"Swan Song - Octavia x Anon - Part 2"
By MLP-CYOA-Writer-Dude (https://pastebin.com/u/MLP-CYOA-Writer-Dude)

URL: https://pastebin.com/PxMj4JsG
Created on: Sunday 18th of May 2014 09:44:42 PM CDT
Retrieved on: Sunday 25 of October 2020 10:53:41 AM UTC


>You stare at Octavia, trying to form words.
"I'm not really sure what you are implying...."
>You look around the studio apartment.
>You start to notice finer details in the apartment.
>It really was... low end.
"There is nothing wrong with trying to save money, Oct-"
>She puts a hoof up to you.
>"It has nothing to do with trying to save money."

>You raise an eyebrow at her.
>She may be strapped for money, but that in no way is directly related to her talent.
>That makes no sense.
>You scoot closer to her.
"Octavia, you are easily one of the more talented ponies I know, and DEFINITELY the best musician."
>You try and rub her withers, but she pulls away slightly.
>She closes her eyes and shakes her head.
>"I don't agree with that one at all."
>She opens her eyes and gives you a saddened look.
>The bags under her eyes more apparent than before.

"What is going on, Octavia?"
>You see her eyes begin to water.
"There must be something else going on here."
>Octavia gets up from the couch and walks over to her window.
>She pulls apart a homely looking sheet acting as a curtain to reveal a massively cracked window.
>A bit of the setting sun begins to pour through, shining on her coat.
>Her watery eyes go from the window to you, and back again.
>She rubs her eyes and takes a deep breath.

>"You are entirely correct, Anon."
>She closes the curtain a bit, still allowing sun to shine through.
>"But I do not wish to ruin our time together by dwelling on these matters."
>She trots over to you, forcing a smile.
>You sit on the edge of the rickety couch.
>You hear a what sounds like a crack.
>NOPE.
>You quickly get up before you bust your ass.
>Or her couch.

"S-sorry...."
>Octavia leans on the couch, causing it to crack some more.
>"It's done this ever since I bought it. I think it gives it some character, don't you think?"
>Whew.
>You hear your stomach growl.
>"I do apologize... I guess I am quite hungry."
>At least you thought it was yours.
>Octavia laughs.
>"Dinner, then?"

>You nod.
"Dinner would be fantastic right now, considering I probably burnt off any calories I made getting to you."
>"What do you mean, Anon?"
>You shake your head.
"Decided to walk from the train station to Central Park."
>You still feel the pain your feet and legs mocking you.
"Bad call. But I did save money by not getting a cab!"
>She groans and facehooves.
>"Anon, you are... ugh. Well, are you okay, at least?"

>You nod.
"Yeah, the walk is good for me, and-"
>"No, I mean are you... OKAY, okay?"
>You raise your eyebrow at her again.
"I could ask the same of you."
>You see her cheeks redden slightly.
"And I probably will later."

>You get up and head over to your luggage and bag.
"You about ready to go?"
>Octavia trots to your side.
>"Let me freshen up a bit, and we can go."
>You nod once more as she heads over to her bathroom.
>You reach into your bag and check your bits.
>They gleam and shine.
>You count way more bits than you had before....
>That's odd.
>With Octavia's current situation, she may not be wanting to eat anywhere too expensive.
>Maybe you could change her mind.
>You pocket a significant number of bits and close your bag.

>Octavia returns from the bathroom.
>Her mane is brushed, and you see a little more of her "color" return to her coat.
>Even the bags under her eyes have faded slightly.
"Wow. You look great!"
>Octavia blushes and does some sort of pirouette.
>"Only you would think so."
>Truthfully, she does look great.
>Almost like you remember her.

>Octavia gives you a wider smile.
>"I am ready!"
>You extend a hand to her.
>She places a hoof in it, still smiling at you.
"You feeling excited?"
>Octavia gives you a weak smile and nods.
>"Just a bit."

~

>Octavia leads you through one of the calmer streets in Manehattan.
>Though "calm" is clearly different here than it is in Ponyville.
>She was talking this place up on your way over here.
>And you can definitely see why.
>"Just let me know if you see anything you like, Anon."
>You nod and look around.
>Octavia walks closer to you as you examine your environment.

>This area of Manehattan certainly was less overwhelming, though you may have gotten used to it by now.
>A large number of ponies still travel the sidewalks and streets.
>Though they have a different air about them than the ponies from the train station area.
>The buildings surrounding you are of the artistic variety.
>Art shops, music shops, cawfee shops.
>Pottery barns, a number of private studios.
>This place was suited perfectly for those with an artistic background.
>You see why Octavia enjoys this place.
"This must be like a second home to you, huh?"

>She nods happily, pointing out the better music shops.
>She scowls as you approach an intersection.
>"In case you EVER need to know, avoid Sam Hash Music over there."
>You look over a see a large music building, plastered with posters about upcoming concerts.
>It definitely felt different than other ones around here.
>Octavia groans as she recalls some information for you.
>" One of the ponies in there is a buffoon, telling me that he doesn't work on bass guitars like mine. I stormed out of there. What ignorant musician confuses a cello and a bass guitar?"

"You're totally right, Octavia."
>You could appreciate how passionate she is about her craft.
>How could you not respect that?
>Octavia points over to a dimly lit shoppe on the corner of the block.
>"That is my favorite restaurant. Well, at least it used to be."
"'Used to'?"

>She nods solemnly.
>"I don't tend to go there much anymore. It is...."
>Her head drops a bit.
>"It is a bit out of my price range. At least for now."
>You and Octavia cross the street.

>You see the shoppe more clearly as you reach the other side of the street.
"Le Grande Shoppe, huh?"
>You see a few small tables outside, with prim looking ponies reading their menus.
>Another pony reads off their order to a-
"Griffin!? Is that really a..."
>Octavia bumps you gently.
>"Anonymous! Have you never seen a griffin before?"
>You shake your head in bewilderment.

"I thought they were some sort of mythical creature...."
>As if talking ponies, baby dragons, and buff minotaurs weren't already mythical to begin with.
"Oops. I guess it doesn't seem so strange when I think about it...."
>Octavia rubs your leg.
>"His name is Gustave le Grande. They serve the finest éclairs I have ever had in there."
>As you approach the shoppe, you begin to hear some gentle piano music playing.
>The pony closes his menu and smiles at the griffin waiter.
>The griffin takes the menu and bows to his customer.
>"I'll will have that out for you, shortly."
>His snobby accent surprises you.

"So, shall we stop here?"
>Octavia gives you a look of surprise.
"What? I could go for an éclair." 
>"Anon, I already told you that I couldn't afford it."
>She looks at the shoppe again.
>"As much as I would love to...."
"Works for me. That's all I needed to hear."
>You waltz over to an empty table.
>"Anon, wait!"

>You plop down into a seat and open a menu.
>Octavia moves next to you.
>"Anon, we really don't have to do this... I know of a diner a few blocks down and...."
"It's on me. Have a seat, Octavia. Really."
>She reluctantly sits across from you.
>A griffin waiter appears next to you almost instantly.
>"Good evening, monsieur and mademoiselle. Welcome to Le Grand Shoppe. How are the two of you this fine evening?"
>Octavia hides her face.
>"... fine, sir...."
>You smile at the waiter.
"Great, sir. Thanks a lot."
>The griffin returns a smile.
>"Do we know what we will be ordering tonight? Might I recommend the strawberry éclairs?"
"Anything this fine mare would like."

>"Fine?"
>You close your menu and smile at her.
>You see Octavia's face fully redden.
>The waiter turns his head to her and smiles.
>"He is quite the gentleman, no?"
>She smiles and turns away.

>"He... he really is."

>She closes her menu and looks at you.
>Her cheeks still red, she gives you a smile.
>"You... you sure, Anon? This place is really...."
>You close your eyes and nod.
"It's on me, Octavia."

>Octavia turns to the waiter.
>Her face still red, her smile wider than ever.
>"We will have three of your finest strawberry éclairs, as well as two warm mugs of hot chocolate, if you would be so kind."
>The waiter takes away your menus and smiles.
>"I will have that right out for you."
>He bows and walks away.

>You tap your hands on the table, awaiting your delicious dessert.
>Octavia gives you an appreciative look.
>"You are the same gentlemen that I first laid my eyes on months ago."
>She puts a hoof on your hand.
>"I am so happy that you came here."
>You smile at her.
"It was hard not seeing you for so long, Octavia. There was no way I wouldn't have come here."
>Her smile slowly turns into a frown.
>"I am so sorry about that, Anon."
"You don't have to apologize. We are together now, right?"
>She rubs your hand affectionately.
"But... I do have to know... what has been going on these last few months?"

>Her eyes wander away.
>You can tell that this a touchy subject.
>But you care about her, and you want to know.
"You can tell me, Octavia."
>She sighs.
>"Anon. The truth is... that I've had the hardest few months of my life...."
>She closes her eyes.
>"Moving here was one of the worst decisions of my life, and I have yet to see the light at the end of the tunnel."

>She fiddles her hooves.
>You could tell she was trying to formulate words.
>"It all started when... well... when I was offered a position in the Manehattan Symphony Orchestra. I couldn't believe it! I cancelled the remainder of my concerts and rushed to Manehattan."
>It doesn't surprise you that she was offered such a position.
>Octavia looks at you.
>You nod to her, urging her to continue.

>"Well... when I got here, I booked a hotel overlooking Carneighgie Hall, where I was to meet the pony who offered me the position. That took a lot of my savings up, but I knew that once I would start playing with the Orchestra I would have enough money to get my own home."
>The waiter brings you and Octavia a glass of water.
>You thank him.
>He bows and leaves.
>Octavia sips her water.

>"I met him the same day that I arrived. I tell him how excited I was to be playing with the MSO. He responds by telling me that he had made a mistake. I wasn't able to be offered the position without a audition. Typically, auditions do not bother me. They come with the career. But this one... something awful happened. I just couldn't focus. I messed up badly."
>You see her eyes begin to water.
>You hold her hoof, giving it a squeeze to try and calm her down.
>She takes another sip of water.

>"Needless to say, I failed the audition. And that is when everything began to spiral out of control. I didn't have enough money to head back to Ponyville, and I didn't have enough money to continue living in Manehattan. I didn't know what to do!"
>A tear runs down her cheek.
>"All I wanted was to return to Ponyville and try and correct everything. But the opportunity never came. I played in the park as a way to get bits. I was lucky enough to get a good amount in the beginning, and I used it to buy this studio apartment."

"Why didn't you head back to Ponyville?"
>She sighs.
>"I was stubborn and naive. There was opportunity here, I knew it. I just had to find it. And I never did...."

>You rub her hoof again as another tear falls down her face.
"Octavia...."
>"I can't believe I was so... so stupid. Trying to be noticed here is... it's just so difficult. And it's not even that I wanted popularity or wealth. I just wanted a way to get back to what I had. I was so quick to let it go...."
>She sniffles.

>"Giving away all of that... meant giving you away, too."

>You lean over and wipe the tears from her face.
>"You really touched my heart that night, Anon. And... I threw it out to try and follow my own selfish dreams. Dreams that became nothing but nightmares. Living nightmares."
>More tears fall down her cheeks.
"Octavia, you didn't mean to-"
>"No, I did! I knew what I was doing! I just... I just thought that I would be able to return to you sooner than I thought. With that, being able to get close to you."

>You shake your head.
"You couldn't have known about this. You couldn't have know that this would have happened."
>Octavia looks into your eyes.
>"I was taking a big risk, Anon. And it hurt me in the end."

>You can't help but feel an immense sorrow for Octavia.
>You rub her hoof, 
>You look into her eyes and see promise, talent, dedication.
>But none of it was enough to help her here.
>You try and comfort her.
"If I had known about any of this, I would have helped you out...."
>Octavia shakes her head at you.
>"And I knew that. I could tell from the night I met you that you were different. I could see the honesty and sincerity you possess. But I couldn't ask you to do that for me. Instead...."
>She shuts her eyes.
>"I wanted you here with me. I felt as if you could make this all better. I took another chance... and I saved up as many bits as I could to get you that train ticket."

>You give her a confused look.
"How... how did you manage that?"
>She shakes her head.
>"It was difficult, Anon. I had to give up on eating a lot of the time, or eating things like bread and fruit. That was the best way to conserve enough money on the side. After enough time, I was able to get you that ticket. I placed my last ounce of faith in it and sent it off."

"How did you get that letter to me? There was no return address or...."
>"One of my pegasus friends from Ponyville came to Manehattan on vacation. I was lucky that she found me in the park when she did. If not, I was going to have to save up more to be able to afford the postage."

>You must be sure to thank Derpy later.

>You close your eyes and think for a moment.
>Octavia's hoof resting underneath your hand, you sense her mind at ease.
>At least for now.
>If you had known of her strife, you would have done anything you could to help her out.
>But there is one thing that still makes no sense to you.

"Octavia."
>She looks at you and gives you a weak smile, her eyes red from her tears.
>"Yes, Anon?"
"Why didn't you just return to Ponyville with that money? Why did you do what you did instead?"
>She sighs once more.
>"My naïveté wouldn't let me go. Even with all of my strife... I feel as if I could achieve something here."

You sit and stare at her.
>She shuts her eyes.
>Another tear falls down her cheek.
>Octavia's determination is unlike anything you've ever seen.
>Even with everything against her, she continues to fight.
>In her current state even, she is showing no sign of stopping.
>It's unbelievable.
>It's admirable.
>It's making you feel like you need to help her.
>But it may not be your place to do so.
"Not only are you a great musician... you are very strong-willed. It's remarkable that you continue along this path."
>"I... Anon...."
"Your talent will bring you back. This has only been a test of what you can do."

>Octavia rubs your hand.
>"You... you have quite a way with words, Anon."
>You shrug.
"No, I'm just good at pointing out the obvious."
>Her cheeks redden slightly.
>"I feel like I'm will be able to manage this much better now."
>You take her hoof and give it a kiss.
"And you're going to have me here one hundred percent of the way."

>Before she can respond, you see the waiter return from the shoppe with food in tow.
>The waiter comes by with your éclairs and hot chocolates on a silver platter.
>Literally.
>He gives you a grand bow as he rests the tray on the table.
>"Freshly made éclairs and hot chocolates, a La Grande."
>You lick your lips.
>"This looks quite amazing. Thank you so much, sir."
>You thank the waiter as well.
>He bows once more and smiles.
>"Enjoy."

>You place an éclair on Octavia's plate.
>"Anon, are you...."
"Please. For me?"
>She takes her treat and takes a small bite out of it.
>"Only for you... Mmm...."

>You bite into an éclair.
>It's warmth and fluffiness making you feel great!
"Wow... these are... fantastic."
>Octavia nods as she sips her hot chocolate.
>"The best éclairs in Equestria."

"And I'm getting to enjoy it with the best cellist in Equestria."
>Octavia scoffs at you.
>"Anon, please."
>You wipe some filling off of your face.
"Well... you can disagree with me on that all you want."
>"And I will, good sir!"
>You take sip of hot chocolate.
"But you can't disagree with the fact that you are easily the most beautiful mare in Equestria."

>Octavia looks at you with warm eyes.
>Her cheeks red once more.
>"A-Anon!"
>You finish off you éclair and take another swig of hot chocolate.
"Sorry. The most beautiful mare in existence."
>Her warm eyes shimmer in the moonlight.
>Her smile wider than you've ever seen.
>"I haven't felt this happy in... a long time, Anon."
>She places her hooves on your hands.
>"I hope you won't leave me any time soon."
>She leans over the table and kisses you on your lips.

"I wouldn't dream of it."

~