Chapter Seven: Hot Cocoa

The cool February breeze nipped at the pelt of anypony venturing out today. It was being of those winter days that wouldn't end without leaving one last impression before the transition into spring. Octavia being one of the few ponies out today did her best to cope by bundling up in her warmest tartan scarf. Her destination this evening was a quaint little bistro called The Honeywheat Cafe.

Snow crunched with each step and breathe fogged as Octavia made her through the snowy streets of Canterlot this evening. She began to mull over the last few days to past the time as well to ignore the cold. The currently out of work cellist was surprised at how fast she found herself adapting to current life altering events in her life. A small part still hoping that all that happen in last little while was just some horrid dream she cease to wake up from yet. Whatever answers the DJ may have couldn’t be as dramatic or as dire as the ones her frantic mind came up with.

Since discovering she was an expectant mother, the first few days had her reeling in the initial overwhelming fear and shock. She still felt almost soul crunching stress towards the whole situation. The uncertainly surrounding her unplanned families future at first seemed dire. However, the unstoppable force known as maternal instincts were kicking in. This boost (or what felt more like a sharp slap to the flank) to trudge the worst her misgivings.

Finding it pleasant, but odd at how soon the pony named Vinyl Scratch had responded to her invite. Especially since her mail that day had been delivered directly to her by a personal carrier. The pegasus mail-colt dressed in equestrian postal uniform with matching goggles was charmingly sweet and professional. She found herself having the strangest case of deejay-vu towards mail-colt. He was attractive with a lean athletic build, his sweet manner and warm goofy smile only adding to his charm. However she found the shade of his white coat and faded blue man eerily familiar.

The Honey Wheat Cafe now was just one more street corner away. Staggering briefly suddenly feeling faint, as another bout fatigue hit her. Managing to steady herself, she shook it off as just one of the pregnancy quirks she just had to suffer through. Giving herself quick full body shake, releasing off any last minute tension, (disguising it as a polite gesture, flicking off snow that may have settle on her coat), before opening the door into the cafe.

Upon entering Honey Wheat cafe, Octavia found herself greeted by warm gust of air. The cafe today was experiencing a slow day due the weather. The lone waitress running the cafe today looked happier to have the cellist here, her work day more fruitful with another customer today it look so awkwardly empty with fewer ponies who regularly filled them. The chatter of lively ponies not present gave off a feeling emptiness without the warmth its customers provided.

There weren't many ponies out this evening due to the weather,but it seem the few who were gravitated to the cafe. There was an elderly stallion reading a copy of the Canterlot Express in a corner booth sipping at a steaming hot cup of coffee. Two mares chatted away while nursing at their own hot drinks at a window table. The last pony sporting a mess of spiky electric blue mane and pair of amnesty tinted shades. Vinyl Scratch, (or sometimes by DJ Pon-3) seemed oblivious to world, hunched over and sliding her cup back and forth board. The doors chime alerting all to cafe that another pony joined their mists.

Swallowing the nervous lump in her throat, Octavia made her way towards the DJ's table. Without meaning to due to frayed nerves, she plotted her flank down harsher than she had intended. Their hesitation cut short by the waitress checking in on them.

Octavia consider ordering some earl grey tea, but found her nose being drawn to heavenly sweet scent of Vinyl’s drink. Which she recognized as hot cocoa. The chocolaty aroma it wafted encased her cozy feelings of being enveloped in warm embrace of a cozy fireplace, drink in hoof and surrounded by love ones.

"I'll have what my friend is having," Octavia answer the waitress.

“One hot chocolate coming up,“the waitress answer and left.

The ominous tiredness couple with nervous butterflies did not help Octavia's focus now that she finally face to face with DJ. Being the bolder pony, Vinyl Scratch,broke the silence.

"So... , it's been awhile, must be nice to have some time off of busy pony like yourself. You know, how all those high and elite types seem to be always throwing a fancy shindig here and there for whatever reason."

Octavia let the DJ rambled on as her drink now just arrive.

" There not my kinda crowd , but life as a musician, you sometimes can't be picky for bits. So whats new with you-"

She stumbled lightly taking as she took snip of her cocoa. Her nerves somewhat settled. Octavia decided it was now or never, swallowed last of her reservations, clear her throat and let it flow.

"Miss Scratch, I know it been awhile since we last spoke, but it never to late to catch up with "friends".(Vinyl Scratch nodded in acknowledgement),"So what i had hope to..to... ask you may seem uncomfortable and a bit queer, since we haven't really known each other for that long..." -

Why now of all times did she have to stammering again. She was so close ,why did her tongue have become so knotted with emotion. All she needed to do was get it out and go from there. She kept repeating to herself but to no avail did her mouth do as she willed to get her message ascross.

Vinyl scratch seeing Octavia viable distress, growing concern for the gray mare.

" Hay now, just lay it on me. Whatever you got to say can't be bad. So go ahead just shout it out, you'll better feel once it done,"The DJ gave Octavia that zealous grin encouraging the cellist.

Her efforts were rewarded, Octavia blurted out was "I'm pregnant."

Those in the cafe who couldn't help but hear the good news all gave her warms smiles and some even came up to her offering their congratulations. Vinyl scratch remind blank face.

"Thats nice..., not the weirdest thing that anypony ever told me told, but what tis got to do with me,seeing as like you said before. Were not really the closest of friends. Wouldn't this be something you tell mare friends to get giggly with and coo over cutesy foal stuff together."

Regaining control over the volume of her voice Octavia responded with,"True, however I find myself in need of your help to fill certain missing gaps of important details I'm having trouble filling in."

Vinyl Scratch let out an all knowing "oh".

Octavia felt overwhelm chest-fallen, there seemed no point continuing this fruitless adventure with this simpleton of a pony .She knew getting anything clear up nothing short of a long shot. She wasn't sure if she was about to cry, just sure that right now she needed was to get away.This was pointless she keep repeating in her head. She drop the bits for drink then proceeded out the cafe. The tiredness that nag for last while hit tenfold making her strive harder to stay centered and upright.

"Octavia wait up!"

She halted, turned to who her caller was, the DJ cantering to catch up to her.

"Please Vinyl, leave me be ," was all Octavia could muster fighting back tears.

"Just listen Tavi, I know I'm not your favorite pony, but you didn't give me chance to mention that there may be way to remember long forgotten memories. Your Pregnant I'll let it go because you know .See, there this spell."

"A spell?"

" Yeah a memory spell, my friend sometimes casts it on friends, herself to sometimes aid when were trying memorize something difficult or after a night of partying before a show. There only tiny one problem, I don't know how far back she can trigger older memories. Still though, better than nothing and as a friend I want nothing more than to help."

"So when would it the best time to come see your friend about casting this spell?"Octavia asked trying not to sound too desperate.

"Honestly as early as tonight if you wanted,"The DJ answer nonchalant.

Octavia couldn't help what happen next. She lunged at the white pony embracing her in bone crushing hug, surprise to discover how plush and snuggley the white pony pelt was. Vinyl Scratch returned the hug happy to help. However,in the back of her mind she hope her friend would be cooled off by now or lest miffed at her for bailing out on her earlier chores.

Author's Note

Yay I'm back, scary too see how long its been since my last update, had to deal life things, revamp the draft of this story. Looking forwarding working on this again.