It had taken almost half an hour before Seth finally left the mail room. He had gotten up, leaving the letter inside the black deposit box and locked it. Oblivious to the world, Seth had left the building, not at all sure where he was headed. He just wanted to walk.

For hours the pony wandered the streets of Canterlot, unmindful and unaware of his surroundings. His mind was blank, having burnt itself out shortly after reading the letter.

She’s saying goodbye to me… what have I done? he thought, a question he had asked himself more times than he could possibly count. She’s saying goodbye…

Seth took a shuddering breath, trying to calm himself. The knowledge that he had just completely destroyed the one good thing left in his life, the one thing he still enjoyed, ate at him. It was an acidic thought, burning itself an uncomfortable home in his mind.

A sudden gust of wind chilled Seth, making the pony regret forgetting to grab a coat before he left. All afternoon the air had been charging itself, a cold wind from the south colliding with the warmth that lingered from the past few days. He had forgotten a thunderstorm was planned for late that night. He stared up at the growing clouds, grey, ominous towers that threatened to engulf everything in their bulk. Subconsciously, Seth picked up the pace.

The pony had entered one of the many shopping districts of the city. An assortment of cafés and retail mostly, all with large windows displaying their fancier wares. There were still several ponies going about their business, keeping their heads down against the wind. Seth continued through the streets, looking vaguely at various shops that made an attempt at catching his eye. It was a fruitless effort though, for Seth was neither hungry nor willing to spend money on new clothes. The fact that the horrendous mark-up came only from the name of the designer, not the quality, only made Seth less willing.

He sighed into the air, stopping in his tracks. It would be evening soon, and he really should get ready for Octavia’s… goodbyes. A wave of frustration hit the pony. It’s just not fair! he thought, nostrils flaring as he stomped his hoof on the ground. It’s just not fair…

With a great sense of effort, Seth turned reluctantly and made his way down an alleyway that joined onto the street he was currently on. It was considerably darker here than on the street, for the shop sides loomed over, blocking most of the sun’s light from entering. It was also a lot quieter. Keeping his head down, Seth picked up the pace. He wasn’t afraid - his father’s military background and the resulting ‘training’ with his son, meant that he could take care of himself - but he knew better than to linger in uninviting places.

Walking through the dark laneway, his hoofsteps echoing against the old cobblestones, Seth noticed an old sign creaking slightly on its hinges in the wind. Closer inspection of the tattered, dark-green sign revealed that the golden lettering spelled out the words: ‘Before the Verb: A Bookstore’. The dusty window beneath the sign featured several piles of old tomes, each looking tattered and well-read. His interest piqued, for a reason he could not quite fathom, Seth opened the door with magic and cautiously entered the store. Inside it was dark, illuminated only by a single lantern attached to a hook on the ceiling. The store stretched out before him with several rows of bookshelves, all groaning under the weight of their inhabitants, beckoning him forward into the shop.

A small cough caused Seth to jump violently. “Oh Celestia, you scared the hay out of me!”

“I am terribly sorry,” a quiet voice replied. “I just wished to welcome you to Before the Verb.”

Seth looked over towards the pony who spoke, a wizened white unicorn with a silver mane. He wore a faded red vest with golden buttons, wire spectacles completing the image. Seth noted with interest his cutie mark, for it was incredibly detailed. It was an open scroll, looking faded with age. On it was the letter ‘I’, appearing in the most beautiful calligraphy Seth had ever seen. The letter was broken into segments, each coloured differently, giving the image an overall likeness to a stained-glass window. It was a sight to behold.

“The pleasure is all mine,” Seth said. “I took one look at your store and couldn’t help but come in.”

“Ah yes.” The unicorn chuckled. “It does tend to have that effect on ponies.” He paused for a moment, before continuing, “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Vollard and literature is my passion and my life.”

“My name is Seth. Seth Locarno. And you have a wonderful store here.”

‘Ah thank you, Mr. Locarno. I am rather proud of it. Beware though, many ponies tend to lose themselves within the shelves of these rooms. Something about the air, I believe.” His voice was soft but there was a darkness to it that put Seth slightly on edge.

“Lose themselves?”

“Yes indeed,” Vollard said with a nod. “Books have a tendency tend to find ponies here, not the other way around as one might expect.”

Seth raised an eyebrow. “How does that work?”

“I do not pretend to know. We live in a world filled with magic, Mr. Locarno. I am positive anything can be possible.” Seth had no answer to that and simply stared, puzzled, at the unicorn. Vollard smiled slightly at Seth, knowing that the conversation was over. “Is there anything in particular you were looking for?”

“No. Thank you,” Seth replied. “I would just like to look around, if that’s ok.”

“Of course,” Vollard said with a bow. “I shall be by the counter if you require any assistance. Language, after all, can be quite the powerful medium.” He left, leaving Seth alone at the front of the shop.

Still puzzling over the meaning of the bookstore’s owner’s words, the pony started down one of the shelves, glancing over many of the large covers, all faded and covered in dust. It was silent except for Seth’s occasional hoofsteps, or hushed breathing. Seth felt an uneasy peace settle upon him. There was something in the air. Seth was sure of it. It was subtle, almost unnoticeable, dancing out of reach whenever Seth tried to locate it, but it was there. However, at the same time, it was comforting, relaxing and companionable.

Frustrated, Seth continued down the shelves, the light growing dimmer as he moved along. Is it just me, or are the shelves getting taller? Seth thought warily, throwing his gaze up at the now-towering displays.

As he moved, the subtle magical feeling began to grow stronger, almost beckoning the pony along. Now undoubtedly curious, Seth abated slightly and let himself be guided by this strange force. He passed through several rooms, each one laid out in the exact same fashion as the first: rows of bookshelves lit by a single lantern. After an incalculable amount of time, Seth found the sense lingering in a particular corner of a room, not wanting to go any further. Confused, he looked at the shelves around him, not at all sure what he was looking for.

Seth reached out with magic and began to feel each of the texts, testing their texture and weight. A few captured his attention, but the interest didn’t remain after pulling them off the shelf. Disappointed, Seth was about to give up when he came across a small black book, marked only with cursive silver lettering naming it as: ‘A Chance Encounter – A Collection of Poems’. He picked it up, the manuscript almost weightless. Gently, he opened it, the small spine stiff and unyielding, and looked upon the yellowed pages. On each was a poem, all with a different author. Some of the poems were long and epic, others short and vague, their morals altogether unclear. There appeared to be no rhyme or reason to the poems, each holding an apparently different theme. Yet to Seth, they were all amazing, breathtaking pieces of literature.

Toward the end of the book, a single poem caught his eye: ‘Forever and Always – by Syntax’. It sat there, unassuming, almost pleading with him to understand it. Slowly, with an unexplained sense of wonder, Seth began to read:

By Luna’s night, trees sway over darkling lands

Moving as if in song for a sensitivity most severe

And by referencing those thoughts, making real

A situation by definition sweet and deftly given life.

Within the shadows dancing by nature, whispers a love

That glistens and gleams like a diamond amongst the sinister backdrop

Of demons past and present

Inflating an inner joy ecstatic beyond comprehension,

And all the while a voice inside whispers gleefully-

That bliss and adoration walk lithely, hand in hand and

That perhaps all prayers and dreams screamed at the heavens

Under the lines of red and pain,

Shall be answered by the simplest and purest of words.

As the dancing light gathers intensity and force

Hope imbues a new meaning of conviction and peace

To be embraced with a wholehearted devotion and an open mind.

But yet the trees continue to respectfully sway, as if in approval-

Of a moment shared and stored away

A challenge made, and a promise kept

For a love beyond all things

Seth stood there, star-struck, re-reading that last couplet over and over again. The poem had burned itself into his mind, each line painting a vivid image, the lines flowing and breaking, smooth and jarring, harmonious and chaotic. Filled with awe, the pony slowly closed the book.

“Books have a tendency tend to find ponies here, not the other way around as one might expect.” Vollard’s words echoed through his head, reverberating around his subconscious. Thoroughly disconcerted, Seth shook his head, trying to clear it. But yet, a sense of optimism still lingered throughout the pony’s thoughts. He smiled softly to himself.

A challenge made, and a promise kept

For a love beyond all things

Octavia…

Octavia! Seth jerked back to reality, suddenly very aware that he was going to be very, very late. Pausing only to quickly buy the book of poems from Vollard, who now wore a frighteningly omniscient smile, Seth dashed out of the old store and into the evening. Octavia was waiting.

Seth stood there, unmoving, staring at his reflection in the mirror. He was dressed up in a sleek, dark-grey jacket and complimentary blue tie. His mane had been faintly touched up with some unknown product that his mother had given him a very long time ago. He looked good; at least, he sure hoped he did.

“Alright then, listen up,” he said to himself, his eyes cold. “You have one chance, I repeat, one chance to get her to change her mind.” His reflection nodded in agreement.

“You want her? You can get her. You want to make her happy? You can make her happy. Do you understand?” He jabbed a hoof at the mirror angrily.

“You can do this. You just have to tell her how you feel. Be honest. All you want is for her to be happy. All you have to do is march straight into that bar, and tell her upfront how you feel, and what you want from her… To just see her smile...” He shook his head, a faint, sad smile on his own lips.

“You can do this,” he repeated. “You can do this!” he said again, this time more firmly. He paused, staring at himself, a faint light in his eyes. “For her. Octavia.”

More than satisfied with his pep talk, Seth practically ran out the bathroom, flinging his wallet into his pocket with magic as he left the apartment.

Seth wasted little time in travelling over to the ‘Golden Glow’. The weather was progressively getting worse as the wind was picking up considerably. His mind replayed all of the terribly bold and beautiful things he was going to tell the mare as soon as he saw her. Seth allowed a little bubble of confidence to build.

I can do this!

He turned onto the street where the bar resided, as the butterflies within his stomach grew steadily in both numbers and intensity. It was 7:59 pm.

I can do this.

The unicorn approached the bar; the classy storefront emitted a warm glow. There weren’t many ponies in the street, all apparently choosing to wait for better weather before having a night out. The butterflies began to attack his stomach. He felt sick.

I can do this, right?

Inhaling deeply several times, Seth pushed open the door with a hoof and stepped into the bar. He walked in slowly, his eyes darting side-to-side, trying desperately to find her. In the end, he wasn’t surprised. She was in their normal corner, sipping at a wine glass, her purple eyes hidden away, looking at the table.

Oh Celestia she is beautiful. Please, please tell me I can do this.

He approached her carefully, his stomach an ocean of turmoil. When he drew near, she looked up, and a soft smile spread across her face.

“Hello, Seth,” she said, her voice weak.

I can’t do this… Absolutely everything he was going to say to her to make her change her mind slipped from his head, totally lost to oblivion.

“I… uh, hi!” He mentally slapped himself in the face. Foal!

“How have you been?”

“Ok, I guess. Yourself?”

“About the same.” She attempted a weak smile. A silence began to creep in with neither of them looking at each other.

“Your music, how is that coming along?” Seth asked abruptly.

“Rather well, we have started to make the first few serious cuts to the set.”

“Oh, that sounds fantastic.”

“I’m looking forward to working on it some more.”

“Good, good.” They fell into silence, both unable to maintain eye contact. “So…” Seth said after awhile. He coughed nervously. “Would you like something to drink?”

Octavia motioned toward the glass in front of her, an apologetic smile on her face.

“Oh, right! Sorry!” Seth wanted to throw himself of the tallest tower of the Canterlot Castle.

“That’s ok. W-would you like a drink then?”

“That is quite alright. I am not that thirsty.” He laughed, a pathetic attempt to cover his foalish mistake.

“Are you sure?” she pressed, suddenly displaying way too much enthusiasm than what the conversation deserved. “We could go over to the bar together?”

“Well, if that’s not a hassle for you.”

“Oh no, not at all!” She blushed.

“Well ok then.” He smiled weakly at her briefly, and then returned his gaze to the floor as he stood. They walked over to the bar, not daring to speak, let alone look at each other.

“Good evening, sir. What shall it be then?” It was the same bartender as the night they had first met.

“Johnny Trotter black please. No ice.”

“Of course, sir.”

Seth hoofed over the money, and the bartender handed him his drink. He took a sip. It burned, a smoky, silky burn.

“Ahhh…” he sighed. “That is just brilliant.”

“Well you just paid an obscene amount of money for it, so I am glad you think so.”

Seth rolled his eyes, thankful at least, that they were back somewhat on familiar territory as far as their conversations went. “Believe me, it is a quality that I gladly pay for.”

“Money equals quality does it? You really are such a politician,” Octavia teased.

“Oh no, I just assume that the pony who made this worked as hard as I did for the bits to buy it. That way, I sleep at night.”

Octavia laughed, and this time it wasn’t forced or awkward. Seth smiled, relieved. A silence settled upon the two ponies, only now, it wasn’t nearly as uncomfortable as before. They just sat there, enjoying their drinks. Whatever needed to be said could wait, for the moment.

Seth was in the middle of a sip when he noticed a pony, just old enough to be called a stallion, sidle up on the other side of Octavia. His bright blue coat was covered by an expensive jacket and his white mane was styled in a sweeping fashion that was popular with the young and rich. He wore a smirk like an identity badge. Seth could already tell he wasn’t going to like the pony. The stallion coughed, and Octavia turned to face him, apprehension plain in her eyes.

“Hey there, I was just sitting over there and I couldn’t help but notice you.” He gestured over to a table where several other young stallions sat, all smoking and drinking. They winked at their friend. A few even shouted some incomprehensible encouragement.

“Oh really?” Octavia replied.

“Yeah, your coat is simply fine.” His smirk grew and Seth winced.

“Why thank you,” Octavia said, her voice flat.

“So I was wondering, why don’t you come over and sit with us and we can get you some drinks?” Seth felt a surge of anger at the pony’s words. He took a gulp of his own drink and forced his displeasure down.

She’s not yours Seth… She can do what she wants. Stay out of it. He took another sip.

“I am flattered, truly. But I already have a drink.”

“There’s no reason to be so difficult about it. Just give us a chance.” The stallion’s voice suddenly had an edge to it, and his smirk had faded somewhat. His friends were snickering in the background.

“I apologise, but I am not interested,” Octavia said firmly, her mouth set in a straight line.

“Oh come on, you don’t need to be like that.” His smirk was definitely gone now, replaced instead by a cold sneer.  

“No, thank you.” Octavia made little attempt to hide the disinterest in her voice.

“Now listen here you uptight piece-”

That’s it. Seth got up quickly, knocking his chair back as he did, his anger bubbling just below the surface. “I believe the mare said no,” he said, his voice dark.

The stallion looked Seth up and down, the sneer turning into a hybrid of amusement and contempt. “And who are you?”

“I’m her friend. Now kindly, back off.” He stressed the last two words, the threat in his voice not hard to find. He wasn’t at all afraid of the stallion, his father and their ‘training’ had seen to that. And besides, nopony spoke to Octavia in that way, and definitely not in front of him.

“Or what?” The challenge was clear.

“Seth, please-”

“Or you will have me to deal with.” Seth wasn’t going to move an inch.

“Seth, let’s just go, ok?”

The stallion looked Seth up and down, sizing him up. “Tough words, I don’t reckon you have anything to back it up though.”

“Seth, he’s not worth it, let’s go.”

“If you want to find out, be my guest.” Seth’s vision was red, and his muscles were twitching. He stared the other pony down, daring him to make a move.

The stallion took a step toward Seth, his muzzle now only inches from the unicorn’s. “Gladly.”

Seth tensed, his whole body eager for the stallion’s imminent attack. He was ready, willing and waiting. He watched as his opponent shifted his weight onto his back hooves, Seth felt a grin beginning to grow. So predictable. This is too easy.

“Seth, stop it! Now!” Octavia’s shout forced both ponies to halt. They looked around the bar, absolutely everypony had their attention fixed on them, either waiting eagerly or dreading the next move.

“Seth, I am leaving, come if you wish.” And without another word, she turned and left the bar.

“Octavia, wait!” Seth rushed after her. The stallion was left humiliated in front of his friends. Seth never heard the jeers of ‘couldn’t get the girl!’ as he left. His mind only had room for one pony right now.

He caught up to her just outside the bar. The wind was strong now, whipping his open jacket around wildly. He rushed up, apologising profusely. “I am so, so sorry!”

“Seth I-”

“I just couldn’t sit there and let somepony talk down to you like that and I just had to-”

“Seth!” Octavia interrupted, for the second time in as many minutes. “I’m not mad.”

“Wait, you’re not?”

“No. In fact, I am actually flattered you stood up for me like that.” Octavia blushed. “I just had to get you out of there before you did something you regretted. You get too passionate about things.” She smiled at him.

“I… I guess you’re right.” He chuckled weakly, very, very relieved. “So now what do we do? It’s not like we can go back inside.”

Octavia laughed. “I guess you are right, mayb-”

A sudden flash, followed by a deep, resonating boom caused both ponies to jump violently. They had forgotten about the storm.

“Uh, Seth?”

“Yes?”

“Could you please walk me home?” She blushed again.

“Of course,” Seth said, his stomach completing a particularly aggressive somersault.

The two ponies hurried to Octavia’s apartment, eager to get inside before the rain started in earnest. Every so often a flash of lightening briefly illuminated the city streets, casting long shadows that rocked violently as the thunder rolled in. Big drops of rain began to fall, striking the ground, or anypony unfortunate enough to be outside, with impressive force. Desperate to not get saturated by the steadily increasing rainfall, the ponies picked up the pace, almost breaking into a full-on gallop.

Just as the downpour reached torrential levels, they burst into the apartment building’s foyer, glad to be inside. It was late and nopony was around, the night lighting providing the only illumination. Slightly exhilarated from their run, Seth and Octavia took the elevator up, trying to suck in air. Neither of them said a word.

The elevator doors opened with a slight hiss, signalling their stop. They walked slowly toward Octavia’s front door. An unspoken understanding seemed to have been reached; they knew what had to come next. They both knew it, and neither of them wanted to start. A terrible feeling began to settle on Seth. The butterflies had decided that now it was the perfect time to return with a vengeance.

Octavia opened the door to her apartment, and ushered Seth inside. He took a deep breath, and entered.

I can do this.

“Would you like a drink?”

“Uh, no thank you. I am fine.” A silence stretched out. Both ponies just stood in Octavia’s living room, looking everywhere but at each other. Seth could suddenly hear each tick of the grand-father clock as it slowly counted down the seconds.

Tick…Tick…Tick…

“So…” Seth started. He looked up; Octavia was smiling sheepishly at him. They both started to laugh. “Oh, Celestia, this is ridiculous.”

“Yes, it is.” Octavia agreed, still smiling faintly. Neither of them said anything more.

Tick…Tick…Tick…

Oh please, just get it over with… Seth thought. End it and be done with it. I can’t take this! He shot a look over at the musician; she was standing awkwardly, all of her weight to one side. But yet, her eyes seemed furrowed, obviously contemplating something. Seth wasn’t sure he wanted to find out what though. Suddenly, she looked up.

“Seth, I-” Seth stoped listening. It was her eyes. She had looked up at him with those glorious, purple eyes, filled with fear, apprehension and something else that Seth couldn’t quite put his hoof on.

A challenge made, and a promise kept

For a love beyond all things

Octavia. She was the best thing to have happened to the unicorn in years. And he was about to let it escape from him, despite everything he had promised himself otherwise. A little ball of fire began to grow inside of Seth, and suddenly all of his determination from his session in front of the mirror came flooding back.

“No, listen here, please.” His voice was soft, but assertive.

Octavia stopped mid-sentence, thoroughly taken aback. Her mouth was open in a cute little ‘o’, and her eyes looked at him curiously through those long, elegant lashes. Seth took a deep breath, and steeled himself.

“Octavia, for a long time before I met you, I was lost, lost in a sea of greed that was such a common feature of my work. I couldn’t see where I was going in life anymore. I was useless then.” He paused, and took another deep breath. His knees had started to shake. “But then, I went and saw your performance at the CCMA and you were amazing. Your talent, your passion, you had everything I had wanted. You were simply incredible.”

Octavia laughed quietly. “I’m not like that…”

“Oh but you are!” Seth continued, growing in confidence. “Don’t you see? You are that amazing. So when I finally met you a week later, by pure coincidence, it was a dream come true. And then I got to know you, and you were everything I wanted in a mare. You’re smart, confident, sophisticated, funny and beautiful. And you have so much passion and so much talent.”

Octavia blushed, a smile growing on her lips.

Seth pushed on, not wanting to stop. “But then I found out something was wrong, and it ate at me. You deserve to be happy one-hundred percent of the time. You deserve to smile, and laugh, and follow your dreams and pursue your talents. You deserve all of those things, and all I’ve ever wanted is to give that to you. I just want you to be happy, Octavia. With or without me, I just want to see you smile…” he suddenly trailed off, mentally exhausted.

Now or never, he thought, staring at the mare. She stared back at him, the confusion in her eyes not quite matching up to the smile on her lips.

“So, you… like me?” Octavia started slowly.

Oh Celestia. Oh sweet, sweet Celestia. “Yes, I do.” Seth hoped his voice hid the fact that he was about to collapse. “Yes Octavia, I like you. And I know you have some things in your past that you are struggling to fight. But I just want to let you know that I don’t care. All I want is for you to be happy, that’s all I’ve ever wanted. I just want to see you smile, for your smile lights up my world.”

Octavia stared at him; the smile on her face was now enormous. Seth felt a bead of sweat travel down his forehead. The silence stretched out into forever. Suddenly, she took a step toward him, hesitant, and slowly, but a step nonetheless. And then she took another, and then another, slowly closing the gap between them. She stopped, only a few paces in front of him. He could see every beautiful detail of her face. It was breathtaking.

“Seth,” Octavia started slowly. Seth’s heart felt like it was about to explode from his chest. “I… Thank you.”

Are those tears in her eyes? Wait! Am I making her cry?! Oh Celestia no! Seth felt his world drop away from beneath him. This couldn’t be happening.

“And Seth, did you mean it? Did you really mean what you said about just wanting to make me smile?”

Seth dragged up enough strength to nod. “I meant every word, and more. You’re beautiful, Octavia. You deserve the best in this world, and I want to make that happen.”

“Oh Seth!” Octavia suddenly cried out, the tears in her eyes now definitely noticeable. “That’s all I needed to hear!”

And suddenly, without any warning, she threw her legs around Seth in a close embrace and kissed him passionately. Seth’s heart fluttered, and threatened to give out as he felt his lips mould themselves against hers. Their breaths came in shorter and shorter gasps as their lips moved in an ardent tandem. He held her close, stroking her mane with a hoof, making sure to keep three on the ground for balance. She was perfect, and in this moment, so was everything else.

Eventually, they broke the kiss. Octavia moved her head back a fraction to stare into Seth’s eyes. She smiled up at him as Seth used a hoof to wipe away some of her tears.

“I really meant it, you know, every single word.”

“I know, Seth. Thank you.” She kissed him again, this time more softly.

And so they held each other tight, relief washing over their bodies like waves. The storm continued to rage outside, yet neither pony paid any attention to it. They were lost in a moment that could not have been more perfect.

A challenge made, and a promise kept

For a love beyond all things

Octavia. Seth smiled as he kissed her. Tomorrow can wait.

A/N: Huzzah! A happy chapter ending! I hope everypony liked this. I know I sure loved writing it! :D

A big thank you to Dacaz5 for putting up with me and keeping me going, another big thank you to HeWhoErasesMost for the cover image and a huge thank you to Sessalisk for editing! Also, thank you everypony for reading this! It really means a lot! :) Don't forget to leave a comment or a star rating! See you next chapter!