I was beginning to suffer the malady of the working pony at rest: The sun had barely peeped over the horizon before I was wide awake and ready to start the day. Only, I didn't have anything particular to do. I was on vacation after all, even if so far it had been anything but relaxing.
Today, though, was going to be perfect. Lyra was already awake, I could hear her practicing my melody through the floor. She had been so excited about Bon Bon’s return the past few days, and I so happy for her. In fact, since I had nothing else to do...
“Good morning Lyra!” I called out sing-song as I practically waltzed into the kitchen to her tune. As I sat down, I heard a door upstairs open, and the sweet sound trotted up to the table and took a seat across from me.
Lyra beamed me the brightest smile as she finished the song with a flourish and placed her lyre on the table between us. “Morning Octy, I was just practicing for later. Hope I didn't wake you up.”
“Oh, of course not, Lyra. In fact, I cannot think of a better way to awake than to hear good music being played by talented hooves. And speaking of later, would you like any help with the preparations? I have plenty of free time after all; this is my holiday.”
Lyra looked at me something that looked suspiciously like pity and nodded. “Of course you can help. In fact, would you like to play your song with me when Bonnie gets here? I’m sure she’d love it, and after the party, we can all go out for a drink. Berry says she got us this evening on the house.”
I knew she was trying to get me out and socializing, and since I was more or less forcing myself to do the same, I avidly agreed. Lyra clopped her hooves together excitedly and began listing off things she needed to do before Bon Bon arrived this afternoon. In between her chattering about ordering more cake and making sure Pinkie Pie had set up an acceptably over the top party, I caught her order to meet her in the park later that morning, and then She dashed to the door, her lyre trailing her in a lime aura. “Oh, and Octy?” She paused in the doorway, “Could you try and see if Carrot-Top is free to meet in the park later? Thanks, bye!”
As the door swung shut, I sighed. I didn’t feel comfortable with Lyra slipping into using my nickname again, but how could I say no? I’d have to get over it sometime, and if any pony deserved to call me by that name, it should be Lyra.
I made myself my usual breakfast of oats and a glass of orange juice, sorting out the day in my head before putting my plans into action. I wouldn’t have to visit the market until mid-morning, so that left me with a few hours to myself. I could use the time to think and relax, and nothing helped me do that better than to practice with my cello. And so that’s what I did.
*****
Trotting through Ponyville square was much more difficult than I expected it to be. I’d spent most of my time recently indoors, in the hope of avoiding this very reaction, but now that I was in the midst of the busy town square, it was clear that rumours still ran high. I saw Cloud Kicker, a Pegasus that Vinyl and I had been good friends with, cast a hate-filled glance my way and turn aside. I felt a pit form in my stomach at the sight, and it grew when I saw the expression mirrored on the faces of a few ponies around me. I tried not to think about it. In a town as close-knit as Ponyville, a nasty breakup was bound to cause waves.
Still, I never expected this...
I lowered my head and trotted quietly to Carrot-Top’s cart. Her hooves came into my vision first, and I let my eyes trail up slowly, afraid of what I might see. My fears were not misplaced: Carrot-Top looked at me a little uncertainly, waiting for me to make the first move. At least she didn’t hate me. That would make this easier.
“Hello, Carrot-Top, Having a fine day I hope?” I ventured, smiling a brightly as I could.
“Uh, yeah, thanks, Octavia. Here to buy some vegetables?” She asked, looking a little nervous. I may have overdone the smile.
Sighing a little on the inside ,I dropped a bit of the smile and rattled through my message. “Unfortunately, no. You see, Lyra sent me to ask if you might be free to meet her in the park later today, before Bon Bon returns. I’m helping her prepare for the party.”
Carrot-Top nodded and gave me a small smile. I bid her farewell and began walking back home, still noting the less than friendly ponies. I shrugged it off this time, though, and walked away calmly. I couldn’t change their minds. I could, however, be a good friend to Lyra and welcome Bon Bon back in style. That way, I could prove that my intentions were honourable.
I trotted into my room, gathered my cello and bow in their cases and, after a quick nibble of celery, I made my way towards the train station. The outskirts of town by the station were quite busy, and the platform itself was already bustling. Bon Bon wasn't the only pony visiting after all.
I found a nice position on the platform from which to perform, and seated myself in readiness for the train, even though it was a good while away. This didn't matter, since everypony else involved was equally occupied. I saw many of Bon Bon’s friends pacing towards and around the platform through the crowd. Bon Bon was well loved, and her friends could hardly wait for her return. Their attitudes were rubbing off on me. Even though I never really knew the mare since I had moved to Ponyville, well, I couldn't wait to see her. For Lyra’s sake, if nothing else.
I my mint-green roommate approaching across the platform just as a small trace of smoke was noted in the distance. As she sat next to me, I could see that she was trapped somewhere between formal preparedness and excited squealing. And many ponies around us seemed to share her enthusiasm. I smiled and unclipped my instrument’s case, readying myself for our somewhat impromptu performance.
As I stood up on my hindlegs I looked over at Lyra, asking, “Are all your preparations in order? Nothing amiss?”
Lyra shook her head and stood as well, surprising me. She swayed slightly, but clutched her lyre and winked confidently. “Don’t worry Octy, Carrot-Top has the food covered for the after party at home, and Pinkie has the main shindig ready to go! It’s just us, now.”
I nodded and raised my bow. “And we shan’t disappoint!” I turned and faced the train as it slowed and pulled into the station, happy for the start of a happier chapter to recent times.
She never came.
Lyra and I stood as we watched each and every passenger step off the train, our eyes, and smiles, straining to see Bon Bon’s blue and pink mane amidst the crowd, but we never did. Even as the platform emptied, I stood, motionless, straining, glancing at Lyra as her face fell lower and lower, eventually drooping to her hooves. I looked about uncertainly, dropping down myself, and saw the train slowly pull away. She wasn't coming. Bon Bon wasn’t coming?
I heard the lyre clatter to the ground and spun to see Lyra galloping away from the station, and even at the growing distance, I could see her crying.
I felt cold, standing there. In shock. I saw the movement in the corner of my eye, and turned slightly to see Carrot-Top. Her eyes. Confusion. Suspicion.
I didn’t stay. I picked up my cello case and cantered as fast as I could under its weight back home. Lyra was crushed after all her preparations, and she needed somepony to be there for her.
I skidded somewhat awkwardly into our street and trotted with all the balance I had left. I made it to my door and fumbled to open it. Damn unicorn door handles...
“...Octy...?”
The voice I wanted t hear every night, and that I wished desperately was my imagination now.
“Octy, I g-gotta talk to you...”
I turned around, and nearly gasped at her. Vinyl stood, barely out of the shadows on her side of the street, yet her voice sounded as if it were right next to me. I took a few steps closer to see her body clearly. He shrank back, but under her heavy grey hoodie, I could still see bruises spreading. Bandages were nearly invisible against her alabaster coat, marred only by faint blood patches over her joints. Her face, though...her eyes weren’t bright, or dull, or angry. In all my years of working with and courting Vinyl I had never seen the confident light fade, but now it had. She was scared.
She started again, “L-listen, I n-need your help...somethin’s going on with...me. Us. I just need to talk to-“
“Hush,” I silenced her, stepping in closer and raising a hoof to her shoulder. She shied away at first, but a pressed on, touching her gently. “Vinyl, I WILL help you. I know it has not been the easiest while, but you still mean a lot to me. Right now, though, I need to find Lyra. I’ll come around this evening; just stay calm and wait for me, yes?”
She gave me an unreadable look, but nodded. I spun away, and in my rush I failed to see her collapse sadly against the wall behind me.
I trotted through my front door, placing my cello and bow in the hall in my hurry to Lyra’s room. I’d never gone in there before – I’d never needed to – but I could already hear Lyra’s snuffling from the stairs. I opened her door quietly and walked over to her. I laid my hoof on her back and then, after no response, leaned in and gave her a gentle nuzzle. “Oh, Lyra, I’m so sorry...”
Lyra spun and grabbed me in the tightest hug a unicorn can muster, and bawled. I was surprised at the outpouring of emotion, but I held on to her until her own grip weakened, her cries strangled by lack of breath. I made soft cooing noises, and finally said, “Lyra, you know nothing is likely to have happened. Bon Bon probably just missed her train. She might be here tomorrow, or the next day. I wouldn't be surprised if you got a letter to that effect by this evening.”
It seemed to mollify her slightly. She pulled back and looked up at me, hiccuping. “I...I know. I hope...Octy, she’s never been late. Bon Bon is the most punctual pony I know and...I guess was got myself all worked up to see her...I was so happy she was coming.”
I tried to smile reassuringly. “Don’t worry, Lyra, I’ll see what I can find out. You've worked yourself out. Rest, it’ll all be fine.” And so I stayed with her until she fell asleep, before quietly leaving her room. I packed my instrument away and tidied myself up slightly, having become a bit undone after running through town. Now that Lyra was asleep, I could deal with Vinyl.
I had been so short with her earlier, but I had noticed how upset she was. It was good that she was seeking help, given her condition. The more I thought about it, I realized her injuries were clearly the result of something far worse than drunken clumsiness. Had she been mixing with the wrong kinds of ponies? Dodgy colts? Considering she had not left her house much in the last week, I doubted it. And image of the mysterious Pegasus I had seen visiting Vinyl two nights prior jumped into my mind. Had that pony been responsible?
It didn’t matter. Whoever was responsible would get a personal demonstration of how standing on ones’ back legs for hours at concerts could strengthen said limbs. I still felt protective of Vinyl, and I would help through these times if she would let me.
I trotted to her door in the light of the setting sun, and knocked loudly on the doorframe, avoiding the door itself for obvious reasons. Then I stood back and waited. I frowned then, and knocked, louder. Soon I resorted to shouting, not caring that I was drawing attention to myself. I even bucked the centre of the door in agitation, splintering the wood.
But nopony ever answered.