The Secret of Vinyl Scratch
Vinyl Scratch lived a very simple life, she took music requests from her various pony clients at any time of the day or night, after all she did like to work as a DJ whenever the night time came because it always brought a better mood and atmosphere of darkness to the part so that the lights could illuminate it.
But despite all her success, fame, wealth, fortune, or friends that she had, there was one secret that she could not share, say, or talk about to any pony else, even if she really wanted to, and it was both small and simple, yet large and complex as well.
What was her secret that she kept hidden away from all the other ponies? I hear you already asking from your seats, well I will tell you, she was mute.
She could not speak a single word, even if she wanted to, and he was that way from her very birth, ever since the day she was born she couldn’t speak, and because of that she had to find new creative way of expressing herself, and when she heard music for the very first time she knew that was how she would make her mark.
She knew that this was the right pathway and course for her, no other thing would ever take as much time, effort, or energy, this was her one and only real and true passion and dream and wish that she would hold onto until the day she died, she would never give up on this dream or passion, no matter what would come her way and no matter what happened to her in life.
And she did pursue her passion and dream and she got her wish of making her mark and finding her voice, and even though she could not talk or sing, she excelled in something completely different instead, she could create new music.
She had an excellent talent for making new music that was creative and genius, and even though it was always inspired by something else, it was truly original. She could draw her inspiration from almost anything or any place or any pony, the very world and the things it contained, it’s dreams, hopes, fears, dreams, hates, values, morals, and ideas, they all inspired her in some small part or way, and in some small part or way everything that there ever was or will be, it has been or will be influenced by others, and others will constantly inspire others, and so on and so forth in a never ending cycle and loop that will not end, not unless the world ends of course, but even then, the world lives on within the universe being reformed, recycled and changed, so in reality I guess you could say that nothing ever really or truly dies, we are all immortal beings.
But despite her outlook and view on life in general and about other ponies and music, and thoughts, fears, hopes, dreams, and ideas, it didn’t really change anything as it was now, but then again, nothing is ever as it really seems as it is now or later when you look back on it. But that is not the point, though it is rather a good lesson and teaching point and moral that you would be wise to learn, the real point is that reality can’t ever be taken for granted or lightly.
Everything must be questioned and doubted, and reality itself may not be real, but only a perceived thought or experience, one shared by all, yet still different too, no one ever has the same exact experience in life as another does, and no one is ever created like another, we’re all different in some very small part and way, and we can’t change who we are deep down inside, but we can change how we think, act, dream, hope, imagine, create, and destroy, and maybe that can change who we really are, but who am I to say what can change you?
Anyhow the real point is that Vinyl learned how to overcome her difficulties and challenges that she had in life, ever since she was young she always carried something around to write with, and something to write with.
It didn’t matter whether it as just a blank sheet of paper or if it was a scroll or it even was a notebook or journal which she preferred and liked the best and most of all, the point was that so long as she had something to write with, she would be just fine, but mostly she didn’t even need it because every pony knew her condition ever since she was a young filly, and they had helped her all that they could.
In school when she was young she was never called upon to answer a question (even though she wanted and wished to answer when she knew the answer to the question), and she created a custom plan and schedule for everything she did, shopping, spa treatments, her music requests and professional hours, and even all the restaurants and diners in town knew her ‘usual’ custom order and condition, it seemed that no pony was not in on this ‘secret’, except for all the strangers who came to town, and that’s why she carried something to write with wherever she went, it was mostly for them, but that was not the only reason, there was also the reason of carrying it around always in case there ever was an emergency or dire situation that arose and she needed or wanted to say something, and finally it was also used to jot down her ideas, thoughts, hopes, dreams, and fears, just like a real and true journal should be used as.
And that’s just how her life went, every single day it seemed like it was the same activities and things and stuff, no more different or odder or any more unusual from any and all other days, but just at different times for the same activities and things and stuff. But today was not going to be the same, today would be different because she was going to make it different from all the rest and from all the other days, just like the way she planned it to be, and wanted it to be, for not only did she want to try out some new things, but also take a leap of faith that was daring by doing something incredibly stupid and crazy.
But then again, when you’re in love, you’ll do crazy stuff and things.
She entered the jewelry store and examined the merchandise that was on sale.
She looked around to see if anything was good, new, or even better than the particular object and item that she had in her mind for quite some time now.
“Can I help you out miss?” the sales stallion said behind his cash counter.
She merely just nodded and pointed at the object that she wanted to buy.
“I see that you have very fine taste,” he said, “Is this the thing what you want?”
She shook her head, it was close, but it was not exact as she imagined it, and instead she pulled out her personal notebook and tore out a page with her sketch drawings in it, the design that she really wanted was drawn in there.
“This is very neat and very well drawn,” he said, “But is this what you want?
Your very own custom drawn design to be made and shipped just for you?”
She nodded yes and then quickly wrote something down on a piece of paper.
Combine the two designs into one, and then make two of them for me please.
"Well yes, of course, but are you sure that you can afford the price Miss-?”
Scratch, she wrote down, Vinyl Scratch, and sorry if I seem rude by writing this down, but I can assure you that I am not, it is a very different case instead,
And then she quickly turned to the front page where she had written her very first words in it, I am mute, I cannot speak, I cannot sing or shout, and though I wish I could, I just cannot. But just because I cannot speak, does not mean that I cannot cry, and it does not mean that I have no voice in this very large world.
“Well then, please excuse my very poor manners Miss, I did not know that you were mute, I apologize if I am rude or insensitive to you, it’s just the way I am.”
That’s okay, she wrote down knowing that since he didn’t ever usually see her then he wouldn’t know the fact that she was a mute before he met her.
“Well thank you miss, but as I was saying before, can you afford this very special and unique item? It is after all a custom-made request order design.”
How much for this? She wrote down fearing the worst possible answer to come.
“Well since this is so complicated and fine and delicate, I would say about… 1500 bits, but you’re in luck, I can cut you a deal for 795 bits instead.”
That’s not good enough, she wrote down, How about 715 bits instead?
“Miss Scratch, I don’t think you understand the deal that I am offering you, I am cutting the price back to almost half of its regular normal price, and this is the very best deal I can cut you during this season of love. Anything less than this would not only be an insult to me and the ponies who will make it, but it also simply just cannot be done, I cannot and will not make any exceptions.
And you can trust me when I say that I am an honest pony in my professional business and my personal life as well, I would not lie to you or any other customer. So I’m simply afraid and sorry to tell you that this is the one and only final price of this item, there cannot be any exceptions made to this at all.”
Okay then, fine, she wrote down, have some fun and good luck to you with your customers for any and all that you may get in your nearby future that you have.
She started to walk away and out of the store when he finally spoke up again, “Wait,” he said (Ah, I’ve got him now, she thought to herself when he spoke up again), “I think that I can cut you another deal for you so that it can be much lower than the price it is at, but it cannot and will not in any situation or case be lowered to the price that you are demanding from me, do you understand that? And do you also agree to stay and listen to my new deal and offer?”
She tilted her head as if to suggest that she was thinking about the matter (and she really was), and then she wrote something new down on her paper instead.
Okay, she wrote down very slowly. How about I pay you 745 bits right here and now instead? That’s about half of the ‘real’ price that you have up there.
The sales pony had a look on his face that suggested a debate and struggle that was going on inside of his mind, but eventually something (or rather one side) won and then he eventually and finally spoke once more again, “Okay,” he said, “You drive a hard bargain and price, but I do think that I can meet and match your demands, you have your deal, the item will be made for you and delivered within two to three weeks of the date of purchase, which would be right here and now as you wrote down on the paper, but do you have the money right here and now, or will you have to go back on home and retrieve and get it?”
I have it right here and now, she wrote down, and it is in a very safe place.
“I should hope so, one pony should not go around or travel with so much money on them at hoof, especially in the night time where darkness is, and where thieves hide, something dangerous could happen to your life that would put you in peril and risk, as well as putting the risk of losing your money.”
Thank you for your concern, she wrote down, but it is not needed or required.
I can take care of myself you know, just despite of my natural disadvantage.
“I never have ever said that you couldn’t take care of yourself Miss Scratch, and neither have I even mentioned or suggested it, and in in my own honest and humble opinion and thoughts and ideas think that you can personally handle yourself in a very dangerous situation of peril where your safety or life is at risk, that is if what you write down is honest and true, I would honestly hope and pray that you do not bluff,” he said very politely to her.
I am glad that you are honest and not trying to insult or degrade me, but that does not mean that you should ever expect a tip or favor from me good sir.
The sales pony merely just nodded at her and smiled and very politely said, “Well of course, anyhow will you please just pay the price of the item to me now?” he said holding out his hoof waiting for the money to be delivered.
And with that said Vinyl handed the bag of money over to him and then he slowly counted it just to make sure that it was indeed the correct and right amount that she had said, and then after he was finally done he smiled at her and said, “Well thank you for your purchase today miss, have a very good day.”
And with that said Vinyl left the shop with a very large smile on her face, and for once in her life her disability came into use for as she walked down the roads and pathways ponies asked her what she was so happy about and what she was smiling at, but since she couldn’t speak to them, she couldn’t answer.
And so they had to go off with no answer, and she still went on with a smile.
When she finally got home Octavia was also curious as to why she was happy and smiling, for this smile was one of pure joy and she only wore it whenever she was doing what she loved most, her passions, her dreams, her thoughts, her ideas, her artwork, her paintings, her drawings, and whatever else there was too, and so she was always happy inside even if she did not smile to show it, but the plan and occasion she had set up for them was just too much for her that she could not help smiling, she just couldn’t resist the strong pull of it, and because of that she alerted every pony around her of her emotional state, but she didn’t mind, just so long as no pony else figured out her plan.
If they ever did it would ruin the surprise and plan that she had for them.
“What is it?” Octavia asked, “What’s up? What’s making you smile like that?”
Nothing, she wrote down, I’m just naturally happy inside all the time.
“Yeah, well I know that, but you rarely ever show it, so what’s up with you?”
Well nothing’s wrong with me if that’s what you mean, she wrote down to her.
“I wasn’t mean or harsh,” she said, “And just because you can’t speak doesn’t mean that I don’t know when you’re lying to me by hiding something away from me, so I must ask you this again, what exactly are you hiding away from me?”
I can’t say, she wrote down, for that would only ruin the surprise that I have.
“A surprise then, huh? Well I guess that’s a good reason for why you won’t tell me the truth, but can you please tell me if there is anything wrong with you?”
Nope, everything is just fine, in fact it’s going to get a whole lot better soon.
“Alright then, if you say so,” Octavia said, “Just know that I’m here for you whenever you need it, and whenever you think that you don’t, and also always remember that I will take care of you when you need it, and I love you.”
I love you too, Octavia, she wrote down to her and then closed her book.
And with that said the two of them kissed and then went off and away to do their duties, chores, tasks, and work, all of which they had a whole lot of.
And that night after Vinyl finished all her chores, duties, tasks, and work she still couldn’t help smiling at the thought of her plan and idea, it was going to be a very big, great and grand plan and idea, and that night she eventually did fall asleep and have a good dream, for she still wore a smile on her face.
Two to Three Weeks Later...
The day came that her item finally arrived, and just in time too for the exact date that she had previously planned on before. And so it was that on the day of the spring equinox that Vinyl Scratch and Octavia Melody found themselves at their favorite restaurant in town, and while it was both simple and plain, at the same time it was complex, complicated, elegant, and fancy too, it was quite a nice place to dine, but excellent to eat at as well. And the theme/ mood of the music inside was one of very fine romance, just the way that she had planned it, everything was going fine and well, nothing was going wrong at all.
“How did you get a spot here?” Octavia asked with surprise when they entered it, “I bet it took you weeks to plan this for us, didn’t you? Our favorite place, our favorite romance music, even our favorite food and colors, I don’t know what you’re hiding from me exactly, but I know this is not the end of your so called ‘surprise’, but I guess I’ll just have to wait and see what it really is.”
You’re right about me getting a spot here and planning this, it did take weeks, and you’re also right about the surprise part, but it is coming very soon to you.
“Oh, well that’s good then, I suppose that I won’t have to wait very long then?”
Nope, she wrote down, in fact you won’t have to wait at all for it, I have it ready for you right now, that is only if you are really and truly ready to receive it.
“Of course I’m ready Vinyl, I’m ready for anything that you might have for me.”
Well then, she wrote down, I don’t think that you’ll be ready for what I am about to say, or this. You see Octavia, I have been doing some really deep thinking recently and I realized that things needed to change between the two of us.
“Um, okay,” Octavia said worried about where this ‘talk’ would be taking them.
Well we have been dating for quite some long time now, right?
“Yes, we have,” Octavia said even more worried about where this would go.
Well I have been thinking that it’s time that I told you my real thoughts, ideas and feelings for you, and what I have been secretly been hiding away from you.
“What is it? Oh no, please don’t say that you’re breaking up with me, and oh please don’t you even dare say that you’ve fallen in love with another pony, or even much worse, that you’ve actually fallen in love with another stallion.”
Vinyl smiled at this reaction for she knew that it was perfectly normal.
I’m not breaking up with you, and I haven’t fallen in love with any pony else.
“Well that’s a relief, for a second there you really had me worried about you.”
Thank you, but the real reason I have brought you here today is so that I can ask you a question, a very personal, very powerful, very deep question for you. But I must ask you this once more again, are you sure that you are ready for this?
“Of course, of course I am ready for this Vinyl, I don’t know why or how you could doubt this, but I am really and truly ready for anything to happen right now, and I don’t care what you have to say, I promise not to freak out over it.”
That’s very good then, she wrote down, for this is what I really must ask you. Will you, Octavia Melody, on this day, right here and now, marry me?
And that was it, the big question, and it had been asked, and once it had been, it seemed like the world was moving in slow motion, everything around them just seemed to stop, the music, the ponies, even the air seemed to stand still while Vinyl waited for an answer and response while Octavia considered it.
Octavia was freaking out about and over this, internally that was, for she had to maintain all control of her emotion with logic and reason while she thought about and considered the question. She knew that he loved Vinyl, but was it that much as to issue a proclamation and declaration of their eternal and undying love to the whole entire world? Was it so much that she would keep the oaths and vows that were stated within the proclamation and declaration?
Meanwhile Vinyl had similar thoughts, she knew that she loved Octavia, and had the exact same questions, but more as well like; Did Octavia love her that much? Was she just stupid and crazy asking this now after dating for so long?
But luckily neither of them had to wait very long for an answer, for the answer came to Octavia very quickly to her first, and then to Vinyl once she said it.
“YES!” she screamed at the top of her voice trying to control her voice and emotions, but it was no use of her effort, time or energy, and the customers around them just had to deal with her repeating the same thing over again.
“YES! YES! YES! OF COURSE YES! A THOUSAND TIMES YES!”
Well that’s great and fine, she wrote down, but do you mind calming down first?
“CALMING DOWN? HOW CAN YOU ASK ME TO CALM DOWN AT A TIME LIKE THIS? THIS IS HE BEST SURPRISE GIFT EVER!” Octavia asked very loudly at the top of voice with a slight squeal of delight and joy coming out at the very end that seemed to go on for quite some time, a very long time indeed.
It took some time, quite a very long time indeed, but she did finally manage to calm down enough to where Vinyl could ‘talk’ some sense and reason into her.
Thank you for calming down, she wrote down, I think that because you’re calm now that I can show you the ‘rings’ that I got for us. Well, they’re not actually ‘rings’ since you don’t have a horn, but they will still show the sign of our love.
And with that said she pulled out the very special necklaces that she had custom ordered for them and custom designed, for the design was the two of their cutie marks weaved and forged together in a very special and fine design.
“It’s perfect and quite lovely too,” Octavia said, “How ever did you get them?”
That is for me to know and you to find out, and don’t worry about the price either, that’s already been taken care of by me quite some long time ago.
“Well I don’t really mind or care about the price right now,” Octavia said, “This is after all, a gift made and given out of love, and that’s the best kind of gift.
And also thank you for this experience, the mood, the music, the food, the place, you really couldn’t have chosen anything else better than this for us.”
I know, she wrote down, even if I tried I couldn’t replicate this for us once more again, after all, marriage is supposed to be something that only comes once.
And with that said they both smiled and kissed each other right then.
The wedding took some time to plan and only happened a few months later.
But it was just simply perfect, and there was a huge big crowd gathered around to see the two of them get married, even the Princesses (except Twilight) were there to see the two of them, and when the time came for them to say their vows and oaths, they did so (or rather Octavia did, Vinyl had to write her consent and opinions and thoughts and ideas down), and then they kissed.
The crowd roared with excitement and joy at this, and as they stood in their very lovely white wedding dresses, they both couldn’t help think that this was the single greatest moment of their lives, and they couldn’t be any more right about that (and the reception turned out quite well and was great and grand too), and so they stood smiling while the crowd still cheered on at them both.
