Broken strings

Octavia could not believe her eyes. She rubbed them again with her good hoof, and looked down at the invitation again.

Dear Ms. Octavia,

I sincerely hope that you have gotten better from your injures. I am writing on behalf of the guests attending my friend's, Fleur's, birthday party on June 6th. It would be a delight if you could be our guest of honor and perform some of your magnificent cello pieces for us. Please feel free to bring an acquaintance with you, as well.

Best wishes,

Fancy Pants

Fancy Pants was inviting her as a guest of honor? FANCY PANTS? He was probably the most important pony in Canterlot, and all of his party members were among the elite of the entire country. A pony would beg on her knees to even be allowed inside, and she, Octavia, was being invited as a guest of honor! Even if she couldn't play right now, the party wasn't for at least another two months, so she could totally make it!

"Octy? What's taking you so long? WHERE IS MY SANDWICH?"

"Vinyl, you would NOT believe this!" Octavia read the letter out loud to Vinyl.

To Octavia's surprise, Vinyl didn't sound surprised at all.

"Don't you get these kind of letters like, everyday now?" Vinyl asked.

"Yes, but this is Fancy Pants we're talking about!" Octavia exclaimed, "Do you even know who he is?"

"Uhh, sorry. I'm not into the... classy pony celebrities."

"He is the most famous pony in Canterlot, and his parties have always been a place of interest for other famous ponies. If I do well here, this could be the chance of my life!"

"That's wonderful, Octavia! Now, I'm kinda hungry. Can I have the sandwich you promised now?"

"Vinyl, when you said you wanted to come over, I thought YOU would be the one taking care of ME."

"Well, you are the host and I am the guest," Vinyl replied, her stomach groaning once more.

"Besides, you said you're great at cooking, right? I just can't stop thinking about the hay bacon with raspberries. Pleaasse?" said Vinyl, as she wiped a small string of saliva from the corner of her mouth.

Octavia passed her a napkin. "All right all right, I guess I can make some breakfast for us."

"YES! I love you, Octy." Vinyl jumped in the air for joy.

"I am sure you do. Oh, and can you come to Fancy Pants' party with me?"

Vinyl stopped, her eyes looking at Octavia with disbelief and curiosity. "You want me to do what now?"

"Can you be my guest and come to my performance at Fancy Pants' party?"

"I don't think I should be trusted at a fancy party like this..."

"Vinyl, this could be a once in a lifetime chance and, well, I was afraid that I might get a little nervous..." Octavia blushed a little.

"And you always cheer me up, so can you be my moral support?"

Vinyl giggled. "Wow, I just can't say 'no' to that face. All right, I'll go, no prob. I'll try to behave too, but you'll owe me."

"What do you want in return?"

Vinyl gave a devilish smile. "I haven't thought about it yet, but we'll see."

"And just one more thing. Would you mind keeping our... relationship... a secret? Just for now?"

"Wha...? Ohhh yeah, sure, I'll just act like a good friend."

"Thanks."

"No problem. Now, sandwich?"

"Gladly." Octavia smiled and trotted into the kitchen.

"If you need any help, just let me know! I want to learn how to cook like you do!" Vinyl yelled from the living room.

Octavia giggled. "Sure. Right now, I need help beating some eggs."

"Awww, I just started watching this new episode of Daring Do!"

"Well in that case, I'll just get the Cheerileeos...."

"WAIT I'M COMING!!! Ouch my nose... WAIT!"

(On June 4th)

Octavia checked herself in the mirror for the third time to make sure that her hair and bow tie were exactly the way she wanted them to be. After doing so, she ran to the living room and packed yet ANOTHER spare set of strings. She checked her cello bow to make sure that it wasn't frayed.  Standing there, she thought for a moment, grabbed yet another replacement bow and placed it into her saddlebag.

Octavia heard hoofsteps stopping in front of her door and a knock.

"Octy, I'm here!"

Octavia went over and opened the door.

"Hi Vinyl... are you going to the party looking like THAT?"

Vinyl was in her usual attire, meaning just her purple DJ glasses.

"Yeah... what about it?"

"This is a party in CANTERLOT! You have to wear something delicate! Do you have any nice dresses or suits?"

"Do I look like the kind of pony who would have fancy clothes?"

"Urg!! Here..." Octavia grabbed Vinyl and pulled her into her bedroom. She threw open the door to her closet and started pulling out clothes.

"This won't do... it doesn't fit your mane well... How about this?" She picked out a long dress and held it up to Vinyl. Before Vinyl could say anything, Octavia threw it behind her. "The button doesn't match your eyes..."

"Octy..."

"This? Nooo, the ribbon is too long for you.."

"If you'd just..."

"How about this? Nah, this is too male for you, why do I even have it here?"

"OCTAVIA!" Vinyl yelled. Octavia stopped and looked at Vinyl with surprise.

"It's all right, don't panic." Vinyl gently pushed Octavia to the side and looked through the clothes. She then picked out a blue bow tie and put it around her neck.

"See? Perfect."

Octavia rammed her hoof into her own face."Vinyl, it doesn't work that way."

"What? That's how YOU are dressing!"

"Yes, but I am performing! Besides," she pointed a hoof at her trunk that looked like it would explode at any time because it was so full, "I have an extra dress for the party when I am not performing. You should too, in case your first dress gets dirty."

Vinyl sighed, "Then how about this one?" Vinyl took out another dress and displayed it over herself.

Octavia looked around Vinyl. The dress's color fit Vinyl's mane and tail perfectly, and the red ribbon around the waist was perfect.

"YES!!! This is perfect, Vinyl."

"It feels a bit... I don't know, I never wear anything this long."

"Sorry Vinyl, this will have to do for now. Don't worry, its only for a day."

"The things I will do for you, Octy." Vinyl giggled. "Imagine my band mates seeing me in this. Oh boy, their faces would be priceless."

"Vinyl, what are you talking about? You look AMAZING in that dress!"

Vinyl smiled. "I'll take your word for it. Now, do you need help packing up?"

Octavia looked around the room and then ran to her luggage again. Vinyl followed and watched her as she browsed through her stuff.

"You're bringing three bows?"

"Yeah, in case one breaks"

"But the one you are using is perfectly fine!"

"What if it got broken on the train?"

Vinyl face hoofed. "You realize that I am not going to help you carry any of this, right?"

"Awww Vinyl, I thought you loved me."

"Yes, but twelve sets of extra strings seems unnecessary to me."

"BUT WHAT IF..."

"NO, two is enough. Go take a break. I will help you with this."

Octavia looked at Vinyl with distrust.

"Octavia, I am a musician too. Just chill, I got this."

"All right then, Vinyl... I'll trust you." Octavia walked into the kitchen. Deciding that she should probably take a break, she opened the fridge.

"AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" Octavia screamed.

"VINYL!" Octavia ran into the living room, staring Vinyl in the face, "Where... where did you get that strawberry popsicle from?"

Vinyl turned around. She was holding up the strawberry popsicle in the air with magic. She had red marks around her lips and the popsicle was almost gone.

"From your fridge, Octavia. I thought you were cool with me taking some of your food."

"Yes, but that was the last one! And it was my favorite flavor, too..." Octavia said.

"Well... you really want to taste it right...?"

Octavia sighed, "It's all right. I guess I'll have to do with blueberry for now..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Vinyl walked up and grabbed Octavia with her hooves. She pulled Octavia's face next to hers and stretched her neck so her muzzle was at the same height as Octavia's. Moving closer, she kissed Octavia on the lips.

Octavia tasted the strawberry from Vinyl's lips, and she just stood there and froze up like a popsicle.

"There, now go watch TV or something." Vinyl nudged Octavia out of the room. "I've still got work to do, packing up and stuff."