The train whistle blew loudly, startling the Octavia out of slumber.
"Next Stop Ma-a-a-anehatten, Center Station!" The Conductor called. Octavia sat up, kissing the tip of Vinyl's sensitive horn to wake her. She busied herself by throwing on her coat and hurriedly, brushing her mane and tail, which were thoroughly mussed. Trying to brush Vinyl's hair was useless-- the white mare seemed to have a deep, residing fear of combs-- but Octavia never-the-less smoothed the spiky hair down a little with her hoof, disguising it as a gentle caress.
Octavia left the sleeping chamber to get her suitcase, but both her own and Vinyl's met her halfway down the corridor, suspended in a cloud of Vinyl's magic. Octavia walked back to her sleepy marefriend, who was struggling into an oversized grey sweatshirt.
The two mares walked toward the nearest exit to wait for their stop.
"Ma-a-a-anehatten, Center Station!" the conductor called again. The train slid to a stop and the two ponies hopped out.
Octavia woke up in her old bedroom, with its sunny yellow walls painted with dancing musical instruments, and wondered briefly where Vinyl Scratch was. Then she remembered.
They'd taken a cab from the station to Octavia's parents' house, where they were welcomed, albeit sleepily, with cups of hot cocoa and warm hugs all around. How strange this is, Octavia remembered thinking to herself. if they knew more, they would likely shut us out in the snow, or at least, shut Vinyl out in the snow, and I would have to go with her to show them how much we love each other. But here they welcome us with steaming cups and open arms, all because they think we're just friends. What an odd world this is.
Vinyl Scratch was supposed to sleep on an air mattress on the floor next to Octavia's bed, but Octavia knew that wouldn't last. Though Vinyl had stayed there tonight, she would almost certainly refuse to stay there all week, demanding that they at least cuddle in the little private time they had together.
Octavia looked down at the sleeping mare, smiling gently, then quietly rolled down onto the other bed, into Vinyl's arms.
"Wake up, sweetheart," she whispered in Vinyl's ear, shaking her slightly.
"Wha--Where are we?" Vinyl asked, yawning.
"My parents' house, remember? We got here really late last night."
"Oh. Right. The no-fun-allowed place."
"Don't say that."
"Well, it's true."
Come on, Vinyl. Up. They like early risers." Octavia sat up, shaking the air mattress as she tugged on Vinyl's hoof.
"But you already said the wouldn't like me. What's the point?" Vinyl whined, still refusing to open her eyes.
"Vinyl Scratch, I'm serious. Please just get up. I'll kiss you if you do." Octavia pleaded.
"Oh, fine." Vinyl struggled to her hooves, blinking the light streaming in the window. "Now, where's my kiss?"
"Well, well, well, we thought you two kids would never get up." Octavia's father said jovially as they came downstairs and sat down t breakfast.
"Well, I would have gotten up even later if 'Ta-- er, Octavia hadn't driven me out of bed. Ow! What in Equestria was that for?" Vinyl gave Octavia an accusatory glare as she felt Octavia's hoof connect sharply with her leg."
"Uh, what's for breakfast, Mother? It sure smells delicious." Octavia cut in, eager to make them forget Vinyl's awkward conversation.
"We have oatmeal, of course, I know that's your favourite, Octavia. And we have whole grain, fiber filled pancakes. They're delicious, too, you really must try them. And your father squeezed some organic oranges for juice, just this morning. Sound good? And what about you, dear, Vinyl, was it?"
"Er, yes, that's me. I, um, I guess I'll just have whatever Octavia has," Vinyl said nervously, glancing at her marefriend for help.
Octavia shrugged, worried about Vinyl's reaction to the healthy breakfast.
"Alright then, I'll get you girls a bit of everything, yes?"
Vinyl Scratch groaned internally. Oh, Celestia, what have I gotten myself into? She thought, watching Sonata bring in the matching grey oatmeal and pancakes. Even the juice looked slightly grey. She noticed Octavia watching with the same hint of distrust, and wondered briefly if Sonata really was just a terrible cook.
"Thank you ma'am," Vinyl said, remembering Octavia's manners lessons. The grey mare caught her eye, giving her a small smile of praise.
"No need for such formalities, Vinyl. Just call me Sonata. That's what all of Octavia's little friends do."
Octavia blushed. "Mother, I'm twenty-two, you know."
"I know, deary. That's why I thought you would have a colt by now," Sonata said, her voice hardening slightly.
"Yes Mother."
"So, your mother and I were thinking we could all go downtown and see the big tree," Crescendo said, breaking the awkward silence. "It's not so big as the one in Canterlot, but still, I think we should take a family photo there. Octavia, do you mind having your friend in it?"
"Oh! Uh, no, not at all," Octavia said, eyes sliding from one parent to the other.
After all, we are almost like family now," Vinyl added, looping her arm around Octavia.
"Yes, well. Anyways, how would you two like to do that today?" Sonata said, oddly stiff.
Vinyl Scratch was eager to leave the grey breakfast and sneak in some kind of real nourishment. "That sounds excellent. Er, when do we leave?"