Chapters The shiny alarm clock sang out several high-pitched decibels before being smothered by a pillow.
"Demon filly!" The foals chanted. They laughed at her, and pointed in the halls. "Look at her eyes!" They'd whisper just loud enough for her to hear. Vinyl was confused and hurt. She'd never seen any other pony with eyes like hers, but her mum had always told her that she was just special. Until she started school, Vinyl had never realized just how different she was.
Vinyl shook her head, the memories slowly fading. She trotted out the door, swinging her saddlebag over her flank as she left.
Vinyl sashayed into the recording studio, flashing a dazzling grin at the secretary.Who's in my section of the studio? Am I being replaced?Is this new DJ even any good? How could they outdo me!? Is this what it is like to feel complete? She wondered.Octavia. Just like her.. Vinyl thought.wrong with her!? She couldn't be falling for this mare! Or any mare, for that matter!"Their words may haunt you, You have to make it through, Don't let them hurt you anymore, Just lose your mind on the dancefloor.."
Vinyl sat anxiously in a small booth inside her favorite coffee shop. The soft murmur of ponies whispering to one another did little to calm her nerves. She wasn't sure how she managed to convince Octavia to get coffee with her, but she wasn't going to complain. The beautiful mare had offered to go wait on their order, and Vinyl was starting to wonder.
She's been gone an awfully long time.. Vinyl paused, looking around.
Suddenly, Octavia was sliding into the seat across from Vinyl, holding a dark green tray with two styra-foam cups. She smiled slightly, passing one of the cups towards a blushing Vinyl.
"Thanks, but you really didn't have to go and pick them up for us." Vinyl murmured, unable to look away from those violet eyes.
Snorting, Octavia said, "Don't be ridiculous. You paid, and you were willing to let me order for you."
Vinyl smiled brightly. "So," She took a drink of her coffee. Ow! Very hot. "You were going to tell me about your classical music?"
Octavia looked up and daintily sipped her coffee. "Of course," She set her cup down, and began to speak.
"Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times. The central norms of this tradition became codified between 1550 and 1900, which is known as the common practice period. It should not be confused with the Classical Era.
Vinyl's eye twitched, and she started to object, but was cut off.
"Now, don't get me started on the cello!" Octavia's smile was overwhelming.
"The name cello is an abbreviation of the Italian violoncello, which means "little violone", referring to the violone, the lowest-pitched instrument of the viol family, the group of string instruments that went out of fashion around the end of the 17th century in most countries except France, where they survived another half-century or so before the louder violin family came into greater favour in that country too. Thus, the name carries both an augmentative "-one" ("big") and a diminutive "-cello" ("little"). By the turn of the 20th century, it had grown customary to abbreviate the name violoncello to 'cello, with the apostrophe indicating the six missing prefix letters. It is now customary to use the name "cello" without the apostrophe and as a full designation. The word derives ultimately from vitula, meaning a stringed instrument. Tuned in fifths, the-"
"Alright!" Vinyl cried, desperately shaking her head.
"Yes?" Octavia smirked. "Is something wrong, Vinyl?"
Open-mouthed, Vinyl stared at the gray mare.
Insane. That's what she is. Insane.
"How do you do it?" Vinyl mumbled.
"Pardon? Do what?"
"Just.. Oh, nevermind." It was useless. Vinyl couldn't figure her out if she tried.
"Do you give in, then?" Octavia questioned.
"Give.. What? What do you mean?" Startled, Vinyl nearly dropped her coffee. She looked up at Octavia.
"I mean, you'll come and listen to a performance with me?" Octavia looked hopefully at Vinyl.
Vinyl's heart was pounding. Maybe Octavia really did want to spend time with her? Agreeing to this meant she could see the stunning mare again soon.
"I.." She coughed. "I would love to."
Octavia smiled pleasantly.
"If that means you'll stop talking." Vinyl stood up. She couldn't just let Octavia have this victory.
Glaring, Octavia stood too. "Rude." She hissed.
Walking toward the counter, Vinyl threw a smile over her shoulder. "Now, now. At least I'm going to hear your music."
Octavia flicked her tail, annoyed. "Fine."
Vinyl paid for the coffee, and joined Octavia by the door.
"I'll meet you in the studio at 8."
Vinyl faltered. "Oh, you meant tonight?"
"Yes. Will that be a problem?" Octavia smiled.
Vinyl felt as though she was deflating. Tonight, she was supposed to DJ for a very well-paying party. The client she had was absolutely rich. The raves they threw always paid for her food for weeks to come. She need the money, and the publicity.
"No, of course not. I'll see you at 8."
"Good. I'd hate for you to miss this lovely five hour show. I happen to be playing the last hour."
"Fi.. Five hours? I might just have to keep listening to you talk." Vinyl shuddered.
"See you then!" Octavia trotted out the door, and soon blended into the crowd of bustling ponies.
Vinyl sighed, and rested her head on the door frame. She was missing the biggest gig she'd had in weeks, for a five hour long performance of something she didn't even like. What was wrong with her? Without this job, she might not even get to buy groceries this week. She certainly wouldn't be gaining positive reputation points. Being a bail-out was the worst thing to be in the DJ business, and Vinyl prided herself on keeping her plans stable. Glaring moodily at the wall, she thought of Octavia's hopeful face, and she sighed.
That mare, Vinyl thought, is going to be the death of me.
She started home, aware of the fact she'd have to call and cancel her plans, but somehow, all that she was concerned about, was seeing those beautiful violet eyes again.
Flinging the door open, Vinyl stepped into her messy home.
"Oh, Celestia.." She moaned. "I forgot to clean everything."
Annoyed, Vinyl shuffled around grumpily, picking up the trash and shoving it into a thick black trash bag. When the room was notably cleaner than before, she sat down. Staring at the phone in her hoof, she frowned. She had to call and cancel, and there was no avoiding it.
Right, V. You can do this. She breathed deeply.
She quickly flipped her phone open, and dialed the number. As it rang, her heart nearly stopped.
"Hello?" A loud voice jolted her back from her daydream, and she jumped.
"Oh, yes, hello." She trembled slightly. "This is Vinyl Scratch."
There was a pause. "Who?"
"Vi- Vinyl Scratch. You know, the DJ?" She mumbled.
"Oh! You're going to be here tonight at 10, right?" The voice was clearly trying to shoo Vinyl off the line.
"Well.. That's.. That's why I'm calling." Shaking with anxiety, Vinyl waited for the response.
"Yes? There's not a problem, is there?" The voice tensed. "I've got big plans tonight, and they depend on having a DJ here!"
"I.. I can't be there tonight."
The silence on the other end of the line was worse than yelling.
"Miss Scratch." The voice spoke calmly. "If you are not here tonight, I will make it very apparent to the others in the industry that you are not reliable. Do you know how hard it is to find work if one isn't reliable?"
Vinyl closed her eyes, pressure slowly engulfing her.
"Yes, sir, I know, but you see-"
"No, I do not see. Vinyl Scratch, you have a choice to make. I hope to see you tonight. Good day."
The dial tone clicked, and Vinyl slowly closed her phone. She shuddered, and looked up at the ceiling.
What am I going to do? Vinyl felt like the world was closing in on her.
It was her job, her fame, her life, versus Octavia.
She'd finally met that one pony that made her feel complete, and she'd have to give her up now.
No, No, No! She shook her head. I don't even like mares! Why do I feel like I'd be letting Octavia down? Telling her I can't make it tonight probably wouldn't even bother her. She only invited me along because she wants me to appreciate classical music! Nothing more.
Sighing, Vinyl picked the phone up a second time. She pushed her speed dial and called the studio.
"Yeah, Noteworthy speaking."
"Notey! It's V." She sighed in relief. Speaking to Noteworthy's secretary was a ridiculous process, so speaking directly to him was relaxing.
"Yeah, what's up?" He spoke distractedly, so Vinyl decided to make things quick.
"I need Octavia's number."
He laughed, "You mean you're going after her?"
Vinyl blushed. "No! She invited me to some music thing tonight, but I've got a gig. I need to call and cancel."
"Oh." Papers rustled and he was quiet for a few minutes. "Right, here it is."
"Thanks." Vinyl quickly jotted down the number, and she sighed. "Later, Notes."
She hung up and stared at the numbers on the paper.
She won't care, V. Vinyl stared nervously at the paper. Just get it over with.
She flipped the phone open, and dialed the number before she lost the courage.
The phone rang twice before it was answered.
"Yes, this is Octavia. May I ask who's calling?"
Vinyl choked on her words, but finally spit out, "Octavia? It's Vinyl."
"Ah, yes. What is it, Miss Scratch?"
"I.." Vinyl hesitated. "I can't make it tonight." She held her breath, concerned.
The short pause seemed to last forever.
"I see. Might I ask why?"
Octavia didn't sound angry, and Vinyl finally breathed again.
"I have a gig tonight.. It's..Too important to my career for me to miss it." As she said it, Vinyl realized just how shallow the statement sounded.
"When?" Octavia asked promptly.
"Oh, it's at 10. Why do you ask?" Vinyl stiffened.
"Give me the address."
"Wha- Why?" Vinyl confusedly stared at the paper in her hoof.
"I would very much like to hear 'your music' and meet the crowd of ponies you play for."
"Well, of course, but.." Vinyl paused, imaging Octavia in the midst of all the ravers and partying ponies. She held back a laugh. "Don't you play the last hour of that show?"
"Yes, I do. However, it's not that important. There are other cellists clambering for that part tonight, and I don't mind letting them fill in for me. It won't affect my career or life if I take or leave this job." Octavia sounded determined.
Vinyl's mouth slowly dropped open. Octavia was willing to give up a job to see Vinyl play.
Why don't I have that kind of courage?
"Well.. Alright, sure. I, um, I'll meet you over at the studio around 9:30. Then I'll take you to the place I'm playing." The corners of Vinyl's mouth turned up slightly, and she waited for Octavia to answer.
"Alright then, I'll see you then, V." The receiver clicked.
Vinyl squeaked and dropped the phone.
She called me V!
Shaking her head again, Vinyl stood up, determined to finish cleaning her house.
Vinyl slouched, exhausted, with her back against the wall. She looked proudly around her clean house, and she was certain she could see shimmering light reflecting off the surfaces of tables and windows.
"Damn, Scratch." She murmured to herself. "You should clean up more often."
The phone on her bed vibrated softly, and Vinyl scrambled to grab it. Levitating it in the air, she flipped it open.
" 'Lo?" She breathed.
"Vinyl?" A familiar voice spoke calmly into the receiver.
Damn it! Vinyl cursed herself as she glanced up at the clock. 9:45.
"Octavia! I'm so sorry, I was cleaning and.."
"Don't worry." Octavia's voice cut her off. "I, unlike you, can demonstrate patience."
Vinyl flushed. "What do you mean?"
There was a snort. "Did you think I wouldn't notice you twiddling your hooves and looking around for me in the coffee shop?"
With a sigh, Vinyl grabbed her glasses and stepped out the door.
"I'm not blind, you know." Octavia snickered pleasantly.
"Shut up." Blushing, Vinyl wandered quickly down the street. "So, you're at the studio?"
"But of course." Octavia paused, clearly not planning to let any of this go. "I make it a point to arrive on time."
"Then I'll see you there." Vinyl snapped the phone shut, not waiting for a closure to the call. Nervously, she ran a hoof through her frayed mane.
Suddenly, her head snapped up. Looking around hurriedly, Vinyl shoved her glasses on her nose. She sighed in relief.
You've got to be more careful, V! Trotting faster, she spotted the studio in the distance. Someone could've seen you.
As she got closer, she slowed her pace and tried to regain her cool. She noticed Octavia standing outside the studio, nodding her head back and forth. The gray mare looked ridiculously out of place in Vinyl's eyes.
Her pink bow-tie shimmered slightly in the fading light of day, and Vinyl couldn't tear her eyes from the figure bathing in the light glow.
"Octavia?" Vinyl spoke softly, trying to not to startle the seemingly entranced mare.
"Oh! Excuse me, Miss Scratch."
Back to that, eh? Vinyl frowned.
"I was just practicing some notes in my head. You must think that's silly, but it helps me." Octavia smiled.
"Silly?" Vinyl scoffed. "I always do that!" Smiling reassuringly, she continued. "I find it improves my music when I find notes through my thoughts. Ponies usually say that I should pay more attention, but, in my opinion, the only thing I need to focus on, is in my head."
Octavia looked as though she was going to say something else, but then she shook her head and said, "Are you ready to go?"
Vinyl laughed, looking Octavia up and down. "Are you ready to go?"
Octavia looked as she did earlier, if only a bit fresher. Her slick, black mane was combed into place, not a stray hair in sight.
Vinyl, on the other hand, had her hair teased and fluffed, her glasses darkened, and she had painted herself with glow in the dark paint provided to the DJ and caterers. Of course, the paint didn't show in the light of day, so Vinyl imaged Octavia didn't notice too much different about her.
"What.. What do you mean?" Octavia stammered.
Grinning, Vinyl grabbed Octavia's hoof and pulled her into the studio lobby's bathroom. "Don't worry, I came prepared!"
Octavia stood, looking into the dull, dirty mirror propped against the wall in the studio bathroom. She hardly recognized the mare she saw.
The neat, black mane Octavia prided herself on was pinned up, and spiked slightly on the edges. Her eyes had been outlined with a thin black pencil, the edges swirling out into what Vinyl called cat-tails.
The strangest of the experience though, was the thick see-through paint Vinyl carefully drew on Octavia's sleek gray coat. An experience Vinyl enjoyed far too much, as it were.
"There." Vinyl said proudly, stepping back to admire her work. "You're looking like a real raver."
"A.. Raver?" Octavia couldn't look away from the reflection.
"Yeah, raver. Party filly." Vinyl couldn't help but roll her eyes at the look of confusion crossing the newly styled mare's face.
"Err, right." Octavia murmured, turning slightly. "So.. Don't we have to go?"
Vinyl snapped her eyes to the small clock on the wall, cursed, and grabbed Octavia's hoof. Swinging out the door of the bathroom, Octavia in tow, Vinyl dashed through the lobby.
"Would you slow down, Vinyl!?" Octavia squealed. "Oh, my, I'm sorry ma'am!" She yelped over her shoulder as they nearly trampled an elderly mare on the sidewalk.
"Vinyl!" Octavia clung desperately onto Vinyl's side. "Can you please slow down!?"
Vinyl panted, "No.. Time.." She swerved abruptly down a side road. "Can't.. Be.. Late.."
Closing her eyes and clenching her teeth, Octavia let the crazed DJ drag her into a part of town she'd sworn she'd never enter.
Promptly, they arrived in front of a large building. Vinyl fluffed her mane, and turned to Octavia.
"Look," she paused, catching her breath. "I don't know how things work where you play, but here? It's about making a scene."
Octavia nodded and opened her mouth.
"No." Vinyl interrupted. "Don't. I don't want you to try and make a scene. This isn't your crowd of ponies, so just.. blend, okay? Normally, I'd be with you to guide you through this, but I have to play, obviously. However, I think you can handle this."
Octavia looked slightly put off, but she nodded and said, "Blend. Alright. I suppose I can manage that."
Vinyl sighed, "Good." She glanced once more at Octavia, then pushed the doors open.
What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Octavia stood, flustered, in the opening of the door.
Vinyl was already in the hall, when she turned and yelled back, "Come on, Tavi!"
Octavia wanted to follow, but something deep inside kept telling her that if she went in there, she'd regret it. So, she stood, mouth opening and closing repeatedly, staring at her friend.
Puzzled, Octavia started, "Wha-?"
Vinyl just shook her head, and shoved a pass under the window of the booth, which was quickly returned to her. There was a small beeping sound, which continued as Vinyl heaved another door open, holding it impatiently for Octavia.
Hesitantly, Octavia trotted through the door, and waited as Vinyl pushed a button on the wall.
"Erm, Vinyl?" Octavia tried again.
"Yes?" She didn't meet Octavia's eyes, as she was busily fumbling with some nametags.
"Isn't this.. A house?" Octavia jumped a bit, as the floor began descending.
Vinyl paused. "Uh. Yeah."
"And.. This is an elevator?" She braced her legs uncomfortably on the ground.
Raising an eyebrow, Vinyl turned to face her, and said, "You're on a roll tonight."
Blushing, Octavia straightened up a bit. "I just meant, is this all not.. too much for a simple house party?"
With a laugh, Vinyl returned to the nametags. "You really are inexperienced."
The floor jolted to a stop, and Octavia could hear faint music through the heavy steel doors of the elevator. Vinyl ushered her out, and the music grew startlingly louder.
"Oh, my." She murmured. The set of metal doors ahead of her made her wonder just how loud the music was playing.
"Alright, alright, this is it. Just, when it's over, I'll call you, okay? I'll try and find you when I go on break." Vinyl abruptly flung the doors open, and without looking back at Octavia, she announced her arrival boldly and loudly.
Being met with cheers and howls from a strange crowd of ponies, Vinyl shoved her way through the mobs, toward a small stage at the back of the enormous room, which too, was cluttered with ponies. Upon seeing the DJ, though, they made room for her, and she straightened her glasses.
She slammed her hoof down on a button, and the music blasting stopped, much to the protest of the ponies.
The muttering subsided quickly, and all eyes flew to the white unicorn who sat, tapping her hoof, on the stage.
With a smile, Vinyl flicked on a microphone, and cleared her throat.
Octavia, still lurking in the back of the room turned her attention toward Vinyl.
"LET'S PARTY! " Vinyl bellowed happily into the mic.
The ponies around Octavia cheered and stomped their hooves.
Octavia stared, mouth agape, as she finally took in the ponies around her.
Oh Celestia, She thought, What have I gotten myself into?
Vinyl was lost in her own world, the world she had created for herself. Nothing could distract her from her work, from her passion. However.. She'd be lying if she said the thought of Octavia in the middle of the party didn't cross her mind every few minutes. She was worried about her.
Octavia was worried about herself, too. It'd only been 10 minutes, and already she'd been approached by 3 males, and 2 females, all of whom wanted to buy her a drink from what Octavia thought had to be the only home-bar in all of Equestria.
She'd politely declined, and to her relief, they had all shrugged and wandered off. Now, she stood nervously in the corner of the room, with her back against a wall after a run in from behind with a particularly friendly stallion.
Suddenly, a tan mare, with what Octavia thought an obtrusively pink mane, popped up in front of her.
"Hi!" She yelled over the noise. The tone of voice, however, implied that she always addressed ponies with that sort of vigor, no matter how quiet the background noises were.
"Hello!" Octavia yelled back, trying not to radiate a false sense of happiness with the level of her voice. She didn't want to give this happy pony the wrong idea.
"I'm Honey Heart!" The pony grinned like a lunatic, and she began bouncing.
Octavia paused to consider her response, and looked the pony up and down.
She had a silver piercing in her nose, and black and white striped socks with a curious object on the top. This pony was clearly not somepony Octavia wanted to be seen with at a professional location.
"I'm Octav-" As she shouted, an extremely loud dip in the music blocked out the last of her introduction.
"Hi, Octave!" The pony stuck out her hoof, but continued bouncing, making it difficult for Octavia to grab on and shake.
"No, I said 'Octav-'" Once again, the tone shifted, and Octavia glared at the stage, even if she knew Vinyl couldn't see her.
"That's what I said, Octave!" The pony didn't skip a beat, still grinning.
Shaking her head, Octavia decided it was better to just let the pony go on.
"So, Octave! Have you ever been to a party like this before?" The peppy pony stopped bouncing and tilted her head. "Ghostie said it was called a 'rave' but I've never been to one before! Lonely Ghost goes to these all the time! She brought me here! Oh! And she brought Rose!"
The pony babbled on and on, until suddenly a hoof was smashed over her mouth. Octavia could still hear a stream of words mumbling out of the pony.
"Sorry." Octavia followed the hoof up to the face of an unsmiling grayish blue pony. Tossing her dark blue mane out of her eyes, she continued in the same loud tone, "Was Honey bothering you?"
Octavia was growing increasingly uncomfortable with this crowd. This new pony had piercings on her lip, and up her ears. They were made even more intimidating by the lack of happy energy emitting from her.
"N-no bother." She stammered. The pony gave her a questioning look, and Octavia realized she'd spoken too softly.
"No bother!" She yelled this time. The pony nodded and uncovered Honey Heart's mouth, who, somehow, was still talking.
"Ghostie!" The tan mare squealed. "This is Octave!"
Nodding politely at Octavia, the Pegasus turned to face Honey, and she yelled over the noise, "I told you to stay with Shade Rose and I!"
Octavia looked over at her, and decided that not all the ponies who came here were so unruly. This pony seemed like a very well-educated and versatile mare.
"Bye, Octave!" Honey Heart screamed joyfully at Octavia, who jumped, and turned to see the three casually slip into the crowd.
She breathed out, relieved. Somehow, Octavia had survived her first real encounter with a 'raver'.
Octavia stood, weighing her options.
She could approach the bar, and relax a bit with a sarsaparilla, but she'd be at the risk of being spoken to again.
On the other hoof, she could stand all night in the corner, feeling safe, but never unwinding at all.
She was perfectly fine with the latter, but she wanted to prove to Vinyl that she could handle her own. So, with her hopes high, she stepped up to the bar and tapped her hoof on the counter.
A burly stallion with a pen behind his ear turned to her and yelled, "What can I get ya?"
"Oh, Um, A sarsaparilla would be lovely, sir." Octavia shouted back.
The stallion gave her a strange look, but began preparing her a drink.
Octavia's gaze drifted around the room, and she finally could focus, now that she'd become accustomed to the music. The ponies weren't all that bad, really. It had been quite a while since she'd seen ponies having that much fun, too.
Curiously, Octavia wondered if the ponies who attended her shows ever just cut loose like this.
A drink slid to a stop in front of her on the bar, and Octavia snapped out of her daydream.
"Thank you!" She yelled, and then looked up. "How many bits?"
Shaking his head, the stallion gave her the same look as before.
"You here for this party?" He spoke a regular level, but was somehow loud enough.
"Oh, Yes." Octavia struggled to keep her voice loud.
"You got in here with a pass?"
Octavia though about Vinyl fumbling with what she'd thought had been nametags, and the cards at the desk.
"Yes, I did." She finally answered.
"Then it's paid for, lady." He turned around and continued drying glasses.
She stared nervously at him, but then decided not to question it.
She took a large swig of the drink, and suddenly felt a burning sensation in her throat.
Coughing desperately, she slammed her hoof on the table.
The stallion turned, clearly exasperated with her. "What is it?"
"This," She coughed audibly again, "Is not sarsaparilla!"
He shook his head, mane flopping around. "It's cider and vodka."
She stared at him in shock.
"Vodka!?"
"Little lady, this is a bar. We don't serve sarsaparilla." He turned away again, but yelled over her shoulder,
She glared at his back for several minutes, then stared at the mixture in front of her.
It really hadn't been that bad, She told herself.
This time, she took a smaller sip of the drink.
No, She thought, It wasn't that bad at all.
Vinyl fluffed her mane, and wiped her hoof across her forehead. She'd been playing for an hour and a half now, and she decided it was time to take a break. She signaled to some ponies waiting behind her, and they rushed up and pushed some dials. The music shifted to a station on the radio, and Vinyl stretched and walked down off the short stage.
A few ponies waved their hooves at her, and some she recognized motioned her over. Usually, Vinyl would've jumped at the chance to socialize with these important ponies, but she only smiled apologetically as she trotted away.
Octavia can't be too hard to find, Vinyl thought, After all, she doesn't even know her way around.
The DJ nosed her way through the crowd of ponies, nodding at those who beckoned to her.
"Dammit," She murmured, "Where is that mare?"
Octavia spun around on the bar-stool, extremely amused. The ponies around her were tipsy, so they just grinned and laughed with her.
The bartender pony was amused as well.
She was so reluctant at first, He thought as he shook another drink, But then again, I guess all the inexperienced ones are.
He placed a fifth glass down in front of Octavia, and she grinned up at him with such effort that she fell off the tall chair.
"Shaank you, mishter!" She wobbled to her hooves, and then into the chair again.
He snorted. She was a lightweight, to be sure. He imagined she'd probably never had this much alcohol in her entire life.
She sat straight up in her chair, and yelled dramatically, "Catch me-eee!"
The staggering ponies behind her lurched to catch her, and she flopped over, barely suspended above the ground.
She snickered and rolled out of their arms, laying on the floor. Suddenly, she felt very, very, tired.
Octavia's eyes fluttered shut, and her mouth dropped open. She began to fake-snore loudly, causing the ponies around her to laugh even more raucously.
I wonder where Vinyl is? Octavia briefly wondered as her mind melted into the warm folds of sleep. I want to thank her.
Vinyl was getting impatient. She'd searched every area of the enormous room that she'd expect Tavi would find.
Fine. She thought, I need a drink.
Vinyl headed for the small bar, and she looked curiously towards a crowd of ponies huddled around something on the floor.
Shrugging, Vinyl sat down on a bar-stool and waited for the bartender to turn to her.
"I'll take an appletini?" Vinyl asked pleasantly.
"Anythin' for you, DJ." The bartender chuckled and turned to make the drink.
"So, what're those ponies looking at?" Vinyl peered over at them, but they stood so close together, she couldn't see a thing past their laughing forms.
The bartender slid the delicately drinking glass in front of her. "Some mare," He grinned, "She's a real newbie to drinking. I gotta say, it's pretty damn funny the way she's been reacting."
Vinyl paused."What, um, What'd this mare look like?" She held her breath, and looked over again at the group of ponies.
"Hmm. Gray fur, black mane, some purple cutie-mark, maybe it was an ampersand?" The bartender murmured thoughtfully.
"Dammit!" Vinyl stepped off the bar-stool and approached the ponies.
"Excuse me." Vinyl nudged at them.
Nopony moved.
"Excuse me." She said again, louder.
None of them seemed to notice her.
"Celestia-dammit, you dumb drunks, move out of my way!" She spat out at the ponies in front of her.
One pony lazily looked back at her, and he spoke in a slurred tone.
"Woaah. It's DJ Pon3.." His friends turned to face her and they gasped, and stumbled closer.
Vinyl shoved past them, impatient.
"Tavi?" She stared down at the quivering blob of fur on the floor.
"Are you.. are you okay?" Vinyl nervously prodded the mare's back.
There was a long pause.
"Octa-AAAH!" Vinyl jumped back, as Octavia shot straight up in the air, flinging her hooves toward Vinyl.
"Surprhise!" She screamed happily.
"Celestia!" Vinyl panted. "Why would you do that!?"
Drunkenly, Octavia swung her arms around Vinyl's neck. Vinyl blushed, and tried to remove the flustered mare.
"Vinyl~" Octavia grinned and clung to her.
"Oooo-kay." Vinyl turned toward the burly stallion and asked, "How many drinks did you give her!?"
The bartender laughed, and shaking another drink for a pink mare, said, "She's had about 7 or 8, I'd say."
Vinyl stared at him, floored. "And what was in the drinks?"
"Cider and vodka. But mostly vodka." He waved at her with a hoof. "Now go, on, she'll need accompaniment home."
"I can't just leave!" Vinyl yelled, but the stallion refused to look back at her.
With an exasperated sigh, Vinyl hoisted Octavia onto her back, and shoved her way back to the stage.
She set Octavia down, and turned to cup her face with her hooves.
"Please, Octavia, if there's any rational thought in your head left, just don't move. Okay?" Vinyl stared at the mare's vacant eyes.
Octavia slumped over and began to snore.
Vinyl sat there for a moment, holding Octavia's face, with a look of disbelief. Finally she decided that sleeping was better, and she released Octavia and returned to her platform.
Ponies slowly drifted out the doors, and Vinyl stood behind the tables, utterly exhausted. She stepped over to a still-sleeping Octavia, and shook her gently.
"Let's go, Octavia. You've got to tell me where you live so I can get you home."
Octavia sat up, and blurted out, "No!"
Vinyl looked at her, confused. "Why?"
Octavia looked around quickly, and whispered, "I can't tell you where home is!"
Vaguely amused, Vinyl played along. "Right, but why?"
Octavia erupted into quiet giggles. "Because, if I do that, you'll take me home!"
Laughing, Vinyl shook her head. "Well, yeah. Why is that bad?"
Squealing, Octavia rolled onto her stomach. "I don't want to go home."
"Never?" Vinyl smiled, a mischievous glint in her eye.
"I don't want to go to my home!"
Vinyl's laughter slowed. "Then where do you want to go?" She asked.
"I wanna go home with Viiiinyl!" Octavia breathed out the unicorns name slowly.
Vinyl's mouth dropped open, and she felt her cheeks grow hot.
"But don't tell her!" Octavia began giggling again.
Vinyl stammered, "C-come on, just tell me where you need to go.."
Octavia perked her ears, and kept giggling, "I told you, I needa go home with V~"
The melodic tune of her voice made Vinyl nervous. She wasn't sure how she was supposed to react. A part of her wanted desperately to pick up the tipsy mare and bring her home, but she knew this wasn't Octavia. It would be wrong to take advantage of her emotions like that..
"Vinyl is sho pretty, don't you think?" Octavia's head tilted to the side and rested on her shoulder sleepily.
It would be so wrong..
The corners of Octavia's mouth turned up in a drunken smile, "I bet Vinyl'sh a really good kissher.."
Vinyl stared at the mare who sat, with her mouth slightly open, and a cute pink blush on her cheeks.
So wrong..
A soft noise dripped like honey out of the tired mare's mouth, and suddenly, she was levitated in front of Vinyl, as though being cradled.
"Noo-oo.." Octavia whispered, "I wanna go with Vinyl.."
Vinyl closed her eyes and willed herself to stay strong.
"You'll just have to stay at a hotel tonight, then.." Vinyl couldn't look down.
A soft whimper forced her eyes down onto the gray mare who had slid closer to Vinyl in the bubble of magic.
Her violet eyes sparkled in the pale moonlight, and Vinyl couldn't help but think it was stupidly like a romance movie.
Stay strong, V.. Suddenly, a soft hoof reached up and prodded Vinyl's face.
Vinyl looked into her eyes and something inside her collapsed.
Turning away from the road to town, Vinyl walked patiently toward her home.
"Whu-?" Octavia murmured.
"Okay." Vinyl said bluntly.
"Oh..kay?"
"You can go home with Vinyl."
Vinyl Scratch was exhausted.
She'd played for so may hours she'd lost count, and now, she was using the last of her strength to heave a very disgruntled and drunk Octavia down through the doors of Vinyl's house.
"Vinyllll~" Octavia purred and reached out for Vinyl's face with her hooves.
"Ohhh no." Vinyl levitated the yawning mare further away from her.
"But.. Vinnyy?" Octavia whined softly.
Sighing, Vinyl trotted through the still-messy house, keeping Octavia floating close behind her.
"Wheee-eee.." The gray mare giggled happily and rolled around in the air.
Vinyl couldn't help but smile. She wandered into her small kitchen, and sat Octavia down in a chair. Confused by the sudden change in location, Octavia blinked at Vinyl.
"Just hold on." Vinyl assured. She opened a cabinet and peered inside.
Behind her, Octavia made sad little bubbling noises, and shielded her eyes from the kitchen light which dimly illuminated the room.
"There!" Vinyl murmured, reaching for a small bottle on the oak shelf. She pulled it out triumphantly, and turned around to face Octavia.
She looked at her, and stifled a laugh.
Octavia stood on the chair looking directly at the lightbulb on the ceiling. She had daintily extended a hoof toward the light, and had a determined look on her face.
"I wouldn't touch that, doll." Vinyl said calmly.
Without looking away, Octavia responded intellectually, "Bright."
Snickering, Vinyl nodded. "Yes, bright, but you can't tou-"
"Oww-wwww!" Octavia howled and fell off the chair.
"Aw, Celestia!" Vinyl shook her head and jumped over to where Octavia lay, mewling. She levitated the mare once more, and carried her over to the couch.
"Here," She spoke softly, "Drink this, okay?"
Octavia sniffled, still holding her hoof close to her body. She blurted out, "No!"
Vinyl gazed imploringly at Octavia, and said, "Please, don't make this difficult on yourself."
Octavia sniffed, and regaining some of her sober self's qualities, announced, "I will not put that in my mouth!"
Vinyl sighed. She'd worked with animals once or twice before, and she'd learned that the best way to get them to take medicine was to trick them.
"Okay, you don't have to drink it. I'll save it all for myself. Besides, you're too uptight for this." Vinyl spun around and trotted back to the cupboard.
"Uptight?" Octavia squealed. She jumped onto Vinyl's back, and grabbed the drink.
Laughing, Vinyl watched as Octavia drank from the small bottle.
"Eeeeeew!" She stuck her tongue out and crossed her eyes. "What wath that?"
"Pickle juice." Vinyl laughed at the horrified expression on Octavia's face. "It'll help with that hangover tomorrow."
"Oh.." Octavia put her tongue back in her mouth and looked around the room. She yawned, and Vinyl smiled.
"Alright, let's get you to bed, Tavi."
Swinging an arm over Octavia's back, Vinyl guided her carefully into Vinyl's bedroom. Wincing at the sight of the mess, she stepped over the remnants of the past week's parties.
Carefully, she lowered Octavia onto the white silk sheets of the bed. Octavia stretched and yawned innocently, turning onto her side. Vinyl grinned, and covered her with the duvet. Violet eyes opened, and arms outstretched to Vinyl.
Gently, Vinyl pushed away her arms, and she brushed Octavia's mane out of her eyes. "Goodnight, Tavi." She whispered.
"Vinyl?" Octavia looked up, confused, her arms still held out.
Smiling slightly, Vinyl stepped toward the door. "I'll see you in the morning." She stepped out of the room, and quietly closed the door.
Silently moving the darkened room, Vinyl used her magic to light her way to the white couch. Yawning, she pulled a blue striped blanket off the back of the sofa, and crawled on top of the freezing fabric. She dropped the blanket on herself, and attempted to fall asleep.
All she could think about was those huge violet eyes, the ones that always seemed to drive her crazy. The adorable way she fluttered her eyelids when she was tired, how they brightened at the prospect of excitement, and the dark undertone they took on when she was angry.
Vinyl couldn't help but think that Octavia was really made for her. They were such opposites. They clashed, as expected. With such different tastes and styles, you'd think that the two mares wouldn't even be able to converse. And yet.. At the same time.. There was an undeniable force that pulled Vinyl closer and closer to her. No matter how often she tried to convince herself otherwise, Vinyl couldn't lie to herself anymore.
She was absolutely in love with Octavia.
Vinyl lay curled up on the sofa, shivering. It had dropped several degrees in the past hour, and without her usual blankets, Vinyl was beginning to feel the cold sink in. She wanted desperately to stand up and find another blanket, but she feared the cold would be far worse when she left the safety of her fortress.
Suddenly, there was a creaking on the floorboards. Vinyl flicked her ears up, but, torn between being awake and asleep, she shrugged and dismissed the noise.
Vinyl settled back into her blanket, and she breathed out softly. She was drifting back into a heavy, chilled sleep, when she felt a warm mass dropped onto her stomach. Startled, Vinyl cried out, but was silenced by a hoof over her mouth. Vinyl's breathing became more and more rapid as she felt somepony slide beneath the blankets beside her. Vinyl shot her eyes over toward the figure, and breathed a panicky sigh of relief.
"Tavi?" She mumbled through the hoof pressed over her mouth.
There was a light giggle, followed by a soft sigh. "Shhh." She purred.
Vinyl blushed, nervously removing Octavia's hoof from her muzzle. "What are you doing here, Octavia?"
Octavia wrapped her arms tightly around Vinyl's body and whispered, "I got cold."
With that, there was a slight pressure as Octavia settled her cheek on Vinyl's, and began snoring lightly.
Vinyl was terrified. She wasn't going to lie- She was no saint. This wasn't the first time she'd ever been wrapped tightly in somepony's arms, waiting for morning. But this, this was different somehow.. Something was strange inside of Vinyl.
This felt terribly right, but at the same time, Vinyl was scared she would make a false move and destroy it all. She'd finally found something that made her happy, but yet, she just knew she'd mess it all up.
Maybe.. Vinyl thought, Maybe this is love..?
As her grip tightened around Vinyl, Octavia let out a contented sigh.
Vinyl decided, even if this 'Love' thing, only lasted for a while, it sure as hell was worth it.
The sun shone brightly through the slanted shades on the living room, and Vinyl's eyes fluttered open. Taking a deep breath, Vinyl looked over at Octavia without moving her position.
Her mouth hung open the tiniest bit, and her hair fluffed casually over one of her eyes. Her breathing was steady and quiet, and it soothed Vinyl to hear. Vinyl sighed, nervously awaiting Octavia to awake. She knew that once the beautiful mare's eyes opened, she'd grow fearful and think Vinyl had taken advantage of her. She'd probably never even speak to Vinyl again..
Suddenly, Octavia stiffened.
Damn.. Vinyl thought.
"V- Vinyl!?" Octavia squeaked, but didn't pull away. "What..What happened?"
"You, um, you were drunk and, and.." Vinyl faltered, suddenly aware how her words were coming out.
"..Oh." Octavia spoke softly. "Did you, um.."
"No!"
"Oh.. Well, um.." Octavia stammered.
"I had let you sleep in my room, but you came out here earlier in the evening.." Vinyl looked away.
"Oh, I, um, I did this..?" Octavia blushed immensely, her arm still over Vinyl's side.
"Err, well, yeah.." Vinyl mumbled. Why isn't she moving away from me?
"Why.. Why did I come here? Oh! I don't mean it like that, I just meant.." Octavia flushed again, looking upward. Why am I not letting go of her?
"You.. Wouldn't tell me where to take you." Vinyl laughed nervously. "You just said you wanted to come home with me."
"Oh! I'm so sorry.." Octavia couldn't move a muscle.
"No, no," Vinyl laughed a bit more certainly now. "I thought it was quite amusing to see you so silly."
Octavia cursed herself silently. Just let go, dammit!
"I.. I understand if you.. Don't want to be around me anymore, Octavia." Vinyl broke the silence.
"What?" Octavia stammered. She sat upright, finally removing her arm. "Why in the hell would I not want that?"
"Well, I, err.." Vinyl sat up too,and looked away.
Octavia stared at her, when something clicked, and she murmured, "Oh, you thought.."
Shaking her head, Octavia placed a hoof on Vinyl's arm. "No, Vinyl, it's nothing like that."
She smiled reassuringly. "What happened.. That was just a mistake. Don't worry."
Vinyl's voice cracked and she smiled unconvincingly.
"Right.. Just a mistake.."
Octavia stood up, unaware.
"So," She winced, holding a hoof to her aching head. "I guess I'll make breakfast."
Hey, This'll only take a second,
Honey Heart belongs to: XxClawsxX on DeviantArt/ Brittney Ricker
I know both of those lovely ladies in real life, so I used them in the previous chapter.
Sorry, I hate to like, include OC's in here, but I had a severe lack of ideas for background characters with whom to startle Octavia, so I put us in there.
In case you didn't see my last blog,
~Ghostie
