At that moment I bolted awake in my bed. I was breathing heavy and was dripping with sweat. I guess I had that dream again. That dream that never leaves me alone. That dream that drives me to the brink of madness. That dream where Vinyl is still alive. I hate that dream. It keeps me wanting her back, and stops me from progressing. Ever since she died, I have not been the same pony. I used to be cheery and happy. Now, I have become very one-dimensional. A walking puppet, it seems. Even though Vinyl died a year ago, I find it hard to let go. I loved her, and then she was suddenly taken away. Ah well. I try not to think about these things. Dreaming and wishing won't make the situation any better for me.

Following the events of the Grand Galloping Gala, Octavia Melody has left Canterlot for some much needed vacation time sailing around the Bali Islands. Amidst the natural setting of the tropics she hopes to find a basis for a comeback composition, something to rocket her back to the limelight. What she finds while visiting a resort where the travelling DJ Vinyl Scratch is performing is that sometimes you might get more than what you hope for, just when you need it!

My first effort at doing an Octascratch pairing.

Cover art comes courtesy of BaroqueWolf on DA.

Octavia is really happy with her relationship with Lyra but when Vinyl appears in the restaurant where she is about to propose Octavia realises that this will be much harder than she thought.

Rhabdophobia:
(1) A fear of being severely punished.
(2) A fear of magic.

Octavia Melody is an up-an-coming cellist, and her band has been asked to perform in Canterlot. It's a dream come true for the young mare, but a hidden past and an anger for the magically gifted that she can't conceal boil to the surface and threaten to ruin both her reputation and the chance to perform in the famous city.

It isn't her fault, though; the unicorns are such cheats. They all use their simple magic to get ahead when earth ponies have only their bare hooves.

However, when Octavia finds herself unable to escape from a rather eccentric unicorn working backstage, she finds herself questioning what has been ingrained in her for decades.
What can you do, when you have nobody but a certain enemy with you to confide in?

-

Octascratch and LyraBon shipping. Written for Fac3Desk in honour of Valentine's Day, and was encouraged to post it here.

After almost a month, your duet with Octavia still ends with a train wreck. The grey earth pony suggests that you go over to her house for extra practice. As you meet her at her house, something seems...odd about her, but you can't figure it out. [Tender]

UPDATE: Featured story on December 2nd, 2013!

It's a shipping story between Princess Luna and cellist pony Octavia, touching the theme of mortality versus immortality. What would go through your heart when you can't age but you see your loved one aging before your eyes?

[2nd person staring Octavia and you]

You work in a small music shop in Manehattan when one day a curious black-maned gray mare walks in with a problem, you quickly fix it, but end up with plans by the end of the night. Is that even possible? no way life can be that good...

Read and find out :)

Credits: DjMidli for proofreading, and MASSIVELY making me change my story xD
Derpalicious for proofreading.
CptOfTheFriendship on deviantart for his one-cello picture i modified in gimp.
Shadowswipe for ideas.
Kiwiscarebearkawaii for co-authoring.
Inspiration: Whirring Gears' Room 213

Twilight Sparkle, the protégé of Princess Celestia, visits Canterlot. She does not go to visit her mentor however, but rather to entertain herself with her secret obsession. Classical music.

A certain mare in the orchestra catches her eye, and has held it for a very long time. Today, she decides to meet her. For better or for worse.

A huge thank you to Auramane for the initial pre-reading, editing, pre-reading the improved chapter version, and still being an awesome person!

Most editing and help with dialogue was done by SubShock. Thanks pal!

[2nd Person Perspective]

Working as a waiter at Canterlot's various social gatherings is a nice job. Especially since you began chatting with the cello player of the usual quartet, Octavia. You've gotten to know a lot about her, but one night there seems to be something on her mind. You offer her a drink to ease her nerves and you bring your glasses together in cheers.

Next thing you know, you wake up in a strange hotel room in a town you've never been to next to a certain gray mare.

Art by John Joseco