he muttered under his breath.

“What was that?” Twilight asked, despite hearing him clear as day.

Spike quickly clammed up, saying only, “Nothing!”

Twilight saw that he really was feeling down, and decided to ease up on him a little. “Alright, Spike. We'll leave the Equish lesson for its normally scheduled time, but be prepared for a lot of vocabulary work,” she said as she took the newest papers back out of the folder and returned them to her backpack.

Surprised at her sudden leniency, the little dragon sat up straight and smiled at her. “Thanks, Twi! Oh! By the way, the book you asked for from the archives came today while you were in school. I put it on your desk.”

“The one on music theory? Already?” the young scholar asked in surprise.

Spike shook his head. “No, the one on ancient Equestrian artifacts. Remember, you asked to be put on the waiting list for that one almost a year ago?”

Twilight shook her head in amusement. “Spike, six months is hardly a year,” she said sardonically.

“Close enough,” Spike grumbled as he hopped off the chair and made his way to the small kitchen.

Twilight slumped back on the couch, just relishing the comfort that came with sprawling out and lazing about for a moment before wading back into the fray that was academia. A sudden thought occurred to her, and she glanced over at the calendar, noting that today had been circled. “Ooo, that's right. I almost forgot about tonight,” she said to herself. In a louder voice, she called out towards the kitchen as she stood once more with a grunt. “I have to go to my lesson now, Spike. Could you clean up the big telescope? I don't want to miss the meteor shower that's supposed to happen tonight.”

Spike poked his head out of the kitchen. “I thought your lesson wasn't until four?”

“Yes, but I want to make a good first impression and show that I'm serious about this; being early is one of the best ways to do that,” she replied as she walked past him. She paused long enough to give him a quick hug before moving on, leaving a confused assistant in her wake.

Holding out the plate of celery and a glass of tomato juice. He looked down at the items with undisguised disgust. “Great. What am I supposed to do with this junk?”

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Octavia nervously surveyed the room once again, taking in all the musical instruments. When she had requested them from Plain Sight upon arriving so that she might ascertain just which instrument would be Twilight's forte, she had expected some beat up second hand pieces, perhaps missing parts, and only a few of them. What she got instead, was a good sampling of the sorts of instruments one might find in any orchestra. What's more, they all appeared to be well used, but also lovingly cared for. A sudden thought that they might be Celestia's personal instruments was quickly and ruthlessly squashed. No way could she keep her mind on the job if such was the case.

To ease her nerves, she came up to the cello and sat down on the chair behind it. Taking up the bow, she gave the instrument a few experimental strokes, tuning it by ear as she went. Once it was perfect, she began playing a favorite piece of hers. She was well into the music, and so was understandably startled when the door opened and a young purple unicorn filly walked in. She was dressed in the uniform of a student of Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns and a very surprised look on her face.

She gently set aside the cello and stood tall. With a nod, she said, “Ah, Miss Sparkle. Welcome to the first of what I hope will be many lessons.”

Twilight just stood and stared in shock.

Author's Note

Thought I'd try a little something different with this one, and make the characters anthro. It's been a while since I last wrote a story centering around humanoids, and wanted to stretch those muscles again. I hope y'all don't mind. If nothing else, it should prove interesting writing about ponies with hands, trying to keep all the pronouns and idioms straight. Also, that cover art is a work in progress. The next few updates may take longer than a week to upload while I continue to work on it.