"Look, Octy. I don't see the problem. Your sis actually seems pretty cool."
Octavia gave Vinyl Scratch a look as she sat down on the bed. "Vinyl, I know you have a brain in that head of yours. Use it. What do you think the problem is?"
"What it usually is: Me embarrassing you in front of other ponies by speaking the truth and having fun while doing it," said Vinyl with a shrug. "And to that I say that you're worrying over nothing."
"This is not nothing, Vinyl," said Octavia sternly. "This is a twin sister I never knew I had visiting us."
"And, that's a bad thing?" asked Vinyl, tilting her head. "Heck, I'd be pretty psyched if I were in your horseshoes."
"Of course you would, Vinyl. But that's because you wouldn't think about the implications," said Octavia with a sigh. "I honestly have no memory of a sister growing up. I have no pictures of her, and my parents never said a word about it. And yet, she talks to me like we were old friends. I-I really don't know how to feel about this."
"Well, I know how I feel," said Vinyl with a smirk. "I feel like you don't know a good time when you see it. This is your long-lost twin sister we're talking about. Think of the possibilities!"
"What possibilities?"
"Well, a threesome comes to mind."
Octavia's expression became deadpan as she folded her forelegs. "Vinyl, will you get your mind out of the gutter for just a few minutes and stop joking around?"
"You thought I was joking about that?"
"Considering that I can read you like an open book even when you have your shades on, yes."
"Huh. Touché," said Vinyl with a chuckle. When Octavia didn't join in, she sighed. "Tavi, I'm still not seeing the problem. I mean, I get that you're all confused and junk because you're thinking about this way too much, but what does that got to do with me?"
"Let's just say you're not helping," said Octavia.
"I'm not exactly hurting, though," Vinyl argued. "Your sister doesn't seem to mind."
"Yes. And that's exactly what I'm afraid of," said Octavia firmly.
Vinyl lowered her shades and raised an eyebrow. "You lost me."
Octavia groaned and shook her head. "I can't believe I have to explain this," she muttered before turning back to Vinyl. "Listen, it's more than just her simply tolerating you. I do that every day. The problem is that Fiddlesticks actually embraces your boorish nature."
"Okay, what're you basing this on?"
"Oh, I don't know. How about the fact that she barely batted an eyelid when you called her hot?"
"Well, it's true," said Vinyl. "She is your twin, after all."
"You're missing the point," said Octavia, rubbing the bridge of her nose with her hoof. "I have a bad feeling that she's going to turn out to be a lot like you."
"What, you mean she's gonna end up living with a mare who constantly has a fork up her flank?" Vinyl teased.
"I'm being serious, Vinyl," Octavia growled. "If I have to deal with two ponies who don't take anything seriously and act like childish foals, I am going to have to check myself into a mental ward."
"Do you really think you should be saying that about your sister?" asked Vinyl with a knowing smirk.
Octavia gave Vinyl a stern look. "Vinyl, for once in your life, I want you to take this seriously and do me a huge favor."
"Is this the good kind of favor where we go back to my threesome idea, or is this the other kind?" asked Vinyl.
"I want you to promise me that you'll be on your best behavior while she's here."
"Yep, it's the other kind," said Vinyl, rolling her eyes. "Octy, I still think you're..."
"I am not kidding, Vinyl Scratch," Octavia interrupted. "I want Fiddlesticks's stay here to be as incident-free as possible. That means three things. One, you won't be rude to her. Two, you'll be a good host and get her whatever she needs. Three, do not, and I repeat, do not do anything stupid. Is that clear?"
"Uh, just one problem," said Vinyl, feeling a bit intimidated.
"What is it?"
"Define 'stupid.'"
Octavia shot Vinyl a bemused glare. "You know what I consider stupid, Vinyl. You figure it out."
"Yeah, no," said Vinyl with a bemused look of her own. "Knowing you, the meaning of that word is pretty broad."
Octavia sighed. "Vinyl, I'm not asking you to change who you are. Nopony can do that. I'm just asking you to show some restraint. Please?"
Vinyl thought for a moment. "Alright, fine," she said reluctantly. "I'll be on my best behavior."
"Look me in the eye a promise me," Octavia ordered.
Vinyl sighed, and stared deep into Octavia's stern, purple eyes. "I promise that I'll try to be on my best behavior," she said.
"You'll try." Octavia parroted.
"That's the best deal I can give you, Octy," said Vinyl with a shrug. "Take it or leave it."
Octavia paused for a moment, and then gave a sigh of her own. "Well, it's better than nothing, I suppose," she said. "Thank you, Vinyl."
"Yeah, no prob," said Vinyl. "Listen, Tavi. I want you to think about what I said."
"What, the threesome?"
Vinyl sniggered. "No, Tavi. I'm talking about how you're worrying over nothing. I know that you can enjoy yourself when you put your mind to it, so do that and stop sweating the small stuff."
Octavia smirked. "I'll, think about it," she said, giving Vinyl a peck on the cheek. "Now, let me just get dressed, and then we can have a proper breakfast with Fiddlesticks."
"Sounds like a plan," said Vinyl with a cocky smile. "Unless you're actually considering the..."
"Don't push it," said Octavia with a sly smirk, cutting across Vinyl.
***
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Fiddlesticks," said Octavia and she and Vinyl reentered the kitchen. "Vinyl and I had a lot to talk about."
"Ah figured," said Fiddlesticks with a chuckle. "Shoot, the way y'all took yer sweet time in there, it's like ya both were married or sumthin'."
"Do you want to tell her, or should I?" asked Vinyl.
"Vinyl..." Octavia growled through gritted teeth.
"Right, maybe later," said Vinyl sheepishly. "Let's just dig in. I'm starving."
"Took the words right out of mah mouth," said Fiddlesticks. As they began to eat their breakfast, Fiddlesticks caught a glance of Octavia's Cutie Mark. She did a double take, and her expression brightened.
"Hmm? What is it, Fiddlesticks?" asked Octavia.
"Well, string me up and stick me on a roof. Y'all have got the same Cutie Mark Ah've got!" Fiddlesticks exclaimed gleefully. "Ah must've not noticed it before because of yer robe."
Octavia's eyes went wide. "R-really? You have the same Cutie Mark as me?"
"Darn tootin'!" said Fiddlesticks with a wide grin. "Here, take a gander!"
Fiddlesticks stood up and pointed to her flank. Indeed, her Cutie Mark was that of a treble clef. The only difference was that hers was blue while Octavia's was purple.
"I am suddenly glad that I'm not colorblind," said Vinyl, wolfing down an apple dumpling.
Octavia couldn't help but laugh at that one. "Wow. I suppose we really are twins."
"Sure looks like it," said Fiddlesticks. "So, y'all pursued yer dreams to become a musician, Ah take it?"
"Well, yes," said Octavia, taking a sip of her coffee. "I play the cello for my ensemble."
Fiddlesticks raised an eyebrow. "The cello? Ah mean, Ah know that's the instrument y'all got attached to when y'all were a filly, but why the hay is yer Cutie Mark a treble clef? Shouldn't it be a bass clef or sumthin'?"
"You're actually not the first pony to ask me that," said Octavia apprehensively, her cheeks turning a rosy pink. "I'm actually well-versed in all sorts of string instruments. I just prefer the cello is all."
"Huh," was all Fiddlesticks said before going back to her breakfast. The three mares ate in silence for a time until Octavia cleared her throat.
"Um, actually, Vinyl and I were discussing your arrangements," said she. "Do you have a place to stay while in Canterlot?"
Fiddlesticks looked up and placed a hoof to her chin. "Well, Ah was initially plannin' to bunk with you, but that was before Ah knew y'all had a roommate."
"Oh, no need to change your plans," said Octavia. "You can stay in our room."
Vinyl spat out her coffee and looked at Octavia as if she had three heads. "Wait, what?!"
Fiddlesticks gave a lighthearted chuckle. "Y'all don't haffta do that fer little ole me, Tavia."
"I insist," said Octavia. "Vinyl and I will be fine in the living room."
"Um, hello? Octy? I didn't agree to this," said Vinyl, sounding rather frantic.
"Tavia, Ah appreciate the gesture. Really, Ah do," said Fiddlesticks. "But seriously, Ah don't wanna impose or nuttin'."
"Nonsense. You're not imposing at all," said Octavia sweetly.
"I think you're the one who's imposing, Tavi," Vinyl grumbled.
Fiddlesticks sighed. "Well, if y'all insist on me stayin' here, at least let me get the couch. Ah'll be comfortable, Ah promise."
"Tut tut, none of that," said Octavia, shaking her head. "We want only the best for you, Fiddlesticks. You're our guest, after all."
"You're using the royal 'we,' I assume," Vinyl muttered bitterly.
"It's mighty kind of ya, Tavia. But Ah'm used to roughin' it," said Fiddlesticks. "Trust me, Ah'll be more comfortable on the couch."
"Well, all the more reason you should have a real bed to sleep in for a change," said Octavia.
Fiddlesticks raised an eyebrow. "Y'know, Ah sleep in real beds plenty."
Octavia's eyes widened and her face turned bright red. "Oh, sorry! Faux pas. I, didn't mean to..."
Fiddlesticks snickered. "Relax, Tavia. Ah ain't mad," she said. "Really, Ah'm glad y'all want me to be comfortable, but Ah wouldn't be able to sleep none knowin' that Ah'm in mah sister's bed while she's out on the couch."
Vinyl breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank Celestia."
Octavia twiddled her hooves. "W-well, I guess that's alright," said she. "I-I mean, I could go see if I have a cot lying around or..."
Fiddlesticks smiled, and placed a hoof on Octavia's shoulder. "Tell ya what. If y'all find a cot or sumthin', Ah'll be much obliged. But until then, Ah'll be alright on the couch. Deal?"
Octavia smiled back. "Alright, deal."
"Good t'hear," said Fiddlesticks, giving Octavia a friendly pat. "Ah'll jus' go unpack the rest of mah things."
"Oh, yes," said Octavia, getting up from her seat. "Here, let me give you a bit of a tour; just so you know where everything is."
As the twin sisters left, Vinyl couldn't help but stare at Octavia in disbelief.
Did I miss something? When did Tavi lose her Celestia-damn mind? she pondered to herself. If that's what she considers being a good host, this best behavior business is gonna be incredibly painful...