The end-of-winter air was chilly. The Manehatten weather crew was at work in the skies, clearing out clouds and adjusting them to allow sun to thaw the frozen streets. The sound of hooves hurrying along the streets comforted Vinyl. Life was going on for other ponies, so it would go on for her. She wasn't the first mare to experience heart break, and she wouldn't be the last.

Her walk brought her to the Manehatten Concert Hall, somewhere she hadn't visited in years. By the looks of it, the Hall had been out of business for a while. The large glass doors were cracked, the ticket booth was covered in cobwebs, and a large 'FOR SALE' sign hung limply against a window.

The unicorn looked around at the nearly empty streets. Nopony would notice if she vanished for a while. Vinyl slipped into the shadow's nudging her hoof against the door and slinking inside.

The once grand Hall now sagged under years of being uncared for. Cobwebs hung from the light fixtures, casting eerie shadows across the ground. Paint peeled from the walls, and the carpet was worn. Vinyl felt saddened being in the run down Hall, remembering how beautiful it had once been.

Octy would hate to see it like this. Vinyl thought with a soft sigh. She made her way to the large, now chipped, wooden door that led to the auditorium. As soon as the door swung open, Vinyl could hear soft music playing. She crept forward, her eyes locked on stage. The brown piano playing stallion was on stage, his hooves flying across a small piano. A grey mare stood center stage, eyes half-shut as her bow danced along her cello. The two were playing one of the saddest melodies that Vinyl had ever heard. One look around told her why.

The seats, once covered in beautiful red velvet, were torn and faded. The floor was littered with dust and garbage. The lights were cracked, left to collect dust and house bugs. The stage, once a deep mahogany, was scuffed. The shine from years ago was gone, replaced with dull, chipped wood. Vinyl found her seat, 6A, and settled herself down, listening to the rest of the performance.

When the piece came to an end, Vinyl held her polite applause until the cello's final note had ceased. The ponies onstage looked over, shocked to see somepony in the room. The brown stallion looked confused, but the grey mare's face held no emotion.

"Vinyl," she said simply.

"Octavia," Vinyl replied, feeling that now wasn't the time for old pet-names. Octavia turned to face the brown stallion.

"Fredric, it was an honor playing with you again. I've missed the Orchestra."

"You can always come back. The new cellist isn't nearly as good as you."

"I think I'll stay here a while longer, then return to Ponyville. Thank you for the offer, Frederic. If you don't mind, I would like some time alone with Vinyl." The brown stallion bowed his head and vanished backstage, his piano looking sad without him standing beside it. Octavia looked down at Vinyl, her face still giving nothing away.

"You live in Ponyville now?" Vinyl asked, trying to break the silence.

"It doesn't pay as well as the Canterlot job, but it's a quiet little town." Octavia said softly. "Why are you here, Vinyl?"

"The same reason you are," Vinyl shrugged. "Memories," The two mares sat in silence for a moment, taking in each other's presence.

"I'm sorry," they said together. Their voices echoed across the empty auditorium.

"I shouldn't have...you know, accused you," Vinyl looked down at her hooves.

"I shouldn't have spent so much time at work. You were right about me being gone all the time. I just felt as though I needed to work harder. I thought that the more I worked, the more I would accept the fact that I changed my whole life for you."

"You could have kept the Canterlot job. I would have moved, if that's what would have made you happy."

"I was happy, Vinyl. I was so focused on changing jobs that I forgot what was important." Octavia sighed, lowering herself carefully to the floor where Vinyl currently stood.

"I've missed you, Octy" Vinyl said as Octavia readjusted herself. Normally, the unicorn would keep her feelings bottled up, but seeing Octavia after five years was more emotional than she had expected it to be.

"I've missed you as well, Vinyl, but I don't think either of us is ready to start up a relationship."

"It's been five years, Octy!" Vinyl protested.

"I am aware of how long it's been, Vinyl, but there's no room in my life for a marefriend. I want to have a stable income, an official home, and a well established social life before I think about maybe settling down. I know that you're not ready for a marefriend either, Vinyl."

"I've been ready for five years!" Vinyl snapped. "I needed you, Octy! I still need you," Vinyl's voice cracked on the last word as she tried not to cry.

"I needed you too, Vinyl, but I'm afraid that now isn't a good time to start a relationship. I might be ready, in a few years, but I'm not ready right now." Octavia said calmly, her eyes dry.

"Do you know how many mares in this city alone would kill to go out with me?"

"I'm sure that many mares would love to go out with you, and they would be very lucky. You would be an amazing very special somepony. You just aren't my very special somepony. Not right now anyway," Octavia sighed softly, her lavender eyes sad.

"Please, Octy," Vinyl whispered, tears clouding her vision. "I love you," Octavia's only response was a small nuzzle on the cheek. With that, the grey mare locked eyes with the unicorn.

"Goodbye, Vinyl," Octavia had a sad smile across her face, her eyes finally filling with tears. "Perhaps, in a year, we could try again."

"Octy," Vinyl choked, forcing the tears back. Octavia was already on her way to the old wooden door.

"If it's any consolation, Vinyl," the grey mare called over her shoulder. "I love you too," the door creaked, and Octavia was gone.