//------------------------------// // Tuning Up // Story: A String Wedding // by BlazzingInferno //------------------------------// The train chugged along its track, whisking scenery past Octavia’s window. She watched the trees rush by and, on occasion, caught a glimpse of their final destination. They’d be in Ponyville soon. “This still feels like a mistake.” Concerto was seated next to her on the bench. “It’ll be okay Tavi. We’ll see what she has to offer, and if it’s not for us then we can just say no.” “But then what? We’ll just be back where we started: I’ll still be rooming with Vinyl, you’ll still be in that hole-in-the-wall apartment across town, and we’ll be even further away from getting married.” “We’ll make it happen, I promise. We just need a few more gigs and few less surprise expenses. Maybe we’ll get the Canterlot Garden Party again this year.” She leaned against him and smiled. “I still can’t believe we scored that one, especially right after the Gala.” “I told you that night wouldn’t trash your whole career.” “I know. It still feels that way when I see one of those big shots like Fredrick Horseshoepin look at me.” She held up her hooves to frame an invisible scene. “In my head they’re still seeing me up on the that stage in the palace ballroom, getting pushed over by what’s-her-name… Pinkie.” “I think you need to give her a chance, she’s offering to plan our wedding, after all.” “So long as it isn’t like the Gala.” “It’s not like she deliberately tried to ruin you. She just sounds… different. Like your roommate.” Octavia laughed. “You’re right. I still can’t believe Vinyl and I are friends at all. Are you still okay with her playing the reception? I know how uptight your parents are about modern music.” “They got to choose the music at their wedding, now it’s our turn.” “That’s the stallion I’m marrying, and not in twenty years when we can afford some fancy banquet hall. If this Ponyville thing falls through let’s just do it our way; a small no-frills ceremony and an extra long honeymoon.” “Deal.” The conductor walked through the cabin as the train began to decelerate. “Next stop Ponyville! Have your bags ready if this is your stop.” Octavia moved to get up but Concerto held her back. “Just remember, Pinkie or no Pinkie, the Gala wasn’t your worst night ever.” She kissed him and held up her gold necklace. The diamond ring threaded through it caught the sunlight and threw rainbows through the cabin. “A three-in-the-morning proposal that I’ll never forget.” --- Pinkie bounced along the road while her entourage trotted behind. She was dressed in a tuxedo, which seemed to detract from her seriousness more than exemplify it. “Let’s see, we’ve been to Sweet Apple Acres, town hall, the spa, the schoolhouse, the–” Octavia managed to speak between labored breaths. “–we don’t need to see every single building, Pinkie. We’re definitely not having the wedding in the schoolhouse, or the hospital, or in a clubhouse in the woods for that matter.” “Oh I know that, I just wanted to show you how special Ponyville is so you’ll know how perfect it is for your special day. It’s the bestest place ever, right?” Octavia put a hoof over her eyes and sighed. Concerto quickly spoke up. “So we’ve seen all the big places where we could hold the reception, what about that dressmaker friend of yours? Can we meet her?” Pinkie skidded to a stop and drew in a gasp. “I almost forgot, it’s time to see the library!” “The library?” “Yep, it’s right over here!” They turned a corner and came face to face with a massive oak tree that, strangely enough, had a great many windows. Trimmed branches formed the awning over a red front door adorned with a painting of a lit candle. “Why would we hold the reception in a…” Octavia touched his shoulder and shook her head. Her look said it all: just wait for Pinkie to get distracted, then run. Pinkie opened the library’s door and gestured toward the lit interior. “Future brides and grooms first!” It happened as soon as Octavia and Concerto crossed the threshold. Noisemakers blew, balloons and confetti showered them, and seven different voices shouted the same word: Surprise! Concerto caught Octavia as she stumbled backward. They were suddenly in the midst of a party full of smiling ponies. Pinkie jumped into the fray and threw a fresh burst of decorations at them. “It’s time for one of Pinkie’s patented Welcome to Ponyville and please-forgive-me-and-let-me-plan-your-wedding surprise party! Octavia, Concerto, these are my very best friends. They’ll make sure you have the best wedding ever.” She dashed around the room, introducing each friend in turn. First she hugged a yellow pegasus with a soft pink mane. “Octavia, this is Fluttershy she’ll be your personal assistant the whole day of the wedding. No matter what you need, she’s your pony. Right?” Fluttershy started to whisper a yes, but Pinkie had already moved on. Pinkie ran over to a small purple and green dragon next. “Concerto, this is Spike. He’ll be your personal assistant for the whole day.” Spike bowed. “You can count on me! Anything you ne–” Once again Pinkie was on the move. She came to a stop next to an orange earth pony with a yellow mane partly hidden by a wide-brimmed hat. “This is Applejack, she lives at Sweet Apple Acres and can get you the best cider in all of Equestria.” Applejack tipped her hat to them. “Howdy y’all, it’s a real pleasure to–” A light blue pegasus with a rainbow mane came next. Pinkie had to jump two feet into the air just to bring her to the ground for a hug. “And Rainbow Dash here is on the Ponyville weather team. She’ll make sure there isn’t a single cloud during your big day.” Rainbow Dash folded her front hooves confidently and nodded. “You forgot the part about how awesome I am! Those clouds don’t stand a–” A white unicorn beat Pinkie to the next hug, although this embrace looked more like a headlock. “Pinkie, darling, calm down and let them them breath.” Octavia hadn’t even realized she wasn’t breathing. After a few deep breaths she nodded in thanks. “I’m… not so good with surprises, sorry.” “Oh it’s us who should be sorry darling. Pinkie may be a bit high strung for your refined Canterlot tastes but I assure you she’s the best party pony to be had. I am Rarity, and it would be my pleasure to craft a gown worthy of your wedding day.” Concerto smiled. “I just hope we can afford it, we’ve heard you’ve created dresses for royalty.” “Oh I’m sure we’ll come to an arrangement, when Pinkie described your situation I simply knew I needed to accommodate you.” The last pony spoke up from the back. “We all did, that’s why we’re here.” At first Concerto and Octavia only saw a violet horn and a deep blue mane streaked with pink and purple. When she stepped through the crowd they both bowed as low as the ground would let them. “Princess Twilight Sparkle!” They said in unison. Twilight stared for a moment. “Please, you don’t need to call me that. I’m Pinkie’s friend just like everypony else here, and we all want to help make sure you have a wonderful wedding.” Pinkie bumped Twilight aside. “That’s right, Princess Twilight’s here to help! She’s super organized, so you know everything will be great. So what do you think? Can I throw your wedding party? Please?” Octavia and Concerto looked at each other. There was something different about Pinkie’s voice, a tinge of barely contained desperation that struggling musicians knew all too well. They could feel how badly she wanted this, it was just a question of if they did too. He whispered in her ear, and she reciprocated. They went back and forth a few times, nodding occasionally at first and then after every secret exchange. Finally she stood and faced Pinkie. “I think we’re going to accept your offer, Pinkie. It’d be wonderful to have such a great group of ponies helping us out, it’s more than we’d ever hoped to afford. We have one other request, if it’s not too much to ask.” Pinkie vibrated briefly, as if she was going to explode. Instead she checked herself, took a deep breath, and spoke in a calm voice. “You won’t regret it, Pinkie promise. What’s your request?” Octavia turned back to Twilight and made another quick bow. “Princess Twilight, would you do us the honor of officiating at our wedding?” Twilight’s eyes went wide. “You… you want me to marry you?” Concerto stood by Octavia. “We’d be delighted if you would, it’s something a working class couple like us only dreams about.” “I guess I could. Sure. I’ll just look up some traditional wedding vows, get some pointers from Princess Celestia…” Pinkie shot off the ground and did a backflip. “Woohoo, princess wedding ceremony!” “Pinkie!” Rarity shouted. Pinkie slowed down in mid air and gently floated back to the ground. “I mean, thanks Twilight.” She turned to her new clients, grinning ear to ear. “So, what kind of wedding did you have in mind?”