“You’re serious?” Octavia deadpanned.

Twitch motioned grandly as she opened the door, finding it hard not to crack a smile. “Your chateau, Madame!”

Vinyl walked past the bat pony, or rather, squeezed past her. The door was barely wide enough to allow a filly to sneak inside. She was greeted by a small space that could be generously called a ballroom sized broom closet. Bricked up walls led up to a leaking ceiling; the only light being allowed inside was from the thin door and a dubious looking light sconce hanging off a wall.

“There’s not even a lock!” Octavia pointed out.

“Hey! Be thankful yours even has a door! It’s big enough for her to crash inside. I’m being dead serious when I’m telling you it’s the best we got. I can’t kick out real talent to put her up. I’d get my hide tanned. Put another light in here, maybe some potted plants…” Twitch said, kicking a mummified rat carcass out the door.

“It’ll have a good feel to it once you stay here a while.”

“It feels like a rape scene.” Octavia replied.

“Well look at miss hoity toity over here!” Twitch said, mocking the pony. “Look, it’s this or you’re sleeping on the floor in the common areas. I don’t want to put a cute little filly out there for…reasons…”

“It’s good guys. Don’t worry. It’s more than I need.” Vinyl said. She already was dropping her well used turntable, amp, and a few other things from her back. “There’s plenty of space. It’s no problem.”

After placing her few belongings, Vinyl tried to sit down but found there was not enough space left in the tiny room to do so.

“We’ll put in a shelf.” Said Twitch. “Here, let’s look around.”

The three turned, walking into the common space. “Can she seriously leave her things there?” Octavia asked. “This looks like a place with a lot of light hooves.”

“Pfft, don’t worry about that. Lot of worse things to worry about around here than stealing.” Twitch replied, leading them into the main gathering space. The upper floor of the Argos was set up as a communal living space of sorts. Old converted offices were now apartments for various staff and performers. The newer or less prominent ponies just crashed in makeshift beds in the common space. Old mattresses or even piles of hay with blankets spotted the edges and windows of the place.

On the second floor, old leaded windows let in plenty of light. Sealed up tightly from the cold, the place was almost cozy, owing to the old steam heating system keeping all the warm air forced to the top of the building. Rows of old sofas and chairs were dragged to create a main seating space of sorts. Even in the early afternoon, a few ponies busied themselves in the makeshift area, making food or relaxing.

“So you can hang out here if you like. I’d be mighty careful if I were you though. Lots of smooth talking colts and mares come through here, trying to pick up the talent.” Twitch motioned as she walked past.

She led the pair to the main elevator, and old freight lift converted to carry ponies.

“So you can use the lift or the stairs to get up. Stairs are kind of rickety so most ponies take the lift. Just gotta lower the gate here, and then hit the button.” She took them inside, pulling a heavy metal grating down. When they were inside, she tagged an old green button with her wing. The three immediately felt the lift start to descend.

“It’s lets us out near the back, where we all came in.” Twitch said as they reached the bottom. She showed Vinyl how to work the grating.

“Look kid, I’m just going to be honest with you. Sparks isn’t doing this out of the kindness of his heart. He gets free talent to play the club by letting ponies stay here. You’re not the first filly that went into that office of his and walked out feeling like they had the world by the tail.” Twitch said as she led them to the door. Octavia glanced over at her friend.

“It’s…look, I know. It’s fine. I can take care of myself. I’m not some doe eyed foal. I can handle myself.” Vinyl said, looking into Twitch’s slitted eyes.

“Not the first time I heard that.” Twitch said, chuckling. She opened the heavy iron door, letting the pair into the alley. “Remember. This door closes when the club does. There’s no keys except for Sparks and me. You can try to find me in the café, but no promises. Got it?”

Vinyl just nodded as Twitch deftly shut the door with her wing, leaving the ponies out in the alley. They turned and started walking, headed for Octavia’s house.

They walked nearly half the way home in silence, before Octavia finally spoke. “Vinyl…you know I wasn’t serious before. If you want to stay in the house, I’ll…”

Vinyl just looked over at her, smiling. “You’ll do what? You know that’s not going to work out. Look Tavi. You bailed me out before, but this time I’m not letting you. I knew what I was getting into weeks ago when I stood up to that bastard at home. I knew it would come to something like this.”

Octavia looked back at her as they walked. Well stomped snow crushed underhoof as they crossed a deserted street.

“I’m going to do it. Okay?”

Octavia turned away, sighing. “Of course you are. I knew that. I never could talk you out of anything…”

Vinyl smiled over at her, rubbing her should against her friend. “Nopony ever could!” She said happily, humming to herself.

True to her word, Twitch had a couple old wooden shelves placed on one of the walls. Vinyl happily moved her equipment to the lower shelf, placing her few clothes and other belongings on the top.

Stepping back, she took her little space in. It certainly was…tight.

It’s not so bad. She said too herself.

Nearly crawling on her knees, she found she could just about fit under the bottom shelf. She had drug a small hay mattress into the space, and curled up on it. If she was careful and tucked her hooves and tail in, she found she could even close the door.

With the shelves placed above her, nearly all the light was blocked out. She stared over at the dusty brick wall, watching a thin sliver of light trail down from the sconce above. She tried to close her eyes, only to have a loud beat of drum and bass shatter through the wood door. Her eyes went wide with surprise.

“Buck this.” She mumbled, opening the door. She headed over to the common space to see what the commotion was.

As the early evening set in, she was surprised at the amount of ponies that had gathered. She hung out near the edge of the ring as she watched two mares in the center try to have a dueling competition between a set of drums and a synthesizer.

The tall cyan mare playing the drums would play a beat, before the pony to her side, a pale yellow mare with a nearly shaved mane, would attempt to copy the riff on her synth.

Trying to trip up her friend, the cyan mare started inter spacing cymbals and snare in with the rhythmic bass drum beats. Smirking at her, the other mare started trying to match the sounds by changing the distortion. The crowd that gathered started laughing as she matched the beat as best she could.

Vinyl leaned against a nearby chair, feeling herself relax a little. For as scary as this place was, it also could be pretty cool. She was going to get to meet a lot of other artists. Maybe it wouldn’t be that bad…

She really was thinking that. Until she felt a familiar feeling hoof place itself on her ass.

Blushing, she jumped away in shock, turning to face the pony behind her. A familiar, slightly rotund colt stood there, smiling widely at her.

“Treble!?” She said, shocked.

“You know it!” He said happily. “I heard you moved in to Sparks place here, and figured I’d come help you settle in.”

Vinyl narrowed her eyes at him. “Does Tavi know you came here?”

“It’s a free country. I come here a lot. I know a lot of the ponies living here. You knew that?” He said. He nodded at a nearby group, sitting watching the show.

Vinyl felt her face flush as she tried to ignore him. Of course he was going to be here. She screamed at herself. He practically lives here.

“So where did Twitch stick you? Somewhere with a door I hope?”

Sighing, Vinyl pointed over to the nearby closet.

“Oh!” Treble said, whistling. “Nice and cozy! I like it.”

Vinyl simply walked away from the colt, trying to pretend to be interested in some nearby ponies handing out some sandwiches. Seeing the little filly, the nearest stallion smiled at her, offering her one. She gladly took it, nibbling at the tofu and spinach that generously spilled over the edges.

She shivered as she felt a hoof creep along her spine.

“C’mon. I’ll introduce you around if you want.” Treble offered.

Vinyl just buried her muzzle in the sandwich. She wasn’t getting away from this, was she?

Allowing the insistent colt to lead her, she followed him back to his circle of friends. He sat down on a chair, motioning for her to sit on his lap. Rolling her eyes, she decided to stand.

Beaming, Treble motioned towards her. “This is that filly I was telling you guys about. She won that contest a few months back. She’s pretty cool, for a filly.”

The other two stallions seated around the circle looked over at her. Vinyl immediately felt uncomfortable around them. The first was a tall, gangly looking unicorn with a faded grey coat. He looked like he had dyed his wispy mane black, wearing it off to the side. He nodded at her, grinning slightly.

His friend was nearly a complete opposite. A well built pony, she could see his muscles as he moved, toasting her with his glass. Nearly stark white, with some speckles of brown, he seemed slightly out of place with the others. He looked as if he could have just walked out of a gym.

“These are my buds, Hiatus and Skyline.” Treble said, motioning first to the unicorn, then to the stocky pony. “I’ve known Skyline since we were foals. Hiatus is a cool dude too though. Always willing to buy a pony a drink!”

The three stallions looked at each other, laughing. Hiatus glanced over at Vinyl. “I heard you at the junior contest. I always check it out, to see the new talent. You were good. I think you’ll be fine playing the big stage.”

Skyline nodded. He took a long swig of his drink. “Trebs talks a big talk about you. Can’t wait to hear you play!”

Reaching under the chair, he pulled out a bottle and some spare disposable glasses. Offering the filly one, she nodded. Her eyes grew wide as he filled it nearly to the top.

“Something to take the edge off!” He said.

Polishing off her sandwich, she accepted the glass, looking around at the trio before taking a deep sip. Surprised, she found it tasted just like a glass of fruit punch. She could taste the pulp of the mixture, slurping down chunks of fruit as she drank.

“Something Skyline mixes up.” Treble added, taking a top up for his own glass. “The fruit really hides all the cheap alcohol!”

Coughing, Vinyl slowed down, looking at the nearly half filled cup.

“Well she can definitely party.” Added Hiatus.

Feeling her body warm up almost immediately, Vinyl resolved herself to nurse the cup from then on. She didn’t want to get destroyed her first night here.

“Got to say, I was pretty happy when I heard Trebs finally met a decent little filly. You two are super cute together. Happy for you!” Skyline said loudly.

Vinyl glared over at Treble. The colt shrunk under her gaze.

“W…well, it’s not like we’re a couple or anything. Nothing serious! We just had some fun, right, Vinyl?”

“Fun. Sure.” She replied, taking another swig. The mixture was growing on her the more she drank. Anything to take away this embarrassment…

Hiatus lit a hoofmade cigarette, lighting it with a spark from his hoof. He glanced over at Vinyl. “So you’re a DJ too, huh? You make your own stuff?”

“Nah. Nothing too fancy. I um, I do a lot of work with old records. I add music to them and add some of my own singing sometimes.” She said. “I guess sometimes I do some original things. I’m not the best singer though.”

“She’s lying!” Treble interrupted her.

“No, seriously! I dunno, maybe I just don’t like singing in front of that many ponies?” Vinyl trailed off…

“You should practice right now. We’ll clear a spot in the middle. Get your stuff!” Skyline exclaimed, suddenly hopping to his hooves.

“N…no way! I just got here! I don’t even know anypony here!” Vinyl protested. She took another drink of her glass, staring at the large colt incredulously.

“You think you’re gonna know the ponies down in the club when you’re on the stage? You realize that performing for strangers is sort of important if you want to make it in this place?”

Finding herself blushing hotly, Vinyl looked over at the large group. Maybe it was the cheap booze or her dislike of showing any weakness in front of Treble, but she suddenly found a grin coming to her muzzle.

“Alright. Alright, you’re on. I’ll get my stuff. You just get everyone set, okay?” Vinyl said, trotting over to her room. She hastily grabbed a few records, and her well used synthesizer.

Sliding her turntable off the shelf, she carefully ran her hoof over it. An old Techclop model she rescued from a flea market, it had a large crack down the side that she had stuck back together by carefully remelting the plastic. Scarred up from years of abuse, it still worked perfectly, the motor still strong no matter how she turned it.

Downing the rest of her drink, she suddenly felt a wave of confidence sweep over her.

She hadn’t felt this way since the night she told her step father to buck off.

It felt good.

Carrying her records, she levitated the synthesizer and turntable over to the couch circle. Hooking in to the set of speakers there, she plugged into a nearby outlet, jiggling the loose plugs to try to make sure they stay put. A large crowd had gathered, as all the ponies present were eager to hear the new filly play.

Treble walked past, clapping her on the back as he placed another drink in front of her. She eagerly took a drink, flipping her mane up in the air as she brought her first record over, dropping it on the turntable.

With a thought, she lit the turntable with her magic, spreading light blue sparks as she started tapping her hoof to the beat as it came alive through the room. The familiar scratch of the record brought the mare to life. The tinny echo of a swing band snuck out form the speakers. Focusing on her synth, Vinyl distorted it down, driving the bass as low as it would go. With a grin, she turned a few knobs, bringing the higher pitch down. As the floor shook from the bass, she turned quickly as she moved in the small circle, making sure to look everypony in the eye as she started singing.

♪♫ Let’s end your time to lay low.

Your Hooves are bending so,

It’s time to get up and let go!

The filly flipped her mane across her face, letting her magic lit up her features. She moved towards the edge of the ring as she sang, putting a hoof against the muzzle of a nearby colt.

♪♫Your plot is shakin, you know.

Your head has no right to say no,

Tonight it’s…ready, set, go!

Vinyl brought her lungs to full volume at the end, releasing the colt, and trotting around the small makeshift stage. Shaking her plot, she flipped her mane once more, leaving tendrils of blue magic in the air. She grinned widely, looking over her shoulder at Treble and his friends.

“Dude, your marefriend is hot.” Hiatus said.

Treble just sat wordlessly. He had never seen her like this before.

♪♫Baby can you move it around the rhythm,

So we can get with em’

To the ground, and get us a rock and roll around.

Vinyl was losing herself in the song, as she did a little spin, flashing her spiked tail and mane in a circle. She created a small blur effect with her magic, making them leave small trails in the air as she danced. She focused on the synth, speeding up the rhythm.

♪♫ Just a downtown body baby,

Coming with a super hottie,

Let’s go, yes, hell no!

Just turn up all the beams when I get up on the scene!

Accentuating her singing, she focused on the lights above her, making them alternate to her electric blue as she walked through them. Looking out at the crowd, she moved back to her turntable, lighting the record with her magic. She deftly spun it back, belting out the same words in tune to the record. She killed off the treble, accenting the base as she sang in tone with the floor thumping rhythm.

Ponies around the room started moving to the beat, as she instantly started carrying the crowd. She wound down her song by driving the beat faster, until she ended it with a little flourish of her horn, changing the lighting to all sky blue.

The small audience cheered her on, with some of the more senior performers nodding at her. She gave them a little wave, before taking another deep drink. Feeling giddy from the performance, and possibly the shots of cheap alcohol in her bloodstream, she walked over to Treble feeling light on her hooves.

“That was pretty killer.” Hiatus said, taking a puff of his cigarette.

“Awesome.” Skyline said. “Just awesome. Don’t let anyone tell you different, Vinyl, but you’re easily at the top of this place. You’re going to get a lot of jealous attention if you keep that up.”

Treble just looked over at her, trying to give her a grin. He couldn’t believe she had improved that much since he last heard her.

Looking over at him, Vinyl could feel his surprise. “Treble, you have to remember, I couldn’t do much at the junior competition. You had to stand still, and you were limited to what you could play.”

“Heh. Yeah. I know. You’ve gotten a lot better since I remember.” He replied softly.

“Yo, Yinyl? You want some help with your stuff?” Hiatus asked.

Nodding, Vinyl walked with him over to her few pieces of equipment. He easily levitated them with him magic, holding them in a golden aura. Vinyl looked back over towards Treble.

“Hey. Don’t worry about him, okay?” Hiatus said. “That’s the look of a colt that realized he never had a chance. Trust me, I know. Nothing you can do about it.”

Hiatus carried her belongings back to her room. Walking back to the circle, Vinyl finished her glass once more. Looking over at the filly, he took once of his cigarettes from a small case stashed in his mane, offering her one. She took it with no objection, already feeling her body warm and blurred from the alcohol. He lit it for her, and she immediately could feel the smooth burn of the pipeweed in her lungs. As she breathed out, her body felt light as her head spun.

Hiatus helped her to the circle, letting her sit next to him. "I’ve been around this place for a long time, Vinyl. I’ve seen a lot of fillies come and go. I think you know that could make it though. You’re confident on stage.”

Levitating the joint to her muzzle, she took another drag. “Yeah. I feel different on stage. I can do anything there.”

Leaning over, Hiatus stroked her mane gently with a hoof. For the first time Vinyl could smell him; the faint scent of smoke and old leather. She could feel his unclipped fetlocks brushing against her forehead.

“That’s normal. Everypony feels like that. Anypony that’s cut out to be a performer that is.” He moved his hoof around her head, turning her muzzle to face his so he could look into her eyes. She could see his steely blue eyes now, piercing her. He reached forward to kiss her.

Her mind already swimming from the alcohol, she didn’t refuse. Expertly he parted her muzzle right away, nibbling her lip slightly as he pushed against her tongue with his. She could taste stale cigarettes as he pushed against her, starting to pull her body on top of his.

Vinyl’s thighs straddled his leg as she slowly pushed up against him. Breathing against his muzzle, she could feel herself react as he keep rubbing her mane, moving down her back. She gasped as she suddenly could feel his magic on her, tracing down her teats…

Her mind finally screamed out at her. This wasn’t right. Not like this.

“N…no!” She cried, backing him away from her. She rolled off to her side, hopping off the couch. The mare became aware of the golden glow of his magic on her plot as she turned over, and she kicked out instinctively to try to get him to release her.

“Hey! Take it easy! We’re just hanging out, right?” He said, sliding towards her. He grabbed a hoof playfully as she tried to kick him, easily taking control of the drunken filly. Vinyl could feel him moving along her plot, caressing her dock and circling her tailhole.

Focusing herself, she shoved him away from her as hard as she could. He still held onto her, dragging the filly along with him. She flailed a hoof at Hiatus, striking him in the muzzle. Flinching slightly, he just grinned at her, reaching out and grabbing her front hoof, pulling her against him once more.

Her mind racing, Vinyl suddenly remembered she still held a small object levitating in front of her. Focusing, she brought her still lit cigarette down as hard as she could on Hiatus’s exposed inner thigh.

“Bitch!” He yelled in surprise. The filly immediately felt his magic fall away from her body, as she jumped to her hooves, backing away from the sofa. She could see the now angry expression of Hiatus, as he brushed the errant ash away from his thigh.

She backed away from him as he got to his hooves, following her. Vinyl prepared for another fight with him, as she suddenly realized she had backed into the sizable body of Skyline.

“Everything okay?”

Looking back at him, she still found she struggled for words. Her mind was still in a haze as she tried to come back down from her shocked state. As if he could sense something was wrong, Skyline put a hoof on her shoulder, helping her brace herself.

“Drink too much?”

She nodded. The speckled stallion walked over and filled a glass with water, holding it out for her. The grateful filly took it and drank the whole glass in one go.

“There we go. C’mon, just sleep it off. That’s the way to do it.” He said, leading her to her small room. Struggling slightly from the alcohol, she crawled inside and curled up on her straw mattress.

She could see Hiatus glaring at her from the sofa as Skyline closed the door gently for her. She curled up tightly, clutching her tail in her hooves. She tried to focus straight ahead as she closed her eyes, fighting the spinning in her mind. The exhaustion and drink had the filly nodding off in no time at all.

Author's Note

Please note I will be using lyrics from some of my favorite songs that I think fit the mood.

If you want links, please PM me. I don't want to include them here, since I think it will be fun for readers to try and guess the songs.