"I... I... we were just talking about chants..." Octavia stammered. She tried to regain some composure, but felt like she was drowning in Luna's uncompromising eyes.
"Hah, yeah, my wife loves her history. Did you snap at her after she talked your ear off about Barouche music? She loves that era. Five Barouche composers in a single conversation is too many, am I right?" Night Light joked. He quieted when he saw the stern expressions of the mares next to him.
Octavia's mind whirled. There was that word again. Also, it sounded like Twilight Velvet had an actual love for historical music, which shouldn't have surprised her. Even if her favorite era came slightly afterwards, she hadn't just been interrupting pointlessly. She felt terrible. Raising her eyes back to the princess' she said falteringly "I- I think I need to go find Twilight and... set things straight."
Luna's expression remained impassive, but her eyes seemed lighter. "Yes." she said "Please do what you must."
Octavia glanced back at Night Light, who didn't seem concerned. See her look, he grinned at her. "Let me know if you find her!" he said. "We can walk home together."
Her emotions surged as Octavia pushed through the crowded opera hall. She felt frantic. Where could Velvet be? Given what Octavia knew of her, she didn't actually enjoy being around so many other ponies at the best of times. She enjoyed places that were beautiful, secluded...
Octavia's eyes were drawn to the public garden next to the opera house. On instinct, she rushed out the doors and toward the garden, hoping that she was correct.
The garden was much quieter than the opera house. Octavia moved along the neatly trimmed paths in the twilight without seeing anypony else. She was losing hope when she heard a fountain up ahead.
A large marble fountain soon came into view, water lit magically from within illuminating the surroundings. Octavia was distracted for a moment by the intricate depictions of ponies and other animals, before noticing a figure slumped in the growing darkness at the base of the fountain.
The fountain had masked Twilight Velvet's sobs. At a loss for what to do, Octavia settled for sitting down next to her and putting a hoof she hoped was comforting on her shoulder. Octavia's heart twisted as Velvet continued to cry for several more moments. All her elation from nailing the solo evaporated. She now felt worse than if she had played nothing but sour notes for the entire opera. One of things that drove Octavia to perfect her practicing was that you could never redo a performance. Now, she reflected that this applied to other things besides music.
Finally, Twilight Velvet stopped crying and looked up. Her mouth dropped open and she looked at Octavia in surprise before adopting a forced smile. "O-Octavia." she said shakily. "It's... it's okay. You don't have to pretend."
"Pretend?" asked Octavia absently, studying Velvet's face carefully. Her eyes were shining in the dim light.
"I- I know you were just getting close to me so I could... show you around." Velvet winced. She took a deep breath and smiled sadly. "I-It's okay, now you've met the princess, she seems to like your music. You don't need me anymore." She began to turn away, crumpling in on herself.
"No!" Octavia surprised herself by grabbing at Velvet's shoulder and turning her back to face her. Twilight Velvet's wet eyes shone softly as she regarded Octavia, reflecting the light coming from the water. Suddenly, Octavia was conscious of the rich earthy scent of the gardens, she even fancied she was close enough to smell Velvet's fur. Seeing the tears on her face she was struck by a sudden impulse to kiss them off. Distracted by the uncouth thought, and noticing Velvet's eyes quietly watching her, her intended response jumbled in her mouth. "I- at first I may have been-"
It had been the wrong thing to say, especially haltingly. Octavia felt a sense of panic burn her chest as she noticed Velvet's expression getting imperceptibly sadder. She quickly placed her other forehoof on Velvet's other shoulder "But!" she continued. Oh Goddess, what was she doing? Instead of considering further she just let the words flow out. "As soon as you showed me how much you loved wine, and how much you knew about it, and then we went to the palace, and you not only showed me around, but you knew everypony, and also all about the history and..."
Octavia's muzzle was now close to the other mare's. Whether Twilight Velvet's grey face was wetter from tears or fountain dew Octavia wasn't sure, but the hairs on her muzzle and her mane were plastered back. She couldn't help but stare at the beautiful mare in front of her. She was so intelligent, caring, pretty... and sad. Octavia just wanted to make her feel better. There was no reason for the grey-coated mare to be unhappy. She was well-liked, quietly passionate, discerning... She was an excellent mother ...and she's married, Octavia said a voice inside her head which Octavia hated.
As if burned by the thought, Octavia pulled back, "I- like you, Velvet." she said quietly. "I... admit that I may have... taken some liberties with our relationship. I shouldn't have snapped at you and I- I shouldn't try to make it into something that it's not. I hope we can remain... friends." For some reason, Octavia felt miserable at the idea. She should be happy, her relationship with Twilight Velvet brought her so much joy, but she suddenly felt herself breaking into tears.
Her tears hadn't reached the end of her muzzle before Twilight's forehoof landed on her shoulder, pulling Octavia back toward her. Again, their muzzles were almost close enough to brush. "I like you too, Octavia." she whispered, smiling slightly.
Octavia swayed forward, letting their muzzles touch. Her lips found the end of Velvet's snout and suddenly Velvet's lips were pressing against hers. Octavia pressed in, hugging Velvet tightly. They spent a moment entangled like that before Octavia loosened her grip. Velvet tightened her hold and leaned back towards Octavia, starting another kiss. After another moment, Octavia pushed her gently away.
"W-w... ? Don't you have a husband?" she asked.
Twilight Velvet gave a bitter laugh that still held some humor. "It's not like that."
"Oh?" said Octavia. She stared intently at Velvet's lips and leaned forward.
Twilight Velvet smiled and leaned back in, rejoining the kiss. Octavia squeezed Velvet in her forehooves, then relaxed into the embrace.
Octavia rolled over and sighed contentedly. She examined her apartment from her bed, reflecting that it seemed so much more comfortable and cozy than she remembered. She turned back to the mare sleeping beside her and took in her pretty grey coat. It was probably all due to her presence. Like a low legato note, Twilight Velvet was lending a rich tone to her humble quarters. She rolled back to the mare beside her and wrapped her in her forelegs. This elicited a light groan before the mare raised her own forelegs and wrapped them gently around Octavia's neck.
It took Octavia a few moments to realize that Velvet's eyes were open and looking at her. "Hi." she said.
"Hello." said Velvet, smiling back at her.
"Well." said Octavia, relishing Velvet's gaze on her. "What shall we do today? I'm mostly free, though I should practice and..."
She suddenly sat up, staring around the room, but she knew it wasn't there "My cello?!" Next to her, she heard Velvet stifle a chuckle, and then she felt a giggle rise in her own throat. They both shared a laugh, Octavia relaxing despite herself. With Velvet's help she felt, irrationally, it would turn out all right anyhow.