Ostinato Diminuendo.

A cautionary tale....

Written by PacifistDoodl3r...

Once there was a cup filling with coffee, the dark brown liquid poured into a white mug that had a purple treble clef cutie mark engraved into it. Once the coffee machine emptied, a grey earth pony was too lazy to tell if the coffee was even hot. Picking up the mug with a tired hoof, she takes a slow sip as the cold beverage within gradually disappeared with each subtle gulp. Octavia didn't like her coffee cold but she felt lazy and didn't care. Her eyes darted up from her cup, over the counter, and noticed Vinyl leaning against the wall- tilting her head with interest at Octavia.

With her free hoof, Octavia gave a little wave and left the kitchen. There, laid her cello case prompted up against the black sofa that tempted the instrumentalist to practice. She takes a quick sip of the coffee before placing it down on the small table next to her. Sitting down on the sofa felt comfy and soft; as it was custom made from the Carousel Boutique. Vinyl got this huge present for their third anniversary. Octavia quickly glanced over to where Vinyl was standing but the white unicorn disappeared.

She simply shrugged it off and turned her head to gaze upon her cello case. Octavia and Vinyl named their instruments after one another. Vinyl Scratch claims to have the best name; Mini-’Tavi, named after her pet name for Octavia... Tavi’. Vinyl has a portable DJ booth, it makes every party slightly better. Octavia sometimes argues that her instrument has a better name.

The mare shifts across the cushions until she's within forlegs length of the cello case. Octavia pulls it over the arm of the sofa and slides it right next to her, making a squeaky noise. She brushes a hoof against the hardened plastic with scratches and dents, feeling the bumpy grain texture from her case. Slowly, her hoof gingerly clicks open the broken latch and ignores the annoying sound of the almost rusted hinges. Gravity takes control of the other side and forces it open. There it was, her prized possession. It was a beautiful golden brown that shimmered in the light. Each string was made from tough steel, it was perfectly aligned across and appeared to have no wilting on the bridge.

Octavia carefully lifted up the end of the cello that was facing her and peered underneath to check on the gold plated name that read,

“O+V=<3”.

It made her cringe but smile at the thought of getting a professional to inscribe that into her instrument, although she was questioned about the legitimacy of ownership.

She got up from the her seat, leveled the cello to her height, and softly pressed down on the C-string. She lets out a small sigh before reaching for her bow, encased in a plastic covering with a button to take it out. The bow was weighty and she noticed how faded the silver paint on it was getting. It has wear marks all around it, knowing she'd have to get a new bow touched her with dejection. She carelessly tossed her bow on the sofa where she was sitting and made her way to the room. The hallway was white and grand, lit with three glass chandeliers that couldn't even be touched within jumping height; unless you were a certain eccentric pink pony. The hallway had pictures, they framed past concerts and many were of them hanging out with fans. Octavia walked on the long and narrow dark purple rug that looked marvelous, yet was a pain to vacuum. She casually took her time walking down the bright passage to her room.

Passing the closet, she took two paces back to open it. Her hoof quickly grabbed the knob and swung open the space with umbrellas, boardgames, art supplies, and boxes with miscellaneous items inside. It was quite difficult to ignore the broken trusses, holding up the chandeliers above the hallway, fruitlessly assisted by a spiderweb.

Closing the creaky door, surprised the small slam didn't wake up the cracked truss, she finished making her trip to the room and knocks on the door. Without a response, Octavia opens the door and looks for Vinyl.

Their room was big but smaller than the living room. It had a dark blue carpet floor, and light pink walls. Their dressers were next to the Princess Sized bed, one on each side. The left dresser was baby blue with black drawers, and the right was dark grey with pink drawers. The bed itself was comically made to have one side of the blanket blue and white, and the other side grey and black. Octavia turned her head to see the coat rack, it had Vinyl’s black goggles. The purple lenses were turned off so that it didn't glow when they weren't being used.

The rest of the room was filled with trophies, memorabilia, random stuff such as a giant teddy bear as well. But most importantly, Mini-Tavi was right in front of their bed, the power button was blinking a muted red from low battery. There were dozens of buttons and switches that Octavia dare not mess with. She's afraid Vinyl’s pride and joy may explode by pressing anything, this was obviously her not knowing what a DJ station really was other than it makes remixes and composes music. A bright mellow feeling.

A few feet next to the master bathroom where the sound of showering was heard, is their door to the backyard. They had one window near Vinyl’s side of the bed, with dark pink curtains.

Octavia can feel the hot steam from behind the bathroom door, it slightly irritated her. She goes to the window, unlocks the hatches, and opens it so the hot steam can float outside. Curiously, the purple eyed mare stands on her hind legs and takes a glimpse outside through the window. She wasn't used to be seeing the elegant city of Canterlot, since she moved with Vinyl a while back. There wasn't much to see from the outskirts of town other than the old Princess’s castle appearing in the distance. It wasn't a pretty sight, the place became abandoned and now it decays on the side of a mountain; ready to match the one deep within the Everfree Forest. Other houses were spread out and away from one another, much less cramped than downtown Canterlot. Ponies were going about their day, mostly unicorns. Even though Octavia and Vinyl were celebrities, nobody went out of their was to harm them.

This oddly reposeful life was hard to get used to. Octavia missed the random knocks on her door from random ponies or the everyday chaos that happened on the streets. She then blissfully watched the beautiful blue sky and many birds quickly fly past her view.

She was lost in the moment and felt the morning breeze that hit her fur with wind that spoke of ice cold whispers against her forelegs. Yet, this morning sensation distracted her.

*CLICK* *CREAK*

Winds howled as the weather picked up. Luckily for the town, this wasn't a Wendigo’s calling. They trained themselves to detect any sign of an early winter.

Octavia shut the window with ease, not sensing the weird sudden heat behind her.

“Hey, ‘Tavi!” Vinyl called from behind, startling Octavia and causing her to shake a little.

“Oh- what is it? Please don't do that,” she replies as she turns around to face her mare-friend, “you nearly spooked me there.”

“So- the water is hotter than usual, is that okay?” The blue haired unicorn raises a brow before opening the bathroom door even more, “Come on, I know you want to!” She gives Octavia a warm smug as her light pink eyes squint to compel even further.

“I don't feel like showering with you today,” Octavia sighs, “just not in the mood- I'm not upset or anything... I'm anxious for the mail-pony to come.”

Vinyl emits a bright blue glow around her horn and uses her magic to playfully tug at Octavia’s tail, “You sure?”

“Quite. Want to go get coffee after you shower? I think our machine broke?”

“Oh yeahh- I've been meaning to tell you about that! But, sure, I'm down for some you and me time... like this shower invitation!”

“Vinyl, sweetie, Marshmallow...”

“mHmM?”

“Go take a shower, I'll wait.”

“Well, suit yourself.” With that, Vinyl goes in the bathroom and locks the door behind her. Almost immediately, the shower was on.

Octavia exited the bedroom and trotted her way back to the living room. Going to the sofa, and moving her cello case and neatly putting away the bow as well. Making room to sit down. There, she waited patiently for her mail to arrive.

She anxiously eyed the mailbox through the window, feeling her heart beat with anticipation. But the mail-pony didn't show up. Maybe they were running a little late? Octavia waited minutes before she heard the running water turn off. She backed away from the window and grabbed her coffee with a hoof, attempting to finish it despite how terrible it tasted. Moments later, dripping noises followed and Vinyl, with a towel on her head, enters the kitchen.

“Hey, Tavi, would you be ready in twenty minutes or so?” Her back was turned, scrounging for anything to eat in the cabinets, finally settling on a hay-protein bar.

“Oh? Twenty? I'm pretty much ready to leave right now...” Octavia gave a weak smile as Vinyl raised an eyebrow from her appearance.

“Uhm, you kind of look like a mess?” Vinyl gestured a hoof at Octavia’s hair and shadow eye bags.

“I look beautiful -bloody beautiful, thank you very much.”

“Yeah you do!” Vinyl sauntered over to her mare-friend and stroked her dark brown mane, “Who DARES to disagree?” Then she softly kissed her, “Your breath smells like roasted morning brew- or whatever it's called.”

“Guilty~”, Octavia took another sip of coffee, finishing the cup. “Hey... mind if you...” before she knew it, Vinyl had disappeared, “...put this in the sink for me?”

Awkwardly getting up from her comfortable position, she places the empty mug in the sink; planning to wash it later. She walks down the long hallway with small puddles, trying to avoid slipping. Eventually she drew near to their room,

*KNOCK*

‘Wait, why am I knocking?’ She questioned herself. Giving a small chuckle as she entered inside. Her eyes immediately shot at Vinyl, seemingly fixing her portable DJ booth.

“What's wrong with it now?” Octavia craned her neck and stood tall to get a better look but Vinyl got up and suspiciously blocked her vision.

“Oh- uh- nothing! I'm just...” her eyes looked up, avoiding eye contact, “...it's nothing really-” she let out a deep sigh before her eyes met back with Octavia, “You have our initials on your cello; I thought it'd be cool if I done the same thing?”

Octavia couldn't help but feel flushed and rub a hoof over her red cheek. “Vinyl, that sounds adorable.” She curiously peeks at the small engraving etched by a screwdriver. “Wouldn't that ruin the metal design... frame wear.... sound wave-”

“That has nothing to do with the exterior of this!” Vinyl could barely hold in her laughter, “Babe, do me a favor and point to the mixer?”

“I'm not making a fool of myself.”

“Come on- please- just please!”

“Can't believe I'm doing this... I'm going to get this wrong but...” Octavia looks at the complicated buttons and controls but her eyes fixate on the discs, “...the place where you turn the discs?”

“Kek-ha ha- no! That's the turntable! Okay- there's the mixer,” Vinyl places a hoof on a slider nob and slowly pulls it down, “the entire area is, actually.”

“This looks like something made for you. I'm going to stick with ‘every giant bunny deserves food’, and my ’failing anything creates enemies’. Thanks for teaching me something new about the... booth? I appreciate our initials on there. It's... very sweet.”

It was Vinyl’s turn to blush. Although, she was awfully better at hiding it.

“Are you going to get ready or... are we not going out?” Vinyl changed the subject to Octavia’s dismay. Not purposely, though. Her tone sounded playful but slightly serious.

“Yes, yes of course. Have you seen my brush?” Octavia walks towards the bathroom and catches a glimpse of her reflection through the mirror.

Before she could reach their bathroom door, a hoof lightly held her shoulder to stop her. Vinyl gave her a smirk.

“W-what?” Octavia turned to face her mare-friend but her face nearly gets hit with the brush. Luckily, she backed up before it actually made contact with her.

“Oops- sorry for that! Here, you left it in the laundry basket!” Vinly waved Octavia’s brush and gave it to her by levitating it with her light blue magic.

“Oh, hey thanks!” Octavia quickly entered the bathroom and shut the door. She heard a tiny, ‘Of course!’ from Vinyl in response.

The light grey mare examined herself in the mirror, feeling a little gross about her looks. She had barely visible bags under her eyes, her hair was a storm of dryness and small blades of grass. With age, her dark black hair became lighter over the years. Octavia was in her late twenties - early thirties and felt content with her appearance.

Holding the brush with a hoof, she picked it up and leaned over the sink. Turning on the faucet, and feeling satisfied with the cold stream of silky water that ran down her mane. The white blades of grass, and what else may have been hiding, fell into the bottomless hole below. She was ready to go-

*CLINK*

“Ahhh, mother-bucker bloody cow-hunt!” She slowly pulls her head out from the sink and backed away.

“Are you good?” Vinyl asked from outside, Octavia let out a simple ‘mhMm’ before opening the door. “Watch your mouth... it may make me blush even more.” She gave Octavia a butterfly kiss and left to go wait in the living room. Almost immediately after she left, Vinyl echoed down the hall, “Tavi’! The mail-stallion is here- just as you were about to lose hope!”

Octavia’s ears flicked to the side and she dropped the brush in her excitement to speed outside. Just a second ago she was swearing at the sink but now, one sentence turned her into a small filly, getting her first violin. This musical mare momentarily took a second to look at pictures and gifts from fans down her hallway walls. On shelves, or framed in an elegant manner. Vinyl didn't like showing her presents on display;

‘What are they? Decorations? I'd be pretty upset if my gifts were put up for show- but hey, I'm not one to judge’. Vinyl’s words were never forgotten by Octavia. And they respected eachother’s preferences.

Eloquently, the long hallway went by in a blur as she entered the living room. She went into a near full gallop, only stopping to unlock the front door. Her hoof clicked the lock open and quickly twisted the knob just as the earth pony outside was sliding something into the mail box, and raising the orange flag.

He was a fair looking middle-aged stallion, a bit taller than Octavia with well defined shoulder muscles, he had milk white fur with a grey highlight around his ears, and had a short dark brown mane that peeked through his blue cap. Closer inspection shown his torn hat with scabs of the first layer of cloth rubbing through it, his courier bag was brown and slightly worn out too with duct tape along the straps every few spaces. His scar along his left eye and neck almost distracted Octavia from noticing his flask being stuffed into the bag.

“urgh, good evening ms. melody.” He quietly said, finishing his delivery by closing the mailbox slit.

Ignoring the artic air blowing against her fur, she approached him, giving him a friendly smile, “Soon to be MRS Scratch!” She piped up, almost diminishing any sign of her posh accent.

He only closed his eyes and nodded, “that’s good news to hear,” Taking a second to briefly smile before abruptly saying, “just about made my day.” Under his breath. Waving a hoof goodbye to her; the stallion halfheartedly tilted his head, looking behind Octavia to wave again. He left before she could say goodbye back but she knew he had a lot more work to do.

Taking a few steps until she was face to face with it, she slowly places a hoof where it was just closed. The mailbox door creaked as a few envelopes threatened to pour out, only barely getting saved by an instinctive hoof reaching out. Octavia skimmed the small stack that was now in her hooves, until one out of the six envelopes caught her eye. Through the sunlight, she saw things within her gift; a letter. Not only did it have her name written on it- albeit, with poor hoof writing- this had a hoofsy on it. This was a candy red coloured stamp from the ‘Countess Coloratura’ concert collaboration years before she changed her stage name to simply ‘Rara’.

A huge smile spread across her face, one that only happens when a foal sends her a letter. Octavia gathers the other envelopes and glides inside her house with glee.

On her way inside, closing their door behind her, she nonchalantly canters past Vinyl.

“Whatcha’ got there? hmm?”

“Our files for adopting a foal. Forgot to tell you.”

They both share a laugh at that. Octavia places the rest of the papers on the counter, clinging on to hers. She looked up at Vinyl, still transfixed on her envelope, then side eyed the coffee machine.

“Oh yeah- I'm ready to leave. I'm just going to go to the room, and i'll be ready shortly afterwards-”

“And here I thought I'm usually the one taking the longest to get ready?” Vinyl picked up a dark blue, fluffy scarf and wore it.

“Is that really going to protect you against the outside chill?”

“Ain't nothing but a little breeze, Tavi’!”

“I just been outside and it's chilly. Wear a hat or something, please.”

“I'll be fine, don't worry!”

“Bae, I mean it- actually, you know what... I'll just get ready.”

Vinyl raised her brow, “More ready than you already are?”

Octavia slowly shook her head before leaving to their room. Her stroll down the hallway seemed quicker than usual. It was probably her perception of time changing because she's going somewhere.

As she reached for the door nob, her hoof reached out and dropped the envelope.

‘Did I seriously forget I was holding this?’, Octavia blushed and looked down the hallway behind her to see if Vinyl saw. Content with nopony watching, she scooped up the letter.

“Think you're slick, bae?” Vinyl sidled up to Octavia, nearly giving the mare a heart attack.

Octavia let out a nervous chuckle, then walked up to her dresser, picking out her pink neck bow from one of the drawers.

Vinyl observed her mare-friend’s routine and silently leaned against the door frame.

“Do you know who the letter thingy is from?”

But Octavia pulled out a makeup set from underneath their bed. Rummaging through the box until she found a small stick of mascara.

“What if it's from a stalker? How would we deal with something like that?”

The grey mare continued to look through the box, trying to look for something else. Octavia let out a sigh of relief, revealing an eye shadow pallette kit. Then she got up and headed towards the bathroom.

“You may have overlooked something in the letter! Take a second-” Vinyl darted her eyes to the envelope, now resting on their bed. ‘I don't remember her placing it down there...’ . She shrugged it off, assuming she wasn't really paying attention anyways.

Vinyl Scratch sat on their bed and watched as the trees fought against harsh weather outside. She didn't mind waiting for her mare-friend, in fact, as much as she loved the company; a little time to herself felt nice every once in a while. The sky was a dark grey, from what she could see inside her room. Clouds blanketed the air above Canterlot. Unlike Octavia, she didn't really take in the beauty of nature. Though, she does observe her surroundings. Every now and then, ponies would walk past their house and disappear from her view. They were nothing but dark silhouettes that gaited by, never to be seen again. After a while, she felt inpatient, quietly humming a song to herself. She had no idea what the song was called but the repeating chorus was catchy. Her hum slurred into a sentence, the first sentence spoken in a while.

“Octi’, how long will it be for you to finish up?” Her question broke the silence.

“In about... I don't know- six minutes!”

Vinyl sighed, getting up to leave and look for her mail. She eyed Octavia’s letter, and kept her gaze on it until she left the room. Minutes later, the sink turned on. The burbling rush of water cut short moments later.

The bathroom door creaked open and Octavia yawned, still barely waking up. Her eyes landed on the envelope on their bed, questioning whether or not to read it before going out. She picked it up with a hoof and stared at it, her mind drawing a blank.

She studied the envelope and the letter inside, excited to read it; but the question was... when? She was about to open it with her teeth- just to check on it. But she sensed someone in the room.

“You look beautiful! We're going out for coffee, not a five horseshoe rated restaurant.” Vinyl circled Octavia and admired her looks.

Octavia’s eyelashes were noticeably bigger, with dark magenta eyeshadow. Her mane was curled and styled, almost looking as if a professional helped her out. She dawned a pair of hooped ear rings, these ear rings make diamonds feel like last week's news, they will mercilessly eat anyone's bits until it turns them into processed baby food that foals spit up.

“You know I just have to look modest.” She laughs, covering her mouth.

“Well, you look great anyway- let's go.” Vinyl grabbed her goggles off of the coat rack and gave Octavia her coat.

Octavia slid on her dark purple peacoat and adjusted it around comfortably. By the time she was ready, Vinyl was gone.

‘Why does she do this?”’, a rhetorical question she asks herself every time.

By the time she got down the hall, she turned to see her mare-friend open the door- then immediately shut it.

*SLAM*

“Tavi, y-yeah so... you're right.” Vinyl gave a small chuckle before walking up to Octavia and unbutton her peacoat. Taking it for herself-

“W-what? Hey! You bucking thief! Not again! Unhoof me- stop that... it tickles!” Before she can say ‘sweet roll’, her fur was suddenly chilled and made her react.

“Some whacky weather is out there. You sure you want to go get coffee? Can we go to the theater or sum’? Oh- indoors, of course?”

“Straight to the theatre?” She noticed the deserted mug, “Can we please get coffee along the way; I need my redemption!” Octavia struggled to put on her extra coat, it was only noticeably tighter every time she raised a foreleg.

“Where'd you get that one?” Vinyl noticed the hook rack with spare jackets, “Oh.. why do I forget it's always there.”

The jacket Octavia put on was dark grey with white trims and if you look closer, a few stitches with string sticking out. Octavia sighed, “How do I look?”

Vinyl shrugged and adjusted the jacket on Octavia, “You'd look better with this coat on but uh- I don't think anypony would pay attention to what you're wearing? Not really?”

Octavia glanced back at her slightly more revealed flank, slowly swayed her mane, and gave Vinyl a dubious glare.

“Tavi- I thought you were confident, ‘bloody beautiful’, you said earlier.” Vinyl gave a sheepish smirk after the impression.

“Ohh they will take pictures- won't they... paparazzi... the crowd! This isn't even a planned event- we just show up and play!” Octavia heaved quick breaths and darted her eyes around the living room. Noise was drained and a drawn out ringing was all she could listen to. She took a step back and tried to shut her eyes- but it wouldn't stop! A sharp thumping punched inside of her chest. Her head hurt and she felt whiteness. White pain was all that existed- she felt...

She felt a hoof touch her shoulder.

Octavia opened her eyes to Vinyl giving her a reassuring smile. Her mare-friend broke the dreadful silence after the ringing tamed,

“Do.”

Octavia attempted to take a deep breath but it shook her, “R-re...”

“Mi.”

She put a hoof over the one on her shoulder and rubbed it, “Fa...”

“Sol.”

“La”

“Ti-”

“Hun, I can't sing that high.” They take a second to breathe before laughing their haunches off for a moment.

“Honestly, will you be okay?” Vinyl gently brushed Octavia’s mane behind her ear and stared deeply into her eyes.

“Mhm!” Octavia affirmed by quickly nodding.

“Do you want to switch coats?”

“No- I'm okay, I just need... I'd like... I'd like an iced decaf-caramel-macchiato.”

“Decaf? You're joking?”

“Vin Vin, shhhh!”

“Alright - don't you dare offer to pay, the bits are on me!”

“...oh, of course.”

With the cold weather, high winds accompanied it soon after. Their manes were flames on dry wood that blew with the wind and partially blinded them. They weren't even on the porch. Leaves hovered past and twirled with a passion for dancing through howling air.

Octavia ignored her unrestrained hair and looked to Vinyl, who surprisingly, put hers up in a bun.

“You look like a Canterlot guard... never really seen your hair up!”

“Maybe because I like it down!?” Vinyl stepped off of the porch steps and made her way to the path on their lawn.

“Hey- wait up! Your mane looks amazing no matter the style!”

“I'm flattered- but you're a really slow walker!”

Octavia picked up her gait and leveled with Vinyl on the street, going downhill. The city grew bigger, despite gust of dust obscuring the horizon.

Even though the brown maned mare with a seemingly chill disposition sweetly accompanied Vinyl, the wub loving unicorn saw through her mare-friend’s face. She started to slow down in hopes to spark up conversation.

“Vinyl? Is something the matter?” Octavia leaned in close to her as they slowed their pace.

“Earlier, you had another one of your attacks and I wanted to know if you're going to be okay. Why are you acting so casual- you don't have to feel so composed around me. It's okay, bae.”

“I'm fine! You know, back there I was acting how I normally act. Nothing is wrong! I'm okay, Marshmallow.”

Vinyl was silent, "She's hiding more than what she's letting on... I think.". Her mind wanted to ignore any sign of Octavia keeping something from her. But it's never that simple. Vinyl stopped her, “You said no more secrets!”

A few ponies briefly turned to stare but continued to walk along, ignoring the couple.

Octavia hushed and motioned to a bench next to them, “I swear I'm okay, nothing is up.” Her muzzle scrunched. Vinyl brushed a hoof through the cellist's hair for reassurance.

“Well, that's new. I believe you... and your snout.” She booped Octavia and got up from the bench. “Whatever, lets continue I guess.”

“And now you are the one with problems-”

“Ah ha! You do have unspoken issues! Just please talk to me, Tavi!”

“I never said I had anything on my mind! I'm totally okay!”

“You're lying! Look at your nose!”

“Vin, it... does this at random!”

“Again!”

“Okay, bloody Tatarus, we will talk about what is going on with you when we aren't in public!”

“What's going on with me!? This started because you will not explain to me-”

A camera flash was heard, followed by a few more snaps.

“Guys, look! Octavia and DJ Pon-3!” A stallion bellowed in front of the two.

Vinyl rolled her eyes and shrugged, “Coffee?”

A quick response from the beautifully dressed mare was next, “Definitely!” Not a second later, they scurried down the street.

“I would like a... hmm... an iced decaf-caramel-macchiato. Actually, no caramel added.” Octavia gave a weak smile to the mare on the counter with a pen and paper that nearly slipped from her hoof. She can only blink at the order.

The café was more of a cake shop but they had soul replenishing coffee. It was small but shielded from the wind... and unwelcomed attention.

“CHAI! WHAT'S TAKING SO LONG?” A voice boomed from the kitchen.

The tan pony couldn't peel her eyes off of Octavia, “N- y- I- uhm!”

“I'M COMING OUT THERE!”

“I forgot my pen! That's all! Quiet, Joe!” She shook her head and scrambled to write, “Would that be it?”

Octavia looked at Vinyl who sat at a table for two. She gave a small nod and handed Octavia a small bag of bits.

Octavia sorted the bits and gave a warm smile, “Mhm!”

The cashier was about to tell how much bits the coffee equaled to, but Octavia knew this too well. With a swift hoof, the money was gone.

“Sit tight!” Chai momentarily disappeared to the back of the store and waited for another customer.

The two sat across the other on a small glass table that was barely out of view from the window, away from any curious eyes. They took turns awkwardly looking at the other.

“So, Vinny...” Octavia started, breaking the silence, “ ...our other instruments are at the theatre?”

“Yeah, the one close by here... not all the way back at Ponyville.”

“Oh good riddance!” Octavia let out a small chuckle but soon died down once she realized Vinyl looked upset.

Her brows furrowed with a slight frown, glaring right back at the cellist.

Sensing a wound she caused her mare-friend, Octavia let out a quiet whimper and slumped over.

Finding something to distract herself, the light grey pony diverted her attention to the outside world. More specifically, what she could see of it fron the view.

Mostly the busy street with ponies moving right to left and from left to right. All she could make out were their muted rainbow coloured fur and more often than not, their horns. Everypony’s silhouette kept Octavia distracted.

She smelled the strong aroma of steaming coffee, the smell most café’s have. Some piano music played in the background on a gramophone, complete with some scratches and noise grain. Octavia was lost with her thoughts, though, nothing was on her mind. Nothing that didn't make her feel uneasy.

Taking a peek at Vinyl, her mare-friend was peeling open small creamer cups and drinking them. The tip of her hoof was quietly rubbing the paper flap, until it dripped out the vanilla flavored milk. Once she felt Octavia stare, she stopped.

Octavia's heart was thumping, her words escaped any formed sentence from her thoughts. “Listen, I am-”

“It's ready.” Vinyl cut her off, motioning over to the counter with her order.

The grey mare left, grabbing her hot beverage and Vinyl followed after pushing in their once occupied chairs.

A quiet walk there made the situation worse- both of them paying no mind to the other. The air madr them shiver; usually that would've lead to a conversation about how they have it easier in Saddle Arabia.

Minutes passed and when they got there, they entered the auditorium together. Ponies cheered for them, while making their way backstage. To Octavia, it all happened so quick- everything was a blur.

The sky was a dark purple with barely visible clouds. The abstract swirls and twists made the scene majestic. Octavia caught herself in a trance, longingly studying above her.

Something nudged her shoulder, it broke the strange spell she was in.

“Can you unlock the door? Come on- are you okay? Tavi?” A voice was drowned out by a high pitched ringing, digging into her head.

She turned to see Vinyl waiting behind her, idle, with a hoof rubbing her head.

Something clicked in Octavia's ears, giving the gift of sound back. She blinked. Slowly trying to grasp what had happened. The door was open and before she knew it, her bedroom felt welcoming and she stared at an orange object in hoof.

Reality tried to stitch together what made sense- but this weird feeling didn't phase Octavia. In her other hoof, a bottle was held.

She rattled the orange object, placing down the bottle once noticing her hooves were full. A smaller object naturally rolled on her left hoof- or was it her right?

Quickly, it went into her mouth. She took the bottle and eagerly drank. A cold liquid took the small object and forced her to gulp three times until nothing was left.

Octavia looked both ways, realizing she was in her bathroom, in front of a tired reflection with bags under her eyes, complete with a frizzy mane.

She slowly put down the pill bottle and water, trying not to question what happened earlier today. Despite the confusion and headache, Octavia left the bathroom dimming the lights before she picked up the letter on her dresser.

Semicolon;

Opening the letter, and putting aside the envelope, she was met with sloppy hoof-writing that said,

To: Octavia Melody from ButtonMash!
4p877 PonyVille

The huge hoofsy caught her attention but she assumed it'll be brought up in the letter. Sitting on the bed, she quietly read it in her head.

Hi! I am so nervous writing this- but here I go anyway. I'm ButtonMash- a somepony who is just a huge fan. My little sister used to drag us to your concerts and at first I wasn't big on classical music, you know? But sadly, after my parents split up I watched you perform because of that connection I had with my sister. Anyways, a while ago I got an autograph from Rara that one time you collaborated. I cut it around it and glued it on this paper. You're amazing! And I'm going to forever be a fan!
-ButtonMash

“Aww.” She smiled, enjoying this lovely addition to her collection.

The metal cabinet door squeaked, countless fan memorabilia were neatly organized inside. Her newest letter joined in.

Vinyl was out like a sleepy kitten, waiting for her mare-friend to get a well deserved rest. And Octavia felt more than glad to oblige.

It tasted terrible, her morning hair. She accidentally glided her tongue over a strand that was stubbornly glued to her mouth. Slanted eyes, leisurely and worn out, focused on the blue wall that warped in front of view.

“...Hey my gorgeous marshmallow...” She started, with a scratchy voice that barked within her throat.

With a hoof rub, Octavia was met with Vinyl’s back turned. A small shaken sigh followed suit. The grey mare unraveled her side of the blanket, tempting fate by steadily scooting out of bed.

She nudged the rest of the blanket closer to Vinyl. The small corner hanging off the bed was shortly lifted over and prevented any cold air from disturbing her mare-friend. It draped over, a shield, that protected Vinyl from the elements.

Although Octavia didn't plan to go anywhere, plans do change. Like yesterday how they decided to go to the coffee shop on a whim. The grey mare hazily opened and closed the bathroom door, disappearing behind it. A light shone underneath the fair crack, where a shadow swayed and danced with the yellow illuminated room. Minutes pass, and a flush was heard, just in time for Vinyl to groggily sit up and adjust her eyes.

Octavia pushed the door open with her free hoof, brushing her teeth with the other.

“Babe.” Vinyl, calm as a sloth, turned her head towards her mare-friend.

“Oh? Did I wake you? So sorry!”

Vinyl gave a small nod and eyed Octavia's tooth brush, “When was the last time you even visited Minuette?”

“A-out ‘ou ‘onths ago!” The sawing and scraping noise from her teeth sounded satisfying to hear for Vinyl. Octavia turned away to spit in the sink.

“We should totally make a track from teeth brushing noises...”

“Do you mean tooth brushing noises?”

“Whatever ‘Tavi.”

Minutes later, the two found themselves on the couch, Octavia resting her head on Vinyl. The day was slow and even with so many things to do... there was nothing. They sat on the couch forever, and not a single idea of what to do next light bulb’d. It was the weekend where they can relax and take a small break from entertaining other ponies- but there's got to be something to do.

But nothing happened.
The sky got lighter as the early morning evolved into a brighter day. Sunlight shone through their home, reflecting off the refrigerator that resided in the shadows. Octavia can barely make out the mirrored versions of them; so dark and yet... it perfectly displayed another universe.

More silence bewteen them, only enjoying the company.

“Have you been taking your pills?” A dry, cautioned question finally escaped from Vinyl’s mouth.

“Of course I have. But- but they don't really help that much. Eating a cookie eases my anxiety more than those fakes.”

“Oh right, cookies, the only real placebo that helps.”

“So, you think those prescribed waste of bits are dumb too?”

“Octi’, I- I... don't know what you're going through because I never been... you know- like this?”

Octavia gave a small nod and sinks lower, frowning at the direction this conversation turned.

The damper vibe started to wash over Vinyl. “Whatever you do. Stop taking them or continue... I'll love you- I'll make sure you know that!”

“Yeah, I love you too.” Octavia scrunched her face, attempting to hold back any tears. She noticed how curled up in a ball she was. Taking a glimpse at the kitchen, she sighs, “Can I walk to the soda corner?”

“The cheap pub place? Where all the ponies like you hang out?”

“...Wealthy living cheap?”

“Exactly that-”

“...mhm.” Octavia props her head up and nods.

“Purse is in the bathroom-” Vinyl gently stroked the grey mare’s mane, “-you sure you'll be okay?”

“To clear my head. I'll be back in two hours or less. Promise.” Octavia gets up and takes her beanie and keys off of the coat rack, looking back at Vinyl who was leaning over the cushions.

“If any weirdo tries to act strange towards you- show them you bite!”

“Yes, yes, I won't even give a warning either.” She locked the door behind her as the grey, misty atmosphere greeted her right outside.

The front lawn was nice and trimmed, having a personal gardener-pony tend the place every few days. It took some getting used to. Their house in Ponyville wasn't as nice but they both know the fine estate beats having to get their hooves dirty and feel exhausted for a while afterwards.

Octavia examined her hair and realized how much of a life saver the beanie was. Leaving the house without brushing her mane, in a casual outfit, without showering for a day... it wasn't her. Yet- she didn't seem to care and promised herself that it's okay to be unprofessional for one day.

‘Tomorrow, regular routine.’ She thought to herself, as she observed the empty street and slightly shivered after a gust of wind blew by.

Her first few hoofsteps crunched leaves that drifted along the serene breeze, momentarily startling her. A dog's barking and the faint morning crickets complimented the still ambient grey.

Soda Corner was only a few blocks away. Octavia measured the distance there in her head, wary of the fact she's by herself. The mare was abashed by how far she got from her home.

Two metres.

After a few breaths of reassurance, she treaded along the empty street. Her neighbors rarely came outside, seeing as they were an older pair who lived in Canterlot for ages. Octavia heard stories from ponies about how time moved on and they slowly resided into their home every day. She often thought about the future. What her and Vinyl plan was once they retire from producing and performing music. Her thoughts came to a close as she noticed the dead rose bush from the elderly couple. Oddly enough, the wilted roses were a minor detail that only ruined the vibrant garden if you allowed them too.

Octavia frowned at the once beautiful plant, succumbing to the lack of care it received. She ignored it, trying to dispel the somber feeling it gave her, continuing to walk towards the more densely populated side of the city. Her hooves clinked on the polished cobblestone road, until meeting a nicely paved sidewalk. The air smelt of smoke and expensive perfume, forcing the cellist to hold back a cough. She quickly made her way to the pub and ducked her head, surprised nopony recognized her.

Chatter broke the relative silence that surrounded Octavia. Her eyes darted around the room for a place she could sit. A white earth pony mare with a yellow poofy mane got up from the bar seat and began to leave. She avoided her and made it to the open spot, taking a short breath of relief.

She surveyed the pub. It was filled with ponies eating, drinking, talking on rustic wooden table booths. The place wasn't that big, having the capacity of fifty creatures at a time. To her, everyone was a shadow. Dark silhouettes all around that moved time to time; that is, if she's not paying attention to them. The unknown pony next to her disappeared and that's when the bartender noticed her.

The stallion looked both ways before taking out the pen and sticky note.

In a hushed voice, he finally talks, “Octavia? Octavia Melody? I'll be darned... what will it be?”

“A vani-” her throat refused to open, causing her to exhale and clear the morning phlegm, “-a vanilla cherry cider, please... and thanks.” Octavia checked her back where her saddlebag is usually draped over. Judgmental thoughts started to beat her up, ‘You left the purse at home! How tired are you!? You're a literal piece of soggy toast! Absolute rubbish! Ordering without any money- any bits! What's wrong with you!?’

She was ready to make her exit on the spot, right there and then. Nothing close to this had made her so mortified before. The bartender pieced his eyes at her, but then tilted his head and looked past her shoulder. Raising an eyebrow at something.

“Another one, both are on me.” A brown hoof dramatically slams down on the bar, to the right of Octavia. Bits slide towards the bartender as the stallion turns to face her.

“Good morning. It's nice to see a familiar face from Ponyville, Mr. Rich.” Octavia tried to look back at him but couldn't.

“Nice it is, Ms. Melody. Nice it is.” He coughed, as if to adjust his voice.

“Well- Mrs. Melody, actually?” She nervously chuckled in response.

“Hm? I didn't hear you? No, I really didn't hear any... did you say mrs?” Filthy Rich shook his head and quizzically studied Octavia.

“Well, yes. I may be getting married.” She shrunk, twiddling her hooves, losing any confidence she was trying to gain from eye contact.

Filthy Rich lowered his voice, “With the DJ?”

“No, with my cello!” Her inner thoughts tried to bark at him. Where is this coming from?

“Yes! With... the DJ...” Octavia’s conversation skills never failed to make her wish to disappear and melt into a puddle of nothingness.

“Oh... huh... you two are... well,” he paused, blinking as if some rude quip left his next sentence, “polar opposites.”

“Opposites do attract, don't they?” She shifted in her seat, facing him while leaning on the bar counter.

“That saying has some truth- I mean, I don't miss my ex wife at all, although I wonder where that side of me wandered off to.” Filthy Rich stared out at something invisible, possibly reflecting on what he had just let out.

“Do you want to... talk about it?”

“Oh, where do I start... I bet you already know about my daughter?”

“I know you have a daughter but I don't really know anything about her. However, I bet she's a good kid.”

“Eh, sometimes. To be totally honest, I have no idea what to do. She asked me something I didn't know how to answer- thank goodness you're here though so I can finally talk.”

“Oh, bloody neigh, I think I know where this is going...” Octavia sighed, and then gave Filthy an awkward smile, “Go ahead.”

“A close friend of hers moved about a year ago... she uh- asked me how long it takes to get over saying goodbye to someone. I told her I don't know but I think I want to give her advice?”

“Oh? That? I had to leave many ponies- friends behind. Ask your daughter if they both left on good terms because most certainly, they will see eachother again.”

“I don't actually know if they were getting along right before her friend left,” he raised a hoof at the bartender once he saw their drinks, before continuing, “I really should talk to her more...”

The bartender came with their beverages, eying the pair before speaking, “Rough day?”

Filthy nodded his head and responded, “Yeah, actually. Rough day.”

“Your future selves are probably looking back at this moment, wondering how life was easier.” Through his bushy mustache, he frowned once he realized what he said. “Or they're enjoying how pleasant things are? Who knows?”

“And he just leaves after telling us something so miserable?” Octavia lowers her neck, taking a sip of the snowy whipped cream.

“I don't think that was miserable, per say, but maybe it's the truth.” Filthy picks up his drink with a hoof and took a long chug, slamming the mug on the table.

Octavia takes a teeny sip, and another. The warm liquid calmed her taste buds as cherry preserves washed over her thirst with a familiar tanginess that welcomed her every time. The whipped cream melted in her mouth, watering lips took in more of the cider. She gulped, smirking at the rest of the cup she just had to finish now.

Minutes after they were done drinking, the two of them sat in silence. It was then Octavia finally checked the time on the wall.

“Mr. Rich?” Octavia started, he looked up in response, “About your daughter?”

“Oh? Sure, what about her?”

“Is her name is Crystal or something?”

“It's Diamond.... why?”

“That's a pretty name. Oh- I have to go, sorry.”

“See ya’ around, Melody.” He motioned a hoof for her to leave, looking at his empty cup, taking in the undescribable feeling of a friend leaving you.

“Great it's [6:42am], twenty more minutes? I'm sure it wouldn't hurt?” Octavia murmured out loud, then shook her head and quickly left the pub.

Somehow, a lot more ponies were on the streets than before. This made Octavia lower her head, taking quick peeks at passer byers.

Her walk back to the house was a brief one. Her neighbor's houses were still the same, the dying Rose bush was still the same- nothing new was going on, and Octavia found that quite boring.

In Ponyville, she'd take a walk and return home to a town full of chaos. She missed that. Once, Vinyl asked her to run some errands and a massive three headed dog got belly rubs from an element of harmony. And another time, an indescribable looking creature turned the town into something straight out of a foal’s storybook. Or- or that one time dark green vines with thorns erupted from the ground and nearly put everyone in danger. Octavia remembers another instance where-

Canterlot is void of adventure and thrill.

Octavia took a moment to reflect on this ‘Maybe when we retire, moving back there wouldn't sound so bad?’ She thought to herself as she approached her front yard.

A sinking feeling in her chest tightened and squeezed her heart, reaching a hoof towards the knob.

A clicking noise.

A creak.

Noticeably, dust parted from the entrance. Ok, this place isn't that old... she thought, coughing after entering her home.

“I attempted to cook dinner, Tavi.” Vinyl called out, rummaging through the fridge.

“Thank you, dear.” Octavia replied, lazily plopping herself on the sofa. “Hey, where's my...”

“I moved her in our room, under the bed!” As if Vinyl read her mind. She then perked up her white fluffy ears and turned her her marefriend, “Where did you go? I'm just-- curious-- I hope you don't mind my prying right now... there's fan mail for you that I skimmed and it worried me a little.”

“Oh?” Octavia shifted in her seat, brow raised.

“It's also near the bed- on it... I think I put it.” Vinyl finally placed the hot sauce on the counter and poured it on some fries.

“Thanks for letting me know.” With that, Octavia left down the hallway and into her bedroom.

The lights flicked on. The windows weren't good enough. There, resting on her dresser, two letters were staring back at her. One of the letters seemed a bit larger, silver paper with a pink bow wrapped around it. Octavia examined it, squinting at the tiny written return address.

986 J. ST, Manehattan.

Octavia slowly ran her tongue along side the out line of the tape adorning the mail, feeling her wet saliva dot a trail. The grey mare etched her hoof at the dotted line of saliva and opened the letter.

Wait- if I open it now, I'd be too tired to process what this says..., Octavia thought. She already forgot what the last note said but remembered who it was from. A part of her felt guilty about forgetting what the letters had to offer, dealing with at least one hundred a month takes a toll.

Octavia opened the drawer above the space with the hundreds of other fan mail marked, “To read”, placing the newly opened letter inside. She failed to notice the other one lying by it's lonesome, blending in with the colour of her dresser. She decided tomorrow is a good time to catch up on her gifts but for now... she should rest.

The morning beam of light hit her face, but that wasn't the thing that woke her up- it was the electronic alarm music playing from Vinyl’s DJ booth. Octavia blinked, staring at the ceiling above her for a moment. The air smelled still as her breath slowly drew. A faint pitter of rain fell outside which reminded her that the weather hasn't been great for the past few days. If it gets worse, the theatre may close.

Her eyes focus on the river of dark brown flowing from the coffee machine. The flow halts with a beep, right as the sound of Vinyl’s instrument runs out of battery. A creaking noise from her old chair, a sip of warm coffee, the tearing of an envelope from her hoof that was once hidden on the dresser. The almost usual morning routine on a weekend like this. The envelope in her hoof, that she barely spotted, looked like a fairly short read. Oddly enough, it had no return address or name.

“Another death threat? How fun!” Octavia mused to herself, ears perking up with interest. She took a sigh of relief as her eyes began to follow.

“Hey? Are you ok?” Vinyl tilted her head, with a hoof gently holding Octavia's from across the table.

The downpour outside had been muted from the glass window that lit the café with an aquatic hue. It smelled of fresh pastries and baked dough. Faint echoes of rain drops splashed against the roof that adorned the cafe. Octavia struggled to regain focus of everything around her but Vinyl was now on her mind.

Her heart weakly sparked from noticing her love asking what's wrong, with hooves now warming up the other. She gave a little smile and nodded her head.

“I'm fine, really, just lost myself for a second,” turning her head towards the view along side them, “don't you just love the rain?” Octavia asked, playfully nudging her marefriend.

“Yeah, totally- it's... quite something...” Vinyl trailed off, eyeing something behind Octavia. This caused her head to swivel around to see what Vinyl was looking at, which was of course the waiter.

“A fancy looking lad”. Octavia thought to herself, trying her best to hide her giggles.

“Is... something amusing?” Vinyl smirked.

Well, Octavia did try.

“No- it's just,” Octavia composed herself, “LOOK AT HIS MOUSTACHE!” She failed to do that too.

Ponies around them gawked at them for a minute and returned to eating and talking. The waiter, gave a blank stare in front of the couple's booth.

“Ms. Melody, your water with three ice cubes.” The waiter gave her the drink off of the disk, “Dj-Pone [how else does one pronounce DJ-Pon3], your order will be here shortly.” He said, turning around to leave and twisting his moustache as he disappeared.

“And what did you order again?” Octavia now refocused her attention to Vinyl.

“Not exactly the same as you, and if you forgot that... you need to get back on those meds.” Vinyl darted her eyes at the dumbfounded mare who began to frown.

“We will discuss such things later, darling, but for now can we just plan out this concert? They will start the show without us and I'm a bit concerned if we'll fit this in smoothly with our schedule. I mean, we have a party to go to, visiting a doctor, a wedding to plan- some time this week we have to check up on the bills that will be due... and we both have a friend to visit.” Octavia took a sip of her water, sighing immediately afterwards as Vinyl dramatically shook her head.

“If you really think about it, that's not a lot of stuff to do... only like three things plus you have to tell me who you're visiting? I don't mean to pry but you rarely ever go out to meet anypony.” Vinyl perked her ears to the side and smiled. “Right on time.”

“Your order, ma’am.” The waiter gave her the serving disk with the bill tapped on it, with the total being eight bits.

Vinyl took a sip of her drink to Octavia's disappointment.

“What in the Tartarus- you ordered a bloody water too?”

“Uh, uh, uh,” Vinyl corrected her, “two ice cubes.” And then she took another sip, wincing at the cold liquid cooling inside her maw.

“Wanna look at cute mares?” Octavia looked to the floor and slowly back at Vinyl.

“Have I ever said no before?”

“No...”

“Then no! I mean, yes!” Vinyl pointed a hoof to the outside, immediately spotting somepony just like that. “Sapphire Shores, fluff or huff?”

“She smells like wet clay and puppy food-”

“Oddly specific-”

Octavia shook her head, “Why, huff, of course.”

“That didn't stop me from falling for you~” Vinyl playfully teased.

“I- I don't smell like that, I use perfume made from the Apples themselves. Yes, they are strangely good at making non food products.”

“You know a gross fact? Before bathing was a very common thing, in Manehattan, everypony totally used perfume to cover their smell but it didn't really work because most of them were super great with scent.”

“They didn't shower? Oh, please, not when I'm drinking!” Octavia pushed away her drink and immediately grabbed it back once Vinyl tried to take it.

“It's true, I used to talk with Mayor Mare all the time back in Ponyville. I was mainly interested in the facts that aren't suitable for a filly's ears, hence why I can't tell you.”

“Oh har-har, look- here's another one passing by us.” Octavia motioned her hoof towards the window.

The pony in question wasn't a pony, she was a zebra. And since zebras live in the West, it was Zecora of course.

“What's she doing in a place like Canterlot?” Octavia asked herself aloud, giving a look that Vinyl shared. Their eyes, slowly following where the peculiar familiar went to.

That was, in between an alley and out of sight. The couple looked at eachother, than at the alley... then back at eachother in puzzlement. The mysterious zebra felt like a brown cloaked ghost in a sea of colourful movement littering the streets and pavement. This made them feel like witnessing a cryptic creature without anypony else to confirm what they just saw was real or not. Well, they both witnessed Zecora blip out of existence between an alley and if nobody else had seen it, there's no harm in keeping a rare sight to themselves.

“That was quite odd, don't you think?” Octavia sat straight, circling her hoof on the table to distract herself from staring down the alley. Although, she gave the occasional side eye.

“I kinda don't want to look at passerby's anymore... I mean... what if we see a changeling or something?” Vinyl brushed her hair back blowing on a rebellious strand.

“That probably would've been the most interesting thing we would see all week.” They both chuckled to that, quieting once others around their booth glanced in their direction.

Vinyl tried to suppress her laugh by covering a hoof over her muzzle but then started to sniffle. “I have to- ughh sneez now!” Vinyl faced away from Octavia and covered herself with a napkin. “Annnnddd it left me.” She gave a weak smile.

Octavia rolled her eyes while smiling because it is contagious.

Vinyl noticed this and tried to egg her on. A smile from her mare friend wasn't enough, no, she needed to make her laugh! The white unicorn used her magic to hover a napkin over Octavia and floated it around the table.

“Oooo booo!” Said the ghost, orbiting Octavia's head. “Ooooctavia, I am your greatest unfear!”

“Unfear?” Octavia titled her head.

“So, it's a- you know how people are scared of things but there's some things people are definitely not afraid of?”

“Yes? Please structure your sentences better...”

“You definitely aren't afraid of ghosts.” Vinyl slowly shook the levitating napkin right next to Tavi.

“Correct, especially seeing that one film about the mare joining a ghost busting group but falling in love with one that nopony else can see... I think I understand what an unfear is.” Octavia went to take a sip of her water but soon realized it was empty.

“You were supposed to at least chuckle at the ghost? I don't know why it's-” Vinyl and Octavia eyed the floating napkin and the blue aura, with a pop, dropped the napkin.

Silence.

They both blankly stared into the other's eyes, ignoring the mistake that had just taken part. Trying to read their partner's expression through their emotionless faces, they felt the need to blink. But they couldn't risk this being an accidental staring contest... no, no, no, one of them must crack after such an embarrassing thing had transpired before their very eyes. What motivated these mares to continue to squint their huge adorable eyes at the other, attempting to ignore the irritation. And oh, foal, the irritation urked them so badly to reassure their peepers everything will be alright. What's this? Sweat? Wet beans of streams trickled down, moving vertically across the terrain of their faces. The sweat persisted as the outlines of their eyes turned pink. Why wasn't this ending already! A group of ponies behind them started to notice this debacle. On the outside, this is probably the most silliest thing to happen since Discord. You can name an example of his schinanigans. Octavia pressed on her hooves, leaning the table towards her direction. Brows furrowed, still maintaining her blank expression whilst sweating like a wonderbolt’s rain cloud.

In an instant!

Vinyl grabbed her glass of water and splashed it on her mare friend. Octavia was freezing, blinking furiously.

“Is this why you wanted two ice cubes!?”

“No, I just like colder water but it really came in handy this time. Because I won! Woo!”

“A cheat! Isn't that right, everyone?” Octavia looked around as the crowd dispersed. “I'm the one who now has a wet business suit!”

The orchestral mare then swayed her head, dumbfounded by the wet napkin in her cup. Her ice cube had melted, mixed with the sweat from the staring contest (you probably didn't wish to know that), finally concluding their elegant date.

Vinyl used her magic to dap Octavia with the napkin, yes, the same napkin and Octavia's expression reflected that.

“Well, is it too late to ask for a refill?” Vinyl nervously chuckled.

“I am so making you clean the entire house.... entirely!”As elegant as a demand can sound, the earth pony stuck her nuzzle in the air to shun their marefriend.

Vinyl put a hoof to her chin, her mind filled with ideas to cheer up the pone in front of her.

“Remember that time we dramatically entered that wedding?” She began.

“Which one?”

“You know... the epic orchestra and dubstep song we were playing?” Vinyl tried to motion with her hooves about the event but left Octavia quite confused.

“Matilda and Cranky?”

“Yes! Except not that one at all!” Vinyl gently held Octavia's free forelegs. “We did a similar thing at Songbird Serenade’s wedding with her body guard. Remember?”

“We were so reckless but that was fun. How we crashed into the stadium, causing a cave in- some used their horns as a torch whilst the newly weds were singing to keep spirits high...”

They both shared a sign.

“So many news headlines that day!”

“Jinx!”

“Jinx aga-”

Vinyl covered Octavia's mouth and lit up her horn.

“We should go home. I want to take a nap- wanna join?”

Octavia nodded her head and quickly took the soaking wet napkin ghost with her as they erupted into a plume of sparkly blueberry mist.

In an instant, they were home.

“Marshmallow, w-when did you learn to teleport?”

She froze. Vinyl stared for a moment at Octavia, her smile struggled to find strength. Noticeably, her breath felt rapid but after an elongated sigh she composed herself.

“Tavi, baby, a local magician of course. I'm gonna crash on the bed- hopefully I'll remember a great rhythm for a new song in my dreams or something.”

“That felt like a lie but I hope she's alright.” Octavia's thoughts were curious about what just happened.

It was sprinkling outside, the rain had partially subsided but foreboding clouds were peppered throughout the sky above them. Octavia placed her hooves on the window to look up- she doesn't know why this needs to happen when peering outside. It's just a thing that stuck ever since she was a filly.

A faint sound of snoring accompanied her during this sky watching. To her, Vinyl had the cutest snore and didn't mind it at all. It was a little issue when they first got into a serious commitment but this shockingly grew on her.

Watching rain trickle from the windows calmed her down. It was the equivalent to hearing classical musical on a quiet, beautiful night. Octavia remembered she had work to do, developing musical pieces for others. She's been helping out other musically involved ponies for years and Octavia loved doing so. Quietly, she crept into their room. The light was turned off but muscle memory allowed her to sit in her swivel chair, turn the light on, and realize there was a huge stack of paper on her desk. It was at least 30 centimetres tall, prompting Octavia to silently sigh to herself.

After dipping her pen in the ink, she started to compose some music. The paper was lined, throughout with staves and dotted outlines of clefs to help place them.

“Those cold lonely nights at a boarding school prepared me for this.” She joked to herself, gripping the pen tightly.

Her eyes slowly followed the pen, disconnected from her creative liberties that were allowed to flow free for once. Ten minutes pass and all that was on the paper was the time signature. It wasn't the time signature she had in mind: seven / four. She vaguely had an idea about the song that needs to be worked on. It was originally a piece for a new artist, Sprinkle Medley. They briefly met, after a concert that Medley went to due to curiosity. Apparently Octavia inspired her so it wouldn't hurt to help.

Forty minutes had passed, and the sky grown darker with grey clouds that passed by. She didn't care what time of day it was, all that mattered was that the sheet music is finished.

Octavia admired the piece and realized... it wasn't finished. Again, the new song was given almost no instructions on how it was to be written but this didn't deter the elegant pone. In fact, Octavia left to go to the kitchen. Moments later she returned with an iced caramel coffee.

“Miss Medley should've wrote to me or something. No biggie- I am a pro. I got this. I'll be a-OK.” Octavia's ear flicked at the rustling of blankets.

“Need some motivation?” Vinyl was lying at the edge of their bed, using a pillow to support her chest and neck for comfort.

“You, being awake, is enough for me to compose and publish a rock opera.” Octavia held back a laugh as Vinyl pretended to fall back asleep.

“Yu- kould use sum’ electrical energy... to your...” And then Vinyl actually fell back asleep.

“Wait- that's not a bad idea! Hun, you accidentally helped me the eleventh time this month. Thank you-” Octavia's enthusiasm slightly fell once she noticed Vinyl was out cold. “Have a good rest, dear.” She quietly said to herself, focusing back on to the music sheet. Luckily, the song could be as long (or as short) as she wanted it but short songs didn't sit well with her.

Sheet paper in Canterlot can be expensive and she usually gets them shipped from Ponyville due to this.

Octavia felt as if her mind was being burnt out. With only a few sheets of music done and a sleepy marefriend, now seemed like a good time to tucker down.

All of a sudden, she was resting.

Had she snuggled in with Vinyl? Used the desk to sleep on? Octavia can't remember but dreaming was all that enveloped her thoughts. Just as quickly as she slumbered, a black mist hugged her body to hush a busy brain and whispers from beyond.

She was transported to Ponyville. The sky was white and things barely existed within her surroundings. The buildings felt stale but pretty, like a water colour painting, and the only thing that made sense to her was why she was having such a strange dream.

To inspire herself? It was a good guess.

Ponyville was lively with shadows of nothing but husks of figures around her. They were ponies but obscured by silky wisps and silhouettes. It was all a blur to Octavia as they circled her and she felt as if her whole world was put on a swivel. The sky was grey, alligning clouds to coat everything darker. All but the lit area in front of her that suddenly demanded for her attention. A bright light shone around it, allowing her to peer through and see... herself. It was her as a filly. Confusion swept her mind wondering why a memory is more important than some quality motivation but then hushed her thoughts as she stepped through the golden rift. A strange feeling went through her inside this even stranger place that felt like a dream attempting to stitch itself together. There was this yellow aura to everything, having the outskirts melt into a dipping of fluffy white clouds and golden sloshes of paint. The main focus was of her younger self. Little Octavia was on a swing set, staring intensely at the sand. This prompted more of the environmental dreamscape to fade in more details. She was at the old playground, alone and appeared to be upset at something.

Octavia felt something coming, uncertain if she even lived through this memory. Three officers approached from behind, through the trees and brush of the park. One of them reached out a hoof to reassure the filly Octavia, giving a gentle hug as tears poured from her eyes. The other two ushered over a chariot and helped the poor girl on it. Then, it all started to erupt into a strobe light of colour.

She found herself, viewing an older memory in a third person perspective again. Octavia half expected Princess Luna to explain what this all meant any second from now. This, sort of brought out a remembrance unlike the last one. She saw a herself as a filly again but slightly older and adorned bangs, similar to how she styles her hair now.

She sat, deflated and grumpy on a bunk bed, in a room with identical beds just like it. The blankets and pillows were a dull shade of purple, contrasting with the yellow mattresses. It was a strange colour scheme for these beds but Octavia didn't seem to be bothered by it, she was transfixed on her younger self who was playing with a doll. The doll was yellow and resembled a pony with laces of hair sticking out... or was that stitching?

Younger Octavia looked upset about something- not upset... more like, annoyed? Certainly, she was in no mood to be playing dolls with her- well- doll... seeing how young Octavia threw her horse doll across the bed and hid her face underneath a pillow. She then started to sob, muffled by the pillows. All alone she cried for minutes as Octavia stood there. Watching. But what was she to do? This dream was a little intriguing to the light grey Earth pony. It was like a memory but one she doesn't really remember. To her, this felt like so real and believable with the only problem being her lack of recollection.

The door suddenly swung open.

A stallion with sun glasses, a coat, and a flat cap entered with a thump to his hoof steps. He looked pretty professional, making young Octavia tense up as she got a good look at him. He mouthed words to the filly, but nothing came out. The mare heard faint waves of unintelligible speech, echoing from his mouth but the room was still silent. She felt deafened by proximity.

"If this is a dream, why does it feel as real as a memory? And if this is a memory... why can I only hear my thoughts?" Her question bounced around in her head, confused about everything going on.

She also wondered why her dreams are speeding by so quickly. Just a moment ago she was at her old boarding school. Then it clicked, her childhood memories were being remembered. She felt ill just from thinking about the past, wishing to wake up any second now.

Averting her bright magenta eyes back to the scene playing out in front of her, young Octavia was crying even harder as the stallion shouted and ordered her out of the bedroom. She slowly got up, shaking between her steps as tears leaked and dripped on the oak floorboards.

The grey mare almost failed to notice this authoritarian-esque stallion is gripping onto a paddle, threatening to use it.

Everything went black after this revelation, with a faint glimpse of a teenage Octavia attempting to use the cello. Her mind blinked in and out of the dream world. It was a rainbow strobe light that flashed memories wihtin a blink, driving her mad with confusion.

This was a somewhat of a first for the cellist. Taking a trip down memory lane like this. Usually her memories are short bursts of things she'd recently done- not... suppressed memories... She felt chilled now. Alone in a black void of nothingness, along with the feeling of helplessness. Octavia missed her marefriend. Vinyl... her mind was conjuring up lovely glimpses of Vinyl, making the grey pony touched by warmness and butterfly kisses.

With slightly opened eyes, the mare in question sleepily stared back at her.

"Why, uhh- yes! I would look forward to doing it going off by the glint of lust in your eyes." Was the first thing she heard, clear as a crystal, as Vinyl gently placed a hoof on her waist.

"NO! No- what!? I'm up!" Octavia sat up with hair frizz in her face, clearing the sleepy in her eyes.

"I was only kidding, bae!" A fluffy white hoof nudged her, "Besides, your forty minutes exhausts me way too well to ever do that again."

"Fluffing- stop making such jokes! I- uh- good morning! I had many nightmares I don't want to talk about! Shut up!" Octavia motioned a hoof in Vinyl's direction in attempt to silence her.

"Booo! It takes a lot for me to shut up- my neck would have to be sliced or something. Anyway, I tell you about my nightmares all the time! Like that one time I was banned from being a DJ... it was very emotional for me." She nodded her head to agree with herself.

"Yes, I'm aware, you have told me that one five times already." Octavia got up from her side of the bed, then made her pillows neat and tidy. "I dreamt about awful things involving the past."

"I've heard little to no details about your past and we've been together for... well, ponies would assume we're married!"

"Orphaned. Forced to be a cellist. Moved to Ponyville and met you. Voilà, the bloody backstory of Tavi." She exclaimed, brushing her mane.

"Interesting. Way more interesting than my past... a sheltered cry baby. But, bae?" She frowned, turning away from Octavia. "How'd your parents... you know?"

A tweeting chorus of birds, barely audible from the window, made the silence more bearable.

The grey mare dropped her brush. "Oh..."

Vinyl flinced from the brush's clank. "Are you alright? I'm so sorry for asking, I totally understand if-"

"I believe it was from an accidental fire if I'm not mistaken." Their eyes met, Octavia gave a warm smile in reassurance. "Marshmallow, it's fine. My memory hasn't been working with me recently, do you know what I mean?"

"I getchya. A lot of stress?"

"I sure hope so... that'd make the most sense. Am I acting strange? In a way you'd find out of the ordinary for my standards?"

"No? I mean- what do you find out of the ordinary... for your standards? You can be a little moody sometimes but everypony gets that way, so it's normal. You know?"

"I started to feel as if I'm not myself. This started about two days ago..." Octavia trails off, holding the side of her face with a hoof.

"Listen, if it's about... that. I'd like to apologize. You're going through a lot, probably, and I'm the confrontational type... I'm sorry for prying."

Octavia went up to Vinyl, giving her a peck. The kiss made their faces glow red, "Don't apologize. I should be saying sorry for not explaining things. The pills I take for my mental issues... they make me forget things. I don't take them often because of the shows and concerts. I think the withdraws are the reason I'm so upset all the time... I hope that clears some things up?"

"Y-yeah. I... I couldn't have known and if I did, I- I don't know how to help you. Bae, we can handle this don't worry." Vinyl put a hoof of her marefriend's foreleg while gently rubbing it, "I'm here for you."

"Thank you. Are we busy this week? Or, today for that matter? I lost track of schedule..." Octavia nervously laughed, making her way to the bathroom. "I'm getting ready regardless, I want to look great just in case we- you know- visit another café."

"Har har, you have jokes. We have a show to attend for in about a week... Tuesday-" Vinyl's voice raised once she realized Octavia is behind a door, "-and I think the following Friday too!"

"Good, good. I'll write that somewhere in my planning journal!" She poked her head out of the doorframe. "Are you busy?"

Vinyl raised a brow, "Asking me out, I see."

"No... yes... I don't know? Maybe we can take a stroll downtown or something... together?" Octavia parted her mane behind an ear, as she tentatively waited for a response.

"I take it you want to feed the duckies again?" Vinyl rolled her eyes and smiled, "Are you or are you not asking to treat me like a princess for the day?"

"Yes- I- I'm asking you to go on a date because we haven't really been on one in ages." Octavia steps out of the bathroom, finally ready to head out.

"Babes, we're engaged. You could demand to run outside in the shivering cold rain together and I'd be down in a flash."

"You'd go outside when it's raining... if I were to tell you so? If that isn't a declaration of love..." Octavia suppressed a laugh. Her eyes focused on the clouds, white film that battered the sky with beauty.

"I see a banana tree feeding a starving mouse, how about you?" Vinyl said, leaning against Octavia for a brief moment.

"I don't know. It looks more like a duck taking a dip underwater to me." Her response prompted a nod from the mare who began to rub her head against Octavia's neck.

"This is my affection. You look soooo confused right now!" Vinyl stopped, heading towards the door but not before a scarf was drapped around her. "Come on, I'd like to go out there with you."

"You can wait for me outside, I need a minute or two?"

"Sure, you can take your time but if an ice cream cart passes... I don't think you'd hear me call your name."

Octavia shook her head and scoffed, "You can always tell the ice cream pony to wait. I think you just want me to miss out on those popsicles! Yeah, you do!"

"Ok, I admit, It would be funny." Vinyl smiled, and exited the bedroom, the echoes of her footsteps were heard from down the hallway.

There was an urgency Octavia felt to hide it once the letter caught her eye. The fan mail from the other day, as she left it casually on her desk yesterday after reading it. Octavia peered outside the bedroom doorway just in case Vinyl got inpatient. It appeared she was in the clear, picking up the letter and reading it in her head again.

Hi! First time writing a letter. First time writing a letter. I already said that, silly me. I'm fifteen and I have to want to say how big of a deal it is to write to you. Octavia Melody is an amazing name, way cooler than mine. Canterlot seems like a cool place. I, live in Manehattan where it's noisy and my parents are always away. They work at a buisness place doing business things. You make being an adult look fun- it probably isn't but for me the spectacle of it is something I can't wait for. You're a cellist, and I play the violin. That's pretty cool awesome. I enjoy going to your concerts! Hopefully I can shake hooves with you or something? Nevermind, writing back would be sweet! Would be a dream of mine.

How does one end a letter to their hero. Ok, anyway anyway I love you.
- your #1 fan

Octavia's eyes scanned the letter once more after what had to be the tenth time.

"What was it!?" She thought to herself. Something about this letter felt special. She had fan mail exactly just like this, telling her sweet things and some were even from her number one fan. However, a voice in her head told her this one was unique. It didn't feel right... but nonetheless it had to be put in the filing cabinet.

Octavia pulled the drawer open but was hesitant to settle where to place the letter. Countless drawings, letters, posters, memorabilia and lovely gifts from fans were there. But yet, her hoof clutched. Refusing to put away the note with the rest of them.

She settled on placing an old book about the theory of entropy and separated the letter in the back. This felt right. Only when the voices in her head complimented this decision, she backed away from the filing cabinet after closing the drawer and adjusted her bowtie.

"Tavi! It's been minutes! I'm yelling because it's getting so cold out here!" Vinyls voiced punched right through the walls, reminding Octavia of their date.

"I'll just tell her I needed to go if she asks... yeah." She quietly said to herself. Without any more time to waste, she met Vinyl outside on the lawn.

"And did you lock the door?" An eyebrow raise. Vinyl didn't look upset, but rather a little bored.

"No..." Octavia quickly done just that moments later, giving a sheepish smile. "Let's finally head out, dear?"

"Was waiting for you to say that." Vinyl took a sigh of relief, trotting alongside her marefriend.

A walk downtown reminded the pair of their status. Few ponies stopped to take pictures, waving to the two as they passed by. Occasionally, they're asked to give an autograph. Vinyl loved to give out autographs but Octavia wanted to do more; like give a gift or memento.

Vinyl argued that one small thing could mean a lot to anypony. They both had differing opinions about treated their fans but one thing they could agree on: their fans are loved and appriciated. Giving their fans autographs felt nice, the joyful look on the pony's face caused Octavia to stop trotting.

She took a few deep breaths, and smiled. Vinyl noticed her marefriend take a minute, waiting patiently for her to catch up. After a few shared glances, they continued on their way. A fork in the road. They both appeared to lead to the same location and yet this was still a decision to make.

The two of them suddenly halted their gait. Internally picking a path, simultaneously rubbing a hoof against their chins. Again, the paths were pretty identical due to the fact in over eighty years, they led to the park. They went here in the past, usually cantering along the left side. Something felt different, eyeing the right path. Octavia exerted a sigh, motioning her hoof to the left path. Vinyl returned eyes that agreed, after she slowly nodded her head in confirmation.

Soon enough, the right path felt new to them. Dark bushes with emerald tinted shine spiked up down the road they chose. Canterlot has this fascination with lights everywhere, mostly paired up with a bush to make it seem brighter as if it were glowing. Octavia took passing glances at the colourful trees and bushes, magenta eyes under the spell of dilation. Lavender accents highlighted the tip of leaves amidst the rows of plants and lights.

In the distance, a metal bench awaited their arrival. It was close to a huge fountain, fancier than the ones in ponyville. Few decor had a golden trim alligning them. Octavia rolled her eyes at the sight, subtly turning to Vinyl for her reaction to the fountain as well.

Octavia hummed, then let out an *ahem*. "It's fancy, I don't remember it being here... I suppose it makes this environment nicer. What do you think?"

Vinyl was elsewhere. Mentally. She observed the area around them, her head cocked to the side with a dubious expression. Her snowy ears twitched, listening intently as everything went quiet.

"Tavi, why isn't anyone here?" She asked astutely. Octavia realized this too, but earlier. Octavia didn't think this would be an issue for Vinyl and ignored it.

"That's a bad thing?" Her reply had a tinge of laughter, taken aback by the sudden comment. They both make it to the bench, finally being able to rest their hooves.

"Nah... I- I meant, it's nice here without random ponies and creatures talking or distracting us from viewing the scenery but I'm not used to it. I need to be around others. I uhm- can't do this!" Vinyl held her right foreleg, clutching it. Then she hugged herself while facing away from Octavia.

"Woah, bae, are you alright? You're supposed to be the sexy chill one," Octavia rubbed the back of her neck, "bad, bloody joke. I'm so sorry."

The cellist moved closer to Vinyl. At first, putting a foreleg over her shoulder. After a moment, Octavia hugged Vinyl as the white unicorn buried her head during the embrace.

Winds started to pick up, gently blowing their hair. The sky was a cocktail of purples, pinks, and oranges with faint spectral puffs of white over the horizon. A few shadows of ponies behind the trees and bushes whisked away as soon as they came. To Octavia, the sky didn't matter. To Octavia, the trees and lovely plants didn't matter. Nor the ponies in the distance. In this moment, only one thing was on her mind.

Five minutes went by, Octavia felt her marefriend stray from tensing. "Marshmallow?" Her voice was cautious. A whisper. It was sweet like honey to Vinyl's lowered ears. "That's alright now, I'm here. Only me." Octavia slowly, gingerly, rubbed the mare's back while a mournful head rested on her chest.

"I... thank you. Please don't leave me." Vinyl gave tiny sniffles, wiping away tears. "Don't help write a song about this. I'll feed you paint."

"Hey, paint probably tastes better than my salad. I almost set the house on fire." Octavia gave a smile which was shortly reciprocated.

"Good times in Ponyville. Our house... two different colors... only three bedrooms tho."

"We got a decent source of income since then. Do you think maybe we can, you know?" Octavia weighed hooves, trying to give a visual aid.

"Hm? Help carry luggage for money?"

"No..." A now less enthusiastic Octavia combed her hair with a hoof to adjust her looks, "You reminded me, I was going to ask if we can... repaint the mansion. We'll hire professionals like last time and it'll look amazing. But please don't actually feed me the paint like you said."

"I'd be lying if I were to say I'm not onboard but just like the wubz, I'm down! Not going to feed you p-"

"-We never saw eye to eye on using your wubz for many mundane chores. Yes, I admit, they're freakishly great at cleaning the laundry but, no."

"Can I at the very least blast music while the house undergoes this makeover? My subwoofers are incredible!" Vinyl mused. Her eyes were firecrackers in a starless dusk.

"Of course! You have an amazing music taste. Do we still share a favourite song?"

"I don't know... do we?"

Octavia crossed her forelegs, raising an eyebrow. "Cutie Mark of Death?"

"Yes! Ok, good to know we still love this song. I'm definitely adding that to the playlist!"

"Nice! Can I add a few songs? Can't believe the... ahem vinyl record... still works. I thought it was broken?"

"Yeah. Totally my fault."

"Oh, reh teh teh. Vin Vin, it was my fault!"

Vinyl was about to protest after this but shook her head in disagreement. "Bae, it was a mutual accident!" They shared a laugh, giving a slightly more intimate cuddle started by Vinyl. "But it's fixed now."

"What's with the... advances?" A blush formed on Octavia's rosy face. She raised a hoof to hide from embarrassment, "Are you going to nibble my ear or is this a tease?"

"It's a tease. Ha ha you're so easily flustered!"

"Quiet, you! I am not... you're assuming things." Octavia's eyes tried to spot if anypony was watching them.

"This is why I couldn't answer." Vinyl's voice was flat and cold. Her foreleg let go of Octavia's upper haunch, as it quickly reverted to her thighs accompanied by fetlocks which anxiously rubbed against them.

"W-what?" Octavia felt her legs get heavy, a feeling that only dread could bring.

"I believe it was...two weeks ago? You asked me if I wanted to get married. I- I was unsure and I'm just not ready for that."

Her throat clenched for a moment before a gulp delayed her words, "Are you saying..."

"We need more time. That's all."

"If that's the case, then, I'm sorry. Truly."

"Hey, it's alright. Relationships just take time... we have plenty of that. I meant- there's a lot of time for us to develop. You know what I mean?"

"Yes." Tears threatened to leak from her eyes. Octavia felt angry with herself for feeling so emotional just from a short conversation. She didn't like how easy it was for her to cry, even resented herself for it. Vinyl often told her there's nothing wrong with being so open to emotion but Octavia hasn't been convinced.

"Bae, can I ask you something?"

"Anything, my marshmallow."

"I believe two days ago you dodged my question... when I asked who you went out to meet?" Vinyl rubbed the back of her head. "I dunno, I guess that been on my mind for a little bit."

"Oh? Ohh!" Octavia chuckled as she placed a hoof on her chest, "I just wanted something nice to drink at the pub place. You wouldn't guess who I saw there!"

"Who?"

"Filthy Rich, the apple selling Stallion! That was quite a surprise for me."

"Ah, that dude? I wasn't going to pry any further but what even is there to talk about with him?" Vinyl gave Octavia the eyebrow.

"I did mention that... we're a couple now and I think he doesn't accept us. As in, 'we're just a bunch of no-good fillyfoolers'."

"Good impression of a beegot. But are you sure?"

"Well, he did seem evasive and it was making me self conscious. But overall he's a decent bloke."

"Tavi, you only use the term bloke on ponies you don't want to talk about." Vinyl crossed her forelegs, matter-of-factly closing her eyes.

"So?"

"Let's pay him a visit."

"What!? No!" Octavia exclaimed. She got up and tried to gallop away but it was too late.

Vinyl's horn flashed a bright pink and just like that, they were in front of Soda Corner. The place looked busier than last time, at the very least having a waiting line filled with ponies of all sorts of colours.

Slow, upbeat jazz played whilst blaring trumpets and snaring drums. Although it came from a jukebox, the lively tunes were a welcome mood setter for Octavia. The talk with Vinyl earlier... it made her feel like a ripped curtain burning in a box of dry ice.

As she scanned the area from outside attempting to get a good look in the pub through darkened glass, she tilted her head in any direction to peer around crowding ponies. Her heart felt like a pulsing bomb. Again, her mind continued to jump back to what her marefriend told the cellist.

Voices echoed, getting louder to a point where Octavia closed her eyes in defiance. All that accompanied the mare was now the painful ringing in her ears that made her beg for silence. Octavia wondered what could be causing this. Her eyes opened, shifting to the sides in a distressing manner. A voice in her head was but a whisper. This sounded so faint and yet, it was a cold warning that made her freeze with clear ambition.

"Areareyouyougoinggoingtotosuppresssuppressthisthistootoo?" A choked whisper that sounded like a melted, distorted, and pained version of a cry for help. It was her.

Shivering, she glued her eyes to the glass reflection to reassess herself. A hoof brushed her mane and suddenly, everypony around her existed again. A weaving spider, feasting in a web stopped to giggle.

"Tavi, I found him. Are you alright? Kinda looking frazzled there." Vinyl tapped her shoulder, holding out a hoof once her attention was captured.

"Yes, I'm fine." Octavia blinked, still getting her bearings after whatever just happened. Her chest felt tight, slowly relaxing after Vinyl showed up. A quick breath here and there, then she felt peachy again.

"I managed to get passed the line, and he was just drinking some warm lemonade. Told me to wait bring out around the back in a few minutes." Vinyl lowered her voice in a snarky manner, "Are we clear on that?"

"Bae, I'll be right behind you. You seem to like taking initiative." Octavia patted her marefriend's back, motioning her to lead the way.

Pubs were typically brownish, rugged, and unwelcoming to ponies but this one had a friendly air to it that hit Octavia the moment they passed by the purple bricked wall. She liked the colour purple now. But not the dark, intimidating purple. Octavia's new favourite colour is this lighter shade that looks pretty.

"What are you smiling about?" Vinyl glanced over, picking up pace with the grey cellist.

"Why, I think I found my new favourite colour." She remarks, touching the smooth bricks with a sliding hoof.

"Yeahh this is nice. But remember- Filthy Rich is meeting us? Although, you do look cute when a little sidetracked." Vinyl covered her laugh with a hoof, studying the transfixed earth pony.

"Aww, you really think so?"

"Tavi. I know so, and we really need to paint the house this color... or at least make it somehow incorporated into the makeover."

"Agreed."

At last, the two round the corner, equally surprised they had an entire conversation trotting there. Some ponies were idly chatting amongst themselves, taking quick glances at the pair. One of them even waved at Vinyl, grinning ear to ear. Octavia tried to get the fan's attention but they didn't seem to care. In fact, it seemed as if they had no idea who she was. This was fine with her. Seeing that smile on Vinyl made her stomach warm, a fireplace that sparked and kindled from her marefriend's happiness.

Two others were leaning against the railing, making out without a care in the world. Octavia caught these two stallions in her peripheral vision, alarmed by the sudden opening of the red exit door prompting the lovers to leave elsewhere. Stumbling out of the building's door, came Filthy rich with scuffed hair, a bruised cheek, and spit drooling down his maw.

His met eyes with the grey mare's. An glacier blue, often misunderstood from many. Filthy Rich gave a nod, making his way to the couple.

"Let's go drink somewhere else?" He suggested, walking past the two a little hurriedly without any explanation. He motioned a hoof to follow him soon afterwards.

Just when they were about to vacate the premises, a beefy looking stallion with a bloody nose and swollen eye barged out of the door. He used his good eye, trying to locate Mr. Rich but to no avail. With a huff, another drink was on him after returning inside the pub.

Octavia's hooves hurt. She could tell this day would be quite the adventure but it unfortunately involved going on hoof. After a while, her eyes widen, taking note of the many ponies watching the trio.

"Where are we going?" She asked, giving a gleeful smile to those who recognized her. Through her teeth, a dry throat caused her to cough- leading to the greeting being interrupted.

"Another pub," Filthy Rich started, "that other one won't serve me at the moment." Mr. Rich nonchalantly continued in front of them, no longer matching their pace.

"Hey, dude, wait up!" Vinyl called out while she looked back to the pub's direction. They were hitting downtown Canterlot, where a lot of ponies were. A part of Vinyl felt strange about this. Something in her chest ached.

Mr. Rich was now eight metres away from the couple, finding it difficult to close the gap. The world seemed to slow, but not all at once. Every bird in the sky was quick while the passerby's seemed to trudge against the empty sidewalks. Eyes darted between the shadows of townfolk who lingered forever. Breaths rapidly squeezed out of her mouth, assisted by a heart that punched with ferocity.

"Bae? Vin Vin? Marshmallow?" Octavia's voice finally cut through the dreadful silence. "Now you're acting exactly like me... I think we should ask him to slow down a bit?"

"I'm fine." Vinyl coarsely replied, speeding up her walk. The unicorn still labored her breaths with nostrils that struggled to keep up. "Hey, Tavi," she let out at last, "Can you stay beside me?" She asked as serenely as her lungs would allow.

"Of course. I think we're catching up! And now he's waiting for us-" Octavia squinted, the sun was not on her side while she tried to spot Mr. Rich.

It wasn't long before they reached the nicely dressed stallion. He opened the door for the two, as they take in the cool air from a fancy ceiling fan. The place looked pristined but old fashioned, clashing with the prim and proper Canterlot aesthetic. Bar stools here didn't swivel, which Octavia found a little lame. She sat next to her marefriend who toyed with a bunch of napkins, making a little ghost army with her magic.

"Hello again." The bartender greeted Octavia and Mr. Rich, polishing a glass.

The cellist was confused, clearing her throat before speaking, "Don't you work at the other place?"

"I make drinks there and wash the dishes over here. I consider myself pretty productive." He replied, a few seconds of silence passed. Then he continued to work.

"Can you give us some advice or something?" Mr. Rich put a hoof to his temple, "I could use some right now."

"Sorry, sir. I only give advice once per pony including if they're with somepony. It's easier to remember the quotes this way." The bartender eyed Vinyl as she raised a hoof towards him.

"Well, I can use some advice. Being a DJ requires some motivation time to time." Vinyl ate a few chips that were dipped in salsa.

"DJ-Pon3... It's good to see you." The Bartender smiled at Vinyl, nodding in affirmation.

"Candy Mouse, I can tell you enjoy your job." Vinyl replied, giving him a hoofbump.

"You two know eachother? On a first-name basis? What the sugary bloody buck- Vinyl, do you visit bars?" Octavia questioned, both of her eye brows raised.

"Dunno, do you?" Vinyl questioned back, scooting closer to Octavia.

"I get nonciderholic drinks at pubs. This one seems less desirable for me," she quickly turned to the bartender, "no offense."

"Non taken."

Vinyl shook her head, taking a deep breath soon after. "Yes, I do drink sometimes but- you know- moderately." She laughed, covering her mouth, "That explains the first name basis."

"Seriously speaking, I hope you take it easy with the drinking, bae." Octavia placed a hoof on Vinyl's shoulder, mouthing 'I'm here for you'.

"I'll stick to apple juice if you'd like, Tavi."

"That'd be lovely." Octavia kissed her forehead, proceeding to side hug her afterwards. "Hey, Filthy Rich?" Her attention was back on Mr. Rich who was enjoying some water.

"Hm?" His reply was bubbly, being preoccupied with his beverage that clinked with ice cubes.

"So, we wanted to know if... this makes you uncomfortable? You know, in a disgusted manner because we are-"

The water was coughed into his cup. His muzzle scrunched from her question. "Are you saying what I think you're saying? I- I think we need to talk outside."

"Didn't we just get here?" Vinyl asked, quieting her tone, with dark pink eyes now aware of how many ponies were inside this place. "You two, go ahead, I'm asking for advice from Mouse."

Octavia gracefully got off of the stool, brushing a hoof through Vinyl's mane. The snow coated mare hid her rosy cheeks after this. Mr. Rich opened the door for her again, this reminded her of Ponyville. A lot of ponies knew one another and unconditionally shown kindness to their neighbors. In Canterlot, this isn't really present. Octavia felt this town was a little apathetic, although, it was nothing compared to Manehattan. Octavia looked back at Vinyl to see her talking with the bartender. They smiled, with a conversation inaudible from the chatter that everypony else indulged in. After a beat, the cellist and Mr. Rich headed towards a nearby gazebo.

Outside air smelled as if something was burning, a charcoal ember that stuck without purpose. Trees now danced a faster song, swaying to the rhythm of the breeze. A vast creamsicle sky watched below, glued with fluffy steam trails of clouds that blanketed the horizon hue. Mountains were gumdrops with ice capped tops, protruding out from the forest's emerald woods that disagreed with them.

"Mrs. Melody, I wasn't being cross about your relationship," he started, calming his voice after realizing the distance Octavia put between them, "what you and Vinyl have reminds me of the romance no longer in my life."

"You'll find someone, don't worry. I'm surprised you haven't met a fair pony yet." Octavia leaned against one of the gazebo's white pillars.

"I'm not so sure I'll meet someone again. I have to admit, I'm not a very nice person... I think I turned into my father. A monster that nobody talks about- and for good reasons too." Mr. Rich straightened his collar, trying to wipe off a tiny tinge of blood splatter. "Unlike him, I want what every other schmuck like me wants... to be understood while also living on a large pile of wealth. Of course, I am nothing but the no good tax collector who assists in selling apples... because that's my role. Everyone must have a role."

"Oh, well, that's just a saying cynical ponies say when they've made unfixable life decisions? I guess? You're so much more than the the apple selling meanie some try to paint you as! Lookit you, a big softy and a great friend!" Octavia patted him on the shoulder, giving a warm smile.

Mr. Rich shook his shoulders, and headed to the steps. "S-stop that- your friendly demeanor is rubbing off. This is my last day here before I go back to Ponyville anyway... can you tell Vinyl I said goodbye?"

"Pfft tell me yourself!" Vinyl propped her head on the gazebo's fencing. "Hi there, bae. Goodbye there, Filthy Rich." She made her way to the pair, brushing a hoof through Octavia's mane. "I'm glad you two were catching up!"

"Sweetie, we barely talked. I can't carry conversations for the life of me and you know that." Octavia looked to the ground, giving a short sigh. "Mr. Rich, I wanted to check up on your situation with Diamond- or ask what colour scheme we should repaint our house?"

"My daughter is..." He turned away from the two of them, watching a mare cradle her baby on a picnic blanket from afar, "...currently staying with her mother for the week. And I think you guys already have the colour scheme for this new paint job." Mr. Rich nodded at Octavia, winking with a grin.

"What do you mea- ohh." It took a second, but the grey earth pony pointed her snoot at the bright pink bow, then eyed her cutie mark. Octavia tilted her head. Thoughts floated through her mind pertaining to Vinyl's mint green and whimsical blue mane. She'd have to ask her marefriend which colour best suited magenta but they haven't reached that step yet.

"Like I said, I'll be in Ponyville. I still live in that mansion but it's too big for me now... I considered moving to a cottage near a lake? That sounds peaceful to me but I- I don't know. Anyway, I'll see you ladies around." Mr. Rich gave a goodbye gesture to the two, quietly parting ways without another word.

They both looked at him until he disappeared amidst the rainbow sea of ponies going about their day.

"Oh, I didn't mean to interrupt you two but I heard my name... you know? Sorry..." Vinyl frowned, facing Octavia again.

Octavia held her hoof. "He was just about to leave anyway. There's no need to apologize, hun. You asked the bartender-"

"Mouse. Candy Mouse." Vinyl corrected.

"You asked Mouse for advice? Was it anything about painting the house?" Octavia raised a brow, giving her a fun smile.

"We're going to need more than a fresh coat of paint for the walls. I've noticed the roof trusses need some... attention?"

"We'll fix those too! But still, I'm curious, what did he tell you."

Vinyl looked to the side, bit her lip, then took a subtle deep breath. She gave her marefriend a curled lip, "He said... all I have is you when nobody else is there to hear my thoughts. I think that's pretty true!"

"Yeah, you do tell me a lot of things. Sometimes, I don't even want to know but I'm so glad to have you!" Octavia decided to be bold and rested a hoof on Vinyl's lower neck, ever so gently matching her breath.

"Making moves on me hmm? W-what did you and Filthy Rich talk about?" Vinyl slowly blinked, stroking Tavi's hair.

"His failing love life- I think-" Octavia quickly turned away, walking over to the gazebo's fence to lean over it, "Mr. Rich told me... we reminded him of what he used to have and it makes him reminisce. Well, he implied that at least."

"Is this getting in the way of anything? Are we the reason he won't get with anypony because we make him upset?" Vinyl walked up to Octavia, giving a grim expression.

"What? No? We're not sullying his relationships. In fact, I'm not sure what to make of our presence in his life."

"Then, ok! What's with that look? Tell me what's on your mind?" Vinyl leaned over the fence, identical to Octavia's idle stance.

"I- I don't know..." She slumped over, burying her head inside forelegs that shivered from either the weather or her thoughts. "Are we going to last long? I mean- I'd like that but I'm terrified of breaking up."

"What's making you think about this?" Gone was the joyous edge to Vinyl's voice. A tonal shift was in tune with the aggressive wind. "Tavi?"

"Mr. Rich, he seemed as if he never got over his ex wife and if getting over a breakup is that difficult then- then I hope I wouldn't have to face that."

"You know, bae, I think about my exes sometimes too and I'm totally over those weirdos. I'm sure we're going to last forever! We're a perfect match, don't worry." Vinyl gave Octavia a little nudge, playfully tapping a hoof on her back.

"You can't be too certain- what if... I'm not good enough... I feel like nothing. I feel like you carry our relationship and my depression will draw you away from me." Octavia covered a hoof over her mouth, choking on a defeated breath from a clenched throat.

"I like to be around you. You are everything you are right now and everything you could be." The unicorn gently forced her marefriend to meet her eyes, giving her a tight hug soon after. Once Octavia reciprocated the embrace, Vinyl finally whispered with a soothing voice, "And that is enough for me."

Rain was a common occurrence nowadays, this being the third afternoon where the sky dripped relentlessly. Canterlot houses a lovely carpentry store, where it reflected the heavy downpour off of grey tinted windows. Shadows crawled across and downwards, blocking graceful orange beams from the sun. All was muted from the inside, mocking the pittering of rain with ragtime piano playing on a jukebox. Speakers echoed the groovy tune which contrasted the look of pure boredom given from the clerk who glared at the clock. He started to doodle a poison joke flower on a notepad.

*Pomf*

Bright Pink flashes momentarily blinded him, causing a rapid succession of blinking. The couple appeared out of thin air, conveniently facing the clerk. Octavia tried to reorientate herself but her head was still a spinning carrousel.

"M-may I help you two?" He asked, still recovering from the flashes of bright pink. After a few eye rubs, his jaw lowered, "DJ Pon-3! Ayee, you preformed at my little bro's birthday! Thank you so much!"

Vinyl had a glint in her eyes. The look of memories flooding back all at once, that filled her heart with fun and joy, "In Ponyville? His name was Catch Dreamer, right?"

"Yes! You remember! My cousin called you because you were mutual friends!" He was practically jumping up and down behind the counter, smiling and nodding his head.

"What can I say? I know a lot of ponies there! That party almost attracted the attention of Discord too if I can remember correctly." Vinyl smirked, giving a shrug, "I was in my prime back then."

"Weren't you also the DJ at The Grand Galloping Gala?" His ears were perked as he wagged his tail. The clerk was now an excited puppy, stomping his hooves on the wooden floor as he still failed to hold in excitement.

"Heck yeah I was! I even-"

At this point, Octavia tuned out of their conversation. She examined the different paint colours that were on a display. Some were bright and lively, a few were dull and ignored by the cellist, the rest of the colour examples caught her attention. These were usually displayed in a rainbow array but it appeared the clearance paints were neglected. Twenty bits less than the usual price of paint. Octavia went back to the front of the store where the metal shopping baskets have been, the way she begrudgedly picked up the handle with her mouth almost caught the attention of the two chatting together.

"Oh, how I wish I had magic... or wings...", she thought to herself, as she traced her steps back to the paint aisle.

Octavia picked up a dull magenta colour, a pumpkin shaded orange, and a baby blue. These looked like a great combination in her head. The other colours didn't speak to her on a level that these had, especially with a few unknown whispers egging her on to add them to the cart.

"You known PSL too? I was taught at a pretty young age to help out others in my hometown." The Clerk continued to chat with Vinyl.

"Really? That's so cool! Where are you from?" Vinyl asked with a lot of intrigued, giving this stallion more eye contact than she has had with her marefriend in a long time.

"You probably haven't heard of it... Shire's Hollow." After he said this, Vinyl made a face riddled with confusion, "Yeah, see? Thank goodness me and my bro move towns time to time. I get to run into cool ponies like you!"

"The pleasure is all mine! It's so nice meeting you too! Never caught your name?" Vinyl eyed the shopping basket hanging from Octavia's mouth as she made her way to them.

"It's Moon Cutter, and I hope you have luck with the house construction. You'll need to go to the bank regarding the payment for your trusses, but I can tip off the manager later."

Octavia piped up, feeling involved with this conversation, "The Princess changed how loans work now, right? We pay ten percent of the bits it costs for this transaction and the rest of the purchase is due later? We can do that. Oh- here's the paint." She gave the clerk both of the paint cans while trying to grip on to the basket as it slipped from her teeth.

"Bae," Vinyl quickly tapped a hoof on her flank, "I think I might send you home to clean up the house. I'm going to visit the bank and return with the construction workers... is that alright?"

Octavia proceeded to place the two buckets in a plastic baggie, paying the owed bits. "Sure. Sounds like a pl-"

Light pink eye floaters coated her vision for a few seconds, sparsed in each and every direction. The mail stallion jumped at the sudden *pomf!*. The baggie nearly tore and dropped from her clutch as she struggled to keep it up with her hooves.

"Here... uhh... let me help you with that." His voice sounded young but with a nasal battle occuring in his speaking. His ash blue coat of fur somehow suited the mail pony uniform.

It took a second before Octavia's eyes fell on the familiar looking satchel. It was duct tapped. This younger stallion also wore a hat with signs of aging to it as if it been through many trips around the town. Her lips were closed, visibly struggling with an expression to rest on.

"Is something wrong?" He raised a brow, only to end his question sighing. "I presume you live here, and you have something. Have a good day... I guess." It only took a few steps before he attempted to adjust the height of the mail satchel. "Stupid hand-me-down. I didn't ask for this job!" His words prompted a wince from Octavia.

Her mail box had the Equestria flag up, telling her to open the mailbox. The envelope wasn't pushed through all the way, having at least a small bit of it poke out of the slot. Octavia gently used a hoof to pull it out of the slit, eventually managing to do just that. Beams from the sun shone through the paper which revealed the familiar hoof writing.

"Writing to me again, sure... why not." She said aloud, is examining the size of the text. It was surely bigger than the last letter. Octavia placed the fan mail inside of the baggie which was now hanging from her left foreleg. Trying to walk to the door on three legs wasn't anything new to her. But Vinyl is usually there to help.

Octavia left the paint cans on the counter, tidying up the house as the minutes passed by. Seeing as there's time to herself with the house looking nicer, it was probably a good idea to check the mail from the other day. The one that interested her was hidden underneath her mattress while this one was fancy, being dressed up in a bow and being written in cursive.

However, as she held it in her hooves while relaxing on her bed, the letter felt boring to her.

Ms. Melody,
I hereby declare you blacklisted until further notice. You are suspended from any of the future shows we will be hosting in Canterlot Stadium for approximately four hundred twenty six days unless you either gain a sponsor or reset your cellist credentials.
Reasons for suspension:

Not showing up for (3)contract concert(s).
Neglecting payment(s) of (2) instrument(s).
(7) Rehearsal absence(s).
Refusing to comply with returning (2) instrument(s).

We have excused you three times in the past. Return instruments in two weeks or expect heavy fees. Please, discard this notice after reading.
- The Canterlot Alicorn Stadium (Written from The Manehattan Press. Our main office adress is written to help clarify any confusion.

A frustrated groan escaped her mouth from the confines of her pillows.

"What do we have here? A suspension notice? Hmm?" Vinyl loomed over her, sticking out a tongue. "I got so many of those in Ponyville. Why is it that I'm having a better time here and you were everyone's go to gal over there? That's odd."

"I don't know... I started out so good in this area too!" Octavia turned over to face Vinyl, crumbling up the paper in the process. "Bae? Can you... you know?"

"Of course!" With her magic, the paper was grabbed and flown straight into the bin with ease. Almost at the exact same time the sound of cutting wood and a buzz saw was making their presence known.

"Vinyl... are they... here!?" Octavia sat up, brushing her hooves through a now knotted and messy mane.

"All eight of them. This should take a little bit. Unicorns are pretty great at this type of work- I should know." Vinyl pointed a hoof to herself, letting out a cute chuckle.

"Pass me my brush... I am too lazy to look great. I'll settle with being... decent." She plopped back down on the bed, eyeing her brush that floated towards the defeated mare.

Vinyl watched as her marefriend took the brush. She was a rowboat fighting against this dark tsunami as the sound of screaming knots accompanied them. With magic, Vinyl gently took the brush away, grooming Octavia herself. Once the two felt her hair was back to it's luscious state, Vinyl gave a small boop.

"Why did you do that? Come here!" Octavia sprung herself up, attempting to boop her attacker back. Vinyl failed to jump out of the way, tripping over a pillow on the bed. She grabbed the pillow to defend herself as Octavia prepared to strike.

"No! I just finished brushing your hair!" She pleaded, using the pillow as a shield. After the fiery look encapsulated her marefriend's magenta eyes, she used a magical barrier to protect herself.

"This isn't fair, you bloody cheater! Allow me to give you one boop! You must! It's Equestrian law!" She was crouched like a cat being a loaf.

"I am the one with this beautiful purple bubble around me. I win. Also they're outside still... the construction workers plus their painter." Vinyl cautiously dissolved the barrier.

"Alright. I have to greet them and stuff... I'm ready." Octavia helped Vinyl off of the bed, giving her the classic black goggles. As they made their way out of the room, Octavia quickly booped her back. She sped her gait into a gallop down the newly coloured purple and orange hallway.

;

Four days later, after a busy week of performing, trying to get by, greeting some fans, waving to a few others... not booping the other... it was great to see the progress of the house gradually be completed. A near finished product doesn't always look how one imagined it, but the house wallpaper having a half and half design looked great to them. The entire house had this motif to it, giving their home some much needed personality. Vinyl tested the new roof trusses, amazed by how sturdy they were but it was still unsafe to push. The workers were forced to leave due to an emergency at their warehouse. Octavia wondered why they didn't take the ladders, extra saw blades, and hammers with them as they bokted off but they'll be back.

She waited a good thirty minutes until Vinyl left. The DJ had a double birthday party to preform at. Goodbyes were exchanged, wishing the other well. For the grey cellist, this gave her more than enough time to locate the letter from earlier. She had hoped this one was at least light hearted. The one from a few days ago and three short reads from her fans gave her this anxious feeling. Her heart squealed and contorted within the very chest that puffed out breaths. Everything was watching her from everywhere, waiting in anticipation as she began to dislodge the tape. If shadows had feelings, they'd cry in a crowd, sobbing with each shudder from Octavia's ash grey coat. If paper could scream, it would make her flickering ears become the string of a guitar when one pulls it too far. If the doors and windows could giggle, we would come in three's. Once, twice, a final reason to laugh as nothing but all melted into a symphony belated with mar.

And yet- this was but a letter that rested on the back burner of her mind for the past few days. Octavia pulled out the noticeably larger note, flipping open the folded paper once she saw what was neatly written, "To Octavia." The other side was the written message of some sort. She took deep breaths before thoroughly reading.

It's been a few days since I said hello and I don't know when you'll write back to me. Things at home have gotten worse and you're my only means of escapism. When I was younger there was this monthly music festival the school would host. I loved to see the many instruments and directors... it inspired me to try playing something myself. The violin looked fun to use but it was the cello that always caught my eye. I was scared of how huge it was but eventually that fear turned into curiosity... and now I want to save up for cello lessons. You're such a huge inspiration! I mentioned previously how I played the violin but that was a lie, I'm sorry. My parents can't afford me one. My parents don't really care about me. They feed me sometimes and pay for my education but I don't feel loved. I don't think they want me anymore. You care about me. And it makes me feel better. It makes me feel ok. Before I found your music, I was in a dark place mentally. Don't have wings or a horn- or anything so if I were to... accidentally fall off a cliff, I can't save myself. Before I met you- I wouldn't want to. Nobody can save me from my parents but when I put on headphones to listen to your gorgeous music, I feel like I want to continue living. I forget I used to burn my hooves on the stove or try to run in the streets on a busy day. You help make me feel less numb. I'll be better once you write back to me. You'll save me before I do something to myself. I hope you have a great day!

- Your #1 fan

Her stomach felt heavy, supporting the grey mare with a trembling body which desperately tried to force her mouth to scream. Octavia felt a chill run down flatten ears all while the bedroom door knob began to twist. The cellist frantically searched for a place to hide the letter, distraughtly eyeing the cabinet from across the room. Every fiber in her body failed to push movement while the voice in her head ached inside a panicking mind, begging to do something.

She froze.

The door opened, shortly followed by a cautious question. "Tavi? Are you a-alright?" Vinyl spotted the letter, then gave a short gasp after noticing the hot tears running from Octavia's cheeks. "Let me see it." She said gravely.

"It's- this is... nothing, really. Why are you back so soon?" She tried to wipe away the slow flowing tears.

"Shut up, and give it here." Her voice was empty, void of anything and yet everything was felt. Vinyl's horn began to glow. She gave no eye contact but peered into Octavia's soul, causing the grey mare to breathe heavier breaths.

"Honey, please, take a minute to breathe so we... can talk..." Speaking wasn't going to work, as Octavia knew but held on to hope that just died.

A pink aura took hold of the paper, tugging it while also maintaining a safe grip so it didn't tear. Octavia held on with her mouth, biting down as she yanked her head away. The bitter, dusty, and singed taste of magic provoked her mouth. Her taste buds burned, loosening the grip she had on the letter. This only ignited a flame inside Octavia, forcing her to let out a muffled scream as she slid across the floor towards Vinyl.

Octavia held on with her hooves, assisting her weakening mouth. Silent high pitched shrieks escaped through her teeth, fighting against the sting of magic.

Vinyl continued to pull, lowering her horn to better position the flow of magic as it strained alongside a heated horn. The two sweated, blinking through blurry eyes that wished everything was over. Silence crept upon them, watching, waiting, enjoying the painful sounds their throats were making knowi that it all would abruptly stop.

The unicorn, with the best of her ability, shot out a cushioned blast at Octavia. Octavia screamed once she got knocked back, chipping a tooth during the process.

Without an anchor for the letter, Vinyl slammed her head against the nearby pillar which held up a truss. Her eyes dripped with red, clouding her vision with sploshy crimson. Octavia was on the floor, pointing her sprained foreleg at the pillar.

"Marshmallow, careful!" She cried out, sobbing beneath her concerned warning.

Vinyl caught the falling pillar with a dark pink wrap, barely keeping her blood red eyes open. Her labored grunt from the weight was nothing but a passing sound as a clinking noise was heard from above. She was met with the sound of shredding metal striking flesh.

A series of thudding drips followed once the blade of the buzz saw hit the ground.

Vinyl put a hoof to her neck as a whistling sound replaced what was supposed to be a terrified scream. Octavia shook, opening her mouth to yell but nothing was heard. Her marefriend held her tightly as Vinyl slowly sat against the wall. Wet hooves covered her throat as Octavia attempted to apply pressure to the wound.

Octavia was telling her something but the sound of an ongoing ring made it impossible to listen. Her neck felt on fire, running along and down her chest. Vinyl could barely see, hear, and feel... everything felt... like it wasn't real. Through a pinched throat, she swallowed a metallic warm substance which pumped sporadically throughout her mouth. Attempting to read Octavia's expression, it grew and unraveled the second Vinyl began to close her eyes.

Nothing was heard. Nothing was felt. Vinyl couldn't see a thing but this wasn't death. The undescribable scribbles and flashing of colours within blackness were with her. Her limbs were motionless. Vinyl felt frigid, decaying within the body she knew but without the tell tale signs she had died.

It was like this for an unset amount of time. Decadence and quietness observed the unconscious mare. She was finally allowed to flick her ear in the direction of a repeating beep.

;

They've asked Octavia questions about the incident, having the concern of a lioness looking for her cub. She told them many times that they had an argument leading into a physical altercation where Vinyl had fell directly on a shard of glass. A separate crew of ponies were sent to clean up the mess at their residence. No information will be disclosed, it will be a one and done clean up. Why the lie? It's not like the truth is terrible... but Octavia thought about the implications and what they could mean for the construction workers and... herself. Anything to push the narrative far away from the letter. A nurse told her the surgery recovery will take a short while, being about 2 days. Advancements with both magic and science allow for ponies or anycreature to recover from awful injuries. Unfortunately, the lasting scars and defects will still take into effect.

Sweat had glued her hair to her forehead, momentarily irritating fluffy grey ears which were still flattened. The seats were hard plastic, causing the mare to adjust and readjust her position almost constantly. Windows had begun to beam out light orange rays with hints of purple coloured illuminance. The huge clock in the middle of the white waiting room was the only other thing to look at besides the bountiful nature scenery outside.

"Octavia Melody? Do we have an Octavia Melody?" A desk pony called out, spying on her surroundings, "You're free to visit." She stopped, finally returning behind the transparent wall.

She was escorted to the hospital room where they treated her. Vinyl was undergoing a perfusion from an IV bag, connected to her left foreleg. Her head turned towards Octavia, no longer looking outside. Her eyes furrowed, stabbing Octavia with painful eyes which silently wailed of heartbreak. Vinyl opened her mouth to speak but winced with discomfort.

"Ms. Scratch, please, remember to refrain from attempting to speak. Your therapy will begin in a week after your throat is healed. There's also a heavy type of hyphema developing in your cornea. You're in good hooves though." The nurse gave the two of them a look, nodding once she felt they understood. "On a lighter note, Ponish sign language is a treat to learn." With that, she closed to door on her way out.

"You're... using sign language? I'm so sorry for everything... I should've told you what's been going on with me..." Octavia sat in one of the bedside chairs looking down at the floor.

"You think, dip snip!?" Vinyl quickly motioned her hoof across her other hoof, making a tapping noise on her sole. "I'm very very close to ending things with you!" Her ears pointed downwards, giving an upset look again.

"I don't understand sign language. But I do understand you're very angry with me. I'm so sorry, babe." Octavia was about to talk again but her lips quivered. Staring at Vinyl pointing to herself with both hooves, slowly shaking her head.

"No. That doesn't feel right anymore. Looking at you now and telling myself, this is the mare I fell in love with. It's wrong. We could've been a perfect match like I said but being around you is making me feel..." She paused, gently rubbing a hoof on her bandaged throat.

"...Like nothing. I don't know what you meant but I know what you would want to say to me. I'm making you feel miserable, aren't I?" Octavia tried to look Vinyl in the eyes but gravitated her gaze elsewhere. It was mutual.

Reverberations of a dying vibe they once shared, now was dead. It was so quiet, no longer creeping up on the pair... just... waiting... the mood of the room used to be a mixed bag of emotions after the incident but presently, remnants of their care for one another shriveled. Their love for one another felt like watching a Wonderbolt member race with a bunch of common pegasi. The spectacle of it was great but it precipitously ends.

Vinyl studied Octavia, a glimpse of contemplation clouded her eyes but after a moment, nothing happened. As if she was about to sign something but decided not to. The unicorn took another long look at Octavia, opening the door with a dark pink aura.

A foreleg slowly raised, pertaining a point to the exit, as Vinyl turned to stare outside at the Canterlot building and forestry behind it prompting Octavia to get up and lumber away from her. Amidst a palpitated frame, legs of dead weighted lead carried the cellist towards the metal door frame.

Winds from the vents blow but stares at the mares without any cares. Frosty gusts, ever so gently whisper and snicker as Vinyl shuts the door after Octavia's last footsteps were audible.

Beeping called from the heartbeat monitor, racing rapidly again. A wagon of sorrow filled her chest, without giving her an option to give in. Vinyl's mouth melted upwards, tightening by the second. Her grip on a pillow squeezed and battered it, popping a feathered case from within.

From eyes that poured every ounce of dejection, delivered a hot stream of subtlety bubbling tears. She shivered. Heaving a rocking husk of white coat. Vinyl sunk her face into the pillow, letting out a muffled but tortured cry, a chilling rattle.

It continued, vibrating the metal door until her split throat fought back with a stinging, corrosive burn. Not a single thing heard her wavering scream, and yet, the world stopped for her to mourn.

Her face, now a washed out red, allowed a prolonged and anguished scream. She cried until Vinyl fell on her side with a river of tears that accompanied. Trickles of wetness fell from her cheeks, dampening tiny specs on the bed. Rose pink eyes began to paint over the inflamed redness.

A doctor was about to check in but took a minute to let the feeling of urgent concern leave them. She needs this.

;

Ponyville looked different from the last time she had visited. Or was it? Octavia boarded the train to the old town moments after leaving the hospital. Voices told her nots to goes but emotional support from somepony had to happen. Maybe she was right.

The trip there wasn't short, it had been longer than she thought it would take. Well, it felt like forever but in reality tis but a half a day. At least there wasn't any sign of rain here. Rain had been a given for Canterlot's forecast at this point. Ponyville wasn't like Canterlot at all. There's this aesthetic the town gives off, as if the time period slowed to a crawl and progressively quieted technological innovations.

Mud swept across the dirt path but again, no rain, no clouds, no sigh of water was anywhere to be seen. Although the ground was wet, creating puddles here and there, Octavia strides onward and allows for her hooves to be dipped in squelched earth. This still bugged her. If the streets were soaked and wet recently, wouldn't the water have dried up or evaporated? Octavia lingered on this question, taking note on how hot it was and the fact few clouds were visible.

Heading down the path, shrinking from a huge mansion being illuminated by the golden dawn spun her train of thought. It helps to observe things when everything looks so...

"Gorgeous. This view... I wish Vinyl were here." She sighed, squinting at mountains and swirly lines of blissful white. "For Celestia's sake... I... miss her." A hoof pawed at the squishy dirt, disturbing a few pebbles that slept.

With a setting sun, spilling decaying beams of blight across vast atmospheric blushes that gushed beneath Equestria's mesosphere, oil lamps were finally lit. The town's streets were bumbling despite having an ending day. Things were more lively here than in Canterlot. Octavia's dilated pupils reflected sparks of amber flickers, musing the idea of living here sometime again.

Eyes were drawn to her original destination, catching the blinds being swayed closed with dark red curtains. Three stories on that mansion and yet only one seemed to be occupied, inhabited by shadows which glided from the sets of windows. She followed a figure, pacing back and forth, thinking about something. Octavia could tell whomever that is, had a lot of their mind because she too paces like a mad mare time to time.

Some steps and a trot later, the door was in front of her. She pressed a hoof against the elegantly decorated black button. It made a bell chime from inside of the home, where once again, the ambience of life overtook her hearing.

Sinking, gooey, organs of slithering meat within had decided to knot and twist akin to maggots on a scorching day. Octavia tried to suck in her stomach, but fear she'd gag out the contents on Filthy Rich's porch. A small collection of two intestines. An inky sack of bloody flesh which, when thought of, drilled a migraine into her head.

Stagnant doorknobs always spun like corkscrews. A thing Octavia's eyes noted once the door opened.

"Hullo?" A filly's voice answered as Octavia moved her head to look at her. She had a pink coat and a mane that was a dim purple and white. "Who are you?"

"I'm- Octavia... where is your father?"

The answering pony slowly took a step closer to Octavia, staring at her as she pressed the doorbell four times.

"Ah' am comin'!" The familiar voice replied, making a swift approach towards the two. "Mrs. Melody, a welcome suh'prise! Wait here- talking outside will be better." He closed the door, audibly saying something to his daughter before reopening the door and closing it once more. "That was Diamond, in case you were wonderin'."

Octavia tilted her head as Filthy leaned over the porch's railing. "The... I'm sorry- I- can't help but point out... your accent?"

"O', this? Ah' sound like this." He lowered his voice. "Code switching. This is what I sound like in Ponyville."

Octavia softened her vocals too, getting comfortable against the white rail. "So, you switch your voice depending on what city you're in? Or is it more of a trust thing? I'm a bit confused?"

"Back in Canterlot, striking up conversations with strangers... Ah'm a CEO of a Manehattan print company. Or- a well liked Chef in mah hometown... or a casino owner in Las Pegasus with a patent for most of those slot machines. Here, I sell apples with mah daughter in the country side for living. That's not an ounce of interesting in any way." He put a hoof to his temple, calmly shaking his head. "You probably think ah' am fake now, talking in a gruff but soothing voice to you and Vinyl..."

"No, no- I get it... I do almost the same thing. I had fancy parents who talked in this upper class accent which I just hated. They were rich, so I assume the accents came naturally alongside their money. I was pushed to sound all classy and proper but rebelled against them. Until they both died in a horrific fire." The sky turned purple, collecting the orange and yellow mix with it.

"Are you... alright?" Filthy asked, frowning in tune of the sudden silence.

"Yes... you see, I adopted this wealthy sounding voice to speak for me. I guess, in a way, to remember them. My foster parents loved the accent and found it quite charming until I was forced away... I miss..." Mountains were hazy in the distance, dormant, enjoying the surrounding fog. "It was a stark contrast to the boarding school where I was always picked on. Luckily, I met Vinyl who... fell in love with m- it."

"Octavia, what if ah' told you making it sound over enunciated will do wonders for your audience? Fans love a little dramatic flair." Filthy straighten up, letting out a little yawn, "Where is Vinyl anyway? She visiting too?"

"Yes!" Her nose scrunched, eliciting shyness that blinked in from nowhere.

"Do you smell sumthin' terrible? You're having trouble breathing?"

"Well, I'm not used to the different aromas from Ponyville... anymore." She sniffed, uncovering the scent of- "Dry hay. I smell dry hay and I'm not used to it anymore. But to asnwer you question, yeah, Vinyl is here and we miss this town."

"Why, it's very kind of you to stop by!"

Raspy whisper tickles grabbed her by the hair and gave one, slow, mind numbing lick with a tongue that flicked as if it crawled out of a pulsating carcass. Octavia was met by that ever so welcoming ringing. It feeds.

"Findfindthethetraintrain. He hewantswantsyouyoutotoleaveleave. With he away, and out of your life. Wouldn't you like to finally diediedie?" We crept. We creeps, and we watch her weeps.

She'd like to go.

"It's... been a pleasure. I got to go... check on the mare in question." Octavia replied, waving a hoof away at Filthy.

"Wait." Filthy caused her to make a sudden stop with a voice that urged importance.

"Yes?"

“Ah’m sorry you had to go through that... losing your family... ah’ can't imagine.” Pointed, dagger-like fangs that came in two from the white etheral moon was a gorgeous chaotical snow which matched Filthy’s staggered breath. “If something like- like that happened to my Diamond...” He jerked his distressed face away, shutting his eyes. “...Celestia, protect us.”

“I've blocked a lot of terrible things from my mind. Just... ’boop, I gotta put you back there’. It's... not working anymore. I'm feeling too much, getting emotional from every little inconvenience and yet- I am numb to everything.” She felt like screaming or yelling out this pent up rage but nothing matters. “Crying out for help while wanting nobody to lend a hoof to me is all I know. It's what I taught myself. And now I want to disappear from four hundred thousand fans.”

“Octavia... ah’ think you need some counseling. “ Hearing this reply, she shook her head, “You do! All of this baggage isn't good for you- or anypony. Ah’m not the type of person who can- be some sort of- therapist. Helping others with their mental struggles isn't mah’ thing. I have serious issues that need helping.”

Octavia trembled her lip, taking heavy, stomach gripping breaths, “I h-have nobody to talk to about this. Nobody who would care!”

“You have Vinyl, and ah’ think she'd be better suited to help you with th-”

“S-She's gone!” Tears leaked from her magenta eyes, glossy, with pink undertones. “I don't know how many days ago- time doesn't bucking matter anymore! We broke up. I just want to feel better. I want to feel anything besides this...”

Filthy met his eyes with the Earth pony’s for a good twenty seconds. You can almost see what thoughts were floating around in his mind but this readable expression- “It's late. Ah'll talk to you about this sum’ other time but not now.” -was cut short. “I'll see you around, Ms. Melody.” He then motioned a hoof as of to say ‘farewell’ soon followed by the closing of his door.

It blew back her hair, softly, leaving her with the buzzing that pestered the porch light. And all became perfectly chilly. Octavia took a step back, realizing she was awkwardly standing on the porch at midnight. As she was slowly making her way off of the premises, the cellist barely caught Diamond Tiara watching her from the second story bedroom window... slightly ajar.

Other spiders peered through small crevices, twinkling their red dots without a care. Three by three, ten by tens, they followed Octavia as she hazily carried herself to the station. A cape of black which stalked and waited, failing to appease the sky against it's wish to be sated.

There they go, running up and down the tracks. Ever so patiently awaiting the squishing of their backs. The grey mare couldn't see the countless little friends. It was as if they were ghosts, guiding her to a briskly planned end.

One hundred or less. One hundred or more. Always there to comfort without a hint of remorse. Avoiding hoofsteps, the clinking of palps continued, sharing the familiar sound of rain. Alas, these children of snow white sacks from under many houses were nature indeed. More of them came, but scampered away and towards the whistling of a huge glowing torch.

It got larger and louder, at an alarming rate. We smile breathlessly, allured by the blinding gift from such a screeching silhouette.

Yes, it was getting colder as the air stung anything with a nip, but the metal tracks were still hot from the morning sun that recently ended it's fun. Pebbles bounced with forceful joy as something came speeding down Equestria’s land.

Whispers from her new friends hushed the critters talking idly out of sight. Friendly whispers. Our whispy speeches.

“Staystay herehere. Wewe carecare aboutabout youyou, tistis alrightalright. Dostdost thouthou feelfeel lonelylonely nownow?”

“No.”

Her reply pleased us. Octavia craned her head to glimpse at the bright white eyes filled with blight that greeted her. Quickly, it came. Quickly, it said ‘hello’.

Even though the environment shone with a ferocious beam, Octavia saw a quick closing of cold nothingness as soon as it appeared. The inky group of friends bursted in front, underneath iced wheels.

Darkness was there.

Soon, we were back at the chandelier patiently sleeping. Countless of us came, and countless of us left. All within the chilled air the wish of death brought. How fulfilling, was it not?

Gasping for air was the first thing Octavia decided to do, being submerged in this field of water and whiteness. She was on her back, quickly getting up as the water running down her coat turned into mist. After getting a feel of her surroundings- an endless shallow sea of water within a cloud, shifting and molding against a snowy sky.

Octavia felt her fur shiver and soften, rotting, eating her alive. A putrid stench of blackening flesh warped her body in a state of lucidly stitched together nerve cells that delayed the activity of her brain. The water below her turned red. It wasn't quite blood, no, this was water but... thicker. This. Wasn't. Blood. Even though she stepped and a splash of the substance attacked her tongue with a hot metallic taste... it wasn't blood. That was her conclusion. Everything on her began to fall apart and wilt. It was painless, of course, as she picked up her foreleg that dripped with various contents. She was now a skeleton, alive, but bones and nothing more. No hair, or even a tail. She couldn't even breathe. Hollow eyes were pried to a floor before she attempted to squirm out of it to no avail.

This mysterious liquid trapped her, sinking her bone ridden hooves deeper and deeper below the tainted mist. Back here, again? At the playground, where a younger verison of her wept but things felt different. Things felt grey. Younger Octavia thrashed and crawled on the ground, allowing each and every wood chip to stab the filly.

The wailing of sadness didn't end, causing Octavia to stare with such a concerned expression. Putrid oozes of black dripped from her mouth and eye sockets. The ooze welled up within the bones magically held together. As it crept up and twisted it's reach around the barrel of her ribcage, Octavia tried the best to her ability to ignore it.

Younger Octavia was staring straight at the skeleton that almost gasped and coughed up more of the dark substance.

Eyes of the filly followed as the skeletal figure of Octavia slowly waved a hoof. The two stared at the other, with one only having the privilege to blink accordingly.

“H-hello?” Filly Octavia asked cautiously, nearly bowing down in defense, “What are you? I get this feeling that... wait... you're... friendly?”

Octavia tried to respond but her voice chalked, caving in the sound within a visible throat. Another effort was put into speaking but more of that black goo spilled out of the little cracks. This didn't frighten the young Octavia judging by the look on her face. She straightened up, approaching the skeletal husk of the cellist.

Eventually, a small hoof held the red stained bone of Octavia’s skeleton. Without any eyes or a voice to speak, she slumped her body over and looked away.

“Are you sad? I'm-” Younger Octavia sniffed, wiping away what remained of her tears, “-I am pretty sad too.” Fog seemed to settle itself in, complacently listening to the two. “My parents are... they're gone. I miss them.”

Skeleton Octavia looked over at her younger self, giving a tiny nod. Across the concrete ground which blocked the wood chips, Octavia took a glob of her black goo from the cusp of a leaking jaw. Her hoof painted a heart into the pavement, then bled a zigzag in between the middle.

Filly Octavia looked at her older self, blinking away more tears that came and went. “My heart looks like that too. I've been told it gets better but I don't believe that. I think everyone is on the same balanced scale of terrible no matter how young- we just choose who to pay attention to when someone is sad and eventually... it gets worse for the ignored.”

Chilly air that traveled with a howling breeze joined perfect silence as leaves flew away from swaying trees. Ponyville never been prettier as it was swallowed from the developing mist. Her younger self got closer, and despite the tough unforgiving shell of bone, she rested on the skeleton’s lap.

Octavia brushed a hoof down the filly’s mane, having the compelling need to cry. But tears wouldn't be enough. They couldn't be. And yet, the blackness dripped from empty eyes, without a single sound to disturb the sleeping bliss of filly Octavia.

“You're safe now. It's alright, I'm here. It's not your fault.” Her throat was cleansed, slowly reverting back to normal. She finally allowed her younger self to smile.

Dense mist wistfully blanketed the two, inviting Equestria to disappear without a trace. Filly Octavia was gone, leaving the skeleton to sit alone in the darkened playground. The playground was now a graveyard, leaving a trail of rose petals to an unmarked tombstone. Octavia looked at her dead hooves, slowly engaging eye contact with the abyss in front of her. It called to the cellist, unfolding the mound of grass to reveal mud. Worms and beatles wiggled and sped up their slithe with ease, digging into the Earth. Lightning struck the dark purple sky dotted with sugar spilt twinkles above her.

Moss began to flake on her skeleton, protruding from anywhere it could fester. The moss used it's extra lenght to grab onto the mud, pulling Octavia closer to the bottomless hole. As she got closer, the grave was inscribed.

Here Lies Octavia Melody.

Nothing could save her. Nothing cared if she'd scream or shout for anypony to save her. The moss wrapped around her legs, tugging down from inside of the hole. She attempted to pull away and bite the constricting ropes but her teeth were yanked out after each bite. Octavia got knocked on her side, painfully putting a hoof to her muzzle that poured out waves of black ooze. Dirt mounds formed from the edges of her grave, gurgling their breaths, waiting to be fed.

Screaming wasn't an option, shrieking out it into an apathetic space when her lungs weren't even there. She fell for a long time, sleeping within this world that seemingly prepared for her to slumber. And slumber, Octavia did.

Her eyes were still gone, but an unseen entity allowed blackness. Thus, ending the sea of nothing with a room she wished was deleted from a damaged memory. It was the boarding school again, noticeably, having a single bed inside of the room.

Something smelled of moldy clothes. She was fixated on dim yellowish green stains that sprouted from her blanket.

”Is this what my bed would look like today?”, was her initial thought. A closer inspection revealed a note on top of the bed that was signed from... her. The writing wasn't too different from hers.

Thank you for teaching me how to play the cello. Thank you for the memories.

- Love, Octavia.

An oddity. She didn't remember writing a goodbye letter for this place. Octavia definitely hated it here. We thinks she did. We knows she did!

Octavia stomped a hoof, wincing from a pain deep inside of her head. It wanted to bulge out. It wanted to escape by slamming against the thick bone of her skull. We'd allow it to happen.

Shadowy circles pranced around the skeleton mare, spinning in a circular motion while she stood still filled with purpose. Octavia attempted to follow the hidden pony that stalked her, travelling and fossilized between the smoke. The ground changed beneath her hooves, shifting into wooden planks, gravitating curvy walls which met at a point above her. She was in a library of some sort... slowly recognizing the place. Was this a celebration party?

The shadow spun faster, hurrying it's rotation until black tendrils shot out at the wood next to her hooves. Spines and twisted contortions of limbs and melted faces hidden in front of a stitched and distorted face made out of old patches of black cloth, having lower maulers adjoining our jaw of uncountable threads. We became one with ourselves, looking at her face as it teared up, pulsing her eye muscles to scream right as flesh reworked itself for the grey mare. Our arm spindle cracked, popping out of loose sockets to feel her face. She closed her eyes, relaxing a shaking shoulder just in time for her hair to roll across her back.

She at last opened her eyes, meeting the loving gaze of Vinyl.

“Wh-what the Tartarus are you!” She backed up, bumping into a bookshelf behind her, quickly scooting away just in case anything fell. “I don't know what this is- please... just... let me die.”

”Your life is precious, Octavia. Thirteen million, six hundred seventy-four thousand, nine hundred and sixty minutes... our time with you was beautiful. You can always extend the hours, minutes, or seconds in your life. Please do. To you, it's an endless cycle of pain and adversity but watching you overcome awful things time and time again... it's art for us. An irreplaceable masterpiece.”

“I don't want to live for you- or- anyone! Everything is too much for me... I can't take it!”

”You're not living for us. You're not living for anyone else. The art from your music and those it inspired now exists because you decided to turn everything that hurts... into beauty. We beg you. Please, make a masterpiece by living out your life. You're not alone. We're here to comfort from your woes.”

“I... I don't know. I don't know how to turn my life into some- bloody masterpiece. I can't! I- want to end this suffering... the memory loss, the ban from the stadium, my friend is upset with me for venting... my marefriend is gone... some poor fan is putting me on a pedestal... I want to end it. All of these eyes are on me and yet... nobody sees me.”

Vinyl tapped Octavia on the shoulder, leaning on her tippy-hooves as the world listened. “What are you doing all by your lonesome back here?”

Her mind sawed through a memory, fading in everypony and decoration the library had to offer. Some commotion went on behind a crowd of many ponies, greeting a newcomer in town.

She was about to end this memory, silently protesting a wave of confused thoughts. “I- umm... was about to welcome the new pony. I hope she has a great stay here...”

“Honestly, I came for the snacks but mostly the... cupcakes-” her head turned at something behind Octavia, “-is the new pony dumping hot sauce on a cupcake!? Awesome!”

This caught Octavia's attention too. They both shared a laugh as the new pony bolted upstairs with a cherry red face soon after.

Octavia held her chest with a hoof, calming down her huffing lungs, “That was-”

“Hilarious! Here's hoping there's a glass of milk here or something. Oh, by the way, I'm Vinyl Scratch! My card.” She gave Octavia a small white card with Vinyl’s music note cutie mark printed on it. “They misspelled my name, please excuse that.”

Vinyl Skratch’s DJ services!
I cater •Weddings! •Birthday parties! •Cute-ceñeras! •Nightmare Night events! •Adopting your first pet!

“No-no, this is... perfect. I should make one too, actually. You do this all by yourself? No group of ponies helping you out or anything?” Octavia tilted her head, raising a brow.

“Totally! And what do you do? With that fancy attire and treble clef on your flank? Are you in a choir?”

She put a hoof to her mouth, quieting a giggle, “Oh, I'm just a ‘high society’ cellist... classical music and whatnot. Octavia Melody, it's a pleasure to meet you!”

Shaking hooves was enough to make her squeak out a throaty whimper. Vinyl’s hoof melted into black slush, diluting her snowy coat with it. We clasped one of our many appendages over Octavia's foreleg, stabbing our twisty knives into the floor out of Vinyl’s back for better balance. Suddenly, we melted from the top down. Pooling our body tissue in front of the broken mare. Her eyes gushed out tears, seemingly unfazed from the transformation.

Tops of us slithered into a curved blob. The other half split into a lonesome puddle.

“We think what you two had was beautiful. If you continue to live, more of life’s treasures shall be beautiful. Your life will be a breathtaking painting. A pretty song... from a cello. We can promise you that.”

Once we left.

Darkness wasn't here.

Dark purple paint was drying longer than it took for her to spring open those magenta eyes. She was home, on her bed that was once fought over for space. Next to Octavia was a letter addressed to her that claimed to be from her number one fan. How many days has it been since the last one? Or the first one before that? It didn't matter anymore.

With a resting face, she opened it with her hooves.

It was alright to skim the letter without showing any sign of interest. And that's what she did. Scanning each and every word, sentence, a paragraph or two. Just as easily as it took to read, she put it away within the drawer of mixed up letters and trinkets from fans.

She took her cello from underneath her bed, phoning in the stadium some time after the cello was cleaned and a gold plated initial had been screwed off.

A chariot waited for her as the sun began to wind down like a music box's lever. Or was it winding up? It took minutes to get there but taking notice of the many houses of well known ponies urked something in her stomach.

The steps were a light grey, nearly matching Octavia's coat when struck by light. With a slightly heavy cello case to carry, it was going to take a while. There wasn't any ramp for things that needed to roll inside of the stadium, but the cellist didn't care. Her sigh was brief, still maintaining an unreadable expression that matched the excitement of a shattered brick wall.

Someone was galloping towards her direction, hearing the musical ticking of hooves from behind, she stopped carrying the case up the steps.

“Heyyyy, Octavia! Guess what! Guess what!” An excited pegasus hopped and fluttered her way over to the cellist with a gleeful beam of teeth. Her celeste fur made her shadows glow along with fuzzy leg warmers.

Octavia raised her head, nodding only after the pegasus appeared to seek her approval.

“Got a record label! Woo! I understand if you were busy and couldn't help. It's fine! My record producer assisted me- he is so kind! My stage name is now April Showers and I would like for you to view a show if that's alright...” She folded her smile, giving a playful hoof to Octavia's leg. “Are you sick? You look a little under the weather. That wasn't an intended pun! Can I help you carry your case? Former weather pegasi here, assisting is my jam!”

A hurricane of thoughts circled inside Octavia's mind as April Showers rambled something about Cloudsdale and her line of her up there. After a few seconds of emotionless energy, she nodded as if she were listening to anything the excited pegasus was on about. She just wouldn't stop talking. It didn't test Octavia's patience because she didn't care. Clouds drifted away from a listening Equestria, splitting off and making even more of them. It looked as if the clouds felt like darkening, signaling an all too familiar vibe Canterlot started formed.

Octavia stared and studied the sky even more from behind the mare chatting in front of her.

“So, are you going to my third official concert? It's next week on...” She said Tuesday. No, wait, perhaps she said Wednesday... “You're a free VIP- Very Important Pony! It'll be soooo fun! I already have many fans... although they can get too much for me sometimes. Anyway, please come!” She practically jumped up and down, happily counting on the cobblestone ground.

Octavia tried to answer but everything around her seemed to be alive and cheerful. Birds were dancing along the waves of trees, gifting her a sense of awe.

The cellist slowly nodded her head. As close to an answer as she can make. April Showers gave her a side hug, asking one last time if she can help Octavia carry her cello case. Her response was a prolonged stare. She took the response as a no, wondering if she'd done anything wrong.

“Alright, Octavia, I'll stop pulling on your tail. As you can tell, I'm so excited! Drink some tea or a warm glass of sparkling fruit punch- it helps with nerves and anxiety. I'll see you around!” She waved her wing goodbye, having one leg warmer slip. She turned around as she flew away, hiding the faint cuts and slashes.

Octavia shifted her emotionless gaze at the pegasus, ending it once the clouds took over a shifting sky of brush strokes. The doors of the stadium were open, prompting other famous ponies to hide Octavia in a crowd as they walked past.

Her eyes were there but so was the darkness.