The Definition of Words

by The Princess Rarity

And I've been keeping all the letters that I sent to you...

Dearest Vinyl,

Today is my first day at the Manehatten University for Music. I still cannot understand why you refuse to attend as well, just because they do not offer a 'wub' music (if you can call it that) class. They do offer a course for singing, you know. (Don't lie, I know the real story behind your cutie mark.) Nonetheless, I can only hope that you are having a wonderful time attempting to become a famous disk jockey. I'll be sure to buy your first record, as I promised.

Life in the city is rough, as I imagined it. I can't get a flat without having to argue with at least five different ponies, the prices of things here are unbelievable and practically everyone is just plain rude. (No, they are not snooty. And neither am I. That joke's getting old, you know.) My classes are nice, what I've gone to anyway. I'm taking a time on my break to write this to you, and I can just imagine your reaction when you see this in the mail.

'A letter, Octy? Seriously? You couldn't call?'

I don't own a phone at the moment, so this is my only option. Besides, you can save the memories that are letters, but definitely not phone calls. We'll forget those words in a few years, but if we save the ones on paper, we can reminiscence one day. (You probably thought that sounded completely corny, didn't you?) Aside from all of that, I wish you nothing but good fortune and perhaps the same for myself as well. The school's offering dorms, but they cost one hundred bits a month. I seriously don't have that kind of money and neither do you. (Trust me, I know you well enough. You've probably already spent half of your paycheck on vodka and records, haven't you?) A flat is all I'm going to have to settle for.

Until then, send letters back to me at the address of the school. I've got my own mailbox here until I earn an actual residence.

I love you and I miss you.

Yours truly, Octavia.

The grey mare stared at the letter in her hooves and dropped the pencil from her mouth. Would it be enough? Did she get to her point too much? Should she have written more?

...

She let out a sigh and carefully folded the paper, sliding it into an envelope and sealing it with tape, only before scrawling Vinyl's residence on the front, underneath the return address. A stamp was stuck in the upper right corner and she slid the letter into the mailbox she sat next to, just as the bell for her next class went off.

...

She could only hope that everything she said was enough to get Vinyl to reply.

---

Dearest Vinyl,

It's been two weeks since my first letter and you haven't replied. I guess I can expect that. Either it's lost in the mail or you haven't found the time to write back. I can understand. I'm quite busy as well; what with rehearsal for the upcoming school performance. (I do hope you'll attend. It would mean a lot to me.) This school seems to be finding all of the talented mares and stallions representatives. I can only hope I'm noticed.

Send me a mixtape of your next performance, by the way. You might tease me for this later, but I miss your ear-bashing 'music', so to speak. I actually haven't had much time to do anything, sadly. Not even explore this city that never seems to sleep. (You'd love it, I bet.)

I sometimes wonder, after I send these letters, if I've said the right things to you. I miss hearing your voice, is all. I did try to call, with the payphone they have in the lobby of the school, but you wouldn't pick up. I hope you'll find the time to call back.

Not much else to say.

I love you and I miss you.

Yours truly, Octavia.

The cellist let out a sigh and stuffed the second letter into an already addressed and stamped envelope, approaching the mailbox across the way from where she sat. And as she slipped the letter in the slot, a small smile spread across her expression. Maybe in the next letter, she'd have something a bit better to report with.

---

Dearest Vinyl,

Three weeks since I sent my second letter and nothing from you. I presume that you're quite busy, what with having two jobs to support yourself and all. One at night, spinning records at clubs, and one during the day, running our radio station. I wish I was still there with you. We had some wonderful times there, didn't we? (And yes, I still think you're crazy.) I honestly haven't had anytime to do anything enjoyable, to be honest. Nothing. It's all practice for the upcoming school concert in two days. Apparently, twenty talent scouts will be in the crowd. This very well might be my chance to make it in the music business! I'm shaking just thinking about it.

Well. I have to practice. I hope you reply soon, and if you can't make it to the concert, I fully understand. By the way, I finally got my own flat. I'll be moving in the day after the concert and I promise to call you then. I miss hearing your voice.

I love you and I miss you.

Yours truly, Octavia.

Smiling weakly, the grey mare slid the letter into the mailbox and trotted off to her class, ready for practicing in the grand concert that would change her future... hopefully.

---

Dearest Vinyl,

Well, unfortunately, no talent scouts noticed my playing. I wasn't approached. I suppose they'll be other chances. I've got a place to live now, so that's the good thing then. I tried to call you yesterday, but all I seemed to get was a busy signal. I hope you can call back soon.

And no, you're not dreaming. My letters really are getting shorter. I apologize. Life's been rough for me, although I'm managing. I always take time to sit back and think, at least once, when I can. And also, I've heard that KCOLT was taken off the air, three weeks ago. What happened? What did you say this time? I'm not even sure if I want to know. Shame I couldn't hear your last broadcast though.

I'll finish packing, call you once more and then we'll finally reunite. As best as we can, anyway.

I love you and I miss you.

Yours truly, Octavia.

The grey mare opened her front door to retreat outside to go out to mail her latest letter, however right outside was the mailpony, with two letters between his teeth.

"Are you Octavia Philharmonica?" he said, his voice obviously muffled.

Nodding, she was given her mail and gave hers in return, closing the door and upon reading the return address of the first envelope, her expression instantly brightened like a foal on the morning of Hearth's Warming Eve. It was from Vinyl!

Tearing open the letter ecstatically, hoping for something wonderful to read, what Octavia found broke her heart.

Octavia,

Stop sending me letters.

-Vinyl

...

Nothing else. That was it.

Swallowing the small lump in her throat, Octavia's thoughts raced as she opened the second letter, not even bothering to read the return address.

Dear Ms. Philharmonica,

Given that you are the closest pony to Ms. Vinyl Scratch, it is our duty to inform to you that said mare was checked into Canterlot Hospital a little over a month ago. She was diagnosed with some type of disease. Unfortunately, we were unable to identify her condition before it destroyed her. Her time of death has been unknown to us yet, however, the date was precisely on March 12th. So sorry for you to learn such news.

Sincerely,

Canterlot Hospital

...

The only feeling Octavia knew now was complete and utter depression. Tears filled her eyes and she dropped the paper, feeling extremely faint. Vinyl was gone. That explained everything. Why she never wrote back. Why she didn't come to the concert. Why she didn't call.

...

And Octavia never even got to say goodbye.

Author's Note:

Feelssssss I made myself cry while writing this. (Proof I am a complete and utter wimp.)

Anyway, yeah :) I finally wrote for my otp!~ Hope you all enjoyed; even if this was just some piece of crap drabble I decided to throw together. Please comment and fave! It means the world to me!

Comments

[CanterlotGuardian]

oh come on... why do you have to give me feels like this?

[Syvvak]

I hate you now. My day was going pretty damn good 'til this. Thanks. Why so many sad OTP stories this month? You, Josh, Jocelyn, me, lots of others. Why? It hurts me.

[The Princess Rarity]

2151995 ... Y'know, I honestly have no idea.
Sorry to make you cry!

[Syvvak]

2152003

'Tis okay. I forgive you (but not Josh. He can dine in hell).

[Josephdalepony]

This is beautiful

[VagueDrake]

Oh, my. This is... really depressing.
Very well-written, though, I give you that.

[psp7master]

That was very very sad... Really. Why would you do that?

2152017
Heeeeeeeeeey!

[BenjiCG]

whoa, another? nice, again, will read later XD

[The Princess Rarity]

2152051 Because I'm evil, lol. And was really bored.

[Syvvak]

2152051

Aaaaay!
static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Society/Pix/pictures/2010/1/6/1262780885770/Henry-Winkler-as-The-Fonz-001.jpg

[TheLastBrunnenG]

Thumbs up for you! Nicely done. Only thing I might have changed is lengthening Vinyl's letter a bit. Give her a line or two to the effect of, "I don't want to hurt you, it's better if it ends this way." That, and perhaps rework the doctor's letter at the end; after a month you think they'd have at least some idea what happened and when. Good sadfic for you, TPR.

[The Princess Rarity]

2152261 Yeah, like I said, I just wrote this cuz I was bored and had feels, but thanks a lot for your tips (and the comment, of course)!

[Dusty Sage]

This left me with a question: were I in similar straits, would I blow someone off as tersely as Vinyl does here?

I don't think I could. But I can't fault Vinyl for doing it her way: she obviously didn't want Octavia to worry about her, and I'd really hate to have somepony worried about me.

[dormagio]

Wow. Just wow.

[Inferno demon Dash]

..................Damn, that, that was honestly tragic.......shit, why the buck do the Gods and Death always have to take the ones we love away from us...what the buck is wrong with them Shit, now that would make me depressed....wow.

One question well more as of two......umm, one: would it not seriously hurt an Earth Pony's neck to have to write with their mouth?

And two: How does an Earth Pony use a phone if they have such small numbers? I can underestand pegasus and unicorns but I'm so confused on how Earth Ponies does it......damn, this is strange and depressing, very great job

[BenjiCG]

Niiiiice
Although you are the most evil of writers to do this to us, I really did enjoy the story
Not sure if a sequel would work with or destroy the awesomeness of this chapter

[Lucidity]

why would you do that, OP?...

[DotingGlow]

pinkie.mylittlefacewhen.com/media/f/img/mlfw2503-ea6.gif THAT WAS TERRIBLE! Beautifully written, BUT TERRIBLE!!!

[The Princess Rarity]

2197428 So did you like it or not? Sorry I made you cry though.

[DotingGlow]

2197430
I really don't even know. on a more critical stand point, the letter from the hospital seemed a little cheap... but other than that it was so well written. On the other hand it just seems so pointlessly cruel to the characters... like "what kind of sadist are you??" but then I thought the same thing of Shakespeare when I read Romeo and Juliet...
Let's just say I liked it and leave it at that.

[reader238]

this is beyond sad, the letters that she wrote where very heart warming then she finds out that her bestest most best friend in the world has died and the last words her friend ever said to her is to stop sending letters well you get 19 crying fluttershys because of how sad i am from this and one because it was very well written

[Insane]

Everyone hero in They Own Way,Sorry you title remind of something

[Fury of the Tempest]

Ouch... I was getting a horrible feeling when there was no replies... and I want to know why Vinyl Scratch asked her to stop sending her letters... didn't want Tavi to waste her time, when she knew she was dying?

[flimbee]

You dirty, dirty thing, you. I'm such a sucker for letters, so curse you.

[swift-blaze]

why do all the letter stories have to be so sad :( im crying ...

[ObabScribbler]

Hi there. I hope you don't mind, but I liked this fic so much I have put together an audio version on YouTube.

[AmethystFire]

3 full days of utter tears right here.

[PresentPerfect]

So is the punchline that not only is Vinyl dead, but she never loved Octavia? It's hard to interpret that penultimate letter without any context. I wouldn't blame her, given how much disdain Octavia has for her music.

[Autum Breeze]

heard scribbler's reading.

jeez, that ending. it hurt

[Ice Star]

But I thought Rarijack (or TwiLuna) was your OTP?

[The Princess Rarity]

7180787 I HAVE TOO MANY OTPs.

[Ice Star]

7188440

I have one.