Simply Synchronized

How did it come to this? Octavia asked herself over and over as she tried to drown out the girlish chatter around her. The women she befriended were actively talking about some rather personal things that the musician deemed unfit for the public ears. She sat between Twilight Sparkle and Rarity on the couch with ample room between them. Rainbow Dash and her half of the party moved outside to play catch and start up the barbeque, Octavia regretted turning Dash’s offer to help grill the moment the words slipped out of her lips.

“Fluttershy dear, it's been ages since we've last gotten together.” Rarity’s sultry voice cooed. The shy woman jumped in her seat wide eyed and nervous. “How are things with Rainbow Dash?”

The question seemed innocent enough, but the smirk on Rarity’s face hinted at something deeper and Fluttershy’s cowering succeeded in confirming it. She pulled her legs up off the floor and rested them against the chair’s arm. If you’re going to be putting yourself out there might as well do it comfortable.

“Things are going very well, thank you for asking.” She dodged the question masterfully. “How about you and Applejack?”

“You know the usual, apples this apples that, I wish she’d talk about something else, even oranges would do! But oh how I do love my darling AJ so very much… c'est la vie.”

Octavia’s eyes shot open, she had barely been paying attention the whole night but suddenly found herself very interested. “Does this mean you are in a relationship with Applejack?” Rarity nodded her head slowly, her expression saying ‘wasn’t it obvious?’. “Wow, I had no idea… for how long?”

“Not too long, I’m afraid. We became a couple shortly after I moved in with her to escape the city life.” Rarity sighed whether it was a sigh of happiness or not added to the mystery. “We were hit and miss as friends, always arguing and clashing. I swear we were more enemies than best friends, but waking up at the crack of dawn and becoming one with the earth helped me relax and find my muse.”

“You should have seen them back in high school! It was like watching two trains collide.” Twilight quipped. Octavia quirked her eyebrow and asked her to explain in further detail. “The graduation party is a great example, can I tell her?”

“I don’t see why not.”

“Rarity had insisted on designing dresses for everyone--and yes that does include both Rainbow Dash and AJ.”

Octavia turned to the pink haired woman and asked, “How did you manage to convince her to do that?”

“How did you know I had something to do with it?” Octavia’s dull stare made Fluttershy sink into her shoulders and surrender. “Oh alright, I admit it. I did influence the situation a little, but just a little! All I had to do was ask her nicely and she agreed.”

“No complaining?” Fluttershy shook her head. “No rants?” Another shake. “Forgive me for my bluntness, but did she agree for certain favours in return?”

Fluttershy’s face erupted into a deep crimson. “I-I-I um… oh-oh… erm that is… meep.”

“I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” Octavia apologized sincerely. “It’s just despite knowing Rainbow Dash for such a short time, I can hardly imagine her in a skirt let alone a gown.”

“Rainbow Dash loves Fluttershy very, very much. If she wishes it she would fly up to the moon and write a sonnet declaring her undying love.”

“That depends purely on whether or not Rainbow Dash even knows what a sonnet is.” Twilight Sparkle added smugly. Fluttershy and Rarity shared a laugh at the athlete’s expense, Octavia found it hard to resist the infectious laughter. “I asked her about how she felt once and she said, and I quote: “If I had wings, I’d never leave the sky. But I’d give them up just to be with her.” That was the night she turned down her chance to be in the Wonderbolts.”

“I remember that night…” Fluttershy whispered dreamily. She hid her smile behind her mug trying to hide away her feelings. “Though as happy as I am, I’m still trying to live down the guilt of having her choose me over her dream.”

“Why? It was her decision to stay.” Octavia sipped on her beverage enjoying the sweet taste. “Actually on second thought maybe joining the Wonderwhatsit was her dream but it wasn’t her destiny? Perhaps Rainbow Dash knew this.”

Rarity gasped and clapped her hands, “Clever deduction! Classy, fashionable and witty, you are my kind of woman indeed, Ms. Melody.”

“You flatter me,” Octavia smiled, her cheeks becoming a rosy color. “But thank you very much.”

Rainbow Dash waltzed into the living room and stood behind Fluttershy, she wrapped her arms around the tall woman’s shoulders and rested her chin on top of her head. “My ears are burning, you ladies better not be talkin’ about me behind my back.” she said grinning widely. “I like hearing about how awesome I am in person.”

“We were actually,” Fluttershy said looking up. “We were talking about how sweet, funny and romantic you are.”

“Eh? I ain’t sweet or romantic. Leave that gushy-mushy stuff to Rarity, blehck.”

“Snuggling up to Fluttershy isn’t helping your case, Rainbow Dash.” Rarity chuckled softly which earned her a playful glare. “Try and deny it all you want, Snuggly Dash.”

“W-Whatever… the kebabs are done, do you wanna come get em or should I bring em here?”

“Would you mind dear?”

“Nah,” Rainbow straightened up, her hands now resting on Fluttershy’s shoulders. “Anything else you might need? More drinks or something maybe?”

“I’d love another cup of tea.” Fluttershy said.

“Kay one tea, anything else ladies?”

Octavia looked down at her near empty glass and raised her hand tentatively, “Another glass of cider if you would? I think I’ve found myself a new addiction.”

‘Ahaha, alrighty. Just be careful not to drink too much of the stuff, it does have alcohol in it.”

“That explains the after taste.”

“Rainbow, could you get me another can of soda?” Twilight raised her empty lemon soda can up and smiled.

“Hold up lemme just double check,” she said clearing her throat. “Tea for Flutterbabe, cider for Tav, and soda for Twi. Do you need anything, Rarity?”

“I’m quite alright, thank you for asking.”

“Be right back then.” Rainbow bent down one more time and kissed Fluttershy on the cheek before dashing off to fetch the food and drink.

The dark haired woman beside Octavia let out a giddy squeal startling the rest of the group. She quickly excused herself and said, “I’ve seen you two together so many years, but I still can’t get over how adorable you both are!”

“I concur,” Rarity added.

“Thank you,” Fluttershy said as she smoothed out her side-swept bangs.

One thing that struck Fluttershy as odd was her beauty. It wasn’t a bad thing, take Rarity for example. She was beautiful, fashion and was proud to flaunt it, but Fluttershy was the complete opposite. Did the woman not realize how stunning she was? Why did she hide herself away? Try as she might to hide her body under her large sweater, Fluttershy’s large breasts were still easy to notice. What else could she be hiding underneath?

Hold the phone, Octavia shook her head vigorously to purge her thoughts, Did I just have improper thoughts of Fluttershy?

“Everything alright, Octavia?” Fluttershy’s concern caused the woman in question to blush.

“Erm, well yes. I do believe the cider has finally gotten to me.” she said smoothly trying to avert everyone’s attention. “Can’t seem to put the glass down, hehe…”

“I remember drinking Applejack’s hard cider for the first time,” Twilight leaned back into the cushion reminiscing. “I woke up sprawled in the bathtub wearing a trash can on my head. The only one who survived that night was Fluttershy and she refuses to divulge what happened.”

Ding-Dong

Rainbow Dash poked her head out from the kitchen holding a large serving dish in each hand. “You mind grabbin’ the door, babe?” she asked as she carried them to the coffee table between the four women.

“Sure thing.” Fluttershy quickly shuffled her way to the door and welcomed the guest outside.

“Howz it hangin’ party people!?”

“Viny,l I’m so glad you could make it! We have burgers, kebabs and hot dogs out on the grill, please help yourself.”

“Don’t mind if I do, pretty lady!”

Octavia’s face paled visibly, she could feel her stomach twist and turn almost as if she was about ready to throw up. Without even having to  turn her head she knew who was standing at the doorway with Fluttershy.

“DJ Pon-3 at your service!” the cocky voice hollered. “Whoa, wait, holdup! Octy that you!? Dude, no one said you’d be here.”

Groaning loudly, Octavia sid down the back rest and lithely waved her hand. “Yes, Vinyl I am here, though I wish I wasn’t now…”

“SUH-WEET!” the Dj beamed having ignored the last bit of Octavia’s sentence. She ran up to Twilight Sparkle and threw her arms around her neck. “And my favourite bookworm is here, too! The only thing this party needs to kick it up to a whole ‘nother level is if my favourite party person was here.”

“Hello, Vinyl.” Twilight chirped just as eagerly. “I didn’t know you were invited as well, if I knew I would have brought the books you requested.”

“No biggie, Twi! I wasn’t supposed to be here anyways, but had a last minute cancellation so I figured I’d take up RD’s invite and boogie down.”

“I simply adore what you’re wearing tonight,” Rarity said jumping into the conversation. “It’s rare to see you in such colors, but it really suits you.”

“Thanks I guess, but I actually gotta get an entire new set of duds.”

“Why’s that? Did you get one of Luna’s socks mixed in with your load?” Rainbow Dash snickered. She walked up to Vinyl and pulled the spiky haired woman into a friendly hug. “Glad you could make it though. Pinkie Pie’s out back with the kids, grab some grub and join em.”

“Glad I could and yeah I did actually.”

“Whoa, serious? Isn’t this like the third time this happened since she moved in?” Vinyl nodded. “Damn that sucks.”

“I know right! Now I’m stuck walking around like a blueberry.”

“Is that Vinyl Scratch Ah’m hearin’ talkin’ about lookin’ like a blueberry?” Applejack strutted into the room holding a serving tray full of beverages. She handed the tray to Fluttershy who quickly handed them out to her waiting friends. “Well boy howdy, Ah didn’t think y’all were serious! Looky ‘ere Bic Mac, it’s DJ Vinyl Grap-3!”

“Eeyup!” Big Mac said from the kitchen.

“Yeah… oh well. The colour is actually starting to grow on me.” Vinyl tugged at her shirt and grinned. “Mind if I use that DJ Vinyl Grap-3 thing?”

“Go right ‘head.”

“And like I said the color suits her perfectly!” Rarity got off of the couch and linked arms with the farmer. “By the way you have a touch of flower on your cheek, darling.”

“Just finishin’ the kitchen clean up with Big Mac. Desserts already in the oven by the way, made yer favourite, honeybunch.”

“Get a room you two!” Vinyl recoiled in playful disdain.

“You need a cup a cider in your hand A.S.A.P, Scratch.” Rainbow Dash grinned. “You, me and AJ still have a score to settle.”

“Oh Dashie,” Vinyl herself at the athlete and cooed, “You’re so romantic.”

The two friends along with Applejack and Rarity headed into the kitchen leaving Fluttershy, Twilight and Octavia by themselves. Feeling physically and emotionally drained, Octavia downed the new glass of cider as fast as she could. She thanked whatever God was watching over her that Vinyl left her alone. She really didn’t need to loudmouth ruining her night.

“I take it you and Vinyl don’t get along very well?” The question was directed at the grumbling musician, but Octavia just didn’t have it in her to explain. “She can be a little tricky to get to know, but once you do you’ll find yourself enjoying her company. I actually thought of all people in the school you and her would become fast friends.”

“Fluttershy is right, Octavia dear. What ever did the silly girl do to deserve such cold treatment?”

Guilt poked Octavia in the side knowing full well that the blue haired woman hadn’t doing anything bad enough to earn the treatment she had been receiving.

“How should I put this… have you ever met someone and instantly knew you wouldn’t like them?” Rarity and Fluttershy shared questioning glances but didn’t speak and let Octavia continue. “All she said was hi and introduced herself, but the way she did just grated on my nerves. I’ve never met someone so uncouth, uncivilized and disorderly in my life!”

“Oh my…”

“But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I could have looked passed all that and I’m sure we would have gotten along swimmingly… someday.” Octavia took in a deep breath and let it all out, the alcohol was really starting to get to her. “During my second day at the school, Vinyl offered to clean my chalkboard since I was extremely busy. A co-worker who helps clean another’s class, she’s great right?”

“Well yes…” Rarity agreed hesitantly, but flinched when Octavia glared at her. “O-Or not…?”

“She cleaned it with wubs.”