She'd seen messy houses many times before. Her parent’s apartment before they moved to Fillydelphia, her dorm during college, and at times her music studio back in Canterlot. She’d seen many, many messy rooms and houses. But this...this looked as if a tornado had torn through a garbage dump and threw it inside the two bedroom cottage. Octavia could do little more than stare in shock and horror.
To say this cottage was a mess was a severe understatement; no, scratch that. To call this an understatement would be a crime all in itself. The overfilled sink was piled nearly to the ceiling with dishes caked in uneaten food and mounds of grease, take out and pizza boxes were thrown haphazardly in and around a small trash who had reached its limit long ago; a river of garbage was snaking its way across the tile. In the living room there were soda cans and various stains of Celestia only knew across the carpet along with virtually hundreds of magazines all of which also were in some way or form impure. Inside the fridge it was no better. The cord had been removed long ago and all the perishables had gone foul, fusing together in one heaving mass of...well...she couldn’t say. The stench from the collective cocktail was enough to make even a hardy mare like Octavia gag and slam the fridge shut.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw several large black cockroaches skittering across a moldy pizza slice that seemed to be oozing something similar to black tar. As she flipped the light switch for the living room the collective group of roaches ran in all directions, many opting to scurry under the entertainment unit. Her eyes grew wider as the slice of toxic food began to slither cross the ground screeching until it was safely under the darkened furniture. She turned to Bon Bon who was as wide eyed as she was. The cellist was about to comment until a rustling sound caught her ears. She groaned and turned to face this new abomination of nature, and her heart seemed to skip a beat. Her fur bristled, as from under the mountain of pizza boxes crawled a large greasy brown rat roughly the size of a lava lamp. It looked up at Octavia and Bon Bon both before rearing on its hind legs and hissing harshly at the mares.
"EEEEEEEEAAAAAAA!"
Both mares couldn't help but scream. That rat was huge! It was the size of a Chihuahua that the noble Canterlotians owned!
Without even realizing it she had jumped onto a nearby chair while Bon Bon had hid herself around the corner, both watching the massive rat with penny sized pupils and every strand of fur standing on end. She saw the feral glint in the creature’s eyes as it began to stalk towards her. Grabbing a nearby plate of Celestia only knew what from the table she hurled it at the rat, barely missing the rodent. The rat scurried into a notch hole in the wall, hissing again before it was gone. She sighed a little trying to calm her frayed nerves, looking to Bon Bon, who shared her look of nervousness. She moved towards the front door hoping to escape the nightmarish house.
"That...was the biggest...rat I've ever see-" Her words were cut short as her front hoof hit something causing the shocked mare to fall onto a full garbage with the sickening consistency of mashed peas and rocks. From under the bag hundreds of small black cockroaches scattered in every direction as Octavia groaned, looking at the object she had tripped over, shocked to see a very much petrified hay burger which seemed to have fused with the floor itself. Dozen of the black insects crawled up her fetlock causing a harsh shiver to crawl down her spine.
“Oh sweet Celestia…” She groaned shaking some of the offending insects off. She froze as she felt a nipping sensation near her hind leg. Turning slowly, she came eye to eye with a large green lizard who was merrily snapping the insects off the cellist’s leg and the floor around her. Her fur bristled and her ears went flat.
“B-B-Bon Bon what is that?” She asked trying not to startle the lizard. It looked up at her licking the few stray limbs of the mutilated roaches from its jaws. The long pink tongue made the cellist’s skin crawl.
“That’s...that’s your roommate's’ pet, Iggy.”
‘She named it!? Oh sweet Celestia it’s worse than I thought! Not only do I have to live with a slob, but she’s got an enormous flesh eating reptile!?’
She shuddered, forcing a smile while looking at the lizard. She slowly moved away from the aforementioned ‘Iggy’, keeping her eyes on it until she was a fair distance away. The lizard tilted its head to look at the strange charcoal pony before returning to the roaches still scurrying around near the trash bag.
“Trust me Tavi, Iggy is completely harmless. She wouldn’t bite any pony unless you say, grabbed her tail and flung her around.”
“Well…” She began, keeping her eyes fixed on the large imposing reptile. “So long as she doesn’t eat those roaches off my leg again, I don’t think we’ll have an issue with one another.”
Bon Bon smiled at that, watching as Iggy followed the small trail of roaches out of the kitchen and into the living room, disappearing under the couch. A loud almost insect like shriek echoed from the couch and several of the stained cushions went flying into the air. Iggy scrambled atop the couch perching herself to stare down at a creature that made every strand of Octavia's fur stand on end. Crawling out from under the couch, the same toxic black pizza slice was now skittering across the floor atop petrified hay fry legs with what appeared to be a large toxic green olive eyeball sunk deeply in the fluid-like black cheese; scanning the area for any signs of movement. It emitted a low guttural groan as the eye focused on the two mares. Bon Bon dropped her jaw as Octavia’s blood fled from her face.
“Oh...my…” The cellist began, but she was cut short as the toxic pizza slice leapt onto the wall beside her, its olive eye wide. It split itself in half letting out another toxic groan.
“CELESTIA SAVE ME!” She screamed bolting from the kitchen out the front door. Bon Bon merely stood there petrified at the horrible sight, moving slowly backwards until her hooves were out the door. The pizza slice looked towards the shocked mare, tensing its little hay fry legs. With a sudden groan, it jumped at Bon Bon. Without skipping a beat she screamed slamming the door in the pizza’s face. She heard a sicken splat and a pained gurgling as the creature retreated back into the living room.
Octavia was hiding around the corner, her mane frizzled and her eyes smaller than pinpricks. She held a few of her locks in her hoof, stroking it trying to calm herself.
“Well...that was...exciting?” She asked, smiling sheepishly. Octavia merely shuddered.
“Were...were we just attacked by a mutated slice of pizza Bon Bon? Did that really just happen?”
“Um...hehe, yeah...I think so. Look, I told Vinyl to clean this place up weeks ago…I should’ve known she’d...well ignore me.”
Octavia stared at the mare, her mouth slightly agape.
“Bon Bon, if I’m to live there...by Celestia we need a team of hazardous material disposal ponies!”
Bon Bon laughed sheepishly at that. "Hehehe, yeah I think you're right. But, I think I may know some pony that could help us, for...half the cost of a hazmat team.”
The cellist tilted her head in confusion rising to her hooves. She opened her mouth to comment, but a scratching at the door forced her breath to catch in her throat. A soft eerie moaning called to her from under the door and a small puddle of black
Ooze slithered from under the door jam. Her fur bristled again and she looked towards Bon Bon a wide innocent smile forming.
“SO! Who’s this wonderful pony who’s going to help us!?”
She nearly threw herself into Bon Bon’s hooves are the pizza groaned again. She clung to her friends’ neck, shivering as the hay fry legs scratched at the door.
“Forget I asked. Can we leave already!?” She began pushing her friend away from the door fearful that the toxic creature would follow them.
It was nearing 8 when they had reached their destination. Octavia marveled at the large overly flashy building stained with deep rich pink hues and pristine pony shaped mannequins decorating the roof. The towering roof stood out like a sore hoof among all the small homey cottages.
"Welcome to Carousel Boutique. Ponyville's own fashion and design center. Said to rival even some the best companies in Canterlot."
Octavia couldn't help but agree. She'd seen many fashion centers in the cities she'd visited, but this...this took the metaphorical cake. Bon Bon nosed towards the building, nearly dragging the gray mare by her hoof.
"You cannot be serious can you? The pony that's going to help us is here? By Celestia it looks like a small mansion! Who in their right minds would even have a workplace like this?"
Bon Bon smiled still pulling the cellist towards the boutique.
"Come on Octavia! where's your sense of adventure?"
The cellist deadpanned, scrunching her nose at the treat maker.
"It died when I was attacked by a mutant slice of pizza."
"Whatever. Come on! The sooner we go inside, the sooner we can go back and fight that evil pizza and it's, 'minions of the fast food legion'." She teased with a soft chuckle. Octavia sighed in defeat and allowed her to be pulled through the doors.
Much like its exterior everything was far beyond what she had expected for such a small town like Ponyville. Everything held an air of Canterlotian flair. Everything, literally everything looked as if it had been imported directly from the capital. From the stacks of expensive fabric, pony sized mannequins, to the boxes upon boxes of jewels of every kind, shape and color. It made the cellist sigh distastefully.
'Great...I move out here to get away from Canterlot...' She grumbled to herself following behind Bon Bon.
"Hey! Marshmallow ya home? I got some pony who wants to talk with you!"
"As much as I enjoy your company Bon Bon, quit calling me that!" Some pony whined from the other room. "And as for your friend, they will have to wait until I've finished wi- Rainbow will you sit still for five seconds!? I need to finish this stitching!"
"For the love of Celestia! I've got better things to do today than playing dress-up!"
"I don't care! Spitfire asked me to do this for your initiation so sit still!"
Octavia stood there shocked as she heard a series of fierce crashing and few curses, and the frantic flapping of wings. She had to dive to the floor as a blur of cyan feathers and a soft rosy colored dress flew over her and out the door. Bon Bon fell to the floor laughing hysterically as the pegasus flew off, albeit very much impaired. Octavia cringed each time she heard the crash of the impaired pegasus running into a building or another pony.
"RAINBOW DASH GET YOUR FLANK BACK HERE WITH THAT DRESS!" A very agitated shout echoed through the fashion center. A much frizzled and very angry Rarity ran around the corner right past both Octavia and Bon Bon throwing her head out the door yelling dozens of curses and hexes at the fleeing pegasus. She shrieked in anger as the pegasus disappeared into the clouds above.
"Damn it Rainbow! When I get my hooves in yo-" She paused, taking a moment to look behind her. She noticed Bon Bon still howling in laughter and the charcoal grey pony laying beside the treat maker, her ears pinned beneath her hooves with a perplexed look of a mixture between fear and utter confusion.
"O-Octavia? Darling is...is that you?"
She gave a cheeky smile nodding at the fashionista.
"It's good to see you sewing needle. It's been a while hasn't it?"
She teased with the old nickname which caused Rarity to drop her previous anger for a large smile. She extended a hoof to the cellist which she gratefully took. Once on her hooves, she embraced the unicorn in a friendly and long overdue hug.
"It's been far too long darling. You must tell me what you've been doing with yourself. I mean, the last time I heard from you was right after Luna invited us to your initiation into the royal symphony."
The cellist laughed scratching the back of her neck with her hoof.
"Oh you know...doing what a mare has to in order to survive."
Rarity giggled. "I do understand darling. However it's been a long while since we’ve met. Had any major concerts or plays lately? Maybe finally made a name for yourself? " She paused for a moment. "Really dear you've been isolated for so long I wondered if you even remembered us little ponies." She teases with a well meant wink and a soft nudge to the cellist's shoulder. "So what brings you to Ponyville?" She giggled. "Oh I know, you and the old group are passing through for Las Pegasus!" She beamed with a wide smile. Octavia feeling her smile fail looked towards the ground closing her eyes with a soft sigh.
Rarity took notice. She looked to Bon Bon who shared the cellist's look of disappointment.
"Darling, what's the matter? I didn't overwhelm you with my gossip grabbing did I darling? I apologize if i did my friends always say it’s one of my bad habits." She chuckled dryly.
Octavia sighed, flattening her ears.
"No...no it's not you. The capital has effectively blacklisted my very name. I'm not allowed in Canterlot by the 'royal' decree of..." She ground her teeth. "Prince Blueblood... If I show my face there again I will be arrested on sight and sent...Celestia knows where."
"What in the name of Equestria!?" Octavia Jumped back as the unicorn's horn flared with dangerous energy. "What in Luna's moon gives that pompous low life slug any right to do such a thing!?" She growled grinding her teeth.
"After the fund raising event my ensemble attempted, Blueblood swooped in claiming he would ensure the money we raised would be placed in a trust fund for the orphanage. But he never fell through with his promise, and instead he used the money to indulge his cardinal desires. And when he was confronted, he merely said it takes time to follow through with his promises. If challenged, he merely directed them to his aunt, where he would then rig the screening process, by not only bribing guards not to let some pony in, but also ensuring the appeal was lost in the mail system, making it impossible for them to gain an audience. If they continued to be a thorn in his side, like I was, he finds ways to shut them up...permanently. However, because of my connections with the royal symphony, he was unable to dispose of me without raising questions among my family and my ensemble. So he slandered my name, had the banks freeze all my funds and then reposed my house. Thus why I'm here in Ponyville."
She sighed, becoming somewhat crestfallen
"Is there nothing Celestia or Luna can do to fix the damage this dirty rat has done?"
"I have no idea. Because of the slander to my name and the blackmail, I cannot even gain an audience with the princesses. Every time I sent in an appeal, it was rejected by Blueblood, or as I said, lost in transit."
Bon Bon coughed somewhat catching Octavia's attention.
"Tavi, I know you two are just having a grand old time running Rarity's ex through the mud, but we did come here for a very particular reason. A certain...outfit?"
Rarity sneered at Bon Bon hearing the remark.
"That pathetic slug is not worth my time. How dare you say he's my ex-...Did you say outfit?" Her sneer dropped as both her attitude and ear seemed to perk up with a slight hint of childish glee.
Octavia smiled somewhat. Same as she was back in middle school. Her head always stuck in the stitching.
Some ponies never change.
Bon Bon brushed past the cellist knocking her out of the nostalgic high she was experiencing. She leaned in close to Rarity's ear, whispering something just quiet enough for the cellist not to hear.
Rarity clearly looked shocked and worried. "Her? You cannot be serious can you?"
Bon Bon merely nodded and continued whispering to the fashionista. This caused the unicorn to shudder violently laying her ears flat against her skull.
"Oh dear Celestia, she really let it get that bad?" A sick green hue appeared on Rarity's cheeks. She looked almost ready to faint. This brought a small chuckle to the cellist.
"One moment darling, I think I may have just the thing to handle this." Rarity quickly ran out of the room. The sounds that came from the storage room made Octavia and Bon Bon both jump in surprise. The sounds of items crashing, slight curses, and the screech of a cat made them both turn to the other. Just what was the unicorn looking for? The sapphire stone or something?
As the sounds of crashing died down, a shout of triumph announced the fashionista's return. In her magic's grip she held a large metal container roughly the size of a milk crate.
"Here we are dear. Now, simply follow the instructions inside on how to properly assemble the suit, and follow the cleaning procedures to the letter." She shuddered somewhat. "Celestia only knows what sorts of bio-hazards are lurking in that cottage."
Taking the crate, Octavia noted it had a notable weight to it. Nothing like her cello, but it held a certain weight.
"Rarity, what is this exactly?"
"Why, it's hazardous material disposal suit. It comes complete with a 4 hour oxygen reservoir and carbon scrubbers to prevent exposing yourself to harmful airborne bacteria and viruses. You won't have to worry about the smell I know will be present. " She smiled heartily.
Octavia stood there somewhat surprised. A full blown hazardous waste disposal suit? How did she... Bon Bon snorted once, again tapping the invisible watch on her foreleg.
"Come on, we'll get it set up back at the cottage. What do we owe ya' Rares?"
"Oh not a thing darling! It's my gift to you." She smiled.
Bon Bon rolled her eyes, nudging the cellist towards the door.
"Alright well if you insist. I'll bring it back as soon as we're done with the cottage. Faust only knows when that'll be."
Again, Rarity shuddered.
"Now then, if you'll both excuse me, I must hunt down that rainbow pegasus. I still need to," she paused, placing a stylish hunting cap over her hair while retrieving a large hunting rifle from the backroom. "finish the final stitches on that dress of hers. Her initiation is being held in the Canterlot Gardens and she must look formal, according to old Spitfire.”
Both mares stared at the rifle. They turned to each other, then back to Rarity.
"Um...you’re going to hunt her down with..."
"Oh dear don't worry! They're merely tranquillizer darts. Completely harmless."
They exchanged looks again. "Well I never! You try chasing one of the fastest flying pegasus in Ponyville and see how far you get!" She snapped, seeing their somewhat disapproving looks.
"Ohohohkay. Welp, thanksagainforthesuitwe'llbringitbacksoonokbye!" Bon Bon quickly pulled Octavia through the door before they could invoke Rarity's ire further, quickly running through the town with the large crate balanced on the cellist's flank. Upon clearing the town square, the screams of a certain pegasus and the crack of a sonic boom filled the air. The curses of a very angry unicorn made both mares hasten their pace.
Some ponies never change.
It had taken both mares a few minutes to fully understand the instructions, and far longer to fully assemble the suit of antibacterial armor. The hose connecting to the helmet was properly installed to the oxygen tank, and all the Velcro straps were tightened down.
Octavia tested the weight, surprised at how light it really was. The tank on her back was easily the heaviest item of the set, but it was no heavier than a violin. All those years of conditioning really payed off.
Bon Bon strode alongside her as they approached the door to the cottage.
"You ready for this Tavi? Cause Once I close the door, I'm not coming back 'till morning." She handed the cellist a large box filled to the brim with heavy duty black trash bags.
"As ready as I'll ever be I guess." She sighed, dead panning. "I just hope this will be the last time I have to do this...I don't think my heart can handle another pizza demon."
"Yeah...hehe. Well, good-luck Tavi." Bon Bon passed the spare set of keys to the mare, and started walking away towards her
own home. Tavi took a breath of the clean artificial air, and unlocked the door.
"Allons-y." She muttered stepping inside.
As the door swung open, the first thing she noticed was that the pizza slice that had attacked her was now in hiding, possibly laying in ambush. She crept forward in her armor, head swiveling side to side, looking for the toxic pizza slice and whatever foul minions it may have summoned to aid it. Placing the bag of black trash bags on the table next to her cello, she noticed something move out of the corner of her eyes. It skittered over the leather case of the cello hissing violently at the cellist.
She turned to take a look at her new foe, only to come snout to snout with the little green iguana from before. She was crouched low, hugging the cello case as if trying to protect it from the mare. Octavia smiled a little.
"Um...easy there...I-Iggy. it's just me..." She spoke quietly trying not to spook her. Iggy however did seem to understand, as she began to relax a little bit. Her tail ceased its agitated thrashing and she visibly relaxed her stance. She stilled appeared a little spooked by the sudden appearance of the armored mare, but at least she wouldn't snap at her now. 'Hopefully.'
Turning back to her task at hoof, the cellist took the first large trash bag and began to fill it with whatever she could get her hooves on. Pizza boxes, take out cartons, jugs of empty soda bottles, several large booze bottles, limitless paper plates and whatever she could possibly grab. Roaches scurried in every direction as she worked while the iguana sat perched upon her cello, devouring anything that came near it. As the first bag was stuffed to capacity, the cellist stopped to look at her progress. Barely a dent was made in the massive pile that was overrunning the kitchen. She sighed tying the trash bag closed.
This was going to be a very long night.
It was nearly 12:33 when she managed to sit down. Nearly 4 hours held pleasant results. 10 large bags stuffed to the brim with trash and nameless other toxic materials all stacked neatly against the refrigerator. Taking a small break, the cellist looked at her work, pleased with herself and the progress she had made. She had a lot of work ahead of her, but it was a very good
start. At least she can finally see the tiles of the kitchen floor. Lifting her hoof up for a moment she inspected the remaining reserves in her tank. the needle indicated less than 30 minutes remaining, making the cellist groan aloud. Well at least she had an excuse to stop cleaning. She Looked towards the refrigerator with the large pile of trash bags beside it. She was dreading to be the one to crack it open and fight the mutated abominations of nature that might be lurking inside. The mere thought sent violent shivers down her spine.
She allowed her head to slump down on the table. Perhaps she could get her roommate to help her...or perhaps not..."
A loud shattering caused the cellist to jump up from her chair.
“WHAT THE BUCK!? WHO THE HAY ARE YOU!?” The harsh shouts made the cellist panic a little bit and she took a rather defensive posture starring towards the source of the loud noise. The broken bottle of what she assumed was alcohol was scattered all across the floor. She groaned inwardly. She knew it was inevitable that she would be the one to clean that up as well. She was surprised to see the unicorn standing there, and the unicorn was furious to see the armored cellist standing in her kitchen.
The first thing Octavia made note of was her mane. Two tones of electric blue and a jagged spiky style made her shudder. A horn stuck out from under the messy mane. A unicorn? How could a unicorn...scratch that, any pony live in such a pigsty. Another note the cellist made was her purple sunglasses. Why would she be wearing them this late at night?
Starch white fur, nothing really outspoken there. Lots of white unicorns. Her cutie mark was what really caught her eye though.
Reversed bridged eighth notes. Possibly a musician like herself? Perhaps she may be able to find some common ground after all.
Her visual inspection was cut short when the unicorn again shouted at her.
“Excuse me!? I asked you a question suit n mask. Who the hay are you!? Answer me ‘fore I start kicking some flank!”
Octavia sighed. Best to try and calm the situation to the startled mare before anything escalates further. She chuckled however.
At least if something tries to break in, she’d have an attack unicorn to protect her. She cleared her throat extending her hoof towards the unicorn.
“Good evening. I’m Octavia Melody, your new roommate.”
The unicorn sneered fiercely.
“Excuse me!? NOPONY said anything about any bucking roommate!" She smacked her hoof away causing the cellist to step back somewhat with her ears laid back.
Yep. Bon Bon was right. She had completely ignored the notices. She sighed again and reached for the red slips on the table.
"Forgive me but Bon Bon did leave you several notices about this. Nearly one week in advance I might add." The unicorn snatched them quite harshly from the cellist's hooves, reading through them as quickly as she could. With each slip she finished her scowl grew more and more angry. Octavia was slightly afraid the unicorn may use that magic of hers against her.
"This is bullshit!" She shouted catching Octavia off guard with her intense outburst. "She can't do this to me!"
She slammed the notices on the table with excessive force and stalked towards the door with heavy thudding hoof steps.
"why that no good candy making flip-flop...when I get my hooves on her..." She muttered angrily walking back out the door. With a strong kick of her legs, she slammed the door shut making a few photo frames fall to the ground.
Octavia stood near the table for a few moments, unable to fully process the scene that had just taken place. However standing there looking like a fool nagged at the back of her mind. Sighing in defeat the cellist unlatched the helmet from the suit, unscrewing the hose and placing the oxygen tank on the table. It took her a few minutes but soon the suit was off and packed safely away in its metal crate. She quietly sat down at the table sighing again waiting for her explosive roommate to return. Looking through the window seeing that the unicorn was now arguing fiercely with Bon Bon made her grimace. She was very, very violent for a unicorn.
Her eyes fell upon her cello case once again, and Iggy was staring at her with her head tilted to the side.
“She isn’t always like this is she Iggy?”
The Iguana tilted her head at the cellist. She merely licked her eye before turning and skittering up the wall. She disappeared into a small hole above the fan. She groaned again slamming her forehead into the table. She held her position for a moment as a sharp shiver sped down her spine. "...Ow...that was stupid..." She cradled her head somewhat with her hooves. “oh Luna how did I get myself into this mess?”
A heavy of the door announced the DJ's return. Octavia lifted her head from the table staring up at Vinyl who again wore the most evil sneer she'd ever seen a pony produce. The large red welt on her forehead drew no sympathy from her.
"Well it looks like I'm stuck with you till you find your own place. Don't touch my stuff unless you want to find that precious wooden toy of yours wrapped around your throat, got it?!"
Octavia nodded, the unicorn's threat sounding more of a desperate attempt at sounding intimidating than a legitimate danger. Still, best not to invoke the wrath of a unicorn whose abilities were beyond her knowledge. With a harsh snort, Vinyl stomped out of the room making sure to slam her door as hard as possibly to reinforce her point that the cellist was not welcome. Again, she merely sighed. Grabbing the broom from behind the toxic refrigerator she swept up the broken whiskey bottle, then wiped the remaining fluid up with some lemon scented cleaner.
A low thudding began to fill the cottage causing Octavia to stand in place confused. It started as a soft pulsing, but quickly began to grow in intensity as the music volume increased. The walls rattled as the bass intensified causing the cellist to cover her ears. I quieted for a moment before exploding into heavy thudding bass that shook the entire cottage.
"Bloody hell...it's almost 1 in the morning!" She growled ready to break down Vinyl's door and pulverize the system that was spewing the skull splitting music. She stomped her way towards the unicorn's room, nostrils flared in agitation and teeth still grinding. However the power to the entire cottage suddenly flickered off silencing the horrible excuse for music.
“Oh for Faust's sake!” An angry voice shouted from the other room.
"IT'S 12:49 VINYL! YOU KNOW THE BUCKING RULES!" Bon Bon could be heard shouting from the outside window.
She could release her ears. The power flickered back while the pulsing music remained quiet. A sigh of relief was the cellist's only response to the peace and quiet, for which she was rather grateful for. She heard a few curses come from Vinyl's room before they too were silenced.
Taking her cello, the box containing the suit as well as her various suitcases she opened the door to the room that Bon Bon had arranged for her. Surprisingly, it was much, MUCH cleaner than nearly 90% of the cottage. There were a few dust bunnies as well as a thick layer of dust covering the floor, but there were no toxic slices of mutated pizza hiding under the bed to which she was eternally grateful.
Taking the blanket and set of sheets from the closet she made the bed as if she were back home. Once it was made to her liking, she set the stand for her cello down and placed her ever so precious wooden tool atop it. The well worn but still pristine wood of the instrument made her smile in remembrance. Fleur noire, her grandmother had named it; her prize winning cello that had solidified her as one of the capital's finest cellists, and who also set the standard for classical music. The very same musician Octavia looked up to before her final duet with cancer. She let her hoof brush over the cello once more before turning back to her suitcase. From it came a few light coats namely for fall, and a heavy black jacket for the winter seasons, which Bon Bon had mention could get rather nasty.
Moving the clothes aside and placing them inside the closet, the cellist unearthed a small picture frame that held five ponies and a young teenage filly roughly fifteen or sixteen. Sandwiched between a pegasus, two unicorns, and three grinning earth ponies, Octavia held the largest smile she could muster at the time. Not only was she holding the golden trophy of her high-school’s ensemble battle, but she also had her cutie mark gracing her charcoal flank. She smiled; that day was the crowning achievement of her young life. After years of being bullied because of her 'blank flank' she could finally feel proud of herself, and her entire family made sure it lasted through the years. Her grandmother even gave her Fleur Noire as her reward for stunning the audience speechless.
She placed the small picture frame down on the nightstand beside her bed, propping it against the shaded lamp before moving to drawers. Fearing what sort of possible creature lurked inside she carefully slid the drawer open. Peering inside her eyes fell upon a small plain white envelope. It held no name, no return address, and no defining features of any kind. Picking the little thing up she looked it over noticing the seal had been broken already, but the note remained inside and untouched.
'Could this be for Vinyl?' She pondered, rotating the note in her hoof giving it another quick once over. Her mother's words rang in her ears though; give it to the logical owner...even if said owner was acting like foal with no sense of manners or respect for others...
She sighed again. Well better now than later when she's in an even more irritable mood. Opening the door she moved towards Vinyl's door, walking around books, record sleeves, and the few remaining articles of trash strewn across the floor.
'Keep calm, remember mother's word. Love and tolerate, love and tolerate'
She knocked once on the door, easing into a neutral stance. The door creaked open slowly, as a half asleep Vinyl seemed to materialize out of the darkness, looking at the cellist with sleep laden eyes.
'It must have been one wild party' Octavia thought to herself doing her best not to stare. She cleared her throat trying to remain positive.
“Vinyl, I think...I think we got off on the wrong hoof earlier. I was hoping we could perhaps bury the hatchet an-” A quick flash of light blinded the cellist as the note in her hoof vanished. By the time she had noticed, Vinyl was already in her face with a vicious snarl ringing in her ears.
"What the buck are you doing going through my stuff?!" Octavia had no chance to respond before she found herself lying on the floor a raging unicorn whose' magic was flared holding the note above and behind her head.
“Well?! Say something ya home-wrecking thief!”
“Wha-”
“Shut up! I don't wanna hear it from you! All you've done since you got here is turn my entire life upside down! Bon Bon's pissed at me because of you, you've thrown away crap ton of MY records and magazines that I bought with MY hard earned bits, and now to add a nice little cherry you've gone through MY personal belongings!”
“I-” Octavia stuttered.
“Why did some pony like you even come here?! You don't belong in Ponyville damn you! You don't belong here at all!"
The door slammed echoing through the cottage. Octavia sat there on the floor wondering what the hay had just happened. Her thoughts finally began to catch up with the situation; the realization of what Vinyl had just said and done. Moving entirely out of instinct she removed herself from the floor heading back to her room. Closing her door and securely locking it with the dresser moved to barricade it, she laid herself down in her bed. Taking her family photo in her hooves, she pulled the blanket over her body while holding her photo close to her chest.
“How...how is this my life?”