//------------------------------//
// Welcome to Ponyville 
// Story: Strings unbound 
// by Exodious 
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“Tavi...do...do you remember what happened?” 
The unicorn continued to stroke her hoof absent minded staring at her with caring and worried eyes. She was groggy there was no denying that. Whatever they had her on was strong enough to keep most of the pain pacified but it kept her locked in a state of drowsiness. Her minds turned ever so slowly trying to recall the events that had led her to being hospitalized in Canterlot’s ICU. It was something that was burned into her memory but that something eluded her in the hazy fog that was her mind. She grimaced as a sharp bolt of pain lanced up her spine forcing her to bite her lower lip to prevent herself from crying out in pain. Vinyl held her hoof gently stroking it, trying to comfort her in her dire time of need. 
A distant train whistle made her ears twitch. She turned slowly staring out the window her eyes still slightly glazed from the pain killers. She saw the train pulling out of the station heading to Celestia only knows where. She wished somewhat she were on it with Vinyl. Anything to escape this room and the helplessness she felt. However as the whistle blew again her memories began to return. Slowly the train ride began to come back to her. It was like a subtle dream that happened so long ago. 
Her move to Ponyville. 


1 year 8 months earlier




July 3rd 4:30PM
She’d never been a mare for trains. Long boring hours of nothing than the passing landscapes most of which all seemed to blur together, minimal, if any sort of refreshments and the staff were virtually non-existent. It had felt more like a prison than a train ride. 
She’d been forbidden from practicing her cello as it may disturb other riders leaving her edgy, tense, and rather irritable.The magazine she was reading had lost its appeal quickly; the events that had led her to now still ringing harshly across several pages of the tabloid.The Sudoku tablet had been filled long ago, laying atop the book. Even her sketchpad that had been the center of her focus for the longest time had finally lost her interest after drawing the 12th alicorn princess. 

Sighing in frustrated boredom she merely slipped her headphones over her ears, listening to the music of simpler days laying her head on her hooves  The rolling grassy hills and distant forests were a pleasant change from the endless manors and high class often overly pompous unicorns in Canterlot. Ponyville was as down to earth as any place could be if memory served her well. She'd been there once or twice responding to request for her musical skills on more than one occasion such as Nightmare Night and the Apple family reunion, but she’d never took the time to explore much of the town beyond that namely due to her busy schedule, and her travel agent. 

She sighed. Knowing this, Bon Bon was certainly going to give her a grand tour of the town with, or perhaps without her opinion. She muttered quietly under breath and closed her eyes simply listening to her music. If not for the fact she was close to her destination, she would have considered a nap. She allowed her eyes to close only for a moment; her thoughts traveling to the events leading to now. 

The gala, the scandal among the elite of Canterlot, the bank seizing her home and most of her possessions, save her most cherished items. Her being blacklisted from most if not all events in Canterlot were only the beginning. She was soon subject to outlandish rumors and gossip, most notably being her accused of being a drug addict, as well as the horrendous accusations of being involved in prostitution , or above all things, the Mafia.  Seriously, her of all poines in the Mafia?! 

She ground her teeth in frustration remembering the cruel remarks about her, her family and her ensemble. How she hated the cruelty of the rich and elite. How they thought her beneath them merely because she was an earth pony from Fillydelphia. Her high blood pressure as any indication they drove her insane. Joining the Canterlot symphony never mentioned having to cater to those overly stuffed, pompous unicorns. She ground her teeth again.
However, she felt her anger fading as she remembered standing on stage in front of both princesses and her student’s friends. How they loved her playing simply because she was playing. Not her wealth, not her upbringing, but her music. She looked towards the case holding her instrument.  She took some solace though in the simple fact she still had her cello, and nopony would be able to take it from her. 

Her cello; the same cello she’d played since her graduation from Fillydelphia High, was given to her by her grandmother upon receiving her cutiemark, and since her passing she never once considered replacing the well worn wooden instrument. Even after several mishaps that had rendered the instrument damaged she’d always repair the sacred cello with a small fortune, ensuring with critical precision it was always mint as it could be. Some had called it an unhealthy obsession, some even called her crazy for it. However she always brushed off the snide remarks. She’d go to great lengths to ensure her cello was always perfect. It was the least she could for the mare who set the standard for classical music in modern culture. 
She sighed somewhat allowing herself to relax more. She knew her grandmother was proud of her. She took comfort in that, and nopony would ever ruin that vision of her. Never

A gentle tap on her shoulder brought the mare from her trance. She turned and removed the headphones looking up at the service attendant doing her best to suppress her yawn of boredom.
“Miss Melody, we’re approaching Ponyville now. We'll be pulling into the station within the next 7 minutes.”

"Thank you." She smiled, her mood noticeably brightening

"My pleasure miss Melody." The attendant turned and took his leave leaving the mare to gather her things.
As she grabbed her ever so precious cello and the dufflebag of other personal belongings from holding racks the train whistle echoed loud and long signaling the end of her long exhausted journey. The faintest hint of houses began to appear among the hills as the train pulled into the station, groaning and hissing as it came to a full stop. She threw the books and sketchpad from the seat next to her into the saddlebag and laid across her back only securing the cello there after she was sure they would not fall out. With a small grunt of effort she grabbed her final bag of spare winter clothes which seemed as heavy as the cello case itself. She cursed herself, noting how Bon Bon mentioned the temperature seemed to become wild and dangerous in the winter. She hated the cold. Loathed it some would say. Another sigh. This place was going to take some getting used to. 
Forcing her way into the hallway with her heavy burden of luggage she took a deep breath and took her place behind the many other ponies disembarking the train.
As soon as she stepped off the train she was met with the sight of the semi familiar cozy town. Taking a brave breath of fresh rural air. It smelled fresh, lively, clean, untainted by snooty elite. 

“It seems bigger than I remember. ” She mused looking over her surroundings. 
A distinct growl in the pit of her stomach reminded her heavily of a more pressing matter at hoof. In her haste to escape the nightmare that was Canterlot on the whim of Bon Bon’s offer she had forgotten to eat anything more than a few chips on the 7 hour train ride. The all too familiar feeling of pain in her stomach made her wince while her eyes searched for a street vender of somesort. Her luck was merciful as she soon spotted a familiar face. Standing off to the side of the train station a blonde mare and massive bright red stallion stood tending to a stall of freshly picked apples and various apple based products. 
Her stomach growled at her again, urging her to go say hello to the farmer ponies on the whim they might remember her, or perhaps at least her fiddle playing alter ego. 

She never had the opportunity however. As she took a single hoof-step towards the stand the a pair of rather strong hooves wrapped around the cellist’s chest, crushing her in a heavy bear like hug while lifting her somewhat off the ground. The cello case and her bags slipped off her back as she was hoisted into the air further and she began gasping for breath. The cellist swore she felt a rib pop.
“Tavi, its great to see you again!” Bon Bon beamed holding her still tightly in her grip.”I’m so happy you took my offer about the extra room!” 
“Bon...Bon...can’t breath...you’re...crushing me!”
t took her a moment to realise she was inadvertently suffocating the cellist with her mildly over rambunctious hug. 
She released her grip smiling weakly. “Heh...sorry Tavi. It’s been a few years so I couldn't help but get a little excited.” She handed the mare her bags helping secure them on her back. 

“It’s perfectly understandable Bon Bon. I’m happy to see you as well.”  A final adjustment of her cello and everything was as it had been before. 
Both mares smiled giving each other a friendlier hug than before, taking care not to unbalance the baggage again. Her rebellious stomach ruined the moment with another loud growl. The apple stand was long gone; probably looking for another hotspot of activity leaving her with no other option but to look for a restaurant. Breaking the embrace the cellist grinned sheepishly.
“Listen...do you know a cheap place I can buy some food? I was in such a hurry to leave Canterlot I forgot to bring food with me.”

“Of course. I know a little place that some of the best veggie burgers outside of Fillydelphia.” She beamed throwing her head towards the center of town. “Come on Tavi, my treat.” 
Octavia faltered somewhat, lowering her head allowing her ears to lay flat against her mane. 
“Bon Bon, thats...thats not really necessa-” She was silenced when the mare turned with a steely glare of, ‘not taking no for an answer’.  
“You haven’t changed at all cello strings.” Her gaze softened somewhat. “Still modest and down to earth.” Again, Bon Bon hugged her tightly. “Your parents would be proud to know that all time in Canterlot hasn’t changed you Tavi.” Octavia couldn’t help but smile at Bon Bon’s words.  
“Now come on, like I said, it’s my treat, and I’m not taking no for an answer missy.” Bon Bon wrapped a hoof around Octavia’s tail, dragging her down the road towards the center of town, much to the cellist’s displeasure. 

Some ponies never changed.  



She couldn't remember the last time she’d had a quality veggie burger. 
The expertly prepared eggplant patty, the crisp slices of tomato, rings of onions and deliciously bitter pickles, she couldn't help but stare in awe. Everything seemed to perfect. It was like a work of modern art than a meal. Manners be damned! She was hungry! In a whirlwind of motion Octavia tore into the burger with reckless abandon only stopping to breathe before diving in again for another bite. The extra thick vanilla shake and hay fries were left untouched as she ravenously tore into the meal. Bon Bon merely stared on in surprise as her friend devoured her entire meal within only a few minutes. 
As the last poppy seed vanished her attention turned to her next target. The untouched hayfries sitting across from her plate. She looked up to Bon Bon for a brief moment noticing her confused expression before lunging forward snatching the basket and dragging it towards her. Bon Bon tried to reach for the fries, but a sharp hiss from Octavia made her jump back in surprise 

“Yeesh Tavi. You said you were hungry, not starving.”

Her cheeks full of food she merely rolled her eyes and resumed her ravenous consumption. Bon Bon couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s silly behavior. 

“Ya know, this reminds me of when Soarin’ was banned for a week from the cafeteria. I swear that stallion's hard headed, but I’m still baffled how he made a facial imprint in the school oven.” She laughed remembering the scene playing out, noticing as Octavia stopped stuffing her face to smile.

“Soarin’ always was the goofball. I heard after flight school he joined the Equestrian Royal Air Force, then the Wonderbolts. I saw him during last year's Grand Galloping gala." 
She stopped taking a strong sip of her cola washing down the last of the salt in her mouth. 

"I even saw Spitfire with him. They've both grown up so much since middle school. Namely Spitfire.” 
Bon Bon nodded while smiling somewhat.

“It’s good to hear those two managed to get in. It’s all they talked about back in middle-school. I swear sometimes it’d take a train wreck just to shut them up.”  She paused for moment rubbing her chin with a hoof trying to recall their friend.“Did Spits manage to outgrow her braces?” 

“Why, yes she did. She had them removed shortly before going for the air-force. When I managed to catch her and Soarin’ after the Gala they seemed so different. Soarin’s still a goofball to say the least. Older and much more mature, but still a goofball. But what surprised me is how much Spitfire has grown up. She seems like an entirely different mare now.”
Bon Bon arched a brow at her statement, smirking. 

“We both know Spits is still a hothead Tavi. She’s always had a short fuse and just because she’s the captain of the Wonderbolts now doesn't mean she's any less fiery. For Faust’s sake, she got her cutie mark because of it you know that.”

“Be that as it may Bon Bon, she’s grown up. Soarin’ has vouched that her temper has been more in check since she took command from Rapidfire.” 

Bon Bon shook her head unable to fully accept the facts. However, she smiled and took another drink of her soda. 
“What about you Bon Bon? You never really explained what you did in your letters. I assume some sort of catering service?”
The cream colored mare beamed. Octavia could see the excitement coming from her which actually surprised her. 

“Of course I started a catering company, but it goes way beyond just that! We supply all of Ponyville with items ranging from candies, chocolates, to five course meals that rival even Canterlot based restaurants!” She was ecstatic the cellist could see that. Bon Bon continued on while she sat there, listening intently to her friend’s tale taking note of each time she would squeal in sheer delight. It was heartwarming to say the least, knowing her best friend had achieved her dream. 

At least some ponies did. 


♫♫♫


As the clock tower struck 6 Bon Bon called for the check placing a small satchel of bits on the table before walking out of the diner with Octavia in tow. They continued their idle chatter long after they had left the diner. 
The sun was beginning to set slowly over in the distance casting hundreds of purple and orange hues across the sky. Little pinpricks of white began to appear behind the hues,  signaling the end of the day’s influence as the night approached. Octavia looked up and smiled to herself. She loved being able to see the stars at night here in Ponyville compared to empty blackness like back in Canterlot. More and more she was growing to love this little town. 
Bon Bon tapped her her shoulder, sadly ruining the peaceful sight she was so enthralled in. With a sigh the cellist brought her attention to Bon Bon.

“Listen, Tavi, before we get to the room you’re renting, I think there’s something I need to explain to you. See...you’re gonna have to share the place with a roommate. She offered me roughly a thousand bits in advanced rent to live here while she gets her life on track.” She paused a moment considering how to word her next sentence.
“So...till you start pulling your weight in rent, she’s in charge of what goes on in there. Now if things do get out of hoof, tell me and I’ll set her straight alright?”

The cellist sighed. She had expected this. Nothing ever came without a penalty or a catch. Something that seemed trivial yet still a hard learned lesson. . 
“I feared as much. I’ll start looking for work as soon as I get settled in. It should only be a day or two.”

“Perfect. However, one word of warning. She may not know you’re here yet, so if she starts shouting at you when she gets back, or tries calling the cops tell her I sent you and it should calm her down. Emphasis on should though.”

Octavia chuckled somewhat, noting her behavior towards her future roommate.
“I’m sure it’ll be fine Bon Bon. How bad can she possibly be?”