//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 - Canterlot // Story: Star Dust // by Juu50x //------------------------------// Star Dust Chapter 4 Canterlot The rest of the celebration had gone rather well. At least, in Twilight's opinion. She had a great time with Princess Luna and even spent some time with Celestia. And not to mention Cadence as well, but unfortunately Shining Armor wasn't there. Cadence explained that Shining had to make sure that the celebration wouldn't have any “uninvited guests.” But either way, she had a great time enjoying the company of her friends, both of the Princesses, and her old foal sitter and now sister. And later that night, the celebration was over. Twilight and the others had returned back to their apartments and soon as they got into their rooms, sleep claimed them all in a matter of seconds. Later in the morning, Twilight found herself to to be the one to wake up first. She never really was a heavy sleeper. Although she sometimes made exceptions, but she simply couldn't do anything to her internal clock. She quickly found herself in a really quiet and slightly dark living room, although she could hear the rather loud snoring of Rainbow Dash, which sounded almost like a hungry horse which surprised her that it hadn't woken everyone up. Maybe that's because they were really tired. And the light snores of Pinkie Pie. The only lights that illuminated the room, was the Hearth's Warming Tree's magical lights. It was only one more day for Hearth's Warming Eve she quickly realized while looking at the tree before turning her gaze from it. “Eight-thirty...” Twilight wondered to herself when she looked at the clock. “A good time...” she then reached for the fridge, looking for something to eat. After eating a simple breakfast, Twilight went back to her room, in which Spike was also sleeping, checking if he was still sleeping. As expected, he was still deeply asleep, as where her other friends. “We did stay up rather late.” She quietly closed the rooms door and went back to the living room, where she had quickly written a note where she explained that she had gone for a walk in case somepony woke up and wondered where she might be. She then headed towards the hallway where she dressed herself warmly. The streets of Canterlot weren't so lively as the morning was still really young and the sun hadn't even fully climbed up. And that was fine with Twilight, she wanted to enjoy her walk without much of distractions and enjoy the scenery. While walking around, Twilight was looking over the streets of Canterlot trying to find any kinds of shops that might interest her and probably find something extra for her friends. After a little walking, a certain shop caught Twilight's eyes. “I've never seen this shop before,” she thought, walking towards the shop. “Dropping Cello?” She wondered. “Maybe I can find something for Rarity and maybe even for Rainbow Dash...” The shop itself wasn't that large, but it still had really good collection of various albums and different kinds of records and even few posters which had a white unicorn with large purple glasses who looked all too familiar to Twilight. But she then turned her gaze back to the shelves which were filled with various albums. Twilight found herself really surprised how there were lot albums that seemed to hold many techno and classic songs, but there were also many, many albums that seemed to cross the two genres together which was interesting. “Maybe I could get one of these for Rainbow...” she thought while looking the large collection of albums “Looking for something of your interest?” A voice suddenly asked right next to Twilight, who felt herself jump a bit before turning to her right, seeing a gray earth pony standing next to her. “Did I startle you?” She then asked, when noting how the purple unicorn had reacted to her presence. “Uh, maybe a bit...” Twilight replied awkwardly. Twilight then tried her best to act like nothing had happened a moment ago. “I was hoping that I might find something for my friends for Hearth's Warming Eve.” Then a quick question came to her. “Where were you when I came in?” She inquired. “I didn't see anyone when I entered the shop.” “Yes, my apologizes. I was behind the counter.” The earth pony pointed at the door that stood behind the counter. “I must say, I'ma bit surprised to usually get customers this early.” The earth pony commented then. “It's always really quiet and anypony doesn't show up until later at noon. With few exceptions of course.” “Really?” Twilight asked sounding fairly surprised. But she decided to change the topic since it seemed to be bit sore point for the earth pony. “So, do you have any suggestions then?” “Well, what kind of music your friends like?” Twilight pondered for a moment. She already knew that Rarity loved everything that was classic and calm. But she wasn't completely sure about Rainbow Dash, she shouldn't just come to the conclusion that she just liked everything that was “cool” as she put it. Twilight already knew her friend enough that, that was just her sort of excuse for almost everything and never wanting to fully express herself. “Well, I know that Rarity really enjoys anything classic and romantic, and she is most, uuuh... 'ladylike' of our group,” Twilight started. “...But I'm not sure about Rainbow Dash. She can be bit of a hot head and... well, bit a coltish, but I really doubt she accepts any kinds music that isn’t classified as 'cool'. “But then, that's just her way of expressing everything.” Twilight continued. “But there are of course times when she shows her more “softer” side of her, which she mostly hides behind all of her stoic and coolness.” “Hmmm... I think I might have something, but first...” the earth pony moved to the shelf right behind her and started searching for whatever she was thinking about. While she was doing that, Twilight couldn't help but have a bit closer look on the earth pony since she looked awfully familiar. “Why does she seem to look so familiar?” Twilight wondered as she inspected (as she wanted to call it) the earth pony. Her mane was loose, but trimmed with great care, and same could be said about her coat. But then there was the pink bow tie around her neck and a treble clef note as her Cutie Mark. “She must be a musician?” Well, of course that was obvious as she worked in a music shop. But that still begged the question why was she working in a shop, and not playing in an orchestra. Or had she even played in any? “I hope the reason why you are staring at me like that is because you think you've seen me before?” The mare suddenly asked while not even making an eye contact as her hoof ran across the shelves. Twilight let out a small yelp sound when the earth pony suddenly started talking to her while she was deep in thought. “Sorry...” Twilight said, giving the earth pony an awkward smile. “But yeah, I was wondering where I have seen you-” “I've played in an orchestra that played every year at the Gala.” the earth pony interrupted Twilight with a casual tone, like this was everyday for her. “Does that help you?” she then asked. At first Twilight wasn't sure how respond to that. In a way, the mare had been rather rude to her, and the way she had answered her. But she didn't want to start argument with the mare, and the way she made it sound, it seemed like the mare had had that kind of attention many times. “Yeah I guess...” Twilight replied, rubbing back of her head. “Well, what instrument did you-” “Cello.” The mare replied before Twilight could finish her question. It seems the mare gets these kinds of questions a lot. “But I haven't played in a while now...” the mare then said. But this time her tone got slightly softer, a bit patient and maybe even sad. “And please, don't ask me about why.” She almost sounded pleading. “It's a... private matter that I don't like to share with others,” she said. To that, Twilight wasn't sure how approach the mare at the moment. “I... I...” “I know you are sorry,” the mare then said in understandable tone, this time actually looking at her. “And I can see that you were just curious, and not wanting to do anything bad for me,” she said, giving Twilight a slight smile, before turning back to the shelf. After a small moment of silence, the mare seemed to have found what she was looking for. “There it is,” she said, taking the album out of the shelf and presenting it to Twilight. “Silent Night?” Twilight read out loud, looking at the cover. “It is a... personal favorite of mine,” the mare explained. “The way you slightly described this Rarity, I imagined she would find this kind of album for her tasting.” “So what can you suggest for Rainbow Dash?” Twilight then asked as she lifted the album with her magic and placed it into her saddle bag. “Yes!” She exclaimed slightly, with rather mischievous look on her face. “I just have the right thing for those kinds of ponies.” The mare then started moving towards the other side of the shop. But as they walked, Twilight couldn't help but notice how the mare's steps were rather slow. Almost like she was leaning more to her left hoof than her right.. Twilight could already getting curious and ask about it, but decided that she should not. “I've already made her uncomfortable. I don't want to sound anymore rude...” she thought. But she still felt that she needed to ask one more thing from her. Hopefully it wouldn't be too personal for the mare. “Soo, is it OK if I would be asking your name?” No answer came, but the mare had stopped. “Oh no! I must have offended her!” She thought in distress. “Stupid Twilight! Why do you have to sniff into everypony’s business!?” She scolded herself. But that came to a sudden halt when the mare started searching the shelf. “She didn't hear my question?” Twilight asked herself. “Or is she ignoring me?” That didn't help much about her feelings, as she started feeling even more embarrassed. “There!” The mare exclaimed suddenly, sounding really pleased with herself. “This should be good for your friend.” she said, giving Twilight the second album. “And why would the Personal Student of Princess Celestia ask somepony as unimportant as me, my name?” The mare asked. Much to Twilight's surprise, she sounded more amused than outraged. “I uuuh... well,” Twilight started really surprised as she didn't expect that kind of response. “I... I was just bit curious... For you see, I think I've seen you, but I can't place it and... I'm sorry. I'm sorry, please don't be upset.” Twilight almost pleaded the mare, who was still looking at her with amused smile. “No need to fret here. And I bet you probably had seen me the times when Princess has attended my former orchestra’s gigs, but it seems that you weren't that much paying attention.” The mare explained. Now smirking at a now really embarrassed Twilight. “And I also saw you at the Gala a few years back.” Now Twilight's cheeks started collect little red. “I have to admit that it wasn't my best night, considering what song that pink pony made us to play...” she said, this time sounding mildly irritated. “Sorry... Pinkie can get bit excited time to time...” Twilight muttered. “What an understatement...” Twilight thought herself. “Heh, you don't say?” the mare said. “So, are you going to take the album or not?” She then asked with a raised eyebrow. “Oh, yeah. Sorry.” Twilight smiled sheepishly, while picking the album with her magic. “And the name is Octavia. Nice to meet you Twilight Sparkle,” Octavia said. And then, much to Twilight's continuing shock, suddenly extended her hoof. At first Twilight eyed at Octavia's hoof with a small bit of unsureness. But she quickly shook that off and extended her hoof for a brief hoofshake. “It's nice to meet you too Octavia. I've actually heard about you before,” Twilight then started explaining. “My friend Rarity is really loves your music.” “Well, that’s good to know.” Octavia smiled. “But I don't think that you can walk out with those albums without paying even if we are sort of friends,” Octavia then said in mocking seriousness, while wearing a wide grin, to which Twilight couldn't help but let out a good willed laughter. Octavia then moved back to the counter where Twilight proceeded to dig the bits from her saddlebag. “That will be twenty-five bits.” “Well, that isn't as expensive as I thought,” Twilight commented, while counting her bits. “There you go.” She handed Octavia the bits. “Have a good day.” “Thank you. You too,” Octavia said back. “I hope I'm seeing you at some point again.” “You might never know.” Twilight smiled back, starting to leave the shop. “Take care!” She called back as she turned her back to Octavia, she then reached with her magic inside the saddlebag, looking for the album she had bought for Rainbow Dash. She didn't get a good look at it as she was more concentrated to what Octavia might have thought about her few moments ago. “Rising Moon?” Twilight thought bit confusingly. This was the kind of music that Rainbow usually avoided the best she could. The cover was nothing special. The text was printed right in the middle of the album large as possible and colored in deep purple while the background around it was sort of dark gray. She then turned the album over, trying to see what was written behind it and soon realized that Octavia had been right as her eyes almost immediately recognized a familiar name, or rather a stage name for the artist: DJ PON-3. A smirk then formed around Twilight's face, she knew that Rainbow was really big fan of PON-3, or as everypony also called her: Vinyl Scratch. This was good enough for Rainbow, it would be. Twilight smirked. Vinyl Scratch was the second pony that the rainbow maned pegasus seemed to worship, right next to the Wonderbolts. Twilight was nearing the door, but while she was looking the album, she failed to notice, or hear, as somepony entered the shop. But what she did hear was Octavia yell “Look out!” Before the world seemed to jump around her, and her head was hurting badly. “You two alright?” Twilight then heard Octavia asked in concern. “Yeah,” Twilight groaned while rubbing her slightly sore forehead. “I- I believe so...” a mare's voice replied. “Good.” Octavia sighed in relief. Twilight then slowly opened her eyes as the soreness in her forehead started to dim, and she then saw who she had crashed into. The mare was a unicorn just like her. Her mane was cyan blue and the eyes almost the same. Her coat was light blue colored and she was just slightly bigger than Twilight herself. “I'm sorry about that. I wasn't exactly looking where I was going,” Twilight apologized. The mare before looked at Twilight and suddenly blushed and, without any better words, started acting almost like Fluttershy. “N-no. It is alright,” she mumbled, not making any eye contact with Twilight. “I should have also looked around when I entered...” “I think we should just agree that nopony was hurt and are alright., Octavia commented from the other side of the shop making the two mares to turn their heads at her. “And it's good to see you again Star Dust,” she then said. Twilight then turned her gaze back to the embarrassed looking unicorn, now called Star Dust. “Yeah, it's good to see you too Octavia...” Star Dust said quietly, but still loud enough for Octavia to hear. “And it looks like you had some customers rather early,” she commented, this time making some kind of eye contact with Twilight and sounded bit more assured by herself. “Yes you could say that,” Octavia replied. “Why don't you introduce yourself to her?” She then suggested, to which Star Dust seemed to suddenly turn to her “Fluttershy mode”. “Uuuuh, hello,” Star Dust started. “My name is Star Dust. I'm a... friend, of Octavia...” she smiled sheepishly at Twilight. Then pointed at her Cutie Mark, which looked like large collection of stars that seemed to form some kind of cloud. “Nice to meet you.” “Hello Star Dust. My name is Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight introduced herself. Then extended her hoof. “Nice to meet you too.” Star Dust then exchanged her gaze between Twilight and her hoof few times, before extending her own, for a brief hoofshake. Then they were followed by a awkward silence as either of them didn't know what to say. “So, you come here often?” Twilight asked bit awkwardly, feeling that she was going bit forward or was bit bold. But instead of Star Dust answering, Octavia answered for her. Or rather answered before she had any chances. “Yes she actually does. Couple times in a week,” Octavia explained, while Star Dust started look bit uncomfortable. “It is really nice of her to come to visit time to time,” Octavia smiled warmly. Twilight couldn't help but smile at this, while poor Star Dust seemed to become even more embarrassed looking, while trying to act like it wasn't nothing. “Well, that is really nice of you.” Twilight smiled. “Say Twilight,” Octavia then started. “Since you seem like a good pony, why won't you take Star Dust with you?” She asked, to which Star Dust's ears perked up from shock and surprise and her facial expression showed that. “She is nice and all, but she really doesn't seem to have many friends. And she is kind of like you,” she chuckled. ”And maybe you two could become friends?” She then suggested. Twilight found herself really shocked at this. This slowly started to remind her of the time when she was first time sent to Ponyville and had to make friends. Although this was different. And Star Dust looked rather unsure about the situation and Octavia could see it. The two unicorns shared both bit shocked and surprised looks. “Why are you doing this?” Twilight asked confusingly. “Well, Star Dust explained that she doesn't have that many friends. Only a few, and I think it would be good if she had few more.” Octavia explained. “So, what you say?” Twilight pondered this for a moment. She wasn't really comfortable to go out with somepony she didn't know at all, by a advice of a pony she didn't know also. But then again, she had already made a sort of friend out of Octavia. “And maybe this Star Dust really needs new friends,” Twilight thought while looking at the unicorn. “She really reminds me of Fluttershy. Maybe I should...” “OK,” Twilight then said. “I think I'll do it.” She added, much to Star Dust's surprise and Octavia's amusement, and also for her slight surprise also. She hadn't expected somepony actually agreeing on this. “So, what you say Star?” Twilight then asked the quiet unicorn. The blue unicorn looked at Twilight with some shock and surprise, but there was a lot of nervousness and awkwardness in her eyes, after a little while Star Dust simply nodded her head. “That's great, why don't you two go now?” Octavia then said. “Try to get to know yourselves bit better?” “Sure,” Twilight said, then turned to Star Dust. “So, shall we go then?” Twilight asked. “Y-yeah. I guess...” Star Dust said. The two of them then left the Dropping Cello. “So, how do you know Octavia?” Twilight asked when they had exited the shop. For a moment, Star Dust didn't say anything as if wondering if to tell, or what to tell Twilight. “I... I just found her shop by accident...” Star Dust started explaining. “At first, well, I didn't get the best reception from her...” that got a surprised look from Twilight. “You see, many ponies have not really, liked the choices she made...” Star replied, as she noticed Twilight's reaction. “But after a little while, she started to warm up on me. But I believe that was mostly because of-” Star Dust suddenly stopped herself. “Because of?” Twilight tried to make Star Dust continuing. “Sorry,” Star Dust then suddenly apologized. “It's bit personal, at least for Octavia and I would be feeling like I was betraying her trust because...” Star Dust stopped for a moment, trying to ponder what to say next. “You know what I mean...” she then said. “I can see where you are going, but I'm sure you aren't betraying Octavia. I'm sure she can understand,” Twilight told Star Dust. Who was considering what Twilight had said, it didn't really mean that she was betraying Octavia's trust. After all, almost everypony knew about Octavia's personal life. In a sense of course. So, Star Dust just decided to say it straight instead of taking the long route. “Well, she is in a relationship with DJ Vinyl Scratch,” she said. “And it was mostly thanks to Vinyl that Octavia that I wasn't a bad pony,” she continued explaining. “So those two have been close friends of mine for a few months now...” she finished, starting to look unsure again. Twilight could see where Star Dust was going with this. After all she knew the Canterlot's most famous musicians who also were in relationship. But then Twilight realized something else that Star Dust had mentioned. “Is that why Octavia asked me to be with you and maybe even be your friend?” Twilight then asked. Star Dust nodded, looking rather ashamed of herself. “Yes...” she muttered. “She and Vinyl are so far the closest “friends” I have.” Twilight didn't like the way Star Dust had pronounced the words “friends”. She had made it sound so foreign. Like it hadn't used to use that word that many times and Twilight could all too well relate to that. In fact, Star Dust slowly started to remind Twilight of herself from the past. Although unlike Twilight, who had not been interested in making friends, Star Dust seemed to be almost afraid of making friends. “Well, I'm going to change that!” Twilight thought determinately. “Well, would you like to know me better?” Twilight then offered. She wanted to show Star Dust that she could make new friends. And she could see that Star Dust was once again giving her slightly doubting and unsure glances. But not towards Twilight, but they seemed to be more centered around herself. After a long wait, Star Dust finally gave her, her answer. “I... I guess it wouldn't hurt...” she replied, still unsure about this idea twilight had. “Great!” Twilight then flashed a bright smile to Star Dust. “And I have a just a place to start our new friendship!” She exclaimed excitedly. Star Dust on the other hoof looked at her like she had something that wasn't supposed to be taken seriously. “Really...?” Star Dust queried. Now sounding bit cautious. “What do you have in mind then?” “Well, first we are going for Donut Joe's place!” Twilight answered cheerfully.