I awoke the next morning. The sun gently breaching the blinds of the window. I laid there ignoring it as long as I could. After a few moments I was awoken by the staff. They gave me complimentary breakfast and a nice cup of coffee
The sandwich was nice. Lettuce, Dandelions, Freshly picked grass, and some tomatoes. This diet would be difficult to get used to. Especially if I get a craving for the juicy, delicious, tender meat of a rat.
As I finished the sandwich I sipped my coffee. I could feel it working. I loved this drink! The cup was a bit strong with my first sip. I guess I didn’t have a taste for the bitter drink. The tray the food came on had a small bowl of sugar with a spoon and a small cup of milk.
After a few teaspoons of sugar I poured in what I sipped out with milk. Taking another drink, the liquid went down my throat smoothly. Perfect. It tasted great now. Sweet and delectable.
I got up and out of my bed. I felt great, My back wasn’t hurting, my wings weren’t folded in awkward positions. Mainly because I didn’t have them. I guess I should do my daily workout. Wait… No, I’m no longer a changeling. I didn’t have to. Nopony could tell me what to do. All I knew now is I was a free pony.
After a few minutes I investigated my room. There was another door next to the closet. I opened it up and inside was a white tiled room. The walls were covered half height in tile and the rest in a black and white vertical striped wallpaper. At the other side of the room was a large porcelain tub. I walked over to it and investigated. There was a shower head up high and the faucet a few inches above the edge of the tub.
Above the faucet was a simple handle. Left for hot, Right for cold. WIth a simple twist I moved it to the left. Instantly my face was splattered from the shower head. It was freezing. I quickly dried of my mane and noticed a small knob at the end of the faucet was pulled out. WIth a tap of my hoof it went in and the water started pouring out of the metal opening. The shower head turned off and the tub began to fill.
Dipping my forehoof in it I checked the temperature and climbed in. The warm water felt amazing. In the caves we had to stand under a waterfall for anything close to a bath. As I sat in the tub i began to feel rejuvinized. It was amazing. I let myself sink in. My mane and tail spread out in the tub.
After about 10 minutes I climbed out. I stood at the sink and began to comb my mane. I wasn’t any good at it. Being a changeling we didn’t have these luxuries. I finally figured out how to get the front poof correct and I got the rest of my mane puffy and straight.
I walked out into the bedroom and grabbed my cello. As I left the building I heard a few whispers. But I wasn’t able to make out what was said. At the moment that didn’t matter. I needed to go to the castle and prepare for the wedding. It was several hours away but I heard the fancier crowd was showing up early. Maybe I could make some money and provide background noise for them.
I walked through the gates and went to the main hall. The guards let me in. Octavia played here a lot. I felt like a celebrity myself. Finding a spot next to the main staircase I set up. On my way to the castle I quickly stopped and grabbed some songs. More intellectual and difficult.
Before I knew it multiple ponies dressed in big fancy wings and large dresses and tuxedos stood before me. I bowed my head and drew my bow. Playing gentle songs to start and then picking up difficulty.They loved it. Some simply enjoyed the music. Others donated much more than the ponies on the streets.
Hours passed and the band showed up, I gathered my case filled with the gold coins. Filling my saddlebags with as much as I could I walked outside to the stage we were to perform. Leaving my bags and case out of veiw I lifted my instrument.
Me and Treble were to perform the song as a duet. He was pleasent this morning. His coat was shiny, his mane combed, and his eyes looked joyfilled. We made it too the throne room and set up.My cello is all we had. He simply sat down at the organ and pressed a few keys.
Celestia and Luna walked in with Shining. His eyes caught mine as he examined the surroundings. He instantly walked over.
In no time he was standing at me.
“Hello, miss. Octavia. I’m Shining Armor as you know. I also know that you and your band are playing a special song for me and my wife… Are you okay?
I was sweating terribly. Every word he said pierced me. My eyes were shaking as much as my knees. Using my cello for full support I stood and managed to talk. “Yes… Yes that’s correct.:” My voice was shaky and I could barely blurt them out.
“Wonderful! I look forward to it. Also, I know your secret.” He winked at me and he turned and left.
No way! Did he actually know!? How? I’ve been in disguise this whole time. From when I first landed to now. I had to leave. But if I bailed now he himself would hunt me down. I had to wait…
The ponies filed in. Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy all stood on the left of the stairs leading to the altar. Twilight and a few stallions on the right with Shining. Her horn glowed and she fixed his vest.
Celestia looked to me and gave us a nod. “That’s the cue” Treble said. His hooves came down and began to play the song. When the doors swung open Cadence began walking down the aisle. I joined in the song playing my part perfectly. The three flower fillies jumped down letting their basket swings as the beautiful alacorn followed behind. her face covered by her veil.
As she approached the altar the song came to an end. Treble grabbed my shoulder and we made an exit. We had to prepare for the performance. The relief I felt to get out of that room was unimaginable.
“How did it go you two?” Bass greeted us as he polished his instrument.
“It went well. Brass. Why did you tell Shining about our secret performance for Twilight?” Treble’s normal annoyed voice came back to him. That didn’t last long…
“What? You really thought we could keep a secret like that from the Prince of Equestria?” Brass responded instantly. Well I don’t see why not. I kept my secret from these three ponies.
I finally relaxed knowing it was my actual secret. We all finished and prepared. Setting up we waited in the garden. The eruption of sound from the throne room was incredible. Ponies stomping and cheering.
Within moments of that they came running out. Waves of excited happy ponies took their seats at tables. The overly excited Pinkie Pie already had the wedding cake ready. But it wasn’t our job to observe it was to play. And thats what we did. Provided background music and dance music.
The night set in. Shining sitting at the head table with his new wife. As we came to the final song Brass left to talk with Twilight. I looked at the empty turntable. This wasn’t going to happen without that DJ wherever she was…
With in no time of that observation a white unicorn walked up to it. Her cutie mark was a pair of black eighth notes. Her dark blue spikey mane covered her face. The lighter blue stripes formed rows in it. What her hair didn’t cover her glasses did. The large dark purple glasses with black frame looked more like they were for the day time.
She had no emotions. Like she was depressed. She nodded and her horn glowed. But that’s when her face instantly cheered up. As she reached for the record she saw me. Lifted her glasses and rubbed her eyes as in disbelief. It’s like I instantly made her happy. She put on a big smile as Shining and Cadence took the dance floor. Her glasses returned and she put on the record.
Twilight began to sing her song. I did my part and played the song. The DJ headbanging with Pinkie. It was incredible. I was at the royal wedding peacefully.
The song came to an end and the newlyweds ran out the front with everypony else. Even my band members left. I began to pack up and thats when I was tackled.
“GAH! What’s happening?!” I screamed. I’ve been tackled and normally it didn’t go well. Usually me being punished for being out of line. As I braced myself for the normal whip correction I was instead greeted by a hug and tears falling on my face.
“Oh Octavia! I missed you so much! I thought you were dead!” The white unicorn was on top of me crying with joy. Her voice was harsh but for some reason it made me really comfortable with her. “I thought you died in the attack. Oh I was so worried I lost you forever.”
I wrapped around her to comfort her. Gently patting her back. I had no idea who she was. I’m sure some research real quick could answer that. “It’s okay. I’m here, and safe.” I did my best to calm her down returning the hug.
She finally stopped the water works and looked up from my soaked chest. Her glasses her resting on her horn. “I love you so much Octavia.” Her lips meet mine. I laid there and let her kiss me. I had no idea what to do so I went with it.
“I love you too.” She stood up smiling and helped me up. Her dark red eyes were amazing with her mane and coat. She looked beautiful. Whoever she is, I will gladly let her love me.
“Where have you been? Why haven’t you come home if you were okay?” She began to question. My mind went blank. I couldn’t talk my way out of this. There’s no excuse I have. “It doesn’t matter. You’re okay and I can finally sleep.” She hugged me again pecking my cheek.
“Yeah… That’s all that matters now.” I put my instrument away and grabbed my full saddlebags.
“Whoa. You’ve been making money. That’ll do great for my music production!” She played with the bags of bits and giggled.
“It sure will. Let’s head home.” I kissed her cheek and looked at the turn table. Her banner was over the front. It read “DJ PON3” in large blocky blue letters with a multi shade background. She gathered her belongings and quickly joined me. “Lead the way DJ.”
“DJ? Haven’t heard you call me that in quite sometime. Not since we met back in high school.” She shrugged it off and began walking. She led me to an apartment complex. Opening the door for me and I walked in.
The building appeared in nice condition. Walls painted white. All doors had a nice bronze plaque on them. The stairs were oak wood and went perfectly to the next level. We went up to the third floor and went to the last apartment at the end of the hallway. That’s where we entered apartment 3-H.
She unlocked the door with her magic and we walked in. It was incredible. There was a large window at the other wall looking out over the nearby market. The carpeted floors were a swirl of gray and black. The kitchen had a small counter with a few stools pulled up to it. There was everything in there. Refrigerator, microwave, oven, stove, even a strange looking dish washer…
In the living room next to it was a large couch and a chair. Both leather and very padded. They looked really comfortable. I sat my cello on what appeared to be its case stand in the corner and I found a seat on the couch. The unicorn was gleeful still. Her eyes full with a small amount of water as she looked at me.
“Are you okay?”
“Huh?” She wiped her eyes. “Of course I am Tavi!” Her voice sounded slightly cocky now. “Vinyl Scratch is always fine!” Perfect. She just gave me her name. Now for nicknames…
“Come here scratchy. I missed you so much.” I rolled over on my back and held out my two forelegs for her. She quickly took her spot in them and snuggled into me. She fit perfectly. The more I thought about it the more I blushed. This mare was special to Octavia. Making her just as special to me.
We laid there for what felt like hours. I check the clock. It was 10pm. My stomach let out a loud growl. She giggled and got off the couch. She whipped up two sandwiches like magic and handed it to me. We sat with each other and ate smiling.
“Well I guess we should head to bed, honey.” She let out a loud belch. It was almost repulsive.
“Gah! That’s disgusting Vinyl.”
She laughed loudly. Her horn glowed and her glasses floated off her horn and on to the glass top coffee table. “That’s my Tavi!” She kept laughing as she went into another room. I walked after her and entered the bedroom. There was a large bed in the middle. The headboard against the wall.
Two pillows were at the end. One with my cutie mark and one with hers. She laid down on her side and held open the thick comforter for me. I climbed in the other side. As I walked closer I noticed there was a cabinet and dresser, as well as a nightstand with a lamp on top on my side.
I climbed in and faced her. My hooves pressed against my chest not knowing what to do. Shortly after her horn glowed and there was a click. The lamp was turned off and her hooves had grabbed mine. She pulled them close as she turned around and stuck her back against my stomach. She gave them a kiss. “Good night Octavia, my love.” Her voice was so gentle it made me fall in love instantly.
“Good night Vinyl. My love.” I returned the phrase and gave her a kiss on her head. Holding her close to me. Our heartbeats synced together as we laid there. This was my life. I became Octavia Melody. Mastered the Cello. And found her. My beautiful marefriend, Vinyl Scratch.