>at night time you sat down in your comfortable chair >all around you were high-class ponies >for the first time ever, everyone in the room was wearing clothes >you felt far more at home here >even though everyone was dressed in their finest clothes >Rarity had been generous enough to take you to this concert in Canterlot >she had planned to go with Twilight, but the poor pony had fallen ill no more than two days prior >you were her second choice >partially due to your knowledge of classical music >partially because you let her sew clothes for you >you weren't quite sure how free clothes were considered at favor on your part, but you took any free cards you could get >the concert lasted two fulls hours >and what splendid hours they were >the grand hall was flooded with the greatest music you had ever heard >everything from Bethoofen to Marezart >ponies' ability to name things never ceased to amaze you >during these two hours you felt warmth, coldness, joy and pain >the musical skill of this orchestra was beyond anything you had ever heard >and as you sat there, watching them make emotions themselves come to life >you notcied one particular, grey cello-playing pony >her grace and beauty as she masterfully played those strongs was spellbinding >her composure and class was simply a joy to watch >watching her was almost a greater joy than the music in your ears >at the end of the concert, you went mingling with Rarity >but your mind was locked on the gery cello pony   >you walk throughout the building alongside Rarity >you were her "date" after all >granted, you weren't of high class here in Equestria >but Rarity was proud to show you off to everyone >and you turned out to be quite the conversation initiator >practically everyone came over to ask about you >everyone was quite nice about it, too >after a quick exchange with a rich businesspony, you pull Rarity to the side >"Oh, darling, aren't you simply having the greatest time?" >she's been all smiles and laughter the whole night >it was quite refreshing to see her relax >she always put so much effort and energy into her work >particularly your suit, which was astounding "Yes, this really is amazing. But, I was wondering something." >Rarity looks to you with surprise >you hadn't shown much interest in this event prior to arriving >"Do tell, darling." "Well, during the concert I noticed this grey pony. She was playing the cello. Who is she?" >now Rarity looks even more surprised >but she does answer you >"Oh, her name is Octavia. She's a quite new addition to the orchestra. Quite young, too. But her musical skill is beyond most ponies thirty years her age! She truly is a talented pony." >you nod to her and smile "Yeah, she was fantastic." >Rarity gives you a sly smile >"Why do you ask, I wonder?"   "I've always had an appreciation for classical music done right. I thought that was most of the reason you brought me, my dear." >you give Rarity a knowing smile as you finish >she simply shakes her head gently and look to the sky >"Oh, Anon!" >she pokes your shoulder with her hoof >"Always going on about laides, aren't you?" >you shrug and shoot her another smile "Well, I did quite enjoy the concert, actually. I never got around to going to one back on Earth, but this was far better than I expected." >Rarity gives you a genuine smile at that >"Well, I'm glad to have invited you, then. You are quite the handsome 'date', too." >you can't help but blush slightly at that >you're still not used to getting compliments >something ponies seem far better at than humans >the two of you stand there, looking at the mingling ponies before you >a break from all of this was quite nice >you enjoyed playing along with the high class games >but it was tiring nonetheless >you didn't notice Rarity leaving before she returns with a drink >she levitates it over to you >you hold up your glass and nod to her >she returns the gesture >it's quite a nice drink >on the dry side, but extremely tasty >you shudder to imagine what this cost >"So, Anon. Will you be pursuing this cello-pony of yours tonight, then?"     >with a cheeky grin on your face, you reply "Tell me where she went, and I'll be on my merry way to conquer her heart." >Rarity giggles at your remark >"You never were much of a sophisticated conversationalist, but I'll give you points for trying at the end, there." >at least Rarity was always nice enough to let you have at least some glory >even though she was absolutely correct >"Well, although it isn't proper for a stallion to leave his mare to go in search of another pony." >she stares ironically at you >"I think I can let it slide it just this once." >at the sound of her words you beam >"It's not like I expected you to follow me around like a dog all night. Go and have some fun, dear." >you're glad she isn't angry about this >although she is your friend, you could never know in these situations >you're pumped and ready to go >ready to go talk to that spectacular pony >you turn to leave Rarity but realise something >she didn't tell you anything yet >in your stupidity, you turn to face her again "So, uh, where is she?" >Rarity simply giggles >"How would I know, darling? I'm not the one keeping my eyes on ponies the entire night." >with a cheeky smile she walks off to a group of ponies >well, you sort of expected more from her >anyway, how hard could it be to find one pony? >in a crowd of at least 200 >maybe pretty difficult, after all >but you'd have to start somewhere >and there were a lot of somewheres   >there were so many ponies in this damn hall >finding a single, grey one would be damn difficult on your own >so you decide to get help from everyone around you >by mingling >you weren't quite used to this, but being a human had benefits >the conversation was always the same in the start >you could pull this off, no sweat >you look around for a few seconds before you spot three ponies talking to each other >they look happy and friendly >with as much confidence you can muster, you walk over to them >far before reaching them, they notice you >and for once you actually guessed correctly >these ponies were extremely nice >and the conversation went as you had expected >human this, human that >it was getting boring after a while >unfortunately, they weren't of any help regarding Octavia >with no use for them, you excused yourself and moved on >this continued for a while, unfortunately >after the fifth try with no look, you're ready to give up >but just as you leave you spot something good >a pony you recognise from the orchestra is in the bar >you quickly go to him and sit down on the bar stool beside him >you don't make it obvious you're here because of him >so you order a drink >turns out the drinks were free for the event >these ponies sure must have a lot of money to hand out free drinks >but you weren't complaining >now to tackle the orchestra pony >you notice he doesn't look too happy >like something's bothering him   >you honestly feel bad for him "Why the long face?" >he looks to you and smiles >"Oh, you know. The usual. Trouble with the wife 'n all." >he just slumps back into his seat and stares at his drink >you've already forgotten about Octavia >this man's melancholy is really getting to you >you gently push his shoulder with a fist "Come on. You should be celebrating! You just played an amazing concert!" >it takes your all of your performance ability to sound chipper >he just looks to you and gives you a weak smile >"I guess I should. Cheers." >you lift your glass as he does the same >as you start drinking you wish it never had to stop >sweet Jesus this stuff was good >you're not sure if this is proper etiquette >but hot damn you don't care right now >you chug all of your likely expensive drink in one go >you slam the glass onto the table with a loud smack of your lips >the orchestra pony is simply staring at you in disbelief "Oh, uh, sorry. Forgot this is a fancy party and all that." >he bursts into laughter >you fail to see the humor, but it's nice that he's happy >"Oh, my. I haven't seen anyone do that in years! It's quite refreshing, actually." >he proceeds to perform the same action as you >he even lets out a quiet burp at the end >again he giggles >it feels good to cheer ponies up >no wonder Pinkie loves it so much >as his happiness returns, so does your thoughts of Octavia >but whether you should ask now or not is the real question   >Octavia can wait >you're actually starting to get interested in this guy's life >maybe the drink was slightly stronger than you thought >or maybe you suck at mingling >but your mind decided to go with "So, does divorce exist in Equestria?" >you almost slap your hand in front of your mouth at the end >the very least you do is mentally slap yourself silly >the pony is just staring at you >like you're a real annoying asshole >truth be told you kind of were after that >"Uh, yeah, it does. Now, if you'll excuse me." >with those words he gets up and leaves >you bash your forehead into the table a few times before letting out a frustrated sigh >you really should learn to think before you speak >well, he may have been a good lead, but he isn't the only one in here >you should still be able to find out about Octavia somehow >and although you lost a good step toward finding that magnificent mare >you feel yourself getting annoyed not learning more about him >helping him overcome his troubles >you were looking forward to being the hero who saved the day >well, can't have everything, you guess >it's time to focus on the cello-pony   >yeah, you had to find her >but drinks first >who could say no to free drinks this good? >or free drinks in general >you order a few more drinks and down them each in one go >probably not the brightest of ideas >but they were just so tasty >when you've had three more, you stop >either ponies make drinks stronger than humans >or you really are a lightweight >either way, everything is getting blurry >the hall is gently wobbling about >you immediately regret this decision >how would you ever find Octavia while drunk? >just as you're cursing best at yourself internally, a freak chance occurs >a pony sits down next to you >and she speaks with the most sophisticated, calm voice you have ever heard >far more so than Rarity herself >completely dumbfounded you stare at Octavia >you look to the ceiling and silently thank God for this occurence >he doesn't reply >what a jerk >"A maretini, please. An extra olive, if you would." >the bartender simply nods and goes about his business >within record time, Octavia is sipping from her glass >all the while you're simply staring at her >luckily she hasn't noticed >or she's just ignoring you >could be either >realising what you're doing isn't very smart, you return to looking at the wall >you gotta plan every move carefully >and when drunk, that's easier said than done   >you feel ready to speak >you have crafted an eloquent introduction for her >it will be good "You... you're the cello pony from the thing." >fuck >Octavia turns her eyes towards you >she simply inspects you >somehow she doesn't seem too surprised at the whole human thing >"Yes, quite right. And you must be the human accompanying the white dressmaker from Ponyville, correct?" >holy shit >this mare is psychic! "Yeah. Yeah, I am. How did you know?" >a tiny smile appears on her lips >you've never in your life seen a smile so tiny >"Well, for one, you were watching me the entire night." >double fuck >she wasn't supposed to notice that! >then again, you did only look at her throughout the entire concert >you add another point to her tally >Octavia 2, Anon 0 >"Plus, my former housemate tells many stories of you." >triple fuck >you hope those stories are the good ones >but you also wonder who this housemate could be >"It's not every day a new species suddenly appears here in Equestria." >you notice she's actually turned her head towards you >all right, making progress >maybe the human thing did work, after all >but you couldn't let her run the show >she would wipe the floor with you in this state   you desperately needed to sober up >drinking this much was a terrible idea >the entire room is spinning quickly >you look to the bartender and speak "I'd like a big box of crackers." >and with those words, you fall backwards >as you hit the floor, the world goes dark   >some time later you finally regain consciousness >your head is throbbing violently "Ugh..." >you can do nothing more than groan as you wake >you make every move so very carefull >wouldn't want to throw up in this position >when you finally have the strength, you open your eyes >you're in a dark room >lying on a bed >this definitely isn't where you were before >it seems somewhat familiar, but you can't really tell >all you can do for now is stare at the ceiling >you simply haven't the strength to get up >laying here is quite fine, too >the bed is soft and comfortable >a sound from outside the room grabs your attention >suddenly it flies open >you can't even lift your head to see who enters >all you can hear is grumbling >as it comes closer, you can finally make out the words >"Of all the things I've seen, this takes the cake. I really should tell him a thing or- Anon!" >oh dear God, why? >Rarity enters your field of view >she looks upset >"What in the world have you been doing? Do you have ANY idea how far I had to carry you with my magic? It was exhausting! You better explain yourself right now!"   >you groan at Rarity before speaking properly "Why does this keep happening? ... Also, where am I?" >Rarity just snorts at you as she gets into the bed next to you >"Carousel Boutique. And it keeps happening because you can't control yourself, Anon." >if it weren't for this massive headache, you'd be afraid of her >"Now I had to leave the biggest social gathering of all the high class ponies in Canterlot because SOMEONE had a little to much to drink!" >with that she lies down on her side and snorts once more "Sorry." >you can only manage a half-assed apology in your current state >"I'm sure you are." >you sigh >this night did not turn out at all as expected >you barely talked to Octavia >Rarity's furious >what a fan-fucking-tastic turn of events   End.   Anons done goof'd.