Millennium Novus

Millenium Novus

Part I: Chapter 4

Just a Scratch

“This was a mistake,” Even said, eying the club in front of her.

“Well, you’re not backing out now that I’ve went through all this trouble,” Vesper said. She was standing with Even and two other ponies, a blue and white unicorn and a grey pegasus. Vesper had introduced them as Crest and Kicks, respectively. They were roommates, apparently. “You’re here, now,” Vesper said. “Let’s just give it a try.”

Even gulped. Kicks grinned and gave her a slap on the back. “First timer, eh? You’ll do fine. Just find a nice looking stallion—“

“—or mare—“ Crest threw in.

“—or mare,” Kicks conceded, “and go for it.”

“Just like that?” Even asked. “No signs to check for? No lists? Just…”

“Grind,” Crest said, grinning.

“Alright, alright,” Vesper said.  “Enough talk. Let’s do this.” Together, the three mares advanced on the building, Even following a few steps behind. There was a small line at the front, but Crest waved to the bouncer and he let them in.

The moment she stepped in Even was assaulted by wall of sound. The music was not so much playing as it was fighting, a steady throb of beats that hammered through her ears and tapped her vertebrae. Even tried to step back, but Vesper grabbed her and pulled her along. They had come out above the main level. Below, a mass of ponies thrashed and twisted, their movements strange and wild. A white unicorn with a two-toned blue mane manned the DJ booth, one hoof swinging in sync to the beat.

The four ponies maneuvered their way to the edge of the crowd. Nodding at Vesper and with a wink at Even, Kicks and Crest moved into the fray. They were quickly absorbed by the crowd. Vesper pulled Even along until they were standing at the bar.

“Where did they go?” Even shouted over the crowd.

“They can take care of themselves,” Vesper shouted back. “You, on the other hand, are going to need a bit more of a push.” She tapped the bar to get the tender’s attention, and two shots slid her way, She picked one up and gave it to Even. “Bottoms up.”

Even took her shot and downed it. The liquid burned her throat, but she managed to keep from coughing.

“You alright?” Vesper shouted, clapping her on the back. “You took that one like a champ. Have another.”

“How many am I going to need?” Even shouted back.

“This one will do. We want you to remember how much of a good time you had, after all.”

“What if someone tries to… you know?” Even said.

“Then they’ll have to go through me.” Vesper shouted back, her eyes fierce.

Even took the shot. “Alright,” she said. “Now what?”

“Now we go.” And with that, Vesper grabbed Even and pushed her into the crowd.

When she was very young, Even’s house had caught fire. She had woken up in the middle of the night to a cloud of smoke and burning wood. Although the fireponies had managed to get her out with no lasting damage, the feeling of suffocation, of an overwhelming of her senses, had stayed with her. Now, walking into the crowd of revelers, she felt much the same. Ponies pushed against her on all sides, hooves stepping on hooves, flanks rubbing, hot breath everywhere. The air she breathed was stifling, the pressure on her chest making it hard to breathe. She felt Vesper pushing on her back, and she knew that she needed to keep moving. The bodies wouldn’t give, so she had to fight her way through, shoving and elbowing. The closer they got to the middle, the harder the crowd pushed, until Even could go no further. The pair of them floated in the middle of the crowd, stagnant.

All of her concerns about not being able to dance vanished. They were pressed so closely together that she could not stand still. There was no room for bad dancing. She flowed with the crowd, in and out, a wave of motion, swept up in something much bigger than herself.

Then the bass dropped, and the crowd lost their minds. The beats were brought to life, falling and rising, one hoof in the air, back and forth and back again. Vesper’s face flashed across her vision, then others, Kicks locked with a strange stallion, their movements as one body. Above it all, the white unicorn surveyed the crowd. She was the master here; her touch made the music loud or soft, made the crowd angry or subdued, rise and fall. She would raise a hoof and bring them up, lower her hoof and bring them down. The alcohol began to run into her mind, blurring everything into a pastel of dark tones and intentions. She felt a pleasant tingling to her horn. Vesper shouted something at her, but words were meaningless. There was nothing but the crowd.

Then suddenly Vesper was gone, replaced by a forest green stallion with a white mane. He caught her eye for a second, and she understood his unasked question. Maybe she would have thought twice, but the cocktail of music and alcohol had put her in the mood, and she smiled. They danced, his flank pressed against hers, and for a moment it was just the two of them. So close together that every move was mirrored, and for a moment she could almost believe they were one, a single mind at sea, one vessel of a mass intent.

Vesper appeared again, face alight with joy. She’d found a stallion herself, but she spared a moment to pump her hoof at Even. But Even barely noticed. The stallion’s breath was at her neck, whispering nothings into her ear. She felt her pulse, already high, quicken further. Visions flashed across her mind: the pair of them moving to a corner, the basal intentions rising to a head. She had seen several pairs already depart. She would press their lips together and then—her breath caught, the pressure in her horn rising—

The music took a turn to the deep, and she felt a stabbing pain in her horn. Energy washed out of her, and every light in the building flickered. No one noticed but her. “What—“

Then her horn exploded, releasing a shockwave that cut out every light in the building. The music came to a screeching halt. Almost as soon as it cut out, the lights and music came on. The crowd barely seemed to notice. Perhaps it was a trick of the DJ.

But the DJ was looking at Even, utter shock on her face. As Even watched, she could have sworn the stare switched into an ecstatic grin, and suddenly Even needed to get out of there. She pushed the green stallion out of the way with a muttered apology and shoved her way out of the crowd. She was slick with sweat and tired, but after a time the swirling bodies began to thin and she broke out of the crowd, panting. She worked her way to the bar and ordered a glass of water. She leaned against the bar and panted.

“Okay, Even…” she said to herself. “No more alcohol for you. That stuff is raw.”

She drank her water and looked at the crowd. The high she had been running off of faded, and suddenly she felt fried and tired. It wasn’t until the thought, What a fascinating study on pony social interactions flashed across her mind that she knew the spell was over.

“Damn. Well, it was fun while it lasted,” she said. She scanned the crowd for Vesper. Perhaps she would understand if Even left early. She’d given it a try, now she needed to analyze the situation and deduce if this was a worthy activity to do again. If only she could get a dossier of the club’s songs, then maybe…

“Excuse me, miss?”

Even turned. A burly stallion stood next to her. He was wearing the polo that all the security ponies wore. “Yes?” she said.

“The DJ would like to speak with you.”

“The DJ? But…” she looked over to where the booth was and found it empty. The songs were playing on an auto track. The crowd didn’t even seem to notice. “Um, okay…”

The stallion dipped his head. “Follow me.” Even walked after him. They edged along the crowd, trying their best to stay clear of the revelers. Now that she was out of it, Even could hardly believe she had ever been there. The place seemed strange and animal, and it shocked her more sensible instincts. She thought of the green stallion and a stab of shame shot through her. She shook her head. How ridiculous; it was what she had come here for, right? The buzz from the alcohol was wearing off, but at least it was still taking the edge off of her anxiety about this meeting.

The stallion came to a staircase. Nodding to a second stallion standing guard, he moved the VIP rope to the side and gestured to Even. “Up the stairs, first door on the left,” he said.

“Um, okay. Thanks,” she said, walking up the stairs. The staircase was dark, a single bare bulb failing to provide adequate light. “Well, Even,” she said, looking at the peeling paint and crooked floorboards, “this place is about as sketchy as anywhere you’ve ever been. What are you doing here?” She had no answer.

The upper floor was no better. She thought she heard the scurrying of a rat somewhere in the depths. There, on the left, stood an old door. She could see the faded imprint of a star on its surface, on top of which someone had slapped a picture of a pair of eighth notes. As she got closer, Even heard a voice on the other side.

“Look, Lyra, I’m telling you, it was her! Lavender coat, violet mane, she even had the stripe and everything!” Even backed up. They were talking about her! Against her better judgment, she leaned closer.  “Okay, okay, I know, she could have dyed it, but to look exactly the same? You gotta give me something here!” The voice was silent for a moment. Even scrunched up her face. She had never dyed her hair a day in her life, thank you! She was very proud of her stripe. “Look,” the voice continued, “I don’t care what you think you saw the other day; I know what I saw, and—“

Even’s horn bumped the door. She backed up, but the damage had been done. There was a scuffle and the DJ opened the door. For a moment, she stared at Even with an intensity that made the unicorn back u. It was as if the DJ was looking into her soul, searching for something that she wasn’t quite sure was there.

“Um, hi…” Even said. “You, ah, wanted to… see me?” The DJ’s look was putting her off her stride.

At her tone, the DJ’s face changed, first to shock, then to jubilance. “It is you,” she said, opening the door wider. “Come in, come in!”

Eve walked inside. The interior of the room was filled with furniture that had seen better days. The couch was torn and dusty, several stains of undetermined fluids adorning its cushions. There was a scuffed vanity desk and mirror combo in the corner. And on the far wall was a bizarre collection of posters and photographs. Even saw that they all advertised various orchestra concerts.

“Please, sit down,” the DJ said, motioning to the couch. She walked over to the desk and pulled out a bottle and two glasses. She walked over to the table and set them down. She poured two drinks and pushed one towards Even. “Go on,” she said, “it’s not that grody, promise.”

Even shrugged and bolted it down. The DJ nodded appreciatively. “Not bad. Some things have changed, I see. Don’t remember you being such a blush before, but hey, whatever floats your boat.”

“I’m sorry,” Even said, voice tight from the alcohol, “but who are you?”

“Huh? Oh, right. I keep forgetting how this works. My name—“ the pony stood and placed a hoof on her chest “—is Vinyl Scratch. You can call me Vinyl.”

“Vinyl Scratch? That’s an… interesting name,” Even said. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone with a last name of ‘Scratch’ before.”

Vinyl chuckled. “It’s pretty old.”

“Hmm,” Even said. “I’ll bet. What’s this about?” A small part of her mind told her that she was being too direct, but she was tired and confused and slightly drunk and she didn’t much care.

“I’ll cut to the source,” Vinyl said. “I never knew you that well, but you’re a smart pony. Tell me, have you been having any strange dreams lately?”

Even’s scalp prickled. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Memories that aren’t yours? Places you’ve never been?”

“Um… no.” Even wasn’t sure why she was lying to the DJ, but something about her look unnerved her. “Why? Should I have been?”

Vinyl’s grin faded, and Even was again struck by the feeling of being searched. The pony was looking for something, something old, that slept within the purple unicorn. She looked at Vinyl, her crimson eyes, blue hair, and scruffy white coat. She was certain that she’d never seen the pony before, but there was something about her, some spark, that seemed almost… familiar?

“… Vinyl?” she asked.

Vinyl’s eyes were shining. “I knew it. I don’t care what Lyra says, it’s true. You’re back.”

“I—“

A loud crash came from the base of the stairs, followed by the sound of the bouncer grunting. Hooves thundered up the stairs. Vinyl shot up. “They’re here,” she said. “Get behind me.”

“What are you talking about?” Even asked, but Vinyl paid her no attention. She stepped up, moving to shelter Even. For a moment, Even could have sworn she saw her horn glow.

The door burst open and Vesper stormed into the room, followed at a lesser pace by Kicks and Crest. “Where is she?” Vesper shouted, eyes ablaze. “If you’ve done anything to her I swear—“ Catching sight of Even, crouched behind Vinyl, she relaxed a fraction. “There you are,” she said, “How many times did I tell you not to go with strange ponies, dammit?”

“Vesper, it’s okay, Vinyl’s a friend,” Even said, wondering exactly why she was saying it. She barely knew the mare.

“I don’t care if she’s your long-lost bestie!” Vesper shouted, making Vinyl snort, “we’re leaving!”

“Um, Vesper?” Crest said, pointing. The bouncer had advanced on their back and made a grab for Vesper. She ducked out of the way.

“Crash! Stop,” Vinyl said. “She’s a friend.” The bouncer nodded and backed off. “I’m sorry about that. I shouldn’t have taken her away without checking if she’d come with anyone first.”

Vesper glared. “We’re leaving. Come on, Even.” She pointed to the door. Even looked at it, then at Vinyl, who sighed.

“Go on. This isn’t the best time to talk about this, anyway. We’ll meet up again.”

“No, we won’t,” Vesper said, now tugging at Even.

Even held firm. “What do you want, anyway?”

Vinyl rubbed her face. “Look, here’s a plan. You know that dig site just outside the city?”

“Even blinked. What do the Ponecians have to do with anything?”

“Go there tomorrow. We’ll be waiting.”

“What?”

“You heard me.”

Even shook her head, trying to clear the haze of alcohol. “That site is closed to the public. I should know; it’s one of the biggest finds this century.”

“Just get there. We’ll explain everything then.”

“But—“

“Even, what’s gotten into you?” Vesper said, giving her friend another tug. “Let’s go!”

“Go on,” Vinyl said. “I’m not the best person to talk about this, anyway. And if you’re still feeling odd about this… I saw what you did on the dance floor.”

Even’s eyes widened, but she let Vesper tug her out of the room and into the hall. She followed her friend down the stairs and through the crowd, barely noticing as she pushed and shoved her way to the door. It was only after they had left that she snapped out of the trance.

“What the hell was that all about?” Kicks asked as they walked away.

Vesper snorted. “Some hotshot DJ was trying to pork Even. That’s the last time I’m going back to this club, I can tell you that much.” Her two friends nodded.

Even stayed silent. Vinyl Scratch’s last words floated in her mind. The whole situation was ludicrous, yet she could feel something stir within, something strange and otherworldly. Suddenly, the thought of visiting the ruin seemed irresistible. Vesper continued to babble on, but Even paid no mind. Guess I’d better clear out my calendar.