Behind Bows and Arrows

I was so tired, this was the most draining performance I've ever had, and I don't know why. I could feel myself panting, and I was sweating, my bow tie felt like a choker. But I couldn't go home to a nice bed, no, I had to get my payment. My hooves felt like they were tied down by lead blocks trotting over to the manager, and I thought about how long it would take until I was awake tomorrow. He didn't even notice me trot to the side of him, only until I poked him did he react with a jump.

"Oh my Celestia, Octavia you scared me!"

I shrugged a bit in embarrassment, "I get that a lot," coughing in a lady-like manner I continued, "About my pay?"

The manager grabbed a small sack of bits out from under the bar counter, "All set for you Ms. Octavia, every bit has been accounted for, thank you for your business."

Picking up the bag and my cello case, which weighed a ton, I gave the manager a small nod and headed out of the hot, enclosed wine bar.

The night air was such a relief on my burning lungs, and the slight breeze felt amazing on my mane and coat. I always did like the look of Canterlot at night, it was such a beauty, not as dirty as Manehattan or rural like Ponyville. The well lit streets always seemed to have a glow, whether night or day, each building was unique in design and shone under the effects of Princess Luna's moon.

But unfortunately I had to leave, sleep was the only thing on my mind, and I slowly made my way to the train station that would bring me to back to Ponyville, and back to... Vinyl...

When I finally arrived to the train station and ordered my ticket back home, the only thing that I had to do was to sit down and twiddle my hooves until it arrived. With my cello case to the side and my flank on the bench, I let my body unwind temporarily, what would've been just a simple rest for any other pony was a godsend for me. I've never been this tired before, it only made me miss my bed even more, I was about to let my eyes close but the sound of another pony on the bench grabbed my attention.

"Tired eh?" A masculine voice asked me.

I looked over and saw another pony staring back at me giving me a comforting gaze. It was a stallion, I almost couldn't see him in the night due to his charcoal grey coat, his mane was quite long, the same size as mine, but a snowy white with the bottom a scarlet color. His eyes were the brightest shade of red I've seen, and I thought Vinyl had bright eyes since hers were switched between megenta and red, his were a vibrant ruby that seemed to glow in the night.

I gave him a nod in return, and the stallion placed a case to the side, my musical expertise told me exactly what it was when I saw it, a trombone.

"I see you play the cello, pretty big instrument, but it can produce quite an amazing sound when played correctly."

That shocked me, and I almost laughed at the situation we were both curious to see what instrument we played.

Instead I gave a more lady-like chuckle, "Yeah, but it's what I went with and what I'll stick by."

He gave a small laugh in return, "I guess, and where would somepony like you be heading?"

A confused look spread on my face, "And what would that mean?"

I was expecting him to laugh, or that... gleam... to appear in his eye, as most stallions did when they've had one too many drinks. But looking him over, he didn't seem drunk, nor did he seem to be faking concern, he looked like he was genuinely interested.

Instead his face grew with confusion with a mix of interest, and his ears perked up when he retraced what he said. "Oh! I didn't mean it like that, I apologize, what I meant was, where are you going?"

He seemed confident up until now... I thought while an amused smile spread on my lips. "Just heading back home, no where special."

The stallion then nodded and laid back in the bench, and I felt like he was in the same boat. "Same, just done performing."

I was about to continue, but all of a sudden the stallion just stood up, and his eyes were on full alert. I looked where he was and saw nothing, but he picked up his trombone case and started to gallop toward the darkness.

"Wait! Where are you going?!" I yelled out.

"Something came up! I have to leave!" He replied.

One question was burning in my mind, "What's your name!?"

"Adomia Fetter! Pleased to meet you!" Just like that, he was gone, I looked up to see a shadowy figure flying away, I guess he was a pegasus, I just didn't see his wings.

I sat there just watching the shape get farther and farther away, and only when I heard the screeching of the train did my attention turn to my original task at hoof. The door opened up and the sudden light hurt my eyes a bit, I picked up my cello case, showed my ticket to the conductor, and sat inside, letting my cello take another half of the seat.

The train got moving about fifteen minutes later, the moon lit the train up like a search light. It'll probably be eleven by the time I get home. I thought, and I set myself up a little bet, if I was right then I would finish off the cake that Vinyl got from Sugar Cube Corner.

I sat back and thought about the day, waking up to Vinyl blasting dubstep as usual, how could she call that music? Music is supposed to carry emotion and immerse the pony in another world. Not sound like a cow dying at a microphone, I'm sure there are some ponies who like that stuff, but I just hate it. Why was she such a big shot? I just didn't get it, I was a good player, I've heard it a lot. I thought that Grand Galloping Gala gig would boost my chances, but since that pink pony requested that... hideous... song, that got me down to playing at wine bars. While Vinyl was out, "peforming" for hundreds of ponies, and I have to live with her!

Vinyl was a good roommate, she carried her own and kept to herself most of the time, but then came those nights when she would come back with a stallion or drunk, or even both! The sounds of their... love-making, could be heard from my room, and it was really starting to tick me off, I should probably go talk to her about that.

Then I thought of Adomia, what a strange pony he was... I don't think I've seen anypony with a mane like that, so long, and something seemed off about those eyes, like he was looking deep inside me and probing for secrets. He seemed nice, and certainly not like the stallions Vinyl brings home, he seemed a bit more mature and I wouldn't be surprised if he was a little bit older than me, probably two or three years.

I could feel my cheeks becoming red, and I looked down to see that my muzzle was red, Why am I blushing just thinking of him? Come on Octavia it was just one pony, perhaps you shouldn't of had that Solar Wine, you know what that does to your mind.

Before I knew it I was back inside my home with my case by the door. I checked the clock, Ha! I was right, eleven on the dot! Cake for Octavia! I trotted over to the small fridge that we kept, a strange device that was given to Berry Punch, and she happened to have an extra. It kept our food nice and cold, opening it up I saw the delicious slice of chocolate cake and a note which read;

Thank me later Octy.

-Vinyl

Typical Vinyl, I thought and took small and delicate bites out of the cake, making sure not to get any crumbs on my coat or tie. Soon enough my belly was full and I headed to my room to retire for the night.

I was surprised at the lack of dubstep or... love-making... She must have been wiped out from her last concert I concluded.

My bed creaked when it took my weight in, and I wondered if eating that cake was a good idea. But my body was just begging me to sleep, and took off my tie before letting myself drift into sleep.

Adomia POV

I let out a breath of relief, "Phew! that was too close."

What was I thinking? Getting that close to Octavia? If she had figured me out the mission would've been ruined! My record would've been broken, and I would have to go into hiding... Okay maybe not the last part.

She seemed oblivious to my true identity, I thought, If she is truly the pony that I have to work with, then this war will probably never end, Adomia, you got some work to do.

With a spread of my wings, and trombone case in my hoof, I flew my way back to my home in Manehattan, about an hour flight, but it was normal for me, afterall, I do go to the castle every week. I knew I would see her again, and perhaps find a bit more about her, she seemed like a nice mare, but she isn't aware of who she truly is, and I knew if I didn't get her soon, then the griffin's would, and that could be major trouble, major trouble.

To be continued...

(Authors Notes: Well, second shot at a fic, and before anyone asks, No this does not have anything to do with Adomia Archives, this is a completely different Adomia, but still has practically the same backstory, a few minor tweaks here and there. Thanks for reading!)