“Come on Vinyl.” Octavia said as she struggled with the mound under the blankets.

“But I’m comfy.” Vinyl whined and tried to wrap herself in more blankets.

“I saw you play now it’s your turn to see me play.” Octavia said in a growing annoyance and continued trying to free Vinyl from the blankets.

“I know you’re awesome, besides listening to a dusty old cello will just put me back to bed.” Vinyl’s voice came from somewhere in the mound.

“Dusty. Old. Cello.” That was Octavia’s breaking point and she shoved the mound with Vinyl off the bed.

“Ow.” Vinyl finally popped out of the mound and was greeted to Octavia standing on the bed glaring down at her.

“The cello I’ll have you know is more complex than your records. Not everyone can be called a cellist unlike you DJ’s it takes more than just buying a set of headphones and some turntables.” Octavia fumed.

“Hey!” Vinyl said outraged, finally getting out of bed and meeting Octavia’s anger.

Octavia held up a hoof signaling that they both should calm down and take a deep breath. “What I meant was there are hundreds if not thousands of ponies who call themselves DJ’s when they have no talent to speak of. You Vinyl are truly an exceptional talented DJ but you have to admit there are a lot of DJ’s that just don’t have very much talent.” Octavia said as she hoped off the bed and began to set up her cello.

“I won’t admit that about other DJ’s but I get at what you’re saying.” Vinyl said calming down.

“Thank you and I’m sorry for what I said.” Octavia apologized as she carefully set her cello on its stand and pulled out what looked like a mat with numbers on it and a cord hanging from it.

“I probably shouldn’t have called your cello dust and old.” Vinyl said taking a seat again in her blanket mound.

“There’s a lot you can do with a cello that most people don’t know. I feel like it’s the most underestimated instrument currently. Everyone thinks of it only in an old fashioned way and very proper.” Octavia plugged the mat into a microphone and then plugged in the amp before finally plugging in the cello. “But let me tell you Vinyl, the cello can be anything but proper at times. In fact I think it’s one of the most sensual of the instruments there is. Just the heft of it involves your whole body and it certainly doesn’t help that it’s right between your legs. Your thighs help guide it and your arms move the bow. Your hoofs position the strings and can even pluck at it like a bass guitar.” Octavia had walked over to Vinyl and was inches away from her face as she finished her lecture and gave her a passionate kiss which ended too soon for Vinyl.

Octavia gave a quick stretch before taking her seat. Octavia closed her eyes and let herself shine through the cello.

Zoe Keating - Exurgency live at Cafe 939

Octavia started out simple and moved her hoof over to the mat and recorded and set it to play. Looping herself over and making it sound like she was playing with several other cellos. Her timing had to be perfect or she’d be off key.

Vinyl was blown away on several levels. First never having seen a cello being played in such a style; Secondly for the amount of time it must have taken to perfect just this one song and it didn’t feel like this was a solo song. Lastly she was surprised just how cool her marefriend really was. She’d known Octavia was cool just not on this level cool.

Octavia finish and looked up at Vinyl.

“You need new blankets.” Vinyl said in a nonchalant manner as she inspected one.

“Umm, okay.” Octavia said feeling a little crestfallen by Vinyl’s lack of response as she put her cello on its stand.

“Because I totally soaked these! That was AMAZING Tavi!” Vinyl had bounced up and embraced her lover. “I take back everything I’ve ever said or thought about the cello. Which honestly wasn’t too much, because I never thought about cello’s until we meet but I still take it all back. Seriously Tavi feel me I’m so damp right now, and that’s all because of you.” Vinyl purred the last part into Octavia’s ear and started to guide her back to the bed.

“Vinyl I don’t know if we have the time right now. Remember the party at Ponyville for us?” Octavia said but was still complying with Vinyl physically.

“We’ll have plenty of time before the train leaves and if we miss it at the worse we’ll be fashionably late. Besides I have something I want to show you.” Vinyl’s horn lit up.

Octavia gave a small gasp. “Mmm, I’m okay with late or whatever.” At least this time she’d know Vinyl was thinking of her this time.

XXXX

The train pulled into Ponyville and Octavia and Vinyl got off. They’d gone to Ponyville a little early to check on the party. Vinyl knew Pinkie Pie could throw a party but she wanted to make sure Pinkie hadn't over done it on anything. Melody would be joining them later in the evening for the party.

“Soo um, Tavi?” Vinyl awkwardly began. “We’re going to have to clean out my room.”

Octavia laughed. “That’s what’s making you nervous? It can’t be that bad again.”

“No I mean CLEAN out my room.” Vinyl stressed.

“Oh!” Octavia finally realized Vinyl was referring to her stash. “Of course love, we’ll do it together.” Octavia gave Vinyl a light nuzzle of encouragement but could tell it didn’t help Vinyl much. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

“I think it might be a bit more than what you’re thinking.” Vinyl said finding something very interesting on the ground.

“Then I’ll prepare for the absolute worse, far worse than what you have. Vinyl, you shouldn’t be scared about this with me. I love you and that means I’m not going to judge you especially for past behaviors that you’re putting behind yourself.” Octavia said bringing her hoof under Vinyl’s chin and making eye contact with her, giving her a reassuring look.

“Okay, if you say so.” Vinyl said relaxing a little bit but still on edge. “Can you give me one of my pills?”

Octavia reached into her saddlebag and handed one over to Vinyl.

“This is half of one, where’s the other half?” Vinyl asked.

“This isn’t anything you need to be worried about love. Besides you have a drug problem and I don’t want you shifting that problem to these. Half of one is all that you need right now to help take the edge off of your anxiety. The anxiety and worry is the problem and taking these won’t help the problem.” Octavia answered returning the bottle to her saddlebag.

“Fine.” Vinyl huffed then relented. “No you’re right. It’s the healthy choice. This is why I need you.”

“I need you too. You just don’t know how much I need you in my life.” Octavia said cuddling up to Vinyl as they walked to her place.

“Please, you’ve seen how I was before we meet.”

“What a life full of friends, and parties? Oh I certainly saved you.” Octavia said playfully sarcastic. “I was on a fast track to become a crazy cat pony.”

“That’s true.” Vinyl teased and got a small jab to her ribs.

Shortly they arrived at Vinyl’s house which was surprisingly not in shambles with Vinyl being gone over the weekend.

“Berry, I’m home and Octavia’s here.” Vinyl called out hearing the shower running.

“I’m right here.” Berry Punch said splayed out on the couch with a glass of wine resting on her chest.

“Who’s in the shower? And why are you using a glass?” Vinyl asked in a hushed tone having sped over to Berry Punch with Octavia in tow.

“Big Mac and it’s not that unusual for me to use a glass.” Berry Punch replied.

“You didn’t!” Vinyl gasped.

“No, gross.” Berry Punch said waving off the accusation.

“Ahem.” Octavia quietly coughed.

“Big Mac is dating Cheerilee, Berry Punch’s sister.” Vinyl said filling Octavia in on the conversation before returning to Berry Punch. “Then why is he in the shower?”

“From what Cheerie has told me I wouldn’t be casually laying here after a bucking from him.” Berry Punch joked before answering. “I guess they’re having a bit of turmoil right now and he came over asking for help. We got drunk and he passed out, for someone his size I’d assume he could hold his booze better.” Berry Punch said, whispering the last part like it should be treated like a closely guarded secret.

Vinyl gave her a questioning look.

“I didn’t and if I did you of all ponies shouldn’t be one to toss stones.” Berry Punch said taking an angrier tone at the doubt Vinyl was showing her.

“We actually had dinner last night.” Vinyl said deciding to just drop it and change tactics.

“I’m sorry, do you want some wine? Or better yet tequila!” Berry Punch said showing quite a bit of excitement at the idea.

“No, it went really well actually. They’re going to be moving in to the empty house down the road and I guess I’m getting a little sister also.” Vinyl said still sounding a little unsure of the latter part.

“Shut up a little sister! I didn’t know your parents were still doing the nasty at their age.”

“Thanks for that image but it’s more of an adoption situation and she’s doing the adopting.” Vinyl said.

“I know who it is.” Berry Punch sang.

“How do you know who she is?” Vinyl questioned her roommate.

“My sister teaches her and I’ve heard all about her situation. That’s actually a great thing if it’s who I’m assuming.” Berry Punch replied.

“Hmm, well me and Tavi have something to take care of.” Vinyl opted to end the conversation, still not sure how she felt about the whole situation, and led Octavia to her room and closed the door.

“Should we get started?” Octavia asked after a moment of silence. She had taken a seat on the bed and noted the place looked much nicer since Vinyl had cleaned and she could actually walk around.

“Yeah this whole sister thing is sort of throwing me for a loop still. Everything should be in the nightstand.” Vinyl said pointing to it and flopping down on her bed.

Octavia opened it and just about said ‘wow’ before she caught herself. The cupboard was full of various bottles full of pills and bags full of powders and other paraphernalia. “Okay, this isn’t so bad.” Octavia said sounding hopeful. “Honestly I don’t think I know what half of this stuff is Vinyl.” Octavia said inspecting a bottle of purple pills.

“That’s ecstasy that’s cut with heroin so it won’t keep you up when you start to come down.” Vinyl glanced over seeing which bottle Octavia was holding.

“In the trash we go then.” Octavia moved to the next one.

“That one’s a mild stimulant.” Vinyl said still in her prone position.

“What are all of these?” Octavia held up 5 bottles full of white pills.

“Oh those are all painkillers.” Vinyl said rolling on to her stomach.

On it went until Octavia got to a bag full of tiny pink packages. “Pitch it.” Vinyl said upon seeing it.

“What is it?” Octavia asked hesitating.

“Nothing just throw it away. We should finish up so we can make sure Pinkie Pie didn’t get out of hand.” Vinyl said finally moving from her position and sitting up.

“I feel like this is something I should know.” Octavia insisted, everything else Vinyl had explained it or told her but not this.

“It’s Xylazine. I never did it but I just know it’s just dangerous but fun I guess. Okay, now pitch it.” Vinyl insisted.

Octavia couldn’t help but note how anxious Vinyl had become. “Is this something I should make a note of?”

“No, that I promise you. It’s just embarrassing because it’s sort of scary.” Octavia could tell this was the thing that had made Vinyl so nervous earlier and gave her a questioning look.

Vinyl took a deep breath and sat down next to her. “If you knew what it was it would seriously bother you that I had it.”

“None of this other stuff did so I don’t see why you’re getting so nervous about this Vinyl?” Octavia couldn’t figure out what made this so special. If things that had heroin in them weren’t bad. What was she holding?

“That’s not like the other stuff. That’s basically a life in your hands. If you start to take it, it’s all over, there is no coming back.” Octavia looked at the bag in her hands again. There were hundreds of little bright pink pieces of paper wrapped up. If this is a life then what exactly was Vinyl doing with it.

Octavia looked back at Vinyl the pieces starting to connect. “Why?” The gray mare felt a chill like ice water being poured over her knowing that her light had gotten something that dangerous for herself.

“It’s hard to explain. What if life just hadn’t worked out? I know it doesn’t make any sense but what if everything was just wrong. I’d at least be happy…” Vinyl’s sentence trailed off leading Octavia to her own conclusions.

Tears stung Octavia’s eyes and she pulled Vinyl into a hug and began to sob. She’d already known that Vinyl had some darkness in her but she’d just seen how dark it could get. The thought terrified her of losing the white mare with eccentric blue hair and she held on to her for her life.

Vinyl began to rub her back and comfort her. “Hey babe, it’s okay. I’m not going there I promise. Remember what you said about promises? You shouldn’t make them if you can’t keep them.” Octavia began to collect herself and wiped her tears away.

“I probably look a mess right now.” Octavia threw the bag in with the rest of them and stood up. “I should clean up then I’ll throw these out.”

“You can’t do that.” Vinyl said in a way of stating the obvious.

“And why can’t I.” The fire started to rise in Octavia. The whole point was to remove the drugs so Vinyl wouldn’t slip up.

“You can’t take a bag full of drugs and put them in the trash. Do you have any idea how dangerous that could be the law being one of the better scenarios?”

“Then what do we do with them?” Octavia asked embarrassed realizing the possible consequences that could have happened.

“I don’t know? I disposed of them in a different manner. Flush them down the toilet?”

“Well I guess I was just heading there.” Octavia headed to the bathroom now that Big Mac had cleared out.

Upon returning looking freshened up and empty hoofed, Vinyl was greeting her with a coy smile. “What are you smiling at?”

“I noticed you didn’t get rid of everything.” The shit eating grin remained in place.

“Yes I di…” Octavia stopped and started to look guilty when she saw that Vinyl was holding up a bag of pot. “…There’s a really funny movie coming out soon.” She confessed sheepishly.

XXXX

Octavia and Vinyl walked out of Vinyl’s place after reminding Berry Punch about the party that Pinkie was throwing when they heard a familiar voice.

“Hey, you two.” Vinyl’s sister called from down the block. Rainbow Dash, Soarin and Twilight were standing outside of the empty house that Rainbow Dash had mentioned renting out. The couple trotted over to them and the sisters embraced each other earning smiles from Octavia and Twilight.

“What are you guys up too?” Vinyl asked her sister after letting go of her.

“Well we’d already looked at the place before but we’re now figuring out what exactly we’re going to do with the place. Twilight decided to come along because she got excited about planning and organizing.” Rainbow Dash smirked at Twilight who rolled her eyes.

“You and Soarin both live in cloud homes which are very different from houses on the ground.” Twilight justified her reasoning for coming along.

“I’ve lived on a house on the ground.” Rainbow Dash said defending herself.

“Part time.” Vinyl piped in.

“That wasn’t my choice.” Dash said lightly brushing her side against her sisters letting her know it hadn’t been in her control. “Are you two off somewhere or do you have some time?” Dash asked changing topics to a less sensitive subject.

“We were on our way to check on Pinkie to see how the party planning was coming.”

“You could do that or you could stick around and meet our little sister.” Vinyl could see the excitement of the offer in her sister’s eyes. She looked back at Octavia and saw the same look in on her face. How could she say no?

“Yeah let’s do this.”

“Awesome! You’ll love her trust me come on I’ll show you around.” Rainbow escorted her sister and Twilight inside the house, leaving Soarin and Octavia alone.

“How’s it going?” Soarin lamely said.

“I’m doing well. How are you?” Octavia weakly answered.

“I’m good.” A moment of awkward silence fell between them. The previous night they’d had a buffer so the conversation could continue without having to directly talk to each other.

Soarin groaned then took a deep breath. “I’m already sick of this. I’m sorry about how I treated you Octavia. I was young and stupid and full of myself. I know it’s not an excuse for how I was but I’ve changed and I’m sorry again.”

Octavia pondered what he said for a moment. “I forgive you. Honestly we wouldn’t have worked out. Let’s just put this all behind us.”

“Good because you and Vinyl seem to be pretty serious and if we’re going to be neighbors we should get along.” Soarin smiled warmly at her.

“Besides they weren’t all bad times. Remember when Thunder Dome tried to asked Melody out but she’d just had a spinach salad and still had her braces.” Octavia laughed at the memory.

“I’ve never seen someone back out of a conversation faster than when she gave him that green smile.” Soarin added to the story laughing.

“Hey! I’m watching you two.” Vinyl yelled from the second floor window above them, glaring daggers at Soarin then slowly creeping back inside.

“I guess jealousy runs in the family.” Soarin whispered to Octavia who snorted a laugh.

“You know what I’m actually happy we talked. It’s been years but it’s nice talking to an old friend.” Octavia sighed. “Why’d you stay out here instead of following the rest inside?”

Octavia didn’t get an answer because Soarin shot up in the sky as a buzzing sound started to approach. Octavia watched Soarin shoot upwards and start to loop back down as the buzzing sound got louder. The buzzing got louder and Octavia looked down to see an orange filly with a helmet on coming at her a high speed on a scooter. Soarin looped around again this time just off the ground coming up behind the little filly. Octavia was about to call out a warning when he sped up and picked up the girl off the scooter much to her delight. The scooter rolled then fell to a stop in front of Octavia while the joyful laugh of a child came from the sky. A moment later he gently set the filly down and landed near Octavia who was just as amused by the show as the filly was.

“Aww, can’t we do more?” She begged the older stallion.

Smiling Soarin replied, “If we had it your way we’d never be on the ground and today is kind of a special one. This is my friend Octavia, Octavia this is Scootaloo.”

The little filly raised a skeptical eyebrow. “A friend huh?”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Scootaloo.” Octavia said trying to ease the little girls mind.

“Scoot! I thought I heard you.” Rainbow Dash, Vinyl and Twilight came joined them outside and the cyan mare walked up and nuzzled her. “I have someone very important for you to meet.”

“I know Twilight she runs and library and is one of the Elements of Harmony.” The orange filly said rolling her eyes.

“No although she is important, but this is Vinyl Scratch, my biological sister.” Rainbow Dash gestured to her sibling.

“Hey.”

“Hey.”

They both regarded each other critically for a moment before the youngest one broke the silence. “I didn’t know you already had a sister.” The little one said looking at Rainbow Dash with a slightly hurt expression across her face.

“That just means you have a bigger family now, honey.” Rainbow Dash comforted the purple haired filly.

“I’m giving it two weeks until she starts to accept being her mom.” Soarin quietly whispered to Octavia.

“Are you ready to be a daddy?” She asked in an equally hushed manner. Which she received a look telling her he’d already accepted the job. Octavia could tell he couldn’t be happier with the responsibility and grinned back at him.

“Don’t worry kid it just means I came first.” A smug looking Vinyl said.

“That’s okay; they had to get another after you.” Scootaloo fired back.

“Trying to copy perfection is only natural.”

“So is trying to fix a mistake.”

“Scootaloo enough! Vinyl you should just know better than to argue with a child.” Rainbow Dash sighed. “Honestly I don’t know what I was expecting with you two.”

“I don’t like her.” Both ponies said turning away from each other sitting and stubbornly crossed their fore hooves.

Soarin left Octavia on the sidelines to help out his marefriend. “I got this.” He said to Dash before turning to the conflicting ponies. “I’m going to get some ice cream do you two want any?” The offer immediately distracted the two from their war and they began to interrogate Soarin about said ice cream.

“Cone, cup or bowl?”

“If it’s cone are we talking about waffle or sugar?”

“Can we get any flavor?”

“Do our bowls of ice cream come with toppings?”

“Unlimited toppings?”

“Some places say they do unlimited toppings but when you fill up a cup with gummy bears they get mad.”

“Could I do fudge ice cream with fudge pieces and fudge drizzle?”

“Does it have to be one bowl or can we have more than one?”

Soarin looked at Dash as the two girls got more and more excited about ice cream and started to bounce up and down. “Food can unite the world. I’m going to take these two to Bon Bon’s what do you want?”

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes at how natural Soarin seemed at dealing with the two. “I’ll take coffee with toffee.”

“I’ll just have vanilla.” Octavia replied.

“Vanilla is boring.” Scootaloo said dismissing the classic flavor.

“She loves to eat vanilla. If you know what I mean.” Vinyl said nudging Scootaloo’s side with a wink. The comment clearly went over the fillies head by the questioning look she gave Vinyl. “As you can see my coat is white and vanilla ice cream is white. So if you think of me as vani—“

“VINYL SCRATCH!” Rainbow Dash warned her sister. “She’s just a kid.”

“She’s basically an adult.” The vanilla mare said dismissing the warning.

“Yeah.” The ten year old filly boldly agreed with Vinyl then backed down when Rainbow looked at her.

“Twilight?” Soarin asked the forgotten element of magic.

“Nothing for me thanks. If Spike found out I had ice cream and he didn’t get any I wouldn’t hear the end of it for a week, but I’ll come with you. It’s on the way to the library and I should get back to my studies.” Twilight hugged and kissed Rainbow Dash on the check farewell and bid Octavia ado until the evening and left with the others.

Rainbow Dash watched her sisters walking off with her best friend and coltfriend. She couldn’t help but smile at seeing Vinyl and Scootaloo starting to bond, over ice cream of all things. “I have no idea how he managed to pull that off.” She said to Octavia.

“Soarin can be really quite charming at times.” Octavia replied.

Rainbow Dash chuckled. “That’s true. I shouldn’t say this but before we fell in love he talked me into a threesome one night.”

“Well I guess you and Vinyl both seem to be the…adventurous type.” Octavia said trying to phrase her words delicately. “Can I ask you a question that might be a little personal?”

“What’da’ya wanna know?” The cyan mare led them into the house for a more private setting.

“It’s actually a couple things but the one that’s weighing most on me is, if you know, if Vinyl has any substances that she prefers over any others that I should be aware of.”

Dash paused before answering. Her sister’s drug problem wasn’t something that normally came up in conversations, but she knew full well that Vinyl had some demons she was working out. “I don’t know too much, I never really got into them, but I know she tends to enjoy painkillers.”

“Thank you. Could you also tell me what she meant earlier when she said you lived on the ground ‘part time’? You don’t have to tell me honestly if it’s too private.”

“This could actually help you some. Our parents are Pegasi, their parents and grandparents were also. Vinyl threw them for a bit of a loop. Somewhere in our bloodline was a unicorn which, I mean come on, who doesn’t have some of all the races in them, but it wasn’t known in our family. So along came Vinyl which made them have to get a house on the ground but they wanted me to be able to learn how to fly without being hampered by the ground and hard walls. So they’re solution was to split us up for most of the week. To make matters worse they weren’t prepared for the magic of a Unicorn and probably didn’t deal with it in the best of ways. When Vinyl would get magical surges, which is typical in young Unicorns, they’d sort of punish her.” Rainbow Dash started to tear up but held herself together.

“I didn’t know until I was older but by then Vinyl had already lumped me in with them and assumed I knew. When I became the element of loyalty she asked me how loyal I could be when I would let that happen to my little sister. She was so high I don’t think she even knows she said it and honestly I don’t want to bring it up to her. Some Element of Loyalty I am but anyways we’ve barely had a civil conversation since then until you came along. I will always be in your debut just for letting me have my sister back last night. Even if it ends up being just for a brief time I will never be able to repay you Octavia.”

“We’re back.” Dash turned away from the door and blinked away any residual tears. She felt a comforting hoof touch her shoulder, just for a brief moment, and Octavia walked up to the returning party giving Rainbow Dash the time to wipe away her tears.

Octavia walked up to Vinyl and embraced her, giving her a passionate kiss that tasted like cake batter ice cream. “Tavi, I love you but ice cream.” Vinyl said right after she was released from her lover.

“Here I kept yours cold with ma magic’s.” Vinyl levitated a bowl of vanilla ice cream to her.

“And you didn’t for me. Thanks Vinyl.” Rainbow Dash said looking at hers which almost had the consistency of soup.

“Mom, why’d my sister kiss dad’s special friend?” A sticky faced Scootaloo asked.

“Whoa, first I never said ‘my special friend.’” Soarin said looking back and forth between the older mares. “Secondly Octavia and Vinyl are in a relationship so they can kiss each other all they want….because they love each other and only kiss each other because they love each other. Never kiss anyone that you don’t love.” Soarin said thinking of his past and trying to instill good morals into he’s soon to be daughter.

“But I thought Octavia was special? Vinyl kept saying so. And if she’s your friend doesn’t that mean she’s a special friend?” Octavia ‘aww’ed and cuddled Vinyl again who blushed and looked away in embarrassment.

“Close kiddo but in this case special only applies to me. This sort of special means that Tavi and I are-“ Vinyl started to explain before being cut off.

“VINYL.” Another warning came from Dash.

“I was going to say dating. You shouldn’t be so fast to judge what I’m saying.” Vinyl said in a mockingly arrogant tone.

“Sorry Vinyl.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Soarin did you have to get her the largest size they had?”

“You said it was an important day for her. This means important amounts of ice cream.”

“You ruined her dinner.” Dash scolded, shuddering internally at how much of her own mother she sounded like.

“What were you going to cook with we haven’t started to move yet. And I wouldn’t subject a filly to your cooking.” Soarin teased much to the amusement of Scootaloo and Vinyl.

“Fine you can stay up with her then if she gets sick from all of that ice cream.” Dash said finally having enough.

“Deal, you heard her peanut slumber party tonight.” The sticky orange filly cheered.

“Oh and I’m your sister.” Dash added as an afterthought sighing.

“Got it sister mom.” Scootaloo beamed at Rainbow Dash who had to smile at her.

XXXX

They finally were heading to the party which had already started having been delayed from Dash trying to get all of the melted ice cream out of Scootaloo’s coat. The ‘parents’ where ahead of the young couple, having been pulled forward by the happy filly, while Octavia and Vinyl strolled along enjoying the sunset. Well one of them seemed to be enjoying it. Octavia couldn’t help but notice how tense and quiet Vinyl was getting as they approached the party.

“Vinyl?” Octavia asked finally having enough of her marefriend’s attitude.

“Huh?” Vinyl grunted miles away from where they were.

“I was just saying how I’m desperately in love with your sister.”

“Mm,” Vinyl grunted again. “Wait what?”

Octavia laughed. “Oh you decided to join me again. What was keeping you away?”

“Nothin.” Vinyl said a little more defensive than she intended.

“Oo look at those flowers!” Octavia trotted over to a bush on the side of the road and began to admire them, giving her and Vinyl some more privacy. Vinyl sat down next to Octavia looking a little annoyed by the distraction and began to tap her hoof.

“Yes Vinyl?” Octavia asked as she closed her eyes and deeply inhaled the aroma from one of the flowers.

“Nothing let’s just get going or something.” A frustrated sounding Vinyl replied.

Octavia turned to Vinyl and gave her a skeptical look before running a hoof through Vinyl’s mane. Vinyl took a deep breath and let it out. “It’s that feel that something’s going to go wrong but I just don’t know what it is. It’s stupid I know, sorry.”

“It’s not stupid and you don’t need to apologize to me.” Octavia said and took Vinyl’s hoof into her own and brought it to her lips giving it a gentle kiss.

“It’s a feeling in the bottom of my stomach. Like if you could see something bad is coming like a storm and there’s nothing you can do to stop it or get away from it. That feeling of dread, that slowly builds inside of you in the bottom of your stomach. That’s how I feel right now and I know it’s silly. I mean we’re going to a party to have fun it should be a no hassle thing, but I can’t seem to shake this ball of fear inside of me.” Vinyl told Octavia knowing that she didn’t have anything to hide from her.

“Feeling better?”

“A little bit. I feel saner, I guess, but I still have that feeling of terror inside of me.” Vinyl said taking another deep breath.

“Here then.” Octavia reached into her saddlebag and gave Vinyl one of her anxiety pills.

“You sure?” Vinyl asked taking it from her lover.

“This is a perfect example of when to take one. It sounds like you’re starting to have a panic attack so we should head it off before it causes you to do something you don’t want to do.” Octavia smiled at Vinyl, who took the medication after Octavia explained it. “Do you want to walk around for a bit to help calm down or head to the party?”

Vinyl took a third deep breath. “Let’s go to the party. It’ll kick in soon and until then I have you.”

Octavia nuzzled the white mare. “Okay and no drinking tonight. It doesn’t mix well with your medication.”

“No problem babe.” Vinyl said at the couple returned to the path. Before they got too far Vinyl looked behind her and used her magic to pick a flower for Octavia and carefully levitated it between her mane and ear. Octavia smiled and cuddled up to Vinyl the rest of their walk.

The party was already going by the time they arrived. Vinyl was guessing Pinkie had invited all of Ponyville to welcome Octavia. “You ready for this? Cuz Pinkie’s probably going to ponyknap you for the first hour to introduce you to everyone.”

“This is going to be fun Vinyl; I’ll get to meet all your friends and neighbors at once.” Octavia smiled at her.

“My sister’s friends are probably going to be here also.” Vinyl added.

“Shut up really?!” Vinyl rolled her eyes. “Oh come on Vinyl. I’m not related to one of the Elements of Harmony so to me it’s a big deal meeting them.”

“It’s not that big of a deal. It’s not like they’re one of the Princesses.” A slightly jealous Vinyl countered.

“They talk to the Princesses and they’ve saved the world and countless lives.” Octavia gushed.

“I don’t know about saved the world. I mean Discord wasn’t really dangerous more like annoying.” Vinyl said dismissing the Elements achievements. “Now come on we’re already late. I’ll be with Scootaloo if you need me.”

Octavia barely had time to register what Vinyl said as she was pulled into a hug by a couple of pink hooves that came out of nowhere. In a matter of moments she was dizzily being dragged around the party being introduced to every pony.

Vinyl continued on to find her new ‘sister’ to learn more about her. After giving her a second chance Vinyl decided she had some potential. Spotting her Vinyl headed over but was interrupted by her sister. “Vinyl I was looking for you. This is Cloud Chaser she does music promotions.” Rainbow Dash said shoving the Persian blue mare at her.

“Hey!” Vinyl said to Cloud Chaser.

“Hey, how’s it going?” She smiled at Vinyl who was trying to not freak out.

“I’m great, how are you?” Vinyl asked back feeling more and more awkward.

“I’m fine; I’ve heard a lot of good stuff about you. I’d love to hear you spin some time.” Cloud Chaser said standing slightly to close for Vinyl’s comfort.

“That’d be awesome. Dash said you did promotions.” Vinyl took a small step back only to have Cloud Chaser mimic her maneuver.

“Packing clubs is something that I’m good at along with finding talented ponies. Let’s get a drink.” Cloud Chaser said grabbing Vinyl and taking her to the bar. “What’s this party for anyways? Pinkie just invited me to come.”

“It’s for a friend. MY friend…I mean my marefriend.” Vinyl stumbled through her sentence as a cider was placed in front of her.

“Your marefriend, huh? You don’t seem like the type that likes to settle down to quiet evenings.” Cloud Chaser said drinking her cider in one gulp.

“It’s not settling down, you know. We’re dating.” Vinyl said trying to defend her and Octavia’s relationship but she kept getting distracted by Cloud Chaser gently bumping into her.

“Got it you’re dating.” Cloud Chaser winked at Vinyl. “Do you not like cider? I’ll get you something else.”

Before Vinyl could respond to anything she had another drink in front of her. “I’m not getting drunk tonight and it’s a serious relationship.” Vinyl finally got out. Cloud Chaser stopped bumping into her which Vinyl was took as a sign that she understood that she was off limits.

“Then don’t get drunk. I just had a cider and am I drunk? No, so just have a few drinks and have some fun. Unless of course your marefriend won’t let you. I shouldn’t have said that it was in bad taste but seriously Vinyl it’s not like you would have this party if it was for some mare you met the other week. I’m just saying unwind. The nights for lovers and poets after all, so praise Luna.” Cloud Chaser had already found out enough information about Vinyl and her marefriend, as if ponies wouldn’t talk when you have a party for a budding relationship. To Cloud Chaser unless you were married you were still far game and even then it was questionable. Besides what was the point of a relationship if it wasn’t tested? If they failed then it just meant that it wasn’t suppose too be and both parties were wasting their time. She was doing an honorable task she figured.

“Praise Luna.” Vinyl raised her glass and took a drink of the cider.

“Atta mare.” Cloud Chaser high fived (high hooved?) Vinyl. “I’m getting a good vibe off you Vinyl so I’m going to do something I don’t do often. I’ll help you out with a couple of shows before I even see you play but I will need to hear some CD’s or something to help me figure out how to promote you.”

“Awesome!” Vinyl was on cloud nine, not only had she set up her relationship with Cloud Chaser as strictly plutonic but she’d also managed to get a promoter out of the deal.

“We should do some shots to celebrate and you can call me CeeCee.” Cloud Chaser said.

“Sure why not CeeCee.” Vinyl smiled at her.

“Okay let’s play a game called ‘Murder, Fuck, Kill’.” Cloud Chaser picked three ponies at random and told Vinyl which one she’d murder, fuck or kill.

XXXX

Eventually Octavia got away from the pink hurricane known as Pinkie Pie and looked for Vinyl. Not seeing her she spotted Rainbow Dash and trotted up to her. “Have you seen Vinyl recently?”

“Yeah I introduced her to Cloud Chaser from the bar the other night.” Rainbow Dash said pointing across the room at them.

Octavia looked over and then headed to the bar and ordered the largest most expensive scotch they had before settling into a seat and trying to set Cloud Chaser’s hair on fire with her gaze. “What’s up with you filly?” The familiar voice of Melody asked.

“Nothing.” Octavia said as nonchalantly as she could but her hoof was tapping an annoyed tune on the rim of her glass.

“Yeah right, who are you staring at?” Melody followed Octavia’s gaze. “Okay Vinyl’s talking to that mare over there so what? Are you getting jealous of that?”

“Well she did show Vinyl her vagina last night.” Octavia said in a deadpan tone, taking a sip of her drink.

“What?” Melody just about shouted.

“And she said that she wasn’t drinking tonight.” Octavia took another drink.

“Oookay, why are you just sitting here then?” A stumped Melody asked.

“Well that whorse could actually be beneficial to Vinyl’s career. So I’m not bringing up how much I utterly hate her to Vinyl because I want Vinyl to succeed.” At the rate Octavia was drinking she’d be out of scotch shortly.

“I think that’s the first time I’ve ever heard you call someone a whorse.” Melody said realizing the dangerous territory she’d just walked into.

“Well the name is fitting.” Octavia stood up and wobbled a bit.

“Tavi, where are you going?” Melody asked concerned.

“I’m getting my marefriend and we’re going to her place.” Octavia had started to annunciate her words more than normal, a sign she knew meant she’d reached her limit for the night, and marched over to Vinyl.

“Sorry to interrupt but I’m ready to go home, Vineyl.” Octavia could have died then, she thought she’d at least sounded sober until she butchered her lover’s name.

Both mares burst out in laughter. “I see what you mean Vinyl.” Cloud Chaser laughed.

“I should get her home I’ll see you around CeeCee.” Vinyl waved goodbye to Cloud Chaser, their eyes meeting for a moment before Vinyl broke away.

XXXX

“Are you mad at me?” Vinyl had to ask; Octavia wasn’t walking entirely straight and refusing any help from Vinyl along with not conversing with her.

“I’m not mad.” Octavia said stumbling on something in the dark.

“Okay then why did you tell me to stop lighting the way?” Vinyl asked seeing through the lie.

“It was…distracting from the moon.” Octavia said gesturing to the moon which was hidden by a cloud.

“Uh huh.”

“Oh shut up Vinyl.” Octavia said finally letting some of her anger out.

“Hey I talk to you about what I’m feeling. The least you could do is admitting you’re upset.” Vinyl stopped walking, the conversation having taken a serious turn.

“Fine I’m upset Vinyl. I’m drunk and I’m mad. Are you happy now?” Octavia yelled releasing more of the steam that’d built up inside of her, lashing out at mostly innocent Vinyl.

“Not really.” Vinyl meekly responded but unwilling to just take abuse.

Octavia sighed calming herself down. “Yes I’m upset right now Vinyl. You told me you weren’t going to drink tonight.”

“I had a couple of drinks tonight, but I wasn’t drinking. I was socializing so I didn’t think a couple of drinks would hurt.” Vinyl defended herself calmly, the fight having died down already between the two of them.

“Well I don’t know how I feel about who you were socializing with.” Octavia finally confess what had truly been bothering her.

“CeeCee? Are you jealous of her?” Vinyl said smiling, not that she wanted Octavia jealous of anyone but she liked the idea.

“I can’t see if you’re smiling but I can tell Vinyl.” Octavia warned and Vinyl instantly wiped the smile off her lips. “And yes her. I just…I just don’t like her.”

“Okay I can cancel what we planned together.” Vinyl said in all seriousness.

“No I don’t want to stand in the way of your career. I just feel like I can’t trust her.” Octavia could feel her anger welling up inside of her again just thinking about ‘CeeCee’. She even hated that nickname.

“Then what do you want me to do? I don’t like mad Tavi. I like my Tavi happy like she’s in a pile of puppies and kittens.” Vinyl asked giving Octavia a comforting nuzzle of affection.

Octavia returned the affection. “I don’t know. I’m sorry I yelled at you.”

“No, I’m sorry that I had a couple of drinks when I told you I wouldn’t.”

The two sat in the dark both feeling guilty for different reasons before Vinyl turned to Octavia. “I promise I will always love you, Tavi. No matter what happens in our lives I will always love you and will be there for you when you need me.”

Octavia snuggled up to Vinyl. “I will always love you Vinyl.”

The cloud finally moved past the moon basking the night in a brilliant glow.

Author's Note

Sorry I was planning on this coming out sooner but the 4th of July and Freedom Day slowed me down.

Nothing is going on with Berry Punch and Big Mac it's a story idea I had so I thought I'd plant some seeds if I decide to make it.

Also Xylazine is a real drug that's used on horses. Don't do serious drugs people cuz shit like that is used to cut it.

I'm also planning the next story of Tavi/Scratch and will be wrapping up Cello and Wubs soon in one or two more chapters. A link will be added as a final chapter when I start it. Also things are going to speed up in the next chapter or two.

Enjoy
ZRM