Chapters Author's Note
Hey people! Another surprise fic just for you and boy is this one a doozy! This story's been on the back burner for almost 4 years! Now I give you the start of a wonderful time. Enjoy!
Sonata No. 1
Sonata No. 1
At only 2 years old, little Starlight Sonata knew something wasn't... completely right with her. For one thing, she had started to not be able to hear everything somepony told her. Her hearing would fade and she would get frustrated when somepony mistook her trying to ask to repeat as clumsy foal babbles. Eventually by the time it took ponies to be able to understand what she would be trying to ask, it was too late and Starlight would be upset and go off on her own or seek out her big sister. It wasn't until Starlight was over 3 years old that her parents got even more concerned than originally thought. So they took her to a special doctor and had a few vision and hearing tests done on her. Once the doctor came back with the results a few weeks later is when Starlight truly sensed something was changing. For one thing, she found she couldn't exactly hear it when the doctor told her parents that Starlight was going deaf, yet she could make out how the kind doctor moved his mouth and it sounded to her that the doctor said something upsetting. Her mother started to cry a bit. She had never seen her mommy cry like that! It was unnerving a bit to witness, but Starlight did the only sensible thing her little toddler self could think to do. She raised up on her back hooves and hugged her mommy's larger front hoof. Moondance smiled a bit when she did that and returned the gentle embrace.
When it was time to go back home, it was as if Starlight immediately felt the effects of her family's sadness and began to cry a little bit (although, she claimed that she was hungry as to why she cried). With help from her big sister, Starlight managed to get a good lunch in her tiny belly. Afterwards she would toddle away towards the den area where her Papa was sitting at their old piano playing a lively little tune . While she couldn't hear it all too well, she could however feel the vibrations of how the notes would be played through the be-rugged floor. She smiled at the feeling of the notes under her hooves until her father glanced over at her and smiled.
“Do you want to learn how it's played?”, Rain Whip asked his little one.
Of course, Starlight only could make out the words ‘learn’ (because that's what her sister told her that's something they both have to do as foals) and ‘played’ (because that word she herself had used to mean that her playing had happened before). Nodding, she grinned as her Papa placed her hooves on the keys of the piano and helped guide them into the right places on the keys as they played the song together.
Starlight was mystified by how the different vibrations felt under her hooves! She wanted to learn more and be able to do more like that. Well her aspiration came true as her hearing got worse and she had resorted to wearing hearing aids because she could make out the smallest amount of sound by age 4. Along with having to learn Equestrian Sign Language (which she picked up on instantly), she continued to practice with the piano. Eventually surpassing her dad's teachings. She began to figure out that she could make up her own songs for the piano as well. It started off a simple thing because she wasn't in school that day and had gotten bored while her big sister was at school and her friends were all at the special school she went to. Simple melodies just came to her hooves and she played while mouth writing on the lined pieces of paper from her notebook the different notes she’d memorized by heart years prior. The notes had to be written right or else the song wasn't going to feel right. For many weeks she'd find herself after school and homework time sat at the piano. Her little back legs swinging off the bench as she strokes the keys. Trying her hardest to get the song right. One night while the family was sitting at dinner, Starlight had an announcement.
“I have to tell you guys something ”, Starlight signed in big gestures to portray speaking loudly.
“What is it ‘lil Star’?”, Moondance asked in words and signs for her other family members.
Taking a deep breath, Starlight signed in clear terms that she had been working on a composition (a big word that she had learned earlier that day that meant the written part of a music sheet). She then explained that it was finally done and that she wanted to show her family. So quickly finishing up her dinner, she fluttered off towards the den and to the piano.
Stretching her forelegs and loosening her hooves, Starlight Sonata began her song at a moderately fast tempo . Her small hooves gliding across the smooth black and white keys with the precision of somepony who’d been born playing the piece instead of one who’d only been playing for 2 years. The piece gradually increased in moderation and intensity before mellowing out by the ending. Panting a bit and smiling about the wonderful vibrations she felt with her first finished piece. Turning around, she was shocked to see her parents and sister stood around her with open jaws. With an understood fear of rejection in her heart, she pinned her ears to the sides of her head and with head held to her chest, asked in sign how she did.
“Starlight that was wonderful!”, Moondance exclaimed and signed.
“My little shining star’s first sonata! I'm so proud!”, Rain Whip signed and beamed at his daughter.
“That was totally awesome ‘Starry’ ! I knew you could do it!”, Melody Star cheered and signed to her 5 year old baby sister. Quickly zipping over to her and wrapping her in a big hug.
“I did that well ?”, Starlight signed in surprise.
This earned her a round of nods and smiles. Beaming herself, Starlight hopped off the bench and did her own special celebratory air dance. She was so happy that she didn't even notice her big sister scoop her out of the air as she almost flew into the ceiling fan. Setting her back down, Melody shook her head.
“I get that you're happy you did your thing right, but can you try and not get yourself killed by a fan?”, The 13 year old Pegasus admonished in sign and speech.
The only response for that was a necessary (in her mind anyways) raspberry and gentle shove before darting across the room. Her big sister chasing her the whole time.
By the time she was 8, Starlight was absolutely certain that she’d never get her cutie-mark. Almost all her friends had their marks by that time. Well, with the exception of her two best friends, Sprinkler (a Earthpony) and Cosmos (a Unicorn), they all had yet to get their cutie-marks. That is, until one day…
“Hi guys .”, Starlight signed to her friends as they sat down to play with toys in the den of Star’s home.
“Hey Starlight. How's your break been?”, Cosmos signed and spoke to his friend.
“Terrible ! It's bad enough that my sister's been spending almost all her time with her stupid boyfriend when she's not practicing with her band, but now that my parents are back at work it seems like there's absolutely nopony who's willing to play with me--Oh! Aside from you two if course. ”, Starlight Sonata signed as she sighed and went to her toy box and grabbed out some bright colorful scarves and a old de-lined fishing pole.
“If you thinking what I think you are, let's totally do it!”, Sprinkler signed as she picked up the scarves and together she and Cosmos tied them together onto the pole and the three of them set the pole up in the center of the room (bracing it with some logs from the fireplace). Sprinkler and Cosmos ran around carrying the scarves while Starlight Sonata played a lively little tune on the piano while her friends spun around on the makeshift maypole. Laughing the whole time. The tempo was kept as Starlight absentmindedly started tapping her hooves on the floor while she played. She got so into it, that she didn't even notice when her friends had stopped to just simply listen.
When she finished, she was smiling at the vibrations. Due to this being something she had written a few months prior, she never had an audience for it. Starlight simply took it as it was and accepted it with zero complaint.
“Star, that was awesome!”, Sprinkler signed while grinning.
“She is right! That was wonderful Starlight Sonata. Was that a new one?”, Cosmos asked as he praised his friend.
“No. This is one I had finished about 2 months ago. However this was the first time for me to play it in front of somepony that wasn't my sister or parents. I love how the vibrations for this one turned out. It almost felt as if I could hear it. Like I…..Like I….used to...anyways, did the pole work? ”, Starlight Sonata explained/asked as she got up from the bench.
“Yeah it worked. Although….” Sprinkler paused as she held a few discarded scarves in her hooves “...maybe we'd want to try using ribbons next time? That might be sturdier.”, she finished with a sigh.
They all agreed while they helped disassemble the “maypole” and placed it back into Starlight's toy box. Deciding that lunch would probably be a good idea, the three foals rushed to the coat rack and grabbed their spring jackets before semi-calmly walking to Starlight's room.
Shimmying under the bed, Cosmos drug a large bootbox out with him and opened it up. Inside were a large sum of bits that the three of them had been steadily adding to for the past year and a half. Each of them produced a small bag of bits from their jacket pockets and poured half of the bits out onto the floor. Cosmos counting them the entire way.
“Okay so that's $16 bits from Starlight, $20 bits from Sprinkler and $30 bits from yours truly. That leads us to…” Cosmos paused while Starlight wrote the sum out on a spare scroll then passed it to him “Ahh yes $66 bits. So if we add that to the 460 bits we already have saved that should give us--woah! $526 bits! Guys we’re getting close!”, he finished as Sprinkler signed for him.
“That clubhouse is as the good as ours! I can hardly wait! ”, Starlight Sonata signed in excitement. Her friends giggling faces were her natural reply.
Their laughter was cut short when the telltale sound of the front door opening alerted the trio (or for Starlight's sake a big bright flashing light went off on her bedroom wall twice for the front door) that somepony had come in. The scent and vibrations told Starlight that it was just Melody and Dessert Wind coming in. The lack of Midnight Dream’s scent told her that Midnight likely went back to her house next door. Running out downstairs and into the living room, the trio stood while the teenagers deposited their instruments on the table and began talking to one another. Completely oblivious to the three 2nd graders in the room. Waving a wing, Starlight finally got her sister's attention.
“Oh? Hey kids. How was your day?”, Melody Star asked/signed to the trio.
A chorus of ‘goods’ and one nod was the reply of the elementary school foals.
“Great. Say... didn't I promise you guys that I’d take you three out for lunch one of these days?”, Melody Star asked as Dessert signed.
“Yeah, you did!”, Cosmos said excitedly.
“Well then, you guys want to go to Hayburger? Get some Mighty Foal Meals?”, Melody asked and signed for the benefit of them all.
A chorus of ‘yes’ came from all three foals (yes even Starlight, who was so excited, she didn't even sign it. She spoke it). Chuckling, she grabbed her purse again and rooted through their coat rack to find whichever jacket she left her wallet in.
Starlight, with a knowing smirk calmly walked over to the stairs before flying up the stairs and over to her sisters’ unlocked bedroom door, she felt along the darkened hallway wall before stopping at her own door. Pressing a small tablet on the side of her door, she typed in a message to her sister downstairs.
Melody was busy trying to find her wallet when her phone vibrated. Looking at it, she sighed as she glanced at a picture of her little sister with her wallet in front of her bedroom door. Flying back upstairs, she grabbed both the wallet and Starlight Sonata and went back down to the main hall. Then they all prepared to leave.
With a proud flap of their wings, the two teenagers carried the non-flying foals while Starlight kept up with their pace fairly well. Flying was one of the many things that Starlight and Melody both agreed was best spent doing solo instead of with an adult who had a open air license (or for their case, a friend who had an open air license and one who had a permit.). An audible groan came from Starlight as she kept pace with her wings. Sensing her sister's annoyance, Melody playfully nudged her sister and gave her a all-too-knowing look. Starlight had seen that look before, except on their own mother whenever Melody complained about the unfairness of Pegasus laws in Trottingham. Finally reaching their destination, the 5 juveniles touched down and entered the nearest Hayburger for a nice lunch.
The summer after she turned 9 brought Starlight Sonata some incredible changes to her life. For one, she finally got to experience what all the other Pegasus foals in her school (and others) got to experience: the first mandatory flight class. For reasons she didn't understand, the introductory course ran through the summer and the full course would be throughout the school year. While excited, Starlight couldn't help but be extremely nervous for her first day of flight courses. While her Papa reassured her that there was nothing to be afraid for, Starlight was still unconvinced.
‘What if they can't get their instructions through to me due to me being deaf? What if I can't hear what the instructor says and end up crashing or something? Oh Faust I’m gonna puke from these nerves! ’, Starlight thought to herself as she and Melody Star flew up to the cloud building where the course would be taking place every Saturday morning in summer. Seeing her sister looking a bit green and with a look of overthinking on her young face, Melody took a pause and knelt down on the clouds to Starlight’s level.
“Hey. You looking nervous isn't gonna help your performance you know.”, Melody signed.
“Easy for you to say. You have already passed basic training and are already in senior training at High School levels. Plus you don't have to stress about whether or not the instructor can sign or have the patience to wait for an interpreter to get me to follow instructions on different flight patterns! I do! Add to the fact that I know next to nopony there and I’m as you would say ‘ fucked’! So of course I'm freaking out! ”, Starlight Sonata signed with no stopping.
Ignoring the choice swear that her sister inexplicably let out (how she knew the exact sign for that, she didn't know), Melody sighed as she scooped up a struggling Starlight and held her tight in her hooves.
“Watch me carefully” Melody started as the pair of them entered the large colosseum-like building of clouds “Every Pegasus has to go through this. It doesn't matter if you can hear or not. Heck, I know for a fact that even the blind can manage to find their way through a minefield in the sky! The only thing that's currently holding you back from doing this is you and your insecurities. Did you know I felt similar things to what you're feeling on my first day of flight training? As shocking as it is, yes. I was so nervous I almost fell off the runway leading up to the cloudesseum. Mama had to grab me by my tail in order for me to not free-fall 2,000 feet. The point is, Starry you can't let what you think might happen distract you from what will actually happen. You got that?” With an affirmative nod from her sister, she continued “Good. Because you are gonna rock it in there. Besides...Mama and Papa already told me that the instructors already know about you as you likely aren't the only ‘unique’ foal in the class for this year's roster. Trust in them and you won't have anything to worry about aside from creaming the competition when it comes time for a race.”, She finished with a light chuckle.
Heeding her big sisters’ words, Starlight grinned and with a determined look in her eyes, she set off into the main waiting area while her sister signed her in.
20 minutes later…
“Okay everypony. For those who don't know me, My name is Ms. Willow. I teach at Cresthoof Elementary/Middle School. As I can see a few familiar faces here today, for the time being, I am not your teacher...or at least not until September that is” she pauses to laugh a bit before continuing “Anyways, for the next 6 weeks I will be your Flight instructor. You all will follow mine and Ms. Zipper Wing’s every tutorial. We understand that not everypony is gunning for Wonderbolt status speed and agility here, but for those who actually do, well….. let's just say be prepared for some hard training. Now, show of hooves. Who here has ever flown past the bare minimum of 5 wing power per hour?” , Ms. Willow signed/asked with an excited look. The response was almost instantaneous with most of the foals raising a hoof.
“Good, because we're going to by the end of summer break quintuple that amount. ”, Ms. Willow said before she signed for everypony to follow her to the second biggest training area.
Lined up in straight lines of two, the 14 colts and fillies were lead into the spacious training area. They were all in a state of dazed when they saw the various pieces of equipment from wing resistance bands to weighted hoof bracers and all other agility materials like cloud rings to fly through and hurdles to leap over. It was almost overwhelming, yet the foals didn't show it. With excited squeals, the usually quiet rarely used room was suddenly filled with the chatter and laughter of kids as they all went around and tried out everything . Starlight was about to try out the weighted hoof bands when somepony, rather literally fell into her.
“Ow!”, Both ponies groaned as they rubbed their aching heads.
Picking themselves up, it was only then when they both looked at each other. A pair of amber eyes met forest green ones. As if time itself paused the two ponies just looked at each other. Surprise overcame them both as other foals barrelled into them both. Once again having to pick themselves up. Laughing at the situation,
“Sorry. I should've seen where I was going. My name's Spirit Chaser. ”, The amber eyes signed as she dusted off her wings.
“It's ok. I should've watched where I was lifting. The name’s Starlight Sonata. A pleasure. ”, The green eyes one replied smoothly (barely covering up her embarrassment).
Both fillies couldn't find it in their hearts to not continue “talking”. So, they resolved to use their mouth reading skills and actually conversed with one another as they both worked out their wings by wing ups and hoof training.
Eventually the instructor held up a green flag and everypony fell in line as the instructions were given.
“Okay, everypony needs to pair up. Throughout the remainder of this beginner's course and yes, that includes the school parts as well, these will be your wing partners. Wherever you go in this course, they go too. You will support one another and not only will this be a great team building experiment, but also a way for us all to get to know one another better. Now. Find. A. Partner. ”, Ms. Zipper Wing signed/explained. Then the nervous energy exploded and was replaced with excitement.
“Do you want to be my partner? ”, both Starlight and Spirit asked at the same time.
They giggled (despite only one of them barely hearing it) before agreeing. This was followed by the new partnership flying off to do some basic flight maneuvers.
4 hours later…
With the first day of practice complete, older ponies came to pick up younger ones. On their way back home, Starlight Sonata couldn't help but “talk” the whole way home and when they got home too.
“Oh Mel! It was amazing! I mean the cloudesseum is HUGE and all the ponies there were so fast and I know I gotta work on it in order to get better. Plus, I didn't even tell you the best part--- ”, Starlight was interrupted by slamming face first into her new grand piano (whilst walking into their new conservatory addition to their house).
“Try to be careful with random pianos in your path.”, Melody signed as she laughed.
“Laugh all you want. Don't forget I still have my ace up the sleeve. ”, Starlight glared as she signed to her sister before sitting down at her piano. Pencil at the ready in her mouth.
“Oh yeah? Like what?”, Melody signed in a way that called her little sisters’ bluff.
Without looking up from her piano she typed on the pad set up on her piano before passing it to her sister.
“Remember what I caught you and Checker Flag doing when you were supposed to be ‘foalsitting’ me two months ago? Exactly that.”, Melody read aloud. Her face paling at the thought of what her little sister had seen her and her boyfriend doing on the couch in the den accidentally.
“”You. Wouldn't. Dare.”, Melody signed with a heated glare.
“Try me ‘Melody Anastasia Star’! ”, Starlight typed back as she stretched her hooves and began to write down what she was gonna play.
2 hours later…Melody! Wanna hear my newest composition? ”, Starlight asked as she interrupted her sister from her dance routine.
“And why would I do that? I'm in the middle of getting this routine right.”, Melody stated while pausing her ghetto blaster.
“Because you're my sister and I Love you. Plus Mama and Papa are out on their weekly ‘date night’ so you're my test subject--I mean gracious audience. Please Mel?! ”, Starlight buttered up her sister. Finally folding via the puppy dog eyes, Melody followed her sister into the conservatory. The evening sun casting a glorious glow upon the 9-year-old as she began to play a rather light, almost romantic piece . Her hooves gliding across the keys effortlessly as she's half paying attention and half remembering the conversations she had with Spirit Chaser that day.
When she finished, she was once again met by the cold silence. The vibrations still tingling in her hooves as she turned to her sister and asked how was it.
“Starlight Sonata, I don't know how you do it.”, Melody signed in a mystified way.
“Do what? ”, Starlight asked.
“Continue to compose such beautiful music with next to zero effort at all!?! I swear it's like your hooves have a mind of their own.”, Melody replied to her sister with a grin.
Feeling humble and knowing the proper response to these types of situations, Starlight Sonata bowed and thanked her audience. The same wistful smile never leaving her face.
That same summer also gave Starlight some leeway to explore her world more. Because of the age gap between them and the fact that one preferred to do other things than the other, Starlight Sonata and Melody Star hardly ever truly hung out aside from days when she'd drop her off at the flight camp. While that did deep down, make both fillies a bit sad, they both knew it was for the best. After all Melody was starting to seriously pursue her music career and therefore threw a lot of her time into her band Melody and the Rockettes. Being that both sisters were usually busy with their own endeavours, time together was often very brief and not often. That is until one rare day when both fillies were left home alone.
Strumming her acoustic guitar gently, Melody Star was nearing a “breakthrough” when she heard the unmistakable sound of items falling and a familiar annoyed grunt before her curiosity got the better of her. Putting her guitar down, Melody got up and went towards the source of the sounds. Not surprised to see that they came from her little sister's room, she slowly approached the open door before ducking from a stuffed peacock projectile. The smirk on her face disappeared quickly as she saw the state of her sister's room that she herself, had previously cleaned up. Annoyed, Melody tapped the smaller one that was currently ripping her room apart.
“Starlight Sonata?! What are you doing?!? ”, Melody signed.
Not paying her sister any attention, Starlight brusquely lifted and moved her bed over. Gasping in shock and following up with an almost scream, Starlight moved her bed back and went over to her haphazardly opened chest of drawers. Struggling to push her chest aside, she began huffing and puffing.
“WHERE. IS. MY. BOX!!??!!”, Starlight shouted. Too frustrated to turn and ask her sister in sign.
“Woah, woah there girl. Firstly what the fuck did you do to your room that I just got through cleaning up while you were out? Secondly, what are you talking about a box for?”, Melody signed.
Groaning and pulling at her mane, Starlight turned to her sister. A look of absolute fury in her eyes as she began to sign in harsh movements to convey her almost screaming at Melody.
“You did WHAT?! Why would you do that?!? Now because of you, I can't find my cowgirl boot box! Why were you even in here cleaning up?!? You never do that!!”, Starlight fumed as she got closer to her sister.
“Geeze Starry, get a grip! I only came in here to clean because mom asked me to clean the house today while she was at work and you were at your little playdate. Now I'm sure I moved all the stuff that was under your bed to the shed in the back--”, Melody explained before being cut off by a furious looking Starlight.
“MY BOX IS IN THE SHED!?! MELODY, ALL OF MINE, COSMOS AND SPRINKLER’S SAVINGS ARE IN THAT BOX!”, Starlight signed aggressively.
“Well I didn't know! How would I have known that?”, Melody asked in a huff.
“IT. WAS. LABELED IN BRIGHT MARKER ‘Savings for Clubhouse’! HOW COULD YOU HAVE MISSED THAT?!?”, Starlight raged.
“Hey, look I’m sorry Starry, I didn't see it. Honest!”, Melody tried to calm her livid little sister down.
“NO! MELODY NOW BECAUSE OF YOU, I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL PAPA GETS HOME SO HE CAN UNLOCK THE DOOR AND GET MY BOOTS BACK BEFORE---”, Starlight stopped due to she started hyperventilating and seemingly choking on air.
Immediately worrying, Melody tried to get her sister to breathe normally, but that did absolutely nothing. So after finally getting her head together, Melody went and found an old paper bag. Folding it over and holding it to Starlight Sonata’s muzzle, Melody managed to help her little sister through her very first panic attack. A truly frightening experience for both teen and youngster.
“How are you feeling Starlight? Any better?”, Melody signed slowly so as to not overwhelm the foal again.
After a few more deep breaths, Starlight sighed before signing.
“Yes. I'm ok…..however, Melody that was scary. Like really scary. What just happened ?”, Starlight asks while reaffirming that she was ok.
“What you just experienced was called a panic attack. It is kind of like when you start to get so worked up with worry and fear that your body kind of makes your body react with a chest that feels like it is being squished by a snake. You will kinda find it hard to breathe. That's why we keep bags on hoof. To help breathing get back to regular. That and a helpful hoof is always a pleasure.”, Melody signed in response.
Nodding in understanding, Starlight finally finding her breathing back to normal, looked about as she sighed deeply before signing.
“I know you meant well Melody, but that specifically was there because it has my saved bits as well as Cosmos’s and Sprinkler’s bits from half of our allowances for the past year and a half. Don't you remember how I told you how the three of us….well now four of us if I include Spirit Chaser, who has recently been accepted into our club. That box has a lot of bits inside. So you see why I got so upset and freaked out when I didn't see it in its place.”, She explained to a slowly realizing older sister.
“Oh--Oh! Oh my goodness. I am so sorry Starry. Hold on, thankfully I can get back in the shed. I will be right back.”, Melody signed in a hurry before zipping back downstairs and out the back door.
Sighing, Starlight went about re-fixing her bedroom to the point where it didn't even look like she’d made a mess. Afterwards she glanced at a nearby clock and noticed that it was only 5:00pm. Shaking her strawberry blonde and purple mane, she casually walked down the stairs and reached “her” conservatory (she knows it's for them all, but primarily it's her that's in there). Before she could reach her piano bench though, she saw that the desktop computer screen in the den was blinking yellow. A smile graced her face as she immediately turned about and went into the den to answer the video call.
“Hi, Spirit Chaser!”, Starlight signed from her end of the conversation.
“Hi, Starlight Sonata! How are you today?”, Spirit Chaser answered from her end.
The two fillies kept on with their conversation for over an hour until Melody signalled into the room (while holding the large box that contained the boots and bits) for Starlight to wrap it up. Giggling, the two young’ns, with the promise that they'd see each other the following week, hung up their video call. Some time later, Melody sat them both down with some boiled carrot dogs and animal-shaped mac ‘n cheese.
After their dinner and a confirmation text from their parents that they’d be out later than they thought and to go on ahead and chill for the rest of the night (with a kind-hearted, but stern warning to keep the house clean from their father/step-father). So they did just that. With Melody in the den watching a movie and talking on the phone with her boyfriend and Starlight in the conservatory finishing a composition that’d taken her a few weeks to get off the ground, but that she was confident that it was now done. Preparing her hooves and body for the incoming vibrations, she began to play a rather slow, almost haunting lullaby . Feeling herself get lost in the music, she didn't notice her sister standing at the doorway with her phone's camera on record. Making necessary commentary the whole time throughout.
By the time she was finished, Starlight looked like she was gonna pass out at any given time, but with a satisfied grin, she placed the newly complete composition in an empty clear paper pocket and slid it into her large composition binder that sat on a table next to the vast black piano. Hopping down off the cushioned bench, Starlight gave a long yawn before shuffling herself out of the room (once her sister had left of course). Too tired to walk, she lazily fluttered up the stairs with Melody following behind. Seeing her baby sister so tired almost made Melody snicker before rethinking that and graciously, she helped her sister get into pyjamas and tucked her into bed. Humming her favorite lullaby as she watched Starlight drift off to sleep.
“Goodnight, Starlight.”, Melody unconsciously whispered despite knowing her sister wouldn't have a clue she said anything as she backed out the room with a tear in her eyes.
“‘Night night….Mellow’”, Starlight unconsciously muttered despite knowing her sister had already left.
Author's Note
Okay, so sorry this took 4 days to happen, but real life became a pain in the feathers! Enjoy!
"Original" Comp. No. 3
That ‘summer of age 9’ also brought Starlight two very shocking surprises. The first one was an honest lovely little surprise she had received one Saturday right before she was to leave from flight practice.
“Okay so if I do the arrow maneuver down towards the hurdles, then you do that springboard launch over the hurdles and we both meet to finish with a simple glide. Does that feel about right? ”, Starlight signed as she and Spirit went over their drills for the demonstration that following Saturday for the parents and guardians.
“Yes, but remember that's only towards the end. There's still the beginning part that we still need to work on. ”, Spirit added in response to her wingmare.
“That sounds about right. Good looking out, Spirit Chaser. ”, Starlight signed with a smile.
“What are best friends for? For that and….this! ”, Spirit signed before springing up and playfully tackling Starlight into the clouds. Tumbling about, the pair ended up landing in a heap on the cloud floor with Starlight on top of Spirit. A slight blush began to creep onto both of their faces as they scrambled off and settled. Chuckling, the pair of ponies went off to the filly’s locker room with the other 5 young fillies and got showered, dried and their individual gym bags together. Chattingering excitedly the entire time (with the exception of Starlight and a much younger filly called Dusty Plains) as they got ready to go home.
When Starlight stepped out of the locker room and prepared to wait for her mother who was picking her and Spirit Chaser up (As Melody would've done so, but her band had a gig in upper Trottingham that weekend and had left the previous evening), Spirit Chaser suddenly pulled on her tail to tell her to hold on.
“What ?”, Starlight asked in sign. Head cocked in confusion at her besties’ antics.
“Uhhh….Oh yeah, hold on a second. I Have an idea. Why don't we have a race to see who gets there first?”, Spirit Chaser suggested after physically stammering.
Not sensing her friend's trepidation, but easily picking up that she was merely stalling, Starlight Sonata merely shrugged and nodded.
“Awesome! How about we start from the cloud hoops agility course and end at the lobby. ”, Spirit Chaser signed while flying towards the agreed upon start point. Starlight following before counting off on her wings. All of a sudden, two clouds of dust were what was left of the two foals as they sped through the air. Past the exercise equipment and Colt's locker room (to which both girls slowed and shivered in disgust as they passed through the unbearable scent wafting from inside the closed door. Quickly signing to each other the gesture for “gross”). Across the race track and out the entrance doors for the arena. The long hallways of the training grounds make for excellent trailways for the racing girls. When the race concludes with a tie, the pair of them giggle and head on over to where they see Starlight's mom, Moondance waiting with what looked like a leash?
“Hi mama. Wait--why do you have a leash? Did somepony ask you to watch their dog or something? ”, Starlight asked as she greeted her mother with a hug.
“Actually lil’ star, I have a bit of a surprise for you. However, Starlight I need you to read my lips carefully. This surprise is yet another tool to help you for..however many years you may have to use it. Now your Daddy and I have been talking about this and planning it for months and it's just now ready. This tool will be your responsibility Starlight. You’ll be taking care of it. Am I understood? ”, Moondance explained to her visibly anxious youngest daughter.
“Yes ma’am. I understand completely. But, what is it? What's the surprise tool?!? ”, Starlight asked in anxious excitement.
With two quick taps of her left hoof, Moondance stepped aside to allow a semi-squirming half-coordinated ball of golden fluff bound up to her before settling at her side. Big amber eyes looked straight at the shell shocked bundle of nerves that was the apprehensive honey coated filly with the strange metallic pieces in her ears.
“I-Is…. she...Is she mine? ”, Starlight asked in complete bewilderment as she stared at the juvenile Golden Retriever. It was then that she noticed the vest that the pup wore. In, bright white bold letters, were the words ‘SERVICE DOG. DO NOT PET. ’ It was that best that confirmed what she had already suspected. This dog was a service dog. Ordinarily such an act would cause her to get temperamental and start yelling about how she's “independent” and can do things herself, but for some reason she couldn't bring herself to do so while looking at this equally confused puppy.
“So...so she's going to be my aide? ”, Starlight asked in a way that made her sound like she understood.
“Yes. Her name is Sunflower. She's 16 months old and has had all her shots. Now darling, you know as well as I that your hearing has only gotten a might worse over the past year and well...this isn't just us supplying you with another resource to help you better yourself, but also I convinced your father that it’d be a great opportunity for you to learn about more responsibility. So...what do you think? ”, Moondance explained to/asked her daughter.
A small smile that was present on both fillies’ faces slowly morphed into grins of delight before a squeal of happiness escaped Starlight Sonata. She then slowly let the dog approach her with a cautionary nose. Once close enough to get a good sniff, the dog surprised herself by wagging her tail and smiling in a doggy way. Suddenly, all the caution and nervousness melted away from both pony and dog as the young ones clung to the half-grown dog. Smiling and petting her (despite the vest saying no, as her new mistress, Starlight felt it necessary). Letting the dog’s slobbery tongue lick her cheek. Getting up, Starlight dusted herself clear of cloud pieces and stood tall.
“Thank you Mama. I love her and I promise that we'll take care of each other. ”, Starlight signed with a smile.
Satisfied that her daughter liked her surprise, Moondance instructed Starlight on how to tell Sunflower to get on her back. Starlight did the command and soon she was flying with her new service companion on her back all the way home.
1 hour later…play a fast tempo, yet delicately sophisticated song . Once she started playing, Sunflower got up and started howling in tune and tempo with her music. The only way Starlight heard it was because Sunflower howled just loud enough for it to be heard by her. Glancing away from the piano briefly, Starlight nodded to the dog to let her know that she heard her. Unbeknownst to the trio, Melody had come home earlier than planned and was once again recording them with her own commentary on her little sister and her new companion.
Weeks later something of a bizarre day occurred and when Starlight would later be asked as to the story behind her cutie-mark, she’d change the details due to how odd the actual story happened.
It was a unseasonably chilly summer day when they saw it. A flyer that read of how a travelling symphony was looking for a temporary replacement pianist for an upcoming summer concert series they were performing. Looking at the date and time of the auditions (which were set for a week from that day at 5pm), Starlight felt confident to ask her mother to contact the company organizer and set up a time for her to perform. With the relatively “easy” part out of the way, came the actual hard part: Picking a song to perform.
“No ”, Starlight signed as Rain Whip held up another sleeve in her binder with a composition she called “Spring” lay.
They had been at this for 2 days already and time was of the essence. Simply put, in Starlight Sonatas’ mind none of her works were worthy of performing in front of a genuine conductor and orchestra company leader.
“Well my sweet, you've got to have something to perform. Maybe try to think of something new? That might work! ”, Rain Whip suggested to his rapidly spiraling daughter.
Write something new? Why hadn’t she thought of that! Mentally slapping herself, she called for Sunflower then gently gave her the ‘fetch paper’ command and soon had a stack of (very slightly droopy) music sheets resting on her stand and a fresh pencil at the ready.
The next few days passed in pretty much the same fashion. Starlight would wake up with Sunflower nudging her. Head to the bathroom to fix herself with bathroom duties. Stalk towards her sister's room and have Sunflower bark loudly to get Melody up. Run away downstairs to avoid the tirade that was Melody throwing pillows at her to knock it off. Fix herself some cereal and feed Sunflower (never in that order). Then head into the conservatory to work on her composition for a majority of the day. Take breaks for friends/family/restroom/food occasionally but otherwise returned to the cool, cushioned piano bench.
Eventually the day came and to say that Starlight wasn't nervous would be an outright lie. She was so nervous, she almost caused herself to have a panic attack (thanks to quick thinking by Sunflower, this was avoided)! Add on to the fact that just that morning, the outfit she was supposed to wear to her performance got messed up via an accidental soda spill onto the chair that the dress was laying across. Freaking out, she and her mother had to rush out to a store at least 30 minutes before her time slot to find a dress that, while fit her perfectly, she hated due to the color (she greatly despises the color orange). After a swift pop to the hoof to “not complain” followed by a hasty payment and rush out to the Trottingham Imperial Music Hall with finished composition in her mother's purse. Starlight barely had time to warm up before her time slot was called.
“Young lady, please introduce yourself and the piece you are performing.”, The conductor said as an interpreter stood beside her and signed the instructions to the little filly at the piano.
“My name is Starlight Sonata. I am 9 years old and today I will be performing an original composition for you.”, Starlight spoke as she readied her hooves and performed a slow, but powerful piece that took her AGES to come up with . Her hooves moved like lightning across the piano.
With the only comprehensive thought on her mind being ‘I can't wait til she hears this! ’, Starlight finished her song just as slowly and harmoniously as she started it. Looking up from her sheet music to the conductor, she smiled before standing and bowing. Completely missing the flash of light coming from under her dress.
The interpreter signed to Starlight that she did a spectacular job and that they would be in touch once the auditions results were completed. With a grateful bow, she exited stage left, exactly how her mama showed her years ago.
Backstage, her family and club were there to state the obvious of ‘that was astounding!’, ‘way to go Starry!’ and ‘I’m so proud’ all around. All Starlight wanted to do was get out of that horrible dress and potentially pass out in her bed. As they left to head back to Starlight’s house, the young filly in question couldn't help but feel like something else big happened that she couldn't place a hoof on.
4 hours later….
“OH MY FAUST!! MAMA! PAPA! MELODY! COME QUICK, I GOT MY CUTIE-MARK!!! ”, Starlight Sonata screamed down the hall from the bathroom.
Scrambling towards the bathroom from the sound of Starlight's screams, the other three members of the family were in absolute shock for all of 5 seconds before the house erupted in cheers (and a exasperated “Finally!” from Starlight) of congratulations and talks of planning another cute-ceañera.
By the time they were 10 and almost 19, Starlight Sonata and Melody Star pretty much had a good inkling of how the rest of their lives were to play out. Melody was getting ready to finally make a name for herself in the music business and her band had already recorded and independently released an EP a few months previous. She was also proving to be a quite accomplished dancer. Once their mother determined that the two of them were old enough to generally care for themselves, she had decided to get back into the swing of things and picked up where she left off with her dance career. After all, having a foal at age 21 and trying to balance out her ballerina dreams became something of a struggle for her and her first husband. So she took an indefinite hiatus in order to raise her little one. Now that both her girls were old enough to look after themselves (for the most part), Moondance had sat her whole family and friends down and announced this (to the shock and awe of them all before the cheers and congratulations burst forth of course). Nopony seemed the most happy about this than Melody Star though. While she was too little then to understand, Melody did have a semblance of a memory of her mother dancing on stage. It didn't help that whenever she could, Moondance would be dancing about the house.
It was with this memory that had Melody practically beg her mother to teach her how to dance at age 3. Years later, and now Melody's skills were exactly on par with her mother's as far as ballet was concerned. So much so, that it came to absolute zero surprise when she was offered multiple scholarships to dance schools across the nation. As was expected, Melody chose to hold off on her college years for a year to focus on her band (despite getting into the North Manehattan Academy of Dance….where her mother's mentor taught and her mother occasionally taught). That was okay with everypony as that meant at least one more year with Melody. It was alright with Starlight as she liked it when her big sister stayed at home in their east Trottingham neighborhood. That usually meant that she could get away with next to anything! If she wanted to play in the dining room, then there’d be no adult to stop her.
This day was one of those days, except they were both in the conservatory. Starlight lounging on the dark purple chaise along the side of the wall adjacent to the mirror wall with the wooden polished bar. Absently bouncing a rubber ball with a wing. Melody was setting her duffle bag down and getting ready to set up for dance practice. She had to be completely focused because in a few days, she would be performing her first professional solo performance at the local community center. A sort of “test” designed by the board of directors at the dance academy to see exactly what Melody had to offer live and in the flesh. Just as Starlight felt just bored enough to take a nap, she was jolted back to a sitting position at the shrill sharp sound of a radio dying.
“Damnit! My radio died! Now what am I gonna do?”, Melody said upset as she managed to save the cassette tape before her ghetto blaster took it out with it.
“What’s wrong Mel? ”, Starlight signed/asked as she saw her sister gingerly set her radio on the opposite side of the door that lead into the conservatory.
“*sigh* My radio just died and I need it to practice my compilation! That just pissed me off. ”, Melody explained to her sister as she slid down the wall in exasperated agitation.
Starlight simply sighed as she went over to her sister. A small-ish Pegasus hug was all she could think of doing at that moment to give a semblance of comfort to her older sister. Returning the hug, Melody sighed as she absently stroked her sister's back. Suddenly Starlight sprang to her hooves and started to rapidly sign something that Melody couldn't understand do to it being signed too fast.
“STARLIGHT! TOO FAST! DIAL IT BACK. ”, Melody Star signed in large movements so that Starlight saw that she meant it.
Nodding her head and signing a quick ‘sorry’, Starlight started again. Only much slower so that she could be understood.
“I was trying to explain that I can help you! I know the pieces that you're dancing too and I can play them on ‘ Misty’. That is….if you're up to having me help you practice until you get your radio fixed.”, Starlight explained more clearly.
Melody looked shocked! Here her 10-year-old foal sister was offering to help play the 7 song performance pieces required. Granted two of those songs would be paired or group dances, but who was she to be picky. She’d just practice her part. To ask this of her sister was incredible! Finally gathering her bearings, Melody signed in a clear way.
“Starry, you’d...you would do that? For me?”, Melody asked in a shocked way (as her face showed).
Starlight immediately nodded her head yes and whistled for Sunflower. When the dog came over to her mistress, Starlight gave the signs for ‘fetch’ and ‘book’. The dog seemed to understand...kinda. Sunflower came back and had with her, Starlight's composition binder. Not her composition book! Laughing, Melody instructed the dog to put that back and get the book . Fully understanding that time, Sunflower went off to the table and grabbed the big book of compositions (none of which, Starlight wrote) that her mistress asked for and happily brought it back to Starlight. Gently grabbing it from the soft mouthed dog, Starlight gently pet her and called her a good girl (the response from Sunflower, was of course a happy doggy smile and a small licking of a hoof) before setting up the first set of sheets.
“Okay, which one is first? ”, Starlight asked her tutu-clad sister.
Melody signed the ‘Habanera’ before Starlight began loosening her wrists and playing a saucey lively latin sounding piece . From the piano’s position to the mirror wall, Starlight could see how her sister looked as she glided across the air. She briefly wondered why her sister wasn't dancing on the actual floor, but then realized why: Melody had forgotten to put on her ballet slippers! Deciding to wait until the song was over (which wasn't long) to tell her, Starlight simply continued feeling the vibrations of the recognizable song from “Carmen”. Eventually the song came to a close and Melody came back to the floor. Turning in her seat, Starlight started chuckling.
“You do realize that you did all that with no slippers on right? ”, Starlight asked amongst her chuckling.
Glancing down at herself, Melody let out an embarrassed help as she went and scrambled towards her duffle bag and fished around for her white slippers. Once she found them, she quickly slipped them on and laced them so that they’d stay on. Then she went on back and hit the slab on the wall that controlled the lighting. Finding the right setting, she made sure the spotlight remained on her as she signed to her sister the next piece. The sound of papers fluttering and a almost muted squeak of happiness later the smooth sound of the "Swan Lake" opening waifs through the large conservatory . The eldest Pegasus immediately “floating” about as she lost herself to the music. As she became the swan queen, Odette. Sure it was only a small piece, but she fully threw herself into it (like she did with the Habanera). As Melody danced, Starlight got distracted by her own thoughts. Truth be told, she may have agreed to help her sister, but she wasn't all that focused on the pieces. Her thoughts were of her upcoming plans. In three weeks time, her friend, Sprinkler was having a birthday party. To celebrate, the young one decided to have an “Fillies’ Only” sleepover with the birthday filly, Starlight, their friend Rosalinda, their other friend Cinnamon Twist and Spirit Chaser. It was Starlight's first away sleepover and she was far too excited! She was so lost in thought that she didn't even feel Melody tap her on her shoulder.
“Huh? Can I help you? ”, Starlight asked her sister.
“Yeah. Why’d you stop playing? ”, Melody asked.
Vaguely paying attention, Starlight was shocked that she didn't feel any vibrations from ‘Misty’. Only the cool feeling of the keys gracing her stilled hooves. Pulling back, she shook her head and turned back to her sister.
“Sorry. I just got lost in thought. My bad! Let me continue. I was at the climax wasn't I? Yes. ”, Starlight responded as she began playing again. Her sister continued from where she stopped.
4 hours and two really tired fillies later…
After countless repeats and fixing of forms, the pair of tired ponies were found by their father/step-father collapsed against each other on the chaise lounge sleeping. Chuckling to himself, he managed to lift both of them up onto his back (which wasn't a easy thing to do, but he did) and flew them up to the second floor. Gently managing to deposit Melody Star into her hammock and encouraging her to change out of her leotard and tutu after he left. Then it was a bit easier to handle Starlight. Easily slipping her hoodie off of her, Rain Whip managed to tuck his little one into her...definitely getting too small for her...bed (with a little help from Starlight's dog). Making sure her nightlight was on and Sunflower was safely laying down at the foot of the bed (on the floor of course), Rain Whip crept back downstairs and fixed himself some of the leftover poppy seed and carrot lasagna that Moondance had left plenty of for them all before she left for the week to Manehattan. Sitting in the den with his dinner, he couldn't help but think of his girls as he talked on the phone with his wife.
“On one hoof, Melody had got her hammock at age 4. Starlight barely can even fit in her bed anymore. Perhaps we should get her her own hammock. What do you think honey?”, Rain Whip asked his wife via the phone.
“I think it's about time we talked about this! After all, the filly’s been dropping hints for quite some time now. Besides, that bed was a gift from Silver Song when Star was like 1. I already knew she was gonna outgrow it. I mean, shoot--the same thing happened to Melody when she was 2 actually. I remember seeing Lightning’s face when I surprised Melody with her hammock when she was 4! He looked so scared, while Melody was just so happy to have a new bed. I honestly thought he’d have a panic attack on Mel’s first night in her hammock! Funny stuff.”, Moondance stated as she laughed a bit at the memory of her first husband and her eldest foal.
“Oh I bet! I can only imagine how Melody's first night went in there.”, Rain Whip chuckled.
“Oh Melody was fine. She only fell out once and straightened herself out with her wings before she could even hit the ground.” Moondance started with a laugh “Now, Starlight I would have legitimate reason to be concerned with. After all, with her being...well the way she is, I can't help but be too dare I say, overly concerned about her safety. I mean, I’m sure we’d hear it if she did fall or if Sunflower started barking in alert, but she wouldn't hear or even feel it! You know she's not exactly a light sleeper. However, I think getting her a hammock might be a good thing.”, She finished with a small sigh.
“Exactly what I’m saying love. Besides don't those actually help our kind with anti-gravity resistance? That's something Starlight couldenefit from.”, Rain said with a small smile (despite knowing his wife couldn't see it).
“True. Then I guess we just decided then?”, Moondance asked in confirmation.
“I guess so. So when do you want me to order it from the store?”, Rain Whip answered.
“Oohh! Place it tomorrow and it should be ready by the time I get back from Manehattan. She's gonna love it!”, Moondance said with excitement.
“Yeah! By the way, how’s Manehattan?”, Rain asked.
“Oh it's fantastic! There's a new set of creatures that just joined up with the company: three ponies and a griffin. I think their natives though the earth pony didn't strike me as a ‘native’ native. Her accent sounded a bit like east Detrot or at least something similar to it. Anyways, they're pretty cool. I’ve met them all and they all apparently used to work at some old nightclub that was also a dance studio. I'm actually meeting up with them all for lunch tomorrow afternoon. Should be great! I really miss you guys. I only have two more weeks then I’m back home, I swear.”, Moondance affirmed as she told of her time away.
“Sounds amazing. We’re all missing you like crazy here too. Okay I'm sure it's pretty late over there so I'm gonna let you go.”, Rain said.
“I know. Tell the girls I said goodnight and I love them.”, Moondance said with sadness in her voice.
“Babe, they're already asleep,but I will pass along the message in the morning. Love you Moondance.”, Rain Whip spoke softer than he intended.
“Oh, I see. Well alright then. As long as the message is spoken or signed. That's all that matters. Love you too. Goodnight Rain Whip.”, Moondance responded just as soft before they hung up on each other.
Day of Happiness/Sins of the Daughter
Author's Note
Okay, I know it's been a week since the last chapter update, but there was a reason. The same reason as to why this particular chapter is so long: I had trouble writing this f**king chapter. I have had NO editor so this chapter is completely edited by ME! I have been stressing over this chapter and the next one for over a week now and it's starting to take a negative toll on my psyche. Therefore, this might be the last update for a while. Also, please excuse this crappy excuse of a f**kin' long author's note.
Day of Happiness/Sins of the Daughter
2 weeks later and with their mother back home, Melody Star and Starlight Sonata were either one or the other on the strained tension circulating around the household. For Starlight, she was elated that her Mama was back and that her sister did in fact pass her recital with flying colors. That was when the tension started a week prior. After her performance, Moondance and Melody Star were heard arguing over the phone. While Starlight couldn't hear what was said, she could read what was being argued over. Apparently, Moondance was upset with Melody about what her plans were about these “gap years” that Melody had decided to do with her boyfriend and her band. Melody was frustrated that her mom wasn't seeing reason that her band was going on tour and that she’d be spending about 18 or so months on the roads with her ‘drug junkie of a boyfriend/tour manager and her crazy friends’ traversing about Equestria. Moondance thought her daughter was insane and absolutely forbid more speak of the subject. Starlight silently slunk away and went to find her papa and Sunflower, as she didn't want her sister to know that she had been eavesdropping.
That was a week ago and now Starlight was once again excited as she packed her suitcase with clean pajamas and her toothbrush. Her weekend clothes were folded neatly next to her case (as she had yet to put them in) along with her favorite teddy bear, Jam. Lightly buzzing about her room, she didn't even notice it when her papa came and stood in her doorway.
“Well, looks like somepony’s excited for her sleepover. ”, Rain Whip signed when his daughter turned towards him, with a smile upon his face.
“Papa! What are you doing here?! I thought you had work?”, Starlight asked as she hugged her father.
“Surely you knew that I wouldn't miss today? Besides, your mother asked me to take you to Sprinkler’s house this afternoon. ”, Rain Whip replied as he watched his little filly resume her packing. A bright blue and polkadot wrapped present with a white bow tied around it, sat gently at the desk in Starlight's room. Glancing at it, Starlight signed with a content look on her face.
“I am certain that Sprinkler will absolutely love her gift! She's going to be so surprised when she sees it!”, Starlight said in an almost mirthful tone.
Chuckling, Rain Whip smiled as his daughter put the last piece of clothing in her suitcase and struggling until she got the idea to whistle for her dog and together they managed to close the suitcase. With a laugh, he scooped his little girl up and hauled her downstairs with her suitcase being dragged behind them. Sunflower happily trotting aside them. Things were peaceful until they reached the bottom of the staircase. That's when Rain Whip heard the argument and the piece that undoubtedly made him wish he didn't hear it.
“I can't believe you right now!?! You realize what you just asked me right?!”, Melody Star said in shock.
“Ohh, don't be so overdramatic love. I'm merely thinking about you in the long term of it. I just think you should reconsider this whole ‘tour’ thing.”, Moondance explained in a chipper tone that betrayed her frustration.
“Oh really now? So what do-do you expect me to tell my record label that ‘ Oh I can't do the tour this year! My mother wants me to go to college! ’ They'd drop us faster than light speed! Plus there's my crew to think about here! Honestly, Daddy would let me do it!”, Melody shouted in rebuttal.
“Now you know that what your Papa and I mean is--”, Moondance started, but was quickly interrupted.
“--I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT RAIN WHIP!?! I'M TALKING ABOUT MY DAD! LIGHTNING FLASH?! OR HAVE YOU ALREADY GOTTEN SO USED TO HIM BEING HERE, THAT YOU'VE FORGOTTEN THE POOR STALLION! SERIOUSLY, IF DAD WERE STILL HERE HE’D BE ON MY SIDE OF THIS ARGUMENT!”, Melody Star fumed out. Breath uneven and a harsh look in her eyes.
With a sharp intake of air, Moondance looked shocked as she back pedalled a bit before straightening out. Her once cheerful expression, now morphed into one of a parent at their limit with their foal. Taking a large step forward, she advanced upon her eldest daughter and spoke in a almost deadly tone.
“Melody Anastasia Star. I understand that you are upset that I’m not allowing you to do this tour, however I will NOT stand here and have you bring up the past, much less your father in such a disrespectful tone! I may not often discipline you to the appropriate means, but that does NOT give you the right to speak so abundantly rude in my house! Much less bringing up the whole ‘if my daddy were here he would... ’ thing! If your father were here, he’d be trying to talk some sense into both of us. But guess what? He’s. Not. Here! He will never be here again and I thought after all these years, you’d get that through your head. Gee, why do I have the feeling that's why you go out with that lowbrow druggie Checker Flag? He acts so much like how Lightning Flash was at 18 it's astounding! Bad colts attract the good fillies. Always. Perhaps that's why I rushed into the first marriage. My young seventeen years old brain didn't think straight just like yours doesn't now! So do yourself a favor and get out of it while you still have your future ahead of you ‘Mellow Yellow ’. There's always time after college for tours and travels! Only after you're in a steady job. So please, call off this whole ordeal with this tour. After all most beginners in the business--”, Moondance explained through her teeth before a harsh slap struck her across the face. Sending her reeling back into the couch in the living room.
Standing on the front porch of Sprinkler’s house, suitcase and present in grasp, Starlight was practically bouncing before stopping to make sure her hearing aids were turned up loud enough for her to partially make out her daddy’s words (of course heavily relying on her lip reading and signs to decipher what was being said helped).
“Now are you sure you've got everything you need? Charger for your hearing aids? ITab fully charged and charger in case? Cell Phone in case of emergency? Sprinkler's present? Jam all tucked in there? ”, Rain Whip asked/signed off the list of things she should have with her in her case and the present.
“Yes. Yes. Yes. Definite yes. Papa! Not the whole neighborhood needs to know that!?!”, Starlight signed/spoke back in confirmation (and slight embarrassment).
“Okay. Was just making sure! You know how I worry. Yet I know you’ll be fine. Sprinkler's mom will be here the whole night and it's just you girls here so... that's a bonus! ”, Rain Whip stated his worry.
With a very audible sigh, Starlight knocked on the door and was immediately met by a apparently squealing Sprinkler who all but dragged Starlight inside. Only an audible “see you later dad! Love you” came from her was his response as he went on about his way back home.
When Starlight got inside, the party looked like it had truly just begun. With her being the last to arrive (as she told everypony there that she'd be ‘fashionably late’), that gave her the advantage of setting her present (which was the biggest one there) on the table in the far back. Primarily for dramatic effect as she'd later explain. Anyways, after she set it down, she made sure her hearing aids were turned back up and quickly went and rushed at the birthday filly, hugs and all while squealing and signing about how excited she was about that night. Quickly calming her friend down (as well as lassoing her back to the floor via her mane ribbons due to...well an excited Pegasus!), Sprinkler dragged Starlight into the living room. Gently nudging her towards the upright piano in the corner (as both fillies’ were interested in the piano and Sprinkler was receiving lessons from Starlight).
“Play ‘Happy Birthday’ please?! Oh pretty please?!?”, Sprinkler asked her friend sweetly.
“Of course I will! What kind of friend would I be if I didn't?!? ”, Starlight replied in sign as she began playing the familiar tune before being stopped by Sprinkler's mother, Weather Vane.
“Hold on there Starlight Sonata. Let's hold off on that until cake time. Sound good?”, Weather Vane suggested.
Pausing for a brief moment, Starlight mulled this over before agreeing with a nod. Agreeing that the truly appropriate time would be when birthday cake was involved and everypony was gathered around. Hopping back onto the bench, she decided to play a different song due to a game of musical chairs being broken out. The tune was a piano version of a song that was a favorite of all the fillies' there. Stopping on random intervals, so that the game could actually be played was alright with her. Truthfully, this song was a little hard for her to play (though she'd never admit that out loud due to pride reasons) due to the beat change being sudden and a bit tricky, but she still manages to do it until the laughter finally reached her ears along with a triumphant whoop of joy from one of them as that told Starlight who the winner was. Turning around, Starlight was greeted by the semi-smug face of Rosalinda as she signed and spoke that she won (to Sprinkler's delight and Spirit Chaser’s annoyance). Chuckling, Starlight got up and excused herself to the kitchen to grab a snack. When she got there, she saw Cinnamon Twist trying to open a bag of chips with her magic. Shaking her head and chuckling, she walked over to her and grasped the chips in her wings and swiftly opened them.
“Thanks Starlight! You're a lifesaver. I was starting to get frustrated with that thing.”, Cinnamon Twist said/signed as the pair dug out a big bowl and poured the wavy chips into the bowl before making their way into the dining room and set it down in the middle of the table as they took their seats. Cinnamon Twist next to Rosalinda and Starlight Sonata next to Spirit Chaser. With plates being served of Cauliflower tofu pizza and chips, the party goers tucked in to a delicious (and not at all healthy) meal before the main event got underway: singing/playing “Happy Birthday”.
2 hours later….
With dinner having already been eaten and dancing had been paused (briefly), it was time for the part of the night that Sprinkler was especially excited for (same for the rest of the party, but moreso for the obvious birthday filly). Slinking away from the apparent group conversation she was in, Starlight saw the subtle nod from Weather Vane and hopped back onto the piano bench. Readying her hooves, she caught the look that Weather Vane gave her from behind the swinging kitchen doors and she began to play the simple traditional tune as everypony else sang and signed the words to Sprinkler . When the song was over, Sprinkler sucked in a big breath (the flash of a camera briefly stunning her) then in an attempt to blow them all out in one go, she only got half of the candles before having to blow out the second half. Cheers rang out and the cake was distributed out (with Sprinkler getting the first piece obviously). To most of the filly's relief, the cake was a sweet chocolate flavor. Afterwards, it was time for them all to get in pajamas and play some more.
“Hey girls, I got an idea!”, Rosalinda said as Sprinkler was about to open her presents.
“Whatever it is, can't it wait until after I finish opening my gifts?!”, Sprinkler said and signed as she immediately went to the present that was labeled ‘To Sprinkler, From Dad’. Opening it up, she saw that it was a new travelling sun parasol with her name engraved into it. With a strained smile she put it back in the box and went to call her dad to tell him thanks.
After the awkwardness that was her first present, Sprinkler began to actually get excited about her gifts. From Spirit Chaser, she got a new videogame (which she was rather elated to receive as she had been wanting that one for weeks). From Rosalinda, she got a new swimsuit (again, there was the forced smile, due to the style not being one she'd wear). Sprinkler got a new dollhouse from her mom. From Cinnamon Twist, she got a cookbook (the author was a ViewTuber that both fillies’ loved watching). Finally after many more gifts from other relatives, Sprinkler came to the final and biggest gift. Seeing the tag that read ‘To my bestie, Thank you for being there’ in Starlight's mouth writing, Sprinkler opened the box and was shocked to see what was inside. With a two hoof grip, she pulled out the box to a brand new wagon!
“Oh. My. Faust?! Starry!! ThankyouThankyouThankyou!!! How’d You know I needed a new one?!?”, Sprinkler gushed as she signed.
“Filly, you’ve been riding around in that old beat up wagon of yours since we were 4. Time for an upgrade.”, Starlight Sonata signed/spoke in reply. A grin never leaving her face.
“How dare you?”, Moondance said in a shocked whisper.
“How could I not ?! That's the appropriate response to something like that!”, Melody Star shot back.
Suddenly Melody saw a change in her mother. From the less cheerful expression, that she was wearing to the harsh, cold expression one only received when they know they’ve done something terrible. With a sudden raising of her barrel, raising up on her back legs then landing and taking a forceful step towards her daughter. The aura around her spelled “dangerous. Beware”. That was before she spoke.
“Get out.”, Moondance said in an icy tone.
“Wait, What?”, Melody Star said in shock.
“You aren't deaf, I said GET. OUT! I DON'T WANNA SEE YOU FOR A FEW DAYS! GET OUT NOW!”, Moondance screamed at her daughter as she threw pillows at the shell shocked teenager.
Dodging the projectiles expertly as she fluttered in the air, Melody looked at her mother with a furious look in her eyes.
“Fine, I'm out. When you're ready to talk like an adult instead of shouting at me like a little foal , I’ll be at Uncle Lunar’s place.”, Melody said in a cold tone. Grabbing her pleather jacket, she rushed upstairs into her room and grabbed her dance duffle. Throwing a bunch of her clothes and chargers into the bag, she zipped it again. Grabbing her guitar case and gingerly slung it across her back (being mindful of her wings), she went over to her window. Spreading her wings at the open window, she took off in a sprint. Not even looking back as tears leaked out of her eyes as she flew off into the dark night.
“Okay so what was that idea of yours?”, Starlight asked Rosalinda as she sat back on the floor with a peach juice box in hoof.
“Simple. A mere game of ‘Would You Rather’. I find a bottle and we spin. Whoever it lands on, the person opposite them asks something. It always starts with ‘Would You Rather’. The pony who spun has to answer. Simple. ”, Rosalinda explained with signs. To the amusement of the others as they all agreed to the game. So, the group of 5 fillies' in pastel color pajamas sat in a circle. An empty soda bottle in the center of their little circle. The first pony to spin was of course, Sprinkler.
“Okay Sprinkles! Would you rather Eat a butterfly for a million bits or get into a cart accident, but you get a large settlement from the lawsuit? ”, Starlight asked, as she was directly to the left of her.
Thinking about it briefly, she had her answer.
“Okay I think it's obvious that I’d eat the butterfly! I mean, shoot I wouldn't be injured if I ate a butterfly. I could be killed if I got in a cart accident! If not, then I guess the money would be worth my injury.”, Sprinkler gushed.
After many more rounds and some very revealing questions, it was Starlight's turn again. This time it was Sprinkler's turn to ask the ultimate question.
“Okay Starry. Would you rather Drive a motorcycle off a cliff in a leap of faith OR….” Taking a pause, she looked at both Starlight and Spirit before finishing “...kiss Spirit Chaser for 100 bits?”, Sprinkler asked with a devilish smirk as her hooves signed.
With a dirty look at her friend, Spirit Chaser glared at Sprinkler. Yet, before she could respond, Starlight spoke and signed.
“Okay. If I answer this, I want you all to pay attention to what I say. This NEVER leaves this room. Got it?”, Starlight explained with a serious look.
The look in her eyes pretty much told everypony there that she meant it. As the unofficial ‘leader’ of their girl group, that gave the 80% deaf honey colored filly the confidence boost that displayed that she was meant to be taken seriously. Nodding in unison, they agreed.
“Okay…..I’d rather do the second option.”, Starlight said with a tone that meant ‘laugh and I’ll skin you alive'.
None of the other fillies could even think of an answer. They were so shocked that they all had their jaws locked in a slack expression. That is until Spirit Chaser managed to speak.
“I...Is that true? ”, Spirit Chaser asked in shock.
With a sigh because she knew that this can of glowworms had been opened, Starlight straightened before speaking.
“Yes, but for much less than 100 bits. ”, she spoke as she folded her ears back. Spine straight and posture perfect as if she were a queen and not a truly messed up 10-year-old.
Letting the awkwardness fade as the game stopped and the girls went on about watching a movie.
Before they went to bed, Starlight was pulled aside and shoved into a bathroom by a hard breathing Spirit Chaser. Forcing her against the wall, she spoke in clear quiet tones.
“Was what you said in there true? ”, Spirit Chaser asked.
Nodding, Starlight signed an affirmative yes.
It was as if a weight had been lifted off of both their shoulders. With this admission, it truly made both fillies think and as they turned back to one another, a slight blush arose on both their faces as Spirit Chaser backed up and let Starlight Sonata free from the wall. With a smile, Spirit Chaser hugged Starlight Sonata tight. No words needed to be said as they left the bathroom and back to the den and to their respective sleeping bags. With a quiet whisper of goodnight, the pair of fillies fell into a fitful sleep.
View Online
Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2/Sins of the Daughter pt.II
Author's Note
I know I said the last chapter would be it for a while, but this was absolutely necessary! Yes I'm an evil author. Sue me!
Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2/Sins of the Daughter pt.II
3:00 am The same night…
“Ow...”, Both fillies moaned as they were prematurely awoken by the force that landed upon them.
“Sorry girls. I had got up for a sec and flew around. Guess I didn't calculate my landing right. ”, Starlight signed as she swiftly flew off the pair of them.
Accepting the apology, the Pegasus and Earth filly both let out a silent laugh as they all got up and quietly snuck out towards the kitchen to talk.
“Couldn’t sleep again?”, Sprinkler asked Starlight.
“Yep. By Luna’s mane, this happens every month on the nights of Full Moon! I swear in past lives, my family were Thestrals!”, Starlight Sonata replied with a huff. Which earned a good chuckle from all 3 young ones.
“Okay, so since the three of us are now awake and are not likely to go back to sleep. What do we do now?”, Spirit Chaser asked as she stretched her wings and yawned.
The other two simply shook their heads. Neither sure as to what to do at 3 in the morning with everypony asleep.
“I could probably play us a lullaby? So long as it's on the keyboard on your deck, Sprinkler. Anything to help us go back to sleep. ”, Starlight signed as the idea popped up in her head.
Agreeing with their friend, Sprinkler climbed onto Spirit Chaser’s back and the three of them flew out to the back where the covered deck lay. A decent sized keyboard stood resting near a wooden picnic table. Letting Sprinkler off her back, Spirit stretched and yawned again as Starlight began to play a soft, soothing song .
By the time she finished the melody, Sprinkler was out like a light. Spirit Chaser was still awake, but looking at Starlight Sonata with an awestruck glazed gaze.
“How was it? Clearly I know how our hostess liked it.”, Starlight joked as she picked up the deeply sleeping Earth Pony.
Flying back inside the house, Starlight deposited her friend back into her sleeping bag before returning to the deck. When she got there, she was met with a sight that made her breathless for a second. There half-splayed out onto the table and looking up at the stars, was Spirit Chaser. Her Auburn mane cascading down her back and tail tucked slightly to herself. Her Amber eyes looked almost crystalline in the moonlight as her focus was elsewhere. Starlight Sonata knew that staring was impolite, but she simply couldn't bring herself to look away. However it was this moment that made inspiration strike her. With a semi-loopy look on her face, Starlight returned to the keyboard and sat on the chair before beginning to play a smooth tune . Absently, the juvenile started to sing as well.
I stand at your gate and the song that I sing is of moonlight
The stars are aglow and tonight how their light sets me dreaming.
Let us stray till break of day in love's valley of dreams.
So don't let me wait, come to me tenderly in the June night.
To say Spirit Chaser was shocked would be a lie. She was floored by the performance (primarily because she had never heard Starlight actually sing before). While she was aware that her speaking voice sounded absolutely normal, she had no idea that her friend could actually sing. Once the shock wore off though, Spirit Chaser came closer to Starlight as she got up from the chair and shook her wings.
“Starlight? That was absolutely beautiful! I had no idea you could sing so well?! ”, Spirit Chaser praised in sign. A smile plastered on her face.
“Oh that? Yeah that really wasn't anything. I knew that was an old favorite song of my grandstallion’s on my dad's side. He once told me he used that song on an old record to propose to my grandmare, Hurricane Blitz...may she rest in Paradise. Every once in a while when I go to visit him, he’d have on the record and I’d be at the gramophone feeling the vibrations and ‘listening’ as he would rock us back and forth in his rocking chair. That song meant so much to the two of us and me especially and...well I wanted you to hear it. While I know what we said a few hours ago might still be fully digesting in your brain and I'm not making much better sense by rambling like an idiot right now, but what I meant to say back there was I don't just like you like you I...I...IthinkImightbeinlovewithyousopleasestopmyramblingself!”, Starlight Sonata signed and said all at once with very little breaks.
Starlight Sonata suddenly found herself being pulled in close by a alabaster hoof. A Pegasus hug in which only one party was visibly blushing.
“Okay that calmed me a bit. Thanks for that. ”, Starlight thanked.
“No problem. Now do you wanna repeat that last part again? I didn't quite get that. You went too fast for me. ”, Spirit Chaser asked as she let go briefly. Never stepping back.
Gathering the courage of a Leo (as that is her astrological sign), Starlight gave a deep breath before speaking.
“I said, I think that I might be in love with you. ”, She spoke without breaking eye contact and without losing her nerve.
Relieved that Starlight said this, Spirit Chaser breathed a sigh of her own before giggling uncontrollably.
Unfortunately, Starlight took her body language of giggling as a negative and instinctively pulled away. Folding her ears back and frowning as she did. That is, until she got pulled back close by Spirit.
“Bu-But the giggles?! I-I-I thought that when you heard that, that you’d though-- ”, Starlight stammered before a hoof was raised to her mouth to quiet her.
“You thought that I was giggling in a bad way? No! No I was giggling because I find the irony hilarious.”, Spirit Chaser said.
“What irony?”, Starlight asked/signed.
“That you admitted that before I got the chance to do the very same thing. I swear! I was gonna wait a few weeks before school started and then I was gonna just play it a bit more smoothly. I guess that's now gone though.”, Spirit Chaser explained with an airy chuckle.
“So, you mean to tell me that you’ve been feeling the same way I’ve been too?”, Starlight asked/signed in confirmation.
“Yes. Yes, I love you too, Starlight Sonata.”, Spirit Chaser replied.
With a no-so-quiet whoop of joy (followed by a not subtle shove to shut up by Spirit), Starlight leapt up and did a loop-de-loop before completely losing her marbles! In a bold move, that would shock the 11 year old and 10 year old, Starlight gently grasped Spirit Chaser’s face and kissed her ! Quickly realizing what she did, Starlight backed up into the railing.
“Woah! ”, both young mares said in unison as they held each other. The full moon's light cascading over the pair of them like the perfect natural spotlight.
What Melody Star was thinking when she briefly stopped at her uncle’s apartment in West Detrot (which was a good 2 hours’ flight...for a grown pony. Needless to say, it took her 2 and a half hours due to a slight traffic jam), nopony knew. The only response Lunar Star got from his eldest niece as to why she was there was an out of breath half-explanation that included the mentioning of a fight with her mom. Completely understanding (as he knew better than to go against his twin sister and her temper), Lunar Star simply drew his niece close for a hug. After getting her some water and ordering the pair of them some take out Bitalian food, Lunar Star and Melody Star sat at his “dining room” table (a tiny little card table with two chairs) and talked about anything (for it had been a rather long time since either of his nieces had come to visit him) and everything. Melody even managed to show her uncle some of the many videos of Starlight at her piano, Misty performing her little heart out or restlessly scribbling onto a composition paper with her pencil in mouth. Her hooves moved like lightning across the Ebony and Ivory keys of her baby grand piano.
“You’re sister's doing great! I told your mom that this filly had the look of a musician in her eyes from the moment she was born...or at least, from the moment I first saw her when she was two days old. I told her the same thing the day you were born too!”, Lunar Star laughed.
“No. You didn't!”, Melody laughed in reply.
“I did! I was there with your mom and dad the day you rushed into this world. I say rushed, because you came 2 weeks early and while you were otherwise healthy, I swear that's why you're so impatient. Because your dad and my best captain, was just the same. Always in a hurry to get things done. Maybe that's why you're so impatient and ready to strike out on your own? Of course, that's just my opinion Mel.”, Lunar Star said with a smirk.
Walking over to her duffel bag, Melody grabbed her Polaroid and quickly came over to her uncle.
“What are you doing?”, Lunar asked.
“Proof that I was here at some point in the night. Say cheese!” Melody explained as she snapped a picture “And one for Starlight Sonata because she's gonna be mad that I came here without her.”, She finished as she snapped another photo.
“Okay, photo ops aside, We both know that you're not staying around for much longer. Where are you headed this time?”, Lunar asked as he stretched and glanced at the wall clock that read 3:00 am.
“Oh, just to a friend's house. You remember my friend, Tap Happy right? Well she lives nearby. I'm crashing with her tonight. I’ll come back soon.”, Melody replied as she once again strapped her guitar case onto her back and sling her duffel in the same secure manner before leaving out the fire escape. Waving a quick good-bye to her uncle as she disappeared once again into the cool, yet muggy night.
Half an hour later…
Finding herself in the hooves of her boyfriend, whilst playing her guitar, was NOT how Melody Star intended on spending her night. However it was exactly what she needed. Suddenly, feeling a strange sense of bravery come over her, as well as a bit of stubbornness (being that she's a Taurus, that's expected), Melody got up after she finished. She then proceeded to set her guitar down and slowly (and with a subtle hint of seductive purpose) climbed back over to her boyfriend.
“Uhh...baby? What's up?”, Checker Flag asked. Rather confused that his normally docile and sweet girlfriend was being so assertive and bold all of a sudden as she not-so-gently pushed him onto his back on the cushions of the dirty old couch.
“Just shut up and let this happen.”, Melody whispered seductively into his ear as she purposely started grinding down onto a certain part that was currently making its presence known between their legs.
“W-We don't have to do this if you don't want--”, Checker Flag said in a huskier tone than he intended before being stopped by a hoof to the lips.
“--Watch my mouth:I want to do this. Besides, you love me right?”, Melody interrupted with a smile.
“You already know the answer to that! I'm just making sure you're not going to regret this decision. You get me?”, Checker stated in control for a brief moment.
The response from his mare was a welcome deep kiss. As the kiss turned more heated, Checker Flag picked up his (surprisingly light--even for a Pegasus) girlfriend and together they moved onto the bedroom. Neither looked back.
Media Songs/Secrets Revealed
Author's Note
I know, this one's a little late, but never let it be said that my policy is not a punctual one! In other words, here's the newest chapter. To all the moms out there, Happy Mother's Day!
Media Songs/Secrets Revealed
Most ponies wouldn't say going to the doctor's was a truly likeable experience. This is similarly what Melody Star was thinking as she stepped out into the waiting room of the local health clinic. Her face wrapped in sheer shock. After all, what better way to spend one’s birthday than to be told rather….intriguing news from a doctor. Regardless, she sighed to herself as she dialed up her boyfriend as she took off into early afternoon air traffic. Taking noticeable caution to not fly as fast as she’d normally go, This decision ultimately proved a good one as when she was on her way home, there were at least 2 accidents that she had to skillfully avoid as she was on the phone with her colt. Telling him that she’d get a taxi and see him later on that night, she eventually made it inside the house. However, she instantly regretted doing so as when she unknowingly stepped on a toy robot, it made a sound and all too soon, a flurry of kids came charging towards her. Toy swords and shields strapped to their backs and outstretched hooves as they yelled their attack. The leader was, of course a bandana clad, Starlight with Sunflower dutifully barking and playfully nipping at the heels of the elder pegasus. Immediately seeing this, Melody very irately, shoved the group of 8 off of her and kept moving towards the kitchen.
“Halt intruder! You shall not pass! ”, Starlight signed with her best attempt at an intimidating scowl. Annoyed, Melody simply shoved her sister aside.
“Mel! When I said you can't pass, I meant don't come in here! We're playing Royal Guards and this is the entry hall to the grand throne room of the king.”, Starlight spoke and signed as she indicated to her friend, Pond Skip waving from in the dining room with a crown on his head.
“Don’t care. Take your little game outside. Stay out of the kitchen or mama will hear of this! Understand? ”, Melody signed in a way that told Starlight that she was ticked off for some reason.
“Geez! What's got your knickers in a knot?! We were just having a bit of fun? No need for the harshness, but we'll leave. Mainly because I don't want to get in trouble again with mom. ", Starlight signed with a irritated glare at her sister as she picked up her toy spear and left the kitchen.
“Wait? What do you mean ’again’? What did you do the first time?!?”, Melody signed/asked her little sister.
Stopping in her tracks, Star responded. “Oh….nothing It's stupid really. You wouldn't care. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to my fun . You should try it sometime!”
Immediately concerned on as to how her (hardly ever gets in trouble) little sister managed to piss their mom off, Melody quickly scooped up the retreating filly. The sharp scream that resonated from her seemed to not register with her company, yet that wasn't the issue. It did however go heard by a 3-year-old Sunflower as she came bounding in from the living room. On high alert and already barking in alarm and warning. Giving Melody a look that simply said ‘try it, mate! Try something and I’ll rip ya apart’ , she leapt onto the older foal. Making her drop the younger one onto the kitchen floor.
“Ow! Stupid dog! Get off ya mangy mutt!”, Melody shouted as she shook her sister's service dog off her. Grumbling under her breath, she semi-calmly signed to her sister.
“What do you mean?” , Melody signed.
“Just that both of us are in trouble. Though mostly, it's you that are. ”, Star signed back.
“Why? ”, Melody asked with an incredulous look.
“Because I was playing with your make-up and mom caught me. She promised she wouldn't tell you but I had to clean it up. I accidentally knocked your trash bin over on my way out and mom must've seen what was in there. I caught a glimpse of what I think was a bunch of white sticks. What happened next really confused me. Mom, her face went from lilac to white in a split second! Then her face twisted into the most creepy looking smile I’d seen in a long time. From that, I can only guess that you're in bigger trouble than me. ”, Starlight explained through signs.
All at once, Melody's face went as white as the canopy curtains that hung above her hammock on the ceiling. Shaking, Melody thanked her sister for admitting the truth and told her that she wasn't mad. Taking on the role that she'd signed on for the moment little Star was born, Melody told her sister to gather her friends up and head into the conservatory. No questions and to lock the doors behind them. Once they were all collected in the spacious conservatory, Melody brought them all some food and snacks as well as a few board games and her portable movie player. With explicit instructions to contact herself or Midnight Dream if anypony needed anything, Melody left the group of 8 sat in the conservatory. Starlight already at her piano. Sunflower gently snoozing in a corner. Satisfied that her sister and her friends were situated, she gave Starlight a quick hug and kiss (to which the foal squirmed about when this happened) before leaving. Her face blank as a sheet the whole time before rushing upstairs to prepare for the inevitable.
“Okay, while that was weird, now what do we do? ”, Sprinkler signed while turning up her own hearing aids so she could talk and sign at the same time.
“Oohh! I got an idea! ”, said Pond Skip with a excited movement of his hooves and tail.
“What?”, Cosmos asked in reply.
“How about we play ‘guess the theme song’! It's basically like charades but with music and TV shows as the theme going about it.”, Pond continued, with Sprinkler signing for Starlight's sake.
This immediately got a great response as Starlight Sonata went to her piano and did her routine hoof stretches before sitting at her bench. Spirit Chaser, immediately hopping onto the bench next to her….neither of them actually knew what to call what this was. They knew that they loved each other, yet they couldn't exactly put a label on it. So for arguments sake, let's just call them B.P.F.Fs (Best. Pony. Friends. Forever). Anyways, scooting close to Starlight, Spirit casually draped a wing over the young pianist as she began to play an easily recognizable tune .
“Oh! I know that one! ”, Cosmos said.
“What is it then? ”, Starlight asked as she turned around.
“Easy. It's Spongeboy Boxpants! ”, Cosmos replied.
“Correct! Next one Starry! ”, Sprinkler signed.
Nodding, Starlight continued to play songs. Amongst them, she would play a theme song for a show that the boys knew and the girls didn't care for and the theme of a show that they all used to watch when they were younger (and occasionally even currently when they'd have a substitute teacher) .
“Okay, we’re switching gears now ponies. Now the overall theme will be songs from movies. ”, Starlight signed as she began to play a song that she knew would probably stump most of them .
“Any guesses? ”, Star asked as she stopped.
“No, because I know what movie that was! Duh! The Leon King! ”, Spirit Chaser signed back with a grin.
“Correct! Great job! ”, Starlight signed with a smile. With a swish of her mane, they all continued on with their game. Completely oblivious to the discontent going on outside that soundproofed conservatory.
As she packed the last bag, Melody sighed. She knew that what her mother saw in her now empty trashcan had been no true accident. After all, for the past few months, the signs had been there plainly! The mood changes. The amazing amount of sleep. The appetite changes. It was only when she had thought a few days ago to check something herself that made her schedule the clinic appointment in the first place. The confirmation made her feel alien and completely confused about what her next move was to be. Now that her mom had found out...Melody was genuinely scared. If things played out the way she expected, then she'd be taking her bags and leaving home...potentially forever. As she heard the sound of cart keys jingle and the tumbler of a lock, Melody steeled herself as she went down the stairs and stopped in the den as both her mother and stepfather came in. Both with incredibly serious looks on their faces. With the most serious face she could muster despite her fear, Melody waited until after her parents sat in the den. The deadly serious looks on their faces never moved. Finally, after what seemed like eternity, Moondance spoke up in a chilling tone.
“You know why we’re here?”, she said with a cold tone.
“Yes. Also, before you ask it, Starlight Sonata and her friends are in the conservatory playing. They'll be fine while we talk.”, Melody stated.
Excusing herself briefly, Moondance went to the locked conservatory. Knocking on the door, a click was heard before the door was slid open to reveal the sound of music coming from Starlight playing her piano. A soothing, yet familiar song was playing. One that Moondance instantly recognized .
“Hmmm... Isn't that one from that movie about the stallion who was raised by gorillas? I knew it sounded familiar!”, Moondance spoke/signed with a smile as her own foal came rushing up to her. Giving her a semi-gentle hug.
“Was just coming to see if anypony wanted me to order in tonight? I'm thinking pizza? Of course your friends are more than welcome to stay for dinner!”, Moon signed/spoke with a pretty forced smile on her face. The immediate response of ‘yeses’ along with the suggestions of calling parents to ask if they could stay over for dinner was all she needed to hear before telling them to lock the door back behind her as she left.
Coming back from checking on the youngsters and calling a local pizza place for delivery, Moondance came back into the den to the necessary sight of her husband loudly chewing out her currently in huge trouble eldest daughter.
“If I may interject?” Moon states as she gently pushed aside Rain Whip “Melody Star. Of all the things I've ever seen you do in your 19 years of life, I never would have thought you'd go and do something as stupid as getting pregnant at such a young age. I am appalled by this behavior. As of right now, I am so furious at you, it's a Celestia given miracle that I’m not screaming at you! Much less already packing your father's gun away to prevent him from going after Checker Flag. Now, thankfully we can fix this! Come with me.”, She finished as she picked up her cart keys and gestured towards her cart.
Immediately picking up on what her mother meant by “fix this”, Melody Star gasped in fright. Instinct taking over and she unconsciously wrapped her wings around her center in a protective manner. Backing away from the door and letting out a few harsh snorts all the while.
“N-N-No.”, Melody stammered out as she backed up.
“What are you talking about?”, Moondance asked.
“No. No! NO! I'M NOT GOING IN THAT CART! I'M NOT GOING TO A CLINIC AND GETTING RID OF IT! THAT'S JUST HORRIBLE!”, Melody screamed as instinct kicked in and her wings unfurled. She crouched low and a harsh growl ripped out of her throat.
“Now, sweetheart.You’ve got to believe that this is...the best decision ultimately--”, Rain Whip tried to reason with his rapidly growing feral stepdaughter.
“--FUCK THAT! YOU'RE SAYING AN ABORTION WOULD BE THE ‘BEST DECISION’! WHAT?! DID YOU GUYS EVEN THINK OF POTENTIALLY ME KEEPING THE FOAL? OR PERHAPS ADOPTION?! HONESTLY! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU BOTH!?! THIS ISN'T JUST SOME PIECE OF TRASH YOU DECIDE TO TOSS OUT WHEN IT NO LONGER HAS A PURPOSE! IT'S A BABY! AND I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I’M SAYING WHEN I SAY I’LL KEEP HIM/HER. I CAN TAKE CARE OF A FOAL! WELL, CHECKER AND I CAN! WE’LL GET MARRIED BEFORE THE FOAL COMES! HE ALREADY HAS A STEADY JOB AND I CAN JUST BE A STAY-AT-HOME MOMMY WHEN THE BABY GETS HERE. UNTIL THAT HAPPENS, I’LL GET A JOB AND WE’LL BE FINE!!!!”, Melody Star scream ranted.
The cold look that both adults sported, cracked and split into one of incredulous shock. Before they could do anything to stop this madness, Melody was already up the stairs and grabbing her four bags full of her most precious belongings and zoomed out of the house faster than either parent could catch.
“Uhh...what?”, Rain Whip asked in shock.
“My daughter….just ran away….Oh Faust! My baby! How could she?! Wait--what am I saying? Of course she'd run! After all the stress and the fact that I just put her in a difficult situation?! It completely makes sense and--”, Moondance was cut off by the sound of the doorbell ringing.
“I got a delivery! Two Extra Cheese, Extra carrots and bell peppers, Two orders of Bitalian Cheese Bread and a large cream soda!”, the delivery filly called from the other side of the doorway. Prompting Rain Whip to collect the food and pay the 12 bits price plus a 5 bit tip for her wait. Closing the screen door, Rain went back into the dining room and set the food down.
Fortunately, Starlight honestly had the nose of a dragon (metaphorically speaking) and as soon as she smelled the delivery filly at the door, she knew the food was here. Gathering up her friends, she gave Sunflower the command to open the door (after Sprinkler unlocked it of course) and all 7 fillies and colts bolted out of the conservatory at the scent of food.
Once all of them were situated at the table, Moondance and Rain Whip divided the task of passing out pizza and filling cups with soda. While not the healthiest of dinners, it's all Moon could think of after having to deal with her wayward eldest foal. The last thing she needed was to have any more surprises pop up that day. So, the adults settled down at the lively table and ate silently as the chatter of 7 foals and the expectant whining of Sunflower begging for scraps (which she knew she wasn't getting….yet) filled the room.
An Hour Later…
“So when we went into the conservatory, Pond Skip suggests that we play ‘Guess the Song’. Right on the first song I thought of, Cosmos guessed it right! So then I realized I had to think of harder ones. While I was sure nopony would guess what one was, there you were mama! And you guessed it right and everything! *sigh* today was good.”, Starlight signed and spoke as she got in pjs for the night. Having already brushed her teeth and combed her mane and tail.
“Well I’m glad you had such a fun day sweetpea. Now time for bed ”, Moondance responded with a small smile.
“Okay. Goodnight mom, I love you. ”, Starlight signed sleepily.
“Goodnight my little Star. See you in the morning. ”, Moondance replied.
“Tell Melly I said goodnight too. ”, Starlight signed one last time before sleep took her.
Moondance looked in slight shock before backing out of the room. Making sure the nightlight was on and Sunflower was resting at the foot of the hammock.
Author's Note
Don't worry! I'm back! And because I'm back, I present another update! Now these next 4 chapters actually don't have anything to do with any piano pieces, yet they are inspired by music instead. This chapter was inspired by this song:
Pegasus Rhapsody pt. I
Pegasus Rhapsody pt. I
By the time her sister's birthday had come and gone, Starlight Sonata had just about enough of her, as she'd put it “overbearing” family. Aside from her mother now being home practically all the time and her father being more busy at work than normal, she hasn't really had much time for herself. If she wanted to go to the store and get something, it’d turn into a ‘mother-daughter’ outing. Once, Starlight Sonata insisted that she had to go to the skate park with her friends and low and behold, it turns into Moondance cartpooling 8 annoyed colts and fillies (save one extra ticked off Starlight Sonata due to the “extra precautions” her mother forced her to wear while skateboarding). It's with these situations that made Starlight Sonata start to act differently. It was little things at first like, purposely not picking up her room when asked multiple times. Sometimes she’d even just not shower for a day or two on occasion. Though if any of those things bothered either of her parents, the didn't say anything about it. It was with this newfound sense of rebellion that Starlight found herself sneaking out at night.
Now at first, the sneaking out didn't seem like much and she’d still be within the neighborhood. Though eventually she ventured out past that boundary line and crossed into other neighborhoods. Occasionally she’d meet other ponies too. It was one of these chance encounters with her friend, Cosmos that she ended up discovering a place that would unknowingly change her life.
“Hey Cosmos! How's it?”, Starlight Sonata asked one night as she met up with her best colt friend.
“Awesome as usual! But check this, I got invited to some underground cart park. The colt who told me about it says that there's some prime drag races down there. Now the invite is a plus one, but I had originally said ‘nah’ to that. In fact….it's pretty good me finding you here tonight Starry. Care to join me? Besides, I feel like you’d be more help to me as a cart expert than anything else.”, Cosmos said/signed with an excited vibe as they walked towards a corner store. Going in at 10pm on a Thursday wasn't unusual for either of them and they went and picked up their usual stuff: Candy, Chips, Bread, 2 cases of soda and Candy Cigarettes...the kind that produced candy vapor “smoke” (Starlight only).
“Okay, from here, we need some wheels. Think you can hotwire this puppy?”, Cosmos said/signed as he gestured to the slick-looking cherry red cart he was leaning against as he popped the locks with magic.
“Foal’s play. Lemme at it mate! ”, Starlight signed as she worked her own magic with a screwdriver, jumper cables (that she had on her in case of emergencies) and her friend's actual magic. Within 4 minutes, she had the cart hotwired and was in the passenger seat while Cosmos drove. Heating up a cigarette in the process.
“Don’t you think you should ease up on those things?”, Cosmos asked as turned onto another road.
“Ya know what? I probably should...but...nah! Besides, gives me more of an edge!”, Starlight signed/spoke as she blew out a puff of vapor that tasted like bananas.
(20 minutes later...)
They arrived at an underground cart park and pulled into a toll booth. A lanky, grey colt of about 13 stood at the booth.
“Password and recommendation please?”, The colt squeaked out in a cracking voice.
“‘Zeppelin’. Crisscross sent me and my plus one.”, Cosmos said and indicated towards Starlight.
“Alright. Enjoy the show and a precaution. All bets must be submitted to the designated ticket master no sooner than 15 minutes before racetime. Have a good evening.”, the colt noted the pre-set rules as the pair drove on and parked. Walking over with the cooler that Cosmos picked up from his place to the “stands” (an honest-to-Faust mismatched assortment of half broken bleachers and stools/crates/cushions and chairs) and found some good seats high enough to see and hear (with Starlight Sonata turning up her hearing aids to the highest they’d go). Popping the cooler open, Cosmos passed Starlight a grape soda and a bag of potato crisps.
“Alright, so tonight's racers are apparently two fillies called Soprano and Crash Test. Soprano will be in the yellow ‘68 Feldhoof Action. Crash Test will be in the silver ‘96 Torota Silver Bullet. I already got my bets in and I’m for the Silver Bullet. You got any suggestions?”, Cosmos asked Starlight as she took another drag of her 2nd cigarette.
“Well...personally I think you were right to bet on the Bullet. Later model year and judging by my knowledge of that particular cart, they can go fast with the right amount of care. If she punches the gas, then she's sure to lose. Keep it steady and make strategies and that's a recipe for success! But that's just my prediction.”, Starlight signed/spoke as the race started.
As the night went on, races were won and bets went 50/50 with ponies cheering for victories or swearing in defeat. Throughout the night, Cosmos placed bets and to his luck, he won every single one! Cheering as the last race wrapped up with a slightly disappointing loss for him, Cosmos dragged Starlight to the far end of the parking structure where they stored the racing vehicles and introduced her to a pony he knew was racing that night.
“Starlight Sonata. This is the chap who told me about these races weeks ago! Crisscross, this is my best friend, Starlight Sonata. ”, Cosmos introduced the pair as they shook hooves with smiles.
“A pleasure to meet you Crisscross and might I say, that was some kick-ass driving you did tonight! I paid close attention to your race with the Torota Canary. Smooth turns and I know how you orchestrated that Hoofkaido drift. Simple flick into reverse before tapping the gas as you drifted. Impressive really.”, Starlight said with an amused grin.
“Ooohh! I like her! Cosmos, where’d ya been hiding her all this time?!”, Crisscross chuckled loudly as he clapped Star on the back. Making her spill a little of her soda and drop her candy cigarette at the jostling.
“Aye, don't be getting any ideas. She's got a fillyfriend.”, Cosmos laughed.
“Do not! We're just...really close friends!”, Starlight defended herself as she turned a bright pink. Absentmindedly twiddling with the bracelet that Spirit Chaser had bought her for her birthday the year prior, on her wrist.
Chuckling, the duo lead the lone filly towards some of the winning carts. Pausing at the turquoise Canary, Crisscross introduced them to his grandmare’s cart.
“This beast belongs to your grandmare? Damn I’m impressed!”, Starlight Sonata said in awe.
“Damn right it does and she'd skin me alive if I wrecked it! So, she never knows. That and the 5-0 never catch wind of a 14-year-old, who could pass for 17 speeding in a Canary. I swear, messing with them is fun!”, Crisscross said as Cosmos signed for Starlight's benefit.
“Hahaha! I had a feeling I’d like you! You cool with me dude. Anyway, lemme see...” She paused as she took close inspection of the cart. “...guessing it runs on liquid coal fuel still? Yeah not the best for a cart of this quality. Try switching to a corn oil/flint oil mix for better performance. Otherwise I feel this beauty will be done for in maybe 8 years.”, Starlight finished as she closed the hood and trotted back over to the two boys.
“Amazing! You got that from just one look over? Are you sure your special talent isn't in carts?”, Crisscross gasped as he made note of the music note on her flanks that was partially hidden by a leather jacket.
“I’m just an observant pony. I learned all I know about carts and the likes from one of my older cousins and of course my plethora of random male friends.”, Starlight responded with a bashful smile.
The response from the colts was a hearty laugh as they carried on with the night.
