(Moth) A Moth's Song - 6

>Abhorrent!
>Utterly, positively, and absolutely abhorrent!
>Gritting teeth, disgruntled squeaks, and stamping hooves overtake your body.
>This will not do!
"August!"
>That despicable human can not expect this from you.
>He absolutely can not!
>You stamp away from your mirror and go looking for him.
"August! Where are you!?"
>Your shouts receive no answer.
>The door to your bedroom, the old room filled with lights, swings open as you barge out into the hallway.
>Darkness greets you.
>It's ten in the morning.
>Why is the house so dark?
"August!"
>"What!?"
>Finally!
>You stomp toward the sound of his voice and find him laid out on the living room couch.
"I demand to know what... you have..."
>You look down at him and notice his head is covered by the couch cushions.
"Are you doing alright, August?"
>He groans and rolls away from you.
>"I have a migraine, please be quieter."
"S-sorry."
>Over the time you've been with this odd creature, you've become less timid.
>More assertive.
>You have to be assertive in show-business.
>Especially if you're a lead performer.
>Yet, you're still timid around August when he isn't feeling well.
>Which has become increasingly often.
>"What did you want?"
>You sit on your haunches and tap your forehooves together nervously.
"I j-just wanted to know if you changed the gem in my necklace?"
>August bought you a golden necklace shortly after you were accepted into the Musician's Guild.
>It's a really nice necklace.
>A large gem held in a little golden cage that dangles from the chain.
>Normally, it has a ruby in it that accents your coat and mane colors.
>But for some reason, there's an amethyst in it today.
>It does not look good, in your opinion.
>"Yeah, I did."
"Why? I have a performance soon!"
>He cringes and groans, you apologize for shouting.
>"You haven't polished that ruby in a while. I was going to do it today, but... you know."
"That is true..."
>"If you think you can polish it before your performance, go ahead. It's on the kitchen counter."

>The ruby rolls over in your hooves as you examine it.
>It looks fine.
>The gold looks fine.
>Nothing's tarnished or dusty or smudged.
>August can be so absurd sometimes!
>Tink.
>You tap a hoof against the ruby.
>Tink, tink.
>You remember the first night you met August, when you first tapped on his window.
>Tink, tink, tink.
>Who knew your life would change so drastically?
>Tinktinktinktinktinktinktink.
>"STOP!"
>You inhale sharply and retract your hooves from the gem.
>August stands to your right, in the doorway of the kitchen.
>He looks frustrated.
"Sorry."
>"It's fine, just... Did you get that thing polished already?"
"There was nothing wrong with it."
>"Are you sure?"
>You nod.
>He simply groans and walks toward the pantry.
"Shouldn't you be laying down? Can I get anything for you?"
>"No, just... Go to your performance. I'll be fine."
>Your wings buzz sadly as he walks back to you and swaps the gems on your necklace again.
"Are you sure?"
>His breath hitches as he hesitates.
>"I'll manage."
>A sad squeak escapes your throat, but you turn and leave the kitchen, and finally the front door of the house.

>The cool evening wind blows against you as you trot down the road.
>The sky's beautiful reds, yellows, oranges, and purples start to fade into a deep, dark blue as the sun sinks into its
nightly resting place.
>Rest in peace, sun.
>Street lamps start to turn on as you walk, their glow illuminating you.
>The lights catch your attention, albeit very briefly.
>The lights back at the house are so much better, that all other lights pale in comparison.
>You also have a lot on your mind.
>The performance, August, the gems.
>Why an Amethyst, anyway?
>August usually has such good taste in things!
>Why would he choose a gem that looks bad with your color scheme?
>He's just sick, that's all.
>Once he's better, there will be much less to worry about!
>Maybe you can sing to him later tonight, after the performance!
>That will definitely make him feel better.

>The clocktower in town strikes seven o'clock.
>You had better make haste, or you'll be late!
>Your hooves clip and clop against the cobblestone roads as you run your little moth derriere off.
>After a short, tiring sprint, you arrive at the town square.
>The Musician's Guild's main hall stands opposite the Town Hall.
>Both are lit up with festive lights, probably to celebrate someone's birthday or anniversary.
>This town is very tight-knit, and the community cares deeply about each and every one of its hundred-or-so citizens.
>They employ the Musician's Guild for things like this, mostly through a charity fund.
>August dislikes the concept, and usually donates his earnings back into the community.
>You try to do the same, but try to keep some of it for yourself.
>You have no idea how August can donate all of his earnings and still pay for the house, food, clothes, and
electricity.
>But, as long as you have a place to sleep and August isn't dying, you're happy.
>The most you use your money for is treating August to a nice dinner, or repairing his violin.
>As a matter of fact, you should be earning a few thousand bits from this event.
>Or so the guild said.
>Maybe you could buy August one of those fancy foreign violins he admires so much.
>That does sound like a good idea.
>The town won't necessarily miss one small donation.
>You smile to yourself, and your wonderful plan, as you trot into the Musician's Guild.
>The walls are adorned with medals and trophies won from competitions over the Guild's history.
>Paintings of past guildmasters hang in the entrance hall, and large banners flank them.
>You love coming in here, the atmosphere is so brilliantly perfect.
>"Actias!"
>Oh no.
>Not him.
>Please, anybody but him.
>Why is he even here?
>"Actias! What's up?"
>His wings buzz obnoxiously, to no beat or rhythm at all.

"Acteus, hello!"
>You don't hate him at all, he's just really...
>He stops mere inches from you and invades your personal space with a tight hug.
>Invasive, is a good word for it.
>"I haven't seen you in forever! I heard you were performing tonight, so I decided to drop by and see how you were doing!"
>He was at your last performance, nearly three days ago.
"Well, it is definitely nice to see you!"
>He steps back from you and tilts his head.
>"You seem tense, are you alright?"
"I am fine, this is normal."
>He asks you this at every one of your performances.
>He's annoying, but he's your brother.
>And you love him.
>"Well, alright then!"
>He gives you a quick kiss on the cheek before scampering off with a, "Good luck!"
>You brush your cheek with a hoof and grumble.
>"E-excuse me."
>A small, frail pony pushes by you, with a little violin case strapped to her side.
>"Sorry."
>You watch her as she meekly trots into the main room of the guild house.
>You've never seen her before.
>She must be new.
>Is she performing tonight?
>You were aware that there would be a multitude of ponies performing, but a newbie?
>She must be skilled.
>You trot into the main room and approach her.
"Excuse me."
>She jumps and turns around, visibly startled.
"Oh! I am sorry, I did not mean to scare you."
>She mumbles something.
>She can't be older than a filly.
>You haven't seen many fillies in the guild.
>Or, any at all.
"My name is Actias. Are you a new violinist?"
>She nods and swallows, avoiding eye-contact with you.
>You stand in silence for a moment before the guild-master shouts for everyone to get ready.
>Many of the ponies work out their voices or warm up their instruments.
>You stand beside the filly and watch her play her little violin.
>She's really good.
>"Actias!"
>You look away from the filly and notice the guild-master beckoning you over to him.
"Yes, sir?"
>"Come here a moment."
>You trot over to him, leaving the filly to practice her beautiful music.

>The guild-master sits across from you in a red velvet chair.
>A small, round, wooden table sits between you.
>You look over the main room of the hall from the balcony you now occupy.
>"You have done very well here, Actias."
"Thank you, sir."
>"I'd like to give you a position as a mentor, if that would be alright with you."
>He clears his throat, calling your attention back to him.
>Your eyes part from that little filly.
"I suppose that would be alright."
>"Good, I was hoping you would agree. I'd like you to pick one of the newer members to mentor sometime tonight."
>You already know who you want to mentor.
>You were going to request it anyway.
>A filly a shy as that, with that much talent, definitely needs a mentor.
>Just like you did, with August.
"I want her."
>You look back to the filly.
>"Hm? The little filly with the violin?"
>You nod.
>"Well, that was a very quick decision. I've only met her in passing, and I already know you two will make a good pair."
>He smiles softly, the way only a wise old man can.
>"She's a lot like you when you started out here."
"I know."
>"She's performing tonight, you know."
"Everyone here is."
>"Mmm."
>You sit for a moment in thought.
"I want her at the front of the stage."
>"It's her first performance. Are you sure about that?"
"Positive."
>"Very well. I'll tell her."
"No, let me."
>"Very well. She is your student now. Just... go easy on the kid, alright?"
"I will try, but I make no promises."
>The guild-master chuckles.
>"I know you, Actias. You won't put that kid through anything difficult."
>He's right.
>You are a very compassionate pony when it comes to music, and if this child is truly impressive - and she is - then you
will do everything you can to make her comfortable.
>And mold her into the best musician she can be.

>"I-I don't think this is a v-very good idea!"
>The little filly nervously hugs her violin.
>She's visibly shaken by the revelation that you are her new mentor.
>She's even more shaken by the idea of having to perform, front and center, at her first performance.
"It is a good idea."
>"But I'm nervous."
"Yes, I can tell. Now, trust me when I say, you will be all the better for this."
>"But what if I mess up?"
"You won't."
>"But-"
"I did not mess up at my first performance. You will not mess up at yours. You made it through the auditions to get here.
You are performing at this event, so you must have wow'd the guild-master and the rest of the panel."
>The little filly whines and tries to protest further, but you won't have it.
>You still don't know what this event is for, anyway.
"Do you know what this event is?"
>"Y-you just talked it up like it was a huge deal!"
"It was to encourage you."
>"I-it didn't work!"
"Answer my question, please."
>The filly sighs and pulls a small flyer out of her violin case.
>"It's the twentieth anniversary of the mayor and his wife."
>They got nearly half of the Musician's Guild together for this?
>An anniversary?
>You look outside, through one of the windows.
>Nearly the whole town has gathered for the occasion.
>You shouldn't be surprised.
>The mayor is a bit extravagant.
>Especially when it comes to his wife.
>"D-do you at least know what we're playing tonight?"
"Of course I do. We are playing Hoofdel's Music for the Royal Fireworks."
>"Isn't it a-an out of place piece, though? There are no royalty in town."
"It is a good piece."
>"But i-it doesn't fit the mood."
"Yes, it does. You may be an excellent violinist, but you clearly know little of music itself."
>"I know what I need to know."
"That may be so, but there is so much more to music than just playing it."
>The filly mumbles to herself.
>You will make her into a great musician, yet.

>Rows of chairs and music stands occupy a decently sized stage to the left of the guild hall.
>Dozens of ponies help organize the conductor's podium and place music sheets on every music stand.
>You and the filly stand on a small open spot to the right of the conductor's podium.
>She looks out at all of the ponies ready to watch the show and enjoy the music.
>You smirk and buzz softly with excitement.
>The thrill of performing is always enough to get your blood pumping.
>Your student does not seem to share your enthusiasm.
>She whines and tries to hide her face.
>She'll get used to it, in time.
>Just like you did.
"How about this, child. If you do a good job tonight, I will take you for ice cream."
>"M-my parents don't let me have ice cream."
"They do not have to know."
>"But-"
"Just do not mess up, okay?"
>The chattering of your fellow guild-mates catch at your antennae.
>They've started to exit the guild-hall and have begun taking their seats on the stage.
>You clear your throat and shiver excitedly.
>The lead conductor approaches the stage.
>He turns out to the audience and bows.
>They applaud in a very conserved manner.
>It's a musical town, where every pony knows how to act when others are performing.
>It's also incredibly diverse, there are pegasi, unicorns, earth ponies, moth ponies, sea ponies, bat ponies, crystal
ponies.
>The musician's guild is slightly more unicorn-dominated, because they're more apt to be more technical with instruments.
>It varies the many different styles of music that a pony can play.
>The conductor clears his throat, taps a hoof on his podium, and raises it to the orchestra.
>A collective gasp sounds from the wind and brass sections.
>You, your student, and the orchestra begin to play as the conductor leads and times the music.
>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7vJ2UFbeXA

>The filly sits across from you, eyes wide with shock.
>An icecream cone sits between her forehooves, slowly melting and dripping onto her coat.
"That wasn't so bad, was it?"
>She grumbles and licks her icecream cone.
>"I-it wasn't."
"Well, let us make a deal. For every performance that you do well on, we will come here and get some ice cream, alright?"
>The filly nods with a smile.
>The first smile she's offered all night.
>"D-do I still have to be your student?"
"Well, yes. At least until you understand music better."
>She raises a hoof to protest.
>You raise a brow and smirk.
"Why did we play the piece we played tonight?"
>"B-because..."
"See? You do not know."
>You take a very dainty bite of your ice cream.
"We played that piece because it was fitting of the occasion, not of the audience. It might be a piece that says "royal"
in its title, but it is a celebration piece. And this event was a celebration."
>"I-I guess that makes sense."
"Of course it does. I learned all about that from the best!"
>"Wh-who would that be?"
"Why, my very own mentor, August!"
>Her icecream has all but melted at this point.
>She looks up at me, curious to hear about August, but a mare and a stallion quickly approach us.
>"Oh, goodness! There you are. We've been looking all over for you!"
>"Hi mom. Hi dad."
>You tilt your head and look over at them with a smile.
"Ah, so you're her parents!"
>They nod and beckon the filly toward them.
>"We are. Who are you?"
"I'm her mentor at the guild."
>Her mom peers at you.
>"Oh! You're that wonderful pony that can sing so well! Well, I must say, it is very nice to know that our daughter has
been welcomed into that guild. We were rather worried she wouldn't even qualify!"
>The filly pouts as her parents give her a hug.
>"But, it was nice meeting you. We really do have to be off, it's past this little bard's bed time."
>Her dad chuckles as you wave good-bye to them.
>It is only now that you realize you don't know the filly's name.

>"So how was it?"
>You take a sip of the warm honey tea August made you when you got home.
>It helps sooth your throat after a performance.
"It was... alright."
>"You're lying."
>You buzz and blush as he takes a sip of his own tea.
>"I've known you for a while. I know your tells."
"And what exactly are my tells?"
>"You move whatever's in your hooves and then hesitate on your answer."
"Sh-shut up! I do not do that!"
>"Then tell me how your night was."
>You take another sip of your tea, and darn it, he's right!
>"See?"
"Fine! It was a good night. The performance was [spoiler]specktacular.[/spoiler]"
>August chuckles and takes his and your tea from the kitchen to the living room.
>You sit beside him on the couch and take your tea back from him.
>"Anything else happen?"
"The guild-master made me a mentor."
>"Congratulations."
"I am training a filly. She plays the violin."
>"Just like me, right?"
>He nudges you, causing you to spill a drop of your tea just as you bring it to your lips.
>You scowl and wipe the spill up with his hand.
"Yes, except she does not understand how music really works. She can play amazingly, but..."
>August yawns and stretches out on the couch.
>How rude.
>He pulls you close, takes your tea, and sets it on the coffee table.
>You weren't done with that.
>"Can we talk more in the morning? I still have that headache."
>You nod and try to pull away from him.
>After struggling for a bit, you plop down on the floor.
>"Before you go, can you sing that song I like?"
>You groan loudly and turn to him.
"Fine."
>You hate this song, but he loves it.
>It makes him happy.
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsZMbs5PC64