Broken Strings and BPM's

You know, when I think back on it, I can remember the happy times. Back when I didn't have a care in the world. When it was just the two of us, happy as can be. In fact, I don't think I ever once thought of what life would be like without her. Perhaps if I had, I would've been prepared for this. It doesn't matter anymore. I've already lost a part of my heart, and no matter how hard I try to tell myself that she still loves me, the more it hurts, especially knowing that she's gone forever.

Sorry. Perhaps I was too quick to the point. Allow me to fill you in on the details, even though it still hurts to the deepest recesses of my soul. No, please don't worry about me. It's a story that must be told.

It was a rather beautiful day in Ponyville. Almost as beautiful as her ruby red eyes. I was just returning from my morning flight with my friend Rainbow Dash. Hah. I still remember her innocent taunts, as we raced around town. "Try to keep up, Nub," she would say, playfully. "Nub" was Dash's nickname for me. I still laugh at the fact that she tried to compare me to a novice flier. Although, I must admit, it is quite a fun word to say. Nub. Nub. Nub. Ah, sorry, I'm getting off track. Anyway, I was returning home from my usual morning race with Dash. I remember smiling as I spotted my small house on the edge of town, and made a mad gallop for the door. As I cantered in the door, I was greeted by the sweetest melody to ever grace my ears. I still, to this day, remember it with the most striking clarity. Such clarity that I would like to think that she is still sitting next to me. "Good morning, Bass. I trust you had a nice morning workout."

By Celestia, there was nopony in all Equestria as beautiful as she was. I loved everything about her. Her off-white coat, her tri-shade blue, tousled mane and tail, her slender form, and ruby eyes. Like I said. I loved everything about her. Right down to her cutie mark. Two eighth notes tied at the top, though oddly backward. I didn't mind that. All it meant was that even in all the sheet music in the world, I'd never see the same notes. I loved her so much. She had pulled me through so many hard times, and pulled me out of the deepest depression of my life with that straightforward attitude of hers. "And good morning to you too, future Mrs. Bass," I said. It was such a wonder to be engaged to such a wonderful mare. "And yeah, Dash sure knows how to be a sore loser." I couldn't help but laugh at that.

Vinyl giggled. "Yeah, she hates losing." The rest of the morning went by quickly, between breakfast, and satisfying our more… carnal desires. Before I knew it, I looked over at the clock on the nightstand, still stroking my exhausted angel's messy blue mane. "Hey, Vi, let's get up. We've gotta go to the market. The fridge is a bit understocked."

She looked up, and smiled at me, blinking her ruby red eyes. "Okay, Baby. Just let me fix my mane. And also, it looks like we need to stop by Rarity's. Your mane is starting to look like Fluttershy's."

I stood and looked in the mirror, at my long black mane, chuckling softly. "But I thought you liked my mane long and wild, babe."

I nearly melted as she kissed me on the cheek, and whispered in my ear. "You're wild enough for both yourself and your mane, Bass." All I could do was laugh at her dirty joke. Oh how I miss that. The day seemed to fly by faster than Rainbow Dash after drinking one of Pinkie Pie's home made energy drinks. It was about early evening by the time we made it to Rarity's. I can still remember her dreadful voice as we cantered into the shop.

"Oh, good evening, Darlings," she called from the second floor. I'll be with you in just a minute." A few minutes later, the fashionista came trotting down the stairs, and gasped as she saw my shaggy mane, and immediately began running that mouth of hers. "Oh my! So you finally brought him in to get that dirty mop cut off his head, Vinyl?"

Vinyl looked at me, and flashed a smile, seeing me rolling my eyes behind my shades. She knew I didn't like Rarity. Oh, how I despised her. I could deal with anypony in Ponyville, but Rarity. Hay, I would rather spend an afternoon with Ditzy Doo than spend thirty seconds with Rarity. "Yeah, we agreed that something needed to be done with it, so we came here," she would say, as she looked back to Rarity. But of course, I remained silent. After all, you know what they say. If you don't have anything nice to say, then shut the buck up.

"Ah, wonderful," she spoke, in that wretched voice of hers, beckoning me to follow her with her hoof. "Come, darling." I followed her silently, the the next room, otherwise known as the torture chamber. I played nice, while she cut my mane, and tried to make small talk. "So tell me, Bass, how are things at home? I hear you and Vinyl are quite happy. Oh, you're such the perfect couple. It's almost as if you were made for each other. I mean, you're both so straightforward, you both have unconventional tastes in just about everything. Oh, and don't even get me started on your music."

I endured the torment for almost an hour until she finally spun me back around, to show me the finished product of her labor. I looked in the mirror, and was stunned by what I saw. My long black mane had been cut to about nine inches in the front. The rest of the black hair was gone, with the exception of the hair on top and in the front. Rarity had even added a deep turquoise strip down the middle, and had done the same with my tail. As much as I dislike the shrewd fashionista, I must admit, she does good work. "How do you like it?"

I looked at her, and chuckled. "It's pretty awesome."

She smiles at me, and waved me off with her hoof. "Now let's go show Vinyl," she said, positively beaming. "I'm sure she's going to adore it." She walked out first, and started talking. Thank Celestia she shut the door behind her, so I didn't have to hear it. I looked at my new style in the mirror for a few minutes, until I heard a knocking on the door. I knew what that meant, and immediately took action. I slowly pushed the door open, walked out, and smiled at Vinyl. I chuckled lightly as I saw her jaw drop. It was cute. I couldn't help but blush.

"I told you! She simply adores it, Bass," Rarity beamed.

I had no other choice. I smiled at Rarity, and in the most genuine voice I could fake, mustered out "Thank you, Rarity." Then I turned, and walked to Vinyl, kissing her on the cheek, and leading her out the door.

It was a quiet walk home, Vinyl occasionally laying her sleepy head into my neck. I miss those moments, when it was just me and her, nopony else. But neither of us could have foreseen the coming events.

We had finally made it home, and walked in the door, when I picked the mail up off the floor in front of the door. We were used to receiving record deal offers ever since the concert in Steedston, most of them being for me. I sorted through the letters, and made for a full on gallop to the bedroom as I found one addressed to Vinyl. When I made it to the room, I jumped into the bed, holding the letter between my teeth, and smiling. I smiled at her, still holding the letter in my mouth. "Thif onesh fur you, beb!" I was so excited for her. She had never been offered a record deal, despite all the amazing music she made. It was about time somepony recognized her talents. She looked at me, slightly startled. I guess I woke her up. Then she looked at the letter. She rubbed her eyes, and asked me "What is this, Bass?" I held my smile, as she reached up, and grabbed the letter from my mouth. "Well, babe, back where I'm from, we call that a letter. You're supposed to re-" I was interrupted by a hoof to the back of the head. "Well somepony doesn't appreciate a good joke."

She glared at me, as she opened the letter, and pulled it from the envelope. "Dear Vinyl Scratch," she read. "We at Hydra Records would love to have you on our label. Included is a one week hotel voucher for one to the Mare-iott in Manehattan. We have set up recording dates for you from the 25th to the 31st. We are looking forward to working with you." She looked at me, and smiled. "I can't believe it! I'm finally getting a record deal!"

"Well, you should pack, Vi."

She shot me a look of confusion, and inquired "Why, hun?"

I nodded toward the calendar on the wall, and answered "Well, today is the 23rd, and it's going to take a whole day to get there."

"Are you going to come, too?" she asked. I could feel a small hint of worry in her tone.

I simply shook my head. I would've loved to go with her, but there was far too much to be done around the house. "Sorry, babe, but I can't. You understand. Plus that voucher's only good for one pony. Besides, you need a vacation." Little did I know that I had just made a major mistake.