Cure for Pain

Part 7: Missing Pieces

“Mojo and the Karma Stealers!” The announcer yelled, Mojo and his band rising from their table to accept their reward.

I looked over to Coleton, who looked back at me. We both had the same look of confusion, the same look of “how did this happen?” We realized quickly, however, that we were supposed to be hating each other at the moment, because we both turned away quickly.

I looked to my bandmates. Acey looked let down, and I knew it was because he saw himself as the reason we didn’t win. I looked at Octavia, who had a look like she wanted to kill Mojo then and there. I know that because I had the same look plastered on my face as well.

“Alright…” I said, gathering Acey and Octavia. “Band meeting. My apartment. Now.”

“THAT NO GOOD,ROTTEN, LYING-“ Octavia started, before I joined in. “STEALING, SHAMELESS, PIECE OF SHIT!” We were back at my apartment now, where nothing could be held against us.

“Wait…” Acey said, interrupting our curses. “what’s up with this?” I sighed, and got a few bottles of cider from my fridge. “That was a song back on Earth that I taught Mojo.”

“…what?” Acey said, confused. “Oh…” Octavia said, a look of clarity on her face. “You didn’t tell him where you’re from?”

“Apparently not, or he would know what I was talking about.” I said, realizing what was going on.

So I told Acey about everything. From the beginning, when Pinkie and Twilight arrived on Earth to that very night. I finally finished, finishing the last sip of cider and awaiting his response.

“Are you serious?” He asked, skeptical of the credibility of my story. “Yeah, he is.” Octavia said, backing me up. “Everything is completely true.”

He sighed. “THAT NO GOOD, ROTTEN, LYING-“ He started. I laughed along with Octavia. It felt  good to laugh, especially after the contrasting emotions I felt that night.

“I guess we didn’t lose all that much.” Octavia said, smiling. “I mean, a record deal may be hard to come by, but I doubt winning one will give them much credibility as a musician.”

I laughed. “I guess you’re right about that.” I gave her a hug, both of us enjoying the support of the other.

“And besides…” Acey said, laying down on my couch and looking at the ceiling. “We can record our own album.”

I looked up, confused. “What? You can do that?” I remembered back when I still lived on Earth, and Coleton was teaching Twilight how to use the computer. That meant they didn’t have computers in Equestria, so what would they use to record?”

“Yeah.” Acey said, smiling. “It ain’t that hard. I mean, you download some software on the computer. It may cost a decent amount, but it’s full capabilities are amazing.”

“Wait, wait, wait, wait.” I said, lost by Acey’s words. “You have computers here?” Acey looked at me, an amused look on his face. “Yeah. You seriously didn’t know that?”

“I just assumed, because I saw Coleton teaching Twilight how to use Google… wait.” I said, finally putting two and two together. “Do you guys have internet?”

Both Octavia and Acey looked confused. “Internet?” Acey asked. “What’s an ‘internet’?” Octavia asked. A realization swept over me. They had computers, but they didn’t have the technologica capabilities to have a worldwide web system. “OHHHH!” I simply said, finally getting clarity on the situation.

“Never mind the internet.” I said, simply shrugging it off. “We need to get recording. Octavia?” I asked. “Do you have a computer?”

Octavia nodded. “I have one upstairs in my cello practice space, why?” I simply smiled. “That’s good. I’ll get some recording software with my discount at the music store, and I’ll install it on your computer. Then we can get to recording.”

That evening was spent planning the recording. For the first couple of weeks, we would record all of the rhythm parts. Then we would bring Acey in and record the guitar and vocals, which would take a week at the most.

“So… are we just going to spend every waking minute at Octavia’s house?” Acey asked me. “I don’t see why not. Is that alright with you, Octavia?”

Octavia nodded cheerfully. “That sounds great. For the first couple of weeks, it’ll be just me and Walker. We’ll go to work, and then we’ll come back to my house and record. I’m alright with sharing the living space.”

I smiled until a sudden thought arose. “So… will I be sleeping over at your house for the duration of the next two weeks?”

“Yeah.” Octavia replied. Acey simply got up slowly. “So… call me when you need me to record, okay? I’m gonna go. See you two later!”

With that, he basically bolted towards the door, realizing what was going on with me and Octavia. When the door slammed shut, and we heard Acey’s hooves in the hallway of my apartment complex, Octavia and I simply laughed and sat together on the couch.

“So…” Octavia said, a red blush washing over her cheeks. “It’s just the two of us…”

“All alone…” I said, inching closer to my love with every word spoken. “For the next couple of weeks …” she continued, the space between our lips getting smaller. “In your house…” I concluded.

With that, we finally reached each other, and we shared a kiss. It was warm and embracing, the memories of the night disappearing in a sea of happiness. We were finally alone, able to enjoy each other’s company without the distraction of friends or responsibilities.

We finally broke the kiss, and looked into each other’s eyes. “Would you like to stay over tonight?” I offered. “I can buy recording software tomorrow and we can get to it.”

“That sounds delightful.” She responded, a smile enveloping her face as we laid together on the couch, glaring into the warm glow of the TV screen. Neither of us wanted to go to sleep; neither of us wanted to abandon the other.