The Line Between Business and Pleasure

Score Scratch sat in the living room of his cousin Vinyl's apartment, completely stoic. His horn was lit, powering the soundproof spell that currently covered his ears. Score knew that if he was going to go to one of Vinyl's gigs, his ears needed to be prepared. Loud, eardrum-quaking music was Vinyl's forte, and the last thing Score could afford was for it to negatively affect him. So he sat in the chair, almost meditative, his eyes closed behind his dark shades and his mind almost completely blank. Almost, because he could still faintly make out Sweetie's singing voice, flowing through his mind as if it was carried on a string which ran between his ears and through his brain.

Into this pristine, silent, scene stepped a white unicorn mare. She had been sent to bring Score out of his trance-like state so that they could leave for the club. At first, she called his name, sure that he already knew that she was in the room. However, she noticed his glowing horn and the similarly-colored areas around his ears. She walked up to his side, stating his name again, hoping that it would arouse him. With Score still unresponsive, she did the only thing she could think of and tapped him on the shoulder with a hoof.

That was a mistake, as Score let out a mighty yelp, literally jumped out of the chair and landed on his back on the floor so hard that his glasses popped off. Quickly, he rolled back to his hooves and immediately turned to face the other pony in the room.

"Dammit, Vinyl," he yelled, his blood red eyes searing with anger at being brought out of his trance so suddenly.

"I'm sorry Score," said a scared voice, "I'm sorry."

That was not Vinyl's voice. In a flash, Score's facial expression turned from one of anger to one of remorse.

"Oh my stars, Sweetie," he bowed his head, his mane flopping over, "I yelled at you."

"It's OK," she quickly replied, using a hoof to pick up his chin, forcing Score's unseeing eyes to look at hers, "I didn't mean to startle you. You couldn't hear me."

"I understand," Score smiled, "I'll have to teach you the counterspell to my soundproof spell. That's a much gentler way to get my attention."

"Or maybe next time I should just do this," she craned her neck over and gave Score a kiss on the cheek.

Score chuckled, "Maybe. But then again, I might worry that it's Lyra playing a trick on me."

"She wouldn't do that, would she," Sweetie's eyes went wide.

"Probably not, but I can't take that chance," Score joked, leaning over to give Sweetie a kiss of his own, this one a peck on the lips, "Now, why were you sent to wake me up?"

"It's about time to leave for Vinyl's show," Sweetie answered.

"Really? How long was I sitting there?"

"According to Vinyl? Over an hour. You sure you weren't asleep?"

"If I had fallen asleep, the spell would have dissipated," Score explained, magically putting on his shades, "Strange, it felt like 20 minutes, tops."

"How do you even tell time in that state?"

"Truthfully? Counting my breaths. I suppose it doesn't matter, but steady breathing both helps in the spellcasting and relaxes the mind."

"Wow, Score. I could never sit in one place and be quiet for that long. You might even be able to beat Fluttershy at the quiet game."

"Who?"

"Nevermind," Sweetie giggled.

"Are you two coming, or are you going to chew the cud all night," Vinyl's voice rang out from the doorway.

"Coming, cuz," Score replied, then added, with a heavy dose of sarcasm, "Some ponies."

Score and Sweetie followed Vinyl out of the apartment, and into an extra large taxi carriage. Octavia, Lyra, and Lyric were already there.

"Bout time you woke up," Lyra jeered at Score.

"Wasn't sleeping, Lyra," the blind unicorn retorted.

"That trance thing of yours counts as sleeping," Lyra countered, "You are, for all intents and purposes, dead to the world, you have no idea what's going on around you, and if somepony taps you on the shoulder you freak out."

Sweetie looked away sheepishly.

"I could say the same thing for when you get drunk," Score snapped back jokingly, "Except I don't make myself a public nuisance."

"Easy, you two," Octavia warned.

"Yeah," Vinyl agreed, "chill. Now hoofbump and let's have a good time."

"OK, Vinyl," Score said, lighting up his echolocation magic. With it he could see Sweetie on his immediate right, with Lyric beyond her facing the backside of the carriage. Vinyl, Octavia, and Lyra, left to right, sat on the opposite side. Score stuck out his right hoof in Lyra's direction, which the green unicorn was quick to meet with a bump.

"Let's party," Lyric exclaimed, raising both his forehooves to the open sky.

*--*--*--*--*

The joint was jumping, as Vinyl would say. When they arrived, thrity minutes before Vinyl's set was scheduled to start, there were already ponies lined up down the street and around the corner. The bouncer, dutifully at his post, let the six of them inside, though not without a second look at Sweetie and Lyric, ponies he wasn't familiar with.

But now, an hour later, the club was packed to the brim with the happiest ponies in Equestria. Everywhere you looked, ponies were dancing, drinking, laughing, having a great time, and they all had Vinyl to thank for it. DJ Pon3, as she was known to the masses, was on fire like always, laying the sickest beats and dropping the fattest bass possible. Suffice is to say, everypony knew what Score heard constantly.

Vinyl's five friends were all seated at a large, round, booth drinking and chatting. Lyra was already on her second Bloody Mare. Octavia was drinking a martini, ordered "dryer than Appaloosa." Lryic took hits from a bottle of domestic beer. Sweetie nursed the fruitiest, almost-non-alcoholic Sangria she could order. Score took measured sips of a Screwdriver. Not one to be left out, Vinyl was periodically taking swigs of vodka straight from the source.

"So, Octavia," Score started, catching the cellist's attention, "five Bits says you end up dragging both Lyra and Vinyl back to your place."

"What's that supposed to mean," Lyra interjected.

"I'm not about to take a bet I'm going to lose," Octavia quipped over the rim of her martini glass.

"Oh yeah," Lyra countered, "Score, I bet you ten Bits I pass out on the couch while V and Tavi creak the bedsprings."

"Lyra Golden Heartstrings," Octavia exclaimed.

Lyric busted out laughing, planting his forehead on the table.

"I gotta hang out with you ponies more often," he said between chuckles.

"You ain't seen nothin' yet," Score assured, "Wait until Lyra switches to shots."

Lyra's muzzle scrunched up in indignation.

"What happened to that hoofbump," she asked Score.

"That was before, this is now."

"Lyra, Sweetie," Octavia said sharply, setting down her empty glass, "lady's room?"

The two other mares nodded. Score got up to let Sweetie out.

"You guys watch our drinks," Lyra ordered.

"I will," Lyric laughed, knowing full well how he said it.

"And if the hostess comes around," Octavia said, "get me another martini."

"Can do," Score replied.

The three mares went off and disappeared into the crowd. Score slid back into his seat at the booth.

"Man," Lyric started again, taking another swig of beer, "the way you and Lyra go at it, fucking hilarious."

"Yeah," Score replied, "Lyra's like that with everypony. You should hear her and Vinyl sometimes."

"So, what's your plan?"

"Plan for what?"

"Are you hoping Vinyl goes home with Octavia so you and Sweetie have Vinyl's place to yourselves?"

Score chuckled and shook his head, "Lyric, Lryic, Lyric, you don't get to know that. How about we talk about something more interesting, like your plans."

"Well," Lyric straightened up in his seat, "to be blunt with you, I'm really digging Lyra."

"Into mares and taken," Score replied just as bluntly.

"Really? By who?"

"Her name's Bon Bon. They've been together for years."

"Why isn't she out with us?"

"Because she lives in Ponyville. You'll meet her when she comes up for the next orchestra performance."

"Ah, got ya. Well, guess I'll just have to take my pick from this very good-looking crowd your cousin has drawn."

"Be careful, Lyric," Score warned.

"Hey, I'm the Canterlot pony here. I know what I'm doing," Lyric scanned what he could see of the floor and spotted a green pegasus mare with a long white mane sitting alone at the bar, "What about her?"

Score didn't move an inch, "Dude, if you're pointing, I'm going to smack you."

"I'm not pointing," Lyric defended, returning his hoof to the table, "Damn, I forget that you're blind, man."

"No worries," Score's ears twitched subtly, "Besides, she's waiting for somepony."

"How the hell do you...," Lyric trailed off as another pegasus mare, this one dark blue with a sky blue mane, approached and hugged the first one, "Well I'll be damned. But hey, she brought a friend."

"Wait for it..."

The two mares began attempting to determine who could get their tongue further down the other's throat.

"What the...," Lyric said, dumbfounded, "Dude, that's creepy."

"You want to know how I did it," Score asked with a smirk.

"Fuck yes I want to know."

"OK. Once I figured out where you were pointing to," Score emphasized the word 'pointing' by smacking Lyric in the back of the head, "All I did was focus my hearing. She was saying something about waiting for her and being nervous about being hit on by stallions. I just put two and two together."

"Have you ever considered going into detective work?"

"No."

Lyric was about to take another sip of beer, but then stopped, "Can you hear what the girls are saying from here?"

"No. Too many things, and ponies, in the way."

Score took a long sip of his drink as Lyric continued to purvey the scene for single mares. They was probably better off not hearing what the three mares were talking about, since it involved Score.

"I said I'm sorry, Octavia," Lyra protested when they made it within the white cinderblock walls of the bathroom.

"I know, Lyra," the Earth mare rolled her eyes with a smile, "I'm not really mad."

"I just wanted to...wait, you're not mad?"

"Not in the slightest. You're probably right, that's probably exactly what's going to happen."

"Ha," Lyra exclaimed in triumph.

"What can I say? Vinyl gets frisky when she drinks."

Sweetie just stood there, a blush heavily tinging her otherwise perfect white coat. It wasn't like she had never heard ponies talk about sex before. Heck, her two best friend's sisters were in a, apparently very physical, relationship. But it was a little different around ponies she didn't know that well.

"Sorry, Sweetie," Octavia apologized, noticing the look on the younger mare's face, "My mouth gets ahead of me when I drink."

"But you've only had one," Sweetie pointed out.

"True. But I'm a lightweight. That second one I hope the boys remember to order will be my last of the evening."

"So, Octavia," Lyra spoke up again, "why did you ask us in here?"

"So we could talk about Score without him hearing us."

"Really," Sweetie asked, completely confused.

"Trust me, this is the only place in the building Score's hearing can't reach. If he wanted to, he could listen to Vinyl mumbling to herself at her turntable."

"What are we talking about?"

"Well, first, like I said before, Sweetie, there is a 99 percent chance that Vinyl ends up back at our place. That leaves Vinyl's apartment free for you and Score, if you want."

Sweetie blushed out again, "I-I don't know..."

"Don't worry, Sweetie," Lyra said, throwing a hoof around her fellow unicorn, "We know you're not some loose mare or anything. We just know that you and Score need some serious alone time, time just to yourselves, no other ponies in your way. Then, what happens, happens."

"What am I supposed to do?"

"That's the best part," Lyra beamed, "You don't have to do anything."

Sweetie cocked her head in confusion.

"Here, darling," Octavia said in a manner that reminded Sweetie of her sister, "When Score finishes his drink, he'll be in the right mood where you could get him to dance. Dance, have fun, have a second drink. Score's a smart drinker, I've never seen him wasted. When the night is over, when I'm piling Vinyl and this one into a taxi, you can casually suggest to Score that you both go back to Vinyl's place. Then, like Lyra said, whatever happens, whatever you want to happen, happens. Everypony wins."

"Should I be weirded out that you two thought of all of this in advance?"

"Not really," Lyra said with a shrug, "We like getting our friends together. When we know Lyric better, we'll try to set him up with somepony. Also, I'll bet either of you five Bits Lyric's the only one among us that goes home alone tonight."

"That bet is too easy," Octavia chortled, "no way."

"You're no fun."

The three mares exited the bathroom and made their way back to the booth. When they got there, they noticed two things, Octavia had a fresh martini, and Score's glass was empty.

"What about the mare dancing near the stage," they heard Lyric ask as they approached. Score's ear twitched, focusing on the beige-coated, blonde Earth pony.

"She's not saying anything," Score replied, "I have superpony hearing, I'm not psychic. Give it a shot. You need to get up and move around anyhow."

As if on cue, Vinyl's music changed. It had been just a solid beat before, something you could dance to, but more for background filler. Now, it was more upbeat and even Score's ears seemed to be moving in time. Lyra nudged Sweetie with her shoulder and threw her a wink.

"Speaking of moving around," Sweetie called, taking the hint, "Hey, Score, you want to dance?"

Score lifted his muzzle pensively for a moment before turning to face Sweetie, "Sure."

The two white unicorns walked off together, while Lyric went to track down the object of his attentions. Score leaned on Sweetie a bit, more for guidance than in affection. When they reached a suitable spot on the floor, Sweetie bumped him with her flank, separating them a bit and serving as a kind of signal.

Score was not afraid to admit that he wasn't the best dancer. Because he couldn't see, he had to keep his movements relatively conservative, so as not to accidentally strike somepony. However, with his body as naturally tuned as it was, he was able to cut a very good step in a limited space. But whatever he was holding back, Sweetie was making up for, periodically bumping him with her flank or shoulder in an attempt to dance, not just next to him, but with him. This went on for about ten minutes before the beat began to steadily slow down.

"Now, my sexy ponies," Vinyl silkily said through her mic, "It's time everypony got a little closer in this club. So grab that pony that makes your heart beat just a little stronger, and slow things down. That means you, cuz."

Score could feel a blush coming to his muzzle as he silently, and sarcastically, thanked his cousin for pointing him out like that. However, he didn't have much time to think about that as he soon felt a pair of hooves on his shoulders. Realizing what Sweetie was trying to do, he stepped forward a bit and gently raised up on his own back hooves, wrapping his forehooves as best he could around her barrel. Dancing on hind hooves wasn't exactly natural for anypony, but if there was another pony there for support, it worked. It was perfect for slow dancing.

Sweetie crossed her hooves behind Score's neck. She laid her forehead to his, in such a way that their horns would cross and make contact with each other. Instead of causing pain, this actually felt nice. Score simply kept his hooves around her barrel, keeping her as close as their anatomy would allow.

Slow love songs like this never lasted long when Vinyl was in charge. Partly because the DJ just wasn't into them, and partly for the benefit of couples who preferred to dance raised up. As soon as the song ended, Vinyl laid down another bass line that picked the music back up to its previous level.

"Thanks, Score," Sweetie said once they were back down on their four hooves, proceeding to give him a kiss, "What do you say to another drink?"

Score nodded, "I'm for that."

The two made their way back to the booth, ordering fresh drinks along the way. They hadn't been seated for five seconds before Lyric came up, seemingly in a hurry.

"Hey, guys," he said, "I gotta bail, sorry."

"What's up," Lyra asked.

"Oh, that mare I was dancing with," Lyric explained, quickening his speech with every sentence, "That slow number got her all kinds of hot and bothered, and old Lyric Spin is gonna take care of it."

Sweetie blushed again. Octavia's eyes rolled. Lyra jaw unhinged, but she would not let it drop.

"Lyric," Score muttered, "that was all kinds of unnecessary."

"Whatever," Lyric responded, "See you ponies later."

Mere seconds after Lyric left, Score heard a jingling of Bits on the table.

"What's that," he asked.

"Oh," Sweetie replied, magically gathering the coins, "Lyra bet me five Bits Lyric would go home alone tonight."

"Wait, when did that happen," Octavia asked, confused.

"We shook hooves behind your back," Lyra explained.

"Hmmm. Oh well, my loss."

Score could only shake his head in confusion.

*--*--*--*--*

The rest of the time spent at the club was just as enjoyable. As Score had predicted, Lyra eventually switched to shooting Lemon Drops, rendering her quite drunk. For himself, Score had stopped after his third Screwdriver, as well as downing a Lemon Drop per Lyra's dare.

"Thank you everypony for coming out," Vinyl called into the mic as her playlist wound down, "You've all been wonderful! DJ Pon3 out!"

Ponies began filing out of the club as the clock was about to strike midnight. Octavia went out to hail a taxi, leaving an inebriated Lyra in the care of Score and Sweetie while they waited for Vinyl.

"Yous twos are sooooooo cuuuuttttteeee," Lyra slurred, throwing a hoof around both of her companions.

"Thank you, Lyra," Sweetie tentatively reached a hoof around in return.

"Down Lyra," Score commanded, not amused in the slightest.

"Awwww," Lyra continued, "You'res no fun, Sc-Sc-Score. Yous should get pla-plas-plas-drunk sometime."

"I prefer to keep my senses about me," Score replied, though he couldn't deny that he was inebriated to a point as well, "You're blinder than me right now."

"What's up my ponies," Vinyl greeted, coming up on the scene, seemingly fresh as a daisy even though she had downed half a bottle of vodka.

"Vinyl," Lyra exclaimed, leaving Score and Sweetie to throw a hug around the DJ, "Yous were awesome!"

"Thanks, Ly," Vinyl replied, returning the hug, "Where's Tavi?"

"Out calling a cab," Sweetie answered.

"Then we should go," Vinyl said, but then paused and looked around, "Wait, where's Lyric?"

"He got lucky with some mare," Score replied, "He should thank you for that first slow number."

"Huh," Vinyl tilted her head, "Good for him."

The four unicorns exited the building and quickly found Octavia. She had already procurred two cabs. Vinyl was quick to note this.

"So," she said, "I guess I'm heading with Tavi and Ly. Sweetie, do you mind going with Score?"

"Uh, no," Sweetie replied, trying to fight off another blush, "that's fine."

"Good," Vinyl lit up her horn and produced a key, "The key to the apartment."

"Got it," Sweetie said as she picked it up in her own magic, "See you all later."

"Bye Score," Octavia called, "Goodbye Sweetie."

"Buh-bye," Lyra slurred with a drunken wave thrown in.

*--*--*--*--*

Not fifteen minutes later, Sweetie unlocked the apartment door and stepped inside, Score following right behind. After Sweetie shut and locked the door, she almost turned right into Score.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she apologized, "I didn't know you were there."

"I know," he answered, "it was on purpose."

He reached his right hoof up and around Sweetie's shoulder and neck, pulling her into a standing hug, which she quickly returned. After magically removing his shades, he nuzzled into her, catching a snout full of mane, which he happily took in the scent of. She smelled fruity, probably a result of the Sangria.

"I hope I don't smell too much like alcohol," Score half-joked.

"You smell more like oranges," Sweetie replied with a sigh.

Score pulled his muzzle back a bit, enough to start planting kisses on her neck. At first, Sweetie sighed, enjoying the affection. But then, she lightly tapped Score on the shoulder.

"Wait," she said, "Score, wait."

Score did as he was asked, stopped the kissing and resumed the hug.

"Is there something wrong," he asked.

"No, no, nothing's wrong. It's just, something I want to tell you," Sweetie pulled back from the hug, leaving the two of them standing there, looking at each other, "Tonight, between you, Lyra, and Lyric, I blushed so many times I was afriad my muzzle fur was going to permanently turn red. I'm just not ready to go all the way yet."

Score gave a single, large, nod, "I understand. Sweetie, I want you to know that I would never force you to do something you're not comfortable doing. It's completely in your hooves. Now, I'm sure you're tired. You can take Vinyl's bed, she won't mind. I'll be on the couch like always if you need me."

Score began turning as if to go into the living room, but Sweetie stopped him with a hoof on the shoulder.

"But you know what I am comfortable with? Sleeping in the hooves of a handsome stallion like you.

Score turned his head as if he wasn't sure if he had heard correctly.

"C'mon, Score," Sweetie playfully kissed his cheek, "let's go to bed."

Sweetie passed him, heading for Vinyl's room. Score followed like a puppy, unconsiously licking his lips. After they were both across the threshold of the bedroom door, Score deftly closed it with a swing of a back hoof. Sweetie, still turned away from him, lifted her curled tail under his chin and led him, drew him, to his cousin's bed. Sweetie lit up her horn, pulling back the bedsheets. She quickly hopped into the bed, with Score not far behind, though he did get lost for a moment without the tail of guidance.

Once Score was up, Sweetie pulled him down next to her. Once they were both lying on their sides, facing each other, Sweetie pulled the covers over them with her magic. Score, getting comfortable, brought his free hoof around her barrel, gently rubbing up and down her back. Sweetie returned in kind with her own hoof around his shoulder and neck. They gave each other a few small kisses, followed by Sweetie nuzzling into Score's neck.

"Sweetie, you feel so good in my hooves," Score flirted, "As good as your voice feels in my ears."

Sweetie could feel her whole body warming up. She wasn't sure if it was just from the cuddling or something else, but she didn't care. Her nuzzling got a little deeper and her curly tail wrapped itself around Score's.

And that is how they stayed until the fell asleep.