The Secret Diary of Vinyl Scratch

Chapters

Part 1: The New School
Part 2: Work Experience
Part 3: Music and Misfortune
Part 4: A New Life In A New Town
Part 5: Shaky Start
Part 6: Vinyl's Big Moment
Part 7: Reflections

Part 1: The New School

Entry 1

May 3rd, 1999

Okay, first ever entry in the journal of ~~Linsey Woolsey~~ Vinyl Scratch. So it's like this: I'm a unicorn what lives in some fancy penthouse in Canterlot with these two stuffy old snobs who call themselves my parents. They're both unicorns, same as me. My Dad, Baldachin, is like really big and muscly with nearly the same fur colour as me, but his mane and tail are a sort of greeny blue, and his Cutie Mark's a sort of loom thingy. He's like “I'm way better than you, and don't I know it” just because he owns this really big fabric making business and is bringing in so much money.

Then there's my Mom, Scarlett Corduroy. She's all red with a sort of reddish orange mane and tail that make her look like fire, and she's got a roll of thread for a Cutie Mark. She's no better than Dad, because she always makes out like he's right and everypony else is wrong, especially me. They don't really let me like have a life, because they want me to take over their business when I'm old enough. That's like the worst thing I can think of, being forced to make cloth all my life!

Well, actually, I haven't worked out what I want to do with my life yet, but I want it to be fun and cool and...stuff. I keep telling my parents that, but they don't listen to me. My Dad just shouts at me and speaks a whole lot of stuff about responsibility and duty and such. But what do I care about all that crud?! I'm not sitting in some lousy chair and watching over all those dumb old cloth machines just because my parents want me to! Their stupid fabric business can go stuff itself for all I care!

So anyways, about this diary. See, one of the guys at this factory my Dad owns near where I live saw that I was getting all wound up and such, and he suggested that I keep a journal so I can share my thoughts with somepony or something that isn't my parents. He's a really nice guy, something like 50 or 60 or whatever, name of Needlecord. Doesn't exactly stand up to Mom or Dad, but he sort of looks out for me. So I goes out into town and I gets myself this lock-up diary thing. That was like 2 weeks ago or something, but I wasn't too sure about it until now. ~~So yeah, this is like my first ever~~

So, hobbies and interests – well, Mom and Dad don't exactly let me have hobbies, but I really like music. Mostly stuff like rock, metal and all that jazz, but I'm good with a bit of classical, I guess. That's the only kind of music Mom and Dad ever seem to allow in the house anyway, so I can never get enough pop music. Hey, maybe that'll be what I do when I'm grown up! Maybe I'll become a singer or a drummer or something! Might even be a super famous rock star one day!

But yeah, I really want my Cutie Mark to be something to do with music! That'd be well cool if that was my calling in life. Okay, so they might go ballistic if they ever find out, but so what? It's what I want to do with my life, so screw them!

Entry 2

May 21st

Well, that's just great! I'm doing like so well at school, and then out of nowhere, my folks decide it's not good enough for me – and now they're trying to find some really posh school over in the West End where they tell me I'll do better! I mean, what in the hay is their problem?! I was doing just fine where I was!

Still, what do they care about what I want? All they ever care about is what suits them, and if somepony don't like it, then that's tough. Even their own sprout matters little to them – heck, I wouldn't be surprised if they think of me as less of a daughter and more of a nuisance. If I've done something wrong, I've done it like really wrong, and if I've done something right, it's never good enough for those two snobs.

But anyway, the school they're thinking of sending me to, I think it's called Canterbury Preparatory School or something fancy. I've already seen that place before now, and it's way too fancy for my tastes – might as well have been St Clover's Fillies' School for crying out loud! And get this; when Mom and Dad spoke about it earlier, they were saying it was...good enough, but they would have preferred to send me to St Clover's instead. I mean, really, Canterbury's bad enough, but St Clover's is like twenty million times worse! I'd probably die of shame the moment I walked in through the door!

Still, I don't see myself doing much better at this Canterbury place. The induction day is next Monday, and I'm really not looking forward to going there.

Entry 3

May 25th

So much for not looking forward to this prep school thing. Maybe it's not too posh for me after all – okay, so perhaps I may have been in a bit of a sulk when I was there, what with Mom and Dad hovering over me and such, and the way other kids was looking at me, they probably thought me a bit of a wimp, but I think I might grow to like this place.

Okay, so about this induction day thing – they're basically just sending us from one part of the school to the other so as we can see the sort of thing what goes on in this place. Mom and Dad insisted I go and do the textiles stuff first, and I'm not gonna lie, I found it like real boring, man! It's just this camp Earth stallion going on about stitching and ~~applying~~ appliqué motif and different types of fabric and methods of manufacture and all that trash. If this is what learning about making cloth is like, I'd rather be strapped to a griffin and flown into a volcano!

I found the literature studies thing a bit more interesting, I gotta admit. We looked through bits of a poetry book by Quilland Ink – “excerpts”, I think you call them – and yeah, some of them were like so awesome to read. Maybe if I could learn to write a bit of music to go with them, that'd be real radical!

And so it went on for like the whole day – maths, science, history, trig, business studies and such – until I got to like the real highlight of my day. Our last session was music, and we actually had a chance to listen to this number by a group of third-year students, see the sort of thing they get up to. There was about seventeen of them in all, but the one that caught my eye was this grey mare with a darker grey mane and tail and ~~some sort of pink musical note~~ a treble clef for a Cutie Mark. From the way they were playing, hers was like the lead instrument in the group – some big violin thing that she calls a cello or whatever – and let me tell you, the tune she played on that thing was...I know I'm not as much into classical as rock and metal and such, but it was unlike anything I'd ever heard before. She just looked and sounded so much in the zone it was untrue, and I think I must have had tears something in my eye just from listening to her. Thank Celestia I wasn't the only one – that would have been like well awkward!

The mare herself looked a little sort of “I'm a posh girl, and don't I know it,” but there was something about her that made her way less of a snob than Mom and Dad. I dunno what it was – maybe it was that cello music, or maybe something to do with that peaceful look on her face when she plays. Whatever it was, it made me want to get to know her better, and I never thought I'd say this, but I was like real sad when the induction day was over. But one thing's for sure – as long as I get the chance to see her again, I definitely want to go back to that place.

Entry 4

May 30th

I so can't believe this! Mom and Dad have actually signed me up for Canterbury Prep! I never thought I'd ever write this, but I'm actually like real glad they chose to send me there. Now I'll get a chance to meet that grey mare with the cello, whatever her name is. Maybe I should have asked her before I left.

Dad took me round the factory again today, and I had to listen to like two million years' worth of fabric talk trash – again! Seriously, what is it with that high and mighty stick-in-the-mud?! Can't he just forget about his stupid fabric business lectures and let me have a life for once?! I swear, one of these days, I'm gonna do something that'll really honk him off, and he'll only have himself to blame, darn him!

Still, I don't know why he's wasting all his talk on me – the way Stockinette's been going, I probably won't even have a chance of taking over his factories. Don't know Stockinette? She's this really dark blue unicorn, almost black in colour with a black and white mane and tail, and her Cutie Mark looks like a needle poking through a piece of fabric. She's like one of the hardest worker in Dad's factory, but she's real bossy and picky and such, sort of “This will be fine quality, and I don't care what it takes” – and I won't lie, there's something about that mare kind of creeps me out!

You'd think she wouldn't win herself very many friends with an attitude like that; but there are some who suck up to her, like that Tiffany, for example. She's in charge of...quality control or whatever Dad calls it. Again, she's really good, but heck, she's such a snob in her own right! “Oh, Stockinette is always right, and don't we know it? And what about that ~~Linsey~~ filly? I don't know why she's even here – she plainly doesn't belong in a place like this.” Darn right, Tiff, but you don't need to be such a flaming gossip queen about it!

I kinda like that new apprentice Needlecord has taken. Her name's Tracey Stitchit, and yeah, she may be all shy and stuff, but she's like really good with all the sewing stuff that needs doing round here. That's pretty much Needlecord's line of work, hence why he took her on in the first place, and he tells me there's a heck of a lot of potential in that mare. Be good if she could trim that mane of hers back, though. Dad and Stockinette say the machines in this place can be like really dangerous if you get your mane caught in them.

So yeah, pretty boring day, but the whole thing with me being sent to the same school as that grey mare was pretty much the highlight.

(P.S.: must remember to write in this journal more often.)

Entry 10

September 3rd, lunchtime

Okay, maybe this new school was a mistake all along. It's only my first day, and I still haven't seen the mare what was playing the cello a few months back. Maybe I got the wrong school or whatever.

Not only that, but all those other kids are like way too classy for my liking. I mean, yeah, I may look kinda posh myself, but they're like way fancier than I can ever be, and don't they know it! The looks they keep giving me as I sit down in class, walk down the corridor, hang out in the yard, whatever – bad vibes, man, bad vibes! Lessons have been okay, I guess, but I'd be like way better if I'd been doing the music stuff at some point. I mean, yeah, it's like mandatory and Mom and Dad can't get me out of it even if they try, but I'm not gonna be doing any of that until Tuesday.

Still, what does it matter? Whoever that mare was, she's probably moved to a different school or whatever. Maybe this place wasn't right for her neither. But what the hay – I'm still not gonna enjoy it here as much as I thought I might. Stupid parents! Why can't they just let me do it my way?!

Wait a minute! I think I just saw her sitting over by the window. She's like all alone with a tray of food in front of her, but she don't seem all that bothered. Maybe she's just waiting for somepony. Anyway, there's my chance – I'm gonna go talk to her.

Entry 10 and a bit

Late evening

Well, what do you know?! Only my first day, and I've made a friend! So it's like this; I go over to her table, ask how she's doing, and she says something like “I'm very well, thank you.” She actually spoke to me, and she like didn't even know me! YES!

Anyway, I started making small talk with her, she told me a little bit about herself and I did the same. Turns out her name's Octavia, and she lives like a couple of blocks away from me and my folks. She's really into music too, but more classical than pop – not that she doesn't like it, she just really loves the cello, and you don't get any of that in pop music. Or do you? I'm gonna have to look into it. Anyway, her parents seem a lot nicer than mine, and don't care that she's not doing the same as they've been doing. I think one of them is a painter and the other one owns some sort of hotel chain, but they're okay with her going for a life of music. She says she's hoping to get a part in the Royal Canterlot Symphony one day, and guess what – her parents are hoping for the same thing too! So yeah, take that, Mom and Dad!

So yeah, good day at school after all. Can't wait to go back and see this Octavia pony again tomorrow, and I don't care if I don't get music lessons until next week.

Entry 16

September 9th

Aw, yeah! First music lesson at my new school, and I'm looking good already! Wasn't half as good without Octavia there, but I got this real cool music teacher who says I'm a natural at making music. As if there was any doubt!

So anyways, first thing we did was listen to this really boring bit of music, and then Miss Falsetto – that's our teacher – asks us to try and spice it up, like. She then gives us these keyboard thingamajigs and lets us change the tune a bit so as we can make it sound a bit more groovy. I gave it a sort of a swing feel that I think you hear in like discos and such, made it sound like somepony was playing an electric guitar, even added a wicked cool drum beat, and guess what – Miss Falsetto gives me an A+ for it!

I gotta admit, I had her pegged as some stuffy posh mare who only likes classical, so I didn't know if she'd like what I'd come up with. So yeah, when she came up to me and went “Well done, ~~Linsey~~,” I was like “What?!” Most of the others didn't think much of my jazz, but screw them! If Miss Falsetto likes it, then that's good enough for me.

I got to talk with Octavia again at recess, and I've learned a bit more about her too. She's like half a year older than me, and it seems her grandma was a musician too – played the piano in some huge orchestra, so she tells me. Must run in the family, all this musical stuff! Not only that, but one of her cousins what lives out east is aiming to become a party planner. Didn't quite catch the name of that filly, but I think it was something pink or whatever. What really weirds me out is that she lives on some rock farm or whatever Octavia calls it – and I'm not talking about rock music either! But yeah, farming for rocks? I don't know that much about rocks, but I'm pretty sure you don't farm them.

Dad was in a right mood when he got back from the factory today. I think it must have been something to do with Drap de Berry, because all he ever spoke about was how she couldn't seem to mend a loom properly; but the way he was talking, he probably brought it on himself, so...HA! Serves you right!

Entry 51

October 14th

Okay, not that much to talk about here, but I might as well. So first off, school – pretty boring, mostly, apart from today's music stuff. Miss Falsetto was talking about giving me an extra credit assignment, seeing as I was doing so well, and after class was over, she kept me behind to kind of talk it out with me. I did tell her it wouldn't be easy, because my folks won't let me anywhere near an instrument – that banjo I got for myself didn't last five minutes before Mom took it away and sold it off, and she wouldn't even repay me for it, damn her! So yeah, that was that plan out of the window, but Miss Falsetto still promised to try and find a way round it.

Things got a bit better at lunchtime. When me and Tavi met up at recess (yeah, I've thought up a nickname for her – go figure!), she told me that the school band was having a rehearsal thing around that time, and would I like to come and watch them play? You bet your hooves I would, Tavi!

Anyways, I got myself some food and went down to the hall to find them setting up their instruments. Tavi and her cello, I easily recognised, but there was also this brown colt sitting at some massive piano thing, and also a bluish mare with something what looked like somepony had tied her up with a really long trumpet. Heck, there was loads of weird instruments among that lot, but what did I care? It was Tavi I'd come to see, and to Tartarus with the rest of them.

So, the tune what they were practising. They said it was something classical, can't remember what it was called, but it sounded really cool and lively – not exactly death metal, but it still made me feel like there was a bit of a party going on inside me. And who says all classical music is rubbish?! ~~Totally not me!~~

So yeah – classical it may have been, but it was still like the highlight of my day. And just as well, too, because it seems I'm gonna be spending the whole half-term in Dad's factory – yeah, not looking forward to that.

Part 2: Work Experience

Entry 53

October 16th

Just as I feared! Not only am I back in the factory again, but I'm actually being forced to work on some of the cloth machines, and as if that's not enough, I've got that crazy old slave driver Stockinette hovering over me half the time and forcing me to work harder than normal! I mean, seriously, what is her problem?! Does she have something against me or what?!

As if that's not enough, I've got some high-maintenance diva named Rarity working on the next machine along from me. Don't know who this Rarity is? Well, she's setting up a fashion shop place in her home town of Ponyville, and has come up here to Canterlot for a bit of hooves-on experience, so she says. I dunno what to make of that pony, but I'm not really sure I'm gonna like her – the way she talks and acts just feels like, “I'm so posh and prim and pretty, and I look down on anypony who isn't”. She seems to be getting on like really well with Tiff, but then I'm not surprised. If it weren't for one being pinkish and the other being white, you'd think they were the same darn pony!

But yeah, if I didn't have Needlecord around, I would have totally gone crazy after what that Stockinette's been putting me through! Seriously, why can't those two stick-in-the-mud parents of mine just back off and let me do my own thing for once?! I don't even care about these frigging fabrics they want me to make! I just wanna go out there and have a bucking life!!!

(P.S.: I totally did not just say all that out loud. Nopony heard me say that, right? Right?)

Entry 54

October 17th

Okay, for some reason, I can't help thinking I'm outta my mind or something. Today started out pretty much the same as yesterday, with Dad dragging me out to the factory, and then Stockinette gives me a ton of work that I don't wanna do, and on top of all that, I have that diva unicorn Rarity working next to me – again! So there I am, trying to get all this stupid fabric stuff outta the way so I can go hang out with Octavia again (if she's up for it), and she starts trying to chat me up ~~about my outburst from yesterday~~. And I'm sort'a like “What the hay is your problem?! It's not like we're even friends or nothing!”, but then she starts asking about “Do you not like working here?” and this, that and the other. Dunno how she worked that one out, and I didn't really care back then, but I swear Tiff must have been snitching on me after I left. That girl can never keep her mouth shut for more than five seconds!

Heck, if I'd had my way, I'd have just left the machine and gone to cool my head off someplace – or at least I would have if I didn't have that loony Stockinette watching over me! As it is, I'm caught up talking with this pony who I don't even know, and somehow or other, she's getting me to come clean about why I'm being so edgy and bitter and stuff. Not really sure I'm cool with her knowing all about me and my idiot parents, but for some weird reason, I actually feel better for having talked to somepony about it. Just wish it could have been Needlecord instead of some...

Okay, this is where things start to get a bit weird. See, after I told Rarity about my parents and how they don't actually bother to let me be an ordinary pony, she started acting like the big sister I wish I could have had and saying all sorts of things about “I really do feel for you,” and “No little filly or colt should have that sort of thing forced on them.” And this was the filly I had pegged earlier as being an absolute snob! How is this real?! How come she's being all kind and understanding towards me? I mean, that's not to say Tavi doesn't show sympathy towards me when I'm upset – heck, why else would I have gone to her when that colt threw me in that mud patch for being a blank-flank? And what about that time my Dad burned up that sheet music of mine right before my eyes?

But whatever, I'm going off topic here. Point I'm trying to make is that this Rarity pony is being like real sympathetic, like, when she should be treating me like I don't mean nothing. Why is she doing that? And did she seriously just offer to talk it all out with my parents sometime and see if she could knock a bit of sense into them? Somehow, I'm pretty sure she did, but I don't see anypony getting those two morons to change their minds. Still, thanks for offering.

So yeah, all told, pretty tiring day, and pretty weird too; but at least I have somepony who's willing to try and stand up for me for once.

Entry 55

October 18th

Same old factory stuff again, big surprise. I mean, yeah, it's good that I've got somepony to talk to, but why does it have to be me working those darn cloth machine thingies?! I got way better things to do with my life than make stupid fabrics that nopony's gonna use! Seriously, most ponies don't even bother with clothes, so what's the flipping point?! But that's not the worst bit – for some reason or other, that Stockinette seems to think I'm not working hard enough, and now she's giving me three times as much fabric work as yesterday!
Just my luck! Me and Tavi gets to fix up a date when we can meet up and hang out together, and that slave driver has to go and ruin everything! I swear, if I have my way, I'll give her something to ruin!

But yeah, before I go off on one, there's one thing I wanna get out of the way – Rarity is a lifesaver! Why? Because while I was working on the machine, she...I think she must have snuck some of her own stuff across to what I'd already made. And get this, when Stockinette came to check on us both, she told her that it was all my doing! I dunno what's wackier, that she actually cared enough to do this for me, or that Stockinette was stupid enough to fall for it! As soon as that loony was gone, Rarity then explained she didn't want me to miss my hangout session with Tavi, so if she could add to my own lot of fabric, then I could bunk off early and still get my work done. Seems I totally misjudged that mare.

So yeah, finished up on time, and Stockinette didn't even stop to ask if I was the one who made all that fabric on my pile. Thanks a lot, Rare, I owe you one! Still, I'll be glad when I get to the park and find Tavi waiting for me. I just wish I could explain why my head is aching so much.

Entry 55 and a bit

I am such an idiot! Got to the park at about half seven, started to look for Octavia, and then I remembered that I hadn't even eaten! I really should have packed an extra meal or something, ~~maybe bought something to~~...nah, I don't have any money anyways. Honestly, though, you'd think a couple of filthy rich idiots would have more than enough to give their filly a little bit of pocket money!

So yeah, I'm well starved by the time I find Tavi. She's sitting pretty close to some fountain in the middle of the park with a saddlebag perched on her back, and she's looking kinda worried. So I sits myself down next to her and tell her all about what a rubbish day I've been having, and how Rarity helped me out of a tricky spot. Seems she's already met that unicorn, because as soon as I'm done talking, she says something about “she may come across as full of herself, but underneath that high-maintenance exterior lies a mare with a heart of gold and a soul of diamonds.” Not unlike you, Tavi. I sure am lucky to have you in my life right now.

Why, I hear you ask? Even if you're just a diary and ~~can never even think, let alone ask~~? Because when I told her about the whole missing dinner thing, she actually...turns out there was an uneaten sandwich in her bag that she was saving for later, but she said I needed it way more than she did. She actually offered me something to eat, and didn't even ask for payment or nothing! I think I might have looked like a right crybaby there and then, because I just...nopony's ever shown me such kindness. And more than that, she insisted that I take it even when I insisted otherwise, said the last thing she would have wanted was for me to go hungry.

She really taught me what friendship could mean that day. And it was delicious.

Entry 59

October 24th

I don't frigging believe this! Just when I thought things were on the up, now I find that I've gone and ruined my magic! I got up at the usual time, headed over to the factory with that idiot Dad of mine, got to work at the cloth machine, and...I'm not even gonna bother repeating myself with that Stockinette! She's not even worth it, that darn mule!

Not that my Dad was any better, though! I'd been complaining of headaches for three days straight, and he accused me of trying to weasel my way outta work! So he drags me outta the house, sits me down in front of the cloth machine, and then he gets Stockinette to hover over me and breathe down my neck while I work! Even Rarity didn't get a chance to sneak anything across to my products!

I'd hardly gone on for ten minutes when I felt this real horrible pain in my head, like it's about to split wide open. I had to stop at that point, even if it meant getting yelled at by the bitch who brought the whole thing on in the first place. Heck, she'd still be yelling at me if Rarity hadn't picked me up and raced me to the nearest hospital. Can't remember too much of what happened because my head was hurting like Tartarus, but I think she was saying something about a magic migraine or whatever the hay you call it. Then one of the doctors cast some sort of pain charm on me, and I think I must have passed out.

When I woke up, the nurse told me that I was suffering from horn trauma as a result of magical overload – which basically means I've been using way too much magic for way too long, and my magic receptors have burnt out. Fantastic! First I'm brought up by a couple of unfeeling mules, then I get bullied by some stuck-up who likes to bully her co-workers, and now I can't even use my magic because my horn needs time to recover! How could this day get any worse?!

So yeah, I'm on bed rest in the hospital until my headache blows over. Probably a good thing in some ways, because at least I don't have to listen to Mom and Dad rattling on about why I should follow in their hoofsteps and not lead my own life, and neither do I have to put up with all this fabric talk of theirs. It sickens me, it really does! Still, it did get a bit boring in here after a while, so I sure was glad when Tavi and Rarity came to visit. Rarity said she'd spoken with my parents and tried to make them see sense, but for whatever reason, they weren't having none of it. That was one hay of a disappointment – but what really got me was that she seemed well determined that she'd bring them round in the end. She told me she'd try again at some point in the future, maybe offer them a few business deals as a bribe.

But it was Tavi's gift that really made my day. She gave me a CD Trotmare and a selection of music CDs that I could listen to while I was on the move, so I wouldn't have to wait until I was back home before playing them on the stereo system in my room. I couldn't thank her enough! Boy, am I gonna have fun listening to all those albums.

It's kinda gotten me thinking – she's into classical, I'm into pop, her parents let her follow a musical career, mine don't...we're worlds apart, and yet she and I get on like a barn on fire. Whenever I'm upset with how my folks are treating me, she tries to make me feel better about myself. Whenever I'm in a jam (no, not the music kind of jam!), she goes out of her way to help me out of it again, same as Rarity did a few days ago. It's kinda like we're meant to be like best friends forever. I don't think I could ever wish for a better friend than Tavi.

Entry 66

October 31st

Just got out of the hospital this morning. The doctor says I should avoid using magic until my horn's fixed itself, so I'm having to do everything by hoof and mouth, pretty much. I kinda wish I'd stayed in hospital, though, because Mom and Dad were saying all sorts of stupid stuff like how feeble I am, and how am I supposed to run a fabric business if I get magical overload so easily. Honestly, if those two don't stop with their fabric trash, I'm gonna punch something! Besides, it wasn't my frigging fault that that Stockinette broke me!

Rarity's already headed home by now, so I don't think I'm gonna get any more help from her with those two mules. Shame, really, I was beginning to like her. Weird thing is, not long after I'd eaten, Tavi came knocking at my door and said there was some fancy gig thingy that she was playing at, and did I wanna come? She didn't say what it was, and I gotta say I'm confused that she'd wanna invite somepony like me to one of her fancy parties. Still, it'd be good to get away from my idiot parents again.

Entry 66 and a bit

Wait a minute! Now I know why she's asked me out to this gig of hers – it's Nightmare Night!

This is well cool, man! My parents never even let me go trick or treating on Nightmare Night because they thought it was too childish or something or nothing, which is like really lame because it is way more fun than all these pointless social gatherings or whatever they call them that they go to! So yeah, I never really got to enjoy Nightmare Night until Tavi came along. She's taking me to a party out in the park with some of her friends, and she's even bought me a costume she thinks I'm gonna like. And boy, was she right! It's a sort of a vampire outfit with fake fangs and a cape thing, and it sort'a makes me look like Count Jockula when I'm wearing it. But get this – she's wearing a wicked cool costume herself! Tavi! A real class pony! In costume! On Nightmare Night! And it's a zombie pony too! This is totally bad-ass! And Mom and Dad say that posh ponies don't wear Nightmare Night costumes! Yeah, wrong!

So when we actually got there, right, we met up with Tavi's friends next to the statue of Celestia and began playing on all these wicked cool games that they've got going at this party – Hoopla, Spider Toss, Apple Bob, Lucky Dip, all that sort of jazz. I think the Spider Toss had to be my favourite outta the lot, but I'm not so sure about bobbing for apples. I couldn't even seem to grab a fly, let alone an apple – ~~heck, I'd be surprised if anypony co~~ Okay, scratch that, Symphony managed to grab one while I was getting a cola. Dunno how, but whatever.

In fact, I'm gonna say this now, I'm already really glad I came out with Tavi and her friends to this party. Okay, so maybe Harpo doesn't seem to dig me, and Beauty Brass is a bit...posh, but it's way better than all the Nightmare Nights I've ever had. Good thing my parents are never gonna read this, or I'm never gonna hear the end of it.

Part 3: Music and Misfortune

Entry 79

November 12th

Okay, not much to say about school today except that that was one brill piece of music what Tavi and her group were rehearsing. Again, not exactly death metal, but I actually found it kinda soothing and calming, that tune they were playing. Can't remember what it was, I think one or two of them might have said something about playing for Elise or something or nothing. ~~What the hay does that even mean? Do they do like private concerts or what? And who is this Elise anyways?~~

Right, so they've just finished up, and me and Tavi have gone to hang out. Turns out that “for Elise” or however you spell it is the name of the song they were playing, not who they were playing it for. Oh, ~~Linsey~~ Vinyl, you are such a derp! Anyway, while we were sat talking, she told me about this after-school music club thingy that Miss Falsetto was setting up, and would I be interested in joining? Heck, yeah! Eat your hearts out, Mom and Dad, because I'm going proper musical now, and there's nothing you can do to stop me!

I went and spoke with Miss Falsetto later today, and she said yeah I could join. She also said something about setting up DJ mixing tables for some of us, so the whole thing's right up my street. But this is where it gets real cool – she said that if my parents asked why I was so late getting back, not that they could care less about what time I get home, then she'd lie to them about me going to homework club after school had finished, and then they won't even know I've been doing music stuff behind their backs. Best. Teacher. Ever!

Entry 85

November 16th

Now this is way more like it! I went to the after-school club that Miss Falsetto was holding, and straight away I got to play on the mixing desk. I found this really neat cello piece that Tavi likes, and I'm working on this groovy new remix that makes it kinda like a slowish calm disco piece – sort of where you're slow-dancing or just taking a break. Tavi seems to like what I'm doing with it, which is weird because it's more sort of cello dubstep than actual classical. Mind you, there was a lot of disco music being played at the Nightmare Night thing, and she didn't complain about any of that. Maybe she's the kind of pony what secretly likes rock and techno and dubstep and all that jazz?

But yeah, at least I'm doing something right if she likes it. Again, didn't think she'd dig my disco remix, but I'm well glad she did. I dunno what it is with me, but for some reason I just feel like I wanna do everything I can to impress that filly, even if it means playing the cello myself one day. Even when I'm focussed on this piece what I'm doing right now, I've still kinda got her in my head saying “This is a marvellous piece of music, ~~Linsey~~ VINYL, keep it up.” Does that mean I'm getting a crush on her or something? Jeez, Celestia only knows what those stupid parents of mine might have to say if they found out. I mean, I'm not really picky about whether I like fillies or colts myself, but the way those two mules talk, it's as if they want me to marry some stuffy snobbish stallion just so I can carry on the family name! WHAT THE HAY DO I CARE ABOUT ALL THAT TRASH?! AND WHAT DO YOU TWO IDIOTS KNOW ABOUT LOVE?!

Right, better get back to doing this music before I lose my cool.

Entry 85 and a bit

YEAH, BABY, YEAH!! Only like forty minutes or whatever at the mixing station, and already I've got myself a song that I can play at a disco! I played it back to Tavi and Miss Falsetto, and they were like “Great job, ~~Linsey~~ VINYL.” They actually frigging liked it! YAY! Go, me! Go, me! Go, me!

And that wasn't even the best part either. Miss Falsetto actually put it on a record so that I could take it home and listen to it whenever I wanted, and maybe even play it at nightclubs or wherever. So yeah, take that, Mom and Dad! I've got a disco record, and I'm gonna use it whether you like it or not! And you know what else? I'm gonna make more of these and become a rock star, and there's no way you're gonna get me into that stupid fabric business of yours! DJ Scratch FTW!

Hang about! There's something flashing on my flank...

Entry 85 and a bit more

Holy Celestia, I can't believe this is happening to me! My Cutie Mark finally appeared just as I was finishing my last entry, and it's a musical note thingy, so it looks like I really am gonna be a rock star after all. Reason enough to be over the moon, right? Wrong!! Tavi and Miss Falsetto may have been like “Wow!” about my Cutie Mark, but my parents are totally gonna go ballistic when they see it! This should have been the best thing ever, and all I can feel about it is like I'm about to get eaten by a bugbear! How has my life managed to go so wrong?!

Tavi let me spend the night round her place so I can sort of lie low for a bit. Her parents were like “What?” when they saw me, but she told them all about my Cutie Mark problem and talked them into fixing me up some food and the spare room. I can't thank her enough for trying to help me like this, but how long will I be able to keep this from my folks?

Doesn't look like I'm gonna get any sleep tonight.

Entry 86

November 17th

Ugh! What a morning! I couldn't even get like five minutes of shut-eye without thinking about the kick in the backside I'm gonna get from those pushy parents of mine, and it's really doing my head in. I can't even eat anything because I'm feeling kinda sick – that's how worried I am about my damned Cutie Mark! My parents treated me bad enough when I was just a blank-flank, I hate to think what they'd be like now.
Tavi's been trying to calm me down for like every waking hour since that stupid thing appeared, but it's just not working. Today's trig lesson was a nightmare which made things a heck of a lot worse, and then I got held back after biology because I fell asleep in class. I couldn't even stay focussed in music, and that's my top subject at the moment. Curse you stupid Cutie Mark! Why did you have to appear now of all times?! Why couldn't you have just waited until after I'd graduated?!

And trust that stuck-up Harpo to bang on about what a dozy old cow I am! Throughout recess, he's been going on about “How do you become a musician by nodding off every so often” and all that trash! If I wasn't so scared of losing Tavi's friendship, I would have punched that guy in the eye! Just you wait, Harpo, I'll give you “nodding off” one day!

Entry 86 and a bit

Yep – just as I feared! Tavi and me were just leaving the school gate for her place when my old stallion came stomping up to us like “Where were you, young lady”, and as soon as he saw my Cutie Mark, he was like proper mental! Without even looking at me, he went off on one about how shameful it was that I was turning my back on my duty, and how disgusted he was with me choosing to become a common music pony! I mean, really, this is getting stupid! WHY THE HAY CAN'T YOU GET IT INTO THAT THICK, EMPTY HEAD OF YOURS THAT I DON'T CARE ABOUT STUPID DUTY! THIS IS MY LIFE, I'M THE ONE WHO SHOULD BE DECIDING WHAT THE HAY I DO WITH IT!

Okay, now I've calmed down a bit. Anyways, Tavi tried to reason with him, but he just yelled at her to stay the heck out of this. He then dragged me all the way back home and told Mom about my Cutie Mark (while I was in the same frigging room as her!), and then sent me to my room while he went and spoke with the school. Good thing he didn't bother searching through my saddlebag, or my record would have gone bye-bye before I got the chance to use it. But still – it's not fair that those idiot parents of mine should be treating me like this! I've told them again and again and again that fabric's not for me, and all I ever get is a whole load of flak! I swear, if those two snobs don't stop pushing me around, they're gonna live to regret it!

In fact, stuff this! If my folks won't let me do what my Cutie Mark tells me, then I'm through with them! Let them plot against me! There's no way they're gonna get me to give up my life ambitions!

Entry 89

November 20th

I hate my parents so much! As if me getting a Cutie Mark they didn't want me to have wasn't enough, now they're trying to show me up in front of the entire factory! I didn't even have time to eat breakfast before Dad dragged me out of the house, and when he got me there, he was pretty much shouting out about my Cutie Mark for like the whole world to hear! Honestly, how did I wind up with such an uncaring pair of planks for parents?! Why can't they just let it drop?!

But more to the point, what the hay is that windbag who calls himself my Dad trying to achieve by telling all the factory workers about it? It's not as if any of them care anyway – and I'm not joking either! Stockinette was like “Aw yeah, this factory's as good as mine now”, and saying all sorts of things about me not being good enough for this place anyway. I dunno if Dad ever heard any of that, but then what would he care? The way he talks sometimes, it's as if he doesn't give a toss about the guys who work for him. Heck, it wouldn't surprise me if Stockinette does wind up taking over the factory after all! She is mean enough!

Good thing I can't say the same about all of them. Tracey Stitchit isn't much of a talker, but when I told her and Needlecord about my Cutie Mark and how Dad was sort of beating me up about it, she said all sorts of sappy but touching things to me about how nopony should have this happen to them. Needlecord was pretty sympathetic too, and said that if this was what I was destined for, then that's what I should do with my life, and stuff what my parents say. Even Tiff had some nice things to say about me, and the weird thing is, when I told her what I thought of her, she explained that it wasn't how I thought it was. Turns out the whole reason she'd been gossiping about me with the other workers was because she genuinely cared about me, and wanted me to be happy with my life – which my parents obviously don't! She says she could see me going onto much better things in life than just making cloth and stuff. Seems I'm grossly misinformed about gossipers. Oh, and did I mention that she's been going out with our courier, Mailwing Keystone? Well, she is – and she seems pretty happy with him so far.

But heck, they're getting along way better than I am at the moment. As soon as I got home, Mom and Dad marched me into the front room and told me they were sending me to a finishing school in Fillydelphia. Great! Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, now I find I'm being disowned by my own parents and packed off to some concentration camp just so they can mould me into their own little robot! Buzz off to a totally different place and be tortured out of your mind, they say! It's for your own good, they say! I'm not having it! I'm really, really, really not having it! If they want some fabric nerd as their daughter, then they can darn well go and adopt one for themselves, because there is no way in Tartarus that I'm staying a part of this family anymore!

Entry 91

November 22nd

Never thought leaving school could be so tough on me. My parents have been talking with the principal and said that I'm gonna be leaving for Fillydelphia at the end of the week, so I've only got five days left to spend with Tavi and Miss Falsetto and all the rest of them before I go.
I had a real hard time letting Tavi in on what that stuffy pair of snobs were doing to me – must be because it means I don't get to see her again or whatever. She seemed to take it pretty hard herself, because she was like really upset when I'd finished telling her. Turns out I was the best friend she could ever have had, which is kinda weird because we don't share the same taste in music, but I'd have to agree with her on that one. I've had a fair few friends, but none so close as Octavia. I'm really gonna miss her.

Anyways, we've both come to the agreement that we need to make the most of what little time I have left before I have to fall off the face of Canterlot. Well, for now at least. We've already spoken with Miss Falsetto, and she's agreed to let us hold a sort of disco session before Tavi and I go and hang out beneath the stars, so at least I'll be going out with a bang. I just hope I can find a way to go back and see Tavi again.

Entry 95

November 26th

And so we come to my final day of school. I always thought it'd be like the best thing ever, but here I am looking like a complete crybaby because I'm about to leave this place for good, and all my friends as well. I've made so many happy memories in Canterbury Prep, and I'm about to just march away from them as if they never meant nothing to me. This is gonna be a heck of a wrench for old muggins here.

Most of today's lessons were kinda okay, but I just don't think my heart was really in it, so expect a lot of F grades in my school report. But what do I care about grades? It's not as if I'm gonna be getting any in the near future, the way I'm planning things. I just wish I could have got that A* in Music I'd been after, but whatever. It's not like I need one in order to write a song.

Entry 95 and a bit

Wow! That was the single kindest thing Miss Falsetto has ever done for me! When I turned up for after-school music club, she presented me with a Grade A certificate in Music, said she'd pulled a few strings with the faculty and got them to grade me before I was even done with high school. We had one heck of a jam after that – my disco record, some House, some Techno – even Tavi joined in with her cello, and that's like the least dubstep instrument you could ever lay your hooves on! Go, Tavi, you rock!

We might have gone on a bit longer than we should have done, though, because it was like five in the evening when we were finished. I might have gotten a bit emotional towards the end, because just before me and Tavi walked out of the door, I just sort of lost control of myself and hugged her tight. Might have left her shoulder a bit wet, but I don't really care – she's become way more of a Mom to me than anypony I've ever known, and it just feels so wrong to be leaving her behind.

Mine and Tavi's evening out went pretty well, considering this was our last day. We went for a bit of a wander round the park for like an hour or something, had dinner in this really smart restaurant place near the castle, and then we spent the rest of the evening sitting on a hilltop and gazing up at the stars. While we were up there, she was asking me one more time if I really had to go tomorrow morning, even offered to come with me if I did! But as much as I would love for that to happen, I just can't do this to her. She's got a great life here in Canterlot, and I don't wanna take that away from her, however much it hurts. I'm just gonna have to accept that this is the last we're gonna see of each other for some time, if ever.

Now, this is where I think I might have got a touch of the moon or something, because just before we headed home, I might have leaned in and kissed her. It was a weird experience, but one I'd readily go through again if we should ever cross paths again – it was like there were fireworks going off in my head, my chest was pounding like anything, and I felt really hot around the face. I think the only thing that spoilt it for me was that my eyes were like really wet, but what really surprises me is that Tavi went right ahead and kissed me back. She didn't even ask what I was doing!

It's kinda weird how something like this can be so distressing and elating at the same time. On the one hoof, I feel like I'm on top of the world right now, but I also feel like really heartbroken and stuff because my first kiss with Tavi is also gonna be my last. She must feel the same, because there were tears in her eyes when she pulled back. Maybe leaving her behind isn't gonna be such a good idea after all. But what does it matter? My fate is sealed – tomorrow, there's gonna be no more fabric trash, no more stuffy parents, no more being told what to do, no more lectures, no more stupid ideas about duty and stuff......no more Octavia. In short, it's gonna be the worst day of my life.

Goodbye, Octavia. I'll always love you.

Part 4: A New Life In A New Town

Entry 96

November 27th

I've pretty much spent the whole of the rest of the day packing all my stuff, and now I'm waiting to catch my train. Even as I was walking out the house, Mom and Dad were going on about what a disgrace I was and that they hoped that finishing school would knock a bit of sense into me. As if I'm the one who needs sense! They wanna disown their little filly, then that filly's gone! End of story! That's pretty much what I told them before I left. I'm not gonna write exactly what I said, but I think they got the message – at last!

But that's not all I've done to them. You know that record player of theirs? Well, it may have gotten stuck on full volume with a copy of MC Hoover in it. ~~No idea how the hay that happened~~. Even better, they must have been like really ticked off with what I said, because it was only like two minutes before I heard that thing banging out this really awesome rap track, and just like that, all the windows in their house have shattered and all the neighbours are shouting at them. Yeah, take that, you stuffy mules! Karma strikes again – big-time!

Maybe that's something I should do when my DJ career kicks off. Just have this really massive bass amp that I can use at like parties and such – heck, maybe use it as a weapon if somepony tries to kill me. Bass cannon! YEAH!

But yeah, it's kind of cheered me up a bit. So what if I have to start from scratch? At least those darn parents of mine have paid up for trying to ruin my life – and more than that, I know how I'm gonna make the dough I need to keep myself going. ~~I just wish Tavi could have come~~ Only question is where I'm gonna go. Not Fillydelphia, obviously, because there might be these really mean truancy officer blokes on the hunt for me. I could go Manehattan, but it's still a bit of a trek. Maybe I'd better just pick a station at random and see what I come up with.

Right, so I've had a look at the timetable, and there's a heck of a lot of places I can go. I think I might as well go Ponyville since there's at least one pony I know from there. I just hope she understands what I'm going through right now. Anyway, I've got my ticket, and now I've just got to wait for my train to get here.

Entry 96 and a bit

I'm now on the train for Ponyville, and as weird as this seems, I'm actually feeling kinda relaxed. I dunno why, especially since I'm leaving Tavi behind and all that, and I really do wish I didn't have to. If only she didn't have so much keeping her in Canterlot, I probably would have brought her with me after all. Not that it'd work out anyway.

Could be that I'm just happy to get away from my parents at last. They've been nothing but a thorn in my flank since forever, and now I've not got them breathing down my neck the whole time, I can finally kick back and be myself. Or maybe it's to do with me being about to live my own life as a DJ or a singer or whatever the hay I end up doing. I wonder if there's any call for such a pony in Ponyville? Guess I'm gonna have to ask Rarity about it when I get there.

Anyway, the conductor says this train will be reaching Ponyville at around lunchtime tomorrow, so not much for me to do except lie around and listen to my Atomic Colt album, maybe see if I can work out a few songs of my own. But yeah, roll on tomorrow.

Entry 97

November 28th

Not long now before I arrive in Ponyville. I've gotta admit, it probably wasn't such a good idea to travel third-class, because I'm feeling kinda numb from all this sitting around, and I didn't get that much sleep either. But hey – small price to pay, I guess. At least I managed to bagsy myself a few bagels for breakfast.

There's not really a lot out there except for trees and mountains and rivers and stuff. A few cottages and farms here and there, but other than that, it all seems pretty wild and lonely. The conductor says we're only a few minutes away, and that I'll know when we actually get there because there's a huge great big apple orchard thing to the north of the town. I'm not seeing one yet, but I'm keeping my eyes peeled.
I still don't get it, though. Is Ponyville really just a great big farming place? The way Rarity talked, I'd have thought it'd be like really big and busy and such, same as Canterlot. Surely it can't be just a boring old cow town. Or maybe I've just got the wrong Ponyville or something? I dunno.

Okay, so I've just spotted the orchard, and it's pretty big. And guess what – so is the town next to it! It's still not exactly Canterlot, but there's still a lot of it out there. Maybe it won't be so boring after all. Ah well – only one way to find out.

Entry 97 and a bit

Right, just got off the train, and it all seems pretty quiet around here. Not a lot of ponies to liven up the streets, and even the ones who are out and about don't seem to be in any particular rush. But then it's a Sunday, so they're probably lying in or whatever. Might as well go take a look around, see if I can find somewhere to stay.

Not doing very well so far. There's this really big oak tree not too far from the station that's actually a library, but it doesn't look like it can take a lodger, and that big round building down the road that looks like some kind of fancy tent is a bit too weird for my liking. Sure, there are a few apartment blocks nearby, but I don't really know if I can afford a flat at the moment. So yeah, at the moment, it looks like I'm gonna have to make up my own home out of whatever I can find, or even sleep out in the open! This properly sucks! My first day in Ponyville, and I can't eve~–[long pen mark]

Okay, that was weird. Hadn't even finished this entry when all of a sudden this bouncy pink pony jumps out of nowhere and knocks me down flat. Next thing I know, she's getting all excited and going on about a new pony in town and that she needs to get a bakery ready for something or nothing. I mean, what the hay was that?! I've only been here like half an hour, and already there's some random filly getting all hyped up about me even existing?

But so what? It still doesn't solve the problem of where I'm gonna stay.

Entry 97 and a bit more

Wow! Seems coming to Ponyville wasn't such a bad idea after all. I'd been wandering around for like hours before I thought maybe I'd better just stop and get a bite to eat, so I went to this really weird-looking bakery place that looked like it was made of cake and cookies and all that kind of stuff. As soon as I'm inside, there's this big cheer from like all around me, and I'm surrounded by a whole herd of ponies. Get a load of that! First day in Ponyville, and I'm already being treated like Princess Celestia! Dunno why, dunno how, dunno what – but does any part of my face look bothered? Seriously, am I bothered? Short and sweet – nah!

Anyway, I've been talking with the other ponies, getting to know them better and stuff, and they're like real friendly. First ones I met were Lyra Heartstrings and her new wife Bonbon. They live and work in a candy store near the town centre, but Lyra's really into music herself, same as me. She even plays some sort of small harp thing at like festivals and stuff – something she calls a lyre or whatever. So yeah, that's at least two new friends I've made so far, but what really gets me is that Bonbon says she's had a bun in her oven for the last few months, and she's got the bump to prove it. How does that work if they're both mares?

I also met that pink pony who knocked me over earlier. Turns out her name's Pinkie Pie, and she's friends with Rarity and all that, so that's how she knows who I am and what my name is. Haven't really seen Rarity anywhere about, but Pinkie tells me she still lives here, so I'm sure to get to see her again. She also told me she was the one who threw this welcome party for me because she always does for newbies, and then she asked me where I was from, what I do, why I came to Ponyville, all that sort of stuff. I kinda felt awkward telling her about those lousy parents of mine and how I ditched them and all that, but I couldn't really lie to her about it because she's the sort of pony you can't NOT like. Kinda random and hyper, but still likeable.

And you wanna know something else? When I told her that I didn't have anywhere to live, she took pity on me and talked with the owners of this place (P.S.: Turns out it's called Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie only just told me that.) and they let me stay in the guest room. They like literally allowed me to stay here, and I didn't even have to pay for it! I mean, yeah, other ponies have done nice things for me before, especially Tavi, but this is way better than I could have hoped for! And even better, Pinkie said she'd help me start off that music career I've always wanted. Even did something she calls a Pinkie Promise, which she's never gonna break no matter what happens. I mean, like, this is crazy! Only yesterday, my life was going right down the pan, and now I find there's ponies who are doing everything they can to help me settle in and stuff! Is this what everypony in Ponyville is like?

If so, then I am so gonna love staying here.

Entry 98

November 29th

Pinkie showed me round Ponyville for the first time today. It's an okay sort of place, not a lot going on, but she tells me there's a real swell nightclub that's open on Friday nights. I so gotta go see what it's like! There's also plenty of nice cafes and stuff, a bowling alley, a music store – they've even got an arcade place near the park! And I thought this was gonna be a boring old cow-town!

Even the places I didn't think I'd like much were kind of interesting, like the candy shop where Lyra and Bonbon work. Me and Pinkie dropped by there so I could say hi and Pinkie could buy a few sweets. Bonbon's been telling me about this really neat spell that lets two mares have foals without a stallion, and that's how Lyra got her preggers. Still getting my head round this whole two mares having a foal thing, but I can kind of see how it works now. I sure loved talking music with Lyra though – maybe we should start our own little group someday.

I also got to see Rarity again. She asked me how I was doing, why I was in Ponyville, all that sort of stuff – again, I felt a bit awkward about telling her how I'd given up on my stupid parents and all that, but at least she seemed to understand what I was going through. She seemed a bit angry towards the end though. Wouldn't be surprised if it was something to do with Mom and Dad! But anyway, she's been working towards opening up her own little fashion shop at some point, which is why she was on that work experience thing back in Canterlot. She doesn't know where it's gonna go yet, but she's already thought up a name for it. I'm not even gonna bother writing it down because I dunno how to spell it, but I think it's something Prench.

Then Pinkie took me for lunch at that orchard, which I now know is called Sweet Apple Acres. The ponies there are pretty nice too. I mean, okay, Big Mac isn't all that talkative and Granny Smith seems to be in a world of her own, but Applejack and her parents seemed real friendly. I only wish Pinkie wouldn't keep pushing me to tell other ponies about what a lousy life I've had to put up with before now!

Not much to say about the rest of the day because it was mostly just going round town, seeing new places, saying hi to new ponies – although I did bump into a few other musicians along the way. There's a guy called Noteworthy who's like real good with a guitar, which is kinda cool. Neon Lights as well, who's just as into metal and dubstep and all that as I am. I think he's working towards being a radio producer or something, maybe even become a DJ himself one day, which again is pretty cool because it means I've got a co-host for when I start playing music at my own parties. Not so sure about Torch Song, though. She's an okay sort of pony, but not really my type.

So yeah, pretty good day all round. The only thing that really kills it for me is that I've had to go by such a lousy name, and even worse, one that I've been stuck with since birth. I mean, so what if I was born into a family of fabric nuts?! The name Linsey Woolsey and music just don't go well together! It's a stupid name, it doesn't suit me, and if anything, it makes me sound like some kind of sheep! It's stupid!

I really do need to change my name.

Entry 99

November 30th

Just been helping Pinkie and the Cakes with getting Sugarcube Corner ready for the Hearth's Warming season, and holy Celestia, does it look awesome! Those three have really gone all out with decorating the place, and there's a heck of a lot of baking going on right now too. It sure looks a lot more Hearth's Warming-y than Mom and Dad could ever be bothered to do back home.

I gotta admit Pinkie's been pretty good company since I came here. Again, kinda random and stuff, but I feel I can talk to her about anything and not get any stick for it. Just this morning I was talking to her about how stupid I feel being called Linsey Woolsey, and she's like “No kidding”. I think she and I must have been thinking the same thing about changing my name, because me and her had only been talking about it for a minute or something or nothing, and then she starts listing all the neat names I could have. In fact, I'm gonna quickly ask her about them again and write them all down. BRB

Entry 99 and a bit

~~Raving Record~~
~~Yakety Sax~~
~~Coco Electrik~~
~~Jazzy Jay~~
Vinyl Scratch
~~Dolly Rocker~~
~~Funky Beats~~
~~Bass Drop~~

Right, so me and Pinkie have just been talking through names, and I've written down as many as I can still remember without having to ask her twice. They all look pretty groovy and hip and all that, but I'm kinda undecided on which one I want. I'm gonna have to have a good long think about this, maybe put on a bit of music while I'm at it. I sure wish I had like my own DJ station or something. But what the hay, I can always save up the money for one – if I get any in the first place.

That's a good point, actually, where am I gonna get the money from? I don't really have a lot on me, and I'm not so sure about asking the Cakes if they can give me any. I mean, yeah, it'd be like real nice if they could, but there's not a lot I can do around here to earn my keep. Okay, so maybe I've done a good job of decorating the place, but it's only like every so often, and we've already established that baking's not my strong point (no brainer). ~~Might have to try somewhere else if I'm~~

Wait just a minute! I've just remembered that it's nearly Hearth's Warming – and you know what that means? Hearth's Warming music in all the shops and cafes and anywhere else you can think of! Maybe if I can take care of the music while Pinkie and Mr and Mrs Cake deal with customers and baking and everything else, that'd take a heck of a load off their backs! I gotta go speak to Pinkie about it!

(P.S.: Still haven't decided my new name yet. Might have to put up with being called Linsey Woolsey for another day at least.)

Entry 99 and a bit more

Just spoken with Pinkie, and she seems cool with it. Now I just need to set up a gramophone or something next to the counter, gather up a few Hearth's Warming records, and I'm good to go for tomorrow morning. But is this gonna be enough? I'm not saying house, dubstep and techno are gonna be appropriate for this time of year, but these ponies could do with something a little different, me thinks. Something they've never heard before, and it still feels like Hearth's Warming. I've already mentioned this, and Pinkie seems pretty keen to help me out on this one, so she's taken me up to her room so we can work on a few Hearth's Warming-y tunes together.

I gotta admit, Pinkie sure is full of surprises, and so's her cupboard if the amount of musical instruments and other stuff she's got in there is anything to go by. She only had to open it up, and my jaw pretty much hit the floor! There's probably every instrument that's ever existed among that lot, and she's even got her own mixing table complete with recording devices! This is so awesome! She and I are gonna have a whale of a time putting these tunes together!

Right, so we've been at it for like a couple of hours or something, and we've come up with at least a dozen new tunes in that time. I dunno whether it was just me or something to do with Pinkie nudging me on, but I ended up doing all of them as electronic music bits in one form or another, and I'm well surprised that I managed to keep the Hearth's Warming feel. Maybe I really can do slow and calm in dubstep after all. Also, I think I might have worked out what my new name is gonna be. We already know that I'm good with mixing and turntables and stuff, and as weird as a record scratch may be to some, I actually find it really groovy, so I think I'll go with Vinyl Scratch from now on. So yeah – take that, haters, the boring old Linsey Woolsey pushover you know is dead! Now I'm a hyper-gifted DJ!

Author's Note

At long last, Linsey Woolsey manages to escape the control of her overbearing parents for a new life in......yes, you guessed it! And thus the great Vinyl Scratch was born.

I should add, at this point, that the story is still far from complete - the final saga of the story is still in the planning stages, and so far, only one entry has been written. Therefore, if you have any ideas as to how the story might end, then feel free to leave them in the comments. I can't guarantee that I'll be using any of these, but any input from you guys would be much appreciated.

Part 5: Shaky Start

Entry 100

December 1st

Well, today's the day – first time I play my own records in public. I'm actually kinda hyped about this, but kinda nervous at the same time – must be because nopony in Ponyville has ever heard my music before. But if there's one thing that's really honking me off right now, it's Mrs Cake going on about “Aren't you getting your hopes up a bit too high” and “It's only your first day performing music in public” and all that trash! Who does she think she is, my Mom?! And what does she know about me and music anyway?! It's not like she's ever heard it before – and heck, if I was good in Canterlot, I'm still gonna rock in Ponyville!

Anyways, Pinkie's just finished setting up her gramophone, the records are all there, mine are on disc, so now all I've gotta do is sit and wait for customers to start coming in. So yeah, just you wait, Cakes – by the time this place closes, I'm gonna be the talk of the town!

Entry 100 and a bit

I am such an idiot! I really thought this gig was gonna make my name here in Ponyville, and now I find they don't even dig me! All day long, there's been all kinds of ponies walking through these doors, snapping up whatever grub they feel like, some of them stick around for a bite to eat, and whenever my songs come on, it's always the same story. They go up to me, Pinkie or the Cakes and are like “Never heard this before, who wrote it?” We tell them that it was me who put them together, and they go “Oh, right – not bad for a rookie.” Not bad?! Is that all they have to say about my music?! I was expecting them to be like “WOW!! This totally rocks!”, not sort of “Meh, just another tune.”

This positively sucks! I've been putting my back into this stuff, and now I find that nopony even gives a darn about it! Maybe Mrs Cake was right after all. Maybe I'm nowhere near as good with music as I thought I was.

Actually, you know what? Scratch that, because Pinkie's just come in and is going on about how great my music was, and that all those other ponies thought so too. They've so got a weird way of showing it, but hey – Pinkie knows them better than anypony else, so if says they like it, then who am I to argue? This is what I want to do with my life, so why should Mrs Cake or those idiot parents of mine get in my way?! Someday, I'm gonna become one of the best DJs in Equestria, and anypony who thinks I can't can go stuff themselves!

Big question is, how do I go about proving it?

Entry 101

December 8th

Geez, it's been a while since I last wrote in this diary. You'd think I'd have gotten a bit more of a routine with this damn thing by now! Still, hardly surprising on account of how much I've been doing over the last week or so – and all for flipping nothing! See, I've spent the last few days trying to get a gig with one of the big Hearth's Warming parties in Ponyville, sort of get my name out there a bit more, and so far, everypony I've asked has been like “We ain't got no room” or “You've no experience” or “We don't need a DJ anyways”! I mean, what the hay is their problem?! I don't need experience to be talented in this sort of thing! And all that trash about not needing music! It's not a proper Hearth's Warming fest if you don't have proper Hearth's Warming music!

I swear, these Ponyville ponies just don't seem to have any taste at all. Apart from Pinkie, that is, but I don't see any point in asking her for help if she's so busy with the bakery and whatever other gigs she's got going. At this rate, I'm gonna be an old hag before I get my name on the charts. Some musical career this is turning out to be!

So anyway, I've just returned to Sugarcube Corner after my latest failed attempt at getting a gig, and there's some unicorn mare just turned up who looks kinda familiar. She's a sort of lavender colour with a blue and black mane and tail, and she's got a pencil and microphone for a Cutie Mark. I dunno if I saw her on a record label or in a movie or whatever, but I swear I must have seen her somewhere. Maybe I'd better ask Pinkie about it later.

Entry 101 and a bit

What the hay was that all about?! As soon as I told Pinkie about that mare, what she looked like and how I think I might have seen her before, she just let out a huge gasp and ran off! I mean, what, is she like scared of that pony or something or nothing?! And what the hay was she going on about with raps in town?

Maybe that's who the mare is – some kind of MC from like Manehattan or Fillydelphia or wherever. Again, I don't know, but if she is, I sure would like to get to know her a bit better, maybe get her autograph or something. I just wish I knew if I'd seen her before, and if so, where? Also, what's she doing in Ponyville? Is there some kind of gig that she's got going ATM, or is she just visiting? Heck, she'd better not be some truancy officer pony come to drag me off to that finishing school, or I'm outta here!

Entry 101 and a bit more

Okay, false alarm. Pinkie's just brought that mare upstairs to speak to me, and it turns out she's that singer/actress from Sydneigh that I really enjoyed listening to as a filly. Her name's Lavender Rhapsody, and she's taking part in that big Hearth's Warming concert on the 19th that I was hoping to take part in and got turned away from – which kinda sucks. I'm kinda surprised Rarity never said anything about her before, though, because Pinkie says she and Lavender met up at some fashion thing in her home town when they were young and have been pen-pals ever since.

Seriously, though, I can't believe this is actually happening! I'm like face to face with a real live singer, and she's foalhood friends with Rarity for crying out loud! Is she pals with Pinkie as well? Who knows, who cares? It's LAVENDER RHAPSODY, DAMN IT!!! I never thought I'd get to meet her like ever, no more than I thought I'd meet Sapphire Shores or Countess Coloratura or Flank Sinatra or Leo Neigher or Cheese Sandwich or Hayseed DC or any of those other music ponies! It's just too good to be true!

I tell you what really strikes me as weird, though – when Pinkie told Lavender all about how I've been working towards being a DJ (Spoiler alert: she was one of the singers and other musicians who inspired me as a foal), and she was like “Oh, that's real cool, man.” She actually had something nice to say about me, and I'm just a budding DJ!! I'd have expected her to go “Meh – it's only some jumped up musical rip-off, who cares?” as if she thinks I just snitch other ponies' music and play it like it's my own! But no – she's like well full of praise for someone like me, and rightly so, because I've been working my tail off to make all those tunes for Sugarcube Corner!

I just wish I could say the same for all those event organisers.

Entry 102

December 9th

Well, this is just perfect – not! I've been trying for yet another gig, and the guy who's hosting the event won't even hear me out! No room for a budding DJ, he says! He might as well have said “You're too young and too stupid to be a DJ at all”! I mean, seriously, how is it that so many ponies don't even bother to listen to my music at all and just take me for an idiot because I'm a teenager?! It's them who are the idiots!
Well, all except for Pinkie, that is. I've already talked to her about it, and she's been going on about how unfair it all is, and how I deserve better than all that, blah, blah, blah – she even offered to talk with all the event organisers on my behalf and get them to give me a go. Like that's ever gonna happen! Still, it's real nice of her to offer, and I really do hope she can help me. At least there's one pony who believes in me.

I only wish the other one was here too. Tavi may be more of a classical pony than pop, but she always knew how to make me feel like I could take on the world. Pinkie's a real nice pony, but she doesn't have the same kind of “I'll never stop believing in you” vibe as Tavi did. If only she knew where I am now and what I'm going through.

Still, I guess that's one thing that's probably never gonna happen.

Entry 103

December 10th

I am so flipping fed up with musicians! Pinkie's been spending the best part of today going over to all the venues I've been trying for, talking to all the organisers and trying to vouch for me, and they've all been telling her that they're fully booked! Even that snob I went to yesterday said he didn't want anything to do with ravers like me! And as if that wasn't enough, Lavender comes up to me and says all sorts of stuff about me rushing into this whole DJ thing way too quick for my own good, and that maybe I should take it slow!

Yeah, right! I may be a newbie, but there's no way I'm gonna give it all up just because some overstuffed professional is on the same page as all those morons who won't give me a chance! Honestly, I can't believe I was so starstruck when I first met her! I really thought she could see some potential in me, and now she's behaving like I don't have any future at all, let alone in music! Who does she think she is, my Mom?!

In fact, who am I kidding? These music ponies are all the same, especially the professional ones – all they care about is their fame and fortune, and not the ones who aim to follow in their hoofsteps. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if it was the same with like Flank Sinatra or Sapphire Shores, for example. I mean, why else would they pick some stuck-up pop singer over a struggling young DJ like me?

I give up.

Entry 103 and a bit

Can you believe it? Nearly midnight, and I can't sleep because I'm so upset about this whole DJ thing. Darn you, Lavender Rhapsody, I hope you're happy now! First you walk into Ponyville and take what should have been my gig, then you tell me I'm useless ~~and anger me to the point of tears~~, and now you're keeping me awake just by existing!

Why did I ever come to Ponyville? Why?

Entry 104

December 11th

Other ponies must think me a right humbug at the moment. Why? Because I am well out of sorts today – I've lost a heck of a lot of sleep, my chest feels really heavy, every movement I make seems to hurt a lot, and even the sound of my own tunes in the lobby is nowhere near as lively as it should have been. Maybe Lavender and my parents are right about this whole music thing. If I can't get a gig with anypony, then heck, I might as well stop making music altogether.

Speaking of Lavender, she was right close by when I came downstairs. I'm guessing she just wants to rub it in even further about how much of a failure I am and all that, but whatever – I can't be bothered to listen to her any longer. Might even sell off all my copies of her albums as soon as I get back.

I was gonna spend most of today just lounging around in the park, but then Bonbon comes up to me and asks if I wanna come back to her house and talk with her and Lyra. She probably knows that I've been having a hard time lately and wants to try and help me, which I don't really know if she can, but since those two have become such good friends with me, I might as well. So anyways, she takes me back to her candy store, and then I tell her and Lyra all about Lavender and how I've been failing to get a good gig, which I still don't understand (should point out, by the way, Lyra's been penned in for the same concert), and that all anypony's been telling me to do is give up.

Turns out Lyra went through a similar problem herself when she was young, so she kinda knows what it's like – but this is where it all gets a bit weird, because she's also been talking about how I've been taking it all a bit too harsh and such. Apart from all that stuff about a lot of ponies out there don't understand how much potential we teens can have, she told me she's already met Lavender, and the way she's been talking about her is as if she actually cares about trying to help them improve. Yeah, right! If she really did care, she wouldn't have gone on about how I'm jumping headlong into this DJ career!

That said, she did seem pretty impressed with the music I'd composed, and okay, so maybe Lyra can be a bit naïve, but thinking about it, she probably has a point. She certainly didn't come across as being the sort of pony who would try and ruin your dreams – that honour goes to the jerks who call themselves my parents. Maybe I am being a bit harsh on her. Maybe I ought to go tell her she's right and I didn't mean to explode in her face like that – and hope she doesn't try and discourage me any further.

Entry 104 and a bit

Okay, seems Lyra's point has just been proven. As soon as I got back, I found Lavender hanging around outside the bakery with this really worried look on her face, like there's something been bothering her all day. I reckon Pinkie must have been talking with her earlier today, because the first thing she did was to tell me she was sorry for not understanding how much this whole thing meant to me. Not that she wasn't still worried about how it would play out or anything, but she still didn't want to get the way of my building up my DJ image. If anything, she actually wants to help me get it off the ground.

Guess I really was being too harsh on her after all. I don't think I can really do anything about the Hearth's Warming gig, seeing as they're all booked up, but at least she and I can maybe fit in a few jamming sessions for now. But yeah, probably better to stick to making music for the time being, and I'll try again sometime next year.

Part 6: Vinyl's Big Moment

Entry 105

December 17th

Not really a lot been going on lately. I've been keeping the customers happy at Sugarcube Corner, playing music and saying hello and Happy Hearth's Warming and stuff, and as soon as that's out of the way, I've been hanging out and writing new music tracks with Pinkie and Lavender. Apart from that, it's all just hanging around and waiting for Hearth's Warming to roll around the corner. You'd think I'd be rushed off my hooves with all these gigs and so on.

But no way is that ever gonna happen any time soon. It's obvious that those losers don't want some teenager playing songs for them, and even if they did, they'd probably be out of their minds or something. You won't believe how frustrating it is just sitting around, way out of the limelight, wondering if you're ever gonna rise to fame! I sure as hay hope it won't be too long. It's bad enough that Lavender went off and rubbed me up the wrong way. Mind you, it's not as if she's anywhere near as bad as my Mom or whatever – that idiot would have gone mental if she saw how good I was at writing music, but Lavender knows it's my passion in life, and she's encouraging it too. Maybe I should think of adopting her as my new Mom.

Anyways, she and I have been working on this new song called “Scratching the Surface”. Not gonna go into too much detail, but it's about this really crusty young mare who's like really lonely underneath because she's been dumped like a million times, and there's this really kind stallion who can see what she's going through and is trying to help her out of her shell. ~~Totally didn't base her on myself, though. Lies~~! It's still only a work in progress, but it is so gonna rock when it's done.

I bet Pinkie's having a pretty fun time too right now. She's been called over to Town Hall to get all the decorations sorted out for the party that's taking place in a couple of days, the same one that Lavender said she was gonna be singing at. Just wish I could have been there with her.

Entry 105 and a bit

OMG!! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS FINALLY HAPPENING! TELL ME THIS ISN'T JUST A DREAM! PLEASE SOMEPONY PINCH ME!

Okay, I'm calm again – sort of. But seriously, I am well over the moon right now, and do you know why? Pinkie came back to Sugarcube Corner looking almost as worked up as I am now, I asked her what was up, and she said that Noteworthy had to call in sick because he's gone down with a pretty nasty cold. At first I was like “What?!”, but then Pinkie went on to explain that they didn't have anypony else to fill in for him, so she went ahead and put my name forward again, and guess what – they accepted me! They actually properly accepted me!

This is way better than I could have hoped for! I've got like a real famous singer helping me get my name out there, and a real awesome friend who can help me get a good gig to boot – and now I actually have that first gig ever! I mean, yeah, I can still hear all those losers going “Ah, she's way too young to be doing this” or “No daughter of mine is gonna become some lowlife DJ” or “You're gonna flop at all this music stuff because you're rushing into it!” Well, now I'll show them!

Entry 106

December 18th

Just finished that “Scratching the Surface” song, and Lavender seems pretty impressed with it. I've also done a few remixes of various Hearth's Warming tunes so that they're a bit more catchy and lively and stuff – still trying to keep that festive air, but with a bit more bounce and pizazz so it kinda fits in with my style. Okay, so this is only my first gig ever, but I'm still going all out with this one because why the hay not. If I have anything to do with it, I am so gonna knock them dead with how good I am!

Or at least I hope so. I mean, yeah, I'm like really excited about being able to perform at a massive event such as this, but at the same time I'm kinda nervous. I mean, what if I screw up big time and everypony starts to hate me because I'm a failure? And will my music even be good enough for them in the first place? So many things to worry about that might crash my career before it's even begun – and after all the work I've been putting into this gig! I'm not saying I don't want to back out of it, but I'm still taking a heck of a risk here.

I actually happened to mention it to Pinkie and Lavender and the Cakes over lunch, and after hearing what they had to say, I totally can't believe I was such a derp as to snub them before now. Pinkie was all chatty and bouncy and “Oh, you can do this, Vinyl”, but I honestly couldn't understand too much of what she was saying until Lavender translated it into plain Equestrian for me – basically what they were both saying was that everypony gets like this before their first gig, and I'm no different. Didn't mean I was gonna flop at it though, so they said. All I needed was to just be who I was and do what I do best, and everything will work out fine. Even Mr and Mrs Cake are going on about how they believe in me, and that I'm gonna go far, which I don't ever remember them ever saying to me before. Again, that's probably being too much of a prude to hear them out or whatever, but that's beside the point. The point is, I have ponies who believe in me, who like what I'm doing, who want me to live the dream.

It's gonna be a heck of a challenge, but there's no way I'm gonna let that dream fall through. Music is my passion, and I'm gonna get there no matter what happens.

Entry 107

December 19th

[The pages of this entry are riddled with tear stains and smudges, so some text may be missing or misinterpreted]

Well, today's the day – first time ever when I get to perform at a real live stage show and not through a gramophone at some bakery lobby. I've been working half the night to get my music as good as it can ever be, and now it's gonna make its public debut. Let's just hope it's not met with a salvo of rotten tomatoes.

Pinkie and Lavender have been up Town Hall helping me set up my equipment, and they're gonna be singing the vocals to a few of my songs, so props off to them for helping me out with this gig. I was kinda juggling between sticking solely to the Hearth's Warming theme or throwing in my other songs into the mix (no pun intended), but I think I'm gonna just keep it seasonal. If I could only shake off the stage nerves and be a bit more of a mare!

Seriously, though, what is it with me being so terrified of performing in front of a whole mass of ponies?! I didn't have any problems with it at Sugarcube Corner, I shouldn't be having any problems with it now! I mean, heck, all my stuff's been set up, my tunes and songs are at their best, I've got ponies who are gonna sing for me, there's plenty of space for dancing, the buffet table's been sorted, the mayor's given us the go-ahead, the walrus is in one of my albums somewhere – what the hay could possibly go wrong?!

Actually, now I come to think of it – everything! My turntables might not be plugged in properly, speakers might not be functioning, crowd might not even like my music, there's just umpteen and one things that could go kaput and make me look like the worst DJ ever to have set hoof on this planet! If only Octavia could be here to cheer me on right now. She always seemed to have all the faith in the world for me. Still, too late to do anything about it now, I guess.

Should point out, from here on in, things are probably gonna be so busy that I won't be able to get in a full entry, so I'll just be updating this thing as I go.

Entry 107 and a bit

Right, first guests have just got here, and the party's about to begin. Now the plan is that I start off with “Season's Greetings”, which is like the best of my first ever Hearth's Warming songs, but I won't be giving anypony my absolute best yet. Instead I'll be sort of building up to it with other songs and remixes, and only towards the end will we round it off with me, Pinkie and Lavender singing “Reindeer Rocks”. That ought to leave them speechless!

I've already talked with the organisers, and they still seem a bit “Meh” about me performing at this gig, but I can live with that – 'cause it's not like they have anypony else to fill in for Noteworthy, do they?! Anyways, they've told me that I'm gonna be swapping around with Lyra, Lavender, Neon, Pinkie and Merry May every so often, just so we all get equal amounts of time to let our music shine. (That probably made more sense in my head than on paper.)

So, according to the schedule, Neon's up first with Lavender singing, then Lyra's gonna be playing a little ~~harp~~ lyre solo of “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, and my first turn is gonna be after her. That should give me plenty of time to check things over before I go out there and play.

Seems Neon and I are on roughly the same hoofing so far. That “Greatest Gift of All” song of his was pretty darn good, and that's quite a lot of praise from someone who hasn't heard his music before. Mind you, he's been living here since forever, and more importantly he's been making music for longer than I have, so it's no surprise he managed to do so well at this gig.

I can only hope the guests think as much of my songs as his.

Again, quite a performance. Lyra's a natural at that instrument of hers, especially if Bonbon's anything to go by – she's just been staring up at the stage with this really dreamy look in her eyes like this is only the first time she's ever seen Lyra before ever, like she doesn't even know her and yet she's clearly falling in love with that mare just from listening to her music. She's got some really nice pipes as well, I gotta admit.

If only that could have been me and Tavi in some way, shape or form. I so miss that pony.

But whatever – I can't just sit around feeling sorry for myself while there's still a crowd to entertain. For Octavia – for practically everypony who's helped me get this far – let's do this!

I can't believe this had to happen to me! There I was, sitting behind my turntables and waiting for the hooves-up, the compère announces my name and says what I'm gonna be performing, I start up the record – and nothing happens! Of all the things I could have done wrong, I had to leave the speakers unplugged! How in the hay could I have been so stupid?!

You won't believe how embarrassing it all was, me just dithering about and trying to explain myself, and then as I'm trying to fix the speakers and get my song going again, I hear these ponies grumbling about “What were they thinking, letting this amateur onstage?!” and this, that and the other! I ended up losing it and running backstage I was so humiliated! This is like the worst setback I've ever faced – now my career's pretty much ruined all because of some stupid speakers that I totally forgot to set up properly! My parents were right! I really am a failure!

How could I have ever thought this would get off the ground?! My first real gig, and I can't even play my flipping music! I should have stayed in Canterlot and let Dad dump that stupid fabric business of his on my withers – maybe even thrown myself off a bridge somewhere! I'll never be good at anything.

Whoa! That was the nicest thing that's happened to me in ages! As soon as I chickened out, Pinkie and Lavender came in after me and asked if I was okay, and would I be able to go out there soon and so on. I was still in a right tizzy, and just about ready to back out of the gig altogether, but they were like “You can do this, Vinyl, you're made of way stronger stuff than that”. I didn't think I could, so I told them to go out there and perform without me – I mean, hey, it wasn't as if they needed me in the first place.

That was when Pinkie pulled out the big guns. As I was sitting there moping about what a failure I was, she galloped outside and ran off to Sugarcube Corner for something she had in her room. She didn't say what it was, but when she came back, there was a small wrapped box balancing on her back which she said was supposed to be her Hearth's Warming present for me – she said that after seeing me all sad and such, she thought I should have it right now.

And what a present it was too! I was a bit unsure about going ahead and opening it at first, because what the hay had I done to deserve an early Hearth's Warming present? But I went ahead and opened it anyways, and it turned out to be a really neat pair of purple shades with black rims, the sort you'd expect to see on some real hardcore rock-star DJ. Pinkie tells me she thought they'd really help me enhance my image, and sweet Celestia was she right – as soon as I put them on, I really did feel like the sort of mare that ponies would just be screaming their heads off to come onstage and perform. In fact, I can't really understand why I stuck with such a boring manestyle for so long. If I'm to be a DJ, I gotta make myself look a bit more out there, and having it all brushed back is not what a proper DJ should look like. It's time to mess my mane up and make some noise!

HELL, YEAH! Those shades and that frizzy mane have totally made all the difference! Me and May had to swap acts while I gained back my confidence, but as soon as I got back onstage, somehow I felt like there was no way I could ever be so scared of this kind of failure again. I made absolutely sure to plug in the speakers this time, and as soon as I played “Season's Greetings” – for realsies this time – everypony out there was like “Whoa! Listen to this!”, and after like three seconds or something, they were like “Yeah! This DJ totally rocks!”, and then they were like “BOOGIE!!”

Might have helped that I actually went with a stage name this time round – behind the scenes, it's still Vinyl Scratch, but to you party lovers out there, I am DJ PON-3! I know it looks kinda boring on paper, but it was kind of a spur of the moment which paid off surprisingly well. In fact, you know what? So what if I made a complete flop of myself earlier on – nothing can stop me from following my dreams now!

Entry 107 and a bit

Well, party over – and what a party it's been. I had a swell time playing my songs and listening to Pinkie and Lavender singing the lyrics, the guests really loved me, and what's more, the organisers were so impressed that they promised me a spot at the New Year Celebration!
They weren't the only ones either. It turned out Rarity was at that party too, and when it was all over, she and I took a moment to catch up before going home. She's found somewhere for this new shop to go, and after seeing me perform and hearing what the range of my musical skills, she says she wants me to DJ for the opening ceremony which, all going well, should take place some time around June next year, so she tells me.

But best of all was when Lavender said she'd talk with her producers in Sydneigh and get them to release some of my songs as gramophone records with her providing some of the lyrics. I can't believe I ever doubted her the way I did before she helped me with all this DJ stuff – if it weren't for her and Pinkie, I would have become another struggling young busker living out on the streets on whatever spare change I could wangle off of other ponies. I have so much to thank them for, and I don't even care if I was the one who made the music. Those two are helping me on my way to greatness, and I'm well grateful for it.

Thanks, you two. I dunno what I did to deserve this, but thank you so, so much.

Part 7: Reflections

Entry 3706

March 4th, 2009

Just got back from my latest gig in Hoofington, and what a blast it's been! That kid whose cute-ceañera I was playing for really enjoyed that new track I'd been working my tail off to put together, and it was great to be singing with Lavender again, especially after all she's done for me.

It's kinda weird how I went from some pop-loving nopony to an all-star so quickly. I mean, okay, so maybe her producers were a little bit wary at first, but Lavender must have been a real persuasive sort, because they went ahead and made me an appointment for early February so I could record some of my tunes. She even sent me the date in the greetings card she sent with her Hearth's Warming present for me, which was a complete collection of Sapphire Shores. That had to be the greatest gift I'd ever got.

After that, my life just got better and better – I went in for a recording session, and in the space of a few months I was reaping quite a nice royalty fee for every copy sold, and ponies were requesting my DJ services from as far as Canterlot, Fillydelphia and Manehattan. Most of them were kinda local, including that boutique gig Rarity promised me; and then there was a recent fashion show of hers where she and her friends were showing off their new gala dresses. We had to do that one twice, because the dresses just looked so naff the first time – like, I can't really understand why Twilight had to go with all those star signs on hers, and Rainbow Dash looked like some sort of centurion gone wrong! Also, what the hay was that thing what Fluttershy was wearing on her head, some sort of birds' nest or something stupid?! I like a bit of fancy dress, but those glorified rags were totally...no! Just no!

Mind you, it was hardly Rarity's fault they looked so wrong. She'd made some real cool ones earlier in the week, but then her friends made out like they weren't good enough, and she began making them to their own designs. Yeah, that worked a treat – not! Still, once they'd realised that, they had another go at it with the originals, and sweet Celestia did they look neat! Rarity sure works wonders with dresses and no mistake! But I digress.

Anyways, my first big break actually came in the form of Glastonbray Music Fest 2003, when I was invited to take part in the annual pop concert near Baltimare in the town of the same name. And let me tell you, Glastonbray really made my name – once the event was over, I was well in demand for all sorts of gigs in all sorts of places. I even went over to play in Griffonia once, and okay, maybe they didn't dig my music style as much as ponies do, but they still loved it. And don't even get me started on the time when I was asked to DJ for Princess Cadance after she got engaged to that nice Shining Armour guy! I never thought I'd see a princess of all ponies getting into disco music – all of them, in fact, because Celestia and Luna were more than happy to join in – but even better than that was that Cadance actually asked me to DJ for her again when she got married. How cool is that?!

Makes me wonder if that could have been me and Octavia if things had turned out differently. I don't know what she's doing with her life, but I've never really seen her outside of record labels and music magazines and such. Probably the millionth time I've said this, but I really do miss her. I'd probably give my whole career to get together with her again.

Ah well – at least I've got my friends in Ponyville to keep me company, and there's plenty of gigs to keep me going as well. Speaking of which, I've only just received a request for an eight-year-old colt who's like really in love with railways. His name is Locomotion (but they call him Loco for short), and he's got his ninth birthday coming up on the 3rd of next month, so his Mom and Dad have asked me to DJ for his party. He's not much of a disco fan, so they tells me, but anything I've got in my stash that relates to trains, they'd be more than happy for me to play.

This should be pretty interesting.

(P.S.: I didn't need to. She's here now.)

Author's Note

I know this part is probably rushed, but hopefully this won't be the last we'll see of Vinyl's diary. I intend to interweave it with the points of view of two other characters (possibly more) in the following story, in which I'll be experimenting with multiple POVs in the same chapters. It might work a treat, it might turn out an epic fail; but all I can say for now is "I'm afraid I've wrecked the Bridleway Limited".