Una Nota Dolce Chapter 10 - Al Coda

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIy14j3VnL0
>It’s been two weeks, Anon.
>Yeah, what of it?
>You sweep the floor of Carousel Boutique, pushing dust from one side of the floor to the other.
>You were lucky Rarity was willing to give you your job back.
>Of course, she asked what had happened to playing music with Octavia.
>You said nothing.
>She hasn’t asked you since. Small miracles.
>You feel the familiar grain of the broom handle in your palms, rubbing against your skin as it twists in your grip.
>There was that one night when you and Octavia camped out in that big line for cider.
>You shake your head.
>You wish you could just dig them out and throw those memories away.
>You remember the sight of Octavia, lip-locked with that dark grey pegasus.
>You grit your teeth and go back to sweeping.
>”Anon?”
“…yeah?”
>Oh wow, Sweetie Belle. Who would have fucking guessed she wanted something.
>Anon, don’t be rude just because you chased her off.
>You saying she didn’t deserve it?
>Sweetie Belle recoils a little at your tone, looking up at you timidly.
>”Anon…I was wondering…we have to bring in our big brother or sister to school tomorrow and…I was wondering…since Rarity is so busy…if you could get your violin and...”
“No.”
>Sweetie Belle dropped her head, gaze fixed on the ground. “Yeah…okay, sorry to bother you.”
>Anon, that was rude, you should go apologize.
>She asked a question and I gave her an answer, Brain. Stop acting like my mother.
>You know, if Octavia saw you acting like such a jerk she wou-
>OCTAVIA IS NOT HERE. STOP BRINGING HER UP.
>…
>You sigh and set your broom aside.
“Sweetie Belle, tell Rarity I’m taking my lunch early today.”
>You’re gone before the filly can even say a word.

--------------

>You are Pinkie Pie.
>And you are the happiest you have ever been.
>Right?
“That’ll be three bits!”
>You smile widely as the cyan earth pony forks over the cash, taking the plated cupcake he just purchased in his mouth before finding himself a seat.
>You smile as you listen to the order of the next p0ny in line, filling it to perfection.
>Lunch rush was always such a…well, a rush!
>Besides, you love your job, and the love of your life is finally in your hooves!
>You’ve been dreaming about this for so long!
>Yet something…
>You see a familiar shape walk up to the counter next.
“ANON!”
>You leap over the counter and wrap your hooves around your special somep0ny, planting a big kiss on him.
>He hugs you back, returning the kiss. “Hey Pinkie. Having a good day?”
>You melt when you hear him say your name.
>At least…you normally do.
>You did before, so what’s different now?
>You love him, that much is certain. That hasn’t changed.
>He says he loves you too, he does all the things you imagined him doing.
>And the sex? Fantastic.
>But…why does it sound so hollow when he says those words now?
“So, anon, you on break? Something for lunch?”
>Anon nods. “Yeah, the usual I guess.”
>You beam.
“I’ll bring it out as soon as it’s done!”
>He offers a weak smile as he heads to his usual spot.
>You expected him to be a little depressed breaking up with Octavia like that, but this is really starting to drag on.
>You can’t quite put a hoof on it, but something is wrong…
>You bring Anon his lunch. It goes the same as it always does. You two make small talk, he enjoys his meal, he kisses you on the forehead and says he’ll see you at home.
>As he leaves, you inform the Cakes you’re taking some sick time off this afternoon.
>There’s only one p0ny you trust to answer any question you have.

--------------

>Twilight Sparkle rolls her eyes.
>”When the heck did I become the go-to p0ny for relationship advice?”
“Well…you just always seemed so smart…”
>Twilight groaned as she set down the book she was shelving.
>”Ok, let me get this straight…you finally get that relationship with Anon you wanted so bad, and you’re concerned that something feels wrong?”
“Yup!”
>Twi rubbed the bridge of her snout with her hoof, picking up another book.
>”Tell me, Pinkie…how did you get Anon to finally like you like that?”
“Simple, I got rid of Octavia!”
>Twilight rolls her eyes, facing her friend. “How did you do that?”
“Well…I…called in a favor and…”
>”You got a gigolo to kiss Octavia and you made sure Anon saw it, right?”
>You wince. Well, when you put it that way…
“Yeah…”
>”And you think that was a good thing you did?”
“Well…no…but, you know, all’s fair in love and war…”
>Twilight becomes visibly perturbed, setting her book down and walking up to you.
>You feel the color drain from your mood as your perpetual smile leaves your lips, backing away from the purple mare a little.
>”Pinkie…who are you?”
“I’m Pinkie Pie…”
>You feel like a light has clicked on in your noggin.
>”What do you love to do?”
“I…love to make my friends smile?”
>You don’t like where this is going.
>Your hair goes flat.
>Make it stop!
>”Is Anon smiling?”
>You shake your head, closing your eyes.
“Stop it, Twilight…”
>Twilight stops.
>”Pinkie…you aren’t like this. I’ve never seen you act so selfishly, so…underhooved before!”
>You shake your head. She’s wrong! You aren’t a selfish p0ny…
“No…I can make Anon happy! I know I can! I…I just need more time!”
>Twilight snaps your attention to her by slamming her hoof on the floor.
>You gulp.
>”Pinkie…Let me show you something…”
“OOH! Is it candy? I love candy!”
>Twilight glowers at you. You can’t fool this p0ny that easily.
>Her horn glows as she reaches out with her magic, pulling something down from the top of a bookcase.
>You approach the table as Twilight sets the box on it.
“Twi, what’s thi-“
>”Open it.”
>Something says you don’t want to.
“Twilight…”
>”Open it.”
>You squeak as you open the box.
“Huh? It’s just a diamond engagement ring. Where did you get this?”
>”Anon had it, that night at his birthday party.”
>…what?
>Twilight walks over to you as a look of shock comes across your face.
“But why would he…”
>”He had it because he was going to propose to a p0ny that night.”
>….
“It…wasn’t going to be me…was it?”
>”No…”
>Twilight’s expression softens as she places a hoof on your shoulder.
>You close your eyes tight, unable to stop the tears.
>”Pinkie…I know how badly you wanted him to be happy with you as his special somep0ny, but…I think, along the way, you forgot something very important.”
>You sniff.
>”You forgot…that before he was your lover, he was supposed to be your friend, and Pinkie Pie always makes her friends smile and be happy.”
>You look up at Twilight as she puts on a comforting smile.
>”Even if it means you go without. That’s who the Pinkie Pie I call my friend is.”
>You hang your head.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbPKNmoJQBM
>She’s right.
>Why does she always have to be right…
>You were so intent on making sure he was happy as your lover, you completely forgot about making him happy as your friend.
>Pinkie Pie spreads happiness.
>Not take it away…
“Twilight….”
>Twilight shushes you as she hugs you about the withers.
>”Pinkie…it’s ok, I know you only had the best of intentions.”
“But…how…How do I fix this? I never intended to hurt Anon…”
>Twilight smiles. “That’s easy, Pinkie.”
>You look to Twilight.
>”You be his friend, and do what you always do. Your very best to make him smile.”

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>You are Anon.
>And OW THAT HURT!
>You stick your thumb in your mouth, looking at the stain of crimson on the blade of the knife.
>You were already distracted by the box sitting in your living room, that was addressed to Octavia.
>You’ll have to send it back later, telling someone she doesn’t live here anymore.
>You hope you didn’t contaminate the food, sucking on your bleeding thumb.
>You must look like a giant baby right now.
>Anon, that’s three times.
>Well, brain, it’s hard to concentrate when you keep wandering back to…
>…
>No.
>”Anon…”
>Stop it brain, how many times do we have to go over this?
>Dude, not me.
>You look up at the front door.
“Oh, welcome home Pinkie. Dinner will be ready in a sec-“
>Why is her hair flat?
>”Anon…we need to talk.”
>You sit down at the table without a word as Pinkie sits across from you.
>She looks like she’s about to cry.
>Why? You did everything you thought you were supposed to do…
>She starts talking.
>She starts talking about how much she loves you, and how important it is to her that you’re happy.
>Then she starts talking about Octavia.
>You open your mouth to protest, you’re sick of hearing about her.
>She raises her hoof, stopping you before you can utter a word.
>She talks about how jealous Octavia made her.
>Then she talks about your birthday.
>Everything.
>She tells you everything she did. How everything was orchestrated for the end result.
>How she let jealousy and blind emotion make her forget what was important.
>She stares at you, waiting for your reaction.
>Rage? You would be justified.
>Hell, it sounds like a damn fine idea.
>You don’t like being played like a fiddle.
>But…the rage doesn’t come.
>You feel no anger, no hatred, no malice for this p0ny sitting across from you.
>You see only a lovestruck fool, who let it blind her, and finally her conscious and true affection has brought her to admit the truth.
>Even in betraying you for her own selfish reasons, Pinkie Pie has put you first in the end.
>”Anon…I understand if you never want to see me again, but..”
“Pinkie…I can’t accept that.”
>Pinkie blinks and looks up. “Anon?”
“If I never see you again, how are you going to help me fix this?
>Pinkie takes a sharp breath. “Anon…”
>You smile, just a little bit. Even though you have no reason to, you genuinely smile.
“If I’m going to fix this…I’ll need the help of my good friend to do so…because if there’s one thing Pinkie Pie is good at, it’s making others smile.”
>”Anon…how can you for-“
>You raise your hand.
“I didn’t say I forgive you…I can’t say I ever will…but you can start by helping me fix this. I know it will be hard…”
>Pinkie nods and bows her head, her face still in a frown.
>”I know…but if I am going to help you get her back…I have an idea.”

---------------

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHD-taCs63k
>You are Octavia.
>You lean against the back of the bed, looking out the window at the hustle and bustle of Manehattan in the streets below.
>It’s almost like you never left.
>Big cities tend to work like that.
>Add a piece, take a piece away, everything continues as it always has.
>Your life certainly picked up where you left off. You have a big performance in a few days.
>You wish you could get excited.
>You look across your hotel room, at the cello case leaning up against the wall.
>More specifically, the violin case on top of it.
>You slide out of bed and plod over to it, unzipping the cover and pulling the worn wooden instrument out of the case.
>This is Sonnet’s violin.
>This is the only thing you own that you remember her by.
>But you don’t see her face any more.
>In its strings, you no longer hear her song.
>You don’t feel her hooves as you grip it in your own.
>Just…him.
>You see his face in the veneer.
>You hear his song in the strings.
>You feel his fingertips in your grasp.
>You’re always so cold at night.
>You look up at the sky, and you see no stars.
>No fireflies dance on the water in the park.
>Your own song sounds hollow and lifeless.
>Celestia...please, just let me let him go.
>You look at the violin in your hooves.
>You see his face again.
>Sleeping, like all the times you watched him sleep.
>Just…
“…go…GET OUT OF MY HEAD!”
>With a heave, you throw the violin away.
>As you slump against the wall, burying your face in your hooves, you don’t even register the instrument slamming against the opposite side of the room.
>The violin falls to the ground like your heart did two weeks ago.
>In more pieces than you cared to count.