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// C3. magic has it's ways 
// Story: Unexpected Friends 
// by Dark0592 
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Monday went by so slowly for the two musicians. They spent most of their time thinking about what was going on now, Tuesday was no different...though Octavia had practice. When Wednesday finally came Vinyl managed to get up early enough to not be late for the Ten o-clock rehearsal. “Whoa...you look like you didn't sleep at all last night...” Octavia said after hugging Vinyl hello outside the music hall. “Too early for me...” Vinyl said, moving her shades up to rub the sleep out of her eyes more. “I don't care if you fall asleep while we rehearse, as long as you're here I'm happy.” Octavia said with a smile. “You're the best!” Vinyl said, as excitedly as she could. There were a few ponies, regulars of the theater and some friends of the other musicians, there as well. Tuning and setting up took about half an hour, and an additional fifteen minutes to get everything organized so Vinyl got in some sleep near the back. When they started playing though, she couldn't fall asleep. She wasn't getting a good sound acoustic so she moved up closer to the front and sat next to a pony with sweets as her cutie mark. 

“Oh my gosh, you're DJ PON-3!” the Mare whispered excitedly. “Huh?, oh yeah...call me Vinyl.” she said tiredly. “Bon Bon, what are you doing in a place like this?” the Mare asked. “What a DJ isn't allowed to like Classical music?” Vinyl asked sarcastically. “personally I don't like it usually...but a friend unintentionally got me into it  while back...now I finally met her a few days ago.” she said. “Really? Who was she and how could she get you into it without meeting you?” Bon Bon asked. “I got a free record of her music once after a performance...thought 'what the hay? I'll give it a try' and I liked it. The record is 'Octavia Philharmonic'.” Vinyl continued. “Wait you met Octavia?” “Yeah, she came by the club I regular at a few nights ago and we sorta hit off.” Vinyl said. “Wow, friends in one night? That doesn't sound like her at all.” the tan Mare said. “You know her too?” “Yeah. See the green Unicorn on the Lyre? Lyra is her name. She's been trying to get into this Ensemble for years now, but she couldn't Stand Octavia. I finally forced the two together and left them in a locked room. Luckily they didn't get violent but it took hours for them to run out of insults for each other and actually start talking. They're not friends, more like rivals.” she went on. “Why did they hate each other?” Vinyl asked. “Octavia was praised as 'the Youngest and most Gifted Musician in all of Equestria' at one point. That title went to Lyra right before that, not even an adult Unicorn could play as well as her when she was barely out of Foalhood. In all honesty their skills are quite evenly matched, but Octavia doesn't have magic so she was praised higher.” Bon Bon explained. “Oh I see...that...kinda makes sense.” Vinyl said.

“Sh sh, they're doing the duet!” Bon Bon said. Everyone but Lyra and Octavia sat down. The Lyre started first, creating a light fleeting sound that made you think you were dancing on the strings. Then the lower notes of the Cello flowed in and soon overtook the Lyre, it's high notes being more a background noise now. The two instruments fought for a while until they were both playing their loudest and most flowing sequences of notes, and then they fell down into a pattern that worked together in perfect sync. “Whoa...that was...amazing.” Vinyl said. “Octavia and Lyra collaborated to compose that one. They based it on their struggles, their competition and want to smother each other...and then how they truced and are now working together.” Bon Bon explained. “i actually got the same message...those two, they're pretty amazing...never thought I'd actually be saying that about such classy music but there you have it.” Vinyl said as the group continued. Octavia had quite a few solos, more than any of the other Ponies. When asked about this Bon Bon replied instantly. “It's because of the pieces, when the Conductor chose them he chose to bring out Octavia. When Lyra got in he let the duet be integrated and bring her out a bit as well, but the program was already pretty final so there wasn't much to do about it.” “You know a whole lot about these guys, you a stalker?” Vinyl asked with a grin. “No, I'm just well informed.” Bon Bon replied.

Vinyl looked kinda bewildered when Lyra and Bon Bon met up and kissed. “Everyone knows about those two. This place isn't prejudice.” the conductor said to Vinyl. “Oh I'm not either...trust me...I just never thought they would be so public about it.” Vinyl said. “It happens. So you are the DJ that Octavia spoke of?” the conductor asked. “That's me, Vinyl Ramona Scratch pleased to meet you.” she said, giving a sarcastic bow which earned a few laughs. “Ramona?! You never told me your middle name!” Octavia said, laughing. “I'll bet yours is even more lame Octy.” Vinyl said. “She probably won't tell you, but her full name is Octavia Elizabeth Philharmonic.” the conductor said. “Connor!” Octavia yelled. “Elizabeth? That kinda suits you Octy.” Vinyl said. “Ugh...I hate that name...makes me sound like a rich pony...” Octavia said as they all sat down to some Soda Connor, the conductor, had brought for the group and friends. “So, how long?” Lyra asked Octavia. “Huh?” the two replied. “Oh come now, you are acting exactly like Lyra and Bon Bon were before they went public.” Connor said, wiping something off of his Maestro suit. Both of their faces went red. “Come on so how long?” Bon Bon asked. “Uh...we met on Friday after the concert...got together on Sunday morning...” Octavia said nervously. “So it was a two night stand? Nice.” the Pianist said, gaining a smack on the back of his head from a Violinist next to him. “Why would you say that?” Vinyl asked, mortified. “You two are far too close to be just starting out.” the Conductor said. “God I do not want to talk about my Sex lie in front of my Ensemble...” Octavia said, burying her face in her hooves. Vinyl was about to say something, but Octavia's hoof snapped to her mouth. “And neither does she.” she said threateningly. Vinyl laughed nervously and nodded.

“See the both of you tomorrow, don't stay up too late now.” Connor said. “I'm not afraid to kick my conductor...” Octavia said lowly. “Right, point taken...” Connor said with a laugh and walked off. “I thought you said you didn't have friends.” Vinyl said accusingly as they walked to no specific destination. “well Bon Bon I only know through Lyra, who we hate each other for years...so I'm not quite ready to call her a friend yet...and the Conductor I always thought he was looking out for his Cellist and that's it...and the other guys were just coworkers. I guess I was wrong.” the Cellist said. “So long of not having something can make you blind when you do have it, it's not your fault.” Vinyl said. Octavia looked at her with a surprised face. “What?” “That has got to be the most Intelligent thing you've said sense I met you.” “Oh come on, I can say much more intelligent things...” she started. “I can even switch to my native Accent.” she continued in a slightly seductive voice, switching to a Trottinghamian accent(British). Octavia's eyes went wide. “Too much?” Vinyl asked with a grin. “That was the most...'pleasing' voice I've eve heard...” Octavia said, shaking her head. “Oh looks like I found my new pillow talk.” Vinyl said. Octavia face hoofed.

After the concert the next day they met up with the Ensemble and friends for a celebratory dinner on Connor. “You really don't need to pay for me man.” Vinyl said. “Friends of us are one of us.” Connor said, putting his glass of Champagne up. The restaurant was classy, yet not classy at the same. The food was well proportioned and the drink a great variety instead of just fancy stuff. Vinyl had a straight Vodka while Octavia was experimenting with some of the finer Liquors. “You know, your Solos and that Duet really made today's show Octavia, Lyra. You are the youngest of our group, yet the most talented at what you do.” Connor said, proposing a toast. They all clinked glasses and rank.

“Man...I can't believe we're already so close...” Vinyl said as they relaxed on Octavia's couch that night. “I know...I never thought I'd be dating such a Ruffian.” Octavia said, nudging Vinyl's cheek with her hoof. “Hey, I'm the fancy Trottinghamian, you're just a County mare.” Vinyl said, switching to her accent. “Hm maybe...but I don't really care about that right now.” Octavia said, rolling over so she was on top of Vinyl. She took the shades off of Vinyl's face and dropped them on the nightstand and they just looked into each other's eyes. “Besides...I'm the one that dominates in the Bedroom.” she said, kissing Vinyl. “We'll see about that.” Vinyl said when they broke the kiss. “You know...it's probably way to early to tell for sure...but I think I'm actually falling for you Miss Scratch.” Octavia said. “Heh...you and me both.” Vinyl said, earning a playful nudge on the cheek again. “I think the same for you Octy...now...where were we?” Vinyl asked, flipping them around so she was on top. “Right...about...here.” Octavia said and kissed Vinyl again.

They had been dating for a month when Octavia got really sick one day. “Never have I ever seen you throw up once, not even after you drink enough to put you on your ass...yet here you are spilling everything you've eaten for the past week for no reason...” Vinyl said with a laugh as she held the Gray mare's mane back. “Gah...I have no idea what's wrong...When I started getting hungrier I never thought eating more would make me throw it all back up...” she said into the toilet bowl as another wave of bile came out. “Yeah, you've been eating almost as much as I do...sense what a week ago?” Vinyl asked. “About...it was small at first but...” she started, cut off as she dry heaved. “Ugh...I guess there's nothing left...” she said lowly as she grabbed a rag and wiped her mouth. “Anyways...it started slow at fist but lately I've just been starving and my Energy is lower...Maybe I'm really sick or something and it's slow to activate...or something.” Octavia said and used a glass of water to swish it around in her mouth to get the bile out. “now I'm not a fan of hospitals but maybe I should take you to see a Doctor.” Vinyl said. “Wow, you're actually being serious about something.” she said weakly, having your stomach emptied in such a fashion left her weak. “Yeah. Maybe you'll get a lollipop.” Vinyl said. Octavia rolled her eyes.

“Ah Miss Philharmonic, what can I do for you?” the Receptionist asked. “You know me?” she asked. “I go to your concerts. Anyways what can I do for the two of you?” she asked. “Well I've been low on energy and I've been a bit weak lately...and this morning I was throwing up a lot...and I'm nowhere near prone to sickness. I've also been getting really hungry lately...like I have worms or something...I want a checkup.” Octavia said. “Hm...Alright miss Philharmonic. You caught us during the slow hours so the doctor shouldn't be too long.” the receptionist said and had her sign in. “Why did you mention worms?” Vinyl asked. “Ringworms or something like that...they're parasites that live in your stomach and intestines and feed off of your food before you have a chance to digest it...so you're always hungry.” Octavia said. “Oh, something like that happened to me once. Turns out I just hit a growth spurt though and I needed to compensate for the extra mass or something like that.” Vinyl said. “...well I guess that could be compared...but ponies die from worms...not growth spurts.” Octavia said with a laugh. “Miss Philharmonic?” a Mare asked in a doctor's uniform.

“So what is it? Do I have worms or something like that?” Octavia asked. “No...but you do have something living inside of you. Congratulations.” she said. Octavia's face held a confused look for a few moments until her mind pieced it together. Her face went from confusion to horrid surprise. “What?! But...but...but I've never had relations with a Stallion!” Octavia said. “What?” the doctor asked. “I've...I've never even been that close to a Stallion before...only my Marefriend...” Octavia said. “That young Mare outside?” the doctor asked. Octavia nodded and the Doctor brought her in. “She is a unicorn...maybe...maybe...” the doctor said and searched through a few of the books he had in his office frantically. “What's going on Octy?” Vinyl asked. “We found out why I'm sick.” Octavia said lightly. “Really? Why? Is there something living inside of you?” Vinyl asked. “Well...yes...it's not a worm though...it's...it's a Foal.” Octavia said, not believing it herself. Vinyl's face froze. “But...but you said you've never even kissed a Stallion...let alone screw one...” Vinyl said, not sure how to react from the news. “i did, and it's true...I think the Doctor thinks...” Octavia started but the Doctor cut her off. “The foal is yours.” she said, looking up from a book and at Vinyl. The two had confused looks on their face so the Doctor turned the book over.

“This book was written by Twilight Sparkle not too long ago...it explains some of the finer and more ancient of magics...” she said. “When magic is present, anything can happen. It can change matter, move it, change life...and even Create it, if the will and love between the connections of the Magic is strong enough...” Vinyl said. “Basically, what that's saying is that if two beings, either one of them with magic, forms a connection or a bond with each other that is strong enough...then the magic can create life.” the Doctor said. “The foal was probably conceived into you Miss Philharmonic because the magic from miss Scratch was like her genetic information, so it would have gained nothing by impregnating her so it impregnated you to gain Genetic diversity. I have only ever heard of this situation once and that was from Twilight sparkle herself...the magics between herself and the Princess were so strong and connected the Foal was born of magic as a Foal...but I have never heard of Magical impregnation...I thought that it was only possible with magic as powerful as Celestia's...but I guess it isn't the magic...it is the bonds.” the doctor said, writing down a great many things. “When was Celestia's Foal born?” Octavia asked, curious. “She is going to turn one year old in December if my memory is intact.” the doctor said. “I recommend you go see Celestia herself and ask her about it...or at least Twilight Sparkle...they are both in Canterlot at the moment...from Manehattan that's about four or five days by carriage.” the Doctor said. “We just got this big news...I don't think I can handle a road trip just yet...” Octavia said, all of her strength going into preventing herself from hyperventilating. Vinyl was still frozen.

“I'm...I'm going to be a mother?” Vinyl asked, more to herself than anypony else, her accent slipping in. “We both are Vinyl...I...What will we tell people?...What will we tell our parents?” Octavia asked. “We'll...we'll get to that when we need to...where do your parents live?” Vinyl asked. “Um...Edinspur... it's the halfway between Trottingham and Canterlot.” Octavia said. “Perfect, we can talk to both of our parents on the way to Canterlot. I can imagine Twilight Sparkle talking to us...but I can't imagine the Princess herself would be willing to talk to us...” Vinyl said. “Why not?” the doctor asked, magicking over a few charts. “She's the princess, she can't possibly have the time to talk to us about something that isn't of utmost importance.” Octavia said. “This is probably the biggest advancement in Life based magic, possibly magic itself...I think it's important enough. And besides, the princess always has time for her subjects...she made that very clear to us in the Unicorn medical school I went to in Canterlot.” the doctor said. “...Well as long as we get to talk to someone...” Vinyl said. “oh...Oh gosh...bucket...trash bin...anything...” Octavia said, looking sickly. Vinyl quickly grabbed the waste bin and handed it over. Octavia threw up one big wave and coughed a bit. “It would appear that this is just like any normal Pregnancy, just the way the Foal was conceived is unique.” the Doctor said. “Well...thank you for telling us Doctor...” “Helen, Helen Touch.” “Doctor Helen...thank you.” “Of course, come back soon or see a Doctor at another hospital monthly to check on the Foal.” she said. “Got it.” Octavia said. Vinyl had to support Octavia for a second until she was fully recovered from emptying her breakfast and they left.