Octavia's Dilemma

Octavia sat in front of her usual table at the cafe. A cup of steaming tea sat beside her, hardly touched. Her muzzle was burried in a magazine filled with news of the classiest ponies in Equestria. A pony was softly playing the piano as someponies came and went, although she hardly paid them any mind. The only thing she noticed when they made their presence was the chime of the bell that hung above the door, and the gentle chatter of their voices. She swayed to the beat, humming to the tune.

“E'hmm,” A pony cleared her thought beside her. Octavia jumped, slightly startled to see the pony standing beside her. She quickly regained her composure with her cheeks blushing slightly when she realized she had been being watched. The white coat of the pony beside her seemed to glow in the warm light of the cafe.

“Oh, Rarity,” She greeted her friend with a small smile,“I didn't see you there. Your mane looks nice today, did you try something new with it?”

Rarity groaned, “Oh I fought with it for hours, it simply wouldn't behave.” A frown contorted her pretty face.

“Well it looks like you did spend hours on it,” Octavia acknowledged, it had a glossy sheen to it that sent off a radiant purple reflection. “It's quite mesmerizing.”

“Why thank, you,” Rarity’s grin returned, “I'm just glad that somepony around here appreciates all of my effort.” She sat on a cushion beside Octavia. The music had stopped, and Octavia glanced over to see Noteworthy had stepped down from his bench and was now at the counter ordering something.

“Are you hungry?” Octavia asked, her hooves were itching to move.

“Actually dear, I just came to talk to you, Vinyl said you would be here.” Octavia's attention refocused on Rarity. “I happen to have some tickets to a ball that I want you to join me for!” Her voice raised a few octaves in her excitement, then she lowered herself to the table, leaning into Octavia and continuing in a hushed tone, “Hoity toity is throwing it, and Photo Finish will be there.” Even in the whisper Octavia could tell she was bursting with excitement. Then the sat straight back up, and looked at her sternly, “I must make an appearance, and I need you to be there to support me, you'll do me this one, small, tiny, favor wont you?” Her lower lip pouted out, and her eyes swelled with hope.

“Well, of course,” Octavia stammered. Being invited to a ball with a friend was hardly a burden.

“Ah, I knew you would,” Rarity perked up as if nothing had been the matter. “I'll leave these with you, and I'll have your gown ready by tomorrow, make sure to bring your otherpony by then too so I can get measurements.” She dropped two tickets onto the table, then stood to take her leave.

The two silver tickets were embellished with the words 'Grand Evening Ball'. Octavias mind went first to her closest friend, “I'm sure Vinyll will be excited to hear that.”

Rarity turned on her heels, “No, no, no! That won't do.” Octavia's head cocked sideways in her confusion. Vinyll would love a good party. Rarity sat back down on her haunches, she exhaled in exasperation before she continued, “This isn't a party for just any ponies, this is a premiere event for only the most civilized, fashionable, classiest, radiant...” with each word she stomped her hove on the ground and her eyes seemed to grow wider. Soon she was out of breath, “...Beautiful, extravagant...”

“Rarity please breathe, I understand.” Her eyes lowered to the table as she crossed her hooves. “I suppose I could find some-.”

“Brilliant,” Rarity stood once more, “I'll start on your dress at once, do not be late tomorrow!” She trotted for the door and left a waft of her lavender perfume where she had just been sitting.

Octavia glanced around the room and saw the other ponies were silent, watching the door where Rarity had just departed. The silence made the room momentarily freeze in the stillness, but after a beat or two they continued their conversations from right where they had left off, Octavia's eyes lowered to the table to where the tickets rested. A feeling of dread washed over her. She felt a lump rising in her throat and tried to wash it away with a sip of her tea. She also tried straightening the purple bow on her neck, but that didn't help her feel any better at all.

The tea sat untouched on the table for the rest of the afternoon as she stared blankly at the same page of the magazine, lost in her thoughts. The tickets loomed on the edge of the table, catching a quick glance every few minutes. By now she knew the deadline. The party was at the end of the week, and Rarity expected her to be prepared with somepony by tomorrow night. And not just anypony, but a special pony. The music was the only thing that helped calm her. She pondered going home and playing her cello to soothe her mind, but knew that wouldn't be making any progress. She couldn't let her friend down.

“Hey there,” A voice jolted her from her thoughts once more. It was Tippour, the grey earthpony who worked at the shop. Octavia reached a hove up to sweep the tickets under the magazine.

“Hello,” She replied, with a nervous laugh.

“Did you want some more tea? It looks like yours is cold.”

“Ah,” She looked back at her cup, “Yes please, that would be most appreciated.”

“I'm on it,” He took the saucer in his mouth yet still managed to say, “I'll bring you a fresh one.”

Soon a new wafting tea was set in front of her, she had turned the page in the magazine to make it appear as through she was reading it. “Thanks Tippy,” she managed to say. She considered him, he was a hard working pony who made sure everypony got their orders, and was satisfied. He was friendly as well. Surely he could be an option to ask to the ball.

“No problem, Do you think you could say hi to Rarity for me?” He seemed hopeful. “She doesn't come in here as often as you do.”

“Why... yes,” She answered. He returned to his place behind the counter, and she wondered how Rarity had left such an impression on him. It was no doubt she was beautiful. Maybe that would be what it would take to get a special pony interested in her. She glanced in the reflection of her tea, studying the way her eyelids fluttered.

“Are you tired?” Cherilee asked from the table beside her. Octavia looked over to the purple pony with her striped pink mane and cheery expression.

“No, just...,” Octavia sighed, “Maybe. I suppose I am.” She closed the magazine and waked over to the mare. She was another regular at the cafe. “Say, What do the young school-ponies to when they ask each other to the dances?”

“Do you have your eye on some pony?” She pried.

Octavia's eyes went to the carpet and her mouth gaped as she searched for words.

Cherliee smiled knowingly. “Usually they will play together,” She acknowledged, “Sometimes they tease or bluntly rush in, but the only way to know is if they ask.”

“What I mean by that is- I'm only... because, Rarity.”

“Shh child, you don't have to explain anything, I understand.” Cerilee took a bite of her tulip sandwich, then washed it down with a swig of honeydew.

“You are a talented pony,” she praised. “A pony would be lucky if they had your attention.”

“Thank you,” She accepted the compliment. “I think I do need some rest though, I'll see you around.”

“Good luck,” Cherilee wished her well.

Octavia returned home with the magazine in her bag with the tickets tucked safely inside. Play together, the thought stuck in her mind. She dropped her bag off by the foot of her bed and took her cello out to play the same songs she had listened to all day at the cafe. She fell asleep that night with the same songs playing through her head.