Bows and Bass

“Uh... Octavia... there’s something I want to tell you.” Gray said. He now had her attention. No going back now.

“Yes, Gray?” She asked.

“I... really like you. It’s only been about a day, and I just can’t stop looking at you. And a high class mare like you with an average pegasus like-” Gray said.

Octavia’s eyes widened with surprise. “Gray... are you saying you...?”

“Yeah. I might as well say it. I’m in love with you.”

Octavia simply sat there, dumbfounded. “I’m sorry.” She said.

Gray nearly felt his heart cave in. He knew where this was heading.

“Look. You’re a nice stallion. I can tell this won’t be easy for you to hear, but it needs to be said. I just don’t feel the same way. To me, you just don’t have anything worth loving.” Octavia said, solemnly.

Gray looked down at the table. There was an uneasy silence between them, and Gray did something Octavia didn’t expect. He just smiled and chuckled. Octavia was even more confused. She just denied him his feelings, but he just sat there, smirking.

“What? What are you smiling about?” Octavia asked.

“You know... it’s just like one of my father’s songs. I’m not sure if you heard them, so you might not get it.” Gray Steel said, a small glimmer of hope in his eyes. He looked up, to see Octavia looking at him intently.

“I’m listening.” She said softly.

Gray Steel smirked. “Basically, call me a sinner. Call me a saint. Tell me it’s over, I’ll still love you the same.” He said. Just of he finished, a wooden cart barreled down the streets outside, but the citizens just ignored it.

“That’s seems so... profound. And that came from Iron Strings? A metal artist?” Octavia asked.

“Well, it’s one of his lighter songs. Metal isn’t always the same thing. It adapts.” Gray continued. “It’s all that I can say. So... I guess I’ll be on my way.” Gray said, standing up from the table. “See you around, then.” He said, his smile fading. He left the restaurant, his head hanging a little low.

Octavia was totally stunned. She simply sat there, only to have Vinyl trot up beside her.

“Hey. What’s with him?” The DJ asked, seeing Gray Steel just leave.

“He... he loves me.” Octavia muttered sheepishly.

“What?”

“Gray just said he loved me. And I just denied him.”

“Are you serious? I guess he took it pretty rough, then.”

“Actually, he didn’t seem so sad. He just accepted it. Didn’t even shed a tear.” Octavia replied. “But I’m not sure how he’ll react later.”

“He’ll probably be alright. He just needs some time.”

<><><><><><>

Days turned into weeks and into months...

Vinyl trotted out of her music store. The sun was setting, it was time for her to grab some groceries. As she wandered amongst the stores, she stopped. Vinyl turned, as a familiar face passed her. Amongst the crowd, it was hard to notice. But a certain pegasus stood out to her. Vinyl smirked, trotting toward the pegasus drifting a few feet above the ground.

“Hey! Gray Steel!” She called out.

The stallion landed, and glanced at Vinyl. “Oh. Hi, Vinyl.” He said flatly.

“Haven’t seen you around here recently. How you doin’?”

“I’m doing well, thank you. Kinda keeping a low profile around here.” Gray replied, as he continued walking forward.

“Is that cause you said you like Octavia?”

Gray sighed. “Yeah. I feel so stupid saying that out loud.”

“From what Octavia said, you didn’t seem all that disappointed.”

“Well, I’ve just been a little heavy-hearted since the whole thing. I still do like her, mind you.”

“Well, have you been doing anything else?”

“Actually, yes. I’ve got a little shop where I sell short stories.”

“I never really cared for authors. They can write up some weird stuff.” Vinyl shuddered.

“Good to see you care.” Gray Steel muttered sarcastically. “But hopefully, Octavia will be the least of my concerns.” His eyes focused on Octavia, who was standing at the side of the street, browsing a vendor stand.

“You know, I’m sure she’ll warm up to you.” Vinyl said.

“Should she? I’m not going to give her something she doesn’t want.” Gray replied. Before Vinyl could say anything else, he lifted into the air, and flew in the opposite direction.