To Love A Cellist

'Three weeks have passed since I told Dash and the others, and tomorrow is Hearts And Hooves Day, I'll do it then, it'll be wonderful,' Vinyl thought to herself as she jammed to a song, DARE, by a human band, Gorillaz. As soon as her song was over, she began planning her and Octavia's day tomorrow, being sure to lock the doors and close the shutters, even though Octavia had an all-day rehearsal with the Royal Canterlot Orchestra, Scratch wasn't going to take another chance to have her plans blown. She had figured it out, first, breakfast in bed with a present, Vinyl wasn't sure on the present, maybe a new bowtie, but nonetheless, she kept planning, after breakfast, she would take her on a romantic walk through the Royal Gardens, and a boat ride/picnic in a quaint little lake that Vinyl had found one drunken night in a time long-since forgotten, all leading up to a party at Sugarcube Corner: Canterlot, where it would only be the Mane 6 (including Soarin', Dash, and Fyre Flye, their filly), Flitter, Cloudchaser, and the two human girls they had befriended. Vinyl smiled at the picture she envisioned in her head. "I really hope this is enough to impress her," Vinyl said aloud, her heart aflutter with butterflies.

"But now is not the time, I've got to find her a present," Vinyl stated with confidence, she left a note, just in case Tavi got home early, and headed towards the market district.

When Vinyl arrived in the market, she wasn't surprised to see many a mare and stallion darting from shop to shop to find a gift for their special somepony. Scratch let out a sigh as she headed first to the music store, to see if she could find something cello-related to please her lover. After purchasing a set of expensive strings and a new bow, she headed to the nearest coffee vendor for a chilled mocha frappe. As she sat there, sipping her coffee and enjoying the calamity of the busy marketplace, she started to think of a good line to use while proposing, nothing too cheesy, but something genuine.

~~~Meanwhile~~~

Octavia returned home late in the afternoon, 6:00 if she read the clock right, and was simply exhausted, 'If only Vinyl were here to give me one of her signature backrubs, it's a wonder she didn't get a cutie mark as a spa pony, she would certainly be prosperous,' Octavia thought to herself as she lay down on her soft, fluffy couch, she began to drift to sleep.

A loud rapping came from her door just as she had gotten relaxed, "Tavi? You in there? It's Scratch, wanna open the door? I've got my hands full."

"Oh, you silly filly, I just got comfortable, hang on, I'll be right there," Tavi mumbled to herself as she cantered over to the door and opened it, to see Vinyl was weighed down by a ton of groceries. "So how crazy was the market, love?"

"It. Was. Hell." Scratch threw all the groceries on the table and gave Octavia a quick kiss. "I'm gonna take a quick shower, then I'm gonna make us some dinner, you can relax until then babe."

"Oh, fine, but do hurry, I'm exhausted." Octavia gave Vinyl a hug as she walked off, "Why are you taking that bag with you?" she asked.

"Bought a new shampoo I wanna try out," Scratch replied slyly.

"Fine, fine, just hurry up and shower already, love you Scratch."

"Love you too Tavi." Scratch cantered up the stairs and quickly stashed her presents in her closet, then took a 5 minute shower.

"Mmm, smells good, what is it?" Octavia asked as the smell of something delectable invaded her nostrils.

"Just a recipe I got from AJ awhile back, with that signature Scratch kick, it's got zap apples in it too."

"I LOOOOVE zap apples-"

"I know." Vinyl was proud to please her lover. As she set the table, Octavia almost wolfed down her whole plate. Scratch loved how different Octavia was in private compared to her public facade, it was one of those things that made Scratch love her. Vinyl munched away on her food as Octavia went for seconds.

"So, Vinyl, I've got a little itch I need you to scratch," Octavia teased at Vinyl as they washed the dishes. Scratch had realized what she meant since the statement was followed by playful swat on the rump.

"Oh, really now? Weren't you VERRRY tired a few minutes ago?" Vinyl said, returning the sexual sarcasm.

"I was, but I feel WIRED now." Octavia was seriously into this.

"Why don't you head upstairs baby, I'll be up soon."

Vinyl finished the dishes, but stayed downstairs awhile, to do a quick checklist of tomorrow. First, she made sure her proposal speech was complete, then she packed a picnic basket and arranged the foods she would use for breakfast in the morning to be easily accessed, then called the Royal Gardens to make sure they had prepared it to her specifications, she then called the rentals shop to make sure her two person gondola would be polished and ready for her tomorrow, and finally called on Pinkie Pie to make a "few" last minute changes to her party layout, including tables, flowers, pastries, guests, music, and drinks, as Pinkie Pie finished her changes, she yawned a goodnight to Scratch and hung up.

"Alright, love, I'm-" Scratch cut herself off as she entered the room to see Octavia curled up with the stuffed animal Scratch gave her on their 4th date. She smiled down at Octavia's peaceful, serene slumber. She bent down and kissed her lover gently on the cheek before crawling in bed and holding her, "Goodnight, my love."