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Symphony for Moon and Sun

by GrassAndClouds2

Chapter 19: Finale

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Octavia somehow made her way to the backstage area before lowering her cello, then slumping in exhaustion.

She’d run through the whole city of Canterlot, and with no downtime whatsoever, played one of the most demanding cello compositions ever written. Before that, she’d been practicing for sixteen hours a day and sleeping roughly on a cold stone floor. Even excluding the emotional rollercoaster she’d been riding, she was about ready to curl up in a real bed for a few days.

“Octavia! Tavi!”

Octavia rolled over to see Lyra running towards her. “Lyra!” She – who usually took pride in her imperturbability -- found the strength to run forward and embrace her friend. “She loved it!” she cried. “Did you see? She was crying!”

“I saw!”

Octavia laughed, pulling Lyra close. “Luna was crying! I was able to produce music so beautiful that even an alicorn… she’s heard millions of songs, and…” She couldn’t continue. “It’s all I ever wanted,” she managed.

“It was amazing, Octavia,” said Lyra. “Fantastic.”

Octavia wavered a little on her hooves, her last burst of energy already fading. “I don’t even know what to do now. I hadn’t dared hope I would make it past this concert—“

Lyra began to guide Octavia back to her cello so they could pack it up. “I knew you’d pull it off.”

Octavia nodded. “You stayed by me. Lyra, if there is anything you ever need, if I can possibly provide it—“

“Don’t worry about it,” said Lyra.

The two of them got the cello and bow packed up. Lyra slung it onto her back. “Alright, let’s head out of here.”

Octavia nodded. “Where are we going?”

“To your home.” Lyra smiled. “You need to sleep. In a real bed, Tavi.”

Octavia didn’t bother correcting Lyra about her name. “Sleep? But I’m too happy to sleep!” She laughed, an unusually uncontrolled sound from her. “I feel like I could play for…”

“Tavi.” Lyra smiled. “Come on. Even forgetting that piece, and whatever adventure you had on the way here – which you’re telling me all about later, by the way – you’ve been practicing for sixteen hours a day for the past two weeks. You’ve been sleeping in a drafty tower. You need a real bed.” Her voice was gentle, yet firm. “I’m going to lead you home, and you’re going to get a good night’s sleep.” Her voice grew teasing. “You just impressed Luna Herself. Even you have to concede that you deserve a night off now.”

Octavia grinned. “I suppose so.”

The cellist let Lyra lead her outside. She is the best friend I could hope for.

“Seriously, though, you’ve got to teach me to play that,” said Lyra. “Did you see their faces? I think everypony there loved it!”



Greengrass sighed. “Well, Notary, looks like I lose this one.”

“I’m sorry, sir.”

The nobles were whispering among themselves, most in complete astonishment. They had been preparing for a spectacular failure all week, and seemed to be having trouble processing what had happened.

“Oh, don’t be. If you don’t want to see the occasional reversal of fortune, the Game isn’t for you.” He shook his head. “Still, I have to admit that it’s grating to lose to Lulamoon. Her ally will likely go to work directly for Luna now. And I’m sure that Lulamoon will leak that the last pony who betrayed me got a huge boost, so I’ll need to worry about all my other servants.” He clapped his hooves briskly. “Well, no use whining about it. Come on, Notary. Let’s see if we can salvage anything from this.”

“Did you at least enjoy the music?”

“Of course, didn’t you? Remarkable. To be able to perform a song like that is a very rare thing.” Greengrass strode out into the hallway. “Honestly, if she wasn’t a traitor, I might have considered hiring her for my private residence.”

“Wouldn’t that require telling her where it was?”

“Yes… yes, good point.” He smiled wistfully. “But it would almost be worth it.”

They had reached a quiet hallway, with no ponies around. Greengrass assumed a businesslike look. “Alright. Octavia is certain to gain from this. That’s over and done with, and I can’t stop that.” He began to pace. “Normally, one would expect that I would benefit from my agent impressing the princess, but because of how diligently I’ve denied being involved with the concert, that can’t happen. I will look incompetent and weak before the Court for wasting this opportunity. Preventing that has to be my immediate concern.”

Notary watched as Greengrass thought for several moments. Eventually, the duke said, “I need to obtain some kind of benefit from this concert, but the Courtiers will never believe I was really involved, not after we went to such trouble to hide how I set it up.” He brightened. “Wait. Why focus on the Courtiers alone? Notary – are any representatives of Lime Stone Incorporated in town?” Lime Stone Incorporated was the company that had tried to move into his fiefdom and drive out his local businesses, the one that Greengrass had more or less toppled after setting up Octavia’s concert.

“Three of their top managers have Canterlot offices.”

“Perfect. Find the weakest one and bribe him. He’s to find me and start screaming about how my agent, Octavia, ruined his business in my fiefdom, and he’ll have revenge and so forth. Make sure some servants are in the room when he does this. They’ll tell their friends. Eventually, they’ll all think that Octavia ruined him for me, and this concert was my gift to her. After that, any servant, clerk, or even guard with a dream will know that, if they work for me, I might be able to make it happen.” Greengrass nodded. “If any nobles fall for that story, great. If they don’t, they’ll think I’m lying, but they’ll see that I’m benefitting from that lie because I’ll be getting more agents and spies in the Court. I’ll still look strong, then. That’s a partial win.”

“Sir, Octavia’s been in Canterlot for the past two weeks. Ponies who know that will know she wasn’t in your fiefdom.”

“Yes. Holed up practicing, where nopony could see her, and in a perfectly soundproof room. She could have been anywhere.” Greengrass smiled. “In fact, I think it would be very foolish to announce that she could play that piece without learning it advance, don’t you? She probably learned it months ago. Then, after she agreed to do a job for me, I graciously set up the concert. I even kept my name out of it, so ponies wouldn’t be distracted by thoughts of politics.” He nodded. “That story will work for the servants and clerks.”

Notary hesitated. “This is going to cost a lot of money. Bribing the manager will be very expensive, and also any other pony who saw Octavia during the four days that you were out of town…”

“I know.” Greengrass shrugged. “Like I said, this plan failed. But I think I can still gain from this, even if it costs me some money. If ponies think that serving me will get them opportunities like the one Octavia had—“

“The one that was supposed to ruin her,” said Notary, dryly,

“Yes, but they don’t know that – then I might have more servants trying to help me. And not just the idiots who are dissatisfied with their masters, but creative and intelligent ones who just want a bit of help realizing their dreams.” Greengrass nodded. “I think it will be worth it in the end. Make it happen, and the sooner the better. We need to get this lie out there before the other nobles start spreading their own. Use any of my other allies that you need to, and as much money as you need.” He smiled. “Chin up, Notary. So we took a drubbing in the first round. The night’s not over yet. Let’s turn this around, and by morning, I want to be known as the pony to go to if you’ve got a crazy dream or wild ambition!”

“Yes, sir!”



The next morning

Fleur embraced Fancy Pants as soon as he returned home. “Good morning, dear.”

“Good morning.” He smiled broadly at seeing how happy his wife was. “Congratulations on last night’s events, by the way.”

Fleur laughed. “She did most of it herself. I couldn’t have played that piece.”

“Nonsense. You persuaded her to help Trixie. You helped her realize how she was hurting her friend Lyra. And, if my sources are correct, you robbed a bank for her.” He raised an eyebrow, though he clearly wasn’t actually angry.

“Hey, a mare’s gotta stay in practice,” said Fleur, grinning. “That cello was stolen anyway. I was just bringing it back.”

“Should I be concerned that you were still able to plan and execute a bank robbery in under an hour?”

“Of course not. I only use my talents for good now.” She smooched him. “Or did you mean, concerned that I’m slipping? I could have broken into that safe deposit box in half an hour a few years ago. Guess I’ll have to practice more.”

Fancy Pants laughed. “Just be careful, dear.”

“I always am. As Heavy’s minions found out.”

“Ah, yes. They did, didn’t they?” Heavy Hitter had managed to get away, but his three minions were currently in an interrogation cell. “I still think you should have called the guards.”

“Oh, like I’d need them just to fight one stallion. You taught me better than that. Besides, then whoever hired them could use their influence to get them right back out. The Shadowbolts are a little more… resistant to that sort of thing.” Fleur laughed, a bright and tinkling sound. “Any news on the political front?”

Fancy Pants poured two glasses of wine with his telekinesis. “Well, Octavia pulling that off was a big surprise to Greengrass. He’s trying to recover, though. Had some manager of a business he took over show up and start screaming at him, blaming Octavia for sabotaging them. He’s trying to get the castle servants to think that Octavia did that for him and he got her the concert as a reward.”

“Sounds desperate,” said Fleur.

“Yes, but it still might work. He’s liable to have some new minions soon. Any employee of the Court with a wild dream will want to see if he can make it happen.” Fancy Pants shook his head. “But still, not nearly as good for him as he expected, and Octavia will be likely now to tell Luna what she knows of his plans. That’s a blow to him.”

“Right.” Fleur trotted over to the sofa. “We’ll get him yet.”

“Yes. We won’t let him get away with all the harm he’s caused.”

Fleur nodded. “So, anyway, I’m friends with a Court Musician now. I wonder what else I can help her with?”

“Haven’t you helped her enough already?” But Fancy Pants was smiling.

“Out of Greengrass’s clutches, yes, but look at her. She needs to live a little! Spending all day cooped up with that cello, she’s missing out on so much the world has to offer.” Fleur brightened. “Do you think I could get her to go on some early-morning runs with me?”

“Aren’t those your runs over the city’s rooftops?”

Fleur nodded, smiling brightly.

“…might I suggest starting small, perhaps inviting her out to coffee first?”

“Oh, dear, where’s the fun in that?”


Greengrass smiled a little as he reentered the castle. He’d been stressed after that concert, but gardening always calmed him. It was just so incredibly reassuring to see the kind of beauty he could create, the kind of vision he could enact.

Nopony likes to lose, but you can’t play the Game if you can’t handle setbacks now and then. Lulamoon got me this time; a brilliant play on her part, I admit it. She’s a lot better than I gave her credit for. Greengrass shrugged. It was his own fault for underestimating her –

Wait. That was Blueblood. Good, he needed to take care of this.

Blueblood looked quite distressed. “Duke Greengrass! A moment!”

“Certainly, Prince.” Greengrass smiled and let Blueblood take him into a small side room. “Is something wrong?”

“Uh – uh, yes. Look, if it’s not too much trouble, if you could help me with an alibi. It’s a silly little thing, but—“

“But you don’t want to go to jail for hiring mercenaries to abduct Octavia, of course.” Greengrass smiled winningly. “Fear not, Viscount. I will protect you.”

“What?!” Blueblood looked stunned. “How did you know?!”

“A few sources in the guards,” lied the duke. It was a fairly safe bet that Octavia had had help escaping the thugs – she wouldn’t be able to get through those four on her own – and the most likely sources of help would be the guards or police. It was probable from there that at least one of the mercenaries had confessed that Blueblood had hired them so that they would appear cooperative. It was thus quite plausible that Greengrass had learned of Blueblood’s actions through a leak in one of those groups, as opposed to Greengrass’s true source, one of Blueblood’s servants. “Anyway, unless you paid them already—“

“Of course not!”

“Well, then it’s the word of a viscount – one from a noble family line too – against a few hired criminals. As long as you have a solid alibi, you’re safe, and I’d be happy to provide one. In exchange for just a few concessions, of course.” He smiled. “A few votes, perhaps some discrete funding of this or that. I’m sure we can come to an agreement.”

Blueblood looked visibly relieved. “Of course. Thank you—“

“Oh, one more thing. When our little coalition gets the Elements, we’ll need to pick a leader – somepony to actually give them their orders and such. You’ll support my taking on that role.”

Blueblood frowned. “But I already told Fisher I’d…” He trailed off as Greengrass shook his head.

“I’m afraid,” said the duke, “That this is non-negotiable, Blueblood.”

“…fine.” Blueblood frowned. “Just make sure that alibi holds.”

Greengrass left the antechamber, easily resuming his previous train of thought. Yes, he’d lost to Lulamoon this time, but that didn’t mean he’d make the same mistake twice. He’d crush her at the gala. And he’d have a splendid time doing it. He’d been somewhat tepid towards his gala plans, not because he’d thought they wouldn’t work, but because he’d thought it would be boring (and a bit silly) to go to such effort to crush a moron like Trixie Lulamoon. But if she was skilled, if she’d somehow inspired Octavia’s brilliant performance… well, then going up against her could be quite entertaining.

I’ll battle her and win. Ahh, won’t that be something? He grinned. She might have masterminded this one, but she won’t beat me twice.

He walked on, whistling merrily.



Trixie sighed in contentment. While she didn’t like waking up early, ‘dawn in the spa’ day was turning out to be a decent idea.

She sipped her carrot juice and waved a hoof at Carrot Top. “So how’s business?”

“Pretty good. The union’s getting in some new digging equipment. Ought to make getting boulders out of the ground a lot easier, so I might be able to expand a little bit.”

“Awesome.”

“How’s your work going? Any big political moves?”

Trixie chuckled. “Nope. None whatsoever. Nice to have a break, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. I’m tired of sending mobsters and con-ponies and politicians packing.” Carrot Top sighed as she slipped further into the whirlpool. “Wish they’d get the message.”

“Well, you won’t need to worry for long. The Great and Powerful Trixie is just biding her time until she can send a strong message that the Elements of Harmony are not another jewel for their crowns. They’ll all know not to mess with us.”

“And you’re sending this message… when?”

Trixie paused, not realizing that Carrot Top would take her literally. “Oh, a week or two. It’ll take time to, uh, draft.” She’ll forget by then. I hope.

Carrot Top smiled knowingly, but didn’t say anything.



Octavia yawned as she awoke. She was in her bed, tucked securely under the blankets, and resting on a big, fluffy down pillow. She smiled and rolled over a bit, allowing the warm sunlight to play over her face, and –

Sunlight?

Octavia’s eyes blinked open. It was past dawn, and she was still in bed – she’d overslept!

“Octavia!” called out a voice, just as Octavia began struggling out of the sheets.

Octavia looked over to see Lyra trotting in. “Lyra! What are you doing here?”

“Making sure you don’t do anything silly. You’re taking today off.”

“What? I never take days off—“

Lyra put out a hoof to push Octavia back down, and Octavia found, to her surprise, that she was having trouble resisting the unicorn’s force. “I guess today’s the first. Come on, Tavi. You taught me not to overexert myself. You were very clear on the importance of that, in fact. So today you will rest and recover.”

Octavia paused. “I… alright.” She’d learned a few lessons, she supposed, about listening to her friends. “I suppose I can give myself one day.”

“I should hope so.” Lyra grinned. “Now, I’m going to go get some things for breakfast. You’re still going to be in this bed when I come back, right?”

Octavia smiled. “You know I seriously I take my promises, Lyra. I’ll be here.”

Lyra grinned and trotted off.



Gathering food at the markets took about half an hour. Lyra smiled when she returned to Octavia’s home. Last night’s performance was still sounding in her head. She had never heard anything so glorious, and…

Were those voices coming from Octavia’s house?

Wondering what was going on, Lyra quickly hurried inside and went up the stairs. Yes, Octavia was definitely talking to somepony.

“…I could try to teach you how to play it, if you want,” Octavia was saying.

“I cannot.” It was a familiar voice, and very sad. “I am no longer strong enough. But… hearing it once, hearing it as I should have played it, was enough. Thank you, Octavia. You created something beautiful last night.”

Lyra poked her head in to see the aged, pink pony she’d met last night talking with Octavia. “Uh, hi.”

Octavia – still in bed – looked over. “Lyra, may I present to you Piano Amour. Piano, this is Lyra Heartstrings, Element of Loyalty and one of the finest up-and-coming musicians in the country.”

Lyra blinked. “Wait. You were the last pony to try the piece, weren’t you?”

Piano nodded. “I did it to save my family, and my family was saved, even though my performance was inadequate. Since then, the one thing I really wanted was…” and she hesitated. “I wanted to hear it played correctly. If only to know that it could be done.” She smiled. “I have never heard anything so wonderful.”

Octavia blushed.

Piano rose. “Thank you, Octavia.” She smiled before leaving.

“Wow.” Lyra blinked. “She was really good, wasn’t she?”

“I have some old recordings of hers.” Octavia nodded. “Sublime ability.”

Lyra sat on Octavia’s bed. “So! What exactly happened on your way to the theatre last night?”

Octavia shrugged. “I was waylaid by some hired mercenaries, I think. But I was able to escape – thanks to you, actually. I knew you would help me if you were there, and that was enough.”

“Waylaid?” Lyra blinked.

“It isn’t important. But I could hear you, as if you were standing by me. Though my mind was clouded, they couldn’t make me forget that you believed in me, and thus that I should believe in myself. I heard what you would have me do and the music you would play, and I just… followed your instructions. With that, and help from another friend, I was able to make it here.”

“But I wasn’t actually there.”

“It didn’t matter. I could hear you anyway.”

Lyra grinned. “…I dunno, Tavi, there’s good hearing, and then there’s hallucinations. I’m not sure it’s good to mix them.”

Octavia laughed, and then they were both laughing. The concert was over. Luna hadn’t shunned them. They were safe.

“But if you made a hallucination of me, then I’m totally making a hallucination of you.” Lyra smirked. “And she’ll be even cooler than the real Octavia.”

“I can already tell you what she’ll say.” Octavia leaned in close to Lyra’s ear. “Practice. Practice. Practice…”

“Hey, no fair, your hallucination gave you advice for escaping from thugs! Why’s mine so… ”

“Practical?”

Lyra giggled. “Sure, let’s go with that.”

Octavia sighed as she settled deeper into her bed. How long had it been since she’d had a day off? Years, probably. “Do you have any upcoming concerts?”

“Yeah, I’m auditioning for a Trottingham Orchestra solo in a few days.” Lyra blinked. It had utterly slipped her mind for days. “…and I should probably start practicing for that.”

“Lyra!” But Octavia’s tone wasn’t angry – rather gently chastening, the words of a mentor watching a student taking a goofy or silly action.

“Hey, I was busy!” said Lyra. “But don’t worry. I’ll ace it.” She paused. “…although, honestly, if you wanted to lend a hoof—“

“Of course. At this point, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”

Lyra chuckled. She could think of, well, things that the prim and proper mare before her probably hadn’t conceived of when she’d said that. “Really? Great, because there’s this new thing my marefriend Bonbon and I wanted to try, and it requires a third mare – oh, and some cello wire. You’re open minded, right?”

Octavia looked puzzled. “Open minded? Is she making some sort of confectionary structure that requires a wireframe?”

“Uh.” Lyra grinned wickedly and then said, “Not exactly. What I meant was…” and she whispered a few words in Octavia’s ears.

Octavia blushed a deep scarlet. “But that – that – Lyra, that is not the proper use for cello wire!” That was all she could manage.

Lyra laughed. “Then maybe it’s time you were a little improper, hmm?”

“I was, ah, referring to things like assistance with practicing, or possessions—“

“Well, in that case, if you want to help me get ready for my Trottingham audition, I’d be thrilled.”

Though still blushing, Octavia managed to recover enough to say, “Of course, Lyra.”

The doorbell rang.

The two looked at each before Lyra rose. “I’ll get it. You stay here.”

Getting the mail took just a few minutes, even though it was a staggeringly large number of letters. Lyra smiled as she put them on Octavia’s bed. “Viceroy such and such wants to be your patron. Archduchess… vicereine… blah blah blah…”

Octavia smiled. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.”

Lyra paused., then smiled slyly “Oh, hey, this one’s from Princess Luna’s office. Something about being a Court Musician—“

Octavia sprang up. “What? Let me see that!”

Lyra grinned and floated it over to her. Octavia grabbed it and quickly read it. “Court Musician… Lyra, do you realize what this means? I could play for Luna every night. I could play at all Her events. The greatest audiences in the world…”

Lyra smiled. “Congratulations, Octavia. You deserve it.”

Octavia shut her eyes for a long moment – but her smile, Lyra observed, could have lit up a moonless night. When she opened her eyes, they were full of joy and determination. “I owe you more, Lyra, than I can ever pay.”

“Don’t worry about it. Just promise me you won’t be so hard on yourself anymore. Honesty’s important, but it’s just as bad to be too critical as to be too soft on yourself.”

“I know that now.” Octavia nodded. “Don’t worry, Lyra. I’ll maintain better… perspective, I suppose.”

She folded up the letter and put it to one side. “Now, I believe you have an audition in a few days? Why don’t you let me hear what you have ready so far?”

Lyra grinned, and soon the house was full of soft, sweet lyre music.

Return to Story Description

Other Titles in this Series:

  1. Musicians and Dreamers

    by GrassAndClouds2
    3 Dislikes, 5,344 Views

    Lunaverse. Octavia tries to recruit Lyra; Trixie doesn't trust her. Who will Lyra believe?

    Everyone
    Complete
    Slice of Life
    Sad

    6 Chapters, 20,745 words: Estimated 1 Hour, 23 Minutes to read: Cached
    Published Jun 18th, 2012
    Last Update Jun 22nd, 2012
  2. Symphony for Moon and Sun

    by GrassAndClouds2
    6 Dislikes, 5,277 Views

    Lyra must help Octavia play a piece of forbidden music. Both will be ruined if she fails.

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