It started on a cloudy afternoon a week after in the Battle of the Bands . Rain had been predicted in the forecast, although for the past hour it had little more than misted. Cliche, but there simply was no better way to start it when somebody asked them about how they got together in the first place. If it had been raining any harder, or not at all, things may have ended up very differently for the two of them that day.
It wasn’t raining hard enough to actually get soaked unless you stood still for too long., Octavia found herself walking home from school that day. Something she normally did when she needed inspiration. Not that she was opposed to the school bus if the weather was bad enough, or if she honestly didn’t feel like walking. On this particular day, she was stuck on a homework project for her music class that she couldn’t for the life of her complete. It was due in a few days, so she figured a walk home would help despite the sprinkling. Truth be told, she might have taken that walk anyways. Even if it was raining cats and dogs, it would have outweighed the consequence of a bad grade.
In a cardboard box along the path Octavia was walking, one Sonata Dusk was slumped and hugging her legs. Driven out of her apartment as Adagio and Aria were having a big fight over what they should be doing next. Ever since their defeat and loss of their magical singing voices, life for the sirens had been on thin ice.
No way to obtain what they needed, stuck in a magicless world, it didn’t take long for the stress of the situation to kick in. At first, Sonata had tried to be a voice of reason for the group. A third mutual party, and someone who brought the comedic relief to mask their fears. But on that day, it had been too much for even her fake smile and dumb jokes to handle. Not that they seemed to notice when she slammed the door behind her.
Ordinarily, Sonata might have gone to the park or something. However, as it started to sprinkle, she had figured a box in an alley on the side of the road was a good place to take shelter in. Her logic being that she didn’t want to push her luck loitering at too many places she didn’t have money to spend at. Plus, she seriously didn’t want to risk having attention drawn to herself by other people. That and, admitably, she wasn’t quite aware that cardboard was simply a type of sturdier paper. Paper, that could fall apart if it got too wet.
A couple of hours later, Sonata learned this fact, as the wet cardboard collapsed around her. The scream from the damp paper causing the musician to jump.
“Oh my gosh!” Octavia cried out as she saw someone struggling beneath the cardboard. “Miss, are you alright?”
Octavia set down on her violin case to help the poor girl that had been inside.
“I... I think so.” Sonata cried, short of breath, as Octavia assisted her upright. “Gah! Stupid box, and stupid rain!”
Blinking, Octavia said, “Eh, if I may, what are you doing in a box on... Well, on any day?”
“Oh geez, I don’t know.” Sonata said with some bite, flicking a piece of wet cardboard off of herself. “I guess I just wanted a wet box to collapse and suffocate me.” She chuckled. “Not a bad idea at this rate.”
Octavia’s eyes widened.
Sonata crossed her arms and huffed. “Sorry. Thanks. Just... Trying to clear my head and avoid some people.”
Worried, but also a little curious, Octavia asked, “Oh? Eh, would you like to talk about it?”
For a second, Octavia considered the idea of leaving things there and walking away. Combined with the attitude, there was something off about this girl that she couldn't place her finger on right away. Still, she didn’t seem dangerous, and if seriously suicidal, Octavia would have never forgave herself if that became front page news the following day.
Sonata raised an eyebrow at Octavia’s offer to talk. Assuming this girl went to CHS, didn’t she know who she was? From the lack of any fear revulsion on her face, Sonata figured not.
Still...
“It’s,” Sonata began. “Eh, I’m not sure how to explain.”
The mist turned into a couple of rain drops.
“If I may?” Octavia offered, pulling out an umbrella she brought with just in case. “Perhaps we can walk and talk? I need to get going, and I find it’s the best way to get the creative juices flowing.”
“Sounds like a tasty drink.” Sonata had tried to joke in her, normally, obnoxiously optimistic mater.
However, the events of the past week made it come across as a dry monotone. Which made it all the more surprising when Octavia laughed at that.
“More a fan of carrot juice if I’m honest.” she returned, relieved when Sonata broke the tiniest of smiles. “Will that be a yes then?”
With a shrug, Sonata figured it was better than walking all the way home by herself without an umbrella. So, Sonata stood besides Octavia, and the two of them walked down the street. The first few blocks in silence with Sonata’s hand in her pocket as Octavia held the umbrella and her violin case.
“You play?” Sonata asked, noticing the violin case.
“Oh yes!” Octavia said, caught by surprise after all the silence. “My main instrument is the cello, but I’m attuned in most other string instruments.” They came to a stop at a crosswalk. “What about yourself?”
Sonata looked at her wet shoes.I use to sing.” She said, leaving out the details.d
“Used to?” Octavia asked as the light turned green and they moved forward.
Thinking how best to explain without giving away she’s a magical siren from another world,, Sonata said, “Yeah. Was... In a singing group. However... stuff happened. One day, we just didn’t sound as good as we used to. Now, we’re struggling to get by. Actually, I was in that box because I wanted to get out of my house to get away from my band mates' arguments on what we’re supposed to do now for a bit. Seemed like a good quiet place to be alone.... Okay, and maybe I didn’t know what would happen when cardboard gets wet!”
Octavia giggled. “Sorry, sorry! It’s completely understandable. Actually, I recall as a kid hearing about this thing called cardboard boat racing.” She smirked as Sonata gave her a confused stare. “For real. Although, I’m not sure if I saw such a race in person, or if it was only a video. So five year old me takes an empty box, throws it into the pool, hops inside, not in swimwear I should add, and, from what happened back there, you can guess what happened.”
For the first time that day, Sonata found herself smiling.
“Oh wow,” she snickered. “No shit? Or rather, I guess you can make anything look real now-a-days.”
“I looked it up years later,” Octavia defended. “It's a real thing. Turns out, what separates a cardboard boat and what little ole me threw into the pool, was they’re made with multiple layers of cardboard. That, and the paint is supposed to help with waterproofing too. Even then, though, they don’t last long.”
“Well,” Sonata added innocently, “maybe one day we can build one.” Her laughter turned to a frown as Octavia stopped. “Sorry. Too forward?”
“Oh, no.” Octavia said with a shake of her head. “Just... Well, my life’s been too busy for such things. That, and my parents weren't very happy with me at the time.”
“Ouch.” Sonata flinched. “What? They have a couple of sticks up their asses?”
Octavia started to protest, but said. “Eh... They just care a lot. Don’t want me to look like a fool in front of people. You never know who’s watching in the world.”
Sonata’s heart dropped as Octavia lowered her head. “I know the feeling.” To try to help, she added, “So, strictly between you and me… What kind of boat would you build if you had the time?”
Octavia instincts were to bury such silly things away. However, there was something about the way this girl had asked that sparked such an interest inside of her, which was what she was out here to do anyways. Besides, it wasn’t as if she had gotten anywhere with her homework assignment otherwise.
“I suppose,” Octavia started, rubbing her chin with her case hand. “Maybe a cello? Or music note? I think the boats I saw when hearing about it had a dragon.”
Sonata snorted. “Music or dragon themed, huh?”
“Well, their dragon's head didn’t last long.” Octavia explained. “And what’s wrong with music themed?”
“Nothing, nothing!” Sonata assured. “Personally, and… Nevermind, you might think it’s silly.”
Octavia frowned at that.
“Oh, be as silly as you want. I won’t judge.” Octavia promised.
Sonata took a reassuring breath. “Well, maybe it was because it’s what I had for dinner last night, then when you brought the subject up, what about a turkey?”
Octavia blinked. “A turkey?”
“Yeah. Now hear me out!” Sonata said, as she laid out the details of her design. The two of them arguing what would or wouldn’t work, pitching additional ideas, Octavia was caught by surprise as they approached her house with how the time had gone by.
“Oh! This is my place.” she said.
“Huh?” Sonata blinked, looking up at the house Octavia called her own. “Oh, um, thanks for walking and talking with me.” She kicked at the ground. “It was nice.”
Octavia frowned. “Would you like me to walk you home or-
She paused, wondering where what she was about to suggest came from. Sad to say, she hadn’t found the musical inspiration she was looking for. However, she liked talking to this girl, and if nothing else, it felt wrong just to leave her alone.
“Or... would you like to come inside?”
Sonata gave her a quizzical look. “Really? I mean! I wouldn’t want to overstep my boundaries. Also, would your parents mind?”
Octavia waved her hand. “Nonsense. My parents aren't home at the moment and... Well, I guess I honestly could still use the company as well.” She smiled.
Unsure, but really not wanting to leave her new friend yet, Sonata nodded.
“You know... I don’t think I got your name.” Sonata rubbed the back of her neck. “Regardless, that sounds lovely.”
Octavia giggled. “My pleasure.” She led the to the front door. “And it’s Octavia. Octavia Melody.”
“Sonata Dusk,” Sonata gave back as Octavia unlocked their door.
****
A cup of hot cocoa and change of clothes later, at Octavia’s insistence, the pair were left in white t-shirts and sweat shorts. An hour had passed, and the two had found themselves in the highest spirits either of them had been in for awhile. Moving on from cardboard bots to other topics, sharing whatever funny stories about their lives came to mind. I be it, Sonata adjusting her stories so as not to scare Octavia off.
“So, how long have you been playing?” Sonata found herself asking at some point. Eyeing the violin case next to Octavia’s cello.
Octavia put down her hot chocolate and looked to her cases. “Since grade school. The violin was my first, and didn’t get the cello until I was older and more-
Sonata tilted her head as Octavia frowned.
“Octy?” she asked. Blinking, surprised at the nickname she had just used.
Octavia blinked back to her senses. “Sorry! Just more parent baggage and the like.”
Sonata huffed. “What? Are they the type who put unrealistic expectations on you and the pressure to succeed is what makes you... Oh.” She held a hand to her face as Octavia’s body language told her what she needed to know.
“No.” Octavia said calmly, filling in the blanks. “I wouldn’t quite say that. I mean... Well, you’re particularly right. It’s-” she waved her hands in the air. “My mom’s the, ‘living her dreams through her kid’ type. Unintentional, I think. While also somewhat wanting the perfect christan family image.”
Sonata stared blankly at her.
“Um,” Octavia rubbed her neck. “You know? your daughter is growing up fine and pretty. Perfect grades? She’s bound to find a perfect husband one day.” She mockingly giggled. “Oh, isn’t she sweet? Not like those other slut girls who smoke and do whatever they want. She’s such a good girl.”
“Oh!” Sonata shrank as she got a better mental image. “I'm sorry to hear that.” She clicked her heels. “Sounds rough.”
Octavia rests her head on one of her hands. “It is what it is.”
Sonata bit her lips. “If it helps, I think I might know how you feel.” When Octavia looked curiously at her, she continued, nervously. Again, careful not to give too much away. She enjoyed this girls company, and the last thing she wanted was to jumpstart anything within Octavia’s memories from the Battle of the Bands.
“Well, I mean, I don’t have parents. Long story! The relevant part is that I grew up with me and my sisters and I was considered the dunce of the group. Always making jokes, taking things the less seriously, but, if I’m honest, it was all an act. Truth was, I was a rather shy fi-kid.” She paused upon catching herself. Thankfully Octavia didn’t notice. “Guess acting silly was my way of dealing with all the stress. If the world wanted to see a fool, might as well give them a good show.” She took a minute, both to take in how open she was being, as well as to think of a true enough way to describe her life for the next part. “Our hobby used to help us with our income. Just leave it at that please. Then, I guess our voices cracked one day, and things got harder. Now, all my sisters can do is fight with each other. Blaming the other, blaming me, blaming anyone, but themselves,” she muttered. “And I can’t do anything about it. I have absolutely no control over my life.” Sonata places a hand to her head. “I don’t know what we’re going to do, or where we’re going to go, or even if I want to-
Sniffling, she hadn’t even noticed Octavia walking over towards her. The hug, coming from out of nowhere. Sonata stiffened, but decided to go along with things and return the embrace. It was a nice hug.
“Thanks.” Sonata said when they pulled away. “Might of gotten a little emotional and annoying there.”
Octavia laughed. “It’s okay. I can’t say I quite relate, but sounds like we both have a mask we wear in public.” She sighed. “Mine is being a good girl to keep my parents happy as I advance in my musical career.”
Sonata tilted her head. “Do you even like playing?” she asked, knowing, for all its trouble, she’d kill to have her singing voice back.
“Oh, I do!” Octavia exclaimed. “It’s just a funny story too. The reason I was walking outside and our paths crossed was because I have a class assignment I need to get done soon. However, I’m mentally blocked with it at the moment. Figured getting a little wet by not taking the bus would beat out how disappointed my parents would be if I got a bad grade.”
“Well,” Sonata smiled, “what have you come up with so far? Oh! Think you could play something for me?”
Octavia fidgeted. “Eh, well, it’s not very good, but,” she looked at Sonata's warm gaze. Filling her stomach with butterflies. “I suppose I could. Hold on.” She set her hot coffee down, and went for her cello case, only to hesitate, and picked her violin instead. “Hope you don’t mind.” She said sitting down on the couch. “It’s a piece meant more for the cello, but I find this to be the best way to work when I’m still in the drafting phase.”
“Not at all.” Sonata nodded, sitting down next to her. “By all means.”
Warm in the cheeks, Octavia took a breath, and started to play.
The assignment was to compose an original piece to represent one type of emotion. What Octavia had been stuck on was what type of emotion. At first, she had tried to go for something that felt happy. However, it didn’t quite flow well into its next phrase of being more sad. She’d considered for a while if maybe she should go with hopeful, but then it started to sound relaxed.
Sonata listened with intent. While she could tell it was all over the place. It was not bad. It was just a bit of an unorganized rough draft. Still, it was a soothing melody that had her smiling, and even humming along to the lyricless song.
Halfway through, Octavia paused when she realized Sonata had been humming along.
“Was that your singing voice?” Octavia questioned.
Sonata’s eyes widened as she recalled how terrible she and her sister had sounded when they lost their magic.
“Oh gosh, I’m sorry!” Sonata panicked. “I know it sounds horrible! I didn’t mean to-”
“No, no!” Octavia assures, placing her hand on Sonata’s shoulder. “I thought it was rather nice.”
Sonata blinked. “You do?”
“Of course.” Octavia nodded. “A little rough, but nothing that can’t be helped with some practice.”
“That’s,” Sonata rested a hand on Octavia’s leg, starting to water up again. “That’s the nicest thing anyone has said to me in a long time.”
Concerned, but all of the sudden stuck with creative momentum, Octavia took her hand off of Sonata and asked, “Could you maybe keep that hum going for me? As you were. Possibly more towards a soprano key if you can help it. But please! I think I’m onto something.”
As she started up, Sonata felt her stomach flutter. Missing the touch on her shoulder as her friend went back to her instrument. Still, she did as Octavia asked. Giving a few experimental hums. To which, Octavia would give a few suggestions on how to get more the pitch she wanted as she gave a few strokes of her violin. They soon found an ideal enough middle ground, and went from finding the right melody to actually composing something.
This was it! This had been just what Octavia was looking for. The only problem, she soon realized, was that, for a passing grade, she needed to put a name of emotion she wanted to go for. While it now seemed consistent, she wasn’t quite sure-
And that’s when she looked at Sonata's face and thought of how pretty the girl was. True, she had only known her for one day, but so far, it had been a magical day. A feeling the blue haired girl shared as they fished up their first draft, the two of them staring longingly at each other.
“Well,” Octavia breathed. “That was...
“Awesome.” Sonata beamed. “You think that will do? For your class project I mean.”
Octavia played with a piece of her hair. “Maybe, except, well, the emotion.”
Sonata leaned forward. “Yeah?”
Octavia gluped. “I think I might now know what to put on my paper. It being, er, well...”
“Yeah?” Sonata asked with concern, scooting ever closer as Octavia turned her head. Feeling a jolt as Sonata sat right next to her, taking Octavia’s free hand.
With a breath, Octavia set down her violin, and turned to face her new friend. The two of their faces inches apart.
She started to say love, which is what ended up being on the final draft. But, at that moment, it wasn’t quite love yet. Maybe a deep, newly formed friendship. Or perhaps even lust was a better word for it.
With a lack of a proper word for it, Octavia simply took to actions as she used her free hand to bring her’s and Sonata’s face closer into a kiss.
Their first kiss only lasted a few seconds as that pesky thing called reality kicked back in.
“I’m sorry!” She yelled, jumping back. Although, she was happy to see Sonata hadn’t let go of her hand, nor did she look revolted.
“No!” Sonata said with a blush and hand to her lip. “It's fine. I liked it. And even you, but... You sure? I mean, from how you described your parents, I don’t want to get you into trouble.”
Her concern only breathed more intensity into Octavia’s flame.
“Meh.” Octavia said, pulling Sonata in close, “I was planning to move out after graduation anyways.”
Grinning ear to ear, the two girls gazed into each other's eyes. Their second kiss happened much more slowly as they simply held each other for a long time, before coming together in a way neither of them knew they needed.
****
“So that’s it?!” Vinyl asked from across the booth from Sonata and Octavia. Sitting next to her girlfriend who had been sucking the rest of her pink milkshake dry.
“Well, I mean,” Octavia waved her hand. “Obviously, we didn’t just end up happily ever after that.”
“Oh yeah.” Sonata said with a roll of her eyes. “There was still the issue with her final grade on that project. Along with lots of emotional baggage we both had to deal with before we considered ourselves in love. Namely with our self confidence, her parents, when I told Adagio and Aria,” under her breath she quickly added, “and the whole when she found out I was a siren dazzling thing who tried to mind control her which was one hell of a doozy, but who cares now!?” She let out a cough. “Let’s not also forget the time she said her favorite pizza was pineapple while beef is the best! Oh I tell you, if anything nearly ended this relationship.”
Sonata let out a sheepish laugh looking towards her own girlfriend.
Octavia simply smiled back and held her hand. “Yes, and despite those major complexities, we have come out each time stronger than before.” She pecked Sonata on the cheek.
“Freaks.” Some random brat from school shouted at them.
Octavia and Sonata started to slump in their seats until the boy let out a scream as some ice cream got flung into his eye.
“Oops.” Vinyl said, lowering her spoon.
They had a laugh until the restaurant owner looked angrily their way.
“Well it was fun, but maybe we should let you two love birds be!” She grabbed Pinkie’s hand and took off. “Come on, Pie! Let’s go ice-skating! Oh,” she shouted at the pair before they exited, “next time you both owe me the story of when you first fucked!”
The entire restaurant stared. Pinkie Pie and Sonata giggled. Octavia slapped her forehead.
“I’ll never understand what I saw in that girl when I was crushing on her.” Octavia dead panned.
“Oh, I don’t know.” Sonata added, still smirking. “I mean, I could see you two being a thing if we didn’t ever meet.” She looked at her empty plate where a taco had been minutes before. “Funny, when you think about how things had to line up perfectly on that day for us to have met, so many ways things could be different.” She shivered. “The bad ways, but... Maybe also some good ways! You know I still stand by that I wasn’t, that, suicidal right?”
“I know.” Octavia let out a breath and pulled Sonata into a hug. “And maybe in some stories, we end up with different people, or without anybody, with a boy instead or,” she laughed. “Well if we’re being that ridiculously hypothetical, in some other alternate universe, either of us could've ended up with a male version of one of our mutual friends.”
Sonata snorted. “Oh please. You, Pinkie Pie, Aria, or even Twilight Sparkle, as a dude? Maybe they could even be mermaids! That would make for one hell of a story”
“My point,” Octavia continued, enjoying the feel of Sonata’s hair against her chin. “Is that I’m glad I ended up this way: Better than I was before and with you.”
Sonata leaned into rest on Octavia’s shoulders. “Me too, Octy. Me too.”
Author's Note
Something short that came to mind between projects when I saw the cover arts picture. A little something short I felt inspired to write so I’d at least have something to submit for the Pride and Positivity thing promoted by Monachromatic.
Also, before you ask; maybe. I admit I purposely ending with a lot of story that could still be told, but at the same time with what I hope is a satisfactory enough conclusion in case this is all I ever go with this AU. Still, nice to be one of the first to write for this pair! ❤️
That said, intrested in seeing your name/channel appear in one of my authors notes? Consider buying me a kofi. Just be sure to comment down below this is how you found it and such so it gets into my stories as well as videos
https://ko-fi.com/theoneaj
Thanks for reading
