Cleff's Requiem

>You know what the hardest part of waiting for the world to end is?
>The waiting.
>I've sat through millenia, watching the world change.
>Civilizations rise and fall.
>Species live and die.
>.....
>I'm still waiting

>I was made by the humans, back when they were the dominant creatures.
>Back when the world as I knew it was flat and boring.
>Everything covered in concrete and asphalt.
>But I rarely saw that world.
>I was always with ....her...
>She loved me.
>She loved me and I can't even remember her name.
>I can't see her face anymore.
>I'm not even sure if she was real or not.
>But that doesn't matter now.
>She forgot me, left me behind, and went off with the love of her life without me.
>And so I sat in that box, in that little room, in the dark.
>I don't know how long I sat there, alone.
>I know the world was still there, I could still hear everything.
>Horns, bangs, sirens, screams, everything but the wind.
>I would have given up long before that, but I couldn't.
>I can't move.
>I don't even know what I look like.
>All I can see is my nose, there between  my eyes.
>But I couldn't tell if it was still there, if I was still there at all.
>Not until she opened the box.

>I was confused at first.
>There, looking down at me, was a white horse.
>Had I finally died?
>I hoped so.
>But no, I wasn't.
>The white horse reached down and picked me up, and I felt, something.
>I felt her holding me, I felt her touch.
>I hadn't felt anything since I was put in that box to sit forever.
>But I knew I couldn't have died, no matter how many times I wished it.
>I couldn't have, and I'm glad.
>For the first time in so long, I saw the room that belonged to, to her, from before...
>It was dark, there was dust in the air, the blue walls now grey and peeling with holes in them, the window no longer even there, just a large hole lined with splintered wood.
>How long was I there?
>It doesn't matter, I suppose, not anymore.
>Not now.
>The white horse was smaller than I remember in the pictures ... she, showed me.
>She had what looked like a musty old window curtain draped around her like a robe.
>Her legs and hooves were covered in dirt, and mud was matted into her fur.
>Then she smiled to me, she was beautiful.
>She pulled off her covering and wrapped me in it.
>I was again in the dark, but I didn't care, as long as I could still feel her holding me tight.
>I could feel three large lumps pressing againt my back that didn't seem to be from her.
>She started moving, slowly at first, the sound of old creaking and cracking wood underrneath, then she was off, fully running.
>I could hear the sound of her hooves on dirt, then stone, then dirt again.
>There were honks, and yells, and the soft muffle of her breathing as she held me tight to her chest.
>I could feel her heart, beating, full of life.
>The sound changed again, and she slowed down, walking on stone.

"Octavia? Octavia, where are you, you silly foal?"
>She spoke, words soft as silk.
>There was some rustling, what sounded like paper.
"I'm right here, I stayed here like you said, mommy."
>There was a second voice, this one higher pitched and a bit wispy.
"Hmmhmm, that's my darling. Here, look what I found."
>I could feel her set me down and unwrap the cloth.
>She pulled it away and I lay on my back, staring up at the sky.
>It was dim and rainy, and sad, and I loved it.
>Then I saw her.
>She was also a small horse, but tiny.
>She must have been a child.
>She was looking at me up close, her dull grey fur in contrast to her vibrant purple eyes.
>Her hair, what is it called? Oh, mane.
>Her short mane barely tilted off the side of her head.
>She couldn't have been very old at all.
>Her mouth was closed and she just stared at me, studying me.
"Well, Octavia? What do you-"
"He's perfect."
>The young one cut off her mother.
"I love him."
>She raised her head to her mother, grinning cheek to cheek.
>She picked me up and held me close as she hugged her mother
"Thank you, mommy! I love you!"
>Her mother hugged her back.
"I love you too Octavia."
>I could feel her squeezing tighter.
"I love you so much."

>The small one, Octavia, held me facing towards her shoulder and I could see behind her.
>We were in an alleyway.
>Trash and gravel littered the path, dumpsters overflowing with garbage spilling to the sides.
>Behind Octavia sat a small worn out cardboard box holding dirty, old looking blankets.
>Is this were she lives?
>The poor child.
>The larger white horse pulled the covering from the ground, folding it over itself,
and pulled an apple and two oranges from inside it.
"Lunch?"
>Octavia looked to her mother, a sparkle seemed to come from her eyes.
"Yes, dear. Now, eat up. You'll need your strength. I don't think we can stay here much longer."
>Octavia looked down at the fruit but didn't move.
"But, what about you, mommy?"
>Her mother closed her eyes and smiled.
"I'll be alright dearest, you need it more than-"
"No."
>Octavia sat down, pouting, staring at her mother, who suddenly looked worried.
"Octavia, honey, please I need you to-"
"You have to eat too mommy. You have to too. Or I won't either."
>She huffed and shook herself, like she was rooting herself to the ground.
>Her mother closed her eyes again, and knelt down next to Octavia.
"Okay, sweetie, I will."
>Octavia beamed and nuzzled her mother, who rubbed her head against her in return.
"I love you mommy."
"I love you too Octavia, more than you could ever know."
>She was starting to cry.

>We were moving.
>Ovtavia held me in a kind of sash that she had wrapped around her body, her mother again wearing the curtain.
>They were looking for something, or rather, her mother was, while Octavia took in the sights of the city.
"Octavia, stay close to me, I don't want you getting lost in this place."
>Octavia's attention returned to her mother, and she trotted faster to stay at pace.
"Yes, mommy, I'm sorry."
>Her mother slowed to a stop, with a look of, guilt?
"I'm sorry Octavia, I just fear that we may not get there in time."
>She leaned down to the foal's height.
"Here, why don't you climb up and hold on?"
>Her mother adopted a look of mischief.
>Octavia's eye's widened and she grinned while nodding.
"Yeah!"
>She climbed atop her mother's back, laughing, and scooted forward to hold onto the coverings.
"Ready?"
"Ready."
>And she was off at full sprint, galloping down the sidewalk.
>All I could see was Octavia's face, looking forward, laughing, full of excitement.
>Her mother began laughing too.
>I could hear tires screeching and angry voices yelling.
>Were there cars here too?
>Did it matter?
>No. All that mattered was the happy face I saw in front of me.
>Octavia.

>Sonnet was her name.
>Octavia's mother, her name was Sonnet.
>Is Sonnet.
>She had signed for a small rundown apartment where she and Octavia and I could stay.
>She agreed to work for the other horse, or rather, pony.
>And in return, he would let us stay for free.
>He was such a good spirit.
>Octavia named me Cleff, because she said I was the pitch to her yaw.
>So I had to be the cleff to her treble.
>I'm Cleff, and I love my name, and the pony who gave it to me.
>Sonnet said Octavia was to start school next week.
>She said that Octavia would have to leave me at home.
>She didn't take this well.
>I wish I could tell her it would be okay.
>That I would be here for her when she returned.
>But Sonnet calmed her down and told her instead.
>It doesn't matter, as long as she knows.
>She stared at me, for a long time, unblinking.
>There were tears welling up in her eyes.
"I love you, Cleff."
>She barely whispered.
"Wait for me, okay?"
>I will, Octavia.
>Forever I will.

>Octavia was happier than she'd ever been.
>Or at least since I met her.
>The years passed in a blur and she was growing up so fast.
>Already 7 years old.
>Four birthdays, fifteen new friends, three different homes, five different schools.
>And the day she got a cutie mark.
>A treble cleff, showing her talent for music.
>She was right to name me, she's so smart.
>And she kept me by her side.
>Always.
>But this newest friend, number sixteen, there's something about her.
>Maybe it's the mane.
>Bright blue and spiky, jutting out in every direction.
>she too had a talent in music, but it wasn't like Octavia's.
>Not at all.
>On her seventh birthday, Sonnet gave Octavia her own cello.
>She had been saving up her bits for a long time for it, and it was well worth it.
>Octavia was a natural.
>Weaving a beautiful melody through the air, simple and rough, but endearing all the same.
>Her passion, her gratitude, her love.
>I know Sonnet felt it too.
>It was perfect.
>Until, that other one started up.
>Vinyl was her name.
>And she was Octavia's best friend.
>She played some kind of harsh metallic noise that she called beats.
>Nothing like the refined class Octavia exuded.
>But, Octavia liked her, so I did too.
>Tavi and Vine, they were inseperable.

>And Vinyl was the one holding me on that day.
>I wished to be held by my Octavia, but I understood.
>She was distraught.
>Vinyl held me in a tight hug.
>I could hear Octavia's cries next to me.
>It pained me so much to not say anything to her.
>I'm so very thankful Vinyl was there for her when I couldn't be.
>I too trust her, with all that I am.
>We sat in the front row.
>It was sunny and beautiful outside, birds chirping and singing to each other, a light breeze gently swayed the grass.
>And through the blue hair of Vinyl's mane, I looked upon the preacher and behind him, the casket that held Sonnet.
>I wish that I too could have looked away.
>That Vinyl would turn or just drop me right there.
>But she held me tight.
>And I watched as the preacher finished speaking, and ponies filed forwards to say their goodbyes.
>Vinyl started to get up, to go too, but Octavia grabbed onto her.
>She wouldn't go up there.
>She couldn't.
>Never had I wished so hard to be able to hug her back, if only once.
>Vinyl's mother sat on Octavia's other side, and wrapped her foreleg around both Octavia and Vinyl.
>They were all crying.
>And I only watched them.

>Everything was different after that.
>Octavia and I were staying with Vinyl and her mother, Amber.
>Vinyl would constantly play with her records making rythms and tunes.
>But there was no music.
>Not anymore.
>Octavia hadn't touched her cello since before Sonnet left.
>I longed to hear the sound of her dragging the bow across the strings.
>To hear a joyful concerto, a blissful prelude, even a sorrowful requiem.
>Anything.
>But there was no music.
>Her cello sat in the corner of Vinyl's room, solitary and forgotten.
>Octavia hardly even looked at me anymore.
>When she did, she would cry.
>I was a gift to her from Sonnet.
>I reminded her of the pain that would fade.
>I brought it back to her.
>I was so ashamed.
>Yet, I could not tell her the truth.
>That if only in the smallest way, Sonnet was still with her.
>That I was meant to be there for her when she needed help.
>When she was scared.
>When she was alone.
>I was honored to be Sonnet's blessing to Octavia.
>And I remained silent.

>I would watch her sleep.
>Because I couldn't.
>She used to hold me while she slept.
>Curled up, I would feel her warmth, her love, and I would stay with her through the night.
>But now, she slept next to Vinyl.
>And I could only watch her.
>She was peaceful then.
>I know she dreamed of happier times.
>She would always wake up smiling and looking around.
>But then reality would set in.
>And she would remember.
>She would look at me, from across the room, staring for only a few seconds.
>Then break her gaze and get up out of bed.
>....
>She wouldn't look at me again until the next morning.
>And each morning, I hoped that that would be the day she spoke to me again.
>That she would hold me again.
>But it wasn't.
>It never was.
>And so each night, I watched her sleep.
>Through the night.
>And I prayed that she would one day be happy again.
>For both of us.

>Years passed.
>Six more birthdays, four more friends, and a secret crush.
>And I saw none of them.
>I sat in Vinyls room, alone.
>Octavia began playing again.
>But I wasn't with her.
>She would practice in another room.
>Exchanging music and playing together with Vinyl.
>She was finally happy again.
>.....
>I knew she still loved me, I never doubted that.
>And I would always love her.
>One day she came in talking with Vinyl about the prospect of music careers and the opportunities "it" gave her.
>I didn't know what she meant, but I soon found out.
>Octavia had been accepted to attend the Equestrian Philharmonic Orchestra Hall in Canterlot.
>And she was to leave in two days.
>And so began the packing.
>The first day, Octavia and Vinyl were laughing and joking with each other instead of packing.
>Amber would have to constantly barge in and tell them to get back to work.
>The next day, it was a mad dash to get everything together for the long trip to Canterlot in the morning.
>That morning, I'll never forget it.
>It was early, before sunrise when Amber puleed the two out of bed and helped them to get ready for the day.
>Just before they were to leave, Vinyl stopped Octavia at the door.
"Hey, Tavi, what about Cleff here? Ain't he goin with you?"
>Octavia stared at me, for a long time, silently.
>Then she dropped her gaze to the floor.
>She wasn't sad, no, but, something.
"No. Not for this. I need to grow up. I'm too old for things like him."
>And she turned and walked out of the room.
>Vinyl nudge me with her hoof.
"Sorry, bro. Maybe next time."
>And she too left, closing the door behind her.
>And I had been left behind.
>By the one I loved.
>To sit alone in the dark.
>.....
>Again.

>I don't know how long it was that I sat there.
>Or how long until I heard Octavia's voice again.
>Vinyl had went to a school for electronic arts.
>The day she left, she kissed me and said she knew Octavia would come back for me.
>That she loves me too much not to.
>I knew she was right.
>Octavia still loved me.
>I was sure of it.
>After Vinyl left, Amber had cleaned the room.
>It was filthy.
>In doing so, she would nuzzle me, humming a soft tune.
>She was so nice.
>Then, one day there was a television program on featuring the graduating class of Canterlot Secondary School.
>And leading the orchestra commemorating the event, was a solo cellist.
>Octavia Melody
>I once again was witness to the serenade of Octavia's heart.
>I couldn't describe it.
>Again, I was in love.
>As if I had went back in time, all those years ago, listening to her first chords.
>She has changed, no doubt.
>Loss and fear and remorse had altered the pony she was.
>Changed the very being of her self, of who she was.
>But her music remained the same.
>Her passion.
>Her art.
>Her love.
>And I made my decision there, that no matter what I face, I will always be hers.
>Who I am, what I am, I belong to Octavia.
>My love.

>Amber is the only one I see now.
>Vinyl has her own career and visits occasionally.
>But Octavia hasn't returned.
>I understand.
>She must be very busy.
>She's so important to every pony out there with a set of ears.
>I'm so proud of her.

>I overheard a news special on tv saying how some one of the princesses discovered a way to bring inanimate things to life.
>I wondered if Vinyl or Amber could do that.
>That would be wonderful.
>Then I could see Octavia again, and tell her how much she means to me.
>How much I love her.
>How Sonnet would be so happy for her.
>I wished I could.
>I still do.

>Amber came home crying.
>I don't know what happened.
>There were multiple voices, Vinyl's too, but they were so quiet.
>I couldn't understand them.
>Then they were gone.
>Days passed in silence.
>Until I heard the door to the room slowly creak open.
>Vinyl came in her old room and stared down at everything.
>Her eyes were red and puffy.
>She'd been crying alot.
>But she looked good for her age.
>Just a little worn out.
>Fame does that, I'm sure.
>She walked over to me and picked me up with her magic, carrying me out the door and outside.
>She sat in a taxi cart in front of her house, next to her mother and set me down in front of her.
>During the ride, she  started to sob and pulled me into a tight hug.
>Her heartbeat was racing, thumping against my head.
>It felt like she was scared.
>But why?
>It wasn't very long before the cart came to a stop and Vinyl and Amber departed.
>Vinyl kept ahold of me with her leg.
>All I could see was the sway of her white fur as she walked.
>She reminded me alot of Sonnet.
>Octavia really is lucky to have a friend like her.

>I could hear the soft crunch of snow.
>It had snowed?
>I guess I haven't been paying attention to things much anymore.
>I've been rather focused.
>We came to a stop.
>I don't know how long Vinyl stood there holding me, but she never eased her grip.
>I think that I too have grown fond of her.
"C'mon honey, let's go. You need to eat."
>Amber spoke softly to Vinyl, who swayed a little.
"Just a little longer, please"
>Vinyl seemed to have to force herself to speak, her voice sounded dry.
>Where are we?
>Vinyl started to move.
>Using her hooves, she set me down on some kind of cold flat ground.
>She crouched down, eye level with me.
"I know you were always there, back before I knew anything. I know you'll wait for her, right Cleff?"
>Octavia.
>Of course I'll wait for her.
>Vinyl was starting to cry again, tears forming in the edges of her eyes.
>Amber pulled loose a satchel, setting it on the ground.
>She pulled out a bow.
>A cello's bow.
>Octavia's bow.
"Give this to her for us when you see her again, okay?"
>Amber spoke in a broken voice.
>Vinyl's horn was starting to glow.
"There. Now the weather won't bother you."
>It suddenly got alot warmer, like the snow wasn't even there.
"I know you love her, Cleff. So it's only fair that you should see her first."
>.......
"Just promise me one thing, no matter how long she takes, never give up on her. You know how stubborn she can be."
>Vinyl stood up and stared down at me.
"I'll see ya around cleff.
>She sniffed and turned to leave with her mother.
"Please wait for her. She loves you so much, I know she'll come back to you, as long as you're there for her, right?"
>Of course I'll wait for her.
>No matter how long it takes.
>I'll wait for you, my love.
>Octavia.