"Well now good morning Octavia! Would you like to say hi to our guest, Vinyl?"

They say first impressions can determine how a person thinks of you for as long as they know you. In the past, when I met someone new I was expected to offer a hoof, make small talk, and ask about life. Usually that was how things went and nothing ever went wrong.

That was not the case this time. As soon as I heard my mother speak, my front hoofs slipped on the blanket I was wrapped in and I ended up face planting on a hardwood floor. I must have yelped when I slipped because as I was sitting up I heard a light giggling from across the floor. Quickly looking around I spotted the source. Sitting right across from me was that white filly from last night, still wrapped in a bundle of blankets.

When her giggling had stopped, she looked up and locked eyes with me. That small grin on her face fell.

Though I was young at the time, I wasn't as innocent as most fillies my age. Being the only earth pony in an all unicorn school was a royal pain. I had been call everything from dirt to words that would make the guard cry. But I had gotten used to it. I was better at playing my instrument than them anyways.

Nothing had prepared me for what shot out of those fillies eyes. I suddenly felt like crying. It wasn't the fact that she had red eyes, but the pain that seemed to glow in them. What I saw staring at me were not the eyes of a filly. but of someone who had lived a full life of nothing but pain. It was though even the happiness of Hearthwarming had died and in its place was left a cold wasteland. Not even the fire or the blankets could keep me from shivering.

"Um... Ah... Hi..." I mumbled. "My name is Octavia..."

She stared at me for a second and then small smile lit her face.

"Nice to meet you. My name's Vinyl."

I honestly didn't know what to say. All I could do was stare into those red eyes. After another few moments, something inside me sparked. I stood up and walked over to her. I don't know why I did it but I reached out and pulled her into biggest hug I had ever given. I think I shocked her as much as I shocked myself. Even my parents who had been watching from the sidelines would later say they had not been expecting that.

It was strange. To be hugging someone I had just met. All I knew was her first name, but somehow it felt like the right thing to do.

I was about to let go when suddenly she placed her head on my shoulder and began to cry. My fur quickly became soaked with her tears, but I wasn't going to complain. I just held her tighter.

"Please don't leave me... Not like everyone else..."

Her voice could barely be heard.

"Don't worry, I won't."

Who knew where that promise would take me?

Author's Note

Yes, yes. It is short. Tomorrows will be much longer. We are going to finally see some of Vinyl's past so stay tuned!!!