Bows and Bass

Vinyl stepped into her house, a little disappointed at herself.

“Ah, Vinyl. There you are. Care for some tea?” Octavia asked.

“No thanks.” Vinyl said gloomily.

“Is something wrong? You look a little upset.”

Vinyl sighed as she plopped onto the couch. “That gray pegasus. I found out his father was Iron Strings, but it didn’t really go so well. He even kicked me out of his room.”

Octavia raised an eyebrow. “Iron Strings? We incapacitated the son of a rock and roll musician?”

“Yeah. He doesn’t really like that fact, though.”

Octavia scratched her chin. Being a musician herself, she could see the stress involved there. “Well, why did he kick you out?”

“Well, I kinda went through his stuff.”

Octavia glared at her roommate. “Vinyl! Did you actually invade his personal space?!”

“I was bored, ok!?” Vinyl sighed.

Octavia rolled her eyes. “Well, what is he like?”

“He seems fine. I think his ears might have recovered.” Vinyl said, summoning a mug of coffee.

“No, I mean is he... nice?” Octavia asked, glancing out the window.

Vinyl turned her head in confusion. “He’s alright. He seem’s a little distraught about his father, but I guess if you look past that, he seems like an average pony. He’s not that bad.”

“But I thought you said he kicked you out.”

“That’s understandable. I went through his stuff. However...”

“However, what?”

“He got kind of antsy when I found another picture. It looked like a group of his friends.”

“Odd... I wonder why that would ruffle his feathers.” Octavia pondered.

“Whatever. He seems upset with me. Not sure if he’d appreciate any more company.”

“Perhaps not from Vinyl Scratch...” Octavia thought.

<><><><><><>

The sun was a little higher in the sky, hours after Vinyl’s morning ‘visit’.

Octavia stepped into the hospital, and was quickly greeted by Nurse Redheart. “Why, hello, Miss Octavia. Here to see that new friend of yours?”

“Yes. How is he doing?” The earth pony said, following the nurse down the hallway.

“He’s doing much better. His eardrums have healed rather quickly, and his wing isn’t half bad either.” She said, stopping at a closed door. “This is his room.”

“Thank you, nurse.” Octavia nodded, then creaked the door open. The grey pegasus sat in his bed, moving a pencil amongst the pages of a notebook. He hadn’t noticed the cellist until she cleared her throat.

“Ahem.”

The stallion looked up from his book, and closed it. “Oh, hi there. Do I know you?” he asked, with a small smirk on his face.

“Well... My name’s Octavia. My friend Vinyl visited you earlier.” She said, taking a seat next to the hospital bed.

“Octavia, eh? I’ve heard great things about your symphonies. And it looks like musicians can’t stay away from me.” The pegasus said, but his expression turned a little sour. “So, you and Vinyl Scratch are friends?”

“Well, roommates to be exact. She gets a little... headstrong.” Octavia sighed.

“You two are roommates? Talk about an odd couple.” The pegasus muttered.

“True, we do have our differences. But Vinyl’s a kind pony. She always means well.”

“Yea, I’m sure she meant well as she was going through my stuff.”

“Well, she’s truly sorry about that.” Octavia chuckled. “And I’m sorry too. For letting Vinyl put you in this predicament.”

“It’s ok. I don’t blame you as much as Vinyl. From the sound of what happened, she knocked me out of the sky with her ‘cannon’.” The stallion said, patting his ears gently.

Octavia rolled her eyes. “Ugh... don’t get me started on that ‘bass’ of hers. She think’s its the solution to everything! Even when she washes the dishes...”

The stallion shrugged. “Bass is alright. It’s good for setting a beat and adding tone as you focus on the melody.” He replied.

“You seem to know a lot about music.” Octavia said.

“Well, my dad is a musician. I guess these sort of things rub off onto you.”

“Oh, of course! Vinyl told me that father was Iron Strings. It must be pretty exciting.”

“Well, not really. I’ve rarely seen him.”

“Er....right. I suppose Vinyl explained that as well.” There was a short pause. “So, what did you say your name was again?” She asked, hoping to change the subject.

The pegasus smiled a little. “Actually, I didn’t. My name’s Gray Steel.”

“Quite a name.”

“I guess so. I got it from my dad since he plays metal.”

“He... plays metal?”

“Yeah. You know, metal music?” Gray Steel said.

“I’m afraid I don’t follow. What’s it like?” Octavia asked, hoping it wasn’t like any techno-music that Vinyl played so often.

Steel Drift smirked a little. “Well... you use an electric guitar. And a bass and drums. It’s a perfect mix of chaos and harmony.” He said.

Octavia grew curious of the analogy. Ever since Discord wreaked havoc on Ponyville, Octavia grew afraid of any sort of mayhem where it didn’t belong. But combining it with harmony... she could only picture Discord and Celestia putting aside their differences to create something marvelous. Could such a thing be possible?

“That seems... fascinating.” She mused, tapping her chin with her hoof.

“Doesn’t it?” Gray Steel asked.

“Yes... I certainly must see it for myself.” She muttered. She then glanced at a clock on the wall. “Oh, my, look at the time! I have to get planning!” She said, and stood up from her chair.

“Planning? For what?” Gray Steel asked.

“You see, Vinyl and I have small contests in which we improvise our music in short periods of time. In which we add a different flair to keep it interesting.” Octavia explained. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’ll have to cut this little visit short.”

Gray Steel nodded. “I understand. I’ll, uh... catch you later?” He said a little sheepishly.

Octavia turned to him as she smirked. “Perhaps. It was nice meeting you.” She said, and walked out the door.

Gray Steel sighed. “Holy mackerel. She was cute.” He thought. The stallion picked up his bag, and pulled out the picture and him and his friends. “I wonder if there okay. Last time I saw them they were being blown away in that storm.” He reminisced on his friends numerous times. But it didn’t help him feel any better.

Gray Steel heard the door open once more and tucked the photo back into the bag. It was Nurse Redheart, holding a clipboard between her teeth. She set it down on a nearby table. “Good news, sir. You’re free to leave the hospital. You won’t be needing these anymore.” She said.

“How long was I sitting here?” Gray Steel thought to himself as Nurse Redheart began unwrapping the bandages around Gray Steel’s ears. “Thanks, Doc.” He said, and passed her a small pouch of bits from his bag. He slid out of the bed, and stretched out his legs. “Finally. I gotta get moving.”

“Not so fast. Your ears may have recovered, but not your wing. I would recommend you avoid flying for at least a full day.” Redheart warned.

“Whatever you say, doc.” Gray Steel replied, as he went to view the Ponyville sights.