//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 
// Story: New Life 
// by Mydnyt Rayn 
//------------------------------//

   Octavia woke up. The sun was at it's highest peak, so she took a guess it was noon. She was still in the center of the sun alter, the cherry blossom swaying gently behind her. The waves of the lake lapped slowly up to the base of the alter. Octavia slowly sat up, eventually standing all the way up. She looked over to her cello case laying not far from her. Thoughts from yesterday quickly came back. The Canterlot Fair was today. She could go back home and watch the performance. But she couldn't go back. Not yet.
Octavia picked up her cello and slung the strap over her shoulder. She walked down the steps and back towards the train tracks. No train would pick her up here. So, she took a step onto the tracks, took a deep breath and began walking. After a few minutes, the alter was out of sight due to a slight downhill slope. As of right now, Octavia could not hear any train coming, but she knew sooner or later it would. She continued walking, though her cello making it a bit uncomfortable. It was going to be awhile until Octavia would arrive anywhere.

~~~

Hours passed, leaving the shining sun to begin dipping down towards the horizon. The sky began changing to a orangish hue while shadows got longer. Octavia was tired of walking, despite some breaks she took along the way, and her shoulder burned. But there in the distance, she could barely make out a small building. A train station, perhaps? All she knew was she found somewhere to stop. If was a train station, there was a town. Octavia couldn't help but sigh with relief as she reached the building. It was yellow, with a  wide platform sticking out the front, a roof hanging over it. There were three ticket counters and a sign with departure and arrival times. Then, aligned in the center, was a sign that gave her an indication as to where she was.

Welcome to Ponyville.

Octavia had vaguely heard of the small town. It was home to Sweet... something or other. Something to do with apples. She took a step onto the platform where she was able to find a map. She found the 'You Are Here' point and used the legends to find lodging. There was a hotel half a mile from the station. She found the path into town and began walking, again. When she arrived at the hotel, well motel by the name one the sign, she was surprised. It was in good condition and didn't have rooms that can be accessed from the outside. All indoors. She walked through the door, and a clock on the far wall indicated that it was half pat seven. She was greeted by a mare at the front desk. She was a light brown color with pale yellow mane. She wore a light blue vest over a white button up, the sleeves rolled up. She smiled, sincerely, mind you, and gently waved. Octavia gave a small smile and a nod and walked up to the desk.

"Welcome to Motel 5! How can I help you this evening?" The mare asked.

"I'd like a room, please."  Octavia stated.

"Reservation?"

"No."

"OK, can I get a name please?" The mare asked.

"Octavia Philharmonica."

At this the mare paused for a bit, glanced at little towards Octavia, but said nothing. "Alright, smoking or non-smoking?"

"Non-smoking, please."

"Number of nights?"

"Ah, six will do."

"Alright, room 207 on the second floor, breakfast comes free every morning from seven to nine. Please enjoy your stay!"

"Thank you."

Octavia walked towards the hallway where she found the elevator. She pushed the button for the second floor and the doors closed. After a few seconds, the doors reopened and she disembarked. She walked down the hallway. "Let's see, 201, 203 , 205, ah here it is. Octavia inserted the key card and opined the door. She turned on the lights and let the door swing shut. It was a very nice room. Kitchen area by the door, two queen beds against the wall, a television set in front of them. A desk was placed against the wall by the window and a small sofa on the opposite side. On top of the desk, a phone sat plugged into the wall. Lastly, a door that led to the bathroom was located near the kitchen area. It had a very homey feel to it. She could easily get use to it. 

Octavia set her cello against the wall next to the bed she claimed. She thought to herself a bit and decided to send a note to her friend Beauty Brass tomorrow saying she was vacationing in Ponyville for a few days and not to worry. She looked at the night stand and found the remote. With a press of the power button, the television turned on and she set it to a reasonable volume. She searched the channels and stopped at a channel showing the commercial for the Canterlot Fair tomorrow. 10:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. Should I go? Residents here would go, but should I? Octavia pondered on that thought. She would like too, but it was the one thing she wanted to preform in. Then she knew what to do. She found a cartoon channel and let it play through some shows before she turned it off. It was a quarter after eight and she was very tired from her long walk. She turned the lamp next to her bed on so she could turn the main light off.
Octavia snuggled under the covers and turned the light off. Tomorrow was a new day. A new day that hopefully would please many ponies. She smiled at the thought and closed her eyes. Tomorrow she would be the best she could be. She was going to try to beat the orchestra. She wasn't mad or angry with it, but she wanted to beat it.

She would ask for a solo spot to perform.