Octo Octavia: Back from Oneshot Hell

Octavia, that was flawless

>Your compliment brings a smile to Octavia's face

>"This was nothing.  You should see me up on stage at the Royal Canterlot Theatre"

I really should get around to seeing that some day...

>You grin

But you'd have to stop giving me private showings like this.  You're spoiling me

>Octavia gives a delightful chuckle

>"I suppose you're correct..."

>"But, I'm afraid, this one must come to an end"

>You obligingly get up off her cello case and pull it open for her

Here, give me your cello

>"I can put it away myself"

No, I insist

 

 

>Octavia reluctantly hoofs the cello over to you

>You gently take it from her with both hands

>Then you carefully set it inside the case

>You remember the last time Vinyl broke one of these

>It wasn't pretty

>You hold out your hand when you've finished

Let's have the bow now

>Octavia extends the hoof holding the bow, and you reach out to take it

>For the briefest moment, you both have your respective manipulatory extremities on the b-

 

 

>BAMF

>An unexpected flash of green light blinds you

>There's something on your hand

>Something that wasn't there before

>It's warm and fleshy

>And it grips your hand on a series of spots

>You finally blink the whitness out of your eyes and look down

>There's a brown tentacle draped over your hand

>Your eyes follow the tentacle up its length

>It grips the bow for a ways, growing ever wider

>It terminates at a body comprised of seven other, similar tentacles

>And on top of that body is...

>Octavia's head

>Still wearing her white collar with pink bow tie

>Celestia's bowels

>How did this happen

 

 

>Octavia is rapidly blinking

>"What in the world was that?" She asks

Octavia?

>She finishes her blinking

>"Hmmm?"

Don't panic, but do you feel... different?

>"do I feel..."

>She looks down

>The bow clatters to the floor, no longer supported by your hand or her... tentacle

>"AUGH!"

>She gives exactly the sort of dignified shriek you would expect from her

>"I'm an octopus!"

>That's the term you were looking for

>"I'm a freak..."

>You start to pull your hand away

>"No!  Don't leave me!"

>And lands on your head, enveloping you in a desperate bid to keep you from running

 

 

>You feel tentacles work their way under the collar of your t-shirt

Octavia

>They drape down across both sides of your torso

>And out along your arm

Octavia, what are you doing?

>that's an interesting sensation...

>Then the suckers find purchase, and anchor Octavia in place

>You can't help but shudder just a little bit, fighting panic yourself

>When she's finished, you know exactly where all eight tentacles are

>Four drape on either side of your back, forming a loose J shape that terminates just above your belt line

>Two run out along your arm, all the way to your wrist

>And the final two are wrapped around your head

>Octavia's own head is situated to the left of yours, poking through the stretched neck hole of your poor t-shirt

>All in all, it feels like you're wearing a warm, heavy, fleshy blanket

>With suckers

 

 

>Octavia is crying

Octavia...

>"I'm a monster!"

Octavia

>"I can't play cello like this!"

TAVI!

>Octavia sniffs

You're panicking

>"What?"

I warned you not to panic

>You try to turn your head left

>Octavia removes the pair of tentacles wrapped around your head, shifting them instead down your right arm and out the sleeve

>"Anonymous, I'm scared"

And you have every right to be.  However, you can't panic

>She starts to lose it again

>"Why?  Why shouldn't I panic?  For all I know, I'll be stuck like this for the rest of my life...  However long that is..."

Relax.  We can fix this

>She looks at you with red rimmed eyes

>"We can?"

Yeah, I know just the p0ny for it; if there's anyone that wou-

>The door behind you interrupts your speech by opening

 

 

>You wheel around to face it

>It's none other than Vinyl Scratch

>She pulls down her signature purple goggles and peers at the both of you

>"Tavi?  Is that you?"

Yep, that's her

>"Are you an octopus?"

>Octavia is a moment in her reply

>"I-yes, I'm afraid so, Vinyl"

>"That's..."

>You feel the tentacles tense slightly as Octavia braces

>"That's AWESOME!"

>Good ol' Vinyl

>"Y-you really think so?"

>"Of course!  Octopi have all kinds of crazy abilities!  I bet you could crawl on the ceiling with suckers like those!"

>"well Vinyl, that's... good to hear..."

 

 

>You clear your throat

Octavia

>"Yes, dear?"

Would you mind getting off me?

>Octavia looks down and realizes what she's doing

>"Oh.  Oh my. Anonymous, I apologize-"

No, it's fine.  You were scared.  Here

>You yank your shirt up off over your head

If you can let go, I'll lift you off

>"I shall try"

>You feel the suckers attached all over your body weaken their grip

>You accordingly reach up underneath Octavia's main body with both your hands

>A pair of suckers the size of baseballs latch onto your palms as you lift her up and off your shoulder

>Then you set her down on the stool

>Her tentacles drape down over the framework and onto the floor

There

>Vinyl whistles

>"Wow Octavia, when you go for it you really go for it, don't you?"

>"What's that supposed to mean?"

>"Well look at him!"

>Octavia gasps

What

>You look down

>Your torso and arms  are covered a vaguely swirling pattern of red spots

>The spots get larger as they approach your left shoulder

Oh...

 

 

They're on my face too aren't they

>"Yeah"

Wonderful

>"Anonymous, I'm sorry... I didn't know..."

I'm fine, I'm fine

>You reach down and pick up your shirt

>The neck is now stretched pretty bad

>but it's still wearable, so you put it on

>Vinyl approaches Octavia and pokes one of her tentacles with her hoof

>"How did you become an octopus anyway?  I want to try!"

>BAMF

>The same green flash goes off

>You reach up and rub your eyes

>When your vision returns, your fears are confirmed

>Vinyl Scratch is now on the floor

>She holds one of her new tentacles up to her face

>"Woah..."

>Then she begins swishing them back and forth across the floor

>"COOL!"

 

 

So Octavia, how DID you become an octopus?

>"I... well, honestly, I have no idea.  One moment I was passing you my bow, and the next I was... well..."

Interesting.  Vinyl?

>"Hmmm?"

>Vinyl pauses her swishing and looks up at you

Do you think you could change her back?  Or for that matter yourself?

>"Pffft, nah.  Music is my specialty, remember?  If I tried anything Tavi'd probably end up with even more tentacles.  Or a built in set of speakers...  Actually, that WOULD be pretty awesome... But I'm guessing she doesn't care to become the world's first octowub"

>"Most definitely not!"

>"Octowub... That'd be a good album name..." mutters Vinyl

>"No, if anyp0ny in p0nyville could fix this, it'd be Twilight Sparkle"

That was my first thought too.  How about this

>They both look at you

I'll go get Twilight.  You two stay here and wait for me.  Sound good?

>"Works for me"

>"I agree"

Alright.  See you both in a bit

>You turn and head out of the room, closing the door behind you

>On your way out, you stop in Octavia's entryway and don your trench coat

>It's still raining out

>And you don't intent to add "Wet" to the list of things you're feeling right now

>Finally, you head out the door and into the downpour

 

 

>The trip to Twilight's housebrary is relatively uneventful

>There aren't many p0nies out and about

>And you can't say you blame them

>It's just one of those wet, dreary days better spent inside with a cup of something hot and a few friends

>You press onwards through the rain and finally come upon the massive oak tree that is the P0nyville library

>Then you raise your fist and knock

>"Come in!"

>Slipping quickly through the front door, you close it quickly behind you, shaking the rain out of your hair

>Twilight is, surprise surprise, reading a book

>She lowers a lightly steaming mug of something to the table and turns to face you

>"Oh, hello Anonymous!  How are you doing?"

>You step forward into the light

Twilight, I need your help

>Her expression switches from one of pleasant surprise to questioning concern

>"Anonymous, what happened to your face?  Did you get into poison joke?"

What?  No, what's poison joke?

>She opens her mouth

Actually, don't answer that.  I need you to come with me; it's rather urgent

 

 

>Twilight sets her book down

>"What's the problem?"

You wouldn't believe me if I told you.  

>"Is it magic related?"

I think so...

>She sighs

>"It always is.  Try me."

Octavia and Vinyl have turned into octo... p0nies?

>Twilight sighs

>"Very well, I will accompany you"

>She gets up and goes to a closet, retrieving and donning saddlebags and a p0ny rain slicker

What's the bag for?

>"Magical emergency kit"

You have those?

>"With all the malarky that goes on around here, it wouldn't make sense to not have one.  Let's get this over with"

You're right

>You turn right back around and open the door, stepping back out into the rain

 

 

>Twilight doesn't say anything as you lead her through the rain-soaked streets of P0nyville

>Nor does she say anything when you pull open Octavia's front door and beckon her inside

>She does raise an eyebrow though

>You both pause to remove your respective bad weather gear

>"Can you tell me now, what exactly it is I'm supposed to help with?"

You'll see in a minute

>You lead her to the practice room and pull the door open

>It's empty

>"Yeah Anon, that's a really magically distressed music stand there.  I'm so glad I'm here to help"

>She's just piling the sarcasm on

>You can't say you blame her

>She's got a book waiting for her

>You step inside the room

I don't understand.  They were r-

>SPLAP

>Something warm and fleshy swings down and impacts your forehead

aaaaaAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!

>"AAAAAAAHHHHH" Screams Twilight with you

>The mass peels off your forehead, and you almost fall over backwards

>You look up towards the ceiling

>Right above you is Vinyl Scratch, having herself a nice hearty laugh

>Next to her is Octavia, who looks apologetic

>You turn to Twilight and gesture towards the ceiling weakly

See?

 

 

>Twilight sits down heavily on the floor

>"I... I do see."

Are you quite finished, Vinyl?

>You ask disapprovingly to the laughing... white octopus on the ceiling

>After a minute, she slows down enough to reply

>"Yeah, Yeah... Alright.  Just... The look on your face!"

>She sniggers a minute more

Will you get down?

>"Sure, sure, whatever" she mumbles

>Her tentacles contract and expand, the suckers attaching and detaching in such a manner as to allow her to inch across the ceiling without falling on your head

>Octavia is already halfway down the wall

>Twilight, meanwhile, sets her saddlebags off to the side

>Something inside tinkles, like glass

>"I don't even.... how did this happen?"

>You shrug

Octavia was giving me a private showing, and then there was a green flash, and then...

>You wave your hand in the general direction of brown octopus

That.

>Vinyl snorts

What?

>"Private showing"

>The double meaning of the phrase hits you about the same time she utters the "P" sound

 

 

>Oh christ are you blushing

>Oh shit

>you don't know

>Better cover

Vinyl, you dirty mare

>She holds up two tentacles in a defensive manner

>"Hey, I calls it like I sees it"

Yeesh

>Twilight clears her throat

>"What about Vinyl then?"

She remarked that she wondered what it'd be like to be an octopus, and then the same green flash.  And then octowub.

>"Heh"

So... Is there anything you can do?

>Twilight sucks air through her teeth

>"I'll have to have a closer look before I can tell you anything definitive."

>She opens her bag, revealing an array of test tubes, magnifying glasses, and tongs

>"Who's first?"

 

 

 

>"I'll do it!" volunteers Vinyl

>"Alright."

>Vinyl begins making her way across the floor to Twilight

>"Anonymous, Octavia, I'm going to have to ask you to vacate the room.  The procedures I'm about to preform are rather... delicate."

>You look down to Octavia, who nods up at you

Fair enough.

Do you need a lift?

>Octavia shakes her head

>"I believe I can manage, but I appreciate the offer."

>She begins to flow and undulate towards the door

>You step up and push it open, watching her flow across the ground and through the doorway

>When she's through, you step out and close the door behind you

 

 

>You look up at the gangly human looming above you, his... hands in his pockets

>Still as a rock

>Who knows what manner of thoughts swirl behind those tiny, azure eyes?

>All of this, all of this strangeness

>He endures it with nothing more than a sense of mild bemusement about him

>Offering encouraging words and toleration...

>"Would... would you care for a spot of dinner?"

>The head jerks, snaps up slightly

Huh?  

>Then it shakes

If I could impose so far...

>"It's no trouble at all" you offer

>It takes you a moment to start moving, these...

>These blasted tentacles...

>Celestia, why did this have to happen to you?

>On tonight, of all nights!

>...

>But these blasted tentacles take some getting used to

>You dearly hope Twilight will be able to do something about them

 

 

>Octavia leads the way into the kitchen

>Her tentacles look like they're quivering a little more than usual

>Well, usual as far as you've seen

>As you watch, she opens the door to the fridge

>A pair of tentacles peruse the inside, withdrawing a container of salad, some dressing and garnishments, and an oblong package wrapped in plain white paper and tape

Anything I can do to help?

>"If you could get a medium bowl out of the cupboard and put it on the counter, I'd greatly appreciate it" she says back to you

>You step over to the cabinet and pull it open, eventually finding the medium sized bowl on the middle shelf

>When you turn around to place the bowl on the counter, Octavia's there

>Arranged around her are all of the necessary ingredients for a salad

>And an oblong, mysterious object wrapped in white paper

>The tentacles wrap around the containers, pouring the ingredients one after the other into the bowl

>She has a bit of trouble with the drawer on the side of the counter

>And the rather small forks and spoons inside give her pause

 

 

>you're about to ask when she speaks up

>"A-anonymous, would you be a dear and... and mix this?"

Of course

>You offer, taking a mixing fork and spoon from the drawer

>The wobble in her voice is obvious, but you don't want to offend her

>As you toss the salad, she slides down the side of the counter, package in tow

>You hear something clank behind you

>And when you turn around, you see she's got a frying pan on the stove

>She's trying to turn the knob and get it lit

Octavia

>The gas jets out of the holes in the burner, but she can't get the starter to spark

>"I can do this"

>She's taking too long

TAVI!

>She looks towards you just as the starter finally sparks, igniting the gas into a small fireball

>You leap across the intervening space and flick the burner off

>The flame was a brief flash

>So the ceiling is a bit singed, but not burning

>Octavia looks at you slackjawed

>If she hadn't turned her head, she'd have a facefull of ouch

>As is, all she has are a few singed hairs

 

 

That was close

>Octavia sobs quietly, drawing your attention

>Her face has fallen over forward and is laying flat on the counter

Octavia, what's wrong?

>"...I'm useless..." Drifts up from the counter

>You were afraid this would happen

Well, with that attitude you are

>"I can't even use the stove..."

You mean you can't use the stove yet?

>The head rises, peering at you blearily

>"I can't work the knobs..."

So are you going to give up?  Or are you going to make them bigger so you can use them

>She sniffs again

>"I suppose..."

>You stare into her eyes

>Her beautiful, violet eyes, rimmed with tears

>A few strands of mane have escaped their usual arrangement, and you reach forward and sweep them behind her ear

You can't look at it like that.  That's defeatist.  You can't think, 'Oh, I can't do this, may as well give up'.  You have to think, 'How can I make this work?'

 

 

>"I-I can try..."

That's all I'm asking.  And I'll be here every step of the way if you need me.

>She sniffs again

>OH BOY

>HERE COMES THE BLUSH

And hey

>You postulate, trying to lighten the mood

This is all assuming Twilight doesn't work out a way to change you back.  You could be back to your proper form by this time tomorrow!

>"I-I hadn't considered that..."

>"You're right, Anonymous.  Thank you."

>you shrug

Being different is hardly an alien experience to me.  After all you've done for me, I'm happy to have a way to help you in return.

>Oh christ

N-not that I was hoping for this to happen

>Octavia emits a watery chuckle

>"I understand the intent."

>She begins to inch down the side of the counter

>"Hard to find p0nies with proper taste in music in this little burg"

>Then, she pauses

>The tentacle holding the white package wavers ponderously in your direction

>"This is for you.  Perhaps you'll be able to do what I cannot."

>You reach out in wonder and take the package

>Cold and firm to the touch

>you head to the section of counter opposite of the purple octo p0ny and set it down

>Then you tear through the tape and unwrap it

>When you finally reach the inside, you inhale sharply

 

 

 

>Nestled inside are two objects wrapped in wax paper, one longer than the other and red

>Could it be?

>You reverently pick up the longer of the two and prize it open

>Inside is a wad of bacon

>BACON!

>of all the things

>you set the bacon back in the paper and pick up the other roll

>Inside this, you find a small stick of butter

>Just enough to grease a pan

>You're touched

>Meat isn't exactly easy to come by, nor does it come cheap

>Especially bacon

>You turn to Octavia in wonder

>She's halfway up the side of the counter with a pair of bowls

Where...

>"I got it from a gryphon merchant."

>"He was kind enough to instruct me in its preparation, but I... can't manage it right now." she says sadly

>"I trust you know how?"

I do...

>You muse in wonder

Octavia, I'm touched

>Is that a hint of blush you see on her cheeks?

>"Anything for a friend"

>She has the salad bowl in her tentacles

>And she's in the process of meting it out between two smaller bowls

If I might...

>"By all means."

 

 

>A half hour later, and you're seated across from Octavia at the table, pouring glasses of water for the both of you

>There's a plate on your left with six

>SIX

>Strips of glorious, glorious bacon

>And three more in bits all over your salad

>Across the table, Octavia pulls her bowl closer

>You set the water jug down and pick up your fork

>And dig in

>Three bites in, and you realize it

>It's the best salad you've had in a long, long time

>No offense to the local chefs, they do quite well with their vegetarian ingredients

>But the bacon adds that little zest that you've craved for so long

>Across the table, Octavia eats directly from the bowl

>If it's bothering her, she doesn't show it

>The meal is silent for the most part

>You pivot in your chair

>It's Twilight

Hello Twilight

>She looks slightly stricken, and she's got her gear on

Any new developments?

>"I bear good news and bad news."

 

 

>The table shifts a bit as Octavia inches over to be able to see the purple unicorn

>"The good news is, I can change them back."

>You clap once, vigorously

Excellent!

>"And the bad news?" Inquires Octavia wearily from the table

>"The bad news is that the method for doing so takes several hours, and is rather... volatile.  I have the equipment necessary at the Library, but I can't bring it here."

So we have to bring them to the library?

>"In a few hours, yes."

How muc-

>Twilight holds up a hoof, the contents of her bags rattling under the damp raincoat

>"I cannot, in good conscience, charge money for this.  I will not."

>"Just have them at the library in four hours."

I think I can manage that.

 

 

>Twilight turns to the door, pausing

>"Are there any other questions?

I don't have any

>You shrug, and look back to Octavia

>"No.  Thank you, Twilight."

>"I'm doing my duty as a civil servant of P0nyville"

>Twilight hesitates for a moment longer, makinge sure there are truly no more questions to be had

>Before finally heading out the door

>"Anonymous, would you mind seeing her out?"

Of course

>You rise from your seat, intent upon Octavia's request

Really Twilight, thank you so much

>You remark once you're out of earshot of the kitchen

>"Let's... let's just say I know what it's like to be deprived of vital manipulatory faculties."

It's no fun, is it

>"It is not."

>She confirms

 

 

>After that brief moment of awkwardness, Twilight finds her way out of the house quite readily

>You're on your way back into the kitchen when you almost run into Vinyl's head making its way down the wall

Hello, Vinyl

>You greet

>"Hi Nonny!"

>you grimace

>You hate it when she calls you that, and she knows it

Where are you going?

>"I'm headed to my mixing room.  All this is giving me wicked ideas"

Are you going to make a whole new album?

>"Heh, I just might"

>You slide past her and continue down the hallway

>"Hey" She calls just before you round the corner

>Something in her voice makes you stop, and consider

Yeah?

>She's a moment in responding

>When she does, it's in a lower, more subdued tone of voice

>"You should go spend some time with Tavi.  This really hit her hard."

Y'know what?  I think I will.

>"Good."

>you turn the corner of the hallway

>In the kitchen, Octavia is cleaning up after dinner

>The bowls and the glasses have been moved to the sink, and she's on the counter next to it

>She looks up when you enter the room

>"Oh, hello Anonymous.  Nice of you to stick around."

You thought I was gonna leave?

>"Well, I had considered the possiblity..."

I said I was gonna be around all night, that's what I'm gonna do.  Besides, you need my help getting to the library in a couple hours.

>you step inside and take a seat.

 

 

>You twiddle your thumbs for a moment, as the rain patters against the window

Octavia, do you think we could continue with your original plans for the evening?

>"What?" she responds from the counter

>She's practicing working the knobs on the sink

Do you think you could start teaching me to play?

>"Oh, that!"

>She sighs

>"I'm not sure how much help I'll be, but I AM a p0ny of my word..."

>"And I'd rather have something to do..."

>To distract her, is the unspoken message

Well then let's go, shall we?

>"Yes, let us."

>You kick forward off the wall and walk over to Octavia

Come here

>"Oh, you don't have to carry me!"

Pish posh.  It's faster and less trouble for both of us.

>She considers your hands before her

>"Well, if you insist..."

I do

>"Just this once, I suppose..."

Think of it as practice

>A pair of tentacles reluctantly inch up your arms

>Octavia moves at moderate pace up your arms

>Until she's nestled up against your crooked elbows

 

 

See?  Now was that so hard?

>"I-I guess not..."

We'll be there before you know it

>You say, turning to the doorway

>The hallway is void of white tentacle monste- err, p0ny

>You stride purposfully along

>You can feel her respirating against the parts of your arms under her main body

>Heading through the door to the practice room, you kick it closed behind you

>"Set me down over there" she intones

>And you oblige her

>She is momentarily still, getting her bearings

>Then she goes to the filing cabinet

>And pulls open a drawer

>the tip of a feeler indicates the frontmost folder

>"There should be a sheet titled..."

>She pauses for a moment, concentrating

>"Cello for p0nies.  Could you get it for me?"

Of course

>You pull the folder open, and sure enough there it is

>Right at the front

>You grab the sheet and pull it out

>Turns out it's a packet, stapled at a corner

>That works too

>"I knew I still had it around, somewhere"

 

 

>Octavia directs you to the music stand, where you set your wad of papers

>"Resin the bow and take up the cello" she commands

>You reverently open the case and do as asked

>Carefully but strongly running the resin block up and down the bow

>And, when that's done, reverently taking the cello from its velvet cradle

>You rise from your crouch, and glance about

>...Octavia's gone

>Nowhere to be seen

>"Up here, Anonymous!" calls a familiar voice from above

>you look up

>She's on the ceiling

>Directly above the stool and music stand

Whaaa...

>"I had an idea!"

>"Now, pull your stool over have a seat."

>You hook your foot in the legs of your stool and push it over, keeping both hands on the cello

>The music stand is at the first page, showing proper position for a p0ny to hold a cello

>Calling forth vague memories of cellists from your world, you take up a position

>Something warm and soft snakes down and wraps around your wrists

>It adjusts them, moving the cello back a bit and bringing the hand with the bow to a more perpendicular bearing to the strings

>"There, see?  I can adjust your pose properly from here."

That's pretty clever

>"Well, one must make the most of one's situation..."

>There's a bit of a pause

Thank you, Octavia.  I really appreciate this.

>"Oh, it's no problem at all"

>"Now," She continues, cutting off your chance to respond

>"For a lesson in the underlying physics of the cello..."

 

 

>Octavia goes on to explain how drawing the bow across the string causes it to vibrate

>To resonate

>And how that resonance bounces back and forth inside the body to produce the sound

>How different tightness and lengths of string create higher and lower pitch

>And how p0nies press the string down with the inherent, rudimentary magic in their hooves

>The same magic that enables them to grip things they otherwise couldn't

>A little bit of experimentation, and you find that you can press the string down with your fingers pretty well

>The lesson book needs a little adjusting, but Octavia's with you every step of the way

>You're just learning the positions of the various notes, when there's a flash through the window

>And then a deafening roar of thunder shakes the house

>Rattles the shutters

>There's a shriek above you

>And then something hard smacks into your head

>The last impression you have is of sudden blackness

>Before you slip away into unconsciousness