“Eleanor…”
The name rang in the cellist’s ears like the call of the church bells summoning mourners to a candlelit funeral. Visions of picnics on sunny meadows and walks down Ponyville’s moonlit cobblestone streets rushed like rapids through her mind. Hopeless gasps for the perturbed air sent Octavia into unspeakable shock and despair.
“Of all the travesties in the world, Tavi.”
“Tis done for love.”
“Nay, but of hatred!” cried the mare after Octavia’s heart. She lied still on the cold floor and not as much as a light whimper could be heard escaping her lips.
“Eleanor. My sweet Eleanor. Your voice quickens, but your words kill.”
* * *
“Oh Tavi, must you play tonight? Will you not enjoy this lovely night with your precious Eleanor?” cried the mare after Octavia’s heart.
The gray pony of exquisite musical inclinations graced the delicate request with a very brash smile. “Eleanor, you know that I hold concerts every night during the months of June and July. Besides, as long as one single heart beats in Canterlot, the beat of music must go on.”
Eleanor, a mare with naive taste for jewelry and beautiful verse, simply brushed off the comment with an elegant huff. “And what of the one single heart in all of Equestria that fractures every second you are gone charming everypony with your infectious tunes? With whom will I ponder the night skies?”
“You hardly need me for that,” replied Octavia straightening her pink bow tie. “That is why I purchased the telescope for you.”
“Oh yes,” said Eleanor glancing at the stars she marked on a hanging map made of creased papyrus. “Certainly a metal rod will keep that old horse entertained while I win the hearts of every mare and stallion in Canterlot.”
“Do my ears deceive me, or do I detect jealousy in that curious remark?”
“Why? Did you spot it with the telescope, perhaps?” asked Eleanor, spinning the expensive device so that it tipped dangerously to one side.
“Careful Eleanor!” Octavia dove for the telescope and witnessed the costly scientific equipment shatter into hundreds of glass and metal pieces. She rose to her hooves and let out an exasperated sigh.
“That wasn’t cheap, you know.”
“It was mine and I can do whatever I please.”
“Must you carry on all disagreements as a child?”
“At least little pretty fillies get what they want.”
Octavia chuckled. “Surely the pony who dons mare’s modesty will not resort to methods of bib bearers?”
“Maybe.”
Octavia paused a moment and put a hoof to her chin. “Well then, perhaps when I come back from tonight’s concert I should run to market and buy you a large cotton candy on a stick.”
“Really?” Eleanor’s eyes lit up.
“Yes, my dear. And while I’m at it, perhaps I could pick you out a nice little dress for our nocturne walks on the town.”
“The blue one that comes with a hat we saw last week in the shoppe!”
“Of course. And shoes to complete the ensemble. What say you?”
“Ooh, yes! Yes! Thank you Tavi!” Eleanor embraced the gray pony.
“And before I return, I mustn’t forget one last purchase of grave necessity.”
“And what might that be, Tavi?”
“DIAPERS!”
Eleanor backed away slowly. “W-whatever for, Tavi?”
“Oh, you know, so that the little filly doesn’t make a nauseous mess of herself more than she already has.”
“Tavi, I’m much too old for that sort of thing.”
“And after I’ve changed you, a warm bottle of formula must needs be prepped in preparation for slumber.”
“You’re frightening me, Tavi.”
“And after I’ve fed you, a gentle rub on the rump to lull the poor, deprived filly off into its little sour world of sweet dreams.”
“Well, I might actually enjoy that detail.” Eleanor looked up and found herself between the wall and a glaring cellist biting her lower lip.
“So, erm, what flavored cotton candy are you getting me, Tavi?” she said nervously.
A moment of silence passed before Octavia opened her mouth wide.
“I’m not getting you anything, you babbling baby!”
“B-But…oh why must you taunt me like this Tavi?” Eleanor broke into a childish sob.
“These aren’t taunts I am spewing in your ungrateful general direction, Eleanor.”
“Then what, pray tell, are these words that pierce my soul?”
“Sarcasm!”
Eleanor pushed away Octavia and threw herself on the bed. She sprawled her petite body all over the neatly made bed and buried her face into a frilly pink pillow.
“You hate me, Tavi! I am an absolute angel and you still hate me! I am nothing more than a burden to you! And you also hate me!”
Octavia let out a sigh and glanced at the small elegant clock that sat on her dresser. The time marked ten minutes before she would be considered late for the third week in a row. She took a seat next to her lamenting filly friend on the bed and ran a hoof through her vivid orange mane.
“Eleanor.”
She lifted her face from the pillow. “You’d rather I were thrown into an orphanage forced to eat horrid porridge three times a day, I’m sure of it!”
“Eleanor.”
“Or perhaps taken by a foreign representative far away to a farm forced to applebuck fifteen hours a day.”
“Eleanor.”
“Or perhaps you’d rather send me out into the dark alleys to sell my heavenly body to some pungent stranger so he could…”
“Eleanor Marie!”
The rapid increase in volume roused Eleanor into an upright position. She clutched a pillow tightly and avoided contact with the eyes of her lover. “You didn’t have to yell, Tavi.”
Octavia sighed and spoke in a calm voice. “Eleanor, you know that I love you.”
Eleanor sniffled. “Well, you’re certainly hiding it well.”
“Nay, my little pony. You are simply deaf to my affection. You must open your ears.”
“What are these silly words you mutter, Tavi? I can hear perfectly well.”
“Listen.”
Octavia pulled Eleanor close to her chest and brought her muzzle close to her lover’s ear.
“Along the banks her eyes as suns glow bright,
Her fields of white caress this mare’s rough soul.
When wondrous hooves her satin mane sets right,
Her youthful lips usurp the fount of youth.”
As she finished her verse, the musical pony gently pulled Eleanor into her lips and gave the disquieted pony an experience she never had while Octavia’s filly friend. Her snow white fur tickled down her back whilst her stomach tied into a warm assortment of suspense and joy. After the two mares lost in each other’s love for a few moments, Eleanor pulled away and sat silenced on the bed.
“Well then, I must be off to the concert. Can’t have the boys waiting all night, can we?”
Octavia stood to her hooves and made her way to the door. She reached for her top hat from the rack, a gift from Eleanor during their first months as a couple, and playfully placed it on her sleek black mane. With cello in hoof, she turned to her lover who still showed an expression like she descended from heaven’s sweetest realms.
“Tavi…I love you.”
“As do I, my sweet Eleanor.”