Cello and Wubs

Octavia had just gotten home and just went straight to her bed too exhausted to do much of anything. Cleaning Vinyl and Berry’s house or “The Barn” as they called it, had taken much longer than she’d thought. To top it off when Rainbow Dash had come by to drop off Tank, her turtle or tortoise or whatever he was her and Vinyl had of course gotten into it again. It didn’t help that she had strapped Tank with a device that allowed him to fly. Lastly Berry helped clean also but drank the entire time and left a trail of bottles behind her as she picked up other bottles. In the end she and Vinyl had just gone to sleep that night too exhausted to even go out and get something to eat. At least they got to cuddle she thought but she could have gone for a little more. Shortly there was a soft knocking on her door, sighing she called out and Melody meekly opened the door.

“Hey Tavi, I just wanted to say I’m really sorry about the other day. We didn’t mean to invade your privacy like that. You’d just passed out and we were worried when we heard the scream and really didn’t mean to interrupt anything.”

“You didn’t hear any recording or anything did you?” Octavia inquired dreading the worst.

“What recording? Ew, what were you doing?” Melody asked then quickly back tracked, “Wait, don’t tell me I really don’t want to know.”

“No nothing like that and of course you’re forgiven Melody. I’m just really tired right now. Vinyl and I had a really wonderful morning and half of an afternoon. Then her sister showed up and they got into a fight and then we spent the rest of the day cleaning her place. Oh by the way there’s a party in about a week announcing, I guess, our relationship.”

“You’re like official then?” Melody asked.

“Yes, is there anything wrong with that?” Octavia answered hesitantly.

“Of course not Tavi you know me better than that. It just seems sort of fast don’t you think? I mean you meet each other just a couple of days ago and now you’re an item already.”

“Please not now Melody I just want to relax right now and not get upset again.” Octavia sighed exhausted again.

“What do you mean by again?” Melody crossed the room and had begun to give Octavia a massage.

“We might have gotten into a fight right before her sister showed up. It was just a spat. I keep telling myself that she’s going to get bored of me or what will others say or how it’s going to work out being in different cities or what-“

“Wow okay time for you to stop. You’re a quite the catch Tavi. You might not know it yourself but you’re very attractive, an amazing musician, educated, cultured and obviously you can have a good time. You did hook up with and then started to officially date one of the hottest DJ’s in in Equestria in less than 24 hours. Do you have any idea how many ponies would be jealous of that.” Trying to boost her best friends some how lack of confidence.

“I don’t think Vinyl cares about any of that.” Octavia said sounding depressed. “We’re basically from different worlds in every aspect. We barely have anything in common. Part of me says I’m making a huge mistake but a much louder part of me says that if I let her go it’ll be a much bigger mistake.”

“Well do you think me and DK had much in common when we started dating? No, but you know what. I got interested in his things and he did the same for me. It’s how relationships work. You’re both musicians so how about you two start by sharing that.”

“I did invite her to come see me play some time, and she did seem excited about that idea.” Octavia perked up at Melody's suggestion.

“Oh perfect. You could make a nice dinner then play a private solo for her. Maybe throw in something else like read poetry to her after.”

“I don’t think poetry is Vinyl’s thing but I think you’re onto something. A nice quiet romantic evening with just the two of us candle light dinner my cello. I could show her around Canterlot. Melody you’re brilliant I can’t believe I didn’t think of this earlier.”

“I think there’s some art show going on also down the block this weekend also.” Melody hinted to Octavia.

“How are you so good at this?”

“Good at what?”

“For always somehow making me feel better Melody.” Octavia rolled over and hugged her friend.

XXXX

It hadn’t taken long before Vinyl had taken off the device strapped to Tank. That first day had been terrible and he’d basically trashed the place all over again, but Vinyl had promised Octavia that she’d keep her place clean. It wasn’t really in her nature to be cleaning up constantly but she’d promised. Never before had she noticed how messy Berry Punch was but since she hadn’t made the said promise and wasn’t dating Octavia, Vinyl had decided to let it slide. After all they had lived together for a few years without any mention of cleanliness before. Vinyl had also found it easier to clean if she just took a couple of her pep pills and as an added bonus it would help her shed a couple pounds. Not that she was overweight but she wanted to look good for Octavia and her party life wasn’t the best for her weight.

Was she already trying to change herself for Octavia? That girl must have had her hooks deep into her if she was trying to lose a couple pounds for her already. Not that she minded these hooks. She’d even inadvertently helped her shut up her sister the other day when she’d seen her place was actually clean. Of course that hadn’t kept Rainbow’s mouth shut for long but it was something that she couldn’t pester her about. Vinyl thought as she heard a sudden crash outside.

“Mail's kinda early today.” She said to herself as she trotted over to the door and opened it letting in Derpy with a smile.

“Here’s your mail. You got something besides bills today.”

“Here’s your muffin.” Vinyl traded the mailmare the baked good in exchange for her letters.

It had to be from Octavia because of the flourish hand writing; Vinyl ripped open the letter and quickly scanned it. ‘Blah, blah, blah...come over this weekend. Yay.’ Vinyl started her happy dance at the thought of seeing Octavia again, before she told herself to calm down. It was still a new relationship and she felt like she shouldn’t get overly excited yet. That was one of the good things about new relationships.

Vinyl searched for a piece of paper and quill to write back her response hopefully before Derpy was too far. Unfortunately in her ‘excitement’ to clean up her place she hadn’t exactly organized everything. Finally she found both of them and wrote a quick response as she rushed out the door. Favor wasn’t with her because Derpy wasn’t in sight but she figured she could just use her sister’s mode of communication. Twilight’s dragon and it was way quicker than pigeon mail. Didn’t it get sent to Princess Celestia though? Pfft she was probably pretty cool. Vinyl was more of a Luna girl herself but that didn’t really matter. Decided she headed to the Ponyville library.

“Good morning, Vinyl. How are you doing today?” Twilight greeted the snow white pony.

“I’m good Twilight. I was wondering if I could borrow some thing.” Vinyl asked.

“Well of course this is a library. What’d you need?”

“Can I use your Spike?” Vinyl asked hesitantly.

“Umm what do you mean?” A confused Twilight replied.

“I was hoping I could use your Spike to send a letter.”

“Did you have something to send to Celestia?”

“No, I just figured it’d be faster than mail.”

“Umm, I don’t know if that’s okay?”

“Oh I thought she was really nice and friendly and just so helpful. At least that’s what Dash keeps saying.” Vinyl knew she was taking advantage of Twilights weaknesses to the Princess and her friends, which she felt a little bit bad about abusing the former.

“Is it important?” Twilight asked starting to relent.

“It’s very important to me.” Vinyl said in earnest.

“Well okay I guess. I need to send a letter to her anyways so I’ll just send them together. What’s so important if you don’t mind me asking?”

If she was going to send it, it would only be fair for her to know. “I’m sending a letter to my marefriend.”

“D’aww that’s sweet of you Vinyl. Pinkie mentioned something about a party but said that Rainbow Dash said it might not be happening.” Twilight said then noticed a cold look from Vinyl. “Oh, I’m sure she didn’t mean it like that.”

“Sure she didn’t. Hey do you have anything about the Crystal Empire that I could buy?”

“I don’t really have anything from the Crystal Empire, sorry. Look Vinyl I know I shouldn’t get involved in you two but she just worries is all.” Twilight said trying to smooth things over, “She also said that she seemed like a really nice mare.”

Vinyl didn’t interrupt Twilight to talk for two reasons 1. She wanted that letter sent 2. Twilight had honestly always been nice to her and she probably did mean the best. “Twilight thanks for caring but I just don’t…” Vinyl trailed off then just changed topics, “Octavia, my marefriend, is really interested in the Crystal Empire and do you think you could like write something about it or have a map drawn? If you have the time of course that is.”

“You know what in a couple of days I might just be able to come up with something.” Twilight said slyly, an idea popping into her head.

“Really!? Twilight you have no idea how much I’d owe you. I’d do like anything for you.” Vinyl started to do her happy dance again before she restrained herself.

“I’ll hold you too that.” Twilight said in all seriousness.

“You have no idea how excited she’d be. Maybe something with music would be great.”

Twilight laughed, “Vinyl, I don’t think they have any DJ equipment, sorry. They were kind of frozen for a thousand years.”

“Well she’s actually a cellist.”

“Do you want some tea?” She asked leading Vinyl into the kitchen, “A cellist you say, well that’s very different from you.”

“Yeah we meet at my Hearts and Hooves set and there was just a spark I guess. Actually we kind of figured it out the next morning, but you know how that goes.”

“Yeah I don’t but please continue.”

“And she wears these cute bowties, they’re too adorable. You know what I bet you’ve heard her play. She plays for the Royal Canterlot Symphony so I’m sure you’ve heard her at that hoity toity stuff that Princess Celestia drags you too.”

“That’s really prestigious Vinyl. What’s she like?”

“She’s really nice like the nicest pony I’ve ever meet and she’s got this kind of quiet strength to her.”

“Go on.” Twilight said drawing Vinyl into her plan.

It was around lunch before the two parted ways. Immediately Twilight sat down and wrote down everything that she could remember about Octavia. Then a letter to her sister-in-law and finally one to Celestia about how she was going to help one of her friends soon. With those done she looked for Spike and off the latter two letters went.

XXXX

A couple of days later Vinyl was enjoying a nice relaxing afternoon smoke when she heard a knocking at her door. Waving her hoof around quickly to dissipate the smoke and she hoped smell she answered the door.

“Twilight, how’s it going.”

“I’m good…What’s that smell?”

“It's incense.”

“Okay well I just wanted to drop off your present for Octavia.” Twilight pulled out an ornate box from her saddlebag and levitated it to Vinyl.

“Wow that’s really pretty.” Vinyl beamed.

“Open it.”

Vinyl cracked it open carefully and just about dropped it even though she was holding it with her magic. “WOW! Just…WOW. Like…”

“Like wow? I’m glad you like it. Now if you remember you said something about you owing me.”

“Yes, anything Twilight you name I’ll take care of it, no hassles.”

“That’s great to hear Vinyl.” Twilight smiled then let the hammer drop, “You and Rainbow Dash are going to go out and have dinner together, get some drinks after and be nice to each other. Or at least try but I’m going to be asking for receipts from you two so I at least know you did it. Of course you two can take you dates which might be a good idea to at least help ease the tension between you two.”

“Oh come on Twilight. “ Vinyl whined.

“How much does Octavia’s joy of seeing this mean to you?” Twilight asked taking the box away from Vinyl.

“…Well played Twilight. Well played.” What other choice did she have?

“That’s good to hear.” She returned the box to Vinyl, “Speaking of your sister have you gotten any mail from her?”

After a full minute of laughing Vinyl finally responded, “Why would I. But seriously Twilight thank you so much.”

“If things don’t go to terrible with your sister there might be more things for Octavia to come. My brother and sister-in-law do run the Crystal Empire so I do have connections.”

“Let’s just agree on this for now.”

“Okay, but keep me updated. Have fun on your date Vinyl, well your real date. I’m going to be visiting your sister now actually but I’ll let you talk to her about that. I’ll send her your love.”

“Don’t bother.” Vinyl called out as she closed the door.

XXXX

The next day Vinyl saw the tall tail rainbow streak in the sky showing her sister had returned home. Not long after the typical crash of her landing, thankfully that was never her strong suit to Vinyl’s enjoyment, and a pounding on her door.

“Come in!” Vinyl called out knowing who it'd be already.

“Hey I’m here to pick up Tank.” Rainbow Dash said as she entered the house.

Vinyl spun around in a swivel chair with tank on her lap. “Diner, drinks and you can bring who ever you’re fucking right now.”

“First you know who I’m ‘fucking’ me and Soarin have been dating for a while. Second is that pot that I smell? You didn’t get Tank high did you?” Rainbow Dash rushed over and was giving an inspection of Tank.

“I was going for an evil villain thing thanks for noticing and no he’s not high.” Vinyl rolled her eyes as she defended herself.

“It’s like 9am and his eyes look a little red.” Rainbow Dash accused.

“How do you even get a turtle high?”

“Tortoise and you would know better than me.” Rainbow Dash said matter-of-factly.

“Whatever don’t play innocent with me. I remember Mom and Dad busting you.” It was Vinyl’s turn to accuse.

“That wasn’t mine I was holding it for a friend.” Rainbow Dash argued.

“LIES!” Vinyl shouted at her sister.

“SHUT UP BOTH OF YOU! I’M TRYING TO SLEEP OFF A HANG OVER!” Berry Punch screamed from her bedroom.

“Sorry Berry.” Called back the sisters in unison.

“Okay why do you want to go to dinner with Soarin and me?” continued Rainbow Dash quieter.

“Can’t I just want to spend some time with my sister?” Said Vinyl trying to sound like she was innocent.

“You never have before so what’s going on?”

“Fine Twilight did me a favor and in return that’s what she wanted. Actually it was for us to be nice to each other during it also.”

“That must have been some favor.” Rainbow Dash sounded surprised.

“Yeah I had no other options.”

“You didn’t get into any trouble did you?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Do you always have to assume the worse out of me? Maybe it was for something for someone else?” Vinyl defended herself.

“Was it for…what was her name?” Rainbow Dash said searching for the name of the gray pony.

“Octavia,” Vinyl helped, annoyed that she had forgotten her name.

“Yeah…….You seem to be pretty serious about her.” A concerned tone entered Rainbow Dash’s voice.

“Yeah,” Vinyl said letting her defense’s down a little bit.

After a moment of silence between the two siblings Rainbow Dash asked, “Is she coming?”

“I haven’t asked her yet but I’m going to Canterlot tonight to see her.”

“Sure then. Now where’s Tank’s propeller? How’s my baby going to learn how to fly if you take it off?” Said Rainbow Dash, showing her rarely seen affectionate side by hugging Tank.

“He was making a mess.” Vinyl fired back at her sister.

“This place is always a mess no one would notice.” Rainbow Dash said dismissively.

“Look around. What mess? You should get those eyes checked out the Wonderbolt’s don’t want anyone who can’t see, even if you happen to be fucking one of them.” Vinyl said smugly.

“Soarin’s not in charge of who joins the Wonderbolt’s.” Replied a defensive Rainbow Dash.

“It’s on the counter and I’ll see you Sunday.”

“Saturday would work better for me.”

“Sold.” Vinyl sang out her agreement.

“What? Whatever I’ll see you Saturday…” Rainbow Dash trailed off hoping Vinyl would pick up on the hint.

“Yeah Saturday that’s what I just said.” Vinyl said, completely missing where her sister had tried to lead her too.

“Here or Canterlot. Seriously you don’t need to be this high in the morning.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.

“Canterlot, I’m gunna be spending the night gettin some.” Vinyl said thrusting the air with her hips.

“Ugh, I don’t wanna hear that.” Rainbow said disgusted as she left.

‘Did I just win? I think I did. The cleaning WORKED! I totally need to listen to Tavi more often.’

XXXX

Octavia was all set and just needed Vinyl. She had their evening all planned out first dinner, then art show, then dessert at this little spot a couple blocks away and then back here for the private concert. Melody was staying at DK’s so they had the whole place to themselves and DK had given her some recipes from his restaurant. It was all going to be splendid. At 7 sharp Octavia heard the knock she’d been waiting for.

“Coming.” She sang as she opened the door to Vinyl.

“I got you these I hope I’m not late.” Vinyl presented her with a bouquet of flowers.

“You are just right.” Octavia said gazing into her eyes and taking the flowers into the kitchen looking for a vase. “I hope you found the place alright. I know it’s in the middle of downtown.”

“It wasn’t any problem at all.” Vinyl said looking around. This place was way nicer than hers. It was huge for starters and it just dripped of culture and class. ‘Well I know how Tavi must have felt.’ She was out of her element now and that wasn’t good. A familiar tension set in her chest. “Where’s your bathroom?”

“You can use mine. Up the stairs to the right is my bedroom and it’s just in there. I’ll get dinner started.”

Vinyl followed Octavia’s directions and stopped dead when she got to her room. Not only was it about twice the size of her room it was furnished with everything she’d only dreamed of. Silk sheet on a Princess sized bed, several book shelves covered in leather bound books and a few tasteful pieces of art on the wall gave the whole room a minimalist look. There were also two doors and no cloths on the floor. ‘She has a walk in closet that bitch. I have to take a peak that’s only expected.’ First door was the bathroom and it broke Vinyl’s heart. A huge mirrored vanity with all the lotions, perfumes and make up a girl could dream of, not that Tavi needed any really, and what looked like a bath tub that could sit four ponies with ease.

Vinyl’s heart was now racing. She’d assumed Tavi had been well off with the cello and going to a boarding school when she was a filly but this was absurd. This was way out of Vinyl’s league. She wasn’t part of the upper crust she was the upper crust. Vinyl took a few breaths and took one of her anxiety pills. She’d tucked away a few ‘party favors’ with her medication before she left. She assumed she’d need them tomorrow with Rainbow cuz the booze probably wouldn’t cut it. Taking a few minutes to let the medication start working she decided to check out some of the perfumes, all of which were quite nice before she headed back down stairs.

“Again you're right on time Vinyl.” Octavia had set the table with the flowers in the center and candles were lit. “Oh you can just set your saddlebag by the door. Now first I have tempura asparagus and a salad with balsamic dressing and of course wine.”

“That looks great. So your place is nice, like really nice.” Vinyl hadn’t intended on bring up how nice it was. “Like really really nice.” And definitely hadn’t continued to keep bring it up.

“Yeah I guess it is.” Octavia tried to act cool about it but she could tell that it was probably a bit more than Vinyl had anticipated. “My parents bought most of this stuff. I don’t even know what half of it is.”

“It suits you like in a good way. You’re all educated and classy and so is this place. And I’m not sounding very good. Look I’m sorry Tavi I feel like if I broke something here it would cost more than I’d ever make. Is that bad?” Vinyl said extremely anxious and angry that her medication hadn’t calmed her down yet.

Octavia looked at Vinyl and nodded. Then slowly pushed the vase off of the table causing it to smash on the ground. “Something broke and it doesn’t matter.”

“I got you those flowers.” Vinyl said sounding and looking sad.

“Oh shit.” Octavia rushed to pick them up. “That was the only vase…” Octavia looked around confused and lost on what to do next.

Vinyl couldn’t help but laugh at her expression. “Don’t worry about them.”

“But they’ll die soon if they’re not in water.” She moved to the kitchen looking for something to put them in and settling on a mixing bowl.

“Forget about them. Come here.” Vinyl beckoned her over.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to push your flowers on to the ground.” Octavia apologized.

“Like I said don’t worry about them. Besides I got you something better. Now close your eyes.”

Octavia obeyed and placed her hooves over her eyes and Vinyl gave her a kiss.

“That is better Vi-“

“Keep em closed Tavi.” Vinyl insisted. “And no peaking until I say you can open em.”

Octavia heard Vinyl moving around and a moment later Vinyl allowed her to open her eyes. In front of her was an ornate wooden box containing a soft pink crystal rose which almost seemed to glow on its own resting on a cloth made of red silk. Octavia gasped. “Vinyl it’s beautiful.”

“It gets better. Guess where I got it from?”

“I have no idea it’s so detailed.” Octavia picked it up admiring it

“It came from the Crystal Empire.”

Octavia was stunned into silence, then gently set it back in its box and stood up heading to the stairs.

“Where are you going?”

“You just ruined my plans for the night Vinyl.”

“I’m sorry I thought you’d like it.”

“Oh I do and that’s why we’re going to bed now so I can thank you.”