The Cello and The Guitar

“A-TEEEENSION Canterlot High School!” came the bombastic voice of Canterlot’s head party planner as she exploded through the cafeteria door and spun from pillar to pillar in a blur of pink. “You are all hereby invited to Canterlot High School’s Halloween party, hosted by yours truly!”

Cheers and other happy cries erupted from the students gathered in the cafeteria at Pinkie Pie’s announcement, the girl giggling as she leapt gaily from pillar to pillar, her lunch tray somehow balanced perfectly on top of her head even as she landed perfectly onto her open chair at the Rainbooms' table, the other girls clapping her impressive feat as she landed.

Or at least most of them did.

“Sunset? What’s up with you today?” Rainbow Dash asked as the clapping around the table died out, the athlete wearing a strangely concerned look on her face.

“Ya… You’ve been a mite bit… Off, sugahcube.” Applejack added, bending over as she looked intently at Sunset. “What’s up?”

“Hm? Oh, was I spaced out again?” Sunset looked up from errantly stabbing at her salad, her face stuck in a near permanent frown since an hour earlier. “Sorry, just… Tired, I guess…”

“Probably just that time of the month.” Rainbow Dash leaned back, obviously no longer concerned about her friend, only for a resounding crack to fill the air once Fluttershy’s fist connected with the sky blue girl’s arm. “FUCKING OW, FLUTTERSHY!”

“Behave.” the normally meek girl commanded, a disapproving scowl spread across her face.

“This appears like more than just one being tired, dear.” it was Rarity’s turn to sound concerned as she got up and walked over to the off beat Sunset, kneeling down as she rest a hand across the girl’s back. “What’s wrong? Is it something to do with Octavia?”

Sunset couldn’t stop the icy chill that ran down her spine, or the fact that she froze up at Rarity’s question. Had Octavia noticed something earlier? Dread was starting to consume her at the thought of Octavia having mentioned something to Rarity.

“N-No, Octavia’s fine! I mean, she hasn’t worn the tuxedo all week, right?” Sunset’s obviously fake smirk was not well received by the marshmallow hued girl, whose frown of concern only deepened. “I promise, Rarity, I’m just tired…”

“I promise…” Sunset muttered as she looked back at her salad, the green leafs seeming to lack all colour.

“Octavia, dear, can you come over here for a moment?” Sunset shot up straight to her feet once Rarity raised her voice, spinning around to watch Octavia point at herself in confusion, before slowly standing up and making her way over towards them.

“Rarity!? What in the everliving-”

“Sunset? Da Faq is coming out of your mouth right now?” Sunset paused as she looked over at Rainbow, the girl’s face a perfect picture of bemusement.

“What? What do you mean “What is coming out of my mouth right now”?”

“Er, Sunset? Are ya speakin’ in tongues or somethin’?” this time Sunset spun to look Applejack, the farm girl scratching her head as she looked Sunset in confusion, making Sunset realized that she had just spent the last few seconds speaking entirely in Equestrian.

“...Equestrian, right…” she groaned as her hand slapped against her forehead, grimacing as she heard Octavia draw nearer.

“Yes, love?” Octavia said as she paused right in front of Sunset and Rarity, before pausing and nodding warmly at the amber teen. “Hello again, Sunset. Thank you again for the hand earlier. I swear, sometimes I am all thumbs.”

“Earlier?” Rarity’s face took on a Cheshire Cat like grin as she looked back and forth between the two girls. “Why, whatever do you mean?”

“N-Nothing! She meant nothing!” Sunset rushed forward, before realizing that she was only dooming herself further with her outburst.

“Oh, I was, er…” Octavia paused before motioning for Rarity to come closer, Sunset barely able to hear the quiet whisper from the cellist. “I was having trouble with my brassiere earlier in the changing room, and Sunset helped me.”

Rarity tilted her head, a confused look growing on it as she glanced over at Sunset. “Is that what all this is about?”

“See...” Sunset let out a heavy sigh, relishing the fact that maybe this would work out in the end anyways. “I told you so… Maybe you should relax on all the snooping?”

“Point taken.” Rarity responded as she held her hands up in apology. “My apologies, Sunset.”

“It’s fine. Sorry about all this, Octavia.” Sunset gave a sad smile as she turned around and sat back down in her seat.

“Oh, before you go, Octavia! I had a question regarding that supposed “boyfriend” your mother is so desperate to set you up with.” Sunset's ears perked up at Rarity’s next comment, a confused gathering of emotions racing through her.

“Ah, yes. Well my mother knows my stance on the matter. I may be your typical young girl and pinning for a relationship, but I also have to focus on my art.” Sunset felt all of her earlier dread and concern start to fly away at Octavia’s comment, realizing that she had misunderstood the slate skinned girl’s earlier comments, a giddy smile starting to build as she started stuffing her salad into her mouth.

“Ah, such a shame. His loss I guess?” the two girls shared girly giggles on the girly subject, while Sunset was trying her best to not shed joyous, girly tears into her salad. She listened as the two shared their farewells, Octavia slowly returning to her table as Rarity returned to her seat.

“I could kiss you right now.” Sunset proclaimed loudly in Equestrian as Rarity sat down, beaming a Pinkie level smile as she shook her head. “You have more than made up for prodding me about my emotions, Rarity.”

“Umm… Sunset?” Rarity gave a self conscious giggle. “Can you say that again in a language the rest of us know?”

“Don’t worry about it.” Sunset chuckled as she returned to eating.