Hunt and Be Hunted

Slight movements from Vinyl wake me as if something was weighing down on her mind.

I fall back asleep still healing front eh injuries that Vinyl had inflicted when she had gotten to rough; I still shutter at the memory.

Some kind of arguing wakes me up- "do these ponies ever sleep?" -I roll over grumbling about being woken up early again; I can never fall back asleep after waking.

"Mom! for the last time I didn't take those from Tavi! -that got me moving- "why were you even doing my clothes?" -I pulled myself up and went to the commotion-

"Last time I checked you didn't have anything so- I flushed when I walked in and saw what was going on- "so lacy" I tried to sneak out but it was to late "Octavia dear, could you take the time to tell me whose these belong to?"

"Those?" -I was pretending not to know what I was looking at- "what am I looking at again? oh do you two hear that?" -head shakes of no- "I think that's my alarm clock, I must be off to practice for the concert tomorrow."

I was almost out of the door when Vinyl spoke up "I thought we were going to Canterlot Gardens today" I nearly hit my face for that one; I was asked again and embarrassed answered that they were mind.

I only had them because of a dare and never got around to getting rid of them; thought that one day with that special somepony it could be a lot of fun.

I hid them as soon as I could and grabbed my Cello case.

Hours had pasted before we had finished walking around Canterlot Gardens and had sat down to eat; something was weighing down on my mind "Vinyl?"

She looked at me from the other side of the table- "ya?" -my nerves were shot long before I got to asking the question on my mind.

"So umm about last night" -my heart pounds as if furious- "what happened after we got home?" she just kind of laughed at my question; she had such a sweet laugh.

"Last night? what didn't we do? well first we had ate all of the stuff in the fridge" -I shot her a look of disbelief- "you had the munchies, must have been because of how much you drank. Anyway after that I ended up crawling to bed" -oh good, I didn't- "and you crawled in right after" -or not- "and from there we tried everything you could think of" -the color drained from my face- "did everything shy of bondage."

I squeaked at that then looked around nervous somepony had heard her "i-is that why my um, garments were um-" she put a hoof to my lips.

"Yes," -she winked- "you're quite naughty too" -I flushed at that-

"What? I never would- she slid her hoof down to my chest causing me to flinch.

"It's nothing to be ashamed of" -a short laugh- "I mean I, am, the sexiest pony in Canterlot" -I rolled my eyes at that one- "must've fallen for my looks."

I went to open my mouth to speak but her lips covered mine; what are you doing Vinyl?!

A soft moan escapes as I force myself to push her away- "what in the world are you doing" -why was that so hard to do?- "I can't" -my voice sounds pitiful- "what will others think?" -nothing was going right- "this can't" -this hurts- "be happening" -it sounds like a plea more than a regret- "what's happening to me?"

That moment I gathered my things and ran; ran until I was breathless and alone.

I was in a garden; the little hidden area of the gardens I used to practice when I was a filly.

"I haven't seen you in a while kid" the grounds keeper; always reminded me of my father "did you bring your Cello today?" I shrugged it off my back with a meek smile.

"Yes" it was hard to keep the sorrow from chocking my words "just for practice."

It doesn't sound like it, what's wrong?" I shook my head unsure what to say.

"It doesn't matter" he sat in front of me "no it's not… sigh… I think I'm in love… with a mare… a bucking mare and DJ! me? in love with a mare?! it doesn't make any sense! I was raised a proper lady, a lady not a stallion… I can't be in love with a mare, it just doesn't work at all… gah!"

I continued to rant and he let me, let me swear and then let me sit in silence for a moment "does gender really matter for the ones we love?" he left me to sit in silence; I needed it.

I pulled my Cello from my case and readied the bow.

I brought the bow down in a rush of sound, I was playing faster than I had ever done before in my life; I went even faster as the music swept me away like my first performance. The melody is all I know, my heart is my music; it rises and falls as my anger and hope fight back and forth all the while I continue to play.

My eyes are closed; I don't need them.

The Cello is all I know; I can feel the sound vibrating through my body as the strings are racked with my bow.

I drop the bow and my breathing is fast and I sense more than I had while playing; the scent of flowers and sound of the wind.

Also clapping.

When I open my eyes slowly I'm a bit short on breath.

My heart swells as my body tenses.

The clapping continues from the surprise guest "without a doubt the best thing you have ever played" my jaw just drops as I look on.

"Vinyl?" -my limbs seem heavy- "is that you?" -I can barely set my Cello down- "how did you?" -my body isn't working anymore- "why are you?" -I fall forward- "when did you? -I just lay there unsure why I'm suddenly so weak.

She has a tender grip when she pulls me up- "I listened for the sound of a Cello" she pulls me up with a smile "let's get you home then?" -I nodded and she got me home with my Cello.

I'm laying in bed now; cuddled up to Vinyl Scratch.

A sudden crash wakes me from my dreams.

I try to get up but can only look around- "what happened? -in front of me is a crimson unicorn- "hello?" -he turns and I catch a view of his cuttie mark; a quill with a red C- "do I know you?" -with that he disappears.

I look down at my hooves.

Crimson..?