//------------------------------// // How I Met My Marefriend // Story: The Single Life // by DwarvishPony //------------------------------// "Did I ever tell you two about how Vine and I met?" Octavia slurred in the general direction of Lyra and Bon-Bon. The two had heard through the Ponyville Gossip Trail about what had transpired at the cafe earlier that day and had thankfully rushed over to console their friend, bearing gifts of chocolate, red wine, and shoulders to sob into. One of the bottles lay empty on the edge of the coffee table, dangerously close to inching forward to plummet the foot-and-a-half to the carpet below. Octavia had taken to cuddling a second one, this one from her own supply of fine wines, while Lyra and Bon-Bon leaned against each other for support. Both of them held a glass of wine in their hooves, listening intently to Octavia's every word despite their own inebriation. "I remember it quite fondly." Octavia sighed, her eyes glossing over as she slipped into times gone by. "It was the day I auditioned for the Gala. You were there too, weren't you Lyra?" ~~~ Canterlot was always bustling. Throngs of ponies making their way through the streets on their way to places only Octavia could guess at. Probably some social function or other. Octavia could have cared less, though. She had her own destination today. A very important one at that. More specifically, a small concert hall near the Canterlot Royal Gardens. Octavia had butterflies in her stomach as she maneuvered through the crowds with her Cello case on her back. She'd been looking forward to this day for weeks, ticking off each day with a red pen as she agonized at how slow time went sometimes. Today was an audition. A very special audition for the one and only Grand Galloping Gala. Only a select few were even allowed to audition. And this year Octavia had finally managed to be one of those lucky few. As she pressed her way through the crowd, she carried herself with a careful poise. Though Octavia was in a bit of a hurry, that was no excuse to appear uncultured. Mother always said it was a Melody's job to always hold oneself above "common" society. She was well aware that she was getting a few looks of admiration from a few uncouth stallions here and there. And why shouldn't she draw their stares? Octavia looked positively radiant. She'd spent hours perfecting every strand of her mane and fur. She had even worn her favorite bow tie, a lovely pink one that had been given to her by her late father. Octavia's thoughts drifted away to what piece she would play for her audition. "I could play something complex. That'd probably wow a few of the interviewers. But what if they're looking for something with subtle undertones? Hmm..." Octavia murmured to herself as she trotted along. "Saddlevari might be a good choice. I'm certain the melodies would be- oof!" Octavia had become so absorbed in her personal debate that she'd lost track of where she was going and tripped over something. "Ow..." A mare groaned from beneath Octavia. Octavia scrambled to her hooves with a cry of surprise. "Terribly sorry. I wasn't paying attention and I didn't see you. I do hope you're all right." Octavia bowed her head apologetically before looking down at the white unicorn she'd knocked over. "Don't worry about it. I was kinda crouching down here actually." The mare ran a hoof through a messy blue mane. 'Clearly a dye job.' Octavia caught herself thinking condescendingly, scolding herself immediately after thinking it. "You okay?" The mare stood and looked to Octavia. "Oh, sorry. I am fine, thank you." Octavia made a move to leave but stopped herself. "If you don't mind me asking, what were you doing down there?" "I saw a really cool rainbow 'cuz of that sign over there and I was trying to memorize it." "I- What?" Octavia tilted her head to the side, losing track of the conversation already. "That sign there." The white mare pointed a hoof at a store sign with a crystalline moon hanging off one corner. "The moon thing was making a rainbow. I was thinking I could use it for an album cover." "Album cover for what?" "Music, what else?" The mare chuckled lightly. "You may have heard of me. Well, my stage name: DJ Pon-3." "I'm... sorry." Octavia said at length. "I'm not really into that sort of music. Erm, if you'll excuse me I really must be going miss Pon-3." "Vinyl." "Sorry?" "My name. It's Vinyl. Vinyl Scratch." "Octavia Melody." Octavia responded instinctively. "I really must be going though. A pleasure to meet you though." Octavia was backing away slowly, eager to be on her way. "Okay. Good meeting you, Octi." Octavia caught herself before she asked about the nickname, instead choosing to turn away from the peculiar mare and head on her way. It took another half-hour before she finally reached the concert hall. While a tourist to Canterlot would have thought it to be a grand location, Octavia was used to visiting larger venues with her mother. All to further her musical career, of course. Mother was very clear about how important that was to the family name. Octavia shook her head and proceeded to join the other musicians gathered for the audition. In front of the group stood a prim looking mare in a purple blazer. "Now, I know that it is an honor for you all to be called for an audition such as this, but do not let that go to your head. Princess Celestia expects the best of the best at the Grand Galloping Gala, and I will ensure that this is the case. Musicians will be judged not only on how well you play your piece, but upon the aesthetics of your performance as well. Poise and attire mean just as much as musical quality here." After the mare's brief speech, she broke the group apart and assigned a number to each of the gathered musicians. Octavia was given number twenty-three. She could have sworn that the mare, who's name was Miss Harshwhinny, gave her a condescending look. "Psst." A feminine voice whispered to Octavia. She looked over at a turquoise mare. "Lyra? I didn't know you would be here!" Octavia whispered, relieved to see a familiar face. "Same! I didn't think you'd dress so casually, either. You must be confident." Lyra flashed a genuine smile. "Casually? I've got my favorite tie..." Octavia's voice trailed off as she realized that she did not, in fact, have her favorite tie. Quite the opposite actually. "Oh bollocks! Father gave me that tie!" Octavia began to search the floor frantically, hoping that it had simply come loose after her arrival. No such luck. "Oh, no! Lyra, I think I lost my tie earlier. I need to go find it. Can you please, please be a dear and cover for me?" Octavia pleaded with her longtime friend. "Sure! But you owe me." "I- Fine. What did you want." "Just for somepony to hang out with later. I've been wanting to head to this swanky new bar up the street from my place, but I don't wanna go alone." Lyra was clearly the epitome of Canterlot class. "Of course. I will be right back." Octavia agreed before hurrying off. She retraced her path, keeping an eye on the ground in the hopes that she would be able to catch a glimpse of pink through the legs of the ponies in the streets. Time was of the essence, and it seemed that fate would have Octavia miss out on a defining opportunity on this day. But she would not, under any circumstances, abandon her favorite tie. It had much too much sentimental value to lose. "Hey. Fancy seeing you again." A familiar voice commented off-hoofedly. "What brings you around these parts again?" "I am sorry, but I'm looking for something." Octavia replied curtly. "Oh, yeah? What's that?" Vinyl asked with a smirk. In retrospect Octavia should have realized the bait for what it was, but she was in no condition to play games. "A pink bow tie, if you must know." Octavia sighed. "I've been searching for some time. And if I don't find it soon, I'm going to miss out on the most important audition I've ever had and mother will be cross and my entire career will be ruined!" Octavia flattened her ears back, barely holding back tears. "Wow... If I knew that it was that important I would have just given it back the moment I saw you." "What do you mean?" "You dropped it earlier. I didn't notice until you were gone, sorry." Vinyl magically floated a familiar pink cloth into view. "My tie! Oh thank you ever so much! I can't tell you how much this means to me. How can I ever repay you?!" Octavia asked, quickly putting her tie back on with well-practiced motions. "Well, now that you mention it... I have a show coming up in Ponyville in a few weeks. It'd be cool to have another musician in the crowd." Vinyl grinned. "Ponyville? That's awfully far for- No. You know what? I'll be there. It is the least I could do." Octavia smiled softly. "Sweet. By the way, didn't you say something about a life-changing audition? You should get to that." Octavia let out a squeak of surprise, thanking Vinyl one last time before galloping back to her audition. Needless to say, Octavia ended up nailing the audition in spectacular fashion. Though the Grand Galloping Gala would later be ruined for her by an aggravating pink mare, it would still be one of the most amazing opportunities she'd ever had. ~~~ "Of course, I've already told you the gala story a few times. Although Pinkie isn't that bad of a pony once you get to know her." Octavia finished her story at the same time she finished the last dregs of the wine bottle she'd been nursing for some time. She finally looked over to her friends, who'd fallen asleep leaning against each other some time ago. Octavia merely smiled fondly at the mares, grateful that they'd made the effort to make her feel better. She shakily stood and retrieved a blanket, gently draping it over the sleeping pair. "You know, it is a shame you two don't see what Ponyville sees. You'd make such a lovely couple." Octavia drunkenly told Lyra and Bon-Bon. The two remained unaware of her words, their minds filled with fantastical dreams. "Goodnight." Octavia yawned before stumbling to her own bed and slipping into a deep sleep.