private Rhapsody in Blue

[Inactive01 5,299]

(Stunning isn't it?)

 

Sterling gave a sad look to Blue Note when she mentioned this was time for goodbyes. Surely they would meet again at the South Pacific rehearsal just after exams were done, but it would feel like an eternity before then with the aforementioned exams and his family's increasing financial and familial issues... He began to think about his parents' arguing about their extra hours and not being able to care for Sterling. He could hear the screams on his head while he was sleeping and just before he left for classes. He didn't want to go back there again, but he had to... his time of serenity with Blue Note was ending, and he had to wade back to his apartment with his parents... because it was getting late... He didn't want to go back... but he had to... his mind kept wandering about home...not even thinking about the question Blue Note asked of him...

Edited June 20, 2014 by Sterling Crimson

[lincolnshirepony 527]

Sterling did not answer her question. He stood there, looking distressed. Blue Note wasn't sure if he was still really tired, or if something deeper was troubling him. "Sterling? Is everything all right?" Blue Note asked. "You seem a bit dazed. Are you going to be okay getting to your apartment? We can call a cab for you."

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling began to mumble to himself at this point. He was already beginning to plan for the next day despite being so tired... He just had to get his mind off his parents and thinking about his exams... He kept mumbling even as Blue Note tried to help him get back to reality... After a moment, Sterling heard Blue Note's voice again which shook him out of his musings and worries. He turned to Blue Note, feigning a sense of calm as he replied,

 

"No.. I'm... I'm alright... maybe a cab would be nice indeed... it's really dark out... and lonely is all..." He didn't want to go back... but he had to.

Edited June 20, 2014 by Sterling Crimson

[lincolnshirepony 527]

"Okay," Blue Note said. She was reluctant to face the loneliness of university life too. "Hey, we'll see each other soon," she said with soft reassurance. "Let me flag down a taxi." She stepped over to the street and held out her hoof. A couple of cabs pulled by ponies whizzed by, but one finally stopped.

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling gave out a nod to thank Blue Note for flagging a cab for him. It was frustrating to see the ponies whiz by them as Blue Note tried her best to get a taxi. Maybe it was because all the cabs were full. Maybe it was just too dark. Maybe it was because neither of them looked appealing to the drivers. In any case, he was happy to finally get a cab. He gave out his thanks to Blue Note, saying,

 

"Thanks Blue Note. Well... I'll see you soon then?" Sterling knew they would see each other again after exams, but for some reason... this departure felt particularly agonizing to him, mostly because of his gradually deteriorating family life. Still... he didn't want to leave Blue Note. She was becoming more and more special to him... That much he knew.

Edited June 20, 2014 by Sterling Crimson

[lincolnshirepony 527]

"Yeah, should definitely meet up after exams," she said. "Don't worry, we'll see each other soon." She did her best to be reassuring. "Get home safely, okay?" She really hoped that they would see each other again soon. It would give her something to look forward to, besides these Celestia-forsaken exams. 

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling nodded back with comfort, seeing how Blue Note tried her best to reassure him. The driver seemed impatient and Sterling quickly placed his violin on the cab with himself and rode off with the cab. As Sterling went off in the distance towards his apartment, he tried his best to make his wave noticeable to Blue Note. Hopefully she was able to see despite the darkness...

 

Other than his trip on the snow, it was a magical night. Sterling had hugged Blue Note tightly after spending what seemed like an eternity to find her. And when they found each other, they relished in the moment. They hummed the Waltz of the Flowers together before leaving for a coffee shop to sit by the fireplace. The magic was gone... he didn't know what Blue Note wanted from Sterling. Why were they becoming so close? Why was Blue Note making him so happy despite all the sadness he faced with family and work? Why did it seem like Blue Note was his true companion, even if he already had Erlen and Spectro by his side?

 

When Sterling reached his apartment, he gave his cab the bits and trotted slowly towards his family's condo. As he unlocked and opened the door, he could already hear his parents sighing and weeping about their situation... he was back to reality. The magic was gone. Trying his best to keep himself concealed from his parents, he trotted slowly and quietly to his room before closing his bedroom door.

 

Sterling looked out the window, relieved that his parents didn't notice him. He didn't want to talk to them right now, being very fatigued. All Sterling wanted to do was sleep and move on to studying for his exams, despite how much he didn't like it. For him, the magic had faded. It was back to daily life now. Back to his fears and back to his loneliness. As Sterling looked out the window, he sadly began to hum "Some Enchanted Evening", in an attempt to keep his fond memories going... It was truly an enchanted concert evening, the most he had ever felt.

 

As he finished humming the tune while looking out his apartment window towards the moonlight, Sterling's head began to rest on his pillow... As the tune finished, his mind drooped again. What Sterling didn't know, or didn't care to know at the moment, was that the magic was far from over...

[lincolnshirepony 527]

Blue Note watched the cab drive away, and started to take the whole evening in. She had feelings for Sterling. He was cute and comforting and understood her better than anypony, so of course she would get a crush on him. But she was not sure if it was for the best. She didn't think she could bear it if they tried to become more than friends, and it didn't work out. She wasn't ready to be on her own again, and the thought of not talking to Sterling crushed her. She resolved to remain friends with him, no matter what. 

 

And as his friend, she felt worried for him. Something had weighing heavily on his mind lately, and he seemed distressed when he had to leave her. She suspected he did not want to go home, something she understood all too well. Her thoughts carried her into her dorm room, where Pink Heart was asleep. Blue Note was so tired, she nearly fell into bed. Her last thought was of finding Sterling in a crowd and feeling like she was the one who no longer lost. 

[Inactive01 5,299]

(Wanna skip over to the rehearsal?)

 

"Sterling... You've meant so much to me..."

"And you to me Bluey..."

"Sterling, I... I... I lov..."

 

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

 

Just then, the alarm clock rang on Sterling... what a dream he had. He was back at the donut shop with Blue Note... everything was there, even the fireplace. But the night ended so differently in his dream. It was like Blue Note just wanted to kiss him at the very moment he began to sleep... he remembered the dazed feeling he had... what if Blue Note really had said that?? Sterling couldn't deny his feelings for Blue Note either. His subconsciousness was telling him so! But what to do with them was the real boggling question for Sterling as he got up and began to work on his final exams... Hopefully they would whiz by fast enough so Sterling could consider what his friendship with Blue Note really meant... 

[lincolnshirepony 527]

(Okay!)

 

Blue Note went through exam week in a caffeinated daze. She barely did anything besides go to work, study, take her exams, and sleep. At least it only lasted for five days. She daydreamed of finally being free of the obligations of school. Most of the ponies would go home for the holidays, so she would not have to deal with the less desirable students at U of M. She also would get the dorm room to herself, which was a plus. Hearth's Warming Eve was supposed to be fun in Manehatten, so she supposed she could look forward to that as well.

 

There was only one thing standing in the way of her winter break:

 

South Pacific Rehearsal. 

[Inactive01 5,299]

It was almost time for South Pacific Rehearsal. What a time to have it. Just after exams were done... It was perfect. All Sterling had to worry about now were his final grades and his singing abilities. Even though it was a typical rehearsal, this rehearsal felt special to Sterling. It would be the first time he and Blue Note got to try on costumes for the rehearsal, being dressed like ponies from a tropical area during war instead of being covered with jackets and parkas all the time because of the cold. 

 

It was also a chance for Sterling to see Blue Note one last time before Hearth's Warming Eve. Sterling and Blue Note were apprently going to rehearse many of the scenes where they would be together today. The piano had to make do for the lack of orchestra, which was to come next month. Still, Sterling was all dressed up for the occasion, getting his first chance to get away from all the exams and issues that swirled over him, to become Blue Note's... wait, no. To become NELLIE's lover, who was played by Blue Note...

 

Blue Note just kept coming back to his mind.. He scolded his head for it, warning it to not let his imaginations get the best of him during the rehearsal... although, it WOULD be nice to start hugging her during that scene... Sterling giggled inwardly at the kissing scene... just the chance to kiss Blue Note... no, Nellie... was pure bliss... 

[lincolnshirepony 527]

Blue Note downed one last cup of coffee before going to South Pacific rehearsal. She had survived all of her finals, and felt considerably relieved. However, she was sleep deprived and frazzled and generally not in the mood to dance and sing around on stage, particularly with her favorite ponies, Cheesy and Ruby. At least she would get to see Sterling.

 

She allowed herself to daydream about him as she made her way to the theater. She blushed at the thought of playing his love interest on stage. She still was not sure how to give an authentic performance. She was a musician, not an actor, but the director seemed to be convinced she was the pony for the role. She hoped he was right. 

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling kept on giggling to himself at the thought of being able to be with his Nellie in Blue Note. He was so stuck in his daydream that the director ended up shouting at him to break away from his daydream!

 

"Sterling Crimson! I know you really want to be the best Emile you can be for your Nellie, but you have to concentrate now! I can't have any dilly-dallying during this rehearsal! Now... let's start from the beginning! Places everypony! Remember, we need the fillies Applebloom and Sweetie Belle to sing "Dites-Moi" before you, Sterling, come in as Emile! Let's get this started!" The director spoke with such a strict tone that Sterling jumped when he called out his name. Sterling blushed when he mentioned how much he wanted to be Emile... but he quickly regained his composure after the other ponies giggled and made his way backstage to let Applebloom and Sweetie Belle sing "Dites-Moi"... 

Edited June 21, 2014 by Sterling Crimson

[lincolnshirepony 527]

Blue Note found Sterling back stage and went to stand next to him. "I can't wait for this be over," she said. "I don't understand why we had to have a rehearsal at the end of finals week." Blue Note shook her head. "And I keep getting the evil eye from Ruby." Ruby had been quick to glare at her from the moment she walked in. Blue Note found that even standing around and breathing was subject to her scrutiny. "I just want the holidays to start already."

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling jumped slightly when Blue Note came by to talk with him. It wasn't quite the greeting he was hoping for, but he was certainly glad to see Blue Note again. It was the first time he had seen her since he left for home on the cab before exams began... Exams were finally over, and Sterling felt good about them, but he didn't feel good about this Ruby pony...

 

"Who is this Ruby pony giving you a glare, and why is she doing it?" Sterling asked, while hearing the director moan angrily at the fillies for singing too on tune. He apparently wanted them to be a little off to better represent fillies at play, but Sweetie Belle apparently had a really good voice for her age... No surprise, her being the sister of the famed Element of Generosity, Sterling thought as he awaited for Blue Note's answer...

[lincolnshirepony 527]

"Over there," Blue Note whispered, tilting her head towards the cream colored pony. Ruby rolled her eyes as she listened to the director chastise Sweetie Belle.

 

"As for why, your guess is as good as mine. I know she's jealous that I got the lead role, but other than that I don't know what she has against me." Blue Note didn't understand why Ruby Diamond felt the need to act like she was better everypony else. She also didn't understand what Ruby had against her in particular. 

 

Across the room, Ruby Diamond was thinking about how she was so much more worthy of being Nellie that Blue Note. She took some satisfaction in Blue Note's struggle to keep up, but knew deep down Blue Note was doing well, all things considered. It irked her to see such an arrogant pony becoming so successful. 

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling looked towards the direction Blue Note was pointing and stared Ruby down. Now he could see why Blue Note thought Ruby was really mean. She had this evil stare about her when she looked at their direction. It looked like she didn't really like the stallion she was with either... Sterling turned away quickly whe he noticed Ruby giving Sterling the staredown soon after he turned Blue Note's way. 

 

"Wow... she does look mean... I'm glad I don't have friends like her..." Sterling replied with a chill down his spine. He was glad that he had Blue Note as a friend at this moment instead. He was excited about playing the lead role with Blue Note, and he practiced his hoof off trying to get all the notes right with his vocal teacher. Now it was time to see if it would start paying off as the director was finished with Sweetie Belle and her song.

 

Calling Blue Note over as if the scene was beginning, Sterling walked to the stage past the fenced gate, waiting for Blue Note to mention about the lovely garden he had... 

[lincolnshirepony 527]

Ruby Diamond was seething. Blue Note and her little friend thought that they were so great, getting the leading roles without even trying. She could barely watch them take the stage. What made them so much better than her? And how did Blue Note managed to get a coltfriend already. 

 

"Hey, am I late?" A pony with ugly yellow fur was talking to her. 

 

"Yes," Ruby snapped. "Do you think this some kind of a joke?" 

 

"Well, yeah. I'm just doing this because I have to. Musicals suck."

 

Ruby made an indignant noise and walked away from Cheesy.

 

Meanwhile, Blue Note was trying to remember her lines on stage. She could hear Ruby snapping at Cheesy, and had to stifle a snort. "What a lovely garden you have," she said, trying to remain in character.

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling could hear some of the chatter backstage, and he was struggling to maintain character as well, given the ruckus. The director gave out an angry grunt, telling them all to cut and telling them all to remember their lines. They were to start again from the top, where Blue Note and Sterling walked back in together. Sterling then started from the top, saying then what types of flowers Nellie (Blue Note in his mind) was looking at. It was already beginning to feel weird that Blue Note was going to act as his eventual wife, but he made sure to shut those feelings up as he continued to speak his lines...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR1in9Q6_Lo

[lincolnshirepony 527]

Blue Note's performance lacked energy. She wished that she had snuck some coffee in with her, because she was still exhausted, She still gave it her best though. Ruby and Cheesy were watching, and there was no way she was going to look like a fool in front of either of them. She tried to make her part of the conversation as organic as possible. Nellie's optimism was difficult for her to portray, but this time it seemed a little easier. She felt like her performance was at least halfway convincing.

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling noticed how tired Blue Note was looking, and he really was hoping for some sort of cut so that he could give Blue Note some encouragement. With ever watchful eyes from Ruby and co., Sterling knew that he couldn't let them have any chance of finding any weaknesses in their work. Sterling kept on sounding as friendly and interested in Blue Note as he could, just like he always was. Eventually, they reached the part where he was supposed to be funny with the sugar. And how Nellie wanted a lot of sugar on her cup of tea. He wanted to show how funny it was that she added so much tea, so he pointed it out as French-like as he could, just as the script said... He couldn't wait until Blue Note started to sing... 

[lincolnshirepony 527]

Blue Note managed to get through her lines well enough. She remembered them all at least. Her accent was improving at least, but it was still very clear that she was from Canterlot. The singing was tougher. Blue Note had decided that universe must have a sense of humor, and it must be rolling around laughing, because singing a song about optimism was the last thing she would have ever expected to willingly do. Yet here she was, pretending that pessimism was the most foreign, incomprehensible outlook possible. And somehow, she actually succeeded in making it convincing. 

[Inactive01 5,299]

(Are you available for chatting tomorrow?)

Sterling smiled at Blue Note after she sang her musical number. It sounded like her vocal lessons paid off. She sounded amazing once, and she sounded amazing again! The director applauded at her singing, but criticized her accent rather harshly. Sterling couldn't help but groan lightly at the criticism. She was from Canterlot for goodness sakes! How could she whip off a Southern Accent?!

 

Sterling quickly reverted his concentration to the scene however, where Sterling laughed happily like Emile would at Nellie's explanation of optimism. He then asked about running away from their previous lifestyles for a new life. Then... they started to sing their respective soliloquies... It incidentally reflected his feelings towards Blue Note... did he have a chance with Blue Note? His voice certainly pondered the question as well as he could, and the director gave out a smile as he sang with such passion... if only he knew...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feynDnbmwds

[lincolnshirepony 527]

(Yeah, my day is pretty clear.)

 

Blue Note was impressed with Sterling's performance. She had a feeling that perhaps their performances were not entirely pretend, though she pushed the thought away quickly. She might have a crush on Sterling, but she was not about to let it ruin their relationship. Still, her feelings made it more difficult to focus. There was a tiny, tiny part of her that wanted it all to be real. 

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling kept on drinking at his wines with Blue Note after they both sang. Now... it was time for Sterling to sing about the night he and Nellie met... an enchanted night where he suddenly had feelings for her... and now it was time for him to sing it out to his real life crush... in Blue Note. The director sat there to watch, not saying anything... what could he say? There were only but a few tweaks to be made with his singing, but otherwise, Sterling was already beginning to open up his feelings to Nellie in "Some Enchanted Evening"..

 

The director could see that Sterling was holding himself back, and the director began to beg Sterling to keep singing more passionately about his feelings, and for Blue Note to respond in kind! He just had to see this become magical! The seeds of love being planted from the beginning! It was going to be perfect, so long as Sterling opened up... Sterling kept on trying to do so, but at the same time, he didn't want to go overboard out of fear that Blue Note would figure it all out, ruining the friendship they had...

 

The director eventually called "CUT" on Sterling, asking him why he wasn't adding to his passions as he should have at that scene... not enough to induce a kiss, but enough to make his feelings known... and for Nellie to fall in love... Sterling nodded nervously at the comments, but the director forced him to try again...