Present day
Songbird Serenade was furious. The front door closed behind her with a loud bang, or at least as loud it would be when the one doing the banging was blind. The bang was followed by quick, angry hoofsteps, once or twice interrupted by a, “Ouch! Or a Damn,” along with the sounds of several hard and likely heavy objects crashing against a small and soft body.
Treehugger knew the signs and she immediately left the stove and stepped out to meet her wife. Songbird Serenade was usually very careful when she walked around, so when she was clomping around like this it meant she was angry. And even if she was a very emotional pony, this was a very rare mood for her. Treehugger found her wife fighting her way through the living room towards the sofa when she caught her.
“Hiya, mate. What’s up? Sounds like there’s some great imbalance between your chakras?” She gently put her hand on her arm and helped her significant other zig-zag between the table and the chairs. Songbird sank down in the sofa with a grunt.
“Oh wouldn’t you know that… This day has been a BEAUTY! I...I have been interviewed…” However, Songbird’s words immediately came to a halt as she tried and failed to find the proper follow up.
Tree smiled her most comforting smile, and sat down next to her as she put her arm around Songbird. “There, there. I’m guessing the reporter had a bit of bad vibe going?”
“Hah, if only. She had no vibe at all… She called and said she wanted to discuss my new single and upcoming album. Only thing is, she didn't want to talk music. She only wanted to talk about our darn sex life!”
“Stupid. Sex is for doing, not talking.”
“Love you to, hun. ARGH! Why can't every reporter be like Degeneighres? Or Mr. Connemara! ...He at least gives me wine...”
“What was the name on your new single again?”
Songbird turned her head towards Treehugger and searched for her cheeks. When she found them, she gently stroke her with the tall side of her hand.
“Never change, luv. Never change. It's called ‘Bodies in Movement’ and if she'd only had listened to ONE WORD on the actual record she would have known it is about the club scene in the 70s, and it's one huge tribute to mom,what an awful dancer she was and that it doesn't matter because it’s all about confidence and loving yourself. But she was just ‘so… this is a very suggestive title and you thank your wife on the album cover. Has she influenced you in a more direct way?’ And THAT was only her first question!”
Tree leaned in closer, softly nuzzling Songbirds cheek with her nose. “Poor little Birdie…”
“And THEN she said, ‘your wife was involved in the polyamorous network a few years back. How has that impacted you?’ There was no bloody network! It was just you,Shy and whoever was in your apartment that week!” She immediately paused for a moment. “Was there a network?”
“Past is past. Be here now, babe.” Pause. “But no, it was basically just me trying to get Flutters laid and ending up shagging her dates instead.”
Songbird gave a short smile, then she sighed again. “AND I have a new temporary assistant. Third one in five weeks. I can’t wait til Snowjogger returns from her vacation. This mare… she said she had worked for Paul McColtly before. To me it’s more like she was originally in retail! She was all about the reporter and nothing about me! Couldn't she tell I was uncomfortable?” Her voice was getting a bit shaky and she sniffed. “I… I’m not a damn brittle flower but I have limits! Is a little peace and some tact too much to ask for? Am I being an unreasonable jerk?”
“Mate. Did she call you that?”
“...Yeah, she muttered it when she led that bugger away. I mean, fair suck of the sav…” Song was openly crying now, slow tears ran down her face.
“There there. What was her name?”
“It doesn't matter. I will not have you having nightmares over her.”
Treehugger gave her Song a smile she could hear in her words. “That's your big heart talking again luv. Then I promise you I won't give that bad vibe pony any more attention.” She leaned closer and put her hand right over Songbirds heart and began to gently hum into her ear.
“I deserve to live with ease. I say "no" to stress and "yes" to ease. Peace is within my reach.”
Slowly, low and gently, she repeated the words over and over again. There was nothing sexual in that touch, despite the placement, all Songbird felt was love and calming energy stemming from her chest and filling her body. And as many times before, Songbird asked herself: How does she do this? She concentrated on her breathing, just as Treehugger taught her, and repeated the mantra for herself. “I deserve to live with ease. I say "no" to stress and "yes" to ease. Peace is within my reach.” After some minutes, Songbird’s pulse slowed down and the tears stopped. “Better?”
“Better.”
“Good. Now, hun, even if I enjoy sitting here with you, a big heart needs a big meal or else it will starve. Also, if I don’t move the pasta will. So I’ll go and finish the stew and Chandi can get you when it's done, ok?” With a nod from her wife, Treehugger gave Songbird a light kiss and walked out to finish dinner. Songbird lay down on the couch. “Big heart.” She smiled. “Yeah. Big heart…”
“I can always tell when somepony has a big heart…”
A few years back…
“Breaking rocks in the, hot sun, I fought the crown and, the crown won, I fought the crown and, the crown won.”
Even this early in the morning the sand was still warm, and to Songbird Serenade this was the perfect way to start the day. A thermos with tea, a bowl of fruit, a mat to keep herself steady, and just herself,the beach, and the yoga. She was pretty much an autodidact on this, in spite of the fact her routine was rather odd compared with more professional yogis. Regardless, it worked for her and that was all that mattered.
She started with greeting sun and bidding farewell to the moon. She proceeded with three or four positions which she held as long as it was comfortable. Then she sank down into the Lotus position and lean in as far as she could . The last thing she did was to mumble the old hit by “the Crash”. It was a Mom and Dads song, and even if it was a pretty odd choice, to Song it represented limitless love and endless possibilities.
While her routine was odd, it had helped her deal with several issues in her life, most notably, that she was all alone. At least mostly.
The magical buzzing from her hoof-link told her that her assistant/bodyguard, Mike-Sierra Foxtrot, was hanging around somewhere, watching over her from a distance.
While she wasn’t happy about essentially having a shadow hanging over her every move She she had a different life now, and that included Mike-Sierra. Just a simple touch on the hoof-link and he would be there. But, by now she was used to him and the buzzing was just background noise. It was just the sun, the sea, the and her.
As the sun rose, the city slowly awoke, along with the beach, to a new day. A few ponies came and went. Joggers, trotters, walkers. One or two sunbathers. Another pony doing yoga. It was all neigh.
“Breaking rocks in the, hot sun, i fought the crown and, the crown won, I fought the crown and, the crown won.”
A twitched sound coming from her right briefly broke her concentration, but only for a moment. Even with her condition, she knew that the pony doing yoga on her right had turned and was looking at her. She was used to the telling signs. The same sound appeared on gravel and crispy snow, even more if the pony in question had passed her by, then turned around to look back at her. It was that slight hesitation combined with a piqued interest that gave this move its significance. Somepony had recognized her and had turned around to confirm it really was her.
Songbird did not leave her position, and despite how she looked at a glance, she was more than a little annoyed. She was aware that her celebrity status had obligations of course! ...but here? Sydneigh beach, while doing yoga in the most discreet outfit she had, with a bandana hiding the telling black-streak on her mane, wasn't it obvious that she wanted to be left alone? She felt how the buzzing increased, but she didn't move.
Stand clear. Await. I’m ok. The buzzing decreased. She braced herself and waited. What would it be now...
“Miss Songbird, right?”
“SONGBIRD SERENADE! IT'S YOU!”
“CLAP YOUR HOOVES!”
“I say mate, you've been doin’ yoga long! That energy flow around your chakras are pretty groovy! Mind if I join in? I could use some energy boost myself. Double the energy, double the flow, y'know?”
Wait, what?
“Um…”
“Hey, if you wanna be by yourself, that's cool. Integrity is important!”
“Oh no...eh...you just caught me off guard. You can join if you want, it’s no problem. I'm mostly meditating, not doing a real routine honestly. “
“That's cool. There is no right or wrong with yoga, as long as the focus is peace of the mind, mate.”
The other pony fell silent and sank down in the sand next to Song. And true to her word, she did not disturb her once. Even if there was an occasional ruffle of muffled fabric when she switched positions, Songbird didn't find her a bother. After about an hour she touched her hoof-link for Mike- Sierra to know that she was ready to leave. She rose and rolled up her mat.
“Leavin’?” The other pony spoke up.
“Yeah. Gotta start the day.”
“Old ball and chain. We shouldn't be slaves.” And then she giggled. “Sorry. Couldn't help throwing out the clichés. Working and peace of mind are equally important in life. Have a nice day, mate. Namaste.”
Songbird was taken aback. What kind of pony was this? She was getting more interested now. “...Namaste… um….sorry, what was your name?”
“Treehugger. And since I can see you're wondering, I'm here on a journey. “
With that opening she just had to ask, “Journey for what?”
Treehugger took a few calm breaths before responding. “...Picking up pieces and making myself a whole pony again. Say, you're doing yoga here a lot, right? I think I've seen you here, a few days back. If I see you again, may I join you?”
“Certainly, of course! “
“Groovy. So, you know my name, but there's no number to look up. I'm staying at the YMCC if you wanna see me.”
“I live in that green house over there,” she blurted out. “And my name is…” she hesitated. Had this pony really not recognized her?
There was so much in a name sometimes, especially in hers. She yawned, trying to hide her hesitation and she could hear Mike approaching. He was whistling, as usual. She had to come up with something really quick.
“S...S-Sweet Potato!!”
“Cool. See ya around, SP.” Songbird smiled and turned towards the whistling, taking just a few steps before Mike was there and gently laid his hand on her shoulder.
“Ready to go home miss S…” She interrupted him. “YES! Home! Now!” She walked away with brisk steps and Mike had to grab her rather harshly to stop her from walking into… something.
“Are you alright, Miss Serenade? Did that hippie antagonize you?”
Hippie. Mike labelled Treehugger as a hippie. That did explain her comment about a cliché… but she hadn't felt her being that off-white kind of hippie when they talked. No sir.
“No, she didn't, Mike. And I am perfectly alright. Perfectly.” They walked in silence a few moments and then she added low, “Perfectly. “
***
Treehugger did come back the next day. And the next after that. And even the third next one.
And more or less the same way.
“Morning SP!”
“Good morning Treehugger!”
And a few phrases when leaving. Usually Songbird was the first to leave, which on the fourth day led to this...interesting situation.
“Leavin’ early?” In fact she had an interview booked with a local radio station, but she didn't want Tree to know. “Yeah. Busy day today.”
“Don't wanna leave the boyfriend waiting either, huh?”
“Boyfriend?”
“Yeah, that thick, muscular pegasi that always sits over at that cafe trying to look like he isn't watching ya. If you want my advice, dump him. When they're that protective, things turn ugly fast.”
Songbird couldn't stare for natural reasons but she did something pretty close to it now. “Boyfriend? No no! He's… he's not my boyfriend! He's… he's…”
“Now don't say ‘just a friend’, cause I won't believe that.”
“No! No! He's...he's… my escort.”
“Escort? Damn… A pretty girl like you having to pay for that. Well, I ain't judging. “
But… of course she was paying! She couldn't ask someone to do that for free! And he was educated and…. It took Songbird a while to realise what Treehugger had meant, or rather what she thought SHE, Songbird had meant. It was so absurd and so cringy she just burst out laughing.
“Ce-celestia no! Not that kind of escort! He…” She realized she had to break the illusion, but that was inevitable. Better now than never. “I'm blind.”
“Oh. OH, sorry mate.” Pause. “I did wonder why you nevah look at me face… well then! I see he likes coffee, but does he drink tea?”
Songbird felt her heart freeze. “Maybe. Ask him.”
“Well, it was mostly for comfort I asked. I thought I'd ask you to have tea at my favourite joint and it would be rude to leave the escort out.”
***
Turns out, Mike-Sierra Foxtrot did in fact hate tea, and he wasn't at all keen about leaving Songbird alone with a damn hippie. She had to promise a max of 30 minutes and he would walk by every fifth. But soon they were there, just two mares and two cups of tea, one with lemon, one with cream. After a false start talking about tea, along with the pros and cons of herbal, the subject shifted to Mike-Sierra, as he passed them for the second time, glaring at them.
“Man, that stallion watches me like a dog. This is like a date with the dad hiding in a hibiscus.”
Songbird giggled. “He is a little overprotective. He's my body...guard…”
There was surprise in Treehuggers voice. “Bodyguard? I thought he was your escort? Why would you need a bodyguard?”
Dammit! Think fast brain! Think as fast as when we wrote “Number 1” in two minutes…
“Oh, I just like to call him that, he he… he's… his job is to make sure I'm not getting hurt… he… guards my...body.”
“Okay. Whatever works I guess. Most ponies use dogs, I'm just curious. Is that stallion better than a dog?”
“No, or, yes… sort off? I like to fly sometimes and Mike-Sierra Foxtrot is there to see I'm not hurt.”
Treehugger put her cup down with a bang. “Dammit mare! I have heard about darkflyers but I never thought I'd meet one. You must've had it rough! A-a-and, not because of the mad skills you need! I…” Treehugger sighed. “I know a bit about Pegasi society. I had a… I HAVE a friend, it’s not like she’s dead… Eh, anyway. I can imagine a bit how your life must be…”
Songbird was silent. A few not very happy memories flew by her mind, but she let them pass. She lifted her cup only to quickly put it down again. “It was rough. It IS rough. But mom and Dad supported me. It was Dad that taught me to fly. Took a few years and I think I unintentionally forced his baldness, but he never gave up on me.”
“Wow. Some parents can be good.”
“Yeah… what do you mean, ‘some’ parents?”
“Trust me, SP. You don't want to know. It's not really my story to tell… sometimes things just suck, that’s all.”
“Yeah.”
“So, Is it your dad that pays for the Bootyguard?”
“He's not a… wut? Bootyguard? Did you really just say that?”
“Yup. I tell them as I see them.”
“Are you flirting with me?” Songbird groaned internally over how THAT was the first thing she thought off.
“Dunno. Perhaps. Maybe. Wanna meet tomorrow as well? If I say ya got a cute butt tomorrow too, then I’m dead sure flirting with ya!”
***
They didn’t meet the next day, but the third day, which was a cloudy and rainy day, they compensated with spending it inside the pier cafe, where they could watch the rain on the windows, and the waves smacking against the groynes. Well, Tree could see it. Song could only listen. But she likes the calming sounds of the sea and the rain. And the secure feeling of being warm and indoors.
“Yeah. You’re hawt, you doing some mean yoga, your energy is strong. I can't say it's love but I wouldn't mind kissing you.”
“Kiss me then.” Songbird was surprised by herself. Where did that come from? Ok, sure. Treehugger was nice, fun talking with, and showed respect for her. And this could be considered a date…
“Oh. Ok…” Apparently Treehugger was surprised too, but she rose from her chair and moved over, squatted down so their faces was aligned.
And then she moved away Songbirds bangs. She felt a slight breeze against her forehead. “What are you doing?”
“Moving your mane. I want to see your eyes.”
“I can't see you, you know.”
“I know, they're still beautiful.”
Moments later, their lips met for the first time. Moments later, Mike-Sierra cleared his throat behind them, not that they didn't care. And when they finally went their separate ways, they had already decided on a date for the next day.
***
The bed wasn’t comfortable, not at all. It was getting itchy, and reakedof sweat. However, she wasn’t getting out of it, not in a million years. She said loud, “This bed is my home and here I will stay.” The statement sounded rather stupid, however, right now she felt like being ,stupid. She was a stupid mare, of course she said stupid things!
The dress was still thrown on the chair. The used tickets to the opera were still sticking out from her breast pocket. They had been expensive, along with the dress...and the restaurant.
A few days had passed since the date and she had left the bed a total of five minutes a day. Because there were things one just didn’t do in a bed, at least if they wanted to maintain some small basis of personal hygiene. Also, because Mike would drag her into the shower by force if she didn’t get up.
What had she done wrong? Where had she gone wrong?
It had all started so good. The same café. The only difference was the fancy dress. The fancy sexy dress, she had been told.
Then they went to the Opera. That wasn’t anything special. Treehugger had told her she enjoyed some of it. And “Torandut” was an easy one to follow, if you weren’t used to it.
Sure, she had booked expensive seats and asked for a bottle of champagne but…
After that, Tree had just said that it had been a ‘groovy’ show. A bit of a vague response but she was fine with it.
They had never reached the restaurant. On the way, some colts had asked for her autograph. She had obliged, of course she had! Why shouldn’t she? She wasn’t that kind of star that said ‘no’ to normal ponies!
And, then she had left. Just like that.
No, not really… She had said one thing. “Songbird Serenade... Oh. I see. Good night.”
She had turned on that spot and left, leaving Songbird staring in shock. Really. Even with empty eyes, you could stare. Then she had returned about thirty seconds later, put her arm on her shoulder and murmured “I’m taking you home.”
Song had only replied, “O...kay” and followed.
Treehugger had been silent the entire time, anything Song had said was met with a cold wall of nothing. The walk hadn’t been longer than ten minutes or so but it felt like years. When they finally arrived she said one thing. “Wait here.” Then she heard her talk to Mike-Sierra, saying “Here you have her” and then she left again. As she felt Mike-Sierras hand on her shoulder, she had shouted Tree’s name. She got nothing as an answer. And that was it.
No...not entirely. There was one more thing. She had heard her muttering something. “Not cool...definitely not cool.” Or something like that. Wool. Drool. Pool. Pasta Fasool.
At first she had hoped she could turn the experience into a song, but it had all been for neigh. Her mind was now as blank as her eyes. She couldn’t even come up with a good minor chord sequence that worked.
Songbird had made a fool of herself. And she had no idea how.
….And the bed was still itching.
Manehattan, two years later
“What. Is. This?” She heard the ruffling of paper, so she could only assume that her Equestrian Agent held up some kind of document to her face. She frowned.
“You are aware that I can't see what you are referring to, right?”
“Well, LUCKY YOU! Those damn paparazzis have been having a field day! Three front pages! And Equestria Daily even threw out Zesty Gourmands column! THAT’S HOW BAD THIS IS!”
Her contact from the record company, Straight Edge, kept waving the paper in front of her, completely ignoring that she still couldn’t read what was on it.
“Sure, we get publicity! But you are here to RECORD an album! NOT being known as, “The Hot Queen of Yoga,” in every damn paper!" He looked at the page and muttered, "What kind of position is that by the way?”
“Still can't see it. And Mr. Edge, I am sorry, but I need my morning yoga routine before I work!”
“Mr. Edge, as stipulated in the contract, Miss Serenade is obliged to…” Straight Edge quickly interrupted the assistant without even caring she was there.
“Yes yes, but on the roof of a penthouse? Naked?”
“I. Wasn't. Naked.”
“Could have fooled me.”
“The outfit matches the tone of her fur. It is suggestive and provocative, just like Miss Songbird.”
“I don't care what it is! It still looks like you're naked unless you read until page 24 and by then it's too fucking late! You can't do yoga anymore!”
“No yoga, no album!”
“Then the deal is off! It's not your show to run!”
“It’s my album!”
“And it is my company! Now…”
“Excuse me! If I may…” Songbird’s new assistant butted in (… what was her name again? Snowshoes? No… SnowJogger?) “If… we could find a yoga studio? Secluded, where there is no one in sight?”
“Snow…”
“Just give us a second, Mr. Edge, ok?” Snow Jogger dragged her boss out from the office. “Listen, Miss Serenade!! I know Edge is being difficult, but you NEED this break in Equestria. “
“I don't need…”
“The beach house? The vet volunteers? The orphanage? My paycheck?”
Songbird was annoyed, both on the fact that her assistant had a point and that she couldn’t exactly remember her name. “Miss Sn… Miss, I do have money to pay you and Mike-Sierra! “
“Yes, but then you have nothing for yourself! You NEED this deal! Come on… three weeks. That's all. Three weeks and I will get a new deal with a yoga coach. The best one. So you won't have to be alone”
“I want to be alone when doing yoga…”
“You won't find anyone that will allow you to do that.”
Songbird practically slammed her head against a nearby wall in frustration. “Ugh, I hate Manehattan.”
“So we all say, and yet we stay. So?”
“...Get me a yoga studio and get me out of here. I am tired of stallions that smell like garlic.”
***
“Watch it, Miss Song. It's a short pair of stairs.”
“Mike… seriously? THIS was the best Snowjogger could find?” She had finally learned the name. But that was the plus of this day.
“With one days notice, Miss. Hooflyn is still just a short ride away from your apartment.”
“Why are YOU being positive about this?”
“I am just being professional, miss. And we’re here. Sit down on this couch. I will return after two hours.”
“Ok.”
And so he left, allowing Songbird to decompress and smell the air. Frankincense, combined with the sound of one of those damn magical waterfalls. How more generic could a place be? Songbird wasn't usually prejudice towards such things, but she was in a foul mood and had no wish to feel any kind of good vibe. She could bet that the owner would be a stallion in his fifties, with a long beard,smelling of myrrh and throwing out generic lines about peace and old doors-quotes…
“Hiya, mate! Welcome to Straight Up Yoga! You're my ten o'clock I guess! So…”
Or… someone else. Someone she actually knew.
Someone she had done her best to forget.
“Songbird Serenade?” And then, with a faint trace of venom, “Or should I say, ‘Sweet Potato’.”
And, now it just got awkward. The silence was so thick the flies was getting stuck in it. All the blood was drained from Songbirds face. “...Treehugger?”
“You remember my name. How sweet.”
Songbird swallowed. “Well… yes. Why wouldn't I?”
“I dunno… You meet many ponies, ok? You’re a big star. Can't remember them all. Anyway, lets begin!
***
First day came and left. So did the second, and third, and fourth. She would get to Treehuggers studio around 1 PM, and after two hours, Mike-Sierra would pick her up and take her to wherever she was needed. Only once had Tree refereed to their history together and after that she had just been professional. And for some reason this annoyed Song.
And why? Why? Isn’t this perfect? Isn’t this the best? Not talking, not mentioning...that time. Just being two professional ponies, doing professional yoga. NO! I want this solved! Dammit Tree! You think you can be so casual? Well no more!
“...Trust my voice...trust your own… now take a deep breath…. In through the nose and out through the mouth…. Phuuuu… and one more time, deeper than before…. Yes….
And now, put your hands together and place them for your heart… and breathe…”
They were in the middle of the sixth day and Song decided she had enough. Even if Tree didn’t care, she wanted closure. “Tree. Shut up.”
“It's Treehugger, Miss Serenade.”
“Treehugger. Still, stop. What are you doing? This is… a beginners course! Sure, I wasn't a master and I’m still not, but this? Breathing exercises? I am not a foal.”
Tree remained calm. “I am being professional. I was hired to be a coach, so I’m being a coach. This is still just the beginning.”
“Beginning… This isn’t the beginning! We know each other!”
“So?” A slight hint of irritation in Tree’s voice.
“SO? Well, back in Sydneigh you didn't do this! Back in Sydneigh you helped me greet the sun and...”
“Back in Sydneigh you didn't PAY me to do yoga.”
“Back in Sydneigh we were friends!”
“Me and Sweet Potato were friends back in Sydneigh. You, Miss Serenade are not her.”
“Oh yeah? What did I, Songbird Serenade do back there that was so darn awful?”
Treehuggers eyes lit up with anger and she spit out, “Back in Sydneigh you tried to pay me for sleeping with you!”
“I… I…”
“And don't try to deny it!” Song could feel the accusing finger pointing straight at her. She was shaking, but tried to cool herself down.
“So what? So I tried to get inside your trousers. Sue me for finding ponies attractive! I am just like the other mare!”
“Well, sure, if you wanted to shag, that’s cool I guess. But you didn't have to BRIBE me for it to happen!”
“I. didn't. try. To. bribe. you.”
“Oh really? Why else bring me to that fancy place? Why else pay thousands of bits on tickets, and give them to someone you met just a week before? That’s not courting, that’s bribing!”
“It wasn’t like that…”
“Well, if it wasn’t, you didn’t even try to get in touch and explain either!”
“I didn't know how to find you!”
“YOU KNOW MY NAME! LOOK UP THE NUMBER!”
“YOU LEFT SYDNEIGH!”
“No I didn't.“
“What?”
“I stayed my intended month. I had that room at the YMCC the whole time. I even went to the same beach to do yoga. You’re the one that stayed away. I'm not changing plans just because I get disappointed in somepony. “
The room got deathly quiet, save for the background music and the waterfall. Treehugger left the room briefly to turn both of them off.
“I am sorry.” Songbird said with as much sincerity as she could muster, hoping it would at least be enough for Treehugger to hear her out. “I.. I see how you would have seen it as a bribe, but… I just wanted too… I was in love, okay. I just wanted you and I… I thought that if I showed what a bigshot I was you would have… stayed.”
Tree was silent for a while. Then she took a deep breath. “Alright. I accept your apology. We all make mistakes, especially when ya think with ya ovaries. And it’s not like I don’t get yer deal. You want to stay incognito, and that’s cool. I respect that. Thing is, it all came so sudden. If you had just… I dunno… told me, I wouldn’t have felt like you were going all ‘I’m a famous popstar! Now you must shag me, mortal!’
Tree went quiet again for a moment before continuing. “Everything you did made it seem like shagging you was some kind of gift from the gods. And even if I get your deal… I still don’t like being lied to. I had a hunch something was off when you introduced Mike. I mean, even with your eyes, who has a bodyguard except somepony rich or just plain stuck up. He’s still with you guess?”
“Yeah.”
“Thought so. I wasn’t sure, he had a mane cut. Now let’s get back to the class, shall we? I will knock it up a few levels if you want. Now, lets go and lie down on our backs and…”
“Wait, wait wait… So, you’re okay with doing this?”
“What, my job? Sure.”
“But...we just argued! Can you really just move on? Just like that?”
“Yeah… I mean… I’m still a bit sour, but you apologized, so we're cool. I'm still your coach so... let's get this done. I’m starting to really feel a positive vibe coming from this.” Songbird turned her head to where she assumed Tree's eyes were.
“Is that all? Just that? Apologize and then move on?”
“What else is there to say?” Tree sounded genuinely confused. “It’s not like there is any more to say, is it?”
And so the routine continued until the end, Mike-Sierra arrived and all was as it were before. Over the weekend they were on a break, but Treehugger was constantly on Songbird’s conflicted mind. She had to admit to herself that the yogi had made a deep impact on her but how much? Tree apparently felt everything was resolved. She could just drop it and go on with her life. It would all work out fine. But as Monday crept up on her, she knew she wanted to get one thing done. One thing that never came out from their encounter in Sydneigh, but damn if she would lose this moment too! And so she did, the instant they met at 1 p.m.
“So, Miss Serenade, Today…”
“I LOVE YOU!”
Okay, perhaps not the smoothest way to do it. Now the room was thick with silence again. It lasted for more than five minutes and ended with the sound of Tree facepalming… “SP...Song…For the sake of Celestia... Look, you don't love me, ok?”
“What!? NO! I love you! If I say I fucking love you, that's what I do!”
“No. You don't. Sorry, but that's the truth.You have known me for what? Two weeks in Sydneigh, One day here? That…”
“I’ve seen you for over a week!”
“Two hours monday to friday. That’s a total of ten hours, equal to one work day. And that definitely ain't no love. That’s the Muladhara being dominant in ya, and that's a bad energy balance. You remember how it was and you stick to that memory, but memories ain't telling the truth!”
Songbirg felt how Treehugger placed a hand on her shoulder and led her to a chair, sat her down, and sat down next to her.
“Look… Memories aren’t bad, that’s not wut I’m saying! But they’re… They’re not facts, they’re just pictures. Mirages! What you have in your mind isn’t me, it’s a mirage of me. And I understand that you feel different but that mirage… It’s not the real me! It a difficult thing to grasp, but it is true. And it causes a lot of trouble. Lots of bad vibes come from that.”
Treehugger paused for a minute. “Also, if just know this little of me, I know you even less!”
Another pause. Songbird tried to say something but her mouth didn’t want to cooperate.
Treehugger continued, much slower this time,“What I kinda knew, or, started to getting to know, was a mare named Sweet Potato. And then she transformed into a huge bloody diva, named Songbird Serenade. Now there is a third mare here, who says she's both of them. Excuse me for being a bit confused.“
Silence. A long, long silence lasted for what seemed like entirety followed. Songbird grabbed her elbow and lowered her head. Tree was right. Even if it was just by mistake, she had hurt Tree more than she'd hurt her. If she even had hurt her at all. There was nothing to say, but she had to try anyway. “I'm sorry, Tree. Really.”
More silence. All that could be heard was two mares breathing. But finally, Treehugger sighed.
“Thank you. Again. Forgiving is divine, as I may have said to you and hundreds of others I've had in my studio. And we are all divine creatures under Sun and Moon. So… how shall we proceed from here?”
It’s times like this that Songbird hated to be a celebrity. Even if she was more or less the same as she was before, the day she became Songbird Serenade the artist a wall was built between her and the rest of the world. No, not a wall… a fun mirror. Twisting and turning the real her, making it impossible for anypony else to she who she really was She had started to hate it back in Sydneigh and in this moment she hated it more than ever. Screw the album! It had cost her a chance she would never get again in a million years.
“I'm- I'm sorry. I… you don't have to work with me anymore. You will have full payment for the three weeks. You… if you want me to leave right now… Mike-Sierra will be here in two hours but I will go… if… just…”
“I didn't say that, did I?”
“Kind of, more or less…”
“No, No, No! Now we have a bad vibe! You are not leaving! “
Songbird had tried to get up from the chair, but Treehugger put her hand on her shoulder again.
“Look… I was disappointed. But as I said: I am professional. You have hired me as your yogi and I won’t stop being that just because of this. If you left now, it would be all loose ends. We need to work this out. Not only you… but me.”
She pulled up Songbird from the couch and held her hand in hers. She could feel her breath against her bangs. “I would be lying if I said I haven’t thought about you. I have seen the posters, listened to some radio… it’s hard to avoid. And… I wouldn’t mind to actually get to know who you really are. Not Songbird Serenade. Not Sweet Potato. Not my client...but you. And you get to know me. Beyond the ‘hot hippie hunk’.” Songbird wasn’t sure, but she could bet Tree was smirking. She blushed. “It wasn’t JUST that…”
“I know. Hey. Let’s start anew. Call me Tree. All my friends do. And what shall I call you?”
“...How about Songbird?”
“Nah. That’s somepony else. No, let’s go with Birdie. From now on, that’s us. Birdie and tree.”
Songbird took a step closer to Treehugger and put her other hand in Trees hand. “Birdie and Tree. I like that.”
“Me too. And once Tree has gotten to know Birdie, and Birdie gets to know Tree, then we can see what Birdie and Tree feel for each other….Oh, is Mike-Sierra still with ya?”
“Yes”
“And he still hates tea?”
“...Yeah.” Songbird let out a chuckle recalling her bodyguard’s attempts to choke down his tea during their last encounter.
“Moonbutts it is then! My treat! I know the owner. Come along! No need to change, let them ogle our healthy, round buttocks!”
“Tree!”
Sydneigh, present day, perhaps half an hour later than the first part of this story...
Songbird felt a small hand pinching her nose. “Ugh! Chandelier Swing! I’m awake!” The gurgling sound that Song knew was her daughter’s laughter followed. She sat up and stroked her daughter’s chin.
“Mommy's little rascal. Lead me to the kitchen, dear?” Chandelier took her mother's hand in hers and led her through the house. In the kitchen she found her way herself and sat down. It smelled wonderfully. “Spinach and pinenut stew with pesto and Pasta. Chandi, use the fork!”
Song could hear a large portion being served to her and she took her fork, and began to eat.
“Better now, Birdie?”
“Much better. You know how much I love your food.”
“Thanks. I read the recipe in Zesty Gourmands blog. It has a distinctive taste or whatever. I think it smells good, that's all. Hey, thought of something! You remember when I said I wanted to get to know you for real before we did anything…?”
Songbird smiled with a mouth full of food. “Yesch, I wasch… sorry. *gulp* Yes, I was just thinking about that day. I suppose you got to know me fast, since we ended up in your bed the same weekend?”
“That was because you said you like my cooking! That was when I knew you were a keeper. Chandi, eat with your mouth closed! *pat pat pat* Yes! *pat* Well, then there will be no dessert! *pat pat pat pat pat pat* YES I mean it! Good girl. Where was I…”
“You were talking about how me liking your cooking got me laid I think?”
“Language in front of our daughter! And that’s just half the truth! If I hadn't gotten to know ya, that wouldn't have mattered.”
“So… when did you realize you really knew me?” Songbird heard her wife stand up from her chair and walk over to her. She felt the soft hands move away her bangs.
“When I realised that SP’s eyes were the same as Birdie’s. The same grey, beautiful eyes that I had stared at for a week. By the way, hi there, sexy…”
“Says the polyamorous…”
“Hey! It was just Shy being Shy, okay? And still, even with all the mares in Equestria, I kiss…” She let their lips unite in a kiss that lasted for eons, “Only one mare…” She kissed her again. “The mare with the biggest heart in Equestria. “
Author's Note
As I said. Your new favourite Ship.
Original art here, here and here. Mustlovefrogs in a fakkin genius.
