Title:           Apple Dream 4- A Mistake Waiting To Happen
Author:          Sicarii
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/NRRGTVy2
First Edit:      Sunday 31st of August 2014 09:32:09 AM CDT
Last Edit:       Last edit on: Thursday 26th of March 2015 06:49:06 AM CDT

>"Anon please, stop acting like a little filly." Octavia says as she casts an annoyed stare at you.
"C'mon 'Tavi..can't you pull some strings or something? I want to go with you." You say as you squirm about at her sofa.
>She lets out a sigh and puts a hoof on her head. "For the love of Celestia, Anon. I asked you last week if you wanted to come and you said you were busy. It's impossible to get tickets this late!" She adds as she neatly puts her cello at its case.
"Okay, okay sorry. I was just mucking around" You say as you turn to look at her.
>Octavia looks at you intently. It looks as if she's going to say something but she just squishes your cheeks with her hooves.
>"Don't worry Anon. Just five days, alright? I'm sure Barley can keep you preoccupied for a few days" She assures you.
"Yeah. I guess I can ask Barley for a hug and a kiss if I get sad and lonely" You pique in as you try to stifle a laugh.
>Octavia just raises an eyebrow on you and laughs. She then picks up her bag while you go and grab her cello case.
"You sure you have everything? Train ticket and all?" You ask while you shoulder her cello.
>"Mhm. All I need to do is to inform my landlord that I'll be away for a few days" and she locks the door.
 
>You notice that now she looks as if she's in deep thought. You wonder..
"Hey 'Tavi, something wrong?" You ask worryingly.
>"Hm? Just little nervous I suppose" She says as she rubs her hoof.
"C'mon 'Tavi. Something's eating you up."
>She hesitates at first. "That mare this morning. It was 'her', right? I suppose I acted a bit out of place.."
>Octavia? Jealous?
"Looks like somepony is a bit jelly huh? I already have a lovely girlfriend so why look for one? I suppose you ought to meet her sometime." You say with a wink.
>She stops in her tracks and gives you a confused look.
"Wait. Lemme show you a picture of hers.." You say as you rummage about in your bag. "Ah! Here it is. Look, isn't she gorgeous?"
>You show her a small mirror and it takes her quite some time to follow. She looks at you sideways and gives you a smile.
>"Always the wooer, Anon. Since when did you start to get too cheesy on me?" Octavia says as she jabs you playfully.
>You put your arm over her neck and give her a light hug. She reciprocates by nuzzling your arm.
 
 
>The two of you arrive at the train station just on time.
"Well, looks like we're here already" You say as you set down her cello.
>You look up to see Brass already beside Octavia. And she's giving you those funny stares again.
>Octavia notices her and looks at you too. She arches an eyebrow at you and you just give her a shrug.
>"You know..You haven't told me yet how the two of you met" She says as she gives you "that" smile.
>Yeap. THAT sweet smile that you really dread. It just means that she'll kick your ass if you don't tread carefully.
"Er..yeah! Sure thing 'Tavi" is all you can say.
>She giggles and jabs you lightly in the arm. "I was just pulling your leg,Anon" she says as she gives you a peck on the cheek.
"Are you sure you really have to go?"
>Octavia just rolls her eyes. "I wouldn't go if this wasn't that important. Besides, I'm free for a week after this tour." She adds as she gives you a hug before boarding her train.
>You still follow her from the platform and wait for her to sit. "Anon, you'll be late for your job if you stay around" She says as she peers from her window.
"I'm sure Barley wouldn't mind if I was late for a few minutes" You say over the train whistle. The train surges forward slowly but you keep pace with it.
>"And what exactly are you doing,Anon?" She looks at you with a sly smile.
"I dunno. They do this every time in those cheesy romance movies" You say in between you panting and laughing as the train picks up speed.
 
 
>You were already in near sprint when a pony stops you in your tracks.
>"Sorry bud no can do. The last pony that did the same thing ended up overshooting the platform and tried to sue us after getting himself injured. Company policy, you see." The security pony says.
>You just grunt in resignation and watch as the train pulls out of the station. You pass by the ticketing office on your way out and you notice the bored mare sitting behind the counter.
"Let's see if you still got the charm, Anon." You mutter under your breath. You lightly tap at her window and she gives you a deadpan look. Showtime.
"May I trouble a lovely mare this evening? I really need to be at Manehattan tomorrow. Any more tickets available?" You ask while you give her a wink.
>"Sorry Romeo, can't help ya if I wanted to. All trains going to Manehattan is fully booked up until next week. I suppose you can have better luck if you stop by at Ponyville first but still no assurance on that." She mare says as she goes back on reading her magazine.
>You frown and decide not to push it. You thank the mare and walk out of the station.
"I suppose five days wouldn't take long anyways" You mutter as you head for the tavern.
 
 
>"So..five days of freedom for ya?" Barley grins as he slides a mug of cider to you.
"Sorry man. My carefree womanizing days are sadly over" You chuckle as you nurse your drink.
>Barley snorts and laughs at your remark. "Jeez, Octavia and you aren't married yet and you're already starting to think like a married colt! You oughta loosen a bit some from time to time" He adds.
"Remind me to never ever ask advice from you" You laugh as you finish your drink.
>He just clucks and shakes his head in defeat. "So what are your plans anyways?"
"Haven't thought of that one yet. Maybe clean and spruce up my apartment a bit? Octavia said my place looks like a goddamn pigsty" You shrug and motion for another mug.
>"And I thought I'd never live long enough to see this day--You taking this whole settling down thing seriously" He says as he scoots near you with your drink in tow.
"Relax Barley. As you said, 'Tavi and me ain't married yet. Though that sounds nice though" You murmur as you try to visualize you and Octavia getting married.
"Say Barley, mind if I skip my gig tonight? I'm sure Lyra can cover for me"
>"Hm? Sure thing bud. Tomorrow then?" He asks as he stows away the mugs.
"Alright. See you tomorrow" You say as you walk towards the door.
 
 
>The streets are fairly empty given that it's already midnight. Not that you were looking for a companion for the night.
>You snort and force that thought away. Instead, you mull over on what the perfect gift would be for Octavia this upcoming Hearth's Warming Eve.
>What about a scarf? One with her cutie mark on it..yeah that would be nice!
>Plus the fact that you'd make it yourself ought to earn you some brownie points. And a big kiss maybe.
>You chuckle at the fact that you get all giddy about a kiss. What are you in, the third grade?
>Now if only Rarity was here. Inasmuch as you want to make Octavia a scarf, you don't have an idea on how to knit one.
>And that gives you an idea. You wonder if the gang is still at the castle.
>You'll pass by the castle on your way home so why not?
 
 
"Excuse me, aren't you that mare that frequently drops by at the tavern?" You ask the guard by the bridge.
>"Anonymous the Human! Oh wow! I must tell you that I'm a big fan of yours!" She eagerly says as she enthusiastically shakes your hand.
>She does have a lot of spunk in her.
"Heh. Let's drop the whole 'the human' thing, alright? Anyways, mind if I ask a question? Is Twilight and the rest still inside?"
>She ponders a bit and jumps excitedly. "Oh yeah! I haven't seen them pass by the gate yet so they still might be inside. I'm not that sure though" She says apologetically.
"So..can I go inside?" You ask hopefully.
>She just shakes her head no. "I really hope that I can help you but..sorry Anon. Rules are rules"
"Nah s'all cool. Thanks anyways" You say as you give her a reassuring smile. "Well, I'd be happy to buy you a drink or two the next time you drop by at the tavern" You add.
>"Wait! I can't allow you in but I think I can get one of them to go outside. Would that be okay?"
"That would be unnecessary. It's getting a bit late anyhow" You say as you were about to turn away from her.
>"No no no no I insist! Be right back in a jiffy!" And there she goes zooming inside.
" ..."
" ..."
>"Anon?"
"Huh? Oh, hi AJ. Sorry about disturbing your beauty sleep" You say while rubbing the back of your neck.
>She lets out a hearty laugh "Beauty sleep? Hah! What do ya take me for? Rarity?"
"Yeah. Haha." Fuck this is awkward.
>" ..."
" ..."
>" So..you comin' inside or what? Can't sleep anyways so might as well accompany you for a bit" She says as she leads you to the garden.
>"That pony this morning..she's your marefriend now huh?" She asks while she flicks a pebble at the fountain.
"She looks snobbish and all but she's really awesome once she warms up on you. And oh, she says sorry about how rude she was this morning"
>"Wha? Naw! None taken anyways." She looks at you sideways and giggles a bit. "Never knew you had an eye for the uppity kind of ponies"
"Yeah right" You chuckle as you shake your head.
 
>Fuck this really is awkward.
>"Listen Anon..I never had the chance to you know..say sorry about what happened to us" She says as she paws the grass with her hoof.
"Bygones be bygones alright? You know what? If I were given the chance to turn back time, I wouldn't change a thing"
>She's looking at you intently now.
"Because I had fun. I'm happy and thankful that I was a part of your life AJ and I'll cherish this--every single moment of it." You say as you give her a weak smile. "Thanks Applejack. For everything."
>" Anon..." She stammers a bit.
"And besides, it's you who got married, right?" You chuckle as you try to diffuse the situation.
>" ..."
" C'mon AJ. I'm just pulling your leg,alright? Lighten up a bit"
>" ..."
>She hesitates at first then looks at you fondly. " Anon..have I told you why I said no back then?"