//-------------------------------------------------------// The hand of fate-a cold winter night -by Neon the Baby Pegasus- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// A new life come sunrise //-------------------------------------------------------// A new life come sunrise The hand of Fate-A cold winter's night Chapter 1 A new life come sunrise Why do these things always happen to me; does fate hate me or something? Pondered Octavia as she continued to move her stuff out of her suite. It had been a week since the fiasco at the gala, and her reputation was in tatters; no one who hire her, and so her money had quickly run out. “I told myself I’d never go back there! Now look at me.” She griped at she put her cello in the cart that she had managed to find. Octavia steeled herself for her newest challenge as the door slammed behind her; Homelessness, she would never have though it, but no money leads to no rent, and no rent leads to eviction, but it still wasn’t going to be easy. She had never lived on the street; even when her parents had abandoned her for being a fillyfooler. She had found a rundown old apartment complex that didn’t cost barely anything; a perfect place for a young filly just starting out “It’s pathetic that I can’t even afford that place now.” She continued to herself as she pushed the cart down the streets of Canterlot. It was the middle of the day and the streets were full of ponies nobles and commoners, and as she passed by she could hear the whispers of the high class ponies that recognized her from her concerts and private shows. “Look, Isn’t that Octavia Philharmonicia.” Whispered one of them to her friend with a sneer. “I heard that she played the pony pokey at the Grand galloping gala; The pony pokey of all things.” They then turned the corner continuing to look at Octavia with obvious distain. It didn’t stop there as she continued further into lower Canterlot the insults slowly became worse and worse. One young noble pony had even gone out of his way to come up to Octavia and tell her that she was a complete disgrace to music, and that if she ever returned to upper Canterlot it would be too soon. "Oh how the mighty have fallen, all of upper Canterlot has now seen my fall from grace, and now my disgrace is complete!" Cried Octavia to herself, she had always been a strong mare; even though the rigorous training her parents had put her though to become the greatest cellist in Canterlot, nor them abandoning her, not even though years of denying herself love and of who she was had she even cried, but now as she walked down the dirty, and trash strewn streets of lower Canterlot she couldn’t help but cry as she walked down an alleyway so that she could find a place to sleep now that night had fallen. “How did it come to this, I worked so hard! I built myself up from nothing and now this!” She shrieked as she pounded her hoofs into the solid brick wall of one of the buildings. “It isn’t fair. Oh by Luna, it isn’t bucking fair!” She sobbed slamming her hoof on each word. She was so loud that even the passerby ponies coming from the club stopped to stare at her. “What you’ve never seen a pony lose it before!” She screamed at them once she had noticed them. At this they simply rolled their eyes and walked away muttering about crazy homeless ponies. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Octavia had no idea what time it was as she continues to sob as she lay behind one of the dumpsters and continued to try and get some sleep. “What did I do to deserve this?” Octavia asked herself again for about the thousandth time that night. It was cold and the small sheet that Octavia was allowed to keep wasn’t keeping out the cold of Luna’s winter night. Snow had begun to fall and was quickly covering Octavia in a freezing blanket. “I’m going to die out her aren’t I? I’m so hungry!” Whispered Octavia as she finally passed out from her exhaustion and hunger. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> The lights of Club PON3 were pulsing, the music was blaring, and Vinyl Scratch was right in her element. Everything had gone perfectly for the last week since she had opened her own club. It had been her dream ever since she was a small filly to own her own club, and show ponies the wonders of the nightlife. I guess dreams really do come true.She though as she called out to the dance floor. “Come on everypony, are you guys here to party or just to dance? I wanna see you shake those flanks, Yeah!” In response to this every pony down on the dance floor started to dance faster, and more in time with the fast pace of the music. It was going to be one wild night. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Celestia’s sun rose to find a beautiful blanket of snow covering the city of Canterlot, and Vinyl Scratch coming out of the club; tired but happy. “That was an awesome night!” Laughed Vinyl as she passed the alleyway to hear someone coughing. “Hey is some pony down there?” she asked as she started to walk down the alleyway; watching out not to slip on any of the ice that had formed on the ground during the blizzard that night. Octavia couldn’t move, she was barely conscious to the fact that somepony was calling out to her. She continued to try and call out to the pony, but all that came out was more coughing. Vinyl continued down the alleyway toward the sound of the coughing; looking around the dumpsters and trash cans. She knew that things were getting pretty hard for some ponies these days, but for some pony to sleep outside in a blizzard instead of one of the shelters wasn’t just stupid; it was suicide. If somepony is down there I’ve got to find them. Thought Vinyl as she came up upon Octavia. Vinyl noticed her and immediately rushed to her side. Octavia’s grey fur had become more of a storm blue her flesh having begun to freeze, her lips were blue, and she was barely breathing. “Whoa, hey stay with me there Hun, I’ll get you to the hospital, you just stay with me!” Ordered Vinyl as she took Octavia's barley alive body in her magic and rushed her of toward Canterlot medical center. She just hoped that it wasn’t too late. //-------------------------------------------------------// A meeting ordained by fate //-------------------------------------------------------// A meeting ordained by fate The hand of fate, a cold winter’s night Chapter 2 A meeting ordained by fate The sounds of the monitor’s beeping were the only sound in the room as Octavia fought unconsciously for her life. "It’s so cold; am I dead?" Wondered Octavia as she wondered though a black void. "I know I heard a voice before I died; was it an angel? Well I guess this is it, maybe I’ll be happy passing on." <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> “She’s so beautiful, I wonder who she is?” Question Vinyl as she brushed her hoof though Octavia’s black mane. “Her name is Octavia Philharmonica, She was a cellist of quite some renown until about a week ago, and I guess she’s lost all respect within the upper crust of Canterlot’s society by playing a child’s song at the Grand galloping gala, but I digress you saved her life Miss Scratch.” “A Cellist? Well I guess that would explain the cello that I found with her. Replied Vinyl “So she played the wrong song, and they ruined her huh, yeah sounds like those stuck up assholes who think there better than everyone else." Vinyl then turned back to Octavia and Whispered in her ear. “Come on back Octi; don’t let those stuffed shirts get you down. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> "Who is talking to me, and why did they call me “Octi” My name is Octavia, but I digress, is there really somepony who gives a damn about me? Maybe there might be a reason to live after all, but how do I get out of here?" Suddenly as if answering Octavia’s question a bright light appeared and at the end of it was a figure. They had sparkling ruby eyes, a white coat, and a mane of two toned electric blue and dark blue. "Is she the one who’s calling out to me? She’s quite beautiful; a comb wouldn’t hurt her mane, but other than that. I want… I want… " What did she want; did she want to be with this mare, No she couldn’t give in to her lust. She was a lady and was expected to marry a gentlecolt not some fillyfooler. However she did want to thank her for saving her, and so she began to walk towards the light. It was then that she noticed the closer to the light she got the warmer she became, and the more pain she began to feel. “I guess I’m not dead yet.” Whispered Octavia as she came to. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Octavia’s body began to move, and her eyelids fluttered. “Hey, doc Octi’s coming to!” Yelled Vinyl to get the doctor’s attention, as he had gone to see to another patient. “Okay Miss Scratch, I’ll need you to move.” Answered the doctor as he pulled his stethoscope out and moved toward Octavia. “I guess I’m not dead yet.” Whispered Octavia. “No, not yet Miss Philharmonica, but you were close.” Smiled the doctor as he listened to her heartbeat, and wrote it, and a few other things onto her chart. “Where am I?” Asked Octavia weakly. “You’re in Canterlot medical center’s intensive care unit. Miss Scratch brought you here after she found you buried in the snow. What were you doing out there anyways?” Explained the doctor, and then fixing Octavia with a glare as he asked his question. “I had nowhere else to go!” Sobbed Octavia “After everything that happened at the Gala; I lost my home, my dream, everything.” The grey mare completely broke down as she covered her face in her hooves and cried. “Hey now don’t cry. You may have lost everything, but doesn’t mean that you can’t build it right back up.” Exclaimed Vinyl grabbing Octavia’s head and making her look her in the eyes. “Miss Scratch I presume.” Stated Octavia when she had cleared her eyes of the tears. “Yep, but you can just call me Vinyl, I can’t stand any of that fancy stuff.” Laughed Vinyl as she tapped the hoof Octavia had extended for a hoof shake. “Yes well I am.” “Oh I already know who you are Octi, You’re some big shot cellist from upper Canterlot who played the wrong song, and got blacklisted; which by the way in my opinion I think is just bogus.” Vinyl cut Octavia off of her introduction and winked. “Ah well yes… That’s rather hard to explain.” Blushed Octavia “But I digress; Please don’t called me that. My name is Octavia Philharmonica, and nicknames are for little foals.” “So, you don’t want me to call you Octi?” Chuckled Vinyl a devious look in her eyes. “That is correct Vinyl. I am a lady, not a young filly, and even though you did save my life I barley know you, even if I was partial to nicknames; you are not quite close enough to me to give one.” Explained Octavia. Although maybe one day… No I can’t keep having these thoughts; I thought I got over this I am not a fillyfooler! “Are you okay Miss Octavia?” Asked the doctor when he noticed Octavia wincing, and he pushed back into a laying position in the bed. “Listen, your body has been though quite the ordeal; pushing yourself to sit up and talk to Miss Scratch is not the best thing for you right now. Miss Scratch will be still here after you’ve rested.” The doctor then left them room to go and check on his other patients, now that Octavia was awake and no longer in danger. Perhaps he’s right; I do need to rest, I’m lucky to be alive.. Though Octavia as she covered herself up in the sheet and began to look around the room. The hospital room was decorated simply, the curtains were green, and closed to block out the mid-morning sun. The walls were painted white as was common for hospital, If she were to look to her left she would have seen the I.V that was connected to her hoof which was feeding her intravenously. The bed was just like any other hospital bed, it had bars to keep the occupant from falling out, and if she were to search the sheet; she’d find the control for setting the height and angle of the bed. Octavia sighed before she turned to Vinyl, and looked her deep in the eyes. Fillyfooler or not, I have to admit I could get lost in her eyes; they’re like rubies, beautiful and so full of life. I have to thank her in some way more than words, but I wonder how I could do it. “Vinyl.” Called out Octavia to get the DJ’s attention. “Yeah.” Answered Vinyl. “I want to thank you for saving my life; know that if I had something to give you I would, but as you know I’m in rather dire straits right now, but know I’ll pay you back some day.” Promised Octavia as she slowly sat up and looked Vinyl straight in the eyes. “Don’t worry Octi; I know how you can pay me back.” Blushed Vinyl as she stood up and walked towards Octavia’s bed. “And how is that?” Questioned Octavia a bit miffed that Vinyl had called her “Octi” again . “Love me back!” Whispered Vinyl as she kissed Octavia straight on the lips. TBC //-------------------------------------------------------// Octavia's fight against fate //-------------------------------------------------------// Octavia's fight against fate The hand of fate, a cold winter’s night Chapter 3 Octavia’s fight against fate Octavia froze when she felt Vinyl’s lips press into her’s, the feel, her breath, the tongue slowly working it’s way into her mouth, it felt right; all of it, and that’s what terrified her. No I can’t do this, we’re both mares! It really would be the end of my career if I allowed myself to let my emotions get the best of me. Thought Octavia. However another part of her was arguing with her practical mind. You are who you are, it’s not a choice it never has been, and they say there’s someone out there for everyone; one person that you fit with. Well look at her, she beautiful, loves you, cared enough about you to save your life, and it even feels right to kiss her when you’ve known her all but ten minutes. This is fate! No, No it’s not! Screamed back the practical voice it’s just plain sick… Two mares together; sharing what should be between a stallion and mare alone is just wrong. I mean if whomever created us meant for two mares or two stallions to be together then why can they not have foals? It simple because they didn’t mean for it to happen and it’s sick, and… I AM NOT A FILLYFOOLER! As the war inside Octavia’s mind continued Vinyl ended the kiss, and pull back to wait for Octavia’s answer; she didn’t expect what happened though. It looked as if Octavia were fighting within herself. Tears were pouring out of her violet eyes, and she was shaking. “Octi… Are you okay?” Asked Vinyl as she stepped back a few hoofs and waited for something to happen. A few minutes pasted before Octavia spoke, and when she did her voice was as empty as it could be. “I’m sorry Miss Scratch but I cannot return such feelings as I am not a fillyfooler, and your choice in lifestyle is wrong.” With that Octavia rested back on her pillows. “Wrong.” Said Vinyl lividly as she began to laugh coldly. “Now that is rich, I can see it in your eyes; you’re just as much of a fillyfooler as I am, and yet you’re saying that I’m wrong! Allow me to let you in on something Octavia! You enjoyed that kiss, just as much as I did, and don’t tell me you didn’t because I can tell that you did, So tell me who’s the one who’s wrong here, the one who’s being completely honest with herself and her feelings, or the one who doesn’t have enough courage to look at herself, and admit who she is; Instead of hiding behind foalish hate of what’s different? “Excuse me!” Snapped Octavia quickly sitting up and turning on Vinyl. “I happen to be following what my parents taught me, and they taught me that such debauchery is wrong, and cannot be abided, so I’m sorry I may be a coward, but at least I won’t burn in Tartarus when I die!” Roared Octavia. It was then that the doctor entered the room having heard the screaming match. “What in the name of Celestia is going on here; this is a hospital, it is no place for screaming! I mean I though you two knew better, and what a subject! I mean if you’re having doubts about who you are Miss Octavia then I know of several physiologists who would be more than happy to help you find that out, and accept it, and they wouldn’t charge you a single bit until you got back on your feet, and you Miss Scratch, I can understand that you’ve fallen in love with Miss Octavia, but if she does not feel the same way then you cannot force her to love you back, it will happen when and if it’s meant to, but until then you have no right to call her a coward for following what she believes in; even if it is a flawed belief!” Snapped the Doctor; it was clear that he was not amused, he face was red, and he was breathing heavily. “Sorry.” Said both Octavia and Vinyl as they turned away from each other, and Octavia lied back down. “Indeed, Well as it’s obvious that the two of you are not currently on the best of terms I must insist that Miss Scratch leave, not only is this not a place for arguments, it is detrimental to Miss Octavia’s recovery.” Explained the Doctor turning to Vinyl. “So may I ask you to leave?” “Yeah sure, no problem.” Replied Vinyl. “I’ll see you again Octavia.” Said Vinyl as she turned out the door and left the hospital room. As Vinyl left the hospital, and used her magic to wrap her scarf around her neck she looked her to Octavia’s room. I’ll make you see who you are Octi; I’ll save you from yourself, I promise you that. I won’t let somepony else go through what I had to. Though Vinyl flashing back to the darkness part of her life. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Vinyl tossed and turned in her sleep as one of the nightmares that she hadn’t had in years tormented her. “Dash, I’m so sorry.” Cried Vinyl as she watched the cyan Pegasus fly away heartbroken. It had been the same thing with Octavia, but it was Vinyl denying her feelings for Dash when she told her that she loved her; however the cyan Pegasus, instead of fighting for the mare she loved like Vinyl was for Octavia; Dash abandoned Vinyl for her prejudices, and left Vinyl heartbroken and alone; it was then that Vinyl realized that she had loved Dash; she always had, but she had allowed her parents foalish believes of same sex relationships to blind her to her love until it was too late. Dash had moved on to Fluttershy, and Vinyl moved to Canterlot, if she hadn’t she more than likely would have committed suicide. Still moving to Canterlot didn’t stop the dreams, and it wasn’t until years later that the dreams would stop, and now that she was fighting to get Octavia to see homophobia was wrong, and that she loved Vinyl the dreams had returned. She awoke with a start, and had to take a few minutes to remember where she was, but when she did, it all came back to her. “I’m not going to give up Octi, no matter what or how long it takes, I will make you accept who you are: I won’t you fall into the darkness, not like me.” TBC //-------------------------------------------------------// Vinyl's new roommate: Clop-lite version //-------------------------------------------------------// Vinyl's new roommate: Clop-lite version The hand of fate- a cold winter’s night Chapter 4 Vinyl’s new roommate Octavia lay silence as the Neurologist inserted the needle electrodes under her skin, it hurt like hell, but it was the only way to test to see if she had suffered any nerve damage when she was caught in the storm the night after the gala. “Okay Miss Octavia, it would seem that your muscles are fine, and since you’ve been in good health the last few days you are cleared to leave the hospital, however since we won’t have the full test results for a day or so I’ll need to ask you to return if you feel any numbness, or you have any trouble, understand.” Explained the Neurologist as she helped Octavia off of the exam table. “Yes I understand doctor, thank you all for everything.” Replied Octavia, she then returned to her room to gather her things, however she was not expecting a visitor. “Sup, Octi.” Vinyl chuckled flipping the magazine she had been reading back onto the table, and getting up from Octavia’s bed. Octavia sighed exasperated; she was in no mood to have to deal with Vinyl as she was in a great deal of pain from her EMG. “What do you want Miss Scratch, I’ve just been through quite the ordeal, and I would like to endeavor to return to my search for a home as soon as possible.” “Chill Octi, I’ve just come to see if you had been released, but since you have would you like me to help you out with your cello? I mean you look like you’re pretty sore, and that heavy cello won’t help any.” Vinyl replied smiling not aware just how much she was annoying Octavia. “Miss Scratch, the cello in question was a gift from my late mother, and is worth more than you more than likely make in a year, therefore I do not trust anyone to carry it, much less a pony that I’ve only known for a few days and continues to stalk me.” Snapped Octavia lifting up her cello case with obvious difficulty and turning her back on Vinyl. It was then that Vinyl ran in front of Octavia and slammed the door in Octavia’s face. “Octavia I’m not letting you leave this hospital room without help, I mean look at you, you’re barely standing, If that cello is really that important to you then obviously you don’t want it broken or stolen, right? Well then what if you fell and the case broke open and it damaged it, or if you pass out, you got lucky with me finding you a week ago! Most ponies would have left you for dead and stolen your cello to see what kind of bits they could get out of it, now stop being a stubborn foal and let me help you!” Vinyl spat as she levitated the weakened Octavia back to her bed. “Vinyl Scratch I am not a child, and I am not going to allow you to treat me like one, now get out of my way! You can’t not legally keep me here, it’s kidnapping!” Rebuked Octavia getting off of the bed as best as she could in her pain. “No, she cannot, but I can! I thought I told you, that this is a hospital and to leave your fighting outside of it!” Snapped the doctor having busted through the door when he had notice the two mares fighting again. “Now Miss Philharmonica, no Miss Scratch cannot keep you here against your will, I however must assure the safety of all my patients leaving this hospital, and as you can barely walk without wincing, it’s a ridiculous notion that I’m going to allow you to leave her without an escort to carry your personal effects, and that includes your Cello. Now as Miss Scratch here has kindly offered to help you with your search to find a home, I will assign her to the task; whatever you choose to do after that is your own affair, but I will make myself quite clear; you are not leaving this hospital without Miss Scratch accompanying you, do I make myself clear Miss Philharmonica? “Explained the Doctor making sure to make the last part a clear order. “Yes I understand, Well shall we begin Vinyl?” Sighed Octavia resigning herself to her fate. “Yep!” Replied Vinyl smiling as the two of them left the room to check Octavia out of the hospital. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Octavia stood in the middle of the park, her cello case laying open in front of her in case anypony wanted to toss a few spare bits into it as a tip for her wonderful playing. She was playing one of her favorite pieces, it was a classic- Neightoven’s Ode to joy (http://www.yourepeat.com/watch?v=OTId0z16iEI), but as Octavia was on her own at current she could only play the cello’s part of the song, but it still sounded beautiful. “You’re quite the cellist.” Came the voice of a stallion from in front of Octavia as well as the sound of a few coins hitting the plush floor of her cello case, as the grey mare had her eyes closed, not only did she prefer to play with her eyes closed, but in her mind this was a new low for her- playing her beautiful cello in hopes that somepony might just toss her just enough to survive. In the week since Octavia had been out of the hospital she had tried to keep herself clean and presentable, but living at a homeless shelter left very little chance at that, and so her mane was dirty and slightly unkempt, she also smelt slightly of body odor, what little her perfume couldn’t cover. “Thank you kind stallion, as you can see I’m a bit down on my luck right now, so it’s truly appreciated, the money and the complement.” Replied Octavia as she continued playing without missing a note, a skill she was quite proud of, but also a necessity for a musician of her caliber, as she needed to be able to listen and reply to party guest’s requests without making a mistake. “Yes, I see, well if I may be so bold, may I ask that you open your eyes?” Asked the stallion whose voice Octavia now that she thought about it slightly recognized, she opened her eyes and saw one of the few people she never wanted to see again, her younger brother. “What do you want Silver strings, Mother and Father wanted nothing to do with me, so why should you be any different.” Octavia spat at the Stallion who had a brighter shade coat of grey then Octavia, and was also wearing a crisp suit of pressed black silk making it obvious to anypony who looked at the young Stallion that he was from a one higher class families from Upper Canterlot or Manehattan. “Now Octavia, is that anyway to speak to your younger brother? I mean we haven’t seen each other in almost twenty years, not since I was a colt.” Replied Silver looking slightly affronted. “Yes, and as far I am concerned it could have been another twenty before I seen any of you again! Now why did you seek me out, and don’t bother lying, I know for a fact that you’ve been making just as big of a name as I was in the music world, so other then you had heard of my fall from grace and came to laugh at me, what other reason would somepony like you have to be in lower Canterlot? “I see you haven’t changed, one would have hoped that twenty years and disgracing the music world would have taught you to have a more civil tongue when speaking to your betters, but as you want me to get straight to the point I shall. Our father has passed away, if you care to attend his wake as you did our mother’s I shall accompany you back on the trip to Manehattan.” Silver explained letting the news sink in for Octavia before continuing. “So, your answer Sister?” Asked Silver before Octavia burst into tears. “ No, I still refuse to forgive him for what he did, Mother was willing to forgive me for everything, everything I had ever done, even for loving Lyra, but no he refused to have a fillyfooler in the family and sent me away! He should have thought about how much he supposedly loved me before he sent me a sixteen year old filly out to fend for herself simply because I had fallen in love with a mare!” Octavia sobbed. “Fine, I understand. I shall inform the rest of our family of your decision, I still love you Octavia, even if you love mares, I missed you when you had to leave, Good bye sister, and good luck.” Silver sighed turning away and exiting the park. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> “I bucking hate you, DO YOU HEAR ME YOU BUCKING BASTARD, I HATE YOU!!!” Screamed Octavia sobbing as she slammed from the bottle of Jura whiskey she had brought with some of the bits Silver had given her; her depression growing with each swallow as she wandered around the back alleys drunk. “WHY DID YOU DIE, YOU STUPID BASTARD, WHY!!! I WAS GOING TO MAKE YOU PROUD OF ME, DAMN IT! I WAS GOING TO MAKE YOU TAKE BACK ALL THOSE HORRID THINGS YOU SAID, BUT NOW I CAN’T, I HATE YOU!” Shrieked Octavia as she finished the bottle and threw it against the brick wall with enough force that it shattered as soon as it made contact with it.” “I should have died that night, well I’ve drank so much so maybe this time I won’t buck it up.” Octavia sighed to herself, the taste of her tears mixing with the bitterness of the whiskey as they poured down the disheveled mare’s face. It was then that Octavia noticed that there was somepony else in the alleyway with her, somepony with neon blue hair and a white coat, It was Vinyl. “Octi, you’re coming with me now.” Said Vinyl no sign of mirth or happiness in her voice, it was instead cold, and had a tone or somepony who wasn’t going to take no for an answer. “Are you following me or something, get lost! I’m in no mood to deal with anypony right now, let alone you, just leave me here to die.” Hissed Octavia before turning away from Vinyl, so she did not notice as Vinyl took off her sunglasses and started toward her “The buck I’m going to walk away while the mare I love sits in some back alley and dies of alcohol poisoning; now you’re going to come with me, or I’ll make you, and don’t think I can’t! You don’t stay a DJ in clubs as long as I have without knowing how to kick somepony’s flank!” Spat Vinyl grabbing Octavia by the shoulders, forcing Octavia to stare straight into her eyes. Octavia shuddered at the look in Vinyl’s red eyes which as enraged as the mare was right now were not like the beautiful shining rubies of a week and a half ago, but were as hard and cold as dried blood. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?” Asked Octavia as her eyes began to water again. “Because I love you, and I’ll be bucking damned if I’ll allow homophobia to cost me a chance to love somepony again; listen to me Octi I can see it in your eyes you love me, but you’re afraid that something like last time will happen, right? That’s what happened with your parents isn’t it? You fell in love with a mare and they rejected you for it, and so now you close your heart to any chance of happiness unless it’s with a stallion, but you won’t be, Okay trust me Octi I’ve tried it. You cannot deny who you are inside. There’s a pony out there for everypony, but they aren’t always the opposite sex the world isn’t well rounded enough for that to be true.” Replied Vinyl before releasing Octavia from the hold. “I’m not amazingly rich or well versed in etiquette, but I do know this, I love you and if you come with me then if I can’t get you to admit to your feelings in a month, I’ll let you go and I’ll never bother you again, okay?” “Okay, one month, but I wouldn’t hold your breath.” Sighed Octavia trying to get up but falling as she was still drunk. “See, You’re falling for me already Octi.” Laughed Vinyl as she helped Octavia to her hooves and allowed her to lean on her for support. “Oh shut up Vinyl.” Hissed Octavia as she vomited all over the place <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Vinyl unlocked the door and opened it, just barely catching Octavia as she fell again, Vinyl having had to let her go to unlock the door, the two then entered and Scratch laughed. “It’s not much, but it’s home, Also though you’ll probably complain about it later anyways, but I’m not all that much of a neat freak, I like to feel like a place has been lived in.” “It’s better than the shelter, where is your shower by the way?” Asked Octavia as she stumbled slightly as she crossed into the house. “It’s kinda hard to explain, and I don’t want you to get hurt, so I’ll take you there myself.” Replied Vinyl as she led Octavia through the kitchen, into the hallway, and through the first door of the left. Inside was a very nice bathroom, it had a large bathtub and shower combo, It also had a sink with a marble counter, and a pretty nice toilet, which despite Scratch's claim of not being a neat freak was quite clean. “Okay you’re a club DJ right, how the hell did you afford a nice place like this?” Asked Octavia obvious amazed that Vinyl lived in a house at all much less a house with marble counters and a fancy bathroom. “Octi, The average club DJ makes forty-two thousand bits a year, now think about it, I’m not only one of the biggest names in the dubstep DJing world, but I own club PON3, does it make sense now?” Chuckled Vinyl as she watched the still drunk mare stare around the bathroom. “I had no idea that noise they call music could be so lucrative!” Spat Octavia annoyed sitting down on the toilet. “It’s is only if, just like with any music, you're good at it, and I’m not to sound big headed am one of the best, and I’d watch it, at least dubstep’s not a stuffy and uptight like your ancient classical music, I mean it’s like get with the times, classical has been dead for at least a hundred years, but dubstep’s still got a long ways to go, and a lot of room to grow.” Vinyl replied a smirk on her face as she watched Octavia puff up like a pufferfish. “Those toilet sounds, please I cannot fathom how ponies pay good money to go and ruin their ears with that overly loud obnoxious sounds they call music. At least classical has class, and culture behind it, you wouldn’t catch me dead at a dubstep concert. “Oh really well then how about another wager, If I win you come to one of my sets, but if you win I’ll come to one of your concerts once you get back able to play for ponies.” Vinyl suggested smirking deviantly Ok, what’s the challenge?” Asked Octavia confused “Well we both need to take a shower, and you’ll need help since you’re so toasted you can’t even stand on your own, so how’s this we take one together, and we both get ten minutes, whoever can make the other cum the fastest wins.” Explained Vinyl smirking. “Oh please, only someone with a perverted mind would come up with something like that. Sighed Octavia shaking her head at Vinyl. “So what you’re saying it that your chicken huh, afraid that me somepony who listens to dubstep can make you squirt before you can make me.” Laughed Vinyl making bawking noises and pretending to be a chicken. “Ok that’s it, there is no way somepony like you, with no class or refinement is going to beat me when it comes to pleasing a lady.” Snapped Octavia throwing the shower curtain open and getting inside. “Aren’t you coming in?” “One second I just got to set the mood.” Vinyl laughed as she set a C.D into the radio, and hit play (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-e-j2_QkKM&list=HL1360014919&feature=mh_lolz). “Oh yeah, I love Panic at the Disco!” “Ugh what is this music?” Asked Octavia trying to cover her ears, but having gotten on her back hooves to do so she fell. “It’s Panic at the disco Octi, you okay?” Asked Vinyl as she got into the shower, turned the water on, and helped Octavia to her feet, and switched places with her so she could wash Octavia. “So shall we get started?” Vinyl continued as she moved the rag up and down Octavia’s back and sides. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> “Well that certainly was interesting.” Giggled Vinyl as the two of them stepped out of the shower, one grinning, and the other grimacing. “I know you were a Canterlot snob, but I never figured you’d have such a hair trigger.” “Well sorry Miss party animal I happen to be a lady, and therefore not the type to spread my legs for anypony who wants to buck me, now then when is this “Set” of yours, if it’s anything that I am it’s a pony of her word.” Sighed Octavia turning to Vinyl halfway through her sentence. “It’s in a couple of days, I usually DJ on the weekends, and manage on the weekdays, but as you’re obviously in no condition to be left alone I’ll be calling in a friend of mine to take care of things, now let’s go to bed, I’m beat and you’re still tipsy.” Explained Vinyl before becoming serious and beginning to pull at Octavia’s hoof once she had finished. “Normally I’d be inclined to argue with you, but I guess you’re right this time, thanks for taking me in Vinyl, Sorry I said all those things earlier.” Replied Octavia a hint of remorse in her voice which caused Vinyl to turn to her in concern. “Octi, don’t worry about it, we come from two totally different ways of life of course we’re going to clash sometimes, but that doesn't mean we need to let those things cause hard feelings between us, now come on let’s get to bed, the alcohol’s making you act weird.” Vinyl then opened the door to her bedroom and helped Octavia to bed. “Good night Octi.” “You as well, Vinyl.” Replied Octavia as Vinyl shut off the light. TBC Author's Note Clop verison will be finished asap