Chapters Sunday night. A full crowd eagerly awaits for the Equestrian Symphony Orchestra to make their yearly debut with a Manehattan classic: Rhapsody in Blue Hooves, composed by the great George Gershwhinny. I was a part of this great ensemble of Equestria’s finest musicians. There was no one else in the world who they trusted to take the iconic piano part played by the stallion himself one hundred years ago today. I sat in my dressing room with the piece playing loud. I visualized myself playing the riffs and tricky diminished chords. I visualized the full force of the orchestra giving me strength as we blazed as loud and as hard as the bustling streets of young Manehattan. I saw my fingers become a blur as-
Someone pounded on my door, “Gliss!”
“Yes?” I answered quelling the song.
“We’re on in ten!”
“Okay, thank you!” I shouted back. “Here we go…”
~^^^^^~
In post concert interviews people would often ask if I was nervous walking across that vast stage prepared to display my talent to the world. I always gave them a simple yes and jumped in my carriage, but they could never know the feeling of walking across that stage and seeing so many eyes drilling holes into your very soul. Years and years of these concerts and I can never get over the anxiety and the terror of standing in front of a crowd of ten thousand. Yet, nothing could compare the the adrenaline, the rush of playing your soul out to a captive audience. Their thunderous applause and admiration urging you on even after the piece has ended. Though the nerves were ever present, I loved it!
I stood before the mahogany bench, thankfully this one was padded, and adjusted my tux. Once I was set, the conductor raised his wand. No matter how old I was, the way the clarinet snakes to the opening sent pleasurable chills through my body. It was a warm welcome to a calm and subdued opening. Subtle, yet precise. I began just as the brass sprang to life accompanied by the crisp metal hiss of the cymbals crashing and, oh the staggering melody felt like punches knocking you left and right. They left me be to play what most would call a little diddle. Then came what I call the trip. Not only did it take years to master this, but it even took several bananas for the painful cramps that came from past attempts at mastery. I still feel the burning in my forearm whenever I play this beast of a piece.
This wasn’t my favorite composition simply because I slapped that label on it, but by how it made me feel while I played it. Some would say that this is what giving yourself to a lover feels like. Their warmth, the sound of their voice, the frequency of their soul. Every note I played felt like I was doing just that, falling in love a million times as each phrase and measure rolled by. Feeling her heartbeat with the percussion. Becoming lost in her beautiful voice personified by the strings and woodwinds. Feeling her wrath in the brass’ heavy rough tone. I often wondered how I kept my composure on stage with all of these feelings sparking to life inside of me. It wouldn’t be right for the concert’s leading stallion to dance while he played. Of course I couldn’t just sit there. With every forte I struck the piano with passionate anger, and with every piano I would
Not once did I ever look at the music. I built a stigma that it was disrespectful to do so. Sheet music is merely an instruction manual, the music itself can’t be described on a sheet of paper. Every note memorized was like a child waiting to be birthed by me. I knew of it’s existence, now I only had to bring it to life…
Unfortunately, as soon as we started, the grand finale flowed from our instruments signalling the song to a close. The crowd stood to their hooves bathing us in a sea of thunderous applause and shoutouts.
“Please give a hand for our solo pianist, Glissandi Forte Piano!” I sauntered center stage, a wide smile plastered on my muzzle. Call me a narcissist, but I never get tired of hearing people scream with joy at the mention of my name.
~^^^^^~
The after party was as cordial and stuffy as stuffy Canterlotians can be. I didn’t mind it at all though. The food was good, and the whine a bit heavy plus I didn’t have to pay for a damn thing. Given my upbringing you’d think I’d like rubbing noses with the Equestrian Elite and upper crusts. Well, I’ll be honest. I loved amazing these people with stories of how a poor earth pony rose to be what I am today. They act as if struggle doesn’t beget success, but I digress.
“Excuse me! Excuse me! You there!”
I turned to find a white unicorn approaching with a purple unicorn being pulled by our first chair Cellist.
“Mr. Forte Piano,” the white unicorn spoke, “I absolutely adored your playing. I’ve never seen anyone as skilled as you,” she tittered.
“Thank you, miss…?”
“Oh! Pardon me. Where are my manners? Rarity darling, pleased to meet you.”
“I knew I recognized you!” I said much louder than what I intended. “I am wearing one of your custom tailored suits.”
“Really? Oh my goodness! Do you like it, darling?” she asked with a begging smile.
“It’s sleek, sharp, and very comfy,” I replied taking a gulp of my wine.
“That’s marvelous, I-” the princess jabbed her in the ribs. “Sorry, Twilight. We were wondering if you could be available to play at a simple dinner in Ponyville?”
“I’ll have to check my schedule. What’s the occasion?”
“Nothing more than a dine out looking for some smooth jazz. Can you do it?” She clasped her hands together giving me a begging stare.
“I’ll have a word with my quintet.” I took down the rest of my wine.
“Splendid! It will be a month from now at the Castle of Friendship in Ponyville,” she reached into her bosom and handed my a card that was uncomfortably warm, “Call this number if you have any questions.”
I waved them goodbye as my annoyed gaze fell upon the Cellist. “You can give a guy a little warning before you bring a princess.”
“Don’t be so uppity. It was Rarity’s idea.”
“Yeah, well thanks to you, I have an unnecessary gig on the horizon…”
“You know you love to play jazz,” she teased. I grumbled and adjusted my tie. “Are you doing anything after this?”
“No?” I awkwardly responded. Octavia was an odd one. I am not the sharpest crayon in the oven, but there are times when I think she is down right hitting on me, even though she’s invited her girlfriend to our concerts several times.
“Would you like to come over?”
“Hmm,” I tapped my chin acting as if I were torn from her question, “Nah, I think I’ll pass.”
“Come on, Gliss…”
“Nah, I’m coo, fam.” I turned to the exit. As I walked away I could feel her sorrowful eyes tracking me. There wasn’t anything wrong with her or her marefriend. If she wasn’t already with someone then Celestia only knows what I’d do. I suppose I should stop thinking like that. Tremolo was a good friend, but in truth I preferred to be alone.
~^^^^^~
I busted through the hotel room door, tired and craving cupcakes for some reason. Of course I couldn’t make it without a horde of journalists trying to pick my mind. I could never understand what they were aiming to find whenever they pestered me with questions that were rhetorical at best. “How long have you been playing piano?” They’d ask. I’d give them the usual charming smirk and say something like, “Look at my name, then you’ll know.” I’d get a laugh here or there, then I would climb into my carriage facepalming at how cringe the joke was.
I dunno. With the life that I live you’d think me a loon for complaining about anything. I have money, I live very comfortable, and, though I’m a B-lister, I am still a celebrity. Maybe if I had someone to share it with. Maybe that’s what Octavia keeps hinting at, but I’m not the polygamous type. I should have said yes. Maybe she’ll take me in at this hour. I looked out the window to the pale moonlight blanketing the Manehattan skyline, and slipped into a contemplative sleep.
Dull was the kindest thing I could say about this day. The clouds were gray and heavy, ponies seemed to be irate and short with anything, and I woke up feeling like I made several bad decisions the night before. The best thing was thanks to the weather, renegade cameramen weren’t in my face every second trying to take a photo. As I walked the gray streets of Manehattan a pang of guilt would rise up in my gut. I could feel the disappointment in Octavia’s eyes from last night, but what could I have done? Hobbled out of her hotel the next morning looking like we had a one night stand? I was so lost in my thoughts of “what if” that I nearly stepped on a teenage filly sitting on the cold ground.
I looked down and around to see if there were any clues to how long she had been here. Then, she looked up at me, her pupils pitch black and precise. “Can I help you?” her inquiry was saturated in sass.
“Uh, no… no, but I was wondering, how old are you?”
“How old are you looking for?” she asked with slight disgust. I raised my brow in offense. I didn’t look that bad.
“This isn’t a pick-me-up. Aren’t you a little young to be out here on your own, kid?”
She frowned and spoke with fury, “One, I’m not a kid. Two, unless you’re gonna ass up some bits, you had better get to steppin’!”
“Alright, have fun starving on the street…” I walked away, but not without looking over my shoulder. I have a serious problem; I care too much. Given how much trouble my innate kindness has gotten me into you’d think I’d be able to act more harshly. I decided to press on. That ‘mare’ didn’t need anyone’s help anyway.
~^^^^^~
The next day, I walked down the same street and wouldn’t you know it, she was there sitting on the sidewalk with a frown. I walked past, not daring to utter a word to the crass filly. I glanced at her, she glanced at me, and I went on about my day. Besides, I had a meeting with an old friend that I needed to get to.
Manehattan reminded me faintly of my hometown, Clopton, only in the city aspects. The weather there was much more predictable, even though it stayed on the hot as Celestia’s wrath kind of predictable. Not a day goes by where I’m thankful I got out of that hell…
“Muffin Buttin,” I read the ridiculous sign out loud. This was where he wanted to meet. Only Celestia knows why. I looked around for anyone with a stupid tie dye mohawk and a shirt to match. In all honesty, I didn’t want to do this. I had found a pretty good movie channel back at the hotel that played the good old fashioned black and white classics. I remember when mygrandmother and I would whistle the Andy Gryphon theme song and get excited when Gallop Appeloosa Ranger would come on. Simpler times…
“Hey, bro! Over here!”
There he was. To be frank, he at least put some effort into his getup today. “Aye, man. How ya been?” he asked while giving me a handshake.
“Same old, people screaming for me to strip after a solo.”
“For real?”
“Nah, bro,” I laughed. “How about you? I haven’t seen you a good minute, man.” He told me about how he finally finished college and is now working for one of Rarity’s boutiques as an accountant. Cosign was always good with numbers. We went inside and ordered a couple of fluffy treats and joked about old times back in school. I wasn’t the most… serious student. Yeah, I was praised as the smartest in the class, but schoolwork never rubbed me the right way. Not for Cosign though. The guy is a walking calculator. He’d be able to solve logarithmic expressions in his head, lucky devil.
We joked about our times in band, in our old classes, people that we graduated with, all of that. Then, he asked something that hit me all the way from left field. “Any lucky ladies in your life?”
It made me think back to Octavia yet again. What did she want from me? She helped me greatly when I first joined the orchestra, and as I’ve said before all she would need to do is ask and I’d be on it faster than you could blink. But, what would I get from her? Love? Friendship? A little bit of fun? “Nah, man. No girls here…”
“Really? That’s a shame…”
“You?” I asked fiddling with the menu to distract my heavy mind.
“Eh, kinda. I ran into Rosemary.”
They had been like a lightswitch throughout high school. “I thought you vowed to, and I quote, ‘never give that scheming bitch the light of day ever again’.”
He stammered some and rubbed the back of his neck, “That was five years ago. I’m willing to give it another chance.” He gave me a deviously sly smile. “What about you and Tremolo?” I nearly choked on air at the mention of that harpe’s name.
“No! Not ever!” He broke down and chortled in his trademark high-pitched cackle. I would give you history on her, but we’d be here for eons and I did not want to relive the worse three years of my life.
“I love how you didn’t even take a moment to think!” he laughed.
“Because, no! Fuck that bitch…”
“You just mad cause you did!” his laughter started to gain the attention of several nearby patrons. All I did was roll my eyes and wait for him to finish. He was a funny guy even though he would get too caught up in his own jokes. “Sorry, bro, but I feel you. No one blames you for wanting to distance yourself from… that.”
“No problem, man,” I sighed, but in truth there were too many problems. I like to think that I’m above the others of my generation who whine about being single and believe that every mare or stallion that they date will be their true love forever. Being a hopeless romantic didn’t help the fact of how incredibly yet purposefully single I was. Yet again Octavia’s proposal crossed my mind, and again I felt like a moron for saying no.
A cute lime green mare presented us with our muffins. I downed mine with gusto but Cos stared at his for quite some time. “You alright?” I asked, wiping crumbs from the corner of my mouth.
“Yeah, just feeling a little old…”
Seven years was quite some time, yet it all has gone by so quickly. This time all of those years ago I was nothing more than a seventeen year old colt, practicing endlessly so that one day I could live well within my own means. I’ve done it, but what now? I think too much….
~^^^^^~
What a day! I usually shy away from spending a whole day out shooting the breeze and spending money, but damn if it weren’t fun! I had forgotten how fun and fulfilling it was to hang out with old friends. Though the rain was cold and heavy, I walked back to my suite with a wide smile on my lips and a pep to my step. The streets had begun to quiet down, but in the city that never sleeps, that was but a miniscule amount.
As I grew closer to the hotel I noticed a familiar shape from this morning. The rude mare from the day before sat on the sidewalk shivering under the downpour. She didn’t notice me; perhaps she heard another pair of boots click by. I stopped, my mind and heart feuding over my next action. She was rude, crass, and could most likely be ungrateful or even a thief. But, she was cold and shaking violently. Nothing good can come from her, but I couldn’t let her stay out here. She could be developing the earliest stages of hypothermia.
I stood there rolling my eyes and my head, tensing my body trying fight against helping this mare. She didn’t want it at all, right? “This is gonna come back to bite me in the ass…” I turned and dropped to my knee. I shook her a little, “Hey! Hey! Are you okay?” She cut her eyes open giving me a fearful gaze.
“Y-You?” she shook and jittered.
“Yes, me. Come on!” I tried to help her to her feet but she wouldn’t budge. “Look, I’m not going to argue! You’re coming home with me!” She looked even more fearful after I said that. “Phrasing… okay. You’re obviously freezing. If you don’t come with me you could have frostbite or worse by morning.”
She looked around weighing her options as she trembled from the cold. Without uttering a word, she took my hand and followed me back to my hotel. I remember how cold her hand was. It felt as if I were escorting a corpse or a husk devoid of the warmth of life. I wondered about her name, her age, where she came from, why she was out here all alone. She didn’t say anything to me on the way back to my suite. Her long soaked hair covered her face giving her the appearance of a cliche horror movie ghost. I knew this was a bad idea, but I wouldn’t have been able to sleep knowing she was freezing to death outside.
“Here we are…” I said, opening the door to my room. She looked around, still shaking violently. “I’ll go grab you some comforters, you head to the bathroom and get out of those wet clothes.” She followed my orders without hesitation. I was having a mini panic attack. The last time I had a girl over for the night was… hell, I don't even remember, so this was all new and foreign to me. Even moreso since I have no idea who this stranger is or what her motives are. “She could stab me in my sleep!” I gasped.
Well, I decided not to leave her to her own devices. Let’s see if I walk away alive… “Are you okay in there?” I heard no reply, only a yelp followed by a loud smack. “Are you okay? What happened?”
“I’m fine!” she spat back. I raised my brow and brought every blanket I could to the door.
“So, do you want me to hand you these or-” she stood before me completely naked, “Or you can just… do that…” I wrapped her in the expensive fabrics all while she gave me a pouting frown. “What?”
“You’re some kind of stupid, aren’t you?”
“Wait, excuse me?” There was the crass little something I ran into yesterday.
“You’re not very smart.”
“And you don’t know when someone is trying to do something kind for you,” I said with a cheeky smile.
“I don’t need your kindness…”
“If so, then why did you follow me back here?” She folded her arms under the blanket and ignored my gaze. Yeah, this was going to be a lovely night. Me and some random bum lady who probably wanted to run me for my jewlery or something. I will admit, it was strange going about my business with her glaring daggers into my back. “Are you hungry?”
“No,” she answered briefly.
“Bullshit; I’ll make you something.”
“I told you I’m not hungry!”
“When was the last time you ate?” She was about to speak but realized that the last thing to fill her belly probably came more than a few days ago. “My point exactly. My cooking won’t kill you, but you won’t be starving.”
“Okay, what is your deal?” she raised her voice.
“Hmm?” I replied coyly.
“What is wrong with you? Any other pony would have let me be. Why did you bring me back here?”
“You said it yourself, ‘I’m some kind of stupid’.”
“Well unless you’re looking to give me a few dollars for a service, I’m out of here!” She stormed towards the door.
“Hold on, Cinnamon.” she wrinkled her nose at the obvious stage name, “You’re planning to go out into Manehattan at…” I glanced at my watch. It read at eleven thirty-three, “Luna’s tea time buck naked? You’d get your cheeks ran faster than a new inmate in a cell block.” By the look she gave me, she knew that I was right. “You may hate me, but for the time being staying here is the best option for you.” She frowned even harder then backed away from the door. I let loose a sigh, still wondering what I had gotten myself into.
She sat down on the loveseat and stared at a wall. I suppose some sauteed apples with a side of fried hay couldn’t hurt. I sliced the apples nice and thin then coated a medium saucepan in extra virgin olive oil. Never understood why they couldn’t say innocent and curious olive oil. As the grease started to crackle and pop I looked over my shoulder at the statuesque girl dampening my blankets. “So, do you have a name?”
“Yes, but you don’t need to know it…”
Like I expected any other answer… “How about I call you, Aqua?”
“Aqua?” she scoffed.
“Yeah. You’re blue, you dripping wet, and you’re as cold as the depths of the ocean, Aqua.” I could feel her roll her eyes from here. “You may already know my name,” I said, stroking my suffering ego.
“Nope…” And she shattered it.
“You don’t know who I am?”
“Should I know?” she snorted.
“Well, most of your age wouldn’t know, kid. But I am the famous virtuoso, Glissandi Fortepiano.” Her only response was a blank confused stare. “Then again I don’t blame you. Kids these days have lost touch on what real music is.”
“Would you stop calling me a kid!” she erupted with anger.
“Well, you look like you’re ten,” I cleverly shot back.
“You don’t know a damn thing about me!”
“I never claimed that I did. I’m only trying to get to know the stranger I brought into my rented home.”
“You know, that’s a good question; why did you bring me here? Every other pony in Manehattan didn’t bat an eyelash and here you go acting like a ‘savior’!” She was standing on the couch, her hair inky and wet, and the blankets barely clinging to her damp fur.
“Since you asked. Unlike the other ponies in this town, I have a heart or conscious enough to see when someone needs help, even when they think they don’t. I could have left your loud, whiny, disrespectful ass on the sidewalk and let the cold rain slowly kill you. Yeah, I’m some kind of stupid for taking in such a dirty nagging bitchy hobo as yourself, but I did it because I’m a nice kind of stupid.”
I set her food on the table in between us. My words did something to her. She seemed to deflate as she stared at me from across the room. I’ll admit, it was cute how she thought she was so intimidating. “I’m gonna go and practice. Enjoy your meal.” As I was leaving I noticed that she was giving me a confused raise of her brow. “Oh, and, by the by. Good luck trying to steal anything. Everything in here is tagged down to the silverware. They’ll hunt you down faster than a pack of Timberwolves. Night!”
I know she started at me while I went into my room. I needed some of my own soothing music to calm my nerves. I have always been of the impulsive kind, and this was taking it to the next level. Perhaps something tragically soothing could sooth my nerves. I thought back through years of my repertoire. That’s it!
It is amazing how the most subdued and simplest of things can pull the most energy from your soul. Not a day has passed where I can play that sorrowful ballad to a love long lost without a single tear staining my cheeks.
~^^^^~
It was late at night. Luna’s moon infiltrated the small hotel room where I was held captive by my own curiosity. This Glissandi guy had to have some kind of ulterior motive. I was completely naked in his hotel room! And he didn’t try anything! I know he was thinking about it. He had to be… this was odd. He was sleeping in his room. My clothes were still a little damp, but nothing I am opposed to doing. Something held me in place though. I do have to admit, this was a very nice suite. This sofa was heaps more comfy than anywhere I had ever laid on my life. I was more than exhausted. A night’s stay on a stranger's couch couldn't be too bad, then, when the sun rises I’ll be gone and out of his hair....
The following morning, I awoke tired and heavy. These beds were without a doubt the most comfortable I have ever rested my big head on. It was a shame that I had to get up. I stretched, relieving my spine from its nightly rigor mortis with several cracks, and jumped out of bed.
The sun was slowly trekking over the shorter buildings at built the foundations of the Manehattan skyline. The rain had most likely just moved on the hour before. I could smell it on the breeze that invited itself into my room.
I left my room stepping out into the bright light bouncing around the suite. Then, something tickled my ears, or more likely, ground them mercilessly. I approached the loveseat to find the mare from last night out cold. “That’s just lovely…” I sighed. I expected her to have been long gone by now. Perhaps the couch was as comfortable as the bed. I shrugged and made my way to the kitchen; I needed a cup of joe.
I tried to focus on the gurgling water to drown out her mating call. If she didn’t wake up soon I half expected a wild boar to bust through the door. In a way I felt a little sympathetic. Celestia knows where she’s had to sleep and for how long. Then, the room phone rang breaking me out of my thought.
“Yes?” I answered.
“Mr. Gliss, there is a mare here to see you.”
“Who?” I asked thinking through a list of the mares that I’ve been in contact with. There were only about three. The stallion mumbled something.
“Octavia Philharmonica.”
“Octavia?” I was very much surprised that she made her way to my hotel. To be honest, I was happy that she came to see me. I needed to apologize for dodging her the other night. “Send her up.”
“Will do sir”
I quietly hung up the phone and hurriedly tip-toed back to my room to find something more to wear than my boxers. Yes, I was very happy that Octavia had decided to come by. I know I’ve said it before, but I felt bad about leaving her high and dry the other night. This was a tad bit odd, though. She never stayed in town no more than a day after a performance. She said that she prefers the quiet of her hometown. I would do the same, but the moment I go home, I’m going to be swarmed by my family.
I found a well enough shirt in my suitcase, and now all I had to do was find some pants. Anyway, I have a large family, I suppose. I was the youngest born, and also the only colt out of three sisters. Aside from that, my aunts and uncles with their kids live very close as well. Family get togethers always needed, like, a gymnasium to be rented out, and it was still a tight fit.
I heard a knock on the front door and quickly forced myself into a pair of old jeans that were way too tight. I stiffly waddled to the door, forgetting about the homeless mare on the couch. Octavia knocked again. I couldn’t ignore it.
“Hey, Tavi,” I greeted with a forced grin.
She looked me up and down with a grin, “I didn’t wake you, did I?”
“What? Oh, no. You did catch me a bit off guard though,” I chuckled.”Come in, come in.” She looked good today. Her long black hair rested in a bun, and she wore a light coat with slacks that hugged her thighs and butt quite nicely. What? I’m a stallion. I can look, but I only touch if granted permission.
“So, how are you, Glis--” The mare on the couch snorted loudly and shifted position. “What was that?” She asked peering over the couch at the comatose mare. “Gliss, she isn’t a prostitute, is she?!” Octavia sounded more jealous than shocked.
“No! Hell no!”
“Then why is there a naked mare on your couch?” The jealously was ever present now.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” She raised her brow like a mother ready to lambast her child.
“She’s homeless. I was coming back from hanging with a friend from secondary school, and I saw her shivering in the rain, so I let her sleep there for the night.”
Octavia looked down on her, then back at me, “You’re ridiculous sometimes, Gliss,” she chuckled. I tilted my head in confusion. “So, back to what I was saying. How are you, Gliss?”
“Hm? Oh, I’m good. Slept pretty well, despite the noisemaker over here.”
“That’s good.” She sat down at the small kitchen table.
“How are you?” I asked, joining her.
“Very well. I have something to ask of you.” I shot her a curious look.
“Vinyl is DJing at a club tonight before we head back to Ponyville, and I was hoping that you’d join us. I know loud social gatherings with loud people and alcohol aren’t your forte, but--”
“I’m down.”
She stopped, flashing me with those big violet eyes. “I’ll go.
She blinked several times then cleared her throat, “Well, I half expected that to be a battle,” I grinned, causing her to blush and shift her eyes.
“What time?”
“Tonight at nine.”
“Okay, you’re gonna see this scruffy lookin’ gent fist pumping with the best of ‘em.” Octavia chuckled and rose from her seat.
“I’m going to grab a bite to eat. Care to come with?”
“Yeah, but I have to get the girl out of here.”
Octavia glanced at the couch and sighed, “I’ll be waiting in the lobby.” I watched her leave, and sat in the anticipation of what could be a good day.
I approached the mare and started to shake her vigorously. “Hey, hey. Time to get up,” I repeated until she began to stir with a couple of porcine grunts and snorts
“Huh…?” she yawned.
“Come on, time to get up.”
“Aah!” she swatted at my hand and flailed around until she fell off the loveseat.
“Are you okay?” I chuckled, peering over the couch.
“I’m fine,” she groggily replied.
“Well, it was fun having you soak this expensive futon, but it’s about time you took your leave.”
“Ugh… you didn’t do anything while I was sleep, did you? Cause, you’re still gonna have to pay up,” she yawned again.
“I didn’t fuck you, and I have no intention of doing so. I mean, you make it sound like there’s a mine shaft down there anyway.” She angrily glared up at me, hiding her modesty with the comforter. “I’ll go grab your clothes…”
I’m not sure what she did while I fetched her dry but stiff clothes. Part of me felt bad casting her back out to a life on the streets, but another part of me knew that she couldn’t stay with me. I’m not ready to have to hunt down some nameless mare because she mugged me. Well, she could have done it by now.
I came back into the main room, finding her rummaging through the cabinets. “Uh, I got your stuff.” She jumped and slipped on the linoleum floor exposing her modesty. I shook my head, set her stuff down next to her, and turned around.
“You could have asked me for something if you were hungry.” She didn’t answer so I continued to stand there awkwardly waiting for her to get dressed.
“You can look now,” she said with an annoyed growl.
“That’s better. So, a friend of mine has invited me out, which means I’m leaving.”
“And?”
“And that means that you can’t stay here. No offense, but I don’t trust you about as far as I can throw you.”
“Are you calling me fat?” I gave her my best unamused look, battling my urge to point out I wasn’t, and that she looked pretty nice for someone pulled from a gutter. “Fair point,” she shrugged.
“I’m gonna go change. Hold on…”
I watched in curiosity as he went back to his room. He says that he can’t trust me? Ha! I thought I’d end up on the news the next morning cut into little pieces. It was unfortunate that I couldn’t stay in this suite. I haven’t slept that hard since I was in foster care. He seemed nice enough though, so I guess I can loosen up some. He came back out, better dressed, with something in his hand.
“Here.” He held out his hand. I opened my own, and was met with the melodious jingle of bits falling into my hands. “You can get you something pretty decent to eat, if you want.”
“Why did you give me this…?”
“You were going through the cabinets like a rabid racoon. I can tell you’re hungry,” he said with a smile. This guy could not be for real. He takes me into this lavish hotel suite, does not advance at all, and drops a pocketful of bits in my hands. “Th-Thank you…”
“No problem at all. I’m about to go now. I don’t like keeping people waiting.” He escorted me to the door and locked it behind us. “Well, it was nice meeting you, lady.”
He turned to leave. I didn’t buy what he was doing, but he had at least deserved to know my name, “It’s, Kenmore…”
“Hmm?” he stopped and turned to me.
“My name is, Kenmore.”
He smiled and waved to me, “Until we meet again, Kenmore.” And with that he was gone, leaving me on the top floor of the most prestigious hotel in the city. I had no idea on what to do next. All I had was a handful of golden coins, a screaming belly, and a mind about to buckle under the weight of my curiosity.
Author's Note
This was mainly edited by, Kalash93
It had been a few weeks since I had last saw Kenmore. Celestia knows what she did with those bits I gave her. Maybe a few bottles of booze, a few nugs to light up, or whatever that shit is that they like to shoot into their arms. I know it seems like I’m speaking about her as if I’m missing the one I love, but it was more than the opposite.
I was curious -- curious about where she had gone. Would she have used what I did as a stepping stone to seek more help in the future? Did one night on my suite’s couch make her envious of a more lavish life? What did she think of me? I knew I would most likely never see her again, but it was intriguing to wonder, ‘what if’?
Oh! I spent that whole day with Octavia. Best, decision, I ever made! Hanging out with her felt right. Now, I’m going to start fawning, hard! But, with Octi, I mean, she’s smart, she’s hilarious, she’s even petty! We were sitting on a bench after grabbing some drinks, and this kid, he couldn’t have been no older than fifteen, sits between us and starts up a conversation with her. After he left, she completely lambasted him, saying that he looks like he has a garage band full of suburban unicorns that whine about their mom telling them to take out the trash! Oh… you had to be there.
Turns out she can dance… very well, in fact. While we were in the club, she was moving in ways I wouldn’t have even imagined a mare of her stature could. And the whole time her gaze was locked on me, awkwardly dabbing at every beat drop. I mean, she would have had me fooled for being a showgirl, and a damn good one at that. I know I was staring harder than I would like to admit, but the way she moved her body was so… alluring.
I even decided to go back to her and Vinyl’s hotel room. I know you must think that I had a little fun, well, not exactly. The most we did was a three way cuddle as we waited for our livers to die a little. I can’t complain though. It was nice having two mares on me.
I don’t know what they want from me. I know Octavia cares, and… well, I don’t know what the hell Vinyl thinks. She’s mute, so she isn’t the most talkative one, even though they have conversations as if they are telepathically linked. She was comfy enough to sleep on me, or maybe she was drunk enough… whatever. I digress.
I don’t know what Octavia wants with me. I definitely feel something for her, but I’m a goddamn brick when it comes to knowing if a mare likes me. Any other stallion would drill into my skull with a drill bit labeled ‘It’s pretty fucking obvious, dude’, but I still have my doubts. Either way, I am more than happy that I said yes.
So, here I am, sitting on a park bench, train tickets in my pocket, and a smile on my muzzle. The day was bright, and birds sang as they danced through the trees. Just another perfect cliched day in paradise. Although, I felt like there was some familiar presence sharing the day with me.
There he was, sitting on a park bench doing little to nothing. I know that basically stalking him wasn’t the best course of action, but what was I to do? He turned his back on me the last time I saw him. I couldn’t just walk up to him, pleading for him to let me stay. Besides, I only just found him again today after I had taken a much needed nap in the grass.
I don’t know why he plagued my mind. Maybe it was because I was a devious little sneak who wanted to see how I could sucker this kind fool into giving me whatever I wanted. He probably would do it if I fully exercised my acting chops. But, then my conscious pulled at me. He took me in, even made me a meal, and he didn’t take advantage of me, even when I wanted him t- I mean! When he had a chance…
He rose from the bench and started off, most likely towards his posh hotel. This was my chance. I darted ahead of him, yes, in broad daylight, and propped up against a tree all cool like.
“Hey there, Charity,” I greeted. He jumped a little, clutching his chest and giving me a glare.
“Damnit, girl! You scared the everything outta me!” he gasped.
“Sorry, I thought you saw me.”
He looked me up and down with a frown as if to make sure he knew who I was. “So, how did you find me?”
“You’ll be surprised how small Manehattan is, G.”
He quirked a brow at the nickname. “So, how are you? I see that you’re still pretty okay looking.”
“I can't complain, those bits helped me out a little. Had more than a few double cheese hayburgers.”
“That’s good… well. I have to get going. It was nice to run into you again.”
He started off not even giving me so much as a glance back, and I watched, desperately thinking of anything to say. “Wait!” I shouted, much louder than what I intended to. He gave a curious look over his shoulder.
“C-Can I.... can I come w-with you…?”
He turned to face me with a look of bewilderment.
“The hell? Why?”
“I… can’t give you a good reason why…”
He started to frown and look away. My words had obviously made him start thinking about his next course of action.
“What did you do with those bits I gave you?” He asked sternly.
“Huh? Well, after you left me in the hallway, thanks for that by the way, I caught a carriage cab to a local hangout and stayed there. Then I went to get some hayburgers, then I got-”
“Do you… have any left?”
I rummaged through my pockets and pulled out five gold coins. I presented them like a child preparing for a scolding. He eyed them and sighed.
“You can come with me…”
I didn’t say a word. I didn’t feel the need to. I could hear the reluctance in his tone, but I could also see the same kindness that took me out of the rain when we first met. Not another word was uttered as we left the park.
They say that if you speak of the devil, he will appear. Well, if that’s the case, then I must be lucy’s best fuckboy I do feel bad for this girl, but I’m not sure of what I can do for her, or what she thinks I can do for her. That’s what I get for flexing my ‘wealth’ for a lesser class mare. Well, after I leave tomorrow I won’t have to see her ever again.
I opened the door to my suite, letting her enter first, and closed the door. She stood there as if she was waiting for a command, or permission. “Uhh… you can have a seat.” She silently sat on the couch, upright, and with her hands politely on her lap. This was a complete and curious turnaround from the mare I ran into last week. She wanted something.
I rummaged through the kitchen, thinking up ways to expose whatever scheme she was cooking up.
“So…”
“Hmm?” She looked back at me.
“What made you decide to come hunting me down?”
“I really don’t know,” she sighed. “I thought I’d come crash my old buddy’s pad.” She gave a big toothy smile, exposing her yellow teeth.
I suppressed a cringe. She must have noticed because her smile went away as fast as she formed it. “Look, Glass was it?”
“Gliss…”
“Gliss, I need help…”
Sirens roared to life in my mind.
“And, I think you may be the only one who can help me.”
The sirens blared furiously with a little voice screaming, “Kick ‘er ass out, big fella!”.
“I don’t have anywhere to stay. I’ve been on the streets for as long as I can remember…
The voice and the sirens blended together, downright hollering, “Danger! Danger! Danger!”
“I know this is a lot to ask of you, but I was wondering if you could help me?”
“Say no, big fella! It ain’t worth it!”
“Uh… I uh… well…” I stammered.
“You already got the sexy cello player and her quiet ass girlfriend! We don’t need no fourth wheel!”
I continued to stutter while she looked over the couch at me with puppy dog eyes.
“What do you need?” I asked, my inner voice screaming, “You finta die!”
“Just a place to stay for a while…”
“Oh, well, I’m catching a train to Fillinois tomorrow morning, so you can’t stay…” A poignant look of disappointment sullied her already dirty face. This is where I made the decision that would either make, or break me entirely. I didn’t know this girl, and it was enough of a risk letting her stay the first night. Besides, she was acting much differently than I remember.
Everything in me fought against it. But, I was a kindhearted fool. “I… I have…” She looked at me with hope igniting in her fuchsia eyes. “Let me think about it…” I said with a heavy sigh. I knew I was going to bring this strange girl along with me, but I had to sure that I wasn’t losing my damn mind for wanting to do so.
“You can relax there. I’m gonna go practice. Music helps me think clearly…”
I had him right where I wanted him. I mean, can you blame a girl? He was all too willing to let me stay in this expensive suite, so why not push my luck? He didn’t say no. Yes, my moral compass was starting to pound on the door of my conscious, but it’s not like I haven’t had to act to get what I wanted before. Even though he is really kind, he’s extremely gullible too.
Soon after he he left, a beautiful sound came resonating from the room. Though muffled, I could make out the smooth sorrowful yet determined tone of the piece. I had heard it before, when I was a kid in music class. ‘Canon’, I believe it was. He was magnificent on that piano, though. He soothed me to sleep the last time I was here.I don’t think I’d be mistaken if he was trying to do the same here.
I leaned against the door, listening to the repetitive climb of the harmony, yet every time it started it felt new and unique, as if you were holding twins with details so minute in their difference you would need a professional eye to tell them apart. It filled my heart with a unique serenity and joy the further it went along.
My curiosity getting the better of me, I opened the door slightly. It was as if you had opened a door on a windy day! The music came gushing out loud and clear from the tiny slit that I peeked through. His eyes were closed, but his hands played as if they weren’t his own. With every rise and fall in the volume I could see his posture change from fully erect, to slumped and hunched.
Before I knew it, his song was over, and I was left desperately begging for more. He pinched the brow of his nose, raising his glasses to his forehead.
“You play really good,” I spoke with very little thought. He jumped and looked at me intruding into his private studio.
“Thanks!” he flinched. “You’ve got to stop scaring me like that.”
“Sorry, I was just listening… it sounded beautiful.” I was shocked by how sincere I was being.
“Thank you. That was Canon in C by Johann Pachebull.” He stared at the keys as if he were waiting for something. I eyed him curiously, waiting to see what his next move would be. I mostly expected for him to tell me to leave, but what he did surprised me. His right hand began scaling up the piano in a fashion that resembled a spider scuttling across its web. Again, he started on the lower register of the piano, diligently working his way up until he struck a double chord in quick succession, and repeated yet again.
I didn’t say a word. With how he was shredding the keys, I’d feel guilty if I stole away his concentration. There wasn’t much more I could say about this song. It sounded… angry; passionately so! The fluctuations in the volume painted an image in my mind of a stallion slowly being eaten alive by his anger and insanity.
Then I began to think of my own tumultuous past. All of the people I’ve turned my back on, and all of the moments I acted on nothing but my own blind rage. I sat on his bed, my mind being torn to shreds by this damned piece…
I’m not sure why she came into my room, but I welcomed an audience, even if it was one pony. Could you believe that I’ve been playing this landmark piece for fifteen years and I still have problems keeping up with the original composer? Braythoven was a crazy but talented son of a bitch. Every now and then I would take a glance over my shoulder, catching Kenmore with her eyes locked on the carpet. She had an expression of worrisome contemplation. I had to say something.
“Hey… are you okay?”
Her eyes stayed glued to the ground.
“Kenmore?”
She cut her eyes up at me, wide and soulful. “Are you okay? You were having a staring contest with the ground,” I chuckled.
She shook her head, and gave me a sheepish smile, flashing those yellow teeth again. “I was thinking about some heavy shit…”
“I could tell.”
“Look, Gliss. You don’t have to let me stay with you. I don’t want to burden you anymore than I have so far.”
“Well, aside from assing me out of a-hundred bits, you haven’t been a burden.’
“Well,” she sighed and rose to her feet. “I’ll leave so I won’t become a burden…” She started towards the door, but I stopped her.
“I’ll help you out the best I can, but I want to see maximum effort from you or I’m cutting you off faster than Celestia shot Luna to the moon,” I spoke, my mind made up.
“Maximum effort? I-I don’t-”
“If you’re going to be riding my coattails, that means I’m putting you to work.”
Her frown of worry returned with a smile in tow. I know that this was most likely going to bite me in the ass, hard, but I hinged my trust on my judge of character. She was much more than just a common street rat. Well, pop always said my curiosity would end me up in a ditch. Let’s see if the old stallion’s words carried any weight.
“First thing’s first. You need some clothes, and a shower… plus a toothbrush, some white-strips, a comb-” She stared daggers at me while clenching her fists.
“Heh, one thing at a time, right?”
She left the room with a blank face, leaving me to marinate in the decision I just made. I sighed a heavy sigh, stood up straight, and sauntered out with confidence that that this won’t end in a miserable failure… half confident at least...
Author's Note
I hope you all like this little update. Hopefully Gliss’ suspicions turn out to be nothing other than him being paranoid. Anyway, see you all next chapter, all feedback; good, bad, kind, mean, all of it are welcome.
