Way to the Top

For a few long minutes, Vinyl slowly stroked her sister’s mane. She didn't say anything - she didn't need to. The thump and pulse of the bass outside the door was a subtle sort of counterpoint to the rather crazy little confession Tavi had just made. Who coulda figured Tavi for a subby? Vinyl sure wasn't sure she completely believed it, except for the fact that Tavi was all curled up in her lap and nuzzling up against her hoof like a kitten. It was cute as hell and just a little bit sexy.

Vinyl still couldn't entirely believe the steps that had brought them to this night, to this place. But... if Vinyl being all commanding and shit helped Tavi stay happy then.. well, maybe Vinyl had better get more used to being all commanding and shit. Poor Octavia. No wonder you got so hung up on those damn rejections... It pissed Vinyl off. It pissed her off that so much of this crap both of them had gone through could be laid at their damn parents hooves. Nothing you can do bout it now, Vinyl. She thought with a sigh, gently hugging Tavi up close to her.

Vinyl frowned a little, as she gently felt her hooves up and around Octavia's shoulders - down into her lower back and back up. "You got all tensed up again, Tavi. I thought we worked this out." She said with soft concern. Tavi shook her head silently for a moment, trying to persist in her cuddling. Vinyl rolled her eyes and firmly took Tavi by the shoulder. "Talk. Did you tense yourself up like this waiting to talk to me?" Vinyl asked in her very best stern schoolmarm voice.

Octavia's cheeks blushed and her turned away head told Vinyl everything she needed to know. Vinyl sighed expressively and then eyeballed a hanging clock somewhere up on the wall. hrm, Figure we've got time. She thought with a slow smile. Well, time to see if Tavi could walk the walk as much as talk to talk with these new desires of hers. "Look at me, Tavi." Vinyl continued, keeping that stern voice going. Sure enough, Octavia immediately looked up at her with wide, trusting eyes. "Did you, or did you not, tense yourself up waiting to talk to me?" Vinyl repeated slowly, but gently.

Octavia swallowed a little, but then nodded once. Vinyl pursed her lips as though disappointed. "You do realize we're gonna have to relax you before we go on stage, right?" she said patiently, and Octavia nodded again while remaining mute. Vinyl wasn't getting how she stayed quiet like this.... Hmm. Orchestral training - only the conductor talks. Heh. Wow, I can't believe I remember all that garbage. Vinyl thought amusedly, then shook her head, her wild mane waving back and forth. "So instead of just relaxing and hanging, now we gotta work these knots out of your muscles or you're gonna be as stiff as a G string in there." She folded her hooves over her chest and smiled slowly. "So. What are we gonna do about it, Hm? I wanna hear ideas."

Octavia looked shocked for a moment before nibbling at her lip and taking a deep breath. "Perhaps I could... provide pleasurable service for miss?" She said with a smoky sort of smile. "In exchange for some time with her wonderful hooves to ease my tension?" There was a subtle sexiness to the way she casually suggested it. Like describing some simple, every day thing... and not describing how she was going to sexually service Vinyl while getting a shoulder massage. It was really, really hot.

Vinyl grinned and turned around on the couch, laying back into the cushions like Lyra did and spreading her lower hooves just a little bit - which flared out the artfully wrecked skirt she was wearing just enough to tease. She arched an eyebrow and smiled softly at Octavia, who only took a few seconds to get the point - Vinyl wasn't going to take her outfit off. Heh heh... figure it out, Tavi? She seemed to - as Octavia's head slowly dipped down and beneath the skirt, Vinyl allowed herself a cute smirk before shifting her hips a little.

It took a few moments, but soon Vinyl could feel the soft tongue of her marefriend gently trace up her thigh. She grinned happily, and bit her lip as she pulled magic into her horn. Arright, let’s see what we can't do for that tension.. she thought with a chuckle, slowly working her telekinesis into Octavia's shoulders. She was mimicking the same general shape she used to play her piano keys, carefully and deftly pressing into the various muscles and working them slowly around, easing out the knotted tension from them.

Octavia wasn't going slowly either, she had nibbled all the way up to Vinyl's inner thighs and was slowly and gently washing her talented tongue over Vinyl's labia. Vinyl bit her lip a little harder, placing her hooves firmly on Octavia's shoulders. Okay little lady... let's see if I can play you like I can my piano. She thought lustily. Lets warm up the keys, shall we? Vinyl smiled and began to work her magic in rapid little presses and bumps into the muscles. Octavia let out a little shocked gasp of enjoyment, the rapid massage quickly reducing her tension into jelly... With just a touch more franticness, Vinyl felt that tongue plunge inside of her slit and begin lapping enthusiastically.

Vinyl's lips parted and she let out a sweet, gentle moan - the first note of their music. It was soon joined by another moan out of Vinyl's mouth, as Octavia seemed be very... enthusiastic about her new position. Or maybe it was the deep tissue massage Vinyl was giving her with her magic. Dammit, she's gotten good at this... Vinyl thought faintly, biting at her lip and trailing a little bit of that magic further down Octavia's back to work the muscles there slowly and deliberately as Tavi withdrew her tongue to suck firmly on Vinyl's clit. "Ahhhn~! Fuck Tavi!" Vinyl snarled, her magic gripping much more firmly onto Octavia's shoulders as she felt her voice growl out in pleasure.

From between her thighs, a gentle and very entertained voice spoke demurely, slightly muffled by the skirt between them. "Mmmh... Did Miss enjoy that? Perhaps I ought to do that again." Tavi sounded very pleased with herself... and just a little bit self-satisfied. Of course, then she went right back to dragging her tongue over Vinyl's clit, rendering her ability to talk back moot amidst another flurry of hard moans. Oh fffffuuuuck... Vinyl thought, her tongue lolling out of her mouth a little as she gave off slow, panting breaths.

Thoughts began to flee from Vinyl's head, to be replaced by something much more fun - lusts. Lusts which she quickly decided to act on, her magic trickling down from her hooves on Tavi's shoulders... slowly, gently, Vinyl's magic reached out and stroked in feathery little touches up Tavi's thighs. "That's a good little filly." Vinyl whispered softly, giving Tavi's flank a little magical spank. That startled a moan out of the musician, and Vinyl's mouth slowly spread into a wicked grin. "Get that tongue back in there." Vinyl said in a far stronger voice, gently grabbing the back of Tavi's head with her hoof and pushing her in closer.

Octavia quickly obliged Vinyl's command, driving in her tongue with gusto and slowly rolling it around - obviously reveling in this new little game... Vinyl decided to turn that game up another notch, slowly gripping Tavi's flank with her magic’s, and delivering a little slap to it every time Tavi started to slow... and every time she got spanked, Octavia moaned sweetly into Vinyl's pussy and redoubled her efforts. It wasn't taking long for soft panting to become hard moans of pleasure pouring out of Vinyl's own mouth.

Vinyl pulled up her skirt then - wanting to SEE Octavia willingly and exuberantly lapping up her juices... and she looked down and saw Tavi's forehooves crossed behind her back, tightly kept out of the way while she worked her tongue up and down Vinyl's thighs. Vinyl cocked an eyebrow while biting her lower lip to keep from screaming - and then realized what Tavi was doing a short moment later. Holy buck, she's forcing herself not to touch herself... she thought faintly, as Octavia chose that moment to wrap her lips around Vinyl's clit hood again and suck on it gently, her bright shining eyes looking straight up into Vinyl's.

That smoky, sexy, so-fucking-hot look was an incredible sight to behold for Vinyl. It was as though her prim and proper sister had gone under Vinyl's skirt - and like magic, turned into a sexy little submissive lapping up her juices. Vinyl didn't know what came over her face just then, but Octavia put on the most brilliant, sparkling smile Vinyl had seen on her in weeks. "Are you enjoying yourself, Miss?" Tavi asked in a breathy, sexy sort of voice. Vinyl's eyes traveled up a little to Tavi's forehooves and Tavi chuckled softly, gently nibbling just above Vinyl's clit as she spoke. "Mmf... The conductor hasn't told me to play yet, Miss..." She whispered softly. "I've been waiting for my cue." She purred before wrapping those gentle lips back around Vinyl's clit.... and humming a perfect middle C.

Vinyl came on the spot, her hips bucked up and damn near ripped the skirt off and she screamed out a wordless, animalistic cry of pleasure that echoed off the insulated green-room walls. Vinyl's magic poofed out of existence as she felt the electric orgasm run through her veins. Her body slowly, ever so slowly melted back into the couch, her breathing heavy and deep. "Holy buck Tavi..." Vinyl wheezed out, half closing her eyes. Octavia gave off a small, cute giggle.

A few moments later, Vinyl’s vision was filled with sight of Octavia... who then planted a soft, sticky kiss onto Vinyl's lips - her lips and snout still wet with Vinyl's juices. Their lips met, then their heads twisted to press the kiss in deeper with one another - gently lashing tongues together. Octavia pulled away first, rolling her shoulders a little.. "Mm...That does feel much better Miss... of course, now I'm terribly, naughtily wet..." Her voice was still breathy - aching with desire... "Can.. Can I play now?"

And then... Vinyl got an idea. A Naughty, wonderful, awful, terribly dirty idea...

Vinyl smiled slowly, and grinned softly as she spoke. "Not quite yet, Tavi..." She leaned into whisper. "We're not on stage yet."

~~~~~~~

Octavia could not believe what was happening to her. Or rather she could believe it, but it was all so incredibly preposterous she was having a hard time processing it. For instance, after enjoying a taste of Vinyl she normally would have taken extra care to clean herself up before proceeding to her next thing... but Vinyl had insisted the crowd would like the look. Wearing her still impeccably neat uniform, Octavia was achingly aware of her own arousal as Vinyl applied 'stage makeup' to her face, which appeared to be just a few small touches to improve her looks under the dim lighting of the club.

Vinyl had then donned glow-bracelets and a glowy-stick necklace, before leading Octavia towards the green room exit. Octavia's eyes had gone wide, as she realized Vinyl hadn't been kidding about the stage. Octavia's jaw nearly hit the floor and she ground her hooves to a halt just before the door. "Vinyl, What-" Octavia began to say... until she was cut off by Vinyl's hoof and a slowly arched eyebrow. Octavia flushed bright red... Oh goddess, she still hasn't stopped playing.. we're... we're still playing. She thought, which made Octavia feel a little calmer. "Miss." Octavia corrected herself. "What are we going to do out there?"

Vinyl's grin was actually quite wide as she unlatched the green room door just a touch, the pure wall of sound hitting the both of them from the tail end of somepony's music set. It shook Octavia's bones and rattled her skull...and pulsed right down into her wet snatch and startled a sudden gasp of pleasure out of her. Vinyl chuckled softly, and leaned in to speak gently. "We're gonna go perform. With your sexy flank right next to a nice powerful speaker so you can feel every... single... note." Vinyl chuckled softly.

Octavia's mouth opened slowly as Vinyl swung open the door firmly, the pure sound beginning to slowly ebb away. Vinyl turned and smiled softly, leaning in to kiss Octavia's nose. "Trust me, Tavi." She whispered. "If you get too hot... just gimme a sign. But..." Vinyl winked and flicked her tail as she slowly rolled her hips back and forth, walking out into the club. Her voice just loud enough to hear. "I think yer gonna have the time of your life."

Octavia swallowed softly as Vinyl came to a stop just outside the door, waiting for Octavia to follow... Okay, Octavia. Get your head in the game. She took a deep breath and followed at a regal trot - holding her head firmly up high and her eyes half-lidded. One step, then another. The crowd is different, but the stage never changes. She thought as she came astride Vinyl, and a voice over the speakers yelled out with boundless enthusiasm. "Awright Cloppers! It is time for the Maaaaaaaaaaaain Event! Fillies and Gentlecolts, Put your hooves in the air for our very own legend in the making! Give it up for Vinyl Scratch, known far and wide as the one! The only! D-J-P0n3!"

The club was absolutely packed as a set of burly looking guards began to part the ponies leading between them and the stage. Vinyl winked at Octavia. "Wait till they announce ya!" She yelled, before trotting out with a hoofpump for her fans. The crowd within the club erupted in cheers and wolf whistles, calls of "To The Top!" chanted throughout sections. It half looked like everypony in town was in here tonight. Oh, Bollocks. Octavia's mind whispered, as her eyes immediately sought out and recognized dozens upon dozens of faces all around them. Filthy Rich is here! Fancy Pants is here! Celestia's Red Panties, bloody Twilight Sparkle is here!!!

Octavia might have frozen completely then. She might have broken down and fled for the hills in tears... except for the voice which was pounding over the speaker system. "And now... for the very first time on the club stage! She's got style and flair to spare, that sexy little mare who has captured the heart of our hardcore DJ P0n3!" Some cheers and jeers met this statement, and the voice over the speakers laughed. "Ayo, kids! Don't hate! I've seen this filly and she is all kinds of fly! So I want y'all to put those hooves together, and give a warm Clopper welcome to our second star of the evening! She was once the personal protege of Eleonore Fortissimo herself! So give it up for the elegant, the refined, the classy Lady Octavia!"

The roar of the crowd hit her like a tidal wave, and the burly guard’s ponies began to clear her way... and everything came into focus. Head up. Back straight. Slow, purposeful gait. You're goin to get there on your own damn time. Thatta girl. Now go show em what you're made of. The voice of Madame Eleonore rang inside of Octavia's head like a clarion call. She quickly assumed the walking position she'd been taught as a little filly and slowly followed the guards out. She kept her nose just a little high, her back straight. Unintentionally, her slow flowing gait made her skirt flare out attractively behind her... and noticing that little detail, Octavia threw a little sway into her hips. Not a big one, not a flashy one... but enough to turn a professional walk into something just a touch seductive.

The noise of the crowd buffeted Octavia as she stepped out into it. The press of bodies, the wave of heat that ran over her was incredibly intense. Like stepping into an oven, she could feel the heated gaze of everypony in the room following her across the floor. The room was thick with the smell of sweat and pheromones and alcohol... and here and there, the sweet-spicy scent of sex. Octavia never once waivered from her poise though... Vinyl believed in her... and so Octavia would believe in herself again. You are the finest cellist in Equestria, Octavia. Now let's show that bloody arrogant sot Stupid-Pants what he's been missing. She thought with a flash of satisfaction.

Soon, she was walking smoothly over a carefully secured bridge of wooden planks to the center stage of the club, hanging in the middle of the big column that went all the way up to the ceiling. Vinyl was already there, with her precious Piano set up and wired up. Octavia's cello was perfectly positioned in the same place, and the stage had several large speakers mounted to it and on top of it, cunningly placed so both Vinyl and Octavia could hear their music... and in the case of Octavia, likely feel those powerful chords thrumming through her.

The thought made her take a deep breath, but here and now - on a stage, in front of all these good ponies... she wasn't going to break. She wasn't going to give stupid-pants the satisfaction. Vinyl was there... no... Arpeggio was there, with her piano and that shy smile she always wore. How often had they performed together? How often had they wowed the crowds at their schools and garnered considering looks from those who had come to scout them for institutions of higher learning? They were a team. They always had been... And we always will be. Octavia thought as she dipped a soft curtsy to the crowd.

Octavia's bow was waiting for her - perfectly rosined. Her instrument was tuned - obviously by a professional. She stood and took the instrument firmly in hoof as the crowd's hooting-and-hollering slowly died down to wait in proper silence. Vinyl's horn lit up for a moment and Octavia could see her discreetly repositioning one of the speakers. Octavia just smirked, and gently nodded towards Vinyl. Vinyl returned the nod, and turned to her keys. They had not discussed specific pieces, nor specific things. But Octavia could remember the tail end of that conversation...

"You're not ready to get formal again, Tavi. You'll freak out - I know you will. So I want you to do what we used to do as kids..." Vinyl had said, with a slow smile. "Just play from the heart."

Vinyl began to play. Her magic flowed over the keys with a gentle glow and even behind the shades, Octavia could tell that her eyes were closed. The notes rolled through Octavia's bones with a shiver of sound, the firm strokes of the low D notes thundering through the club speakers. For almost a minute, Octavia simply let Vinyl play - showing off that prodigious skill to these common ponies. Octavia followed her melodic line for a few more moments before setting her bow to the cello and drawing out a pure note from it...

Vinyl quickly changed up the melody, which startled Octavia for a moment...until she realized what Vinyl had been doing. Clever girl. She smiled slightly and followed the original melody line Vinyl had established, adding her own embellishments upon the chords - building upon the foundation laid down by her sister. Every note thrummed through the body of the instrument and Octavia's own body in time. It felt like being trapped within the instrument itself - unable to experience anything but the pure sound of her own music.

It was glorious. There was no mental capacity to spare for anxiety or nerves - Octavia was one with her instrument, and every stroke of the bow thrummed a new note through her body and down into her marehood. She was already aroused as all buck, and every time she stroked the bow it felt like she was clopping herself off with her music. Ooooohhhh Celestia. I must... I must remain composed. Octavia thought a trifle desperately, focusing everything she had on her music. Gentle strokes. Careful pressure. Correct vibrato. Check your frets! Good. Her mind ran through every step of each properly played note in rapid succession even as every note sent another shiver of pleasure rushing through her limbs.

Octavia soon noticed her playing begin to change... the only way to keep herself from orgasming on stage was to depart from traditional formalities. Vinyl was picking up speed though - and courtesy demanded she keep up. So more softer sounds, quicker draws of the bow. Necessity reshaped her music as she played, with Vinyl leading and Octavia following behind - the deep, resplendent tones of her cello weaving in and about the soulful tones of the piano. It felt like Vinyl was purposefully trying to get Octavia to get off on stage given how powerful that music was thrumming through her hips.

Under cover of one particularly strong note, Octavia's mouth opened and she let out a long, slow moaning sound that thankfully was completely blanketed by the music. Well. For everypony except Vinyl... who turned a wicked smile on Octavia. Oh dear. Octavia thought... as the music shifted from an intense, but still classical tone to something far more... what was the word?

Jazzy. Freeform. Vinyl rattled off a roll or two on the keys, and Octavia returned the feel with a series of slow, long notes that hung in the air like smoke out of a pipe. Vinyl would 'ask' with a flurry of notes or chords, and Octavia would 'answer' with a slow stroking of her bow - and of course, the moans she hid behind the louder notes, her body and hooves trembling with the effort it took to remain standing. Of course, all of this was secondary to the other feeling that surged through her. This was fun!

Octavia was so wrapped up in her music she was even completely ignoring the crowd. So... that was... Vinyl's plan. Octavia's thoughts panted, as the smooth music flowed between them - Octavia's joy slowly growing by the moment in the sweet sounds they made together. Don't let me... focus too much... on the crowd. Octavia turned her face in to the instrument, achingly aware of the fact that there was nowhere for her to hide. And she was loving it. She was getting even more turned on under the watchful eyes of the crowd. Goodness... am I some kind of... exhibitionist? It was an intriguing sort of thought... one which was immediately interrupted by a deep thrumming chord of music which came rolling out of the speakers. Octavia's eyes widened as she immediately identified a dozen other instruments laced in with the piano. Someone was using one of Vinyl's mixing boards! Another thrum of sound rushed through her...and suddenly Octavia was surrounded by an electronic orchestra.

Everything was there. The gentle song of the violins, the sweet clarion call of the brass picking up leading the way, the tittering song of the woodwinds, and the deep thrum of the percussion. Octavia took a gentle tentative stroke of her cello... and an entire section of them joined in behind her in perfect harmony. Sure, the stage was jury-rigged at best. Sure, the dim lights and neon flashes of color all around her were a touch surreal... Sure, she was incredibly aroused right now, and she was probably dripping juices down her thighs... But those things didn't matter. Her bow moved quickly, smoothly, perfectly, and her section played with her just as it ought to be. Vinyl led them on her piano, and the orchestra soared around them - filling the room with soaring music that lifted Octavia's heart with it.

Tears came unbidden to Octavia's eyes - just a few, just a dusting of moisture upon her cheeks as she simply sank into the music and lived it utterly. It was beyond wonderful. It was an experience she had no words for, no vocabulary. It was simply itself. Even the soft moans she could no longer restrain simply became a part of the orchestral sounds. The dim lights lending the entire scene a surreal sort of air and quickly building towards a towering climax of sound... just like Octavia was.

There was no stopping the song - and Octavia didn't want to. She gave in to it - to the pleasure, to the music, to the orchestra around her. To her love for that wicked little DJ. Nothing else mattered. The song exploded around her in sound and the orgasm exploded out of Octavia's body with a primal scream torn out of her throat.

And in that moment, she was complete.

Something broke then, inside of Octavia. Some barrier, some old pain was shattered against the rocks of her mind. She had played through an entire musical piece without a single sheet of music... she had simply played, and she had reveled in it.

She couldn't look at her world in the same way that prim and proper little mare had just a few short months ago. Perhaps it was true, perhaps love truly did change everything. Perhaps it was time she stopped thinking so much about a career, and started to think about having a life. Vinyl had turned to smile tenderly at her, and Octavia returned the simple gesture. I have been so obsessed with a dream, that I have nearly forgotten about the reality that is right in front of me. She thought, as Vinyl stood up slowly. Octavia gently set her instrument back into the rack, and she took Vinyl's hoof in her own. She lifted up Vinyl's hoof as she whispered softly. "I love you, Vinyl." and they bowed to the audience together.

To thunderous, roaring applause.

~~~~~~~The Next Morning~~~~~~~

Vinyl yawned hugely and slowly stretched out tired, aching limbs as she blinked herself awake - the sun already shining through the curtains of Octavia's elegantly appointed room. The pair of them had played two more pieces for the crowd, though neither had possessed the raw emotional intensity of the first. Both had been pieces for dancing, which the club had set to with a passion as Neon had mixed in some more traditional club fare to go along with the rolling classical instruments.

But funnily enough, Octavia hadn't spoken a word since saying she loved her. Not since they'd gotten home, not even a 'goodnight' as she snuggled up into Vinyl's forehooves. There had been a look of deep thought upon her face since she left the club - even though she had looked so incredibly happy when she'd been playing music. Something had clicked in Tavi's mind last night, and Vinyl sure as heck wasn't sure what it was. Sure enough, Octavia was also the first one out of bed that morning, and hadn't stopped to cuddle with Vinyl. Geeze, I hope she's okay.. She thought helplessly, swinging her legs out of bed and tapping her forehooves together in nervousness.

Everything had gone fantastically, even better than Vinyl had hoped for. The crowd had loved the music, all of the rich folks in town had been held in awe at the hypnotic sight of Octavia simply letting all of that passion loose upon her instrument. Octavia had clearly enjoyed herself so... why wasn't she here? Vinyl heaved herself out of bed and did a quick check in the mirror. Her mane wasn't nearly mussed enough to mess with it for the moment, so she decided to go hunting her marefriend. I hope it wasn't the sex thing... I mean, I freakin saw her cum. I saw her enjoy it too!

The scent of toasted bread hit Vinyl's nose halfway down the stairs. Ah, Kitchen. She thought brightly, and headed that way with.. a little more speed than normal. Octavia was sitting down at the table with a surprisingly brooding expression - staring at an unrolled scroll that lay on the table. Held open by a glass of juice and a small plate bearing several large slices of peanut butter toast. Vinyl's hooves slowed as she eyeballed the thing, covered in fancy script. Bwah? Oh!

Vinyl slipped around the table and the confusion vanished - the thick wax seal which had held the scroll together bore the coat of arms of the Royal Symphonic Orchestra... and this was good quality vellum. Clearly an acceptance letter. So why does Tavi look... so damn conflicted? "Good news?" Vinyl asked quietly, if only to break the slightly awkward silence in the room. Octavia started and looked up after a moment of obvious confusion before brightening a bit at the sight of Vinyl smiling at her.

"Ah... Yes. I suppose one could call it that." Octavia began cautiously, nibbling on her breakfast absently. "It's an acceptance letter from Fancy Pants. Offering me a second chair in the Royal Symphony. Apparently he was rather... taken by my performance last night. As though I ought to be surprised that he actually gives a buck about me now." She continued, her voice oddly... bitter? Angry? Vinyl was getting very confused now, even moreso than she normally did when politics got involved. Octavia blinked at Vinyl. "Ah, I suppose that requires some context... Apparently we made quite the splash last night." She said, lifting the scroll to toss a copy of Equestria Herdcore onto the table..

The front image was of Vinyl and Octavia playing their hearts out, somewhere in the middle of the first piece. It was a pretty good shot - angled just right to make them look like they were leaning on one another when they played. The headline beneath it blared "New Duo lights up the Scene!" With the byline reading, in equally lurid print. "A brand new beat hits the stage! Vinyl & Octavia : Old + New = Musical Revolution?" Vinyl was staring in slack jawed amazement. Sure, it had been a lot of fun - and it had sure been some groovy music. But this was going a little bit too far! Even for Herdcore!

Octavia though, was smiling bitterly. "The article is similarly effusive in its praise. It's quite flattering, actually. I believe that the writer referred to us as..." She lifted a page, as if to check. " 'The hottest looking pair of fillies I've seen on stage in a long time. With their incredible sound and even more incredible looks, Vinyl Scratch and Lady Octavia are poised to take the musical world by storm.' End quote." Octavia said with a gentle smile and a soft chuckle. Vinyl felt her cheeks color a little bit, and was pleased to see that Octavia was blushing the same way. "Naturally, even Stupid-Pants couldn't ignore that sort of publicity, even in such a disreputable publication." Octavia gestured imperiously at the magazine.

Vinyl raised an eyebrow. "So what's the problem then? I mean, yeah it's not exactly the way you wanted t' get noticed but... heck, no such thing as bad publicity, Tavi." She said quietly, reaching across the table to squeeze Tavi's hoof. "Something else has gotten you spooked over this. It ain't the mag, it ain't the offer... What's wrong love?" Vinyl asked quietly, trying to meet Octavia's studiously avoiding gaze. "What happened last night that got you all riled up like this?"

Octavia took a deep breath and exhaled softly. "Vinyl... Did you enjoy playing with me like that last night? I mean, beyond the obvious enjoyment we get when we play together." She corrected, looking up with a strange sort of look. "Vinyl, I haven't enjoyed myself so much at a concert since I was a little filly." She blushed for a moment and stammered out, as Vinyl felt an amused grin settle onto her lips. "And no it was not because I was having an orgasm on stage, you reprobate! I mean... I've never..." She snarled wordlessly in frustration, startling Vinyl. "I cannot even say it! It is as though I have been robbed of my very wits! I..." her hooves fell to the table soundlessly, and she exhaled a sobbing breath. "I was whole..."

Vinyl didn't think twice. She quickly moved around the table, dragging her chair noisily behind her. She quickly pulled the tense mare closer to her and embraced her tightly. Octavia did not cry... or perhaps she could not cry. But she did curl up into those forehooves and hugged Vinyl back just as tightly. Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck... Vinyl thought, half panicking. She was vulnerable and emotional, she needed support and I didn't see it oh, fffffuuuuuck... It was possible that every little bit of the good work Vinyl had accomplished last night had been utterly undone already. I can't take this. I can’t take this no more. I'll tell her we're moving to Canterlot. We'll accept the offer from fancy pants. I'll pack up my career, I'll make sure she's never unhappy again I'll..

"Vinyl." Came a gentle, whisper soft voice in front of her and the DJ's eyes opened suddenly, startled out of her little spiral of thoughts. She saw Octavia's gorgeous eyes looking right into hers - and her hoof wiping something wet away from her eyes. "Vinyl... It's okay." Octavia whispered softly, leaning in and kissing her cheeks, softly whisking away the tears. "I'm okay. I've just... I've finally figured something important out. Something I should have figured out months ago..." Octavia looked down and softly exhaled. "I have been worrying so much over being in an orchestra... I'd forgotten why I loved music. I'd forgotten why I loved to play for ponies. Not because of the fame, or the prestige or even because it made Momma and Poppa happy... But because I could bring them joy by doing so."

Octavia was smiling, if a little sadly. "And then I brought you joy by playing for you... and it felt so wonderful that for a little while, I didn't need to think about anything else. Then... then I started worrying over the old dream, that I thought was my only destiny... and I was wrong to do that. I should have seen the new dream that was born before me. A better dream than some..." Octavia paused and grabbed the edge of the thick fancy vellum of the scroll. She ripped it off the edge of the table, and then she ripped it into twos, "Stupid!" and then quarters, "Bucking!" and then eighths "Orchestra!". Over and over and over again until she had nothing but two hooves full of paper bits.

Octavia flung the bits of paper into the air above them and blew as hard as she could with her lips - scattering dozens of the pieces all over the kitchen floor around them. Vinyl could only stare in mute fascination as the tiny bits of her sisters oldest desire fell to the ground around them. "I know what I want now, Vinyl. I want to play with you. I want us to play together." Octavia said in her quietest, most intense voice. "I don't even care if I never step on a stage again. I don't want to ever do it without you again. I want to be with you forever.." The last few words slipped out of Octavia's mouth, and Vinyl's eyes whipped up in mute astonishment.

Octavia was smiling at her, her eyes a little wet with restrained tears. "We'll make up whatever we have to. Forge documents, bribe bureaucrats, break laws. As far as I am concerned, our blood relation is now merely a formality. I no longer wish to contemplate a life without you, Vinyl." Octavia grasped at Vinyl's hooves, pulling them up close to her chest to kiss the tips of them softly. "Will you marry me, Vinyl Scratch? So we can make beautiful music together?"

Vinyl took in a deep breath... and smiled, as her heart practically burst with joy. "I thought you'd never ask." she said, and kissed Octavia quite firmly.