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// Ends Harmoniously (June 8th, Saturday afternoon) 
// Story: Not Every Song... 
// by Jhoira 
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Octavia nodded to the waiter in dismissal, though giving him a slight smile she knew the proper way to act in an upscale restaurant. Though she knew what she was going to order it was proper procedure to look at the menu for at least a few moments. Looking up at Fluttershy, Octavia set her menu aside. “Fluttershy, have you ever been to Pâturage de Fleurs?”

Fluttershy shook her head as she looked over the menu. “Oh no, Rarity likes it a lot but...” She wasn't willing to let Rarity spend so much.

Octavia smiled and nodded, looking down at her own menu as she tried to decide her own order. "But you'll let me bring you. At least you recognize the difference in kind between us."

Fluttershy giggled gently and nodded. "Well, I'd hope I would." She smiled a little at what she perceived to be a joke. 

Octavia raised an eyebrow but smiled. She was impressed that it seemed a Pegasus knew enough about other cultures to differentiate between her and Rarity's position. But then again Fluttershy did seem to have a closer affinity to earth pony culture than Pegasi. "Well Fluttershy, I must say this is turning out better than I had expected at first."

As Fluttershy stared and Octavia realized she could have put that better. "I should rephrase that. When we met this morning I was afraid that it would cause issues before I was ready."

Fluttershy's eyes widened. "Oh! I'm sorry I didn't mean to rush you... If you need..."

Octavia waved a hoof, smiling. "Don't worry about it. Alls well that ends well."

Fluttershy nodded and smiled. That was far better. "Ahh, ok." She smiled faintly. "That does sound better." She went back to frown at the menu.

Octavia nodded, parodying it herself before nodding. She knew what she would order. After a few minutes, Octavia cleared her throat gently. "Fluttershy? Are you alright?"

Fluttershy swallowed and shifted nervously. "Uh... I don't know... What... They are..."

Octavia chortled and shook her head slightly. "Well, what kind of things do you like?"

After a short discussion, they hit on what Octavia thought Fluttershy might like. However, getting her to decide on a specific thing was like pulling teeth. Eventually, Octavia made an alternate suggestion. "Why don't I just order for you?"

Fluttershy flushed and smiled widely. She knew that was something couples did so she nodded vigorously. That was something that couples did and Fluttershy liked the idea of it.

Octavia shook her head slightly. Fluttershy was so timid that she actively welcomed not needing to talk to the waiter. "Alright then." Octavia motioned with a hoof to her companion. "Put your menu down so the waiter knows we're ready."

"Oh!" Fluttershy giggled and put down her menu. "Normally they just come up and ask."

Octavia gave a small smirk. "Well, not normally here. They try not to impose on their patrons." With that, the waiter walked over and gave them both a small nod.

"Are you ready to order, madams?"

After Octavia had told him her orders and he went off to do his job Octavia smiled at Fluttershy. "Tell me Fluttershy, do you have any plans for next weekend? I could see my way to scaring up two tickets to a nice spa up in Canterlot. The owner owes me a favor." Octavia wasn't sure why she was putting so much effort into helping Fluttershy's love life, but the poor thing had just looked so sad earlier she supposed that it was only natural. And after all, it wasn't like she couldn't spare the effort. She grinned, soon she'd be even richer than she was now and could finally be free to have any friend she'd want.

Fluttershy blushed brightly and squirmed in her seat. Goodness, Octavia certainly believed in moving quickly. They had only started dating and she was already purposing an out of city trip. That would involve them staying together overnight! Though Fluttershy didn't know if she meant for them to stay in the same room... But then again if Octavia wanted to move quickly Fluttershy wasn't precisely opposed to the concept. She smiled a bit. "Well... I suppose that would work. I mean... Would... It be appropriate to share a room or perhaps I should have my own...?"

Octavia stared for a long moment at the pegasus. Whatever Fluttershy and Princess Twilight or whoever she invited really wasn't any of her business. But then she reminded herself that this was Fluttershy, she probably had literally no clue what was socially acceptable. "That would be up to you Fluttershy. Whatever you're comfortable with." Octavia smiled a bit. "If anyone asks you to do something you're uncomfortable with... Well, no, let me rephrase. If someone insists that you do something you're uncomfortable with, you tell me, ok?"

Fluttershy smiled widely and nodded vigorously. She had an extremely protective marefriend and she was loving it. Fluttershy thought to herself for a few long moments then nodded. "Hm... I think I'd be up for sharing a room... If that's ok with you Octavia."

Octavia frowned for a long moment, shaking her head slightly. "Uh... Well, it doesn't really matt..." As Octavia trailed off she frowned a little deeper as a thought occurred to her. It couldn't be that Fluttershy thought they were dating did she...? She looked up at Fluttershy. "Fluttershy, just so we're clear..."

She never got to finish her sentence as a loud, superior, and obnoxious voice cut through the restaurant. One that Octavia flinched as she recognized. "That cannot be my daughter cavorting with some common trollop!" Octavia whipped her head around to see her mother storming across the open area, with her father following a few paces behind.

Octavia's frown instantly turned into a small snarl of anger. Normally she was given the benefit of the doubt and allowed to defend herself. It seemed her mother had decided to make assumptions, and she was tired of it. Her plans were far enough along to survive the public falling out, and while it wouldn't be as satisfying as when her plan came to fruition, the freedom would make up for it.