The Chance To Say

Octavia sighed as she walked towards her apartment. She missed having Vinyl's by her side, even for the short time she was. Too focused now on wondering when Vinyl would be done with her therapy, she didn't notice the patch of ice on front of her. After slipping for a second, regaining control, and slipping again she fell to the ground.

"Ah hell, that hurt."

Octavia held a hoof to the back of her head, eyes still closed. She gaspef at the blurry sight that met her when she opened her eyes and looked at her hoof. A small blood mark was on the front side of it.

"Holy crap, are you ok?"

Octavia looked up at a white coated mare with a flower sticking out of her amber mane.

"Um, yes, I-I think I'm fine."

"You sure?"

"Yes, thank you."

Octavia got to her hooves with the mares assistance and smiled at her.

"Wait a minute, you look familiar. Aren't you the mare that worked at the reception desk at Manehatten Mental Asylum?"

"Actually, yes I am. I'm sort of surprised you remember."

"Oh, I don't forget faces easily. Since I was a foal I could always place a face."

"I'm surprised that your celebrity hasn't changed that. My co-worker tell me your a famous cello player."

"Oh really? They a fan?"

"Not really, he's just heard of you. Anyways, what are you doing out here?"

"I was taking Vinyl to that rehab center."

"Is she there now?"

Octavia nodded at the pony and she smiled.

"Good. I've heard some really good things about that place, I'm sure she'll be sober in no time."

"That's what I'm hoping for. Well, I've got to get home. Thank you for helping me, and have a good day."

Just before Octavia could start walking away, the mare slid across the ice patch and stopped at Octavia's side.

"Wait. If you don't mind, I have a question."

"Suppose it can't hurt. Shoot."

"Well, this may seem kinda weird, but is there something going on between you two?"

Octavia blushed slightly at the question. The truth would seem word and possibly result in gossip, but she hated to lie.

"Well, honestly, she's just a good friend. I can't speak for her, but as far as I know she feels the same way I do."

"Oh, Ok. Sorry, that's just how my mind works. See two ponies near each other and immediately think they're together."

The mare laughed a little and Octavia joined in. The mare extended a hoof and looked at Octavia.

"Ice Blossom, nice to meet you."

"Octavia Melody, and same to you."

The mares shook his head she and departed. Octavia started humming the song she'd written when she was about two minutes from her house.

"Wait a minute. That isn't how the song went. It sped up at the bridge, it didn't slow down. What song was I thinking of?"

Octavia was only a minute from her apartment when she remembered something very important. Her head shot up as if somepony had tased her in the rear.

"The concert is tonight!"

Now filled with worry and slight self-anger, Octavia started running home. She got through the door to her apartment, panting, and ran to the beeping phone.

You've reached Octavia Melody, Ican't get to the phone rightnow so leave a message and I'll get back to you.

"Hey, Octavia, it's Plat. What the hell? I thought you were gonna meet me at the Air Speed music hall for a run through of the night? Call me back whenever you can."

The machine held a high beep for two seconds and Octavia sighed.

"Damn. I guess I should meet him, but I have to practice."

After a moment of thought, Octavia ran to her room and got her cello out.

"Ten minutes of practice, then I'll meet Platinum."

"What's taking her so damn long?"

Platinum Record impatiently tapped his hoof as he watched the band that was going on before Octavia set up the stage. He looked at the watch on his front right hoof and sighed.

"Try calling her again. If she doesn't pick up I'll just have to go get her."

With his magic, he pressed a button on his earpiece and it started ringing. After the fourth cycle of the ringtone, Octavia picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Octavia. Where are you?"

"Sorry Plat, I got hung up with something."

"Is it that street mare? Look Oc, you've gotta focus. I don't know how many more fuck-ups then fans will allow before they start losing interest!"

"I'm sorry alright? I'll be there in a few minutes, meet me out front. Bye."

"Alright, bye. Fucking hell."

Platinum Record walked out to the front of the music hall. After pushing open the front doors and walking outside, he levitated a lighter and a cigarette. He lit the cigarette and took a long drag, then blew the smoke into the air.

"That damn mare needs to get her shit together."

"Mare troubles eh?"

Platinum Record jumped slight when the voice suddenly spoke. He turned to where it came from and saw a brown unicorn stallion with a black mane. The stallion looked distraught, and slightly angry.

"Um, who are you?"

"Open Mind. I'm a therapist that's slowly losing his patience. I need to ask a favour of you."

"I'm sorry sir, but I'm not going to do that."

"But it involves your mare, what was her name? Octavia."

Open Minds voice was edged with mischief and psychotic malevolence. He levitated his briefcase and flipped it open.

"I need you to get all the information you possibly can from Octavia about this mare."

When Open Mind levitated a picture of Vinyl in her orange jumpsuit in front of Platinum Record, he gasped slightly and took the picture in his magic.

"Is Octavia associated with her? She looks like an ex-convict!"

"Get me what I need, and I'll get you whatever you need. I can keep that mare away from Octavia if that's what you want."

Platinum Record thought hard as he looked at the photo. He wanted to agree with this stallion, and be able to keep Octavia focused on her music, but some weird feeling he had told him he shouldn't.

"I'm not going to do that sir. Have a good day."

Platinum Record blew a puff of smoke into Open Minds face and looked away. Open Mind frowned and started turning away.

"Fine. Have it your way."

Open Mind spat on the ground at Platinum Records hooves and walked away. Furious and out of ideas, he mumbled to himself as he walked.

"You'll regret this."

"Alright, that's all the time we got, we're Fields Of Pavement, we love you Manehatten!"

The band started walking offstage and the crowd cheered. As the curtains dropped and some ponies started moving the drumset and extra mics off the stage area, Platinum Record turned to Octavia.

"Alright Octavia. This is the show. Give it everything vouve got. You've got this."

"Thanks Platinum."

"Go, you're on."

Octavia took her seat on the one stool in centre staged as the lights dimmed and a spotlight shined on her. The curtains opened and Octavia kept her eyes locked on her instrument. She waited for the slight murmuring to stop before she began. Just as she had practiced, she started slowly, and got faster. Approaching the bridge of the song, she started feeling low-energy. She didn't understand. She had just eaten an hour ago, and she got plenty of sleep the night before, more than usual.

C'monOctavia. You won'tscrew this upbecause you feel tired. Push through it dammit, this is for the house.

She didn't dare look up. Flashbacks of the dreams she'd had were popping up slightly, and she didn't want what happened there to happen for real.

Just one second. One, two, three.

Octavia looked up for only one second, masking the peek with a head flourish that fit the song. She caught only a glimpse of the crowd, and swore she saw a vibrant blue mane poking out of it.

Oh no. The dream, it's happening!

Octavia had closed her eyes and kept playing. She opened and eye and realized she hadn't dripped her bow. She smiled to herself and continued the song. After hitting get the second last note, Octavia held her head high, and swiftly dropped it down as she played the last note. The crowd was silent for a second but soon roared loudly, going crazy at the song. Octavia smiled and stood up. As she bowed and started off stage, the crowd whooped and cheered.

You nailed it!

As Octavia mentally patted herself on the back, she looked up to Platinum Record, who was smiling and chuckling slightly.

"You killed it Octi, they loved that one!"

"I just wrote that one a few days ago, I think the new material really got them fired up."

"It sure as hell did! Hold on, I've got a call. You can go home, be expecting your pay in the mail. Hello?"

Octavia started walking towards her dressing room and smiled even wider to herself. After putting her cello in its case and putting on her coat, she headed for the front door. She had to sign a few autographs before leaving the building, but she eventually got outside and started home.

"Now did I just imagine that blue? Or should I be calling helping Hooves to see if they missed a patient today?"

"Yeah, I know! When's the next gig you can get her? Next week. Same time, same place. Sounds great. Wait, how much? Are you fucking serious?! Ok. Ok. Ok, I'll tell her. Yeah. Thanks, bye. Holy shit, I gotta call Octavia."

Platinum Record paced excitedly in his living room. He waited for Octavia to pick up.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Octi. I got great news."

"What is it?"

"They want you to play at the same time next week."

"That's not really huge news, but a show is a show."

"That's not the best part. They're gonna pay you ten thousand bits."

"Wait, what? Ten thousand?"

"Ten grand. The show today was only two grand, but they're gonna group the pay for next Friday. You'll be getting twelve thousand bits at the end of next week Octavia."

"I can't even believe that. They liked it that much?"

"I guess so. Try and write another new song if you can, they love fresh stuff."

"I'll get right on it."

"Good. Also, I wanna discuss something with you tommorow. I'll call and arrange the details sometime before noon. Take care Melody."

"You too Record."

Platinum Record hung up the phone and levitated the earpiece off his head. He started laughing to himself slightly, laughing out of disbelief.

"I can't even believe that shit. Twelve grand!"

He chuckled more as he looked at a framed picture of his wife.

"Our pay will be large too my dear."

He set the picture down and walked into the hallway. Descending a flight of stairs and going out to the alleyway, he lit up another cigarette. He only had two full drags of the cigarette before suddenly a figure came up to him.

"Do you regret it yet?"

"What? What woul-AH!"

The figure used its magic to jab a knife deep into Platinum Records chest, and ran away as he fell to the ground. Platinum Record coughed up some blood onto the cold hard ground and slowly closed his eyes. The figure stepped into a lighted area of the alleyway and levitated a knife in front of his face.

"You're next Vinyl."