Starry Night

by Visharo

Rating: everyone
Tags: Original Character, Mystery, Anthology, Random, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 2784

The sky explodes.

The sky explodes.

An entry in the Dialogue Only Contest.

Published 2024-05-05 00:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2024-05-05 00:00:01 UTC

Dishes

“Silver?”

“Yeah?”

“Why is the sky exploding?”

“What?”

“Yeah, the night sky.”

“Wait, hold on a sec. I’m washing dishes right now.”

“Yeah, sure, just finish up while I’m literally watching stars exploding.”

“Aw, come on man, don’t do that to me.”

“Hey, what am I supposed to do? Not tell the truth?”

“You could make it less enticing.”

“My apologies. I will tone it down, just for you, Silver.”

“Many thanks, Haze.”

“The bland night time view of our little town, the stars above flicker like fireflies, the rolling hills look the same as ever, the tree in front of our window silent and still… How’s that?”

“Sounds like the beginning of a short story.”

“You’re totally right! I should write that down…after though. Exploding stars are much more interesting.”

“Alright, alright! I’m putting down the dishes. Jeez, impatient much.”

“Dude, the sky is literally exploding. That’s like a once in a lifetime occurrence. Dishes happen like, once every two days.”

“Exploding, huh? How come I can’t hear anything?”

“Beats me. Silent explosions?”

“Is this some sort of military exercise?”

“How would I know?”

“You know everything.”

“No I don’t.”

“Alright, I’m here.”

“Welcome.”

“Oh, snap. You’re right.”

“Seeee! I don’t lie.”

“See, that right there, was a lie.”

“Shut up.”

“...”

“...”

“It’s beautiful, in a weird sense.”

“I totally get what you mean.”

“The finishing swirls after the explosion, like a fancy finish, or a bow after the end of a performance.”

“Maybe they aren’t explosions, maybe they’re dancers.”

“The Night Dancers.”

“Nah, too…I dunno, it’s just too.”

“Yeah, I get what you mean.”

“Hmm…”

“How about, The Swirling Ballerinas?”

“See, now that’s implying that…whatever those are, are mares.”

“Not true, there are stallion ballerinas. I thought you knew everything!”

“I never said I did! And of course I knew that. It’s just, that when somebody says ballerina, the immediate thought goes to a mare.”

“Ah, such is society.”

“Truer words have never been spoken.”

“...”

“...”

“Haze?”

“Yeah?”

“What do you think about all of this?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, the news stations are probably covering all of this, the explosions or dancers, or whatever. What does it mean?”

“Like, in the context of our little insignificant lives?”

“In a pessimistic nutshell, sure.”

“Alright, well, in my little insignificant view, I think it’s just Mother Equus sharing its next wondrous thing with this world and its inhabitants.”

“That’s optimistic for a pessimist.”

“What can I say? I’m complicated.”

“HA!”

“Alright, Silver. What do you think about all of this?”

“Hmmm. Maybe it’s the end of the world.”

“Now who’s being pessimistic?”

“I’m thinking about this realistically.”

“No, no, no. Realistically would be, the stars are exploding.”

“How is that realistic!”

“Because, that’s literally what’s happening.”

“Hmmm…okay, I see your point.”

“Thank you.”

“Still doesn’t change the fact that the world is ending.”

“What gave you that idea!?”

“Explosions. In the sky.”

“I…yeah, no, that’s fair.”

“Thank you.”

“Yeah, sure.”

“...”

“...”

“Huh, it ended.”

“Welp, I guess that’s that.”

“Back to dishes.”

“Yep.”

Traveling

"Sir! Sir! Are you in need of a ride?"

"What? Oh, you've got a cart. No, it's okay. I wouldn't want to be a bother, pulling a cart is hard enough as it is. You don't need my weight."

"That's perfectly alright, sir. I'm a farmer, one pony is nothing to the hay bales I cart around."

"I'd rather not."

"Oh, but I insist, sir. Traveling down a road without company is a lonesome journey."

"...you have a fair point. How about a compromise. We walk together."

"A fine compromise indeed, sir! My name's Cart."

"An apt name."

"It is indeed! Good eye, sir. Haha!"

"There's no need to call me sir. You can call me Wanderer."

"Wanderer it is! However, if you'll indulge me, I prefer sir."

"If you wish. Shall we walk?"

"We shall!"

"..."

"..."

"Why sere you insistent on having me ride on your cart?"

"I am a simple pony, sir. I was named after the cart, got a cutie mark after the cart, I simply need something in my cart."

"That...makes sense, I suppose."

"It makes me whole, I suppose. If I have something worth hauling, then I shall haul it. You seemed worthy enough, from afar, sir, so I offered."

"I declined your offer, though."

"That is true, but you yourself, made a counter offer. Despite the fact that I don't have anything in my cart, I am whole as of right now. Talking while walking is a pleasurable burden, one I shall be happily to take instead of a physical burden. Do you get what I mean, sir?"

"I...think so."

"That is good. It is good to think."

"Cart...I...uh...Thank you."

"No worries, sir. I am but a simple farmer."

"Yes, but that's not what I meant."

"I know exactly how you meant, sir."

"..."

"..."

"Wow. Cart, stop!"

"What is it?"

"Look up!"

"Ai, it's night time already? Hmmm, we should be close though, we could probably make it before midnight if we push onwards. What do you think, sir? Sir?"

"That's not what I'm talking about, look up!"

"Well, count my chickens and catch a ferret. If that isn't a sight, then I don't know what is."

"The sky is alive!"

"Indeed it is, sir."

"How are you not excited or terrified!?"

"Sir, if I were to be excited or terrified by every sight near the Everfree, then I wouldn't be a cart hauler, now would I?"

"...That doesn't really make much sense."

"Was it supposed to?"

"..."

"Tell you what, the sky conversing and walking about like a pony is a new one, I'll admit that."

"You are a strange one, Cart."

"I'm a farmer pony, what more do you expect?"

"I don't know. I don't know."

"..."

"..."

"It sure is pretty. I thank you, sir. It sure brightens up my day."

"Brightens up? Brightens up! It lit up my entire world!"

"Now now, sir. If one spectacular sight were to light your entire world, then none of the other lights would be able to catch your attention. Would be a mite tragedy to miss out on other wonders of Equus."

"I...you're right. You're completely right. I'll say it again, Cart. You are a strange one."

"I try, sir. I try."

Gardening

"Oh, look at you. Budding and growing up strong. A fine Sunflower you'll be, I don't have any doubts about that. — Oh, my apologies, Mr. Sunflower, the Rose Bushes are calling me. Ta ta! — Why, hello Rose Bushes. It certainly has been a while since our last conversation. How are the saplings? Oh, how delightful! You must be a proud bunch. Not many bushes can take care of so many little ones. Well, this chat has been pleasant, we should catch up again sometime soon. I need to make my way to check on the Cherry Tree. Oh, thank you for caring, but no, Cherry Tree is doing fine. I'll tell her you said hi, though. — Miss Cherry Tree! Yoohoo! You are looking just as pretty as ever, Cherry Tree. I must say, how do you make those cherries look so fine? I jest, I jest. — By the by, Miss Cherry Tree, the Rose Bushes say hi. Yes, they were worried about you. Sometimes, I confess, I worry too. You isolate yourself from the others by being here. Yes I know, you prefer your solitary placement. But I assure you, it's perfectly fine, I have enough bits to transplant you. No? Okay, as you wish, Miss Cherry Tree. — Ah, thank you for letting me rest under your branches. You always have the warmest embrace. — Ah... What's that!? Do you see that, Miss Cherry Tree? The sky is alight! It looks spectacular! Like celestial flora, weaving and spreading throughout the sky. Gasp! I just had a terrible thought, Miss Cherry Tree. I've got to run, terrible sorry. — Mr. Sunflower! Are you alright? I just had this terrible, horrendous, thought. You are alright, right? Oh...right. It's night time, my apologies for waking you up, Mr. Sunflower. I must've been under Miss Cherry Tree for longer than I thought. Anyhoo, the reason for my coming here is that...the sky...the sky is on fire. Yes, Mr. Sunflower, on fire. At least, I think it's on fire. I came to you because you were named after the sun, I thought perhaps you might know what this all meant. Describe it? Oh, I can describe it. Let's see here... — Imagine Old Missus Wisteria's flowers...oh, that's right. She was before your time. Terrible sorry. Let's see, then... — Dandelions, those pesky varmints. Yes, imagine them. Swirls of their yellow fluff, combined with fire, swirling around the night sky. No, Mr. Sunflower, there are more than one. Yes. More than one. Oh. Oh well. Thank you for your time, Mr. Sunflower. I will leave you to your rest now, an terrible sorry for that rude awakening. Yes, yes. Have a good night. — Ah, it looks like I found myself over to you, Missus Wisteria. It's been a long while since you've passed. The garden doesn't feel the same without you. You wouldn't mind if I leaned against your stump, would you? Thank you. — You know, Equus is up to something tonight. Flowers flying on celestial wings. It's certainly a sight to behold. I'm sure you would've loved them, Missus Wisteria. — I just had a thought, perhaps, maybe, just perhaps, that that's you up there. Watching down on all of us. Or perhaps it's you finally finding your freedom to dance. I remember those dances clearly, how majestic you were with your abundant branches on a windy day. They certainly were a sight to behold. Well, if that's you up there, know that I'm watching. Always."

Painting

"He stared at the horizon like a pony on a mission. He knew it was going to be a long while before he saw his home again. He took a deep breath and..."

"Honey. You know I love you, but the narration is unnecessary."

"...a deep breath and took his first hoofstep out the door and into the great unknown! The orchestra in the pit starts to play, a gust of wind blows from the side, making his luscious locks glitter in the sunlight. This will be the start of a grand adventure!"

"Embellished Honey, please. I am just going out to paint."

"Yes, Stretched Canvas. I know."

"Hey, I saw that eye roll."

"No you didn't!"

"Did too! Sigh. Alright. What do you want?"

"Moi? Why would I want anything? I have a lovely husband who is always busy with his work, a delightful little cottage on the hill that's always one pony short, a quaint little kitchen for all my cooking needs, despite the fact the amount I'm cooking for always seems to be for one less."

"..."

"What happened, Canvas?"

"I...I don't know, Honey. Maybe I got caught up with my work? I can't really say."

"Hmmm... I won't accept that. At least, not right now. I deserve a proper answer, Canvas."

"I don't know if I can give one..."

"Didn't your mother ever say to raise your chin when you're feeling down? Chin up!"

"Ehe...no. She never said that."

"Ah. Well, I'm saying it! — Say, how about, I go with you."

"To my painting places?"

"Yeah, sure. It's been a while since we did anything meaningful together."

"Hey, that's unfair."

"Is it?"

"...No."

"Thought so. Come on, let's get this show on the road!"

"..."

"Alright, so where do you go from here?"

"Well, usually, I take this path here. It goes up into the mountains. The views are stunning."

"Alright then, let's go!"

"Hey! Wait up. Honey!"

"You're so slow, Canvas. All this hiking, and you can't handle a running mare. You should be ashamed."

"Haha, very funny."

"I thought it was hilarious."

"Okay, you've made your point. I am a worthless stallion, one who doesn't deserve your hoof in marriage."

"See? That right there, that's where you're wrong. You give up too easily, that's your problem. You have plenty of worth as a stallion, a husband, and a pony. You just don't see it in yourself. You've just given up on ever trying to see it in yourself. You've subjected yourself to this life, day in, day out."

"I...you're right. Ha, of course you're right. You've got my back and when you needed me, I wasn't there. I wholeheartedly apologize, Honey. I was selfish and blind."

"It's alright, Canvas. I'm glad you understand."

"..."

"..."

"Here's a good spot."

"Below the tree, overlooking the valley?"

"Yep. It has everything I was looking for. What are you going to do while I do this?"

"I'll look around the area. Perhaps search for cooking ingredients. I've heard there was a type of mint in this area."

"Well, I wish you luck, then.

"You too."

"..."

"..."

"Hey. Before I head off, I just want to say. I'm sorry."

"I accept your apology if you accept my apology."

"Hehe, alright Canvas. I accept your apology."

"Good, no...hoooly crap, what the heck is that!?"

"The world's on fire!"

"Quick! I must paint it!"

Science

"Hey! Vial? Are you here? Viaaaaal!"

"I'm here!"

"...ah, there you are."

"Heya Beaker, what brings you to the balcony?"

"Nothing much. Pamphlet is busy and I wanted somepony to talk to."

"Awww, so you chose me? I'm glad I'm your first choice then."

"Hehe, now now. You were the only one left in the building. Everypony else went back home."

"Huh. Why's that?"

"...It's past closing hours. We aren't required to be at the lab after closing hours."

"Aw, shoot. It's that late?"

"Vial, seriously? It's dark out already."

"..."

"..."

"Yeah, no, I see what you mean. Ehe...uhm, huh."

"What were you doing out here in the first place?"

"Oh, I just wanted to get out of everypony's hair. Get a breath of fresh air. See the sun set. Actually, I don't know why I went out. I don't even remember when I came out. It's strange, really."

"I'd say."

"Your turn. Why are you still here? Why come looking for me?"

"Pamphlet still needs my help, but not right now. So I thought I'd wait until he calls me."

"Reasonable."

"I thought so."

"..."

"..."

"Beaker?"

"Yeah?"

"I need to know if I'm going mad, because just then, I saw the sky explode. There! It happened again! Aw, shoot, there are more of them!"

"Sweet Celestia, you're right!"

"So, I'm not going mad. I don't know if that's comforting or not, considering our sky is being literally shattered."

"In my opinion, I'd say going mad would be the better alternative."

"Mmm, yeah, no, you're right. Madness would beat having our perfectly normal, your everyday nightsky, being ripped and thrown about."

"A tad aggressive with the descriptions, don't you think?"

"But isn't that what's happening?"

"Well...I'd say that would be debatable."

"...fair enough."

"Agh, what are we doing? We're scientists, Vial. Scientists! We should be able to figure this out, or at the very least, come up with a hypothesis."

"By Luna, you are absolutely right. I'm going to that end of the balcony, perhaps it's a perception thing."

"Yeah, now that you mention it, that's a pretty good idea. Thank goodness for stupidly long balconies, never thought I'd see the day the 100 meter balcony would contribute to anything."

"Right?"

"Alright, if Vial is off doing that, then I should be analyzing the composition. Would be kind of hard since it's so far away and I don't have the proper tools. Hmmm. Well, first of all, the colors. Hues of red and yellow as well as white splashed in. Sometimes they appear as fuzzy dots, fading in and out of the night sky. Sometimes they appear as a paintbrush, swiping across the starry night sky, before fading away. Oooh, this is exciting. Thank goodness I have my notebook on me."

"Beaker. I'm...gah...I'm back. It's not a perception thing. Hoooo, 100m is no joke. Imma...Imma sit down a bit."

"Okay..."

"So...uh, what do you have so far?"

"Not much. I'm just currently describing how they look and what colors they're made out of. I couldn't really grasp what they are made out of or what they're doing. This phenomenon is bizarre, to say the least."

"I concur. Something a bit above our pay grade."

"Yeah...oh, wait. It stopped."

"Huh, you're right. Lemme just...phooo, why did I do that?"

"For science?"

"Pshaa, science."

"Well, Vial, it was just another exciting day in Equestria."

"Couldn't have said it any better, Beaker."