Musician's Block (open)

[GamingMusic101]

Pixel Note yawned as she strolled through the roads of Ponyville, looking for a refreshing atmosphere to make new songs. It was a bright and sunny day, any place could be a good place to work, right? She stopped walking as she came across the Ponyville Park. "Maybe the park will give me some inspiration..." Pixel thought, heading inside. She sat under a cherry blossom tree, her favorite kind of tree. She tried to think of a melody for her song, but nothing seemed to pop into her head. "What's wrong with me today? I usually come up with lots of ideas..."

Pixel lay there for more than an hour, and she still couldn't think of any kind of tune for her new song. Many smiling ponies have already passed her. Maybe she could write about friendship? No, she already wrote about that. What about nature? She's already written about that too. Pixel shook her head. "Okay, I'm overthinking this. I need to calm down." She said, plugging in her earphones. She got up as she browsed through her MP3. There are a ton of songs in here, surely one of them will give her an idea. Pixel strolled through the park, enjoying her music while at the same time trying to get ideas from it and her surroundings.

Pixel couldn't help it. The music was flowing through her body. She flew through the park, relaxing herself. She felt like all the stress got absorbed out of her. The idea of making a new song flew straight out of Pixel's mind. She was so relaxed she wasn't even looking at where she was going. "Gah!!" Pixel yelled as she bumped into somepony. "Oh, I'm sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going....um...." She looked up, trying to see who that pony was.

[noponywhatsoever]

Spectral Glow trotted briskly towards Ponyville Park. She had a long day of constant, shrieking complaints from the leader of her rescue team, a particularly nasty stallion, and she very much needed a break. Where better to get such a rest than the park?

She sighed, breathing in the fresh air. It was much less thick than that of the forest, and she was thankful for that.

"Ah, finally time for a well earned break..."

She looked around at the beautiful scenery. The sun was out, the birds were chirping perfectly in sync, the skies were clear, it was truly a blissful morning. She wasn't usually one for noticing great detail, but you had to respect the calm air of the fields. She was so caught up in the scenery that she wasn't really looking where she was going.

"Ack!"

She had bumped into somepony in her unnoticing state, and before she could fully process what was going on, the pegasus had already started to beg for forgiveness. The mare she'd bumped into was looking at her with such sorry eyes, and such a concerened expression that made Spec feel guilty.

Spectral looked around awkwardly, unsure of what to say. Being the just mare she was, she decided she should take responsibility. She rubbed her neck with one hoof and said, quite simply,

Do not be apologetic. It was I who was to blame, not you. And if you insist it's your fault, it is mind as well. Do not let this experience ruin such a brilliant day."

She walked calmly towards the pony, underneath a cherry tree that was in full bloom. She sighed, letting the wind blow through her mane as she turned to face the pony she had bumped into. Spectral decided it was only fit that she strike a conversation with the flustered mare.

"My name is Spectral Glow. What do they call you?"

[GamingMusic101]

Pixel tried to clear her mind for a bit....everything happened just so quickly. At least for Pixel Note it did. She tried to read the mare's expression, to see if she was mad or not. It didn't look like she was angry, but Pixel was still waiting for the reply. She rubbed her head, thinking this kind of situation hasn't happened to her in a very long time.

Pixel was relieved that the pony wasn't mad, as some ponies would be. As she listened to the pink-haired mare's words, she quickly remembered that she was actually supposed to compose songs that day, and was only supposed to take a short break. "Well....I guess...." She said as she couldn't find what words to say. "You're right though, I'm sorry about that. I tend to overthink things a lot. I've just been stressing about composing songs a while ago......silly, right?" Pixel made an awkward laugh, trying to be smooth. "Great job, Note. Overthinking things again." She shook her head, trying not to think about too much and focus on what's actually happening.

Pix watched as the mare blue mare walked towards her. She felt the refreshing breeze through her mane as she listened to what the other pony was about to say. "Spectral Glow? That's a nice name! My name is Pixel Note. You can call me Pixel." She said, completely forgetting about all the stress she had a while ago.. She was happy to have a nice conversation after all that. Pixel cleared her throat and said, "So, what brings you to the park today?"

[noponywhatsoever]

Spectral Glow listened eagerly as the pony next to her told her about herself. The waitress at her favorite cafe was always telling her to get out and talk more often. This was the best way to accomplish that.
So, her name is Pixel Note...
Spectral took off her saddle bags. The contents, apples purchased at the market, were heavy. At least she had a good snack. She took a particularly shiny red delicious, and bit in with a satisfying snack.

"I came her looking for a rest. It is a lovely day,"

She leaned back against the trunk of the tree, massaging her neck with a hoof. She sighed, heavily. The tree was thick and sturdy. She may not have been a botanist, but she could recognize a healthy plant when she saw one.

"As well as a chance to socialize. I'm not the most talkative pony.

She took the time to look around at the wildlife as well as the surrounding ponies. How pathetic, staring at ponies for advice on what to say next. She shuffled her hooves before picking up the conversation.

"What's it like?"

Then, to avoid confusion, she hastily added,

"Being a composer, I mean."

Glow bit her lip, then hardened her gaze. You're a brace warrior, Spec. You are most certainly not going to appear weak in front of another individual.

But then, as she felt the air on her face, out in the sun, the open, she relaxed. That was the point of her being here. To relax.

...and maybe make some friends. Spec turned her focus to Pixel again. She was there to talk to ponies. She didn't need to worry about her reputation.

[GamingMusic101]

Pixel watched as Spec took the scrumptious red apples from her bag. She was getting hungry as well. "It is a very nice day." Pix said as she sat next to her. "And yeah, I know what you mean. I usually don't talk a lot." She gazed through the sky, thinking about how relaxing this day is. Pixel had already forgotten about work.

Pixel listened to what Spec said, remembering her job, but didn't worry about it this time. "Well, being a composer isn't as easy as it sounds. You can't copy a tone from another song, unless it's supposed to be based off it. There's lots of background music to be added, and they all have to bend in together." she explained, thinking how she managed through all those years. But nonetheless, it was worth it for her. "And since I am a video game composer, it doesn't have to have lyrics. But there are some songs that do require some voices and stuff. But that's not all though."

"It sometimes causes me stress though, because I can't handle way too much work. I still love my job, though." Pixel started to lie down, relaxing herself even more. She was really tired, and she needed some rest. Pix stretched as she thought of something to say. "What about you? What do you do?" She said, hoping that Spec wouldn't mind her asking. She started to play with a cherry blossom leaf, awaiting her reply. She didn't want to be impatient, as this is a chance to meet somepony new, right?

[noponywhatsoever]

Spectral listened thoughtfully as Pixel described her occupation. A video game music composer, how peculiar. And it sounded like it was no simple job. She admired ponies who had to work hard to achieve their goals.

Spec happened to notice that she was eyeing her apples. She quickly passed one over. Buying an entire bag-full of apples was an impractical choice. She must have been very hungry indeed. So, of course she could spare one for her comrade. As she handed* it over, she started explaining her job.

"Well, as a foal I was very adventurous. My dream was to make my late father proud by becoming a guard. I'm working in a minor search and rescue team in the hope of being discovered. Though, it's not like man he ponies around here need rescuing, so I often end up just selling all the junk around my house for money.

She took one last bite of her apple, then used her magic to levitate it into a nearby trash bin.

"I'm not that strong, or skilled, or powerful. The one thing I can do differently is tell the future. However, I can't do it at will, and it leave she me weak. I still need to train for a while before reaching my dream of being in the guard. So, I'm stuck doing a mediocre job that barely even makes a difference. I want to use my talent to help other ponies. Alas, maybe someday.

Spectral smiled faintly. It was nice, getting her feelings out without ending up with a smashed pillow. Maybe the waitress was right, this was healthy for her to talk to other ponies! She started to stretch her back. All that leaning back on a rough tree did a number on her spine!

[GamingMusic101]

"Thanks." Pixel said, grabbing the apple Spec gave her. As she ate, she listened carefully to what Spectral was saying. "Cool, so you save ponies? Sounds like a heroic job! I'm not sure what to do with my future, besides, I guess I'm quite alright with who I am now and if I ever do become that 'famous musician I've always wanted to be since I was a filly', then I'd say my 'goal' has been accomplished....ish." Pix ate the last bite of her apple, feeling the need to drink water. She looked through the saddle bag she brought for work for a bottle of water, noticing the empty sheet of music she brought. "Ugh, great. Forgot about you." Pixel sighed as she took it out of her bag and turned towards Spectral.

"This little guy's been with me all day but I still can't think of a tone for the song." Pixel showed it to Spec and looked at the paper once again. "I have musician's block.....or whatever they call that." She giggled at her own joke, if it even was one.

"Hey, maybe you can help me! It's alright if you don't have any music skill whatsoever, all I need is fresh ideas." Pixel said, placing the sheet next to Spec. Pix took another apple and took a bite off it, awaiting Spectral's response. "If you don't want to, though, it's fine." Pixel added, trying not to force it on her.

[noponywhatsoever]

So her job was heroic? Spectral hadn't ever really thought of the rescue team like that. It was just another job, with her only in it because it might help her with getting into the Guard. Now that she thought about it, it wasn't kinda heroic. Hmm, maybe it wasn't so bad an occupation.

Apparently, Pixel had "musician's block" and needed some ideas. Spec had nearly no artistic talent whatsoever, but she should probably help. After all, she had plenty of time to kill, and KGB couldn't be that hard, right?

...How do you inspire an artist, again?

After a brief pause, she came up with the "brilliant" idea of shouting out random words in the hope she that some ideas would come. She started hopping around while waving her front legs awkwardly in the air. When wasn't sure why. She just felt the urge to dance. Wow, it was so unlike her: for better or worse, she was finally participating in social activities.

"Oatmeal! Rabbit! Tree!"

She paused, grinning dramatically, striking her battle stance as a pose.

"BROCCOLI!"

Spec slid across the grass waving her hooves, unaware of the numerous stares from the surrounding ponies. And because of the weather, that was a lot of ponies.

Spectral blushed in embarrassment, brushing herself off and standing straighter. Eventually, the crowd subsided and the ponies went back to the their activities. Spectral walked back to Note and sat down, wiping the sweat from her brow. She smiled wildly, and then asked her,

"So, did I help?"

[GamingMusic101]

Pixel's eye's widened. She's never seen a performance such as that before. She watched as Spectral jumped and danced while shouting out random words, thinking how she thought of such unconnected things. Pix coughed once, just so the awkward silence won't be much of a silence anymore. Not wanting to make Spec feel embarrassed, she quickly thought of something to say. "W-well, the dance was....creative! Very!" Pixel said, losing words to use. "I mean, I'm not a very good dancer and I can't really tell if the dance was pro or not, but it kinda cheered me up for some reason!"

Getting up, Pixel paced back and forth, thinking of how to make the random words she shouted out of use. "Broccoli and oatmeal are food, rabbits and trees are living things and all that stuff...." she put her head down and looked at the ground, thinking of a tune. "Well, the song could have nature sounds in it. And the lyrics could be about......eating your greens? I don't know....maybe just nature too.....or maybe just not add lyrics at all.......ugh! Why in Equestria is this so hard!?! It has to be perfect!!" Pix stopped walking and looked up to see Spectral's face. Feeling that Spec might worry about her pacing around and getting mad at herself, she walked over to Spec and sat sat next to her.

"I'm sorry. When I was young my teacher used to be very strict, yelling at me and scolding me even for such little mistakes." Pixel made a small frown and looked down. "It got me to think everything I did in her classes had to be perfect. I guess it grew on me and got me to thing the same for everything else."

She looked up and faced Spec, smiling. "Thanks for taking your time to listen, I don't usually talk about things like this. I'm sorry again if my ranting worried you or something."

[noponywhatsoever]

Spectral was silenced by the emotional outburst from Pixel, but she, hopefully quickly, recovered. She took a deep breath than tried to ease her companion's frustrations. Sort of like that lovely café always helped her forget her worries.

"It's fine that you're stressed. You have a right to be, with your 'musician's block.' And I am certainly not helping with my strange taste in vocabulary. I am flattered that you thought my embarrassingly horrifying dance was good. Anyway, everypony gets nervous. However,"

She smiled at Pixel, and put a hoof on her back.

"Freaking out won't help you. I reccomend you try to enjoy the day, and maybe draw inspiration from your surroundings. Find something to do that keeps your mind off things, or something that reminds you of music. Breathe in this air, and bask in the glory of Celestia's Sun. It's not like you have a deadline, so have some relaxation."

Spectral then stiffened, thinking. Her face turned pale, as she thought about a grim possibility.

"At least I think you aren't on a time limit. Oh dear, I hope you don't have a deadline!"

She tried to regain her composure. Pixel didn't need any more worries. She needed INSPIRATION! Or maybe just a cool glass of water. That might help.

"Er, deadline or no deadline, at least try to enjoy the day while you can. Do creative stuff. Find your inner artist! Become inspired! Or something like that. Just do something you enjoy while looking around the park. Heh, I'm honestly not sure what you musicians do."

[GamingMusic101]

Pixel Note was touched by Spectral Glow's words and put on a bright smile. "Yeah, I guess you're right." Pix nodded and looked up at the sky. "I shouldn't really waste my time on getting meltdowns and relax a little. And no, I don't have a deadline. I just hate keeping fans waiting." Her smile slowly turned into a small grin as Pixel got up and trotted out of the tree's shade.

"Us musicians can get inspiration, well everywhere! The park, the city, even the simplest things can have each of their own song!" Pixel said, looking around at her surroundings. "Anyways, thanks a lot for your help. I bet if you weren't here, I would've probably fainted from stress. Don't worry though, I've never fainted from stress." She looked around the park and yawned.

Pix started walking around a little bit and turned around. "You coming?" She asked Spec. "I think it'd be better to relax and get musical ideas with a friend." She said. Not wanting to seem like she was forcing it on her or anything, Pixel added, "If you're done relaxing here, it's fine."


Pixel stepped forward and stretched her hooves as she adored the refreshing breeze. She looked around once again, scanning the park for the first place to 'chillax'. She decided to stop looking around and trotted back to Spec. "I'm not so sure what kind of relaxing to do, though. I'm a heavy gamer, so my relaxing is games. Do you have any idea what kinda relaxing we could do?"