//------------------------------// // Reunited At Last // Story: Octavia's Visit // by Acoustic Pulse //------------------------------// "Yeah, it's been a while, bud'. How's the whole DJ business?" Acoustic asked. Vinyl paused for a moment, went back inside to turn off her music, and came back outside. "I'm sorry, one more time? Kinda missed that," Vinyl said. Acoustic sighed and repeated himself, "I said: Yeah, it's been a while. How's the DJ business?" "Great! I love every minute of it. Wouldn't trade it for all of Equestria," Vinyl laughed. Octavia looked up at the studio and back at Vinyl, "Do you and Acoustic record together sometimes?" "Are you kidding me?! He hates EDM and Dubstep. AP set up his own in a spare room at his house," Vinyl replied. "Oh, wow. And how's that?" Octavia asked. "Fine. I'm not signed with a label though, music should be a hobby, not a tool for money," Acoustic answered. "You've always been a weird guy, AP," Vinyl chuckled. "My parents didn't sign with labels either, they could've had millions of bits, but chose not to. I chose to do the same," Acoustic retorted. "I'm sorry they're gone," Vinyl sighed, looking down at her hooves. "His parents were always nice to my family. Any problem we had, they were the first to come and help us out," Octavia smiled. "My mother was my true inspiration. Nothing that ever went wrong could bring her down. She was an unstoppable force and the immovable object," Acoustic said. "What about your dad? Wasn't he your role model?" Vinyl asked. "Of course he was. My mom inspired me to do what nopony else in her family ever did, which was finish school," he answered matter-of-factly. "I never knew that, your mother was so intelligent, what made her drop out?" Octavia asked. Acoustic was quiet for a moment, as if he was guilty. "I was. She dropped out because she was pregnant with me," he finally spoke up. "What about your dad?" Vinyl asked. "He had just gotten his Bachelor's Degree in Economics from Canterlot University. My mother was a freshmare there. She never got her Associate's in Music," Acoustic explained. "And what about you? What'd you major in?" Octavia asked him. "I have a PhD in Meteorology, the study of weather," Acoustic answered. "So, you're Dr. Acoustic Pulse?" Vinyl was surprised by that. "Yeah, but not a Medical Doctor. I have a Doctorate Degree though. So they address me as Doctor Acoustic Pulse, PhD," he explained. "Well, you are a Pegasus, after all. I expected that kind of thing from you," Octavia laughed. "Yeah, but I've always been fascinated by the weather. I have all the qualifications to teach Atmospheric Science at any University in Equestria, but I don't want to do that. I've had enough school for one lifetime," Acoustic joked. "You make a valid point there, buddy," Vinyl concurred. "Getting rather bored, what would you two like to do now?" Octavia yawned. "Well, it's around lunchtime, let's go out to eat somewhere," Vinyl offered. "Sounds good to me. I haven't eaten anything today," Acoustic agreed. "Alright, let's go get some Apple Pie from the Orchard," Octavia looked over towards the trees across town. "That's a great idea! It'll give you a chance to meet my friend, Applejack," Acoustic smiled. "Applejack? Is she that orange mare with the blonde mane and big hat?" she replied. "Yeppers," Acoustic confirmed. And so, the trio trotted towards Sweet Apple Acres, where Applejack lived and worked with her family. "I think you two will respect Applejack just as much as I do. She's an honest, hard-working mare. Got a bigger work ethic than even the strongest of stallions. Shoot, I bet she's even stronger than them," Acoustic joked. "She seems nice. You make a lot of her, does she happen to be your significant other?" Octavia asked. "No, but she's a darned good friend of mine," Acoustic answered. "Well, I look forward to meeting her, I think I might've seen her at the Gala before," Octavia retorted, thinking back to the past Galas. "You probably have, I was there with them," Vinyl laughed. "Why didn't you go last year?" Octavia asked. "Something came up, I was definitely planning on going, believe me," Vinyl sighed. "Well, that's where I met Acoustic again for the first time in ages, now the gang's all here," Octavia smiled. "Not everypony," Acoustic retorted. "Oh, right, your friends aren't here. How've they been?" Octavia inquired. "They've been great. Rainbow Dash is moving up in Rank for the Wonderbolt Reserves, as is Lightning Strike. Twilight's just being Twilight, and Pinkie Pie is the same happy-go-lucky mare she always has been," Acoustic laughed. "What about Rarity?" Vinyl laughed. "We don't associate much anymore, but business is doing well at her boutique," Acoustic replied. "Ah, I see. So, what happened between the two of you?" Octavia asked curiously. "Well, it's a long story. You see, what happened was, I walked in to say 'Hi' like I normally do. Something had happened, I don't know what, but she had begun accusing me of stealing the fabric she uses to make her clothing. I was confused because what would I need with her cloth? Come to find out, it was somepony else she knew, and she never apologized for her actions, and I simply don't want anything to do with her, so yeah. But I'm glad business is doing well. It's good for the local economy," Acoustic explained. "Ha, classic Rarity," Vinyl scoffed. "Yeah, but don't worry about it," Acoustic chuckled. Octavia had a rather strange look on her face, as if something had made her extremely cross. She turned and galloped off towards Carousel Boutique. "Octy, where are you going?" Vinyl asked as she zoomed by. "To rectify the situation," Octavia replied and galloped on, Acoustic and Vinyl following closely behind. "What about AJ? We were going to visit her," Acoustic wondered. "Change of plans, I guess," Vinyl shrugged. "Yep. Let's settle this little predicament the two of you have yourselves in," Octavia pointed at the Boutique. END OF CHAPTER 3!