To Find the Light

To Find the Light

Chapter 1

Old Friends, New Feelings

As I step off the tram and onto the bustling and raucous place that is Mane Street, I  stop and take in my surroundings. The sounds of livelihood fill the street, automobiles of  all shapes and sizes hurry along past leaving a trail of exhaust behind them. Ponies walk past on the other side of the street, levitating in front of them their shopping. The sounds of idle chatter and the engines of automobiles fill my ears as I start walking on to the pathway.

I pass through the other ponies going about the business and stand to one side. I open up my saddlebag to check the address once more.

'Dear Wallflower,

I doubt you`ll remember me. My name is Cleo. I was the young colt sitting next to you in extension English class back in high school. You know the weird one with a treble clef cutiemark. Yeah that's me.

I just found out a few days ago that you live here in Canterlot so I`m wondering if you could maybe come and visit sometime.

I live at 68 Hoofington Avenue.

It would be nice to catch up.

Your old high school classmate,

Cleo'

Cleo was a pretty good, all rounded colt who was always there for me when I was in a tight spot. He would always lend me his stuff and sometimes helped me study for tests. Although, I must admit, I always admired his musical talents. He was destined for the spotlight. I would always watch his rehearsals with the school's orchestra. It has been many years since we last saw each other and he made a really good friend, somepony who you know has always got your back.

I fold the letter back up and place it back in my saddlebag. It seems that he doesn't live far from here so I won't have to travel very far. I start walking down the left side of the street. I've never heard of Hoofington Avenue before, so I`m not really sure how to get there.

'Perhaps some of the other ponies around here know where it is." I quickly think to myself as a mauve unicorn walks past.

"Excuse me miss." the unicorn turns and looks at me. "I was just wondering if you might be able to tell me where Hoofington Avenue is." I ask politely.

"Well to be perfectly honest my dear, I haven't the slightest idea at all. Although I`m pretty sure one of the Royal Guards would be able to point you in the right direction." she says.

"Well she was real helpful!" I think to myself as I look around for a Royal Guard.

I spot one standing firmly nearby. I hurry over to him as relief washes over me.

I look up at the stallion who is at least twice my size, he has a stiff look on his face and shows no emotion whatsoever.

"Excuse me sir, I was just wondering if you would be able to tell me where Hoofington Avenue is?" I ask.

"Well, miss, see that street to your right?" he asked and I quickly nod. "If you go down there and take the first turn on your left, you`ll be on Hoofington Avenue. Alright?" he asks.

"Yes. Thank you so much." I say before heading down the street the Royal Guard had told me about.

I take the first turn on my left and find myself on a small, quiet, dead end street. Where is everypony? I know I`m on the right street because the street sign next to me says in fancy lettering Hoofington Avenue.

The houses are of a different kind to what I normally see in the ever evolving city of Canterlot. Which peaks my curiosity even more. There is a large fountain in the center and a round row of houses surrounding it. A high, arched entrance is standing to the right of me and is high enough to fit several trucks stacked on top of the other through.

I start walking towards the row of houses, they have thatched roofs, small gardens out the front and they are all two stories high. Unlike all the other houses in Canterlot. These ones are old fashioned but yet still appeal to me. I notice the numbers on the houses and remember that Cleo's house number was 68. The numbers slowly go up as I walk past. 64...66...68.

Before me is Cleo's house. With a beige exterior, bright red thatched roof and a garden full of beautiful flowers. I stand here for a moment in awe of his glorious home. He clearly has good taste.

I start walking up the stairs leading to the bright red front door. When I finally stop right on his doorstep though I hesitantly ring the door bell which has a lovely, greeting tune. The door opens and a rather familiar looking stallion with a light blue coat and a deep blue mane stands in before me.

"Cleo, it's really good to see you! Wow, you've really changed a lot since high school." I say.

"You too Wallflower, it's nice seeing an old friend again. Why don't you come inside? It is why I sent you that letter after all." he says as I follow him inside.

His entire front room is filled to the brim with books. Bookshelves line the walls and a counter with a cash register is in the middle. I doubt anypony would know how many books there are. Well, that is, except Cleo of course.

'Is Cleo a bookseller or something? Perhaps he just loves books.' I think to myself.

We enter the next room which is his living room, which still has bookshelves lining the walls, or at least most of them. I walk around the room as Cleo walks off into the kitchen I notice that there is a couple of couches, a coffee table in the middle, a cosy fireplace adorned by old photographs and trophies, framed posters of famous musicians are hanging above the fire place.

He comes back with a smile on his face and a tray of freshly baked muffins in his hooves.

"So, would you like a coffee? Perhaps a soothing cup of tea?" he asks placing the tray down on the coffee table.

"I`ll have a cup of tea please, two sugars." I reply.

"Coming right up. Why don't you make yourself at home?" he offers as he leaves the room.

I sit down on one of his couches and take a bite out of one of the muffins which are absolutely delicious.

He soon returns with yet another tray with a porcelain teapot and matching teacup.

He rests it on the coffee table and gives me my tea before taking a seat on the opposite couch. I take a sip of tea, noticing nicely flavored it is.

"This tea tastes divine," I comment.

"Glad you think that. It's fresh green tea leaves," he replies.

"So, Cleo, all these books... do you work here?" I imply, regarding the rows of oaken shelves towering behind the stallion.

"Yes, but business has been slow," he notes. "But it's only a part-time thing, in any case; I'm actually a musician."

"Never played an instrument. I write; have done so ever since I first strung two words together."

"I hope you're being rewarded," Cleo says diplomatically.

"Never needed to worry about cash. Mom's - well, Mom's a famous actress, Dad runs Future Enterprises."

"Lucky you."

"Don't be. They were always so busy, going to Manehatten one day,

Baltimare the next. Always making excuses for missing my birthdays and my graduations. Only thing I got from them was a big check every New Year's. My aunt and uncle were the ones who really took care of me."

"Oh. I`m sorry to hear that." he replies hesitantly.

We sit in silence for a moment before Cleo stands up and goes over to his phonograph. He turns it on and a sweet melody  fills the room.

"This is one of my most famous compositions." he explains.

"It's beautiful." I say with a smile.

The piano is slow and relaxing almost like waves at the beach. Cleo is clearly a talented musician.

As I finish my cup of tea I feel contempt.. Who knew I would be meeting the very same stallion whom I had sat next to back in high school? I quickly glance at the clock and notice what time it was, it was  almost midday and I have not had lunch yet.

"Well, it's been really nice catching up with you Cleo but I have some things that need doing so how about we meet up sometime?" I ask.

"That sounds nice." he replies.

He starts walking to the front door as I follow him through the aisles of books. He opens the front door and I walk through it stepping out onto his doorstep.

"Well, I guess this is goodbye then." as his cheeks turn pink

"Goodbye Cleo, I had a really nice time." I say.

I start walking back down the steps and I walk past the rows of houses lining the street. I pass the fountain and soon get back onto the street of which I had come.