A young woman was standing outside of a nightclub in lower Canterlot smoking a joint as she waited for her turn on the stage, She was an exceptionally beautiful girl with shoulder length two tone blue hair that was unkempt and unwashed, her eyes were a shining ruby color, and skin that looked as if it was made of cream; her name was Vinyl Scratch and for now she was just another one of the many out of luck people in lower Canterlot who were selling their bodies to get by and support their habit.
Meanwhile in a totally different city another young lady was getting ready for bed and like our last subject she was heartbreakingly beautiful. However unlike Vinyl this girl’s ash grey hair was kept immaculately clean, her eyes a soft violet, and her skin was pale with only a light touch of sun; this girl’s name was Octavia and for now she was living her life in the way she had been taught to; with grace, class, and civility despite having had a past of fighting against her parent’s beliefs.
So now you may ask where this story may be going with two women who don’t know each other, live in different cities,and have different ways of life. Little do these two know that their lives are on a collision course. One that will save Vinyl’s life and force Octavia to face her past and come to grips with her demons again, but as we all know there’s no day but today.
No day but today
Chapter 1
“Lower Canterlot, I’ve lived here my whole life, will I ever get out of this hell hole?” Thought Vinyl as she drew her drug of choice into the syringe, and placed the needle flat to her skin,sighing as it slowly pierced through to her vein and she injected the heroin into her bloodstream, she then untied the band around her arm and laid back against the wall of the alleyway she was staying in.
“Fuck I love this stuff!” Cried Vinyl as the heroin high began to take her mind away from her problems, but as any person who has used before knows, it’s only temporary and that the problems of this world don’t go away as easy as that.
“And what stuff would that happen to be young lady?” Asked one of the Canterlot guards who unfortunately had heard her outburst and had come to investigate.
“What’s it to you, pig-boy?” Asked Vinyl as she tried to kick the discarded syringe away.
“Well you little bitch it just happens to me that you’re doing drugs, Illegal ones at that, and so I’m taking you in, for that and you’re smart ass mouth.” Spat the guard pointing at the discarded syringe. Pulling out his handcuffs, he started to head down the alleyway towards Vinyl. “This ought to be amusing, judging by your appearance you’re just another stupid tramp, so are you going to run, or put up a fight.” Laughed the guard as he continued forwards until he was about three feet away from Vinyl.
little did he know that Vinyl was still lucid enough to act and she waited until he was right on top of her to aim a kick,clocking him in the face and knocking him to the ground.
“As if some punk guards going to lock me up, see ya later loser.” Hissed Vinyl then spitting in the guard’s face and trying to take off. However the guard caught her by the ankle causing Vinyl to trip and fall face first into one of the dumpsters. Dazed and bleeding from the impact, Vinyl tried to get up but the guard was faster as he walked over to where Vinyl was spread-eagled on the ground and stomped on her arm breaking it.
“Have fun with all of that once the high wears off.” Laughed the guard as he put the handcuffs on her.
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“You’re in big trouble young lady.” Said Shining Armor as the young captain of the guard led the shackled Vinyl to the Princess’s courtroom for her trial. “Whatever your reasons, attacking one of my guards is still a serious crime. However it’s not up to me, it’s up to my sister since Princess Celestia’s left her head of the courts.” Shining said as he opened a door emblazoned with a pair of lavender Alicorn’s wings and the symbol of the element of magic. “My sister will be with you shortly, good luck.” Said Shining as he closed the door and left Vinyl to her own devices.
The courtroom was a simple room with four judge’s booths in the center, each emblazoned with the symbol of its Princess. The sun for Celestia, the moon for Luna, a heart and crystal for Cadence, and the element of magic and Alicorn’s wings for Twilight. High rise windows of stained glass depicted each of the four Princesses and the symbol of Equestria.
“If I wasn’t about to be raked over the fucking coals I’d actually think this was pretty awesome.” Said Vinyl to herself, not knowing that Twilight had come in and was already sitting at her booth and waiting for her to notice.
“You’ve got quite a bit of gall using that kind of language here in the castle, especially in light of what you’re here for.” Said Twilight Icily “Now then, shall we get started Miss Scratch?”
Vinyl swallowed slightly as she looked up at Twilight in her true form with her wings and horn showing.
“Sure.” She replied as she began to shake slightly. With that Twilight levitated a stack of papers towards her and read off of them.
“Vinyl Scratch, homeless resident of Canterlot city-lower district, age 16, you are hereby charged with possession of an illegal substance, use of an illegal substance, and assault on a royal guard of the monarchy. How do you plead?” Stated Twilight as she snapped her fingers to summon the guards back to the courtroom.
I’m screwed she’s already made up her mind. Thought Vinyl as she cleared her throat to speak. “Guilty your highness, but” Began Vinyl before Twilight held up her hand to make Vinyl stop talking.
“I don’t want to hear your excuses, do you understand me. Now then I know how hard it is out there at the moment. The Princesses and I are doing everything we can to try and improve things for everyone in Equestria, but things are still hard for so many, and in light of your situation and this being your first drug charge I’m willing to be lenient.
Vinyl Scratch as Princess of magic I hereby sentence you to rehab courses to be paid for by the treasury since you’re unable to pay for it yourself, you may leave.
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“Fuck Rehab courses, this is going to suck, but at least the Princess didn’t decide to send me up the river.” Complained Vinyl to her friend who had come to pick her up from the hospital. Her high having worn off before she had even gone before Twilight. The princess had her taken there after the trial for the wounds and her arm:
“Yeah, rehab isn’t so bad, you just sit in some room with other junkies and talk about your problem. A little boring but hey it helped me get clean and a lot of people used to say that I’d never break my cycle, that I’d always just be “Ice Queen Dash” but I wanted to be more than just some meth head and so I used that drive and my dream of being a Wonderbolt to break the cycle.
Now I have my friends, my love in Fluttershy and the honor of being The Element of Loyalty.” Said Rainbow Dash, looking at the ruby lighting bolt crest on her hand that marked her as an Element of Harmony. She then wrapped her arms around Vinyl and hugged her. “If I could break meth’s hold on me, then you can break away from heroin, You just gotta believe Scratch!” She said with a smile.
Rainbow Dash was Vinyl’s one and only friend that she trusted because she knew that no matter what, Dash would be loyal to her and tell her what she needed to hear even if it wasn’t what Vinyl wanted to hear. A tall slim beauty with chest length rainbow colored hair, magenta eyes, and tan skin, however the damage that her teenage mistakes had done to her body were still noticeable; her skin was slightly sunk in, and there were still scars from where she used to pick at herself.
“Thanks, I guess I’ll just have to try my best and see how it pans out.” Sighed Vinyl as the two of them got into Dash’s car.
“So the offer still stands ya know, me and Fluttershy would be happy to let you stay with us, you don’t have to do this yourself Vinyl, Any of us girls here in Canterlot would be willing to give you a roof over your head and three meals in your gut, why do you stay in that alleyway, it just seems to be causing trouble if you ask me.” Said Dash as she started the car and took off towards her and Fluttershy’s house.
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“Vinyl, what in Celestia’s name happened to you?” Asked Fluttershy as Vinyl and Dash entered the two bedroom place that the two of them stayed in, It wasn’t much, but it was all they could afford with Dash’s history and Fluttershy not having many patients to take care of since many people didn’t own pets in Canterlot.
“Got into it with some pig who caught me shooting up.” Answered Vinyl as Fluttershy fussed over the wound which had gotten Vinyl ten stitches, and the arm which was now in a cast. This answer received an icy stare from Fluttershy as she checked over the work done.
“I though me and Dashie told you to give that fucking stuff up, So now what, you’ve got a record like Dashie now?” Screamed Fluttershy; there wasn’t many things that got Fluttershy upset, however having seen what Dash had gone through and seeing so many people die from their addiction to drugs was one of them.
Vinyl Shook her head. “Nah Fluttershy, I just got rehab. Twilight must of been in a pretty good mood because even for a first offence for heroin possession that’s a slap on the wrist.” Vinyl Sighed as she sat down on the couch and let Fluttershy continue her verbal barrage.
“Yes well at least you see how lucky you were, it’s a sign to get clean because you might not get so lucky next time, and you better damn well believe me and Dashie are making sure you’re going to your rehab sessions, got it.” Snapped Fluttershy before taking a couple of breaths to compose herself. “I’m sorry Vinyl it’s just, It’s just, I don’t want to lose any friends again.”
“Fluttershy.” Whispered Vinyl as she hugged the now sobbing woman. “Don’t worry I’ll beat this, You’ve got my word, okay, now come on enough crying I know you don’t like having to get angry or screaming.” She sighed as she continued to rub Fluttershy’s back.
“So you say you’re going to get clean, What’s the first step then?” Asked Dash sitting next to Vinyl, turning the girl to face her and look her in the eyes.
“The first step is admitting to the fact that I have an addiction and that I need to stop using heroin.” Replied Vinyl sighing.
“Good, now then, do you know what leads you to doing the drugs, what is your X factor?” Asked Dash as she lead Vinyl through the same steps she herself had to learn when she was breaking her addiction to meth, the same steps that the rehab course would put her through, and what would eventually break Vinyl’s dependence on Heroin
“Well just that basically my whole fucking life has sucked ever since my dad died, My mom kicked me out, no one else in my family wanted anything to do with me, and the streets are hard enough for an adult, let alone a thirteen year old girl, so I guess I started using drugs to escape the fact that unless I got really lucky I wasn’t ever going to reach sixteen.” Said Vinyl as she started to tear up from having to remember losing her father and finding herself suddenly alone in the world.
“Ok good, now what’s the reason you do the drugs now You see, the reasons you gave me are not the reasons you do the heroin now, they're the reasons you started; take me for example. The reasons I started meth was because I wanted to be popular and I wanted people to think I was hard core, but by the time I was finally tired of it controlling my life and being in and out of juvie for most of my teenage years, it was the fear of the withdrawals I knew I’d go through.”
“ So is that what you’re afraid of Scratch? Because there’s nothing to be ashamed of if you are, they don’t tell horror stories about withdrawal for nothing. It’s hell and you know you can believe me when I say that, but once it’s done you’ll feel a hell of alot better, just trust me on that.” Said Dash as she held a now shaking Vinyl.
“I, I’m scared Dash, and I don’t know what to do about it!” Sobbed Vinyl as she held onto Rainbow Dash tightly.
“Well first you need to trust me okay Vinyl, I’m not going to let you fall, I’ll be there I promise. We’ll do this together, Me, You, Fluttershy, and anyone else you want to have help you. Hell I imagine if it doesn’t get in the way of her duties and stuff even Twilight would be willing to help you beat this, you may not have any blood family left Scratch, but if it’s anything this world’s taught me is that you may not be able to pick your blood family, but you sure as hell can pick those that you treat like family,and to me hun you’re family.
Never forget you’ve got people to turn to when it feels too hard and you want to turn back to the needle.” Explained Dash as she let the teen sob into her jacket, as Fluttershy came over to try and comfort Vinyl as well.
“You know, I know someone else who might be able to help you as well.She’s been in this type of place as well, and if anyone besides Dash could understand what it’s like to battle through drug addiction it’s her. More than likely she’s over at Rarity’s,so do you want me to take you over there and see if she is?” Asked Fluttershy
“Sure, I guess.” Sighed Vinyl as she wiped her face off and went to get cleaned up.
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“That’s where we’re going?” Asked Vinyl as she pointed to a large building that was in the shape of a carousel and covered in many different accents and colors to make it stand out among the other buildings of Canterlot’s business district.
“Yes, that’s the new carousel boutique; ever since Twilight became a princess and had to come to stay here in Canterlot, we all decided to move here as well, working hard to try and keep our friendship alive, Except for AppleJack, who was heading Sweet Apple Acres and really couldn’t move from Ponyville just to keep close.
And part of doing that was seeing if we all couldn’t try and carve out a living here in Canterlot, It’s not been easy but with Dashie’s help, her and I have managed, and I hear that Pinkie’s been doing really well since she got Mr. and Mrs. Cake’s permission to open a Sugarcube corner here, and then of course I obviously don’t have to point out that with Rarity’s talent’s she’s had no shortage of orders for clothing since the move as well.”
Fluttershy pulled into the parking lot of carousel boutique and the two of them got out of the car, one of them happy to have a reason to come and see an old friend, the other apprehensive of what was going to happen with someone who was such a big name in Canterlot’s fashion circles, and what of this friend of Rarity’s and Fluttershy’s, what was she like?
I just hope neither of them are stuck up bitches like ninety percent of these high class woman. Thought Vinyl as she followed Fluttershy into the building.
“One second Darling, I’m with another customer, I’ll be right out.” Said a voice that was posh and elegant but also kind and warm, as it it’s owner could never feel like they were better than anyone else no matter how successful they became.
A few minutes later, the curtain at the back of the store swept aside, revealing a refined woman with shoulder length violet hair that matched perfectly with her shining violet eyes,enhanced by what appeared to be elegantly red framed glasses, and when she viewed Fluttershy and Vinyl she froze in place.
“Fluttershy, who is this young lady?” Asked Rarity as she was looking over Vinyl’s figure and shaking her head. “Also why haven’t I seen you in so long, I mean I know we all have our own lives, but I really miss our old trips to the spa, and I could only imagine the one’s here in Canterlot are so much better when you have a friend to join you.” She continued as she came out from behind the counter with a tape measure and a needle pad floating alongside her in her violet aura.
“I’m sorry Rarity, it’s just that with me always trying to find ways to attract more business to my place, and Dash trying to find a job, it’s really hard to find the time to come and visit you gals, I mean, I didn’t want to hurt your feelings Rarity.” Said Fluttershy “Oh! And this Is Vinyl Scratch, she’s a good friend of Rainbow Dash, and she was wondering if...” Began Fluttershy before a posh voice with a slight undertone of a British accent sounded from behind the curtain.
“Miss Rarity, are you going to finish my outfit? I do have to be going soon, and I don’t mean to sound rude but you do have other things to do then socialize.” The posh voice insisted.
“Oh I’m sorry dear, but I need to go back and take care of Octavia’s new tuxedo for her performance tonight, but it was wonderful to talk to you again, and It was a pleasure to meet you Miss Scratch. We will have to get to know each other better sometime. Maybe you could come in and I could get you something more fitting for a beautiful young lady such as yourself.” Blabbed Rarity, trying to give an acceptable farewell as fast as she could, and then booked it back to the fitting room with the pad and the tape measure flying after her in her aura.
“Why don’t we just wait here, she won’t be long.” Said Fluttershy while grabbing Vinyl’s hand and leading her to the waiting room.
“She seems a little high strung, but nice, really nice.” Shrugged Vinyl as she poured herself a cup of coffee from the carafe that Rarity kept in the main room for customers awaiting their turn for fittings and tailoring.
“Yeah, she tends to bite off more than she can chew sometimes. Thank Celestia for Applejack when she can get up here from Sweet Apple Acres. I really think that if Rarity and her had not fallen for each other she would have gone crazy. I mean there was a time where she agreed to make each of us a dress for the Grand Gala at the castle and because it was only about a month away, and we kinda went a little overboard with what we wanted them to be that she ended up snapping a little bit and making some of the worst dresses ever designed. It almost ended her career, but we managed to talk Hoity Toity into giving her another chance.” Explained Fluttershy, while standing and getting herself some of the jasmine tea that was also available.
“There was a short time ago I thought that maybe Rarity and I might give it a go, but then when Dashie kissed me at the royal wedding I realized that I loved her.” Reminisced Fluttershy.
Completely lost in the memory, and forgetting about the cup being filled. Fluttershy accidentally poured some of the hot water onto her hand, causing her to flinch and spill the drink to the floor.
“Are you okay?” Asked Vinyl as she got some of the napkins to clean up the spilt tea, while Fluttershy ran her hand under some cold water from a nearby fountain.
“Yes I’m okay, don’t worry hun I do it all the time at home” Said Fluttershy as she turned toward the door and noticed that a girl a few years younger than Vinyl was standing there with a puzzled expression.
The young girl had silky pink and purple hair reaching to about her shoulders, moderately thin, and with a soft face. She appeared to be a younger, less serious version of Rarity
“Umm, hi I was just wondering if you knew whether or not my older sister was home?” Asked the girl as she bounced up and down on her heels.
“Yes, she’s right in the back, umm may I ask who you are though, that is if you don’t mind?” Replied Fluttershy, a bit put off by the girl’s obvious hyperness.
“Oh, I’m Sweetie Belle, Rarity’s little sister; I live in Manehatten so I don’t come over very often and I never really get to meet any of sis’s clients, so what do you think of my sister? She’s really nice isn’t she?” Asked Sweetie Belle as she walked into the room and sat down on one of the couches.
“Your sister is one of my best friends” Fluttershy said as she sat down next to Sweetie Belle as Vinyl walked over towards them. “I could never imagine my life without your sister now. “
I”ve only just met your sister hun, but she seems like a classy lady.” Added Vinyl as she messed up Sweetie Belle’s two tone hair.
A few minutes passed between the three girls chatting and exchanging stories, Fluttershy and Vinyl getting closer to Sweetie Belle and the young girl to them when Rarity came to check and see if Fluttershy and Vinyl had waited for her or had gone about with other business followed by Octavia who was now dressed in a grey silk suit with pink accents. whose eyes locked on Vinyl as soon as she seen her.
She looks like her... but the hair is different and, NO, get ahold of yourself she’s gone and there’s nothing you can do to change what happened just push her out of your mind.
Tears threatened to escape from Octavia’s eyes before she regained her composure as Rarity greeted Sweetie Belle and continued her previous conversation with Fluttershy and Vinyl.
“Oh so you were looking to introduce Miss Scratch to Octavia well that’s easily arranged. Excuse me Octavia, these two ladies would like a word with you.” Rarity said as she turned to Octavia and noticed the tears falling down the young cellist’s face. “Octavia are you alright, is it Lyra?”
“I’m fine don’t worry about me, so you wished to talk with me Fluttershy, and Miss....”
“Scratch,Vinyl Scratch yeah. Fluttershy said that you’d be able to help me with a problem of mine?” Asked Vinyl shaking the hand Octavia offered to her.
“That would depend on what kind of problem it is.” Replied Octavia as she looked over Vinyl taking in all the scars and marks over the girl’s arm. She’s even a junkie like Lyra was; is this some kind of sign, a sick joke from above punishing me for not being able to stop Lyra’s suicide, oh Celestia help me.
“I need your help to break my addiction, Fluttershy said you could help me.” Sighed Vinyl turning her head away in shame as Octavia grabbed onto her arm and stared deeply into Vinyl’s eyes, it looked as if a fire had been lit inside of them.
“I once had the same problem, this isn’t going to be easy, I need your word of honour that you won’t quit halfway, I won’t lie the withdrawal will be hell and you’ll want to shoot up so bad that it feels like you will die if you don’t; I’m a busy woman Miss Scratch but if you are willing to give it your all into giving up the drugs, then I’m willing to spend the time to help.” Said Octavia holding out her hand to Vinyl again except this time in a handshake between two woman of honour entering into an agreement.
“ I need to stop the hold this shit has on be before it destroys any chance I have of making my dreams come true; I promise you Octavia, I won’t quit on you.” Vowed Vinyl taking Octavia’s hand and shaking it again.
“Let us go somewhere a little more private.” Suggested Octavia turning to Rarity “Do you have a place that we could discuss Vinyl’s future in private Miss Rarity?”
“I do have an office/sitting room that I keep set aside for meetings with my clients who have a taste in more risque clothing; I suppose I could set you up in there if that would suit you Octavia?” Replied Rarity lifting up one of the curtains in the room which led down a corridor painted a deep red color and set with dimly lit lights. “It’s the first door down the hallway to the right just do be careful some of the things in their might... offend.” She finished as she let the curtain fall behind the two woman and returned to the sitting room to attend to Fluttershy and her Sister
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“It’s a nice room... cozy” Said Scratch as they entered the room and she sat down at the adjoining couches.
“I guess if you’re of the mind to like this sort of lifestyle.” Replied Octavia shifting the racks of clothing behind one of the screens that Rarity kept in the room for clients who wished to try the clothing on. “But I digress we’re not here to discuss clothing or more for lack of a better term loose lifestyles; we’re here to discuss how we’re going to help keep you away from heroin. Now if I’m going to help you, I need to know what made you turn to the drugs in the first place, if we can find a way for you to come to terms with what made you start in the first place then it may be easier for you to quit.”
“Excuse me, I’ve known you all of maybe ten minutes and you want to know about my past, I don’t even share that with my friends!” Snapped Vinyl standing up “I mean how the hell am I supposed to trust that you won’t just go and tell every stuck-up rich prick you know and ruin any chance that I could ever have of getting out of this place!” She continued as she paced around the room trying to vent her anger at being asked to reveal her past to an absolute stranger.
“ Miss Scratch, I understand that you don’t know me and that I don’t know you and therefore your mistrust in me is understandable but I give you my word as a lady; nothing you say will leave this room, if I had wanted to have this be between anyone but us I would not of had Rarity set us up somewhere private between the two of us.” Explained Octavia
“Your word, yeah like that’s worth anything; nowadays everyone lies to get what they want outta people. Now get this just because I’m a kid, doesn’t mean I’m stupid, so how about this I tell you want you want to know and then you tell me something about you that way we’re on even ground, we’re both getting to know each other and we both have dirt on the other to make sure the other doesn’t talk.” Replied Scratch continuing to pace the length of the room in front of the couch.
“This isn’t about me Vinyl Scratch, it’s about you, you are the one who still has the problems with the drugs,you are the one who asked me for help, and it’s you who still obviously has not come to grips with whatever life has done to you, now I understand that your living on the streets has taught you not to trust anyone; however that needs to change if you want to give up the stuff for good, you cannot do it alone Scratch.” Rebuked Octavia keeping her spot on the couch waiting for Vinyl to calm down and sit back down.
“I know I can’t do it alone, if I could I would have never ever asked for help in the first place, but helping me break my addiction and prying into my life are two different things Octavia.” Vinyl snapped as she punched one of the mannequins knocking it over at this point Octavia stood up and headed towards the door opening it.
“No Scratch they’re one in the same but as you seem to have no intentions of admitting it then I’m afraid I cannot help you, if you want me to help you then seek me out when you’re not so much of a child that you’re afraid to tell people what happened to you so they can help.” Sighed Octavia as she walked out of the room and shut the door behind Vinyl.
“Octavia, Wait!” Shouted Vinyl running out the door to catch up with the cellist. “Okay, I’ll tell you.” Sighed Vinyl as the two of them walked back into the room and Octavia shut the door behind them.
“I’m listening.” Said Octavia as Scratch stared out the window looking towards the sky.
TBC
No Day but Today
Chapter 2
Vinyl’s Past
“I didn’t make it.” Whispered Vinyl as she continued to stare out at the sky. Tears beginning to form in her eyes.
“Didn’t make what?” Asked Octavia as she stood and placed a hand lightly on Vinyl’s shoulder.
“My Dad, he died, and I didn’t make it in time to say goodbye. He was the only one who ever believed in me and yet when it was time for him to go I wasn’t there.” Vinyl sobbed as she told Octavia about the hardest day of her life.
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Three years ago
A young girl ran towards a building looming in the distance, the rain pouring down, making the sidewalk slick underneath her feet, but she didn’t care, she had to make it to the hospital before it was too late.
She doubled her pace at that thought and fell, skidding slightly down the street and tearing through her jeans and cutting into her leg, but she didn’t care, she had to make it in time.
“I... have... to...make...it.” Hissed Vinyl as she got up and began running again. Every other step feeling like someone was stabbing her in the leg, but she pushed it out of her mind.
She reached the hospital steps and took them three at a time. Busting through the door and earning herself a reproachful glare from the receptionist, but she didn’t care as she slammed her hands down upon the woman’s desk.
“Stardust Scratch, what room is he in!” Vinyl demanded, impatiently tapping her foot as the receptionist typed at the keys, trying to find the information she was looking for.
“Room 816 I.C.U, but you really shou...” Began the Receptionist before noticing the girl had ran off once she had the information she needed. Rolling her eyes and muttering something about punk teenagers she returned to her typing.
“Faster, Celestia damn it, Faster!” Screamed Vinyl as the elevator numbers slowly ticked by as if trying to torture her for running through a hospital; soon the number eight lit up and the doors opened, as soon as they did a blue haired blur shot down the hallway. Counting the numbers on the wall until she reached the sliding glass door of room 816 and was stopped by a woman whose hair was the same color, but was set in an elegant bun and was wearing a dress made of the finest black silk, who used her aura to stop her from entering the hospital room.
“LET ME GO YOU BITCH, I HAVE TO SEE HIM!” She screamed, fighting tooth and nail to escape the woman’s aura which was holding her stationary.
“And what would that accomplish Vivian; You are too late, he is dead, there is no point in letting you make a fool of yourself talking to a corpse no matter how much you claimed to have loved him.” Said Vivian’s mother as she started walking away from the room. Which in turn forced Vivian to float after her mother in her silver aura screaming and fighting to say her goodbyes?
“NO, LET ME GO, I HAVE TO SEE HIM, I HAVE TO, DADDY...DADDDDDDDDY!” Sobbed Vivian as her mother turned the corner and led her away.
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Present Day
“Your mother wouldn’t even let you try and say goodbye?” Asked Octavia, appalled at the actions of the woman whose name she didn't even know yet.
“She was a bitch, if it was something that didn’t have a point to her then she wouldn’t allow it, she always, always tried to control me, what with that ridiculous name, and trying to get me to be her perfect little daughter, I hated her, hated her more than anything I’ve ever hated before, oh and when I told her I wanted to be a D.J. oh how she exploded.”
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One week later
Vivian lay on the floor, bruised and bleeding from the beating she had just received, her mother standing over her with a wooden paddle stained with her blood.
“Now what did you say you wanted to be?” Hissed Briar Scratch as her daughter lay before her; defiance obvious in her eyes.
“I want to be a D.J.” Spat Vivian. “And you’re not going to stop me you stupid psycho bitch!” She yelled while getting to her knees and staring up at her mother.
Refusing to break eye contact with her as the woman made to swing the paddle again. Hitting Vivian in the face and sending the girl flying into the wall, knocking the wind out of her as she hit and fell crying to the floor.
“You are my daughter, and therefore you shall listen to everything I say. Regardless of whether you think its right or not, for you see my stubborn little Vivian, you belong to me and children are to be seen and not heard.” Hissed Briar as she walked up to Vivian and kicked her in the chest breaking three of her ribs with a horrible crunch as Vivian writhed in pain.
“Dust yourself off and drag yourself to the doctor so that you don’t die, and remember if I ever hear so much as a whisper of this foolishness about being a D.J. instead of a respectable career again and you will be sorry.”
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“She beat you and then left you to get to the hospital by yourself; how did they not have reported this to the child protective services?” Asked Octavia after Vinyl had pulled off her dirty wife beater to show Octavia the scars from all the times Briar had beaten her and their family doctor had to fix her up.
“Please, my mother had the whole upper crust on her side; you should know that Octavia, I mean you’re part of it all, aren’t you?” Asked Vinyl
“Not as far back as all of that Vinyl, I made my own way into the elite of Canterlot Society a couple of years ago after I had gotten cleaned up and faced the facts that no matter what I did I was meant to be a cellist.” Explained Octavia lifting up her left hand showing Scratch her cutie mark- a treble clef. “My family was so happy when this appeared it meant that through all the time I spend fighting against their dreams for me; they were right all along. My long hidden love of classical music was truly meant to be my passion.”
“But if you loved Classical music and your parents wanted you to be a cellist why did you fight it?” asked Vinyl confused as to why Octavia would have tried to deny who she was inside; especially when her parents supported her.
“I also love animals Vinyl; I always thought that since my whole family was involved in music, my parents owning a music store and all that. I wished that I would be different from them, that I could make my own way in life as it were.” Explained Octavia while brushing her hand down Vinyl’s back, feeling the different areas where the scars made Vinyl’s skin rise and fall.
“Anyhow, shall we continue?” She asked as Vinyl walked over to the couch along with Octavia.
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12 hours later
Vinyl sat outside of her old home, alone in the rain and physically beaten. She refused to be defeated however as she grabbed her bags and began to limp down the street. She didn’t know where she would go, but she couldn’t nor would she ever return there.
She would make her dreams come true and to Tartarus with her mother; she had never loved Vinyl. No, the only person who had ever loved her was now in the spirit world, and the rest of him in a sun and moon pendant that Vinyl now wore around her neck. She clasped it in her palm and muttered a small prayer to her father and to Celestia and Luna.
I’ll become the best D.J. ever, everyone will know my name, and I’ll make that bitch sorry that she ever abandoned me.
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Three days later
Vinyl sat in the alleyway finishing the last bit of food that selling her clothes and other items had bought her, it wasn’t much and she was still hungry but she was grateful for what she had gotten knowing that there were people in the same situation that were hungry with nothing to eat at all.
Vinyl sighed as she stood up and decided to see if she could get lucky and find enough cans to scratch up enough bits to get something to eat for the night. She then went to the nearest dumpster and began to rummage through it. After a few minutes, and several disgusting finds, she finished with about half a bags worth of discarded aluminum cans.
“Cool, this ought to be worth a couple of bits.” Beamed Vinyl as she moved on to the next dumpster in the alley. Continuing to rummage until she reached the end of the alley and the last dumpster; by the time she was done she had about two and a half bags of cans which was good enough to at least get Vinyl two or three decent meals.
She turned in the cans and received about twelve bits, nine of which she used to buy a loaf of bread, cheap peanut butter and jelly from a one bit store, and a case of water, the other three she put in the pouch she had gotten from her father as a birthday present to keep her allowance in, which now also hung from the chain of her pendant.
“Umm excuse me kid, do you mind sharing some of that?” Asked an older girl who was sitting against a wall between two trash cans, she was about eighteen or nineteen and she looked a horrible mess; her rainbow colored hair was matted to her face and she was shaking from head to toe.
“Umm, yeah sure I guess.” Said Vinyl, looking back and forth for anyone else. She had to be cautious, since she was young and easy to get overpowered by some of the larger people out on the streets. “Mind coming with me to my hideout, I kinda don’t wanna have to share with everyone since I don’t have much.”
“Oh yeah, no problem kid, thank you so much.” Said the girl, quickly following Vinyl into the alleyway and behind the dumpster where Vinyl had set up her blanket, one of the few things she refused to sell off for scraps, and something she was glad to have once the chill wind at night took over.
“Wow never though I’d be so happy to eat a PB&J sandwich, Thanks kid you’re a lifesaver, hadn’t eaten in a week; I’m Rainbow Dash by the way.” Said the girl hastily after she had eaten her first sandwich in one bite.
“I’m Viv... Vinyl Scratch, so how did you get like this?” Asked Vinyl while taking in Dash’s appearance and noting she was much thinner than any older teen she had ever seen before.
“Meth’s a hell of a drug, I’m trying to quit but it just keeps drawing me back in.” Replied Dash shivering again and picking at one of the sores on her face. “But anyways how did you get here kid, you don’t look any older than ten, what’s a little one like you doing living on the streets?”
Vinyl sighed as she grabbed onto her pendant and began to cry. “I have nowhere else to go; what with my mom kicking me out after my dad died a few days ago, I didn’t really have much of a choice.” sobbed Vinyl, feeling another wave of loneliness hit her.
“I never really had my folks; they died when I was very little and I ended up staying at the Orphanage, so I guess we’re alike in that aspect. No other people to care about us other than ourselves; I’m glad I met you Vinyl Scratch I was kinda lonely. And don’t worry kid; whenever I can I’ll be there to help you out.” Smiled Dash as she hugged Vinyl tightly.
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“So Rainbow Dash is the one who started you on the drugs?” Asked Octavia once Vinyl had finished that part of her story.
“What, no! No way, Dash would have never dragged me down with her, no it was some weirdo I met at some party when I was drunk, said it would help loosen me up, make me feel good ya know, but by the time I figured out what I was taking it was too late, I was hooked.” Sighed Vinyl, putting her face in her hands.
“You couldn’t have known, you were still a child and I mean no offense when I say that, it just that you had to grow up far too fast, and so I’ll tell you that when you’re with me in our sessions you don’t have to try and act like an adult; in order for us - you to get better you’re going to need to let out all the emotions you’ve bottled up inside of you since your father’s death. Said Octavia, moving closer to Vinyl and removing her hands from her face and making her look at her.
“You need to stop holding it all in.” She ordered as she kept Vinyl from looking away from her.
“You’re going to far Octavia.” Said Vinyl as she kept fighting to escape. Tears beginning to form in her eyes
“It’s not your fault.” Said Octavia as she released Vinyl’s face and held her close
“Knock it off!” Snapped Vinyl, her voice beginning to crack
“It’s not your fault.” Octavia repeated.
“Fuck you and your reverse psychology crap, let me go I’m leaving.” Ordered Vinyl as she began to struggle against Octavia: but she was stronger.
“Let it go, it’s not your fault.” Repeated Octavia, once more finally getting the result she wanted as she felt Vinyl go limp, heard her sobs, and felt the tears begin to seep through her silk shirt, and she held Vinyl closer
. “Good now just keep going until you feel all of it go away, the regret, the resentment, the sorrow, let it all out, and then we can begin working on your addition, Your father doesn’t blame you, you couldn’t do anything to have stopped his death; and your mother, you can’t control the actions of others. She was wrong in what she did; if you truly want to be a DJ then she should as your mother have wanted what made you happy.” Octavia continued to hold Vinyl as she continued to sob, hugging Octavia close to her.
“Accept that we have very little control over the things that happen to us and you’ll find that you can come to accept the hard things much easier.” Octavia sighed as she looked at the clock noticing that it was almost time for her to leave. “Take care Vinyl Scratch” said Octavia as she wrote down an address and phone number and left the room to head for her recital
No Day but today 3 Vinyl's Stuggle part 1- Bonds of love - Cloplite
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No Day but today 3 Vinyl's Stuggle part 1- Bonds of love - Cloplite
No Day but today 3 Vinyl's Stuggle part 1- Bonds of love - Cloplite
No Day but today
Chapter 3
No Day but today 3 Vinyl's Struggle part 1- Bonds of love - Cloplite
Two weeks later
“Do you know what P.A.W.S. is Miss Dash?” Asked Dr Hooves as he looked over the reports he had done on Vinyl over the past two weeks since Scratch had stopped using Heroin.
“Fuck yeah; I went through that myself; it took almost three years for me to stop having any kind of craving for meth... Oh my Celestia, Please Doc, please don’t tell me that’s what Vinyl’s body is doing to her!” Gasped Dash, trying not to cry out of fear for her closest friend, the kid who had saved her life just a short time ago.
Doctor Hooves looked solemnly at Dash “I’m afraid so, Vinyl Scratch has a serious case of Post acute withdrawal syndrome.” He put Vinyl’s chart back into its drawer. “She might not sur...” Began the Doctor before Dash had him by the throat.
“Don’t you dare fucking say she won’t survive, or I’ll kill you right now where you fucking stand!” She hissed, tightening her grip on the Doctor’s windpipe until Fluttershy held Dash’s wrist and forced her to let him go.
“Dashie, please calm down.” She whispered in Dash’s ear. “Dr. Hooves will do everything he can, and so shall we, I promise Dashie; She won’t go without a fight.” She then bent down to hold Dash as she had collapsed into a ball on the floor crying.
“Do you want me to give her a sedative?” Asked Dr. Hooves, looking at Dash with pity in his eyes. He knew it wasn’t easy to hear that a close friend might die, which was why he wasn’t planning on pressing charges for Dash’s outburst.
“No, I’ve been taking care of her for the last two years, I’m not going to let anybody else do so, sorry.” Replied Fluttershy as she and Nurse Redheart carried Dash back to Fluttershy’s car.
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Two hours later.
“She looks like she’s resting peacefully.” Said A.J as she sat by Vinyl’s bed with the other elements of harmony, having come when Rarity had called her saying that Rainbow Dash needed them all.
“I should have known this would happen!” Snapped Twilight, beginning to cry. “I should have had her committed to someplace that could have helped her better then we can, if she dies.... It’s my entire fault.” She curled her wings around herself and began shaking with her sobs, Celestia rubbing her back as she had come with Twilight to help in case her lover decide as she had to blame herself.
“No Twilight, you couldn’t have known that Vinyl would come down with P.A.W.S, there was nothing any of us could have done.” Celestia cooed as she watched Rainbow Dash holding Vinyl’s hand, which if she survived would have her Cutie mark forever tattooed on it.
“We should let her sleep though; I mean she won’t be sleeping much like this until she’s through it.” Sighed Pinkie as she tied her long flat hair into a ponytail as she commonly did when she became depressed and her hair lost its poofiness.”
“Indeed, but one of us should at least stay with her in case she wakes up, I mean acute depression’s one of the effects of P.A.W.S and Celestia forbid that she should wake up and take her own life because we were undilligent.” Sighed Rarity as she stood and began to pace the room, each of them had taken at least one day off from work to be there for Rainbow and Vinyl and she was going to be damned if she saw their efforts to save this young girl fail just because they didn’t watch her closely enough.
Just then the door to Fluttershy’s and Rainbow’s spare bedroom opened up and Octavia marched in and went straight for Vinyl's bedside.
“What happened?” She asked as she kneeled down and looked at Vinyl’s thin body.
“P.A.W.S” Croaked Dash, voice hoarse from crying so much, and Octavia hugged her. “This will not be easy but we’ll save her Miss Dash, I promise.” She said as she stood Rainbow up and sat her down in one of the chairs.
“It’s P.A.W.S that killed Lyra, wasn’t it Octavia?” Asked Rarity, hands on the Cellist's shoulders as she too broke into silent sobs which meant she could only nod at Rarity’s question.
“It became too much for her and she committed suicide?” Continued Rarity to which Octavia also nodded.
“I can’t take this anymore.” Said Pinkie as she ran out of the room tears running down her face, as the element of laughter, she couldn’t take all this sadness anymore, the balloons that made up her cutie mark obviously dulled in color.
“I’ll talk to her.” Said Fluttershy as she followed Pinkie out of the room and closed the door behind her.
“I think it’s time for all of us to leave, Dash I’ll take the first suicide watch and keep you girls informed, go be with Fluttershy, I’ll be fine by myself.” Said Octavia as the other left the room; A.J dragging Dash out by her shirt when it looked as if she was going to argue.
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A couple of hours into Octavia’s watch she noticed that Vinyl began to stir and so she prepared to explain everything to her in case her memories were being affected by her condition. But as soon as Vinyl woke up she began to scream.
“Ahh what the fuck happened to me, and why the hell am I so cold, and by Celestia I need a fix!” She screamed and began to try and get up but Octavia pushed her back down.
“You are going through Post acute withdrawal syndrome, withdrawal makes you cold, and No, you do not need that stuff anymore Vinyl, it’s what got you into this in the first place; You want to become a D.J, You want to keep your promise to your father, then you’re going to have to fight this Vinyl and you’re going to win!”
“Octavia, is that you?” Asked Vinyl still trying to get up but failing against Octavia’s superior strength.
“I feel like I’ve been ran over by a fucking train.” Hissed Vinyl as Octavia finally won out and Vinyl laid her head back against the pillows.
“You have looked better.” smiled Octavia slightly.
“Ha-ha always the comedian.” She groaned as Octavia wiped her forehead with a wet washcloth. “Thanks Octi.”
“Octi? Well I always suppose from someone like you it could have been worse” Smiled Octavia a bit bemused at the sudden nickname but deciding not to say anything about it giving Vinyl’s condition. “So do you know what’s going to happen now?” She asked.
“Yeah, I saw Dash’s P.A.W.S.... This ought to be fun.” Sighed Vinyl as she remembered one particular time that Dash had managed to get ahold of a knife and had slit her wrists in an attempt to end her own life.
“Where am I anyway?”She continued as she looked around trying to see if maybe something in the room would jog her memory, but the room was quite plain; save for the bed that Vinyl was laying in there were a few chairs, a bedside table, and a closet but nothing else.
“You’re at Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash’s apartment, they brought you here after your first rehab session and since then they’ve been fighting to keep you off of the heroin; You’ve also been going to Dr. Hooves on a regular basis to make sure you body was healing in the proper way while it detoxed naturally, It was him who discovered you were still in withdrawal and therefore diagnosed you as having P.A.W.S.” Explained Octavia watching the panic grow in Vinyl’s eyes each second.
“Where’s all my stuff, damn it I already told her not to bring me here, I don’t want a fucking handout from people; I’ve taken care of myself for the last three years and that’s the way it’s going to stay!” She screamed now thrashing in the bed trying to break Octavia’s hold on her.
[youtube=http://www.yourepeat.com/watch?v=Z32vWjJSrvw]
“You’re not going anywhere!” Snapped Octavia, slapping Vinyl acrossed the face. “Celestia damn it Scratch, do you have any idea how much everyone in the apartment right now cares about you, and you want to leave them to live in some dirty alleyway, to die, to leave everyone here to possibly follow you because they commit suicide in guilt from failing to try and save you, and damn it Vinyl Scratch, don’t ask me why because I don’t know myself, but I’m not letting you go because I fucking love you... There I said it... I love you.” Finished Octavia, beginning to cry.
“Octavia.... I... I love you too I guess, I don’t know why either, but when I’m with you I just feel better I guess, like I never had to do that shit in the first place, but still....” She trailed off fighting with herself emotionally between her want to stay safe for Octavia, Dash, and the others and her ingrained mistrust for others, and now one other feeling. Something she couldn’t explain, she’d only known this woman for two weeks and yet somehow the thought of her crying, of her in pain, it was painful for her to even think about it.
“Please stay.” Begged Octavia, looking pleadingly into Vinyl’s ruby eyes and kissing her. It was unexpected, not of her own choice, and yet it felt so right. Her lips against Vinyl’s as her shock also dissipated and she began returning to kiss also staring into Octavia’s eyes
I love the color of her eyes; they’re like beautiful lilac flowers, so deep. Thought Vinyl.
So much like the finest of beautiful rubies, that’s the color of her eyes, that’s one of the few things that set her apart from Lyra... I wonder how long this might last, if she’d let me. Thought Octavia as she slid her arms under Scratch’s blanket and found her scarred chest and put her hand against her heart. At this Scratch removed the blanket from between the two of them revealing her body. As they had taken all of Vinyl’s clothes off to keep her from overheating except for her underclothes which she now removed knowing what Octavia wanted.
“Ready for it to go this far?” Asked Vinyl as she loosened Octavia’s Tie and laid it on the bedside table.
“Passion between two consenting woman is just fine as long as they love each other.” Replied Octavia as she hung her silk shirt and slacks neatly on one of the chairs and wrapped under the covers with Vinyl.
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Vinyl laid there basking in the afterglow of her and Octavia’s first time and watched Octavia’s chest rise and fall with her breathing.
“Well that was something.” Smiled Vinyl as she cuddled into Octavia’s body
“Something is my favorite.” Laughed Octavia, smiling at Vinyl’s lack of descriptive vocabulary to describe their first time.
“So, ready to tell the others.” Sighed Vinyl, trying to get up but failing as she was still weak from her condition.
“No reason to keep it from them I suppose, being they more than likely heard us moaning.” Replied Octavia getting to her feet and helping Vinyl to stand.
“Well whenever you’re ready.” Said Scratch as Octavia opened the door and they walked out into the sitting room
TBC
