(Moth) A Moth's Song - 9

>Dear Actias,
>It's been a while since I've written to you.
>I've been really wrapped up with life.
>I passed through Treble Town, and uh...
>Meant to surprise you, but you weren't around.
>I went by the guild.
>They said you ran off shortly after getting back from your last gig.
>I checked the house.
>I don't know what you did with the place, but...
>Maybe you should find someone to, I don't know.
>Clean it up?
>I noticed my old room was impeccably clean.
>The piano room was dusty, but I guess that's expected.
>I never let you in there.
>You know it's your house now, right?
>I checked the Light Room.
>It's pretty, uh...
>Yeah.
>Anyway, sorry this letter has to be so short.
>Something's come up.
>Your friend,
>August.
>PS: There's a little scrap of cloth taped to the back of this.
>I didn't notice any of the curtains or sheets eaten up, so I don't know if you still chew cloth.
>It's the thought that counts, right?

>You are Actias.
>You've just returned from Canterlot with Falsetto in tow.
>August, however, decided to stay.
>Not because he wanted to see the sights, or shop, or watch plays.
>He was reunited with the ponies that had taken him in when he first came to Equestria.
>You didn't blame him.
>They meant a lot to him.
>The entire train ride back to Treble Town, you had to keep yourself in check.
>You didn't want Falsetto to see you fall apart.
>You certainly couldn't let strangers see you fall apart.
>But, August meant a lot to you.
>And now he was gone.
>He meant a lot to you.
>Over the short time you knew him, he changed you.
>He changed you into something you could look at and be proud of.
>And you were very, very proud of yourself.
>Now that he was gone, what would you do?
>He guided you.
>He nurtured you.
>He was your own little light.
>"Miss Actias?"
"Hm?"
>"We're here."
>You hadn't noticed the train stop.
"Right. We should head to the guild first thing and tell them how it went."
>The little filly nodded and grabbed her violin case.
>You grabbed your saddlebag and lead her off the train.

>Treble Town.
>A beautiful town with a colorful arrangement of citizens.
>From Earth-ponies, to Pegasi, to Unicorns, to Bat-ponies, to Sea-ponies, to Moth-ponies.
>Gryphons and changelings and diamond dogs.
>Everyone in town did their part to keep it beautiful.
>They did such a wonderful job, and made the whole town a tourist attraction just for its beauty.
>It was also a very popular town for musicians, hence the name.
>August had once said that Treble Town was the very definition of paradise.
>It was such a silly sentiment, though...
>Now that you really look at the town, he was right.
>It is Paradise.
>Or rather, it was.
>Without him, it seemed to be a husk.
>A prison.
>Falsetto trotted past you, towards the town square.
>You followed, keeping your wits about you, keeping your emotions in check.

>The trip there seemed nonexistent.
>One minute you were at the train station, the next you were inside the guild hall.
>Falsetto regaled most of the main hall with the things she saw in Canterlot.
>She told them of the concert, and of August's departure.
>You, on the other hand, were giving your report to the guild master.
>"So our dear and esteemed August has decided to continue his journey on another path."
>The old stallion chuckled.
>"Well, I suppose we all have duties to ourselves. One can only hope he will find a fitting adventure."
"Yes, yes of course."
>"I shouldn't keep you much longer. Go home, get some rest. Take time for yourself."
"Are you sure?"
>"Of course I'm sure! You've had a long trip, and I'm sure things have been exciting. Besides,"
>The stallion places a hoof on your shoulder.
>"I know what it's like to lose someone you care about."
>He offers you an understanding smile, and you try to smile back, but it falters.
>"Now go on, get out of here."
>He starts pushing you toward the stairs leading down to the main hallway of the guild.
>You pick your pace up a little to get away from his assault and trot down the stairs.
>With a quick peek out into the hallway, you check to see if anyone would notice you.
>Quickly placing your sunglasses over your eyes, you rush out of the guildhall, and out into the town square.
>In a calm manner, yet still brisk, you hurry back to August's house.
>To your house.
>He was gone.
>It's your house now.
>You stand on the porch and stare at the door.
>Maybe he was joking, and somehow returned home before you did.
>With an optimistic smile, you push the door open.
>Your heart and smile drop as the dark house greets you.
>Slinking into the living room, you drop your saddlebags and trudge around aimlessly.

>Everything just feels... wrong.
>August's piano room, surprisingly left unlocked, remained the same as it always had.
>The Light Room, now dark and dreary, causes you to immediately turn from it.
>His bedroom is untouched, just as he left it before the trip.
>It still smells like him.
>You remember the first time he opened his window to let you in.
>He got so mad when you started eating his sheets!
>You smile and laugh to yourself.
>Life with August was incredibly joyous; every day an adventure, every day something to look forward to.
>Without him, something was missing.
>You felt alone, abandoned, sad.
>You climb into his bed and hold his pillow between your hooves.
>It soaks as you cry for the first time in a very, very long time.

>Tink.
>Tink tink.
>You awoke at some absurd hour in the night.
>In an attempt to take your mind off of things, you ventured to the Light Room.
>It worked, for a little while.
>You tap one of the bulbs just a little too hard as a bout of frustration hits you.
>It shatters, scattering bits of glass and sparks around the room.
>As you stare at the jagged bits that still remain in the socket, you start to feel... angry.
>If anyone was lurking around your house, they would surely have been in for a fright.
>Shrill screams echoed throughout the dark, empty house.
>They were accompanied by a symphony of crashing, and clashing, and glass being thrown every which way.
>Every single bulb you could get your hooves on was shattered against the wall.
>Everything you could throw was thrown to the floor and stomped on.
>Yet, you felt no better.
>You actually felt worse.
>Your anger was accompanied by regret.
>Without bothering to clean up, even a little bit, you flick the switch to the room and shut the door behind you as you leave.

>Days pass without you seeing so much as the tail of another pony.
>August had bought enough nectar and honey for you to live off of for a while, just before you left for Canterlot.
>Mail piled up at the door as the mail-mare, day after day, pushed more letters through the letter slot.
>Today, three days after your fit in the Light Room, just as you do every day, you pass by the front door on the way to the kitchen.
>Something lying on top of the pile of letters catches your eye.
>Something familiar.
>You approach the pile and pick a small white envelope off the top.
>You immediately recognize the small harp imprinted into a golden wax seal.
>Somehow, you manage to keep yourself from tearing the letter apart.
>Instead, you tear the envelope open and extract the letter.
>"To Actias,
>"I've sent to you with wonderful news.
>"I have just received a request from somewhere I know might interest you specifically.
>"If you feel up for it, come by the guild hall as soon as you can.
>"I figured you might want first pick on this assignment.
>"Sincerely,
>"The Guild-master."
>You drop the letter and shake your head.
>Despite feeling as horrible as you do, you decide to go talk to the guild-master.
>The pile of letters cascades across the floor as you start pushing it out of the way.
>As you finally free the door from its barricade, you pull it open.
>Reflexively, you shield your eyes, but as the cool evening air washes over you and blows the letters all around the house, you venture out.
>You shut the door behind you and trot off toward the town square.

>The street lights shone beautifully in the night.
>Treble Town always looked like it was ready to throw a massive festival during the night.
>Almost like it was perpetually festive, for whatever occasion.
>You loved it.
>Though, seeing it now, it left you with an empty feeling.
>They are the same lights, but without August, it just isn't the same feeling.
>You lived in this town long before ever finding him here.
>As a child, you attended the local schools, and after that, you never really knew what you wanted to do.
>You had no interest in the spice caravans.
>Lights interested you a lot, so you worked with the town's lighting union.
>Unfortunately, you made hardly enough to afford a decent place to stay, so you slept in bushes.
>You really were a bit of a mess before August came along.
>He did so much to help you.
>You sit on the step of the guild for a little while, just watching the ponies that wander around in the quiet evening.
>They carry on with their lives, as if nothing's changed.
>And really, nothing in their lives has changed.
>August never was a static part of Treble Town.
>He was here for a very long time, from what he said.
>Yet, no one ever expected him to stay.
>It was almost like he was expected to disappear at any given moment.
>You just weren't ready for that moment.
>"Ah! Just the mare I was hoping to see tonight."
>Nearly jumping out of your skin, you turn to see the guild-master.
>"My apologies, Actias. I trust you got my letter?"
"I did."
>"Excellent! Then you'll hear the request?"
"Of course."
>"Well, you will most certainly be excited to hear that we've received a request, specifically for a moth-pony, to travel far to the south. They didn't request anything fancy. Just a vocalist."
>You smirk softly.
"I am the only moth-pony in the guild that sings, sir."
>"I take it you accept?"
"I do not have much of a choice, do I?"
>"You're going to love this venue."
>He nods and bids you farewell after handing you another letter.

>"To whom it may concern at the Equestrian Musician's Guild located in Treble Town,
>"We would like to request a singer of moth-pony heritage to perform at a small celebration.
>"If possible, we would like one specifically from your guild, as we've heard it is the best in all of Equestria proper, but if this is not possible, please send to the other guilds as quickly as possible.
>"The celebration occurs at the end of the second week of next month.
>"Please have your singer arrive as close to the beginning of that week as possible.
>"With sincere gratitude,
>"The Central Dust Valley -"
>The last bit of the letter looks like someone got into a bit of a squabble.
>A whole bunch of names are written down and scratched out.
"Dust Valley."
>Your wings flutter a little bit with excitement.
>Oh, you can't wait at all!
>With only a week and several days left until you have to be there, you rush home to get packing and planning.