Reunions and Revelations

Chapter 3: Reunions and Revelations
Vinyl woke up on the couch. She’d given Melody her room for the night, too soft hearted inside to make her sleep on the couch. Her eyes opened slowly, then widened in surprise. Her living room was tidy. She shot up, grabbing the pair of sunglasses off the floor and putting them over her eyes quickly. The entire room looked new, nothing out of place. There was no rubbish on the coffee table (which was used more as a soda table) and the floor was visible, the normal brown colour clear. She heard a vacuum cleaner start up from one of the other rooms and glanced in its’ direction, still marvelling at the clean state the house was now in. She walked into the kitchen next door and her eyes almost popped out of her head. Not one thing was on the benches, save a small vase Vinyl had forgotten she had filled with a few roses. Opening her cupboards, Vinyl found everything in place, perfectly stacked. Her heart missed a beat when she couldn’t find any of her well-loved records. She tore through the building towards the sound, noting the two other rooms she passed were also spotless. She arrived in the master bedroom to find Melody humming to herself as she vacuumed. Vinyl stared at the clean state of the room. Even now, half done, it was better than Vinyl had seen it since she’d moved in all those years back. Melody turned around and froze, seeing the look of shock on her hostess’ face. “Oh... I... um...” Vinyl stopped staring at the room and looked at the frazzled Pegasus in front of her. Melody blushed and looked at the floor. “I’m sorry... It was just so messy... I couldn’t... I couldn’t help myself...” Vinyl, realising her jaw was practically on the floor, shook her head and grinned. “Are you kidding? I haven’t seen the place look this good since I moved in.” Her grin faded and turned to worry. “But... Where are my records?” Melody pointed to a cabinet that had, until that day, been surrounded by various things and almost drowned in them. Vinyl rushed over to it and threw it open; sighing in relief at the vinyl records all packed in alphabetical order. She grinned again and turned back to a still shame faced Melody. Vinyl laughed at her face. “Don’t look so down Mel, it looks great.” Melody looked up and smiled. “You think so?” Vinyl nodded. “Hay yeah. How can I pay you back for this? You cleaned the whole house!” Melody blushed and looked at her hooves again. “And your studio...” Vinyl’s grin seemed to lift off her face. “And I’ll bet it looks just as beautiful as here.” Melody smiled, reassured that her efforts were appreciated. “You don’t need to pay me back... You’re letting me stay here for a while, that’s payment enough.” Vinyl laughed and tousled Melody's already messy mane. “Don’t be ridiculous. I have to pay you back somehow you silly pony.” Her eyes lit up behind her sunnies as she got an idea. “Come on, we’re going out.” Melody looked at her. “Where to?” Vinyl turned to go, giggling lightly. “You’ll see.” ~*~ “Welcome to Carousel Boutique where everything is chic, unique and magnifique! Who are you looking for?” The two mares were standing outside Carousel Boutique, looking at a smiling Gray. His face changed to one of pleasant surprise at the sight of Vinyl Scratch at the door. “Vinyl? Wow, don’t see you round here much.” Vinyl nodded amiably. “Too true Gray. We’re looking for Rarity, she in?” Gray nodded and motioned them in, leaving them in the foyer while he fetched Rarity, his ruby earring shining slightly. Melody looked incredibly nervous as she waited, amusing Vinyl Scratch. She felt a slight nudge at her shoulder and looked at Vinyl. “Don’t worry there Mel, Rarity is the nicest pony I know.” A white unicorn with perfectly styled mane and tail came practically prancing down the stairs, her blue eyes sparkling. She smiled at Vinyl, then noticed Melody. She caught her breath as her critical eye ran over Melody. “My dear, What in the world happened to your mane!?” Melody stood still, terrified of the hawk like gaze of the fashionista. Vinyl laughed and stepped between the two mares. “Girls, chillax! Rarity, this is Melody. Mel, this is Rarity.” Vinyl looked at Rarity sharply. “Be nice. She’s staying with me at the moment.” Rarity's eye twitched and her fierce gaze subsided. She smiled. “I take it you’re here to fix that hair dear?” Vinyl nodded, still grinning. “That’s right Rarity. Melody plays the violin; she needs to look the part as well.” Rarity's eyes lit up like a beacon. “Ooooh yes! Violin hmm? Come over here Melody, we’ll have your hair looking FABULOUS in no time at all!” Melody looked at Vinyl in disbelief as the fashion hungry unicorn was walking away. Her look spoke volumes. “You... You cannot be serious.” Vinyl nodded. “Dead serious Mel. Don’t worry; Rarity is the best fashion-pony I know.” She pushed Melody towards the room Rarity had entered earlier and watched as the nervous Pegasus walked in slowly. ~*~ “There! All done! You look FABULOUS!” Vinyl looked up from where she’d fallen asleep. It had been almost an hour, and Vinyls’ back was still stiff from sleeping on the couch rather than her own bed. Her jaw dropped to the floor. Melody looked stunning. Her pale red feathers were perfectly aligned, making her wings sleek. Her coat had been shined and her eyes shone in their sockets. But what struck her most was the hair. The deep purple colour of her mane cascaded over both sides of her face, framing it perfectly. The sky blue streak through it ran down the left side, partially obscuring one of her shining eyes. Her tail wasn't straight, but it wasn't poofy either. It was sort of at the middle ground between the two. Melody smiled shyly at the look on Vinyls’ face. “Uh... Hi Miss Scratch...” Rarity looked at Melody in surprise and exchanged an exasperated look with Vinyl and laughed gently. “Vinyl. I've known you since I've been here, and never have I heard you called that.” She turned to Melody, a smile playing across her face. “Don’t be so shy dear. You’re a beautiful mare. Just.... eat a little more ok?” Melody nodded uncertainly. Vinyl smiled at her, a genuinely pleasant smile rather than her signature grin. “You look spectacular Mel. Could ya give me some tips?” Rarity looked archly at the ivory unicorn and her two-tone blue hair. “Vinyl Scratch. The day you grow your hair for any reason, I will style it for absolutely free in any way you want.” Vinyl looked horrified for a moment. “Perish the absurd thought! This hair will never change its sexy style Rarity!” Rarity laughed softly and nudged Melody lightly. “Go on then dear. First is always free.” “That’s what you kept telling me.” All three mares turned to the gunmetal grey unicorn walking down the stairs, a small smile on his face. Rarity sighed dramatically. “Gray, must you bring that up? I still owe you a free style.” Gray chuckled as he walked up to her. “Well, we live together now, so it doesn't count does it?” Rarity rolled her eyes and stiffened slightly as he kissed her. Vinyl whistled suggestively and nodded at Gray when he looked at her, parting from Rarity as he did so. Vinyl grinned. “Hook in mate, hook in.” Gray laughed as Rarity blushed hotly. Melody smiled. She hadn't had this much fun in ages. She looked at the couple in front of her and tilted her head. “You two are so cute together.” Rarity blushed furiously and cuddled up to Grays’ chest. “You really think so?” Melody nodded as Gray put his hoof over Rarity, pulling her a little closer. Vinyl rolled her eyes underneath her shades. Romantic stuff wasn't her thing... not since Octavia rejected her anyhow. Rarity noted the change in attitude and huffed good-naturedly. “What? You jealous Vinyl?” Vinyl felt something in her snap. Her face transformed into a frown. “No Rarity, why would I be jealous of such a perfect, working relationship where both ponies love each other and work together? Hay, of course I’m not jealous!” She stormed out, her anger smoldering. Rarity looked at the door, tears slightly filling her eyes. Melody watched the door in bewilderment. Gray hugged Rarity. “It’s alright Rarity... She didn't mean to hurt you like that.” Rarity shook her head slightly. “No... I know but... I hit a nerve apparently...” Melody made a rushed goodbye and went to follow Vinyl, leaving Gray and Rarity alone in the Carousel Boutique. ~*~ Vinyl was stomping across Ponyville, trying desperately to vent her anger and beating herself up about her reaction. “Come on Vinyl that was pathetic. What were you thinking? Oh that’s right, you didn't think. Stupid unicorn, that’s old news. You and Tavi are still friends. Just because Rarity's relationship with Gray is perfect... and, and....” She felt tears threaten to spill out and didn't prevent it. She looked around and sighed in partial relief. She’d stopped in an isolated area, a small field with a lake. She walked up to the lake, her stomp turning into a dejected trudge and sort of flopped onto the ground, burying her head in her hooves. She would have stayed there the entire day if she hadn't heard the soft beat of wings above her. She’d taken off her shades to leave way for the tears, and she put them on again quickly, pretending to be simply lying in the sun. There was a soft wumph of a Pegasus landing and she felt a massive hoof on her shoulder. The silky voice that came next permeated the air throughout the entirety of the glade. “What’s wrong Vinyl? You can tell me.” Vinyl looked up at the massive black Pegasus looking down at her. His mane had fallen over her face, so both eyes were visible, both shining a soft purple. She sighed sadly and sat up, pushing the big stallion away from her as she did so. “Nothing is wrong Demonheart. What makes you think there’s something wrong?” Her voice cracked partway through and she cursed her weakness in her head. Demonheart smiled kindly. “Your voice and the way you've lain here for about fifteen minutes now crying.” Vinyl shrugged, realizing the pointlessness of arguing any further. “Alright fine. But what I say here cannot go any further than us k?” Demonheart nodded slowly. Vinyl took a deep breath to order her thoughts. “Alright. You remember Octavia?” Demonheart nodded again. “Well, I used to have, like, this massive crush on her...” Demonheart didn't even flinch. “But when I tried to approach her about it, she thought I was weird and obviously didn’t reciprocate the feelings. It took me almost three months to come back in speaking terms with her, let me put it like that.” Demonheart smiled kindly, rubbing Vinyls’ back comfortingly. Vinyl shivered and leaned against him, tears once more leaking out her eyes, spilling out from underneath the glasses. “And.... I thought I was over her... but apparently I was wrong...” “She snapped at Rarity because she was jealous of her relationship with Gray.” Both ponies turned around, both with wide eyes. Melody stood behind them smiling. “Hello Demonheart. Long time.” Demonhearts’ eyes softened with memories. “Melody. Nice to see you again.” Vinyl looked from one Pegasus to another. “You two... You two know each other?” Demonheart nodded and took his hoof off Vinyls’ back, causing her to almost fall over. “Hey!” Demonheart chuckled. “Sorry Vinyl.” Melody walked up to the two and sat next to Vinyl. “You ok Miss Scratch?” Vinyl nodded, brushing away the tracks her tears had made down her face. She threw Melody a daredevil grin. “Yeah, I’m fine Mel. I’m tough.” Her face creased in concern. “But... I think I owe Rarity an apology... I didn't mean to freak like that...” Melody winked at Demonheart and Demonheart grinned. He stepped aside and Vinyl Scratch toppled over, falling flat on her back. “Hey! Demon!” Demon laughed and Melody felt a stirring in her chest. She put a hoof on Vinyls’ head and pushed her back down. Vinyl looked at Melody incredulously. “Mel, what are you doing?” Melody smiled and stood over Vinyl. She leaned in close to her ear and whispered. “There’s nothing wrong with your preferences Miss Scratch. I, for one, am just like you.” Behind her shades, Vinyls’ eyes went wide. “You... You’re... like me?” Melody nodded slowly. “Unless you purely prefer mares. In which case, I’m partially like you.” Demonheart smiled and lifted off, flying back to his home. Vinyls’ eyes softened and she pushed Melody slightly. “You can get off me now Mel... I think you've made your point.” Melody looked slightly disappointed but got off of Vinyl. Vinyl stood up, making sure her shades were firmly in place. She looked at Melody and smiled. “Thanks Mel. And... Please just call me Vinyl.” Melody smiled and nudged Vinyl gently. “ Ok... Vinyl.”