Chapter 7: Collapse Part 2

The sound of keys clashing against one another could be heard as Lyra turned the lock of the front door of her apartment. Swinging the door open, she made her way into her home. Dropping her bags down to the side of the doors frame she craned her neck with a wince, rubbing her shoulder some in the process.

"Damn thing, really need to get a new one. Hey Octavia you home?" She called out into the apartment. No response. "Huh, guess she already went to practice."

Lyra sauntered over to the couch to her left and plopped herself onto it, lifting up a controller of her game station that sat on top of the table in front of the couch. Kicking her hooves onto the table, Lyra sunk herself into a comfortable position and let loose a sigh.

"I'll head down to practice when I'm actually scheduled to go down there... For now, video games!" Lyra cried aloud, pumping a hoof into the air in excitement. Quickly she retracted her hoof and a small blush crossed her cheek from the realization of how loud that announcement was. "I really need to stop talking to myself..."

* * *

"Gotcha. Oh, and Octavia?"

"Hmm?"

"Love you." Lyra said bashfully.

Octavia blinked a few times in response. A tad bit shocked to hear Lyra say those words. Not that she hadn't heard them before, but this time they just seemed... Genuine. "Love you too."

With that Lyra closed the door and began her solitary walk to work over at Roseluck's shop. Octavia sat there, still for a few minutes. Letting those words sink into her brain as she contently watched the door, as if she was studying the finish of it. When she was finally done bathing in the afterglow of those words, she got up to begin her day by sipping on the coffee Lyra had brewed for her. Grabbing the mug in one hoof, Octavia lazily moved her way to the kitchen, still wiping the morning dew from her eyes. Upon arrival she grabbed a bowl and poured herself a simple breakfast consisting of cereal and nothing more. Octavia turned around to the fridge, opening it up. When she saw that Lyra had used the rest of the milk to make their coffees, she turned around and shrugged her shoulders before pouring the rest of her coffee into the cereal bowl.

After her quick breakfast, she got her self ready for the day ahead. Showering, grooming her hair, and tying her signature purple bow-tie on her, she was ready to hit the day. Grabbing her cello, she slung it over her back and exited the apartment to get to practice early like always.

As Octavia walked along, she relished the feeling of serenity that had taken over her. Sure she had felt like this before, somewhat, when the instructor had told her that Lyra had feelings for her but this time was different. Everything seemed better. The sun was extra warm and inviting, while the flowers were the most fragrant she'd ever smelt. Even every other pony seemed to be in a joyous mood today.

Not to mention she still couldn't quite wrap her mind her head around Lyra saying she loved her. The very thought made her giddy beyond belief. So much so that she let out a little squeak of joy while waiting at the corner of a street as a couple of carts passed by. Her strange noise gained a few very curious eyes to glance over at her, earning them a sheepish smile in response.

Her walk to the old worn down practice hall seemed a bit shorter than usual but Octavia didn't mind. Today was beautiful in every way to her. She even enjoyed seeing the eyesore structure that once used to be called a music hall. The rot infested support beams, the creaky floor boards, and chipping grey paint. She loved it all this day.

Barely shoving the main entrance doors open, Octavia wiggled herself through the small gap, catching her cello case in it once or twice before finally entering. Dusting herself off, she pushed the daunting door back shut and proceeded to make her way into the concert hall section of the structure.

Gliding through the isle of tattered chairs, Octavia reached the light switches and flicked them all on, giving some life to the damp, humid and dreary place.

Although it was never properly discussed between her and the instructor, Octavia would always come in and set things up. Every so often the instructor would beat her but typically she would be the first out of everypony to arrive. Eventually it got to the point where the instructor would just leave the place unlocked the night before just for Octavia the next day.

Reaching the stage, Octavia flicked it's light switches on too, providing additional light to the hall. Setting down her cello case behind the partially opened curtains, she walked over to the hidden hatch in the back of the stage. It was the main entrance for the basement of the hall, where they kept all the chairs, equipment and where the instructors office was.

Taking delicate steps down the stairs of the basement, Octavia could see a light emanating from the bottom of the staircase. When she finally arrived down at the bottom, she could see the instructors office lights were still on, while the rest of the rooms lights were left off.

The office was a subsection of the basement, a room within a room. And for some odd reason, one Octavia could never quite grasp, it had windows with blinds on the inside. As if he would have to block out any un-welcomed eyes down here, or block out the sun.

Using the dim light coming from the office to guide her path, Octavia approached the only door of the instructors office. Dodging every piece of equipment that crossed her path. Weaving in and out, ducking and swerving around like a mad mare, making sure not to break any of the expensive equipment that had been lazily tossed down here by the rest of her band mates. She begun to make a mental note to clean the place up later today right before her hoof got caught up on one of the sides of a chair stack, instantly knocking a dozen plus metal chairs to the ground. Letting out a quick 'eep' before her body was encased in a tomb of fold up chairs, Octavia groaned loudly.

After the large clashing of metal that sounded like a thunder storm had ceased, she could hear the door of the office open up and hoofsteps approaching her. Shoving off one of the chairs from her head she puffed a few strands of hair from out of her face and looked up. The instructor was standing above her, his eyes bloodshot with matching bags beneath them. His usually slick mane was frazzled and out of place, along with his suit. Extending his hoof outwards, he helped Octavia get back up, knocking a few more chairs down in the process, earning and embarrassed wince from Octavia with each clashing of them.

"A bit clumsy this morning aren't we Ms. Octavia?"

"Yeah sorry. I clean those up right away."

The instructor raised a hoof to her for silence. "That can wait. I have a more pressing matter I need to discuss with you in my office. Come, follow."

Without another word, the instructor turn around and headed back into the well lit office. Obeying his request, Octavia followed suit and walked into the small room a few second after him.

The office was as cramped as cramped could be. Although in person, the instructor was a very well refined pony, in private he was a slob. Papers were scattered throughout the floor, his trash bin was overflowing with crumpled up music sheets along with multiple cigarette butts smashed into the wads of paper. Octavia hadn't known that he partook in such things, but then again the instructor was a very private stallion outside of practice.

The walls were aligned with out of date calenders with most of their dates ex'd out, signifying when they had played a show. The shade that should have been surrounding his desks lamp had been removed, adding additional and unnecessary light to the room, forcing Octavia to squint just a bit. Multiple pens were splayed on his desk, covering up a green fabric cover to protect the natural wood of his desk.

Taking a seat behind his desk on an old, beaten chair, he let out a groan. He leaned forward onto his desk with his elbows for support and begun rubbing his temples while Octavia took her seat at the opposite end of the table. Removing one of his hooves from his temple, he leaned his head onto the other and began to play with a pen on his desk, rolling it around, back and forth. Not paying any attention to Octavia as his mind remained a million miles away. Octavia watched in silence for a while until she finally cleared her throat, gaining his attention.

"My apologies Ms. Octavia, my mind is a little preoccupied at the moment." He stated as he leaned back into his chair, staring at Octavia now. With a large inhale, he continued, "Lyra is out. This time I don't mean until further notice. This time, she is out."

The news took Octavia back a bit. Her mouth opened up slightly from the initial shock. "Wh-what? I thought you were going to have a talk to Gibbons about dropping the charge-"

"Yes and I did... In fact I've been talking with him for most of the night. That's the reason I'm still down here at this ungodly hour. After we had our talk over at the cafe, I came back here to give him a call. I would have gone straight home but by the time I reached my house, chances would have been that he'd be asleep and I wouldn't be able to solve things. When I called him, I begun stating the facts and reasons why I need both of them. Apparently my words fell on deaf ears because he wouldn't have any of it. He was certainly adamant about suing her. Saying he's going to throw her onto the streets. After stating that, I practically begged him not to do this, because in turn I'd let him go from the orchestra."

"And?" Octavia was practically on the edge of her seat.

"And nothing. He wouldn't have any of it... My hooves are tried Octavia, there is just simply nothing I can do." The instructor slouched back into his chair which gave off a creak. Placing a hoof back up to his head, he continued to rub his temples.

Octavia sat there, completely still. While the world around her continued on, inside she felt as if her own had just shattered. She knew that not being able to play in the orchestra would mean the end for Lyra's life here in Canterlot, and in turn, their new and fragile relationship.

Snapping herself back into reality, Octavia spoke again. "So that's it? You're just going to give up on it?"

The instructor could tell simply by the tone of Octavia's voice that she was becoming frustrated and flustered. Trying to keep her cool, he spoke in a clam and professional voice, "I tried, believe me I did. I stood up all night on the phone with that..." He took a pause as he re-framed from calling Gibbons what he truly thought of him. Clearing his throat, he rephrased his sentence, "That colt."

"Well try again!" Octavia cried out as she grabbed the old, beige colored telephone off his desk. She held it out at the instructor and shook it a few times as if expecting him to grab the receiving end of it.

Gently placing his hoof onto Octavia's, the instructor lowered the phone back down onto the table. Removing her hoof from the phone, he cupped it into his hooves. "Octavia, believe me when I tell you I would love nothing more than to help you and Lyra out."

The instructor gave Octavia a stern and honest glare. Finally the situation had sunk into Octavia's thick skull, that this was going to happen. Gibbons was going to sue Lyra, forcing her out of the orchestra and Canterlot.

Octavia hung her head low, wallowing in her thoughts. Her ears pinned themselves back as she begun to let little hiccups of sobs out.

The room fell silent. The only noise, a light buzzing from a fly swarming around a near by trash bin. The Instructor gave Octavia's hoof a light pat to comfort her before letting go. Standing up, the Instructor made his way around his desk, stopping at Octavia's side. Looking over his shoulder he gave her a quick glance before murmuring something under his breath before continuing his path towards the door.

The lock from the door shifted, echoing it's clanking sound through the room to break the silence. As her took a step out of the office, Octavia's ears perked up and her teary eyes shot open. Jerking around with lightning speed, she turned herself around, knocking the wooden chair down to the floor. The toppling of the chair caught the Instructors attention, making him turn around to face Octavia once more.

What he saw was not Octavia, but a misty eyed mare with fury behind them. Her legs were spread apart, as if she was ready to charge at an opponent that had threatened her life. Her tail swished back and forth as her nostrils flared. From what the Instructor could remember, this was not Octavia but an entirely different mare.

"What if I talk to him?" She questioned, her chest puffing out some.

"What?" The Instructor completed his turn towards Octavia now that his full attention was caught.

"What if I talk to him? He may not listen to you, but maybe he'll listen to me"

"Why would he listen to you? It's no secret that he despises you for taking his spot in the Orchestra."

"Then what would you suggest?! I can't just stand by, idly fiddling with my hooves and do nothing!"

"I suggest you go home... Tell Lyra and try to figure something out with her. There's no winning here, just accept it and move on. That's my suggestion."

The passion within Octavia's eyes faded away. Typically the Instructor would give her some comforting words, or at the very least give her some motivation. But his words completely deflated her drive. Her head slowly slunk down again.

"I know you think you can change things, and I know you want to. But it's the best thing for you to do right now." The Instructor looked at Octavia who gave to acknowledgement to his words. After a few more moments of staring, Octavia finally fell onto her rump with a thud. Giving a loud and audible groan, followed by a harsh stroke of his mane, he spoke again, "Fine."

Octavia lifted her head up and glued her curious eyes onto the Instructor as he walked back into the office and past her. Twisting the upper half of her body around, she saw him rummaging around some files that had been stored within the confines of his desk. Lifting his head back up above the wooden desk, he dropped a tan folder from his mouth onto its surface. Opening the folder up, he spread a couple of sheet to the side onto he found what he was looking for. Grabbing the mysterious piece of paper up, he walked back over to Octavia and sat down, placing the paper on the floor underneath his right hoof.

"It's up to you-" With that the instructor got up and walked towards the door, stopping in its frame to look back at Octavia. "on that paper you'll find Gibbons home address. Just remember, if you do go and see him... You didn't get that paper from me."

Octavia smeared a hoof across her face, wiping any dew that still lingered in her eyes away before giving the Instructor a smile. The Instructor in turn gave her a forced smile as she picked up the paper off the floor.

Turning around to face away from Octavia, he continued, "Now, If you'll excuse me Ms. Octavia, I must prepare the hall for today's practice. Make sure to lock the basement up when you leave."

With that, the Instructor strolled off leaving Octavia alone in the office. The paper she held within her hooves could possibly contain the information she so desperately needed to fix both hers and Lyra's problems. Lifting the sheet up to her face, she scanned it for the home address of Gibbons. Lowering the paper down and placing it back onto the desk, Octavia turned off the lights and locked the offices door before making her way out of the basement. With the basement locked, Octavia moved quickly behind the curtains of stage towards the back exit of the hall.

The glare from the sun shone down onto Octavia, causing an instinctive squint from her. A swift breeze blew past her, pummeling her with a dozen or so leaves as they rolled past her into the sky. Once her vision adjusted, she gave a couple of blinks followed by a long exhale. Remembering the home address of Gibbons, she began on her journey with one thought in mind.

Lyra...

Author's Note

Hey I got a new chapter out! Amazing! Not really but hey miracles come in all shapes and sizes. Be sure to leave me a comment telling me if you enjoyed it or hated it, perhaps it'll motivate me to make some more this weekend. :D