Unsung Melodies

UNSUNG MELODIES - Rain, Beat Down

The little filly paused at the sound of the rain against her window, flinching at the sudden boom of thunder. Another scheduled thunderstorm ... that would make it the second one this week. Closing her book with a snap, she jumped up from her bed and trotted over to the window, pressing her muzzle up against the glass. Outside, Ponyville was drenched in rain, the streetlights casting a warm glow over the townsfolk as they enjoyed the wet weather. Ponies trotted along, kicking up water as they went, laughing and talking.

Her wings twitched as she saw a few pegasi darting about in the overcast sky, and she sighed wistfully. It would be nice to be out enjoying the weather, instead of being shut away inside the castle. Thing was, she could only go out if Spike or Starlight were with her, just to make sure she didn’t do anything too ... dangerous. She’d go stir-crazy if she had to stay inside for one more storm. She loved the rain.

One more storm... it’s just one more storm.

Humming quietly to herself, she trotted through the castle, eyes closed as she listened to music only she could hear. Her feathers rustled as she walked, creating a backdrop for the melody that rang through her head; brand new and totally unsung. An unsung melody.

Her mother didn’t like her singing, so she kept it locked up until Twilight was away on friendship quests; or away in Canterlot. And though her hooves itched and her heart burned with the longing to learn to play an instrument, she couldn’t. Music fell in the same category but, strangely enough, only the songs she sang when they popped into her head. Twilight was terrified of those songs.

“-And Star, have you seen the latest comic?” Spike’s voice asked. “It’s so out-of-this-world! Like, spaceships and secret agents, y’know?”

Starlight giggled. “Sounds pretty epic – I’ve always wanted to try my hoof at writing a novel like that but I’ve never had the chance.”

Spike chuckled. “Why don’t you try? Some talents aren’t defined by our destinies. You and I know that, so why not?”

“I...I can only try, right? I’ll give it a shot. So, spaceships and secret agents, huh? Is that the latest in comics?”

“Uh-huh! Even in 'Batmane' – there’s an alternate timeline branching off; I can’t wait to see where they take it!”

“So the writers have gone for the multiverse theory route? Fascinating!” she exclaimed. “I’ll have to check it out!”

The filly laughed as she followed her friends’ voices towards Spike’s room, pausing to stop and listen to make sure she was headed in the right direction. After all, even with all the signs and variations in crystal colouration, it was hard to locate rooms in this vast, and often confusing, palace she’d grown up in. She had no idea how Spike managed it so well – she was more like Starlight, still getting lost on the rarest occasion. The pink mare was her best friend - she’d seen Spike and Starlight as the siblings she’d never had since she was seven.

And she wasn’t alone in that. Spike viewed her as his baby sister; his little Diva. He watched over her when Twilight and Star couldn’t; sneaking her out of the castle under the guise of visiting Fluttershy or the Apple family, and then cutting across town to see Pinkie at Sugarcube Corner instead. And sometimes they did go visit Fluttershy on Tuesdays – she found Discord hilarious, even if Spike was more than a little wary of the draconequus. He was quirky and strange; and she wasn’t sure life in Ponyville would be the same without him.

Her hooves sounded loud on the crystal floor, a two-beat clip-clop rhythm that made her start bopping along, humming rising in pitch as she threaded her way along the corridor. With a hop, skip and a jump, she skidded to a halt outside Spike’s room, nudging the door open with her nose. Starlight looked up in surprise, her eyes widening in delight when she saw her stick her head in, and waved.

“Melodia! I thought I could hear you! What’s the song called this time?” she asked, grinning at her.

She ducked her head, blushing behind a curtain of hair. “‘One More Storm’,” she replied shyly.

Spike chuckled, sliding off his bed. “Inspired by the weather, Diva?” he teased. “Good thing your mother’s not around, huh?”

“Mm-hmm. And speaking of the weather ... I’m going stir-crazy. Can we get out of here?”

“Do you even have to ask? Of course we can!” he exclaimed. “You coming with us, Star?”

The mare nodded vigorously. “Sure! As long as we grab a bite to eat from Sugarcube Corner and stop by the Boutique, sure!”

Melodia bounced, grinning. “I bet Rarity will love that! And who can say no to one of Pinkie’s triple-chocca-locca cakes?”

“Not me!” Starlight replied with a giggle. “We’ll split it! What do you think, Diva?”

“Sounds like a plan!” she chirped. “Anyone up for a rain dance on the way?”

“I know I am!” Spike cheered. “Let’s go!”

Laughing, the three friends took off through the castle, slipping and sliding as they raced to see who could make it the entrance first. Having polished crystal floors was so awesome sometimes – they could skate even when it wasn’t winter and they didn’t have to worry about bundling up to do it either. And it was just as much fun, too. Perfect for the crazy competitions they held in the dead of the night.

Melodia would have won, but Spike beat her to it; darting in low to slide to the finish line. Starlight got her revenge in spectacular style; wrenching the doors open so that they swung forward on their hinges and sent a startled dragon bouncing down the steps into the rain. She giggled, pressing a hoof to her lips to smother her laughter, peering at her ‘big brother’ as he lay on the ground, complaining.

He got up unsteadily, blinking at them, and grinned. They grinned back before stepping out into the weather, the downpour immediately drenching them. The rain soaked into her coat and water-logged her feathers, her mane and tail dripping as she raised her face to the sky. Wings half-open, she stood there and just breathed it all in – the moisture, the heightened smells wafting through the town, the atmosphere. It was so beautiful to her – like a clear-cut diamond. Infinitely precious. Rain and overcast days ... just were.

Opening her eyes, she smiled at the sight of Starlight with her head bowed, the rain dripping down her muzzle. Stormy weather was important to all of them; all for different reasons. She loved it because of the seemingly magical atmosphere it brought; but for Starlight she knew it was a reminder of her past mistakes, and the power of forgiveness. Her mother hadn’t thought twice to give Star a second chance, and she could understand if it wasn’t just rain hitting the ground beneath the mare. But they were happy tears; not sad ones.

Starlight raised her head and gave her a tentative smile, her ears displaying her uncertainty. No words were needed, she just laid a hoof over her friend’s and nodded – she understood. It was a bittersweet pain, but a necessary one for Starlight to bear. She could understand; it was similar to how she felt about her mother’s evasiveness about the topic of her father. Confused, hurt and a little bit uncertain.

It was a bit like how awkward her cousin Flurry Heart felt about her heritage as the only natural born alicorn. Consequently, by the time she reached the age of twenty-one, she would rival Twilight, and even the royal sisters, in terms of magical power. And it terrified her. Understandably – it was only through Starlight’s foalhood friend, and Flurry’s advisor, Sunburst, that she had kept another disaster from overtaking her kingdom. But she never kept her power locked away, either. Her cousin had a surprisingly amount of control.

“Star?” she whispered. “You okay?”

“Yeah. I am now, Diva. Thanks.”

“No problem.”

“Okay, ladies,” Spike called, waving an arm theatrically. “To Sugarcube Corner!”

Laughing a little at his enthusiasm, Starlight enfolded them all in a magic bubble-like barrier and they started on their way across town. Looking out from the inside, everything had this shimmery magic turquoise kind of effect that made her want to press her muzzle up against the barrier and study it all. It just looked so cool – she couldn’t help it. The rain was rolling right off; and Spike’s periodic bursts of flame helped both to warm them up and dry them off as they walked. Magic was fascinatingly helpful at times.

Her mane was starting to curl at the ends from the sudden change in temperature, too. She shook her head in amusement – neither her mane nor tail were dead straight. Instead they had a curly wave to them that reminded her of stylised fire; and one that absolutely fascinated Rarity: to the point that the fashionista would tease it out to see what could be done with her hair like that. Melodia didn’t mind – it gave her a chance to get out of the castle, and unlike her mother, she actually liked having Rarity fuss over how perfect her coat was in comparison to the cooler tones of her hair and eyes.

She was one of few ponies in memory to have visible fetlocks – little flowing tufts of hair the same colour as her coat – plus finer-boned legs and hooves. Her hooves were narrower than a normal pony’s and they gave her a graceful, loping gait whenever she ran. Her legs also were more defined; more like a deer’s than anything else in comparison. It was odd … strange, even, but she never brought it up with her mother because she would never receive an answer like most other questions regarding her heritage.

“Do you think Rarity would appreciate it if we got her a coffee?” she asked, directing the question at no one in particular.

Spike frowned. “I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt. It’s almost time for her Fall Collection – she’s been run off her hooves designing it all.”

Melodia made a sympathetic noise. “Poor Rare … it’s a good thing she loves what she does, isn’t it?”

“Sure is!” he replied cheerfully. “It helps of course that she’s absolutely brilliant; but this is Rarity. She’s nothing but fabulous.”

Starlight giggled. “Is that admiration I hear, Spike?” she queried. “Are you still crushing on Miss Generosity?”

Spike shook his head. “No, Star. I know it wouldn’t work … I’ve let go.”

“Aw, our little Spike is growing up!” she teased. “But no, seriously. That must have been hard.”

“It was,” he mumbled.

Melodia grinned. “…You’ve got your eye on somepony, right? Who is it?”

He just smiled. “Somepony you know.”

“Aww, Spike, that’s not fair! Just tell me!” she complained.

“Nope. It’d ruin the surprise.”

Chuckling at her expression, he pushed open the door to Sugarcube Corner and they stepped inside. The bell tinkled as the door shut behind them, and Starlight dispelled the barrier with a faint ‘pop’. The place was packed; but it was a rainy day and nearly everyone wanted something warm and sweet to chase away the dreariness of the storm outside.  Exchanging conspirator’s glances, the three of them hurried to join the queue of ponies waiting to order, Melodia already hungry at the thought of all that chocolate cake she’d get to eat. It was absolutely delicious – even if it was a Pinkie creation and you couldn’t really expect much else of it. Yum.

After what seemed like an hour, though it was probably only ten minutes, they reached the front of the queue and met Pinkie Pie’s cheerful grin as she slid in place in front of them. Gummy still clung to her tail, jaws fastened securely around the curly hair.

“Welcome to Sugarcube Corner!” she exclaimed happily. “What can I get you?”

Spike chuckled. “One sapphire cupcake, one warm triple-chocca-locca with ice-cream and a piece of apple slice, please, Pinkie.”

“Okie-dokie-lokie! Anything else?” she chirped, scribbling it down as she spoke.

Starlight nodded. “Two hot chocolates, thanks. And do you know what Rarity’s usual is? We were planning on dropping in to see her after we finished here. That’s what the apple slice is for, right, Spike?”

“Right,” he confirmed. “We’re just looking out for her – you know busy she is lately, don’t you?”

“Sure do!” Pinkie replied. “She normally gets a cappuccino with extra chocolate and spice-y cinnamon – better add the whipped cream and the nuts today though. It looks pretty miserable out there. Is that to takeaway with the slice? I can bag it and everything for you!”

Melodia smiled, amused as ever by Pinkie’s antics. “That’d be great. Thanks a tonne, Pinkie!”

“No problem-o, Mel-Mel. Have a great day – and don’t let Star eat too much of that cake!”

“I won’t!” she replied, giggling. “She’ll get fat otherwise!”

Ignoring Starlight’s playful glare, she bounced over to a vacant booth and sat down, sliding over in her seat to watch the rain outside. Rain, rain, rain. It was so pretty – she couldn’t understand how some ponies didn’t like it. Personal experiences, she supposed, and left it at that. It was too nice to spend such a day pondering over what could be, after all. Far too nice a day, especially with friends.

She started drumming her hooves on the tabletop, humming idly. Tap, tap, ta-ta-tap; repeat. Switch it up, change the rhythm; increase the tempo. A few ponies turned to look for the source of the sound; smiling in delight when she grinned back at them. She had so much energy – as soon as the music started, she felt like opening her mouth and singing. So sing she did; impromptu and all.

“It’s one more storm

Charged with electric, arcane energy

Magic a mystery, a melody

Can you hear the beat?

Can you hear the beat form?

Ooh, oh, oh...”

Encouraging cheers and whistles made her blush, shy now that all the attention was on her. Glancing around the room, she caught sight of the three local musicians, Vinyl, Octavia and Lyra grinning at her and saw a pen bathed in Vinyl’s cyan magic scratching down notes. Lyra waved cheerfully and she ducked her head, embarrassed that she’d been caught watching. Oops.

“Keep going, dear!” Mrs. Cake called. “We’re all listening ... don’t be afraid. You’re quite talented!”

“It’s one more storm

Charged with electric, arcane energy

Magic a mystery, a melody

Can you hear the beat?

Can you hear the beat form?

Ooh, oh, oh...

It’s one more storm

Charged with electric, arcane energy

Magic a mystery, a melody

Can you hear the beat?

Can you hear the beat form?

Ooh, oh, oh...

It’s one more storm

Charged with electric, arcane energy

Magic a mystery, a melody

Can you hear the beat?

Can you hear the beat form?

Ooh, oh, oh...

It’s one more storm...

Just ... one more.”

The shop erupted in applause, and it was deafening – a standing ovation. Ponies; unicorns, earth ponies and pegasi alike, clapping. Clapping for her; her and her music. It was both humbling and incredible. And she wanted more of it – it felt amazing, it really did. If only her mother would let her though … Twilight would never admit it, but Melodia knew there had to be a reason behind why she didn’t want her daughter to have anything to with music; vocal or instrumental. It was super frustrating.

Pinkie came nosing her way through the crowd, and gently placed their order on the table in front of them. The food came first: Spike’s sapphire cupcake followed the massive – and delicious - collection of dishes and cutlery for the triple-chocca-locca cake; then the drinks as per Starlight’s request – the hot chocolates. Warm and sweet and, well, chocolatey.

She felt like she was starving, but didn’t trust herself to speak after such a display, so instead she just gave Pinkie a grateful grin and a nod, which the mare returned enthusiastically. Both Spike and Starlight were positively beaming, thrilled that she was stepping outside her comfort zone. They wouldn’t tell Twilight … they never did. It was just between the three of them, one of their many secrets.

“That was awesome!” Pinkie whispered excitedly. “You smashed it, Mel-Mel! You’ve got some voice, I mean, wowsers!”

She giggled. “Thanks Pinkie. Promise you won’t tell Mum?”

Pinkie nodded, looking a little like a bobble-head. “Mm-hmm! Pinkie Promise!”

“And we know she won’t break that one, that’s for sure.” Spike  added with a chuckle. “Good on you, Diva – that was fantastic!”

“...Aw, gee, thanks. I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off!”

Licking her lips, she let Starlight levitate a portion of the cake into her bowl, practically drooling at the sight of the rich sauces and melting ice-cream. Ooh-oh-oh, yum. This was going to delicious – she really couldn’t wait to get started on this piece of sweet heaven. Just as she was lifting the spoon to her mouth, eyes watching the morsel of food as she went, somepony spoke close by.

“Hey, kid. Got a minute?” Melodia jumped at the soft, yet still raspy, voice of Vinyl Scratch, feathers ruffling in surprise.

“Uh, sure!” she replied nervously. What now?

“Cool, thanks.”

“No problem. Um, just let me-” she placed the spoon back down in the bowl with a soft ‘clink’. “Sorry, you kinda startled me.”

Octavia chuckled at her roommate’s unabashedly cheerful smirk. “She has that effect on ponies, love. No need to worry.”

“‘Tavi!” the unicorn complained. “I just want to talk to the kid!”

“A kid who happens to the daughter of our very own Princess Twilight?” the cellist retorted.

“Oh, pssh. Twi’s cool; and her daughter has some totally rad talent. Serious platinum potential.”

Melodia gaped, eyes wide. “You really think so?” she breathed.

“I do. You’ve got it in spades, kid.”

“U-um, thanks? I-I just ... I’m not allowed singing lessons or anything like that.”

“What? Surely you jest, dear!” Octavia exclaimed, horrified.

“She’s not, Octavia,” Spike interrupted tiredly. “Twi’s ... terrified of Diva even touching an instrument. Much less singing,”

“Vine, we can’t offer her this – she’d be breaking her mother’s trust!”

Vinyl snorted in dismal. “Offer her what? She’s got a good ear for music – she can help us and Lyre out with recording.”

Starlight beamed. “I think that’s a great idea! What do you think, Melodia?”

“I...” she paused uncertainly, staring at the table in thought. “I don’t know, Star. I want this but...”

“Kid, there’s no pressure,” Vinyl continued. “If you don’t want to, the offer’s always open.”

“We’d love to have you help us, Melodia,” Octavia added. “We could pay you if you’d like, too.”

“Whoa, whoa, wait!” she spluttered, waving her hooves in the air. “Pay me? I haven’t even said yes yet!”

“It doesn’t have to be right away!” Lyra chimed in. “Call it … a testing phase if you will.”

“O-okay. Okay, I’m in. Mum’s going to have a heart attack but … I’m in.”

“Yes!” Vinyl cheered. “Okay kiddo, see you tomorrow. Ten alright?”

“…Sure!” she replied. “At least now I can eat my dessert,”

Her little attempt at a joke got a surprised laugh out of the three mares, and Star reached across the table, ruffling her mane with a hoof. She ducked her head away with a sigh, and started to eat, finally tucking into the chocolate cake and ice-cream she’d been delayed from enjoying. The rain continued to roll down the windows and pool in puddles on the road outside. They still had to go to the Boutique and deliver Rarity’s snack to her when they finished here and grabbed the takeaway bag from the counter.

It hadn’t been so bad for a rainy day; and especially one that hadn’t finished yet. Her mother wasn’t due back for another week and it would interesting to see just how much could change for her. At this pace, it was likely to be a lot and very fast. She couldn’t wait for it to start.