//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: New Life // by Mydnyt Rayn //------------------------------// The train arrived back into Ponyville around seven o'clock. Octavia was jolted awake by the wistle and she stood. She slung the strap of her cello over her shoulder and walked out onto the platform. She was headed towards the motel when she heard a voice. "Looky who we have here. Octavia Philharmonica." Octavia stopped dead in her tracks and stood still. A stallion walked over and stood in front of her. He was a deep blue with a pale grey mane. His cutie mark resembled a creasent moon impaled by a curved dagger. "Long time, no see Lunar. I thought you were in Manehatten." Octavia said. Lunar shrugged. "Came to see the fair, saw you perform. Thought I'd see how you were." Octavia sighed deeply. Lunar had been her friend in high school. After graduation, he left to Manehatten to become an illusionist. "Well, thank you for caring." Octavia said almost sarcastically. She began walking towards the motel again, but this time Lunar walked beside her. "It's not too late to be friends again. Go back to the good old days. You know, pick up where we left off." "Lunar, if your trying to flirt with me, it's not working. I have a lot to do and not much time to do it. I'm sorry, but it won't work out." Octavia kept walking as Lunar stood still. "Octavia wait." Octavia turned and Lunar walked over. He pressed his lips against her cheek for a few seconds then pulled away. "Good luck out there." He turned and left towards the train station, while Octavia stood there, surprised, gently rubbing her cheek. "Did he just...?" She blinked a few times with a small blush and walked over to the motel's front doors. When she walked through, she was greeted by the desk mare. "Welcome back Octavia. Heard you did well at the fair. Sounded really good." "How did you know?" Octavia asked. "There was a camera crew that set it up live on channel six." The desk made said. "Oh, thank you. You know, I never did get your name." "Oh, my name is Shade Amethyst, but you can just call me Shadey." "Oh. Lovely name. Anyways, goodnight, Shadey." "Night, Octavia." ~~~ Vinyl stumbled of the train and swayed a little as she tryed to walk straight. It was nearing midnight and she didn't want to walk all the way home. After the fair had ended, she met up with some friends and they headed to a bar. Vinyl had too much and passed out on the train, only woken up by the whistle. She saw a hotel not to far and went to go check-in for the night. She pushed open the doors and slowly walked to the front desk, trying her best not to look drunk. "Welcome to Motel 5! How can I help you tonight?" The desk mare asked. "One room, please." Vinyl mumbled. "Reservation." Vinyl shook her head. "Name please?" "Vinyl Scratch." "Smoking or non-smoking?" "Non." "Nights?" "One." "OK, here's your key card, room 209 on the second floor, breakfast is free with your stay from seven to nine in the morning and check out anytime before five in the afternoon. Please enjoy your stay!" Vinyl nodded her head in thanks and walked to the elevator. Once on the second floor she found her room- "Uh, Vinyl, next one over." "Hmm?" Vinyl looked around but saw nopony. "Are you the narrator?" "Um, yes?" "Oh, thanks." Anyways, she found her room and opened the door. She didn't care about the look of the room because once inside, she collapsed onto the bed. ~~~ Octavia made her way to the breakfast room, aching to get something in her belly. She entered to the smells of waffles and oats, again, and prepared her breakfast. After sitting, she just began eating, unaware of the white unicorn that had just entered. Vinyl prepared her breakfast and turned towards the tables. She smiled when she saw Octavia. She walked over. "Mind if I sit with you?" Octavia swallowed and looked over. She smiled when she saw who it was and nodded. Vinyl sat across from Octavia and began eating. "So, what brings you here?" Octavia asked. "Got back late, didn't want to make the trip to the other side of town." "I see. How was it?" Octavia asked. "How was what?" "You know, the fair, or getting drunk." "How did you?" Vinyl was saying but got cut of with a smile. Octavia's smile. "I've seen more ponies than you who had gotten drunk, and it isn't hard to tell if one is." "Snap, busted." "No, not busted. Your not in trouble. You make your own decisions." Vinyl gave a small smile and, when Octavia returned the gesture, she felt odd. Not sick but, happy. She tried to hide a blush but to no effect. "Is something wrong? Your cheeks seem really red. Your not becoming ill are you?" "Nah, everything's fine." Vinyl responded, her cheeks returning to their natural white. Octavia nodded and took her last bite. "Well, I'm off. Lovely talking with you." She threw her plate in the trash and walked out the door. Vinyl just watched her leave, her eyes lingering on the doorway. She looked back at her plate and then back at the doorway. Did she-? She felt like it. 'Oh my gosh.' Vinyl thought. Vinyl finished her breakfast and threw her plate into the trash. Every time she thought of Octavia, she felt that same happy feeling inside. She did. She had a crush on Octavia. "Oh s-."