> Strings of memories > by Northguard > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Prologue: Records never spin forever > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Octavia was walking home from the concert, she was happy that it had gone well, but sad that Vinyl hadn't been there. She had been away from home for a few days so it was going to be very filthy. When she reached their home she walked up to the mailbox and only found a newspaper. She pulled it out and walked up to the door. A note was attached to it. Under the doormat She pulled up the doormat and found the keys. She unlocked the door and went inside. To her surprise the house was clean, too clean. There was no pizza or chips lying around and no Disc Jockey equipment. "That's strange." Octavia said to herself. "What has gotten into Vinyl?" She walked around looking for Vinyl until she reached the bedroom. Another note. Dear Octavia I'm really sorry for not being there, but they wouldn't let me in. I'm sorry for making your life miserable. I've left for Manehattan and I was kind enough to clean the house before I left. Goodbye. Vinyl Octavia was shocked at this. She didn't expect Vinyl to move out because of this. She sat down on the couch and rolled up the newspaper. She immediately took interest in what was on the front page. Records never spin forever. The famous DJ PON-3 spun her last record yesterday. An interview reveals that has lost all interest in being a DJ. 'So your saying that you have given up on your dream?' 'Yes. Ever since Octavia dumped me I haven't been able to make a new track. I think I'll be leaving for Manehattan tomorrow.' Octavia couldn't take it. She tore the front page of and threw it in the fireplace. She then got a box of matches and burned the page. She pulled out her cello and sat down at the couch. "It's all my fault." she said to herself and began playing a low tone on her cello. > Strings of memories > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Two years later Octavia's life had been more lonely without Vinyl. It was more lonely than Octavia thought. Though she still had Lyra to keep her company it wasn't the same. Vinyl would lighten the mood in every way possible, but Lyra was different. Lyra wasn't as energetic, nor was she that good at cracking jokes. Vinyl's absence caused a dark pit to open in Octavia's heart and nothing could fill it. The day started like it was going to be a "normal" day, but when Octavia read the newspaper she found something that could help get her mind off Vinyl. Grand concert held in Ponyville tomorrow 6 PM 'Just what I need.' Octavia thought. The next day 5:55 PM Octavia had taken her seat on one of the back rows and waited for the concert to start as she counted down the minutes. Then a stallion stepped onto the stage. "Mares and Gentlecolts the moment you've all been waiting for. The grand concert will now start." he said and received a round of applause from the audience as he walked offstage. A small band cellists entered soon after and began playing. The concert went by quickly for Octavia. Nothing stood out and got her to pay attention, but when the concert neared the end a lone mare stepped onto the stage and Octavia sat straight up. There on the stage. That mare. It was Vinyl. She had changed. Her mane was combed nicely and was set up in a bun on the back of her head. She didn't have her signature shades on as her magenta eyes was clear and visible. She was also carrying a violin by her side. She walked to the center of the stage and began playing (without her magic). The sad and long tone that came from the instrument hit Octavia like knife to the heart. It was Nearer my God to thee. The performance went on for a few minutes before the music ended. Vinyl moved the bow away from the violin and spoke into the microphone. "Thank you for coming and have a nice day." she said, but Octavia knew Vinyl enough to know that she was on the verge of tears. Vinyl turned around and walked offstage and without her noticing it Octavia stood up and exited the concert. "Who are you and do you have a reason for seeing Vinyl?" the guard said to Octavia. "Please. Vinyl and I were fillyhood friends and I haven't seen her in two years." Octavia pleaded to the guard. Luckily for her the guard knew she was telling the truth and even better. He was a nice guy. "Fine." he said and turned to the door and knocked. "Miss Vinyl. You have a visitor." he said. "Send him or her in." Vinyl said on the other side of the door. The guard opened the door and Octavia stepped inside. "H-Hello Vinyl." Octavia said almost tearing up immediately. "Octavia? What are you doing here?" Vinyl asked taken aback. "I came to the concert to try and take my mind off you, but then you came onto the stage and here I am." Octavia explained. "You were still thinking about me? Why?" Vinyl asked while untying the bun on her head and letting her mane fall down. "Because I've regretted dumping you ever since I came home and found that note you left me." Octavia said sniffing trying to hold her tears back. "Why would you regret it when it was your decision?" Vinyl asked as anger began to rise in her voice. Octavia didn't answer and instead looked around the room Vinyl used. When she came to a mirror she found Vinyl's signature shades an picked them up. She looked at them as tears came to her eyes. Vinyl walked up to Octavia wanting an answer to her question, but she stopped herself when she saw the tears in Octavia's eyes. "Octavia are you okay?" Vinyl said in confusion, but she couldn't say anything else before Octavia pulled her into a hug. "No i'm not." Octavia said as her tears finally began to flow. "I've missed you so much. Not a day have gone by where I haven't thought about you." she sobbed. "So, so Tavi. It will be alright." Vinyl said while patted Octavia on the back of her head. Octavia stopped sobbing and separated the embrace while looking at Vinyl with a mischievous grin. "Did you just call me 'Tavi'?" she asked. Vinyl's eyes widened. "I didn't even notice." she answered shocked at her own words. Octavia pulled Vinyl into another hug before she gave Vinyl a noogie. When she let go Vinyl's mane was a mess. "Octavia...Do you know how long it took to get it groomed properly?" Vinyl said annoyed. Octavia laughed. "Here let me fix it." she said and began grooming Vinyl's mane with a mischievous smile. When she finished Vinyl's mane wasn't well set up like before. Instead it was electric. Octavia picked Vinyl's shades and placed them over Vinyl's closed eyes. "There. That's better." Octavia said as she finished giving Vinyl's tail the electric look like her mane had. Vinyl opened her eyes to find everything in a shade of purple and a realization look crossed her face. "Octavia. You didn't." she said and walked up to the mirror. "You look better like that." Octavia said with a confident smile, but the smile vanished when she saw Vinyl picking up a brush with her magic. "Oh no you don't." she reacted quickly and grabbed the brush before it made contact with Vinyl's mane. "Octavia! Give it back!" Vinyl said angrily. Octavia ignored her and walked up to her and put her hoof on Vinyl's cheek. "No Vinyl. Who I saw on the stage earlier wasn't you. This is you Vinyl." she said. "But I haven't played any wubs in two years." Vinyl said as tears began to form in her eyes. "Vinyl don't hold your tears. Just let them flow. I know you. You have kept them inside for too long." Octavia said as she took Vinyl's shades off to see the watery eyes. She then pulled Vinyl into a hug encouraging Vinyl to let the tears come and the tears came only seconds later. Vinyl cried like someone close to her had just passed on and she continued to cry for what felt like hours while in reality it was ten minutes. Vinyl eventually went dry on tears and the hug separated. "Feel better?" Octavia asked putting the shades back on Vinyl's face. Vinyl only nodded in response. "Don't give me that. Give me a real answer. Show me that you're the Vinyl I know." Octavia said serious. "Yes..." Vinyl squeaked. "Okay then. If you won't give me a real answer I gonna have to tell everypony what you did at the Gala three years ago." Octavia said with an evil grin. "WHAT?! Octy you wouldn't do THAT would you?!?!?!" Vinyl shouted knowing what Octavia was talking about. "There's the Vinyl I know. Took you long enough. I also heard you say 'Octy' unless my hearing has started fading." Octavia teased. "Octy...There was no need to go that far." Vinyl replied annoyed. "Oh? Did I do something illegal?" Octavia replied innocently. "No.." Vinyl muttered. "Are you saying I should forget all about it?" Octavia continued. "The law requires that I answer 'no'." Vinyl said. "Then come on. You need to come home." Octavia said as she walked to the door. "Or you could stay here." she said as she walked out. Octavia walked away from the room and went on her way home. Before she made half the way she heard shouting behind her. "Octy! Wait up!" Vinyl shouted as she ran to catch up. "Glad you decided to stay with me." Octavia said as she gave Vinyl a smooch on the cheek.