Una Nota Dolce Chapter 9 - Il Giorno in cui la Musica è Mor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1mnhHlFxzk
>You wince a little as the sunlight hits your eyes, stirring in the bedsheets.
>The mass of mane and fur currently nuzzled under your chin stirs with you, making you shudder as warm breath from Octavia yawning hits your neck.
>You yawn too. Damn, they’re like a plague.
>”mmmph…anon, close the curtain…”
>With a grunt, you pull yourself out of bed, ignoring the squeak of protest as you leave Octavia alone under the covers.
>She asked for it.
>You close the curtain and sit on the edge of the bed, rubbing the bridge of your nose.
>You shudder a little as Octavia presses against your back, draping her hooves over your shoulder, your skin tingling at the feel of her coat.
>Today is going to be a very special day.
>Octavia nuzzles her cheek to your ear, prompting you to turn your head for a soft kiss.
>P0ny morning breath…oh well, you’re okay with this.
>”Happy Birthday, Anonymous.”
>You smile and return Octavia’s kiss, pressing your forehead to hers.
“Thanks, Octavia…I’m glad you’re here to spend it with me.”
>It’s going to be a day neither of you forget, the ring you bought hidden away securely in your underwear drawer.

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>The day can’t seem to pass by quickly enough.
>Well, at least you get to spend it the way you want.
>Which means you get to spend it swimming in the reservoir.
>No matter how much Octavia dislikes the idea.
>Go shawty, it’s yer birfday…
>Brain, I disown you.
>We gon’ partay like it’s yer birfday
>DAMN YOU BRAIN! ALL OF MY HATE!
>Relaxing in the sun with Octavia, seeing how long you could hold your breath underwater.
>She didn’t like it when you surprised her and pulled her in.
>But when she clinged to you like a scared cat, that was pretty nice.
>Until she glared at you and smacked you upside your head.
>You chuckle as the two of you walk up the path to Sugarcube Corner.
>”What’s so funny Anon?”
“Oh…nothing…”
>You subconsciously pat the box hidden in your pocket.
>As you approach the store, you can hear the music from outside.
>Leave it to Pinkie to get a party started before the guest of honor arrives.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo11Vbh84bM
>”ANON! There you are!”
>Pinkie flies into your chest, wrapping around you in a tight hug.
>”I was wondering when you would get here! Do you like it? The streamers are your favorite color andthebaloonsIspendallDAYblowingthemupand*gasp*YOUHAVETOSEETHECAKE-“
“PINKIE! It’s wonderful, thank you!”
>You laugh and give your friend a squeeze before setting her back down.
>Octavia nods at Pinkie. “Pinkie.”
>Pinkie smiles widely. “Hello Octavia!”
>…what?
>Octavia cocks an eyebrow, apparently thinking the same thing you are.
>”Well Anon, come on! Go talk to p0nies, have a good time! Eat some cake! It’s your party! Go enjoy it!”
>Pinkie’s command elicits a round of cheers from the crowd.
>You can’t say you recognize every p0ny here, Pinkie’s parties tend to attract a crowd.
>Octavia just draws closer to you with a frown on her face.
“Is something wrong?”
>Octavia shakes her head. “No, it’s just…I’m still upset your present hasn’t arrived yet.”
>You laugh and bump Octavia with your hip.
“I told you, it’s fine. I’m sure I’ll love it when it arrives.”
>Besides, she’ll have plenty of time to make it up to you later tonight.
>”Plus, I never did like this…modern music.”
>Just can’t please some p0nies.
“Come on Octavia…everyone’s having a good time, see?”
>Octavia looks around and sighs, smiling up at you.
>”Ok Anon, I get the hint. I’ll try to have fun tonight.”
>Those violet eyes…you hope they look like this later…
>You adjust your collar. Just thinking about it is making your jimmies dance the dance of their people.
>You sure were a lot more confident when you dropped a month’s worth of saved bits on that rock in your pocket.
“Say, Octavia…I need to go talk to Twilight. You going to be alright by yourself for awhile?”
>Octavia flicks her mane over her shoulder, shooting you one of those looks.
>You know, that “seriously?” look.
>”Anon, I may not know many p0nies here, but I’m not a filly. I’ll go try the punch. You do what you need to do.”
>Octavia punctuates this with a smile, standing up on two legs to reach up and kiss your cheek.
“Alright…save me some. I’ll be right back!”
>Pinkie elbows the dark gray pegasus standing next to her as she watches you and Octavia part company.
>”That’s her.”
>Thunderlane looks over at Octavia, nodding with a grin on his face.
>”Pinkie, are you sure about this?”
>Pinkie just nods, her hair twitching like it wants to fall out of its trademark poof.
>”All’s fair in love and war, Thunderlane. Just make sure she drinks plenty of the punch.”
>Thunderlane brushes up his steel-gray mane. “Ok Pinkie…if you’re sure. Now…I don’t have to go too far, right?”
>”Oh no no…just go do what you do, and I’ll take care of the rest.”

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>Octavia trots over to the punch, sniffing it.
>Wow…strong stuff.
>With a shrug, Octavia takes a glass and downs it.
>WOW.
>That almost knocks her on her plot.
>Tasty though…
>”Excuse me miss, can I get some too?”
>Octavia looks up at the dark grey pegasus standing behind her.
>”Wha…OH! Punch! Yes, of course, excuse me!”
>Octavia grabs another glass for herself before moving out of the way, allowing the stallion to get some of his own.
>”So…I’ve never seen you here before miss…”
>”Octavia. I’m a…guest of Anonymous.” Octavia smiles as she sips her punch.
>”Thunderlane.” The stallion smiles back, raising his punch glass in a toast. “I never miss a Pinkie Pie party.”

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>”Wow, Anon…are you sure you’re ready? I mean, this is pretty sudden…”
>Leave it to Twilight to be a practical Debbie downer.
“I know, I know…but…I don’t know. I just…I know it’s right. I know it’s the right time, you know?”
>Twilight nods with a motherly smile. “Yeah, yeah, ‘play the feeling’ and all. You’ve been saying that a lot since Octavia came along.”
>You nod and smile, looking down at the ring box you’re turning in your hand.
>The unicorn puts a hoof on your shoulder. “I think she’s done wonders for you. Ever since you got here, you’ve seemed happy, but deep down I think you weren’t really happy here.”
>You nod.
“Yeah…”
>Twilight smiles. “Don’t worry, she’s a smart mare. I don’t think she would say no. And if you’re worried about Pinkie, I’ll take care of it.”
“Thanks Twilight, for everyACK!”
>You’re yanked out of your seat as Pinkie pulls on your arm.
>You can barely make out her excited ranting, but it seems it’s time to try the cake.

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>”…and he says that’s no pegasus, that’s just a chicken!”
>Thunderlane laughs at Octavia’s joke as she teeters in her seat, placing her sixth glass of punch down.
>Octavia hiccups, her eyes having problems focusing.
>This is what Thunderlane gets paid for.
>”So…Octavia, a friend of yours says you’ve never kissed a p0ny before.”
>Octavia lurches upright, leaning on the table for support. “Who told y’taht?”
>Thunderlane laughed. “Let’s just say p0nies in my profession specialize in customer confidentiality.”
>Octavia just raised her eyebrow as she leaned on her hooves.
>”Well..ah’neva kissed a P0NY…mebbe I kissed Anon some…”
>Octavia smiled, looking at the empty punch glasses.
>Even a Quaker could see that her head was swimming.
>”Well, Octavia, your friend paid me to make sure you didn’t get out of this party without your first kiss from another p0ny…”
>Octavia plays with the thought in her mind.
>Her alcohol-riddled mind.
>”Well…what’s t’harm of one little kiss, right?”

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“Wow Pinkie, this is great cake.”
>Pinkie smiles. “Well of course silly-filly! I make the best cake!”
>That she does.
“Man…Octavia’s got to try this!”
>”You’re right, Anon! Let’s go find her!”
>Well…that was unexpected.
>You plate a slice of cake for Octavia and go off with Pinkie in search of her.
>It’s nice to see that Pinkie is finally coming around to the idea that you two won’t be special some…p0n…ies…
“O…Octavia?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IazLexjFpsQ
>The plate of cake falls from your hands, crashing on the floor.
>This pulls Octavia from her reverie, pulling away from Thunderlane’s lips.
>Oh god, no…
“W…what the hell is going on here?!”
>Anon, calm down, I’m sure there’s an expl-
>MUTE BUTTON.
>Anon, seriously, there must be some exp-
>MOTHERFUCKING MUTE BUTTON!
>Octavia blinks as her mouth slowly opens as it sinks in what just happened.
>”…wha…ANON! Wait, I can explain-“
>Octavia’s pupils shrink to pinpricks, adrenaline and panic helping her to regain enough of her faculties to stumble out of her chair as you turn and storm out, barreling past one confused and concerned looking crowd.
>”Anon, wait! Let me explain!”
>You aren’t listening.
>Goddamnit…Pinkie was right.
>You storm through the front door as Twilight reaches for you.
>”Anon, wait up! Just calm down and we’ll talk abo-“
“LEAVE ME ALONE!”
>Your shrugging off of Twilight throws her off balance as you break into a sprint into the night, pulling a box from your pocket and throwing it into the bushes as you do so.
>Twilight starts to protest, but stops herself. She trots over and picks the box up and looks at you disappear into the night.
>”Anon…”
>Twilight looks on as Octavia comes out the front door in hot pursuit, shaking the cobwebs from her head.
>Back inside, Thunderlane looks up at Pinkie, his face a portrait of concern.
>”Wait, Pinkie, I thought you said she didn’t have a special somep0ny…”
>”Like I told you Thunderlane, I’ll take care of it from here…”

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>Octavia knew where you would go.
>When she finds you, you’re staring at the waters of the Highland Reservoir.
>”Anon, please, I can explain…”
“Can you?”
>Octavia is taken aback a little at the curtness of your voice.
>”Look, Anon…I’m sorry, but it was just a ki-“
“Shut up!”
>Octavia blinks. She starts to get a little angry. The alcohol in her system isn’t helping.
>”Now Anon, stop being a rube and lis-“
“Is everything you told me a lie?”
>”What?”
“IS EVERYTHING YOU TOLD ME A LIE?!”
>Octavia takes a step back, her eyebrows furrowing.
>”Now see here! You won’t even listen to my side of the sto-“
>You spin on your heels, the unbridled anger in your eyes causing even Octavia’s jimmies to rustle like a goddamn maraca.
“I DON’T CARE WHAT EXCUSE YOU HAVE! I KNOW WHAT I SAW!”
>”WILL YOU STOP BEING A JERK AND LISTEN TO ME?”
>You clench your fists, your whole body shaking.
“YOU KNOW WHAT, I DON’T GIVE A FUCK!”
>This silences Octavia, recoiling in shock.
>You’ve never cursed at her before.
>You take a step forward.
“In fact, you know what I think? I don’t think you belong here at all!”
>”W…what did you say?”
>Octavia looks like you just stabbed her in the heart and twisted the blade.
>You have a hard time finding fucks to give right now.
“THAT’S RIGHT! You don’t belong in a place like this! Why don’t you pack up your crap, get on that goddamn train and go back to the city WHERE YOU FUCKING BELONG?”
>”Anon…”
>Tears freely flow from those violet eyes you looked into just this morning.
>Eyes you thought were filled with love and affection.
>Fucks not found, aborting search.
>Fool me once, shame on you…
“THAT’S RIGHT! GET THE HELL OUT OF MY HOUSE AND OUT OF MY LIFE!”
>A silence falls between you as Octavia’s chest heaves up and down.
>”….FINE!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcbXwtS0u_8
>With a turn, Octavia takes off up the path, the glint of liquid tears flying from her face.
>You just keep staring until she is out of sight.
>The squirrel looks up at you, offering a peanut.
>You kick at it with a roar.

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>It’s an hour before you return home, finding all the lights on.
>Her instruments are gone.
>Her few personal belongings are gone.
>She’s gone…
>Fuck, you need a drink.
>You reach into the cabinet, pulling out your special reserve.
>Applejack Daniels, silver label.
>The sting of alcohol twinges your nose as you take off the cap.
>Fuck glasses, you take a swig straight from the bottle.
>And another.
>And another.
>By the time you finish the bottle, you groan in irritation.
>You’re still conscious.
>Your brain cries silently, still muted.
>”A…Anon?”
>You look up as Pinkie Pie stands in your doorway.
>”I’m sorry, I was just so worried…”
>You’ve been a fool.
>You’ve been off chasing an exotic ghost who enticed you with a link to your past.
>And in return, you’ve ignored the one p0ny in your present who has always been there for you.
>Has always put you above herself.
>Who has never made secret her feelings for you.
>You know what?
>You get up and stagger to the pink p0ny, closing your front door.
>No more games. It’s time you bet on the sure thing.
>It’s time to give your affection to a p0ny who both wants and deserves it.

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>”Can I help you miss?”
>”Yes…do you have a train leaving soon?”
>Octavia adjusts the strap of her cello, Sonnet’s violin resting precariously on top of that, secured by a hastily-tied strap.
>The ticketmaster checks her schedule.
>”Yes, we have a train leaving for Canterlot in five minu-“
>”One ticket, please.”
>Taking her ticket, Octavia pays her fee and gets onto the train.
>Setting her belongings against the wall of the empty train car, she settles into her seat as the train lurches, slowly moving forward as the whistle blows.
>The sound of the whistle drowns out Octavia’s sobs as she buries her face in her forehooves.

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>You barely hear the cry of the train whistle on the fringe of your hearing.
>Anon…what are you doing?
>You don’t hear your brain. Anger and alcohol have seen to that.
>You denied what was in front of you, and you paid the price.
>Never again.
>You grit your teeth as you set about your work, the pink mare under you writhing.
>Her moans of pleasure would sound like a song, but you hear no music.
>Her body contorts under your ministrations, the feel of Pinkie’s body against yours sending what little senses you have left aflame.
>She wraps her hooves around you, pulling you closer, feeling every inch of you against her.
>Every inch of you inside her.
>Even so, as you bond with Pinkie in that most intimate of ways, no matter how many times you tell yourself this is what you want, what you need…
>It still feels hollow.
>How did that old song go?
>This is the day the music died.