Like Cousins

"Another sucessful gig." Octavia thought to herself as she and her band mates finished up another performance in Canterlot the captiol city of Equestria. Octavia was an earth pony with a gray coat, a black mane, puprle eyes, and a treble clef cutie mark. She was a taleneted cello musican and as a result she was part of a band of ponies who were classical musicians, that traveled all around Equestria performing gigs for dozens of crowds big and small, although most of their gigs took place here in Canterlot which Octavia called home. As soon she and her fellow band mates had finished playing their instruments the crowd of ponies cheered, some of the most wealthy members even threw a few bits at the band who were more than happy to accept such a generous offer.

After the gig was over and all of the instruments had been put away Octavia said to her band mates "Why don't we head to a bar and relax, I know one not too far from here." They all agreed and so Octavia and her fellow musicans headed out into the streets of Canterlot, and after walking for a little bit they found their way into the bar. They set their instruments which they had been carrying aside and then plopped their flanks into the first available booth. "The first round is on me tonight." Octavia said as she and her band mates looked over the menu trying to decide what to drink. After a while they all made their decisions and placed their order. Octavia sighed happily "Now I can finally get a chance to unwind and just relax." she thought to herself.

Unfournately for Octavia she wouldn't get the chance because at that moment one of her band members, an earth pony stallion who played the piano said "Hey Octavia can I ask you something?"

"What do you want to know?" Octavia asked puzzled as to why one of her bandmates would want to talk to her at this time of night, granted it wasn't very late but it was still a little later then Octavia usually perfered.

"You remember our gig at the Grand Galloping Galla last year right?" he said casually.

"Of course I do." Octavia said "Why did you ask?"

"Well you remember that pink earth pony who interupted our gig and insisted that we play 'The Pony Pokey'?" he said.

"Hey yeah I remember that pony!' one of Octavia's band mates, another stallion who played the harp chimed in.

"Wosen't she the one to tried to make us all play faster?" said the mare who played the tuba asked.

"Yes she was." Octavia asked "Is there something you wanted to ask me about her?"

"Well I noticed that you seemed the least bothered by all of her ahem 'antics' and I wanted to why, considering how much she was hoping around and how much you like things to be nice and quiet when possible I would've thought that she'd drive you insane but she didn't. What's up with that?"

"Yeah what's up with that?" a familar voice interupted. At that moment Octavia turned her eyes towards to the booth in front of her and there looking directly at her was a unicorn with a white coat, a cobalt blue mane with cyan stripes, magenta eyes, and a backwards double quaver cutie mark, Vinyl Scratch which was a name only her closest friends knew, everypony else knew her as DJ-Pon-3. Now one would think since Vinyl Scratch was all about the latest music such as rock n roll, hip hop, and pop to name a few while Octavia perfered classical music the two ponies would never get along and would be at each other's throats, however that was not the case. The two ponies had found as a result of spending so much time as roommates whenever their gigs happened to be in the same town, that they had a lot in common. And secretly they both liked the other's taste in music.

"Vinyl Scratch?" Octavia asked surprised, she had not heard from the DJ pony for a few weeks now.

"The one and only Octavia!" Vinyl Scratch replied "Sorry you haven't heard from me lately but I've very busy ,the newest records are a big hit with the clubs!"

"You want to know too huh?" Octavia asked.

"It's not just her Octavia." another familar voice said. This one belonging to a mint green unicorn with a golden lyre cutie mark, Lyra Heartstrings who was alongside Vinyl Scratch one of Octavia's closet friends despite the fact that she played the lyre and on ocassion the harp while Octavia played the cello.

"So you all want to know about that pink pony huh?" Octavia asked. Everypony else nodded in response. Octavia sighed so much for her chance to unwind and relax. "Well then since you all really want to know. That pink pony was Pinkie Pie and she's my cousin." There was silence from everpony. Octavia contiued "As a matter of fact that meeting at the Grand Galloping Galla although not planned in advance was the first time I had seen her in a long time. Before then I had heard rumors about a pink earth pony making a name for herself in the town of Ponyvillie as the number one party pony and I assumed that the rumors were about Pinkie Pie. But I'd bet none of you would ever guess that she wasn't always like that, that she wasn't always so full of energy, and I'd bet none of you would ever believe her if she told you that she grew up on a rock farm just outside of Ponyvillie. It's all true though."

"What, no way!" Viynl Scratch shouted "You've got to be joking Octavia."

"Believe me Vinyl Scratch I never joke." Octavia said.

"So you know where 'Pinkie Pie' was it, grew up huh?" one of Octavia's band mates said.

Yeah and I know a lot more than that." Octavia said. "But I must warn you that it's a long story and there's a LOT to talk about."

"Well seeing as there's nothing else to do I don't mind listening to a story." Lyra said.

"Yeah come on Tavia!" Vinyl Scratch said "We're all ears."

"Very well then." Octavia said. "First I must tell you a little about myself in order for this story to make sense. You see I wasn't born in Canterlot and for the longest time I never thought I'd live there. I was born in a small town not too far awaw from Ponyvillie although I don't remember the name. It was a quiet town where everpony knew each other. My parents weren't poor but they weren't wealthy either, they were slightly talented musicans and they performed a few gigs from time to time at the town hall.

For a while I couldn't figure what I wanted to do with my life but I knew I didn't want to spend it living in the small town. My parents often sent me to school in Ponyvillie where I made a few friends, including Cheerilee who I hear is the current teacher in Ponyvillie, and Big Macintosh who was my first crush although it never really developed and in later years we just decided to see other ponies, but he took the news quite well and moved on.

My days at school were often some of the happiest days of my childhood although they weren't the only ones. My father was related to the Pie family, in fact he was the brother of Clyde who was Pinkie Pie's father, so my parents would often take me to the Pie family reunions which were always held on the rock farm.

There were quite a few Pie family children but the ones that always seemed to attract the most attention were Clyde's daughters, Pinkamena, Inkamena, and Blinkamena although they always perfered to be called Pinkie, Inkie, and Blinkie. And Pinkie Pie believe it or not was the oldest of the three."

"Wow I'd have never guessed." one of Octavia's band mates said.

"So wait how does this answer my question?" another one of Octavia's band mates who had asked the intial question said.

"I'm getting to that!" Octavia said. "Now then allow me to pick up where I left off before I was so rudely interupted! Like I said Pinkie Pie was the oldest of Clyde Pie's daughters and that made her relatively close to my age. The two of us often spent time talking and playing together and we even traded gossip that we would over hear from the various adults. Of course we were always sad when the reunions were over and we had to say good bye. We tried to find ways to keep in touch but considering the rock farm's remote location, communication was difficult at best. However we both found ways to keep ourselves happy until the next reunion.

One of the ways I passed the time was learning how to play musical instruments although I had trouble finding one I could play that would please me parents, eventually I decided to try playing the cello which was quite heavy for me then because of my small size." Everypony else couldn't resist letting out a slight giggle.

"Ha, ha very funny guys, real mature!" Octavia said "Anyways it took me a while to get set up and figure how to play it but once I did everything just seemed to come naturally for me, my parents were impressed as well so they decided to sign me up for a gig at the town hall. Needless to say I was VERY nervous as I headed up to the stage to face a huge crowd of ponies but somehow I plucked up courage and went through with it. When I had finished the crowd went wild and then I felt a sudden tingeling on my flank, I looked and I noticed that my cutie mark had appeared. I realized then that I had a talent for playing beautiful music on the cello and from then I started performing gigs not only at the town hall but in Ponyvillie as well.

The next time I went to the Pie family reunion I immediately ran over to be with Pinkie Pie eager to find out what I had missed because a LOT of time had passed since I had last seen her.

'Hey Pinkie guess what I have something to show you!' I said barely able to contain my excitement.

'Really me too, but you go first Octavia.' she replied.

'I finally got my cutie mark!' I said, I was as as happy as a school filly who just been told she had gotten an A+ on a test.

'Really me too!' Pinkie Pie said.

'Can you tell what my cutie mark is?' I asked Pinkie Pie.

'Not exactly but I know it means you're good at playing music.' she said. 'Can you guess what MY cutie mark is?' I looked at and noticed three balloons. I thought for a moment trying to figure out what three balloons could possibly represent, then it dawned on me.

'I know what it is and I think it means you have a talent for spreading happiness and throwing parties.'

'You're right.' Pinkie Pie said 'In fact throwing a party is how I got my cutie mark.'

'Oh did your family enjoy it?' I asked.

'Well I think they all enjoyed a little bit, mom and dad seemed to enjoy dancing, and my sisters seemed pretty happy but my dad said we can't throw parties very often because party supplies are expensive.' Pinkie Pie said a hint of unhappiness in her voice.

'Oh I see. And by the way I just noticed your hair seems a little bit different from last time.' I said. I remembered that Pinkie Pie's hair had been straight just like her sisters the last time I saw her and now it was all poofy like cotton candy.

'I was wondering when you'd notice.' Pinkie Pie said 'I mean duh it's pretty hard to miss you know.'

'Now that you mention it, yes it does seem hard to not notice. And looking at it now I can't believe I didn't notice it sooner. But I am glad I noticed it.' I said.

'Well hey you know what, in a little bit how would you like to do a little performance with me!' Pinkie Pie said in what seemed to me like a sudden burst of energy that I had never noticed in her before. Before she had always been happy when we were together but it never really felt like she was truly enjoying herself.

'You mean a duet?' I asked, I had never done one before, as a matter of fact I had only sung a few times before in front of my friends at school, and only when we bored and had nothing else to do.

'Of course.' Pinkie Pie said 'I know you'll do great.'

Well my friends have always been telling me that I have a lovely singing voice, but I'm sure it's nothing compared to what I've heard your sisters saying about your singing.' I said.

'Oh thanks Octavia, you're such a flatterer.' Pinkie Pie said.

'Glad you think so Pinkie Pie' I said 'By the way what kind of song were you thinking of?'

'Oh nothing much, but I have been listening to records of 'The Pony Pokey' lately and my dad says it was his favorite song when he was growing up.'

'Well okay then 'The Pony Pokey' is fine by me. As a matter of fact I just recently learned how to play that song on my cello.'

'Talk about coincidence.' Pinkie Pie said and then she went over to chat with her sisters leaving me alone for the time being."

"So 'The Pony Pokey' holds sentimental value for you." another one of Octavia's band memebers said.

"Yes but my story doesn't end there." Octavia replied. "Now then my first duet with Pinkie Pie went pretty well and I can even remember her father saying that he'd almost forgotten how wonderful that song had sounded and that it made him feel young again. I looked out at the crowd and everypony I saw had a big smile on their face. After that the rest of the reunion passed by in a blur and soon it was time for me and Pinkie Pie to say goodbye again.

The years went by and Pinkie Pie and I found new ways to have fun at the Pie family reunion's, sometimes it was just the two of us, sometimes her sisters joined in, sometimes all the children would be involved somehow, but of course no matter how much fun we had sooner or later we had to say goodbye again.

As I started to mature into a young mare I began to realize that I wanted to spend my life traveling Equestria performing on my cello, and hopefully making other ponies happy. I started focusing on how to make my dream a reality and so I missed out on a few Pie family reunions while I toured various colleges. Eventually I found one in Ponyvillie that my parents could afford to send me to, I was very happy.

With my educational future secure, I decided to attend one last Pie family reunion before I headed off to start my new life in Ponyvillie. I met up with Pinkie Pie again but I noticed something was different about her, she still had her poofy cotton candy like mane, but she didn't seem to be her usual cheerful self.

'Hey Octavia can I ask you something?' Pinkie Pie asked me, the cheerful tone in her voice was all but gone.

'Sure Pinkie Pie' I said 'What sort of something?'

'It's a secret sort of something and I need your word that you won't tell anypony else about it.' Pinkie Pie said.

'I promise I won't tell anypony else.' I said.

'I'm sorry Octavia but I just don't think you can keep that promise. Unless you make it a 'Pinkie Promise'.' Pinkie Pie said her mane and tail suddenly deflating. I didn't think anything of it because I had never seen this happen before but as I later learned through all the rumors, that whenever Pinkie Pie's mane and tail deflated that was a sign that she was depressed.

'How do you 'Pinkie Promise'?' I asked Pinkie Pie.

'Just repeat after me.' Pinkie Pie said 'Cross my heart and hope to fly stick a cupcake in my eye. And you have to do the motions.' Pinkie Pie said in a flat tone.

'O.k. then.' I said and I proceeded to repeat the very words and motions I had just heard and seen.

'Well now I know I can trust you.' Pinkie Pie said "Because a 'Pinkie Promise' is never broken, EVER!'

'So then what was it that you wanted to tell me Pinkie Pie?' I asked. What I heard next almost broke my heart.

'I'm getting tired of living on this rock farm, I mean don't get me wrong it's not a bad place to live and I know mom and dad love me very much but it's just so boring. There's never really anything to smile about or laugh at. I've tried to liven up the mood with parties whenever I can aford the supplies but I don't think they're working.' Pinkie Pie told me. 'I-I think I'm going to run away.'

'What?!' I said surprised to hear those words come out of her mouth. 'But Pinkie Pie surely there must be another way, maybe you could just tell your parents how you feel.'

'That won't work.' Pinkie Pie said "I know for a fact that they won't listen to me, and neither do my sisters, they just tone me out and pretend like I don't even exist.'

'Pinkie Pie you know that's not true.' I said 'You said it yourself your parents love you very much, it's not like you just throw parties all the time, you're a hard worker. And your sisters look up to. You are the only thing that keeps your family happy. If you just ran off on them they-they would fall apart. Your parents would be consumed by their grief and your sisters would never understand why the filly they looked up to so much could turn her back on them. Think about it.'

I waited for a moment hoping that would I said would sink in, and then Pinkie Pie responded and I'll never forget what she said 'Everything you just said is true Octavia but even so I cannot stay here. I do not what I am destined to be but I do know that the life of a rock farmer is not for me. Deep down I think my family knows that as well. I will go wherever I think I am needed and who knows maybe someday I'll find where I belong but until then don't bother trying to change my mind. I am going to run away and there is nothing you or anypony else can do to stop me.' With those very words Pinkie Pie turned and walked away from me leaving me alone. I don't know if I actually cried but I remember that my eyes had tears after hearing that sentence.

The next day I left for Ponyvillie and bid my parents good-bye. As I left for Ponyvillie my mind began to reflect on all the fun times me and Pinkie Pie had, and in my heart I thought that those moments would never happen again and that I might never see what became of Pinkie Pie. I pushed those thoughts out of my mind by the time I came to Ponyvillie and over the next several years my life changed, first about a year after I arrived in Ponyvillie I recieved news from my parents teeling me that Pinkie Pie had disappered from the rock farm without a trace leaving behind only a note which I was told supposedly explained why she had run off. A few months later my mother contacted me with bad news, my father had joined a search party to look for Pinkie Pie and had come down with an illness that left him frail and weak. I wanted more than anything to travel back home and be with my mother at time but she told me that my studies were more important and that she would be fine.

Two years later I graduated from college and started holding performances in Ponyvillie. I got to met up with my foalhood friends Cheerilee and Big Macintosh for a little while but as word of my talent traveled across Equestria it wasn't long before a talent agent from Canterlot sent me a letter saying that he wished to recruit me for a group of traveling classic musicans that would perform all over Equestria, the only catch was that I move to Canterlot so that we could stay in touch.

I accepted and you all know the rest. I became a part of the group I am in now and I made new friends in all of you."

"So then what happened to Pinkie Pie?" Vinyl Scratch asked.

"Well I started hearing rumors about a pink earth pony in Ponyvillie, and I began to suspect that it might be my cousin Pinkie Pie. But everytime I wanted to come down to Ponyvillie to confirm my suspicions something came up. After the Nightmare Moon incident I heard rumors about the same pink pony being a bearer of one of the Elements of Harmony, of course since nopony had actually met the actual bearers of the Elements of Harmony nopony knew for sure who they really were. Then of course there was that incident at the Grand Galloping Galla and well I just put 2 and 2 together and I realized that it really WAS her." Octavia said.

"So you still remember?" an unfamilar voice said interupting the silence. Octavia turned to towards the bar entrance and there stood a pink earth pony with a poofy cotton candy like mane and tail, and three ballons for her cutie mark.

Octavia knew who that was."Of course I still remember Pinkie Pie." she said "How could I ever forget you?"

"I just thought that when you were performing at the Grand Galloping Galla with your band that you were just like all those other ponies, I thought you'd forgotten how to have fun."

"Nonsense Pinkie Pie." Octavia said "You're my cousin and I'll always remember what you taught me about how to haev fun. In all honesty I'm glad you came to the Grand Galloping Galla, in all honesty it was one of my least favorite performances and you helped to liven it up."

"Really?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"Of course." Octavia replied "As a matter of fact you won't believe how many requests we got for 'The Pony Pokey' alone after you left."

"But what about everything else, I thought you hated because I ran off even after you tried to convince me not to." Pinkie Pie said still not quite her usual cheerful self.

"Pinkie Pie, do you remember what you told after I tried to convince you not to run off?" Octavia said, not a hint of anger lurked in her voice.

"Yes." Pinkie Pie said.

"You said that you knew that the life of a rock farmer was not for you. And I'm sure that your family knew that too, after all that's probably what your note that you left for them said. And look at where you are now you have a great life as a baker, a party pony, and even a hero who has saved Equestria at least twice." Octavia said. "So now I want you to answer this question and I want to be honest, do you still keep in touch with your family and do you still love them?"

"Yes." Pinkie Pie said, her voice now back to it's usual happy tone.

"Then you have nothing to be ashmed of." Octavia said "You have a great life, you have lots of friends, and a family that loves you very much. I even heard that the Cakes consider you their own daugther, as if they adopted you. So you have two loving families. Everything has worked out for you, and I hope now that you realize that."

There was silence for a moment and then Pinkie Pie replied as she hugged Octavia. "You're right Octavia. I have a great life, I have lots of friends in Ponyvillie as well as a second family of sorts, but I still keep in touch with my birth family. How could I have ever thought my wasn't great?"

"I don't know Pinkie Pie." Octavia said "But what's important is that you're happy again, and when you're happy everyone is happy."

"Thanks Octavia." Pinkie Pie said "You always know just what to say."

"Why thank you." Octavia said "Hey by the way do you want to perform a duet with me?"

"You read my mind Octavia." Pinkie Pie said.

"So do you want to do 'The Pony Pokey' again?" Octavia asked.

"Nope I had something else in mind." Pinkie Pie said.

"Is it that song Granny Pie used to sing to you?" Octavia asked.

"Nope." Pinkie Pie said.

"Is it that song you sing when you bake cupcakes?" Octavia asked.

'Nope." Pinkie Pie said.

'Is it that song you sing about making other ponies smile?" Octavia asked.

"Yep." Pinkie Pie said.

"Very well." Octavia said "Let's do it."

The two ponies performed a wonderful duet, and Octavia's performace on the cello brought out a new depth to Pinkie Pie's song. When they were done everypony in the bar including Octavia's band mates, Vinyl Scratch, and Lyra gave them a standing ovation.

"Nice job Pinkie Pie." Octavia said "I must say your voice hasn't changed a bit."

"Aw thanks Octavia." Pinkie Pie said "And your voice hasn't changed either. Hey am I seeing things or Vinyl Scratch blushing."

'Um no, she's not blushing." Octavia said her usual calm tone replaced with one of nervousness.

"Aw is she your marefriend?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"N-No, that's not true." Octavia said.

"Then why are you blushing too?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"All right that's it." Octavia said, her voice taking on a playful tone that hadn't been heard in years "Come over here Pinkie Pie and by the time I'm done with you you'll be singing a differnt tune." And with that Octavia gave chase.

All the other ponies could was watch and laugh as the two ponies chased each other as if though they were school fillies playing a game of tag.