Chapter 1: Welcome to Paradise!
"Hello, this is your Captain speaking. We will be arriving, in part to the beautiful weather today, slightly ahead of schedule. Please fasten your seat belts and move dinner trays and seats into the upright position for we will be landing in five minutes. Thank you all for choosing Celestial Airlines for your travel needs."
Octavia downed the last of her new drink, the slight burning in her throat telling her that it might have been a mistake to order that last one. Well, if we weren't ahead of schedule, I wouldn't feel so light-headed, Octavia thought to herself. As she was nudged by the still-sleeping form of Twilight, Octavia let out a tired sigh and buckled her seat, placing Twilight's glasses and book in the bag at her friend's feet so they wouldn't get lost in the commotion of disembarking. Right. Keep telling yourself that, Octavia, you're fooling everyone, especially yourself, Octavia thought sourly. Testing her friend's seat belt and feeling satisfied that it was secure, Octavia leaned back into her own seat and let out another tired sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose before running a hand down her face.
Damnit, Octavia, this isn't what you want. You know damn well what you do want, She thought to herself as she felt the slight lurch of the plane descending through the clouds as their destination neared. The sensation of the clouds looking like they were the ones going down rather than her was reflecting her mood right about now. Getting nudged by Twilight once more, Octavia looked over at her and suppressed a laugh as Twilight stretched her hands high above her head and gave one final snort before slowly opening her eyes and looking around. "Well, good afternoon sleepyhead," Octavia said playfully, earning a small giggle from Twilight.
"I was up late last night making sure I had everything packed that I needed," Twilight explained as she let out a silent yawn.
"Yes, I could tell by the five bags you packed that were nearly bursting," Octavia said with a playful grin.
Twilight gave her friend a soft, playful slap on her shoulder before responding, "I originally had eight, but thought that it might have been just a bit too much preparedness for a vacation."
"Only just," Octavia said in a semi-serious tone.
"Wow, look at that!" Twilight said in quiet admiration, pointing out the window to their left.
Octavia turned her head and glanced out the thick window and her breath slightly caught in her throat. They had finally descended enough for the islands to come into view. There was the main island in what could be called the center of a ring of smaller islands, roughly 80 miles in diameter, with four significantly smaller islands placed in odd intervals around the island. In the northernmost point of the main island was a mighty, dormant, volcano that towered over the rest of the surrounding landscape. All down the mighty slope was thick jungle with brilliant greens shining in the tropical sun. At the southernmost point of the island was it's main city, on that circled tight around the natural bay of the island. It was much larger than Octavia ever expected it to be; it easily was home to a few thousand people! Octavia knew that she would have to explore the city at some point in her trip. On the westernmost point of the island was the remnants of an old lighthouse high above the shoreline on rocky cliffs with everything between the three points thick jungle with infrequent breaks in foliage of shining blue of landlocked bodies of water.
It was beautiful.
"You were right, Twilight," Octavia let out quietly, "I needed a vacation."
~/-/-~
The airport was impressive, considering the drive from the town and the undoubtedly meager amount of flat land available on the rocky island. The twin landing strips were built on the lone stretch of land that the island had to offer nearest the town, with the final 300 or so feet being made of solid cement blocks that overhung the small cliff that gave way to beach and the softly rolling waves. The complex was equally impressive, if significantly less level. Comprised of three main levels, the complex was organized in an open, showy manner, each of the three levels holding glass ceilings over the parts that weren't overlapped by the other levels and giant, floor-to-ceiling windows that, at the correct angle, allowed one to view the main doors that lead to the road from the arrivals area, much like a very surprised Octavia and Twilight were doing.
"This place is incredible!" Octavia let out in in surprise. She couldn't believe how big the airport was, especially for how relatively uninhabited the island was.
"Well, my aunt was always one for regal appearances." Twilight observed casually, even if she was just as struck by the complex's massive size.
The two girls headed with their luggage to one of the custom escalators with pads designed to hold a fair amount of baggage so people wouldn't struggle down three flights of stairs with their bags. As the two reached them, they were stopped by a man with dark black skin who worked at the airport, a tall man with oily black hair in a wild knot in the back with strands of hair loosely hanging around his head. He had inviting brown eyes and a toothy, inviting smile. "Welcome, welcome! Can I help with your bags?" He said through a thick accent and a kind extension of his hand.
"Yes, thank you, mister...?" Twilight moved her hand in a small circle.
The man smiled sheepishly before laughing softly to himself, "Where are my manners? I am Macora, a simple bellboy." Macora said, giving a small bow.
"Yes, Macora, that would be lovely," Octava smiled kindly, glad to receive such a warm reception.
"Of course. Wait here, I will be right back with a cart for your luggage," Macora said in his honey, deep bass voice before turning around and walking swiftly with the agility of someone who knew the layout like the back of their hand from years spent there.
Twilight turned to Octavia, smiling brightly, "Well, that is a great start to our three weeks! I didn't know auntie even employed bellboys..." Twilight said thoughtfully before looking from her friend to the window.
"And here I was thinking you knew all of your aunt's business strategies," Octavia said playfully, getting a mild push by Twilight, "It truly is beautiful. How long has your aunt had this airport here?" Octavia asked, tearing her eyes from the incredible scenery to look quizzically at her friend.
"I think for only a few years; the building itself doesn't seem too weathered and the design is fairly modern. I'd say it's no more than six, maybe seven years old," Twilight observed, a hand thoughtfully stroking her chin as her eyes scanned the building in a scholarly way rather than in admiration.
"You would be correct with seven," Macora said, arriving with a flat cart that he began packing bags onto.
Twilight let out a small yelp from being snapped out of her thought process before turning around and softly laughing. "Macora, I see you're back."
Macora gave the same toothy grin he had been earlier, "Indeed I am, Miss."
"Please, just Twilight will do," Twilight said with a small blush.
"Twilight, Twilight... that name is familiar for some reason," Macora let out thoughtfully as he placed the last of Twilight's bags on the cart. His face lit up as he seemed to remember, standing erect and snapping his fingers, "Yes, now I remember! You are Ms. Celestia's niece!" He examined with no small amount of pride.
Both Twilight and Octavia were surprised that a stranger like Macora would know something like that. "Yes, I am. How'd you know?" Twilight asked curiously.
"Miss Celestia often comes here for vacation or business dealings with younger clients who enjoy tropical settings. When I carry her bags for her, she often mentions her niece Twilight and how proud she is of her. I can only assume it's you," Macora said with a knowing smile.
"She does?" Twilight asked, her blush growing and a soft smile on her face.
"Yes, very often," Macora said, his smile infectious. "Here, your bags are loaded, let's head for the exit. Follow me," Macora said, pushing the full cart toward the escalators the two girls spotted earlier. Walking effortlessly through the crowd of people coming, going, and seeing each other after long absences, Macora guided Octavia and Twilight to the escalator at a speed that the two girls couldn't believe. In a fluid motion, seemingly as effortless as his speed through the crowd, he loads the cart onto one of the large pads along with the two girls.
During their descent, a silence had enveloped the three, one Octavia was determined to break. "So Macora, how long have you lived here?"
Macora gave his dazzling smile as he answered, "For ten years today, actually. My brother and I moved here from Zebrica looking for jobs. We worked as fishermen on commercial boats before Twilight's aunt built her airport. Ever since then, I've been working here as a bellboy," Macora explained, a happy grin plastered to his face.
"Only you?" Twilight asked. "What about your brother?"
"Shino always loved the sea," Macora explained with a laugh, "He saved up what little we made for years before he bought his own boat. He now makes much more than he did as just another crewman."
"If you've worked here since the building was built, how come you're only a bellboy? Surely the managers must make more and you've more than enough experience to hold such a position?" Octavia asked, slightly surprised.
"While it's true that managers do make more, I do not envy their job. Managers have to come to work in fancy suits or dresses and sit in an office while paroling every once in a while or answering a complaint from a traveler," Macora explained. "But that is not what I want. What I want is to meet lovely people, such as yourselves-" Both Twilight and Octavia blushed a little at this, "-and help make people's arrival to this island as happy as possible. Besides, I make enough to own a home and put food on my table. I am a happy man!" Macora explained, his grin somehow growing.
"That's a wise way to live, Macora," Twilight commented, "As well as an admirable one."
"Thank you, Twilight," Macora said. "Here, watch your step. Disembarking can cause people to trip," Macora said, pushing the cart off the escalator and being followed by the two girls.
"You wouldn't happen to have any family that live in Ponyville, would you?" Twilight asked as the three made their way to the main doors across the lobby.
"It was the rhyme, wasn't it?" Macora asked, chuckling. "Yes, my cousin Zecora. Our parents were very traditional, even speaking in rhyme like our ancestors did all the time. Zecora always loved it while I was never one for it," Macora said, a playful smile on his face.
Octavia giggled, "If you say so, Macora."
"Indeed I do, Miss Octavia," Macora said. "Stick close to me and we can get through this crowd easily."
The three shared a small laugh as they made their way through the bustling airport. As they walked, Octavia looked around her, not looking for the sights of the building or the island, but rather, the people. Looking around, she saw very few people dressed as formally as she considered normal; the contrast was startling, actually. The people Octavia observed were in summer wear; wearing tee shirts and shorts with flip-flops or summer dresses that cascaded lazily down one leg while the other was shown to the world. Octavia suddenly felt very self-conscience about her dress slacks and blazer. She felt like curling into a ball so small, no one would be able to see her. Who was she kidding? She didn't belong here. She wasn't sure where she belonged anywhere.
"Here we are. Taxi!" Macora called out, signaling the old yellow taxi to slow to a stop at the curb in front of them. He opened the rear door for the two, "Go ahead and climb in; I will load your bags."
"Thank you," Octavia murmured before climbing in and scooting over to the far side.
"Thank you!" Twilight chirped happily as she slid into the back seat of the cab.
Octavia looked out the window of the taxi, the endless, restless waves swishing slowly but surely towards the island. Octavia never missed the endless sight of tall buildings and pale concrete so much in her life. When Macora's head popped up in front of her view, Octavia yelped and scooted backwards before letting out a frustrated sigh and rolling the window down. "Yes, Macora?" Octavia asked, tired now more than anything.
"Sorry for startling you," Macora started in a sincere tone before going back to his normal, lighthearted tone, "But I just thought you should know that this island has a habit of helping people find what they are looking for, if they are willing to try," Macora let out a smile that said, louder than words, he knew more than he was letting on.
Octavia saw the same message in his deep brown eyes; 'Trust me,' they said, 'I know what it is you want; look hard enough, and you will find it.' Octavia could tell Macora knew she understood the full depth of what he was saying and gave one last toothy grin before slapping the roof of the cab twice and the old yellow car to began to crawl, then race down the road to the town.
Maybe, Octavia thought to herself, Maybe I will.
Octavia let out a toothy grin of her own at the possibilities.
~/-/-~
Octavia had thought the airport was impressive. But even that regal building didn't hold a candle to the lobby building of the resort that Octavia and Twilight were currently standing in. In the center of the massive ground floor was the symbol of the island's flag, a phoenix rising from a volcano, with bright, clean white tiles surrounding the symbol from wall to wall. All around the lobby was a balcony with graceful pillars of granite holding them up, intricate carvings based around local history depicted in the massive stones. People in what Octavia could only describe as 'tropical formal' with men walking around in light colors for dress pants and matching polo shirts, while the women wore floral patterned dresses and white button-up shirts with short sleeves. Octavia felt more at ease, but couldn't shake the feeling of being overly-dressed.
Approaching the massive arching desk made of granite with a marble topping, the two girls walked toward one of the several clerks standing behind a computer screen, bright smiles and polite greetings to all who came near. "Hello and welcome to Banoi Resort! My name is Cloud Kicker, how may I help you today?" A young, blonde woman asked the two girls as they neared.
Twilight smiled before speaking, "Hi, we have a reservation under 'Sparkle' for a bungalow."
Cloud Kicker began typing away at the keyboard hidden just out of view from their position under the desk, "Absolutely. One moment please."
Octavia wasn't paying too much attention; she was mesmerized by the intricate beauty of the lobby interior. Everything was simply incredible, there was no other word that could do the building justice, and even that one was only just beginning to describe it. As she looked around from one marvel to the next, she spotted an inscription above the main entrance doors that they missed, reading, "Insula Mutationis." Octavia wondered briefly what that meant, before something caught her eye, or rather, someone.
Time seemed to slow as Octavia laid eyes on her. What caught her attention first was was the woman's hair; they were in a rough, spiky pattern with two shades of blue, on dark and one cyan. What amazed her the most was how the two colors didn't mix; even with the wild styling of her hair, the two colors never mixed, not a single hair out of place. What Octavia saw next was her deep, crimson eyes, two bright ruby orbs that shone brilliantly, brighter than any precious stone. Octavia could stare into those eyes for hours and never lose her sense of wonder at their beauty. The woman also wore a smooth, white tank top with thin straps and, most peculiar of all, a grass skirt that trailed all the way down to her ankles, her bare feet strolling confidently through the immaculate lobby. Octavia knew that she had to be, beyond the slightest hint of a doubt, the single most beautiful woman she had ever seen.
"... Octavia? Octavia?" Twilight's voice finally cut through the haze of admiration Octavia had lost herself in.
"Oh, erm... yes?" Octavia answered meekly, a growing blush warming her pale cheeks.
"I've been saying your name for almost a minute. Is everything okay?" Twilight asked with concern, looking at her friend with slight worry.
"Yes, I'm fine, I was just looking at..." Octavia looked around the lobby, searching for the woman that had captivated her so. Much to her disappointment, she couldn't find her anywhere, coming to the conclusion she had left. "... Something," Octavia finished lamely.
"It really must have been something. What was it?" Twilight asked, her curiosity quickly growing at what had kept the cellist deaf to her for so long.
"I'll.. tell you once we are settled in," Octavia somewhat hastily said. "Let's get to the bungalow," Octavia finished as an employee approached the two with a cart for their luggage.
Twilight decided to let her friend slide this time, if only for a little while. "Alright, Octavia. But don't think you're getting out of telling me~!" twilight sang out playfully, earning another blush from the cellist.
Octavia sighed mentally as she loaded her bags onto the cart. She'll never let me hear the end of this... Octavia thought as two bright crimson eyes shined in her mind's eye.
~/-/-~
"Two... hours, Twilight," Octavia huffed, the sun beating down on her, beads of sweat pooling on her forehead before she wiped it with the back of her hand. "We've been walking in bloody circles for two hours!"
"I know, Octavia! I don't know where we went wrong or where we are! This place is huge!" Twilight said through a frustrated sigh, eying the map angrily in front of her while wiping sweat from the corner of her eyes. "Agh, that stings!" Twilight muttered angrily.
Octavia let out another angry sigh. " 'Hey Octavia! I know you are super-stressed, so let's go on an all-expenses-paid, fantastic, BLOODY VACATION!' " Octavia yelled before flopping into a nearby bench and burying her face in her hands and slowly running them down before wiping them on her pantslegs. These pants are going to be ruined... Octavia though sourly while a scowl pulled at her lips.
"Look, Octavia, I'm not having any more fun than you are! But we can get cleaned up and actually start our vacation in earnest if I can figure out this fucking map!" Twilight yelled before groaning in frustration and collapsing next to Octavia.
Both girls sat in silence for a moment, huffing lightly in the heat of the island while each of them tried their best to calm down. It was much easier said than done for Octavia, images of a certain stranger weaving in and out of her mind's eye. More often than not, Octavia caught herself wondering what her body would look like nude, spread out on her bed, her gorgeous crimson eyes beckoning-
Raaahh! Knock it off, Octavia! Octavia thought to herself as her legs grew damp from something other than sweat. Save it for a more appropriate time! If such a time even exists! She added to herself. She glanced over and saw Twilight pinching the bridge of her nose with her eyes shut tight in frustration, her friend trying- and somewhat failing -to get her breathing back to normal. Octavia sighed before she began, "Twilight... sorry for snapping at you. You didn't deserve that," Octavia let out with a touch of remorse.
Twilight gave a tired sigh rather than a frustrated one before facing her friend, "It's okay, Octavia. It's hot, we're tired, and we're all sweaty and nasty. It was bound to happen sooner or later."
"I'm sweaty and nasty? Gee, thanks Twilight, that really helps," Octavia said sarcastically, giving her friend a playful smile.
Twilight giggled before giving her friend a small push, "Yes, you smell horrible."
Octavia feigned an insulted gasp, "Twilight!" The concerned party giggled more, "At least my hair doesn't look atrocious!"
Both Twilight and Octavia laughed, their anger melting away as they laughed.
"... We do look pretty horrible, don't we?" Twilight asked as the last of her laughs died down.
"I'm sure you're both beautiful when you're all cleaned up," A raspy feminine voice said from beside the two.
Octavia looked over to where the voice came from, seeing two bare, pale white feet with the edges of a grass skirt covering the ankles. No... Octavia thought, slowly lifting her head up the emerald green skirt to see the hem of a smooth white tank top, ... bloody... and then to a modest bust and two magnificent crimson eyes framed in two-tone, wild blues, ... WAY.
Standing not two feet from her was the woman from the lobby, a bright, almost cocky grin on her face. Octavia couldn't think of anything to say, she was simply mesmerized by the way fate had a way of messing with people.
Thankfully for Octavia, Twilight spoke up, "Uh, thank you, miss...?"
Her grin only widened, somehow, "Vinyl. Vinyl Scratch."
Octavia muttered, mostly to herself, "That's a pretty name..."
"Thank you!" Vinyl said, turning her gaze to Octavia, who let out a quiet 'eep!' and covering her mouth with a hand and a growing blush. "Are you two lost?" Vinyl asked without missing a beat, looking from Octavia to Twilight.
"Yes, we are," Twilight began to explain. "Do you know where bungalow..." Twilight paused for a moment to look at where Cloud Kicker had circled one of the many bungalows on the map, "Two thirteen is?" Twilight finished, handing the map to Vinyl, who began scrutinizing it.
Stupid, stupid, stupid! I'm such an idiot! Octavia was mentally berating herself. She probably thinks I'm really creepy now!
"Yeah, I know where that is! Damn, you two managed to get on the other side of the resort!" Vinyl let out in surprise, handing the map back to a blushing Twilight.
And now she thinks we're idiots, Octavia thought to herself. Fantastic.
"Don't worry about that, though; people get lost around here all the time. I can walk you to it, if you want," Vinyl offered.
"Yes, please!" Twilight said, giving her a relieved smile. "We would appreciate it a lot!"
"Awesome! Follow me!" Vinyl said, walking along the wood plank path that snaked all over the resort.
"Finally, some good luck!" Twilight said, grabbing the handle of the cart and following after Vinyl.
"Good luck... right," Octavia repeated without conviction as she trudged behind her.
~/-/-~
When she wasn't mentally yelling at herself, Octavia took in the resort's layout, amazed at how such a place had been crafted. The lobby building was the only part of the resort that was on grass or even solid ground; the entire rest of the resort had been built on the massive beach the lobby sat in front of. To get from building to bungalow and everywhere in between, there were wood planks placed side by side in the sand, roughly an inch or so above the beach. Most of the pathways were built towards the top of the beach, to allow as much beach as possible to be left open for people to enjoy as they pleased.
As the three neared the location of Twilight and Octavia's bungalow, the wood planks began to rise up in a steady incline and had railing posted to either side as it transitioned from a simple wood path to a full-fledged pier with bungalows on stilts roughly two or three feet above the waves as they rolled lazily underneath them. It went in a gentle curve, keeping parallel to the island and staying in relatively shallow water, so clear that Octavia could look over the side and see the white sand at the bottom.
After traveling down the pier for a minute or so, the three came to a small hut that was circular with a bar surrounding the building and tables placed around it, making a sort of snack shack before splitting off into three separate paths, Vinyl guiding the two girls down the left path. As they passed, Octavia noticed friends sitting at tables, drinking, eating, and laughing. She also noticed the menu as they walked past, mainly seafood written in tropical font with drawings of fish and drinks with little umbrellas along the sides of the menu. To say Octavia was interested would be a grand understatement.
Finally reaching the end of the pier after passing ten bungalows, five on either side of the pier, Vinyl stopped at the small gangway leading to the eleventh one, bungalow two-hundred thirteen. "Well, here ya guys go! Home sweet home!" Vinyl said presenting the bungalow with a wave of her hand.
"Thank you very much miss Scratch!" Twilight said, a thankful smile on her face.
"Hey, you don't need to be so formal; just call me Vinyl!" Vinyl said with, to Octavia, was the single greatest smile ever seen.
"Alright, Vinyl. Thanks again," Twilight said, offering her hand. Vinyl batted it away and gave Twilight a light hug.
"It's no problem, I'd do it for any of my friends!" Vinyl said, giving Octavia a small hug as well, much to the cellist's delight.
"We-we're friends?" Octavia asked, a hopeful smile spreading over her features.
Vinyl gave her a smile while holding her at arm's length after the hug. "Well, yeah. Why wouldn't we be?"
Octavia simply smiled like a little girl on Hearth's Warming.
Twilight cleared her throat, causing Octavia to pull gently out of Vinyl's hold and walk to Twilight, helping the bookworm wheel the cart to their bungalow. "Well, thank you again Vinyl."
"No problem! Hey, you guys wanna have lunch tomorrow? Around one or something?" Vinyl asked.
"Yes!" Octavia let out hastily. "Erm, I mean, yes, that would be lovely," Octavia corrected herself before blushing slightly.
"Awesome! I'll meet you two in the lobby and we'll head to town! I know a killer place to eat! Best food on the island!' Vinyl said, beginning to walk away. "See ya then!" Vinyl called out, waving goodbye.
"We will, huh?" Twilight asked, giving Octavia a playful smile as she unlocked the door to the bungalow.
"Yes, we will," Octavia said happily, completely ignoring her friend's second meaning.
"Alright. Let's get unpacked, and then we're going to discuss what had you so distracted in the lobby- and your little girl-crush!" Twilight said playfully, grinning ear to ear.
"I do not have a girl-crush!" Octavia said indignantly, her blush betraying her blatant lie.
I totally do, Octavia thought to herself happily.
