"Swan Song - Octavia x Anon - Part 4"
By MLP-CYOA-Writer-Dude (https://pastebin.com/u/MLP-CYOA-Writer-Dude)

URL: https://pastebin.com/QbrSKU9a
Created on: Friday 30th of May 2014 10:54:17 PM CDT
Retrieved on: Sunday 25 of October 2020 10:53:25 AM UTC


>You are Octavia.

>You are tired of Manehattan.
>You are tired of living the way you do.
>And….
>As much as it pains you to say….

>… you even feel tired of music.

>Anon returned to Ponyville a few weeks ago.
>The dear stayed with you for an entire week after your apartment was ravaged.
>Though he struggled with money, he refused to leave your side.
>He was able to call in enough favors to make it happen.
>After helping you clean up your apartment, he made it a point to leave you with some extra money for food and other necessities.
>You assured him repeatedly that you were okay, but he wasn’t having it.
>He eventually had to return home, only to settle some affairs.
>And, like the gentleman he is, he promised to come back to you soon.
>”I’m only going to go back home to get some extra money for us.” He had said.
>”I’ll come back to you before the end of the month. And we will take care of this. Together.”

>You’ve never missed someone so much in your entire life.
>Not only do you not have your gentleman, but you don’t have your precious cello either.
>Even the cheapest replacement cello would cost you hundreds and hundreds of bits.
>And the quality would simply be atrocious.
>You shudder at the thought.

>You’ve just decided to let it go, continuing to live as if you would never return to a career of performance.
>As much as it hurts, this is the reality of it all.
>You’ve been trying to accept it and move on.
>Music must not be your destiny.
>Why else would it be so hard to succeed at it?

>You are in the middle of packing a few of your possessions.
>Well, what was left anyways.
>You were being evicted from your apartment, with your last day approaching fast.
>The landlord refused to claim any sort of responsibility for your damaged belongings.
>As a result, you were unable to continue paying rent, as you had no way of making money.
>Even the money Anon left wasn’t enough.
>You tried your best to argue with him, but it was no use.
>You’ve been fighting a losing battle anyways.
>There is simply no point anymore.

>The most luck you’ve had has once again come from your old, bubbly friend.
>One of her cousins had an extra room available in an apartment in northern Manehattan.
>This temporary residence was a bit of a travel, but you would be living there for free until you were back on your hooves.
>There was no way you were going to turn that down.
>You didn’t have another option at this point.
>You feel awful for not being able to repay your bubbly friend for all she’s done.
>Hopefully, you would be able to before long.

>You seal another box and place it by the door.
>Three down, two to go. 

>You have yet to tell Anon of your plans to move.
>He wasn’t even aware of the fact that you were being evicted.
>He had left before you received the notice to vacate.
>You wanted to tell him, but you just didn’t want to give him another reason to worry about you.
>He is more than likely in Ponyville working himself to death for you.
>You absolutely do not want him to have to carry anymore of a burden than he already is.
>Not that he would mind.
>That’s just the way Anon is.
>He truly is a gentleman in the highest sense of the word.
>You’ve known this since the day you laid your eyes on him.

>But….

>Sometimes you wish he wasn’t such a gentleman.
>Sometimes you think he’d be much better off without you holding him down.
>Sometimes you wish he were around so you could cry on his shoulder.
>Sometimes you think it’d be better if you and him never met.
>Sometimes you wish he wasn’t such a gentleman….
>But that’s not him.

>Another box is sealed.
>One more box to pack up.

>You carefully pack up what was left was all of your old sheet music and scores.
>At least the ones that weren’t ruined a few weeks ago.
>You find an open letter on top of an old music theory book you were skimming the other day.
>You received this letter a few days ago from your dear Anon.
>Anon has been sending letters twice or even three times a week since he left, though you could only reply once a week.
>Anon understood, but that didn’t stop him from keeping in contact with you.
>These letters were the only things keeping your heart from falling completely apart.
>His kind words always make you smile and feel better.
>It was also a nice reminder that he would be at your side soon enough.

>You smile as you open it up and give it another read:

Dear Octavia,

Hello, again. I hope you are still doing well. I’m doing fine. 

Ponyville has been boring to say the least. Though, this town is in tip-top shape with all the extra work I’ve been doing around here. I just about have enough money to return to Manehattan and see you. I’m glad that we’ve been keeping in contact via these letters. It’s good to remain connected with you to make sure you are holding up all right.

I will try to be there before the end of the month. When I get there, we can figure out how to get your life back on track. I’ll treat you to a great dinner, complete with hot chocolate and éclairs, just like you like.

Take care, Octavia. Don’t lose sight of what’s important. We will get through this together. I’ll see you soon.

Love,

 - Anon

>Love.
>He had been signing his letters with love more recently.
>You smile as you neatly fold the letter and place it next to the box with the sheet music.

>Stay strong, Octavia.
>Anon will be back soon.
>Just keep your head up.
>Your gentleman will come back to you soon.

~

>You are Anon.

>And you have never been more exhausted or sore.

>You throw a massive bag of bits down on your bed.
>Weeks and weeks of hard work have finally paid off.
>You finally have saved enough bits to return to Manehattan to see Octavia.
>You have enough bits to cover her rent for a few months.
>And, unbeknownst to her, you have enough money to buy her a new cello.

>That was the biggest reason you aren’t in Manehattan right now.
>You flop down on your bed and groan as you rub your muscles.
>Octavia is under the impression that you are returning to her with money for her living situation.
>Which… is quite true.
>But the cello?

>Nah, that’s the grand surprise of it all.

>You are well aware that she would never let you get her a new cello.
>In fact, it was already a massive struggle to get her to let you help her pay for the rent.
>It’s just the way she is, and you respected her strong will and independence.
>But you care so much about her.
>You know she needed help, even if she wasn’t going to ask for it.
>The night that you came back to her home, with all of her belongings destroyed…
>She was devastated. 
>A complete wreck.
>It took you a few days before you could ease her pain.
>You didn’t leave her side for one minute.
>It killed you when you had leave, but you simply didn’t have another choice.
>But it no longer matters.
>You’ve done your work, and you are going to return to Octavia with the goal of making everything right.

>You sit up and shake your tremendous bag of bits.
>Almost a month’s worth of intense work is in your hands.
>You feel a sharp pain in your arm.
“Argh!”
>You drop the bag and rub your upper arm.
>After a few moments of rubbing, it feels better.
>Better take it easy….
>You sigh and fall backwards.
>You are exhausted.
>And in pain.
>But you’re excited and happy.
>You get to see Octavia tomorrow.
>And you’ll get to see her smile….
>You’ll get to hear her voice….
>You’ll get to hold…. Her….

>….

~

>Your alarm rings.
>You shoot out of the bed and shut it off.
>After a quick stretch, shower, and shave, you are dressed and ready to go.
>You wish you had this much energy while you were working like crazy last week.

>You check your two large luggage bags.
>Everything seems to be good to go….
>Plenty of clothes, toiletries….
>And your massive bag of bits.
>Perfect.
>You were prepared to be in Manehattan for much longer than last time.
>With so much extra money, you could even move to Manehattan if you wanted.
>But you had to focus on what was important.
>And that was Octavia.

>You grab your bags and head for the train station with a big smile on your face.

~

>You arrive at the Manehattan Train Station a bit after noon.
>You slept quite comfortably for most of the trip.
>You move around the ponies leaving the train and head for the exit.
>Luggage in each hand, you happily exit the station and feast your eyes upon the Manehattan for the second time.
>Both times you arrived here have been met with excitement.
>Both times you arrived have been worth your time and effort.
>Solely thanks to a certain musical mare.

>You flag down a cab for the first time.
>There was no way you were walking this time.
>Not only did you not want to exhaust yourself, you were carrying around too much money to risk.
>A gruff looking stallion trots next to you, with a large black and yellow carriage in tow.
>You smile and hand him a handful of bits.
>He nods to you with a smile on his face.
>You throw your luggage in the carriage and tell the cab driver where to go.
>”You got it, boss.”
>You sit back and exhale as you begin to move towards the Central Park area.
>Everything was all right.
>Everything was fine.
>You shut your eyes, the sounds of the city overtaking your ears.

~

>”We’re here, boss.”
>You hop out of the carriage with your luggage.
>You thank the cab driver and begin to walk towards Octavia’s apartment.
>It would be a little bit before you arrive, but you were walking quite fast.
>You feel a bit of pain in your arm.
>You groan, shrugging it off. 
>No time to focus on that now.
>You move faster.
>Octavia’s apartment comes within view.
>Your heart begins to race.
>You wipe a bit of sweat off your forehead with your sleeve.
>You stagger a bit as more pain comes from your arm.

“Almost there….”

>You are Octavia.

*KNOCK KNOCK*

>And there is a knock on your door!

>You quickly get up from your couch and head over to greet your guest.
>You adjust your mane and head to the front door.
>You move over your packed boxes, clearing a path for Anon.
“Just a minute!”~
>With a path cleared, you open the door.
>Your heart skips a beat as you see your gentleman once more.

“Anon!”
>”Hey, Octavia!”
>He drops his luggage and opens his arms.
>You run into his arms, wrapping your forehooves around his neck.
>After a long embrace, you pull away to look at him.
>He gives you a big smile, still holding on to your hooves.
>”It’s so wonderful to see you!”
“It really is, Anon. Please, come on in.”

>You and Anon walk back into your empty apartment.
>Anon drops his luggage down and quietly observes his environment.
>”Octavia… what happened to all of your…. Oh.”
>He sees your packed boxes.
>”Are… are you moving?”
>You close the door and trot over to him.
“Um… kind of. Yes, actually.”
>Anon raises an eyebrow at you.
>You look at his body, lit up from your lights.
>He looks… different.
>He is much leaner than you remember, though his muscles are much more defined.
>He has cuts all over his arms and face.
>He looks… quite gruff. 

“Anon… what happened to you? Are you… okay?”

>He rubs the top of his arm and smiles at you.
>”Of course, I’m fine! I’m so happy to be here. But why are your-“
”I mean… you look… different.”
>He gives you a confused look.
>”I… Huh? Do I…?”
>He checks his arms and torso.
>You move closer to him.
>You take his arm and run a hoof down its length.
>Cuts and scars covered his arm.
“This… what happened?”
>He pulls his arm away.
>”It’s nothing to worry about, Octavia.”

>He sits down on the couch, beckoning you over.
>You trot over and sit next to him.
>”Are you going to tell me about all of your things being packed up?”
>You sigh.
“I’m being evicted.”
>”Seriously?”
>You nod slowly.
“The land owner wasn’t going to take responsibility for my thing being ruined. We got into a fight and I got a notice to vacate the next morning.”
>Anon groans, rubbing his face in his hands.
>”That’s unbelievable. But… maybe it’s for the best.”
“Oh? Why do you say that?”
>”Well… now could be our chance to move you out of here once and for all.”

>You nod.
“Fortunately, that’s already been taken care of. I’ll be staying with a relative of one of my old Ponyville friends.”
>”Sounds like you got very lucky.”
>Anon begins to rub his arm again.
“I’m not lucky. Not at all.”
>You put a hoof on his leg.
“Unless of course… I count you being here….”
>He gives you a weak smile, still rubbing his arm.
>You frown at him.
“Anon….”
>He shakes his head at you and groans.
>”I… I’m fine. I just overworked myself a bit these last few days.”
>He stretches his arm out, and it cracks in many places.
>”I’ll be okay. I… maybe I need to just sleep it off for the night.”
>You nod and rub his leg gently.
“Y-yes, maybe that’s for the best.”
>”When is your last day here?”
“I have to be out before the first of the month.”
>”Okay. We have plenty of time then to catch up and take care of things.”
>He struggles to get up from the couch, but gives you a smile.
>You help him up.
>What has your gentleman done to himself?
“Anon….”
>He yawns loudly.
>”Come on. We can go to bed now, and figure stuff out tomorrow.”
>You frown, but nod.
“Of course, Anon. But… will you tell me what’s happened with you?”
>He gives you another confused look.
“Please?”
>He laughs, running a finger down your cheek.
>You feel yourself blush.
>”I’ve been away from you. That’s what’s happened to me.”

~

>You lay next to a sleeping Anon.
>He fell asleep almost instantly.
>You gave him some hot tea and a bit of medicine to try and ease his pain.
>He just couldn’t stop rubbing his arm.
>He wouldn’t tell you what he did to himself.
>You look at Anon’s upper torso. 
>His chest has a few scars on them as well.
>They are much larger than the ones on his arms.
>You rub his chest gently, moving down his abdomen.
>His muscles are so tense.
>What kind of physical labor was he doing back in Ponyville?

>There is no point in fussing about it now.
>You will talk to Anon tomorrow about it.
>You are a bit upset that he won’t tell you what’s happened to him.
>….
>In the same respect, you didn’t tell him that you were being evicted until he got here.
>You just didn’t want him to worry.
>….
>Just like you’re worrying about him.
>You sigh deeply and lay down close to Anon.
>He grumbles a bit and turns on his side, putting an arm around you.
>Suddenly, everything feels right.
>The warmth from his body relaxes you, and you shut your eyes.
>You feel his heart beat gently against his chest.
>For the first time in weeks, you are happy.
>Truly happy.

>Everything was going to better.
>Everything was going to work out.

~

>You are Anon.
>And a bang from the living room awakes you from your slumber.
>You eyes snap open.
>You sit up and look around the bedroom.
>It’s dark.
>It’s quiet.
>And you don’t like it.

>You move Octavia over, careful not to wake her.
>She mumbles a little bit and turns over.
>You slowly get up from the bed and grab your shoes.
>Another light bang meets your eardrums.
>You hear what sounds like hoofsteps coming from the living room.
>You quickly, but quietly, move to the bedroom door.
>Pressing an ear against it, you hear mutterings coming from the other side.
>Your heart begins to race.
>This isn’t going to happen again.
>Not on your watch.
>You put a hand on the doorknob, still listening intently.
>You begin to hear what sounds like something being unzipped.
>Like a large bag… or….

>You look around the room for your luggage bags.
>They aren’t here!
>You quickly open the door and bolt into the living room.
>You see a cloaked figure standing by your open luggage bag.
>Your large bag of bits enveloped in an aura, floating next to it.
“Hey!”
>The cloaked figure steps back slowly.
>”….”
>The door begins to open by itself.
>You hear someone approach you from behind.
>”A-Anon….?”
>Suddenly, the cloaked figure exits the apartment in a flash of light.
>You cover your eyes, and move forward.
"Octavia, stay here!"
>You immediately sprint after the thief, leaving Octavia behind.

>You see a visible trail of the magical aura heading towards an alleyway.
>You begin to sprint in the direction, hoping you haven’t lost the thief.
>There was no way you were losing that money.
>You’re going to catch that burglar, and put them in their place.

>You see the glowing bag further down the alleyway, but not too far.
>You press onwards, sprinting faster than you’ve ever had to.
>The thief was coming into view.
“Stop! NOW!”
>The thief turns around, seeing you catching up.
>In a move of desperation, the thief uses its magic to knock over some trashcans, blocking your path.

>You jump over them, continuing the chase.
>The burglar begins to slow down, clearly out of breath.
>It knocks over more trash cans.
>You jump over each one, not letting them get in your way.
>You feel your anger getting the best of you.
>This thief was NOT going to escape.

>The thief turns at the next alleyway, trying to lose you.
>You nearly slip as you make the turn, but you stay on them.
>A massive fence blocks your path, with the burglar unable to continue.
>The thief is trapped.
>You crack your neck, and approach the thief slowly.
>”S-stop! I’m… I’m….”
>The thief uses its magic to send a trashcan hurling at you.
>You punch it with all of your strength, causing it to crumple.
>You feel a stinging pain in your arm.
>But you ignore it, moving towards the doomed thief.

>The pain in your arm causes you to stagger a bit.
>You grab your arm.
“No… ugh! Damn!”
>The thief drops the bag of bits.
>”I’m s-sorry! I didn’t-“
“SHUT UP!”
>The thief cowers as you begin to move towards them again.
>You see their horn glow.
“DON’T EVEN-!”

>A large metal pipe is pulled from the ground and is flung directly to you.
“NO!”
>You swipe it away it, causing it to bend it half and collide with the building next to you.
>The pain in your arm is almost unbearable.
>But you don’t care.
>The thief falls to the ground, cowering in fear.
>You point to the thief, your arm shaking.
>Blood pours down your arm.
>You don’t care.
>You don’t feel any pain.

“You… you are lucky.”
>You approach the thief.
>”Please don’t hurt me! P-please!”
>You bend down and grab the bag of bits with your good arm.
>The thief flinches, hunched over in fear.
“You’re lucky… that this is all still here.”
>You reach over with your bad arm and pull the thief’s cloak off.
>A dark blue mare stares at you.
>Her face was rather filthy, emitting pure fear.

“You… you trashed her apartment before haven’t you?”
>The blue mare stares at you, beginning to cry.
>”Y-y-y-yes… but I didn’t-“
“SHUT UP!”
>Your anger makes your head pound even more.
>You feel your vision get blurry.
>Your heart begins to beat faster.
“Leave. Leave now. Don’t ever do this again.”
>You can’t do anything to her.
>As much as you want to hurt her for hurting you and Octavia.
>It’s not like you.
>The thief gets up quickly and trots away.

>You turn around.
>The mare vanishes in the distance.
>You look at the bag of bits again.
>And everything was fine once again.
>You fall to the ground.
>You can hardly see anything except oncoming darkness.
>Blood continues to pour down your arm.
>The pain doesn’t let up.
>It’s excruciating.
>But you don’t care.
>You got your money back.
>Everything was going to be fine.
>Everything….

>….

>You lose consciousness.

~