Author's Note

Written for the Ponyfest 4.0 Speedwriting contest using the custom prompt.

True Voice

Being in public can be challenging for some ponies, but it's certainly much easier to handle when you're with friends you trust. This was something that Rainbow Stars believed with all her heart.

Chatting with her friends managed to distract her from the fear and anxiety that would normally be present when she was on an outing.

The dirty stained tables covered with beverages and meals, the loud shouting and laughter from across the bar, and the silent awe whenever a new superstar stepped up to the karaoke stage.

She noticed none of this, simply enjoying a heartfelt conversation with her band of weirdos. She munched on her hayburger with a patient aura, yet one that showed restraint.

"Mmm, this food is great! I'm glad you girls got me to come out here" she said with joy, meaning every word she said.

"Excuse me, I'm here too," said Thunderlane jokingly.

Flitter giggled and shot him a deadpan look, that was rendered ineffective due to her large grin. "Oh, shut up! We know it doesn't bother you."

"Yeah, I know. I'm just following the routine."

The table broke into laughter at that, used to the antics of the singular stallion of the group and his marefriend. On stage, a performance was just ending, one that while not particularly impressive, was still pleasant to listen to.

Sea Swirl nudged Star with her shoulder. "Come on, Starry! You've got to get up there and sing!"

Star locked up slightly, but looked back at Swirl to confirm she wasn't joking. "Me?!" she said while pointing her hooves to herself.

"Yeah, I've heard you and you're a pretty good singer," Swirl replied hopefully.

Star looked to the others and saw them wearing encouraging grins, eager to see her sing with a live audience. Despite all the praise, she was still unsure about going on stage.

"I… don't know girls, you know I can't keep my voice proper when I sing," she whispered nervously, fidgeting in her seat.

The others briefly shared a concerned look with each other, before Swirl put a comforting hoof on Star's back. "Look Starry, I know how much you love to sing even when you deny it. And I know you can't keep control of your voice, but if you want my opinion that doesn't matter. And besides, they'll just take it for you having a deep voice I'm sure."

Star looked to Swirl with tears in her eyes, though whether it was because she was sad or grateful, they weren't sure. "See, that's the thing! I love hitting high notes, and even when I don't try to keep control, I still do it. They're going to figure me out girls, I swear…"

By now, the performance had come to an end, the mare on stage giving a bow before trotting off, the curtains coming down in wait for a new singer. Thunderlane took note of this and tried to comfort Star. "You know what I think? It doesn't matter what they might think even if they do recognise your voice, we're your friends, and we'll always support you, no matter what."

Star wiped the tears from her eyes and looked at her friends with both hope and doubt. "Really?"

"Really!" they chorused together, pulling her into a tight group hug. Her doubt washed away and was replaced by the feeling of contentment she usually felt when she was in public with them. No fear, no anxiety, just her and her best buds hanging out.

Sniffling, she smiled at them. "Okay, I'll do it," she stated with a determined look in her eyes that excited the other ponies.

"Just remember," Flitter said sincerely. "It doesn't matter if other ponies think you're weird words for your voice, all that matters is that you're happy with how you sound, and you alone."

Star nodded to her, but didn't respond, already making her way to the stage. The glances from other ponies excited to hear someone new made her confidence shrink slightly, but she kept her head high and continued down the hard stone floor.

Climbing the stairs to the stage, she briefly whispered to the live band her song of choice. They smiled, and gave her a nod, getting their instruments ready. The curtains parted for her, despite everypony already knowing it was her on stage.

She looked over the bar, spotting the numerous ponies watching her in their hard-wood chairs. Again, she faltered, but still held strong, as she spotted her friends smiling at her, bringing her to do the same. As the band began to play, she took a deep breath, and sang.

"They may say
I’m just a kid
Dreaming too big
That life’s just a hole we dig
Oh, but I
I don’t subscribe to that
Kind of life."

The audience was shocked into silence by her loud and bombastic, but still relatively high voice. Many mouths dropped at the sound, for a few different reasons. Some teared up, hearing their favourite song play. But, through it all, Star didn't notice them as she became lost in the song, her eyes closed.

"They may say
My passions are play
A joy be they may
Still just a waste of a day
Look alive
And don’t be surprised when I
Go and dig my
Heels in and."

Her voice took on a bit of a growl as she neared the chorus, something a few ponies took note of, but most ignored it, still stunned by her voice.

"Liftoff
I’ve left the ground
And all my doubts
Below
Just wait and see
How real it’ll be
For me."

Her voice cracked slightly, deepening subtly before returning to its original pitch. She closed her eyes harder, stressing over her mistake, but found herself becoming lost yet again as tears spilled from her eyes, not even bothering to see how ponies reacted.

"They may say
It’s ego and pride
That soon I will find
That luck isn’t on my side
Here’s the thing
Luck isn’t what I
Plan to bring.

"They may say
Don’t stray too far
Lower the bar
What if you’re not up to par?
I can see
You just want what’s best for me
Oh, but what if
What’s best is to."

As she repeated the chorus again, she imagined she was back in her apartment, belting out notes inside of her basement for just herself to hear. The crowd vanished, leaving only herself as her previous mistake was not repeated.

She danced around, listening to the instrumental section and preparing for the outro. If she strained, she could hear the sound of cheering through her fantasy, but she didn't focus on it as her dancing calmed down.

"Now go make
Every small doubt
They threw in your face
A step to a brighter place."

Her final words sung that night were a polar opposite to everything else, a low pitched voice that disregarded many of her vocal traits the audience had picked up on. The final piano chords played and she opened her watery eyes to see a bar filled with ponies staring right at her. Some looked furious, but most looked dumbstruck.

Before she could start to panic, the cheering began and pushed away all of her fears of being ostracized. They didn't care, they didn't think she was weird.

That night, at a simple bar named MeloDine in Ponyville, Rainbow Stars showed the world her voice.

Her true voice.