***Sunday, Day 63***
**Mid-morning**
Specter, Enigma, Pinchy and I manage to round up both Vinyl and Octavia without too much trouble. Soon enough all of us are enjoying some banana cream pie at one of the picnic areas as one of the stages appears to be setting up for its first show.
I look back at Pinchy, who decided she’d rather just eat while still on my back. “So do you ever plan on getting down from there, or are you just gonna stay on me all day?”
She looks back at me, some whipped cream on her nose. “I like it on your back. You’re comfy.” She squirms slightly. “Almost like a fluffy blanket!”
On the other side of the table, the gray mare’s hooves press against the sides of her glass. I could almost swear she is imagining it’s a stress ball.
“Say.” Enigma speaks up, seeing Octavia’s stressed state. “We’ve met Hydro - lovely chat, that was - but it got me to wondering. How many other friends do you have?”
“Hmm...” I think for a moment. “I suppose the rest would be Fluttershy, Rarity, Blue, Atom, Twilight, Volt, Rainbow, Applejack, and of course Pinkie.” As I mention the party pony, I look around. “Actually I’m surprised Pinkie hasn’t come out of nowhere to welcome all of you yet, but I suppose with all the performers and tourists in town right now she can’t keep up with the influx of new ponies.”
“Don’t be silly, I still say ‘Hi’ to everypony! I just don’t have time to throw them all parties because the festival is one big party!”
I turn to my side to find the pink pony in question standing there. “Hey Pinkie.”
“Hi Rhino!” She leans over to Pinchy and places a cupcake in her hooves. “And hello to you,” Pinkie quickly hops over to each of the other ponies and puts a cupcake in front of each of them. “and you, and you, and you!”
Vinyl nods, lifting the pastry in her magical aura. “Thanks!” She looks at the other three guests, who had already started eating their cupcakes. “I suppose I’ll say thanks for everyone else, as well. We’re all very grateful.” She chomps on the treat, beaming brightly. “Delicious!”
Pinkie beams. “Glad you like it.” Her face goes blank for a moment as she shudders. “Oh, gotta go! A new family just arrived from Manehattan! Bye!” She cheerfully hops away as we wave.
“I don’t know why I bothered to underestimate her.” I chuckle. Suddenly a shadow covers all of us and our table causing us to look up and see some weather ponies moving some fluffy white clouds into place.
One of the ponies notices us and flies down. I recognize him as Blue once he gets into range. The pegasus hovers in front of us as he explains, “Sorry about the scare. We’re supposed to get shade clouds set up on some of these tables so ponies don’t get too warm.” He looks at us a moment before he registers what he is seeing. “Rhino, since when do you hang out with so many mares eating desserts? What would Fluttershy think?”
Vinyl, who had chosen that moment to drink some lemonade, promptly does a spit-take. She nervously turns to the burgundy pegasus next to her. The pony in question sits there in silence, a maroon eye twitching slightly. Thinking ahead, the disk jockey removes the plates from the table.
Enigma stands up, scowling at Blue. “Not. A. MARE!” The pegasus flips the table, growling in annoyance. “I can’t believe I’m mistaken for a mare here, too!”
The blue pegasus holds up his hooves placatingly, “Woh woh, sorry dude. Honest mistake!”
Vinyl sighs, waving a hoof nonchalantly. “It’s fine. It’s a bit of a berserk button for him, but he’ll calm down soon enough.”
The feminine stallion groans, realizing what he did. “...sorry.” He grabs the table with his teeth and promptly flips it back over. “For the record, though, I am male. Despite my mare-like appearance.”
The white mare leans over, whispering in Blue’s ear, loud enough for me to hear. “Don’t ask him about his lack of a cutie mark. Just sayin’.”
He whispers back, “Gotcha.” He straightens up and talks at normal volume, “Well, I’ve got to get back to work, but you guys have fun!” He waves and takes off to join back with his squad.
I remark to the others as we watch the group of pegasi fly off, “I guess you guys picked a good time to vacation here. Everypony just seems to think you came with the festival crowd.” A thought occurs to me as I say that. “Actually, now that I think about it, with all the extra ponies in town I don’t think any of the inns will have room for you... You guys could always stay at my place if you want. We have a guest room and a couch so we could work something out.”
“That sounds good.” Vinyl looks over at the rest of the ponies. “It seems like there will be enough room.”
At that moment, the filly on my back gently taps my cheek. “Rhino? Can I sleep in your room?”
I smile at her, “Sure, I don’t see why not. I might have a sleeping bag in one of the closets. I would offer you Specter’s bed since half the time he doesn’t use it, but it’s a bit small for you.”
“She could use my sleeping bag.” Enigma speaks up, a hoof in the air. “I always carry it with me, after all.”
The white mare next to him rolls her eyes, smirking slightly. “E, you carry everything with you. You even carry a spare kitchen sink!” She puts her hoof over his mouth before he can protest. “Don’t try to deny it.”
I nod, “Well, that’ll work. Which of you wants the couch then? Don’t go thinking it’s any worse than the bed by the way, I’m fairly certain the couch will put you to sleep far faster than the bed can.”
Vinyl giggles, a coy look on her face. “Who wants to go to sleep fast?” Enigma elbows her side, giving her a disapproving look. “Yeah, probably not something he wants to hear. Sorry, Rhy. Anyways, E and I can take the bed. Tavi could take the couch.” She glances over at the gray mare, who looks like she’s sulking on the opposite side of the table. “That fine with you?”
“Whatever.”
I look sadly at the down mare before glancing at my watch. “Well, I did mention earlier that I had one thing to do today. I actually probably need to start heading over there. Will you all just be exploring and enjoying yourselves then?”
“I will.” Vinyl looks over at Enigma, tilting her head. “What about you?”
“I was planning on going for a flight. See what all is different around here.” He shrugs. “I could stay with you if you’d like, Vi.” She smiles, nuzzling his cheek affectionately.
Pinchy whispers in my ear. “Can I come with you? Please?”
I whisper back, “Sure, you can meet my student here too.”
Octavia slams her teacup down on the table. “I need to clear my head. Excuse me.” She stands up, quickly walking away.
The filly on my back frowns, worried. “Why is sensei acting so strange?”
“Hmm...” I look back at the filly, “Have you two been hanging out much lately?”
She squirms a little, uncomfortable. “No...I thought she was still mad at me for helping you during your sparring match, so I’ve been spending more time with Dinky and Rumble...”
“Well, I doubt she’s still mad at you...” I rub my chin with a hoof, “Maybe we could find a present for you to get her around town, that might cheer her up.”
“That’s a great idea!” She giggles, pointing forward. “Let’s go! Adventure!~”
I smile and wave goodbye to Vinyl and Enigma as Pinchy, Specter, and I head into town.
***
We arrive at Carousel Boutique after Resing through town.
“Here we are.” I announce unnecessarily. I knock at the door and Rarity answers it after a moment.
She smiles at me as she wears her designing glasses with her tape measure around her neck. “Oh, right on time Rhino. Sweetie’s upstairs and I’m with a customer right now so I’ll let you show yourself up there alright?” She notices my extra passenger. “Oh? And who might this little one be?”
The filly on my back beams, waving a hoof. “I’m Berry Pinch! Nice to meet you again for the first time, Rarity!” She stops waving, putting the hoof to her chin. “That sentence sounds weird...”
I chuckle at her, “Yeah, but it is true and you hardly ever get to use it.” I look to the confused fashionista. “Pinchy here is a filly I’m looking after for a few days and she wanted to tag along for Sweetie Belle’s magic lesson.”
Rarity titters, “Careful now, too many more and you’ll have to rent out the schoolhouse.” She looks back over her shoulder, “I really should be getting back, good luck with the lesson, and very nice meeting you Berry.”
We make our way upstairs to Sweetie’s room and I knock on her closed door.
“Who is it?”
I answer, “It’s me and Specter, Sweetie, we brought a guest today, too.”
Sweetie’s light pink aura covers the doorknob as she lets us in, “A guest?”
I nod to the filly on my back, “Meet Berry Pinch.”
“Hi!” Pinch leaps off me and lands in front of the other filly. “Nice to meet you, Sweetie!” She holds out a hoof, smiling brightly.
The white filly smiles just as bright, “Hi! Nice to meet you too!” She takes the other filly’s hoof and shakes it enthusiastically. “Are you here to learn magic too?”
“I’m not here for that. I’m here to try and help, if I can!” She smiles nervously, a first for her. “If you don’t mind, of course.”
“Sounds good to me!” Sweetie bounces in place happily. “Rhino tries to make the lessons fun, but having friends over always makes things better!”
“Speaking of which,” I motion to Specter as he brings out the whiteboard Rarity had gotten for the lessons after the first few, “Today’s lesson will be on splitting your focus. Now Sweetie, we both know you have gotten quite adept with both levitation,” I toss a random yarn ball at her from a pile to the side and she catches it with a smile, “and light spells.” I point to a spot on the wall and Sweetie lights it up with a beam from her horn as if it were a flashlight. “But sometimes you will need to be able to cast one or more spells, even while being distracted.” I point to the diagram I drew on the board. “So your task today is to keep a beam trained on Specter and all times while he runs and jumps around the room, while also catching or otherwise preventing any yarn balls from hitting you. If you do this for about... five minutes straight, you and Pinchy each get a cookie I brought.” I set down the prizes in the table in the middle of the room. “Sound fair?”
Pinch stares at the cookies, her eyes wide. She is visibly keeping herself from pouncing on the table, quickly turning her attention to the other filly. “You can do it, Sweetie!” She smiles brightly, pumping a hoof in the air.
Sweetie looks to the pink filly, then to the cookies, then back to me as she sets her stance and narrows her eyes. “It. Is. On.”
**Octavia**
The classy mare walks around, frowning slightly. “Well, this Ponyville certainly is different. The streets are even laid out in a different way.” She glances at the buildings surrounding her. “Where am I, anyway?”
A sudden familiar sound causes her ears to perk up. The tune flows over the wind, as if drawing her towards it. She walks down street and through alleys as she pursues what she thought to be impossible. As she emerges from one final gap between houses, the mare gasps as she sees none other than herself, playing a cello with her eyes closed in a lonely field.
The observing mare waits until her playing counterpart finishes before speaking up. “You’re really talented. Of course, that’s to be expected.” She chuckles, approaching her alternate self.
The grey mare with the cello starts slightly at hearing her own voice from another, she holds her bow a little closer to herself as she greets her mirror. “Ah... hello...”
Octavia tilts her head a bit. “Surely I don’t scare you? I’m you, after all.” She thinks for a moment, tapping her chin. “Maybe I can do something to put you at ease?”
The cello wielding mare nods. “I would appreciate that, it is very strange to be sitting here talking to... myself?”
“Could you possibly turn away?” She reaches a hoof up under her hair. “I feel slightly awkward doing this while somepony’s watching.”
“Oh, umm, of course.” The instrumental mare turns to her cello and starts making a few adjustments.
As soon as the attention was off her, Octavia undoes the hidden zipper, stepping out of the latex suit. She quickly stuffs it into one of her saddlebags before carefully removing the pair of purple plastic disks from her eyes and putting them in the other. She adjusts her bright blue mane and brushes down her yellow pelt in the few places it sticks up. “Okay, that should be good. You can look, now.”
The grey mare blinks at her now palette-swapped counterpart. “Well, if it weren’t for the zipper sound I would have accused you of being a changeling. This does make it less awkward though, thank you... Erm, what should I call you?”
“Call me Fiddlesticks.” She shrugs slightly, trying her hardest not to slip into her natural accent. “That’s the name my family gave me.”
Octavia giggles lightly at the name. “Well that sounds, as Fancy Pants might say, ‘charmingly rustic.’ Did you really like my piece though? I wanted to make sure I had it perfect before my partner arrives.”
“Of course I liked it. You are really talented.” Suddenly something registers for her. “...partner? May I ask what you mean by that?”
The cellist faintly blushes as she says strongly, “He is my partner in both music and in life. We are meeting here to practice for the festival, as sort of our reunion present to each other.”
“That’s...actually quite romantic.” She rubs the back of her neck, feeling a little awkward.
The ash-colored mare covers her mouth with a hoof, “Oh, my apologies. I didn’t mean to make this awkward for you. I’m just... looking forward to seeing him again. Surely you have somepony in your life that you feel the same for?”
Fiddlestick’s mind brings up a brown unicorn, but she shakes her head fervently to get rid of the image. “N-no, not really. The closest I have is a really good friend. I guess I’m a little too busy teaching my...pupil...” She sighs, lowering her head, trying to keep her emotions in check. “...I have to wonder if she still wants to be my pupil, though...”
Octavia hums to herself as she looks at her imperfect reflection. Her eyes flick upward and focus on something behind the golden mare as she smiles. “Well, I don’t know about pupils specifically, But what I do know is this: cliche as it sounds,” A black unicorn walks around Fiddlesticks and sits next to Octavia, nuzzling her once, “the important ponies in your life will come back to you, no matter what.”
Fiddlesticks stares at the couple, feeling an empty pit in her stomach. “...sure. Whatever you say.” She turns and leaves, grumbling softly to herself.
The black unicorn stallion looks after the retreating mare. “Who was that, dear?”
Octavia smiles sadly after her, “A mare who just needs a friend to talk to and some time, Fragment. Let us hope she finds both.”
***That evening***
Pinchy and I make our way back to the house after a day of browsing various shops after her victory cookie.
“Well, what about the one at the corner stall-”
“Nope!” Pinchy shakes her head. “It has to be perfect!”
Specter groans from my head, “But the last one was really nice!”
“Perfect.” She repeats.
I huff lightly at the stubborn filly, but I understand what she is saying. I walk in the door about set my bags down as I call out to the house at large, “Anypony home?”
A yellow, blue-maned mare is sitting in the living room, cyan eyes staring at me over her cup of tea. “About time you returned.”
I stare at the strange mare, “Umm, may I help you Miss? And... what are you doing in my house?”
Before she could respond, Pinchy runs up to her, beaming brightly. “Hi, sensei!” She wrapped her hooves around the unresponsive mare, hugging her happily. “How’s your day been?”
She sighs, shaking her head. “I ran into myself.” She glances at her hooves, still holding up her tea. “I guess I forgot to put my suit back on. Oh, well.”
I stare for a moment as I try to piece things together. “Is that you Octavia? And... you wear a suit?”
“What, did you expect high-society ponies to accept me, an Apple from Stalliongrad?” She rolls her eyes, taking a sip of her Earl Grey. “That’d be the day Celestia takes a thousand-year nap.”
“And once again, you manage to defy all expectations.” Specter leaps off my head and glides to the kitchen. “Hydro will be home soon so I think I’ll get dinner started.” I call back over my shoulder as I start getting ready, “So how was it running into yourself?”
“Interesting, to say the least.” She sips her drink once more before continuing. “More so that she’s also straight, and in a relationship, to boot. Of course, her poise came naturally. I have to consciously keep mine in check.”
I continue wrestling all the ingredients from the various corners of the kitchen. “That and she’s likely not a dimension hopper. Specs, you seen the basil?”
“Up here.”
“Ah thanks.” I turn to head over to him only to almost trip over a certain fuschia filly. I look down at her, “Pinchy, what are you doing?”
“Um...” She hides a glass of white liquid behind her back, blushing softly. “Nothing?”
I look up at Specter who is perched on the fridge behind her. He says simply, “It’s a glass of milk.”
I laugh at the filly trying to hide her glass. “You know I would have made you one if you asked right? I just restocked yesterday, I’ve got three unopened gallons!”
“...honestly? If I’d known that, I’d have drank a gallon by now.” She blushes a bit more and runs out the room.
I chuckle again. “A filly after my own heart that one.”
Soon enough, the front door opens, revealing the last of the extra-dimensional motley crew. “I can’t believe how unproductive our day was.”
The burgundy pegasus shrugs. “Hey, I get that you wanted to meet yourself. Who knows whether or not that’ll happen tomorrow, though?”
I peek out at the two and frown, “Well that’s not right, Hydro was supposed to be the next one home... link must be on the fritz.”
Vinyl jerks her head back towards the door. “Oh, he’s right outside. He’ll probably be inside soon enough.” She holds up a jar, grinning playfully. “Strawberry applesauce?”
My eyes lock onto the treat while my voice takes on a brief country twang, “Darlin’, for that, you get an extra helpin’.” I levitate the snack back into the kitchen with me. “I’ll be out when I’m done making you my signature dish.”
A few hours later and all of us are sitting at the table with full stomachs.
I grin at the guests, “So how’d you like the lasagna?”
The still-yellow mare stands up, nodding politely. “My compliments to the chef.” She glances at Pinch, flinching slightly. “...I’ll be off, now. Good night, everypony.” She leaves the room, heading to the couch in the living room.
I smirk knowingly and look at Hydro, “How long you think she’s got?”
Hydro looks at the exiting mare, “Five minutes, tops.”
I rub my chin, “I dunno, she’s a stubborn one, I’ll give her ten.” I notice the confused glances from the others. “What? That couch might as well be magic from how fast it’ll put ponies to sleep. Between that and the food, she’ll be snoring before we get out of this room.”
“Maybe.” Enigma shrugs, chuckling a bit. “I should probably get that sleeping bag out for Pinchy, shouldn’t I?” He reaches back towards his bags.
“I got it!” The filly almost literally leaps headfirst into one of the bags, half of her body disappearing into the opening. “Almost there...” She pulls out a golf club, frowning slightly. “Why would you even need this?”
“What?” He shrugs, blushing slightly. “I may take up golfing one day.” He reaches a hoof into the opposing bag. “It’s in this one, by the way.”
“Oh.” She watches as he pulls a large, fluffy sleeping bag out, taking it in her magic. “Thanks!” She races out the room. “She’s still awake, by the way!” The words are followed by the clopping of hooves on the staircase.
I smile at Hydro, “Told ya.”
“Moving back onto the subject of the food, I loved it.” Vinyl covers her mouth to stifle a burp. “Of course, I’m no Chef Ramsay, but then again, nothing pleases that sheep..” She stands up and walks past Hydro to exit, teasingly brushing her body up against his. “Good night, boys. E and I will be in the guest room.” With that, the last of our guests left the room.
I let out a breath only us three original denizens of the house are left. I remark to the others as I start cleaning up, “Certainly make things interesting don’t they?”
Hydro nods as he gets up as well. “True. What are they gonna do while we’re at work? Hang around the house?”
Specter shakes his head, “I doubt it.”
I shrug as I dry the dishes. “It’ll be fine, definitely different and interesting, but fine.”
I let the others go ahead of me while I finish up. As I walk out of the kitchen and flick off the light a light cough from the couch grabs my attention.
“Just so you know, it’s been twenty minutes. I haven’t fallen asleep yet.” There’s a soft yet strained chuckle. “...can I talk with you, Rhino?”
I nod, “The might of the couch has been denied. To be serious though, sure, we can talk.” I settle down in one of the chairs and look at her expectantly.
She sits silently for a few seconds before gathering the will to speak. “...Pinch is...really attached to you. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy she has another role model...” Her voice trails off, and she sighs softly. “...actually, that’s a lie. I feel like I’ve been replaced.” She buries her face in her hooves, groaning. “I’m a terrible pony. I can’t even be happy for my pupil...what’s wrong with me?”
I resist the urge to comfort her and keep my distance. “To be candid, I would say separation anxiety. You care for her more than you realize, so seeing her supposedly moving away from you hurts more than you thought it would. I do emphasize ‘supposedly’ though. She still respects you, and likes you. I don’t mean to make you think I am replacing you, I admit I am fond of her, but the fact remains that in total she and I have spent less than two weeks together.” I give in to my urge and walk over and lay a comforting hoof across her shoulder. “Instead of thinking she is drifting away from you, why not focus on the fact she is happy?”
“...maybe you’re right.” She looks up at me, smiling softly. “Thank you. Can...can you not tell her about this? I’d feel so awkward if she found out I felt this way...”
I nod. “I promise.” I stand up and start heading towards the stairs. “Get some sleep alright?”
She sighs, laying her head back down. “...I’ll try...I hate insomnia...”
I chuckle as I walk up the stairs, “Just let the couch do its thing.” I walk quietly towards my room to avoid waking anypony who has managed to get to sleep. As I enter my room, I notice a certain filly sitting in the middle of my bed waiting for me. “Something wrong?” I ask.
“...sort of...” She looks down at her hooves, looking for all the world like she needs a hug.
I oblige the unsaid need and sit down next to her, not so different from what I just did with her teacher. “Want to talk about it?”
“...sure...” She leans over, nuzzling my side. “...I want to talk with sensei. But each time I try, I picture her upset face and I lose the nerve.” She sniffles. “I can’t stand the thought of her being disappointed in me...”
Please don't start crying, I can't take fillies crying.
“Hey, hey...” I whisper quietly as I bring her closer to me, “Why would you think she would be disappointed in you?”
“Because I went against her, and then abandoned her out of fear.” She buries her face in my chest, shaking slightly. “...I’m afraid of my teacher...and it hurts...”
I struggle to maintain my composure at the almost crying filly. Each shudder sends an ache through my heart. I hold her close as I whisper, “There’s no need to be scared, little one. She’s not just your teacher, she’s your friend right? You should never be scared of your friends. I can tell you for a fact it would hurt her just as much as it’s hurting you to know you’re scared of her.”
“...r-really?” She looks up at me, her eyes wide, a few tears on the brink of falling. “I-I’m hurting her by being scared of her?” Clearly, she needs a little push.
“Yeah,” An idea pops into my head. “Tell you what, how about tomorrow, when I get off work, you and I find that perfect gift for her you wanted, then we can come back and you two can make up, alright?”
She smiles at me, nodding softly. “O-okay...thank you, Rhino...” She gently nuzzles my cheek. “...I know I have the sleeping bag...but can I sleep up here with you? Please?”
I smile at her softly. “Of course.”
She squeals happily, hugging me tightly. Surprisingly strong, considering her age. “You’re the best, Rhino!”
If she keeps up acting like this, ponies might think she’s my daughter or something, heck I might start believing it.
I quietly chuckle as she squirms her way under the sheets. I glance towards Specter, who has been watching silently from his own bed this whole time, I give him a look that says ‘Do you mind if she does this?’
He simply stares back with a smile that says ‘It’s fine, she can have you for tonight.’
I nod and get comfortable in the bed as Pinchy still shuffles around to find a spot she likes. “Good night Pinchy.”
“Good night, Rhino. Good night, Specs.” She yawns quietly, resting her head on my chest. “...this is nice...a soft pillow to...” She trails off, and soon the air is filled with her quiet breathing.
Wonder what she was going to say... Ah well, a question for another time. Dealing with that level of emotion always leaves me drained...
Soon after, the entire house is filled with sleeping ponies.