My Friend Octavia, by Ganelon

My Friend Octavia, by Ganelon

"It's okay, Octy.... let it out. I know it hurts."
>you're sitting on the couch in your apartment
>Octavia is by your side, curled up into a ball with your arms wrapped around her
>she's softly sobbing
>"I just want to go back... I just want my life back..."
"I know. I'm sorry I don't know how to send you back. I'd do it in a heartbeat if I could."
>she doesn't answer
>Octavia has been living with you for a few weeks now
>she just appeared in the alley behind your apartment building, disoriented and lost
>she doesn't know how she got to your world, and can only remember tiny flashes of Canterlot in chaos
>it was the most amazing moment of your life... but it had taken days to get her to trust you, and all she wants is to go back home
>you sit with her for a while as her sobbing stops and only silent tears leak from her eyes
>she looks up at you
>"Thank you... thank you so much for taking care of me," she says
>"I don't know what I'd have done if it had been anyone else."
>her voice is soft, but full of poise and eloquence even in her despair
"I don't even want to think about anyone else finding you. I know it's horrible being stuck here, but I'm not all that bad, am I?"
>you grin at her, and receive a watery smile in return
"Eventually, the other ponies will notice you're gone and find a way to bring you back. From what you said, it seems like there could be dozens or hundreds of ponies who had the same thing happen to them!"
>you realise you said the wrong thing as she looks away and sobs softly again
>your grin falls away
"Hey... I'm sorry. That was insensitive."
>she doesn't reply
"I just mean, it'll all get fixed in the end. I have faith. You just gotta be strong."
>"But I'm not strong..."
>She closes her eyes as more tears leak out
"Yes you are. You're the strongest pony I know!"
>she smiles wryly through her tears
>"I'm the ONLY pony you-"
"Details, details."
>you wave your hand dismissively
"You know what I mean."
>she looks away again, but her smile doesn't fade as quickly this time
>she wipes away her tears
>"Thank you, Anon"
"Hey, I'm just here to help. I know you can get through this."
>you stand up as Octavia sighs
>"I just can't stand the thought of being stuck here forever."
>you don't answer
>horribly, guiltily, a part of you hopes that she is stuck here forever
>you need a friend in this world almost as much as she does
>"Well, it's still silly of me to be breaking down like this every other day."
>your thoughts are interrupted as she looks back at you
>"It does seem as if I've been extremely lucky, all things considered."
>you give her a questioning look
>"Meeting you, I mean. Of all the humans I might have otherwise."
>you smile at her again
"Yeah. Pretty lucky."
>she looks away
>getting an idea, you go over to your laptop and pull up the playlist you made last week
>classical music begins playing from the sound system in the corner
>Octavia smiles in silent thanks
"I'll get us some snacks. Then we'll find something to do to cheer you up, okay?"
>"Alright. Thank you, Anon."
>as you go into the kitchen, you look back at your friend
>she has her eyes closed, and is moving along to the music, arms poised as if holding an invisible cello
>you make a decision of how to cheer her up right then and there

>the next day
>on the way home from your crappy job, you make a stop at the music store
>when you get home, Octavia is reading a book you'd picked up from the library a few days ago about Beethoven
>you smile at her as she turns to see you walk in
"Hey Octy, close your eyes!"
>she cocks her head
>"Er... what?"
"Just close them! And don't open them until I say!"
>"Really, Anon, just tell me what-"
"Eyes! Close!"
>she sighs, and closes her eyes, setting the book on the table
>you pull the huge package into the apartment with a grunt
>it's covered in brown packing paper, but the shape is unmistakable
"Don't move! And don't open them!"
>she huffs in annoyance, but you can hear a hint of excitement
>you run into the bedroom, and rummage in the closet for your never-used box of wrapping paper
>you find it, and pull out a purple stick-on bow
>perfect
>you run back into the living room, where Octavia is waiting impatiently
>"Can't I just-"
"One second!"
>you slap the bow onto the package and grin
"Okay, now open them."
>she opens her eyes
>she sees the package
>confusion crosses her face
>then curiosity
>then realisation
>then shock
>then, as tears well up in her eyes, wonder
>"You... did you... is that what I think it is?"
>you nod proudly
"Come open it up!"
>she trots over, holding her breath in disbelief
>she reaches up and tears off the layer of paper
>underneath is shiny, textured black leather
>you help her remove the rest, uncovering a cello case
>she squeals in delight, losing her usual aloof air for a moment
>you can't stop smiling as you open the case, revealing the cello inside
>she gasps with gratitude
>"How... how did you afford this?"
"Well, I had some savings for maybe getting a new computer..."
>you pat the cello case sheepishly
"But this just seemed more important."
>Octavia stares at you with disbelieving joy
>"I..."
>she suddenly rushes forward, hugging you around the waist
>you almost topple over, cello and all
"Hey, I just-"
>"No. This is incredible, Anon. I can't thank you enough."
>she looks up at you
>"You're a great friend."
>you swell with happiness
"Thanks, Octy..."
>you return the hug
"I'm glad you're my friend too."

> ~fin~