Way to the Top

"Psst. Wake up. Wake up Arpeggio Piano. Come on now, sleepy head. Wake your cute flank up."

A single eyelid cracked open. Then its twin did the same, revealing the beautiful ruby-like eyes that they concealed. Two dry lips opened softly to inhale a deep breath, and then exhale it. A slick tongue darted out to wet those dry lips, which then themselves opened up to speak. "Tavi, are you ever gonna stop callin' me that?" grumbled Vinyl Scratch, a hoof coming up to rub the sleeping gunk out of her eyes.

This task so accomplished, she was finally able to see the soulful violet eyes of her sister - not to mention a sly, sexy sort of smile that she only wore when they were alone like this. Not for the first time, Vinyl swallowed a little lump in her throat as she became slowly more conscious of everything else around her. The soft cotton linen of their sheets, the crisp clean scent of apples from the air-freshener on the window sill. Most importantly though, was the gentle soft warmth of Octavia's coat pressing up against her own.

Octavia's eyes twinkled at her mischievously as she frowned at that response, and Vinyl felt a tiny blush of red flush her cheeks. Oh great, I wake up and the first thing I do is stick my hoof in my mouth. Vinyl thought with no small amusement. That surely meant today was going to be fantastic. Vinyl licked her lips again softly and then spoke in a much gentler tone, one filled with a warmth and love no words alone could convey. "Mornin' to you too, Tavi." Octavia's frown turned to a smile, and her eyes warmed considerably - which in turn, gave Vinyl the warm and fuzzies.

Octavia let off a soft, gentle sort of chuckle. Her refined Manehattenite accent granting it a degree of sophistication and flair that sometimes made Vinyl wonder what her sister saw in her. Oh great, Scratch. You have descended into full on sappy Wub Wub... and you don't give a buck, do ya? Vinyl pondered that thought for a moment, and decided she didn't give a buck. "Well..." Slowly began Octavia, her voice rolling out in those sweet tones that never failed to get a smile out of Vinyl, "No, I'm afraid I'm never going to stop calling you that little sister. So you had best just get used to it." Octavia's delicate hoof came out of nowhere, and bopped the DJ pony on the nose - sending her cross-eyed.

Octavia giggled this time, a sound much more down to earth and simple than her delicate laughter. Vinyl treasured both sounds, for very different reasons. The giggle, because it meant that Octavia was relaxed and happy - that she had let her shields down and was simply being herself. The fact that it was frequently followed - as it was today - by her snuggling in closer to Vinyl's body was simply a nice bonus. Octavia always had the cutest look on her face when she snuggled up - like something between a filly with her favorite teddy bear and Pinkie Pie about to tuck in to a new kind of cupcake.

Seen on anyone else, Vinyl would have made a retching face and stuck her hoof in her mouth. Seen on Octavia, she felt her heart melt into a puddle of goo. It also did other things to her. Things that made Vinyl put a sexy smile on, and sent her mind cartwheeling into entirely new realms of naughtiness. Well, if Tavi was going to call her that damn name, Vinyl was going to get a little revenge in her own style. "Hey Tavi..." she said softly, and Octavia looked up at her oh-so-innocently.

Vinyl seized her opportunity, and pounced! Well, not actual pouncing, but she did pull Octavia's lips up to hers very firmly and not let go. Tavi gave off an adorable little squeal of surprise into the kiss, smacking Vinyl's shoulder with her hoof. Vinyl responded to this assault by parting her marefriend's lips with her tongue and pushing it in to dance against Tavi's. Octavia's eyes went wide, and Vinyl stopped caring about the rest of the world as Tavi's tongue slowly began to writhe back against hers.

Vinyl could feel Tavi's body begin to shift against hers, and she did her best to scootch about on the bed without interrupting the hot kiss. Soon, Tavi was lying atop Vinyl, and had wrapped her hooves around Vinyl's neck sinuously. Vinyl's own hooves were firmly on Tavi's flank, and she leaned in a little harder on the kiss now that they were more comfortably positioned, gently nipping at Octavia's lower lip and eliciting a sweet sound for her tease.

Vinyl had long since closed her eyes, focusing entirely upon Tavi - the warmth of her breath upon her coat as she nibbled softly down to Octavia's neck. The sweet sound of her breathing heavy in the air. The soft feel of her coat rubbing up against her own, the gentle friction of two bodies slowly writhing together was.... indescribable. Incredible. In...something or other, Vinyl was out of words to describe how freakin hot it was.

It had been six months since they'd first kissed like this again, since that party where they danced before every clubber pony in town. Since they'd made love to one another on the floor, after Octavia had given back Vinyl the most precious gift of all... her piano music. Six months, and Vinyl still felt a rushing pitter-patter of her heart every time their lips locked. Nothing else was needed, not so much as a hoofjob was required to send Vinyl's libido into the stratosphere.

Just this kiss. This touching of lips, this moment in which two mares who loved one another were gently joined. Tongues softly pressing and then lashing about each other. Nibbling, tugging with soft sweet sounds of pleasure just barely escaping them. It was the kind of feeling that wasn't supposed to exist outside of trashy romance novels and clop-fiction.

It was something Octavia was always game for. All it took was a little peck on the lips and it was like lighting the fuse - if Vinyl let it, this kissing session was going to go way, way past kissing before too long. It was enough to make a mare all hot-and-bothered, and as playful as Tavi could be, Vinyl did have a meeting to go to this morning. A meeting that didn't seem all that important right now but Vinyl knew she'd regret missing.

So she gently broke the kisses from Tavi's neck, and nipped once up at the base of her ear. "There, hows that for a good morning?" She purred and got another bright red blush from Tavi's cheeks. Funny how Tavi could so easily switch between desperate instigator and blushing, demure lady. Sometimes, Vinyl wondered if maybe... but that was a thought for another time. Business first Vinyl, then you can come home and see if she likes being tied up.

That was a pleasing thought to start the day, and Vinyl squeezed Tavi close in a hug, signaling her desire to actually get out of their newly shared bed. Tavi's room, of course - it was actually neat and tidy. Vinyl's room was still a disaster area, halfway to being condemned by the government. Octavia rolled off Vinyl's body, and she sighed at the loss of that pleasant, warm weight. Still, the world called!

Vinyl pushed herself out of the warm and comfortable bed to peer around her blearily - her hoof reaching for her sunglasses on the side table and perching them above her horn. She could still taste Octavia on her lips, and she licked them like getting the last bit of chocolate sauce off after a sundae. Octavia herself had rolled over to the same side of the bed and was stretching out her limbs slowly and achingly, working some life into them after a good night's sleep.

Vinyl took this moment - as she did every morning nowadays - to marvel at the incredible and good fortune that had brought them back together. Sure, things were still not perfect - Vinyl was pretty sure they never would be, that was the way life was - but they were a damn sight better than they'd been in years. The elegant and tasteful decor of the bedroom, much of it beautiful in its own right, paled in comparison to the mare next to her.

Vinyl wrapped her hoof around Octavia's outstretched one, and squeezed it. That earned her a brilliant, happy smile - one that was more than enough to provide Vinyl fuel for another day in Ponyville. "So." She quipped, as Octavia gave her an expectant sort of look. "Breakfast?"

~~~~~~~~~

Octavia Mezzo Piano stepped out of the shower with an audible sigh of pleasure and contentment, giving a little shake to scatter some of the water droplets off of her coat before vigorously applying a fuzzy towel to it. Her long dark mane hung wetly around her face, and a brief look in the mirror reminded her as to why Vinyl often referred to this particular look as 'freakin hot'. She gave herself a pretty little smile and went back to working the towel down across her frame.

Life was a funny thing. You never even noticed the passing months unless you were paying close attention, and sometimes they slipped by even then. Six months was not, in all realistic terms, a long period of time. Yet it had felt like an entire lifetime to her, one filled her with a new lust for life, only dimmed by that tiny little detail.. Every morning was a chorus of angelic pegasi singing their little hearts out, every night was a symphony of intimacy and love. For Octavia, it was as far removed from her life before as a fine glass of wine was from a tall glass of beer. Oh there were dark portions, certainly but... But not when Vinyl was around.

Octavia stuck her hoof through the loop of her mane comb and slowly went to work with the tool. She'd love to have asked Vinyl to help with this particular task, but the DJ had insisted upon making something 'special' for breakfast this morning. Granted, 'special' for Vinyl typically meant adding blueberries to the waffles, but Octavia was inclined to indulge her this morning. Vinyl's enthusiasms were always a thing to behold, and she enjoyed watching her marefriend frantically trying to assemble something a little classier than a pile of waffles and hay bacon strips.

Marefriend. It felt like an odd word to Octavia even now - but it also sent little shivers of delight down her spine to do so in reference to Vinyl. Somehow, without even intending to, Vinyl had... changed Octavia. In a good way to be certain! But change nonetheless. Sometimes, Octavia wondered if she would ever be quite the same mare she was before. Perhaps this was what living with one's soul mate was like... each of them gently touching upon the life and soul of the other. Vinyl often swore Octavia brought out the very best in her.

The comb worked the water out of her mane, and slowly returned it to its orderly bun wrapped up at the back of her neck. The rest of her makeup was simple, and always elegant. A touch of mascara, a pinch of coat-shine. Practiced hooves tying her collar and tie around her neck and a brilliant smile at the mirror. She'd brush her teeth after the meal.

Her hooves took her out of the steamy bathroom and down the steps, humming a soft tune. Besides, Vinyl fiddling with breakfast would give Octavia time to sort through the mail. Mail she most certainly did not want Vinyl worrying her pretty little head over, given the subject much of it was likely going to be. Six months. she sighed internally, as the scent of freshly fried hay-bacon hit her nose with a tingle. Six months since Fancy Pants said you were still too young. Apparently, 'too young' was the sort of thing he measured in years too. Her regular applications to the Royal Symphony had been denied, although always politely.

She turned the corner into the combined kitchen and dining room of the little house they shared together. A house that Vinyl was now handling the vast majority of the expenses for. A little cork board hung next to the entrance way of the house, covered with typed out letters pinned to it of sponsorship deals for musical equipment, raver gear, at least one of Vinyl's favorite energy drinks and more. All of which now provided Vinyl the kind of steady income most in the town would have gawked at. There was also always a copy of the latest Equestria Herdcore there too, with Vinyl's name at #5 in the Pantheon - the list of the very best DJ's and club-musicians in Equestria - circled in bright red marker.

For not the first time, Octavia reminded herself of how much work Vinyl did to maintain her level of success. How many hours of the day she put in on her music, on concerts, on networking. She could not, she would not allow herself a single twinge of jealousy over Vinyl's rising star. She was perfectly content with simply mourning the state of her own career. Vinyl was busying herself over at the stove, so Octavia quickly seized the pile of mail from the center of the table. The letters still smelled faintly of muffins as she sorted through each letter.

The rejection notices were easy to spot. They were always in those too-thin envelopes, clearly designed to hold a single sheet of parchment. Each one another heartbreak, another knife in her guts that twisted and hurt like no other thing could. These she quickly discarded into a little trash bin - hoping, as she always did, that Vinyl didn't notice their existence. The rest of it was much of a muchness. Bills, junk mail, a few polite letters from the other members of Ponyville's music community asking Octavia.... well, there was no point in reading them. She knew what they said, and simply didn't wish to answer them.

By the time she looked up, Vinyl was floating two plates over to the table. "Here ya go beautiful." Vinyl chirruped in her happy-go-lucky voice. "One breakfast surprise!" She then proclaimed, and Octavia could not help but gawk. Two beautifully toasted Trottingham Muffins sliced neatly in two lay delicately piled with a pair of poached eggs, shredded hay bacon and a thick creamy yellow sauce. It took only the barest flick of her tongue to identify the smooth and buttery-lemon taste of the hollandaise.

Steamed asparagus and a little fruit salad lay next to them, creating the full vision of total shock in Octavia's eyes. "Eggs Benedict." She breathed out in wonderment, her bright eyes looking up at Vinyl as she sat down across from her with her own plate. "Vinyl, when in Equestria did you learn how to make eggs benedict?" Tavi asked, taking up her fork and cutting into the dish with far more enthusiasm than she'd thought she would. A moment later a bit of the egg, muffin, bacon and sauce made its way into her mouth and exploded in a cavalcade of flavor and texture that would have pleased the refined palette of any Manehatten bruncher.

Octavia very nearly had a foodgasm on the spot. Vinyl was grinning at her sheepishly and chuckling as she lifted her own forkful of the stuff and munched on it to cover her blushes before speaking. "Um... Pep's been giving me a coupla lessons on the side." She confessed, scratching her head with her hoof. "He said if I was gonna have a beautiful, refined mare like you I oughta know how to make a proper breakfast." Octavia couldn't help but smile. Bell Pepper was undoubtedly one of the most talented chefs of his generation, else he would not be studying under the stern eye of a legend like Allez Cuisine.

Octavia lifted another forkful of the stuff and bit down upon the heavenly combination with relish. For all of the pain of those many rejection letters, the food chased them away like the sunlight. Vinyl had to have taken considerable time out of her schedule to arrange cooking classes of any sort. It was the sort of thing that warmed Octavia's heart, even as she watched Vinyl blushing and muttering to herself - something to the effect of how it 'wasn't that big of a deal.' Octavia allowed herself a broad grin while she spoke. "Nonsense, Vinyl. This is remarkable and delicious. Thank you, this was precisely the thing I needed to start my day." Maybe that was laying it on a bit thick, but it was so much fun to tease Vinyl with flowery praise.

Vinyl simply sighed in pleasure and dug into her own meal, under the amused eye of her marefriend who simply delicately enjoyed the treat. How does she know? Octavia thought, as she played with the last of her asparagus upon her surprisingly clean plate. How does she always know when I need a boost like this? There was no rational explanation for it. Vinyl was hardly the world's most focused mare, but every time Octavia felt like she couldn't possibly get any lower - there she was. A bunch of flowers, a platter of cupcakes. Tickets to a sweet and sappy movie, or to see the Royal Symphony. Dinner and dancing, or even something so simple as a special breakfast. Vinyl never took credit for them either, just mumbling along in that cute way of hers about how she thought it might be nice to do this or that thing.

Like now, when Vinyl quickly cleared away the plates from the table and came back with a little paper folder and a small red bag clinking with bits. That conjured a raised eyebrow from Octavia. Now what in the world is she up to this time? she thought with no small amount of amusement. "Um..." Vinyl started, that red blush creeping up into her cheeks. "I gotta go have a meeting with some folks today so I thought you might like to get out and relax until I came back." Octavia took that little folder of paper... and saw a private reservation at the Ponyville Spa. An executive level reservation, no less, the sort of thing that cost a small fortune. Of course, Vinyl had a small fortune these days. Several of them, in fact.

Octavia was floored. Completely and utterly floored. Vinyl wasn't going to be immediately around for her normal day off... so she'd booked Octavia with the kind of pampering session that probably could have qualified as an anniversary present from anypony else. Vinyl shuffled her hooves and was still blushing, like she wasn't sure if she'd done the right thing or come up with the right sort of gift. Octavia laughed softly, and turned Vinyl's head back to give her another long, heated kiss. Much to Octavia's delight, Vinyl's eyes went wide in surprise, her lips and tongue giving way to Octavia's for a few brief moments before she withdrew and smiled.

"I love you, Vinyl." Octavia whispered, nuzzling her cheek against her sisters for a moment in contentment. Perhaps today would not be so bad after all.

~~~~~~~~~~~

The Ponyville Spa could be missed completely if you didn't know it was there. It was a large, relatively simple building that differed in no way on its exterior from any other large business in town. Some called it the best kept secret in Ponyville, and its clientele ranged from local mares desperate to get a few hours away from the home, to well-to-do tourists from all over Equestria. Rumor had it that Hoity Toity himself snuck into town every few months just to spend a day in the talented hooves of the spa twins.

Octavia's entrance to the quiet lobby of the spa did not go unnoticed for very long. Unsurprising, given the expense of her reservation. Both of the spa-ponies were awaiting her at the entrance with bright smiles and well-coiffed manes. Octavia would never say so aloud, but she often had trouble remembering which one was Aloe and which one was Lotus.

The pink one (Octavia decided to call her Aloe for now.) stepped forward and bowed prettily before speaking in her bright, accented voice. "Mademoiselle Octavia! Eet ees so good to see you again! Come, come, Dépèche toi! We have so much to do today!" she gushed out, clapping her hooves in excitement. "We hope you do not mind but Mademoiselle Rarity has asked to join vous." said Aloe, shooing Octavia up the stairs to the private suites above.

Truthfully, Octavia was rather thrilled... and fully suspected Vinyl's hoof in the matter. Octavia felt a little smirk cross her face as she ascended the hard-wood, polished steps and then through the door marked 'Private!'. Octavia had never been up to the private suites before, and half wondered if the rumors about the spa twins were true. A touch of nervousness began to settle over her shoulder as she found her hooves sinking into deep, plush carpeting on the floor. That was a surprise, but the gently flickering gas lamps that lined the hallways, the beautifully carved and polished wooden doors set at neat intervals down the hall, and the absolute peaceful silence that pervaded the place ratcheted it up a bit.

Vinyl had provided her a bag of bits for 'extra's - which generally meant a light snack, perhaps some more pricy facial mask or something of the like. Now she was wondering if Vinyl had meant something a little more... erotic. Oh true, she - like every other mare whose barn door swung that way - had entertained a fantasy or two about Aloe and Lotus. Still, the idea that she'd purchase such services was a bit much. Well.... Alright, the idea that she would do so without Vinyl around was a bit much.

Octavia sometimes thought that crazy DJ she loved so much could probably convince her to do just about anything, if she put her mind to it. Something about being around her just... liberated Octavia in a way that she couldn't quite explain. She shook off those thoughts as they swung open a well-polished door into a room filled with luxurious massage couches, and the sleek and chic form of Rarity lay covered in slightly steaming towels and a look of happy contentment on her face. One of Rarity's bright eyes opened at the noise of the door and a broad, brilliant smile crossed her face. "Darling! About time you got here." She cooed, as Octavia was quickly hustled onto a massage couch next to her.

The spa ponies went to work within moments - and soon enough, Octavia sighed happily at the feel of the lavender scented hot towels soaked into her muscles while a pair of hooves slowly worked the tension out of her shoulders. Octavia cracked open her eye to give Rarity a sly sort of look. "Are you ever going to tell me what was up with that soap, Rarity?" Octavia said with a sly sort of smile. Every time she'd used that bar of soap, somehow her mind had gone so relaxed that she'd ended up doing something... well, interesting with Vinyl.

Rarity affected a hurt look, but then giggled softly. "Oh, very well. It's actually one of my own concoctions - a little something I cooked up with Twilight's help. It's supposed to help you completely and utterly relax in every possible way. Why do you ask, dear? I thought you might like that, given how rarely you relax otherwise." She pouted softly, affecting a wounded tone of voice that caused Octavia's eyes to roll.

Still, she had to chuckle. If it hadn't been for that soap... "I did like it, but you ought to warn me next time." She huffed out, and then affected a much more conversational tone of voice. "So! I've heard things are going well for you at the shop?" Octavia queried and immediately mentally facehoofed. The very last thing she wanted to bring up in a conversation with the most socially aware person in the entire town was the subject of careers. Surely as the sun rose, Octavia just knew that she was going to....

"Oh, just fabulous dear... But what about you?" Rarity's voice arched up into concern, and Octavia felt a wince coming on, turning away. "Darling, I really don't wish to pry but I haven't seen you at a single event in town in ages! I'd heard Fancy put you off a few times but..." Her eyes slowly widened, and Octavia pulled one of the hot towels firmly over her head to hide her face...and so she didn't have to see Rarity's eyes. "Oh dear." Rarity's voice slowly fell, and Octavia squinted her eyes shut as tight as she could. She was not going to cry, she was not going to act like a thirteen year old filly after a bad recital, she was not...

A gentle hoof touched her shoulder, startling Octavia out of her thoughts, and a touch of magic pulled the towel away from her head. Rarity had actually gotten up from her relaxation treatment. She was looking down at Octavia with soft, careworn eyes. "Talk to me, Tavi." She said softly, dropping all pretenses to formal names or address. "You know I shan't judge you no matter what." And that was true. Of all the high society movers and shakers within Ponyville, Rarity could always be counted on to be understanding. Always there with a kind word and an understanding cup of tea. Element of Generosity, indeed. Tavi thought while biting back her emotions. Rarity tsked and called out. "Aloe, darling, would you be so kind and bring us a nice pot of that Oolong?" Then turned back and tilted Octavia's chin up. “On your hooves, darling. We're going to have a little chat."

~~~~~~~~~~~

Within minutes, Octavia was sitting next to Rarity on a lush, soft velvet couch with a fine china cup in her hoof. Rarity had taken up a leg-crossed sitting position and was giving her the kind of kindly, but stern look that told Octavia that there was going to be no avoiding this conversation. Octavia sighed softly and sipped the delightful beverage before speaking. "It was after the second rejection, actually. You remember, when Fancy lost his temper with me after I suggested he was holding something against me?"

Rarity nodded, and gestured for her to go on. Octavia sucked in a deep breath and kept speaking. "I started having... trouble with my playing. Little things at first, nothing anypony who wasn't a fellow musician wouldn't notice. A little too much force on the bow, a little too heavy on the vibrato. I hadn't felt nervous before in front of a crowd in years and then, I suddenly did again. It was like every audience felt hostile. After I nearly broke a string during one particular performance..." Octavia fiddled with the teacup, her eyes cast to the floor. "I... told my peers I was having some unforeseen stress in my life. Said I was taking a sabbatical to clear my head. That was... three months ago." She finished, almost in a whisper now.

Rarity's eyes went wide for a moment, and then bright with tears. Sure enough, she gently placed down her teacup and took Octavia's hoof in hers - making sure the teacup was magicked away. "Darling, I am so sorry." She said, voice practically overflowing with sincerity and regret. "I should have seen this sooner. I do ever so hope you can forgive my thoughtlessness." Octavia smiled a little bit. Oh, Rarity. Always the drama queen.

Rarity sniffed softly. "I'm going to presume you've completely lost the will to play. yes?" Octavia nodded a little at that, her eyes cast down in shame. She was a Musician! She was supposed to make music! Rarity though, merely tsked. "Don't give me that, dear." She admonished, pulling Octavia's head up straight again. "You've been doing naught but digging yourself a bigger hole." She waggled her hoof back and forth. "I'm going to give you a little piece of advice, dear." Rarity declaimed, both her hooves now fixed firmly on Octavia's shoulders.

Octavia swallowed as Rarity spoke in tones that brooked no argument, "You're going to spend this morning relaxing your flank off, and then you're going to go home and throw out all of those applications you keep filling out. And then you are going play your music for those ponies you know will enjoy it." Rarity gave her a soft smile. "Focus on the positives, dear. Spend some time with that lovely marefriend of yours." She winked at Octavia... whose cheeks flamed up in a bright red blush from that suggestion.

Octavia slowly shook her head, then sighed and nodded it. If she didn't agree - and didn't follow through with it - Rarity would pester her until she did. So Octavia put on her best brave face and smiled. "Alright, Rarity. I'll try." She said, filling her voice with as much sincerity as she could muster.

That got her a searching look from the white mare, and then a brusque nod of acceptance from Rarity. Rarity perked up a moment later, speaking in a confiding tone, "Good. Now let's enjoy ourselves, Darling. I've got the most hilarious stories about the help Rainbow Dash has been giving me this week."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vinyl Scratch sat at one of the exterior tables of Sugarcube Corner, impatiently tapping her hoof. Her usually wild mane had been slicked back under cool looking mane-gel and glistened a little in the morning sunlight. Her eyes flitted to and fro behind the sleek, multi-colored sunglasses that had become her stage trademark. The remains of a single cupcake's crumbs were spread over the table before her - and a really big cup of coffee. Vinyl hated mornings.

Correction. Vinyl hated mornings she wasn't spending with Octavia, as opposed to mornings where she had to take care of the BS of her business. Especially the BS when the pony she was supposed to meet was getting perilously close to being late. Luckily for him, he wasn't late - but Vinyl was still annoyed. She'd been told Fancy Pants was a prompt sort of pony, even when it came to business outside his usual bailiwick in Canterlot.

He was as impeccably dressed as he ever was. If Rarity was the hottest source for mare couture on the market right now, Fancy Pants was her opposite for stallions. Vinyl, (who appreciated the charms of both sides of the fence) had to admit he was pretty good looking - even if she wanted to smack that mustache off his face just to get rid of his smug smile. "I hope I haven't kept you long, Ms. Scratch." His voice smoothly intoned, all Canterlot Highbrow accents - the kind Vinyl still hated with a fiery passion to this very day, thanks to what her parents had put her through. Still, she'd bite her tongue and live with it if it meant helping out Octavia. "So, have you considered my proposal?" He continued, as though he could not see the frustration evident in her body language.

Vinyl swept the crumbs of her treat off the table with her hoof and leaned in. "It's a pretty generous offer, dude." She replied - not even bothering with the proprieties of language. Truthfully, it was pretty damn generous. What he was offering her was effectively enough bits that she could live the high life in Manehatten or Baltimare - pretty much anywhere except Canterlot - and still have money to spare.

That wasn't even including what she already made, either. "Can't deny it. The fact that Rarity's involved too gives me a bit more confidence in the deal." Vinyl continued, with a wry sort of smile. It was the kind of thing fashion legends were made of. The two biggest names in high-society clothing teaming up to outfit a rough-and-tumble DJ in designer clubwear? How bold! And a fillyfooler too! How naughty! It was the kind of thing that the nobility got off on, not that Vinyl was going to disdain taking their money for it.

Still, now it was time for the dangerous play. Vinyl adjusted her sunglasses a little with her hoof. "I'm inclined to sign on, But I'd like ta' ask you for a little side favor. Something to seal the deal, yanno?" She said slowly, leaning up to the table. Fancy gave her an acknowledging little nod. Vinyl knew just as well this kind of thing was common in the entertainment industry.

Usually, the artist had some kind of weird request, some quid-pro-quo horsepuckey so they could feel like they got the better end of the deal. "My... marefriend, Octavia." That got a wide eyed look of recognition out of him. Vinyl kept talking, keeping her tones pitched low. "Look, she's been going through a rough spot, but she deserves support for the Symphony. You know, and I know that no one gets in without your stamp on the application, no matter what the other members say. I want that support for her." She had placed both hooves on the table, trying to project some of that forceful personality of hers.

Fancy Pants didn't seem much impressed by her personality - or, if he was, he had a damn good poker face. "You know... well, of course you know the policies of the selection board. Miss Scratch." He arched an eyebrow at her in challenge and she lifted her chin back to him in response. "You're actually the reason I worry about such a young pony as Miss Octavia being admitted to the symphony before maturity has bloomed within her. No offense meant to you, Miss Scratch. What happened to you in those days was appallingly unprofessional of that particular orchestra, which is why none of them work for us now."

Vinyl might have winced at the reminder of her own faults, but there were bigger things to worry about here. "Look, I know this is outta line of me to ask. I get that." she tapped the table with her hoof. "I'm not askin' as a business transaction. I'm askin' as a personal favor. " That got a raised eyebrow from Fancy Pants, and Vinyl pressed her advantage. "I'm gonna sign that contract anyway, bro. We both know it's good for my career. But... Tavi means a lot to me, savvy?" Stop there, Vinyl. Don't push it too much further. She thought, trying to keep herself calm.

Fancy looked off to one side, chewing on the ends of his mustache...then said slowly. "I would reconsider my position... IF she is seen performing someplace outside of her comfort zone in the near future. I need to know that she can handle working in a vastly different environment than she is used to. Someplace very public." He stressed, tapping his own hoof on the table. "Something that will raise her public cachet. If you're willing to arrange that, I'll see what I can do about the committee." He offered his hoof to Vinyl, with a smile on his face. "Agreed?"

Vinyl thought that one over then grinned hugely. Heh. Easy peasy, Fancy butt. She grabbed his hoof and shook it firmly. "Pleasure to do business with ya, Fancy." She said in her best high-minded imitation of a Canterlot accent - which got a guffaw of laughter out of the well-heeled stallion. Tavia's gonna lose her mind! She exulted in her thoughts. Now, I really hope he doesn't have...aw... crap. Her triumph dissolved into pain as Fancy piled a six inch thick stack of documents onto the table. Paperwork.

Vinyl sighed. Hopefully she'd be home in time for lunch.