Author's Note

Second chapter is up and I'm going to bed. Hope this clears up any confusion left from the first chapter. I seem to only try updating this story when I'm tired or late at night/early morning... Meh, whatever. Hope you enjoy!

Lesson 1: How To Stay Determined

"Okay kid," Vinyl began as she downed a glass of water sitting in a mostly empty diner with Octavia and a child who she once perceived to be a grown stallion, "Lemme run through this whole little scheme of yours real quick. You chose to swipe some enchanted item," she said holding up a silver ring, "That you said your older brother made as a project to turn in as some kinda extra credit to Twilight's magic classes back in ponyville. Am I right so far?" She inquired as the colt nodded, sipping a milkshake.

"Then you used said magical project to get here to possibly catch Vinyl's show that your family had previously forbade you from going to see and decided that the best way to get either of our attentions were to brag and pick a fight with Vinyl." Octavia continued curiously as he nodded again, a bit more ashamed than before as he continued drinking.

"And to top it off, you doubled down, got freaked when the crowd started getting rowdy and froze on stage?" She finalized as he gave the slightest whimper and nodded. Vinyl and Octavia stared at him with differing emotions as they then looked at each other and while Octavia seemed in deep thought and minor annoyance, Vinyl simply whistled in what could've been astonishment as she leaned back, "Damn, wish I'd thought'a that when I was little." She said with a chuckle before Octavia cleared her throat loudly.

"First off, Vinyl, you're an only child."
"Well, yeah! But still, would you have come up with an escape plan like that? That takes some commitment!" She said holding a fist out to him, "Props, little man!" She said as he gave her a fistbump before her hand was smacked by Octavia, making Vinyl wince a bit as she rubbed her hand.

"Secondly, though I understand being a devoted fan and I'm sure Vinyl appreciates it greatly, stealing and slinking away in the middle of the night against the will of your parents is absolutely abhorent behaviour and we will be talking to your parents about this." She said with a level-headed sharpness in her tone as he suddenly must've gasped while drinking as he began coughing, Vinyl quickly moving to pat his back.

"Whoa, easy kid! That thing ain't going anywhere." She said with a tinge of worry before looking to Octavia, "Yo, Tavi! I know what the kid did was kinda messed up, but do we gotta rat him out? His intentions were good, I think." She said before pausing and looking back at him, "What was the whole point'a this anyway? Did you for real steal and sneak just to catch my show?"

Ace blushed a bit and looked down as he nodded, "Y-Yeah, at first. But then when I got up on that stage and saw all those ponies... How angry an' chaotic they b'came just cause I challenged you... Made me realize a lotta things." He said as he leaned back up and looked up at Vinyl, "Y'not just an amazing DJ, your an amazin' pony all 'round. Y'know how to keep the crowd cool and know when enough's enough. Even with all'a mah' big talkin', y'showed me some mercy an' sent me along mah' way with a word of encouragement... I wanna be like that, ya' know? Learn how to be like you! Brave an' kind, and an amazin' performah' and be able to be treated and treat othah's with respect, y'know?" He said as he gushed with a hopeful look in his eyes as they gleamed staring up at Vinyl with admiration.

Vinyl stared at the colt through her shades as she seemed to go stock still for a moment, "Vinyl? Well, are you oka--" Octavia was cut off seeing Vinyl's lip quivering as a tear slowly rolled down her cheek, 'Oh no, he got her...' she thought in slight disappointment as she groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose.

Vinyl pushed her shades up, looking away from the both of them as she quickly wiped her eyes and whipped back to face them. "That's super cool of you to say, little man... I really appreciate that, for real... But aren't you a lil' young to try and start tryin' to walk in my shoes?" She said as she decided to take a seat at his side of the booth since she was there, "I mean, what I do takes a lot of practice and patience, not to mention tons of determination and effort. Aren't you still in, like, grade school?"

"Y-Yeah, well... I heard my middle brother listening to your music and I guess I got hooked. Anyway, the big question is... Will you teach me to be like you?" He asked with starry eyes as he turned to face her fully, his smile blinding.

"Hmm..." Vinyl hummed in thought as she crossed her arms and tilted her head to the table, seeming to think hard about it.

'Vinyl, please just think this through... I know you're a fool sometimes and you seem to be impressed with him, but he's just a colt. Just. Say--'
"No way." Vinyl said with a bright smile as both Ace and Octavia seemed to freeze in disbelief as Vinyl leaned over and put an arm around him, "No way I can teach you to be like me. But I can definitely teach you how to find the you you wanna be, y'feel me?" She said with a wink and a smile tilting down her shades. At that, Ace stared wide eyed for a moment before seeming to click the pieces of her statement together as he gasped and hugged her, making Vinyl chuckle and pet his head.

Octavia sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose once again before looking over at the two, Vinyl smiling at her as she held a thumbs up and mouthed 'no worries' before hugging Ace back. Though Octavia was sure that Vinyl meant for that to be endearing or somehow reassuring, all it seemed to do was bring Octavia further inner and slight traces of outward dread and concern.

Early the following morning, Vinyl and Octavia walked Ace to his home near the edge of the main square, Vinyl patting his back as the two walked up leaving Octavia with her wheeled setup. Knocking on the door, Ace's face only showed concern as he felt his heart in his throat with a growing anxiety to what awaited them when the door inevitably opened. Even so, he did feel a sort of comfort having Vinyl at his side as he took a deep breath and smiled up at her which she wholeheartedly returned before the sudden and swift clicking of the doorknob through their attention. Upon opening, they were met with a crimson unicorn mare with golden fading to silver mane and icy blue eyes wearing a white robe threw the door open and gasped at the sight before her.

"Ace! Honey, we've been worried sick! Where'd ya' go off to y'lil drongo!?" She said as she quickly knelt down and hugged him, seeming or concerned than angry as he hugged her back before looking up to Vinyl, drawing his mothers attention to her as well, "Well wouldja look he'e... DJ Pon-3 in the flesh." She said as she rose and looked down to him, "So then, y'went n' gone t' that show regrdless 'a what y'father said, eh?" She said as he looked ashamed before the two looked at each other and began laughing, his mother ruffling his hair, "That' m'boy! Just like ya' mum!" She said almost as if with a heavy sense of pride behind it as, once again, Vinyl and Octavia were caught off guard by this sudden turn of events.

"So... Lil' dude isn't in trouble?" Vinyl asked hopefully as Octavia seemed to also await the answer.

"With me? Nah, I was all for 'im goin' if 'is brother'd gone with him, but looks like he managed all by himself well enough given chaperoned 'im back!" She said as she held out a hand, "Summer Star, nice t'meetcha both." She said with a bright smile.

Vinyl took and shook her hand, "Nice to meet you too! Gotta say, you got a pretty smart kid on your hands. He had me fooled for a while there. Oh, and your other son might be missing this," she said placing the ring in her hand. Seeing it, she grew an understanding look, "Still don't totally get how it works, but y'know. Figured he may want it back."

"So that's how y'went... Smart." She said flicking it up and cathing it as she looked down to him, "I think y'owe these two an apology--"
"Nah, he already did. That's why, if you don't mind," Vinyl interrupted, "I'lll be giving him some lessons from now on in being a better him." She said proudly as Octavia placed her hand to her face and sighed, shaking her head in disbelief of what she was hearing.

Summer stared blankly at her and then looked down to Ace, "Bettah' version of y'self, eh?" She said as Ace nodded with a determined look on his face. She stared a while longer before smiling and petting his head, "Some assisted self reflection could do ya' good. I say why not."
She said as both Vinyl and Ace did a fist pump, "However," she said drawing their attention, "You'll still have to talk it over with the rest of the family. A concert's one thing, but something like this should be decide with the rest of them at least present, yeah?" She said as Vinyl shrugged and nodded in understanding, "Good, glad we agree. Now, you two must be right knackered. Why don't we all get some sleep and we can talk about it later, eh?" She said as she playfully shook Ace's should before he suddenly began to yawn and leaned on her as she picked him up, "There 'e goes." She chuckled patting his back as she looked at them, "Thanks again f'bringin' m'lil' fireball home. Personally, I'd love it if y'gave 'im a hand. Only so much a parent can do without stepping a boundary, right?" She said with a chuckle as she turned and walked back inside, the handle glowing as it softly shut the door behind her.

"... Well she seemed nice." Vinyl said as she turned to Octavia who stared at her in disbelief, "... You're mad, aren't you?"

"No, Vinyl. I'm not mad, or livid, or even mildly perturbed,"
"Good word."
"Thank you. No, I'm just... Confused. You're many things, Vinyl. A showstopper, party animal, musically talented and a damn good performer,"
"Either there's a 'but' coming or you're looking to lay me when we get home."
"But one thing I wouldn't necessarily call you is a role model.Especially not for a young colt. Or a young... Anybody." She admitted freely as Vinyl gasped.

"Ow, hurtful." Vinyl feigned in an exasperated tone before crossing her arms, "I can so be a role model! You just watch, I'll be the perfect role model and help that kid figure himself out. Just you wait and see!" She said as she began proudly rolling her turntables away as Octavia sighed and shook her head, following Vinyl away towards their home for a well deserved rest before their talk with Ace's family.