//------------------------------// // Beginners Luck // Story: The High Note // by FlashFoward //------------------------------// Roast noticed the new spring in your step as you entered the café. His face was caught between a grin and breaking out into a fit of laughter. You could care less though, you felt like the luckiest stallion in the world. “I see you’re pretty happy today.” Roast noted of your growing smile. “Yep, you won’t believe who I’m taking out to dinner tonight.” “Who are you taking out tonight?” Roast played along with your game. “Just guess.” You could barely keep the excitement from your voice. “Uh…” “Octavia!” You exclaim, completely disregarding Roast’s answer. “That gray mare, who gave you the pass to Note Theater?” “Yeah, I feel so lucky.” You could hardly contain your smile. “Fine job, she looks like a keeper.” Roast replied in approval. “I hope you make this first date memorable.” “I guess you can call it a date. I’m taking her to…” Now that you thought about it, the restaurant you would bring Octavia to never crossed your mind. “Didn’t think you’d get that far, did you?” Roast joked. “I’d be lying if I said yes.” You admit. “The usual cool, calm, and composed pianist has a few flaws then.” Roast continued to tease. “I guess so.” “How does those words taste coming out of your mouth?” Roast was relishing in your discomfort. “Like vinegar.” You hissed angrily. “Okay, enough picking on you. We need to think up of a restaurant.” Roast started treading back and forth continuously on the spot, squinting his eyebrows in concentration. “How about here?” You gesture to the café’s atmosphere. “This place is much too casual for a first date.” Roast muttered. “She told me to meet her here though.” You informed. “You don’t say?” Roast looked surprised at this piece of information. “Well, that could mean this will be just the meeting place or the actual place to dine.” “What do you suggest?” You ask anxiously. “Ugh, honestly, I’m not sure. Tell you what, ask her if she want to go either to La Palma or here.” Roast offered. “La Palma? I don’t even know where that place is!” You let out a sigh of frustration at your lack of knowledge of such fancy eateries. “It would be a good idea to start getting to know your environment. Anyway, don’t worry about the location for tonight. I know the mare that runs the place. She’ll be more then able to pull a few strings to get you in.” Roast explained. “And why would she be so willing to help?” “Easy, how do you think she learned to cook and run a business like that?” Roast asked. “Dunno.” You shrug. “It was me! If anything, she owes me.” Roast happily replied. “I hope you’re going to look presentable when Octavia comes.” Roast frowned at the sight of your attire. “I got a suit back at home…which is all wet.” You grumpily mutter. “Not to fear, I got something for you.” Roast trot to back of the store and returned shortly with a package on his back. “That is?” You ask, pointing a hoof at the mysterious package. “This is your attire for tonight.” Roast proudly opens the package and gestures you to look at its contents. It was an all-white suit, with a matching fedora to boot. “Should fit you fine, I’m not that much bigger then you are.” “Come on, I can’t use your stuff.” “I insist! First impressions are always the ones ponies look back on. Make it count.” Roast says while passing the package to you. “Besides, I need to grab something that better matches with my coat.” True, white and Roast’s light brown coat didn’t really mesh well. “Happy to hear I get sloppy seconds.” You tease, trying on the fedora as you spoke. “Just for that, I’m going to spill coffee all over that coat.” “You wouldn’t dare.” “Try me! I’m not using it anymore anyway!” Roast didn’t sabotage your white suit, but got revenge through other means later on in the day. Meaning by that is Roast poured hot sauce into your tea, without your knowing. Safe to say, it felt like somepony poured magma all over your tongue. It was close to the afternoon now and your nerves started to kick into overdrive. Would Octavia stand you up tonight? “You look terrible. Relax, everything will be fine.” Roast reassured. “This is my first date with any mare. I’m freaked out about failing terribly.” “If you’re already this paranoid, imagine what’s going through Octavia’s head right now.” “Not sure how knowing that is supposed to make me feel better.” You grumpily mutter. “The point to what I said is that, it’s natural to be a little nervous about this. My first date was a bit of a nervous wreck for me.” “Oh, this should be good.” You lean over the counter and exaggerate deep interest in Roast’s first date with a mare. Roast heaved a sigh before spinning his tale. “Okay, I’ll spill. Just get off my counter will you?” Within a blink of an eye, you scoot off the counter and wait expectantly for the tale. “Believe it or not, it was a blind date.” “You’re kidding.” You couldn’t help but figure this was just a recipe for disaster. “I kid you not. Anyway, point is, I had no idea what the mare’s name was, let alone know how she looked. It was like walking in a room with the lights off. When the time for the date came, I was floored by how my date looked.” Roast’s eyes started to glaze over and you figured he was getting all nostalgic. “Was this a good thing or bad thing?” You wanted to keep the flow of this story going. “Better than good I’ll tell you right now. My friends date looked like a pile of mud next to her.” “But you said this date was a nervous wreck for you? What went wrong?” Roast’s tale just didn’t add up right now. “Right you are! You see, she might have looked pretty, but deep down inside, she was rude and snobby.” Roast explained, his happy nostalgic face becoming crestfallen. “Sorry to hear that.” You try to sympathize with Roast while trying to keep your snickers suppressed. “Nah, I learned something from that day. Beauty from the inside of the heart last forever. What was outside might be nice to look at, in reality though, those things can’t cover up how nasty a mare is.” Roast suddenly busted out into a fit of laughter. “What’s so funny?” You demand accusingly. “It’s not you. I just remembered how that terrible date ended. She tripped me down a flight of stairs as we left the restaurant.” Roast might have kept laughing, but you were rather worried about Roast’s lighthearted reactions on this. Something caught Roast’s attention and he immediately stopped laughing. “What’s up Roast?” You ask anxiously. Seeing Roast’s eyes bulge slightly on further unsettled you. His only response to your question was to point his hoof to something behind you. Wanting to know what caused Roast to get all shocked, you turn around to see what he was pointing at. Your mind falters slightly as Octavia made her way over to you. Her mane was in a ponytail, something that you’ve never seen her do before, but it’s what she was wearing that made your mind stall. The usual neckpiece she had was replaced with a diamond necklace. She had also been wearing a silvery dress that looked like it sparkled slightly. Yesterday at the dinner party Octavia had dressed simpler, something that irked you since she told you to get a suit for the occasion. It was mindboggling how Octavia’s attire kind of gave her a glowing effect or maybe you thought her beauty was just that striking. “Did I overdo it?” Octavia nervously asked, blushing slightly at the sight of your slack jaw and Roast’s bulging eyes. Realizing how stupid you probably looked right about now, you regain focus and close your mouth. Roast still looked like somepony hit him over the head with a frying pan. Some of the stallions started staring at Octavia and you felt a spark of anger in your body, but chose not to act on it. “No, you like perfect.” You quickly reassure, Roast mutely nods in approval. “Thanks. I must say, you look pretty god yourself.” Octavia complimented, gesturing to your white suit. Part of you couldn’t help but smile sheepishly at this knowledge. “I guess this is my cue.” Roast finally snapped out of trance and trotted outside. He could be seen whistling loudly at something down the street. Within moments, a small carriage pulled up by a few stallions at the front of the café. Octavia’s eye’s grows large with awe while you couldn’t begin to express your gratitude to Roast. “You’re ride is here.” Roast yelled after poking his head through the open front doors. Octavia smiles up at you before heading outside. While Octavia was helped up into the carriage, your attention shifted to Roast. “I can’t thank you enough.” Roast just waves your thanks away. “Promise me this date won’t be a nightmare like mine was.” “I won’t let you down!” “Get in already!” Octavia called out from within the chariot. “You heard the lady, get a move on. Just ask for the owner and mention me, she’ll know.” Roast pushed you into the carriage a little forcefully and slammed the door shut behind you. The ride to La Palma was surprisingly quick. Perhaps this was due to you and Octavia poking fun at Greg’s obsessive manner over Melody. Mentioning Melody though had a thought provoke your mind. Octavia got into a fit about her while she was drunk, were those feelings hiding dormant in her heart? For now, Octavia looked perfectly happy now and that was enough for you. The buildings that passed by you started to slow down and you push open the carriage door. Once you were out of the carriage you helped down Octavia, who seemed all too excited to grab your offering hoof. Wow. That pretty much the only way to define how La Palma looked. Like other buildings in Canterlot, it stuck with the white pristine marble to make the building. However, the tropical palm trees here made the place stand out. In a way, Palma gave of a tropical vibe. When you and Octavia enter La Palma, saying this place gave a tropical vibe would do it no justice. There was a large assortment of plants that were foreign and a large glass dome made up the roof. For all you know, you just stepped into the heart of a jungle. “This must be your first time here. New customers always have that “Oh my gosh.” look on their face.” A mare concluded. Looking down at Octavia, she too was amazed by the place’s atmosphere. “You can say that. Would you happen to know the owner of this place?” “Depends, who’s asking?” “I’m a friend of Roast. He told me this would be a great place to take Octavia to dinner.” You answer. “Roast eh? I do really need to drop by his place again. If that’s the case, you must be Mr. Piano Man.” The mare now analyzed with interest. Mr. Piano Man was a nickname Roast bestowed on you long ago. “That I am. Take it Roast talks about me?” “Mhm, he talks about your talents like no tomorrow. Last time I seen him, I told him to keep a sock in it before I did it for him.” The mare recalled. “Anyway, I’ll take you to your seats.” There were a whole lot of ponies around, many of which were entranced by the environment as much as you and Octavia were. Dread stained your positive mood when you noticed a couple sitting near an empty table. It was Melody and Greg, who looked terribly nervous. The table you and Octavia were to be sitting at just had to be next to them. This date might end up worse than Roast’s first. Hopefully they won’t notice you. “Hey there Octavia, are you going to be eating dinner here with him?” Your hopes were quickly dusted away with Greg’s question. “Yes, I am. How are you two doing?” Octavia noticed Melody’s strained smile and she faltered slightly. “Oh, it’s okay. Greg was just indulging me in some facts about what show’s he composed for.” It wasn’t all that hard to see that Melody was pretty bored by Greg’s rambling. “Yeah, well, have a good one.” You interject, not wanting to deal with the estranged pair anymore. You settled yourself at the other table and Octavia accompanies you. The owner of La Palma handed you the menu’s and did a little bow before leaving to check on other customers. Octavia just wanted a salad while you decided to have some soup. While you two were waiting, Melody and Greg started to get a little loud. “I guess they aren’t having much fun.” Octavia whispered, not wanting to be overheard by the troubled couple. “Let’s just hope it doesn’t escalate.” You reply, trying to keep your voice low as possible as well. “What nerve!” Greg yelled shrilly. The room went silent at his sudden outburst. Much to your displeasure, Greg joined the table you and Octavia had been sitting in. He had taken a seat next to Octavia and you started to feel a little bothered. “Um, not to sound rude, but we were having dinner together.” Octavia muttered, her tone getting a little defensive and her features looking a little annoyed. “Don’t worry dear, I won’t be long.” Greg threw Melody a dirty look. After his little episode with Melody, you barely blamed him. “Uh, Octavia, I know this isn’t the best time to bother you, but I need to talk with you about a certain issue.” “Can’t it wait?” Octavia pleaded a little desperately. Greg glanced at you before turning to Octavia. It wasn’t his usual “I don’t like you” look he had specially reserved for you. No, now it was a look of spite and even deeper loathing. What did Melody say and do to him? “I guess it can wait tomorrow.” Greg shrugged and left your table. Melody didn’t look remotely fazed by Greg’s actions. In fact, she looked happier then you had ever seen her now. This did nothing to make you feel better, seeing that smile only foretold problems ahead. Let’s face it Melody wasn’t one to smile unless it came at the expense of others. Unfortunately, Melody’s and Greg’s talks both affected you and Octavia for the worse. She looked nervous at what might be waiting for her once she had to talk to Greg. No matter how many times you told her not to fuss over it, she only grew more upset and paranoid about it. Your worries about what was the reason behind Melody’s smiling barely showed, but it did make you feel a little uneasy. The food might have been delicious, but it was easy to tell that Octavia had too much on her mind to enjoy herself much. When a waiter asked about dessert, you asked for a sundae. At least end the night on a sweet note. Once the sundae came, the waiter must have told the chiefs in the back about this being for a couple. There were two cherries on top of the whip cream, one more than usual. You recall a moment with your mom when she took you out to the ice cream parlor once. Cherries were never really your thing, so mom would always eat the ones you left behind. There was a day when mom indulged you in a fun contest with the cherry. “If you can make a knot with the cherry steam in your mouth, you’re a good kisser.” Your mom said. Your reaction was naïve, natural of a colt your age that day, of course. “Kissing? That’s mushy and weird.” “You'll be singing a different tune on that subject soon enough.” Mom teased. Remarkably, mom pulled off the little trick multiple times while you could hardly do one. It took until your teens to get decent at doing knots with the stem. Mom’s performance was something you couldn’t live up to. With those fond memories fresh on your mind, you submit your challenge. “Hey Octavia, got a fun little game for you.” “And that is?” Octavia sounded interested and this only made you feel more confident. “Let’s see who ties a knot on their cherry stem fastest. Winner has bragging rights on being the better kisser.” “You’re on.” Octavia quickly eats her cherry and starts playing around with the steam in her mouth before you could even grab your own. She might have had an early start, but you were determined to make it just that. With so many years of doing this, it was rather easy for you to manipulate the stem to your will. You note the frustrated look on Octavia’s face and you figure she was never issued this sort of challenge before. Just as you opened your mouth to show her the fruits of your labor, she too opened hers. That earlier show of a struggle was a clever ruse that you fell for. Credit needed to be given when it’s due, she got you good. However, it was kind of hard to tell who won, it was just that close. “I won!” Octavia chirped happily. “Nope, I got you on this one. It’ll take more than beginners luck to beat me.” “Oh yeah,” Octavia leaned her face closer to yours, her beautiful eyes capturing your attention again. “prove it.” Without hesitation, Octavia kissed you on the lips. Her tongue greedily pushed against your lips, demanding entrance. You allow her tongue to mingle with your tongue and you start to playfully wrestle with hers .The fresh cherry taste, which had been mixed with another type of berry, was evident in her tongue and was a taste you wanted more of. If the table between you two hadn’t acted as a barrier while one of you tried to lean deeper into the kiss, you would probably have been sticking to each other like glue. To make up for the lack of getting any more leverage in the kiss, you started stroking Octavia’s mane as lovingly as possible. Little moans escaped Octavia’s lips and this only made you feel giddier. Octavia suddenly pulls back from the kiss and a speck of saliva connects to your mouths. If she was blushing that hard, you can only imagine how you fared. “I don’t need beginners luck.” Octavia whispered seductively.