Drunk Shipping: Starring Soarin and Octaviaby DBP12012ChaptersCelestia's Drunk Shipping Event, pt. 1Celestia's Drunk Shipping Event, pt. 2A Less Comedic EpilogueCelestia's Drunk Shipping Event, pt. 1The lights faded slowly, only to get replaced with a much brighter one. A single spotlight cast on a mare, her cello's finish shining in the bright light. She inhaled deeply, trying to calm her nerves. She looked down at her hooves, the gray fur standing up straight. She let out another deep breath. It's no lie she'd preformed without hestiance before, but tonight was different. She was to preform a cello solo in front of all four alicorn princess and the three Wonderbolts. Should I be sweating as much as I am? It's not that complex of a song. It's not a very large crowd. After all, it's only seven ponies. Seven really, really important ponies. What if they-- No, no. Calm down, Octavia. Stop exciting yourself so much. It's unbecoming of you. Breathe, Octavia. You've practiced this for three months. No, longer than that. At least five. Nopony is watching. It's just you. Close your eyes, just for a minute. Nopony is watching. Count to ten. One, two, three, four... "Better," she whispered to herself. She sighed, letting a smile spread across her face. She picked up her bow, closing her eyes again. She imagined each note, all in perfect harmony. She opened her eyes, staring at the back of the room. The back seats were empty. It's just another practice, Octavia. Nopony is here. She hummed the melody to herself as the bow glided gracefully along the strings, causing each note to come out cleanly and crisply. The crowd watched in awe as she hit each note perfectly. The hall filled itself with music; the acoustics of the room letting it echo softly, but not discratcingly so. The lights faded gently, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. One of the younger alicorns sighed with the performer, leaning back in her chair and closing her eyes as well. She ignored the glaring stares from the other three, losing herself in the resounding melody. Octavia smiled to herself, opening her eyes to see her crowd enjoyed her music almost as much as she did. After all, only she could enjoy her music on levels nopony in all of Equestria could. Playing the cello lifted her off the ground, higher and higher into the clouds as she rode the bass cleft. Her imagination soared in the form of eighth, quarter, half, and whole notes. Her bow danced gracefully along the strings, the soothing rhythm feeding her imagination. Soarin, one of the male Wonderbolts, seemed to lay in almost shock as he watched the earth pony play in complete bliss. He caught himself lost in the melody along with her, swaying side-to-side with the mystical composition. An orange mare next to him scowled, giving him a light tap on the fore-hoof. He chuckled, ignoring her slight warning and continued to let the harmony move his body. After the concert, the seven ponies gathered in the waiting hall. The eldest alicorn, Celestia, staggered a bit. Her cheeks flushed bright red and her breath could kill a greenhouse with its stench. Octavia walked out calmly, her mane shriveled and her eyes heavy. Soarin walked up to her, a light red overtaking his cheeks as well. "Octavia, was it?" He smiled warmly, yet ruined the mood with a hiccup. Octavia flinched, her lip cocking itself almost automatically. "Y-Yes," she hesitated. "And you're Soarin' Skies, lead male acrobat for the Wonderbolts, if I'm not mistaken?" She shifted her weight on her front hooves, constantly breaking eye contact with the Pegasus. "Yoooou got it, babe!" He slurred, right into her ear. She gagged lightly, moving towards the punch table. Oh, gosh, I even can smell his breath from over here, she thought. Until, that is, she looked up to see a white alicorn. Much to her dismay, it wasn't Soarin's breath. "Your highness," she smiled pleasantly, though her mind screamed to run to the hills. Celestia chuckled, accompanied with a hiccup. "You play...h-hic...beautifully, Octi. Lovely. Gorgeous. H-hic! Play for me personally, please, and do wear that...hic... Cute little bow tie of yours." Celestia bit her lip, raising her eyebrows. Not before long; the alicorn stumbled into the table, nearly flipping it. The impact with the table caused her to collapse on the floor. Octavia gasped and backed away, covering her face with her two front hooves. Luckily, she wasn't the only sober one at the afterparty. A purplish aura caught the table and drinks before they splashed all over her. "Thank you, Princess." Octavia looked up, only to see a ticked Twilight Sparkle. She muttered something that slipped past Octavia's ears. The alicorn looked up, softening her gaze at the earth pony. "Ah, think nothing of it. Celestia isn't the most-" "-Yes, yes, no need for slander. Nonetheless, I'd be covered in liquor if it weren't for you." Octavia bowed, only to get yanked right back up. She breathed out stiffly through her muzzle. "M-my apologies, Twi-" "Octi, you just look darling in your bow tie." Octavia dropped her pleasant demeanor against her own will. She need not even look up, the scent alone told her it was none other than the Princes of the Sun who'd pulled her up. "Mng, you'd look so, so much cuter in socks, too..." "Tia!" A new voice cried, getting all three heads to turn. Princess Luna revealed herself, and to Octavia and Twilight's delight, she wasn't drunk. "Stop. Go home, Tia, you're drunk." "N-Nonsense, Lulu," Celestia spat. "I may be drunk, but I can...h-hic...stay here for as long as I want." Luna sighed, picking up her sister. She moved her muzzle down to Celestia's ear. "Tia, you're embarrassing me. You're making sexual comments to our guests again," she whispered. Celestia roared with laughter. She lifted her sister's head up, staring into her eyes. "J-Jealous, are we?" Celestia lowered her eyebrows, her cheeks reddening the closer she got to Luna. Luna rolled her eyes, shoving her sister off of her. She waved one of the guards over, whispering some commands before motioning him to leave. Octavia stood dumbfounded with Twilight, their mouths both agape. "Are all the afterparties like this with the Royal Sisters?" Twilight rapidly shook her head. "Wait, Princess Twi-" "Just 'Twilight' is fine, Octavia." "Sure, sure. Twilight, do you know the reason for this concert anyway? I wasn't really given a reason for playing, and it's not a holiday as far as I know," Octavia questioned. Twilight's hoof gradually made its way to her forehead. "Oh, it's a holiday alright," she said flatly. Octavia leaned forward, a puzzling look overtaking her face. Twilight dropped her voice into a low tone, so the sisters wouldn't hear. "It's Celestia's monthly Drunk Shipping Event. She gets drunk, picks two random ponies, then tries to get them...hm, ah...How do I put this?" "Laid, maybe?" Octavia grumbled. Twilight sighed, nodding her head. "Oh, Celestia, why me?" "It's all for laughs. She tried to set me up with..." Twilight shuddered at the memory. "Ugh...n-never mind." "So, is Celestia flirting with me because she picked herself this month?" Octavia asked. Again, Twilight shook her head. "Mm, no. She always flirts when she's drunk. That has nothing to do with her, erm, 'event'. She's trying to set you up with Soarin," Twilight sighed. "I'm...gonna go. I can't stand to see Celestia when she's drunk." "Of course. Thanks, Twilight." Octavia waved as Twilight flew off. "This is going to be a long night," she sighed. Celestia's Drunk Shipping Event, pt. 2Octavia sighed. Cadence left early; she hadn't even been seen at the after party. Celestia sat over in a corner, muttering creepily to herself and stroking her empty margarita glass. Spitfire seemed okay, but she still had a few beers. She gets unpredictable even when buzzed, so Octavia steered clear of her. Twilight had left about an hour ago, simply because she couldn't take the drunken Celestia. Luna quietly tried to approach her seemingly insane sister, occasionally trying to the empty glass. The only response Luna got was some hissing and some talk about the glass being 'precious.' She then would sulk away, only to try again in the next five minutes. Fleetfoot stayed close to Spitfire, her cheeks flushed pink like the rest of the ponies at this party. Other than Luna, Octavia was the only sober one at the party. She wouldn't drink, though. She'd tried it once, and never again. She remembered the first time she drunk was at one of her best friend's DJ party. She had puked all over Vinyl Scratch's- her best friend's -turntables. She swore the next morning never to drink again. Drinking again would cost her too much; even though Vinyl had laughed and told her not to pay for them, because it happened all the time. She bought new turntables anyway. Even so, she seriously considered to have a drink or two just to break the ice. Before she could make up her mind, Soarin stumbled up to her. He had a goofy look on his face, and her swayed his hoof shakily onto her back. He spaced out for a minute, then chuckled and spoke. "Hey," he belched. Octavia sighed, shaking his shoulder off of her back. She gave him a blank stare, then went back to her thinking. It took less than a minute for Soarin to reply, oblivious to his warning."Yo, why won't talk to me?" "And why are you suddenly attracted to me?" She snapped back. She tried to walk away, but he staggered enough to catch up. Octavia tried to smile, but her cheeks wouldn't let her. Let loose, Octavia. It's a party, after all. And there aren't any turntables for miles. "I have no idea what you mean, bro." Soarin smiled, chuckling to himself again. "Hey, do you know how they came up with 'duffle bag'? I mean, duffle bag. Who called it a duffle bag?" "How should I know?" Octavia asked back, a sarcastic and condescending tone lacing her words. "And for that matter, why is anything called anything? Why do they call it a pumpkin? Or a squash? Or a banana? Or..." "Why do you like vegetables and fruits so much? Don't you eat anything else?" Soarin asked quickly. Octavia fought bringing her hoof up to her face. Don't do it, Octavia. He's not worth your face hoof. Octavia sighed, gritting her teeth and fighting back her explosion. She turned to leave, yet Soarin grabbed her hoof bluntly and forced her to look him in the eye. She was a vegetarian, and he should know that. She'd hoped that he was, too. She had some very close cow friends. "W-Wait! Don't go, babe. Was it something I...h-hic!...said? C'mon, don't leave, sexy!" 'Babe?' 'Sexy'? Just who does he think he is? "No, really, babe...talk to me, please! That's the only way we can work this out, bro!" He yelled- though he knew not the volume of his voice -stopping every now and then to hiccup. Octavia's cheeks flamed against her will. He had just objectified her, yet now he attempted to actually fix things? She exhaled sharply, turning her head away from the oddly sincere look in his eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, but unbeknownst to her, Luna had gotten the empty margarita glass away from Celestia. Now, she prowled for her prey, much like a Timberwolf. "Yes, yes, come to Celestia, Octi," she moaned to herself. Octavia turned around, instantly screaming at the sight of Celestia breathing not a foot away from her neck. The princess wore a creepy smile, her eyes bloodshot and pupils tiny. Her mane looked like a rat's nest. She gasped, "Octi...are you cheating on your lover?" "Whoa, whoa, whoa, 'Princess', Tavi's mine. Unless..." Soarin said as he glanced over at Octavia. She finally decided, that, yes, this whole thing was worth a face hoof. Even more so, it deserved another scream, yet Celestia saw it coming. She quickly covered the cellist's mouth, then lowered herself to Octavia's ear. "Don't worry, my love," she whispered, stopping for a slight nibble on Octavia's ear. Octaiva flinched, shuddering in disgust under Celestia. "I planned all of this. I know you love me, my dear Octi. I love you as well, and I even have a pair of adorable socks just waiting in my bedroom. But, it is a sad truth that I must stay single, or my precious sister Lulu would get jealous. No, Octi, you must make Soarin jealous of us, so that he will steal you away into the night. I know it's hard, my love, but you must be strong for me. Everything with be worth it. You'd be happier with me, but that cannot be. You must settle for Soarin..." "I didn't know it was like that...h-hic...between you and Tavi, Celly," Soarin barked, oblivious to her conversation with Octavia. "I'm not sure if you...h-hic...noticed, but Tavi'd m-much rather be with me." "Oh, Luna, what did I ever do to deserve this?" Octavia whimpered, trying to awkwardly back out of the conversation. Soarin caught her in the act, so he pulled her in a planted a kiss on her cheek. It was sloppy, wet, and disgusting, yet she wasn't sure whether to blush or puke. She did both, yet it didn't catch the attention of either the pegasus or the alicorn. They each continued in conversation, much to Octavia's dismay. "Celly, you're making...h-hic...Tavi uncomfortable. She's trying to get...h-hic...away from you, can't you s-see? So get out, bro, or I'll take you down," Soarin growled. Octavia pulled away from Soarin, rubbing his spit off of her cheek. "Actually, I'm trying to-mmmmph!" Celestia winked to her, grabbing both hooves and planting a kiss smack-dab on her lips. Octavia screamed through her lips. She squirmed and winced, trying to shake the alicorn off her hooves. "Can't you see, Soarin? She loves me. You don't...h-hic...even have enough c-courage to kiss her on the lips." Octavia finally wrenched Celestia off of her hooves. For good measure, she shoved the alicorn down, then growled at Soarin when he tried to help her up. "No, no, no! Stop acting like imbeciles, both of you! I'm not in love with Celestia, I'm not in love with Soarin, and I'm not just a ragdoll for you two to push around!" Octavia screamed, huffing and puffing. Celestia scowled while struggling to get up. Soarin tried to stay in the same place and seem serious, but he swayed side to side anyway. "Octi, y-you...h-hic...ruined the plan! Now Soarin will stop fighting for you..." Celestia whined. Octavia sighed, offering a hoof up. Celestia accepted it graciously. "Have a drink, Octi, you seem tense." "I-I don't drink," Octavia muttered awkwardly. She traced circles on the flooring with her hoof, staring at the floor and suddenly becoming quet. Soarin laughed, punching her on forehoof. "C'mon, I've seen you drink at Vy's parties before," he roared. Octavia shot him a blank glare. "Oh, you were crazy!" He seemed less sincere about fixing things now. Who was she to say he was thinking logically and sincerely when he had drunk so much beer it could've killed him? In fact, how was he still alive, anyway? A true mystery, no doubt. "Once, Soarin, once." "Octi, I didn't take you for a partier! You must tell me more about this 'Vy' stallion. Don't tell me you're cheating again, though..." She handed Octavia a glass of wine subtly. She gave in and took a sip. She spit it out. The wine left a bitter taste in mouth at first. Celestia nudge her to take a second sip. After the second sip, she groaned in pleasure. "Mm, that's good wine," she said. The flavor of the second sip had her forget the bitterness of the first."I'm really not much for Vinyl's parties. I prefer reading a book and drinking tea myself, but I try and make her parties when I can. And Vinyl's not a stallion, she's a mare. You've met her before, she goes by the DJ name DJ PON-3. And no, I'm not 'cheating', she's my best friend. I never cheated in the first place, though..." "Oh, c-come now, Octi. You're at my party," Celestia teased. Octavia would've snapped back, but the wine had a calming sort of drug in it. It made the wine's effects must faster and stronger than usual. "Our party, Celly." Soarin took advantage of Octavia's state, and pulled her under his hoof. She didn't fight back, though she could faintly hear a voice in the back of here head somewhere screaming bloody murder to get out, out! "Fine, our p-party, Sore," Celestia stuck her tongue out. Soarin licked his lips, adding a wink at the end. Octavia glared at him, and so he apologetically rubbed her shoulders. "Soar...I like it," he mumbled. Celestia chuckled. Oh, how she loved homonyms. Octavia reached for another glass of wine, sighing in buzzed ecstasy. "Soar, I hope you can f-forgive me for barking at you earlier," she cooed. Stop, Octavia, just stop! He's filthy, raunchy, stereotypical, and...It's fine, Octavia. Everypony will forget what happened tomorrow anyway. They'll be too caught up in their hangovers. Also, they'll understand that you were drunk, so if doesn't matter what you say! Yes, it does! Even if you are drunk, you don't know how Soarin will use your words against you. He's not a bad guy, Octavia. But what about Celestia? Stop worrying yourself so much, 'Tavi'. "Don't mention it, T-Tavi." He tried to plant another kiss on her, but she still had some sense left in her. She smacked his lips, only to snuggle into his neck. "Don't kill the mood, Soar," she whispered angrily. Celestia giggled, hiccups interrupting her every now and then. She smirked, backing away slowly from the two. "My work is done h-here, for now..." She whispered to herself. "G-Goodbye, Octi. I'll keep those socks if you...hic...change your mind. Anyway, Lulu wants to go now," she called to Octavia. "Hah, it's been a pleasure, Tia." Octavia waved goodbye. "Sorry, O-Octi, but Tia is reserved only to my p-precious Lulu. You can...h-hic!...call me Celly, though." Octavia nodded, smiling. Celestia walked off to catch up with Luna. Luna'd already prepared a carriage home. The two guards pulling the cart yawned, only to get a death glare from Luna. They both perked up after that. Octavia glanced around. She finally noticed that she and Soarin were the only two left. Spitfire and Fleetfoot had left, she was just too busy to notice. She walked to the door slowly, getting ready to walk home at one in the morning. In Canterlot. With a crime rate of fifty percent. Suddenly, a shattering epiphany hit her like a rocket. She and Soarin were both drunk, and there was nopony to take them home. Oh boy, were they going to get robbed or beaten or even... "Celly!" She yelled, but to no avail. Celestia and Luna were gone. "Oh no..." A Less Comedic EpilogueOctavia sighed. She leaned into Soarin, still attracted to him for some reason only the alcohol knew. "Nopony?" She asked. "Nopony," he replied. "You could--no, you're drunk. Well, there's always--no, they're not open. Oh, how about--no, I left my cellphone at home. No, didn't I take it into the dressing room? Yes, I did, but they're closed as well. What if--" "What can't I do because I'm drunk?" Soarin questioned, his hiccups subduing themselves. Octavia hesitated. She stared off into the night, sitting on the curb of the street. Basically everything, she thought. "Well, you can't fly," she said aloud. "And even if you could, it'd be a bad idea to have you drop me off and then go home alone..." Octavia shuddered, a slight fear creeping up in the pit of her stomach. She glanced down the street. It's no use, she thought. "We're running out of options. Shouldn't we just walk?" He asked impatiently, kicking at some loose gravel in the street. "Are you crazy? Walking home alone in Canterlot at one in the morning? How badly do you want to get mugged?" Octavia snapped. "Well..." Octavia groaned, "the answer should be not at all, Soarin. This only proves my point that--" "You seem perfectly fine and sober. After all, you're using logic. If that's the case, why don't you walk me home?" He snapped back. "There should be no reason why--" "I can think of one," she muttered. "Anyway, Tavi, you're not coming up with any better ideas than I am." Octavia signed, nuzzling into Soarin's neck. Soarin smiled, bringing his hoof around her. "I'm sorry, babe." Octavia jolted off of his neck and shook off his hoof. "Don't call me that. I can deal with Octi and Tavi, but don't call me babe," she growled. Soarin shrugged. "Anyway, I supposed walking is the only option. You're...okay with walking home alone?" "Well, the doors didn't lock behind us. Whoever said we had to go home?" He raised his eyebrows and licked his lips. Octavia fought the alcohol's influence, immediately gagging and shaking her head. Soarin nudged her with one hoof, the other grabbing her face. "Tavi..." he whispered, "you know you want it." "No, I don't. Just because I'm drunk in no way means I'm going to change my moral compass and refined tastes and sink so low as to--" "Calm down, Tavi. You really want to walk home? Our other option could be to sleep off the night- together -and wait until morning to go home." "Y-Yes, I'd much prefer that than sending you alone," she sighed. She still found that goofy look of his cute, no doubt the wine's decision. Soarin exhaled deeply, staring up into the sky. Even though the city lights were bright, the stars were brighter. "Tavi, we don't have to sleep just yet," he whispered. "Will you watch the stars with me?" She nodded, a genuine blush overtaking her cheeks. It spread to the rest of her face when he planted a soft pair of lips onto her nose. She pointed to a constellation, tracing the invisible lines with her hoof. "Big Dipper," she said softly. She moved her hoof along the sky, squinting her right eye as she went. She whispered the name of each constellation as she went. "Orion's Belt...Little Dipper...Cancer...Pegasus...and that? That's Polaris, the North Star." "I didn't know you liked stars so much, ba- erm, Tavi," he whispered. She sighed, letting her muscles relax into laying on his side again. She continued pointing to one as she whispered back to him. "When I was younger, my mother...she was an astronomer. We used to go out on our balcony and she'd point out the constellations to me. She even bought a star once and named it after me. For the longest time, I was sure I'd follow in her hoofsteps and become an astronomer as well. That ended at my first cello performance, though. Still, I never forgot everything she taught me as a filly. That one? That's Canis Major." Octavia shivered as a sudden wind brushed by her. She shifted her gaze, fixating her eyes on a single gray cloud that drifted through the sky. She lowered her hoof uneasily, her muscles trembling, then turned back to Soarin. "Hmph. All my mom taught me was how to make a pie crust. Or, she tried to, at least. It never worked, though. I'd always end up eating it before it was finished." He chuckled, letting his eyes drift off into space. "Oh, she'd get so dang mad at me. She'd yell and yell about how I'd get salma-whatever from the raw eggs." "Salmonella. Wait, you liked pie crust so much you'd eat it raw? I knew you liked pie, but...that seems, oh, extreme, maybe?" Octavia rolled her eyes. "You're crazy." "Sure, whatever. Only reason I like pie that much is 'cause it reminds me of my momma," he replied. Octavia's gaze softened, as well as her voice. "Soarin, is your mother..." She whispered. Soarin roared with laugher, pushing her in the forehoof. "No, no! Hah, she just travels a lot. Whenever she'd come home, she'd make my favorite kind of pie-- Boysenberry. I like all kinds, though. Mm, she doesn't bake very much anymore. She usually just picks one up from the local bakery now," he sighed. "Momma's colt," Octavia snorted. She glanced back to the sky, and noticed her lonely cloud had some friends. "And what's wrong with that?" He snapped. "And what the heck is up with you snorting? 'Thought you had better manners that that." "And you, dropping the beginnings of words? What are you, lazy? Besides," she sighed, "I...ach, never mind. L-let's just get inside." Octavia got up, turning the edge of her hooves to the street. She glanced up, then lowered her head. Her mane dragged along the pavement as she made her way back to the building. "Tavi? Where are you..." Soarin glanced up at the sound of cackling thunder. Octavia jumped and the sound and bolted for the doors. Sure enough, it looked as though a flood could burst through Heaven's gates any moment. Even the slightest push by a weather pony and the two could get soaked. "Oh," he mumbled. "I..." Octavia let out a small burp, embarrassment flooding her face once she did. She closed her eyes then pushed on the doors. She screamed, then slammed her body into them. "Umph!" She exclaimed as her shoulders crashed into the barrier. Soarin ran up, trying to calm her. "Tavi, what the hell? What are you doing?" "Soarin, Soarin!" She cried, "Soarin, it's about to flood and the doors locked automatically it's one thirty in the morning we're both drunk as hell and we're in the middle of Canterlot! We're going to get mugged or worse and-" Octavia started to hyperventilate "-I know it's super childish of me but I can't deal with thunder. I'm...I'm so...scared," she whimpered. Tears started to stream down her face. She sat down and huddled into a little ball, shivering as the tears forced their way down her face. Soarin reached down, only to get his hoof smacked as she turned her face away from him. The clouds poured out their tears as well, almost aligned with hers. "Tavi..." "Shut up, Soarin, you're drunk! You don't know what it's like and you never will! No matter how hard you made me laugh or how refreshing it was to see somepony finally enjoy my music as much as I do, it's the wine! It's always been the wine. I don't find you attractive and I never will. I don't like ponies who drink. In fact, I curse myself for drinking tonight. It's vulgar and disgusting and shoves me into situations like this. Just tell me that it's a dream- no, tell me this is a nightmare...tell me it's a nightmare so I can wake up!" She screamed, choking over her words. "Tavi, please..." "No, Soarin. There's no way out anymore. No way out..." She whispered. "You can go, you can fly away miles and miles from here because you don't have an Equestria-shattering fear of something as moronic as thunder; something a filly gets over. No- younger than a filly..." "Octavia," Soarin demanded, "stop." Octavia looked up. She stumbled to her hooves, opening her mouth in protest. Soarin ignored her, turning his face away from hers. "Octavia, everypony has something like your fear of thunder," he said. Octavia looked up at him as he walked out into the rain. He raised his nose and closed his eyes. "It's cold...s-so cold," he whispered. "Do you know why it's c-cold, Octavia?" "N-No," she answered. She lifted her chin up, gazing upon Soarin as he shoved himself into the rain. His fur stood up straight, much like Octavia's had in her performance. The skin underneath shook, making his whole body unstable. She shunned the thought of him doing this for her- or for any rational reason. He couldn't do anything rational right now, not with the five or so glasses of cider in him. "It's c-cold...it's c-cold because I'm here alone," a simple answer left Soarin's lips. He twitched and tried to fight the rain. "It's c-cold...because I'm afraid. I'm afraid and alone. It's c-cold because it r-reminds me of something I f-fought to keep inside of me. I'm afraid, alone, and it brings back bad memories. Do you know what the c-cold is, Octavia?" She shook her head, mystified as the raced winced under the continuous stream of the clouds' tears. "The c-cold...is my f-fear," he said loudly, yet not loud enought to be a shout. He said again, shouting this time, "the c-cold is my f-fear! I shouldn't f-fear it, because it c-can't hurt me. Yet, here I stand, biting back my tears in the coldest r-rain of March. It hurts, Octavia, because I let it hurt me. Do you let the thunder hurt you, Octavia?" "Yes," she whispered. "Do you let the thunder hurt you, Octavia?!" He screamed, as a stray bolt crashed nearby. Octavia jumped, not only because she'd just heard thunder, but Soarin stared at her like madman. He stood there, holding his shaky, wet hoof out as his screaming voice wavered. "Yes! I let it hurt me!" She yelled back at him. He smiled, his body refusing to shake anymore. Octavia gave him a puzzled look with which he responded: "I'm not afraid anymore. It's not cold anymore. I'm no longer alone." He sighed, for about the fifteenth time this night, then grabbed Octavia off the sidewalk and into the rain. The cold, thundering rain. Octavia smiled. She didn't know why a Soarin said what he did. Maybe he did fear the cold, cold rain. Maybe he was just drunk. Maybe he did it for her...maybe just to get her over her fear. Maybe he'd staged it. Whatever the reason, it made Octavia laugh and open her mouth to the raindrops. She no longer jumped at the thunder. Then, an epiphany brought a blank stare to her eyes. "S-Soarin...we still can't get home." Soarin laughed and pulled her into a kiss. Once they broke the embrace, he stared solemnly into her eyes. "Who cares?"
Celestia's Drunk Shipping Event, pt. 1The lights faded slowly, only to get replaced with a much brighter one. A single spotlight cast on a mare, her cello's finish shining in the bright light. She inhaled deeply, trying to calm her nerves. She looked down at her hooves, the gray fur standing up straight. She let out another deep breath. It's no lie she'd preformed without hestiance before, but tonight was different. She was to preform a cello solo in front of all four alicorn princess and the three Wonderbolts. Should I be sweating as much as I am? It's not that complex of a song. It's not a very large crowd. After all, it's only seven ponies. Seven really, really important ponies. What if they-- No, no. Calm down, Octavia. Stop exciting yourself so much. It's unbecoming of you. Breathe, Octavia. You've practiced this for three months. No, longer than that. At least five. Nopony is watching. It's just you. Close your eyes, just for a minute. Nopony is watching. Count to ten. One, two, three, four... "Better," she whispered to herself. She sighed, letting a smile spread across her face. She picked up her bow, closing her eyes again. She imagined each note, all in perfect harmony. She opened her eyes, staring at the back of the room. The back seats were empty. It's just another practice, Octavia. Nopony is here. She hummed the melody to herself as the bow glided gracefully along the strings, causing each note to come out cleanly and crisply. The crowd watched in awe as she hit each note perfectly. The hall filled itself with music; the acoustics of the room letting it echo softly, but not discratcingly so. The lights faded gently, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. One of the younger alicorns sighed with the performer, leaning back in her chair and closing her eyes as well. She ignored the glaring stares from the other three, losing herself in the resounding melody. Octavia smiled to herself, opening her eyes to see her crowd enjoyed her music almost as much as she did. After all, only she could enjoy her music on levels nopony in all of Equestria could. Playing the cello lifted her off the ground, higher and higher into the clouds as she rode the bass cleft. Her imagination soared in the form of eighth, quarter, half, and whole notes. Her bow danced gracefully along the strings, the soothing rhythm feeding her imagination. Soarin, one of the male Wonderbolts, seemed to lay in almost shock as he watched the earth pony play in complete bliss. He caught himself lost in the melody along with her, swaying side-to-side with the mystical composition. An orange mare next to him scowled, giving him a light tap on the fore-hoof. He chuckled, ignoring her slight warning and continued to let the harmony move his body. After the concert, the seven ponies gathered in the waiting hall. The eldest alicorn, Celestia, staggered a bit. Her cheeks flushed bright red and her breath could kill a greenhouse with its stench. Octavia walked out calmly, her mane shriveled and her eyes heavy. Soarin walked up to her, a light red overtaking his cheeks as well. "Octavia, was it?" He smiled warmly, yet ruined the mood with a hiccup. Octavia flinched, her lip cocking itself almost automatically. "Y-Yes," she hesitated. "And you're Soarin' Skies, lead male acrobat for the Wonderbolts, if I'm not mistaken?" She shifted her weight on her front hooves, constantly breaking eye contact with the Pegasus. "Yoooou got it, babe!" He slurred, right into her ear. She gagged lightly, moving towards the punch table. Oh, gosh, I even can smell his breath from over here, she thought. Until, that is, she looked up to see a white alicorn. Much to her dismay, it wasn't Soarin's breath. "Your highness," she smiled pleasantly, though her mind screamed to run to the hills. Celestia chuckled, accompanied with a hiccup. "You play...h-hic...beautifully, Octi. Lovely. Gorgeous. H-hic! Play for me personally, please, and do wear that...hic... Cute little bow tie of yours." Celestia bit her lip, raising her eyebrows. Not before long; the alicorn stumbled into the table, nearly flipping it. The impact with the table caused her to collapse on the floor. Octavia gasped and backed away, covering her face with her two front hooves. Luckily, she wasn't the only sober one at the afterparty. A purplish aura caught the table and drinks before they splashed all over her. "Thank you, Princess." Octavia looked up, only to see a ticked Twilight Sparkle. She muttered something that slipped past Octavia's ears. The alicorn looked up, softening her gaze at the earth pony. "Ah, think nothing of it. Celestia isn't the most-" "-Yes, yes, no need for slander. Nonetheless, I'd be covered in liquor if it weren't for you." Octavia bowed, only to get yanked right back up. She breathed out stiffly through her muzzle. "M-my apologies, Twi-" "Octi, you just look darling in your bow tie." Octavia dropped her pleasant demeanor against her own will. She need not even look up, the scent alone told her it was none other than the Princes of the Sun who'd pulled her up. "Mng, you'd look so, so much cuter in socks, too..." "Tia!" A new voice cried, getting all three heads to turn. Princess Luna revealed herself, and to Octavia and Twilight's delight, she wasn't drunk. "Stop. Go home, Tia, you're drunk." "N-Nonsense, Lulu," Celestia spat. "I may be drunk, but I can...h-hic...stay here for as long as I want." Luna sighed, picking up her sister. She moved her muzzle down to Celestia's ear. "Tia, you're embarrassing me. You're making sexual comments to our guests again," she whispered. Celestia roared with laughter. She lifted her sister's head up, staring into her eyes. "J-Jealous, are we?" Celestia lowered her eyebrows, her cheeks reddening the closer she got to Luna. Luna rolled her eyes, shoving her sister off of her. She waved one of the guards over, whispering some commands before motioning him to leave. Octavia stood dumbfounded with Twilight, their mouths both agape. "Are all the afterparties like this with the Royal Sisters?" Twilight rapidly shook her head. "Wait, Princess Twi-" "Just 'Twilight' is fine, Octavia." "Sure, sure. Twilight, do you know the reason for this concert anyway? I wasn't really given a reason for playing, and it's not a holiday as far as I know," Octavia questioned. Twilight's hoof gradually made its way to her forehead. "Oh, it's a holiday alright," she said flatly. Octavia leaned forward, a puzzling look overtaking her face. Twilight dropped her voice into a low tone, so the sisters wouldn't hear. "It's Celestia's monthly Drunk Shipping Event. She gets drunk, picks two random ponies, then tries to get them...hm, ah...How do I put this?" "Laid, maybe?" Octavia grumbled. Twilight sighed, nodding her head. "Oh, Celestia, why me?" "It's all for laughs. She tried to set me up with..." Twilight shuddered at the memory. "Ugh...n-never mind." "So, is Celestia flirting with me because she picked herself this month?" Octavia asked. Again, Twilight shook her head. "Mm, no. She always flirts when she's drunk. That has nothing to do with her, erm, 'event'. She's trying to set you up with Soarin," Twilight sighed. "I'm...gonna go. I can't stand to see Celestia when she's drunk." "Of course. Thanks, Twilight." Octavia waved as Twilight flew off. "This is going to be a long night," she sighed.
Celestia's Drunk Shipping Event, pt. 2Octavia sighed. Cadence left early; she hadn't even been seen at the after party. Celestia sat over in a corner, muttering creepily to herself and stroking her empty margarita glass. Spitfire seemed okay, but she still had a few beers. She gets unpredictable even when buzzed, so Octavia steered clear of her. Twilight had left about an hour ago, simply because she couldn't take the drunken Celestia. Luna quietly tried to approach her seemingly insane sister, occasionally trying to the empty glass. The only response Luna got was some hissing and some talk about the glass being 'precious.' She then would sulk away, only to try again in the next five minutes. Fleetfoot stayed close to Spitfire, her cheeks flushed pink like the rest of the ponies at this party. Other than Luna, Octavia was the only sober one at the party. She wouldn't drink, though. She'd tried it once, and never again. She remembered the first time she drunk was at one of her best friend's DJ party. She had puked all over Vinyl Scratch's- her best friend's -turntables. She swore the next morning never to drink again. Drinking again would cost her too much; even though Vinyl had laughed and told her not to pay for them, because it happened all the time. She bought new turntables anyway. Even so, she seriously considered to have a drink or two just to break the ice. Before she could make up her mind, Soarin stumbled up to her. He had a goofy look on his face, and her swayed his hoof shakily onto her back. He spaced out for a minute, then chuckled and spoke. "Hey," he belched. Octavia sighed, shaking his shoulder off of her back. She gave him a blank stare, then went back to her thinking. It took less than a minute for Soarin to reply, oblivious to his warning."Yo, why won't talk to me?" "And why are you suddenly attracted to me?" She snapped back. She tried to walk away, but he staggered enough to catch up. Octavia tried to smile, but her cheeks wouldn't let her. Let loose, Octavia. It's a party, after all. And there aren't any turntables for miles. "I have no idea what you mean, bro." Soarin smiled, chuckling to himself again. "Hey, do you know how they came up with 'duffle bag'? I mean, duffle bag. Who called it a duffle bag?" "How should I know?" Octavia asked back, a sarcastic and condescending tone lacing her words. "And for that matter, why is anything called anything? Why do they call it a pumpkin? Or a squash? Or a banana? Or..." "Why do you like vegetables and fruits so much? Don't you eat anything else?" Soarin asked quickly. Octavia fought bringing her hoof up to her face. Don't do it, Octavia. He's not worth your face hoof. Octavia sighed, gritting her teeth and fighting back her explosion. She turned to leave, yet Soarin grabbed her hoof bluntly and forced her to look him in the eye. She was a vegetarian, and he should know that. She'd hoped that he was, too. She had some very close cow friends. "W-Wait! Don't go, babe. Was it something I...h-hic!...said? C'mon, don't leave, sexy!" 'Babe?' 'Sexy'? Just who does he think he is? "No, really, babe...talk to me, please! That's the only way we can work this out, bro!" He yelled- though he knew not the volume of his voice -stopping every now and then to hiccup. Octavia's cheeks flamed against her will. He had just objectified her, yet now he attempted to actually fix things? She exhaled sharply, turning her head away from the oddly sincere look in his eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, but unbeknownst to her, Luna had gotten the empty margarita glass away from Celestia. Now, she prowled for her prey, much like a Timberwolf. "Yes, yes, come to Celestia, Octi," she moaned to herself. Octavia turned around, instantly screaming at the sight of Celestia breathing not a foot away from her neck. The princess wore a creepy smile, her eyes bloodshot and pupils tiny. Her mane looked like a rat's nest. She gasped, "Octi...are you cheating on your lover?" "Whoa, whoa, whoa, 'Princess', Tavi's mine. Unless..." Soarin said as he glanced over at Octavia. She finally decided, that, yes, this whole thing was worth a face hoof. Even more so, it deserved another scream, yet Celestia saw it coming. She quickly covered the cellist's mouth, then lowered herself to Octavia's ear. "Don't worry, my love," she whispered, stopping for a slight nibble on Octavia's ear. Octaiva flinched, shuddering in disgust under Celestia. "I planned all of this. I know you love me, my dear Octi. I love you as well, and I even have a pair of adorable socks just waiting in my bedroom. But, it is a sad truth that I must stay single, or my precious sister Lulu would get jealous. No, Octi, you must make Soarin jealous of us, so that he will steal you away into the night. I know it's hard, my love, but you must be strong for me. Everything with be worth it. You'd be happier with me, but that cannot be. You must settle for Soarin..." "I didn't know it was like that...h-hic...between you and Tavi, Celly," Soarin barked, oblivious to her conversation with Octavia. "I'm not sure if you...h-hic...noticed, but Tavi'd m-much rather be with me." "Oh, Luna, what did I ever do to deserve this?" Octavia whimpered, trying to awkwardly back out of the conversation. Soarin caught her in the act, so he pulled her in a planted a kiss on her cheek. It was sloppy, wet, and disgusting, yet she wasn't sure whether to blush or puke. She did both, yet it didn't catch the attention of either the pegasus or the alicorn. They each continued in conversation, much to Octavia's dismay. "Celly, you're making...h-hic...Tavi uncomfortable. She's trying to get...h-hic...away from you, can't you s-see? So get out, bro, or I'll take you down," Soarin growled. Octavia pulled away from Soarin, rubbing his spit off of her cheek. "Actually, I'm trying to-mmmmph!" Celestia winked to her, grabbing both hooves and planting a kiss smack-dab on her lips. Octavia screamed through her lips. She squirmed and winced, trying to shake the alicorn off her hooves. "Can't you see, Soarin? She loves me. You don't...h-hic...even have enough c-courage to kiss her on the lips." Octavia finally wrenched Celestia off of her hooves. For good measure, she shoved the alicorn down, then growled at Soarin when he tried to help her up. "No, no, no! Stop acting like imbeciles, both of you! I'm not in love with Celestia, I'm not in love with Soarin, and I'm not just a ragdoll for you two to push around!" Octavia screamed, huffing and puffing. Celestia scowled while struggling to get up. Soarin tried to stay in the same place and seem serious, but he swayed side to side anyway. "Octi, y-you...h-hic...ruined the plan! Now Soarin will stop fighting for you..." Celestia whined. Octavia sighed, offering a hoof up. Celestia accepted it graciously. "Have a drink, Octi, you seem tense." "I-I don't drink," Octavia muttered awkwardly. She traced circles on the flooring with her hoof, staring at the floor and suddenly becoming quet. Soarin laughed, punching her on forehoof. "C'mon, I've seen you drink at Vy's parties before," he roared. Octavia shot him a blank glare. "Oh, you were crazy!" He seemed less sincere about fixing things now. Who was she to say he was thinking logically and sincerely when he had drunk so much beer it could've killed him? In fact, how was he still alive, anyway? A true mystery, no doubt. "Once, Soarin, once." "Octi, I didn't take you for a partier! You must tell me more about this 'Vy' stallion. Don't tell me you're cheating again, though..." She handed Octavia a glass of wine subtly. She gave in and took a sip. She spit it out. The wine left a bitter taste in mouth at first. Celestia nudge her to take a second sip. After the second sip, she groaned in pleasure. "Mm, that's good wine," she said. The flavor of the second sip had her forget the bitterness of the first."I'm really not much for Vinyl's parties. I prefer reading a book and drinking tea myself, but I try and make her parties when I can. And Vinyl's not a stallion, she's a mare. You've met her before, she goes by the DJ name DJ PON-3. And no, I'm not 'cheating', she's my best friend. I never cheated in the first place, though..." "Oh, c-come now, Octi. You're at my party," Celestia teased. Octavia would've snapped back, but the wine had a calming sort of drug in it. It made the wine's effects must faster and stronger than usual. "Our party, Celly." Soarin took advantage of Octavia's state, and pulled her under his hoof. She didn't fight back, though she could faintly hear a voice in the back of here head somewhere screaming bloody murder to get out, out! "Fine, our p-party, Sore," Celestia stuck her tongue out. Soarin licked his lips, adding a wink at the end. Octavia glared at him, and so he apologetically rubbed her shoulders. "Soar...I like it," he mumbled. Celestia chuckled. Oh, how she loved homonyms. Octavia reached for another glass of wine, sighing in buzzed ecstasy. "Soar, I hope you can f-forgive me for barking at you earlier," she cooed. Stop, Octavia, just stop! He's filthy, raunchy, stereotypical, and...It's fine, Octavia. Everypony will forget what happened tomorrow anyway. They'll be too caught up in their hangovers. Also, they'll understand that you were drunk, so if doesn't matter what you say! Yes, it does! Even if you are drunk, you don't know how Soarin will use your words against you. He's not a bad guy, Octavia. But what about Celestia? Stop worrying yourself so much, 'Tavi'. "Don't mention it, T-Tavi." He tried to plant another kiss on her, but she still had some sense left in her. She smacked his lips, only to snuggle into his neck. "Don't kill the mood, Soar," she whispered angrily. Celestia giggled, hiccups interrupting her every now and then. She smirked, backing away slowly from the two. "My work is done h-here, for now..." She whispered to herself. "G-Goodbye, Octi. I'll keep those socks if you...hic...change your mind. Anyway, Lulu wants to go now," she called to Octavia. "Hah, it's been a pleasure, Tia." Octavia waved goodbye. "Sorry, O-Octi, but Tia is reserved only to my p-precious Lulu. You can...h-hic!...call me Celly, though." Octavia nodded, smiling. Celestia walked off to catch up with Luna. Luna'd already prepared a carriage home. The two guards pulling the cart yawned, only to get a death glare from Luna. They both perked up after that. Octavia glanced around. She finally noticed that she and Soarin were the only two left. Spitfire and Fleetfoot had left, she was just too busy to notice. She walked to the door slowly, getting ready to walk home at one in the morning. In Canterlot. With a crime rate of fifty percent. Suddenly, a shattering epiphany hit her like a rocket. She and Soarin were both drunk, and there was nopony to take them home. Oh boy, were they going to get robbed or beaten or even... "Celly!" She yelled, but to no avail. Celestia and Luna were gone. "Oh no..."
A Less Comedic EpilogueOctavia sighed. She leaned into Soarin, still attracted to him for some reason only the alcohol knew. "Nopony?" She asked. "Nopony," he replied. "You could--no, you're drunk. Well, there's always--no, they're not open. Oh, how about--no, I left my cellphone at home. No, didn't I take it into the dressing room? Yes, I did, but they're closed as well. What if--" "What can't I do because I'm drunk?" Soarin questioned, his hiccups subduing themselves. Octavia hesitated. She stared off into the night, sitting on the curb of the street. Basically everything, she thought. "Well, you can't fly," she said aloud. "And even if you could, it'd be a bad idea to have you drop me off and then go home alone..." Octavia shuddered, a slight fear creeping up in the pit of her stomach. She glanced down the street. It's no use, she thought. "We're running out of options. Shouldn't we just walk?" He asked impatiently, kicking at some loose gravel in the street. "Are you crazy? Walking home alone in Canterlot at one in the morning? How badly do you want to get mugged?" Octavia snapped. "Well..." Octavia groaned, "the answer should be not at all, Soarin. This only proves my point that--" "You seem perfectly fine and sober. After all, you're using logic. If that's the case, why don't you walk me home?" He snapped back. "There should be no reason why--" "I can think of one," she muttered. "Anyway, Tavi, you're not coming up with any better ideas than I am." Octavia signed, nuzzling into Soarin's neck. Soarin smiled, bringing his hoof around her. "I'm sorry, babe." Octavia jolted off of his neck and shook off his hoof. "Don't call me that. I can deal with Octi and Tavi, but don't call me babe," she growled. Soarin shrugged. "Anyway, I supposed walking is the only option. You're...okay with walking home alone?" "Well, the doors didn't lock behind us. Whoever said we had to go home?" He raised his eyebrows and licked his lips. Octavia fought the alcohol's influence, immediately gagging and shaking her head. Soarin nudged her with one hoof, the other grabbing her face. "Tavi..." he whispered, "you know you want it." "No, I don't. Just because I'm drunk in no way means I'm going to change my moral compass and refined tastes and sink so low as to--" "Calm down, Tavi. You really want to walk home? Our other option could be to sleep off the night- together -and wait until morning to go home." "Y-Yes, I'd much prefer that than sending you alone," she sighed. She still found that goofy look of his cute, no doubt the wine's decision. Soarin exhaled deeply, staring up into the sky. Even though the city lights were bright, the stars were brighter. "Tavi, we don't have to sleep just yet," he whispered. "Will you watch the stars with me?" She nodded, a genuine blush overtaking her cheeks. It spread to the rest of her face when he planted a soft pair of lips onto her nose. She pointed to a constellation, tracing the invisible lines with her hoof. "Big Dipper," she said softly. She moved her hoof along the sky, squinting her right eye as she went. She whispered the name of each constellation as she went. "Orion's Belt...Little Dipper...Cancer...Pegasus...and that? That's Polaris, the North Star." "I didn't know you liked stars so much, ba- erm, Tavi," he whispered. She sighed, letting her muscles relax into laying on his side again. She continued pointing to one as she whispered back to him. "When I was younger, my mother...she was an astronomer. We used to go out on our balcony and she'd point out the constellations to me. She even bought a star once and named it after me. For the longest time, I was sure I'd follow in her hoofsteps and become an astronomer as well. That ended at my first cello performance, though. Still, I never forgot everything she taught me as a filly. That one? That's Canis Major." Octavia shivered as a sudden wind brushed by her. She shifted her gaze, fixating her eyes on a single gray cloud that drifted through the sky. She lowered her hoof uneasily, her muscles trembling, then turned back to Soarin. "Hmph. All my mom taught me was how to make a pie crust. Or, she tried to, at least. It never worked, though. I'd always end up eating it before it was finished." He chuckled, letting his eyes drift off into space. "Oh, she'd get so dang mad at me. She'd yell and yell about how I'd get salma-whatever from the raw eggs." "Salmonella. Wait, you liked pie crust so much you'd eat it raw? I knew you liked pie, but...that seems, oh, extreme, maybe?" Octavia rolled her eyes. "You're crazy." "Sure, whatever. Only reason I like pie that much is 'cause it reminds me of my momma," he replied. Octavia's gaze softened, as well as her voice. "Soarin, is your mother..." She whispered. Soarin roared with laugher, pushing her in the forehoof. "No, no! Hah, she just travels a lot. Whenever she'd come home, she'd make my favorite kind of pie-- Boysenberry. I like all kinds, though. Mm, she doesn't bake very much anymore. She usually just picks one up from the local bakery now," he sighed. "Momma's colt," Octavia snorted. She glanced back to the sky, and noticed her lonely cloud had some friends. "And what's wrong with that?" He snapped. "And what the heck is up with you snorting? 'Thought you had better manners that that." "And you, dropping the beginnings of words? What are you, lazy? Besides," she sighed, "I...ach, never mind. L-let's just get inside." Octavia got up, turning the edge of her hooves to the street. She glanced up, then lowered her head. Her mane dragged along the pavement as she made her way back to the building. "Tavi? Where are you..." Soarin glanced up at the sound of cackling thunder. Octavia jumped and the sound and bolted for the doors. Sure enough, it looked as though a flood could burst through Heaven's gates any moment. Even the slightest push by a weather pony and the two could get soaked. "Oh," he mumbled. "I..." Octavia let out a small burp, embarrassment flooding her face once she did. She closed her eyes then pushed on the doors. She screamed, then slammed her body into them. "Umph!" She exclaimed as her shoulders crashed into the barrier. Soarin ran up, trying to calm her. "Tavi, what the hell? What are you doing?" "Soarin, Soarin!" She cried, "Soarin, it's about to flood and the doors locked automatically it's one thirty in the morning we're both drunk as hell and we're in the middle of Canterlot! We're going to get mugged or worse and-" Octavia started to hyperventilate "-I know it's super childish of me but I can't deal with thunder. I'm...I'm so...scared," she whimpered. Tears started to stream down her face. She sat down and huddled into a little ball, shivering as the tears forced their way down her face. Soarin reached down, only to get his hoof smacked as she turned her face away from him. The clouds poured out their tears as well, almost aligned with hers. "Tavi..." "Shut up, Soarin, you're drunk! You don't know what it's like and you never will! No matter how hard you made me laugh or how refreshing it was to see somepony finally enjoy my music as much as I do, it's the wine! It's always been the wine. I don't find you attractive and I never will. I don't like ponies who drink. In fact, I curse myself for drinking tonight. It's vulgar and disgusting and shoves me into situations like this. Just tell me that it's a dream- no, tell me this is a nightmare...tell me it's a nightmare so I can wake up!" She screamed, choking over her words. "Tavi, please..." "No, Soarin. There's no way out anymore. No way out..." She whispered. "You can go, you can fly away miles and miles from here because you don't have an Equestria-shattering fear of something as moronic as thunder; something a filly gets over. No- younger than a filly..." "Octavia," Soarin demanded, "stop." Octavia looked up. She stumbled to her hooves, opening her mouth in protest. Soarin ignored her, turning his face away from hers. "Octavia, everypony has something like your fear of thunder," he said. Octavia looked up at him as he walked out into the rain. He raised his nose and closed his eyes. "It's cold...s-so cold," he whispered. "Do you know why it's c-cold, Octavia?" "N-No," she answered. She lifted her chin up, gazing upon Soarin as he shoved himself into the rain. His fur stood up straight, much like Octavia's had in her performance. The skin underneath shook, making his whole body unstable. She shunned the thought of him doing this for her- or for any rational reason. He couldn't do anything rational right now, not with the five or so glasses of cider in him. "It's c-cold...it's c-cold because I'm here alone," a simple answer left Soarin's lips. He twitched and tried to fight the rain. "It's c-cold...because I'm afraid. I'm afraid and alone. It's c-cold because it r-reminds me of something I f-fought to keep inside of me. I'm afraid, alone, and it brings back bad memories. Do you know what the c-cold is, Octavia?" She shook her head, mystified as the raced winced under the continuous stream of the clouds' tears. "The c-cold...is my f-fear," he said loudly, yet not loud enought to be a shout. He said again, shouting this time, "the c-cold is my f-fear! I shouldn't f-fear it, because it c-can't hurt me. Yet, here I stand, biting back my tears in the coldest r-rain of March. It hurts, Octavia, because I let it hurt me. Do you let the thunder hurt you, Octavia?" "Yes," she whispered. "Do you let the thunder hurt you, Octavia?!" He screamed, as a stray bolt crashed nearby. Octavia jumped, not only because she'd just heard thunder, but Soarin stared at her like madman. He stood there, holding his shaky, wet hoof out as his screaming voice wavered. "Yes! I let it hurt me!" She yelled back at him. He smiled, his body refusing to shake anymore. Octavia gave him a puzzled look with which he responded: "I'm not afraid anymore. It's not cold anymore. I'm no longer alone." He sighed, for about the fifteenth time this night, then grabbed Octavia off the sidewalk and into the rain. The cold, thundering rain. Octavia smiled. She didn't know why a Soarin said what he did. Maybe he did fear the cold, cold rain. Maybe he was just drunk. Maybe he did it for her...maybe just to get her over her fear. Maybe he'd staged it. Whatever the reason, it made Octavia laugh and open her mouth to the raindrops. She no longer jumped at the thunder. Then, an epiphany brought a blank stare to her eyes. "S-Soarin...we still can't get home." Soarin laughed and pulled her into a kiss. Once they broke the embrace, he stared solemnly into her eyes. "Who cares?"
