//------------------------------// // A Day in Manehatten // Story: Meeting the Parents // by Spot Light //------------------------------// 8:00 am, the place Vinyl's aunt and uncle's. Uncle Turn Table sat back in the lover’s seat, he had been sleeping there all night. He was awoken by the sound of a moaning coming from outside the front door. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and went to investigate. Opening the door, he saw a mare passed out on the steps. She was a light emerald unicorn with a light blue mane. "So," he said sarcastically, "you made it as far as the front steps, A-Track." He lifted his wife on to his back and carried her in. He was about to place her on the couch, when she suddenly sprang up. "No need to set me down, I can do it myself," She was very jumpy and had a rapid fire speech pattern, "Another night on the town successful, another hangover mastered." Cue Turn Table giving a face hoof, "Hang over mastered? What was that moaning I heard? And where are the groceries?" "Dang nab-it, I knew I forgot something. That means I'll have to get it before Vinyl and her mare friend get here." "It's ok, and they are already here." "What?" "They got here last night. Tell you what, I'll start breakfast and you go see if they are up. I'll make Vinyl's favorite." "Okie Dokie." ******** Up in Vinyl's room... Octavia opened her eyes, she saw that Vinyl was still asleep and that she wasn't chewing on Vinyl's mane (For once). She gently rubbed her mane and she woke up. "Morning Octie." "Morning Vinyl." "Sleep well?" "One of my best nights sleeps in a while. Maybe because you were with me." "That's sweet of you." The two sat up. "So this is your old room." Octavia said looking around, "I have to say it's not like an imagined. It's just a bed and from what I can tell a few colt band records." "Well a lot of the stuff I took with me to Ponyville. As for those records, I left them here, because I don't care for them anymore." "You could have sold them at Near and Far you know." "How come I didn't think of that?" Vinyl whined. "Because I'm the smart one," Octavia joked. "Now it's on," Vinyl jumped Octavia and pinned her to the bed. "Calling me dumb are we?" "I didn't say that." "Say you’re sorry." "And if I don't?" "Well then I guess I'll have to do this." Using her magic she lifted a feather out from her suitcase and started tickling Octavia. She couldn't hold it in, Octavia started laughing hard and struggled to get away. "Stop it, please," she cried. "Say you’re sorry or you’re not going anywhere," "Never," "then I guess I'll have to try something else." Octavia stopped squirming and looked up, Vinyl had a smirk on her face. She bent down and gave her a passionate kiss. After a few moments of kissing, she pulled away. "Well?" "Ok, I'm sorry." Octavia gave in as Vinyl unpinned her. The two went to kiss again but they were interrupted by a knock at the door. Knock, knock, knock, "Vinyl," Knock, knock, knock, "Vinyl," Knock, knock, knock, "Vinyl," Knock, knock, knock, "Vinyl," "Aunt A-Track is that you?" "Yes, the one and only, may I come in?" "Sure," A-Track entered the room. "Vinyl, it is you. At first when your uncle said you got here already I thought her was joking." "Well apparently he wasn't." Vinyl said with a shrug. "Say aren't you going to introduce me to your friend." "Oh right, Aunt A-Track this is my mare friend Octavia Symphony. Octie this is my motor mouth of an Aunt, A-Track." "I'm going to let that slide Vinyl," A-Track said quickly, "I've heard a lot about you Octavia. Vinyl talks about you in her letters. You must be something special." now the raped fire pony really started talking. "So you’re from Canterlot? What's it like there? Have you met the princess? Why did you leave? Do you like your new home? Did you two have..." "Going too far Auntie." Vinyl interrupted abruptly. Octavia had a blush across her face. "Sorry, sometimes my mouth moves when I think." "I know," Vinyl was sounding very dead pan saying that. "Well anyway Turn Table is getting breakfast ready. He is making your favorite Vinyl. Now I have to go set the table," A-Track then left the room. "Vinyl, you have a really weird family." "Well they are the weirdest now. You should have met my dad then. He was a true rambler, but slowed down when he was on duty. But I'm not very comfortable talking about it. Anyway, Uncle Turn Table is making my favorite, Chocolate Chip Gingerbread pancakes, with strawberry honey syrup." (Great now I'm hungry.) Both of their mouths watered at the sound of it and before you know it they were down stairs and at the table. The smell of gingerbread filled the air. Turn Table walked out of the kitchen levitating two plates with pancakes on them. He set them down in front them. "You’re in for a treat Octie, my uncle makes some of the best damn pancakes in Manehatten." "I've made you pancakes before and you liked them." Octavia responded sadly. "I said "He" makes the best pancakes in "Mainhattan". You make the best in Equestria." "That's sweet of you." Octavia smiled back. "These pancakes do look good." She took a small bite and her mouth was in heaven, or whatever their equivalent is in Equestria. The Breakfast went by rather quickly, Octavia completely forgot her lady like manners and let out a loud belch. "Pardon," her face was beet red. Vinyl and the others applauded. "So Octavia," Began Turn Table, "how long have you been living in Ponyville?" "Two, almost three years. I met Vinyl on my first day. And then it wasn't long before we were together." "Interesting." A-Track said from the kitchen. "You understand we support your choice of being together. We just hope you didn't rush things." Turn Table added. "Not at all. I mean sure I did let her live with me on my second day, but that's because she needed a place to stay. Right Vinyl?" "Right," Vinyl said with a mouth full of pancake, "I was living in the back of my record shop before she came along. Then I moved in with her, and a few dates later we are mare friends." Vinyl finished explaining. "Anyway breakfast was good Uncle. I'm going to take Octavia for a day on the town today. We will be back in time for dinner, stay one more night, but then we have to go back to Ponyville tomorrow." "Why is that? We would like it if you stayed the week." A-Track suggested entering the room. "Sorry, but we have another engagement me must attend to in Canterlot. My mother is hosting a dinner party and she wants me and my partner to attend to see if she approves." "Wait what do you mean approves?" "My mother doesn't know I'm into mares, and she totally agents it. My dad, on the other hoof, will always approve of my choices. He is fine with it." Octavia smiled, "But I really don't feel like talking about this anymore," she followed up with. "Oh," both the aunt and uncle said in unison. "If that's how you feel, then we will stop." A-Track said, this time slowly. "Well, why don't you two love birds head out for the day. Me and a particular wife of mine, need to get groceries for tonight, because somepony thought it would be a good idea to get drunk instead." Turn Table said turning to A-Track with an annoyed look on his face. "I said I was sorry," she retaliated. Vinyl leaned over to Octavia, "These two are going to be at it for a while, let’s go." she whispered Octavia nodded her head in agreement and the two of them slipped out the front door. They walked for a while in silence until Vinyl spoke up. "So what do you think of my aunt and uncle?" "They seem to be very nice, a little rough around the edges, but over all they are good pony folk." "That's sweet of you Octie. A-Track drives Turn Table up the wall and across the ceiling sometimes, but they still love each other." "All that matters is their hearts are in the right place." "Just like us," this made Octavia blush. "Hey, why don't we go and do a little shopping. I know of a good place we can go." "Go shopping? With you? We have never done that before." Vinyl couldn't resist "It's not the only thing we haven't done before." "What do you..." she paused and thought, "SHUT UP VINYL!" Now embarrassed she refused to say another word and the two walked in silence until they made it to the shopping district. The streets were busy and packed with ponies. There were several clothing stores, fast-food joints, food venders, a jewelry store and several other places. "Here we are Octie, all you could ever ask for." Octavia still wasn't talking. "Come on Octie, it was a joke," But that was not the reason she wasn't talking. Looking straight ahead was two ponies she knew. One of them was Top Dollar. He seemed to be talking to a mare. The mare was well dressed, her jet black mane was well groomed and her cherry oak color coat shined in the sun. Octavia took one look at the mare's cutie mark. It was a bass-clef note. "What is she doing here?" Octavia said, not taking her eyes off the mare. Vinyl looked to see what she was looking at. "Hey that's Top Dollar, talking with some mare. I'm going to go over and say hi." she began to trot over, but Octavia stopped her. "What?" "That's not some mare, that's my mother, and I can't have you meet her just yet. Let's just keep our distance and wait for her to leave." "But Top Dollar said he would get us lunch or dinner next time we saw him." "And indeed I will," said a formal voice from behind them. It was Top Dollar, apparently while the two were talking, he had finished talking with Octavia's mother, saw them and headed over. "I overheard the two of you talking, and Octavia, you’re the daughter of Viola?" "Yes, why? By the way I don't want her to know I'm here,"" "Because she invited me to a get together in a few days." "That's the same one we are going too. Are you going?" "I might go, But first allow me to treat you two to lunch." And he kept his word despite the lunch coming from a fast food joint. He paid for everything. Vinyl ordered a grass burger and hay fries, Octavia got dandelion dippers with strawberry dipping stuff. He just got coffee. They ate quickly, hoping they weren't going to be a pain, but he said "Take your time girls, I have already did what I came here for. Now I just want to have some fun." "Thank you Top Dollar," Octavia thanked, "I'll be right back," "Where are you going Octie?" "Don't worry Vinyl, I'll be back soon." Octavia got up and left. "She really is something Top Dollar." "I can see that," he was looking at Octavia's flank. "Hey no staring," Vinyl called out. "My sincerest apologies," "Anyway, I do love her, and lately I've been feeling one step closer to her every day. I think I might want to tie the knot soon." "I think you should, but you are aware of Viola though?" "Yes, but that's Octavia's job, after all Viola is her mother." Top Dollar's horn began to glow. He lifted up a suit case he had with him and opened it, in side he pulled out a small bag of money and plopped it down in front of Vinyl. "In this bag is enough platinum bits to buy a hoof ring of top price anywhere. Take the money and buy her a ring." "But this is your money," "I have more than enough cash, I'm rich. Remember?" "I'm back," Octavia had returned but this time she had on new attire. It was a simple, almost a school mare's uniform. "I'm not one for fashion, but when I saw this outfit I had to buy it. Don't worry I had enough for it. 24 gold bits, that's cheap." Top Dollar was surprised at this new look, as for Vinyl, if she was a Pegasus her wings would be standing up. (Yes I went there). "So what do you think Vinyl? Vinyl?" she was dumbstruck at this new look. "Hello in there," she said as she knocked on Vinyl's head. "What? Oh, Octavia, when we get back to Ponyville..." "No Vinyl, not yet." She cut off. "Well Octavia, you look rather lovely." Top Dollar complemented. "Say, how about I take the two of you shopping, I have a few hours before I need to get to the train. I have a big day in Hoofington in two days." "If you want, You seem a little too nice Top Dollar," Octavia said. "Me? Too nice?" he said, with an unsure tone. "All I'm trying to do is show the common ponies I'm just like one of them." "Now that you bring it up. Why hang around us?" Questioned Vinyl. "Because, well, I have a daughter ok, she too is a lesbian. She once accused me of not understanding her, even though I do support the mare with mare choice." "So you’re hanging out with us..." Vinyl started "You can say that you understand her." Octavia finished "Right, so about the shopping?" "Ok then," the two said in unison. The three of them got up and left. They headed for the place where Octavia had gone to get her outfit. The place was called Tip-Top Fashion: Style with a Passion. The three of them entered and greeted with a sudden, "Welcome to my Shop, I'm Tip Top feel free to look around!" He was a thin black earth pony with a needle and thread for a cutie mark. The three of them rolled their eyes. "Say weren't you here a few moments ago?" he said to Octavia. "Yes I was, problem?" "No not at all, and... Vinyl?" He looked toward her. "Hello Tip-Top, It's been a while." "You know him?" Octavia asked. "We went to school together," "Sure did, she glued me to my locker with super glue." "He was the one who I bought my permanent hair dye from. I went with Neon Blue because it brings out my eyes," "Hey," Top Dollar interrupted "Are we here shop or what?" "Sorry," Vinyl and Octavia went to look for something to buy. The Shop itself was average size so there was plenty to look at. The two of them started trying on out fits. Octavia tried on a few, so did Vinyl. "It's a good thing were doing this, because we can't go walking through Canterlot unless we look formal." Octavia suggested. "Your right." replied Vinyl, "But I know somepony back at Ponyville who can help us." At that moment, the bell on the front door rang as it opened, Top Dollar ran to the two of them. "No running in the store Sir," called Tip Top. "Girls? Octavia," he said panting. "What is it Top Dollar," "The pony that just walked in," Pant... pant "Was your mother. you two need to hide. Quick in the changing room. Did you pick an outfit. I'll pay for them." "Here," they said he shoved them in the changing room. He ran to the cashier to pay. "Will that be all Mr.?" "Yes, can you be quick about it? I need to get going," "Hello Top Dollar." said a calm and cold voice from behind him. "V...V...Viola... Hi," he turned around. "W...w...what brings you here?" "I was about to ask you the same thing. Why is a Top Class pony such as yourself, doing in a highly informal store?" "Hey, don't insult my shop!" yelled Tip Top. Viola gave him a cold stare and he backed down and went back to bagging. "Who are the trash dresses for?" "My... d...d...daughter, because I travel a lot, I wanted to get her something." Vinyl and Octavia peeked out from the dressing room. He tilted his head to single for them to make for the door. "You spoil your daughter," She said in a cold voice, "A good parent doesn't spoil his or her daughter, What's wrong with you neck? And why the feather are you shaking?" She turned her head to the front door. Luckley the two made it out before she saw them. "Did those two pay..." Called Tip Top, a pile of bits plopped on the desk. "That should cover it, Keep the change" Top Dollar cut him off. "Well, it's been nice talking to you Viola, I must get going," He picked up the bag of outfits and his suet case and just as he was about to slip out when Viola spoke. "Why did you do that? You paid for some pony you don't know. You just go and just through your money away." "No, I do know those ponies, one was my daughter and the other was her mare friend." "How atrocious. Why did you have them slip out?" "Because I don't need them knowing a cold hearted pony like you, I'm surprised your husband hasn't left you yet!" He shouted at her. "No pony talks to me like that." "Good day Viola." he stormed out. Vinyl and Octavia were waiting outside, warring the outfits that took by mistake. Vinyl had a silver streamed dress and Octavia had a violet and blue mare's tux. "What in Equestria happened in there?" "Nothing, here are your outfits, It's getting late, I need to go. See you at the party." And without saying another word Top Dollar ran off. "We should get going to," Vinyl suggested, "You know before your mother comes out." "Good call, But what was with him?" "I don't know, but I am getting hungry. I wonder what Turn Table made for dinner." Her mouth began to water. Octavia rolled her eyes. "Come on sweetie." She took Vinyl by the arm and they headed back.