//------------------------------// // Embalm-shell // Story: Zombie Love Story // by xscar10 //------------------------------// In the depths of Everfree forest, for twenty four years a stallion has walked an unnatural life. He has been going from day to day not sure why he's living at all. He found refuge in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters, and stayed there for his life... Until one day he found a group of ponies had found their way into the abandoned castle. He was sure that he had cut the rope bridge a long time ago, but they had found a way across. There was a fight between the group, and a rather large mare with a mane of stars. The mare was defeated and turned into a small blue pony, when another large mare with a rainbow like mane showed up. All of them left the castle, and the stallion, who was intrigued, followed them. Eventually they came to a settlement, an entire town filled with ponies. The stallion was shocked, he had never seen so many ponies in one place before. He would never dream of walking into town, but it was still a bewildering sight. He would go back to the castle, but would return every day to see the little town. They fascinated him, he hadn't ever seen any group larger than three or four ponies before, but now there are hundreds, or at least dozens, sitting in front of him. Day after day he would walk to the little town, and watch from the outskirts, just imagining what it must be like to live there. This stallion doesn't remember his name, but has taken to calling himself Shiver, because that's usually what people do when they see him, besides what kind of a name is scream? He has a grayish coat, a broken horn, one ear, half a torn mouth, a thin tail, an exposed spine, and his eyes glow yellow. We join him on one night that was different from the others. One that changed his 'life' from then on... The night he was hit by a wagon. Thud "What was that?!" One stallion exclaimed, coming to a halt. "I think we hit somepony! It was so dark I could hardly see 'em!" The other replied, unhooking himself from the cart. "What's going on out there?" Octavia said, sticking her head out of the wagon, and looking around. "We hit somepony!" Said the first stallion. "Well don't just stand there, go check if they are alright!" She yelled down to them, and they ran around behind the wagon. She pulled her head back in, and opened the door. As she did she heard the two stallions scream. "What?! What is it?!" She yelled, jumping out of the wagon. "He's... dead..." Said the second stallion. "...Dead?" Octavia said, and walked slowly around to the rear of the wagon, and saw the body laying on the ground... and the head ten feet away. "Dear Celestia..." She said, covering her mouth. The three of them gasped, as the body began to stir. They stood paralyzed as the body stood up, walked over, and reclaimed his head. The first stallion was the first to run, and the second followed shortly. Shiver turned, and looked directly at Octavia, his eyes locked on hers. "Octavia, get in!" Yelled the first one, shaking her from her fearful trance. She swiftly ran for the door, and jumped in. As soon as she made it in, they took off towards Ponyville. "Wait..." Said Shiver, watching as they left him in the dust. He followed them, but unable to move nearly as fast as them. He found himself far behind them, following slowly, but steadily. Octavia rode into town, and was dropped off by the stallions at her home. She let out a sigh, walked over to her couch, and laid down. She lit a fire in the fireplace, and just watched the fire as it slowly lulled her to sleep. When she was suddenly awoken by the sound of the dishwasher tuning on. "Vinyl! Will you turn that thing off?!" Yelled Octavia, sitting up on the couch. "Huh?! Oh, Octy! When did you get home?!" Vinyl yelled back, over the sound of the dishwasher. "Just now!" Octavia yelled in return. "Cool, how was Canterlot?!" Vinyl yelled nonchalantly (as odd as that may sound). "TURN OFF THE DISHWASHER ALREADY!" Octavia yelled even more loudly than before. "Oh! Sorry!" Vinyl yelled back, before switching it off. Octavia sighed with relief, and laid back down on the couch. "So, how was Canterlot?" Vinyl asked, walking into the living room. "Not now Vinyl..." Octavia said, rolling onto her side. "Something wrong 'tavi...?" Vinyl asked, sitting on the edge of the sofa. "I don't know. I think I saw something tonight, but I don't know what." Octavia said, and looked at the door. "Well, if you don't even know then it can't be that bad." Vinyl chuckled, and Octavia didn't so much as crack a smile. "Look, Just relax, and have some cocoa or something. Whatever it is, it's over now, don't stress about something that's already happened." Vinyl said with a nod of her head. Just outside her window, looking in, was shiver. He stood there curiously, watching the two converse. "They're... just like me... almost. Yes... almost." He said, and smiled warmly. He watched Octavia talk with Vinyl intently. Ponies were a lot different when they couldn't see him. They were nicer, quieter. He never understood why everypony was so scared of him. Was it because he eats meat... or because he smells... or maybe just the way he looks? He Was confused by the feeling he had welling up in his chest as well. "Oc-ta-vi-a. Octavia. That's her name. I like her name." He said, and put his hoof to his chest. His breath was shallow, and his chest felt tight. He wondered if this was what a heartbeat felt like... "I feel weird... I like it, but it's weird." He said, turning, and leaning against the window. He sat, just thinking about how he felt, when- "HOLY HAY, WHAT IS THAT?!" Vinyl yelled, and shiver turned to see them both looking at him. He put his hoof on the window, and Octavia screamed. "Time to go... yes." He said to himself, and ran off. He swerved through the streets, and back into Everfree as quick as he could. He could hear the ponies of the town stirring, and see lights turning on. He didn't mean to scare anypony, but he's used to it already. He went back home, and looked around at the old castle. It wasn't like the homes in the town, it was different... like him. So he tried to fix it. He didn't have much to work with, but he got to work chopping down trees, and cutting them up. He put the boards up on the walls, and used leaves to thatch the roof. He took some larger leaves, and made paper lanterns. After hours upon hours of working, he was satisfied by his job. It seemed a bit patch-worked, but it was good. He stayed there until night, not only to safely go to Ponyville again, but also admiring his work. He then began his walk to Ponyville. Octavia stood playing her cello, letting herself get lost in her music. She hadn't been able to sleep since last night's incident, and needed something to take her mind off it. She played some of her favorite pieces, Beathooven's fifth, and Dies Irae from Moats-heart’s Requiem. She finished with a sigh. "Come now Octavia, you are above this. You can't this get the best of you. Strive for perfection." She said to herself, and wiped sweat from her brow. She continued playing on through Dies Irae. "Octavia you need sleep... and I need to stop hearing those same songs over and over." Vinyl said, laying on the couch and waving her hooves above her. "Fine, fine... I'll go to sleep, but you had better wear headphones to listen to your... 'music'." Octavia said, and started walking off, when there was a knock at the door. "I'll get it." Vinyl said, trotting over to the door. She opened it just as Octavia reached the stairs. "Umm... 'tavi?" Vinyl said, and Octavia stopped. "What is it?" She asked, turning back to Vinyl. "This came for you." She said, closing the door behind her. She walked over to Octavia, and handed her a white flower with a note attached to it. "Ditzy doesn't deliver this late." Said Octavia, sitting on the stairs. "Well this pony probably delivered it them self." Vinyl said handing the flower to Octavia. She took it, and looked at the note. Her name was written across the front in bright red, and she opened it to see inside. It read: My Dear Octavia: I don't really know you, but I admire you from afar. I've seen you play, and am dying to hear more. Your mane, your figure, even your collar and bow all tantalizing. Of all your features though, your eyes are the most beautiful. I'm not the smartest, strongest, or quickest stallion, but if I have anything, it's good taste. Sincerely yours: Shiver spine "That sure sent a shiver down your spine, eh?" Vinyl said, nudging Octavia. "I beg your pardon?!" Octavia said, blushing brightly. "Come on 'tavi, I can see it in your face. You are loving the old fashioned secret admirer bit." Vinyl said with a snicker. "Bite your tongue! I'm going to bed before you accuse me of any more." Said Octavia, trotting up stairs, flower in hoof. "Can't wait to fantasize about him in bed, huh?" Vinyl got out, before Octavia slammed the door. "I know I will..." Vinyl chuckled to herself. Shiver, little did they know, was just outside. He sat pleased with himself, but that quickly faded as he thought about what he was doing. "She likes Shiver, but she doesn't know it's me... She doesn't like me. No, not me." He said to himself, looking in the window at her bedroom door. "How could she ever like me? I'm... scary." He sighed to himself. "Well there's always hope. Yes... hope. If she falls in love with the Shiver she likes, maybe she'll fall in love with the shiver she doesn't. Yes... hope." He smiled to himself, looked up at the side of the house, and saw the window into her room. He climbed up the side of the house, and looked in her window. She was standing there by her bed, taking off her collar. He laid down with his chin rested on his hooves, watching her get in bed. She wrapped her hooves around her pillow, a smile on her face as she looked at the flower on her nightstand. "She's happy, good. That makes me happy too." He said, and sat at her window for a few hours, watching as she slept, and wondering what it was like. She seemed so peaceful, only breaking from her silence to mumble something, or make a cute little giggle. He put his hoof up on the glass, and let out a sigh, before climbing down and heading home. He walked home as quickly as he could, and headed straight to his room. He took out an other piece of paper, and started writing his next note. "I need to think of more words, better words. Yes... better." He started trying to think of more, and more things to write, but he couldn't make his thoughts meet his pen. He had a hoof on his head trying to bring his feelings to the page. Frustrated, he walked up the stairs up to the roof, and looked up at the starry sky. How could she ever love me? I'm just a rotting corpse in the depths of Everfree. I see her and I just can't explain how I feel. I've never felt, this way before. I can't hold it back anymore. I'm feeling lost, but no one's seeking. I'm falling far, but never pleading. I may be dead, but she makes me feel alive! She is perfect, powerful, pure, and pristine. Why would she ever love anything so... unclean. She brings a sense of culture, onto the scene. Why do I cause only fear, like a machine? Why? Why don't I cry? Why can't I die? I look to the sky, and wonder... why? I've never felt, this way before. I can't hold it back anymore. I'm feeling lost, but no one's seeking. I'm falling far, but never pleading. I may be dead, but she makes me feel alive! When she, looks at me Just what, will she see? Terror lurching in my my mind. Horror to which they are blind. Dread creeping in my soul. Panic will not take me whole. No, I've felt that way before. I must hold it back once more. I was lost, and none were seeking. I fell far, always crying. I may have been dead, but I have been revived! ... but how... could she ever... love me? He sung at the top of his lungs, his voice echoing across the open air. He had a surprisingly good voice for somepony with no throat. "That's it! Of course! Music!" He said, as inspiration struck him. "She loves music, so I'll win her heart with music! Yes... perfect!" He clacked his hooves together, and ran back down into his room. He sat in there for hours trying to get each and every note just right. He had to toss a lot out through trial and error, and the sun was beginning to rise. Octavia lay in bed, her silk covers muddled around her. She clutched her pillow tightly to her breast, and yawned, stretching her jaw out, followed by her forelegs. She rolled onto her stomach, sticking her flank in the air, and stretching her hind legs. She flipped her tail up elegantly, and the covers gently fell to the side. She stepped out of bed with a happy sigh, taking her sheets, and fixing her bed. After the bed was done she walked over to her wardrobe, taking out her morning robe, and throwing it over her shoulder. She headed to the bathroom, and started the water for a warm bath. She took a longer bath than usual, just enjoying herself. Then sat in front of her mirror, brushing her hair, and applying her makeup in her robe. She walked down stairs, and into the kitchen seeing Vinyl ready to do the dishes. So she let out a sigh, and prepared her ears for bombardment. As the song played, she made herself a glass of orange juice, and a bowl of cereal. She ate quietly (or comparatively so), and finished getting ready for the day. "So, 'tavi, what're you gonna be up to today?" Vinyl asked, resting her shades at the tip of her snout. "Not much, just going to Canterlot to play at a party." Octavia said, tuning her cello. "Ugh, another stuffy party. Just once I want to see you let loose, and plug that thing into something." Vinyl said, shaking her head. "My cello can't be 'plugged in', and I get paid to play classical music." Said Octavia, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, but wouldn't it be awesome?! I can see you up there rockin' out on a neon green, transparent cello, in tight spandex, playing some amazing riff." Vinyl said, posing as she fantasized. "Why do all your fantasies involve me wearing spandex?" Octavia asked, looking at Vinyl, who simply shrugged. "Well maybe some other time I might possibly try playing something more your style... That is, if you would play classical music." Octavia said, checking her tuning. "Ha, you got a deal!" Vinyl said, spitting in her hoof, and holding out. "...Quite..." Octavia said, shaking her hoof by the tip. She walked back up stairs, and saw the flower on her nightstand. She immediately lit up, and took in a deep breath, taking in the flower's scent. She couldn't keep from fantasizing about this Shiver spine, no doubt an alias, but even so. He would be a smooth, and debonair, cultured, and sophisticated. Possibly an artist, or even a musician like her. He's old fashioned, probably pretty shy, sweet and caring. He says he's not strong, fast, or smart, but that doesn't matter to her. She always preferred men whom are more dashing, but not roguish. He may be from Canterlot, but he delivered the note himself in the dead of night, so probably not. He could be somepony from Ponyville, but who? Big Mac? No, he's sweet, but not the sweet talking type. The Doctor? No, he spends almost all his time in that blue box of his; besides I heard from carrot top he was dating Derpy. Thunderlane? No, he's not the kind to call himself weak in any way... I heard Caramel likes classical music, but I know he's dating Sassaflash. "Ugh... colts are like parking spots; all the good ones are either taken, or you don't have change for the meter... Wait what?" Octavia somehow managed to confuse herself. Shiver was at his desk, and writing, crumpling, tossing, and repeating. He sat humming different melodies to himself, keeping in mind she likes classical music. He wrote song after song, but none of them were good enough, none of them were perfect. He sat giddy, and nervous at the same time; trying so hard to bring it up to her standards. He looked out his window, and saw the sun. It didn't show so bright, here in Everfree, but it still singed his flesh, and irritated his eyes. "Not good enough. No... not perfect." He said tossing aside another piece of paper. He held his hooves to his face, and hopelessness crept over him. "I can't make anything good enough. I can't do anything right. I don't even have a talent." He said looking at the cutie mark on his flank. It was part of him, but it's not his. It belonged to whoever he used to be. To him it was just a mark on his side. "I can't do anything right... I can't even die right..." He said, thinking back to a few of his darker days. "No. No thinking like that. There is still hope. Yes... hope." He said, pulling a new sheet of paper, and began writing again. With Octavia in his mind, and hope in his heart he wrote with vigor and passion. That night he left for town with his song in his teeth, and the wind at his back. He made his way through the forest when he saw a mass of lights in town. He came to the edge of the forest, and saw the whole town out and about for some celebration. For some reason they were all wearing costumes, and the fillies and colts were going from house to house asking for candy. He'd never seen anything like this before... but wait... "Oh most joyous of days! What an opportunity! What marvelous luck! A day when everypony looked like they were monsters, and somepony like me fits in perfectly! Yes! Perfect!" Shiver leaped in joy, beaming brightly as he started toward the town. He walked around, seeing all the different fantastical costumes. Pirates, and ninjas. Wizards, and ghosts. Vikings, and knights. Chickens... and paper bags?... odd. Shiver occasionally got a complement on his 'costume', and even took a few pictures. He found his way to Octavia's house, and saw the lights out. They must not be home, so he let himself in. The door wasn't locked so he just walked in. The house seemed so different from inside, it had a familiar feel to it. He trotted into the kitchen, and looked around, cause he wasn't likely going to get this chance again. He walked from room to room, investigating, until he came to the staircase. He saw at the top of the stairs was Octavia's room. As his eyes locked on the door, he made his way slowly up, and with a tap of his hoof, the door creaked open. Shiver walked into the room, and a smile was plastered on his face. "I'm going to make her so happy! Yes! So happy!" He said, walking over to her bed. He laid a letter on her pillow, chuckling giddily. As his mission was completed he decided not to linger to long. He turned, and headed back for the door, but he heard something downstairs. Clack. Click, click, click, click. A door and hoofsteps. "I don't know why I even went to that party..." Octavia said downstairs. She was back so soon, what to do?! "The party was plenty fun, you just need to loosen up." Vinyl said. Shiver looked around the room for an escape plan. "It's not that... all I could think about was..." Octavia said. Shiver could hear them walking up the stairs. "All the stallions? That's what I was thinking about." Vinyl said, close behind Octavia. Shiver had to act quick, so he turned, and walked quietly toward the closet. "No... just one." Octavia said, making her way closer to the door. "Right, that... Shiver spine guy." Vinyl said as Octavia as she turned the knob. "Yes... I don't know why I'm so flustered, I've never had a stallion effect me like this before. Not even among the Canterlot elite." Said Octavia, walking into her room. "Well, I guess you just aren't attracted to status symbols. You like to be courted." Vinyl said, walking in behind her. "I admit, I am a bit... old fashioned at times, but this is different... He is different." Octavia said, flopping down on her bed. "You got bit hard by that love bug huh?" Chuckled Vinyl. Shiver watched them from inside the closet, his throat tightening with anxiety. "Ugh... it's not fair... I finally meet somepony nice, and have no idea who he his." She said, laying her head back. "Umm... 'tavi? What's that?" Vinyl asked, pointing just above her. Octavia, opened her eyes, and looked at the envelope on her pillow. "How did...?" Octavia started, at a loss for words. "Ooo, he left a love note on your pillow, how romantic<3!" Vinyl said leaning her chin on her hooves, with her flank in the air, and tail swishing gracefully. Octavia smiled, and opened the envelope. She pulled out a piece of paper, and read it to herself. "What does it say this time?" Vinyl asked, raising a brow. "Nothing." Octavia said, looking up at vinyl. "What do you mean nothing? Come on tell me." Vinyl said, trotting in place. "No, I mean nothing, it doesn't say a thing... it's music." Octavia said, smiling as she read it. "He wrote you music?" Vinyl asked, and Octavia nodded. "Oh, he did write something at the bottom." Octavia said, and read aloud. "This song I wrote for you, the most perfect thing I've ever written, for the most perfect thing I've ever seen. With love; Shiver Spine." She read, and her grin was shown from ear to ear. Shiver mirrored her smile, but slightly biting his lip. "Aww, how cute!" Vinyl said, and sat beside Octavia. "It really is..." Octavia said with a sigh. "Something wrong 'tavi?" Vinyl asked, their smiles fading. "I just... wish I could meet him, you know... Put a face to the fantasy, and all that." Octavia said, and couldn't help but envision him again. "It's called a secret admirer for a reason. He's shy, scared you might turn him down, or for whatever reason, doesn't want to be known." Said Vinyl, leaning forward. "Yes, but even so, it's emotionally draining. I know there's somepony out there who likes me, but there's no way of knowing who. I wish I could just meet him, say yes, get it over with." she said, folding the song back into the envelope. "You do know that as soon as you would find him the tension wouldn't go away... that's assuming you can keep your hooves off him." Vinyl teased, rubbing her hooves to her cheeks. "Where do you get these ideas of me being stallion obsessed..?" Octavia asked, glaring slightly. "I project my own obsession onto you to protect own my insecurities." Vinyl said... oddly specifically. "Right... well, that being said, I need some sleep... Goodnight Vinyl." Octavia said, laying back on her pillow. "Alright, I can take a hint. Night, Octy, don't fantasize too loudly, I'll be downstairs." Vinyl said, walking out the door. "Goodnight, Vinyl!" Octavia said as the door closed, and she could hear Vinyl giggling from behind it. Octavia smiled, and laid her head down on her pillow. She looked over at the envelope on the opposite pillow with a smile. "Goodnight Shiver, whomever you are." She said cuddling up to the pillow. Shiver laid down, happy to see her happy, and waited. He watched from the closet as her chest rose and fell slightly, her breathing made her sound so fragile. He could breath, but he never had to, and she even does in her sleep. He took in a breath through his nose, and then exhaled. it seemed so foreign to have to breath, but it was soothing, in a sense. He waited hours, to be absolutely sure she was asleep before creeping out of the closet. The door creaked lightly as it opened, and Octavia turned a little in her sleep. He took a moment to brush her hair from he face, and his touch made her smile. He slowly took light step, after light step past her bed, and toward the door. He heard Octavia utter a noise from behind him, but he was too afraid to turn and see if she was awake. He simply continued walking forward. He tried to keep his hooves from clacking as best he could as he came closer to the door. He reached up to turn the knob, hearing the bed creaking behind him. He had felt terror few times before, but never so strong nor so vividly. He turned his head seeing just out of the corner of his eye, Octavia's shape behind him. He had to look, he couldn't keep from it any longer. He turned his head fully to see her... she had just rolled over in he sleep. If he had a breath he would have sighed with relief. He opened the door slowly, and peeked out, catching his eye was the light downstairs. Vinyl was still awake. He had to sneak past her to escape. He trotted slowly, and quietly over to the stairs. He took each step carefully, his hooves shaking with each suspenseful step. Stress building up in his chest. He reached the end of the stairs, looking around the corner, and seeing Vinyl on the couch, with the door in full view. He walked over into the kitchen instead, keeping as quiet as possible as he walked across the tile floor. He knew if he could sweat, he'd be drenched right now. With a light step, he suddenly heard Vinyl start walking toward the kitchen. He stepped as quickly, and quietly as possible into the bathroom, when he began to think. What if she was going to the bathroom? He looked around quickly, and saw the cupboard under the sink. It was a tight squeeze, but it'd have to do. He opened the doors, and crawled in. As soon as he heard her open the door his stomach leaped into his throat. Her hooves clacked against the tile, as she walked around the bathroom. Shiver was scrunched into a strange position, with his back legs forward, his front legs back, and his head cocked to the right. He suddenly heard the sound of running water... she'd gotten in the shower. Shiver hadn't thought of this. He was going to be stuck in here for a while. He sat quietly, and patiently as she took her shower.. but after a few minutes, he started to hear something. He sat and listened for a while; he heard a gasp, a moan, and then realized the sounds were quite... erotic. He didn't know he could still blush, but apparently he can. After a few minutes, he learned something else still worked on him as well, which he was not expecting. He sat listening to Vinyl "shower" for about an hour, before the water shut off, and she stepped out. Shiver felt relieved, as he heard her drying off. She hummed to herself as she walked out, and closed the door behind her. Shiver opened the cupboard, and unfolded himself. He stretched out, and looked down at himself still surprised that a few body parts still worked, and peeked out the door. Vinyl had gone upstairs, and probably to her room. Now was his chance. He opened the door, slinking gradually into the kitchen. He made his way back to the stairs, and into the living room. He turned the knob, and it opened with a satisfying click. He walked out the door, and closed it behind him. Shiver immediately took in a deep breath, and made a sigh of relief, and it felt GOOD. He smiled, and started walking out into the empty street. Noticing something that he didn't plan for. He was in there for so long, the sun started to rise. He could already start to feel his fur singeing. He had to move... fast. He started to run as fast as he could, which wasn't quite as fast as a normal stallion runs. He ran as quickly as possible past houses, and shops; through alleys, and streets, the sun growing ever higher. He stood in a building's shadow for a moment, catching his breath, and getting ready to run again. He made a break for the next shadow, and his flesh began to sear. The pain was harsh, but bearable for now, but if the sun gets any higher it will only get worse. He made a break for the next shadow, and growled in pain as he dashed forward. His fur was starting to smoke as he ran, but he made it to the next shadow. Fortunately, he could see the treeline; unfortunately, it was about fifty yards away. He stood at the edge of the shadow, and got ready to run.