“I . . . you . . . how dare you!” Octavia spluttered. “How dare you hold our relationship hostage to get your way!”
“Oh yeah? How dare you try and force me into doing something I don't wanna do? You've been acting like I'm a piece of freaking luggage you can pack up and move whenever you want,” Vinyl snapped back.
The two seething mares held each other's gaze, glaring harshly all the while. It was Octavia who looked away first, ears flattened. “I guess I didn't really take your feelings on the matter into consideration, did I?” she asked sheepishly.
“Not really,” Vinyl replied shortly, sitting stiffly and not really looking at her companion.
“I-I'm sorry, Vinyl,” Octavia quietly admitted. “I guess I'm being the unreasonable one here, expecting you to just be perfectly fine with moving somewhere so different from what you're accustomed to.”
Vinyl's posture softened slightly as she said, “Well, it was pretty lame of me to threaten to make you leave me. I'm sorry too, Tavi. I hope you know I didn't mean it.”
Octavia finally turned her head to make eye contact with Vinyl, wearing a tentative smile that Vinyl shakily returned.
“I want you to tell me something, Tavi; why do you suddenly wanna move away from Canterlot so bad? I mean, I thought you really wanted to get your musical career back on track and all,” Vinyl asked.
“I'm just . . . tired, I guess is the best way to phrase it. It's been months now since the Gala and I'm still practically blacklisted all through Canterlot. I got lucky and Fancy Pants was willing to hire me that one time, but that was because the cellist he originally hired had to back out. Ever since the fire I've been working so hard; I've been to hundreds of auditions and tryouts, I've applied to every quartet, ensemble and symphony, I've begged and pleaded and explained my situation time and time again and it just doesn't matter. Nopony cares at all. Sometimes I think you're the only pony in Equestria who doesn't think I'm a colossal disgrace and failure,” Octavia said as she stared sightlessly down at the table.
“Tavi . . .” Vinyl said softly as she reached across the table to lay a hoof on Octavia's. “Why didn't you tell me any of this? I thought we agreed not to hide our feelings from each other anymore. Hay, I thought I was the only one who was feeling bad about not being able to get a job.”
“I just didn't want to admit it to myself,” Octavia sighed. “I thought that if I kept trying it would eventually get better. But I can't take it anymore, Vinyl. It hurts, being rejected time and time again for something that truly isn't my fault. And I got so worried about running out of money and getting kicked out. I was afraid . . . forgive me, Vinyl . . . I was afraid that you would leave me if that happened.”
“You don't have to worry about that, Treble Clef. You know I wouldn't leave you,” Vinyl reassured her.
“Even if I decide I want to move to Ponyville?” Octavia asked uncertainly.
Vinyl looked away, embarrassed, and sighed. “We both know I'd follow you to Tartarus if I had to,” she murmured quietly enough so that only they could hear. “It hurts to think about leaving behind what's probably the only chance I'm gonna get at making it big, but you're more important to me in the end.”
“I don't know what I ever did to deserve you. I'm sorry I doubted your loyalty, Vinyl. You deserve so much better than that,” Octavia said with an uplifted heart. “I'm not going to insist on you agreeing to move anywhere, and especially not here. After all, we've only been visiting here for less than a day. It would be quite foalish to make a decision so quickly. All I ask is that you think about it, alright?”
“Ok, Tavi,” Vinyl agreed. “I know you're just trying to do what's best for us both. I'll try not to be such a stubborn mule anymore, either.”
“Thank you, Vinyl. I'll try not to take your agreement with me for granted again. You're a pony too, after all. You deserve to have your opinions respected.”
“Glad to hear it, Treble Clef. Now, I'm gonna live up to my promise; what'dya say we check out some more of Ponyville so that we can make a decision. Together.”
“That sounds lovely, my dear,” Octavia agreed. Together they left their table and, after paying their tab, walked side-by-side towards part of the unfamiliar town they hadn't explored yet.
“HI!” a shrill voice called out as confetti rained down on an empty table. A blindingly pink pony appeared a second later, apparently emerging from behind a particularly large flower planter. “Awww, they already left,” she pouted when she took in the lack of audience. “Darn it, I knew I shouldn't have put in that last batch of cupcakes; they made me late.”
“Well, I have to admit that I can understand your reluctance to want to live in Ponyville, Vinyl. It's certainly no Canterlot,” Octavia admitted as they walked down yet another dirt road between rows of identical rustic houses only occasionally interrupted by a more colorful storefront. One particularly prominent structure caught her attention, all elegant curves and glass windows showcasing what looked like an incredibly upscale array of dresses. “Look at that, Vinyl; it's just like a carousel,” she said admiringly. “Vinyl?” she called out questioningly when she realized that her companion was no longer keeping pace with her as she walked. Looking behind her, she saw Vinyl rooted to the spot, staring at the intriguing store with a confused expression.
“I think I've been there before,” she said slowly.
“Vinyl, don't be absurd. You said yourself that you've never been to Ponyville before,” Octavia replied.
“Yeah, I know. But still, I swear I remember that place.”
“A dress shop is hardly the kind of place I can see you frequenting,” Octavia observed.
Vinyl said nothing in reply as she continued to stare determinedly. Without warning she started walking at a surprisingly fast pace. “Vinyl, wait! You're just going to make a fool of yourself,” Octavia called as she trotted after her marefriend.
Vinyl barged in the door with all the decorum of a manticore, causing the bell suspended above the door to tinkle in response. Its tone summoned a call of “Be right there, darling,” from somewhere in the building.
“Vinyl, we have no business here. Let's go,” Octavia reprimanded. Vinyl waved her off with a silent shake of her head as she peered studiously around the store's stock of fashionable dresses as if trying to jog her memory. Her ruminations were interrupted by the emergence of another white unicorn from a drape-covered doorway. Unlike Vinyl's anarchic blue mane, this mare's deep purple mane was flawlessly arranged to offset eyes of sapphire blue. Her coat was clearly professionally tended to, pure and pristine and smooth. As soon as she laid eyes on Vinyl, though, a smile spread over face. “Miss Scratch, what a pleasure to see you again! What brings you to my humble boutique?” she asked.
“Vinyl, do you know this mare?” Octavia asked uncertainly.
Vinyl opened her mouth, desperately combing her memory for the elegant mare's name.
Regality? Regency? C'mon, Scratch, think!
“Oh my dear, do forgive me; my name is Rarity. Miss Scratch here once did me the great favor of providing music and lighting for a fashion show I put on.”
Hah! I knew it was something like that.
“My name is Octavia, and it's a pleasure to meet you as well,” Octavia replied.
The non-Vinyl unicorn let out a dramatic gasp before replying, “Octavia Philharmonica, the famous earth pony cellist?”
“Former famous earth pony cellist,” Octavia corrected. “I'm afraid I've been a little down on my luck since the Grand Galloping Gala.”
“Oh, how dreadfully unfortunate. What on Equestria happened? When last I heard you were quite the rising star in Canterlot,” Rarity asked.
“Well, my ensemble at the Gala was harassed by this truly obnoxiously pink mare who wanted us to play some ridiculous foal's song. We did so, much to the annoyance of the other guests. We ended up being held partially responsible for the fiasco that the Gala turned into and I found myself practically blacklisted and unable to find work afterward,” Octavia explained.
“The song you were asked to play wouldn't happen to have been the 'Pony Pokey', would it?” Rarity asked with forced lightness.
“Erm, yes, actually. How did you know that?” Octavia asked.
“I happened to be at the Gala this year and I believe I may have overheard your . . . performance,” Rarity answered with a brittle smile. “I must say, I saw the . . . fiasco, as you called it, unfold and I for one don't see how you could be blamed for any of it.”
“Well, the Canterlot high society needed someone to take their annoyance out on and I unfortunately lack the protection of position, rank or wealth,” Octavia replied with a tired sigh.
Rarity only tutted and shook her head. “I'm very sorry to hear about your misfortune. Might I ask what brings you to fair Ponyville, and in company of Miss Scratch at that?”
“Well, it's kinda related to what Tavi was talking about,” Vinyl piped up. “We're looking for a cheaper place to live than Canterlot. Neither one of us has work right now and it's getting sorta hard to pay the rent,” she said casually.
“Oh. You're looking for someplace together, then,” Rarity said with a knowing flutter of her eyes.
“Well, yes,” Octavia admitted with a blush.
“How long do you two intend to be in Ponyville, then?” Rarity asked.
“We're only visiting for the day, so we'll be heading back to Canterlot around sundown,” Octavia answered.
“I believe that's quite a bit in the future, darlings,” Rarity said as she cast a judging eye out the window and towards the horizon. “Since you have some time to spare, I don't suppose you would be willing to accompany me to meet a friend of mine, would you?”
“Vinyl, what is going on here? I thought you said you've never been to Ponyville before, but now not only have you been here, but you've put on a show here?” Octavia asked Vinyl quietly as they walked a short distance behind the elegant Rarity.
“Well, I sort of remember somepony hiring me to do some music and stuff for her. But I didn't really remember who she was. Or where,” Vinyl answered equally quietly.
“How do you forget something like that?” Octavia asked, shaking her head in disbelief.
“I may have been slightly drunk. Or a little more than slightly,” Vinyl admitted with a shrug of her shoulders.
“Ugh, why am I not surprised,” Octavia groaned.
“What can I say? DJ's party hardest,” Vinyl joked with a carefree grin.
“How long ago was this?” Octavia asked.
“It was way before I met you. A few months before the Gala, I think. I was partying that night when I got a phone call out of nowhere, asking if I could come out and do my thing. I was pretty messed up but the pay was good, so I came out here, worked and went home and passed out. I guess it just kind of slipped my mind till my memory got jogged.”
“Goodness, Vinyl. I didn't think you were that kind of pony.”
“I kinda calmed down after I started making serious efforts to get my club started,” Vinyl explained. “It's cool to be drunk when I'm just playing music for somepony else, but it doesn't work so well when I'm running stuff myself.”
“I should think not,” Octavia began before she was interrupted by Rarity suddenly changing course for a confectionary-styled building that resembled nothing so much as an enormous gingerbread house.
“Here we are, dears,” Rarity announced as she strode up to the door and let herself in. Looking at each other slightly askance, Vinyl and Octavia followed her in. As soon as Octavia entered her gaze locked on a perky pink pony standing behind the counter. Her heart skipped and her breath caught as her world narrowed to herself and the architect of her downfall.
“You,” she growled, causing Rarity to look at her worriedly and Vinyl to take a step away from her. “You . . . pink abomination. You ruined my life!”
Alright, so Vinyl and Octavia both pulled their heads out of their flanks and realized they were being part of the problem. Vinyl, for being intentionally obstinate and refusing to even listen to Octavia's point of view (and the jerkass move of trying to use Tavi's feelings like a weapon) and Octavia herself for just assuming that Vinyl would be completely in agreement with her suggestion to radically alter their lifestyle with minimal warning or discussion.
It's called communication, everypony. It's a big part of a relationship.
There are parts of this I'm not 100% thrilled with but I can't really figure out what to do with it. Maybe when readers start criticizing I may get a useful idea or suggestion. On the other hoof, if nopony complains than maybe I'm just being a perfectionist.
Fun fact: I originally thought about having Octavia and Vinyl break up over their argument, but I've got the end in sight and I didn't feel like introducing another big plot shift now.
dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Bonbon_OMG_LOVE.png An update!?!!!
F*ck yeah!
"Ruined? Or made better?"
Hit the dirt people, Tavi's gonna blow! May Celestia have mercy on Pinkies soul. Also, yay for mutual communication.
that's all I can really say. Oh and
I'm still leading with my job prediction for vinyl by pinkie
If Octavia doesn't strangle PP...
Can't wait to see what is next!
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PINKIE PIE.
RUN.
Grear chapter , like it, and that cliffhanger , waiting the next update.
i am sorry octavia but you have no chance of winning a fight with her whether it is physical or otherwise
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I'm going to sleep! Better check fimfiction one last time tho.
-sees update
Meh, who needs sleep anyways
And yay, no break up even if the making up part would have been lovely, it's much better like this. And now, in comes the moment of truth, the remeeting with Pinkie Pie and Octavia. I do hope Rarity has a plan, I'd hate to see Pinkie on the receiving end of a cello
Pinkie isn't gonna take that well, especially since she's big on the smiles... I see an incoming mane deflation...
I think that the amount of fucks Pinkie gives is going to be so low that she literally diffuses the whole situation with her cheerful randomness. Oh, and cake. She'll probably use cake.
Great chapter, can't wait for the next!
Dear Princess Celestia:
Today I've learned an importantly valuable lesson of Friendship... Sometimes, live trows you a curveball, but there are times that it trows you Pinkie Pie instead... You beter find a new Element of Laughter thought, I don't think she will survive to see the sunset.
Signed your enraged and murderous subject:
Octavia Philarmonica
P.S.:Vynil Scratch here, I was just wondering If I may have one final hot, steamy sorrowful sex time before you either trow Tavi into a dungeon, or vansih her, or turn her into a stone statue, or turn her into a stone statue for then trow her into a dungeon on the moon?, if is not much problem, that is, then thanks!
Nice way to remedy the the situation from last chapter where you forgot about Vinyl's previous show in Ponyville it made me LOL.
RUN PINKIE RUN!!!!!!! Tavi's going to kill you!!!!!!
you know I think Pinkie as a room ready just in case for something like this.
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YES! MY FAVORITE STORY ON THIS WHOLE SITE GETS UPDATED... AND DAMMIT ANOTHER CLIFFHANGER!
GET HER PINKIE! MAKE THAT CRANKY CHICK LAUGH AWAY HER WORRIES!
S̠̭͇̲̭̖̩̞ͤ̇͒͗̔́ͣ̈̎͟ḧ́̏ͬ͗ͭͣͤ͒̚͏̞͚e̛̱̟̼͇ͯͦ͊ͫ͋͟ ̧̟̭͔̦̥͚̈̓ͫf̸̸̬̫͓̘̱̮̹͆ͭ͛̿̆ͨͥͬ̆e̢ͭͩ̿ͧ̔͋͏̮̙͈e̻̮̪͇͉̤̩̯͈̊ͤͮͣ̍͜d̶̶̡͇͖̭̠̤̹̎̾̏ͣ̉s̯̻̝̞̟̪̓ͣ̒̓ͥ̄̏͜ ̰̰̯̭̲̻̭̬ͭ͆̈́̐ͥo̻̞̳̟̱̼̱̝͋̄͂̄ͭ́n̘̜̰͚̪ͤ͟ͅ ̟̳̬̩͔͉͚̬̰̄̊̀͐̊̓ͧ̔͢͞y̤̠̖̬̲̫̔̂̎̓͌ͦ͗o̴̭̎̍͌͒̃ͧ̽̓u̙̩̯̾͘͡r̫͉̠̩̟͕̺ͬ̾̆ ̠͍̲̼̤̭͇̞̒̓͂̀̚s̲̱̘ͩm͙͍̝̯̙̗̯ͤ͆͜͡i̳̟̫̖͓̖̯̐ͯͦͮ͢l͕̱̞͓̻͊ͤ͆͑̏̾̔̀͂e͇̲̮̯͐̽͋̒ͬ͠ͅs͛̎̉̓ͥ̄́̀͏̘̺
Annnnnnd boom goes the dynamite.
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"complains than maybe I'm just being a perfectionist."
^ then.
I liked the chapter, only I think that the argument between them may have been solved a little too easily, there's hurt feelings to smooth over aswell after all.
I cannot for the life of me figure out why Rarity wants Pinkie dead though... Octavia knows how to use her Cello bow a weapon /shiver
Oh CAT FIGHT!
Meh, I wish I could write with your skill and speed, then my fic might have been done by now
In all seriousness, a little little bit dissapointed at how easily the argument was solved seeing as it was used as a cliffhanger but overall the chapter was very nice, especially the Rarity part and the very end.
Octavia/Pinkie rage is best rage, can't wait to see what happens next!
Oh thank gods the relief. I was honestly worried Octavia and Vinyl might break up over it all and I'm not prepared to deal with that kind of melodrama. Seeing it resolved so easily is extremely gratifying.
I doubt Octavia will be able to stay mad at her long enough to do anything this is Pinkie Pie we're talking about
Good good, let the hate flow through you Octavia
dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Octavia_O_O.png AWWWW SHEEEEET!!!
Tavi's about to blow
I totally didn't want them to break up so I could exploit it for my own story where octavia meets a traveling group led by a skitsophrenic who returns her to her former glory after a psychotic break or two. And she then reunites with vinyl with enough money to rebuild the club and they all live happily ever after.
Pinky should totally not be held responsible for her actions wile not thinking about how this could go wrong before making a high society orchestral play the pony pokie, Even if it somewhat did help her find vinyl i just hope pinky gets out of this with some water works
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Pinkie Pie will either get really depressed now or annoy the crap out of... wait Octavia insulted Vinyl!
Run pinkie run for ur life tavis gonna kill u
Gotta say, I was a little disappointed at how quickly they settled the cliffhanger. I mean, I know they love each other more than anything, but it's still very suprising. Octavia's emotional responses should originate in the primitive portion of the brain known as the amygdala, while speech is centered in the much more recently developed neocortex. The former can easily overpower the latter, giving scientific credence to the notion of being rendered speechless.
Cliff hanger inbound.
O.O
PINKIE, RETREAT! RUN F' IT!
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oh dear
This was good to see when I got home today. Made my day for sure! Now, you want criticism...I've got something for you: Stop doubting yourself, this story is amazing and it has very little errors or plot holes that you've not patched or plan to in future installments. As for this chapter, I couldn't find any grammatical errors, and I quite enjoyed that they didn't break up because they used a vital part in pony interaction: COMMUNICATION. I can't wait to see how this interaction unfolds between Tavi and Pinkie, should certainly be interesting considering that there's really two direction that I can see this going: Pinkamina comes out, or Pinkie stays and does something fourth wall-ey to solve the differences between them. Can't wait to find out, though!
There by a shit storm a'brewin
Pink abomination I cried, I found it that damn funny.
Oh SNAP!!!! the fecal matter just hit the oscillating rotary device.... (crap hit the fan)
Uh-oh. this can't end well.....
Poor, poor Pinkie Pie . You'll be missed...
Wait, Octavia mentions a pink mare who ruins her life by requesting a foal's song at the Gala, and Rarity's first reaction was to invite her to Pinkie's place? dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/Rarity_lolface.png
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Take cover Vinyl, this isn't going to end well.
Remember.....
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DIS GUN BE GOOD
something tells me pinki has somthing stashed around town incase of ponys hateing her emergancies
[WARNING! TOPIC CHANGE INBOUND!]
What did they do with their luggage, especially Octavia's cello? Did they leave it at the station, are they carrying it without us knowing, or are they just visiting ponyville to decide if they really want to move?
1390514
Like Octavia said, they're just visiting. So yes, they are just deciding if they actually want to move there. Thus, no luggage.
I guess I didn't catch that part.
[TOPIC HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE ONCOMING SHIT STORM]
Holy mother of Celestia! This is going to be so freaking crazy! Goddamn you cliffhanger *shakes fist dramatically*