Under new management

-Thursday

The music flowed around and between them as the made there way to dance floor. Facing her he spoke. "So I should probably warn you the only dance move I know is 'The shuffle back and forth'." He said rubbing the back of his head. Octavia smiled

"Shall I lead then?" She joked.

"Only if you think you can dip me." He said laughing. "So, why are you here with Decibel? And please don't tell me he has a wonderful personality." She grimaced. She was about to repeat what she had been told when a hoof was gently placed on her lips. "Please the truth. Anything said here stays here. You have my word." As his hoof fell she swallowed hard. A loud gulp came from her and she took a breath. "As my boss he holds certain... Leverage over who gets the better gigs." She paused for a moment. "If he asks you something then you do it no questions asked." Her faced soured.

"So it's safe to say you two aren't serious then?" He said as he twirled her. She closed her eyes and smiled.

"No. At least I don't want to be. But if he says jump I say-"

"Off of what cliff?" He asked. Octavia snorted in response and quickly covered her mouth. A great cackle was heard from Polaris followed by more of Octavia's laughing. As the laughter died the dancers bodies got closer. "So are you seeing anyone at the moment?" He asked just a tone softer.

She looked down. "Regretfully no. I'm afraid the opposite sex finds me most harsh towards the subject of love."

"Regretful indeed. Why haven't seen you act harsh all night. Rather you've been quite disarming with your charm."

"It's you who disarms me Polaris." She said softly. "You've been paying me with nothing but complements this whole night."

"I've only been saying what I think m'lady. The fact that your beautiful should be obvious. Now if I were to go into detail with how beautiful you really are, I could see how that could be mistaken for flattery."

"You've taken quite a forward step since that talk with your major."

"Well he does have quite an influence over me. But it wasn't his words but yours that brought me back to my formal self."

"Hmm? What did I say?" She said trying to remember.

"After I said my piece you replied with 'I know what you mean.' And I looked into your eyes and I told myself: No. No more of this. And I made a silent vow to protect myself from the pains of the world."

"Miss Octavia." He said looking into her eyes. "I must apologize for my earlier behavior. You were being insulted and I did nothing to stop that. That is my folly and I swear it won't happen again." She shook her head.

"It doesn't bother me." She lied. "I get insulted like that all the time." He looked at her with big puppy dog eyes.

"A mare such as beautiful and talented should never be insulted." She was charmed again. She positioned herself for another dance and she rested her head on his shoulder. She was glad to have met him.

At the table the major was watching the pair dance as Decibel returned. "Where's Octavia?" He wondered. The other two ignored him as the dinner had arrived.

As all the plates were set Octavia and Polaris rejoined the table. Polaris kissed her hoof and bowed thanking her for the dance. She gave him a curtsy and sat at the chair which he had pulled out for her. Decibel had noticed that she sat closer to Polaris this time. He gave her a wicked glare in her general direction. "Something wrong Mr. Decibel?" Polaris said with an innocent look on his face. He shook his head and continued to eat.

"Oh would you look at this!" Said Polaris. "It seams I have ordered two steaks instead of one! Major would you be so kind as to assist me in eating one of these?" His acting was atrocious on purpose and the major played along.

"Well I say, if I must but do remember that I must watch my salt! Tia the doctors orders." And with that they both looked at Emerald ice.

She stared at the pair as she spun her spaghetti and smiled. "Piss off the pair of you."

"Oh come now dear sister." He said putting an arm around her. " will just put him on rice patties and water."

"That's right!" Said the major agreeing. He thought for a moment. "I beg your pardon!" Emerald ice choked on a bit of her dinner. And the whole table stiffed a chuckle. Clearing his throat the major pulled out an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Decibel. "Now that we all sitting comfortable." Decibel opened the letter thinking it was commendations but his face had a confused look on it.

"I- I don't understand." His voice quivered. "What is this?" He demanded.

"What you hold is a signed document from all your shareholders voting you out and placing me in charge of the music hall." The major calmly took a sip of his wine. "You see one of the mares in which you, ahem, 'worked late' with filed for sexual harassment. And instead of using the lawyers you bought off she decided to come to me. After a few minuets of research I found numerous lawsuits following the same make. I brought this up to the shareholders and they said something about besmirching of there good names or something. They decided to sell the rights to me so long as I kept this a hush hush matter." He took another sip of his wine. "Long story short, your fired.

"You can't blame me!" He said flabbergasted. "She was giving me these looks almost everyday. How could I not resist? She seduced me!" His defense was well rehearsed. That last sentience was the breaking point. Emerald ice ready her glass as if to toss on him when Polaris put a hoof on her arm.

"Dear sister, please." The glass lowered. As he got up and walked over to Decibel. "To throw wine? Really, were all adults here." He put a hoof on Decibels shoulder and he relaxed a bit. "Let's try to act like it."

"Yes at least somepony has some common s- OOF!" Decibel was interrupted with a swift hoof to the stomach.

"Why waste such good wine on such lowly filth?" He said "helping" decibel out of his chair. "Good sir. I think you've had too much to drink tonight." Polaris's face darkened. "We wouldn't want you to take a nasty spill on your way home now do we?" Decibel nodded and stuttered for Octavia. He was once again interrupted. Polaris turned to the grey mare. "Miss Octavia, I would very much like to make up for the way you've been treated tonight. My family and I have a tradition of going for desserts when we gather. Would you care to join us? We shall also send for a carriage to take you home afterwords." Octavia looked at her crook of a boss and then to Polaris.

"Well My schedule has been freed." She said smiling.

"Wonderful!" said the major. He looked at Decibel. "Please keep what dignity you have left and leave of your own accord." And with that Decibel turned his head and sauntered off.

"At least you still have your money!" Shouted Polaris. From what he could tell it seemed to cheer him up a bit. "Shall we wait for our food to continue growing cold?" A nod came from the major. As he raised his glass.

"First a toast. Farewell to bad investments." Said the major.

"And warm greeting to new management." Followed Octavia. Glasses chimed and the food vanished in a matter of minuets. The conversations were much more easy going and more natural. Nopony trying impress anypony. 'This feels like a family meal.' Octavia thought. 'I feel like an outsider.' She looked at the seating and she noted that Polaris was sitting more near Octavia then his own date. She decided not to read too much into it.

"Ah dear sister would you care for a dance. I do believe we have yet to all night." He heals a hoof to his sister and she took it gladly. "If you'll excuse us Octavia. Major." As the pair waltzed to to dance floor the major chatted with Octavia.

"So miss Octavia, tell me about yourself. It would be good to get to know one of my performers." The major said pouring her another glass if wine.

"Thank you major." She said as she took a sip. "Well I've been studying the cello since I was small. I've always been enamored with the arts even though my parents think I'm wasting my time but I'm happy."

"Ah I can relate my dear. My in laws almost disowned my wife for choosing me bless her soul. But the heart can't help but want. Tis it's nature is it not?" Octavo no longer felt like she was talking with the major but her grandfather or a kind old professor she once had. "Please continue. Where are you living these days?"

"Well my roommate from collage, her colt friend and I were renting a home, but her colt friend was into drugs and got himself arrested. Which is fine by me, I thought he was despicable. The only problem is were short one paycheck and so far all the ponies we've interviewed have gotten on our nerves in some way or another." She sighed taking another sip. "If this keeps up mere going to have to move." She was glad the major was a good listener. Granted his age probably was the reason. She did see a bit of a twinkle in his eye when she finished her story.

"What if I told you I found a likely candidate?" Said the major as he leaned in.

"Really? Who?" The major only pointed to dance floor who's only residents were Emerald Ice and Polaris. "I don't think my roommate would like him. He's too, ah... Formal for her tastes." A deep laugh came from the major.

"Oh trust me my dear he only behaves when I'm in the room I assure you. He's quite the trouble maker though. Unfortunately he doesn't have a job at this time but I'll take care of that!" He said triumphantly.

"Are you sure he'd want to? I mean it's not a big place." The major sighed.

"If it a lack of luxury your worried about, then don't be. I'm sure had his sister not taken him him he would have been sleeping in a cardboard box. A steep up from his last place. A down right mess. Make no mistake miss Octavia, Polaris is the only one in our family to refuse my financial help. Far too proud he gets that from his mother." He glanced at the siblings walking back over to the table. "Do talk it over with him will you?" She nodded politely. Maybe this dinner was worth the trouble after all. A waiter brought over a note to the table.

"Ah excuse me but a message was left for miss Octavia." As she read the note her shoulders dropped slightly.

"Anything the matter my dear?" The major inquired. As the other two arrived.

"My friend, the one I told you about? Well it appears she had a little too much to drink and set our kitchen ablaze... Again." There was a slight pause as Octavia gathered her things. "I'm afraid I won't be able to join you after dinner." She said to the major as he got up from his seat.

"Another time in sure. Polaris would you please escort miss Octavia and get a carriage for her?"

"It would be my pleasure." He said giving her his arm. She took it said goodnight to the major and Emerald Ice and walked out if the building.

There was a bit of awkward silence between the two as they waited for her coat. "The major said you were looking for a place to stay." She said slowly, testing the waters. "My friend and I are currently looking for a replacement and if it's not to forward I was wondering if you would like to come by the house and see if it's something your interned in." She took a nervous glance at him. He was looking rather embarrassed. Had she come off too strong? Did it sound like there was a hidden meaning?

"I would live to but I feel I've been deceiving you miss Octavia. I'm not this well mannered outside the gaze of the major." He cleared his throat. "I actually detest this fancy facade of mine." It was his turn to glance at Octavia who he found with a devious smile.

"Then I'm sure you and my roommate will get along swimmingly." He returned the smile. He helped her with her coat and the pair started out the door. She reached into her purse and pulled out a pen and paper. "Hall hid hoo he haress." She grunted and waited to speak when the pen was out of her mouth. Polaris hailed a carriage. She was also suddenly warring a tad bit more lipstick which did not go unnoticed by Polaris. "Ahem, I'll give you the address and my number. If you're interested then give me a call and we can set a day for you to come by." She handed him the paper with the address, phone number and some of her lipstick in the shape of her lips. Polaris smiled at the gesture. He bowed to her and kissed her hoof.

"You'll absolutely be hearing from me. Good night miss Octavia." Polaris said as he opened the door.

"Good night Polaris." She said as it closed and took off. Polaris watched it go down for a few blocks until it turned a corner. He looked at the paper, smiled and went back to join his family.