//------------------------------// // Chapter 24: A Short Respite // Story: Vinyl and Octavia: Ponyville Duet // by generalsnaz //------------------------------// Chapter 24: A Short Respite The humid air was trapped in the room as the door was tightly shut and locked. Thunk! The mist from the falling water filled up the mirror. The steam turned the reflective glass into a white sheet. Thunk! There were several beauty products resting by the sink, undisturbed and unaffected. In that sink, rested a slightly muddy bow tie. It wasn't nearly as crumpled as the towel hanging haphazardly on the rack, but it was dirtier. It would have to be washed later. Thunk! It was dim, the lights were unable to pierce the fog that had built up. The hot water had been running for quite some time; the water heater would be out soon. Thunk! The sound of two bodies hitting the plastic wall of the shower resonated. Octavia lustfully coated Vinyl's neck with saliva as she clung with both hooves to it. Traveling upwards, she planted several kisses on Vinyl's cheek as Vinyl returned the favor on Octavia's neck. Returning down, Octavia licked between Vinyl's clavicle and let her hooves run down her lover's back. She then traveled upwards, as she ran her tongue along Vinyl's neck, and let out a moan before returning her lips to Vinyl's. Vinyl picked up Octavia, hoof firmly holding Octavia's flank, and slammed her against the wall. Thunk! Vinyl was forceful as she pressed up against her. She plunged her tongue into Octavia's mouth with ferocity. Octavia accepted the invasion and her tongue danced with the intruder with exuberance. After her tongue slipped back out of Octavia's mouth, Vinyl lifted Octavia again and put her to the shower's floor. It was forceful, but Octavia didn't mind. Her blood was racing from the lust and excitement. Water was flowing down off of both of them, making dripping noises that were hopelessly drowned out by their erotic moans. Vinyl flipped Octavia over so she was on her knees in the cramped confines of the bathtub. Vinyl mounted on top of her, and wrapped her hooves around Octavia's belly. As she pulled her up, she pressed her body down. They felt wild and alive as their bodies rubbed. Vinyl leaned over to Octavia and licked her ear. Octavia turned her neck to kiss Vinyl and their mouths danced again. -~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~- The train felt rickety as it passed over well-worn tracks on the way up Canterlot Mountain. It clunked along without difficulty though. However, the passengers were occasionally jostled. Octavia Melody was one of those passengers. She didn't take notice of the bumpy ride. She was humming thoughtfully to herself instead. It could have been the hum of any number of different songs; she had most of them memorized. Her whole body swayed back and forth like a cobra in the seat as she moved to the tempo in her head. Her smile was diminutive, but sincere. Her hind-legs kicked jovially, like she was a young filly again, playing on a swing. It had been a day since the last incident of note. Vinyl and Octavia had spent their (very close) time together and it ate up the hours until Luna and Celestia had both completed their respective duties. Octavia was reminiscing pleasantly as she continued to hum that tune. Her cheeks turned ever so pink. It was the blushing of embarrassment, but not the kind she felt guilty about. Not anymore. The train would be coming upon Canterlot Station in moments and she paid no mind. She would have to get off, but surely she could snap out of her fantasies when that time came. (Hopefully.) Several rows down on that same train car sat Benefits Hounderhoof. He was not sitting there with a pleasant demeanor, unlike the subject of his attention. His was of impatience and disappointment. Octavia had come alone. The boss would be unhappy with this. -~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~- The key clicked the intricate inner-workings of the lock into position as Octavia turned it. With ease, she pushed the door in and light finally reentered Octavia's Canterlot home. She flicked on the lights, the very expensive 'magic-electric' lights she had installed years ago. Candles and lanterns were for lesser privileged ponies. At least, Octavia once thought that. She was greeted by the empty foyer. She had almost forgotten the colors on the carpet and walls. Some of it was purple. Some of it was gray. She used to see it all everyday. How things had changed. Bending down, she bit the rope and hauled up the heavy stack of mail that had been waiting, stuffed in her mailbox, a few minutes prior. Grunting, she brought the letters to the closest table, a silvery metal and glass one, and dropped the envelopes. The roped snapped and they spilled everywhere. Octavia didn't try to catch any of them. She just rolled her eyes. Most were invitations to events that had already come and gone. Some were bills. There was even a letter or two from sophisticated friends. Octavia would have to sort them all out before she left. Leaving the letters, Octavia took a stroll around the home. She had been gone for exactly two weeks but the place was as spotless as she left it, though a bit heavier in the dust department. She would have dusted, but she had a limited about of time and she wouldn't be staying long anyway. There were very fancy paintings of fruit, landscapes, wildlife and famous historical ponies along the walls in Octavia's home. She quickly contemplated on each one to decide whether or not it would look good at Vinyl's place. There was far less wall space there and the color scheme was different. She eventually would settle on a couple she liked as well as some other pieces of decor: vases and some small furniture. Her first actual stop was her bedroom. She ignored the shelves of books and the music stand with some sheet music still opened up to the page she had been working on. Instead, she opened up the lacy purple curtains and collapsed onto her bed. She disturbed nothing, for it was still messy from that night she tossed and turned after Princess Cadence's wedding, thinking of Vinyl and what she had seen and heard. She never even made the bed before she fled Canterlot that fateful morning. Octavia squirmed in delight, to feel the softness it once provided her every night. Oh, how she had missed that feeling. How nostalgic it was. She reminded herself to convince Vinyl to switch out their bed for this one. After resting her weary eyes first, she got back up and looked around the room. She checked her reputable sized collection of literature and sheet music for those of interest and, while keeping the quantity to a conservative amount, set some aside for packing. When she arrived to the kitchen, she was greeted by a repugnant smell. There, in the sink, were unwashed plates of half-eaten food. Holding in her nausea, Octavia quickly disposed of the smelly mess. She had to step outside for some fresh air afterward. Though, it wasn't much better when she returned and opened the icebox and checked the cabinets. Most everything was expired or starting to mold. Disappointed to waste so much, Octavia had to throw out most of the contents. Although, there were a couple that were just a hair past the expiration date. Maybe Octavia had a bite or two. It couldn't hurt, right? As she worked in silence, Octavia considered how much her life had changed. Just how much she had changed. All it took was a last second decision to enter that wedding when she could have so easily just gone with her friends. Octavia felt petite tears form as she realized how easily she could have missed her opportunity to meet Vinyl. She might not have ever left Canterlot had she not. She might not have ever accepted who she really was. She didn't hate her old life, here in the city, but... she sure did remember feeling lonely more often than not. After spending several hours boxing up everything she could possibly need that would fit in Vinyl's house, she hoisted them onto her cart, parked just outside. It was exhausting, but supposedly nothing a normal earth pony couldn't handle. Although, she did curse herself for not hiring some help, during her fifth water break. After fully packing, she locked up and took one last look at her home. The house was simpler in construction compared to some of the more extravagant architecture in Canterlot, but it was larger than it needed to be for Octavia. Built for a much bigger family. Compared to Vinyl's, it was practically a mansion. Octavia hadn't bought the home solely by herself. She was fresh out of university and her father helped her with the details of the purchase. This experience would come in handy when she came back again to sell the place. She wouldn't need it now she was saying goodbye to Canterlot and moving in with Vinyl. -~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~- The street wasn't empty, but it was mostly bare. Octavia looked across the delicately paved white cobblestone to her parent's home. It was far superior to her own. A fare lady mare passed her by, obscuring her vision with an elegant hat for just a moment, but it didn't break Octavia's concentration. After breathing deeply, several times, Octavia reminded herself what Luna had shown her. Regardless, she was nervous. The rumors Frederick had mentioned also tugged on her heart. She crossed that street, leaving her cart behind for a moment, when she was ready, took the gold door knocker on the finely varnished door and hit it several slow, but distinct, times. Silence. Octavia was patient, but the silence was unnerving her. She could have opened the door with the key she was entrusted with, but chose to wait politely instead, after all, they weren't expecting her. No pony came to answer the door. She knocked again. Her family wouldn't have likely been home at this hour. Her father should be working at his business(es) and her mother would be off with whatever ensemble she was currently playing around with. Her brother would be taking summer lessons. ...But the butler should have answered. If not him, the maids would. But no pony came. Octavia was more nervous now. She tried to rationalize it. Her father, being the kind pony that he is, must have given their housekeepers the day off! Surely! It definitely wasn't because all his finances failed and had to relieve them of their services! No, no, no! That was ludicrous! Nonsensical! Ridiculous! ...But exactly what Frederick said was happening. Octavia shook her head to chase out the terrifying thoughts. Octavia nervously bit her hoof. She could wait on her parents to return... She needed to see them. Ask them to clarify what was happening. Tell them about herself... Her discovery. Vinyl. ...Oh, Vinyl. Octavia missed her already. The DJ could've come with her to Canterlot, but she was too adamant about her pseudo-father's warning about the place. Her heart ached from just being apart for a few hours. It wasn't like before when Vinyl left for a job in Manehatten or elsewhere. This time, Octavia knew what Vinyl meant to her. And she craved it. Thinking of Vinyl cheered Octavia's spirit, but fired up her desires, as well. She blushed up thinking of how much she wanted to kiss her, hold her tight, rest her head on her shoulder, lay beside her at night, laugh, sing... Octavia finally couldn't take it anymore. She left for the train station. Her parents would just... have to wait. She could not wait for Vinyl any longer. She had waited her whole life to be liberated. Now she was, and spending another second away from her lover was unbearable.