//------------------------------// // Chapter 31 // Story: Refound Love // by GamerTag //------------------------------// Octavia opened her eyes to find the ceiling. She sighed and turned over to her phone. The first thing she noticed was a new text from Vinyl. 'Hey beby juss wanna says that u arw prtty great like i thinl i libe yiu?$' Octavia raised an eyebrow. Was Vinyl drunk? Octavia quickly asked her marefriend that questions. 'Vinyl, did you go drinking?' No response. Octavia waited a few minutes, and still got nothing. Don't panic Octavia. Vinyl is a grown mare, don't be so overprotective of her. After a few more minutes, Octavia still didn't have a response. The cellist sighed before she got out of her bed. I will text her again later, if she doesn't respond, I'll go and check on her. With that thought in mind, Octavia opened the door to the living room. Well, it's Saturday. Hopefully, I can find some way to prevent Caramel from finding out about the dinner. Octavia froze as she noticed something on the table. Oh, Luna. Octavia sighed again and continued walking. "Good morning honey!" Caramel exclaimed as he kissed Octavia on the cheek. "Hello Caramel, I see you made breakfast again," Octavia pointed out as she greeted him. "Yep! Anything for my lovely wife!" Caramel replied, to which Octavia rolled her eyes. Octavia sat down at the table, quickly followed by Caramel. Once they were seated, they started eating. While Octavia was eating, she felt an odd feeling. She looked up to find Caramel watching her with a loving smile. "Caramel, what are you doing?" Octavia asked. "Nothing, just admiring my wife," Caramel replied as he continued to stare at the mare. Octavia sighed for the third time that day as she continued to eat. "You know, I was thinking," Caramel started after a few minutes, "It's been awhile since we've done anything together. Why don't we do something today?" "I can't Caramel, I have a work dinner tonight-" "ARE YOU SEEING THAT MARE?!" Caramel yelled, getting up from his seat which caused Octavia to jump. Octavia waited for a second for Caramel's anger to cool down. When that didn't happen, Octavia said in an unsure voice, "It's for my ensemble." "Oh," Caramel said as he sunk back into his chair. The two then went back to breakfast, this time in complete silence. Speaking of my ensemble, Symphony has her date with Concerto today. I wonder how that will go. ~•~•~•~•~ Knock knock knock Symphony groaned and rolled more into her bed. Please, not now, world. I need a break, this whole love drama is taking a toll on me. KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. "UGGGGGGH!" Symphony groaned as she got up from her bed. As she passed the mirror, she paused and turned towards it. "I can't answer the door like this!" Symphony exclaimed as she quickly grabbed the brush and started to do her mane. KNOCK KNO- "Just a minute!" Symphony yelled. Once Symphony thought she was presentable, she went to the door and opened it. "Good morning Symphony, you look very nice today," Concerto greeted with a smile. Symphony returned the smile, "Oh, hello Concerto. I wasn't expecting you to show up so early." "I apologize, I was wondering if we could grab brunch since I know you have your dinner with your family tonight," Concerto offered. It was true. Before Symphony had left the theater, she went back and told Concerto that whatever his plans were, they couldn't be late since she had to meet her family for dinner. "I would love to. Just let me take a quick shower first. You may sit on the couch if you like," Symphony offered. Concerto nodded and he entered Symphony's apartment. There were still many boxes in her apartment, as she was still moving in some things. Concerto sat on the couch as Symphony went towards her bathroom to shower. As Symphony showered, she couldn't help but let her thoughts run wild. I forgot about today! Oh bloody hell, why couldn't I just make up my mind between the two?! Symphony banged her head against the shower wall as she groaned. Once she finished her shower, she got out, dried herself, and brushed her mane again. Once she was all ready, she came out from the room and the two ponies left to brunch. "Where are we going?" Symphony asked. "To a nice Prench place," Concerto replied. "Oh, that sounds lovely," Symphony commented, causing Concerto to smile. Symphony blushed when she noticed this. I hate this curse that seems to run in my family. ~•~•~•~•~ Octavia put down her bow and checked her phone. Once she and Caramel finished breakfast, Octavia decided to practice her cello. When she stopped, she noticed the time was closer to noon. So, in hopes her marefriend had responded, Octavia pulled out her phone. "No new messages," Octavia said with a sigh. Octavia put her phone back down and she continued to play her music. However, she kept messing up. Focus Octavia. Don't think about Vinyl, how she was most likely drunk last night and might have been hurt or even ra- Octavia put her cello down as she galloped out of the room. She then grabbed her things before opening the door to leave. "Where are you going?" Caramel asked. "I need to go," Octavia explained before she left. "That didn't answer my question!" Caramel yelled as he opened the door again. However, the cellist was already out of sight. "Taxi!" Octavia called from outside her apartment. A taxi quickly stopped right in front of her and Octavia jumped in. "Where to miss?" The driver asked. Octavia gave the stallion Vinyl's address and the taxi went off. As the taxi sped through the city, Octavia stared out the window in thought. I hope Vinyl is alright. You know who would do something like what you're doing? Caramel. This is different, Vinyl was drunk. You don't know that! She could have been joking! I doubt she would do that! Are you more willing to race down to Vinyl's apartment than to tell her you love her? Octavia closed her eyes as she laid her head back on the seat. "Are you alright?" The driver asked, noticing tears forming in the mare's eyes. Octavia sighed, "Yes, I'm just worried about somepony, that's all." I'm also worried that I'm doing something stupid, Octavia continued to herself. "Oh, well I hope that whoever you're talking about is alright," The driver said in a caring tone. Octavia opened her eyes and smiled. "Thank you." The stallion returned the smile before he continued to focus on driving. Once the stallion stopped at the front of Vinyl's apartment, Octavia gave him some money and a big tip before rushing to the building. Once she was in there, she went up the stairs and to Vinyl's apartment. Once Octavia was at Vinyl's front door, she knocked. No response. She knocked again. KNO- "What?!" A voice groaned from the other side. The voice was croaky, but it was still unmistakable. "Vinyl, it's Octavia. Could you please open the door." Octavia heard another groan before hearing hooves stumble around and a few curse words. When the door was opened, Octavia's theory was confirmed. Vinyl had a messed up mane and had baggy red eyes. "Hey Tavi, why are you here," Vinyl asked. Before Octavia could respond, Vinyl facehoofed. "Did I send you- Ow, something stupid?" Octavia cringed slightly, "Well, you did send me a text." Vinyl's eyes went wide, "What did it say?" Octavia took out her phone and showed it to the mare. Vinyl squinted as she read. When she finished, she groaned again, "Sorry." "It's alright Vinyl, I assume you have just woken up?" "Yeah, you woke me," Vinyl replied. "I apologize, I was just worried about you," Octavia admitted, blushing slightly. Vinyl grinned, "Aw, you care about me Tavi." Octavia smiled before kissing the mare on the forehead. "C'mon, let's go inside." And with that, the two mares entered Vinyl's apartment. As Octavia entered, she was surprised to find no traces of alcohol anywhere. Meanwhile, Vinyl immediately laid down onto the couch. "Why were you drinking so much?" Octavia asked as she sat down next to the mare. "I had a gig," Vinyl explained, "and normally, I drink a lot at gigs. But that's enough talking." Vinyl then painfully pulled herself up before laying her head down onto Octavia's chest. Octavia smiled before she started running her hoof through the unicorn's mane. Vinyl purred slightly before she fell fast asleep. Octavia watched the unicorn sleep, smiling at how Vinyl kicked slightly and how her ears moved around. A thought enters the cellist’s mind as she grabbed her phone before going back to the text Vinyl had sent her. "Maybe I can try to decode this," Octavia mumbled to herself. She started reading the text again, this time looking at the phone keyboard in order to guess how Vinyl might mess up some of the words. Could she have been trying to say... I love you? Octavia looked down at the sleeping DJ. Maybe I'll ask her once she wakes up again. I should prepare for that. With that thought in mind, Octavia attempted to move Vinyl. Vinyl, however, just grumbled before using her hooves to pull Octavia closer and then nuzzling into her fur. Octavia sighed. I guess I'll just have to ask somepony else. ~•~•~•~•~ "And he kept playing a high note instead of a low note!" Concerto stated before he broke off into laughter. Symphony chuckled slightly, however, she was actually extremely bored. As the date went on, Symphony started to realize what she liked about Concerto was more what he represented than who he actually was. I wonder if I think of Fredric like that? Symphony's curiosity turned to realization as she thought about the reasons she liked Fredric. While Concerto was a sudden crush, Fredric's had built up over the years, the more Octavia brought her ensemble to the house. "Are you alright, Symphony?" Concerto asked, breaking Symphony from her thoughts. "Y-yeah. I'm just thinking," Symphony replied with a reassuring smile. "Care to share?" Concerto asked, causing Symphony to cringe. "I'm just worried about how the dinner will go," Symphony lied. "Yes, I would love to hear about it once it happens. May I ask why your sister is in such a... odd situation?" Concerto questioned. Symphony sighed, "She married wrong and is trying to move on. I hope she'll end up happy, but I don't know if she is making the right choices at times." "I can see that," Concerto agreed, "It's probably not a smart idea for her to date that DJ." "Why do you think that?" Symphony asked. "Well, it kind of stupid. Why leave a reckless relationship if you're just going to go back into one!" Concerto exclaimed. "What makes it reckless?" Symphony asked, her voice rising slightly. "Well, I mean. Those types of ponies are-" "Those types of ponies?" Symphony almost yelled. "Well yes! She's a DJ! They come from the streets, doing drugs and-" "You can't just judge her for what she does!" Symphony argued. The two ponies would have continued their small argument if it wasn't for all the ponies staring at them. Concerto cleared his voice in embarrassment before saying, "Check please?" A few minutes later, the waiter came by and gave them their check. Once they paid, the two left to return Symphony to her apartment. "I had fun," Concerto said as they walked to Symphony's door, "Except for our little argument." "Yeah," Symphony replied. Before the mare could react in any way, Concerto kissed her. Symphony let it happen. It only lasted a few seconds before Concerto broke it off. "I shall see you at our next ensemble meeting," Concerto said before he left Symphony alone with her thoughts. I wonder how my date with Fredric will go. ~•~•~•~•~ Vinyl woke up with a groan. No. I want to sleep. Vinyl nuzzled closer to her pillow. However, she stopped when she felt the pillow move and when she heard a giggle. "Hello Vinyl," Octavia greeted. Vinyl looked up. "Hey, Tavi." Vinyl then paused to rub her head as she still had a small headache. "There's some orange juice for you on the table," Octavia offered. Vinyl grabbed the drink and chugged it down. Once she finished, she realized something. "Wait... how did you get this?" Vinyl asked. Octavia blushed slightly, "I asked Bon Bon to come over and bring some for you since you wouldn't let me get up." Vinyl chuckled lightly, "I'm not surprised." Octavia smiled and the two entered a comfortable silence. After a few minutes, Octavia sighed. "Vinyl, can we talk about something?" Vinyl looked up at Octavia and shrugged, "Sure." Vinyl then moved off of Octavia in order to face the mare. The two stared at each other for a few seconds, this time in awkward silence. Octavia sighed again. "Vinyl, what were you trying to text me while you were drunk?" "I don't know. I don't really remem-" "I believe it's connected with what you were trying to tell me yesterday." Vinyl's eyes went wide and she started to sweat a little bit. "Vinyl... what are you-" "I love you." Octavia was taken aback. "Wha-what?" "I didn't want to say anything because I was worried you would find it creepy or something," Vinyl confessed quickly, "So yeah... I love you." Octavia stared at Vinyl, her mouth agape. Of course she thought that's what she was going to say, but actually hearing it was a completely different thing. Vinyl looked around the room, trying desperately to not make eye contact with the mare. However, when Vinyl saw Octavia in the corner of her vision, she finally faced her in concern. "Octy, don't cry," Vinyl said as she hugged the mare, "Aw crap, this is all my fault. I shouldn't have tried to say anything to you." "N-no. I'm happy you said it Vinyl, really," Octavia replied through her tears, "I just. I don't think I can say it back." "That's fine," Vinyl said, trying to hide the sadness in her voice. "I do too. But, I don't think I'm ready to say it yet. But I do feel the same way," Octavia said, finally moving off Vinyl to look at her. Vinyl smiled as she heard that, happy that Octavia felt the same way. In a second, the two started kissing. "Hey, Vinyl?" Octavia said as she broke the kiss. "Yeah?" Vinyl replied. "Do you... want to go into the bedroom?" Octavia asked, a blush forming on her face. Vinyl grinned, "Hell yeah." And with that, the two enjoyed the rest of their afternoon together.