//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2 
// Story: New Life 
// by Mydnyt Rayn 
//------------------------------//

   Octavia slowly opened her eyes, her eyelids still heavy with sleep. Her eyes were open in slits, her mane sticking up in random places. Then Octavia remembered something: her cello was the only thing with her. She had no combs or tooth care. "Uuuuu" Octavia groaned. She looked at the clock on the bedside table. 8:00 A.M. One hour until breakfast was done. Octavia pulled the covers off of herself and sat on the bed so her legs were dangling off the side. She jumped to the floor and walked into the bathroom. After a quick shower she was able to be at least presentable. She grabbed her key card and walked down to breakfast.

When she arrived to the breakfast rooms the smell of waffles and oats attacked her nose. It was a very plesent smell. She walked over to the food counter and poured some batter into the waffle iron. She poured some oats into a small cup and waited for the waffle to be ready. When the timer dinged, she pulled the waffle onto a plate and scattered the oats on the top. She found an empty table to sit at and began eating. "Enjoy your first night, Miss Philharmonica?"
Octavia turned her head and smiled when she saw that it was the front desk mare. "Yes, thank you. It was a lovely room." Octavia replied. The made smiled back.
"OK, just phone the front desk if you ever need anything." She said. Octavia nodded with another smile and the desk mare walked of to clean the food counter. Octavia finished her waffle and walked out. When she returned to her room, she looked at the clock. 9:00A.M. The fair started. She looked at her cello. She was as ready as she'd ever be. She picked her cello up and walked out the door."Let's hope this works." Octavia said to herself.

~Somewhere on the opposite side of town.~

Vinyl Scratch sat on her couch finishing the last of her Chinese food. She picked up the fortune cookie in her magic and broke it open. She looked at the words on the little slip of paper.

You will meet a well-known musician.

"Eh, not that much of a fortune, but it was a good try." Vinyl said and popped the cookie into her mouth. She looked at her clock. "Well, better get ready for the fair."

~~~

Octavia stood on the train platform, patiently waiting for the train to arrive. Her cello leaned against one of the support beams while she stood next to it. She was nervous and excited that she was going to the fair, and she would be able to tell Beauty Brass where she would be for the next couple of days. Finally the train arrived. With the few stray bits she found in her case, she was able to purchase a two-way ticket to and from, which were actually quite cheap. She boarded the train, find an empty seat so she could set her cello down. It would take until ten to get to Canterlot and it was about nine fifteen. She looked out the window to see one last pony pay for their ticket to board the train. She was white with and electric blue mane  that had lighter blue streaks in it. 'That mane is familiar, but I can't quite put my hoof on it. Oh well, were off.

Octavia disembarked the train into Canterlot Central.  She could see posters advertising the fair. She walked over to scan it. It was recent, showing signs that it was put up that day. Octavia's heart skipped a beat when she saw exciting words.

Looking for an extra musician to perform.

Octavia couldn't believe the luck. She grabbed her cello and walked towards the fairgrounds and a soft but fast pace. She needed that spot. The fairgrounds were beautifully colored, tents and booths set up here and there. She found the stage in the center and looked for a manager. There was her ticket to performance, standing at the foot of the stairs, looking bored. She walked over and he stood straighter. Octavia was the first to speak. "Hello, I hear you have an opening for a musician."

"We do. Are you interested?" He replied.

"Yes, I was wondering if I could take the place. Are there any certain qualifications?"

"Nope, just have to have at least three years of experience with any instrument. How many years would you have?"

Octavia was releaved. She was on her fourth year now. "Four."

"Alright, can I get a name?" He asked.

"Octavia Philharmonica."

At this, the manager paused. "You played at the Gala a few years back, didn't you?"

"Um, yes. That would be correct."

The manager smiled. "Now this should be interesting. You'll come up and play after the orchestra. Sound good?"

"Yes, thank you." Octavia smiled back and went to go look around for a bit. Many interesting booths. Her favorite so far was, of course, the music booth which had a large variety of classical CD's.

"Fillies and gentlecolt's, our first performance will be by the Canterlot Fair orchestra with this years musicians. Directed by Treble Clef and accompanied by Lyrica Forte on the violin. With that, the orchestra began their piece, playing with elegant quality. They were good. Really good. Octavia had a pang of jealousy that she wasn't up there, but now she could do her own thing in her own way. But what was she going to play? She knew many piece's by heart, but most were simple. Not interesting for the fair. Then she got it. She would play the tune she played at the audition. Never before heard, and lots of emotion put into it. But not just that, but the piece's she added on while at the sun alter.
The orchestra finished their piece and they all stood to bow. They walked of the stage and the announcer came back onstage. This was her chance. "Now, here's a real treat. Please enjoy this performance by Octavia Philharmonic a on the cello!" Octavia walked up and got her cello out of it's case. She straightened her back and got into player position. She brought the bow up and began to play.

~~~

Vinyl stood in line in the food court. It was around noon and she was hungry. After a few more minutes she was at the front. She was about to order when she heard something she had never heard before. She waved the pony behind her to order and walked towards the stage. She was intruged by the music that was being played. It was beautiful. When the stage came into view, she saw the mare playing. "Mother of Celestia." Was all Vinyl could muster.

~~~ 

Octavia finished the last note. Everypony stood there, stunned. Octavia thought she did something wrong, but the every pony started applauding, even louder than they did for the orchestra. Octavia smiled and gave a little bow. She lay her cello back into it's case and she latched in shut. She slung the strap over her shoulder and walked of the stage. The announcer came back on, announcing that there would be a ten minute break until the next act. Octavia was stopped by the manager. He held out a little pouch. "Excellent performance, Miss Philharmonica." She took the pouch and he left to help out with some of the lighting for later. Octavia shook the pouch a little and heard small notices of metal hitting metal. He paid her? For filling in? Maybe ponies could be really nice, like the mare at the motel. She looked inside the pouch. Twenty bits in all. How nice of him. She then smiled a little and walked over to the music booth.

"Hello, again. Very nice performance you did. The mare that ran the music booth said.

"Thank you. I was wondering, how much for Beethoofen's Fifth?" Octavia asked.

"Four bits."

Octavia gathered the needed money and made her purchase. She turned to see the pony from the train station. "Nice performance. I'm not really into classical, but that was amazing."

"Thank you. Who might you be?" Octavia asked.

"Oh, sorry 'bout that, name's Vinyl Scratch."

Wait a minute. "You played at the Royal Wedding, didn't you?" Octavia tilted her head slightly.

"Yep, that was me. Me and my wubs."

"Wubs?"

Vinyl paused, then smiled. "Subwoofers. The noise they make are deep wubbing sounds."

Octavia nodded. "I see. My name is Octavia Philharmonia. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Vinyl nodded. "Alright cool. Wanna get something to eat?"

"Sure"

The two walked side by side, a comfortable distance between them, to the food court. Octavia ordered a small salad and Vinyl got a hayburger. "So, Octavia, where you from?"

"I'm from here in Canterlot, but vacationing in Ponyville for a few days."

"That's cool, I'm from Ponyville myself, live near the library. Where you stayin'?"

"Motel 5, near the train station."

"Nice place, ain't it? Well nice chatting but I best be going'. The raffle for a limited edition record ends soon."

"Goodbye, Miss Scratch." Vinyl left the table and wandered off towards the stage. Octavia stood and continued walking around some more. She was looking at a pottery booth when she heard a familiar voice.

"Fancy meeting you here." It said.

Octavia smiled. "Nor did I expect to we you, Beauty."

"Where have you been the last three days? Didn't hear a thing about you after your audition."

"I was actually going to stop by your house later to tell you I was vacationing in Ponyville for a few days and not to worry."

"Lovely place, Ponyville. Well, now I need not worry. Have fun."

"Octavia waved as Beauty walked away and continued looking around. Soon, she became tired and headed off towards the train station. The fair would end at ten and she couldn't stay up that long. When she got there, she was greeted by a family, telling her how well she played. After a short picture that Octavia had no trouble with, she waited for the train. After a few minutes it arrived and after every pony boarded, it set off for Ponyville. Octavia smiled out the window. This would be a lovely week.