>”Okay Anon, bow up.”
>You steadily raise your bow in sync with your grey accomplice.
>”On the string.”
>You angle the bow up and lightly press your index finger onto the D string.
>”Now keep in mind Anon, I won’t be able to give you these ques when we’re performing on stage, okay?”
>You look over at the cute grey earth pony.
“I know, you can just smile at me instead… I’ll know when that way.”
>Octavia cracks a grin.
>”You know I'll be smiling a lot when we’re up on stage, this is our first cello duet together.”
“And you know I can pick out the genuine from the fake.”
>You say reassuringly
>”Oh trust me Anon, they’ll all be genuine.”
>You smirk then flash a face of nervousness that happened to affix with Octavia.
>”Are you alright?”
“Yeah, I mean no, I mean...”
>You sigh
“Don’t I make you nervous? I mean, if I fuck this this up-”
>”Then I go down too, I know.”
>Octavia leans over and lifts your chin up with her hoof.
>”The music business is competitive, but I have absolute faith in you. You can’t erm… ‘Fuck up’ talent like you have.”
>You chuckle at Octavia’s discomfort of saying a curse word.
“So long as you trust me, I can probably trust myself too.”
>”Don’t worry Anonymous, first performances are always scary, but in time, you learn to turn your fears into strengths.”
>”Now, let’s take it from the top.”
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RZLRa8m3nM
>You position your first note and gingerly pluck the string before following with the others.
>You close your eyes and let the atmosphere of Octavia’s studio sync into tomorrow’s concert.
>Hundreds of eyes, bearing down upon the two of you.
>Lights, the stage, it all didn’t matter.
>It was just the two of you, drifting in space, making music together.
>You line up your notes and execute them with perfect timing.
>Octavia follows up with notes of her own that together, form a bittersweet musical blend.
>As you play, you let your mind wander.
>Here you were, playing cello, about to make it big; and to think, a year or so ago you didn’t even know how to play this thing.
>Octavia called you ‘naturally gifted’ at cello because of your hands and good ear but you knew that wasn’t the case.
>It was definitely something much more extraordinary than tha-
>”Yooo! Octy, Anon, I’m home!”
*Cut the music*
>You stop playing and open one eye to glance at Octavia, who noticeably mad, has also stopped playing.
>”Vinyl! How many Celestia forsaken times have I told you not to interrupt us when we’re practicing?!”
>You hear some shuffling around by the front door before you see the snow white unicorn pop around the corner.
>”Sorry about that Octavia, I didn’t hear you guys.”
>Octavia facehoofs and sighs.
>You take the unoccupied time to cheerfully wave at Vinyl.  
>”Vinyl, do you know when our concert is?”
>Deer in headlights.
>”Uhh… yeah, it’s…”
>Like a good friend, you save her the imminent earful from Octavia by slowly mouthing her the word.
>”Tomorrow! That’s right, it’s tomorrow, and I’ll be there to cheer you on Octy!”
>Octavia can’t help but laugh.
>”Well, at least you didn’t forget this time.”
>Hell yeah, you're getting a BJ tonight.
>Just kidding, horses weren’t really your thing.
>”Oh come on, how could I forget?”
>Heh.
>”It’s the first time you’ll be playing with Anon here, so of course I’m super stoked about it, you don’t even know.”
>Unless it included a bass cannon or booze, you find it hard that Vinyl could be stoked for anything else.
>”And those hands though? Dayum!”
>You cock an eyebrow at Vinyl.
>Putting on the most sensual voice you can muster, you speak.
“You think I’m good at playing the cello? You should see what else I can do with these puppies.”
>You extend a hand and flex it for good measure.
>You had both Octavia’s and Vinyl’s eyes on you, waiting your next course of action.
>...
>Well, shit.
>Vinyl decides to laugh and cut the impending awkwardness.
>”Anyway, I got the drinks covered tomorrow after you guys kick some flank.”
>She says before starting her leave in the opposite direction.
>”See ya guys later, I’ll be making beats in the back if you need me.”
>Octavia turns around to face you after Vinyl was out of earshot.
>”Anon…”
“Fuck, I know.”
>”No, obviously you don’t.”
>You set your bow down and rest the cello against it’s stand.
>”Why do you always crack sexual jokes even though you’ve repeatedly stated that you don’t like us?”
>You glance over to Octavia.
“Is it really that big of a deal? I mean, I’m just a playful guy, it’s what I do.”
>Octavia sighs.
>”I like you Anon, and so does Vinyl, which is why doing that is genuinely cruel.”
>Obliviously sensing that practice is over (or at least paused), she stations her cello and bow as well before plopping back down onto all fours.
>”We can tolerate your… ignorance?”
>She says that last word with confusion.
>”But if you don’t like ponies, don’t act like you do, and don’t joke around with it. How are we supposed to know when you’re genuine and when you’re just trying to break another heart?”
“Well, when you put it that way, it kinda makes me sound like prick.”
>”I don’t know what a prick is, but yes, at this point you probably are one.”
>Your eyes search around the room, looking for an escape from the awkwardness.
>Nothing.
“Hey Octavia, it’s getting pretty late, I’m going to call it quits for today, but I’ll be up bright and early for practice tomorrow.”
>Octavia nods.
>”Oh, Anonymous?”
“Yeah?”
>”You wouldn’t mind sharing a bottle of wine with me tonight, would you?”
>You look over at Octavia with eyes of bemusement.
“What are you getting at, Tavi?”
>She blushes at the coined nickname.
>Or maybe it was the fact that you called her out on getting you drunk.
>Either way, her stammering was adorable.
>”N-nothing! I just thought two friends could enjoy some alcohol together to wind down a night.”
>You chuckle.
“You know I don’t drink often, Octavia.”
>She sighs.
>”Fine, Anon, enjoy your night, alone.”
>Octavia turns away, obliviously a little upset.
>Shit, you can’t have her getting drunk all by her lonesome then crying herself to sleep about it.
“That wasn’t a no.”
>She looks back up to you.
>”Then is it a yes?”
“Sure, get us set up in the living room, I just need to take a pee first.”
>From the looks of it, you just made Octavia’s day, err...night.
>Makes sense too, her only other drink buddy is Vinyl, who you can say firsthand that her drunk antics are quite contrasting.
>A change of pace is always good.
>You jump off Octavia’s simulation stage and head left, the direction of the bathroom.
>But you don’t go in there, other matters are at hand.
>Like talking to your good friend Vinyl, who you probably owe an apology.
>And she owes you thanks.
>The apartment isn’t huge, but thanks to these two rich and famous musicians, it sure is nice.
>Kinda makes you wonder why they took you in in the first place.
>Octavia didn’t know you’d ace the cello, and Vinyl didn’t know you had an excellent ear for making electronic music.
>But they still did, and both parties are unquestionably thankful.
>You hear music pouring out from under Vinyl’s room.
>*Knock knock*
>The music pauses.
>”Come in!”
>You open the door and see Vinyl lounging over a desk with her back turned to you.
>”Hey Octy, how’s it going?”
“Oh, I’m doing pretty good, thanks for asking.”
>You see Vinyl’s ears perk up before she swivels her chair around to face you.
>”Oh! Hey Anon, sorry about that.”
“S’all good Vinyl, how’s your night been?”
>Vinyl levitates the headphones around her neck to the desk.
>”Not bad, just enjoying talking to my favorite human.”
>You smirk.
>”Oh, and thanks for that save back there.”
“No problem Scratch, but…”
>”Hmm?”
“You wouldn’t actually forget, would you?”
>”Nonononono, I just really suck with dates, but I would’ve been there regardless, trust me.”
>You’re not sure that’s true, but you’re glad she has the heart.
“I figure I also owe you an apology.”
>Vinyl laughs.
>”No, it’s fine; I could hear you and Tavi talking, but I have thicker skin than she does, I understand it’s just your humor.”
>Vinyl sighs.
>”But to be honest though, it is hard to live with a such an exotic, sexy creature who, everytime I see him is just a reminder that I can never have him.”
“Come on, don’t guilt trip me now! You think it’s easy living here knowing that I can never be with another human female again?”
>Vinyl looks a little hurt.
>”I’m sorry Anon, I just…”
>You exhale.
“No, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”
>Vinyl starts twiddling her hoofs.
>”You’re just such an idiot, Anon.”
“I know.”
>...
>...
>”...”
“...”
“Well… Octavia wanted me to-”
>”Why are you doing this Anon?”
>You were taken back a little by Vinyl’s sudden outburst.
“Huh?”
>”You’ve never even been with a pony, you’re making opinions based off irrational predispositions!”
>The hell?
>”What does a ‘girl’ have that a pony like me doesn’t? Huh?”
“Vinyl! Listen to yourself!”
>”I am!”
>This certainly wasn’t the first time this subject has been brought up, so you knew what to expect.
“Vinyl, I’m not having this conversation with you again, and certainly not now.”
>She sighs.
>”You’re right, I’m sorry… It’s just…”
“Vinyl, you’ve been the most amazing friend I could ask for, you’re cute, smart, funny, charming, but I’m just not into ponies. Trust me, it has nothing to do with you, or who you are.”
>You inhale, then exhale.
“If I ever find myself in need of some hot pony action, you’ll be the first I’ll come to.”
>Vinyl facehoofs.
>”Goddamnit Anon.”
>You catch a glimpse of her smiling under her hoof though, like you knew you would.
“Anyway, see ya later Vinyl, good talk.”
>”Alright Anon, see you later, have a nice night.”
>You walk out of the room and close the door behind you.
>You’re beginning to understand why these two took you in.
>You start your walk towards the living room, where you’re sure Octavia is gleefully awaiting you.
>You were actually excited too.
>It’s been a while since you last drank or did any drugs, so a new state of mind might be refreshing.
>”Hello Anon.”
>You hear as you walk into the kitchen.
>Turning your head, you see Octavia holding a bottle of dark red wine and two long necked glasses.
>’Cantura d’Asti’ the label reads.
>Just by looking at it, you could tell it was quite exotic, and in turn probably quite expensive.
>Nothing new for Octavia though, she does fancy her exquisite wines.
“Sup Octavia.”
>She cocks an eyebrow at you.
>”Sup?”
>You laugh to yourself.
“Sorry about that, sometimes it’s hard to transition between you and Vinyl, you two are just so polar.”
>Octavia giggles.
>”Yet somehow we manage to be the best of friends.”
“Funny how that works.”
>The two of you walk into the adjacent living room and plop down on the couch.
>Octavia gently places the goods on the coffee table, and produces a corkscrew from one of the side table drawers.
>lol wut.
“How many of those do you have stashed throughout the house?”
>”Only in places where they’d be convenient, like right here.”
>She says before prying the instrument into the bottle.
>You relax and let the the couch pull you into it’s comfortable grasp.
“Should we invite Vinyl?”
>Octavia thinks for a second.
>”Nah, she probably has her own drinks, and I distinctly remember her saying she has to complete a new set within the week, so the last thing I want to do is be a distraction.”
>Octavia slowly starts pouring the dark red liquid into the glasses.
>”Somepony has to be the better mare.”
>You watch as Octavia completes the first drink, and moves onto filling up the second.
>”You’re okay with this, right?”
“Huh?”
>Octavia finishes the second glass and sets the bottle back down onto the coffee table.
>”It’s just, I felt kinda bad pressuring you into drinking with me tonight, some ponies do refuse to drink, and often for very good reasons.”
>You laugh.
“Don’t even worry about me Octavia, I’m a big boy, I can handle myself.”
>She rolls her eyes.
“Besides, I’m kind of excited. It’s been awhile since I last drank anything alcoholic, so this’ll be fun.”
>”If I knew getting a new drinking buddy was this easy, I would’ve pressured you months ago.”
>You laugh at Octavia’s joke, but decide to respond in a serious matter.
“Don’t press your luck, missy.”  
>She hands you a glass of crimson poison before picking up a glass herself.
>”Cheers!”
*Clink*
*Sip*
>*Sip*
>”So, whaddya think?”
“It tastes fouler than I imagined.”
>Octavia playfully shoves you.
>”Well obliviously, it’s alcohol, but I meant the wine itself.”
*Sip*
“Yup, tastes like wine.”
>Octavia laughs.
>”You just don’t have the right wine tasting experience.”
>You look at her with a deadpan expression.
“Well obliviously, I don’t drink a lot of wine.” you say impassively.
>”So you’re telling me that you couldn’t decipher the difference between a 5 bit bottle of wine, and a elixir such as this?”
>You rub your chin for comical effect.
“Probably not.”
>Octavia giggles and puts a hoof over her mouth.
>”Come on, I’ll open a cheaper bottle and we’ll see how ‘naturally’ talented that tongue of yours is.” Octavia says with half lidded eyes.
“Come the fuck on girl, if I can’t do that, neither can you.”
>”We’re not going to care what each other says when we’re both drunk off two bottles of wine.”
“Two bottles?! What the hell did I sign up for? Alcohol poisoning?”
>”Haha, just hold on and you’ll have a great time.”
>Goddammit Octavia, tonight’s going to be a long night.