Whatever You Make Can be Better
Whatever You Make Can be Better
Edited by:
Eldorado
Spacecowboy
Willow The Pegasus
Narlepoax III
Pre-read by:
SkeeterTheLurker
RainbowBob
"Vinyl, we really need to talk." The polite voice of Noteworthy slithered into Vinyl's ear as she sat at the desk before him.
"About what?" She asked, already knowing the answer.
"You know what, Vinyl. Both of us do. Everypony probably does, at this point." Noteworthy said, leaning forward and staring directly at her. He seemed to be holding himself back for her, not wanting to admit what was already being presented.
"Well, go on, say it. Not like it matters." Vinyl said, her tone becoming a tad agitated, her eyes locked to his.
Noteworthy sighed. "Don't make me say it, Vinyl. Let's just talk about it."
"No, I want you to say it. Admit that you know." Vinyl growled.
"I'm not going t "
"Say it, Noteworthy." Vinyl interrupted.
"Vinyl "
"Say it."
"Sto "
"Say it!"
"Vinyl, st !"
"Say it, you shithead!"
"Fine then, I wanted to be civil about this, but apparently you need to make it an issue!" Noteworthy yelled, getting out of his chair and pounding his hooves against the desk. His hoof pointed directly at her, and her ears perked, ready to hear the menacing words.
"You haven't produced any music in months. You haven't bothered playing small time gigs, big time gigs, going on tour for your fans, signing autographs everything is on the line, Vinyl Scratch." Noteworthy sat down, calming himself.
"Yeah, I know." Vinyl scoffed, shrugging off the issue.
"No, I don't think you do, Vinyl," Noteworthy said. "Everything is on the line. Everything. Record labels, sponsors, dedicated fans, our jobs. It's on the line because you won't produce something.
"I called you here today to discuss the issue. I want to understand what the heck is going on with you so we can move forward and maybe release a few singles. At the least."
Vinyl Scratch stared at him for a few moments, both of them sitting in silence. Her eyes left his face and began to wander around the room eyeing over the many records she had produced, along with the very first one that started her career.
"Vinyl?" Noteworthy interrupted the silence, wanting an answer.
"... I'm sorry." Vinyl said softly.
"What?" He raised a brow, unable to hear her.
"I said I'm sorry... For yelling at you and... Not doing my job." Vinyl repeated.
"It's okay, Vinyl. We're both friends, so, I understand." Noteworthy smiled softly. "But I need to understand what's going on in the mind of my friend and business associate. We both need to progress with your music. So, what's stopping you?"
Vinyl didn't answer. Instead, she avoided the question by clicking her hooves together.
"Vinyl, is it because the music equipment is out-of-date? I can get some better stuff. We have the money for it." Noteworthy offered, trying to pry the answer out of her.
"No, it's not that... It's..." Vinyl stopped herself. I... Do I even want to admit it to myself right now...?
"It's what, Vinyl?" Noteworthy asked.
"Just... Let me think for a moment..." Vinyl said calmly and quietly.
"That's fine. So long as we can progress." Noteworthy said.
Vinyl sighed softly. I've been out of this for so long... Two months and I haven't produced anything. I know my fans want stuff... I know my friends are worried about me... Octavia, she... Even she misses me producing things.
Vinyl looked up at Noteworthy, who was waiting patiently. But can I even admit it to myself? That I have a problem? That I...
If I don't admit it now... I'll be stuck in this rut forever. I can't be like this forever. I want to have a happy life, not this... Vinyl adjusted her positioning in her seat, leaning forward a little.
"Noteworthy, I... I don't know what better way to tell you this. I'm having trouble admitting it to myself right now." She said calmly. "But I feel like..."
Dammit, just tell him! Vinyl fell into silence again, making Noteworthy sigh. "Vi "
"I don't think my music is good, Noteworthy." VInyl interrupted.
Noteworthy was taken aback, raising his brow and leaving his mouth slightly agape. "What?"
"There, I admitted it! I don't think my music is good. It's awful. The worst thing that exists in Equestria. Even Discord would be ashamed of it." Vinyl said, gritting her teeth at her own words.
"Vinyl, that is the most absurd thing that has left you mouth. How can you say that about your masterpieces? Your music is beautiful!" Noteworthy exclaimed. "I've worked with you since I met you at Canterlot University. I offered you an investment deal because your music could easily be the best. Not because it's awful."
"Yeah, well, that's what you think." Vinyl said sternly.
"Are you joking? Please tell me you are joking." Noteworthy couldn't help but offer a smirk. "Because plenty of critics agree with my, Vinyl."
"Oh, yeah?" She asked.
"Yes, look!" Noteworthy quickly pulled out old magazines and newspapers featuring Vinyl Scratch on the cover and a review of her music below. "Nine point five, Equestria Atlantic; Eight point seven, Baltimare Nightly News; Nine point nine, Crystal Times; A solid ten from Music Critic Today, Vinyl!
"The lowest score I've ever seen you get was a solid seven, and that was because you forgot to add a few lyrics, which you promptly did the next day, and the reviewer upped their score."
Vinyl shook her head. "So what, Noteworthy? My music is dreadful. Just admit it already."
"No, Vinyl. Your music is beautiful and elegant. You even have a singing voice that could put even the hungriest timberwolf to sleep." Noteworthy said with confidence. "Vinyl, I won't admit that you have bad music because you don't."
"I do. I hate it. I hate my music. My career is going down the tubes because I hate what I produce." Vinyl said, sighing heavily. "I've sat down so many times, trying to produce something. I end up making a few songs and then I listen to them I listen to my voice, I listen to the different instruments, I listen to the melodies; I listen to everything... And all I feel is pure hatred. Like I should take a sledgehammer and smash my equipment."
"I can't believe this, Vinyl." Noteworthy said, shaking his head. "I can't believe you dislike your own music, even though it is simply beautiful. Sure, the hardstyle and dubstep stuff is a bit wonky, but even that is far superior than what most electronic musicians want to achieve."
"I hate it, not 'dislike it,' Noteworthy." Vinyl corrected, ignoring the rest of what he said.
"Hate is a strong word, Vinyl. Do you even know what it means?" Noteworthy asked.
"Yeah. I severely dislike something to the point that I can't be around it anymore." Vinyl answered.
"Exactly, Vinyl. You can't hate what you produce." Noteworthy said simply.
"Well, look at me now. I've avoided it for two months and whenever I get near it I can't stand what I produce." Vinyl explained.
Noteworthy sighed, finally figuring out that it was fruitless to even try and convince her otherwise. "Okay, I get it, Vinyl. I get that you hate your own music. But, look... Just because you hate your music doens't mean everyone else hates it."
"That's not the point, Noteworthy. I should be enjoying what I do. I use to and now I don't. I won't do something that just makes me feel pain." Vinyl said in an instant.
"Then maybe I need to force you to do it, Vinyl." Noteworthy offered. "That seems like the only solution."
"I can't, Noteworthy. I'll end up just tossing it." Vinyl said.
"No, I won't let you. Nor will you slide out of this project, either. Because this project isn't for you, persay, but for somepony else." Noteworthy explained.
Vinyl raised a brow, curious at what he was talking about. "Go on."
"You get a ton of letters from fans. I try to go through what I can and try to let you incorporate what they say into songs. It's why you see me poke my head in and offer stuff, y'know? It really makes the fans feel involved with the artist. " Noteworthy explained. "But, recently, I received a request for a song. From you to a fan's friend."
Noteworthy opened the drawer to his desk and pulled out a letter, sliding it across the desk. Vinyl looked down on it to see it was addressed to her, from a pony named "Scootaloo."
"Scootaloo, huh?" Vinyl said. "Cute name."
"Yeah, it's a nice name. But, that's not what this is about. Scootaloo wants a song for a friend, as I said, for their birthday. Their birthday is in two days, meaning you'll have until tomorrow night to get it finished." Noteworthy said. "After that, I'm going to send you to Ponyville and give her the song yourself."
"W-what?!" Vinyl shook her head. "No way! I can't produce music that fast!"
"Well, if you read the letter, it doesn't need to be a long song. Just you singing happy birthday, in fact. But, your personal rendition, and directing it to her friend." Noteworthy explained, which calmed Vinyl a little "It's a very small project, Vinyl, and you need it.
"You also need to get out more. You going to see the fan might give you a kick to the flank and provide you with an opportunity to see what you're missing while you 'hate' your music. Get it?"
Vinyl nodded slowly. "I... Guess I could try one more time. But... I don't know. It's going to be hard to produce something good enou "
"Don't make it 'good enough,' Vinyl. Do your best and try to be satisfied when you give it to Scootaloo for her friend." Noteworthy interrupted.
Vinyl nodded again. "Okay. I'll try my best, then."
"Good. That's all I wanted to talk about today." Noteworthy leaned back comfortably in his chair.
Vinyl stood up, grabbing the letter with her telekinesis, and began to leave the room.
"Oh, Vinyl..." Noteworthy spoke up, making her turn around. "We're still friends, we always have been. My door is always open to discuss problems, whether they be big or small. Don't be afraid to tell other ponies, okay?"
Vinyl nodded. "Yeah... Thanks."
Noteworthy smiled and Vinyl promptly left.
Vinyl Scratch opened the door to her house and promptly wiped her hooves on the floor mat. As she did so, she noticed Octavia's bow tie had still been hung up a clear sign that she was home. Vinyl sighed, softly stepping forward. Her hooves gently collided with the wood floor as she proceed out of the foyer and into the living room. In there, Octavia was sitting on the couch, flipping through a magazine of some sort.
Vinyl cleared her throat, which prompted Octavia to turn away from the magazine and stare directly at her. Vinyl waved silently and trotted into the living room, sitting down on the couch next to her. She smiled weakly and Octavia only gave her a raised brow.
"What are you doing home, Vinyl?" She asked politely, her posh voice soothing to Vinyl's ears.
"I... Just needed to discuss things with Noteworthy, really. Not much to talk over, so, I came home." Vinyl explained.
"Excuse me if I find it... Odd. You're normally out for hours on end, even when you're discussing things." Octavia said. "But, I do appreciate your company. How are you doing?"
Vinyl frowned softly, looking up for a moment before answering. "Oh... I guess I'm okay."
"Okay, Vinyl?" Octavia asked, setting her magazine down.
"Yeah. I'm fine." Vinyl said.
"Now you're fine, hmm?" Octavia frowned.
"Yeah... Same thing, isn't it?" Vinyl asked.
"No, you're changing your story. You've done this before, Vinyl." Octavia said. "You always hide stuff from me."
"W-what? What are you talking about, Octavia? I never hide anything from you..." Vinyl pondered quickly before continuing. "Except one thing, but that's a bit more personal and... I'm not comfortable sharing that."
"Of course you're not..." Octavia muttered, standing up and trotting over to a bookshelf, her hoof gliding against many books and looking over their titles.
I'm confused... Vinyl though. I didn't do anything wrong. I just don't want to tell her.
"What's wrong, Octavia? Did I do something to upset you?" Vinyl asked politely.
"Octavia?" Octavia turned around, a bit of fury fuming in her eyes. "You've never called my 'Octavia.' It's always 'Tavi.' What's made you change, hm?"
Vinyl raised a brow, unsure what to make of the situation. "Uhm... Don't you always chastise me for using 'Tavi?'"
"Sure I do. But I got use to your mannerisms and now you're changing them!" Octavia lightly raised her voice to emphasize her point.
"Okay, sorry. I'll change back." Vinyl said, her ears flopping downwards in response to Octavia's yelling.
"That's not the point, Vinyl..." Octavia groaned, turning away from her.
"Then what is the point, Oc ... Tavi? I didn't do anything wrong. Just tell me what's wrong and let me fix the problem." Vinyl said, crossing her hooves across her chest.
Octavia stood silently, a few small sighs leaving her mouth before turning back and facing Vinyl. "Vinyl."
"Tavi." Vinyl responded.
"Have you been seeing other mares, Vinyl?" Octavia asked.
Vinyl was taken aback. Enough to actually make her jump a little. "W-what?! How could you even ask me something like that! Of course I haven't, Tavi!"
"Well dammit, Vinyl, it sure seems like it." Octavia stated sternly.
"How?" Vinyl retorted.
"Well, let's see... You've grown distant to me these past two months, you rarely talk to me, you're always 'out-on-the-town,' you're always reluctant to even kiss me or cuddle with me!" Octavia had a few tears sliding down her cheek. She promptly wiped them out of her vision before continuing. "It's like I'm speaking to a different pony each time I see you. You've changed so much and now you're so disconnected that you won't share your problems with me the mare you love."
Vinyl sat there for a moment, thinking this over. First Noteworthy and now Octavia... Has this really become that big of a problem? Have I really become such an issue to hurt the ones who love me, for Celestia's sake? Vinyl looked down at the floor, ashamed to even look at Octavia's crying face.
"I... I-I'm sorry Tavi... I should be connecting with you more and that's my fault. You are really important to me." Vinyl looked back up at Octavia, frowning. "I've just... I didn't realize my problem has been affecting you so much... I thought it was just me, Tavi."
"What problem, Vinyl?" Octavia held back a soft. "Please, I want to know what's wrong. Let me help you. Let me see the pony I fell in love with again."
I have to admit it again... Vinyl sighed.
"Is it drugs, Vinyl? Are you getting back on ecstasy? I can call Doctor Tho "
"No, Tavi... It's my music." Vinyl said. "That's what Noteworthy wanted to talk about with me today. My music. Why I wasn't producing anything not even singles. I've come to hate my music and I just... I don't want to do it. I've been in this slouch and I'm really sorry that it's hurting you."
"Your music? But I hear you composing beautiful pieces in the recording room!" Octavia stated.
"I have, but I quickly throw out what I produce because I hate it." Vinyl explained. "I know you love me, Tavi, and I love you dearly. But... In order to solve this issue, Noteworthy has tasked me to compose a piece for a fan. I'm going to hate it so much, I'm going to belittle myself throughout it, but he's forcing me to. Afterwards, I need to go visit them. That's two days from now. I need the piece done by tomorrow."
Octavia shook her head, trying to comprehend the situation. "I just... I can't believe this whole problem is music. How can you even hate your own music? It's bea "
"I know!" Vinyl yelled, making Octavia jump. "Sorry... I just... I don't want to have this conversation again. I know ponies like my music. But I don't like it. I don't know why, I just can't satisfy myself with it."
Octavia sat on her rump, looking at Vinyl with teary eyes. They were distant both physically and emotionally. Vinyl couldn't push herself to even go near Octavia and Octavia was only waiting for her to come near. Instead, they sat and stared in silence.
Finally, Vinyl spoke up. "I need to get recording. Maybe after I record this piece and give it to my fan, I can return to normal. Or be the same. Whatever happens, really."
Vinyl stood up, looking away from Octavia.
"I love you, Vinyl Scratch." Octavia said softly.
Vinyl stood there and turned her head, still not looking at Octavia. "I love you too, Octavia Philharmonica."
Slowly, Vinyl left the living room and trotted down a hallway to the recording area.
