Allow me to briefly introduce myself. My name is Octavia. I am a dark grey Earth Pony with a black mane and tail. My cutie mark is a simple clef, denoting my love for music. I play quite a few instruments but the cello will always be my personal favorite. Playing a stringed instrument is particularly hard for Earth Ponies like myself due to having issues grasping the bow, plucking the strings, and all manner of other body related issues. Most ponies were stunned when they found out I could play. Most fell over when they actually heard me play. I have a small string quartet that I play with at functions and events to support myself, though I would like to be a composer and part of the prestigious Canterlot Orchestra. I also had a strange love for all bow-and-neck-ties
I have recently moved from my hometown of Ponyville to accomplish that dream. Unfortunately, living in the city is rather expensive. Luckily enough, I knew just the person who would room with me and help me pay bills.
She's a nice mare, I promise. It's a good thing most people don't judge books by their covers. From afar, she looked like a hooligan. From up close she looked like downright trouble. The dark clothes, the deep violet sunglasses, the small small evil smile she always has on her muzzle.
Vinyl Scratch was a nice mare. Honestly.
She was my foil. Where I was prim, proper, and impeccable, she was a mystery. An alabaster anomaly with a lightning blue mane and tail. She was an enigma. She avoided the day time like the plague; embodying the term 'Night Owl'. When she did leave during the day, it was always for short trips and she was always wearing a hoodie or long coat. And always...always...the deep purple sunglasses. I don't know how she could survive wearing those things during the summer.
Now that I've painted a picture of this elusive mare to you, let me begin to describe her attitude. When I said she was my foil, I wan't joking. Beneath the grim and foreboding exterior was the life of the party. Her life, quite literally, was a party. She revolved around them. With that evil little smile, she would steal her way onto stage. The performers would watch in amazement as she would say five simple words to whip the crowd into an absolute frenzy.
"DJ PON-3 IN THE HOUSE!"
Absolute chaos would descend for the rest of the night. The bass coming from the club would cause noise complaints blocks away. And there she was. The Master of Debauchery, Maestro of Chaos, giving them all they could ever want and more. By the end of the night, the club would be filled with empty glasses; the alcohol completely expended. The DJ table that she had "borrowed" littered in drinks and the occasional undergarment. Scratch would leave the club like a whirlwind of writhing bodies and smashing wubs had hit it... because that is exactly what she caused. Every. Single. Night.
After the club you could find her in a variety of places. She might be at another bar to wind down and get to the real drinking(another mare may or may not be included). She might be in a fight with a few rowdy drunks, showing a surprising speed and agility that really should be expected from someone of her lifestyle. Or, she might be home, with me. We could be sitting by the fireplace, chatting about her latest escapades or my latest performance with my quartet. We might be in her room, working on our pet project of combining my classical music with her electronic beats.
How did I ever find a mare of such solid and dependable personality such as this? Stay awhile and you might just find out.
"Come on Octy, it's just around the corner!" Vinyl screeched with glee. She and I were both starting musicians and were becoming fast friends, her playful attitude bringing out a less serious side in me that I was hesitant to enjoy. Plus, she was pretty fun to be around, if a little flirty. And I am not a fillyfooler. Vinyl raced ahead of me, her magic caring most of the bags. There wasn't much I could carry beyond what I had on my back, being an Earth Pony and all. Even though the move had been a mutual agreement, I was still worried about the quality of the building. I had yet to see it.
The house loomed in front of us. Perhaps loomed is a bad word. The pleasant two story home stood in front of us. It was rather common for the city but it was still home. Vinyl unlocked the door and shouldered her way in.
Most of the rooms already had furniture, it all came with the house. We quickly put the boxes down and raced upstairs to decide who got which room. Since Vinyl was the first in the door, she had an easy headstart and the first pick.
She looked inside both rooms for all of two seconds before picking the room on the right. It was plain, with a little plain bed, a little plain nightstand , a little plain closet, and one little plain window in the corner that she promptly covered.
Told you she didn't like sunlight.
I entered my room. It was much like hers, but with a very important difference. A second door in my room led out to a balcony with a fantastic view over all of Canterlot. I quickly unpacked, hung my clothes in the closet, set out the bed sheets, and set Vinyls infernal alarm device on my nightstand.
'Nothing wakes you up more than wubs at 3 A.M. in the morning' she had said. Quaint.
After the not-so-tiring move, I began to prepare dinner. I had already located, checked, and double checked the fire-extinguisher in the kitchen. Vinyl and anything that involved making food usually ended in a raging inferno, so it was always handy to keep one on each floor.
"So," I heard her tomboy voice call out from the living room, "whatcha cooking?"
"Oh, just a little something, Vinyl." I replied.
She got that evil little smile, huffed, and promptly barged into the kitchen just like I had wa-never mind.
"Soup huh?" She inquired, seeing the large pot.
"Like I said Vinyl, just a little something."
"So can I have a taste?"
"No Vinyl, it isn't ready yet."
With a quick flash of teeth, that smile returned with twice as wide. She quickly slid up along side me, her fur rubbing against my sides and locked eyes with me, waggling her eye brows from beneath those sunglasses.
"What if I wasn't talking about the soup?" She husked into my ear with a sultry tone.
"I-uh-buh" I stated eloquently.
She quickly took advantage of my plight to steal a quick sip from the soup. Her eyebrows stopped their flirty wiggling and quickly shot to the top of her forehead.
"Wow Octy, this is fantastic!" She bumped my flank, the compliment and touching making my blush even more apparent.
"Yes yes, well it's ready. Be helpful for once and grab some bowls." I shot back, desperate to get that cheeky grin off her face. I wasn't the best at hiding my blushes and she loved to push my buttons.
We ate dinner quickly. Not to toot my own French horn here, but it was damn good soup. After dinner and dishes, we retired to the couch. I promptly dug into a book I had been reading while she put on some headphones and started jamming out to some beats, as it were.
"Vinyl, you're going to wake the dead with those things. Turn it down and let me read in peace."
"Oh yeah? Whatcha reading?" The DJ jumped onto the couch, knocking me over in the process.
"Well I was reading a book, ever heard of those? Marvelous inventions." I droned dryly.
She scooted closer and closer. Did I mention Vinyl has no sense of personal space? Her warm fur yet again invading my personal space. She was practically leaning over my prone form on the couch.
"So," she asks again this time with a low hushed voice, "Whatcha reading?" I swear if those sunglasses hadn't been there the glint in her eyes would have been seen for miles.
"Uh-I-um." I manage. Gasp such grace and poise!
She reached over me and snagged the book; glancing at the title before doing a double take
Odd.
"Vampires huh? Didn't think you'd be into that sorta thing. You know Nightmare Night is like next week?"
"Yes, I do know, you've been trying to get me to dress up and go with you for weeks." I reminded her. That evil grin of her's flashed. She reared back.
"Bleh! I vant to suck your blood!" She said as she arched her neck down and latched onto my neck.
"Stop it Vinyl, you brute! Get off me!"
"Never!" she mumbled through my neck. If this wasn't so hot I'd-I mean she should really get off ri-I mean GAH you know what I mean!
I flailed my hooves at her, desperate to get her off of my neck. She chuckled and relinquished her grip.
"You are so easy to rile up Octy." She said falling to the floor, great guffaws stemming from her nonstop.
"Ugh! Vinyl!" I shouted, blushing so hard I was sure my entire body had turned pink. "You are such a brute!"
"Oh come on Octy, it was just some fun, lighten up. Too many dumb vampire books for you.", she said sticking out her tongue. I huffed.
"Fine, I'll be going to bed now!"
"Come on Octy, don't be like that."
"I'm not looking at you Vinyl, I am going upstairs and promptly going to bed."
"Fine fine," she said, still chuckling. "Sweet dreams, don't let the bed ponies bite!" She jumped at me again. I was in my room with door locked in the blink of an eye. Her raucous laughter could be heard through the door.
I promptly threw myself into bed. I would never admit it to anyone but Vinyl latching on to me like that was undeniable hot. Not that I'm a fillyfooler but I was pretty heated. Nonono, I was going to bed and I would not being doing anything else.
If the rest of the time in this new house is anything like the past few hours, I was in for a wild ride on a white and blue crazy train.
The next day was a blur of cello practice and music related gossip with my band members. By the time I returned home, the sun was nearly set. Walking through the front door of my home I noted a rather sleepy looking Vinyl Scratch descending the stairs.
"Evening Vinyl. Just wake up?" She merely groaned in response. "That bad huh? Maybe if you actually did something instead of sleep and laze all day you might not be so tired."
"Spare me Octy, please please tell me you've got something cooked up. I am so bucking hungry."
"Yes I've got something that I can fix in a few minutes. Go clean up, you look like one of those dirty clubbers." I replied with a small smirk.
"Yeah yeah yeah, you're the boss Octy."
She climbed back upstairs while I get to work on dinner. Fettuccine Alfredo with a hint of garlic, one of my personal favorites. It was ready before she even finished showering so I set out plates, silverware, and drinks. Knowing her, Vinyl would come down with at least four different energy drinks and completely ignore the water. She must go through entire cases of those in a week. I heard the bathroom door close and hooves clop down the stairs. Vinyl came down the stairs slowly, savoring the aroma of the pasta. What can I say, I'm quite the chef.
When her head finally cleared the landing, I sucked in a small gasp. She had left her mane wet, and colt did it look great-I mean awful; she really should have dried it. That distraction aside, I nodded at her.
"Dinner is ready Vinyl."
"Yeah I could smell it."
She sits down on the opposite side of the table and stoops down to sniff the soup. Her glasses start to slide off her nose and I try to get a quick peak at her eyes. She quickly jerks her head back up and fixes her shades. I can't believe I'd never seen her actual eyes.
"Did you put garlic in this?"
"Yes Vinyl, there is a little garlic. Why?" She glances away and stares at the walls.
"Ugh! Garlic is nasty. I hate it so much."
"Oh come on Vinyl, I bet you can barely even taste it. Just give it a try."
"No freaking way."
"Vinyl, stop being a child and eat the pasta."
"Ugh, fine!" She snatched up the fork and selected the smallest noodle I had ever seen in my life. Vinyl stared at the pasta for a full five seconds before nibbling off the very corner of the noodle. Her face instantly scrunched up into a grimace and she raced into the kitchen.
"Vinyl?"
"Ugh, so freaking nasty!" She said from under the faucet, desperate to get the taste(and the burning sensation) off her tongue.
"Are you okay? You're looking even more pale than usual." She had always been light from a lack of sun, but now she was down right ghostly. She was as pale as a vampire.
Garlic? Vampire? Good gracious Octavia, you really have been reading too many of those vampire books. Still, there was a nagging little voice in the back of my head. Vampires hate garlic. Vampires never go out in the sun. My brows furrowed.
What if Vinyl Scratch was a vampire?
Vinyl Scratch wasn't the kind of pony who stops to enjoy nature.
Come on Vinyl! Let's walk through the castle gardens. No thanks Octy, I'll chill here. In my dark room. With one window. With the blinds closed. You go on ahead, enjoy your walk and...outside.
It really isn't a surprise that she looks the way she does. I wasn't much of an outdoor mare but Vinyl was never outside when it was bright. Ever.
Her excuse? "I get burnt easily."
You'd never see Vinyl out during the day if she could help it. She was always in the shadows. Vampires don't like the sun.
My roommate. A vampire. Hah, what a joke.
She just slept through the day and went to work at night. Her job as a DJ practically required it. During the day, she was a sloth in the forests of Zebrica. During the night, she was DJ Pon3, the live-wire on stage just ready to set off an explosion of wubs and a sea writhing, moving, sweating bodies on the dance floor
"Vinyl, you're coming with me on the walk. End of discussion."
"The sun is still out Octy!" She moaned. I tilted my head to the window where the moon was on the horizon.
"Look at you, all this lying around is making you fat." I gave her a quick swat on the flank.
Oh boy, what did I just start? That evil smirk shot across her face.
"Sorry! Sorry. Wasn't thinking."
She leaned in close, waggling those eyebrows behind her glasses. I stared into her deep violet lenses as her muzzle neared mine. Her nose brushed the very tip of mine before she pulled back, dragging me out the door. I was as red as an Apple Orchards apple.
That's a little too close, Vinyl.
Her warm fur pressed into mine as we walked through the garden. The weather was turning cold as we moved closer towards winter. The chill before the snow was always my favorite time of year. Her fur brushed up against me again and I shivered at the contact. I checked her with my shoulder to push her away a little. For being such a stick, she sure was solid. She chuckled, throwing her foreleg across my back, pulling us close together again. I tried to wiggle away, blushing at the close contact. I gave up quickly and just leaned my head on hers. Yup, just friends.
"You know what Octy, I really like you." She stated looking my way.
Yes, completely platonic friends.
"I like you too?" I said slowly and with more than a little uncertainty in my voice.
Judging from the subtle twitch on her face, that wasn't the answer she was hoping for. She wore her trademark grin like a mask, hiding any emotion. With a short bark of laughter, she pulled me along.
I felt like I should apologize.
"Vinyl, do you think you could head to the store? We're short a few things that I need for dinner."
She groaned. "Do you have any idea how bright and sunny it is out there?"
Taking my silence for a no, she groaned again, and walked into the kitchen pulling, on her black hoodie.
"You just said it was hot outside Vinyl. Why in the world would you put on a jacket?"
"I told you, I burn easily!"
I narrowed my eyes. I was probably reading too much into this, but it all had started to seem so suspicious. We only went out at night, after I had finished with my band and before she went out to her job. Her behavior was beyond irrational. Ponies didn't wear sunglasses inside the house and surely not at night, nor did they sequester themselves away from the sun on a beautiful day like today.
She's a vampire.
Shut up brain.
I tried to get the ignore the thought but there was just too much evidence.
She hates garlic.
Maybe she really is allergic-
She hates the sun.
Maybe she really does have a skin conditi-
She always wears those glasses and has a jacket or coat on outside.
Not everypony can pull off a bow-tie like me.
I kept chopping vegetables for the salad, my mind coming up with crazy conspiracies and certain plots.
"I'm back!" Vinyl yelled through the house.
"Gah!"
I pull back from the counter, a small cut on my hoof. I dropped the knife, it's tip a deep crimson with blood.
"Octy!" Vinyl shouted, gasping at the sight of my bleeding hoof. "Are you okay? Are you feeling dizzy? Light-headed? Do
you need to sit?"
"Vinyl, I'm fine. It is merely a flesh wound."
"You call that fine? It looks like you lost a bar fight!"
"You're completely over exaggerating, just let me get a bandag-"
She snatched up my hoof. "Here, let me see it."
"Vinyl, what are you doing?"
Her muzzle descended closer to my hoof.
"Yuck Vinyl, that is completely unsanitary!"
She didn't stop. She kept sucking on the small cut until the blood was gone and pulled back with an audible pop.
"All better now?" She asked in a sultry tone, an uneasy smile plastered across her face.
I blushed. "Yes." The blood had stopped flowing; I pulled my hoof away. "Thanks, I suppose."
"I'll go get some bandages."
It was her being totally over-protective, that's all. I was lying to myself, there was too much evidence. Everything that novel had said pointed to Vinyl being a vampire. And she had just sucked all the blood off my hoof. I blushed again.
Maybe I could ask for an explanation? ...And have her rip my throat out for discovering her secret. Vampires weren't gentle.
I gasped. Vinyl had tasted my blood already. I trusted her, but that nagging voice in my head wouldn't let me pass it off. What if she couldn't control herself. What if she didn't want to?
I needed some more silverware, and a metric ton of garlic.
"Vinyl?"
Her glasses had slipped down to her nose as she worked on her latest song. Upon hearing my voice, she spit out the pencil she had been devouring in contemplation. She quickly pushed her glasses back up when she saw me staring; trying to get a peak at the mystery behind the purple.
"Hmm? What do you need Octy?" Why did she never use my full name? I told her my full name when we met, but she always used her pet name for me. It was pretty cute I suppose... Cute in a friendly way...Friendly in a platonic way. Yes, that's it.
This was a stupid idea, I shouldn't have said anything. She'd either laugh or rip my throat out.
"Never mind Vinyl, it was a dumb idea. Go back to your work." I waved a hoof dismissively, hoping she would go back to her work and not notice my anxiousness.
"No you're going to tell me. I wanna know Octy." She grinned, a predatory flash of teeth. Vinyl's voice was low and husky. A tomboy to the core. She was interested now. No way I'd be able to escape this one. Best to just get it over quick.
"Doyoubelieveinvampires?"
A small flinch and a quick flash across her face. Great, now I'm food.
"Yup."
"What?" Well, I wasn't dead, and she wasn't laughing. It was a start?
"Is this about those vampire books? Geez, you really have been reading too much Octy. It's all going to your head." She chuckled; I was red as a tomato.
"Don't laugh Vinyl, that's very rude. It was just a dumb question."
"If it's so dumb, why'd you ask?
Curse you and your surprising astuteness. "No reason!" Like ice, Octavia, you're smooth like ice.
Why was I lying to her?
Why was I lying to myself?
What a great idea that was, Octavia. Come on Vinyl, let's go to Canterlot Hall and see a rousing play. Yeah sure Octavia, nothing can go wrong with that. There's only going to be influential nobles, big time musicians, and other assorted VIP's in attendance. Let's bring the rowdy mare friend Not marefriend! along with and see what happens!
It was a desirable place to be. The grand red carpet lead to a massive set of ornate doors filigreed with gold shavings. It formed a mirror of the building's contents. A show, the seats packed, nobles enjoying the view from their boxes. I walked up behind the small line to the entrance with Vinyl in tow. She never was one for lines and promptly began checking out all the mares in front or behind us.
"Oh my god Octy, look at that one," she moaned in my ear, earning a blush from me. I knew she was doing it just to see my blush, but I really couldn't help it. "Look at how much you can see under that dress! She's a trophy for sure."
"Vinyl!" I hissed a I hoofed our tickets to the valley and he led us to our seats. "Do me a favor, and don't ruin my life. Do you even know what would happen if you hit on her as my guest?"
"Um...no?"
"I'll be ruined!' I didn't have an actual reason, I just wanted her to stop checking out other mares. I mean checking out mares. I mean..ugh!
I shushed her for good measure as the show began. It was a pleasant enough play. The orchestra was quite good, but in some of the songs I could hear a cello player play a note a little too flat. I should be up there! What a disgrace, how could someone like that even ge-what was that noise? I glanced over to ask Vinyl if she could hear the strange sounds.
Lo and behold, my cultured guest was asleep, and snoring rather loudly to top it all off. Oh wait, even better. The nobles around us seem rather peeved. Oh good, she woke up. I guess a hoof in the chin helped, but I won't take all the credit.
Vinyl shot me a dirty look. I stuck my tongue out at her. Serves her right, how disgrac-
What is she reaching for? Where did she get that saddlebag? Why does that saddlebag have popcorn and an energy drink in it? Why is she eating the popcorn and slurping her drink? Why is everyone staring at us? Why has the play stopped? Why am I being pelted with instruments?
Why is Vinyl not being choked? Oh wait, she is.
I had her in a nice little head-lock and was grinding her face into the nice little cobblestones. The great and understanding public had kindly escorted us outside where I was promptly ridiculed for bringing such an uncouth, idiotic, disgraceful excuse for a unicorn.
Damn the luck.
"Octy! Can't...breath!"
Oh right, back to murdering her.
"That's the point you idiot! You have ruined me. I am going to murder you, cut you into pieces, and feed you to my next house-guests!" I might have been a little angry.
"That GACK won't solve anything."
"Yes, but it will make me feel much better, dear Vinyl."
Even in her oxygen deprived state she managed to waggle her eyebrows at me when I called her dear. Damn it all. I quickly let her go and distanced myself before she could do anything else.
"I've had enough." I said pointing my nose to the skies. "I am going to have a drink."
I started off in the direction of the nearest bar, ready to drown my sorrows and maybe myself. I was finished in this town.
We continued down the street for a while. Vinyl followed me like a scorned puppy. The bar was at the end of the road, and the cobblestones ahead glimmered beneath the starry sky.
"...Octavia?" I stopped dead in my tracks. "I'm really sorry Octavia. I didn't know you thought it was that important."
"Vinyl, I am so angry with you I am not even going to look at you."
"Octavia, please."
"No, still not looking." I said, pushing the bar door open and heading inside. Manners be damned, she can open her own door.
The bartender looked up from his counter with a winning smile. "Evening ladies, can I get you anything?"
"I will take a sparkling water, and my less than desired cohort here will have?"
"Bloody Mary...extra blood." Vinyl mumbled, her head still hanging. The bartender gave her a pity laugh.
"That bad huh?"
I found a booth and sat down quickly. I had let out a small gasp when she had said that, and they both looked at me oddly. Bloody Mary, extra blood. Vampire. Are you still going on about this? Stop being crazy. She's going to kill you if you don't do something about it. Stop.thinking.
Vinyl sat down in the booth opposite of me, breaking my unwanted train of thought. She set my drink down in front of me and took a long gulp from hers. I downed my glass in a single go. I didn't even look at her.
"...Hey Octavia."
"What Vinyl?"
"...I just want you to really understand. I didn't mean to embarrass you. I'm sorry."
I looked up at her and burst out laughing. Her drink had given her a red mustache. I don't think she knew since she had a very hurt look on her face. Better clear this one up quickly.
"Vinyl," I said, taking a deep breath, trying to calm down. "There's something on your face."
"What? What is it?" She asked, trying to wipe it off. She only managed to smear it down her lips. Funny, looked like blood. I got serious quick.
"You got it, Vinyl. I understand you didn't mean to upset me and I'm sorry I acted how I did." Best to apologize quickly so she wouldn't eat me later tonight. No, not like that.
Besides, it was hard to stay mad at the mare.
"Go on ahead Octy. I have an errand to run."
"At three in the morning?"
"Yeah, it'll just take a sec."
"In that case, I'll come along with you."
"No!"
I blinked. Why had she gotten so defensive and yelled?
"I mean, this is something I gotta do. Alone."
"...Alright, I'll head home. See you later tonight."
Yes, I fully intended to follow her. I set off down the road to our home, stopping after I turned the corner. I counted to about fifteen before I stole a glance back to where she was. She was halfway down the street already, I had better be quick.
I started after her using door stoops, shop fronts, alleys; anything that could hide me. There weren't very many ponies out at night; she'd know I was tailing her if she even caught a glimpse of me.
I ducked into an alleyway and watched her make her way down the road.
"Where could she be headed at this time of night?"
Vinyl whipped her head around, instantly alert. How in the hay did she hear me? She's all the way down the damn street! She stood there, her ears circling and her sunglasses flashing in the moonlight as she searched the streets. I held my breath and stood stock still. What would she even do if she found me? Kill me? Leave me in the alley in a pool of my own blood, trying to suck in air through a neck rended with teeth and fangs. She turned around and quickly went around the corner. I gave myself a few precious seconds to let her get her distance and to catch my breath.
I made my way down the street, and peaked around the corner. Where had she gone? I saw a flash of movement. Doors opening and an electric blue tail entering. What? Why was she at the Canterlot Hospital? Was she sick? Getting a check up? At three A.M.? Not likely. I turned and walked home. If she somehow got back before me I was royally bucked.
I opened the front door and stepped inside. All the lights were off still, either I beat her home or I was about to die. I quietly made my way up the stairs and to my room. Once the door was firmly shut and locked behind me, I relaxed. None of this made any sense. How did I even get wrapped up with a mess like her?
I threw myself into bed with a huff. What is she hiding?
Why?
Half a year ago. It always rained in Manehattan. A never ending down pour from a gray sky that was always full of clouds. The weather team must be huge. I had gotten caught in the rain, and ducked inside the first door I saw. Great, a pub. With a sigh I sat down, hoping that the day couldn't get any worse. The thumping music was already giving me a head ache and the nine empty shot glasses in front of me hadn't done anything to help.
Why was I even here? This wasn't my kind of establishment. I didn't drink, and I would never be caught drunk in public. I was a good mare. Why was I drunk, and being harassed in a bar by some stallions. The next few minutes were a blur, but I'm glad to say I didn't wake in some random stallions bed.
All I remember were crashes, thuds, and yelps of pain and embarrassment.
And her face. Vinyl Scratch.
"Thanks..." I slurred, obviously inebriated.
"Vinyl Scratch, no need to thank me. Here, sit down, I'll grab you some water. Hey barkeep! glass of water and some nachos over here!"
I barely heard the reply, my head was pounding.
"Shesh, you look worse than I usually do." She stated with an unrestrained laugh. "What's your name?"
"Octavia," I managed to gurgle. My articulation, as ever, was flawless.
"Well Octy, don't you worry. I'm gonna fix you right up," she said with a trademark smile and wrapped her hoof around my shoulders.
There was definitely something that attracted me to her. Her attitude and confidence, something like that anyways.
Certainly not her cute little plot.
To put it eloquently, living with Vinyl was like living with cattle. Food littered her floor. Cans, boxes, and wrappers covered every inch of her floor. Her walls were covered in posters. Most were her own. I won't even start on the noise constantly blarring like a strip club(not that I had ever been in one...). Last time I dared into her Tartarus-cursed room, I had stepped in a month old pizza. 'I was saving that!' She's lucky she didn't get food poisoning.
Some times though, she did surprise me. On occasion I would wake to find her cleaning the kitchen or doing the dishes.
A roommate who cleans, fancy that.
"Mornin'."
"Good morning Vinyl, how was your errand?"
"Huh? Oh it was fine."
I paused and bit my lip, hoping for more information. She didn't continue.
"What did you do?"
"I just had to pick up some stuff...for my equipment...yeah."
I stared into her glasses. One day I'll see what she's really thinking.
"Something wrong Octy?"
"Nope, nothing at all."
Why was she lying to me?
"May I please see the list of ponies who visited last night?" I asked the receptionist at the hospital. I had made my way there shortly after breakfast.
The white unicorn eyed me warily. "Sure, name please?"
"Vinyl Scratch."
She gave me another look before turning to her list. "Ahm, here she is. It says she had an appointment with the hematology branch last night."
"Hematology? And that is...?"
"Anything to do with blood."
Blood? vampirevampirevampire Why do you keep bringing this up. Because she's going to murder you. Don't you enjoy being alive? Yes I do, and you aren't helping.
"Is there some sort of blood bank around here?"
"Why yes, there is. Are you interested in donating?"
That made me a little sick. "No, no thank you." I answered quickly and left.
"I have no actual evidence." I said to myself. It's all right in front of you, stop hiding from the truth. Why would she visit that branch of the hospital. To feed obviously. That's it. I am going to prove once and for all that Vinyl Scratch is not a vampire.
Why was Vinyl such a ruffian?
"Have any two's, Octy?" Hah, I've got her now. I did warn her. I am the best go fish player in the world. My entire hand was set, hinging on this one play. I knew she had that queen in there. I chuckled darkly to myself before dropping the hammer with the most coy smile I could pull off.
"Ennope. Go fish Vinyl."
"Son of a bitch!" She threw her cards on the table, which she promptly tossed about ten feet. That was my favorite coffee table.
'Vinyl!" I screeched. "Why the hay did you do that?!?"
She snickered. "Because, it's bucking hilarious!"
"We'll see who's laughing when you have to clean the bathroom!" That shut her up quick. Or maybe it was the door bell.
"Vinyl. Fix the table and clean up your mess while I get the door."
"Yes master." She shot back, sticking her tongue out at me."
"Grow up Vinyl." I said as I pulled the door open. A solid grey wall body-checked me before the door was fully open.
Oh look, stars. Why is everything going black? I think I'm going to take a nap.
"Way...go Ditzy,...killed Vinyl's....marefriend." Huz? What? I bolted upright and then sat back down quickly. I had just head-butted at least three different ponies. Or maybe I was just seeing doubles?
"Holy Celestia, why the hay did you do that Octy?" Okay so maybe I just hit Vinyl.
"Um...ow..." Nope, that was not a voice I had heard before.
I finally opened my eyes to see just who was here. Before me was an odd assortment of mares. Vinyl on the right, nursing her forehead. Yeah that was going to bruise. Next to her was a grey pegasus with a blond mane. She had a goofy smile on her face and while one of her eyes was directly situated on me, the other seemed oddly interested in the ceiling. Next to her was a very mint green unicorn with a watching mane. Her eyes were golden, much like the pegasus'. Beside her, standing rather close, was a cream earth pony with a purple and pink mane. Her eyes were sky blue. I suppose some introductions were in order.
"Hello, I am Octavia. And, I am not Vinyl's marefriend!"
"Ohh, you were right Vinyl, she's totally in the closet." Said the pegasus. This earned a snicker from both unicorns and the cream pony. The pegasus had been the vicious wall that assaulted me in my own home. Who knew walls were so violent?
"In the closet about what exactly?" I snapped at Vinyl. Colt did that shut her up quick.
"Octy, these are my friends. Bon-Bon and Lyra.(They're dating)" How very astute Vinyl. The two mares (who seemed connected at the hip) winked at me. "And Ditzy Doo." The pegasus rolled her eyes at me.
In different directions.
While walking over to shake my hoof and help me stand up.
"Charmed." I said, accepting the extended hoof.
"Sorry for knocking you over. I was just really excited to see Vinyl again and forgot she had a roommate."
"Quite all right dear. Living with that breathing disaster zone has made me quite hardy."
This got a hearty laugh from all of us, Vinyl excluded. She just pouted.
"So guys, what brings you by unannounced?" Vinyl huffed, obviously still miffed over the joke. I'd make it up to her later. Not like that.
"Seriously Vinyl, you moved in forever ago and never invited us over. Rude" Lyra said this, hoofing Vinyl in the shoulder. I didn't like that. Why did I not like that?
"Vinyl dear, why did you not invite your friends for a housewarming? It would have been fun," I cut in quickly as I slid next to Vinyl. Lyra gave me a knowing look. No fair.
"Um, I dunno. We were busy with...stuff? Okay yeah, that's a bad excuse. Sorry I didn't invite you guys, next time I move in with a smoking hot mare I'll tell you." Annnd I was five yards away from her in a flash.
Lyra and bon-Bon both cracked up. Vinyl gave me a funny look, and Ditzy was still staring at my ceiling. I think.
"What? What are you laughing at?"
"Girl, you're worse than I was." This was from Bon-Bon. Nope, I wasn't getting pulled into this.
"Oh look, cards! Who likes playing cards anyone wanna play cards?"
"Poker is so my game!" Lyra and Bon-Bon said in unison.
"What? You totally suck!" They were like twins, neat.
"Alright thunder-thighs, you're on." Lyra said, enveloping the deck with her magic and shuffling them.
"You are so going down cone-head." Bon-Bon retorted.
"Ladies ladies, please. everyone knows I'm the best card player in here." Vinyl said with a smug grin on her face that was just begging to get beat.
"Alright, everyone sit down, let's get it on," Lyra said with more than a little insinuation.
All the mares pulled out their bit pouches. Before the night was over, we were going to be out of a home with Vinyl's luck. While the cards were being dealt, I took another chance to examine our guests.
Lyra and Bon-Bon were sitting next to each other, but doing their best to keep their cards as hidden from each other as possible. Ditzy was sitting between the couple and Vinyl, examining her set like a tasty salad. Note to self: watch her, she's the wildcard. I bet those eyes would come in handy in a tight spot. Vinyl sat next to me, ordering her cards with a grim look of determination. She probably had horrid cards, that was her bluff face. And there I was, doing my best to scoop up my cards and learn how to play this "poker" before I was hundreds of bits poorer.
Oh boy, I've gone and gotten myself mixed up in something totally outrageous yet again.
Why does this always happen to me?
I tossed a few bits into the ever-growing pile. I glanced at my cards for the umpteenth billion time. I had no idea what they meant and I had even less of an idea about what was going on. I was in some serious trouble.
Oh look, with that new card they laid down, I had three of those "K" dealies.
"Alright, show em'!" Lyra cronned. Hopefully she didn't have anything or Vinyl and I's take-out fund would be wasted. She slapped her cards on the table.
"Two pair ace's and six's!" She gloated.
Bon-Bon groaned and set her cards down. All she had was a pair of two's.
Vinyl put her's down next. "Great going Vinyl, you had all of nothing." Bon-Bon joked.
I shot her a scathing look. "So much for eating out for the rest of the month."
"Nice Vinyl, third base already!" Lyra whooped. I buried my face in my hooves. How had I not seen that coming. Vinyl gave me a sheepish look.
"Sorry Octy..."
'It's fine, really," I said as I set down my cards. "I only had three of those 'K' picture cards." Vinyl started.
"You realize that's a winning hand right now right?"
"Frankly I had no idea."
"Well, we might have take-after all. Whatcha got Ditz?"
"Hm? Oh, I have one of those Royal Flush things."
"Annnd, there goes any chance at Pony Joe's." Vinyl groaned.
"What! FFFF-"
I flipped the table.
Lyra and Bon-Bon could only laugh as Ditzy slid the last of the bits into her now full saddle bag.
"Girls, I'd love to stay and chat, but I have to go buy every muffin in Canterlot." The others nodded in understanding and waved her off. Am I the only one confused here?
"She kinda has a thing for muffins." Vinyl explained.
"What kind of 'thing'?"
"...You don't want to know."
Oh, that kind of thing.
Lyra asked to talk with Vinyl in private while Bon-Bon waited outside. I busied myself cleaning up the mess I had made. It was completely worth it. Vinyl came back in after a couple of minutes.
"Don't you ever dare tell them, but your friends are a thrill." I told her.
"Can't lie, they are pretty great." She said, chuckling.
We cleaned up the mess and went to bed. Separate beds. In different rooms. Yup.
It was pitch black in the house. Luna's moon was high in the night sky. The stars glittered in the sky, a soothing view for the restless. A perfect time for snooping.
I had left my door open. Open doors are very conducive for sneaking. They don't creak, squeak, or groan. I exited my room, using my amazing night vision (not) to cross the hall. I fumbled around in the dark for a solid five minutes before I found the handle to Vinyl's room. Here's hoping she doesn't lock her door when she gets back from work, late at night. Every noise from the door was a train, smashing my plans to smithereens. If she had heard me all the way down the street that night, there was no way she didn't wake up from this. I sat next to the door, waiting for impending doom.
Seconds turned into minutes. You've got to be kidding me. I pushed open her door and calmly stepped inside.
*Crunch!*
There was a potato chip on the floor, obviously left as a pre-warning system. Clever girl. I glanced at Vinyl. She was dead to the world; her snores reverberating throughout the room. I slunk up to her, careful to avoid her minefield of assorted chips, pizza boxes, and empty cans. Quite harrowing, but not impossible for someone with my incredible talent. (Not)
I was at the edge of her bed; she slept like a foal. Why was my heart pounding? It was because I was being super sneaky right? Right? Oh, wait. I wasn't breathing. I sucked in a large, silent gasp of precious air. Breathing, check.
She was sleeping on her face. I'm surprised the pillows did nothing to stop those snores. How was I going to get her to roll over without her waking up? I couldn't push her. I didn't have magic to pick her up. I couldn't tickle her with a wing. Oh! Oh! Idea!
I placed a forehoof on the bed, slowly putting more and more weight on it. One leg at a time, I slid on to the bed. The new weight pushed down on the mattress, causing her to turn, searching for that perfect spot. Unfortunately for me, her perfect spot was snuggled up next to me. There I was, trapped by a sleeping mare. The plan had sounded brilliant in my mind.
I may be in the thick of it, but I can still get my answers.
I slowly reached my hooves up to take off those damned sunglasses. She wore them to bed to spite me, I swear. My hooves connected with the glasses, causing them to move slightly on her face. So this is what bomb technicians feel like. I had a potentially angry vampire in my arms as I attempted to reveal her secret. I really could have thought this out better.
Slowly but surely, I slid the glasses off her nose. When they finally came off I was rather annoyed. The dumb mare had a sleeping mask on...under her sunglasses. I groaned.
Now I'm screwed. I slapped a hoof to my lips, cutting it off as quickly as it had started. Vinyl started to shift underneath me. I was screwed. Royally and totally screwed. I was too entangled in her legs to escape without totally waking her up. Maybe I could play this off as a dream. She pulled me in ever tighter, probably to keep me from escaping.
"Mmhhh...Octy." She mumbled. Oh, still asleep. Lady Luck decided to stop hating me I suppose.
She's dreaming about me. I'm quite flattered. Er, that is to say, flattered she would dream of me in a friendly way-
My train of thought was sent off it's rails abruptly as she squeezed my neck. I've mentioned it a few times, Vinyl is surprisingly strong. I gurgled a little and tried to wiggle out of her death grip. No air, she's going to strangle me in her sleep. She viced me closer still before...nuzzling me. My face lit up like a neon sign in Las Pegasus. Gee, did it suddenly get way too hot in here, it felt like my face was going to melt right off. She managed to pull me even closer. No, it's okay. I love it when she violates my personal space. And other things
So...why did it feel nice? I'm about to be choked to death by my roommate and all I can think about is how soft her fur is. How wonderful her mane feels. How adorable she is when she sleeps. Why did it feel good when she smiled at me, or laughed at my jokes? Why did it feel good when she bumped up against you when you walked together anywhere you went?
How can you even stand to be near her? She's a slob. A giant mess. She is obnoxious, loud, tomboy-ish-
And I was oh so very hot for her.
It seems there are things in life that the individual cannot control. How one feels. Whom one loves. Reasons and explanations aren't required. The feelings manifest themselves in an intrusive way, changing ones life for better or for worse. There is no way I was in love with a mare. I needed her to stop drooling on me. I needed to get this all straightened out quickly. I couldn't even begin to imagine the effect it would have on my career. I'd be ever more ruined than last time. The social ramifications would be overwhelming. it would be all over the news papers. Prominent cello player a fillyfooler. Octavia caught with mare!
And yet, there I was. In the arms of another mare. Quite overjoyed with my new-found knowledge.
Life knows two miseries. Getting what you don't want and not getting what you want. The trouble with wanting something is the fear of losing it, or never getting it.
Finally she loosened her grasp on me and I slipped away, undetected, slipping beneath my covers and shivering. My bed was cold. Empty.
I came home in a foul mood the next day. Rehearsal had not gone well. My mind was wandering. I discarded my items and sat down to mull over what exactly had gone wrong.
I just couldn't get Vinyl out of my head. Call it puppy love, I was head over hocks in love with that tomboy. My performances had suffered because of it. Everyone had agreed to call it an early day. That damn mare. I had done my best to just brush off Vinyl's overt friendliness as her nature. I had known of course, it had been obvious from the start. The pale mare had wanted me ever so badly. She'd stuck it out for months and I liked her all the more for it.
I couldn't get into a relationship with her. My life literally depended on it. I would never have another job. I would be known where ever I went, watched and whispered about. Was I going to risk all that for her?
I needed a drink to clear my thoughts.
I stood, shaking it all from my head. Something to help me relax would be wonderful.
I meandered into the kitchen. Vinyl had done the dishes again I noticed. She had been doing that more and more often as of late. She knew I had noticed. Persistent mare, I must give her credit.
I opened the fridge, and brought out the first thing I laid hooves on.
A full blood-bag. Sitting in my hoof. I'd like to say I acted like a calm and composed mare of class. I chucked that motherfucker and screamed like a little foal for a solid hour. I'm sure the neighbors heard me. I'm sure guards were called. I'm sure I didn't open the door for them. I'm sure I put the blood bag back. I'm sure I sat down on my couch.
And came up with a plan to kill my vampire roommate.
"Hey Octy, I'm home! You around?"
"Yes Vinyl, I am in the kitchen."
She trotted into the kitchen levitating some envelopes. She looked the same as she ever did. White coat, blue mane and tail. Hoodie. Sunglasses. She may have looked the same, but I now that I knew Vinyl was a vampire I wasn't about to let my guard down. She saw me standing in by the fridge, cleaning silverware by hoof.
"You had some mail. Y'know we have a thing to do that right?" She gestured at the silverware.
"I'm very aware, Vinyl. Thank you for bringing in the mail."
She tried to step past me and open the fridge. I kept the silverware in my hoof and scooted in front of her.
"Um Octy, can you move? I'm trying to get a drink." This should be all the proof I could ever have and more.
"Oh here, let me grab it for you." I opened the fridge, grabbed as many bloodbags as I could and flung them in her face.
"That the drink you're looking for?"
She looked astonished. I can understand that I suppose. Must be disconcerting, having someone throw blood in your face. She quickly set her mouth in a grim line.
"Octavia, you're making a big mistake." She sounded different. Huskier. Deadlier.
"You are going to tell me exactly why those are in my fridge and if I don't like the answer you are going to leave."
"I'm not going to warn you again, Octavia. You are about to make a huge mistake."
"Oh really?"
Now for part two. I stepped backwards ever so slowly, never taking my eyes off her. My flank hit the counter and I quickly coated my hoof in the garlic powder that I had mashed up earlier. Her nose twitched. She looked from me to my hoof and back again. She snarled, inch long fangs poking from her maw. This wasn't going to end well for me.
Vinyl lunged, smashing into me and throwing me across the room. It was the fastest I had ever seen anypony move. She enveloped me in her magic and threw me into the living room, the silver knife tumbling away. She stalked closer, keeping me pinned with her magic.
"I warned you Octy."
She leaned down, her fangs nearing my neck. I screamed. I thrashed. Anything to get her away from me. Vinyl picked me up and slammed me into the ground leaving me dazed. Her magic faded as she leaned in again. The hoof stupid. Oh, right. I smashed her across the brow with my garlic covered hoof. The garlic burnt her where I had connected, blackening the fur and sending her backwards screaming in pain. Her shattered sunglasses fell from her face and I was her eyes for the first time. They were blood red.
I crawled up the stairs, her shrieks indication of a few moments respite. Walking was a no-go, I was pretty battered just from her charging me, not even starting on what was probably broken from her slamming me. Earth ponies were naturally strong, but we weren't built for that kind of force. I stretched up, opening my door and sliding inside. When I closed the door and clicked its lock into place, I noticed I had left a red smear all the way up the stair and too my room. So much for hiding, I'd be lucky to live even if she stopped now. I pulled myself over to my bed and propped myself up against it. The screaming had stopped and I could hear hoofsteps coming up the stairs.
A snuffling sounded from the door. The knob jiggled.
"I know you're in there Octy. I know you're cowering in fear. Did you see all the blood you left behind? Can't lie, it was a pretty tasty snack." The sound of smacking lips echoes under the door. "Open up, I'll make it quick."
"Fuck you Vinyl."
"Octavia, open the door. Now. Last warning."
"Fuck you!"
"Ready or not, here I come!"
The door exploded off its hinges. It crushed the nightstand in an explosion of wood chips and other debris. Vinyl stepped into the room. She picked me up again and hurled me into the wall. I hit with a wet crunch. Ow.
I slid down the wall, coming to rest on the bed. Vinyl flashed her predatory smile, her blood red eyes glowing in the half-dark of my room. She sauntered over to the bed, obviously enjoying herself if the waggle from her hips meant anything. It was a game to her, she probably hadn't fed like this in ages.
"What a shame it took all of this to get you in bed." She fluttered her eyes. I tried to respond, but all I could do was cough up a thin trail of blood. It started to slide down my chin. Vinyl eyed it quietly, before grabbing me by my hooves and yanking me underneath her on the bed.
She arched her head down and licked the blood off my chin. She whispered in my ear.
"The things we could have done Octy, they'd make Lyra and Bon-Bon blush..." She licked my jawline, ear to ear.
"If you're going to kill me just get it over with." I coughed, hacking up another bit of blood.
"Ohh, feisty. " She lapped at the blood, her warm tongue dampening my cheeks. "Very well then."
She reared up, arching her back and opening her mouth wide. Her fangs glinted in the dim light.
I could feel them sink into my neck, before she drew them back quickly and went to work as the blood gushed. If I hadn't been busy dying, I would have been more than a little flustered with her latched onto my neck, sucking away.
"Vinyl," I gasped, feeble pushing her back. She had stopped her suckling, a confused look on her face.
"Usually my food doesn't talk while I'm in the middle of this." She leaned back down, but I caught her chin with my hoof.
"Vinyl. I love you." I kissed her. I could taste blood. My blood. I went light headed, falling backwards out of the kiss.
The last thing I saw was her startled face. Her eyes had changed to a lighter pinkish hue, her mouth in a startled frown as recognition then horror marred her beautiful features. My vision blacked out and I fell into a never ending abyss.
"Oh Celestia, what the hell did I do? Octavia!" The words echoed down after me but soon lost their meaning.
