Improvisation, there is a certain charm to it—to just play and let the music flow out of you. Naturally, one can add one’s own interpretation to what is written on a sheet of paper. Indeed, that is what a true master of my craft does, but with improvisation there is a certain intimate expression of oneself. There is a serenity to it.

My hooves flowed over the keys of the piano before me. While the cello was my instrument of choice and the one I normally used for professional performances, I do know how to competently play a couple other instruments. It was a pleasure, admittedly, to play something else, upon occasion, to add a bit of variety to my life. Sometimes, it helped to play something different when I found myself in a rut.

I played a soft, classical melody that echoed through the Sparkle Manor ballroom, accentuating the polite atmosphere of the social gathering as the Canterlot well-to-do talked amongst themselves. My music echoed out amongst the ballroom’s marble floors, classical columns, ornate chandelier, and works of art along the walls. The Sparkles were an old, prestigious, and wealthy family, which showed in their home in Canterlot. The size of the manor alone spoke of their considerable wealth.

Duchess Twilight Velvet of House Sparkle had asked me if I would like to play a little something for her guests. Given House Sparkle was one of my more wealthy and prestigious patrons and that I was the Duchess’s guest, I accepted. It was common enough to be asked to play a little something in situations like this—either improvisations, something of my own choosing, or requests. It was simply one of those things a musician does.

It’s a matter of prestige for a patron to be able to request the services of a musician as famous as myself. More than enough of the Canterlot elite were happy to hear something unique and unusual such as me playing the piano or other instrument rather than my customary cello. It was a curiosity, a unique experience only one of my patrons could arrange.

While I wasn’t being paid for unofficial performances such as these, it would benefit me in the long run. It would justify House Sparkle’s continued patronage and help me gain the attention of other potential patrons in the room. Obtaining the sponsorship of patrons was essential for an artist to succeed—especially in Canterlot. A good patron could open a great many doors for a musician. They could help gain a pony auditions to a prestigious organization, making introductions to the wealthy and powerful. Many also hire musicians for private performances (adding no small bonus to a musician’s bottom line at the end of the month).

Also, patrons like House Sparkle had a tendency to offer the leftover food and half-empty bottles of exquisite spirits to the servants and some of the other guests, such as myself, who were not part of the nobility. They didn’t want to see the food go to waste, and offering what was left to the nobles at the social gathering was likely to just be perceived as an insult. So ponies like me were oftentimes allowed to leave with whatever they wished back to our homes. Even a distinguished pony such as myself was not immune to the allure of free food, though I blame that on the starving artist days of my career. Some habits were just hard to break—even when one became successful.

“Hey, Tavi!” An all-too-familiar white-coated mare sat down on the piano bench next to me. I was in the middle of a movement when she started vigorously poking me in the ribs. “Tavi, hey Taaavi, Tavi, Taviii.”

Her relentless prodding caused me to fumble on my playing, the jarring misstep causing a few of those gathered around us to glance our way, and I was forced to slap my friend’s hooves away. “Vinyl, stop! I’m trying to play here.”

Vinyl Scratch gave me a big, stupid grin. “Oh, don’t be like that. I just wanted to catch up with my friend, is all. Been forever since we had some time to just hang out.”

I sighed and started playing again to regain the momentum Vinyl had caused me to lose. “I know, I know. Really, it is good to see you again.” It was true that I had not seen Vinyl for at least a couple of weeks. These days it seemed that our busy schedules kept us away from each other more and more. It was starting to look like I would have to start scheduling times to meet with friends like Vinyl. I didn’t like the idea of actually having to mark down time specifically to be with her, but with my schedule looking more and more full by the month, it might become a necessity if I was to have any kind of social life.

“Hay yeah, it’s good to see me again!” She wrapped a foreleg around my shoulders to drag me close to her. The jerk caused me to miss a couple more notes, much to my irritation. “So. Ya doin’ good?”

The barest of a smirk creased my lips as I worked up a melody. “I’ve been managing. I was selected to play for that opera I told you about, so I’m happy about that.”

Vinyl took a sip from her glass—one of the more delicate types that only unicorns could really use safely without breaking, rather than one of the more sturdy types with a proper handle like anypony else usually had. “Pretty cool. Knew you wanted to play for that ... what-cha-ma-call-it.”

I found my rhythm again, and the movements similar to the ones I had seen on the sheet music for the opera “The Countess of Marete Cristo. It’s based off of a book I really liked.” Admittedly, that had been a big reason why I had encouraged my agent to see if he could get me an audition for that opera in favor of some other performances. One advantage of being at the apex of one's field was that one had a few more options to pick what you liked rather than being forced to go with whatever jobs were available.

Vinyl snorted derisively. “And you get on me for pickin’ some gigs for silly reasons.”

“A job is still a job, and there is nothing wrong if I find a few reasons other than just the pay to like it.” I looked up from the piano to give Vinyl an amused smirk. “Besides, this isn’t nearly as bad as that time you DJed at that hole in the ground in Neigh Orleans. The literal hole in the ground. The one they filled with concrete and pushed a rock over a couple of years ago because it was a pit of evil.” I was not privy to all the details, but from what I had heard, that rave party Vinyl had DJed for had not gone well—not well at all.

Vinyl sheepishly rubbed the back of her mane. “Well, the promo-pony was, like, seriously cute. And the venue had free nachos!”

I gave Vinyl a flat look. There were simply no words.

My less-than-wise friend coughed and cleared her throat. “Um, so I got a new awesome gig coming up.”

“Oh?”

Vinyl rested an elbow on the piano to give me a smug grin. “Yeah, I’m totally going to be the DJ at the royal wedding. How cool is that?”

It was easy enough to see the advantages of performing at such a venue. In fact, it was a pretty big gig for my friend. I felt a slight pang of jealousy. As possibly the grandest social event of the year, the royal wedding would likely give Vinyl a lot of exposure and attention. Some ponies were born with all the luck. I also knew there were probably a few other, more personal, reasons for her wanting to play at that specific wedding.

Still, I felt it to be my duty as one of Vinyl’s best friends to deflate that ego of hers a bit. Otherwise, there might not be enough room for everyone in the ballroom.

“I thought you didn’t like dealing with all the”— I made my best impression of Vinyl’s scratchy-sounding voice—“lame-o, hoity-toity snobs.” I was exaggerating a bit. Vinyl was like just about every other pony and liked to decry about how awful the nobility were (even the nobility themselves were up for that game), but even Vinyl had her patrons. House Sparkle very prominent among them. The music business was a cutthroat one in Canterlot, or most anywhere in Equestria really, and having a few good patrons could easily make the difference between success or failure. Not to mention how it affected one’s bit purse.

Vinyl fidgeted on the piano bench. “Hey, some nobles are okay.”

I smirked as I started to play a more jovial tune. “And I’m sure that statement has nothing to do with your bank account.” From what I gathered, Vinyl did do rather well for herself between being a DJ and writing her own music.

“I’m serious.” She smirked and nudged me in the shoulder. “Not every noble is a stuffy jerk. Some of them know how to unwind and have a good time.”

I gasped and dropped my jaw in fake amazement. “Why, Vinyl! Did I actually hear you say something nice about the nobility?”

“I said some. Sooome.” Vinyl crossed her forelegs in front of her chest and her lips puckered into a pout. “Don’t think I’m going to become a snob like you who likes all these snooty parties.”

I took a moment from my playing to give Vinly a friendly shove to the shoulder. “I am not a snob.”

Vinyl rubbed her chin as she gave me an appraising look, smirking all the while. “I don’t know. I mean you have the snooty mane style and your snooty bow.” My pink bow tie glowed in Vinyl’s telekinetic field. She gave the bow a tug, and I was forced to stop my playing to put my hooves over it to keep it from being ruined. Bows were not exactly easy to tie when you only had your mouth and hooves to work with. I doubted it was a coincidence that that something as infuriatingly complex as the necktie was a unicorn invention. One could not deny the advantage their telekinesis gave them.

“Do not touch the bow, Vinyl.” I straightened my bow and made sure it was on right. “And for the record, I think it makes me look distinguished.” I sat up and gave her my best dignified pose.

Vinyl gave a good-natured snort. “You and your silly pink bow.”

I reached out and tapped the central bridge of her red shades. “Says the pony who always wears shades inside. Really, that can’t be good for your sight.”

“Hey, the shades are cool.” She fidgeted with the shades to reset them on her face. “Besides, they’re part of my image.” She flashed me confident smile.

I straightened my bow in an exaggerated manner. “Same.” I had been wearing a bow to most of my concerts and social gatherings I had been to in my life. My parents had insisted I wear one since I was a filly to make me look distinguished for the cultured ponies of society, and over time, I found it became part of my image. Putting it on before a performance was all but second nature to me now.

Vinyl took a swig of her drink before continuing. “Still makes you look snooty.” She pressed down on the keys of the piano to play a short little tune. “Just like your snooty piano playing.”

“If memory serves, you know how to play the piano too.” I started up another song on the piano, hopefully minimizing how many ponies would stop to stare at the two of us. I liked spending time with Vinyl on occasion, but she could be a bit embarrassing to be with at times.

I saw movement out of the corner of my eye and turned my head to see a stallion and mare approach me and Vinyl. “Duke Night Light!”

He placed a drinking mug and a small plate packed with some food on it onto the top of the piano, a warm smile on his lips. “Here, have a little something. Drink, relax, enjoy yourself.”

“If you insist,” I said, feeling slightly awkward. Social lessons long impressed into my brain by my parents screamed to greet the duke properly. My instinct said it would not do to insult the husband of Lady Sparkle, as both of them were powerful patrons of mine. I fought against those instincts and took a drink from the offered mug that I found was filled with some wine.

Vinyl smiled and tipped her glass towards the pair. “Hey, Mom! Nice to see ya!”

Vinyl’s mother inclined her head to her daughter. Quill Scratch was an older mare with a light grey coat and dual-blue mane much like Vinyl’s, though hers was done up in a bun rather than the spiky thing Vinyl liked to call a manestyle. She had been Grand Vizier Night Light’s secretary for as long as I had known her and now served as his Chief of Staff. The officious mare had always struck me as a sharp contrast with Vinyl’s much rougher personality.

Quill wrapped Vinyl’s glass in her own telekinetic field and placed it down on the piano. “Now, Vinyl. I don’t want you drinking too much. I hope I don’t have to remind you of what happened at the Cumulus estate?”

“Oh come on, that was years ago!” Vinyl grumbled, crossing her forelegs in front of her chest. “I know better now.”

Quill gave her daughter a level, unconvinced look that only a mother could give her daughter.

“Don’t worry, Quill.” Duke Night Light nuzzled Quill in an affectionate manner. “I already told the servants not to give Vinyl too much.” He looked at Vinyl with his yellow eyes that gave a sense of mischievous intelligence.

“Hey!” Vinyl protested. “I know how much I can handle!”

“Now enough talk about drinks,” Duke Night Light said, dismissing Vinyl’s objections without even bothering to address them. He wrapped a foreleg around our necks, inserted his head between ours. “I think I would like to hear somepony play the piano for a bit.” He gave Vinyl a wicked smirk. “I remember somepony’s first piano recital when she was a little filly.”

Vinyl spluttered, no doubt trying to think of a response to her more high-cultured past being revealed. I decided to strike during her moment of weakness, as was only proper. “D’aw. I bet she was so cute sitting there and playing the piano like a big filly.”

Duke Night Light nuzzled Vinyl’s face. The duke always was more of the touchy-feely type of pony. Especially by the usual uptight standards of most of the elite of Canterlot society. “She was absolutely adorable. She was so nervous that she was just about trembling at the thought of performing in front of everypony.”

Vinyl spluttered some more, and I couldn’t help but giggle at her dismay. “I only did it because Mom made me!”

“Now don’t be like that,” said Quill as she gave Vinyl a nuzzle opposite of Night Light. Vinyl looked like she might very well die of embarrassment based on the shocked and repulsed look on her face. “You always loved to play music and perform for others.”

“Can we not talk about when I was a filly?” Vinyl pouted. She looked around desperately for some escape from being embarrassed, but she was boxed in against the piano by Duke Night Light and her mother.

“But you were so precious as a filly.” Quill telekinetically pinched Vinyl’s cheek. “I can still remember the first song you wrote, all to show how much you loved me. You sang and everything for me. It was so adorable.” I suppressed a shudder at the idea of Vinyl singing. I had heard her try once, and it had sounded like a bag stuffed with cats and chalkboards slowly being lowered into a river. I supposed a mother’s love could make a great many things attractive where their children are involved.

Vinyl’s face became a mask of horror as she saw my widening grin, and I could see her realizing the blackmail material I had just gathered against her.

Duke Night Light smirked at Vinyl’s discomfort and gave her a familial squeeze. “Can’t say I disagree. You were always the enthusiastic type.”

I tried to suppress a laugh at my friend’s discomfort—I failed. Poor Vinyl’s white coat did nothing to hide her blushing.

Duke Night Light motioned towards the piano with the hoof wrapped around Vinyl’s neck. “Why don’t you play us a little something? It would be nice to see those piano lessons you got put to some good use. They didn’t come cheap, you know.”

Vinyl waved the idea off. “Nah, I think Tavi’s got it. She’s better at the piano anyways.”

“Why, Vinyl. Did you actually give me a compliment?” I asked as smugly as I could. There was no possibility I was going to let an opportunity for Vinyl to compliment my music to pass me by. It really was fascinating how one’s parents opened up so many weaknesses in a pony.

I could see the gears turn in Vinyl’s head to decide on a course of action, and in the end, she went with boastful. “Hey, the only reason you’re any better is because I’m rusty! I could totally blow you out of the water if I wanted to.”

“Oh you can, can you?” I shifted a little bit further down the bench to give Vinyl more room. “Prove it.” Vinyl really was too easy sometimes.

Vinyl growled, having been caught in a trap that could not be easily escaped. “Fine!” She rolled her fetlocks and shoulders to loosen them up. “You’re all terrible, you know that?”

I leaned an elbow on the top of the piano and grinned at my belabored friend. “Now, now. We just want to see you play the piano like when you were a little filly.” In truth, I hadn’t heard Vinyl play much of the piano, and what I had heard was her playing around with a few notes on my piano while she worked on a section of some song that had just come to her head. So I was quite curious to see her attempt an actual song.

Vinyl started out slowly, building a rhythm and clearly trying to regain a grasp of an atrophied skill. Her brows furrowed in concentration as the notes quickened in pace to form a soothing song, probably something Vinyl had practiced long ago when she was a filly, given it didn’t have the usual sound of her own boisterous music.

Duke Night Light smiled proudly and released his hold on me and Vinyl to stand behind us. “See, isn’t that nice?” Admittedly, it was quite the nice tune.

“Nice?” Vinyl snorted. “Let’s kick this up a notch so that I can show you something awesome!” With a frankly jarring transition, Vinyl started up a much quicker paced and jovial song you would normally expect to hear in some saloon in Appleloosa. The sudden change in musical style caused more than a few heads to turn our way.

Vinyl flashed me a grin as her hooves continued to fly over the piano. “See, this’s way better than the snooty, old, boring stuff you were playing a minute ago.”

“Now be nice, Vinyl,” Quill said reproachfully. She turned an appreciative smile my way. “Your friend plays quite well.” With all the maturity a six year old could bring to bear, Vinyl stuck her tongue at me from an angle her mother couldn’t see.

I gave Quill a respectful nod. “Thank you, Ms. Scratch. The piano isn’t my instrument of choice, but it is nice to play every once in a while for everypony.”

“No need to be so modest. We all certainly appreciate hearing such a talented young mare such as yourself,” Duke Night Light said in a way that could come across as flirty under the right circumstances. Granted, from what I had seen, he seemed to do that with a lot of mares he interacted with. Most really—possibly all, with a couple of notable exceptions. So I didn’t think much of it.

A grey mare stepped into the periphery of my vision. I turned my head to look at Duchess Sparkle, wearing a white magi cloak with violet stars on it, approach us to stand by her husband. I had to suppress those urges to properly stand up and address one of the most powerful—by more than one measure of such things—mares in Equestria.

“I’m going to have to agree with Nighty here,” Duchess Sparkle said, nuzzling Duke Night Light. “Why I remember when I first saw a brilliant filly who looked in danger of being crushed by her own instrument bringing tears to the eyes of an audience in the hundreds. It was easy to see even then that you were destined to be a great musician.”

It was true that the cello had been rather large for me when I had first taken it up to play. My parents had to carry it around in its case if we were going further than a hundred pony lengths for quite some time. I had looked a bit silly based on the pictures and drawings of me from back then, but the cello is what my muse called out for, so looking silly be cursed to Tartarus—I regret nothing. At least carrying around my cello, in addition to my usual daily exercises of running, cardio, and martial arts had helped make me quite fit and trim over the years.

I felt a slight blush warm my cheeks due to the complement. “Thank you, Duchess. That’s very kind for you to say.” I had to admit, even I was prone to moments of vanity. It was always nice to hear one’s music complimented at least occasionally. Especially when one was subject to the constant and merciless criticism of one’s fellow musicians, audiences, and the always-testy musical critics.

Duchess Sparkle shook her head. “Think nothing of it.” She turned to give Vinyl a smirk as Vinyl continued to hammer away at the piano. “And do my eyes and ears deceive me? Is that Vinyl actually playing the piano in who-knows-how-long?”

Vinyl tripped over a few notes and put on a sheepish smile. “Hey, everypony tricked me into playing.”

“You make it sound as though it was done through some great and convoluted scheme, Vinyl,” I teased.

“Evil, every one of you,” Vinyl grumbled.

Duke Night Light prodded Vinyl in the shoulder. “You’re happy to see your friend; don’t lie. I made sure to invite her so that you two could catch up.” He gave the two of us a knowing smile that could make a mare feel like there is a conspiracy coming from a mile away. “In addition to a few other reasons.”

Vinyl’s muscles gradually became less tense and relaxed and she smiled. “Heh, yeah, that’s pretty cool of you.” She took a moment to bump me in the shoulder. “Always good to spend time with Tavi. Even if she is stuck-up and snooty all the time.”

“I feel the love, Vinyl, I really do.” I suppressed the question of why I was friends with such an infuriating mare and gave Duke Night Light an inquisitive look. “If I may, can I ask what these other reasons were?”

Duke Night Light’s eyes brightened. “Of course. You two know that charity you both auditioned for a couple of weeks ago?”

I nodded. House Sparkle had requested I audition to play for a charity—one intended to help with the orphanage and foster care system, if I remembered correctly. From what I had heard, it had been neglected for a number of years before some scandal or another had brought attention to how badly it had degraded. Thus I had auditioned for a charity intended to help fund the orphanage system. I hadn’t heard back from the charity since my audition, but it seemed that was about to change.

Vinyl puckered her lips. “Yeah, what about it?” I knew that Vinyl had auditioned on the behest of the Sparkles as well. It was quite unusual for Vinyl and me to compete for the same job given our vastly different musical styles. That fact was actually quite a bit of a relief; it was comforting to know that the two of us wouldn’t normally compete and thus create any number of tensions between us. But it seemed that would not be the case here, which disturbed me slightly.

I knew of more than one friendship that had ended due to music career-related incidents. The harsh competition between too few jobs between too many ponies was more than many friendships could stand. That wasn’t even getting into the backstabs and manipulations that many saw as acceptable to promote one’s career. It could get quite disgusting at times.

I had seen more than one promising career brought to a premature end before it really began due to acts of sabotage and politics. With competition being so fierce in the musical world, many musicians weren’t willing to let skill alone determine who should win. I had been a victim of such heinous acts in the past myself.

I remember one particularly bitter incident during my childhood where me and my parents had left a concert hall to have a nice dinner, only to come back to find my cello smashed to pieces. I’m not sure who was more distraught: me over having the most precious object in the world to me destroyed, or my mother having to watch her filly’s innocence smashed like my instrument. If not for Lady Sparkle casting a powerful repair spell on the cello, I am not sure what I would have done.

Duke Night Light ran a hoof through his wife’s white-and-violet mane affectionately. “Mind if I tell them, dear?”

Lady Sparkle pecked her husband on the cheek. “Go ahead.”

Vinyl let out an exasperated groan and stopped playing to throw her forehooves up in the air. “Oh, come on! Tell us who won already!”

Duke Night Light motioned with his hoof for Vinyl to calm down. “Relax, Vinyl, relax. I have got some good news.” He smiled at the two of us. “You’ve both been chosen for the charity performance.”

“I’m so proud of you, honey.” Quill Scratch gave her daughter nuzzle and then a kiss to the forehead, causing Vinyl to look as though she were to gag.

Vinyl leaned away from her mother in order to avoid anymore maternal shows of affection. “Mooom, I told you not to do that in public! You’re totally cramping my cool image here!”

“Oh, hush.” Quill stepped up to give Vinyl another nuzzle. “Nopony’s going to care if you get a little embarrassed by your own mother.”

I frowned as I tried to figure out exactly what he meant. “You mean we’ll each be performing separately? As in half of the time will be devoted to each of us?”

He shook his head. “Actually, we were hoping you two could put on a performance together. As in, work together. You’re both fairly popular within your respective fields, and we were all hoping that by combining your popularity, we could maximize how much we earn for the charity. As far as I know, the two of you have never collaborated on a project, so a lot of ponies are going to be interest in seeing exactly what you two can come up with.”

My eyebrows rose at that suggestion. “Wait, you want me to perform,”—I pointed a hoof at Vinyl—”with her?”

Duchess Sparkle leaned against her husband. “That’s what my husband just said.”

I blinked as my brain process when I was being told. “But our music ... it’s so different. We’re just about on opposite ends of the musical spectrum.”

I didn’t want to say it out loud in order not to hurt anypony’s feelings, specifically Vinyl’s, but I had no great love for her brand of music. Her dubstep, electronic, or whatever else happened to be popular at the moment just didn’t appeal to me. I could, from an objective stance as a music critic, appreciate some of Vinyl’s songs and had found myself, begrudgingly, tapping my hoof to a couple. The problem was that, as a whole, I did not like the genres that made up Vinyl’s repertoire.

I also knew that the same was true for my friend where classical style music was concerned. The best neutral ground we could come up between us was just to tease the other over our preferred genres. The idea of trying to perform with Vinyl—and from what was being implied by the Duke, create a hybrid between our styles—did not sound like a pleasurable experience.

As was so often the case in our friendship, Vinyl took the opposite stance. “Awesome!” She enthusiastically wrapped a leg around my shoulders and gave me a rough shake. “Ya hear that, Tavi? We’re gonna have sooo much fun together!”

“Grand,” I groaned.

A light grey stallion and a pale yellow mare approached the piano with a purpose in their step. “Excuse us, but were you perhaps talking about the orphan charity concert?” asked Baron Jet Set. The Baron carried himself in a way that suggested self-importance, chin raised and posture stiff. His white and green sweater and small glasses also spoke of a pony, at least on the surface, with sophistication.

His wife, Baroness Upper Crust, carried herself in a similar manner in her pink sweater. In her case it made her appear to be condescending towards all around her. Though I might have been a bit biased based on the disapproving look she was giving me at that moment.

Baroness Upper Crust sneered before turning a disapproving frown to the group gathering around the piano. “Yes, did we hear right that these two”— from her inflection, one would think she were talking about some form of mold or perhaps a less developed form of insect, —“were the ones selected to perform for the concert?”

I chose not to rise to the Baroness’s tone of voice. I knew she was probably baiting me. I had a bit of a history with the two nobleponies, going back to when I first started performing as a filly; my parents had met with them in order to try and secure their patronage. Their requests had been, quite cruelly I might add, rebuked. A decade later, the two of them had offered to become my patrons. A cynical pony might say that it had something to do with me becoming a famous and widely respected cellist in the preceding decade. I may or may not have taken particular joy in telling them where they could shove their offer to be my patron. One could say there was a bit of bad blood between me and the Baron and Baroness as a result.

Duke Night Light smiled and nodded to the newcomers. If he was upset with the two of them, he didn’t show it, but I suppose you don’t become Grand Vizier of Equestria if you were easily upset by a couple of arrogant and generally unpleasant lesser nobles. “Indeed, we believe Octavia and Vinyl here are the best choices. They’re both popular and talented, and I’m sure they will put on a great show.”

“And what about Quaver?” asked Baron Jet Set, nodding to a light pink-coated mare chatting with a pair of ponies off to the side of the ballroom. “She auditioned too, if you will remember.”

I recognized the lyrist as a quickly rising star within the classical music community. I had talked to the mare on a couple of occasions and had not found her company to be to my liking. She was like most musicians in Canterlot, proud of their craft and determined to show her ability, and like all-too-many musicians in Canterlot, irritating to be around. Then there were all the less-than-savory rumors surrounding how she had gained her prominent position in the musical world. While I didn’t know if they were true or not where Quaver was concerned, I knew more than one fellow musicians who had used disreputable tactics to gain an edge over their competition. I believed a musician’s talent and ability should determine their success, and I found it distasteful to the extreme whenever I heard of examples of sabotage or blackmail.

Duke Night Light gave the Baron and Baroness a reassuring smile. “Quaver will be serving as a back-up performer, should something happen to Octavia or Vinyl and they are unable to perform.”

Baroness Upper Crust’s perpetual frown deepened. “So what you are saying is that she is not currently scheduled to perform?”

The duke let out an exasperated sigh. “No, she is not.”

“And why not?” Jet Set stepped up to the duke in a manner that could only be described as aggressive. “I assure you, Quaver is at least every bit the musician as Octavia. Not even mentioning...” He made a vague waving motion towards Vinyl. “Her.”

The pleasant smile Night Light had been maintaining up to this juncture swiftly became a deep scowl at the Baron’s derisive tone. “Are you insinuating something, Baron?”

Baron Jet Set looked at Vinyl with a sneer. “It’s just that I think her brand of music—and I’m using that term loosely where she is concerned—is hardly appropriate for this type of event.” He smiled in a way that conveyed neither warmth or friendliness. “I can’t help but think there were ... other factors in choosing her for the charity performance.”

Vinyl slammed her hooves on the keys of the piano, the disharmonious sound causing me to wince. “Hey! You dissin’ my music?”

Vinyl moved to stand up, but Duke Night Light placed his hoof on Vinyl’s shoulder and pushed her back down to the bench. “Vinyl,” he said in that tone one used to warn somepony they were about to do something very stupid. She looked like she was about to shout a protest when Night Light moved his hoof to her lips to keep her from speaking. “Let me handle this, please.”

Vinyl scowled, and her gaze met her mother’s. Quill gave her daughter a slight shake of her head. For once, it seemed that Vinyl decided discretion was the better part of valor and settled back into her seat and crossed her forelegs over her chest.

I had to envy the Grand Vizier and Quill’s ability to bring Vinyl to heel. I think I could have avoided a great deal of trouble in the past if I had been so capable of reining in my friend.

Vinyl dealt with, Duke Night Light turned back to his two less-than welcome guests. His tone had lost its traditional jovial friendliness and had become much more frigid and businesslike. “I assure you that both Octavia and Vinyl were chosen only after the most careful consideration for what was best for the charity drive.”

Baroness Upper Crust gave Night Light a fierce glower. “Are you so sure about that?” Her dismissive gaze turned to me. “I couldn’t help but overhear Octavia herself raise up a couple of objections for why those two performing together probably won’t work.” I had a feeling the Baroness had used some sort of eavesdrop spell to monitor the conversation I had been conducting. Otherwise I couldn’t see how Baroness Upper Crust could have overheard what we were saying from where she had been in the ballroom.

I ground my teeth together as I felt everypony’s gaze turn towards me. I now found myself in a precarious position: I had agreed to audition for the charity for my patrons, believing that I would either do a solo performance or perhaps with some other more classically minded musicians. Vinyl was a different matter entirely. We would somehow have to find a hybrid form of music that would compliment both of our respective styles and make it appealing to those who were going to be buying tickets for the charity performance. I wasn’t even sure it could be done.

I had never worked with Vinyl in the past, preferring to keep my friendship with her and my professional life separate. It was a reflexive instinct on my part given how many times I had been hurt by ponies in the music business I had considered friends or compatriots in the past. I hadn’t been hurt by everypony I had met over the course of my career, but I had been stung enough times to justify my desire to keep my friends and my career separate where I could.

But that all brought me to this moment. By backing me both for the audition and publically, the Sparkles had, for more than a few ponies around the ballroom were now paying attention to the vigorous discussion we were having, put their reputations on the line. Reputation was no small thing in Canterlot. It was based on reputation of my patrons and my own ability that helped get me as many auditions and roles I had in the past, and having that reputation tarnished could cause my career great harm. To express disapproval at their choice to back me and Vinyl would only harm their reputation in front of their peers.

My gaze briefly met Vinyl’s, and I could see that she saw the same thing I did. Vinyl was many things, but stupid wasn’t one of them—as much as her boisterous and uncouth mannerisms might suggest otherwise. That meeting of gazes also made me realize something else, agreeing with the Baron and Baroness would also mean I did not have confidence in my best friend.

I made my choice.

“You’ll have to excuse the exact wording of my past statement,” I stated diplomatically to everypony gathered. “I was merely surprised by the sudden announcement that I had been chosen to perform and that I would be working with Vinyl.” I smiled and nodded to my friend. “I’m sure we will manage a masterful performance that will please everypony who comes to the concert.” After a moment I realized I nearly forgot something. “Oh yes, and I want to help the orphans. Just putting that out there.”

Vinyl wrapped a foreleg around my shoulders, bringing the two of us close together. “Hay yeah, we’re gonna help the orphans!”

Duke Night Light gave me and Vinyl an appreciative smile. “You see? We’ll be fine.”

Baron Jet Set snorted condescendingly. “If you say so, Duke. Just don’t say that nopony warned you should anything go wrong. Our Quaver will be ready to pick up the pieces, in any event.” He moved to leave, and his wife stepped to keep up with him. “By your leave, my wife and I really must get going. We thank you for inviting us.” From his tone, one would swear the Sparkles had invited him and his wife to crawl on broken glass for the evening instead of a polite social gathering.

After the Baron and Baroness had departed, Vinyl groaned loudly for everypony present. “Wow, what a couple of plotheads.”

Quill fixed her daughter with a reproachful look. “Vinyl, language.”

“Well, they are.” Vinyl hammered down the rest of her drink, probably to help forget the latest unpleasantness.

Quill placed a hoof on Vinyl shoulder. “Whether somepony is or isn’t is besides the point. You know how to be polite.”

Vinyl probably would have started up an argument with her mother, but I decided to get to a more important matter. “Vinyl, we really do need to start making plans for this concert. It is in only ... two weeks?” I looked to the Sparkles, and they both nodded.

Duchess Sparkle levitated a pair of papers to me and Vinyl. “I’ve made arrangements for you two to have access to the Canterlot Royal Concert Hall’s facilities for the next couple of weeks, should you need them.”

I looked over the paper and saw it was a performer’s pass for the Concert Hall. “Thank you. I’m sure we will put these to good use.”

Vinyl stretched out her back and jumped off the bench. “Kinda need time to set up all my stuff anyways. Never cool to have to set everything up at the last minute.”

“Right, we really do have a lot of work to do.” As I examined the pass, I couldn’t help but think over the great deal of trouble I had likely just gotten myself into. We had only a couple of weeks, in addition to my normal workload, to write entirely new songs based on musical styles that are polar opposites of one another and make them acceptable for the elite of Canterlot society.

“Don’t be all glum.” Vinyl jabbed me in the shoulder. “This is going to be a lot of fun. I’ve always wanted to make some sweet tunes with you.”

I gave my friend a smile that I hoped wasn’t strained. “Right. I’m sure it will be great.”