Spin that Record
Looked like fall was beginning in Canterlot, the wind was brisk and felt as though it pierced straight to the bone. It blew past a young mare ruffling her coat and nearly taking her hat with it. She hissed sharply raising a hoof to keep her hat in place and burying her muzzle into the matching purple scarf she wore. Her mane was a mess by now she imagined, black tresses strewn about looking all wind-blown.
"At least it's not raining." Octavia grumbled ruefully to herself as she trekked to her destination. Trottingham would be suffering a downpour right now she just knew it. Her trot slowed to a slow walk as thoughts of home flooded her brain. "None of that now Octavia, you're here now. The least you can do is try to enjoy it." She chided herself. Shaking her head to clear away lingering images the young cellist picked up her pace eager to get to her destination.
The Saddledome was as impressive as she'd imagined it would be. She had heard that the venue was home to the largest indoor Pegasi racing track in Equestria. That's not what she came here for though, the Saddledome was also known for hosting all of Canterlots most poplar conventions and it just so happened that the "Welcome to the Royal Canterlot Academy of Music" festival qualified as a large convention.
Technically students had been attending class for 3 weeks now so the event was a little late and it was open to the public, but Octavia hadn't cared. She needed a distraction and a lame school event would be perfect. Her homesickness had finally taken its toll on the teenager and she hadn't had much luck with friends either. Octavia had discovered very quickly how prejudice ponies could truly be, as the only Earth Pony in her very Unicorn dominated class. The fact that her professors continued to praise her as a musical genius and for being so young, yes she even carried the title of Youngest Earth Pony to Ever Attended the RCAM, hadn't helped matters either.
Octavia gazed out over the festival taking everything in. There were young ponies and their parents slowly meandering around the booths, the foals looked like they would rather be anywhere else. Students were gathering at the school based booths and clubs.
What's a fraternity?
On opposing corners she could see two stages set up. A DJ Booth was set up on her right and to her left a stage with a Baby Grand Piano displayed. Going with familiarity the cellist made her way to the left side of the indoor facility, stopping at the booths that caught her interest. She took her time and spoke with each pony with poise, politeness and an ever refreshing curiosity. Some of the ponies were former students, others were rookie orchestra members and there were even some self-made indie artists hanging around. The Earth Pony appreciated the variety.
Soon enough the 16-year-old cellist found herself coming full circle. The DJ booth now stood before her. The speakers were blaring some sort of electronic mess of sound. There were a few ponies gathered, some scoffing while others looked truly curious. Behind the ever so seasoned looking turntables stood a Unicorn with a white coat and chaotic blue mane wearing purple goggles?!
Who is this character?
Octavia chuckled quietly as the DJ did a scratching demo for a young colt who couldn't have been more then 6. The Unicorn, she, was grinning wildly obviously enjoying entertaining the little one. He hesitantly approached the stage and tried to peer at what she was doing. A red glow suddenly encased the foal and he was drop onto one of the platters. A shriek of laughter followed as he spun round and round, followed by a completely unexpected and blood curdling scream.
"Precious Star!! My baby!!"
Octavia found herself pushed roughly into the wall next to her as a frantic mare rushed the stage. She ripped her son off the turntables kissing him and cooing to him, while the poor thing tried helplessly to escape her clutches. The cellist recovered enough to glare a bit at the foals mother.
How rude.
Moments later Octavia was reacquainted with the wall when a tall, important looking stallion brushed past her. He approached the booth with a menacing glare that made the young mare cringe for the DJ. She had been around the elite long enough to know that this stallion was about to lay all the blame on the missing child on the poor disc jockey. The crowd has dispersed by then most of them snickering and talking about how she deserved it. Octavia kept her distance instead watching in distaste until the stallion and his wife walked away, their foal looking all kinds of heart broken. The DJ was unreadable thanks to her goggles, but her shoulders had sagged and her head drooped.
Poor girl. Perhaps I can at least make her feel a little better.
"Hello." She spoke with confidence and poise as she approached the booth.
"You lose a foal too? Want me to see if I hid him somewhere?" A bitter voice greeted her. The DJ was packing up, the red glow of her magic sweeping around her deck and the stage.
"Um. No. Truthfully I thought what you did with the foal was adorable." A loud snort followed her words.
"Pfft. Right. You wanna find his mom and tell her that?" The DJ finally stopped what she was doing and turned to face Octavia.
Wow.
The cellist raised an eyebrow when the silence between them became more then a little awkward. "Ahem. Heh. Sorry. I can't stand Canterlot ponies. Hehe."
"I'm sure they can't be all bad." Octavia answered still giving the other mare a funny look.
"Yeah, sure." The alabaster unicorn responded distractedly and she continued to pack her things and, if Octavia wasn't mistaken, deliberately avoiding looking at the cellist.
...What is going on with her?
"So, uh, you gotta name toots?"
"Octavia." She sneered slightly.Toots? "I assume your parents named you as well?"
"Sure did. Just me and my mom though." She grew quiet for a moment. "Anywho that name's Vinyl Scratch."
"Pleasure to meet you Vinyl." She held out a hoof expecting to shake, like civil, mature adult ponies do. The Unicorn sent a funny look her way before shrugging and giving her a hoofbump before turning away again. Octavia stared at her hoof immensely confused for a moment.
"So Octy any reason you're chillin' at my booth or.."
"Don't call me that." Vinyl looked over at the grey mare, she was sitting on the edge of the stage suddenly looking quite tense. "Actually it's getting late I should probably get going."
"Yeah, sure." Vinyl was staring again, until Octavia nodded and stood, making her way to the step stool on the side. "No! I mean.. Ugh. Hang on. Listen I'm sorry I said something to offend you or whatever. It was just the first thing that came to mind. I don't think before I speak! It's a bad habit my friends tell me I need to work on." The Unicorn rushed after her and finished her speech rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. "Sorry Octavia."
"No, it's fine." The cellist slightly overwhelmed with the exuberance in Vinyls apology. "My name is Octavia though. I'll thank you to remember."
Pfft. Like I'll ever call her that regularly. Octy is totally off limits though... Regularly?
Scratch looked at the younger mare again, she looked tense and well... Lonely. Everypony else had showed up in groups or pairs at least. Octavia was alone. Your shit's all packed up Vi. Why not?
"You look like you could use some ice cream."
Author's Note
I had a few ideas about some Tavi/Scratch oneshots kicking around and I finally decided to publish them. Let me know what you think.
