Music, Love, and Crime

Octavia flipped through the pages of her magazine in an irritated manner. Not only were Lyra and Bon Bon late but they had changed their minds on todays activities. Now instead of helping her move in they were taking her somewhere. All they had told her was that it was a surprise.

Having flipped through every page of her magazine she tossed it aside and leaned her head backwards onto the couch. She could hear her wall clock ticking. Since they had abandoned their plans to help her Octavia had spent the day doing things herself. Now she had one less day to look for a job before collage started.

Just before she got up to go to the fridge for the remains of the fresh fruit she had made for breakfast she heard a knock at the door. Sighing she walked over turning the dead bolt. The door open she saw Lyra and Bon Bon standing in front of her. Bon Bon wore a pink and blue dress while her partner had on a dress of turquois. As per usual there fingers were intertwined together. Octavia smiled at them.

"Wow you two are still an item? I was sure you would have driven each other crazy by now." She said sarcastically.

"Don't be silly Octavia! We're more in love than ever. Isn't that right Bony?" Bon Bon gave Lyra a kiss on the cheek.

"Of course we are dear."

"So where are you two dragging me?"

"I'll only tell you if you promise to go."

"And if I don't want to go just based on hearing that?" Octavia had a worried tone in her voice.

"Then we'll make you anyways."

Octavia bit her lip curiously. These two had known her for too long. They knew exactly how to push her buttons to make her act like an idiot. "This is karma for when lied to mom about being a kleptomaniac. Octavia had taken to grabbing anything that caught her eye when she was out two years ago. Once she had nearly been caught while at a party for trying to nick her hosts antique crystal flask. It took a lot of work to lie her way out of that one.

She had spent the last several months since then trying to contain her habit with moderate success. The problem was when you were from a rich family it's hard to have fun. The school she had gone to was full of other rich kids and the only friends she had ever had were in front of her. She had begged her mom and dad to let her switch to mainstream school to get away from the rich snooty kids at the private one.

Much to her liking after some discussion they said she could if she worked with a tutor on more advanced studies on Saturdays. Shortly after she met her two best friends and even played a hand in them becoming a couple. Still people get busy when you aren't and she just couldn't resist the rush she got every time she snagged something. It wasn't that she didn't love her music that was her dream but she still craved excitement too.

"Ok tell me and I'll go." She said.

"The Foal House nightclub! DJ Pon-3 is playing tonight so it's going to be loud!"

"It's not exactly my style of music..."

"Come on Octavia we'll dance and drink and best of all it's gonna be happy hour by the time we arrive!"

Octavia mulled the thought over in her mind. "If I drink enough the noise won't really be a problem."

"I'll go if you buy. I don't have a job so I'm making do."

"Fine deal."

Vinyl smoked a cigarette out the side of her mouth as she moved with the music she created. The table was her instrument and only she could work it's magic in the way she did. Finishing the current record she slapped a new one in place with barely a pause in the music. She cranked the volume as loud as it would go without blowing her speakers. The wubs as she called them filled the room rippling any stationary glass of liquid in the club.

She smiled while her teeth clenched the cigarette taking a quick puff letting it out her nose. This was what she needed to be herself. To just forget about crime and focus on the music. As they say music can save the soul She thought to herself. The smoke finished she put it out in an ashtray by her table. She looked at the clock 11 AM. Time for a fifteen minute break. "Hey everyone I got to get a break here for a few shots at the bar! Don't you worry though I'll be back in fifteen till then this baby is on auto!"

The crowd clearly disapproved of her leaving but she made her way to the bar regardless. Ashes saw her coming and poured a shot of whisky and proceeded to set it on fire. Taking a random seat at the bar next to a girl with black hair that stretched to the small of her back Ashes slid the shot over to her.

The Dj downed the drink in one gulp still flaming much to the surprise of the woman next to her. Vinyl didn't notice as she tapped the counter with her finger showing her desire for a second one. Again the flaming shot was placed before her. The woman turned to face her noticing the three rings she had in her left ear as well as the two in her right. Her hair was messier than anyone else she had ever seen with two shades of blue in it. The Dj she was staring at looked out the corner of her eye as she took her second. Again she tapped the counter.

"Dear Celestia how many flaming shots can you drink?"

Vinyl turned towards as her drink was slid across the bar towards her.

"Don't worry this is the last for now. I can't get drunk till after the performance is over."

Octavia looked at her unsure what to make of that before her. While contemplating she saw the woman light up a cigarette with a zippo lighter. She exhaled the smoke out of her nose and turned to face her.

"Is there a reason your starring at me?"

"I...uh...no."

Octavia turned her attention back to ale in front of her. She had come here with the intention of getting drunk quickly but when she saw the rowdy crowd and thought of possible repercussions she had changed her plan. Vinyl looked at her closely noting the formal grey coat and pink bowtie.

"Your going to that school for classical musicians up the road aren't you?"

"How did you know?"

"Please you have it written all over you in the clothing and posture."

Octavia looked down into her drink taking a sip. Vinyl looked at the clock she only had a few minutes left. She sighed and breathed out some smoke. This as far as breaks go was not one of the best talking with a classical musician for fifteen minutes was not her idea of a good time. Still she didn't want to act like a jerk so she continued.

"What do you play...for an instrument I mean?"

"Cello."

Vinyl's eyes perked up. Regardless of her passiveness with classical music she knew from experience that a Cello sounded good when mixed with the right dubstep. Also the London Academy for classical music only took the best and she had just had it confirmed that's where she went. "Golden Cruet said he want a new act to draw a more professional crowd..." She thought.

"Do you need a job? cause we have an opening here for a person like you."

"Excuse me but we talk for just a few minutes and you offer me a job out of no where?"

"Well why not you just told me you play the Cello and I know you good at worst if you made into the London Academy. The boss has been nagging me for three weeks to get someone like you down here. It isn't bad either working full time will pay for a small flat and enough to eat out once or twice a month."

Octavia looked at her drink and pondered the offer. She did need a job but working in a place like this was not ideal. Still she could make it work possibly it would be hard but not impossible.

"Tell me more."

"Well you would be doing some sets with me some on your own. Employees drink free and if you need anything you come to me. There isn't really health care but if you get hurt or something come to me and I'll get the boss man to sort it out. Also the boss is pretty flexible with your positions hours right now."

"When do you need an answer?"

"Noon tomorrow would be good sooner would be better. The boss will start you off with a two week contract. If you like the work and draw a crowd you'll get a month long one."

"Why do you call him boss? What's his name?"

"He doesn't let me tell it to people who don't work for him. He's weird like that."

Vinyl looked at the wall clock and raised her eyebrows over her glasses.

"Shit I'm late for my set! Here take my number if you want the job call I got to go!"

"Wait what's your name? I at least need to know that!"

"Vinyl Scratch yours?"

"Octavia Melody."

"Cool see ya gotta bounce!"

She ran off to the stage as fast as she could through the crowd. Octavia watched not sure of what to make of things. Lyra and Bon Bon got back from the dance floor and sat with their friend. Lyra was the first to see the phone number in  Octavia's hand. Having seen her sitting with the DJ she jumped to a semi reasonable conclusion.

"Did she ask you out?"

"What no!"

"Your holding a phone number and she was the only person you talked to."

"She offered me a job Lyra don't get exited." Octavia said flatly.

"Are you going to take it?" Asked Bon Bon.

"I don't know...Probably I don't have a tone of options right now and it's better than being a waitress."

"Been there done that and never again." Smirked Lyra.

"Whatever you do Octavia don't cock up the interview do that and you won't get the job."

"I don't know though girls me working in a nightclub?"

"Maybe it would be good for you to get out of your comfort zone." Said Lyra who had stolen Octavia's drink though not to her concern.

"Ya I think you need to loosen up! Trust me being a waitress is a bad idea."

Octavia continued to think it over till they left. They caught a cab and the three crashed at Octavia's flat. She let them have the bed on the condition that they only slept in it. She slept on the couch for the night.

Vinyl had finished her last set for the night at long last she was about to head out the doors when she got a text from Hold 'em.

V got to talk in back.

Fuuuuuck! Said Vinyl under her breath as she changed course. The sun would be up in an hour and Vinyl was ready to sleep. She opened the door to find The Everfree in their 'meeting room' as well as one member of Vinyl's 'cleaning crew'. She walked to her place at the table and placed her hands on it leaning forward. "What's wrong Chimney Sweep?"

The man stepped forward and handed a bullet to her the word Crowns was etched in it. Vinyl set the bullet on the table and lowered her head running a hand through her hair. She drummed her fingers for a moment then looked up.

"When did you get this?"

"Me and the boys were dumping the body of the one you killed when a bunch of the Crowns boys came and attacked. They killed Spade and Hook before they could run. We bolted but they caught me. They told me I could live if I brought that to you and said that they're coming to kill all of you."

"Shade We can't take on the whole Crowns gang without help." Said Coin Flip.

"I know Chance" Replied Vynil

She paced the room for a while as the others watched finally she spoke again.

"How much cash we got in the safes?"

"After sending the 20,000 pounds to the orphanage we have 3,255 pounds. I told you we should have held on to-"

"Chance shut your mouth now or I'll put you on the floor with a bloody nose."

"V we needed what we gave-"

Vynil's fist met chances nose and he hit the floor clutching it with blood coming out.

"When we started this gang we all made a promise! We said we wouldn't let greed take over and we would help those who needed it! That's why we rob rich people and gangs not bystanders! If we start thinking only about ourselves how long before we start dealing Meth or P.C.P.? We can not be as bad as the ones we fight or our whole purpose is gone!"

Chance stood back up when he made eye contact with Vynil she could see that she had made her point to him. She sighed heavily before grabbing some tissues and handing them to Coin Flip.

"I'm sorry I lost my temper Chance I-"

"No I was wrong I'm sorry."

Vynil nodded then took off her shades and placed them on her head. She paused a while longer then spoke.

"Chimney Sweep I need you to take a message to Shamrock. Tell them we need some muscle at our key points. If he asks what he's getting paid tell him he owes me from time he was on the Thaimes in fishing boat. It will shut him up and he'll send some boys over."

Chimney Sweep made his way out the door and hurried off. Hold 'em having watched him go turned to Vynil.

"Your asking the Peaky Blinders for help?"

"It's not a permanent solution but it will have to do till we can get some cash to hire fighters."

"Then what?"

Vinyl frowned and ran her left hand down her face.

"War."