A Musical Journey (see OCC first please)

[DerpRavener]

"How about something for the happy couple?"

Naj blushed as the voice in the crowd called out, and huddled closer to Red.  This was certainly a change from the usual reaction, or at least what she expected of the usual reaction.  While it was a nice change it was still a whole lot more attention that she was used to.  Not to mention, 'romance' was something she was still very uncertain about.  Having it made so public made her oddly nervous.

“Red,” she muttered under her breath, “everypony's looking at us...”  Not that he could do anything about it of course, but she couldn't help saying something.

 

The resulting song from the aforementioned request was a big help.  Much like the others it was like nothing she'd heard before, but unlike the others it had a...a...Naj didn't have the vocabulary for this.  'Flow', maybe?  Something about the parts seemed more complimentary than with the previous songs.  Not to mention that the song itself was fairly relaxed-sounding, and upbeat.  Listening intently, Naj found herself tapping a hoof in time with it.

Other thoughts momentarily forgotten, Naj thought to herself that she would have to pick up the record with this one too, when it was available.

[Blueblood]

Sky's cloud of impromptu lyricism failed him momentarily, so he launched into an instrumental bridge on the keyboard.  This, too, was made up on the spot.  If this ever ended up on a record, a certain degree of judicious editing and revision would probably polish it, perhaps into a different song altogether.  That was the beauty of live music; when what you heard had never been sung before, and might never be sung again...

 

Six bars in, and new words came to the stallion's lips, which he sang out, bringing the whole to a crescendo.

 

"It would take too much

to drag me away from you.

 

Nothing in this world right now

I'd rather do.

 

Faust Bless the rains that fall on Equestria!

Take some time to do the things we never have...Hmm-mm."

 

He ended in a hum, letting Buck take up the refrain and finish the song.  Once concluded, Sky Sailing looked over to Red and Naj.  "Well?  What do you think, did it suit you?"

[BeGoneThots]

As the song ended Buck set his instruments down. He was already getting ready to get away from this crowd. It wasnt that they were being mean. He was just a naturally shy and nervous pony. His tail twitched a bit, and CaramelCream noticed. She came to him and hugged his neck. "you did wonderful Uncle..." He relaxed at that. Smiling as he sat and waited for her to be ready. 

 

Watching Sky talk was better than trying to say anything himself. Buck felt naked without his mask. But he wanted to be on the stage with legends. and Legends didn't wear masks. 

[RedCedar]

“Red, everypony's looking at us...” Naj whispered to him. He could certainly see why she'd be a little uncomfortable with the idea. He was too, a little, though he recognized it was pretty benign. "I know, but it's okay," he reassured her quietly. "Believe it or not there are some ponies who like the thought of a romance between two beings who aren't likely to be together." He nuzzled her ear softly before going back to listening to the music with her, then stamped his forehooves in applause when they finished, smiling.

[DerpRavener]

"I know, but it's okay.  Believe it or not there are some ponies who like the thought of a romance between two beings who aren't likely to be together."

A part of Naj knew it wasn't so bad.  Nopony seemed to have any averse reactions revelation, if anything Red was right that it seemed more like interest in how the two of them were in a relationship.  Even armed with that knowledge, she still felt palpable relief at Red's explanation, and grew a little less stiff in response, though she was still uncomfortable being the centre of attention.  Not wishing to discourage the friendly curiosity, she smiled at the ponies around them, though her attempt was a little awkward.

 

"Well?  What do you think, did it suit you?"

Naj had gotten caught up in the music by this point, and so was a little surprised when Sky Sailing asked her the question.  She turned to the pegasus.  “Oh...” Naj considered the question for a moment, before scratching behind her head and admitting, “I, uh, couldn't really say.”   She wasn't really sure what 'suiting' her would amount to.  “But I liked listening to it!  I'd happily listen to it again, so that has to count for something.  Say, you guys aren't aren't selling this one too, are you?”  She wasn't sure, but it sounded like this would be a newer one, not necessarily on the album she just bought, so she wanted to ask.

[Blueblood]

Sky Sailing could see that Thunderbuck was getting worn out; while the unicorn had been holding back his habitual nervousness around crowds pretty well today, all things considered.  By now, it was probably time to start wrapping up the show.  Giving a 'just a few more minutes' hoof signal to his musical partner, the pegasus turned back to the crowds.

 

"I think it's rather sweet, myself."  He agreed with Red's assessment of the crowd's feelings; ponies were a sentimental lot at heart after all.  "And no, we haven't recorded that last song, yet.  In fact, we just finished writing it 5 five minutes ago!"  He laughed softly at that.  "Look for it on our next album, eh?"

 

Sky stretched his wings, laying his feathers over the keys.  "Thank you all, you've been a great audience!  Wish we could stay longer, but there's a lot of cities we're hoping to cover on tour.  But just as a little going-away present... Buck, why don't you play us out?"  This would be their last number; the unicorn would have a good finale for them, Sky was sure!

[BeGoneThots]

Buck nodded. He moved to his violin. The trusted favorite. as he picked it up, his mask levitated up and settled on his face. his other instruments began to pack themselves away under the influence of his magic. CaramelCream could tell it was time to go. Waving goodbye to Naj and Red, she skipped back to the cart. Stepping inside she settled down on her spot and picked up her study book. 

 

As he began to play, the music was slow and sweet. 

 

D'you breathe the name

of your princess 

In your hour of need?

 

And taste the blame

if the flavor

should remind you of greed...

 

Of implications

Insinuations and ill will

Until you can not lie still

 

In all this turmoil

Before red cape and foil 

come closing in 

for the win....

 

As he let his violin pause he looked at the crowd for a brief moment. Ensuring that there were still ponies paying attention, He closed his eyes and brought the bow back. The violin took a deeper tone as his horn glowed. Magically amplifying the sound. 

 

Come feed the rain

'cuz im thirsty for your love

dancin' underneath the skies of dust!!!

 

Come feed the rain

'cuz without your love

my life aint nothing

but this Carnival of Rust!!

 

OOOhhhhhhhhh!!!

 

Its all a game

Avoiding failure..

When true colors will bleed...

 

All in the name

Of misbehavior

and bits we don't need

 

I yearn for after

no disaster can touch

Touch us ANYMORE!

 

And more than ever

I hope to never fall

Where enough is not 

the same it was before

 

Come feed the rain

'cuz im thirsty for your love

dancin' underneath the skies of dust

 

Yeah feed the rain

'cuz without your love my life

aint nothing but this 

Carnival of RUST!!

 

 

don't walk away....

don't walk away....

ooohhhhhh

when the world is hurting

 

don't walk away...

don't walk away...

ooohhhhhh

when the heart is yearning

 

As buck lowered his violin, his eyes were watering behind the mask. and he was thankful that no pony could see it. He kept quiet as he slid the violin back into the case. He looked to the crowd, and several were silent. He wasn't sure if it was awestruck, anger, or a mix. Buck had found that music evoked emotion. and he was never sure which was which when dealing with new ponies. As he was picking up his case, a flower landed by him. A large rose, white and far uncommon for this area. The scent on it was like fresh rain mixed with its natural scent. The stallion picked it up slowly. 

 

Standing in the back of the crowd was a large mare. Her mottled gray coat and mixed mane resembled the same colors as Buck's. She turned slowly and began to walk away slowly. Buck didn't spot her. He was staring at the flower in his hooves. 

[RedCedar]

Red waved to Caramel Cream as she disappeared into the caravan, then listened quietly to the next song, swaying gently with the melody, letting the lyrics wash over him, finally applauding quietly when it was over, not because he thought it didn't deserve it, but because somehow it didn't seem right to applaud raucously after that.

 

"Wow," he said softly, only really loud enough for Naj to hear.

[DerpRavener]

"And no, we haven't recorded that last song, yet.  In fact, we just finished writing it 5 five minutes ago!  Look for it on our next album, eh?"

Naj blinked.  She still didn't understand this whole music thing, but that mean they just made that up on the spot?  Ponies could do that?  On reflection, she supposed she shouldn't be too surprised, given some of the things she'd occasionally seen in Ponyville.  It was still quite the feat, at least in her eyes.

The downside of witnessing such a thing of course, was that as much as she liked the song she couldn't get her hooves on it just yet.  This particular memory of it would just have to carry her through.  “I guess that makes sense,” she said, slightly disappointed.  Then her eyes lit up with evident wonder.  “That's really impressive, though!”

 

Thunderbuck had begun the next, and final song before she had a chance to say anything else.  Naj's immediate impression was of just how melancholy the song sounded.  The music was clearly driven by some strong emotions, and something deep within the changeling stirred, though it didn't fully connect at first.  Naj hadn't quite felt the emotions described, but after some listening it did remind her of when-

Naj shuddered for a moment and then fell still, lost somewhere between the music and memory.  She didn't even really notice the end of the song until Red spoke, at which point she snapped back to the present.  “Huh?  Oh, yeah...” she nodded slowly as she trailed off.

 

With the music over for time being, the crowd started to disperse.  Naj thought it was probably as good a time as any to get moving herself.  If nothing else, she had some new music to try.  She didn't move from her spot yet though, there was one last thing she wanted to ask before they all parted ways.  “Hey, Where are you three headed from here?”  She did her fair share of travelling.  It wasn't especially likely, but maybe she could see them play again some day.

[Blueblood]

Now that was a closing number!  The applause may not have been especially raucous, but it was certainly unanimous!  Even more gratifying than that, perhaps, was the last wave of bits thrown towards the musicians for their effort, forever teaching Sky Sailing not to underestimate the power of a good finish.  He smiled, waved, and bowed to the crowd, having to do double for the distracted Buck.

 

"Thank you, you've been a wonderful audience.  Stalliongrad may be a cold city, but that does not extend to the hearts of its citizens!"  His remark brought more cheers, and he gave one last wave before he started packing up their equipment.  He'd been busy for a few moments with the keyboard when he heard Naj come up to his and ask where they were going next.

 

"Hm?  Oh, south.  We're not sure where exactly yet.  Anyplace with an open street, perhaps."  Finishing the delicate task of arranging the cloud material to secure their instruments, he stood up, stretching his wings.  "Mmm... I wonder if we ought to consider adding more to our posse.  Traveling performers tend to do best in groups..."  He shook his head; that would be something to bring up with Tunderbuck later.  "Dunno if we'll ever meet again, so... thank you, and good luck to you two."

 

The pegasus smiled at Naj and Red one last time, before turning back to Buck.  "You ready to go?  Caramel's already in the cart."

[BeGoneThots]

Buck nodded softly. Hitching himself to the cart he formed heavy clouds under it and himself. As they began to lift up he heard a few murmurs of amazement. The cart lifted slowly up soon vanishing to sight in the sky as it moved toward Sky's house. settling down Buck made sure the cart and it's clouds were latched down good. Caramel popped out happy as a lark as she bounced on the clouds. Her horn glowing brightly with her spell. "Wheeeee!!!!" she exclaimed. 

 

Buck smiled to see her having fun. After a moment he sat himself down and waited on Sky. The unicorn stallion was quiet. That last number had pulcked a few of his own heart strings. And not in a pleasant way. He knew the song was powerful. but darned it all. That had hurt him to play that. Keeping his mask on so Caramel wouldn't see his tears he sighed softly and looked up.