I Am Octavia

by Matthias Ramsey

Interlude: Happy Late Birthday

Vinyl stood there for a while after she hung up. She didn't want to go home because she knew Octavia would ask her about what she'd said.
Her text chime sounded in her ears, and she pulled out her phone and looked.

When you're ready to talk, I'll listen.

Then she received two more messages: a picture and another text.
She opened the picture first. It was the package from the previous day, opened to reveal its contents: A small painting of Vinyl and Octavia, with the latter's forelegs around the former's shoulders, nuzzling her cheek. The painted Vinyl was blushing.
Feeling her cheeks grow hot, she opened the text.

Happy late birthday, Vinyl. Love ya.