Tavi
-Hoover
"Hey Chance."
"Yeah?"
"You see that mare over there?"
"Umm... Yeah."
"Who is she?"
I was looking at a mare about our age walking across the street. She had long, smooth black hair, and a soft grey body. Her cutie mark was a pink treble clef.
"Why do you think I know?" my friend asked me.
"Well, just to be on the safe side." I replied, watching the mare walk down the street.
"Wait, are you...? Oh my god, Hoover, not this again. The last time you did this, you dropped out of college, ditched your roommate, and moved across Equestria."
I used to live in Ponyville. I had an intense crush on a mare named Applejack while I was there. I was in college, and one night, while looking out the window, saw an advertisement for the Ponyville Lottery. I had won, and was so happy, I decided to go ask her, but instead, saw her kissing on a park bench. I overreacted and moved away the next morning.
Now I live in Canterlot, basically living off of the lottery winnings, using one million primarily, and investing some of the rest. Chance is one of my best friends... Actually, he IS my best friend. He knows everything about me.
"That was different. I never really ever talked to her. This time, I'll be better at it. And I won't... You know..."
Last time I had talked to a pony I liked, I threw up for half an hour out of nervousness. Everytime I got close to AJ, I started to shake severely.
"Hoover, let this one go."
"You always say that."
"Okay, when was the last time I said that? When?"
"Remember that really hot dentist?"
"...Oh. But the point is, I don't want you to get depressed again. You're a really boring person when you're depressed."
"But she's wearing a bow tie! Come ON, man, I love bow ties!"
"Oh, sure. Since when?"
"...two minutes ago. But COME ON!!!"
"No."
"...You're a bitch sometimes, you know that? A real bitch..." I crossed my arms, disappointed. He sighed deeply.
"...You really like this one?"
"You don't even know, man."
He sighed again. "Go for it."
I smiled and got up from the table outside the café we always hang around. Hopping over the fence, I sprinted after her. Once she was within eyesight, I stopped running and tried to catch my breath. As soon as I was ready, I went for it. But when I got closer, I started shaking.
Nervous thoughts running through my head, I stopped. What if she's already taken? Or what if she's not interested? What if she thinks I'm stalking her?
Mind racing, knees trembling, and head aching, I sat down against a building, holding my head against my hooves. I did it again. I chickened out AGAIN. And now, I get to spend another day alone. I'd probably never see her again, and she must be long gone by now.
All these thoughts rocketing through my head, I sat there and basked in my own depression, tears running down my face. I was just overreacting, like I did with Applejack. But this felt different. It didn't feel quite... The same.
With AJ and that one hot dentist, all I wanted was their looks. But something about this new mare was different. Her atmosphere was...soothing. Just the way she walked and held her head in a low fashion made me feel calm and happy around her.
All this from seeing a mare across the street for five minutes. Wow. She's the one, for sure. Definitely. And if not, then there is nopony out there for me.
----------
"So? How was the date?" Chance greeted me as I walked into his apartment a few hours later.
"I did it again. I fucked it up again, man."
"... Oh my GOD, MAN!!!... You gotta be shittin' me. Again? You need to get control of your emotions."
"But I'm not gonna give up on this one. There was something different. Something... Something special about her."
"I don't wanna hear it, bro. I'll take your word for it."
I decided to go home an hour later, making sure I wasn't too drunk. Besides, tomorrow's my big day. The day I get over this damn nerve problem.
----------
I woke up earlier than usual to go camp out by the café again. Hopefully she would take the same path to wherever she was going.
At about 9, I saw her. Casually getting up, I started to follow her from a good block-distance. She seemed to swerve with ease through the morning traffic of ponies in the street. Eventually, I gave up and just walked along the buildings.
After a good ten minute walk through Canterlot, I arrived at a large building. Following her inside, I kept my distance.
She disappeared once I made it through the door of the building. I didn't know where to go, so I wandered through the near-empty hallways. This seemed to be some kind of school for music. The insignia on the back wall of the main room had the letters CSU on them. Canterlot State University.
While wandering, I heard a low strings instrument start to play. I traced the source back to an important looking door. Quietly opening it, I found myself in medium sized auditorium, with cushioned leather seats and a mahogany-wood stage, lit with dimmed lights.
There she was. The pony. Playing a cello with her back turned to the rest of the room. It was a sad melody, and she seemed to be improvising, rather than reading it. Her body swayed with the tempo.
She hadn't noticed me, so I sat down in the back row. She played so beautifully. Almost as if she were feeling my thoughts and translating them into music.
She was beautiful. With her long, black, smooth mane, and her light purple bow tie. Or was it a pink... Arguably a VERY light maroon... Either way, I loved it.
After she was done playing, she walked behind stage and pulled out her cello case. Packing up her things, she looked up to check the time and saw me, sitting in the back row. She immediately stopped, and then started up again, this time double speed, and rushed to the only door in the auditorium, right beside me. I could have sworn I saw a slight blush.
----------
"Hey." Chance greeted as I walked in.
"Oh my God, bro. I love her."
"Here we go..."
"She plays the cello, has freakin' awesome hair, pretty eyes, and she's shy."
"What?"
"I'm pretty sure she's shy... She didn't say a word to me."
"Wait, where did you meet her?"
"I was listening to her playing cello in the auditorium."
"Who else was there?"
"...no one."
He sat down on his sofa and held his head in his hooves.
"...Smooth, man. Real fuckin' smooth..."
"What?"
"You pulled a creeper move. Alone in an auditorium with another mare, and you're just watching her? That's a creeper move."
"Fuck you, then. I'll ask her out this time."
"When is 'this time'?"
"Tomorrow."
----------
Today was the day. The day I finally get over this nervous problem.
I was at the café again, with lines ready to say in my head. I saw her walking down the street again, and this time, I casually stood up and walked toward her. This time, I would get to her before she got to the building.
"...I, uh... I saw you playing yesterday. I'm Hoover, by the way." I had caught up to her. My body started to slightly shake, but I pushed it down as best as I could.
"You play beautifully." I said after an awkward silence. She seemed to be looking anywhere but my direction.
"So... I was wondering if you might want to, uh... Go out for dinner some time..."
She stopped walking, and looked at me. But after a few seconds, she started walking again.
"...She could've just said no." I said to myself after she had left.
----------
At 6 o'clock that night, I heard my doorbell ring. It was the mail guy. I opened the door and called him over.
"This late? Really?"
"It was a letter from somepony."
"Alright... Just slip it under the door next time, okay?"
"Sure."
"See ya, Phil."
I picked up the letter and walked inside with it. Opening it with a pencil, I pulled out the contents. Inside was a card that had been folded down halfway. I opened it and was greeted with a neatly written letter. I began to read...
Dear Mr. Hoover,
We have recently learned that you fancy our daughter, and would like to have a word with you...
The letter went on about directions and the address. I was going to their house at 8 o'clock.
My heart started thumping. This would change everything. I needed to make a good image for her parents. But... Does she live with her parents still? She seems a bit old to still live with them... Like, 4 years too old... Either way, it didn't matter. I had to make a good impression.
----------
At fifteen 'till eight, I went out the door of my apartment and ran into Chance.
"Oh, hey man." I said casually, trying to get past him. He stopped me.
"...Whatcha dressed fancy for?" He asked, frowning at my tie and combed-down hair.
"I'm meeting that one mare's parents."
"Holy sh- You're meeting her parents?!"
"...Yeah. Why?"
"This is great! You've never gotten this far!"
"Well..."
"Well what?"
"I'm not sure what they're going to tell me. They didn't specify in the letter."
"Oh... When?"
"Eight."
"Shit, man. What are you standing here for, go!" He shoved me down the hallway.
----------
I parked by the side of the road and got out. Before walking up there, I sighed and took a moment to think.
What am I doing? I'm walking into a house and talking to people I don't even know. What if they disapprove of me? What if this screws it up for me?... I'm overdressed, probably.
I took off the tie and tossed it in the back seat... Now I'm underdressed. I sighed and put the tie back on. Let's do this.
I walked up to the front door, took a deep breath, and knocked. A moment later, an older stallion with black hair and a similar grey body answered.
"Can I help you?" He asked, in a slight British accent.
"I'm Hoover. You told me to come at eight?"
"Oh! Yes, I'm terribly sorry, umm, come in, come in."
Their house was nice, well furnished, clean, and the silverware. They had great silverware. Amazing silverware. Unbelievable.
"My name is Treble, Treble Clef. Octavia is my daughter. My wife isn't here right now, she's giving piano lessons at the moment. Come on in, sit."
We sat down in their living room, on opposite sides of the coffee table.
"Octavia isn't here either, she's practicing for a concert she has coming up. So you fancy her?"
"...Yes..."
"Excellent! I'm sorry if she didn't talk to you much. She's the shyest filly I've ever seen... Huh. I call her a filly, but she's all grown up, now..."
His eyes were focused on a small vase with a rose in it.
"So... Is Octavia, available, so to speak?"
He snapped back to reality.
"Oh, oh, um, yes. She is VERY much available."
"So... May I date her?" I asked awkwardly.
"Oh, by all means, please! You'll be the first..."
"...I'll be the first?"
"Octavia's never had a boyfriend."
"What?"
"In all her twenty-four years of life, not ONE stallion has fancied her."
I sat back, eyes wide in disbelief.
"She was bullied all the time in school... Her first job was at a café down near the edge of town. But my wife and I knew she didn't want to do that all her life. So when she was out of college, I introduced her to the cello. She loved it. One day, while practicing, a purple treble clef appeared on her flank."
"After college? She didn't get her cutie mark until after college?"
"Not until one year after college. That's one of the reasons she was bullied. The main reason, actually."
"...So does Octavia... You know... Like me?"
"Oh, she loves you. She normally doesn't visit us, but she came today rambling on about you."
That solved the question of her living with her parents.
"She spent about twenty minutes talking about you. She doesn't know you're here right now, so don't tell her. But anyway, she really loves you. You just need to get to know her. After a while, she'll open up to you, don't worry."
"So when may I start... You know, going out with her?"
"Hmm... Are you free tomorrow?"
"Yes! Of course! I'm always free!"
"Well, that's great! Smashing news! Tomorrow at 6."
The rest of the conversation was just him getting to know me. I started to leave at around 9:30.
"Mr. Clef?"
"Yes?"
"You said you teach cello."
"Yes."
"Would you mind teaching me, if you have time?"
"Why, of course! I'd love to!"
"Thank you." With that, I left.
---------
At 5:45, the next day, I headed out the door. Today is going to change my life. Whether it be for better, or for worse. Either way, it gives me a break from sitting in my apartment making music on my laptop all day.
The ride to Octavia's house was quiet, until Chance called me.
"Hey bro." I said, answering the call.
"You headed over there?"
"Yeah."
"And you remember what I told you yesterday?"
"Yeah."
"Alright... Well, good luck."
"Thanks."
He hung up. As I was approaching the address her father gave me, I checked my self. Deodorant, teeth brushed, showered recently, hooves washed, hair combed, and a slight scent of cologne. Not too strong, not too weak. I got out and walked up to her door.
She lived at the end of a short road, in a nice house. Probably custom-made. I knocked on the door. After a few seconds, she answered.
"Good evening..." she said, awkwardly looking down. She had a slight British accent, just like her father.
"Good evening. I'm Hoover... May I come in?" I was starting to shake slightly. She nodded, and stepped back to let me in.
"Did your father tell you I was coming?" I asked, not knowing for sure.
"Yes..."
We walked into her living room, and she gestured for me to sit down. A few minutes went by, with some scattered awkward conversation.
"So... Do you like me?" I waited for a reply, but she just looked down, slightly blushing, and shifting in her seat next to me.
"...Okay... Well... How long have you been playing cell-"
She cut me off halfway with a hug. The best hug I had ever felt. Her arms were clasped tightly around me, and her head was snugged under my chin, against my chest. After a short moment of shock, I placed my arms around her as well.
The hug lasted for a long time, or so it seemed. In my mind, I was shouting with joy. My eyes were beginning to tear, and my throat was choking up as well. After a while, I could feel her tears through my shirt.
----------
I woke up on Octavia's couch, with her cuddling against me. She had fallen asleep and looked on the verge of waking. I noticed something strange, though. A dampness on my shirt. Looking down to see what it was, I saw that Octavia had drooled excessively on me. She began to stir.
"...Oh, hey." I said, trying to act casual, but failing miserably. She rubbed her eyes and stretched her hind legs, letting out a satisfied moan. Until she realized where she was.
"...Oh... Oh my, I'm so sorry!" She said, noticing the massive drool spot on my shirt.
"Nah, don't be... I'll just, you know... Wash it..." Things were getting awkward, so I rushed to save it.
"So, you never answered my question. Do you like me?"
She sat up, trying to flatten her mane with her hooves. I sat up, too. She blushed at the question, but with no smile. I waited... Still no reply. I knew how she felt... She could really use a hug right now. I leaned over again and took her into a side-hug.
"...Yes. A lot, actually. More than I care to admit..."
Looks like it worked. Comforting her lessened the awkwardness somehow, letting her feelings out easier. I squeezed slightly, stroking her hair with my embracing hoof. She was blushing a lot.
"So, does this mean...?" I asked her.
"...I think it does."
I scooted closer to her, closing the gap. She rested her head on my shoulder, and I rested my head on hers. The dampness on my shirt was beginning to dry.
The heat radiating from her body warmed me better than any blanket or sheet ever could, or would. My love was growing stronger by the second.
"...Do you mind if I turn on the tv?" she asked, shifting to get more comfortable.
"Not at all." She hugged me tighter, then leaned forward for the remote. I took her back into my embrace, and let her get comfortable. Before I knew it, my eyes were shut and a slight smile came across my face. The sound of the tv was fading, and soon, I couldn't hear it. I was lost in thought and happiness. I was never washing this shirt. It was going on my mantlepiece... Well, not literally, but you get the point. The bright side is, she likes me, I love her, and she's opening up to me.
----------
Last night was just the start. I got a call from Octavia at around 9:30 the next morning. She was starting to talk more.
"...So do you want to come over today, or do you think we're going too fast to start off with?" She asked through the phone static.
"I'd love to come over! When are you free? I mean, if you want to, then yeah, sure. I'm always willing."
"Umm, sure!... How about eleven?"
"Eleven it is."
"Goodbye."
"Bye..." I hung up.
In two days, I got a girlfriend. I feel like I should get a medal. On top of that, she's beautiful as can be, actually wants to be with me, and smells like those apple-cinnamon candles you get at Bath & Body Works.
I opened the curtains to be cheerfully greeted by the sunny morning-view of the Canterlot skyline... Well, not really skyline, considering I'm on the outer rim of Canterlot, so I can still see the rooftops of a few buildings. So, theoretically, it still IS a skyline, just not as magnificent as a Manehattan or Fillydelphia skyline. I could just barely see Ponyville from here, but it was impossible to make out any buildings.
There was a thick whisp of clouds and some jet-streams. It was a beautiful day. Walking out of my room to get breakfast, I ran into Chance again.
"Oka- Why are you always in the middle of the hallway when I walk out the door? Your room is like, what? Two floors above me?"
He shrugged, and we continued downstairs.
----------
After breakfast, I decided to go ahead to Octavia's. I checked myself. Showered, teeth brushed, deodorant, clean clothes, washed hooves, flossed, and an ever so slight scent of cologne.
When I got to her house, I checked the clock. 11:00 am. Huh, perfect timing. I walked up to the door, more confident this time, and knocked.
The door opened almost right as I knocked, and I was greeted by the same apple-cinnamon scented mare, this time with a warm hug.
She let go, and looked at me, smiling with those beautiful violet eyes. Quickly, I checked what was different about her. Makeup, hair, clothes, attitude, anything? Hmm... She did seem awfully happy to see me, she had the hottest eyelashes I had ever seen, but she had that on yesterday. She's not wearing any makeup. Good. I hate it when mares cake on all their lipstick and blush... It looks fake.
She did, however do some things to fix up the house. At least, what was left TO fix up. It was very neat last night. I also noticed some candles burning.
"You seem very different. A lot less awkward than yesterday. And I like the candles. They add a nice... Atmosphere."
She turned around and looked at me. She looked confused.
"What I meant was, ahh... I screwed it up already..."
She giggled and led me out onto her porch. On her porch were two armchairs, sitting directly side by side, and a view over all of Canterlot.
"It's beautiful" I said, not sure if I meant the view or her. She motioned me over to the chairs. We sat down, and I noticed the small trays with tea she prepared on them.
A few minutes went by, both of us slowly sipping our tea, but I noticed she kept glancing down at the armrests... Wait, not the rests, the arms... My arm...
I slid my hoof next to hers, and she slid hers to mine. Now we were holding hooves. I was squealing like a filly inside. I would have only dreamed of this moment a few days ago. Sure, it's next to nothing compared to an hour-long hug and snuggling, but, hey. It's all good.
The minutes went by silently, and I couldn't detect any hints from her to start a conversation, so I let it be so. After a while, she looked over at me. I looked at her.
I stared longingly into her dark-purple eyes, smiling. She stared back, smiling her gorgeous smile. I loved everything about her. Her amazingly smooth black mane, her soft grey skin, awesome bow tie, which she wasn't wearing now, and her beautiful white smile.
We sat there for what seemed like hours, staring at the scenery. Suddenly, though, she got up, and walked to her iHome to put on some music. I looked at the clock. 11:17 am. I sighed. Fifteen minutes felt more like fifteen hours.
She put on an album from the Beatles. One of my favorite bands. She sat back down.
"...I love this song..." I said, closing my eyes and absorbing the sounds. She held my hoof again.
Not too far into the album, a song came up. My favorite song. Also hers. We looked over at each other again. Nopony else was around. We both loved each other. Potentially romantic music in the background. A perfect setup.
She started to move closer to me. I leaned further in to her. Her eyes were closed, and her head slightly tilted. I tilted mine the other way and closed my eyes as well. We kept moving closer. The wait was near-unbearable.
Our lips made glorious contact, and we pressed together. My other hoof reached up to her face and gently stroked her cheek, moving on to her hair.
Then she sank back down to her seat, and I to mine. I. Felt. Amazing. My first kiss. Was with Octavia. I couldn't help but smile.
We sat there a long time and waited for her playlist to finish. At around 4, we went inside and talked in her living room. Telling stories, discussing things, general talking. This continued for longer than either of us expected. Soon it was near 8 o' clock.
"...I should probably get going... 'Cause it's getting pretty late."
"Nooooo, don't leave..."
I stood up and started walking to the door, when I heard a disappointed sigh from her. I stopped.
"You know what, who says I have to leave yet?"
The smile on her face was priceless. I joined back with her in the living room. She was wrapped up in a blanket on the sofa, and gestured me over to her. I half-lay down, leaning against the armrest. She scooted over to me and wrapped us both in the blanket. She turned on the Tv.
Wow. Here I was, once again cuddling with Octavia. This time wrapped in a blanket. I was happy, she was happy, and we had our first kiss today... On the second date... Maybe we're going too fast? Either way, I don't care. I love her, and she loves me, and that's all that matters right now.
----------
I was woken by Octavia. I had fallen asleep again. I gotta stop doing that. The thing is, it was the morning. And it looks like she had fallen asleep, too. She started rubbing her eyes, then realizing what was happening.
"...Did we just...?"
"I think we did... Dang."
She got up and flattened her hair down.
"I'm gonna take a shower." she said, walking to her room.
I heard the water turn on. All I had to do was wait... Huh... Her whole house smells like apple-cinnamon... I picked up a magazine, only then realizing it was a mare's health magazine. I sighed and tossed it back on the table. There isn't much to do but wait... Then I began to wonder. Are we going too fast? I mean, I just slept with her. On the second date.
I mean, it wasn't THAT kind of sleeping with her, but still. Maybe we should take a few day's break... Unless she really wants to be with me a lot... In which case, sure. But still...
Before I knew it, the water turned off. A minute later, she came out, fresh and clean. And beautiful. What did I expect?
"So... Do you think we're going too fast?" I asked her, wondering if she was thinking the same thing.
"I don't know... If you think we need a break, then I guess..." she had a disappointed tone in her voice.
"I mean, I'm always happy to be with you, but I had a feeling you were getting... You know."
"What? Why would you think that? I don't do anything all day, I'd love to have you over as often as you're willing."
"...I'm always willing."
"Then that's great." she sat down next to me, and rested her head on my shoulder. She removed it after a short moment.
"You need a shower."
"Yeah... I'll drop by my apartment, take a shower, get things checked on, and I'll be back within the hour."
She leaned forward and hugged me, then we both got up. I headed out the door, and she walked into the kitchen.
----------
After I had gotten a shower, I came back to her house. I opened the door and smelled, once again, apple-cinnamon. Shocker.
Octavia had made breakfast, and it looked amazing.
After breakfast, we ventured back to the living room. That seemed to be our go-to place. She smiled at me, and I back at her. Before I knew what was happening, we were kissing again. Not rough enough to be a make-out session, but still, somewhere around that area.
----------
6 months and 47 dates later, we were sitting on a park bench. Her father had been teaching me the cello for as long as I had been dating her. I was getting pretty good, but still needed practice on a few pieces.
It was winter, and it had just started to snow down on us. It was nearly sunset, and we were at the edge-park of Canterlot, so the orange rays of the sun were streaming in on us and reflecting off the icy paths.
She was wearing her black winter coat and a maroon scarf. I was wearing, yes, a black winter coat, but had a red plaid scarf. Our scarves were amazing. They were so soft, and insulated very well. Not to mention the designs. Mine had a very interesting looking plaid, and hers had perfectly aligned stripes. They were cheap, too! Very high quality, and unbelievably comfortable.
My arm was laying across her shoulders. My iPod lay between us on the bench, and we both had an earphone in. With the Beatles playing again, our song came up again. I laughed slightly, remembering how I felt that day. She rested her head on my shoulder and smiled. I closed my eyes and did the same.
"...I love you..." I said for the hundredth time.
"I love you too" she said, shifting to get in a better position.
With the beautiful sunset beaming down on us, the snowflakes resting atop our shoulders, and our really cool scarves, I knew everything was well.