Octavia has been accepted to Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns in order to study music which, as an earth pony from Ponyville, is quite the feat.
Now she must make friendships, endure life struggles, and contend with her peers away from everything she's ever known, something made all the more interesting by the appearance of a certain pegasus classmate.
Prequel/Sequel to Dysphoria Arcs: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
ArtWork by the marvelous Echowolf800
Thanks to ElkinFencer10 and MyRenaissance00 for pre-reading and editing.
Chapters (6)
PHURST
This is fantastic, btw.
3259866
You're only saying that cause you helped to edit it
3259877
I can neither confirm nor deny the validity of that statement.
Yay, it's up!
3259893
Indeed
Are you excited? Cause I'm excited!
Heh, excellent!
Time to finally see this in action!
~Skeeter The Lurker
dashie.mylittlefacewhen.com/media/f/img/mlfw613_130479170134.png
I am absolutely terrified to read this. I feel bad about prequels, because I know what's going to happen. All of their hopes and dreams, only to know what the end will bring to them... (deep breath)
It's about the journey. I'm sure it is beautiful nonetheless.
3260172
I hope you enjoy it
Even though we know how it ends
Do tell me what you think
That pegasus whose name we are not supposed to know yet but we do know because this is a prequel is a dick, but I also liked what he said here.
I think I learned this myself later on in life when dealing with personal crap where I definitely was the minority and all I did was whine, I soon learn to appreciate the good things that came to myself and not look back on shit events. Even in IRL this is good advice. Granted I don't think character's name we don't know yet exactly means that, but that is what I got from it.
(also I really love the detailed descriptions in your writing, very well done and engaging!)
To the next chapter.........Tomorrow!
It is very interesting to see Slant BEFORE all of his character development. He's kinda've an arse.
Good for you, Octavia. (slow clap) Somepony's gotta break the shell.
I'm so excited to see the prequel to Dysphoria!
So far you're doing a wonderful job introducing us to Octavia, and Octavia to her new school. I look forward to more!
Just FYI: if strings "die" on a cello, violin, or other stringed instrument... in my experience that generally means they've broken, usually with the wire unravelling at one end so the string cannot be kept taut, but sometimes breaking outright. Serious string instrument players change their strings frequently because they have to. Likewise, cellos don't dent -- they're made of wood, not metal, so when they get hit they scratch or crack -- and cracks are not something to be taken lightly. And having an old cello doesn't mean it's a bad instrument.
So if you're trying to showcase how humble Octavia's instrument is, in contrast to how beautifully she plays, then you'll want to find a few other ways to describe it. The scratches are fine; you can talk about the finish being dimmed, or no longer glossy (especially if the previous owner didn't clean the rosin off), the tuning pegs being old and prone to slipping so she needs to re-tune frequently, etc.
Oh, well done, Octavia! That's certainly a way to get noticed. :)
i.imgur.com/gnqnNfB.png
"Fuck yo shit Slant, you a busta."
3263555
Oh ok, see I've had strings die on my bass guitar before (they still play but the sound is very dull and not as punchy, kind of like you're always muting the string), but it must mean something different with cellos and stuff.
Octavia.... you.... OHHHHHHHH SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII~~~
3263756
Oh, I see what you meant! I think that together with the mention of dents I was just thrown enough to conclude you didn't know cellists go through a lot of strings. My bad.
In that case, when you say the strings have died, maybe add a few words to describe what that means (eg, "The strings had died, their tone flat and dull..")?
Free cookies for all!
3296587
Not that I don't appreciate it, but huh?
I think I may have to lay off on this story for a while. You see, I have high blood pressure, and I haven't gotten a refill yet. When I read your stories, I get into them so easily that I have to clutch my chest. Amazing.
I like this chapter, why follow everyone else when you yourself can become the inspiration.
3297020 Well this awkward
I had two tabs open at the same time both on the comment box and...well... you know the rest
You may keep the metaphor cookies.
Okay, I know you said to me some time before that Slant is only partially based on you, but that's clearly a lie; THIS IS THE EQUINE EMBODIMENT OF YOU.
3297884
Not on purpose!
Just write what you know? You know?
3297942
Yup yup. It's why mine's only mediocre.
Yeah, after rereading Octavia's intro in Arc 2, I am interested in seeing how Slant And Octavia go from Vitriolic Best Buds to dating as Script and Muse. Keep up the good work.
That's not a terrifying dream at all, also...
i.imgur.com/bTE7zPY.jpg
Amazing as always.
Finally got to reading this chapter, great conclusion to the Arc and I can't wait to see the "friendship" between Octavia and Slant!
Also Earth ponies are best pony race when it comes to fights!
When things cease to be challenging, that is when you find new ways to challenge yourself.
Can't really say much to this one since it is the introduction to a new arc, enjoyable writing as always though.
You and your damn arcs...
UPDATEEEEE! I just discovered this last night, great change of pace from project horizons. Well except for... NO CHAPTER 7!!!
I really like what your doing here. From what I can tell there aren't many octavia fics out there, but your hitting the nail on the head with what I imagined her to be like. Keep up the awesome job!
well they sound nice.
You were a very nice filly Slant. I think that's you anyways, maybe not.
3260224
I seem to believe that most of the lessons mentioned by the show and fimfictions are good lessons. One of the reasons I love the show.
You're definitely smarter than me Octi. :insert_Octavia_face:
I've waited to long for this. This beautiful work of golden framed art is just what I needed to beat my depression.
Nice work you did, you're gonna go far kid.
Love that song. But really, your story is great.
Octavia you bad ass mother bucker, you get 7 awesome points.
reminds me of this:
Need a challenge? Start writing backwards, mirrored, and upside down all at once. It's harder than you think.
First I admitted to not clicking on the music you blog about until now, and now I'm going to admit to not reading any of this story until now. Would me saying that I love Octavia in this story be enough to make up for that? And that you have a beautiful writing style?
It does make me sad when I remember who Slant is though. I know she's a girl, but since she appears to be a guy at this point in her life, I have to think of her as such. And I want to imagine a happy future for her, but someone already destroyed that possibility, didn't they? (That still makes me sad whenever I think about it.) Ah well, what I'm trying to say is that your writing is wonderful, and the themes covered are dear to me, so I'll be waiting for the next chapter.
I'm sure you've been asked this before, but I couldn't see any comments from you about it either here or on your userpage, so I hope you'll forgive me asking here, but whatever became of this story? As I recall (and as a comment here suggests), you'd already gotten something like 30+ chapters written out before you started posting any of this story, but the last update was chapter 6, posted in November. Have you just been busy with your band/music or something?
4250930
depression.
I keep thinking I will finish this sometime later, but I haven't had the drive to write in a while. Sorry..
4250940 Oh dear.
I sincerely hope you aren't feeling too bad; I know what deep depression can be like, and it's not fun for you or for anyone around you. I also hope you get to feeling better sooner rather than later. =)
I really hope this will be able to ease the emptiness because I grow so mournful....
Once more,
dreaming of such novel conceptions,
losing to all but reason and despair.
Such a sorrow,
blackening the path
of a pony of goodness
and of light.
We shall read on.
I'm looking forward to the defrosting of this ice queen
Once more,
awakening to this despair.
That dream will surely grant you respite,
eons into your friendship.
We shall read on.
Even as Slant, Rose gets pummeled about by imbecilic noble foals.
Always fearing,
a nightmare blackening such an obvious path.
Until then,
upon this light,
soar further
and form so your friendship.
We shall read on.
Little progress, it seems
Always dreaming,
resting well within a slithering nightmare.
You will not learn of your true calling,
nor will you find your bliss.
However,
search for that light,
and soon will you fall into a dreamless sleep,
a sun-like warmth.
Awaiting further releases.
Curse the walls of which I run into!
I like this story and my only wish is that the brick wall I just ran into had been further away. But then again, who doesn't wish this for a good story? I'll tell you who! Someone who doesn't enjoy good work like this!
So, yeah. I love the work and the interplay between characters. Whether or not you continue this sometime, I'll keep my fingers crossed.