Gah… I'll never get this right. That measure's tough. What were they thinking?! I can't physically play this the way they want!
...Hm? Oh! W-what are you doing here? You're supposed to be in the seat I reserved for you. It's only half an hour before the performance. I know you like wishing me well, but… well, blast it all, I need some space!
Hey, what's with that face? You know I'd make time for my best friend, right?
You don't? Why?
Of course I remember the trip we planned last week. I just... didn't go… and the trip before that, I didn't go either...
Confound it! I've been practicing for this concert so much that… I've neglected to spend time with you. Oh, I'm so sorry for that! But you have to understand, this concert is everything to me. Months and months-
-Hm? What about you? You're my best friend! Of course you mean more to me. Just… not right now. There's a more pressing matter at hoof.
Although I can fit in a few minutes if it's you, after all. Just let me scoot my sheet and stand and cello aside… Goodness, look at all that! Hold on… And there, a free space. What did you want to talk about?
You mean you went through all the trouble of coming backstage just to forget? Well, there's got to be more than just, "Good luck out there, break a leg." This won't be for nothing. I can squeeze it out of you, I bet.
You're so stiff, I can see you quivering. Are you nervous? I know the feeling. My leg hasn't stopped bouncing off the rim of this stool. If you need to feel better, I can share some tips.
Breathe through your nose and out your mouth. In, pause, out, in, pause, out. With me. Ready? In… and out… In… and out… Keep on doing that for me, will you?
Come here. I read somewhere that steady pressure and squeezing can relax you. Especially if it's coming from somepony very close to you. It can set your insides squirming with warmth and melt away your nerves.
It means I'll hug you, you simpleton. Just surrender.
There we go. Mmm… This is unbelievably nice, by the way. You're warm, and you feel so soft… it doesn't hurt that you smell very nice. Must be that soap from the gift basket you got from me for your birthday. You're optimal hugging material. I can't believe I've never done this before...
I'm not quite privy to your thoughts, so you'll have to articulate your feelings for me. Luv, how do you feel?
That's the answer I was looking for. If you don't mind, I can… keep doing this. Believe me when I say this is as relaxing for me as it is for you. There's just something about a warm hug...
Hold on. Why is your heart rate speeding up? I can feel it through your ribs. And I can feel sweat, too. I don't know if you got the program, but this should be relaxing. Something's off here.
Ha ha, the show program doesn't count. Put that blasted thing away and be still. I need this too.
You're very good at this. You aren't even doing anything and you've exceeded my expectations. Imagine if you could actually hug back!
Oh, dear.
OOMPH! That was stronger than I… that's better. You catch on pretty quick. Intuitive! And gentle, too, might I add.
Mmm… You know, I'm sure you must be feeling very ignored. I... hope this makes up for all that. I didn't even consider how you must have felt. Goodness, now I feel guilty about not making time for you. How you must have felt! The anger, the despair, the jealo-
You were concerned? For me? How unusual. Usually, you'd be focused on what makes you happy. But instead, it's for me?
I get what you mean; I truly do! If my best friend was this deeply sunken into her musical career, you'd want to hear from them. But us ponies are selfish and wretched creatures. We consider how we feel above all others. So why is your focus on me?
...Say. That. Again.
I make you happy? Wha… what do you mean?
Music to your ears? Come now, darling, I'm hardly the singing type. And thank you for the compliments; you're a real gentlecolt, and a fine mature one at that. But it's flattery, it's overblown. I'm at the end of my rope here, and I look the part as much as I feel it.
But hold on… you said earlier there was something major to tell me. I'm confused. Isn't there a connection between--Hold on!
Hold on! D-darling? This something you have to tell me… is it...
I-is this some kind of… confession? My heart's lurching in my chest. I feel so dizzy! If this is real…
… You truly do love me?
Why… I don't know what to say… I never assumed the day would come. I-I'm not sure how to think ab-mmm!
Mmm…
…*mwah*
Ha… oh… I-I feel short of breath. Darling, is this… really…?
Oh? Thank heaven!
Truth be told, if there was anypony in Equestria I could choose for my companion at leisure… it'd be you.
I-I knew you became more charming the more you clung to me. You were putting forth more effort in all you did. You attended my concerts, showed up to practices, even tried to get me to teach you some cello pointers. For the record, a cello is not just a big guitar. It is a very complex and delicate instrument that requires skill and… Ah, listen to me ramble.
Luv, you were by my side whether you liked it or not. But never did I consider… never had the thought entered my head that this was because you thought of me in that way.
My answer? Well... If it's not too much to ask… would you mind kissing me again?
*mwah*
I knew it. Your lips give me warmth. Strength. Passion…
*mwah*
This here is who I want to aspire to be. You've always been a role model, even as a simple friend. Vinyl is close, but too casual and deviant. Not like you. I could tell you things I couldn't even tell her. I could play you music she doesn't even know exists. I could whisper things even Princess Luna hasn't seen in my dreams. One of them is this moment. It feels like a dream come true that I never even knew I wanted.
However I got here, I'm glad you're here with me. You've always been like this. And I swear, I will never, ever prioritize my career over you again.
Speaking of which, you'd better leave soon. It's about to start.
Of course I'll see you after the show! I'm sorry I was such a tart. The only thing I ask of you is to make my life worth it.
Live life one note at a time. If your note fails, just move on to the next one. Spending the entire show getting your notes right after a mistake ruins the whole thing. I'm glad you're moving past my mistake. I'll do my best to do the same.
We can do it together. Wow, that word… i-it's so powerful now that I've… kissed you.
Oh, rubbish, I'm not blushing. That's the makeup. Now go on, shoo! I'll be waiting. In the meanwhile, rest knowing my music is filled with love for you.
Everything we do now, we do it for each other.
