Chapter 1: Open Your Heart

A quiet drum beat kicks in, while a lone guitarist picks out a pentatonic scale when suddenly... "all right, yeah!" The song abruptly changed into many slides, pinch harmonics and arpeggios – a complete rock out for all the members. A mass of chords then broke out as the verse began to start - to many a pony's surprise, the guitarist started to sing the rock ballad. As the chorus kicked in, many ponies joined in the singing, and they could be heard from the stage. Many solos and rhythm/key changes ensued, providing an exciting mix of harmony and melody. The three stallions were payed well for their ecstatic show, and they were proud. The guitarist and singer, Patience, was amazed by his performance, normally, his singing wasn't up to scratch: his voice, out of tune and he never had good breath control... but tonight, was something else, perhaps it was some beautiful mare in the crowd, maybe it was something in his drink, hell, maybe it was pure luck. Whichever it was, he sure felt good. "That was great, guys!" he exclaimed. "Yeah, that's the best show we've done!" noted the bassist, Klondike. The drummer, Black, was also impressed. Expressing himself: "Now... lets get some drinks and find some friends... I dunno about you, but I am thirsty!." The three agreed and went straight to the nearest bar.

The Filly & Fillet was just a couple minutes trot from the hall, exchanging jokes and smiles along the way, the three finally entered its doors. Immediately, they found their agent, a very good friend - Joker. "Hey guys, that was freaking amazing. But, hey, at least you weren't losing the game!" Everyone groaned in appreciation, "Okay, I kid, I kid. Drinks on me." And without further ado, the wild-card of the bunch ordered them some drinks.

Apple cider was the drink of choice (well, it was the cheapest, and certainly most tasteful) and they all had doubles, triples, even - laughing and joking the night away. Suddenly the doors opened... only Patience seemed to hear (or notice) the ponies that walked in. A gorgeous, blue mare stopped to order drinks, looked over at Patience's gathering and giggled, most likely at Patience's expression, then walked over to her own friends. Patience was certain he knew her from somewhere, or had at least seen her before 'C'mon, c'mon... Think...' 'The gig! She was at the front row!' She was constantly looking at Patience, with that satisfied smile you could only get suspicious at, yet "Hey, uh, Black Jack... do you recognise her?" Patience motioned over to the blue mare. "Which one?" Teased Black Jack.

"Oh, ah... you know, The, uh, pretty one?"

"Haha," Black Jack teased again, "I knew who you were on about, was just wondering what you'd make of her, sucker." Patience narrowed his eyes in annoyance "All right, all right, yeah, I know who she is. She's Silverstreak, new girl, lives in town. Not exactly wealthy, but then who is right?" Patience thought to himself 'well, Princess Celestia, she's pretty wealthy if you ask me...' but decided not to interrupt Black Jack. "Anyway... if you want to get to know her, be my guest, she's as common as you or I"

"Thanks, Jacko... We'll see." mused Patience, who just got on with his drinks and friends, trying awfully hard to not notice the radiance of the 'new girl'.

Not on this side of reasonable comprehension, he and his friends left the bar... 'Hammered' was the word -more like "Sledge-hammered-on-the-side-of-the-head" - Patience was all over the place, not being this drunk in a while had an odd effect of making it worse. "I'm so... sooo sorry..." He said, after bumping into a blue horse he couldn't fully discern. She giggled. 'Shit.' He thought to himself. He'd recognise that innocent giggle anywhere, somehow sobering, he managed to say "I... Mind if I..." she giggled again and silenced his struggling lips, and simply dropped a piece of paper into his jacket. "For the morning... You couldn't chat up anypony if you tried in this state." She winked and joined her friends, looking back and smiling. Patience couldn't believe his eyes or ears.

"Patence!" He could hear a distant and muffled voice. "Patence!" Clearer, perhaps? No... That... That couldn't be... It almost sounded like the mail-pony... What was she doing near a bar?" Mister. Patence, I know yur in thar! I'm on ah busy schedule. Could ya please open tha door?" ... 'What door...?'