Epilogue
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Six months later…
The West Manehattan University grounds were joyous, to say the least. Now that the snow had melted, there were a lot more students out enjoying the scenery. The final exams for the previous semester had finally finished, and many were out celebrating their freedom. From the first-years to the post-grads, all were grateful for the temporary ceasefire in their academic lives.
It was the beginning of a new year, and all the second-years were confidently striding about, chuckling at maps, occasionally deigning to help out some first-years with directions. All the second-years, that is, except for two.
The first was a grey mare with a dark, bedraggled mane. She had bags under her eyes, but her smile made it clear she was anything but harrowed. Around her neck was a pink bowtie, and around her hoof was a VIP band with bright blue and white stripes. To any casual observers, she would appear to be your average post-concert student, albeit one with more elegance in each step than most have in their entire bodies.
That’s not to say she was stuck-up; on the contrary, she was warm and friendly to those who casually greeted her. She joked with a few of the students and even bumped her hoof against any who wore the same concert band. A year ago, most would be too scared to even approach her.
Her name was Octavia, and she was a cellist studying Advanced Musical Theory (Classical), Business Management, and, strangely enough, Extended Psychology.
The second was a white unicorn with a flat, carefully brushed neon-blue mane. On her head sat a pair of dark purple shades, leaving her striking scarlet eyes completely visible. She fidgeted as she walked, and every few seconds her hoof shot up to ruffle her hair, but was restrained by self-control. Despite this, she still managed to give an air of renown around her. Some students whispered to each other when they saw her, while others straight-up started cheering.
That’s not to say she was undeserving; on the contrary, she was responsible for the majority of post-exam parties and had won the hearts of the students through hard work and experimental music. She was happy to give high-ones to any who came to thank her for distracting them from the horrors of university. Even the teachers liked her for helping their students relieve stress before coming to class in the last few months. A year ago, most considered her presence at university a fluke.
Her name was Vinyl Scratch, and she was a DJ studying Secondary Advanced Musical Theory (Modern), Advanced Visual Arts, and, strangely enough, Extended Psychology.
The two embraced each other on the grassy court in the centre of the university. When they parted, Octavia couldn’t help but laugh at her lover’s mane. Vinyl flushed. “I thought you’d like it! I mean, this is your triumphant return after all. It’s a big moment!”
“Oh, Vinyl. You should know by now, I rather like the madness that is your hair,” Octavia chided gently, bopping Vinyl on the nose.
“Now you tell me,” she grumbled, taking a moment to violently mess it up until it returned to its natural style. “So did you like the party last night?”
“It was amazing, I feel like I just left.”
Eyeing Octavia’s less-than-pristine mane, Vinyl smirked. “You look like it too.”
“Oh, shush. I only slept a few hours and I was too excited to sit still and brush it like usual. By the way,” Octavia raised an eyebrow deviously, “did you work another of my compositions into that final song?”
Vinyl whistled innocently.
“I knew it! How do you keep doing that? The crowd loved it!” Octavia danced on the tips of her hooves for a moment, caught up in her own excitement.
“I think it’s because I’m working with something you’ve created. Like, I’m not just listening to a song, I’m listening to you and everything you’re trying to say through the song, and I can translate it in my own way.” Vinyl reddened considerably as she continued. “You’ve gotta stop me before I try talking romantically. I sound like a total dweeb.”
Octavia kissed her quickly. “A very sweet dweeb.”
They walked together across the soft grass. “It’s been a crazy year, huh?” said Vinyl.
“Indeed. I can’t believe how different things are now.” Octavia shook her head, smiling at the memories. The last few months had seen her and her friends grow closer than ever, and she felt more loved now than at any time in the past nineteen years.
“They’re gonna be even more different soon. We’re gonna be living together again, I’m getting some insane gig requests — yes, requests! They actually request me, how cool is that?! — and Lyra and Bon Bon are talking about setting up other stores in other cities.”
“Oh, I know. Imagine, stores in Canterlot, Trottingham, or Ponyville! I don’t think I’ll be short of work anytime soon.”
“Yeah…” Vinyl said slowly.
Octavia stopped walking and frowned at her. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, not yet. I just… I think working with Bon and Lyra is great while we study, and I love them, don’t get me wrong, but one day… I was kinda hoping we could do our own thing. Y’know, begin our ‘euphonious revolution’ we used to talk about.”
“We will,” Octavia said, touching Vinyl’s cheek. “But let’s just focus on surviving university first, okay?”
“Deal.” After a moment, Vinyl lowered her voice. “Anything new from you-know-who?”
“Just a text from this morning. Here,” Octavia slipped her phone out of her mane and handed it to Vinyl.
{[MOTHER]}
>I hear you have re-enrolled. Should you reconsider your decisions in life, you have my number.
“Well that’s gotta mean she feels something for you, right?” Vinyl said, but Octavia didn’t look hopeful.
“She probably just sees me as an asset that has been misplaced.”
“Or maybe she’s just too proud to admit she misses you.”
Octavia gave a thankful smile. “It’s okay, Vinyl. I’m not sad about it. She did give me every opportunity I could have hoped for. Even though it wasn’t her intention, she is the reason we met. But that doesn’t change how I feel about her. Maybe… maybe in a few years, if she manages to finally move on from her past, we might be able to start again. Until then, however...”
“Alright, alright. It just bothers me that you’re not that close with your parents, whereas mine were pretty cool up until they kicked me out.”
“Yes, about your parents…” Octavia’s eyes twinkled.
“What?” Vinyl replied warily.
“I think it’s time I met them, don’t you?”
THE END