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.
