//------------------------------// // La primavera // Story: Le Quattro Stagioni // by Cirrus Sky //------------------------------// Winter thawed the cold weather and the cold feelings, but not enough that she could allow herself to share her feelings with the firey haired girl. Spring, a season of rebirth and new growth was even now coming to a close and with it a looming deadline for her last chance. Different matters occupied her immediate thoughts however. Once again, Octavia was immeasurably grateful for the actions of Sunset Shimmer. Another school event had fallen victim to magical chaos beyond mortal ken.They had all been saved by the seven friends, and how Pinkie told it, Sunset had been key. Spotting the red-gold hair of the girl, she approached. “First the Friendship Games and now this. I am most impressed.” Octavia had found Sunset looking out over the lake. She'd not managed to catch her after the excitement of the forest run amok. Then the party preparations had been taking up almost everyone's time and after that, the party itself further occupied the girl she sought. “At least this time there wasn't much major property damage, or holes in the universe.” Sunset replied wryly, she patted what was left of the landing deck, “Pinkie Pie wasn't careful with confetti.” She answered Octavia's questioning look, even if it made little sense to Octavia. The grey toned girl sat down beside her and joined Sunset in looking across the water. Her friend's namesake painted the water in hues of orange, it looked quite beautiful. “You are often saving us.” Octavia commented. “Thank you for that.” “You know I am pretty much to blame for all of this stuff going on though right?” Sunset laughed. “Coming through that portal with an immensely powerful Equestrian artefact dragged magic through too.” “Still, you saved us on more than one occasion.” Octavia smiled and looked across. Sunset was still watching the lake, her face and shoulders relaxed. It was easy to simply sit and look at Sunset, her red-gold hair catching the dying light, her emerald eyes shining. Octavia swallowed, realising she was once again caught up in her thoughts on her friend. Her friend. Not her girlfriend. The right moment was yet to arrive. Really, her gift during the holidays had been her only idea on how to approach the subject. “I have to warn you though...” Sunset began to say, turning to speak, but Octavia wasn't really listening. A curl of red hair had escaped it's arrangement and she was helpless to resist pushing it back. Her finger brushed Sunset's cheek and the girl froze, inhaling sharply. “Sunset?” Octavia pulled away quickly, worried for her friend. “You've felt that way all this time?” Sunset asked, pinning her with a look. Confused, Octavia didn't answer. “Since the holidays... That gift. It meant a lot more. I saw.” “What? How? I've not told you! I couldn't then and now...” Octavia scrabbled back, panic writ across her features. “I have a power now.” Sunset said softly, her hand brushed the geode around her neck. “I touch someone while wearing this and I can see their thoughts, their feelings.” She leaned closer, supporting herself on the other hand. “That was what I was warning you about.” “I. I...” Octavia was speechless, her secret was out. Sunset knew. Blind panic pushed her up from the deck and running away from her friend. Her crush. Sunset called after her, but she didn't stop. Once she reached her tent she threw herself to the bed. Worried Sunset may have followed her, she was relieved to hear the curfew call. Now everyone either had to be in their tent or taking part in evening activities. Sunset would not be coming to see her this evening. She was still hiding out in her tent the next morning. Octavia sighed and dropped an arm over her eyes. “I shall be moving away soon Vinyl, love.” Her friend sat opposite her, having been searching for the grey toned girl after missing her at breakfast. “Dummy.” Vinyl said, quite clearly too. It gave Octavia pause, Vinyl was not one to talk often, her spoken words were to be listened to. “Vinyl?” “So what if she found out, you weren't going to tell her any time soon.” The DJ flicked off her shades, eye contact meant she was serious. “Go talk to her. She not only saved us all again, but the girl you worried she liked is making goo-goo eyes at mister tall green and cheesy.” Vinyl grinned. “Go get her.” “But what if she has no interest in me at all? What if this has already ruined our friendship? I could make it worse! It would make a fool of us both...” Her babble was cut off by a scoff from Vinyl, the shades were back in place, a sure sign that she had said her piece. The blue haired girl stood up from her seat on the floor and shook her head in mild disapproval. Waving to her friend lying on the bed she left the tent. “She doesn't understand.” Octavia whispered to herself. She didn't stand a chance with a girl like Sunset and her embarrassing thoughts being shared had surely ruined even the infinitesimal possibility of some closer relationship. Likely, it had scared Sunset off from friendship even. Time passed, it was almost the middle of the day and Octavia was still wallowing in embarrassment and mild distress. Of course she was highly strung, she was a cellist! Her indulgent misery was interrupted though. Keen ears once again picked up the lilt of music on the air. The music was being played outside, the camping area was mostly deserted now the campers were off enjoying activities. Sitting up in bed, she listened properly to the sound. Acoustic guitar, the notes flowing into a familiar piece, more of Octavia's beloved Bach. Creeping to the tent flap, Octavia peered out to investigate who played. She nearly jumped to find Sunset looking over, playing an acoustic guitar painted with the sun design she seemed to favour. “Hi.” She said, smiling with green eyes sparking. “Hello Sunset.” Octavia remained in her tent, nervous now that her secret had escaped. “Sit and listen? I want to make sure I'm getting it right.” Sunset asked, still so friendly and open. She gestured to a chair next to the stool she was sat on. “Of course.” Octavia nodded, leaving her tent slowly. If Sunset wasn't making a big deal about things then she would try not to. Joining Sunset, sitting on the chair next to her, Octavia tried not to tense. She was sat quite close to Sunset but the other girl didn't seem to mind. “Okay, so I get to a certain point and I am sure that I'm getting it wrong.” Sunset said as she strummed her guitar. Muting the strings with a clasped hand, she smiled to Octavia. “I might be judging myself too harshly. So, if you can listen to it and let me know if anything sounds off, that would be great.” “It shan't be a problem, I do love Bach.” Octavia allowed. This was good, Sunset hadn't been put off by what she'd accidentally seen. Relaxing a little in her seat, Octavia allowed the music to wash over her. She closed her eyes to better listen. As Sunset finished the piece, Octavia had to say that there did not seem to be any true fault. She opened her eyes mere beats after the music ended, intent on telling Sunset just how well she had played. However she was instead taken aback. The other girl was looking intently at her, a small smile fixed on her face and reflected in her posture. “You know, you didn't give me a chance last night.” She shook her head. “You ran off way too quickly.” Octavia started an excuse, but a hand held out and grabbing hers stopped that. The redhead shuffled nearer. Sunset was very close, leaning in further so they were almost eye to eye. “I want to see what might happen.” She said, quietly for only Octavia to hear. “I never said I wasn't interested.” She added. “Would you like to go on a date once we get back from camp?” “Yes.” Octavia breathed, nodding along in case she was too quiet. “Great!” Sunset smiled and it lit up Octavia's world. Then, quickly, almost darting in, Sunset pressed a kiss to her cheek. “See you later okay?” Frozen in place, the grey toned girl could only blink. That had been most unexpected.