Broken Strings and BPM's

It had been two days since I had seen Vinyl off, and I was just waking to a sunny winter day. Though I was nowhere near the morning pony that my sister was, I was, however, a winter pony. I absolutely loved the winter, and the season was just beginning. I crawled out of bed, and enjoyed a quick drink of water. I knew I'd have to be hydrated to handle Dash's morning antics. Almost as if like clockwork, I heard a hoof knocking on the door, just as I was finishing my drink. I cantered over, and opened the door to no other than Rainbow Dash. She smiled at me, wings outstretched. "Morning, Nub. Ready to race."

I laughed in Dash's face. "If by 'race' you mean 'win' then hay yeah!"

She scowled at me and spoke in almost a growl, as she said "Oh no, you aren't winning this time."

I laughed, as I walked out, and shut the door. "We'll see."

"I like your attitude, Nub. Ready?"

"Ready." I braced myself for take-off.

"Go!" We both took off, flying at high speed across the fields around Ponyville. A few minutes later, we landed on a hillside to rest.

"So," Dash began, "You let her go to Manehattan by herself?"

I shrugged. "Yeah, she deserved a vacation, and I know she's been wanting a record deal, so I didn't want to get in the way."

Dash just looked at me. "You're an idiot, Bass. Do you even know what happens in Manehattan? She's going to meet some romantic, silver-tongued stallion, he'll buy her a few drinks, and take advantage of her."

I was personally shocked that Dash would accuse Vinyl of being so naive, but another question plagued my mind. "Speaking from experience, Dash?"

She shot an angry glare at me. "Yes… I am, Lunar Black." I won't lie, the extreme amount of emphasis she put behind the last two words spoke louder than a stack on full volume, and told more detail than an encyclopedia of ancient history.

I couldn't believe somepony had brought that… monster into such a discussion. "Sorry, Dash," I apologized. "You know I wasn't exactly myself back then. You know I would never do something like that again."

"I know," replied the loyal cyan pegasus. "And that's why I don't give a buck anymore. Plus it WAS pretty awesome."

I blushed at Dash, and stretched out my wings. "Thanks," I fumbled over the proper choice of words. "Now, what do you say to a chance at redemption?"

My rainbow maned challenger chuckled, and stretched her wings, and poised for a speedy takeoff. "You are so on, Nub!"

A few hours later, I returned home, and dropped a record on the record player, sinking into the couch, sipping on a mix of ginger ale, and Buck Daniel's Winter Select 100 proof whiskey. Forty bits per bottle seemed a little steep at first, but after tasting it, it was well worth every cent. I was finally getting comfortable, when I heard a knocking on the door. I wasn't exactly expecting visitors. And I certainly wasn't expecting this particular visitor. I trotted to the door, wondering who it could be. I pushed open the door, and there stood the last pony I expected to see. "Sup, Bass?" I would know that voice anywhere. It was a light grey unicorn with a dark grey and red mane, with a beanie on. He had a cutie mark of a pair of headphones with a plug in the middle.

"Mic? Is that really you?" I couldn't believe it. Mic and I used to hang out back in the days of Fasthor5 and Lunar Black. You could almost call us partners in crime... Well, yeah, we were partners in crime… literally. However, somewhere amongst all the drug and alcohol abuse, Mic and I grew apart. He cleaned up, and I refused to change. Stupid stupid me.

"The one and only," he chuckled. "How ya been, bro?" as was his usual custom, he simply strolled in, and looked around. I didn't care, because I was always the same way. We grew up in the same neighborhood in Phillydelphia, so it was a common practice between us.

"I've been doing great, bro," I said as I closed the door behind him.

He took a look around, becoming familiar with his surroundings. "That's cool, that's cool. So, what have you been up to? It's been quite a few years. I heard big bad Bassy finally decided to settle down. I was hoping to meet the lucky mare."

I led him to the kitchen, and sat down. "Sorry, bro, but she's in Manehattan doing a recording session with Hydra Records."

He smiled, and raised any eyebrow at me. "So, my old pal's engaged to another musician. Didn't you learn your lesson, last time?"

I took a sip of my drink, thinking for a moment. "She's not Silver Sky, Mic. She loves me, and would never do anything like that to me."

"Well, then I'm happy for ya, pal." He stopped for a second, then busted out laughing. "That reminds me. I heard about your little show in Steedston. Heard it was pretty buckin rockin. Also heard Sky's band left her onstage in the middle of her second song. By the way, how's Treble? I've heard a lot of talk about some shit she got into. Something about coming out of the closet."

I cringed, as my mind went back to that day when I locked Treble and Octavia in the basement. Then back to the morning after that. The stench was absolutely overpowering. Not to mention the fact that they completely ruined my breakfast. "Yeah, she's doing her own thing. Nothing I can really do about it. Although, I'm kinda proud of her. She's changed quite a bit."

Mic nodded, pouring himself a drink. "She's made quite a name for herself. Who knows, she may even find herself in the Rock Hall of Fame, right next to you, bud."

I smiled at the thought. I always wanted my sister to follow her dreams, and achieve her potential, so the very thought of her reaching such greatness was quite a happy thought. "That would be something. So, what brings you here, Mic?"

The unicorn grinned at me, telling me instantly that he came for a purpose. "Well, Bassy, I've come to deliver a proposition."