Sometimes you need to get away from discrimination. And sometimes that leads you to something good.
I've always loved living in Canterlot. It was never particularly "bad". Everypony was classy and kind. Just like me. Or so I thought. Sometimes, a mare needs a change of scenery. To get away from the evils of discrimination. I guess that's why I moved to Ponyville. To get away from the sight of discrimination against Ponyvillians. I never guessed that the decision to move to Ponyville, would be the thing that would lead me to the mare of my dreams. My name is Octavia. I am a violinist, and former cellist and resident of Canterlot. I am going to tell you the story of how I met the greatest pony in the world, the mare of my dreams and how my feelings for her grew as I lived with her. The story of the greatest decision of my life.
My story begins at my old home in Canterlot. I had just picked up a new violin. While I'm mostly known for my ability in playing the cello, I can also play violin well. However I only play violin on my spare time. I still play cello in the Royal Canterlot Symphony. While I was walking home after picking up the new violin I had ordered, I saw something rather strange. A young filly was introducing herself. Sure that doesn't sound weird but the way it turned out, I had never seen it before.
"Hello, mister," a young gray mare said to a gentlecolt, "Do you think you can help me find where my house is?"
"And just who are you?", the colt questioned.
"I'm Derpy Hooves," the mare answered, "But I can't seem to find my house anywhere." The mare laughed.
"Where are you from, might I ask?", the colt questioned.
"Ponyville.", the mare answered.
"Ponyville!? You're from the Ponyville boondocks!?", the colt laughed.
"Yes. Why is that funny?", Derpy questioned, obviously not understanding what he said.
"You're one of those uncouth ponies from the boondocks. Why is someone like you in Canterlot?", the colt asked.
"Becuase I wanted to move here.", Derpy said.
"But you don't belong here! Go back to the boondocks where you belong!", the colt yelled crudely. Derpy hung her head low and walked off, obviously saddened by what had happened to her while the stallion walked off angrily. I walked up to the mare to try and see if she was alright.
"Hey, are okay?", I asked her.
"Yeah. I'm fine. Except that man her my feelings. Am I really bad for being from Ponyville?", Derpy asked.
"I'm sorry about what happened then. There's nothing wrong with you being from Ponyville."
"There's not?"
"Of course not. Why would there be"
"Because he said I'm un-whatever he said. Uncouth. Yeah that's it. I don't even know what that means."
"Oh, don't worry about him. He doesn't know what he's talking about. Also, uncouth means uncivil or bad mannered. Which you are not it would seem. If anything he's uncouth for calling you uncouth."
"Thanks for cheering me up miss."
"Your very welcome. My name is Octavia, by the way."
"My name is Derpy. Derpy Hooves. I hope we can be friends one day. A lot of my friends say I'm really clumsy. But it's true. I am really clumsy. And I can't even find out where my new house is. I gues that's why they call me Derpy. Well I hope I see you again someday, Octavia. Bye". Derpy then trotted off to find her house. While I stood there and said to my self,
"We'll see Derpy. We'll see."
I must admit that I felt sorry for her. All she did was ask if he could help her find her house. I was surprised at the colt. I had never seen such behavior from gentlecolts. I decided to try and not worry about it since it's none of my business. Though this was not possible.
As I walked through Canterlot to my house I saw the same scene over and over. Mares, fillies, stallions, and colts, unicorns, earth ponies, and pegasi alike were being yelled at and terribly insulted by citizens of Canterlot for being from Ponyville. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was terrible. It was uncouth. I felt like I should take matters into my own hooves and help the Ponyvillians but I decided that it was probably best not to. I didn't want to cause an uproar in the city.
When I got home, I placed my violin in a special place in my room and laid on my bed. I couldn't stop thinking about what had happened. Was this really how ponies in Canterlot acted? I've only seen Canterlot ponies act kind and classy. Not cruel and uncouth like those ponies were. It was at that time I decided that I couldn't associate myself with them any longer. I decided that I should move to Ponyville. It couldn't be that bad, right?
I packed everything I could. I packed essentials and my new violin. I couldn't take my cello, sadly. Since I had no way of packing it. I already had too much to carry. I really liked my new violin but I also like my cello. Eventually after long thinking, I decided upon the vionlin. I wasn't dissapointed or anything, I was fine. As I walked to the train station, I tried to ignore the terrible scenes of discrimination that I saw on the way there. It was a futile effort. I was so glad that I was moving away from the uncouth and cruel ponies here. As I boarded the train to take me to Ponyville, I wondered what kind of people I would meet. The ponies in Canterlot said Ponyville was in the boondocks. Though, I shouldn't believe uncouth and cruel ponies like them. So I had my hopes high. I figured they were nice. That mare that I saw in Ponyville, Derpy, seemed really nice. Maybe all Ponyvillians are like her. That's the thought that I eventually settled on. My expectations were high for Ponyville on accounts of kindness but not so high when it comes to classiness
On the way, I played a few violin songs to pass the time. A lot of others on the train came into the train car I was in to listen. When I saw them I thought that I was disturbing them.
"Oh I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you all.", I apologized.
"It's alright," one of the fillies on the train said, "You play really great. Please, play some more."
"Alright. If you insist." I began to play again. I moved the bow across the strings of the violin to create beautiful sounds. Eventually, the sounds all came together to create a wonderful composition that I had thought up on the spot. A lot of the people in the train car were very impressed with my playing. Some of them even gave me a few bits because I played so well. I knew that my special talent was music and that I played well but I had no idea that I was so wonderful in these ponies eyes. It makes me regret giving up my spot in the Royal Canterlot Symphony. However, if it means getting away from those awful ponies in Canterlot, it's worth it. I eventually had to stop playing because the train was approaching Ponyville.
When the train arrived at Ponyville I disembarked and looked at my surroundings. It was quiet yet I saw many ponies. They all talked to one another and were kind to each other. They weren't exactly classy just as I thought but I didn't mind. They were kind it seemed so I was ok. I only care about kindness. Not classiness. I was sure that I would live happily there. I was sure that I made the right decision. However, I had no idea of what was to come in the distant future while I was living here. No idea that I would meet the love of my life.
As I strolled casually through the streets of the rural town known as Ponyville, I looked around to see if any houses or apartments were available. Much to my luck, there weren't any. Now I'm sure by now you're wondering about why I moved to Ponyville without thinking of friends or family. Well the thing is, I don't have any friends nor any family. My parents are the family I had and they died quite a bit ago. And I've never really had any real friends. So I wasn't leaving anything behind except my spot in the Royal Canterlot Symphony. However, that was something I would just have to live without.
Now back on topic, as I strolled through the town I eventually came to a florist shop with rather beautiful flowers. I walked up to the florist shop and the owner of the shop, who admittably was rather dashing, started to strike up a conversation.
"Hello, miss. Welcome to Roseluck's Flora," the shop owner said, "How may I help you this afternoon?"
"I'm just browsing at the moment, and might I say, you have some really beautiful flowers here.", I said.
"Thanks. I work hard to gather these fine beauties for my shop."
"Well it surely shows. I'm surprised there isn't a long line here."
The store owner giggled, "Yeah. Business is usually slow this time of year. Even though the fall and winter season flowers are quite beautiful. But once spring and summer come along, business will be booming almost as much as cider season."
"You know, I think I'll take one of those beautiful purple flowers right there." I point to a beautiful aster flower.
"You mean an aster? That'll 15 bits."
I pay her the money and she hands me the flower and puts it in my hair.
"Wow. It looks really beautiful. It really goes with your eyes.", she said, smiling.
"Really? Why thank you."
"Your welcome. You're welcome back any time. It'd be great to see you again sometime."
"I will. Thanks."
"It's no problem. So, are you new here to Ponyville. Because I've never seen you around here before. And I've lived in Ponyville my whole life."
"Actually yes. I'm from Canterlot."
"Canterlot huh? I've been recieving quite some news about that place. They say the people there discriminate against Ponyvillians. Calling them uncouth and other harsh names. You aren't one of those people are you?"
"Of course not. If I was why would I be here? And why would I be conversing with you?"
"You have a point."
"That's actually why I moved here. I was sick of hearing and seeing all the discrimination stuff."
"Hm. I see. So I take it you haven't found a place to live yet, have you?"
"No. I haven't. I hope I'll be able to."
"You can stay with me if you'd like. I'd be happy to let you stay there until you can find another place."
"That would be very nice. Thank you."
"No problem. My name's Roseluck, by the way."
"My name is Octavia."
"That's a nice name. It's nice to meet you, Octavia. I'm sure we'll be good friends."
"Likewise."
"Come on. Follow me. I'll take you to my place."
"Okay. Lead the way."
And so I followed Roseluck to her house. When I got there, it was beautifully decorated the paitings of roses and even roses in vases. It's no wonder her name is Roseluck and that her cutie mark is a rose.
"There's only one bedroom so you'll have to sleep with me," she explained as we walked through the house, "I still have a spare bed from when my sister used to live with me. But now she's running her own flower shop in Manehatten."
Manehatten. I had heard of that place but I had never been there. I wonder what it's like. From what I've heard people are classy and kind and in fact, don't discriminate. It seemed at that point that I should have moved there instead of Ponyville, but I had already gotten a little bit settled so I didn't move again to Manehatten.
"That's quite alright", I said.
"I'm actually really glad that I actually have a roommate again. My sister was a pain but I'm sure you'll be quite tolerable."
"Thank you, I guess," we started to laugh, "Say, do you have any place I can put my violin?"
"So that's what was in that case. But no. I don't think I have any special place that you can put it, sorry."
"It's okay. I guess I'll just keep it in it's case and keep it under the bed."
"Alright. Smart choice. Say, think you can play your violin a bit for me."
"Sure."
I take my violin from it's case and I rosin up my bow and ready myself to play. I started to play the same piece that I made up on the train but I extended it a bit. I could see the look of amazement in Roseluck's eyes and I was astonished by it. When I finish Roseluck just sits there with a look of pure amazement.
"Dear sweet Celestia," Roseluck exclaimed, "That was amazing! I've never heard anything like it!"
"Why thank you, Roseluck. That's very nice of you to say.", I responded
"I'm serious, Octavia. Did you make that up yourself?"
"Well. Yes. I made it up on my way here to Ponyville. But this one's an extended version of it."
"I see. Maybe you should play it and the town's talent show coming up soon."
"You think so?"
"I know so."
"Well then. Maybe I will. I really like performing. As well as creating music."
"I guess that explains your cutie mark."
"Yeah." We laugh some more.
Throughout the day, we got to know each other really well. And I know I've said this before and I'll say it again, she is really beautiful. She apparently think I'm beautiful as well. How nice. That thing she said about being good friends. Could I possibly have made my first real friend? My first day to Ponyville surely was quite a delight. However, it wasn't as much as a delight as when I met the mare of my dreams.
As I lived with Roseluck, we became closer and closer to one another. She was and still is my first and best friend. she's almost like a sister to me. One day, she suggested that I get a job so that I could pay my way and possibly get a house of my own. Not long before, a house was put up for sale at a pretty hefty price. It was a nice house after all.
So anyway, Roseluck came up to our room and said to me, "Say Octavia, maybe you should get a job so that you can save up snd pay for your own stuff and maybe buy that house that opened up down the street."
"I don't know Roseluck. Is anypony hiring right now?", I asked.
"I think the music store that's not too far from here is looking for somepony to hire. Maybe you could work there. I mean you do know a lot about music. Working in a music store would be great for you. And since you know so much, the owner may just hire you.
"What a wonderful idea, Roseluck."
"Well you know. I do have my moments."
"I'll go try my luck at the store. Wish me luck."
"Good luck, Octi." And with that, I leave the house and go down to the music store that was about a 4 yard walk from Roseluck's house. When I enter the music store, I see behind the ciunter, a young, white mare with a hairstyle that I've never seen before in my life. Her eyes were covered with sunglasses that looked to be purple tinted. Which I didn't think made much sense seeing as how she was inside a building.
"Yo," she said to me, "Wassup"
"I heard that you were hring and I could really use a job right now.", I replied.
"Hm. So. You need a job?", as she said this, she lifted up her sunglasses and I got a visual of her actual eyes. They were a beautiful and mesmerizing magenta that made me lose my train of thought for a second. I quickly snapped back to reality and saw that the whites of her eyes looked kind of bloodshot. Which, along with the way she spoke, indicated that she was definitely on drugs.
"Well?", she asked seemingly impatiently.
"Uh, yes ma'am.", I replied.
"Alright. Come with me. I gotta do the boring interview crap." I followed her to a room that was supposedly for interview purposes. She took a seat behind the lone desk that was there, which I assumed was her desk. While I sat in the other chair.
"Alright, first off, I'll need your name.", the young mare said.
"Octavia, miss.", I replied.
"Alright, Octavia, what makes you think you're cut out to work here."
"Well, I've worked with music ever since I was just a little filly. So I know a lot. I can also play several instruments quite well."
"What instruments can you play?"
"Violin, cello, contrabass, piano, guitar, and I can sing. However, I don't sing all too well, to be honest."
"Hm, you're honest, I'll give you that. And you play a lot of instruments. Which is impressive. Even if they're all boring, classical instruments."
"Uh, Thank you."
"One last thing that I legally have to ask you. Do you have a criminal record."
"No, ma'am, I do not."
"Alright then. Considering how long you've worked with music and the amount of instruments you play, I think you're more than cut out to work here. I think you'll be a natural. Even if it isn't really having to do with music. Truthfully, I just need employees. But anyway, your first shift will start on Friday at 5:00 PM. Will you be working part time or full time?"
"Full time, miss."
"Alright then. You'll be working for about 5 hours a day except on weekends where you will have those days off. You'll be paid weekly and you'll work for a pay of 5 bits an hour. Which adds up to a monthly salary of about 3875 bits. Basically, you'll get good pay here. Your weekly salary will be 175 bits. I can't wait to see you. Also, there's a tradition here that every Friday, if you decide to work overtime, we hold an awesome party. Where I'm the DJ and the host. Also, you get paid for it. So consider that."
"Ok. Thank you, miss."
"Oh come on. Call me Vinyl, Octavia. We're all family at this shop."
"Ok, Vinyl. I guess I'll see you on Friday."
"Alright. So, before you go, do you wanna smoke a joint with me?"
"Uh, no thank you."
"Suit yourself." She smoked the "joint" as I left the shop. I thought to myself that it would take a while to get used the fact that she's a stoner. But I knew I'd be able to do it.
I walk back to Roseluck's house to tell her the good news. But when I got there, it was locked. Roseluck gave me a key so I could enter the hosue when the door's locked. So I entered the house, and as I expected, she wasn't there. I waited almost an hour before she got back.
"There you are," I said as she came inside, "I was wondering where you were."
"I was just out getting a few things," she said, "So, how'd it go at the music store?"
"Wonderful! I'll be starting on Friday at 5:00 PM."
"Cool. By the way, I picked you up something when I was out." After saying that, Roseluck, or Rosey, as I call her, pulled out a brand new violin bow out of her saddlebag. As I held it my hooves after she gave it to me, I admired how beautiful it was and no other emotion except joy could fill my mind.
" Oh, Rosey. This bow is just wonderous. This such a thoughtful gift. Thank you!", I exclaimed as I hugged my best friend for giving me such a thoughtful gift.
"You're welcome, Octi.", she said as she hugged me back.
After all that had happened, we decided it'd be a good idea to hit the hay and call it a night. We went to our room and I got into my bed. There was something about that white unicorn named, Vinyl, that really made me unable to sleep and stop thinking about her. She was quite cute but there was no way I could have feelings for her. She's my boss. I decided to brush it off and finally get to sleep. Still, I had no idea why I couldn't stop thinking about her. It didn't matter then. All that mattered was getting to sleep at that moment in time. I had a big day on Friday. I needed all the sleep I could get.
