Working Class DJ
5. Take Two
Previous ChapterNext ChapterHeads? No, tails. No, heads! Vinyl focused on the coin as it spun in the air. She could easily use her magic to have it land any way she wanted. It was foal's play for a unicorn. Apparently, Octavia was aware, else she would have mentioned her choice in advance. Ultimately, the coin ended up being heads.
That's good, right? Vinyl looked at the grey mare. No visible reaction. It had to be good! I didn't come all this way for a refusal!
"Tell you what," Octavia began slowly. Stars! She's going to say no! She's using the slow hesitant voice. Whenever mother uses that it always means no. I'm positive she's trying to think up an explanation to cushion the pain. Mother always does that too.
"I'll do anything!" Vinyl interrupted. This was extremely unbecoming, but it had to work — it was the one constant in literature. "Just give me a chance!" Maybe this was a bit overkill, but Vinyl wanted to be certain.
"Hmm." Octavia looked at her with a mixture of pity and doubt. She's going to refuse, I know it Vinyl swallowed. She really is! "Sure 'bout that, love? Some things ya can't learn."
"There's nothing I couldn't learn." Vinyl wasn't backing down, especially since what she said was mostly true. Languages, etiquette, fencing, the dozens of boring subjects her parents had subjected her to, she had learned them all. How hard could this be? "I have assisted in conducting an orchestra at the age of—"
"Bloody marvelous," Octavia cut her off. "There'll be time for playin'. Before that, 'ere's something else ya 'ave to learn."
"What?" Vinyl asked eagerly.
"Listenin', love." Octavia smiled. "Ready for a repeat of last night?"
Oh,that kind of listening. It was definitely going to be unpleasant. Vinyl already felt like biting her lip. When she had said 'anything' she had referred to anything music related, not having to sit through musical torture yet again. She was certain she knew more music theory than the entire club combined, Octavia included.
"Is that truly necessary?" Vinyl asked, trying to hide her disappointment. "I doubt..." A single look from Octavia made the unicorn pause and look down. I better not push my luck, she thought. Less than a minute ago she had assured the earth pony she was willing to do anything. Questioning Octavia now would make her quite the hypocrite.
"What was that yer aunt said?" Octavia asked, the most serious expression on face.
Damn! How did she remember? She's probably already regretting having to teach me. Quickly, I must think of something before she changes her mind, something to impress her.
"After the way I behaved yesterday, I doubt I would be welcome there." Vinyl attempted to change the focus of the conversation. "Especially that pegasus."
"That's why, love," Octavia nodded. "Before gettin' to play you need to lis'n. An' not 'at snobby way ye'r used to. Really lis'n, like part of the crowd. Also you need ta speak right. Bein' a unidoll is fine for tourists, none else."
Did she call me a unidoll? Vinyl felt herself blush. Spicy language was something she was going to have to get used to as well. That might turn out a slight problem. Such behaviour was strictly forbidden at her mansion. The only time Vinyl had heard anything of the sort was at one of her cousin's parties. If rumours were to be believed, he invited flankdancers on a weekly basis. On second thought, going to him for any sort of help was a bad idea.
"One other thin'," Octavia took the bit piece from the table and tossed it back to Vinyl. "Make that two. Ya neva eva use real names. Me, I'm Mel, y'er Princess."
"Perfectly understood." Vinyl nodded. It made sense, although she would have preferred something different than 'Princess' — that felt a bit too close to home. "And the second thing?"
"'member what 'appened last night?" The earth pony looked her straight in the eye. "There’ll be more stallions like that. If anypony comes at ya, I'll kick the josser's bloody teeth out. If ya start trouble, mind, y'er on ya own. Understand the difference, love?"
Vinyl didn't, but nodded all the same. The events of the previous night were not her fault. Granted, she might have been slightly harsh in her comments, but she was only saying the truth. It was the pegasus that had overreacted, and violently at that!
As long as I agree with everything, everything should be fine. Maybe I should tone the sarcasm down a bit. It isn't something those ponies would notice anyway.
"One last thin'.” Octavia had her serious face on.”No tail flicks, no winkin', no arse shaking, and bloody well not no muzzling," she said flatly, making Vinyl's face turn a scarlet shade of pink. "Pre'y thing like you, a real colt magnet, ya is. Some will act sloppy, some will act nice, some will act 'eroic. It's all a bloody act. Seen innocent things like you get it bad. 'member — no prince will come gallopin' in a club."
You don't have to tell me. As if a noble would come to this part of town, let alone in a lowly nightclub.
It took about ten minutes for Octavia to get ready. If it had been up to Vinyl, she would have taken an hour and half at the very least. The earth pony didn't seem to care about appearances — a one-minute shower, a quick mane brush, while still wet, and off they were off. Along the way, Vinyl made a few attempts to get a better understanding of DJing, but no matter what question she asked, the answer was always the same — "just lis'nin' today, love". Whatever learning method Octavia was about to use, it was vastly different from anything Vinyl had experienced before.
The sun was still up when they arrived at the Lunar Twin. A new bouncer was guarding the entrance — a scary looking brown earth pony. Despite herself, Vinyl couldn't stop staring at the many brands the stallion had all over his coat. There had to be dozens of them, each carefully burned into his skin. The practice was barbaric, and yet a small part of Vinyl wondered whether or not to get one done herself. Her parents would go absolutely insane if she did, yet it would look so cool.
"Who's the uniflank?" The bouncer smirked, his voice gravely.
"She's with me, Patches," Octavia said, barely paying any attention. "Be a lad and le' us in, a'righ'?"
“Hmmm,” he replied, carefully eyeing Vinyl.
Honestly! You can let in the scum of Equestria, but I, for some reason, can't pass? Vinyl felt slightly annoyed. She could get in the palace easier than here. And this was just a rundown nightclub!
"You have a name?" the bouncer asked, eyes half closed. Was he drunk?
"Princess," Octavia said quickly, before Vinyl could open her mouth. "And don't get any ideas. She's beyond you, mate."
Patches snorted loudly, then spat on the ground so earnestly that Vinyl shivered in disgust. He did, however, wave his head indicating for them to go on in. Everything is fine, Vinyl said to herself. I'm ready for this. Nothing bad can happen. That turned out to be marginally true. With the corner of her eye, she noticed Patches staring at her behind. You creep, you are twice my age! Her tail froze in place.
"Take no notice, love," Octavia said calmly, noticing Vinyl picking up the pace. "Patches 'as a thing for pretty things like ya. 'e also knows not to mess, or it'll be 'is 'ide."
That didn't sound too reassuring. There's one creep I'll be avoiding in future. Vinyl followed Octavia through the door. At least the pegasus bouncer could think with the upper part of her body, unlike this pervert.
The bar was pretty much empty — only a few ponies preparing for the evening. Vinyl instantly recognized the waitress that had helped her last night, this time she was wearing a black leather saddle with shiny metal pins, as well as elements of black lace. Her mane was also different — a deep luminescent blue, very much like Luna's.
"Hey, Mel," the waitress greeted as she arranged bottles of alcohol on the shelves behind the bar. A long and laborious process that a unicorn could do in less than a minute using magic. "Sorry about not getting the job. I told boss he was crazy."
"Life is crazy, love," Octavia laughed. "Still got me two gigs per month. Good 'nough for me dent. Got me two weeks o' 'ay and tea. Life is grand."
Dent? Do you mean rent? Vinyl blinked. At times it was absolutely impossible to understand want the earth pony was saying. It was a mystery she managed to communicate at all.
"Ya 'member Princess 'ere?" Octavia nudged Vinyl. Not knowing what to do, the unicorn nodded tensely, muttering something of a greeting.
"Difficult not to." The waitress smiled with understanding. "Was the talk of the night. You should have seen Fire when he got drunk. Started crying at the bar. Went on and on about how 'a princess entered the Twin and he cast her out'. Shed a tear for you as well. Only one, though."
"That josser," Octavia snorted. "Still chasin' young tail, eh? Well, if 'e..." her voice trailed off, as she glanced at Vinyl. "Anyway. Princess, this 'ere's Astra — one o' the Twin's four stars."
"A star?" Vinyl took a step back. Is everypony a celebrity here? "My apologies, I didn't realize you were famous," she said tensely. For a moment everypony in the room stopped what they were doing and stared at her. Vinyl swallowed. Less than minute and she already was in trouble.
"Oh, why aren't you a stallion?" The waitress laughed. "You're just too much for this place. Can we keep her, Mel?" The question caused blood to rush to Vinyl's face. "Relax. That's just what they call the staff here, sweetie," she explained, clearly enjoying every moment of the unicorn's embarrassment. "Like in the tale — the four stars that helped—"
"Nightmare Moon escape," Vinyl finished the sentence.
"Oi!" Octavia's voice filled the club. It was a simple word, but enough to get the ponies back to doing their chores. "Astra, be a mate and 'elp dress Princess up ta fi' in. Something simple, mind."
Events had started speed up out of control again. It was as if a switch inside Vinyl flipped, tearing her out of reality. Her mind had given up trying to cope with all the new information being bombarded at her. Four stars, help dress up, something simple? She barely registered Astra taking her by the hoof and leading her into the small dressing room. Just like last night, Vinyl screamed voicelessly. She really didn't like the experience. It was only a few minutes later, after her mind had gotten used to the new environment, that Vinyl's grip over reality slowly returned.
Stars, almighty! She wanted to kick herself in the face. This was the second time in two days! What was wrong with her?!
“Don't worry about it too much,” Astra said out of nowhere.
“I beg your pardon?” Vinyl resisted the urge to shake her head. Did I miss something she said?
“You're zoning out.” The waitress smiled, going through the 'wardrobe' — a small rack of mismatched pieces of clothing that would serve better as Nightmare Night costumes. “It's normal. When I first came to Canterlot, I used to be like that a lot.” She took a midnight-blue vest and looked at it critically.
“Aren't you from Canterlot?” Vinyl tried her best to appear surprised. Of course, the waitress couldn't be from Canterlot — this was a unicorn city, as some of Vinyl's high-society acquaintances kept reminding her. Even the 'local' earth ponies and pegasi were descendants of transplants arrived several generations back.
“You're sweet.” Astra put the best aside and started searching through the rack again. “Born and bred in Dodge. Decided I needed a change, so I packed my things and left. I knew I had a great uncle somewhere here, so I decided to drop by.”
“That was quite brave of you.” Were you out of your mind? Just leaving your family like that to move to a foreign city?! Who knows what could have happened? It was one thing, spending the night out to spite your parents. Leaving one's entire life behind on a whim was… Vinyl couldn't even find words to describe it.
“You don't mean that, do you?” The earth pony turned around and looked her right in the eye. Guilt made Vinyl turn away. “It's alright. You're not the first unicorn to think that. At least you're nicer than most.” Something in her voice indicated that she wasn't being completely honest either. “Here, try these on.” She gave Vinyl the vest and a set of overhooves of the same colour.
Cotton fabric — the cheap kind that could be found in every common cornershop. Normally, Vinyl wouldn't even consider wearing something of the sort. Now, however, she had little choice in the matter. The price of learning. She reminded herself as she slowly started putting them on.
Itchy! Rough and itchy! It was as if she had put on a colony of ants. By the stars, I hope there are no fleas in these! She shivered at the thought. That would be embarrassing, not to mention it would merit a visit from the family physician.
“Everything alright?” Astra asked.
“They are just a bit tight,” Vinyl lied. “I need a few moments to get used, that's all.” She levitated the vest on. It was far less comfortable than the usual ones she usually wore, although magnitudes less itchy than the overhooves. Thank the stars for small blessings.
“The outfit suits you.” Astra smiled, a hint of envy in her voice. “Our very own albino Princess of the Night.” She tilted her head slightly. “You'll drive the stallions crazy.”
“I'm really only here for the music,” Vinyl protested. She was about to add that she would never frequent such a place otherwise, but stopped short of voicing that. Things were complicated as they were, without her insulting everypony she came across.
"Princess, you are a unicorn. Nopony will care what you are here for. Do you know when was the last time a unicorn set hoof here?" Astra waited expectantly.
Is this a test of some sort? Vinyl scratched her foreleg with her hoof. Surely there had to be other unicorn patrons, even if this was an earth pony neighbourhood. This was Canterlot, for star's sake! The aristocracy was snobby, without a doubt, but the middle and working classes had to be more understanding. Surely.
"A month ago?" Vinyl ventured a guess. No reaction. "Three months? Six months?"
Astra snorted, amused.
"One year?" Vinyl asked in shock.
"Over two years," the waitress corrected. "That's when Aurora quit. She was a waitress like myself. Only worked half-time, but did she bring in a crowd. During her shift the place was so packed that the music had to push and shove to get from one end of the room to the other. " Vinyl just stared at her. "Like it or not, those are the facts, princess. Stallions will see you as a fancy piece of tail, mares — as a pony out to steal their coltfriends, and nothing you say will convince anypony otherwise."
I just want to learn to make music, Vinyl thought. Why couldn't anypony understand that? This whole thing was starting to seem too bothersome to be worth the effort.
"I will be fine." The unicorn gritted her teeth. She looked at the other mate for support, but only saw doubt in her eyes. She thinks I'm just another rich filly here for the laughs. Well, I will prove her wrong! "Anything you would advise?"
"Where do I start?" Astra sighed. Surprising. Vinyl was sure the mare would say 'leave'. "Try to appear as if you're having a good time, not like you've been banished here."
"But I—" Vinyl began, only to have a hoof cover her mouth. The experience made her freeze. Had Astra actually touched her muzzle? With a hoof?!
"Sweetie, your expression is a cross between 'what have I done to deserve this' and 'is that crap on my hoof'," the waitress explained. "As long as you keep thinking that, you'll keep zoning out and getting in trouble." She removed her hoof from the unicorn's mouth. "Now go, have a blast!"
Have a blast, she says... Vinyl trotted into the main room of the club. Her every instinct urged her to take off the dreadful itchy outfit, then have an hour-long bath, and lots of mouthwash. Her determination prevented her from doing so. If she could endure a three-hour lesson with Perfect Tact, she could get through this.
"'ey, love," Octavia shouted from the bar. The entire place seemed pretty much set up, and the grey mare was taking advantage by enjoying a drink before the crowds poured in. "Ain't ya a bloomin' sight?"
The remark made Vinyl forget her discomfort. Maybe this wasn't going to be so bad, after all? Reaching Octavia, the unicorn took a seat next to her, then levitated a few bits on the counter. To her great surprise, the order came before she could even voice it — the same she had been served last night. Apparently Astra hadn't exaggerated — if the barpony could remember what her drink was, maybe she really had been the talk of the night?
"A few pointers." Octavia took a large gulp of her own drink. It had the unmistakable smell of alcohol. "T’night will be Dark Wave — dark, depressive, more melodic, an' with lyrics. Ice will be 'osting, so would be jolly."
Dark Wave? The term didn't mean a thing. I must appear as stupid as Octavia when we discussed classical music. First thing I'll do when I get home will be to have Glitter bring me everything on contemporary music genres. At present, her decade-long classical training meant absolutely nothing — in Octavia's world Vinyl was less than a foal, and she was going to have to catch up pretty quick.
"Don't bother with mistakes," Octavia went on. "Try to ge' the feel o' things. Lis'n only." She tapped her ear with a hoof.
Half a drink later the crowd started gathering. To Vinyl's surprise, they were quite different than last night. Nearly all were wearing dark clothes, their manes were deliberately messy and dyed black, and... was that mascara they were wearing? She turned towards Octavia in the hopes of learning more. Barely had she opened her mouth, however, than the grey mare shook her head in an adamant ‘no’.
Listening only, Vinyl reminded herself. The music was what she was here for, nothing else. The customers were distractions. Unfortunately for her, they were far too interesting to ignore. Their appearance was somewhat similar to the Melancholics of the Romantic Literary period, down to expressions and mannerisms. They also seemed younger than the ponies before, possibly Vinyl's age. Not that it mattered. Why would it, after all? And yet, she could help but stare, while trying not to.
"Nice horn." A lilac pegasus sat next to Vinyl. She was wearing a spidery outfit of black silk that covered her from head to hoof. She also had an alarmingly large number of silver accessories. "Is it real?"
The question almost made Vinyl choke on her drink.
"Err, yes, it is quite real." What kind of question is that?! Who in their right mind would even consider a fake horn?
The pegasus didn't seem fully convinced, simply ordering a drink and calling for somepony to join her at the bar. Not long after, another pony joined them, and another. Before Vinyl knew it, the entire space round the bar was so packed, that it was next to impossible to move. The constant shove of bodies, made her mane stand on end. Obviously, the concept of personal space was lacking in club culture.
"Here, Princess." Vinyl was relieved to hear the familiar voice of Astra. "Some cashews on the house," she placed a small bowl of nuts in front of her. The waitress did not say it out loud, but her look screamed 'have a good time, remember?'
Good time, Vinyl thought, levitating a few cashews to her mouth. She was quite tense, and only got more so as the night progressed. Maybe it's all in my mind? If I do something worthy of attention, maybe I would start being treated as one of them and my anxiety would subside?
"Welcome, Children of the Night," a voice suddenly filled the nightclub. "As the faces of the Moon change, so do we. The time of Fire is over. Now, Ice controls the music."
This one certainly sounded bounds better than the pegasus last night. Standing up, Vinyl tried to get a better look at him. Much to her disappointment, there were far too many ponies between her and the dance floor area. The only thing she could see, at this point, was that the host was blue and had wings.
"The Night of Dark Wave is upon us. Five brave bards have come to try and stir our very souls with their music. Will they be able to touch the sorrowful heart of the moon? Or will they be cast out never to return? You have come here to find out."
The presentation was pretty much the same as last night’s, only focusing on a different theme. Again, extremely cliche and overdramatic, but the audience did seem to enjoy it. Interesting, though Vinyl would still have preferred a few basic lessons on DJing, rather than being here. At least there were only five 'bards'. If each of them was given ten minutes to perform, the torment should be over in about an hour or so.
"But this is not all!" The pegasus' voice boomed. "Tonight is the most special of nights, for the one who will judge whether the music is worthy of the moon or not, is our very own Princess of the Night!"
A beam of light covered Vinyl. For a moment everything froze. All ponies had gone silent, staring at her in awe. No! This isn't happening! Vinyl fought to remain on her hooves. The shock had set her heart racing faster than a bag of sugar ever could.
"Will everypony please move so that our princess-unicorn could take her rightful place in front of the stage?" The blue pegasus rose towards the sealing.
Utterly horrified, Vinyl turned around, seeking Octavia for support. Please save me from this, she begged in desperation, fighting back tears.
"Enjoy the spotlight, love," Octavia gave her a strong shove forward. "And don't forget to smile."
Author's Note
Next chapter: What Goes Up
Next Chapter