Finding Perfect Harmony

5 Years ago:

The sun was slowly over the tall Manehattan buildings. The smell of my father’s alcohol filled the small apartment making my cringe my nose as I lifted my familiar instrument from its stand with a spell carrying it over to the small bed in the corner. I sent a wave of magic over the strings earning a clear sound from old guitar. Taking mind of my sleeping father in the other room I began to strum out a familiar tune eventually losing myself in the music.

A sudden tapping sound broke my concentration on the song as well as my grip on the guitar itself which dropped onto the floor sending a loud clang throughout the small room making me cringe in fear of my father waking, when the room remained silent a let out a sigh of relief as I turned to pick up the guitar again. Another tapping sound came from the outside window similar to the one before drawing my attention to the window just by my bedside.

Drawing the curtains back I was met with the familiar face starring inside, her golden eyes pressed up against the glass as if she was trying to peer through the curtains that were obscuring her view before. A smile decorated her face upon seeing me as she backed away against the railing of the fire escape allowing me the room to open the window for her.

“Joyful Noise, what are you doing here?” I asked in disbelief upon opening the window allowing her room to step inside much to my protest.

“I thought I told you to call me Joy!” she corrected getting un-comfortably close to my face making me back up against the bed, her voice echoing off the walls of the small room.

I held a hoof up to her mouth silencing her and letting out a quiet “Shhhhh” from clenched teeth as my gaze averted to the still closed door fearing her voice had awoken my father.

I heard a rustle from the other room waiting for the familiar sound of floorboards creaking underneath the weight of hoof steps; however I only heard the sound of my father shifting on the leather sofa before silence filled the room again.

I removed my hoof from Joyful’s muzzle, my eyes still transfixed on the closed door. “What are you doing here?!” I whispered, my voice matching the irritated look I knew was on face.

Grace chuckled lightly ignoring my question as she began to look around my room at the posters pinned against the walls. “I’ve never been in your room before” she stated as she sat down onto the bed sprawling out as she lay on her side. “Very classy”

I rolled my eyes as I picked up the wooden guitar which still rested on the floor, returning it to it place in the corner of the room. Walking over to the closed door I creaking it open just enough to peek out into the living room where I could see my father’s figure resting on the cushion, his chest rising and falling underneath a blanket. Turning to Joy I could see her gazing my way, a concerned look upon her face.

“You need to get out of here” I whispered returning to the still open window and gesturing out with my head.

“Not until you agree to play for me” she argued, a smug smile decorating her face as she crossed her forelegs.

It was the same every time. No matter where I went, no matter what I did she was there; with the same demand, the same smug look. Out of all the colts and mares in our high school, I seemed to be the only one she sought after. It all began after a talent show I somehow managed to find myself in; having no other real talent I was forced to play guitar while one of the mares in my class sang. Ever since then she was on my case about joining this band she was forming. At first I simply ignored the pressing mare, but as the years went by and classes began to change, I found her in more and more of my classes, still bent on me joining her band.

“How many times do I have to tell you, I don’t want to join your band, I never have!”  I yelled with a breath trying my hardest to maintain a whisper. “Now get out of here, the last thing I need is you waking my dad up”

She nestled further into the mattress widening her grin. She wasn’t going anywhere, and she wanted to let me know it.

“This ponies going to be the death of me”

“Fine” I gave up sitting on the floor against my bed, my back facing her.

She shifted on the mattress again, this time moving to the edge of the bed leaning down to get a little closer. I looked up at her as she maintained her position. In a way I found this whole thing kind of funny; I always wanted to get a mare in my bed, but now that one was there, I wanted nothing more than to get her out.

“You’re not giving up anytime soon are you?” I asked.

“Probably not” she stated using her magic to grab a picture resting on a nearby nightstand bringing it over to her. “Is this your mom?”

I nodded.

“She’s very beautiful, what happened to her? If you don’t mind me asking.”

I shook my head, hoping she would get the hint, which didn’t take long. Her face changed again, the smug look that had been there before vanishing as her smile turned into that of understanding.

“I’m sorry” she stated levitating the picture back onto the night stand.

Suddenly the picture leaned to the side and fell off of the wooden stand sending a nerve wracking sound of glass shattering through the room. I knew what would come next, and the sudden noise from the living room only confirmed my suspicion.

“Pitch, the fuck have I told you about letting me sleep” I heard my dad yell from the other room.

“Get out, now” I whispered to Joy who was frozen with fear.

Shaking the fear, Joy leapt off of the bed and out the window onto the fire escape just as my father burst through the door. The large earth pony charged towards we raising a hoof only to back slap it against the left side of my face making it burn with pain. I don’t know how long he stood there yelling at me, how many times he hit me across the face, all I knew was by the time he finally left it hurt to even cry.

I stood there for a few minutes as my father stormed out of my room slamming my door, and then the front door as he left.

I heard a knock on the glass from behind. I didn’t bother looking, I knew who it was. Opening the window using magic I heard Joy step back inside, I didn’t meet her gaze, but I swear I could feel it. Walking over she came face to face with me, holding one side of my face with her hooves as of to access the damage that had been done. I tried holding back the tears, but to no avail, I could feel them streaming down the sides of my face as I fought to hold them back clenching my teeth together to point of it almost hurting. I felt Joy walk forward and embrace me moving close and planting a gentle kiss as if to kiss the tears away.

“Leave with Pitch.” She stated. “You don’t have to be in my band, but please, just leave with me, and don’t ever look back”

Current Day:

I don’t know how I managed to end up in the town’s night club. Perhaps it was the loud music which could even be heard from outside or maybe I just felt like I needed to drink away my sorrows. I sat alone at the bar; a glass of hard cider in front of me which I still hadn’t drank since I had ordered it. I was no longer crying, my tears had long since dried up since I arrived. I leaned against the bar counter placing my head onto my forehooves, I must have looked pathetic to others ponies in the club.

I was still wearing my disguise to remain inconspicuous to all other on looking ponies. I was happy to say the least that I could be left alone with my thoughts. Just how long had she and Beat been doing this behind my back, and what else was going on that I didn’t know about.

“Hey, you ok?” a female voice asked as a white from sat down on the bar stool next to me dashing any hope of being left alone.

I merely nodded not meeting her gaze only hoping she would leave.

She began to converse with the bar tender for a while about Celestia knows what leaving me alone, just as I wanted. I turned my head to gaze up on the mare, immediately taking note of the large purple sunglasses in front of her eyes. She seemed to take notice and met my gaze with a smile. I heard the music die down only to pick up. I recognized the song almost immediately; the words that followed only confirmed it.

Stand up!

My love is in connection with mountains.

Only with running, there are expectations.

My future is written at the starting line.

Hey ya, hey ya...

No matter if it’s a success or failure at the ending line.

I groaned as I heard ponies began to sing along.

“What, you don’t like Solvalla?” I heard the mare beside me ask.

I didn’t answer.

“Personally, I think the music makes the band” She began. “I mean sure, Joyful Noise has a killer voice, but I think it’s nothing without the guitar and drums. Steady Beat is alright too, but personally; I think Perfect Pitch just makes the band what it is”

This brought my attention back. “What do you mean by that?”

“Well Perfect Pitch is just an awesome stallion” She stated as she turned around and leaned her back against the counter putting her elbows up on either side. “He plays the guitar with such emotion sometimes; it’s as if he gets lost in the music. Not many musicians put that much passion into it anymore, not like him.”

“Great another fan girl” I thought as I rolled my eyes thankful for the sunglasses still in front of my eyes.

“Personally, I’m envious of Joyful Noise; she gets him all to herself.”

“Ya well you know celebrity relationships; they never last”

She chuckled lightly as she sipped from the mug in her hoof.

“I didn’t catch your name by the way; I’m Vinyl, Vinyl Scratch.” She said offering a hoof to shake.

“Charger” I lied picking the first name that came to mind as I shook her hoof picking up the mug in front of me and putting it to my lips and taking a long swig from it.

We sat there for a moment once listening  to the song continue on, Joy’s voice etching itself into my brain reminding me of the two of us.

Vinyl began to chuckle with a devilish grin as she turned to me. “You must think I’m stupid or something” she stated.

“No why?”

“Charger is the bands manager. I had the misfortune of meeting him once, and you’re not him, so try again there buddy.”

Realizing there was no way out of this I set my money down on the counter before getting off the bar seat. “Nobody” I muttered turning to leave.

I felt my tail being pulled almost immediately being held in place by a light blue aura. Although my body stopped my feet kept going eventually coming out from under making me fall to the ground, my hat coming off my head revealing my horn underneath, my glasses coming off soon after. I heard the mare gasp in shock releasing my tail allowing me the time to pick up my hat and glasses putting them back on my head before I trotted towards the door.

“Wait” she called immediately stepping in front of me to block my exit. “You’re Perfect Pitch?”

I rolled my eyes attempting to push past her but to no avail, the mare wouldn’t budge. Giving up I walked back into the club hoping to find another way out, Vinyl at my side every step of the way.

“I can’t believe it, a star like you in my club? Sweet Celestia, what did I do to deserve this?” she went on.

I ignored her which became increasingly harder as I pushed another group of ponies gathered on the dance floor earning a hateful glare from one of the stallions. It was apartment that my new adoring fan was not about to leave me alone, and the only exit that wouldn’t set off an alarm was easily blocked. Finding an empty booth in the corner I sat down on the purple leather cushion allowing Vinyl to sit across from me, a grin stretched across her face.

I sighed. “You’re not going to leave me alone are you?”

She shook her head.

“Fine” I said putting my head down on the table.

She chuckled lightly gaining some of her composure as she waved to one of the waitresses drawing the orange Pegasus over to the table. “What can I get you boss?” she asked.

“Two glasses of cider. If that’s ok” Vinyl stated turning to me to see if the order was acceptable.

I nodded. “Wait a minute; did she just call her boss?”

“So Pitch, what’s a stallion like you doing in a club like this?” she asked.

“It’s complicated” I said un-able to look her in where I guessed her eyes might be behind those bulking purple glasses.

“Mare troubles?”

“Big time”

The waitress returned carrying two glasses of apple cider on a tray expertly atop her head.

“Thanks Starfire, you’re doing excellent as always” Vinyl stated taking the two mugs off the tray and sliding one over to me. “You wanna talk about it?”

“Not particularly no”

“I understand.” She stated.

I was thankful she wasn’t pressing for answers like any normal reporter might do; if I gave her credit for anything she seemed pretty relaxed about the whole situation (after geeking out on me that is)

“So what are you going to do now? I mean, I heard the bands staying at the Stanly Hotel nearby. Are you going to back there and face whatever it is your dealing with?”

I shook my head. “I’d like to find another hotel if possible”

“Good luck with that. The Stanly Hotel is the only hotel in PonyVille; the next one isn’t for a good hundred miles.”

“Buck” I muttered to myself.

Vinyl shifted in her seat and began looking around the room, a noticeable red hue washed over her white cheeks.

“Well… you could always stay at my place. If you have no other option that is…” she managed to say weakly almost too soft to notice.

I briefly considered my options. On one side, I could go to the Stanly Hotel and hope to Celestia that I wouldn’t be discovered, on the other I could actually go home with this mare I only just met with no way of knowing where the night would lead. I rubbed my temples, taking notice of Vinyl who eagerly awaited my response. I knew that if I went to the hotel, even if I wasn’t discovered, the thought of Joy would still be etched into my brain, and seeing as there was no other option, I had to give into Vinyl’s request.

“Fine, but just for tonight” I said earning a giddy smile from Vinyl as she nearly jumped out of seat with joy.

“Wait here for a second” she stated immediately leaving her seat and trotting towards the DJ stand through the crowd of ponies still on the dance floor.

I couldn’t help but smile as I watched her, for some reason this mare seemed so easy to talk to. I found myself connecting with her in a way, whoever this mare was dating was a lucky stallion that is if she was dating anypony.

Pushing her way through the crowd once again she returned to the table. “I talked to Disc Skip my assistant manager; he’s got the rest of the night covered. We can leave whenever you’re ready.”

I nodded getting up from the table as I followed her out of the club and into the cool summer night following her as we passed the market I had visited earlier which was now closed down. We passed town hall where I could see “Solvalla” posters posted on the billboard nearby, ponies busy at work outside setting up the stage for the performance. I stopped un-able to pull myself away from looking at the posters, even though I was far away I could still see Joy plastered on the front, smiling as she sang into her trademark microphone.

“Are you still going to play?” Vinyl said as she stopped to look on with me.

“I don’t know” was all I managed to say.

I felt a reassuring hoof on my shoulder. Turning to Vinyl I noticed her smiling as if to say “It would all be ok”. I fought the urge to hug her and merely returned her smile, thankful to have somepony to talk to.

The rest of the walk was spent in silence. Eventually we made our way to a small cottage home amongst others surrounding a single tree; a sign reading “Public Library” swaying with the wind. Stopping at the door Vinyl turned to me pressing a hoof to her lips before entering.

The house in all aspects was roomy to say the least; just from the door I could see a decent sized kitchen just beyond a wooden staircase leading up to the second floor.

“Tavi, you home?” Vinyl called.

“Tavi?”

I heard a door open making me turn my gaze up the stairs where I could see a faint light illuminate the hallway. Almost immediately Vinyl pushed me aside out of view of the upstairs.

“Keep quiet for a sec, Tavi, doesn’t know you’re here” she whispered

“Vinyl? You’re home early” I heard a voice from upstairs say obviously female and carrying a very classy tone to it.

“You know me, always the lazy one” Vinyl stated with an un-easy shaky tone.

The conversation fell silent as I heard the other mare groan in disappointment. “Who is it this time?” she asked.

“This time?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about Tavi” Vinyl chuckled nervously.

“You can come out now, I know your there” The voice called out clearly addressing me.

I emerged into view of the staircase looking up at the gray mare standing there leaning against the guardrail.

“Octavia, Pitch. Pitch, meet my roommate Octavia” Vinyl said sheepishly as she stepped beside me.

What had I gotten myself into…