Chapters The Beginning (or, in other words, the RP)
Hello, Miss Octavia. Say, that is a fine instrument that you have there. Do you think you could give me a little demonstration of how you play it?
Hello to you too, a fine day it is, don't you think? Ah, you like my Cello too? We've been together ever since I was able to hold a bow. I'll be happy to give you a demonstration, then I'll be on my way.
*Octavia plays a beautiful 3 minute sonnet. She thanks you for listening and she walks away. At least you got her attention, but you'll have to be more aggressive next time if you want her to get to know you.*
Wait, miss Octavia!
*I nervously stare at my hooves, then look back up at her*
I heard that there was to be a symphony playing at Princess Celestia's Music Hall, and I was wondering if you might like to accompany me?
The symphony this Sunday you mean? I would be delighted to accompany you, only, I happen to be playing in that very concert. I'm the concert master as the first chair Cellist. However, I would be very delighted to see a friendly face like yours in the audience. Let me give you front row tickets so I know where to find you afterwards. Does that strike your fancy?
Oh, I would quite enjoy that, I would love to be there for your symphony. I'll see you there, yes?
Nothing will keep me from playing at Celestia's concert. You shall see me on left center stage. I will be looking for you after the concert.
Alright, I will be there, I promise. I shall make sure to look for you while you play.
*You arrive at the Canterlot Symphony hall. You are pleasantly surprised that not only is your seat front row, but right in front of Octavia! You try to wave to get her attention, but she is solely focused on preparing for the performance. The lights dim and the symphony begins. Since Octavia is the concert master, she gets the lead role throughout the concert. You notice Celestia and Luna in their own respective booths on the higher part of the walls. They are enjoying the performance. An hour and a half of beautiful music later, the symphony plays their final note of the evening and the curtains come down. Remembering what Octavia said to you, you stay in your seat for 15 minutes until she finds you.*
There you are Ponydox! Thank you for coming, it's nice to see a commonpony come to one of these concerts. I pleaded to my friend Vinyl Scratch to come to one of these, but she says its too old fashioned for her. I got that ticket for her but she just so "happened" to get sick for the past 48 hours, not including tonight. I'd wager she's DJing a party for that Pinkie Pie or somepony. Anyways, the musicians and some of the nobles are invited to a party at the Canterlot Castle ball room. Would you consider accompanying me to this get together? I'm allowed to invite one other pony to it, even if they aren't noble.
*I smile and nod*
Oh, I would be delighted to accompany you, miss Octavia. Should I dress nicely for the occasion?
Uh, the party is right now and the tux you have on right now is fine. Let's walk to the Castle together shall we?
*You and Octavia walk shoulder to shoulder together as you walk through the streets up to the castle itself. Numerous ponies cheer at Octavia as you two walk by bystanders. You can tell the Octavia gets really embarrassed when ponies give her praise.*
So, miss Octavia... I would like to get to know a little bit more about you, if that would be ok, like why you chose the Cello and things like that.
Well, the interesting thing about that is, I used to be a violinist. That's how I got this cutie mark in the treble clef instead of the bass clef. I love the Cello because of the deep sound it creates. It's hard for a pony to master such an instrument, which is why I'm sort of a celebrity in Canterlot...
*Octavia looks like she hates attention*
I live in Ponyville because I'm treated like everypony else thankfully. But the moment we walk into that party, I'll have to put on a mask that makes me appear to like the noise and compliments. *Sigh* I dread these parties...
Well, if you don't enjoy them, then why do you go to them? I believe that there are a great many other things that you could to instead of going to a party that you never wanted to attend.
Are you suggesting we don't participate in my symphony's party? I am the concert master, it is simply unorthodox for the concert master not to attend! The mere thought of doing so would cause strife among the Canterlot nobels! The utter defiance! I... I... I can't believe what I'm saying, but I like your suggestion! Those parties are such a bore anyhow! I mean, all us musicians do all night is shake hooves with the nobles while they tell us how well we did. Then they ignore us. None of them are true appreciators of music.
Now then, if we aren't going to attend this party, what shall we do in our formal attire?
Well, Miss Octavia, perhaps, since we are nicely dressed already... I was thinking that we might go and have a nice formal dinner? *smiles and blushes lightly*
A formal dinner hmm? I guess that's better than the party.... Oh, I know a place where we can dine for free! I know the owner who's a great friend and a fan of my work. He will seat us free of charge.
*The two of you sit in the 5 star restaurant with menus that seem to be in another language. The menu is so fancy, that the prices aren't even listed next to the food, implying that you are rich to pay anything. After a few minutes of staring at the menu, Octavia starts sighing, shaking her head. A moment after all her sighing, she slams her menu and her silverware on the ground and starts speaking loudly.*
You know what ponydox?? I'm tired of keeping this persona that I'm 'so sophesticated'! Even if we are dining here for free, let's ditch this joint. I'm tired of the 'fancy' lifestyle, and I'm tired of the 'fancy' words I have to use to seem rich. I don't care that I'm in my concert dress, I want to go on an adventure! Are you with me ponydox?
*Everyone in the restaurant is staring at your table after hearing Octavia's loud rant.*
(Ok, so I had to reply to the above statement twice. The first reply wasn't that good, as you'll see, but the next one was much better.)
(Worse response)
*I sit stunned for a moment, then I say*
W-wow... really, Octavia? I would have never known or guessed that you would want to do that... It's really rather impressive, shattering that mold that others have made for you! Yes! Let's go on an adventure! Let's go out there and explore the world! I'm up for anything as long as you want to do it, Octavia!
(Better response)
*As I sit there, shocked for a moment while Octavia shouts that she's tired of the upper class snobs, I realise that I am seeing another side of her, a side perhaps she's never shown anypony else before. While I am nervous, I decide to agree with Octavia*
Octavia, I never knew you wanted something like that... I always expected you to only like upper-class things. I was actually suprised that you would even talk to somepony like me, someone in a much lower class than yourself. And I had always been pushing myself, trying to impress you. But now I see that you are different than all of the others, that you don't want to be held back by others perceptions of you! I totally agree with you, Octavia! Let's go do incredible things! Let's explore this world of ours! We can do anything! Go anywhere! Explore the places nopony has gone before! The world is at our hoovetips!
That's... exactly what I needed to hear Ponydox. You are really understanding... Now! Let's go do something neither of us have ever done! Let's break the mold!
*Octavia thinks for a moment*
I have a bucket list of things I've always wanted to do but never had the chance. Should we do sky diving, Dragon surfing, castle snooping, party crashing, or some pranking? Or maybe you have another idea? What should we do?
*I smile at Octavia*
Well, a few of the things that you suggested caught my attention. I've always wanted to go into the castle and look around a bit, so castle snooping doesn't sound too bad. oh, and perhaps while we're there, the Princesses could be throwing a party, so if that happens, we could knock two of those things on your list out at once and crash that party! And as for pranking...
*Gives a sly smile*
There's a certain blue pegasus in Ponyville that needs a taste of her own medicine, I think. Well, which do you think we should do first, Octavia?
Ok, I tried to leave it as best as I could in it's normal state without changing much. Makes me feel a little better, y'know?
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The Middle (or, in other words, the beginning of the actual fanfic)
Ponydox X Octavia Part 1
Everyone in the 5 star restaurant was staring at her. She had just done the unthinkable in a place where the high society of Canterlot expected peace and quiet as they ate their meal. Octavia was a minor celebrity among the citizens of Canterlot, so when she first entered the restaurant, everyone was already aware of her presence. This was not the unthinkable deed, however.
About 2 minutes earlier, Octavia’s sophisticated demeanor cracked. Through the stresses of the day and expectations weighing down on her over time, Tavi’s true colors finally showed.
“You know what Ponydox?? I'm tired of keeping this persona that I'm 'so sophisticated'! Even if we are dining here for free, let's ditch this joint. I'm tired of the 'fancy' lifestyle, and I'm tired of the 'fancy' words I have to use to seem rich. I don't care that I'm in my concert dress, I want to go on an adventure! Are you with me?”
It was at this point everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at Octavia. Not only were they surprised, but they were concerned that perhaps her mystery date had something to do with it. Tavi stood on top of the table, waiting for her date, Ponydox, to respond. Dox was stunned for what seemed to be the longest moment in his lifetime. Finally he said, “W-wow... really, Octavia? I would have never known or guessed that you would want to do that... It's really rather impressive, shattering that mold that others have made for you! Yes! Let's go on an adventure! Let's go out there and explore the world! I'm up for anything as long as you want to do it, Octavia!”
The words he chose to say absolutely flabbergasted the whole restaurant into murmuring with each other. As Octavia and Ponydox where leaving the building, they could hear the whispers, “Who is that with Octavia? He must have done something to make Octavia blow up!” “I just saw her at the concert, I thought she was just like us!” “How does a fancy mare like Octavia make a scene like that?!”
Despite all the neighsayers, none of the comments Tavi or Dox heard bothered them one bit. They were determined to have a true adventure. After they left the restaurant, Octavia spoke up again in her normal voice and tone. “That’s… exactly what I needed to hear Ponydox. Your are really understanding. I have a bucket list of things I’ve always wanted to do but never had the chance. Should we do sky diving, Dragon surfing, castle snooping, party crashing, or some Pranking? Or maybe you have a better idea? What should we do?”
Ponydox was in absolute awe. Here was a magnificent pony he just met a few days ago, standing in front of him asking if he wanted to go on an adventure with her. When Dox did finally meet Octavia, he had to summon up all his courage to ask her on a date. She was literally walking away from him when he did it, and he had no idea what the outcome would be. Octavia said yes, in a manner of speaking, because Dox asked her to attend a concert with him that Octavia actually was performing in, unknown to him at the time. Then in a unpredictable turn of events, Ponydox’s night with Octavia completely changed for the better.
Ponydox smiled and said, “Well, a few of the things that you suggested caught my attention. I've always wanted to go into the castle and look around a bit, so castle snooping doesn't sound too bad. Oh, and perhaps while we're there, the Princesses could be throwing a party, so if that happens, we could knock two of those things on your list out at once and crash that party! And as for pranking... *gives a sly smile* There's a certain blue pegasus in Ponyville that needs a taste of her own medicine, I think. Well, which do you think we should do first, Octavia?”
Tavi’s face lit up. “You really want to do this with me? You weren’t trying to save face at the restaurant? This is very kind of you. I’m… I’m ready to do this! I’m nervous, but ready!”
When a member of the royal guard stopped the two of them at the castle, Octavia showed him a ticket, and let them pass. If they were to attend the party, they would have gone into the ball room where the festivities were taking place. Instead, Tavi and Dox wandered around the castle looking for a way to ruin the party full of snobs. They walked room after room around the castle, and couldn’t figure a way to crash the party.
Ponydox said, “Geesh, this castle is huge! There has to be a way to do this somewhere.” Dox walked into another room, only to find the fifth parlor they’ve run into. Octavia shrugged her shoulders and said, “You know, maybe castle snooping isn’t as fun as I had hoped… Let’s take a break for a while, we can crash the party later because it goes all night.” Ponydox agreed and the two of them sat on a couch in the parlor.
To Ponydox’s surprise, neither of them were talking even though they were chatting it up while trotting around the castle. To him, it looked like Octavia was thinking deeply about something. He didn’t know what it was, but for some reason he was to afraid to ask. Instead, Dox found himself staring at Octavia.
She is a very unique kind of beauty. Tavi had the appearance of one in a million, which made her a popular musician around Equestria. As attractive as Octavia is, her talent is even more incredible. Some say she is only the concert master of the Canterlot Symphony because of her looks, but anyone who hear her perform will quickly forget that notion.
This is what intrigued Ponydox about Octavia, and why he was staring at Octavia at that moment of silence. Finally, Octavia caught Ponydox looking at her and asked, “Is there a problem?”
“Oh come on, you were staring at me! You can tell me, it’s quite alright.” Said Octavia, reassuring.
“Well, I don’t know if I should tell you right now…”
“If you’re not sure, then maybe I can tell you something?”
“Okay, what is it?”
“I was just thinking while we were sitting here, why did you ask me of all ponies on a date? What I mean is, I just so happened to pass by when you started to talk to me. What makes me so special?”
Octavia hit the nail on the head. The answer to her question was the exact thing he was hesitant to say just a few seconds earlier. Ponydox thought for a moment before answering. The last thing he wanted was for Octavia to think he was a stalker, but he also didn’t want to lie either. “I’ll be honest with you Octavia, and I hope you don’t think any less of me, but I’ve sort of…”
Dox paused. He really didn’t want to ruin this night they were having by pouring out his feelings on the first date. During this pause, he knew he had already gone past the point of no return. He had to finish what he was saying. Finally gathering up the courage he had, Ponydox said, “What I mean is, I sort of…”
*BAM*
Two guards barge through the door of the parlor. “What are you two doing here? You are in a private part of the castle and are trespassing!”
Dox and Tavi were busted. The guards found them and they were going to most likely arrest the two of them. Octavia had her hooves over her head, most likely because she had never been in this kind of trouble before. Ponydox on the other hoof, immediately came up with a plan that could possibly get them out of trouble.
Dox stood up, and told Tavi, “Follow me!” just as he used a magical spell to trip both guards. Before the guards could get up and chase them, Ponydox and Octavia ran away in order to get out of the castle.
“Keep running!” Panted Ponydox. Both of them ran and ran down the stairs of the castle and through the hallways between the rooms. 5 minutes of straight running passed when the two of them finally had the exit in sight. The problem was, they had to go through the ball room where all the guards and guests were congregated. “Just keep running!” Ponydox said again.
Before entering the ballroom floor, they had to run down the famous grand stairs where everyone in the room can see. As soon as they were on the stairs, every guard in the room recognized that they were the intruders. Dox and Tavi ran through the crowds of ponies, trying to weave their way between them. Dox looked up and saw six guards flying above, ready to strike once they had a clear shot. Thinking quickly, he decided to run on top of the long stretch of rectangular tables where the finger foods were being held.
Dox then used his magic, picked up all the food he could, and started to throw dishes and hors d'oeuvres. This have the two of them just enough time to hold the guards off for their escape. They ran outside, ran past the gates, and went into the night. Fortunately, it was raining very heavily to the point that visibility was very poor and the guards couldn’t find them.
The two of them started stood there in a dim part of the street trying to catch their breath while getting soaked. A moment later, both of them started to laugh, realizing how they just got out of trouble. Octavia said, “Well, it looks like we managed to crash that party, huh?” Ponydox chuckled some more.
Octavia continued, “Thanks for saving us with that food throwing back there. I’m not sure we would have got away if you hadn’t done that.”
Blushing, Ponydox replied, “Oh it was nothing. It’s all part of the adventure, right?”
“It is part of the adventure,” said Octavia, “that was very silly and very heroic at the same time. Well, now that we have a chance to talk again, what were you going to say before we were interrupted?”
Dox froze. It was only a mere 10 minutes ago that he was about to confess his feelings, and he had already forgot during their mad dash out of the castle. “Oh yeah, that. Um…” This is it. Thought Ponydox. It’s now or never. “I’ve actually seen you around a lot, Octavia. We’re both from ponyville, but I we haven’t officially met before I asked you on this date. Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I developed somewhat of a crush on you. You should have seen how nervous I was when we first talked! I thought I was going to die by butterflies…”
Octavia stood there for a moment, not saying anything while the rain continued to pour down on her mane. She was expressionless as she looked at Dox. The only word she used to respond was, “Why?”
Ponydox’s heart sank. This was possibly one of the worst reactions he could have received after he confessed his feelings for her. After all they went through together that night, all she had to say was ‘why’. Ponydox thought to himself again. She doesn’t like me… Why did I have to jump the gun and tell her on the first date? I lost the best chance of my life with the mare of my dreams. What do I say now?
“Why was I nervous, you ask?” said Ponydox, trying to remain cool.
“No, not that. I could tell you were nervous the second I saw you! What I mean is, why do you like me?”
This gave Ponydox a little hope. Maybe she does like me? Maybe all she needs to know is why I like her and she’ll reciprocate the feel? It’s worth a shot… I just hope I’m not wrong.
You'll all see what happened in the next section, and trust me, it's great!
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The End (or, in other words, the second half and epilogue of the fanfic)
Ponydox x Octavia part 2
“W-well, Octavia... the truth is... I... I love you! I can't hide that anymore, I realize that now! I've loved you ever since the first time I laid my eyes on you. You are just so beautiful, so sweet, so talented... all of the things that I'm not. I never would have expected that I would have gotten to even spend a day like this with you. At first, I half expected that you would turn me down, but... but you didn't! I was amazed that you would even spend time with someone like me. I'm not like any of your other friends that you spend time with, and yet... you saw something in me to trust me and spend the evening with me. And, during that time, it seems that I've fallen even more in love with you... Wow, just look at me say these things! You must hate me now, don't you? *sighs* I... I guess I'll leave now...”
Tears started running down Ponydox’s face as he walked away. He figured she wouldn’t notice because of the rain, but at this point, he didn’t care either. In his mind, all hope was lost. She was the perfect mare! There is no pony in Equestria that can match the inner and outer beauty of Octavia! I’m going to die alone because I wasn’t man enough for Octavia… How could I even think I had a chance with her?
Just when Ponydox was at his lowest, he felt somepony tap him on the back. When he turned around, he saw Octavia with the most incredible smile he’s even seen. “Didn’t you know it’s rude not to walk a lady home?” Before Ponydox could react, Octavia lunged at him and gave him a big, damp kiss. “And didn’t you know it’s rude not to let a lady respond? Now let me tell you my feelings.”
What in the name of Celestia just happened? Thought Ponydox. Did I just die and go to heaven? Am I dreaming?
“Of all the stallions I’ve dated, and I’ve dated quite a few, I have never in my days met someone as unrefined as you. You could never survive the high society socializing here in Canterlot. Every guy I’ve been with has always been ‘refined’, but also snobbish, self-centered, and arrogant. I never wanted to believe it at the time, but each stallion I’ve been with was only dating me as a status symbol. Sure they would treat me like a lady in public, but I was always ignored when we were alone. This is why I detest the ‘sophisticated’ life style, and that is why I moved in with Vinyl Scratch in Ponyville.”
Ponydox was still in denial. He didn’t believe what his senses were telling him. His eyes were saying that Octavia has a look of love on him. He didn’t believe that. His ears were telling him that Octavia was never treated well. He couldn’t believe that. His nose was telling him that he could smell the pheromones Octavia was giving off was love. He wouldn’t believe that. The nerves in his lips were telling him that Octavia just kissed him passionately. He refused to believe that, and yet, there she was.
“Because I was treated selfishly by my previous boyfriends, I told myself I would never date ever again. Then that fateful day when you asked me on this date, I knew right away something was different about you. My instincts were right, even if I didn’t give you a chance in the beginning.”
She didn’t give me a chance??
“So this is what I think about you. You are unrefined, but you are also kind, funny, intelligent, genuine, and understanding. I don’t know your social class, but I don’t even care because what you’ve shown me today is something I thought never existed in stallions. Being a true gentleman! You stood up for me at the restaurant, you were willing to go on an adventure, and you saved us by pulling off that stunt back at the castle. If that’s not being a gentleman, I don’t know what is! And let me tell you something Ponydox, I love true gentlemen, and you are the only one I’ve ever met.”
Octavia once again went in for the kiss, and the two of them lock lips for a whole minute before letting go. For those 60 seconds, it literally felt like Ponydox was floating on a cloud. Her slightly damp lips perfectly slide between his own. Dox knew that she had more experience than him, so he tried to keep up by moving his lips as well. Octavia used the tip of her tongue to touch his lower lip. She then slid her tongue left to right across his lip in a very sensitive way. Ponydox’s mind was blown at how this felt. All the doubts in his mind about this not being real were gone. Not even in my wildest dreams can this feel this good. Octavia then used her mouth to suck in the lower lip of Ponydox. Once his lip was in her grasp, she very lightly squeezed her teeth around it, and started to lick it even more. Wow… maybe later I can use this on her. I hope copying her is okay… To finish the kiss, Octavia cocked her head back a little to look into the eyes of Ponydox, then she gave him a 5 second peck to the lips.
The two love birds stared at each other for another whole minute. Both of them cemented this moment in their minds through smiling, hugging, and holding hooves. Finally Octavia broke the silence, “Sooo… are you going to walk me home or what?”
Ponydox replied, “Of course I’m going to walk you home, but it’s the ‘or what’ part that I’m wondering about.” Both Dox and Tavi laughed at his comment, and he proceeded to take the love of his life back to Ponyville.”
Epilogue
“… Happy birthday dear Viola! Happy birthday to you! Yay!” Ponydox and Octavia sang together to their daughter Viola who just turned one. Viola has a unicorn horn, but looks very similar to Octavia as time has gone by.
“I’m glad she’s a unicorn, because it would be very hard for a pony to play this violin without magic!” Octavia gave Viola her present. Of course, she won’t be able to play it until she can use a special levitating spell, but Octavia thinks it’s never too early to start being around music.
“It’s just what she wanted, I bet you anything.” Said Ponydox just as Viola was toying with it.
“Thanks, I think so too, but I think I got some inspiration by our other child.” said Octavia, pointing to her pregnant belly.
“You really think she spoke to you huh?”
“I do! Mothers have intuition that fathers can’t understand.”
“Right… so what are we going to call him? Tuba? Xylophone?”
Knowing he was joking, Octavia lightly punched Ponydox in the shoulder. “I have no idea, but I think she is going to be a singer! That’s why I could hear her that one time!”
Ponydox smiled. “You know what, that reminds me. I’ll be right back.” Dox left the room for a moment and came back with a wrapped gift. “I know our second anniversary isn’t until next week, but I wanted to give this to you now.”
Octavia grabbed the gift, opened it up, and saw what was inside.
“Oh… oh my! How did you find this?” said Octavia, instantly recognizing the present.
“It took me forever to track this down. I thought they would have thrown this away, but thankfully Canterlot castle archives these kinds of things.”
“This is the ticket I used for the two of us to enter Canterlot Castle… The night we got away from the guards and fell in love… Ha… it seems so long ago but I can remember it like it was yesterday!”
“Me too, Octavia. I’ll never forget that night that I thought I lost you when I confessed my love. You were the only Mare for me in the whole world, I don’t know where I’d be if you didn’t catch up to me.”
Octavia sarcastically commented, “Eh, I figured you were worth giving a second chance.”
Both of them chuckled at her joke, just as Viola started to cry. Ponydox picked her up on his back to get her to stop. Once she calmed down, Ponydox caught Octavia staring at him. Dox then said, “Is there a problem?”
Octavia walked up to him and said, “Yes there is. I think I love you too much!” She then pecked him on the lips and hugged him, after which Ponydox said, “Well, it looks like we both have that problem!”
I hoped you all liked it! I had fun working with Pwny on it! I know he had fun, too!