Octavia's Melody

I awoke in Vinyl Scratch's apartment to the sound of a tree branch hitting the window. The wind whistled loudly outside, leading me to believe the storm was still raging. I got out of bed and walked into her living room, only to find that the Unicorn was sleeping soundly (and snoring, I might add) on her pull-out couch. She had generously offered to let me take her bed for the night. I trotted into her kitchen. The black-and-white tiles were freezing on my hooves. If I hadn't been awake before, I certainly was now. I stood on my hind legs and checked her cabinet for pancake mix- surely she wouldn't mind if I made some pancakes. Searching, searching... Ah! There was a bag sitting pristinely in the middle of the cabinet. I wrapped my hoof around it and pulled it down, setting it on the counter. I opened the bag with my teeth and poured it into a mixing bowl. After putting some water in I mixed it and placed small dollops of pancake batter into a pan. As I cooked the pancakes Vinyl awoke in the next room.

"Octavia? Is that you?" The white Unicorn sat up and rubbed her eyes, yawning as she did so.

"What's that smell? It smells like... waffles?"

"Pancakes, actually. They're almost done." I flipped one of the smaller ones over. The other side of it was burnt. I flipped the rest, and after a few minutes scooped them all onto a plate. Vinyl walked in and lit her horn, floating a pancake over to her mouth and taking a huge bite.

"Hankth Octafhia!" I made a face at her for talking with her mouth full.

"You could at least use a plate and a fork, Vinyl."

"Ppht. Who needth plateth?" I took a plate from the cabinet and walked over to her.

"Plate. Now." She sullenly dropped the pancake onto the ceramic plate. I raised my eyebrow.

"And?" The Unicorn sighed and took a fork in the hold of her magenta magic.

"Good! Now use the fork to cut a small bite out of the pancake." She did as I told her, albeit not very cheerfully.

"OK. Now continue like that." I got another plate out and placed a pancake on the surface. With a fork I cut a bite, only to look over and see that Vinyl had tossed aside her fork and was simply levitating her breakfast. I gave her a disapproving look, and she froze in mid-bite and picked up her fork slowly.

"Heh heh... oops?"

"I'm only trying to teach you manners, you frustrating pony." I smiled at her.

When I finished my pancake I washed my plate.

"Thank you for having me over, Vinyl. This was quite lovely."

"It was no problem, really. Come over whenever you like."

"Really? Well, in that case, I extend the same invitation to you. I will see you at dinner!" I waved goodbye and trotted out the door.

I walked home in the heavy mist that remained after the long storm, my hooves clopping on the cobblestone streets. The mist swirled around me- it was so heavy my mane was actually beginning to get damp. I adopted a faster pace, as it was quite cold out. After what seemed like an exponentially long time I arrived back at my warm apartment. Reaching under the doormat, I took the key out and unlocked the door. As soon as the door was open I was hit by a blast of warm air. Needless to say, I trotted in quickly.

Vinyl Scratch was still thinking about Octavia- she needed something to get her off of her mind. The grey Earth pony dominated most of her thoughts these days. She walked into her bedroom to make her bed, only to discover Octavia had made her bed and left her pink silk bowtie.

"Oh well... I'll just return it to her tonight at dinner." At that moment an epiphany struck the Unicorn.

"Hello, this is Mountain Meadow restaurant. How can I help you?"

"I'd like to make a reservation for two at 9:00."

"Oh good! We'll set up the table immediately."

"Actually... I need you to do something else as well. I do hope you don't mind." Vinyl Scratch was dancing inside her mind. It was a sock hop, a fox trot, a tango! She picked up her phone and called Octavia. It rang for a few seconds, then stopped. Octavia's voice came onto the speaker.

"Vinyl?"

"Meet me at Mountain Meadow at 8:30!"

"Mountain Meadow? But that's the most expensive restaurant in Mane-" The white Unicorn hung up.

I sat at home, quite confused. Vinyl was taking me to Mountain Meadow! But why? It is RIDICULOUSLY expensive there. I have only been once, for my sixteenth birthday. I checked the clock- it was already 7! I had to get ready! I rushed about my large apartment until I realized what I was actually doing. Wait. Where was my bowtie? I looked everywhere! Eventually I remembered leaving it at Vinyl's house. Hopefully she found it and would bring it tonight. I walked into my bedroom and opened my closet. I had few dresses, but there was one that I loved. It was dark blue velvet, long, and sparkly. It had always looked like the night sky to me. I quickly put it on, and some shoes as well. It was 8:00. I ran out the door and hailed a taxi.

The city flew by me, seeming to be going much more slowly than it was. Sooner than soon I arrived at Mountain Meadow. It was beautiful! Fairy lights adorned the entrance and enchanted lanterns showed the way to the door, floating in mid-air. A sharp gasp escaped me- in the middle of it all stood Vinyl Scratch. She was wearing a lovely dress. It was medium length, and white and grey in colour. Most of all, however, I noticed her eyes. They were bright magenta, and somehow had more depth than usual. I trotted up to her.

"Vinyl... you look incredible!"

"You do too, Tavi!" A Pegasus waiter walked outside.

"Your seat is over this way, ladies. Follow me." We walked behind him. As we did so, Vinyl brushed her tail against mine. I looked at her, but she simply looked forwards. I smiled and looked away. The waiter had us sit at a two-pony table and handed us menus.

"So, uh... I brought your bowtie."

"Oh, thank you! I couldn't find it anywhere!" I took it and fastened it around my neck. After this I looked at the menu. Vinyl, across from me, did the same.

"What are you getting, Tavi?"

"I was thinking about the daisy sandwich."

"It's our first date! Live a little!" At once she realized what she had said. An awkward silence filled the air.

"Date?" I knew in my heart that was what this was, but to hear it in words... it was entirely different.

"I didn't mean that, Octavia- I was just trying to say-" she got up from the table and ran into the night.

"Vinyl! Vinyl?" I walked amongst the dark shadows, calling for Vinyl Scratch after she ran off. I was worried about her. My eyes were invaded by the complete black- I couldn't see anything at all. A swish of air flew past me.

"Vinyl, is that you?" A face loomed out of the shadows- it was a certain white Unicorn. Her eyes were red and puffy, making it look like she had been crying.

"I didn't mean it like that, Octavia."

"Don't be silly. I know you did. Just so you know... I feel the same way." At exactly 9:57 on a Saturday night, we kissed.