//------------------------------// // Cellist's, Teases, Nightclubs and Cousins // Story: With Morning, Comes Surprises // by Cheer //------------------------------// “This is-“ Twilight began, only to get cut off by a wave of a grey hoof. “I can introduce myself perfectly fine, dear,” the owner of the hoof informed the bookworm princess. With an understanding nod from Twilight, Octavia faced the crowd with a, slightly larger than was expected by formality, smile on her face, Octavia spoke. “This definitely isn’t who I expected to be the first ones to learn of our little herd.” Octavia thought aloud, giggling after saying ‘herd’. “Anyway, I am Octavia. Royal cellist and part-owner of the Iron Hoof nightclub and you all are, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and of course, their highnesses Princess Celestia and Luna.” Octavia named all of the ponies at the table along with a point of her hoof. “Between Twilight and my cousins constant letters about all of her, and I quote, ‘best-est of best-est pony friends’, I feel as though I’ve already known you all for years,” she explained using hoof quotes. Rainbow Dash was the first to speak, beating Rarity whom had been about to speak by a second or two. “Wait, you own the Iron Hoof. Like, the Iron Hoof? The biggest nightclub in Canterlot?” “Part-owner. I’m sure Vinyl will tell you all about it. But I may as well preemptively say this,” Clearing her throat, Octavia began to speak as though reading off legal terms and conditions that no pony ever reads. “In taking part-ownership of the Iron Hoof nightclub there was no bribery, begging, fawning, seduction, lust filled gazes, blackmail, autographs, socks, wait. Yes, No socks, child sized meals, soda, dancing, dragons, dungeons, damsels, evil villains in need of being defeated or promises of riches, wings, magic or whatever her ridiculous mind can come up with this time. If something seems odd about her story come to me and I will, willingly give you the truth of the events that you saw as odd.” Rainbow had quickly lost her focus on the mare once her tone started to remind her of the lectures at flight school giving Rarity the chance to speak. Clearing her throat, Rarity was finally able to voice the question she had on her tongue “Darling.” Rarity began, catching Octavia’s attention. “You mentioned a cousin speaking of us. Who might she be? Surely if she knows us well enough to write you so many letters we must know her as well.” Octavia’s polite smile grew into a grin. “Well. I don’t know. I may just have to keep you in the dark on who it is. Make you wonder.” Her grin grew all the larger at the sight of the fashionista trying to figure out where this tease came from and the royal cellist Octavia had gone. “For all you know it could be your mail-mare or dentist.” Before another statement of teasing could come from Octavia or another sputter could come from Rarity, Twilight gave a loud sigh. “Allow me to reintroduce you. Girls, this is Octavia Philharmonic Pie.” Octavia leveled a playful pout towards Twilight “Spoil-sport.” Rarity’s sputtering had stopped along with all other sorts of noises. The look of surprise on her face causing most of the ponies at the table that weren’t currently looking at Pinkie to laugh. Meaning Pinkie was laughing while her friends were staring at her. Fluttershy tapped Rarity’s shoulder, attempting to release her from her stupor. “Rarity? Uhm, Rarity?” When her valiant attempts at roughly, by her definition, rousing Rarity failed, she looked toward her other friends for help only to notice Pinkie had gone to the other side of the table and was whispering into Octavia’s ear. “Oh, that’s terrible Pinkie.” Octavia said with a glare. Pinkie merely bobbed her head. “I want to do it.” Octavia announcing with a dangerous grin. With a playful bow from Pinkie, Octavia made her way toward the frozen fashionista. Leaning down to Rarity’s ear, she began to whisper. “Cutie Mark Crusaders, plus Blueblood, fashionista’s.” The result was nearly instantaneous. “What?! Where? No Sweetie! Don’t do it and get…him…out…” Rarity’s shout quickly got quieter as she began to trail off after noticing a few facts. She was in fact nowhere near the boutique. She had just had a very unlady like moment in front of all but one of Equestria royalty that mattered, if Princess Mi Amore Cadenza still counted as Equestria that is. After all, she wasn’t quite sure where exactly the crystal empire fell legally. The last thing she noticed was easily the most distracting. Pinkie was leaning on the table laughing just like every pony in the room and Octavia was leaning on her, somehow managing to laugh raucously while still sounding dignified. Rarity made a mental note to ask her how she does that later. Through her laughter, Pinkie was able to speak. “I-hehe-didn’t say anything-ha about Bluebutt.” Octavia, allowed herself to calm down from her laughter before speaking, “Yes, well I wanted to make sure that it worked.” After a disbelieving look from Twilight and Photo Finish was caught from the corner of her eyes she let out a sigh. “I also thought it would be funny. Which it was, might I remind you?” With another giggle and a pat on the back Octavia and Pinkie went back to their respective seats while they waited for Rarity to stop imitating a tomato. “Forgive my reaction. I was simply surprised.” Rarity explained, resulting in a quirked brow from everypony in the room. “Fine. I was completely taken off guard. I just didn’t expect somepony as esteemed and seemingly dignified as Octavia would be related to own very own Pinkie Pie. No offence, of course dear. Though, now that I think of it, I’m no longer confused as to why you actually played her song at the Gala. At least from what I heard from the gardens.” Octavia gave a gentle smile and nod. “Indeed. I was not surprised in the least with how those stuck up nobles reacted to a foals song. I just wanted to give my dear cousin something a little exciting at something as dull as the Gala. No Offence, Princesses. But, it was.” Luna gave a small laugh and waved her hoof. “Why do you think I skipped it? Though I wish I had caught the tail end of this one, for the most part noble get togethers haven’t changed in the least. Droll, boring and utterly dreadful. Though I think my sister has some plans in her slippers for spicing up the next one already.” Luna finished, looking up at her sister with a smirk. Celestia let out a laugh somewhere between nervous and regal. “Well. I might have something planned. Do you remember the noble soirée of 237?” Luna looked deep in thought for a moment before her eyes lit up in recognition. “You mean the one where-?” Celestia nodded and put a hoof over her sisters’ mouth before she could give it away. Turning away from her sister, she looked towards the ponies at the table. “Oh, you most definitely must come to the next Gala. Just be sure not to wear anything you don’t want to get dirty and stay away from the punch bowl. The punch is fine to drink just stay far away from the bowl. Oh, and the cake. Stay away from any blue pieces of cake.” Luna explained while both she and her sister wore mischievous grins. Rarity had a look of panic on her face as she tried to even imagine owning any clothes that she had that she didn’t mind getting dirty; Pinkie, Octavia and Rainbow dash had the grins of pranksters plastered to their faces; Twilight and Photo Finish were going over notes they had taken of what should be avoided to make sure they both got everything, they both agreed that the punch should be avoided until they looked over some history books concerning noble get togethers; Applejack had a simple look of confusion; Fluttershy was hoping that one of her animals needed her help that night and she promptly felt terrible about thinking it; Trixie made no reaction from within the warm comfort of Twilight’s wing and Vinyl? Vinyl snored again.