Octavia's Big Secret
Octavia's Big Secret
By Chef Kyro
Octavia has been known to take things way too seriously from time to time. She always wants to be the best cellist in all of Equestria. She even moved to Manehatten to play in the city Manehatten Phillamonic Orchestra. Although, what all that glitters was not really gold for her new position. The conductor was strict, the other players were gigantic snobs and the endless hours of rehearsal makes her sick of playing the same symphony over and over again.
The only refuge she can find was inside her small apartment in the Hooflyn. True, it was a big commute with multiple busses and subways, but to her it was home. She even has a friendly roommate who was there to help her out. Her roommate,Vinyl Scratch, was DJ who worked in Hooflyn for parties and clubs late into the night. She never really was the type who understands about Octavia's profession and why she stills work for the snobbiest Orchestra in all of Manehatten, but they were best friends since college. They share nearly everything together. Well, almost everything. There was one day that Vinyl discovered a new side of Octavia that would soon change everything.
Vinyl came back to the apartment early one night since her last show at the Hoofbeat Club was cancelled due to the potential damage from the act she booked last time. So she just deiced to come back to the apartment and have a nice dinner with her best friend. "Hey Octy!" cried Vinyl as she laid her headphones down, "my show got cancelled tonight, do you want to grab a bite to.." Suddenly she heard music coming from Octavia's room. It sounded like classic rock and roll but not quit expected to be coming from Octavia's room. She slowly got to the door and asked "Hey Octavia, what's with all the..."
Vinyl stopped slowly moved her glasses down to make sure her red eyes did not deceive her. Octavia was dressed in a small leather jacket with a white T-Shirt that said "Iron Mare-den" with a blue denim skirt that had slight tears on the hem but still intact and stylish. Her hair was done in a ponytail with a scrunchy that had a small skull for decoration. Her eye shadow was a dark purple with the same colored lips for make up. Finally she had a V- Shaped guitar that was old but still in pretty good condition hooked up to a small amplifier that looked like she got at a garage sale.
Octavia just froze there, try to think of something to say to her stunned roommate. "Uh.." Octavia as she tries to pick the right words to say, " I can explain this." Suddenly Vinyl started to snicker and laughed as loud as her speakers on a Saturday night. "Oh my god" as Vinyl hysterically blurted out "you look like a total rock and roll fan filly". Vinyl continued to roll on the floor laughing to Octavia's reaction to the whole situation. "You mean...your o.k with this?" asked Octavia in a confused matter. "Am I o.k with this? Girl, do you think I would care about what kind of music you like to play" Vinyl said as she started to calm down. "Vinyl, I never knew that you would think that you would" suddenly Octavia's mouth was shut by Vinyls hoof. "Look sister, I said I'm fine with it, " said Vinyl in a casual manner. "How about we get some dinner and talk about it. My treat." Octavia slowly smiled and appreciate her understanding. "Although, you should change outfit first," said Vinyl in a straight forward tone, "you sort of look like a clown with that make up on your face." Octavia, then just give her a straight forward glare.
After Octavia got dressed up in her usual bow tie and straight hair style, the duo of music ponies went down the street to a small dinner called Bobs. It was not the fanciest place in Manehatten, but it friendly towards their budget. With a cup of coffee in her hoof, Vinyl started to ask, "So Octy, why were you in that get up?" Octavia grabbed her warm tea in comfort and said, "Well...to be honest, I sometimes fantasize about becoming rock star sometimes." As Vinyl as started to sip her coffee, she tried to add up how Octavia would want to live the life of a rocker. Somehow, it just did not add up, so she ask, "how did it all start?"
As Octavia told her tale, a memory started to appear in her mind. As a young filly in high school, she was always annoyed by the constant stuffiness and snobbery from her prep school in Canterlot. She was always mocked for playing the cello and not being part of the close clique of unicorn musicians elite. Although one day, she was walking home from Canterlot Prep, she passed by a small pawn shop with a worn out guitar on the window. As she looked at it, she was curious to see how a very unusual instrument ended up in Canterlot. As she went inside, she met a young colt with a scruffy mane and a t-shirt with the pawn shop's logo. He seems pretty casual for a shopkeeper in Canterlot. "Excuse me" asked the young Octavia, "what exactly is that instrument on the window?" The young colt turned over to the young filly and said "that's called an electric guitar. Do you want to try it?" The young Octavia never really tried an instrument beside her cello before. It was somewhat unusual but she deiced to try anyway. She put her cello down on the side to make sure no one takes it and the shopkeeper grabbed the white V-Neck guitar from the front and handed it over to the young high school filly. At first Octavia tried to hold it like a cello but the shopkeeper laughed a bit for her cluelessness. At first Octavia seemed confused but then the shopkeeper said "here let me show you how it works."
He then took the guitar, hooked it up to an old amplifier and played a simple blues-rock rift. Octavia never heard this kind of music before, it was improvised but at the same time smooth sounding. She was in aw how well the colt played. "Wow" said Octavia as the guitar player finished his song, "that was amazing." "You know, I could teach you how to play." said the shop keeper. With a smile and a nod Octavia accepted eagerly.
Octavia's fantasy ended as Vinyl said "so thats how you learned to play so well." Octavia blushed at Vinyls comment and continued on with her story, "From there on, I secretly took lessons at the pawn shop with the shopkeeper named Riff Ralf and fell in love with rock and roll." said Octavia in a hushed tone to make sure no one else's listened, "I also managed to get that guitar from him as a graduation present." "But why keep it a big secret Octy" as Vinyl drank more of her coffee. "My parents were not really open to the idea of 'alternative' culture" as Octavia mockingly scoffed, "they think that I should be part of a grand symphony, but to be honest, Im starting to hate those snobby ass hats." Vinyl almost spat out her coffee when she heard Octavia's rant because she knew that once Octavia swears, she really means it. "Rock and Roll was an escape from all that misery...but it also makes me feel alone at times, since I'm into such a barbaric past time" as Octavia whispered in shame and shed a tear. Vinyl felt very sorry for Octavia that she would be ashamed for something that she loved. Vinyl knew she had to do something to help her. Then an idea went into the white unicorns head. "Listen Octy," as Vinyl said as she tries to comfort Octavia, "there is nothing wrong with loving rock and roll" Octavia then smiled a little at Vinyl for finally understanding. "In fact, I think I know a way to help you." As Vinyl said with persuasion, "Meet me at the Hoofbump Pub on Saturday night and I'll give you something to special to wear for the occasion" Octavia then knew that she was in for a long night.
Saturday finally came and after a long day of rehearsals, she went back to her apartment to see what vinyl has planned for her. When she came back to the apartment, she found some new cloths on their couch with a note attached to it.
Octy,
Here is some new duds for tonight. Be ready to experience the performance of a lifetime.
Vinyl
Later on that night, Octavia made it to the Hoofbumb in Hooflyn while sneaking around in a hooded cloak. Vinyl was hanging outside of the pub with stripped stretched shirt and her signature shades waiting by the door. "Well you finally made it," said Vinyl in a pleasant tone, "why are you wearing that cloak?" "It's just I look ridiculous in this outfit and I don't want the other members if the Orchestra to see me like this" whispered Octavia in an angry tone. "Don't worry Octy, no one is going to recognize you." Vinyl said as she took off Octavia's cloak.
Octavia have something simular to her other out fit only instead of a leather Jacket and T-shirt, she got dark purple jacket with a bright green, colored shirt with a black lighting bolt. She also got a new denim skirt with a stitched guitar patch that covered her cutie mark and her hair was done in the same pony tail style only with a leather band instead of a skull band.
"Now you look right for this decade". Octavia gave Vinyl the same death glare as she revealed her secret the first time. "This better be worth the public humiliation," Octavia said to herself. They made their way inside the pub to with all the food and booze to go around. The pub had a dingy but homy feel to Hooflyns. There was a stage with a drum set and big amplifiers that look like skyscrapers. The tables were filled with mares and colts looking for a good time after a long day of work, with plenty of food and booze to go around. There were posters of famous bands such as Iron Mane-den, Ozzy Ozhoof and many other hard rock gods of yesteryear. Octavia felt a little nervous to be in such a rough and tumble bar but Vinyl was right at home. "Oh hey!" vinyl said catching the Rainbow maned pony's attention from the bar "Over here!" The blue pegasus came dashing towards Vinyl with blazing speed and gave the big hug to the eletric blue haired unicorn. "Oh how are you Scratchy." said the Rainbow maned mare as she firmly squeezed Vinyl. "Just fine Dashie," as Vinyl returned the hug. "Oh..Octy, this is Rainbow Dash, she was part of my rock group in high school. Dashie, this is Octavia" "Oh yea" said Dash in recognition "Vinyl told me all about you. I heard you know how to rock a guitar. "Well.." Said the blushing and embarressed Octavia, "I mostly do it as a hobby." She felt a little awkward that Vinyl had a friend before her but she was not really jealous. "So are you ready for the big gig tonight?" Asked Rainbow Dash. "What do you mean by 'big gig'?"
Suddenly, the pub owner was up on the stage about to make an announcement. "Ladies and Gentle Colts, welcome to our Fifth Annual Armature Night at the Hoofbumb Pub!" There were some cheers from the drinking patrons who were starting to look a little tipsy . "Tonight we have a variety of new comers and old faces who a going on stage tonight. First up is the Rocking Manes and after that is the Big Ol Baddies and finally we have Octivi Co." Octavia's eyes suddenly widened at shock to hear that last name. "Vinyl" as Octavia grunt with anger, "why did that man called out a band called 'Octivi Co'?" Octavia's eye started to twitch. "Oh yea, I sighed us up for armature night," Vinyl casually stated. "You WHAT?!!" Octavia yelled in shock and anger. "You mean you didn't tell her?" asked Rainbow Dash. As Vinyl took a sip of cider from her mug she then stated "If I told her, then she would refuse."
"I'm not going up there" as Octavia stated as she started angrily head towards the door. "Oh come on Octy, its armature night and everyone is going to be drunk by the time we are up." As Vinyl pleated and hold her hoof. "Pleeeeeease." Vinyl said with big puppy eyes. Octavia looked around and thought maybe everyone would forget this whole ordeal by the end of the night. With a deep breath and a sigh, Octavia said "very well." Vinyl jumped with glee and excitement. "But I'm sacrificing you to the angry mob if this gets out of hand." As Octavia stared down at her smiling face. "Love you too Octy."
Later on, the trio band known as "Octavi Co" went back stage to prepare for their big debut. As they prepare, Octavia could hear the horrendous performances of the other two bands that still got some cheer but not a lot. She starting to get really nervous. "Do you want to pick the first song we want to cover?" said Vinyl as she was trying to snap Octavia out it. "We'll...I do like Any Way You Want It." Said Octavia as she blushed. "A little old school but, I think they will like it. Are you sure you can play it?" As Vinyl asked Octavia. "I practice that song every chance I get at least 3 times a week for the past year" as embarrassed as Octavia put it. "Hey Dash, do you know 'Anyway You Want It'?" As Vinyl yelled out to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash was tuning her bass as she replied "yea I did it before!" "Great so we can do it," said Vinyl so confidently. Although Octavia slowly looked towards the ground with a worried expression. "Don't worry Octy, this is all for fun." as Vinyl comforts Octavia, "Try to have a good time. I will be behind you all the way." Octavia smiled until the stage manager came in and said "Octvi Co, your up next."
As Octvi Co went behind the curtain to prepare for the show, Octavia was tuning her guitar while Vinyl was testing the drums. "Just follow my beat Octy." as Vinyl was testing her bass drum. Octavia gulped and wondered if she is willing to still go through with this. "Ladies and Gentlecolts, lets welcome our newest band for Amateur night, Octvi Co!" It was too late for her to back out now. The curtain rose up and the spot light was on the two confident mares and the seemingly stage frightened gray mare. "Hello Hoofbump Pup, Hooflyn" screamed Vinyl at the top of her lungs. There was a drunken cheer from the audience that some ponies can smell the beer right from there breath. "We actually have a new guitarist playing for the first time on stage tonight. So please give her some encouragement for Octavia everypony!" There suddenly cheers from left and right with some applause. There was also one colt from the audience who shouted "You look Hot!" Octavia couldn't believe the encouragement she got from this crowd.
"Are you ready Octy?" Asked Vinyl. "I think I'm going to soil myself" as Octavia wispered as she shook her hind legs. Vinyl then turned to Dash and gave a nod for the O.K. "Our first song is going be a cover known as 'Any Way You Want it'", as Vinyl called out to the audience. "1..2..3..4". Without even thinking, Octavia started to play with perfect timing and played perfectly to the beat. Vinyl was singing with microphone as Octavia played the song like a seasoned pro. Everyone was cheering in the audience for the new guitar player and Octavia smiled as she did sequence after sequence, rift and after rift until her big solo came up.
She went on her knees and closed her eyes at the intensity of her epic guitar solo. Sweat was pouring out of her in buckets as she went back and forth on the neck off her guitar with each note compliment the next. Dash even stopped playing as her jaw dropped to see Octavia delivered such an amazing solo. Vinyl even slowed down slightly to give the spotlight to her best friend. Her hoofs started to bleed as she finished off her solo with a high pitched wave of guitar bend at the end but she stood back up to finish the song. The crowd then got really into it and started to sing along.
"Anyway you want it, thats the way you need it, anyway you wanted" as everyone in the pub started to singing and dancing like drunk fools. At the end, Octivi Co finished off their song with everyone soloing at the same time and a big jumping end cord. Everyone in the Pub started to go hysterical with applause as Octivi Co made a big splash on there first show. Octavia was breathing heavily to catch her breath and grinned happlily that she finally made her dream of becoming a rockstar a reality. Then she suddenly felt dizzy and fainted right on stage, almost breaking her guitar. Vinyl saw what happened and both Vinyl and Rainbow Dash dragged her off stage as quickly as possible as the crowd was chanting "Otivi Co, Octivi Co, Octivi Co,!."
Octavia finally woke up a minute later to see Vinyl and Rainbow Dash beside her on the couch. "Did we do it," whispered Octavia, "Did we rock the house?" "You sure did," said Vinyl all impressed, "I never seen such rock and roll spirit out there!" Rainbow Dash gave Octavia some water to help her recover and a beer to help celebrate there big success. With a beer of Colten Rock in each others hooves, Vinyl proposed a toast. "To Octavi Co and for Octavia for having the time of her life." She smiled and clang the bottles to Octavia's new passion.
Latter on, Octavia became so confident in her playing, she did not even hide the fact that she wants to be a rockstar. Even though the other orchestra members thought she was insane for participating in such "rubbish music" she still played rock music at apartment with joy and comfort. After about a month or so, she deiced to quit the orchestra and become a freelance electric guitarist to play rock and jazz at the local bars in Manehatten. Her parents was a little shocked at Octavias resign from the orchestra but realized that she is happier with playing rock music than classical and support her career change. Although, she still plays the cello for fun, to which Vinyl is still confused about.
Vinyl became Octavia's talent agent and manager to land certain gigs in the city and around Ponyville. She still DJs as a profession but sometimes she practices with Octavia on her drums. Vinyl now has a successful talent agency office and give a lot of starting musicians the push to start their path to stardom. Rainbow Dash went back to Ponyville were she spends most of her days being the whether manager and being the Element of Loyalty.
So now Octavia still lives in her apartment in Hooflyn and still lives with Vinyl. Although once a year, the band known as Octavi Co, come back to Hoofbumb pub to watch new bands play, perform "Anyway You Want It" for the crowds and celebrate life for what they enjoy to do.
Author's Note
I have always been a big fan of Octavia and Vinyl Scratch. Although I always wonder "What if Octavia was forced to be classical musician and secretly wants to be a Rock and Roller instead?" This is a story about finding passion and accepting what you love. I do want to tell you that this the first time that I wrote about music instead of food and my first Vinyl and Octavia Fan Fiction, so please leave any suggestions below to make it better or a compliment on the story itself. This is also the first time I did a "one off". I hope you enjoy this story and thanks for reading.
