Downcast Question

A well-dressed middle-aged man is sitting in Vice Principal Luna’s office, discussing a sort of agreement between them. This man was supposed to meet with Principal Celestia to discuss these terms, but in an unfortunate twist of events, she contracted an illness that had left her bed-ridden. So it was Luna’s responsibility to oversee this meeting in her sister’s place. And Celestia remained in constant contact through the revolutionary advances in modern social media.

The man in focus was personally representing a boy band by the name of Downcast Question. They were a commercially successful boy band consisting of five young men of varying ages who sang together. Over the years, they had released three studio albums and made numerous live radio appearances. However, one thing set them apart from the rest of the boy bands this world had brought forth.

For no reason anyone could guess, and no reason the band ever revealed, they were extremely careful about concealing their identities. They never disguised their voices, but they always went by stage names so that their real ones would never be publically documented. And whenever they went out of the studio to do a radio appearance, they always made sure their faces were covered by a mask or some other disguise. And whenever they shot a music video, they wore heavy stage makeup prosthetics to render their faces unrecognizable. And they never toured because they feared that they would be involved in some tabloid scandal that threatened them unless their identities were revealed. Downcast Question never wanted anyone other than their record producer and their external business representative to know their true identities. you’ll find out why later.

Downcast Question had finally decided to come out on their very first tour, and they chose Canterlot to be their first venue, where they would also be recording a live album. This meeting was set up so that Principal Celestia would meet with Downcast Question’s external business representative, Cheese Sandwich, and discuss exactly what the band had in mind for this performance. They were extremely flexible about most things, but there were certain little details that some of them were very solidified about. There will be no need to discuss them now as they are not relevant at the current moment.

Anyway, there were business talks, some negotiation, some disagreeing, and some explanation as to why certain things had to be certain ways. They eventually came to terms with one another. A lawyer was called to draw up the contract for the boys to look over. Cheese Sandwich was to stop by the next day, either with the contract signed and agreed to or with some suggested modifications.

Long story short, they eventually came to an agreement, a contract was signed, and Principal Celestia had something amazing to report to her students.

“Attention, Canterlot students,” Celestia said over the intercom. “How many of you are familiar with a boy band called ‘Downcast Question’?”

The reaction was so loud, it caused the whole school to shake, even caused a hairline fracture in the office window. She knew that the band was a big thing, especially at this school, but she never knew just how much the students truly praised them. Celestia just decided to continue with her announcement.

“Well, they’ve officially announced that they are coming forth with a world tour, and they want a live album recorded at Canterlot High to start the ball rolling.”

Canterlot High had never had such a joyous energy ever. The students were so meticulous about making a good impression on their favorite musicians, the janitors threatened to go on strike in they weren’t allowed to do their jobs any longer. Even so, female students were counting the moments before those five guys would walk thro the door and sign every single piece of exposed skin so they had an excuse never to shower. Male students, even struggling through a pang of jealousy, were working on their athletics to keep the guys in shape from the girls they’d be running from and musical abilities to try and get references for record labels.

The Rainbooms, however, were somewhere directly in the middle. Each of them had a favorite member of the group, and they were hoping that by gaining their trust with their music, they might win a date with their favorite members. And possibly even be an opening act which would lead to a solo solo career. They met in their usual practice space to have one of their discussions.

“Hoo-wee!” Applejack proclaimed excitedly. “What it would be like to see Downcast Question right here, live in person. That sure is something I don’t think anyone in their right mind would miss.”

Rainbow Dash was busy tuning her guitar as she responded. “Yeah, they’re pretty cool. I’m just hoping that X-Ray’s as cool as they say he is.”

Sunset Shimmer snickers at that comment and Rainbow Dash looks at her, confused.

“What’s so funny?”

“If you pay any attention to anything the guys have talked about in radio interviews,” Sunset proud that she had done her share of research, “you’d know that he’s a hopeless romantic. He’s a sucker for chick flicks and believes in the one soulmate meant for each of us.”

“What are you talking about. You’ve seen the way he acts in those music videos. The way he always goes around, flashing chicks a nice smile, always trying to be the absolutely coolest there is and nothing less.”

“A-and then finds one girl and settles down with her and no one else ever,” Fluttershy adds.

“Shut up, Fluttershy. He’s mine.”

“I-I know. I’m actually more into George.”

“George?!” Everybody was very shocked to hear this, and Fluttershy did her trademark hide-behind-her-hair tactic to isolate herself. Rainbow actually walks over and give it to her straight.

“Fluttershy. Friend. Sister. What exactly could you see in him? He’s totally boring.”

“Boring? From a purely musical standpoint, he’s the single most important member of the band. He does all the musical arrangements and writes a lot of their work.” Fluttershy was blushing like a fiery inferno at this point. “Sure would like a few tips from him.”

“Dash, don’t get on to her because she likes someone you don’t.” Applejack was fed up with the hostility. “Everyone has preferences, and just because hers are different doesn’t require all this yelling.”

“You’re one to talk. You’ve fallen for the man from Mars.”

“He ain’t from Mars. Marv Shin is his stage name. And he never hides anything. He always tells it like it is, and I respect that. That quality isn’t often found in musicians these days.”

“And yet they always lie about their names.” Sunset Shimmer decides to interject.

“It’s for security purposes. If they revealed their personal information, then people would be huddled by their doorstep every morning. I can imagine how irritating that would be.” AJ always had an explanation for such things.

“Well, darling,” Rarity joins in with, “I can understand that they enjoy their privacy, especially since they are huge celebrities, but whenever they get asked a personal question, they seem to flip out. George nearly hospitalized their last interviewer because of a comment he made.”

“Yeah, ‘Shy. Aside from being boring, he’s a complete psychopath.” Rainbow Dash, always quick to come to conclusions like that.

“I-I’m sure he has his reasons. That comment must have triggered a bad memory or something.”

They were complicated individuals indeed. But let’s not delve too far into that. There’s a story that needs to be told.