Speak to My Attorney by BronyGuyChaptersAt The GalaRecoveryTabloids At The GalaThe crowd practically went wild after the final song was played. Octavia beamed at the sight of so many ponies enjoying her music. She slowly bows, relishing in the spotlight and the pride she feels. As she rises she catches a glimpse of the entry and the sign reading, sold out. Yes, another successful concert performed by the one and only. She’s pulled back to reality and quickly hurries off stage, where she meets Vinyl. They greet one another and hug, Vinyl telling her how much of a great job she did. “Way to go Octy!” Vinyl said as she patted Octavia on her back. Octy… that was what she always called her. From the very first time they met so many years ago, up until now. It felt like such a private word to her, like a word that only Vinyl was allowed to say. Octavia knew that it was a silly notion, but still it made her feel closer to Vinyl some how. Octavia gives Vinyl a smile, and watches as she walks on stage for her own performance. With nothing left to do, Octavia decides to check out the main lobby. As she walks by, she begins taking notice of all the couples tonight. She doesn’t know why, but there’s something about it that pulls at her. She’s never really tried to get a stallion of her own, it’s not that she doesn’t want one… well… they just don’t feel like “wasting” their time with a mute. She could read and write just fine, even mouth the words out. But something had happened when she was a filly and she lost the ability to use her vocal cords. It was a miracle she met Vinyl after being alone for so long. She forgets about the thought, and realizes she’s been single for most of her life, in fact. Octavia decides not to muse over the subject a longer, and looks at the calendar. She mentally curses as she finds that the Royal Canterlot Ball is only two nights away. It would explain the decor and the festive mood everypony’s in. She felt her brow begin to sweat. Hopefully this dance won’t end up like the Grand Galloping Gala. What a royal failure that ended up being. And that pink pony, what was the name? Pinkie Shy? No, no. Pinkie… Pinkie… Pie? Pie. Yeah Pinkie Pie! She felt a small shiver, oh no not Pinkie Pie. Nopony ever annoyed Octavia, but Pinkie Pie… oh she was something else. Obnoxious couldn’t even begin to describe her. Always in your face… loud… so very loud, it was something that Octavia did not like: Loud noises of any kind. Vinyl would always poke at her, ‘you don’t like loud noise, yet you play with an orchestra?’ Well that was completely different! Not only were they sounds and not noises, but also they weren’t very loud. Crescendo was the word Octavia liked to use. Well… if she could use words anyway. She walked passed the lobby and made her way to her room. It wasn’t anything special just a suite given to her by the C.E.O. of the hotel. It had a great view though, something Octavia really liked about the living space. When one walks out by the over hanging porch, they’d be struck by the magnificence of the lights that Canterlot has to offer. She sighs, enjoying the cool summer breeze as it flows through her mane. ‘Just a few more days.’ Octavia thought, ‘until the ‘party’ starts.’ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ “Alrighty then. Here’s your key to the apartment.” Said the scruffy looking stallion as he hoofed the silver key to Steel. He wore a great smile, ‘at longy-long last, Octavia! I can finally meet her!’ “Thank you, my good stallion! Hope you have a great day!” Steel said as he waved to the pony. He just shrugged and walked back to his office. Steel placed the key inside the bolt, and turned slowly opening the door to find a not-too-shabby suite. It had taken some time consulting Brace, but Steel convinced him to buy this suite. Now it officially belonged to Steel Thunder. He takes a big sniff of the air, and slightly gags, rushing to the nearest window and hastily opens it up. He lets out a sigh, “Jeez, they really need some air freshener.” He takes in the sight of his new suite the dark green couch at one end of the room, matching with the lime green carpet, matching with the regular green curtains. It was a green mess of green on green on green. Greenception? At any rate, Steel unpacked his three suitcases with quick succession, two of them being for his clothes, and essentials, while the third being his work suitcase. He set his work down and viewed his next client’s information. It seemed like just another hit-and-run case, involving a certain pony’s mailbox, and a reckless driver. Steel chuckled, ‘well this is going to be an easy case.’ Steel thought as he put down the paperwork. He looked outside, taking in the view. Lights all over Canterlot danced in front of him, as the sun had set a few hours ago. Being that there wasn’t much else to do, Steel happily decided it’d be fun to check out the city. He got his keys, put on a lavishing light blue on white vest, and merrily walked outside. He’d lived in Manehatten for over a decade, but nothing came close enough to these buildings. The sheer size of the buildings, complemented with the elaborate architecture, made him feel like a small ant in comparison. Steel walked along the sidewalk, eyeing the neat knick-knacks sold at incredibly expensive prices. The citizens seemed as if they all had a place to go, as they almost shoved passed others trying to get to their destination. He walked inside a clothing shop, and looked over the fine vests for sale. One especially caught his eye— a ravishing light-turquoise jacket with pure white trimming. It made him want to pick it up and buy right on the spot, had it not been for the price tag…. and the sticker labeling it as a ‘Mare’s Dress-Jacket.’ “Eeep!” Steel squeaked as he quickly surveyed the area to find he’d been in a mare’s clothing store. Thankfully nopony noticed him, making his quick escape undetected. He continued his walk, and found a massive wall of fliers from all over. There was a flier for Sweet Apple Acres showing an orange pony with a blonde mane smiling as the scene of a hard day’s work of apple bucking had paid off. He saw another flier displaying a grayish pony flying through the clouds with a sack of mail on her side. After a minute Steel finally distinguished the pony, and couldn’t help but give a broad smile, “Derpy…” Steel said as he picked up a copy of the flier. ‘Derpy would love to get her hooves on this!’ he thought excitedly. He held onto the flier and carried on with the wall, stopping ever now and then whenever a particular one caught his eye. He stopped short when the mare of his dreams was right in front of him. It took a second, but he managed to realize it was another flier advertising the upcoming “Royal Canterlot Ball” is due in just two days. It says tickets are sold at City Hall, while seats are open. Steel reads this without any emotion. At least not all at once. Not only does he have the opportunity to meet Octavia just by being in Canterlot, but also his chance is only two days away! He forgets everything he had planned to do, and begins trotting through the streets, careful not to bump into anypony. He was not going to miss this chance at happiness, and he was certainly not going to let it slip by because of a few ponies in his way. He stops on a corner and looks around for some kind of indication to a City Hall. If the whole city is purely palatial, Steel couldn’t begin to imagine what the City Hall would look like. He reads sign after sign as he passes by, and finally reads “Canterlot City Hall.” He smiles and runs up the steps to the main lobby, where he asks a ballpony where he can get a ticket. “Oh well if you’d like I can show you where.” The ballpony says. He ushers Steel to a large room filled with ponies. He walks up to the desk, “excuse me, but are you still selling the tickets to the Canterlot Ball?” Steel asks. “Yes, that will be fifty bits.” Says the stout pony. It didn’t seem too pricey; in fact it seemed like a good price for Steel. He mentally thanked Celestia and paid the necessary amount. When he walked out of the City Hall, he had a brightly shinning ticket encased it what looked like aluminum. Now all he had to do was wait for two measly days and he’d get the chance of a lifetime. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Tie? Check. Suit? It would be hard to forget, but Check. Ticket? He’d been carrying that for ages now, it hadn’t left his side since he purchased it, Check. He was ready! Steel opened up the door to his suite and walked outside, closing it quickly and quietly. He walked out of the hotel and followed the large crowd of ponies. He was positive that the huge line would lead to the Ball, after seeing how they’re all dressed. After some time Steel’s guess had been correct, and he watched in awe as the massive palace loomed over him. He got up to the ticket booth, and presented his ticket. With a quick swipe he was allowed inside. The orchestral music, accompanied by the elegant furnishings and carpet made him feel like a big shot. He looked at everything, taking in the sight of it all. The soft red carpeting showing shades of purple, red, and blue. The vases placed ever so carefully on top of short pillars eye level with him. And most importantly, the food! Rows and rows of snacks, from simple peach-spinach rolls doused in a glossy sweet liquid to little daisy sandwiches. He looked up at the stage where a group of musicians played on violins, trumpets you name it. He couldn’t wait to see that magical pony, Octavia, where he knew he’d ask her out the first chance he got. Octavia fumbled with her mane. After getting bed rest like that she was glad to see it wasn’t a complete mess, just a few nicks here and there that could be easily dealt with. She brushed her mane about five times later, and with satisfactory, put the brush down and put on her tie. She quickly tied it and took one last look in the mirror, and hurried out the door. She makes it to the stage and begins setting up her gear. There’s not much to set up— thankfully— as she played the Cello so it only took a few minutes. After she double checks to see if everything is in order, she decides to try her luck and mingle. She steps down from the stage and walks up to a lone stallion wearing a dark orange vest that shows off his eyes. He is talking to another stallion which seems to be going well enough as they’re both smiling. “Alright well I should get going, gotta find some tail to nail, em ah right George?” Says the other stallion as he pats George on the back. “Yeah I’m crossing my hooves to find one with a nice plot!” Says George brohoofing the other stallion The other pony departs leaving the stallion to himself. He smiles at her, and walks up to her where they meet half way. “Greetings, the pleasure is all mine.” He says bowing. “To what do I owe this honor?” Octavia blushed and bowed. As she got up she looked dumbfounded. Stupid stupid stupid! How could she have forgotten that she couldn’t speak? The feeling of socializing really took a toll on her, as Octavia has never forgotten about her speaking problem. Embarrassed she looks at the ground for something to do. The stallion notices this, “Pardon me, but what is your name?” That had done it. There was no way she could come out of that. She waited for him to say that awful word she dreaded so much. “Bah. I knew it, nothing but a lone mute.” He said the word with obvious disdain. He walked away, leaving her to herself. She shook him off, ‘well… it does him no good. In fact it’s a loss he didn’t… didn’t get to know me.’ Octavia thought. She fumbled on the word loss, as if she were just hiding the truth: She was nothing but a disgusting mute, only here because of her talent with the Cello. She tries again with many other ponies, mare or stallion, couple or single, but none giving her anything but sheer hatred of her. She gives up and sits down at a nearby table, studying the designs etched into the hardwood top. Steel could have swore he’d seen her somewhere. He looked around but wasn’t able to see any sign that Octavia had been anywhere. Then he saw her, sitting at a table, looking sadder than ever. If hurt Steel to see the love of his life this way, so he walked over to her. “Hello. My name is Steel Thunder.” Was all he could say. Startled, Octavia looked up and sunk down a little further. With a hung head she waved to him. Steel pulled up a chair and sat with her. “Are you alright?” Steel could easily see she wasn’t alright, but he just wanted to talk to her in case something happened and he lost his chance. Again another shake of her head. Steel brought her head up to meet his eyes with his hoof, and asked, “Why?” Octavia shuddered and gazed into his eyes, feeling something tug in the back of her chest. She pushed his hoof away, and shook her head again. “Oh.” Steel said, looking at the ground. She didn’t want him; it was that simple to see. “Well I’m sorry I wasted your time. I know I’m not much to look at, but uh… well sorry…” Steel said as he slowly got up from the chair. Octavia looked up and shook her head, also getting up to meet his eye level. “What?” He asked. She shook her head, and mouthed something. He couldn’t place what she was trying to convey. She mouthed again something… speak? Can’t? Can’t speak— She couldn’t speak?! “Wait you can’t speak?” Steel said taken aback. “You’re a mute?” Octavia looked at the table again. Steel brought her head up, “Why would you be so sad about that?” She mouthed, “I’ve tried talking to others. They all don’t like ponies like me.” Steel was shocked. How could anypony not like the one and only Octavia? “Well trust me, there’s nothing wrong with you. If anything, they’re the ones with problems! You’re sweet and a great mare to be around, don’t listen to them one bit.” He finished with a smile. Finally he was talking to her, so many years ago he’d vowed on his grandfather he’d at least say “Hi,’ and now here he was, trying his best to reassure her. Octavia smiled at what he’d said, feeling that weird tug again, wanting to stay and “talk” with him some more. But time had its ways, and soon the bell rung indicating time for her show to go on. Steel sensed this, “Oh uh, hey would you like to um… just kind’a…” Come on spit it out! “Meet me later for dinner?” Octavia smiled and nodded. Steel blushed a crazy bright red and a little too loudly said, “Thank you! How about meeting at the “Daisy Diner?” Octavia chuckled and agreed, walking up to the stage where she met her band mates. From the stage she eyed Steel walking back to their table, and suddenly knew what that feeling was. It was something close to love. When the lights came down, and the spotlights came up lighting up the stage, she had a new feeling of passion. To play for him, in his honor. It had been so long since she’d felt any kind of feeling like this, and it felt wonderful. Her band mates started her off, and she played like she’d never done in a long… long time…. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ The performance was spectacular! Steel couldn’t believe how she had played. Not only how she played, but also how she looked when she played. It was truly something else. The songs still danced in his mind as he waited for her at “Daisy Diner.” Steel didn’t have much to do, leaving him to his thoughts. He played over and over how the night had come to this, one minute looking at the décor, the next having Octavia over for dinner! Nothing could ever compare to the glory of this night. Minutes pass, and he looks over the restaurant taking in the sights, and smells. Hours pass, and he grows worried whether or not to get up and look for her. Finally after what felt like an eternity Steel gives up and walks back to his suite. The only thought that rang throughout his consciousness was “She stood me up. She doesn’t care. She stood me up.” Steel got back to his room, and ordered three bottles of hard cider. Steel had never drank before, but he was aware of what it would bring when indulged. Right now he needed something to help drown these emotions he was feeling. He thanked the waiter at the door, and placed the bottles near the bed. He stares at them, delaying the inevitable. With a tear streaking his eye, he grabs the first bottle and pops it open. He doesn’t bother with a cup, too much trouble getting one, and resorts to drinking it straight from the bottle. It burned like nothing he’d experienced before, but at the same time it felt warm. Like a blanket whenever it got cold, or a cozy fireplace in the winter. He brought the bottle down and took a deep breath. After a few seconds he downed the bottle, letting the sweet flavor of grapes and the pain of the burn engulf his being. He brought the bottle back up and threw it across the room. He looked at his suitcase filled with paperwork and also chucked it at a wall. ‘Everything I’ve been through,’ Steel thought with clenched teeth as he remembered going up against Ballpoint. ‘Everything I had to put up with,’ He remembered Wing Seed and how she almost ruined their family so long ago. He brought the bottom of the bottle upward and gulped down the Cider. ‘How the only thing that kept me going was the dream of seeing Octavia’s sweet face, and now she doesn’t even want to see my own.’ He couldn’t take it anymore, with blinding speed he grabbed a hold of a chunk of glass and dug a gash into his hoof, letting the sanguine blood run down his foreleg. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Octavia hurries through the door, ‘stupid paparazzi,’ she thinks as she dashes though the large hallways of the palace. She sees a nearby wall clock and curses, ‘AND I’m late… really late… ‘ She pushes the thoughts aside, ‘no matter I need to get there… besides: Better late then never?’ At last she arrives at the diner, she checks over each and every chair, every booth, every bench she can see. With a shudder of distress she gets a pen and paper, and writes down a question. Octavia rushes to the lobby of her suite and shows the bellpony the sheet of paper: I’m looking for a pony by the name of Steel Thunder. The bellpony nodded and said, “Well just go up to the forth floor and he’s in room 307. Octavia smiled and bowed for him, and hurried up to the elevator. No good— it was out of order. She quickly takes the stairs up to floor two…. floor three… and finally the forth floor. She takes the last step and trots passed each door, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, and 307. She stops to catch her breath and knocks on the door. The can smell a strong lingering scent of alcohol. It hadn’t come to mind until now, but it was a miracle that Steel lived right bellow her own suite. Steel shot up from his position. He heard a knock, that’s all that he could register. He sluggishly got up, and walked to the door, trying his best to keep his balance. He put the bottle down and slowly opened the door. There she was, standing perfectly still as though time and space has cease to move forward. She looked up at him and mouthed, “Hello.” Recovery“What have you done to yourself,” Octavia questioned in disbelief, mouthing each word precisely. She looked over Steel, her eyes going wide when she saw the gash in his left hoof. She looked behind him and saw the utter chaos that used to be his suite. He had begun coming out of it, and started noticing what he’d done. The blood had already set, and the beginnings of a scab formed. He looked back and examined his suite, which was now a complete disaster. Glass and wine littered the walls and floor; his briefcase lay askew on his bed papers every which way. He blushed the deepest he’d ever been and look into Octavia’s eyes. He expected her to be furious, who wouldn’t be? He had just demolished an expensive suit out of overworked and overreacting spite! But instead of anger, fear, or remorse, Octavia only looked at him with concern. She stepped inside the room, Steel was still stunned by the fact she hadn’t fled and called the authorities on him. She walked into the kitchen and found a broom and dustpan. Without mouthing a word she begins sweeping up chunks of broken glass and other debris. Steel also helps her out, using his common household spells to pick up various rubble. After taking care of the carpet, they began working on the bed area, tossing discarded bottles in the trash bin. Steel gathered up the paperwork and organized them, placing them neatly in the work suitcase. He checks over at Octavia to find that she’d completely swept the place of any filth. Steel could swear that he saw his own reflection in the carpet. Once the room was cleaned out of any trash, and any remaining signs of Steel’s episode. They sat on the foldout couch and looked over the living space. It looked fine— in fact it was hard to tell there was any kind of mess at all. Octavia looked at Steel and mouthed, “What happened?” With embarrassment marking his face with blush, he opens up to her. “Well… I don’t know what came over me. When I was waiting for you… you never showed up. You don’t realize how bad that tore me up, I thought… I thought you didn’t want to see me— that you stood me up! It took a toll on me, and I guess I just let my emotions run rapid. The thought of losing you… it had a pretty bad affect on me. ” He turned to see her face, still carrying a look of concern. She still doesn’t mouth anything to him; she just takes one look at his gash and gets up moving toward the kitchen. When she arrives a few minutes later, she’s carrying peroxide and a gauze. She ushers Steel to the bathroom, where she carefully pours small doses of peroxide into the wound. When she’s completed that she gently wraps the gauze around his hoof. He lets out a quick groan as the pain begins creeping its way into his hoof. “You need to get some rest now, there’s no telling what you did to yourself by… by cutting your hoof like that.” Octavia says gulping as she looks at the now bandaged hoof. Steel thanks her for her help, but she’s already out the door. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Octavia opens her front door, muses over the events that took place in Steel’s suite. ‘Why would he do that to himself? I mean… I know it would be upsetting to be stood up like that… I know I’ve had my fair share.’ Octavia thinks as she walks inside. ‘But cutting one’s hoof like that? It seems a bit drastic to be honest.’ Octavia sat down on her couch, ‘Does he really feel that way about me? About losing me?’ she asks herself. ‘And… why do am I becoming smitten with him so quickly? No stallion has ever had this affect on me before…’ She looks around and finds a piece of paper and a pencil. She grabs a hold of the two and begins jotting down music notes— not really taking any interest in them, just sort of naturally doing so. ‘In fact it wasn’t until a few mere hours ago that I was trying to socialize— without the slightest thought of finding a male of my own!’ The sound of her pencil tip snapping brings her back from her deep thoughts. ‘I suppose I may be rushing things in this ‘relationship.’ What was the word Vinyl Scratch liked to call it?’ She placed a hoof to her chin and looked at the ceiling to aid in her attempt at remembering the quote. ‘Desperado? No that couldn’t be it. Disdain? Not even Vinyl knew words like that. Desperate? Yes, that sounded a bit more accurate.’ Desperate? Octavia? That she couldn’t wrap her mind around. How could she be desperate when she hadn’t really been looking for a stallion in the first place? Then she saw through her thoughts and understood how desperate she really was. ‘All those times trying to socialize, how I always chose to attempt socialization with stallions before I did with mares. Those times simply telling myself I’m not interested in a mate of my own.’ She didn’t know how to feel about that maybe it was bad, but something told her that there was nothing wrong with that. ‘Well even if I am a little desperate… at least I found Steel, right?’ Octavia didn’t bother to think over it anymore, as he fatigue crept up causing her to yawn. She head of to bed, her thoughts still ravaging through her mind. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Steel wakes up to the cinnamon-like smell of hot grass-cakes. Not to mention the splitting headache occurring, causing him to place a hoof to his head. He opens one eye just barely, as the light flooded into his field of view, understanding that the curtains weren’t closed causing the daylight to flood within the confines of the living room. After a few moments for his right eye to adjust to the light, he slowly opens the next one, feeling the same sensation as though he were looking at the sun itself. He peers around the room, taking notice of little details first, a filled coffee cup on a small plate, the small container next to it— probably filled with cream or something. He tilts his head to the right just a bit, looking through the doorway to find a familiar black mane and tail just in his view. His eyes go a bit wide as he registers that Octavia is in the kitchen making breakfast. Breakfast! He tries getting up by first taking a hold of the coffee table next to him and pushing upward. He almost has his first hoof on the carpet when he loses hold and falls off the bed, knocking his head against the table. Octavia’s ears perk up at the sound of crashing and banging, and she quickly turns to find Steel in a mess of blankets and coffee cream. She looks at him mouth agape, and hurries to his side. When he’s helped up and back on his bed, she asks if he’s all right. Steel coughs, “Yeah I’m fine.” I rubbed his head feeling for a bruise thankfully finding not much damage, “What I really want to know is: Why are you here?” He had guessed the question not too long ago; she was probably just making breakfast for him, and soon after going to leave him to his own devices. “Well I couldn’t help but do a neighborly deed,” she mouthed, “especially after what happened last night.” Steel shot into an upright position, “what happened last night?” he asks. Octavia told him what she knew, and what she saw. Steel couldn’t believe what he was hearing, ‘me? Do that?’ he thought as she mouthed. When she was finished there was a long awkward silence that filled the air. “I’m… I’m sorry I put you through that. “Well… it’s not much of a trouble.” Octavia mouthed. She paused looking for something else to say. Then she remembered her question; “By the way… what caused you to do such a thing to yourself?” she asked, worriedly. Steel looked at the ground a little embarrassed from her asking about it, especially since she was his deepest love after all. But he knew he had to say it. He didn’t know how to start— where to start, so he just spilled out everything. From Ballpoint’s terrifying attack of Twilight, to his crushing case he lost to long ago, to his past problems with Wing Seed. When he finished tears streaked his eyes as he recalled his interactions with Wing Seed and everything she’d done to him and their family. “And in the end…” Steel says, his voice cracking a bit, “The only thing that I got hope from— the only thing that kept me going— the only thing that brought me joy when I needed it most…” He looked in her eyes, “was the dream of seeing your face.” There’s a long pause before he finally says, “I’m sorry fo—“ Octavia didn’t hear him at the moment, she was too moved by what he’d said to her, the only that matter right here and now… … Was the feeling of her muzzle connecting with his. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ A few days have passed since… since they’re kiss. Wow, was all Steel could think for the whole next day. He lay in his bed simply staring at her, his blush still marking his face a deep crimson. She’d check up on him, helping around the suite, make him lunch and dinner and whatnot, and chuckle whenever she saw the look on his face. Octavia tells him to remove it for its daily cleaning. Steel would check on his bandage to see how well it’d healed, slowly taking off the gauze surrounding the gash. When the entire cloth was off his eyes practically shot out of his skull when he saw the entire gash had healed— leaving behind a scar barely noticeable. At first he doesn’t know what to make of it, but then a small fragment of what Twilight told him comes to mind. She said something about a theory that his spell he used to try and help Twilight really did help, it… it… something about increasing the recovery rate? Steel couldn’t wrap his head around it in time, as the sound of the peroxide bottle smashing against the ground pulled him out of his thoughts. Octavia’s own eyes grow twice their size as she gawks at the scar. “What… did it… is it…?” she mouthed. “Yeah it looks like it’s fully healed.” Steel says staring at the scar with curiosity. “But it’s only been a few days how can this already be healed?” Steel looks up at her, and tells her his memory of what Twilight said— and how he thinks that spell may be still inside him. She puts his hoof in hers, causing his blush to redden even more. She gently pokes the scar, rubbing it to make sure that it’s not just her imagination; it’s definitely real. Steel gets off the couch, flexing his muscles and stretching. Octavia tried to stop him, worried that he may not have fully recovered but, to her surprise, he felt better than ever. Octavia still gazes at him with worried eyes until Steel explains to her what Twilight had said only a few months ago. She still holds her gaze at him, however. Steel puts a hoof to her shoulder, “Don’t worry I’m fine! Look!” He jumped and landed on all fours, “See? If I can jump then I’m pretty much set.” He gave her his trademark smile, and soon it even made her smile with him. “Now I’ve been thinking,” Octavia mouthed, “Since I had trouble arriving to our original date, why not try again tonight?” She winced, “I mean uh, if you think you’re up to it?” Steel kept his gentle stare on Octavia and nodded. With a surprised smile she mouthed, “Great shall we meet at my suite and decide on where to go from there?” “That sounds lovely,” Steel said. He walked her to her suite— which was about one floor up— and waved goodbye as she closed the door behind him. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Octavia turns to see her own suite looking a tad bit dusty in some places. She casually walks to her kitchen easily finds the broom and dustpan. She sweeps up the kitchen floor, taking time to go over every inch with careful pace. When the floor was spotless she went to the living space and began putting dishes away, fluffing pillows and overall straightening it up. Although she does this with easy timing, and efficiency she can’t help but think about how she practically threw herself at Steel. ‘How could I do that? What in the world made me suddenly act in that matter?’ She studies the carpet etchings, letting her thoughts run amok in her mind. She kissed Steel, had that even truly happened? It must have been… there’s a strange lingering taste in her mouth… and… well she liked it. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Steel looked outside his porch, eying the view bellow. The wondrous sun as it shone in day, sweet scent of a nearby bakery, it made him feel like jumping up and taking yet another stroll in the Canterlot streets. And he did just that. With the surprisingly cool day, Steel was glad he didn’t need to wear anything heavy or warm while out. Steel loved parks— always had, even when he was a colt! — Making his walk through the main Canterlot Garden Maze instantaneous bliss for him. He walks around a small hedge, taking a big whiff of the roses and carnations before him, smiling. Steel takes an easy turn left and finds himself in the midst of the maze, where the eight-foot high walls decorated with flowers of all kinds danced in the breeze. The middle was a circle, with a large fountain sculpture of Princess Celestia, while the water rushed down from her wings like delicate drops of happiness. He knew what he was thinking was just absolutely crazy-minded, but still. Something about gardens gave Steel such a warm feeling— such a… well a happy feeling. Aside from Octavia, Gardens were his other treasure. He takes a seat at a bench with intricate markings he never knew possible! As he looks around, he notices a pure white mare walk by, and take a seat next to him. At first he didn’t pay much attention but suddenly his eyebrows rose, and he faltered. He was sitting next to the one and only Vinyl-Scratch! He’d heard of her before— many rumors spread that she and Octavia were dating, or something like that— but never thought she of all ponies would be interested in Garde— “Hey, I know you!” Vinyl says poking at Steel. Steel gave his weak attempt at a poker face, “Heh, well a lot of ponies know me!” “No no, you seem familiar. Weren’t you the one that helped bail my cousin out of that case?” She says, her eyes glowing. “You… you’re related to him—“ “Yeah! Sweet you are Steel Thunder!” She says clapping her hooves together. “Wow, I never would have thought I helped Vinyl Scratch! That’s… whoa.” Steel shook his head, unable to comprehend what was happening. “Hey would you mind if we went and got something to eat? I’m starvin.'” Vinyl says getting up and stretching. “Why, sure I guess. Won’t hurt not to.” His stomach growled just then, right on cue. They walked out of the Garden, relishing in its beauty. Before long, they had gotten themselves an outside table, awaiting their meals to arrive. To break the ice, Steel talks about a funny family story, involving an apple tree, two dim-witted brothers, and a single bit. “And so…” Steel says pausing as he snickers a bit, “We ended up having to clean the cattle stables for a week!” A explodes with laughter, while Vinyl joined in her eyes tearing from the tall tale. She wipes a tear from the corner of her eye, and moves aside the napkins as their food has arrived. They gorge upon their succulent meals, savoring the glorious flavor of the sweet honeydew melon sandwiches. When they had finished, Vinyl offered to pay the bill. “Well thanks it means a lot!” Steel says picking up a napkin to use. “Hey hey hey, no problem you’re going to need it to the date tonight!” She wriggled her brow. Steel inhaled his napkin, causing himself to choke it back out, “How did—?!” “Trust me, Octy tells me everything! Why wouldn’t she? We’ve known each other for years, baby!” She got up and started her way back to wherever she needed to be. “Have fun you two.” /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Tie? Check. Vest? Double Check. Bits? Steel counted three hundred in all…. soooo… check. Keys? Check. He was ready for the splendid night they were going to have soon enough! He had already taken his shower— careful to get in his… let’s just say dark parts of his body so as not to attract smells— and had applied his cologne! He excitedly waits on his couch for the desired knock to emit from the front door. A slight knocking disturbed the quiet room, and Steel couldn’t help but give a broad smile. He walks up and opens the door, feeling his jaw slightly drop at the sight of her. Octavia. What a lovely creature to behold. Her red-velvet dress, complemented by her lavish deep rose-red lipstick with a hot crimson bowtie, made her look like the goddess of love. She giggles a bit (or would if she could) and gently taps his shoulder, bringing him back to consciousness. Steel shakes his head a bit, and gives his apologies for doing so. “May I say,” Steel says eying Octavia, “You look absolutely magnificent tonight!” Octavia blushes, and mouths “Well why don’t we got back to the Daisy Diner? After all, we never truly ate there in the first place.” With a warm smile, Steel agrees and they make their way to the way to said diner. Once there Steel picks out a booth for them, one with a magical view of the city lights in the night. The waitress comes by, asking them what they want for drink. Steel asks for a virgin-pìna Colada, while Octavia mouths just water. “Oh lost your voice from singing so often?” The mare asks with a smile. Steel and Octavia look at one another, and shrug. Octavia nods yes as if that were the case. She gives a small giggle and lets them know their menus will be with them in a moment. The mare came back holding two two-paged menus, thin as a sheet of paper. She departs, leaving the two to themselves. “Order whatever you want, dear, I’m paying every last cent.” Steel said with somewhat hazy eyes. “Why thank you it means a lot.” She said looking back at him. Had he just called me his dear? She felt herself blush a tad bit. Why am I blushing? If anything this seems a bit rushed! Octavia thought in her mind, though she must’ve been blocking it out— as she didn’t pay much attention to it. They gave the waitress their orders and waited for their meals to come. When they did, they looked into each other’s eyes and ate silently. There was nothing that needed to be said or done, as they both felt content on the view. Not of the city, but of something else. Of his eyes… Of her eyes… They walked home after the dinner; both smiling as the night air playfully swished and swirled around them. Steel opened the door for Octavia, and followed her up to her suite. It was amazing to think that Octavia… the one and only Octavia had decided to date a stallion like Steel. He held her hoof as she entered the doorway, and slowly released his grip on her own, letting it slip. All at the same time still staring into her eyes— thought beautiful purple eyes. Steel walked down to his suite, and finally— finally made it to his bed where he quickly lay down and fell asleep right on the spot. The final thought that came to his mind was a vision of Octavia and him, sharing a heart shaped bed as the candlelight flickered and dimmed around them. Tabloids Tabloids So Octy finally got herself a stallion of her own. All Vinyl had to say about that were three simple words, about damn time. She'd always seen Octavia sitting in corners, or out on porches during parties, never even trying to socialize with anypony other than herself and Vinyl. It always poked at her to see Octavia in such a... lonely disposition. Don't get her wrong, she tried. Oh how hard she tried to get her to come out of her shell, all to no avail. It's why seeing Octavia with Steel, a cute smile plastered on her muzzle, eyes twinkling, made her feel like she did alright as a friend. No, not as a friend. As a sister. Vinyl sighed in content as she walked on through the night, taking in the sights of the wonderful city as it slowly went back to slumber. The shops had closed down for the night, certain streetlamps put out, and fewer ponies walking the streets as slowly they all reach their destinations and got to bed. But Vinyl wasn't going to bed, tonight. Not tonight, because though she knew there would be problems with sleeping come that time, she wasn't going to miss tonight. As the warm breeze whished through Vinyl's spiky mane, she catches a whiff of the Garden flowers and the memory of meeting Steel for the first time comes to mind. He seems like a good stallion for her, and obviously she seems to like him a lot. Vinyl lets out a giggle. Yeah, she definitely likes him a lot. Even before Octavia told her about how she feels for him, it was clear enough. The way she always had on a smile while she was with him, or how she practically glowed, did little to nothing in hiding her attempts. Vinyl slows down a bit, but does Steel know? Vinyl quickens her pace back to its original speed. No, I mean... wait... yeah, yeah he could! It would explain why he's always so lovey-dove around her. Vinyl's eyes caught the first glimpse of the dance's strobe lights. She instantly perked up, and began jogging towards the building. Yes, she was going to DJ yet another dance-floor. Only this time, she wasn't going to be alone. Although she did like to DJ separately, being that most of the time the agents picked the most obnoxious ponies, apparently this DJ was suppose to be really good at what he does. Not only that, but she heard through the vine that he's a charmer, and overall a great stallion to be around! As she approaches the doorway, she catches the eye of an old friend. Though he is a large, burly kind of stallion, he's a good friend when she got to know him better. “Hey, there, Rough Boulder!” Vinyl called at a distance. The stallion glared at her with obvious distaste. “Hey, what's got your vest in a knot? I was just saying Hi—” She bumps into his outstretched hoof. “Hey what's that for?” She yells, while rubbing her temple. Casually, as if nothing was wrong with any of what was happening, Rough Boulder pulled out a magazine and threw it to the ground for her to pick up. Something about her and Octavia was in the headline. He still glared something of hatred at her, and waited for Vinyl to read it. He couldn't believe she would do something so... Vinyl levitated it up for her to read, huffing a bit from the random display of rudeness. As her eyes hovered over each word, she grew more and more worried by what she was reading. When she finally finished she wasn't able to fully process everything at once. All she could say to Rough was, in a harsh yet destroyed whisper, “Why...?” The Stallion didn't bother to answer, only dropping his gaze from the pure white mare. With tears in her eyes, she spat out in anger. “Tell me. Now. TELL ME WHY!!” She yelled in his face. The stallion didn't even blink. Vinyl stared him down for a good two minutes, blinking only ever so slightly. She finally collapsed. Heaving and sobbing like there was no tomorrow. Through moans and sobs she looks up and asks him, “How did they know... how... how could they have known?!” Vinyl hadn't told anypony about what had happened that fateful night, giving no logical reason for someone to find out the ugly truth. “So I can't go in?” Vinyl asks delaying the inevitable. The stallion shakes his head. “Can... can I ever?” More shaking. She slowly gets up from her spot on the soft carpet, and takes one last look at the stallion she'd known for years, one last look at a lifetime friend, and walks off. Simple as that. As she continues her walk, she stops and thinks, Hey I bet the ponies there are worried sick about me, maybe I can see if they really are, just to get some feeling of dignity back... She walks back, careful to avoid Boulder, and finds an open window. She looks around the alley for some kind of step, and finds a small cardboard box. As she gets her eyes over the concrete she's take aback at what's before her. The other DJ stallion has done much more than DJ the place. He's using the same songs Vinyl used on her first DJ night. He's using the same techniques she uses. He's even... wearing her signature goggles. That did it, she stumbled off of the box, tears in her eyes and begins walking home, shattered. So they decided to replace her. Not even tell her she's out of a job, just... BAM! You're no longer working. And who the hell could have gotten that information?! Nopony, nopony, was ever told about what happened to her so many years ago. Vinyl takes a seat at a nearby bench, and lets her sorrow cascade down her face, hitting the floor with the slightest thud. After an hour or so of crying, she thought of something.... something she didn't like. She remembered how every night— almost ritualistically— she and Octavia would always shared what they did that day, some days would be the same, playing for a concert or whatever, yet other times Vinyl would ask for a heart-to-heart, where they'd talk about serious topics. The thought that maybe she slipped the information to Octavia was simply frightening to her. But if she did happen to tell Octavia... … Then Octavia must have been the pony who told them. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Steel Thunder laughed and walked on as he and Octavia easily kept up with the young filly known as Sugar Song. Something seemed off about this filly, however. The simple wavy black mane, with a soft blue coat hinted too much to something. At a second glance, it became clear. Octavia's velvet-like mane, Steel's soft blue coat... It was their foal. Their own daughter. As it dawned to Octavia, she felt her cheeks grow hot. She looks at Steel, a bit questioningly, but he just returns the look with a carefree smile. Soon, she wavers and smiles along side him. Yet, still something didn't feel right about any of this. It was too happy... too serene... too perfect. Suddenly, the world around them cracked, and began shattering, as the sky grew darker and darker. Large tremors forms in the ground, and the earth began to shake. She looks to her left expecting to see Steel running for her, but only finds more landscape. She searches for Sugar Song, but doesn't find her anywhere. The ground shook even more, almost in rhythm. Shake, shake shake! Almost as if... Octavia shot up from her slumber, she waited in the silence, and a harsh pounding on the door confirmed what she had suspected. She shot up from the bed, and quickly hurried towards the door. As she opened it, she was greeted by a shaking white mare. It took Octavia by surprise, she wasn't expecting Vinyl to be out so late, not only that, but she wasn't expecting Vinyl to look like the way she does now. “Vinyl, are you alright?” Octavia mouthed, placing a hoof on Vinyl's shoulder. Obviously that was a stupid question to ask, but she needed to know from Vinyl what had happened to her. The tear marks on her face gave Octavia an even more worried feeling as she lead Vinyl to the living space couch. “Vinyl, what happened?” Octavia mouthed, peering into Vinyl eyes, which only displayed betrayal and anger. “You....” Vinyl said glaring at her best friend. “I... I...” She stopped and broke the stare, as more tears fell from her eyes. Octavia tapped her shoulder, “What is it? What, what, what?” She started feeling more and more anxious for whatever Vinyl was going to say. Something was amiss, and she felt like she was about to tell her. Vinyl broke the gaze once more, and only pulled out the magazine to show Octavia. As she read through the headline, Vinyl could see the color from her face drain immediately. She flipped to page 20, where Octavia saw the story of herself. If there was a shade whiter than pale, Octavia was it. She saw that her own hooves had begun shaking, and after she finished the article, the only thing Octavia could do was stare into space. “So now that you have read that...” Vinyl said as she slowly got up from the couch. “Why?” Octavia looked up, questioningly. “Why did you tell them? Hm? Why would you waste your time blabbing about this to everypony?” “Vinyl scratch I don't understand what you mea—“ “Don't give me that!” Vinyl yelled at her. “ I want to know, why you did this!” Tears were freely flowing at this point down Vinyl's cheeks, making her eyes bloodshot, and her vision blurry. “Vinyl Scratch, I'm honestly telling you that I do not know how this was published!” Octavia mouthed rising in tension. “I don't know how they got that about me, either! You think I wanted Canterlot to know about...” she paused, staring at the magazine, “about that?” Tears began making their way through Octavia's lashes, she was not expecting this to go public, nor was she expecting Vinyl to react in such a way. She blinks back the tears, just as Vinyl grabs a hold of a small desk and throws it to the floor. “THEN WHO COULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THAT, OCTY?!” Vinyl screamed, shaking. “ANSWER ME!” Suddenly she fell apart, falling to the floor in a mat of tears and anguish. Octavia rushed to her side, placing a hoof to her shoulder again, but Vinyl quickly threw it off, “DON'T TOUCH ME!” she screamed in her face. By now her own tears began perking through her lashes, streaming down her face. “But I just want to help, Vinyl Scratch!” Octavia mouthed making eye contact with her. “I just want to help.” “Help... Help? YOU WANT TO HELP ME?! I LOVE YOU LIKE A FUCKING SISTER!!” Vinyl screamed in Octavia's face. “HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY WANT TO HELP ME AFTER YOU DID THIS!?!” She pointed with disgust at the magazine. “But Vinyl Scratch, I swear to you I didn't know about that! I didn't even know you felt this way about me!” “Enough! I'm sick and tired of your lies!” Vinyl swiped at her and rushed out of the room, crying her eyes out. “But Vinyl!” Octavia tried to call to her, but it was useless. Damn this insufferable curse! Why did I have to be the one with the muted voice?! All Octavia could do was watch as Vinyl fled from the scene. Heart stricken, she walks back to her couch where she simply falls onto, staring into space. She's gone. No 'I'm sorry.' No 'I wish I could let you help.' Nothing. Just accusations and fleeing. Octavia wasn't sure, but she vaguely felt something in her chest snap, leaving behind nothing but the feeling of emptiness. She stares at the walls before her, taking in the arrays of blue stripes with blueish-green markings. She hears a knock on the already-opened door and turns to see Steel waiting. “Hey, I came as soon as I could.” He says. She just slowly blinks at him. He approaches her, and sits down next to her. “How much did you hear?” Octavia mouths, staring into space. “Enough.” He says looking her in the eye. “So what's this 'magazine' all about?” Octavia nods her head towards the general direction of where the magazine lies. Still on the table, looking as flamboyantly perky as ever. He picks up the magazine, and flips through the pages, finally catching a picture of Octavia in one of the head articles. As he reads, he takes quick glances at Octavia from time to time, each one making her flinch a little more. He sets the magazine down, and looks at her with a poker face. “I don't buy it.” She looks at him. “I don't believe that's the Octavia I know and...” he pauses, blushing, “... and love.” He scoots closer to her, and places a hoof on her shoulder, instantly reminding her of how she reacted to Vinyl. “And I don't think you need to worry about it. Even if you did do that, I think at this point in time, you're much different than what they're portraying you as in that paper.” He puts a hoof to her chin, forcing her to make eye contact. “Please, mouth it to me.” He says with a soft tone, not at all like Vinyl's banshee-like voice. Though tears begin to weld up once more, she holds her gaze with his. “Say it to me, I want you to say it to me.” Steel says. “That's...” she stops herself, as a round of sobbing sets in. “Come on,” Steel says bringing her face back up to his, “Say it.” “That's... that's not who I am.” She mouths, as she begins to cry. Steel smiles, and pulls her in for a hug. She doesn't argue. Carefully, Steel stands up and checks the time. Midnight on the dot. He leads Octavia, still crying, towards her bedroom where he makes it back up, and tucks her into bed. As he makes his way out of the room, Octavia catches his hoof. “Don't leave me. Please, please don't leave me.” Steel looks at her, and nods. He pulls up a chair and sits by her, waiting for her slumber to pull her from the waking world. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ “Now, if you look here, you'll find this evidence seems to support them more so than us.” Steel says as he displays pieces of mailbox to his client. “Therefore, we have to find a way to make it work for us.” He sets it down, “Can you think of any way to do that?” “Dude, you're the one with the suitcase and tie, shouldn't you be the one thinking?” Says the stallion as he crosses his forelegs in front of his chest. Steel chuckles slightly, “Well yes I suppose,” he sets the evidence down on the table, “…however unlike most lawyers I don’t just give you an answer. I’m not saying you have to work for it, but I am saying you show put a little of your own knowledge to the test. You know so I’m not the only one getting experience from all of this.” The stallion pondered this, looking at the tabletop and met Steel’s eyes with a bit of embarrassment, “Oh…. yeah I guess you have a point there.” He rubbed the back of his neck, “Sorry I guess.” “Bah, no worries,” Steel slid the evidence back to him, smiling, “So. What do you think we could say to make this work for us?” The client tapped his hoof to his chin, thinking intently of what just to say… A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Steel got up and opened the door revealing a light-ish brown mare. She smiles and hoofs him a small simple envelope. “Thanks!” Steel says as he opens it. Big mistake. Dear Steel Thunder. I’m sorry to inform you that… that I can no longer work here in Canterlot… Steel drops the envelope, hearing nothing but the slight swish as it gently lands on the floor. He shaking, and staring into space blocking out everything. He feels a tap on his shoulder, remembering that same feeling when he and Octavia went out only… what… a few days ago? He shakes his head, and is brought back to the world, “Hey pony, are you all right?” says the stallion. He looks worried, anxious, how long had Steel been like this? He checks the clock. 11:30 He’d been in that state for ten minutes?! Wait… eleven-thirty…. that’s… that’s when Octavia was leaving! He has to get to her before it’s too late! Without thinking of anything but the distance between him and his love, he dashes out the door in blinding speed, sprinting through the crowded streets of Canterlot. As he shoves passed pony after pony, he find a lying taxi cart, waiting for its next customer. He slows down a bit, panting between phrases, “Hey… Do you think… I can get a… a lift?” Steel says paying the stallion up front. The stallion takes the bits, and ushers Steel into the cart, and sits down just as the pony begins the journey. Steel climbs up in the front seats and tells him, “Please I need to go to the Canterlot Suites! Fast!” The pony nods and gallops to a fast pace. The streets blur by, and in only a few minutes he’s thanking the stallion for the ride, and rushing through more traffic to the main gates of the hotel. At last, Steel takes his first steps leading to the front lobby. As he looks back he just barely spots the black mane of Octavia as she awaits a cab. He walks up to her, “Octavia! Oh that Celestia I found you!” He gives her a hug, and pulls back. “Ah hello Steel.” Octavia said with glossy eyes. She sniffled, “How… how are you this fine day?” “Fine? Fine?! Octavia, I read that letter you sent me, what do you mean you can’t work in Canterlot anymore? I mean… what’s stopping you?” She looked down, “remember the letter?” she mouthed. Steel barely saw the outline of a tear setting in. “Well as it turns out. It spread quickly through the streets, and now nopony will let me work for them. I’ve already been kicked out from my suite, and I lost my….” Octavia lost her moral, sobbing as she leaned into Steel. He accepted the hug with a surprised look on his face, but slowly— almost timidly for what she might do next— returned the hug and comforted her. “Shhh, I know this must seem pretty bad right now.” He looked into her eyes, “I saw that you were leaving. Do you have any place to go?” Octavia stifled another sob, and pulled back from her embrace, “Oh it’ll be fine I’ll just have to—“ “If it’s not any trouble,” Steel said cutting her off, “I may be able to accommodate you with you know.” Living with Steel? Surely he’s kidding, Octavia thought as she peered into his eyes, searching for an answer, Living with Steel… I will not lie I do like the sound to that. She closes her eyes for a second. Just ‘play it cool’ as they say, “Sure I’d love to go. Besides, it’s better then here.” She gestures towards the bustling streets of Canterlot. Steel smiles, “Then it’s settled then.” Holy Celestia, she said yes! Soon they found the train nearly departing as it clunked to life for another trip through Appaloosa. Octavia and Steel found a few seats, and settled down for the long trip ahead of them. She made a quick glance towards Steel, thinking of how wonderful it’s going to be living with him. The faint lick of her dream that night Vinyl left her crawled it’s way back into her mind, and she pictured herself with Steel as they played with their foal. As the train jutted a few times, then making an even acceleration, Octavia took one last look of the tall regal Canterlot buildings. Although she is somewhat happy for her new adventure with him… she can’t help be remember all those times she’d spent with Vinyl, and how she’ll never get those moments again… Author’s Notes: Oh my Celestia, it’s been a while since I’ve uploaded anything! I’m a little culture shocked at the moment, as I haven’t been on FimFiction.net in a while either, so I’m still getting used to these group things and what-not. But that is besides the point— I just wanted to let you guys know that I got the outlines for Chapter four, five, and six already written, so I’ll be updating much quicker then my usual speed. Oh and by the way, Sorry if this wasn't what you were expecting, it's been a while since I've written anything at all, so I have to get back into it. Thanks for reading this, and thanks for tracking! ~BronyGuy
At The GalaThe crowd practically went wild after the final song was played. Octavia beamed at the sight of so many ponies enjoying her music. She slowly bows, relishing in the spotlight and the pride she feels. As she rises she catches a glimpse of the entry and the sign reading, sold out. Yes, another successful concert performed by the one and only. She’s pulled back to reality and quickly hurries off stage, where she meets Vinyl. They greet one another and hug, Vinyl telling her how much of a great job she did. “Way to go Octy!” Vinyl said as she patted Octavia on her back. Octy… that was what she always called her. From the very first time they met so many years ago, up until now. It felt like such a private word to her, like a word that only Vinyl was allowed to say. Octavia knew that it was a silly notion, but still it made her feel closer to Vinyl some how. Octavia gives Vinyl a smile, and watches as she walks on stage for her own performance. With nothing left to do, Octavia decides to check out the main lobby. As she walks by, she begins taking notice of all the couples tonight. She doesn’t know why, but there’s something about it that pulls at her. She’s never really tried to get a stallion of her own, it’s not that she doesn’t want one… well… they just don’t feel like “wasting” their time with a mute. She could read and write just fine, even mouth the words out. But something had happened when she was a filly and she lost the ability to use her vocal cords. It was a miracle she met Vinyl after being alone for so long. She forgets about the thought, and realizes she’s been single for most of her life, in fact. Octavia decides not to muse over the subject a longer, and looks at the calendar. She mentally curses as she finds that the Royal Canterlot Ball is only two nights away. It would explain the decor and the festive mood everypony’s in. She felt her brow begin to sweat. Hopefully this dance won’t end up like the Grand Galloping Gala. What a royal failure that ended up being. And that pink pony, what was the name? Pinkie Shy? No, no. Pinkie… Pinkie… Pie? Pie. Yeah Pinkie Pie! She felt a small shiver, oh no not Pinkie Pie. Nopony ever annoyed Octavia, but Pinkie Pie… oh she was something else. Obnoxious couldn’t even begin to describe her. Always in your face… loud… so very loud, it was something that Octavia did not like: Loud noises of any kind. Vinyl would always poke at her, ‘you don’t like loud noise, yet you play with an orchestra?’ Well that was completely different! Not only were they sounds and not noises, but also they weren’t very loud. Crescendo was the word Octavia liked to use. Well… if she could use words anyway. She walked passed the lobby and made her way to her room. It wasn’t anything special just a suite given to her by the C.E.O. of the hotel. It had a great view though, something Octavia really liked about the living space. When one walks out by the over hanging porch, they’d be struck by the magnificence of the lights that Canterlot has to offer. She sighs, enjoying the cool summer breeze as it flows through her mane. ‘Just a few more days.’ Octavia thought, ‘until the ‘party’ starts.’ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ “Alrighty then. Here’s your key to the apartment.” Said the scruffy looking stallion as he hoofed the silver key to Steel. He wore a great smile, ‘at longy-long last, Octavia! I can finally meet her!’ “Thank you, my good stallion! Hope you have a great day!” Steel said as he waved to the pony. He just shrugged and walked back to his office. Steel placed the key inside the bolt, and turned slowly opening the door to find a not-too-shabby suite. It had taken some time consulting Brace, but Steel convinced him to buy this suite. Now it officially belonged to Steel Thunder. He takes a big sniff of the air, and slightly gags, rushing to the nearest window and hastily opens it up. He lets out a sigh, “Jeez, they really need some air freshener.” He takes in the sight of his new suite the dark green couch at one end of the room, matching with the lime green carpet, matching with the regular green curtains. It was a green mess of green on green on green. Greenception? At any rate, Steel unpacked his three suitcases with quick succession, two of them being for his clothes, and essentials, while the third being his work suitcase. He set his work down and viewed his next client’s information. It seemed like just another hit-and-run case, involving a certain pony’s mailbox, and a reckless driver. Steel chuckled, ‘well this is going to be an easy case.’ Steel thought as he put down the paperwork. He looked outside, taking in the view. Lights all over Canterlot danced in front of him, as the sun had set a few hours ago. Being that there wasn’t much else to do, Steel happily decided it’d be fun to check out the city. He got his keys, put on a lavishing light blue on white vest, and merrily walked outside. He’d lived in Manehatten for over a decade, but nothing came close enough to these buildings. The sheer size of the buildings, complemented with the elaborate architecture, made him feel like a small ant in comparison. Steel walked along the sidewalk, eyeing the neat knick-knacks sold at incredibly expensive prices. The citizens seemed as if they all had a place to go, as they almost shoved passed others trying to get to their destination. He walked inside a clothing shop, and looked over the fine vests for sale. One especially caught his eye— a ravishing light-turquoise jacket with pure white trimming. It made him want to pick it up and buy right on the spot, had it not been for the price tag…. and the sticker labeling it as a ‘Mare’s Dress-Jacket.’ “Eeep!” Steel squeaked as he quickly surveyed the area to find he’d been in a mare’s clothing store. Thankfully nopony noticed him, making his quick escape undetected. He continued his walk, and found a massive wall of fliers from all over. There was a flier for Sweet Apple Acres showing an orange pony with a blonde mane smiling as the scene of a hard day’s work of apple bucking had paid off. He saw another flier displaying a grayish pony flying through the clouds with a sack of mail on her side. After a minute Steel finally distinguished the pony, and couldn’t help but give a broad smile, “Derpy…” Steel said as he picked up a copy of the flier. ‘Derpy would love to get her hooves on this!’ he thought excitedly. He held onto the flier and carried on with the wall, stopping ever now and then whenever a particular one caught his eye. He stopped short when the mare of his dreams was right in front of him. It took a second, but he managed to realize it was another flier advertising the upcoming “Royal Canterlot Ball” is due in just two days. It says tickets are sold at City Hall, while seats are open. Steel reads this without any emotion. At least not all at once. Not only does he have the opportunity to meet Octavia just by being in Canterlot, but also his chance is only two days away! He forgets everything he had planned to do, and begins trotting through the streets, careful not to bump into anypony. He was not going to miss this chance at happiness, and he was certainly not going to let it slip by because of a few ponies in his way. He stops on a corner and looks around for some kind of indication to a City Hall. If the whole city is purely palatial, Steel couldn’t begin to imagine what the City Hall would look like. He reads sign after sign as he passes by, and finally reads “Canterlot City Hall.” He smiles and runs up the steps to the main lobby, where he asks a ballpony where he can get a ticket. “Oh well if you’d like I can show you where.” The ballpony says. He ushers Steel to a large room filled with ponies. He walks up to the desk, “excuse me, but are you still selling the tickets to the Canterlot Ball?” Steel asks. “Yes, that will be fifty bits.” Says the stout pony. It didn’t seem too pricey; in fact it seemed like a good price for Steel. He mentally thanked Celestia and paid the necessary amount. When he walked out of the City Hall, he had a brightly shinning ticket encased it what looked like aluminum. Now all he had to do was wait for two measly days and he’d get the chance of a lifetime. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Tie? Check. Suit? It would be hard to forget, but Check. Ticket? He’d been carrying that for ages now, it hadn’t left his side since he purchased it, Check. He was ready! Steel opened up the door to his suite and walked outside, closing it quickly and quietly. He walked out of the hotel and followed the large crowd of ponies. He was positive that the huge line would lead to the Ball, after seeing how they’re all dressed. After some time Steel’s guess had been correct, and he watched in awe as the massive palace loomed over him. He got up to the ticket booth, and presented his ticket. With a quick swipe he was allowed inside. The orchestral music, accompanied by the elegant furnishings and carpet made him feel like a big shot. He looked at everything, taking in the sight of it all. The soft red carpeting showing shades of purple, red, and blue. The vases placed ever so carefully on top of short pillars eye level with him. And most importantly, the food! Rows and rows of snacks, from simple peach-spinach rolls doused in a glossy sweet liquid to little daisy sandwiches. He looked up at the stage where a group of musicians played on violins, trumpets you name it. He couldn’t wait to see that magical pony, Octavia, where he knew he’d ask her out the first chance he got. Octavia fumbled with her mane. After getting bed rest like that she was glad to see it wasn’t a complete mess, just a few nicks here and there that could be easily dealt with. She brushed her mane about five times later, and with satisfactory, put the brush down and put on her tie. She quickly tied it and took one last look in the mirror, and hurried out the door. She makes it to the stage and begins setting up her gear. There’s not much to set up— thankfully— as she played the Cello so it only took a few minutes. After she double checks to see if everything is in order, she decides to try her luck and mingle. She steps down from the stage and walks up to a lone stallion wearing a dark orange vest that shows off his eyes. He is talking to another stallion which seems to be going well enough as they’re both smiling. “Alright well I should get going, gotta find some tail to nail, em ah right George?” Says the other stallion as he pats George on the back. “Yeah I’m crossing my hooves to find one with a nice plot!” Says George brohoofing the other stallion The other pony departs leaving the stallion to himself. He smiles at her, and walks up to her where they meet half way. “Greetings, the pleasure is all mine.” He says bowing. “To what do I owe this honor?” Octavia blushed and bowed. As she got up she looked dumbfounded. Stupid stupid stupid! How could she have forgotten that she couldn’t speak? The feeling of socializing really took a toll on her, as Octavia has never forgotten about her speaking problem. Embarrassed she looks at the ground for something to do. The stallion notices this, “Pardon me, but what is your name?” That had done it. There was no way she could come out of that. She waited for him to say that awful word she dreaded so much. “Bah. I knew it, nothing but a lone mute.” He said the word with obvious disdain. He walked away, leaving her to herself. She shook him off, ‘well… it does him no good. In fact it’s a loss he didn’t… didn’t get to know me.’ Octavia thought. She fumbled on the word loss, as if she were just hiding the truth: She was nothing but a disgusting mute, only here because of her talent with the Cello. She tries again with many other ponies, mare or stallion, couple or single, but none giving her anything but sheer hatred of her. She gives up and sits down at a nearby table, studying the designs etched into the hardwood top. Steel could have swore he’d seen her somewhere. He looked around but wasn’t able to see any sign that Octavia had been anywhere. Then he saw her, sitting at a table, looking sadder than ever. If hurt Steel to see the love of his life this way, so he walked over to her. “Hello. My name is Steel Thunder.” Was all he could say. Startled, Octavia looked up and sunk down a little further. With a hung head she waved to him. Steel pulled up a chair and sat with her. “Are you alright?” Steel could easily see she wasn’t alright, but he just wanted to talk to her in case something happened and he lost his chance. Again another shake of her head. Steel brought her head up to meet his eyes with his hoof, and asked, “Why?” Octavia shuddered and gazed into his eyes, feeling something tug in the back of her chest. She pushed his hoof away, and shook her head again. “Oh.” Steel said, looking at the ground. She didn’t want him; it was that simple to see. “Well I’m sorry I wasted your time. I know I’m not much to look at, but uh… well sorry…” Steel said as he slowly got up from the chair. Octavia looked up and shook her head, also getting up to meet his eye level. “What?” He asked. She shook her head, and mouthed something. He couldn’t place what she was trying to convey. She mouthed again something… speak? Can’t? Can’t speak— She couldn’t speak?! “Wait you can’t speak?” Steel said taken aback. “You’re a mute?” Octavia looked at the table again. Steel brought her head up, “Why would you be so sad about that?” She mouthed, “I’ve tried talking to others. They all don’t like ponies like me.” Steel was shocked. How could anypony not like the one and only Octavia? “Well trust me, there’s nothing wrong with you. If anything, they’re the ones with problems! You’re sweet and a great mare to be around, don’t listen to them one bit.” He finished with a smile. Finally he was talking to her, so many years ago he’d vowed on his grandfather he’d at least say “Hi,’ and now here he was, trying his best to reassure her. Octavia smiled at what he’d said, feeling that weird tug again, wanting to stay and “talk” with him some more. But time had its ways, and soon the bell rung indicating time for her show to go on. Steel sensed this, “Oh uh, hey would you like to um… just kind’a…” Come on spit it out! “Meet me later for dinner?” Octavia smiled and nodded. Steel blushed a crazy bright red and a little too loudly said, “Thank you! How about meeting at the “Daisy Diner?” Octavia chuckled and agreed, walking up to the stage where she met her band mates. From the stage she eyed Steel walking back to their table, and suddenly knew what that feeling was. It was something close to love. When the lights came down, and the spotlights came up lighting up the stage, she had a new feeling of passion. To play for him, in his honor. It had been so long since she’d felt any kind of feeling like this, and it felt wonderful. Her band mates started her off, and she played like she’d never done in a long… long time…. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ The performance was spectacular! Steel couldn’t believe how she had played. Not only how she played, but also how she looked when she played. It was truly something else. The songs still danced in his mind as he waited for her at “Daisy Diner.” Steel didn’t have much to do, leaving him to his thoughts. He played over and over how the night had come to this, one minute looking at the décor, the next having Octavia over for dinner! Nothing could ever compare to the glory of this night. Minutes pass, and he looks over the restaurant taking in the sights, and smells. Hours pass, and he grows worried whether or not to get up and look for her. Finally after what felt like an eternity Steel gives up and walks back to his suite. The only thought that rang throughout his consciousness was “She stood me up. She doesn’t care. She stood me up.” Steel got back to his room, and ordered three bottles of hard cider. Steel had never drank before, but he was aware of what it would bring when indulged. Right now he needed something to help drown these emotions he was feeling. He thanked the waiter at the door, and placed the bottles near the bed. He stares at them, delaying the inevitable. With a tear streaking his eye, he grabs the first bottle and pops it open. He doesn’t bother with a cup, too much trouble getting one, and resorts to drinking it straight from the bottle. It burned like nothing he’d experienced before, but at the same time it felt warm. Like a blanket whenever it got cold, or a cozy fireplace in the winter. He brought the bottle down and took a deep breath. After a few seconds he downed the bottle, letting the sweet flavor of grapes and the pain of the burn engulf his being. He brought the bottle back up and threw it across the room. He looked at his suitcase filled with paperwork and also chucked it at a wall. ‘Everything I’ve been through,’ Steel thought with clenched teeth as he remembered going up against Ballpoint. ‘Everything I had to put up with,’ He remembered Wing Seed and how she almost ruined their family so long ago. He brought the bottom of the bottle upward and gulped down the Cider. ‘How the only thing that kept me going was the dream of seeing Octavia’s sweet face, and now she doesn’t even want to see my own.’ He couldn’t take it anymore, with blinding speed he grabbed a hold of a chunk of glass and dug a gash into his hoof, letting the sanguine blood run down his foreleg. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Octavia hurries through the door, ‘stupid paparazzi,’ she thinks as she dashes though the large hallways of the palace. She sees a nearby wall clock and curses, ‘AND I’m late… really late… ‘ She pushes the thoughts aside, ‘no matter I need to get there… besides: Better late then never?’ At last she arrives at the diner, she checks over each and every chair, every booth, every bench she can see. With a shudder of distress she gets a pen and paper, and writes down a question. Octavia rushes to the lobby of her suite and shows the bellpony the sheet of paper: I’m looking for a pony by the name of Steel Thunder. The bellpony nodded and said, “Well just go up to the forth floor and he’s in room 307. Octavia smiled and bowed for him, and hurried up to the elevator. No good— it was out of order. She quickly takes the stairs up to floor two…. floor three… and finally the forth floor. She takes the last step and trots passed each door, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, and 307. She stops to catch her breath and knocks on the door. The can smell a strong lingering scent of alcohol. It hadn’t come to mind until now, but it was a miracle that Steel lived right bellow her own suite. Steel shot up from his position. He heard a knock, that’s all that he could register. He sluggishly got up, and walked to the door, trying his best to keep his balance. He put the bottle down and slowly opened the door. There she was, standing perfectly still as though time and space has cease to move forward. She looked up at him and mouthed, “Hello.”
Recovery“What have you done to yourself,” Octavia questioned in disbelief, mouthing each word precisely. She looked over Steel, her eyes going wide when she saw the gash in his left hoof. She looked behind him and saw the utter chaos that used to be his suite. He had begun coming out of it, and started noticing what he’d done. The blood had already set, and the beginnings of a scab formed. He looked back and examined his suite, which was now a complete disaster. Glass and wine littered the walls and floor; his briefcase lay askew on his bed papers every which way. He blushed the deepest he’d ever been and look into Octavia’s eyes. He expected her to be furious, who wouldn’t be? He had just demolished an expensive suit out of overworked and overreacting spite! But instead of anger, fear, or remorse, Octavia only looked at him with concern. She stepped inside the room, Steel was still stunned by the fact she hadn’t fled and called the authorities on him. She walked into the kitchen and found a broom and dustpan. Without mouthing a word she begins sweeping up chunks of broken glass and other debris. Steel also helps her out, using his common household spells to pick up various rubble. After taking care of the carpet, they began working on the bed area, tossing discarded bottles in the trash bin. Steel gathered up the paperwork and organized them, placing them neatly in the work suitcase. He checks over at Octavia to find that she’d completely swept the place of any filth. Steel could swear that he saw his own reflection in the carpet. Once the room was cleaned out of any trash, and any remaining signs of Steel’s episode. They sat on the foldout couch and looked over the living space. It looked fine— in fact it was hard to tell there was any kind of mess at all. Octavia looked at Steel and mouthed, “What happened?” With embarrassment marking his face with blush, he opens up to her. “Well… I don’t know what came over me. When I was waiting for you… you never showed up. You don’t realize how bad that tore me up, I thought… I thought you didn’t want to see me— that you stood me up! It took a toll on me, and I guess I just let my emotions run rapid. The thought of losing you… it had a pretty bad affect on me. ” He turned to see her face, still carrying a look of concern. She still doesn’t mouth anything to him; she just takes one look at his gash and gets up moving toward the kitchen. When she arrives a few minutes later, she’s carrying peroxide and a gauze. She ushers Steel to the bathroom, where she carefully pours small doses of peroxide into the wound. When she’s completed that she gently wraps the gauze around his hoof. He lets out a quick groan as the pain begins creeping its way into his hoof. “You need to get some rest now, there’s no telling what you did to yourself by… by cutting your hoof like that.” Octavia says gulping as she looks at the now bandaged hoof. Steel thanks her for her help, but she’s already out the door. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Octavia opens her front door, muses over the events that took place in Steel’s suite. ‘Why would he do that to himself? I mean… I know it would be upsetting to be stood up like that… I know I’ve had my fair share.’ Octavia thinks as she walks inside. ‘But cutting one’s hoof like that? It seems a bit drastic to be honest.’ Octavia sat down on her couch, ‘Does he really feel that way about me? About losing me?’ she asks herself. ‘And… why do am I becoming smitten with him so quickly? No stallion has ever had this affect on me before…’ She looks around and finds a piece of paper and a pencil. She grabs a hold of the two and begins jotting down music notes— not really taking any interest in them, just sort of naturally doing so. ‘In fact it wasn’t until a few mere hours ago that I was trying to socialize— without the slightest thought of finding a male of my own!’ The sound of her pencil tip snapping brings her back from her deep thoughts. ‘I suppose I may be rushing things in this ‘relationship.’ What was the word Vinyl Scratch liked to call it?’ She placed a hoof to her chin and looked at the ceiling to aid in her attempt at remembering the quote. ‘Desperado? No that couldn’t be it. Disdain? Not even Vinyl knew words like that. Desperate? Yes, that sounded a bit more accurate.’ Desperate? Octavia? That she couldn’t wrap her mind around. How could she be desperate when she hadn’t really been looking for a stallion in the first place? Then she saw through her thoughts and understood how desperate she really was. ‘All those times trying to socialize, how I always chose to attempt socialization with stallions before I did with mares. Those times simply telling myself I’m not interested in a mate of my own.’ She didn’t know how to feel about that maybe it was bad, but something told her that there was nothing wrong with that. ‘Well even if I am a little desperate… at least I found Steel, right?’ Octavia didn’t bother to think over it anymore, as he fatigue crept up causing her to yawn. She head of to bed, her thoughts still ravaging through her mind. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Steel wakes up to the cinnamon-like smell of hot grass-cakes. Not to mention the splitting headache occurring, causing him to place a hoof to his head. He opens one eye just barely, as the light flooded into his field of view, understanding that the curtains weren’t closed causing the daylight to flood within the confines of the living room. After a few moments for his right eye to adjust to the light, he slowly opens the next one, feeling the same sensation as though he were looking at the sun itself. He peers around the room, taking notice of little details first, a filled coffee cup on a small plate, the small container next to it— probably filled with cream or something. He tilts his head to the right just a bit, looking through the doorway to find a familiar black mane and tail just in his view. His eyes go a bit wide as he registers that Octavia is in the kitchen making breakfast. Breakfast! He tries getting up by first taking a hold of the coffee table next to him and pushing upward. He almost has his first hoof on the carpet when he loses hold and falls off the bed, knocking his head against the table. Octavia’s ears perk up at the sound of crashing and banging, and she quickly turns to find Steel in a mess of blankets and coffee cream. She looks at him mouth agape, and hurries to his side. When he’s helped up and back on his bed, she asks if he’s all right. Steel coughs, “Yeah I’m fine.” I rubbed his head feeling for a bruise thankfully finding not much damage, “What I really want to know is: Why are you here?” He had guessed the question not too long ago; she was probably just making breakfast for him, and soon after going to leave him to his own devices. “Well I couldn’t help but do a neighborly deed,” she mouthed, “especially after what happened last night.” Steel shot into an upright position, “what happened last night?” he asks. Octavia told him what she knew, and what she saw. Steel couldn’t believe what he was hearing, ‘me? Do that?’ he thought as she mouthed. When she was finished there was a long awkward silence that filled the air. “I’m… I’m sorry I put you through that. “Well… it’s not much of a trouble.” Octavia mouthed. She paused looking for something else to say. Then she remembered her question; “By the way… what caused you to do such a thing to yourself?” she asked, worriedly. Steel looked at the ground a little embarrassed from her asking about it, especially since she was his deepest love after all. But he knew he had to say it. He didn’t know how to start— where to start, so he just spilled out everything. From Ballpoint’s terrifying attack of Twilight, to his crushing case he lost to long ago, to his past problems with Wing Seed. When he finished tears streaked his eyes as he recalled his interactions with Wing Seed and everything she’d done to him and their family. “And in the end…” Steel says, his voice cracking a bit, “The only thing that I got hope from— the only thing that kept me going— the only thing that brought me joy when I needed it most…” He looked in her eyes, “was the dream of seeing your face.” There’s a long pause before he finally says, “I’m sorry fo—“ Octavia didn’t hear him at the moment, she was too moved by what he’d said to her, the only that matter right here and now… … Was the feeling of her muzzle connecting with his. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ A few days have passed since… since they’re kiss. Wow, was all Steel could think for the whole next day. He lay in his bed simply staring at her, his blush still marking his face a deep crimson. She’d check up on him, helping around the suite, make him lunch and dinner and whatnot, and chuckle whenever she saw the look on his face. Octavia tells him to remove it for its daily cleaning. Steel would check on his bandage to see how well it’d healed, slowly taking off the gauze surrounding the gash. When the entire cloth was off his eyes practically shot out of his skull when he saw the entire gash had healed— leaving behind a scar barely noticeable. At first he doesn’t know what to make of it, but then a small fragment of what Twilight told him comes to mind. She said something about a theory that his spell he used to try and help Twilight really did help, it… it… something about increasing the recovery rate? Steel couldn’t wrap his head around it in time, as the sound of the peroxide bottle smashing against the ground pulled him out of his thoughts. Octavia’s own eyes grow twice their size as she gawks at the scar. “What… did it… is it…?” she mouthed. “Yeah it looks like it’s fully healed.” Steel says staring at the scar with curiosity. “But it’s only been a few days how can this already be healed?” Steel looks up at her, and tells her his memory of what Twilight said— and how he thinks that spell may be still inside him. She puts his hoof in hers, causing his blush to redden even more. She gently pokes the scar, rubbing it to make sure that it’s not just her imagination; it’s definitely real. Steel gets off the couch, flexing his muscles and stretching. Octavia tried to stop him, worried that he may not have fully recovered but, to her surprise, he felt better than ever. Octavia still gazes at him with worried eyes until Steel explains to her what Twilight had said only a few months ago. She still holds her gaze at him, however. Steel puts a hoof to her shoulder, “Don’t worry I’m fine! Look!” He jumped and landed on all fours, “See? If I can jump then I’m pretty much set.” He gave her his trademark smile, and soon it even made her smile with him. “Now I’ve been thinking,” Octavia mouthed, “Since I had trouble arriving to our original date, why not try again tonight?” She winced, “I mean uh, if you think you’re up to it?” Steel kept his gentle stare on Octavia and nodded. With a surprised smile she mouthed, “Great shall we meet at my suite and decide on where to go from there?” “That sounds lovely,” Steel said. He walked her to her suite— which was about one floor up— and waved goodbye as she closed the door behind him. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Octavia turns to see her own suite looking a tad bit dusty in some places. She casually walks to her kitchen easily finds the broom and dustpan. She sweeps up the kitchen floor, taking time to go over every inch with careful pace. When the floor was spotless she went to the living space and began putting dishes away, fluffing pillows and overall straightening it up. Although she does this with easy timing, and efficiency she can’t help but think about how she practically threw herself at Steel. ‘How could I do that? What in the world made me suddenly act in that matter?’ She studies the carpet etchings, letting her thoughts run amok in her mind. She kissed Steel, had that even truly happened? It must have been… there’s a strange lingering taste in her mouth… and… well she liked it. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Steel looked outside his porch, eying the view bellow. The wondrous sun as it shone in day, sweet scent of a nearby bakery, it made him feel like jumping up and taking yet another stroll in the Canterlot streets. And he did just that. With the surprisingly cool day, Steel was glad he didn’t need to wear anything heavy or warm while out. Steel loved parks— always had, even when he was a colt! — Making his walk through the main Canterlot Garden Maze instantaneous bliss for him. He walks around a small hedge, taking a big whiff of the roses and carnations before him, smiling. Steel takes an easy turn left and finds himself in the midst of the maze, where the eight-foot high walls decorated with flowers of all kinds danced in the breeze. The middle was a circle, with a large fountain sculpture of Princess Celestia, while the water rushed down from her wings like delicate drops of happiness. He knew what he was thinking was just absolutely crazy-minded, but still. Something about gardens gave Steel such a warm feeling— such a… well a happy feeling. Aside from Octavia, Gardens were his other treasure. He takes a seat at a bench with intricate markings he never knew possible! As he looks around, he notices a pure white mare walk by, and take a seat next to him. At first he didn’t pay much attention but suddenly his eyebrows rose, and he faltered. He was sitting next to the one and only Vinyl-Scratch! He’d heard of her before— many rumors spread that she and Octavia were dating, or something like that— but never thought she of all ponies would be interested in Garde— “Hey, I know you!” Vinyl says poking at Steel. Steel gave his weak attempt at a poker face, “Heh, well a lot of ponies know me!” “No no, you seem familiar. Weren’t you the one that helped bail my cousin out of that case?” She says, her eyes glowing. “You… you’re related to him—“ “Yeah! Sweet you are Steel Thunder!” She says clapping her hooves together. “Wow, I never would have thought I helped Vinyl Scratch! That’s… whoa.” Steel shook his head, unable to comprehend what was happening. “Hey would you mind if we went and got something to eat? I’m starvin.'” Vinyl says getting up and stretching. “Why, sure I guess. Won’t hurt not to.” His stomach growled just then, right on cue. They walked out of the Garden, relishing in its beauty. Before long, they had gotten themselves an outside table, awaiting their meals to arrive. To break the ice, Steel talks about a funny family story, involving an apple tree, two dim-witted brothers, and a single bit. “And so…” Steel says pausing as he snickers a bit, “We ended up having to clean the cattle stables for a week!” A explodes with laughter, while Vinyl joined in her eyes tearing from the tall tale. She wipes a tear from the corner of her eye, and moves aside the napkins as their food has arrived. They gorge upon their succulent meals, savoring the glorious flavor of the sweet honeydew melon sandwiches. When they had finished, Vinyl offered to pay the bill. “Well thanks it means a lot!” Steel says picking up a napkin to use. “Hey hey hey, no problem you’re going to need it to the date tonight!” She wriggled her brow. Steel inhaled his napkin, causing himself to choke it back out, “How did—?!” “Trust me, Octy tells me everything! Why wouldn’t she? We’ve known each other for years, baby!” She got up and started her way back to wherever she needed to be. “Have fun you two.” /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Tie? Check. Vest? Double Check. Bits? Steel counted three hundred in all…. soooo… check. Keys? Check. He was ready for the splendid night they were going to have soon enough! He had already taken his shower— careful to get in his… let’s just say dark parts of his body so as not to attract smells— and had applied his cologne! He excitedly waits on his couch for the desired knock to emit from the front door. A slight knocking disturbed the quiet room, and Steel couldn’t help but give a broad smile. He walks up and opens the door, feeling his jaw slightly drop at the sight of her. Octavia. What a lovely creature to behold. Her red-velvet dress, complemented by her lavish deep rose-red lipstick with a hot crimson bowtie, made her look like the goddess of love. She giggles a bit (or would if she could) and gently taps his shoulder, bringing him back to consciousness. Steel shakes his head a bit, and gives his apologies for doing so. “May I say,” Steel says eying Octavia, “You look absolutely magnificent tonight!” Octavia blushes, and mouths “Well why don’t we got back to the Daisy Diner? After all, we never truly ate there in the first place.” With a warm smile, Steel agrees and they make their way to the way to said diner. Once there Steel picks out a booth for them, one with a magical view of the city lights in the night. The waitress comes by, asking them what they want for drink. Steel asks for a virgin-pìna Colada, while Octavia mouths just water. “Oh lost your voice from singing so often?” The mare asks with a smile. Steel and Octavia look at one another, and shrug. Octavia nods yes as if that were the case. She gives a small giggle and lets them know their menus will be with them in a moment. The mare came back holding two two-paged menus, thin as a sheet of paper. She departs, leaving the two to themselves. “Order whatever you want, dear, I’m paying every last cent.” Steel said with somewhat hazy eyes. “Why thank you it means a lot.” She said looking back at him. Had he just called me his dear? She felt herself blush a tad bit. Why am I blushing? If anything this seems a bit rushed! Octavia thought in her mind, though she must’ve been blocking it out— as she didn’t pay much attention to it. They gave the waitress their orders and waited for their meals to come. When they did, they looked into each other’s eyes and ate silently. There was nothing that needed to be said or done, as they both felt content on the view. Not of the city, but of something else. Of his eyes… Of her eyes… They walked home after the dinner; both smiling as the night air playfully swished and swirled around them. Steel opened the door for Octavia, and followed her up to her suite. It was amazing to think that Octavia… the one and only Octavia had decided to date a stallion like Steel. He held her hoof as she entered the doorway, and slowly released his grip on her own, letting it slip. All at the same time still staring into her eyes— thought beautiful purple eyes. Steel walked down to his suite, and finally— finally made it to his bed where he quickly lay down and fell asleep right on the spot. The final thought that came to his mind was a vision of Octavia and him, sharing a heart shaped bed as the candlelight flickered and dimmed around them.
Tabloids Tabloids So Octy finally got herself a stallion of her own. All Vinyl had to say about that were three simple words, about damn time. She'd always seen Octavia sitting in corners, or out on porches during parties, never even trying to socialize with anypony other than herself and Vinyl. It always poked at her to see Octavia in such a... lonely disposition. Don't get her wrong, she tried. Oh how hard she tried to get her to come out of her shell, all to no avail. It's why seeing Octavia with Steel, a cute smile plastered on her muzzle, eyes twinkling, made her feel like she did alright as a friend. No, not as a friend. As a sister. Vinyl sighed in content as she walked on through the night, taking in the sights of the wonderful city as it slowly went back to slumber. The shops had closed down for the night, certain streetlamps put out, and fewer ponies walking the streets as slowly they all reach their destinations and got to bed. But Vinyl wasn't going to bed, tonight. Not tonight, because though she knew there would be problems with sleeping come that time, she wasn't going to miss tonight. As the warm breeze whished through Vinyl's spiky mane, she catches a whiff of the Garden flowers and the memory of meeting Steel for the first time comes to mind. He seems like a good stallion for her, and obviously she seems to like him a lot. Vinyl lets out a giggle. Yeah, she definitely likes him a lot. Even before Octavia told her about how she feels for him, it was clear enough. The way she always had on a smile while she was with him, or how she practically glowed, did little to nothing in hiding her attempts. Vinyl slows down a bit, but does Steel know? Vinyl quickens her pace back to its original speed. No, I mean... wait... yeah, yeah he could! It would explain why he's always so lovey-dove around her. Vinyl's eyes caught the first glimpse of the dance's strobe lights. She instantly perked up, and began jogging towards the building. Yes, she was going to DJ yet another dance-floor. Only this time, she wasn't going to be alone. Although she did like to DJ separately, being that most of the time the agents picked the most obnoxious ponies, apparently this DJ was suppose to be really good at what he does. Not only that, but she heard through the vine that he's a charmer, and overall a great stallion to be around! As she approaches the doorway, she catches the eye of an old friend. Though he is a large, burly kind of stallion, he's a good friend when she got to know him better. “Hey, there, Rough Boulder!” Vinyl called at a distance. The stallion glared at her with obvious distaste. “Hey, what's got your vest in a knot? I was just saying Hi—” She bumps into his outstretched hoof. “Hey what's that for?” She yells, while rubbing her temple. Casually, as if nothing was wrong with any of what was happening, Rough Boulder pulled out a magazine and threw it to the ground for her to pick up. Something about her and Octavia was in the headline. He still glared something of hatred at her, and waited for Vinyl to read it. He couldn't believe she would do something so... Vinyl levitated it up for her to read, huffing a bit from the random display of rudeness. As her eyes hovered over each word, she grew more and more worried by what she was reading. When she finally finished she wasn't able to fully process everything at once. All she could say to Rough was, in a harsh yet destroyed whisper, “Why...?” The Stallion didn't bother to answer, only dropping his gaze from the pure white mare. With tears in her eyes, she spat out in anger. “Tell me. Now. TELL ME WHY!!” She yelled in his face. The stallion didn't even blink. Vinyl stared him down for a good two minutes, blinking only ever so slightly. She finally collapsed. Heaving and sobbing like there was no tomorrow. Through moans and sobs she looks up and asks him, “How did they know... how... how could they have known?!” Vinyl hadn't told anypony about what had happened that fateful night, giving no logical reason for someone to find out the ugly truth. “So I can't go in?” Vinyl asks delaying the inevitable. The stallion shakes his head. “Can... can I ever?” More shaking. She slowly gets up from her spot on the soft carpet, and takes one last look at the stallion she'd known for years, one last look at a lifetime friend, and walks off. Simple as that. As she continues her walk, she stops and thinks, Hey I bet the ponies there are worried sick about me, maybe I can see if they really are, just to get some feeling of dignity back... She walks back, careful to avoid Boulder, and finds an open window. She looks around the alley for some kind of step, and finds a small cardboard box. As she gets her eyes over the concrete she's take aback at what's before her. The other DJ stallion has done much more than DJ the place. He's using the same songs Vinyl used on her first DJ night. He's using the same techniques she uses. He's even... wearing her signature goggles. That did it, she stumbled off of the box, tears in her eyes and begins walking home, shattered. So they decided to replace her. Not even tell her she's out of a job, just... BAM! You're no longer working. And who the hell could have gotten that information?! Nopony, nopony, was ever told about what happened to her so many years ago. Vinyl takes a seat at a nearby bench, and lets her sorrow cascade down her face, hitting the floor with the slightest thud. After an hour or so of crying, she thought of something.... something she didn't like. She remembered how every night— almost ritualistically— she and Octavia would always shared what they did that day, some days would be the same, playing for a concert or whatever, yet other times Vinyl would ask for a heart-to-heart, where they'd talk about serious topics. The thought that maybe she slipped the information to Octavia was simply frightening to her. But if she did happen to tell Octavia... … Then Octavia must have been the pony who told them. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Steel Thunder laughed and walked on as he and Octavia easily kept up with the young filly known as Sugar Song. Something seemed off about this filly, however. The simple wavy black mane, with a soft blue coat hinted too much to something. At a second glance, it became clear. Octavia's velvet-like mane, Steel's soft blue coat... It was their foal. Their own daughter. As it dawned to Octavia, she felt her cheeks grow hot. She looks at Steel, a bit questioningly, but he just returns the look with a carefree smile. Soon, she wavers and smiles along side him. Yet, still something didn't feel right about any of this. It was too happy... too serene... too perfect. Suddenly, the world around them cracked, and began shattering, as the sky grew darker and darker. Large tremors forms in the ground, and the earth began to shake. She looks to her left expecting to see Steel running for her, but only finds more landscape. She searches for Sugar Song, but doesn't find her anywhere. The ground shook even more, almost in rhythm. Shake, shake shake! Almost as if... Octavia shot up from her slumber, she waited in the silence, and a harsh pounding on the door confirmed what she had suspected. She shot up from the bed, and quickly hurried towards the door. As she opened it, she was greeted by a shaking white mare. It took Octavia by surprise, she wasn't expecting Vinyl to be out so late, not only that, but she wasn't expecting Vinyl to look like the way she does now. “Vinyl, are you alright?” Octavia mouthed, placing a hoof on Vinyl's shoulder. Obviously that was a stupid question to ask, but she needed to know from Vinyl what had happened to her. The tear marks on her face gave Octavia an even more worried feeling as she lead Vinyl to the living space couch. “Vinyl, what happened?” Octavia mouthed, peering into Vinyl eyes, which only displayed betrayal and anger. “You....” Vinyl said glaring at her best friend. “I... I...” She stopped and broke the stare, as more tears fell from her eyes. Octavia tapped her shoulder, “What is it? What, what, what?” She started feeling more and more anxious for whatever Vinyl was going to say. Something was amiss, and she felt like she was about to tell her. Vinyl broke the gaze once more, and only pulled out the magazine to show Octavia. As she read through the headline, Vinyl could see the color from her face drain immediately. She flipped to page 20, where Octavia saw the story of herself. If there was a shade whiter than pale, Octavia was it. She saw that her own hooves had begun shaking, and after she finished the article, the only thing Octavia could do was stare into space. “So now that you have read that...” Vinyl said as she slowly got up from the couch. “Why?” Octavia looked up, questioningly. “Why did you tell them? Hm? Why would you waste your time blabbing about this to everypony?” “Vinyl scratch I don't understand what you mea—“ “Don't give me that!” Vinyl yelled at her. “ I want to know, why you did this!” Tears were freely flowing at this point down Vinyl's cheeks, making her eyes bloodshot, and her vision blurry. “Vinyl Scratch, I'm honestly telling you that I do not know how this was published!” Octavia mouthed rising in tension. “I don't know how they got that about me, either! You think I wanted Canterlot to know about...” she paused, staring at the magazine, “about that?” Tears began making their way through Octavia's lashes, she was not expecting this to go public, nor was she expecting Vinyl to react in such a way. She blinks back the tears, just as Vinyl grabs a hold of a small desk and throws it to the floor. “THEN WHO COULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THAT, OCTY?!” Vinyl screamed, shaking. “ANSWER ME!” Suddenly she fell apart, falling to the floor in a mat of tears and anguish. Octavia rushed to her side, placing a hoof to her shoulder again, but Vinyl quickly threw it off, “DON'T TOUCH ME!” she screamed in her face. By now her own tears began perking through her lashes, streaming down her face. “But I just want to help, Vinyl Scratch!” Octavia mouthed making eye contact with her. “I just want to help.” “Help... Help? YOU WANT TO HELP ME?! I LOVE YOU LIKE A FUCKING SISTER!!” Vinyl screamed in Octavia's face. “HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY WANT TO HELP ME AFTER YOU DID THIS!?!” She pointed with disgust at the magazine. “But Vinyl Scratch, I swear to you I didn't know about that! I didn't even know you felt this way about me!” “Enough! I'm sick and tired of your lies!” Vinyl swiped at her and rushed out of the room, crying her eyes out. “But Vinyl!” Octavia tried to call to her, but it was useless. Damn this insufferable curse! Why did I have to be the one with the muted voice?! All Octavia could do was watch as Vinyl fled from the scene. Heart stricken, she walks back to her couch where she simply falls onto, staring into space. She's gone. No 'I'm sorry.' No 'I wish I could let you help.' Nothing. Just accusations and fleeing. Octavia wasn't sure, but she vaguely felt something in her chest snap, leaving behind nothing but the feeling of emptiness. She stares at the walls before her, taking in the arrays of blue stripes with blueish-green markings. She hears a knock on the already-opened door and turns to see Steel waiting. “Hey, I came as soon as I could.” He says. She just slowly blinks at him. He approaches her, and sits down next to her. “How much did you hear?” Octavia mouths, staring into space. “Enough.” He says looking her in the eye. “So what's this 'magazine' all about?” Octavia nods her head towards the general direction of where the magazine lies. Still on the table, looking as flamboyantly perky as ever. He picks up the magazine, and flips through the pages, finally catching a picture of Octavia in one of the head articles. As he reads, he takes quick glances at Octavia from time to time, each one making her flinch a little more. He sets the magazine down, and looks at her with a poker face. “I don't buy it.” She looks at him. “I don't believe that's the Octavia I know and...” he pauses, blushing, “... and love.” He scoots closer to her, and places a hoof on her shoulder, instantly reminding her of how she reacted to Vinyl. “And I don't think you need to worry about it. Even if you did do that, I think at this point in time, you're much different than what they're portraying you as in that paper.” He puts a hoof to her chin, forcing her to make eye contact. “Please, mouth it to me.” He says with a soft tone, not at all like Vinyl's banshee-like voice. Though tears begin to weld up once more, she holds her gaze with his. “Say it to me, I want you to say it to me.” Steel says. “That's...” she stops herself, as a round of sobbing sets in. “Come on,” Steel says bringing her face back up to his, “Say it.” “That's... that's not who I am.” She mouths, as she begins to cry. Steel smiles, and pulls her in for a hug. She doesn't argue. Carefully, Steel stands up and checks the time. Midnight on the dot. He leads Octavia, still crying, towards her bedroom where he makes it back up, and tucks her into bed. As he makes his way out of the room, Octavia catches his hoof. “Don't leave me. Please, please don't leave me.” Steel looks at her, and nods. He pulls up a chair and sits by her, waiting for her slumber to pull her from the waking world. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ “Now, if you look here, you'll find this evidence seems to support them more so than us.” Steel says as he displays pieces of mailbox to his client. “Therefore, we have to find a way to make it work for us.” He sets it down, “Can you think of any way to do that?” “Dude, you're the one with the suitcase and tie, shouldn't you be the one thinking?” Says the stallion as he crosses his forelegs in front of his chest. Steel chuckles slightly, “Well yes I suppose,” he sets the evidence down on the table, “…however unlike most lawyers I don’t just give you an answer. I’m not saying you have to work for it, but I am saying you show put a little of your own knowledge to the test. You know so I’m not the only one getting experience from all of this.” The stallion pondered this, looking at the tabletop and met Steel’s eyes with a bit of embarrassment, “Oh…. yeah I guess you have a point there.” He rubbed the back of his neck, “Sorry I guess.” “Bah, no worries,” Steel slid the evidence back to him, smiling, “So. What do you think we could say to make this work for us?” The client tapped his hoof to his chin, thinking intently of what just to say… A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Steel got up and opened the door revealing a light-ish brown mare. She smiles and hoofs him a small simple envelope. “Thanks!” Steel says as he opens it. Big mistake. Dear Steel Thunder. I’m sorry to inform you that… that I can no longer work here in Canterlot… Steel drops the envelope, hearing nothing but the slight swish as it gently lands on the floor. He shaking, and staring into space blocking out everything. He feels a tap on his shoulder, remembering that same feeling when he and Octavia went out only… what… a few days ago? He shakes his head, and is brought back to the world, “Hey pony, are you all right?” says the stallion. He looks worried, anxious, how long had Steel been like this? He checks the clock. 11:30 He’d been in that state for ten minutes?! Wait… eleven-thirty…. that’s… that’s when Octavia was leaving! He has to get to her before it’s too late! Without thinking of anything but the distance between him and his love, he dashes out the door in blinding speed, sprinting through the crowded streets of Canterlot. As he shoves passed pony after pony, he find a lying taxi cart, waiting for its next customer. He slows down a bit, panting between phrases, “Hey… Do you think… I can get a… a lift?” Steel says paying the stallion up front. The stallion takes the bits, and ushers Steel into the cart, and sits down just as the pony begins the journey. Steel climbs up in the front seats and tells him, “Please I need to go to the Canterlot Suites! Fast!” The pony nods and gallops to a fast pace. The streets blur by, and in only a few minutes he’s thanking the stallion for the ride, and rushing through more traffic to the main gates of the hotel. At last, Steel takes his first steps leading to the front lobby. As he looks back he just barely spots the black mane of Octavia as she awaits a cab. He walks up to her, “Octavia! Oh that Celestia I found you!” He gives her a hug, and pulls back. “Ah hello Steel.” Octavia said with glossy eyes. She sniffled, “How… how are you this fine day?” “Fine? Fine?! Octavia, I read that letter you sent me, what do you mean you can’t work in Canterlot anymore? I mean… what’s stopping you?” She looked down, “remember the letter?” she mouthed. Steel barely saw the outline of a tear setting in. “Well as it turns out. It spread quickly through the streets, and now nopony will let me work for them. I’ve already been kicked out from my suite, and I lost my….” Octavia lost her moral, sobbing as she leaned into Steel. He accepted the hug with a surprised look on his face, but slowly— almost timidly for what she might do next— returned the hug and comforted her. “Shhh, I know this must seem pretty bad right now.” He looked into her eyes, “I saw that you were leaving. Do you have any place to go?” Octavia stifled another sob, and pulled back from her embrace, “Oh it’ll be fine I’ll just have to—“ “If it’s not any trouble,” Steel said cutting her off, “I may be able to accommodate you with you know.” Living with Steel? Surely he’s kidding, Octavia thought as she peered into his eyes, searching for an answer, Living with Steel… I will not lie I do like the sound to that. She closes her eyes for a second. Just ‘play it cool’ as they say, “Sure I’d love to go. Besides, it’s better then here.” She gestures towards the bustling streets of Canterlot. Steel smiles, “Then it’s settled then.” Holy Celestia, she said yes! Soon they found the train nearly departing as it clunked to life for another trip through Appaloosa. Octavia and Steel found a few seats, and settled down for the long trip ahead of them. She made a quick glance towards Steel, thinking of how wonderful it’s going to be living with him. The faint lick of her dream that night Vinyl left her crawled it’s way back into her mind, and she pictured herself with Steel as they played with their foal. As the train jutted a few times, then making an even acceleration, Octavia took one last look of the tall regal Canterlot buildings. Although she is somewhat happy for her new adventure with him… she can’t help be remember all those times she’d spent with Vinyl, and how she’ll never get those moments again… Author’s Notes: Oh my Celestia, it’s been a while since I’ve uploaded anything! I’m a little culture shocked at the moment, as I haven’t been on FimFiction.net in a while either, so I’m still getting used to these group things and what-not. But that is besides the point— I just wanted to let you guys know that I got the outlines for Chapter four, five, and six already written, so I’ll be updating much quicker then my usual speed. Oh and by the way, Sorry if this wasn't what you were expecting, it's been a while since I've written anything at all, so I have to get back into it. Thanks for reading this, and thanks for tracking! ~BronyGuy
