Chapter xx: Interlude

"I've been trying to dig my way out of ocean, and punch a hole in the sky..."

“Alright! We all havin’ a good time?” The crowd whooped and stomped in response to the DJ’s prompt. “Alright, okay! This track’s going out to those bayside cities! This is for them! Let’s rock this!” A dark grey coated pony, sitting across from a white pegasus, rolled her eyes.

“Vinyl seems to be enjoying herself.”

Soarin rolled his eyes. “Aw, let her have her fun, Octavia, she’s the one who wanted us to be here in the first place.” His eyes drifted to the dance floor. “And I guess she’s not the only one having fun. Where’d Lyra and Bon Bon go?”

“I wouldn’t worry about them,” Octavia answered

As the music pounded through the speakers, Soarin held his head, raising his voice. “How are you not even fazed by this?” He shouted as the music cut out. Instead, it was replaced by a soft piano intro.

“Being Vinyl’s roommate, you get used to it. I think the better question is, where’s Spitfire?”

Soarin shrugged. “Dunno, she said she’d meet us here.” The song continued, the piano notes growing louder until they cut out. The song continued, a mix of vocals, bass, and electronic notes. “Guess she’s coming… What’s this song called again?”

xXx

Outside the club, Spitfire was pacing the street. Her eyes were ablaze, full of confusion, anger, and relief. “I don’t get you.”

Inside, Vinyl’s voice carried through the door. “Alright, alright! This is it, show me what you got!”

Daring watched her friend trot back and forth. “What’s not to get?” Spitfire flinched as the voices of the crowd pulsed through the door.

“LOVE!”

“You tell me that you’re going to stay for awhile, then you take off without warning. You didn’t tell me anything, for Celestia’s sake! How was I supposed to know where you went?!”

“NOT!”
Daring pawed at the ground. “Look, I’m sorry. It’s just… I guess I got swept up in my excitement.”

“WRONG!”

Spitfire rolled her eyes. “Yeah… Yeah, I know. I know that you come alive when the light goes out, but we’re your friends, damn it! We want to help you, but we can’t if you won’t let us!”

“BRAVE!”

Above them the sky was dark and overcast, promising rain soon. Spitfire frowned, turning away from her friend. “Daring, you can’t keep doing this. I can’t help you anymore.”

“LOVE!”

Daring’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

“The Wonderbolts are doing a rank reshuffle. The captain’s spot is open, and I’m next up on the roster to take it. That’s what tonight was supposed to be about, a celebration.”

“That’s great, Spitfire!”

“Yeah, but… It means I’ve got to leave. I’ve got to move closer to base, Soarin too.” She glanced back at Daring for a moment. “We can come back now and then, but… I’m sorry.”

“NOT!”

“Daring, you’ve got to trust us more,” Spitfire continued. “We want to help you, but you need to let is in.”

“Spitfire, I’m fine.”

She laughed bitterly. “That’s twice you’ve lied now. Didn’t think you’d listen anyway. My advice doesn’t mean shit to you, does it?”

“BRAVE!”

Daring smiled at her. “Spitfire, I’m… happy for you. I know how much the Wonderbolts mean to you. Don’t let me hold you back.” She hugged her friend. “Just make sure you don’t get drowned in paperwork, you hear?”

Spitfire softened. “Come in, Daring, get a drink with us.” Daring shook her head.

“Nah, I’m fine. I’ve got to go… meet a friend.” Spitfire nodded and stepped back.

“You sure?”

Daring smiled again. “Yeah. I’ll see you around.” She spread her wings and flew away.

Spitfire watched her friend fly away as raindrops began to fall from the sky. After a minute, she turned and entered the club.

xXx

By the time Daring touched down again, the clouds had let loose a deadly downpour. The rain obscured her vision, forcing her to land. Drawing a deep breath, she entered the same bar she had entered months ago.

Braeburn was sitting inside, across from another brown earth pony. “Don’t worry about it, Caramel, you’ll do fine.”

Caramel rubbed his face, groaning. “But will I, Brae?”

“Hey, look at me, Ah’m still here, and Ah’m fine,” he responded. Glancing up, he saw Daring walking towards them. “Darin’?”

The pegasus gave him a weary smile. “Hey, Brae.” She took an empty seat at their table.

“Ah didn't know you were back.” She shrugged.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Brae,” said Caramel as he excused himself from the table. As he left, the two sat in silence for a moment.

“Brae… I need to say something. I’ve been lying through my teeth lately. More than I’ve ever done before. I just… I need to try and get the feeling right. I need to feel okay, and I’ll do whatever it takes to get there.” She sighed, her rain-soaked body shivering in the warmth of the bar. “I… can’t do this anymore.”

“Darin’. Ah’ve been caught up in my fair share of things. Ah keep chasin’ sunsets when Ah know better. And if there’s one thing Ah learned, it’s that bottlin’ up ain’t never helped no one. That’s why Ah want to be there for ponies. To help them let it out. Ah get how you feel.” He fell silent for a second. “And if we’re being honest… well, Ah’ve felt better than Ah have in a long time, yet Ah feel like Ah’ve been dying ever since you left.”

The sounds of the bar faded around them. “Brae… Forget me. I can’t wait for anyone, it just doesn't work for me. I live fast, and not everyone can keep up with me. It’s just… It feels like I’ve been trying to dig out of the ocean, and trying to punch out a hole in the sky, just so I can breathe again. I know I’m falling, but I don’t want to accept it. I’m trying to find light, but everything’s so dark around me… Brae, what do I do?”

“Ah don’t know where you’re goin’, Darin’, but Ah have faith you’ll get there. If somethin’ didn't work, well, it probably won’t work a second time. Important thing is there’s a reason it didn’t work, and you just have to keep that in mind.” The rain outside pounded down, the tiny drops landing in a veristle ocean of water outside. Braeburn took Daring’s hoof and looked into her eyes. “Ah’m not worried about you.”

xXx

“Hello…. Hello? Can you hear me?”

“...”

“... Please. I need you… Hello?”