Octavia sat in a wooden chair, leaning over a shiny oak wood desk. An old grandfather clock stood in a corner, and bookshelves lined the walls.
In her hooves she clutched a glass picture frame. Inside the frame was a photo of a white unicorn mare, with magenta eyes and electric blue mane. On her face she wore a mischievous smile. At the bottom of the frame were the words: To Octi. The frame was a gift, and Octavia had chosen to put the picture inside.
It has been three months since “it” happened. Ponies from all over had come rushing to Octavia’s side, but she only let one stay with her. That one was a dear friend, from when Octavia was a filly. She has been “taking care” of Octavia ever since the incident.
A soft knock on the door made Octavia jump a little. The door creaked open, and a light grey pegasus mare entered the room.
“Octavia?” she said quietly, walking around the desk so she faced the tired earth pony. “Are you alright? Can I get you anything? A drink of water? A daisy sandwich?” The pegasus’s yellow eyes fell onto the picture in Octavia’s hooves. “Oh...” she said sadly. “Octavia, It’s been three months. Don’t you think you should go outside, and get some sunshine? Ponies have been asking where you are, and, I’m not sure what to tell them.”
Octavia sniffed, and tightened her grip on the picture frame. A silver tear fell onto it, making the unicorn mare look blurry.
“Octavia,” the pegasus continued, “Your manager called. He says he wants you back to work, and that you’ve had enough time to recover. I told him I would talk to you. He says that if you don’t go back to work soon, you might lose your job…”
Slowly, the wall-eyed pegasus turned and walked to the door.
“I miss you.” she said. Then the door creaked shut.
********
Ditsy sat at the kitchen table, a glass of water between her hooves. Her tongue was dry, but she didn’t take a drink.
Three months. Everypony had assured her that Octavia would have recovered by now.
Ever increasing worry was Ditsy’s only company. Sure, ponies had stopped by to say hello, and give her home-cooked meals, but that was all. It was hardly company.
Ditsy’s ears swiveled around at the sound of hoof steps. She turned her head to see Octavia standing next to her. Silently, the cellist crossed the room and sat down across from Ditsy. There was a sad, pleading look in her eyes.
“Ditsy, I don’t know what to do anymore. I have lost all hope. I can’t bare to look at my cello, let alone play music. I’m going to lose my job, and, She’s gone.”
There was a moment of silence, and just before Ditsy could say anything, Octavia continued. “You have no idea what it’s like to lose somepony you love. The only pony I have ever loved. No one can help me! No one!”
Octavia burst into a series of sobs. Ditsy got up and went to her, slinging an arm over Octavia’s shoulders.
“Hey, It’s okay, Tavi. And, I think I can help. Believe it or not I know what it’s like to lose somepony you love.”
Octavia looked up. “You do?”
“Yes. He was the most wonderful stallion I have ever met. I was head over hooves in love with him, and he loved me too. But, like Vinyl, he had to leave me. I was heart broken.”
“How did you survive?”
Ditsy smiled. “I thought of all the other important things I have in life.”
“Like what?”
“Well, there was Dinky, and my job as the Ponyville mail pony. You see, Octavia, it is like a garden. If you leave the plants alone for too long, they will shrivel up and die. Don’t let that happen. Besides, Vinyl wouldn’t want you to stop playing your cello. She loved music. She would want you to move on. Do it for yourself, Tavi. And do it for Vinyl.”
Octavia smiled at Ditsy. The gaping emptiness in her heart seemed to shrink.
“Thank you, Ditsy. I will go back to work. For Vinyl.”
