6:00am-Octavia
I didn't sleep too well last night. I stayed up late with doing an interview with some students that attended the same university I did. I would've said no, since I had another concert to perform at noon. However, they mentioned Dr. Penn, which was one of my favorite professors. Once they said that he assigned them to interview me for their journalism project, I felt compelled to do it, since Dr. Penn did help me out when he was teaching me music theory. It started awkward, they had a generic list of questions to ask everypony they interviewed, but after a few drinks, it was a lot more comfortable. They asked about what I did after school and how I got to where I was. They also asked about what influences the type of music I play. It took an hour or two to get past them actually asking questions for their project and us laughing from the stories they told about Dr. Penn. I honestly can't wait to read it. However, that will have to wait. I need to start my daily routine and get ready for my performance this afternoon.
7:00am-Vinyl
I almost fell asleep in the shower a dozen times. I didn't sleep at all last night. I am headlining a huge party tonight, and I am psyched. My phone was exploding with texts and phone calls from friends and fans, all saying that they can't wait to see me. I also had a date with freaking Neon Lights! Holy crap, this is seriously the best day ever. It took all of my energy to not text him and make sure that it's still going on. I mean, he asked me last night, it's not like he'll cancel this quickly. Just gotta be cool until tonight. I didn't have anything to do until noon. So I just laid in bed and read one of my books until then.
8:45am-Octavia
Most ponies don't know this, but I wear a ton of makeup before I go on stage. I got the idea from a friend of mine back in school. He was an actor, and he would spend hours backstage applying make-up. One day, when I was to also perform with him, he urged me to join him backstage so he may apply his make-up to me as well. It helps define your features better under the spotlight, that was the main reason he used it. I did not think there was much use for it except that once, since my looks do not matter while I am performing music. However, he pointed out that it looks better under flash photography, and that many musicians wear it as well. I saw some of the photos that were taken of our performance on stage and compared them to others. I did look a lot better, so I decided to wear it. Since then, I wear it almost everyday, even when I am not performing. Sometimes, it's just fun.
11:00am-Vinyl.
I had to put my book down a few times from my phone refusing to shut up. I eventually just gave up trying to get through the chapter. It's been two hours and I only got done with three pages. I probably would've stopped there anyway, my stomach felt like it was eating itself. I wasn't familiar with the restaurants around Baltimare. I honestly couldn't wait for the train this evening to take me back to Manehattan. The people around here were friendly, sure, but there was just nothing to do. After last night's interview, I found myself just laying around in my apartment. Granted, that's what I normally do anyway, but usually it's from exhaustion. Last night, I was just bored. I threw my sunglasses on and went out the door.
Noon-Vinyl
"Hey Vinyl! What's up?!" Lyra shouted when I entered the restaurant. I put my hoof to my lips. As much as I loved Lyra, she was loud and has given me a lot of unwanted attention before. She quickly ducked back behind the counter of sweets, looking around to make sure nopony was staring at either of us. Once she ensured the coast was clear, she motioned for me to meet her in the back room. I think I heard one or two fillies asking their parents where Vinyl was when I passed by the booths, and I am thankful none of them noticed I was there.
Right behind the counter was a large set of double doors. Most ponies assume that those doors lead to the kitchen. However, they actually lead to a break room while the kitchen is on the second floor. The room behind the counter was much too small to hold all of the ingredients as well as the finished products. Once I entered the break room, Sweetie Drops was already lying on the couch. She quickly sat up to greet me.
"Hey, Vinyl. What's up?"
"Just figured I'd come eat before my show."
"Little early for you to be wearing that stuff, isn't it?"
"I don't plan on going back home to do it again."
Sweetie left the break room, and I took her place on the couch. Lyra quickly came through the door, holding a tray of candy and pastries. I don't have any weaknesses, except one. Sweets. I quickly grabbed a hoof-full of pastries and quickly devoured them. Saying "thanks" to Lyra with a mouthful of dough and chocolate.
1:49pm-Octavia
Ten more minutes until I went on stage to perform. I arrived early to eat, and because I wanted to ensure that nothing would keep me from showing up. I was performing at my friend's restaurant. I did not go too often, but they were celebrating their anniversary, and when they asked me personally to perform, I couldn't say no. I looked through the door, and scanned the crowd. I saw a few familiar faces. Rarity graced the audience in, what I assumed was, her own design. She was sitting next to a purple and green dragon. We've been introduced a few times, but I can never recall his name. Soarin was also in the crowd, but nearly nopony recognized him outside of uniform. I looked around him for Spitfire, but she was nowhere to be seen. I was surprised to see Hoity Toity. However, they were the only ponies I knew the names to. A hoof hit my shoulder. When I looked back, one of the store employees eyed the clock, signaling that it was time to go on. Looking back to the stage, I saw the other three members of our ensemble take their places. I straightened my bowtie, and took my place on stage.
We were only assigned to play one piece, but it was ten minutes long, it was also the song that was played at my friend's wedding. I had the piece memorized, while the other members had to stare at their music sheets. I my eyes flew through the crowd, evaluating their expressions. I maintained my calm demeanor for the first few minutes, however, my eyes caught him. My face quickly became red as I focused my eyes on my cello. Of all the ponies I expected to show up, I didn't think he would. I controlled my breathing, closed my eyes, and turned my face back to the crowd. I had to ensure that my eyes didn't travel to him again, or my face turning red would be the least of my problems. Thankfully, the song was nearly over. Just a few.... more..... seconds.
I held out the last note slightly longer than the other members of the band. The crowd stomped their hooves as we all bowed and put our instruments in their respectful places. I didn't waste any time, I quickly got off the stage and went to him.
"Hey, Neon!" I nearly shouted.
"Umm, hello?"
"I can't wait for tonight, I am so excited!"
"What are you talking about?"
It took a second for me to understand what was happening, but when Lyra quickly pulled me back and my black hair fell in front of my face, I was taken back to reality. "Oh no." I whispered. I quickly ran for the restroom and locked myself in it. I was breathing quickly, sure that I was on the verge of a panic attack. To calm myself down, I turned the water on and splashed it against my face a few times. After about the seventh wave, I looked down to see my make-up washing down the drain.
"No.... please, this has to be a nightmare..." I looked up to see my white face, in the center of the grey paint over the rest of my body. Some water also got in my hair; a few strands of blue fell from the fake black mane. My mane also flattened, allowing my horn to poke through, like a knife through a pillow. I could only stare into my own crimson eyes. I didn't know what to do.
Someone started banging on the door. "Octavia?" They asked.
I cleared my throat and put on that fake accent. "Yes?"
"The band is going back up for an encore."
"Oh Celestia, help me."
Friday...5 Years Ago (pt. 1)
Sweat traveled down Vinyl's face as she hit various buttons and switches across her soundboard. Her eyes darted from her left to her right, trying to find the buttons she needed. This was her first night playing in such a high end party. Instead of her usual 3 foot table with one laptop and one small sound box, she was commanding an area that surrounded her body. Instead of her personal laptop, a large 24" touch screen monitor was fixated in the center of the table in front of her. To her right, the surface was entirely covered with volume knobs and pitch sliders. Her left, however, was the more useful side; that side housed dozens of buttons, each programmed to the sounds Vinyl requested before the show.
Her hoof was a blur as it ran across the left side of the table. Not a lot of ponies knew this, but her true talent was composing on the spot. Her base chords played from the computer, but everything else was the result from her board of sounds. This was a minor problem in her career. A group of fans would approach her and request that she play a song, since almost everything is improved, she was not able to play what her fans requested. This situation also made her music hard to sell, since she didn't know what to play exactly what was popular live. Despite that, she remains a talented musician that rakes in a fairly sizable income.
"Thank you everypony! Have a good night!" Vinyl shouted as she brought her hoof down to the left side of the panel one last time. The speakers were pushed to their limits as a barrage of sounds came through them. Vinyl loved closing her Electro Swing music similar to how a drummer would crash their cymbals at the last note of a song. It was like her signature. When the sound from the speakers died down, the cheering from the crowd below her grew. The ponies below her yelled as loud as they could, and some even threw glow sticks onto the stage. Normally, Vinyl would go down to greet new fans, as well as share hoof bumps with older ones. However, she was requested to meet with some-pony backstage. She waved to the audience for a few seconds, then retreated to the door directly behind the stage.
The room Vinyl entered was pitch black. She could barely make out the three couches in the room, each one facing the center of the room. Vinyl rubbed her eyes, trying to get them to adjust more quickly. She was able to make out a figure to her right, sitting on the couch. It was a tall, slender body type. Vinyl immediately knew who it was. "What's up Neon?" She said.
"Nothing much. Great show tonight." He replied.
"So, why did you want me to come here?" Vinyl asked.
"She wants to talk to you." Neon nodded his head toward the couch directly across from Vinyl. Vinyl didn't see at first, but now that attention has been called to it, Vinyl could tell somepony was on that couch as well.
"Excellent show tonight, Mrs. Scratch." The pony across from Vinyl spoke up.
"Thanks,...umm, who are you, exactly?"
"My apologies. My name is Quartet."
Vinyl flinched when she heard the name. Neon noticed, but Vinyl doesn't think Quartet did.
"Why did you want to see me?...ma'am."
"I require your help with something." Quartet grabbed a cigarette from the table in front of her. With a flash of the horn, she lit the cigarette. Vinyl could see Quartet's eyes fixed on her, and she became even more uncomfortable.
"W-what do you need?"
"One of my cello players is in the hospital, and I need a replacement."
"Sorry, but I have no interest in that kind of music."
"I didn't ask if you had an 'interest'."
"I-I...I don't even know how to play cello!"
"We both know that's a lie."
"..."
A smirk grew on Quartet's face. She knew she had Vinyl now.
"What's in it for me?" Vinyl asked.
"Do you really need to ask me that?"
"I want to make sure."
Quartet took in a deep breath. "I will ensure that every pony from Manehatten to Las Pegasus knows your name and your music."
Vinyl brought her hoof to her mouth in thought. "I'll do it." She said after a moment.
"Excellent." Quartet took a second to focus on her cigarette. "There's a cello in the closet, along with a CD of the songs we will be playing."
"When are we performing?"
"Tomorrow. Show up to the Festival Stage at 5pm sharp."
"Buck me."
Vinyl took the cello case out of the closet, then slipped out the back door.
------------------------------------------Vinyl Scratch(@DJPon3): Playing cello tonight at the Festival Stage. Come by so we can hang!
Vinyl slipped her cell phone into her saddlebag and adjusted the large instrument. She was the first member of the orchestra to arrive to the Stage, Quartet arrived a minute after.
"You're on time." Quartet spoke, not making eye contact with Vinyl.
"Did you think I wouldn't?"
"DJs are not exactly known for being punctual."
Vinyl only shook her head and went back to her instrument. She didn't see a point in arguing with Quartet. As long as at the end, Quartet held up her end of the deal, Vinyl didn't mind putting up with some abuse.
As time went on, more members of the orchestra showed up. A few gave Vinyl weird looks, others actually gave her a hoof-bump. Vinyl looked over to the audience. She was able to pick out some of her fans.
After two hours of tuning, practicing, and trying not to fall asleep, Quartet tapped her baton against the music stand. Vinyl straightened her posture and assumed her position. Vinyl, already having a talent in music improv, had no problem keeping up with the other ponies. She had her eyes fixed on the cellist next to her, trying to mimic their pace. For the first song, things went smoothly. Vinyl was sure she caught Quartet's eye at the end, with a content look on her face. It wasn't much, but it was enough to boost Vinyl's self confidence. Not only Quartet's look, but also the cheering from her fans in the audience did a number for Vinyl.
Unfortunately, Vinyl only knew one way to react to fans applauding. On the second song, Vinyl became a little more "confident" in her playing ability. The second song started, and Vinyl was already dancing across the strings. The two cellists next to her exchanged confusing looks, between themselves and with Quartet. Quartet dismissed Vinyl's playing, she was playing within the song's scale, and it didn't sound out of place.
