Chapters Chapter 1: Arrival and Meet Up.
Octavia’s Legged Woes
My Little Ponies: Friendship is Magic belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust.
Original Characters belongs to me.
Chapter 1: Arrival and Meet Up.
XX, May, XXXX
Dear Octavia,
Its our pleasure and honor to invite you to attend our 415th Music Festival held in the great water capital of Marelantis. The music festival will last throughout the month of June with non-stop music, food, and parties.
This event is a great opportunity for musicians to gather, share, and showcase their talents. They are also strongly encouraged to participate in musical events, held at the Marelantis Concert Hall.
All transport, lodging, and food will be fully funded by the Tourism Board of Marelantis. Musical instruments are also fully sponsored, thus you are recommended to travel light. You may need to stay a day or two at the surface resort to attune yourself before proceeding down to the capital city itself.
We look forward to your participation!
Lord String Tie
The grey coated earth pony with a treble clef cutie mark got off the airship and stepped onto the dock of the surface resort town, where land dwellers could access the great underwater city of Marelantis. Her long dark grey mane fluttered with the sea breeze as she took in the scenery, while walking toward the entrance of the town. The town was made entirely out of seashells and sands hauled from the sea, and protected by a large bubble of water created from magic.
“Hey Octavia! Over here!” A voice called out to her. Octavia turned to the source of the voice and smiled at the familiar mint coated unicorn with a Lyre cutie mark waving a hoof at her at the entrance. She waved in return and catered over, stopping where the bubble wall separated the town from the docks. "Just touch the bubble, you be fine." Octavia hesitated for a while before placing a hoof onto the bubble. Sure enough, the bubble opened up, allowing the amazed mare through.
“Hey Lyra. Fancy to meet you here. Are you invited as well?” She cantered up to Lyra and gave a hug to her fellow musician friend, who promptly returned the hug and replied, “Partly, I do have some friends down at Marelantis who I have not met for a few years. And I brought Bon Bon along for the trip as well.”
“Speaking of Bon Bon, where is that sweet-tooth pony?”
“She’s just doing her window shopping. I’ve already warned her that this town is more of a tourist trap than a real place for retail therapy.” Lyra chuckled, “Is this your first time here? If so, I can lead you to the resort where you can get accustom to the sea water before proceeding down to the city.”
“Sure thing Lyra, and thanks. Do lead the way.”
The resort was a large complex built right in the centre of the town. It also functions as the town hall on its upper levels. Once leading Octavia there, Lyra excused herself and left to look for her marefriend.
“Welcome! Are you here for the music festival?” A emerald pelt, blue maned mare at the reception counter greeted the musician as the latter approached her.
“Hello. Yes I’m here for the festival, this is the invitation letter.” Octavia handed the letter to the mare, who quickly went through it.
“The letter looked legit. Again we welcome you Miss Octavia.” The mare attending to her smiled as she returned the letter, “Is this your first time here? If so, I can run you through what the resort offers to get you ready for the underwater experience.”
“I’m ready to listen.” Octavia nodded as she was ushered to a table and offered a drink.
“We have two options you may consider,” The emerald coated mare began to explain, “The first is to get you to learn swimming... Umm... Miss Octavia, are you alright? You seemed a little blue...”
“I... I’m fine...” The grey coated pony shuddered at the thought of deep sea diving, “Just not really used to large bodies of water... especially deep ones...” She gulped nervously, “Go on...”
“Where were we.... ahh yes... once you get the hang of the basic swimming strokes, we will provide you with diving gears so you can try out shallow diving. We will only allow full access to Marelantis once you have completed an assessment and shown the confidence needed for deep sea diving.”
“Uhh... I understand...” Octavia started to regret her decision, however her other self was screaming at her on the opportunities she would miss if she gave up now, “How... how about the second option?”
“I’m glad you asked! Most land dwellers, especially earth ponies, balked once we have told them about the first option, but its actually easy if their confidence level were there...” The emerald coated mare shrugged.
“Seems like you are okay with this... being an earth pony...” Octavia countered. She knew it was a silly comment as this mare seemed to be very comfortable talking about it.
“I see where you are going with this...” The mare chuckled, mirroring Octavia’s comment, “Your comment in question leads to the second option which I’m about to explain to you... Or do you want to see how this option works?”
“Seeing is more convincing...” The musician finished her drink and got up, “Lead the way.”
The resort staff lead Octavia to an empty pool, where the former entered the shallow area; the water reaching up to her sides, “Notice the necklace I’m wearing? For the second option, you do this...” The mare lifted a hoof and gently tapped the gem on the simple accessory. Octavia can actually see the magic flowed out of the gem and enveloped the pony. A flash of light followed, causing the musician to blink, then stared in surprise at the new creature now in the pool, “What do you think? Pretty neat, right?” The sea pony commented in a higher pitch voice as it swam around the deeper part of the pool. Octavia just stood there, jaws gaped wide in shocked, “That look is priceless!” The mare turned sea creature giggled, then noted two ponies walking past, “Is that you Lyra?!”
“I know that voice!” Lyra and her marefriend Bon Bon, whose cutie mark was of three wrapped sweets, trotted over to confirm, “Hello Sea Mint, it’s been a while...” Lyra turned to the still shocked Octavia. “Sea, is this what I think it is?” Lyra enquired as Bon Bon acknowledged the sea pony with a nod.
“Maybe...” Sea Mint grinned, “Has your marefriend beside you been explained on our options?”
“Yea she was informed on both...” Lyra turned to Bon Bon, “Bon, Sea Mint will give us a live demonstration on Option Number Two! Now watch and be awed, like Octavia!” She laughed and prodded the grey coated musician, who was still stunned in shock. “Hold that thought!” The mint coated unicorn interrupted the sea pony before she could revert back, “I’ll demonstrate instead, that gem of yours has limited charges.”
“Lyra, I know you are enthused on going to Marelantis. Shouldn’t you let the professional demonstrate instead?” Bon Bon enquired with a look of concern as Lyra waded into the pool.
“I thought you know me better Bon. Remember the time when I got afflicted with the Poison Joke? Fingers are fascinating!” The mint coated unicorn snickered as she waded deeper, “Really been a while... water is chilly.” She muttered, turning back to face her marefriend, “No worries! I am a ‘professional’ after all.” Lyra’s horn glowed as she mentally versed out the enchantment she had known long ago, “Here we go!” Her body was quickly engulfed by the spell as she released it. Bon Bon had to flinch away as the spell ended in a flash.
“Lyra?” The navy-pink maned pony blinked, realising that the mint unicorn was nowhere to be seen. A splash, followed by a squeal of delight as a familiar mint figure jumped into the air, landing back into the water shortly after, “Lyra?!”
“What’s up Bon? Not used to see your best friend as a sea pony?” Lyra giggled as she pounced over and hugged her friend, fins too short to hug the cream coated pony neck fully.
“Nice job Lyra, we have a match!” Sea Mint laughed pointing her fin at Bon Bon who was pretty much stunned like Octavia. Lyra let go of the hug and inspected the both earth ponies, then falling back into the pool shrieking with laughter...
Shoo bee doo, Shoo Shoo bee doo~
A splash of cold water woke both ponies from their shocked state, “You two alright?” Sea Mint, reverted back to earth pony form, asked as they shook off their weariness.
“Just wet...” Octavia groaned, recovering somewhat and shook off the water as much as possible, “And a possible mental shutdown...”
“Lyra?!” The first word that came out from Bon Bon as she recovered, only to spot her unicorn friend slouching on one of the beach benches.
“Sea Mint didn’t agree with me on waiting for you all to recover...” Lyra waved a hoof, “I wanted to see how long...” Before she could finish, the navy-pink maned pony was upon the unicorn, “Are there more secrets you are hiding from me?” Bon Bon glared fiercely at Lyra, “All these years...”
Lyra sweatdropped as she stared up at her marefriend, “Well... its kinda complicated right now... I was prepared to share them with you... when we go down to Marelantis...” Her eyes glanced to Sea Mint for help, “We are best friends... right?”
Octavia facehoofed, “I suppose you have somewhere to rest while I make a decision?” She asked the resort staff, who replied, “I have a room prepared for you Miss Octavia, do come this way...” As Sea Mint lead the earth pony away, she turned to Lyra mouthing silently, “Deal with it!”
The day passed swifty. Octavia was lying on the bed, sub-consciously strumming an invisible musical instrument. Earlier she had taken a shower and a light meal before retiring to her room. Her mind was still conflicting over the two options given to her. At least her decision to visit the underwater capital remained steadfast. A knock on the door broke her from her thoughts.
"Octavia, are you in? It's me, Bon Bon."
The musician reluctantly rolled off the bed and opened the door, "Apologies for the wait, I was thinking about the options given..."
"... for access to Marelantis? I was hoping to get some insights from a fellow earth pony... I hope I'm not intruding anything..." The navy-pink maned pony asked nervously.
"You came at the right time Bon Bon," Octavia smiled as she ushered the pony in, "I could use a brainstorming session as well. Almost gone crazy in making a decision on top of having nothing to do. How I wish I had my cello with me right now." Her hooves are practically itching right now.
"I think I can understand your current plight. Lyra would always have her instrument with her whenever she's bored." Bon Bon giggled, "And speaking of instrument," the cream coated pony dug into the saddlebag she had with her and pulled out a lyre, "Will this suffice?"
"Verily!" Octavia received the lyre and did a test strum, noting the sound quality emitted from it, "Lyra's right?" Bon Bon nodded, "Shows she takes good care of it." She began to play a little tune on it, filling the room with soft music, "Where is that silly unicorn right now?"
"She's probably ‘frolicking’ in the pool." The cream coated pony sighed, "Been edgy and avoiding my questions ever since we set hoof on this resort."
"You should know her better. Lyra never shares much about her past." Octavia finished the tune and started another, “By accompany her to Marelantis, she’s gradually opening herself up to you.”
“That’s good... I hope...” Bon Bon looked down at her hooves, “I really really like her...” This caused Octavia to stop playing and stared at the navy-pink maned pony.
“Run by me that again?”
“I like her... very much...” the beet-red cheek Bon Bon muttered, but loud enough for the musician to hear. Octavia had heard rumours regarding the two of them being very close. Now she was hearing it directly from the pony’s mouth.
“Wow... so its true... that clueless mare actually got a love interest!” Octavia chuckled as she restarted her strumming. For a moment, nothing was spoken between them.
“How about you Octavia? I heard from Lyra that a certain disc jockey pony seemed to have a crush on you.”
“Wait... what?!” The dark grey maned pony stopped playing the instrument and started a second round of staring at Bon Bon, “The only disc jockey pony I know is Vinyl Scratch!” Octavia put down the Lyre, “That mare is loud, rowdy, uncouth, and always annoys me with her antics. I’m amazed of myself how I actually put up with her!” She huffed.
“Because you are her best friend since your filly years.” A voice came from outside the room, causing both Bon Bon and Octavia to squeal and jump in surprise.
“How long had you been out there Miss Heartstrings?!” The grey coated earth pony recognised the voice.
“I could hear your voice across three rooms Octavia.” Lyra chuckled and let herself into the room, seeing the scary glares coming from her marefriend, as well as from an embarrassed musician, “At ease ladies, its Octavia’s rant that brought me here. However, I am surprised to see Bon Bon here as well.”
“We... we were... discussing about the options given to us today... but sorta side-tracked...” Bon Bon nervously replied, where Octavia quickly added, “Actually, we were just finalising...”, trying to divert back to the main topic, “And both of us agreed the first option is not suitable.”
“Of course the ‘professional’ can help us understand further on the second option we had witness earlier...” The cream coated pony caught on the drift and went along with it, ‘expecting’ the only unicorn in the room to fall for the praise.
Lyra grinned as all of them settled down, not before she used her magic to pull a lounge chair for both of them, and a normal one for herself, where she literally slouch on it, “Ask away, The Professional will answer all your questions.” She waved a hoof and stroked her chin as if she had a bread.
“Right...” Octavia rolled her eyes and coughed, the diversion a success by both of them, “Sea Mint mentioned the gem on her necklace before she changed into a sea pony. Might want to explain that to us?”
“In laymare terms...” Bon Bon emphasised. The grey coated pony facehoofed however.
“Processing... please wait...” Lyra crossed her hooves and closed her eyes.
“Is she alright?” Bon Bon leaned in close to Octavia and whispered.
“This is what happens when you ask her to explain in laymare terms...” Ocatvia whispered back with a sigh, “This may take a while...”
“Process completed!” The mint unicorn chimed and opened her eyes, looking at both earth ponies, “The gem is infused with a shape-shifting spell. What the spell does is to swap a pure magic sea pony’s essence with your land dwelling pony’s essence through the gem. Simply put, you get a sea pony form, while your earth pony form is stored in the gem.” She finished with a smile, “Any further questions?”
“Understandable so far...” Bon Bon replied, “What’s the sucess rate in this process?”
“So far from what I know, its 100%. These gems are strictly screened and the spell infused with great care. Even a minute hairline crack on the gem warrants the rejection notice.”
“Seems like this ‘professional’ knows her stuff, “Octavia chuckled, quite impressed with Lyra’s explanation, “Is it hard to adapt to the sea pony form?”
“Apart from having fins and no legs...” Lyra spreaded her front hooves and wobbled them about, “Its easy if you get the swimming motions correct... and shaking a bit of flank isn’t that bad...” She shrugged.
“Shake... shaking... flank?!” Bon Bon looked at the mint coated unicorn with a mixture of horror and embarrassment.
“You asked for laymare terms...” Octavia snickered, giving the navy-pink maned pony a nudge, “I kind of ‘understand’ the process to an understandable level. Very much appreciated on your time... and your Lyre's.” The grey pony returned the instrument.
“So that’s where it went to... sneaky Lyre you...” Lyra received the Lyre and nuzzled it, “Mommy is not gonna let you out of her sight again...”
“Ugh... this again...” Bon Bon rolled her eyes, got off the lounge and bucked the chair, knocking the mint coated unicorn off it, still muttering sweet nothings to her stringed instrument as she laid on the floor, “We good to go tomorrow Octavia?”
“I guess so...” Octavia acknowledged, watching the cream coated pony dragging the light blue-white maned unicorn out of the room before proceeding to tidy up the room for the night.
Author's Notes: Here we go! I doubt anyone has written about this. R&R. Very much appreciated!
Chapter 2: Seaponi-fication?
Octavia’s Legged Woes
Author's Note: Wow! 100 reads within a day for the first chapter. Very inspired and thank you!
Chapter 2: Seaponi-fication?
The trio met up at the resort cafe as the sun began to rise; Octavia was munching on a daisy sandwich. Opposite of her, Bon Bon had a cup of coffee in her hooves, and an excited Lyra stared at the blue yonder with starry eyes.
“Did you get to sleep well yesterday?” Octavia asked her earth pony friend, who gave a half-hearted nod and replied, “She’s more chatty than usual, but I managed... somehow...” Bon Bon took a good sip of the warm beverage, her ears perked as the caffeine entered her bloodstream, “On a side note, the coffee here is good. A pinch of cinnamon would make it better.”
“Glad that it helped.” Octavia chuckled as she finished her breakfast, “I suggest you should get something to eat Bon,” She pointed a hoof to the untouched lavender sandwich in front of Bon Bon, “Sea sickness usually happens when you are hungry, or you are too full from a meal.” Not complaining, the cream pony silently started on her sandwich. The grey coated pony turned to the mint coated musician, noting that the latter had already finished her breakfast, “Octavia calling Lyra, can you hear me Lyra...” Octavia waved a hoof in front of Lyra.
“Mmm...” The entranced unicorn sighed, “Lyra is not available at the moment... please leave a message after the ‘beep’...” The ‘beep’ was not heard, but a ‘sigh’ prompted Octavia to continue, “Octavia here, please return from La-La Land, or we will have to leave you behind...” That ‘transmission’ broke the trance, causing Lyra to sputter and stare in surprise at her fellow dark grey maned musician, “Now I got your full attention...” Octavia leaned toward the light blue-white maned musician, “What was happening over at La-La Land?” Even though Bon Bon was eating, her ears twitched, trying to listen in on their conversation.
“Uhh... nothing much... just mentally planning on what we can do during visit to the city...”
“You mean a nice tour of Marelantis just the two of you?”
“I actually included you too, since its your first time going there. We can visit the Triton Square... the Seashell Arch... ohh there’s that nice resturarant which serves good kelp and shrimps...” As Lyra continues her muttering, Octavia turned to a quite annoyed Bon Bon and comforted her.
“Good morning girls!” Sea Mint chimed as she approached them, “Wow, you all must be excited to be up this early.”
“A certain unicorn is... we just happened to get up the same time.” Octavia replied nonchalantly, “Is it too early to start?” she enquired their hostess, who answered, “Certainly not! If you want to start, we could do it immediately! Let me first confirm your eye colour Miss Octavia, as well as Miss Bon Bon over there. Let’s see... purple... and cyan...”
“Ohh... ohh, is it about the necklace?” Bon Bon asked, shoving her annoyance aside, “Can I get to choose the gem?” Sea Mint chuckled and replied, “We are required to provide gems according to each individual pony’s eye colour. I could show you a few gems of different cuts. How about you Miss Octavia?”
“I’m really not into necklaces... but...” Octavia unclipped her bow tie and hoofed it to Sea Mint, “Perhaps a gem affixed onto my bow tie would be good enough.”
“An excellent suggestion Miss Octavia. I will also waterproof your tie as a free service.” The resort staff nodded. Bon Bon excitedly further chipped in, “And I get to choose the gem for Octavia!” The grey coated pony chuckled and scooted them away, turning back to her light blue-white maned musician friend, who was still muttering away. Not bothering to say anything further, she lifted a hoof and let it fell into Lyra’s forehead just below the latter’s horn.
“Oww... why did you do that?!” The mint coated unicorn squealed, gently rubbing where Octavia ‘drop-hoofed’ her.
“If you have noticed, somepony had left...” Octavia rolled her eyes and shook her head, “...which is a good time for me to ask you this...” She settled back down, “... do you like her?”
“Yes...” Lyra slumped back down, ears drooping.
“Okay... that was pretty direct... I was expecting some denial...”
“I... I’m not denying anything... it’s just that... I want her to know more about my background before I confess to her...”
“Didn’t both of you been staying together for the past few years?”
Yeah we have... but didn’t you see how she react when I try to be knowledgable about things... she just think that I’m being weird and trying to annoy her...” Lyra sighed, scraping her hind hooves on the wooden flooring, “... I decided to play along, hoping that one day she will understand... wow... a few years already...” She muttered.
At least now Octavia had a better understanding on the mint unicorn’s situation, “Now this is the opportunity you have been waiting for, or rather, you’ve planned for. Don’t waste it!” Octavia got up and was about to head to the pool when Lyra spoke, “Have you considered Vinyl’s ‘proposals’? You two are awfully close as well.” The grey coated mare's eye twitched, suspecting her musician friend wanted to get back at her for that confession. Octavia took a breath to compose herself, “Vinyl and I are very close friends, nothing more...”
“Vinyl thinks otherwise Octavia...” Lyra got up as well, trotting over to Octavia, “You two have known each other since your filly years,” She reminded and gave the latter a nudge, “Try to be less critical of her...” The dark grey maned pony sighed and nodded her head, both began a slow canter to the pools.
"Lyra! Lyra! What do you think?" Bon Bon happily cantered over to the duo as they approached. The gem she had chosen was a tear-drop blue topaz fitted to a simple necklace, “I had a hard time deciding between turquoise and topaz until this well cut gem caught my eyes.” Octavia gave the mint coated unicorn a quick nudge at the side, prompting her to reply, "Ahh, yes... you look fantastic Bon Bon." Octavia giggled, replying, "Very nice Bon Bon. I hope you did not forget about mine."
"How can I forget! You are my mare friend after all,” The navy-pink maned pony returned the giggle and clipped the gem affixed bow tie onto Octavia’s neck, “We had to find one which fits the center of your bow tie.” The grey coated pony moved to the pool edge and examined the bow tie; A circular cut amethyst affixed squarely onto the center of her now glossy bow tie.
“Pretty good! It looked more classy than the normal ones I have.” Octavia adjusted it a little, seeing the sparkles as the morning sun reflected off it, “I like the glossy look and feel.”
“I’m glad you like it Miss Octavia. You don’t have to worry about it getting soggy in any wet situation.” Sea Mint nodded in appreciation, “Everypony seem to be ready. Who is going in first?”
Lyra let out a soft cough and trotted over to Bon Bon, “How about both of us? I don’t think you want to ‘cross over to the other side’ without someone close to you...” The former hesitated at first, but then leaned in and gave her partner a light nuzzle, who replied with a blush on her cheek, “I... huh?... Umm... okay...” As Bon Bon was lead into the pool, she noticed Octavia giving her a wink, causing her to blush red even further.
“Ready?” The mint coated unicorn asked as her horn started to glow with energy. Her partner just nodded silently as she lifted a hoof up to the gem, “On Three... One... Two... Three!” Octavia had to turned away as both ponies were covered in bright lights. A moment of silence followed as the light slowly faded.
“Ohh my...” A squeal came from the pool. Octavia turned back to look at the two sea ponies in the pool; The cream coloured sea pony was examining herself, flapping her transformed front hooves, which were now fins, her eyes looking down at her tail, which she shook it, giggling to herself. Lyra, already at the deeper part of the pool, sighed at Bon Bon’s curiosity. She would have facefinned, if her fin was long enough.
“Seems like you are enjoying the change.” Octavia giggled as she waded into the pool, “Now ‘shake that flank’ into the deeper end please.” She joked, nudging Bon Bon to shift away, who stuck her tongue out before giving the grey pony more space than she needed to. “Alright then... I just need to touch the gem...”
“That is correct Miss Octavia. Let the magic flow through your body. It might feel strange for most first timers, so I recommend not to fight against it.” Sea Mint replied with a tone of assurance and encouragement.
Taking a deep breath, Octavia tapped the gem, closing her eyes as she felt the imbued magic flowed out and gradually wrapping itself around her body. It certainly felt strange as it flowed to her back, caressing her flank then her bum, almost caused her to gasp out in surprise. Once the magic fully encompassed her body, the change began. It was painless, however, she could actually feel her bones dissolving as her legs went limp, lengthening, twisting, and turning... “Wait... lengthening, twisting, and turning?! I was expecting my hips to shrink and my front hooves to shorten into fins?! What’s happening?!” Octavia tried to open her eyes, but it was too bright to see anything. Even her voice was muted by the magical energies flowing through her changing body. As the transformation continued, the dark grey maned pony felt extra appendages growing out from her sides, which she mentally counted another two pairs. Her ears were still working, which allowed her to hear the panicky whinny from Sea Mint, as well as gasps from Lyra and Bon Bon. Resisting the spell was not an option now as Octavia did not want additional unnecessary changes or side effects.
"Is... is it... over?" Octavia, her voice returned, managed to gasp out as the magic finished its work and flowed back into the gem. Her heart was pounding loudly, eyes not opening, fearing the horror she would see in her new form. "Lyra? Bon Bon? Anypony?!" She was trying to keep calm as much as possible, but her voice was telling otherwise.
"Calm down Octavia... Sea Mint had gone to report... I’m sure her establishment can come up a solution...” The voice which Octavia recognised as Lyra’s, “Are you feeling alright?”
Octavia was numb from the transformation, her freshly changed form was still unable to sense anything, “I’m... alright... I think...” Slowly, she opened her eyes, wincing from the sunlight. Thankfully, somepony brought up a tentacle to hide the glare... “What the...” Her recovered eyesight stared at the length of suction caps running from the tip to her side, seeing the rest of her changed body...
The grey coated pony turned half octopus gawked in shock at the discovery for a moment before promptly fainted.
Author's Note: Had to get my proof-reader on the fly to fix this. So if there's any errors, do inform me.
Seems like Octavia was getting more than what she wanted.
Chapter 3: Awakening, with extra limbs.
Octavia’s Legged Woes
Chapter 3: Awakening, with extra limbs.
Octavia was galloping hard and fast. She had been running aimlessly through the blue-ish, featureless landscape for a while, and seemed like there was no end to it. Her muscles were strained from all the running, but she cannot stop, hearing the roar of the water waves edging closer and closer from behind. The dark grey mane pony took a moment to look back, gaping at the huge wall of water as it rushed down, sweeping her off her hooves and sent her under. Tumbling with the currents, Octavia actually felt a presence close by, only to ‘scream’ out as something grabbed her hind leg and started pulling her. She bucked as hard as she could, hoping to loosen its grip on her. Instead of loosening, it’s grip tightened and another tentacle shoot out from the dark, this time wrapping around Octavia’s body, ensuring her escape was futile as they pulled her towards a large bony beak, which opened, welcoming her...
Octavia screamed as she woke up from the nightmare, causing the others around her to jolt in surprise. Everypony she knew; Lyra, Bon Bon, and Sea Mint, had gathered around her with looks of concern all over their faces as she looked up at them.
“Its alright Octavia, you probably had a bad dream.” Bon Bon comforted her, “How... how are you feeling?”
“I... I seriously don’t know...” Octavia shuddered as she ‘sat’ up, looking around the room in confusion, "Where are we? what is this place?" She felt a tingle in her tongue, which she stuck it out, wincing at the strong taste of salt, “Eww... Do you know I can actually taste the salt in the air, and the minerals on the rocks and paddings of this... bed...” She feared the worst as her eyes travelled down her sides to her limbs, confirming four pairs of tentacles to be hers. The taste buds on her new limbs were now active and constantly bombarding her with a variety of ‘flavours’, “Ugh... how do I switch them off... everything taste awful even when they aren’t placed in my mouth!” She panicked and frantically flailed her tentacles around, almost smacking her friends in the process as they scattered, Lyra hurriedly held them down with her magic.
"You aren't being helpful right now Octavia. Please try to calm down!" Lyra replied in a stern tone, causing both Bon Bon and Octavia to gasped at her in surprise, "Sea Mint, what's the investigation updates you have at the moment?"
"We... we took the liberty to remove the gem from Octavia's bow tie. From initial inspection, the gem is of the approved grade. Right now, we are tracing the batch number of the gem, hopefully it will lead us to the sea pony unicorn who was in charge of embedding the spell in this gem." Sea Mint the sea pony reported, glancing at the surprised looks, then nudging Lyra, who quickly realised her error.
"Good... I mean thank you Sea Mint, we hope we can get a satisfactory answer from the establishment." Lyra softened her tone and turned back to Octavia, "Have you settled down, Octavia?" The half octopus pony nodded, "All right, I'm going to release my hold..."
Octavia could finally move with the spell removed, her now calmed mind allowed her to shut off the signals from the taste buds. As she lifted up her tentacles to look at them, Octavia was amazed how responsive they were.. Curiosity got the better of her as she examined herself, noting her lack of a tail, her grey coat was leathery, with a thin layer of slime that acts as a membrane. The half octopus felt her mane, amazed its able to hold it's shape in this strange environment. A ting of worry then appeared on her face as she tried to turn over, only to stop when Lyra gave a loud cough, “I know what you are looking for, and the answer for both questions are ‘No’. You don’t have a beak, and you are still a mare.” Octavia blushed at the second answer, “Also, if you have not realised, you are breathing in water.” The mint sea pony added, moving off to talk to Sea Mint.
It took Octavia a while to registered what Lyra had said when everything dawned on her; Sea ponies were floating about, the density of the 'air' was heavy, bubbles came out of her mouth as she spoke. Octavia gagged and stopped her breath, earning a stare from Bon Bon as she floated in front of the half octopus and blew bubbles in the latter’s face, causing her to sputter and resumed breathing, much to her foalishness. The cream scaled sea pony rolled her eyes and comforted Octavia, “And I thought I’m the silly pony here. Look at me, aren’t I coping well?”
The half octopus had a good look at Bon Bon; Her signature navy-pink curls was recognisable on her mane, her coat had been replaced with scales, her front hooves were replaced with matching colour fins, while her hind hooves were gone, leaving a tail. “But you are a sea pony... I’m not... and I'm sorry for the outburst earlier...” Octavia replied regretfully, having regulated her breathing once more. She could actually feel the gills on her neck working as it filters oxygen from the sea water.
“Honesty...” Bon Bon hesitated for a bit, then leaned in to comfort her unfortunate friend, “I’m glad you’re not.” She floated back and continued loud enough for Lyra to hear her, “Look at me, these fins can’t do anything except keeping me afloat and acting all pretty. At least those 'legs' of yours can be used to play instruments.”
Octavia pondered over what Bon Bon had said. There was some truth in that as she compared her tentacles to the short fins, "I agree... they are long and easy to maneuver, but won't the sea ponies down at the city be afraid of me? I've read that sea ponies are a delicacy to giant octopuses..."
"You don't have to worry Octavia. I believe the Marelantis Tourism Board will provide the necessary arrangements for you in order to visit the city. And Bon Bon," Lyra sighed at her marefriend's whining, and swam toward them. She had finished her discussion with Sea Mint, who nodded and swam out of the house and upward to the surface, "Just stay by me no matter what. I won't leave you alone." The cream scaled sea pony was confused, yet embarrassed as she turned away blushing, while Octavia breathed a sigh of relief, sensing a growing reliability coming from Lyra. However, she felt the need to inquire the mint sea unicorn on her tone of voice.
“Miss Heartstrings, I hope you will explain yourself. That tone you used while you used earlier wasn’t your style.” Octavia shook her head and stared at the unicorn sea pony, “I’ve been in frequent conversations with classy Manehatten and Canterlot ponies before, and that tone was used whenever they need to their subordinates to get things done.” A long pause of silence followed as Lyra tried to avoid her fellow musician’s stare. Bon Bon too wanted to know, but seeing her mare friend’s nervousness, she swam over and gave the latter a hug, then giving Octavia a pleading look, “Ugh... fine... I’ll put it aside until you feel like telling...”
The half-octopus easily pushed herself off the bed, now very impressed on what her new limbs can do, “Well, this might not be that bad.” She tried crawling forward, her limbs flailed about haphazardly as she tried to figure out which limb to move. After a jumbled mess of tentacles, Octavia fell onto her side, eliciting a giggle from Bon Bon, “A little help here, girls...” She tried to untangle herself but found herself further tangled up in a rather embarrassing position, “... Please?”
Lyra finally broke from her nervousness and chuckled. using her magic to untangle Octavia, “I will reveal everything in good time Octavia... right now you need to coordinate those legs of yours. We don’t want to have another entanglement issues when we go down to Marelantis, do we?” the mint scaled sea unicorn swam over to the bookshelf and pulled out a book with her magic, “Bon Bon, I’ll need you help to support Octavia as she make her way outside. I’ll meet you both at the clearing after a quick talk with Sea Mint.” Lyra then swam out and headed for the surface, leaving the remaining two to their own devices.
"Alright... I'd better get started..." Octavia lifted her appendages, putting them down one at a time and repeated the process. Once satisfied that they 'behave', the half octapus pushed herself forward with her front and back limbs. The result was promising, her body being propelled forward slightly. With renewed confidence and encouragement from Bon Bon, Octavia eagerly focused at her first check point; the door, her limbs readied, and she sprung...
The musician had not expected the strength within her tentacles to be that strong as she leaped for the door. It felt like an Ursa Minor had grabbed her limbs and tossed her. Beyond the house was a field of corals, and crash landing there could be quite painful. Octavia's octopus' senses kicked in, doing a tumble as her body 'rolled' out of the door. Her limbs stretched out, grabbing the door frame, which effectively halted her brush with the corals. However, the tension created caused her body to bounced back into the room, where Octavia desperately lashed out to grab onto something. Bon Bon squeaked as she tried to avoid the sprung back half-octopus, only to be caught by the latter's limb, sending them crashing into the bookshelf.
"Oww..." The cream sea pony groaned and shook the dizziness away, "Gah!... Octavia?!"
"Ugh... are you all right Bon Bon?" Octavia was glad her upper half of her body was all pony construct, "Is something... ohh..." She shook the debris off her body, finding her tentacles were jumbled up again, but this time, with an extra creature trapped within them, "Sorry..."
"This is going to take a while..." Her friend sighed as they started to untangle themselves...
Author's Note: Got it done finally. Having some trouble getting Octavia's body functions correct. R&R. Thanks!
Chapter 4: Entanglements and Knowings.
Octavia’s Legged Woes
Chapter 4: Entanglements and Knowings.
"Those two are certainly taking their time..." Lyra muttered as she went through the book she had, telekinetic-ally flipping the pages. The mint unicorn sea pony had been waiting for quite a while at the ocean floor clearing. Earlier Lyra had recommended her accidental transformed half-octopus musician friend, Octavia to orientate her new limbs and make her way to the clearing. She also left her marefriend, Bon Bon behind to assist Octavia, while she headed up to the surface to settle some matters. "I guess I should go check on them..." Lyra sighed, placing the book down on the stone bench she was sitting on, and made her way to the house, assuming that her musician friend got 'tied up' again...
"Its too tight... ahh... wrong limb!"
"I need to get it out first... hold on..."
"No! You are making it worse... ohh..."
Lyra's ears perked on hearing the two familiar voices within the house as she weaved towards the door...
"Stop sucking! It tickles..."
"I'm trying not to... octopus senses telling me otherwise..."
"Ugh... misbehaving tentacles... bad octopus!"
The mint unicorn sea pony shuddered as her mind ran rampant from the comments and moans, "What the buck are those two doing?!" Flustered, she dashed into the house, "What in Celestia's mane are you both... ohh..." Lyra's first assumption was right; Octavia got herself tied up, but somehow Bon Bon was caught in the mess as well. Still the way they were 'tied up' was rather 'interesting'.
"Don't just float there Lyra Heartstrings! Get us out of this... 'mess'..." Bon Bon cried out as she continued to struggle against the shifting limbs around her, "Wrong limb again Octavia!" The cream sea pony cringed as the limb around her tightened, "Stop... too... tight..."
"I... I'm sorry Bon... but I just don't know what went wrong..." Octavia groaned and struggled, trying her best to 'feel' her way around. From her position, Octavia had difficulty in seeing which limbs she had shifted. However she managed to loosen the limb which was squeezing Bon Bon, "Lyra, we really, really need some assistance..."
Lyra would had facefinned for being foalish on thinking of the 'worst possible thing' happening between the 'tied up' duo if her fins were long enough. "Ugh... all right... I'm coming..." The mint sea pony shook her head, sweeping aside those thoughts and swam over to the duo, examining the knots. Satisfied with what she had examined, solution already thought out, Lyra's horn glowed as she activated her telekinesis, its formless bluish aura flowed towards one of Octavia's limbs and prodded it. "This is how it goes. Octavia, you need to loosen this limb. Once done, suppress your octopus instincts and release your suckers sticking to Bon Bon. Now Bon Bon, once Octavia's suckers got off you, slowly free yourself. We don't want to further agitate our half-octapus friend's predatory instincts." Lyra grinned, receiving a glare from Octavia.
The duo understood the instructions given and began their work to freedom. Octavia suppressed her instincts, loosening the supposed limb and releasing her hold onto Bon Bon. The really hard part as explained earlier by Lyra; As the cream sea pony slowly wiggle her way to safety, the half-octopus had to continuously tell herself that Bon Bon was not food.
"That's good Bon, almost there." Lyra nodded, "Octavia, take note, once Bon gets free, keep holding your instincts from grabbing her. Closing your eyes might help you... I think?"
"Seems like our professional is unsure..." Octavia glared at the mint sea pony. She was starting to shake as her resistance was wearing, "Bon Bon... do hurry..."
"Well, having an half-pony, half-octopus friend is a first... And yes BB, you need to 'rush' a little, we don't want her limbs to start emptying your stomach contents."
Bon Bon managed to get out of her predicament; As soon as she got a distance away with Lyra, Octavia squeaked as her limbs flailed about, instincts grabbing anything and everything as it has lost its prey. By the time it was over, the many limbed musician had gotten hold of chair legs, books, wooden planks from the bookshelf, and many other items hoarded under her.
"Octavia... you seriously need to keep your instincts in check..." Lyra replied as she and Bon Bon carefully made their way to Octavia's side, "Whoa... that's quite a 'hoard' you got there." Both sea ponies chuckled, causing the half octopus to blush.
"Ohh hush! Its not easy handling twice the number of limbs." Octavia snorted rather comically as bubbles blew out from her nose, causing her to blush even further tint of blue-ish red, "Ugh! I'm going out to clear my head. Meet you girls at the clearing." Not really thinking much, the half-octopus propelled herself across the room and exited the house, smoothly swung to the direction of the clearing.
"I think I understand why Vinyl likes her... She's rather cute when annoyed. Lyra nodded grinning, then quickly hugging Bon Bon before she could voice out, "I still prefer my pout-y Bon Bon." The now confused and embarrassed sea pony swatted her marefriend and swam off after Octavia, leaving the giggling mint sea pony unicorn behind.
Lyra sighted the duo at the clearing; Octavia was picking up rocks with her limbs and tossing them about, while Bon Bon was reading the book the mint sea pony had left on the stone bench when she went off to look for them.
"Fascinating..." Octavia commented as a limb stretched out and grabbed a rock she had randomly thrown from another limb, "As much a having the same gravity underwater, the water density created drags on objects, slowing them down as they moved through the 'air'..."
Chuckling, Lyra nodded, "I'm surprised you know so much my friend... shall we move on to other more important topic as in 'How are you coping with them tentacles?'"
"Err... yes... well..." The half-octopus blushed and stopped whatever she was doing at the moment, "They are behaving well... as long I don't forced them to work with specific limbs... say for example," She picked up a rock with an appendage, "When I pick up this rock, it was natural for the limb 'number three' closest to it to do so. And when I toss it," Octavia tossed the rock over her head, where another appendage stretched out to grab it, "limb 'number eight' goes to catch it without telling it specifically to do so." She replied with confidence, crossing her front limbs across her chest.
"But you do need specific limbs to play music instruments, don't you?" Bon Bon's voice echoed from the side as she flipped a page of the book, "Imagine your limbs start playing the harp without even getting the music right..."
That comment deflated the grey musician morale as her ears drooped, but it quickly perked up, "That remains to be seen!" Octavia announced, "I'm not called a earth pony music prodigy for nothing! These limbs will play any instruments that come in my way. I may be able to play two instruments at the same time if my mind can keep up!"
"I'm really glad you are coping well with the change, both mind and body. That makes you already eligible to access Marelantis." Lyra commended, "Now we need to confirm your access as well as the progress of the investigation, that's where Sea Mint comes in..." She looked about, not sighting the emerald sea pony anywhere, "While we wait, let me go over to see what's with Bon Bon while you... continue tossing rocks..." Lyra nimbly dodge a tentacle swat and swam toward her marefriend, whom immediately turned away, ignoring the mint sea pony unicorn as she continued reading the book.
"What's the matter BB? You were being a wet blanket just now..." Lyra sighed, "Something or somepony affected your mood?"
"Not something... somepony..." Bon Bon turned around and looked at Lyra in the eyes, "You have been giving me mixed signals for almost half a day. I really want my laid back Lyra back, not some confusing, stressed up sea pony."
Lyra shook her head, sighing out again, "That's why I never want to come back here in the first place... it's just so happened somepony had to open up a letter addressed to me without my permission..."
"I've always been opening up letters for you!" Bon Bon huffed, "It's just so happened that the letter stated 'all expense paid trip to Marelantis'." She replied sarcastically, "Who would want to miss the chance of a lifetime?!"
For a moment both of them continued to stare at one another, when Lyra finally yield to the contest, "There are... reasons..." She replied glumly as she looked down, ear drooped, "not many... fond memories..." The mint sea pony unicorn looked back at Bon Bon, "I really hope you can understand and bear with me while I sort things out..."
Bon Bon was at a loss for words. Still, it did not stop her from hugging her marefriend, "I...I'll try... and I'm sorry for being insensitive..."
"Aww... don't they look cute together?" A voice rang out, followed by another, "At least they know when to stop before things get out of hooves." Both sea ponies broke their hug and turned to looked at Octavia, then to Sea Mint, who was grinning before coughing aloud, "I've updated Octavia that she's allowed access to Marelantis. Also, special arrangements are being prepared to accommodate her. Notices are already sent down to the city, notifying all citizens on the arrival of our special guest."
"I'm terribly sorry for the inconveniences caused..." The grey half-octopus mare replied.
"We should be the ones apologising for the inconveniences caused to you Octavia." Sea Mint assured, "Then in regards to your deviated sea-ponification, we have narrowed down to the sea pony unicorn who imbued the gem. The establishment will investigate the issue and will give you a satisfactory answer once we get any further updates." Swimming over to Lyra, Sea Mint finned the passes to the latter, who took note and replied, "Uhh, Sea Mint... I suppose to receive three passes, not two..."
"Its for both of them, you don't need one as you are and always be... a citizen of Marelantis." With that, Sea Mint gave Lyra a hug of her own.
"Welcome Back!"
Author's Note: Managed with much difficulty. R&R Thanks!
Chapter 5: Drama, Sceneries, and Gloomp..
Octavia’s Legged Woes
Chapter 5: Drama, Sceneries, and Gloomp.
"Welcome Back!"
Lyra cringed when Sea Mint announced her returned "... Thank you... I suppose..." She sighed receiving Sea Mint's hug, having a bad vibe on what will happen next, thus she hurriedly replied, "We should be on our wa..."
"HOLD IT!" Bon Bon cried out as she swam over, pushing both sea ponies apart and then facing her marefriend, "When did you get your citizenship?!" With her fins, Bon Bon 'grabbed' Lyra and shook the latter vigorously, "Who and what are you anyways Lyra Heartstrings?! You... I... ugh...." The navy-pink maned sea pony groaned as her mood totally deflated, ears drooping. "I'm just... going..." She swam off toward the direction of the house.
"I suppose I should go comfort her... though I'm not sure how much I can help..." Octavia shook her head and swam off after the fleeing sea pony.
"Is Bon Bon alright?" Sea Mint asked as she steadied the still shaking Lyra, "She has been having these emotional outbursts way too often... Is that common among land dwelling ponies?"
"She wasn't like that... Then again... it's my fault that got her into that state..." Lyra sighed in defeat, "I've been hiding... personal stuff from her..."
"So... does she know anything about you before the time you left here?" Seeing the mint sea unicorn pony shook her head, Sea Mint groaned, realising her insensitivity, "You know its going to be tougher down in Marelantis. Your might be able to get around your friends with some coordinations, but your father..."
"I can handle my father!" Lyra replied with an authoritative tone, forcing the emerald sea pony to zip her mouth. "As for Bon Bon, I'll have to prepare her every step of the way... and also prepare myself on getting earfuls of her outbursts." She softened her tone, "I apologise again from raising my voice Sea Mint."
"It's alright Lyra, I should have noticed your situation earlier." Sea Mint chuckled, "Let me run you down on the route to Marelantis as well as some happenings over the last ten years..."
"Bon Bon?" Octavia called out as she poked her head into the house. The lights were off, which made the half-octopus unable to see much of the interior.
"Go away!" The cream scaled sea pony replied from within, sobbing softly.
"Are you alright? Do you want to talk about it?" Octavia asked with concern, "I know you have been edgy because Lyra had been hiding things from you. So far you had handled it well, but why the sudden break down?" The grey musician paused for a while as she rested just outside the door, "Where is the strong-willed mare I know?"
For a while, nothing was heard from inside the house. Octavia patiently waited, and soon enough a shuffle was heard and a navy-pink maned sea pony appeared. With a slightly blood-shot sullen look, Bon Bon settled down beside Octavia, her tail twirling in the sand.
"Well..." Octavia started, "This is only the start... You do know there be much more 'happenings' down at Marelantis..." Octavia shuddered, wondering how the sea ponies would react to her eight-legged appearance. "Are you feeling better now?" She looked at Bon Bon, who nodded but still feeling down. The half-octopus gave the sulking sea pony abit more time before replying, "You should know that Marelantis won't come to you if you continue to sulk like that." She poked the sea pony with a tentacle, causing the latter to squeak out in surprise. An idea came into Octavia's mind...
"Wow... I never had expected so much progress..." Lyra commented with awe as Sea Mint finished her news updates.
"Yes, ten years may not be much, but cooperation between sea and land ponies did have that effect." Sea Mint nodded as she held up the amulet she was wearing, "This is one of the results from the extensive research between the mages of the land and sea. Previously, only the sea unicorn ponies could visit the land, but now it works on both sides as well as on other races."
Sounds of laughter broke their discussion as the duo turned to see Octavia returned with a wrapped up Bon Bon in a limb while another limb was prodding her in several places, causing her to laugh out from the ticklish sensations. "I found her easily enough... but she can be quite 'difficult' to cheer up." She smirked, looking back at her captive, who was crying out for the 'torture' to be stopped. "I'll leave the laughing pony to you Lyra. And I would like to borrow Sea Mint while you two sort things out... again." Unceremoniously, Octavia dropped the still giggling Bon Bon and pulled Sea Mint away...
"BB..."
On hearing Lyra's voice, Bon Bon went back to her sulking and turned away.
"Listen BB, I..."
"I'm sorry..."
"I... huh?"
"I'm sorry... for blowing up like that..." Bon Bon muttered loud enough for Lyra to hear, "It was just a while ago I promised I would try to take things in strides... but I kind of broke that..." The cream scaled sea pony apologised as she subconsciously went back twirling the sand with her tail.
"Don't be..." Lyra replied as she went over and hugged her marefriend from behind, "You have tolerated long enough... there's nothing wrong blowing up 'once in a while'..." She let out a soft chuckle, only receiving a swat, followed by a 'death glare' from the latter when Bon Bon turned around. The glare quickly softened and Bon Bon hugged Lyra back, feeling much better now.
"Kiss and make up?"
"If it helps to make you feel better." Lyra grinned as both sea ponies leaned in for a kiss...
A bout of giggling spoilt their moment and they quickly broke off, blushing furiously. Sea Mint and Octavia had returned, this time a filled saddle-bag strapped over the half-octopus.
Octavia grinned at the sight she had seen, "I've requested Sea Mint for some food for the trip, thus the saddlebag." She shook it slightly, letting it shift around her body as she was not really used to having something strapped over her. "So before we go, let's go through our checklist... half-octopus pony, check! Two sea ponies in love... check! Saddlebag filled with food, check! Passes to enter Marelantis..."
Lyra groaned, "Oh no... they must have floated away when BB 'violently' shook me..." The mint scaled sea pony had totally forgotten about the passes, "Can we get... another two?" She enquired Sea Mint while dodging her marefriend's swatting.
"It happens that the two passes you mentioned were recovered." Sea Mint replied giggling, "I slipped them in between the book while Bon Bon blew her temper." She went over to Octavia and patted at one of the larger pockets of the saddlebag, "They are now safely kept here until you reach the city gates."
"That's a relief..." Lyra relaxed, "So that's a 'check' then... and come to think of it Octavia, you do remind me of a certain pony I know who keeps check lists."
"We be stuck here longer if there's such a list." Octavia chuckled, "Alright! So we are all set to go! So Sea Mint, how do we suppose to get to Marelantis?"
"Well... sad to say this... the scheduled submersible ferry had left for Marelantis. It will only be back tomorrow morning." Sea Mint shook her head, "Fortunately, Marelantis isn't that far... three hours of swimming through the trekking tube."
"Trekking tube?" Bon Bon and Octavia both replied with curiosity.
"Its just around the corner," Lyra cut in, "No harm taking a look. This way girls." The mint sea unicorn lead them to the end of the dome, where a unusually large round door was fitted. From the side of the transparent dome, they could see the connected tube spanning into the blue underwater horizon, "The tube was originally meant for transportation of goods during the early years," Lyra started the lesson while the two newcomers gawked in awe, "However, as the tourist sector boomed due to the breakthrough of Sea-Ponification magic, Lord Triton declared the tube open for public, allowing trekking enthusiasts to travel between here and Marelantis." Lyra finished, grinning with pride, "So what do you say? Shall we wait until tomorrow for the ferry, or we can trek it?"
"Huh? Ohh... err..." Octavia recovered, "I don't mind hoofing... or rather... swim there. Its better than being cooped up here without anything to do... you don't want an annoyed half-octopus 'rampaging' the resort town for the next twelve hours, do you?" She mischievously smiled at the sea ponies. Bon Bon replied next, "I agree. As much I would like to see Octavia 'rampaging', shaking Lyra 'violently' for the rest of the day isn't that interesting after a while." She giggled, noticing that her marefriend had taken aback from the duo's replies.
"Right...heh..." Lyra replied nervously, "Then its settled, we shall trek there..." She nodded to Sea Mint, who snickered before heading to the side of the tube. Sliding open a hidden panel, the emerald scaled sea pony punched in a few buttons. A click was heard followed by the sound of gears being moved as the doors of the trekking tube slided open, revealing the brightly lit passageway. "You girls go ahead, I'll catch up once I settle a few more things with Sea Mint."
"What's the hold up?" Bon Bon enquired in an annoyed tone as Lyra caught up with them.
"Sorry about that..." Lyra apologised, "Just to make sure I got all the updates from Sea Mint. Marelantis surely had changed alot from what I heard." The trio continued down the passageway, all the while looking at the blue-ish extrerior of the sea. Along the way, they came across several intersections, where Lyra explained these led to the kelp and seaweed farms, somewhat similar to Sweet Apple Acres over at Ponyville. From a distance, they could see the small domes which housed the said farms. Soon, they found themselves opening the saddlebag as their stomachs started growling from missing lunch earlier.
"So... can I safely assume that Lord Triton is the ruler of Marelantis?" Bon Bon enquired as she munched on a kelp sandwich. Not used to swimming as a sea pony, the navy-pinked maned mare had tired out early in the journey. Octavia offered to carry Bon Bon; Being able to accustom to her new form quickly enough, the grey musician was gliding along without much problem.
"That's right, unlike Princesses, who are alicorns, he is a hippocampus. I mean, he is an immortal, just like them, but in a different form." Lyra fumbled with her explanation.
"So what does he look like, other than not having wings and horn?" Bon Bon continued her enquiry. Octavia was just floating along listening to the couple chatting away as she had her meal of seaweed strips.
"I have not seen him upfront before, but I heard he is half unicorn, half fish, much more regal than us... I mean sea ponies." The mint sea unicorn silently chided herself for the slip up, "Umm... so is there anything for me to eat?" She floated over and rummaged through saddlebag pockets, finding something of interest, "Ohh... is that what I think it is?" Using her magic, Lyra eagerly pulled out a small translucent bag made of gelatine. Inside, there were...
"Shrimps!" Both Octavia and Bon Bon replied with war9 as they see the tiny crustaceans swimming about in the bag.
"Ohh, did I mentioned that shrimps are a delicacy for sea ponies?" Lyra popped one out of the bag with her magic and sent it into her mouth where she chewed it slowly, "Ish been a while... I shtill prefer them shmoked though..." She chuckled after swallowing it, "You girls want some?" Floating the bag over to the duo, who quickly shook their heads, "Ohh well, your loss." Cheerfully, she resumed consuming the shrimps, much to the duo's dislike and surprise over how Lyrakwas able to eat live sea creatures.
Overhead as they travelled along the tube, there were sightings of fishes in schools, and an occasion shark, and the rarest sight of all, the blue whale. The trio did stop at some point admiring the coral field around the tube, where Lyra pointed out the different types of polyps spreaded out across the sea floor.The rest of the trip was uneventful, and the only voice came from Lyra, who was describing to them about Marelantis' history and some of the landmarks they could visit once they settled down in the city.
"Looks like we are almost there!" Lyra announced, a fin pointing to the distance. The trekking tube had dipped sharply downwards as if going downhill. From their vantage point, they could see a bright yellow light shining from a tall structure. Below that structure, there were other blinking lights, indicating other buildings below it. "That's the Marelantis Lighthouse, the tallest building in the city. Its to guild the ferry in as well as informing us trekking ponies that we are... reaching." The mint sea unicorn's mood deflated upon finishing her sentences, feeling a sense of anxiety coming on. "Ahh... girls, lets take it slow and enjoy the trek..."
"Bon Bon, grab my mane!"
"You sure about that Octavia? I don't want to mess it up."
"Just grab it already!" The half-octopus cried. As soon as the cream scaled sea pony clasped hold onto the former's mane, Octavia shot off towards the city with a squealing Bon Bon, leaving a surprised Lyra behind.
"I never knew you are the fun type." Bon Bon chuckled as the duo finally stopped at the entrance of the city. They could actually hear the music beats from the other side, "A cultured musician should not be so stiff. There are always time to have fun." Octavia giggled as a limb started tapping to the beat.
"Huff... huff... to think you can actually swim that fast!" Lyra exclaimed, panting as she finally caught up with them.
"Eight limbs do give me that advantage... Still, I do hope I can still change back after all the excitement in the city." Octavia replied with mixed emotions as she looked up at the gate, "Well! How do we get in? I don't see any doorbells or something similar."
"Let me catch my breath first..." Lyra leaned against the gate for a while gathering her strength. Once she recovered enough, she back up a distance from the gate. Lighting up her horn, she began a series of flashes against one particular spot of the gate. Soon enough a reply through the same form of flashes emitted from that spot, requiring Lyra to announce herself. She shook her head, hoping it was not somepony whom she recognize; The mint sea unicorn replied via flashing a series of light.
A moment of silence followed by the creaking of the gate as the doors swung open.
"Lyyyyyyyyyyyrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaa~~~~~~~~" A mint blur came out of the opened gate and gloomped Lyra, causing them to roll back several feet. The other two gasped out on seeing another sea unicorn with the same mint scale as their friend, except for the mane, which was a mess of dark green with strips of white at the sides.
"Heh... Hey... Harpie..."
Chapter 6: Reunion, Rampage, and Avoidance.
Octavia’s Legged Woes
Chapter 6: Reunion, Rampage, and Avoidance.
"Heh... Hey... Harpie..."
The sight of the newcomer pouncing and then nuzzling Lyra intimately got Bon Bon slightly riled up. As promised, she restrained, kept her cool, and prayed to Celestia that Lyra would provide a proper explanation about this.
"Harpie... if you don't mind..." Lyra sheepishly replied at the nuzzling figure above her.
"Aww... can't your little sis cuddle against you a while longer? Its been years since you left Marelantis." This somewhat affirmed the cream scaled sea pony that this nuzzling sea unicorn was not a rival.
"Lady Harpie!" A voice from behind prompted them to turn, seeing a squad of sea unicorns wielding tridents overlooking the scene before them. Their main concern, however, was the larger Octavia looming above them as she grinned back.
"Ahh...." Harpie quickly got off her sister and rejoined her team, acting all orderly now, "Welcome to Marelantis. If you have the necessary passes please produce them now."
With Bon Bon going over to help Lyra, Octavia decided to do the honours, prompting the guards, as well as their leader's attention, "The passes are with me, just a moment..." With smooth dexterity, the half-octopus opened her saddlebag and retrieve the book where the passes are stuck in between the pages. Using her suckers, all three passes were taken out of the book and displayed it to the gatekeepers, "So, can we enter Marelantis? Or there are other procedures we need to go through..." Octavia wondered whether these sea ponies were curious or afraid of her.
"Say Lyra... Is this your octopus friend written in the circular report? She's huge..." Harpie looked at Octavia with interest as she confirmed the passes to be legit. The half-octopus heard it but took it as a joke and smiled back.
"That's right. I'm not sure what was written in the report, but for your info, she's an land dweller pony turned octopus due to a magic accident." Lyra replied, "By the way, her name is Octavia, and this..." She pulled Bon Bon toward her, "Is my very close friend Bon Bon."
"Please to meet you both." Harpie chimed, "I'm Harpie Heartstrings, in charge of the defence on the South Wall. We were expecting a special guest coming to Marelantis through this gate, but were not expected this 'guest' is a friend of Lyra Heartstrings." Harpie looked at her guards, who were pretty much nervous and excited over the eight legged Octavia, "Ehh... well, the passes are the real deal. Now if you excuse me, I'll head back to the city and 'find a guide'."
"Harpie, can't you guide us instead of looking for one?" Lyra asked with suspicion written over her face.
"I could, but..." Harpie leaned close to Lyra and Bon Bon, "that'll deprive my guards the opportunity to actually 'fought' a 'sea monster'."
"I don't think Octavia would want to..." Lyra shook her head, not noticing Bon Bon already swam up to Octavia and explained the situation to the latter.
"I'm fine with it."
"Wha... what?!" Lyra sputtered as she turned to her musician friend, "A cultured mare like you?"
"As long as they don't mess up my mane or cut off any of my limbs I'm fine... besides, my octopus half has been edgy for the past few hours. I'm sure some 'exercise' would do me good." Octavia gave a mischievous grin as she stretched her limbs.
"Then its settled then. I'll be right back!" Harpie snickered and she swam off back through the gate letting out a sharp whistle, Soon, a sizeable force had gathered, where Lyra face finned.
"Wow... that's alot..." Octavia chuckled hesitantly as she stashed the passes and set aside the saddlebag. Once done, she readied herself, "So...ermm... come at me?" She announced to the guards awaiting their 'attack'.
The army did not overwhelmed her... In fact they 'attacked' in waves as if each group represents individual squads. Octavia could not be bothered as her main objective was to basically knock them down or disable their weapons. She was actually having fun swatting them or just pinning some of them down until they give up.
"I want this disgraceful behaviour to stop immediately!" A authorative tone rang out as a rather regal mint scaled sea unicorn appeared with Harpie in tow in the former's magic aura. He was not wearing any military attire, but a simple formal suit, "Lady Octavia is a distinguished guest, not some training dummy or sea monster. Stand down and return to your posts!" The soldiers all knew who this noble was and they quickly scattered.
"But father, the guys wanted some action and Octavia was nice enough to be their 'adversary'..." Harpie was whining as she struggled to free herself from the noble sea unicorn's magical grasp.
"Until you are relieve from today's duties, you shall address me as Lord String Tie, do you understand me Gate Commander Harpie." The elder sea unicorn cautioned, releasing his magic hold, "Now return to your post and straighten those sea ponies!" Not whining any further, Harpie gave a silent apology to everyone else before heading back to the gate, "Lady Octavia, as head of the Marelantis Tourism Board, I'm deeply ashamed for the conduct displayed." He gave a respectful bow, causing Octavia to fluster.
"Ahh... its really alright Lord String Tie, I'm not offended..." Octavia replied while giving a bow of her own, "Besides, I should thank you for inviting me to visit the fame city of Marelantis."
Lord String Tie gave a hearty laugh, "The pleasure is mine. However, due to your mishap during the conversation process, the Board had been busy in investigating your problem and tightening a few regulations. How are you coping with your form?"
"As you can see, I'm pretty much gotten used to it." Octavia assured the noble sea unicorn, "In fact, this might be a blessing in disguise."
"Oho, this would be interesting. Come! We can talk along the way..." The elder mint pony paused, stopping to looked at Lyra, who returned the stare, "Its been a while Lyra Heartstrings, I hope Equestria had been an exciting place to explore."
"I've been to several cities and towns... Lord String Tie... and I came back this year because my marefriend wanted to know about this fine city." Lyra replied with a neutral tone as Bon Bon looked on with concern.
"Very well... Ahh where was I..." String Tie muttered, "Right, come along you three, we have arrange a residence for the three of you."
"Will you be okay?" Bon Bon asked her marefriend as they watch String Tie lead Octavia on, "Both of you were very tense when speaking..."
"If he's not acknowledging, I'm not going to persue him for it..." Lyra just shrugged.
"Maybe he's waiting for you to tell him?"
"He's just stubborn..."
Bon Bon sighed and decided to let it go for the moment. She will have to wait for a better time to raise this up again.
"What do you think of Marelantis so far Lady Octavia?" String Tie asked as they went down a main street of the city.
"Honestly speaking, the streets are wide, clean, and well lit. Buildings are well organized and uniformly designed. Its comparable to Manehatten if you ask me." Octavia commented, "And please Sir, just call me Octavia. I'm just another regular guest to your fabulous city."
The south side of the city had been assigned as the main tranquil zone during the music festival. This area was where most ponies who wished to rest their tired eyes and ears away from the lights and music. Light music was allowed to be played in this zone, but only loud enough for personal enjoyment.
"Well said my dear. Our collaboration with Equestria had helped Marelantis in its recontruction to go very smoothly. Previously, buildings were just built without any care or concern and roads were paved out, not planned. With all the rebuilding done, sea ponies received a better living lifestyle and they don't feel as constraint as before."
Octavia nodded in agreement, "But, why don't I see sea ponies on the streets? I'm sure even in this area, ponies should be out with friends discussing about the music they had heard or the musicians attending the festival..." She noted that the locals were peeking through their window as if her presence spooked them.
"Having an octopus within the city is a first. If you have known, octopuses are sea ponies' predators, thus there's still the fear, even if you are just half of the real thing." String Tie commented as they round the bend of the road, "Ahh here we are, this is where you and your friends will be staying."
If Twilight Sparkle's tree house is a unique building, this underwater building can be equally related to; Its made out of several huge dome shaped corals, which glittered with a hue of ivory and purple. On entering the door, the guests could see that its been hollowed out and rooms filled with furnitures made of seashells and corals.
"its... its spacious!" Bon Bon squealed in delight as she swam thru and fro the rooms. Octavia was just speechless, it could not be compared with her apartment in Canterlot.
"We... we can't accept this Lord String Tie... this is too much..." Octavia stammered but the noblepony shook his head and replied, "You cannot expect us to provide you a sea pony residence. Besides, we still need to compensate you for the inconveniences caused." He paused, taking a glance at Lyra, who was watching her marefriend bouncing around the residence, "Well then, I suppose I shall take my leave. If you need any other requests or services, I have sea ponies on standby. Just give them a call with the crystal ball on the table."
"Thank you Sir. I hope to see you at one of the concerts and such." Octavia gave a nod of appreciation.
"I'll be looking forward to your cello plays Octavia." With a light chuckle, he left the trio to settle down.
