Synched Togetherby Eclipse LightningChaptersChapter One - Beats in SyncChapter Two - Welcome, Vinyl ScratchPrologueChapter One - Beats in SyncChapter One – Beats in Sync Vinyl Scratch was happy she got away for a moment. Being the rising star she was, she didn't get much free time to just relax and actually listen to the beat. No, rather, she was either getting ready for a show, spinning her tables; or she was running from a crowd of crazy fans. She was happy to be in a smaller city for once. Playing three shows in Manehatten and Canterlot got to her really fast. For once, she got to kick back, and look for a smaller record shop. That's where all her best tracks came from. Somewhere off the beaten path, where she could meet some music enthusiasts like herself. Well, so long as they didn't recognize her as the star DJ Pon-3. She got caught once or twice, and the results were... well, they were horrible in ways. Crazed fangirls chasing her, and guys trying to get her number even if she's only in for a day. “Now, where's a good little shop for some good tracks?” she asked herself out loud. Sighing, she walked into a nearby coffee shop to maybe ask if anyone knew at least one that wasn't a major retailer with the latest autotuned pop. Walking up to the counter, she ordered a strawberry coolatta to keep the heat off. As she was waiting for her drink, she asked the cashier quietly, “Hey, would you happen to know of a smaller record shop anywhere around? I haven't been able to find one for a little while.” The cashier looked at her a little funny. “Are you new around here?” “I'm passing through. I like to pick up a new album or two I haven't heard of in the smaller shops. If there's one like that close, I'd appreciate it greatly.” “Well, there so happens to be one only four blocks away,” the cashier replied. “It's called “Stray Vinyl” and if you go to your left for two blocks, left again for one and make a right, you'll find it. Can't miss it, actually. Always has some song playing loudly.” “Really?” Vinyl asked eagerly. Sounds like my kind of store... “Yeah. The guy that owns it, Crescent Beats, lives just above it. If you want something off the beaten path, look there. He can get a lot and then some. Well, here you go. One strawberry coolatta. That'll be four bits, please.” As Vinyl handed over the bits and took her drink, she was about to make it out the door when a guy at a table said without warning, “Hey! Don't I know you from somewhere?” Vinyl froze. She looked at him nervously, before replying, “N-no. Why would you? I'm just passing through.” Please, oh please don't recognize me! “Yeah! I do! You look just like DJ Pon-3! All you're missing is the glasses.” Vinyl gulped. “Heh. Who knew, huh?” His friend at the table gasped as he pointed. “You're right, Chaser! She IS DJ Pon-3! I can't believe I didn't see it at first!” Vinyl turned around, looking as each and every eye was on her. She knew she only had one option. She had to run, and fast too! “Oh, buck,” she swore under her breath, as she ran out the door, hoping to find the record shop quickly before they caught her. At around the same time Vinyl Scratch was walking into the coffee shop, Crescent Beats was just finishing up inventory when an employee named Savannah walked in. Always with her zebra headphones, the short, sandy-haired girl walked to the counter to drop her bag before choosing a record to play for the day. “Good weekend, Savannah?” Crescent Beats asked without looking up. “You bet! I was able to score tickets to the Pon-3 concert for this week!” Savannah replied with an enthusiasm Crescent Beats had only seen a few times. “Did you wanna come? I'm doubtful that Barry or Picks is gonna wanna go with.” “Sorry, Savannah. I can't. I'm gonna be busy all this week. What about that guy you said was really nice at the last party? What was his name again?” “Oh. You mean Benna? No. He was clingy all night, and only let up when I needed the restroom. Definitely a no,” Savannah replied. “Sorry then. When you're done choosing a record, you wanna check that the cleaning kits are well stocked? I don't want the shelves empty of them again.” “Alright, Beats. I'm on it,” she said with a mock salute as she set a record to play a track that was a shop favorite - “Pennyroyal Tea”. Beats smiled to himself as the guitar riffs came in with the drums and Cobain's lyrics started to flood the shop. Setting his clipboard down, he started to unload a shipment of new DJ Pon-3 records. “My Little Bass Cannon” wasn't the most popular, but with her new stuff selling well, people wanted her older stuff just as much now. What I'd give just to meet her, even only for five minutes... he thought to himself, as he set the albums on the soon to be empty Pon-3 display. “It'll never happen,” he muttered to himself, just as the door opened and slammed shut. Turning around he spotted a girl with a head full of blue hair looking out the windows. “Welcome to Stray Vinyl, where you can find all the tracks many are too slow to get to. I'm Crescent Beats, or just Beats if you'd like,” Beats said as he walked over to the girl. She didn't know he was there till he was right at her shoulder. “You trying to hide from someone? Ex-boyfriend maybe?” With a little yelp, the girl turned around slowly to face him. Beats could feel himself starting to blush when he saw her bright magenta eyes. He took a few seconds before he realized he was staring. “I'm sorry. I'm not a flirt, but I have to admit. You have very beautiful eyes, miss. I'm Crescent Beats, or Beats for short. You are..?” he asked the girl. He... he's Beats? He's... kind of good looking... “I-I'm Vinyl Scratch, but everyone calls me Vinyl. I was looking for a smaller shop, and the cashier at the coffee house said to come here.” “Ah... that'd probably be Mocha then. Her sister, Cocoa, isn't too fond of me anymore. Says I, 'need to stop playing such barbaric music and sell decent records'. I don't see a problem really with my stuff. I play what's good; not what's popular,” he told Vinyl with a hint of pride in his voice. “Yeah,” Vinyl replied. “Most of my friends don't fully get why I like all the Dubstep and EDM styles... but that's what I was raised on. My dad used to DJ before he met my mom. We always played something loud.” She started to laugh at this. “Actually, that's how they'd put me to sleep.” Beats started to laugh with her as he moved back to the counter. “Well, since you're our first customer of the week, and there's a concert coming up soon, I'm giving you a rare discount.” Vinyl's ears perked at this. “What discount would that be? And there's a concert soon?” “Yep,” Beats replied. “DJ Pon-3 sold out and I'm having a little trouble keeping her albums in stock at the moment... As for the discount, buy one album, you get the second free. Buy three or more 45's, and they're half off. It's rare, cause only the workers here know about it!” Beats ended laughing loudly. “Other workers? Who else works here?” Vinyl asked, as she headed to the crates full of the 45 singles. “Well,” Beats started. “There's four others besides me. Savannah's in the back now, and Barry and Picks should be here soon. Then there's also Mixie, but she doesn't come in till after 2, and we're closed by 6.” “What's after six?” Vinyl asked, carrying six singles as she headed to the dance section of the LP's. “Well, Savannah heads out to see what the major stores are having in stock. Barry and Picks go to a local club to see any new stars in the area. I've no idea what Mixie does, and I well...” Beats seemed to stare distantly at the door. “I'm sorry?” Vinyl asked. “Nothing. I spaced out for a minute.” Vinyl looked at him for a minute, before picking up a deadmau5 album and a Pegboard Nerds before heading back to the counter. As Beats was ringing her up, Savannah came back in and gasped once she saw Vinyl. “Oh. My. God!!” she exclaimed. “Beats! Do you know who that is!?” She pointed at Vinyl. Oh, buck, Vinyl thought to herself. Not again! “What do you mean, Savannah?” Beats asked, a little annoyed at the overactive fangirl. “Beats! That's DJ Pon-3 you're ringing up!! Quick, ask her to sign our albums!!” Beats turned back to Vinyl, a confused look on his face as she started to shake in a slight fear. Looking closer, he saw that while she didn't have the glasses, or the usual energetic demeanor, Savannah was right. Vinyl Scratch was DJ Pon-3. “Well, I'll be damned. Of all the days to finally meet you.” Beats held out his hand, which Vinyl took with a shaky hand. “It's an honor. I'm a big fan of your stuff. Kind of what got me into mixing, actually.” “Really?” Vinyl had heard that she inspired another DJ or two, but never a cool enough guy like this. “Yep. I go under the name 'Errs'. You ever need a place to relax, you just hop in here. Door's always open.” He leaned in closer so only she could hear over Savannah's squeals of delight. “And um, don't worry. You don't need to sign anything here. Just be you.” Author's Note To those wondering, "Pennyroyal Tea" comes off the album "In Utero" by Nirvana, and it is a personal favorite of mine. This just hit me one day, and I thought, Why not? I've never given Vinyl Scratch much thought, so this is a good change for me really. Comments and constructive criticism is greatly appreciated. Chapter Two - Welcome, Vinyl ScratchChapter Two – Welcome, Vinyl Scratch “You don't have to sign anything here. Just be you." Vinyl almost couldn't believe it. Here was a record store owner – a fan, no less – and he was saying she didn't have to autograph her albums for him. Her head was spinning and her heart was starting to thump louder than the bass in some of her songs. Wait, was that right? “Are... are you sure?” Vinyl asked. “You'd probably be the first to say that to me. Wherever I go, people practically beg me to sign them.” “People like Savannah over there?” Beats asked. “Yeah,” Vinyl said with a chuckle. Beats smiled at her before turning back to Savannah with an icy glare. As she continued to ramble on and on about how amazing Vinyl was live, Beats merely waked slowly past her, and behind the counter where “Pennyroyal Tea” was ending. Without a second thought, he lifted the needle off the record, causing Savannah to stop and turn to face him. “Why'd you turn off the music, Beats?” she asked, a little confused. “I had to get your attention,” Beats replied. “Now, Savannah. Vinyl is here to relax, and buy some records before her concert in a couple of days. While she's here, we will treat her as a customer, and a fellow music lover. Nothing more. No DJ Pon-3 here. Understood?” Beats said all this as he rounded around the counter, stopping right in front of Savannah. Savannah looked down at her toes before mumbling a “yes” only Beats could hear. She went to the back to start unloading the shipment of singles while Beats chose another song to play, choosing to put on “Knives and Pens” by the Black Veil Brides. As he laid the record on the turntable, he turned back to Savannah before laying down the needle. “That doesn't mean you have to act all depressive. I just want you to control yourself is all,” Beats said, turning to see Savannah smile again. “That's better, now,” he said as he dropped the needle, filling the shop with heavy guitar riffs. Vinyl felt herself start to sway with the melody at the chorus, losing herself in the rhythm, not taking heed that Beats was watching her with interest. As she started to get more movement in her little dance, he turned up the volume, singing along with the lines “with knives and pens” especially. “What is this one? I don't think I've heard it before,” Vinyl asked as the song reached it's hook. “It's called “Knives and Pens” by the Black Veil Brides. It's one of my favorites, and I can relate to it a lot. Wanna know what it means?” Vinyl nodded, as Beats came over to lean against the counter in front of her. “It's about how we choose between two paths. Knives – destruction. Pens – creation. The singer wrote it in how he was going to make something of himself, and write songs instead of causing any form of destruction to himself and those around him.” Vinyl looked at him with wide eyes. She knew a lot of songs held a good deal of meaning, but never anything like that. She slowly started to remember how she wrote one song for an old friend of her's. She felt herself smile at the memories she shared with her. I wonder what she's doing now, she thought to herself as the song ended. Beats walked to her and placed his hand on her shoulder. Looking into her eyes, he didn't even get to ask if she was feeling okay. Why? Cause at that moment, the door opened, and in walked Barry and Picks, arguing over the others top five list on a topic. Again. “No way can “Sail” go with those weak ones, Picks. There's just no way!” Barry exclaimed. “Only a metal head like you would think that,” Picks replied. “Not my problem you can't see that my list beats yours out of the park.” “No way is that true, you indie loving little...” Barry stopped once he saw Beats and Vinyl staring at them. “Care to elaborate further, Barry? Or do you want to go help Savannah put out the new singles before I take your monthly bonus off? Again?” Beats asked with an icy glare like before. “I'll... I'll go help her,” Barry grumbled as he slumped to the back to get the remaining boxes. Before Picks could so much as grin smugly, Beats shot him the same glare. “You, Picks, are to make sure our metal section is well stocked. Get a move on it, or else you lose your bonus as well.” Picks merely nodded as he went to the back to get his box of vinyl as well. Just as he got to the door to the stock room, he heard Beats yell, “And I don't want to hear about either of you giving Savannah a hard time with your arguments!” Vinyl giggled as Picks went to the back, just as Barry and Savannah were coming out with the singles. That was when Barry caught full sight of Vinyl. As he cut open his box, he kept shaking his head, as if he couldn't believe something was going on. Finally, he came back over to the counter, giving Vinyl more than enough reason to feel uneasy. “You know,” Barry started, hand on his chin. “You look a hell of a lot like that DJ that's performing in a couple days. Hey Picks! What's that DJ that you said was playing this week?” Barry yelled back to the stock room. Picks came out with another box of records, putting it on the counter before he mumbled back, “DJ Pon-3.” “That's the one! DJ Pon-3. She's performing in three days, and you look a whole lot like her. Just your clothes and the fact you don't have the glasses. Weird right?” Barry looked at Beats, who looked at the ground. Confused, Barry looked to Savannah, who had started to giggle. Barry looked back to Beats, and then to Vinyl. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a pair of red tinted sunglasses, and placed them on her face. The reaction was just what she expected from Barry and Picks. “Holy crap man! She's DJ Pon-3!” Picks yelled. Barry didn't seem convinced. “She's a good lookalike, but I don't believe it still. How can we be sure you're not an imposter, hmm?” “I shook her hand, Barry. Trust me. She's the very real, DJ Pon-3,” Beats answered as Vinyl put the glasses back into her bag and Picks was struggling to take a breath. “She's just here to relax and pick up some records, Picks. No autographs if she doesn't want to. Got it?” “Y-y-yeah, Beats,” Picks finally said finding his breath. Beats nodded, as he went to make sure that no-one was staring in the windows. Mondays were always slow, so the shop normally had only a few things to do before they closed up early. Mixie didn't even bother showing up on a Monday, so the shop closed at about 2 o'clock and everyone met up at a club, or hung out in Beats' place above the shop. “You know,” Beats started. “If you want Vinyl, we normally close early on Mondays. You wanna hang with us tonight? We just head to my place upstairs, but we're always spinning something or playing some kind of song.” Vinyl's ears perked up for a second time that day. “Are you saying you all play something?” “Yeah. We're just a cover band mostly, but people do pay us to keep the parties from getting boring. They all know us, and we don't usually ask for payment. Mixie and Savannah are backup vocals and Savannah does rhythm guitar. Barry and Picks are drums and bass guitar, respectively. I sing mostly and play the lead guitar, but if there's a song I can't play, Savannah does lead while I sing and Mixie does her parts. We call ourselves The Outsiders, cause well, we're mostly a group of just that. Outsiders, that don't follow the norm.” Vinyl started to form a grin, and it just kept getting wider. Not only did she meet a fan of her music, but he was amazingly calm about her stardom. What's more, he seemed to have a love for music to match her own. And speaking of music... “Beats? What kind of music were you raised on? I told you some of mine, so what was yours?” Vinyl asked a slightly stunned Beats. “Well... a little of everything, I guess. I learned all about country from my mom, and my dad exposed me to some great old rock n' roll. From there, I listened to other things that were either growing popular, or that would help me through a situation. Especially after a break up, though those have been few,” Beats answered after thinking. Vinyl looked around at everyone working, placing out records. Savannah loaded up on singles. Barry and Picks arguing about which record to play next. But it was Beats that stirred something in her. She didn't know what she was feeling, but she only knew one way to find out. “I'd like to hang out tonight. Actually, if you want, I'll help around the shop too. I'm sure that you could use a rising star to attract people and help choose amazing tracks. Right?” Vinyl asked with a wink. Everyone was stunned at what she had said. Looks were exchanged and they turned to smiles. Beats walked up to her, placing a “Stray Vinyl” lanyard around her neck. “Well then, welcome to the family Vinyl. Time to sell some tracks.” Author's Note Here you are everyone. I'm actually surprised at how many views this got, though I think I expected worse. Songs I mentioned are as follows: "Pennyroyal Tea" by Nirvana (from the first chapter); "Knives and Pens" by Black Veil Brides; and "Sail" by AWOLNATION. All songs are used to entertain and to help move the story along, and I'll get to how they do so in later chapters. Comment, rate, constructive criticism, yada-yada... Hope you enjoy it enough! PrologueThey say that music is one of the most amazing things in the world. It's a form of magic that ties every single person to another. You can't see it, but you can hear it and you can feel it in your very soul. What's even more interesting, is when two people that love music meet one another, and fall in love. Even more so, when they have a different upbringing in style choice. This is the very story of two of the latter. One, is a DJ that was starting to make a name for herself. Her concerts were starting to sell out virtually everywhere she went. She loved the energy, and the roar the crowd gave her when she'd spin her tables for them. Deep down, though, she wondered if there was someone out there that would look past her fame, and love her for her. Every relationship up at that point had been to use her fame for some reason or another. The second, was a record store owner, in a city that had only a few good people to know good music. He had heard of the DJ and he sold her records. He even liked them, despite being brought up on country and rock. In secret, he mixed his own tracks and covered songs for his friends at parties. He never made anything more than what his store brought him in. Deep down, he wondered if there was a woman out there that he could love and share his love of music with. He was almost thoroughly convinced there wasn't anyone like that for him. Little did either know, that a chance encounter in that shop would set them on a journey of love within their music. A journey that involved drama, romance, a little mischief and even a grand collaboration in competition. There were some willing to keep them together, but more desperate to break them apart. The meeting happened little more than a year ago. In a little record shop called “Stray Vinyl”, where Vinyl Scratch was running from crazed fans, only to meet her biggest. Crescent Beats.
Chapter One - Beats in SyncChapter One – Beats in Sync Vinyl Scratch was happy she got away for a moment. Being the rising star she was, she didn't get much free time to just relax and actually listen to the beat. No, rather, she was either getting ready for a show, spinning her tables; or she was running from a crowd of crazy fans. She was happy to be in a smaller city for once. Playing three shows in Manehatten and Canterlot got to her really fast. For once, she got to kick back, and look for a smaller record shop. That's where all her best tracks came from. Somewhere off the beaten path, where she could meet some music enthusiasts like herself. Well, so long as they didn't recognize her as the star DJ Pon-3. She got caught once or twice, and the results were... well, they were horrible in ways. Crazed fangirls chasing her, and guys trying to get her number even if she's only in for a day. “Now, where's a good little shop for some good tracks?” she asked herself out loud. Sighing, she walked into a nearby coffee shop to maybe ask if anyone knew at least one that wasn't a major retailer with the latest autotuned pop. Walking up to the counter, she ordered a strawberry coolatta to keep the heat off. As she was waiting for her drink, she asked the cashier quietly, “Hey, would you happen to know of a smaller record shop anywhere around? I haven't been able to find one for a little while.” The cashier looked at her a little funny. “Are you new around here?” “I'm passing through. I like to pick up a new album or two I haven't heard of in the smaller shops. If there's one like that close, I'd appreciate it greatly.” “Well, there so happens to be one only four blocks away,” the cashier replied. “It's called “Stray Vinyl” and if you go to your left for two blocks, left again for one and make a right, you'll find it. Can't miss it, actually. Always has some song playing loudly.” “Really?” Vinyl asked eagerly. Sounds like my kind of store... “Yeah. The guy that owns it, Crescent Beats, lives just above it. If you want something off the beaten path, look there. He can get a lot and then some. Well, here you go. One strawberry coolatta. That'll be four bits, please.” As Vinyl handed over the bits and took her drink, she was about to make it out the door when a guy at a table said without warning, “Hey! Don't I know you from somewhere?” Vinyl froze. She looked at him nervously, before replying, “N-no. Why would you? I'm just passing through.” Please, oh please don't recognize me! “Yeah! I do! You look just like DJ Pon-3! All you're missing is the glasses.” Vinyl gulped. “Heh. Who knew, huh?” His friend at the table gasped as he pointed. “You're right, Chaser! She IS DJ Pon-3! I can't believe I didn't see it at first!” Vinyl turned around, looking as each and every eye was on her. She knew she only had one option. She had to run, and fast too! “Oh, buck,” she swore under her breath, as she ran out the door, hoping to find the record shop quickly before they caught her. At around the same time Vinyl Scratch was walking into the coffee shop, Crescent Beats was just finishing up inventory when an employee named Savannah walked in. Always with her zebra headphones, the short, sandy-haired girl walked to the counter to drop her bag before choosing a record to play for the day. “Good weekend, Savannah?” Crescent Beats asked without looking up. “You bet! I was able to score tickets to the Pon-3 concert for this week!” Savannah replied with an enthusiasm Crescent Beats had only seen a few times. “Did you wanna come? I'm doubtful that Barry or Picks is gonna wanna go with.” “Sorry, Savannah. I can't. I'm gonna be busy all this week. What about that guy you said was really nice at the last party? What was his name again?” “Oh. You mean Benna? No. He was clingy all night, and only let up when I needed the restroom. Definitely a no,” Savannah replied. “Sorry then. When you're done choosing a record, you wanna check that the cleaning kits are well stocked? I don't want the shelves empty of them again.” “Alright, Beats. I'm on it,” she said with a mock salute as she set a record to play a track that was a shop favorite - “Pennyroyal Tea”. Beats smiled to himself as the guitar riffs came in with the drums and Cobain's lyrics started to flood the shop. Setting his clipboard down, he started to unload a shipment of new DJ Pon-3 records. “My Little Bass Cannon” wasn't the most popular, but with her new stuff selling well, people wanted her older stuff just as much now. What I'd give just to meet her, even only for five minutes... he thought to himself, as he set the albums on the soon to be empty Pon-3 display. “It'll never happen,” he muttered to himself, just as the door opened and slammed shut. Turning around he spotted a girl with a head full of blue hair looking out the windows. “Welcome to Stray Vinyl, where you can find all the tracks many are too slow to get to. I'm Crescent Beats, or just Beats if you'd like,” Beats said as he walked over to the girl. She didn't know he was there till he was right at her shoulder. “You trying to hide from someone? Ex-boyfriend maybe?” With a little yelp, the girl turned around slowly to face him. Beats could feel himself starting to blush when he saw her bright magenta eyes. He took a few seconds before he realized he was staring. “I'm sorry. I'm not a flirt, but I have to admit. You have very beautiful eyes, miss. I'm Crescent Beats, or Beats for short. You are..?” he asked the girl. He... he's Beats? He's... kind of good looking... “I-I'm Vinyl Scratch, but everyone calls me Vinyl. I was looking for a smaller shop, and the cashier at the coffee house said to come here.” “Ah... that'd probably be Mocha then. Her sister, Cocoa, isn't too fond of me anymore. Says I, 'need to stop playing such barbaric music and sell decent records'. I don't see a problem really with my stuff. I play what's good; not what's popular,” he told Vinyl with a hint of pride in his voice. “Yeah,” Vinyl replied. “Most of my friends don't fully get why I like all the Dubstep and EDM styles... but that's what I was raised on. My dad used to DJ before he met my mom. We always played something loud.” She started to laugh at this. “Actually, that's how they'd put me to sleep.” Beats started to laugh with her as he moved back to the counter. “Well, since you're our first customer of the week, and there's a concert coming up soon, I'm giving you a rare discount.” Vinyl's ears perked at this. “What discount would that be? And there's a concert soon?” “Yep,” Beats replied. “DJ Pon-3 sold out and I'm having a little trouble keeping her albums in stock at the moment... As for the discount, buy one album, you get the second free. Buy three or more 45's, and they're half off. It's rare, cause only the workers here know about it!” Beats ended laughing loudly. “Other workers? Who else works here?” Vinyl asked, as she headed to the crates full of the 45 singles. “Well,” Beats started. “There's four others besides me. Savannah's in the back now, and Barry and Picks should be here soon. Then there's also Mixie, but she doesn't come in till after 2, and we're closed by 6.” “What's after six?” Vinyl asked, carrying six singles as she headed to the dance section of the LP's. “Well, Savannah heads out to see what the major stores are having in stock. Barry and Picks go to a local club to see any new stars in the area. I've no idea what Mixie does, and I well...” Beats seemed to stare distantly at the door. “I'm sorry?” Vinyl asked. “Nothing. I spaced out for a minute.” Vinyl looked at him for a minute, before picking up a deadmau5 album and a Pegboard Nerds before heading back to the counter. As Beats was ringing her up, Savannah came back in and gasped once she saw Vinyl. “Oh. My. God!!” she exclaimed. “Beats! Do you know who that is!?” She pointed at Vinyl. Oh, buck, Vinyl thought to herself. Not again! “What do you mean, Savannah?” Beats asked, a little annoyed at the overactive fangirl. “Beats! That's DJ Pon-3 you're ringing up!! Quick, ask her to sign our albums!!” Beats turned back to Vinyl, a confused look on his face as she started to shake in a slight fear. Looking closer, he saw that while she didn't have the glasses, or the usual energetic demeanor, Savannah was right. Vinyl Scratch was DJ Pon-3. “Well, I'll be damned. Of all the days to finally meet you.” Beats held out his hand, which Vinyl took with a shaky hand. “It's an honor. I'm a big fan of your stuff. Kind of what got me into mixing, actually.” “Really?” Vinyl had heard that she inspired another DJ or two, but never a cool enough guy like this. “Yep. I go under the name 'Errs'. You ever need a place to relax, you just hop in here. Door's always open.” He leaned in closer so only she could hear over Savannah's squeals of delight. “And um, don't worry. You don't need to sign anything here. Just be you.” Author's Note To those wondering, "Pennyroyal Tea" comes off the album "In Utero" by Nirvana, and it is a personal favorite of mine. This just hit me one day, and I thought, Why not? I've never given Vinyl Scratch much thought, so this is a good change for me really. Comments and constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.
Chapter Two - Welcome, Vinyl ScratchChapter Two – Welcome, Vinyl Scratch “You don't have to sign anything here. Just be you." Vinyl almost couldn't believe it. Here was a record store owner – a fan, no less – and he was saying she didn't have to autograph her albums for him. Her head was spinning and her heart was starting to thump louder than the bass in some of her songs. Wait, was that right? “Are... are you sure?” Vinyl asked. “You'd probably be the first to say that to me. Wherever I go, people practically beg me to sign them.” “People like Savannah over there?” Beats asked. “Yeah,” Vinyl said with a chuckle. Beats smiled at her before turning back to Savannah with an icy glare. As she continued to ramble on and on about how amazing Vinyl was live, Beats merely waked slowly past her, and behind the counter where “Pennyroyal Tea” was ending. Without a second thought, he lifted the needle off the record, causing Savannah to stop and turn to face him. “Why'd you turn off the music, Beats?” she asked, a little confused. “I had to get your attention,” Beats replied. “Now, Savannah. Vinyl is here to relax, and buy some records before her concert in a couple of days. While she's here, we will treat her as a customer, and a fellow music lover. Nothing more. No DJ Pon-3 here. Understood?” Beats said all this as he rounded around the counter, stopping right in front of Savannah. Savannah looked down at her toes before mumbling a “yes” only Beats could hear. She went to the back to start unloading the shipment of singles while Beats chose another song to play, choosing to put on “Knives and Pens” by the Black Veil Brides. As he laid the record on the turntable, he turned back to Savannah before laying down the needle. “That doesn't mean you have to act all depressive. I just want you to control yourself is all,” Beats said, turning to see Savannah smile again. “That's better, now,” he said as he dropped the needle, filling the shop with heavy guitar riffs. Vinyl felt herself start to sway with the melody at the chorus, losing herself in the rhythm, not taking heed that Beats was watching her with interest. As she started to get more movement in her little dance, he turned up the volume, singing along with the lines “with knives and pens” especially. “What is this one? I don't think I've heard it before,” Vinyl asked as the song reached it's hook. “It's called “Knives and Pens” by the Black Veil Brides. It's one of my favorites, and I can relate to it a lot. Wanna know what it means?” Vinyl nodded, as Beats came over to lean against the counter in front of her. “It's about how we choose between two paths. Knives – destruction. Pens – creation. The singer wrote it in how he was going to make something of himself, and write songs instead of causing any form of destruction to himself and those around him.” Vinyl looked at him with wide eyes. She knew a lot of songs held a good deal of meaning, but never anything like that. She slowly started to remember how she wrote one song for an old friend of her's. She felt herself smile at the memories she shared with her. I wonder what she's doing now, she thought to herself as the song ended. Beats walked to her and placed his hand on her shoulder. Looking into her eyes, he didn't even get to ask if she was feeling okay. Why? Cause at that moment, the door opened, and in walked Barry and Picks, arguing over the others top five list on a topic. Again. “No way can “Sail” go with those weak ones, Picks. There's just no way!” Barry exclaimed. “Only a metal head like you would think that,” Picks replied. “Not my problem you can't see that my list beats yours out of the park.” “No way is that true, you indie loving little...” Barry stopped once he saw Beats and Vinyl staring at them. “Care to elaborate further, Barry? Or do you want to go help Savannah put out the new singles before I take your monthly bonus off? Again?” Beats asked with an icy glare like before. “I'll... I'll go help her,” Barry grumbled as he slumped to the back to get the remaining boxes. Before Picks could so much as grin smugly, Beats shot him the same glare. “You, Picks, are to make sure our metal section is well stocked. Get a move on it, or else you lose your bonus as well.” Picks merely nodded as he went to the back to get his box of vinyl as well. Just as he got to the door to the stock room, he heard Beats yell, “And I don't want to hear about either of you giving Savannah a hard time with your arguments!” Vinyl giggled as Picks went to the back, just as Barry and Savannah were coming out with the singles. That was when Barry caught full sight of Vinyl. As he cut open his box, he kept shaking his head, as if he couldn't believe something was going on. Finally, he came back over to the counter, giving Vinyl more than enough reason to feel uneasy. “You know,” Barry started, hand on his chin. “You look a hell of a lot like that DJ that's performing in a couple days. Hey Picks! What's that DJ that you said was playing this week?” Barry yelled back to the stock room. Picks came out with another box of records, putting it on the counter before he mumbled back, “DJ Pon-3.” “That's the one! DJ Pon-3. She's performing in three days, and you look a whole lot like her. Just your clothes and the fact you don't have the glasses. Weird right?” Barry looked at Beats, who looked at the ground. Confused, Barry looked to Savannah, who had started to giggle. Barry looked back to Beats, and then to Vinyl. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a pair of red tinted sunglasses, and placed them on her face. The reaction was just what she expected from Barry and Picks. “Holy crap man! She's DJ Pon-3!” Picks yelled. Barry didn't seem convinced. “She's a good lookalike, but I don't believe it still. How can we be sure you're not an imposter, hmm?” “I shook her hand, Barry. Trust me. She's the very real, DJ Pon-3,” Beats answered as Vinyl put the glasses back into her bag and Picks was struggling to take a breath. “She's just here to relax and pick up some records, Picks. No autographs if she doesn't want to. Got it?” “Y-y-yeah, Beats,” Picks finally said finding his breath. Beats nodded, as he went to make sure that no-one was staring in the windows. Mondays were always slow, so the shop normally had only a few things to do before they closed up early. Mixie didn't even bother showing up on a Monday, so the shop closed at about 2 o'clock and everyone met up at a club, or hung out in Beats' place above the shop. “You know,” Beats started. “If you want Vinyl, we normally close early on Mondays. You wanna hang with us tonight? We just head to my place upstairs, but we're always spinning something or playing some kind of song.” Vinyl's ears perked up for a second time that day. “Are you saying you all play something?” “Yeah. We're just a cover band mostly, but people do pay us to keep the parties from getting boring. They all know us, and we don't usually ask for payment. Mixie and Savannah are backup vocals and Savannah does rhythm guitar. Barry and Picks are drums and bass guitar, respectively. I sing mostly and play the lead guitar, but if there's a song I can't play, Savannah does lead while I sing and Mixie does her parts. We call ourselves The Outsiders, cause well, we're mostly a group of just that. Outsiders, that don't follow the norm.” Vinyl started to form a grin, and it just kept getting wider. Not only did she meet a fan of her music, but he was amazingly calm about her stardom. What's more, he seemed to have a love for music to match her own. And speaking of music... “Beats? What kind of music were you raised on? I told you some of mine, so what was yours?” Vinyl asked a slightly stunned Beats. “Well... a little of everything, I guess. I learned all about country from my mom, and my dad exposed me to some great old rock n' roll. From there, I listened to other things that were either growing popular, or that would help me through a situation. Especially after a break up, though those have been few,” Beats answered after thinking. Vinyl looked around at everyone working, placing out records. Savannah loaded up on singles. Barry and Picks arguing about which record to play next. But it was Beats that stirred something in her. She didn't know what she was feeling, but she only knew one way to find out. “I'd like to hang out tonight. Actually, if you want, I'll help around the shop too. I'm sure that you could use a rising star to attract people and help choose amazing tracks. Right?” Vinyl asked with a wink. Everyone was stunned at what she had said. Looks were exchanged and they turned to smiles. Beats walked up to her, placing a “Stray Vinyl” lanyard around her neck. “Well then, welcome to the family Vinyl. Time to sell some tracks.” Author's Note Here you are everyone. I'm actually surprised at how many views this got, though I think I expected worse. Songs I mentioned are as follows: "Pennyroyal Tea" by Nirvana (from the first chapter); "Knives and Pens" by Black Veil Brides; and "Sail" by AWOLNATION. All songs are used to entertain and to help move the story along, and I'll get to how they do so in later chapters. Comment, rate, constructive criticism, yada-yada... Hope you enjoy it enough!
PrologueThey say that music is one of the most amazing things in the world. It's a form of magic that ties every single person to another. You can't see it, but you can hear it and you can feel it in your very soul. What's even more interesting, is when two people that love music meet one another, and fall in love. Even more so, when they have a different upbringing in style choice. This is the very story of two of the latter. One, is a DJ that was starting to make a name for herself. Her concerts were starting to sell out virtually everywhere she went. She loved the energy, and the roar the crowd gave her when she'd spin her tables for them. Deep down, though, she wondered if there was someone out there that would look past her fame, and love her for her. Every relationship up at that point had been to use her fame for some reason or another. The second, was a record store owner, in a city that had only a few good people to know good music. He had heard of the DJ and he sold her records. He even liked them, despite being brought up on country and rock. In secret, he mixed his own tracks and covered songs for his friends at parties. He never made anything more than what his store brought him in. Deep down, he wondered if there was a woman out there that he could love and share his love of music with. He was almost thoroughly convinced there wasn't anyone like that for him. Little did either know, that a chance encounter in that shop would set them on a journey of love within their music. A journey that involved drama, romance, a little mischief and even a grand collaboration in competition. There were some willing to keep them together, but more desperate to break them apart. The meeting happened little more than a year ago. In a little record shop called “Stray Vinyl”, where Vinyl Scratch was running from crazed fans, only to meet her biggest. Crescent Beats.
