//------------------------------// // Chapter 18 // Story: Refound Love // by GamerTag //------------------------------// As Celestia's sun went up, the light shined all across Equestria. However, some of the light had chosen to instead wake up a certain pony by shining directly in their eyes. That pony was Octavia. She opened her eyes, only to be blinded by the sun. She quickly covered her eyes with her hoof in an attempt to stop the light. I can see why Vinyl wears glasses all the time... Once Octavia realized it was morning, she looked around only to realize she was not in her house. She then noticed a certain DJ that had their forearms wrapped around the cellist's torso and who was also softly snoring. Octavia smiled and snuggled closer to the mare, causing the unicorn to mumble some incoherent gibberish. This was only the second time Octavia had woken up like this but she was already starting to get used to it. Don't get used to it Octavia. You know what happened the last time you did. With that thought in mind, she realizes that Caramel was supposed to have returned from Ponyville last night. "Drat," Octavia whispered to herself. Octavia then attempted to get to her phone without waking up Vinyl. After some struggle, she finally accomplished her mission, but not completely. Because of the movement, Vinyl had woken up. "Good morning Vinyl," Octavia said as she noticed the mare had awakened. "Hey," Vinyl replied, groggily. Vinyl then started stretching while Octavia checked her phone. She had many new texts, although she did not know who they were from. Before she could check, however, the phone had died. Octavia sighed in defeat before putting her phone down and then laying back down on Vinyl's chest. Vinyl wrapped her hooves around Octavia again, and the two just sat there for awhile, both happy with each other's company. "So, what are we going to do today?" Vinyl asked after a moment of silence. "Well, I promised my ensemble that I would meet them for breakfast so I will probably have to leave soon," Octavia replied. "Awww," Vinyl pouted, "Does that mean we don't get to cuddle?" Octavia chuckled, "Well we have now,". With that, Octavia buried her muzzle into Vinyl's neck. Vinyl smiled and nuzzled closer to the cellist. The two stayed like that for only a few seconds before they heard loud knocking coming from the front door. "I should have seen that coming," Vinyl commented with a sigh. Vinyl lets go of the cellist, and Octavia walked to the front door while fixing her mane to look at the very least presentable. As Octavia opened the door, she realized again that she WAS NOT in her house. She re-discovered it when she found two shocked mares standing at the other end of the door. "OCTAVIA?!" Lyra and Bon Bon yelled in unison, both having wide eyes. Octavia blushed slightly and gave them a sheepish smile, "I think I know where all those texts came from now," "So, did you speak to Vinyl?" Bon Bon asked, hopefulness in her voice. "Well she is inside her house, and it looks like she slept here, so I'll say it went REALLY well," Lyra commented with a grin. "Who's at the door Tavi?" Vinyl called from the bedroom. "Hello, Vinyl! How do you feel?" Bon Bon called back. "Glad to see you're not dead," Lyra teased. "Oh! Hey, Bonnie! Hey, Lyra!" Vinyl greeted as she walked out of the bedroom, putting on her glasses. Bon Bon and Lyra walked into the apartment, as soon as they were in, they saw that the place was messy. "What happened in here? It's a mess!" Bon Bon asked in concern. "Yeah, it's really messy, well, messier than usual," Lyra agreed. "Oh! It's a new type of 'fun' me and Tavi are working on," Vinyl replied with a smug grin, causing Octavia to whack her on the head. "This place was a mess when I got here, I cleaned it up as much as I could," Octavia explained. "You cleaned this place up, Octavia?" Bon Bon asked, "Did Vinyl at least help?" "I would have," Vinyl responded, "but Tavi forced me to take a shower," "Something tells me you wouldn't have help," Lyra said, unconvinced. "Well, now that Vinyl seems to be stable. We should talk about why she has not been talking to anypony for the past week," Bon Bon said, sounding slightly annoyed. "Well I would love to stay and chat but I have to meet my ensemble for breakfast," Octavia explained, looking over at the clock before grabbing her bow from the bedroom. "Yeah! And I have to come!" Vinyl lied in an attempt to not have to endure the scolding she knew she would receive. "No you don't," Octavia replied, putting her bow on. "Please let me come. Bon Bon is like a mother when I go into a drinking phase," Vinyl pleaded in a whisper. "Goodbye Vinyl," Octavia said before giving the DJ a kiss and leaving. "Oh come on! I thought you were cool!" Vinyl yelled as Octavia closed the door to the apartment. Vinyl turned to her two friends who were sitting on her couch. The earth pony had a look of annoyance, while Lyra had a look of 'You are in trouble and I get to watch you suffer'. Vinyl sighed, this was not going to be fun. ~•~•~•~•~ "I'm sorry I'm late!" Octavia apologized as she walked up to her ensemble. "You're only a minute late Octavia," Harpo commented, laughing slightly. Octavia sat down next to Beauty Brass. Across from her was Fredric and next to Fredric was Harpo. They had all agreed to meet at a diner for breakfast at their last meeting. "So, how's Vinyl?" Beauty Brass asked, almost maniacally. "She's good," Octavia replied, looking at the menu. "Hm," Fredric grumbled at the mention of Vinyl's name. He also started looking at his menu. "So, have you told Vinyl that you like her yet?" Harpo asked. "Oh, she didn't tell you?" Beauty Brass responded with a grin, "They started dating,” "WHAT?!" Fredric and Harpo yelled at the same time. Octavia blushed and sunk more into her seat, causing Beauty Brass to giggle. "That's great!" Harpo exclaimed in joy. "Or not!" Fredric argues, "May I remind you that you are still married to Caramel. And also, how do you know that you don’t just like Vinyl because she is a way of escape from Caramel?" Octavia paused to think for a moment but then shrugged, "I know, but I will get a divorce with Caramel eventually. Also, why would I like Vinyl for that reason? By your logic, I could have started liking anypony," "She's got you there Freddy," Harpo teased. Fredric glared at Harpo, "Don't call me that," "Good morning everypony, what can I get you all today?" The waitress asked. The waitress then took the ponies orders and left the table. "So, when do we get to meet Vinyl?" Fredric asked, in an almost interrogation tone. "I don't know," Octavia replied, "I can try to work things out with Vinyl, maybe we can all have a dinner together. I can bring Lyra and Bon Bon as well," "Yeah! I love those two!" Beauty Brass agreed. The waitress then brought the ponies their drinks. "How's Caramel? Does he know about you and Vinyl yet?" Harpo asked, taking a sip of coffee. "He's.... Interesting. He is currently out of town at the moment," Octavia responded. "With Lucky Streak?" Beauty Brass assumed. "No, with Neon Lights," Octavia corrected. "The DJ? Why in Equestria is he with him?" Fredric asked. "Well.... He's Vinyl's ex..." Everypony went silent and stared at the cellist with wide eyes. "Her ex?" Fredric said in an almost enraged tone as he got up from the table, "That stallion is known as one of the most rudest ponies in all of Equestria! Why would she ever date him?! Vinyl is probably just as-" "FREDRIC!" Beauty Brass almost shouted also getting up from the table, "May I speak to you in private?!" Octavia and Harpo looked at each other, both with confused and worried looks. "Alright," Fredric replied, regaining his composure. And with that, the two ponies walked out of the diner, leaving Octavia and Harpo sitting there in silence. "So," Harpo said after a long period of silence, "see the game last night?" ~•~•~•~•~ "What were you thinking? What if you got hurt! Or cheated on Octavia!" Bon Bon yelled as she repeatedly whacked Vinyl with a book. "Ow! Ow! I'm sorry! Stop hitting me Bonnie!" Vinyl pleaded, covering the top of her head. After a few more minutes of this, Bon Bon stopped and let out a sigh. She then hugged the DJ. "We were worried sick about you! Especially Lyra," Bon Bon said as she hugged the mare. "Hey!" Lyra protested with a blush, "Octavia was way more worried!" "That is true," Bon Bon agreed as she stopped hugging Vinyl. "Yeah, Octy's awesome," Vinyl said with a smile. "Well, I am going to make us some breakfast," Bon Bon announced, exiting the room and going into the kitchen. "I wonder how much worse Octavia will be once you do something stupid," Lyra commented with a grin. "Instead of a book, she'll probably hit me with an anvil," Vinyl joked, "The only mare worse than Bonnie or Tavi would be my actual mother," Just then, they heard the doorbell ring. Vinyl got up from the couch and walked over to her door and opened it. "Hello-" "VINYL RECORD SCRATCH, YOU ARE IN BIG TROUBLE!" The mare from the other side of the door yelled. "M-mom?!" Vinyl stammered. "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH TROUBLE YOU ARE IN?!" Vinyl's mother yelled as she started hitting Vinyl on the head with her purse. "OW! OW! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" Vinyl yelled in pain. Lyra, luckily, swooped in and moved Vinyl away from the attack. "Hello, Mrs. Scratch. Why are you here?" Lyra asked, trying to keep Vinyl away from the angered mare. "Don't think you are out of this Lyra!" Vinyl's mother replied, "You two are both in trouble!" "BONNIE! DID YOU CALL MY MOM HERE?!" Vinyl asked angrily. Bon Bon came out of the kitchen with a confused look, "No. Why- Oh! Hello, Mrs. Scratch!" "You are just as guilty as them Bon Bon!" Vinyl's mother said as she walked into the apartment. "Guilty of what?!" Vinyl asked. "Don't play dumb with me missy!" Vinyl's mother said, pointing a hoof at Vinyl. "No seriously," Lyra asked, "What?" "Last night, two stallions came to my house. One of which was crying! According to them, you, Vinyl, are with somepony who is having an affair!" Vinyl's mother explained. At that, all three ponies in the room became silent. Their eyes wide and mouths open. ~•~•~•~•~ "Fredric!" Beauty Brass scolded once they were outside the diner, "What has gotten into you!" Fredric didn't say anything, only glared at Beauty. Beauty's eyes went wide, "Do you still like Octavia?" "What?! No!" Fredric yelled, "I am just worried!" "Worried about what? I've meet Vinyl and she is a very sweet and kind mare who truly cares for Octavia," Beauty Brass argued. "You know who else was like that? Caramel! And look where that got her!" Fredric replied. "So what? Does that mean that every pony that is romantically interested in Octavia is going to end up like Caramel? What about you! You used to like her!" Beauty Brass asked. "Who knows! From what I have heard, Vinyl acts similar to Caramel is some ways! And I am nothing like that sad excuse for a stallion!" Fredric responded. "Neither is Vinyl! Vinyl may act like Caramel in some ways but she is also nothing like him!" Beauty Brass argued. "How would you know? You barely even know the mare!" Fredric yelled. "You know what," Beauty Brass said, "I don't need this. I am going to go back in there and enjoy time with two of my best friends. You can keep thinking whatever you want of Vinyl but remember this, Vinyl is the light in Octavia's life. No matter how much you are against it," And with that, Beauty Brass walked back into the diner, leaving Fredric to rot. "Heyyyyyy Beauty!" Harpo greeted with a wave as he saw Beauty Brass enter the diner. "Hey," Beauty Brass said in a small voice, kissing Harpo on the cheek and sitting back down next to Octavia. "Where's Fredric?" Octavia asked in concern. "He-" Beauty Brass started but stopped when she saw Fredric walk back into the diner. "Hello, everypony. Why don't we talk about the new ensemble members we may be receiving," Fredric said as he sat down next to Harpo. And with that, the ensemble started to speak of other things. But Octavia couldn't help but notice that Beauty Brass was almost completely silent throughout the whole time. ~•~•~•~•~ "What did the stallions look like?" Lyra asked, after a very long period of silence. "One of them was Neon Lights, and the other was an orange stallion with a brown mane and tail," Vinyl's mother replied. "Why would you believe anything Neon says? Don't you remember what he did to me?" Vinyl asked, her voice rising. "I do. And I was not happy to see him, but the stallion explained he was only there to help," Vinyl's mother explained. "But he is Neon! You should never believe anything about Neon!" Vinyl yelled. "Do not yell at me! Neon did not even seem invested in the conversation, he walked away half way through it!" Vinyl's mother yelled back. "HE WAS ACTING!" Vinyl shouted. "If he was acting, then why do you all seem so bothered by the mention of an affair? Hm?" Vinyl's mother asked. Vinyl froze. She then slowly deflated and looked down at the ground. "I am going out," Vinyl said and galloped out of the apartment. "COME BACK HERE THIS INSTANT!" Vinyl's mother called out. "Mrs. Scratch," Bon Bon said, "There are some things we should tell you," "Yeah, but first. I need to find Vinyl, and somepony else," Lyra agreed, leaving the apartment. "Take a seat," Bon Bon invited, "This is going to be a lot," ~•~•~•~•~ "And then, the guy almost fell off the building!" Harpo exclaimed as he told the ensemble a story. "Interesting story Harpo," Octavia commented with a raised eyebrow. "I somehow doubt that happened," Fredric said, taking the last sip of his tea. The ensemble was basically done with their meal. At this point, they were just sitting there chatting. All of a sudden the diner door burst open and a very familiar green unicorn came into the diner. "Lyra?" Octavia asked in shock. "Hi, Lyra!" Beauty Brass greeted with a smile. "Octavia there you are! I need your help! Some stuff is going on and we need to go!" Lyra explained, out of breath. "Oh, so you're Lyra. Vinyl's friend," Fredric said in an almost skeptical tone. "Yeah, that’s me. Anyway, we need to go, Octavia," Lyra said again. "Not so fast. I want to hear more about you fi-" Fredric started but was interrupted by Lyra. "OH, MY CELESTIA I NEED TO GO NOW!" Lyra shouted and grabbed Octavia. She rushed the cellist out of the diner and started pushing her away from the diner. "Lyra! What is going on?!" Octavia asked. "You'll see. First, we need to find Vinyl. I think she went to a bar so we need to search every bar in the city," Lyra explained. "Wait, what happened to Vinyl? And how did you find me?" Octavia questioned. "No time to explain, I searched all nearby diners. Let's go now!" Lyra said and she started galloping, Octavia following close behind. A few hours later, Lyra and Octavia finally found Vinyl drinking some cider in a bar. "Vinyl!" Octavia said exhausted as she walked up to the DJ. "Oh! Hey, Tavi. How'd ya find me?" Vinyl asked with a smile. "We checked every bar in the city," Lyra explained, panting. "Oh... Hey, Lyra hehe. Are you going to kill me?" Vinyl said with a sheepish smile. "No. That comes later," Lyra replied, almost threateningly. "Can somepony please explain what is going on?" Octavia asked, slightly annoyed. "Follow me and you'll find out," Vinyl explained, and the three made their way back to Vinyl's apartment. ~•~•~•~•~ "I am getting impatient Bon Bon!" Vinyl's mother said angrily. "They should be back any minute!" Bon Bon explained, "I hope..." Just then, they heard the door to the apartment open. "Okay, we're back!" Lyra announced. "Thank Celestia!" Bon Bon exclaimed, relieved. The three ponies walked into the apartment, where a very angry looking mare sat on the couch, glaring at Vinyl. "Who's that?" Octavia whispered to Lyra and Vinyl. "Tavi, this is my mom," Vinyl introduced, "and mom, this is Tavi," "Pleasure to meet you," Octavia greeted, putting a hoof out to shake. Vinyl's mother looked at the hoof, and then back to Octavia, "Do you have any idea what you are putting your husband through?" Octavia's eyes widened. "Wh-what?" Octavia stammered. "Your husband came all the way to my home and begged me to stop my daughter from dating you because you were already married!" Vinyl's mother explained, her voice full of rage. "Mom! That's not fair! You don't know what he put Octy through!" Vinyl defended, standing in front of Octavia. "What she's been through? Probably nothing! When I met the stallion he was a very sweet and kind soul, what could he have possibly done?!" Vinyl's mother asked. Vinyl quickly grabbed Octavia's phone and showed her mother the texts. "That's all? Of course, he would be mad if his wife was cheating on him!" The mother argued. "He also kissed Bonnie! And gave Lyra and a black eye!" Vinyl argued back. This whole time, Octavia had been completely silent, still in shock at what she had heard. He... Contacted Vinyl's family? Octavia's face became angry. Lyra and Bon Bon both noticed and shared a look of worry. Vinyl and her mother were too busy arguing to notice, however. Octavia then grabbed her phone back from Vinyl, causing the two other mares to look at her. The cellist quickly dialed in Caramel's number and waited for him to pick up. "Hello-" Was all Caramel got through before Octavia blew up. "CARAMEL! WHAT IS CELESTIA'S NAME ARE YOU DOING?! WHY DO YOU KEEP CONTACTING PONIES WHO KNOW VINYL! THIS IS NOT OKAY!" Octavia screamed into the phone. Octavia put the phone on loudspeaker so everypony in the room could hear his response. "I just don't want to lose you!" Caramel yelled from the other end. "Vinyl and I aren't even dating!" Octavia yelled. Vinyl's mother opened her mouth to protest but Octavia waved her hoof up as a signal to wait. "How would I know that? You could be lying!" Caramel replied. "You did this before! With Bon Bon! You took action before actually speaking to anypony!" "Would you stop bringing that up?!" Caramel yelled. "No! You kissed one of my friends because you thought I was dating them! That is not an okay thing to do Caramel! And now you are contacting everypony and trying to ruin Vinyl's life for the same reason!" Octavia screamed again, "Why do you keep doing this with everypony I talk to?!" "Maybe he thinks he's not good enough for you," Vinyl mumbled jokingly. "I am not stopping until Vinyl stops speaking to you!" Caramel said, ignoring everything else Octavia had asked. And with that, Octavia hung up the phone. "He... Actually kissed Bon Bon?" Vinyl's mother asked after a moment of silence. "Yes!" Everypony yelled. Vinyl's mother sighed and started walking out the door, "Next weekend, you two are going to come to Vinyl's old house. We are not done with this conversation," She said pointing at Vinyl and Octavia. And with that, the mother left. The ponies sat there in silence for a few minutes before Octavia started to walk out the door. "Where are you going Octy?" Vinyl asked. Octavia turned to Vinyl, "I am going to kill Caramel," ~•~•~•~•~ "He what?!" Beauty Brass asked in shock. Octavia had gone back to her home, only to find Caramel had fled but not before leaving a very creepy love note in the kitchen. After that, Octavia decided to go and talk to Beauty Brass again to let off some steam. "I know! He is so.... Unbelievable!" Octavia exclaimed. "Do you think Lucky Streak is going to help them?" Beauty Brass asked, fearfully. Octavia smiled, "No. I actually spoke to him yesterday, he's on our side," This caused Beauty to smile as well, "Good! That means we have something against Caramel," The two then took a sip of their tea. "Hey," Beauty Brass asked, "Now that you are going to meet Vinyl's family, when will she meet your's," "In due time," Octavia replied. Beauty Brass paused, "Wait. Caramel already contacted Vinyl's family and ex.... So does that mean-" Octavia's eyes went wide and she dropped the tea to the ground, "I'm next,"