As Octavia woke the next morning the morning sun was already streaming in through the window. She moaned softly as she shielded her eyes from the light. For a moment she lay still, enjoying the warmth and softness provided by the mattress and blankets around her. Everything seemed like it was in a daze but truthfully Octavia didn’t mind at that moment. Surrounded by her cocoon of comfort she could have happily stayed there for the rest of her life.
This is she would have had it not been for a ball of white fur that leaped onto the bed, jumped on her and then scurried away towards the sofa at the other side of the room. Octavia gave a disgruntled groan and slowly lowered the blankets. As she did she got her first look at the room she was in. It was amply furnished and it would appear that no expense had been spared when decorating. Above her a large canopy hung from the four poster bed and the sheets and blankets that covered her were embroidered with fine golden silk.
Octavia found herself wondering exactly where she was. She could remember leaving Joe’s diner the previous evening but she had been so tired that the trip home with Rarity was all a blur. She sat up slowly, again looking around her. At the far side of the room a series of tall windows looked out of the room, although all Octavia could see from her position was sky and rolling clouds…wherever she was she was high up. She looked to her side a door visible in the wall that could only lead outside due to its thickness and position. The thought of stepping outside right now though wasn’t one that Octavia wanted to entertain…what she really needed was a shower.
Glancing to her other side her gaze fell on a small bedside cabinet. On the top of it rested a single piece of paper propped up against a glass of water. On the front was written her name, the writing elegant and obviously crafted with a precision that could only come from unicorn magic. Curiously she picked it up, turning it over a few times in her hooves before opening it. Inside was written a note, the writing matching that that adorned the front.
“My dear Octavia, sorry I couldn’t be there when you awoke but you looked so peaceful that I didn’t
want to disturb you. If I haven’t returned by the time you awake know that I’ve gone to run a few
errands that simply must be attended to. Make yourself at home and do feel free to use the bathroom.
Your friend,
Rarity”
Octavia couldn’t help but smile at the note as she gently placed it back on top of the cabinet. She looked around the room again, quickly locating another door against the back wall. This one sat slightly ajar and beyond Octavia could make out a small basin set against the wall. It was enough to spark Octavia’s curiosity and slowly the earth pony dragged herself from the warmth of her bed and towards the door. Pushing it open she found a lavish bathroom. A large ceramic bath stood in one corner of the room, gold fixtures and fittings glinting in the light that filtered into the room through a single window. Fresh towels were piled neatly on a side cabinet and a small stand covered in all manner of mane and coat shampoos sat next to the bath.
Octavia eyed the bath with an expression that bordered on lust. She crossed to it quickly, turning on the water and pushing the plug into place. Very soon the room began to steam up as hot water poured into the deepening water. Octavia’s attention though was firmly fixed on sorting through the stand of shampoos and toiletries. She had already added a dash of bubble bath to the water and a thick foam was starting to form on the water. Finally deciding on a selection of mane care products she set them out beside the bath and tested the water. It was warm, almost too warm, but Octavia could feel her very soul yearning to immerse herself in it. For the last several months she had been forced to settle for luke warm showers due to her struggling finances and recently she hadn’t even had that privilege.
She quickly slid a hoof to her neck and undid the small bowtie and collar that she always wore and removed it, seemingly she had been too tired the previous night to even remember she was wearing it. Testing the water a final time she stopped the taps and slowly slid herself into the water. A carnal moan of pleasure filtered through the air the earth pony felt the water wash over her. For a while she simply lay there, the hot water soothing ever muscle in her body and relaxing her spirit so much that she nearly fell asleep once again.
This didn’t occur but Octavia did remain still in the foaming water for quite some time before she finally reached for the soap. She spent some time slowly cleaning her body working shampoo deep into her coat and mane and then brushing it out again to leave a smooth finish. Time didn’t seem to matter to her at all and she could quite easily have spent the whole day in the bath had the water not started to go cold on its own. Not wishing to remain submerged in luke warm water Octavia eventually pulled herself from the bath and began to dry herself off.
As she began to dry herself off she happened to catch a glimpse of herself in a long full length mirror mounted on the wall. Apart from the dull bags that could be seen under her eyes you wouldn’t have guessed that there was anything wrong with her. Her coat gleamed with a radiant shine and for a moment a small smile spread across her face. It reminded her of how she had been before all of this had happened. The thought turned on her quickly making her avert her eyes and drop her head slightly. Regardless of how life had been it wasn’t like that now.
She sighed as she finally placed the used towels in a small basket near the door and left the room. The main room was almost completely unchanged apart from one thing. There was a new smell on the air, that of freshly baked bread and well brewed coffee. Looking around the room again Octavia caught sight of a small table sitting against the far wall. She quickly trotted over, her eyes going wide and her mouth beginning to water as she looked over the lavish spread before her.
Fresh bread and delicate pastries filled a large basket in the centre of the table. Around this sat various jars of preserved jams and large wedges of fresh butter. Containers filled with mixed oats and nuts sat next to bowls of fresh fruit and to the side of the table sat a coffee pot sat on a magically enchanted hot ring that kept the pot simmering nicely.
Octavia swallowed as she licked her lips. It was all too good to be true but those worries and concerns would wait until she had eaten and before long she was tucking into a feast of a breakfast. Bowls of oats and cream were devoured followed by copious amounts of bread and jam and fresh fruit all washed down with several cups of coffee. Before long Octavia sat back in her chair, her belly full to bursting and her appetite nicely satisfied. It was hard to believe that she had eaten her way through four plates of donuts the night before but she simply could not stop herself.
She was pondering if she would be able to manage another slice of bread when the door behind her gave a click and opened slowly. Octavia looked round to find Rarity walking into the room. She wasn’t as dressed up as she had been the previous night and Octavia was able to get a proper look at her. Her white coat was groomed immaculately and matched the expert job that had been done on her mane and tail. She smiled warmly as she noticed Octavia looking at her.
“Good morning darling,” she said musically as she made her way towards her, “I do hope I didn’t disturb you this morning, I was going to wake you but you looked so peaceful I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.”
“Oh um…no, you didn’t,” replied Octavia after a moment, “uh, thank you for the breakfast.”
“Oh think nothing of it darling, I knew you were going to need it.”
Rarity turned away slightly, her magic flaring to life as she began to straighten the bed sheets that had been left in a tangled mess by Octavia earlier. Octavia felt a little embarrassed, she hadn’t even noticed.
“Is this your…” she began only to have Rarity preempt her question.
“My place? Yes it is darling. Well not exactly my place but the Princess and I have a good understanding and I try to pay her back in any way I can.”
Octavia blinked before a realisation filled her mind, “P-Princess?”
“Why yes my dear, Princess Celestia. My actual home is in Ponyville but I spend so much time in Canterlot these days that the Princess decided to allow me full access to this room whenever I needed it.”
Octavia looked out of the window quickly. She hadn’t done so since first waking up and now she had a proper view of what was outside. Tall white towers rose all around her, each topped with a golden crown of tiles and streaming banners. Octavia almost felt her jaw hit the ground as she spun back to Rarity.
“Canterlot…C-C-Cas…”
“Castle, yes darling…don’t you remember?” asked Rarity her expression twisting nervously, “We had to climb four flights of stairs and pass through two security check points to get here. You…really don’t remember?”
“I…I remember leaving the donut bar and then…I woke up here?” replied Octavia as her eyes darted back and forth as she tried to search her mind for any other memories that she had missed.
Rarity could see the sudden realisation had caused a rather startling effect and slowly crossed to the earth pony. Octavia meanwhile had returned her view to outside, gazing in amazement at the rising towers she could see. As Rarity’s hooves wrapped around her neck she jumped and looked back to find Rarity giving her a soft embrace.
“I’m sorry darling, you must have been so sleepy last night that you couldn’t remember properly. I didn’t mean to distress you in any way,” she said softly as she gave her a brief squeeze.
Octavia rested for a moment, the warm embrace calming her shredded nerves and returning her breathing to a normal pace.
“That’s…alright, it was just rather startling is all,” replied Octavia as she returned the embrace slightly, “I’ve only been to Canterlot Castle a few times before and to be honest I didn’t get any time to look around. I never imagined I’d be sleeping in a private room at the Castle ever.”
“I must say I was rather amazed when the Princess first told me I could stay here,” chuckled Rarity as she released the embrace and slid herself into a seat opposite the earth pony, “I’m afraid I got rather carried away at the time, ended up on my knees kissing her hooves if I remember rightly.”
Rarity felt herself blush slightly prompting Octavia to give a small giggle. The earth pony sighed happily, relaxing once again. It all seemed too good to be true, like a fairy tale story.
“I really must thank you again for everything you’ve done for me Miss Rarity. I really don’t know what I can do to repay the kindness you’ve shown me.”
“Just Rarity is fine my dear and you really don’t have to repay me at all, I couldn’t exactly leave you to sleep on the streets now could I?” replied Rarity as she began to pour herself a fresh cup of coffee, “Although…if you want to do something, you could tell me how all of this happened. Only if you want to though my dear, I already know how painful those memories are for you.”
“No…you deserve to know, it’s the least I can do,” replied Octavia as she sat back in her chair, “I suppose it all boils down to jealousy and misunderstandings…doesn’t it always. My ensemble has…well had…always been the most well respected group of musicians in all of Canterlot. We played at every show and event from the Grand Galloping Gala to the National Desserts Contest. I suppose we always took the position for granted but we all knew we deserved it. Each one of us had come through our own turmoil and problems to be where we were. We had sacrificed everything we had to music but we were happy.”
“It seemed that others however were not so happy. Looking back I can remember playing with them at the Canterlot Garden Party, a pair of musicians called Symphony and Concerto. It was supposed to be our normal ensemble but Beauty Brass had broken a leg and Frederic found himself stranded in Las Pegasus after a freak weather accident. We had to hire in a couple of extra musicians to fill the gaps and they were the only ones available. I didn’t notice at the time but Symphony just kept scowling at me at every possible opportunity. She was jealous I realise now and jealousy can do horrid things to a pony.”
Rarity nodded but didn’t speak.
“Well after that Symphony and Concerto applied to the Royal Canterlot Hall with their own musical act using their appearance at the garden party to lift their image. It worked and they got a slot but things quickly…well, flopped for lack of a better word. They are good musicians don’t get me wrong and I respect them even now but they just lacked the experience. I went to see their show out of curiosity but…I guess their nerves got the best of them. If they had managed to keep time with each other it may have worked but they also hit so many bad notes that the audience was booing before they even reached their second movement. Symphony was in tears and Concerto looked devastated. To see everything they had worked for come crashing down around them…well I suppose I do know how that feels now.”
Octavia stopped briefly to wipe away a tear. Her voice had started to quiver slightly towards the end of her sentence and Rarity could see that her hooves were shaking. She reached forwards, gently placing one of her own hooves on Octavia’s.
“Darling you don’t have to do this, it’s obviously upsetting…”
“No! I’ve started and I will finish,” replied Octavia resolutely.
Rarity gave a sigh and nodded slowly, sitting back in her chair as she waited for Octavia to continue.
“Well I can only surmise that sadness turned to jealousy and jealousy to anger. I don’t know why they decided to pick me, perhaps I was the easiest target? Frederick’s family runs a powerful shipping industry in Manehatten, Parish is of upper class birth and Beauty was raised by her rich aunt and uncle here in Canterlot after her parents died. I on the other hand am the only daughter of an old farm pony. They started by spreading whispers to those in the know, mostly lies and made up stories about what happened during my childhood on the farm and such like. At first none of it received much attention and I kept brushing it off as ridiculous when asked.”
“However as time went on and they kept spreading rumours some of them began to take on a life of their own. Stories started appearing out of nowhere and ponies began to question what I was saying. I had no idea where the stories were coming from at the time but the whole ensemble was worried. It all came to a head at the Royal Wedding, the one with Shining Armour and Princess Cadence. There was a DJ there…uh…Vinyl Scratch? Although if memory serves me right she was using her stage name at the time, DJ Pon-3?”
Rarity remembered; she and all her friends had been involved in the party preparations, Rarity finding herself smiling slightly as she remembered the dresses she had made for it. The party itself had been a very successful event and no pony had complained. Even Fancy Pants had been there and had appeared to enjoy himself…what could have happened?
“I do remember talking to her after the show. As a musician I take interest in all forms of music…even if the ‘wubs’ that she kept going on about seemed a little odd to me. Certainly not my cup of tea but each to their own I suppose. She was a pleasant enough pony even if her manners were a little lacking and her blatant ego got in the way most of the time. However I did make one mistake that night that I still regret, I agreed to try one of the drinks she was handing out. I should have known better…I don’t have a good tolerance to alcohol on a good day but she just wouldn’t shut up about it. It hit me like a brick, still don’t know what she put in it, but the next thing I remember is…”
Octavia paused, sighing softly as a blush spread across her face, “The next thing I remember is waking up the following morning in the same bed as her.”
A clatter sounded around the room as a teacup hit the floor. Rarity had been holding it aloft only a moment ago but the shocking information had caused her to drop it. She stared at the mare in front of her, trying to process just what she had heard.
“I can imagine it’s not what you expected to hear from a pony like me…that said even I have to remind myself that I have not always been a member of cultured society. Even so I can’t excuse what happened that night even if I don’t remember a moment of it before waking up.”
Octavia paused for a moment looking off out of the window towards the horizon. Whilst at first shocked Rarity found this emotion quickly fading from her mind. It wasn’t unusual in Equestria to find such things happening. Twilight had explained it to her at one point in the past, something about genetics and the over population of females. Even so it seemed to be something that bothered Octavia.
“I know I shouldn’t be saying these things Rarity but…even though my cultured side tells me it was wrong my emotions just don’t agree. I don’t know why, I’ve never given much thought to my sexuality but that night brought everything to a head…I’m a filly fooler.”
Octavia looked like she was stuck between every emotion you could think of. They danced across her face like mist on the moors never staying for more than the blink of an eye before changing.
“Darling…I…” began Rarity in a quiet voice.
“I hope you don’t hate me,” cut in Octavia, her voice pleading slightly as she spoke.
“Hate you? Darling I couldn’t do that. This is a little shocking but I’ve met ponies from all over Equestria and you’re certainly not the first I’ve met who felt this way.”
“…Thank you.” Octavia looked like she was going to cry again but quickly sniffed them back and turned to look out of the window again, “This must have been what they had been waiting for, a way of embarrassing and humiliating me. It worked. I don’t know how they found out but they did. Maybe Vinyl let something slip, maybe they saw me leave her apartment? I don’t know…but from that moment I was branded. The venues we were scheduled to play for suddenly started rejecting our bookings. First it was only a couple; we thought nothing of it at the time…I mean you always get some cancellations. But then it started getting more and more frequent and with every cancellation tension began to rise in the group.”
“It all came to a head when we lost our routine booking at the Concert Hall. We’d had a constant show schedule with them for months, ponies from far and wide coming to appreciate our music and often coming back several times. When we asked why we had been cancelled we simply got a response saying they couldn’t be seen supporting a filly fooling commoner.”
“When we got the news it really marked the end. Frederick lost it; he wouldn’t stop screaming and shouting, saying that I had ruined all their careers because I couldn’t keep my legs closed. It hurt so much but what was worse is that I knew he was right. Even if Symphony and Concerto hadn’t found out somepony would have eventually. Frederick was the first to leave, I think he headed back to Manehatten to his family…I really don’t know though, I’ve not spoken to him in over a year. Parish stuck around a little longer but he soon left as well. I think he was more disappointed than upset, he loved playing the harp…you could see it in his eyes every time he plucked a string. He used to send me a few letters now and then to let me know how he’s doing but eventually they stopped. As for Beauty Brass…well she tried to stay but ultimately she just couldn’t cope with the pressure. She’s living in Vanhoofer with her sister.”
“As for me? It was my fault all of this happened. If I had noticed other around me…if I had helped them more…would all of this have happened? I tried to find Symphony and Concerto to ask why, but…they just seemed to vanish. I was all alone but I promised myself that I’d never give up. I had to find a way to make up for my sins. I had to keep trying! I had to…”
Octavia fell silent, a long dejected sigh slowly slipping from her lips, “In the end I failed though. All I have is packed up in those cases. I have no home, no money, no respect and nowhere else to turn. I know you said you wanted to try and help me but I honestly don’t see anyway you can. None of the music theatres in Canterlot will even speak to me now. I could try asking my former ensemble for help but…I doubt they would be able to. Beauty has stopped playing, Parish has a new life and wouldn’t want to be stigmatised by my presence…and Frederick…I doubt he would ever want to see me again.”
Octavia finally gave into her emotions, her eyes filling with tears as she collapsed her head to her hooves and began to sob. Rarity felt like her heart was about to explode. She could feel her own tears beginning to form in response to Octavia’s. There was so much more to this than she had ever expected. She had figured that there had been an argument over fees or that Octavia was simply being taunted due to her skills. Nothing like this; nothing so deep, dark and cruel. It was unlike anything he had ever heard of before; did such things really happen?
Slowly she slipped from her chair, and slid a hoof around Octavia’s shaking body. The mare jumped, looking up from her hooves with bloodshot eyes. For a moment Rarity did nothing and then, slowly, she pulled Octavia round and embraced her tightly. Octavia didn’t pull away, instead bursting into fresh tears on Rarity’s shoulder as the pain and torment of the last years overcame the distraught mare. Rarity just held her tightly, cooing quietly as if trying to comfort a young child. It wasn’t far from the truth, the number of times she had comforted Sweetie Belle was uncountable.
“Octavia,” she began, still maintaining her grip on the sobbing mare, “thank you for sharing all of this with me, I know it can’t have been easy to dredge up such terrible memories. I want you to know that I don’t think of you as horrid, disgusting or repulsive. You’re a wonderful pony, the intensity of your emotions is proof enough, and I want to help you. I will have to think about it but rest assured that if I can do anything I will and I won’t stop until I’ve exhausted every possible option.”
Octavia’s grip tightened on Rarity as she continued to sob.
“Come on now, I think you need some more rest.”
It was but only ten minutes later that Octavia, once again tucked up under the covers of the four poster bed, was sound asleep. She twitched in her slumber but her face was relaxed and calm, a far cry from what it had been only a short while ago. Rarity sat on the couch to the side of the room, Opal sleeping happily beside her. Alone with her thoughts Rarity started to process everything she had heard and began to work out a plan.
Well Rarity, what have you gotten yourself into this time? You really have bitten off a little more than you can chew and no amount of lunch jokes will solve it. Could it all really be true? But then why would she lie about something like that? And those tears certainly weren’t fake either. I know I have some influence in Canterlot but how am I supposed to convince every pony that Octavia isn’t what they think she is? I doubt Fancy Pants could help in this matter…besides he probably wouldn’t want to get his hooves dirty without some promise of recompense. I could ask the Princess…no! Celestia and Luna are far too busy with their royal duties to spend time on a single pony. I suppose there is always Twilight but…asking her just seems too easy. Besides if the Princesses stepped in it would certainly cause unwanted attention and look like favouritism and I don’t want to subject Octavia to any more harsh rumours or secret whispers. What we need is something normal that will change their minds. I’m sure there will be others who feel sorry for her, they can’t all despise her can they?
Rarity glanced over at the sleeping mare, watching her sleep for a moment. A smile started to spread across her face. She was the element of generosity after all and would go to any length to help those in need. Even though she had only known Octavia for less than a day she already felt a bond between them, maybe it was just pity but then again would she be sat there willing to risk her entire reputation on a mere feeling?
That is something to consider Rarity, if you do help her you could quite easily be tarred with the same brush. Are you really willing to risk everything you’ve achieved so far for just one pony? What kind of a question is that? When I helped defeat Nightmare Moon, Discord, Chrysalis and Sombra…I was willing to risk not just my achievements but my very life itself! I, my friend, we stood to lose everything if we failed and yet we dived in without hesitation. We saved Equestria in those moments. And here I am, worried about helping just a single pony in fear of losing social standings?
Rarity looked away out of the window, watching the banners flutter on the wind on a nearby tower. Perhaps it was the fact that, in this endeavour, she would be alone. Before she could always count on her friends to be there to help her but now? After Twilight’s coronation everything had changed. The former unicorn was always so busy now, not with studying but learning her new role as a princess. She was always attending diplomatic meetings, hosting dinners or visiting distant nations on missions of mercy or peace. In truth she hadn’t seen her in weeks…and hadn’t spoken to her in months. She also missed Spike, Twilight’s dragon companion ever by her side helping to support her through the transition.
Then there were her other friends. Rainbow Dash was nearly always at the Wonderbolt Academy now. Ever since being made a lead pony she had been training harder and harder. In her last letter Rainbow had made mention that she was training to join the reserve team, a position that would put her within a hoofstep of her ultimate goal. Rarity was pleased for her. Whilst Rainbow was a brash and sometimes inconsiderate pony she had learned great restraint and humility during her time at the Academy and was quickly maturing.
Fluttershy was still caring for her animals but was now taking her talent even further. After hearing the Mane Cureall, Ponyville’s vet, would be retiring she took it upon herself to fill the gap. The timid Pegasus had braved her fears remarkably and was now training hard to become a professional vet. Apart from Twilight she was the only other pony in their circle of friends that had attended any formal schooling following basic school. In a way it made her feel a little envious but Rarity knew just how difficult it was for the Pegasus and had promised herself she wouldn’t add to Fluttershy’s worries.
Pinkie Pie meanwhile was still her usual bouncy sugar fueled self. The difference now was that she had extra responsibilities. The Cakes had finally started to become overwhelmed with caring for their young foals and running a business at the same time. In order to better raise her foals Mrs Cake had taken a leave of absence from the bakery so that she could focus more on the twins. This had left Mr Cake highly stressed and Pinkie had offered to help run the bakery. Pinkie was already a natural at baking and it was now not uncommon for every day at Sugarcube Corner to be an ‘extra special fantastic baked good party-o-rama’ as Pinkie described it. She was always throwing parties, bringing in more business than was healthy at times, but Pinkie never seemed to tire.
Finally there was Applejack. As ever the farm pony was always where she had been…and likely would be forever. Sweet Apple Acres was a farm that never seemed to give her a moments peace, especially with Big Mac currently out of action after a rather painful accident. The poor dear had torn a number of ligaments in his neck making it impossible for him to wear his yolk and therefore plough. It also left him incapable of raising his head more than a foot from the ground meaning he couldn’t even buck apple trees. The extra work had Applejack tearing around the farm like a mad pony. Even with Applebloom’s help she was only just managing.
No she couldn’t trouble her friends this time, it was something she would have to tackle alone. The question was where to start and what to do first? She pondered for a moment. There was no point in going to the venues immediately, if what Octavia had said was correct then they wouldn’t even entertain the idea of having her back on stage. She had to think of another way to get her noticed again…and for the right reasons.
Then it struck her! Next week she was scheduled to hold a fashion show in Canterlot. They were always well attended and would be the perfect place to show everypony just what Octavia could do. However, such an endeavour would require preparation and the assistance of a few ponies…and she knew just where to start.