Stranger Things Have Happened
1: This is Only the Beginning
I was born in upper class Manehatten to a somewhat normal family or what can be perceived as normal; a loving alicorn mother and a caring unicorn father. They loved me more than anything else, it seemed like that they gave me everything I wanted. Or maybe they didn’t. Maybe that’s just what I want to remember.
I do remember what happened to them, though. The dreadful incident that caused them to leave my life forever. I don’t know what started the fire, but the life I onced loved was burning at the seams. Before the entrance to my room collapsed, I was able to be saved by a fire stallion traversing through the burning debris falling from the ceiling before it was too late. After getting us both out of the scorching hot building, I saw that my parents were not out here and turned around to see as the roaring flames destroyed the old family house. I got to hear their screams echo in my ears. And it hurt to hear that the fire stallion kept telling me everything would be alright.
I came to the orphanage when I was 6 because the fire stallion couldn’t have me forever and dropped me off here. I was a happy filly with lots of friends, lots of role models even though that I was concealing my sadness. I had to attend counseling for my past, but other than that, my life was okay and that was all that mattered to me for now. That all changed when I realized that my friends leaving with their new moms and dads were never coming back. I was probably about 7 when I realized that truth.
~~~
One day, I was sitting by myself, as per usual, when I heard the most beautiful music I’d ever heard. I traversed down the corridors of the orphanage as I followed the sound and found a young mare, probably no older than a teenager, playing this antique yet polished cello for the other fillies and colts in the orphanage. I stayed out of sight behind a potted plant that was a tiny bit larger than me, but was still able to see her. She was beautiful. She had a smokey gray coat with a coal black mane and tail, but she look like she came from a rich family like I was. She was so calm and collected the whole time. She looked like the kind of mare I wanted to be my new mother, but I later learned that her name was Octavia.
Every time she came to the orphanage to perform for the young ones, I would stay way in the back, admiring her from a distance. Watching Octavia, I could feel that my feelings for her grew stronger and stronger as time passed. The more I saw her, the more lovely she became; the more talented she seemed, the more I fell in love. Love? Yes, that’s the word I believe.
She came about once a month, just to put a smile on everypony’s faces. However, one month, she told us that this would be the last time she would be performing for us and I was crushed to say the least. I watched her closely, watching her every move for a sign as to why she was leaving us. Once she was done playing, she packed up her cello and began to pull it away in her cart. I followed her closely. “Miss Octavia?”
The monochrome pony turned to face me. “What’s wrong, young one?”
I looked at my hooves, a light blush on my cheeks. Now that I have her attention… What do I say? “I was just wondering,” I started to say, choosing my words very carefully. “Why are you leaving? Don’t you like us?”
She smiled and gently ruffled my mane, which was pulled back into pigtails. “Of course I do,” she said softly. “I just… I can’t stay here forever. I got a call from the mayor in PonyVille asking if I could play for her upcoming reelection campaign. I’m sorry.” She must’ve noticed my hurt expression, because she continued to say, “Tell you what. How about we get our picture taken together before I go? I’ll even sign it for you.”
I was ecstatic, to say the least. To get my picture taken with my idol and to get her signature, as well? In the same day? It was like a dream. Of course I agreed. We went to this eccentric Prench Earth pony with a white mane and tail.
“Are ve ready the take ze picture?” Before either of us could respond, we got blinded by a sudden flash of white light that came from several cameras all at once. “Come back next veek to get ze picture. Now! Ve go!”
Octavia looked down at me as the Earth pony walked off. “Too bad it’ll take so long. How about this? I’ll have Photo Finish send it to me and I’ll send it to you once I autograph it.”
I was still dazed by the flash. I just nodded. When I finally snapped back to reality, Octavia was gone. Like it was a dream. I walked back to the orphanage, head hung low, tail drooping behind me.
~~~
The next few days felt more like weeks, no months. Octavia was gone from my life, I didn’t know if I would ever see her again. It felt as though my life had no meaning. The adults at the orphanage kept on telling me to make some new friends and that they set me up with a couple who was looking to adopt. I told them that I wasn’t interested.
What’s the point in making friends if they’re just going to leave you? That’s what I thought for the longest time.
“Hello?” a younger filly’s voice said.
I snapped back to the orphanage to see a light brown pegasus filly with forest green and sea green mane and tail standing in front of me. She was carrying a letter in her mouth. “Uh… Hi?”
The filly smiled widely. “Hi! I’m Painted Mountain! You must be Iridescent Midnight, right? Dark blue coat, light blue hooves, a pink and purple mane and tail. You match the description to a T.”
“Yes, I’m Iridescent,” I sighed, already very annoyed with this filly. She must be new here, because I knew everypony’s face around here.
She smiled, not catching on to my feelings. “I have a letter for you! From somepony named… Octave, or something like that.”
I blinked. “Octavia?” I quickly took the letter and tore it open. Inside was a message and a photo.
Dearest Iridescent Midnight,
My, that’s a long name, isn’t it? How about I call you Iri, instead? Anyway, enclosed is that photo we took together. Autographed, as promised. I do hope you don’t mind the wait.
Either way, have you ever been to PonyVille? It’s a quaint little town, but it’s pleasant enough. You should visit it sometime. Or, maybe your new parents will live here? I’m thinking of moving in with a friend of mine while I’m here. Guess you won’t see me very often in Canterlot.
Best Wishes,
Octavia Melody
I was beaming when I finished reading that letter. I looked at the photo and, sure enough, it was a picture of me and Octavia with her signature. I hadn't been this happy since before my parents’ death.