//------------------------------// // The Beginning (or, in other words, the RP) // Story: Ponydox x Octavia // by Count Paradox //------------------------------// Hello, Miss Octavia. Say, that is a fine instrument that you have there. Do you think you could give me a little demonstration of how you play it? Hello to you too, a fine day it is, don't you think? Ah, you like my Cello too? We've been together ever since I was able to hold a bow. I'll be happy to give you a demonstration, then I'll be on my way. *Octavia plays a beautiful 3 minute sonnet. She thanks you for listening and she walks away. At least you got her attention, but you'll have to be more aggressive next time if you want her to get to know you.* Wait, miss Octavia! *I nervously stare at my hooves, then look back up at her* I heard that there was to be a symphony playing at Princess Celestia's Music Hall, and I was wondering if you might like to accompany me? The symphony this Sunday you mean? I would be delighted to accompany you, only, I happen to be playing in that very concert. I'm the concert master as the first chair Cellist. However, I would be very delighted to see a friendly face like yours in the audience. Let me give you front row tickets so I know where to find you afterwards. Does that strike your fancy? Oh, I would quite enjoy that, I would love to be there for your symphony. I'll see you there, yes? Nothing will keep me from playing at Celestia's concert. You shall see me on left center stage. I will be looking for you after the concert. Alright, I will be there, I promise. I shall make sure to look for you while you play. *You arrive at the Canterlot Symphony hall. You are pleasantly surprised that not only is your seat front row, but right in front of Octavia! You try to wave to get her attention, but she is solely focused on preparing for the performance. The lights dim and the symphony begins. Since Octavia is the concert master, she gets the lead role throughout the concert. You notice Celestia and Luna in their own respective booths on the higher part of the walls. They are enjoying the performance. An hour and a half of beautiful music later, the symphony plays their final note of the evening and the curtains come down. Remembering what Octavia said to you, you stay in your seat for 15 minutes until she finds you.* There you are Ponydox! Thank you for coming, it's nice to see a commonpony come to one of these concerts. I pleaded to my friend Vinyl Scratch to come to one of these, but she says its too old fashioned for her. I got that ticket for her but she just so "happened" to get sick for the past 48 hours, not including tonight. I'd wager she's DJing a party for that Pinkie Pie or somepony. Anyways, the musicians and some of the nobles are invited to a party at the Canterlot Castle ball room. Would you consider accompanying me to this get together? I'm allowed to invite one other pony to it, even if they aren't noble. *I smile and nod* Oh, I would be delighted to accompany you, miss Octavia. Should I dress nicely for the occasion? Uh, the party is right now and the tux you have on right now is fine. Let's walk to the Castle together shall we? *You and Octavia walk shoulder to shoulder together as you walk through the streets up to the castle itself. Numerous ponies cheer at Octavia as you two walk by bystanders. You can tell the Octavia gets really embarrassed when ponies give her praise.* So, miss Octavia... I would like to get to know a little bit more about you, if that would be ok, like why you chose the Cello and things like that. Well, the interesting thing about that is, I used to be a violinist. That's how I got this cutie mark in the treble clef instead of the bass clef. I love the Cello because of the deep sound it creates. It's hard for a pony to master such an instrument, which is why I'm sort of a celebrity in Canterlot... *Octavia looks like she hates attention* I live in Ponyville because I'm treated like everypony else thankfully. But the moment we walk into that party, I'll have to put on a mask that makes me appear to like the noise and compliments. *Sigh* I dread these parties... Well, if you don't enjoy them, then why do you go to them? I believe that there are a great many other things that you could to instead of going to a party that you never wanted to attend. Are you suggesting we don't participate in my symphony's party? I am the concert master, it is simply unorthodox for the concert master not to attend! The mere thought of doing so would cause strife among the Canterlot nobels! The utter defiance! I... I... I can't believe what I'm saying, but I like your suggestion! Those parties are such a bore anyhow! I mean, all us musicians do all night is shake hooves with the nobles while they tell us how well we did. Then they ignore us. None of them are true appreciators of music. Now then, if we aren't going to attend this party, what shall we do in our formal attire? Well, Miss Octavia, perhaps, since we are nicely dressed already... I was thinking that we might go and have a nice formal dinner? *smiles and blushes lightly* A formal dinner hmm? I guess that's better than the party.... Oh, I know a place where we can dine for free! I know the owner who's a great friend and a fan of my work. He will seat us free of charge. *The two of you sit in the 5 star restaurant with menus that seem to be in another language. The menu is so fancy, that the prices aren't even listed next to the food, implying that you are rich to pay anything. After a few minutes of staring at the menu, Octavia starts sighing, shaking her head. A moment after all her sighing, she slams her menu and her silverware on the ground and starts speaking loudly.* You know what ponydox?? I'm tired of keeping this persona that I'm 'so sophesticated'! Even if we are dining here for free, let's ditch this joint. I'm tired of the 'fancy' lifestyle, and I'm tired of the 'fancy' words I have to use to seem rich. I don't care that I'm in my concert dress, I want to go on an adventure! Are you with me ponydox? *Everyone in the restaurant is staring at your table after hearing Octavia's loud rant.* (Ok, so I had to reply to the above statement twice. The first reply wasn't that good, as you'll see, but the next one was much better.) (Worse response) *I sit stunned for a moment, then I say* W-wow... really, Octavia? I would have never known or guessed that you would want to do that... It's really rather impressive, shattering that mold that others have made for you! Yes! Let's go on an adventure! Let's go out there and explore the world! I'm up for anything as long as you want to do it, Octavia! (Better response) *As I sit there, shocked for a moment while Octavia shouts that she's tired of the upper class snobs, I realise that I am seeing another side of her, a side perhaps she's never shown anypony else before. While I am nervous, I decide to agree with Octavia* Octavia, I never knew you wanted something like that... I always expected you to only like upper-class things. I was actually suprised that you would even talk to somepony like me, someone in a much lower class than yourself. And I had always been pushing myself, trying to impress you. But now I see that you are different than all of the others, that you don't want to be held back by others perceptions of you! I totally agree with you, Octavia! Let's go do incredible things! Let's explore this world of ours! We can do anything! Go anywhere! Explore the places nopony has gone before! The world is at our hoovetips! That's... exactly what I needed to hear Ponydox. You are really understanding... Now! Let's go do something neither of us have ever done! Let's break the mold! *Octavia thinks for a moment* I have a bucket list of things I've always wanted to do but never had the chance. Should we do sky diving, Dragon surfing, castle snooping, party crashing, or some pranking? Or maybe you have another idea? What should we do? *I smile at Octavia* Well, a few of the things that you suggested caught my attention. I've always wanted to go into the castle and look around a bit, so castle snooping doesn't sound too bad. oh, and perhaps while we're there, the Princesses could be throwing a party, so if that happens, we could knock two of those things on your list out at once and crash that party! And as for pranking... *Gives a sly smile* There's a certain blue pegasus in Ponyville that needs a taste of her own medicine, I think. Well, which do you think we should do first, Octavia? Ok, I tried to leave it as best as I could in it's normal state without changing much. Makes me feel a little better, y'know?