Twilight Sparkle carefully hopped off the train, turning to watch as it pulled out of Canterlot Station. The last few days hadn't been going particularly well for her, and after snapping at one of her friends, she decided she needed some time to herself. Canterlot had been an obvious choice, considering its relative short distance from Ponyville and large array of appealing activities. Although Twilight had grown up in the bustling capital of Equestria, she'd never really seen much of it, spending most of her time locked away studying. Today she aimed to change that, if only for a short while.
Triple-checking her light saddlebags were properly secured, she turned around and trotted out of the station. It was a clear day, and as Twilight moved through the city, she felt calmer than she had in weeks. The majority of ponies she passed were easily recognisable as upper-class citizens of Canterlot. Citizens with their heads held high, looking down on anypony lesser than themselves, and meticulously dressed as if they were attending some formal function. Twilight had dealt with her fair share of them before, and was quite happy to avoid them altogether. She used to be more naive, but after realising most of them only interacted with her for their own benefit simply because she was the personal protege of Princess Celestia, she had ignored the majority altogether. Except for a select few, anyway.
Sighing, she continued onward, going nowhere in particular. After a while Twilight grew bored of wandering aimlessly, and considered heading over to the Canterlot Library for a few hours. It was around 10 in the morning by this time, so she'd still have plenty of reading time before lunch. readjusting course, she began to make for the library, but stopped herself. No, Twilight thought, I came here to do something new, not sequester myself in another library. With that in mind, she once again glanced around, looking for something, anything she could do to occupy herself. Spotting a notice board nearby, she nearly cantered over to it, eager to see if it had anything of interest. Blocking out all outside distraction, she began reading the notices intently.
"Looking for anything in particular there, Twilight?"
Twilight jumped and glanced to her right at the pony who had spoken, who apparently had arrived without her noticing.
Her eyes were greeted with a familiar mint coat and lyre cutie mark.
"Oh, hey Lyra, didn't see you there!" Twilight greeted.
Lyra chuckled before replying, "judging by your reaction I assumed as much! What brings you to Canterlot, hm?"
"Just needed a break I guess."
"Uh-huh. You know I'm pretty sure ponies looking for a break usually go somewhere a little less busy then wherever they're coming from," Lyra smirked.
"Well yes, I suppose. I just wanted a change of pace, something new to do," Twilight replied.
"Considering I found you staring at a notice board of all things I take it you're having a little trouble in that regard, hey?"
"What are you, a mind reader?"
"Hmm, lemme check," Lyra quickly whirled around, examining her cutie mark. "Nope, as far as I can tell this appears to be depicting a lyre, not a crystal ball!" They both shared a chuckle at this.
"So," Twilight began, "how have you and Bon Bon been lately?"
"Oh, we've been getting on fine; Bon Bons shop has been doing pretty well lately."
"That's good to hear."
"Yeah! My latest album has been gaining a bit of traction as well, which is always nice. Anyways, you said you were looking for something to do, right?"
Twilight shrugged, "I guess."
"Hmm," Lyra's eyes narrowed as she glanced over the board, "Hey, how about this?" She pointed her hoof at one of the flyers.
Twilight leaned in to read, "Canterlot Orchestral Ensemble playing at the concert hall on Monday, 11 AM. Featuring the talents of Canterlot's own, Frederic Horseshoepin, Beauty Brass, Octavia Melody, and Parish Nandermane. Sounds...interesting."
Twilight liked to think she was a pony with an appreciation for many different musical genres, though she did have her favourites. Although she liked a few orchestral pieces, mostly listening to them while studying to help her focus, the genre wasn't one she particularly enjoyed over others. On the other hoof, she thought, I've never specifically gone to see an orchestra play before, it could be an interesting experience, if nothing else. Having made up her mind, she turned to Lyra.
"You know what, that doesn't sound like a bad idea," Twilight smiled.
"Great!" Lyra replied as she glanced over to a nearby clock resting in a shop window. Her eyes widened at the time. "Sorry to cut this short Twilight, but I'm about to miss the train back to Ponyville! I really need to get going."
"It's fine. Thanks for the help, Lyra."
"No problem. See ya around, Twilight!"
"Bye!" Twilight waved as Lyra galloped off towards the train station. Glancing at the flyer again, she reread the text while she thought. She'd heard of all the ponies playing before, but the only one she really knew anything about was Octavia, and that was only from hearing about her through Ponyville's resident DJ, Vinyl Scratch. Apparently when Octavia visits the town she usually stays with her, though Twilight had never seen the cellist around Ponyville herself.
Satisfied with her decision, Twilight began trotting towards the library. Considering she was going to see an ensemble, and had an hour to kill, one or two books couldn't hurt. Right?
Octavia Melody was decidedly not in a good mood. Whoever the mare or stallion was next door to her apartment that was blasting the most irritable noise she'd ever heard every day and night was going to pay, dearly. It had been almost impossible for her to practice for the upcoming performance and she had barely gotten any sleep. This was most apparent by the bags under her eyes and the disposable coffee cups littering her home. Reaching for her latest one, she took a hesitant sip, before turning her attention back to her cello. With the droning from next door reverberating through her entire body, she grasped her instrument, using it to prop herself up in the correct playing position. After narrowing her eyes for the fiftieth time at the wall to her left, she began to play.
Half an hour later, and with almost nothing to show for it, Octavia sighed and carefully placed her cello inside it's case. Her coffee now empty, and seeing no reason to linger, she swung the heavy instrument over her side and left for the concert hall.
"One ticket for the," *gasp* "Canterlot ensemble performance," *gasp* "please!" Twilight huffed at the receptionist.
"Sure thing, miss," the receptionist stated, a single eyebrow raised at the mare's rather uncouth entrance, "that'll be 12 bits."
Twilight's horn subtly glowed as she levitated the bits she needed out of her saddlebags, placing them on the counter. The stallion nodded and slid a ticket in her direction, which she quickly picked up with her magic and swiftly walked away, attempting to bring her breathing back under control. It wasn't her fault the book she had started reading back at the library was super engaging! Note to self: order a copy of 'Equestrian Tax Law, expanded edition' upon returning to Ponyville Twilight thought, filing the note away in her mental to-do list. Breathing situation sorted, Twilight casually trotted down one of the spacious corridors that occupied the concert hall, being especially careful not to make eye contact with anypony else.
To her right she spotted a brown stallion standing outside of the main hall, admitting ponies there to listen to the ensemble. putting on a smile, she approached him, her ticket held out in front. Seeing the piece of paper, he gave a short nod, standing aside to let her pass. muttering her thanks, Twilight entered the vast space beyond the door, and scanned the plethora of seats in view, looking for a generally unoccupied area. There were nearly a dozen rows of them, all facing frontward towards the stage, where there was currently nothing but a piano and harp, as well as a pair of accompanying stools. She assumed the ponies that were putting on the performance would be backstage. Most of the chairs were full; it seemed this particular event was rather popular among Canterlot's elite. That was hardly surprising. Spying an empty seat around the middle of the room, Twilight eased her way through the rows and sat down, staring hesitantly at the stage. Despite having to gallop the majority of the way, it seemed she had arrived just in time. She smirked. I regret nothing.
Octavia wearily stumbled into the room, sweeping past the other band members. Without saying a word, she set to the task of unpacking and tuning her cello. Beauty Brass and Parish Nandermane shared a look, while Frederic Horseshoepin audibly coughed.
"Octavia, you're late," he stated calmly.
"Yes, I suppose I am. Not all ponies have the benefit of quiet, understanding neighbours it seems," Octavia shot back.
"Ah, I see. How much sleep have you gotten recently?" Frederic asked, choosing to ignore the malice in Octavia's words.
"Not enough, if the bags under my eyes are of any indication."
"Well i'm afraid it's a little to late to reschedule now, darling," Beauty Brass chimed in, "even though you look absolutely dreadful."
"Mm, thanks," Octavia muttered.
"Alright everypony enough chitchat, we need to get up there, now," Parish gave Octavia a sympathetic look, that was quickly replaced by a frown.
A silent acknowledgement passed between the ensemble, and one by one they emerged from backstage, moving to their positions in a well practiced motion. Placing her cello on the floor, she used it's weight to prop herself up, holding the instrument in one hoof, and the bow in the other. Scanning the crowd, Octavia put on a winning smile. The most fake one she knew. As her gaze wandered further back, she caught sight of a pony she recognized. Sitting in an empty space near the center of the crowd, was a pony Octavia had never expected to see here: Twilight Sparkle. Though it may have been a trick of her sleep deprived mind, she also wasn't expecting that pony to be staring directly at her. Averting her gaze, Octavia looked at the cello in her hands, before glancing back again. Twilight was no longer staring, or if she was, it was at the entire ensemble.
After exhaling a sigh of relief, she did a double take when she realized there was another familiar pony whom she had missed spotting the first time around. Sitting a few rows back from Twilight, was none other than Lyra Heartstrings. Before Octavia could ponder this further, Frederic announced that they were beginning. With practiced elegance, she brought her bow to the pristine surface of her cello, and with a genuine smile, began to play.
