Octavia sat on the comfortable if crowded couch in Fluttershy's living room. She wasn't bothered by the crowd though, they were all manner of small, and some large animals. Especially the birds made Octavia smile as they trilled out their own beautiful songs. She was waiting patiently for her hostess to bring out the tea that she'd been offered. She was absent-mindedly petting Angel Bunny, something she didn't realize was out of character for the usually finicky rabbit, but then again Angel Bunny was a large fan of Octavia's music.
Fluttershy paused at the doorway, mildly surprised that Angel Bunny was putting up with the attentions from Octavia, but smiling at the sight none the less. Pushing her small trolley out laden with a steaming kettle, two teacups, on saucers, a selection of teas and sugar cubes. Octavia smiled, this was a very fine tea service, far more than she had actually been expecting. She leaned forward taking one of the Earl Grey tea packets and placing it in her cup. She was surprised, pleasantly so, when Fluttershy took the initiative to pour the water for her tea. She smiled at the other pony as she allowed her tea to seep, watching Fluttershy select a green tea for herself and poured her own hot water. Fluttershy raised a spoon with a sugar cube nestled in it. "Sugar cube?"
Octavia clicked her tongue in disapproval causing Fluttershy to look confused. Octavia had to smile and shake her head. "Oh, my apologies Fluttershy. No, thank you." She had to remind herself that Fluttershy wasn't one of the fellow upper crust ponies who knew the proper ways to appreciate a good cup of tea.
Fluttershy however, now being more comfortable with the still slightly intimidating Octavia she tilted her head in question. "Is something wrong with sugar Octavia?"
Octavia shook her head smiling. "Oh no my dear, please don't let my refusal put you off of enjoying it yourself." As Fluttershy still looked cruious Octavia expanded on her reasoning. "I was simply brought up to appreciate the purity of a tea, without extra flavoring in it. But those not used to it will likely find many teas a bit abrasive for their taste." She raised her own tea to her lips, taking a polite sip of it and nodding, pleasantly surprised by the quality of the tea that Fluttershy had. Octavia didn't doubt that part of it was an influence that Rarity was a good friend of Fluttershy so she likely kept good tea for her friend. However, she wouldn't want to downplay Fluttershy's own part. She knew enough to look for the good stuff, even if she didn't appreciate it fully by adding sugar and possible cream to her tea. Though there was a good sign that Octavia didn't see any cream on the trolley.
Fluttershy looked down at the tea she had yet to put anything in it. She hesitantly raised it to her lips taking a hesitant sip and immediately regretting it. She hadn't realized how bitter this tea was without sugar in it, managing not to spit it out, just barely. She did make the most horrified face as she fought to keep from making a mess of herself or the table in front of her new marefriend she swallowed down the tea. Octavia was not so successful. When she saw Fluttershy's face in the wake of tasting her tea Octavia couldn't stop her snort of amusement. Hot tea splattered onto the floor in front of the table as Octavia had managed to look down and miss the tea or sugar on the table.
Octavia looked mortified. "Oh, I do apologize, my dear!" She got up to get the towel that was hanging off the cart only to turn around and find that the many small animals had beat her to it and they had produced a towel, wiping away the spilled tea and scampering back off. Octavia couldn't help but smile, that certainly was convenient. She returned to her seat where across from where Fluttershy was giggling at her and adding sugar to her tea. "Allow me to apologize for that again, Fluttershy, it was very unseemly."
Fluttershy tilted her head, smiling at the other pony and waving a hoof dismissively. "Don't worry about it, Octavia. No harm no foul." She was taking another sip of her tea, properly sweetened this time. However, this was interrupted by Fluttershy noticing a faint blush on Octavia's cheeks. She was quite bothered by her social faux pas. Fluttershy bit her bottom lip for a moment before looking up at Octavia, meeting her eyes intently and giving her her most confident smile. "Really Octavia, we all make mistakes at times, nothing to get caught up on."
Octavia hesitated a moment then smiled back at Fluttershy. That was one of the good things about the lower classes, they tended to not worry about the small things and nit pic people to death over them. Probably because they actually had to worry about things that were important, like paying off their house or if they could afford to splurge on some vacation. Octavia straightened up a little and smiled a little wider at the other pony. "Fluttershy, how would you like to go shopping later?"
Fluttershy was taken aback, blinking at the sudden suggestion. She then considered it for a moment, she wasn't really much of a shopper, if Octavia just wanted a shopping companion Fluttershy would have suggested she ask Rarity. And was going to do just that for a moment, before realizing that Octavia was asking her out on a date! Fluttershy smiled sheepishly and blushed gently but nodded. She was a little unsure, this was moving rather fast for her, but she wasn't going to say no if Octavia wanted to go out. "I would enjoy that. Though I don't really need anything I'll help you shop."
Octavia grinned at the obvious, at least in her mind, avoidance by Fluttershy to admitting that she couldn't spend money as freely as Octavia. Octavia herself waved a hoof, she would pay for anything the other mare liked. Money mattered little to her, she had plenty, and then some. She was the second wealthiest pony in Ponyville after all (not including the princess.) "Oh don't worry about that Fluttershy, I'll buy you something." She smiled, looking around the cottage she assumed what Fluttershy would like. "Something cute."
Fluttershy blushed a little brighter, something that Octavia took as confirmation for being called out, for Fluttershy it was the prospect of her marefriend buying her something cute. "O-Ok, but only something small."
Octavia nodded, not sure she was going to stick that agreement but either way, it'd work out. "So, see you at... Let's meet up at Rarity's boutique at... Two?" Fluttershy nodded and smiled as she showed Octavia out. Octavia smiled and nodded. "See you later Fluttershy." Turning she walked back towards town, happy she'd made a new friend today.
Fluttershy smiled as she leaned against the door jam of her cottage and grinned ear to ear. She was heartbroken last night but now she had a pretty new marefriend. She grinned, she knew on an intellectual level she really shouldn't have barreled into a relationship after just being rejected. When in that frame of mind you didn't make good decisions. But Octavia was super nice to Fluttershy and she wanted to be in a relationship so badly!... Now if only Octavia knew they were in a relationship...