//-------------------------------------------------------// Town Hall -by Kentavritsa- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Invited: 1 //-------------------------------------------------------// Author's Note Ms. Daphne Greengras's POV <--- --- ---> Invited: 1 <--- --- ---> Summary (https://www.fimfiction.net/chapter/1719391) <--- --- ---> . Just after breakfast, Astoria and I leave the table. “We are going to see friends!” I declare, as we leave the table; “We take the floo, so you don't need to worry!” I explain. The walk to the floo is uneventful, just as expected. “Town Hall, was it?” my little sister Astoria inquires. “Yes!” I respond, as I take a pinch of powder in my right hand. I can see her taking a pinch for herself, before I step up to the hearth; “Town Hall!” I exclaim, as I step into the fire, just as it is turning green. “Town Hall!” I hear my sister saying, just after I had disappeared into the flow of the floo network. I step out on the opposite end of the connection, but something is off. I stand on all fours, just a few steps away from the floo as expected. I am looking around, scanning my surroundings; as I can see my younger sister swooping in through the floo, stopping just a single step behind me. “Wait!!” she exclaims; “Where are we?” she then inquires. There is a flash, as a purple Unicorn steps into the room, through a door to our right; “Greetings!” she exclaims. “Astoria and Daphne Greengrass; this is the Floo hall at Twilight town's Town Hall!” she is explaining. “But, but.. but.. what are you?” Astoria stutters. “I am a Pony, as are you!” she explains. “A..” I exclaim; “Pony?” I inquire. “And you look great, as Unicorns!” she then points out. “Thank you, Twilight!” I respond; “And so do you!” Astoria continues. “Right this way, please!” Twilight offers, indicating for us to follow her to see something. “Clip clop, clip clop.” is heard, as she is trotting towards a door. ”Clip, clop; clip, clop..” is heard, as I follow Twilight, with my little sister Astoria in tow. As she is reaching the door, she is lifting up her right fore-hoof, extending it towards a hexagonal black surface on the side of the door. The twin sliding doors slide up before her, granting her access to the room beyond; I follow her with my sister in tow, only for the doors to quietly slide shut behind us unnoticed as we had cleared the threshold. “This is the town's public Ancestral room, where one can explore one's family history!” Twilight explains, indicating the wall before us. “Ooh!” I exclaim. “That is me..” she explains, pointing at the picture of a lavender Unicorn, and its companion image depicting her as the Human Girl I had known her as from before; “and that is my brother!” she continues; “These are my mother and father!” she then concludes. “Your brother is the Captain of the Royal Guard?” Astoria inquires. “Yes!” Twilight explains; “Just as my mentor is Princess Alestia Daybreaker Solaris!” she then adds. “Her list of Titles is Quite Impressive!” I acknowledge, with a deep bow. “The Timeless, Imperial House of Solaris?” Astoria inquires. “She has held the throne for two Millennia, unopposed!” Twilight merely explains. “Whoa!!” I exclaim; “Wait; you mean to say that she has ruled for that long?” Astoria inquires. “A blessing, and a curse!” Twilight sighs; “Just imagine, just how many you would have to see to the grave, if you lived that long!” Twilight pushes forth. “Oh, oh; ooh!!” Astoria exclaims; “I think I'd rather not...” she then declares. “Me, neither!” I confirm. “At least, her sister: Luna Nightmare Solaris returned to her, from the moon!” Twilight enlightens us. “From the moon?” Astoria exclaims; “What was she doing there, and for how long?” she then inquires. “She was banished to the moon, for a thousand years!” Twilight explains. “Exiled??” Astoria exclaims; “Too the moon.. for a thousand years?” she then continues. “Yes, exactly!” Twilight responds; “and thus, Nightmare!” she continues; from which the Nightmare Night is coming!” she explains. “I hope, there is no Daybreaker event!” Astoria queries, with worry on her voice. “Thankfully, no..” Twilight responds. “Are Alestia and Luna related?” I inquire. “Well, yes..” Twilight puts forth; "they are sisters, after all!” she then points out. “I'm just not sure, if I have seen them.. Genuinely!” Twilight ponders. “How do you mean?” Astoria inquires. “While I have memories of studying under Alestia; genuine memories of all the things I did, all the way up to today!” Twilight clarifies. “It is just, that there is a discontinuity!” she points out; “after which I woke up on the desk, on a stylus!” she continues. “Oh!” Astoria ponders. “As I woke up, my head was resting somewhat lest than comfortably on the stylus; large enough, to cover the floor of an entire room in my home!” she concedes. “I'm happy to invite you over to see for yourself..” Twilight pronounces; “If you want to see my home, that is?” she inquires. “As interesting, as your tapestry may be; but I think I am more interested, in how your home looks!” I respond, with a snicker. “Yes, I can see that; the tapestry is interesting, but it isn't more interesting than watching your face in the mirror!” Twilight suggests. “I doubt you spend all that much time, studying your face!” Astoria puts forth. “No, not really!” Twilight replies; “Though I guess, it could be interesting to watch your family line in real-time?” she ponders, thoughtfully. “It isn’t as if the Tapestry will disappear, you could study it for a Decade; just reading all the names woven into my history, throughout the ages!” I put forth; "I guess my home is more interesting, here and now; even if it isn’t all that special, just a regular Cottage such as they are built here in Twilight town!” I suggest. “You live in a regular Cottage?” Daphne inquires. “Yes, but since I live alone; I don’t really need all that much space, after all!” I point out. “I guess a Cottage is enough space, for just one Pony!” Astoria agrees. “I have a bed room, a kitchen, a living room, a Mares’ room, a shower and a cloaking room; what more do I need?” Twilight inquires. “I guess that would be all you need, for just one Pony!” Daphne agrees. “On second thought, I think I could as well show you your new home!” I put forth. <--- --- ---> Home (https://www.fimfiction.net/chapter/1743818) <--- --- ---> //-------------------------------------------------------// Home: 2 //-------------------------------------------------------// Author's Note Ms. Astoria Greengras's POV <--- --- ---> Home: 2 <--- --- ---> . I step out of the Town Hall, trotting over the street. My older sister: Daphne is following me. The weather is warm, it feels as if it is a cool summer’s day. “This house is as good as anyone!” Twilight points out, pointing at the first Cottage on my right. “If it is currently unoccupied, then!” Daphne agrees. “Clip clop, clip clop..” is heard, as we trot over the hard ground outside. Twilight leads us to the suggested address, only stopping before the door. Though I guess I notice the path between the street and the door had been laid with smooth stone bricks. Furthermore; the path is lined with Peonies on both sides of the path. I count seven deep, purple peonies on each side of the road. “How beautiful!” I exclaim, only for Daphne to nod in agreement. “Yes, they are!” Twilight responds; “You will find this feature before each and every house on Twilight Town!” she then points out. “These Peonies are lovely!” Daphne exclaims, her eyes watering with emotion. “As I mentioned before; just place the frog of your right fore-hoof onto the plaque, and the door will slide right up!” Twilight explains. “Oh, but wait; you did something like that earlier, Twilight!” I proclaim. With that, I lift up my right fore-hoof; pressing the frog of my hoof onto the smooth, black surface of the plaque. “It is warm!!” I exclaim; “and it almost feels as if it was grasping my hand, in a hand-shake too!” I then elaborate. The floor inside is laid with black, Ceramic tiles; laid with an inch of crystal clear Silicone, leaving the floor much softer than I could have imagined. As I step in, I soon notice the shoe-rack to the right of the door to the cloaking room. Over the shoe-rack, I have the jacket-hangers and the hat-rack on top. The walls had been laid with deep dark oak wood and covered with a four foot tall, deep pink Cherry Wood Picket Fence. “Your architect certainly spared no effort here?” Daphne prompts. “Why bother?” Twilight suggests; “Not as if it would have cost us or the Town anything!” she puts forth. (On second thought, it really didn’t; if truth be told, it may actually be a net income with new inhabitants) “You could improve on the building over time..” Daphne suggests; “Just adding details or adjust over time?” she then inquires. Magic. I extend my right fore hoof, placing the frog of the hoof on the plaque; only for the door to slide up before me and I step into the living room, only for the door to slide shut as we had cleared the threshold. Once in the living room, I notice the thematic ceiling continues into the room as if the wall had not even been there. “I love the sofa..” I exclaim, “I had not expected to see this style here!” I mumble. “This three seated cinematic sofa is quite nice!” Twilight puts forth. “Truth be told, I had not been expecting anything even remotely this elaborate or Modern!” I concede; “Not based on the exterior, at least!” I then continue. “Yes, it is..” I agree: “and this is all ours, now?” I inquire; in the hopes to confirm what I had been promised, or avoid making a mistake of epic proportions. “Yes, Astoria, of course it is!” Twilight responds. “You mean to say..” Daphne inquires; “you just gave us a Cottage?” she inquires. “Yes..” Twilight confirms; “I have a few Cottages to spare..” she continues; “you could say, that I am investing in the Town’s future; as I am inviting two new Citizens!” she puts forth. I am standing in the middle of the floor; laid with a deep, dark Oak-Wood Parquet. Just as with the previous room, the floor had been coated with crystal clear Silicone. While I am not sure why, but it does feel good to set hoof on. The walls had been laid with deep dark oak wood and covered with a four foot tall, deep Pink Cherry Wood Picket Fence. As I am looking at the wall opposing the door through which we had just entered; I can see the door to a large terrace and a window on each side of the door, still leaving plenty of space to spare. Behind me; I have a made to measure bookshelf, crafted out of prime Linden wood. The bookshelf is covering the entire wall, as if I had been expected to hold a small Library’s worth of books there. Or, possibly; arrange a few priceless decorations, of our choice, too. The smooth, glossy surface is suggesting it had been polished, and lacquered with delicate care. Behind the sofa, the door to the kitchen could be seen. Aside from the door; there is a flight of stairs leading up to the second floor, where we have our bed rooms, little Girl’s rooms and Showers as well. “Am I detecting a Pattern, here?” I am pondering. The real surprise, is the large screen Television set covering the wall opposing the sofa, as if this had been a Cinema. “Let us go upstairs, so you can see your respective Bed Rooms!” Twilight proposes. I just nod, taking the flight of stairs up to the second floor. The first I notice, is the two doors before us; leading to what I suppose would be our two Bed Rooms. On one side, there are two little Girl’s room; on the other side, there are the two showers. Apparently, we don’t have to stand in line; waiting for the other to finish the shower, before one could enjoy the shower. How convenient, and for just the two of us. The floor, walls and the ceiling is just the same as downstairs. Well, what a shock? I could never have figured, in a million years. “Choose your bed room, then extend your right fore-hoof on the plaque to your Bed Room!” Twilight instructs us. I choose the first room, leaving my older sister: Daphne to choose the second room. As expected, I feel the warmth of a greeting; as I place the frog of my right fore-hoof on the plaque. There is a momentary tingling sensation, as the room registers me as the owner of this particular room. The floor, walls and ceiling are exactly the same as outside. I have a bed on one side of the door, beside which I have my night stand. The bed had been made with a glossy black Silicone sheet, a large crystal clear Pillow and a three inch thick, crystal clear Quilt. Should I have been surprised, shocked even; but no, what’s the point? This seems to match the pattern of the general style I had been observing. As I open the drawer of the night stand; I find what could only be taken for a head set, just in my own skin-tone. Or; is it fur colour, here? The device is cool to the touch, but warms up to me as I am picking it up. I tentatively place it on my head, only to find it fitting perfectly. Custom made, or made to measure? Should I assume; my sister had found an identical device, in her room too? Well, why not? It would not be right; if she did not receive one, too. “If I have a wardrobe; I could as well see, what it is like?” I ponder. I move to the wardrobe, opening the doors to the right; only to find my daytime wear, quite the selection. I step back, opening the doors to my left; only to find my nighttime wear, gasping as I realize what I had been given. I leave the nighttime wears, where I found them; only to focus on the daytime wears, as it currently is daytime, after all. I slip into a pair of Silicone white Panties and a matching Top. The wall of the Wardrobe before me is apparently a mirror, covering the each of the walls, the floor and even the ceiling. I can finally see my reflection, in the mirror before me. Since the reflection originally had been obstructed, by my clothes or garments; I push them aside with mere a thought, in order to get a good look at my reflection. What stands before me, is a white Unicorn with a glossy golden mane and tail. In the mirror, my reflection had metallic bloody red hooves and Sapphire blue eyes. “Oh!” I exclaim; “It just feels a bit strange, to wear white Panties now!” I ponder. I end up choosing a Skirt, matching the colour of my hooves in the Pony style. With the skirt on; I extract a matching Blouse Top. Even if I do not yet have my Cutie mark; I should proudly present myself, as I am. If I will ever earn my own, unique Cutie Mark; is an open Question, I choose to leave hanging. If my Flank is bare, it means my potential is untapped. Besides; I never even knew, I could have a Cutie mark, in the first place. As I have explored my room and sampled the gifts presented to me in the room; I open the door and step out of the room. It is mine, all mine; everything will be the way I left them, when I return to the room. Well, why not? This is my Home. Even if I do share it, with my older Sister: Daphne. <--- --- ---> A Cozy Moment, with Twilight (https://www.fimfiction.net/chapter/1752184) <--- --- ---> //-------------------------------------------------------// Alone / Together: 4 //-------------------------------------------------------// Author's Note Ms. Astoria Greengras's POV <--- --- ---> Alone / Together: 4 <--- --- ---> . Twilight had left, after the performance of the ‘Cellist: Octavia. We are alone; just me, and my sister. (My older sister: Daphne and me.) The Music had been breathtaking, no doubt about it. It is quiet, as the music is no longer playing. “That..” Daphne breathes; “that was magical!” she finally concludes. “Yes, it was..” I respond; “but we can listen to her, any time you like!” I suggest. “It would appear, we have access to an entire Library of Music, just like this!” Daphne supplies; “and on top of that; we have Films, Books and something referred to as the Internet!” she then observes, browsing the options presented on the big screen. “Yes..” I respond; “and all at the tip of our fingers!” I conclude. “Certain individuals would kill for what she just gave us!” Daphne points out; “Literally, kill for it!” she emphasizes. “While I know we will have to inform Father about this..” I acknowledge; “but no-one..” I put forth;”I repeat; Absolutely No-one must learn, of what we have here!” I proclaim, in no uncertain terms. “Without the Floo Address..” Daphne supplies; “none can find this, by mistake!” she concludes. “Thank Merlin for that!” I put forth. “If the world..” she puts forth; “our world, comes to an end; we can always go here, and Twilight will keep us safe!” she concludes. “She will, she made it utterly clear..” I respond; “even if she did not use the specific words!” I conclude. A Home, away from Home; a Location, hidden away, even from the Wizards and the Ministry. What’s the odds; of someone stumbling across a place, like this? Who is to say? Oh, well. Either way, here we are. Together, just the two of us. Father and mother, still oblivious of where we are and ignorant of what we had just been given. Granted; we had told Mother, we were visiting Friends. Technically, we are; Twilight is our friend, and we are visiting her. Just not anywhere, where Mother or Father could find us. “At least, we are safe here..” I put forth; “and we could probably take our Family and possibly a few other friends with us..” I continue; “if they are prepared to give up everything they are, and everything they have; following us, to the Twilight Town!” I conclude. “If this is our Animagus form..” she suggests; “then we could present ourselves as Animagi, and that would be the end of it!” she concludes. “She..” I start; “Twilight was a completely Human girl, a Witch on our side of the Floo!” I suggest; “We should revert to our Human form, in the transfer back!” I propose. “So long as Ponies are the Dominant Species here..” she ponders; “what more is there to worry about?” she inquires. <--- --- ---> I explore the options, of what the screen is prepared to offer; only to stumble across a digital version of our Tapestry. At the top of the list, I can see Astoria and Daphne Greengrass. Naturally; Mother and Father are the names, just under our names. There is a weave of people, our relatives under them. Images with the names written under the respective picture. Everyone I can recognize from the Tapestry, and a few I can’t for my life recognize. Were these former family members, the Family had chosen to cut ties with? What I could not recognize, is the magical value given each of these people. On further consideration; most of the people I could not recognize, were people considered Squibs or worse. Muggles. Of course; there are the select few Criminals and people who just fell out of favour with the family at one time or the other. Most of these, had been forgotten; never rekindled, forever cut off from our tapestry. What had not been expected, could never have been expected; is that we can choose to see their Animagus form, as well as various other details about these people. “Wait, we can see their Animagus form, on this screen?” Daphne inquires. “We should probably keep quiet about this!” I put forth. “If, and when we need the information; we could return Home, to access these Secrets” she suggests. I incidentally click the image of my older sister: Daphne. The image instantly covers the screen. “What?” Daphne inquires; “I felt that..” she starts; “I still feel it; almost as if you were facing me, as if you were calling on my attention!” she concludes. I instantly un-click the image, whereupon the tapestry returns. “Imagine that..” I put forth; “what if we could call upon the attention, of any of these people?” I inquire. “We should hold back on that..” Daphne points out; “I don’t want to know, how people would react!” she continues; “Even if this could be very convenient and helpful; if and when we urgently need to come in contact with someone or ask them questions!” she concludes. “If I lose you, I can ask you were you are..” I suggest; “then I can find you, anywhere you go!” I suggest. “What if the person is dead?” she inquires; “Would this break the contact, or will we still be able to contact them?” she inquires. <--- --- ---> I lift up the cover of the armrest; discovering a selection of bottles, both Sparkle Cola and Rad Cola. “Strange names, for these beverages!” I exclaim, as I extract the first bottle of Sparkle Cola. “Strange, yes..” she responds; “but it kind of feels fitting..” she continues; “Sparkle Cola, derived from Twilight Sparkle, I guess would make sense. “If Sparkle Cola is derived from Twilight Sparkle..” I ponder, “but, what is Rad Cola derived from, in that case?” I inquire. “No idea..” she concedes; but maybe we could ask?” she puts forth. “Twilight Sparkle just left..” I point out; but maybe, just maybe..” I suggest; “she just told us, how to find out!” I propose. “Oh.. Oh..” she sputters; “of course!” she concedes, typing the name in; “Rad Cola”. “Rad Cola” I can read on the screen, while I can see an image of a Pegasus by the name of “Rainbow Dash”. “Why isn’t it named Dash Cola?” I inquire. “Rad is a unit in which radioactivity is measured..” I read; “as well as short for Radical!” the text continues. “Oh.. Oh!” is heard. “Rainbow Dash; Knight-Elemental Loyalty, Ministry of Awesome” I read on the screen. “Some strange titles, right there!” I exclaim. <--- --- ---> “Maybe we should just listen to Octavia, for a while!” I suggest, only for the pony to reappear on the screen with her Cello. (Her Cello, already fine tuned on the previous appearance; she soon starts to play the first tune from the same Album. {Album/Concert}) I soon find myself growing excited, under the influence of the music playing before me. And I am not alone, I soon realize that my sister is reacting the same way. “Imagine living here..” I propose, looking dreamily at the Pony before me. (Hello Cello.) Snickers. “Even if I have to give up my hands, and remain a Pony for the duration..” she responds; “I could see myself enjoying the stay, even for a prolonged stay!” she concludes. “As a Unicorn, I don’t have to give up being a Witch; so maybe, I don’t really give up all that much?” I inquire; “So long, as I can learn to manage my magic; I probably could do anything, I was doing back home!” I suggest. “She did not say, that we could not go out..” she suggests; “what is beyond the edge of town?” she inquires; “I can’t recall, her even suggesting there is an edge of the town!” she proclaims. “At least; we have a friend, in this town!” I point out. “Even a small village should have several more people; particularly, if you consider that she claimed to have several more Cottages available in town!” she is reminding me. “Yes, she did say that..” I agree; “I distinctly recall her saying that!” I conclude. “Maybe we could, or should go out; exploring the surroundings, just a little bit!” she suggests. <--- --- ---> Going Out; Exploring (https://www.fimfiction.net/chapter/1763839) <--- --- ---> //-------------------------------------------------------// Going Out; Exploring: 5 //-------------------------------------------------------// Author's Note Ms. Daphne Greengras's POV <--- --- ---> Going Out; Exploring: 5 <--- --- ---> . This is weird, but what the hay. I had already forgot all about the headset, I had been given; I am wearing it, which makes it all the more weird. Or, is it just odd? Maybe I would not have forgotten it, if the fit had just been slightly worse? I can’t quite feel it, and I would barely have a chance to see it in the mirror. Which definitely is weird. Why can’t I even see it in the mirror? <--- --- ---> I thought I had seen the entire Cottage; but I have time, to see that part later. (it is after all my home, none will stop me, when I want to explore my own home.) For now, I want to see the village, where my home is. My cottage is in Twilight Town, so I am bound to see more, than just the one cottage I live in. Well; Twilight’s home is in the village, as is the Town Hall. I trot over to the door to the cloaking room (with my sister in tow), lifting up my right fore hoof to the plaque (just like Twilight had explained/demonstrated to us, earlier.); as I am pressing the frog of the hoof onto the plaque, the door eagerly slides up before me and I step out of our living room; only for the door to quietly slide shut behind my sister as she had cleared the threshold. “That is weird..” my sister intones; “can we ever get used to it?” she inquires. “Not sure..” I respond; “but, I guess we’ll just cross the bridge; when we get to it!” I suggest. Since I already wear my clothes, even despite being a Pony; I turn to look for the shoes, finding a set of shoes fitting my hooves. (My sister finds her set of shoes, next to mine.) I slip my shoes on, while my sister is mirroring my action; before I am turning towards the door out; repeating the process of opening the door. Once the door is open, I step out with my sister in tow; only for the door to slide shut behind her, just as she had cleared the threshold. “These doors certainly are easy to open..” my sister observes. Once outside, we can see the front of our yard; there is also the few of the Town Hall, of course. “Peonies..” I exclaim. “so beautiful!” my sister fills in, I just nod in agreement. “Clip clop, clip clop..” is heard, as we are trotting down the path towards the street. <--- --- ---> We have already seen the Town Hall..” I supply; “so we should be focusing on the village of Twilight town itself, first!” I suggest. “While we may have to go back to the Town Hall, in order to go home..” she responds; “but we have an entire Village, to explore; before we consider that!” she confirms. “Clip clop, clip clop..” is heard, as we continue to trot down the street. I choose to take the road leading away from Town Hall, following the street out of town. Cottage by cottage, we count the gardens along the street. Outwardly, all the cottages are identical; unless you look at the small details, like the colours and names on the post box. Each cottage has a luscious lawn with an alley of frisky Peonies lining the path laid with stone tiles, leading up to the porch on the front. “Twilight Sparkle, Rarity Filigree, Pinkie Pie, Applejack Apple, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy Flutters, Derpy Whooves and Docktor Whooves”; I read on the mail boxes observing the matching colours on their respective mail boxes. “Ditzy Doo and Dinkie Doo” (Oups; are Derpy and Dinkie related to Daring Doo?) is read on another mail box. (I’m taking the liberty of completing these names with somewhat Fan-On names, to make these names comply with the expected naming convention standard here.) Of course, I can’t help but recognizing some names, like Twilight Sparkle, of course. Just as her coat of fur is alight, Lavender Purple hue, her mail box is the exact same hue. (What a Shock!) Every two or three cottages, and there is an intersection leading up to a crossroad. Maybe, just maybe; this village is not quite as small; as I had initially been picturing it, considering just how many cottages I can see, just following this one street. Adding to that, all the homes available, with this pattern of streets; this village is starting to look fairly large to me and my sister. (Maybe this is just our Wizardly nature speaking, considering how we rarely gather in larger communities.) “All the unnamed mail boxes seems to indicate empty lots, just waiting for a new Pony to move in!” my younger sister: Astoria suggests. “Twilight did mention that she has a surplus of cottages available; for new Citizens to move in, at a moment’s notice!” I concur. “Yes, I guess: that is what she meant!” she agrees. <--- --- ---> The street just continues for a good long while, on and on; but then it is clear, there are no more intersections. The street still persists further and further. The street ends quite abruptly; with just the table top of a desk I could have done my homework on, just in a grossly monstrous size. Beyond the end of the street, one can see the end of this world. The village is a Panorama. (Only, it had been crafted with such immense clarity, by someone with an eye for detail not of this World!) “We can tell No One about this!” I point out; “Yes, we can as well keep quiet about this; if Twilight does not know, she probably don’t want us to tell her, either!” I suggest. “If she wants to know, she can trot over here, any day she so pleases; and see this, for herself!” I conclude, matter closed. With that, we turn around as one; trotting back towards the Center of town. “We still do have several interesting objects to explore, along the street of the Town Hall!” Astoria suggests. In the end, we trot home; after an adventure, shared. <--- --- ---> Going Out; Exploring (https://www.fimfiction.net/chapter/1763839) <--- --- ---> //-------------------------------------------------------// A Cozy Moment, with Twilight: 3 //-------------------------------------------------------// Author's Note Ms. Daphne Greengras's POV <--- --- ---> A Cozy Moment, with Twilight: 3 <--- --- ---> . As I am stepping out of my room, I see my younger sister: Astoria trotting down the flight of stairs. “Clip clop, clip clop.” is heard, as she is continuing down the flight of stairs. “She chose the red Skirt and Top, too!” I ponder, as I follow her down to the ground floor. Well, why not; she fits in the ensemble, she chose to slip into!” I consider; snickering quietly, under my breath. Once I have managed to negotiate the flight of stairs, down to the Living Room; I can clearly see Twilight sitting in the middle seat, in the sofa. “There you are, Daphne!” Twilight exclaims; as she sees me trotting over the floor, towards the sofa. "I was just checking out my new Bed Room, hope I did not take too long!” I put forth. “Oh, yes..” twilight acknowledges; “I can clearly see that!” she continues. “There are two Wardrobes, in the Bed Room!” Astoria helpfully supplies. “Then you got a good glimpse, of your current form as an Equine?” Twilight inquires. “I did…” I respond, blushing slightly under my fur; “I did, too!” Astoria echoes half an instant later. “Just takes a while, to get used to!” I point out. “I can very well imagine!” Twilight responds; “I have experienced this, first Hoof myself..” she continues; “or would you prefer: First Hand!” she then inquires. "That would depend on the perspective..” Astoria suggests; “but since we are Ponies right now; I guess: First Hoof! is the proper expression, right now!” she concludes. “I, We have no hands right now; so it just feels weird to say: “First Hand!” I concede. “I have four Hooves, though!” Astoria puts forth, with a snicker to her voice. “Maybe this is the time, for some nice music?” Twilight inquires, after a moment of contemplation. “Sounds nice…” I respond, nodding; “yes..” Astoria fills in, nodding. “Here goes...” Twilight offers, as she is activating the screen on the wall before us. “Listen to Music” the option on the screen reads. “Artist: Octavia” the option reads. “Who is Octavia?” I ponder; “I have never heard of her!” I continue. As Twilight is selecting the Musician, the image of the Gray Mare appears on the screen. We can clearly see her holding her Cello, in the image; as she is taking her sweet time, fine-tuning her instrument before us. “Instrument: 'Cello” the text on the screen reads. “Collection: 'Cello Shell-Shock” the text on the screen reads. After a moment of quiet contemplation, Twilight states; “Since the Artist Octavia is not here; she can not take offence, by anything we say or do here right now!”. “Thank you, Twilight; for saying this, before the music starts!” I put forth. “Play!” Twilight exclaims, and Octavia changes her expression, as she is preparing to play. The next moment, she starts playing the first melody. This is an Instrumental performance, so there will be no voice or vocals. <--- --- ---> At first, the sound is quiet, yet picking up volume as she continues to play. The voice of her ‘Cello is deep, while still remaining vibrant and playful. She is playing a slow cadence, at first; yet picking up speed as she goes. Yet, it is still a fairly slow cadence at heart. She never tries to make it into a catchy song, while she insistently continues to play with her Heart. <--- --- ---> I feel weird. <--- --- ---> “Imagine that, an Earth Pony can play the ‘Cello..” I ponder; “and I enjoy listening to her, as if she had been one of the old Masters!” I conclude. I feel my heart pounding.. and hard. While I know she is not in the room, but I still feel as if she is watching me. Just that she is not glaring at me. I can’t quite put a finger, to how I feel. Is this, do to being in the Equine form as a Pony? Still, I can’t quite put a Hoof on how I feel, either. Just do not tell me, this is due to the fact that I was born as a Human. “Any chance, I can listen to this again?” I inquire. “Any time you like, Daphne!” Twilight confirms. “For some reason, I think Father would love this music, if only we could permit him to listen to the Music, without seeing the Musician!” Astoria puts forth. “Yes..” I respond, “just not sure, as to how he would react on knowing who or what the Artist is!” I mumble. “He is one of these Unicorn Supremacists?” Twilight inquires. “Something like that..” I supply; “well; a human equivalence, at least!” I elaborate. “You play the ‘Cello with your hands, exclusively!” Twilight points out, snickering. “With her hooves, in this case!” Astoria snickers. “If you want to learn magic, I’m here for you!” Twilight promises; “I was Alestia’s Protege from I was Five!” she explains. “Who is Alestia?” I inquire. “The Princess of the day, the wielder of the Sun and the Immortal Ruler of the land of Equestria!” Twilight explains. “The wielder of the Sun, is that where the Day Breaker in her name comes from?`” Astoria inquires. “Yes..” Twilight whispers; “Pray there will never be a Day Breaker event; where she goes mad and Glaze the world over!” she breathes. “Why does this sound, like a Horrible exaggeration of the Dooms Day the Muggles tinker with?” Astoria inquires. “Are you referring to the Nuclear War, where they destroy the World?” I inquire. “I have been reading a few of these books..” Twilight supplies; “I guess you could say; I have been fascinated by these stories, from the point of my origin!” she explains. <--- --- ---> The Music comes to a crescendo, building up to the dramatic peak. It isn’t so much the volume, or the tempo of the music; but in the intensity and the intricacy of the notes being played. Of course, this could not last, but it did not have to. What’s the point? The crescendo is the point, after all. The volume is picking up, from the mere whisper, building up speed into a new cadence. It’s a cadence of longing, of expectancy. All of a sudden, there is a pregnant pause. As the pause comes to an end, the crescendo is building up into a new point, a counterpoint. <--- --- ---> I am ecstatic. <--- --- ---> The music slowly fades out, quiet; before the final crescendo. “Oh!” I exclaim, my mouth in the shape of the Capital OH. <--- --- ---> Alone / Together (https://www.fimfiction.net/chapter/1752376) <--- --- --->