Written by and used with the express permission of EquestrianKirin

*BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP*

My hoof drifted up and around for a bit, trying to get that wretched beeping sound to stop from my alarm clock. Darn it, i can't find it!...well, i did, but instead of stopping the clock, it just fell on the floor.

Great.

"Ugh, off. Off!"

One right hit with my hoof, and it's off. Finally, that noise had ceased. In the name of Celestia, I'd wish Canterlot didn't invent such things. Keep them in Manehattan, why dontcha?!

Unable to venture back into the dreamscape, I managed to haul myself out of bed. A bit unsettled, but, hey it works. I had a mirror right next to my bed, where i saw that dark blue, grey mane Pegasus stallion. With his Cutie mark of cello and moon on the flank, and hair in a mess!

Better fix that. However, the fact I didn't have a horn to manipulate the comb with, and hooves aren't the best uses for picking up and using a brush, no claws or talons to use like griffins do. Well, at least it wasn't that bad, and a few strokes was all it took to get my hair done right, nice strokes back and rounded out up front. Guess i got that from Mom...Oh well, my plans weren't up much today...I think...

After handling my hair and mane, I went off downstairs, trying to keep myself awake until I get my morning tea (yes, tea, not coffee). Guess when it came to Canterlot's standards, my home was rather average for the rich. Wide open, fancy, expensive, the usual necessities. I managed to find, and make my tea after some search in my high-class kitchen, making sure not to spill a drop on my clean floor. I could've swore I was forgetting something for that day, but, what exactly? I couldn't put my hoof on it, but, I thought there was something to do...Before i could really recall what exactly it was, my eyes drifted off to the calendar on my fridge...hm...Wednesday...wait...WAIT!
"Oh my goodness, the theatre!"

How could I be so stupid?! I had this important performance I had to handle, and that's tonight! Oh buck, I better get myself up and ready. I know, it's early in the morning, but, the theatre's quite a ways away, and I needed the spare time to practice before my performance anyway. Soon after the tea, my mad dash lead me back upstairs, to my bedroom closet. I didn't realize how much force my hoof done to the door, hearing it slam, as I quickly managed to discover my Violin case, violin inside.

Thank Celestia! My violin, my pride and joy, a gift from my mother, the famous cello player Octavia. She gave me the Violin for my 6th birthday, and it meant a TON to me. Besides, my Mom's going to be there to watch the performance as well, so, I best not ruin it.
"Good, nothing tainted. Time to go," I thought, as I wrapped the Violin's harness around my waist, and went off on my way outside. Guess the importants of planning come from my other Mom too.

Yes, I said OTHER Mom. I know what you're thinking; one woman helped take care of the other...nope, it's exactly what it sounds like: I have 2 mothers, and no father. A bit of an enigma that I'm here, that'd the case, my mothers being lesbians and all that. First mom's Octavia, told you about that, but then my other mother (ready for this) is actually princess Luna! Crazy, I know but, where else did I get my wings and dark blue fur from? As for how I ended up here...well, let's just say magic is pretty...Dynamic...yeah, we'll go with Dynamic for now. One could even say Magic made me exist to begin with.

~ ~ ~

Canterlot itself was already rather busy by the time I'm up, out, and on my way towards the Theatre. My trot went on rather well as I went down the road. I would normally fly, but, I get a bit tired out a little too easily went flying, and last thing I wanted was to be winded and sweaty once I arrive. There were other sophisticated ponies that went on pass me, handling their own business too. I don't mind too much, but, sometimes I'd prefer a straight path over a curved one, and that's rough with a number of ponies in your way.

"Okay, keep on your hooves, Dusk, you'll get there in no time," I told myself, trying not to get in anypony's way. At least, I'm hoping not. However, one bump into a stallion kinda made me a bit off track.

"Pardon me, sir," I immediately said, almost instinctively, as I checked my precious violin case for any scratches or bumps.

None.

Good.

The stallion in front of me walked pass with a nod, my eyes kind of watching him...he looked fine for a stallion...nice flank, too...ARGH, focus!, Dusk!

Yeah, I've kind of fell in the homosexual pit too, I prefer Stallions from mares, but, be honest. If you grew up with 2 lesbian mothers with no taught over heterosexuality whatsoever, and seeing how being in love with the same gender is normal, you'd probably end up feeling a bit homo too. But, I don't have time to think about that, I got places to go and performances to make! My trot began to turn into a gallop as the pressure began to settle in. Time's ticking, Dusk, get those hooves moving. The ponies by me were making it rough to run through, AND trying to avoid getting myself and my Violin unharmed. To me, this is VERY important, I shan't be late for such an event!...Oh, if I could just -

*WHAM*

So much for vision, didn't even notice the pony in front til I ran into her. I felt my violin case go flying in the air, as I picked myself up off the street concrete. I could hear my case bounce down the street about 4 times before it stopped, landing on the front. Oh sweet Luna! My mad dash was a bit unnecessary, but, my violin could be shattered after that! The case swung open, as i made the life-saving inspection...

Nothing.

...wait...

"No!"

Oh crud. The violin itself looked the same, but the strings had been snapped! What am I going to do?! I bit my lower lip as my mind raced around for 5 seconds. Without much other thought, I closed the case, got it back on, and made like a rocket and took off to the Theatre. I'm sure I could think of something when I get there...

~ ~ ~

...I didn't think of something when I got there.

I was in the backroom, in one of those rooms where the stars go to prep up. My room looked rather the same as a regular prep room should be, mirror, tuxs nearby, and a stool so I could practice. I made sure to keep the door shut behind me, as I tried to think over what to do about the strings. The strings snapped off in various places, depending on the string.

"Okay, okay, you can fix this," I told myself, trying to motivate myself. I looked to my clock: 5:30.

Good, I got plenty of enough time to practice my full a cord (and fix my Viola) before it'll be time, I can figure something out, this should be an easy fix, just a few strings...very, important strings...

"Okay, one idea."

My hooves and mouth went off to work on the violin, trying my best to work out each string in the proper place. Tie by tie, getting it just right so there wasn't any bulge to interrupt the strokes while I'm playing. It took a few agonizing minutes of try and re try, but, the work paid off...maybe. The strings were in one piece, anyway. I sat down on my stool, the violin in hoof, and I began to try out my cords.

So far so good...

*SNAP*

nevermind. The strings whacked my muzzle...Ouch...I rubbed my muzzle, which turned red from the whipping strings, as my mind started to comprehend what happened: the strings wrapping didn't work. All that work getting the strings to attach together in the first place took a good 20 minutes out of my practice time! 5:50 now, and the performance itself starts at 7:00! I got at least an hour, I need some help!

NOW!...Just hope no one else knows.

*knock**knock**knock*

Speak of the devil.

All i could do was hide the broken Violin behind me as another pony came into my room. So much for privacy until the time would come. And even worse, it just so happened to be Octavia, my mother. She would usually come to see me before a performance before when I'm with others, and I was hoping she wouldn't be here to see what happened...Looks like I'll need to work on some words.

"Hey, mom!"

"Hello, sweetie. I'm so proud that you're handling the solo performance."

"Yeah, thanks. Me too."

So far, so good. Keep it up, Dusk.

"Are you going to be okay?"

"Yeahsureillbefine."

Crap, too fast. And my other's questionable look told me so.

"Is everything alright?"

Think Dusk, think!

"Okay, I maybe a little bit nervous about it..."

Good save. I felt my mother's hoof rest on mine.

"Don't be so worried, honey. I've gone through this same thing when I was young, just like you, and I've managed to make it," Octavia told me. I could feel sweat going down my forehead.

"I know, you told me that already many times. Thanks, now I'm a bit busy, I'll get myself -"

"What happened to your violin?"

Oh buck, she saw it. So much for that, she could see the strings broken up on it, clear as day. I could feel my heart race as worry shot through me on what she would say: it was her gift to me years ago!...But, why is she smiling about it?

"Here honey, I think I can help," she told me, walking pretty close to me...

"Really? But how can - ACK!"

What the heck? My mom just pulled out a couple of my hairs! What was that for, I kept my mane in check, I didn't need it yanked out. Oddly, she stood near my violin, hairs in her teeth, and started doing...something, I couldn't tell from behind her. I heard a few tweaks, or something like that, and then she back away. The Violin, it'd been fixed!

"Wha? Oh my goodness - thank you!"

My mother gave me a wink.

"No trouble at all. Sorry I had to pull off your hair, honey."

"Yeah, why'd you do that? That hurt!"

"Because this is your instrument, dusk. Now it's apart of you," Octavia said, just before leaving. A bit odd to hear, but, I understand what she was getting at. Wish she didn't use my hair though, regardless. But, at least the Violin's fixed.

~ ~ ~

Time ticked away, practice proved well, and soon before I even realized it, it came. Time to begin. I could feel myself getting sweaty again, trying to dry off as I walked onto the stage. The red curtains were still up, so I got time to settle down on the stool in the middle of the stage, and get myself set up. My hooves balanced the violin in front of me, as I could hear the lead announcer in front. I couldn't exactly hear what he said, yet, I knew what was coming. Soon after the announcer had finished, the curtains moved away, revealing myself to the crowd around me. So many ponies, all high class, were there to watch my performance, including Octavia in the front. I gulped upon the sight, and the spotlight shined right on me, so everypony could see me. My eyes met up with my mothers, whom looked to me with a gentle, reassuring smile. It helped, but not enough to completely remove my worry.

I need to get this.

With violin in hoof, eyes closed to focus, I begun to play my tune. The song I was supposed to play was similar to a sort of "Coltzart no.5" flow, one I myself had some slight trouble with, but so far, the music itself seemed to be rather well to my own ears. I was just hoping the others watching me agree with it. The song continued to play on through, which felt like forever to compose, my hoof moving side to side in almost a smooth wavy motion, as the musical notes continued to play through to the audience, and my mother as well. Course, she's gonna give her support, but I wasn't sure with the others. I continued to envision the way it goes inside my brain, making sure not to open them as I continued, not wanting to remind myself on where I was. I couldn't tell if anyone was smiling at me, or simply scolding me in their head...
Something didn't sound right as I was playing. The song was spot on, sure, but, the strings they...felt straining. I think...oh no, not here, not now! The same sounds my own strings made just before they snapped off! This isn't good, but, I couldn't stop now! I continued to play through my tune, starting to quicken the pace so I could get done before the strings break, and boy was it a bother! I must continue, I have to! In the name of Celestia, please don't break on me, I'm so close!...

..............................

...I'm done...

I've finished my solo composure. I opened back up my eyes, seeing the crowd applaud me. I done good...I did it.

Great job, Dusk Midnight Melody.

However, as i bowed, i could still hear the string strain from the play. As soon as those curtains closed...

*SNAP*

...Again...ouch...