The pair entered the dining hall first.
Celestia's morning sun shimmered down through the large windows, the bright light reflecting off the polished surface of the massive mahogany wood table. The silverware and china were already set out for breakfast, and the smell of the food cooking gently wafted in from the kitchen, filling the air with a delicious aroma. Octavia and Vinyl took the same seats as they had the night previous. Octavia quickly checked the spot where she slammed her hooves down for damage, sighing in relief when she saw there was none.
"...The amount of bits necessary to fix damage on a table like this would be able to fund my ensemble's concerts for the remainder of ALL our lives..." Octavia mumbled to herself, thankful that she wouldn't be going bankrupt any time soon.
"Hm? You say something, Octy?" Vinyl asked, looking over at her. "You've been staring at the table for a few minutes now. You looked like you were going to cry."
"Oh...no need to worry, Vinyl. I am just thankful I will be holding on to my hard-earned bits for a while longer. I was terrified I had damaged your parent's table in my fit last night." She said, relaxing in her seat.
"I get ya. I remember when my parents bought this table. As for you hitting the table, I'm gonna say it again. You were pretty sexy last night." Vinyl laughed.
"Oh, that is quite enough, Vinyl! I would rather not remember how childish I acted in front of your parents, thank you very much." Octavia chided.
"You can get angry at me all you want if it means leading to fun time." Vinyl said, raising her eyebrow and smirking in just the way Octavia found irritating, just for the sake of irritating her. It worked.
"Careful, Vinyl...you just may get what you wish for, and not the way you intend." Octavia warned, her right hoof dangerously close to the butter-knife.
"Good morning, girls!" A cheery voice said from behind them. The pair turned around to see Marianna and Rolando standing in the doorway.
"Oh, I find the way they argue to be so endearing~" Marianna giggled.
"I trust you two slept peacefully last night? I know last night was difficult for all of us, so I pray you two were able to relax." Rolando said. This surprised Octavia, judging by what Marianna had told her earlier in the baths.
Marianna face-hoofed. "Truly you sleep like a boulder." She said. "No matter. Shall we sit down for breakfast? I would like to spend as much time with them before they leave to Hoofington." She said, leading her husband around the table.
The pair sat down across from Octavia and Vinyl, Sebastian bringing their meals out a moment later.
"Fresh eggs cooked sunny-side up, garnished with chives. Served with a fresh glass of ice-cold milk and a cinnamon and creme cheese danish. Bon appetit." He said, bowing out.
As they ate, Rolando spoke up. "So your parents live in Hoofington, Octavia? That is quite a good distance away. I will have a carriage prepared to take you to your home." He said matter-of-factly, taking a sip of his milk.
Octavia blinked in surprise. "Oh, that is not necessary, Rolando. I am perfectly content going by hoof-" She was cut off when Rolando raised a hoof.
"Absolutely not. I will not allow you to exhaust yourself while carrying my grand-foal, and that is all I will say on the matter." He said, raising his chin and smirking slightly. Vinyl smiled wide, proud of her father for making such a helpful contribution.
Octavia smiled. "I will be more than happy to take the carriage. Thank you, Rolando." She said, bowing her head slightly in thanks.
"It is of no trouble at all, dear. Now, I understand that you are due in September?" He asked, taking a bite of his eggs.
Octavia swallowed what remained of her danish, washing it down with a bit of milk, then beginning to speak.
"According to the doctor, yes. He wants me to visit him once a month to monitor the foal's growth, seeing as I am the first mother to give birth to a magically-conceived foal in decades..."
"Is that so? How interesting...tell me. How does that happen?" Rolando asked, curious to know.
Octavia shrugged. "I would tell you if I myself knew. The doctor gave me no clear answer, and apparently it has been a while since this has happened to anypony, so I can imagine documentation is rare...however, I do have something in mind." She said.
"Oh? Do tell." He said, interested.
"Well, I have heard talk that Princess Celestia's star pupil currently lives in Ponyville, and the path to Hoofington goes through Ponyville, so I intend to ask her about it while we are there. Vinyl- I mean, Vincenza has an acquaintance there that she believes will allow us to stay the night."
"I see..." Rolando said, raising a hoof to his chin in thought. "Wait...you said Celestia's star pupil lives in Ponyville? So THAT is where Twilight Sparkle lives now. What a charming young mare, that Twilight. We were all wondering where she had gone when we stopped seeing her by the Princess' side. I am sure the Princess has her reasons. I am sure she will be more than willing to help you with whatever you need." He reassured.
"I will keep that in mind, thank you." Octavia said, working on her eggs.
It was then Marianna's turn to speak. "So, have you two decided on a name yet?" She asked. Octavia and Vinyl looked at one another, and shrugged. "Well, we haven't really thought about it. The last couple of days have been kinda outta control, so we haven't really had the time to think about it. Either way, it's not like we'll know if it's a colt or a filly until it's born, so we'll probably leave it up to the surprise." She said.
Marianna thought about it, and nodded. "Fair enough...remember what we discussed Octavia, I am holding the foaling shower. Be sure to have your mother send me a letter so we can coordinate." She said with a warm smile.
Octavia smiled in return. "Of course Marianna, I will do just that."
With breakfast finished, the four made their way to the grand foyer, standing near the door. Sebastian arrived a moment later with two saddlebags filled to the brim with items. "I took the liberty to have Sebastian load up some saddlebags for you two. Two sweaters in case you get cold, some snacks in case you get hungry, some bottles of water and bits in case you need to buy things while you are out."
"Thanks Mom, this is great." Vinyl said, giving her mother a quick hug. Octavia trotted over to Marianna, and gave her a hug as well.
"Thank you so much, Marianna. You have been so kind to me." She said.
"Think nothing of it, dear...you are family now after all." She winked.
"I will be sure to have my mother send you a letter as soon as I arrive." Octavia said with a smile.
Vinyl trotted up to her father and looked him in the eye.
"...You have grown so much, Vincenza...I am so proud of you. Be safe." He said, moving over to his daughter and pulling her into a tight embrace.
"Yeah...I will..." She said, returning the embrace. "I love you, Dad."
"I love you too, sweetheart." He said softly, giving her a kiss on the top of her head.
"The carriage has arrived, Master Rolando." Sebastian said, holding the door open.
The Staccato's watched as the two mares cantered away, talking to one another as they did. Marianna chuckled when she saw Octavia bump Vinyl's shoulder in annoyance. "They are so good together...right dear?" The only response she got was sniffling.
When she looked up, Rolando was biting his lip, making a futile attempt at holding back tears as he watched his daughter canter away. "Oh, dearest. There is no need to cry...they will be just fine." Marianna said, doing her best to soothe her husband's pain.
"She is all grown up...she is starting her own family now...I remember the day she was born, Marianna..." He said, his voice cracking slightly.
"I know dear, which is why you need to be happy for her, and be the best grandfather you can possibly be. Come now, let us wave them off with smiles." She said.
The two young mares entered the carriage and looked back, waving happily. Marianna and Roland waved them off, watching as the carriage disappeared from view.
"They will be fine, Rolando...you will see." Marianna said comfortingly, ushering her heart-broken husband back inside.
Ring-a-Ding! As punctual as clockwork!
Amazing work!
Worst thing about new Chapters is: It's the last till the next!
I want moar and I want it NAO! abload.de/img/ab_madokk9.png
You tear jerker you
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Which is why she insisted against the carriage, but Rolando would not take no for an answer.
Loving this story
Rolando's emotional stages.. awww
This was really cute! Love it!
I find myself looking stupid lately always complimenting you on your writing, but fuck this, have another:
Very well written and great characterization as always. Keep it up!
Two chapters one day.avi
Awsome' another amazing chapter.
So sweet... Awesome chapter BTW!
Ah, I'm coming to love this story. And I know what the gender of the baby is! (Continue reading if you want to find out)
The foal should be female. For scientific explanation: Because you have two mares with XX chromosomes, and males have XY chromosomes, if a Y somehow slipped in there and the foal was male, Octavia was obviously cheating on Vinyl. So the foal must have XX because it can't get a Y from a parent. It's simple genetics! In other words, a colt shouldn't be born.
This chapter seemed a little short to me, But it was still good to read!
you always leave us wanting MOAR!!
The ending was very emotional, almost made me cry. Your writing is excellent.
Can't wait for chapter 12!
SO...MUCH....SWEETNESS JUST PUT ME OUT OF MY MISSERY AND UPLOAD IT ALL AAAHHHH!!!!!
26846
I was gonna say something along those lines myself XD
this is a good story i await for the next chapter im also enjoying these emo-cons
26846
Ah, but you forgot one *wee* thing... magic is involved! That means that all gender equations (and science itself) gets throw right out the window with the wash-water. I think we can all agree that the important thing is that the youngling will be born healthy, which is in no way guaranteed as yet!
@ponyfan690: Loving the work, keep it up.
*GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASP!*
*Blinks, then looks around* ONE IS ALIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA! *Lightning flashing in the BG*
... You're almost no fun with how fast you update! Can'tcha slow down a tad and make the chapters longer? XD Still, one thanks you for saving Trevor's life! (But still! Crowds like a hair-splittingly close death by the hero, but NOOOOOOO! You had to go and save him before 33% of the time expired! You're killing Trevor's ratings!)
~ Magical Trevor, Minstrel of Equestria
I really like this fic, it's well done and it's engaging to read. You really have got some thing amazing and epic in your hooves. I think you should make the chapters a bit longer though. Even if it takes you a bit longer to get It out on the site. Your an amazing writer keep it up!
-Jolttix
26846
That is unless he wanted to have a twist in the story.
27245
Oh believe me, I have a twist planned.
26824
Challenge considered.
27034
obviously you've never had sex denied to you because of your opinion. Women are evil that way.
MOAR!
26846
If (Magical) Pony Genetics work in the Same wayas Human Genetics that is, wich I doubt.
NO! I'm allergic to adorableness!
R.I.P
dat character development.
Beautifully done.
Anypony else who read Sebastian with the voice of Jeffrey from Fresh prince of Bel Air? Cause I did...
32517
I read his lines in the voice of Sir Ian McKellen
I don't even.
I totally forgot about Octavia's parents, I hope they take it well
Roland's emotions were great since he was introduced, great job with all the characters actually.
Off to read more of this fantastic story.
Kudos to you, Lithe.
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Rolando, rather,,, hehe.
I lo....think octavias cool.
You awesome, I normally don't read whippings.
Twilight is the best.
I just, for some absurd reason, had this thought: Is Vinyl wearing her Shades? I just can't picture her without them...
... darn you. I teared up durring the hugging and i love you's between Vinyl and Rolando. still epic story, i love reading it!
Second time reading this chapter, still got manly tears.fc07.deviantart.net/fs42/i/2009/088/c/e/Manly_Tears_by_AnonymousZiZ.png
I bet they are involved into mafia.
This is extremely well written...
What? I need more support for my declaration?
Nonsense! Just read it and find out!
Hey , walking is good for unborn baby , stupid!
26846 your attempting to apply genetics to Equestria. If you could do that, both of the Cakes' children would have been earth ponies.
Good try though. =3
a nice little chapter
I thought I had spent all my d'awws for the day, but you somehow managed to bring another one out. I don't know how you do it, you are simply a fantastic author. The fact that you can get me crying on a daily basis in under 2000 words a chapter is astonishing, I must learn your technique!
Lithe kamitatsy all my manly tears are belong to you. As always stay fabulous my fellow ponies
heh heh
i think what Marianna said at the end of this will jinx itself
and since Vinyl's parents are all classy, are Octavia's parents gonna be ho bos or something like that?
26846
....... I actually understood that...
26846 you dear can go fuck your self you just ruined the whole fucking story for every body asshole now my fun loling day was just shot in the fucking face thanks to you
1819900 hope the author makes it a male just to troll the shit out of that person lol
the feels at the end
my feels nooooo i need them going to die of lack of feels somepony anypony help me
sniffle*....sniffle*.....Tears now arching over the glossy eyed horizon*..... Darn the feelz towards the end.....so beautiful!.....