The Story of You and Octavia

8 months. That’s how’ve long it’s been since the first time you saw Octavia at Sugercube corner until now. All that time of watching, examining, and praying to Celestia she could be yours, you finally have that chance.

You were able to have a conversation with her and accomplished a walk in less than 7 minutes. You felt awesome.

But now you have to focus on one last problem: Finding the connection.

Depending if you have a connection or not between you two, this could either lead to Octavia’s one-night stand or a chance at a long and beautiful relationship. And you have to find it though this one conversation. This wouldn’t bother you so much, except that you two don’t seem to have that much in common. You both like music. You both appreciate art. But so far, she mainly likes classical music while you, though having a strong appreciation for it, don’t know too well about it. Right now you’re more into classic rock, indie rock, and techno. You don’t even know that much about music anyway.  If, you’re lucky she might also have a strong interest in photography, but so far, your only chance is to find your connection through just general art.

You both are now leaving the gala, now’s your time to move. You first ask her how’ve long she’s been playing music, which is a good start.

“Pretty much as long as I can remember,” She says, “From the recorder, to the flute, to the piano, to the cello, all since I was a filly, but enough about me, what about you?”

You tell her about your past life and experiences in your profession in photography, and appreciation for all arts. Not too much, but not too little, just enough to where you can keep her interest. So far she seems impressed.

“Wow, I’m impressed.”

Ha! You knew it.

“Your appreciation for art is fascinating, but what music do you listen to?” She asks you.

This is where things might go downhill, “Indie rock, classic rock, techno.”

“Indie rock?” she asks, “Like which bands?”

You name a few bands you like.

“Huh,” her mind trails for a second, “Never heard of them.”

“Yeah, that’s kind of the point.”

Your retort gave Octavia a bit of chuckle.

She continues, “Although I do admire some classic rock.”

“Wait,” you say back, “You like rock?”

She chuckles again, “Just because I’m most known and professionalized in classical, symphonic, and orchestral music doesn’t mean it’s the only music I listen to.”

Your heart skips a beat.

“My favorite classic band is the Beatles, which I still love to death by the way, and some of the Who and Queen.”

Your heart now stops.

“But the Beatles can capture any Canterlot mare’s heart, and Freddie Mercury’s voice is still with those of a God's, as it was, even though his the teeth resembles those of a donkey.”

You agree.

“I’m guessing by the look on that face you agree with me.”

Damn she’s good. Now it’s your turn, “Yeah, I love pretty much all of the classic rock bands to death,” You say, “Though it was mainly because of my Dad, he was the one who grew up in that generation.”

“Really?” she confirms, “My father grew up in it, and he still despised that music. But I guess it might’ve been because my grandfather considered it the devil’s music, and it kinda grew onto him.”

“Wow, that sucks.” That actually really does suck to you for some reason.

“Techno though, while I don’t despise it, I consider it the cheap kind of music. Lazy, if you will.”

You already understand why, “Because they don’t use real instruments? It’s all computers? Except when they use other people’s songs?”

“Yeah, that’s pretty much why,” She says, “Even though they have keyboards, they distort it with such awful sounds.”

“Well, I agree, but I still listen to it, I guess it’s just a guilty pleasure.”

“That’s what Vinyl would say to me.”

“Who?”

“My roommate, Vinyl Scratch.”

She has a roommate? “You have a roommate?”

“Yep, and she’s also one of my greatest friends, even though she’s a bit too much to handle.”

“Really, like how?” You ask her.

“Well, she “professionalizes” in techno, remix, and dubstep, which still a major minus in my opinion, and she can’t shut up sometimes.”

“Well, what’d you expect from techno pony?”

“Not much really. She has a bit of a mouth too,” Octavia continues, “When my parents visited us I swear she said cunt at least 3 times to them”

“Ouch.”

“It’s gotten so bad that it even invaded into my own speech, thankfully it happens rarely, like when I’m really upset. But I always try to stay professional to everypony, even to my friends.”

Should’ve guessed that “damn” was just an outburst, You think to yourself.

“To be completely honest, I actually don’t really mind when a mare cusses.”

“Well, of course, you’re a male.”

She got you there.

“Well, what I mean is,” You continue, “I don’t mind when anypony does it really. I mean depending on your friends or the ponies you’re around with, I think a bit of language can really show off some independence and dignity to one’s self.”

“Really?” She seems very interested in what you’re saying.

“Well, I’m not talking about a full out potty mouth, but a simple swear every now and then can actually be, well, empowering to a mare sometimes.”

“Is that so?” she asks.

“Well, that’s what I believe.”

She gives you a sly smile, “Cunt.”

You’re confused, “… What?”

“Damn.”

“What are you doing?”

“Shit, fuck, whore, slut, bitch, arse, and ASS!” That last word echoed throughout the entire street.

You give a confused look to her until she finally notices you.

“Sorry, but I’ve been holding that in my entire life. It makes sense, what you told me. Right now, I feel very empowered. But, you're right, I have to be with the right ponies, like you, but not Vinyl Scratch who would just say I told you so.”

You're still a bit confused from what just happened, but you give out chuckle, “Well… Then I’m impressed.”

“Don’t worry, I know you are,” Her attention focuses to the right, “Hey, follow me.”

“What is it?”

“Come on!”

You follow her in a direction you’ve never taken in Canterlot. She seems to be leading you to a dead end. But wait, that’s not a wall, that’s the sky. You come closer, realizing you’re at the edge of Canterlot, with a view of almost all of Equestria.

“Oh my Celestia,” You’re astonished by the amazing heights you are in, with almost all of Equestria in your sights.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” She gives a relax look to you, but you’re eyes are still focused at the scenery.

“Yes,” You finally look to her, your face still astonished, “Very beautiful.”

Octavia giggles, “What? Me or Equestria?”

Crap.

“… Yes.”

She giggles, “Clever.”

You both take this moment to look upon the scenery again, but as beautiful as it is, you remember about the connection. You haven’t really found it yet. Yeah, you’ve gotten to get along with her a bit more, but not a real connection for her to get really interested in you. You try to think of something to say, “The- You know- I really like-“

She interrupts you, “Look… If you’re really trying to connect with me, you don’t have to worry it about, really.”

… What?

“You don’t really hide it so well either, kind of like the way you’ve been staring at me at Sugarcube Corner for the past 8 months.”

… WHAT?!

“What? You really thought you were really that stealth about it? Try completely obvious! You're not the first pony who's tried to get with me, you know.”

You try to keep your jaw up, but it wants to stay down, “I, I, I.”

“Like I’ve said though, you don’t have to worry.”

“I, I, I, I don’t know what you’re talking-“ Octavia suddenly gives you a glare, and your voices trails somewhere else, “I mean, you weren’t creeped out by the way I looked at you?”

“What do you mean? Of course I was!”

Fuck.

“Well, at first I was, but I’ve gotten use to it, because…”

“Because of what?”

Her cheeks filled red, “Well, I thought you were rather, umm, cute from afar. Dashing really.”

Your heart drops harder than a nuclear bomb.

“But I’ve tried to keep things traditional and wait for you to come, talk to me, ask me out to dinner maybe. I really did at least want to get to know you. But after a while, I knew you didn’t really seem to have the courage to ask either,” She pauses to flip back her bangs, “So one day, I came to Sugarcube corner a bit late, and since it was a holiday it gets a bit more packed than usual. I’d hoped that maybe you’d be there, by yourself with an empty seat, the last one in the entire bakery. But you could’ve not been there that day, or with some other pony, or given your seat to somepony who needed it. But thank Celestia, you were there just as I had hoped.”

You smile grew bigger the more she continued with her story.

“But then I realized I’ve waited a bit too late, and was getting late for my train, since I was going away on business. So I went back and changed for my iced tea to be to go, and played a little bit of performance for you, acting like I was going to my seat but realized you had the last one.”

You give a small laugh.

“Then I finally went and sat down with you, but… You still didn’t do anything. I’ve should’ve guessed that would happen, though.”

The laugh you were giving immediately turns awkward.

“I didn’t want to leave you, but I had to. When I left, I thought I’d might never see you again, since you could’ve thought that you embarrassed yourself so bad, you might not want to see me again.”

“Well, why didn’t you say anything to me?” you ask.

“Like I said, I wanted to stay traditional, and its just basic tradition for a pony like you to ask me out.”

You give her a questioned look, which couldn’t help but make her sigh, “But, I do admit I think I’ve might’ve done it a bit foolishly, knowing your troubles and all.”

You roll your eyes.

“But when it was time for the Gala, I’d heard that you were going, so I’d hope maybe I’d see you, while I was playing. After a few hours, I just gave up and focused on performing. But then I saw you at the bar in front of me. I felt like a little filly inside, wanting to just drop my cello and run to you. But, being me, I professionally said to the other performers to call it a night. But when I went to bar… you were gone. I’ve felt like I’ve… failed again."

You sincerely feel her pain

"But then you came back, with full fledge confidence this time!”

You felt a bit proud of yourself.

“But then you gave that act, that ‘hey I just met you so I’ll compliment on whatever you do’ act.”

Wow, that proud feeling didn't last long.

“At first it took me by surprise, but I went along with it, and let you do your thing. I actually thought it was kinda cute, playing along with you.”

Hey, your smile’s back!

“So then we talked, left the Gala, and here we are.”

You just remembered the amount of information she just gave you, “Woah.”

She’s still not done yet, “I’ve got a little lesson for you. Don’t force yourself and another pony to find your connection. You have to let it keep it's pace. But even then, sure, a connection can be a really helping factor in a relationship. But really, in the end, all that matters if you two really enjoy being with each other.”

Wow. Why didn’t you think of that?

“But if you really want your ‘connection’. After you said that one word to me, respect, it made me, umm, really open my eyes to you. Surprisingly, with all the ponies I've been with, I've never actually heard them say that to me, in any way, shape or form. Ever since you said it, I felt, very connected with you, through my eyes. And..."

What? What's she building up to?

She looks at you, deep into your mind with those gorgeous violet eyes, "I have really, really enjoyed being with you.”

Your mind explodes.

“And I would really love to be with you a bit more. Hey, do think you might want to… Um, hello?”

…

“You there?”

…

Bonk!

Your mind starts to work again when she bumps your head with her hoof, “I’m sorry what?”

She giggles again, “I was asking if you would like to come to the Canterlot Orchestral concert with me?”

…

Bonk!

“What- what!? Oh, YES! I mean, I’d be happy to go with you!”

“Great,” Her face brightens up.

“When is it?” you ask.

“Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? But I’m going back to Ponyville tonight.”

“Then stay with me here then! Back at the Canterlot Hotel?”

…

"Ugh, stallions.”