Soft violet eyes stared out at the myriad puddles formed in the cracks of the train station's one and only platform; the soft hiss of steam was the only sound, and it wouldn't be long before … “Mares and gentlecolts,” the chirpy announcement began, “we apologise for the delay. The train from Ponyville to Canterlot is now ready for boarding.”

The conductor made one final inspection of the boiler's innards before nodding to the mechanic, who swiftly sealed it up. “Miss,” he said to Octavia, who was lost in her own little world. “Are you all right?”

“Hm?” replied Octavia, shaking her head. No amount of bobbing could pry free those dark thoughts which had become lodged in there as of late. “Yes, sorry.”

“The train is ready.”

“Thank you.”

Octavia sighed, pulling herself unwillingly to her hooves and pushing the trolley containing her one and only possession in the direction of the locomotive. To be the best at something meant making a few sacrifices.

The grey mare paid no heed to the clusters of ponies making their way to the passenger compartment as she headed toward the luggage carriage; a burly earth pony was there to help with the more awkward baggage, and Octavia thanked him as they manoeuvred the bulky case into position.

Just as she was about to place a hoof on the step leading to the passenger section, a shrill cry broke through the oppressive silence. She perked up her ears, and soon enough, the sound repeated itself. “OCTAVIA! WAIT!” She'd been expecting this, but hadn't looked forward to it. Not once during the trip from home to the station had she looked back, but now, she was being given no choice in the matter.

Making sure her face was perfectly neutral, she turned to greet the white unicorn mare with the wild blue mane who was pushing her way through the milling ponies to get to the train. “Vinyl.” She isn't wearing her glasses.

“Just a sec',” Vinyl replied, holding up a foreleg to ward of any chatter while she tried to get her breath back. Long nights partying and drinking weren't conducive to good health, and the mad sprint across Ponyville had left her winded. In one long stream, she blurted, “Howcouldyouleavemewithoutsayinganything.”

Octavia looked at her blankly. “I'm sorry?”

“So you should be,” Vinyl said darkly, panting now from anger rather than breathlessness. “Just a note. Not even … am I not even worth a proper goodbye to you? Did our time together mean so little? Was I just another notch on the bedpost?”

This was something that Octavia had been hoping to avoid. This was the one thing stopping her from going to Canterlot and fulfilling her heart's desire. This was why she'd written a blasted note and snuck out of the house in the early hours of the morning. If only the train hadn't been under maintenance, she would've been halfway to Canterlot and its fabulous orchestra by now. Her old life a fading memory in the distance. But no such luck.

“You don't have to go back there,” said Vinyl, her cool demeanour all but destroyed in a flood of tears.

“Yes, I do,” Octavia replied, trying to maintain a degree of stoicism. She understood now why Vinyl hadn't worn her trademark sunglasses: she'd wanted her to see this. The raw emotion on her face. The side of herself no one but Octavia was privy to.

A pair of hooves latched on to her waist as Octavia attempted to board the train. The conductor was looking at them with an icy expression and he tapped his fetlock despite there being no watch there. Vinyl wasn't all that strong, and Octavia could break her grip easily enough … but something other than the desperate DJ was holding her back. “Vinyl, I'm sorry. I know it was cowardly of me to break up with you in this way, but … I have to go. Please, let me go.”

“I don't want to.”

The wail broke Octavia's heart, but her spirit refused to be bowed; with everything she had, she tore herself away from Vinyl's grasp and boarded the train.

Glass separated the two. Octavia refused to look, not wanting to see those impossibly-confident eyes reduced to abject despair.

She looked.

Vinyl mouthed three words as the train began to pull away from the station.

A solitary tear slid down Octavia's cheek as she repeated them. Next Chapter: Accident - Ditzy/Fluttershy - Slice of Life Estimated time remaining: 54 Minutes