Vinyl Woke Up

by RB_

Rating: teen
Tags: Suicide / Self Harm, Horror, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, DJ P0N-3, Octavia
Length: 6978

It's a morning like any other, and it will be from now until forever.

It's a morning like any other, and it will be from now until forever.

For Vinyl, anyway.

Prereading provided by the wonderful Chepa, ChudoJogurt, a_moving_castle, and Math Spook!

Published 2024-11-01 00:10:01 UTC
Last updated 2024-11-01 00:10:01 UTC

Vinyl Woke Up

Vinyl woke up.

She stretched, then peered down at her bedfellow through the grey morning light. Still asleep. Good.

She slipped out of bed, taking care not to let her hooves hit the floorboards too loudly, and headed downstairs, down to the kitchen, where the coffee pot awaited her.

It was an easy routine; in went the filter, then the coffee, measure out the water from the tap, into the reservoir it goes. Hit the button, wait for it to brew. Easy. Comforting.

They'd been roomates for years now, and Vinyl always made the coffee. She got up first, you see; she was the early riser of the two. She'd get up, make coffee, drink hers. Octavia would come down and finish off the pot once it had cooled. Hers would have milk and sugar, but Vinyl drank hers black.

She'd thought Octavia would be a tea drinker, actually, at first, as the Trottingham stereotype went. But no, Octavia wasn't really into the stuff, although she would indulge it on occasion.

They'd met in a coffee shop, funnily enough. Just random happenstance. They'd sort of heard of each other, as they both worked in music, both of them living in Canterlot at the time, but that was how they'd met. Over coffee.

Actually, was that Octavia now, coming down the stairs? She frowned, glanced at the clock. 6:34. Odd, Octavia usually wasn't up for another hour.

"Guess who woke up early again?" Octavia said, trudging into the kitchen. "I don't know what's going on with me. Whatever it is, I hope it ends soon; I'm knackered."

Vinyl couldn't remember Octavia being up much earlier than usual the day before, but she shrugged and gave her a sympathetic smile anyway.

"Coffee on? Wonderful! You're a real angel, Vinyl."

Vinyl winked at her, then went to get the paper. As she closed the front door, she glanced at the headline. "Twilight Sparkle Passes New Tax Code Revisions". Thrilling stuff that no doubt Octavia would enjoy more than her.

"Thanks, love," Octavia said, as the newspaper was passed into her hooves. Her eyes looked over the front page, and she frowned.

"Did you get this from outside?" Octavia asked.

Vinyl gave her a puzzled look. Nodded.

"They've delivered us yesterday's paper, then," Octavia said, ruffling through the other pages. "Yep, all of this is old news. Literally."

She sighed, threw the thing down on the table. "Oh well."

They fell into silence, Vinyl looking out the window, Octavia humming something to herself. Eventually the coffee maker dinged.

"Oh, finally," Octavia said, as Vinyl pulled out the jug and began to pour it into their two mugs. "Thanks Vinyl."

She took a long sip. Vinyl took a swig of her own. Smiled.

Bitter. Just the way she liked it.

Vinyl Woke Up.

Vinyl woke up.

The light in the bedroom was grey, muffled further by the curtains. She reached skyward, stretched. Glanced down to her side.

The bed was empty.

Vinyl raised an eyebrow. Where was Octavia? Could the impossible have happened and she'd gotten up first?

Vinyl shook her head. Grinned. She'd never thought she'd see the day.

Rolling out of bed, she made no attempt to quiet the sound of her hooves hitting the floorboards. She trotted downstairs, to the kitchen, expecting Octavia to be there. Maybe fumbling with the coffee machine.

There was no one there.

Puzzled, Vinyl set about making coffee. Paper filter taken from the package, put into the machine. Coffee grounds (pre-ground, they weren't snobby about it) in too. Water from the tap measured and poured into the reservoir. Hit the button.

Where could Octavia be?

She began to walk through the house. The grey mare wasn't in the living room. Wasn't in the dining room. Bathroom? Nope. Basement? Nada. She tried looking around upstairs, but no dice. No Octavia.

Strange.

She was just re-entering the kitchen when the coffee maker dinged. Well, maybe Octavia had just gone to the market. Odd for her to be up this early though. They could have gone together later, too.

Vinyl poured her coffee.

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Vinyl woke up.

She looked to her side, but there was no one there. That was strange, Octavia had been there when they'd gone to bed. Weird of her to be up this early too, but hey, stranger things had happened. Vinyl got out of bed and headed downstairs, to the coffee maker. Filter, coffee, water, button. Easy enough, but where was Octavia?

She began to search the house. First floor, nothing. Second floor, no. Basement? Not even there.

Vinyl made it back to the kitchen just as the coffee maker dinged. As she poured her coffee, she wondered where Octavia could have gone off to. Maybe the market? They could have gone together if she'd just waited.

Oh well.

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Vinyl woke up. She stretched her forehooves, then looked to the side, only to see that Octavia wasn't there. She frowned.

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Vinyl woke up. The morning was a grey one; she peered to her side, but Octavia wasn't there. Weird.

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Vinyl woke up. No Octavia beside her? Huh.

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Vinyl woke up. Where was Octavia?

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Vinyl woke up.

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Vinyl woke up.

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Vinyl woke up.

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Vinyl woke up.

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Vinyl woke up.

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Vinyl woke up.

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Vinyl Woke Up

Vinyl woke up.

Bleary crimson eyes peered into the grey morning light that filtered into the bedroom through the curtains over the window. It was early, but she was always an early riser. Unlike the other pony in the bed.

Blinking away the crust, Vinyl sat up. Stretched. Looked down at her companion, one Octavia Melody. Her mane was a mess, tousled, bangs astray, and she was snoring ever so slightly.

Vinyl smiled. Then she slipped from under the covers and went to go make coffee.

They'd been living together for a few years now, her and Octavia, and this was the routine: Vinyl would wake up first and silently (as was her general manner, these days) creep down into the kitchen to put the coffee pot on. They were both avid drinkers of the stuff, Vinyl because it made the long nights feel shorter and Octavia because sometimes it seemed like it was the only thing keeping her sane. That was how they'd met, actually; they'd both known each other vaguely from working in related fields, but they'd actually met in person for the first time in a coffee shop in Canterlot. Octavia had said "Hi", Vinyl had replied with an easygoing "Yo". Just random happenstance. A lucky break; they'd both been looking for roommates.

That had been before the accident had robbed Vinyl of her voice.

Arriving in the kitchen, she walked over to their little coffee pot. She fished out a paper filter from the packet that leaned against the edge of the counter, popped the compartment on the machine open, and stuck it in. Next came the coffee itself. Just pre-ground stuff; they weren't snobs, although Octavia sometimes pretended to be. She measured it out in a spoon, just eyeballing it, and dropped it into the filter. Last was the water, but that was easy; just get it from the tap. Again; they weren't snobs. Into the little reservoir it went.

Button pushed; now to wait. It took a little while, on their machine, but there was no rush; Octavia wouldn't be up for a while yet.

...Or, actually, maybe not, because Vinyl could hear her coming down the stairs. She glanced at the clock; 6:34 AM. That was strange, Octy didn't usually get up for another hour.

Vinyl shot a strange look the grey mare's way as Octavia dragged herself into the kitchen. She looked... 'unrested' was what came to Vinyl's mind, although she was pretty sure it wasn't a real word.

Octavia let out a yawn, then saw Vinyl's look. "Oh, good morning. You're probably wondering why I'm up so early."

Vinyl nodded.

"Well, so am I," Octavia said. She walked over to their kitchen table and sat down. "No idea what happened. Bloody inconvenient, whatever it was. I feel like a wreck. Is that coffee brewing? Excellent."

She yawned again. "You didn't, erm... hear anything, no? Just a minute ago?"

Vinyl shook her head.

"Hm. Maybe it was a dream then." Octavia let out a groan. "I'm going to be absolutely ruined the rest of the day now. How much longer on the coffee?"

Glancing at the pot, Vinyl bit her lip and shrugged.

"Did you just put it on?"

Vinyl nodded.

Octavia groaned again. "Can't come soon enough."

Vinyl smiled at her, walked over, and patted her on the shoulder. Then, she headed for the front door. Opening it, she retrieved the newspaper on the front step in her magic and stepped back inside. She glanced at the front page, at the headline. "Twilight Sparkle Passes New Tax Code Revisions". Nothing for her, then, but Octavia would no doubt be interested.

The newspaper was quickly passed into Octavia's groggy but eager hooves. "Thanks." She did, indeed, seem interested in Twilight Sparkle's new tax whatevers.

They settled into an easy silence for a while, Octavia scanning the paper and Vinyl looking out the window, until the coffee maker dinged. Vinyl grabbed the now-full pot out from the bottom of the machine, floated over two mugs, and poured a good amount into each of them. To Octavia's she added cream and sugar; usually Octavia would drink hers cold, after the pot had long cooled, so this was a small consolation. To hers she added nothing; Vinyl enjoyed her coffee black.

Octavia's mug was passed to the mare in question. She took a sip. Let out a relieved sigh.

"Thanks, Vinyl," she said.

Vinyl smiled back and took a drink of her own. Bitter. Just as she liked it.

Theirs wasn't a very exciting routine, but it was theirs, and in that way it was as unique as it was universal. Eventually Octavia would go upstairs to work on her compositions, and Vinyl would go to her workstation in the basement to work on hers. They'd meet up again for lunch, then maybe go out somewhere in the afternoon if they felt up to it. That was how it had been for years, and that was how it would hopefully continue for more years.

And Vinyl was happy. She got enough excitement at her job. Let the rest of her days be easygoing.

From now until forever.

Vinyl Woke Up

Vinyl woke up.

She stretched her forehooves into the air, then glanced down at the other pony in the bed. Octavia was sleeping soundly. Vinyl smiled, then slid out of bed, gingerly slipping her hooves to the ground. Wouldn't want to wake Sleeping Beauty.

Down the stairs she went, to the kitchen. Same routine as every morning; filter into the machine, coffee grounds on top, water from the tap into the reservoir, push the button, let the coffee brew itself. Coffee makers sure were great things, huh? Sure, theirs wasn't a particularly fancy one, but it got the job done. They weren't snobs—well, Octavia pretended to be one, sometimes, but she wasn't really.

Actually...

Octavia groaned as she slumped against the kitchen doorframe. "This is the third day in a row I've woken up early. I have no idea what's going on, but I'd love it if it stopped!"

Vinyl gave her a worried look. She couldn't particularly remember Octavia being up any earlier than usual yesterday, but maybe she had. Either way, it looked like she was suffering, so Vinyl walked over and patted her on the shoulder.

"Thanks, Vinyl," Octavia said, smiling wanly at her. "At least I can rely on you."

She went over to the table. Her brow was furrowed, but she sat down all the same.

"There's nothing happening in the mornings? No one mowing their lawn or anything?" she asked, although she sounded doubtful.

Vinyl shook her head.

"Hm."

Vinyl cast her another worried look, but went to get the paper. As the front door shut behind her, she glanced at the headline. "Twilight Sparkle Passes New Tax Code Revisions". Boring! But Octavia would probably think it was interesting, so once Vinyl was back in the kitchen, into her hooves it went.

Octavia looked at the front page. Frowned. Scanned through the rest of the pages.

She set the thing down on the table. "Vinyl, is this one of your practical jokes?"

Vinyl raised an eyebrow at her.

"I swear this is the same newspaper we've gotten for the past two days."

That was... strange. Vinyl didn't remember the headline being that boring yesterday—actually, hadn't it been about a hoofball game two days ago? She'd actually read that one. Yes, she was sure it was. Vinyl shook her head.

"Really? I... Vinyl, what day is it?"

Vinyl looked at her funny, then slowly levitated over the calendar that hung from their fridge and pointed at the date. November 12th.

"That can't be right," Octavia said. "It's the fourteenth, isn't it?"

Vinyl shook her head. Pointed at the date again. Octavia stared blankly at the thing.

"Well, um... if you say so," she finally said. But she still looked troubled, even as the coffee maker dinged. Vinyl poured both their coffees, but she didn't take her eyes off Octavia for more than a second.

Vinyl Woke Up

Vinyl woke up.

The room was bathed in the grey light of early morning, dimmed slightly by their thin curtains. Vinyl stretched, then looked to her side. There was Octavia, sleeping soundly.

Vinyl headed downstairs. Filter. Coffee. Water. Button. The machine now doing its thing, she allowed her mind to wander.

Or it did for a few moments, before she heard the stairs creak.

Octavia looked haunted. By what, Vinyl couldn't say.

"What day is it?" Octavia croaked out.

Vinyl blinked.

"Vinyl, what day is it."

Vinyl felt a twinge of fear, at the way she'd said that, but she levitated over the calendar and pointed. November 12th.

"This isn't a joke?" Octavia's eyes searched Vinyl's face.

Vinyl slowly shook her head.

Octavia stormed past her, towards the front door. Vinyl followed. The door swung open with some force, and the paper on the front step was scooped up into Octavia's hooves. She sat down on her haunches and studied the front page, then the next, then the next.

Vinyl stared at her. Eventually, Octavia looked up.

"Vinyl," Octavia said, her voice shaking. "I think I need to talk to Princess Twilight."

Vinyl Woke Up

Vinyl woke up.

The light was dim, but she could see Octavia, slumbering peacefully beside her. Slowly, she slid her hooves to the floor.

Down the stairs she went. The same routine as always. Filter, coffee, water, push the button. Let the machine do its thing.

"Vinyl."

Vinyl jumped. Spun around. Octavia was standing there, in the doorway. The expression on her face was one of deep worry.

"What day is it?" the haggard mare asked. Vinyl, scared, levitated over the calendar and pointed.

"Do you remember going to see Princess Twilight yesterday?" Octavia asked.

Vinyl shook her head. What was she talking about? They hadn't done anything remotely like that yesterday. It had been an ordinary day like any other.

Octavia slumped to the floor. Vinyl immediately rushed over.

"I guess that spell didn't work, then," Octavia said. She swallowed, as Vinyl put a concerned hoof on her shoulder. "Alright, we'd better head back to Canterlot. I'll explain on the train."

Vinyl Woke Up

Vinyl woke up.

She stretched, then looked down at Octavia. Still asleep, as per usual. Snoring a little, even. She smiled.

Down the stairs, to the coffee maker. Filter. Coffee. Water. Button.

"Vinyl, what day is it?"

The noise made her jump. She turned to see Octavia, looking impossibly tired.

"What day is it?" Octavia repeated. "Actually, never mind. Do you remember going to see Princess Twilight yesterday? Or the day before?"

Vinyl cocked her head to the side.

Octavia let out a shuddering breath. "Of... of course you don't. Well... maybe we'll try Starlight Glimmer today, then."

Vinyl Woke Up

Vinyl woke up.

She looked down, at her bedfellow. She had to peer a bit, the morning light was dim and rendered even dimmer by their curtains, but there she was. Snoring slightly. Vinyl smiled.

Downstairs. Filter. Coffee. Water. Button. Same as any other day. She almost didn't notice as Octavia walked past her.

Vinyl turned around with a smile, but Octavia was already gone out the other door. Vinyl, curious as to what she was doing up so early, followed after. Followed her to the front door, where she found the grey mare looking down at the day's newspaper. As Vinyl approached, Octavia looked at her.

"It's November 12th?" she asked.

Vinyl nodded.

Without a word, Octavia whipped the door open and marched off, not even bothering to close it behind her.

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Vinyl woke up.

It was a grey morning, it seemed. Still, she could see Octavia, her grey mare, sleeping soundly beside her, so all was well.

Down the stairs. Filter. Coffee. Water. Button. Daily routine, every day, now until forever.

With the coffee brewing, she went to go get the paper. It was on their front doorstep, as it always was. She glanced at the headline as she stepped back into the house. "Twilight Sparkle Passes New Tax Code Revisions". Not one for her, but Octavia would probably love it.

She walked back into the kitchen and dropped the paper at Octavia's place. She leaned on the counter next to the coffee maker and stared out the window until it dinged. Retrieving a mug, she poured one for herself, then replaced the pot. Octavia would drink her portion later, when she came down. She took a swig of it, savouring its bitterness.

It was a while before Octavia appeared. Vinyl smiled and waved to her.

"Morning, Vinyl," Octavia said. There was a slight weariness to her voice. "I don't suppose it's November 13th, is it?"

That caught Vinyl off guard. She shook her head.

"Figures." Octavia sighed. "Oh well. I didn't have much hope left anyway."

She sat down at the table. Didn't pick up the newspaper. Vinyl set about making her her coffee. Milk and sugar. Vinyl could never. She liked hers black.

The mug was passed to Octavia, who gave her a thin smile. She took a sip.

"At least I have this to look forward to every morning," Octavia said. "You know, it's been a year now."

Vinyl cocked her head.

"Right, you wouldn't know," Octavia said. She waved a hoof. "Indulge me for a minute. A year ago, I got stuck on November 12th."

Vinyl gave her a worried look, but Octavia shrugged it off. "I'm stuck in time, Vinyl. I go to sleep tonight and I'll wake up this morning. But you won't remember; you don't follow me through... whatever this is. No one does. I'm the only one who remembers the last year."

Vinyl slowly sat down at the table, her coffee forgotten.

"I've talked to all the princesses about it, I've talked to Starlight Glimmer, I've even talked to Starswirl. You know, the one with the beard? Nice old codger, actually. Anyway, none of them were able to help."

She took another gulp of her coffee.

"I've seen other experts too. Mental ones. Just in case I'm actually just insane. Jury's still out on that one, but they didn't have anything to offer me. Eventually I just kind of... got used to it, I guess. I've started checking books out of the library. It usually takes a few days to finish them, but I just have to remember the page number of where I left out. It's... It's something to do."

Vinyl just looked on, dumbstruck. She didn’t know if she believed her story, not totally, but it was clear something was going on, and it was hitting Octavia hard.

"You know, for a while, I was just sort of... hoping it would end," Octavia said. She wasn't looking at Vinyl, she was staring off into the distance. "But it's been a year. I've been counting the days. I've lived through November 12th 365 times today. And at this point I don't really know what to do anymore."

Octavia looked at Vinyl, now, and there was a distinct and painful weariness in her eyes.

"But you're here for me, every time," she said. "With your coffee and your paper. I think that's all that's keeping me sane anymore. The routine."

Vinyl let out a breath.

"So thank you, Vinyl," Octavia said. "You won't remember this come tomorrow, but I want you to know that I cherish you, and nothing will ever change that."

A tear worked its way into the corner of Vinyl's eye. She jumped out of her seat and rushed over to Octavia, wrapped her forehooves around her.

After a moment, Octavia hugged her back.

"I lo—"

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Vinyl woke up. Looked down at Octavia. Smiled. She was snoring, just a little bit. Cute!

Down the stairs. Filter. Coffee. Water, button. Easy every time.

The scream made her jump. Almost touched the roof. She bolted back upstairs, coffee machine forgotten, morning routine shattered. Up to the bedroom. Threw open the door. There was Octavia, sitting up in bed, hooves at her throat. She was as pale as a sheet.

Vinyl stood there, unsure what to do, but slowly crossed the room and wrapped a leg around her. The grey mare was shaking, rocking back and forth slightly. Vinyl rubbed her back. Wished she could ask what was wrong. Damn her voice.

"I... I did it," Octavia said. "I k... killed... I slit my throat with a razor, I..."

She was babbling. Incoherent. A bad dream, that must have been it. Vinyl hugged her tighter.

Octavia looked at her. Her eyes were wild. "What day is—it's not November 12th, right? R-right!?"

Vinyl nodded, fearful.

Octavia screamed again.

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Vinyl woke up. Smiled down at Octavia. She was cute when she was sleeping.

Filter, coffee. Water, button. Simple routine, even a monkey could do it.

"Morning, Vinyl."

Vinyl turned, saw Octavia in the doorway. She looked tired, but she was smiling, so Vinyl smiled back.

Octavia made her way to the table. Vinyl moved to get the paper, but Octavia spoke up. "No need. I'll get it later."

Vinyl stared out the window a while. Octavia stared at her.

"Y'know, I finished the last book in the library yesterday," Octavia said.

Vinyl looked at her inquisitively

"I checked through the catalogue. That's the last book they have in Ponyville. 'Zebrican Alchemy: Potions for your Ills' was the title. Took me five days to finish. I kept getting hung up on the technical bits."

Vinyl wasn't sure what could have sparked Octavia's interest in such a book, but she smiled anyway.

"I suppose I'll head up to Canterlot, pick one of the libraries up there to peruse next. I've got all the time in the world, after all."

She sighed. Looked out the window as the coffee maker beeped.

"You know, I haven't composed anything in a while," she said. "Maybe I'll do some of that, too."

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Vinyl woke up. She stretched. The room was a dim grey, thanks to the early morning light coming in through their thin curtains, but she could still see Octavia, snoring slightly at her side. She smiled, then snuck downstairs to make coffee.

Filter. Coffee. Water. Button.

Vinyl retrieved the morning paper (headline looked more like something Octavia would be interested in than her), then stared off into space for a while, but was gently tugged out of her thoughts when she heard the sound of the piano upstairs. Was that Octavia? Had to be. What was she doing up so early?

Vinyl smiled. Maybe she’d heard a song in her dreams and wanted to write it down.

The coffee maker dinged. Vinyl got down two mugs, then filled them both. Milk and sugar went into Octavia’s, but not Vinyl’s; she liked hers black. She lifted the two coffees into the air with her magic, then headed upstairs to Octavia’s composing room.

The grey mare was, apparently, hard at work, even at this early hour. The song she was playing was pretty, but clearly unfinished; Octavia seemed to still be composing it. Vinyl waited for her to reach a break in her playing, then tapped her on the shoulder.

Octavia glanced back at her, then turned around. “Ah, Vinyl, just in time.” She took her mug in her hooves and sipped it.

Vinyl nodded her head towards the piano.

“Oh, this?” Octavia said. “Just a little something I’ve been working on. You know how it is. Only so much time in the day, so might as well get started early!”

Vinyl grinned. Gave her a knowing look.

“Oh, stop,” Octavia said. “I know that’s what you used to say to me. But in my defense, I’ve kind of gotten used to it now, so I can see where you were coming from.”

Vinyl gave her a strange look.

Octavia just laughed.

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Vinyl woke up. Saw that Octavia was still sleeping soundly, through the dim morning light. Smiled.

Downstairs. Filter, coffee, water. Button.

Vinyl heard a sigh, behind her. Turned to look, and there was Octavia, standing in the doorway, her shoulders slumped. Vinyl cocked her head to the side, concerned. Octavia just headed for the table.

Vinyl kept an eye on her, until at last, she spoke.

"I've composed my magnum opus. The greatest thing I'll ever write. I have it in my head."

Vinyl's eyes shot open.

"But I'll never hear it performed," Octavia said. "I've been trying for months, looking for some way I can get a symphony together in a day, get them to play it. No good. I spent a year on this thing, and for nothing."

She slumped down in her seat. "I'm tired, Vinyl. I'm so tired."

Vinyl froze under her gaze.

"I wish you could talk to me," Octavia said. "You're the only one I can talk to about this, but it's only ever a one-way conversation."

Vinyl must have looked hurt, because Octavia immediately switched into a soothing voice. "No, it's not your fault. It's okay, Vinyl. I'm sorry. Forget it."

She sighed again, as the coffee maker beeped.

"Nothing we can do about it anyway. All the doctors we could pay for tried already. I've thought about trying to learn medicine, you know. Read every book I can get my hands on. See if there's anything I can do for you. But there's no point."

Vinyl just stared.

"Maybe someday," Octavia said. "Anyway, can I have my coffee now?"

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Vinyl woke up. She stretched, smiled down at Octavia (still asleep, snoring a little bit), and headed downstairs.

Filter. Coffee, water. Button.

"Morning, Vinyl," Octavia said, behind her. Vinyl turned around, smiled at the grey mare. Octavia headed over to the table, and Vinyl started walking towards the front door, only for Octavia to cut her off with a, "That's okay, I'll get it later."

They stayed that way, in an easy silence, until the coffee maker dinged. Vinyl got out two mugs, then poured each of their drinks. She moved to grab the milk and sugar for Octavia's, but the mare in question piped up.

"Actually, Vinyl, can I have mine black today?"

Vinyl grinned. Waggled her eyebrows, as if to say, "Finally coming around, eh?"

Octavia laughed. "Just this once."

Vinyl handed her her drink. They both took a sip. Octavia made a bit of a face, but she didn't spit it out. Vinyl would make a convert of her yet.

"By the way," Octavia said, putting her mug down. "I killed Twilight Sparkle yesterday."

Vinyl blinked.

"Just to see if I could do it," Octavia continued. "It wasn't too hard. Only took me... well gee, I suppose I must have stopped counting. Anyway, the princess really needs to work on her security."

Vinyl looked at her. This was clearly a joke, they'd been together all day yesterday, but it didn't match Octavia's usual sense of humor.

"I think maybe I'll track down Celestia and Luna next," Octavia said, as nonchalant as anything. "After all, I've run out of books. Need to keep myself sane somehow."

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Vinyl woke up. Octavia was snoring beside her. She grinned, and slipped to the floor, careful not to let her hooves make too much noise.

Filter, coffee, water, button. "Morning, Vinyl," from behind her; she turned to look, and there was Octavia, smiling. Vinyl smiled back. Octavia walked up to her. Brought her lips to Vinyl's ear.

"Come back to bed with me, love?"

Vinyl's coat stood on end.

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Vinyl woke up. She stretched her forehoves skyward, then turned to look at her friend, Octavia, sleeping in the bed beside her. Snoring slightly.

Filter. Coffee, water, button. She didn't see Octavia come up beside her before the grey mare's tail was caressing her flank. Vinyl blushed.

Octavia cupped a hoof under Vinyl's chin. Planted a kiss on her lips. Was that a bit of tongue in there at the end? What was she doing, this early in the morning?

Octavia strutted across the room. Climbed up onto the kitchen table. Laid down, seductively.

"C'mere, Vinyl."

Vinyl blinked.

"Yes, on the table."

Vinyl grinned.

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Vinyl woke up. Stretched, then looked at Octavia. The cute little thing was snoring, just a little. Careful not to make any noise, Vinyl headed downstairs.

Filter? Coffee. Water? Button. Easy as pie.

"Say something."

Vinyl started, turned around. There was Octavia, something unrecognizable in her eyes.

"Anything," Octavia said.

Vinyl looked at her. Looked at her hooves. Looked back at her.

"You can't," Octavia said. "Right. Of course."

She didn't leave the doorway.

"I'm getting tired of this," Octavia said. "Tired of you. Tired of your coffee."

Vinyl cocked her head to the side.

"Tired of that expression," Octavia continued. "I'm tired, Vinyl. I don't want to see it anymore. Actually—fuck it. Let's do this."

Octavia crossed the room. Pulled a knife out of the knife block. Held it in her teeth. Vinyl looked on, confused, her thoughts running a mile a minute.

With a yell, Octavia ran at her. Vinyl's eyes widened. She lit her horn and grabbed the knife in her magic, now brandishing it in self-defense at her attacker.

Octavia stared at the knife. Stared at her.

With a snarl, she lunged forward and impaled herself on the blade.

Crimson spattered across Vinyl’s pale face. She didn’t react, not at first; it wasn’t until Octavia’s body slipped off the now-stained knife’s edge and fell limp to the tiles below that she even registered what was going on.

The knife clattered against the floor. Vinyl rushed forwards, scrambling to lift Octavia’s head. The mare sputtered, coughed up red.

Vinyl looked into her eyes, as if to ask, “Why?”

There was nothing in there.

Vinyl held on to Octavia, cradling her, until she was gone. Tears mixed with blood. Vinyl’s mouth was open, a silent scream heard by no one, and—

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Vinyl woke up.

The morning was a grey one, seemed like, and the light was dim, but she could still see Octavia's sleeping form in the bed next to her, hear her light snores.

Downstairs, silent as she could. Filter. Coffee? Water. Button?

She didn't see Octavia until the knife was in her barrel.

Pain shot through her. She clutched at her side, spun about. There was the grey mare, love of her life, staring at her. Gingerly, Octavia reached forward and grabbed the knife with her teeth. She pulled it out. Blood sputtered from the wound.

Without a word, Octavia trotted off. Vinyl collapsed to the ground as her lung collapsed with her, but could just hear the sound of the front door slamming shut.

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Vinyl woke up. Stretched, looked at Octavia, smiled. Headed downstairs.

Filter? Coffee? Water. Button.

She saw Octavia out of the corner of her eye moments before her skull caved in.

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Vinyl woke up. She stretched her forehooves, then peered down at Octavia. Still asleep. Perfect.

Down the stairs, filter, coffee, water, button. Routine. Easy. Hm? Was that Octavia behind her? She hadn’t heard her come down—

Octavia’s hooves wrapped around her throat.

At first Vinyl thought she was hugging her, and she started to grin, but then her grip tightened. Earth pony strength was nothing to sneeze at, and in this case it was all being directed at Vinyl’s windpipe.

Vinyl gasped for air, clawed at Octavia’s hooves with her own. Tried to focus her magic but she couldn’t get it out, her lungs burned, her vision darkened, and—

Octavia’s grip loosened.

Vinyl fell to the floor, coughing.

She didn't see Octavia leave, only heard the front door close.

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Vinyl woke up. Octavia was still asleep, next to her. She smiled.

Down to the kitchen. Filter, coffee, water, button? Done.

Off she went, to collect the morning’s paper. "Twilight Sparkle Passes New Tax Code Revisions". Thrilling. She put it on the table at Octavia’s place, then stared into space for a while until the coffee maker dinged. She poured herself one (black, as was her preference) and replaced the pot. Octavia would have hers later.

Vinyl drank her coffee slowly, and before she knew it it was about the time Octavia would normally wake up. Vinyl thought: “Why not go surprise her with coffee in bed?”

So, she made Octavia’s coffee (milk and sugar), then headed upstairs to the bedroom...

...Only to find Octavia not there, the curtains parted, and the window open.

Frowning, Vinyl stuck her head out into the cool morning air and looked around. She spotted someone who might have been Octavia, walking down the street, but the mare turned a corner before she could be sure.

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Vinyl woke up. Her hooves went ceiling-ward. Her gaze fell to her side, where Octavia slept, bathed in dim grey light that matched her coat. Vinyl smiled, then silently made her way downstairs.

Filter. Coffee. Water? Button.

"I need to apologize," Octavia said, from the doorway. Vinyl turned to her, surprised she was up so early.

"I've been... very bad to you, in the past," Octavia said. "And I never apologized. I shouldn't have taken it out on you. That was wrong."

Vinyl cocked her head to the side.

"It's fine if you don't understand," Octavia said. "I've grown tired of explaining it. Just know that I hurt you, a long time ago, and that I'm sorry."

Vinyl nodded slowly. Octavia crossed the room and sat down at the table. They sat in an uncomfortable silence for a long time, Vinyl wishing she could just ask the obvious questions.

The coffee maker dinged, diverting her attention. She welcomed it. Grabbing two mugs, Vinyl poured their drinks.

"Black for me," Octavia said. "I've gotten used to it, now."

Vinyl paused for a moment, but shrugged, and handed her her mug. Octavia took a drink. Sighed.

"I'm going to devote myself to getting out of this again," she said. "I've run out of ways to distract myself. I've run out of ways to kill myself, too. I've run out of books, I've run out of music, I've run out of everything. I've done lifetimes of things I never could have dreamed were possible. I need to end this now, or I'll lose my mind. So this is it. All my infinite time towards this one problem. If there's a way to make it to November 13th, I'll find it. And then things can go back to how they used to be."

Vinyl just stared at her.

"I'm going to make this right," Octavia said, smiling at her. "Just you wait, Vinyl. Just you wait."

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Vinyl woke up.

She stretched, smiled, looked down at her bedmate. Snoring slightly. How cute! She’d have to be careful not to wake her as she got up.

Down the stairs she went, to the kitchen, to the coffee machine. Take the filter out of its packaging, put the coffee on top, add the water, push the button, and presto! In just a little while, freshly-brewed bean juice.

Vinyl went to get the paper (boring headline, figured), stared out into space for a while, and soon heard the sounds of Octavia coming down the stairs. That was odd, she usually wasn’t up that early.

“Hello, Vinyl,” Octavia said, as she stepped into the room. “How are you today?”

Vinyl grinned at her, as if to say “Right as rain, sunshine!”.

Octavia smiled back.

“Good to hear.”

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Vinyl woke up.

The covers slid off her chest, and she stretched her forehooves high. Glancing to her side, she saw Octavia, still sound asleep, same as always.

Vinyl tip-hoofed downstairs, to the coffee maker. Put in the filter. Add the coffee. Fill the water. Push the button.

"Vinyl!"

The sudden exclamation made Vinyl jump. Turning around, she saw Octavia just as the mare swept her into a hug.

"Oh, Vinyl, Vinyl, Vinyl, I've done it! I know how to escape November 12th!"

Octavia released her from the hug, kept her at foreleg's length. "Today's the day! The last day!"

Vinyl wasn't sure what was going on, but the happiness in the grey mare's voice was infectious, so she smiled too.

"Oh, I can't wait for it to finally be tomorrow!" Octavia practically squealed, prancing across the room to the table. "We'll be free! Free from this wretched curse! How long has it been? I stopped keeping track ages ago, but—oh, forget it, it doesn't matter. We're free, Vinyl! Free!"

The coffee maker dinged, and Vinyl poured two mugs. Milk and sugar for Octavia, black for her; she preferred it that way.

A mug was passed to Octavia; she held it up. "Cheers! To tomorrow!"

Vinyl, grinning in bemusement, clinked hers against it.