The Line Between Business and Pleasure

Lyra and Score headed out of the apartment building and into the city proper. As it was the middle of the day, there were ponies literally everywhere. Some were eating at the various restaurants and cafes scattered about, some were shopping, and some were just enjoying a pleasant stroll.

"So," Lyra said, panning the cityscape in front of her, "what should we do?"

"No clue," Score answered, "you forget I've only been in town for two weeks."

"I know, but you must have something you want to do. We need to kill at least two hours while Vinyl and Octavia well, you know."

"Yeah," Score answered with a sigh, "Let's just start walking, I'm sure I'll hear something of interest."

The two unicorns began walking passively through the streets. In such a crowded public place, Score had found that his echolocation magic wasn't really of much use. Too many variables. Instead, he took to gently leaning on whomever he was walking with, so that they would be able to guide him in whichever direction. Sometimes it looked a bit awkward, particularly because to the laypony it was impossible to tell that Score was blind due to the shades.

They must have walked for over an hour without anything interesting being seen or heard. That is, until a voice unfamiliar to Score called out from the throng.

"Lyra," the high-pitched voice cried, "is that you?

Both unicorns stopped. Score actually found the direction of the voice before Lyra, although that didn't help much.

"I was right," the voice said, now much closer. Now Lyra was able to spot the new pony. It was a white unicorn mare, her mane and tail colored half pink, half purple, both ending in soft curls.

"Sweetie," Lyra asked, "What are you doing in Canterlot?"

"I'm here for an audition. Rarity got in touch with this supposedly really famous music producer."

"Oh, how exciting."

"Yeah. Too bad I can't meet the producer yet, I have to meet an associate of his first, somepony named Score Scratch. Oh, how rude of me, I haven't introduced myself to your friend."

Score's ears were already perked at the mention of his name, and now they were even more that he was actually going to part of the conversation.

"Oh, well," Lyra trailed off, not sure how to proceed.

"Don't worry, Lyra," Score said, putting a forehoof to his chest, "Score Scratch, miss, at your service."

Sweetie was a little taken aback at just running into the very pony she was supposed to meet in the middle of the street.

"Oh, um, hello, I'm Sweetie Belle," she reached out a hoof for a shake, but Score just stood there, staring.

Lyra took note of the uncomfortable situation, "Um, Sweetie Belle, I'm afraid he can't see your hoof."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Score said, "is she trying to shake my hoof? My apologies, I'm not the best with introductions, what with not being able to see and all that jazz."

Score lit up his horn, concentrating on making a mental picture of the mare in front of him. Noting that her hoof was still extended in greeting, he quickly rectified the situation by reaching out his own hoof to complete the shake.

"Now that that awkwardness is out of the way," Lyra chuckled, "Score, I think we should head back and see if Vinyl and Octavia are ready."

"Whatever you say Lyra," Score shrugged, making a move to turn around before stopping, "Pleasure meeting you Miss Sweetie Belle, see you, or, I suppose, hear you, tomorrow."

"Um, right," Sweetie said, "Goodbye."

Lyra and Score turned around to head back, leaving a very confused Sweetie Belle in their wake.

They were silent for about half of their trip, before Score struck up again.

"So, how do you know Sweetie Belle?"

"Oh, she's from Ponyville. I lived there for awhile. Knew her sister and all of her friends."

"I'm assuming her sister is the Rarity she mentioned?"

"Yep. You might recognize the name, she is a famous fashion designer and was one of the Elements of Harmony."

"Now those I have heard of, that's quite interesting."

"Yep. But you can ask Sweetie herself all about that if you want."

*-*-*-*-*

Lyra knocked on the door of Vinyl's apartment, as Score didn't actually have a key. The door was soon opened by Vinyl, who looked fresh as a daisy.

"Hey Lyra, hey cuz, you're back just in time, Tavi should be out of the shower in a minute."

The three unicorns made their way into the living room, Vinyl and Lyra taking the couch, with Lyra sitting in that peculiar way of hers, and Score finding the recliner. Soon enough, Octavia joined them, her mane still wrapped up in a white towel.

"Good to see that everypony is here," the cellist said, "and since it's my week to pick, you know what that means."

Vinyl bowed her head, "That means you're gonna make me wear something ridiculous."

Ever since the three musicians had all been living in Canterlot, they had partaken in a tradition. Each week, on the last day of work for Octavia and Lyra, they went out to eat together, rotating through who got to pick. It happened to be Octavia's turn this week, which meant that they were going somewhere fancy, which meant Vinyl would have to dress up, something she despised doing.

"Don't worry, Vinyl," Lyra said, getting off the couch, "I think you'll like what Octavia picked up for you."

Lyra's horn glowed with it's golden aura, and in a flash, three outfits appeared. On was a white dress with green accents, obviously for Lyra. The second was a silky black dress for Octavia. The third was a blue suit jacket with a white bow tie.

"Is that for me," Vinyl asked, moving her shades above her horn to get a better look.

"Indeed it is," Octavia answered, "I figured you would appreciate a suit."

"Well it does fit me. After all, I am the stallion in our relationship."

"Whatever you say," Octavia said with a shake of her head, "But be careful, become too much like a stallion and I won't be attracted to you anymore."

Vinyl's eyes widened slightly at this, which caused Lyra to laugh.

"Oh, wait," Lyra said when she was finished, "I almost forgot Score's." She lit her horn again and caused a black suit jacket and a skinny red tie to appear.

"Come, ladies," Octavia said, throwing her dress over her back, "we have to get ready."

Vinyl followed Octavia back up the stairs. Lyra hung back a moment to pass Score his suit. Fortunately, Score had the ability to hear the gentle, almost silent, hum that unicorn magic produced. With this perception, he was able to tell where an object was when it was being levitated, allowing him to pick it up with his own magic. The exchange completed, Lyra followed the others.

Score sat in the living room awhile longer. He listened to the bustling and talking of the mares upstairs for a moment before deciding to do something different. Moving the jacket so that it hung over the armrest, he refocused his magic. Soon, his ears were covered by cups of soundproof magic, leaving him in complete silence and darkness.

He liked to do this from time to time, just to give his primary sense a rest. On a day like this, his ears had been overworked. First, helping Vinyl perfect her latest song, then being in the middle of Canterlot, with all of its noise pollution and dissonance. Sometimes, he just needed to give his auditory system a break, a chance to relax instead of using it every waking moment to construct the world around him. He couldn't do it for very long, as it left him unable to perceive anything around him, but in a safe place like this apartment, he had nothing to worry about.

After a time, Score estimated it to be about 10 minutes, he let the soundproof spell go. He could still hear the mares, but it was more muffled, as the doors were closed. Score hopped off of the recliner and, after taking a second to find his jacket again, easily slipped it on. The tie, unfortunately, would have to wait. He had worn ties before, but he had never figured out how to tie them himself, always needing his mother or father to do it for him.

Next he went into the kitchen and turned on the faucet. After taking his shades completely off, he whetted a hoof and ran it through his mane, making sure it was sitting properly. With his grooming and dressing pretty much done, he had nothing to do but sit and wait for the girls. Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long, as the three dolled-up mares soon came downstairs and into the living room.

"You all look great," Score said with a smile.

"You can't see us," Lyra pointed out, "And you're not even looking in the right direction."

"Just accept the compliment, Lyra. Besides, to a blind stallion, all mares are good-looking. Now, if you don't mind," he said, levitating the tie, "would you mind helping me with this?"

Lyra rolled her eyes and took the tie in her magic. She put on Score's tie while Octavia fiddled with Vinyl's.

The final preparations complete, the four ponies exited the apartment, waiting for the taxi carriage that Octavia had set up. When it was Octavia's week, she always had to prepare days in advance, what with getting together dinner reservations and the like.

Fortunately, everything seemed to be running on time tonight, as the taxi soon came to pick them up. They didn't have to travel very far before their transport stopped in front of a restaurant called "Le Petit Cheval".

"Prench...," Vinyl grumbled, "it had to be Prench."

"Well," Octavia countered, "you know I like Prench cooking. Besides, last week we went to that awful sports bar and you didn't hear me complain."

"Touche. Let's go."

They headed inside, Score once again leaning on Lyra for direction.

"Octavia Melody, party of four," Octavia said to the maitre d'.

"Ah, yes, right this way."

He led them to a round table in the middle of the restaurant. The four ponies sat Octavia, Vinyl, Score, and Lyra, clockwise. A waiter soon arrived to take orders for drinks, but Octavia was quick to cut him off and simply ordered a bottle of red wine for the table.

"Score," Vinyl half-whined, "please tell me next week when it's your turn you take us somewhere I can get a decent drink."

"I make no promises, cuz," Score replied, "besides, if I like the food here, I might just pick this place again, just to hear you squirm."

Vinyl's jaw about hit the table, "You wouldn't do that to me, cuz."

Score chose not to acknowledge Vinyl in the slightest, "So, Octavia, what would you recommend?"

Vinyl's right eye twitched. Lyra had to put both hooves over her mouth to contain her laughter.

"I would go with the steamed vegetables with the vinaigrette," Octavia answered as if nothing happened.

"Sold," Score said emphatically.

The wine soon arrived, much to the relief of everypony except Vinyl. After they all ordered, they got down to the usual small-talk.

"So, Lyra," Vinyl asked, "how's Bon-Bon?"

"She's good," Lyra answered between unadulterated gulps of wine, "same old, same old. She's going to come up for the next orchestra performance."

"Oh," Octavia said between dainty sips, "that's wonderful to hear."

"Yeah," Score echoed, swishing around the wine in his glass, "You four could go on a nice double date."

"Hey," Lyra continued, "by then, maybe you will have found yourself a nice mare and it could be a triple."

"Very funny, Lyra."

"I'm serious. I mean, we did run into a cute one today, and you are going to see her again tomorrow."

"Huh," Vinyl cocked her head, "Who was that, Lyra?"

"You girls remember Sweetie Belle?" Vinyl and Octavia nodded, "Well apparently she's in town for a sound test for this record label, and see's going to sing for Score."

"Really?" Vinyl said, "At least that explains why Golden Record wanted Score to be at the studio on that day."

"I know. And you should have seen the two of them interact, it was awkward and cute at the same time."

"Well," Octavia mused, "I haven't seen Sweetie in some time, but if she looks anything like her sister, I'm sure she's turned into a very fine-looking mare."

"You're right on that one. If Score had been able to see her, I'm sure he would've fallen horn-over-tail."

"Not helping matters, Lyra," Score grumbled, taking a slightly larger sip of wine.

"Besides," Vinyl interjected, "that would break Vinyl Scratch dating rule number one."

"What's Vinyl Scratch dating rule number one," Lyra asked.

"Never mix business with pleasure."

The four ponies were silent for awhile after that, the dead seriousness of Vinyl having soured the mood somewhat.

Fortunately, their food arrived soon after and they all had something new to focus on. They all went back to the jovial, enjoyable conversation, and stayed off the topic of Score's love life.

Eventually, dinner, and dessert, were finished and it was time to head home. Octavia and Lyra, who had drunk much more wine than the Scratch cousins, decided to take a taxi home. Vinyl and Score opted to hoof it through town.

The two related unicorns were silent most of the way back, having been thoroughly exhausted by dinner. However, as soon as they stepped through the door, Vinyl spoke up.

"Hey, Score, I'm sorry I was so blunt before."

"About what," the blind unicorn said as he removed his tie.

"About the 'business with pleasure' thing."

"No worries cuz, not the first time I've heard it."

"I mean, I don't want to control your life or anything. You're way more mature and thoughtful than I was at your age. It's just that I've seen some ponies make really bad choices when relationships got too close to their jobs."

"I know Vinyl. I know."

"I just hope I didn't sound like I don't want you to find somepony or something like that. You'd make a great coltfriend for some mare."

"Thanks, cuz, and I know you didn't mean it like that. You're just watching out for me, don't want me to get hurt. It's cool, I understand."

"OK. Just wanted to make sure we're on the same page. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm bushed."

"Ditto. And I'm the one who actually has to work tomorrow."

"If you call sitting in a chair and listening to somepony sing work, then yeah, you have to work tomorrow."

Vinyl chuckled at her insult, Score just stared at her blankly.

"That was kind of a low blow, you know that, right?"

"I'm just messin' with ya, cuz."

"I know Vinyl. I know."