Octavia nudged Vinyl awake. "Vinyl, wake up. We are almost in Ponyville." Vinyl raised her head from between her forelegs, blinking a few times to get her eyes readjusted to the light.
"Hmm? We almost there?" Vinyl murmured, rubbing an eye as she sat up. She stretched, feeling her joints pop and her muscles slowly coming to life. She looked out the window, and noticed that it was practically sunset. "Yeesh, how long have I been asleep?"
"A few hours now. We will begin preparing the house in the morning. When we get into town we will see who has space for us to stay until we can get our own house situated enough for us to sleep in."
"Sounds good...wanna split up and see who we can stay with? We can get it done faster that way." Vinyl suggested, shifting in her seat to prevent herself from getting comfortable again.
"That works. I will go talk to Rarity, Twilight and Fluttershy, and you can go see Applejack, Pinkie and Rainbow Dash- wait, now that I think of it, she lives in a cloud home, does she not?" Octavia questioned.
"I think so. I think she lives just outside of Cloudsdale." Vinyl said, remembering Rainbow Dash mentioning something along those lines.
"That settles that, I suppose." Octavia said. The carriage came to a stop near the center of town.
"We have arrived in Ponyville, Madam Staccato." One stallion said from outside.
"Yeah, we know, and for the tenth time please- call me Vinyl," she insisted as the two stepped out of the carriage.
"My apologies, Madam Staccato," the stallion bowed out of apology. Vinyl shook her head and turned to Octavia.
"So, we meet back here in an hour or so?" Octavia suggested.
"Sounds good to me. See you in a bit." Vinyl said. The two shared a quick kiss and parted ways for the time being.
Octavia made her way to the Carousel Boutique, thankful the lights were still on. She knocked on the front door and waited for a response.
"Coomiiiing~! A sing-song voice said from within. A few moments later, Rarity opened the door, and blinked in surprise. "Oh my goodness, Octavia! How wonderful to see you again!" Rarity said, throwing her forelegs around Octavia in a hug.
"Yes, it is great to see you too, Rarity." Octavia said, patting her on the back.
"Come in, come in! My home is your home." Rarity said, allowing Octavia to enter. The main area of the Boutique was as neat as she remembered, mannequins dressed up with new outfits Rarity had been working on lining the windows. Rarity lead her into the kitchen, where she used her magic to bring over a pot of tea and a few cups, pouring some out for Octavia and herself. "So what can I help you with, dear? How went the visit with your parents?" Rarity asked, sipping her tea.
"Oh, it was wonderful. Mother was very happy to see me, and of course Papa was being himself. I did have a bit of a close call with the lower-rungs of society a day or so ago, but I am fine and I would imagine the baby is fine," she answered.
"Whatever do you mean, dear?" Rarity asked, confused. Octavia went on to explain the incident in Southern Hoofington and how lucky they were that Kester had come looking for them. Rarity looked like she had just been slapped in the face.
"How appalling! To think ponies of this day and age are still so backwards on matters of love and courtship. Simply deplorable, and I am so sorry you had to experience that, Octavia. You do not have to worry about such things here in Ponyville," she reassured. "Your father sounds like quite the stallion, though. Where is he from?"
"He was born in Scoltland." Octavia answered. "He met my mother in Birminghoof, and have been together ever since."
"Ahh, a true story of l'amour. A simple country-colt making his way through the big city, meeting a high-society mare and falling in love. You must regale me of that story some time, dear." Rarity giggled. "One would say I am a sucker for romance stories and the like."
"Oh, I would love to." Octavia laughed, taking a sip of her tea. "This is delicious. Is this chamomile?"
"It's my own specialty. Chamomile with a tiny dash of mint and honey." Rarity said. "You never did answer my question, though. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Well, as you know Vinyl and I bought a home here in Ponyville, but I can almost guarantee it is not ready to be used just yet. I was wondering if it would be alright for us to stay the night." Rarity sighed, dejected.
"Believe me, Octavia I would love to have you and Vinyl over, but it's my turn to take care of Sweetie and the Crusaders. I had just gotten done putting them to bed when you arrived. Celestia knows I could use rest after I take care of them," she said under breath.
"Also, I need one other thing from you..." Octavia said with a blush.
"Well, what is it, dear?" Rarity asked, curious to know why she was blushing.
"I...need a wedding dress." Octavia said meekly.
*~*~*
Vinyl was halfway to Sweet Apple Acres when she heard a scream in the distance, coming from town. "What the hay was THAT?"
*~*~*
"Oh Celestia THANK YOU for this opportunity! I have been DREAMING of the opportunity to create a wedding dress, and here it trots right in my front door- oh! This is simply WONDERFUL!" Rarity squealed in delight. "When is it? Where will it be held? What designs did you have in mind?" Rarity asked, a notepad and pen flying out of the nearest drawer and coming to rest in front of her.
"Um, well...I was willing to let you create it the way you wish. I do not have anything in particular in mind. I have complete faith in you that it will be perfect." Octavia smiled.
"F-Full c-creative r-reign?" Rarity stammered, her eyes brimming with tears of joy. "Octavia, I will make you the most BEAUTIFUL dress Equestria has EVER SEEN!" Rarity declared, slamming a hoof on the table.
"I look forward to whatever you have in mind. Oh, that reminds me- I need two of them. One for myself and one for Vinyl." Octavia mentioned, having forgotten to request Vinyl's dress as well.
*~*~*
Vinyl looked back as she heard yet another scream. "Okay, seriously- what IS that!?"
*~*~*
"Oh my...oh. I don't think my heart could take another surprise...Octavia, I promise you this- as long as my lungs still draw breath, I will put all of my effort into crafting the most exquisite wedding set any-pony has ever seen. I am staking my CAREER on this!"
"I really appreciate this, Rarity. How much are you going to charge for them? Do you accept checks?" Octavia said, reaching into her saddlebag.
"Octavia, if you pull out that checkbook I will throw you out on your rump. This is your WEDDING we are dealing with here, and I have to give you a gift."
"Oh, no, no, Rarity! I cannot allow you to do this again!" Octavia insisted.
"Octavia, I mean it. As your friend, these dresses are my gift to you. I will not hear another word on the matter. Now go, I have work to do." Rarity said, getting up from her seat and beginning to force Octavia out the door.
"E-Excuse me?" Octavia stuttered as she found herself being forcefully removed from the Boutique.
"I need you to leave. I have a lot of work to do and you have to find somewhere to stay. I will see you in the morning, dear."
Octavia found herself back outside as the door to the Boutique slammed shut. "Well, Rarity is out of the question...Perhaps Twilight will have room for us." She began to make her way towards the Library. I wonder if Vinyl has had any luck...
Vinyl made her way up to the main house at Sweet Apple Acres, and knocked on the front door. A few moments later, an elderly green mare leaning on a walker answered the door. She squinted at Vinyl, trying to figure out who she was. She saw the white coat, and recognized it immediately.
"M-Macintosh! That 'Rarity' filly's here to see ya!" The mare yelled back into the house.
"Granny, that ain't Rarity, and Mac's been in Appleloosa fer three days," another voice said.
"Geh, what's with all y'all young fillies, dyin' yer hair ter look like cotton candy an' lightnin'! Back in MY day, that kinda behavior would git ya a beatin' sumthin' fierce!" The elderly mare shuffled off, mumbling to herself as she went.
"Howdy, Vinyl." Applejack said, trotting up from behind the elderly mare. "Sorry 'bout that. Granny's vision just ain't what it was back in her day."
"It's fine, Applejack. Mind if I come in?"
"Sure thing, Vinyl. Come on in." Applejack said, taking a step back to allow Vinyl to enter. She looked around, felt like she had just walked into a saloon. The wooden walls and simple furniture made Vinyl feel right at home.
"I like this place. Real cozy."
"Well that's mighty kind of ya, Vinyl. So what can Ah do ya fer?" Applejack asked.
"Well, first thing's first. Do you have any room for me and Octy to stay? Our house isn't quite ready yet."
"That might not be a good idea, Vinyl. Granny's kinda old-fashioned, if ya get what Ah mean. Ah don't need her gettin' all riled up 'cause she found two mares sharin' a bed and what-not. Believe me, Ah'd like ta let ya stay, but Ah gotta make sure Granny don't keel over."
"Yeah, I get you. Also, I was wondering...would you guys be willing to cater for a wedding?"
"A weddin'? Well shee-yoot! Who's gettin' hitched?"
"That'd be me." Vinyl chuckled sheepishly.
"Well ain't that somethin'! Congratulations, Vinyl! Ah'd be more'n happy t' cater for yer weddin'. So are ya just lookin' fer deserts or anythin' in particular?"
"Yeah, mostly. We'll probably go to one of the other restaurants to get the actual meals, but Octy and I had you and Sugarcube Corner in mind for deserts and stuff."
"Well thank ya kindly fer keepin' us in mind. We've got an entire orchard's worth in terms a' options. Just get back to me on what y'all would like, and Ah'll get right to buckin'." Applejack winked.
"Thanks, AJ. You're one cool pony." Vinyl said, nudging her shoulder with a hoof.
"Think nothin' of it, Vinyl. We're all friends, and we do what we can ter make ya feel welcomed, 'specially 'cause yer one'a us now."
"Yup!" Vinyl said as she walked back outside.
"Remember what Ah said. Ah need that order filled out so Ah can get ta work. Have a good one!" Applejack said.
"Yep, you too!" Vinyl responded as she left. "Well, we've got the deserts and stuff taken care of, I wonder how it went at Rarity's," she said to herself.
The two mares continued with their errands, trying to get everything solved before nightfall so the following day could be focused on preparing their new home.