private Rhapsody in Blue

[lincolnshirepony 527]

"I'll just have a water too," she said. She turned back to Sterling. "That's terrible, if it's true. It must be hard not being able to talk to them." It seemed like Sterling had a good relationship with his parents, at least from what she gathered. "So what brought them on such a long trip?" She found herself wondering about Sterling's life outside of U of M. There was a lot he didn't know about her; she wondered what she didn't know about him.

[Inactive01 5,299]

@lincolnshirepony

 

The waiter had just left to get the water for them. Sterling was then asked about his parents. Realizing that he didn't have much to hide and that Blue Note was very trustworthy, Sterling replied,

 

"Well you see, my parents are sports journalists. They're covering my favourite baseball team, the Manehattan Manekees. Whenever they go on road trips, my parents go as well. It's normal. My dad would often go on the road trip while leaving my mom to take care of me. I just wish they didn't have to go on every one now... I just feel that they're being overworked is all. But I don't know whether it's true because it's as if they're worried that they'll say something wrong..."
 

[lincolnshirepony 527]

@Sterling Crimson

 

"That seems odd," Blue Note said. "They shouldn't need to worry about saying that to family, right?" Not that she knew much about keeping a functional family dynamic. Communication was more or less something she gave up on long ago. Sterling seemed slightly distressed by the topic, and if he was concerned, she couldn't help but be concerned with him and for him. 

[Inactive01 5,299]

@lincolnshirepony

 

Sterling nodded at Blue Note. He knew there wasn't something right about his parents not telling him what was going on. It made him want to know even more at this point...

 

"Oh Blue Note... I've been scared for them for months now! I can't help but overhear my parents arguing into the night about their financial troubles! I just can't believe them when they say that everything's fine! I want to do something about it, but I don't know what!" Sterling replied with increasing stress. He wanted to help his parents, but somehow... he just felt that the conflict was a lot deeper than he could ever imagine...

 

Before he could go on any further, the waiter returned with their drinks and asked for their meal choices. Sterling replied to her with a weakened voice,

 

"I'll have the veggie burger combo." He then remained silent, allowing Blue Note to make her order...

[lincolnshirepony 527]

@Sterling Crimson

 

"Just a veggie burger," she said blankly. She hated to see Sterling so worried, especially over familial problems. Those were difficult to deal with in her experience. She reached across the table and touched his hoof. "I'm sorry," she said, sighing. This was delicate. "It's really difficult to be unable to do anything, but there's not always something you can do. Ponies have to sort out their own problems, unfortunately."

[Inactive01 5,299]

@lincolnshirepony

 

The waiter finished taking their orders, but Sterling was still shaking his head about his parents' problems. He could tell that Blue Note was trying her best to comfort him, but it frankly wasn't working.

 

"Let's... let's just switch to a happier topic ok? I'm pretty stressed about my family's problems, and I don't want them to be transferred to you. Besides, we still have to worry about South Pacific and the like. Wouldn't want my voice to be badly affected right?" Sterling was clearly trying his best to change the topic, and he hoped that Blue Note would respect that. Still, deep down, Sterling knew that this conversation was far from over...

Edited November 3, 2013 by Sterling Crimson

[lincolnshirepony 527]

@Sterling Crimson

 

Blue Note picked up on Sterling's reluctance to discuss the subject. She could understand it, because she too was reluctant to delve too deeply into her own personal problems. It worried her to see how distressed he was, but talking about it clearly was not helping. 

 

"Yeah, we're trying for the opposite of that, right?" she said. "At least we still have a little time to get this done. I'm already regretting my decision to go through with it though."

[Inactive01 5,299]

@lincolnshirepony

 

Sterling chuckled nervously when she gave her response. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to bring up South Pacific, considering how much she didn't want to do it at first. Sterling could only shuffle his hooves around as she mentioned her regret of going through with the role of Nellie. 

 

Sterling continued to wait for his food silently, taking a drink of water. He couldn't help but think about his parents. They were coming back tomorrow and he was worried that they would fight again... especially if the road trip was too tiring for their liking...

[lincolnshirepony 527]

@Sterling Crimson

 

"Oh well, no going back now," Blue Note said wryly. She felt awkward as the silence settled between them, and Sterling still seemed uncomfortable. She started sipping her water too, giving her an excuse not to speak as she searched her mind for something to say that wouldn't make the situation worse. She couldn't come up with anything. 

 

"You seem lost in thought," Blue Note said. She wasn't sure if it was anything he wanted to talk about, but it seemed like there was a lot going on in his mind. 

[Inactive01 5,299]

@lincolnshirepony

 

Sterling looked up at Blue Note with dejection. He gave Blue Note a small nod.

 

"Yeah... I want to forget about my parents right now, but it's so hard... they're coming back tomorrow and I'm scared... I'm not sure how they'll react coming home. I've never been this worried before. I'm sorry." Sterling replied with a sad look. He didn't want Blue Note to be too concerned about him, but he couldn't help but feel worried. He just hoped that it wouldn't be as bad as he thought...

[lincolnshirepony 527]

@Sterling Crimson

 

(OOC: Sorry I've taken such a long hiatus. I'm off for break and hopefully I'll be more active in 2014.)

 

"There's nothing wrong with being worried," Blue Note said. "I worry all the time. You don't need to apologize." Sterling's situation was different from her own in many ways, but she did know the stress of watching a family fall apart. She hoped that this wasn't what Sterling's family was going through.

 

"Are you sure you don't need to talk about it? I don't mind if you don't." Blue Note would be concerned about Sterling whether or not he wanted her to be. He was her best friend; she would always care about him. 

[Inactive01 5,299]

(That's fine. I'll be quite busy during the second semester, but I'll try my best to keep this up!)

 

Sterling looked up to Blue Note. He could see the genuine concern that she was giving to him, but all he could was give her a sad look before the waiter suddenly came back with the food. She routinely placed the burgers on the plates and Sterling gave the waiter a nod of thanks for politeness before he slowly grabbed the sandwich and slowly ate his food. He thought this was going to be the perfect way to avoid the conversation and settle down to eating the food. Maybe when the silence faded, he could switch topics and be happy. Hopefully...

[lincolnshirepony 527]

@Sterling Crimson

 

(OOC: I completely understand.)

 

Blue Note felt the silence growing between them as she nibbled at her burger. "Fair enough," she thought. Sometimes ponies need to talk, and other times they needed to forget. "Not bad," she said. "Especially coming off the bland cafeteria food. It reminds me of Royal Burgers back in Canterlot. They had the best burgers in the entire city." It was a bit trivial, but it was the only thing that would come to her mind. 

[Inactive01 5,299]

@lincolnshirepony

 

Sterling looked up with a weak smile as Blue Note began to talk about the burgers and their taste. He was glad that she wanted to change subjects. Even though the worrying thought of his parents continued to haunt him, her voice... was just soothing to listen to. It made Sterling move away from his frown as he replied with a weak smile,

 

"Yep. I'm very thankful to be able to eat at places like this. They're affordable and they taste delicious." Sterling then took a bigger bite out of his burger, now clearly beginning to enjoy his burger. His thoughts of his problems began to pass with every bite, clearly enjoying Blue Note's presence more and more by the minute...

[lincolnshirepony 527]

@Sterling Crimson

 

"I agree. It makes excellent comfort food," Blue Note said. "My mom took me there for the first time when I was a filly. I'd never had a burger before, but she promised me I'd love them. And I do." She took another bite of the burger. Whenever she thought back to that day, she always felt an odd kind of nostalgia. She remembered sitting next to her mother and laughing and talking and feeling like the most special little filly in world, but the memory was tainted with a twinge of pain. Blue Note looked down. "I shouldn't have brought that up." 

She looked back at Sterling, and felt more at ease. She was less lonely than she had been in years. That memory might still hurt, but the present was looking a little more hopeful. "I'd always find any excuse to go get one, up until the day I took the train here."

[Inactive01 5,299]

(Last post before i sleep)

 

Sterling's eyes beamed when Blue Note brought up her mother. Now that he thought about it, Blue Note didn't say much about her mother at all in any of their conversations. Sterling's intrigue was too strong for him to suppress, and he blurted out in question, not realizing what he just did...

 

"Oh! your mother sounds like a very nice mare indeed! And the burgers must taste delicious in Canterlot! Maybe even better than the ones they serve here!" Sterling continued to eat his burger, at this point completely forgetting about his problems. Blue Note was that comforting. It was a tumultuous day, from university teasing to South Pacific practice, but it was certainly ending well now!

[lincolnshirepony 527]

Her mother, Sky Note, was often considered nice. Sky Note certainly knew what to say and what to do to make anypony feel good about themselves. Her special talent was making ponies feel beautiful or handsome, after all. Blue Note had adored her as a filly. Even after the years had passed, she still craved a relationship with her mother. However, the unanswered questions still loomed in the back of her mind. And the day that Sky Note left had easily been the worst day of her life, all things considered. 

 

"Well, they are the preferred burgers of royalty. If you're ever in Canterlot, go to Royal Burgers. You can't miss their shameless advertising. I would recommend grabbing one of the few outside tables. It's excellent for watching Canterlot pass by." 

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling continued to munch on his burger until none of it was left. He wiped his face off of all the muck that was developing on his face with a piece of tissue before he replied with a chuckle,

 

"I can see why you love Royal Burgers so much. It sounds really... regal... and... delicious!" Sterling then began to look at Blue Note weirdly again. There was just something about her that was really different. Maybe it was how friendly she was. Maybe it was how real she was. Or maybe it was even her looks. Her wavy blue hair and the refined look were really attractive things about her. In any case, Sterling was beginning to get lost in Blue Note's eyes as he descended into a dreamy look... 

[lincolnshirepony 527]

"Yeah, it's one of the few things I miss about Canterlot." Blue Note levitated the last bite of her burger up to her mouth. The taste was wonderful. "Though I could used to getting veggie burgers here."

Sterling was looking intently at her. He looked happy, which was good. He deserved happiness. Though she wasn't quite sure why he was staring at her. "Sterling? Is there something on my face?" She wondered if he was admiring her looks, but quickly dismissed the thought. "Nothing special to see here."

[Inactive01 5,299]

At this point, Sterling had completely lost it. His daydreaming habits took over, probably because it was the coup de grace for his depressive feelings about his parents. He could hear Blue Note's voice, but it didn't sound like it was urgent. It sounded like bliss, even if she was asking whether there was something on her face. Not even realizing what she asked, Sterling merely replied with an even dreamier look,

 

"You're... You're so... pretty... it's... so... heavenly... seeing... you..." At this point, Sterling didn't even realize what he was saying... all he could see was sunshine and beaches around him... and Blue Note's hair flying by the wind...

[lincolnshirepony 527]

Blue Note's eyes widened. She quickly looked back down. Her eyes landed on her glass of water, and she took a very long drink. "What did he just say? What am I supposed to say to that?" She could feel the warmth on her cheeks and could only imagine how abnormally red her face was. She was not used to being called pretty, and heavenly certainly wasn't the first word that came to anypony's mind when she was mentioned. She realized she had been drinking for an abnormally long time, and finally set the cup down. 

[Inactive01 5,299]

@lincolnshirepony

 

Sterling was still looking dreamily at Blue Note, not noticing that her cheeks were really red after he complimented her looks. However, the waiter eventually walked over, asking to see whether they were done their meals and whether they wanted desert. Sterling continued to stare at Blue Note, not noticing the waiter asking him about his plates. He continued to stare deeply into Blue Note, just thinking about how pretty she would be at a beach... how pretty she would be under the moonlight... All those dreams went into full force and were still in full force even with the waiter waiting impatiently for her customers' responses...

[lincolnshirepony 527]

@Sterling Crimson

 

Blue Note was relieved that the waiter had come by the table. It gave her an excuse to say something. "Yes, I'm done," Blue Note said. "I don't need dessert. Do you want anything, Sterling?" she asked. She wanted to snap him out of whatever trance he was under. This situation was foreign to her. She was used to deflecting negative attention, standing up for herself. What she didn't know was how to respond to a pony calling her "pretty". 

[Inactive01 5,299]

@lincolnshirepony

 

Sterling was feeling entrenched in his feelings... that is, until dream Blue Note suddenly tried to snap him out of reality by asking him whether he wanted any desert. At that moment, Sterling quickly shook his head when she asked for desert. He too decided to say "no thanks", realizing how full he was. His face was now building in embarrassment and fear... where was he? Was he in daydream mode again? Sterling couldn't believe it. He thought he already told himself not to do that again, and this time it worsened.

 

"Blue Note... I'm sorry about that. My mind was really... out of it. But... I... I still think you're pretty nonetheless." That Sterling still wanted to say. He realized he already said she was pretty once, and he might as well confirm it rather than lie. After all, she was his best friend...

[lincolnshirepony 527]

@Sterling Crimson

 

"Thanks," Blue Note said, feeling slightly embarrassed. She didn't mind that he called her pretty. It was... nice. They did make an excellent duo and their friendship was blossoming. Could it become something more? "Do I want it to become something more?" Blue Note didn't know the answer to that question. 

 

Thankfully, the waiter arrived with their bills. Blue Note looked hers over, and put the correct amount of bits on the table. "You ready to head back?"