One Quiet, Perfect Day Among the Noise (Closed, Icy)

[Blueblood]

Above the din of morning traffic and turmoil, a stallion softly sailed over the streets.  A lone pegasi, dressed in a shirt and tie, blocked the din of the world outside with a song only he could hear.  Sky Sailing could wrap himself in a dream, even in the light of the morning sun, and awaken at will once the travel time was complete.

That was hardly necessary these days, though.  Life had, through pure serendipity, gone up for him in a huge way.  He'd drifted into Los Pegasus in his cloud home, on the mere hope that he'd find his place as a performer.  Within the space of a month, he'd met a dear friend, perhaps more than that, in Wind Dancer, who was also instrumental in starting his live performances in the various casino venues.  These had given him a chance to not only explore his live shows and special effect ideas, but also market his home-pressed records, which would circulate his songs to the point of actually gaining wide distribution.

 

It was like a happy dream, but so far, no cruel alarm had stolen it from him.  And today was to be yet another episode in that dream, a downtime between two performer's schedules where they could have a day to themselves... and therefore to each other.  Sky landed on the balcony of Wind Dancer's apartment, giving a knock on the glass door to the interior to announce his presence.  Being a pegasi, and a stallion-friend, gave him other valid methods of entry.

[IceStorm]

 

 

A gentle smile was drawn along Wind Dancer's face as she found herself in her washroom getting ready for the day ahead. Today was going to be a day of fun and relaxing. The life of a performer can get to be taxing at times, but it was always worth the time that she put into it to see everypony smile. However, with the way things were lining up a bit more recently, it was getting harder for her to find a day where she and Sky Sailing could spend the day together without the other having to prepare for a show. Those nights were always fun, and they always enjoyed each other's performances. Sky's live performances started becoming a hit with the local populace and Golden Bit and Ice Storm had done a bit of work because of the quality of his work to help push some of his album marketing.

 

For the most part she was already good to go, she was just putting the final touches on her mane so that it would stay straight, but still be nice and wavy today. She already had on the black and blue nebula dress on for the day. It was the same dress that she bought and wore for Sky's first performance, and she hoped to make many more memories with that dress in the coming weeks. She couldn't help but let out a small gasp as she heard a knock from her balcony door. "Comiiing!" she yelled back with a smile before setting her manebrush down and came out, the trail of her dress flowing behind her, stopping just before hitting the ground. She quickly made her way over to the door, waving to Sky as she unlocked it and let him in. With a quick peck on the cheek, she welcomed him in. "Please come in! I was just finishing touching up a bit!, Shouldn't be more than a few minutes," she said with a smile.

[Blueblood]

Even now, the small peck on the cheek was enough to elicit a slight blush from Sky, the pale blue of his coat showing it quite easily.  He had at least gotten over his hesitation at returning such gestures, though the mere fact of their occurrence would probably never cease to amaze him.  "That's alright, though I think you always look lovely."  He did have a stallion's sense of looks, in that a mere couple of combs through his mane would produce a nice look, and never felt the need to go beyond that.  That is, when he didn't forget altogether and go into public with full bedhead, as Wind had seen him do more than once.  But not today.  Today he put in the effort.

 

"I was thinking about dropping by the museum of rock and roll first, before dinner near the conservatory, and after taking the symphony that's visiting.  Not many ponies take in the Philharmonic these days, or at least not here, so I managed to get some tickets!"

[IceStorm]

~~~Wind Dancer~~~

 

 

Wind Dancer couldn't help but giggle a small bit from the blush that appeared on Sky's face when she gave him the small kiss before returning in kind when he made the same gesture to her. She nodded as he told her that it was okay, though added that he always thought she looked lovely; which made her blush deepen a bit. She made her way back into the washroom briefly to finish her preparations. She wasn't a mare that did overly much. She didn't even really have any makeup. She did, however, have a new pair of starburst cut topaz earrings that she'd been waiting to use the next time that she had worn the dress. The light dazzled off of them and the sparkle was every bit what she had hoped before turning and walking back out.

 

"Okay, I'm ready" she said with a smile as she listened to the idea for the day. She smiled and nodded. "Oh I love me a good orchestra. I wish there were more that were still into that kind of music, but anymore music is really whatever anypony makes it to be. As long as it sounds good, there isn't really a wrong kind," she said still wearing her smile. "The museum of Rock and Roll sounds fun. I haven't really been in it myself so that will be new and exciting. What time does the concert start?" she asked him trying to get a gauge for timeframe. There was always a right time to show up for these things so that you could get the best seats. Most would say as soon as possible, but most venues anymore sell a specific seat. That makes when you show up, as long as it's before the show, somewhat irrelevant. Of course though, there would still be the line to get into the theater even if their tickets have already been bought. Thankfully she didn't have to worry too much about that. 

[Blueblood]

Sky was glad to see that Windy wasn't long in being ready, and he spread his wings to let the breezes lift him.  "I just remember what the old disk jockey I knew used to tell me, that I had to respect the classics.  I don't know if he meant Beethooven's Third when he said that; maybe it was something more ancient and primordial, but that was the oldest music that was available.  Oh, and it'll be starting around 6:30, should give us enough time between the museum and the show to eat."

 

As the winds picked up, the two pegasi would take off, heading towards the downtown as a couple.  Sky's nerves were calmer, now, than the first days when he was in public with Wind Dancer.  The heart-pounding amazement that this was all real, and potentially being seen by all, had dissipated, leaving only a warmth of gratitude.  That was mostly thanks, so far, to the fact that no severe consequences from Windy's celebrity had hit either of them.  Hopefully, today would be no different.  Hopefully....

[IceStorm]

~~~Wind Dancer~~~

 

 

 

Wind Dancer nodded when Sky told him what his old disk jockey used to tell him, and that no matter what, musicians always had to respect the classics, and Wind Dancer shared that very same opinion. "I like that disk jockey already. A lot of ponies that are in the music world could do well to heed that advice. After all, ponies like me still need some of that stuff to dance to. We can't do electric and alternative dances all the time," she said with a smile as Sky told her the orchestra started around six thirty that evening. "Right, if it's starting at six thirty then we'll wanna be there by five. That way we have time to get to our seats, and get any snacks that we might want. I know we're eating before hoof, but theaters always make me want popcorn and hard candy," she said with a giggle.

 

Wind Dancer then followed Sky along the winds as it took them towards the downtown away from the Strip. The strip was the liveliest parts of Pegasus, but honestly, downtown was always the more interesting part of the city to those who lived here. The flash of the neon lights were a constant thing for most of them so they weren't sights anymore. Not to them anyways. The streets here were also much less crowded and ponies could actually move and stretch their wings a little bit. They landed not too far away from the museum, though almost as soon as they landed Wind Dancer heard a small shriek and then was rushed by a couple of fillies. "Oh my gosh it's Wind Dancer! Can we have your autograph!?" they asked before noticing Sky Sailing next to her. "Oh! Aren't you that new singer? Sky Gleamer or something like that? Can We get your autograph to!!" they asked with a smile. Wind Dancer gave both the fillies and Sky a nice smile before turning and nodding, using her wing to grab the quill and sign an autograph book for the fillies moving over so that Sky could do the same.

[Blueblood]

Sky laughed softly at Wind Dancer's remark on theater food, banking to depart the Strip for downtown.  "I guess I'm similar, though half the time I space out and walk out of a movie with an unfinished bucket of popcorn.  I'm not sure if the Symphony has that, though; I've never seen a classical concert that had the same snacks as a theater.  Maybe wine and cheese, but that's not really the same, is it?  Of course, certain movies probably would pair better with that; I hear ponies talk about pairings of wine and food, but what of show and food pairings?  Some certainly fit more than others."

 

This characteristically rambling thought was interrupted by the simultaneous arrival of the pair at the museum, and the interception of them by young autograph seekers.  It wasn't the first time that Wind Dancer's fans had approached her, and Sky was content to hang back in such situations.  This time, however, he himself was noticed, much to his bemusement.  "It's Sky Sailing, actually, and sure, I don't mind!"  Taking the quill after his marefriend, he gave a quick flourish of his name in their little booklets.  Once they left, he turned to her as they made their way to the museum entrance.  "So, about how long was it before ponies always got your name right?"

[IceStorm]

~~~Wind Dancer~~~

 

Wind Dancer couldn't help but give a small smile at the excited pair of fillies talking about getting an autograph. It was always fun to see the smiles on their faces. It was after all, why they did everything that they did. Or at least, why she did everything she did. She knew many performers wanted nothing more than to get famous and then forget about the fans and friends along the way that had helped them get to where they were and ultimately lost sight of what it meant to perform for others. A performer wasn't anything without their fans, because if it wasn't for them, they wouldn't have reason to perform. Both of the fillies squealed happily when Sky Sailing sighed their books. "Thank you Mr Sky Sailing!!! Oh this is so cool!!! We managed to get his autograph before he went platinum!!"

 

"I know right!? I bet when we get older this is going to be worth bookoos of bits!!" the last one said before rushing off to catch back up to their parents where were trying to get their fillies to leave the two performers alone and let them relax.

 

"It's perfectly fine I promise! It was no problem at all," Wind Dancer said with a smile and a wave before turning back to Sky.

 

As they made their way over to the museum entrance, she couldn't help but giggle lightly at the question. "Well, all the time before I actually got my wing fixed, and even then once I became one of the forefront events of Las Pegasus, it was still a few months. Every once in a while I'll still get tourists that don't know my name, but they know my face. I've been called Wind Dancer, Gale Force... which... I won't lie is sometimes fitting... Windy Breeze, and many others. Most of the time you just have to roll with it because most of the time ponies aren't trying to be rude about it. They just legitimately don't know," she said with a smile as they entered the museum.

[Blueblood]

Hearing the young fillies' excitement made Sky smile as well, though he was clearly still unused to the situation.  "You're welcome.  Maybe we'll meet again, when I'm signing that album."  He doubted it, though.  'Platinum' still felt like a pipe dream to him; sure, he could make good music, but it was pretty unique to his style.  Hitting it big, real, big, still didn't seem really in the realm of possibilities.  It probably wouldn't push through his dreamscape until it actually happened, but until then... it was a nice dream.

 

"I wish I could have been there in the beginning, for you.  It's honestly an exciting thing, like those fillies said.  Seeing a performer make their big journey, and being there along the way."  They both entered the museum; this not being Canterlot, the museum was privately run, and therefore not free.  The fee wasn't exorbitant, though, and Sky's performances were now more than enough for him to cover both tickets.  "Never can resist the opportunity to be a gentlecolt."  He chuckled.

 

The first exhibit wasn't about rock itself, but Rhythm and Blues; the first musical hybridization that had come with Unyasi immigrants into Equestria's Strand.  When tribal percussive patters met the Equestrian melodic tradition, that was when the magic began to happen.  From there, the lineage was clear.  "Must have been rough for the early players."  Sky remarked.  "Nopony would have known what they were doing, probably doubted it was even real when they heard it."

[IceStorm]

~~~Wind Dancer~~~

 

 

Wind followed Sky into the museum, smiling as he said that he wished that he could have been here for her when she was just starting. That it was as the fillies had said. It was exciting to from the start to when they became big. Windy couldn't help but smile and nuzzle Sky in response. "Well, we are in a way. I'm here for your journey, and I doubt mines going to be over any time soon barring any unfortunate events. I'm actually glad you got to see now after things have gotten better than before I could even really fly again... I wasn't the happiest pony to be around that's for sure," she said smiling wider and giving him a soft peck as she passed him holding the door open for her, saying he can never resist being a gentlecolt. 

 

When they got to the first exhibit, it wasn't about rock as it was more about rhythm and blues. It showed some of the pioneer instruments for the genre, as well as some busts of the ponies that had long past that made it famous. Still, it was as he said, when it first started, many probably thought that it wasn't music. "Probably, there's a lot of modern genres that are like that now. Dubstep being one of them, and a lot of electronica gets flak that it doesn't really deserve. Anything can be music, when out together properly," she said looking at the busts. "Some pony has to be the first at everything. Everything that exists today, does so because one pony, or a select few thought of it," she smiled.

[Blueblood]

Sky looked a little surprised at Windy's take on the music.  "Oh, well, I suppose some ponies do give new genres a hard time, but that isn't quite what I meant... but maybe it's just me that has a problem.  When I first heard electronica, I thought it was just my own mind messing with me.  It didn't sound like anything I'd heard before, musical or otherwise.  Living in a dreamcloud has that effect on you... though I'm not sure what my first reaction would have been if I were the sort of pony who was always awake."  They walked down the hall of pioneers into the exhibit of the first true Rock and Rollers.

 

Besides the images, there were some prize displays, such as the first, classic electric guitar design by Fetlock Bender, used by Neighlvis Paisely on the first radio broadcast of "You ain't nothin' but a Hound Dog."  The little placards telling not only the story of the music, but the culture around it.  There was a bit hostility that had brewed up among the more uptight ponies when this music first hit major airwaves, to the point where informal bans were put in place in Canterlot.  This, in turn, led to the 'Great Curtained Sock-Hop', where the Veiled Garden tavern, in cooperation with the Bohemian club, defied high society by staging the biggest dance featuring the new music to date in Equestria.  The pictures showed a lot of young couples dancing together, clearly having a good time in socks.

"Huh, look!  There's some testimonials here from ponies who met their special someponies at this very dance.  Music and movement... I head somepony say once that both originated from ancient tribal rituals, back before the unification, where ponies from different villages would meet and find mates.  Still happens even all those centuries later, I guess."

[IceStorm]

~~~Wind Dancer~~~

 

Wind Dancer shook her head when she heard Sky say that it perhaps it was just him that had a problem. He said that when he first heard Electronica he thought that it was his own mind messing with him. Based on previous conversations with him she could see that but she could definitely say that there were some that had extreme prejudice against it. "I can't really say what that reaction would be, but I suppose it would depend on which genre you lean more towards. Naturally being a dancer, I lean more towards the soft melodic style that I can flow to, or the beat driven rhythmic style that I can really get into. Like Sandstorm for example. There's nothing really overly complex to the song itself, but the beat and the drive makes it a great dancing song. Personally, I don't think it would have been all that different. You probably would have felt inspired," she said with a smile.

 

She followed him along, looking at the images that were on display of some of the first concerts that were put on for the singers. OF course, Neighlvis's guitar would be in this part, though she always though of him more of a light rock than an R&B pony, but hey, she couldn't argue with the historians here. They knew this stuff better than she did. All she did was dance. Of course, there was a small bit if history on that where they talked about the Veiled Garden and the Bohemian Club featuring new and upcoming music. Wind couldn't help but give Sky a light bump with a giggle. "That doesn't sound familiar at all," she said playfully. When he read over the testimonies that said many had met their special somepony at these dances. Some ponies said that they originated from back when they were still the three tribes. That ponies from different villages would meet and find mates, and that was still somewhat happening now.

 

"I cannot say myself, but I do know that I always feel compelled to move when I'm listening to good music. Staying still while it's playing is actually very hard for me to do, as I'm sure you've noticed from your concerts that I've been to," she said with a smile. "And I can definitely say that they are true that many ponies meet their significant other at one of these dances and it sparks something that turns truly wonderful. Although I can say from experience... sometimes all it takes to meet a special somepony is for the right leaf to fall out of a tree at the right time," she said with a smile, while more than hinting where she felt they stood. Though she doubted that it was anywhere up for debate at this point with how freely their cheek pecks were coming.

[Blueblood]

Sky smiled.  "Thanks for the vote of confidence, I do like to think myself open to whatever drifts into my mindscape.  I suppose I've been fortunate that no nightmares took up the invitation; I know some musicians who have had more than their fair share darken their mental door."  He sighed, moving in to nuzzle Wind, the thought bringing up memories of conversations with fellow artists.  The successful among their career path were lauded for fame and fortune, but there were many others who dealt with fear and famine.  Sometimes, not even success could exorcise those demons either, if the tabloid stories of eating disorders and depression among celebrities were to be believed.

 

At leas the sock-hop exhibit brought with it brighter thoughts, including the very bright thought of how Wind Dancer would look in socks.  *I should pick up two pairs for her birthday, isn't it coming up?*  Sky Sailing made a mental note as they made their way into the next exhibit.  They were well into their way of the true Rock and Roll history, the electric guitars now being displayed alongside the amplifiers, which really were the second half to the true defining lead instrument of the genre.  The paired system really came into its own with masters of the craft like Jimmy Reignbits.  But he was but one of many masters on display, as the exhibit opened up into what could almost be called a cathedral to the peak of Rock's cultural relevance in Equestria, where it was not only the music that mattered, but the wider culture in which it was embedded.  Many an old record store owner would swear by this time period, and several were there still who remembered the concerts, the marches, the songs that spoke to a generation.

 

In terms of composition, it was honestly a little overwhelming.  Trying to fit the Trottingham invasion, Hoofstock, and the Summer of Love and Tolerance into one room was probably too great a task for any curator.  Sky simply sat in the middle of it all, struck with wonder, and not a little bewilderment, as if he were but a young colt again.  "Wow... that's a lot to take in.  I suppose it must have been worse if you had to live through it all, but at least you could take it one day at a time, and not try to fit it all into one day and one room."

[IceStorm]

~~~Wind Dancer~~~

 

Wind Dancer nodded to Sky's first statement. She personally had some experience with that considering how life started for her, but by meeting the right couple ponies... Everything managed to work themselves out in the end. Wind knew though that Sky hot the nail on the head. Many never get past that initial stage and turn to drugs and depression. That's true even among the world of dancers. It's why she doesn't associate with many of them. "Yeah, unfortunately more get hit by the dark side of fame than you would think. There are quite a few that can't handle the fact that their private lives aren't private anymore. I'm sure that even now there's probably a camera floating somewhere around here because we're here," she stated honestly.

 

The next section of the museum though made Wind blush a tiny bit. Sock-hop was an interesting genre on its own, and a lot of their artists got a similar reputation as the showmares got here in LP. Still, it was always funny how something as simple as socks could turn into more adult thoughts with most. She admitted to herself silently though that there was some appeal in wearing the warm fuzzy hoof tubes.

 

They continued through the bulk of the museum leading into the era where the guitars and amps really started to shine. Different guitars representing different bands along the way. Some of them were even bands that she'd danced to before. She personal never got into the headbanging parts of the genre because those songs were generally hard to dance to. They made for great workout songs though that she used during her therapy sessions. Metaillica, Shinehoof, and Ozzie being a few that she listened to through that process. Shinehoof wasn't here yet, but last she knew they were still relatively new the the mainstage.

 

"Yeah, there certainly is a lot here. It's humbling to see how far music has come from composers of the past. As you said though, at least the change then was a bit more gradual. And there's always some that ponies aren't going to be able to acclimate to right away. You would have thought though, that they would have used different rooms for each exhibit and have the music if those who made the genre famous playing through the room. I understand why they didn't though. Unless you're a casino, space is a commodity that most aren't afforded, and the had to make do with what shade they could afford. I mean, look at me. I'm very financially stable, but even I'm only about to get an apartment here because the price of land, it cloud, for those of us who can live in them, is astronomically high. I have briefly considered buying one of the penthouses in the Mareage, but even those are technically apartments under a different name," she said with a smile. Though she knew if the top of them started getting more serious, they'd need that penthouse sooner rather than later.

[Blueblood]

"Well, Fame hasn't been too unkind to me so far.  But I was thinking of some other ponies I knew on the short-range radio circuit.  Barely known outside their group, but you could tell they got little peace at night, from the music they made."  The cliche of 'tortured artist' was cliche for a reason.  It ended up being surprisingly apropos of the next exhibit after the cathedral-like chamber.  It was a corridor, with displays on both sides set up to directly contrast each other.  On the right side was a glittering display of golden records, glamour shots, and the historical accounts and artifacts of rock stardom for the next few decades after the pivotal one from the chamber before.  The left side, however, showed the darker side of the art and industry.  The trashed and trashy parties, newspaper clippings of bad acts and tragedies associated with the famous names, and the album covers of flop records.

 

Windy was right in terms of the need to keep space tight, as the corridor had three bends, rather than being straight on.  It also stopped some 15 years before the present, with there simply being no room to add displays of similar density in recent years.  Sky couldn't help but wonder, though, if there wasn't a subtle attempt at judging the quality of recent music.  What was definitely less than subtle, however, was the prominent glass case full of bits, and the signs asking for donations to help fund an extension to the museum.  "Huh, is it over already?  I knew that city real estate was expensive, but the pictures in the brochure made it seem bigger."  He did fish for a few bits to drop in, remarking, "It's a bit of a flight up to the reservoir, but renting the cloud space is practically negligible, as they want as much cover for the reservoir as they can get.  Helps that I came in with it, though; making the cloud material that actually works for permanent structures is much cheaper in Cloudsdale than it is here."

[IceStorm]

~~~Wind Dancer~~~

 

 

"If they aren't at peace with what they are making, then they should transition into a new genre that supports their feelings and beliefs better. The relationship between fans and performers is tricky like that some times. I personally haven't had to deal with that. Dancing is dancing. Sure some might not like every song that I dance to or the style of dance that goes with it, but at the end of the day it's just dancing. I can dance for anypony. But others, especially bands and singers can often fall into the trap of only every doing what their fans want them to do. When that happens, I think they lose their identity," Wind said in response as she walked down the left side of the exhibit. She would look over the successful side here in a bit, but she was currently in that particular part of the fame. Taking an opportunity to see some of the darker sides and looking at different events that cause some of these acts to fail. IF for nothing else she wouldn't eventually make the same mistakes. After all, those who did not learn from history were doomed to repeat it.

 

"Performers should feel compelled to create whatever it is that will make them happy. It is the performers that have to put in all of the work for everything that they do, so they should be able to take pride in what they've made and show it off. At some point, somepony important will notice and help them take the next step to becoming known. From that point on it's all about how they handle the spotlight. Cause like I said, once you step into it, you can't ever really step out of it," she smiled as she made her way over and looked at all of the successful acts. Most of them were ones that she'd heard of, and all of them had earned their place here. When they got to the end of the exhibits, there was a clear case asking for donations to help expand the museum. Wind Dancer smiled and pulled a quill and a billfold from her neck pouch with a wing before filling it out and dropping it in the donation box. She smiled before putting everything away as the check landed face up and the amount of a hundred grand clearly visible.

 

"I think they could have done more with a better location. Those brochures are always elevated to attract patrons I think they did the best they could do with what they had to work with though. Honestly I feel like the ones for my shows are elevated a bit too much, but I don't make them, the marketing team for the Mareage, The Fire and Ice, and here recently The Great Sphinx all take care of the marketing side of it," she commented as Sky mentioned the reservoir being relatively cheap. "Yeah... I'm not sure I should be around the reservoir... I might accidentally blow houses away with my dancing practices," she giggled playfully sticking her tongue out at him. "Well, what's next on the agenda? We still got plenty of day left and plenty of time until dinner and the concert, so that leaves us open for... pretty much anything really," Wind smiled.

[Blueblood]

"That's... not quite what I mean either."  Sky's voice was still soft, but he was growing visibly frustrated at his meaning not coming across to Wind.  "Pain isn't something they're getting out of their music or audience; it comes from their life into both of those, in hopes of finding some outlet or relief.  Which I suppose goes all the way back to the blues, but a lot of the blues I heard was about the outside world getting you down.  What I'm talking about are those whose inside world is getting them down."  He sighed, as they made their way to the exit via the gift shop.  He paused at the shelves, as if looking for some souvenir to take home, but she would be able to see his eyes staring elsewhere.

"I've spent most of my life in the inside world.  That's where I found my music.  But my dreams are happy ones, not nightmares.  Others have pain that shows no scars, and... I just hear a lot more of that than I used to, mostly after Princess Luna's return.  I guess because we all suddenly got a public example of what can go on inside a pony's head while nopony pays attention; I suppose its a good thing that we're all more willing to listen now.  But what did we miss when we weren't looking?"

 

With a couple of blinks, he came back to the present.  "Sorry, didn't mean to ramble on like that."  Whether it was out of embarrassment or inspiration, he ended up picking out a pair of matched wing dongles, one for each of them with a symbol of a golden record and dancing sock.  "These are just too perfect for us, aren't they?"  He said with a laugh, paying for them before going back out on the street.

"Well... I don't really know, I hadn't planned for anything.  Usually I'm not out on the town when I find myself with spare time.  But daydreaming is a lonely activity; what do you usually do?"

[IceStorm]

~~~Wind Dancer~~~

 

 

Wind Dancer's ears folded back a bit when she saw Sky's reaction to what she had said. She wasn't entirely sure what she said wrong but apparently she had said something. He told her that the pain wasn't something that was caused by their music or their fans/ It was cause from their life in both of those to find some relief. He added that this would also go back to the blues, but most of that was about the outside world bringing a pony down. What he was talking about was the inside world bringing you down. She had a couple thoughts on the matter herself, but given her track record for misinterpretations today she decided that it was probably best to just remain silent. She'd gotten a glimpse of that after her accident, but still the inner demons were only there if a pony let the pressures of the outside world push on them too hard.

 

She heard him continue as well, about most of his life being on the inside world. That is where he had found his music. On a somewhat basic level she could relate to that, as most of her dances, even her choreographed ones, were mostly done on instinct and feel rather than any real methodological equations or fancy lingo. Everything was performed based off of feeling. When she heard him talk about how some pains showed no scars, she nodded. She understood that one. She couldn't really say that she fit in that because when she was dealing with her initial bouts of depression right after the accident happened and she was told that she'd likely never be able to fully use her wing again... most definitely had a scar. She often wondered a bit more though, what would cause some of these emotional scars otherwise. She didn't think a pony would be born emotionally broken. "Being a pony that had a few of those scars at one point, I know that often times it is outer world problems that make inner world demons. But you are correct though, the return of Princess Luna really opened the eyes of a lot of ponies in that regard and there are quite a few ponies out there who's sole purpose is to help with those issues," she said. "A few years too late for some," she added in a gentle tone. She was more than sure that she probably said something wrong again though.

 

When they made their way past the souvenir stand, Sky blinked a few times before apologizing for the rambling. She simply smiled and waved it off with her wing. Her wing that she prompted affixed the new winglet to that Sky had just bought her. One he had bought for him that was a golden record, and the other that she was now wearing was a pair of dancing socks. The thought of the socks once again made her blush a bit, but she smiled and let it hang loosely around the base of her right wing. "They are! It is nice and light weight too. most of the time things like this are too heavy for wings," she said with a smile. "Well, for my wings anyway."

 

When Sky told her that he really didn't think of anything else for them to do in the in between. She paused for a moment. He likely had the same mind that she did and that the exhibit here at the museum was going to take longer than it did. When he said that he didn't really get out into the city itself a lot, he asked what she usually did in the city for entertainment. "Most of the time, it's honestly relaxing either at home or in one of the parks. On warmer days I'll usually go and visit the pools at the Mareage, and take in a few of the street acts along the strip and in the park. I was a street performer myself before I made it big, so always night to support those ponies as well and it always makes their day to see myself or ponies like me in attendance. Otherwise, there is some more attractions inside each of the different casinos. Some have bowling alleys, some have mini-golf, one of them has an entire amusement park inside of it! Still not entirely sure how they managed it, but it works! Honestly though, I tend to be easily entertained so we could always wonder around until something catches our interests," Wind said with a smile.

[Blueblood]

Wind's reluctance to engage with the subject of the darkness surrounding certain musicians was noted, but Sky didn't force the issue.  Truth be told, he didn't have the language to himself; he'd never been around specialist ponies who could give him the right language to understand the technical names of inner demons.  All he had was the metaphors of amateur singers he knew, which had proven to not be much help right now.

 

As far as he was concerned, though, it was far too bright and happy of a day to let one's thoughts linger in such places!  He smiled again, admiring the look of the jewelry around Wind Dancer's wing.  "Yeah, but that probably means the chain will snap if it's put under heavy-duty work.  Don't want the charm flying into the audience stands during a show!"  He laughed a bit at that, shading his eyes against the sun.  The Las Pegasus summer was going in full swing, Celestia's sun beginning to scorch.  The glass and concrete of the city was not helping either.  "I don't there's a lot of ponies out in this; I can respect the buskers, but I don't today would be particularly good for them to be out.  I wonder if any of the casinos let them use the lobby?  Seems like it would be a good idea on days like this.  I know that sometimes is done in cities where it gets cold."

[IceStorm]

~~~Wind Dancer~~~

 

 

Wind Dancer nodded when Sky said that it was something that she wouldn't want to wear during a show. The chain being that light meant that it could easy snap under force. "Yeah, though I can easily see it going well with most of my flightsuits, so maybe something to wear on the way to the performances and then leave in the greenroom with the rest of my stuff," she smiled. When Sky then mentioned the heat, and talked about how he doubted that there would be many street performers out today because of it, she smiled. "It is a bit warm today, but for most of us that have been here in Las Pegasus for a while are more acclimated to the summers here. Honestly, when you start getting closer to the reservoir, the heat gets worse because you have the water evaporating into the air. Still, it does have the benefit of being a lake so if it ever gets too hot, can just cannonball straight down," she giggled.

 

"That being said, to answer your question. Some of the lobbies do offer some relief to the heat for those that need it, and most of the street performers will rest in lobbies between performances. Naturally, Golden Bit is one of them that will let ponies use the lobby provided that they don't interfere too much with the operation of business. That is to say, the crowd that gathers to watch the performers isn't blocking off access from other patrons to get into the casino. Though if a street performer starts attracting that big of a crowd, she'll usually start recommending that they hire one of her performance halls. After all, with the way that she does her contracts, it's very easy for a performer to make a lot of bits. You'll experience that first hoof when you start doing some of your performances for her. Oh, and if you ever want to plan more performances and try your hoof at bigger stages, she does open interviews every Tuesday. You should check it once your album is finished. Between her marketing and Ice's marketing that she's already doing, I'm sure that you'll attract pretty decent crowds!" Wind said excitedly before pausing a bit and blushing.

 

"Sorry, it was my turn to start rambling, but yeah! Let's head on over to the Mareage, or The Fire and Ice. They are the most lenient when it comes to that kind of stuff. I wonder if Kick Beat is performing today. He's usually around there somewhere," she said giving her suggestions to where to best find some performers if that was what he wanted to do. She herself was okay with anything. She had never really been a picky pony when it came to anything like that, and right now, this was a day for them to just be them. 

[Blueblood]

Sky closed his eyes for a moment to picture the look; Windy in her flight suit with the charm.  "I can definitely see that working.  Wouldn't take too much for me to work my own into my show get-up.  That said, I've never really had much of a signature outfit or look, I've always been focused more on sound than visuals.  Any thoughts about that?"  It was pretty much impossible for any longstanding relationship between creative artists to not be collaborative, after all.  It was a mode of thought that Sky Sailing found himself slipping into easily when he was around Wind Dancer.

 

"I think the Fire and Ice lobby sounds good, at least the last half."  He brought up a hoof to wipe sweat from his brow; the poor stallion hadn't been in the city long enough to build up much of a heat tolerance.  That, plus his schedule was nocturnal at least half the time, so being out in the sun like this wasn't his habitual mode of being.  "I'll definitely drop by Golden Bit's office when the final presses are done; she sounds like the sort that wouldn't mind me putting in good words for my colleagues on the short-wave circuit."

 

It was with some relief that he finally led her into the shade.  And if their luck held, well, maybe it would be worth a flutter on the tables, for there was indeed a busker taking in the shade.  A older-looking stallion, dressed like an old-time hobo, though that might have just been a part of his act.  He was playing a dulcimer with his hooves, an instrument traditionally associated with the lower-classes, but now rare enough to command attention for novelty seekers.  They were old songs, songs of the roads and rails, back before this place was anything more than a strip of street and a fever dream.

[IceStorm]

~~~Wind Dancer~~~

 

 

Wind smiled as they walked. "For now I think focusing on the sound is a good thing, but when you start getting a bit bigger, I'd probably look to dress for the act. As in, make sure that way you're going to wear for the performance accents it. You don't want to be too showy to distract ponies from the music that you're playing. I know that's a bit rich coming from me though when my entire performance is about how showy I can be," she giggled. "Of course, I think you look pretty dapper as you are. So not too much more to do," she finished with a smile as they finally made it into the casino.

 

It was considerably cooler inside the lobby and she be was quick to spot a pony they was seeking refuge inside to escape the heat. At the moment Wind could see Kick playing on a dulcimer, but he had his standard array of bucket drums just outside the doors. They were likely way too loud to actually be allowed in the lobby, but he was doing a great job on the dulcimer. "She definitely would. Especially if I ask her to pull some of my pay to put in for additional marketing. With a little bit of luck, maybe we can get you that platinum," she said with a smile. 

 

"Yo Win-dee! How's my little ol' filly been!?" The pony playing the dulcimer spoke up recognizing her. "Dis gurl here," he said looking to Sky. "Lemme tell ya man. She's the real deal. Everything she does, she does from the heart man," he said pulling Windy into a brief, friendly hug. "What you been up to gurl? Stayin' outta trouble," he said before tilting down his sunglasses. "Cause ya know I ain't," he finished making both of them laugh.

 

"I've been doing well. I have permanent performances lined up next door for the next several months and more that I've yet to fully commit to yet. I'm actually out on a date now with my coltfriend. Kick, this is Sky Sailing. Sky, this is Kick Beat. One of the best drummers in Las Pegasus." 

 

"Auh na, stop it now, I ain't that special. I just play my drums and make others happy man. I don't do it fo no money or anything like that fam," 

[Blueblood]

"Ehe, thanks."  Sky blushed a little, not really used to being complimented on appearance.  Though, to be fair, he hadn't appeared enough in public for any decent sample size to accumulate until recently, so it was possible that Windy wasn't just flattering him.  "You know, that's probably one of the things I'll have to ask Golden Bit about when I next see her.  She's seen and managed so many shows, it stands to reason she'd know a thing or two about what fits mine, right?"

 

He could only hope that the look fit him as well as a tramp's look fitted a dulcimer show.  Though, it seemed that his pony normally used a more primal percussive in their career.  "Kick Beat, really?  It's an honor to meet you sir!"  Though he wasn't deep in the industry, Sky had heard of him.  "There's a diamond dog I know who really looks up to you.  Well, sort of.  He practices every day to someday surpass all the recordings he ever heard of you.  Is that sort of competitiveness normal in the drumming world?  It's not my instrument, so I wouldn't know."

[IceStorm]

~~~Wind Dancer~~~

 

 

 

"Golden will definitely be able to give you should pointers on what can work and what's been tried before that really didn't go over well. As you said, she's put on a lot of shows and tries to at least make a minor appearance at most of them. Still though, you look pretty amazing with what you got. We'll have to coordinate a few things though if we ever do a joint show. Although for the safety of everyone else, probably do a set up like your did at the bistro. I don't wanna accidental make a tornado of stage props," she giggled.

 

Kick Beat tipped his glasses down and appeared to be eyeing over Sky as if to judge good character at a glance. Hearing the conversation, and of course, reading the tabloids it was easy for him to put two and two together. When he heard the praise and the question from him he laughed a bit. "You must mean ol' Bonk man! That dawg is fire man. Taught him most of what I know. Not everything tho. Didn't wanna put myself outta job, know what I'm sayin'," he started.

 

"Course, all musicians are competitive at heart man.Whether the fightin' other bands to show them up, or fightin' themselves it's always a fight. That's what makes music better. It's that drive to be better that encourages ponies to try. Otherwise music will become stagnant and die out. I'm sure if Bonk stays on the right path, maaan shoot... That dawg could be the best drummers this world's seen... Course you gotta be pretty good yourself in order to smash that doll," Kick said with a laugh making Wind blush a bit and smile. 

[Blueblood]

"Well, no.  We'll save that for the music video!"  Sky laughed, but he was only half-joking.  If he ever became big enough to commission a film crew for such a venture, he definitely wanted Wind Dancer to be in it.  And a 'tornado of stage props' would be just the sort of exciting visual that one would want recorded rather than with a live audience.

 

Sky nodded in agreement with Kick Beat's assessment of Bonk.  "He's certainly driven, and I heard he found somepony to pair up with and form a band.  They call themselves 'Twenty-One Pegasi,' even though neither of them are.  I guess that's part of the joke?  I really don't know, but I've put out an offer to help produce their record.  Some of their early work is promising, but... well, I get the sense that there's a high ceiling for both of them that they haven't reached yet.  It's gonna be kind of exciting to see them soar, wings or not."

 

The drummer's next remark caused Sky to blush alongside his marefriend.  "I mean, we haven't... well, um.  Don't quite understand why you phrase it like that.  It sounds a bit too violent for me; I'm a pacifist by nature and conviction!"