>You wondered at the age of the forest around you, peering about at the vast and ancient trees.
>Almost all of them were a few centuries old, thick and tall with gnarled roots twisting and turning in and out of the ground around them.
>The cover of the leaves was complete, blotting out the sun and throwing the forest floor into a deep quiet, darkness interrupted here and there by stray beams of sunlight.
>It was quite surprising actually.
>You hadn’t heard much about the Everfree, and you’d just assumed it would be like the rest of Equestria, all cuddly and friendly.
>But this…
>Reminded you of home.
>A deep breath in and out.
>Shame it was all hardwood, some black spruce and red pine would really complete the whole ‘home’ vibe.
>You walked on, feeling more and more relaxed.
>After an hour or so, you started to hear… Singing?
>Yes, female.
>It had a familiarity to it, but you couldn’t pinpoint just where you were getting that feeling from.
>You paused for a moment, standing up tall to listen closely.
>Beautiful, deep and dusky, but reaching up high and bright at times.
 “Beware the siren...”
>You muttered to yourself before turning left and walking straight towards the sound.
>Up ahead you could see something of a clearing, with a sort of rocky hill poking out.
>Right at the top stood a tree, oak, stout and sturdy.
>Unrestrained by the tree cover, you could hear the singing crystal clear.
>The sun shone free and bright here, you had to blink and cover your eyes till they adjusted.
>Practically glowing in the sun’s radiance, a tall and slender white mare stood singing before you.
>She had her back turned, standing up beside the oak with her wings spread wide, unicorn horn pointing low as she bowed her head and sung on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEgX64n3T7g
>”It’s unfortunate that when we feel a storm…”
>You step closer, quietly.
>The mare’s mane and tail are shimmering and waving in a wind that isn’t there, colors flowing across it like a sunrise come down to earth.
>“We can roll ourselves over ‘cause we’re uncomfortable…”
>She fidgeted after that line, you flinched, thinking she had noticed you.
>But the mare was just sitting down.
>”Oh well, the devil makes us sin. But we like it when we’re spinning in his grip.”
>You took a seat yourself, pulling up a soft patch of moss.
>It was relaxing, just chilling there, listening to this beautiful mare sing.
>Eventually though, the song ended.
>You hoped she would start anew, sing another song, but the mare just sat there for a while.
>Then her horn lit up and a teapot and teacup appeared before her.
>Delicately, she poured herself a cuppa.
>Well, now’s a good time to stop with this stalking business.
“You have an incredible singing voice.”
>The mare whips her head around, a blush quickly working its way up her cheeks.
>”YOU have an incredible- You’re rude! I mean!”
>She paused, closing her eyes and taking a few deep breaths.
>Then the mare looked at you again, her expression much calmer, blush receding.
>”Perhaps I should start that over. Hello! My name is Princess Celestia, it’s awful nice to meet you this fine afternoon!”
>You smile and stick out your hand.
“Anonymous. Nice to meet you too.”
>Princess Celestia peers at your hand a moment before setting her hoof into it, she stares at you a little weirdly as you awkwardly shake.
>Suddenly, a cup of tea pops into existence beside her.
>Celestia fills it up with care before hovering it over to you.
>”Would you like some tea?”
“Certainly.”
>You take the cup in hand and go to take a seat in the dirt in front of her, but a chair appears right below you as you sit.
>Princess Celestia sits down in her own chair and pops in a table between the both of you, complete with white tablecloth, silver teapot and fine china saucers.
>The two of you just sit and sip at your cups for a few minutes, looking around at the forest and occasionally at each other.
>”So you heard me singing.”
>You smile and nod.
“Yep, like I said before, incredible. Simply beautiful, with near perfect tone. I hope you do it often, because you should.”
>Celestia didn’t blush this time, but you could tell she was flustered.
>Pretty adorable actually, you loved toying with these ponies’ soft spots.
>Waving her hoof about at you, Princess Celestia shook her head.
>”Nonsense. But the way you speak… Are you musical at all?”
>Your eyebrows shoot up as you go for another sip of your tea.
>Taking in the chamomile, you pause.
“I play a few instruments. Mainly the piano.”
>Celestia’s eyes light right up and she claps her hooves together.
>”Oh you must play me a piece!”
>Immediately a large pure white piano with gold trim appeared just a ways away, under the oak tree.
>You looked on in amusement, what was with her and popping stuff into existence?
>Or was she teleporting all this stuff?
>Ah the mysteries of magic.
>The Princess peered up at you imploringly.
“Alright. I’ll play a little.”
>Celestia beamed, smiling wide as she bit down onto your shirt and practically drug you to the piano.
>You took a seat, as did she, but a few feet from you.
>Hmmm…
>Ah.
>Somewhat simple, and perhaps a little overplayed, but this was still one your favorites.
>Your fingers did their work, steady and dexterous, sliding up and down the keys.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6txOvK-mAk
>Celestia bobbed her head up and down in tune, eyes closed.
>She was smiling softly.
>As were you.
>About a minute in, she began to sing along.
>It was no language you’d ever heard, but that made no difference.
>Celestia’s singing was just as, if not better than when you’d first heard it today.
>Despite likely never having even heard Moonlight Sonata before, she still kept tune, following the peaks and dives perfectly.
>And so it was, two strangers become friends.
>Enjoying each other’s company and art well past day and into the late night.