The Cello and The Guitar

“Thank you all! Have a good party!” Rainbow Dash called out as the Rainbooms departed the stage amidst a sea of applause. The gymnasium had been packed by what looked to be the entirety of the student body of Canterlot High School, everyone dressed up in some manner, ranging from complicated and exotic looking outfits, to…

“Really, Rainbow? You’re Wonderbolts uniform?” Rarity chastised as the group descended the stage. Rarity had done her usual all-out approach to the evening, decked to the nines in one of her latest designs. Quite out of place for the evening, but better than Rainbow Dash’s soccer uniform Sunset had to admit.

“Ah agree.” Applejack added as she shifted her bass around. She wore a flannel top, straw sticking out at points as a plastic cleaver clapped against the side of her jean clad thigh. Her face was done up by Rarity’s amazing makeup skills, turning the gentle farmer into a bloody and sadistic scarecrow.

Fluttershy giggled as she reseated her squirrel ears as the girl’s “pony’d up” state dissipated, her large, fluffy looking tail bobbing behind her.

“Ah, relax!” Pinkie yelled as she popped up in front of Fluttershy, sending the meek girl stumbling back with a panicked shriek as what seemed to be a giant green aligator with vibrant pink curls invaded her vision, a similar looking plushy hanging around at her hip.

Sunset rolled her eyes at the whole scene as she deposited Guy into his case, swatting aside her limp, spade tipped tail. She had decided on a daemonic looking costume, one meant to reference her Fall Formal state as a hopefully final nail in the coffin of that dark day. The crowd seemed to love it, though that may be due to the fact of how provocative the costume was.

“Move aside!” commanded Trixie, the girl’s arm throwing out her large, red cape in a dramatic fashion. It’s collar was popped up around her face as a large necklace of an ovular shape bounced upon her chest as she walked past. “The Sorcerer Supreme, the Great and Powerful Trixie must showcase her newest feat!”

The group giggled before nodding and starting to split up. Sunset decided to make her way over to the refreshment stand, passing through the crowd of students fixated on the display happening up on the stage. More or less.

“Goin’ for the no shame look, are we?” Sunset shook her head as she turned around to smirk at Lyra Heartstrings, the pirate girl wearing a smug grin.

“I guess, I mean it’s not like this is what most people would ask to see on a daily basis.” Sunset shrugged as she watched Bon Bon approach. “Heya Bon Bon.”

The girl, also dressed up like a pirate, waved as she drew in close to Lyra. “Come on, Lyra, we promised to get Vinyl some refreshments!”

“Oh yeah, she must be melting in that booth!” Sunset stood, allowing the duo to make up a small pate to take to the DJ. “What’s she dressed up like?”

“She has some kind of face paint on.” Lyra commented as she placed a few goodies onto the plate Bon Bon was holding onto. “Looked like a… Sandstorm?”

“Du du du du du…” Sunset muttered under her breath, chuckling as she waved farewell to the retreating privateers, only to freeze when her eyes fell across an instantly recognizable tuxedo, and the unmistakable young woman who wore it beyond description.

Sunset stood there and stared dumbly at Octavia as she chatted with some other student, Sunset realizing just how well the dress sat on the girl, hugging every curve, yet not over-presenting them like Sunset’s own garb. The fabric clung just right, accentuating the young woman perfectly, the black fabric only added to the girl’s own natural colours.

Octavia gave a small flip of her head, her ebony locks sparkling in the light as they landed perfectly across her back, Sunset’s mind subconsciously conjuring the thoughts of strawberries, even all this distance away.

She felt her knees start to go weak as she stood there, her mouth going dry even as she tried to gulp for breath, her lungs burning ferociously. She truly was smitten by the beauty that was Octavia, the full package that was the cellist. She carried herself with unwavering poise, radiating a maturity beyond her years. Her unmissable mulberry eyes glowed with her youth, yet wisdom swam in the recesses.

The girl’s mouth turned up, her delicate, full lips splitting as she started to laugh, all other noise vanishing around Sunset as the musical sound of Octavia’s laughter surrounded her, warming her in its embrace. It tickled every nerve, her legs shaking as a chill ran down her spine.

Sunset ran the back of a shaking hand across her forehead, surprised that it wasn’t drenched in sweat with how much heat was radiating from her body. Her heart beat it’s explosive tune in her chest, threatening to tear itself free of her body and present itself to the girl. If only she would look this way, for but a moment. Sunset would be hers if the she asked, she would-

A small wave. Octavia had looked her wave, a warm smile on her face as she noticed Sunset looking at her.

A small wave. Sunset felt the earth give way beneath her, a roiling sea of emotion and primal desire swallowing her, an endless reflection of the delicate wave repeating over itself all around her as she tumbled into the abyss.

She could die happy now.

“Sunset, love! That performance was absolutely brilliant!” Octavia’s praise pierced through Sunset like a spear.

It was nothing compared to your own brilliance! she thought as she struggled to find an appropriate answer to the praise of her overwhelming goddess.

“T-Thanks, Octavia!” Sunset sputtered, blushing in embarrassment as she stumbled to her feet, a childlike grin on her face. “Y-You too! Er…”

Insert hoof into mouth, Shimmer… Sunset groaned as Octavia started giggling.