private Rhapsody in Blue

[lincolnshirepony 527]

The piece was beautiful. The day had been beautiful. The night was and would be beautiful. She felt beautiful. She knew Sterling was beautiful, and their friendship was beautiful. 

 

But all good things must end. The night had set, and Blue Note didn't want to be out too late. Walking alone late at night in a city had never appealed to her. After the piece ended, she spoke up. "I've had a great time tonight," she said. "Thanks for giving me the best Hearth's Warming ever." 

 

She waved her hooves at the other gift. "That's a box of nice quills for your parents. Do what you think is best with it," she said. She didn't want to stir up any rifts in his family, and he would know best how to approach them. "I wish today could last forever." It was a silly cliche, but it was what she wanted most in that moment. Her mind would change after more moments, but this was quite possibly the most blissful day she'd had in years. Of course she didn't want to let go. 

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling noted what Blue Note was saying... it was truly a wonderful night, filled with magic... despite that patch of trouble they faced that could have ruined their entire day... but now... everything was just perfect... a long day of doing so many wonderful things together... it was love... even without the romance, Sterling felt loved and cared for... he felt like he didn't want anything more... he had so much already... everything was perfect.

 

Sterling looked at the quills that she had bought for his parents, and he liked them as well. Perhaps it would be nice writing materials for his parents as they continued to write up more and more articles... if that was the case, then Sterling would be more than happy to give these quills to them! It would most certainly lighten up their day. Sterling replied with a warm smile,

 

"Thank you for making this Hearth's Warming my best ever too... And thank you for all these gifts... I'm sure my parents would appreciate your kindness... If only I could have gotten something for your parents... but I didn't know where they were..." It was that moment when Sterling realized that there was still at least one major question unanswered about Blue Note's life... but he didn't want to think about it now. This day was already so beautiful... he decided to let the worries come out later... but not this day... not this day...

[lincolnshirepony 527]

Blue Note's kept herself calm when he mentioned her parents. She'd been deflecting those questions for years. "Don't worry about it," she said briskly. "Neither of them hosted you." She didn't want to spoil the night by talking about them. 

 

"You're welcome for the gifts. I can't thank you enough for mine." Her warm smile returned. "Thanks for everything. You know, my first semester at University of Manehatten wasn't so bad." 

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling nodded, realizing that he wouldn't get any answers from her anytime soon about her parents... He couldn't help but wonder why she didn't mention her parents at all throughout their conversation as "Rhapsody in Blue" continued to play. Was there something she didn't want to say about them? Would telling anypony about her parents leave her vulnerable? Was she ashamed of her parents... Soon after the questions popped up in his mind, Sterling lightly shook his head to deflect the questions away. He figured that they would be answered later if enough time was given, even if his curiosity wanted to know the answers now. 

 

A moment after Sterling thought to himself about Blue Note's questions, Blue Note mentioned her first semester not being that bad... that statement couldn't be any truer for Sterling... for him, meeting Blue Note changed the whole complexion of the University of Manehattan...

 

"The same goes here Blue Note... the same goes here..." Sterling replied affirmatively... what started off horribly became not so bad after all...

 

----

Other than the conversation Erlen and Spectro had about Chemm, everything seemed fine between the three ponies. Chemm served their food in quite a rush, hoping that she could spend some alone time after her shift, while Erlen and Spectro chowed down on the saladds once they were provided. Erlen and Spectro munched in delight, having tasted some of the best and cheapest salads in the city, and once they were finished, they groaned in delight, leaving lettuce pieces all over the dinner table... Chemm noted their eating habits... one of these days, she'd have to teach Erlen some good table manners... 

 

Chemm trotted back over to Spectro and Erlen's table asking to see if they were finished eating and whether there any issues with food, following waiter protocol Both stallions nodded happily about their food, suggesting their delight... Erlen then provided the tip for both ponies after Chemm trotted back and provided the bill, which was quite large considering the subpar service she gave at the beginning of their visit... Chemm looked at the tip and then towards Erlen while Spectro quickly got up and trotted towards the door...

 

"Erlen... why... why such a large tip?" Chemm asked with confusion... she hadn't seen this act of kindness since her high school years when she was among the queens of the hill at Manehattan High...

 

"Well, the food was great, and I thought... well... I didn't really have a gift for you, so I wanted to at least give a larger tip for you this Hearth's Warming." Erlen replied, wondering why Chemm asked such a question to begin with.

 

"Why... why thank you Erlen... it's... it's just what I needed this Hearth's Warming..." Normally she'd be wondering why she didn't get more for her service, but this time was different... Erlen slowly trotted away from "The Trottington" after her reply, leaving Chemm to wonder what she did to deserve such a gift for Hearth's Warming...

[lincolnshirepony 527]

With that, Blue Note gave him a smile. "Thanks. See you later," she said, walking towards the door. "We still have some break left, and there's always 8AM with Adagio next semester." She turned around before exiting. "I had a great time tonight. Have a Merry Hearth's Warming!" She exited the building and called a cab from the street. Today had been unlike any other. 

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling saw Blue Note trot out the door happily after what was a memorable Hearth's Warming... Sterling felt exhausted at a long day with Blue Note... but it was one of the best days of his life... and he still wanted to do so much more with Blue Note... but good things have to come to an end eventually. That he knew was true, even with bliss and joy... Sterling looked at the door and wondered... what should he have made of the day...? Blue Note enjoyed his presence so much... but what did she think of him...?

 

Sterling looked out the window once more... He knew at least one thing was true though. He was in love with Blue Note, and he decided that to show it off to the world, he would play Marechael Buble's ever famous rendition of Neighrold Arlen's "I've got Equestria Under my String..." and sing along to end what was his best Hearth's Warming ever...

 

[lincolnshirepony 527]

Enchanted alarm clocks were a terrible waste of magic, Blue Note decided as she forced her eyes open. Anything to silence that metallic ringing. 

 

"Turn it off, Blue Note," Pink Heart murmured from her bed. She was blessed with her first Monday class at 10AM. Blue Note, on the other hoof, had bright and early 8AM music theory. Over the course of break, she'd been blissfully allowed to stay up late composing music. But break didn't last forever, and her second semester had arrived. Blue Note silenced the device using her magic. 

 

After carefully curling her mane, and applying mascara to her eyelashes, she deemed herself presentable to the public. She wrapped herself up in a scarf, and made her way out the dorm. She stopped by the dining hall for her morning coffee, and kept it levitated in front of her as she walked to class. Luckily, music theory was in the same room as last semester, so she knew exactly where it was. Unluckily, she knew exactly what professor was waiting for her in that room.

 

She was already dreading another sixteen weeks with Adagio, but the possible problem of her classmates never occurred to her, until it faced her from the opposite side of the door.

 

"Hey, Blue," Ruby said. 

 

Blue Note didn't bother with speaking, and instead let out a groan. It was too early to deal with this!

[Inactive01 5,299]

It was a new semester for Sterling... but even with the new semester, Sterling still took notice of the past. He still remembered that lovely Hearth's Warming he had with Blue Note where it ended with the exchange of gifts and the listening of a very lovely piece in Rhapsody in Blue. 

 

However, his past couldn't reconcile the fact that his relationship with Blue Note was still a question mark to him... what was her feelings towards him? Plus, he had an 8 AM class to worry about with Music Theory II! He hated waking up so early in the winter, especially with the long nights... if only Celestia made the days longer in the winter... He hated waking up to the dark sky... 

 

Sterling groaned as he got out of his bed... He didn't want to go to school so early, but Professor Adagio hated students who skipped his class, and he was no exception even with his A+ in the class...

[lincolnshirepony 527]

Blue Note brushed past Ruby and sat far away from the door. She saved one seat to her left for Sterling by putting her bag in it. Ruby took a seat near the back on the opposite side of the room, and started glaring at Blue Note. She was about to retort with a glare of her own, but Ruby was looking at the door instead.

 

Blue Note heard the door open before she turned her head. A unicorn trotted in through the door, clicking his hooves rather loudly on the floor. His steps were rhythmic, and Blue Note wondered if it was intentional. She glanced back at Ruby, who was just staring at the new pony. Before she could read much meaning into Ruby's reaction, the new pony took the seat to her right.

 

"Hey!" he said. "Music Theory II, right?" Blue Note nodded, suspicious of anypony that enthusiastic first thing in the morning. "Great! I never know where anything is." He had a grin on his face. Blue Note wondered why he would admit that, and admit it with so much volume. Ruby would easily hear them talking.

 

"Oh, I'm sorry," he said suddenly. "Name's Stick Clicks. What's yours?"

 

"Blue Note," she said briefly. Sterling needed to get here soon and save her from small talk.

 

"Glad to meet ya, Blue!" Ruby snickered from the back.

 

"Blue Note," she said through gritted teeth. "I don't like being called Blue."

 

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Stick Clicks said. "I didn't mean any offense." 

 

Blue Note decided to give him the benefit of the doubt after he apologized. But she still eyed the door, hoping Sterling would make it soon.

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling noticed just how late he was going to be if he didn't rush to Manehattan U fast enough. Sterling's adrenaline went back up again when he realized that he was just leaving for class at 7:45 in the morning, just 15 minutes before class! It was a good thing his luggage was light for the first day of classes back from the holiday. It was back to the rush of university life and medical school for him! 

 

It was 7:55 in the morning, but Sterling had just managed to get to class before Professor Adagio had his chance to start class... It seemed to be that he might be late... perhaps it was distance he had to deal with... Maybe something happened to his house? Sterling could only wonder when he stopped to look around and see that Professor Adagio didn't arrive to class yet...

 

But Sterling's mind quickly shifted to Blue Note, who seemed to be talking with another stallion... He didn't notice him from last semester... Who was this stallion... He seemed nice enough, but he wanted to at least greet Blue Note before class started. Sterling trotted over beside Blue Note's desk and greeted her from the back like Ruby did,

 

"Blue Note! How was Hearth's Warming?!"

[lincolnshirepony 527]

"Wonderful," Blue Note said, giving him a smile. She wanted to tell him about how she had spent her break, maybe ask him if he would like to see one of the compositions she wrote later? She didn't get to tell him about her late night composing sessions, or making cookies with Pink Heart after she got back.

 

Stick Clicks was a fast talker. "That's great!" he said. "Did you do anything special?"

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling was just about to continue chatting with Blue Note when the new stallion he saw with Blue Note interjected again... He wasn't liking the looks of this new stallion... trying to steal her attention away from him like that when he was clearly trying to talk with her... Once the new stallion interrupted, Sterling just trotted away sadly to his own desk to prepare himself for music theory... 

[lincolnshirepony 527]

"Oh, hey man, what's your name?" Stick Clicks called to the pony who was sitting down next to Blue Note. She paused to give him a chance to answer.

 

At the same time, Blue Note wanted to shake her head. This stallion was all over the place. "We went to the pageant together," Blue Note said. 

 

"Oh," Stick Clicks said. And Blue Note could hardly believe that he could give a bigger grin. "So you two are together? You look like a cute couple."

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling looked up to Stick Clicks, having noticed that his attention was flying everywhere. Sterling's first thought was whether he had any focus towards anypony being such a busy pony... But Sterling noticed that he didn't mean any harm... for now. So Sterling decided to act kindly back to him with his reply,

 

"I'm Sterling Crimson. What's your name?" Before he could finish asking his question, Stick Click's attention reverted to Blue Note again... was he ever going to get a proper conversation with this pony?

,

[lincolnshirepony 527]

"Nice to meet you!"

"We're not a couple." Both Blue Note and Stick Clicks spoke simultaneously. 

 

"Oh, my mistake," Stick Clicks said. "Anyway, I'm Stick Clicks, music ed major and percussionist. What do you guys study?" Blue Note decided he was clunky but harmless. She'd answer him.

 

"I'm in composition. I play the clarinet."

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling felt disappointed when Blue Note mentioned that they weren't a couple... but it was the truth. They weren't a couple, and Sterling gave a little sigh in response. Deep down, he wished that they were a couple, but he realized that it wasn't right yet... it was still too early... 

 

It seemed like Blue Note and Stick Clicks were getting along well though... maybe she'd pick him instead... after all, Sterling always struck out with mares, even if Blue Note was very dear to his heart... All Sterling did now was wait for Music Theory to start by going back to his saddlebag and taking out his Music Theory textbook and his notebook... 

[lincolnshirepony 527]

Stick Clicks looked at Sterling Crimson, waiting for his answer, but the pony had already turned away. To Stick, the crimson pony seemed a little down; he made a mental note to keep trying to talk to him. Before he say anything else, to Blue Note or Sterling Crimson, the professor took his place at the front of the class.

 

"Welcome..." Stick Clicks noticed that professor didn't seem like he was in a good mood either. That didn't make much sense to him, since getting to teach a class all about music seemed like the best job ever! How could a pony not love that? That caused his mind to wander to the day when he would be directing his own music class, conducting from the podium. Or maybe he would be a drumline instructor, working on the field. The possibilities were endless... 

 

Meanwhile, Blue Note listened intently to her music theory professor. She knew better than to daydream. "Welcome, it's so nice to see that some of you decided not to drop out. Hopefully, enough of you will be left to fill a section of Music Theory III. If you've had me before, you know the rules. Keep up and pay attention. I'm about to pass out the syllabus, so read it carefully, because I'm not going to have any sympathy when you forget about the exam on the 18th." 

 

As the professor passed out the papers, Blue Note leaned towards Sterling. "Here we go again," she whispered. 

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling continued to check his bag to see to it that all his things were ready for his first day of the second semester. This semester promised to be filled with bioethics and physiology courses, so there was going to be a healthy mix of philosophy papers and biological terms to study... What joy. Sterling knew it was going to be another busy semester before he was set to begin a one semester internship at Manehattan's hospital as part of his medical program... With that in mind, he knew it was all the more urgent to spend time with Blue Note and find a way to keep in touch as he would be seen on university grounds very often for that semester. 

 

When Professor Adagio walked into class, Sterling knew... it was going to be happening all over again. It was time for the dreaded professor to teach some more music... he could hear Blue Note whispering to him about the class starting again... and boy was she right... Time to take out that music notebook and start writing notes... At least none of the dumber music students stayed around for Part II...

 

-----

Chemm awoke from her slumber at her dorm, knowing that it was her time to get ready for her 9:00 am class that she nicely enough got to share with Erlen. The thought of being with Erlen eased her social concerns as he was the only stallion she could tolerate being with... every other stallion was either too dumb or too silly to be of interest to her. Her roommates were already off to their 8:00 am class, but she didn't care to ask which ones. She didn't feel that close to them anyway.

 

The class she was taking at 9:00 am with Erlen was introductory bioethics, unfortunately the same one that Sterling was going to take... She could always just forget about Sterling and try to take Erlen away from him... that gave Chemm and idea... She did feel lonely without Rocky to seduce... perhaps she could seduce Erlen away from Sterling so that he could be with Sterling less... Chemm grinned evilly as she got up and prepared herself for her 9:00 am class with Sterling and Erlen...

[lincolnshirepony 527]

Ruby had not taken Adagio's Music Theory I class, but no pretentious professor would scare her! Though the cute unicorn in the front row might distract her... She shook thoughts of him away. Adagio was writing music theory stuff on the whiteboard at the front of the classroom. No stallion was going to interrupt her studies either! Rarely did she ever wish that she was anything other than the perfect pony that she was, but in this class, she couldn't help but think that the unicorns had an unfair advantage. Taking notes with magic must be so much easier. Still, she was Ruby Diamond, and she kept up, unicorn or not. 

 

At the end of the class, she decided to sit behind cute unicorn the next day. Why should Blue get all the attention from the stallions? She wasn't better than her. The only stallion that seemed to be paying her attention was Cheesy, and he was a tool. Besides that, he just wanted her to help him sing or whatever. 

 

---

 

Blue Note looked over at Sterling at the end of class. "Well, that was fun. I think I'm out of practice from last semester. I'll have to be sure to do some note-taking in my spare time." She snorted. Winter break was over, and she had too much to do. Spare time was a luxury of the past. 

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling looked back at Blue Note with a smile. At least Blue Note wanted to keep talking to him even with all that was going on in her mind. She always seemed to be that one constant for Sterling, even when things were at their worst... that was made so clear at Hearth's Warming... Sterling would sigh just thinking about that day...

 

"I feel slightly out of it, but I'm glad this stuff is still ok right now. Tonicizations and review of voice leading is a perfect way to start music theory!" Sterling exclaimed in reply as he headed out of the music theory room and headed towards his bioethics class... but before he did, he asked Blue Note casually,

 

"We up for lunch today as usual?" He enjoyed lunches with Blue Note, and he hoped that this wouldn't change into the new semester...

 

------

Erlen awoke from his slumber, wondering why Chemm was suddenly being kinder to him... sure he was Chemm's lab partner, but he still felt like a klutz around her, especially when she got mad at him for making a pipetting error. Sure they were important not to make, but she didn't have to be so snappy about it...At the same time, he saw pieces of Chemm's soft side during their lab meetings... She would always like to giggle around him when he made a slightly cute remark, and she even recognized Erlen's ability to perform calculations with ease with a cute wink. Erlen blushed every time she did that... he never got that much attention from a mare these days... 

 

But at the same time, Erlen had Fair Entropy... the cyan coloured mare with the free-flowing mane was so hot... he had every magazine stashed in his secret compartment so that not even his closest friends would know... Every now and then, when he was free, he would open up a magazine and start to look at the glamorous model with a wooing heart... He sighed happily at how revealing her skirt was everytime... If only he could get that same feeling with a real mare... Erlen had just taken his daily look at a recent magazine where Fair Entropy dressed up in a light blue frilly skirt by the beach... Erlen sighed again happily before closing the magazine and getting ready for his bioethics class... He couldn't wait to see Sterling and Chemm for that matter!

Edited August 7, 2014 by Sterling Crimson

[lincolnshirepony 527]

"I have to work the lunch shift today," Blue Note said apologetically. "Tomorrow? Feel free to come by the dining hall and watch me suffer today, though." Looking at her bank account made her realize that she needed to work more hours. Her schedule this semester consisted of rehearsals in the evenings, working the evenings she didn't have rehearsal, homework and practicing in between... And not to forget classes: Music Theory, Sight singing, Band, Piano Technique, Music History, and Music and Popular Culture. 

 

---

 

Returning to the University of Manehatten did not allow Cheesy to escape his guilt, only his most poignant reminder of it.

 

He could still hear his mother's voice, playing over and over in his mind. "Oh Cheesecake, I'm so proud of ya!" she had said after he walked back into her apartment for the first time in half a year. She had taken a day off from both jobs to spend time with him. At Hearth's Warming dinner, she just couldn't stop talking to his relatives about how proud she was of him. "The first in our family to go to college!" She wouldn't stop saying that, and it reminded Cheesy every time of the letter he had tucked away, informing him of his academic probation. 

 

He had to do better. His mom was gone most days, working. He'd wanted to get a job for the fall, but his mom insisted he only focus on doing well in school. So he was left alone at home most days, which gave him ample time to memorize his South Pacific lines. His mom had been pleased about that too. "Oh, Cheesecake! That's so wonderful you're getting involved. Let me know when the show is so I can come see it!" 

 

Now he was back at school, and had the monumental task of getting his grades up. Cheesy knew he had to do things differently this time around if he wanted to deserve his mother's pride. 

 

His first change was actually working at his South Pacific role. Ruby was going to meet him and help him out. Her red mane and annoyed look soon appeared out of the crowd. "Hey!" he called to her.

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling nodded back. He understood that Blue Note needed to get some work done to get some spare change. 

 

"Oh it's alright then. I can always see you over working at lunch today! I'll see you then!" Sterling replied with a smile, albeit slightly disappointed that they couldn't chat about the rest of their respective holidays, to his next class... bioethics. Hopefully he'd be able to talk to Erlen about his holiday!

 

----

 

Spectro was feeling very tired. He knew that he had to get moving towards his analytical chemistry class that was set for 9:00 am today... but he spent much of the night playing a roleplaying game on his console... He didn't want to get up, but he sheepishly did so, not wanting to be late on the first day back from the holiday. He sluggishly did his usual morning preparations of eating a hasty breakfast of some lettuce and combing his rough, brown mane before heading out of his form for his first class of the semester...

[lincolnshirepony 527]

"Okay, I'll be the disgruntled one," Blue Note said. She had a small break before music history, which she was grateful for. Another coffee might do her well...

 

---

 

"Hey," Ruby said curtly. She didn't want to be stuck with Cheesy right now, especially with that stupid Music Theory class still on her brain. "So, did you learn all the words? If not, I'm leaving right now." 

 

"Woah, chill out. Yeah, I learned all the words," he said with his signature stupid grin. 

 

"Hm, maybe you're not as dumb as you look."

 

"That hurts coming from you," he said, mock offended. 

 

"Good," Ruby said. "Now let's get down to the practice rooms. I've got important stuff to do today, and I don't want this to be a waste." 

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling chuckled when Blue Note mentioned that she would be the disgruntled one when he trotted away towards bioethics class. He heard that it was a good course, but with a tough professor and a tough paper to deal with. Hopefully neither the professor or the paper would be very hard...

 

----

 

Erlen had just arrived for bioethics class, excitedly waiting for Sterling. He was among the first students in the room, since he didn't have much by way of friends. He also liked being in class early to prepare as usual. So he opted to take his notebook out and place it onto his desk, excitedly anticipating for class. 

 

While waiting for class, Chemm bumped into bioethics as well! And yes... Sterling wasn't there... it was her perfect chance to place her mark on Erlen... but she had to remain composed... that would be somewhat hard to do now that there were other ponies entering the rooms... Perhaps she should just start by being friends with Erlen...

[lincolnshirepony 527]

Blue Note got her dining hall coffee sludge and sat down at one of the tables, dutifully opening up her music theory textbook. There was no such thing as starting too early with Adagio...

 

---

 

Ruby was cute, Cheesy decided, but she was a bit too bossy for his taste. Besides, he had to spend less time chasing mares, and more time studying. The thought made him feel a bit queasy. Was he really going to give up his social life? For this? Ruby talked on and on about one musical thing or another, always being sure to point out any mistake he made. 

 

"Listen, you have to do what I tell you, okay? Trust me, I'm a professional."

 

Cheesy thought that might be an exaggeration, but he valued his life too much to say so. He made the necessary adjustments. One thing was certain, improving himself or not, he wasn't going to get stuck in places like this practice room with ponies like Ruby every day!