The Depths of Love.

I open the door and walk into the house, slamming it behind me.

“Mom!” I shout. No answer comes. I grumble to myself about lightbulbs and stalk into the kitchen. A note is sitting on the counter.

Went out with your dad to the store. Be back soon. -- Mom

I snort and turn to the fridge. “No really, take your time...” I open the fridge and take out an apple. Nomming it, I head towards my room. My parents probably wouldn’t be back for an hour or so. I throw the apple core into the trash and flop onto my bed.

Never had I felt so tired. Most days, Script and Blackout caused enough problems to bring down the theatre. The new worker, Big Heart, I hope will find a way to survive. With the performance coming up soon, it’s too late for him to get a role, but I’m sure Grand Staff will busy him with all sorts of tasks.

I close my eyes and think of the new worker. Big Heart seems to have a nice personality. I just hope he doesn’t end up like Script or Blackout. The last thing I need at work is another perverted stallion.

My mind travels back to my first day as a student at the theatre. My grandparents had taken me to see many of the performances already, but I had never met any of the ponies there. Script had already been there a month, and Blackout joined the same day I did.

At first they seemed nice, playful, as all colts were. But the next year came around and things went downhill. It was just teasing and flirting which I thought harmless. Then it moved into touching and feeling.

I squirm uncomfortably in my bed. I hate the touching and feeling.

A specific encounter comes to mind. It was the first main role I had gotten. The entire cast was backstage. The cast was huge, the backstage... not so much. I somehow ended up getting squished between Script and the wall. Script is not exactly a small stallion. I remember him whispering into my ear.

“Don’t move...” then his hoof brushed against my flank. At first I thought it was an accident, but when he did it again and this time started rubbing my cutie mark I realized otherwise.

“What are you doing?” I had hissed. Script hadn’t answered and simply started rubbing me more.

I was stuck between that wall and Script for a good ten minutes. When the backstage cleared out, I had almost fallen I had become so aroused. Script knew this, and since then he and Blackout had taken to targeting me more than any of the other mares.

I had complained once or twice to Grand Staff. He is a wonderful elder, but he didn’t understand that just talking to stallions didn’t help. Other mares of the theatre, I soon learned, recieved the same treatment from all the stallions. It was just a normal part of the theatre. The first two years I rebelled against it, but soon fell into the pattern of it being a normality.

I squirm again in my bed. I really do hope that Big Heart doesn’t become like the rest of the stallions there.

______________________________________________________________________________

On my way home, all I can think about is my conversation, such as it were, with Script. The smug look on his face still makes me want to sock him in the face. How dare he treat a lady that way, let alone Moonsung. Blood boiling, I lash out at a light post, bucking it hard. The sound of ringing metal, and the feel of my hooves hitting it, calms me down, albeit, minutely. From what I can tell, if Moonsung’s hints about drama are anything to go by, much more than what I saw goes on there.

        I make my way around the corner, approaching my house in a huff. I don’t even bother trying to hide my frustration as I open the door and head inside. Mom isn’t home. I go into the living room, to see the table set up with dinner for me, a note beside it.

        The note reads, Sorry I wasn’t home to be here when you got back, but a friend of mine invited me to dinner while you were gone. I made you your favorite though, mac and cheese! Hope you had a great first day! See you when I get back! Love you! -- Mom

        Even when she isn’t here, my Mom always manages to make me smile. It is probably a good thing she isn’t here though; the way I am feeling, she would pick up on it immediately. Much better that I have the chance to calm down than to talk to her about what went on.

        I look down at the meal in front of me. I take a deep breath, letting the aroma of the food play in my nostrils. I sit down at the table, and start to eat. I let the flavor of the food distract my mind. Even if it will only last for a little, I need something to get my mind off the events of today. I chew each bite slowly, letting the taste wash over me. I love food.

        I finish the remainder of my meal, put the dishes and silverware in the sink, washing them, and putting them away. I head to my room, thinking about what I can, or should, do. I flop into my bed, face first. I love the feeling of pillow in my face, so soft. As I calm down, my thoughts drift to Moonsung.

        I first saw her at the very very theatre that I now work at. Mom had taken me to see a play. I don’t remember what the play was about, but I never forgot seeing Moonsung. She had played a small role, but the effect she had on me I will never forget. After the play ended, I looked in the program that we had been given at the start to find out what her name was. Moonsung, the small print had said. To me, it was the name of an angel.

        After that day, I went to that theatre all the time, just hoping to see Moonsung. I watched her from afar, as I was too shy to actually go up to her. Just watching her was enough for me, at least, back then.

        Then came the day when I could no longer just watch. I wanted to meet her. I wanted to get to know her, rather than just imagine talking to her. So, I started going to the theatre, hoping to get a job there. At first the owner, Grand Staff, didn’t think much of me. As I continuously went back, he warmed up to me, seeing that I was serious about the job. Eventually, I got the interview, and later, the job.

        Now though, I didn’t know what to do. This job is not all I imagined it to be, with ponies like Script there. I pursued this job in the hopes of getting close to Moonsung. I just don’t know. I yawn, as sleep threatens to overtake me. My last thoughts are of Moonsung, and my new job.

______________________________________________________________________________

My dreams, as always, were of no sense whatsoever. Something about Big Heart and Script. I yawn and snuggle under my blankets further. Somepony comes into my room and reaches under my blanket.

My first thought is, oh buck. My hooves start to be tickled. “Wake up Moonsung!”

Mornings. I hate them. I pull my legs up to my chest. “Go away Dad,” I grumble.

“You’re going to be late. Get up,” comes a female voice, my mother.

I can’t say no to her without getting punished somehow, so I groan and sit up sleepily. “Since when do I need both of you to get me up in the morning?”

My dad laughs and leaves the room. My mother simply throws a brush at me and points at the clock.

It’s 9:50 AM. I have ten minutes to get to work. I yelp and jump out of bed. My mom disappears into the hallway as I frantically brush my mane. I run down the stairs and out the door, grabbing a piece of toast with my magic.

“Bye Mom! Bye Dad!”

The theatre is only a few blocks from my house but it still takes fifteen minutes to get there. I walk in the doors at 10:05 exactly. Script, Blackout and a few other workers are sitting in the auditorium waiting for Grand Staff. Luckily, he’s always late.

I tiptoe into the auditorium, hoping the others don’t notice me yet. I take a seat in the back as the door opens again. I glance around the corner to see Big Heart walking in. He’s looking a little lost, so I motion for him to come sit by me.

“Hey, Big Heart!” I greet as the stallion takes the seat next to me.

“Hi, Moonsung. How are you today?” He asks with a smile.

His smile seems kind and genuine, but I decide to play it safe until I know what he’s really like. I smile back. “Fine now, but today’s going to be busy. How are you?”

“Honestly? A little concerned.” His smile wavers.

I wonder for a moment. “About your first day? Don’t worry. You’ll make a great theatre stallion!”

He half smiles. “Well, I’m not worried about that. After all, I have a great teacher to show me the ropes.” He smiles fully at me, then loses it again. “No, what I am concerned about, is... well... Script. He made some comments about you. Comments that I didn’t really like. At all.” He looks down and away.

For a moment I just stare at him blankly. Then rage at Script fills me for saying anything at all. I turn away from him and put my mane in a curtain between us. “Oh, Script. I wouldn’t worry about him either. He’s really a nice stallion once you get to know him...”

I sense him look back up at me, anger filling his voice. “Nice stallion!? A nice stallion doesn’t talk about mares they way he did yesterday! Where does he get off, talking like that? Talking about you like that? Making crude comments about you? That is not what a ‘nice stallion’ does.”

His voice was raising slightly. “Big Heart, please don’t let him hear you.” I continued to avoid looking at him. “Look. I don’t know exactly what he said to you, but it’s just what things are like around here. And he really is a nice stallion. Just a jerk sometimes.”

His voice gets really quiet. “Apparently, you have never met somepony that knows what it means to be a gentlestallion.”

        At that moment the doors slam open again and Grand Staff comes into the auditorium. The chatter stops and the elderly stallion stands on the stage.

        “Okay everypony. You all know we have a new worker. Please welcome Big Heart, and make yourselves known.” Everypony turns to see Big Heart then turns back to the front. “We have a performance coming up this weekend. There is still a ton to be done. The set isn’t finished, all stage workers please see Moonsung. The tech crew needs to replace eighteen lightbulbs and get light and sound cues figured out, please see Blackout...”

        Grand Staff continues to name off things that need to be done: musicians see Encore, actors and actresses who need help with lines go see Script, costumes go see Seam...

        Finally he pauses. “I think that’s it. Go on then!”

        The ponies in the seats get up and head to their parts of the theatre. Big Heart shifts beside me.

        “Where am I supposed to be?”

        I look at him again. “You might want to ask Grand Staff. I’m only stage manager.”

        Big Heart eyes me for a moment, then walks up to the stage. I overhear Grand Staff tell him he’s on stage crew.

        Half of me is excited that he’s on my crew, half is distraught. I really don’t want him prying into the drama between the mares and stallions, but I have a feeling it’s going to come up sooner or later. Especially if Script keeps running his mouth.

I shake my head clear of thoughts, and switch to my work mode. What Big Heart chooses to do doesn’t concern me as long as he does his work. I get up from my seat and head backstage.

Most of my crew is present, which pleases me. I stand on a box in the back and go through our own to-do list.

“The stage floor needs a new coat of black paint. Be sure to put the painter’s tape down this time, please... I need two stallions to go downstairs and start bringing up the props. Those will need new coats of paint as well, I’m guessing.” I think for a moment. “Let’s start with that. Two of you can stay with me and start doing detailing on the wall paint.”

One of the black lights goes out. “And somepony go find Blackout. I’m sick of replacing these black lights once a week.”

Big Heart steps forward. “Moonsung, what should I be doing? Considering I’m new here and all.”

I glance at his build. He’d be great for bringing up props, but I kind of want to keep an eye on him for the first week.

“How are you with a paintbrush?”

He smiles eagerly. “I once helped my granny paint the inside of her house.”

        I laugh. “Alright then. You can stay up here and help with the detailing.”

        He smiles at me, eyes shining and bright. “You got it! Show me where to start, and it will be the best paint job you have ever had!”

        The other ponies laugh at his over-enthusiasm and head off to different jobs. I smile and point over to the back wall. “The paint is in the little nook here. All you need to do is go around the side edges and paint it gold.” I step off the box. “I’ll be on the side wall if you need me.”

______________________________________________________________________________

        I start on the paint job, taking my time with long, easy brush strokes. I really want to impress Grand Staff, and more importantly, Moonsung, with my work. I remember my granny teaching me how to use a brush. Start from one end, go slowly, and finish at the other end as far as the paint will allow you to.

        I hum a little tune, as I work my way around. Painting is a simple job, one that gives me a chance to think. I can tell that Moonsung doesn’t really know what to make of me. Given that all she is used to being around, somepony like me must be very new to her. I hope she sees that I am different from those other stallions. I hate stallions like that, thinking that they can just treat mares however they want.

        I am shaken out of my thoughts by the sound of singing. I look up from what I am doing, to see a pony near me singing softly.

        “...The storm is passing over... the storm is passing over... the storm is passing over... hallelujah...”

        He starts singing those words again, slightly louder. I hear a female voice join in and turn to see Moonsung singing along with him. Together they sing the same phrase then start again, louder. Three more voices joined in. This continues for a few minutes until I realize everypony in the theatre is singing the same lines.

“...The storm is passing over... the storm is passing over... the storm is passing over... hallelujah!”

        I look on, not sure if I should join in. I just watch in amazement as the song gets louder and louder. I start singing, the swell of music drawing me in. As the song continues, voices start dropping out one by one, until it’s only me and Moonsung singing. We both end on the same note. I look at her. She’s watching me with a face full of pure joy and happiness. She is so beautiful, the look on her face making her seem to glow.

        “What was that, exactly?” I ask softly.

        Her face is slightly dazed and out of the corner of my eye I see the same dazed expression on the ponies nearby. “That,” she says softly, “That was the spirit of the theatre.”

        I smile. “That is one of the coolest things I have ever been a part of. How long has that been going on?”

        Moonsung shrugs, still glowing. “Generations of actors and actresses here have kept that up. Even Grand Staff doesn’t know who started that.”

        “Wow.” I really don’t know what to say.

        She just smiles at me again and points to my wall. “You’re dripping there...”

        I blush, and hurry back to the wall. “Sorry...”

        I hear Moonsung giggle as I quickly brush the drips away. I love her giggle. It’s so cute. I look back at her. “How is that, Moonsung? Is that good?”

        She nods and blushes, quickly turning back to her own painting. I go back to my work, Moonsung filling my thoughts. I am so glad I have this job. Regardless of any other pony, or what they do, I am glad to be here, if it means getting to know Moonsung.

I go back and forth with my brush, finishing up the last little details of the job. I put down the brush, and walk over to Moonsung. I tap her on the shoulder, saying, “I got the painting done. Now what?”

Moonsung finishes her brush stroke and looks over at my section. "Pretty good!" She adds two more strokes to her wall, thinking. Then she calls out to somepony backstage. "Song! Has anypony gotten Blackout back there to fix that light?"

Somepony, whoever Song is I guess, shouts a reply. "Not yet! I sent Dancer to go find him and she hasn't come back yet."

This appears to annoy Moonsung. "Big Heart, I hate to send you running all over the theatre your first day, but could you go find Blackout please? Without that black light, the entire stair area is too dark."

        “Sure!” I say, hesitating. “Where should I go to look for him?”

        “Tech loft or props in the basement. That’s where the light bulbs and stuff are.”

        I smile encouragingly at her. “Don’t worry ‘bout a thing. I’ll find him in no time!” I turn and head to the stairs leading to the basement. I take my time going the stairs; it is darker than it was last time I was here. I come to the end of the steps, a single light lighting the basement.

        Blackout is nowhere to be seen. “Blackout? Are you down here?” My voice echos slightly in the halls. I walk down the halls, looking for any trace of the elusive stallion. A faint moan like whimper emanates from the girls dressing room.

“...no...Blackout...what if somepony...”

Concerned, I run towards the source of the sound. Bursting through the door, I see Blackout, kissing Dancer full on the lips. “What the heck are you doing!?”

        Startled, the two ponies disconnect and turn to me. Blackout looks terrified, then sly. “What, Big Heart? Haven’t you ever seen two ponies kiss before?”

        I struggle to control my temper. This is not the time or place to lose it. Anger still seeping through my tone, I say, “Yes, actually I have. Believe it or not, I have actually kissed somepony else before, and this does not look like anything that she is enjoying.” I point towards the other pony, who looks slightly angry but is trying to pull off a worse poker face than I have.

        Blackout grins almost wickedly and puts an arm around the still Dancer’s shoulder.“Oh, you can ask her. She likes it. Right, Dancer?”

        Dancer’s eyes fly over my face and she nods quickly.

        I narrow my eyes, glaring death at Blackout. I know his type, the type that think they can get away with anything, without being caught. I take a deep breath, letting the anger and adrenaline go. I put on the best neutral expression I can. I want to push the issue here, but I know I can’t, at least not without more to go on. “Well, either way, Moonsung wants you upstairs. The lights are on the fritz again.”

        Blackout’s eyes glint. “Well. I don’t want to disappoint her.” He gives Dancer a light smack on the flank sending her running past me into the hall. “Lights she says?” The black stallion goes out into the hall and picks up a box of light bulbs with his mouth. “Ah gotfs thifs.” He says through the box.

        I follow him as he goes upstairs; I want to keep an eye on him. I go back over the event I just witnessed. He almost seemed... afraid at first. What is going on at this theatre? And why, if the hints I keep getting mean anything close to what I think, why has this kept happening?

        I shake the thoughts out of my head, and come back upstairs, right behind Blackout.

______________________________________________________________________________

        As soon as Blackout comes to the stage, I nearly paint an angry face on him.

        “One light, Blackout! Is that too much to ask!? What were you doing?!” I scold. Everypony except Big Heart is not responsive to Blackout’s scolding. It’s too normal.

        Blackout sets the box down and smiles. “Was just disciplining somepony. Can’t have troublemakers running loose. Right, Mom?”

        I growl at him and then sigh. “You’re ridiculous. Let’s go. That dark spot already caused two ponies to fall.”

        He picks up the box again and walks past me into the back stage. I go to follow, but not before I see Big Heart’s face. He looks as though he’s trying to conceal anger. For a moment I consider questioning him, but he meets my eyes and forces a smile forward. I smile back and go backstage.

        Blackout’s standing on a box, unscrewing the burnt out lightbulb. Nopony else is backstage. “You know, that Big Heart guy... I don’t think Grand Staff made a good choice in hiring him.”

        I start. “Why’s that?” He was very fast and thorough with his work.

        Blackout steps off the box and drops the burnt lightbulb into the box. His voice lowers. “I found him downstairs. Did you send Dancer out to look for me?”

        I’m now confused. “Yes, but what does Dancer have to do with Big Heart?”

        Blackout picks up the new lightbulb and screws it into the blacklight. “I went to get a new lightbulb and found Big Heart forcing a kiss on Dancer.”

        My jaw dropped. “No...” I remember who I’m talking to. “Don’t spread such lies, Blackout.”

        Blackout shrugs and jumps off the box again. He comes close to me. “I’m just warning you, Moonsung.” His voice is soft and sounds concerned. “I see how you look at him. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

        I simply stand on the backstage stairs and gape. Blackout doesn’t say anything else. He just turns and leaves. I stand there for a few minutes alone then go back to the stage. Most of my crew has finished their tasks and left for the day. A few are lingering.

        “Just finish up whatever you are working on and consider your hours met,” I announce to them. I get a few nods in answer. Big Heart is helping Song lift a table onto the stage.

        “Big Heart, it’s your first day. When you’re done with Song, you may go.”

        He looks at me in the middle of lifting the table. “Are you sure? I don’t mind staying and helping some more, if you need any extra help.”

        I avoid his gaze. “I’m sure. Take it easy your first day.”

        He gets done with the table, and turns to me. “Okay, if you’re sure. See you tomorrow?”

        I nod and quietly leave him and Song to finish up. The theatre doors close behind me and I start the lonely walk home.

I am so confused. On one hoof, Blackout is often a liar and a jerk, but I know him better than Big Heart. On the other hoof, Big Heart seems to not be the sort of stallion to do that sort of thing. But I hardly know him. Maybe he’s a brilliant liar.

I sigh and look up at the sky. It’s late afternoon with a colorful, slightly cloudy sky. I smile to myself. No matter who’s playing the game here I can play too. The rest of the walk home I plan up a scheme to learn who’s the liar and who’s not. Tomorrow, things will start to be different. It’s time to test how big Big Heart’s heart really is.