It's never easy taking care of a loved one lost to addiction, especially when the rest of the world is so quick to leave them behind. Luckily in Ponyville, there's always a light left on in case some pony has nowhere left to turn.

Written for the Feb 21 2021 Quills and Sofa Speedwrite contest, where the theme was "Psychadelics", and the prompt was "Only Option Left".

Prereading/editing by Red Parade, and coverart by Snow Quill!

There's a lot that can be said about Octavia Philharmonica and Vinyl Scratch. They came into contact with many ponies as they grew into their fame, ponies whose stories could not be fit into the pages of syncopated rhythms and synchronized thoughts. This will serve as a counterpoint, a collection of stories that relate to the main tale, supplementing and expanding it, but never quite fitting into Vinyl and Octavia's original tale.

Multiple side stories to Syncopation.

Most ponies don't understand how Vinyl Scratch and Octavia, two ponies who seem to each live in their own world, could become best friends. That's because most ponies don't know how much Vinyl has helped and shaped Octavia into the mare she is today. Every so often, Octavia will remember the hard times she had while in the Academy and remind herself just how much Vinyl has done for her.

Author's notes:
This story is sort of a spin-off from my story An Octave Higher. Reading An Octave Higher is recommended but not required.

I got the idea for this story after reading HowXu's comic and seeing how perfectly it fit with my other story, I decided to turn his comic into a fanfiction! I hope you enjoy it!

Credits:

Cover art and full inspiration from HowXu's comic "Why is she your friend?"

Proofread done by JohnPerry, Bronymaster and writer

Music has a language all its own, but apparently not a universal one. Especially not to those birds outside.

Octavia is pointed in the direction of Carousel Boutique by a respected colleague. She intends to commision matching uniforms on behalf of her ensemble leader, the esteemed Frederic Horseshoepin. Octavia has misgivings however, when informed that the boutique in question is in Ponyville, a backwater farming town.

Can the proprietor of Carousel Boutique prove to the Canterlot mare that she has what it takes?

After the most important night of her career is ruined and its saboteurs not even so much as punished, Octavia's life changes. She begins to pursue a path that has never been seen before in Canterlot, where concertos and rhapsodies give way to controversy and rebellion.

A path where symphonies are composed with cans of spray paint.

Cover art used with permission by LuGiAdriel14

Every pony in Equestria knows the names Octavia Philharmonica and Vinyl Scratch. Every musician in Equestria knows and reveres their talent and most semi-jokingly complain that Octavia and Vinyl's relationship should count as a monopoly on musical talent. Very few know their early story, years ago when Octavia had only just left Canterlot Conservatory and Vinyl was... well, being Vinyl.

This story is a sequel to Tempestuous Passion

Tempest feels a little discouraged. Learning the piano is so, so difficult, especially without a horn.

A bit of helpful advice from Octavia changes that.

Edited with TheAncientPolitzanian's help. Thanks a whole lot, again :)

Octavia has places to be, but there's no way she can go outside if she can't find her skirt. But the only one who might know where it is is Vinyl, and she, while being a really cute little unicorn, doesn't speak very much at all.

Not to mention, she loves messing with Octavia.

Octavia finds Vinyl at a party after so many years and they become regular friends again. Though, amidst their friendship, Octavia develops feelings for Vinyl. She expresses these feelings by writing a composition for her new crush. Will Vinyl return Octavia's feelings?

Amazing cover art by DShou (deviantart.com).