Up To Scratch

Vinyl smiled and held out her hand, but Baseline didn't take it right away. He was eyeing her with what seemed to be contempt, and when he finally shook her hand, it was paired with a warning.

“If you break her heart again...”

With as much confidence she could muster while seemingly being threatened, Vinyl replied with a stern, “I won't.”

Baseline dropped her hand and laughed, as did Octavia, and Vinyl glanced between them, apparently having missed something.

“I know you won't, just couldn't pass up the chance to scare the shit out of you.”

Baseline had lightened up in a flash, which was a pleasant surprise, since Vinyl had thought he was being serious. Octavia had started ahead of them, snagging the only vacant outside table at the coffeehouse. Even though he had been kidding, Vinyl thought she'd add some reassurance just in case.

“Seriously though, she means the world to me. I wouldn't hurt her again, you have nothing to worry about.”

“I better not have anything to worry about.”

Vinyl glanced at him again, but he was now taking a seat at the table, putting on a smile again for Octavia. Vinyl decided to disregard his comment and sat down as well.

“I'm glad you two can finally meet... formally, of course.”

Traveling around to compete in various tennis tournaments had taken up most of his time these past months, and though he and Octavia had been in touch, there was no date he could give for when he was coming back, until recently.

“Yeah... can't say I've been looking forward to it.”

His hostility had become evident again, and Octavia frowned. Vinyl didn't seem as put off by it this time though, as she had gotten an idea.

“Were you following that whole surgery deal with Sara?”

She had attracted both Octavia and Baseline's complete attention with that comment, though the question was for Baseline.

“Sort of. She got a messed up nose job, or something? Serves her right.”

“Yeah... I did that.” Vinyl snickered, but at the questioning looks from the other two she collected herself and explained. “I punched her in the face and broke her nose pretty bad. Looks like she tried surgeries and magic treatments to fix it, but they kinda made it worse.”

Octavia laughed a bit at that, but Baseline's jaw dropped as he looked at Vinyl with a mixture of awe and admiration.

“That was because of you...?”

“Yeah... Two weeks of solid community service for assault, but it was completely worth it.”

Octavia had to admit she was a bit worried they wouldn't get along, but as Baseline made it clear he considered her act of violence to be more an act of heroism, and Vinyl happily accepted his compliments, she realized there was nothing to worry about.

Vinyl had put her arm around Octavia, and as the other two had begun discussing sports, Octavia was content to tune out of the conversation and simply enjoy their company.