A Tale of Two Mares

by CharmingChaos

Snow-white Dreams

As per usual, Octavia was up much earlier then her lazy marefriend. She sat at the window with her cup of tea, watching the first snow of the season fall on the street outside. Most of the flakes melted on contact with the still-warm earth, but now a few piles were gathering here and there as the storm thickened.

The night before, Vinyl had been persuaded, admittedly with a good deal of grumping along the way, to come with Octavia to the nearby park to watch the pegasi bring in the clouds. It had been a pleasant experience for both of them, Octavia knew from the smile on Vinyl's face, but the stubborn mare was too proud to admit it.

Now, after a night spent curled up together in the den, watching an ancient, soundless Heart's Warming Eve special, Octavia sat huddled under a blanket, trying not to shiver and resisting the urge to turn on the rattly old heater. She knew Vinyl would protest if she was awake. But she wasn't, and that was the sole reason Octavia was refraining from it in the first place.

In truth, Octavia hadn't slept much that night. Though she'd stayed still all night, letting her snoring partner rest her fuzzy head in her lap, Octavia's thoughts tossed and turned as much as her body longed to.

Octavia's parents, ever the family-oriented, had suggested (or rather, ordered) that Octavia come visit them for the holidays, and bring this "friend" she'd been living with since her house burnt down along.

Crescendo and Sonata were honest ponies-- very loving-- but, like most of Manehatten and Canterlot, they were steadfast Celestians, with a lingering grudge against such ideas as fillyfooling and coltcuddling.

Which is just what I've been doing for the past four months, Octavia thought gloomily to herself. Oh, what in Equestria am I going to say if they find out? They'd probably disown me completely. I wish they were more forgiving. After all, I'm still me, aren't I? I still love my cello, and I'm still myself, in every way I can think of. The only difference is that now I have a lazy, irresponsible marefriend, who, admittedly, I'm crazy about, and who no doubt they'll go crazy over, instead of the nice, respectable colt they expect. Come to think of it, I don't think they'd like Vinyl even if she was a colt. She, or he, at least, would still be far from their taste. Oh, what am I going to do?

Tears began to slide down Octavia's cheeks, a combined result of exhaustion and girlish frustration, and she shut her eyes for a moment, letting herself relax in the quiet of the morning.

A yawn from across the room made Octavia start slightly, wiping away her tears with the corner of her blanket. Vinyl Scratch made her way across the living room, still yawning, and sat down next to Octavia, giving her cheek an affectionate lick.

"Hey," Vinyl said drowsily. "You taste salty. 'Tavi, have you been crying?"

Octavia shook her head mutely, but Vinyl moved slightly to see her eyes.

"My Celestia, you have been crying," Vinyl said incredulously. "Why? Did you have a bad dream or something? Because you could have just woken me up, you know."

"No." Octavia sighed. If only it were that simple.

"Well, what's the matter then, 'Tav? Come on, spit it out."

Octavia shook her head.

"Spit it."

"Well," she began softly, still not completely trusting her voice. "Vinyl, do you remember that letter that we got a few days ago? From my parents?"

"Yeah... What about it?"

"Do you remember how they invited us to spend Heart's Warming Eve with them?"

"Oh, no. Did they change their minds? Because if that's what's bothering you, no worries. We'll have it here, Vinyl and 'Tavi style. No problem."

"That's not it either. Vinyl, I was raised as a steady Celestian, and my parent's are very firm believers. Which means, they won't like us, at all."

"But that's crazy. You're their filly, they can't dislike you. If they don't like me, they can kiss my flank. No offense, of course. But really, I know all about taking hate. You should see all the ponies who don't like my music."

No, I mean us, us." Octavia sighed, exasperated. "Vinyl, listen to me. My parents. Do not. Like Fillyfoolers. Got it?"

"Oh, Celestia, I can't believe I didn't get that the first time." Vinyl facehoofed, still looking slightly confused. "I'm sorry, 'Tavi. You know I'm not a morning pony. But seriously, they know we're living together. Isn't that enough of a hint?"

"Apparently not. Here's the thing, Sweetheart. They think you're a colt."

---

"... And most importantly, don't forget that for now you're just my friend. No more, no less. No benefits, either. Once they're asleep, we can do whatever you like, but please, please, please, don't do anything ridiculous when they're around. No kissing me, no flirting, no teasing, no..."

Vinyl Scratch sighed. Throughout the entire train ride to Manehatten, Octavia had been curled up in her lap, reciting seemingly endless dos and don'ts for the coming visit. Typically, visiting family for the holidays was a nice, old-fashioned thing to do. But in this case, it seemed like a very bad idea.

"Well. That's all I can thing of at the moment. You got it?"

"Whah?" Vinyl said blearily.

"Vinyl, have you even been listening to me?" Octavia drew back, looking frustrated.

"Of course, 'Tavi-babe. When do I not listen to you?"

Octavia shook her head. Vinyl certainly acted like a colt. If only she looked and sounded more like one.

"None of that, either. When my parents are within hearing distance, it's Octavia. Not Octy, not 'Tavi, and certainly not 'Tavi-babe, even though you know I love it. Hot-flank won't do either. Come to think of it, I should probably put emphasis on no spanking me, as well as--"

" 'Tav, are you gonna go into a whole 'nother rant, or can we make out now? Because, judging from all your rules and regulations, we are seriously going to be missing some action on this trip."

"Fine." Octavia rolled her eyes. But she let herself melt into the kiss with the same amount of passion as usual, despite the other passengers' mild surprise.

The trip was a long one; they would be arriving shortly after midnight, so eventually they retired to their shared bunk to catch a few hours of shut-eye. Naturally, they would sleep some more once they arrived, but it still seemed like a good idea, and besides, the bunkroom was private, considering it only had on bed.

Comments

[Zahawia]

This is the best chapter (in my opinion) so far! I usually hate love stories but all these fanfics have me addicted now

[RainbowShy1241]

Good chapter. But I hope that Octavia's parents find out, it would just be funnier that way.

Shit... I've been reading so many fanfics that I fogot everything up to now. I guess I have to start from the begining. AAWWW YYEEEAAAAHHH. 'Goes to first chapter'

[Archvile]

Celestians = Just as ignorant as Christians (and any other religion for that matter)
And on a side note: I just became friends with around 80% of the world population :D

[Joseph Raszagal]

Enjoying this.

[masterbrony13]

"Hotflank"

[paper bag wizard]

981143 i am a Christians but i am not ignorant like you say

[cameron1898]

Crescendo, that genius! /)

[Sean1471]

D'aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwww

[CharmingChaos]

1248395 yeah... that's basically calling her "hot-ass." Not exactly Octavia's idea of a compliment, eh?

[kingthe13]

981143 your thinking of cathlics they are the hard asses when it comes to marriege and what not .
fact my mom was cathlic but because she had me before getting married they wouldnt let her get married in there churches and wouldnt babtise me.
and my great step aunt revered to me as a basterd child.

[Lucky424]

steadfast Celestians, with a lingering grudge against such ideas as fillyfooling and coltcuddling.

I don't think for a second that Celestia would be opposed to the idea. I think she would turn around and say 'Who am I to get in the way of love?.....That's Cadence's job!!'

[TheGreatEater]

2513123

That's true, and after living among ponies, ruling them for over a thousand years [both before and after the whole War of the Sun and Moon / Lunar Conflict incident] she'd have seen many forms of love. With many changing forms of what is socially and not socially acceptable [on a civilian level]. The whole Abrahamic Faith's incert wouldn't fly with Celestia.

She's in canon the type of pony that as long as you aren't hurting yourself or others would be ok with it. That and if she did have a religion it would teach acceptance, unity, and the power of friendship. Not hate, bigotry, and nonacceptance [AKA the thing that empowered Discord and was a staple of his rule.] I mean heck the whole Celestian's hate Filly Foolers is a prime example of discord amongst ponies and something that Celestia wouldn't tolerate [if she had a religious group].

[The Slending Angel]

'"Can we make out now?"'

[moonrose]

I have a feeling Tavi's parents won't mind the fillyfooling. Oh and according to google spell check, fillyfooling is not a word, but fillyfooler is

[Nox the Eternal]

5599871 seriously does it mean the same thing