Second Cello

Octavia smiled, lifting one hoof to flip her dark grey hair over her shoulder. She glanced over herself, making sure she looked nice, then slowly pushed open the heavy wooden door to the orchestra room. Her eyes fell over the pale blue carpeted floor, up to the meridian blue chairs, then finally to the chalkboard hanging on the wall. She skipped over the two violin sections, as well as the violas, and finally found First Cello.

Wait, First Cello? She scanned title again, then chuckled. Of course. In such a large orchestra, it was quite logical they'd have two cello sections, though finding music written for two cello sections would be harder for the conductor. Her thoughts flashed to the orange-maned conductor, Carrot Top, and she withheld a chuckle. The mare was quite enthusiastic, but it was good, and she kept time well, not needing a metronome. She shook her head slightly, then read through the First Cello list. Blah, blah, blah, blah... she became increasingly worried as she neared the end of the list, and as she finished, she was shaking. Just read it again, Octavia thought to herself, her violet eyes glancing over the list again.

Her name wasn't up there. Shaking slightly, she turned her head to the Second Cello list, glancing through it. There, at the top of the list, was her name. There must be a mistake! Nope, there was her name, Octavia, printed in bold white chalk. Her worry quickly transformed to anger, and she tightened her muscles, walking in stiff steps to the "cage" where the instruments were kept. She lifted hers in her mouth, her teeth clenching tight around the large instrument's handle. The rough black material scratched her tongue, and she mentally cursed, unable to open her mouth without dropping the priceless instrument. She walked stiffly to the head of the Second Cellos, and turned her head to see no one else there.

As her head was turned, a white mare walked toward her, and seeing Octavia was busy, emitted a light cough. Octavia turned with a start, almost kicking over her cello. She steadied it, and glared at the mare.

"You're... Octavia right?" She glanced over the list in her hooves, and Octavia nodded rigidly. What's her problem? Thought the white mare before continuing to speak. "I'm Vinyl Scratch, and I'm the guide for Second Cello. I'm like the conductor," she added, seeing Octavia's confused look, "But I help you specifically. And your group. The conductor is really only there to keep you together after each section's guides are done teaching you. It's a new method to target specific players, so we can get each player to their best. Today we're actually playing in the next room, so can you follow me?" Octavia rolled her eyes at Vinyl's flight attendant's act. She lifted her cello, being careful not to bump into the music stands, and followed Vinyl to the nearby smaller room.

The room had the same carpeting and chairs as the other room, but was noticeably smaller, and the lighting was duller. The music stands were set up carefully, and she sat down at the front of the room, folding her hooves under her. Vinyl Scratch used her magic to lift a few music pieces, setting them on Octavia's stand, and Octavia noted them carefully. Celestia's Fifth Concerto, Luna's Night, and The Griffon's War. All noteworthy pieces, and Octavia was glad to be playing publicly known songs. Upon closer inspection, however, she was insulted.

Each piece was barely more than simple quarter notes, with a few eighth notes scattered through it. It was probably the simplest music she had ever seen. Even being a normal cello, you rarely got the melody, usually playing a simple piece in the background. However, you did get the melody for a few bars per song. Second Cello didn't at all. Not once in any of the songs.

"What is this? I'm better than this! I can play faster and neater than this!" Vinyl turned towards Octavia's angry outburst, shocked, then understanding.

"Yes, yes you can. You are here because we need a good leader for Second Cello. We don't want to turn away anypony, but we need to have at least some good players in each category so it doesn't fall apart! And yes," she added, "There are ponies that auditioned that fall apart at these pieces." Octavia blinked slowly, then blinked again. Suddenly, she saw everything about Vinyl Scratch. The streaked blue-and-electric-blue hair, the purple sunglasses hiding magenta-red eyes, the black music note cutie mark. And how cute the mare was.

Octavia had been a "fillyfooler" for a very long time. Not forever, but since her first fling with a certain pink maned party mare. She was honestly proud of it, unlike the named pink party mare. After that, she had moved to Canterlot, and had enjoyed living there since.

Vinyl Scratch looked at Octavia's dreamy eyes, and giggled. She knew that look. She lifted a hoof to her mouth to silence herself, then rapped her baton on the conductor's stand. The other few ponies looked up, and Octavia did to, with a start. Opening her cello case quickly, she turned to the conductor, blushing as Vinyl Scratch counted.

"1... 2... Ready... Go!" And music poured from Octavia's cello, sweet as Celestia's voice. Of course, they were quickly stopped as Vinyl's ears were near bleeding thanks to the other three musicians, and Vinyl began explaining how to actually play a cello, music in her voice. Finally, she finished explaining, (her eye rolls hidden by her gleaming sunglasses) and they began playing again.

This time, they actually didn't sound like they were being strangled, and they managed to complete The Griffon's War without the writer bursting from his grave. As they finished, Vinyl's eyes were almost filled with joy, and Octavia, though not proud to be leading the group, could smile and congratulate them. As the others trickled out of the room, chatting amongst themselves, Octavia took her time packing away her instrument, placing the music in its respective folder on the case. A shy smile on her face, she walked over to Vinyl Scratch.

"Hey, Vinyl? D-Do you want to go out to dinner tonight? We can go to Melody's, I know the owner." A blush had risen to her cheeks, and she ducked her head awkwardly.

"I'd love to," smiled Vinyl Scratch. "Be at my place at eight? I live in the white house down the street from the Castle." Octavia looked up, the blush gone, and Vinyl winked at her before leaving, carrying her music magically. Octavia carefully lifted the cello and walked to the cage, a skip in her step.