Two's Company, Three's a Crowd

by Lithe Kamitatsy

Chapter Twenty-Six

The silence in the house was profound. The four simply stared at one another, unsure of what to say or do first. Vinyl looked at Octavia who, while she looked than she had ever seen in their time together. Kester's jaw was hanging slack off his head, and Madeline carried a similar expression. That is, until Madeline fainted.

"MOTHER!" Octavia yelled, practically leaping over the table.

"MADDY!" Kester quickly reached over and caught her before she hit the ground.

"WOAH!" Vinyl said, rushing over to help him.

"Vinyl, help me take Maddy over ta' the couch in tha' livin' room...Octavia, you an' I are goin' ta' have a talk." Kester said firmly as Vinyl helped him take his unconscious wife. Octavia sat in stunned silence, her mind having completely shut down from the shock of her mother keeling over. Kester and Vinyl laid Madeline out on the couch with a cover over her, letting her rest.

"I'll go get her some water." Vinyl said. She hurried back into the kitchen, and found herself alone. "Octy?" She noticed the kitchen door wide open, and began to panic. "KESTER! Octy's gone!"

"What?!" Kester barged into the kitchen to find the same scene that Vinyl did. He took a few steps out the door, and looked off into the distance, seeing a figure running into the nearby forest. "...Stay here with Maddy. A'll go get Octavia." He then charged off, the ground shaking slightly as the stallion raced after his daughter. A' know exactly where she's headed. She used ta' do this many times as a child...

Octavia rushed through the brush, following the path she always took when she wanted to be alone. She pushed through the foliage, heading over rocks and tree-roots, until she finally found it: A small clearing with several thick tree roots she would sit on and simply take in the sounds of the forest until she calmed down. If there was ever a time she needed it, it was now.

I have not seen Papa that angry in a long time... She thought back to the look on her father's face at that moment, and felt warm tears stinging at her cheeks. Why does this always happen? Why is this so difficult? She questioned, lowering her head into her forelegs as her emotions got the better of her.

"Octavia?! Octavia, A' know yer here! Please, A'm not mad at ye!" Kester yelled as he searched through the bush. He then stood quietly as he heard the sounds of gentle crying in the distance. He closed in on the source of the sound, and finally found Octavia, laying on a large tree-root, crying to herself. "Thank goodness yer okay, Octavia...ye scared me half ta' death!" he said as he trotted up to her. "Now now, my little one...don' cry...A'm not mad at ye..." he said, wrapping his forelegs around her as he softly ran a hoof comfortingly up and down her back.

"I-Is Mother okay? Please tell me she is alright..." Octavia pleaded.

"A' course she is. It'll take a lo' more than tha' to bring yer mother down...and A'm sorry if A' scared ye. A' was just frightened for yer mother. She's the love o' my life, and A' don't know what A'd do without 'er...without both o' ye for tha' matter." He leaned over and gave Octavia a comforting kiss on the top of her head.

"You looked so upset...it felt like I did something horrible to her...I-I-" Octavia could not continue as she broke down in her father's forelegs.

"It's alright, Octavia...ye don't need ta' worry...there's no way anythin' ye do could ever make us dislike ye' or anythin' o' the sort..." He then lifted Octavia's face to his, staring into the violet eyes that he had given her. "A' remember the day ye were born and ye opened yer eyes for the first time...A' knew then that I was in love. Ma' own little baby filly...Ma' own little 'Tavi," he smiled, gently planting a kiss on her forehead. Octavia smiled, leaning her head against her father's neck, feeling her worries drift away with the tears. "Come, let's go home..."

As the two walked, Octavia began to think. "Why did Mother pass out? I understand that it is big news, but to pass out so suddenly was alarming...has she been well?"

Kester sighed as he dug up the painful memory. "Well, A' can guarantee this: she is the happiest mare in the land right now. Yer' givin' her a grandchild, a new addition to the family...one she could not give herself."

"What do you mean?" Octavia asked, confused.

"Shortly after ye moved out, we felt tha' the house was a lil' too quiet, and made the decision ta' hav' another foal...unfortunately, things didn't go quite as we'd hoped. If A' remember correctly, the doctor said it was an 'ectopic pregnancy', and when tha' happens, the baby doesn't grow where it should. They had ta' operate to remove it, an' she recovered fine...but the damage had already been done." He then let out a heavy sigh. "...Yer mother can't have children anymore, Octavia. The bad pregnancy left her sterile."

"What?" Octavia whispered in disbelief.

"It's the truth, dear...believe me, A' wish it wasn't. It was very difficult for awhile, but she is much better now. She still has you, and she's about ta' get a grandchild ta' boot," he grinned as he nudged Octavia slightly, who smiled. Once they re-entered the house, they found Madeline sitting up and chatting with Vinyl. They both looked up, and before Madeline could say anything, Vinyl quite literally launched herself at Octavia.

“OCTY! Are you crazy?! What were you THINKING rushing off into the forest like that!? What if you had gotten attacked by some crazy bear-tiger thing!? What about the baby, huh!?” Vinyl yelled. She was so upset that she placed one hoof on Octavia’s forehead, and brought the other down forcefully on top of it.

“OW! Vinyl, what was that for?!” Octavia yelped, backing up a bit.

“Because I was WORRIED about you and you freaked me out, that’s what!” Vinyl yelled. To Octavia’s ultimate surprise, tears were dripping off her chin.

“Vinyl…are you crying?” Octavia asked softly.

"N-No! Shut up!" Vinyl said, turning away to wipe her face.

"Vinyl..." Octavia said with a soft smile. "It is alright to cry, you know...I will not think any less of you."

"Crying? Who's crying?" Vinyl said, having wiped her eyes clean. "Pssh, crying. Totally not my thing."

Octavia smiled, trotting up to her and giving her a kiss on the cheek, blushing all the while. "Thank you for worrying about me..."

"Why wouldn't I worry about you, Octy? I do love you after all." Vinyl said with a blush.

"I know...and I love you as well." Octavia winked.

"Well isn't this just precious?" Kester said, somewhat ruining the moment. "Kinda reminds ye o' us, don't it Maddy?"

"In more ways than one." She then saw Vinyl grin at the same time Kester did, seeing an almost mirror image. "And there it is." Octavia then trotted up to her mother, and looked her in the eyes.

"I am sorry about making you faint...I hope you are not upset with me..." Octavia said, staring at her hooves.

"Octavia, do you really think I'm that petty? That I would hate my own daughter for having a child with the pony she loves? You give me far too little credit, dear." Madeline chuckled. "I could not be happier for you, dear. Have you two made decisions on a foaling shower?"

"Oh! That reminds me- Vinyl's mother Marianna wanted you to send her a letter so the two of you could coordinate over the foaling shower. She lives in Echelon Gardens." Octavia said.

"Echelon Gardens?! Just what kind of family do you come from, Vinyl?" Madeline asked, completely shocked that a mare with such a modern appearance would come from a high-class family.

"Well, she is the daughter of Rolando Staccato...you know who he is...I used to talk about him all the time as a filly..." Octavia blushed.

"S-Staccato!? I've met him a few times when he performed at the Hippodrome- he is a FANTASTIC violinist! How interesting! I remember the last time he and I spoke his wife had just gotten pregnant with his child, and I was a few months along with you. What an amazing coincidence that you two would end up together."

"Life sure is crazy." Vinyl said, running a hoof on the back of her head.

"It sure is...Vincenza." Octavia snickered.

"URGH! I HAAAAATE THAT NAME! Why do you do this to me, Octy?!" Vinyl said, dragging her hooves down her face in disgust.

"Vincenza? Why that's a darling name. I don't see why you would be so against it." Madeline said, to which Octavia agreed.

"Well, for one, when you're as tomcoltish as myself, Vincenza can easily lead down the road to Vincent. So no, I am Vinyl and I will not respond if you call me Vincenza."

"But Vincenza, ye won't respond even if there's pie?" Kester said from the kitchen. Vinyl suddenly began to drool as an eye twitched.

"Okay...maybe just this once." She then dashed off into the kitchen to partake. Octavia and Madeline simply laughed at how easy it was to manipulate her.

"Come, let's go join her." Madeline said.

The two left the living room and entered the kitchen, taking seats around the table and eating together as a family.

Comments

[A sleepy brony]

Silly Vinyl, nopony can resist pie!

[Balancer]

Ha that was good very nice twist with the fainting well played sir

[kingqball]

Y U NO MAKE CHAPTHERS LONGER

FIRING ORBITAL MOAR CANNON
3
2
1
.
MMMMMMMMMMMMMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!

Yay it updated

[kommo1]

You know. Sometimes I think that Octy is not the only pony with there hormons running wild. Vinyl crying because Octy is gone for.. maybe.. 5 or 10 minutes?

[Bigotonoto]

I was about to sign out and then I see you updated (I am so glad I double checked) tiss great to see everything is coming up can't wait for the next chapter!

[WinterTwister]

lol
great chapter as always.
spike agrees.

[SureFreeD]

And beat the 'craap' out of 'em!

[SureFreeD]

And beat the 'craap' out of 'em!

[Fox-Sama]

its a little creepy that Octavia is with some one so much like her dad, but funny at the same time. I cant think if a really mean joke Vinyl can say LOL!!

Nice work on the chapter 40805 I do agree, your are fantastic. Longer chapters would be heavenly I will send you a Pie if you do

[Vanillacider]

Pinkie Pie?

[Brohoofaddiction]

OH, THANK CELESTIA FOR THIS FAN FICTION!

IT S SO BRILLIANT!

[Tchernobog]

Now that the announcements are out of the way... can't wait to see what's next

[GraffyHooves]

yayyy great chapter as always. sort comment cause i only have use of one hand. great job cant wait for next chapter

[The 5 legged dress]

The moar chapters that come the moar the audience that comes... Where is my hat I ran out of the key ingredients for cupcakes

[AWSOMEPOSSUM16]

I laughed, I cried, I want more. Can't wait for the next chapter!

[Phauxz]

Each new chapter is a high point in my day. This story is completely amazing.

[lol1759]

I changed my avatar, just for this fic.

I hope I don't disappoint.

[Artimae]

(Reposting since rollback caused removed comments. Sorry if double-post happens)

I must say thank you. This fic is one of the best written pieces I have ever had the pleasure of reading (And being a writer myself, it's very rare that I give out compliments without supplementary criticism; this fic needs none). This and My Little Dashie brought me to register here and write my own ponyfics (no shipping folks, sorry ) though it'll be a rather dramatic change from the current sci-fi series I'm used to writing. Again thank you, and keep it up

[Joker2014]

your story only makes me love vinyl even more ... if its even posible.

[palpiteitor]

i love this fic! i started reading it today and i didnt stop until the las chapter and i cant wait for more
http://juanrock.deviantart.com/#/d4dmhty
i did that for equestria daly's halloween contest, if you like my work i offer to do something related to this fic! as a way of saying thak you for sharing it

[Greasebrony]

Anything for pie man.

[Zero]

:D etc
This chapter gets a thu... (what's the equivalent of thumbs us? :o) from me :)

[Artimae]

41157 Wingboner.

[NoPityKitty]

I started reading this about 3 days ago... I could not stop, it was so brilliant!
It's a little sad that there is not more capters yet...
Please work hard, so I can enjoy every singel piece of the future capters!

[iFiredone]

t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRNcWzZRnv9fnfdnRGJJLUk8XAmVe0LfQIxX4-prMV4wUtOJXR9fTxKh4s
I need MOAR

[who149]

I'm not caught up yet. But I got to say something that I noticed. This is all really Freudian.

Vinyl's dad is a classical musical player, much like Octavia.
And Octavia's dad is very blunt and speaks his mind, much like Vinyl

[Dash Is Best Pony]

Da pie. Da pie zoundz gud. Vincenza wants.

[Stat_Booster]

This is the second time you have used medical knowlage to inhance you're stories(to my recolection)
you even knew that the procidure would cary that kinda risk...
Stupid sad fact of life...

[fearanger]

Vinyl is so pathetic!

[TheHappyBrony313]

40805 oh man not this again, sorry bro just have to

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cuck]

I like this story however I see two problems

1. You don't really let the reader think for themselves, as soon as a possible grey area arises, you immediately take away the suspense by explaining it. "I know exactly where she's headed, she did this all the time as a child." Well that's kind of obvious, normally people don't find it to be a good time to talk a nature walk when their mother passes out

2. The story is a bit to dramatic, like when Octavia comes back in and vinyl says she thought she could get mauled by a bear. However in my opinion this is a much smaller problem

I like the story though, that's why I have read this far

[BillyColt]

Alllllright, so I'm at something of the halfway point. Now I think it might be nice to give my detailed thoughts. Now, as your FIRST FANFIC EVER, it's certainly better than my early attempts at writing. Now, my thoughts will be kinda running off the top of my head with no particular organization, but here goes nothin'. Now, let's start with the fun stuff - things that bug me.

Maaaaaaaaaan the very premise. Magical lesbian pregnancy. Hoooooooooo boy aren't we playing hard and fast with biology, eh? Couple blokes who know about biology could ramble on in detail about why, exactly, two sexes are needed for reproduction. But if we're going to read this we can't get all hung up on that or it'll taint the entire thing. Besides, I'm not a biologist so I don't know the particulars of the chromosomes or whatever. Magic, fine, sure.

Oh, I am always antsy about shippings. Here we center on three. We have pairing that's very popular and done a whoooooooole lot, that pairing that's pretty much the fandom's near-universally-accepted ship that's actually referenced in the show and... Twixie. So many lesbians. I sad. Colts don't get any love. More on Twixie later.

So, first thing on the strengths: characterization. I like these characterizations, both for the background characters/OCs and the canon characters - for the canon characters I like your Pinkie the most, though the fourth wall-breaking thing is a bit of a stretch. She doesn't really do that in the show. Just a couple iris-out gags in two episodes, no actual addressing the audience or medium. I think your portrayal of Vinyl is my favorite in this fic.

Paradoxically, while you have good characterizations, I find the dialogue is a bit... off. I tend to run things through the "do people talk like this?" test. I think a lot of this might be more towards the beginning and it gets better later, cause I found myself scratching my head less later. Same with typographical errors.

Now, more conceptually... you rush a lot of things. For example, Rolando's homophobic "I DISOWN YOU" thing is resolved awfully quickly. Similar thing with the whole spat between Lyra and Octavia. It sets up their friendship, but as a conflict it's over very quickly.

On that note, there are some "feels" that are a bit forced. One example that occurred to me was the widower that finds new solace because of their child. A similar thing is with Kester and Maddy's relationship - how she gets all moved by his harp performance. You kinda lay it on a bit thick how she's all moved. I just suggest a "less is more" approach.

Going back to positives, Kester is the best OC pony I have ever seen. Ever. He is awesome, and I hope he continues to be awesome in this story.

I also just find it a bit odd about how some of the ponies seem fairly blasé about the whole "oh, I'm actually pregnant by my girlfriend." I mean, I get that it'd be annoying to explain it every time, but it just seems odd how almost nopony seems confused about how the pregnancy is able to exist.

Now, allow me to be petty. Fuck Twixie. It's the worst pairing this fandom has ever dreamed up. It's terrible terrible terrible. Though I guess I can appreciate that you used as your basis a fic that attempted to give some kind of justification as opposed to, say, "Of Mares and Magic" or "Out in the Cold," which go with the "one of them has inexplicable unexplained feelings for the other," which is utter bullshit. But still, even so, when Trixie gave that pet-name for Twilight I cringed. Painful, painful, painful. You've stated that you intend to sell me on the ship. Welp, good luck. As it is, I don't know how Twilight can stand to be in the same building as that thing, let alone have sex with it. Fuck Twixie. Stupid dumb ship.

Anyway, I look forward to continuing reading once I get this school stuff out of the way.

[SpikedPunch]

40803 you sound like... sorin!?

[paper bag wizard]

the cool thing about vinyl and octavia is that there background are open for interpretation, i have read some that octavia grew up in a strict household, while vinyl is a orphan, and grew up on the streets. this is a good background of them keep up the good work.

[BananaPancakes1]

40813 right? ohmagawsh. drama bones :P

[gezzerwerp]

Again very good chapter really cute

[CharmingChaos]

Yeah...
Pie kinda has the same effect on me.

[kanothepegasus44]

Its funny how octavias parents were just like vinyl and tavi when they were going out

[The Princess Rarity]

Haha, I love Octy's parents How creative of you to make Vinyl come from an upper-crust family and Octy a low-class fam. Nice one.

[Kapuchu]

40803
DID SOMEPONY SAY PIE!
images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111221172856/mlp/images/5/51/Soarin'_%22My_pie!%22_S1E26.png

[PinkiePieCupCakeSlayer]

Oh my od.. You hve no idea how many times you've made me die of laughter

[Dustchu]

Well done chapter! And lol, that ending XD hahaha.
nice