The Chance To Say

"So, run me through this again? What exactly is it that makes this plan of yours so genius?"

Vinyl put her hoof that was reaching for the doorknob down and turned back to Octavia.

"I told you already, Hail Toss and WaveMaker are going to go ManeHatten, and we're going to go to Ponyville, right?"

"Yes, go on."

"So, while we're doing whatever, wedding stuff I assume, they'll be going to Vanhoover and getting to know each other. Bird one. Bird two is that Hail Toss will be going to get her stuff and we don't have to go."

"Yeah, not sure I understand bird one."

"WaveMaker said it's been hard for him since Skyline died. Maybe this'll help him, move on."

Octavia made a questioning face at first, but shrugged and walked over to the door.

"I hope you're right."

Octavia opened the door and held it for Vinyl,who walked through it. As she stood on the porch, Vinyl sighed and looked off into the distance.

"Hail Toss said she'd meet us at the train station. Just don't make it obvious that we're, you know."

"Know what?"

Vinyl and Octavia both jumped when WaveMaker spoke.

"Jeez, you really snuck up."

"Sorry. Anyways, we ready to go?"

"Yes, let's go."

The three walked off towards the train station, though none of them said anything. Without making it obvious, Octavia tried to take a full look at WaveMaker. He looked awful; his mane was ruffled, his coat was dull and unkempt, and she swore she could smell alcohol on his breath. When they arrived at the train station, Hail Toss turned and smiled at them.

"You made it! I was starting to wonder. Who's your friend?"

"WaveMaker, nice to meet you."

"Oh, I remember you. It's good to see you again."

Hail Toss met WaveMakers outreached hoof with her own and shook it gently. Vinyl smiled and leaned back to whisper to Octavia.

"Told ya."

"Don't jump the gun, nothing's even happened yet."

"You two ready to go?"

"Yes, let's go."

The four boarded the train and all sat down at a table near the rear of the car.

"Waiter, a bottle of Amaretto and four glasses please. I'm assuming you ladies are all fine with that?"

"WaveMaker, that's so generous, you don't have to do that."

"Its no trouble Octavia, it's my treat."

"Hm, free booze, I think this guy's alright."

The table let out collective laughter at Hail Toss' joke. When the waiter came back with the drinks, WaveMaker filled all the glasses as raised his own.

"A toast. To what will hopefully be a good day."

"Cheers."

The ponies at the table drank their drinks and WaveMaker started on a second round.

"So what's the plan for you two in Ponyville?"

"Well, I'm going to try my hoof at getting this one to actually try on a dress."

"Hey."

Hail Toss and WaveMaker chuckled as Octavia turned and flashed a mock smile at Vinyl.

"Yeah, well, good luck with that Octavia."

"Yeah, I don't know if Vinyl's even capable of being formal."

"Hail, you're my friend, but I will hit you."

The table collectively burst into laughter at Vinyls 'threat'. Vinyl and Octavia both took sips from their glasses, and Vinyl shot Octavia a 'my plan is working' look.

"So, WaveMaker, tell me, what made you come on this trip?"

"Well, I was actually just invited by Vinyl and Octavia."

"Oh. So, you'll be joining me in Vanhoover?"

"Yes, yes I will."

"Have you ever been?"

"No, but I've been thinking about going."

"Ah, it's lovely there. The train ride from ManeHatten to Ponyville to Vanhoover takes a while though, so it may be dark when we get there."

"I'm sure that's fine."

"You know, you two should consider honeymooning there, it's a super romantic city, especially the winter."

"Well, I have always wanted to go there, Vinyl?"

"I've heard that it's nice there."

"Well? You two gonna go?"

"Lets just get to the wedding first Hail Toss."

A while after the train had departed from Ponyville, WaveMaker was sitting in the caboose, staring out the back door at the stars.

"Hey."

He jumped a little when the soft, accented voice came from behind him.

"Hey. What're you doing?"

"Oh, I just figured, why fall asleep when I'll have to wake up again in a little while."

"That's true I guess."

"What about you?

"I just came out here to look at the stars I guess."

WaveMaker sighed heavily before walking out through the door and onto the back open part of the caboose. Only a few seconds after he had put his right front hoof on the guard rail, he heard the door open and shut. A dark purple hoof placed itself on the railing near his, and in his peripheral vision, he saw Hail Toss.

"I wish there were an easier way to travel, trains have always made me really nervous. I'd never really even have the courage, let alone the will to stand up on a moving train. Too long a flight to VanHoover though."

"Yeah, it is. Especially if you have to carry something."

"True."

For a moment, both ponies stood motionless, staring off into the night sky. The train shuddered, and Hail Toss lost her balance slightly. She threw her hooves onto the rail and let put a few short, panicked breaths.

"That's what I'm talking about. I never liked standing on trains, I would always just lay down and just wait for the ride to be over."

It took her a few seconds after she stopped talking to see that she had tightly wrapped her hoof around WaveMakers.

"Sorry."

"No, it's fine."

Hail Toss pulled away from the slightly awkward moment and turned her head to face the sky again.

"So, who are you getting this stuff from?"

"I'm not."

"Wait, what?"

Hail Toss sighed and looked at WaveMaker.

"I'm not picking anything up. I just needed some time away from ManeHatten. So much bad stuff has happened there man, I just need a breather."

"Oh, so, what will you be doing in Vanhoover?"

"I don't know. Just look around I guess. Tomorrow's gonna be a long day. Im sorry you got dragged out here."

"No, it's no problem. I was, actually thing about moving out there myself."

"Really? Why is that?"

WaveMaker let out a long breath, and the tear on his eye made Hail Toss remember the conversation her and Vinyl had.

"Ah, I see. I'm, so sorry by the way. I heard about what's happened."

"It's fine, it's just, it's just hard to move on. I thought maybe a change of scenery would do me some good."

"But, what about Vinyl and Octavia? I mean, you have them back in ManeHatten."

"I guess, yeah."

Hail Toss looked back to the sky, and a deep silence overtook the night air. Hail Toss even jumped a little when WaveMaker started speaking.

"Hail Toss, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"If you always hated walking on trains, what made you come out here?"

For a moment, Hail Toss was at a loss for words. WaveMaker didn't look at her when he asked the question, but turned to see the slight blush on her face after the silence returned.

"I..I really don't know."

WaveMaker chuckled a little bit and turned back to the tracks that were quickly disappearing into the night behind them.

"Well, look at it this way. At least you seem to have gotten over your fear of walking on a moving train."

"Yeah, heh, I guess I did."

"Look at that, a train ride where you didn't fall asleep."

"Ah shut up."

Vinyl and Octavia both chuckled as they departed from the train station and started towards Lyra and Bon-Bons house.

"So, what's the plan here again?"

"I'm going to try my hardest to get you into a wedding dress."

"Ha, good luck."

"Oh, you think I won't? I bet you'll be dancing around the boutique by the end of tomorrow."

"Yeah right. I think I'd actually pay you for doing that."

"Well, you're savings fund."

As they approached Lyra and Bon-Bons house, they could hear muffled shouting, and stopped.

"What's going on in there?"

"Beats me, I've never heard Lyra and Bon-Bon shout before, honestly didn't think they had it in them."

Vinyl and Octavia stood beside the house and listened to the muffled argument for a while, but finally, it stopped. Octavia peeked around the side of the house to see Lyra shutting the front door and storming off.

"Wow, must've been something quite horrible to make one of them walk out on each other."

"They ever do this before?"

"No, never. They have little spats, like any couple would, but nothing where they'd shout."

As they watched Lyra eventually dissapear into the distance, Octavia sighed. Suddenly, her ears perked up, and she turned to face Vinyl.

"Plan. It's a little cheesy, kinda cartooney, but I think it'll work."

"Alright, what is it?"

"OK, I'm going to go talk to Bon-Bon, maybe I can figure out what's going on."

"Well, what am I gonna do."

"If I know Lyra, and I'm sure I do, she's at the bar just down the road. Go there, and talk to her. Don't make it seem like we're setting this up."

"Alright, I'll try."

"Good luck."

"You too."

The two shared a kiss before Vinyl quickly ran off towards the bar. Octavia waiting a little while before walking to the door and knocking.

"Who is it?"

"It's Octavia."

After a few seconds, Bon-Bon opened the door, and Octavia smiled at her.

"You're in town? What's going on?"

"Oh, not much, Vinyl and I were-"

"Where's Vinyl?"

"Oh, we had a bit of a rough train ride and she went to go get a drink."

"Wait a minute, are you trying to set something up?"

"What?"

"I can tell what you're doing Octavia, we've been friends for too long, and you're a bad liar."

As Bon-Bon frowned, she went to close the door. Octavia quickly put her hoof out to stop it.

"Ok, fine, but, what did Lyra do that made you so upset?"

"I don't wanna talk about it."

Bon-Bon forced the door closed, shutting Octavia out of the house. Octavia frowned as she also looked and saw the inside blinds quickly close.

"Damn it all."

"Another one."

"Alright Ly, just watch it, ya goin' pretty quick here."

The bartender walked away from the green unicorns seat and went to get her her next drink. Lyra heard the bell above the door ring, and after a few seconds, saw a white unicorn sit next to her.

"Hey, Vinyl?"

Vinyl turned to face Lyra and smiled.

"Hey Lyra, what're you doing here?"

"I was gonna ask you that, at least I live in this town. Where's Octavia?"

"She went to go visit somepony. Doctor something or other."

"Ah, Doctor Whooves probably. Here, let me but you a drink, what is it?"

"I-I shouldn't."

"Oh come on, just one drink."

Vinyl took in a deep breath, and then shrugged and blew it out.

"Ya know, why not. Just a shot of rum."

"There you go. Bartender, shot of rum along with mine!"

After the unicorn behind the bar sat the two mares' drinks in front of them, Lyra levitated hers up in between them.

"A toast, to friends."

"To friends."

The two clinked their glasses together and drank, Vinyl completing her shot and Lyra downing almost half her glass in one go. Not long after, once again the bell at the door chimed, and Octavia sat down beside Vinyl.

"Well, mission abort. Lyra, what the hell did you do?"

"A glass of red wine down here please?"

"What do you mean what did I do?"

"Bon-Bon is more upset than I've seen her in years, and I just figured you twongot into an argument about something one of you did."

"Well, I didn't technically do anything."

"Technically?"

"Well, it's more what I didn't do."

"Oh good lord, let's get a booth before talking about this."

The three mares moved over to a circular booth in the corner of the bar, and the bartender placed a glass of wine in front of Octavia.

"Vinyl, no more for you, you're recovering."

"Fine."

"Anyways, what happened?"

"Well, she brought something up that I just wasn't ready to talk about."

"Which was?"

"Marriage. It's not that I wouldn't want to, it's just, I froze up when I heard it from her."

"Lets get this out, do you love her?"

"Yes."

"Do you want to spend your life with her?"

"Yes."

"Is their anypony else you would want to spend more time with than her?"

"No, no there isn't."

"Well?"

Lyra sat and looked at Vinyl for a second, then her gaze went to the table.

"Jeez, you're right. I, I gotta tell her that I feel this way."

"Maybe not now though, you seem kinda drunk Lyra."

"Tavi, I'm fine."

"Lyra, just stay here, we'll get this sorted out in the morning."

"Fine."