private Rhapsody in Blue

[lincolnshirepony 527]

@Sterling Crimson

 

(OOC: Yeah, two days without internet was pretty awful. =P But I'm back online now!)

 

Blue Note started to play along on the piano. Sterling began to sing. She didn't join in at first, still feeling awkward and self-conscious, but the song was nearly infectious. They were just alone in the practice room; there was no danger of being heard. She timidly joined in, slowly losing her inhibitions as the continued.

[Inactive01 5,299]

@lincolnshirepony

(OOC: I finished my violin exam today! It went reasonably well! I'll be doing some MCAT work before being avaialble again for RPing tonight.)

 

The ponies had just finished singing their piece. It was so wonderfully sung. They looked so perfect together! It was the picturesque couple in front of my eyes! I just had to get them to star in "South Pacific"! They even know the songs! This is going to be great! I excitedly walked into the practice rooms with the suave and eccentricity I always showed. I walked in with a demeanor that screamed "confidence" and "assurance". I loved it. I then spoke in a regal manner to the red and blue ponies,

 

"Hello you two lovely ponies! My name is Theatre Lout Favour has been found in your sights! You two sounded so perfect together! Bravo! I love this so much! Here's the scoop. I want you two to star in our musical production of "South Pacific"! No questions asked! I haven't found anypony as good as you two! You, red stallion, will become the Prench plantation owner Emile DeBecque, and you blue mare, will become the lovable Ensign Nellie Forbush. This will be so perfect! I expect to see you both in our first rehearsal next week at 6:00pm sharp! Here's music and scripts as well, so get practicing!"

 

I then left the room with such happiness and joy that I had found my stars. Looks like I was able to find talent in a practice room after all...

 

--------------------------------

Sterling couldn't believe the audacity of that pony. He just stormed in the room while they were still playing music together. He couldn't believe him! And he made them star in his musical production! Sterling was about to protest at the idea, but Theatre Lout gave him no time to do so! It was a very unfortunate situation for Sterling. He spoke worriedly and with a gulp to Blue Note,

 

"Well... Blue Note... it... it looks like we'll... be stars..." 

[lincolnshirepony 527]

@Sterling Crimson

 

(OOC: Nice! I'm hanging out with my boyfriend tonight, so it'll probably be later before I can get on.)

 

"No way," Blue Note said. "He can't make me do this!" She couldn't act, and she certainly couldn't sing. "Why wouldn't he get a voice major to do it? Or somepony in the theater program?" Her talent was giving ponies something to do on stage, not doing the thing herself! Sure, she liked performing and was skilled at it by now, but that was with her favorite instrument, clarinet. "I don't even perform on piano. How does he expect me to sing?"

 

"We just need to go find him and sort this out. We'll tell him we're not vocally trained or something." 

[Inactive01 5,299]

@lincolnshirepony

(Daww... Have fun!  )

Sterling could see the visible frustration from Blue Note's eyes. He didn't want her frustrated, but at the same time, Theatre Lout didn't look like a pony you wanted to debate against. For him to have gone to the practice rooms meant that he was desperate, and Sterling was aware of this fact...

 

"Blue Note... I think it would be useless for us to debate against him. He certainly doesn't seem like the debatable type. I personally am very surprised by this role as well, but if Theatre Lout really believes in us, I think we should believe in ourselves too. After all, why would he be going over to the practice rooms if he could have just found the talent he desired for in the auditions he probably set up? There has to be a good reason he chose us. He heard us sing together and he really liked it. That was it. And he could see the passion in both of us. I think that's what he liked about both of us... that's my thought."

 

Sterling realized that he was trying pretty hard to convince Blue Note to be a part of the production. After all, if he was going to star, then so was Blue Note. Plus, remembering how romantic it was, it would be the perfect way for Sterling to express his feelings about Blue Note without being noticed as such by said recipient. It was a stroke of luck for dear Sterling, but at the same time, he was very nervous about having to sing... he had never sung in public before... and he could only imagine the reception of all the ponies who fermented the rumours about him and Blue Note...

[lincolnshirepony 527]

@Sterling Crimson

 

"But I don't want to sing in front of other ponies! I don't have time to do this," Blue Note said. "I've got a job, school work, and my actual talents to develop." She looked down at the script. "When am I supposed to learn all these songs and lines. Or how to sing? I'm going to go talk to him." 

 

Blue Note hated being pushed into things. It reminded her too much of home. "He can't make me do this."

 

----------

 

It bothered Ruby that she wasn't selected for the lead role. She would be the best Bloody Mary, but was there really a more fit pony than her? Last time she checked, Theatre Lout hadn't found anypony. "Maybe I can talk to him. He'll see it my way." She trotted off to find his office.

[Inactive01 5,299]

@lincolnshirepony

 

Sterling could feel a lump in his heart as Blue Note began to storm off. He wanted her to stop and reconsider, but she was looking too furious to do so. He tried calling out her name, but it was no use... The practice room door had already slammed shut on him...

 

After she stormed off, Sterling could only look onward with sadness. He too had medical school to worry about. And piano playing. He had that too. Deep down though, he wanted Blue Note to stay on as Nellie. Maybe it would help him see how she felt about him. Plus, he'd be able to let out his feelings without being exposed, showing how he felt about her without being known... After this charade though, Sterling felt that he had less of a chance with Blue Note every day... Maybe he too would have a chat with Theatre Lout, but he would only do that if Blue Note really was given permission to quit. After all, it wasn't fair that he can't quit if she did right?

 

Sterling then began to pack his things... maybe all he needed was just some advice. How was he going to convince Blue Note that this would be fun? His only other friend, Erlen, wouldn't really understand, but still. He was a good listener. Maybe he had something to say... After packing his things, Sterling left the practice halls alone, prepared to eat lunch all on his own. Maybe Erlen would come around, but he was probably too busy at Scrabble club to have lunch with him... Sterling gave a deep sigh as he walked sadly towards the dining hall...

[lincolnshirepony 527]

@Sterling Crimson

 

Blue Note was wandering through the building for the drama department, looking for Theatre Lout's office. Instead of his office, she found a certain earth pony.

 

Ruby was surprised to see Blue Note in the theater building. "Are you lost?" she asked. 

 

Blue Note suppressed a groan. This was not the pony she wanted to deal with. "I'm just trying to find Theatre Lout's office. I have a mistake I need to fix. Not that it's any of your business." Why did Ruby always show up at the worst times?

 

This piqued Ruby's curiosity. "What could that know-it-all have to do with him?" Blue Note began to walk past her. "Not so fast. It just so happens that I'm going to see him as well. I think he's made a mistake in the casting of South Pacific." 

 

Blue Note stopped. "What sort of mistake?" 

 

"Why, he didn't give me my rightful place in the spotlight. I should have been cast as Nellie, not Bloody Mary. He didn't even find anypony to play her." 

 

"Well, actually, he did," Blue Note said. "But she doesn't want the role." She snickered; this was too rich! "Since when does Ruby even sing?" It still gave her a bit of satisfaction to be chosen over Ruby.

 

"What? When did this happen? And how would somepony like you know about it?" Ruby didn't like where Blue Note was taking this conversation. How could she possibly know that? Unless...

 

"Well, Theatre Lout gave me the role of Nellie. He thought I was perfect when he heard me singing with Sterling!"

 

"What? He gave you Nellie? You're lying!"

 

"As much as I'd love to mess with your head, I'm dead serious. Not that I want the part. I've got better things to do."

 

"Hm, I doubt that. It seems he's more desperate than I thought." Ruby looked condescendingly at Blue Note.  "Imagine you trying to sing! Or act. You're much better suited to hiding behind your quills and instruments." Blue Note thought she was so great, but Ruby knew differently. She was a fish out of water here, and it was her own fault. 

 

Blue Note's bad mood worsened. "Oh, like you're so great. You don't know the first thing about music." Though all the times she had ran into Ruby around the music building started running through her mind. "No way," she thought, feeling increasingly horrified.

 

"Oh, poor, little, misguided Blue." Blue Note was on the verge of snapping now. It took every ounce of self control to preserve her composure. "I've been vocally trained by Canterlot's best. I've studied singing most of my life. I am a composition major, after all."

 

Blue Note's jaw nearly dropped. This was terrible! "You've got to be kidding me. I'm going to be studying composition with her?" She had no idea how to respond to this revelation. 

 

"Anyway, we'll talk to Theatre Lout, and get this little mix up cleared up. You can go back to where you belong, and I'll be in my rightful place. You're not quite as great as you think you are. Maybe the pit orchestra will want you over some of the performance majors. That might be too generous though." The look at Ruby's face embodied the disapproval Blue Note had faced over the years. 

 

Blue Note's dislike of Ruby exponentially increased in that moment. Why was she so arrogant and judgmental? "Somepony needs to take her down a peg." Then, she had the perfect idea.

 

"You know what, Ruby? See you on Monday!" Blue Note said with a smirk. Ruby was about to get proven wrong. 

 

"Wha-what?" Ruby was shocked. Blue Note couldn't possibly... "What do you mean?" 

 

"You know exactly what I mean, Bloody Mary. I'll see you on Monday!" Blue Note left a speechless Ruby standing in the drama hallway. 

 

"I wonder if I can still catch Sterling," she thought, walking towards the dining hall. "I need to talk to him..."

[Inactive01 5,299]

@lincolnshirepony

 

Sterling had just arrived at the dining hall. All alone. The other ponies were having so much chattering among themselves that it was becoming unbearable. Blue Note probably wasn't interested in starring with him because he too was starring. Maybe he would quit South Pacific once Blue Note got her way. After all, she was a very obstinate pony when it came to doing things she didn't want to do. 

 

Sterling found an empty table and had just noticed Erlen walking into the dining hall as well. Wait. Wasn't he supposed to be at Scrabble club? What happened? Maybe it was cancelled for today. Either way, he was happy that eating alone wasn't going to be a possibility anymore as Erlen had just seen Sterling sitting alone. 

 

"Sterling! Hey let me sit with you!" shouted Erlen as he waded his way through the chairs to Sterling's table. 

 

"Erlen! I thought you were supposed to be in Scrabble Club!" replied Sterling in surprise.

 

"Well I was, but Scrabble club got cancelled today. Most of them members got sick from the seasonal flu." Erlen replied with a nod.

 

"Oh that's great! Because you see Erlen... I need some advice."

 

"Advice?! Oh! Is it about Blue Note Sterling?" Erlen replied with a cheeky smile.

 

"Well... yes... yes it is. You see, we somehow got chosen to be stars of South Pacific, the musical that UoM wants to get started. Blue Note doesn't want to give it a go, but I do... somewhat. It's a lot of fun to sing, but I'm nervous about singing in front of everypony." Sterling replied nervously.

 

"Do you want Blue Note to star with you Sterling? Aww that's so cute! Don't worry Sterling. I'm sure she'll want to star with you! Maybe she has her own reasons not to. You said it yourself. Singing in front of other ponies often means going out of their comfort zone, and that can apply to Blue Note. It's got nothing to do with you! Now relax! I'm sure Blue Note will reconsider!"

 

"I... I see... thanks Erlen." Sterling replied with a smile as he took out his cabbage sandwich.

[lincolnshirepony 527]

@Sterling Crimson

 

Blue Note marched into the dining hall. She looked around and located Sterling, who was sitting with Erlen. "Hey Sterling!" she said, walking up to his table. "When's a good time for us to practice lines? I'm in." She gave him a confident grin. Sterling seemed open to the idea of starring in the musical. If she had him to work with, then this would be perfect. She would have somepony to talk to and work with. 

[Inactive01 5,299]

@lincolnshirepony

(OOC: You available for chatting on Gmail in an hour? I need to chat with you about something.)

 

Sterling was still chatting away with Erlen, when all of a sudden, Blue Note burst into the dining hall, instantly approaching his table and asking him about practicing lines! The sudden change in her attitude shocked him to say the least! Erlen then whispered to 

Sterling, 

 

"See Sterling? Nothing to worry about! Just say yes! Go on!"

 

Sterling instantly replied with a very enthusiastic nod, replying afterwards,

"Of course I'll be available! Let's see... how does 4:00 pm after my biochemistry lab sound?"

[lincolnshirepony 527]

@Sterling Crimson

 

"Perfect," Blue Note said. She realized that her sudden resolve may seem jarring. "Unfortunately, it looks like Ruby is going to be in the cast with us. She thinks I can't handle it. Like she's so much better than me..." Blue Note ranted. Just thinking about that pony's attitude made her blood boil. "Anyway, I'm going to prove her wrong." 

 

She sat down at the table. "This could be fun, especially if we're working together. So, what is this musical about anyway? I guess I need to read through the script..." 

[Inactive01 5,299]

@lincolnshirepony

 

Sterling wondered why Blue Note mentioned this Ruby. Was she more motivated by her than him? Maybe it wasn't him who influenced her decision making after all... Sterling was slightly discouraged by this fact, but that didn't stop him from giving a happy smile to Blue Note as she sat down at their table. Sterling then began to explain the musical to her,

 

"Well basically it's a love story in the tropics during the Second Equestrian Wars. Nellie meets Emile at some meeting and they decide to hang out at Emile's plantation estate for a while at the beginning. After that chat though, their love for each other develops, even if Nellie doesn't want to believe it at first. She then eventually loves Emile so much that she wants to marry him. Emile too loves Nellie, but the Equestrian Corporals want Emile to help with the military struggle against the Marepanese. Emile refuses because of his love and storms off.

 

However, when Nellie finds that Emile has had darker skinned foals, Nellie leaves Emile, unable to accept the fact that Emile married another who was darker skinned before she passed away. Both characters become devastated, but Nellie eventually realizes that her prejudice against Emile's foals is not worth losing her love for Emile. And so they get back together at the very end. That's the gist of it, but it goes slightly deeper with the backstories of the sailors, Bloody Mary, and Cable." 

[lincolnshirepony 527]

@Sterling Crimson

 

"Wow, that sounds like a pretty good story," Blue Note said. She felt a blush creep up on her cheeks when she realized that she and Sterling were going to be playing the romantically involved leads. Could she pull that off without things getting awkward? It looked like she would have to. 

 

She still felt odd about her relationship with Sterling. There was something unsaid between them. She wasn't sure what there was to talk about though. Becoming his fillyfriend seemed ridiculous to her. She wasn't ready for a step like that. Too much would be at stake. At the same time, was he satisfied with being just friends? And for that matter, was she?

[Inactive01 5,299]

@lincolnshirepony

 

Sterling nodded at Blue Note's opinion of South Pacific. It was certainly an interesting plot, but there were its plotholes. Blue Note would probably find them later on as they practice together and he could explain it then. However, he added,

 

"The music's also wonderful. I find them very memorable. You know the song we sang just before Theatre Lout came in? That's from South Pacific. Emile's children sing that first, and then we sing it at the end of the musical as a reprise. Everything comes full circle as you'll see when we perform."

 

Deep down, Sterling was delighted that Blue Note was playing as Nellie. It was a way for him to freely express himself through "Some Enchanted Evening" and "This Nearly was Mine". It would be so much fun... but at the same time, he still had to perform in front of an audience, a terrible feeling... he had never sung in front of an audience before... Only time would tell if he could fulfill the role as the French plantation owner...

[lincolnshirepony 527]

@Sterling Crimson

 

"Well, I guess I should get reading," Blue Note said. "I'll see you at four." She had a little time before piano technique to get started on studying this script. As she committed to working on the project, it sank in just what she had gotten herself into. She would need to learn how to act and sing, not to mention the memorization. She still had her other responsibilities to worry about. 

 

She walked out of the cafeteria, her confidence quickly evaporating. "What did I just get myself into? I should know better!" Still, she couldn't back out now, not after she'd gone running her mouth off to everypony. "I'll just have to make time."

[Inactive01 5,299]

@lincolnshirepony

Sterling giggled at Blue Note's new found confidence as she walked out of the cafeteria happily. Erlen then turned to Sterling with a cheeky smile, wondering what had just happened...

 

"Soo... Sterling... do you LIKE Blue Note?" Erlen asked with great emphasis on the word like.

"Well... I guess... you could say that." Sterling replied with a blush accumulating on his cheeks.

"Yep. I can see it in your eyes Sterling. It's so cute! And not to mention that wonderful night you had on Friday... remember?" Erlen replied even more coyly now.

"Hehehe... Yes Erlen... yes Erlen... it was a wonderful night together, away from the university. We both needed that." Sterling replied with a chuckle.

"Of course Sterling. You were being burned to a crisp by all those rumours. It's really unfair." Erlen replied.

"Indeed. I'm still hurt by them, but with friends like you, I feel much better." Sterling replied with a meek smile.

 

The two continued to converse about their labs and life in general at their dining table, while a certain mare watched from the distance...

--------------

Chemm was sitting with her friends at her table. They were all discussing how ugly Sterling and Erlen were... Deep down, she agreed about Sterling, but she couldn't say the same for Erlen. Erlen agreed to work with Chemm when everypony else was busy with their own partners, leaving Chemm the odd one out. Erlen too was alone, and she agreed to work with him. During their first session, Chemm was already wondering how kind he was... how they worked through the chemistry lab so quickly and so well... Sure he had braces. Sure he had a raspy voice. But he was still an awesome lab partner. The fact that Rocky was her coltfriend however turned her away from thinking about Erlen too much.

 

Still, something was missing from her relationship with Rocky... Rocky... wasn't very bright. And... they weren't able to see each other much because of how different their schedules were. She was lucky to even get the chance to spread the rumour about Blue and Sterling being together on that Friday night. She knew where Sterling lived because she peeked through the addresses and even knew where Blue and Sterling would go because she did all the sneaking around when Sterling cried by the grass... That moment was a lucky opportunity for her. She happened to walk past the steps after her last biology class was finished at 3:30 pm. She noticed Sterling and Blue going around Manehattan, got Rocky in the act, and got the rumours started. 

 

She had to do all the work... Why didn't Rocky do any of it? Because he was dumb. She was one for perfection, and Rocky was by no means perfect... at least Erlen was closer to that. The way they worked together so well... left something to be desired by Rocky... 

 

One of her friends then shouted,

 

"Chemm! Hello?! You there?!" Chemm shook her head in confusion and snapped,

 

:Yeah?! What is it?!"

 

"Woah... calm down Chemm! I was just asking about your opinion on Erlen is all. He's such a geek!" the mint pony asked with a raised eyebrow. What was up with Chemm she wondered...

"Yeah... I... I guess he is... and?" Chemm asked back with confusion.

"And what?! He's got braces and a raspy voice! Eww! I would NEVER want to go near him!" the mint pony replied with a chorus of agreement from her other friends.

"Y-Y-Yeah... I... I guess so..." replied Chemm nervously as she sat there fidgeting her hooves... she didn't want to ruin her reputation, but at the same time, Erlen was a lot kinder and nicer than they depicted him, and it wasn't fair for Erlen... Luckily, the mares quickly changed topics, so she was off the hook... for now.

Edited August 17, 2013 by Sterling Crimson

[lincolnshirepony 527]

@Sterling Crimson

 

Blue Note found herself wandering into Manehatten Moods once more. She didn't need to buy anything, but the campus music store just comforted her. 

 

"Hey, Blue Note! Here for some reeds?" Sassy asked, wearing her normal smile. "You went through the last box quickly." It was a mystery how Sassy was always so upbeat. 

 

"Actually, I was just hoping we could visit," Blue Note said. "How is the music ed degree going?" 

 

"Oh, it's great Blue Note. Thanks for asking. My conducting technique is getting better, and I've been doing pretty well at sight singing. Plus I'm learning about percussion right now, which is super fun! How goes the composition degree?"

 

"Well, I wish I'd get to the actual composition classes already," Blue Note said, sighing.

 

"Hey, you've gotta pay your dues," Sassy said. "You'll get there next semester."

 

"Yeah, but I'm not as excited. Not that I've got Ruby to compete with now." Blue Note took a seat next to Sassy on the usual stool.

 

"Wait, you didn't know?" Sassy asked.

 

"You did?"

 

 "I know almost everypony in the music department, one way or another. A lot of them come here, and I've met plenty of music ponies just from participating the ensembles and productions. Speaking of which, I'm so excited about South Pacific. I won't have much to do with it, but the drama department has such great production values."

 

"I think it'll be a trainwreck, with a pony like me in the lead."

 

"You got Nellie? That's great, Blue Note." Sassy wasn't seeing her problem. 

 

"I didn't want that part in the first place though. I can't sing or act. I've only seen one quality theater production in my life! I wouldn't have taken the part if Ruby hadn't made me feel like such crap." Blue Note buried her head on the counter. She was so pathetic.

 

"Woah, slow down Blue Note. What did Ruby have to do with this?"

 

"She said I couldn't handle it; that all I was good for was hiding behind my compositions. She wanted the role of Nellie." Blue Note lifted her head back up, realizing she was being petty. 

 

"You can't let Ruby get to you like that," Sassy said.

 

"But she's so rude to me for no reason! I can't just take it. But now I'm in over my head. How am I supposed to learn how to sing?"

 

Sassy sighed. "I might be able to find somepony that can help you. I know tons of voices majors. But you can't do stuff like this just to spite Ruby. It's going to end up backfiring on you."

 

Blue Note knew this was true. However, she couldn't just let Ruby bully her. "Okay, I'll try to avoid her. Can you really find somepony that will teach me how to sing?"

 

"I might know somepony willing to help," Sassy said. 

 

"You're a life saver," Blue Note said. "Thanks again. I don't know how you manage to do all of this."

 

"Hey, I love what I do."

[Inactive01 5,299]

@lincolnshirepony

 

Sterling was clearly feeling a lot better with Erlen around. Now that lunch was over, Sterling went with Erlen over to their next lab: a three hour lab. For Sterling, what made things worse was the fact Chemm was coming there too. All she would do all day is call him a klutz... What made matters worse was that somehow, Erlen decided not to work with him this time as the lab began, opting to work with Chemm... All she had to do was just say, "Hey Erlen! Want to be lab partners?" Erlen would try to protest, saying that he wanted to work with Sterling, but Chemm never gave him a chance to do so, dragging him away in the process. Chemm then gave Sterling a glare in the face, wondering why Erlen would be close friends with him. Such a teacher's pet... such a competitor. This was one way she could get Sterling out of the way. Lure Erlen away from him, and it was working. Sterling grunted with frustration as Erlen walked away with his partner.

 

Luckily, Sterling had made a new friend in the process. He wasn't as bright as Erlen, but he was a hard worker. That was all Sterling could ask for in any lab partner. His name was Spectro, a pegasus. He had a grey body and a brown mane, which didn't fairly reflect his colourful personality. He was different from Erlen in that a lot of mares liked him because of his charms. However, for him, his grey body was a turn off; he wasn't colourful in the outside, and some mares didn't appreciate that a lot. Still, Spectro was very cooperative, and Sterling was happy to have found a new lab partner as they worked through the afternoon...

Edited August 18, 2013 by Sterling Crimson

[lincolnshirepony 527]

@Sterling Crimson

 

Sassy Sax knew many ponies from the music department. She liked talking to them, and wanted to help them in whatever ways she could. Where would she be, if not for the kindness of others? Occasionally, she would see how their lives could overlap. For instance, she knew of a fellow music education major that shared her passion. Wishing Well was a brilliant singer, with all the potential to be a brilliant teacher. 

 

"Hey Wish. How's it going?" she asked, taking a seat next to him in class.

 

"I've had better days, to be honest. I'm still not sure if I'm cut out for this." The earth pony looked down. 

 

Sassy had an idea. "I thought this was what you wanted? To teach others how wonderful singing can be?"

 

"Well, I thought that was what I wanted, but I'm not sure anymore. I can't do this."

 

"I think you can," Sassy said. "In fact, I think I know somepony that needs your help."

 

"Me? Seriously?" Wishing Well looked incredulous.

 

"You know how Theatre Lout makes... eccentric casting decisions."

 

"I'm aware."

 

"Well, my freshman friend Blue Note got cast before even auditioning. She doesn't know how to sing, and she needs help."

 

"So, you're asking me to help her?"

 

"You're the best pony I know for the job." Sassy Sax was not simply saying this. She admired many of her fellow music education majors, vocal and instrumental, and they were passionate about what they did. However, Wishing Well was one of the most patient, kind ponies she knew, in addition to being an excellent singer. Perhaps Blue Note could learn something from him.

 

"Okay, I guess it can't hurt," Wishing Well said, his frown contradictory. 

[Inactive01 5,299]

@lincolnshirepony

 

The work through the afternoon went by pretty swiftly for Sterling and Spectro. Sterling learned much about Spectro. He was a very... talkative pony to say the least. He talked about his parents who at first wanted him to try out for the Wonderbolts, but who eventually yielded to his requests for being part of the medical field instead. He was a fast flyer, but it wasn't his deep passion. He loved anything to do with light, and all the colours that emitted from a prism were among the roots of his passions towards chemical reactions relating to colour. 

The reason the lab went swiftly was because it dealt with colour. Spectro did much of the reaction work, while Sterling did much of the reagent measuring. Meanwhile, Erlen and Chemm were working well, but not as well as they could have. 

 

"Chemm... Why did you pull me away like that? I wanted to work with Sterling." Erlem asked with a look of annoyance on his face.

"Well why would you want to work for Sterling? He's such a lard. Him and his autism... Hmph. Now get back to measuring those reagents! We need to keep this going!" Chemm replied with a cross tone. She didn't want to have to leave after Sterling. She wanted to show that she could be just as effective, maybe even more so, at lab work than Sterling. For her, Sterling was a sworn rival. The main obstacle to her chances at a good paying medical job. She knew of how few positions there were for ponies like her, and she didn't want to lose it to a pony like Sterling! The audacity! Impossible!

  

Erlen could only look at her with a weird look and a sigh as he continued to measure out the reagents for their reactions...

[lincolnshirepony 527]

@Sterling Crimson

 

Blue Note tried to concentrate in class, but she couldn't stop worrying about South Pacific. Even if Sassy did find somepony to help her, could she even learn how to sing? And she certainly couldn't show up Ruby, who had been seriously singing for years and years. At least Sterling be there for her. He was her one bright spot in all of this. Thoughts of him seemed to cause her worries to evaporate, and lent themselves to fanciful daydreams. It didn't help her concentration, but it did help her feel considerably less anxious by the time class had ended. 

[Inactive01 5,299]

@lincolnshirepony

(OOC: Sorry I didn't post last night. Notifications were broken and I probably didn't notice because I was embroiled in OC reviews.)

 

Sterling had just high-fived Spectro after finishing their lab so efficiently. Now Sterling had more time to work on his musical. Spectro then asked Sterling with intrigue,

 

"So Sterling. What are you doing now?"

 

"Well I'm going to be practicing for South Pacific now. I've somehow been given the lead part: Emile DeBecque." Sterling replied with a slight nervousness in his face.

 

"Wait a minute... I heard about those auditions! I heard you were going to star with your love, Blue Note! Oh that's so awesome!" Spectro replied with a sense of excitement and naivety. 

 

"Ummm... what? Oh those rumours! Well I do like her to that extent, but I'm not sure you can call her my love yet... I'm not even sure I can say she loves me back yet..." Sterling replied with a frown at the end.

 

"Well Sterling. Everything will be fine. You don't have to worry about those relationship issues yet. It's far too early to do so. Even then, I'm sure Blue Note has some feelings for you after you kissed her..." Spectro then began to jokingly taunt him with the typical nursery rhyme as he walked away cheekily:

 

"Blue and Sterling sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"

 

Sterling could only shake his head with a chuckle as he walked over to the practice rooms waiting for Blue Note to come for their practice together...

 

---------------------------

Much to Chemm's chagrin, Sterling and Spectro finished their lab work before her group did. They left happily, leaving Chemm all the more frustrated. She then snapped at Erlen, causing quite a ruckus in the lab room. Nopony else seemed to care however because they too were just finishing up their work,

 

"Erlen! Why didn't we finish before Sterling and Spectro? It was probably because you were too slow with the reagent measuring and the taking of notes! See here? I took good notes, and you should too! Look how messy your notebook is!"

 

At this point, Erlen was really beginning to get angry at Chemm. It was becoming harder and harder for him to handle Chemm's superiority complex towards him and Sterling in particular. Nonetheless, Erlen wasn't one to start a confrontation in a lab, especially not against Chemm. He gulped nervously and then sighed,

 

"Sorry Chemm. I'll get the markings done a lot better. And we'll get this lab done soon enough."

 

"Well soon enough isn't good enough. If we're to be good practitioners, we need to be more efficient!" Chemm continued to snap, but she eventually gave her own sigh of defeat before continuing,

 

"Ok, Ok. Just... just get the last bit of the lab done ok? And then we can go on our own merry ways. I have to go train with Rocky anyway. Even if I don't feel like it."

 

"Oh right. But Chemm. If you don't feel like training with him, then why didn't you say so?" Erlen asked with a weird look on his face.

 

"Well... It's... it's because I need some exercise! Yes! And why are you asking me about my love life as if I'm doubting my relationship with him?" Chemm spoke defensively.

 

"Ok, ok... sorry I asked." Erlen replied annoyingly as he finished up the last of the lab work...

-----------------------------

After their lab was done, Erlen and Chemm went their separate ways. Chemm was now off to exercise with Rocky. Deep down, she didn't really want to do it. She just had to keep face so that her friends would realize that she was dating a strong, manly stallion. The fact that she was also able to convince Rocky to do what she wanted also convinced her to stay with Rocky for the time being. 

 

However, she simply couldn't get Erlen off her mind. When she snapped at him, Erlen was very... different to how other stallions would act. Normally, they would act with revulsion at her snaps and would storm off. Even Rocky did that at times, forcing her to storm off in anger as well. Erlen was different. It made her... feel bad for some reason... Still, he was Sterling's friend. She shook her head at the thought of sympathy. Sure Erlen was nice, but he was still Sterling's friend, so he still had to face some wrath. Anypony associated with Sterling... was a frenemy to her. Sterling alone was the real enemy. That she didn't forget as she trotted over to the fitness area to exercise with Rocky... 

Edited August 22, 2013 by Sterling Crimson

[lincolnshirepony 527]

@Sterling Crimson

 

(OOC: I'm finally all settled in, so hopefully I can be a tad more active. =P)

 

Blue Note exited her piano class and walked down to the practice rooms. She was relieved to see Sterling there, waiting for her. "So, ready to become stars?" she asked. "I hope this was a good idea. I have no idea how to sing, though my friend Sassy Sax said she could find somepony to help me. So where do we begin?" She got out the materials Theatre Lout had given her, which consisted of pages upon pages of music and lines to memorize. 

[Inactive01 5,299]

@lincolnshirepony

(Congratulations! In the meantime, I matched my best MCAT score of 36 this past Saturday!)

 

Sterling was now at the practice rooms. He couldn't help but wonder again about his future with Blue Note. Was Spectro really right? Would Blue Note really like him back and start a relationship with him? It was hard for him to shake those questions, but he did so just in time as Blue Note entered the practice rooms. 

 

Blue Note looked so determined. Completely different from how she initially reacted when she was chosen to play Nellie. It was a welcome change from her, even if the change in determination wasn't caused by his actions. After she asked enthusiastically about where to practice first, Sterling replied with a warm smile,

 

"Well Blue Note. Here's your first musical number: "A Cockeyed Optimist". Basically, you've got hope of a better world, even if the pony race is about to fall flat on its face, and you have to really show it! Here. I'll play the accompanist for you and I'll sing it. Good thing I know this musical by heart! I sing it all the time with my parents!"

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvx8m7kgcng
 

[lincolnshirepony 527]

@Sterling Crimson

 

(OOC: Nice! I'm sure you do fabulously when it comes time to take the actual test.)

 

Blue Note felt incredulous. She didn't know how to act, and this number would certainly require her to act. "This is going to be as hard as I thought," she sighed. "Is there a different song we could start with? Something a little less... optimistic? I think I need to take baby steps with acting."

 

Nellie's outlook seemed so different from her own. Blue Note often dwelled on life's negatives; it gave her the resolve to triumph over them. The University of Manehatten had not given her hope for the pony race. If these ponies were the hope of Equestria's future, it looked like they were doomed.