The Gray Area

“Rave?” The human’s brow wrinkled as the new word struck her ears, the connotations of the conversation she just heard giving it an eerie feel. The wrinkle only increased when the rest of the sentence bounced within her mind, specifically about that same mind being blown. That sounded awful! “Blown? What this mean?”

Vinyl’s smirk stretched asymmetrically along one side, hidden eyes taking the girl in for a moment before her baritone voice spoke with enhanced volume. “First off kiddo, it isn’t ‘what this mean”. It’s “Whatcha mean?’” A white ear flicked towards the bathroom where a telltale thud and groan, though muffled, sounded out. In her mind Vinyl had to hold herself back, as Octavia was too easy some days.

Ever confused eyes watched the exchange and Krysta knew she could throw out the unicorn’s correction to her speech, deciding it would be best to ask Princess Celestia or Octavia later. The threat of this rave however still lingered in the air, causing a hand to prod Vinyl’s neck in half annoyance and half worry. “Rave?” She asked again, urging some of her frustration into her voice so she could know whether she could relax or not.

Vinyl had hardly let the blonde finish before answering, a familiar glow lifting those glasses from her snout. “Yeah! Well, that is what they calls ‘em these days. Too many different styles to break it up. Tonight’s style is harder than most. Very loud usually very epic. You will love it I know it. Hell, even Octavia likes it. Well, in short bursts. Maybe once every three, four months I can drag her somewhere.”

“Very loud music?” She asked a little lamely, having honestly been expecting a lot more than that. “What does it so- gah!” Words were cut short as Vinyl’s headphones pressed themselves against her ears, music already playing. The unicorn wasn’t so mean as to have it turned up at first, but only a few seconds in Krysta was met with some of the loudest, strangest sounds she had ever encountered. Her first reaction was to throw the offending speakers from her head but Vinyl’s magic held it fast, a necessity due to the shape of them.

Krysta’s protest never escaped her throat as beats and rhythm came from what was once just noise, trilling high notes that sounded like no instrument ever heard were partnered with a bass that at first had startled her. Emerald eyes widened at the unicorn while her lips parted in awe, all suddenly becoming still. When the melody joined in, sung by a mare whose voice sounded strange to her, Krysta felt a shakiness enter her legs that caused her to seek out a nearby chair. Her expression was frozen in awe while her eyes stared at nothing in particular, her unfocused gaze not terribly important to her at that moment.

She stayed that way for almost the entire song, only reacting to the drops themselves that shook her and sent shivers down her spine. By the time the song ended and Vinyl’s blue glow pulled the headphones from Krysta’s ears, the said girl was standing with green eyes sparkling with an energy the unicorn hadn’t seen before. Trepidation made way for exhilaration and the white mare could almost see it happening in real time upon Krysta’s face, thus giving her a reason to search for another song. Such wants never came to pass as the door to the bathroom opened to reveal Octavia, the sight eliciting a gasp from a human and a whistle from a pony.

Octavia took both in stride and tossed the bag at a grinning Vinyl, who had luckily just managed to put her headphones away before needing to catch the bag. “I will see about Krysta. Go on and get ready Vinyl.” The earth pony had a clutch of items against her chest, supposedly for the human. The DJ nodded with a flash of a smile before walking into the bathroom, pouring many of the contents right onto the sink much to Octavia’s chagrin. She didn’t bother closing the door.

When Octavia got nearer Krysta was able to get a good look at her, taking in the sight of her prim and proper teacher. Well, once prim and proper. The normally meticulously groomed main was sticking out at places down the length of It, a tuft of wild strands crowning her head and falling down her face somewhat. That was the least peculiar thing however as Krysta took notice of strange objects hanging off of the pony before her. They looked like jewelry at first, several sets of them strung along all four limbs, within that charcoal mane, and the gray mare’s neck but ended up being simple black thread with series of small crystals hanging off them. Upon further searching the human actually discovered the thread was a net of sorts, allowing the earth pony to make symmetrical patterns that were both satisfying and beautiful to the eye.

Octavia began explaining at once, knowing the question was coming. “These glow when magic is applied. It is expected to wear them at these events, as most of the time the only light one sees come from the stage. I suppose it is very pretty when everything is said and done. Let us work your mane first into something comfortable for the show and then we shall choose which colors you would like.”

Krysta’s eagerness to learn and hear more of this music’ worked well for her in this instance, making it easy to accept the situation without hesitation. She got right to work untying her braids while Octavia separated the crystals by color, each task done quickly allowing them to finish well before Vinyl was through. From what Krysta could hear, both her and Octavia’s choices were almost timid compared to what the unicorn was up to if the noise is anything to go by. Krysta had gone entirely for blue despite Octavia’s insistence that more colors were ideal, but it was up to her in the end so the mare didn’t argue. Octavia herself had chosen a red, yellow and orange theme that, once lit, would look stunning she claimed.

Vinyl however couldn’t settle for anything less than using up all the remaining crystals, including those discarded by the human earlier. While Octavia and Krysta would have to entrust the lighting of their crystals to the magic organized by the event, Vinyl would be able to control hers and make her own light show. Which of course she showed her two compatriots as soon as she could. While impressive to look at in the light of the palace room, it was obvious to all that once the lights went down it would be spectacular.

The trio took their time over all, as the music wouldn’t really be starting until sundown proper, but they didn’t have to wait long before departing. A carriage ride and a quick snack stop later they found themselves in front of a building adorned with lights and posters of famous artists, all of which Krysta could only guess at. Normally at this point Krysta would be between the two ponies, not wishing to go too far out in the public as they were. Between the human’s still ever present distrust and the stares she received wherever she went, there was easily enough cause for the teen to wish for privacy and protection. This night however was different. She wasted no time in approaching the building, getting ahead of the ponies by several paces. The line was obvious and Krysta understood such things, launching her into a half-hearted run while urging the others to follow with swift waves.

This brought out deep smiles from both her mentors, each having wished the girl would open up more. It wasn’t impossible to take her out to places but there was no way to know how she would react. There was more than one occasion where the poor girl had begged them to take her home, away from whatever caused her distress. Now they looked upon a girl filled with energy and excitement, the likes of which they believed were only reserved for the cooks of Canterlot Castle. Both ponies closed the distance and sat in line with her, all three getting glances here and there though for three different reasons entirely. Vinyl, a famous DJ herself, was easily picked out even in this crowd. Octavia, while not quite as well-known, still had her face plastered on the side of the concert hall and was recognizable. Krysta of course always drew looks. Because of this it wasn’t difficult to ignore them, instead taking the time to talk about what was to come.

Now that they were right next to the building they could feel the bass within, pounding against the wall though still muffled due to the heavy architecture. It made the human shiver and put a hand against the surface, another episode of awe threatening to overcome her. When they finally made it to the door the music was clearly heard, though when Krysta looking into the door as it opened it was pitch black. Her inner question was answered unknowingly by a unicorn stallion as he ushered them in, a wave of magic flowing over them causing their crystals to flicker into life before closing the door.

The pitch dark was actually just a small room that was flanked with doors, more akin to a hallway than anything else. Krysta assumed it was used as such so the light, whether inside or out, stayed there. As the crystal’s own light grew they were able to see one another, each taking it in. They didn’t get long to admire their work however as Vinyl pulled at them both towards the opposite door, not allowing either to waste time. “Ready to get your mind blown?” Vinyl asked Krysta with that ever playful smirk, looking over her glasses with her striking gaze.

Krysta could only nod, looking breathless as her eyes lingered on the door. The music was throbbing within this small room but the human could tell that even still it was muffled and dampened, which only made the excitement grow in her chest. The unicorn returned the nod and with a flash of blue the doors opened.

The scene she witnessed inside was that out of a dream, or perhaps a dream out of a dream. There was a unicorn stallion clearly visible at the front, raised above the crowd on what Krysta guessed was the stage she was told about. Several pieces of equipment that looked borrowed from Vinyl’s closet sat up there as well, but closer inspection of the room itself showed speakers spread throughout.

The light show coming from the stage is what got the most of her attention. Jaw dropping effects and unthinkable shapes in light made the blonde shuffle forward in fascination, followed by a pair of smirking artists. As the lithe limbs got their owner onto the main floor a large drop of bass and sound send vibrations through them, buckling quickly causing the girl to fall to her knees. The two ponies were at her side instantly but there was no distress upon the girl’s face.

~This can’t be real! This is amazing!~ The blonde yelled into the noise of the chaos, eventually looking below her knees only to be shocked again. Below them all was a thick, clear floor that had lights and round objects spread about underneath. Whenever another heavy line of bass sounded out the round objects would move and throb, sending vibrations up her legs and through her chest.

She spent enough time there staring through the dance floor that the ponies became a little worried, but were however relieved to see her eventually stand so she could once again look up towards the stage and the light show. Octavia and Vinyl stepped on either side of the human, each shimmering with twinkling crystals, and started their motions.

Without words, as they were useless in the noise, they began another lesson. Dancing. It was awkward at first because they had to focus on their front hooves seeing as how they were not bi-pedal, however Krysta caught on quickly to the simply motion that looked both fun and half decent. What started as timid and controlled however quickly turned more and more energetic, with the differing sections of music inspiring new motions from all three of them. It was just the start of their evening, but all three could tell that they were going to be very busy.

~~~~~

An hour or so later the trio swam through the bodies of pones that had developed during the night and headed towards the bar, where the promise of something cold to drink drew them all in. Vinyl ordered some alcoholic monstrosity, Octavia got herself a mixed fruit drink to sip on, and Krysta was given a choice between several juices and virgin drinks. That is when she discovered pina coladas. With their drinks in hand and hoof they found shelter from the storm at a tiny table, one of several littered about the edge of the building near the walls.

“SO!! Krysta, whatcha think?” Vinyl only half shouted at the human, being far enough away from the music to at least converse.

Krysta’s face answered for her, pure delight showing quite easily even with her lips pulled taught over the straw of her latest most-favorite drink. Octavia’s hair drifted back and forth over her back with a shake of her head, albeit with a wide and toothy grin.

“Now Krysta dear, the night is still very young for this crowd. It could go well into the evening, so let us know if and when you wish to leave.” The concert going mare’s eyes spread open in interest as the human proceeded to cheer, suddenly getting a feeling that the end of the night would end up with Krysta asleep on one of their backs. Octavia’s specifically, if how much liquor the white coated unicorn was guzzling down was anything to go by.

The polite mare wished to continue the conversation, however their sitting area was suddenly much more illuminated than before and caused her head to swivel about. The culprit was none other than the current DJ himself, a hoof pointed directly at Vinyl. Eyes began to quickly gather and red flags went off in the gray mare’s head, eyes now swiveling about to locate an exit. Vinyl looked ready to open birthday presents.

Krysta looked between them for some time, even eyeing the DJ as the silent argument was had between the two girls over their table. The unicorn exposed her eyes with a hoof, lifting the glasses so she could wiggle her eyebrows properly.

“GET YOUR FINE ASS UP HERE, VINYL SCRATCH.”

The booming voice alerted all to what was suddenly happening, leading to a cacophonous bout of cheers and encouragement. “Shit.” Octavia’s voice uttered in a very uncharacteristically defeated manner, right before pulling her face down with a hoof and a deep sigh. That was all that was required for Vinyl it seemed who dropped her glasses back down and leapt up from behind their table.

Krysta felt a bit like an outsider again but wasn’t discouraged, gingerly elbowing the gray mare and giving a quizzical look. Octavia lifted her head, eyes looking entirely too tired as they followed the dot of white among the crowd while it made its way to the stage. “Krysta, we need to find the safest part of the room.” The moments it took for the human to translate the words in her head were longer than it took for her eyes to widen and worry to take over.

“Safe? Danger?” She asked in a hurried voice, standing up as quickly as she could manage in case they needed to move quickly. Octavia was taking her time however, or specifically taking her time to down the rest of her drink. From there she joined Krysta in standing and took several long breaths.

“Nothing like that. We just need to find the place in the room that is the furthest from the speakers.” The words hung in the air behind her as she stepped off towards the center-back of the room, causing the blonde to pause long enough to feel even more worried. Then Vinyl took to the stage.