The melody of the orchestra played in the background, as Vinyl leaned against the seat, a rather dull expression displayed on her face, frowning slightly. She cared for Octavia, but concerts were just so...boring. She felt like she could fall asleep by how soothing the accompaniment was.
Tilting her head back against the top of the backrest of her chair, lidding her eyes, groaning. She sighed heavily, opening her eyes once more, the brightness of the lights hanging from the ceiling made her grimace and turn her head to the side, towards the pathway in the middle of the Grand hall.
The red velvet carpet ran from the bottom of the floor all the way back to the entrance. Vinyl eyes followed the carpet from where the orchestra was playing up on stage, all the way back up towards the two wide double doors, currently closed up at the top. Shuffling in her seat, she scooted out, and worked her way towards those doors. At the very least she could get a drink, or maybe something to munch on while she was being dulled by the music. She respected the differences between herself and Octavia, and yet she couldn’t help feeling like there was just something missing. Like she wasn’t complete, like she had this wonderful music to share, and yet Octavia could never truly understand her. The two were from different worlds practically.
She slowly trotted her way to the exit. She hesitated by the door. Octavia’s solo had just started. It captivated the entire crowd. Vinyl bit her bottom lip, as she pushed the door open, and left the Grand hall, to go get herself something to quench her thirst, but the hunger for more felt undeniably impossible to fill, like a void of nothingness.
Vinyl glanced to posters hanging along the wall, each side was covered from one end to the other. Pictures of ponies playing their hearts out, displaying some of the greatest moments of the past symphonies. She saw Octavia’s picture on the wall, hanging there, Octavia’s eyes were closed and it was like she and her cello were one with each other, it was mesmerising. Vinyl didn’t even realize she was staring, until she heard a soft melodic voice beside her.
“She sure is something isn’t she? I’ve always wondered how she’s able to know exactly the right place to place the bow as she lets the music absorb her into it. It’s honestly quite fascinating.” asked the alicorn beside her.
Vinyl tilted her head towards the owner of the voice, finding herself stuttering as she found herself staring, blinking as he mouth gaped open...she found herself unable to process any coherent thoughts. The mare talking to her was a Princess, she recognized her from Ponyville, not to mention the like half a dozen times she and her friends saved them all. Why was she taking the time out of her day to talk to her? She doesn’t even know who I am.
Vinyl hesitated for some sort of reply. Here she was standing next to Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship. Finally she managed to find a way to respond with a simple bobbing of her head, up and down, with a smug little smirk raising up on her muzzle, as her body seemed to sway in place, like she could feel a rhythm beneath her hooves.
“So you do agree then! Oh I’ve always loved her music. It’s so soothing, and it’s very resourceful for when I need to work on any lists I might need! Oh, um...sorry I sorta get carried away, I’m Twilight Sparkle. Who are you? You look...familiar.” asked Twilight.
Vinyl felt her ears want to droop to the sides of her face, as the expression behind her tinted shades dimmed against the relaxation, Twilight had no clue who she was talking to. She knew her roommate though, well at least her music. Maybe, this could be a way for her to respond, and get the Princess’s attention.
Vinyl signaled with her forehoof putting it in front of her lips, directing Twilight’s attention there. Before motioning her head back and forth, and letting out a sigh.
“Wait...you can’t talk?” asked Twilight as Vinyl watched her shiver, and jerk back ever so slightly. “How do you um...communicate with others?”
Vinyl blinked, eyes darting back and forth under her shades, shrugging her shoulders. How did she communicate with others? She tapped her forehoof against her chin, deep in thought. How could she convey such a message without a need for words? She looked up to the picture of Octavia and her cello, the two in perfect symphony with one another. She pointed to the picture, and then she pointed back to herself.
“Oh! You communicate with music. That makes a lot of sense. Some of the greatest musicians had disabilities that prevented them from enjoying some of the pleasures of being whole, and they used the music to fill that void. Oh my, that is...quite a lot to take in. Do others judge you for it? Do you find it hard to blend in with others? Is it hard for you to make friends?” asked Twilight, that last question made Twilight look utterly horrified. Vinyl starred.
Vinyl shrugged her shoulders. She scoffed her forehoof against the floor beneath her hooves. I don’t care what they think of me. She looked at Twilight, and thought it must be hard to be Princess. All that attention, all that glory, how can she be so calm about it all? She pointed her hoof back to the picture of Octavia, this time, a childlike grin splayed upon her muzzle as she gestured back to herself, then to the picture to indicate the significance that she knew Octavia personally,
“Oh! You know Octavia? I admit I’m kind of a fan of hers.” Twilight flushed slightly, the rising pink spreading across her cheeks.
Vinyl put a hoof against her chin, deep in thought, before she grabbed a hold of Twilight by the hoof pulling her along. Somehow, she had clearly forgotten all about her craving for snacks, she wanted to introduce the Princess to her roommate, and there was no one better to do that than her.
Vinyl led Twilight to where she was seated, gesturing for her to sit in the empty chair beside her. Luckily, it wasn’t a packed house tonight or it might’ve been more difficult. Not that she couldn’t handle that. She was used to dealing with crowds, and crazy ponies at the raves she held at night. The ones that she didn’t tell Octavia about.
Twilight gasped, her mouth opening wide, as she stared up at the stage, her eyes focused right onto Octavia. Vinyl forced a slight smile, with a nervous twitch, she relaxed back into her seat.
Vinyl eased back into her seat, letting out a long exasperated yawn. The melodic accompaniment of the orchestra was just as dull as it had been. It was hard for her to stay awake, but yet she found herself occasionally looking at Princess Twilight, and seeing that sparkle in her eyes. It was stunning, and the soft “oooo” and “ah’s” of her mesmerising voice. Vinyl stifled a chuckle back, rolling her eyes, and shaking her head, this mare...was certainly something. The music might be dull, but sitting here with her made everything around her seem all the more enchanting. Vinyl was already thinking of a wicked beat she could make with those “oooo” and “ah’s” bobbing her head up and down, getting lost in the moment with her.
The curtains came to a close, after a trumphimant applause, as every pony in their seats rose up, and clapped their hooves together. The entire crowd focused its attention on the stage, as the curtain shut, and the lights of the Grand hall lit up once more, the speech announcing for the ponies to make their exits, and be sure to visit again.
Vinyl stood up, at the exact same time Princess Twilight did. She noted how she simply addressed herself as “Twilight” maybe she didn’t like titles, Vinyl shrugged, and urged Twilight to follow her backstage.
“Backstage!” began Twilight about to protest when Vinyl put a hoof over her mouth to shush her, as she shook her head back and forth, and then gestured with her forehoof for her to follow. Vinyl went backstage, knowing exactly where Octavia’s room was. Each musician had their own space to relax after a concert. It wasn’t like Canterlot didn’t have plenty of space for all of them, and besides the Orchestra was rather small right now. Only really like twenty ponies and most of them, Vinyl could name the names of, just from how often Octavia chatted about them when they were home.
Vinyl gestured for Twilight to wait outside, as she went right in without knocking, to which she heard Twilight’s mouth gape open in protest, but Twilight didn’t know she and Octavia were roommates.
Vinyl stomped her hoof on the ground a few times, to get Octavia’s attention, she was looking at some sort of musical notes scattered all over her little desk, dork.
Octavia heard the ever familiar tap, tap, tap of Vinyl’s hooves upon the floor, it was such a loud thump, that it made her ears ring. She sighed heavily, turning away from the scattered pile of music sheets on her desk, glaring.
“VINYL, how many times must I tell you…” she stopped herself mid sentence when she realized Vinyl wasn’t alone, but with Princess Twilight. Octavia quickly adjusted the bow around her neck, brushing a forehoof through her black mane.
“Princess Twilight, what an honor. I surely didn’t expect to see you here of all ponies. What is the meaning of this?” asked Octavia, stuttering, clearly attempting to piece this puzzle together.
“I could say the same to you as well, Octavia. I’m a big fan of your music. I have all your records at home, I listen to them whenever I need to relax.” explained Twilight, a soft eep coming from her muzzle.
“Hmmm...I see. That is quite the compliment to hear, truly. It is hard to find ponies that can truly understand the finer niche’s of Orchestral music. I see you met my roommate. She can be quite the hoofful, so if she’s caused any trouble, do let me know.”
“Oh no! She’s not causing any trouble. Other than possibly getting me in trouble for going backstage without permission. There are rules and procedures to these sorts of things that need to be addressed. Her blatant disregard for this boggles my mind!” Twilight explained, gasping for breath, as she felt the wave of anxiety attempting to control her every thought and moment. Stay calm.
Octavia chuckled, as her lips pursed together, shaking her head, at just how naive Twilight was.
“Vinyl has her rather unique quirks, and one of them is not caring about rules or regulations. Though I do respect that you are at least aware of them. However, I am used to Vinyl barging in after a concert, so there is no need to panic. I’m not going to report you to the authorities or anything like that.” explained Octavia, reaching a hoof out, and briefly touching Twilight’s shoulder with her fetlock, before moving her hoof back to her side. She heard Twilight gasp, and swore she felt her shiver.
Vinyl shrugged her shoulders putting her hooves out to each side of her, in a non caring mannerism, before moving towards Octavia, and pulling her into an embrace, nuzzling their cheeks together, before booping her right on her snout.
“Vinyl...how many times must I tell you not to do that?” asked Octavia, dusting herself off. There was a slight snortle that escaped the musician’s lips, as she huffed.
Twilight stared at the exchange, almost in disbelief at what she was seeing before her. Her lips parted about to speak, but stopped herself short. It wasn’t her place to judge.
Vinyl released her hold on Octavia, shrugging her shoulders, before looking back at Twilight. Twilight stood there silently, but yet Vinyl knew there was something on her mind, just by how she was gawking at Octavia in disbelief.
Vinyl waved to Octavia, and took a hold of Twilight’s hoof, gesturing with a silent tilt of her head for her to follow. She heard Twilight gasp, but she didn’t budge, even when Vinyl attempted to pull her forward.
“No. I...this isn’t right. How could any friend not be happy by their friend and roommate being supportive of them…” began Twilight, looking straight at Octavia now. The question had been posed, but would Octavia answer?
Vinyl knew from previously by the entrance hall where the posters hung, that Twilight was a big fan of Octavia’s music, there was no doubt that this was stinging for her to see her idol wasn’t like she expected. No pony was perfect, Vinyl knew that for she herself was imperfect. Sure, she had a lot of fans and admirers, but they didn’t see her when she wasn’t performing. She was quite literally a nervous wreck, it was soothing for Octavia to be her roommate. It felt like she was the one pony in all of Equestria that might understand her.
“It’s not that I’m not happy for her support. I just don’t care for affection in this mannerism. I have informed Vinyl of this numerous times, and yet she continues to ignore my personal feelings on the matter. There is such a thing as a time and a place for those sorts of feelings. Feelings I don’t have towards her. It’s nothing personal, we’re just friends.” Octavia retorted with a huff, as her snout scrunched up, rolling her eyes, and holding her forelegs against her chest. Twilight blinked, unable to respond to her answer immediately, but felt Vinyl tugging at her, gesturing for her to follow.
Twilight bit her lip, but allowed Vinyl to pull her along, silently she followed. Vinyl noticed her gazing back every now and again. The worry, and concern expressed in those wide violet eyes of hers.
Vinyl stopped in her tracks, and turnt towards Twilight, she removed her shades, to allow Twilight to see her eyes. The soft hue of pink expressed her emotions without her ever needing to say a word.
In her eyes, Twilight could see love, passion, and a certain melancholy. She wasn’t hurt by Octavia’s disinterest, and she wasn’t even offended by it. Twilight opened her lips to speak, when suddenly she felt Vinyl’s hoof against her muzzle, as she shook her head back and forth.
Vinyl used her magic of her horn to write something down for Twilight to read, and slide the piece of paper forward for her to read.
“Don’t be too harsh on Octavia. She’s always been my friend, and my roommate, but she’s one of the very few ponies that understands me, without scrutinizing me for not being able to speak. So often ponies they look at you differently, they think you need help, Octavia has never treated me like anything but another unicorn. And that’s part of why I adore her, but we’re still too different to be more than just friends, but that’s okay. I know I’ll find the right mare someday I can be affectionate with. Perhaps, she’s already in front of me.”
“WHAT?!?” asked Twilight after reading the note, a blush spreading across her cheeks, as she hyperventilated, trying to disythere what Vinyl had just told her. She liked her? They had just met...How was this possible?
Vinyl chuckled, lifting a forehoof against her muzzle, shaking her head back and forth, before putting her shades back on, and gesturing with her head for Twilight to follow.
Twilight stood there silently, baffled. “Wait! Was that a joke?” Twilight asked following after her, but Vinyl simply shrugged her shoulders and continued walking. Twilight continued following her, the curiosity of it all nagging at her, and the simple fact, she wanted to know more. The thirst for knowledge was ever present within the Princess.
Vinyl walked back to where she and Twilight had first made, her stomach roaring at her in protest for not getting a snack earlier. It was a small price to pay, for getting to see the Princess light up like a filly on Hearth's warming. There was a sparkle in her eyes, the soft ambient gasp, and how her wings had stiffened against her sides, as she fidgeted nervously seeing the mare she was a fan of, Octavia. Seeing her up close and personal, getting to talk to her. Vinyl understood why, after all Octavia was pretty rad, even if she was rather dull at times too. Vinyl smirked a smug grin, as she put down bits for some popcorn.
The vendor selling the popcorn, asked politely.
“Would you like butter, caramel or something else?” the stallion asked.
Vinyl pointed to the butter, and right as the stallion was about to hand her the bucket of popcorn, she heard Twilight yell from behind her.
“Wait!” Twilight gasped aloud, approaching the stand. She looked to Vinyl, then to the popcorn. “I can’t let you eat this, I wanted to thank you somehow for introducing me to Octavia. How about dinner with me? It would be a chance to hang out and for me to get to know you”
Vinyl blinked, and shrugged her shoulders, taking her bits back, nodding and following Twilight. She wasn’t about to complain about dinner with a Princess, that would be rather foolish.
Twilight led Vinyl out of the Grand hall, and to the main hall where the thrones of Celestia, and Luna were. Celestia was seated on her throne, and noticing her, Twilight bowed her head immediately.
“Princess…” Twilight began, when she heard Celestia shushing her in protest.
“Relax, Twilight. Remember we’re both Princesses now, there is no need to address me so formally. Who is this, a friend of yours? I don’t recall you mentioning her before.”
“Oh! This is Vinyl Scratch. She’s not really a friend of mine, more of an acquaintance. We just met at the concert. The music was splendid and she introduced me to Octavia. I thought I was going to get into all sorts of trouble for going backstage without a pass.” Twilight explained, as she began to panic about the possible corrections or punishments she might have faced had Octavia reported them.
Celestia giggled.
“Oh, Twilight you worry too much. I assure you even if you had gone back there without any pony else, I wouldn’t have punished you for it. I was quite reckless when I was around your age, it’s completely normal to be curious about what goes on behind the curtains.”
Twilight opened her mouth to speak, but Celestia shook her head, and pointed to her friend beside her.
“Now, Twilight it is rude to ignore your guest. You should continue as you were. Don’t let me distract you from a good time. And perhaps a chance to make a new friend.”
“Your right. Oh! Sorry about that Vinyl. It’s just Celestia was my teacher before I became a Princess, and I really really aspire to be like her someday.” Twilight muttered aloud, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson red. There was no doubt in Vinyl’s mind, the Princess was awkward, but cute like this.
Vinyl nodded, shrugging her shoulders, a slight smile spreading across her lips. Her stomach roared, and it was her turn to blush, and look awkward.
“Oh, Celestia. Dinner! Let’s hurry. You must be starving.” Twilight stated adamantly pulling her along. Vinyl didn’t protest or fight as the Princess grabbed her by her forehoof. Her hoof in Twilight’s, she didn’t know why, but she felt her cheeks reddening more darkly as if she had just played saxophone for way too long, and she didn’t even play that instrument. She was more a fan of mixing discs and providing a wicked beat for ponies to enjoy.
The friendship castle had always stood out amongst the other buildings of Ponyville, but Vinyl hadn’t really ever been inside of it. It looked gigantic from the outside, and on the interior it felt so grand. Splendidly designed, that every inch of the interior spoke of its own rhythm. Each tile has its place. Though honestly, the palace wasn’t as interesting to her as the Princess that lived in it. If she wasn’t starving, she might’ve asked for a tour, with a gesture.
Vinyl was led into the dining hall, a large dining table that could easily seat at least ten different ponies at a time. That didn’t seem like very much, especially for a Princess. Vinyl thought she’d have more, but simply seated herself at the table, as Twilight insisted for her to relax.
“You just wait here, I’ll get you something more filling than popcorn.” Twilight stated, half in a panic as she dashed off to the kitchen area.
Vinyl waited, as she stared at the dinner plate in front of her. It had an elegant yet simplistic design. Each symbol on the plate had its place, and when put all together, they vibed brilliantly together. Vinyl found herself playing with her silverware, banging it against the table, losing herself in the simple beat, bobbing her head back and forth, and getting lost in the melodic rhythm of it. Vinyl wasn’t sure how long it was going to take Twilight to make a nice dinner. Honestly, she didn’t want to offend the Princess by saying something simple would’ve been fine, if she wanted to treat her to something nice, who was she to complain? It meant she got to spend more time with Twilight, which was not a bad thing at all. Vinyl enjoyed it, even as her stomach roared at her in protest.
Vinyl leaned her head back, as she stopped playing with the silverware, when she could smell something wonderful coming from the kitchen. Mhmmph. It certainly smelt better than any of the snacks she was going to purchase, and she was saving bits too. Licking her lips, she waited for the Princess to return. While she waited, she thought about the concert, about how they had met. She certainly never expected her connection with Octavia to lead her into having dinner with Princess Twilight. Never. Vinyl found that the best things that could happen to a pony, were the things and events they didn’t expect to happen. Like how Octavia and herself were such good friends, despite their very unique differences in quirks.
Twilight walked in after some time had passed, Vinyl hadn’t really been paying attention to the time, she was too engaged in observing the details of the dinnerware, when she tilted her head up, towards Twilight as she reentered the room with hot food in her hooves. Putting it on the table, Twilight beamed. There was this light in her eyes, a sparkle of emotion, concern, and even a bit of empathy. Vinyl could see it all in her expression, she felt awful about making her wait so long just to eat. Vinyl could go long periods without food, part of being a musician was starving yourself during the long trips between concerts, so it was nothing new for her, but Twilight’s concern for her was flattering.
“Sorry about the wait. Who knew that this recipe was going to be so complex! But I think it turned out alright. You’ll have to tell me what you think of it. I’m not really an expert of cooking, but well I wanted to ensure it would taste good, considering how long you’ve been waiting.”
Vinyl looked at Twilight, then at the food, then back at Twilight, before diving in headfirst. She didn’t even pick up her silverware. She wasn’t a lady when it came to fine dining, and damn if she wasn’t ravenous. The emptiness in her belly would be filled by the hot food that Twilight had prepared for her.
Vinyl savored the flavor, the aroma. Everything about the food was great. Twilight said she wasn’t a great cook, but Vinyl disagreed, the texture, the way the food melted under her tongue, was unlike anything she had tasted before. Vinyl licked her lips, after finishing the food. Not able to really see she had made quite the mess on her face through her sheer excitement to finally fill the void of her stomach.
“Did you like it? Is there anything else I can do for you?” asked Twilight, batting her eyelashes at her, quizzingly.
Vinyl pointed her hoof towards Twilight, pointed back to herself. Trying to send a non-verbal cue of what Vinyl might want. More time with her.
“You want me? What?” Twilight baffled.
Vinyl chuckled and shook her head. She tapped her hoof on the table before using her magic to write something down.
“I want to spend time with you, Princess.” was written on the dinner plate.
“Oh. Well, I don’t mind but we really should get you cleaned up first. You look messy.” began Twilight, a slight sweatdrop running down her face.
Vinyl wasn’t offended by her pointing it out, and didn’t seem phased by how she phrased it either. In a way, Vinyl was a total mess, but Twilight didn’t really need to know that.
Vinyl stood up, walking over to Twilight and booped her snout, smirking a big wide grin.
“Hey! Now I am messy too.” Twilight fussed at her, which only made Vinyl’s grin widen, as if she had done it on purpose. Twilight stepped back, as if suddenly coming to a realization. “Wait, a minute. Earlier today you said you might have found the mare that understood you to be romantic with. I thought you were just joking. We just met!” Twilight protested, looking both baffled, and flustered at the same time. Vinyl chuckled more.
Vinyl gestured for Twilight to guide her to the bathing area, after all, if she even tried to find it, she’d end up lost. And maybe she got Twilight’s muzzle dirty as an excuse for her not to leave her alone. Vinyl was enjoying her company, and finding charm in how cute she was with rosy red cheeks.
Twilight led her to the bathing area. The bathroom itself was quite simplistic in design, yet it was well polished. Vinyl stepped into the bathroom, and started the water in the tub, turning it to just the right amount of heat, as she turnt towards Twilight. Vinyl approached her casually, gesturing with her hoof towards the bath.
“You want me to join you?” asked Twilight, her face reddening more darkly, as she fidgeted slightly in place.
Vinyl nodded in response. Vinyl watched her body expression, how her chest area was more profound, beating heavily, she could hear her heart, see her breath as she panted and gasped, taking a slight step back.
“Um...Sure. I guess I could join you.” Twilight responded, stuttering over her words.
Vinyl and Twilight bathed together in silence. There wasn’t a word exchanged between the pair. Vinyl enjoyed the closeness with the Princess, and was glad she hadn’t been appalled by her idea for them to share the bath together.
Twilight couldn’t stop herself from looking like a ripe tomato picked straight from a vegetable patch. Vinyl found it cute. She was already thinking of the many different ways to make Twilight blush. She was already cute, but she was adorable when she blushed in embarrassment of the circumstances between them. After they were both cleaned up, Vinyl used her magic to dry herself off. She looked over to Twilight, as she pondered something in the back of her mind. She had come this far. She knew in the back of her mind, most typical procedures weren’t not to be hasty, or foolish, but Vinyl felt a connection with Twilight. A genuine emotion that she didn’t want to keep to herself. She had to show her that she wanted more, that she desired more of the Princess, but how could she express such a thing without being...sappy?
Vinyl closed her eyes even though she had shades on so it was practically impossible for Twilight to tell, and leaned forward. Slowly, she inched her muzzle to Twilight’s. Their noses touched, a silent gesture. Vinyl hoped in the back of her mind, Twilight would respond.
Twilight stood there as she felt Vinyl’s nose against hers, her face somehow even redder, if that were possible at all.
“Um...Vinyl. What are you trying to tell me?” asked Twilight, a bit naive.
There was no doubt about what happened next though. Vinyl leaned forward and kissed Twilight right on the lips. It wasn’t just a light peck. Oh no, Vinyl pulled Twilight in a deep sensual kiss, sending vibrations through her tongue as her tongue swirled inside Twilight’s lips, as she felt Twilight gasp, and lean into the kiss, kissing her back, as their tongues and lips intertwined.
The moment they kissed, it was magical yet subtle. There was no doubt in either of their minds what this meant. What it would mean for the two of them, and Twilight pulled away first as she caught her breath, staring at Vinyl.
“You know Vinyl, I really do like you. You’re wild, a bit of a flirt, but really interesting too. I was going to ask if you wanted to be friends...but maybe we could be more?” asked Twilight, hesitating.
Vinyl chuckled, and answered Twilight directly with a simple nod of her head, before she pulled Twilight close against her, embracing her. She then leaned herself back a bit, tilting Twilight’s head to a slight angle as she dove back into her lips, kissing her with all the passion she could muster saying yes, let’s make music together. Vinyl found orchestral music dull at times, but Twilight was anything but dull.
