Chapters Vinyl Scratch was galloping at the speed of a thousand stampeding buffaloes. "C'mon, Octy, we're gonna be late if you don't scooch your tail to the concert hall!"
Further down the road, an out-of-breath Octavia was struggling to walk. "Vinyl wait up! "
The concert hall was an enormous building exactly between Canterlot and Ponyville. It was shaped like a giant dome, and the walls were painted with countenances of famous pony composers and musicians. Among them was Beethoofen, Neighydn, and others. Once the pair was finally in their seats, Vinyl bounced up and down. "Look, I can see somepony behind the curtain! Who do you think it is? What do you think they play?"
"I have no idea why you're so excited for a concert," said Octavia. "You usually never like old-fashioned music."
"You totally forgot that we get to meet the performers later! Oh my gosh, it's gonna be so exciting! I've actually never touched a French horn before, have you?"
Octavia smiled. "Yes, I have. Now be quiet, the show's starting."
The lights dimmed softly. Sounds of tuning could be heard. Then the conductor stepped onstage and tapped his baton. In a raspy voice, he said, "Welcome one, welcome all, to the Seventh Annual Canterlot Royal Symphony Concert! The first song we will be playing for you tonight is Celestia's Ballad, written and transcribed by Nightingale. Enjoy!"
Music filled the air as the orchestra played song after song after song. It was unlike any concert Octavia had ever attended. Something in the clarinet section kept catching her eye, but she couldn't quite make it out. Was there an out-of-place instrument? Perhaps a dropped bracelet of some sort? Whatever it was, it was irrelevant right now. She turned her attention back to the music.
After the show was over, Vinyl sprang out of her seat and raced down the aisle. "Hurry! We're gonna see the players! We're gonna see the players!" Octavia just smiled and followed her backstage.
Behind the curtain, there was a whirl of activity. Ponies wearing bows and ties rushed about, oiling valves and changing reeds. In the background, the conductor could be heard shouting, "We've got only half an hour before the next show starts, everybody!" Among the hustle and bustle, Octavia could feel that same eye-catching itch. Curious, she wandered over to the woodwinds section, where some players were polishing their flutes. Then she tripped over an instrument case.
Everything seemed to go in slow motion. Her hooves flailed in the air, and she fell into the arms of a stallion. He smiled warmly. "Hi. I haven't seen you around before. Are you new?"
Octavia forgot how to speak momentarily. The Earth pony wasn't big or tall, he was actually only slightly taller than her. His glasses had black frames and thick lenses, and they matched his mane. It contrasted with his light brown coat. His Cutie Mark was of a 4/4 time signature. In his hoof was a clarinet case.
She stuttered, "Uh... um... ... hi?"
He smiled again. "My name's Clarence Key. What's yours?"
This time, Octavia successfully completed a sentence. "M-My name's Octavia Melody. I actually don't play here. I'm touring the backstage with my friend."
Clarence laughed. "Your friend, huh? No need to ask who she is, I suppose." Then he pointed to Vinyl, who was excitedly holding a French horn. Octavia had to refrain from facehoofing.
Suddenly, they noticed their current situation. The clarinet player cleared his throat. "Oh, um, I should probably put you down. Sorry."
Octavia blushed more then she had ever before. "Oh, no, you're fine," she said, standing back on the floor. "Thank you for catching me when I fell."
He replied, "No problem."
Vinyl trotted over and tapped Octavia's shoulder. "Yo, Tavi, we gotta go. The conductor's kicking us out cuz' they gotta practice."
Clarence and Octavia looked at each other. He said, "Maybe we should meet at Sugarcube Corner. Tomorrow?" She could only nod.
Then they walked away from each other, secretly smiling with happiness.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," said Vinyl Scratch. "You're meeting somepony at Sugarcube Corner?" The two had finally returned from the concert and were back in their flat and having some snacks.
Octavia pulled at her bowtie collar. "Um, yes. But it's not that important..."
The Unicorn snorted. "Of course it's important! You're going on your first-ever date!"
"WHAT!?" Octavia had spewed her tea all over the couch. "It's not a date!"
"Of course it is. Don't deny it." Then she went into the kitchen to grab a washcloth.
Unfortunately, there was no doubt at all. It was definitely a date.
The next morning, Octavia headed to Sugarcube Corner. Clarence was already there, waiting outside, with the most charming smile on his face. "I was worried you wouldn't show up."
"I wouldn't skip this for anything in the world." she replied.
They walked inside. Mrs. Cake smiled, seated them, and served some tea. "There you go, dears! Enjoy!"
After sipping some tea from his cup, Clarence said, "So, do you play any instruments? I assumed so because of your Cutie Mark."
"I do play the cello for Ponyville Orchestra."
"Really? I quite respect the Ponyville Orchestra for starting up with so little and turning into so much."
"I wanted to join the Canterlot Royal Symphony, but my parents said that it was a city full of snobbish Unicorns and I should play for my home team."
"My parents never really understood my dreams either. Both of them are brass players. Once, I passed out while trying to play the baritone and decided to play a woodwind instrument."
There was a moment of awkward silence. Both sipped their tea and stole embarrassed glances at each other. Then, everything took a turn for the worse. Frederic Horseshoepin burst inside, pointing a shaking hoof at Clarence. "You! What are you doing?"
Clarence tried for a smile. "Um... having a date?"
Frederic was just about to tackle him when Octavia stepped in between them. "Clarence, meet Frederic, the piano player for Ponyville. Frederic, meet Clarence, the clarinet player for Canterlot."
The two stallions stared at each other. Then Frederic hissed into Octavia's ear, "He plays for Canterlot! What are you thinking, going out with a player from an opposing orchestra?"
She glared back hotly. "I can have my own special somepony, and it doesn't have to be you!" Noticing the shocked look on his face, Octavia continued. "Yes, I do know you have a crush on me. Now get out!"
With one final sour look at Clarence, he slunk out the door without looking back.
Octavia took her seat again. "Forgive him. He has also accused others, like Harpo Parish Nadermane, the harp player for Ponyville, and Vinyl Scratch, the pony who was also touring backstage. Honestly, he thought we were more than just friends, which isn't the slightest bit true. Ugh."
He smiled again, and Octavia thought she might flip head-over-hooves. Then Clarence said, "So, I take it he's quite interested in you."
"Yes, he is. Don't ask me why, but Frederic thinks if he can drive away all the other suitors, I'll fall for him. As if." She rolled her eyes. "He's a decent player, but backstage, his temper really gets the best of him."
For the rest of the day, the almost-couple sat inside Sugarcube Corner and talked about nothing in particular, still turning red whenever they caught each other's eye.
Mrs. Cake trotted over with a bottle of cleaning detergent and a towel. "Sorry to interrupt you, dears, but closing time is in five minutes. Would you like me to doggy-bag some pastries for you?"
Octavia checked the time. It was a 7:25 at night. "No, thanks, Mrs. Cake. We better get going," she said to Clarence.
He nodded. "Maybe we'll meet in Canterlot next time? I had no idea the time would pass so fast. Perhaps I'll take you to meet some of my symphony friends..."
"I would love that. See you tomorrow!" Then she headed for home.
When she stepped inside, she was greeted by an extremely angry Vinyl. Steam seemed to come out of her nostrils when she said, "Where have you been all day?"
"Why in the world did you not let me know that you were gonna be hanging out with that dude for the whole entire day!?" Vinyl was in a rage. Octavia shrank back into the corner. Her face was burning. She had been so infatuated with Clarence that she forgot to let Vinyl know she was going to be late for lunch.
"I had this whole thing planned out! After your date, which, by the way, was supposed to be two hours or something, we would go to lunch at the sushi place! And then you bailed on me!"
Tears welled up in the corners of Octavia's eyes. "I'm so sorry, Vinyl. I just got distracted. Please forgive me."
"Well, if you weren't going to show up, couldn't you have let me know?" Vinyl's voice got softer. "I thought... I thought something had happened to you. I was worried."
Octavia looked up to see her friend, a normally rough-and-tumble DJ, with matching tears streaming from her eyes. Then she hugged her with all her might. "Vinyl, I would usually have let you know, but I got really distracted. Can you forgive me? Please?"
"On one condition. Next time, you gotta call me."
Deep red blush appeared on Octavia's cheeks. "I don't know if I can keep that promise."
Vinyl raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
"Because... because I think I have a crush on him!" It all came tumbling out so fast that she barely had time to register it.
"Well then, I think that deserves a party."
"Vinyl!"
The rest of the night was spent with Vinyl blasting music at top volume and shouting out the window, "Tavi has a coltfriend! Tavi has a coltfriend!"
The first thing Octavia did when she woke up was leave a note to Vinyl explaining the consecutive date. Then she dashed out the door and hopped on the Friendship Express. Arriving at Canterlot, she noticed that Clarence was already at the train station waiting for her. When she stepped out he said, "Where do you want to go?"
Octavia replied, "How about a tour?"
They walked in and out of the spiraling, curving buildings of Canterlot, Clarence commentating the whole time. "This is the grand statue of Princess Celestia, it's been here for ages... Over here is the Golden Pine Hotel, my symphony once played here..." It lasted well until after the sun had set. Luckily, Octavia had sent a note to Vinyl. Otherwise, another blowup could occur.
Suddenly, the two musicians stopped at a beautiful ledge. Below, they could see the lights of the bustling cities below. She could see Ponyville, the Unicorn Range, and floating in the serene night air, Cloudsdale. It was absolutely breathtaking. Clarence smiled, and again Octavia's heart melted into a little puddle. "This is the special spot where I'm going to have my first kiss."
Then he leaned over and gave her a full, long kiss. The world swirled with color. It was the greatest feeling in the world. Almost like she was floating. Clarence slowly pulled away. "Octavia, will you be my marefriend?"
Nothing could come close to the euphoria Octavia felt. "Yes!"
