>"..Y-you again!" The cyan mare blurts out after she opens the door.
"Mornin' Brass. Just passed by to drop 'Tavi breakfast. Oh, and brought you some too" You say as you hold up a paper bag.
>The mare sighs and starts to blush a bit. "Fine. Come inside" She says as she ushers you in.
"Thanks. Where's Octavia?" You ask while you head towards the sofa.
>"Up at the attic rummaging for a spare latch for her cello case" She says as she takes a seat on the sofa in front of you.
>Awkward silence
>"Hey Anon.." She starts.
"C'mon Brass, no need to get embarrassed and stuff about it. We were both drunk that night." You assure her.
>"B-but.." She stammers as she rubs her forehoof.
"Past is past,alright? Besides, it feels kinda awkward with you know, us talking about this" You add sheepishly.
>She was about to say something but Octavia enters the room.
>"Oh, Anon. What are you doing here?" She asks
"Morning. You weren't at the cafe today so I thought I'd just bring you some breakfast since you were busy and all" You say as you empty the contents of the bag.
>The three of you just eat in silence. It was really awkward since Brass shoots you a glance every now and then.
Time to break the ice. "So, Where's Frederic?" You ask between chewing.
>Octavia gives you an annoyed look. "Don't ask."
"Hm? What's up with him?" You say as you drink some iced tea.
>Octavia just sighs and rubs her head with a hoof. "He doesn't feel well. I told you not to let him drink too much Anon".
"Well hey now, I'm not his babysitter!" You say defensively as you take a bite on your sandwich.
>"I remember one time you boasted that the two of you were now 'drinking buddies',correct? Well there you go" She says smugly.
 
>You watch them practice for a few minutes then excuse yourself. You got some errands to run today anyways.
>You step outside the studio and was immediately greeted by the early morning breeze. Damn Hearth's Warming eve is just around the corner now. At least this time you're spending it with your special somepony. You wonder what would be the perfect gift for Octavia.
>"Hey Anon! Wait up!" A pony behind you shouts. You turn and see Twilight panting for breath.
"Twilight? What brings you here--oh, hey you guys" You say as you notice the group trotting just behind her.
>"Princess..Celestia..called.." Twilight says between pants. Rarity then comes to her aid.
>"What Twilight wants to say is that Princess Celestia summoned us for an important matter" Rarity says.
"Why didn't you say so? I'm sure you don't want to keep her waiting,right?" You say as you walk beside them.
>"OHNONNYIMSOHAPPYTOSEEYOUAGAINWHYHAVEN'TYOUVISITEDMEINPONYVILLEYET?!" Pinkie blurts out in a single string. You always had a bit of a problem deciphering what she says when she goes full rock n' roll.
"Haha pipe down Pinkie. I'm happy to see you too" You say as you give her a scratch between the ears.
>"Yo Anon nice to see ya again!" Says the cyan pegasus as she holds out her hoof for a bump.
"Sup my blue bolt of awesomeness buddy?" You say as you give her a hoofbump.
>"Hi Anon.." A yellow pegasus beside you says sheepishly.
"Hi Fluttershy. How's Angel doing?" You smile.
>"Being himself as always" She says as she looks up on you.
>Then you notice a certain orange pony walking behind the group. Usually she's all brash and bubbly but now she looks reserved and timid.
>Well this is new.
"Yo AJ you alright?" You ask her.
>"Wha-? Nah jus' thinking about..stuff" She says as she rubs her mane. "Anyways nice to see you again, Anon."
 
"Look guys, I'd love to accompany you but yeah,I got a lot of stuff to do. Octavia asked me to go buy some stuff she needs for her out of town gig plus I gotta do my groceries too" You say apologetically.
>Rarity raises an eyebrow on you "My my my..looks like our Anon has a special somepony already. Why haven't you told me this sooner?" She says as she feigns sadness.
"I guess this was bound to happen eventually." You shrug. "You guys want to hang out later? Lunch maybe? I know a great little diner just beside the old book shop by the plaza."
>"Tell me all about this 'Octavia' pony later,alright?" Rarity asks you.
"Sure thing. Now you girls better get going" You say as you part ways with the group.
>...
>Well that was strange. Applejack always has been affectionate to you yet she acted as if she barely knew you a few minutes ago.
>Huh.
>You wonder..meh just ask her later.
"And now for the groceries.." You mutter under your breath.
 
>The market is fairly packed today so it took you awhile to complete your list. Thank god the mare selling those girly stuff 'Tavi asked for was patient enough to accommodate you. Still got an hour or so before you head out for lunch so you decide to do a little window shopping for a gift to Octavia. A piece of jewelry? A new cello perhaps? You ought to ask Rarity about this stuff later.
>You start to head for the diner after walking around the shops a bit. You look at the tables outside for them.
>They're not here. Inside then?
>"Table for how many ponies,sir?" the old stallion asks.
"Nah no need. My friends are already here" You explain.
>"You mean the orange lady? She's on the last booth just beside the wine rack" The waiter tells you.
>You walk towards the booth and you see only Applejack.
"Hi AJ. The girls not here yet?" You ask while you take a seat in front of her.
>"Hm? Oh yeah, they still got some important business to talk about. I just skipped since I'm hungry already" She says with a sly grin.
"Still got that mighty appetite huh?" You laugh as you motion for the waiter. "What are you having?"
>"I dunno. Whatever you're havin' I guess" She says as she puts her hat on the table.
The waiter arrives and takes your order. "Two lasagnas and some fries please"
>The waiter places a pitcher of lemonade on the table and leaves the two of you.
"So..anything new?" You ask her while toying with the lemon slice in your drink.
>"Nothing much. Patched up the barn since it was leaking bad. Business is slow at the orchard I'm afraid. What about you?" She says as she takes a swig on her drink.
"Still with my dead end job. Barley asked me to be a business partner though" You chuckle. "No kids yet?"
>"I--no. I don't think we're ready for that" She stammers.
"How so?" You want to push ahead but the waiter arrives with your food. The two of you eat in relative silence.
>The two of you try to do some small talk but you can't seem to hold up a conversation.
"Good food ain't it?" You say as you finish your food. "Want me to accompany you back to the castle?" You add.
>"Uhuh. We got a lot of catching up to do anyways" Applejack says as she stands up
"Says the pony that can't talk much since she has her face stuffed with lasagna" You laugh.
>"Well hey now, eatin' apples everyday gets a bit tiresome you know" She says as she slaps your back.
 
 
>The two of you leave the diner and head for the castle. You can tell that Applejack wants to says something but she just frowns and shakes your head and mutters to herself.
"You okay AJ? Problems with the farm or something?" You ask.
>"Uh..yeah. Something like that Anon." She says as she paws dirt with her hoof.
>You wanted to press further but you recognize a familiar pony walking opposite your direction.
"Hey 'Tavi. Finished with your practice?" You ask as the grey mare walks closer.
>"Not yet. Was about to head home to rest a bit" She says as she nuzzles your arm.
"You go ahead and rest a bit. Drop by at your place later at three?" You say as you rub her between the ears.
>"Hello."
>Octavia now takes notice of your companion and looks at you. "Anon, who is she?"
"Ah, I forgot. Appleja--" And Octavia cuts you off.
>"I'm Octavia, Anon's marefriend. Pleased to meet you..Applejack,correct? Anon told me a lot of things about you" She adds.
>"Oh. I'm pleased to meet ya too." Applejack says as she stretches out a hoof. Octavia takes it.
>"Three o' clock, understood? I'll be waiting for you" Octavia says as she stands on her hindlegs to give you a hug and a kiss.
>You were taken aback by her show of affection. Normally she's against showing too much affection especially in public.
>Octavia flashes Applejack a snobbish stare and leaves. The two of you proceed to the castle feeling more awkward than ever.
>"..."
"..."
>"Looks like we're here Anon. Thanks a lot for keeping me company." She says as the two of you stand by the castle entrance.
"Well hey, the least I can do for a good friend" You shrug. "Now you go along now. I'm sure the others are waiting for you. Tell them I said hi" You add.
>You just stand there for a few seconds to watch her walk away. You get a very familiar feeling again. Past is past Anon. You got a lovely girl already.
>You give out a sigh and head back home. One of these days that feeling will get the bettor of you.
>All you need to do is to be careful about it.