Banjo

Magnolia May sat on a worn old stump overlooking all of Sweet Apple Acres, her brow furrowed in thought. Vaguely, she felt the weight of the instrument in her lap.

Relax, old girl. You haven't picked up the horrid old thing in years. I'll bet to Celestia that you've forgotten how to even play.

Gingerly, she hefted the banjo up properly, her hooves scraping against the faded wood. She gently brushed one of the strings-and a faint, soft twang sounded.

She began to sweat.

I-It's been years. You haven't touched this damned-er, I mean, accursed, thing in years. And it's for the best, of course. The banjo....it's an instrument for hicks. Rubes. Hillbillies. Simple-minded country bumpkins. You are a lady, Magnolia. You can learn to play a more refined, more befitting instrument-like a harp! Harps are classy, right? Everypony loves the harp! Or...or the violin! Or....oh, I dunno, the harpsichord?...What the hell even is a harpsichord?

With a trembling hoof, she began to reach down to the strings.

It's been years. All your hick hobbies are things of the past. You're a lady, Magnolia May. Ladies don't play the banjo.

The old thing felt so familiar in her arms. So warm and inviting. Like a friend she'd left behind. She drew a shaky breath.

It's been years. Why, I'll bet you can't even strike a note right anymore. I'll bet your hooves fumble everything up. Only a bumpkin can carve out a tune on this wretched thing.

Magnolia brought her hoof down and struck a string. A single, clear, perfect note sang out. Effortlessly, she played a piece of Apples to the Core, and the melody was crisp and flawless, bathing the hills of Sweet Apple Acres with the sharp twangs of rustic bluegrass.


"...For fuck's sake." Magnolia said softly.

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colored a doodle from my lunch break yesterday

from Magnolia's bio:
-Momma Applejack taught Magnolia how to play the banjo at an early age. It's a dreadful hillbilly skill that May has been trying to forget for years. To her dismay, she can still play the goddamn banjo, and quite well.

As the daughter of Rarity and Applejack, Magnolia's sophisticated classy side is at war with her country hick side all the time, but she just can't shake them crazy good banjo playin' skills







colored a doodle from my lunch break yesterday