Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Today's Horoscope (Virgo): A single tragedy doesn't mean life stops. Try to look for something joyous to celebrate when things look bleak.
Early Morning
Breakfast is tense and quiet this morning. Everybody's worried about the Apple family.
"I got a text from Apple Bloom," Sweetie Belle says suddenly. "They're...they're doing okay, they're just..." She trails off. "Trying to cope."
Twilight sighs. "I can't imagine..."
I swallow. "At least...she was there in the end," I say. "That's...that's good, right? That one of them was there?"
"I guess so," Twilight says uncertainly.
Even Spike is subdued this morning. When we all head off to school, everyone is slouching and shuffling their feet...
Lunch
At lunch, Octavia and Vinyl come up to me.
"Hey Flash...we heard about Applejack. Let her know we're praying for her and her family, okay?"
I nod.
Octavia shifts. "Listen...are you coming to Music Club today?"
I frown, looking back at my friends. "I don't know..."
"Go ahead and go," Twilight says with a smile. "Applejack wouldn't want you moping around the dorm just because..." She shakes her head. "Besides, there's not that many club meetings left this year, right?"
I look back at Octavia. "Okay, I'll be there."
"Great."
After School
It didn't take long for the whole school to find out about Applejack's dad. Music Club is all about Applejack today. Even the people who barely know her are offering sympathies and asking me to relay messages. You know, even though they could just text her over Canterbook. Crazy.
After the club meeting, Octavia and Vinyl follow me back to the dorm.
"So...this is the famous Applewood Dorm," Octavia says. "It certainly doesn't look like a brothel."
I snort.
Once we're inside, Octavia leads Vinyl to the lounge while I get us some drinks. Nobody else is here right now...
I give the girls drinks and sit down. Octavia fiddles with her hands in her lap. "Flash...I wanted to thank you for everything you've done for both of us.
"You were a friend to Vinyl when she needed one the most. And you helped the two of us..." She pauses. "Well, you helped her let me know how she feels. And...
"And you were there for me, to listen and give advice when I was doing some deep soul-searching." Octavia pauses. "To say nothing of the impact you've had on my relationship with my mother. I don't think I'd have had the courage to stand up to her were it not for you." She takes a deep breath, then puts her arm around Vinyl.
"I've decided...I'm sticking by Vinyl's side, no matter what." She smiles. "It's not going to be easy, and I'm certain we'll have our problems, but...she's worth it."
Octavia reaches into her bag and pulls out a CD. "This is a copy of something we've been working on," she says, handing it to me. "We're working on combining my cello and her dubstep into something new."
"Electric cello dubstep," Vinyl says.
"It's rough and unpolished, but when we're done, we...we hope to make a name for ourselves."
I smile. "I'm sure the two of you will turn the music world upside-down."
Octavia laughs. "I'll settle for not being laughed off the stage," she says. "Anyway...I just wanted you to know how much your friendship and support has meant to me. My life has changed so much in these past few months, and...and I really owe it all to you. And Vinyl, of course."
The bond thou hast nurtured hath finally matured.
The innermost power of the Hanged Man Arcana hath been set free.
We bestow upon thee the ability to summon Magus, the ultimate form of the Hanged Man Arcana...
The Reserved Musician Social Link of the Hanged Man Arcana has reached its maximum level!
Flash Sentry has mastered the Reserved Musician Social Link!
The power to create Personas of the Hanged Man Arcana has reached its maximum!
Flash Sentry has forged a bond that cannot be broken!
Flash Sentry can now summon Magus, the Black Prophet!
We sit and talk a while as we finish our drinks. After about half an hour, Octavia takes hold of Vinyl's hand and guides her to her feet. "We need to go," she says. "Thank you again."
They leave. I head upstairs to do my homework before dinner.
Evening
After dinner, I help Sweetie Belle with her homework. She doesn't seem to want to talk much, occasionally starts sniffling and crying, and has trouble focusing.
When I go back upstairs, I find Twilight and Pinkie waiting at my bedroom door in their pajamas, looking miserable.
"Can we...all cuddle tonight?" Twilight asks.
I nod. "Absolutely."
I get ready for bed, then the three of us crawl in together, cuddling close.
