According to Plan!

by The Buck It Bros

Octy on Ice

The sun was just moments away from rising on the streets of Canterlot but Octavia found herself unable to fall back asleep. Wanting to avoid kicking her marefriend like the last time she tried forcing herself to sleep, the cellist decided to get out of bed. The gray mare stretched her hide legs and back before walking into the adjacent room. When she entered the room, she saw her cello and the small music box that her uncle gave to her as a wedding gift sitting in the corner. Even though the wedding that Octavia originally told him about was a fake, she was still happy to get it. She grabbed the music box and gave it a small crank hearing a familiar tone that her Grandmare used to sing. Though she passed while Octavia was still a foal, she remembered all the stories her mother and uncle told about her and how courageous she was. “I wonder what you would do if you were in my hooves.” Octavia commented to the music box.

The tone slowly came to a stop after looping for the third or fourth time and the gray mare set the box down on the desk. Octavia looked back at her cello sitting in the corner and smiled as she picked up the bow that Vinyl got her for last Hearth Warming Eve. “For all the trouble you get yourself into you always managed to pull through time and time again... Perhaps I should take a lesson from you one of these days.” The cellist thought rubbing a hoof over the engraving on the bow.

Octavia grabbed her cello and walked to the middle of the room. Standing on her hide legs, Octavia placed her bow on the strings and began playing the same tone from the music box. Knowing that nothing short of a thunder storm would wake up Vinyl, the cellist only played softly as too not disturb the other guests in the hotel. As Octavia played the nostalgic melody, she closed her eyes and began remembering a time where her whole family was happily together. First thought was a scene of Alto pushing a young Octavia on the swing set and jumping off only to be caught by Harmony’s magic. Then it was her birthday and Uncle Trotterlot stopped by and regaled the entire family of stories of his most recent adventure. Harmony was in tears from laughing so hard. This brought up another memory of Octavia listening to her Grandmare, Amelia Melody, talk about her life and how she was torn between choosing between being a musician or an explorer. Being torn between two things she wants is something that Octavia could definitely relate to now. All of the gray mare’s memories seemed nice until she remembered the funeral for her Grandmare.

Octavia stopped playing the tune to wipe a tear from her eye. Everypony Octavia knew loved Amelia, she was an inspiration to many ponies throughout her days. Though Octy’s mother took it the hardest and began focusing on her career to get away from the pain. The family started drifting apart after that, Octavia shook her head to stop herself from diving into that train of thought. Setting her cello down and sitting down, she raised her two hoofs and gave herself a light smack on her checks. “Stop it Octavia, this is supposed to be a happy song. And I for one-” Thought the cellist until she felt the cold sensation of ice being pressed on the back of her neck.

“Ahhh, Vinyl!” Yelped Octavia jumping a bit and turning around to see a laughing white unicorn holding a piece of ice in her gray aura.

“Hahaha, your reaction was priceless Octy.” Replied the DJ pointing a hoof at her marefriend.

“You better have a good reason for doing this.” Retorted the cellist.

“Well I was trying to see if you wanted to go get breakfast with me but you were really into that song.” Answered Vinyl.

Octavia looked at the clock and realized that it was still early. “Wait, what are you doing up this early?” Inquired the gray mare surprised to see the DJ up at this time.

“I was having an awesome dream where me and Princess Luna were DJing and right as I was about to drop the bass I fell out of bed. My dream wasn’t going to get any better than that so I decided to get up and when I did, I heard you playing music in here. I tried asking you if you wanted to go to breakfast like a dozen times before deciding to grab some ice.” Vinyl responded smiling playfully.

Choosing not to comment on her marefriend’s dream, the cellist sighed and smiled as she walked closer to the DJ. “Alright Vinyl, let me just brush my mane first.” She leaned in and gave the white unicorn a small kiss while simultaneously grabbing the hoovering ice cube and placing it on the back of the DJ’s neck.

“Ahhh! Not fair Octy.” Vinyl replied rubbing the back of her neck trying to warm it up.

“Neither was your sneak attack.” Retorted Octavia walking into the bathroom.

“I...yeah, you got a point” Vinyl said walking to the door waiting for her marefriend to finish brushing her mane.

“Well, I suppose we'll be the first ones at the table today.” The cellist commented walking out of the bathroom.

“Right, nothing could wake Lyra up this early in the morning.” Replied the DJ as they made their way to the hotel’s dining area.

Silence. The two musicians stood just outside of the dining area in an awkward silence as they watched three mares arguing at a coffee table.

“It’s her fault.” The green mare said pointing a hoof at Sunflower Shine.

“No, it’s her fault.” Retorted the yellow pegasus pointing her hoof back at Lyra.

Octavia and Vinyl walked up to them. “What’s going on?” Asked the DJ.

“Where do I begin?” Bon Bon said taking another sip of her coffee before continuing. “Well, I woke to a lot of screaming and spitting. Apparently, Sunflower wanted to give me a good morning kiss but instead of me she kissed Lyra because it was too dark to see. They have been shouting and ready to fight each other ever since.”

“Wait, what? S you kissed Lyra?” The cellist asked while taking a seat at the table with Vinyl. She was quite taken aback by this news because she didn’t expected Sunflower to be that bold with a married mare.

“See, it’s all her fault that she wasn’t Bon Bon.” S commented pointing back to Lyra wiping her mouth with the other hoof.

“How is that my fault. I was sleeping with my wife...and what where you doing in our bed anyway?” Asked Lyra.

“I was doing my job and offering room service to Bon Bon.” The yellow Pegasus answered.

“That's absurd, what kind of room service can you do while lying in bed?” Replied Lyra giving Sunflower the death glare.

“The kind that only a true lover can offer.” Said S turning her back on Lyra with a humph.

“Why you...” Started Lyra but was stopped from retaliating by Bon Bon who was now hold the both of them back.

“Ok, that’s enough you two. Sunflower while I am flattered you want me you have to stop. Lyra you have to stop getting so worked up over her.” Lyra and Sunflower turned to argue with her but seeing the darkness on the candy maker’s face shut them up and they looked down.

“Yeah, why don’t you two just kiss and make up-Ow!” Teased the DJ before getting hit in the back of the head. “Why Octy?” Responded the white unicorn rubbing the back of her head with a hoof. Though when she looked at Octavia she shook her head and pointed a hoof at the cotton candy maned mare sitting next to her with an annoyed expression on her face.

Bon Bon put her hoof down and regained her composure before looking at the cellist. “So, what date will we be ruining today?”

“Um...yes well that is the thing Bon Bon. I am sure that my mother has undoubtedly thought of something else for me to do with that poor excuses of a stallion, but enough is enough. I’ve had it, with these mother bucking dates with this mother bucking stallion. It was because of them that Beauty Brass left me, but I refuse to let them buck this relationship up.” The gray mare said frustrated before letting out a sigh. “I swear, I could marry Vinyl tomorrow and they still wouldn’t understand how I feel.”

“Ha ha ha...well... let's not get too hasty because of your parents. I mean, we can keep dating for a while longer before we get to that point right Octy?” Replied Vinyl a bit apprehensively.

“Yeah, I’m just upset that they haven’t got the message yet.” Replied the cellist taking a drink of coffee.

Lyra noticed Vinyl’s reaction to what Octavia said and made a mental note to ask her about it in private later. “Yeah, so if your bailing out on your arranged dates, what do you two plan on doing today?” The mint green unicorn asked.

“Don’t know. I’ve pretty much been planning my days around sabotaging Octy’s dates. What do you want to do?” Asked the DJ.

Octavia thought for a moment before she remembered some unfinished business from yesterday. With a small chuckle she took another sip of coffee before answering. “Ladies, I have another favor to ask you. Instead of ruining a date, I need your help setting one up.”

The girls paused for a bit. “Okaayyy...who exactly are we trying to hook up?” Asked Lyra.

“Is it me and Bon Bon!” S said extatically before receiving the death glare from the mint green unicorn. “What, can’t blame a mare for trying.”

“Jokes aside, who are you talking about Octavia?” Asked the candy maker.

“Well, I believe that one of my uncle’s associates has feelings for him. Though Uncle Trotterlot is very perceptive on many things, he is blind to how those around him feel about him...especially when it comes to love.” The cellist commented.

Lyra and Bon Bon looked at each other for a second before giggling. “Sounds familiar.” Whispered the green unicorn.

“I know right?” Replied the candy maker in a whisper as well.

“Oh snap, Trotty has some potential special somepony? We got to help him, especially with him stopping that little creep from following us to our picnic.” Replied the DJ hovering over some pancakes from the breakfast table and setting them down in front of her. “So, who is this special somepony anyway? Have you met her?” Vinyl asked getting ready to dig in.

“Well, no, I haven’t met her officially, but I do consistently read about her in my uncle’s letters. He always writes about bumping into this mare named Lora Troft during his expeditions, and the way that he describes her always made me think that there might be chemistry between the two. That and every time they are both in Canterlot, he will go out of his way to meet up with her. That’s not even adding the fact that he lets her call him Trotty.” Octavia said holding up her empty cup to Lyra.

“Is that nickname something special?” Asked the mint green unicorn topping off the cellist’s cup.

“Only my closest of friends and fondest enemies may call me that.” Vinyl mimicked holding up her fork to replicate a mustache on her face.

“Yes, thanks for that Vinyl.” Replied the gray mare grabbing some creamer and sugar and pouring them into her cup.

“No problem Octy.” Grinned the DJ as she continued eating.

“But like she said, I’ve only known of three ponies call him by that name...four if you count Vinyl. My uncle wasn’t really one for relationships when I was a filly because he was to focused on his research. Though with how often the two bump into each other on the field, maybe a pony with a similar occupation might do the trick.” Octavia said setting down her spoon and having another sip.

“Do you think Lora feels the same way about your uncle?” Asked Sunflower taking a bite out of her muffin.

“I wasn’t really sure until yesterday when I asked him about how his Hearts and Hooves day went. I told him to bring her a bouquet of flowers on that day knowing that my uncle would forget about the holiday. From the sounds of it, she took them very well, though unfortunately for Lora, you have to be very direct when it comes to my uncle.” Octavia answered.

“Really? I thought he was sharp when it came to stuff like that. He had me and you pegged as an item when I first meet him.” Commented Vinyl.

“Well yes, it’s how others feel for him that go unnoticed by his explorer senses.” Replied the cellist.

“Ok, so what do you have in mind?” Bon Bon asked curious as to how their day was going to go. The candy maker wouldn’t tell it to them personally, but the last few days have been some of the most entertaining in a while.

“Well, I remember how much he loved ice skating with me when I was younger. Maybe if we can get them both at Butler Skateland.” Octavia answered.

“Yeah, that would be a great spot to break the ice...no pun intended.” Bon Bon chuckled.

“Does it have to be on ice? Can’t we do a roller blade park instead?” Vinyl questioned.

“Well, the ice paints a prettier picture in my head for one and two, Uncle Trotterlot only ice skated. He learned the same time as I did...why, do you not like ice skating Vinyl?” The gray mare inquired.

“It’s not that I hate ice skating...it’s just that it’s cold...and on ice...which is colder.” The DJ answered looking down at her empty plate of pancakes.

“Have you never been ice skating before?” S asked.

“I’ve been roller blading, you know. Where it’s warm and the ground isn’t slippery or has the chance of breaking.” Replied the white unicorn.

“You’ll be fine Vinyl, I’ll show you. And besides, they sell hats and scarfs over there too.” Commented Octavia putting a reassuring hoof on the DJ’s back.

“Fine...though next time, we’re going roller skating.” Vinyl answered.

“Ok, though I still don’t get where we come in.” Lyra said, trying to figure out what her friend was planning.

“Well, that’s just it. If I tell my uncle that Lora is interested in him in that sort of way, he’d tell me that’s preposterous, as if their relationship could only be that of friendly acquaintances.” Answered Octavia.

“Oh, I think I get it now. So, you think if we can get them both at Butler Skateland, the surprise date will give them the push they need to get over the acquaintance barrier?” Asked Bon Bon

“Precisely, though there is one hick up to this plan.” The gray mare responded.

“What's that?” asked Vinyl.

“Well, I don’t know where Lora Troft lives. I’ll have to go to the post office or something to try and get that information...however long that’ll take.” Replied the cellist sighing into her cup.

Every pony at the table besides Octavia looked at Sunflower Shine. “Ok, ok, I get it. Just give me a sec.” S said standing up and walking out of the restaurant.

“Wait, can she really get her address from here?” Octavia asked.

“You’d be surprised what she can all do from here.” Replied Bon Bon with a small smirk on her face knowing that Octavia wasn’t filled in on who S really was.

It didn’t take long for S to find the address of one Lora Troft. She wrote it down on a piece of pink parchment paper and walked back into the cafeteria to give it to Vinyl and Octavia. “Here you go.” The yellow pegusus said hoofing it over.

The cellist almost did a spit take at how quick S got the information. “Wow, that was quick.”

“Well, it helps that she is the only pony with the last name Troft in Equestria.” S replied taking a seat.

“Well however you did it, thank you. I’m going to go and get my saddle bag from my room and go talk with her. If you girls don’t mind waiting her for Uncle Trotterlot, please tell him that me and Vinyl went to the ice rink and that I wanted to skate with him again I'm sure he’ll come.” Octavia said as she gestured for Vinyl to come with her.

As the two got up and started walking away, Lyra remembered that she had a question for the DJ. The mint green unicorn got up and followed after the two outside of the dining area. She caught up with them in the lobby of the hotel and asked. “Hey Vinyl, can I talk with you for a sec? I had something I wanted to ask you.”

“Uhh, sure. You can go on ahead Octy, I’ll caught up with ya.” Replied the DJ.

“Ok but try not to take too long, this address shows her on the other side of Canterlot.” Replied the gray mare as she continued up to their room to get a few things for the day.

“So, what's up?” Asked the DJ.

“That’s what I wanted to ask you.” Replied Lyra.

“What ya talking about?” Vinyl inquired.

“Back at the table when Octavia made the comment about marrying you tomorrow. Usually, you would have made some sly or cunning remark but it seemed like you were, oh what's the word I’m looking for...hesitant?” Explained the green unicorn.

Vinyl sighed. “Was it that obvious?”

“Obvious enough for me to catch it. You did something similar when me and Bon Bon were at your place and you ran away when Octavia said how she would propose to you. I thought the idea of you two getting married would excite you.” Lyra said confused.

“It does, but it scares me at the same time.” Vinyl replied.

“What’s there to be afraid of?” Inquired the lyrist still trying to understand her friend's hesitation.

Vinyl looked back at the green unicorn. “Do you remember my ex before Octavia became my roommate in Ponyville?”

“Are you talking about Countess Coloratura?” Asked Lyra.

“Yeah, her. Well anyway, the thing is, I thought I had something special with her, like I do with Octy. I first met her at a nightclub during one of my gigs. As you can imagine, the place was hopping to the sounds of my wubs. That was when I saw her having a drink at the bar. I finished my set and walked over there to have a drink and talk with her. We partied all night and started dating shortly after that. Everything seemed to move so quick, dating, touring, making out, so when she proposed to me, I thought it was a dream come true. I accepted her proposal and started making arrangements for the ceremony.”

“Wait, I don’t remember her proposing to you. What happened?” The lyrist asked starting to understand but needed more information.

Vinyl took off her glasses and continued. “It was right in-between tours for me so I was taking it easy and being myself, not the gung-ho DJing party pony everypony thought I was. That was when it happened, I was talking with Coloratura and told her the date I planned for the wedding take place. She told me that I’d have to reschedule it because it conflicted with one of her tours. I told her buck the tours and let's take it easy for a bit, be ourselves. We got into an argument and just like that, she broke the whole thing off. She told me you’re not the pony that I fell in love with and I thought you wanted to be more than just a country bumpkin. If this is how Vinyl Scratch is perhaps you should have just stay as DJ Pon3...”

“Ouch, but still, you know Octavia would never say something like that to you.” Lyra replied.

“I know but it still hurts ya know. I really lost my self-confidence that day and hide behind the persona of DJ Pon3. I was afraid of letting ponies know the real me because it wasn’t good enough last time.” Vinyl said holding back a tear.

Lyra hugged her. “It’s okay Vinyl, if there’s one thing I know, is that Octavia much prefers Vinyl over DJ Pon3.”

Vinyl hugged her back. “I’m just scared of things moving too fast again. I’m scared of bucking things up with Octy and ruining what we have, that’s why I want to take this relationship slow. But with everything going on between Octy and her ma, I’m afraid that the same thing is going to happen with us as it did with Coloratura.”

“Don’t worry Vinyl, I know Octy is going through a lot with her folks, but I don’t think she would try forcing you into a situation like that.” The mint green unicorn replied reassuringly.

“Thanks Lyra.” The DJ said letting go of her friend.

Lyra hovered Vinyl’s glasses back to her “Alright, time to cheer up filly, you and Octavia have some ice skating to do.”

“Uhhgg, why did it have to be ice skating.” Complained the white unicorn dawning her shades.

“Could be worse.” Lyra commented.

“How?” Asked the DJ.

“It could be snowing.” She answered with a grin.

“Not helping Lyra.” Vinyl said walking away to meet Octavia in their hotel room.

“I think I did.” Thought the mint green unicorn as she made her way back to the table only to see that Sunflower had closed the distance between herself and Bon Bon. Immediately getting annoyed by this, her horn lit up as she engulfed the yellow pegasus in her magic lifting her to the other side of the table. “You stay over there.” Lyra said sitting down next to Bon Bon.

“Awww, You’re no fun. There is plenty of Bon Bon to share.” S said giving her a playful wink.

“I’m not sharing my wife Sunflower.” Lyra snapped.

Bon Bon sighed and tried to defuse the sparks between the two. “Don’t you have work to do S? For the hotel I mean.” Bon Bon inquired knowing how much she has been helping them out lately.

“Oh that, don’t worry, I took the week off so I could help ya hun. Besides, I haven’t had this much fun in a while.” Sunflower replied excitedly with her wings flaring out in her excitement.

“Took off?... But earlier you said you were giving us room service.” Lyra said flustered and getting angrier.

“Yes, I was planning to give Bon Bon a special service in a room, hense room service.” She responded with a wave of a hoof to Bon Bon winking seductively.

“That’s it.” Lyra said as she attempted to jump over the table to attack Sunflower but the candy maker held her back.

“Your help is very appreciated but you need to stop all the over the top flirting.” Bon Bon commented.

“Fine...So, what’s the deal with Octavia anyways? I agreed to help you out but I never got the full story from ya Bon. Earlier, she mentioned somepony named Beauty Brass, did something like this happen before?” S asked leaning on the table a bit wanting to hear the story.

“Well, it was kind of similar to what happen before but not to this extreme.” The candy maker started. She took a sip of her drink before continuing. “I’ve known Octavia for a while now and she talks to me about a lot of these things. Her first serious relationship was with a mare from her orchestra named Beauty Brass. Their relationship was cute. It started when they were stuck in the concert hall after a performance due to the weather. They hadn’t really gotten to know each other until then but after that storm, they started talking some more and before I knew it, they were dating.”

“Aww, that is kind of cute.” Sunflower said smiling.

“Yeah, though it didn’t last.” Lyra interjected with a grime face.

“Yes, well you see Octavia’s parents are not the most understanding of ponies. She had come out to them long before moving to Ponyville and they didn’t believe her. They still didn’t believe her when she introduced Beauty Brass to them on a visit back home. That visit changed everything for them and Beauty Brass left Octavia a week later. I think she told Octavia something like ‘I’m not your pawn for convincing your parents you love mares’ and ‘Buck you for playing with my heart.’ She left right before Hearts and Hooves day, the same day that Octavia was planning on proposing to her. She was mad at her parents but blamed herself mostly. She thought she might have been to slow in their relationship and in the process of trying to get her parents support, dragged out her relationship with Beauty. It’s no wonder why Beauty felt like she was being used even though Octavia loved her.” Bon Bon finished and looked to S. “So you see, her parents have ruined one serious relationship before and are on track to ruining this one.”

“I didn’t think that anypony’s parents could be so blind.” Sunflower commented.

“Well, that’s kind of a sore subject for her. Octavia doesn’t like to show other pony’s when she's hurt, and after Beauty Brass left her, she tried to hide all her emotions. There was a while that she put up walls to block anypony from hurting her again but living with Vinyl in Ponyville changed that. I’d like to say that she is back to her old self again though I think she does need some kind of closure with her parents.” Lyra added and looked to S. “But for now, let’s help her Uncle. I think this might help clear her head so she doesn’t do something that she will regret.”

“Well then, let’s do this.” Sunflower said feeling more resolved to help Octavia and her uncle.

“Do what?” Asked the familiar voice. The mares turned their head to see Sir Trotterlot standing next to them.

“Um...taking you to Butler Skateland.” Lyra said a bit nervously as they were not expecting to see him this early.

“Butler Skateland? Ah yes, I remember that place fondly. Ice skating was all that little Octavia wanted to do when I used to foal sit her. I was rubbish at first but have gotten a lot better thanks to her. So tell me ladies, why are you taking me there again?” Sir Trotterlot inquired.

“To spend time with your favorite niece and Vinyl.” Bon Bon replied with a smile doing a better job at hiding the nervousness of making this work.

“Yeah, she was really excited to go but didn’t know when you were going to wake up so she and Vinyl went ahead. Vinyl needed to get something from the store first so Octavia asked us to wait for you and see if you wanted to come.” S said trying to cover up the fact that they were not ready to see him yet.

“Is that so? Well then, let’s not keep them waiting. Tally ho girls, off to the ice rink.” Replied the explorer before a mint green hoof blocked his path.

“Wait, uhh, wouldn’t you like some breakfast first. I mean, that would give Octavia and Vinyl enough time to, uhh, shop.” Lyra suggested, trying to buy her friends some time to find Lora.

“Oh yeah, besides, you got to try out this place’s Muffins.” Bon Bon suggested.

“And Coffee.” Added the mint green unicorn

“You’re right, I could go for a splash of coffee before going to the ice rink. Besides I know how Octy gets while shopping she could go for hours in one shop. It would be best to give her some time.” Replied Sir Trotterlot. The mares looked at each other knowing that they would have to stall for the cellist if this plan of hers was going to work.

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Octavia looked down at the address that she got from Sunflower and groaned a bit. “Of course, Lora Troft had to live on the other side of Canterlot... At least we won’t be that far from Butler Skateland.” She looked at the note again and read it aloud. “Go to main street and take a left at the fountain, go up two streets and take a right onto Luna Lane. Look for the two-story yellow house with black shudders.” Octavia looked up and facehooved.

“Hey Octy...They’re all yellow two-story houses with black shudders on this street.” Vinyl commented pointing a hoof at their surroundings.

“Would it kill these ponies to hire another Architect? We’ll have to go by the number then.” Octavia said looked at the number listed on the address. “There isn’t a number.” Octavia sighed softly once again.

“Hey Octy, how can anypony find their way back home after they get drunk?” The DJ asked scratching her head.

“Vinyl I don’t think that anypony in this part of Canterlot gets drunk, they are... oh how do I put this lightly?” The cellist asked looked around at the homes.

“Stuck up? Uptight? Posh? Party poopers?” The white unicorn said before gasping at her last thought. “Wub haters?”

Octavia rolled her eyes as she looked for a house that would fit a mare explorer. “I was going to say responsible.” She replied.

“Pshhh, please Octy, I drink a buck ton and am still super responsible.” Vinyl proclaimed receiving a knowing look from Octavia. “Okay not as responsible as most ponies...” She stopped seeing Octavia smirk. “Fine, not responsible at all but that’s why I have you Octy.” She said batting her eyes playfully at the cellist knowing she could see through her shades. “The point is they need to learn to live a little...and paint their house a different color.”

“Hold on. I think that is the place.” The gray earth pony said pointing to a house that finally looked different. There were stranger torches that lined the walk way up to the door. She had a good feeling about this one.

“Ya see, now that’s what I’m talking about. This is way easier to find.” The DJ commented.

The gray mare walked to the front door and knocked very excited to meet Lora Troft. The knock echoed throughout the house as Octavia and Vinyl waited to see if anypony would answer. The two waited a bit for Lora to open the door but nothing happened. She sighed and rubbed her forehead groaning a bit. “Well she isn’t home, maybe we can find her at the market.” She suggested feeling a little more determined to find her.

“Or we could just wait here for her. I mean she has to come home sometime right?” Vinyl suggested in response but the cellist was already moving.

“Vinyl that might take too long. We’re supposed to meet the girls and Uncle Trotterlot at the ice rink. Let’s go find her.” The gray mare rushed off towards the market nearby.

The white unicorn sighed. “Or we could show up fashionably late. You know, stay warm...” Shaking her head, the DJ took off after her marefriend.

Once they were at the market Octavia began looking around for Lora, which confused the DJ. “Ummm, what are you doing Octy?”

“Looking for Miss Troft or have you forgotten already?” The cellist asked a bit annoyed.

“No, I haven’t forgotten it’s just. Do you even know what she looks like?” Vinyl asked trying to get an idea of what she should be looking for.

“Judging from how my uncle described her in our letters, she would be wearing some kind of explorer shirt and have a saddle bag with equipment in it...” The cellist said thinking aloud.

“Ok, do you think you could be a little more specific Octy?” Asked the DJ.

Octavia turned around to look at her marefriend when something caught her eye. “Ok, I believe we are looking for a tan earth pony about my uncle’s size wearing a gray tank top with a small saddle bag for her equipment. She has a braided mane, a temple cutie mark, and a bandage wrapped around her front right leg.”

“That’s oddly specific. How do you know that?” The DJ asked confused.

“Because she is standing right behind you.” Octavia said pointing a hoof to the tan earth pony that was standing behind the DJ smiling at them.

Lora Troft moved around Vinyl and hugged Octavia. “Greetings you must be Octy.” She let go of the cellist. “You look exactly like Sir Trotty described you. I wanted to thank you for having him bring me flowers the other day.” Lora said smiling.

“H-how did you know I was responsible for the flowers?” The cellist asked sheepishly.

Lora shot her a knowing glance. “Really, like Trotty remembers holidays.”

“Hahaha, right.” Octavia replied rubbing a hoof on her front leg.

“Hey, you call him Trotty as well?” Vinyl asked standing next to Octavia to get a closer look at the mare explorer.

“I do indeed, he always says that it is very unprofessional which is why I keep doing it.” The tan mare said with a grin before sighing. “Though he is completely clueless as to how I feel about him. At least his niece gets the hint.”

Octavia smiled looking at Lora Troft. “Well Vinyl and I are here to help you. My uncle can be very... oblivious when it comes to how others feel about him. So, my friends and I have decided to help it a long a little.”

“What do you mean?” Lora asked a bit confused.

“We plan on hooking you and Sir Trotty up on a secret date. Our friends were going to tell him to meet Octy and I at Butler Skateland, but instead of hanging out with us, he’ll be with you.” The DJ said with a smirk.

Lora nodded getting a little excited. “Well I am all for going with you girls to this date you planned, but I’m not sure if it’ll work out like you think. I’ve tried many of these kinds of things before all to no avail. Do you know what I might have been doing wrong?” She said thinking about it?”

“Uncle Trotterlot sometimes needs a more...direct approach.” The cellist answered.

“Meaning what exactly. I’m quite sure that my past few attempts at him have been very direct.” The explorer mare said with a slight pout.

Vinyl thought about it for a second before shrugging her shoulders and nonchalantly replying. “Ya could just kiss him.”

“What?! No! That would be a horrible idea Vinyl. Uncle Trotterlot is far too delicate for a bold move like that. Besides, my Uncle would never fall prey to such abrupt debauchery.” Protested the cellist.

“Come on, think about it Octy. I might not have known your uncle for long, but just look at Lora, I'm sure that would get Sir Trotty’s attention.” The white unicorn explained pointing a hoof at the adventurer.

“While that might get my uncle’s attention it’s just so uncouth.” Replied Octavia.

“Ok, then what would you do if you were Lora?” Asked the DJ.

Octavia blushed a bit before responding. “I-If I was Lora, I would just tell him out right that I wanted to date him.”

“...How is that any different from what I suggested? It is as forward as you can be before skipping a base!” Vinyl exclaimed.

“Most definitely not, my way has way more class.” Retorted the cellist.

“My way has way more ass-Ow! Why Octy?” The white unicorn said rubbing a hoof on her head.

“I will not have you make light of my Uncle like that.” Huffed Octavia.

“Okay Ladies, I think I get the idea. You two said Butler Skateland correct? Let’s not keep Sir Oblivious waiting.” Lora replied walking out of the store.

“Oh, wait for me.” Said the DJ following after the tan earth pony “Ya comin Octy?”

“Yes, I’ll be right there.” The cellist replied following after them. She was just thinking about how nice it would be for her uncle to finally have some other pony looking after him. According to the letters, Lora Troft has saved Sir Trotterlot time and time again on their ventures. She could tell by the way that her uncle wrote about Lora in their correspondents that he had a fond affection for the tan adventurer but didn’t want to push his luck past being associates.

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Sir Trotterlot, Lyra, Bon Bon and S were the first to arrive at the ice-skating rink. The air was chilled and the explorer was looking around for his niece and her marefriend, though they were nowhere to be seen. “Are you certain that Octavia said Butler Skateland?” Questioned the explorer, growing a bit suspicious by their absence.

“They’re here...umm... maybe they’re just getting skates.” The candy maker suggested and smiled seeing Octavia and Vinyl walking towards the ice on the other side of the building.

“See there they are.” S said pointing a hoof at them.

“Ah, good show Miss Shine” Trotterlot said patting her on the shoulder before making his way to greet them.

The three mares let out a collective sigh. “That was close.” Lyra said.

“How about we watch the show over there.” Bon Bon suggested pointing a hoof to some stands that overlooked the ice rink.

“Sure, I'll get us some snacks, anything you ponies want?” S asked getting ready to fly to the food court.

“I’ll have some popcorn.” Answered the mint green unicorn.

“I’d like something sweet.” Added the candy maker.

“Don’t worry Bon Bon, I’ll give you some sugar when I come back.” Replied the yellow pegasus with a wink.

“Hey! I thought we told you to stop that.” Lyra said turning red.

“You didn’t say for how long.” Sunflower teased dodging a hoof from the mint green unicorn and flew off to get the food.

“Just wait until I get my hooves on that mare.” Lyra said trying to regain her composer.

“S will be S. Let's just enjoy the show.” Bon Bon reasoned giving the unicorn a small kiss on the cheek and left for the stands.

Octavia noticed her uncle was on his way over to greet them. Octavia smiled knowing that her uncle had no idea that Lora Troft was hiding right around the corner out of sight.

“Hi Uncle Trotterlot. We didn’t keep you waiting, did we?” Asked Octavia.

“Not at all, your friends told me that you two need to do a little shopping before hoof and insisted I have breakfast before coming.” The explorer answered.

“Well, me and Vinyl were about to get our skates if you care to join us. Keep in mind that it’s Vinyl’s first-time ice skating so we might be a bit rubbish at first.” The cellist said.

“That alright, I haven't been on the ice since I’ve gotten this metal leg so I get the distinct feeling that I too will be rubbish at first. But nothing ventured nothing gained, come on Miss Scratch, let's get our skates.” Replied Sir Trotterlot.

Octavia and Vinyl got their skates and were out on the ice before Sir Trotterlot who was still trying to fit his metal limb into the bladed shoe. The Cellist noticed that her marefriend was shivering as if she were extremely cold.

“It’s too cold Octy, why couldn’t we go roller blading again?” The shivering DJ asked giving the gray mare a slight glare.

“Oh, come on Vinyl it isn’t that cold.” The cellist said rolling her eyes at the white unicorn.

“Oh yeah?” The DJ asked pointing a hoof towards two ponies wearing multiple jackets shivering next to them with their breathing visible.

“Hey Sanka, Whatcha Smokin’?” The taller of the two ponies asked the other.

“I’m not smokin’, I’m breathin’.” The other pony replied.

Octavia sighed as she shook her head. “I see your point but there's more than one way to stay warm.” She said pulling Vinyl in close to her.

“O-oh... Ya know, this is something I can get use too. Don’t expect me to let go until we leave.” The white unicorn said pulling the cellist into a hug causing them both to lose balance and fall on the ice.

Sir Trotterlot chuckled watching Octavia and Vinyl having fun on the ice. “Well, looks like they won’t be needing me. I’ll just put these skates back.”

“Not so fast Trotty, how about you accompany me instead?” Lora asked playfully coming out from around the corner.

“M-Miss Troft, I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” Replied Sir Trotterlot surprised to see his associate here.

“Indeed, Octavia invited me but it seems like she already has a plus one.” The tan adventurer began walking closer to the brown stallion. “Looks like you’ll have to be my partner.”

“I say this is rather unprofessional Miss Troft.” The explorer stallion said about to stand up but Lora put a hoof on him and pushed him back down.

“That is the point Sir Trotty.” The tan earth pony said in a seductive tone. Lora tried to figure out what to do next. After quickly remembering what Octavia and Vinyl said on how to approach him, she sat on his lap and wrapped her front legs around his neck. “I want to be more then associates.” Before the explorer could react, Lora pulled him into a passionate kiss.

The three mares sitting in the stand gasped as they watched the two fall off the chair in each other’s embrace. “Oh wow.” Bon Bon said impressed at the adventurer’s boldness while Lyra and S just clapped their hoofs.

“Damn, you go girl.” Vinyl said seeing the event play out as her and a now speechless Octavia rounded the corner of the rink just in time.

Lora broke away from the kiss and looked directly into the wide-eyed stallion. “I want to date you Trotty.”

Sir Trotterlot stared blankly into the eyes of his colleague. At a loss for words, he tried to come up with something to say to the adventurer. “I-it’s a pleasure to meet you M-Miss Troft... I am S-Sir Trotterlot,... at your service.”

Lora Troft looked back at Vinyl and Octavia nervously “Was that too direct? I think I broke him.” She asked pointing a hoof at the explorer as the two approached.

Octavia looked at her flustered uncle and back to Lora “No, I say that you got the message across.”

Lora looked back at Sir Trotterlot. “Equestria to Trotty, anypony there?”

The stallion shook his head snapping out of it “M-My apologies Miss Troft. I tend to get so wrapped up in my work that I block out everything else.” He stood up and dusted himself off. “I hope you can forgive me for being so oblivious Miss Troft.”

“Yes, well, I’ve always found your ignorance quite amusing Sir Trotty. It was a major factor in me falling in love with you.” She said bumping him with her flank playfully “Now, how about me and you hit the ice, it looks like you need to cool off.” Commented the tan adventurer as she dragged him to the ice.

Sir Trotterlot stood close to Lora as they got onto the ice. He was a bit nervous as he hadn’t tried ice skating since he got his metal arm.

“You know you owe me a real date after this Trotty, and not one set up by your niece. I’m talking a dinner at a fancy restaurant with cocktails.” Lora said leaning in close to the explorer stallion. “No excuses this time.”

“Don’t you think that we are moving a bit fast?” Sir Trotterlot asked.

Lora Troft sighed and gave him a slight smack to the back of his head with a hoof. “No excuses.” She repeated and puffed her cheeks out in annoyance.

“A date it is then.” The mustached stallion replied rubbing his head only to lose balance and fall over. Lora gave him a helping hoof to stand back up. He smiled at her before commenting. “I thought you were supposed to catch me.”

“Haven’t you learned anything in the Marezon?” Replied the tan adventurer causing the two to chuckle.

The three mares in the stands watched excitedly as Octavia’s Uncle and Lora got hooked up without a hitch. They started celebrating when S noticed a certain somepony walking into the building.

“Oh, you have got to be kidding me.” Bon Bon said.

“What wrong hun?” Lyra asked turning around to see what her wife was looking at. “Oh...that...”

The three mares watched as a small gray stallion came walking in as if he was looking for somepony. “What should we do? He wasn’t supposed to be here.” Pointed out the mint green unicorn.

“Looks like we have to run interference. S, warn Vinyl. Make sure she doesn’t tell Octavia, I want her to enjoy herself. Lyra, come with me.” The candy maker stood up and started figuring out a plan to keep her friends hidden from the unwelcomed nonsense.

Sunflower Shine tapped her watch and called Vinyl on her glasses “Vinyl, It’s S. We have a problem but you can’t tell Octavia, Monotone is here, I repeat, monotone is here. Do you read me?”

“Yes, I hear you.” Vinyl said causing Octavia to give her marefriend a weird look.

“Who are you talking to Vinyl?” The gray mare asked.

“Huh, nopony. Nopony at all” Replied Vinyl with a grin.

“I repeat, did you hear me Vinyl. You have to hit the button on the side of your glasses to respond.” Explained the yellow pegasus.

“Oh, for buck sakes.” Vinyl hit the button and repeated herself “Yes, I copy.” The DJ put her hoof back down and looked at Octavia who was giving her a explain now look.

“Vinyl, what's going on?” The cellist asked.

“What, nothing, nothing at all hahaha...I wub you....” She looked at Octavia who expression deadpanned. 'She’s not buying it.’ Thought the DJ quickly tiring to come up with a distraction. “Ummm, hey, check out what these can do.” Vinyl said nervously pulling off her shades and tapping a button with her hoof. The two stood in an awkward silence as nothing happened.

“Vinyl, I don’t see what that has to do with...” Octavia started to say but was interrupted by Lora who was passing by the two with Sir Trotterlot.

“No, no she’s got a point.” The adventurer commented as they passed on by.

“Vinyl start explaining yourself now!” Demanded Octavia but Vinyl was trying to figure out why the lasers didn’t come out of her glasses.

“That’s not what was supposed to happen.” Vinyl commented before slipping on the ice causing her glasses to fly out of her hoofs. When the shades hit the ground, the light show began.

Meanwhile Bon Bon and Lyra were hiding with Monotone in sight trying to think of a way to get rid of him. As soon as a buck ton of colorful lasers began filling the ice rink an idea popped into the candy maker’s head. “Everypony Bailout! Don't Let the Lasers Hit You!” She shouted causing a group of ponies to begin trotting out of the door taking Monotone with them. Before they knew it, there were only four skaters left in the rink; Octavia, Vinyl, Trotterlot, and Lora.

“Don’t worry guys, I got this.” Vinyl said taking off after her glasses which were still sliding across the ice.

“Vinyl!” Octavia called out skating after her.

Lora grabbed Sir Trotterlot in a dancing position as the lasers shot around them. The explorer saw a blue beam heading their way and twirled Lora around to dodge it. Then Lora dipped Trotterlot to avoid a red laser. The two looked like they were performing a dance of some sorts to avoid each beam that came their way. “This is just like the museum in Saddle Arabia.” Lora commented as she pulled Trotterlot close to avoid another color beam.

“Yes, but if memory serves me correctly you were the one to trigger that show.” Replied the explorer lifting Lora up in a twirl and setting her back down.

“What can I say, I needed that compass more than the museum. Besides, I returned it when I was done.” Explained Lora continuing the dance on ice.

“You mean the replica from the gift shop?” Inquired Sir Trotterlot.

“Tomato Tomata. You know how dangerous that artifact would be in the wrong hoofs, I couldn’t just leave it there.” The tan adventurer said with a smile.

“Agreed, though I was not expecting that security system. It must have been upgraded right before that heist.” The brown stallion said leaning Lora back.

Octavia noticed her uncle and Lora Troft dancing together to avoid the lasers. She turned her attention back to the white unicorn who kept getting close to her glasses before knocking them away when trying to grab them. The gray mare shook her head as she positioned herself in front of the sliding glasses finally stopping its movement. The white unicorn quickly picked them up and turned off the lasers. “Finally, it’s all good everypony, I turned them off.” Vinyl said looking around to see that with the exception of their party, the whole ice rink was empty. “What the? Where did everypony go?”

Octavia sighed as she rubbed her eyes. “Why did you pick them up with your hooves Vinyl?”

“Duh, how else would I pick them up Octy?” Vinyl asked sarcastically.

“You have a magical horn, why didn’t you use that?” The cellist inquired.

The DJ looked up. “Hahaha, opps.” She replied with a sheepish smile.

“Come on Vinyl, let’s just keep skating.” Octavia said grabbing Vinyl’s hoof and started to skate with her again.

Though as they started to skate again, the unicorn hit a patch of ice that was thinner thanks to the light show. The ice cracked under the DJ but before she fell in, Vinyl grabbed onto Octavia in a panic. “Octy, I’ll never let go!” The DJ called out.

“Vinyl stop or we both will...” The cellist started but the ice broke under her as well and the two fell into the cold puddle of water. The water that soaked both mares was freezing cold. “Vinyl! Just look at what you did, I’m all wet now because of you.”

“Wow Octy, I didn’t realize I made you feel that w-” Vinyl started but stopped and covered her mouth with her hooves seeing Octavia’s death glare.

“Finish that sentence and I’m getting my bow.” The gray mare softly said still glaring at her.

“Promise?” Vinyl asked excitedly.

Octavia rolled her eyes and slowly got back onto the ice shaking off the cold water the best she could. Vinyl soon followed her and smiled. Using her horn, she quickly dried and warmed both herself and Octavia. “Thank you, Vinyl.”

“No Prob.” Replied the white unicorn. “Now can we get off of the ice? I’m freezing.”

Octavia sighed “Fine, but we will go ice skating again.”

Meanwhile Lyra and Bon Bon noticed that the small gray stallion was making his way back into the building. “What the buck, doesn’t this pony know when to call it quits?” Asked Lyra.

“No time for that Lyra, we have to stop him.” Bon Bon said looking for anything else to use as a distraction.

“How did he even find us?” The mint green unicorn asked also looking for something to detour the tiny conductor.

“Maybe Octavia’s mother had him follow her uncle or something.” The candy maker reasoned as she watched Lyra stand in front of the pony to block his path.

Monotone had been looking for Octavia since she didn’t show up at her mother’s that day. He was searching low and lower trying to find her. He was determined to make Octavia is bride and assumed that he only needed to try harder to make the cellist love him. He walked right up to the mint green mare that was blocking his path. “Excuses me miss, I’m here to see my mare and you are in the way.” Monotone said dryly not recognizing Lyra from the other day.

As the pony tried to walk by her, she quickly blocked his path again. “Ummm, excuse me, but I seem to have lost my... ear rings while everypony was running out of the building... Could you lend me a hoof to find them?” Lyra asked with a sheepish smile hopping that Bon Bon would come up with something to get rid of this stallion soon.

The short pony shook his head. “I have no time to look for your dumb ear rings. Octavia’s mother sent me to the show Octavia how awesome I am though there is no need. Octavia should be grateful that I will be her husband.” The short pony said making Lyra suppress a gag.

It was then that Bon Bon noticed a loose sign hanging above the door way. “Huh, it must have come loose when everypony trotted outside.” The mare thought as an idea popped in her head. The candy maker tapped her watch. “S, do you read me?”

“Loud and clear Sweetie drops, what ya need?” Replied the yellow pagasus.

“When I give you the signal, I need you to cut the sign that’s loose hanging above the door where we came in.” The candy maker answered.

“Roger that.” S responded quietly flying by the sign ready to let it drop on their target.

Bon Bon snuck around the conductor without him noticing. She signaled Lyra to back the stallion up to the door pointing a hoof at S and the sign.

Lyra nodded and looked back at the stallion. “I’m sure your mare can wait but I think I see something shining on the ground behind you. Would you mind grabbing it.”

“Your earrings your problem.” The gray stallion replied trying to walk past the mint green unicorn who was becoming increasingly annoyed by this pony.

“Please, I insist” Lyra said pushing the short stallion back causing him to fall backwards onto the mark. Bon Bon gave the signal and S dropped the sign on top tiny conductor.

“Ow.” Monotone said dryly still standing there unfazed. “Did any pony get the number of th-” Before the small stallion could finish his sentence, he collapsed on the floor, knocked out cold.

“Ughh, what a pain in the flank. Seriously, what’s with this pony?” Asked Lyra.

“Beats me but we still need to get him out of here before Octavia comes by.” Bon Bon said looking at S “Do you know of something S?”

“Consider it done.” S said flagging down a buff looking pegasus stallion with tiny wings walking by them. “Excuse me sir, this foal got hit with a sign while a bunch of ponies were running out. Do you think you can take him to the hospital?” The yellow pegasus asked.

“Sure thing little Lady. Come on little pony.” Replied the buff stallion picking the small conductor up in his pecks and made his way to the hospital by walking through the wall.

The three mares sighed thinking that they managed to get him out of there without Octavia noticing. After all, the cellist had been through a lot the past few days and they felt like she could use some time off with Vinyl. Though as the three mares turned around, they noticed that the rest of the group that had been skating stopped and watched everything unfold.

“Was that who I think it was?” Octavia asked moving towards Lyra, Bon Bon, and Sunflower.

“I don’t know what you are talking about. Nothing was going on over here.” Lyra quickly replied as she looked back and forth several times.

“Come, Come Mrs. Heartstrings, we saw you talking to somepony. Could you please enlighten us as to who?” Sir Trotterlot asked as Lora Troft moved closer to him.

“Don’t scare the poor girl Trotty. Now come along, you owe me a dinner.” The tan adventurer said pulling the explorer away.

“Save me Octy, she wants to talk about things other than work!” Trotterlot exclaimed as he was pulled away.

Octavia chuckled a bit before turning back towards her friends. “He was here, wasn’t he?” She asked her voice sounding serious.

Lyra sighed. “Yeah, he was here, but we didn’t want to ruin your fun with Vinyl and your uncle. I guess we didn’t do a good job of being stealthy.”

“What the buck, how did that creep even find us?” Vinyl inquired as she looked over Octavia. “Maybe he placed a tracking device on you somehow.” She reasoned looking around her marefriend for anything odd.

Octavia sighed and moved away from Vinyl. “I doubt its anything like that. No, I think he must have stopped by my parent’s manor or followed Uncle Trotterlot here on her orders. I can’t believe that they would send that stallion after me even when I didn’t show up at their manor.” The cellist said, starting to get frustrated.

“I’m so sorry Octavia I know things didn’t work out the way you wanted them too but you still have Vinyl and us.” Lyra said pulling Vinyl and Bon Bon into a group hug smiling at Octavia.

“Hey what about me?” Sunflower complained looking at the group.

“What about you?” The green unicorn replied narrowing her eyes at the yellow pegasus.

“Bonnie your wife is being so mean to me.” S pouted hugging Bon Bon.

Bon Bon blushed at the sudden hug from S causing Lyra to grit her teeth. She pulled the Pegasus off of her wife with her magic. “Why you little.” The lyrist growled out at the mare trapped in her magic.

The yellow pegasus broke free from the grip of Lyra’s magic and started to flap her wings before winking at her. “Meep, Meep.” S said playfully before taking off towards the exit leaving a cloud copy of her body behind before them.

“Get back here!” The green unicorn yelled as she ran off after Sunflower breaking the cloud copy.

Bon Bon sighed and facehoofed watching her wife running off after her friend. “I am sorry about them; it’s been like this all day. I’ll see you back at the hotel I need to take care of this.” She said softly and slowly walked off in the direction the two went off in.

Octavia and Vinyl both stood there confused as to what just happened. “Okay, anyways can we leave now Octy? It’s too bucking cold here.” Vinyl remarked as she once again moved closer to Octavia to warm up.

“Okay, we can go Vinyl. I would like to get ready to leave as soon as we can tomorrow.” The cellist replied as she rested her head on top of Vinyl’s.

“You know Octy the night is still young, why don’t we get something to eat before heading back?” The DJ asked feeling a bit hungry.

“I am not really that hungry Vinyl. We should just go back to the hotel and pack.” She replied only to blush and look away when her stomach growled much like a manticore.

“Your stomach is telling a different story.” The DJ said poking softly at the gray stomach next to her. “Come on there was this nice place I saw near the hotel that makes pizza. Pizza Octy, I can taste it now.” She continued her mouth started to water.

Octavia sighed “Okay Vinyl, but we’re taking it to go. I would rather not be spotted by that creep my mother keeps sending after me.”

“That's cool, nopony ruins pizza night. So what movie are we going to watch back at the hotel?” Vinyl asked.

“As long as it’s not something incredibly stupid I'm alright for anything.” The gray mare answered as they made their way to the pizza place. There wasn’t too long of a line at the restaurant Pizza Planet. As they waited for their turn to order Octavia read the restaurants slogan. “Forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for late Pizza.” They placed their order and began walking back towards the hotel.

When they got back into their hotel room, Vinyl immediately hopped on the bed and began looking through the channels on the TV to find a movie they could watch. She looked at all the titles that were available to rent and grinned when she found the two great movies that she wanted to watch. She rented both and patting the bed softly for Octavia to join her. “Come on Octy, Trogdor or Hot Furz?” The DJ asked.

Octavia groaned and facehoofed at the movies she had pick from. “Which do you think I would prefer?” She said sounding a bit defeated knowing she would have to watch something Vinyl found funny tonight.

“No which would you like to watch first?” The DJ remarked as she took a slice of pizza and bit into it.

“You are pulling my leg.” The cellist commented thinking her marefriend couldn’t have possibly rent two movies.

“Nah, you said I could pick so I picked two.” The white unicorn smiled playfully causing the gray mare to sigh.

“Fine Trogdor first then Hot Furz.” Octavia relaxed and took a piece of pizza. She cuddled into her marefriend and settled in to watch some movies. It didn’t take long for both mares to be completely invested in the movie. “Do it Trogdor, burninate that county side.” Octavia called out to the TV before grabbing another slice of pizza.

“Yeah! And those grass roof cottages!” Vinyl added.

After Trogdor was finished Vinyl got out of the bed to grab some drinks from the mini bar. Vinyl walked back with two mixed drinks for them to enjoy during the next movie. Floating one over to her marefriend, they cheered before starting the next flick. They laughed throughout the whole movie Octavia not knowing what to expect next.

“You mean this pony made more of these movies?” Octavia asked having another sip of her cocktail.

“Buck yeah, mare of the dead was my fav-” Vinyl said before letting out a yawn. “Buck, didn’t realize I was this tired.”

“I must admit, I’m feeling rather sleepy myself. You just want to call it a day.” Octavia said setting her drink off to the side.

“There’s an idea I can get behind” The DJ answered stretching her front legs up and flopping backwards on the bed. “Good Night Octy.”

“Good Night Vinyl” The cellist said turning off the light and joining her marefriend.

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The next morning, Vinyl found herself being the first one awake. She stretched and was about to go back to bed when a thought crossed her mind. Getting out from under the covers, the white unicorn brushed her teeth and walked into the other room to grab a pen and parchment. 'Morning Octy. There is something I wanted to take care of this morning. I’ll be back before noon. Wub ~ Vinyl'. Putting the pen down, she placed the note on top of Octavia’s cello and made her way out the door.

As the DJ made it to the main lobby, she saw Sir Trotterlot saying goodbye to Lora Troft. The white unicorn grinned and walked up behind the explorer. “Moving fast I see.”

Surprised, the stallion turned around to face the DJ. “Oh, Miss Scratch, Sorry, I didn’t see you there.”

“Had your eyes elsewhere, I get it.” Vinyl teased.

“I’m afraid you have the wrong impression of us Miss Scratch, Miss Troft had a bit too much to drink last night so I brought her back here to sleep it off. It was far closer than her estate.” Sir Trotterlot reasoned.

“Uh huh, anyway I was just on my way out, it was nice seeing ya Uncle Trotty.” The DJ said walking for the door.

“Same, I have some matters to discuss with my dear Sister.” Replied the explorer also making his way out the door.

“Oh, you're going to Octy’s ma’s place as well?” Vinyl asked.

“Indeed, though I’m surprised to hear that is your destination as well. Pardon my curiosity but why are you going there?” Inquired Sir Trotterlot.

“I wanted to tell Harmony to stop sending that buck face creep after Octy and stressing her out.” The DJ answered.

“Ah yes, I too wanted to inquire the reason for Monotone’s presences at the ice rink. Seeing how we both have the same heading; shall I accompany you Miss Scratch?”

“Sure, I didn’t want to admit it, but I already forgotten how to get to her place.” Vinyl answered sheepishly.

Sir Trotterlot let out a short chuckle. “Well then, follow me.” And with that, the two began making their way into the manor.

When they arrived at the manor, the two knocked on the door but weren’t greeted by anypony.
“Maybe they are still asleep?” Suggested Vinyl looking at the explorer.

Sir Trotterlot looked back towards the street and then back at the door. “No, they’re awake, just not here. They must have gone out for breakfast.”

“What? How would you know that?” Vinyl asked, turning around to see if she missed something when walking in.

Sir Trotterlot pointed a hoof at the mailboxes “See how every other mailbox on this street has a copy of Equestria Daily besides this house. That’s because my brother in law already got it and was meaning to read it. There are only two ponies I know of that could stop that chap from reading his paper, one of which is my sister.”

“Uh huh...who's the other pony?” Vinyl asked still amazed that he figured all that out from a glance.

“You Miss Scratch. Now, let’s head inside, I suspect they’ll be back in a few.” The explorer said opening the door.

The two of them walked into the manor and looked around at the décor. There were the usual things you’d expect: vases, paintings, antiques, though Vinyl was kind of surprised by how many decorative weapons there were. All across the manor you could find Sheilds, sabers, and other weapons all lined up in the hallways and other corridors. “I’m kind of surprised I didn’t notice these before.” Commented the DJ.

“Ah yes, Harmony doesn’t like to admit it, but she too has an explorer’s spirit. Our mother used to collect these things too, reminds me of the good old days.” Sir Trotterlot said rubbing his metal leg with a hoof.

The white unicorn looked at his prosthetic leg and figured now would be as good of a time as any to ask “Sooo...How did you get that metal leg Uncle Trotty?”

“Oh this?” The brown stallion said lifting his metal ligament. “Have you ever done hooftycuffs with a manticore before? If not, I wouldn’t recommend it.” He said setting down his leg. “The creature attacked me as I was tracking it’s nesting habits. It took my leg but I gave it what hooo and knocked the creature out.” He smiled standing tall happy to tell the story.

“Coooool.” Vinyl said with an excited look on her face. She looked around the room and smiled. “Think you can show me some of those moves?” The DJ asked pulling two decorative swords off the wall and tossed one to Sir Trotterlot. “On guard.” She said holding the sword in her hoof.

The Explorer chuckled. “Well then, let us dance.” The stallion bowed to his opponent before he was eagerly rushed by the DJ. Sir Trotterlot parried each of her swipe with his sword before their swords locked. "Good show Miss Scratch but your announcing your movements.”

“Ha, well what about this?” Vinyl ask pushing in only to cause the two swords to brake. “...Opps...”

“Not to fret Miss Scratch” Sir Trotterlot said tossing his aside and grabbing two more from the wall. “There are plenty more where that came from.” The brown stallion tossed Vinyl her new saber and waited for her to prepare herself. “Now, let's see how you handle this.”

“Whoa!” Vinyl said ducking and retaliated. “Nice try Uncle Trotty but you’ll have to do better than that.”

“Good show Miss Scratch. Where did you learn to move like that?” Sir Trotterlot inquired.

“Raving.” Answered the white unicorn taking another swing causing the two sabers to break again. Her horn lit up in a gray aura as she grabbed another two replacements to continue their sparing match.

“Have at you.” The stallion called out leading another offensive.

“Nerf this!” Vinyl replied in retaliation missing the explorer and destroying Alto’s copy of Equestria Daily instead. They took pair after pair of decorative weapons from the wall to fight breaking artwork and decorations along the way.

Sir Trotterlot looked behind Vinyl and saw an opportunity. He lifted a fake ax and shouted “Hammer down!”

Vinyl jumped out of the way only to fall backwards on the stairs. She looked up and saw the explorer standing in front of her holding out a hoof. “Looks like I won this round Miss Scratch.”

The DJ smiled and replied “Not so fast Uncle Trotty.” Her horn lit up and the explorer jumped to avoid getting hit from a falling shield. “DJ’s never die. Now, where were we.”

Their sparing match continued up the stairs until they were reaching the end of the hall. Panting, Vinyl grabbed the last two weapons off of the wall, giving one to Sir Trotterlot. “Looks like this is it old man, time to end this.”

“Couldn’t agree more Miss Scratch. On Guard!" Replied the explorer also running out of breath. Right as the two got ready to charge both of their weapons broke at the handle “...Well...that was certainly anti-climactic.”

“Awwww, and I was going to win too.” Commented the DJ.

Sir Trotterlot chuckled “Well, there’s always next time Miss Scratch. Though I have to say, you hold your own as good as Lora.”

“Oh, so its Lora now?” Vinyl teased.

“Ahem, I meant Miss Troft.” Trotterlot replied coughing into his hoof. “Anyways, my dear Sister should be here any time now. Let's say we head...back.” The two turned around and realized exactly how much damage they caused during their sparing match.

“Don’t think we’ll be going back down that way.” Vinyl commented.

“Indeed, we’ll have to find another way.” Said the brown stallion looking around.

It was then that Vinyl saw a window and nudged Sir Trotterlot causing him to look as well. “You thinking what I’m thinking?” Asked the white unicorn.

“Aim for the bushes?” Answered the explorer. The two nodded and jumped out breaking the plants on their landing. Luckily for the two, it did cushion their fall. They got up and dusted themselves off.

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Earlier that same day, Octavia was having a nightmare where Monotone kept appearing everywhere, she went. The dream started out fine with Octavia and Vinyl going for a quick bite to eat at Mc Hayburger and Monotone walked in looked at her and said in his deep creepy voice. “Marry me Octavia, It’s for the greater good.” His words made her skin crawl and she took off running with Vinyl close behind her. The gray mare dashed to the docks of The Boating Pony and took a boat with Vinyl out to the middle of the lake. However, the short stallion was there as well. “The greater good.” He spoke again. Octavia gasped and took off again. She hid at Butler Skateland on the ice looked around and sighed softly looking to Vinyl. She thought it was over but the speaker system turned on and there he was sitting on a slow-moving Zamboni with his voice echoing over the speakers. “The greater good Octavia.” She screamed and took off to the hotel and when she opened up the door to her room, she saw him and her mother this time.

“Octavia stop fighting it and marry this stallion he is really good for you.” Harmony said smiling coldly.

“But Mother I don’t love him and I could never love him.” Octavia pleaded with her dream mother.

“Love has nothing to do with marriage dear. It should only be use to further careers. You know, the greater good.” Her dream mother replied.

“The greater good.” Monotone and her mother said in a creepy unison looking at the cellist with wide eyes that seemed to looked past her.

“Stop that!” The gray mare demanded to no avail.

“The greater good.” The pair in the room kept repeating as they closed in on her.

“Nooooo!” Octavia shouted waking up in a cold sweat. She panted and looked around. Realizing that it was a just a nightmare, the cellist sighed in relief. “I just had the worse dream Vinyl.” She slowly got out of bed and she started to pace back and forth. “I can’t do this anymore. I didn’t want to have to do this but she pushed me too far. I’m going to tell my parents I’m not going along with anything they ask ever again... Do you hear me Vinyl...Vinyl?” Octavia asked flipping over the blankets only to see that her marefriend wasn’t there. The cellist looked around the room only to find a note on her cello signed by Vinyl.

Octavia read the note and sighed. “The one time she wakes up early she leaves me alone, and this is the one time I need her... No matter, I’m sure that Vinyl and I will be much happier after I do this.” She said as she got ready to go to her parents’ manor.

Octavia paced in front of the manor a few times trying to find the courage to face her parents. “Ohhh, why aren’t you here Vinyl? I really need you.” She thought as she turned around to walk up to the manor again. It was then the cellist saw her parents walking up to their estate from the other direction. “Buck up Octavia, you can do this... for Vinyl” Filled with newfound confidence, the gray mare began walking up to the front door. When she got to the front door, she stopped and took a deep breath before slamming the door open. “Mother! Father! I demand your presence right now!” The cellist shouted scarring Harmony and Alto who just got in themselves.

“Octavia? What is the meaning of this?” Harmony asked annoyed at the door being slammed open again.

“Mother, I have a lot to say and I will not be interrupted, not this time.” The cellist said standing her ground.

“Can’t this wait until after we set our things dow-” The ruby mare started to ask but was interrupted again by her daughter.

“No mother, I will not wait. I’m tired of being ignored. Now you will stand there and hear me out!” Demanded Octavia stomping her front hoof on the ground for extra emphasis.

Octavia’s mother sighed and turned around. “Fine, speak your mind.” She said a bit annoyed by how her daughter was speaking to her.

“I’m no longer going on these dates that you and father keep insisting on! I don’t care what that tiny conductor can do for my career so stop trying to force him on me! I’m not some little toy for you two to play with, I’m a full-grown mare capable of making her own decisions! Whether you two accept it or not, I am in love Vinyl, and plan on starting a life with her in Ponyville! Do I make myself clear!” The cellist shouted hoping to get the message across to her parents.

“Octavia, we-” Started Alto before Harmony interrupted.

“We hear you perfectly clear Octavia, now hear me out. You’re acting on negative emotions and not thinking of the consequences. You say you don’t give a buck about your career and I say you have your priorities backwards. You say that you’re a full-grown mare and I say that I’m still your parent, and as such it is my responsibility to enlighten you of the correct path. Don’t go chasing waterfalls Octavia, stick to the to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to.”

“Don’t go chasing waterfalls? What do you mean by that?” The gray mare asked.

“What I mean is don’t go chasing after a dream that leads you to unknown waters. You want to start a life with Vinyl but that kind of relationship will destroy your fanbase here in Canterlot. It’s career suicide Octavia, what would you do then?”

“I don’t care if the path is unknown, that makes it more exciting! I don’t care if I end up playing my cello in a grad orchestra or a fiddle on an apple farm! As long as I have Vinyl by my side, I’ll be happy! If you two are too blind to see that then maybe...Maybe you should just stay out of my life!” Octavia said tears starting to form in her eyes.

Harmony and Alto gasped, shocked at what their daughter just suggested. “Surely you’re joking Octavia.” Replied the ruby mare.

“I am dead serious, if you can’t accept me for who I am then what's point of even taking with you!” Octavia had enough and she looked into her mother’s eyes showing her sadness and anger with her. “Mother, if you could only see the way she loves me, then maybe you would understand. Why I feel this way about our love, and what I must do.” She said with a heavy heart.

“I was looking out for your best interest Octavia, is that really so bad?! Would you really choose that mare over us?! Your own parents!” The ruby unicorn questioned.

"Are you making me choose?” Octavia asked tears flowing down her face like a river.

“Yes.” Responded Harmony, immediately regretting it.

Octavia looked down and in anger she pulled off her bowtie which she got as a gift from her parents before her first concert. She tossed it on the ground at her mother’s hooves and exclaimed. “...Goodbye mother!”

“O-Octavia wait... I-I didn’t mean that...” She said, reaching a hoof towards her daughter but it was too late, Octavia turned around and slammed the door hard making a picture frame fall onto the ground somewhere on the second floor. At the same time, a loud sound echoed from somewhere else nearby causing everypony to jump. Octavia, Harmony, and Alto rushed out to see what had happened only to see Sir Trotterlot and Vinyl pulling themselves out of two broken bushes covered in leaves.

“That was fun we should do that agai...” Vinyl started before noticing Octavia, Harmony, and Alto were staring at them.

“What in Equestria are you two doing?” Harmony asked clearly distressed about the bushes being destroyed.

“Do you want the long answer?” Sir Trotterlot started.

“Or the short answer?” Finished the DJ smiling.

Octavia and her mother both facehoofed and groaned at the situation. “It’s spreading.” Harmony said to herself.

“What is?” The explorer asked innocently.

“Come on Vinyl, we’re leaving. I don’t want to be here anymore.” The cellist said walking passed her marefriend.

“O-oh. Ok.” Replied the DJ following the gray mare.

Harmony lifted a hoof to stop her but there was no changing Octavia’s mind at this point and she glared at her brother. “Are you hurt?” She asked looking over her brother.

“I can explain, you see....” The explorer pony stopped talking and blinked in surprise. “Wait... what?”

“Are you hurt?” The ruby mare repeated as she looked him over. “You know for being the older one you certainly cause most of the trouble.” She dusted him off with a hoof and then hit him on the back of the head seeing he was okay. “Stop making me worry about you.” She said backing away.

“So, you don’t want to know what happened?” Sir Trotterlot inquired, expecting to feel his sister’s wrath.

“You can explain everything over tea. I...I need some advice.” She said walking back into the manor.

Sir Trotterlot began straightening his hat he heard a deafening scream from his sister as she saw the full state her manor was in. “This will be a fun one to explain” He thought to himself making his way inside.

There in the Dining Room, Sir Trotterlot sat across the table from Alto, who was staring at his ripped-up newspaper and Harmony who was staring at a broken picture and Octavia’s pink bowtie. It was the picture of her and her daughter hugging after Octavia’s first concert, though the glass was cracked between the two of them. Harmony filled in Sir Trotter about what transpired between her and Octavia.

“Brother, if I didn’t need your advice, I would be scolding you for destroying my house.” She said levitating her teacup to her mouth taking a sip.

“I don’t know what shocks me more, the fact you aren’t raising Tartarus itself after seeing your estate or the fact you actually want my advice.”

The ruby mare was carefully removing the picture from the broken frame, her expression growing sadder by the minute. “Shut up Trotterlot.” The mare put the picture on the table and sighed. “This isn’t easy for me to admit... and pardon the undignified language, but... I think I completely bucked things up with Octavia.”

Sir Trotterlot spat out his tea hearing those words from his sister. Harmony groaned seeing her brother make another mess in her manor. The stallion held up a hoof as he tried to stop coughing. Once the brown stallion caught his breath, he looked back at his sibling and asked. “I’m sorry, but could you repeat that?”

“I bucked up. I’m sure you are aware that I only wanted what was best for Octavia. I thought that an arranged marriage to a pony like Monotone would help boost her career and ensure her future. And before you say anything I see now that, that was wrong. That there are other things more important than a career.” She looked away after she finished talking.

“So, you aren’t going to keep trying to convince Octavia to go through with this wedding?” Sir Trotterlot asked.

“N-no, I don’t give a buck about the wedding anymore... I wanted to give her a future, but now...I just want my daughter back.” The ruby mare said touching the picture, tears starting to form in her eyes.

“I would say that this was all your doing dear Sister. I have no idea what you were thinking but you’ve been pushing your daughter away for years. Did it really have to come to this to make you see the truth?” Her brother asked in a slightly scolding tone.

“Please stop brother, I already have enough guilt and don’t need you adding to it.” Harmony snapped and looked to her brother. “I want to speak with her again, I want to set things right.”

“Are you sure that is wise dear Sister? From the sounds of it, she doesn’t want to see you anymore, I warned you that this would happ...” The explorer stopped when he noticed his sister crying. “Look, it’s not going to be easy to fix things between you and Octavia.”

“Don’t you think I know that? Just tell me how can I get my daughter back. Please, I need your help brother.” Harmony begged with pleading eyes.

Sir Trotterlot sighed softly and rubbed the back of his head. “I honestly don’t know where to begin... it seems like it’s beyond fixing.” He mumbled out softly.

“Don’t say that, you told me it’s only too late to change when you refuse to see what is true. You believed that I wasn’t beyond redemption and I will prove it. I just need to know where to find her. Can’t you ask her to see me one more time?” The ruby unicorn asked with hope in her eyes causing the explorer to sigh.

“I will try to talk with her only if you are serious about this. However, if this ends up being another trick to marry Octavia to minitone, I will not cover for you again.” The stallion said in a serious tone.

“I promise you Brother, no tricks, no lies, I just want my family back.” Harmony said as Sir Trotterlot stood up and began heading to the door.

“I’ll see what I can do.” The brown stallion commented pushing open the door only to watch the whole thing come off the hinges and hit the ground. “...Opps”

Holding back her frustration Harmony asked. “Before you go, could you at least tell me where she’s staying?”

He coughed and looked out to the city street. “The Hidden Gem’s Honeymoon Suite with Miss Scratch, in the red-light district.”

“What?!” She screamed in shock and disbelieve.

“Oh, look at the time, I should be going. Goodbye dear sister.” The explorer said before dashing from the scene.

“Wait get back here. Why is she in the part of town?” Harmony called out to her brother but he too was gone. “Relax Harmony, she’s your daughter and knows better to get herself into trouble” She said rubbing her temples. She turned around and walked back into the manor levitating the door back onto the hinges. She looked around at the state of her manor and sighed. “This whole wedding idea has been nothing but a mess. Maybe I should have left well enough alone.” She thought to herself.

As the ruby unicorn was about to go talk to her husband, she suddenly heard a tapping, as if somepony gently rapping, rapping at the manor door. Harmony walked back and carefully opened the door so it wouldn’t fall again. She glanced outside but didn’t see anypony until she looked down seeing Monotone. “Hello Harmony, I found Octavia and tried to go on a date with her yesterday. I don’t remember what happened but I’ll keep trying.”

“Don’t bother, the wedding's off” Harmony stated plainly with frustration in her voice.

The short stallion let out a dry laugh. “That’s a funny joke. You don’t need to worry; Octavia will be mine. While the previous dates have been ruined, I will make sure today’s date will be better.”

The ruby mare was growing increasingly annoyed by the tiny conductor “Look there is no date today, just like there wasn’t one yesterday, nor will there be any more dates for you with my daughter. The wedding is off! You lose! Good day sir!” The ruby unicorn said slamming the door causing it to fall off the hinges again and crash on the tiny pony.

Alto watched as his wife stormed passed him. He walked to the door, picked it up and put it back on the hinges. He turned around and walked upstairs to comfort Harmony.

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Once Octavia and Vinyl have returned to the privacy of their hotel room the DJ told the cellist what happened in the manor. The gray mare couldn’t help but shake her head. “Let me get this straight, you and Uncle Trotterlot destroyed my parent’s manor in a sparring match?” She asked as the situation almost seemed unreal.

“I wouldn’t say destroyed. We just broke a few things. You know, some paintings, and a vase or two, all their fake weapons...a window...ok you may have a point.” The DJ said thinking about what they did.

The cellist just sighed. “What am I to do with you Vinyl?”

The unicorn grinned “What wouldn’t y-” she started but was cut off by Octavia putting a hoof over her mouth.

Octavia moved in and hugged Vinyl for comfort. The cellist didn’t want to admit it, but she felt like she casted away a piece of herself when she told her mother off.

“Sorry Octy...is there anything that you want to do before going back to Ponyville?” Vinyl asked trying to cheer her marefriend up.

“No... the sooner we leave the better.” Octavia said looking down at her saddlebag. As she started to pack, she heard a noise that made her jump.

“I Say.” Squeaked a classy looking chicken as it was being loaded into Vinyl’s saddlebag.

The gray mare looked at the DJ who paused in place “...What?” The unicorn asked breaking the awkward silence.

The cellist giggled a bit, “Nothing...” She replied. As she was about to continue packing there was a knock at the door “Who would that be at this hour?” She asked walking to the door. The cellist cracked open the door to see who it was. To her surprise is was her uncle standing there. She opened the door all the way and greeted the explorer. “Uncle Trotterlot? What are you doing here? ...Did you need some help with Lora?”

“What, no. Our date went just fine. Turns out that Miss Troft has had a liking me far longer than I had realized. Though, that’s not the reason I’m here.” Sir Trotterlot answered placing his metal leg in front of the door predicting Octavia would soon slam it in his face “I am here to talk to you on behalf of your mother.”

Sure enough, the cellist tried to close the door on her Uncle “I am not interested in hearing anything my mother has to say. She made her choice.” Octavia stated glaring at Trotterlot.

“She made a mistake and wants to apologize.” The explorer reasoned.

“Apologize for what? Making Beauty Brass break up with me? Not accepting the fact, I love Vinyl Scratch? Not letting me make my own decisions? Living my life?” Octavia franticly listed multiple mistakes her mother made.

“Yes, all of those things she bucked up on. Look, I’m right with you as far as pointing out the things your mother did wrong. And trust me, if she was still acting like she was prior to this, I wouldn’t be lifting a single hoof to help her out. But this time she’s being sincere, she wants a second chance with you.”

“She had her chances uncle. I’ve given her plenty of chances time and time again, and each time she’s failed. All I wanted from my mother was for her to love me for who I am. How’s this time any different? I’m done giving her chances, she can go to Tartarus for all I care.”

“Octy, listen to me. I know she's not the most reasonable pony in Equestria, she's not the even most understanding pony in Equestria, but believe me when I say that my sister has finally changed. The only reason I’m doing this is because she came to me for help with tears in her eyes.”

“After everything she’s put me thought you now expect me to believe that she has changed. How can I trust anything that mare says to be true?” Octavia asked in frustration and turned away trying to not cry.

“I know your mother hasn’t been the most reliable pony in your life, so let me rephrase myself, can you trust me Octavia?” Sir Trotterlot asked causing Octavia to look at him weird.

“W-what?” The cellist questioned a bit confused.

“I know this is the last thing in Equestia you want to do, and I don’t blame you one bit. But if you can find it in your heart to give my sister one last chance for me, I’ll never ask anything of you again Octavia.”

The cellist sniffled. “Do you really think they can change Uncle?”

“If given the chance, yes.” Trotterlot leaned on and gave Octavia a comforting nuzzle on her cheek. “Be brave Octy, no matter what happens, I will always be there for you.” He commented before returning to his room for the night.

Octavia nodded and slowly shut the door. She turned around to rejoin her marefreind in packing only to see that she stopped. “I take it that you heard our conversation?” The cellist asked softly, still confused as to what she should do.

“It was kinda hard not to.” Vinyl said pointing a hoof at their surroundings.

“Right...what do you think I should do?” Octavia asked not sure she wanted to talk to her parents again.

“I think you should give her one last chance. Worst case scenario, she’s still a buck up and we leave. I just don’t want to see you go back to Ponyville and regret not talking with your ma one last time.” The white unicorn answered hovering over a box of tissues for her marefreind.

Octavia took one and blew her nose. “I think your right Vinyl. I will hear them out and if I don’t like that they have to say or it turns out that she did send Monotone again there is nothing more to talk about.” Octavia said hugging Vinyl. “I just hope this is the right decision.”