Octavia sat at her table, and thought. That's all. Not eating, not talking, just thinking. Somehow, Octavia had been sucked into going to a club with Lyra, Violette, and Harpone. Why did she do it? Why did she agree to come?

Octavia face-hoofed at the thought of what she had said. Why couldn't she have just passed on it? She tried to convince herself that she was just being dumb, but she couldn't deny that she knew exactly why she had done it.

Octavia is the absolute opposite of an extrovert. She had no idea why anypony would pass up a night at home with a good book and lots of food to go to a club and "rave". Octavia wasn't quite sure what that meant, but it sounded ridiculous.

But because of her introverted and goody-two-shoes personality, she is often excluded from...well, everything! Everypony just assumed she would never want to go. In fact, most of the time she would not. But just knowing that other ponies wanted to be with her, to know she was desired, would make her feel happy.

Even though Octavia hated every minute of every club or party she had ever been to, she knew it was her own fault. She was the pony that never laughed. She was the pony that never danced. She was the pony that never even talked to anypony else!

This is what Octavia wanted more than anyone else. I am ready to make an effort to turn my life around! If I just try hard enough, I will meet somepony. I will be cool. And most importantly, I will have fun!

Having just awoken from her deep thinking, Octavia turned her head toward the clock on her wall. It was 9:37. Octavia was meeting her friends at 10:00, so she figured she had better leave soon. She stood up from the table, and trotted over to her room.

What is a pony to wear to a club?

"I usually just wear a bowtie," Octavia said to herself.

"I guess it is a bit strange to wear a bowtie to a club." But nonetheless, Octavia picked out her standard pink bowtie and tied it around her neck. Octavia was never one to care about looks, so she simply combed her mane and brushed her coat, not bothering with makeup or perfume. But she still felt satisfied when she was done.

Octavia paused before trotting out the door.

"Am I seriously doing this?" She asked herself in her hesitation.

It may have seemed like big deal to anypony else, but to Octavia this was the start of a whole new lifestyle. She was going from introvert to extrovert. Shy to brave. Party pooper to party animal! She had do it. At least, she had to try.

Feeling like she just won the argument with herself, she shook her head and resumed walking out the door.

"Look out world, here I come!" She called out, even though she was thinking, "Please, world. Show me mercy!"

When Octavia arrived at the entrance, she immediately saw Lyra and Harpone standing next to each other, motioning Octavia towards them with their hooves.

"Hey guys!" she greeted as she walked up to them.

"Wow, you came! I totally thought you were gonna back out." Harpone said, very surprised.

Octavia felt a bit flattered, but still a bit offended. "Yeah, I'm here....."

"Are we just waiting for Violatte?" Octavia continued.

"No, she couldn't make it. She hooked up with a cute stallion tonight, if you know what I mean," Lyra said while winking at Octavia.

"Oh......I see." Octavia replied while winking back, trying not to make the fact that she had absolutely no idea what Lyra was talking about obvious.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Lyra asked nopony in particular. "Let's go!"

The moment Octavia entered the room, a huge wave of sound overpowered Octavia's ears, causing her to fall to the ground, screaming.

"Aaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What is that awful noise?!?!?!?!?!" She shrieked.

By now, Octavia had caught the attention of many ponies, who each stared at her with an odd look.

"Octavia..." Lyra said just loudly enough that Octavia would hear her but nopony else would. "Get a hold of yourself!"

Though struggling, Octavia managed to stand up.

Still covering her ears to protect them from being permanently damaged-or at least that's what she thought she was doing-Octavia walked with Lyra and Harpone.

The ponies who were staring shrugged it off and went back to their own business.

"What is this awful noise?!" Octavia asked, much quieter this time.

"What? You mean the music?" Harpone asked.

Octavia was shocked. This garbage was considered music? She wasn't sure if she should burst out laughing or faint.

"Oh. I guess." Is all Octavia could manage to say, while her mouth hung open.

The whole situation was very overwhelming. I haven't even talked to anyone, and I'm already freaking out!

She didn't really want to leave her friends, but she felt the need to get away from all the noise.

"I need to use the restroom, I'll meet you guys later."

"Okay, you want me to come with you?" Lyra asked.

"Oh, n-no. I'm fine. But thanks!" Octavia replied as she dashed away.

Lyra and Harpone exchanged confused glances, before shrugging and walking away.

She headed for the bathroom. Obviously, she didn't really need to go, but it was very quiet. So, she just washed her hands, checked her mane, and occasionally made faces in the mirror. But she knew she couldn't hide in the bathroom forever.

She decided she would hang out in the bar section. But, getting drunk was probably not the best idea. She had a big solo tomorrow morning, and being hungover would not help at all. Besides, if Octavia was to have alcohol, she would much prefer wine. It was more refined, and made her feel less, well, weird-stallion-that-always-gets-drunk-at-the-bar-by-himselfish.

So, she walked out of the bathroom and headed towards the bar. It was a bit confusing, and the loud noise-which she refused to call music-was making her lightheaded and dizzy. But when she finally made it, it felt so good to sit down at the bar stool and relax.

So......What should I now? I could go dance, I could stay here, or I could go home. At the moment, none of those ideas sounded very good.

After thinking about her choices for a little while, she made a decision. She would stay at the bar for a little while longer, and try to start up a few conversations. If she must, she would get up and wander a bit.

Suddenly, Octavia heard a voice that interrupted her deep thinking similarly to how her director interrupted her music.

"What can I get a cute mare like you?"

"Huh?" Octavia said as she turned to look in the direction the voice was coming from. Octavia's brain took a little while to process what the mare had said.

"Oh, I-I don't.... I mean, I've always preferred wine." Was all Octavia managed to say. She felt incredibly dumb, replying to a simple question so awkwardly.

Octavia just barely noticed the mare's odd appearance. She had a neon blue and navy blue mane which had very obviously been dyed. She also wore a pair of purple glasses which completely covered her eyes. Octavia couldn't even tell what color her eyes were!

"So, nothing then?" The mare asked, obviously confused.

"No." Octavia replied, this time smiling.

''Then, may I ask why you are sitting at the bar?" The mare asked.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Are you asking me to move?" Octavia asked.

Why didn't I think about that? If I sit at a bar, people are going to think I want to drink something! Duh!

"No, it's perfectly fine. In fact, I like having you around." The mare replied.

"Thanks." Octavia said.

Is this mare flirting with me? Is it really this easy? No, it can't be. Somehow, this feels fake. It feels too.....perfect.

"You got a name?" The mare suddenly asked.

"Pardon?" Octavia asked. She had never heard someone talk in such a ridiculous manner.

"What's your name, miss?" she asked after sighing.

That sounds much better. Why can't some ponies just talk in understandable English? Is that so much to ask?

Octavia could feel herself blushing as she replied. "Oh. My name is Octavia."

No longer did this feel fake. It felt real. But Octavia did not feel attracted to this mare. It was something else. Something even more complicated than attraction. What it was, Octavia had no idea.

Author's Note

Sorry this chapter took so long to write. I was very busy these past few weeks. I'm also planning on starting up one more story!