The Cello and The Guitar

Octavia stood there in confusion, her head tilted in confusion as Sunset stood staring at her. “Sunset? Whatever is the matter?”

“Y-You’re, uh, still in your tuxedo?” Sunset commented dumbly, swearing at herself in her mind.

“O-oh… I guess I am.” Octavia looked down, frowning as she realized the mess that had become of her expensive clothing. “I fear I ran away as soon as we arrived at home, and didn’t even spare a thought for what I was wearing.”

The dark as night silk attire, while now coated with bits of grass and detritus, sat upon the girl’s body as brilliantly as any other time Sunset had seen her wear it, causing her amber cheeks to turn a ferocious cherry red as she watched Octavia pull at the sleeves and hem of the top.

“Er, why don’t I lend you some of my clothes?” Sunset offered, rushing towards the staircase in an attempt to hide the state her face currently was in. “I don’t have a washing machine in here, but we can at least hang them so they don’t get wrinkly, right?”

Stupidstupidstupid! Sunset yelled at herself as she reached the top of the stairs, slapping herself softly across her blazingly hot cheeks. What the hell are you doing right now?

She wasn’t even paying attention as she dug through her dresser and wardrobe, grabbing random pieces and draping them over her shoulder, before starting back down the stairs, finding Octavia still standing where she had been before Sunset went clothes hunting.

“Here, try these!” Sunset smiled warmly as she handed the clothes towards the girl. “I know I’m taller than you, but hopefully some of these will feel comfortable.”

“Thank you, Sunset.” Octavia gave a sheepish smile as she accepted the clothes, pausing to look around the ground floor of the apartment. “Where is your washroom, so I may change?”

“That door right over there.” Sunset pointed, nodding as Octavia started to head her way towards it. “The lock is a little finicky, just a heads up.”

Sunset was once again left alone, standing awkwardly in the landing of her apartment, twiddling her thumbs and wondering what she should do. She was suddenly realizing that maybe she should have called Lyra like Octavia requested, but the advice from Cadance came floating back at that moment, inspiring Sunset to take charge and take care of Octavia.

But what were they going to do? Sunset didn’t exactly have much for entertainment, mainly watching videos on her laptop or talking with Princess Twilight. Her eyes paused as they passed over the resting form of Guy. She didn’t have an amp of her own, so there wasn’t much he could provide, sadly.

She reached into her pocket and dug out her phone. Maybe the girls would have some ideas. She shook her head instantly, banishing the thought. No, they would probably think something else was going on if she mentioned it to them. Maybe she should just call Lyra…

“Thank you, Sunset.” the girl turned upon hearing her name as Octavia strode out of the washroom, clad in Sunset’s spare clothes. “These are a little large, but they shall do.”

Sunset smiled and nodded stupidly, desperately hoping not to drool and that her grin wasn’t too off. The slight bulkiness of Sunset’s larger clothes only seemed to help add to Octavia’s body in Sunset’s eye, leaving the girl close to that level of bumbling mess as Octavia paused a foot away.

“Here are your extras. I just hanged my tuxedo on the shower pole for the time being, if that is alright.”

“You’re alright…” Sunset said in awe, before shaking her head and shining a larger smile. “It’s fine, I mean, heh… Anyways, should you at least call your dad now? I mean, I know he's at least a little more civil, right?”

Octavia paused, her arms encasing herself as her head tilted towards the floor, causing Sunset’s insides to clench. “I think it would be best if we called Lyra…” the cellist said somberly. “Her family has oft been a place of refuge for me, and they will know just how to inform my parents.”

“Works for me.” Sunset smiled warmly, her heart rending as she struggled not to grab Octavia close and crush her with affection. “At least, as long as Lyra doesn’t show up with a knife, or something.”

The pair chuckled at Sunset’s joke, the Equestrian’s heart calming as she saw Octavia’s mood pick up ever so slightly.

“Er, yes, can you call Lyra for me? I do not have my phone with me... Mother confiscated it before the trip and never gave it back.” Octavia tapped her fingers together as she looked up at Sunset, smiling in embarrassment.

“I, uh… I don’t have her number.” Sunset said simply, leaving the two to stand there silently.

“Oh.” Octavia commented, staring blankly.

“Yeah.” Sunset added before the pair fell into silence again.

“Perhaps Rarity-”

“No!” Sunset yelled, cutting off Octavia’s suggestion and startling the poor girl. “S-Sorry, I mean… maybe it wouldn’t be best to talk to the Rainbooms? I mean… You know what Rarity is like with rumours, and if she knew I brought you here…”

“Rumours?” Octavia studied Sunset in bemusement. “And why should it matter if you brought me here?”

“You know what my reputation is, right? I’m sure Rarity would mention something and it would get blown out of proportion.” Sunset chuckled as she rubbed the back of her head, desperately hoping to persuade Octavia to not inform Rarity. “Besides, what if something spread amongst school? I don’t want your reputation damaged.”

“To hell with my reputation!” it was now Sunset’s turn to jump in shock at the outburst from Octavia, the cellist flying completely off the handle, her eyes wide and full of brimstone. Sunset stood and listened to Octavia go off on a tirade for what felt like a lifetime, the entire time envision little storm clouds with top hats and monocles.