What exactly took somepony so long to ask questions? Fancy missed the first week entirely, the days passing one after the other with no answer, no contact. Each of the days dragged on, the mysteries still weighing on Octavia’s mind. She thought about Vinyl damned near all the time, when she worked, when she cooked, even when she tried to sleep. Thankfully, at the least, her near obsession hadn’t impacted her playing ability yet. Miss Note would surely notice and she hadn’t said a word.
On the bright side, Vinyl seemed to be doing quite a bit better. Perhaps it was the time that’d passed since Virtue and her goon poked around, but Vinyl didn’t seem near as on edge. Granted, she still hadn’t left the house, but at the least the two of them spent most of their time together when Octavia was actually home. They’d started to grow more comfortable with each other, content to merely relax within the other’s presence. Not a bad life at all.
It was one of these relaxing, off days that Octavia found herself. The weekend had come, the Orchestra not performing for once. The two of them were sprawled out in her living room, Octavia pouring over a book while Vinyl played the piano in the corner of the room. Vinyl actually had quite the skill with it, something that certainly surprised Octavia to no end. The soft little tunes eased her mind, a perfectly calm day.
“You know Vinyl, you really are quite good at that,” Octavia noted, a hoof turning one of the pages in her books. She shifted a little on the couch, trying to get a tad bit more comfortable. Unfortunately, these things were built more for looks than comfort.
Out of the corner of her eye, Octavia could see Vinyl look over her shoulder and give her the cheekiest of grins. “You didn’t think that I got my cutie mark for nothing, did ya Tavi?” she asked, attention turning back to the piano. “You wanna hear some Clopin?” she asked.
Octavia glanced over towards Vinyl again, one of her eyebrows arched. “Let’s hear it then. I didn’t know that you’d be familiar with the old masters.” What a coincidence. Octavia just so happened to be reading a biography on that very composer’s life. Then again, that might have been the point of Vinyl’s offer.
“Pfft, of course I know ‘em. I didn’t take seven years of piano lessons for nothing,” Vinyl shot back, turning to the keys.
A beautiful rendition of Clopin’s Nocturne in E-flat Major filled the air, something that earned quite the interest from Octavia. She sat her book down and shifted again, looking over towards the piano. Vinyl looked entirely concentrated, magic pressing down each of the keys in turn. Her eyes were closed, but she looked to be mouthing something to herself.
For a while, Octavia simply listened. She’d always been a fanatic of the arts, always one that wanted to see the next big thing. Vinyl’s playing didn’t miss a single key, didn’t misplay a single note. She’d had training and Octavia expected that, but she’d never expected something of this caliber.
Unfortunately, the performance would be cut quite short, a knock on their door announcing the arrival of somepony. Vinyl instantly froze, the piano stopping along with her. She glanced towards Octavia with a scared, worried look, but Octavia could already guess who it was.
“Hold on,” she soothed, keeping her voice down. “It’s a friend, I promise. Just wait here, I’ll be right back,” she explained. The earth pony got to her hooves, standing up while Vinyl stayed practically locked to the piano stool. Octavia gave her one last worried look before heading towards the foyer and the front door.
Naturally, when she opened it, Fancy waited instead of someone much more sinister. A wide smile broke across Octavia’s muzzle, one returned by the stallion. “Oh, it’s wonderful to see you, dear,” Octavia welcomed. She closed the distance between them, one foreleg wrapping around Fancy in a light hug, which he returned.
“And you as well,” Fancy agreed, taking a step back and giving her space. “May I come in? I have news and- well, it probably shouldn’t be said in the opening.” Rarely did Fancy exaggerated, if ever, and by the way he glanced over his shoulder and the tone of his voice, Octavia could tell just how serious this was. She gave a nod and ushered him in, locking the door tight back up behind him.
Vinyl hadn’t left, still rooted to the spot. That might make this a bit awkward, but Octavia considered herself an expert in avoiding awkwardness. “Vinyl, this is a friend of mine, Fancy Pants. Fancy, this is Vinyl Scratch,” she introduced, leading the way to the couch she’d previously relaxed on. “Won’t you sit, Fancy?” she asked.
The tension held in the air for a second before Fancy broke it. He gave a gracious nod and trotted towards the couch, taking a seat. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Miss Scratch. I’m sure any friend of Octavia’s is positively lovely. Do you play the piano?” he asked, a pleasant smile on his face.
Vinyl didn’t answer instantly. Octavia could see her squirm, ears flicking back on her head. Oh dear, this could certainly be bad, couldn’t it? Maybe Octavia should say something, maybe she should interrupt and keep the conversation flowing without Vinyl. After all, she could understand all of that worry.
Fortunately for the both of them, Vinyl pleasant surprised her. “H-hey Fancy,” she started, that same casual sounding voice as always. Well, not quite. There was a bit of a quiver wasn’t there? “Yea, I can play. I’m not that great, but yea, I can play,” she repeated, a clear little shake of nervousness.
Octavia sighed, stepping between the two. “Nonsense, Vinyl. You’re amazing, in every way.”
If Vinyl hadn’t blushed before, she certainly did now. That white face erupted into red, cheeks practically stained with the color. The nervous mare turned back to the piano keys in practically a huff and began the movement all over again. It seemed to distract her quite nicely.
Something that Octavia couldn’t help but let out a small giggle about. The grey mare joined Fancy on the couch, meeting his pleasant smile with one of her own. “So! What was the news as it were? Is it something that can be said in good company? We aren’t exactly alone here, after all,” she explained, gaze flickering towards Vinyl for just a moment. Octavia said the last part quite a bit quieter, just barely loud enough for Fancy to hopefully hear over the dulcet sounds of the piano.
Fancy waved a hoof, ever so casual. “Believe me, I would have come much quicker had the news been dire. I’m happy to say that you have absolutely nothing to worry about. All the claims that you questioned were indeed false. I tried my best to get more information on who exactly spread them, but no luck so far,” he explained, an apologetic look on his face.
A rush of relief flooded through Octavia, so quickly and powerfully that she couldn’t help but let it out in a sigh and a delighted little giggle. “Thank you so much, Fancy. It seems that I’m eternally in your debt,” she admitted, fluttering her eyelashes at the stallion and pressing a hoof gently against her chest. “I have another small favor, if it’s not too much? Perhaps you could continue poking about the nature of the scoundrels? I’m afraid you are my only hope.” An understatement if there ever was one. Sure, Octavia had connections, but Fancy? He was practically Canterlot embodied.
But before he could respond, Vinyl peeked over her shoulder at the pair, apparently managing to get over her embarrassment. “Whatcha talkin’ about anyways? You know, not to pry or anything, but it sounds juicy,” she teased. “Let ol’ Vinyl in on the scoop too!”
Octavia and Fancy exchanged looks, though Octavia spoke first. “It’s- nothing, really,” she began, a touch of worry in her tone. “I’ve had to deal with some hecklers spreading uncouth rumors about me lately. I believe it’s a pair of mares trying to get my spot in the orchestra, but I haven’t been able to figure anything out yet. Which is why I brought Fancy in,” she lied, smooth as could be. They always said the best lies were based on a hint of truth, and this one had that since it happened before.
Luckily for Octavia, Fancy caught on quite quickly, shaking his head with an almost disgusted look. “It’s quite dreadful, to be honest with you. The things they’ve said about Octavia would make even the foulest of sailors hesitate. Then again, I suppose it’s quite easy when you’re anonymous, no one has to know it’s you being the knave. Regardless, I’m sure we’ll figure it out soon enough and put the rumor to an early grave.”
The story may not hold up to a close inspection, especially considering the first few sentences of their conversation. Octavia merely hoped that Vinyl hadn’t paid enough attention at the start due to her embarrassment. Small hopes, but hopes nonetheless.
It seemed like it would pass. Vinyl’s expression soured, but in an expected way. “Fuckin’ assholes,” she swore, letting out a huff. “You lemme know who they are and I’ll set them straight.” With that, she turned back towards the piano, continuing her performance.
“Yes, well, that’s very sweet but I’m sure it won’t be needed,” Octavia deflected. Somewhere deep inside of her, warmth blossomed - how long had it been since she had someone who cared about her to that extent? She’d been so lonely for such a long time.
But it wasn’t to think about now. Not when company waited for her hospitality. “With the business out of the way, would you prefer to stay, Fancy? I could perhaps make tea, I believe I have some scones prepared as well. We could make a day out of it,” she suggested.
“I’m afraid not,” Fancy declined, looking positively dejected about it. “I have more business to attend to today, Fleur wishes for me to come with her on another tour of the fashion district. I quite love her, but- Well, sometimes, she manages to wear me out,” he admitted, chuckling good naturedly.
Warm thoughts stirred in Octavia’s head. Fleur had a certain energy to her that very few could match, an enthusiasm for all the things she loved and a compassionate nature. And not only that, but she had the looks to match, looks so good that even Octavia couldn’t help but fantasize sometimes. Straight as an arrow, sure, but Octavia could dream.
The mare managed to break herself out of that mini-daydream with a cough. “Right. Right. Of course. Shall I show you out then?” Octavia asked, ever so delicately extricating herself from the couch.
Of course Fancy noticed. He looked at Octavia with such a smug look that Octavia almost felt like she’d melt on the spot. Thankfully, he had the wherewithal to not say anything, and within a few moments, and a couple of exchanged pleasantries, he would be off.
A shame, really. Octavia appreciated the goodness, and saying goodbye had put her in quite the nice mood. With one last wave, she closed the door and turned, ready to continue the day in happiness.
Only to turn directly into a stewing Vinyl, waiting practically right behind her with quite the look on her face. “You were talking about me. Spill,” she demanded.
Octavia gulped.