Muskrat Love

By Alaborn

Standard disclaimer: This is a not for profit fan work. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is copyright Hasbro, Inc. I make no claim to any copyrighted material mentioned herein.

“Oh, hello, Sam!”

It was late in the evening, and Fluttershy was thrilled that the scratching at her door was one of her cute animal friends. The muskrat she named Sam happily chittered.

“Well, of course you can come in.”

The muskrat wiggled between Fluttershy’s forelegs. She blushed. “You don’t have to thank me. Now, is your den all nice and cozy?”

Sam chirped happily. Then he fell silent. His ear twitched, and he swiveled his head. He dashed across the floor of Fluttershy’s cottage, scampering up the wall and looking out the window. He chittered excitedly.

Fluttershy trotted over the window. Another muskrat was nervously approaching the cottage. “Is that your little friend Susie?” Fluttershy asked.

Sam chirped again. “You’re going to ask her to be your special somepony? Why, that’s wonderful! I think it calls for a special treat.”

Fluttershy headed to her kitchen. In the icebox, she found some cheese, a favorite of Sam. For the two of them, though, she thought they deserved something very special. She carefully dug out a bundle sealed in wax paper.

Fluttershy wrinkled her muzzle at the unpleasant odor as she cut off a small amount of the cured meat. But her omnivore and carnivore friends needed to eat too, and besides, Applejack’s pig Wilbur lived a long and happy life.

She placed the meat and cheese on a plate and carried it into her living room, setting it on the floor before Sam. He chirruped questioningly. “Of course you can eat it. Have as much as you want. Sam, you’re so skinny!”

Fluttershy smiled as she saw Susie poke her head over the windowsill. “Come on in. You’re always welcome,” she said warmly.

Fluttershy extinguished the lamp, leaving the room lit only by a candle. She knew muskrats didn’t like a lot of light. She watched as the two muskrats shared the food, nibbling on bacon, chewing on cheese. Sam looked in Susie’s eyes and chittered. Susie smiled and nuzzled Sam affectionately.

The two muskrats shimmied, remaining muzzle to muzzle. Sam started to rub Susie’s toes, and Fluttershy suddenly realized that her two animal friends needed some quiet time alone. “You two stay as long as you want,” she said as she blew out the candle.

Her heart soaring, Fluttershy flew up her stairs, landing in her soft bed. Nothing made her happier than the joy of her animal friends. It was a pure and simple delight that she wanted to share with everypony, but would forever remain her secret. She sung gently to herself, nonsense syllables at first, but soon forming words inspired by her two animal friends.

She bolted upright. Maybe this doesn’t have to remain my secret, she thought. She found a paper and quill and started writing the song in her heart.

The next day, Fluttershy had her weekly spa date with Rarity. The two mares relaxed in the sauna, stretching out on the wooden benches and soaking in the glorious heat. The heat and the smell of the warm wood calmed the shy mare, and she felt ready to fall asleep.

Rarity levitated another ladle of water onto the hot stones. The water sizzled and quickly evaporated. Fluttershy lifted her head.

“So how have you been, dear?” Rarity asked. “Anything new happen around the cottage?”

“Oh, everything’s fine,” Fluttershy responded. “My animal friends are happy and, um….”

“Yes, Fluttershy?”

“Um… ahh….” Fluttershy tried to hide behind her mane, but she could still feel Rarity watching.

“So, something new did happen?”

“I… I wrote a song,” Fluttershy whispered.

“A song? Well, I think that’s wonderful, and I for one would love to hear it.”

“Um….” Fluttershy looked around, even though it was quite clear she was alone with Rarity.

Rarity knocked her hoof on the wooden wall of the sauna. “This sauna is quite well constructed. You could sing as loud as you want, and Aloe and Lotus won’t know. Trust me, Fluttershy. I know how soundproof the sauna is.”

A flush rose on Fluttershy’s face, one unrelated to the heat of the sauna.

Rarity’s eyes opened wide, and she found herself blushing as well. “Oh, sorry, dear. I’m afraid I didn’t mean it in quite that way. All I’m saying is that you should not be afraid to sing. And I would love nothing more than to share in the beauty of your voice.”

“Um, okay.” Fluttershy closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She started to sing, quietly but beautifully, the joy she felt shining through her lyrics. While she hadn’t thought of a melody, one naturally came to her as she shared her song with her close friend.

Fluttershy opened her eyes once she finished. “What did you think?” she asked.

“Oh, it was quite the lovely song,” Rarity said.

“Do you think the Ponytones would like to sing it?”

“Oh. Ah.” Rarity paused, searching for the right words. “It’s not the right style for the Ponytones.”

“Oh.” Fluttershy curled up.

“My dear Fluttershy, if I may explain. You remember when you were our, ahem, temporary bass singer, right? Do you remember the song you sang? How you sang it?”

“I sang just parts of it.”

“Exactly. The Ponytones’ music is all about harmonizing, about the interplay of the singers. Your song needs just one singer, and piano music behind it. If you were to record it, I dare say it could play on the radio.”

“I’m afraid I don’t know how to play any instruments,” Fluttershy said.

“Who said you need to play? I happen to know an excellent pianist,” Rarity said. “And after we’re done here, I’m going to introduce you to him.”

“Why are we stopping at Twilight’s palace first?” Fluttershy asked.

“You’ll see,” Rarity replied. They walked, hooffalls echoing off the crystalline walls of the palace. Without any official business going on, the palace was as quiet as the library that once stood there.

Rarity opened the door to the throne room. They found Spike there. The young dragon was dusting, wearing a familiar apron and an unfamiliar hat. When he saw Rarity, Spike almost fumbled the feather duster. But he recovered, standing proud and sucking in his gut. “Hi, Rarity! Hey, Fluttershy. Sorry, but Twilight’s not around right now….”

“That’s just fine, because you’re the dragon we want to see,” Rarity said. “Fluttershy wrote a song, and it needs music. Could you work your magic with the piano?”

“Could I?” Spike replied excitedly.

Rarity smiled. “Now, Spikey-wikey, I just came to make the introduction. I’ll let you and Fluttershy get to work. Ta ta!”

Now alone, Fluttershy ground her hoof into the floor nervously. “Good afternoon, Spike,” she started. “Um, nice hat.”

“Thanks!” Spike smiled. “Twilight and I went on a tour of the Equestrian Navy’s latest ship, and the captain gave me his hat! Pretty spiffy, huh?” He picked it up and twirled it on one claw.

“Yes, it’s very nice.” Fluttershy chose not to comment about how it looked in conjunction with the apron. “So how long have you been playing piano?”

“A really long time. Twilight’s mom gave me lessons first, and then Twilight made sure I kept up with it.”

“Has it been a long time since you played?” Fluttershy asked. “I mean, I don’t think there was a piano in the library….”

“Well, I haven’t played a piano proper since we left the castle. But Twilight made me something even better! Wait here!” Spike dashed off to his room.

Fluttershy waited. She heard the sound of rummaging, then something falling over, and an “Oof!” from the dragon. Spike returned, his hat somewhat askew, struggling under the weight of the object in his arms. It looked like the keyboard of a piano, but as part of a black box with all kinds of switches and dials.

“That’s your piano?” Fluttershy asked.

“Better! It’s a magic piano! It can be played just like a piano, but it can sound like other instruments too. It can even make funny noises!”

“Okay. Rarity said my song needed piano, and she’s the one who knows music, so let’s try that first.” Fluttershy looked around the large throne room. “Is there someplace, you know, smaller where we could go?”

“Sure thing! Follow me.”

Spike took Fluttershy deeper into the palace, into a room that looked very familiar. Bookshelves lined the walls, and the familiar furniture from the bottom floor of the library was here. It was even arranged in the same manner!

“This is much nicer,” Fluttershy said.

“Can I hear your song now? Twi said you have a great voice, and I’m dying to hear it!”

Fluttershy looked around the room. Seeing they were alone, she said “Here it goes.”

And she sung, more confidently than before. The melody she had improvised returned to her mind, brightening her lyrics. She dared to open her eyes, and saw Spike nodding his head and tapping his foot in time.

Fluttershy ended the song with a few nonsense syllables, la da da da, and then a question. “Did you like it?”

“It was great, Fluttershy! It’s got a nice easy listening feel to it.”

“Easy listening?”

“You know, the kind of music ponies listen to when they want to feel good. There are entire radio stations devoted to that kind of music. Hey, maybe your song could play on the radio!”

“That sounds better than singing in front of everypony,” Fluttershy said.

“That’s right. But first, some music.” Spike pressed a button on the magic piano; several gems started to glow. He cracked his knuckles and rested his claws on the keyboard. He played some chords, but instead of the clear tones of a piano, it produced an unusual trilling sound.

“Sorry about that,” Spike said, laughing nervously. “Looks like I forgot to change it back from my last experiment.” He reached for one of the dials.

“No, wait!” Fluttershy yelled. “I like that. It sounds like my little animal friends. Can we… can we put that in the song? Like, in addition to the piano?”

“You mean like an instrumental break? Sure thing. You’re the songwriter, after all!”

Rarity’s next chance to talk to Fluttershy came at their subsequent spa date, where they soaked in the mud baths. Once Aloe and Lotus left the room, Rarity spoke. “So how did your little project with Spike go?”

“Oh, it was wonderful. Spike is such a good musician. I would hum, and he’d create the most beautiful music. It was just like the song I heard in my mind. And singing while he plays just makes me feel… well, it feels like I do when I’m helping my animal friends.”

“That only makes sense. It was quite clear you were inspired by them, after all.”

“Yes.” Fluttershy sighed and smiled. “It’s a feeling I wish the whole world could share.”

“Then I have just the thing,” Rarity said. “I’ve spoken to some of my contacts in Canterlot. First, you and Spike are going to make a proper recording of your song, in a studio. Then, I’ve asked a pony I know who works in A&R to listen to it. And if he likes it? Then perhaps the whole world will get a chance to share this feeling.”

By this point, Fluttershy had sunk deeper into the mud. Rarity shook her head. “My dear, remember what you said about sharing your voice with the world?”

“Um, baby steps?” Fluttershy replied.

“Yes. And I am asking you to take this baby step, to sing in front of this one pony, who is quite professional and very understanding of your worries. And from there, you can decide to take a second baby step, and let Equestria hear your record. You can stop after any one step. The studio time is my gift to you, regardless.”

Fluttershy looked at Rarity. Her smile was sincere, one she always wore when generously giving to her friends. It was an expression she couldn’t say no to. “I’ll do it,” she said. “For you. For Spike. And for little Sam and Susie.”

Fluttershy and Spike soon journeyed to Canterlot, a train trip they’d taken many times before, but never without at least one of their other friends. For Spike, especially, making the trip without Twilight Sparkle was a wonderful experience, one that made him feel more mature. And to prove it, he wore his captain’s hat proudly.

Fluttershy couldn’t help but feel a little nervous, but seeing her young friend happy helped calm her. She needed all the help she could get once the train arrived. She carried Spike’s magic piano on her back as they disembarked.

“Miss Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy looked up, spotting a silver unicorn stallion with a gramophone record cutie mark. The stallion raised a hoof in greeting. “Name’s Disc Record. Studio owner. Sound engineer. Frustrated musician. I wear many hats.”

“Nice to meet you, Mister Disc Record,” Fluttershy replied.

“And speaking of hats, you must be Spike the Dragon.”

“That’s Captain Spike the Dragon to you,” Spike said with a smile.

Disc Record chuckled. “The Captain and Fluttershy. Well, let’s head out.”

The trio made their way to a nondescript building, with only a small sign reading Disc Record Studios indicating what was inside. And what was inside impressed one dragon.

“Wow. That’s a lot of instruments!” Spike said.

“Part of my job is to have the tools to let the musician capture his vision. Sometimes, it’s a band that brings all their own instruments, but other times, it’s a singer who wants studio musicians to complete her song,” Disc Record explained. “Now, Rarity said your song has voice and piano?”

“That’s right,” Fluttershy replied.

“Actually, there will be two pianos,” Spike said. “I’ll play the studio piano for most of the song, and the one I brought has some special sounds for the instrumental break.”

Disc Record gave a low whistle. “That’s some mighty fine spellwork in that piano. Let me get a microphone set up for it.”

The recording room was already set up with a piano and microphone, and a bit of work readied Spike’s magic piano. Disc Record left and closed the door behind him. It left the room very quiet; not even the sound of the busy streets filtered into the room. The room had one window, showing another part of the studio.

Disc Record took a seat on the other side of the window. He spoke into a microphone; Fluttershy and Spike heard his voice through a speaker. “I want you both to be comfortable. You have the studio for today and tomorrow, and if you need additional time, rest assured that your friend Rarity is ready to support you. Before we record, would you like to rehearse?”

“Yes, I think that would be good,” Fluttershy said.

“Spike, I’m ready for you. Fluttershy, don’t stand too close to the microphone. Are you ready?” Disc Record said.

“I think so.” Fluttershy heard her nervousness reflected in her voice. She pawed the ground nervously.

Fluttershy looked up. Disc Record had lowered blinds over the window. Now it was just her and Spike.

“You can do it, Fluttershy!” the dragon cheered.

“Okay.”

Spike cracked his knuckles and placed his claws on the piano. The soothing melody played, and Fluttershy began to sing her song about her little muskrat friends.

Spending two days in a recording studio, singing the same song over and over again, wasn’t Fluttershy’s favorite thing. Even Spike, who loved playing music, was growing weary. But Fluttershy thought about her animal friends, particularly Susie and Sam, and their simple joy. To share that feeling with everypony, she would keep singing.

After many takes, they finally had one that everypony agreed was flawless. Disc Record suggested a rhythm element, and dubbed in a soft drum track. Fluttershy smiled as she heard the final record. It was perfect. She hugged Spike.

Before Fluttershy returned home, she met Fine Line, Rarity’s acquaintance and A&R pony from Canterlot Records. He also loved the song. And so, a week later, Fluttershy and Spike returned to Canterlot, this time with Princess Twilight Sparkle, to sign some paperwork. The details of the contract, for one single plus an option for two singles and an album, wasn’t as important to Fluttershy as was the knowledge that her song would be heard across Equestria.

Everypony could share the joy that Fluttershy’s animal friends gave her. And that first royalty check would go a long way to helping even more animal friends.

“And that was the hit song by The Captain and Fluttershy. You’re listening to EEZL, Canterlot’s home for all your soft rock hits. After the break, another twelve straight!”

Fluttershy turned off the radio and went back to feeding her animals. She had rarely listened to the radio before this; she wasn’t sure what her animal friends would think. But every time they heard her song, they all chittered happily.

“Yes, yes, that was me singing. Why, thank you. Oh, you’re too kind,” she said.

Somepony knocked on that door. “Now, who could that be?”

Fluttershy wasn’t expecting any of her friends to visit, and she definitely wasn’t expecting the pony on the other side of her door. “Oh, hi, Mr. Fine Line.”

“And a good day to you, Miss Fluttershy.” He looked around the cottage. “I can’t say this is the most unusual home I’ve ever seen for one of my musicians….”

“Oh, I’m not a musician. I’m just a pony with a song to sing.”

“And we at Canterlot Records would like to hear more of your songs. We’d like to bring you and Captain Spike in to record a follow-up single.”

Fluttershy looked around her cottage, uncertain. But she saw her animal friends nodding vigorously. “I’ll do it. Um, if Spike also wants to, I mean. But… I don’t have another song.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. I’ve brought a demo from one of our songwriters. Do you have a phonograph?” Fine Line asked.

Fluttershy nodded. “It’s in the corner.”

Fine Line placed the record on the phonograph and dropped the needle in place. Fluttershy stood and listened.

“Well, what did you think, Miss Fluttershy?”

“It’s a lovely song, but I don’t think I can sing it. I didn’t write it.”

“Are you certain?” Fine Line asked. “Willow Gracestone, the writer of the song, is a good friend of mine. Songwriting is his special talent, and he loves nothing more than to have somepony record his song. And he and I both agree that you would be perfect.”

“Oh, I don’t have a problem with singing somepony else’s song,” Fluttershy explains. “It’s just this song. I didn’t write it. So wouldn’t it be terribly dishonest for me to sing it, when the song is called I Write The Songs?”

Author's Notes:

The song is, of course, this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBYV_7a0FQs

It's a cover, but the version by Captain & Tennille is the most successful, and the one most worth parodying. And the song mentioned at the end was first recorded by the duo, but best known for the version by Barry Manilow.

I heard this song recently, and thought "This is something Fluttershy would sing." And suddenly I had another one-shot story to write. Casting Captain was an obvious choice, since his last name is Dragon.

I'd like to dedicate this fic to my parents, who had Captain & Tennille's Greatest Hits on both vinyl album and CD. They even saw the duo perform live, on a cruise ship of all places, and got to request they perform this song.