Life's Left Hook

It's a Friday night, and you just got back home from a short little gathering with you and some friends.

You and some friends were saying your goodbyes to Octavia; she was leaving soon to go on a very, very long tour with her orchestra.

She'd be back in about 6 months or so, concerning they're going everywhere in Equestria and beyond.

It was a nice little gathering, even though it was sad to see her go. As reserved as she is, you, Lyra, BonBon, and the mailmare all got to know her fairly well.

Evidently she had a liking to you as well; before you left for the night, she gave you a little surprise—a peck on the cheek.

Before promptly slamming the door shut.

An odd mare, she was.

But you couldn't help but be curious, and a bit excited for her return.

A smile on your face and a butterfly in your stomach, you go to sleep.

Or, so you think, that is.

Just as you close your eyes, the phone rings.

Reluctantly, you drag your lazy ass out of bed to answer the phone.

After finally finding it, you pick it up.

"Hello?” you ask, your fatigue showing in your voice.

”H-Hey, Anon" Oh, boy, it’s Cadance.

And she sounds troubled.

She must be depressed over something again, like last time she called you.

Last time, you found yourself hugging a giant pink crying pillow in a giant pink bed, until some big guy with a shield cutie mark came in and asked what was going on.

That was an awful night, and you hoped it wouldn’t happen again.

Your train of thought is cut off by Cadance’s sweet voice.

”I hope you aren’t busy or anything,” she says, noticing the silence on your end.

Oh, uh, not at all,” you stammer.

Christ, what was wrong this time?

”I-I just wanted you to know that, uhm, well…”

Fuck...

”Shining is leaving tonight to go to Canterlot. Auntie Celestia has summoned him to go help Twilight out with her new castle.”

You knew that much. You had read it on the news.

Snobs. They live in a castle because it's their destiny, and you're stuck here in this shitty shack hardly big enough for one pony, let alone a human thrice their size.

"Oh, I heard about that."

”Y-Yeah. H-He won't be back for another few days once he's gone...and it's been weeks since you and I last....w-well, you know...”

Was that a hint?

You didn't get anywhere last time.

There's no way the princess of love would do that.

”I-I was wondering if maybe, once he leaves, you'd...like for me to go to your house and bring you over to spend the next few days with me?”

Your mind slams on its breaks and comes to a screeching halt.

You can't think of anything to say, and you just stand there dumbfounded.

After a beat, she continues.

”This would be perfect for us. Shining won't be anywhere in sight, no one will be able to bother us, and you and I can have lots and lots of alone time to—well you know... S-So what do you say? Do you want me to come stay with you?”

You blink.

Is this some sort of joke?

Probably.

"Cadance?"

"Y-Yes?"

"Are you... Serious?"

There's an awkward pause.

"Anon, I... I get it if you don't want to, I... I-I just thought it'd be nice, having some company with a man that knows how to talk to me."

It sounded oddly sincere, and rather innocent. You really can't tell if it was another hint or just a compliment about your comforting nature.

Either way, you're not about to drop her like a rock.

"I suppose I could do something. When and where?"

She lets out a gleeful giggle.

"Tomorrow night? Around ten?"

"Sure, that'd work."

"A-Anon?"

"Hmm?"

"Th-Thank you..."

"Any time, hun."

With that, she hangs up.

With a smile on your face, you put the phone down, lie down in bed, and start drifting off.

You're actually really happy inside... Great thoughts cloud your mind as you start to drift, resting in a paradise of bliss and

*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*

"God fucking damnit."

You hop our of your warm, cozy bed and into the bitter cold air, making your way to the door.

After a bit of a walk, you grab the handle and swing it open.

Looking down, you see a visitor.

Octavia, to be exact, with her big, adorable purple eyes.

"Anonymous," she says, looking up at you with a sly look.

"Uh, Octavia? Don't you have a train to catch?" you ask, genuinely concerned.

"That's correct."

She takes a step inside and takes off her collar.

It's almost amazing how much more 'naked' she looks with just taking off the collar.

"May I take a seat?"

"Sure," you respond, sitting down on the couch yourself.

She sits on the other end, lying on her side.

"But, yes. The train departs in... Four hours, I believe."

She scoots a little closer, looking up at you.

"Concerning the station is a ten minute walk from here, that leaves plenty of time."

She grabs your hand with her hoof.

"For us."

She looks up at you with a smile, her ears perked up.

You're a little bewildered by this, and you raise an eyebrow.

"Uhm, 'Tavi?"

She pulls your hand close to her.

"Anonymous, I... I have something to say. Will you lend me your ears?"

You nod, leaning in a bit closer yourself.

"I-I've been, Hiding something. Something rather, large."

She looks down at your pants. "...I actually have a feeling you are, as well, but the difference is that you can't see mine."

She looks back up at you. "Anonymous, since the first time we spoke, I've felt a little fire inside of me. It's been burning, and the more and more we got to know each other, the brighter and brighter it's gotten. What was once a pile of hot coals is now ablaze. I can't keep it in any longer, and I... I was wondering... This trip I'm going on... All of my colleagues in the orchestra are all. Well, bitter and resentful for the things I've done in the past. I won't have anyone to talk to, to mingle with."

"...I'll be alone. And that thought is scary."

She gulps, wrapping her forelegs around your arm.

"Anonymous, I don't want to be alone. And all of the hotel rooms I have rented for the tour are all empty, spare myself—nobody wanted to room with me."

"Anonymous, will you... Will you come with me?"

Fuck, how are you going to get out of this one.

Octavia looks up at you.

There are some tears glazing her eyes.

"I-Is something wrong, Anonymous?" she asks, looking up at you pleadingly.

You sigh and look away

And, at that same moment, you can see Octavia's heart fall through her chest.

Might as well get this over with.

"I... I'm sorry, 'Tavi, but, I've already got some plans--"

"Plans?! Who could you possibly have plans with?!"

Sheesh, she jumped to conclusions.

Might as well put it bluntly.

"Princess Mi Amore Cadenza."

There's an odd pause, and Octavia drifts her gaze downward.

"Oh, Anon, I didn't know you had such... Well, an honor. What, pray tell, are your plans?"

Fuck.

Suddenly, you remember the secret of diplomacy.

The best lies are not lies; they're merely twisted truths.

With that, you decide not to lie at all.

"Shining's gone. She needs some help, with her royal duties. Not only that, but also she's curious about humans, like Twilight was. I could about imagine all of the questions she has in store for me.

She thinks for a moment. "And she's, married, correct?"

"Of course she is. Didn't you hear what I said?"

She blinks, off guard. "What?"

"I said, Shining left. As in, Shining Armour? Her husband? Captain of the royal guard?"

"Oh. O-Of course."

You nod.

"You wouldn't be, making 'plans'?" she asks innocently.

You shake your head.

"I'd imagine she'd be loyal. She's the princess of love, after all."

She looks down, still clinging to your arm. "Oh... O-Okay, Anon, I... I understand."

Christ, you can see the broken pieces of her heart scattered around on the floor.

"Hey, hold on, 'Tavi," you say, grabbing her chin and bringing her face up.

You smile at her.

"She only needs me for a week. After that, I'll be sure to catch up with you."

"A week?! We'll be in southern Hosstralia by that time! How could you possibly --"

You put your hand on her mouth to shut her up.

"I'm certain aiding an alicorn princess will let me pull some strings, hm?"

She looks down, and seems to understand.

You let her mouth go.

You both sit in silence for a minute, thinking.

"I-I, I have a train to catch," she says, letting go of your arm and heading out the door.

You follow her, and stop her as she puts her collar on.

"Farewell, Anonymous," she says, opening the door.

You kneel down and grab Tavi before she can walk out the door.

"Ah! Anon?! What're you—"

She's cut off by you grabbing her behind her head and pulling her face into yours, lips locking.

You give her a quick kiss and offer a smile.

"'ll see you in a week, sweetheart."

With that, you close the door before she says another word, leaving her absolutely astonished on your front doorstep.