When we lose all of what makes our world be special, how can we even bear to keep going in life? How does one even begin to start coping with such a thing? One cellist, called Octavia by those who knew her, does just this. She throws the cruel destiny that the harsh fates had bestowed upon her aside and stands proudly upon the stage of the world to play her instrument, her life, louder than any other.
She plays on the strings that make no sound.
Super-special thanks to the artist who let me use his art! Here's his page! Link
Posted on EqD (11/22/2012) EqD Page.
Chapters (1)
Aw this is sad :( But I loved it <3!
Oh god I was so very worried at so many different points... but it had a happy(ish) ending. I very much enjoyed it.
PORQUE??????? MY FEELS HAVE BEEN STOLEN!!!
1556158 First posting is bad and you should feel bad.
Glad you liked it! 
1556235 Huzzah for warm-fuzzy endings eh?
1556264 And you shan't get them back!
Wow man, you finally got my man tears. Great job CH.
1556280 :3
As a musician myself, this hits very close to home. Well done.
1556597 Thank you!
(Although I must admit, it was a pain to write this one on account of all the "not talking" stuff.)
I haven't yet finished but WOW this is an amazing story!
1556652 Oh, thank you!
I hope you like the ending
Quick note as I start to read--playing the violin or cello is WAY harder than playing the piano. Trust me.
Also, most cellists sit while playing. Bassists are the ones that stand.
You seem to reuse many words. That breaks up the writing and creates a stuttering effect. I might see why you would specifically do that for this story, but otherwise... eh. Oh, and another thing: don't use the "ice that burns as hot as fire" line. Seriously, it's extremely overused and I find it rather trite.
What a douche, and I had thought he was a pretty swell guy...
Good story
1556710 Octavia plays a cello, at least in most fanon situations, and at the Gala, she is standing when she plays it.
1556801 Tis but the way of a villian.
1556814
Of course she plays the cello, derp. Why would you think I didn't know that?
And just because the show is wrong doesn't mean you have to be wrong.
Awesome story though, excuse my nitpicking.
GAH! Right in the feels Cap'n!
1557019 Yaaar! The feels
Beautiful.
1556865
Imagine a sitting pony playing the cello. Now imagine a standing pony playing the cello.
Which one seems like it would be right?
P.S. I don't know what a cello is so this is really just for you. I have no opinions in this matter.
1557142 Thanks
This... this is amazing.
1557328 Thank you
1556710
She plays a fullsize cello, but is a little pony. Thus she stands.
I still have the halfsize cello from my school orchestra days. I'd trade it with Tavi if there were a portal... but then I'd rather trade myself with Lyra in that case.
1557171
It's basically a really big violin that you normally play sitting on a chair or stool. The fact that she can play it at all is surprising, so sitting wouldn't really change anything.
1557338
Wouldn't size be relative? And maybe giving her the cello AND being Lyra would give you a better shot?
Anyway, I get the feeling I'm doing a bit of a derail here, so I'll stop.
Congratulations on the Feature, CH (favs fic to read later)
1557760 This didn't get featured... did it?
EDIT: Nevermind
Oy! That stallion's life ended to quick! PUNISHMENT AND TORTURE MUST BE DEALT TO HIM!!
Btw, Fav & a like, Fav Fav & a like!
Right in the feels!
1559876 Right where I was aiming!
you had me at Octavia, for she is best pony (non-negotiable). In perfect seriousness, this is one of your best works to date. It...shall...be...FAV'D
1559984 Huzzah!
1559984 Agreed.
One of the most touching stories I have ever read, and I have read quite a few. Also love the concept of Octavia being deaf, even though it is very saddening for me. A like, favourite and a follow for you good sir. You have definitely deserved it.
1560606 Thank you so very much
Alright, just read the part ya added and the epilogue. Nice touch with the symphony, id love to hear it. Another job-well-done. Keep it up and you'll be big one day (bigger than 350 lol).
Amazing story! I'm really glad I found an author with a taste for the darker side of Equestria, but you truly are a killer of feels, man. Thank goodness this one had a happy ending or I think I would've cried (So far the only fic to ever make me cry is "My Little Dashie")
Also, *Spoilers*
Pony rape?
Don't you think that might warrant the Dark tag? and rated EVERYONE!? I mean really...
1570370 Meh, kinda. *pony shrug*
Also, you should check out the story "The Things We Leave Behind"
It's possibly the best sadfic I have ever read. Ever. In the history of reading.
>>ChaoticHarmony
Oh I intend to
. I plan on reading a lot more from you....In doses though....I don't think my feels can take the total lack of happiness on your profile 
1570398 Hey, I have a FEW comedies and other genres! Also, The Things We Leave Behind isn't something I've written. It's been done by theswimminbrony and is a great work of writing.
1570409
That would explain why I couldn't find it on your page
You seem to be a pretty accomplished author on this site. It's a shame more stuff like yours isn't in that stupid box, instead of all the stupid crossovers and....
Shipping....
*sidenote* Just when I thought someone actually made a good male OC for a relationship...YOU ARE TEARING ME APART CHAOTIC HARMONY!
1570449 Hey, nothing wrong with a good shipping story
I myself actually have a shipfic that I'm writing... (It starts out terribly because I started it when I first started writing)
And thanks for the compliment!
1570465
It's not romance itself that bothers me...It's just the gender of the participants that usually makes me feel uncomfortable...(Trying to be as politically correct as possible..)
Ow. My feels.
I am a musician. This is a very powerful story, I would say. Excellent job.
1576040 Thank you very kindly
Right in the feels D':
1664166 Twas the intention
I seek all the feels
Hot . . . damn.
Friend, this is a unique ray of sunshine in our dark, scary world. Sure, it's sad as buck and my feels will never be the same again, but it was also enlightening-- your portrayal of everypony's favorite cellist is unlike any that I have read before. I've seen so many personalities for the background ponies, but this one seems the most . . . I don't know . . . genuine? Believable? Pleasing? Any of those work.
In short, I loved it, and you've earned my green thumb, gold star, and warm smile of approval.
Cheers!
1664239 Thank you kindly for the words!
I'm glad you liked it!
Have all my feels.
Not kidding. All of them
I really think this fic, and you, should get more attention.
Which it will no doubt get, being featured in EQD and all...
But yeah, I enjoyed it, I know I wasn't the only one, and I'll be looking forward to whatever you will be writing next!
Sorry, I didn't like it.
The sadness doesn't feel real to me, the stallion (upscale piano player) suddenly trying to rape Octavia is ludicrous and has no incentive...
The spell is convenient but doesn't really do anything, and Vinyl blowing her own ears out with yet another spell is... meh
The premise was genuinely interesting, but the execution was lacking.
edit: How the hell is this rated 'everyone' ? my god, teen at least with the mention and threat of rape...
1664402 Well, sorry you didn't like it.
Also, fixed the rating. Shame on me.