Chapters A new genre.
It was another bright and beautiful day for the town of Ponyville. The weather patrol just finished moving some clouds to make it look like heavenly day, with Rainbow leading it. Yes, she took the liberty to take a day off the Wonderbolts to help the weather patrol. She said something about making the weather patrol another 20% cooler once again, or so.
In a not faraway distance, a figure appeared walking down the road towards the town. It was definitively a male. A pegasus to be precise.
His body color was a green yellowish, the color of his eyes were cyan, his mane was black and a bit of orange at the tip of his mane. His wings had some sort of accesory, which looked like a metal attachment. He was wearing a brown jacket with a white t-shirt under it, some dark blue pants and a sunshade glasses on top of his head. He stopped walking after traveling a few meters and stood looking at the town with a burning determination in his eyes.
"Ha! Finally! I reached the famous Ponyville!" said the young man, who was holding some sort of guitar-shaped case. He took a breath and let it out with pride as he saw from a distance the unique town of Ponyville.
"Okay, before going I need to check I brought everything with me." said the man as he stood still on the road towards Ponyville. The fella went into his knees and started checking his stuff.
"Let's see..... Guitar? Check. Awesome clothes? Check. Wallet full of bits? Double check. Nail for the guitar? Check. A place to stay? ....Screw the check."
The man standing was none other than Quarter Tone, an amateur, yet talented alternative guitarist who seeks his special place and fame as well.
He comes from Tinkerrune, LA. Ever since he was a colt, he always used to hear a lot of songs of Linkin Flank, an alternative music band that has gained a huge amount of reputation to this day.
One day, this band held a concert nearby his home and Quarter went to that same concert with his dad. After he got in his Dad's shoulders to see them better, something in him changed. A new goal was born. To become a great guitarist just like Linkin Flank's guitarist was.
That same day, he got his cutie mark. It was a sunset with a guitar in the middle of it. It represented the dedication and passion he has for music.
After he got his cutie mark, Quarter worked hard enough to buy his own electric guitar, a Les Paul nevertheless. It was something like this.' Nixus'
As for his goal, he was on his way towards something really big. Becoming one of the greatest guitarist of the world. Sure, it was a huge dream for such a small man coming from middle-poor family, but he always thought that dreams can be achieved if your pour your heart on it for a long time, even if it takes your whole life to do so.
Reaching the entrance of the town, he looked in awe to every building. It wasn't that luxurious as the rich families's houses, but to him, everything had a purpose.
He managed to arrive to The Sugarcube Corner, which caused him to drool just by looking at it. For a second he thought it was made out of candy. The concrete wall of the shop said otherwise.
Later, he spotted the Carousel Boutique. It looked small, but the fancyness around it made it look bigger. Moving on-
..... Hold on. I think I missed something. This can't go like this. It's going to end before it even starts! What was that thing missing? ..... Oh! That's right!
Quarter soon walked a few more feet until he spotted a big mass of pink flying straight into him. He barely got time to react and inmediately smashed the ground with his face.
"How are doing floor? Having a nice day I suppose. I would like to present my face to you. Face, floor. Floor, face." he thought as he was lying face-down to the floor.
Quarter could hear a babbling really near him. It didn't stop. It just didn't. He didn't felt like looking at this voice and remained in the same position.
The voice suddenly stopped. Quarter couldn't put his finger on it why, but as he finally deattached his face from the floor (Goodbye, face! ), he turned his head to see this someone on top of him.
It was a pink mare, with a really fluffy and curled up mane. Her cyan eyes were exceptionally beautiful, not to mention the body she had.
Quarter was lost in the stare towards the strange girl. He realized he looked like a pervert and stared into the girl's face, hoping she wasn't looking at him with disgust. Her expression clearly showed she was curious about him.
"Um.... hi?" said Quarter.
"Oh, you are awake! HI! I thought you were unconcious because I landed on you and you like really smashed your face into the ground really hard. It must have hurt a lot because hitting the floor always hurt everytime I slip or trip. I noticed you aren't from around here and I know like everyone from here and since I haven't seen you before must mean you are a new friend to meet!" said the girl in a unknown speed.
"Oh this is so exciting! I love meeting new friends all the time! I'm going to throw a 'Welcome new musician to town! Sorry I landed on you really hard!' party! I'll invite everybody since everybody is my friends and friends are supposed to have a good time. You are invited too since it's your party silly! The party is going to have a lot of ballons and games and-"
Quarter wasn't sure if this was a torture for something he did in the past or he was simply allucinating from the recent faceplant.
In either case, he couldn't comprehend a thing or two she said the moment she opened her mouth. The only things that caught his attention were that she knew his profession and the party.
"Whoa whoa, hold it lady! Who are you and how did you know I was a musician?"
"Oh! That's right, I didn't tell you my name. Silly ol' Pinkie." she said as she blinked while bumping her head, getting off of Quarter as well, "Name's Pinkie Pie! One of the best party throwers ever and friend of everyone!"
Quarter couldn't argue with that. She did look like a party thrower and friend-them-all girl, not to mention her matching personality.
The second question still remained unanswered.
As he got up from the floor, he was going to ask again, but she spoke first, hitting the topic he was just about to say.
"I knew you were a musician since that guitar over there looks like it belongs to you!", Quarter's eyes narrowed as he heard his guitar dropped hard nearby him.
"You must know a lot of music since you carry a instrument with you! We have a lot of talented musicians here in Ponyville as well! We have some artists named 'The Living Tombstone', 'Mandobrony', 'WoodenToaster' ,'Izeer', 'Black Gryph0n'..."
He didn't care a single bit of what she said, his attention was focused on his guitar on the floor. He carefully picked it up and searched for any kind of damage or scratch to Nixus. It had a few scratches, but they were repairable. Quarter sighed relieved it didn't broke or anything, but his face sudddenly turned into an angry one.
"This girl is not getting away with this." thought Quarter as he proceeded to look at her again.
She was gone.
"Where could have she gone!?" said Quarter.
"Right here, silly!" said Pinkie. Quarter, not sure if he wanted to look, slowly turned again to find this mare wearing a really weird costume.
"....What are you wearing?" asked Quarter.
"It's a clown costume!" she replied.
"That's not a clown costume."
"Oh really? I must be wearing a scuba diving costume! Or is it a shark costume? I always liked costumes because-" started babbling Pinkie. Quarter knew what was going to happen. If he didn't stop her right now, he would lose his mind.
"H-hey, Pinkie..."
"What is it?", said Pinkie as she snapped from her endless talk and looked at Quarter,
"I'm... actually curious about the party, that's all. Could you tell me a little bit of it, please?"
"Huh? That's the first time someone told or asked me something like that." Quarter raised an eyebrow, amused by her answer. He inmediately focused on his chat.
"You see, if there is a party, there must be music right?" he asked.
"Of course! There can't be a party without music. The party would end really early! Imagine that! A really short party!"
Quarter saw this as an opportunity. If he could play at that party and show his skills, he could rise a lot of reputation in no time. It was such a great opportunity! He thought it was his big chance after long years of practice.... well, a few years since he started from the bottom and has few experience when it comes to big events (Yes, Pinkie's parties are a blast), but you get the idea.
His hope was soon to be crushed by an incoming message from Pinkie.
"It's a good thing I hired Vinyl to be the music for the party! She is so fun! Her music always cheers even more my parties!"
If Quarter wasn't in a public place right now, he would go sob in a corner right now. Hiding his deception with a good poker face, he spoke, "V-vinyl? You... mean... just who is she?"
"She is a DJ!"
Boom. Quarter's mind just blew. Inside. No one noticed it, but Quarter was crying internally. He didn't have any kind of grudge against other musicians, but this was definitively a vendetta against DJ's. Their music was awesome though.
"Alright! I'm going to start organizing your party! See ya later!" said Pinkie as she walked away, jumping.
Suddenly, she stopped. She turned around to see Quarter once again and approaches him.
"You know..." she tilted her head with a doubt in her mind, "You haven't told me your name yet... even worse, I haven't shown the town yet!"
"Crap. Me and my manners. " he thought.
"My name is Quarter Tone. It's nice to meet you Pinkie Pie." said Quarter as he bowed, "And don't worry, I can tour myself around." he stated.
"Are you sure?" said Pinkie in her doubting voice.
"Yes, I always liked discovering things by myself."
"Okay then Quarter! You win! Get ready for tonight! It's going to be a blast!" gloated Pinkie.
"Hehe... sure... See you at the party..." said Quarter as he delivered a false grin, hiding his inner sadness for having lost a big opportunity.
Pinkie finally left and soon she wasn't in sight. Quarter sighed and scratched the back of his head as he decided it was best not to grieve for this unfortunate event.
"Well, I'm sure another opportunity will show up eventually." He shook a bit of dust off himself, grabbed his trusty guitar and walked away. One thing was bothering him though.
"Where am I even going to stay tonight?"
A pumping techno music could be heard...
The night finally arrived. At the Sugarcube Corner, anyone who was invited and those who weren't were inside. Quarter was one of the last guests to arrive.
Since he didn't have a place to crash (and asking a stranger something like that was out of the question, especially Pinkie), Quarter decided to take a quick break from the auto-tour he took. He took a nap in some nearby fields, causing him to skip track of time. Quarter, as he woke up, panicked after seeing what time was it.
Picking his stuff, he ran all the way to where the party was helded. He was relieved the party was still. Quarter was afraid he might lose his own party. Taking a closer look, he could see all sort of lights coming out of the window.
"Quite a party." he said to himself.
Quarter walked to the entrance and entered. What he saw was definitively not something you see everyday...
He spotted a mechanic bull ride in the center of the place. Some fellas were acting like if they were drunk and glowing sticks were up in the air. The air was filled with a pink smoke and everyone seemed to have a really good time. Quarter admitted this actually looked like fun.
A certain girl suddenly noticed Quarter, who was looking around the party. This girl approached him in a flash. When she took hold of Quarter, causing to turn around, she went into a hug. Quarter was taken back by this, but managed to recognize the girl hugging him. It was Pinkie, the one and only.
"Oh Quarter! You finally arrived! We were waiting for you!" said Pinkie as she let him go.
"Hehe, sorry I was late. Kinda fell asleep." admitted Quarter.
"It's okay! Now that you are here, I can introduce you to everybody!"
"Why do I have the feeling that is not a good idea... " he thought.
Pinkie grabbed Quarter's hand and went through the horde of people dancing. If they weren't careful, they might have gotten lost.
What? No. Pinkie would be fine, who worries me was Quarter.
Finally, after going through many people, they reached a stage where big speakers were held. Quarter assumed it was where the DJ was playing. He clenched his fist a bit after remembering the lost chance hours ago. Pinkie was too busy looking for something in a pile of boxes that she didn't notice Quarter's not-so-well hidden annoyance.
After a minute or two, she finally found what she looking for. A huge speaker. Quarter didn't want to know how loud was that speaker or where she get it, but it didn't matter since nothing could stop her from using it. Heading to where the stage was, Pinkie asked the DJ to lower the music a bit. Preparing the speaker, Quarter covered his ears, for it was going to be very loud.
"HI EVERYONE, HOW ARE YOU DOING?" said Pinkie as the speaker literally shook the entire building and everyone inside of it. Quarter didn't budge at all. Suddenly, a large cheer was heard followed. Pinkie smiled upon this and proceeded to speak again (Don't worry, she lowered a lot the speaker's volume).
"I'm so happy to see everyone looking so happy! [i]It makes my heart smile, smile, smile~. Anyways, I'm going to introduce you to the special guest tonight!"
Quarter soon knew where this was going. He was NOT prepared for this.
"I want you to meet my new friend, Quarter Tone!" she said as she pulled him behind some stereos. How did she managed to pull him there when he was on back-stage? We better leave that question unanswered.
"He is a super-duper guy and he is a musician!"
Quarter Tone froze right there. He thought having a party for him was great (even if he didn't get to play), but meeting everyone right now and there completely neutralized him. Everyone stared at him, with curiosity. He knew that he needed to speak, but didn't know what to say.
"Don't be shy, Quarter. Just say 'Hi'!" said Pinkie behind him. Quarter gulped, still thinking what to say.
"Oh boy. What do I say? " he thought. Quarter sighed, gathering guts to speak.
"Okay, it is just a greeting. Nothing more. Time to shine, rockstar! ".
"H-h-hi... My n-n-name is.... uh.... Quarter Tone. N-n-nice to meet ya..." he stuttered. The crowd obviously didn't comprehend his stutter and everyone looked at each other trying to deduce what did he say.
"Oh. My. God. I can't believe how much of a wimp I sounded like! " he thought holding a nervous grin towards the audience.
"Hey man, chill! Everyone in here are pretty much friends." said an unknown voice, probably female, from behind. Quarter looked behind to see who said that. It couldn't have been Pinkie, her voice was different to the one he heard. Then, he spotted it. He spotted the person who said that.
It was Vinyl, the DJ Pinkie mentioned earlier.
Her mane was in two tones of blue and she was wearing a scarf. She was wearing some purple glasses, probably to protect her eyes from all the lights. Her small athletic shirt seemed to be quite tight for someone that is a DJ and it also said the words 'DJ PON-3' on it, which probably was her artistic name. Quarter was struggling to whether show a grateful or a grudge expression.
Hmmm, the grudge expression had an advantage, I wonder why?
A person in the crowd coughed which caught Quarter's attention. He looked again at the audience and remembered where his position was. Gulping to the pressure, he sighed afterwards and spoke with more confidence.
"Thank you guys for the party, I really appreaciate it. I hope you have a nice staying!" said Quarter pointing at the crowd.
The crowd launched a large cheer, causing Quarter to feel embarrased by this. Back home, he never had such significantly big party before. His parents couldn't afford something like since they had to take care of 4 children, Quarter being one of the youngest, with barely 23 years of living.
Quarter moved from the stage and recieved a 'Good job' hug from Pinkie. They enjoyed the rest of the party and when they realized it, it was already over. Pinkie waved good bye to each and every single guest from the party. The few individuals that remained were Pinkie, Quarter and Vinyl. They seemed to be talking about something.
"Oh man, that party was awesome! You did a great job back there Vinyl!" flattered Quarter looking at Vinyl.
"Hehe, thanks man! Nice to see someone who agrees with me."
"Someone that agrees? Does that mean there is someone who doesn't like your music?" asked Quarter.
"Yeah, it's a friend of mine. She is stuck to all the classic stuff that doesn't have time to my work and even if she had time I'm sure she would complain about it." explained Vinyl.
Pinkie was just hearing the conversation, silent to any comment coming from them.
"I guess I can relate."
"Really?" said a wondering Vinyl.
"Yes. Back where I used to practice in my hometown, a lot of kids made fun of me since I was different in tastes. They all enjoyed their dubstep and double sense music only. They didn't like my alternative since they said it was too boring."
"Huh. Well, that must suck..."
"You said it," said Quarter pointing at her in approval.
"It made my childhood not so pleasant, but they couldn't stop me from becoming an artist, not some kind of meticulous DJ. Good thing my brothers-", he closed his mouth before anything stupid came out of his mouth again. Quarter did a rewind thought of what he said, causing to fear he might have insulted Vinyl about the DJ thing. Vinyl actually looked a bit unamused by his comment.
"I-I-I mean... DJ are awesome! Y-yeah, that's what I meant! I never... said they were... boring! I-I..." tried to explain Quarter.
"Don't talk. You are only going to make it worse..." whispered Pinkie next to him.
"Couldn't agree with you more." he replied. Trying to avoid that topic, he switched to something more... casual.
"So.... What is your name? I only heard from you recently." said Quarter changing the topic.
Vinyl was taken back a bit with the sudden change of topic, not that it bothered her, but still.
"Name's Vinyl, Vinyl Scratch. You are Quarter Tone as you already said."
"That's right."
"So... you are a musician?" asked Vinyl.
"Yeah... why?"
"Just wondering. Other artists come to Ponyville quite often. So tell me, which Laji are you?" asked Vinyl as she pulled a chocolate bar out of a box nearby.
"Laji? "
"It's genre in Finland, dude."
"Oh." said Quarter as he was going to ask why did she knew that, but didn't afterwards.
"I guess you can call an Alternative guitarist." explained Quarter.
"Alternative? ....huh." said Vinyl while looking away
"....Is something wrong?"
"Oh! N-nothing. Just ignore it, it's just something I remembered, that's all."
Quarter couldn't help but feel it was something related to him being an Alternative musician. Quarter looked at the time in a wall clock and noticed how late it was.
"Oh shoot. This late already?" said Quarter looking at the clock, which caused both Vinyl and Pinkie to look at it also.
"Uh oh, I better get home before Octavia scolds me."
Quarter wasn't paying attention, he was too busy thinking of a place to stay.
"Well, I'll take off now, see ya later guys!" said Vinyl walking to the exit.
"O-oh, bye..." said Quarter. As she left the Sugarcube Corner, he felt something wrong, like a disturbance in the air. Something that shouldn't have happened, but he couldn't figure it out since he was the new guy and all. He turned around, expecting to see Pinkie, but instead he found out he was alone.
"Huh? Where did she go?" thought Quarter as he looked around hoping to see her, which it didn't happen.
"Pinkie was awfully quiet in most part of the conversation. I wonder why? I hope is she is okay." . wondered Quarter as he started to leave the shop.
Once outside, the green male looked around to find a hotel or somewhere to stay. Since he had a lot of bits with him, it wouldn't be a problem.
After a couple of hours searching and getting scolded by a few people for knocking this late at night and also for looking like if he was some sort of homeless man lurking the streets, he found a piece of paper attached to a particuliar house house with an offer written on it.
We are renting one bedroom, anyone interested please knock.
"...Shit." cursed Quarter as he noticed the warning below.
"Well, I guess I should look for an hotel now..."
Quarter turned around and started walking, only to be interrupted by the sound of an opening door. Curious about it, he decides to look at the opening door. Well, either the world is small or a simple coincidence. It was Vinyl on the door.
"Hey, man. What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Funny, I was going to ask you the same thing."
"Well, funny guy, this happens to be my house." she explained.
"...... eh?"
"You heard me!"
"Then the poster was your-"
"My rent plan? That's right!", she said proud of it when a thought crossed her mind, "....Hold on a minute."
Quarter was afraid she might find out he was looking for a place to stay. Not that it was a bad thing, but a man has to keep his pride, you understand what I mean.
"Are you looking a place to stay?", Bullseye , Quarter's cover was blown.
"N-no, I was just.... touring around town! Yeah, that!"
"At 2 a.m., Alone." confirmed Vinyl.
"Er... I always liked the night?"
"..."
"You aren't buying it, are you?" asked Quarter.
"Not a single word."
Quarter sighed, knowing that it was no use in lying, and spoke, "Okay, okay. You got me. I'm looking for a place to crash tonight, or an apartment to be more precise. I just happened to see your poster. Yes, I was interested in it."
"...Quarter?" called Vinyl as she approached him.
"Yeah?"
"You can stay in our guest room tonight." said Vinyl with a smile on her face. Quarter's heart was leaping with joy.
"Are you sure? I mean, I just met you!"
"Nah, it's okay. Everyone in Ponyville are good people and we rarely do anything unappropiated." explained Vinyl as she placed her hand on Quarter's shoulder, "Besides, you can consider it as a welcome gift of my own!"
He didn't know what to say. No one (besides his family) showed so much appreciation before. He would cry if he was very sentimental, which he isn't. Quarter grabbed Vinyl's hand and shook like there was no tomorrow.
"Oh, thank you, Thank you!" he thanked.
"Hehe, don't wory about it. Come on in!" said Vinyl as she proceeded to enter inside, followed by Quarter.
Quarter entered and saw a lot of discs hanged on the walls, famous artist as well and the decoration inside the house was pretty decent. He walked a bit more until Vinyl showed him the guest room. He thanked Vinyl one more time and entered the room.
It was decent room, with music decoration everywhere. He felt like he was home somehow. Placing his bag and stuff next to the bed, he changed clothes and went straight into bed. He made himself comfortable and thought of all the opportunities that could arrive staying here in Ponyville.
"Man, I'll remember this day for a long time." said Quarter as he started to finally feel sleepy.
"aaaaah.... I wonder what is going to happen tomorrow..."
Quarter's eyes soon closed and he went into sleeping mode. The night was bright and silence was its eternal companion. In a few hours, morning was going to arrive and a new day of adventures as well. What could possibly go wrong?
NEXT TIME, ON "THE BENEFITS OF MUSIC"
SUSPENSE(?)
"Hold on a minute. Octavia used her famous zapper on you!?" repeated Vinyl staring at Quarter with amazement.
"Famous? ". Quarter felt her stare was a little awkward, even if it was coming from her. "Y-yeah, why?"
"Dude!"
Quarter, looking confused by this, moved a bit away from Vinyl, "W-what?"
"Oblivion." asnwered Vinyl.
"Oblivion?"
MELODRAMA!
"Octavia... do you mind if I do something for you, to prove I really don't mind what you did?" asked Quarter, hoping she would agree. Otherwise, the situation would remain awkward.
Octavia hesitated, not sure what to say to this. Gathering enough courage, she thoughtfully made her words. "Okay, Quarter." said Octavia as she sighed and nodded, "You have my permission."
ARGUMENTS THAT EVERYONE HAS EVERYNOW AND THEN!
"Vinyl, I said no. Now please stop closing the door." Quarter tried to open the door, but it wouldn't budge.
"Vinyl, seriously. I said I don't want to and I don't want to get upset with you. Now PLEASE, stop it. " he opened the door freely just to be shut in front of him. Quarter was getting angry and decided to let it out.
"Okay, Vinyl. Stop it. It's not funny. Don't force me." said Quarter, but it seemed like Vinyl didn't listen, or she simply didn't care. This kind of thing was getting into Quarter's nerves.
"Celestia Damn it Vinyl! Just let me go!" he yelled.
AND A BUNCH MORE OF BABBLING WORDS WRITTEN BY A LAZY AUTHOR
"Pretty much." she replied.
TO BE CONTINUED
Author's Note
Okay. I was listening to music all day while doing this. My ears hurt. A lot. Vinyl and Octavia always seemed like very friends according to a lot of comics and Fanfictions. So I thought 'What if a guy came into their lives?' and so, this story was born.
I'm not really into that stuff...
Ahh... the sweet and warm essence of sunlight. Even if Quarter is a musician mostly playing at nights, he always enjoyed both sunrise and sunset. The view was incredible and the feeling of watching the nature keeping both alive and warm was an amazing feeling only a few who dedicated their attention to it could understand.
The morning light pierced through a window that wasn't closed. Quarter enjoyed that sweet sensation as he slowly woke up.
"Ah... this feeling...hehe, reminds me of home." said Quarter with a bit of nostalgia.
"Well, this definitively doesn't remind me of my place called home!" yelled a female nearby. Quarter was startled by this, since it didn't sound like Vinyl at all. He wasn't sure if he wanted to turn around, but he was going to anyways. He didn't have enough time to turn as he felt a electric current travel through his body in a flash.
"GAHH! STOP IT!" yelled Quarter as he sat in his bed. Once he turns around, he managed to spot a mare, holding some sort device in her hand, pointing it at Quarter.
She looked really angry, he could tell be the serious stare she was giving to him.
Her body was grey colored and her mane had a black color with an enchantment of sort. Maybe it was the morning light's effects that caused that. Her light purple eyes clearly showed how much of a serious and dedicated woman she was. The eyes really were the glass to the soul. She was wearing a bow attached to a round paper around her neck and she was wearing a purple coat like many do in the morning. He didn't know what to do or say.
"I recall correctly, I clearly remember staying at Vinyl's house, not one where a woman you just met was threating you with a strange looking device aimed towards your very life! " thought Quarter as he remained sitting in the bed and backing away slowly.
"Who are you!?" yelled the mare.
"Excuse me?" replied Quarter.
"I'm not asking again. Who. Are. You." said the female as she activated to what it seemed to be a self-defense zap gun. The electricity that showed the device caused Quarter to get up from bed instantly. Fearing that was the thing that literally shocked him, he backed against a wall.
"U-u-uh... My name is... guh..." stuttered Quarter, who was in complete fear. Quarter didn't have very pleasant childhood, but never before he had to deal a crazy mare that shocked him in the morning. Scratch that, it was the first time anyone heard that story.
"Are you deaf? You are starting to lose my patience." said the woman who approached him slowly.
Quarter had to act fast, otherwise he would be fried pony in the morning with a touch barbecue. Spotting his pillow nearby, he proceeded to grab it and throw at her with might, allowing him some time to escape from the room. "I...I.... IGOTTAGOSEEYALATER!."
After Quarter left the room in a flash, he went towards the main door. On his way, he noticed the same decorations from Vinyl's house were still there. "What the fuck? Why are Vinyl's stuff here!?" were his last thoughts as he grabbed the door's knob. It won't budge.
"You are not going nowhere!" shouted the mare from before. Quarter looked around in a flash and spotted the girl running towards him. He panicked and leaped to his right, where the furniture was. Fornutately, he managed to avoid the attack of the girl and moved behind a large sofa, as a protection from the assault. The girl stood in the middle of the living room and stroke a pose where the predator was stalking his prey, ready to jump at anytime.
"Leave me alone, crazy lady!" yelled Quarter looking at her.
"I have you now! You shall face the consequences of intruding into some else's home!" replied the lady remaining in her position.
Quarter was out of ideas. He had nowhere to run and the girl had him against the wall. Figuratively. He looked around to see if he could defend himself something. For a living room, nothing seemed to do the work.
"Well, that's it." thought Quarter, "I'm done. I'm going to be fried pony in the morning. My personal belongings at dedicated to my brother, my father, my sister, my mother, the kid across the street the other day..."
Just when Quarter was about to be zapped, a familiar figure appeared in the background, who just happens to be not surprised by this.
Quarter was praying when he managed to spot the same figure. He inmediately knew who this was and called this person, "OH MY CELESTIA, VINYL! HELP ME WITH THIS CRAZY WOMAN! SHE IS GOING TO ELECTRIFY ME! LITERALLY!"
Vinyl, who was eating a bar of chocolate, spoke, "Hey Quarter, how are you doing? I see you met Octavia, my roommate!".
"Your roommate?"
"Yes, I'm her roommate. Vinyl, you know this burglar?" asked Octavia with her attention towards Vinyl eating a chocolate bar.
"Know him? Nah, better than that. He is the one who got me a performance at one of Pinkie's parties!". Quarter doesn't remember doing that, but he'll go along if it manages to shove Octavia off from him.
".... Vinyl, I have told you many times to stop bringing random people to the house. You never know what are they capable of!" warned Octavia as she lowered her arm with the zapper. Quarter felt so relieved to know he wasn't going to know in higher detail how does the electricity works. On him.
"You better have a good explanation of what's happening." said Octavia to both of them.
....................................................................................................
".....So that's how we are here." finished Vinyl as both of them explained Octavia what just happened yesterday in different points of view.
They were sitting in the living room where Octavia was hearing carefully what both her roommate and the guy she attacked wanted said. She was thinking deeply, processing all the information they gave her with her hand on her chin.
"...I think I understand. But you should have told me this sooner Vinyl." pointed Octavia looking at Vinyl.
"I agree. I'm sure I can't be the only one who doesn't like to be awaken with a zapper." supported Quarter who was sitting next to Vinyl.
"Hehe, yeah.... sorry. That one is on me." admitted Vinyl scratching the back of her head. Then she remembered carefully with Quarter had just said. "Wait, she used the zapper to wake you up!?"
"Yup." Octavia was feeling a little bit embarrased once she got to hear the way it looked and sounded like.
"Hold on a minute. Octavia used her famous zapper on you!?" repeated Vinyl staring at Quarter with amazement.
"Famous? ". Quarter felt her stare was a little awkward, even if it was coming from her. "Y-yeah, why?"
"Dude!"
Quarter, looking confused by this, moved a bit away from Vinyl, "W-what?"
"Oblivion." asnwered Vinyl.
"Oblivion?"
"It's the famous zapper Octavia uses to defend herself, perfectly customized to knock out anyone in 2 sec! How did it feel like? Was it really that strong? Do you have any effect still on you? Dude, you gotta tell me!"
"WHAT!?" yelled Quarter as he looked at Octavia, completely ignoring the rest of questions. She blushed, embarrased of what she did to him. Even if he was a stranger, what she did could have hurt him not only temporary. Maybe it was the shock of seeing what could have been a potential burglar in her house that caused her to act desperate. In either case, what she did was wrong and she truthfully apologized for it.
"I'm really sorry, Quarter..." apologized Octavia.
Quarter wasn't someone who holds a grudge against someone who caused him any sort of harm and this wasn't the exception. "...It's okay. It's OUR fault for not telling you." as looked at Vinyl, knowing the circumstances.
He looked at Octavia once more and noticed she really felt bad for what she did, being a proper and formal lady after all. Quarter knew something had to be done in order to cheer her up and prove what she did had a solid and excusable background for her to believe.
"Octavia... do you mind if I do something for you, to prove I really don't mind what you did?" asked Quarter, hoping she would agree. Otherwise, the situation would remain awkward.
Octavia hesitated, not sure what to say to this. Gathering enough courage, she thoughtfully made her words. "Okay, Quarter." said Octavia as she sighed and nodded, "You have my permission."
What happened next was something see-to-believe. Quarter got on his knees, took hold of Octavia's delicate and soft hand and proceeded to french kiss it softly. "Lady Octavia, I can tell you from the bottom of my heart that what you did was not wrong. Regardless of the shock you gave me, you bravely tried to defend your home from any threats. There is nothing wrong in that and kindly forgive you. A fine and beautiful lady like you shouldn't worry about those kinds of things. It's bad for both health and beauty and I would feel terrible if I made you feel that way."
Octavia had her other hand covering his mouth and blushing intensely, so strong that even Quarter could feel it. Vinyl, on the other hand, had her jaw hanging so low that it could almost touch the floor. She never saw someone (at least from where she is and has saw) do something like. Especially someone who isn't from a higher class.
The room had an awfully long silence and the tension was high as in the beggining.
Quarter was sweating bullets in the moment. His large speech to help a lady compose herself was something completely melodramatic, out of his character. He never showed that kind of behavior before since it never had any kind of use in the past. Now that he used it, he wasn't sure what was upposed to happen next. Sure, he expected a long silence as well, but he wasn't sure if he would have been capable of taking so much pressure from the silence.
"I...I... don't know what to say.... I..." stuttered Octavia trying to find the right words to answer back. Quarter saw the chance and inmediately went back to melodramatic mode.
"You don't need to say anything. I said what I needed to say in order to help you. That's all that matters." said Quarter as he got up from his knees and looked at Vinyl. "Okay Vinyl, thanks for letting me stay for the night. I'll now take my leave. Have a good day."
Quarter let go of Octavia and walked towards the door. Octavia was still frozen from the event. Vinyl never thought something like this could happen. Never. Vinyl was still processing what just happened and Quarter, picking his stuff from the room, sighed thnking how much of a clown he looked like back there.
"Wow, Quarter. Just WOW. Did you really kissed the hand of woman, trying to make her feel better? I swear, sometimes I simply feel like I should control myself more. I mean, a french kiss? That is just corny! No one does that anymore!" thought Quarter, looking to his back every then and now.
"....I better leave before this gets uncomfortable. Awfully uncomfortable." thought Quarter once more as he grabbed his belongings and headed to the door.
"Thanks for everything! I'll see you guys around!" he said while walking to the door, within a few meters away. Before he could even grab the knob, he heard someone behind, calling him. He looked back and noticed Vinyl standing there.
"Um... Did I forgot something?" he asked.
"Yes, you did forgot something." she replied.
"And.... what would that be?"
"A breakfast!" she answered with a smile on her face. Quarter inmediately knew he had to turn it down.
"Uh... It don't think that's a good idea."
"Of course it is!"
"NO it's not. I just made things really awkward back there. Do you want to prolong that!?" he asked.
"Maybe~" said Vinyl. Now Quarter knew she was just mocking him off. He didn't know Vinyl that long, but that was certainly just mocking.
"Hey, like I said. No. Thanks anyway."
Quarter was certain that a having a breakfast group would just make the awkwardness even bigger. Standing firm to his convictions, he opened the door only to be shut. He was surprised by this and tried once again. Same results. Again. Same. One more time. Still the same result. He thought it was a problem with the door, but then he remembered the door was perfectly fine in the dawn. Quarter looked back and noticed a faint glowing aura coming from Vinyl's horn. His deduction was sharp enough to figure out what was going on.
"Vinyl, I said no. Now please stop closing the door." Quarter tried to open the door, but it wouldn't budge.
"Vinyl, seriously. I said I don't want to and I don't want to get upset with you. Now PLEASE, stop it. " he opened the door freely just to be shut in front of him. Quarter was getting angry and decided to let it out.
"Okay, Vinyl. Stop it. It's not funny. Don't force me." said Quarter, but it seemed like Vinyl didn't listen, or she simply didn't care. This kind of thing was getting into Quarter's nerves.
"Celestia Damn it Vinyl! Just let me go!" he yelled.
"No."
"What!?"
"I'm not letting you go."
"...Okay. Vinyl, I know you are a great person and an awesome DJ,", the comment actually made Vinyl smile, "But you are getting in my nerves! Stop driving me up to wall. I don't want to get angry!!"
"I'm not letting you go without a breakfast first." she replied.
"....Okay," said Quarter as he tried to calm down, passing his hand through his mane, "So, if I have a breakfast with you, will you let me go?"
"Pretty much." she replied.
"... Fine. I'll have a breakfast. But don't blame me if things get extremely awkward!"
"Sure, I won't blame ya." said Vinyl as she placed her arm across Quarter's shoulder, almost like if she was hugging him from one side, "Now let's go eat!"
"Forgive if I'm not leaping with joy." thought Quarter as he looked at Vinyl with a 'Fine, let's get this over with.' face.
NEXT TIME, ON "THE BENEFITS OF MUSIC"
MUSIC!
"'Moment of truth Vinyl, don't back out!' , Do you.... Would you mind playing something for us? You know, like a gig or something similar?". Quarter didn't know what to say. Sure, he knew a solo or two in his sleeves, but the question completely took him off guard. Composing himself, he replied.
"Sure, I wouldn't mind.", but something was bothering him. "Umm. before I do that, would you lend some things? I need certain things if I want to do one of my good solos."
CHALLENGES!
"Fine, you asked for it. Octavia," he called, which took her attention, and pointed at her like if he was planning on having a music battle. "I challenge you to a music battle!"
SURPRISES!
The show was over. Vinyl was looking in amaze to the performance she just witnessed. She, as a musician herself, has saw a lot of music battle. She even has battled his friend and rival Neon Lights. But never has she seen her roommate and best friend have a music battle against anyone, especially against a guy with quite a talent for music, despite being a rookie.
AND A PART OF THE STORY NO ONE GIVES A SHIT ABOUT
The magneta eyed girl was biting a piece of chocolate and she proceeded to enter the living room. She was gladly enjoying her snack until a knock was heard coming from the door. She didn't expect any guests, so she slowly walked towards the door in order to open it. What she saw was something she never thought she'd see. Someone awfully familiar. A male wearing a black hood on top of his head.
"Hi there Vinyl. It's been quite a while, hasn't it?" said the guy with his face covered.
TO BE CONTINUED
Author's Note
Things are a little bit awkward, aren't they? I'm sure a breakfast with a guy you shocked with a dangerous zapper is totally fine!
"....And I said, 'Okay. Open mind, zipper down, cellphone, money, let's Go!'" said Quarter. The room was soon filled with laughter in the dinning room. In there were Vinyl, Octavia and Quarter having a nice breakfast. Vinyl was having a nice and delicious chocolate milkshake with some waffles, Octavia had a warm cup of coffee and Quarter.... well, he had a sandwich. Something simple. Just like he wanted. Just like home. As for the table, well, it was covered in tiny bits of food. You can guess what happened exactly.
"Man!" replied Vinyl as her laughter died down a bit, "It's been a while since I laughed this much! Dude, where have you been all this time?"
"Hiding in my basement, thinking how did the monk found me." joked Quarter, which caused another laughter of the same magnitude. Somebody better get a maid to clean this up.
"I have to say," spoke Octavia, still giggling a bit, "You are quite a comedian!"
"Thank you, thank you. I'll see you next week!" gloated Quarter. The group snickered and sighed in content to their hearts. A small silence proceeded to enter the room. Octavia looked at Vinyl, showing a grateful expression for helping her cheer up.
"I have to say Vinyl, I thought your idea of having breakfast with him was an awful idea, but you have proven me wrong. Thank you." gracefully thanked Octavia with her eyes closed.
Vinyl smiled wide and giggled after hearing Octavia's praise. "It was nothing! I couldn't just leave things just the way they were! It would have been way too awkward for me." said Vinyl after she looked at Quarter and he nodded back.
"Besides," supported Quarter, "I get to enjoy a nice breakfast with two beautiful mares!". This comment actually stopped the talking, causing Octavia to blush a little. As for Vinyl, she scratched the back of her head which looked like she was grateful for the praise. Quarter didn't catch up at first, but then he realized what was going on.
"Oh shoot, I did it again, didn't I?"asked Quarter. Both nodded and looked away. Quarter knew he had a melodrama personality inside of him, but this was getting out of control.
"Sorry girls. I guess my inner drama queen is trying to have some fun. Ignore completely what just happened, please." said Quarter, taking another bite of his sandwich. It looked like a Subway Sandwich though.
"Easier said than done. " thought both Vinyl and Octavia. The room suddenly fell into a normal, yet particuliar silence as they were eating their breakfast.
A nice morning went suddenly to a weird and uncomfortable situation. It didn't seemed that way, but each one that were in the room, or were witness of what happened before was obviously hiding the awkward feeling buliding inside. The red eyed (yes, her glasses were on top of her head) mare suddenly remembered something important about Quarter that he hasn't show yet.
"Should I ask him... that? Hmmm, I'm not sure... " thought Vinyl finishing the last piece of waffles off her plate. A few more throughfully consideration about the idea, she decided to give it a try anyways, "MEH, what do I lose?"
"Yo, Quarter." she called.
"Hmm?"
"Yesterday-, I mean, earlier this day, you said you were a musician as us?" said Vinyl trying to recall those words he said.
"Umm, yes, I am a musician like I said." he replied.
"'Moment of truth Vinyl, don't back out!' , Do you.... Would you mind playing something for us? You know, like a gig or something similar?". Quarter didn't know what to say. Sure, he knew a solo or two in his sleeves, but the question completely took him off guard. Composing himself, he replied.
"Sure, I wouldn't mind." he replied, but something was bothering him. "Umm. before I do that, would you lend some things? I need certain things if I want to do one of my good solos."
"Sure! Just make sure you blow our minds!", Octavia wasn't completely convinced by that comment. Octavia may have remained silent during the conversation, but if some things were required, she knew for sure it was going to get loud. The idea slowly seemed to be less appealing as they prepared the performance......
That does it!
The stage was prepared. A couple of speakers were next to him, a carpet as well, a stereo with a CD inside labeled as 'Deus Ex, Solo removed' and in the middle was Quarter with his trusty guitar Nixus, ready to play. He was actually nervous, but getting nervous wasn't going to help.
He sighed and calmed down. Once he was mentally prepared, he wanted to say one more thing before beggining.
"Okay... I haven't done this before, but... well..."
"C'mon dude! Chill, you got it." Octavia wasn't sure if he really had it.
"Okay," he said as the stereo slowly started reading the CD, "Here goes nothing!"
Quarter had just finished playing one the songs he practiced a long time and his mind was on focusing to perform well. It wasn't until a minute or two that he managed to snap back into reality, looking where Vinyl and Octavia were sitting, listening.
Vinyl's eyes were sparkling with intensity as if she just heard an awesome band play in front of her. Octavia, well, she was quite the opposite. She was unamused by his performance and she giving him an annoyed face. Quarter couldn't help but feel uneasy to her disapproving stare.
"Oh boy. Did I mess up?" he thought still worried about Octavia's stare. Hopefully, Vinyl was there to back him up.
"Dude, that was incredible! First you were like MENGGGG , and next you were like PANANA-PANANA-PANANA ! You have a lot of talent!" said Vinyl, amazed by his performance.
"Hehe, thanks!" thanked Quarter bashfully. Octavia was still in the same position. It wasn't long before Quarter thought her stare was slightly starting to weird him out.
"Uhh, Octavia? Why are you looking me like that?" he asked.
"Awful."
"I'm sorry?"
"I didn't like it." those words were like arrows towards Quarter's heart. Harsh, but an opinion is an opinion. But it wasn't an opinion, it was a critique.
"Y-you... didn't like it?" he repeated.
"That's what I said."
"W-why?" he stuttered a bit after hearing that.
"Your music has no spirit. You think you play with your heart, but all we hear is a bunch of notes being randomly played." she critized.
Quarter never had a critic like that before. Especially from another musician. All of his 'supposed-to-be-friends' never actually heard him play. He used to play with an old guitar in his room the songs he liked until he finally managed to perfect them. This critique was something that reeeaaaally hurt him, but he wasn't going to let his pride as a musician being ripped just like that. He was planning on fighting back.
"OCTAVIA! Why would you say something like that?" complained Vinyl, looking at her friend with discomfort, "The kid did it very well!"
"I'm just saying the truth." she defended herself. "Actually, I can't still understand why do you people like so much the noise." The comment didn't just cause Vinyl to get upset with her, but it also managed to switch on Quarter's fighitng spirit.
"Huh, so you didn't like it?" he replied, looking at her with annoyance, "Okay then. Let me try something different. Another song. I'll prove you my music is not trash!" he dared to Octavia. Vinyl wanted to argue, but after what she said, this couldn't go unattended. Octavia was unaffected by his comment.
"Okay. I'll give one more try. Don't worry, you won't change anything." she replied, standing firm to her convictions as a classical musician.
"Oh great, she doesn't like my music. I'll give her something new, something she hasn't heard before! Just... try to keep it cool, Quarter..." he thought to himself as he played the next song on the stereo.
A small silence filled the room as the last chords echoes subsided. Quarter knew he nailed that song perfectly and he was proud of it. However, Octavia wasn't as pleased as he was. Instead, she was complaining to the song. She seemed to enjoyed relaxing music apparently, since she was covering her ears from the music he was playing a few minutes ago.
Quarter was sweating a bit after playing another fairly long solo. He recovered his energy and spoke. "So, what do you think of that?"
"My statement stands still." she confirmed and kept her eyes closed.
"WHAT?"
"This music doesn't move me at all. Unless you have something better to show me, you better stop." Quarter was frustrated that Octavia didn't budge at all, well except for covering her ears. "Which I believe it would be the case, am I wrong?"
Quarter was against a wall now. He threw at her some of his best covers and solos he has done before. If he tried to pull another solo on his own just like he did before, it would end in the same result.
"Darn it! Why is she so stuborn!? If there was a way to involve her.... something other than sitting there listening... AJA!" he thought as an idea came to his mind. It was risky, but other than proving another genre was trash, he wouldn't give up without a fight.
"Fine, you asked for it. Octavia," he called, which took her attention, and pointed at her like if he was planning on having a music battle. "I challenge you to a music battle!"
Now that was just crazy. He could seem like he was desperate, but deep down inside him resided a powerful will to protect the things he loves and one of those things would be the music he has dedicated to.
"Are you serious? You DO realize the difference in experience we both have, right?" stated Octavia, trying to avoid a fight.
"I know the differences, but that is not going to stop me from beating you!" he said. On the outside, he was daring a very experienced musician and on the inside, he was like this. "Oh Celestia, Oh Celestia, Oh Celestia! I am out of mind!? This is crazy! Now I can't back down!"
Quarter actually thought it twice and decided to do the challenge, "....Okay, what I did was stupid, but I can do this. C'mon! Pull yourself together!"
Meanwhile they were having a heated conversation, Vinyl once again dropped her jaws, barely touching the floor. She thought he was desperate, but somehow she felt like it was the right thing to do(?). "I hope you know what are you doing..." she hoped as she saw her roommate get up from the sofa.
"Okay then. I'll gladly accept your challenge. Prepare to feel the strength of a true musician." This battle was no longer to prove another genre wasn't a bad thing, it suddenly turned into a battle where the pride of each musician was on the line. Whoever wins this battle is crushing immensely another musician's pride. There was no going back and Quarter asked Octavia one more thing.
"Octavia." he called, "Do you play the piano by any chance?"
"..... Yes, I do play the piano as well.". Well, there goes another secret Vinyl didn't know about her roommate, "It's one of my most preferable instruments besides the chelo. Why do you ask?"
"Use it please. I saw one before and I request you to use it for this battle." Octavia wasn't sure if this was a trap, but she wouldn't back down a challenge despiet being a fine lady and everything.
"Okay. You win. I'll use the piano." She approached a nearby door, almost like a closet and pulled it open to reveal a piano inside. How did it fit and how did it got there? No idea. But it was there. Vinyl was amazed as you are. Not because of the piano, she saw it before and questioned to herself why it was there in the first place.
The reason why she was surprised was because Octavia finally opened the closet that she hides from her roommate all the time. She was leaping with joy in her mind after knowing so much new stuff from her roommate.
She sat on the piano's chair and pulled a sheet of notes on top if the piano's cover. She gently placed it on the front panel and prepared for her battle against Quarter, whose determination was admirable, but foolish. Octavia finally got ready and spoke.
"Are you ready, amateur? Let me show you what music really is!" she said, increasing the volume of her voice.
"I was born ready! Bring it on!" he replied. "AAAAAANNNNDDDDD GO!!!!"
The show was over. Vinyl was looking in amaze to the performance she just witnessed. She, as a musician herself, has saw a lot of music battle. She even has battled his friend and rival Neon Lights. But never has she seen her roommate and best friend have a music battle against anyone, especially against a guy with quite a talent for music, despite being a rookie.
Octavia and Quarter were resting from the battle they just had minutes ago. With a significant panting, tired from the battle, they kept staring at the stage floor. None were moving, almost like if they were waiting for something to happen.
A considerable falling sound was the next thing to be heard. Quarter had just fell to his knees. With this incident, it was clear who won the battle in the end. The battle was something more than just a challenge by now. It was duel to prove something and to keep their musician's pride. Octavia defeated Quarter and crushed his musician pride along with it.
She composed herself after hearing Quarter fall to his knees and spoke to him, still giving him her back.
"It seems that I have won." she confirmed closing her eyes, "Your feeble attempt to beat me has achieved nothing but sadness to your heart. If you really wish to beat me, you need to wake up and face the REAL world of music!"
He didn't answer back. Quarter seemed to be completely of the world, probably thinking of his first defeat and his pride as a musician being ripped away just like that. He gave his best and yet he lost. The guitarist didn't seem to be budging at all. Octavia glimpsed at him and looked away. Vinyl just didn't know what to say or do.
Octavia got up from her chair and proceeded to put away the piano. As she hid the piano, Vinyl was still looking at Quarter, looking at the floor holding his precious guitar, Nixus. She wanted to help him, but there was nothing that could help a musician after losing its pride. That was something everyone had to recover in their own way. Perhaps he knew this, but it still completely shocked him losing. Vinyl bit her lower lips and felt a bit powerless to this.
Octavia finally hid the piano and headed to her room. After a couple of minutes, she was holding a peculiar box, in shape of a chelo. She moved to the door and just when she was about to leave, Octavia stopped and spoke to Vinyl.
"Vinyl, I have an appointment with some royal people. I'll be back by night, okay?" she said as she looked at Quarter. She sighed and turned to the door once more. The grey mare left the house and everything went into a completely silence. A silence so overwhelming that it could break anyone's mind if they remained for too long, well at least they would be mad.
Quarter suddenly moved, just a bit. He slowly turned to see Nixus on hand, giving it a deep stare. He returned to his original position and got up.
Vinyl wanted to comfort him, but it wouldn't help anyways. She just saw how Quarter started walking towards the door without saying a word and left, leaving the door opened. Vinyl remained silent and looked at the stage.
This experience may be harsh, but he was going to face it one way or another. Sometimes, the life we choose to walk on try to teach us that everything isn't daisies and pretty flowers. We must accept that fact and move on. She thought it was the right thing to do, but the price may have been too high. No, it was something that needed to be done. An amateur finally realizes the world he is living in and the way of living the hard way.
".....I hope he is okay..." she said as she walked to the door and closed it.
Vinyl just had lunch half an hour agop. Octavia was out in a performance, so she took the train. When leaving she said the same thing again. Same instructions, different day. It was normal day, just like any other. The gentle breeze flew through the window as the heat made its way towards everyone's home.
Vinyl has also done some performances as well, since the house wasn't going to depend on one girl after all. Her performances were still popular as ever and the beats never seemed to get dull.
If there is one thing she loves the most is her music. Of course, that's something every musician experience. Who was worrying her was none other than his new friend who arrived a week ago. It was Quarter.
Quarter has kept a low profile after the battle and a few people managed to see him a few times. Vinyl was one of those.
Wherever he was, if Vinyl had a chance to talk to him, she wouldn't. She simply didn't have the enough courage to talk to him. It was too awkward for her. So did Quarter thought. They haven't spoken for quite a while and things didn't seem to be doing good for Quarter, at least that's what it looked like.
The magneta eyed girl was biting a piece of chocolate and she proceeded to enter the living room. She was gladly enjoying her snack until a knock was heard coming from the door. She didn't expect any guests, so she slowly walked towards the door in order to open it. What she saw was something she never thought she'd see. Someone awfully familiar. A male wearing a black hood on top of his head.
"Hi there Vinyl. It's been quite a while, hasn't it?" said the guy with his face covered.
"Uhh, yeah. It's been a while... um.... nice to see you!" she expressed.
"Likewise." said the male, "How have you been doing? I've heard you got some performances lately."
Vinyl could tell he wasn't at his best, so she decided to interrogate him. "Yeah, I have. And you?"
"Nah, I've been working with Pinkie in the Sugarcube Corner. The pay isn't the best, but the desserts are delicious!"
"'That I didn't expect.' . And where have you been living?"
"On a nearby hotel to Ponyville. It takes a 20 minute walk to get there." he explained, "Also, that's one of the reasons I'm here...", Vinyl knew something was going on. She might have a clue of what he may be here for.
"You...still have that room rent?", Vinyl's suspicions were correct.
"Yes, why?" she asked knowing what was about to happen.
"Would you.... mind if I give it a try? I want to give it a shot..." said the guy as he removed his hood, revealing his identity. It was none other than Quarter. Things were going to be complicated from here on out...
Vinyl scratched the back of her head and sighed. "Sure, go ahead man!'Oh man. This is going to be a long day....' "
NEXT TIME, ON "THE BENEFITS OF MUSIC"
CUTENESS...
"I'm sorry, but I was desperate. Now can you please accept it? Please?"
"No"
"Pretty please?"
"Still no"
"With sugar on top of it?"
"No, no, no!"
"Pleeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssseeeeeeeeee???" pleaded Quarter.
"My point stands firm! If you try to convince me one more time, I'll buck the life out of you!"
BETRAYAL!
"Oh yeah... I forgot to tell you that, didn't I?" replied Vinyl, placing her hands on her chin while thinking.
"Quite true" said Quarter while nodding in an awkward way, "Don't worry, I'll tell you later what it felt like,"
"Felt wha- OH! REALLY?" yelled back Vinyl, barely holding back her excitement, "WHEN?"
"Never."
MYSTERY....
"What am I doing on the floor?"
AND A RANDOM COMEDY BEFORE YOU WERE EVEN BORN
"Yakety Sax.... Aha!", she pushed the button play and looked outside, as she looked at Quarter running away from a furious Octavia, "Ha! This is pure gold!"
TO BE CONTINUED
Author's Note
GODDAMMIT! This part was already done a few days ago, but somehow the data wasn't saved and I had to start all over again! I was so pissed! But alas, here we are! Enjoy the chapter!
The radiant sunlight pierced the room as for a group of ponies where each one of them were sitting on a different couch in the living room. A black maned mare was sitting on the big sofa as she kept her eyes closed and emaned a low grumbling. By the looks of it, she seemed annoyed, angry if possible. Perhaps it was because of a certain stallion looking at her with his arms crossed, striking a confident pose a he kept the stare. The last, but not least pony, whose dual blueish mane was pointing everywhere, had a worriedn expression on her face, unsure of what she could do in such a situation, not that it hasn't been the only one, but still, part of her wanted to support both parties. A breaking voice was heard soon after.
"I still can't believe you have the courage to ask such thing after our encounter. Quite..... daring if I must say so" said Octavia who seemed to hold an irritated tone towards the green stallion.
"My request still stands. So, are you going to accept it, or not?" dared Quarter who seemed to have a\ new and yet dangertous confidence on his side.
"I don''t think I would do such thing. Not after the disrespect you showed towards me back there" pointed the grey mare as she rubbed her hand in her forehead.
"I'm sorry, but I was desperate. Now can you please accept it? Please?"
"No"
"Pretty please?"
"Still no"
"With sugar on top of it?"
"No, no, no!"
"Pleeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssseeeeeeeeee???" pleaded Quarter.
"My point stands firm! If you try to convince me one more time, I'll buck the life out of you!"
A long silence was followed with a deep stare from Octavia to Quarter. He didn't say a thing and looked back as well. After a good long minute, Octavia sighs in relief.
"Thank you, I thought you were going to-"
"PLEASE.", with that said Quarter ran away from the house, not looking back. Vinyl was confused by this and let out an 'Eh?'. Soon after she knew why did he ran away like that. A furious Octavia followed him in a rush, cursing him some.... things. Vinyl was taken back by this and simply looked at the door where both Octavia and Quarter ran through. She didn't know whether to laugh about the moment or to feel pity about Quarter.
Why? Octavia may be a redefined lady, with her manners intouchable and a very composed status quo, but if you, somehow, managed to, and I mean, SOMEHOW, managed to make her angry, pray that your legs don't trip or fail at any moment. With luck, she will throw you her reinforced chelo on top of you, knocking you out and letting you go. If not.... well, I wish you good luck. Just like Vinyl did for Quarter. Poor kid.
You have been wondering how did this got into a chasing scene, right? Why? You wanna know why? Here is why....
After a long exhausting afternoon of playing classical music non-stop at a Manehattan wedding, Octavia returns home, expecting to drop her things along the way and fall into a nice, well-deserved rest. Oh, and count the amount of bits she earned that day. It was nice bargain she earned that day and she planned to take account of how many bits she is earning with each performance, to keep a steady and balanced income. What? Just because she is a lady , doesn't mean she can't enjoy the good things about life.
She unlocked the door to the house she and Vinyl shared and walked slowly towards her room. She was about to reach for the door of her room, when out of nowhere a familar figure poppped up in front of her, yelling 'OCTAVIA!' along the way. Octavia, using her instincts, pulled out Oblivion and used it to defend herself from whatever showed up.
A electric field could be seen around the indvidual as it performed several poses and stepped back, crashing into Octavia's room door. The impact caused the door to open in an instant and the electric field could still be seen.
Octavia, exhausted from all the work she did that day, took a closer look to the... what it seemed to be a man... and recognized the figure.
"Quarter!? What is the matter with you!?" said Octavia, shocked to her not-so-friend reacting to the electricity flowing through his blood and veins.
"Damn... I knew it was gonna be a bad idea...." said Vinyl who moved from a shadow. Octavia simply looked in surprise at her friend for allowing her to do such foolish thing, "But he insisted. The kid has guts, I tell you,". Vinyl looked at Octavia and she saw a concerned expression from her.
"What?" was her only response from the stare.
"How could you let him do that?" complained Octavia as sh pointed to his partner the issue involved.
"Do what?"
"The scaring thing! You know how defensive I can get!" exclaimed Octavia as her roommate placed her hand on her chin, thinking.
"Oh yeah... you do tend to get defensive... Oh well!"
"What do you mean by 'oh well '?" yelled in an angered tone towards her white coated friend, "I used Oblivion on him! Again!"
"Yeah! I know! He has to tell me how it feels like!"
"Oh Vinyl, you never change...." whispered Octavia to herself as she planted a facepalm to her face.
"What was that?"
"N-Nothing!" replied Octavia, trying to avoid the issue, "How about we wait for him to wake up?"
"Sure" agreed Viinyl as she shrugged in a carefree way. They both proceeded to sat in a nreaby sofa, waiting for Quarter to stop bouncing. In a few more moments, Vinyl had a box of popcorn and was laughing at the show Quarter was doing. Octavia just sighed and kept waiting...
After a while, the man finally stopped recoiling to the volt's effect and he got up from the floor, looking around, dazed from the counterattack he recieved from her grey coated 'roommate'. He shook his body effects and focused to the blurry figure next to him. With a certain determination, Quarter recognized the figure and noticed it was Octavia. She smiled once she noticed Wuarter was growing back to his senses.
"Okayyyy.... Octavia smiling at me for no aparent reason.... how high did I get this time?" he thought as he continued to stare back.
"Oh thank Celestia, you are okay," said Octavia with a worried expression. She smiled again and Quarter couldn't help it but to blush at her concern that she was showing towards him. Octavia saw the blush and thought it was a fever he had, as an aftermath for Oblivion's power.
"Oh, you are turning red! You must have a fever from the shock," said Octavia as she placed her forehead on Quarter's. He was completely taken back by this and remained still, for he didn't know to react at her actions, "Hmm... no fever. Maybe it's another thing...Could it be a-"
"HEYWOULDYOULOOKATTHAT? I'MFINE!" said Quarter in a rush as he got up from the floor in a blink of an eye. Octavia looked puzzled by his actions, raising an eyebrow in the process. Quarter dusted off some dirt on his shirt and turned around to see Vinyl hearing music with her Beat Headphones. He walked towards her and removed the headphones with force. Vinyl, surprised by this, complained about it. Quarter simply stared at her.
"You know, you could have told me the Oblivion counterattack form Octavia" said Quarter in a rather relaxed tone.
"Oh yeah... I forgot to tell you that, didn't I?" replied Vinyl, placing her hands on her chin while thinking.
"Quite true" said Quarter while nodding in an awkward way, "Don't worry, I'll tell you later what it felt like,"
"Felt wha- OH! REALLY?" yelled back Vinyl, barely holding back her excitement, "WHEN?"
"Never."
"Aw, cmon!" complained Vinyl throwing her arms in the air.
"That is what you get for not telling me" explained Quarter as he walked towards Octavia, still affected by the shock.
"Pft, whatever."
Quarter snickered as he drew closer to Octavia. The moment he got next to her, not only did she felt uncomfortable, but also felt curiousity about Quarter's surprise arrival. She was about to speak when somepony beat her to it.
"Octavia, now that I have your attention, can I ask something?" asked Quarter.
"Um, sure..." replied Octavia, wondering what was his business.
"Please, don't freak out, okay?", Quarter's statement simply made her curiosity grow larger and larger, thinking whether to brace herself or ignore it. She nodded and Quarter closed his eyes, almost like if he was preparing for something important, which must be the case if he had to go through a high-voltage attack.
"Octavia...", the suspense was slowly growing, "could you... please..."
As the seconds went by, Octavia began to feel more uneasy as time flowed, "W-What?"
"Would you... please...", he stopped for a couple of seconds, filling his guts for the request. He tried his best to make it sound normal, but it was more than a simple request, so he striggled to say it already. Octavia, fazed by his struggle, raised an eyebrow. After finally gathering enough courage, he spoke up, "BE MY TEACHER?"
The whole room went into a dead silence. Any kind of sudden movement could kill the moment. Merely moments away, Quarter bowed to Octavia trying to looked convinced of his request.
"Please Octavia, be my teacher!"
Both Octavia and Vinyl had the jaws hanging in the air after hearing the kid ask for such thing. They had experienced these kinds moments before with their teachers, but never had they recieved a request from someone else to teach them about music. Awkwardly enough, the grey mare composed herself and looked down to the bowing guitarist.
"No,"
".........Eh?" was his only answer.
"I won't accept your request. I simply can't."
"W-Why?"
"I don't have the time to deal with this. I barely have time for my performances that I simply can't take a disciple with me," she gave Quarter the cold, back-stabbing back and stood still, "Besides, you have Vinyl. She can teach you"
Vinyl felt honored that her roommate recommended her as the appropiate teacher for this case, even if she was being forcefully shoved into the conversation. Vinyl was going to say something, but a certain individual who had the bad habit of interrupting other mares before they could talk spoke first. "No, I won't."
"Excuse me?" was Octavia's response. Vinyl had the expression on her face.
"Excuse me Vinyl if I hurt your feelings, but I want you, Octavia, to teach me. I know the basics of flexible music, but I'm still ignorant to some more delicate genres, making you the perfect-", Quarter had a taste of his own medicine as a hand interrupted Quarter's phrase, being startled by the sudden act
"I don't care about that. If you can't accept the fact that I won't take you as a disciple, then you better leave," Octavia went to the sofa and sat down, "Stop wasting time and take Vinyl as you teacher,"
"You know what? No. I'm staying as long as it is needed for you to take me as your disciple," then Quarter went to the nearest sofa where he sat as well and stared towards Octavia, "And that is that."
The two mares felt that this wasn't going to end that easily. So, Vinyl did what the other ponies did as well and sat down. Time went by its own....
So, that is how things got into that situation. Vinyl thought for a minute what to do next and suddenly a mischievious idea came to her mind. She proceeded to grab her headphones and adjust them, for she was going to hear music, obviously. But she had another thing in mind. Vinyl looked closely at the device at searched for an specific song.
"Yakety Sax.... Aha!", she pushed the button play and looked outside, as she looked at Quarter running away from a furious Octavia, "Ha! This is pure gold!"
"There goes the town's market places. Also the tables. Don't forget about the kid in mid-air,"
"Okay, Quarter made good use of his wings................... Wait, how did she do that!?"
"Run Quarter, Run!"
"Oh boy, she is really pissed. May Celestia have mercy on you, Quarter"
"Oh would you look at that! The chase is over!"
After a nice (also hilarious) chase the running duo finally stop chasing one to another and proceeded to get back home. Octavia was still unaware of Quarter's moving and by the time the got back, she looked both in anger and curiosity at her prey. She wanted to ask, but she just wanted to go home.
When they both were going to arrive, Octavia looked at Quarter one more time and spoke.
"Quarter," said the grey, tired mare, "don't you have to go home?"
"Huh?" she caught off guard the green coated pegasus, "Oh, you mean home? That is where I'm heading!"
"But... you are going towards my home..."
"And that means..." he suggested. Octavia thought it carefully and came to the conclusion she didn't want to know about.
"It means....", she sighed and looked down, "You are our new roommate... right?"
"Atta boy! We will get along just fine!" he said as a wide smile showed on his face, causing Octavia to stop feeling a tad unamused by the truth.
"Well, it's Quarter we are talking about, " she thought while showing a small grin towards the smiling pegasus, "I'm sure it can't be that bad. "
The male pony went ahead and opened the door, only to remain still at the halfway of the entrance. Octavia, confused by why did he that, peeked over Quarter's shoulder to see what had stopped the pegasus. She simply showed an annoyance expression, for she saw Vinyl laying on the floor, drooling.
"Octavia..."
"Yes, Quarter?"
"How often does this happen?"
"About 3 or 4 times..... a week"
"Figures....", he slowly walked silently as he proceeded to avoid contact with white coated pony on the floor.
Once they get to the other side without waking up the lazy pony, Octavia awkwardly waves goodbye as she sees her new roommate getting comfortable in what used to be the guest room. She proceedes ignore that ignore that thought and finally get some long rest.
The mare finds herself in her room with several posters of legendary classical performances that classic music has done over the centuries. She inhales and exhales at a steady pace as she finally relaxes from a long day of surprises. Octavia walks to her bed and lays down gently on top of it. She finally starts to relax and falls to asleep.... or that would be the case if it weren't for Quarter's request. As a musician, Octavia knows the feeling of being rejected to something you desire, plenty of times. Not only in performances, but with some talented people she has met over the few years. It's not something that can be easily swallowed just like that.
Instead of sleeping, Octavia, against the odds, gets up and walks towards Quarter's room. Once she got there, the black maned mare leans on the door, and calls out for Quarter, hoping to hear his new roommate is still awake.
"Quarter, are you awake?" she calls out.
"Octavia? " says a familiar voice form the other side, "Umm... yeah, I'm awake. Hold on, let me get the door... "
The door slowly opens and a green pegasus shows up in the other side. Octavia gulps and stares into Quarter who was wondering what her chaser from earlier desired.
"What is it?" asked Quarter witrh some doubts in his mind. Octavia closes her eyes for a moment and sighes.
"I.... have been thinking about your request... and..." said the mare as she stopped, looking to the left, trying to avoid direct vision with him, "I... have decided....". Quarter had a clue of what was going on and knew exactly what was going on. So, instead of deducing her attempt to accept and interrupt her, he plays along.
"I have decided to teach you the ways of the classic, if that's okay with you." she stated. Quarter smiled and went into a hug. Octavia was surprised by this, but returned the hug as well.
"Thanks Octavia!" he said, "I won't let you down! I promise!". Tone's phrase made, somehow, some effect on Octacia as she smiled, feeling confident that Quarter wouldn't let her down. With such high spirited attitude, it was hard to think otherwise. Quarter let go of Octavia and smiled once more.
"Thanks again! Have a good night, Senpai!" said Quarter while waving along. Octavia moved away from the door and heard the door close behind her. After another event, she finally feels completely relaxed, but something else was deep inside Octavia that night. Another feeling she had forgotten not so long ago.
"What... is this feeling?" she said to herself, "It's different...". She remembered the phrase Quarter said before parting ways, something about Senpai....
"Huh, so this is how it feels to be the teacher.... but this feeling.... is more than that...." she placed her hands on her chest, while heading to her room, "why do I feel.... attracted? No... that can't be...". Octavia decided to ignore that 'Feeling' and call it a day. She had suffered enough events to be dealing with more. She lays on her room once more and shuts her eyes. It has been a long day and the mare could feel the aftermath of them. With a rested mind, she goes into a deep sleep...
A familiar figure was groaning in the middle of the room as the night stood high. The figure, more known as Vinyl Scratch, had just woke up. And.... here comes the typical question.
"What am I doing on the floor?"
NEXT TIME, ON "THE BENEFITS OF MUSIC"
TROUBLE!
"Boys! This is the place! We have to make sure he comes back, whether he likes it or not. Go talk to the mayor and set up a meeting" said the individual as the pegasi behing did as told. The subject showed a smile and laughed diabolically.
NINJA SNEAKING!
Quarter froze in place. He knew exactly what she wanted and he wasn't going to let her get away with it. He carefully tried to sneak his wayout of the place with being noticed, but a monotone voice was heard again.
MORONS!
"Oh, maybe they will!", Quarter looked down at the audience and noticed Octavia and Vinyl were still there. Both mares saw his stare and showed a unamused look. He nerviously smiled and shrugged along with arms.
AND SHIT THAT IT'S COMPLETELY WRONG....
"I've told you a million times that it's completely WRONG!" yelled Quarter at her sister. She was still tasting the fluids of her brother. Everyone had a shocked yet disgusted face, as well as Octavia. Vinyl simply shrugged in a 'I have seen worse' mode. The band, on the hand, seemed jealous of their..... intimate act. Lightning stopped her self licking and looked at her brother once more.
TO BE CONTINUED
Author's Note
Wow, weeks went by. I can't believe I had to do everything again. Sorry, Twilight Scratch! So sorry for the delay! Problems, you know the deal. But anyways! I hope you like it, and..... I'm out of ideas. Seriously. I need some rest. I promise more awesome music next time, kay? Well then.
See ya soon!
"Ahh, it's so nice to wake like this in the morning...", said a familiar voice as it got up from bed, "Surely this is going to be a nice day".
I beg to differ
BOOM!
"Gah!" yelled Quarter as he rolled over his bed, falling to the floor with a loud THUD. The loud noise ceased as it echoed from the outside. The pegasus remained on the floor, mumbling some incomprehensible words.
"Well, well. Look at that, " he thought as he continued his intimate moment with the floor, "I think we should hang out more, ground. After all, I'm always falling for you ". Quarter got up and positioned himself in a sit up position and rubbed his template slowly, "Who the heck did that? It's only..." he checked his clock next to his bed that had somehow survived the fall as well, "....9 a.m... Wait a moment..."
Quarter narrowed his eyes as he remembered something important.
"OH NO!" he yelled, standing up grabbing his head in despair, "I completely forgot! Octavia's class! I'm late!". The green pegasus ran towards the closet and pulled a white t-shirt, some black jeans, a pair of sneakers and a dark jacket as he quickly changed clothes. With that done, he headed towards the bathroom, which was a complete mess after a lamentable incident that involved a soap and lots and lots of pain... followed with an awkward moment with his roommates that checked up on him. Quarter kept the memory for a little longer and shuddered about what happened next.
"Now that's something I don't want to remember " he mumbled as he was brushing his teeth in a hurry. He spat the now used toothpaste from his mouth to the sink. He drank a bit water after that and spat it out as well. Quarter proceeded to open the bathroom's drawer and sprayed some colonge on him. After taking care of the hygiene issue, he ran out the door and slammed it behind. He just hoped he could make in time, "Wings, don't fail me now! .......Why do I feel like I forgot something? "
Octavia silently tapped his hand on her arm repeatedly as she had her arms crossed. She held a mocked look even though she had her eyes closed. The other ponies in the room were randomly looking around as they waited for something or.... someone to come by. A few yawns now and then could be heard and the room remained silent for a few minutes. Soon after, a slamming door surprised everyone (except Octavia) and they looked to the source of an upcoming, panting pegasus.
"I'm here!" he yelled, catching his breath all the while, "Sorry I'm late!"
"You are an hour and a half late, to be precise," said Octavia breaking her somewhat long silence, "Do you have a excuse for this?"
Quarter gulped, thinking of an excuse to say. He came up short and sighed, "No, Octavia. I don't have any excuses..."
Octavia simply snorted and opened her lavender eyes, staring piercefully at him, "I thought so. I hope this doesn't repeat.... am I clear?"
"Yes, Octavia...." he said as he lowered his head trying to ignore the stare from everypony in the room.
"Glad to know. The guild doesn't tolerate this kinds of things, so it's for your own good to keep that in your mind.", Quarter nodded. "Well then, now we are all gathered here, let's start our meeting, shall we?". Octavia turned away from the audience, giving them her back and pointed towards a chalkboard with some musical notes and a tempo on it, "Let's begin today with rhythm, okay?"
The grey mare pointed the chalkboard with a long stick, looking at the crowd in front of her, "First rule of music, everything needs to have a tempo. A rhythm to be more precise. If the music is just a bunch of random notes-"
"Why do I get the feeling she is talking about somepony we both know? " Quarter thought, still looking at her roommate across the room.
"-That doesn't have any rhythm, it's hardly music. That's why we are practicing today a few rhythm exercises to sharpen your timing skills.". A few whispers could be heard as she finished her statement, "Am I clear?"
"Yes ma'am!" said the crowd as they raised their voice.
"Please, call me Octavia." she cleared.
"Yes Octavia!"
"That's better " she whispered as she led the ponies into another room. Quarter was the last one to leave before stopping at the door. He frowned a bit, unaware of what at the other side of the door.
"When I asked Octavia to teach me, I didn't meant this....", a familiar scent reminded him of a certain day....
---------------------A WEEK AGO----------------------
"All right! Let's do this!" said an inspired Quarter imitating a few boxing punches and jabs, "So, when do we begin?"
"Tomorrow, at 7:30 a.m., at the Guild's building,"
"And that place is?" he asked, ignorant to the mare's directions.
"It's just a semibig building with a musical note on top of it," said Vinyl as she bumped into the conversation, "Not that it makes more interesting or attractive anyway..."
"You are just jealous," stated Octavia.
"Bite me,"
Octavia paid no attention to her insult and simply giggled. She turned to Quarter who was listening with attention to the whole conversation, "Well, I suppose that leaves the way they are. I expect you to arrive there in a couple of hours,"
"Wait, won't you lead me there?" he asked with a bit of concern of his tone.
"What? Are you some kind of colt requiring to be guided by somepony else? I'm pretty sure you will find your way around,"
"Aww... Not even I small hint?" said Quarter, trying to look as adorable as possible.
"No."
"Pwease?" his pupils expanded even more. Octavia stared at him for a few more seconds, and a questionable look appeared on her face.
Seeing how big can Quarter's pupils could expand, she thought if they could pop if they grew a few more inches. A friend of hers had a similar experience. Poor fella, the pony was never the same ever since then. Perhaps because the doctors made Octavia's friend wear an eye-patch on the right eye. Also, the doctors swore never to eat veggieballs again. Don't ask why. "Arrg, mate" .
A small sigh escaped Octavia's lips as she placed a hand on her forehead. "Don't make me use Oblivion on you again"
"Pfft! Who needs hints anyways? BYEBYE! "
In a blink of an eye, he was gone.
"Hmph. Serves him right." said Octavia, crossing her arms in the process. Vinyl, who was watching from the sofa, glared a sharp look at her friend. The grey mare noticed this and shot back a confused stare, "What?"
"Oh, nothing, nothing. Just that I was thinking that what you did was exactly what your grandma would have wanted you to do, that's all,"
Octavia couldn't help it but to look away in shame at her statement. "It's not really my fault. That old mare wanted nothing but trouble. After her denial at my request, who wouldn't be upset with her? And to top it all, my own mother backing her up. How could they...."
"Well, in any case, I gotta meet up with him," the standing mare began towards the door and as soon as she took hold of the door handle, she turned towards her rather lazy roommate, "Are you sure you don't want to give other genres a try, Vinyl?"
She didn't return the gaze, but she did return something, oh yes she did. She simply gave her the bird and a low groan, "Dubstep for life, biatch!"
Octavia closed her eyes and sighed, "Heh, suit yourself... whorse..."
Silence reigned inside the house as Vinyl was left to her thoughts. Having nothing better to do, she got up from the couch and headed to the kitchen, searching for something to fill her small hunger. Once near the fridge, she didn't hesitate and took her time to reach for the fridge's handle. Just before the mare grabbed the handle, she noticed a small note written on the face of the fridge's door.
"Hmm? What's this? I haven't seen this before..." Vinyl thought, curiosity plauging her mind.
Taking a better look at it, she grinned mischieviously and ran to the door, ignoring any previous ideas. What was written on that note? Celestia knows. But it can't be good.
"............................."
"Huh, Octavia was right. It wasn't that hard to find!"
"Ummm, Quarter?", Quarter's ears perked at the new voice and turned to it. He spotted a light-grey mare with both eyes aiming at different directions (Which made him wonder which eye was looking at him) fidgeting in her spot. He inmediately developed a smile on his lips and called her out.
"Hey, Derpy! What's up?" he asked with a reclutant tone behind it.
"Um, it's Ditzy, but that doesn't matter. What are you doing?" she asked.
"Excuse me?"
"I said, what are you doing?"
"Um.... I'm standing right next to the Music Guild?"
"Quarter, this is the Rhythm Guild."
"....Eh? But this one has a musical note on top of it!" he said while pointed at the very distinguished sign on top on the
Derpy pointed to the opposite direction and let out a small giggle.
"Silly! The Music Guild lies inside that building over there!"
If it weren't for goofy face he was making right now, he would have swore fate was playing around with him. Which it was. Keep your mouth shut.
A red building was standing out by it's unique musical note on top of it. Corchete , ma'am. Several banners with different symbols stood out from the roof to the ground, almost touching it. The windows had a rather different style and the were placed two by two. Other than that, the building semmed like a normal one. If you lived in Manehattan, that is.
"Okay, how could I possibly MISS that!? It's clearly right in front of me!" , thought Quarter, suddenly placing his hand on his chin, "Okay, now I'm beggining to wonder since when that was built. It's practically three stories tall! .... Could use a little remodeling, though."
"Oh thanks Derpy!" he said. ~~Derpy~~ Ditzy walked away mumbling something about "My name is Ditzy..."
"HEEYYAAAH! "
"Huh?"
A rather large shadow was bypassing a little ahead of Quarter as he observated the guild's HQ, shrinking bit by bit as it slowly approached Quarter's position. "It's gonna be one of these days, huh..." , cursing his bad luck, he slowly turned around and looked up at the incoming object from the air. Groaning internally, he braced himself for whatever was coming. Aaaaaaaannnnddd...... it crashed. Poor face.
Quarter's body was dragged several feet away from his position as he clinged to the object that hit him. Yup, one of these days.
"Gah! What the hay...?" his eyes hazing from one place to another, he focused on the object above him in this very moments. Taking a better view of the thing, he noticed it was not a inanimated object, oh no siree , it was a pony. A very familiar pony.
"Sup, dude?"
"Hey.... Vinyl,"
"Bad time?"
"Not really. But I have one question though, WHY IN TARTARUS WOULD YOU FALL ON ME AT CELESTIA'S KNOWS SPEED!? " he yelled, hoping to get a rational answer from her part. Too bad life doesn't work that way.
"Ummm, dramatic entrance?" she replied, showing an apologetic smile in return. Quarter sighed and shook his head... well, he tried to, he simply didn't care anymore.
"Sure... anyways, do you need something? You know, other than crashing towards me?"
"... actually, there is something I'd like to ask you,"
"Oh really?"
"Don't join the guild,"
If there was ever a time where someone went completely numb by something they told them, this would one of those times. Of course, Quarter wasn't the exception.
"Huh!? Why would I do that!?" said Quarter, giving Vinyl a really confused stare. Vinyl's eyes darted nowhere as she focused on the stallion below her.
"Cuz'," she folded her arms, looking away for a brief second, "You are cool the way you are. I don't wanna see you become like one them,"
Quarter's cheeks heated, seeing how a friend cared about him that way. Sure, he had his share of friends before, but no one has ever asked him to stay the way he is. Flattered as he was, something had to be done. It either had to be listen to one of his roommates or-
"I would gladly think of it," said Quarter, placing his arms behind his neck, "but WOULD PLEASE GET OFF OF ME?"
Vinyl kept staring, almost as she was thinking what to do. "Nah, you are comfy right now," she ignored any warnings and rested her body on top of him. The young pegasus was burning with passion as his roommate layed on top of him. The mare shuffled a little and rested her head on his chest, "Besides, I won't leave without an answer. Your choice dude,"
The male musician was about to lay down and enjoy the warmth his roommate was giving, but very strange feelings sprouted to his mind. The ponies around.
Glacing around his environment, he noticed a lot of ponies were staring at him and Vinyl with several expression, including confusion, jealousy, or non-caring. He didn't liked the attention as much as others when doing something other playing music, so, being as gentle as possible, he shoved Vinyl's butt to one of his sides and got up. Much to Vinyl's dismay and dumbfolded situation, she looked at Quarter who so carefully decided to shove her aside.
"Hey, what's the matter with you?" she asked while standing up, with a hint of irritation in her voice, "I asked for something nicely like anypony would have done and you shoved me away? Cruel, dude. That's not cool,"
"I haven't answered yet, Vinyl. Don't jump to conclusions yet," he replied, shaking the dust off his clothes, "I just wanted to get up,"
Vinyl raised an eyebrow at his selfishness, but shook it off with her head, "So, what do you plan on doing? Are you gonna-"
"I'll join the guild,"
"...... eh?"
"You heard me," he repeated, hanging his stuff over his shoulders, "I plan on becoming one the greatest alternative musicians on Equestria. If I can't handle a small guild, I couldn't possibly handle the whole fame. Sorry Vinyl, but my answer is the same as before. I'll join the guild, and that is that,"
Giving Vinyl his back, he scoffed her attempts to stray him, only earning a dissapointed look from Vinyl. "You are making a mistake Tone. I won't be the one who told you so. Good luck dude, you'll need it,"
As the unicorn left the scene, Quarter couldn't help it but feel awful for what he did. But somethings are meant to be done. This is one of those things. With his mind clear, he stepped inside the building.
Once inside the place, the decorations shoned like anything he had ever seen before, making him go blind for short amopnt of spare time. From to the beginning of the hallway to its end, a lot of trophies and doors leading to rooms of the sort could be easily seen. Other than that, it was shiny. Real shiny.
"Holy cow, this is awesome! .... and a bit blinding,"
"I'm glad you liked it," said a voice from behind Quarter. Expecting to see Octavia, he turned around to praise such place. The downside, was that Octavia wasn't behind him. Another mare with a voice just like hers was standing in front of her.
Taking a good glance at her, he noticed a slighty grown unicorn. Her most obvious features were the light purple coat and her gorgeous amber eyes. Her hair was a golden bobcut hair style and she was wearing a fancy suit, a dress if he had to guess. The dress was guided through the interesting curves the mare provided. It had a gold tone just like her hair and a even more golden and darker tone on various parts of the dress. Needless to say, she was a beauty.
"Hello, who may you be?" Yup, she has the exact same voice as Octavia. Well, sorta.
"Uhhhh... I... uh..." Quarter noticed his drooling and slapped himself a couple of times to regain himself, "Um, hi! I'm Quarter Tone, but my friends call me Quarter,"
"Hello to you Quarter, it's a pleasure to meet you," she said, bowing a little. Talking about education! "My name is Sapphire Circlet. Welcome to the Music Guild, where we focus solemnly on exploiting the many talents of many young ponies and bring out their best potential. If it is not trouble, may I ask what are you doing here on this lovely day?"
"Me? I, well... Octavia told me that-" His phrase was suddenly interrupted as the mare placed a hand on his lips.
"Octavia? As in, the Octavia Melody? " she asked. Quarter nodded and the mare bursted a little cheer, "It's so lovely to see that my fine cousin has finally brought a coltfriend with her!"
"You are her cousin? Well, she actually- Wait a moment, what? I'm not-"
"It's really relieving to see that she turned out just fine and brought such a wonderful stallion with us! And a very tasty one too," Sapphire said, licking her lips.
Quarter's cheeks bursted into flames once more as the fancy pony in front of him was praising him, "W-well, I'm really not that-"
"Instead of that dirty, music-lacking, two-toned haired mare of hers," So much for first impressions. Doing a little research, the pegasus figured out she was refering to Vinyl nonetheless. Instead of letting his emotions get the best of him, he suppressed the urge to talk back at the comment. A different approaching is all he thought he needed to keep the situation under control.
"Wait, you mean Vinyl?" he asked, faking a surprised tone in his voice.
"So her name was Vinyl... well, it is easy to forget names like hers when they aren't that big of a deal," That's it. Time to fight fire with fire.
"Please, do not refer Vinyl as dirty or music-lacking, if you may," he replied, placing a hand on his hip and leaned to his left, "She isn't that bad when you get to know her. And she is NOT music-lacking,"
"Oh really? All those wubs , as she likes to call it, are not musical notes. They are just random sounds,"
".... Aja, yeah right. Well, I don't know about you, but I like those random sounds," he stated. Sapphire gasped out in shock as if she just witnessed her makeup draining with the rain.
"Oh my! How can you like such thing?" Circlet said, with her hand hovering in front of her mouth, "That is not music! Why would you.... Ahh, I see,"
Quarter raised an eyebrow as the mare showed a devious smile, "What do you mean by that?"
"It is obvious that Octavia brought you here to remove that awful taste of yours," she replied. Quarter couldn't stand this mare. First insulting his friends and now assuming illogical things? This mare needs a lesson or two.
"Hey, she didn't bring me here to-"
"Hi there Quarter!" a new voice called out, approaching the two of them. Taking a better look, it was plain obvious. Octavia. "Oh, I see that you met my dear cousin, Sapphire,"
"Yeah, she is a real charm," he replied. Octavia thought she sensed a hint of sarcasm, but shook it off.
"Well, I certainly had the pleasure to meet such fine stallion like him," she said, licking her lips once again. Only this time, Quarter wasn't unfazed by her good looks, "I can see why you fell to his hooves, dear cousin,"
Octavia's cheeks flustered just like Quarter's did. Waving her arms in front of her, she began babbling incoherent things. Inmediately, she finally managed to speak normal and plain Equus, "H-Hold on just a second, he is not- I mean, he isn't- we don't-"
"Shush, Octavia," she interrupted, dismissing her actions with a waving hand, "I know you haven't been lucky with stallions lately and you must be very nervous to have one again, but I can perfectly understand the two of you. Oh, the adventures you'll share! A knight in shining armor with her lovely mare, cruising in the beautiful strings of music! Oh, I can see it now!"
Octavia, as speechless as she was for the mean time, decided to take a good look at Quarter. What surprised her the most was that Quarter wasn't fazed by Sapphire's tale. Not at all, he was focused on Sapphire and a frown could be seen. Wondering why was he frowing, the grey mare kept her stare at him.
"There, you see? You are hypnotized by his good looks! Just look at you staring at him like that!" said Sapphire. Quarter, interested by her most recent comment, turned around to see such thing. Which surprised him of course. The grey mare didn't took long enough to realize what was she doing.
Two things happened in that moment. One, she blushed like she has never blushed before. And two, she looked away with her hands on her face. Her cousin thought of the situation as priceless. The pegasus, on the other hand, stared with incredulity at his roommate.
"I knew you had a thing for stallions! You had me worried there Octy,"
"Worried about what?" aksed Quarter, curious by most part.
"Well, since she always hangs out with that..."
"Vinyl ,"
"Right, her, we were beginning to think she was a... fillyfooler as they would say in school,"
Quarter stared dumbfolded at Sapphire, "But what does that have to do with you being worried? There is nothing wrong with being attracted to the same gender,"
"I'm worried because I couldn't allow the Melody family to have a stain on its history," she stated, without a single worry in her thoughts. Quarter didn't know what to think of this. Just how much is there to know about the Melody's?
"But any family has its differences. There isn't a single family without a stain on history, you know such thing is impossible, right?" he said as a matter-of-fact. Sapphire scoffed at this and shook her head.
"Then it is pretty obvious you haven't known the Melody family then," she replied, extending a hand. "This family has been perfect ever since our grand-grand-grand mother was born; I doubt we have a stain on our history,"
Octavia, meanwhile, was cooling off from the heat of the moment until she could finally have the courage to look at Tone, which was having a heated debate by the looks of it. She knew something had to be done, otherwise...
"Now, let me get this clear. You can't-" the pegasus was shortcutted as a grey hand was placed on his lips.
"Now, now, Quarter.... I didn't brought you here to argue," she said, showing a sheepish expression.
"She is right, let this argument behind, shall we?" Sapphire backed up, swatting a blink of an eye towards him. Quarter listened to better judgement and agreed. Still, that didn't ignore the fact that Sapphire was in his 'Bitches never to get involved with' list.
"... Fine," he replied, moving Octavia's hand away from him, "Let's get this over with, please?"
"Of course, Quarter, my coltfriend . Let's go," the grey mare added, leaving a very confused pegasus looking at her. Sapphire let out a small squee at this display and giggled like a little kid. Taking hold of the stallion's hand, she merely pulled him away as they left Sapphire's sight. Quarter looked back during the running and witnessed how was Sapphire winking and giving air-kisses at him. Well, it is certainly a bitch he never was to get involved with.
"Tata~ , handsome," she managed to say, loud enough for him to hear.
Hiding behind a wall, Octavia forcefully slammed him against the wall and leaned towards the door they just came from. Quarter had enough of this and decided to speak up.
"Octavia, what do you think you are doing?"
"Hiding," she replied. The pegasus facepalmed and groaned at the same time.
"I know that. What I want to know is why you are," he said, raising a hand and lifting finger by finger each time he pointed out something, "one, slamming me against a wall; two, calling me coltfriend out of nowhere; and three, hiding from Sapphire, which I don't mind, but still,"
"Because," she said, returning to her original position and looking at the pegasus in the eyes, "if we didn't get out of there, we would have been in a plate with nothing else than trouble on it. Trust me, I love my cousin, but she can be a pain if you are not careful,"
"Oh, yeah, she is real trouble alright," he whispered.
"What?"
"Nothing!" he said. With an awkward glee pasted on his face, Octavia ignored her suspitions and carried on.
"Well, now that she is gone, care to take a good look at the guild?" Quarter nodded and Octavia smiled, "Good, I need a break anyways..."
---------------------PRESENT----------------------
Other than that, everything went just fine. Well, except that Quarter found out Octavia had a class of her own. What a way to surprise someone.
The whole incident became a whole mess.
"But that story can wait for another time. Right now, a music exercise is about to begin...." Thought Quarter as he headed to the music room, "I wonder if we are gonna practice eletric music, cuz my guitar is blow their minds! ...... Hold on..."
Quarter looked around and found nothing.
"NIIIIIXUUUUUSSSS!!!!"
Author's Note
GODDAMMIT FUCKING ASS ARGHHHH!
