A Place to Stay

Chapter 2: A place to stay
Vinyl Scratch was walking home alone, Melody having stayed back at the square to make what little money she could in the last half hour or so before dark. The incredibly thin Pegasus definitely had talent; there was no doubt about that. Vinyl grinned as she thought back to the haunting music that she’d heard slipping out of the ancient violin Melody owned. “Rivals Tavi, that’s for sure.” Vinyl chuckled at the thought of Octavia being bested by a street busker, then started to think back to her previous interactions with the grey mare. She had, at one point, had a serious crush on the cello playing mare, but the feelings were far from reciprocated. They’d distanced themselves, Vinyl a bit distraught, Octavia slightly weirded out. They were back on speaking terms, but it was tentative at best. ~*~ Melody was packing her violin into its case lovingly. That violin was her entire world now and nothing could make her part with it. The battered strap went over her shoulder and her scruffy wings spread. She flew away from the square towards the squat flat where she’d slept before. The porch was still as inviting as the previous night, as inviting as a slab of grey concrete could be anyway. “Well, at least it keeps me dry.” The pale red Pegasus settled down onto the porch, putting her violin down carefully before sitting herself. It was late and dark, but Melody was not yet tired. There was no movement in the house she was currently sitting outside of, so she got out her violin and started to play. The notes were once again haunting, but it took on a sad tone. She played with every fibre of her being, threading as much emotion in as she could. Her eyes were shut and tears leaked from them. Memories raced through her mind. Her mother and father together, her as a young filly hugging them and the memory of the grand house she’d lived in, made from soft stone. ~*~ Vinyl woke up with tears in her eyes. The sad music outside was heart wrenching and brought back painful memories. Her family’s, rejection, Octavia’s rejection and all the failed attempts to create music that was as meaningful as those hauntingly familiar notes. Sitting up slowly, she wiped away the tears still in her eyes and listened intently. The beat was slow and would have been torturous to Vinyl if it hadn’t been so beautiful. Most of the notes were baritones, but the occasional high note joined the fray, mixing in perfectly. She got up out of her bed, disregarding her bed hair, and walked into the living room of the squat household. The music was originating from somewhere close by, but the reverb from around the house made it difficult to track. It gave her no rest from it, no respite. Eventually, Vinyl tracked the sound to the front door and threw it open, bathing Melody in yellow light from the light she’d just turned on moments before. Melody stopped playing instantly and turned, careful not to allow her violin to touch the ground. She looked at her hooves in shame, placing the violin in the still open case. “... I’m sorry... I didn’t know anypony lived here...” Vinyl stared at the Pegasus in amazement. “Melody? What are you doing here” Melody looked up and peered at the silhouette before her, recognizing the form of Vinyl Scratch. She could not see her eyes. “Vinyl Scratch? You live here?” Vinyl, noting her lack of sunglasses, grabbed a pair from a nearby shelf. It was one of the many spare pairs she kept within her household in case she lost one pair. She put them on and looked at Melody. “Yeah, course I live here. What are you doing here? Where are you staying?” Melody looked down at the concrete and shrugged. “Well, I was staying here but... Now that I know it’s inhabited, I’ll.... just leave.” Her face was flushed a deep red, contrasting the pale red of the rest of her figure. She turned to leave, taking her violin case with her. Vinyl let her walk a few steps before her horn started glowing and Melody was enveloped in a faint light. Melody only noticed she wasn’t moving when she lifted three inches off the ground. She was turned around, her eyes wide with fear. “Please... don’t hurt me...” Vinyl grinned at her happily. “I’m not going to hurt you Mel. You can stay here with me for the time being. Can’t leave a fellow musician to the cold now can I?” Not releasing the nervous Melody from the telekinesis, Vinyl wandered back into the flat, closing the door after pulling Melody in.