Chapter 11
"Thanking Twilight Sparkle"
In the days that followed since the energetic and inviting performance in Canterlot, Octavia had become a much differently viewed pony to the citizens than what she was used to being viewed as. While some Canterlot ponies had turned their backs on Octavia, others like the Princesses and especially Twilight and her friends, stayed by her side.
Now, with her newfound fame and respect, Octavia now had a choice to make. She needed to decide whether to remain in her old home in Canterlot or permanently move in with Vinyl Scratch.
"I want you to know something Octavia," said her father as Octavia ate breakfast with her parents one morning. "We know now that you want to move to Ponyville and be with that pony with the headphones. No matter what decision you will make, your mother and I will support it."
"That's very nice of both of you," replied Octavia, taking a sip of tea. "I'm lucky to have two wonderful ponies as my parents."
Both her parents smiled at these words, although they couldn't help but feel slightly sad over the fact that their daughter was growing up. In fact, seeing Twilight's picture in the paper made them realize that Octavia was going to have to find her true calling at some point. This was the decision that their daughter was making and it was a life changing one.
"I want you to know that I will always come back to visit," reassured Octavia. "You are my parents and that there is nothing that will take that fact away."
"We are both very glad that you would say that," said Octavia's mother.
In the days that followed, Octavia sold her Canterlot home for a hefty price and took the money and placed it into a fund for her future performances around Equestria. In a sense, her performance had given Octavia the opportunity to travel around Equestria and show ponies in towns and cities what she was capable of.
"You know something, Vinyl?" remarked Octavia as she played her cello one day after permanently moving in with her. "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful partnership if I do say so myself."
"I think so too, Octi," replied Vinyl, dusting off one of her old records. "We are going to rock Equestria with our music, won't we, dudette?"
Although Octavia was happy to hear this, she couldn't help but think of how far she had come since first playing the cello. It was a big fan of hers that brought her to this point and she knew that Twilight had to be thanked for helping her see the light.
"But, I think that maybe Miss Sparkle deserves some thanks," said Octavia, playing a few more notes on the cello. "She was the one who made me love what I do."
"Then, why don't you thank her, sister?" suggested Vinyl. "While you're at it, how about thanking that beauty queen, Rarity, as well?"
Octavia held in her thoughts on what to respond to what Vinyl had said when she heard that remark. Octavia had never referred to Rarity as a "beauty queen," only as a friend from finishing school in Canterlot.
"Was it something I said, dudette?" asked Vinyl, a slight concern on her face. "I didn't mean Rarity was a doll in a mean way."
"No, it's all right," replied Octavia, keeping her thoughts down. "I knew you meant well, my dear. You're right, I should pay Miss Sparkle a visit and thank her for all she had done."
Later that day, Octavia walked over to the Golden Oak Library and knocked on the door, which was answered by Spike with a grin on his face.
"Hey, Octavia," said the baby dragon, allowing her inside the library. "Twilight's just upstairs and she'll be down in a minute."
"That's all right," replied Octavia. "I can wait for her."
A few moments later, Twilight came down the library stairs and saw Octavia standing in front of her. The two mares hugged one another upon this friendly encounter and they could both only smile at this greeting.
"Good to see you again, Octavia," said Twilight, happily. "How is everything with you? Have you decided to move in with Vinyl, permanently?"
"I have," replied Octavia, as they stepped into the center of the library. "Had it not been for you, I would have never found a way to be myself in my performances. I guess that dance you did at the Canterlot Garden Party helped me become the pony I am now."
Twilight could only smile at this remark and was now beginning to see why everypony was so enthralled with her. Her dance at the Canterlot Garden Party had enlightened Canterlot into a place where ponies could be themselves. At the same time, it had helped show a pony that she was much more than just a pony who played classical music for snobby ponies.
"I guess you are going to enjoy being in Ponyville," said Twilight. "Remember, if there is anything I can do to help you in anyway, please don't be afraid to come to me for advice."
"Oh, I'm sure of that," remarked Octavia. "It is going to take a while for me to get used to everything that makes this town what it is."
"It took me a while as well," said Twilight, as they walked outside the library. "But, over time, it made me into the pony that I am today. You will find that in Ponyville, Octavia, you can be yourself at any time. You just needed me to lighten that spark inside of you."
Octavia continued to hear those words of wisdom for the rest of the day. Even after she said her goodbyes to Twilight and Spike, the words continued to echo.
"I just hope that Miss Sparkle knows of what she says about me," Octavia said to herself as she made her way back to the new home she had made and was now sharing with Ponyville's resident DJ.
Octavia's new life has only just begun.