This Dance
“I'll say this. This was the best wedding I've ever been in!” DJ Vinyl Scratch exclaimed. She slammed the door to her apartment open to emphasize her excitement.
“Does that include the whole Royal Wedding?” Octavia asked, following Vinyl behind, her upset tone conveying her irritation. Vinyl immediately turned to her, giving a small and bit serious smile.
“Of course not, Octy,” Vinyl said, embracing her marefriend. A small glimmer of sadness and worry then surfaced. “I was so 'fraid that I might lose you when all those Changelings stormed in...”
Octavia sighed with a small and short smile. The pair slowly walked into their shared residence, minding their hooves.
“But the Royal Wedding was just THE BEST! That Rainbow thingie when the two of them were wed was simply awesome!” Vinyl exclaimed excitedly, recalling the wedding of Princess Cadence and Shining Armor. “And then I, the finest DJ in Canterlot, comes in and gives an AWESOME kickstarter for the reception!”
Octavia’s expression changed from irradiated to a sour frown. She turned her back towards Vinyl, so the boasting pony remained unaware of Octavia’s disapproval.
“I don't think I've ever drawn so many ponies to any of my gigs before!” Vinyl continued on, her grin at its fullest. “I hope this will increase my chances of getting more gigs like that!”
Octavia felt about ready to explode. Can’t she be quiet for a single, merciful second!?
“If I did, maybe we could finally-”
Vinyl wasn't able to finish the sentence as she was met with a terrible glare from Octavia. Vinyl felt chills running down her spine as she slowly trailed off, quietly closing the entryway door behind her.
The disc jockey’s look grew more frightened while she waited for her partner to speak. Her anxiety had already planned the worst-case scenario, and reality quickly sought to match it.
“Could you please shut up about the bucking wedding?! Yes! You were amazing! Yes! This was your biggest bucking gig so far! YES! The reaction was bucking positive!” Octavia asked, her voice far higher than her normally quiet disposition. “It is good - great! - that you finally got more recognition, but there’s no need to gloat about it!”
Vinyl felt like she could just be swallowed by the ground. She couldn't remember when she had last time seen her Octavia like this and it was frightening. Even more terrifying than the Changeling invasion.
“I'm getting so sick of it!” Octavia breathed heavily. While her eyes were moisturising. “Every single bucking day, week after bucking week, it was nothing more than you you you!”
Octavia pointed accusing hoof at Vinyl. Whose eyes had also started to tear up. “All you ever did every day had something to do with the wedding and your preparations!”
Octavia slowly limped towards their bedroom. “I was happy for you - really, I was - but that still didn't give you the right to brag about it! Every mention of your oh-so-wonderful gig reminding ME constantly that these opportunities are forever gone for me!“ Octavia screamed, slamming the door shut before Vinyl's teary-eyed face.
“W-what?” the shocked pony asked to the room she now alone occupied. Her voice and body shook as her marefriend’s words echoed in her ears.
For a moment, Vinyl just sat in her place, trying to hold more tears from forming. How did this happen? We had such great time at the wedding! I gave ponies the good jams and Octy's “band” taking care of... Vinyl's thoughts then started to trail off before the pieces fell into place.
It had all started a few short weeks ago.
“Hey Octy!” Vinyl called, slamming the door shut behind her. It had been another quick but still hoof-ful day for Vinyl.
“Hey there yourself.” Octavia replied from the kitchen. “How was your performance at CCH, dear?”
Vinyl smiled. “It was great! The kids certainly have great taste in awesome music!” she exclaimed. The Canterlot Children’s Hospital wasn’t a big gig, but Vinyl was happy to perform anyway for those poor colts and fillies, cramped up for days in its sterile, boring walls.
“Ha!” Octavia laughed, walking in from the kitchen. “You sure that isn’t just wishful thinking?” she teased. She walked to her marefriend, giving the disc jockey an intimate hug. “Maybe all those fillies might simply like the classics?” she asked, putting her hoof under Vinyl's chin.
“Well, they did like the classical remixes that I've made from your music,” Vinyl commented. “So how was your day?”
Octavia's expression quickly dropped. “That bad, huh?” Vinyl asked, concern filling her voice.
“Yes...” Octavia sighed. “Only a couple ponies visited the store and even fewer bought anything.” she said, her head dropping.
“No need to worry, Octy,” Vinyl smiled, caressing Octavia's cheek with her hoof. “We just started, and we’re both still a bit new to the Canterlot markets. Things’ll pick up soon.”
Octavia knew that Vinyl was trying to make her feel better. They both knew that their poor sales weren't because they were “new” store in Canterlot, but rather because their relationship. Octativa’s not-so-graceful fall from her previous profession surely didn’t help.
“Come on, Octavia.” Vinyl then said, using Octavia's full name. “Let's not let that ruin our day. We have the whole day for ourselves, so let’s make it count.”
That seemed to help with Octavia's mood; her frown quickly disappeared. “That sounds good to me,” she said sweetly. “Oh, I can’t believe I forgot to mention this until now. You got a letter.”
“Really? I never get letters unless they’re new gigs. From who?”
Octavia retrieved the letter from the basket of incoming mail. “It came from the castle. I think it might be even from the Princess herself.” Octavia then said.
“Wow! REALLY!?” Vinyl exclaimed excitedly, snatching the letter and staring at it as if it was pure gold. Octavia couldn't help but giggle at this. Just moments ago, Vinyl had been all romantic and serious; seconds later, now she was back to her childish personality. Vinyl ripped open the royal seal and read the letter in seconds. She then stopped, looked the wall with disbelief before reading it a second time.
“Is everything okay, Vinyl?” Octavia then asked. “What does it say?”
For a moment, Vinyl sat on the floor silently, again staring at their wall. “I can't believe it...”
“What?” Octavia asked, her voice bouncing between worry and excitement.
“This is an invitation for the wedding of Princess Cadence and Captain Shining Armor!”
“So?” the classical mare asked casually. “Almost everypony has gotten invitation for it and-”
Octavia was interrupted when Vinyl suddenly showed the paper in front of her. “You don't get it! It's an invitation for me to do a gig during the reception! It’s directly from the official reception organizer, Pinkie Pie herself!”
Octavia took the letter to her hooves and read it herself while Vinyl excitedly rubbed her hooves together. Octavia's eyes grew more and more as she read on. This was something she never would have guessed could happen.
After reading the letter, she looked at Vinyl. “Vinyl...” was all she was able to say before two snow white hooves wrapped around her face, squeezing it like an orange.
“THIS IS THE BEST DAY EVER!!”
Octavia tried her best to breathe, while minding her right hoof. “Vinyl...” Octavia gasped. “Vinyl... could you...maybe...let go?”
“Oh! Sorry Octy!” Vinyl apologized, immediately letting go. “I hope I didn'-”
“No, you didn't,” Octavia said before Vinyl could finish her sentence. There was a hint of annoyance in her tone that belied her pleasant smile. “I appreciate your concern Vinyl, but I'm not that fragile.”
“Sorry Octy...” Vinyl apologized. “I guess I'm just too overprotective...”
Now Octavia laughed. “A little?” she asked humorously. “What that little outburst just a moment ago?”
Vinyl's mood then spun back from concerned to elated. “It's just... I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY! This is so unreal! I'm actually going to play in the ROYAL FRICKING WEDDING! How cool is that!?”
Octavia chuckled. “I'm sure.”
She then looked at the letter that was now laying on the ground. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “It certainly is a great honor.”
For a short moment, Octavia stared at the letter with longing, but quickly smothered it, not wanting to show her jealousy of her marefriend’s success.
“So what do you say if we go out and celebrate about it?” Octavia suggested.
“You sure?” Vinyl asked, her uncertain tone quickly displacing her elation. “We can celebrate this later so we can-”
“Oh you silly filly Vi.” Octavia interrupted Vinyl. “We can do that too since this is really tremendous news.” Octavia explained.
“Then what are we waiting for then?” Vinyl asked excitedly, quickly running to the door while Octavia slowly followed her.
“Really? You get to be part of the Royal Wedding Entertainment Department?” Fredrick, old friend of Octavia and band member, asked in disbelief.
It had been two days since the letter, and Vinyl's mood hadn't changed much. “Yeah! Can you believe it! I never would have imagined that...”
While Vinyl went on explaining for what felt like the millionth time, Octavia couldn't help but feel left out from their small group. She were supposed to have a nice time with her marefriend and her previous band members, but now everypony's attention was fixed on Vinyl solely.
No need to get upset, Octavia, Octavia thought to herself. This is really big for Vinyl, and she can brag about it a bit.
“So, what's been happening with you?” Vinyl had then asked after telling about the letter.
“Same for us,” Fredrick smirked.
“Huh?” both Vinyl and Octavia voiced.
“We’re going to play for the wedding too!” Beauty Brass, the cyan colored earth pony exclaimed, throwing her hooves in the air.
“WHAT!?” both Vinyl and Octavia yelled.
Many ponies turned their heads towards the musical group.
“Sorry 'bout that,” Fiddle Stick apologized. With a general grumble, other ponies returned to their discussions or their food.
“No way! That is just great!” Vinyl said, a bit too loudly.
“I know,” Fredrick smiled. “It’s a rather nice surprise.”
“So, when are you guys exactly going to play?” Vinyl then asked. Octavia eyed her as that was the tone when Vinyl had some kind of wacky idea.
“Well, we come after the wedding and before the reception, which is of course hosted by you,” Fredrick explained. “But we are also probably needed if someponies wish to have something little bit slow for them.”
“We can work with that!” Vinyl pointed out.
“How exactly?”
I should have known... Octavia thought to herself. Well aware what might happen next, she decided to test if her guess was right.
“If you’ll excuse me, I have to make use of the little fillies room,” Octavia said, her voice a little on edge, standing up slowly.
“Sure. No problem,” Vinyl said dismissively. She barely even registered her marefriend. Octavia sighed, realizing where this had gone. Despite that, she still got up and left Vinyl and her friends.
She is going to do the same performance as we used to do... Octavia's thoughts and feelings were on a roller coaster, not sure what to feel. Fresh tears still formed in her eyes.
“...and then we planned to have something really awesome for the last couple hours for the party! Guess what it is!” Vinyl explained excitedly, poking her elbow at Octavia's.
Octavia let out an annoyed groan. “What?” she asked. She already knew the answer as she had heard this at least twice now. It certainly wouldn't be the last, and that was getting to her nerves. Oblivious to Octavia’s plight, Vinyl went on explaining how she and Octavia's former band members would perform together for the final hours of the party.
“I'm a such an idiot!” Vinyl cried out. Now that her mind was clearer, she recalled the past couple weeks with Octavia. Everything fell into place: Octavia’s increasingly quiet behavior, leaving in the middle of conversations, a general sense of withdrawal. It made so much more sense. Tears formed in her own red eyes.
Of course she would be upset when she can't even play anymore! she thought to herself. And I just went on and babbled about my luck. And then I went on and probably made things worse when I started planning with her previous band members!
Vinyl felt helpless. While she had given her marefriend some attention, she mostly had made plans for her gig and the co-performance; the kind of thing she and Octavia had done so many times together. That was sort of their way to best express themselves to the audience. For the two of them, it was something almost sacred to them. And I just went on do something like that without asking her opinion or feelings! And now that Octavia can't play, we can't do our regular gig together...
Vinyl could feel her feelings taking a nose dive as the self-created disaster continued to take shape. She needed to fix the situation. And I have an idea! She thought, allowing a small glimmer of hope to pierce her melancholy.
I just need to hope that is enough for Octavia... she thought as she opened their apartments door and left.
Octavia wasn't sure how long she had cried in their bedroom, but what had been late evening had turned to into night. She must have fallen asleep at some point, which would explain the wet pillow and her equally wet cheek.
She then looked at the mirror that was on the far side of the room, giving her a clear view of herself. Her mane was a mess, almost resembling that of Vinyl’s. Her face was wet and bit darker from the tears she had shed.
I look a complete wreck…and I can’t blame Vinyl for that either, she thought bitterly, only to feel a bang of guilt. She knew that she fully didn't blame Vinyl for her frustration. It had been a stressful week, and to have an invasion of strange, sentient insects didn't help either.
But she could have at least tried to be bit more professional about that. Octavia then laughed bitterly. This is Vinyl Scratch I'm talking about! But she had changed...somewhat. Guess some characteristics stay with a pony, no matter how much they change...and her enthusiasm is one of the things that first drew me to her in the first place.
But she still had to go and propose co-performance with them! Something like that is only between the two of us! Octavia was almost ready to cry, but she was trying to stop herself. She failed.
The first tears began to fall when she heard a light knock on her room’s door.
“O-Octavia?” she heard Vinyl's shaky voice calling out from behind the door. “Can...can I come in?”
For a moment, Octavia considered sending Vinyl away. She quickly rebelled against that thought; she could guess Vinyl was already feeling horrible because of her outburst and she didn't need to make her marefriend feel any worse.
“Come in,” Octavia said quietly.
The door creaked open as Vinyl entered. “You look horrible,” Vinyl lamely joked. Octavia deadpanned dangerously.
“You can come later if you like...” she replied, her voice a frozen whip.
“No! No! Sorry,” Vinyl panicked, waving her hoof.
Vinyl then took a couple more steps inside, but didn't dare to say anything. An awkward moment stood between them.
“What is it you wanted?” Octavia then broke the silence.
“I... uuuh... well...” Vinyl stammered. “...came to... apologize...”
Octavia stared at Vinyl, not betraying any emotion, which made Vinyl even more trepidatious.
“Could... could you come to the living room?” Vinyl pleaded. “Please?”
Octavia had a hard time not to narrow her eyes from suspicion. “Even though I look so very horrible?” she said, a little acid lacing her voice. Vinyl put on a hurt look and Octavia relented. “All right, fine.”
“Great.” Vinyl allowed a brief smile. “Come on then.”
Octavia slowly followed Vinyl, who had already disappeared behind the corner.
As Octavia reached the living room, she heard Vinyl activating the recorder and a slow, smooth song started to play. When the classical mare walked into the living room, she had quite the surprise waiting for her.
Candles gave the room a dim, illuminating luminescence. The recorder played one of Octavia's favorites; on the table, there was two glasses of red wine on the table, with a red table cloth resting beneath.
“What- what is all of this?” Octavia asked, disbelieving the view before her.
“My apology,” Vinyl said. “Well, part of it anyway.”
“What... What?” was all Octavia could say.
“Come here Octy.” Vinyl then offered Octavia her hoof.
Slowly and steadily, Octavia walked to Vinyl, eyeing her hoof as if expecting it have some kind of practical joke. But that was rather impossible if Vinyl wanted to keep the peace between them.
Slowly, Octavia gave her hoof to Vinyl, who in return smirked softly. “Now,” she began in an amused tone, “This might be bit harder part for you.”
“What are you talking ab- AAH!” Octavia let out a small surprised yell when Vinyl suddenly got up and pulled Octavia with her. She found herself and Vinyl standing with their hind legs. Octavia quickly glanced between Vinyl and the floor, or rather their back hooves. “You have been with Lyra, haven't you?” Octavia asked suspiciously.
“What if I have?” Vinyl asked, smiling at Octavia while failing to break stride. “She said that she and Bon Bon do this many times and she likes it.”
“Vinyl,” Octavia sighed. “You know I'm not Bon Bon.”
“I know,” Vinyl chuckled shortly. “But it’s not that bad, isn't it?”
“Well...” Octavia said unsure. “It's not that bad... but my hooves are getting bit tired...”
“No need to worry about that.” Vinyl reassured her. “Just stay calm and follow my direction.”
Before Octavia could ask what Vinyl was talking about, Vinyl was moving her hind hooves, moving away from Octavia, but slowly. Octavia slowly followed in parallel, quaking at her own rebellious hooves. There was a moment of silence between the two of them again, the only sound was the recorder still playing the song.
Vinyl soon broke that silence. “I... I know that what I did was really stupid... about me, and the wedding and the...” Vinyl stopped herself for a moment, waiting for response from Octavia. But none came. “Co-performance...I know I was a flankhead about that.
“And pretty much about the whole thing. But I just couldn't help it.” Vinyl said, a sad look in her eyes. “But yeah, I should have dealt with it a bit better. Or at least kept my mouth shut about it a bit more...okay, a lot more.”
“So, this is my apology,” Vinyl finished sadly. “It was meant to be for our anniversary, but I thought I might use it bit earlier...” she explained.
“So... does this make it up to you?” she asked carefully. You’re not leaving me?”
“Oh Vinyl...” Octavia said, her voice trembling a bit with a sad smile. “I know you. I know you all the way and that you might lose your focus when something like this happens.” Octavia said. “And what you did, did hurt. It hurt a lot...”
Vinyl's ears and face dropped at that.
“But... but I know you didn't do any of that intentionally...but I still would hope for more respect from you if we...you ever receive invitation to something like that again.”
“And I'm sorry that I yelled at you like that earlier,” Octavia then said, watching Vinyl’s expression become more hopeful. “I was just so frustrated, and the whole Changeling invasion that happened earlier didn't help much.”
“So, yes Vinyl.” she then said, much more brighter tone. “I’ll forgive you if you forgive me.”
Neither of them hadn't noticed that they had stopped their dancing little while ago, and were now just now standing still and looking into each other’s eyes. Both smiled warmly.
Vinyl was the first one to react, wrapping her hooves around her marefriend, letting out a loud sigh of relief. “Oh thank you Octavia!” she let out a small sob while she buried her head to Octavia’s neck.
“Hey, there there Vinyl...” Octavia rubbed Vinyls back. “It's all right.”
Vinyl then raised her head, quickly wiping away couple tears in her eyes. “So, do you want to continue?”
“I do.” Octavia smiled.
The two of them then continued their small dance, and it lasted into the very late night.
Author's Note
Well, I hope you enjoyed and liked this little story of mine.
And again, yes this is with Star Dust story, so there is going to be more reveal about Octavia and Vinyl later. But funny thing is that, originally, this wasn't even suppose to have ANYTHING to do with Star Dust. Originally this fic was meant to be sequel for my first TwiLuna fic "Love Is In Bloom". And the "argument" between Vinyl and Octavia would have been about Vinyl "checking" Twilight out. And the ending would have been bit different, in fact this story would have been much shorter.
If you don't know what I meant with that, just re-check "Love Is In Bloom" video and tell me that doesn't almost look like that? Well, if you think with your shipping goggles on. Like me. :derpytounge:
But again, I hope you guys enjoyed this one-shot and will be ready for some more Star Dust in future. And if you are a new reader, I hope this got you bit interested about Star Dust. BUT BE WARNED: Star Dust isn't about Octavia and Vinyl. But they will have some roles in it.
Till next time, THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT!!!!
