Everything Octavia did was emotionless and blank. Her friends at the orchestra knew something was wrong. Her music wasn't flowing and didn't sound right. She didn't really speak to anypony. All she did was come, play, and leave. Not a hint of a smile would show on her lips. But.. why? She would shake her head and say in a whisper that she's fine. But everypony knew otherwise.

The whole city of Canterlot was growing excited over the news of the upcoming wedding of Octavia Philharmonica and Ren Fillydelphia. The ponies used this wedding as an excuse to buy more expensive clothes that they really don't need. Invitations flooded the mailboxes of the grand homes. Her friends found it strange and Vinyl couldn't bare to watch.

She knows how much Octavia doesn't want to go through with the wedding. But since that day when Octavia had told her of her mothers threat, she rarely visits. Sneaking out is impossible with her mother watching Octavia every minute of the day. Her mother is constantly dragging her everywhere to shop for the wedding, using everything to keep her from being alone.

"Oh, that looks beautiful, Octavia." Her mother smiled, looking her over.

Octavia looked at her reflection. Her eyes covered by the lace veil. She didn't smile, no instead she just nodded her head. She had to agree, the dress does make her look beautiful. The gray and purple trim around the edges made her eyes and mane stand out. The dress was long and flowing, which hid her long tail. Her shoes sparkled with her crystal necklace that her mother gave her.

The designer smiled at the happy reaction to her work. "I'm glad. I really wanted the colors to look well with her, but also look quite formal and fancy."

"Everypony will be jealous when they see just how beautiful my daughter looks!" Octavia's mother giggled. "Oh, I can just see the pictures! Everywhere! News! Magazines!"

Octavia continued to stare into the mirror. That's all you care about. Praise. Jealously. That's all you want. You smile at me and tell what's best for me, when really.. all you care about is what's best for yourself. She closed her eyes as she thought. I feel as though I am playing a part. A part in one of those fancy Canterlot shows. I am the actor and she is my director. If I don't play the part correctly then I get fired and thrown out of the play. B-But..

She looked at her mother, who was starting to annoy the designer with her endless chatter, and sighed a bit.

"I will send you the bits for the dress in the morning." Octavia's mother told the designer, who nodded. "Octavia, go in the back and change out of it."

"Yes mother." Octavia said in her usual dead tone. Her dress dragging behind her as she walked away.

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Octavia was walking down the street with her mother when they stopped at a shop.

"I just have to run in and talk to the owner for a bit. Wait here for a couple minutes." She ordered not giving Octavia a chance to respond before going in.

Octavia looked around at the ponies passing her. But she turned suddenly as she heard her name being called.

"Hello? Who's there?" She said, looking for the source.

"Octavia!" The loud whisper said.

Her heart skipped a bit as she recognized the voice. She followed it to the alley next to the building. She entered and was attacked with a hug.

"V-Vinyl?" Octavia whispered, startled.

"Oh, Tavi I've missed you so much! I'm sorry about sneaking around like this but.. Octy.. Everypony's talking about it! I keep seeing the news about the wedding everywhere!"

Octavia looked away. "I don't want to talk about it.."

"You're gonna stop it.. right?" Vinyl asked, touching Octavia's face.

Octavia didn't reply or even look at her. Vinyl backed up, her eyes widening.

"Octavia, you can't be serious! You're actually thinking about marrying him?! What about all that bad stuff you told me about him?"

"I'm sorry.. I have to go. My mother will be back any minute." Octavia said, not even looking at her.

"Wait! Octavia!" Vinyl tried to stop her, but Octavia already walked away, leaving Vinyl alone and heartbroken.

Octavia walked back to the shop to see her mother coming out of the doors. She gave her daughter a questioning look.

"Where did you go, Octavia?" She asked.

Octavia looked behind her. "I had thought that I heard somepony say my name. But I was wrong."

I was wrong. So wrong.

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Why can't time go slower? Why do these days have to rush by? Planning. Planning. Planning. Planning. That's all I've been doing. Just sit here, dear. Smile, dear. Head up. Oh, and straighten your bow tie.

As time passed, more and more members of the family arrived. They would hug her and tell her congratulations and she would just smile for them while saying thank you. Sometimes her mother would invite Ren to their family dinners as a hopeless attempt to cheer her up. But it's not like Ren noticed anything. He had a bad habit of showing off and telling ponies the story of his success. Not once did he attempt to get to know Octavia for the mare she is.

And that's whats been hurting Vinyl the most.

The fact that he doesn't even know the wonderful mare that he's marrying. He doesn't know that her favorite color is violet and that her favorite food is this delicious daisy soup that they had at this one restaurant that she always used to take her...

But what now? What is she supposed to do? What does Octavia want her to do? Ugh. Her head is killing her. Ponies keep coming by her apartment, banging on the door with anger. Angry that she missed her performances at their clubs and bars. But she didn't open the door for them. Vinyl just wanted to be alone, alone with her thoughts and the newspapers articles scattered on the floor.