Chapters Vinyl Scratch Presents: A New DJ In Town.
"Ohhh how could I have overslept!?" Vinyl Scratch scolded herself aloud as she raced through town toward Sugar Cube Corner. 'Pinkie is going to be so upset.' Tonight Pinkie had decided to throw a huge party, and while it was typical for her to do as such, tonight's party was different, special, bigger. It was Pinkie's birthday blast and Vinyl was supposed to be there thirty minutes ago to kick off the party with her signature DJ tracks. 'Out of all the times I decide to show up late it had to be tonight.'
She turned the last corner on the road to SCC and was relieved to see that it didn't look as if the party was off. Multi colored strobes filled the windows and an upbeat jam could be heard as she got closer. Vinyl assumed Pinkie and her friends had put on one of her cd's until she got close enough to hear the vocals and the mixing. Vinyl knew all about techno and this was none she had heard before.
Someponies were outside, talking, laughing, singing, and dancing. Then of course the ones who were already blitzed out of their minds. Vinyl pushed her way into the bakery full of party mad ponies and discovered the source of the unfamiliar beat. Another pony, with white fur, a red mane with green streaks and a pair of green goggles on that she did not recognize was at her turn-tables mixing it up. "W-w-wha???" All of a sudden Pinkie bounced out of the crowd at her, wearing her signature smile and party hat.
"Hiiiii Vinyl, Glad you could make it, I was getting worried." Pinkie was almost yelling even though she was right next to her to get over the noise of the fiasco.
"Pinkie who is that?"
"What?"
"I said, Who Is That At My Table?" Vinyl shouted.
"Oh her? That's Flash Rave, she's really awesome, when you didn't show she offered to do the dj-ing for the P-P-PARRRRRRTYYYYYYY!!!" With that pinkie bounced away and disappeared into the crowd.
Vinyl couldn't argue that she wasn't good. The quality was amazing and all the beats were on que, however that did not change the fact that she was in her spot. She had half a mind to go up there and kick her off the mixing table, and she would have, had it not been such an occasion for her friend Pinkie, and for the fact that it was her fault she wasn't their to take her place.
The disappointment however, was to great for Vinyl to enjoy the party. She took a few shots and tried to get into the swing of things when she found Rainbow Dash dancing with Fluttershy who had to have been blazed to act in such a manor around this crowd. The two marefriends tried to pull Vinyl into the mix but even still she couldn't have much fun, even when dancing with the couple.
"Sorry guys, I think I'm just gonna go." Vinyl didn't wait for a response as she pushed her way back through the crowd toward the front door. Outside she found Colgate passed out around the side of the building and took a moment to prop her up against the wall and remove the almost empty bottle of Jack from her hoof. Luckily Berry Punch had just seen them and rushed over to Colgate. "Thank you Vinyl. I told her not to drink so much her first time and I had planned to keep an eye on her but she got-"
"Its, no problem." Vinyl interrupted before turning away and trotting back down the path to her home.
"Vinyl?" Berry breathed, wondering what was wrong with her, however a groan from Colgate brought her attention back to the situation at hoof.
The alcohol she had taken hadn't been enough to get her drunk but it did make her tired again and all she wanted was too get back to her warm bed and pass out. She felt like she had failed Pinkie and somepony else was stealing her thunder for the party she had been planning on DJ-ing for a month. She had nopony to blame but herself. She did however, make a mental note to find out who this Flash Rave pony was. She hadn't seen her around and she hoped that this mare wasn't going to make a habit out of stealing her gigs.
She got in the door around 10:36pm, early. To her surprise she heard the strings from Octavia's violin from upstairs. 'What is she doing up?' She was usually in bed by 10 at the latest. The thought crossed her mind to go and confide in her friend however she did not want to disturb her playing. She hated that. Though as soon as Vinyl began to make her way upstairs to her room the music stopped and Octavia appeared at the top of the staircase.
"What are you doing in so early? I thought you were at Pinkie's party." A hint of concern in her voice at the sight of the sad mare before her.
"Yeah, I was, but..."
a short explanation later.
"Well was she upset?" Octavia asked.
"No, no she wasn't. That's not the point though, I really wanted to DJ this party, Its Pinkie's birthday." Vinyl replied, letting her head hang low.
Octavia didn't know what to say, technically it was Vinyl's fault she missed her chance but she wasn't about to tell her that. "Well... I don't know Vinyl I'm sorry to hear it. Really I am. Hey, do you want to hear me play a little something I've been working on? Might cheer you up." Octavia suggested half heartedly, expecting Vinyl too refuse seeing as their taste in music was significantly different. Much to her surprise...
"Yeah, that'd be nice I think." Vinyl replied lifting her head a bit and forcing a smile.
"Oh, um okay great! First lets get something to drink though, I'm a little thirsty." Vinyl agreed and the two mares went down to the kitchen, Octavia made a glass of tea and Vinyl had hot chocolate. They headed up to Octavia's room which Vinyl had not been in a whole lot. The room was rather plain but had an atmosphere of peace about it. A chair with a stand sat by the window that overlooked the town which Octavia retrieved and brought to the middle of the room.
"You can sit on the bed if you like." Octavia told her and Vinyl happily complied.
As she sat she noticed that Octavia's bed was much softer than her own as she sank a little into the cushioning. Vinyl looked up to see Octavia retrieve a well polished wooden Violin from an black leather case lined with red silk. 'She really loves that thing.' Vinyl thought to herself as Octavia positioned herself in the chair and adjusted the stand so that her sheet music was nearly eye level. Next she took the bow and slid it across the strings and looked unsatisfied with the high pitch sound it emitted. She tweaked a knob on the top of the instrument, repeated the action and gave a nod of approval then glanced over to Vinyl with a nervous look in her eyes and her face just barely turning a dull shade of pink.
"Now its not finished yet, and I'm still working on it but tell me what you think, okay?" Octavia asked and was answered with a nod. Octavia looked back down at her violin and took a deep breath. 'Why am I nervous? I've played in concert halls in front of thousands. I should be able to play in front of Vinyl.' She thought to herself, giving one last glance at the Mare's beautiful, bright red eyes that seemed to wait patiently for the music to begin. 'Here it goes.' She sighed and dragged the bow across the strings.
Vinyl listened quietly to the soothing sound, much different from her own upbeat mixes though she had to admit that it was beautiful, relaxing, calming even. Vinyl wanted to fall asleep to the soothing tune but she did not want to offend her friend. She watched as Octavia eventually closed her eyes, no longer looking at her music yet kept playing, not missing a note as far as Vinyl was concerned. She knew little about this kind of music but found it hard to imagine this was not considered cool in Octavia's world of music.
After a few minutes more Octavia finished her solo and took another deep breath before looking back at Vinyl who's eyes were welling up. "Ohhh you hated it." Octavia moaned.
"H-h-hated? Octy are you crazy? That was the most beautiful thing I've ever heard! So totally awesome, I mean, not as awesome as wubs but a close second." Vinyl replied wiping her eyes.
Vinyl's reaction brought a smile to Octavia's muzzle as she placed her instrument down and ran over to hug her friend. "Thank you Vinyl, That means a lot"
“What were you so nervous for anyway?” Vinyl asked.
“Well, I know classical is not really, well, your thing and I've been working hard on this particular piece and thought you might laugh at me, also I usually do not perform for only one pony at a time. I know you have heard me play before but that was only when I practiced music I already knew and had not been composed by me. This song, is personal to me.” She finished giving Vinyl another short hug before backing up giving her friend some space.
“Well, I don't understand the nervous part. I've never really been nervous with my sounds. I do understand your passion for your music though. I am all about that, I'd never spend so much time on it if I didn't thoroughly enjoy the Jammin beats of Wub-uh-dub-dubs!” Vinyl realized she was getting a bit loud and calmed herself. “Sorry.”
“No worries, I think I can really see why you were upset earlier. You missed a chance to share your passion with your friends and other ponies. Is that it?” Octavia asked the question carefully, not wanting to press any emotional buttons on her housemate.
“Well, Yeah.” Vinyl's frown returned across her muzzle as she looked down to the ground. “I mean, if this new pony starts stealing my shows, then, well I'll never get to DJ for Pinkie or anypony else for that matter again.”
Vinyl Scratch Presents: A New DJ In Town.
Chapter 2
Recap on Chapter 1
Vinyl was late for her gig at Pinkie's party and discovered that another pony had taken her place at her table.
Unable to accept this and enjoy herself she leaves the party pre-maturely.
As she arrives home she hears Octavia practicing her violin in her room. Vinyl attempts to go to her own room without disturbing her friend but Octavia catches her on the way up the stairs and is surprised to find Vinyl home at such an early hour.
Octavia allows Vinyl to sit audience to her solo practice session.
After-wards a brief conversation issues on Vinyl's problem.
Now To The Story.
Having went to bed early Vinyl's day started as such. She rolled lazily out of bed, to her hooves and trotted over to the mirror. Her mane was a tad unkempt and her fur a bit ruffled but nothing a little bit of grooming wouldn't fix. She shuffled through the typical mess that littered her room until she found her brush lying on the floor in the corner and began to brush out the knots in her mane.
Before she reached the kitchen she heard sizzling, the clanging of pans and found Octavia had already began making breakfast, which was out of character. Octavia was not a morning pony. “Octy what are you doing up?” Vinyl questioned.
“Good morning to you to Vinyl.” Octavia replied in a playful manner. “I trust you want your eggs scrambled as per the usual?” She asked without turning to look at her friend.
“Are you okay Octy?” Vinyl walked over to the table and sat, noticing two mugs of freshly made coffee sitting across from each-other on the table.
“The one on the left is yours.” Octavia ignored Vinyl's questioning as she scraped the eggs onto a second plate with bacon and french toast. Octavia brought the two plates over and placed one in-front of Vinyl before sitting down in the seat across from her.
Vinyl poked at her eggs suspiciously with her fork and sniffed her coffee, wondering if Octavia had finally decided to kill her for waking her with her music almost every morning.
Octavia giggled before taking her first bite of breakfast convincing Vinyl the food was safe to eat but she still had her doubts about the coffee. “Your in a good mood this morning.” Vinyl said. Then realization hit. “Octy, your not doing all of this because of last night are you?”
Octavia placed her fork down and sighed. “Vinyl I'm only trying to see to it that your day does not start off on the wrong hoof.” Octavia frowned.
“Octavia I'm okay, really. I decided last night before I went to bed that I was going to go and talk to this new pony. Maybe we can work something out or maybe I have nothing to worry about.” Vinyl reassured her. “Thank you for the breakfast though, its really really good.” Vinyl smiled.
Octavia wasn't sure Vinyl was being sincere but she accepted this and went back to eating with a smile on her muzzle.
After breakfast Vinyl set off to Sugar Cube Corner to talk to Pinkie and try and find this new DJ. When she arrived she was surprised to see that the mess from the party had already been picked up and she saw Pinkie's fluffy tail disappear through the entrance of the bakery.
Vinyl followed her inside and Pinkie turned around quickly. “Oh, Hey Vinyl!” Her high pitched voice filled the room. “I didn't see you there, do you want a cup-cake?”
“Thats okay Pinks. I really just came to ask a quick question.” As good as a cup-cake sounded she had just ate and probably shouldn't eat junk food in the morning, but... that had never stopped her before. 'No, focus Vinyl.' She scolded herself.
“Really? What is it?” Pinkie bounced a couple of times.
“Well you know that DJ last night right?” Vinyl asked.
“Yeah she's awesome! In fact, she's still here. She passed out and never left!” Pinkie bounced again and pointed toward the far booth.
Vinyl followed her hoof and saw the mare's red tail hanging over the edge of the seat. “Thanks Pinks.” Vinyl replied and trotted over to the booth with confidence and sat across from the snoring unicorn. Vinyl took this opportunity to get a better look at her. Like her tail her mane was red with a green highlight down one side, her fur was white like Vinyls and her cutie mark looked like a blank cd. The mare was drooling, draped halfway over the table with one of her for-hooves under her head and the other spread out in front of her.
“Alright, time to get up.” Vinyl told the sleeping mare before banging the underside of the table with her hoof.
With a shout of shock Flash Rave jumped up and fell out of the booth. “The fuck???” Flash rave propped herself up onto the seat and looked over at Vinyl Scratch. “Why?”
Vinyl smirked at the DJ. “My bad, come on talk to me for a minute.”
“I'd rather go back to sleep.” She replied, crawled back onto the cushioned booth seat and laid down.
Vinyl gave an agitated sigh and hit the table again.
Flash Rave moaned and sat up. “Fine Fine, who are you anyway?!” She asked rubbing her eyes with her forhooves.
“The names Vinyl, I was supposed to be DJ-ing that party last night.”
“So you trotted all the way down here and woke me up to tell me that?”
Vinyl thought for a second. “No, I'd also like to welcome you to Ponyville, and tell you I was actually quite impressed with your skills.”
“That couldn't have waited?” Flash Rave replied holding her head trying to fight back the hangover that was pounding on the gates of her skull. The light coming through the window from the morning sun wasn't helping.
Vinyl noticed and closed the curtains to the window they were next to.
“Thanks.”
“But, you can't keep DJ-ing here.”
At this, Flash opened her eyes and stared at the mare, for the first time during the encounter, her full attention was on her. “Excuse me?” She was half expecting there to be a punchline to a lame joke coming up but the look on the red eyed mare was serious.
“See, I have been DJ-ing here since I was a young filly and its all I do.” Vinyl continued holding Flash's gaze.
“Yeah so? Can't handle a little competition?” Flash challenged. Who was this mare to come in here and tell her what she could and could not do.
Vinyl's hoof twitched as she held back a burst of anger. “I would destroy you in a mixing battle.”
“Those are some big words coming from the mare who can't even make her own parties.”
Vinyl stood up on her rear hooves, slammed her forhooves down on the table and her horn began to glow. “You have no idea who your talking to here outsider. You can't just move in on another DJ's turf and steal her gigs.”
Flash's own horn began to glow a faint green aura as she too, rose up on her rear hooves. “I was doing you a favor! And Who Are You Calling An Outsider? You don't own Ponyville.
“NoPony told you, you could use my mixing table either!”
“You mean that piece of shit? I've never had such a difficult time with mixing equipment in my life. The sound quality is terrible!” Flash yelled.
Vinyl recoiled and gasped. “Do You Even Have A Table?”
“STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!!!!!!!!!!”
Both unicorns instantaneously turned quickly to see a raging Pinkie Pie who's mane had fallen flat and eyes were burning into them.
“YOU TWO PONIES ARE NOT GOING TO COME INTO THIS BAKERY AND RUIN THE HAPPY ATMOSPHERE, I WILL CUT YOU BOTH IF YOU DO NOT STOP NOW!” Pinkie screamed.
“S-s-s-sorry P-pinkie.” Vinyl stammered and sat back down.
“Y-yeah, sorry.” Flash mimicked.
All at once Pinkie's mane puffed back up and her smile returned. “Good. Now do you know what would be super, fantastic? If you two combined your super loud awesome music!” Pinkie suggested.
Both unicorns glanced at each other, a small smile spread across there muzzles.
Vinyl Scratch Presents: A New DJ In Town.
A classical twist on wubs.
Recap chapter 2
Vinyl goes to SSC to find Flash Rave.
Flash Rave is passed out in one of the booths.
Vinyl wakes her up to confront her about the night before.
They begin to argue over DJ-Ing rights in Ponyville.
Pinkie suggest the two work together.
CHAPTER 3
Octavia came through the door of her home just as Vinyl and somepony she had never seen before where leaving. Out of curiosity she decides to stop them. "Hey Vinyl, and... You are?" She didn't much like the idea of strange ponies she'd never seen before in her home.
"This is Flash Rave, the pony I was telling you about." Vinyl explained.
"Hey what's up?" Flash Rave offered a friendly greeting and extended a hoof out to Octavia who reluctantly shook it.
Her ears folded back out of confusion but she said nothing.
"Well me and Rave he are headed to the studio." Vinyl told her as they began to trot away.
"Um, okay bye." Octavia replied more to herself than anypony else.
"Was that your roommate?" Rave asked.
"Yup that's her."
"I see." She mumbled in reply.
Vinyl gave a sideways glance of suspicion at the words. What's that supposed to mean?' She thought to herself but decided not to cause another argument.
Not long later they arrived at Vinyl's studio at the edge of town. Not a large building but not small. A sign that looked like an old record with a huge prop of Vinyl's goggles hanging off of them sat atop the building and around the inside of the record it read in white print. (Vinyl's Studio) The building itself was made of brick and had various spray tags of wub related techno designs covering every inch.
"How did you afford this?" Rave asked in awe.
"I'm not the only one that produces music here. All the musicians in Ponyville make their cd's, records, or tapes here." I just supervise the place.
"I'm impressed." Rave nodded her head in approval.
"Wait until you see the inside."
"Not if it looks anything like your room." Rave commented, following Vinyl inside.
"Very funny." Vinyl rolled her eyes.
The inside looked nothing like the out. It was much more, sophisticated, an open floor plan with various glassed off rooms with mics, and different instruments in each. In the center of the room sat the control booth where a black furred and maned stallion earth pony sat, his rear hooves kicked up on the booth and his headphones on. A mic hung just over his head but he paid no attention to it. He was difficult to spot at first due to the dim lighting.
"Who's that?"
"One of the managers slash spokes pony for our midnight music broadcast." Vinyl replied. "Hey Taze!" Vinyl called down to the booth but the Stallion failed to answer. Vinyl trotted over and kicked the chair he was sitting in, tipping it over and causing him to fall with it with a surprised squak.
Taze got back to his hooves rubbing his head. "Music to loud, sorry." He explained, giving Vinyl his neon green apologetic eyes
"No worries Taze, I wanted you to introduce you to a new DJ, this is Flash Rave." She replied motioning for Rave to come down to the booth.
"She planning on producing here?" Taze asked.
"With any luck." Rave replied for Vinyl offering her hoof.
Instead of shaking her hoof he bumped it. "Cut the formalities here." Taze replied with a smile.
"Awsome."
"Alright Rave, this way, Taze should have some work to do." She directed that last part more toward Taze who rolled his eyes and kicked back up in his chair and put his headphones back on.
"What, is he lazy?" Rave asked as she followed Vinyl into another room but not one of the recording rooms.
"No I just like giving him shit." Vinyl smirked. "Here's my own personal mixing room." She took a step back to give Rave a better look. "I produce my own beats in here, not just Mix em."
A few computers sat around a leather wheeled recliner as well as a couple of high speed audio boards and a portable MIC. All of it was connected together to a huge hard, drive. "All this to produce electronic beats?"
"That's not all this equipment can do but yeah pretty much." Vinyl replied. "If were going to work together I need to see what you can do."
"So... You want me to create my own beat?" Rave questioned.
"Yes and if I'm impressed were in business, you have a job." Vinyl smirked.
"Woah woah woah, I'll have a job? Who says I want to work for you? I thought we were working together." Rave exclaimed.
Vinyl gave an impatient sigh. "Listen, its MY town, MY studio, and MY equipment. I'm not just gonna share it all with somepony I just met. DJ or not."
"Alright alright get off your high horse, geez." As much as she hated it, Vinyl was right, she'd have said the same thing. "So when do I start?"
"Now." Vinyl replied and began turning on the various machines. "Sit down and I'll show you what's this thing can do. I'll let you hear my most recent work."
Rave sat as she was told while Vinyl waited for her computer to start. The desktop was littered with various files in which Vinyl clicked on the uppermost right one and a media player came up. She turned up a set of speakers. "Ready?" Vinyl asked with pride.
"Sure why not?" She replied unenthusiastically which made Vinyl shake her head before hitting play.
Oddly enough the beat started off strong and loud but in the middle sounded as if stringed instruments that were converted electronically came into play, not typical with this genre of music. They didn't drown out the rest of the beat but it was noticeable. Eventually the beat faded out and Vinyl looked over to Rave expectantly but was displeased to see the mare shaking her head and snickering. "What?"
"I think you let your out of style roommate alter your music. Why would you have that shit mixed in with dub-step?" She asked laughing.
Vinyl was not laughing, infact she gave a snort of anger. "Do not talk like that about my music or my roommate." She barked. "And its wubs not dub-step."
"I don't care what you call it, its garbage, as well as your lame ass friend. Who even listens to classical?" She replied, jumping out of the chair to stand eye to eye with Vinyl.
"First of all, it doesn't matter what kind of music your listening to, even if you don't like it does not mean its garbage. Ponies put alot of hard work into their music, whether its wubs, or classical. Its how they express themselves! If anypony is lame, its you!" Vinyl exclaimed stomping her hoof for emphasis.
Rave lost it at that point, reared up on her hind hooves and struck Vinyl across the muzzle with her right forhoove.
Vinyl took a couple steps back but being a DJ, she'd been in plenty of brawls with drunk ponies so she shook off the blow and charged rave with her head catching her in the jaw, her horn just scratching the side of Rave's face. Rave fell backwards but rolled back to her hooves before Vinyl could get at her again. The two mares reared up, fighting it out, kicking, punching, and biting with fury. At-last Vinyl took one to-many to the jaw and was knocked on her ass by a well aimed uppercut from Rave's left hoof.
Vinyl recovered and wiped the blood from her muzzle. "Just Get The Fuck Out Of Here!" Vinyl demanded.
Without a second thought Rave turned and trotted out steaming with anger. She wanted to stay and finish the fight but any further conflict may attract the guards.
As soon as Rave disappeared out of the room, Taze appeared in the doorway looking bewildered. "What just happened?"
"Nothing just move." Vinyl said pushing past him and out the front door of the studio just in time to see Raven disappear around the corner, thankfully in the opposite direction of her home. On her way home she growled at a couple of ponies who were staring at her bruises and cuts on her body, and face. Not to mention her mane and tail which were frazzled more than usual.
She entered her home into the kitchen were Octavia was sitting with a drink in her hoof. When Octavia saw her she dropped her glass which shattered on the floor and rushed over to her friend. "Vinyl, What Happened?" She asked distressed.
"That damned mare." Vinyl replied, trotting past Octavia to sit.
"What do you mean?" Octavia asked taking her own seat taking care not to step on the glass.
"We got into it at the studio. She has a big fucking mouth." Vinyl snapped then took a deep breath. She had to calm down a bit.
"What did she say?"
"Well." Vinyl sighed and turned her head away. "She was talking about you. She pissed me off and I started yelling, she hit me and we started fighting."
"Vinyl?" Octavia felt bad but blushed at the thought of Vinyl fighting In her defense. "Vinyl you didn't have to do that."
"Yes I did Octy, You've always been there for me and you put up with everything I do. I know I'm not the easiest pony to live with." Vinyl finished.
Octavia said nothing for a moment. Then got up too get the aid kit for Vinyl's injuries. She came back and began to treat her friend. Vinyl winced and flinched whenever Octavia would hit a sensitive area but never said a word and followed her friends directions when she's tell her to lift her chin or hoof to apply alcohol or dressings. Vinyl had no serious injuries due to it only being a hoof fight. 'Thank Celestia they didn't use their magic.' She thought to herself. "There, now go get some rest." Octavia advised her friend. "I'll clean up down here." Refering to the empty bandage wrappings, spilt drink, and broken glass.
Vinyl got up from her seat and took a second to look at her friend, then wrapped her forhooves around her and nuzzling her cheek. "See this is what I mean Octy, always there for me." She released her friend then trotted slowly up the stairs to her room.
Octavia stood in place for a moment, blushing. She wanted now more than ever to tell Vinyl how she felt. Now was not the right time however
Vinyl Scratch Presents: A New DJ In Town.
Recap on chapter 3
Vinyl takes Rave to her studio to show her what they're working with.
Rave talks down on Vinyl's friend and music and they start to argue.
Rave and Vinyl begin to fight in the studio.
After the fight Rave leaves the studio and Vinyl goes home.
Vinyl walks in the door and Octavia is shocked to see her in that condition and tends to be injuries.
On with the story.
CHAPTER 4
Vinyl hadn't remembered falling asleep but she woke up later that night. She was alright with this though. She slept during the day plenty, especially after a big party. Though waking up to the soreness was not pleasant as she recalled the days events. However there was one pain she could alleviate. Her stomach growled at her as if it had known she had just awoken.
"Fine, I'll go get something to eat." She informed her grumbling belly. She crept out of her room, down the stairs, and to the fridge. In the fridge she found a plate of food wrapped in tinfoil and a sticky note that read, enjoy Vinyl, I made you fav!
"Aww so thoughtful." Vinyl used her magic to place the plate on the table and to pour herself a glass of milk. She sat at the table and proceeded to unwrap her meal which turned out to be fried pork and parsley potatoes. "Oh its on." Vinyl proclaimed as she took the first bite and scolded herself. 'It'd probably be a gold idea to heat it up first.
After she ate Vinyl took the opportunity to take a walk through the city at night. She liked the loud parties and busy dance floors but on occasions she wanted a peaceful evening. 'Maybe Octavia is rubbing off on me.' She thought to herself and shrugged.
When she opened the door, a cold breeze forces its way past Vinyl enticing her to retrieve her scarf before heading out into the streets of Ponyville. Most of the city was dark with the exception of a few late night stores and the occasional window from different houses. Street lamps painted her path with gold light and her hoof steps across the pavement provided a steady beat in her ears as she began to day-dream.
She'd been trotting along for an hour before she realized she was downtown. The early rumble of an oncoming storm brought her back to reality. 'I don't think im going to make it back before it rains.' Quickly she turned and began a light jog back to her home. She didn't want to break off into a full blown out run less she wanted to be exaughsted by the time she got back.
A loud noise from an alley was she was just about to pass alerted he. Vinyl stood rigid with her ears straight up and the fur on the back of her neck standing on end. Ponyville wasn't exactly the most dangerous city in equestria but that didn't mean you wanted to be caught alone, downtown, and in an alley of all places.
Curiosity gripped her conscious however so she crept along the wall toward the alley and craned her neck to see around the corner. It was darker than the streets but she was just able to make out the form of a pony with white fur lying a ways down the alley. Whoever it was they appeared to be alone and Vinyl didn't know whether or not they were hurt and against her better judgment she began to hoof tip her way down the alley, not wanting to alert the pony before she got to her.
Unfortunately she kicked a bottle of empty liquor and the pony jumped to its hooves to face the intruder. "Rave?" Vinyl asked in shock as she recognized the red and green mane of the unicorn and her bright blue eyes.
"Vinyl? What are you-" She didn't finish the sentence before panicking and bolting away, embarrassed at the situation at hoof.
"Oh no you don't." Vinyl horn began to glow as she cast a spell to restrain the mare's hooves. To follow up Vinyl raced over to Rave before she cast a spell of her own to break the magical restraints and stood in front of her.
The confidence that Rave had worn the day before had left her eyes and was replaced with fear and sadness as she cowered low to the ground, hiding from Vinyl's gaze.
"Rave what are you doing out here all by yourself."
"S-s-sleeping." She stammered without lifting her head.
"Sleeping? Why don't you go home to sleep?" Then she remembered that she had only gotten here a couple days. "If you don't live anywhere yet why didn't you find a motel or something? There's a few around here."
Rave said nothing but looked up at Vinyl, defeat in her eyes.
"Well? Sa-" Her sentence fell short at the second realization of the night. "Rave... Why didn't you say something to somepony?"
"I can't do that Vinyl. That would be terrible for my reputation as a new pony here, and I'm sure you know reputation is everything to a dj." Rave explained.
"No its not, at least not here, and your reputation is not worth sleeping in the cold. What happened to your old home? You haven't been living in the streets with your mane dyed like that." Vinyl explained.
Rave sighed and sat down, her tail swooshing back and forth. "I, well I lived in equicity, and like you I was a big DJ there, but I wasn't the top dog so to speak." She stopped and closed her eyes as if trying to find the proper words to continue. "Well, when I started to suggest a couple of ideas that they didn't necessarily agree with they sat down with me to talk, and they told me that if I kept up the bull shit they'd throw me out of the club. I didn't give them the chance... So I quit and skipped town, afraid of what the other ponies would think." She finished and bowed her head withholding tears.
"I mean... Well what about your friends? You had nopony in town that could have helped you out.?" Vinyl knew it was a dumb question but she still wanted some sort of explanation.
"No, not any real friends." She sniffled before continuing, a teardrop falling down her muzzle. "All they cared about was my social status. Being a DJ made me popular, not being me."
"That, I don't know what to say about that." Vinyl was lost for words at the moment. "Hey, why don't you come back to my place for the night?"
Rave picked her head up. "What? Even after-"
"Listen, I'm not exactly happy with you, but I can't leave you out here with a clear conscious." Vinyl cut her off.
"But, I," Suddenly she felt terrible about fighting with Vinyl, even in the dim light she could see a couple of the marks leftover from the earlier conflict. "Vinyl I-"
Again she was cut off. "I am not gonna let you say no. If I have to fight you again and drag you back I will but I am not leaving you out here."
"O-okay."
"Good now lets-" A loud crack of thunder reminded her of the oncoming storm. "Lets Go!" She yelled and took off down the alley, looking back only to see that Rave had followed her.
The two mare ran as fast as they could toward Vinyl's home, however the rain beat them to the punch. Another burst of thunder sounded on que as the rain began to fall on their heads but still they ran.
Within minutes they came in sight of the house and burst through the front door sliding across the floor and nearly crashing into the wall.
"O-Alright, whew, give me a sec and I'll get us a couple of towels." Vinyl managed between breaths.
"Okay lets go up to my room, I don't want to wake my roommate."
Rave silently nodded in approval and followed Vinyl upstairs, accepting a towel graciously. She still felt absolutely terrible for earlier, or yesterday, she didn't know if midnight had passed yet. A quick check of a digital clock that sat on Vinyl's desk confirmed that midnight had indeed come and pass. It was now one-twenty seven in the morning.
Vinyl sat on her bed and patted the side of it waiting for Rave to follow suit.
Rave took her seat but did not look at Vinyl, and instead looked down to the floor.
"I have a question. What ideas did you have that upset them like that?" Vinyl asked.
Rave was worried she'd be asked this question. "I suppose I do owe you a few answers." She replied then took a deep breath. "It was sort of like your project. I had suggested that we tie in other genres of music into the tech, and I went behind their backs and mixed a record of my own. I played it at a show one night. The crowd didn't seem to mind but my crew was a tad angry that I had done that especially when they had already told me no." Rave finished.
"Wait, didn't you call my mix lame?" Vinyl asked with a bit of spite.
"I know I know, its just after what happened I didn't think any Dj's liked it. I'm not trying to make excuses for myself but, I was just trying to be cool, and I let an ego that wasn't even mine take over. I guess I was just taking my rejection out on you and your friend..." Rave replied, starting to cry for the second time that night. "I'm r-really sorry."
It was Vinyl's turn to feel bad. She gave the mare a light hug to try and cheer her up, she didn't know what else to do. "Its alright Rave." She whispered. Then pulled away and gazed into Rave's eyes. "You do owe Octavia an apology though."
Rave wore a weak smile. "You told her huh?"
"Yeah... I did. I share everything with her, plus its kinda hard to hide the battle wounds of a fight." Vinyl replied. "Your one helleva gold fighter to, its been a while since I've been in a good fight." Then giggled a bit. "I want a rematch in the future." She added trying to cheer her up.
Rave giggled. "You got it, don't expect next time to be different though."
The two Dj's shared a laugh that warmed them both and broke the tension. "We'll see, hey uh... You should just take my bed for the night and I'll sleep on the couch."
"No no I couldn't." Rave replies.
"It'll be better if I do. If Octavia finds you downstairs, she'll freak out." I want to be there to help explain things. It may not run over so smooth.
Rave though for a moment and decided it was a good idea. "Alright, thanks Vinyl, I really appreciate it."
"Think nothing of it. Now get some sleep and we'll straighten things out in the morning." Vinyl then exits the room, making her way to the couch.
Rave felt awkward sitting in Vinyl's room by herself. The room was a mess but its not like she had room to talk having slept in an alley. She sighed and laid back on the bed, not bothering to cover herself up. That's when she realized how tired she really was. In just a short while she dozed off
Vinyl Scratch Presents: A New DJ In Town.
Octavia yawned as she brushed her hair after a good nights sleep and a warm shower. When she was done she went downstairs and was surprised to find Vinyl on the couch still asleep, one hoof hanging off the couch and she was drooling on the pillow. "Oh Vinyl." A part of her thought this was cute but another was upset she was drooling all over the couch. Octavia decided to wake her to see why she was not in her own bed. She nudged the sleeping mare gently and got to response so she tried again. Vinyl mumbled something and rolled over away from Octavia, still asleep.
"Vinyl!" She called out to her but still no response. 'Why is she such a heavy sleeper?' She asked herself before taking both of her hooves, taking Vinyl's shoulder and rolling her off the couch.
"What Gwah!" Vinyl grunted as she hit the floor. "Hey, what was that for?"
"Why aren't you in your room?"
"Huh?" Vinyl looked around the room, forgetting she had slept on the couch. "Oh... Right." she mumbled.
"Right what? What's wrong?" Octavia asked with sincerity.
"Um... Well you see, promise not to get mad?" She asked as her cheeks turned an scarlet red.
"Viiinyl? What did you do?" Now Octavia was concerned.
"Well, ya see, it'll be better if I just show you." Vinyl let a nervous laugh escape her muzzle. "Just wait here for a second." Without giving her a chance to respond she got up and made her way upstairs to her room.
Octavia did as she was told and sat on the couch. She didn't stay there long as Vinyl returned with Rave. She jumped to her hooves in a flash. "What Is She Doing Here!!??" Octavia proclaimed as the pair of Djs made their way downstairs.
"Octavia just calm down." Vinyl suggested nervously knowing that Octavia wasn't easily angered but even less so calmed.
"No Vinyl she hurt you! Not to mention insulting everything I stand for!" Octavia took a couple of steps closer and Rave hid behind Vinyl.
"Octy it was all a misunderstanding. Please just listen, she's even willing to apologize." Vinyl pleaded.
Octavia snorted but sat down, only because Vinyl asked her to. "Fine, im listening." She huffed.
"Go on." Vinyl mumbled to Rave knudging her toward Octavia.
Reluctantly Rave left the safe zone behind Vinyl and walked toward Octavia with her head down, fully expecting to get struck. When she had felt she got close enough Rave looked up into Octavia's angered expression then sighed. "Okay... Octavia, I'm sorry. I know its hard to erase first impressions, but... Uh, I promise that wasn't me, well not the real me, honest. I was just trying to fit in with the crowd. I can see now that this is not that type of city. I have respect for everypony's talents." Rave finished letting out a sigh of relief.
Octavia snorted once more and looked over to Vinyl then back at Rave.
"Huh?" Rave looked back at Vinyl and realized what Octavia had meant. "Oh... Right, I'm sorry for getting into it with Vinyl to."
Octavia sighed and looked back and forth at the two unicorn then dropped her head. "Fine, apology accepted." Octavia mumbled.
"Yeah thanks Tavi!" Vinyl called out as she rushed over to Octavia and hugged her tightly enticing a blush from Octavia accompanied by a smile as she returned the hug.
Vinyl pulled away a moment later with a nervous grin on her face. "Um... I have another question."
Octavia frowned at this. "Oh?" Vinyl never looked at her like this unless she was about to say something dumb.
"Rave, could you go back upstairs please?"
Rave wordlessly obeyed, knowing what was about to come.
As she heard her door shut Vinyl looked back to her friend. "Well Tavi, I need you to do me a favor, intact you don't have to do anything really but... Uh..." She waited for some type of response from the mare but got none. She sighed and continued on to explain Rave's situation. The whole time she talked Octavia never said a word until she was finished.
"So, what do you need?" there was no need to ask the question, she already knew what Vinyl was about to ask.
"Well, uh... I was wondering if Rave could stay here for a while, just long enough for her to find a place I promise." Vinyl added quickly. She didn't get the reaction she was expecting as Octavia let her head hang low before sighing and looking back up to Vinyl.
"I suppose we can't let her freeze to death."
"Yay Thanks Tavi." Vinyl wrapped Octavia in another fur warming hug, forcing her smile to return. "I'll go tell Rave."
Vinyl made her way quickly upstairs with the good news leaving Octavia to ponder what had just happened. She heard laughter from upstairs and huffed trotting into the kitchen for her morning coffee. It was to early for this mess.
"So she's not mad anymore?" Rave asked nervously.
"Eh, no I'm sure she's still pretty pissed, but she'll warm up to you... Eventually." She added with a nervous laugh. "Lets get something to eat."
"That'd be nice." Rave liked the sound of food at the moment. She hadn't eaten since yesterday afternoon.
The two unicorn joined Octavia in the kitchen, who had already taken her seat and started on her coffee.
Rave sat as far as she could from Octavia, not wanting to intrude in her personal space after she had just accepted her into her home. Vinyl dropped a bowl and spoon in front of Rave along with a box of cereal and milk. Vinyl sat down with her own bowl across from Octavia and beside Rave. "Hehe uh... Sorry I'm not much of a cook, I hope you like cereal."
"Oh its fine, you've done enough already." Rave replies, pouring cereal into her bowl. "Besides I love cereal." Vinyl poured her own bowl and started eating. An awkward silence filled the room with both Rave and Octavia sitting at the same table. "So, uh... Tavi, how did ya sleep?" She asked, anxious to break the silence.
"Fine I guess." Octavia replied, her eyes never leaving her coffee.
"Um, thats good, say hows the coffee this morning?" Vinyl was fishing for some type of conversation.
"Its alright."
Vinyl groaned on the inside. She new that Octavia was mad when she gave answers like that. She also suspected that the only reason she agreed to let Rave stay was for her own sake. 'If only I hadn't of been late.' She thought to herself. Then Rave said something to make things even worse.
"So, Tavi-" That's as far as she got.
"Octavia." Octavia announced. "My name is Octavia." Only her closest friends were allowed to call her by her nickname. Certainly not anypony that hurt her closest of friends.
"Oh... Sorry, Octavia." Rave replied looking down into her bowl. "How long have you been playing?" she asked nervously referring to her violen.
Octavia sighed, "Since I was a young filly."
"Oh so, your like, a star of the classical world?" Rave asked with false enthusiasm, trying to break the tension between the two.
Vinyl really wished she hadn't of asked that knowing that Octavia had just missed her chance at second chair in the Galloping Equines Symphony a couple years back. That was the whole reason she played community theater here in Ponyville.
Octavia grumbled and abruptly stood up from her seat, then left the kitchen.
"What I say?" Rave asked confused.
Vinyl let out an audible groan and let her head fall to the table. "Maybe you should just avoid her altogether for a while." She suggested.
"Yeah... Sounds good." Rave replied, taking another spoonful of cereal into her mouth
Vinyl Scratch Presents: A New DJ In Town.
"I'll deal with that later, right now im here for you. I thought you might be a little nervous since the princess is here and all." she giggled. "Us DJ's never have royalty at our shows so we don't need to worry about that, but... I think I might have something to cure you of your stage freight." Vinyl told her.
"Really, but what-"
"Just close your eyes." Vinyl's cheeks and muzzle turned a light crimson.
"Vinyl?"
"Please? Its the only way I'll be able to help."
Octavia complied, closing her eyes. Then she began to blush her self when she felt warm breath on her snout. 'Is she?' Octavia thought.
'Rave you had better be right.' Vinyl thought as she closed her own eyes then closed the last inch between their muzzles, pressing their lips together in a kiss that Vinyl poured all of her emotion into. She expected Octavia to pull away but instead she felt her hoof around her neck, pulling her closer in a warm embrace.
After a minute they broke apart. "V-v-Vinyl, how did-"
"Don't worry about that." Vinyl replied, smiling and burning at the cheeks. "Now go out there, show the princess and the rest of the theater what you can do." Vinyl told her with confidence. "I'll be right off stage."
Octavia smiled, a little tear of joy escaped her eye and fell down her muzzle. "Thank you Vinyl Scratch." She gave her another hug before picking up her violen and bow and walking out of the dressing room with Vinyl.
When she got backstage she saw Rave dragging something behind some stage props. "Vinyl what is sh-
"Hehe, lets go Tavi, you don't want to miss your que." She cut her off, pushing her toward the stage then looked back at Rave.
"He'll be out for a while, I got to get going." Rave whispered. "The club opens in an hour and I still need to get set up."
"Go go." Vinyl urged her, waving her away with a hoof.
"Wish her luck for me." Rave replied as she escaped out the back door.
Vinyl turned back to Octavia. "I'll be right over here." She told her with sincerity.
Octavia smiled before turning and walking onto the stage. The princess sat in the first row along with two of her guards, but that didn't matter to her now. She felt like she could do anything. She took her seat center stage, took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and began to play.
On her last note she let her head hang low, all was quiet for just a moment. 'Oh no.' Octavia thought, worrying they had hated it. However the thought was drowned out of her head by the applause that followed, started by none other than princess Cadence herself. Octavia opened her eyes to see the whole theater on their hooves applauding. A few whistles were heard and a few roses thrown on stage. Octavia stood and took a bow before waiving to the crowd, before the curtain fell.
Octavia looked down and picked up one of the roses. She trotted over to Vinyl and put it behind the smiling mare's ear before kissing her. "Lets go home."
