'Rhythm & Harmony: Fantasy Embrace' OctaScratch Prompt Collabby Divine PathChapters94 Mafia by Ratsenkio95 Princess by palakai97 Stream by bahatumay98 Puzzle by MichelleTwistaloo100 Subwoofer by palakai96 Daft Punk by Treblemaker99 Bloated by bahatumay94 Mafia by RatsenkioMafia by Ratsenkio “Tavi, I’m really sorry.” said Vinyl. “This time I seriously bucked it up.” “What did you do?” asked Octavia with concern. It was really rare for Vinyl to be this distraught. “I might have asked the marefia for a little sum money. I thought I could pay it, but It seems they never intended me to. So now we have, kind of a huge debt to the marefia.” said sheepishly. “What?” screamed Octavia, half question half reprimand, “Take me there, they are not going to mess with us.” “But Tavi...” started Vinyl to complain, more for the safety of her marefriend than her own. “No buts. You’re taking me there to settle this and that’s final.” “Well, here we are.” said Vinyl. They now stood in front of a huge mansion that could easily be almost the same height as the princesses's castle. To Vinyl’s confusion, Octavia started to snicker and as quickly it transformed into full blown laughter. “Oh, don’t worry Vinyl.” she said. “This is going to be easier than I initially expected.” she said as she ringed the bell. “Who is it?” said a voice after a few moments from the communicator. “Could you please open up? I need to see your boss” said Octavia with resolution. “Right away!” said the voice, sounding almost frightened. Once inside, they were guided to their boss, who was a gray coated pony with a jet-black mane, he was sporting a black business suit with a black hat. The office in with he was right now was almost as long as the entirety of the mares apartment. The old stallion upon seeing them enter smiled and stood from her seat to get closer to them, once he was halfway he started galloping jumped right at Octavia. “Octavia!” cried Vinyl afraid for her. “Octy!” cried the stallion at the same time as he hugged her. “Hello, dad.” said Octavia. “Dad!?” asked/shouted Vinyl. “Yes, Vinyl, meet my dad, Vito Philharmonica. Dad, meet Vincenza ‘Vinyl’ Scratch.” said Octavia. “Come on, Octy, I already told you, why don’t you call me papa like you used to?” said Vito to Octavia, he then looked at Vinyl and said “Oh, It’s you. How do you know my daughter?” asked her in a tone that laked all the warm that it had just second ago. “I-I’m… ah...” “She is my marefriend dad. You know, the one that I have told you about?” “Oh, nice to meet you.” said Vito almost mechanically, “Dad, I already know what happened. Could you please forgive her debt.” asked Octavia in a sweet tone. “Fine, don’t worry Vinyl,” said Vito “as per request of my dear daughter your debt have been settled.” “Phew, I was already starting to fear for our future.” said Vinyl. “Well, now that everything has been solved why don’t we have have lunch, it’s been a while since you came to visit your old father.” said Vito. “I’d like that, papa” said Octavia with a smile, “I’ll go ahead to the dinner room.” Once Octavia was out of there and they ware sure she won’t be able to hear them, Vito asked; “Well now missy, why did you asked for that loan?” “A wedding ring... ” mumbled Vinyl. “I couldn’t hear you, may you speak a little louder” “A wedding ring.” “Sorry, this old stallion must be going deaf. A little louder please.” “A wedding ring!” Vinyl almost shouted. Vito was taken by surprise with that and after a little he said “You better make her happy, or else...” She chuckled sheepishly and said “Yes sir.” 95 Princess by palakaiPrincess by palakai Vinyl Scratch couldn't remember the last time she'd experienced so many butterflies in her tummy at one time; even that fancy shindig in Canterlot couldn't compare to this, and that had been an honest-to-goodness royal wedding for crying out loud! By sheer coincidence, her current trepidation also happened to involve castles, weddings and the aristocracy. Sucking a deep breathing into her reluctant lungs, she gingerly approached the gleaming Castle of Friendship and knocked politely on the door. “Good morning, Vinyl,” Spike said upon answering the door. The dragon ushered the unicorn inside and led her to a small, but well-appointed sitting room. “Sorry to keep you waiting, but Twilight's finishing up some last minute reports for Princess Celestia. Can I get you a cup of tea or anything else?” You wouldn't happen to have a keg of hard cider just lying about the place, would you? “No, thank you, Spike,” replied Vinyl with a shake of her head. As the dragon disappeared into the castle's innards, no doubt to inform Twilight of her arrival, Vinyl took the opportunity to have a quick look around the place; it was clear that its owners were still in the process of moving in, and she suspected that this might be the only room that was properly furnished for visitors. Running through the breathing exercises taught to her by Lyra, Vinyl wondered when it was that she'd started noticing just how much stress she was under. The coolest cucumber in Ponyville, who had DJ'd parties at some of the roughest nightclubs in Equestria and lived to tell the tale, was actually checking her pulse every ten minutes to make sure that her heart wasn't on the verge of exploding. Then again, it's not every day that you're sitting in a crystal castle waiting for an audience with a princess, she reflected sagely, rubbing her cold forehooves together until a flicker of warmth spread through them. Especially considering what I have to talk to her about. “I'm so sorry for making you wait,” Twilight Sparkle said, looking about as regal as a dishevelled, sleep-worn alicorn could do. Still, she made a fair hoof of entering with as much dignity and élan was was possible. “That's something they don't tell you about being a princess in fairytales: there's a heck of a lot of paperwork involved with even the smallest of decisions.” “I can imagine,” said Vinyl, greeting Twilight with a slight bow. She probably didn't look much better than the Princess of Friendship, anyway; the long nights of preparation, coupled with maintaining her work, hobbies and social life, had meant she'd been seeing less and less of her bed lately. If it weren't for the trademark sunglasses, everypony in Ponyville would see her tired, bloodshot eyes, and the beginnings of crow's feet. “You don't have to bow. It's awkward enough with strangers, never mind friends,” said Twilight uneasily. In formal settings, it was almost mandatory for a supplicant to prostrate themselves before their ruler, but it was an aspect of royal protocol that Twilight was very uneasy about and she'd said so many times to Celestia about changing it. Just a couple of years ago, she'd been a shy, socially awkward unicorn; so wrapped up in her studies, in fact, that her acquaintanceship with the real world barely approached nodding terms, but all that had changed with what was supposed to be a short trip to Ponyville to oversee the Summer Sun Celebrations. “Uh, do you want to talk here or shall we go through to the throne room?” Twilight looked faintly embarrassed. “I'm fine with here,” said Vinyl, biting down harder than she'd intended on her bottom lip. “It's, um, very comfortable.” “Yes, it is.” Twilight nodded in agreement, her tiny smile suggesting that she was relieved. “What's wrong with it?” “With what?” “The throne room. Sorry, you just looked a little bit queasy when you mentioned it just now,” said Vinyl. “There's nothing wrong with it, per se, but … I really hate the idea of having to sit on that big, crystal throne and look down at other ponies like they're-” “-commoners?” “Mm, exactly.” “Isn't it one of the perks of the job, though?” asked Vinyl with a wide grin. “I mean, getting to boss everypony around and-” She trailed off, noticing the aghast look on Twilight's face. “I was kidding.” “I know, but I'm still getting used to all of this.” Twilight shook her head to try and clear it. It didn't matter how many times she spoke to Celestia, Luna or Cadance, she was simply resigned to the fact that she probably wouldn't be a very good princess in the end. “Anyway, what can I do for you?” She sank gratefully into a cushy seat opposite Vinyl. “Okay, uh.” I can do this! I can do this! I can do this! “Are you all right?” asked Twilight, looking concerned. “Huh? Yeah, why?” Vinyl blinked. Even my eyelids are sweaty. “You're hyperventilating.” “Sorry.” “It's not a problem. At least, not for me. It could mean that you have alkalosis, diabetes or heart failure, though. Those would be problems.” Vinyl just stared at Twilight Sparkle, unsure as to whether or not it was appropriate to laugh in a princess' face. She'd always had the tendency to babble when she was nervous, and it seemed to be one habit that she was never going to break. Despite being a bearer of an Element of Harmony, despite the Rainbow Power, despite receiving Celestia's blessing and becoming an alicorn, Twilight still wasn't used to ponies in need coming to her for aid. How will she cope with a marriage proposal, then? “Twilight, I want you to marry me!” Vinyl flushed slightly, realising what she'd said. “Sorry, I mean, marry us.” “You mean, you want me to perform the ceremony?” Twilight asked in surprise. “Yes.” “But I've never done one before,” she said quietly. A frown crossed Twilight's face. “What if I screw it up? I don't want to ruin your special day.” “We know this is kind of a big thing we're asking you, but you're our princess, our saviour, and more importantly than all that, you're our friend. Octavia and I have talked about it a lot and we would be honoured to have you preside over our wedding.” The corner of Vinyl's mouth twitched. “Besides, with Pinkie Pie doing the catering and Rainbow Dash handling the entertainment, there are plenty of other opportunities for stuff to go wrong.” Twilight made a noise in her throat. With a more serious tone, Vinyl said, “Look, you're scared. I know you're worried about making a mistake, but no more than I was when I asked Octavia to marry me in the first place. You can't let fear hold you back. As the Princess of Ponyville, you're gonna have to do something like this sooner or late, so why not start with two ponies who love you and will cut you a little slack if you aren't pitch perfect?” Releasing a pent-up sigh, Twilight found herself feeling a lot better. “You're right, Vinyl. It's just that, ever since getting the castle, the whole princess-thing is a big deal in a way that it wasn't before. I mean, foals running around and asking for my autograph is harmless and silly, but having this thing-” she stamped her hoof on the floor “-reminding everypony that there's royalty here … I'm so afraid of letting everypony down that I keep trying to duck any sense of responsibility I may have.” “I know this is in no way the same as your situation, but the first time I was asked to headline a gig I was nervous as heck,” said Vinyl, scratching the back of her neck. “I couldn't sleep the entire night before, I kept hoping I would fall ill or get in an accident so that I would have a good excuse for cancelling, but in the end I just had to suck it up and do it.” “And how did it go?” asked Twilight. “To be honest?” Vinyl raised her eyebrow. “I drank so much that the entire night's just a blur to me. But hey, I'm still DJ-ing, so it must've gone all right.” As inspirational stories went, Twilight reckoned it was probably one of the worst she'd ever heard, and she couldn't stop herself from chuckling loudly. Fortunately, Vinyl soon joined in, and they laughed for a good few moments. Sometimes, there just wasn't anything to do but snicker at the ridiculousness of a life that saw you going from a nobody to a national hero in the space of a few short years. “So. Have you set a date yet?” “No, not yet,” replied Vinyl, calming down enough to answer. “We wanted to make sure you were cool with the whole thing first before getting down to the nitty-gritty. We've had some vague talks, made some vague plans, but it's all-” “-vague, got it,” said Twilight. “I'm definitely cool with it now, though.” Bringing ponies together: it was the exact mission statement of the Princess of Friendship after all, and she couldn't go through life shirking the important burden she'd been tasked to shoulder. “Awesome! I'd better go find Octavia and tell her the good news,” Vinyl said excitedly, almost leaping for joy on the seat. “I'll let you know all the details just as soon as I find them out for myself.” She got up to leave. “Thank you.” “Take care,” said Twilight, smiling warmly. “And good luck.” “You, too, Princess.” Author's Note Beautiful prose this, methinks. 97 Stream by bahatumayStream by bahatumay It was a peaceful afternoon. The breeze was gentle, and blew Octavia's mane back, carrying with it the fresh scent of water and life. Birds sang in the trees high above, and grasses rustled. She stepped off the path (much to the chagrin of the white unicorn behind her) and traveled through stomach-high grass, her hooves naturally picking out the safest path. She ignored Vinyl's grunts of surprise and hesitation; she did not have quite the connection to the earth that Octavia did. Finally, she arrived. Octavia looked around and then took a deep breath, held it, and exhaled slowly. “We're here,” she announced. Vinyl stumbled to a stop close behind her and lifted her sunglasses. “Where's 'here'?” she asked, looking around. “There's, like, nothing here.” “There is plenty here,” Octavia chided gently. “You just have to slow down and see it.” She lay down on the grass and looked across the stream. “There are birds singing, there is a gentle breeze, the stream is flowing briskly, and the earth feels alive today.” “Pshh,” Vinyl said dismissively. “Do I look like the kind of mare that slows down?” “You really don't,” Octavia admitted, “but I suppose in time you will learn to also enjoy the simpler things of life.” Vinyl lit her horn and retrieved a cookie from Octavia's saddlebag. “This is a simple thing, right?” she asked, waggling her eyebrows. Octavia, long since used to Vinyl's antics, snatched it out of the air without looking and placed it back into her bag. “Not yet,” she said. “Spend some time out here with me.” Vinyl rolled her eyes, but she stepped closer to Octavia and lay down beside her. They lay there for a while. Octavia breathed deeply, relaxing. Vinyl shifted in place. She tapped her hooves and looked around. Her patience ran out in a few seconds, and she fidgeted constantly. Octavia calmly continued laying there and breathing slowly, even as Vinyl continued to squirm. Vinyl jumped up. “Did you see that?” “See what?” Octavia asked, half suspecting a diversion to obtain that cookie. “There, in the stream!” She pointed. “A fish jumped!” “Yes, they do that,” Octavia said guardedly. Vinyl looked back. “I'm gonna go catch it.” Octavia frowned. “You're going to-?” “Hold these!” And she tossed her glasses in Octavia's general direction and bounded towards the stream. They fell and bounced off Octavia's muzzle, and she stared as Vinyl bounced around in the water splashing like a filly a third of her age, horn glowing and water flying everywhere as she hunted the elusive fish. Octavia couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. Eventually, Vinyl tired herself out. Now soaking wet, she trudged back to the bank and grinned sheepishly at Octavia. “I didn't get it,” she said. Octavia cracked a smile. She reached back into her saddlebag. “I suppose you've enjoyed nature long enough. Shall we eat?” “Aw, yeah!” Vinyl said, scampering up on the bank, all signs of her tiredness vanishing. She skidded around Octavia and sat up, hooves tapping patiently like a schoolfilly waiting for her lunch. Octavia shook her head and set up the picnic she'd packed. And, of course, she gave Vinyl a cookie to start. 98 Puzzle by MichelleTwistalooPuzzle by MichelleTwistaloo She was a puzzle. Not today, not never, would she ever understand the other mare. She was simultaneously so high energy and yet so lazy, enough to power through the night and sleep all day. She was simultaneously a party beast, capable of staying up, drinking and giving out the wubs, and a delicate sensitive flower, though she didn’t like to admit it. One who stayed there for Octavia and kissed her lips. Her lips were simultaneously soft, humid and perfect for the snog sessions they occasionally had, but tough, hardened by all the drinks they had drunk, whether in the years, months, weeks or days. She was capable of ignoring Octavia’s yells of “Vinyl!”, telling her to do that or this, but she could hear and sometimes do things even before they became a problem. Vinyl Scratch was a puzzle. 100 Subwoofer by palakaiSubwoofer by palakai Coming home after a long day of rehearsals, the last thing I wanted to see was various electronic components scattered across the communal living area; unfortunately, that was exactly what I found. It wouldn't have bothered me so much except for the fact that her stuff was on my half of the room. I kicked at something in frustration, earning myself a nasty pain in my hoof. While I sucked on the throbbing flesh, I took a quick look around. Living with someone who was your polar opposite, rules had to be set, and usually she was pretty good at observing them. But, of course, there were times when she got so caught up in whatever little project she was working on that she would become oblivious to everything around her. Vinyl was tinkering. That fact should've set alarm bells ringing in my mind, but perhaps I was simply too tired to listen to the warnings that my subconscious was trying to give me. Inquisitiveness seemed to be a common trait amongst unicorns, and she was always to be found fooling around with something when she didn't have a gig to attend. Her wiggling rump with its two bridged eighth notes was all that I could see as the rest of her body was buried deep within the complicated innards of the largest loudspeaker I had ever seen in my life. Doubtless, it was bought second-hand, hence her modifications; a brand new one would've been a dent in even Vinyl's finances, so it was safe to assume she'd found it in one of the many thrift stores dotting Canterlot. Hm. Had to admit, she did have a pretty cute butt. With a shake of my head, I immediately dismissed this unladylike thought I was having about my friend. It was impossible not to have the occasional romantic notion about somepony you spent to much time with, but our friendship was fine the way it was, and I was not prepared to risk it on the off-chance that it could be something more. Vinyl's own tastes in romantic partners was as inscrutable as her well-hidden eyes, and I could never quite get a grip on what her thinking was. Sometimes, it felt like she was from a different planet, dropped into Equestria for some esoteric purpose. Perhaps it was her five-year-mission to spread dance music across the universe? That silly idea made me smile. Clearly, tonight was going to be another night where I'd have to wear earplugs if I planned on getting any sleep. Vinyl was prone to late nights, and even more prone to excessive volume whenever she thought she could get away with it. I was just about to say good night to her when her ears perked up in excitement. Her ears were almost as acute as mine, and sneaking past her was often an exercise in futility. It also meant that neither one of us could sneak downstairs for a midnight snack. I guess she'd just finished whatever arcane ministrations she was performing. With a frantic wave of her forelegs, she ushered me to a seat, a broad grin playing across her muzzle. “Now?” I asked tiredly, miming a yawn to indicate just how weary I was from today's rehearsals. I wanted nothing more than to light some candles and soak in some lavender-scented water before taking to my silken sheets. A pleading look, followed by what I could only assume was a wide-eyed pout; her eyes, as ever, were hidden beneath her sunglasses. Even though the light wasn't terribly bright in our shared living area, she still refused to remove them due to her sensitivity. She did have the most beautiful eyes and it was to the detriment of all who knew her that they would never catch more than a glimpse of those cerise irises. “Okay,” I said, throwing my forelegs up in surrender, giving in … just as I always did. It amazed me how quickly the parameters of our relationship could change. One minute, we were best friends. The next, quarrelling roommates. The next, I was both a mother figure and mentor to her as she sought my approval for her bold musical experimentations. Despite the gap in our ages being nought but a few years, I got the feeling that she regarded me as somepony older and more experienced. Maybe I chose to flatter myself by believing that? As I observed her preparations, it dawned on me that I never knew what I was feeling for her from one moment to the next; she frustrated me, drove me mad with her childishness, but she was also sweet, brilliant and lovely. I sat, awaiting the wubs of which she was so fond. I could barely call it music, but I was willing to keep an open mind for her sake. Even if I didn't approve, I could appreciate the artistry. Her grin back in place – rather unsettling, actually: a true lunatic's glint – Vinyl went to her mixer and started spinning some records. As expected, it was more dubstep. Whatever melody it might've had was hidden underneath a pounding bassline. A pounding bassline that was … … No, I was imagining it. Wasn't I? My insides felt swimmy and a hoof went to my brow as a wave of lightheadedness struck me; my abdomen and pelvis tensed and relaxed of their own accord, and an electric shudder ran through my spine. The resonant pulse continued to wash over me and I pressed my hindlegs together as the effect seemed to be most strongly focused there. “Vinyl, what the heck …?” I didn't get to finish my query as a low moan escaped my lips. Some invisible force had gripped me in its icy clench and wouldn't let go; I felt as though an explosion was taking place in the lower half of my body, and I wanted to scream, cry and laugh all at once as my insides felt like they were simultaneously being hollowed out and tickled. When I came to what seemed like hours later, my roommate was hovering over me, a satisfied smirk creasing her muzzle. Undoubtedly, she considered this experiment a success. 96 Daft Punk by TreblemakerDaft Punk by Treblemaker The speakers blew. Octavia’s yelling grew much more comical now that deafness had moved in for a few moments. Wild hoof gestures, a face to quiet Celestia herself, and the pantomimed death threats only solidified the trouble Vinyl had gotten herself into. Now it wasn’t exactly her fault, she just wanted to listen to the new Daft Punk album... And test the speaker’s breaking point... At the same time. Okay, it was a little bit of her fault. RIIIINNNGGGGGGG. Oh hey, the hearing’s back. Octavia flinched at the intrusive sound, pausing the rage for a moment; only to return with the death threats growing a lot more intimidating, and detailed to boot. “Woah, Woah, Tavi, calm down maybe? No? Alright. Would it help to say that it was a new album?” Rubbing a hoof up and down the back of her neck. To which Octavia grew calm, a stoic look crossed her face. “Oh yes, I understand, that’s perfectly fine now that you explained that.” Hiding her sarcasm about as much as a lazy beaver would hold back the Rainbow Falls. Her hind hoof planted itself into the nearest speaker, despite the pair being broken just moments before. Grasping the gravity of the situation, Vinyl retreated to her room with her prized album, letting Tavi simmer for a while alone. She let out a grunt, “Consarnit, I was only half way through,” She mused, looking around the room to find another source to play the music through. Her eyes rested on the Bass Cannon. “I’m sure Tavi won’t mind.” 99 Bloated by bahatumayBloated by bahatumay Octavia opened the door to her house and set her cello down. Her ear flicked. Something was wrong. It was quiet. Too quiet. Especially for how late it was. She retrieved her bow from the case and began stalking through the house, ready to deliver a punishing blow to anypony foolish enough to have broken in. She found a foolish pony, but not the one she had expected. She burst through the door, and Vinyl (who was laying on her couch) jumped at her arrival, sending her headphones skittering across the floor. Octavia sighed and relaxed her foreleg. “Vinyl, what are you doing? And why are you on my couch?” Vinyl looked up and gave her a shaky smile. “Yes, well, it's only more comfortable because I use mine for its intended purpose. Sitting.” Vinyl shrugged again, but grimaced. She rubbed her tummy painfully. Octavia's ire faded into sympathy as she realized that she looked a bit bloated. “Vinyl, are you sick?” she asked. Vinyl nodded weakly. “Did you eat something bad?” Octavia asked, setting her bow down on a nearby table and nearing to brush a hoof through Vinyl's mane. Vinyl shook her head, but slowly leaned into her touch. “You drank something, then?” Vinyl shook her head. Octavia raised an eyebrow, but Vinyl's expression was nothing but innocence. She shrugged. “Well, I suppose we can start with a little seltzer water and go from there, shall we?” Vinyl nodded, and then leaned down to burp into her hoof. It was quiet and nearly unnoticeable. Nearly. Octavia's eyes narrowed as she recognized the scent wafting through the air. “Molasses and oats, eh?” Vinyl blushed and attempted to sink deeper into the couch. “You got into another cookie eating contest, didn't you?” Vinyl's ears turned pinker. “Even after last time?” Vinyl shrugged weakly. “I don't care if your pride was at stake. You should know better than to do something so foolish!” Vinyl averted her eyes, sufficiently chastened. Octavia sighed. “Well, I suppose it is what it is,” she murmured. “I'll go get some seltzer. Get comfortable, though. You're sleeping there tonight.” Vinyl nodded sadly, accepting this. Octavia turned to leave, but then poked her head back in. “You did win, didn't you?” Vinyl nodded confidently, pumping a hoof in the air for emphasis. Octavia cracked a smile. “Good girl,” she said.
94 Mafia by RatsenkioMafia by Ratsenkio “Tavi, I’m really sorry.” said Vinyl. “This time I seriously bucked it up.” “What did you do?” asked Octavia with concern. It was really rare for Vinyl to be this distraught. “I might have asked the marefia for a little sum money. I thought I could pay it, but It seems they never intended me to. So now we have, kind of a huge debt to the marefia.” said sheepishly. “What?” screamed Octavia, half question half reprimand, “Take me there, they are not going to mess with us.” “But Tavi...” started Vinyl to complain, more for the safety of her marefriend than her own. “No buts. You’re taking me there to settle this and that’s final.” “Well, here we are.” said Vinyl. They now stood in front of a huge mansion that could easily be almost the same height as the princesses's castle. To Vinyl’s confusion, Octavia started to snicker and as quickly it transformed into full blown laughter. “Oh, don’t worry Vinyl.” she said. “This is going to be easier than I initially expected.” she said as she ringed the bell. “Who is it?” said a voice after a few moments from the communicator. “Could you please open up? I need to see your boss” said Octavia with resolution. “Right away!” said the voice, sounding almost frightened. Once inside, they were guided to their boss, who was a gray coated pony with a jet-black mane, he was sporting a black business suit with a black hat. The office in with he was right now was almost as long as the entirety of the mares apartment. The old stallion upon seeing them enter smiled and stood from her seat to get closer to them, once he was halfway he started galloping jumped right at Octavia. “Octavia!” cried Vinyl afraid for her. “Octy!” cried the stallion at the same time as he hugged her. “Hello, dad.” said Octavia. “Dad!?” asked/shouted Vinyl. “Yes, Vinyl, meet my dad, Vito Philharmonica. Dad, meet Vincenza ‘Vinyl’ Scratch.” said Octavia. “Come on, Octy, I already told you, why don’t you call me papa like you used to?” said Vito to Octavia, he then looked at Vinyl and said “Oh, It’s you. How do you know my daughter?” asked her in a tone that laked all the warm that it had just second ago. “I-I’m… ah...” “She is my marefriend dad. You know, the one that I have told you about?” “Oh, nice to meet you.” said Vito almost mechanically, “Dad, I already know what happened. Could you please forgive her debt.” asked Octavia in a sweet tone. “Fine, don’t worry Vinyl,” said Vito “as per request of my dear daughter your debt have been settled.” “Phew, I was already starting to fear for our future.” said Vinyl. “Well, now that everything has been solved why don’t we have have lunch, it’s been a while since you came to visit your old father.” said Vito. “I’d like that, papa” said Octavia with a smile, “I’ll go ahead to the dinner room.” Once Octavia was out of there and they ware sure she won’t be able to hear them, Vito asked; “Well now missy, why did you asked for that loan?” “A wedding ring... ” mumbled Vinyl. “I couldn’t hear you, may you speak a little louder” “A wedding ring.” “Sorry, this old stallion must be going deaf. A little louder please.” “A wedding ring!” Vinyl almost shouted. Vito was taken by surprise with that and after a little he said “You better make her happy, or else...” She chuckled sheepishly and said “Yes sir.”
95 Princess by palakaiPrincess by palakai Vinyl Scratch couldn't remember the last time she'd experienced so many butterflies in her tummy at one time; even that fancy shindig in Canterlot couldn't compare to this, and that had been an honest-to-goodness royal wedding for crying out loud! By sheer coincidence, her current trepidation also happened to involve castles, weddings and the aristocracy. Sucking a deep breathing into her reluctant lungs, she gingerly approached the gleaming Castle of Friendship and knocked politely on the door. “Good morning, Vinyl,” Spike said upon answering the door. The dragon ushered the unicorn inside and led her to a small, but well-appointed sitting room. “Sorry to keep you waiting, but Twilight's finishing up some last minute reports for Princess Celestia. Can I get you a cup of tea or anything else?” You wouldn't happen to have a keg of hard cider just lying about the place, would you? “No, thank you, Spike,” replied Vinyl with a shake of her head. As the dragon disappeared into the castle's innards, no doubt to inform Twilight of her arrival, Vinyl took the opportunity to have a quick look around the place; it was clear that its owners were still in the process of moving in, and she suspected that this might be the only room that was properly furnished for visitors. Running through the breathing exercises taught to her by Lyra, Vinyl wondered when it was that she'd started noticing just how much stress she was under. The coolest cucumber in Ponyville, who had DJ'd parties at some of the roughest nightclubs in Equestria and lived to tell the tale, was actually checking her pulse every ten minutes to make sure that her heart wasn't on the verge of exploding. Then again, it's not every day that you're sitting in a crystal castle waiting for an audience with a princess, she reflected sagely, rubbing her cold forehooves together until a flicker of warmth spread through them. Especially considering what I have to talk to her about. “I'm so sorry for making you wait,” Twilight Sparkle said, looking about as regal as a dishevelled, sleep-worn alicorn could do. Still, she made a fair hoof of entering with as much dignity and élan was was possible. “That's something they don't tell you about being a princess in fairytales: there's a heck of a lot of paperwork involved with even the smallest of decisions.” “I can imagine,” said Vinyl, greeting Twilight with a slight bow. She probably didn't look much better than the Princess of Friendship, anyway; the long nights of preparation, coupled with maintaining her work, hobbies and social life, had meant she'd been seeing less and less of her bed lately. If it weren't for the trademark sunglasses, everypony in Ponyville would see her tired, bloodshot eyes, and the beginnings of crow's feet. “You don't have to bow. It's awkward enough with strangers, never mind friends,” said Twilight uneasily. In formal settings, it was almost mandatory for a supplicant to prostrate themselves before their ruler, but it was an aspect of royal protocol that Twilight was very uneasy about and she'd said so many times to Celestia about changing it. Just a couple of years ago, she'd been a shy, socially awkward unicorn; so wrapped up in her studies, in fact, that her acquaintanceship with the real world barely approached nodding terms, but all that had changed with what was supposed to be a short trip to Ponyville to oversee the Summer Sun Celebrations. “Uh, do you want to talk here or shall we go through to the throne room?” Twilight looked faintly embarrassed. “I'm fine with here,” said Vinyl, biting down harder than she'd intended on her bottom lip. “It's, um, very comfortable.” “Yes, it is.” Twilight nodded in agreement, her tiny smile suggesting that she was relieved. “What's wrong with it?” “With what?” “The throne room. Sorry, you just looked a little bit queasy when you mentioned it just now,” said Vinyl. “There's nothing wrong with it, per se, but … I really hate the idea of having to sit on that big, crystal throne and look down at other ponies like they're-” “-commoners?” “Mm, exactly.” “Isn't it one of the perks of the job, though?” asked Vinyl with a wide grin. “I mean, getting to boss everypony around and-” She trailed off, noticing the aghast look on Twilight's face. “I was kidding.” “I know, but I'm still getting used to all of this.” Twilight shook her head to try and clear it. It didn't matter how many times she spoke to Celestia, Luna or Cadance, she was simply resigned to the fact that she probably wouldn't be a very good princess in the end. “Anyway, what can I do for you?” She sank gratefully into a cushy seat opposite Vinyl. “Okay, uh.” I can do this! I can do this! I can do this! “Are you all right?” asked Twilight, looking concerned. “Huh? Yeah, why?” Vinyl blinked. Even my eyelids are sweaty. “You're hyperventilating.” “Sorry.” “It's not a problem. At least, not for me. It could mean that you have alkalosis, diabetes or heart failure, though. Those would be problems.” Vinyl just stared at Twilight Sparkle, unsure as to whether or not it was appropriate to laugh in a princess' face. She'd always had the tendency to babble when she was nervous, and it seemed to be one habit that she was never going to break. Despite being a bearer of an Element of Harmony, despite the Rainbow Power, despite receiving Celestia's blessing and becoming an alicorn, Twilight still wasn't used to ponies in need coming to her for aid. How will she cope with a marriage proposal, then? “Twilight, I want you to marry me!” Vinyl flushed slightly, realising what she'd said. “Sorry, I mean, marry us.” “You mean, you want me to perform the ceremony?” Twilight asked in surprise. “Yes.” “But I've never done one before,” she said quietly. A frown crossed Twilight's face. “What if I screw it up? I don't want to ruin your special day.” “We know this is kind of a big thing we're asking you, but you're our princess, our saviour, and more importantly than all that, you're our friend. Octavia and I have talked about it a lot and we would be honoured to have you preside over our wedding.” The corner of Vinyl's mouth twitched. “Besides, with Pinkie Pie doing the catering and Rainbow Dash handling the entertainment, there are plenty of other opportunities for stuff to go wrong.” Twilight made a noise in her throat. With a more serious tone, Vinyl said, “Look, you're scared. I know you're worried about making a mistake, but no more than I was when I asked Octavia to marry me in the first place. You can't let fear hold you back. As the Princess of Ponyville, you're gonna have to do something like this sooner or late, so why not start with two ponies who love you and will cut you a little slack if you aren't pitch perfect?” Releasing a pent-up sigh, Twilight found herself feeling a lot better. “You're right, Vinyl. It's just that, ever since getting the castle, the whole princess-thing is a big deal in a way that it wasn't before. I mean, foals running around and asking for my autograph is harmless and silly, but having this thing-” she stamped her hoof on the floor “-reminding everypony that there's royalty here … I'm so afraid of letting everypony down that I keep trying to duck any sense of responsibility I may have.” “I know this is in no way the same as your situation, but the first time I was asked to headline a gig I was nervous as heck,” said Vinyl, scratching the back of her neck. “I couldn't sleep the entire night before, I kept hoping I would fall ill or get in an accident so that I would have a good excuse for cancelling, but in the end I just had to suck it up and do it.” “And how did it go?” asked Twilight. “To be honest?” Vinyl raised her eyebrow. “I drank so much that the entire night's just a blur to me. But hey, I'm still DJ-ing, so it must've gone all right.” As inspirational stories went, Twilight reckoned it was probably one of the worst she'd ever heard, and she couldn't stop herself from chuckling loudly. Fortunately, Vinyl soon joined in, and they laughed for a good few moments. Sometimes, there just wasn't anything to do but snicker at the ridiculousness of a life that saw you going from a nobody to a national hero in the space of a few short years. “So. Have you set a date yet?” “No, not yet,” replied Vinyl, calming down enough to answer. “We wanted to make sure you were cool with the whole thing first before getting down to the nitty-gritty. We've had some vague talks, made some vague plans, but it's all-” “-vague, got it,” said Twilight. “I'm definitely cool with it now, though.” Bringing ponies together: it was the exact mission statement of the Princess of Friendship after all, and she couldn't go through life shirking the important burden she'd been tasked to shoulder. “Awesome! I'd better go find Octavia and tell her the good news,” Vinyl said excitedly, almost leaping for joy on the seat. “I'll let you know all the details just as soon as I find them out for myself.” She got up to leave. “Thank you.” “Take care,” said Twilight, smiling warmly. “And good luck.” “You, too, Princess.” Author's Note Beautiful prose this, methinks.
97 Stream by bahatumayStream by bahatumay It was a peaceful afternoon. The breeze was gentle, and blew Octavia's mane back, carrying with it the fresh scent of water and life. Birds sang in the trees high above, and grasses rustled. She stepped off the path (much to the chagrin of the white unicorn behind her) and traveled through stomach-high grass, her hooves naturally picking out the safest path. She ignored Vinyl's grunts of surprise and hesitation; she did not have quite the connection to the earth that Octavia did. Finally, she arrived. Octavia looked around and then took a deep breath, held it, and exhaled slowly. “We're here,” she announced. Vinyl stumbled to a stop close behind her and lifted her sunglasses. “Where's 'here'?” she asked, looking around. “There's, like, nothing here.” “There is plenty here,” Octavia chided gently. “You just have to slow down and see it.” She lay down on the grass and looked across the stream. “There are birds singing, there is a gentle breeze, the stream is flowing briskly, and the earth feels alive today.” “Pshh,” Vinyl said dismissively. “Do I look like the kind of mare that slows down?” “You really don't,” Octavia admitted, “but I suppose in time you will learn to also enjoy the simpler things of life.” Vinyl lit her horn and retrieved a cookie from Octavia's saddlebag. “This is a simple thing, right?” she asked, waggling her eyebrows. Octavia, long since used to Vinyl's antics, snatched it out of the air without looking and placed it back into her bag. “Not yet,” she said. “Spend some time out here with me.” Vinyl rolled her eyes, but she stepped closer to Octavia and lay down beside her. They lay there for a while. Octavia breathed deeply, relaxing. Vinyl shifted in place. She tapped her hooves and looked around. Her patience ran out in a few seconds, and she fidgeted constantly. Octavia calmly continued laying there and breathing slowly, even as Vinyl continued to squirm. Vinyl jumped up. “Did you see that?” “See what?” Octavia asked, half suspecting a diversion to obtain that cookie. “There, in the stream!” She pointed. “A fish jumped!” “Yes, they do that,” Octavia said guardedly. Vinyl looked back. “I'm gonna go catch it.” Octavia frowned. “You're going to-?” “Hold these!” And she tossed her glasses in Octavia's general direction and bounded towards the stream. They fell and bounced off Octavia's muzzle, and she stared as Vinyl bounced around in the water splashing like a filly a third of her age, horn glowing and water flying everywhere as she hunted the elusive fish. Octavia couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. Eventually, Vinyl tired herself out. Now soaking wet, she trudged back to the bank and grinned sheepishly at Octavia. “I didn't get it,” she said. Octavia cracked a smile. She reached back into her saddlebag. “I suppose you've enjoyed nature long enough. Shall we eat?” “Aw, yeah!” Vinyl said, scampering up on the bank, all signs of her tiredness vanishing. She skidded around Octavia and sat up, hooves tapping patiently like a schoolfilly waiting for her lunch. Octavia shook her head and set up the picnic she'd packed. And, of course, she gave Vinyl a cookie to start.
98 Puzzle by MichelleTwistalooPuzzle by MichelleTwistaloo She was a puzzle. Not today, not never, would she ever understand the other mare. She was simultaneously so high energy and yet so lazy, enough to power through the night and sleep all day. She was simultaneously a party beast, capable of staying up, drinking and giving out the wubs, and a delicate sensitive flower, though she didn’t like to admit it. One who stayed there for Octavia and kissed her lips. Her lips were simultaneously soft, humid and perfect for the snog sessions they occasionally had, but tough, hardened by all the drinks they had drunk, whether in the years, months, weeks or days. She was capable of ignoring Octavia’s yells of “Vinyl!”, telling her to do that or this, but she could hear and sometimes do things even before they became a problem. Vinyl Scratch was a puzzle.
100 Subwoofer by palakaiSubwoofer by palakai Coming home after a long day of rehearsals, the last thing I wanted to see was various electronic components scattered across the communal living area; unfortunately, that was exactly what I found. It wouldn't have bothered me so much except for the fact that her stuff was on my half of the room. I kicked at something in frustration, earning myself a nasty pain in my hoof. While I sucked on the throbbing flesh, I took a quick look around. Living with someone who was your polar opposite, rules had to be set, and usually she was pretty good at observing them. But, of course, there were times when she got so caught up in whatever little project she was working on that she would become oblivious to everything around her. Vinyl was tinkering. That fact should've set alarm bells ringing in my mind, but perhaps I was simply too tired to listen to the warnings that my subconscious was trying to give me. Inquisitiveness seemed to be a common trait amongst unicorns, and she was always to be found fooling around with something when she didn't have a gig to attend. Her wiggling rump with its two bridged eighth notes was all that I could see as the rest of her body was buried deep within the complicated innards of the largest loudspeaker I had ever seen in my life. Doubtless, it was bought second-hand, hence her modifications; a brand new one would've been a dent in even Vinyl's finances, so it was safe to assume she'd found it in one of the many thrift stores dotting Canterlot. Hm. Had to admit, she did have a pretty cute butt. With a shake of my head, I immediately dismissed this unladylike thought I was having about my friend. It was impossible not to have the occasional romantic notion about somepony you spent to much time with, but our friendship was fine the way it was, and I was not prepared to risk it on the off-chance that it could be something more. Vinyl's own tastes in romantic partners was as inscrutable as her well-hidden eyes, and I could never quite get a grip on what her thinking was. Sometimes, it felt like she was from a different planet, dropped into Equestria for some esoteric purpose. Perhaps it was her five-year-mission to spread dance music across the universe? That silly idea made me smile. Clearly, tonight was going to be another night where I'd have to wear earplugs if I planned on getting any sleep. Vinyl was prone to late nights, and even more prone to excessive volume whenever she thought she could get away with it. I was just about to say good night to her when her ears perked up in excitement. Her ears were almost as acute as mine, and sneaking past her was often an exercise in futility. It also meant that neither one of us could sneak downstairs for a midnight snack. I guess she'd just finished whatever arcane ministrations she was performing. With a frantic wave of her forelegs, she ushered me to a seat, a broad grin playing across her muzzle. “Now?” I asked tiredly, miming a yawn to indicate just how weary I was from today's rehearsals. I wanted nothing more than to light some candles and soak in some lavender-scented water before taking to my silken sheets. A pleading look, followed by what I could only assume was a wide-eyed pout; her eyes, as ever, were hidden beneath her sunglasses. Even though the light wasn't terribly bright in our shared living area, she still refused to remove them due to her sensitivity. She did have the most beautiful eyes and it was to the detriment of all who knew her that they would never catch more than a glimpse of those cerise irises. “Okay,” I said, throwing my forelegs up in surrender, giving in … just as I always did. It amazed me how quickly the parameters of our relationship could change. One minute, we were best friends. The next, quarrelling roommates. The next, I was both a mother figure and mentor to her as she sought my approval for her bold musical experimentations. Despite the gap in our ages being nought but a few years, I got the feeling that she regarded me as somepony older and more experienced. Maybe I chose to flatter myself by believing that? As I observed her preparations, it dawned on me that I never knew what I was feeling for her from one moment to the next; she frustrated me, drove me mad with her childishness, but she was also sweet, brilliant and lovely. I sat, awaiting the wubs of which she was so fond. I could barely call it music, but I was willing to keep an open mind for her sake. Even if I didn't approve, I could appreciate the artistry. Her grin back in place – rather unsettling, actually: a true lunatic's glint – Vinyl went to her mixer and started spinning some records. As expected, it was more dubstep. Whatever melody it might've had was hidden underneath a pounding bassline. A pounding bassline that was … … No, I was imagining it. Wasn't I? My insides felt swimmy and a hoof went to my brow as a wave of lightheadedness struck me; my abdomen and pelvis tensed and relaxed of their own accord, and an electric shudder ran through my spine. The resonant pulse continued to wash over me and I pressed my hindlegs together as the effect seemed to be most strongly focused there. “Vinyl, what the heck …?” I didn't get to finish my query as a low moan escaped my lips. Some invisible force had gripped me in its icy clench and wouldn't let go; I felt as though an explosion was taking place in the lower half of my body, and I wanted to scream, cry and laugh all at once as my insides felt like they were simultaneously being hollowed out and tickled. When I came to what seemed like hours later, my roommate was hovering over me, a satisfied smirk creasing her muzzle. Undoubtedly, she considered this experiment a success.
96 Daft Punk by TreblemakerDaft Punk by Treblemaker The speakers blew. Octavia’s yelling grew much more comical now that deafness had moved in for a few moments. Wild hoof gestures, a face to quiet Celestia herself, and the pantomimed death threats only solidified the trouble Vinyl had gotten herself into. Now it wasn’t exactly her fault, she just wanted to listen to the new Daft Punk album... And test the speaker’s breaking point... At the same time. Okay, it was a little bit of her fault. RIIIINNNGGGGGGG. Oh hey, the hearing’s back. Octavia flinched at the intrusive sound, pausing the rage for a moment; only to return with the death threats growing a lot more intimidating, and detailed to boot. “Woah, Woah, Tavi, calm down maybe? No? Alright. Would it help to say that it was a new album?” Rubbing a hoof up and down the back of her neck. To which Octavia grew calm, a stoic look crossed her face. “Oh yes, I understand, that’s perfectly fine now that you explained that.” Hiding her sarcasm about as much as a lazy beaver would hold back the Rainbow Falls. Her hind hoof planted itself into the nearest speaker, despite the pair being broken just moments before. Grasping the gravity of the situation, Vinyl retreated to her room with her prized album, letting Tavi simmer for a while alone. She let out a grunt, “Consarnit, I was only half way through,” She mused, looking around the room to find another source to play the music through. Her eyes rested on the Bass Cannon. “I’m sure Tavi won’t mind.”
99 Bloated by bahatumayBloated by bahatumay Octavia opened the door to her house and set her cello down. Her ear flicked. Something was wrong. It was quiet. Too quiet. Especially for how late it was. She retrieved her bow from the case and began stalking through the house, ready to deliver a punishing blow to anypony foolish enough to have broken in. She found a foolish pony, but not the one she had expected. She burst through the door, and Vinyl (who was laying on her couch) jumped at her arrival, sending her headphones skittering across the floor. Octavia sighed and relaxed her foreleg. “Vinyl, what are you doing? And why are you on my couch?” Vinyl looked up and gave her a shaky smile. “Yes, well, it's only more comfortable because I use mine for its intended purpose. Sitting.” Vinyl shrugged again, but grimaced. She rubbed her tummy painfully. Octavia's ire faded into sympathy as she realized that she looked a bit bloated. “Vinyl, are you sick?” she asked. Vinyl nodded weakly. “Did you eat something bad?” Octavia asked, setting her bow down on a nearby table and nearing to brush a hoof through Vinyl's mane. Vinyl shook her head, but slowly leaned into her touch. “You drank something, then?” Vinyl shook her head. Octavia raised an eyebrow, but Vinyl's expression was nothing but innocence. She shrugged. “Well, I suppose we can start with a little seltzer water and go from there, shall we?” Vinyl nodded, and then leaned down to burp into her hoof. It was quiet and nearly unnoticeable. Nearly. Octavia's eyes narrowed as she recognized the scent wafting through the air. “Molasses and oats, eh?” Vinyl blushed and attempted to sink deeper into the couch. “You got into another cookie eating contest, didn't you?” Vinyl's ears turned pinker. “Even after last time?” Vinyl shrugged weakly. “I don't care if your pride was at stake. You should know better than to do something so foolish!” Vinyl averted her eyes, sufficiently chastened. Octavia sighed. “Well, I suppose it is what it is,” she murmured. “I'll go get some seltzer. Get comfortable, though. You're sleeping there tonight.” Vinyl nodded sadly, accepting this. Octavia turned to leave, but then poked her head back in. “You did win, didn't you?” Vinyl nodded confidently, pumping a hoof in the air for emphasis. Octavia cracked a smile. “Good girl,” she said.
