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Chapter 13,753 words
Chapter 24,828 words
Chapter 38,969 words

Chapter 2

Chapter 2:

Spike the dragon meant well.

Those words should be kept well in mind when you take into account the many shenanigans the young drake had gotten himself into throughout his life. Sure, he had a knack for pulling a few pranks, possessed a sarcastic personality at times, and had at one time grew into a gargantuan beast that caused a wee bit of havoc in Ponyville for a short period. But not with any real malicious intent, or any sinister goals, it's just sometimes we can all get a little caught in the moment. (Excluding a foiled attempt to frame an owl for fake rodent murder.)

As he cracked his scaled knuckles and prepared for a favorite little number of his, Spike took notice of a less than enthusiastic mare in his peripherals. He had gotten to know her long enough to pick up on the fact that this wasn't the kind of thing she had in mind when she had first silently asked him to perform with her again. She had boundaries that she didn't like crossed, an image that she focused hard on maintaining, and rules that the mare tried to follow.

If you've ever had the fortune to meet, and get to know a dragon you would learn quickly that rules, and boundaries don't sit well with them. So with a slightly mischievous glint in his emerald eyes, Spike's fingers glided to their destined places among the various keys of the piano. The humble and quite auditorium was suddenly filled with the sound of a piano riff. As he played the riff a second time Spike's small grin started to spread wider as he noticed his company's left ear twitch slightly. After a third time his face was contorted to a full toothy smile, the small glare he felt burning into the back of his head was plenty of evidence that she knew the exact song he planned on making her listen too. As he came to terms with the straight fact that this would end with her slightly irritated with him, Spike decided to add on to the rare spectacle that is watching a dragon play the piano.

As the words to timeless classic escaped from his lips, I ask that all of you keep in mind that Spike the dragon truly meant well.

“Just take those old records off the shelf, I'll sit and listen to ‘em by myself.”

If it was feasibly possible, that irate glare he knew she was giving him intensified even more so. Turning his head around to make eye contact with the gray pony, Spike couldn’t help but notice mulberry irises flashing with disapproval as they met with his own. Irises that sat in eyes now narrowed as the mare decided she didn't like the way her fellow music enthusiast was now looking at her.

“Today's music ain't got the same soul, I like that old time rock ‘n’ roll!” And with that last uttered lyric Spike leaned slightly toward the now suspicious cello player. Making no audible sound that could be heard above the piano's notes, and the dragon's excellent on key singing, a scaled tail made it's move.

The music was only overtaken by a surprised *squeak* for the slightest of seconds before the young dragon found himself sharing his seat with a red faced mare. Any attempt the pony might have made at escape was cut short by the purple tail that held her in place akin to a drunk friend's arm around your shoulder as he drinks merrily. Her outraged glare did little to halt Spike's smiling face, and his happy singing.

“Don't try to take me to a disco, you'll never even get me out on the floor.” Honestly Spike loved all kinds of music, but his compatriot could do with a little stepping out of her comfort zone. “In ten minutes I'll be late for the door, I like that old time rock ‘n’ roll!” As he swayed with the music Spike's scaled form leaned into his friend's now still body, he couldn't image anypony not enjoying themselves in this situation.

Would you believe me if I said a very particular pony was not enjoying the situation she now found herself in the slightest?

Well perhaps that's a bit of an exaggeration, the truth is Octavia didn't completely hate the scenario that had sprung on her, and that was where the problem laid. It was hard to believe that it had been five weeks since Spike had first walked in on her practicing, it felt more like nearly 222 days had gone by. Admittedly the dark maned mare found herself looking forward to the day that her lone practicing was replaced by the duets they played together, as well as the extra help he had been providing. Being a librarian’s assistant Spike couldn't keep himself from offering his aid with cleaning, and maintaining the music room. The extra help meant less work for Octavia, more time for music, and of course getting to hear the drake's interesting view of the world. Despite his teenage years Spike held a wisdom that rarely occurred in youth in the same stage of life as he was, and easily held conversation with Octavia whenever she was in a speaking mood (something that had been occurring more than usual).

Of course that's where the problem was when you got down to it. Octavia was a mare that had been raised to stand on a pedestal carved from dignity, refinement, and had to this point maintained a belief that others should be kept at a arms distance physically and emotionally. And yet despite the pedestal she struggled to stay firmly placed upon, despite how proper mares her age were supposed to behave in situations placed before them, she constantly found herself losing her composure around this dragon. She thought of him more often than was appropriate, she spoke to him more than any other creature, she couldn't even look into his eyes for more than a few seconds without her heart skipping a beat. She was a composed adult mare that radiated dignity...and she was crushing on him like a school filly.

That couldn't have been truer than at this moment, as she was sure the blush on her face clashed horribly with the color of her fur. Now she was trapped sitting next to him while he continued to sing on completely oblivious to the effects his close proximity was having on her. Octavia would have glared at Spike as hard as she could if the firm, yet gentle grip of his tail wasn't making her heat up unbearably, as well as him leaning into her.

“I reminisce about the days of old, with that old time rock ‘n’ roll!” As Spike began to play a mad piano solo a second pair of hands..err hooves began to tap keys erratically most likely in an attempt to catch his attention. His claws still dancing across the appropriate keys Spike turned his focus to his peeved looking musical assistant. “Having fun?”

Instead of replying Octavia opted for hitting the same keys as Spike, hoping to squash his clawed fingers under her hooves. A harder task than initially expected, since her unwillingness to bring any actual harm to the instrument aided Spike's already speedy playing.

“Oh fine, have it your way then.” With a final sweep across the keyboard with his left hand Spike ended the song, and his tail lifted off of the unamused mare. Despite having his musical styling prematurely ended, Spike's face still glowed with humor as he locked eyes with a sour looking Octavia. “Happy now?”

“...”

With a grin Spike rolled his eyes as Octavia continued to scowl even as she moved from next to him to put some distance between them. He knew that the hole he had dug for himself was only going to get deeper with his continued amusement, but seeing a normally mature, and dignified mare pout in such a manner was just too much. “Okay, so perhaps that wasn't exactly 'Whispers Of Time' but it could be argued that the two songs are similar.”

“.........!” Perhaps not, but Octavia probably should have expected the imaginative dragon to pull something like this. He possessed a rebellious tint sprinkled with a bit of spontaneity, a trait that she found irksome yet at the same time irritatingly alluring. Standing next to her dependable cello, the gray mare decided that her scaled friend could do with some quiet time.

“The cold shoulder routine, possibly Octavia's most effective weapon.” Taking note that she had turned away from him completely, Spike stifled a renegade chuckle that threatened to express just how funny this situation had become to him. Who wouldn't find the idea of a dragon being punished with a time out by the hooves of a musician humorous? It worked effectively since Spike could admit that the idea of Octavia being silently upset with him was less than pleasing, but he also knew how to rectify the situation. Irritated with him or not, Octavia wasn't immune to a little bribery and groveling. “Okay, how much dusting am I going to have to do to get back on your good side?”

Octavia didn't even bat an eyelash as she tuned her cello, and inspected her hooves. She wasn't going to let him get off easy this time, maybe then he'd learn his lesson.

“What if I tune all of the instruments, and dust the entire room?” Spike's smirk dropped a bit as what was usually his ace in the hole was completely disregarded. His tail tapped against the floor as he wondered just what it was going to take to get back in his friends good graces.

Pretending to look around the room with complete disinterest, Octavia spared a glance at the young dragon. Now it was time for her amusement as she noticed Spike's visible discomfort, she failed to suppress the small smile that was forming on her face. The thought that he cared enough about being in her good favor was actually flattering, so she would have to make sure her demands weren't too outrageous. As she pondered on just making Spike sweat it out a bit more before finally just taking him up on his offer, a sudden growling cut off her train of thought. In an instant Octavia was glad that her expression wasn't easily visible to the purple dragon as she realized that her stomach was voicing it's troubles to all that would listen.

Spike was sure he hadn't imagined the noise that seemed to originate from his friend. He noticed that Octavia had stopped for a second as the groan of an empty tummy echoed within the large room. The gears in his head turned rapidly as he thought up a possible solution to his punishment, it was just crazy enough to work. “You know, a bite to eat sure does sound good right now.”

Octavia's focus seemed to stay targeted on the cello she now refused to turn away from.

“Maybe I could possibly treat you to lunch...if you're interested?” Spike's grin returned as he noticed not one, but both gray ears twitch for a moment. He had his solution, but now he was presented with wondering just how much it was going to cost him. “Maybe that sandwich shop down the street, I hear they're doing a special on side orders.”

A uninterested snort came as Spike's only reply, Octavia wasn't going to be bought off with hayfries. Though free food in any form was nice, a mare had to have her standards when it came to negotiating.

With a sigh Spike decided that he was going to need to bust out the big guns. Knowing he was going to miss the bits he was about to spend, the young dragon spoke the name of a place that nopony could turn down. “How about we go to Pony Joe's?”

Proper mares may not willing to give ground for some hayfries, but Pony Joe's was a complete different story. Joe didn't just make donuts, he crafted frosting covered masterpieces in the form of rings. The pastries there were so good that there was a well believed rumor that the goddess of the sun herself had called forth an investigation concerning just what the skilled unicorn was putting into the food he served. So with all the restraint that she could muster Octavia finally turned to face Spike, and simply said. “I suppose that will do.”

And just like that Spike was out of the doghouse, and found himself walking down Canterlot's streets with a gray mare in tow. As they walked side by side toward their destination, it dawned on Spike that this was the first time that he and Octavia had been anywhere outside of the music hall together. He couldn't help but grin as he wondered if that meant they would possibly do this kind of thing more often.

Octavia herself was much too caught up with pondering on just what to have the drake purchase for her to realize how close the two were as they walked together. Any random passerby could make the mistake of thinking that they were childhood friends, or possibly even a couple. Thankfully if any ponies did assume such a thing, they kept their thoughts to themselves, and merely smiled as they passed the merry duo.

It wasn't long before Spike was now holding the door open for the gray mare, who smiled in appreciation and offered a quiet “Thank you.” The divine smell of well made caffeinated drinks, and freshly baked donuts wafted into both newcomer's nostrils. The serene look that Spike and Octavia shared having reached their destination was only interrupted by a mare's voice.

“Welcome to Pony Joe's! What can I get for you?”

Spike had been expecting to hear Joe's gruff salutation, or even a casual “Sup Spike!” from Joe's easygoing son Bean, who he had named after his younger brother that had passed away. Behind the counter stood neither Joe or his son, but instead a dark forest green unicorn with a green mane that was a few shades lighter than the rest of her which was kept in place with a red scrunchie. Though it was weird seeing a pony other than Joe or Bean working behind the counter, Spike figured she must have been hired to help around the shop. Feeling a second gaze on him, Spike turned his head to see Octavia glancing at him with an odd look. It suddenly dawned upon him that he hadn't asked his companion what she had wanted yet.

“So...what did you want me to get you anyways?” Not the smoothest way to ask, but Octavia didn't seem to mind as she looked over the different specials Pony Joe's was advertising on a bulletin that hung above the green mare's head.

“I'll have a french vanilla cappuccino with whipped cream, and a drizzle of caramel.” Spike had expected Octavia to merely point out what she wanted, or somehow use him as a messenger when it came to placing her order. So it came as quite the surprise hearing the gray mare speak so calmly, and clearly to somepony besides himself. “I'll take a Ursa paw as well with the cinnamon and sugar icing.”

With a nod the green unicorn pressed a few button on the cash register, then looked up toward Octavia with a questioning expression. “Do you want the Ursa Minor paw, or the Ursa Major paw?”

Taking note that the major was a few bits more, Octavia took a quick glance toward Spike before a small grin spread on her face. “I think I'd like to give the Ursa Major a try.”

After tapping a few buttons the register beeped, and the green mare smiled brightly before holding her left hoof out toward her customer. “That'll be five bits, ma’am.”

At that Octavia merely motioned toward the purple dragon standing next to her. “He'll be paying for my order, don't worry he's a good tipper.” The extended hoof immediately moved toward Spike who after a second began grumbling to himself as he procured the necessary bits. “I'll go find a seat while you place your own.”

Now being left at the counter with the still unnamed unicorn, Spike just asked for a mocha breve as well as a few cake donuts with maple frosting.

“That'll be two bits, handsome, I'll go get your orders started real quick.” And with that the green pony pranced past the door leading to the kitchen leaving Spike to ponder where Joe had found such a nice mare to work for him. Ever since getting married Joe had made it clear that he wanted his little shop to stay a family business, which is how Bean found himself either in the kitchen, or behind the counter instead of running amok with his young friends.

A minute later the mare returned though she had an apologetic expression on her face. “I'm sorry to say that we're fresh out mocha, is there anything else that you would like instead?”

“Oh really? Well I don't really know about the rest of the stuff here, is there anything that you would recommend miss....”

“It's Cream, Irish Cream. It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Mister Dragon, and I can honestly say that the caramel macchiato is totally out of this world.”

While he thought over the mentioned beverage, Spike failed to notice that Irish had leaned over the counter a bit in an attempt to catch his eye. “You can call me Spike, miss Cream, and I'll take you up on that macchiato if it's as good as you say.”

Irish's face brightened considerably after hearing Spike state his name. “You wouldn't happen to be the same Spike that Uncle Joe talks about every now and then, would you?”

Spike's expression turned to confused, he wasn't aware that Joe had any nieces or nephews running around. Sure he knew that Joe had a younger sister, but last he heard she was just now expecting and this mare must have been around his age. “Most likely, I didn't know that Joe had any family working here besides Bean.”

“I'm Hazelnut's niece, since step-uncle Joe is taking her out for their twelve year anniversary I'm stepping in for him. So if you're the same Spike that Joe talks about, that means you know the Princess right?” Irish's appreciating gaze was now starting to catch Spike's attention as he suddenly felt his face heating up.

“Yeah, you could say that, Celestia pretty much raised me since I was hatched.” Spike nearly face-palmed having remembered that Joe's wife Hazelnut had been more than happy to help with the coffee shop. Of course she would have some family members willing to lend a hoof if asked.

“Wow, really?! It must have been nice getting to live in the castle, and pretty much being royalty as a kid.” Spike attempted to avoid eye contact with the blue-eyed unicorn that was practically falling over the counter as she leaned toward him.

“I wouldn't say royalty, it was certainly nice though.” Feeling a familiar glare on the back of his head Spike realized that Octavia was still waiting for him to return with their food. “Ummm, I probably shouldn’t keep my friend waiting, so how's that order of hers coming along?”

“Ohmygoodness! I completely spaced that! Sorry I'll be right back!” In a flash Irish ran back into the kitchen , and the sound of kitchen appliances being messed with reached Spike's ears. After only a minute Irish returned with a steaming cappuccino floating alongside her, as well as a freshly made Ursa claw. “Here's her food, Spike, you can leave the two bits on the counter and I'll just bring your order to you once it's finished.”

After thanking Irish, Spike took the two items in his claws and used his tail to leave the two bits for his order along with an extra two bits for a tip. After sending a wink his way Irish ran back into the kitchen promising that the macchiato would be worth the wait. Spike turned around to see Octavia seated at a booth across the room, he was hoping to be met with an approving smile.

Not so much.

As she watched the green maned unicorn shamelessly flirt with Spike, Octavia refused to believe that the frown slowly forming on her face was due to jealousy. It's not like that tart was even Spike's type....right? Noticing that the two's conversation had gone on longer than was necessary to buy some crummy donuts, Octavia decided that she didn't care. If Spike wanted to make goo goo eyes with some random unicorn he just met in a donut shop that was fine with her. The only reason she was now trying to burn a hole in the back of his head with her eyes was because she was tired of waiting for her darn Ursa claw. “Should have bought something more expensive.”

As Spike finally headed to the booth she had picked, it occurred to Octavia that she might be acting a bit silly. It's not like they were a couple or anything, and they had only really known each other for a handful of weeks. Though she barely toned down the scowl she set on the approaching dragon, Octavia decided that being upset with Spike wasn't going to make her feel any better.

“Heheh, sorry for the wait, Irish kinda forgot your order for a moment there.” Spike scratched the back of his head sheepishly after setting Octavia's consumables before her, taking a seat himself across the table. As he eyed Octavia's delicious looking Ursa claw, he was completely unaware of the sour look that crossed the mare's face the moment he mentioned the green unicorn's name.

And now he was on a first name basis with this stranger. Whether being upset with Spike was going to make her feel better or not, Octavia quickly snatched the Ursa claw between her hooves and bit into the warm dough viciously. It was considered unladylike for a mare to imagine she was biting the head off somepony she didn't think well of, but what other ponies didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them.

“That Ursa claw sure does look good, it better be considering how much it cost.” Spike's obvious mock annoyance was answered with a small growl, and the mare’s continued mauling of the unfortunate pastry. For some reason Spike couldn't help but think that somehow he had ended up back in the doghouse. As he tried to work out a reason to how he had managed that without even knowing, Irish re-entered the room and made her way toward the odd looking couple.

“Here's that macchiato I promised you, sweetie!” Before thanking Irish, Spike couldn't help but notice how Octavia's eyes narrowed toward the green unicorn, and she gave the Ursa claw another fierce bite.

“Thanks Irish, it looks like my friend here is really enjoying her food so I'm sure I'll enjoy mine.” As he spoke Spike watched Octavia roll her eyes, and give the cappuccino a bigger sip than she probably should have. Whether the hot drink burned her tongue or not was a mystery to the drake as she went right back to tearing into the lump in front of her, all the while keeping a piercing glare on the oblivious unicorn.

Irish giggled in reply, and instead of heading straight back to her post, she gave a wink toward Spike before finally making her way back to the counter. The wink had caused Octavia to take a particularly fearsome looking bite out of what was left of the horribly mauled baked good.

As he watched Octavia finish off what remained of her lunch a sudden realization struck him so hard that he nearly dropped his first donut. Seeing the the terse way that she had ordered her food, the sudden funk that she seemed stuck in, and the way that she had glared daggers at Irish. Spike had to fight off the urge to strike himself on the head for being so completely ignorant, it was no wonder that Twilight had once told him that his understanding of mares was equivalent to the number of books within the library that she still hadn't read. The odd situation that Spike found himself in was actually his fault in every sense, he was so busy enjoying the trip to Joe's and making a new friend that he was blind to Octavia's issue.

Octavia was socially awkward, and him dragging her out in public like this was probably upsetting her. It was just like how Twilight had acted when they had first arrived in Ponyville, running around with no clue how to act around all the ponies being so friendly to her. When Spike first met Octavia he had bumbled into a pony's personal sanctuary from the city of strangers outside, and by some miracle he had befriended her when others had failed. And here he was chatting away with random unicorns ignorant to the fact that Octavia was uncomfortable, and possibly in fear of losing her friend. As all the pieces fell into place Spike's mind instantly formulated a solution to his dilemma.

Taking a large gulp from her now lukewarm cappuccino Octavia hadn't noticed that her scaled friend had moved from his current spot to sit right next to her, that is until she felt an arm drape itself around her shoulders. The physical contact nearly caused her to spew french vanilla all over the table if she hadn't kept herself in check, though that left her sitting still as a statue with puffed out cheeks as she made eye contact with a beaming Spike. “...!”

“Octavia I am truly sorry.”

“..?” Swallowing down the still present caffeinated beverage Octavia wasn't sure what to be bothered with first. Spike's intrusion into her personal bubble once again, the levels of embarrassment she felt from being face to face with a mouth full of coffee, or the apology brought on by seemingly nothing.

“I'm serious, I dragged you here without even taking your feelings into consideration. A true friend would have noticed that something has been bothering you since we left the music hall.” Taking note of the confused expression on the mare's face, Spike continued on intent to fix the problem he had created. “So how about you give me a chance to redo this whole scenario, this time without me botching the whole thing up?”

“R-redo?” Octavia had finally found her voice, but it seemed the best she could muster was a single worded reply. She figured that now was the time to enlighten the young dragon that she was over what had been bugging her, before things got out of hoof.

“You heard me right, we'll go somewhere else to eat together.”

Or he could say that, and the powers that be could lead a certain earth pony to reach the wrong conclusion. “Did he just ask.....?!” A sudden light-headed feeling came over Octavia and it took all that she had to resist squeaking in surprise. Logically he must have meant it in a different way, logically she should turn down the offer since she felt a dozen butterflies suddenly doing sonic rainbooms within her now fed stomach.

“So Octavia will you accept my apology and allow me to take you to eat sometime?” So caught up in trying to repair the imaginary damage he had done, Spike's brain didn't register the implications that would surely rise from his question.

Staring wide eyed at Spike like a doe in caught in the headlights, Octavia's could only nod slowly despite what logic dictated. Calm dignity had fled the scene once Spike had put his arm around her like a good friend, and proper brain function seemed to be down for maintenance.

“Apology accepted....and it’s a d-date.”

End of Chapter:

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Chapter 13,753 words
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Chapter 2