Vinyl did her best not to pay attention to the disdainful way Octavia glanced around her dirty, dark apartment, leading the mare to the only room she had that was appropriate for lounging, the bedroom, and did her best to guide her through only the light coming from her horn. As they stepped through the door, Vinyl made a point to leave it ajar as she climbed onto the far end of the bed with her back to her broken turntable, and levitated an empty notebook and a half consumed bottle of liquor to her side. She stared at Octavia, expectantly, as she watched her squint and look around the room with little waves of her hoof.

Am I fucking stupid? Vinyl thought as she realized the mare couldn't see. Lighting a small candle that sat upon her dresser illuminated the room with a dim glow bright enough to not bother Vinyl while allowing Octavia to see as she now looked around for someplace other than the bed to sit. Another flick of Vinyl's head told the mare that there was no other spot, but she was welcome to climb up. With hesitation at the unfamiliarity of the situation, Octavia placed a hoof on the sheets and lifted herself up.

I'd hate to see the look on that waitresses face. Vinyl thought, as a realization of the scenario dawned on the unicorn, who opened her notebook with a hoof.

Sorry, I'd turn on a light for you and wear my glasses, but I took out my light bulbs when I moved in. Saves me a lot of money, too. she wrote.

Octavia didn't need to crane her neck or wait for Vinyl to turn her notebook towards her, as the two were practically in each others' face. Octavia felt cramped and crowded in this small room, on this tiny bed, and she struggled to understand how somepony would live like this, in an apartment with only three rooms!

"It is alright, I cannot expect you to bend to my whims in your own home, after all." Octavia admitted as she teetered on the edge of the bed, trying to gain some personal space.

Why did you start using contractions? Vinyl wrote, waiting for Octavia to explain as she took a quick swig from her drink.

"I... I do not entirely know." the gray mare admitted. "I wonder if it is because I grew so overwhelmed and I dropped my guard, so to speak, and all of my... upbringing washed away..."

You should drop your guard more often. the unicorn scribbled. Makes you more approachable. You seem too snobby, otherwise.

Octavia's nose scrunched at the comment, but she held her tongue as she took a deep breath and focused inwards, unsure of how to let years of social training wash away. Before she could try, more pencil scratches told Octavia that another question was coming from Vinyl.

Why are you here? read the scribbles.

"I came to apologize. I did not mean to make you uneasy nor unwell, and I..." Octavia paused, searching her mind for the right, careful words. One misstep and she might find herself on the other side of that apartment door, once again. "I would like to be able to confide in someone who does not expect so much from me. I would like a friend."

Vinyl took another, much larger, swig from her bottle before it floated down to her side, once more, and she stared at the paper, blankly. Octavia's mind began to ebb with fear, hoping she had not chosen the wrong words and praying that she could find a way to actually salvaged this. Before she could speak, Vinyl's pencil wiggled to life.

Only if you keep using contractions. she had written, causing Octavia to tilt her head in confusion at the unusual request, before Vinyl continued. I don't like to admit that I need help, but I do. So if we're going to be helping each other you need to do something for me, and I'll do something for you. For me, you need to not come off as a snob. You need to appear like someone I can talk to. So keep using contractions and ditch that prissy speech.

Octavia considered the mare's words, carefully, not so much focusing on her demands but more so paying attention to her admittance. She knew Vinyl had been deeply troubled by something, but the extent of her issue was only becoming more apparent as she learned more about this mare.

"I wi... I'll try." Octavia promised, with a smile. "But you will... You'll be more honest with me. I want to help you, Vinyl, but I can't if I don't know exactly what is bothering you or why."

With a quiet sigh and a slight nod, the unicorn agreed before she tilted her head back and finished the final quarter of her bottle in a single go; setting the empty bottle onto the dresser as she pulled her notebook close.

I have a drinking problem. she began, moving to the next line as she formed a list of her issues. I have a drug problem. I abuse acid. I have sex with ponies I don't even know. My eyes hurt all the time. I get lots of headaches. Parties are the only way I can let it all go and stop hurting for a while. I am weak. I hurt everyone I meet. I don't-

Octavia tentatively lay a hoof on Vinyl's, snapping the mare from her trance as she realized that tears were streaming down her own face and she had literally torn into the paper at several points. She dropped her pencil in shock as she shivered from the suddenly realized emotions that welled within her, as Octavia bent her head to catch the unicorn's frightened glance.

"It's alright, Vinyl. No need to be afraid." She promised, casting a reassuring smile. "You're not weak and, in fact, you're one of the strongest ponies I have had the pleasure of speaking with. You recognize your problems and are actively working to better yourself, and that makes you strong."

Vinyl didn't feel strong, however. She felt weak and helpless, even more so as the mare retracted her hoof from atop her own. She closed her eyes, tightly, and struggled to breathe properly as she fought her anxiety and her craving. She was weak.

"Vinyl, where are you going?" Octavia asked, as the white mare leapt off the bed and trotted her way around it towards the door, letting Octavia watch her with only a hint of satisfaction that the mare did not barge out the front door. A light grew from somewhere beyond Octavia's vision, in the direction Vinyl had turned, before the sound of clinking glass told Octavia all she needed to know before the mare returned with a case of poorly crafted beer. "Vinyl, I don't think that's such a good idea."

I said I have a problem. Dropping it immediately won't fix it, so if you're going to try to stop me you can leave now. Vinyl scribbled, easily popping the cap of her beer off and taking a rather large gulp as her pen wiggled itself to life. Or, you can lighten up and have a beer, yourself.

"I'm not old enough to drink." Octavia stated, concerned with the demeanor of her new friend as a beer floated its way to her.

And I do acid. You see any cops? Vinyl wrote with a tired glare. Relax, you'd have to drink a thousand of these shitty things to get anywhere near my level of issues, and one isn't enough to even get me tipsy.

Octavia eyed the frosted bottle before her with fear. Luna's Moon was stylized in captivating letters, accompanied by the aforementioned princess laying atop the two o's with her own bottle in hoof. Mother warned me about peer pressure. Octavia thought, in worry.

But... Do I trust Vinyl? she continued as she glanced at the mare, who was glaring daggers into her almost empty bottle, now - completely oblivious to Octavia and her dilemma and likely lost in her own thoughts. She needs to feel like she's not alone, like she's not a monster... One bottle couldn't hurt...

Vinyl blinked out of her depressive trance as she heard clinking of teeth against a glass bottle, and raised her head to see Octavia struggling to get the bottle open with her teeth. Vinyl quietly popped the cap with her magic before returning to finish her first bottle, being too busy fighting off her own thoughts to her Octavia's thanks.

Congratu-fucking-lations, Vinyl. the berating voice sounded from within her own head. You've corrupted another pony to your cause. How long until she starts calling you just to host parties? She seems like an amphetamines kind of mare, don't you think?

Honestly, why do you even bother reaching out for help? the voice continued, and Vinyl pictured a mocking smile on her inner demon. How many times has this happened, now? How many more ponies are you going to fuck over until you just kick the bucket?

Octavia let out a frightened cry as she leapt, backwards, off the bed. Vinyl stood before her on the bed, a mix of rage and sorrow filling her eyes as she threw the empty bottle into the wall beside her, shattering the glass. Vinyl didn't even notice Octavia before she fell back into the bed, face down, as the quiet sound of crying pushed its way out from beneath the covers.

Octavia's eyes were wide as her heart slammed against her rib cage, processing what had just happened. A flick of her eyes told her that the door was only a few feet away, and she could be back in the hallway in a matter of seconds. As her heart calmed and the situation deescalated, however, Octavia found her eyes drawn back to the white unicorn mare sobbing into the sheets.

She needs me. Octavia thought, building up her resolve. She didn't invite you into her home just so you could leave her behind, Octavia! She needs you to be there for her, right now! She trusts you, because...

Octavia lifted the package of beers in her mouth and dutifully trotted out into the hallway, placing them back in the fridge in the kitchen before climbing back up the bed and laying next to the mare; draping her hoof over the unicorn as she pressed her face against her shoulder, comfortingly.

Because she's your friend.

Octavia smiled, softly as she awoke to the lovely and quiet sound of Dancing Stars' "Instrumental #7", before her smile grew agape as she took in her surroundings and recalled last night's events: she had comforted Vinyl long into the night, until her tears grew quiet and were replaced with gentle breaths as the unicorn slept. As it was far too late to return home, she had chosen to stay just in case Vinyl awoke, but soon fell asleep further up the bed as to give the unicorn her space.

Now, however, Octavia found herself laying on her side, with the white unicorn pressed snugly against her chest, with her muzzle firmly planted against her neck. Gentle breaths still pursed the unicorn's lips, blowing hot air into Octavia's fur and causing her heart to thump. As Octavia tried to pull away to get out of bed and turn off her alarm, she found Vinyl's snout slowly chasing her neck, remaining ever pressed into her, and a fierce blush overcame the earth pony.

What would other ponies think?! Octavia thought, stitching the entire night's events together - unfortunately well aware of what it would look like to others. But I'm not that kind of mare!

She slid out of bed and found freedom from Vinyl's touch, leaving the mare to gently shift as she fruitlessly searched for the prior comfort, still very much asleep. Moving quickly and quietly, Octavia silenced her phone and read the date: 6:00 am on Thursday. Octavia cursed herself for falling out of her routine so easily, completely neglecting last night's personal cello practice, and tiptoed out the room and into the hall before she began her journey back home. She had plenty of time before her first class of the day, but scarce time if she wanted to get home in enough time to begin her daily routine.

For a moment, she slowed her pace as she thought about Vinyl and how upset she must be in her life, in that small apartment, and Octavia found herself pulling out her phone and leaving a message for her friend when she awoke.

Sorry I wasn't there to make sure you were alright when you woke up. I stayed the night to make sure you were safe, but I have class at nine o'clock and needed to go. Send me a message when you are awake?

Sent at 6:04 A.M.

Author's Note

This is likely it until after 7/7/2018. I've cranked out 6 chapters in the period of three days and need a bit of a break.