"Ugh. This dress is so damn itchy!" Vinyl said, squirming in place, half tempted to just rip the damn thing off. "Are you sure I have to wear this damn thing?"

"Yes, Vinyl," Octavia started as she carefully put on eyeliner, looking at herself in the vanity mirror, careful not to mess up, doing it just like her mother taught her without having magic. "You do. This is a party, not a disco club."

"But it's just so…not me," Vinyl said, kicking the back of her dress, clearly uncomfortable.

Octavia took a break from her eyeliner and turned to Vinyl, a kind smile on her face. "I think you look beautiful, honey. The dresser did a wonderful job with your dress."

And they really did. The dress, which was music-themed, was a long, flowing garment, that was white with electric blue accents. It had a large, flowing cape that extended from the shoulders to the ground and was adorned with several black musical notes and treble clefs. An electric blue stripe ran along the edge of the cape, adding a pop of color. The dress had long sleeves that were white and ended in gray cuff-like edges. The neckline was adorned with a collar that wrapped around her neck, with a headphone set dangling from the collar. It really did look like her kind of dress.

However, if anypony should be complaining about how stuffy their dress was, it was Octavia. While Vinyl's dress looked a lot more free, Octavia's dress felt more…restrictive. Her dress was a white and purple, layered, floor-length gown. It had long sleeves that were trimmed in black. There were black floral embellishments on the sleeves, bodice, and waistline of the dress. It had a black sash that wrapped around her waist and a flowing skirt, which was made up of layered ruffles of different shades of purple and white. The deepest purple layer of the skirt had a swirling pattern of little hearts. Octavia had to admit that the dress was beautiful, and the purple matched her mulberry eyes, but it just wasn't her. Not anymore. She preferred her purple bow tie with the white collar. It was so simple, and yet, it made her feel professional.

Octavia turned back around to stare back at herself in the vanity. Memories flooded her mind as she thought about her life before she met Vinyl. As she stared at herself, instead of her twenty-six-year-old self, she saw a filly who didn't look more than ten years old, with a golden grey coat, a dark grey mane, and mulberry eyes, who was excited to go to her first ever ball. Next to her stood a tan mare with a dark brown mane that had yellow streaks and mulberry eyes…

"Look at you, darling. You look beautiful," said the unicorn next to the tiny ten-year-old filly, who looked absolutely terrified.

"You…you really think so? It's…it's not too much, is it?" Octavia asked, staring at her own reflection in the vanity, her voice as young as she was.

Harmony put a hoof around her daughter, squeezing her shoulders, her smile warm and happy. "I promise. You look absolutely regal, my love."

Octavia smiled up at her mother, before looking back at herself. Then a thought came to mind, making her frown. "But, Mother…what if nopony likes me? What if I end up alone?"

"Oh, Octavia. You won't end up alone. It's your birthday. This party is being thrown just for you. And even if nopony does, that's okay. You know why?"

Octavia shook her head, confused as to what her mother was trying to get at.

Harmony crouched down to look her daughter in the eye, so she knew she meant it. "Because you're perfect the way you are. And because one day, you're going to be great."

"Because I'm a Sonata?" Octavia asked, looking down at her mother.

"Exactly." Harmony stood up, putting a hoof around her daughter's shoulder, both of them staring at the vanity mirror, Harmony with pride for the accomplishments she knew her daughter would perform, and Octavia with uncertainty. "One day, you're going to accomplish great things in music. Things nopony ever thought possible. You remember the family motto?"

"Cum musica venit virtus. With music comes power." Octavia responded obediently.

"That's right, my love. That's what makes the Sonata name so great. Because as long as we hold music in our hooves, we hold the power it brings. Never forget that, Octavia."

"I won't, Mother. I'll be the best cellist out there! The best in all of Equestria!" Octavia exclaimed, her confidence growing.

Harmony squeezed her daughter's shoulder. "I'm counting on it, my love. The entire family is."

Tears filled Octavia's eyes as the memory played through her mind. Even at ten years old, the importance of the family name was ingrained into her. Come hell or high water, the Sonata name was the most important thing, because they created music, and music held power.

When Octavia was young, she didn't really understand what that meant. But now, twenty years later, she understood perfectly. Music held power because music had the power to influence a pony's emotions. Music could change the world because it could change ponies. Music had a way of worming itself into a pony's mind, into their hearts, and straight into the deepest darkest part of a pony's soul.

And once you have access to that part of their souls, you can influence them into thinking whatever you want. Because, from there, you can influence their emotions, and those thoughts are formed from those emotions. Control a pony's emotions and you control how they think. Thus, the family motto. With music comes power.

"Tavi, are you sure you want to do this? You told me on the train ride here that these things always made you nervous. I can't imagine how hard it'd be now with everything else going on. You can always skip. You're a grown mare, your parents can't force you to do something you don't want to."

"I'm alright, Vinyl. Besides, you're just trying to find an excuse not to go so you won't have to wear that dress." Octavia said with a small smile on her face.

But Vinyl saw through her attempts at deflecting. They had been together for ten years now. She knew about Octavia's habits. Including the one where she'd deflected by trying to lighten the mood and turn the conversation onto Vinyl instead. But Vinyl wasn't falling for it. Not this time. And she hadn't for a while now.

"Tavi, I'm serious. I love you, and I only want to see you happy. From the way you sobbed on my doorstep that night, they broke your heart. You owe them nothing. You need to look out for yourself before you look out for them. And right now it feels like you're looking out for them first."

Octavia was silent for a bit, not sure what to say. She knew Vinyl was right. Her parents did break her heart. And she did owe them nothing. But she owed herself this. It'd be a regret she'd think about every day. Even if her father didn't regret what he did, she wanted him to see how beautiful her life had been. How they could've been a part of that life and they chose not to. Sure, it may be spiteful, and petty, but the thought of him dying thinking he was right about Vinyl was almost worse than the thought of him being regretful and her not being there to know it and get the father she loved back.

"No, Vinyl. I need to do this. Not for them, but for me. I need to prove to them that I don't need their name, or their money, or their arranged marriages to be happy. That being with you is all I need to be happy."

Octavia put a hoof on Vinyl's chest and leaned in for a kiss, but Vinyl pulled away, looking at Octavia closely, Vinyl's worry for her marefriend only growing. Vinyl could always read Octavia like a book, just like it seemed Octavia could read her the same way, and something wasn't sitting right with her.

"Are you sure you need to prove that to them? Or to yourself?" Vinyl asked in a small voice, making Octavia pull away and look Vinyl in the eye.

"Vinyl…of course not. What would…what would make you say…Vinyl, I know I'm happy. I…I just need them to know it too."

Vinyl sighed heavily, looking away from Octavia, and ran a hoof through her mane. "I know. At least, I hope so. It just feels like…like you're only doing this to…I don't know…to get back at your parents somehow."

"Whatever makes you think that?" Octavia asked, her heart racing. Vinyl wasn't right…was she?

"I'm not stupid, Tavi. Not wanting to tell anypony I'm here until the gala so you can catch them by surprise? Wanting to prove how better your life is? I just want to make sure your intentions are good."

"Is wanting to prove how amazing my life is really that bad?"

"But what the hell is the point? You know how good life is. So…why do…why…" Vinyl trailed off as a thought came to her. "Unless…unless you don't think life is good…and…and you need your parents' approval or something, just so you know that it's good because your parents think it's good."

"What? No. Vinyl, that's not true. I promise. I just…I just want them to know that…that things would've been okay if they kept me in their lives and let me have a relationship with you. That's all."

Vinyl was silent for a moment, closing her eyes, before looking directly at Octavia, her Tavi, trying to read her like she always could. Only, this time, it seemed like she couldn't. Memories played through Vinyl's head as she looked Octavia in the eyes, praying that what she was saying was true.

Vinyl then sighed, hugging Octavia. "I hope so Tavi. I really do. I don't want to be some pawn in a revenge gig against your parents. What we have is real, and I don't want it to be tainted by some…some contest against your parents, alright? You have nothing to prove to them. Alright."

Octavia nodded, her head against Vinyl's chest. "You're not. And, I know. I love you, Vinyl. I really do."

"I love you too. And no matter what, I'll be by your side."

Octavia smiled weakly, but in her mind, she couldn't help but wonder, deep inside, if Vinyl was right.

"Tavi, I love you. I wish I could say it was love at first sight, but to be honest, it wasn't. When we first met, you got drunk off your ass and I was throwing up in a bathroom stall. But believe me when I say that our love is real. You brought me back from a life of partying and drinking to a happy and stable life here in Ponyville. I love you, and there's nothing in this whole world that can change that. So, Octavia Melody, will you marry me?"

Octavia gasped as Vinyl pulled out a beautiful bracelet that had two charms, one to match her and Vinyl's cutie marks. Lyra squealed next to Bon Bon in the background, their smiles wide as they watched the moment they both knew would come.

The four of them had taken a trip down to the beach as a sort of double date thing. Lyra and Octavia had lost touch in Canterlot, but they quickly reconnected when they ran into each other in Ponyville. When they both realized they both had a special somepony in their lives, they went on double dates with each other more frequently.

Octavia smiled, opening her mouth to say yes, only to close it again. She wanted to say yes. She wanted to so badly. But…she just couldn't. Not with the secrets she was keeping from Vinyl.

Tears filled her eyes as she looked at Vinyl, Vinyl's face slowly falling as the moments of silence ticked on. It broke Octavia's heart, but she just couldn't say yes.

"I…I can't…I'm so sorry, Vinyl, I just can't!" And with that, Octavia turned around and fled, running down the sandy beach Vinyl chose to propose on.

"Tavi, wait!" Vinyl called, but Octavia continued running.

After a bit, Octavia found an old log and sat there, watching the waves, tears filling her eyes. She wanted to say yes. She wanted to so badly, but…she couldn't. Not with this big secret weighing her down. She felt so stupid, letting her parents influence her life again after all these years of no contact.

"Octy?" A voice said, startling her.

Octavia looked up to see Bon Bon standing over her, a concerned look on her face. Octavia scooted over, allowing room for Bon Bon to sit next to her, and the two of them sat in silence for a bit.

Octavia didn't know Bon Bon all that well. Sure, she knew the basics and they were good friends, but Octavia knew Lyra better than she knew Bon Bon. Octavia kind of always thought of her as Lyra's plus one, since the only time they properly hung out would be on these double date things. Heck, Octavia never even told Bon Bon her real name.

However, from the time they did spend together, Octavia could see why Lyra and Bon Bon were together. Bon Bon was calm, cool, and collected, sort of like Octavia, but not as sophisticated seeming. While Lyra was an open book when it came to her emotions and her emotions were all over the place, Bon Bon seemed more reserved, more at peace with herself. It seemed to calm Lyra down some and seemed to be the pillar of strength Lyra needed.

Octavia was the first to break the silence. "Vinyl's not upset…is she?"

Bon Bon shook her head. "No. She's not upset," She said in that calm, serene voice. They were both silent for a moment longer before Bon Bon asked, "She doesn't know, does she?"

Octavia, startled, looked up at Bon Bon, surprise written all over her face.

Bon Bon smiled softly. "Lyra told me. When we first met, when she didn't know you wanted to keep it secret."

Octavia sighed, looking down at her hooves. "No, she doesn't. And I'm not sure I want to tell her, or can tell her. I know it seems so stupid. It's just a stupid name but…"

"That name comes with a lot of weight," Bon Bon finished, startling Octavia. Bon Bon just looked out at the waves, the calm serene seeming to just radiate off of her. "I get it. A name, well, what comes with the name, can put a lot of pressure on a relationship. Pressure one might not be ready for."

"I just don't want her to see me differently, you know? It's just…I know she'll say she won't but…it'll just be there, between us. Right now, we're equals, you know? But…once I spill that…even though I see us as equals still…she…she might not. And telling her might add a whole new string of doubt in her mind."

"I get it. I had the same worries when it came to Lyra." At Octavia's confused look, Bon Bon sighed, the first real sign of emotion that wasn't that eternal calm. "My…my mother died while giving birth to me. My dad tried to raise me, but…well…he just didn't have it in him to be a single dad. So…he put me up for adoption. I was adopted by a wealthy family in Canterlot. Their name was nowhere as big as yours, but with money and popularity comes expectations, no matter how small that popularity is. When Lyra and I first started dating, I was nervous to tell her who I was. I didn't want to put that pressure on her too. But, eventually, I knew I couldn't keep it secret forever. It was a bit overwhelming for her at first, but we learned to find that balance so that in the end, we had time for us."

"You're saying I should probably tell Vinyl," Octavia muttered, looking out at the ocean.

"I'm saying that if you do, the two of you will still be okay, no matter what. You two have been together longer than Lyra and I have. For six years. You've already built that foundation. It might take some adjustments, but the two of you will be just fine. You'll be able to work it out. I mean," Bon Bon bumped her shoulder against Octavia's with a small smile. "The two of you are soul mates after all."

Octavia chuckled. "I don't think so. I mean, I love Vinyl, and I couldn't imagine being with anypony else, but…soul mates? That's such a strong word."

"Oh, come on. I've seen the way you two look at each other. That's true love right there."

Octavia looked up at Bon Bon. "You…you really think so?"

Bon Bon smiled back at Octavia. "I know so…"

Octavia's whole body shook as she stood in the ballroom full of ponies, her breath heavy as it felt like the whole room was closing in on her. Vinyl was right. This was a mistake. She should've listened to her.

Her hooves itched as they longed for her bow and cello, which would always bring her comfort when she was upset or anxious. She was half tempted to jump up on stage and push the cellist who was already playing up there out of the way and take his spot. At least that way she could stay still instead of squirming.

She tried to focus on the classical music that played delicately in the background, one of the songs her father wrote, as would be all the songs played tonight. In total, her father wrote and composed over four hundred pieces of classical orchestral music. If background music for playwrights and operas, co-writing, and solo instrumental pieces counted, it'd be over six hundred. The orchestra would probably get through only eighty of those pieces before the gala was over.

She looked towards the stage to see a familiar unicorn stallion maestro conducting the orchestra. Her accomplished older brother, Bittersweet Sonata. Of course he'd be leading the symphony. He was already first chair for the clarinet in the Canterlot Symphony for the past five years. He was already writing his own symphonies and at the age of thirty-three, he's already written over a hundred pieces.

"Here you go, Tavi."

Octavia turned around, her heart still racing, but she seemed relatively calmer than she was five minutes ago. Thinking about music always calmed her down, even if it was the accomplishments of her family.

Octavia was always able to just name random facts about music and the greatest Equestrian composers of classical music like she was telling somepony her name and age. Like how Wolfgangus Oatzart wrote over six hundred pieces of music or how Neightoven studied with Oatzart's teacher Franz Haydn. It was crucial for Octavia to know these random facts about musicians and composers as a Sonata, but she found reciting them in her mind always calmed her down.

Vinyl was standing there, levitating one glass of what looked to be white wine and another of sparkling cider in her magic. Octavia took the white wine in her hoof, taking a sip. The wine tasted sweet and settled softly in her bloodstream, unlike the harshness of other alcohols like tequila and vodka.

"Thought it'd help take the edge off." Vinyl took a sip of her own glass.

"Got anything stronger?" Octavia muttered, earning a light, quiet chuckle from Vinyl.

Vinyl's face suddenly grew somber as she looked at Octavia closely. "You doing alright? You seem anxious."

"I uh…what…what gave you that idea?" Octavia asked, though it was a stupid question seeing as her voice shook when she asked it.

Vinyl raised an eyebrow. "Other than the tremble in your voice, well…I can practically see you shaking and you're fidgeting when any other time you have no problem staying still."

Octavia's gaze roamed the ballroom, looking for one specific pony. Her mother. She had asked Mr. Platter if her father was attending, but he said he'd be unable to. He'd be too weak. Octavia took a shaky breath as she took another sip of her white wine.

Vinyl sighed, taking both of their glasses in her magic and setting them down on the tray of a passing waiter, before holding out her hoof towards Octavia. "May I have this dance, m'lady?" Vinyl asked in an accent that mocked Octavia's.

Octavia giggled, accepting Vinyl's hoof before she was led to the dance floor, where other ponies waltzed. "You know how to waltz?" Octavia asked in a whisper.

"Of course I do." At Octavia's raised eyebrow, Vinyl sighed and admitted, "While you were preoccupied, I may have asked Mr. Platter for a quick lesson. What can I say? I wanted to dance with my marefriend on our first gala together."

As Vinyl led Octavia to the dance floor, a song that started calm, but soon grew powerful began to play. Octavia didn't recognize this song, though it sounded vaguely familiar. Probably one of her father's newer pieces.

Octavia closed her eyes, losing herself in the music and the warmth of Vinyl. She and Vinyl glided across the dance floor, the whole world fading from existence. Octavia opened her eyes and looked into Vinyl's, who stared down at her with nothing but pure love.

As the music grew powerful again, tears filled Octavia's eyes. She wasn't sure how she ended up so lucky to end up with a mare like Vinyl, who loved her for her, and nothing else. There was nothing she could do that would push Vinyl's love away forever. Vinyl's love was unconditional. It was her light in the growing darkness. The eye of her storm.

They may have been complete opposites, but they both quickly remembered the bond they formed over music. It was through music that they fell in love. And it was music that kept them together.

My mother was right, Octavia thought. Music does bring power.

But it wasn't the kind of power Harmony Sonata believed. It was a different kind of power. Music was powerful because it brought love. It was a lesson Octavia never truly learned until now. But now that she had, she didn't understand why she couldn't see it before.

"You okay, Tavi?" Vinyl asked when she noticed the tears forming in Octavia's eyes.

"I'm fine. Better than fine." Octavia assured, blinking the tears away. "I just…Oh Vinyl, I love you so much. Thank you. Thank you for sticking by my side. Through all of this." Octavia hugged Vinyl as they glided across the dance floor.

"Of course, Tavi. That's what I'm here for, alright. I love you." Vinyl buried her face in Octavia's mane, wanting to hug her back, but she had to keep them both steady.

The song softly came to a close, before gracefully transitioning into the next one. It was then Octavia decided that this would be their song. It didn't matter that it was her father that wrote it. It would now be theirs. It'd be the song that played at their wedding. The song they'd danced to in the kitchen after they finished the dishes after dinner. The song they'd show their children, and teach them to play on the cello, or piano, or whatever instrument they played.

Octavia and Vinyl separated, but Octavia continued to stare up at Vinyl, a small smile on her face. Her worries about everything else were completely forgotten with the realization that she wanted to marry this mare more than anything.

Vinyl, a bit confused, let out a breathy chuckle, glancing around before looking back at Octavia. "What?"

"Nothing. You're just beautiful. The most beautiful mare I've ever seen." Octavia said, watching Vinyl.

"Where did that come from?" Vinyl asked with a small smile, leading Octavia off the dance floor and to a table.

"Just a realization that came to me, that's all." Octavia sat down next to Vinyl, not taking her eyes off of her.

And then Octavia's small feeling of pure heaven and love burst as the music softened until it was hardly noticeable. Trumpets began to sound and immediately, Octavia looked to the staircase that led down into the ballroom, where everypony was supposed to enter, seeing a line of stallions in tuxes standing on both sides of each step.

And just like that, Octavia's anxiety and worry came snapping back like a rubber band that'd been strained and let go. The room suddenly felt small and her whole body shook as it felt like there was a hundred-pounds of weights resting on her chest. She tried to keep her breathing under control, but it was quickly spiraling.

Tears filled Octavia's eyes. She'd replayed that night over and over again in her mind, thinking she'd never see her mother again, thinking that those words her mother said would be the last words she'd ever hear from her until the day her mother died. But now? Now she had an opportunity, an expectation to see and speak to her mother, and she…she wasn't sure she could do it. Her whole world was being flipped upside down, and it was happening all too fast. Octavia could barely process any of it, but it felt like the world not only wouldn't slow down for her but was also speeding up, as though it relished in her anxiety and yet, it wasn't happening fast enough.

She thought it'd be like ripping off a band-aid, but it was nothing like that. It was anything but. It was like sticking duct tape over the same spot over and over, ripping it off each time. Every time she thought about that night, it would rip off another layer of duct tape. Every time she thought about meeting her mother, it was another layer. Now the area was raw, and anything that'd brush against it made it sting. And now that the moment was actually here, she wasn't sure she could take anymore.

Suddenly, Octavia felt hooves grab both of her own. She looked down to see a pair of hooves covered in white fur softly holding onto hers. She grabbed them and clung onto them as though they were her lifeboat, squeezing as hard as she could. But the mare they were connected to didn't so much as flinch. In fact, she leaned closer, offering her silent support. Octavia was grateful because she didn't know if she could stand on her own.

Octavia then saw Silver Platter walk up to the bottom of the staircase, looking up to the top of it, his voice booming so it could be heard throughout the room. "It is with a heavy heart that I must announce Lord Treble Cleff Sonata is unable to attend, for he is too weak to rise from his bed. So, attending in his stead is his wife, Lady Harmony Sonata!"

Author's Note

In case any of you are wondering, this is the song Octavia and Vinyl dance to. I figured it was the perfect song since they sort of fixed each other. Also, I love this orchestra version. I thought it was beautiful. I spent like, an hour trying to find the right song to write this scene at like one in the morning, but I think I found the right one (the things we do for our stories).

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And, before anybody says anything, no, I'm not just trying to add filler chapters to make this story longer. I'll explain why it's taken three chapters until Octavia finally sees her parents in the last chapter, which isn't too far off.