Chapters Soren felt amazingly happy as this week came to a close. He spent the last six days with Octavia in Canterlot. She had a performance in the country's capital city and was given a small house to spend the week in. Since it was Canterlot, a 'small house' was quite pretty. It had a simply layout and furniture, overlooked part of the city, and had a guest bedroom, which is why Octavia invited Soren to tag along.
Throughout the week, the two practiced together and enjoyed the sights that Canterlot had to offer. It has been awhile since they have gotten to spend any lengthy time together. Soren was always dragged into some adventure without his consent before he could properly spend time with his sister. They were both glad this week has been very enjoyable and relaxing. After tomorrow, Soren would return to Ponyville, but Octavia would spend another week in Canterlot with her parents.
Outside of practicing for official performance, Octavia wanted to practice a personal performance with Soren. They would play this together at the end of the week, which was today. Octavia's last official performance for this trip was in the afternoon. Later tonight, her and Soren would perform together when the amphitheater was vacant.
Soren woke up feeling pretty well-rested for a change; he needed to go on trips like these more often. So far every morning has been like this. He walked downstairs into the kitchen to make breakfast. He was greeted by the sight of a smiling Octavia enjoying tea and a croissant at the kitchen table. She had slight bed head and was dressed in morning wear while looking out of the window at the rising sun. It was quite a sight for Soren.
"I just realized that you always wake up early to see the sunrise," Soren commented softly to not startle her. Octavia simply nodded and sipped her tea.
Octavia's afternoon performance went without a hitch. The crowd adored her ensemble, and Octavia was pleased they weren't too picky like many years ago. That was the reason she left Canterlot in the first place.
As her and Soren walked back to the house, she explained to him that she was going to try something a bit different during their performance. She felt experimentation was needed. Soren didn't object and was very interested in what she would do. Octavia explained that she would get ready and leave to make sure the amphitheater was empty. Soren would have to wait in his guest room until she left, then he would take a violin and met her there. He was a little curious why he had to wait for her to leave, but he knew it was part of her experimentation. Plus, she probably wanted to surprise him with something.
This particular amphitheater in Canterlot is used for operas, play, orchestras, and ensembles. The enclosed space would create too much noise for Soren's band, thus he never suggested the venue. Closing the backdoor of the building, Soren walked through backstage towards the main room. With a violin strapped to his back, Soren entered the stage.
He immediately saw a determined-looking Octavia facing the empty seats, leaning against her cello with one hoof propped against the back of it and her bow in her mouth. He also noticed the unique style Octavia was wearing. Her hair had pink highlights, and she has pink eyeliner. Her clip-on bow had a gold collar instead of white, and she had a temporary tattoo of her cutie mark by one of her eyes.
Turning her head, Octavia relaxed when she saw Soren then nodded to him. He took his position to her rear left. Octavia readied herself and faced the empty crowd. She began to play in a decently fast tempo, building up slightly until her cello almost matched the deeper tones of the violin. Midway through the song, Soren noticed that Octavia's bow had something shiny all over it. He only noticed it now because as Tavi played swiftly, the glittering on her bow turned into sparks. The tip of Octavia's bow caught on fire. She obviously planned for this because she swiped her bow away from the cello, creating a curving fire stream. The fire was quickly put out as she finished the song.
Soren was beyond impressed, both at Octavia's outfit and her flaming bow. She smiled at Soren stunned reaction.
Later that same day, almost at midnight, Soren couldn't sleep; he didn't know why. Finding nothing else to do, he trotted to Octavia's room, hoping she was still awake. He knocked on her door and was surprised by an immediate response for him to come in.
Soren opened the door and saw Octavia laying on her bed, dressed in a pink robe with her hair done nice. She was reading a book but ignored it when Soren entered. He couldn't help but notice how cute she looked.
"I couldn't sleep. I just wanted to pass the time till I felt tired."
"That's fine. I've been meaning to speak with you before you left tomorrow."
"What about?"
"I just wanted to say how much I enjoy our time together. You're one of the only ponies I truly enjoy being around." She blushed slightly and looked away with uncertainty. "You're kind, funny, carefree, and...quite handsome for someone who doesn't groom themselves."
"Octavia...do you like m—"
"I'm sorry. I just...you're technically adopted, and ponies have certain thought they can't avoid—"
"Tavi...it's fine, but...I can't say I feel the same, even if I wasn't already with Rainbow Dash. You're amazing to be around, but I don't know."
"That's quite alright. At least it wasn't utter rejection. I'm glad." Soren walked up to Octavia's bed. He smiled at her, which made her smile back while a little embarrassed. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead.
"Don't worry about it, alright? I'll always be here for you. Whether you want me to still be your brother or a just a friend to flirt with, I won't abandon you." Soren began walking away.
"Are...are you being serious?" He stopped in the doorway of her room and looked back.
"Do I sound like I'm joking? Goodnight, Tavi." He left, leaving Octavia with a smile and something to think about it.
(End)
Author's Note
Here goes yet another random scenario my friend and I came up with. He created his OC, Shayden, and a pony persona, Chroma.
Split Personality
"So why did you need my help?" Soren asked Twilight. The purple unicorn called her friend to the library late in the day.
"Princess Celestia sent me a new spell to try out. I was hoping to use someone who could help me if something went wrong."
"You do know that sounds pretty flawed, right? If something happens to me, how could I help?"
"Ok fine! I just wanted to see your reaction."
"I can't wait to see it myself. Let's do it." Twilight nodded.
Her horn glowed with its normal purple aura and swirled toward Soren. It revolved around his body, illuminating him with a light green outline. The spell felt normal for the first few seconds...then he felt like his body was splitting apart.
"Uhh...Twilight?"
"You'll be fine. Apparently slight pain is normal."
"Not very reassuring."
He gritted his teeth and groaned to numb the pain as much as possible. After a few more seconds, the spell finished with a snap of pain. Soren's vision was black at first but refocused on Twilight. She had a strange look on her face and wasn't looking at him.
"Did it work?" Soren asked with a bit of strain.
"Uhh, yes."
Soren sat up and turned around. There was another pony in the room. White coat, black mane, pale-rainbow gems on nice flanks... Did I really just think that? Soren thought. He face-hoofed. Why do mares have to be so cute? Wait..
"Is that me?!" he gasped. Twilight merely nodded. The other Soren sat up, groaned, then turned to look at them.
"Oh look. Another me," the mare commented. "Well aren't you a strapping stallion." Male Soren laughed while Twilight face-hoofed.
"She...she even flirts like me. Haha. So, Twilight, what was the spell supposed to do?"
"It was created to show a pony their true selves, or at least their desired selves. It also portrays you as the opposite gender."
"With the way she's acting, I'm sure she'd be desired in more than one way."
"Oh stop it," female Soren giggled. "I look just like you. In all seriousness, how am I so different?"
"Well Soren is..." Twilight paused to think. "He isn't this flirtatious. He cares deeply and is usually the hero in many cases."
"You know how I feel about that word, Twilight. I guess if I were to be single and away from danger, I might be this flirtatious. I find it fun to flirt with Rainbow sometimes."
"Well now you get to flirt with yourself," fem-Soren said with an intimate look.
"Uhh, Twilight, c-could you leave us alone for a second?"
"I am not leaving you two in the same room together."
"Awww, that's no fun," the two moaned simultaneously.
"Is that really what you want to do with another you?"
"Oh come on, Twilight," male Soren said. "I can't help it. There's a female version of me that's just so...fine ."
"Soren!" Twilight paused. "Uggh, look...just go walk around Ponyville for an hour. I'll send a letter to Celestia telling her that the spell was a success and that I need to know how to reverse it."
"We don't need a way to reverse this," female Soren said. "There's so much I can do."
"In more than one way," Soren added. He put a hoof to his chin in thought. "If you and I spend the night together, isn't that just called master—"
"I don't need to hear that!" Twilight exclaimed, cutting him off. "Just go see what everyone else has to say about two Sorens being in Ponyville."
"Fiiiiine."
Both Sorens walked to the door, male Soren opening the door for his female counterpart. She smiled and trotted past him, brushing her tail under his chin on the way out. Twilight noticed it, and Soren turned towards her.
"You're the one that wouldn't let us be alone." He shut the door.
Chroma was on his way to Twilight's library to rent a book of spells to enhance his collection. He was very surprised to see two white alicorns walking away from that direction. Chroma had to stop them. He looked back and forth between the two before uttering the most important question.
"Knowing you, did you two...you know?"
"Twilight didn't let us," male Soren pouted.
"Well that's no fun."
"That's what we said!" the two said together.
"So my eyes weren't deceiving me," Rainbow said as she randomly landed next to Chroma. "Two Sorens, and one's a female." She smirked at female Soren. "I've only tried mares once or twice. Wanna add another to that counter?" Male Soren laughed.
"Oh my~. We only have like fifty minutes before Twilight wants to reverse this."
"More than enough time."
"Especially for the fastest mare in Equestria. Pleasedontkillme," Chroma added quickly. Rainbow raised an eyebrow at him.
"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that."
"Chroma." Everyone turned to look at the approaching Shayden. He stopped in his tracks near the ginger unicorn when he saw both Sorens. "I was going to ask for your help on something, but I see that you are distracted by more interesting matters." He looked between the two ponies. "Did you two...?"
Chroma leaned towards Shayden. "Twilight didn't let them."
"Probably for the best. That would be idiotic of them."
"Are you serious?" male Soren said. Everyone, including Chroma, looked at Shayden, expecting him to be joking.
"What? Do you really want to spend a night with yourself?"
"I would," Rainbow said.
"Me too," said female Soren.
"Same here," Chroma added.
"Are you all serious?" Shayden asked.
"Could you really pass up an opportunity like that?" male Soren replied.
"Seriously," Chroma added. Shayden tilted his head up in thought and put a hoof to his chin.
"Hmm." He said nothing more and walked away. Chroma watched his friend leave for a bit before turning back to everyone else.
"I don't know if that was a no or not."
"Neither do I," male Soren said. Rainbow then asked an important question.
"So are we still going to spend some time together?"
"We still have about forty-five minutes. Ehh, why not?" Female Soren gasped and grabbed Rainbow and Soren.
"Yes!"
"You all have fun with that," Chroma commented as he began walking away.
"You could join us you know," Rainbow said.
"As tempting as a four way is, that would feel too awkward. I'll see you two later."
"Where were we, ladies?" male Soren asked.
Chroma shook his head with a smile. Inner-self spell...I could totally see Soren as a flirt. It seems like he already became one.
"There...finished." Twilight reversed her spell, and Soren was one pony again. Rainbow was in the library with them this time.
"I wouldn't mind if Soren flirted more."
"I could. It's pretty fun, especially when I make Twilight blush."
"Shut up," the purple unicorn said, blushing slightly. "You two were being very inappropriate."
"I'm sure if I was the Doctor it wouldn't be that inappropriate."
"Hmph." Twilight trotted away upstairs, leaving Soren and Rainbow to laugh together and lean against each other.
(End)
Playing With Long, Hard Things
"So where have you been?" Soren asked Nyra. The batpony mare returned to Ponyville after being gone for a few months. Ever since 'that night,' she left with a goodbye and hasn't been back since.
"I was just exploring the land, looking for a good place to settle down." Soren smiled at her. She really has come a long way. From the way she talks to the way she acts, Nyra was definitely a better pony than the Nightmare Guardian she used to be.
They strolled through Ponyville as they caught up with each other.
"Don't like Ponyville that much?" He would feel a tad hurt if that was the case. She laughed.
"Of course I do! That's why I'm here. I just wanted to see the other cities."
"It's been months..."
"A girl has to see all the cites. Cider definitely helps wasting more time though. Rough mornings." Soren shook his head. Nyra now sounded sad. "I couldn't see Canterlot." He stopped. "They wouldn't let me in. Not that I blame them because of what I did."
"They're just thinking of ponies' well-beings. Don't think of it as something personal. I still like you." She smiled, showcasing two of her fangs. "Tell you what..." Nyra ears perked up. "How about I show you Canterlot? I'm sure they'll let you in if I'm with you. If not...we could always sneak in."
"Soren," Nyra pretended to sound disappointed in him. "I didn't take you for the trouble-making type. Shame on you."
"I've caused havoc everywhere I go. Sneaking into to Canterlot will be the most innocent. I'll go let our friends know where we're going."
"Our friends?"
"Yes, Nyra. They're your friends too. You're one of us now. Part of the family." She ran up and hugged Soren. It's hard to think this innocent and lonely mare used to lead an army and tried to kill me.
After Soren explained his plan to Twilight, she decided to send a letter to Shining Armor. She nicely asked him (also saying pretty please a few times) to give Soren and Nyra the tour of the castle.
Within the hour, Shining gave in and accepted. He explained that he was somewhat free this week and that giving those two a tour would most likely be an interesting day. Soren was half-tempted to see if Shining Armor was wary of Nyra.
Soren and Nyra took the early train the next day to Canterlot. They arrived within a few hours and trotted towards the castle. Nyra took in all the scenes of the capitol; it was definitely different when you weren't strategically planning an assault on it.
It didn't take them long to reach the castle, and when they did they were immediately stopped by four palace guards at the front gate.
"Halt! State your name and business!" Nyra took a step back. Soren put a hoof on her shoulder then stepped closer to the guards.
"Soren Melody and Nyra. We were promised a tour of the castle by Shining Armor himself."
A unicorn guard was told to fetch the captain while the other three continued to point their spears at the two ponies. Soren and Nyra sat down after a few minutes and waited. They sprang up upon hearing a new, commanding voice.
"Let them through, guards!" Shining armor shouted with authority from atop the wall. "They were approved to enter ahead of time. We can trust them." Two of the guards exchanged glances with each other then at Nyra, who refused to make eye contact.
The three guards stepped aside as the gates began to open. As Soren and Nyra stepped into the courtyard, Shining Armor met them halfway.
"It's been quite a long time since we've met, Soren," the captain said. "How have you and the girls been?"
"Pretty good. We added another mare to our clique." He gestured to Nyra, who was being surprisingly quiet.
"...and Twilight and her friends are ok with that?"
"Of course. Why? Don't think she can fit in?"
"I wasn't saying—"
"Not to be rude, but I'm getting a little tired of Nyra being shunned for her past mistakes. I get it, she was evil, but she's done with that. I made sure of it. She's a normal pony now; I don't care what others think." Instead of feeling irritated by Soren's outburst, Shining smiled then patted his shoulder.
"And that is the kind of dedication I like in a pony. You're a good pony, Soren. She's lucky to have you."
"We're lucky to have each other. Nyra?" She looked up at him. "Feeling alright?"
"Just feeling a little out of place." Shining smiled at her.
"Don't worry. I don't think negatively of you. If Soren trusts you, I do as well. You're in good hooves." The three began walking into the castle, Shining asking Soren to walk slightly ahead to whisper to him. "How do you and Nyra feel about each other? Honestly."
"She has quite the crush on me."
"I can tell you both have a connection. More than friendship most likely."
"Ask Twilight if you really want to know. Not something to say to just anyone. Just ask her about 'that one night.' If she tells you, have fun. If not, maybe I'll tell you at some point."
"Awkward night?"
"It shouldn't be."
"Soren seemed to really enjoy it," Nyra commented out of nowhere. She now walked along the two stallions. "Did you two forget I'm a batpony?" She tapped her ear. "Amateurs." She smiled and trotted slightly ahead of them.
"She's something though," Soren said to Shining.
"You like her?" Soren looked down. "There's no harm is being really close to another mare, so long as you don't ruin a relationship because of it. A girl like Rainbow Dash shouldn't mind, especially after 'that night.'" Soren snapped his head to Shining. "What? Twilight is my sister. We tell each other everything, and you didn't tell her to keep it a secret. You're quite the lucky stallion though." Soren blushed.
During the tour, Shining Armor showed Soren and Nyra the guard training grounds, the throne room (Celestia was pleased to see Soren again), the library, the observatory, and the ballroom.
It was between midday and sunset when the trio arrived in the armory. Soren and Nyra gasped out a 'wow' as they gazed upon the stone flooring, white walls, and various weapons.
"Welcome to the Canterlot Armory," Shining Armor announced as he swept a hoof across the medium-sized room.
"Do you mind...?" Soren pointed to the swords.
"As long as I'm here supervising you. I still have to ask if you've had previous training."
"Of course. Plus I wouldn't have it in me to become hostile to innocents."
"Just be careful."
Soren nodded then scanned the room. He gasped and practically dove for a particular blade. Sitting and holding it in his hooves, Soren marveled at...
"A broadsword... Simple. Clean cut. Slightly heavy but makes it up with strength. Not easily blocked and fairly reliable."
"So you do know something about blades," Shining said.
"It's a small hobby ironically."
"Well, Soren," Nyra smirked as she walked over to the swords. "As a mare, I think I would know more about swords and how to work them." She winked at him. He thought it over for a second then understood the joke.
"Are you really going to make innuendos about this?"
"I bet I can do it better than you."
"That means two things. Do you really want to make a contest out of this?"
Nyra picks up a longsword and begins stroking it gently. "Let me explain how to clean your sword." Soren rolled his eyes while Shining decided to remain silent in order to see where things went.
"First you have to start with the head," Nyra continued sensually. "I like to polish it slowly, but sometimes being rough is better."
"But if you're too rough, you'll scratch it. Some may like that but you have to be sweet to your blade if you want it to have a 'nice finish.'"
"I can't argue with that. Wet finishes are always the best, especially if the sword was dirty to begin with. How about we talk about sheathes?"
"Sweet Celestia..."
"You need to have a firm grip on the sheathe before you stick it in." Soren was already chuckling; Nyra wasn't even trying to be subtle anymore.
Nyra put the sword in its sheath then had an idea. Looking at Soren with playful eyes, she began slowly moving the sword in and out of the sheath. Both Soren and Shining blushed slightly.
"Is she always like that?" Shining asked.
"Yeah," Soren almost whispered.
"And you're sure you don't like her?"
"When did I say that?"
"Just buck already!" a random guard passing in the hallway shouted into the room.
Nyra smirked. "Oh, we have! And we might do it again..." She looked at Soren with sultry eyes.
"No. That was a one time thing," Soren replied evenly.
"Aww." Nyra appeared sad but quickly became happy. "Well that was fun!" She trotted past Soren and Shining, brushing her tail under the former's chin. "Shall we continue with the tour? I would love to see Luna again."
Shining and Soren exchanged glances of shock.
"And Twilight wonders why that night happened," Soren said finally.
Author's Note
Some of these ideas are really random but come out decently well.