“The heart was made to be broken.”
― Oscar Wilde

Time Moves On

The electric alarm clock pierced through the chilled morning air in such a fanfare and with such a shrill it practically jerked the sleeping figure into a confused panic. Her arms and legs flailed for a fraction of a second, wrapping themselves tighter still in the awkward bindings of the thin bed sheet that ensnared the electric blue haired woman in the comfortable and hypnotizing early morning warmth.

As one arm finally shook free of the constricting bed sheet, a hand swiftly extended long slender fingers and an exposed palm to slam down heavily upon the annoying device perched upon a low, bedside cabinet not once, not twice, but numerous times trying desperately to get the damn thing to stop. When that failed she went as far as to throwing the clock across the room to finally kill the noise. It crashed against the wall the batteries came loose, scattering to be lost within the sea of various discarded clothing items that littered floor.

At least the noise stopped.

“I hope I didn’ break it…” She groaned lazily as she made the slow, painful process of fully awakening herself by rubbing her fingertips against her closed eyelids in gradual, wide circles while toned legs thrashed pathetically at the bed sheet to release its capture from about her person. It fell into a pile messily at the soles of her feet, revealing her half naked form wearing nothing more than an all too revealing red thong.

“Urgh...”The pale skinned woman whined at the ray of dazzling sunshine that pierced through the crack in the curtains overlooking her from the foot of the bed; an arm instinctual moving up to block Celestia’s bright rays from her sight.

As much as she loved the Sun Princess, why couldn’t she raise the damn sun a little bit later than usual for once? Surely no sane woman would commit herself like clockwork every day, for thousands of years, without one minor slip-up?

No rest for the wicked, she thought with a growing frown. Best get my hot ass out of bed. With that in mind, she leant up and grabbed out at the discarded blue vest she had worn about the cottage last night. The heavily creased state of it an indication that she had indeed slept on it. Which was rather obvious, considering her shapely rear was practically sitting on half of it at the present moment.

Once prised from under her, she slipped the garment on and swung her legs to plant her feet firmly upon the lush white carpet-no...wait. Something was wrong here. Her toes wiggled as an icy wetness assaulted the underside of her feet and between the wiggling digits. “What now?”

Looking down between her legs, evidently confused as to the odd sensation, she spotted the tipped bottle of red wine just poking out from underneath her bed and the rather ominous looking deep red patch that had stained the immediate vicinity of the open vessel which subsequently, she had stepped in.

Vinyl groaned aloud in protest, which released itself into a crescendo of a single worded shout that pierced the silence of her cottage. “Fuck!” The sight of the stained carpet alone had destroyed any desire she had to get out of bed. Combining that with a light disorientation and the unusual buzzing headache lurking right behind her eyes, it was a clear indication that she was indeed, yet again, hung over.

Weakly, she fell back onto the bed, her arms out wide either side of her; having discarded the thought of getting up for the day. Maybe I should just spend the day in bed? Yeah. That sounds awesome. Fuck this shit. Her hands lazily moved along her length to massage her aching temples while her crimson, half lidded eyes stared up at the ceiling above her.

“That’s going to stain…” She muttered, her thoughts returning to the spilt wine. But worse still, what plagued her more so was the nagging voice now inside of her head. The voice she has had for the past four years; in the guise of a single woman that always drew a misty eyed glaze from the former DJ.

You were never like this when we first met.

Her tongue flicked out across her lips, the neon blue tongue bar raking across her chapped lips.

I’m afraid one day I am going to find you dead.

The sweet taste of the wine, still upon her stained lips, caused her to grimace.

V-Vinyl, p-p-please s-st—

The former disc spinner found her breath hitching in her throat as her teeth nipped upon her lower lip. She shook her head, restraining the usual daily bout of self-loathing welling up inside of her, and simply took a sharp intake of breath through her nose in an attempt to steady her emotions and to prevent any of those tears from escaping.

Forcing herself to prop upright upon her elbows in a second attempt of getting out of bed, her eyes stared emotionlessly out at the open bedroom door that led into the chaotic mess of her living room. The room was possessed by all kinds of discarded microwave meal cartons, empty cans of beer, and a full ashtray of cigarette ends balancing precariously on the arm of the only piece of furniture she owned; an old, leather, squeaky couch that stunk like dried beer and socks.

Silence befell her once again, her crimson orbs glistening over with unshed tears as she blinked them back, her eyes closing, the DJ listening carefully to her surroundings. Maybe the gentle sounds of nature and the clamor of Ponyville would soothe her troubled mind.

The birds sung merrily outside, which was rather pleasant for the DJs nerves. She always did like the countryside; it calmed her. The air was fresh and the scenery was breath-taking, not a single towering building in sight. Well, maybe if you ignore Ponyville Library from that equation. But it was still a tree, and therefore pleasant to look at.

The town however, was not without its idle hustle and bustle. The problem with living in the middle of such a small town was that it meant that everyone had to pass by her small cottage, which was pretty much right smack bang in the middle of the market. She was beginning to wonder if Fluttershy had the right idea living at the edge of town, close to the Everfree Forest. Vinyl figured no one ever really bothered the skittish woman all the way out there.

As she finally drew her thoughts from troubling times for the first time in hours, her peaceful meditation of mindless pondering was broken by a frantic knock at the door. Vinyl’s face morphed instantly into displeasure at the sudden disturbance; the horrendous noise shattering her realm of self-induced confinement and tranquility.

She did not want to deal with people today, and that much was evident when she hardly made a move to answer the door. Silently hoping that whoever it was would get the hint and go away, she fell from her leaning position and laid back down. Normally, it worked. However… the knocks only continued, growing in fervor.

Suddenly resolute in the fact that today she was not going to have her own way, she once again moved to slip from the bed and once again; much to her dismay, slapped both of her feet back onto the wet, red patch of spilt wine that had soaked into the carpet. Vinyl released an annoyed growl, her eyes rolling up to the ceiling as irritation trembled a slender, finely plucked brow, “For fuck sakes… What else can go wrong today…”

Another string of knocks spurred Vinyl into action, her voice raising to let the assailant know of her disgruntled disposition, “Alright! ALRIGHT! Hold your fuckin’ horses!” Stepping over the mess that was her living room Vinyl made for the front door in record time, “I swear to Celestia's sun butt pal, if you’re gonna try and sell me something I am gonna shove your merch’ so far up your ass…” Hastily undoing the deadbolt, Vinyl swiftly swung open the door far more violently than socially acceptable, spilling in a dazzling beam of sunlight to brighten up the shady state of the cottage, momentarily blindingly the former DJ.

The very moment Vinyl’s crimson eyes adjusted, which only took mere seconds, she was graced with the visage of a young woman who stood before her holding a small pile of letters close to her chest. Almost instantly Vinyl’s face fell into an embarrassed shade, her mouth opening up to state her apology as shocked recognition came into her eyes.

“Ditzy-“

“Did… Did I do something wrong?” The diminutive blonde haired woman with a similar pale complexion to Vinyl inquired looking suddenly very worried, and very guilt ridden. “Did I wake you up? I’m so sorry I just… I tried ringing you… B-but I dropped my mobile on the ground this morning when I was doing my rounds and now it won’t ring anymore.”

Vinyl sucked in a deep breath and allowed a genuine smile to break out across her lips as she sighed away her frustrations. Raising a hand up, she scratched idly into her mane of dual toned electric blue, a light blush garnishing her cheeks as she lifted a finger into the air to silent any further excuses from the wall-eyed beauty. “I’m sorry Ditz, I didn’ know it was you.”

“Oh, that’s okay Vinyl. I know you can get grouchy in the mornings!” Ditzy smiled brightly at the DJ, even as the disc spinner frowned at such a truthful observation. “Oh yeah, I’ve brought you your mail! Through rain or shine, always on time!” The blonde chirped cheerfully, her head tilting to one side, causing those golden locks to cascade down one side of her head.

If we weren’t good friends, I think I would had fucked her brains out by now. She’s just too damn cute for her own good.

That trail of thought got the jockey arching a brow as she received the letters, quickly scanning through the pile. She wrinked her nose at the obvious amount of bills amongst the list. Vinyl threw them aside, joining the rest of the rubble upon the floor just behind her.

“Thanks girl, but why didn’t you just push them through the letterbox?” The DJs eyes scanned the wall-eyed woman’s attire, noting that she was not in her usual uniform, but dressed rather plainly in a grey, sleeveless dress with high heels to match. “Also, Ditz, if that right there is the new uniform for the mail dudettes then I am all for it. Very sexy... though… I much prefer you in the normal uniform blondie; much hotter. I do love a woman in uniform, and most definitely with that cute little hat of yours; it’s totally shway.” Vinyl grinned slyly, winking at the now blushing mailwoman.

Ditzy shifted on her feet nervously, smiling bashfully at the playful gesture and tone coming from the much taller woman. She was used to it by now, but somehow Vinyl still managed to illicit such an embarrassed response from her. The mailwoman flushed beet red, and averted her golden eyes away, nibbling at her lower lip as she spoke. “I was off duty two hours ago, which is why I am not in my uniform.”

Vinyl blinked, clearly confused. “Two hours ago? What time is it?” She craned her neck forward to peer up at the sky and made a noise of dreaded realization as she spotted the sun very high in the clear blue skies.

“It’s about two in the afternoon.” Ditzy stated with a giggle. A giggle that was honey to Vinyl’s ears. “You’re really out of it today, huh?”

An infectious grin broke over the former DJs lips, generally pleased to have the bubbly, happy-go-lucky woman in her company as she stepped aside, holding out a hand to let Ditzy in. “Well then, since I only just dragged my lazy ass out of bed a few minutes ago how about some coffee? I’m gagging for a cup. Or ten.”

“Oh! Sure! But could you… maybe wear something a bit less…” Ditzy avoided her eyes from looking too far down Vinyl’s waistline, “You know? Not that I mind or anything. We’re both girls and everything; It’s just I don’t think I could-”

“Keep ya eyes from ravaging my sexy ass and legs?” Vinyl interjected, “Damn, there goes my plan to seduce one of my childhood friends.”

“W-wha! N-no! Don’t put words in my mouth, and stop teasing me! You know I don’t like it when you do that.” Ditzy covered her mouth with a hand, restraining yet another giggle, trying to feint anger but failing miserably. “You’re such a bad girl. You’re going to get in trouble one day saying those things to people.”

“Yeah-yeah-yeah, heard it all before-blah-blah-so anyway if you didn’ like it, why in the hell did you just giggle like a little girl? And are you comin’ in for that coffee or what? I ain’t standin’ here for much longer. I’m practically on display outside in my fricken panties in early autumn freezing my tits off for all of Ponyville to see.”

“Oh! I’m sorry.” Ditzy exclaimed with a worried frown to Vinyl as she slipped by the woman to enter the cottage, quite happy to step over the mess spread chaotically across the floor. Ditzy was seemingly used to it. “I’d hate for you to catch a cold – I’ll go make some of that coffee for you, so why don’t you go and put something warmer on?” She was already in the conjoined kitchen leading off from the living room well before Vinyl could close the door and turn around to stop her.

The last time Ditzy tried making her coffee the blond had broken two of her favourite mugs.

Vinyl stretched, her arms moving up beyond her head as she released a long, loud yawn, relenting in allowing the wall-eyed beauty to go about her coffee making business. “Yeah-yeah, sure, sure… In a minute. Just need to sit down for a while and get my bearings.”

“And thanks for inviting me in, I need to talk to you about some stuff anyhow!”

“Stuff? What kinda stuff?” Vinyl suspiciously glanced at the kitchen entrance, wincing as she heard a clatter of mugs being moved about. Silently she prayed that she would have at least one mug left by the end of the onslaught.

“Pinkie Pie asked me to speak with you about DJing one of her parties. She would have come here herself to do it, but apparently she needed to do something important… with laughing gas. Not sure what that's about. So she asked me since she knew I was coming over today and…“ There’s a pause from the kitchen. “Um, Vinyl?”

The jockey had just collapsed onto the couch, relaxing into with yet another stretch, and yawned; her fingers moving to itch the side of her neck, “Yeah?”

“I-uh…”

“You-uh-what, Derpinator?”

“I-Is the coffee machine supposed to smoke like that?”

“Smo-Oh for the love of—Damn it D!” Vinyl sprung up from the couch and practically ran into the kitchen, “Are you trying to burn my fucking house down?!”

“Hellllllooo~Equestria! Aaaaand good afternoon you lovely people! This is 195.5 Canterlot FM Radio and this is your host for the time being, Dynamic Wave! Welcome to one whole hour of the greatest pop songs of all time. Have you got an opinion on what you think is the greatest pop song of all time? Visit our website at canterlotradio.com, click the link in the top left hand corner to join in the IRC chat, and talk to me live and give me your choices and what you think is the greatest pop song of all time! Now, let’s get to it and start this crazy train and boy, do have we a show for you this afternoon because we are going to kick it off with an interview by none other than the rising star of the pop world; the so-called rogue classical musician, Octavia Melody! Welcome Miss Melody, we are so glad you can join us here today.”

“That is quite alright, thank you for having me Mr. Wave, it is a pleasure to be on the show. I am quite a big fan.”

“Thank you, Miss Melody, you are too kind.”

“Not at all. You make a great contribution to daytime radio.”

“Gah! Stop, Miss Melody my head; so I am told by my superiors, is quite big enough as it is! Now enough about me, let us talk about you because that is why you are here after all.”

“I’d be delighted to, Mr Wave.”

“We have so many questions not only from myself but from your many, many fans that wrote in over the past week when they heard you would be appearing on the show today. Unfortunately with the sheer amount of letters that did arrive through our letterbox, we could only pick a few to ask you as we know you have a tight schedule, and a gig this evening to prepare for.”

“That is quite correct. I will be playing tonight at the Canterlot Sports Arena; at seven-thirty. I simply can’t wait to perform. Furthermore, if would be acceptable with the studio, I would like to take the fan mail with me. I do love my supporters and I do make time to read each and every letter when I can.”

“There we have it folks – tickets are still on sale now and you can find them on our website – but hurry up! There are not that many tickets left so I am told by the tiny voice in my ear, so get to it, and don’t miss your chance to see Octavia Melody, tonight! So-anyway, Miss Melody, let us kick off with the first question as I can see your agent glaring at me from over your shoulder to hurry up with the questions. Now… This first one comes in from one Melodyfan1287, and she says, ‘I am in love with your fusion of the classical and pop style, and I really want to know what the process is behind making a song.’”

“Oh my, that is quite a tough one.”

“So, how do you do it Miss Melody? How do you start such a process?”

“How do I explain it…? I always find it difficult discussing about my songwriting methods, but… I suppose under most circumstances a majority of my songs are composed and conceived while on the road. Often at times when I am thinking of a melody that really sticks out in my mind, I hum it, and then later if the melody is still there; possessing a real kind of niche, I often develop and translate the melody from my mind to the cello, pretty much soon after.”

“So your inspiration for your songs is pretty hard to explain?”

“Kind of, Mr Wave... To continue, after I attain this melody I commit such pieces to memory. Of course once I return to the studio in Manehatten the talented Neon Lights and myself go about recording the various melody pieces I have invented, locked up in my head, picking and choosing between each take, choosing what we both deem the ‘best of the bunch’ as it were. Sometimes we combine the melodies together; sometimes we chop bits here and there – of course the process from then on is mostly adding layers upon layers upon the original singular melody to create a song that is worthy to be on the album.”

“Speaking of albums and experimentation of melodies, on your big debut album, Electric Blue, there was a lot of diversity there and a lot of melodious riffs going on. A lot of genres were mixed together from Rap to Metal to even Dance. It was one of the reasons why people sat up and listened to you… it was unique and different to what everyone else was doing. Where did such influences come from to create such a blend?”

“… While in the Royal Canterlot Orchestra, I was… subjected to various forms of music by simply opening up myself to the simple fact that music should not be defined by genre. I believe music can be enjoyed by anyone, no matter their preferences. My debut album was made so diverse because I believe, deep down in my heart that someone who loves Death Metal for example, could sit down and listen to a song on that album that has a blend of Classical and Rap and enjoy it for what it is; a well-constructed song and worthy of note.”

“But ever since you started to blend these popular genres together you’ve continued to adopted that classical orchestral style you were raised upon. I take it that the cello and the other instruments used throughout that album were all acoustic and not electric?”

“That is correct. All of my songs feature a true cello – my cello – and various other orchestral instruments, in which the Royal Canterlot Orchestra kindly offer their support, and I can almost guarantee we will never use synthesized mockeries for a single piece of classical instrument.”

“Does that include electric instruments?”

“To be brutally honest, Mr Wave, I cannot even bring myself to use an electric cello. I feel… more connected to an acoustic instrument, and more in control of how it sounds when not plugged into an amplifier or mixing desk. All in all, I suppose it is just merely a matter of personal preference. There would be just too many variables for me to take into account that could potentially mar the sound quality of a naturally beautiful construct that is an analogue instrument when compared to the electric versions.”

“On to the second question, and this one is yet another difficult one. MrStallionOfCanterhot –”

“Oh my…”

“Anyways, he asks, and not surprisingly, ‘Are you single?’

“Heh, I’m afraid Mr. Canterhot that I am indeed single, and am saving myself for a special –”

Bon Bon twisted the volume fader of the old radio she had stashed and hidden away behind the counter until a resounding click indicated that the off position had been achieved. Regarding the empty state of her candy shop with a once over of turquoise eyes the confectioner rushed with a chaos of clicking heels from behind the tending side of her shop, and out into the expanse of no man’s land before the front entrance.

Once there she turned over the sign that hung in the window from ‘open’ to ‘closed.’

“Okay Bon Bon, just relax.” She heaved a heavy sigh between her lips, “You can’t go to the train station like you’ve missed her terribly OR overly excited at the prospect that she is finally moving from Canterlot to live with you here in Ponyville under the same roof!” She giggled her words with glee; unable to physically come up for air during her blind elation.

The sheer excitement was bubbling over to form across her lips the shape of a goofy, lovesick smile while she regarded the reflection in the mirror. She adjusted her plain black skirt and then her pink cardigan followed by tugging hurriedly upon her knee socks so that both were sufficiently covering enough of her legs. “Do I look good?” She took a step back; looking down at herself. “Is this desperate? Do I look desperate? Maybe the socks are too childish. Or plain? Am I plain looking? What am I thinking…? I know she doesn’t mind how I look but… I just can’t help myself – I need to impress her. I want her to swoon when she sees me.”

Wait a minute. Who am I trying to convince here?

Two toned bubble gum pink and dark blue coloured hair bounced with each and every movement she made as she inspected herself frantically; her fingertips finally reaching up into the dual coloured locks. “Does my hair look good? Damn it, my fringe won’t stay where I want it – oh, oh! What is that smell? Is that me? Does my breath smell?” Bon Bon took no chances, she breathed into an open palm and sniffed loudly several times against it.

“I can’t tell!” She exclaimed as she shuffled across the floor in her high heels to the left of the shop; looking to dip a hand into one of the many open lidded jars displayed upon shelf showcasing her handmade candy. “This ought to do it.” Taking out a mint, she plopped it until her mouth and noisily sucked at the hard candy; returning to her original position at the front door. Once there, Bon Bon found herself staring into the turquoise eyes of her own reflection.

“Just calm down Bon. Lyra hates it when you fuss too much. And she is going to especially hate it that I cleaned the upstairs apartment from top to bottom just to make sure everything is perfect for her big moving in day.” Bon Bon smiled at herself; just so happening to glance down at the dainty silver watch around her exposed wrist.

“Oh crap! The train is going to be here in ten minutes!” She squeaked, “I best be going!” Rushing over to the counter, she leant over it to snatch up a small purple handbag hiding back there. Hoisting it up she turned and slung it over her shoulder as she made a quick and hasty exit for Ponyville Train Station.

Author's Note

I am sorry if nothing too terribly exciting happens in the opening chapters, for I really want to expand on this little world I am creating, and really give a try and focus on character development over the course of time, which I have never truly done so before.

Much love to all, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. /)