I Will Break The Silence

The rate at which things had gone from fine to a shit storm were amazing even to Vinyl. She had beat up Amethyst on Monday by Wednesday she had been expelled. On Thursday she filled out an application and by Monday she was a high school drop out working part time as a trainee waitress which would change to full time within the week. Octavia had been right and her actions came with consequences.

It turned out that beating up the most powerful person in the school districts daughter was a bad idea especially when he was known for his temper and had a Vendetta against every living thing that wasn't him. A pissed off figure in power was a machine that could not be stopped and in the case of Fallen Star the machine was well oiled and finely tuned to perfection.

The day that Vinyl had gotten expelled was obviously rather shitty, she had been forcefully removed by the schools security officer despite not resisting. She was fairly sure that the dean had made it clear to the entire staff that she was no longer welcome as every faculty member she passed as she was literally pushed out the door either gave her a sympathetic look or a scowl. Cheerily had been a rather funny exception though.

Once she was off school grounds and turning to leave, the window to the pink skinned teachers classroom opened and a matching hand threw a paper airplane in her direction. When Vinyl retrieved and opened it she found twenty dollars had been paper clipped to the inside with a note reading "Thanks for pissing off the dean! He was so livid I had to try not to wet myself laughing. He's a total jerk, here's a little something for your trouble!"

Vinyl smiled as she opened the door to the ally behind her place of employment. Despite Cheerily's best efforts not to show it most people knew she hated working at Canterlot high for a multitude of reasons. The dean, crap pay, and the fact she used to work for Canterlot College before getting sacked to cut costs a week before getting tenure just to name a few.

The DJ pulled a pack of Cigarillos from her pant's pocket before producing a match pack flipping the back of the pack so that the match was clenched between two pieces of cardboard before pulling it to light the twig of cardboard. Touching it to the tip of her death stick she inhaled before flicking the spent match to the pavement and taking a good draw of the soothing kill you slow time goodness. She wasn't big on smoking and had never touched a cigarette but her first day on the job at the Taste of France had taught her that her co-workers were jerks and her boss was an Asshole with a capital A. The Nicotine was her ticket to both a fifteen minute break from them and helped ease her nerves.

She sighed in contempt exhaling the smoke through her nose earning a slight burn. She was a minimum wage employee who could only serve food and not take orders meaning many of her lazy fellow legalized slaves pawned their work on her. If nothing else it kept her busy and meant she got to piss them off every time she took a break which made them do their jobs. She coughed out a quiet mute laugh through her nose. Octavia may be right that she didn't stand up for herself as much as others but she made up for it by being passive aggressive.

She took another draw from the smoke as she pulled out her phone, she couldn't use it during work but she could on break! pulling out her contacts she swept her thumb through them till she found the name of her beloved Octy. three days and she would be listening to the lovely melody of her cellist skills and getting to spend time with her after. At the thought she frowned and took another draw from her death stick. While she had kept in contact with Octavia school had kept her too busy to spend much time together and with her schedule Vinyl didn't get off work till her parents were home.

Basically if she spent time with Octavia it had to be through texts and never in person lest the raven haired girl get shipped up to Baltimare. with her brother Harpo. The DJ glanced at the clock on her phone as she prepared to text the cellist she Idolized, the time was eight, ten so she had about fifty minutes till her shift was over, not much longer till she had her freedom. Clicking the buttons with her thumb she finally finished typing the message and sent it.

"Hey Octy! How you doing?"

after a few seconds she got a reply as her phone buzzed in notification.

"I'm fine just practicing for my place this weekend, only five days left to do so!"

"You don't even need to practice this stuff, I heard you play at the battle of the bands you got this!"

"Perhaps if it we're something I already knew but right now I'm studying a new piece I don't have experience with so I need all the time I can get! I wish I had someone to play for though a second opinion would go a long way."

It was at that moment Vinyl had a spark of mischievous inspiration, she took a few minutes to search her memory for some precious information and once she was sure she had remembered right she sent a reply.

"Leave your bedroom blinds open tonight k? I have an idea! ;)"

/l---)O(---/l\

When Octavia received the last of Vinyl's texts she was quick to reply but unfortunately the DJ did not respond. Frowning she read the text over a second time to try and figure out what the DJ had meant but while it was clear enough to make her worried it was mysterious enough that she had no idea what the blue haired girl was planning. Despite wanting to think this over further she was interrupted from her speculations when a knock came at her door. Standing from her seat she moved to the door and opened it, her mother was on the other side.

"Octavia dear your father and I are going to the airport now!"

"I thought you weren't leaving till tomorrow?"

"That was the plan at first but we had to change it yesterday when we found out there was storm warning apparently their is going to be hail on Thursday night. We decided to fly in early and beat the storm."

"You changed it yesterday?"

"Yes we did, we'll see you next Tuesday but we'll keep in touch when we can."

"But why didn't you tell me sooner that-"

"Philharmonica dear were going to be late for our flight! It leaves in an hour!"

"Ok honey be there soon!" Called back the older woman "Sorry darling we have to go now I'll call you when we're at the hotel!"

With that Octavia's mother was gone out the door with her suitcase and purse before Octavia could do much else. With a frown and a sulky sigh she sat back down and pulled out her phone. Might as well tell Vinyl she didn't have to be all secretive when she came by or whatever she was planning to do. She sent a quick text but no response came so with yet another sigh and a roll of her eyes she went back to practicing her cello. If her parents wanted to ditch her without warning and Vinyl wanted to make things harder for herself that was fine by her so long as she could practice undisturbed.

/l---)O(---/l\

An Hour and a half later saw Vinyl off work dressed in her usual well worn clothes and checking her breath and hair to make sure she was presentable. She was standing outside the Crystal Apartments staring at the third floor windows planning her way up. She was still blissfully unaware of Octavia's attempt to text her of her parents absence so she was still planning on taking her current path to reach her friend.up.

Making her way to the base of the building she took a quick look to size up her climb before dusting her hands with some of the chalky dirt that made up the gravel patch at the base of the building. her hands now nice and dry she jumped up and grabbed the nearest window frame and began pulling herself up. Vinyl had more experience then most when it came to urban climbing as the first apartment that her and her mother lived in was two floors up and as a kid she was fond of sneaking out to play in the yard when she was supposed to be asleep. She had never been very good at bed times.

Years of practice climbing out of her bedroom window had taught her how to properly brace herself against the walls and window frames so she could distribute her weight. She knew to use both her hands and legs as well as where and when to take chances. Luckily the building was much easer to climb then her previous home. The structure was made from cut bricks of stone with occasional lumps and more hand and foot holds. It was meant to make the place stand out and look more "Posh". Vinyl had heard Octavia use that term to describe her place of residence. Granite might be expensive but Vinyl wasn't about to argue with something that made her current task easer.

Once she was passed the first window things got a bit more tricky, She had to clear a yard and a half of open space where her only holds were bumps and indents in the stone. She achieved it though not without a slip, a mental curse and a scuffed knee. It was hard being Vinyl, you were lucky to go a day without bleeding or being bruised. Finally her fingers gripped onto Octavia's lower window frame and a quick look inside showed the cellist playing on her instrument.

With a cheeky smile Vinyl knocked lightly on the window making a surprised and dumbfounded Octy do a double take and rub her eyes to confirm what was before her. Realizing she wasn't going insane Octavia quickly opened the window and held out her hands for the crazy blue haired girl to grab onto. Vinyl did so quickly and let the cellist pull her into the room making a slightly noisy entrance when her feet hit the floor with a stomp.

"Vinyl are you insane! Please tell me you used a ladder at least!"

The DJ gave an unconvincing nod and the raven haired girl was quick to walk over to the window and call her bluff. When she turned back around she was clearly upset at Vinyl's reckless action of free climbing her way up the building but at the same time grateful she hadn't fallen in the process. The DJ waited for a "Don't you ever do that again!" or a "You could have broken your neck you idiot!" instead Octavia said something else.

"I guess you didn't get the text that my parents weren't home."

Vinyl stared for a moment before doing the enviable face palm at hearing that. Octavia burst out laughing while Vinyl pulled out her note pad and scribbled a reply while trying and failing to look angry.

"You mean I didn't have to sneak in tonight? They were gone the whole time!"

Octavia couldn't stop laughing so she did her best to nod instead. Vinyl clutched her head briefly in frustration before bringing her eyes back to Octy's smiling face. On second thought it didn't matter that she had to go the extra mile to get here, her efforts had made the cellist smile and that was worth all the trials it took to get here all by it's self. Putting pencil to pad once again the blue haired girl decided to state why she came in the first place.

"Well you said you wanted someone to listen to you play for a second opinion right? Well here I am so lets see this new piece your practicing!"

Octavia read the reply quickly before yet another smile graced her features.

"You mean you climbed three stories to my window just to hear me play my cello?"

Vinyl smiled with a happy nod following after.

"Vinyl that is incredibly sweet of you."

The DJ waved a hand dismissively before taking a seat on Octavia's bed and rolling her hand in a "go on and play" gesture. Trading her smile for a poised expression the cellist obliged. She sat back down in the chair at her desk taking the cello and her bow into her hands to begin her solo private show. Vinyl sat listening intently as Octavia began to play and swiftly drew the bow across the several strings with the grace one would expect only a goddess to have (at least in Vinyl's eyes.)

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The tune was caught somewhere between fast flowing and slow, jumping from one to the other in different places, the requirement for skill clear as Octavia played. The speed at which the bow danced across the strings was amazing and the practice and natural skill of the cellist was on it's finest display. As the DJ listened the cellist let herself become lost to the music, fingers dancing on the strings in an eloquent display of talent. Her cheek rested against the side of her beloved instrument, her eyes closed so her ears could focus more greatly on the music she was creating. She was an artist and in the DJ's mind the skill on display made her a rival of Leonardo da vinci, Picasso and even dare she say Vincent Van Gogh.

As she continued to play both began to feel as if they were in their own world were only three things existed, Vinyl, Octavia and the music the latter created. Vinyl sat eyes glued to the alter of beauty in front of her. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she watched her long time love play her heart out just for her an audience of one. Tears began to well in her eyes as she gazed at the raven haired girl. She felt as if the music was both breaking and stitching her heart together at the same time and she felt overwhelmed with both sorrow and joy at the tune. This moment was one she wouldn't trade for anything, this moment of her Octavia and the music so beautiful it made her cry.

As the song came to an end the cellist raised her head opening her eyes to see the teary eyed DJ in front of her. Unaware that it was her music that made the girl cry tears of joy she rested the cello on the ground and hurriedly sat next to Vinyl shushing her quietly.

"What's going on Vinyl? What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

The DJ brushed the tears from her eyes before grabbing the pad and paper off the bedside table where she left it and writing a reply.

"Octavia that was one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard! You were amazing! How can you think you needed to practice when you can play like that?"

The cellist blushed bright red at the compliment unsure at first how to respond. Had she truly moved the DJ to tears with her performance? A part of her felt that the praise from Vinyl was more important than that from anyone else, though she didn't know why she felt that way for sure. Thinking for a moment she carefully planned out her next words.

"Vinyl I don't know what to say at receiving such praise! Did you really love it that much?"

Vinyl's heart lodged in her throat and she had to fight back a crying fit. This moment felt so, so...right. She felt compelled to reach out and hug the girl in front of her, kiss her and finally let her feelings be known. She wanted nothing more than to be able to speak just this once and tell Octavia what she felt, to say what was on her mind. "Octavia it was lovely! It was like being in heaven for the time you played! I loved it and I love you! I've wanted to tell you for so long how I feel about you and your music makes me want to all the more!"

But she couldn't, she couldn't speak and she was too scared to write what she felt down. The thought of Octavia saying she couldn't feel the same and making this beautiful moment change to one of sorrow for her was too much pressure so instead she swallowed and merely nodded with tears still falling from her eyes, only now they were tears of repression and hurting instead of joy. After a few more moments she swallowed again and putting pen to paper gave a final reply, a half truth that was the most she could say for the moment.

"Will you keep playing please? I want to hear more of it if your willing. I really did love it."

Octavia smiled at the response and nodded.

"For you Vinyl, of course."

Reaching for her cello Octavia began to stand but felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. Turning she saw Vinyl with a pink tint to her cheeks holding up her pad.

"Could you sit next to me while you play?"

While the cellist was a little surprised as well as curious as to why it mattered, she decided to humor her guest and do as she requested. Swiftly she retrieved her cello and went back to sitting near her friend as she took the bow in her left hand and rested the cello on her neck once again. She was just about to start playing when she felt one of the strings vibrate from being plucked. Looking to her right she saw a sheepish DJ looking at her with apologetic eyes.

"Do you know how to play?"

Vinyl shook her head no before grabbing her pad and writing a quick response.

"No but I'd like to try something if that ok with you."

"I suppose what is it?"

The DJ smiled and made a go ahead and play gesture by rotating her hand in a forward motion. Octavia obliged and began to pull the bow across the one of the strings. As she brought it back against another one and the tune began she started flowing further into the song. Once the beginning was established she felt the strings being lightly plucked at different heights on the cellos neck. Glancing right she could see Vinyl experimentally plucking the strings adding a deep low echo and hum of noise accompanying the singing of the strings.

Not quiet sure what her friend was doing she continued to play on as more of the strings were plucked and soon after joined by the echo of gentle pats and light thumps on the body of the instrument. Octavia continued to play as her elegant ringing of the strings filled the room with cello bass and hollow echoes playing along. The strings were like high pitched vocals to a song and the noises of the DJ's efforts were lower and more somber. Still they worked together rather well. Instead of changing the speed at which the cello was played the pace stayed the same and instead the change in the song was made by the deeper tones. It was like nothing Octavia had heard before and part of her was screaming at how this was not the way to play a cello. It was different, improper and broke all the rules of a professional musician, but...she liked it.

The tune was not the work of one musician but two somehow working in harmony despite having not planned this out in the slightest. Octavia soon realized she wasn't even playing a song she knew anymore. Her and Vinyl were improvising now! This was a special moment the two of them were sharing as friends. "No not friends" Octavia thought. "Best friends sounds better to me."

Unknown to the cellist Vinyl had different thoughts in her mind at the moment. "This is so perfect! If the world ended this very moment I wouldn't care! As long as this moment was saved and preserved I could care less! The girl I love is sitting next to me and were making music together that is all our own! This is our song and no one else',s this moment and this song belong to us! Me and the woman I love."

Vinyl was fighting a war within herself not to put an arm around the cellist and pull her into a loving kiss and embrace. At this moment if Octavia asked for the moon Vinyl would oblige if for no other reason than to make her smile. It would be so easy right now to pull her head forward and kiss her. She could do it right now! Her head screamed no but her heart beat in her chest like it was trying to break out saying Do it, Do it! With closed eyes and a slight frown she let her mind win. This moment was too precious to risk ruining and she was near certain that kissing her would do so. With a heavy heart she bit her lip as their song that had gone on for untracked moments came to an end.

As Octavia drew the bow one last time across the resonating strings and the DJ plucked out a final note, their song found it's own end. In the wake of it's ending the cellist rose from her seat on the bed and gently placed the cello in its case, closing the lid and snapping the latches in place. Looking to the clock on her wall she saw the time and gave a small "Oh my it's late isn't it?" The time read 10:56 PM much later than Octavia usually stayed up. When Vinyl saw where she was looking and examined the time she waved goodbye with a smile and started towards the door. To her surprise though she felt a velvety hand grab her wrist and stop her.

"It's pretty late and dark Vinyl I'm not sure it's a good idea to walk home this late."

The DJ raised a curious eyebrow as if to say "I don't follow." Picking up on this Octavia continued.

"I've never had a sleep over with a friend before and my parents wont be back till later next week so if you wanted to stay..."

Vinyl smiled enthusiastically before nodding happily. As she turned the rest of the way back she made for the bed and grabbed one of the spare pillows placing it on the floor. She was about to lay down when Octavia spoke up.

"No no no, Vinyl you don't have to sleep on the floor I've got a king sized bed you know."

The DJ's cheeks flushed a bit at the Idea of sleeping in the same bed as Octavia, on the same mattress, in the same sheets...Snuggling-"Bad brain stop it" she screamed internally. As the cellist pulled back the covers and sat down on the bed Vinyl placed the pillow back in it's place before doing the same. Pulling the covers over them Octavia gave a small sigh as she began to feel warmer from the comfort of the layers. Vinyl was adjusting as well trying to find a good position to sleep in.

"Are you having trouble getting comfortable Vinyl?"

The DJ held up a finger as she turned on her side so she was facing Octavia before giving a thumbs up.

"Good, I suppose I should turn out the light so we can sleep shouldn't I?"

The blue haired girl shrugged.

"We could talk for a bit if you want I suppose."

Vinyl elevated her palm to rest her head on while giving a "your kidding me right look".

"Oh I mean not talk talk but...umm...I'll shut up now."

The pale girl simply smiled and gave a quiet raspy laugh into her palm. Octavia gave a pouty look before hmffing and turning away in the bed.

"That will teach me to try and be sensitive of my best friends feelings."

Vinyl started surprised at that, with a more serious look on her face she grabbed her note pad and poked her bed mates shoulder. With mock frustration Octavia turned around surprised at the serious expression on the face of the girl in front of her.

"I'm your best friend?"

Eyes softening the cellist answered.

"Yes Vinyl of course you are. How could you not be after all you've done?"

Vinyl's eyes watered a bit but before they could get any worse she pulled the raven haired girl into a tight hug. While she couldn't speak the message was clear as day.

"Thank you Octavia, that means the world to me."

Patting her on the back Octavia waited until she was released from the hug to speak again.

"Your welcome Vinyl, but I'm tired so can we go to bed now?"

Vinyl Nodded and with that the cellist turned off the lights and snuggled into her pillow closing her eyes for a good nights sleep.