AMORE OBBLIGATO

Chapter 8: Acciaccato

The garden in the palace courtyard was always peaceful, but at night, it took on an almost ethereal quality. With the noisome birds chirping replaced with the much quieter chirping of crickets, frogs and other night creatures, it was certainly more soothing on the ears. The cooling night air created a small bank of fog that slowly spread from the pond in the center after a long, warm day, which was lit from above by the ghostly moon as it slowly traced its path across the night sky.

Celestia gazed up at the heavenly body, the sharp pain in her chest, having long since turned into a dull ache whenever she thought about her sister trapped there, which averaged to around only a few dozen times a day, rather than constantly. She sat on the carved, stone bench, letting the chill mist collect on her coat, heedless of the effect it was having on her silk dress. Besides, the chill her physical form felt was as nothing compared to the chill she felt in her heart. A stray lock of her rainbow-hued mane crossed her field of vision, temporarily blocking her view of her sister's prison, and as she brushed it out of the way with a delicate hand, her preternaturally sharp hearing perked at the distinct PLOP sound of a small stone dropping into the pond on the opposite shore.

Who could that be? The guards and the gardeners both know better than to do that, so that only really leaves... Rising to her hooves, she gave a single flap of her enormous wings, and hopped over the twenty hoof wide pond, landing on the shore where the noise originated. She knew she shouldn't be, but the alicorn was surprised to find no one there. Looking down, she noticed a patch of grass that had been tamped down and clear of dew as if someone had been recently sitting there, and a small patch of bare earth where a stone might have once been. Raising her glance to the bushes, she noted one that was also devoid of dew. Looking directly at it, she calmly said, “Come on out, Twilight. I know you're there.”

A dirty, damp, and dejected unicorn filly slowly stood and walked out from behind the lilac bush, refusing to meet her gaze. “Sorry, Princess. I didn't mean to disturb you.”

Celestia kneeled, then sat on the grass, heedless of the rising damp soaking into her dress, and of the grass that was no doubt staining the white silk, and patted the ground next to her, where Twilight had recently been sitting. “Come sit with me, Twilight. Tell me what's wrong.”

Instead of doing as asked, Twilight looked away, towards the palace, where warmer rooms awaited. “I- i- it's alright, Princess. I've already disturbed you too much lately.”

“What disturbs me,” Celestia replied with a stern, but concerned voice, “is seeing my Faithful Student so disturbed. Come. I may not always be able to help, but I will always be here to listen to you. Sometimes, all you need is for somepony to hear about your problems in order to alleviate them,” she said, patting the ground beside her once more.

Twilight bit her lower lip, debating whether or not to do as asked. In the end, the internal struggle was pointless, as she had always, and would always continue to do as her mentor asked. Using her hands to hold her skirt tight against her rear, she sat down in the grass with her knees up and her arms resting on them. She still refused to even look in Celestia's direction, even when the monarch brushed at her mane so that she could have an unrestricted view of her profile. They sat there in silence for several minutes until Twilight shattered the peace by asking, “Have you ever been in lo- er... you know.?”

“Love may be a four-letter word, but I don't object to its use in my presence,” Celestia said, which brought a twitch of a smile to Twilight's face. After another moment of silence with no sign of a follow up, she asked, “I take it, something happened between you and a pony for whom you have strong feelings?”

With a shrug, Twilight answered, “I... I guess... It's not like I told her how I feel or anything, I just...” In a fit of frustration, the filly started banging her fists against her head with alarming force. “I'm so stupid! Of course she already has a fillyfriend! How could she not? She's so incredible, and I'm just a stupid, silly, little foal! What could she possibly see in me! Even her fillyfriend is an incredible musician!”

Celestia grabbed her wrists, but not before bruises had formed on Twilight's head and her palms cut up by her own nails. “Look at me, Twilight! LOOK AT ME!” She only used a small portion of the Royal Canterlot Voice, but it had the desired effect. “You are not silly, and you are certainly not stupid! You are a brilliant, sensitive filly, and it has been my pleasure and honor to be your mentor and friend.”

Twilight sagged into Celestia's embrace, crying into her chest. “Why couldn't it have been me? Why did it have to turn out this way? It hurts so much; why does it have to hurt so much, Celestia?”

The alicorn cuddled the tiny filly. “I wish I could take away the pain, Twilight, but this is just one of the dangers of love. When you leave yourself open to the joys, it also exposes your sensitive heart to pain as well.”

Twilight pushed herself away and ran a few steps before stopping. Without turning back, she wiped at her nose with her sleeve and quietly said, “If that's the price, then it's too high for me. I want nothing more to do with it.”

Before Celestia could stand, the filly had already ran inside the palace, leaving the monarch alone in the suddenly chillier night air. “Oh, Twilight.”

(\ /)
( . .)
*(“)(“)

Spike knocked on the door before opening it. “Twi? Time to get up, or you'll be late for your last day of community service.”

An exhausted and disheveled Twilight sat up, still dressed in the dirty clothes she wore yesterday, and with her mane sticking up everywhere, making her look like she had just had a good, long fancy-kiss with a light socket. Her expression was even more tired than one would usually see after a late night study session, and the dried tracks on her face and red, puffy eyes left little doubt what had kept her up late. Stifling a yawn, she said, “I'm up, Spike.” The unicorn seriously considered playing sick, but that would just mean having to face The Princess again that much sooner. Still, I wonder what I'm going to do about O- Miss Octavia. I'm not entirely sure I can face her without bursting into tears, and that's the last thing she needs right now, a weepy foal getting underhoof mooning over her. I dunno, maybe I can get her to let me do something far away from her without making it seem like I hate her now.

Twilight trudged over to the bathroom, and almost gave a snort of laughter at the wreck that stared back at her from the mirror. Should I bother with a shower? I really don't feel like it, but... I suppose I'd better. Everything I do reflects on The Princess, and I don't want to bring her any more trouble than I already have. Besides, that rat's nest will be easier to tame wet than dry. That decided, she reluctantly brushed her teeth and got into the shower.

Showered and dressed, the filly quietly ate her breakfast with Spike, who was eying her curiously. I wonder what happened this time? She's already talked to The Princess about what Honeyed Words was doing, and got that sorted out. Maybe I should talk to The Princess again? Spike chewed thoughtfully on his breakfast, crushing the gems to a powder before swallowing. “So, how did the concert go last night? You just went to bed after getting home, and I'm curious.”

“Fine.”

Spike watched her push around her cold ceral with a spoon without actually eating any. “Fine, the concert went fine, or fine, you'll tell me, fine?”

“Went off without a hitch. Big success. Read the paper.”

Her mood was beginning to creep out the little dragon, but he persisted in trying to draw her out of her funk. “So, should I get the usual five copies for scrapbooks, and one to keep on file?”

With a ear-shattering clatter, Twilight slammed her spoon into the bowl of uneaten food and stood, her chair falling over backwards. “Do what you want. I'm going.”

The baby dragon flinched as she slammed the door shut, indicating her departure. He sat alone at the table, his stomach twisting into knots which turned the taste of his gems to ashes in his mouth. Tears streamed down his cheeks unbidden, watering down his half-full bowl of Ruby-Ohs.

(\ /)
( . .)
*(“)(“)

I shouldn't have shouted at him. He didn't deserve that. Twilight smartly rapped her knuckles against her head, the pain doing nothing to ease the ache in her chest. What is wrong with me? First The Princess, now Spike? Who's next, Mom? Dad? Shiny? She walked out of the palace, not even acknowledging the guards who saluted her, much to their surprise. Twilight was unfailingly polite to them, and this was a first, causing them to glance at each other without turning their heads.

She fairly stalked down the street, head down, and her mind in her own little world. The one time she looked up, she saw a couple sitting on a bench and being annoyingly twee, feeding one another sips from the same cup of steaming coffee. The sight brought out so many emotions within her, she immediately looked down at the sidewalk so that she would not do something she would later regret.

Spotting a can laying on the sidewalk, Twilight felt all the anger rushing up at once. Her horn lit up, sending a surge of magical energy into her leg muscles, and she kicked the can, sending it flying over a three-story building and out of sight. She was even more annoyed with herself over losing her temper when the tiny bit of violence did nothing to alleviate the bed feelings building up within her. With a grumble, she turned the corner and continued her trip to the amphitheater.

Unbeknownst to her, the can landed in an alley, knocking over a trashcan, startling a cat. Spooked, the cat ran out into the street, darting in front of a rickshaw carriage. The earth pony pulling the carriage, not wanting to run over the poor beast, tried to stop, but unfortunately, the cobblestone street was still slick with the early morning dew. As he slid, one of his hooves slipped into a gap between two stones, causing him to pivot and swing the carriage around. Sadly, the carriage was not made for these types of maneuvers, and tipped over onto its side, sliding the rest of the way down the street to the middle of the intersection.

Luckily, everypony else was able to stop, preventing a multi-vehicle pileup... until a large wagon being pulled by a team of four earth ponies entered the picture. These four were experts at their trade, and even on a bad day, were able to stop on a bit with an empty wagon and give change. With a full wagon, there might be less change, but they were still very good at their job. Regrettably, this was not the most ideal of days. Not only was the road slick, the intersection was on the down slope of a steep hill, and Bale Lift, one of the four ponies, wasn't feeling his best, only just now recovering from a bad bout of pneumonia well enough to return to work. Even worse, their wagon was not empty, but filled (overfilled, really) with almost seventy barrels of Equestria's finest molasses. To their credit, Bale Lift and his compatriots did a remarkable job, but inertia was just not on their side this day.

“Clear the way! Runaway wagon!” Barge Tote shouted from his position at the front of the wagon. He, along with his three coworkers, dug their hooves in, but knew that it would a be a futile attempt, even as they tried to save their cargo. Ponies leaped out of their path, dragging along those who were either too stunned or unable to run, leaving the abandoned carriage in the middle of the intersection. The four stevedores knew that there wouldn't be time to safely turn their wagon, but stubbornness held them from deserting their cargo until the last moment, when all four leapt free of their harnesses, allowing it to collide with the carriage, with predictable results.

The much heavier wagon smashed the rickshaw to splinters, but not without sustaining damage of its own. The front wheels collapsed under the weight of the overloaded cargo and the stress fractures sustained from the collision. Being only secured with ropes (and in insufficient numbers at that), the nearly seventy barrels slipped loose, causing a cascade of Equestria's finest molasses to roll down the street. Some smashed into other obstacles, coating it and anything (or anyone) nearby in sweet, sticky syrup. Regrettably, most of the barrels made it past the obstacles, only to fetch up against Madam Poppy's Popcorn Emporium and Professor Carver's Peanut Palace (the two, being longtime rivals in the snack food industry), smashing through their huge picture windows, just as Twilight was walking past.

Despite her funk, Twilight's bully alert spell (really, just a repurposed proximity alarm spell) warned her of the incoming danger, and as she turned, she threw up an instinctive shield spell, which smashed the barrel in front of her, coating the shield with the dark syrup, while leaving her with only a few drops to mar her clothes and coat.

The rest of the barrels smashed through the two shops like the proverbial bull in a porcelain shop. Thick oak staves splintered, kettles of popcorn erupted, and tubs of peanuts exploded under the assault, sending contents of all three everywhere, coating both customers inside the stores, and the many pedestrians without. One such individual affected was Twilight Sparkle, who, though she was able to protect herself from the front, had neglected to erect a full-body shield, and was thus covered from the rear in a molasses/popcorn/peanut mixture.

It was about then that the birds showed up.

(\ /)
( . .)
*(“)(“)

I don't believe it. I saw it with my own two eyes, and I still don't believe it. Despite having seen similar events in the past, Plain Sight was at a loss for words. It was all too fast for her to signal for help, but perhaps she could help mitigate some of the damage before it spread too far. She had her work cut out for her this time.

Ponies ran higgledy-piggledy through the streets, trying to avoid the flock of migrating swallows that had been on their way south for the winter which had stopped to rest in Canterlot as they did every autumn. The swallows were pleasantly surprised at the banquet laid out for them by the kind ponies, though they really wished that they had used a simpler distribution method than attaching the food to themselves, but then, who were they to complain? Free food, was free food, after all.

Plain Sight silently signaled to her subordinates to help calm the ponies while she tried to open a fire hydrant in order to wash off the molasses from them. Looking around, she spotted a carriage and kicked open the utility trunk. Inside, she found what she was looking for, and pulled out a star wrench. Walking back to the hydrant, she jammed it onto the nut with enough force to cold-weld them together. With a grunt, she turned the wrench, opening the hydrant, flooding the street with a geyser of water. Several ponies saw this, and eagerly ran to the torrent to wash off.

Unfortunately, this particular disaster wasn't quite through, as an enclosed wagon being hauled by a single pony turned down that same street with a downhill slope. In his defense, he did try to stop when he caught sight of the catastrophe, but the street, now being covered in molasses that was being washed away by the water from the hydrant, was far too slick, even for his regulation rubber shoes. When he tried to apply the brakes, he simply skidded sideways, crashing into a light pole, releasing his own precious cargo.

Headed to the zoo after being confined to quarantine for the requisite two weeks, cages of ring-tailed lemurs split open, allowing their occupants to run free. Having been forced to subsist for those two weeks on nothing but bland kibble and water, the lemurs immediately went for the peanuts and popcorn after the first whiff. Needless to say, the swallows weren't too happy about sharing their free meal, and made sure the lemurs knew that they were going to have to fight for every scrap.

Plain Sight looked down the street to see Twilight trying to help ponies, despite being dive-bombed by birds herself. Sadly, she was preoccupied helping an elderly mare to her hooves on the slippery sidewalk while defending them both from the swallows, and did not see the oncoming horde of hungry lemurs. The first one that leaped onto her leg caused her to let out a startled yelp. She looked down, and tried to shoo it away as it picked peanuts and popcorn off her sticky coat, so she was surprised again as the mare beside her screamed and hobbled away. Twilight looked up at her, then down the street and saw the troop of primates hopping her way just as they bowled her over, knocking her backwards into the popcorn emporium with a surprised yip.

With a groan, Plain Sight facepalmed. The paperwork today promised to be humongous.

(\ /)
( . .)
*(“)(“)

It was over two hours later when Twilight finally staggered through the amphitheater and up to Octavia, who was directing ponies again from the audience seating area. “Sorry I'm late,” she mumbled before collapsing onto the hard, cement bench.

Octavia turned, relief apparent on her face. “There you are! I was getting worried- Light! What happened to you?”

Twilight knew that she looked a fright. Her clothes were still damp in places and disheveled, her mane and tail looked more like a rat's nest than their usually carefully groomed selves, and she was obviously exhausted. She shook her head. “You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Suffice it to say that there was an accident on my way over, and I ended up trying to help clean it up. Nopony was hurt, though I'm sure the zoo will be upset that they're going to be short a lemur or two.”

Flabbergasted, Octavia stood there for a moment with her mouth hanging open. “I have no response to that,” she said after trying several times to process what she had said. With a shake of her head, she asked, “Are you alright? Do you need to rest for a bit?”

With a yawn and a dismissive wave of her hand, Twilight replied, “No, I'll be fine You need me, and I'm here. I'll manage. Do you want me to get started setting up the wiring again?” she asked as she stood up once more.

“Actually, I have something else that needs your attention,” the cellist said. “Vinyl and I noticed last night that there was a very slight hiss coming from one of the speakers. Since you know your way around a bolt meter and electronics, would you mind taking a look? You should find a box of equipment in the trap room under the stage.”

Nodding, Twilight ambled off. “Alright. I'm on it.”

“She looks like six kilotrots of bad road.”

Octavia turned to see Vinyl walking up to her. “The poor thing had a rough morning, from the sound of it.”

Vinyl smirked and rested a hand on her hip. “Is that why you gave her something easy and out of the way, or didn't ask where she disappeared to last night?”

Looking down at her clipboard which held her checklist, she shrugged, a gesture not commonly attributed to the prim and proper filly. “Partly. Her bodyguard informed me last night that she had to leave suddenly on some business with The Princess, so that was never really a mystery to me. You would have remembered that yourself, had you not chosen to over-indulge at the after party.”

“Well, somepony has to make up for little Miss Sobriety,” Vinyl replied, swinging a light punch at her fillyfriend's arm, but missing entirely, causing her to stumble. The violent move caused a stab of pain in her head, and held onto it, moaning. “Oog. Never again, Tequila. You're just not worth it the next day.”

Octavia smirked at the filly's self-inflicted pain. “You know very well that I partake; I just choose not to do so to the same extreme as you. One of us has to have the common sense in the relationship.”

The deejay wrapped her arms around Octavia's neck, drawing them both close. “Ooo... relationship. Was that an invitation to do the relations part of the word?”

Gently pushing her away, Octavia answered, “Honestly, you are as bad as any colt I have ever met. Now go finish setting up your booth or I shall assign Butterhooves the pleasure of doing it. Remember the last time he touched anything electronic?”

“Alright, alright, I'm going. No need to threaten my gear. It's never done anything to you,” Vinyl said with a smile as she backed away, returning to her work.

Octavia returned her attention to the checklist. “Now then, where were we?” As she worked, she couldn't help but wonder why Twilight had not even tried to meet her gaze this morning.

(\ /)
( . .)
*(“)(“)

“It seems like the concert is going even better than it was last night.” Spotlight said, looking over at her sullen companion.

Twilight gave a grunt and a nod, but otherwise kept her attention on the stage.

Undeterred, she plowed on, determined to see the filly smile like she did the night before. “Are those new illusions you're putting out there? The look pretty complex.”

Another grunt and nod.

They worked in silence a few more minutes before she asked, “So are you coming to the after party tonight? You were missed last time. Vinyl wanted to show off her new protégé, and got all depressed when you never showed.”

“Can't. Too much studying to do.”

Well, at least I got her to talk. “That's a shame. Still, you know that too much studying and not enjoying yourself just leads to over stressing yourself. You need to let down your mane; live a little. You don't want to burnout this early.” Spotlight glanced at the filly sideways, noting that she seemed angry all of a sudden.

“I'm fine. Thanks for your concern,” Twilight replied through clenched teeth.

Spotlight shrugged and returned her attention to the lighting board. Though the show was fairly simple as far as her own job went, she still needed to pay attention. I thought we had connected yesterday. Ah, well. Can't be friends with everyone, I guess.

(\ /)
( . .)
*(“)(“)

Twilight stared at the violin resting in the open case on the chair cross the room. From her reclined position on her bed, she could see that it wasn't settled in the case properly, perhaps because of the tin of liniment she had stowed in the small compartment. I really should put it away properly before it collects dust or gets damaged. It is The Princess', after all.

Despite her determination to do just that, she remained laying on her bed, thinking about all the reasons why she should do it, but could not find the will to actually do it. The concert had gone even better than the previous night, but Twilight was just left feeling empty inside. Sure, there was a tinge of sadness, and even a little bit of resignation, but other than that, she really felt nothing of significance. Joy, anger, frustration, all of it was just... not there.

She turned over onto her side so she wouldn't have to look at the instrument any longer. I suppose I should just go to bed. I do have school tomorrow. A deep sigh let the empty room know what she thought about that idea. Silence filled the room, until she heard the doorbell to the apartment ring. The unicorn was glad she was already facing away from her bedroom door. Maybe if I feign sleep, whoever it was will go away?

She heard Spike answer the door, despite the lateness of the hour. Had the apartment not been situated within the palace walls, she would have some choice words for him answering it at all, let alone this late. Her bedroom door was sufficiently thick enough to mute the conversation was no doubt going on. Just judging by the length it had gone on already, she could tell that there would soon be another knock at her inner door. In preparation to rebuff any advances, Twilight reached behind her with her magic and pulled the blanket over her like she was asleep.

Sure enough, there came a timid knock at the door. “Twi? You awake?”

Spike's voice was obviously nervous, and the way he almost whispered the question made her think that he was perhaps hoping that she was asleep, so he wouldn't have to confront her again. A sharp pain in her heart grew like an icicle stabbing her vital organ at the thought of the poor dragon even thinking that she didn't want him around, but still, she remained silent.

The ruse did not work, however, as the door burst open, with a voice calling out, “You can't let her wallow around, Spike! You gotta be tough, like this!”

Twilight sat up, the angry expression on her face at the interruption fading as she finally saw the owner of the voice. “Cady? What are you doing here?”

Cadance flounced down on the edge of the bed, her smile lifting Twilight's spirits just a little. “How can I not be here, when my favorite filly needs the best foalsitter in the world?”

Author's Note

Don't be too hard on Twilight, folks. The teenage years plays havoc with one's emotions, causing one to often lash out in ways that one never means.

On a lighter note, how did you like my first attempt at actually writing a Noodle Incident? I was tempted to leave it at "Then the birds came", but I knew it wasn't enough. I racked my brains for a way to make it even more outrageous, when I thought, "Monkeys! They make everything funnier!" Then the image of a troop of lemurs hopping towards Twilight with the intent of feeding off the food stuck to her was just too funny to not include.