Chapter 2

The gravestone had fresh flowers spread around it in elaborate vases. Scratch could smell their pleasant scent and she instantly knew that Maxim had been frequently visiting the grave on a regular basis. As he placed a new bouquet of lilies in an already filled crystal vessel, Scratch felt unexpected tears well up. She had not know Symphonia as well as she had hoped and she hadn’t even cried during the funeral all those years ago. She squelched the urge to cry and continued to listen to the birds chirping in the trees.

“I don’t think she ever truly forgave me,” Maxim stated quietly.

Scratch turned to face him quizzically. Maxim noticed her confused look and continued.

“Octavia,” he smiled half-heartedly. “I think she still blames me for Symphonias death. She might not show it but I feel the coldness in her eyes and voice whenever we talk about her mother.”

Scratch had noticed the slight icy tone in her sister’s voice as well but had thought it best to not say anything.

“I don’t think she blames you,” Scratch replied sincerely.

“She might not blame me but I think she holds me partially responsible,” he said through a sad chuckle.

The barely audible rumble of thunder sounded on the breeze and Scratch used it as an opportunity to draw the depressing scenario to a close.

“I think it is going to rain soon,” she warned Maxim.

Maxim understood that his daughter was uncomfortable in emotional situations so he pulled himself away from his wife’s grave and pushed Vinyl back to the Trotillac carriage. He helped Scratch up into her seat, put the wheelchair in the back and sat down next to her.

“You hungry?” Maxim asked when they got back to the road.

“A little,” Scratch replied. “Pancakes sound good right now.”

“Should we head to your favorite place then?” The stallion seemed back to his cheerful self.

“Of course!” Scratch squealed with excitement. “To Buttercake’s Pancake House!”

“My sister had twins this past week,” Buttercake, the owner of the restaurant, was saying. “Sweetest little things you ever set yer eyes on! They inherited the Unicorn and Pegasus traits of the family though.”

“Does your sister still live in Ponyville?” Maxim asked. He had barely touched his pancakes.

“Yep,” Buttercake replied enthusiastically. “Still owns that bakery with her husband.”

“I might have to stop by there sometime,” Scratch said as she pulled her father’s food toward her and proceeded to devour it.

Maxim watched her, shook his head and smiled. “I thought you were going to watch your weight?”

Scratch stopped mid bite and put the fork down. “Oh yeah, I have that photo shoot in a few weeks for that one magazine.”

“That one magazine?” Buttercake asked.

“Don’t remember what it was called,”Scratch shrugged. “Never read it of course so I don’t really care. They givin’ me money and possibly interviewing me so I’m happy.”

“A magazine that takes your picture, that you have never read and does not guarantee an interview?” Maxim asked critically. “Sounds like either a fashion magazine or a magazine that stallions have a fancy for.”

Scratch’s cheeks turned red. “No! I am not doing a shoot for Sugar Mare Magazine!”

“I’m not saying you don’t have the body for it,” Maxim said nonchalantly through his coffee.

The unicorn’s cheeks became deep scarlet as she struggled to find words.

“But don’t take that as an approval from me to go and expose your,” Maxim searched for an appropriate word. “Elegance to the male population.”

Scratch’s face was completely red now. “I-I have no intention to do anything like that!”

Maxim nodded but didn’t seem convinced. “If you say so. But you do have the habit of playing the bad girl, per say. Remember high school? You dated fourteen different stallions! And don’t get me started on college.”

“I never did anything with them!” Scratch argued. “The reason I dumped them was because they wanted more from me than a cuddle or occasional kiss.”

“Hmm,” Maxim remained unmoved in his opinion.

“I’m still a virgin!”

It was Maxim’s turn to blush. The other ponies in the restaurant turned towards them and stared. Buttercake decided that she could no longer serve any purpose in the conversation so she edged away and moved to another table.

Maxim coughed awkwardly. “Well, that is-uh, good to know.”

Scratch heard other ponies mumbling amongst themselves and decided that she was done eating.

“I need to get home and take my pain medication,” Scratch said as she slouched down in her seat and tried to ignore the talk around her.

Maxim nodded, “let's go home and we can act like this conversation never happened.”

The bittersweet music was starting to drive Scratch crazy. She had been at the house for two weeks and the only music her father had played was sorrowful tunes with his violin. Maxim had told her that he was making a score for a play but Scratch didn’t believe him. What kind of sad, boring play would have so many depressing songs in it?

One morning when a particularly depressing song wafted in her room she decided to liven up the creativity of her father’s mind. She limped down to the cluttered sitting room and smiled lovingly at him as he finished up the song. When he pulled the bow across the strings one last time he looked at her and tilted his head in curiosity.

“I know that smile,” he said with a laugh. “You want to do something.”

“Lets make a song,” she replied with the excitement of a filly. “You and me, mix our genres together and form something awesome!”

Maxim thought about her proposition for a moment, then shrugged. “Sure.”

“Yay!” Scratch squealed. “I will go get my stuff!”

Half an hour later, with some help from Thyme, they had Scratch’s turntable and other equipment set out. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Maxim spoke.

“Where should we start?” He asked.

Scratch thought for a moment. “I dunno.”

“Here,” he lifted his violin. “After I play a few lines join in and try to add your own heart to it.”

He pulled the bow across the strings and a sad tune that still had a hint of joy filled the room. After a few moments she joined in with equally emotional notes. The two ponies poured their sorrow into their music. As Scratch played the memories of the struggles in her life filled her mind. But she still held onto the spark of joy, the happiness she felt when the pain of those battles had fallen away. Scratch soon developed the urge to sing and she let the words flow out of her.

“Standing in the light

Shadows in your eyes

Careful, they ignite

the tears of your cries

You try to ignore

The pain you feel now

all that was good

has faded to dust

I see your pain though I can’t see you

I hear your screams when you are silent

There is so much that you tell the world

Without even saying anything

I hear it all the same

Though we hide sorrow

Behind a sweet play

Just hope tomorrow

Washes them away

But the hurt lingers

And memories rise

The world around you

suddenly feels cold

I view your pain though I can't see you

I hear your screams when you are silent

There is so much that you tell the world

Without even saying anything

I hear it all the same

Yes my love, I view your pain though I can't see you

I hear your screams when you are silent

There is so much that you tell the world

Without even saying anything

I hear it all the same”

They finished the song and sat in silence for a few minutes. Scratch choked back her rising emotions but she could hear Maxim sniffle a few times as his eyes watered. Eventually he spoke.

“You do have a lovely voice,” he said softly. “You need to sing more often.”

"Thank you and I probably will.” Scratch smiled then put on a more serious tone and face. “Father, I was thinking.”

“That's always a good thing,” he chuckled.

Scratch laughed too then continued. “I want to adopt.”

Maxim sat back in surprise. “So that is why you asked me if you would make a good mother.”

Scratch nodded. “Octavia thinks it would be a bad idea.”

“I would have to agree with her as well,” Maxim stated. “But only for the fact that you are immature and your life of fame might be too much. And that you would be a single mother.”

“The fact that I’m blind isn’t a reason?” Scratch asked critically.

“You know I never judged your capabilities off of that,” Maxim sounded hurt. “It is ultimately up to you. I still hold to what I said, you would be an amazing mother but I don’t think the circumstances are in favor right now.”

The unicorn nodded as Maxim continued. “So Octavia said you would make a horrible mother?”

Scratch laughed. “Pretty much.”

“That girl would find any fault in a mare as an excuse to call somepony a bad mother.” Maxim shook his head. “But having the perfect mother probably would do that to a pony.”

He sighed then stood.” I am going to make some tea. Want some?”

“I don’t like tea remember?” Scratch replied.

“Very well. Lemonade?”

Vinyl smiled a response as he walked out of the room. When he was gone she started to run the song they just played through her head, trying to remember every note and word. She noticed a pony enter the room. From the now familiar hoofsteps she knew it was Thyme.

“Hey,” she said in his general direction.

“Hello,” he replied. “I couldn't help but overhear the song you and Mr. Maxim played.”

“Oh, it was something we made up just now,” she replied with a passive smile. “I’m actually trying to remember the notes. It gets hard remembering music sometimes when everything has to be in your head.”

“Maybe I could help you,” he said.

“Do you know how to write music?” She stared at him. Her sunglasses glinted in the light.

“Yep,” he beamed. “Your father actually taught me. I know how to play the piano too.”

“Hmm,” she rubbed her chin in thought. “Thyme, what do you look like? I never asked you.”

He seemed surprised but indulged her curiosity. “I am deep green pegasus with a dark yellow and blue mane if you want to know. Yes, it’s surprising that I’m a pegasus when the rest of my family is either earth or unicorn ponies.”

Scratch nodded in agreement. “If you want to help me put this on paper feel free.”

“Gladly.”

As they worked on putting the music onto the pages, Scratch’s mind wandered. The urge to pay a visit to an old friend growing.

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You know what would be really cool? If I had music to go along with the song. (Hint hint to all you musically inclined people)