//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: The list // Story: Home sweet home? // by PaladinponyT //------------------------------// The sun slowly began to rise over the great city of Canterlot and all through out the capital ponies started to wake up. Shopkeepers flipped their signs from closed to open, and those who had worked all night were now free to go to bed. The sound of summer birds could be heard flying back and forth. Inside a small apartment building an earth pony mare was woken up by her brass alarm clock. With a groan, she silenced it, and got up reluctantly, she took a good look in her bedroom mirror. Her black mane was a mess and her muscles were sore. Yesterday had been very difficult, learning and practicing all the new music. All day they had been at it, and yet their harmony was still off. She shook her head once and walked over to the bathroom. Warming up the shower, Octavia hopped in and let all her troubles wash away. 15 minutes later she came back out while drying. After giving herself a good long brushing, Octavia took another look in the mirror. She looked far better than before and she gave herself a proud smile. Octavia then put on her signature bowtie and walked to her kitchen while humming one of her favorite tunes. As she was eating some oatmeal, there was a knock at the door. "Now who could that be?" she thought. She moved to the door and looked through the peephole, a dark blue pony in a post office uniform stood in the hallway. Octavia slowly opened the door and took a small letter from the mailpony. She gave him one gold coin and closed the door. Back at the table, Octavia opened the letter. Hey Octavia, I am looking forward to our meet up today. Can't wait to finally see you. Vinyl Octavia read the short message three times, and her stomach felt a little tight. After taking a few deep breaths, she relaxed and walked back into her bedroom. Sitting at her writing desk, Octavia made a list of things to do before seeing Vinyl later. Her head was starting to fog up and hurt. "It's just dinner," she thought "calm down, and focus on your errands." The list was simple, just a few things she needed to stock up on. It would be a nice distraction, also she needed to get out. The streets of Canterlot were filled with ponies as the craziness of the afternoon hit the city. Wagons moved up and down the streets, some carried ponies, others carrying supplies for the businesses. The tourist ponies looked out of place next to the rich nobles in their fancy outfits. But Octavia paid them no mind as she left the music supply store. She had needed some new strings for her cello and some cleaner for it. With four things off her list, Octavia began walking towards her favorite bakery. As she entered, the smell of freshly made cakes and pies filled her nose; she loved that. The baker mare welcomed Octavia warmly and asked her if she wanted her usual order? "No," Octavia said politely, "I am in need of something more special today." The baker mare smiled and helped to pick out a medium size cake made of chocolate with cream cheese frosting. Placing it, inside a bright pink box, Octavia gave the baker 15 bits and walked out. With the pink box on her back, Octavia made her way to the last shop on her list. The gift store was large and filled with all kinds of objects, toys for children, jewelry, gift cards, and more. Octavia walked up and down different rows of shelves, looking around and thinking hard about what to get. She finally stopped in one of the long aisles. "What am I doing?" she asked herself. Despite exchanging letters with Vinyl Scratch for a few weeks now, Octavia needed to take a step back and remember that she really knew nothing about her. Octavia really wanted to make a good first impression, but maybe she was going a little overboard. With a sigh, she walked back to the entrance and left the shop. With her list completed, Octavia began her long journey back to her apartment.