//------------------------------// // Saving A Friendship // Story: Octavia's Visit // by Acoustic Pulse //------------------------------// The three of them entered Carousel Boutique, the bell dinging as the door opened and closed. A white mare with a curly, purple, mane and tail was sitting at her sewing machine, making new clothing to sell. She stopped on the pink satin dress she was working on, and approached the front door. "Why, hello, welcome to Carousel Boutique, my name's R---Rarity... okay, what is he doing here?" the white mare introduced herself then questioned why Acoustic was there. "Hello would've been sufficient," Acoustic scoffed. "Alright, you two, we just walked in the door and you're at each other's throats already," Octavia sighed. "All I ask for is an apology, Rarity. You know as well as I do that I didn't steal your fabric," Acoustic said through gritted teeth. "Is that what this is about?" Rarity scoffed. "Yes, that's it, then I'll leave," Acoustic assured her. "Acoustic, you've been avoiding me all this time, I just figured you were the forgive and forget kind of stallion," Rarity clarified. "Well, I'm not. Forgiving, yes, forgetting, no. I remember everything," Acoustic sighed. "Oh, really? What did you eat for breakfast this morning?" Rarity asked mockingly. "I actually haven't eaten at all today, thank you very much," Acoustic rolled his eyes in frustration. The thought of hitting a mare had never crossed his mind, but Rarity's aloof attitude had him ready to slap her silly. "Look, I understand you're a busy mare and that you have a job to do. I understand holding grudges like this are rather petty, I just simply ask for an apology, I'll be on my way, and if it suits you, I won't speak to you anymore. Simple as that," Acoustic continued. "AP, chill out, dude," Vinyl raised an eyebrow at him, she had been silent for most of the time. "I'm perfectly calm, no hostility. Perhaps I've thought about it, but I won't do anything regrettable," Acoustic chuckled. "Well, I apologize for falsely accusing you, Acoustic. Take the apology as you wish," Rarity turned and trotted back to the pink satin dress that was left unfinished on her table. "Apology accepted. I'm sorry too. Have a great day, keep business booming, alright?" Acoustic smiled reassuringly. "Of course," Rarity smiled back as she added the finishing touches on the pink satin dress. "Alright, disaster averted, let's go to Sweet Apple Acres," Vinyl urged. "Mind if I accompany you lot?" Rarity asked. "Sure you can," Vinyl accepted her offer. "I don't see anything wrong with it," Octavia added. "Yeah, that's fine. We were on our way to get some apple pie from Granny Smith. I haven't eaten anything, as I said before," Acoustic agreed to make it a unanimous decision. "Great! Let's go then, shall we?" Rarity smiled, knowing she and Acoustic were friends again. And so Octavia, her two friends, and Rarity left the Boutique and began trotting back towards Sweet Apple Acres. She was curious, however, as to why Acoustic hasn't eaten anything today. "Umm, Acoustic? You got a second?" she asked him. "Plenty, what's wrong?" Acoustic replied with another question. "What has stopped you from eating today?" Octavia asked worriedly. "Been busy as a bee lately. Wonderbolts Reserves with Rainbow and Lightning, helping AJ and Big Mac with the apples, composing my music; The thought of eating hasn't really occurred to me, as funny as it sounds," Acoustic explained. "Do you feel sick by any chance?" Octavia was getting increasingly worried about her friend. "Octy, lay off him. Guy said he's been busy, give him a break," Vinyl sighed, raising an eyebrow behind her sunglasses. "You're right, sorry for acting so intrusive. Just a bit worried is all. Make sure to eat some more. It's unhealthy," Octavia rambled. "Alright, now stop your worrying," Acoustic chuckled good-naturedly, he was confused however as to why she was so worried. Rarity, who hasn't spoken the whole time, remained silent and continued trotting with Octavia and her friends. Acoustic looked over in her direction and looked back ahead of him. "Peaceful, isn't it, bud'?" he smiled. Rarity looked up at him, "Huh? Oh, uh, yes, yes. It's very peaceful," she stammered. "Something on your mind there pal?" Vinyl asked. "No, just enjoying the walk," Rarity lied. "Are you sure? You seem flustered," Octavia saw through the little white lie. "No, really, I'm fine," she lied again. "Octavia, stop. She said she's fine, let it go," Acoustic sighed. "Sorry, Rarity," Octavia apologized. "That's quite alright," Rarity replied, then sighed in relief. Acoustic fell back a little bit so he was beside Rarity. He knew something was up, and wanted to get to the bottom of it. "Alright, be honest, what's bothering you?" he whispered. "Guilty conscience. Falsely accusing you like that, that was foolish of me," Rarity replied quietly. "It's in the past now, no need to dwell on it. Trust me, I know from experience. Thinking about the past brings nothing but pain and sorrow," Acoustic replied. "So you're not mad at me anymore?" her eyes lit up. "Of course not, we're square now," he laughed. "Good, I'm glad. That's the best news I've heard all day," Rarity smiled. "I'm happy we got this settled. I owe it to Octavia, it was her idea to talk to you and settle our differences," Acoustic revealed. "It was nothing, I'm happy to be of assistance," Octavia dismissed it. "Well, look, I certainly appreciate your efforts," Acoustic smiled. "So, Acoustic, what have you been up to lately?" Rarity asked. "Been composing music, I'm have a lot of fun with it, but it's time consuming. I spend a lot of time alienating myself in my house," Acoustic laughed. "Oh, well, I hope that's going well for you," Rarity encouraged. "Yeah, it is, I'm having a blast making this music," Acoustic confirmed. "Oh, hey, it looks like we're here," Vinyl said as the quartet of ponies entered Sweet Apple Acres. The other three followed closely behind her. They were all excited. END OF CHAPTER 4!