On any other day, Carrot Top would be happily indulging in far too many sugary sweets downtown at the Al Capony; or perhaps competing with Octavia at one of the parks.
Of course, this wasn’t such a day. Instead, the golden mare found herself stomping through the streets with enough force to almost hurt her hooves. As nice as the painful distraction was, she knew better than to let herself stay distracted. After that fight with her dad, she knew she was at her last chance to do things her way.
‘Top let out a hard snort at the thought, scaring a poor cat from its nap on a nearby window. A chuckle escaped her before she shook her head fiercely, her orange mane bouncing around her eyes. She wasn’t about to let her family’s inability to change stop her from living the life she wanted to, no matter how poor an idea they thought it was.
A sneer slipped onto her lips. “Like hay they won’t. Help with the plantation my tail.” Catching herself before she went into another verbal rampage, Carrot Top finally came to a stop to figure out where she was. After several moments of thought, she turned the corner and broke into a gallop, navigating the maze of Canterlot’s streets with practiced ease.
After several minutes, her destination loomed into view: a large manor on one outskirt of town. As she calmly walked up to the large iron gate surrounding the house and rang the bell, she felt the same brief moment of panic. Her friend’s family house always made her feel out of place when she first arrived, no matter how many hundreds of times she was here. Luckily, it passed as quickly as the butler arrived. Recognizing the gold mare, the stout unicorn quickly opened the gate and gave a polite bow.
“Looking for the young lady, I presume? She’s in the back practicing again. Do you need me to show you there?”
Carrot couldn’t help the small smile. Alex always had the most comforting air of calmness, no matter how disarrayed his guests seemed. “No sir, I believe I know the way. Thank you!” She gave a short bow in return before hustling off to the backside of the house and towards her objective, giving the maid a polite nod as she passed by.
The sound of a masterfully played, deep stringed instrument led her into one of the side room. She quietly opened the door, slipped inside, and just as quietly closed it behind her to approach her friend playing the cello.
Carrot Top stood as still as she could, and tried to lose herself in the music. Note by note, the mare could feel her stress slipping away until she was able to breathe quietly. Finally opening her eyes, Carrot focused on the grey mare across the room. Octavia’s eyes had been closed since Carrot had entered; yet as the final strain faded away and the earth pony opened her eyes, there was no surprise at her audience.
“Good evening Carrot Top. Feeling better?” As Octavia put her cello away, Carrot couldn’t bring herself to do more than shuffle from hoof to hoof. Only when the cello case finally clicked closed did she have any idea how to explain the last few hours.
“I had another fight with mom and dad. They really don’t like the idea of my going to that art school instead of helping with the dumb plantation.”
Octavia remained quiet from her position on the couch. She had been expecting things to come to a head rather soon, but she wasn’t ready for her friend’s next lines.
“Dad mentioned that between the new greenhouse and the ruined harvest, they couldn’t really afford to send me to school right now anyway;” Carrot paused for a deep breath before continuing. “So I told him I got a partial scholarship to the Canterlot Arts College.”
Wearing a grin big enough for the pair of them, Tavi bounded up and smothered her friend with a hug. “That’s fantastic! We’ll be going to the same school! Maybe we can even be classmates or something!”
Carrot Top gave a weak smile. “Maybe. Dad didn’t take the decision very well. Said some things…that I’m sure he didn’t really mean.” She gingerly kicked a hoof against a leg of the couch.
“Which, um, is partly why I wanted to talk to you.” She paused to give a sigh. “Um, are you still looking for a roommate to help with a place near the college?”
Octavia gave her friend a knowing look. “Doesn’t your family live down the street from the school…?” At her quiet nod, Octavia gave her friend another hug. “I understand. Yes, I would be thrilled to have you as a roomie. I’ve already found a third pony, so we can go for that cute three-bedroom I had told you about.”
Already feeling better, Carrot couldn’t help the small smile sneaking across her face. “That’s the house near the music building’s side of campus, right?”
Octavia slid her instrument across her back with practiced ease, the weight hardly noticeable. “Indeed it is. Actually, I’m due to meet that other pony to go over details of the lease and then go sign it today. Are you able to join us?”
For a brief instant, Carrot Top wanted to say no. To go back home and curl up under her blankets for the next few years and pretend nothing ever happened. Spontaneous things just weren’t exactly her cup of tea, especially when she knew so much was riding on the results. Fortunately, the instant was over quickly. “Of course! Do I need to bring anything with me?”
Octavia chuckled. “Just your patience. The other mare is something of a shock at first.” She shook her head as they left the room. “Her taste is music is somewhat… eclectic, to say the least. Still, a nice enough pony. We should get along just fine.”