Octavia's Reprise - Chapter Three - Author's Note · 11:33pm Jan 17th, 2014
STOP. FULL SPOILERS FOR Octavia's Reprise - Chapter Three BELOW!
Bit of a short chapter, but I hope its importance makes up for it.
This chapter features my first character with speaking roles from the show, and one of the Mane Six no less! Writing Rarity was a treat, though I did worry quite a bit about making sure I nailed her personality; being one of the stars from the show means she’s already very well defined, and without the wiggle room that background characters like Octavia can get. Hope I did an okay job!
Writing so much cannon to fit in with the story was a challenge as well, but a fun one nonetheless. I’m endlessly entertained by writers taking events from the show and melding them perfectly into their pieces, and it’s my goal to do the same. I feel it helps make the world the story takes part in feel a little bit more real. Plus it’s also fun for fans to see too, I think.
Considering Octavia only reason has two appearances on the show (so far), I wanted to bring up both the Grand Galloping Gala and Fancy Pants’ garden party from “Sweet and Elite”, but I just couldn’t find a way for it to naturally come up in her and Rarity’s conversation. So instead I hint at it here and there, and tease them missing one another a second time with the little “eyes closed” remark.
The call between Octavia and Vinyl is one of the bigger moments in this story, even if it is short and doesn’t feel like much. For me, anyway. This moment is one that is portrayed in the two Living Tombstone songs that inspired this piece of writing; other lyrics from the songs helped to define personalities, feelings, and a little history, (as well as a line towards the end) but this moment is where each piece culminates. And I still think it’s really cool how Tombstone did that with these two songs, tying the ballads made for these two characters together in a symbolic way. If you think I’m just spouting some nonsense, well, don’t worry about it and just enjoy the story :P
Another calling that I make to another work in the fandom is how the two greet each other on the phone. Although the reason and sentiments greatly differ, the dialogue is (briefly) very similar to the opening of “I am Octavia”, found on EileMonty’s YouTube page. It’s a barely recognizable nod, but still one I want to mention. I love the song, even if it is a parody.
Oh, and for those who didn’t catch it: “Princess’ Cross Station” is a play on “King’s Cross Station” in London. HA! I crack myself up. I also hope the word “quillmareship” in place of “penmanship” doesn’t throw off anyone too bad.
