New in Canterlot City

by gapty

Rating: teen
Tags: SCP Foundation, Equestria Girls, Mystery, Octavia, Crossover, Slice of Life
Length: 11141

After moving to Canterlot, Octavia writes letters to her parents about her well being, until soon it becomes the only way to stay in contact.

Octavia Melody moves alone to Canterlot City to get better at playing her cello, but has to face soon with rumours of magic being real, which she doesn't believe until she sees it for herself. Then her letters become the almost only form of communication with her parents.

Some say these two events are connected.

This story is part of the A New Empathy-series, but can be read on its own. The SCP-Foundation is a growing community project made by various users around the globe.

Written for Bicyclette's The Twilight Files contest.

Published 2022-08-07 13:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2022-08-07 13:20:01 UTC

Addendum POI-145-8███

Dear mum and dad,

Today I arrived at Canterlot City successfully. The flight was rather a rattle than smooth, but at least the bus was more comfortable, which is honestly surprising to me. The shared flat is alright, I would say, it has the most important stuff needed for a surviving. My roommate Vinyl Scratch was—and still is—only in her headphones (the only way I figured out her name was through her belongings’ name tag) and barely took care of, now, our apartment from what I was seeing. Looks like I'll be the one having to refurbish this place.

Canterlot is a beautiful place, I haven’t seen another city having the same variety to offer for their residents: From a central mall, followed by a nearby forest or museum and ending with a beach, one can find everything that the heart desires.

Since in two days my first day in Canterlot High School will start, I intend to use the remaining time to get to know this city and tidy up our flat, perhaps even forcing Vinyl to do her part in it too—somehow.

I hope everything is great at home, I’m already missing you two!

Best regards,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad,

Today was the first day of school and it’s true what is said about Canterlot High: The school is friendly towards newcomers too—meaning they didn’t tease me so far. Vinyl took the role of showing me around the school, but since she still remained true to her nature of not speaking at all, other students had to help out explaining what room was what. Despite having not many students, the school has a lot of specialised rooms and especially clubs to offer; several students are even at various different clubs and based on what I’ve seen, it’s the main option of getting to know other students. There is even one girl with rainbow coloured hair called Rainbow, who is captain of over ten sport clubs. I already joined the jazz club, but I will not join any more. Practice time for my cello won’t allow it. Not like I need to befriend many in the first place.

Our apartment is now a lot more comfortable to live in, especially because it now has a coffee machine, which Vinyl hadn’t bothered to obtain before. How did she survive the morning? The only things worth anything from her are her DJ instruments, but I will refrain myself from judging her until I get a better impression of her (or until I hear her speak). At least her music is surprisingly great, deep and professional, even though it clashes with my music style.

How is it at home?

Best regards,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad,

I’m missing you a lot too! Don’t worry, I will send you recordings of my performances so you can listen to them when falling asleep. Had I known that you were still awake when I practised in the evenings, I would have played lullabies for you, mum.

I have already made a few acquaintances at school (many keep their seat places), although I stick mainly with Vinyl Scratch whenever possible. A certain hyperactive pink haired girl named Pinkie Pie somehow organised a welcome party at our apartment without me noticing it. I personally believe that the DJ played a part in it, but I’m not able to explain how. Nonetheless, surprisingly, the party was fun and enjoyable, especially the music choice was in my liking with a mix of swing and jazz. I have no idea how Pinkie also knew that dark chocolate is my favourite, but several other students assured me that I shouldn’t be questioning anything Pinkie does.

Interestingly, there are also rumours around the school I was able to catch, mainly regarding Sunset Shimmer, a yellow and red haired girl. According to them, she was a bully for several years terrorizing the students until she stole a crown from another universe, turned into a demon and mind controlled the students before she was stopped by a princess from the other universe through a rainbow laser blast. Trust me, I had the same expression as you when hearing it for the first time, but the story is very consistent when other students tell it. But still, I won’t believe it until I see it with my own eyes—on second thought, it better not happen again.

Sunset Shimmer herself is very friendly, even very bothered on getting a good first impression, the opposite of the bully everyone makes her out to be, but she doesn’t deny that she was one before (her mood went down as soon as I asked her about it). This part must be true, as also the other students are very reluctant towards her and even look at her threateningly. The magic part is probably just a fantasy.

It’s been a week now, and yet I haven’t heard a single word from Vinyl. At least my intervention in the apartment had inspired her to also decorate and tidy up behind her. Not long, and she will be able to sustain herself in adult life.

Best regards,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad,

First off, I’m not too harsh on Vinyl with my comments. Yes, she lived here for years before me, but she still lacked the most important parts of living a cultured and civilised life outside of her music and earphones. Luckily for her, I am now living with her and she will start living outside of her earphones. Slowly, but surely. Maybe I will be able to hear her speak? At this point I think I can talk and understand her even without any words, even if her only form of communication is nodding and a thumbs up—to anything.

My cello practices are progressing impressively; playing with other students helps intensely with my motivation–not like at home where no one except us cares for music–and the teacher is very nice, but also professional. Moving to Canterlot was indeed a good choice for my cello skills.

The school is alright, the teachers are mostly nice to the students (except for Mr. Doodle, he is the typical way too obsessed with his subject maths teacher) and as long as you know who not to talk to, your day is without any disturbance. There is this one obnoxious magician wannabe called Trixie, who always refers to herself as “the Great and Powerful Trixie” and talks about herself in third person, but as long as you don’t question her “powerfullness” she leaves you alone (it was a mistake trying to argue with her, she is the dictionary definition of ignorance). Most notable change is the forming of the band “Rainbooms”, who were according to the rumours the girls who helped defeat Sunset Shimmer. Speaking of her, knowing you, mum, I expected a comment about the absurdity of the demon turning and different universe parts, but it’s truly best to just ignore the fantasies. But back to the band, they are incredibly successful, everyone likes them/is in some way friends with one of them and, to be honest, a few simple good feel songs are always nice. I don’t even know why I also like listening to them, usually Rock and Pop songs are not to my taste. Really admiring are their costumes with pony ears and longer hairs. Some say that it’s their “magic”; guess the rumours and fantasies are really strong among the students here.

What about you? How is the work? How is it at home?

Best regards,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad,

It’s great to hear you’re all alright! I am however asking myself if you just choose to ignore certain parts of my letters? I would have expected at least one comment on how “ridiculous” the students are about the magic thing. Speaking of, it gets annoying how persistent the students are at saying that these rumours are true, even the nerd ones believe in that nonsense and several get angry when I tell them that they should stop imagining this stuff. Only the magician Trixie says that none of that happened—only to turn the story around and tell an even crazier story about how she was the hero all along. I learned to not argue against the students to not make anyone dislike me more.

But let’s get to a great achievement I had tonight: I heard Vinyl’s voice! Yes, I know it’s unbelievable and out of nowhere, but I heard her speak. Granted, it was while she was sleeping, but I still count that as a win. Her voice is honestly higher and more natural than I expected; to be honest I wouldn’t have been surprised if her voice sounded robotic even, but just a normal girl's voice? Almost unimaginable.

If you ever wonder why I haven’t called you over the last few days or why you can’t reach me on my phone, our communication signals and internet are shut down due to a short circuit accident. How great that there are still letters to communicate with each other, right? The damage seems rather high, as it will take still a few weeks until the connections are back according to official sources. Nonetheless, everything inside the city works properly and the neighbouring cities provide emergency connections so the main imports like food, water etc. are still happening. I will call as soon as I can.

Best regards,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad,

I am fine, we have enough food, drink, energy and all that we desire, it’s only the communication that is still cut from anything outside the city. At least the internet is somewhat working, but all on a “queue”, where we can access it, but as soon as we try to send or publish anything it takes ages to upload. Don’t ask me how, some tech nerds tried to explain it to me, but it seemed they were themselves unsure if what they told made any sense. Nonetheless, at least I can search up and chat with you, even if only in a letters way, so I will stick with letters. As much as I want to video chat or even call you, so far it’s still not possible. I hope the “professional” technicians will be able to fix it soon.

In other news, our school organises a musical competition called the CHS Musical Showcase to raise money for after-school projects. I will participate in it solo, we’ll see how good classical music will be received (probably not). Interestingly enough, Vinyl won’t participate; I’m not even sure she knows a musical competition will be made. My bet is that the Rainbooms will win, seeing their high popularity among the students.

As I have already written, don’t worry about my well-being, everything is fine. I even had a successful event in “raising” Vinyl, as you liked to call it; I saw her cleaning the dishes after me I put aside because I was still tired from the sports lesson–and being frustrated that buying strings online now takes hours. Seriously, I wasted over five minutes to reject the cookies only!

Best regards and hopefully hearing you soon,
Octavia Melody

The school is the worst! Everyone fights everyone for the Battle of the Bands! And I of course had to face the Rainbooms in the first round! It’s all a set-up to make me lose! Oh, but take this, I was the one who had actually won, because the Rainbooms perform awfully and even have the magical princess from the other universe to cheat with her! How do I know? Their last performance was a disaster, and yet they still won against a band performing okayish—still bad, but it was better than the crap the Rainbooms put up! I can’t just wait for the Dazzlings to put them back where these cheating idiots belong! Urgh, and Vinyl is the worst, does she do anything else than listening to her headphones? Get a freaking life!

And these lazy, stupid and incompetent technicians are still unable to fix the phone lines or the internet. What a bunch of worthless money grabbers! Do your job you’re paid to do!

Dear mum and dad,

I’m very, very sorry for my last letter.

Look, what I’m about to write is what I have seen with my own eyes and I was in all that chaos, so I beg you to believe me.

The “rumours” with Sunset Shimmers are all true, she is actually from another world connected through a portal, same goes for Twilight Sparkle, who is a princess there. This world has magic and is now on the Rainbooms, but apparently these two are not the only ones, as the Dazzlings, three new students, also come from this other world. The Dazzlings are sirens and mind controlled us with their singing into arguing with each other and being in rage, hence my last letter. Luckily, the Rainbooms were able to defeat them and release us from our mind control. I felt so awful once the blanket from my mind fell and I realised in what state of rage I have been before.

So, as much as I fear to admit that I was wrong before, magic is real and the history with Sunset Shimmer is all true…

I still need to digest what happened today. Vinyl isn’t helping with her bouncing head and listening to her music and the other students have to remind me that I didn’t believe them or laughed at their stories. Please write back soon.

Best regards,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad,

Have you even got the last two letters? Because your letter lacks any acknowledgement of what I wrote before. Could you please address that magic is now real? I feel like the only one still not coping with the fact and need your reassurance that I am not crazy, because everyone kind of moves on. Sure, the students around me just react the same as me and try to live their lives as before, but when I’m alone with my thoughts during practices, I just can’t stop thinking about what all of that means for not only us, but the world. What more is actually real that we thought was just a tale or a legend? What more is out there that we don’t know about?

Please, just write to me about this. It’s already stressful how the technicians are still unable to fix the connection problems and me getting teased with questions if I still don’t believe in magic. Any messages regarding the incidents to you are unable to be sent online.

Best regards,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad,

I just don’t know anymore. Do you ignore my letters because you think I’m crazy? The whole school saw that and will stand for that my words are true! I really would prefer if you would have told me that what I saw was my imagination than the silent treatment I get. But nonetheless, I’m glad to hear that dad’s problems at work are resolved. Get well soon, mum, that fever will be fought off quickly!

Regarding Vinyl Scratch, I got used to her being silent, even though I sometimes walk past her bedroom just in hope of hearing her voice again. It’s kind of weird to have a roommate that doesn’t talk. At least she is listening to my rambling and very supportive regarding my breakdown of the magic existence—in her ways. Having her headphones down to listen means something big. Gosh, I really started accepting the craziness of this life here, do I? Nonetheless, I didn’t expect the DJ to notice her surroundings, but I’m glad she did.

Write soon back with any words about the magic!

Best regards,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad,

Is this a sick joke from you? Do you even imagine how confused and stressed I am? I don’t need any of your pranks ignoring what I write in my letters! Just write a single word, just write “Octavia, what you write is crazy” and I will be happy! Of course, I will also be angry that you don’t believe me, but at least I don’t feel like you fear to say anything to me regarding that!

I'm just so tired of everything. The connection issues are still the same as months before, I am cut out from the outside world trapped in this city and it feels like my letters don’t even arrive at you. I just want to leave this place and come back home to you.

Please answer,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad,

Thank you so, so much! You have no idea how relieved I am that you finally wrote something about the magic, even more relieved that you actually believe me. I’m sorry for my tone in the last letter, I was so frustrated at the time. I can of course understand that you didn’t know what to reply with regarding that, but please don’t be silent about a topic I talked about again.

Vinyl has developed into a great roommate; we both made a schedule for when and who will clean the apartment, which by the way looks now way more decorated and more liveable then the empty space when I moved in. She even puts down her headphones whenever we eat together. Granted, it’s basically only in the morning, she comes down to eat five minutes before she needs to go to school and only one ear is free from her music, but it’s still something.

In school we have a new event after the crazy Battle of the Bands, the Friendship Games. It’s a competition between our school and Crystal Prep Academy, another high school on the other side of Canterlot. The event is met with annoyance by the students here; no wonder, as they have lost every single Friendship Games competition before. There were a few in-school competitions on who would compete in the Friendship Games, which I passed. I’m all in for music competitions, but there won’t be anything musical. The most surprising competitor at the competition is for me Derpy, a nice, friendly girl who has the reputation of being clumsy–not optional when you have a competition you want to win. Somehow all of the Rainbooms are also now participants; they are like in every event the main characters at this point. By the way, Sunset Shimmer has joined them now too and, because of her help against the Dazzlings, is now more accepted among the students.

Speaking of students, I had already apologised to them that I didn’t believe their witnesses—and that I called them all stupid and imaginative. It wasn’t nice of me, but luckily the students are forgiving and understandable. Still, I just know that there is some distance between me and them, as I am only in one club and the students befriend those they meet there. At least no one dislikes me anymore.

There is still no sign of solving the connection issues; at this point rarely anyone buys online since it takes ages to get all the data transferred. Our Computer club made their own server to have our own “city” social media page—some even bought space to have their own blogs relocated there. Feels like heaven when you are able to write and chat at normal speed again. Sadly, as far as I’m aware, those outside the city cannot enter or use it, so I am still unable to chat or call you normally. I don’t believe it will get resolved at all anymore.

How is it at home?

Best regards,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad,

This school is just a magnet for magical events. We had of them quite a few, the Rainbooms now go all out with their new magical bodies to the point that for example Rainbow flies around, during the Friendship Games several portals were opened and then closed and at the end we had a girl getting consumed by magic and threatening to destroy our whole world until Sunset Shimmer stopped her, turning into some kind of angel. If you ask how I don’t lose my mind, I just take what has happened without further questioning it and live normally like I did before. At least that’s my theory of how I am still not crazy.

It was for the first time that our school didn’t lose the Friendship Games; due to the magical events Principal Celestia decided, very cheesily if you ask me, that “everyone has won”, which means “let’s just stop before anything more happens”. Not my problem, as far as I am aware losing or winning these Games doesn’t make a difference price wise anyway and I still don’t count myself as a “fully Canterlot High student”.

With our enough fund raising our school will go on a camping trip to Everfree, a forest next to Canterlot. Maybe it will be possible for you to visit after it? I know I haven’t written it often, but I miss you two a lot and not being able to call you breaks my heart. I tried to get tickets to visit you during the holidays, but it’s just impossible.

Best regards,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad,

A huge thanks to you for not ignoring the magic incidents, I have feared you would do it like the last times and leave me alone, but I personally find it strange that you wrote another letter specifically for this. Isn’t writing everything down in one letter cheaper?

But let’s get to the camping trip, and oh boy was it something. At this point I think I have to adapt myself to regular “magically corrupted people trying to kill us all”, because this time the camp organiser found some magical geodes and wanted to trap us all in her camp with her plant powers. Luckily the Rainbooms with their other new member, Twilight Sparkle from Crystal Prep (not the princess one–don’t ask me to explain it, I have no idea), defeated her and kept the magical geodes for themselves, since these give them now super powers. I know it all sounds like a superhero story, but that’s what happened. At least none of them (hopefully) will turn bad again.

I don’t know why you are unable to find any tickets or bus lines for Canterlot, I don’t see many new people arriving here; maybe it’s because of the connection issues? You could rent a car and drive here yourself, if no other option is available, or I find something to leave Canterlot and buy a ticket outside of it.

Best regards,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad,

It’s great to hear about your promotion, mum! I had always known that you deserved the raise. As for me, I’m feeling a bit tired today, but it’s nothing more than not haven slept enough today, maybe even just some remains of being sick recently. But otherwise I’m feeling well!

We finally got back to our normal school schedule with normal lessons instead of trips or all kinds of competitions. Quite honestly, maybe it is the recent events or me getting used to the students, but I and the other students get a lot better around each other and even talk between the various cliques. For example there are Lyra and Bon Bon (I’m not sure if it’s her nickname or real name), who broke out of their “doing everything with only ourselves”–you would basically see them only in pair not talking to anyone else–the “popular guys”–as some girl described them to me despite being only among themselves–are breaking out of their group and are more inclusive and the “techie students” are also now seen among other groups. It’s like our boundaries between each other are torn apart. Even Trixie, the most annoying obnoxious girl, has learnt to be a little less egocentric. A very tiny bit only, but she’s on the right track—when you have the last peanut butter cracker in your hand. Vinyl… is still Vinyl. I think I saw her talking to someone, but it must have been my imagination.

The Rainbooms, now the most popular students around here, have their own story to tell about. Since they won one other musical competition–yes, it’s getting kind of tiring–and were able to get enough savings for the restauration for Camp Everfree, the director of one of the movies for Daring Do invited them to his film studio, where they helped solving a case of sabotaging and in return got casted as extras in the movie. These girls live a whole life of adventure, fame and convenient luck at this point; combine it with the magical geodes giving them superpowers and you could do movies about them. I don’t know why they get so lucky in everything, maybe some of the magic helps them out.

Nonetheless, I intend to get to my goals through my own skills and efforts, no matter how few support me on my way. My musical talent is evolving rapidly and I’m already practising pieces that I didn’t even dare to touch before. I can’t put exactly what makes this city so much different than our town, but it’s definitely helping me. I guess being around other people who also play musical instruments really helps.

Also, connection issues etc, you know the drill. None of us has any hope that it’ll get fixed soon.

Any news regarding me visiting you or you me? I have absolutely no way to find anything here to even get out without renting a car, but as I don’t have any driver licence that’s not an option.

Best regards,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad,

It is indeed really strange. I’m not aware of any road closings into Canterlot or anything besides that. There is no way the police can just close the roads without any reason. Maybe you could sue? I know it probably won’t help much, but I’m really missing you and it hurts to know that you were so close to visit me. I really appreciate that you spend two days trying to find a way, but if it’s not possible I will find a way for myself to leave this place. I will call as soon as I have left the connection affected area.

There isn’t much new to say about what is currently going on at school except that the groups the students are in are getting more loose. There was some incident where a magic mirror consumed a girl, but as usual the Rainbooms had resolved it, this time with one other girl as I was told (however, I haven’t seen her nor does she go to our school). I doubt there is anyone in this city who doesn’t know anything about this band.

I could tell you though about a life lesson I learned for school subjects: Whenever I don’t get a topic and have to ask a classmate to explain, it’s better if you don’t ask the best student about it. The person that stuck out for me was Derpy, who can explain anything in such a way that everyone would understand it. It was rather surprising for me, but I learned through it to not base my opinions of anyone on their look, or in her case her clumsiness. But I have to say, her clumsiness can get really disrupting and annoying. I still remember the one time I was improvising and composing when she fell down and threw me to the ground, before collecting the fallen down sheets and running away, confusing them for her own notes. I think she cut herself during that (although I haven’t seen any cuts), because there were red marks of what I assume was blood on the sheets which remained on the ground. She later returned mine to me, but it took me way too long to find her again to get them back.

Since I already started writing about other students, I might as well continue about the Rainbooms. No, I’m not envying them. Yes, the way I described their success may seem like I think they didn’t deserve their success, but that wasn’t my intention. Their fame and success for their band is deserved, they are able to make their song even enjoyable for me despite not liking the style they play, they got their magical powers through their bravery in going against the magical incidents that had happened and they use them to help out others. Would I want superpowers of my own? Perhaps, but my main goal is getting better at playing cello and being successful with it, I don’t need any magic to get that. Apparently that’s also one of my deeper desires, as Photo Finish’s team—our school’s photographers—showed me a photo of one of my “deeper desires” (it must have been a magical camera), where I was performing for a big audience.

A few days ago, when I was practising but couldn’t be satisfied with the choice of music, Vinyl came by and added her own music and we played together. It was a great improvisation, sadly neither I nor Vinyl recorded it. Perhaps I will be able to make her play with me again soon and send you a CD of the recording with it. Most amazing to me still was the clash of two styles, yet both of them beautifully harmonised and made something amazing. I guess I have to be more open about other music directions.

Finally, I can say good news: I will be able to visit you soon! As soon as summer vacation starts, several students will carpool so we can leave Canterlot. Once outside and having an internet connection, I will be able to buy tickets and fly to you! I can’t wait to finally see you in person!

Best regards,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad.

I’m also so excited to see you soon! Don’t worry about the money, I have enough savings for the trip. You can’t imagine how many are also frustrated and trapped here too, several also being separated from their family members. I just can’t understand how delivery lines are working but nothing else.

With Vinyl we started to play together more; we’re already thinking of making an album together (meaning she gave a thumbs up when I asked her about it), but are so far only in the brainstorming part, meaning I come up with pieces and Vinyl tries to add something of hers to it. I know our family is richer than most, but seeing Vinyl casually buying everything for building a real studio makes me wonder if she's secretly a millionaire and if she is, what she’s doing here in a shared apartment with me. I’m also still wondering how she still hasn’t said a single word, but I got so used to it that I barely even notice it.

I hope this letter will be the last one. We have only one week of school before summer vacation starts and almost immediately afterwards I will be driving with eight other students out of here. Vinyl will be staying as far as I know, perhaps she’s planning a trip to her parents later.

Best regards and see you soon,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad,

I just don’t know anymore… Let me start from the beginning: I packed everything, we all met up at Sandalwood’s bus, but then the engine didn’t start. Turned out something was broken and needed to be repaired, which would take weeks. Nothing that would stop us, we thought, and those with their own or family’s cars suggested they use theirs, so we all split up and I went with Bon Bon and Lyra—I didn’t know they were also not from here until the carpool organisation. My cello was rather creatively bound on the car roof, but with my worry I made sure that nothing would be able to throw it off. After about an hour, we gathered all together at our meeting place and then drove with four cars out of Canterlot.

It should have been alright, we drove like 20 miles before out of nowhere one tire went flat. After exchanging it with a reserve tire we continued, but soon one after one engine failed due to sudden overheating. The nearest town or city besides Canterlot were still several hours away (this city is way too isolated) and we had to call a tow truck to pick up our cars. I suggested that we would wait until a delivery truck or anything else would be taking us with them, but despite the desperation me or a few others wanted to leave, it was clear that it wouldn’t happen. We had to return back.

I didn’t give up that easily, and Bon Bon and Lyra were also as eager as me to leave this place, so we asked around to either borrow a car or for someone to drive us out of here. Taxis were still not an option, almost as if they died out. Thankfully, Applejack’s brother had a vehicle and offered to drive us out, since it was also something they had to do for a while but weren’t able before. Can you imagine how we felt when not long afterwards his motor started smoking? His car was older looking than the ones we had, but still, every single car breaking as soon as we left Canterlot? It was way too unlucky and too coincidentally the same.

All of that took a whole day, the part I hated the most was waiting for the tow trucks to appear, rubbing in that no matter how much I tried, no matter how much we prepared and even took other ways, that I would be stuck here in this city without you. I miss you so much. I was so happy to finally see you, but these accidents made it impossible. As soon as I entered my apartment, I just fell to my bed and cried. Why did it happen? Why was I so unlucky being here? Why were the unqualified technicians still unable to resolve anything? Even writing this letter I just can’t prevent myself from crying again.

I don’t know, maybe I will still find other ways out, maybe someone finds another car and can pick me up with them, but honestly, I even dare to think that we are kept here in some form of a prison. Shouldn’t there be at least someone trying to figure out a solution and maybe even seeing the opportunity to cash in money? I don’t care if it would be overpriced, I would spend them just to be back with you.

Miss you a lot,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad,

I am also in sadness and mourning. This whole situation is so ridiculous, that we even started a petition that our city will finally fix our situation, gaining a huge movement and protest actions. To put it into perspective how incompetent these “workers” are: Even Twilight Sparkle and Micro Chips, two of the smartest students in our school, wrote down a whole essay on how not only they would fix the connection issues, but also prevent it from ever happening again; but except for taking the copies nothing was done. At this point many start to believe that our own government put us into some sort of lockdown and, to be honest, I almost believe that too; after all, there were these magical outbreaks from a different universe. However, there is one thing that still makes me doubt the theory, and that is that only the Rainbooms have the magical abilities and the outbreak’s source should be from that one portal Sunset came through; meaning that if the government would really have wanted to suppress the knowledge of magic, they could have just closed the school and taken the geodes from the Rainbooms, not put a whole city in a prison.

Since I am stuck here anyway, I am currently working with Vinyl on our album I have written about before. It honestly looks great so far, even if not close to what I usually play. Still, I would have rather been with you instead in this city.

Best regards,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad,

The resistance and attempted fleeing from the city got so much that the mayor announced to fund a cruise trip for anyone interested with very cheap and lucrative prices. There are also plans on building a theme park in Canterlot, which honestly is just an attempt at distracting us in my opinion. How can the city afford these things, but a single fix of our internet connections and telephone lines are still the same as months before? And from what is still possible makes everything just look illogical, like being able to get phone calls from people inside Canterlot, but not outside. Mind you, I’m not only writing about normal phones, I’m writing also about the mobile ones.

Nonetheless, I intend to get on that cruise too and will take everything with me I need. Vinyl will be there too, and with Bon Bon and Lyra I will look out for possibilities to escape and get back to our homes. Even if I won’t be able to come back to Canterlot, it will be worth getting out of here. Maybe on the cruise there will be some normal functioning internet or even just some mobile phone reception.

How is it at home? I liked the pictures you sent a lot, you two look so cute together!

Best regards,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad,

I just got back to my apartment in Canterlot. The cruise trip was all fine and relaxing until a certain moment, even if–as luckily as we all are of course–no internet connections or phone receptions were present. However, we later got a blackout and then a heavy storm broke out–which according to the Rainbooms was also some kind of the typical magical incidents. It crushed the whole cruise and the Rainbooms had to save us with their magical superpowers. Luckily I was able to save the most important belongings including my cello, but we were stranded on a lonely island.

Interestingly enough, it also had a portal to the world Sunset Shimmer is from and she suggested we all would go through it and reappear back in Canterlot. Barely anyone, including me, really wanted to do it, most of us were here mainly to finally get out of this prison city and would rather wait for any rescue attempts. However, after waiting for several hours, dark clouds were rising again in the skies and it was raining heavily, this time a natural occurrence, and fearing another heavy storm we had to go through the portal. Lyra had the idea of waiting out in the other world until the storm would stop, but not long after that suddenly the portal closed. One could see the confusion in Sunset’s face as she tried to explain how it might have happened (she used some scientific sounding jargon) and we had to walk through the world to the other portal.

I will tell in another letter what exactly the world was like, since I’m still tired and there is a lot to tell, but I wanted you to know as soon as possible that I’m, sadly, back in Canterlot.

Best regards,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad,

I’m currently at a hotel in Canterlot (however these are still not bankrupt), since our apartment is currently being cleaned out of a very dangerous chemical. Vinyl used a spray can to dry her musical equipment and, if I wouldn’t have entered our apartment shortly after that, she might have actually died. I still remember Vinyl’s dried out face and her lying on the ground before an open sink, where the water coming out immediately evaporated in the air. The air was inhumanly dry, I felt it from the moment I went in. My first instinct was to make an emergency call, but seeing her I figured that it’s better if I get her out first. On a side note, Vinyl spoke to me for the first time, although it was a weak cry for help. Once I was in the apartment, I immediately carried her out as fast as I could, fearing that I would soon be too weak. When we got out, I called the emergency call, but could only speak with a dry and quiet voice. Luckily the help came fast, but the insanely dry air seemed to spread further and the whole building had to be evacuated.

Vinyl got unconscious and was immediately given water through tubes, while I drank water like I have never before. I think I poured in at least three liters in me, if not even more. Both of us will get healthy, I’m already feeling way better while Vinyl is still recovering on her bed. It was quickly figured out that Vinyl used a spray can with a dangerous chemical that takes the water out of air, but I have never seen something so strong like that. It’s not clear how long it will take until we will be able to return back to our apartments, since the chemicals will stay for some time. I don’t even know how that spray got into our house, neither Vinyl nor I bought it nor was it here before we left for the cruise trip. The Police are currently investigating this case.

Since I’m already writing to you, I can as well describe the trip through the other universe, but I will take it a little shorter, since I’m still feeling rather weak. First of all, once everyone got through we turned into a pony (a few of the proportions like the eyes were different), our manes roughly resembling our hairs and our fur the skin colours. I was a normal pony, while some were a unicorn, like Vinyl (even her head phones were somehow transported through the portal) and Lyra, and others a pegasus, like Derpy or Flash. Honestly, I think I was reacting very calmly to the transformation—I wasn’t screaming as loudly and panicking as much as others if I remember correctly. It was a bit weird not being in clothes, but with ponies having fur I wasn’t technically naked. The calmest was definitely Vinyl, she just looked at her hooves, smiled and then continued bouncing her head to her music.

The world there is like a fable tale, very colourful and cute looking, and the village we passed seemed like an old European village, with just the exception of ponies living there. We, somehow, sneaked through it without being noticed; don’t ask how with how many we were. There were several ponies that looked exactly the same as one of us, I even saw one that looked exactly like me. I knew that this world is like a mirror version of our world (just that we are humans and they’re not), but seeing that with my own eyes was something else. I’m still wondering how similar we both are or what would have happened if we saw each other. At the end we walked into a crystal castle where the Princess from the Battle of the Bands lived.

I don’t think I have written to you about it before, but Twilight Sparkle from our world has a dog named Spike that can speak like a normal human. Not one of the strangest things compared to all the other magical incidents, but when I heard him for the first time I got scared. Nonetheless, in that world Spike is a little dragon. I’m wondering how pony to human and dragon to dog makes sense, but I won’t question it; still wondering what a horse from our world would turn into there.

Turns out the mirror versions of the other universe are very similar in character, since after Princess Twilight saw all of us, she first admonished Sunset for even thinking of making us all go through the portal (poor Sunset had no time to explain that we didn’t even want to do it), then explained all the reasons what might have happened, each reason getting bigger and crazier (like the destruction of the whole universe—don’t ask the reasons), until she completely lost her mind and panicked like crazy. The dragon Spike had to calm her down and the Rainbooms gave everything to get through her rambling that nothing what she just said had happened, while the rest of us were still dealing with the fact that we all were ponies and we had doppelgängers—at least I was.

After the princess calmed down (which took forever), she immediately teleported a mirror (because of course she can) which would bring us back to Canterlot. Imagine her surprise when Bon Bon asked if the portal would be able to lead into another city and several others, including me, joined in saying that we had no intention of returning to that city. Out of nowhere it developed into a form of riot and the Princess suddenly screamed with a loud voice making us all shut up at once, before she promised to look if that was possible and went away with Sunset into another room.

Meanwhile the other Rainbooms mirror selfs arrived and took care of us, giving us food and drinks during the waiting and telling all the stories they had been through or explained how the world worked. It was a bit too much at once, but I think I have the general overview on how the world works; I will maybe write later about it if you want to.

After hours, the Princess and Sunset returned and announced that there was no way the portal would lead to another place. They even explained why, but I doubt anyone understood it, but seeing as she was an expert according to the locald there we had to trust her. Soon we all were going with lowered heads through the portal back to Canterlot.

Best regards,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad,

Thank you two for the well wishes, we both are already healthy and feeling well. Sadly our whole building where we lived was closed down due to the chemical being classified as too dangerous and we’ll be living now in the hotel—technically more expensive, but we are getting financial compensation due to the circumstances. Kind of an upgrade in the living style, but not good for our music. The musical sets Vinyl used the spray on are confiscated, meaning she had to buy new ones to continue making her music, luckily her insurance will be paying for them. For all the other music equipment we—or rather Vinyl—gathered throughout the weeks to make our album have to be stored until we find a free room to rent for our own studio making. We can’t really play music in a hotel, so for simply practising I have to go to school; thankfully Celestia is very understanding and even gave me the keys to enter whenever I want. I kinda miss already playing with Vinyl.

However, I also have some exciting news, as Vinyl finally spoke to me. Yes, the girl always on her headphones who would never speak and only nodded finally spoke to me, at least in normal circumstances. I was excited and at the same time a little disappointed; I guess the long silence from her made me expect something special, but when she talks she’s like a normal person—I don’t know if what I have written made any sense. Nonetheless, she thanked me that I saved her life and we discussed shortly about how living in a hotel changes our everyday life. None of the time we spoke she had her headphones on, and even after we went silent, she still didn’t put them on. Looking over at her now, she is watching through the window and still hasn’t them on. Maybe I should ask her if almost losing her life changed her in any way.

Stay strong. We may be separated now, but it only means our reunion will be even better. One day, I will fall in both of your arms and we will never separate from each other again.

Best regards,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad,

I’m convinced that Vinyl has some sort of fortune or at least rich parents, because not only did she find and pay herself for two rooms to rent for our self-made studio, but also bought even more and better musical equipment for herself. I’m not complaining, as for practicing I don’t have to go that far than to our school anymore. Still, Vinyl definitely changed since the incident, as she has her headphones way more down than usual—which, if I’m thinking about it, isn’t hard if one was always wearing them—and I even get to speak to her daily. The conversations are short and Vinyl uses the minimum of words, but it’s a lot better than the wordless communication she used before. We don’t go into deep topics, most are about how the days went or what we plan next for our albums, but I am working on getting to know her better. Speaking of albums, we have a few pieces already finished and will be approximately done in about two weeks. I will of course send you the album once we’ve made it; I hope you will also enjoy the mix of styles as I!

In other news, the next school year will start soon, which I am excited to meet. Over the holiday I still met a few students and formed an even better friendship connection with them; Lyra for example is a great harp player and we even played occasionally together. The prison city we are in makes one desperate, but enjoying the time with others greatly distracts one from the fact.

Do you remember the theme park that the city wanted to build at the beginning of the holiday? It was already built and it had a Grand Opening parade show yesterday. What the technicians at the connection part can’t do, the builder at the theme park made up for it because the speed it was built was almost impossible. Of course, somehow, the Rainbooms became part of the opening ceremony and were later on the main attention, but their songs were good, so I don’t complain. With their success they would have definitely been famous world-wide weren’t it for the internet and prison-like issues. But hey, maybe once they get out, they will become stars? Then I can say I have known them in high school.

Sorry that I am writing less, there wasn’t much going on, at least from what I can remember. Sometimes I wake up, look at the date and wonder what even happened yesterday and, asking around, I am not the only one with that issue. Maybe it’s the isolation that’s doing this to us, but it’s getting really strange. To be honest, everything since the Battle of the Bands incident was strange, but collective memory losses? Also I noticed how a few normal objects are suddenly guarded heavily, like two days ago an ice machine in our hotel was being forbidden to use with even security guards controlling it, before it then got carried away. Some think that it’s some agency services or even the government trying to collect objects possessed by Equestrian magic to study them. I don’t know how much of that is true, as there were still a few incidents of object possessions the Rainbooms had to fight with their powers, like a robot pet made by Micro Chips. Overall, with all the connection issues and not being able to leave Canterlot, there is definitely something going on, but none of the theories I thought of or heard made sense.

Nonetheless, I hope everything is alright at your place and I wish you all well!

Best regards,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad,

The first school days were amazing, I was so happy to see everyone else again! It is really a comfort being around the students, especially if I can barely write or even talk to you or other family members. It’s really interesting to see how easy we all come along, even with Trixie, the rather narcissistic magician, I could have a normal conversation—at least if one played along her being called “Great and Powerful”. Not gonna lie, her magic tricks are on a way higher level now, most of them already differ from the usual magic tricks I have seen and are really mind blowing. I have to give props where it’s due.

Overall the atmosphere is way easier among the students and even with the teacher I get a lot better along; even Mr. Doodle, the Math-obsessed teacher, has turned way friendlier and more understanding for us. I have occasionally overheard the Rainbooms calling the magic that they have the “Friendship magic” and, if that affects anyone else, it certainly can be described like this. As much as I miss you, I am getting some comfort with the new friendships evolving.

Vinyl and I finished our first album and, as I promised, I included it in the letter. Enjoy listening to it!

Best regards,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad,

Do you remember how I couldn’t understand your complaints regarding the laws? Growing up, I started to understand you more, especially recently at an event in our school. Our school wanted to make a play, where I wrote myself also in the musical section. Usually I’m all out for Copyright laws, especially in our current times people use others artistic works without much thinking, but a 400 years old theatre play should have been under free use. Have you heard of “The Hanged King’s Tragedy”? I’m honestly surprised that I didn’t before, the theatre club had found it in the library of our school, but it’s an Shakespearian-like, very interesting play despite the age. Nonetheless, we all were preparing for the play, doing rehearsals or in my case composing music for it, until about twelve days before our performance Principal Celestia had to inform us that some company had the copyrights of it and forbid us to perform it. They even made sure that the police would come and confiscate everything related to it, which was way overkill. The uproar we made was huge, those knowing about the copyright laws were arguing heavily with the police, but they only spoke to deaf ears. You had to see Watermelody, the drama club leader; she went all out, almost a bit too much in her act, and called for “blood for the hanged king”, but she calmed down quickly.

You can imagine how stressful it was for us to find a new play and change everything, like the stage, outfits, coming up with new music and memorising new lines etc. We had to postpone the performance and Celestia allowed those in the play to miss their classes for the play. Last week was especially tiring; several students had eye rings from staying late at night and then coming back the next day early in the morning. For me it was also very tiring. You know me, I only want perfect performances; so I practiced and practiced like a madman to the point that even my fingers started to hurt. Sorry that I had no time to write a letter during that.

Despite the chaos and stress, we finished with everything and could perform our new play. One minor issue was a bell that fell to the ground, but Applejack was able to save it by picking it up with her strength. When we finished, we all gave a sigh of relief. It was finally done. The party at the school we made after was completely deserved and everyone was in a good mood. It was like an obstacle we were able to pass with our combined effort and friendship. A bit cheesy, I know, but it is an accomplishment. It definitely helped us bond with each other more.

And now to the bitter part: I’m sorry to hear that you didn’t like our album; however, going with the detailed description of what you would have improved, I cannot think otherwise than that you must have gotten the wrong album. Barely anything you wrote about it matched up with what we actually did. I included another copy of our album and even made sure that it’s the right one. Hopefully this time you will like it better?

Best regards,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad,

Thank you a lot for the honest and great feedback of our album; I will make sure to tell Vinyl how much you liked it!

Can you remember how I started playing cello? Maybe you can find some photos of my first performances? I would also like it if you would tell more about our auntie, had she already married her boyfriend or is the wedding still coming? To be honest, I think it would also be nice if you would write more about yourself and what happened over the past months, I can’t imagine that nothing interesting happened on your usual camping trip.

The school goes normally, Vinyl is slowly becoming more talkative, even if she puts on her headphones more often compared to the last weeks. I am not bothered by it, she now knows when it is appropriate to wear them and when not. On a side note, she told me how she got all the new expensive musical equipment: Her father is the boss of the company that makes them. Not as exciting as her being a secret millionaire, but still something.

Sorry for the rather short letter, school works are taking up my time and it’s already difficult to find also time for my practice.

Best regards,
Octavia Melody

Dear mum and dad,

Thank you so much for the photos you sent me! I personally would have preferred the photos on paper, but getting them online is also nice. I look so cute as a child!

And if you’re wondering why I asked about auntie getting married despite being single or some sudden “usual” camping trips, I only had to make sure of something, just ignore these questions. I had reasons to ask that.

Write more about yourself, I will write as soon as I have something to write!

Best regards,
Octavia Melody

And now to the one opening and reading my messages before they get to my parents. Yes, I figured out that my letters are checked, whether by a human or a computer I don’t know, but since the letters need to be opened I will assume that you are a human. Maybe you work for the government and are in a secret agency, or even something more sinister, I don’t care. I just want to write to you. Who knows, maybe I will also get some answers.

As soon as I figured out that my letters are censored, read or whatever you do to them, I wanted to scold you, like reminding you of the privacy of letters and how creepy that is, but then I realised the implications of it. There is much more going on, isn’t it? The whole “short circuit” incident wasn’t an accident (honestly no one believes it anymore), the slow internet and us not being able to upload or even just writing anything without it taking ages to be sent (and any mentions of magic not being able to be sent), me being unable to find any bus lines out of here or even just leaving this city and or even not remembering sometimes what happened the day or even days before. You took control all over it, it’s all you who wants us contained in this city, it’s all for only one specific purpose: To hide the fact that magic is real.

I can hide my feelings and thoughts very well. You see, I have figured it out for a while now, but I didn’t talk about it to anyone. I only watched others, how they behaved, what they talked about. Do you really think we are so dumb to not notice that something is going on? That we all are trapped? That there are a way higher amount of officials or guards around? When you know what to look out for, you can see that others also know it, but for their sake I won’t tell any names, but maybe you already know them too. I tell you only one thing however: The more you try to hide it, the more obvious you are. I’m sorry, but cars getting broken as soon as they leave the city? It just screams of it being intentional.

But why am I writing to you now? Don’t I know that somehow you are also able to erase the memories? I’m honestly wondering to what extent you are able to do it. Can you erase specific memories? Doesn’t seem like it honestly, as whole days seem to be forgotten, if not even more. Whatever the case is, I want to make an offer to you, your organisation or whatever you are which I’m sure you will like.

Erase my memories. Take me out of this city and return me back to my home with my parents. I don’t care how much of my memories you have to erase, maybe even from the point of entering Canterlot, but just do it. If you are unable to erase my memories, I swear that I will not reveal anything about any magical incidents or magic to them. I will keep my mouth shut about what has happened here. If you want, I can even tell a fabricated story you want me to tell. Just take me out of this place and return me to my parents.

Yes, I will leave Vinyl and the other friends I made alone, but have you ever been ripped off your parents? The last time I have seen them in person was through a bus’ window waving at them, the last time I heard them was through a phone call before you cut the connections, and when was even the last time I read a letter from my parents? Are all letters just you pretending to be my mother? Or are there just a few letters sprinkled in to make it appear as if my parents know about the magical incidents? I hope the latter, at least the test letter seemed to indicate it.

I miss my parents, I want to see them, I want to hug them, I want to tell them that I love them, I want to hear their voices, I want to be with them. Is this too much to ask? What gain do you have keeping me in this city, controlling everything I send or publish, when you can have one person less to supervise? Isn’t it the Rainbooms you want to control? Aren’t they the one having the magical geodes and the supernatural powers? Isn’t it easier if you just keep them from the public? Not that I want that to happen to them, I just want to understand the reasons. Why are you so focused on keeping the whole city in lockdown? What is your whole intention? Why us? Why me?

Please, just return me to my parents. I miss them so much…

Hello again, stranger reading this letter,

I am still in Canterlot, but my memories of the last letter writing to you are still remaining. Did you give up controlling our thoughts? Are you even trying to hide the prison we are in? Whatever the case, I still hoped that one day you would be putting a cloth on my face soaked in chloroform, I would fall unconscious and then be woken up by my parents. Well, I hoped.

Of course there is the obvious Equestrian magic you try to hide from the outside world—that’s why we have all the connection issues to begin with—but since you are also able to erase memories, I couldn’t figure out why you didn’t just do that. Just make everyone forget it ever happened and voila, you don’t have to keep a city as prisoners. But yet, our whole school remembers the Fall Formals, everyone still remembers the Dazzlings, the Friendship Games; there is also the whole trip across the different universe and I still remember every detail of it, so I figured that there is more going on. What incidents are we forgetting? What has to happen that you will want us to forget? Whatever it is, it’s definitely not about Equestrian magic, at least for us.

I could be miles away from the truth, but it seems logical, and once I made the separation, many things started to make sense. You don’t care if we see the Rainbooms turning into their pony versions, you don’t care if Equestrian magic possesses an object or a person and goes crazy, and seeing myself in the mirror, seeing Vinyl checking out her new look, I know now for certain why you don’t care. Heh, I guess friendship and playing music together is indeed the source of Equestrian magic, or, even if not, then a catalysator or a medium to spread. At least now I know how to get longer hair instantly.

There is something different going on, something unrelated to the Equestrian magic, but at the same time also unexplainable. Who knows what exactly it is, maybe you don’t understand it either, but whatever it is, you lose control of it. More hours or even days are getting forgotten, more and more police and guards are around in the city—are your efforts even worth it? Something will break loose, something will happen soon and then, everything will be revealed. At least that’s how I fantasize it. It just can’t keep going on with the growing intensity, that’s for sure.

To be honest, I have no idea why I am even writing to you. Maybe I’m expecting some confirmation, maybe I’m just hoping for any answers, maybe I just hope to forget everything. However, since I am stuck in this city anyway, I would prefer at least to know the reason, and since you don’t seem to care that I know, we might as well keep it that way.

Until you won’t be reading my letters again,
Octavia Melody