"But seriously, Tavi. Haven't you ever dated anyone? You can still fall in love, can't you?" Lyra asked, unwrapping one of the basket sweets Octavia insisted on sharing with them.
"In theory, yes." She said. "But..."
"Ponies always go too fast for you, don't they?" Octavia agreed with Bon Bon.
"Every time I explained that I'm demiromantic, that I would only feel prepared for deeper intimacy after knowing them, they would never listen. They would try to kiss me on our first date..." Octavia explained, unwrapping her Heart Caramel. "I've tried several times, but that was the outcome of all. I presume I don't have to explain I had to dump them right after that. And they all thought I would love the kiss; that this time, with them, it would be different."

One would think a short time to practice your instrument wouldn't be such an allusive chore. But Octavia rarely gets much practice time in. Why? Every time she tries, a scratch always interrupts her focus. A Vinyl Scratch. But a friend is a friend; no matter how much they bother--Trouble you...

Down on her luck and stuck in a rut, Vinyl Scratch is looking for any way at all to cease her hardship. Her luck may change when she can't help but notice an enticing grey mare from across the bar...

Inkie Pie, frustrated and bored with her repetitive life on the rock farm, longs to leave and see the world. After an especially tense dinner with her family, she finally decides to take a trip into town to see what life outside is like. There, she meets a beautiful cellist named Octavia, who's goal it is to perform at Equestria's biggest party, the Grand Galloping Gala. Before she knows it, Inkie has made a deal with Octavia- in return for being able to listen to her music, Inkie will travel as her assistant.

...Working as an assistant for a cellist with such high hopes does, however, come with its difficulties.

My unicorn parents called me a worthless mud pony. They pushed me every day to overcome my lowly status. When I woke up one morning with my cutie mark, I thought they would love me. I couldn’t have been farther from the truth.

It was not destiny or enjoyment that led me to discover the cello and composing. My parents made that decision, deciding before I was born I would continue their family legacy of famous musicians.

They did not realize what that decision would cost them.

Special Thanks and Links:

Cover Art: Dreampaw. The inspiration for the story.
Dramatic reading of Act I-III by Malao567. June 2013
Reading with music by ObabScribbler. June 2014
Song: Hooks and Strings by Reverb Brony. May 2014

Style inspired by H.P. Lovecraft
TypeWriterError: Editor & Rating Board
Gage of Grandiloquence: Editor
The11thWonder: Pre-reader
Nharctic: Pre-reader
Breath of Plagues: My Pinch Editor.
ArgonMatrix: Bad Grammar Exterminator
Daemon of Decay: Advice, also inspired me to write fan fiction. Blame him!

Octavia's new to Ponyville, and she just bought a used couch. As it turns out, she has to move the heavy thing clear across town on her lonesome. That isn't the problem. The problem is these damn crazy ponies who won't stop pestering her.

Cover Art by faloxx

Octavia is pointed in the direction of Carousel Boutique by a respected colleague. She intends to commision matching uniforms on behalf of her ensemble leader, the esteemed Frederic Horseshoepin. Octavia has misgivings however, when informed that the boutique in question is in Ponyville, a backwater farming town.

Can the proprietor of Carousel Boutique prove to the Canterlot mare that she has what it takes?