Chapter 1
Classical Dance
As Vinyl lied in bed she checked her phone for the hundredth time. She had attempted to start up a conservation with Lyra but had only received the brief reply of:
Can’t talk now. Bonnie and I just finished pushing the beds together
Vinyl swore under her breath. She should’ve expected as much out of those two. She took to looking around the room mindlessly. She looked over at her tent mate just as she jolted very suddenly. She instantly grabbed her phone off her bedside table tapped out a quick message and curled up tightly underneath the covers.I would think that’s a bit off, but it is Fluttershy a bunny probably stumbled off a bed in her dream. Vinyl shrugged it off and put her phone on her bedside table and closed her eyes, then her phone went off.
Vinyl groaned as she turned over to pick up her phone. She took one last glance at her tent mate, she appeared to finally be asleep.
I wonder how long I drifted off for it didn’t feel like I was ever actually asleep. She picked up her phone, there was a text from Octavia.
Hey, vinyl. I know it seems as though I’ve been ignoring you I’ve just been thinking through how to ask you this. Would you mind sleeping with me tonight?
Vinyl opened her mouth to scream but stopped just in time so that her pink haired tent mate stayed asleep. She calmed down and managed to tap out a short message to Octavia.
Yeah! I would love that. Let me sneak out real quick. I’ll be right there babe.
Vinyl clambered out of bed and searched awkwardly for her shoes. Why can’t I ever-! There they are!! She grabbed them out from under her bed and hastily threw them on. God, this is uncomfortable! Oh well, Hold on Octavia I’m coming! She rushed out of the tent and bumped into someone. She looked up to find none that it was other than Principal Celestia. “AGH! What the Hell!!” Vinyl immediately started heading back to her tent but was stopped by a calm hand being placed on her shoulder.
“I will say nothing if you don’t say anything as well. Deal?” Celestia whispered.
“I guess.” Vinyl replied reaching out for a fist bump. Celestia bumped her student’s fist and proceeded into the tent behind Vinyl. “That was weird. I guess I’ll just go.”
Vinyl finally arrived at Octavia’s tent. She was tired and a bit on edge from thinking she may be caught. She pulled open the tent and poked her head in. “Evening lovely lady, how’s my timing?” Vinyl tried to say smoothly. Unfortunately for her it came out through panting and stuttering.
Octavia chuckled “Vinyl timing isn’t important just so long as you didn’t get caught.”
Octavia’s smile in the darkness pulled Vinyl closer to the bed. Vinyl moved until she was right next to it looking down at Octavia. What are you waiting for V! She’s right there. With that thought she lifted the covers and slipped into the bed next to Octavia. “There’s no one else in here right?” Vinyl asked slyly as she nibbled Octavia’s ear eliciting a small squeak.
“Not yet. I thought we could just lay for a moment and enjoy each other’s company.” Octavia asked calmly.
Vinyl snaked her arm around Octavia and pulled her closer. “Ya’ know babe this’d be much better out under the stars.” Vinyl swiped her hand above them as if to wipe away their tent roof to reveal the stars. “ I actually know some light astronomy that might impress you.”
“Well they did say we were welcome to do whatever we like. Come on let’s pull the blanket up and put it out for some stargazing my love.” Octavia said as she lightly pushed her girlfriend out of bed and onto the floor with a light thud. “Oh sorry! Are you okay?”
“Yeah I’m cool would you mind reaching over to pick me up though?” Vinyl’s smirk as she said that was hidden by the darkness. She reached a hand up and Octavia grabbed hold only to be pulled over the edge and into a passionate kiss with Vinyl.
After a few moments they broke for air. “We should probably do that stargazing now.” Octavia said panting slightly. “As much fun as this is. We should get to our other plan before more happens.”
Vinyl nodded and they both got up and pulled the blanket outside and set it on the ground. They lied down, Vinyl once again snaking her arm around Octavia to pull her closer. As they looked up they noticed a bright flash of purple light that came from The Sapphire Tent. “Vinyl do you know what that was?”
Vinyl grumbled slightly Somebody’s getting laid and I’m NOT!. Vinyl calmed herself down quickly and turned to her girlfriend “Maybe they’re up late practicing controlling magic.” They both shrugged and sighed.
Octavia giggled and turned to look at Vinyl “So... light astronomy.”
Crap! “Uhhhh… Well if we look directly up we can see stars.” Vinyl chuckled nervously. She pointed at a cluster of stars and said “ And that there is ummmm… a cluster of stars visible in the night sky on earth.”
“Do you know any actual astronomy?” Octavia raised an eyebrow at Vinyl.
“Nah nah I got this, is cool.” Vinyl once again pointed up at the sky at a line of three stars. “That there is Orion’s belt. The one in the center is Alnilam. I think. Yeah that’s it. I don’t remember the rest but I do remember what Alnilam means.”
“Oh impress me with your vast knowledge of the cosmos.” Octavia said as she trailed a finger up Vinyl’s chest and held her chin with her hand. She gave her a light peck on the lips. Vinyl froze for a moment, as she temporarily lost her train of thought. “Oh. Did I disrupt you?” Octavia pouted, which only managed to fluster Vinyl further. “Okay Okay. I’ve I had my fun. You may continue love.”
“Uhhhhh… Yeah sure.” Vinyl quickly regained her composure and flipped her hair to the side nonchalantly. “As I was saying Alnilam means belt of pearls.”
“Huh and how do you know this?” Octavia asked speculatively.
Vinyl scratched the back of her head. “I read it online once.”
“I trust your judgment Vinyl it’s perfectly fine, just as you are.” Octavia reassured Vinyl.They turned their gazes back to the stars. “The sky truly is beautiful tonight.”
“Not as beautiful as you babe.” Vinyl turned Octavia. “Do you know why I didn’t give you a nickname when you asked for one?”
“Well, you call me babe and after did assign me a cute pet name. I proceeded to assume that was it.” Octavia concluded.
“Well… you’re not entirely wrong. I say babe more out of convenience. When it comes down to it I never gave you a nickname because…” Vinyl suddenly realised what she was saying and stiffened up. “Never mind I shouldn’t say we were having a nice night without me getting all sappy.”
“No, say it I rather enjoy it when you get emotional.” Octavia offered Vinyl a warm smile to comfort her.
“Okay you roped me into it. I never gave you a nickname because your name is beautiful enough without shortening it down. Sure calling you ‘Babe’ is pet name esq. But I love you Octavia and because of that I can’t desecrate such a beautiful… no… stunning person by changing the name I fell in love with.” Vinyl was misty eyed. Her words hung like a thick fog.
“Oh Vinyl. I love you too.” Octavia moved on top of Vinyl and kissed her furiously.
After that brief moment of elation was over they broke apart and lied next to each other panting. “So you wanna head back to the tent for a while?” Vinyl asked sultrily. Vinyl’s phone vibrated slightly in her pocket, utterly ruining the mood. FUCK!
Celestia says for you to stay safe whatever that means.
I swear! When I graduate. Vinyl looked around and saw the last few traces of pink hair being pulled quickly into the woods.
Sunlight punctured the tent fabric and landed on Vinyl’s eyes causing her to groan. Vinyl went to move her hand and felt smooth skin beneath it. Vinyl’s eyes snapped wide open as fractured memories of the prior night flooded in all at once. Yes! Lyra totally lost that bet. Nailed it. Vinyl heard footsteps outside the tent. She shook Octavia slightly in an attempt to wake her up but her actions were to no avail.
“Hello?” A voice asked from the tent flap. “I’m coming in.” Principal Celestia’s tall slender form entered the tent.
“Oh dear!” A smaller meek voice was heard and upon waking herself up more Vinyl noticed her tent mate attached to their principal’s hip. “We didn’t mean to intrude.”
Vinyl quickly scampered out of bed somehow not waking Octavia up. She fell on the floor and reached across to the other bed for something to temporarily cover herself with. “I specifically asked to check this tent.” Celestia stated as she moved over to the bed and picked up Vinyl’s clothes for her. “Seeing as how several other tents were found this morning. I figured I’d help you out, as you have done for me. Here.” Celestia handed Vinyl her clothing and politely turned herself and Fluttershy as to let Vinyl change.
When Vinyl turned around she asked. “What do you mean by ‘states of other tents’?”
“We’ll just say that stars collided last night.” Celestia stated briefly.
“Oh and Pinkie finally got her marshmallow pillow.” Fluttershy added.
“As well some dashing and derping, also some Angels blooming.” Celestia added as her and Fluttershy broke into a giggle fit and fell onto the floor.
“Yeah.... sooooooooooooooooooo. If you guys could leave so I could wake up Octavia so we can start packing up that’d be great.” Vinyl’s expression was unamused but her tone slightly playful.
The giggling persisted a moment longer but soon enough the pair left, still laughing slightly. Vinyl rolled her eyes and moved over to wake up Octavia. She nudged her but she still didn’t wake up. Wow! Guess she’s really worn out. Vinyl leaned over and planted a kiss on Octavia’s lips. Octavia shifted slightly and mumbled something. Okay. So I’m getting closer. Vinyl leaned over and ran her fingers through her hair. “Hey babe, it’s time to get up.”
“Five more minutes.” Octavia whined only half awake as she proceeded to shift to her other side.
“Nah come on we gotta go home.” Vinyl said nonchalantly. All Octavia did in response was beckon Vinyl back into bed. “Heh.. Yeah, I guess for you I could slip back in for a little while.” Vinyl lifted the covers and once again slipped in next to Octavia. As she slowly wrapped her hands around her she whispered “I love you Tavi.”
Octavia smiled warmly “As I do you Vinyl.”
Author's Note
So I came to the idea of this collab project when I realized I hadn't written in forever. I needed to flex my mental writing muscles a little and decided to drag Febnic16 down with me. Anyways I missed you guys and this is my apology gift to you guys for being gone so long.
-Erina Shindou
A Waltz at Sunrise
A warm gentle breeze blew across the camp breaking the stillness that had taken hold. The warm breeze lifted one's head to the night sky. It was the night of a new moon and the stars shone with brilliance, the cosmic dust followed an unheard melody.
From the deck of their cabin, Celestia leaned against one of the pillars and gazed up at the majestic cosmos. “This camp is everything that I remember it was when I came here in my youth, well aside from the magic.” Her thoughts were interrupted as her phone vibrated in her hand. Celestia looked down at the phone and saw she had received a text from Archangel. She quickly unlocked the phone to read the message.
Hey, I had that nightmare again. Could you come and stay with me for a bit. If that’s ok? If you're not to busy or asleep.
Celestia breathed a sigh of content "At least she's telling me when she has that nightmare." She then typed a quick reply.
No, I was still up looking at the night sky, I'll be there in a moment. A flower cannot blossom without sunshine,
Her cell buzzed with a reply.
and man cannot live without love.
Celestia pushed off the deck's pillars and started to walk towards her angle's tent. The path to the tent was illuminated by the night’s stars. As Celestia walked firefly’s danced around her to the cricket’s symphony of chirps. Celestia was taken in by the symphony of the crickets failed to see a blue haired girl walk out of the tent she was headed. They collided with force enough to knock the blue-haired girl over, but only caused Celestia to stumble slightly.
The girl on the ground looked up at the Celestia who was just as surprised as she. The girl let out a hushed profound statement as she got up and turned to return to her tent. Celestia reached out and place a hand on Vinyl Scratch's shoulder and turn her around to look into Vinyl's eyes. “I will say nothing if you don't say anything as well. Deal?” Celestia whispered.
"Deal. I guess?" Vinyl replied as she held out her fist. To which Celestia bumped with her fist. Vinyl then continued towards her destination.
Celestia watched vinyl make her way to The Coral Tent. She then turned back around to see ruby tent from which memories rose up from her youth. "This was the tent Vapor and I were in when I came here." Celestial shook her head and took a quick look around her as before she entered The Ruby Tent.
….....
The flap was open slight bit and the tent was flooded by the cosmic light and the floors reflected cosmos. Then one then that could only be decided as a solar entity entered and let the flap fall shut. Even without the light, her essence filled the room with warmth and protection.
Fluttershy felt herself calm down a little as Celestia entered the tent evident only by the starlight and the angelic steps and the slight of creak of the bed as Celestia sat down on the edge. Fluttershy felt a tender warm hand on her shoulder as she was turned to face her ray of hope.
Aqua eyes with tears meet warm kind amethyst eyes, together they danced like the heavens above. The warm tender hand wiped away a stray tear and spoke with words of honey "My little angel, do tell, what's wrong?"
"I...just don't... how. it's.. No. No, I cant!" Fluttershy exclaimed and turned away from Celestia. "I shouldn't bother her with my demons, it's something I need to do alone." Tears formed in her eyes and ran down her tender checks: silent sobs caused Fluttershy's body to shutter. "Just leave me be."
"And we're back to square one." Celestia sighed. She brought her hand up to Fluttershy's back started to rub it as the young girl sobbed. All along Celestia whispered words of reassurance to Fluttershy. When the sobs subsided Celestia carefully turned Fluttershy back over to herself. "Fluttershy you need not care these burdens by yourself. You have some of the greatest friends ever they can help. When you seven are together there is nothing that can stop you. But that will only happen if you tell them you need help. The same goes for me Fluttershy. I want to help but you must tell me how."
Fluttershy lied in bed and stared into Celestia's amethyst eyes. She heeded her every word, but could not find what she needed to say. But she found some fleeting words and decided to run with them "That just, I don't know what I need. It's all too much. I can't go one day without a constant reminder of what happened, and now with the magic everything it's..it's..." She let out a sigh. "I just don't know anymore."
Celestia listened to Fluttershy’s short ramble and tried to think of a way to cheer her up. Then a memory of long bygone days surfaced. "You know what help's me clear my head at times like this?" Celestia asked, and got head shake in return. “A walk under the night sky. I find that it lets you see that you are one of thousands of gears that make the cosmos go round. So do you wish to join me?" Celestia asked as she stood and extended her hand to Fluttershy.
Fluttershy reached out her hand but stopped as the thoughts returned to her. She proceeded to push them aside anyway and took Celestia's hand in her own.
Celestia saw a glint of fear in the young girl's eyes, but did nothing for this was her step to take and hers alone. "Till she asks for help I will wait, no matter if its ten seconds from now or ten years. I will wait." Luck was on Celestia's side as Fluttershy took her hand in hers, with fire in her eyes. She lifted the pink haired girl out of her bed and onto her feet.
Their eyes met once again and each of them felt a spark but did not know what it meant.
Fluttershy, with newfound confidence, started to lead the way. But was stopped when she felt her arm jerk slightly. She looked back to see that Celestia had not moved from her spot.
"Fluttershy I know that you are eager to set forth on a path of self-discovery but don't you want to get changed first?" Celestia mused.
Fluttershy looked at her light green nightgown with pink butterfly's that lined it's hem. It was made from the softest silk that Rarity had available. She then looked back up at Celestia "That would be a good idea. Could you wait outside I'll be out in a moment."
Celestia agreed and let go of Fluttershy's hand even though they both did not want to let go.
Celestia looked up at the stars as they danced to the rhythm of destiny and fate. She did not notice that Fluttershy had joined her, their hands had become intertwined and Fluttershy's head care to a rest on arm. Till a flash of magenta from The Sapphire Tent caught both their attention. They both felt warmth flood their checks as they simultaneously issued words of apology but never let go of eachother's hand; nor did the space in between them grow.
"What was that?" Fluttershy innocently asked.
"If I would fathom a guess. It seems as though the sun does indeed set at twilight." Celestia quipped.
Fluttershy gave Celestia a sidelong look "What do you mean by the sun...ohh." Her cheeks burned with the fury of a thousand suns.
Celestia decided to take the lead. They took the long route around the tents with heavenly steps as not to disturb the other's sleep or those who were awake. As they passed by the small clearing near The Ruby Tent where Octavia and Vinyl were star gazing. Celestia stopped with a mischievous grin. She turned to Fluttershy and whispered "Send Miss Scratch a message saying to stay safe. Also be ready to run after you send it."
Fluttershy gave a confused look but decided to go along with what Celestia said. She typed the message and it sent.
Celestia says for you to stay safe whatever that means.
Celestia watched as the two girls kissed passionately. The melody of love began to crescendo, but a slight buzz of one phone brought the whole moment to a screeching halt. The blue haired one pulled her phone out and scowled at the text. Celestia took Fluttershy's hand once more in her own and led her into the woods to their destination.
…....
The wind that carried the notes of warmth earlier also brought forth the simple song of the forest. As Celestia and Fluttershy walked along the trail hands intertwined and as close as they could get without embracing one another.
They walked in silence as not to disturb the serene valley's melody. A little while later Celestia and Fluttershy reached the top of one of the ridges of that overlooked the valley below. They stopped at grasses clearing with a lone glacier rock in the center, its top was flat and just wide enough for two people to lay on together if they snuggled up to one another.
Celestia and Fluttershy laid on the hard yet comfortable rock and gazed into the cosmos. They had not said a word for neither of them knew where to start. Both were content to just laying out under the stars in one another's embrace and, slowly the ballad of sleep took hold.
Celestia awoke when something soft moved against her. As she opened her eyes a slight panic arose. She found she was not in her bed but instead on top of a rock under a starry night sky. But all panic ceased as she felt the same gentle movement again and looked down. There facing her, was Fluttershy curled into a ball, with a smile on her face and chest slightly expanding and contracting signifying that she was peacefully asleep. Celestia let a smile grace her face as she thought "She looks like an angel. I wish that every day I could wake up to this even if for only a short time."
An hour or so later in the gray of the predawn hours Fluttershy was aroused by the distance melody of birds and slowly the world came into focus. As she opened her aqua eyes and they were met with amethyst eyes. "Did you sleep well little one?"
Fluttershy nodded her head in reply "It was the most peaceful sleep that I've had in over 4 years."
Celestia pulled her closer "that’s great to hear." She stood up and her hair was caught by the morning breeze and flowed behind her. Celestia stepped to the edge of the rock and turned to face Fluttershy. "Now little have you the answers to your questions or do you still need more time to find them? If you need more time then will you allow me to help you and be there for you?" Celestia stretched out her hand and waited.
Fluttershy sat there with her legs folded to her side and one arm supporting her upright. It was the same question that she had on her mind since the events of the fall formal. She shifted so that she was sitting on her legs. "I don’t have the answer right now but I feel in time that I will" Fluttershy replied. She saw Celestia's smile drop a little. "But I do know that this night, I spent with you has been peaceful, surreal and it just feels right." Celestia's smile returned as the first rays of light started to spill over the horizon. "So will you help me?" Fluttershy took Celestia's hand in her own.
Celestia took a deep breath and let it out and took Fluttershy's hand in hers "My dear little Fluttershy, I will be here for you whenever you need it. Be it ten years from now or tonight. I shall help and support you." She pulled Fluttershy close and rested head atop hers.
The sun rose a sliver higher and slowly the gray wash that covered the world went away and in its place, a world of vibrant hues flourished. Fluttershy felt her heartbeat quicken, as her fears and doubts were drained away. In their place that they left peace and love took hold. She pushed back a little which caused Celestia to look down. Fluttershy stood up on the tips of her toes and their lips meet.
Right as they kissed, the sun finally rose over the peaks of the valley. As the sun slowly warmed the two, the spark from earlier that night became clear. It was a long forgotten melody of love that resided in all the songs of life that brings warmth and comfort. In this moment that they both shared, a waltz at sunrise. That only a gentle heart and kind soul would know.
After a little while of watching the sunrise, they decided that they needed to return to the camp. As they walked hand in hand down the same path that they took last night under the night sky with questions of uncertainty where replaced with, a silent promise was made that no matter what, they would work together to solve their problems.
…...
Celestia let out a short sigh "I hope that this tent is not like the other's."
A quiet laugh came from behind Celestia "Well I think after the last four tents, I don't know what expect."
Celestia turned around to face Fluttershy "Well that is a valid point, to say the least." She looked around quickly and found that center of the camp empty. She leaned in and gave Fluttershy a short kiss. Which caused Fluttershy to blush.
Celestia readied herself knowing that kiss she saw last night things could have gone quite intimate. “Hello?” she called from the tent flaps and waited for a reply. “I’m coming in.” With no answer from inside the tent, she went in. Celestia stopped short as they had entered, which caused Fluttershy to bump into her.
Fluttershy paired around her love to see what had caused sudden stop “Oh dear!” Fluttershy exclaimed in a meek voice. She then proceed to issue an apology "We didn’t mean to intrude.”
Upon the last statement Vinyl was finally awake enough to realize who had walked in. It was her tent mate and her principal, she noted that they stood a bit too close to one another. Vinyl quickly scampered out of bed somehow not waking Octavia up. But as did this she fell. Vinyl desperately reached across to the other bed for her clothes but missed them. So she grabbed the next thing she could to temporarily cover herself with. Covering herself with the blanket Vinyl looked up with a cheesy grin.
“This is why I specifically asked to check this tent.” Celestia stated; as she moved over to the bed where Vinyl’s clothes and handed them to her student. Which gained her a confused look “Seeing as how several other tents were found this morning. I figured I’d help you out, as you have done for me. Here.” Celestia and Fluttershy both turned away as to let Vinyl change.
When Vinyl had finished dressing she asked her question. “What do you mean by ‘states of other tents’?”
“We’ll just say that stars collided last night.” Celestia stated briefly.
“Oh and Pinkie finally got her Marshmallow pillow.” Fluttershy added.
“As well as some dashing and derping, also some angels blooming.” Celestia added. As the memory of the fourth tent was recalled, it caused both of them fall to the floor and start to giggle.
“Yeah.... sooooooooooooooooooo. If you guys could leave so I could wake up Octavia so we can start packing up that’d be great.” Vinyl’s expression was unamused but her tone was slightly playful.
The giggling persisted a moment longer but soon enough the pair left, still laughing slightly.After they were a few feet away Fluttershy turned to Celestia "So are we...?"
Celestia looked down at the small, yet oh so lovable girl. "Well I believe this make us girlfriends. If that what you want?" Celestia was then into a gentle but passionate kiss. "I'll take that as a yes." Celestia thought as she returned the kiss. The gears in Celestia's head clicked. She broke the kiss and looked at Fluttershy “Umm... Fluttershy how old are you?”
Fluttershy looked up at Celestia with shy smile “I'm 19 and in a week I'll be 20. Is there something wrong?”
Celestia shook her head “There is nothing wrong my angel."
Author's Note
So sorry about this it's late but this fantastic chapter was written by the fabulous the one the only Febnic16.
