> Zombie Love Story
>  by xscar10
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Embalm-shell
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the depths of Everfree forest, for twenty four years a stallion has walked an unnatural life. He has been going from day to day not sure why he's living at all. He found refuge in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters, and stayed there for his life...
Until one day he found a group of ponies had found their way into the abandoned castle. He was sure that he had cut the rope bridge a long time ago, but they had found a way across. There was a fight between the group, and a rather large mare with a mane of stars. The mare was defeated and turned into a small blue pony, when another large mare with a rainbow like mane showed up. All of them left the castle, and the stallion, who was intrigued, followed them.
Eventually they came to a settlement, an entire town filled with ponies. The stallion was shocked, he had never seen so many ponies in one place before. He would never dream of walking into town, but it was still a bewildering sight. He would go back to the castle, but would return every day to see the little town. They fascinated him, he hadn't ever seen any group larger than three or four ponies before, but now there are hundreds, or at least dozens, sitting in front of him. Day after day he would walk to the little town, and watch from the outskirts, just imagining what it must be like to live there.
This stallion doesn't remember his name, but has taken to calling himself Shiver, because that's usually what people do when they see him, besides what kind of a name is scream? He has a grayish coat, a broken horn, one ear, half a torn mouth, a thin tail, an exposed spine, and his eyes glow yellow. We join him on one night that was different from the others. One that changed his 'life' from then on... The night he was hit by a wagon.

Thud

"What was that?!" One stallion exclaimed, coming to a halt.
"I think we hit somepony! It was so dark I could hardly see 'em!" The other replied, unhooking himself from the cart.
"What's going on out there?" Octavia said, sticking her head out of the wagon, and looking around.
"We hit somepony!" Said the first stallion.
"Well don't just stand there, go check if they are alright!" She yelled down to them, and they ran around behind the wagon. She pulled her head back in, and opened the door. As she did she heard the two stallions scream. "What?! What is it?!" She yelled, jumping out of the wagon.
"He's... dead..." Said the second stallion.
"...Dead?" Octavia said, and walked slowly around to the rear of the wagon, and saw the body laying on the ground... and the head ten feet away. "Dear Celestia..." She said, covering her mouth. The three of them gasped, as the body began to stir. They stood paralyzed as the body stood up, walked over, and reclaimed his head. The first stallion was the first to run, and the second followed shortly. Shiver turned, and looked directly at Octavia, his eyes locked on hers.
"Octavia, get in!" Yelled the first one, shaking her from her fearful trance. She swiftly ran for the door, and jumped in. As soon as she made it in, they took off towards Ponyville.
"Wait..." Said Shiver, watching as they left him in the dust. He followed them, but unable to move nearly as fast as them. He found himself far behind them,  following slowly, but steadily.
Octavia rode into town, and was dropped off by the stallions at her home. She let out a sigh, walked over to her couch, and laid down. She lit a fire in the fireplace, and just watched the fire as it slowly lulled her to sleep. When she was suddenly awoken by the sound of the dishwasher tuning on.
"Vinyl! Will you turn that thing off?!" Yelled Octavia, sitting up on the couch.
"Huh?! Oh, Octy! When did you get home?!" Vinyl yelled back, over the sound of the dishwasher.
"Just now!" Octavia yelled in return.
"Cool, how was Canterlot?!" Vinyl yelled nonchalantly (as odd as that may sound).
"TURN OFF THE DISHWASHER ALREADY!" Octavia yelled even more loudly than before.
"Oh! Sorry!" Vinyl yelled back, before switching it off. Octavia sighed with relief, and laid back down on the couch.
"So, how was Canterlot?" Vinyl asked, walking into the living room.
"Not now Vinyl..." Octavia said, rolling onto her side.
"Something wrong 'tavi...?" Vinyl asked, sitting on the edge of the sofa.
"I don't know. I think I saw something tonight, but I don't know what." Octavia said, and looked at the door.
"Well, if you don't even know then it can't be that bad." Vinyl chuckled, and Octavia didn't so much as crack a smile. "Look, Just relax, and have some cocoa or something. Whatever it is, it's over now, don't stress about something that's already happened." Vinyl said with a nod of her head.

Just outside her window, looking in, was shiver. He stood there curiously, watching the two converse. "They're... just like me... almost. Yes... almost." He said, and smiled warmly. He watched Octavia talk with Vinyl intently. Ponies were a lot different when they couldn't see him. They were nicer, quieter. He never understood why everypony was so scared of him. Was it because he eats meat... or because he smells... or maybe just the way he looks? He Was confused by the feeling he had welling up in his chest as well.
"Oc-ta-vi-a. Octavia. That's her name. I like her name." He said, and put his hoof to his chest. His breath was shallow, and his chest felt tight. He wondered if this was what a heartbeat felt like...
"I feel weird... I like it, but it's weird." He said, turning, and leaning against the window. He sat, just thinking about how he felt, when-
"HOLY HAY, WHAT IS THAT?!" Vinyl yelled, and shiver turned to see them both looking at him. He put his hoof on the window, and Octavia screamed.
"Time to go... yes." He said to himself, and ran off. He swerved through the streets, and back into Everfree as quick as he could. He could hear the ponies of the town stirring, and see lights turning on. He didn't mean to scare anypony, but he's used to it already.
He went back home, and looked around at the old castle. It wasn't like the homes in the town, it was different... like him. So he tried to fix it. He didn't have much to work with, but he got to work chopping down trees, and cutting them up. He put the boards up on the walls, and used leaves to thatch the roof. He took some larger leaves, and made paper lanterns. After hours upon hours of working, he was satisfied by his job. It seemed a bit patch-worked, but it was good. 
He stayed there until night, not only to safely go to Ponyville again, but also admiring his work. He then began his walk to Ponyville.

Octavia stood playing her cello, letting herself get lost in her music. She hadn't been able to sleep since last night's incident, and needed something to take her mind off it. She played some of her favorite pieces, Beathooven's fifth, and Dies Irae from Moats-heart’s Requiem. She finished with a sigh.
"Come now Octavia, you are above this. You can't this get the best of you. Strive for perfection." She said to herself, and wiped sweat from her brow. She continued playing on through Dies Irae. 
"Octavia you need sleep... and I need to stop hearing those same songs over and over." Vinyl said, laying on the couch and waving her hooves above her.
"Fine, fine... I'll go to sleep, but you had better wear headphones to listen to your... 'music'." Octavia said, and started walking off, when there was a knock at the door.
"I'll get it." Vinyl said, trotting over to the door. She opened it just as Octavia reached the stairs. "Umm... 'tavi?" Vinyl said, and Octavia stopped.
"What is it?" She asked, turning back to Vinyl.
"This came for you." She said, closing the door behind her. She walked over to Octavia, and handed her a white flower with a note attached to it.
"Ditzy doesn't deliver this late." Said Octavia, sitting on the stairs. 
"Well this pony probably delivered it them self." Vinyl said handing the flower to Octavia. She took it, and looked at the note. Her name was written across the front in bright red, and she opened it to see inside. It read:


 My Dear Octavia: 
I don't really know you, but I admire you from afar.
I've seen you play, and am dying to hear more.
Your mane, your figure, even your collar and bow all tantalizing.
Of all your features though, your eyes are the most beautiful.
I'm not the smartest, strongest, or quickest stallion, but if I have anything, it's good taste.

Sincerely yours: Shiver spine


"That sure sent a shiver down your spine, eh?" Vinyl said, nudging Octavia.
"I beg your pardon?!" Octavia said, blushing brightly.
"Come on 'tavi, I can see it in your face. You are loving the old fashioned secret admirer bit." Vinyl said with a snicker.
"Bite your tongue! I'm going to bed before you accuse me of any more." Said Octavia, trotting up stairs, flower in hoof.
"Can't wait to fantasize about him in bed, huh?" Vinyl got out, before Octavia slammed the door. "I know I will..." Vinyl chuckled to herself.

Shiver, little did they know, was just outside. He sat pleased with himself, but that quickly faded as he thought about what he was doing.
"She likes Shiver, but she doesn't know it's me... She doesn't like me. No, not me." He said to himself, looking in the window at her bedroom door. "How could she ever like me? I'm... scary." He sighed to himself.
"Well there's always hope. Yes... hope. If she falls in love with the Shiver she likes, maybe she'll fall in love with the shiver she doesn't. Yes... hope." He smiled to himself, looked up at the side of the house, and saw the window into her room. He climbed up the side of the house, and looked in her window. She was standing there by her bed, taking off her collar. He laid down with his chin rested on his hooves, watching her get in bed. She wrapped her hooves around her pillow, a smile on her face as she looked at the flower on her nightstand.
"She's happy, good. That makes me happy too." He said, and sat at her window for a few hours, watching as she slept, and wondering what it was like. She seemed so peaceful, only breaking from her silence to mumble something, or  make a cute little giggle. He put his hoof up on the glass, and let out a sigh, before climbing down and heading home.
He walked home as quickly as he could, and headed straight to his room. He took out an other piece of paper, and started writing his next note.
"I need to think of more words, better words. Yes... better." He started trying to think of more, and more things to write, but he couldn't make his thoughts meet his pen. He had a hoof on his head trying to bring his feelings to the page. Frustrated, he walked up the stairs up to the roof, and looked up at the starry sky.


How could she ever love me?
I'm just a rotting corpse in the depths of Everfree.
I see her and I just can't explain how I feel.

I've never felt, this way before.
I can't hold it back anymore.

I'm feeling lost, but no one's seeking.
I'm falling far, but never pleading.

I may be dead, but she makes me feel alive!

She is perfect, powerful, pure, and pristine.
Why would she ever love anything so... unclean.
She brings a sense of culture, onto the scene.
Why do I cause only fear, like a machine?

Why? 
Why don't I cry?
Why can't I die?
I look to the sky,
and wonder... why?

I've never felt, this way before.
I can't hold it back anymore.

I'm feeling lost, but no one's seeking.
I'm falling far, but never pleading.

I may be dead, but she makes me feel alive!

When she, looks at me
Just what, will she see?

Terror lurching in my my mind.
Horror to which they are blind.
Dread creeping in my soul.
Panic will not take me whole.

No, I've felt that way before.
I must hold it back once more.

I was lost, and none were seeking.
I fell far, always crying.

I may have been dead, but I have been revived!

... but how... could she ever... love me?



He sung at the top of his lungs, his voice echoing across the open air. He had a surprisingly good voice for somepony with no throat.
"That's it! Of course! Music!" He said, as inspiration struck him. "She loves music, so I'll win her heart with music! Yes... perfect!" He clacked his hooves together, and ran back down into his room. He sat in there for hours trying to get each and every note just right. He had to toss a lot out through trial and error, and the sun was beginning to rise.

Octavia lay in bed, her silk covers muddled around her. She clutched her pillow tightly to her breast, and yawned, stretching her jaw out, followed by her forelegs. She rolled onto her stomach, sticking her flank in the air, and stretching her hind legs. She flipped her tail up elegantly, and the covers gently fell to the side.
She stepped out of bed with a happy sigh, taking her sheets, and fixing her bed. After the bed was done she walked over to her wardrobe, taking out her morning robe, and throwing it over her shoulder. She headed to the bathroom, and started the water for a warm bath. She took a longer bath than usual, just enjoying herself. Then sat in front of her mirror, brushing her hair, and applying her makeup in her robe.
She walked down stairs, and into the kitchen seeing Vinyl ready to do the dishes. So she let out a sigh, and prepared her ears for bombardment. As the song played, she made herself a glass of orange juice, and a bowl of cereal. She ate quietly (or comparatively so), and finished getting ready for the day.
"So, 'tavi, what're you gonna be up to today?" Vinyl asked, resting her shades at the tip of her snout.
"Not much, just going to Canterlot to play at a party." Octavia said, tuning her cello.
"Ugh, another stuffy party. Just once I want to see you let loose, and plug that thing into something." Vinyl said, shaking her head.
"My cello can't be 'plugged in', and I get paid to play classical music." Said Octavia, rolling her eyes.
"Yeah, but wouldn't it be awesome?! I can see you up there rockin' out on a neon green, transparent cello, in tight spandex, playing some amazing riff." Vinyl said, posing as she fantasized.
"Why do all your fantasies involve me wearing spandex?" Octavia asked, looking at Vinyl, who simply shrugged. "Well maybe some other time I might possibly try playing something more your style... That is, if you would play classical music." Octavia said, checking her tuning.
"Ha, you got a deal!" Vinyl said, spitting in her hoof, and holding out.
"...Quite..." Octavia said, shaking her hoof by the tip. She walked back up stairs, and saw the flower on her nightstand. She immediately lit up, and took in a deep breath, taking in the flower's scent. She couldn't keep from fantasizing about this Shiver spine, no doubt an alias, but even so. He would be a smooth, and debonair, cultured, and sophisticated. Possibly an artist, or even a musician like her. He's old fashioned, probably pretty shy, sweet and caring. He says he's not strong, fast, or smart, but that doesn't matter to her. She always preferred men whom are more dashing, but not roguish.
He may be from Canterlot, but he delivered the note himself in the dead of night, so probably not. He could be somepony from Ponyville, but who? Big Mac? No, he's sweet, but not the sweet talking type. The Doctor? No, he spends almost all his time in that blue box of his; besides I heard from carrot top he was dating Derpy. Thunderlane? No, he's not the kind to call himself weak in any way... I heard Caramel likes classical music, but I know he's dating Sassaflash. 
"Ugh... colts are like parking spots; all the good ones are either taken, or you don't have change for the meter... Wait what?" Octavia somehow managed to confuse herself.

Shiver was at his desk, and writing, crumpling, tossing, and repeating. He sat humming different melodies to himself, keeping in mind she likes classical music. He wrote song after song, but none of them were good enough, none of them were perfect. He sat giddy, and nervous at the same time; trying so hard to bring it up to her standards. He looked out his window, and saw the sun. It didn't show so bright, here in Everfree, but it still singed his flesh, and irritated his eyes.
"Not good enough. No... not perfect." He said tossing aside another piece of  paper. He held his hooves to his face, and hopelessness crept over him.
"I can't make anything good enough. I can't do anything right. I don't even have a talent." He said looking at the cutie mark on his flank. It was part of him, but it's not his. It belonged to whoever he used to be. To him it was just a mark on his side. 
"I can't do anything right... I can't even die right..." He said, thinking back to a few of his darker days. "No. No thinking like that. There is still hope. Yes... hope." He said, pulling a new sheet of paper, and began writing again. With Octavia in his mind, and hope in his heart he wrote with vigor and passion.
That night he left for town with his song in his teeth, and the wind at his back. He made his way through the forest when he saw a mass of lights in town. He came to the edge of the forest, and saw the whole town out and about for some celebration. For some reason they were all wearing costumes, and the fillies and colts were going from house to house asking for candy. He'd never seen anything like this before...
but wait...
"Oh most joyous of days! What an opportunity! What marvelous luck! A day when everypony looked like they were monsters, and somepony like me fits in perfectly! Yes! Perfect!" Shiver leaped in joy, beaming brightly as he started toward the town. He walked around, seeing all the different fantastical costumes. Pirates, and ninjas. Wizards, and ghosts. Vikings, and knights. Chickens... and paper bags?... odd. 
Shiver occasionally got a complement on his 'costume', and even took a few pictures. He found his way to Octavia's house, and saw the lights out. They must not be home, so he let himself in. The door wasn't locked so he just walked in. The house seemed so different from inside, it had a familiar feel to it. He trotted into the kitchen, and looked around, cause he wasn't likely going to get this chance again.
He walked from room to room, investigating, until he came to the staircase. He saw at the top of the stairs was Octavia's room. As his eyes locked on the door, he made his way slowly up, and with a tap of his hoof, the door creaked open. Shiver walked into the room, and a smile was plastered on his face. 
"I'm going to make her so happy! Yes! So happy!" He said, walking over to her bed. He laid a letter on her pillow, chuckling giddily. As his mission was completed he decided not to linger to long. He turned, and headed back for the door, but he heard something downstairs.
Clack. Click, click, click, click. A door and hoofsteps.
"I don't know why I even went to that party..." Octavia said downstairs. She was back so soon, what to do?!
"The party was plenty fun, you just need to loosen up." Vinyl said. Shiver looked around the room for an escape plan.
"It's not that... all I could think about was..." Octavia said. Shiver could hear them walking up the stairs.
"All the stallions? That's what I was thinking about." Vinyl said, close behind Octavia. Shiver had to act quick, so he turned, and walked quietly toward the closet.
"No... just one." Octavia said, making her way closer to the door.
"Right, that... Shiver spine guy." Vinyl said as Octavia as she turned the knob.
"Yes... I don't know why I'm so flustered, I've never had a stallion effect me like this before. Not even among the Canterlot elite." Said Octavia, walking into her room.
"Well, I guess you just aren't attracted to status symbols. You like to be courted." Vinyl said, walking in behind her.
"I admit, I am a bit... old fashioned at times, but this is different... He is different." Octavia said, flopping down on her bed.
"You got bit hard by that love bug huh?" Chuckled Vinyl. Shiver watched them from inside the closet, his throat tightening with anxiety.
"Ugh... it's not fair... I finally meet somepony nice, and have no idea who he his." She said, laying her head back.
"Umm... 'tavi? What's that?" Vinyl asked, pointing just above her. Octavia, opened her eyes, and looked at the envelope on her pillow. 
"How did...?" Octavia started, at a loss for words.
"Ooo, he left a love note on your pillow, how romantic<3!" Vinyl said leaning her chin on her hooves, with her flank in the air, and tail swishing gracefully. Octavia smiled, and opened the envelope. She pulled out a piece of paper, and read it to herself.
"What does it say this time?" Vinyl asked, raising a brow.
"Nothing." Octavia said, looking up at vinyl.
"What do you mean nothing? Come on tell me." Vinyl said, trotting in place.
"No, I mean nothing, it doesn't say a thing... it's music." Octavia said, smiling as she read it.
"He wrote you music?" Vinyl asked, and Octavia nodded.
"Oh, he did write something at the bottom." Octavia said, and read aloud. "This song I wrote for you, the most perfect thing I've ever written, for the most perfect thing I've ever seen. With love; Shiver Spine." She read, and her grin was shown from ear to ear. Shiver mirrored her smile, but slightly biting his lip.
"Aww, how cute!" Vinyl said, and sat beside Octavia.
"It really is..." Octavia said with a sigh. 
"Something wrong 'tavi?" Vinyl asked, their smiles fading.
"I just... wish I could meet him, you know... Put a face to the fantasy, and all that." Octavia said, and couldn't help but envision him again.
"It's called a secret admirer for a reason. He's shy, scared you might turn him down, or for whatever reason, doesn't want to be known." Said Vinyl, leaning forward.
"Yes, but even so, it's emotionally draining. I know there's somepony out there who likes me, but there's no way of knowing who. I wish I could just meet him, say yes, get it over with." she said, folding the song back into the envelope.
"You do know that as soon as you would find him the tension wouldn't go away... that's assuming you can keep your hooves off him." Vinyl teased, rubbing her hooves to her cheeks.
"Where do you get these ideas of me being stallion obsessed..?" Octavia asked, glaring slightly.
"I project my own obsession onto you to protect own my insecurities." Vinyl said... oddly specifically.
"Right... well, that being said, I need some sleep... Goodnight Vinyl." Octavia said, laying back on her pillow.
"Alright, I can take a hint. Night, Octy, don't fantasize too loudly, I'll be downstairs." Vinyl said, walking out the door.
"Goodnight, Vinyl!" Octavia said as the door closed, and she could hear Vinyl giggling from behind it. Octavia smiled, and laid her head down on her pillow. She looked over at the envelope on the opposite pillow with a smile.
"Goodnight Shiver, whomever you are." She said cuddling up to the pillow.

Shiver laid down, happy to see her happy, and waited. He watched from the closet as her chest rose and fell slightly, her breathing made her sound so fragile. He could breath, but he never had to, and she even does in her sleep. He took in a breath through his nose, and then exhaled. it seemed so foreign to have to breath, but it was soothing, in a sense. 
He waited hours, to be absolutely sure she was asleep before creeping out of the closet. The door creaked lightly as it opened, and Octavia turned a little in her sleep. He took a moment to brush her hair from he face, and his touch made her smile. He slowly took light step, after light step past her bed, and toward the door. He heard Octavia utter a noise from behind him, but he was too afraid to turn and see if she was awake. He simply continued walking forward.
He tried to keep his hooves from clacking as best he could as he came closer to the door. He reached up to turn the knob, hearing the bed creaking behind him. He had felt terror few times before, but never so strong nor so vividly. He turned his head seeing just out of the corner of his eye, Octavia's shape behind him. He had to look, he couldn't keep from it any longer. He turned his head fully to see her... she had just rolled over in he sleep. If he had a breath he would have sighed with relief.
He opened the door slowly, and peeked out, catching his eye was the light downstairs. Vinyl was still awake. He had to sneak past her to escape. He trotted slowly, and quietly over to the stairs. He took each step carefully, his hooves shaking with each suspenseful step. Stress building up in his chest. He reached the end of the stairs, looking around the corner, and seeing Vinyl on the couch, with the door in full view.
He walked over into the kitchen instead, keeping as quiet as possible as he walked across the tile floor. He knew if he could sweat, he'd be drenched right now. With a light step, he suddenly heard Vinyl start walking toward the kitchen. He stepped as quickly, and quietly as possible into the bathroom, when he began to think. What if she was going to the bathroom? He looked around quickly, and saw the cupboard under the sink. It was a tight squeeze, but it'd have to do. He opened the doors, and crawled in.
As soon as he heard her open the door his stomach leaped into his throat. Her hooves clacked against the tile, as she walked around the bathroom. Shiver was scrunched into a strange position, with his back legs forward, his front legs back, and his head cocked to the right. He suddenly heard the sound of running water... she'd gotten in the shower. Shiver hadn't thought of this. He was going to be stuck in here for a while. He sat quietly, and patiently as she took her shower.. but after a few minutes, he started to hear something. He sat and listened for a while; he heard a gasp, a moan, and then realized the sounds were quite... erotic. He didn't know he could still blush, but apparently he can. After a few minutes, he learned something else still worked on him as well, which he was not expecting.
He sat listening to Vinyl "shower" for about an hour, before the water shut off, and she stepped out. Shiver felt relieved, as he heard her drying off. She hummed to herself as she walked out, and closed the door behind her. Shiver opened the cupboard, and unfolded himself. He stretched out, and looked down at himself still surprised that a few body parts still worked, and peeked out the door. Vinyl had gone upstairs, and probably to her room. Now was his chance. He opened the door, slinking gradually into the kitchen. He made his way back to the stairs, and into the living room. He turned the knob, and it opened with a satisfying click. He walked out the door, and closed it behind him.
Shiver immediately took in a deep breath, and made a sigh of relief, and it felt GOOD. He smiled, and started walking out into the empty street. Noticing something that he didn't plan for. He was in there for so long, the sun started to rise. He could already start to feel his fur singeing. He had to move... fast. He started to run as fast as he could, which wasn't quite as fast as a normal stallion runs. He ran as quickly as possible past houses, and shops; through alleys, and streets, the sun growing ever higher.
He stood in a building's shadow for a moment, catching his breath, and getting ready to run again. He made a break for the next shadow, and his flesh began to sear. The pain was harsh, but bearable for now, but if the sun gets any higher it will only get worse. He made a break for the next shadow, and growled in pain as he dashed forward. His fur was starting to smoke as he ran, but he made it to the next shadow. Fortunately, he could see the treeline; unfortunately, it was about fifty yards away. He stood at the edge of the shadow, and got ready to run.
> If it has a pulse...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shiver stood in the shadow, ready to run, but the burning only grew more intense as he waited. He knew that he couldn't wait any more. Shiver took a step forward, and pushed himself out into the light. His skin began to fester in the heat as his fur began to smoke. He ran as quickly as he could out through the broad dawn light.
Not ten yards out, he knew his fur was literally bursting into flames behind him. He howled in pain as he continued forward. He knew the light burned him, but he'd never been out in direct sunlight before. He felt the flames creeping up his sides, but dreaded to look back.
Twenty five yards, halfway there, and he was already enveloped in fire, and smoke. Never did he feel, or even imagine such pure pain. I will spare the details, but they say that being burned alive is the most painful thing any creature thing can ever endure. Shiver writhed with every step, and knew at any moment his legs could buckle out from beneath him.
Forty yards in, he was completely surrounded by fire, but was still not granted death. The flames licked at his eyes, and mouth as he stumbled ever closer to sanctuary. He moved slowly forward, but his legs faltered under is weight. Just feet from his goal, he knew the shadows were close, but he couldn't bring himself to his hooves. He stood, listening to the sounds of his own torment, and drug himself onward.
He felt the flames dissipate as he stepped out of the sun, and never did he want to breath more than he did then. He collapsed at the shadow's edge, his mind contorting as much if not more than his body. However, his torment was over. He had suffered the punishment for his negligence, and he needed to heal. So he began his trek on home. His flesh was scarred from the flames, and his limp made him slower than ever, but nothing a feeding couldn't fix.
He took a detour out into the dark wood, and searched for something to eat. a few hours past, and prey eluded him, but if anything he was patient. He lay in the bush, motionless, soundless, for hours until he heard something. A fox frolicking through the forest. Shiver remained absolutely still. The fox walked over to the base of a nearby tree and stopped. Shiver's eyes locked onto it, shifting from the usual yellow glow to that of a deep red. The fox came closer to the bush, sniffing at the air. Shiver quickly jumped forward with a surprising speed, catching it's neck in his teeth. There was no struggle it was over as quick as it started. He knelt down and slowly picked it apart until all but the bones were gone. As he fed, the flesh grew back onto his bone, and healed his wounds... or rather his new wounds.
Now to set a new goal. He needed a plan. " I'm risking my life just to see her; how am I going to get her to fall for me? Maybe I should find out more about what goes on in town. If I can find some events around town maybe I can come up with something. Yes, maybe." He speculated to himself, walking through the wood.
He made his way home, beaming brightly, without a care in the world. Odd considering he was burned alive just hours ago, but he honestly didn't care. To the best of his knowledge he was, for all intents and purposes, immortal. He never worried about his safety or health. If anything were to happen to him, he could be fixed right up with a bit of food.
Honestly, he was more concerned with Octavia. He knew he had a long road ahead of him, and a lot of work to do. He walked up into his room, thinking to himself, what to write next... when he stopped. His eyes widened in surprise. He saw in front of him, sitting at his desk... another... him.
"No... It's not fair... It's not... I tried so hard... Why?! What did I get? Nothing! Nothing but this pain, and this flower... This useless, ugly flower..." Said the other him, smashing the ghost of a vase before fading away.
What was that? A phantom of... himself? He walked over to his desk, and sat down. There was so much to think about. So many questions, but for now he had a letter to write.

Two months passed, and he sent Octavia letters daily. He would watch as she read them, the way she smiled. He would make the occasional joke just to hear her giggle. His heart would ache to hold her when she cried, to smile when she smiled, to just say hello. As did hers. She sat by every day, waiting for each letter, wishing she knew who he was. Each note he poured his soul into. Each word had heartfelt meaning.
Octavia was setting up decorations for the Hearth Warming Eve party her and Vinyl were throwing. Shiver was delivering his latest letter. He was growing more adept at moving stealthily through the town. It didn't take him long to get in and out anymore; in fact he'd even managed to memorize a few escape routes.
He made his way to Octavia's house, and as he came to the doorstep he saw a letter already rested there. There written across the face of the letter, it read: TO SHIVER. Surprised, he laid down his note, and trotted silently into the alley beside the house. He opened the letter, and it read:


 My Dear Shiver:
I may not know what you look like, but I do know what you mean to me. You may be to shy, or to proud to show up, but I still want you to feel welcome to appear at our party. I invite you to join me the Hearth Warming Eve. I only ask one thing of you. I only ask that you wear the same type of flower you gave me with your first letter. It's not much, but all things considered it may be a lot to ask of you. So this is my request to you, my dear Shiver Spine.
With Love: Octavia Philharmonica


His heart (or lack there of) leaped in his chest and he smiled down at the letter... but wait... no... he can't. What would she think of a monster showing up to her party? Probably the same thing she thought when he showed up under the wheel of her cart. What to do? What to do? He rushed quickly home, and closed the door.
"Think, Shiver, think!" He said, pacing across the stone tile nervously. "There must be some way. Yes, some way." He said to himself, shaking his head. He smiled as a thought came to him.
"Yes... Yes, that's it!" He said dashing over to the curtains hung over the window pulling them down with a yank. He took them, cut, and sewed; he spent the entire day working. He drew drafts, cut, sew, trashed, started over. Over and over he tried to get it perfect.
"Finally my suit is ready. Now for the face. Yes, the face." He said, and walked outside, and grabbed an axe. He went out and found a tree that bent just right at the root, and hacked away. He brought the wood in and carved it into a mask that would fit perfectly over his face. Now to the onlooker he just seemed a well dressed stranger.
"Now... what to do about the smell? Yes, the smell." He said, and thought for a moment. "Wait... there was a pony that lived in the forest, she had all sorts of concoctions. But how do I get one I know will work? Oh! I can take the book, and make one myself! Yes! Perfect!" He said, and off he went toward the hut in the forest.

Earlier that morning; Octavia was siting in the kitchen, eating a sandwich, and thinking aloud to herself. 
"Well if we set out the ranch out next to the guacamole it will be more aesthetically pleasing, but you'll have to walk all the way around the table to get any on your salad. I suppose I could always move the salad, but then I would have to rearrange the entire fruit section..." She said aloud to herself as Vinyl smirked from across the table.
"Octy you seriously need to stop stressing this party, it'll be fine. The two greatest musicians in Pineville are going to be there. Us. What's the worst that could happen?" She asked, and continued with her cereal. 
"The worst?! I could make a complete fool of myself in front of everypony! I could trip and knock over the punchbowl, spilling it all over myself, and while I try to get up I pull the tablecloth pulling down all the food too, andwhiletheyalllaughatmeIlookupandseeShiverlaughingtooandI-" She started to panic, but vinyl covered her mouth.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa... calm down. You're stressing worse than the time we were lost on that island." She said, and Octavia started taking deep breaths.
"Yes... Yes you're right. I need to be optimistic. This party could be a rousing success if I simply take the time to enjoy it." She said and smiled nervously. 
"See, good attitude makes all the difference. Look I'll worry about the party; you just get youself together." Vinyl said, and walked over to the refrigerator.
"Right... Well I guess I'll be off then. I need to go to pick up my cello from the shop." She said, finishing her sandwich, and walking toward the door.
"Kay see ya later Octy." Vinyl said, waving goodbye. Octavia waved back, stepping outside. 
You know those little random thoughts that enter your mind in passing? A quick sentance ran through her mind, and she forgot it as quick as it came. An odd thing to come to her mind though. "Life's greatest happiness is to be convinced we are loved."
She shook her head and remembered her destination. Now headed down to the music shop, she stepped keenly on her way; a lively feel about her, as if her worries had all but vanished. Simply smiling had made her happy. She teotted along her way when along her way came a filly sitting looking at a flower stand.
"Hello little one, what're you doing sitting here? You should be off playing." She said, smiling as the filly looked up at her.
"I wanted to get my mamma a flower, but I don't know which one to get." Said the filly leaning on her hoof. Octavia looked at the flower stand, and just in front was a bright, yellow, sunflower. It was beautiful, especialy in a bouquet. Just behind it was lavender, less impressive to the eye, but the aroma was intoxicating. After a short delibetation she picked up the sunflowers.
"Here take these to her, I'm sure she'll love them." She said, and the filly nodded taking them in her teeth and running off. Octavia smiled and paid for the flowers, continuing on with her day. She went on to the store and smiled at the gray haired clerk.
"Good morning Octavia, I have your cello in the back." Said the clerk, smiling back as he closed a violin case.
"Thank you Frollo. By the way, you're looking rather dapper today." She said, and he smiled under his bushy moustach.
"Why thank you, you seem a might chipper today." He said, putting away the case.
"Oh, well I've beed fairly flustered lately over a party." She said walking up to the counter.
"Really? Well now, you must have been planning this for months, because you've been flustered every time I've seen you since, oh what was it; two months ago?" He said raising a brow, and Octavia mirrored him.
"What do you mean?" She asked, and he shook his head.
"Listen, I'm an old man, and I've seen that look many a few times in my life, but never over a party." He said, tilting his glasses down onto his snout.
"What look? I don't have a look." She said with a skeptical tone.
"Forgive my saying so but, you have the air about you of one who's been smitten." He said, taking off, and cleaning his glasses.
"Well I just don't know what you're talking about, I-" She started, but she was inturubted by his skeptical look, followed by a brief silence.
"It's none of my buissiness whis whome you have taken to; no my buisiness is selling instuments, but I'm old and nosey. So don't come in here if you don't want me asking questions." He said with a chuckle, and put on his glasses. Octavia giggled and shook her head.
"I'll keep that in mind." She said with a smile. With that he walked into the back and pulled out her cello.
"Clean, tuned, and ready to play." He said, pulling it over the counter. Octavia put her money on the counter, and grabbed the cello case.
"I'll make this one free if you tell me who he is." He offered as she turned toward the door.
"Goodbye Frollo." She yelled back as she walked away, hearing his chuckles as she left.

That night, as he made his way through the forest Shiver was smiling brightly and trotting along his way. He came up to the hutt near the forest's edge. He came up, looked in the window, and the black and white pony was either sleeping or out for the night. He stepped inside, and looked at the line of books on the shelf. He pulled them out and flipped through them until he found a solution that was used for masking skunk spray.
He took the book, in his teeth and headed for the door when it started to open. In she stepped, surprise on her face, and a thick tension in the air. There was a long tense silence with Shiver standing timidly frozen in place. The mare took a step back, and Shiver made a break for it.
He dashed forward, swinging his head to push her aside, and stumbled out into the darkness. He kept on running, though not very quickly, through the bushes and woods. He looked back, seeing the mare's flanks as she brought herself to her hooves. He made his way just out of sight, and hid behind a tree, looking back to see if she was following. Luckily she hadn't chased after him.
"That was close. I should have been more careful... or at least figured out where she was ahead of time. Well, no point in looking back now. Yes, no point." He said, and opened the book up in his lap. He sat reading the ingriedients and requirements. Luckily he recognized all the ingredients from around the forest. He ran around, finding things like tomatos, pine needles, katniss root, and venis lustrap petals.
It didn't take much time to gather them all, and carry them home, so he started cooking them up immediatly. He was cooking them up when somthing caught his ear. The sound of the front door opening. He stepped away and looked around the corner toward the door. He saw that same pony from the hutt had somehow found her way here.
"Hello? I don't mean to be rude, but I hope you don't mind if I intrude." She stated, walking inside and looking around. Shiver pulled back into the room, and started searching for a hiding place. He looked he saw a covered chair at the foot of the table. He hid under the chair, but when he he looked above him he saw there was no seat.
He heard the pony walking into the room; seeing the bubbling cauldron must have tipped her off about something. He heard her walking around the room, and coming closer. He heard her walk past the pot and toward the cabinets. There was the sound of opening cabinets, and the clacking of hooves on stone. She was walking closer, and closer. The hoofsteps were feet from the him, and growing closer. An abrubt weight came down on his shoulders, and he felt what was no oviously her sitting on his back. He sat trying to remain as still as possible.
Some time went on and he waited as the pressure of her flank bared down on his back. Eventually she got up and walked over to the pot. She stoped, turned, and walked toward the door. Shiver then took the opportunity to peek out from under the chair, and saw she had taken the book and left. He was lucky all he had left to do was let it simmer overnight.
He got out from under the chair, and walked over to the door, peeking around the corner. She was walking into the study. He followed behind her, and peeked around the corner. She was standing over the desk, and looking  over his supplies. There wasn't much there, but he had obviously been there recently.
"There is powerful magic at work here, somthing dark and disturbing I fear." She said, and took a step back. As she did, she grabbed a handful of green dust from her bag. She tossed the dust over the desk, and there sitting in the chair was another ghost like one he'd seen before, but this one was a very different him. His face was not torn, his horn whole. This was him long before he could remember.
"No, no, no! Wrong again! The taste is all wrong. Perhapse strawberry... or peach. Yes, peach." He said scrawling notes down on a paper.
"Esmarelda! Take this to Donne and Hugo, have them make this, and send it up to me. Quickly! Please." He said giving the note to an unseen figure.
"I couldn't serve this at the festival. This is not fit for the lips of a princess... but  I suppose it's more than enough for an old bitter stallion. Who am I kidding? I simply don't have the time to perfect this before the festival, my failure isn't possible, it's inevitable." He said taking a drink, and leaning on his elbow.
"Don't say that. You know very well you're the best at what you do. If anyone can do it it's you." Said a mare walking into view. "You shouldn't beat yourself up so much. Come on daddy, you need to get out of this office." She said, pulling him out of his chair, before disappearing.
"Some how I doubt he realized his goal. I feel so sorry for these poor souls." Said the mare turning and starting to head out. Shiver backed away from the door and hid behind a statue as she passed bye. She was walking toward the exit strangely fleetly. It seemed she didn't want to linger here any longer than she had to.
Shiver was both relieved and unnearved by her leaving... but then again they were always scared of him, why shouldn't they be scared of a few ghosts? He wasn't afraid of ghost. Especially ones of himself, or rather who he was. He dismissed the panic of normal ponies as nothing a long time ago. So he decided to move on, or at least to get back to what he was doing.

Vinyl was up late hooking up her sound system, while Octavia was all in bed trying to sleep. Trying being the key word. Vinyl was told to check for a letter of response from Shiver. As she turned to plug her amp in, out of the corner of her eye she saw a shimmer. She stood up, and looked over her shoulder. The shimmer had come from the window by the door. She walked over and opened the door, seeing the letter on the doorstep as usual.
Vinyl picked it up and stepped back, a cool breeze entering the house as the door shut. Walking into the kitchen, she set the letter down on the counter. She started to walk away when curiosity gripped her. Octavia didn't let her read the letters when they came in because she'd usually tease Octy about it. She sat looking back over her shoulder at the letter.
"Hey what could it hurt?" She said, and opened the letter.


 My dear Octavia:
I would give a thousand years to spend but one night dancing with you. 
As I would enjoy your company as I knew I would never meet your eyes again. 
Would I dance with you, but not to be cast from the moons radiance to the orange hues on the east.
My last moments would be spent as we stepped elegantly across the stage.
Then I would become dust in your hooves as the night would end.
And this would be time well spent.
I eagerly await this Hearth Warming Eve.
Shiver Spine


"Whoa... Heavy stuff." Vinyl said, and looked it over again. "I guess that means he's coming." She said laying the letter on the counter. The sound of hooves on the stairs meant Octavia was awake and coming down. Vinyl levitated the note in front of her. 
"Octy, lookie what I got." She held it up as Octavia appeared around the corner.
"What is it?..." She asked with a sigh, her eyes lighting up as the letter came into view. Vinyl smirked as she shook the page in place tauntingly. Octavia quickly skittered over and tried to grab it, but just as her hoof was about to reach she lifted it a little higher, allowing Octy to fly past. Just as Octy started to register what happened Vinyl laid a good smack on her flank.
"You-! You slaped my bum!" Octy turned around, surprised and flustered. 
"Yes I did. By the way,you might want to lay off the sugary snacks, getting a little big back there."  Vinyl turned, just as Octavia scoffed. "Now look, I'll give you the letter, but only if you promise not to giggle, or squee, or any of those other little girlfriend noises." She said, floating the letter just above her head.
"Yes, yes, fine. Now give it here!" Octavia said, grabbing it from above her head. "... And I'm not his girlfriend. He's my admirer, and I his admiree." Octavia said haughtily.
"Admiree?" Vinyl said to herself in confusion. Octavia read the letter silently a smile creeping across her face. As she neared the end of the letter her smile came to full fruition. She looked up from the letter and sighed.
"This is going to be the best party... ever!" Octavia held the letter tightly to her chest, giggling like a schoolgirl.
"Hey you promised no giggling." Said Vinyl, smiling and rolling her eyes.
"Right. Octavia, must keep yourself calm. Maintain your ladylike composure." Octavia said to herself, straightening up and taking a deep breath. "Vinyl we have a lot of work to do."  She said, walking into the living room.
"Oh... Great..." Vinyl said, knowing she was going to have a long day ahead of her.

Shiver waited patiently through the night until he was sure the brew was ready. He scooped up some of the magenta liquid into a small jar, and dabbed it onto his hoof. He leaned in to smell for himself and not only did it work, it worked better than he even thought. The smell of corpse completely vanished and a light scent of pine and lavender was clear. However... He quickly realized he would need a lot more than one jar.
He debated with himself for a good while before deciding; he was going to have to be completely covered. He stepped up on a stool and hopped right in, completely submerging himself. He quickly surfaced, and climbed back out of the pot looking down at his hooves.
Luckily it only left a slight purple sheen on his fur, and didn't turn him pink. The air around him smelled of fresh pines and lavender, though it was a little strong, he would air out. Shiver set out the clothes he'd made himself, a suit made to fit his form perfectly, a tie to go around his collar and give the illusion of having a neck, a cape with high collar to hide that he actually doesn't have a neck, and his mask to cover his face.
He was quite proud of his work, sitting and looking at it as it was, he couldn't help but smile as he thought about the coming tonight. He was filled to the brim with humble pride. His sense of accomplishment seemed as thick as the stone walls of the castle, but that quickly faded as he realized he had forgotten something very important.
The flower.
He looked out his window seeing that noon was drawing near so his time was limited to find a flower. He knew just where they were, but the venture was long and he would have to hurry if he was to make it by tonight. It would have been faster by moonlight, but hindsight is twenty/twenty. He grabbed his new clothes knowing he wouldn't have the time to come back here for them.
Now dressed in his suit he set off into the forest, and down into the chasms. He had to make detours as noon approached, and the sun beaded down from above. The paths through the forest were either long or dangerous and he didn't have time so he took the riskier path.  It was then that he realized he had soiled his new clothes with little bits of dirt and mud. It was a shame, but it didn't really matter right now.
He eventually came to the only place he knew they grow. Off a small ledge in a cave filled with luminescent mushrooms. Only problem being that over that ledge was a pit of infinite blackness. Couldn't have made it easy, huh narrator? The pit however since it was near pitch black could have been either a mile or thirty feet, there was no way to tell. He tried throwing a rock down once, but he never heard a noise so either the ground was pretty soft or there was no bottom. Point being, falling is bad.
Shiver came to the ledge where a very large patch of these flowers were growing just along the cave wall. He reached his head down over the ledge trying to catch one in his teeth, but he couldn't reach. So he inched forward, and pulled his hoof over the ledge, barely being able to grab one, he pulled it from the wall. Doing so he started to loose balance. He quickly pulled himself back with his back hooves, and onto the cave floor. With a sigh of relief and a nod of the head he turned and headed for the exit.
As he stepped out of the cave, he placed the flower on his jacket, seeing his clothing was slightly more disheveled than before. Mud was on his cuffs, and cape, not to mention the slight tears in the fabric. Still, he was fine with it, he won't look perfect, but it's not so noticeable... right?
He now had to make the climb and the journey to town which meant he has to either find a way to cross the river or search for shallow water. While fallowing the riverbank he did find a place where a tree had fallen, and with a group of vines growing off he had the idea to "lasso" his way across. He grabbed a vine and came to the end of the tree tossing the vine onto a branch across the way.
He checked to make sure the grip on the branch would hold, and took a leap of faith. His swing, though not very graceful was effective. He made it across the river... and right into a pack of timber wolves. He froze for a minute staring at the group of confused creatures before they realized they were staring at food. Just as one leaped forward, Shiver made a break for it. 
Though not nearly as fast as them, he weaved through trees with relative skill, narrowly avoiding jaws snapping at his hooves. He remembered while he ran that there was more than one way to get away from timber wolves, and stopped dead in his tracks skidding to a left turn. As the wolves tried to adjust they met with a pair of rather forceful rear hooves. He then made a mad dash as the rest of them started to catch up, jumping over a log and quickly tucking allowing them to run past.
As the action subsided he went to doing what he was best at. Hiding. He shuffled through tall grass, and bushes, climbing trees, and the wolves were completely unaware. He left them in the dust as he headed for town. However During his chase, he seemed to have torn a few more holes in his cape, and cotton all sorts of filth gathered on his suit. He did his best to brush it off, but it still seemed pretty bad. This little oversight had cost him, it was nearing dark and he could hear people gathering for the party.
He swiftly made his way from shadow to shadow until his fleet hooves brought him to Octavia's house. The Party hadn't started yet. It seemed as though this day might just be changing for the better. He waited at the side of the house until a good number of guests had arrived, and decided it was time to join in on the party.
> Be still my heart
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shiver stepped hesitantly into the fray, he had no experience in this field of battle. Social interaction.  One hoof through the doorway and he had clearly caught quite a few eyes. He seemed to not have been the only one to dress up for the occasion, but one of the few.
The room went from talking, to silence, to whispers in seconds. He straightened his collar and walked in slowly, becoming more self conscious by the second. He looked ahead and there she was, standing by the table. Octavia turned her head and it seemed time had slowed to show off the curl of her hair. Her eyes met his, and she slowly smiled as she saw the flower on his collar.
She seemed not to notice all the mud, torn cloth and random rubbish he had gone through. She sniffed the air, and luckily the perfume had stayed strong through all he had suffered. She smiled as she approached him, and his chest tightened with every step.
"Shiver I presume?" She asked, and he felt the knot in his stomach move to his tongue as he stammered nervously. 
"I-I uh... I ... I am.... Yes." He said, his previous eloquence escaping him. 
"A bit flustered are we?" Asked Octavia a teasing tone to her voice. The way she looked at him he had imagined for months, but he never thought about how he would act once he got this far.
"Y-yes I am." He bowed his head and looked up at her. She smiled warmly and let a little giggle.
"It's ok, I think it's cute." She said, and he looked up at her his heart warming at her beautiful smile. He straightened up and smiled back under his mask. The room started to pick up again, as talking resumed. 
"Come on, I want you to meet my friends." She said, and he nodded. As she turned and walked ahead of him, he noticed her hips swaying more than usual. They walked over to the table where Vinyl was talking to friends. Octavia poked Vinyl's shoulder to get her attention.
"Vinyl, it's him!" Whispered Octavia excitedly. Vinyl turned around and tilted her shades.
"Whoa, so this is the famous Mr.Shiver, huh?" Asked Vinyl looking him over. "Somehow I thought you'd be taller." She said with raising a brow.
"I don't understand." Said Shiver, tilting his head to the side.
"So anyways... Shiver tell us about yourself." Said Octavia, changing the subject.
"About... myself? Yes... myself." He thought for a moment scratching his hoof on the floor.
"Well?" Octavia stood looking practically glowing with enthusiastic energy.
"I..." He started, dumbfounded at the simple question. Where would he even start? "I don't know what to say... I'm not very interesting. No, not very." He said, and  Shook his head. Octavia put a hoof on his shoulder, and he immediately straightened up.
"Now, you might not find yourself interesting, but I'm sure we will." She said, her hoof touching his shoulder gently. He looked down at his shoulder and back up at her.
"Yeah man, lighten up." Said Vinyl, putting on her shades... indoors... at night... for some reason. 
"Alright... I... don't really do anything." He thought aloud. "But I have lots of hobbies to keep me busy." He said looking down at his jacket.
"Unemployed? Did something happen?" Octavia asked concernedly, her hoof moving to her lips.
"No, no. I used to, but I don't any more." He said, stumbling over his words. Octavia could tell he was struggling even without seeing his face.
"So you're retired then?" She asked, entertaining visions of him being fabulously wealthy.
"Retired, that's right. Yes, retired." He said nodding his head. It was the closest thing he knew to explain the situation anyhow. Vinyl was about to comment when she noticed his horn was broken.
"Whoa. Dude, how'd you bust your horn?" She asked, tilting her shades down to her nose. Vinyl's words caught the attention of not only Octavia, but a few onlookers as well.
"M-my horn?" He said aloud to himself. He had forgotten his horn was broken, and it stuck out of the mask like a jagged stake protruding from his forehead. What could he say? I don't remember? Who would believe that? But he can't just lie either.
"Vinyl, why would you ask that? That's a very personal question." Octavia said, allowing Shiver to dodge the bullet.
"Well I was curious!" Vinyl said unsure of just what she did wrong.
"Please don't mind my friend's rudeness. She means well." Octavia said with a sigh.
"Oh, it's no problem. I understand. My... deformities do stand out." He said, quickly realizing what he had said.
"DeformatIES?" Vinyl repeated back to him, and his eyes widened. He seemed to be backing himself into corners every time he opened his mouth.
"Y-y-yes... I-I have a few more." He admitted, biting at his lip under his mask. If he had a neck he'd have gulped.
"Don't worry Shiver, whatever it is that's your business. WE... won't pry." Octavia said, glaring slightly at Vinyl, who chuckled nervously. Shiver sighed in relief; he was so worried about disapproval, but she showed grace at every turn. He found himself staring at her, a smile creeping across his face.
"Hello? Shiver?" She said as he tuned back into the conversation. 
"Hmm? What?" He shook his head, remembering that he was part of the conversation.
"I asked where you lived, it can't be very far since you've seen me play." She said, her ears curling back as she leaned forward.
"He didn't hear because he was too busy staring at you. Cute." Vinyl chuckled. 
"Live? Well..." He had to think. Do I tell the truth, and reveal my home to them? Or do I lie, and risk their trust? Whatever he chose he had to make it quick. "Not very far. I fixed it myself. Yes, myself." He nodded his head, hoping that would be enough info to get by.
"Oh! I gotta go, they're bringing out the good cider, and I want to get some before they start all the fun." Vinyl said, as her friends rolled a barrel inside.
"I guess that leaves just you and me then." Octavia said followed by a bit of an awkward pause, with her looking at him out of the corner of her eye, head turned slightly away. "Would you... like to see my room?"  She asked, her cheeks flushing a bright rosy pink.  Thinking for a moment on what to respond, he turned to her. 
"The owl goes not into the nest of the lark." He responded, feeling good about being able to answer quickly and decisively. Surprised by the answer he gave, Octavia turned to him hesitantly.
"A quote?" She asked as it sounded somewhat familiar.
"Yes, Victor Pluto." He recalled the author one of the few books he had found in the old wing of the castle.
"I think you'll find the context of the quote to be a little different than our own." She walked up the stairs, and motioned to him. "Come then!" She called, ushering a quiet chuckle from him. He followed behind her and up to her room, a strange sensation came upon him as he stepped through the door. The feeling of a bittersweet air churning in the back of his mind. He watched every movement of the mare in front of him with a quiet admiration.
"Your room is very soothing. Soft and relaxing... Yes, relaxing." Said he. "I would-" He started, but as he looked at her, she slowly took off her collar. Her eyes had abandoned their previous look of eagerness for one more sultry and seductive.
"You would what?" Her heavy lidded gaze and fluttering lashes cutting off any chance he had of finishing his sentence.
"I-I-I-" He tried to continue, but to no avail, with just a look of the eye she could make the room steamier than a sauna. She stepped closer, brushing past him and closing the door behind him. He became completely stiff, unable to summon the strength to move or even to stop his legs from shaking.
She walked over to her bed, flicking her tail at his nose, and crawled into bed. She gestured with her hoof for him to come, laying across her silky sheets. Unsure of what exactly was expected of him, he approached the bed slowly. His chest tightened with each step closer.
"Now, let me just..." Octavia reached up to his face, taking hold of the mask. A sudden surge of panic shot through him, but he was frozen; he couldn't  pull away. She tenderly removed the mask from his face, revealing his glowing yellow eyes, torn mouth and ear. Her eyes widened with surprise as she realized he looked familiar.
"Y-you're..." She started but she couldn't form the words, she simply backed away slowly. Her hoof caught his collar and revealed his spine. Every second she looked at him she saw something more grotesque than the last. The shocked Octavia covered her mouth, panic now filling her eyes. She couldn't bring herself to look away, like a wreck on the side of the road. He became more and more disturbing with the recollection of their first encounter. 
Her eyes came to the hole in her face, his teeth shown as the left side had no lips. The teeth were yellowed, and a few were missing. The grayish brown fur seemed sickly and thin, and his left ear had been torn. A breath came slowly into her lungs as she looked into his eyes again.
"Please, please don't-" He took a step closer, and that was the straw that broke the camel's back. She screamed, and he backed away quickly. The door opened behind him and he ran out, pushing the pony who opened it to the side. He jumped over the railing, and landed in the living room. He was met with shocked and confused looks as he made a break for the door. As he ran out, he heard the symphony of panic behind him. He ran as quickly as his hooves would take him. He looked behind him and saw a group had started to chase after him.
As he ran, he realized that his cape was slowing him down, and threw it off behind him. He looked back and saw them still gaining. He started to tear off his clothes as he ran to keep himself unhindered.  Seeing them still gaining, he tried to lose them in an alley. He ran down the alley only to find it was a dead end. Searching for an escape he saw a pipe that lead to the roof.
He jumped up and started climbing. He narrowly made it onto the roof without being spotted. He slinked across the rooftop to the next alley and jumped down. The cold night air licked at his face as he ran, making him notice something wet on his face. He reached his hoof up to his cheek and felt a drop of water on his face. There was water leaking from his eyes. He was... crying?
Before he could pay it any heed, he heard somepony coming, and had to hide. He jumped into a garbage can and hid from the passing heard. They ran by shouting to each other and he peeked out, making sure the coast was clear. He climbed out, and ran tried to make his way back to the forest. He quickly decided that the the best plan of action was to get home as quickly as possible.
He ran off into the thick of the woods and immediately felt safer. He swerved his way through the trees, unrelenting even for a second. He feared the slightest break in his stride could result in the worst for him. Now out of immediate danger he turned some attention to the tears running down his face. His vision was blurry and he felt his chest heave as he struggled for breath he didn't have.  Darkness had begun to gnaw at his soul as he came to grips with the truth of his situation. 
He isn't merely ugly, or creepy, he was truly horrifying... and a fool to think that he could be anything but. His teeth grit with self loathing. His head hung low as he ran, barely able to see through his tear filled eyes. As he ran a log lay in his path. Unable to see it, he tripped and landed face first into the mud. As he hit the ground the fight left him. He laid in the mud puddle sobbing openly. His mouth filling with the filth of the ground; he couldn't bare to open his eyes.
Laying in place for quite some time, he eventually opened his eyes, seeing a puddle near his face. He sat up and looked into the water, his reflection looking back at him. He sat for a moment observing himself. The mus dripped from his face and he saw his reflection staring back fully. His eyes filled with anger at the sight of himself, and with a slight growl, he stomped on his reflection. He started walking again toward home, but his eyes were dry, he had run out of tears. His face despondent and his head low.
His hooves brought him so close to home when an odd smell filled his nose. He looked through the treeline, and saw a light in the distance. He came close to a gallop, seeing the bright light grow closer. As he stepped from between the trees he brought his head out to see the old castle set in a brilliant yellow and orange. Flames licked at the sky as a pillar of smoke nearly invisible against the already black sky. Burning. His home was burning.
"No... NOOOOOOOOO!" He burst out, screaming at the top of his lungs. He fell to his knees, and beat the ground with his hoof.  He lay defeated by the foot of the bridge, asking himself how this could have all happened. Then he remembered, in his rush to be prepared he left his lanterns lit. A simple mistake, but a foolish one. Within but moments he had lost everything. He let out a loud cry, from the pit of his grief filled core.

"Please, please don't-" He took a step closer, and that was the straw that broke the camel's back. She screamed, and he backed away quickly. The door opened behind him and he ran out, pushing the pony who opened it to the side. He jumped over the railing, and she sat on her bed, panic running through her mind. 
"What happened?!" Somepony asked, sticking his head in the room. 
"M-monster!" She said, unable to form much more than that. Octavia breathed deeply, trying to bring life back into her senses. The other ponies quickly ran off after Shiver, and she was left alone to herself. She curled up into her bed, and grasped a pillow close to her chest. She wasn't sure just what to make of what had just happened. She didn't want to believe it. She didn't want even a second of this encounter to be remembered.  She buried her face in the pillow, hoping to hide her face from the world. 
She felt the pillow grow cold around her eyes, and as she pulled her head up just enough to see the mascara stained pillow wet from her tears. She wasn't sure why she was crying, but knew that any reason she had was justified.  She held herself in place  trying to calm herself down, but the tears never stopped.
Opening her eyes, she looked out the window seeing nothing but the light shown from the moon across the rooftops. She hoped that she could escape her own sorrow but for a moment, alas she was granted no such asylum. She lay staring out the window, when a noise caught her ear. She sat up and looked over her shoulder to see somepony standing in her doorway. 
"Hey Octy..." Said Vinyl standing at her door. She peeked her head in, and saw the the forlorn shape on the bed. Octavia didn't answer, she simply laid her head back down. Vinyl walked in and sat beside her. She sat silently as Octavia lay curled up in her bed.
"Hey what happened back there? Everypony's freaking out." She said, and Octavia looked up at her. Her eyes were red, and shimmering with fresh tears. She wrapped her forehooves around Vinyl's neck and continued weeping. She simply laid her hoof on her back and let her cry. 
"Thank you Vinyl." She said, tightening her grip around her.
"No problem, you know I'm here for you 'tavi." She said with a smile. "Now, can you tell me what happened?" She asked as Octavia sat up straight.
"I don't even know." She said, looking out the window. His haunting stare etched in her mind, she didn't know what to make of what she saw. "You remember that thing outside our window a few months ago?" She asked, recalling each disturbing feature, exaggerated from her imagination. 
"Yeah... did you see that thing again?" Asked Vinyl. Octavia sniffed loudly and cleared her throat. She took a few seconds to answer, before nodding.
"Yeah, I saw it again." She sighed, laying back down across her bed.
"So Shiver and the others ran after it?" Vinyl asked, and looked out the window. Octavia sat silently. Vinyl assumed she just didn't want to talk anymore. "It's Ok Octy. We're here for you." Vinyl said, and Octavia wrapped her hooves around her pillow. Vinyl stood up, and closed the blinds before she left. She walked to the door, her silhouette framing Octavia on her bed. She closed the door behind her, and Octavia balled herself up, her sheets wrinkled all around her.She rolled over and looked at her nightstand, the now wilting white flower catching her eye.
She pulled herself closer, a cold shiver running down her spine. She opened her drawer pulling out the letters he had wrote to her. She pulled them out, one by one and looked at them.  They were all there, dozens of letters, written as only a perfectionist could. She opened one to read it.


My dear Octavia:
Sorrow so sweet as mine to know you has never been felt.
Never till now was I aware how hideous I am.
When I compare myself with you, I cannot help pitying myself.
I am but the stone underhoof, dull, gray, and trodden upon.
You are a marvelous statue of marble.
The sculptor takes time to craft perfection while the stonemason gives not the road a second glance.
Sincerely yours: Shiver Spine


She covered her mouth as she read, setting the letter aside, to read a newer one.


My dear Octavia:
I have but one wish.
Would I wish to be near you? No.
Would I wish to have your hoof caress my cheek? No.
Should I have but one wish, I would wish to be your Cello.
For you see, you are never happier than when you preform. 
Should you be so happy with me in your hooves, that is all I could ask for.
Never would I diverge attention, but always be by your side.
Sincerely yours: Shiver Spine


She read them, feeling as though there was a hole through her center, growing larger with every word. The sudden context of the letters gave her a deep hollow feeling. She pulled the next one out of the pile as new tears welled in her eyes.


My dear Octavia:
Your gaze so distant, but to watch the setting sun, I would wish to stand there.
Should I burn it would be of little consequence, for I would have met your eye for a moment.
If for one moment I were to see you smile, that would be enough. 
Should you but ask it of me I would burn gladly.
For I wish to see your smile with so much of my heart that none is left to protest.
Sincerely yours: Shiver Spine


She couldn't bring herself to read another. Either because it would be too difficult,uely or because she couldn't see through her tears. She looked to the window again, imagining the moon in the sky behind her blinds. She felt as though she had swallowed a grape that wouldn't go down. 
"What have I done?" She asked herself, putting shiver's face behind each of those letters. She stood, her legs shaking as she walked to the window. She rolled up the blinds, and saw the moon just behind the roof of the next house. She stood staring out into the night for quite some time, letting her tears fall freely. As she stood, quite some time later, she heard a loud mournful wailing in the distance.

Octavia Shiver Both

What ha-a-ave I done?
What tapestry have I spun?
Bright shining as the sun!
My torment has just be-e-gun...

I'm sorry! How could I have known?
I didn't mean to hu-u-urt you.
Just bury me in crumbling stone.
I want to forget this day I rue.

I want to take it all back!
Back before, before I lost track!
Lost sight of what was most important to-o-o-o me!

So cold is the spot right next to me.
All that I have ever known is gone!
This is not how it was meant to be!
Burning up as brightly as the dawn!

She hates me.
I love him.
She hates me!
I love him!

What have I done?
She never would have known if I had just tried a little harder!
But now she's seen my face, and forever I have scarred her!
 What have I done?
Why did I even throw this stupid party, like a bloated pompous cur?
If it weren't for that party, things would have stayed the way they were...

I'm ugly
My face like an old cadaver.
Like I was standing on the wrong side of a dagger.
 Not out but in, it's obvious I'm rather
Selfish,vain, and arrogant, acting like others do not matter.

I can't make it go away! Not to my own dismay.
I can't- even- be on- my own- again.

Cry-y-y!
 I made
 You
Cry



Shiver watched the building burning, all his work turning to dust before his eyes. The pillar of smoke disappearing into the abyss of the night sky. His eyes were set on the flames as they danced. His mind tinkering on the edge of an imaginary line before something snapped.
"I... I have to fix it. Yes, fix it." He said, trotting over to a pile of wood. He grabbed a plank of wood, and brought it to the building. He walked back over, to grab a hammer and nails. He lifted the board to the wall, and spit the nail in. He nailed the board in place over the charred wood. He turned, and walked back over to get another plank, but as he grasped one in his teeth he heard the first one fall. He looked back and saw the charred board had given way, the majority of the wooden wall had collapsed, exposing the degraded stone of the castle wall.
"No no no..." He said, running over to the burning remnants of the wall, and searched desperately for a way to fix it. As the wall fell though, he saw inside his home.  Walls, tables, chairs, books, clothes, the flames spared nothing. He looked around frantically until he saw the burning stairs. 
"The study!" He exclaimed, dashing inside as the flames licked at his eyes. He ran up the stares, seeing the study already in flames. He felt his fur singe as he ran through the burning portal. Seeing his desk already consumed in flames, he pulled open the drawers, his mouth burning on the metal handle. There was nothing redeemable in the drawers. Everything was either ash or might as well be. Shiver growled in frustration, stomping his hooves as he searched for anything. He didn't even seem to care, or even notice that his fur and tail were catching fire. There didn't seem to be anything left in the room for him.
"Come on!" Said  a voice, catching Shiver's ear. He turned to the doorway and saw a ghost standing there.
"This way, hurry!" The ghost's voice was feminine, and strangely lacked urgency. She waved a hoof, motioning for him to follow. Shiver hesitantly walked forward, and as he approached she ran away.
"Wait!" Shiver yelled, running after her. He followed her down the stairs, listening to her giggle as she ran. He had to jump, as the bottom of the stairway had collapsed.
"Come on, slow poke!" Said the girl, stopping to look back before giggling. Shiver wasn't sure if this was another memory, or a real ghost. He followed, climbing through the debris. The ghost was much faster, simply running straight through the cluttered halls. 
"This way! We're almost there!" She said, looking over her shoulder. As Shiver followed he realized that he was headed across the castle, toward the south wing. He hadn't been down there in ages.
“But... there’s nothing down here. Yes, nothing.” Shiver said, navigating through the rubble. The ghost stopped ahead and looked back, swishing her hips and tail.
"You haven't caught up to me once; I'm starting to think you're just enjoying the view." She said sticking out her tongue as she patted her flank with a hoof. She rounded the corner and Shiver lost sight of her. Shiver jumped a rock and landed on the other side, seeing her disappear through a doorway. He walked through the portal, and saw a room the flames hadn't touched yet. The ghost was walking up to an old book shelf swishing her hips widely. She stopped in front of the shelf, looking at the shelf searchingly.
"Alright. I hid it here. You can thank me later." She said, pointing to one of the books . She stepped back and disappeared, and shiver stepped forward. He pulled out the rotted remains of the book and a couple pieces of paper fell out. Two pictures of the mare posing playfully for the camera, and a paper with a recipe on it. Shiver was unsure of what this means, but it deserved to be preserved, if nothing else. 
He stepped out of the room, and ran down the hall, staying as far from flames as he could. With the notes in his teeth he made a break for the nearest exit, stopping only when he was out under the moonlight again. He sat looking up at the castle as it slowly had the wood fall away as the stone skeleton of the castle was revealed. He sat, with no tears left to give as dawn came. He was friendless, loveless, and now homeless. He could always rebuild, but there wasn't much left to go off of. The old walls were worse than ever, and probably unstable. 
For that matter he didn't have to motivation to do so, even if he could.

Octavia lay in her bed, as she had just about cried herself to sleep. She found herself waking up the next morning, her body slick with sweat, and her eyes were red and puffy. She sat up, sliding lazily out of bed. She attempted to bring herself to stand, but only managed to bring her back legs up, stretching her stiff muscles. She looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes wandered to her flank. She thought, somewhat stereotypically so, that it looked big. 
With an exasperated sigh, she turned and headed for her door. She made her way downstairs, feeling how she described as like having been the winner of a limbo competition. She made her way to the kitchen where Vinyl was asleep on the table, with surrounded by empty cups. She snored loudly. Octavia poked Vinyl on the nose, and she opened her eyes slowly. 
“Why are you sleeping on the table?” Octavia asked, as she walked to the refrigerator. Vinyl rolled over, and sat up, wiping drool from the corner of her mouth.
“My bed was occupied.” Vinyl said, sliding down off the table. Octavia didn't even want to ask. She simply brought her bowl of cereal to the table. Vinyl made her way over to the cabinet and levitated out a bottled water. She downed the contents of the bottle quickly. 
"In the confusion last night, the party didn't last long, but it was still way after you went to bed." Vinyl said, clearing her throat. It was a nice party, but Shiver never showed back up, so I'm guessing he went home. Said Vinyl, and Octavia fully remembered last night's dramatic reveal.
"Right... That's..." Said Octavia suddenly losing her appetite. She was going to force a smile for Vinyl's sake but couldn't lift the corners of her mouth.  Suddenly a knock at the door caught her attention.
"I'll get it." Octavia said, standing, and trotting over to the door; Vinyl was simply raiding the fridge silently. Octavia came to the door, opening it slowly.
"Hello?" Asked Octavia, laying eyes on a mare with the brightest green eyes.
"Hello, my name is Esmeralda. I heard that you might have news of my father."