> Octaves Beyond
>  by GuitarKirby
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1: Practice
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Octavia slid her bow across the amber resin. Her lavender eyes had a hard look, her eyebrows low as she looked at the large instrument sitting in the open case. Although she had a generally relaxed outlook on life, music was her ultimate passion. It demanded her full attention when she did play (which was quite often), and any part of that process felt very involved to her. She put the resin back in its small, cardboard case, and lifted the cello from the leathery holder. The wood felt smooth under her hoof, the metal strings cool to the touch. She tuned the instrument, and lifted the bow to the strings. As she pulled it across, and a low tone sounded, a spark felt as though it shot through her soul. She began to play, the rich tones of the cello echoing throughout her home. The sound was undeniably beautiful. Her heart began to pump and sweat began to drip from her brow as she played faster. Her mane whipped around her face; she had not thought to pull it back as she usually did. She continued playing, her speed quickening even more. Her hoof slid up and down the instrument, the strings pushing back against it. Finally, she began to slow down, the rich tones becoming deeper, until the tune finally ended. She set the instrument and bow back in their case. Her coat shone with sweat. She checked the time; she had played for a full hour and a half, which was actually a shorter time than usual. She sighed, and locked the case. She then trotted from her home, smiling as the sun evaporated the sheen of sweat from her mane and coat.



Shady Sound shook his head irritably. The sound of bustling ponies throughout Canterlot wasn't as loud as it was in Manehattan, but it was certainly enough to drown out his thoughts. He walked along, a beat playing though his mind that matched the click-clack of his hooves on the brick beneath. As he trotted along, turned down a street he had not before; he tried to find new routes for his daily walks each time he went out for them. The street turned out to be full of small, suburban homes. He looked from side to side; each was a mere one story tall, but pleasantly colored to match the color of Celestia's castle, which watched over all. As he walked, he heard something coming from one of the houses. He stopped; the unmistakable sound of a cello being played. The piece was fast, and high-pitched for a cello. Despite the complexity of it, the player made no mistakes, so far as he could tell. He turned to the source of the sound. On the front door was a lavender treble cleft, worked into a knocker. He wanted to go see who was playing, but at the same time, refused to walk up to the door and interrupt the beautiful music. He walked closer and sat on the sidewalk in front of the house. He nodded along to the beat of the tune. His back leg began tapping slightly, so that his cutie mark (a music sheet surrounded by the handles of various instruments) wobbled on his black coat. His wings fluttered in his enthusiasm His mane bounced in time with the music. Dark grey, with multiple streaks of a dark violet color. He smiled as the music finally slowed, and ended. Although he enjoyed all music, classical held a special place in his heart. He turned around, and began trotting back home. The noise didn't bother him so much anymore.
When Shady arrived at home, he immediately went to his piano. The tune from earlier was still fresh in his mind, and he wrote what he could decipher from it on a sheet of paper. He embellished some parts, and those he couldn't remember he improvised. He stared at what he had written for several minutes. The piece meandered up and down the sheet, switching from a minor to major key in several places. Complicated, perhaps, but not beyond his ability to play. It just needed a name.
I think I know where to get a name for this piece... Shady smiled, and added the papers to a new folder, which he labeled "The Treble House." It wasn't the piece's name, but he needed a reference so that he could find it again when he was ready.
> Chapter 2: Musical Magic
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Octavia strolled out into the main plaza of Canterlot. She smiled; the area was always busy, and she was virtually guaranteed to have someone recognize her. However, she went out for the sound. It inspired music for her; the bustle of ponies going about their everyday business. A pegasus ruffling its feathers, the spark of a unicorn's horn activating. It was enthralling. It didn't have the electricity of Manehattan, but she found that much activity distracting. Nor was it so quiet as the nearby town of Ponyville. She sometimes visited Ponyville for a break from the sounds that would interrupt her playing. She found the quiet little town lacked a central spark for musical inspiration, however, so she stayed permanently in Canterlot. The castle constantly cast a shadow over the city. Although the structure itself was grand, she found it a bit dismal when her neighborhood was darkened. 

She lacked a name for the piece she had been playing earlier. She had been playing with the word "octave," since the piece was unusually high for a cello. She also had wondered whether she oughtn't get someone to accompany her on viola, or piano.
Not Vinyl Scratch, she thought of the local DJ, who had gotten a rather loyal following. That pony is far too... electronic for what I- Her train of thought was interrupted when she nearly tripped over a young colt, who was looking up at her with shining eyes.
"Are you Octavia?" he asked. She smiled and nodded, and his eyes widened. "Woooooow. My parents love your music. I didn't know you lived in Canterlot! Are you friends with Princess Celestia?" Octavia giggled quietly.
"No, not personally, but I have met her." She looked around dramatically, as though checking for someone listening in on her conversation, then turned back to the colt and gave a stage whisper. "Want to know a secret, though?" He nodded. "You can go into the castle and meet Princess Celestia at day, and at night you can meet Princess Luna!" The colt jumped in excitement.
"Really?!"
"Yes, really! But don't tell anyone that I told you, okay?" The colt shook his head, and ran off, towards a unicorn and earth pony she assumed were his parents. She looked up to the sky, and continued her walk through the town. She listened carefully as she reached the center of the plaza. The hustle and bustle created a rhythm that vibrated through the ground. It felt like a party could break out at any moment, if someone just gave the world a jolt. She wasn't the pony to do it, but she knew that one existed, somewhere.
Perhaps I could join that pony, if I ever meet him or her... She snorted; what was she thinking? She had to focus on her music. She continued down the street, towards the small collection of shops that she knew only too well.



Shady stretched out on his bed. He had the song he had written down playing through his head as he had written, rather than as he had heard it played. It kept nagging at him, like a thorn in his hoof. His tail flicked slightly, and he stared out the window.
"Who are you?" he asked. The sky displayed a distinct lack of speech. He hopped off his bed, and looked out at the trees. He lived just outside of Canterlot, where the forest could surround him. He pressed a hoof against his head, thinking out loud.
"Whoever you are, you certainly know how to play... Where have I heard that style of cello before?" The thought seemed to awaken a spark in him; he jumped up and flew to his CD shelf. There were hundreds of CDs there, nigh on a thousand. He looked through the area marked "Classical." The rack wasn't the most filled, but it was put before the others in importance. He looked through, and took a not-so-random case off the rack. It was a classical cello CD, made by somepony named Octavia. He slid it into his CD player, which started up. The effect was instant; the cello began its low, rich tones, making Shady's body vibrate. He blinked; that was certainly the playstyle he had heard earlier. The slow, low tones, with a light vibrato to add to the emotion behind each and every note. She hit the notes exactly in the center; never too flat or sharp.
"Incredible..." He hadn't listened to this CD in some time, but he could understand why; this was the sort of music used only for special occasions and situations. He stopped the CD; he had found the home of Octavia, one of the most famous musicians in Equestria. And she lived 20 minutes from his house.
> Chapter 3: Accompaniment
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Octavia arrived back home with many thoughts swirling through her mind. She went to her refrigerator and added the Sweet Apple Acres brand apple juice. She also added in a variety of other groceries, excepting the dandelion sandwich ingredients for her dinner. Although alone, Octavia was never lonely. Music wasn't the only part of life she enjoyed; walks, stargazing, and keeping a sharp eye on the weather ponies were all hobbies. They just weren't passions. She knew there were other musical ponies in the world as well, but she had met very few of them.
Vinyl Scratch is alright, and I think that Pinkie Pie character from Ponyville plays several instruments... But neither of them has the passion or the sight. If there was one thing Octavia knew, it was her own playing style. She sat down to eat, her thoughts tormenting her as she did.
That piece is some of my best work, but it's so lonely. If I had something else to go with it, it would be brilliant. Perhaps I could call an audition. I'll consider it tomorrow. She bit into her sandwich, the juice in the daffodil stems flowing through her mouth.

When she woke up the next morning, her cello seemed to stare her in the face. She rubbed her eyes; the next twenty minutes would require focus. She never got up with coffee, or any kind of caffeine, for that matter; it interrupted her morning flow. The mind worked most efficiently in the first fifteen minutes of the day for most. She had managed to work that into twenty. She turned to her notebook, and lifted it onto her bed. She opened it to the first blank page.
The notebook wasn't a diary or journal. It wasn't even a tool to keep track of dreams, as others might think. Instead, it existed solely to write down music after she woke up. Sometimes it took strange turns due to dreams. Other times, it was a continuation of a piece she had already written down. This particular time, she was simply writing for the sake of writing. The music meandered along, not making any unique movements.
I've been doing this too often lately... I need to find a way to embellish these pieces.
She finished writing, and was just turning to the door when a knock came. She stared in confusion; she rarely had visitors, since Celestia and Luna kept her location a secret. Her neighbors were used to her, and the novelty had worn off. She walked up to the door, and opened it. Before her stood a handsome, black stallion. His mane was grey, with purple streaks thrown into it. His tail matched, and both seemed unkempt. His wings, for he was a pegasus, flapped nervously when he saw her. She checked his cutie mark; a music sheet with handles of various instruments coming out around it. She raised an eyebrow.
"Who, exactly, are you?" He spoke in a low, quiet voice, but he also spoke with confidence, and his violet eyes sparkled as he did so.
"My name is Shady Sound. I already know your name, of course, Ms. Octavia. Please, call me Shade. Most everyone does." She looked over the pegasus again; he had a white saddlebag beneath his wing.
"Alright, Shade... What is it that you have with you?" Shade reached into his saddlebag and pulled out several crisp, clean pages of music.
"This. I wrote down a piece I heard you playing yesterday, and added some embellishment of my own. It's written for piano, so..." His voice trailed off as she took the sheet, reading it over.
How impressive. This would work as a piano accompaniment... It looks like it's written as a piano backup as it is. Octavia looked up at Shade.
"This is impressive writing. Why don't you come in, Shade? I'd be happy to offer you some breakfast, if you'd like." He smiled.
"I already ate, but I'd be happy to join you."



Shade stepped into the house, feeling as though he'd just conquered a dragon.
Brilliant! Now she can give me a name for that piece. He sat down at her table, and watched her cook. She seemed relaxed about the entire process, as though it was the most natural thing in the world. Cooking, however, may have been the improper term. She simply had buttered toast and a glass of orange juice. He smiled across the table at her, then looked back down at the music, which she had set in the center of the table.
"So, I brought this over because I needed some help. Obviously, I need your permission before I can play it anywhere, but even if you can't give me that, I wanted to hear the name of the p-" he was interrupted by a hoof right in front of his muzzle. Octavia was simply staring at him. She suddenly seemed to gain an inner focus, looking at him as he often looked at his piano. Then she nodded.
"You're a musician, based on your cutie mark. I have to be frank with you, Shade; I've been developing several pieces of music similar to the one you heard yesterday. I own several instruments, but I excel at the cello. As for this music you've brought me, while it's impressive, I can't use it yet. I need a pianist. I was going to go out and place an advertisement for auditions today, but you might save me time. I want to hear you play first." She raised a hoof before he could exclaim his excitement. "Wait. Just know that I only take the absolute best. The only reason you're getting this chance is because you took an interest just by listening. The fact that you figured out what I was playing just by listening to it is quite a feat, but I need to know if you can follow my lead." Shade nodded.
"I can, Octavia. I'm skilled enough, that much I can promise you. If you need a pianist, you won't find better than me." She raised an eyebrow once more. Shady looked at her defiantly, as though daring her to object to his confidence. She then leaned back, and put her forelegs over her face. She sighed, and just sat for a moment. Finally, she stood up from the table, and exited the room. When she came back, she was carrying a cello case on her back.
"Let's get to it, then. The music room is that way; show me what you've got, Shady Sound."

The music room was small, but packed to bursting with musical instruments. Violins, violas, double basses, a guitar, and a bass guitar sat around on the walls. The room was in pristine condition, as though Octavia never allowed so much as a speck of dust to touch her precious musical tools. The centerpiece of the room was undoubtedly the grand piano in the center. It was black, and the wood shone brightly under the light in the center of the ceiling. Shade stepped up to it, and sat on the bench. The pedals responded as though they were well-oiled. The keys were perfectly clean; he touched one down lightly. It produced a clean note, exactly between sharp and flat. He grinned; the instrument was perfectly tuned. Octavia simply watched him as he set the music in front of him. He stretched his forelegs out in front of him, and set his hooves down in the keys. Octavia began to play. He followed, matching her playstyle. After some time, he found her embellishment impossible to follow; on cello, it was impressive, but on piano, it simply didn't sound right. He then realized something; she was playing it differently than she had before. She was trying to see if he could recreate his music on the spot. He smiled.
It seems the game is afoot; let's play, Ms. Octavia. He began adding his own unique style to it, keeping it away from more modern styles such as jazz and rock shuffles. He kept to a classical style, but the notes began to flow. He had to stop himself from laughing as the familiar fire lit in him. He no longer felt as though he was playing the music; he simply felt like a vessel, allowing the music to pass through his body. After two hours of play, the two stopped. Both had their foreheads coated in sweat, but they were also both smiling widely. Octavia spoke.
"You certainly did save me time. You aren't the best I could probably find, but I think that you're the right one. You've got the spark." She smiled at him. Shade grinned back.
> Chapter 4: Rest
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Shade arrived home that night exhausted. After going over the piece, they had rewritten several parts of it to empower the cello and give the piano less of a leading part. He didn't mind, though; Octavia was more skilled in this particular case than he was, and he wanted the original music that he had heard to shine on people. He sat at the piano, and looked at the keys for some time. Finally, he gave up, and began playing a song he had heard several days ago.
The part was simple, but it drove to the core of his thoughts at the moment. It was also one of the few songs he could actually sing, and sing it he did. It went something like this:

"When I find myself in times of trouble,
Celestia shines the sun on me.
Speaking words of wisdom,
Let it be.

And in my hour of darkness,
her sister Luna comes to me,
Speaking words of wisdom,
Let it be.

Let it be,
Let it be,
Let it be, ah,
Let it be.

Whisper words of wisdom,
Let it be."

Shade blinked. There was more to the song, but he didn't feel like continuing at the moment. He turned, leaving the music on the piano, and went into his kitchen. He fixed himself a quick snack of wheat-grass and tap water, and headed to bed. The piano still seemed to echo through his mind.



Octavia was ready to fall over after Shade left. Her hooves hurt from pressing the strings, and her foreleg knees hurt from bending to play the cello. Shade was certainly a skilled musician, and he had the same spark in his eyes that she felt whenever she played music. She was curious as to how he had earned his cutie mark; she distinctly remembered how she had gotten hers. She smiled.
Perhaps I'll tell him that story tomorrow. She walked around her house, unsure what to do with herself. It was a common problem she faced after playing for excessive amounts of time; she found herself unable to focus on anything. She gathered her thoughts, and tried to focus them. She was less than successful.
Maybe I should take a vacation, and distance myself from music for a while. Somewhere quiet... She let out a bell-like laugh. Ponyville it is, then. Maybe I'll invite Shade, as well. She blinked, and frowned. She had just thought his nickname. We really shouldn't get too close. I mean, we should be friends, but we shouldn't be... She shook her head; romance had never been something she considered as important in her life. That wasn't to say she'd never had coltfriends, but she simply didn't take it seriously.
Positively silly, I think. But still, a lot of the best music in the world comes from emotions like love. Her hooves tapped a beat as she walked into her room. She was unable to do almost anything without noticing some sort of musical connection, but she didn't even consider it as she lay down in her bed.
Ponyville wasn't a place she played music for very often. In fact, one of the only times she actually played there was when she went for vacation. Since she was an independent artist, and a classical one at that, she could vacation when and where she liked. She yawned.
I'll call and make reservations tomorrow... Maybe they'll give me a discount... Finally, she fell asleep.
A stage light shone on her as hundreds, no, thousands of ponies watched. She sat on a lone stool, left-center stage. Her bow was already coated in resin, her cello already tuned. The crowed watched in silence. She put the bow to the strings, but paused. A light had come on at another point on the stage. A black pegasus with purple streaks in his mane was at a piano. He smiled over his shoulder at her, his eyes twinkling, and began to play. Octavia felt her hoof move, and match his pace. They were playing together, a simple, trilling melody. Then, she began to complicate it. He followed easily. The music became more and more complicated as they continued, until it reached an epic climax. She sighed, her delight silent to all but herself. Finally, the playing ended. They both stood and bowed, looking at each other from the corners of their eyes.
Octavia burst awake, her mane frazzled and messy. She blinked, and realized that she was coated in cold sweat. Light was shining through her window, warming her gently. She looked at her notebook, and placed her face in her hooves. How could she possibly write any sort of music to compare with that dream?



Shade stretched as he awoke, looking around at his darkened room. He opened the blinds, allowing light to shine on his face before he began his day. He then moved to the living room. Octavia had called earlier that day, letting him know she was going to spend a week in Ponyville, and that he was invited to join her there. He had made several joking comments (which she had struck down rather irritably), but agreed to her invitation. There was no reason for him not to go, after all, and it would be an enjoyable experience; the quiet pace of Ponyville was to his liking.

When he arrived, Shade immediately wanted to go for a walk in the nearby Everfree Forest. However, Octavia had wanted to meet him at the nearby hotel, so that he would know where she was staying. As it turned out, they were staying in the same hotel, but on different floors. Octavia was tuning her instrument when Shade knocked. She smiled when she saw him, and told him of her plans.
"I want to play a small concert here, but not in the town hall. Actually, I don't want to plan it at all; I just want to go out onto main street and play."
Shade grinned at the suggestion.
"Seems like a brilliant idea. I don't suppose you know where I can get a piano, though?"
"I already talked to a certain pink resident of town; she'll have a piano there. Not a grand piano, of course, but a piano nonetheless."
"Excellent. When do you want to do this?"
"The end of the week. We can spend some time just talking; I don't like to perform with people I don't know." Shade smiled, and placed his foreleg knee on the side of the door, looking confident and feigning seductiveness.
"Why, Octavia, are you asking me on a date?" She snorted and shut the door, before yelling out to him.
"Ten sharp, tomorrow morning. Sugarcube Corner!"



Octavia blushed behind the door, trying not to snort too loudly as he walked down the hallway.
A date... He wishes! But then again, I suppose it sort of is. Besides, he's quite a big fan, if he wrote down a music sheet like he did. And he's got quite the flare for music... Gah, what am I thinking?! I'm here to relax, not to consider romances!

(Author's Note: Hey guys. Just wanted to apologize for using Let it Be, but I had to use something good there. Also, for those who are wondering, the song they play is something of a cross between Ode to Joy and Moonlight Sonata. Fast and upbeat with lots and lots of piano parts.)
> Chapter 5: This is How You Write a Love Song
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Shade glared at himself in the mirror. He didn't look bad, per se, he just didn't look like himself. A fancy suit, a bow tie, and a hat to go with. The suit blended right in to his coat, but he felt it was all wrong. He shook the clothes off.
I'll just go bareback, I guess. He never felt quite right when he was dressed up. Besides, who wanted to get dressed all fancy for what he had planned? Octavia had suggested going out, and he had suggested a picnic on a nearby hill that overlooked Ponyville. She had kindly agreed, to his delight.
There's certainly something different about her... Shade couldn't decide what it was, but Octavia captured him in a way that others had not. He had seen many musical ponies, and had heard so much music in his life. Yet Octavia was the one that captured his attention. He saw something in her that he couldn't quite explain, but neither could he explain his love for music, and he didn't question that. It wasn't good or bad, it just was, and he accepted that. He gave himself one last look in the mirror, and stepped out.
When Shade got outside, he found that the whole town seemed to be buzzing.
Probably because of Octavia, he thought to himself. He listened to several conversations.
"Have you heard? Octavia's in town!"
"One of her vacations, no big deal."
"Yeah, but she brought this new pegasus pianist into town as well!"

"I heard that Celestia's coming to town this week!" Shade's ears perked up, and he slowed down at this.
"Yeah, that's right. Word is that she wants to check on the Elements of Harmony, but somepony from Canterlot told me that she was going to see Octavia and that new pegasus perform!"
"Who said they were even going to perform?"
"Oh, come on! Of course they will; do you think ponies like that can stay away from their talents for that long?"
Shade grinned; the pony had hit the nail on the head. It was certainly true that he couldn't stay away from music for too long. He continued walking, the grassy hill in the distance clear to his vision.



Octavia was relaxing on the hill, looking over the small town below. It wasn't the highest up she'd been, but it offered a spectacular view. She sighed as she listened to the forest; it was too quiet. There was no buzz of sound, no offer of a rhythm. She began tapping her front hooves just to have noise, right before a black pegasus swooped out of the sky, silent as a cat. He flashed a toothy grin. She smiled back, somewhat uncertainly. He dropped a small, brown basked on the blanket that she had brought. He then laid down on his stomach and looked over Ponyville. Octavia stood next to him. She spoke first.
"It's pretty up here... but too quiet."
"You think so? I think it's rather loud." Octavia glared at him. It was rather clearly silent.
"You realize there isn't a single sound up here, right?" Shade chuckled.
"I know. You don't see it?"
"See what?" Shade turned and looked at her. After a few moments, his ears drooped slightly.
"Oh... I guess I am the only one. I thought you, of all people..."
"What do you see?" she demanded, frustrated. He looked at her intently, until her gaze softened. "I apologize," she said. "I didn't mean-"
"It's alright," said Shade. "Maybe you just need help." He stood up next to her. He wasn't the tallest of ponies, but he stood several inches taller than her. She found blood rushing to her face as she inhaled his scent, but quickly drove her emotions back.
"Look out there," he said. She turned her head, looking over the valley. "Look at the scenery. They've told me that ponies built this land through hard work, but that's not what I see. I see a spectacular symphony that came to life." Octavia continued looking, and he spoke, his eyes growing hazy. "The mountains are like mighty crescendos. I see fermatas in every tree, a chord in every animal. It's like the greatest orchestra in the universe came together and played the world into existence." Octavia now saw it, but beyond that, she heard the music. Instruments being tuned, notes bursting with life and power. It was beautiful and terrible, joyous and saddening all at once. She felt overcome with emotion. Shade turned to her.
"My special talent isn't playing music, Octavia. My special talent is understanding it, seeing it and hearing it in everything. It's the best thing in the world." Octavia's eyes glimmered with tears.
That's so... "Amazing." Shade blinked. "I'm sorry, did I say that out loud?" she asked. Shade smiled again, his teeth glinting in the setting sun. She smiled back, and leaned toward him. He leaned in towards her. Their eyes locked as their lips slowly closed the distance between each other. They were mere inches from one another, when...
"No," Octavia said. She leaned away again. The blood that was previously pounding through her body began to slow. "No, I can't." Shade was confused.
"But, why not?"
"I just can't. Soon, maybe, but not right now." Shade watched her for a moment, and nodded his head. They stayed there until Luna's moon shone far overhead, simply sitting in quiet companionship.
> Chapter 6: A Reference Guide to Equestrian Music
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Octavia awoke Friday morning, and turned to her musical notebook. She wrote down a piece that she wasn't sure was entirely hers. For the first time in many years, she added text to the book.
Shade inspired this piece with his view of the world. Nobody else can see it like him, until they are shown, just as I was. She lifted the pen from the page, and closed the book.
Oh, Celestia, she thought to herself. I'm crushing on Shade! She had not allowed him to kiss her because she didn't want to become involved. Or so she thought, at the time; now she realized how much she DID want to become involved. Her thoughts strayed to him as she went about her morning business; the black coat, the strong shoulders and wings, how the violet streaks in his mane seemed to glow under the moonlight...
No no no! She returned herself to the present. She didn't have time for romance, not now. She had heard the rumors around Ponyville; Celestia was supposedly coming to visit on Friday to see them perform, and the whole town was buzzing about it. She was ready, however; the song she and Shade had written together had set itself in her mind, making it virtually impossible to make a mistake while playing it. She looked at her cello, directly across from her bed.
Perhaps an easy practice is in order. She stepped to in, and opened the case.
After coating her bow in resin and making sure the instrument was in tune, she began playing "Ode to Joy," a piece by a classical master. It felt more powerful on the deep-voiced instrument. She then switched gears, playing the opening part of the 5th Symphony by the same writer. She managed to push out fifths on the cello with a clever tuning trick and some impressive hoofwork. She then moved on to more modern styles, playing everything from "Manehattan 2017," to "Enter Sandpony." Although few of the songs fit her usual style, she felt it important to have at least some part of many songs memorized. Half of the enjoyment she got from playing the cello was to see ponies' faces light up at a tune they recognized. It was enthralling to have someone cheer for a song they knew, and it sent a powerful jolt through her to hear ponies applauding and singing, tapping along to a song that they could remember for whatever reason. She smiled at the thought of the princess' smile when she heard her and Shade play together.
It will be incredible, she thought to herself.



Shade sat at the piano, unsure of what to do with it. He had brought it a small training keyboard so that he didn't have to go without practice, but now he wasn't sure what to play. Finally, he sighed, and reached into a saddlebag next to his chair.
I'll just play some simple parts, I suppose. He took the sheet music out and placed it on the piano. There was a lot of it, so he flipped to a random song and played it. It was "Piano Colt," a favorite of his. He sang along, enjoying the feeling of the keys beneath his hooves. He also sang more of "Let it Be," and one called "Magic Colt." He played many more. He felt that the piano was one of the most versatile instruments a pony could play, and was more naturally played that stringed instruments such as the violin, guitar, or cello.
Not that I'll ever tell Octavia that, he thought to himself, smiling slightly. When he finished, he turned away from the piano. He felt tired after last night. Explaining his way of viewing the world to Octavia was mind-numbing. He was sure that his message had gotten through to her, because she had seemed so affected by it. She kept looking at everything with wide eyes afterwards. Despite his success, though, he felt that he had bared his soul, even rubbed a corner of it against hers. Whatever emotional boundaries and privacy he had enjoyed before with Octavia were now gone; she had seen his deepest thoughts and feelings.
It's like just by telling her what I did, I revealed everything about myself, he thought. The scope of it scared him, but it also made him happier. He felt that he now had gained a friend that understood every thought and feeling he had. He hoped to gain more from it than that, however.
She's everything I've ever wanted... Everything I need. She's certainly the most gifted musician I've ever met. He felt that if anyone could really, truly understand the way his mind worked, it would be someone like Octavia. He had seen other ponies that were skilled with music, but she had a spark, a fire for it that he had never seen matched by any but himself. It put all other musicians to shame when her passion was considered, much like himself. Still, he felt conflict in himself.
Just because she understands my mind doesn't mean that she has the same thoughts and feelings that I do... And she still rejected me. It wasn't a complete rejection, so he wasn't willing to give up. He decided then that he would do what it took to win Octavia's affection, and hang the consequences of any mistakes he made.
Confidence flowing from him, he headed for the door, ready to attack his day, and allow the new spark he felt for a certain somepony to control his actions.

(Author's Note: Thanks for reading, everyone! I can't believe the accidental popularity of this one; I wasn't even trying. Funny how that works out sometimes, isn't it? Anyway, I felt like putting some songs that we all know and love into this chapter, and altering their titles for Equestrian citizens. When this fanfic is finished, I'll add an extra chapter at the end with lyrics to some of these songs, if the idea is popular enough. Keep reading, and please accept my apology for the short chapters! I love criticism, so point out flaws that you find!)
> Chapter 7: Suddenly, Dancing
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Octavia wove through the town, the rhythm of the ponies going about playing a beat through her body. The small town was alive with enthusiasm for Celestia's coming. Of course, she intended to play when Celestia arrived. She made a stop at Sugarcube Corner, where Pinkie Pie, the local baker's assistant, was hopping up and down excitedly.
"Hello, Pinkie Pie."
"Ohmigosh ohmigosh, so many cakes to bake!" Pinkie ran around, gathering ingredients. She suddenly noticed Octavia. "Oh, hello! I've seen you somewhere before. Are you famous? Ohmigosh, are you a really really super-famous movie star? I just love going to the movies! No, wait! Your cutie mark is music, so you must be a really supercool musician! I love going to conce-" Octavia broke in, smiling weakly.
"Pinkie Pie, I need a batch of cupcakes when you get a minute, alright?" Pinkie nodded.
"Okie dokie lokie! I'll get on it ASAP!" She began singing a song that had to do with movies, concerts, cupcakes, and Celestia knows what else. Octavia shook her head and left the shop, continuing on. She wasn't carrying her cello with her - that would have been unreasonable. However, she did have a small viola with her in her saddlebag. She had several things to pick up that day as it was, but she didn't like going anywhere without a musical instrument. As she was walking down the market street, looking in each vendor's shop, she noticed a little colt sitting in a dark corner on his own. She walked over to him. He looked up at her; his eyes were large and damp.
"What's wrong?" He sobbed, but didn't speak. She leaned down closer to him, and took a closer look. She could see it in his eyes; he was foreign. The shape of his eyes was wrong for Equestrian lands. He probably didn't speak her language.
But this isn't my language, she thought to herself. My language is music.
Quick as a flash, she reached into her saddlebag and pulled out the violin. She stood up on her hind legs and began playing a swift, merry tune. The little colt smiled, and laughed; the tears in his eyes were swept away by the tune. She began dancing while playing (obviously not an easy feat, since she had to play with her forelegs). Ponies in the square saw the sight. Suddenly, from nowhere, Pinkie Pie showed up and started dancing as well.
"Hooray! I love parties in the street!" she said excitedly. She balanced a platter of cupcakes on her muzzle as she twirled. Octavia was nervous that they would fall, but did not stop. She was now attuned to the music she was playing, and the dance was a part of it. Other ponies soon began dancing, until there was a huge dance right in the center of the square. Just when she thought she might have to slow down, she heard it; the gentle sound of an acoustic guitar joining her. She saw Shade float gently out of the sky, grinning widely at her, nodding along with the music. Pegasi began circling him in the air, creating patterns to match the music being played. All she could do was look away and continue dancing and playing.
When the song finally ended, Shade landed in front of her, smiling widely. The two looked directly at one another's eyes, and a spark shot between them. It was like the spark they both felt when playing music. Determination and energy filled Octavia, despite the exhausting event she had just created. Everything that music inspired in her came to her as she looked at Shade's dark violet eyes. He nodded seriously, and she nodded back. They turned away from each other, and bowed to the surrounding crowd.



Shade watched the city from the forest. He also listened to the sounds of the world, which seemed to surround him. He had trained himself to listen to virtually everything; he heard the flutter of a bird's wings, the rustle of the wind through the treetops, and the faint sound of an unknown creature slowly shuffling on the soil. He stretched his wings out, and yawned. Everything was music to him, but the tradeoff was that he never knew silence. It was a pleasure that he never became acquainted with.
I wonder if Octavia has the same difficulties, he wondered. He suddenly faltered. 
Octavia. The name brought a horde of confusing emotions to his mind. He knew that he loved her, and her musical abilities. He thought she was beautiful, and the way she saw the world was beautiful. All of that he knew to be true. However, he was unsure of how to impress her enough to leave the same impression on her.
I cracked the surface with my own view of the world, he thought, but I haven't really given her enough yet. The thought was frustrating; he saw her as a piece of music that couldn't be written or played, not in the same way it was presented. It was as though her sound defied all attempts to understand it. Despite her resistance to him, he felt he was growing closer to writing the first chord of her character out. He knew that if he could write her into song, it would be the most wondrous piece of music ever created. His eyes shut gently; he began to doze off.
The crowd was watching as he stepped to the piano, the sheet of newly written music in his teeth. He set it down gently on the piano, and lifted his hooves. However, when he set them on the keys, no sound came forth. He stared at the keys in shock, and looked back to his music, just to look as if he were doing something. The music was blank. His eyes widened. Suddenly, a light shone on him, and another pony walked out from behind him; Octavia. She laughed; the sound was like ringing crystals. She lifted her cello, and played. Her instrument produced a sad sound, but she smiled as she played it. He turned back to his sheet; it had a very different song on it than what she was playing. He played what was there. His tune was slow, but hinted at romance and beauty, at passion and sensuality. She watched him, looking confused. He blushed, but played on. Suddenly, her music snapped into his tune; he turned and stared, but didn't stop playing. She was blushing as well, and her eyes were shut. Her head was tilted skyward, and the low tones seemed to be baring her soul...
Shade awoke with a start, blood still in his cheeks. He was amazed; it was as though he had just heard a piece of the melody that teased him so, the melody that was Octavia's very soul. He jumped into the air, his guitar slung on his back. He flew toward Ponyville as fast as he dared with the delicate instrument on his back.
When he arrived in the marketplace square, he found Octavia dancing wildly, a violin at her jaw. He found the tune happy, lilting, and wonderful. He began playing his guitar, matching her carefully. She saw him for only a moment, but it was plenty for him. The two continued on with the lilting tune, other ponies jumping up and down and dancing wildly along to the music.
The stop to the music was perfect, to his ears. He landed before Octavia, wings flared wide. He saw her eyes, and felt the spark that accompanied his playing flash between them. Electricity surged between their faces, and he felt that the distance between them ought to be closed. He nodded at the same time she did. He then turned around and bowed to the many ponies surrounding them.
Tomorrow, he thought, I will make the fullness of my feelings known to her.
He smirked as he looked at the pavement beneath him, and as hundreds of ponies surrounding them cheered wildly.
> Chapter 8: Romantic Recital
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Shade roared in frustration, his hooves scrabbling through his mane.
"HOW DID I MISPLACE MY MUSIC?!" He tore through his notebooks, and his suitcase, and his hotel drawers. He had even torn through his saddlebags, in which he never left anything of importance. The music was simply not to be found. In his anger, he bucked the bed. A short message fell from the sheets. He stood over it, steam rising from his nostrils as he read.
Shade, I took the liberty of copying your music and rewriting several places. I also cleaned up your handwriting, which I found horrid. Come see me as soon as possible for the improved version.
- Octavia
Shade stared at the page for a moment, and felt a slightly hysterical laugh bubbling up in his throat. He shook his head as the laugh burst from him.
I always freak out right before a recital... He stepped out of his room as his breathing began to even out. The music was safe, and he was prepared... At least, he was prepared for the musical section. As far as admitting his feelings to Octavia, he wasn't entirely sure he was ready.
But that's a good thing, he insisted to himself. That's something I actually SHOULD be nervous about... He walked downstairs, and started making breakfast; buttered toast and donuts, along with a glass of milk and a glass of apple juice. A lot of food, but he needed his energy for that evening. The whole time he ate, he rolled his hooves in circles on the table. He hated his own feelings at the moment. More accurately, he didn't hate the emotions themselves - he was used to preshow nerves - but he was upset by the fact that he wasn't sure whether they were preshow nerves or simply his anticipation of telling Octavia. He looked down at a half-eaten donut.
"I can do it. It'll be easy, right?" he asked. The donut remained stoically silent. Shade spoke again. "But what if she doesn't like me back? What if she says she doesn't want to even be friends with me anymore?" The donut still did not respond to his line of questioning. He sighed and pushed the plate away. Suddenly, he heard a small voice say something next to him. He turned to see a light pink mane covering half the face of a yellow pegasus. He raised an eyebrow. "What was that?"
"Oh, um, well..." said the mare. "I just heard you talking to that donut, and I thought you should really say something to whoever it is you're talking about." She blushed, and looked down. Shade was stunned by her rather direct speech.
"What's your name?" he asked, unable to think of anything else to say.
"I'm F-Fluttershy..." she said, almost in a whisper. Shade stood off of his stool, and smiled.
"Thank you, Fluttershy. It's always nice to have somepony offer their advice." She gulped and looked up, seeing Shade smile. She returned his look, albeit rather uncertainly. "Looks like I have a bigger day ahead than I thought... You're coming to the recital tonight?" She nodded and spoke.
"Oh, yes, all of my friends and I are coming." Shade racked his mind as something occurred to him. He knew the name Fluttershy... He let out a gasp of recognition.
"You're an Element of Harmony!" he said. She blushed and hid behind her mane, slightly frightened by the increase in volume. Shade brought his voice down a notch. "Sorry... You're the Element of Kindness, right?" he asked. The pink mane moved up and down, indicating that she had nodded. "Thank you so much, Ms. Fluttershy."  A teal eye looked out from behind the mane. "Support can change everything, so thank you very, very much." 
Shade spread his wings and soared out the window, feeling as though walking wasn't even an option; when he felt so inspired to fly, why should he bring himself to the ground when he simply felt so UP?



Octavia calmly strapped her cello across her back. For all her flaws, she had the undeniable strength and endurance that defined Earth-ponies, and so was able to carry rather heavy items with her wherever she went. Her focus was all on her performance for that evening... Or so she had thought. She found that her mind kept straying to Shade. She shook her head every time this happened, but still it continued. She finally accepted it, deciding that it was just because he would be accompanying her for the recital, and she was merely worried about how he would perform.
I do hope he can keep up with me, she thought, attempting to instill the idea in her mind as a belief. As if to defy this, her imagination began returning her to the hill, and Shade's warm fur next to hers, his wing over her back...
"No!" She exclaimed, shaking her head harder than before. Two ponies looked up at her voice nervously. One was the color of cider, the other a bright red. Octavia sighed. "I apologize for my outburst, Applejack, Big Macintosh." Applejack smiled widely.
"Why, no harm done 't all, sugarcube. Ain't that right, Big Mac?"
"Eeyup."
Octavia smiled at the two of them.
"So, what's yer name?"
"I'm Octavia; I played cello at-"
"The Grand Gallopin' Gala, I remember. Y'all were right brilliant on that there oversized fiddle a' yers." Octavia had to stop her smile from faltering; it irritated her when people compared the cello to the violin. However, she made no comment.
"Thank you, Applejack, for the complement."
"A' course." Applejack turned to Big Macintosh. "Big Mac, would you leave us here for a few minutes? I got somethin' I wanna ask Ms. Octavia here." Big Mac smiled.
"Eeyup."
After he left, Applejack turned to Octavia.
"So, who's the colt?"
"What?" Octavia felt confused by the remark. Applejack laughed.
"The colt you was just thinkin' of. I can tell you're thinkin' about a certain special somepony. Who is it?" Octavia found herself blushing.
Was it really so obvious?
"I, I," she spluttered for a moment, before finally responding. "I was thinking of Shade." Applejack grinned.
"Y'mean that piana colt who I hear's playin' with ya in town t'night?"
"That would be him," said Octavia, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
"Well, that's right wonderful, I reckon," said Applejack. Octavia looked back at her in surprise.
"What?"
"I said, that's right wonderful. Y'all need t' be honest with 'im, though. After all, what if he's just as interested in you?"
Octavia merely blinked, unsure what to say; she would first have to admit and come to terms with the fact that she had found a passion apart from music before she could even consider telling Shade what her feelings were. Applejack seemed to understand.
"Look, I might be the Element o' Honesty, but I know right well when somethin' needs to be kept quiet. You decide how you feel 'fore you tell 'im, but then you tell him right quick. It'll make life easier for the both of ya." Applejack then turned and departed, leaving Octavia happy, if slightly conflicted over her emotions.



The stage that had been set up in front of town hall was bathed in light for a moment, before said lights were shut off. It had been the final test before the beginning of the recital. Celestia had arrived in the afternoon, and was met by the Elements of Harmony. Twilight Sparkle took her seat directly next to the princess, while the other five Elements sat around the two. Everypony else sat on the elevated seats that had been erected in mere hours by several local unicorns (who were led, naturally, by Twilight Sparkle). The stage was set, and the whole area had the style of an outdoor theater. A spotlight came on, revealing Mayor Mare in the center of the stage.
"Mares and gentlecolts, it is my deep pleasure to introduce two of the most talented musicians ever to grace the beautiful land of Equestria! Octavia and Shady Sound!" she bowed, sinking behind the curtains as the light faded. Another light came on a single chair in center-right stage. Resting against the chair was a cello. Octavia stared at it from behind the curtain, her heart pounding, but her mind focused. She stepped out as another light fell on her. Her mane was carefully combed back, and she walked tall and proud. She drew her bow from a thin case on her back, and sat in the chair. She took a moment to slide the bow across the resin, and then stood. The cello's neck rested on her shoulder, and she began to play. The low tones moved with her emotions, slowly working out into the crowd. She looked at all of them; rather than a single unit, as she often saw, they became like a sheet of music to her. Suddenly, she felt the flame in her heart jump; she saw them as Shade did. A light came on at center-left stage. The jet-black pegasus was beginning his part. She felt their melodies mold together, until it seemed that they were one musician, with one instrument. The audience stared in awe. Celestia herself seemed impressed by the connection between them. For the first time in years, she looked away from her instrument, and the audience, as she performed. She saw Shade looking back at her over the piano. He smiled, playing with her.
Both felt it. Both the audience and the performers. The tune changed, moving from slow and practiced to passionate and intense. It was no longer pitch-perfect uniformity, but it had grown more powerful. There was electricity in the music now, and it was growing wild. Octavia saw a streak of her black mane fall over her eye, sweat beading at her brow. She was amazed; she never, ever broke a sweat in a performance. Shade seemed to be passionately massaging the piano keys into the shape he felt was most pleasing. She watched in amazement, as did he. The two felt that the song would never, ever end, nor did they want it to. Shade made a gliss up and down the piano, and Octavia slid down the cello, playing fifths and thirds while moving her hoof in ways she never imagined. The song began to slow, not because they intended it, but simply because they were running out of energy. The audience seemed to be glowing with amazement, and the Elements of Harmony's eyes seemed to brighten. Celestia smiled at the two, knowing that a great new romance was forming before her. The two finally finished their song. However, it did not resolve as most songs did. Rather, it simply stopped, as though it were unfinished, ready to have more written. The two turned to the audience, expecting polite clapping, or even a standing ovation. What they received instead was far more amazing. 
Everypony in the audience stood and bowed to them, Celestia included.
They simply stood, dumbfounded for a moment, before bowing back. They then turned, and left the stage. When they were backstage, they heard a loud cheer from the audience. They looked at one another. Everything they had wanted to say to one another no longer needed saying; they could simply see it in the other's eyes.

(Author's Note: One more chapter to go, and we're done. Get asking some questions so I can have something to answer when I'm done!)
> Chapter 9: Resolving Chord
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Shade sat quietly at a small piano that had been brought into Octavia's room. He couldn't imagine what she needed it for, but he made a beeline for it the moment he arrived in her room. He brought his hooves up to the keys as Octavia sat to his right.
... What can I possibly play? he thought to himself. Suddenly, he felt a warm hoof on his back, just between his wings. The tickling sensation nearly caused both to flap, but he controlled them by sheer force of will. He then heard a whisper in his ear; the rich voice of Octavia speaking to him.
"Sing me a song, piano colt." He blinked, and took the cue. He began to play a very basic chord progression, singing as best he could.
"Sing us a song, you're the piano mare,
Sing us a song tonight!" He felt the hoof slide up and down his spine, and Octavia joined in, her voice low and slightly seductive. He began to sweat, unsure of her intentions.
"Well, we're all in the mood for a melody,
and you got us feeling alright!"
Silence then fell, as he was unable to play. He turned his head and found himself looking into Octavia's eyes. He then reached up and slid a hoof against muzzle. He snapped back, and stood up.
"I'm off to bed, Ms. Octavia. Shall I accompany you back to Canterlot?" Octavia smiled lightly at him, a twinkle in her eye.
"I would enjoy the company, Shade. Truly, I would."
Shade departed her room happily, and knew that when they arrived back in Canterlot, there would be a budding romance waiting for him with Octavia.



Octavia watched the door shut, and sighed. She turned to her notebook, and calmly flipped it open. There was a song that went unfinished in the most recent entry. She looked at it for nearly a quarter of an hour before adding a very simple solution. A resolving chord was added, and she shut the book. She felt that she had reached a resolving chord for the first song in her new relationship with Shade.
I never thought I'd say it... But I suppose music isn't everything.
She then went to her bed and drifted into her dreams, where the figure of a black pegasus swooped through the romantic, relaxing tones of a piano being played.

(Author's Note: And that's the end. Sorry this chapter was short, but a concise ending was important. Next chapter will be Q/A, so give me some Qs!)
> Q/A: The Next Movement
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Time for Q/A, folks. I'm gonna answer questions that I'd have if I was a reader of this little fanfic.

Will there be a sequel?
Yes and no. I really, really enjoyed writing this one, and I'd like to do more like it. However, I don't like having a lot of continuity between my stories. I may come up with a sequel to this story, but first I'd like to dip my feet in further as far as this genre, and try to add some more mature themes (while avoiding clopfic level stuff, if I can).

What was with your choice in song, and why didn't you use X by Y band?
My choices of songs were very specific, and they were made to fit the scene. The very last song used was one I just couldn't resist using; if Octavia were seducing a piano player, I imagine that's how she'd do it.

How come you didn't use the snooty, fanon Octavia?
I think there's room to improvise on characters. Octavia is always displayed as a high-class snob, and always seems to wind up in fics with Vinyl Scratch. I imagined her as a musician who is completely within her element. Really, this could have been two OCs, but Octavia seemed to fit the bill better than others.

Is Shady Sound a reference to "Slim Shady?"
NO.

Is Octavia your favorite background pony, and that's why you wrote about her?
No, but she was the most accessible and blank-slated character I could think of, and fit the bill of this story idea.

How come Vinyl Scratch wasn't in this?
I don't like dubstep. Actually, it was just because she didn't NEED to be in this story; I might write a similar one about her in the future.

Any advice you could give me?
If you're trying too hard to write, then your writing isn't gonna be good. Write a chapter, read it over, publish it. Then, distance yourself from your writing for a time, unless you're on a HUGE roll.

Who is your favorite of the mane 6/background pony?
Rainbow Dash is my all time favorite, just because she's everything I wish I was; cool, athletic, and extremely confident. Twilight Sparkle ties with her, though, due to the fact that she and I share so much in common. She's not a social butterfly, she's bookish, and something of a geek.

I like a lot of the background ponies; Octavia is obviously one I like. Derpy's gotta be my favorite, though, cliche'd as it is. And Bic Macintosh is just so awesome.

Any other questions you guys have, comment or PM me, and I'll post them here.