Our Duet

Chapters

Vinyl's Requiem
Octavia's Lullaby
Our Duet

Vinyl's Requiem

“Yeah, it was rough. I remember the whole thing too. It all seemed to happen so fast! I still can’t believe it. Oh well. Not much I can do about it now, right? A pony in my position should just move on." My voice shuttered and I gulped trying to keep my composure. "You know? I can’t though... I just can’t,” I took a drink from my glass. I was sitting with Lyra at her favorite bar.

“Well, what happened Vinyl? So far it just seems like it was an accident or something,” Lyra’s slurred speech wasn’t really noticeable, even if she was a light weight.

“A lot, I’ll try to give ya the shortest version I can,” I took a sip of my cider and just looked into the cup afterward. Fighting off the tears that wanted to flow, I began my story. “It started about two or three weeks ago. I and Neon were on the edge of a musical breakthrough. We… We almost had our first song with vocals done. I was going to play it at the nightclub out in Canterlot.”

“Hey, Neon!” I turned my head towards him, to see him beatboxing quietly to himself. With a smile, I tapped on his shoulder and after he removed his headphones I continued, “That beat. You should write it down, man.”

He laughed, “I don’t even remember what beat I was doing. I was zoned out for a bit there, sorry.”

“It’s cool dude. It was wicked, though,” I replied turning my head back towards my own work. Oh crud! Where was I? I looked over all of my controls real quick before starting up the recording to listen to it. It started with a good slow tone, thick and consistent but with enough rhythm to not seem boring. After a short while, more tones built into a symphony of success. Everything seemed to be nearly done. Even if we’ve only completed the basics!

“Hey Vinyl, you almost done with that draft? I want to hear it!” Neon’s excitement was answered when he was passed a headset by yours truly.

After giving the stallion a few moments to listen to the music, he removed the headset and just smiled, I returned his smile. “You like it?” I asked leaning back in my chair after taking my own headphones back.

“Of course, Vi, your mixes are always awesome!” Neon was seeming really amped up for some reason. Just then his expression went soft and everything went quiet. I was pretty much done for what I was working on for today. Noticing Neon’s ears twitch, as if tuning something in, I began to swivel my own ears back and forth until I picked up on what he was hearing.

“Bro, don’t worry ‘bout it. It’s just Tavi, she probably got home early and started practicing. That’s what she usually does,” I explained though he seemed to ignore it entirely.

“Vi,” he paused still listening, then directed his attention to her. “We should go listen to her,” he slowly stood up and started for the door without waiting for an answer from me. I took my headset off and followed him into the next room, which was the living room. Across from it was Octavia’s studio, It opens into a room that is shaped like a hexagon and three walls facing outwards were made completely of glass. The room had a good view of the mountain ranges and valleys from its place in Canterlot. If she knew Tavi like she thought she did, it was pretty obvious that she didn’t want company and that she had opened the windows to her studio. I know she likes a cross breeze when she practices. Especially if she's been having a bad day.

“Dude, we should really leave Tavi alone. She doesn’t like it when ponies listen to her practice,” I said quietly as Neon hesitated at the studio’s door.

Neon simply stared at me. “I guess but…” he paused and reached a hoof forward and turned the knob of the door.

Silently swinging the door open he took a step into the room, listening to the magical notes of her Cello. I love it when that mare plays…

I silently stepped forward catching sight of Octavia standing in the center of the room, facing the open windows, her mane and tail caught the wind in every breath it took. Her dark coat was glimmering, probably from a rough day at work, and she seemed to simply ignore them even though she had to have noticed them by now.

After a little while, she finished her song and turned towards them. “So what is it you two wanted this time? Vinyl, you know I don’t like anypony in here, other than you of course.”

“Okay, Tavi, trust me... It wasn’t my idea. He just heard you playing and…” He just kind of walked in on his own.

Neon had interrupted me, “I really liked it, Ms. Octavia.”

“Neon, I understand that you’re usually not over here whenever I am practicing, but that’s because I usually try to avoid practicing while you two are together. Your noise makes it hard to concentrate. However, I do feel I’m still entitled to privacy within my studio in my own house, am I wrong?” Octavia simply snorted in disapproval before turning herself back towards the windows. I watched her for a moment longer, although she just stood there with her nose up in the air as she waited to hear her door close.

Another minute ticked by before I got Neon Lights to wait in my own studio. After closing the door I stepped forward and rubbed my head against Tavi’s shoulder. “What happen at work babe, you seem tense today.”

“Nothing happened. That’s what happened. Nothing. Also, who does he think he is! He’s a guest in our home! Don’t I have privacy anymore?” Octavia laid her Cello down and took a seat near her desk. She simply stared out the window as if longing for something.

I had nothing to say and so a lump formed in my throat. I just nuzzled her neck for a moment, “I wub you.” After that, I left her alone in her studio.

Silently I returned to my own studio, in the room Neon was waiting for me. He had the headset around his neck and he was smiling a big grin, “I think we’ll be able to finish it next time I’m over!”

“Oh yeah?” I smiled my usual cocky grin and adjusted my glasses. I took a seat and continue working on the baseline while Neon continued working the melody of it all. We worked hard for another few hours, even though Neon kept pausing every once in a while to listen to Octavia’s music. Faintly, I could hear her singing something, it sounded sad.

“Alright, I’ll be back tomorrow, same time,” Neon had turned and left, closing the front door behind him. Octavia had only been out of her studio once that night and since I didn’t want to spend the afternoon alone, I talked Neon into playing some video games before he left. We ended up wasting hours on Dead Mare Rising.

I sat down in my usual spot on the couch, in front of the television and began flipping through channels. After a moment, Octavia’s door cracked open and I turned my head. Octavia was standing in the doorway. She had a towel around her neck as well as a bottle of expensive Lavender Lily Bubble Bath in her mouth. She simply looked over at me and nodded then tilted her head towards the bathroom before walking off in that direction.

Turning off the television I stood and followed her towards the bathroom. Pausing at the hallway closet to snatch me a towel. Once I reached the bathroom, Octavia had already tossed her towel over a nearby stool and had started the water. Steam and bubbles began rising from the bathtub before Octavia turned it off.

“Tavi? Are you alright? You seemed really distant today. Everything alright babe?” I couldn’t help but ask, even if it didn’t seem appropriate considering they were about to bathe.

“Vinyl, you really should stop worrying about me so much. It was just a long day at work. That’s all... Well, I also have a headache, so can we keep it quiet for the rest of tonight?” Tavi had already stepped into the bath water and was slowly settling down into the large marble tub.

I couldn’t help but smile a little, after all, the bloody screams and music, I could go for a silent velvety bath with my favorite pony in the world! Dropping my towel on the floor I stepped forward and slid a hoof slowly into the steaming water, I found that it was the perfect temperature, as always. I could always trust Tavi to be accurate with anything she enjoyed, and hot, steamy, baths were her favorite way to relax, indoors at least.

Sliding into the tub I settled down next to Octavia who didn’t move other than a small smile and a sigh of relief. I smiled watching her expression. It seemed distant. After a few moments, something sparked in Octavia’s eyes and her head tilted as she shifted her body so she could lay her head on my shoulder. I simply nuzzled her mane, taking in her smell. Just like the velvet we laid in, her mane also smelt of sweat and dust. She must have been exhausted.

“Hey Vinyl, What did Neon think of my music? It’s the first time he’s heard it right?” Her head didn’t shift on my shoulder, I could feel her calm breath on my chest and her steady heartbeat against my side. Her hoof moved across my stomach and she pulled me a little closer.

“He liked it. Well, he didn’t say anything really, but it was obvious he likes your music just as much as he likes mine and his own. After all, he is a musician.”

Tavi moved and sat up a bit, “Well, that piece you two walked in on was only a first draft, so I was hoping to maybe get an opinion.” She had a smile on her face and her eyes were soft as I looked into them.

“You’re music’s always amazing Tavi!” I said calmly.

“I know, you always say that, though. I was hoping for a non-bias opinion. I’m sure you understand, right?” she seemed a bit uncertain of herself, but it didn’t matter, she had a point.

I simply gave her a hug and lightly kissed her cheek, “Well, you can talk to him next time he comes over. We can sit in on your practice after we’re done with ours. Sound good, babe?”

“Yeah, that sounds good.” Octavia had closed her eyes and seemed to have fallen asleep leaning against me. She was always adorable when she was asleep, but I could tell she was only relaxing. She wasn't the type of pony to fall asleep in a bathtub filled with bubbles.

Lyra interrupted her for a moment, “Scratch, can you get to the point? As much as I enjoy a good romantic story involving bubbles and bathing, I don't think that's the story you're wanting to tell me. Right?”

I shook my head, “Sorry, I guess I got off track there for a minute.”

Lyra simply took a drink of her cider and looked out her window. Lyra and I had moved away from the bar and took seats near a window, still drinking cider and talking. I followed Lyra’s gaze, she was watching the sun as it was beginning to dip into the skyline. After a few long moments, Lyra looked back at her. “You know, You need to get your senses cleared and your feelings figured out before you even attempt to write anything like this. A requiem requires everything you are. It's not something you can create out of nowhere. This music requires heart. It requires feeling and it requires dedication.”

“I know, I know. I don't plan to start it anytime soon, I just wanted to talk to someone who knew a thing or two about that genre,” I bit my lip and thanked Celestia I was still wearing my glasses. “Anyways, skipping ahead a bit... Neon and I had finished our song, and Octavia was available, which was a rarity for her. So we talked her into coming down to my club and listening in on the new single when it dropped with the new album I had created. I was so stoked! I can't believe something so great happened and then everything fell apart.”

I sat behind the bar of my club that night, just waiting for that clock to hit twelve. I was getting impatient, the new album was to drop tonight and my single was the premier for it. It determined everything! Rather or not I'd make any sells on this album or not. It had to go right! It just had to!

“Vinyl!” Octavia's voice woke me from my daze, I had apparently been scoffing my hoof at the counter where the liquors sat on display.

“Vinyl Scratch! Are you listening? I was hoping we could share a drink.”

“You? Drink? What?” I was in utter confusion at this because Octavia has a reputation for being classy and not being one to drink, much less at a night club. It just wasn't apart of her usual characteristics. It seemed... out of place.

“Yes, I do drink believe it or not. Now, what should we share? Obviously nothing strong. You still have a long night ahead of you as it is.” said Octavia with a bit of a smirk. Her body didn't seem as enthusiastic as her words sounded. She was shaking a little as if she were nervous.

“Tavi, I've known you for how long now? You aren't one to drink at all, even on rare occasions, what's up?” I asked a little concerned about her motives. “What's wrong?”

“Nothing's wrong with me. I just wanted to share a drink with you.” Her smile quickly vanished as she crossed her hooves and began looking around the bar. I followed her lines of sight down the bar to where Neon Lights sat with several mares, all of which were talking at once.

I simply smiled at her, “Alright then. If you're going to have your first drink, I want to be there to see it.” I lifted my glasses and winked at her then spun around on my bar stool and grabbed a liquor. “How about we start off with something that doesn't sting too bad,” pouring a bit of liquor into the bottom of two glasses I spun around once again and passed her one of the cups.

“What is this?” Octavia asked curiously sniffing the cup and recoiling in pure horror.

“That.” I took a sniff of the drink and smiled with a pleased snort, “My dear, is called Silver Berry Burst. It's a berry flavored whiskey, hence the small amount. Trust me, though, the taste isn't as strong as the smell.” With that, I took a drink and drank the small portion with pleasure.

After my display, Octavia looked down at her glass with a grim look on her face. After a few moments though she sighed and squeezed her eyes closed. Lifting the cup to her lips she downed it all, immediately she began coughing uncontrollably.

“You okay?” I asked with a small grin spreading across my face.

Once she stopped coughing she gave me the stare. “It was good,” she finally stated before looking off in a different direction.

“Thought you may like that one. Want more?” Without waiting for an answer I spun around, grabbed the bottle in my magic and refilled both our glasses, this time to the brim allowing the liquor to spill over onto the counter.

“Vinyl! You're getting it everywhere.” Octavia spoke in her usual tone whenever I messed up.

“Relax Tavi. I was just refilling our drinks,” I said with an eye on her as I passed her a glass.

“But you spilled it everywhere!”

“I didn't spill anything Octavia. That's just how I like to prepare my drinks.” I held my glass out for her and she complied, lightly tapping her glass against mine. Causing the drinks to spill even more.

“So wasting alcohol is just a normal thing around here?”

“Nope, I actually don't like it when ponies spill their drinks on my bar. But then again, it's my bar so I'm allowed to make an exception for me, right?” I smiled to myself and took a drink of the Berry Burst.

“So you're allowed to make messes here, but no one else is?” Octavia asked with a quizzical eyebrow raised.

“Pretty much, yeah.” I chuckled, “Take a drink.”

Octavia grimaced at the toxic smell of the drink but then looked up to catch my eye for a moment before she looked back at her glass. She proceeded to scrunch her nose in disdain of its smell before taking a drink. A small drink, but a drink none-the-less.

I simply smiled and cocked my head to one side. “C'mon it's not really as bad as you had thought, is it?”

“No.”

“What was that the music is too loud!”

“I said No.”

“Sorry still didn't catch that, what'd you say?

“Vinyl! I said it wasn't as bad as I thought it was!” Octavia's face went flush for a moment as she glanced around her, no pony was paying her any attention, besides me of course, and I thought it was just adorable.

I laughed and leaned across the bar, “You're adorable when you're embarrassed. You know that, right?”

“Right.” She simply looked down at her drink but I noticed a smile on her face.

I looked at the clock which hung over the collection of liquors, “Crap! Midnight! Sorry to bail on ya, Tavi!” I left my glass sitting in its liquor puddle on the counter before almost galloping across the room to where my music station sat, risen off the floor in the corner of the dance floor. I quickly turned down the music and began speaking into the microphone which amplified my voice.

“Yo everypony! DJ PON-3 here to present you with a new album! It's droppin' later on tonight! but for now, have a taste of our latest work! Droppin' it in 3! 2! 1!” I started the music and cranked the volume to the 8th notch. After that, I let my head bob with the music as everypony below me began dancing.

Off the dance floor, there were many ponies who bobbed or danced a little while carrying on their conversations or playing their games. Everypony seemed to be doing great tonight. The club was full, everypony had some sort of beverage in hoof, and the air was foggy with smoke, music, and laughter. It was a good night.

I continued scanning the scene, but something seemed to be missing. Well, whatever it didn't catch my eye immediately and so, I shrugged it off and let the music control me. I worked the station for a couple more hours before having a bar mare set up the albums and begin to sell them. What pony wouldn't love to be at the premiere of their favorite artist's album at their favorite artist's club!

Looking at the clock I noticed it was almost time to close. I decided to find Octavia and see if I couldn't get a few more drinks into her before I closed up and we headed home. Unfortunately, Octavia was nowhere to be seen. Feelings slightly disappointed I began asking ponies if they had seen her.

No pony had an answer though one mare had said she'd seen Neon Lights and Octavia talking by the bar for awhile early on. Other than that mare, no one had seen Octavia sense early that night.

I continued searching around the club but couldn't find her. After awhile I just sat down. Poured myself more Silver Berry Burst and chugged it. It lost all its flavor and felt like I was washing my mouth out with Rotworm acid. Just a little upset over Octavia leaving without a goodbye or anything. No big deal. Octavia was a bit shy so it's understandable if she had decided to leave while I was busy.

“It wasn't long before I decided to go home, hoping Octavia was still awake, I don't like having to slip into my own bed, and she knows that I always wake her up.” A low hollow chuckle escaped my throat.

“Wait, so Octavia bailed on your album premier night? Why would she do that?” Lyra didn't seem to be showing any emotion other than curiosity.

“You tell me,” I simply looked down at my cider, I had almost wished it were spiked with something strong, how unfortunate that it wasn't.

I walked home, not entirely drunk, but with enough alcohol in me to be questionable. I had left the club closed and locked with not a soul remaining inside.

Once I got home I was pleasantly surprised to find the door unlocked, which usually meant that Octavia was still awake, probably reading a book before bed or something like that.

I opened the door to find the lights on, and low music playing. It sounded as if it were classical music. Following the sound of the music, I found that the living room light had been left on, and it seemed the couch and chair were moved recently. The chair was pushed up against the couch, which was pushed against the wall. Usually, the couch sat in the center of the floor, no more than ten feet from the television. The chair usually sat catty-corner to the couch with a side table in-between them. I didn't take note of the oddity of the furniture and the possibilities of what might have happened in that room.

Feeling a bit happier, hearing Octavia's music as well as an image of her waiting in bed with her nose in a book, I smiled with anticipation. Using my magic I slowly opened the door, inside, the lights were dimmed, Octavia was already laying down asleep, the blankets pulled up over her shoulders. Laying next to her, also asleep and a hoof under Octavia's head and his other around her waist was Neon Lights. He had her back pulled snuggly against his chest and his nose buried in her mane.

In complete shock, I didn't know what to do. My mouth went dry and the alcohol I'd consumed was urging its way back up my throat. Stumbling backward away from the door. I sat down against the wall and just stared at the scene that lay before me. My mare and my partner were in the same bed! In my bed of all beds!

“After that, I just left. I came straight down here to The Horses Mouth in Ponyville. Since then I really haven't slept much. but I just don't know what to do! I can't go home, she'll be there. I can't talk to her either! So, I figured I'd find someone else to talk to first.” Tears wailed beneath my glasses and the fur below them was starting to get matted. I rubbed a hoof against my eyes real quick trying in vain to dry them.

“You should, at least, give her the chance to explain what happened.” Lyra bowed her head probably not sure what else to say.

“Yeah, well, I don't really want to hear what she has to say. I already know the two of them hooked up!” I answered angrily before giving a loud sigh out of frustration. “I'm sorry, I guess I should give her a chance to explain herself. But I haven't seen her since then and that was two days ago.”

“I think it just happened to be an accidental surge of hormones. She was drunk and she was already acting odd before hoof.” She seemed lost for words before finally she frowned and shrugged, “You sure it wasn't just seeing things? You were drunk.”

“Yes, I'm sure. Seeing that... seeing them... She's a good pony I know she is, but I don't know if I can face her again.” My words came as gasps between breaths of air. The table between the two of them had a small puddle forming on her head.

“So are you going to talk to her?” Lyra asked hesitantly.

“Actually.” I removed my glasses and looked at Lyra, my brow was furrowed, “It feels like she's abandoned me. I don't know if I want to return to her with my tail between my legs. I know that if I see her, all I'll be able to do is yell at her and make her feel worse.”

“That's not right, Vinyl. You need to talk to her.” Lyra said with a bit of anger boiling in her voice. Though it was quickly replaced with sympathy. “Vinyl. You know as well as I do, that Octavia isn't the kind of pony to go and admit to something like this. We both know she'll want to bury it away in the past and forget it ever happened. You have to talk to her first, or else she's gone to you forever.”

“Lyra, I still want to write that requiem, but you do have a point. Would it be alright if I stayed at your place for tonight, I haven't slept in two days and have nowhere to go right now. The club's been closed since I left Canterlot. Ponies are probably wondering where I've disappeared to.” I sighed and stood up, setting my half empty cider mug on the table.

“Sure, just promise me you'll try talking to her before you decide to write this requiem.” Lyra waited for me to answer, once I nodded my compliance she stood and led the way out of the bar.

I didn't have a key to the front door and it was locked. So I used my magic to fiddle with the lock, a moment later, the door popped open and I entered. Closing the door behind me but otherwise leaving it unlocked, I went into our bedroom and found no traces that Neon had even been in the room. The living room was organized back into its original design, and the kitchen was recently cleaned. Octavia's studio seemed normal as usual, nothing was out of place. All her instruments (especially her prized Cello) were neatly assorted on their usual stands.

However, when I entered my own studio, everything was different from how I had left it three days before. All of Neon's equipment and sheet music, as well as his own chair, were now gone. Some of my own scripts and project sheets were also missing, namely because Neon had been apart of their production. This did annoy me a little, much like Octavia, I didn't like any pony in my own studio. Especially when I wasn't there. But it was obvious that Neon Lights had been in my house at least once in the last day or two.

I simply sighed, turned, letting my feet lead me into Octavia's studio. I opened the windows, much like she would have done, before I retrieved her prized Cello from the wall of instruments and laid the case on the floor. Opening it carefully, I took it out and carried it to the center of the room. Where I laid down with the Cello standing before me in a cyan blue glow.

With my own eyes closed, I imagined that sad song Octavia had begun to practice. I and Neon had sat in on four or five of Tavi's practices and so I could summon the song in my head. I allowed my magic to play the instrument in tune with what Octavia had written. However butchered it may have sounded, it was obvious what song was being played. Quietly and consistent for hours on end. I cried multiple times, I got angry and felt the urge to destroy the precious piece of wood. Just crush it in my magic, or throw it out the window, or smash it on the floor.

After those hours of conflicting feelings, I heard the front door open. Octavia must be getting home. Though there were no voices, just her weary footsteps echoing throughout the house. I continued to play her song. Sad and slow as it was originally written.

I heard the door open behind me. I didn't move a muscle. I kept my head down and my eyes closed. The Cello providing the only sound in the eerie silence. After another two or three minutes, I finished the song and the cello was laid on the floor in front of me. Octavia didn't say anything, but I could hear her sniffling and crying.

I sighed and stood up, I couldn't listen to this. I couldn't stand to hear Octavia cry. Of all the ponies that had reached into my heart, Octavia was the only one to keep a grip on it. I turned around to tear whaling in my eyes. “Why?”

“I don't know.” she answered.

“Why did you do it? On that night, Why?

“I don't know, Vinyl! It just happened! He said we were friends and we were talking about that song. One thing led to another and the next thing I know we're staggering through our living room! I barely remember leaving the club!” Octavia had crumpled to the floor. She faced the floor and tears matted her cheeks. “Where have you been?” She asked in a quiet, shaking voice.

“I went down to Ponyville to try and clear my mind. I've slept once in the past three days.” I walked over to Octavia and stood over her, looking down at the mare I loved as she cried at my hooves. It was a scene I had hoped to never see.

Octavia took a deep breath and sat up so she was eye level with me. “Vinyl, I'm not sure...”

“Not sure about what?” I asked as my stomach tightened with fear.

“I think we should take a break, I need time to recover from this. I have no problem with us being roommates, but we need to take a break. You've just lost your musical partner, and well, I just lost my pride.” Octavia turned her face away and looked at the windows.

“Fine.” Was all I could force to come out, even though an arsenal of language was prepared and ready to fire. However, my mouth decided not to cooperate. I stepped past the crying mare and went to my own studio and locked the door behind me.

I rummaged angrily through my papers. Eventually, I came across a song I had written for Octavia. It was called, Lullaby for a Loved One. Of course, it was a temporary title until it was actually completed. I quickly read through the lyrics of the poem and crumbled it into a ball and tossed in into the corner of the room. I did the same with several more songs I had written until my desk was almost completely cleared.

“Hey, Lyra you home?” I was back in Ponyville, looking for Lyra to let her know what had happened.

But of course, Bon Bon is the one to answer the door. “Oh! Hey Vinyl, what brings you here?”

“Hey, I'm looking for Lyra.” I said not really trying to hide my desperation or despair.

“Why?” Bon Bon asked quickly, her ears pricked with a new alertness.

“Well, I am trying to figure out how to write a requiem, though I'm not entirely sure how.”

“She's down at the Horses Mouth, or at least, that's where she was heading earlier.” Bon Bon answered with a nod and dismissed me.

I ran as fast as I could towards The Horses Mouth. It wasn't very far to go however it still left her breathless by the time she arrived. I waited a moment before entering to catch my breath.

I entered and looked around, the cyan blue mare was sitting near the window in the corner of the room. Vinyl sighed with relief and sat down with her.

“Oh! Hey there Vinyl, how are things going? Did you talk to Octavia?” Lyra seemed anxious to learn more.

“Yes, I and Octavia spoke, we're taking a break from our relationship. Apparently, Neon Lights got her drunk and had a good time while she was drunk. Either way. Neon was in the wrong, no matter how drunk he was that night though no one has seen him since the day after, and that last pony was Octavia when she told him to get out and never come back. He apparently grabbed his equipment and his work from my studio and left.”

“Oh. Well, I'm sorry to hear that that happened. I hope the two of you can mend your relationship. But personally I think you need to be there for Octavia. She's the real victim here.” Lyra said as she raised her drink to her lips.

“I already planned to, but I want to give her the space she wants. We aren't in a relationship anymore and so I don't know what would be overstepping the boundaries, especially with a mare like her.”

“Well, at least, you've got an idea of what to do. Tell me, are you still planning to write that requiem?” Lyra asked quizzically. As if she knew something more.

“Well, yeah. But I don't want to write it for a dead memory of a pony, I want to write it for that pony so she's never forgotten in time. She's too important a pony to be lost like that.”

“I'm glad you figured it out. Requiems aren’t written for some ponies death, that's what the obituary was invented for. No, a requiem is written to memorialize something, rather that be an even or a special pony. Though I must say, I am excited to hear a requiem written in your style.” Lyra winked and smiled at her.

“So how do I write a requiem?” I asked without an idea of how to start it or what style I was spinning my music into.

“I can't help you write it. I can simply tell you that it has to come from your heart.”

“Alright. Thank you, Lyra.”

“Anytime Vinyl. You know I'm here for you when you need me.” Lyra had levitated a quill and a pad from her satchel which sat on the floor next to her. “Care to grab us some drinks?”

“Sure, what you want?” I asked quietly, somehow she had read my mind.

“Just grab me a Rosemary.” Lyra smiled softly, “I'm sure you don't want to be heading home anytime soon.”

I simply nodded, accepting her bits and heading to the bar. After a moment of conversation with the bartender, I turned around and headed back to the table where Lyra sat. She was writing furiously. With both drinks levitating in front of me I walked over to her and sat the drinks on the table.

“Thank you, Vinyl.” Lyra said without looking up. She levitated the drink to her lips and took a sip of it. After she had finished her train of thought she looked up, her eyes wide and a grin spread across her face. “Hey, would you like a quill and some ink? I have extra.”

“Sure, I don't see why I can't start on it now.” I took a drink from my own drink then accepted the quill, ink, and paper that Lyra had offered me. From there I pondered what I should write. I didn't know what exactly went into a Requiem.

Vinyl's Requiem

When a love dies, you lose the most important part of what makes you; you.

Out of the ashes a new world is born and a new you rises through.

When a love dies, you lose the most important part of what makes you; you.
Out of the ashes, a new world is born and a new you rises through.

This blazing hatred,
This burning desire,
All these pains I endure.

Never would I suspect such a tragedy.

To forget where life has led us,
To abandon all we’ve shared,
To forge a new path,
To act as if we never truly cared.

Our feelings are one in the same...
How could I forget someone like you?
For all your faults, I’ll always stay true.
You’re the one I love.
The one in my dream.

Now I ache.
This was the last straw.
The last mistake.

You abandoned me.
In my time of need.
When will you see?
He is driven by greed!

Living my dream,
Striving for ecstasy.
You were lost in the moment,
and my fears came to life.
A Nightmare unfolded,
With a sight too obscene,
Alone I stand now,
cradling my Hearts' gleen.

I staggered,
revolting at such a scene.
I disappeared,
revealing to no one what you did to me.

They say love can not die.

Yet;

Love can make us Suffer.
Love can make us Kill.
Love can deceive its heart
Creating an all consuming darkness.

Love is Warm.
Love is Delicate.
Love can fill one with hope.
Purpose and happiness too.

A stolen heart can’t be healed or forgotten.
Everything I once felt now feels just so rotten.
The love that heart once felt will never be the same.
As if every single moment was simply a game.

How would it feel to be Disregarded?
Discarded?
How could it feel to be Undeserving?
Unnerving.

...right?

Good Night.

~~Vinyl Scratch

Octavia's Lullaby

Now I sit here, writing in this diary for no apparent reason other than to organize my own thoughts and feelings.

Still, I can’t believe I actually did that to her. I slept with her best friend. I can’t believe I slept with him, much less on the very same night as her biggest album release.

This is the reason I shouldn’t drink. I can’t control my emotions or my actions. I do everything for the moment and ignore the repercussions of whatever I decide to do.

I’ve drank a lot since then, only because It makes the pain go away. It lightens my burdens and creates a fog between me and myself. I hate feeling like this; whatever it is. It hurts.

I’ll admit; I did find him attractive and I knew he had feelings toward me, but I had no intentions of making any move: Such a futile endeavor... I was curious about him. Having listened to Vinyl boast about how good his music is and how talented he was.

I wanted to meet him. To meet who Vinyl was always talking about. When I finally did meet him, Neon Lights, he was kind of sweet. He didn’t have any respect; but he was sweet.

Neon and I had shared several conversations in that short time we knew each other, some were about music and others about our lives. I won’t lie; it made me happy to have a friend to talk to. Someone who could relate to some of my work related issues. I found it fun to just talk to him, it made me feel a little less lonely.

This may have been my own downfall.

That night at the club, when I saw him being swarmed by mares, all of them engrossed with their ambitions and driven by hormones; I had found myself feeling jealous. I don’t know why I was jealous. I mean, I had Vinyl. She was the mare every stallion and mare wanted. I was lucky. I had a great job with the Royal Orchestra as one of its council members and event coordinators as well as its lead Cello player and even a member of a band. I had it all, but I let my emotions run rampant.

Those who I knew and those who I played with have probably wondered where I’ve disappeared to by now. It’s been nearly two or three months since I fucked up my life.

I sighed closing the book and laying my quill in its particular spot next to the inkwell before opening the bottom drawer. Looking into the empty drawer, its darkness reflected my own depression and emptiness. Closing my eyes, I dropped my diary into the darkness and slammed the drawer shut.

After a moment of holding back my tears, I opened my eyes again. The first object that fell into my gaze as my eyes refocused was a razor blade which sat untouched under the light of a candle.

An image of Vinyl appeared in her mind and the tears began again forcing her face to twist and warped into that face. The last time I had seen her. The last time I’d seen Vinyl Scratch, she was disappearing into her studio as I walked into the house. Vinyl paused with a look of disgust and pain before slamming the door behind her.

I reached forward and gripped the razor between my lips and positioned it between my teeth, moving it near the back of my right hoof. My eyes focusing on a small plot of gray fur just above my ankle. A disappointed Vinyl appeared most prominently in my mind.

Squeezing my eyes closed in an attempt to fight back the tears, I lowered my muzzle. Feeling the cold steel push past my fur and one end of the edge press against my skin.

Pain flowered as the razor sliced through my skin with ease. I pressed my bottom lip harder against the blades flat and felt tears follow the wet trails down my cheeks. After the blade left my skin, my eyes cracked open, bringing the blood-covered razor into focus. The blood slowly crept towards the lower end of the blade before rhythmically dripping onto the desk.

Looking past the razor at the blood-stain that bloomed around the fresh wound. I closed my eyes again, feeling the pain pulse outwards from the cut. Vinyl’s disapproving eyes opened in my mind accompanied by her voice, “Tavi… How could you?”

I quickly stabbed one end of the razor into my skin. I could feel it as it passed seamlessly through my skin. This time, a mixture of distant pain and foggy ecstasy. My mind spun as a fog began to fill it. My pain began to fade away though its presence was persistent. I look down at my ankle as the blood began to drizzle around my ankle to form a pool on the desk.

My eyes focused on another patch of fur just a little below the other two cuts. I bent my neck and slid the razor through my skin again, leaving a bloody trail through my fur. I couldn’t feel any more pain and a fog flooded my mind. I just dropped the bloodied razor onto my desk and stood; I turned and walked around my bed to the nightstand that only had a few things scattered on its top. One of which was a glass with a little water remaining in it. I’d gotten the glass of water the night before because of a nightmare.

Reaching into the top drawer, I pulled out a small bottle of pills; sleeping medicine. Popping the top off of the bottle and dumping a couple of them into my mouth. Feeling the pills begin to stick to the top of my mouth and tongue, I quickly swallowed a mouthful of water to help chase them down.

Leaving the glass and pills on the desk, I rolled onto my bed and looked at the ceiling as if it were ready to give me some sort of solace. Of course, it couldn’t. No matter how much I wished I could be helped. It wasn’t worth it for those around me. I fucked up my life and there were no other options.

I closed my eyes, letting the medicine take affect. I took a deep breath, knowing, it could be the last one I could ever take while awake.

The darkness filled my mind and just before I could fully lose consciousness I could hear Vinyl’s voice echoing in my mind.

“Octavia!”

Walking home from work, all I had with me was a scarf and my saddlebags which were filled with paperwork and lyrics. Looking up ahead I could see home and I couldn't help but wonder if Vinyl was there. The last time I saw here was her leaving the bar to go to her spot behind the DJ table in her club.

The house had come into full view and the first thing I noticed was that my studio windows were open. a sad song leaking from it. It sounded so familiar but I wasn’t close enough just yet to know which song was being played. Obviously, someone was in my studio.

Images of thieves and bandits passed through my mind, snooping through my belongings and touching everything they could get their greedy hooves on, guestimating the prices of her prized instruments and other stuff. As I came to stand in front of the building; I recognized the song.

The song that echoed from my studio was called By the Moonlight. It was the song Vinyl and Neon Lights had sat in and listened to. They were the only ones to ever hear it.

Damnit! If that's Neon I'll- I'll-

I opened the door and entered the building. I sighed and walked slowly through the living room to stand in front of my studio, knowing who was probably in the room.

There's no chance that it's Neon behind this door. He didn't have the capacity to play that song, and considering that I have all my pieces to go with it, the player must have heard it and was going by memory... Only one mare has an ear for music finely toned enough to remember such a song.

I sighed, cracking the door and slowly pushing it open, I stepped in. Seeing Vinyl Scratch laying in the middle of the room, her back towards me. My prized cello stood alone encased in a neon blue aura. The cello was playing the music while Vinyl had her head bowed in concentration. Being a symphony-length song, it would be nearly thirty-five minutes at minimum.

After a rather entrancing five minutes, Vinyl brought the song to an end. The cello laid itself down and I could feel tears rolling down my cheeks. I wiped my eyes clear, sniffing a little as my nose began to run. Vinyl suddenly stood spun around, misery filled her wet and matted eyes. Her glasses couldn't hide her feelings from me.

"Why?" She asked, not wanting to waste time.

"I don't know..." I answered, I truly didn't know. I didn't even want to know why I did what I did.

Watching as Vinyl squeezed her eyes closed before opening them wide with a sudden burst anger. Pure devastation filled those eyes. "Why did you do it? On that night, why!?"

"I don't know, Vinyl! It just happened! He said we were Friends and we were talking about that song. Next thing I know, we're staggering through our living room!" My legs began to go weak underneath me.

"I barely remember leaving the club!" My legs gave out and I crumpled to the floor. Tears pouring from my burning eyes, I couldn't look up at her so I found myself focusing on a crack between floorboards.

"Where have you been?" I whispered quietly, breaking the silence that hung heavy in the air.

Vinyl's voice carried an edge as if it were hard for her to speak to me. "I went down to Ponyville to try and clear my mind. I've slept once in the past three days."

Hearing the pain in her voice made my stomach churn and my heart twist. It felt like I was being suffocated. It hurt knowing just how much pain I had caused.

Vinyl's hooves echoed as she walked towards me, it didn't take her long to come to a stop just inches from where I was laying.

"Vinyl, I'm not sure..." I whispered without thinking.

"Not sure about what?" She asked with an unmistakable trimmer in her voice.

Summoning what little energy I had left, I looked up at her for a moment. My reflection shined in her glasses. "I think we should take a break, I need time to recover from this. I have no problem with us being roommates, but we need to take a break. You've just lost your musical partner, and well, I lost my pride."

I couldn't look at her anymore, so I looked out the window, watching the clouds as the pegasi prepared them for a light rain. My voice was gone and there was nothing else to be said.

Vinyl sighed, "Fine." I could tell by her tone she had a lot more to say but instead, she stepped around me and left the room.

A door slammed closed on the other side of the living room. All I could do was sit there and wallow in my own misery.

Finally, after several agonizingly long minutes, I stood up, locked my cello's case and placed it back where it belonged. I had no intentions of playing it or anything else.

I curled up in the center of the room, where Vinyl had been laying when I first entered and cried until sleep consumed my mind.

The first thing I felt was the pulse of a headache as I began to awake from my dreamless sleep. The second thing I felt was the ache in my muscles from sleeping on a hardwood floor. The third thing I felt was the spear of pain that pierced my heart as I remembered why I was sleeping on this floor.

The loneliness filled me from the tip of my ears to the end of my tail. I missed us already.

A cold breeze blew through the room, chilling my bones as it roughly played with my mane. I stood, grimacing at the tight stiffness that had gripped my legs. I don't wanna move...

My stomach growled angrily demanding food. So I stood, immediately being struck back down by a wave of nausea. When was the last time I ate?

I sighed and forced myself to stand, I opened the door to my studio and stepped out into the living room. Vinyl was sitting on the couch watch a movie. She didn't look acknowledge me like she usually would. Her eyes stayed focused on the television.

Silently, I sighed and walked towards the kitchen. Stopping in the doorway I cocked my head and looked over my shoulder to see the back of Vinyl's head. "Hungry?" I asked as calmly as I could.

The only response she gave me was the increased volume of her show. I nodded and entered the kitchen, suddenly not hungry anymore. I was going to eat anyways, I needed to. So, I prepared myself a carrot filled salad and went back into the living room.

I was going to sit in one of the chairs that sat caddy corner to the couch, but the room held a very uninviting feel, so instead of sitting down I went back into my study and sat at my desk.

What am I supposed to do? I can't even go near her now. We're so far apart. She's so far gone. She'll never be mine again...

I poked my salad with my hoof not feeling as hungry as I had been. I slowly began to eat, feeling the bland flavors turn to paste in my mouth.

After choking down a few more mouthfuls, I looked at my nearly full bowl in disgust. I stood, picked it up, and left my studio. In the living room once again, Vinyl hadn't moved from her spot on the couch.

"Hey, umm... Vinyl? Are you hungry?"

"No." Was the only answer she gave me. Defeated, I walked into the kitchen and just sat the bowl on the counter.

I looked around the room and my eyes rested on a knife handle which stuck out of a block of wood. I didn't linger for long, my eyes shifted towards the windows, it was dark outside, but the clouds had been put to use and moved out of the way. The stars shone brightly as diamonds.

Leave the kitchen, I could see Vinyl still sitting on the couch. I sighed and walked passed her. "I'm going for a walk. Want to come?"

"I'm good. Have fun, Hun." Vinyl answered absently and probably out of habit. Before stepping out the front door, I glanced back to see Vinyls expression shift, a look of pain and confusion flooded her eyes and tears began to roll down her cheeks.

Fighting the urge to run in there and comfort her, I opened the door and left. It was dark outside, not a soul in sight, and nothing more than the sound of the wind. Canterlot was a busy city but by this time of night, all the ponies would be at the bars and clubs.

Perhaps I could use a drink...

I started down the road towards a nearby bar called, Unstrung. From the outside, this place could be mistaken for an abandoned building, being a smaller place stuck between two large apartment buildings. A group of ponies stood in front of the place smoking cigarettes from what I could see.

I walked passed them and a white pegasus mare cocked her head towards me, "Hey, I know you from somewhere, don't I ?"

"I don't think so," I answered politely, before turning back towards the door. With a second thought, I turned back to her. "May I have a cigarette?"

One of the stallions laughed, "A pretty mare like you smokes?" He reached into his saddlebag and withdrew a pack of cigarettes, pulled one out of it and gave it to her.

"Yes, I've smoked before. Though I had quit this habit a long time ago." She put it in her mouth and accepted the lighter the unicorn held out for me. The cigarette lit as I inhaled, I closed my eyes, feeling a faint fog cloud my mind for an ever too brief second.

The stallion put his lighter away. "So what's a pretty mare like yourself doing in this part of town? You know these aren't the safest parts, right?"

I took another drag and nodded, "I could ask the same of everyone here. Though we all have our own reasons, mine is a simple quest for intoxication."

"So you’re just here to get drunk and go home. Right?" He laughed and so did a light blue unicorn mare.

I sighed and took another drag off my cigarette. "Not quite."

The mare finally spoke again, her long silver and white mane hiding part of her face and one of her eyes. "Wait, so you’re not here to get drunk, but you're here to drink? Isn't that a bit of a waste?"

"I knew I recognized you! You're Octavia Melody, one of the richest music producers in Equestria! Of course, you have the bits to waste in a dump like this." The stallion said sticking his dark blue muzzle in the air.

Taking a drag off my cigarette and ignoring the insulting tone of his voice. "If it suits you, I can just take my leave.".

The blue mare shoved an elbow into his side and looked at me. "if you'd like, I can join you."

I took a drag and nodded. A little company won't hurt.

"Hey," said the dark blue stallion chuckled, "Maybe you'll get lucky, Trixie."

This earned him a hoof to the knee and a deadly glare from the unicorn. "You're one to talk Mr. I-left-my-bits-in-my-other-saddlebag. Seriously, I've paid for every drink you've had tonight, Alister."

A white pegasus mare stepped forward just as Alister opened his mouth with a comeback readied. "Alister. Trixie's just messing around, but there's no reason to tease her like that."

Alister grumbled, pulling out and lighting another cigarette. Trixie's newfound smirk suited her facial feature well as if she'd done it many times before.

"Thanks, Parish. Alister's really starting to get on my nerves tonight." Trixie said with a sigh.

Trixie looked at me and I shrugged in reply before nodding my head towards the door. "Shall we?"

Trixie nodded, "Parish, want to join us? Or are you going to stand out here with this stallions all night?"

Parish shook her head, her long straight burgundy red mane flailing in the darkness. "I'm actually going to go home now. Gotta be awake fairly early in the morning, and honestly, I don't know how straight I can fly so I've got a long walk."

"Well, it's been a pleasure, Ms. Snowfall," Trixie said with a smile.

"Please, just Parish.Talk to you later!" She said returning Trixie's smile. She turn and began walking away.

"Night, Parish!" Shouted one of Alister's friends.

I saw Trixie cock her head back, just as Parish walked under a street light. She licked her lips as the white pegasus was illuminated by the light.

"Umm, Trixie, Right? You ready? I'll pay." I turned and walked to the door, not giving any attention to rather or not they were following me.

I entered the bar and sure enough, it was nearly empty inside. Trixie had appeared next to me and pointed her horn towards the far end of the bar, nearest the booths and a backdoor. A light jazz filled the bar from hidden speakers in the ceiling. It was relaxing. It was quiet.

Trixie and I made took the last two seats at the bar just as the bartender acknowledged us. “What're ya wantin’?” he questioned while washing out a tall glass.

“Trixie will have an Everfree Fantasy!” She answered with a cheerful billow as if she were speaking to a mass of ponies. She paused, gave two innocent coughs as if she were clearing her throat. “What will you have?”

“I want a Silver Berry Blast,” She said, recalling the last drink she had shared with Vinyl. She glanced at Trixie, “What’s an Everfree Fantasy?”

Trixie laughed, “It’s a drink from this place down in Little ol’ Ponyville. It’s supposed to be a club secret, but there are a few bars here in Canterlot who serve it. Though… They jacked up the price of it by a bit.” Trixie’s cheeks began to glow as if she didn’t mean to say that.

I shook my head, “And, just how much is one of these drinks?”

Trixie shrugged and quietly whispered the answer, practically to herself. “Not much, Not much, forty-eight bits… They’re twenty-two down in Ponyville, but that club is kind of hard to get into if you’re looking for trouble.”

My eyes must have bulged or something because the bartender hesitated when he placed the drinks between us. Hers standing tall and red with a thick strawberry slice wedged onto the edge of the glass. Mine being just a short cup only a quarter full of a sparkling silver whiskey.

I looked at the bartender. “May I have it filled properly?”

The bartender gave her a smirk, “That’ll up the cost.”

“How much is this as it sets?” I asked curiously.

“Ten bits.”

“Okay, you fill this glass for me and I’ll pay you thirty-five. Sound good?” I looked at Trixie who simply gawked at me in return. Without breaking my composure, I looked at the bartender, “We have a deal?”

He smirked, “A pretty mare who can beat me at my own game. How cleaver.” Grabbing the bottle, he topped her glass off. “For both drinks, that’ll be ninety-two bits.”

“How about this ruby instead?” I reached into my bag and drew out a bag of bits, reaching in, I pulled a fair-sized stone out.

“Sorry, I don’t take gems. Bits only,” he answered, bluntly.

“Fine, just take the whole sack,” I said, dropping the gem back inside it. “Just go away.” He smirked and grabbed the bag, disappearing through a door behind the counter.

Trixie looked at her, “Wow, you just gave him all your bits?”

“Of course. How else was I supposed to pay for these drinks.” I closed my eyes and took a sip of my drink. Holding my breath as I did so. I learned last time, its bark is much worse than its bite.

Trixie didn’t respond but instead took a drink of her own. Her eyes squeeze closed and she puckered her lips before taking a deep breath and exhaling with pleasure. "So worth it."

"So worth what?" I asked her curiously.

"So worth stealing this recipe and selling it to bar owners across Equestria." Her eyes gleamed, "You know because Trixie is totally capable of such magical feats!"

She began to laugh and when I didn't join in with her laughter, hers stammered off to a half-hearted and awkward chuckle. I watched as Trixie took a hasty drink and began coughing uncontrollably, this made me smile. I've only seen Vinyl do that too many times.

"Does Trixi-" she bursts into another coughing fit.

"Does Tr-" a few quieter cough left her lips.

"Try taking a deep breath and giving one good cough," I suggested mildly, still smiling. I took a drink of my whiskey and watched as she did as I instructed.

"Does Trixie amuse you with her pain?!" She nearly shouted, finally getting her question out.

"Hey, can't blame me because you choked on your own drink. And yes, you've amused me." I smirked as she turned dark red.

Trixie snorted but didn't respond. Then I saw her glance at me, or at something behind me, there standing in the doorway was Alister and his gang. They wasted no time making their way across the room to the two of us.

"Hey Trixie, looking as flush as usual. Gotta say, for being a criminal, you're quite good at shouting your own name."

Wait, was Trixie telling the truth? I cocked my head back to see Trixie open her mouth but then closed it, wave her hoof at him and take another drink of her Everfree Fantasy. Afterward, she bit the strawberry slice and dropped it into the glass.

"Okay, what's with the strawberry? I thought it was decorative," I asked quietly.

"Well, the strawberry reacts with this special kind of vodka. See how the drinks fizzing up? That's it literally hanging drinks. Only a unicorn can make this vodka." Trixie smiled and watched the drink slowly come to a standstill again before taking another drink. "Without the strawberry sitting at its bottom, the drink tastes like a mixture between raspberries and watermelon. While after you drop it in, it tastes like a banana strawberry smoothie, though it also gains a bit more bite."

Alister finally had a beer in hoof and has taken the seat next to me, opposite of Trixie, the other two stallions had taken control of the nearby pool table. "Eh, Alister, I kind of find it funny that you of all stallions would be able to put a name, face, and music together just by simply seeing me in the light of a street lamp. Care to explain?"

"No." Was all he said as he took a drink of his beer, "You owe me an answer first, I asked why you were here while we were all outside. So?" He smirked at me as if he had more reasons than just curiosity.

How dare he!

I didn’t care who heard this one. I needed to release some stress, and unfortunately for this annoying little unicorn, he would suit well for an outburst. “Do you really want to know why I sit here with this much whiskey and no chaser? Do you really care what sort of tragedies have befallen me?" Pausing briefly to catch my breath, I didn't give him a chance to speak. My body felt hot and my eyes burned. I could only hope my voice didn't sound as desperate as I felt.

With little to no hesitation and not wanting to give him a chance to recover from his state of shock, I continued."Does it suit you? Does it turn you on? Better yet, Why does it matter to you what the hell has happened in my life!"

"Calm down, Octavia. What's wrong?" asked Trixie from somewhere far off behind me, at least from the sound of it. A moment later a hoof touched my shoulder and I turned back to look at Trixie.

My mind reeled back on itself, tears began to stream down my face. "Sorry..."

Trixie took a drink and looked her, "Alister? Don't worry, she doesn't mean it."

I heard him snort and him drinking his beer. He sighed but didn't say anything.

Trixie looked back at me, "So what's the deal? Why you here?"

I exhaled quietly and took a good size drink of my whiskey. "I did something I shouldn't have and the repercussions of it are destroying me."

"Wow, deep," she replied. "Trixie is curious. Perhaps Trixie can help you to feel better."

Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't talk to anyone except Vinyl about my problems. Above that, I certainly wouldn't be caught out in this little podunk place. Feeling defeated I crossed my hooves on top of the counter and rested my forehead on them.

How would Vinyl handle this? ... TV, right. Hmm, Can I trust Trixie?

"Well..." I began still unsure of rather or not I should say anything at all.

"Octavia, venting your frustrations may be one of the easiest ways to better your situation. I promise I won't tell anyone." Her voice was low and reassuringly.

"Okay... I'll trust you, Trixie. You had better keep this between us. I would normally never even consider confiding in someone I barely just met."

I took another good size drink, letting it's warm courage take hold of my mind. "Only about four days ago. I cheated on Vinyl Scratch. The mare of my dreams and the only one I will ever love." I paused to try and fight back the tears.

Trixie spoke up, "Wait, you cheated on Vinyl Scratch? With who?"

"A stallion named Neon Lights. He skipped town the morning after because I told him that if I ever saw him again, I would mutilate him and watch as he choked on his own jewels."

"Wow, talk about brutal." Came a voice from behind me.

I spun around and glared at him, say a word of what you just heard and I'll..."

"You'll what?" He asked without even flinching.

I didn't know what to say so I turned back to my drink and emptied the glass, "I'm leaving. Bye."

I stood and as I trotted past Alister, I saw him snicker and look towards Trixie. I glanced back to see her looking at him with a devious smile spread across her lips. I sighed and left the bar, knowing that they wouldn't keep their word.

The whiskey began to take effect, making me stumble to one side as if I had just been hit by a passing cart. Using one foreleg to prop myself up I screamed out of frustration.

"All I wanted was to go to a bar, sit by myself, and drink until I couldn't feel anything!" I shouted into the darkness surrounding me.

Lowering my voice, "but nooo, of course, I'd have to bump into a group of crooks, and, of course, I'd be so vulnerable, so naive... Why am I so desperate to talk to someone?"

The question rang out like a sour note. Why am I so desperate?

My leg gave way and I slumped against the building. My flank and shoulder landing hard against the cold brick. I slid down until I was laying flat on my belly. I laid my head on my hooves and a few tears began to escape my eyes.

A fear gripping my stomach,What if this were my punishment? What if I was meant to be betrayed by some random unicorns for having betrayed my dearest and closest friend? So now what? Should I go and talk to Vinyl?

I slowly stood up, my knees shaking, and my head spinning, I began to walk home. I wasn't too far from it, but every time I stumbled or fell my knees just wanted to buckle and keep me on the ground.

Eventually, I made it home. I sighed and opened the door, I had decided that I needed to talk to her and try to mend this insane situation.

Opening the front door, I stepped inside and the television turned off. As I entered the living room I saw Vinyl, she stood and walked towards her studio as if I were invisible. Finally, as she went to close the door, our eyes met and a look of pain and depression filled her once joyful eyes.

I sighed, and quietly walked to my own studio. I closed the door behind me and took a seat at my desk.

I retrieved my journal from the desk's too drawer as well as a quill and ink well. I opened the book to the proper page, and dipped my quill into the ink, ready to write something. Even though I hadn't a clue of what to write. I shrugged and started to write.

I can't help but remember when Vinyl and I had first met. It was at a prestigious charity event that encompassed all the big names of Canterlot. Everyone was there. I remember meeting Vinyl at the bar and I ordered my usual drink, an Old Fashion. The bartender was blessed with a job that she clearly hated, though she wasn't bad looking, her attitude needed some adjusting.

Vinyl was first to speak and I couldn't help but scold the bartender on how poorly she was performing her job. It wasn't a hard job. Make drinks, smile, and get the rich ones drunk enough to throw money at a somewhat questionable charity. Not hard.

After some small talk and a couple more drinks, me on Old Fashion and Vinyl on Manehatten, we decided to escape to a balcony which overlooked the starlit city of Canterlot.

I smirked at her and withdrew my old gold cigarette case which Vinyl rolled her eyes at - until I opened it and drew out a long thick joint.

Vinyl smiled back at me with such anticipation. Vinyl's smile back then was filled with joy and excitement. I lit the joint and inhaled, held my breath for a moment, and exhaled before passing it to her. She accepted it and noted how much better it was than anything she was normally used to. Neither of us smoke now, I rarely smoke cigarettes whenever I'm stressed... But back then, we finished that joint off before deciding to ditch our producers and that charity to make a trip to my old place.

I left my journal right where it was, ink and quill left next to it and I could feel my stomach churning, that whiskey surging up from my stomach. I hurried to stand up but found myself staggering off to my left before landing on my shoulder and slumping to the floor on my side. A little vomit made it's way into my mouth but I swallowed it back, refusing to let it stain my polished wooden floor.

Staying there for a moment, fear gripped my mind for a short moment before I tried to stand up again. I got my front legs under me and pushed myself up, my legs trembling with the effort and I swayed back and forth, unable to find my balance, I dropped back to my side.

"Vinyl! Can you come help me?" I shouted, knowing I wouldn't get a response.

"Vinyl!" I screamed, followed by another surge of fluids from my stomach. I laid my head on the wood floor and stared out the window.

"May Luna help me..." I whispered quietly into the silence. I sighed, allowing my eyes to close and my mind to wonder. It didn't take more than a few moments for my exhaustion to kick in and knock me out.

Blinking my eyes open, I found myself laying on the floor in my studio. I was on my side next to my desk. I hesitantly stood and felt my head throb angrily. I squeezed my eyes closed and sat down with a hoof to the side of my head. It wasn't going to go away.

Damned hangover.

I walked out into the living room, Vinyl wasn't awake yet, so I walked to the front door and picked up the mail that laid just inside its way. Walking through the living room and into the kitchen, I tossed it all on the counter.

"Water, power, rent, wait we still pay rent? All in Vinyl's names." I grunted as I skimmed through the mail. I dropped the bills to the side, tossed some ads into the trash and then turned away from what was left to start a pot of coffee.

After it finished and I had my cup, I took a seat at the table and flipped the upside down magazine over. I almost did a spit take, in bold red letters across the top read:

Octavia Melody
Secret Unveiled!
(page42)

I wanted to cry. Not for myself, not for Vinyl, but for the simple fact that everyone and everything seemed to be out to get her.

Flipping to the page and reading, it was a detailed description of what had happened the night before. Though the source was unknown, it had to have been Trixie and Alister.

Balling up that sheet, I threw the paper to the ground. Giving it a kick, it hit and landed in front of the fridge as I angrily stormed out of the kitchen and to my studio.

Leaving my door open and grabbed my saddlebags off the floor, I closed and tossed my journal into one of them before grabbed a photo of Vinyl and a few other small keepsakes. The last thing I added to the bags were three fat little sacks of bits, counted into hundreds as well one other sack being roughly two thousand bits worth in gems. It was all I had room for... Bits were heavy!

I stormed out into the living room. Vinyl had just woken up and had stuck her head out of our- ...her bedroom door. "Tavi?" She asked.

I ignored her. I couldn't let her see me this way. Not after last night and this morning. I slammed the front door and galloped as quickly as I could. I finally slowed down enough to catch my breath and as I walked, ponies looked and snickered. Their whispers stinging my ears and making my blood run cold. All the little light noises building into a chorus of laughter and humility.

I continued walking until I reached my destination. I looked up and found myself staring at the front of the train station.

A hot chill ran down my spine as I walked inside.

My ear twitched. I could feel the wind blowing through an open window and it tickled my ear.

I squeezed my eyes closed as the sun showed through my eyelids and groaned as I felt a throbbing in my left hoof. I sighed noticing that I was on my back and under a blanket. Nothing real thick or comfortable, but it was warm, which I didn't want.

Moving my hooves to push the blanket off, I noted that my right hoof felt weirdly heavy. I didn't bother unwrapping the blanket. Finally opening my eyes and glancing around the white four walled room, I saw a desk with medical equipment laid out on it, a few posters reflecting the purpose of the room, and a machine that gave off a rhythmic beeping sound.

There, sitting next to me, with a newspaper open in her lap, sat Vinyl. Her chest slowly rising and falling as she slept.

"Vinyl?" I asked hesitantly, making sure she was asleep. When no response came, I sighed, "I'm so sorry for all I've done to you."

Vinyl's ear twitched in her sleep but otherwise didn't move. I watched her sleep for a moment and realized that I hadn't seen her sleep in quite a while.

The door clicked and swung open, a nurse walked in, "Alright Ms. Scratch, it's been fourth-six hours-" she looked up and stopped mid-sentence. She stared at me and I stared back at her. She quickly turned and left the room, she caught a passing nurse and said something before coming back into the room.

She walked over to Vinyl first, " excuse me Ms. Scratch." She shook Vinyl's shoulder until she came to. "Ms. Scratch, I'm going to have to ask you to leave the room. You may wait in the hall, it won't take long. Dr. Ross needs to speak with Ms. Melody before she can have any more visitors."

Vinyl rubbed her eyes as she woke up, she let the paper slide from her lap onto the floor before standing up. Her eyes lit up as what she had just heard registered. She turned and looked at me and her face lit up but she didn't speak, she looked at the nurse and nodded before leaving the room.

I couldn't help but wonder why Vinyl Scratch of all mares would be so... forgiving... I shrugged it off as the doctor came into the room.

"Hello, Ms. Melody," said the doctor as he took a seat and got comfortable. "My name's Dr. Ross, and I have good news and bad news. Which would you like first?"

I frowned and nodded, not wanting to answer. I moved my right hoof again and it still felt heavy. It felt numb. I couldn't feel anything from my wrist down. It just felt like a limp weight in the end of my leg.

"Let's start with your hoof, the bad news that is. The damage was done and there was nothing we could do to fix it. Your nervous system is dead in that hoof. You'll never have feeling or muscle control in it again." He paused and waited a moment.

I was still a groggy from waking up to answer him. I just looked at my limp hoof in complete bewilderment. I looked up at the doctor, "Can I still play?" I asked with a knot forming in my stomach.

"What do you mean?" He asked calmly.

"Can I still play my cello? My piano? My violin? Any instrument!?" My voice cracked as the lump in my stomach moved into my throat,

My heart sank as he shook his head no. "I'm sorry. The good news is, you can still walk, it will just take a little practice. You'll also need to check your hoof throughout the day, to make sure you didn't cut it open on a sharp rock or a broken bottle. To be on the safe side, I suggest taking good care of that hoof because you won't feel anything from it, including pain. The last bit of news I have for you is this." He pulled out some pills and passed them to me.

As he leaned back into his chair and used his magic to flip through a few papers he had on his clipboard. "These are an antidepressant. They also function as painkillers for your leg. carrying around a dead weight like that will cause some pain and discomfort. You can go home today, but I want you to come in for a check up in a week."

Looking at the bottle that I held in my left hoof, before looking up at him. "So the good news is I can go home? So I have a dead hoof and I can go home? Just like that?"

"Octavia, you've been asleep for two days. Your mother found you in your bed and without a pulse. It's a miracle that you're alive at all. You remember what happened, right?" He held a straight face but sympathy danced in his eyes.

Thinking back, the last thing I could remember was cooking a meal for my mother. After that I went to my room and then I was here. "I guess not..." I said quietly looking down at my covers. I finally pushed myself into a sitting position, leaning back against the wall and pillows. "Could you tell me how I got here?"

"Trauma has a tendency to cause memory loss, or rather block the memories of the traumatic event," He spoke softly now, "Your mother found you on your bed. You weren't breathing. Investigators reported finding a blood covered razor blade and a bottle of sleeping medication and a suicide note in your journal."

"They read my diary?" I felt tears come to my eyes as thoughts of what that journal contained. All the trials and tribulations I've gone through were in that book.

"They searched the room for any information leading to a possible trigger ." He paused. "Depression is often related to suicides."

"You can stop..." Images of words and as well as the bloody glare of light reflecting off the used razor blade. "I remember now."

"Well, they managed to get you breathing again. After that, they raced to transport you to a hospital in Manehatten. Once there, they needed your blood to clot, so they transplanted blood and they some medicine to help thicken the new blood after your body had accepted it. Considering how much blood you had lost, it’s astonishing that they managed to keep you alive.”

He looked down at his clipboard. "Say you've been a donor for most of your adult life, that’s probably how they managed to find a match your body could accept so quickly."

"So I was dead when they found me, but I was fresh enough to be brought back to..." My mouth went dry with the reality of her sentence. She hadn't meant for death. She simply wanted to sleep one night without pain and without night terrors.

The doctor looked back up, "You weren’t dead, but you weren’t breathing either.” He coughed and cleared his throat. “Vinyl Scratch had paid off all medical bills. You should be very grateful to have a friend like that."

My mind froze. Vinyl did that for me? After all the pain I've caused her...

I looked down at my shaven limp wrist. Bandages wrapped around the majority of my hoof, but it was painfully obvious how much fur was missing. I looked at the doctor, "Is there anything else I need to know about? If not, may I speak with Vinyl?"

The doctor shook his head and quietly exited the room. A moment after he left, Vinyl appeared in his place. "Hey, Tavi... Long time no see..."

"Vinyl, I..." I closed my mouth and looked away ashamed of what I'd done to her. -have no idea what to say to you.

Vinyl sat down and picked up the newspaper she dropped. She levitated it so I could read the front page headline. "Octavia Melody takes her own life. Page forty-two." I read out loud under my breath.

"I saw this, finally located you, and came straight here. Octavia... You disappeared without a word. You could have left me a note or even a letter would have been nice. You know our address!" vinyl paused for a moment and took a deep breath. "It's been three months, Octavia. Three months, Octavia. And after all that time I saw two things, a newspaper article describing your experience in a bar, and how you cheated on me... And then you disappeared. And the next thing I see is this article talking about your suicide." She stopped and let the paper drop to the floor.

I couldn't do anything but cry. "Vinyl. I never meant for it to go this far... I just couldn't move on. I-"

"Then don't try to move on! I love you, Octavia...I can forgive you for what you've done, but I can’t sit idly by while you kill yourself! Please, stay with me... Come back to me." Vinyl had stepped closer to the bed and laid her head across my lap. How could I say no?

"Of course, Vinyl. I wouldn't want it another way." I leaned forward and licked her ear affectionately before sitting up and stroking her mane with my good hoof.

"I love you too, Vinyl."

Our Duet

“Hey, Octavia,” I said as I cracked the door open and entered her hospital room. They had moved her to the recovery wing after her cuts had healed. Octavia sat up in her bed, the blankets rolling forward as she did. She still wore the hospital gown they had given her.

“Vinyl! The doctor came in today, he said I can go home! He said I’ve been doing a lot better about keeping my hoof well cared for. He suggests that I wear boots or socks but I don’t think it’s necessary.” Octavia’s smile made it hard not to smile at her.

I walked to her bedside and sat on the floor, my head even with her lap. That smile… How I wish I could just lay my head on your lap and fall asleep. “I already know. The doctor called me this morning and told me you’ve improved so much in the last week.” The anti-depressants have been the reason why.

Octavia tossed the blanket off and went to stand but I stopped her by placing a hoof over her heart. “Actually, you’re not allowed to leave this hospital-”

Her gasp cut me off, “But the doctor said-”

“I know what the doctor said, and he said that I have to push you out in a wheelchair.” I winked, stood, and walked over to the wall where a wheelchair had been waiting for use. Pulling the chair away from the wall with my magic, I moved behind it and pushed it towards the bed. Octavia stood and took a seat in the chair. She sighed and laid her hooves in her lap, letting her tail hide them.

“If you’d like, you can take the gown off. I brought your bow tie and collar,” I said as I fished them out of my bag. She smiled over her shoulder and took it off. She tossed it onto the bed and allowed me to tie her bow tie around her neck. After that I pushed her out of her room.

Once we reached the main lobby, I stopped and she stood up on her own. Her leg wavered as she put her weight on it. Her leg subsequently gave in and she stumbled, catching herself against my shoulder. I smiled over at her and she blushed in return. “You got it?” I asked as she stood on her own hooves and began walking.

I smiled; it was nice to see her on her feet again. Looking her over, she seemed perfectly fine, except that she limped as she cautiously placed her hoof. “Tavi, can I ask you something?”

Octavia paused and turned to look at me. My mouth went dry and I could feel my stomach clench tight. She tilted her head, waiting for me to speak but I just sighed. “You can ask me anything, Vinyl. You should know that by now.”

I sighed. We’ve already talked about our relationship and how this whole ordeal will affect us both, but right now, I need to focus on her. “Well uh... I was wondering if you’d like to go to a restaurant… I mean, when was the last time we went on a date?” I smiled sheepishly.

She smiled and her eyes lit up. “Real food does sound good, where did you have in mind?”

“Well, I was thinking we could go to the place we first met.” Even though we technically met four floors above the restaurant. We started walking again as she thought about it.

“Didn’t we meet at that charity event? That was at the top floor in a lavish suite. Something tells me that’s not what you meant.”

“That’s exactly what I meant. The bottom floor of that building is the Meiz restaurant. Everything above that is the Meiz hotel. We can even get a room there if you’d like.” Figuring she would take the bait, I had already placed a reservation for two, two weeks ago.

Octavia smiled her usual small, soft smile before giving me a light kiss on the cheek. “I’d honestly rather just go home and take a relaxing bath,” she said with a wink.

How could I deny her that? After spending so long in a hospital taking medicines and dealing with ponies teaching her how to walk again. Eh, can’t blame her. A bath does sound relaxing. I nodded in agreement. “So, um… Tavi, there’s something you should know about.”

“What would that be, Vinyl?” Octavia asked me, her eyes catching mine as I smiled. “I dove deep into my work while you were away. You remember that album I had to recall and remaster? I finished it off…” I trailed off, not sure how to continue the sentence.

“Well?”

“Well… When the newspapers found out we broke up, every reporter in Canterlot was on my doorstep for nearly a month straight. And then again, when they heard about your suicide attempt. I don’t know why, but everyone was buying the album and I had to find some pony to run my club; the place has been on fire for the last few weeks! I just can’t keep up with it. I hired a pony to run the club while I was here with you.”

“I see.” She looked at the ground for a moment. “So you gained popularity because of my stupid decisions.”

“It’s not like that, Octavia,” I said in a hushed voice.

“So then what is it like?” Octavia asked in a gentle voice to match mine.

“Well, yes, you did give me a boost in recognition and popularity, but the entire time I was working you were on my mind, and even as I tried to find you, ponies just kept getting in my way… Eventually I gave up and released the album with your song in it; ;that one you were playing on your cello. It’s one of the top ten songs this year.” I paused and looked over at her as we walked in silence for a moment. She didn’t reply so I continued. “I’ve signed into a couple record deals, so I’ll be doing a lot of business meetings as well as having to keep up with the club. I won’t let that take away from my time with you, though. I’m just happy to have you home!” I smiled and looked up to see Octavia’s bow windowed studio.

Octavia smiled and kissed my cheek lightly. “Vinyl… let’s go take our bath now, okay?”

“Sounds good,” I said, laughing a little. I galloped up the steps to the front door before thinking. I looked back down to see Octavia carefully taking her time climbing the stairs. “Sorry, wasn’t thinking…” I said quietly, before my ears pricked with an idea. I opened the door and held it for her. She smiled and kissed my lips softly before going inside.

Octavia lead the way into the dark hall and through the living room. As if everything had gone back to how things used to be, she walked passed the couch, opened the towel closet, withdrew a towel, and continued on towards the bathroom. She paused and turned back to me. “Vinyl? Don’t be too long, ‘kay?” She smiled and winked before disappearing inside.

It didn’t take long for me to hear the water. Once I did I veered off into the kitchen, withdrew a very old bottle of champagne, along with two wine glasses. I chuckled to myself as I started back towards the bathroom, stopping briefly to get a towel from the closet.

Octavia was already settled into the oversized bathtub (which I did upgrade). It was large enough now for the two of us to lay next to each other. "Oh, is that for me?” she asked as she sat up, the bubbles sticking to her wet mane as she moved.

"Only the best, for the best!" I placed the wine and my towel on the counter before stepping into the tub. Octavia moved her back hooves to the side and I laid down next to her.

She took the glass I offered to her and settled down into the tub. "Vinyl..." She laid her head against my shoulder and close her eyes. "I'm so happy to be with you again." She took a small drink of her wine and smiled.

"Same here, Tavi." I responded quietly.

Taking another drink of my wine, I moved my hoof from Octavia's shoulders to her back, rubbing it gently. "Tavi? Why did you sleep with him?"

Octavia let out a small sigh but shrugged. "He was a nice guy. He showed interest in my work and was a sweet talker. I didn't mean to do anything with him... But I can't say I didn't want to." She repositioned her head and nuzzled my neck, just under my chin. "I guess I was jealous of the mares giving him so much attention that night, I must have had too much too drink because I knew I could have him whenever I wanted... But I love you, Vinyl, I could never love a stallion like him the way I love you."

She finished off the last gulp of wine in her glass. "Would you like more wine?" I asked, levitating the glass from her hooves.

"No thanks, one's enough for now," she said quietly. I nodded and placed both our glasses on the counter with the wine. Mine was still half full.

I moved a hoof over her chest and pulled her close to my side. "I love you, Octavia... I don't want to lose you again." I pressed my lips against her dry cheek and smiled, "Time to bathe!"

As she began to protest I dunked her head under the water before slipping beneath the water’s surface, soaking my head as well. As I came back up and took a breath, I was facing Octavia now and she was ready. She splashed me in the face and laughed.

"Soap in the eye! Soap in the eye!" I said immediately feeling a sharp pain shoot past my left eye.

Octavia laughed again, "You deserved it!"

I stared at her dumbstruck, "I deserved it?" I smirked and splashed water back at her, aiming for her face.

She blocked it with her hoof, "Of course you do! Just like you deserve this." Octavia moved forward and pressed her lips against mine, her tongue quickly found its way into my mouth.

I laid back slowly and Octavia crawled over me, laying down on top of me. Octavia broke the kiss as her ears perked up, she smiled down at me. "Kinky, Vinyl?" she asked in a hushed, seductive voice.

Cocking my head to the side for a moment, I hadn't realized the top of my tail had been pressing up against her marehood this whole time. I kissed the side of her neck in an attempt to hide it, so I pressed my muzzle against her ear. "I blame the beautiful mare that's laying on top of me."

"Do you want her?" she asked, punctuating herself with a quiet snicker. She leaned away for a moment, making eye contact with me.

"Of course I want her... She just got home," I whispered before passionately kissing her again.

I felt something brush against my inner thigh as Octavia shifted on top of me. A moment later, a shock of surprise and pleasure shot up my back and forced a moan from my lips and into her mouth.

I felt her smile as she continued kissing me, so I returned the favor by lashing my tail against her. She moaned in reply, breaking the kiss and laying her chin on my shoulder. "That's just mean," she muttered as she took a shaky breath.

I smiled, trying not to moan again. "And you're not being a complete tease?"

"Fair enough," Octavia replied with a sigh before rolling off and laying next to me. "Just wait until we dry off."

I squeezed my eyes tight, not wanting to wake up. Vinyl was snoring like usual, so there was no hope of falling back to sleep. I slowly moved my hooves out from around Vinyl's waist before crawling out of the covers. Vinyl continued to snore as I stood. Putting weight on my dead hoof felt weird but I ignored it.

I couldn't help but lean down and kiss her cheek before leaving our bedroom and heading for the kitchen. I paused, feeling the urge to pee. I groaned; spinning on my hooves, I made my way to the bathroom.

As I finished my business I washed my hooves off and inspected my left hoof closely, making sure it had no cuts or scrapes. When nothing was found, I shrugged and headed for the kitchen.

I wonder if Vinyl has kept the liquor cabinets stocked... I thought as I started the coffee pot. Afterwards, I spun around and opened the cabinets in question. To my delight, there stood row after row of unopened spirits. As I sifted through the bottles, I stumbled upon exactly what I craved.

Pulling the bottle of imported Isle Cream from the shelf, I spun on my hooves dancing with the beloved bottle held against my chest. Landing on my good front hoof and finding my balance, I made my way back to the counter and prepared my cup of coffee.

I opened my Isle Cream and poured a good shot or so into the cup and stirred it in. I carefully carried the cup to the table and sat down.

After a small drink and a agh a tranquil satisfaction, I closed my eyes and listened for a moment.

Three...

Two...

One...

"Good morning, Vinyl!" I shouted just as I heard the bedroom door cracked opened.

I watched with a smirk as a very ragged looking Vinyl Scratch limped into the kitchen. "I smelled coffee..." she mumbled on her way across the kitchen.

"Aren't I supposed to be the one limping about?" I asked with a snicker. Vinyl's tail was tucked between her legs and one of those legs were being held awkwardly against her side.

"Too soon..." Vinyl said, finally taking a seat across from me. She took a drink of her coffee and glanced at the open bottle on the table.

I followed her gaze then looked at her. Vinyl had that look on on face, complete with a cocked eyebrow. I shrugged. "It isn't what you think."

"Octavia. You know I'm all for a drink or two in the morning, but you? You don't drink. I... I don't want to lose you again. Not when I just got you back." Vinyl looked down into her coffee cup, leaving me in a daze.

I'm not a drunk, am I? I looked down at my own coffee, allowing the silence to dominate and taint the room’s atmosphere. I am not a drunk! I don't need alcohol, I don't need to be wasted. I don't need to be lectured by her. "Just because I wanted to enjoy an Isle Cream coffee!" I shouted without even realizing it. That is, until I looked up at her and heard a small sniffle.

Vinyl looked up, small tears glistening on her cheeks. "I've got a breakfast meeting to get to..." With that, she stood and limped back to the bedroom to get ready for her day.

Glancing down to my cup, my eyes began to burn and a tear broke the surface of my coffee. I lifted the cup to my lips and drank half of it before getting up and refilling the cup with Isle Cream.

I managed to finish the cup off before Vinyl reemerged from the bedroom. She came back into the kitchen, and wrapped her hooves around me. “I’m sorry, Tavi. I didn’t mean to be that harsh on you… I know you’re going through a lot, and I do want to help… but I know you don’t drink… and I know you began because of me… I can’t help but feel responsible for everything you’ve put yourself through over the last few months.”

“It’s alright, Vinyl.” I said quietly into her ear, gently pressing against her chest with my good hoof. When she moved away enough, I kissed her. “You have someplace else to be right now though, I don’t want to be your reason for being late.”

“But Octav-”

“No buts, Vinyl.” I smiled trying to reassure her that I would be alright while she was out. Finally, after what seemed like forever, she nodded and kissed my forehead before turning and leaving. After she was gone, I stood and made my way to my studio. It was left just the way I had left it; everything had gathered a noticeable layer of dust and it looked as if no one had entered it since the last time I had stepped inside.

With a sigh, I took my prized cello off its throne and opened the case. There she stood, my prized instrument. The one piece in this entire world I missed more than any other.

I carefully stood it up and stood next to it, then I looked at the instrument, which I held upright with my good hoof. I glanced down at my bow, which still laid perfectly in its spot inside the case. I can’t play… The thought flourishing in my mind until it dominated my imagination. I can’t fucking play!

With that, I threw the cello at the ground in front of me. Anger flaring in my stomach as my body temperature drastically rose. Using my good hoof, I plucked the bow out of the case, stared at it for a few seconds before throwing it at the wall with enough force to knock my violin’s case to the floor.

I stormed out the door, slamming it as hard as I physically could. I heard more cases fall from the wall and hit the floor as I walked into the kitchen and grabbed the bottle of Isle Cream. I took a swig before popping the cap back on it and tossing it and a bag of bits into a satchel and leaving the house.

Oh man, I can't wait to tell her the big news! I'm so stoked! She opened the front door and walked into the living room. The lights had been left on in the kitchen, but there was no sign of Octavia anywhere.

"Octavia! Where are you?" After checking the bedroom and bathroom, I came to Octavia's study. I opened the door and was shocked by the scene. Octavia's instruments were scattered across the floor, her prized cello had been broken in half, only the strings keeping its neck attached.

I backed out of the room, rushed into the kitchen and searched for that bottle of Isle Cream Octavia had opened. It was nowhere to be seen.

I ran out of the house, plucking my satchel from the couch with magic as I passed by it. Running out into the street, I looked up. Damnit, Celestia! Can't you stop lowering the sun so early?

Looking down both ways I tried to think of where the closest bar was. I shrugged, turned right, and started running. I finally slowed down as the housing suburbs melted into small business buildings. Finally, I spotted the bar I'd been looking for. A little place with nothing more than an open sign hanging in the window.

As I approached the building, a pony stepped out of an alley and started walking towards me. "Vinyl? Is that you?"

The stallion stepped into the light of a street lamp. His black mane, long and ratty, and his pale fur, covered in mud and dust. But it was his glasses that made him immediately recognizable. "Neon Lights." I couldn’t help but notice the icy sting my tone carried.

Neon Lights immediately bowed before me. Without raising his head, he spoke in a shaken voice. “Vinyl, can… can you... ever forgive me?”

Trying to keep my voice from shaking up or choking out, "Stand up and repeat yourself," is all I could say without stomping on the back of his head.

He did as I commanded and repeated himself, while staring straight into my eyes. "Can you ever forgive me?" he asked pitifully.

My brow furrowed and I gripped his body in magic before stepping forward until we stood nose to nose. I punched him. A lot harder than I intended to; something in his nose cracked and blood began to drizzle from his nostrils. He cried out in pain and began to shake, squeezing his eyes closed for a moment before looking at me again.

"You did this to her! You drove her away! You drove her to drink and pop pills! You fucked her up inside and now she's suffering because of you!"

Tears began streaming from my own eyes as images flashed through my mind, images of Octavia and I together, the night she vanished. All the searches that had taken place, all the lonely nights after she was gone, the newspaper fronting her attempted suicide. All of it.

"It's all your fault! You took everything away from Octavia and in the end she paid the ultimate price!" Finally, I dropped him back onto the ground to keep myself from flinging him around like a ragdoll.

"I'm sorry! I didn't know she would kill herself over it!" He panicked but didn’t dare run away from me. He knew I was holding back on him, if only because we were once friends.

I stood over him. "She isn't dead, but you've taken away her meaning to live! You've stripped her of her music, she can't play anything now because of you! She gets to live but at the cost of her passion! Do you realize how important music is to her?"

He looked away from me, so I continued, "She lived to play her cello, as well as every instrument she had in that room. They were all her babies, and now over half of them lay on the floor, broken and abandoned."

He looked at me with remorse. "Look, Vi-"

"No, Neon. Go, get out if Canterlot. Because if I see you again... I will kill you." I walked passed him and swiftly kicked him just below his tail. He curled into a little ball as I walked away from him.

As soon got closer to the bars entrance, a couple who had witnessed it stepped towards me and held out a cigarette. "Wow, I can't help but feel a little sorry for him," said the stallion with a calm, quiet voice.

I accepted his cigarette as well as the light met his companion offered me. "He took advantage of a drunk mare and ruined her life. He deserves much worse."

"So why let him off so easy?" the mare asked me just as calm as the stallion.

"Because... We used to be best friends," I said quietly before taking a drag.

"Makes sense. One last favor, I suppose. Oh! By the way, I'm Alister and this is Parish."

I furrowed my brow immediately. "You're the two who tricked Octavia."

The white mare bowed her head. "Actually, it was this guy and Trixie Lulamoon who did that. I was not involved."

Parish glanced at Alister as if she wanted him to speak. When Alister finally noticed her staring at him, he quickly made a silent gesture towards himself mouthing the words, "Me?"

When she nodded he pointed his hoof at the ground, "Right now?" he mouthed again.

She nodded again and he rolled his eyes before looking back at me. "Look, I'm sorry, Vinyl. I tried to tell Octavia that I was sorry before she had us kicked out."

"Octavia's inside?" I asked, feeling a little dumbfounded.

"Yes, though she's not in a very good mood," Alister said as he rubbed a hoof against the back of his head.

I didn't say any more to him as I felt my rage melt away. Giving them a snort of distrust, I started for the door.

Parish turned and walked along side me. "I'm terribly sorry for what those two did to the two of you." The white pegasus sounded sincere with her apology.

"Look, your friend needs to just go away. I doubt you would know the pain I've been through. Though, I know you have no idea just how much pain Octavia is in." I glanced at her. I could see the hurt in her eyes and knew I said the wrong words out of pain and agitation.

"Believe it or not, Vinyl, I know what it feels like to lose someone... Not to death, but to herself. I also know what it's like to run away from my problems. Good luck saving her for her own..." She opened her wings and quickly glided back to Alister's side.

Ignoring them, I opened the door, and sitting there on a stool with her back turned towards me was Octavia. She was talking to the bartender, a dark blue unicorn with a light blue mane. A smile washed across my face as relief flooded through my body. I calmly walked through the bar until I came to stand next to her. The bartender stopped talking and simply looked at me. Without saying a word, Octavia glanced over her shoulder then back at the bartender and nodded. He smiled. “What can I get for you tonight, miss?”

I took a seat next to Octavia, noticing that her glass was nearly empty. “Two Apple Ciders, please.” He nodded and fetched the drinks, it didn’t take him long to return with them.

Octavia finished off what she had been drinking before pushing the glass aside and reaching the fresher drink. She looked into the glass. “May we have a moment, please?”

The stallion nodded again and walked to the opposite end of the bar where he began to wash dishes and clean the counter. Octavia looked over at me. “How’d you find me?”

“I saw your studio and noticed that my bottle of Isle Cream was gone. So I figured I’d start checking bars nearby. Luckily, this was the first one I checked.”

“So you knew I’d be out drinking…” She lowered her head as if she were ashamed of herself. “I don’t know what I should do, Vinyl. Music’s been a part of my life as long as I can remember. My mother used to play music for me when I was a foal, and when I was old enough she bought me my first instrument: a violin. After that, she taught me everything I know about music. She even went as far as to get me enrolled in the same musical schools she attended when she was my age. Now, I can’t even play the most basic of notes on any stringed instrument. I can’t play the piano because I can’t roll my hooves over the keys effectively… I just don’t know what to do anymore… I lost everything…” She choked on her last few words and began to cry.

The bartender glanced over as I lightly wrapped a hoof around her shoulders. “You may not be able to play anymore, but you haven’t lost everything, Octavia.” Kissing her cheek got her to look up at me for a moment. “You still have me by your side, and together we can find something to give you meaning again.”

The bartender's ear twitched and he came back down to us. “You must be Vinyl Scratch. Lady Octavia was telling me about you. How wonderful you are and how much help you’ve been. I know it isn’t my place to say anything…” He paused and looked at Octavia who simply nodded her agreement to let him continue. “She has been here since you left. She’s been here all mornin’, noon, and now night. She’s been here since you left for work, apparently.”

“Really? That long? Has she been drinking the entire time?” I couldn’t help but ask, because it was extremely out of character for her.

When he nodded, I felt my heart drop. “She told me she never used to drink, and when she did it was only on special occasions, but when she was out of town she apparently developed quite a nasty habit. She recognizes her problem and wants help, but it isn’t my place to do so. I told her-”

Octavia finally cut him off. “Vinyl, I told him everything. I needed someone to talk to, someone who wouldn’t try to break me down again. I don’t know if I can trust this stallion, but he hasn’t given me any reason not to.”

“She wants help, she wants to get better, but she can’t do it on her own. You have to help her,” he said, chiming in immediately after her.

Taking a drink of my cider, I looked at the bartender, then at Octavia. “Tavi, I think it’s almost time we head home. Okay?”

She nodded and drank the rest of her drink before standing up to leave the bar. She looked at me, nodded and started towards the door, only stumbling into the door frame once.

I caught up to her and pressed my shoulder against hers. I glanced around and there were no signs of Alister, Parish, or Neon Lights. I sighed in relief and kissed Octavia on the cheek.

Augh... My head's killing me... The pain that pounded against the back of my eyes as the headache roused me out of my dreams.

I slowly pulled myself out from under Vinyl's foreleg and quietly made my way out of the room. As I walked into the kitchen I stopped and looked at the liquor cabinet. Do I really want to make this headache worse? Wait ... didn't somepony used to say the best cure for a hangover is a shot of whiskey with your coffee?

With that, my mind was made up. I opened the cabinet and pulled out a bottle of whiskey, poured a shot and took it. I reloaded the shot before capping the bottle and placing it back where I had grabbed it from. I started the coffee pot before leaving the kitchen and entering the bathroom. Best part of the morning…

As I made my way back into the kitchen, I found Vinyl pouring two cups of coffee. She levitated the sugar and milk over the cup before stirring them. Vinyl finally turned around and seemed to be humming happily to herself.

"Good morning," Vinyl sang as she placed the two cups on the table across from each other. "Hung over? I can see why you had a shot sitting ready. You can take it if you really want... But honestly? Do you need to?"

She smiled and took a drink of her coffee, when I didn’t say anything, Vinyl continued. "So, how are you doing this morning… uh, besides being hung over."

I took a seat across from her and took a drink from my coffee. I couldn't help but smile as I looked at her. "I'm doing better though I really wish I could play my music again..."

Looking away from her and into my coffee, I could see my own reflection. "Octavia? Want to go out for breakfast? I don't have any meetings until later tonight, but I do have one place I gotta be at and they said they wanted you to come with me."

"Why would any of your business partners want me to attend a meeting with you?" I curtly asked as I glanced up at her.

She laughed and levitated the shot glass over to her. "That's beside the point. The question was if you'd like to go get waffles with me."

I nodded and she smiled, which made me smile. Vinyl took the shot and stood up as she slammed the shot glass onto the table, upside down. "Well, I'm going to go get ready. Gimme fifteen."

"Alright, I'll be ready to go." I watched as Viny disappeared into the bathroom and I simply looked at the now empty shot glass. Why didn't she try to stop me?

I looked down at my coffee then at the liquor cabinet, sighed, and took a drink of my coffee. Pressing a hoof against the side of my head, I looked down at the cup. I wish I could feel you again...

Emptying the cup and placing it back on the table, I heard the bathroom door open. I turned to look and saw her walk out. Her mane was down, which was incredibly rare for her. She had it straightened and parted down the right side of her head, and her tail had also been straightened.

"Vinyl, what's the occasion?" She ignored my question, simply giving me a wink before disappearing into the bedroom. I stood up and followed her. She was digging through our closet and eventually pulled a white shirt, a tie, and a black vest out of it.

"Get a dress or something on. Something nice but not too fancy. 'Kay?" she said without turning to look at me as she got dressed in front of the mirror.

"Okay." And exactly what are you up to... I quickly dug out a short red dress that was fairly tight around the hips and shoulders. It was sleeveless and had a small ring on its back for a mare to slide her tail through to help keep the dress in place. "Vinyl? A little assistance, please?"

Vinyl finished readjusting her tie before she spun around and used her magic to help put me on the dress. She also threaded my tail through the ring before holding it up for a moment. "HEY!"

She dropped my tail and blushed. "Sorry, saw something I liked."

This caused me to blush and then smile. It's nice to feel wanted again.

"C'mon, if we want to eat we'll have to hurry," she said, starting for the door.

"Wait, I'm not all that hungry just yet. Maybe we should just eat afterwards. I really don't want to get dirty while trying to eat, and to be honest I will probably get it all over myself."

Vinyl nodded. "Okay, well then let's go. We're going to the castle."

I nodded and followed her. "So that's why we're dressing up like we are."

"Yes, now come on, we might still be late if we can't catch a taxi and have to walk."

We made our way outside and Vinyl halted a taxi by stopping its wheels in her magic as it tried to speed past us. The driver looked angry. "Release my cart!"

"Look, get us to the palace, and I might pay double your charge," Vinyl said without missing a beat.

The driver sighed and stopped struggling. Vinyl and I climbed into the cart and she released the wheels. He took off at a decent trot, grumbling to himself. "Sir, why were you trying to speed by two very wealthy clients?" I asked, feeling like he may have a good answer.

He glanced over his shoulder. "My son's in the hospital and my shift just ended. I was on my way to him when you two stopped me."

"What happened to him?" I pressed, feeling a ping of sadness.

"He lost control while he was flying and ran into a building. His mother was a pegasus." The driver began running faster and I could see tears streaming off his cheeks. I’m lucky… to even be alive… This driver just got stopped by me… on way to the doctors to see his son, who is like I was and could be left much worse off than me.

“I’m sorry for our sudden inconvenience… How much do you make on the night cab services? Including tips.”

Without glancing back, he gave an answer. “About thirty percent of however many customers I transport. So about 100 to 200 bits a day, though I only work three nights a week, I’m on the day shift for two days a week. Those help me more. Even at twenty percent per passenger. Roughly 400 bits a day… So about 1,400 bits a week.”

I didn't know what to say. He was making a good living here, but his world was all kinds of fucked up. Suddenly Vinyl spoke up. "Sir, our meeting at the castle won't last longer than ten minutes. If you are willing to wait for us and give us a return ride, I can pay you 2,000 bits worth in gemstone. It'd be exchangeable with most any fashion designer or jewelcrafter in the city. Though, that's if you wish to actually carry that many bits around."

He looked back at her. "Ten minutes?"

"Yes, I'll even pay 500 in gems in advance, for the initial ride. You don't have to stay if we take too long." Vinyl's voice was smooth and sweet.

"Vinyl, do we have that much to throw around?" I whispered to her.

She smiled back at me and pressed her muzzle to my ear. "Of course we do. Besides, if we tip the drivers every once in awhile, they'll treat us with more respect and will actually help us out in the long rum."

"You mean 'run'."

"Oh, right... What'd I say?"

"You said 'rum'."

Vinyl laughed a little and it made me smile. "But still, don't you want to help him? He's fallen on hard times. What better way to make his day complete? He'll have more than enough to cover his son's hospital bills and possibly help his son recover faster."

I nodded and glanced up ahead, we were nearing the palace gates. As we approached, the driver slowed and came to a stop as two unicorns halted us.

Vinyl looked at the guards. "Ms. scratch and Ms. Melody here for a meeting."

The guards nodded and opened the gate so we could pass. The driver carried us through the gate and up to the main doorway. He unhooked himself from the cart and looked back at us. "You'll really pay me 2,000 bits to wait for you?" he asked, hope ringing in his shaky voice.

"Yes, kind sir. It's the least we can do to compensate for your time. I truly hope your son won't mind," I said sweetly as Vinyl helped me out of the cart.

"C'mon Tavi, we have a meeting to attend," she said as she started towards the front door. I quickly caught up and as we neared them they opened for us.

Once we were inside I glanced around. It hadn't changed at all in the months since I had last stepped inside. I followed Vinyl as she walked through the long corridor. Eventually a guard met us. "The princesses are waiting for you, ma'am."

He turned and walked away, so we followed. I glanced at Vinyl, unsure of whom the guard was speaking to. He lead us into a small room where three ponies sat. Princess Luna on the left, Princess Celestia in the middle, and Professor Strum on the right.

My jaw fell open when I saw him: the professor who teaches every high end musician. The only way to become a part of the Royal Orchestra. Him and I used to have coffee together before Orchestra practice... Until I disappeared.

Celestia smiled kindly and invited the two of them to take seats by gesturing towards them. We accepted them, of course, but I was still stunned by this rather pleasant delight. Although,I couldn't help but feel a ping of guilt for not having told him a word of what had happened. To him, a friend had just simply vanished. No trace left behind but a newspaper article.

"It's lovely to see you alive and well, Ms. Melody," said the professor in a somewhat raspy voice.

I bowed. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, sir. I’m sorry if I caused you any worry.”

He smiled at me. "Octavia, I would like to be the first to tell you that this isn't one of Vinyl's business meetings. I met with her shortly after you awoke in the hospital. I asked her to bring you here this morning for a very important reason." He paused for a moment to take a drink of his tea. "I've decided it's time I choose a successor!" he exclaimed with a chuckle.

"Wait, you’re giving up your position?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing!

"Not quite. I want you to be my successor. So I'll have to teach you everything I know, that is, if you accept my offer."

I glanced around until my eyes met Vinyl’s. They were bright with happiness. "Tavi, I know you always thought of Professor Strum as one of your idols."

I nodded, feeling my eyes begin to burn. Before I could speak, Celestia spoke. "I'd love if you were to take this position. However, I feel it's only fair if you know exactly what you're signing up for. If you choose to accept this offer, you'll need to know this is a lifelong career."

I nodded. "I accept your offer and would be delighted to study under your guidance again. Though, am I really qualified? I can't play anything anymore..." I looked down at the table, feeling a little ashamed of myself.

The professor coughed and grunted. "Octavia. That doesn't matter. Let your students be your hooves. You have the knowledge and the experience for this position. In fact, your disability just makes you more qualified."

"Then I accept your offer." I smiled, feeling tears roll down my cheeks. I stood and walked around the table. The professor also stood and faced me just in time to receive my hug.

"Octavia, I'm sorry to rush this, but our rides still waitin'," Vinyl said as she stood.

"Right, right. We should be off. Thank you again for this honor!"

The professor smiled. "Come here tomorrow afternoon, around two; we'll begin by revisiting subjects I've already taught you. I'm curious to see how much you remember."

With that, I followed Vinyl out of the room where a guard met us and guided us back to the entrance. The cab driver was still there, waiting. When he saw us, he laughed. “That took a little longer than ten minutes.”

“But you still waited for us,” said Vinyl, skirting the stallion and climbing into the cart. She reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a good sized sapphire. “Sorry for not giving this to you when we went in. The meeting we had to attend was very important, and I guess I lost track of priorities.”

The stallion took the sapphire and dropped it into his “tip” drawer near the front of the cart. “Back to where you found me?”

“Yes please,” I said with a sniff, casually trying not to cry again.

I gave the stallion his sake of gemstones. “There you go, and thank you so much for your assistance. I hope your son gets well soon.”

Octavia smiled and nodded towards the front door. It didn’t take long for the stallion to peek inside the bag before nodding and leaving. I turned and and walked up the stairs and followed her inside. “Vinyl, I don’t even know where to begin! I mean, I’m so happy right now… I just…”

I pulled her tight to my chest and held her close. “I know, babe. I know. It’s a lot to take in, and it is a life changing decision. I’m just glad you’ll have a purpose again. You may not be able to play music, but you can teach your music to those students that pass under your guidance. Just like Professor Strum did for so many of his students.”

She pulled away. “I’m still hungry, by the way. You promised me waffles,” she said, smacking her tail against my cutie mark. “Get to cooking while I find us a movie on TV.”

I smiled and kissed her softly on the lips. “Two waffles with maple syrup comin’ right up!” I spun on my hooves and headed for the kitchen. I pulled out the waffle maker along with a bowl and the ingredients I’d need.

After a few minutes of making a batter worthy of only the richest hobos, I heated up the iron and dumped some of the batter into it. "How do you want 'em?"

"Golden!" she answered cheerfully. "What kind of movie do you want?"

"A comedy, and breakfast is almost done!" I placed two waffles onto a plate and dumped the rest of the batter into it. After I finished preparing her plate, I sat it on the table before taking my waffles off.

Octavia appeared in the doorway. "I got a movie ready, it's on pause." She took a seat and began eating.

I took my seat and began eating as well. "Hey, are you worried? I mean, I know it's a big choice and I think you should take the job, but-"

Octavia cut me off. "Vinyl, I'm going to take the job. One, because he's the one that taught me almost everything I know now, and two, because I know I can do this. It'll let me play my music and teach others how to, too." She ate the last few bites of her waffles and stood up to get herself a drink. I saw her pause and glance at the liquor cabinet before continuing to the fridge to get some water.

"Grab the wine; time to celebrate your new career!" I said as Octavia swung the fridge door wide open and found the wine. I levitated it along with two glasses out to the living room.

Taking a seat and gripping the remote, I checked the movie. "The Everlasting." Not sure what to think, I quickly read the movie bio.

As Octavia walked in and took a seat beside me I looked at her. "This isn't a comedy."

She shrugged and kissed my cheek. "I wanted to watch a romance."

I rolled my eyes and smiled. "Whatever you want, babe. Tomorrow, your new life begins. I guess I can give ya’ this one this time." I poured our drinks before I started the movie.

I got comfortable and so did she, laying down with her head and hoof on my lap. "I can't wait," she said, taking a sip of her wine.