Raven shrugged. "A little. I mean, that's like ten thousand ponies. But I've never had anything like this, so I'm not letting it get to me."
"Metal's gotten pretty big since Luna came back. More and more ponies are getting into the whole 'dark and edgy' thing. I mean sure, it'll never be mainstream, but the crowd out there proves that there's a market."
"Yeah, that's pretty true. There's like another thing, though. It's about record companies, probably irrational."
"Just... I was actually signed with one for a very short time, but they dropped me before I could finish recording anything 'cause I wouldn't take on a softer style. That whole thing also turned my band against me. Just a mess."
She let out an audible sigh of relief. "Griffinstone? Don't they produce all those horrible little teen pop stars?"
"Yeah, those C U Next Tuesdays. They picked me up for... whatever reason. Probably saw bit signs in a pretty, little pony with pink hair."
"Same. Kinda wonder how many of those ponies were unique before they got assimilated. Think that happens a lot? It was hard for me to tell."
"Who can say? It's always seemed odd to me that fillies with cutie marks for everything from rock 'n' roll to opera are all singing cheesy little pop songs." She shrugged. "Well, at least you were smart enough not to fall for it. Twenty minutes 'til you're on. You want to head outside?"
"Yeah, that's a good idea." Raven headed outside the bar. "I do wish my band didn't fall for it, ya know? Got reduced to a soft, poppy rock sound. Ew."
Nightshade attempted to push her way through the crowd, before finally giving up and taking to the air. The night sky was full of Pegasi, sitting comfortably on clouds they had brought down for the occasion, but there was much more breathing room than there was on the ground. "So, what do they call themselves now, anyway?"
