Second Chances: Between the Lines

Second Chances: Between the Lines
By Hero541
The Embarrassment

Vinyl ran from the crowd gathered around her stage, tears filling her eyes as the music floated along the air towards her. Her show had been going pretty smoothly, or so she figured it was. A few ponies had left earlier, but most stayed, and a couple had even cheered for her as she was onstage. It had been a good night so far.

However, when the time for an intermission came, she never noticed Xploshun sneak off and take control of the show. Once she noticed him on the stage beginning to play his music and make the crowd go wild, she couldn’t take it. She even saw a few ponies give her a malicious look or smile before they turned back to the stage and the performance going on there.

It was all too much for her, so she just began running away from her embarrassment. She was on her way to the Frosty Mug pub, remembering that Octavia had said she’d meet her there after the show was over. Few ponies were out at this time of night, and the few who were didn’t even acknowledge her. She was almost glad to be ignored by them now. Receiving no greeting was better than getting one that made her feel worse.

Soon, the bar came into view and she rushed into its doors. Peering around, she saw the gray mare at a table, sipping her drink slowly. The two locked eyes as Vinyl entered, and Octavia immediately became concerned. Both ponies exchanged a silent glance of understanding as Octavia stood up and paid for her drink. Vinyl stepped outside, not wanting to be seen crying by all the bar patrons.

“Vinyl, dear.” said Octavia as she exited the bar, “What happened? Your show wasn’t supposed to be done for another hour?”

“C-can we go h-home to talk about this?” said Vinyl through her tears.

“Of course we can, Vinyl.”

With that, the two made their way back to Octavia’s house, which was only a few blocks from the bar. Neither one said anything the whole way there, the only sound between the two mares was the occasional sniffle or small sob from the distraught unicorn. Soon, they approached the somewhat large dwelling, Octavia rushing to open the door. Vinyl ran inside and collapsed on the couch.

“Now, what happened?”

Slowly, and with many breakdowns along the way, Vinyl told Octavia everything that had happened. Octavia’s expression changed from one of sadness for her friend, to one of anger at the events that had transpired.

“So, he just ran up there and took over your show? Why didn’t anypony try to stop him?”

“Th-they were probably too s-scared to. He’s that r-really tall guy that s-showed up here.”

“Whatever his size, that doesn’t give him the right to upstage some innocent pony who was just trying to do a show!”

“T-Tavi, what do I do? I’ll be a laughingstock! Ponies already are saying t-that I-I don’t deserve my c-cutie mark!” wailed Vinyl, breaking down into fresh sobs.

Octavia felt guilt tug at her chest at Vinyl’s words. She could never tell her the truth, that all the ponies at that show tonight were ones she had paid to show up. Nothing would make her happier than to see Vinyl do what she loves so much and make music to entertain ponies. However, even Octavia couldn’t deny that sometimes, the music Vinyl tried to make was just so bucking awful. But, if it meant that her best friend could be happy (and that her self confidence could rise at seeing a crowd gathered to watch her) she was more than willing to throw down few bits to ponies.

“I don’t know if I wanna do this anymore.” said Vinyl, more fresh tears falling from her beautiful crimson-magenta eyes, ”I-I’m no b-bucking good at it! Maybe I w-was better off just staying at the r-radio station with Neon.”

“Vinyl, you love making music!” exclaimed Octavia, a little taken aback at her friends’ sudden words, “I know that tonight didn’t go well, but you can’t just give up. We’ll get you another show, and it’ll be wonderful.”

“NO!” shouted Vinyl, making Octavia jump a little, “I’m not doing anymore shows! All that happens is I go up there and embarrass myself and just give ponies another reason t-to m-make fun of me!”

As the unicorn was overtaken by her emotions once more, Octavia felt a rage burn in her mind. Somepony had made her friend give up all her hope. They were going to pay for this. She’d make sure of that.

“Where does this… Xploshun live? Do you know?” she asked, her voice shaking with anger.

“H-he’s staying with Rarity.”

“Very well then.” said Octavia, making up her mind as to what she was going to do come morning, “You go get to bed, dear. It’s been a terribly long night for you. Just leave this situation to me, and I’ll take care of it.”

Vinyl nodded, then climbed from the couch, giving Octavia a quick hug before heading up the stairs and to her room. Octavia remained downstairs, her rage still building. She would get no sleep that night. Somepony owed Vinyl an apology, and she would see to it that it would be made. No matter what.