A red sun appears in the distance, the sound of the wind was quiet and soft, the fresh smell of the flowing grass filled the nostrils, and the view beyond the hill was majestic.
A young mare had ventured to Ponyville to visit a lonely grave of a musician she admired. She brought the grave a surprise: a picnic filled with daisy sandwiches, hay fries, shiny red apples, and a white blanket. On the sides of the picnic was a small glass container of apple cider and a bottle of water, but that wasn't all she brought.
The young mare carried a small frame of a happy mature mare smiling brightly. That gorgeous smile filled with light could brighten any pony's day. On her back is a large case that harbored a heavy item. The mare gently heaves it off her back and settles it on the grassy earth. She takes out the blanket and sets out the food in an elegant manner and sits to face the gravestone with a small, cute smile.
"Hey, mom," the young mare said softly, hugging the grave briefly before pulling away. "It's me, you know, your lovely Vitula!" Vitula pumped her forelegs to the sky in a prideful manner, laughing quietly under her breath as she recedes into a laid-back posture. "Happy birthday! I know, I know, the picnic is not the primmest gift you ever received, but I thought an ordinary lunch would suit you perfectly."
Vitula gave the grave a bottle of water, a daisy sandwich, and an apple. Vitula chuckled and pulled the apple cider towards her and began to open it greedily, but something tugged at her mind, and she lifted her gaze to the gravestone and sighed exasperatedly, rolling her eyes as if vexed.
"Mom, I am old enough to drink... you promised to share with me an apple cider," Vitula lightly complained. "I know it's been some time since then, but I didn't expect you to complain once we got to this point. Yes, I know you were never a real big fan of apple cider, but you promised me, and we Melodies never break a promise. That was one of the first lessons you taught me."
Though the grave was silent, Vitula smiled as if hearing a response from the gravestone.
"Yes!" she shouted with mirth, opening the apple cider and tasting it, but Vitula recoiled and stuck her tongue out. "It's a little stronger than I thought, but I'll ease into it." Vitula laughed before calming herself down. "Oh yeah, you must be wondering where dad is. Well... he hasn't been his usual spry self lately, and he's been sleeping a lot more; I'm afraid old age has finally caught up to that energetic stallion. He misses you." Vitula's ears drooped. "Sorry he couldn't be here today, but dad promised he'll visit tomorrow. And we don't break promises."
Vitula proceeded to delicately nibble on her daisy sandwich as her mother taught her, but if she was honest, she never liked savoring her food slowly; she loved to chomp down large portions of her food, but in the presence of her mom, it was only proper.
"So... how have you been?" she asked hopefully. "Entertaining the masses up there, huh? I guess the work of a musician is never done. You've been watching me? Am I living up to your expectations?" Vitula waited for an answer, feeling the brisk wind flow through her mane. "Well, I always try to achieve perfection, but I'm not nearly as good as you. Remember those contests we challenged each other to? You always won, but you told me I was showing improvement. Bet I could beat you now!" Vitula laughed.
Suddenly, the wind shifted towards her coat. "School?" Vitula chuckled. "I graduated from the institution a few months ago. As the daughter of the legendary cellist, it was only natural; I exceeded all expectations. I worked hard to make you proud, mom." Vitula rose her nose in the air like her mom always did. It always made her cheerful. "After I graduated, I was noticed by a very prominent figure in the music industry when I was performing in Manehatten. She said she recognized your cello and the similar melodies when I played and allowed me the chance to perform in Canterlot for Princess Twilight Sparkle in the upcoming music extravaganza! Surprise!" Vitula happily raised her hooves in the air. The young mare certainly had the zeal her mother expressed during her time as a famed musician.
"I can see you smile at the news, and how happy it makes you, mom," Vitula said in a low voice. "In all honesty, I am nervous. You taught me so much with the time you had, but... I wished I learned even more from you. I need your guidance, mom. What should I do?" Vitula waited for an answer. She then tilted her head to the right in confusion. "Just act normal, like... as I always been? Are you sure? There isn't some potion you drink to quell the butterflies, no secret family technique, o-or a spell?" Vitula sat in silence for a brief moment. "So that's how it works truly? You make it out to be easy; you're the legendary cellist! The greatest musician to ever perform on stage!"
Vitula sighed and lowered her head to the ground. "I may be your daughter and I don't want you to be ashamed of me... but I'm really scared." Vitula scanned the gravestone and a cute grin appeared on her face. "So, it's okay to be scared if only I give it my best shot? Hmm... I'll try, mom, I'll try. Thanks for the advice."
Vitula excitedly continues her conversation with her mom. As time passed, the young mare decided it was time to open the case and present the cello to her mother. The black case clicked and opened slowly, and Vitula carefully lifted the large instrument with her magic. She sets the cello beside her and grabbed her bow. She proceeded to give a few test runs playing the instrument before deciding it was time to perform.
Dazzled by the beauty of the somber cello, Vitula leaned herself against it. "It's beautiful," she said, mesmerized by the enthralling instrument. "Made with the finest wood and materials... there isn't another cello like it; you made it yourself during your journey to masterfully conquer it. You told me it took you years to fully understand such a majestic instrument, and your struggles had borne the finest fruit no other can replicate. How I admire you, mom, and your stunning conviction to dedicate yourself to this wonderful tool."
The gentle breeze blew past Vitula's face. "Mom... will you come and watch me perform at the extravaganza?" A warm feeling embraced the young mare. "Thanks. I try to not think about you being gone... even when I know you are in my heart. I always imagine you in the crowd cheering me on crazily when I was a filly. Remember that time you discreetly tried making motions during those school contests to guide me? Even how you did with such enthusiasm always puts a warm feeling in my chest. I treasure those memories of the time we had together."
Gazing at the lovely gravestone, Vitula eyes glimmered and shines with excitement. "You want me to play that for you?" she asked her mother. A brief pause and Vitula got her answer. "It's one of the first pieces I made as a filly... for your birthday all those years ago. To be honest, I haven't thought about that in quite some time, so I might be a little rusty. And... it's a little cheesy, the name, I mean, but... are you sure you want me to play it?" The wind swirled and danced Vitula's mane and she blushed. "I-I'm not embarrassed; we're the only ones here! Geez, you always liked to tease..."
Vitula stared at the grave and then at her cello. The piece her mother wants her to play is a song Vitula wrote as a filly to show how much she loved and admired her. The more she thought about it, the more she smiled, and then she gave in.
"Alright, fine," Vitula said in a whisper. "I'll play... 'Mama and Me'." Vitula chuckled under her breath and prepared herself. She looked at the grave warmly before closing her eyes and finding the music within her soul, just like her mom taught her. "Happy birthday. Now... how did it go? Oh! Like this..."
Author's Note
I always liked those moments in movies and television where a character speaks to the grave of someone they knew. Whether it was sad or happy, it was always calming to see just a normal scene and a conversation. It always showed me a relationship with some of those characters who had.
Fun fact: Vitula has a few different meanings, but one is a stringed instrument. So, an alternative title could be called 'My Beloved Stringed Instrument'.
