The music was flowing, the bass was turned up, and all the partygoers were having a great time. That's why ponies come to Las Pegasus. To relax, get away from it all. So why was your mind dredging up these memories? You needed to take a break from your turntables... Maybe get a drink and just chill for a bit. Yeah, that sounded like a good idea.
You motioned for the other DJ to come take over for a bit as you headed over to the bar. Sitting down, the memories came flooding back to you. Why? Why did they have to surface now? All these ponies... They'd come here to relax, let the stress of their work fade away and party. Let loose. Yet here you were, having some kind of mental breakdown about something that happened so long ago.
Your mother had told you to go to your room. When you asked why, she only screamed at you to go to your room and stay quiet. Not wanting to get a spanking, you ran up to your room and shut the door. But you had to know why. Why did she tell you to do that? Pressing your ear up against the door to you room, you listened intently for a clue as to why she-- The front door opened and then slammed shut.
Father? He was home early. He never came home early... Mother always told you he was sick or tired... That's why he would come home so late. It wasn't until now that you'd realized he was an alcoholic. He would drink like a fish out of water. That night though... That night was different. You recall pressing your head against the door to try and hear what was going on.
Why were they fighting? You heard something that sounded like a slap maybe? And then your mother... crying? Why would she cry? She always told you that she loved your father very much... You'd opened the door slowly and quietly, making sure to not make a sound. You crept down the stairs and followed the noises into the kitchen. He was making funny noises though... There were tears in mother's eyes and she was sniffling.
When she noticed you, she choked out a sort of yell, "VINYL! GO TO YOUR ROOM!" You remember running up to your room and hiding under your bed. Shortly thereafter though, you heard steps come up the stairs. You remember being dragged by your tail from under your bed... Then... He... He... He touched you... You shuddered and asked the bartend for a drink.
"Vinyl, are you alright?"
"Y-Yeah, just need a drink is all. Thanks."
He nodded and went back to his other patrons. After it was over... There was blood. Blood all over the bed, like he'd broken something in you. It hurt so much... You were so sore... And scared... You'd hit him really hard over the head with your lamp... He'd said something.
"You'll never be anything but a freak. No stallion will ever love you. You're a broken freak! Look at what you did on the bed!"
Whatever possessed you to hit him with the lamp... It just felt... right. But after? You panicked. You grabbed whatever you could fit into your little saddlebags and ran. Past your father on the ground, past your mother in the kitchen, right out the door; crying all the while.
You'd tried forgetting... But you couldn't. No matter how hard you tried, the memories would follow you wherever you went. Every stallion you met seemed to be just as your father. They only wanted one thing. That's all they cared about.
In all your time since then, you'd never gotten close to a stallion. Or another pony, really. Save for the bartender. But he was gay, so that didn't count. You sighed and downed your drink quickly. After setting your glass back down, the bartend was already talking with you.
"So, you gonna tell me what's bothering you or not?"
"Who said something was bothering me?"
"You can hide behind your wee goggles all you want, but I know you Vinyl." You sighed and shook your head.
"Marty, you're a good pal, but I'm fine, really. I just needed a break and something to drink is all, alright?"
"Alright... You just let me know if you need to talk." That accent was part of what you liked about him. Made him a good pony to listen too; helped when he was full of good advice, too.
"Well off you go then."
"Yeah yeah, you do your job I'll do mine."
"Aye. Get a move on, lass."
You waded through the crowd of ponies on the dance floor, back to your turntables. Sure you got some whoops and hollers, but you reminded yourself that these ponies didn't want you for who you were. They only wanted to use you and be done with you. They wanted their own little bit of entertainment from you and that's all.
They'd get their entertainment, but it'd be your music. Not like they wouldn't run after seeing your eyes anyways. Red eyes are demon eyes. You've got a little demon in you. You're a freak of nature. These little tidbits of phrases were what convinced you to get goggles. After that, they'd died down to near nothing. It was nice. Just a little something you could do to fit in.
You'd wear them as often as you could; they rarely left your head. Matter of fact, the only times you really took them off was when you were by yourself or with Marty. He'd always say you had pretty eyes; like jewels or something stupid. Of course, you'd had to deal with some... persistent ponies as well.
Some would wait for you after the show was over. Those usually met Marty. After your first black eye from defending yourself, Marty had vowed to walk you home every day. He was the big brother you never had growing up. It did your wellbeing good to have a gay stallion walk you home. He was built well, kept in shape. That, and you nearly died laughing when he threatened a stallion with brutal anal devastation.
"Oi! You want to put your dick in her, eh? I tell you what. After I'm through puttin mine in you, we'll talk. How's that sound?"
The look on that creeps face? Priceless. Marty... He was the best friend you could ask for. He always had something to say, something to cheer you up. One day you'll find a way to properly thank him. For now, you need to get back to your turntables. They're missing you and that little stand-in DJ is probably ready to bolt. Yup, time to get back to what you do best.
The music had been going for a while now, and the party was really going. Dancing ponies everywhere, everyone having a good time. You'd even spotted a group of minotaurs come in. Tonight was shaping up to be an alright night. Being on the DJ platform, you could see most of the club fairly well. You looked around at your work. Yeah, they were enjoying themselves.
When you noticed a gap form in the crowd, you looked over to see what the fuss was about. Huh. What's that... thing? You've never seen something quite like that before. Was it a bald minotaur maybe? He was with a little pink pony that was bouncing around, smiling. Wonder what it is? Or what it's doing here? Bah, probably some higher-up here to relax or something.
MMmmmmm... No, that didn't seem right. It looked... Different. Maybe it's her pet and she's... No, that's not it either. You notice a small group of ponies eyeing the... thing. That look was one you were all too familiar with. You signaled to Marty that there was trouble, and motioned towards the group of ponies.
They'd advanced on the newcomer, and you could barely make out "freak" and "bald monkey." Marty sent the thing over to the bar and pulled the ring leader of the group of ponies aside. A brief chat with him, and the group left in a hurry. Maybe when you get a break you'll go see what exactly this thing is.
Author's Note
This prelude came out a bit darker than I intended, but I want to keep it as, it establishes some back story that's needed later. Neither myself nor Aether intend for this to be so dark in future chapters.
Please read this blog post, as it directly relates to this story.
Chapter 1 - More than Meets the Eye
One hundred and twenty nine days, that’s how many days have passed since you’ve arrived in this world. A world you never would have thought existed until seen with your very own eyes. How you arrived here is a mystery. The only thing you could recall was what you were about to enjoy the sweet embrace of sleep. However, the embrace was anything but sweet.
While you dreamed it turns out you’ve ended up in a surreal, almost dream like place. You awoke in an open, flat grassy plain in the middle of nowhere. The only thing that filled your vision was numerous trees that dotted the landscape for many miles around. You looked around assuming that the place you ended up in was the afterlife. You actually thought that the Christians had it right.
That is, until you pinched yourself then felt your pulse. You were very much alive and could still feel pain. As if to affirm what you already knew, your memories began to flitter back to you through your scattered thoughts. Your first thought was that there was no way you were still on earth. The animals that scurried along were too colorful to be from any place on your planet. Though the more you looked upon the critters the more your stomach began to rumble. Thus the search for food began.
You traveled high and low; many miles were covered in your quest for sustenance. Alas, your journey turned out to be for naught when you spent the entirety of your day searching and finding absolutely nothing. The trees, which you found out were pine, bore no fruit. You couldn’t catch any of the wild animals around you. It’s good you managed to find a creek with which to drink at least.
And so you stayed, for about a week of course. After seven days of not eating and only drinking water… you were a bit malnourished. Though your savior came and found you at last. In the form of a pink pastel colored pony. Admittedly you knew you were on an alien planet, but you weren’t expecting a talking marshmallow pony. Naturally you were curious, you didn’t scream, you didn’t run… instead you tried to eat it.
You were starving and your body needed food… Well, it DID look awfully like a marshmallow... When you sunk your teeth into the pony’s head… it giggled. That wasn’t the only thing you found weird though. You found it weird that she tasted like cotton candy… and her body was like gum. While trying to ignore the phenomenon that is this pink pony you realize you’re unable to. With each bite she squeaks as if she were a dog’s chew toy.
Her first squeak caused you to stop. With her skin still in your maw you look to her in confusion. She does the same to you. Her large, blue orbs bore straight into yours. The two of you remained in that position, staring at one another for an untold amount of time… that is until you bit down upon her again. You were expecting something other than a squeak. It was pretty silly of you to think something would change. She squeaks yet again and her giggling grew louder.
"Hey little guy," you remember her saying, "Is that how you say hello? Alright then!" When she spoke in plain English you let go of her.
There was no way you could eat something capable of forming cognitive speech. You were going to apologize to her for the sudden lapse in judgment; key term being "were." She copied your "greeting" by latching on to your head with her mouth. You kneel there, frozen in mid speech, and are stuck glimpses out of the corner of your eye, of a pony who’s sucking upon your head like a lollipop. When you feel the pony’s drool run along your face you grimace.
She smiled in return letting more spittle slide down your head. After that awkward business was over you found out her name and in turn you introduced yourself to her properly. The events that transpired since your fated meeting rush by you in a blur. Pinkie Pie introduced you to her friends… all of them. After getting settled in to Ponyville you were tutored by none other than Twilight Sparkle.
Her job was to pump as much information into your skull as she could before a Princess came by to check you out. Admittedly you were able to retain the information Twilight provided quite well and by the end of that week you passed the Princess’ inspection with flying colors. You were given a job as a carpenter, a home built to fit your size comfortably, and of course a small stipend of bits that were to last you for the month.
It’s been quite a while since then and you’ve become quite the diligent member of equine society. Though carpentry remained your main profession you took time out of your day to perform a little community service. There were times where you’d help out Rose in her flower shop, other times you would find yourself making candy with the resident sweet salespony Bon Bon. Though you must say the mare that took up most of your time was none other than Pinkie Pie herself.
You especially loved the time you spent with her. The two of you would swap stories, you would accompany her to the marketplace while she sold her baked goods, and of course you would take part in the baking yourself. You had to admit that baking was not your strong point. You’re still trying to figure out how you burned powdered sugar without applying any heat to it. That didn’t stop you from being the guy who’d hand her ingredients for her pastries!
As long as you didn’t accidentally tear them open and ruins the ingredients. Yeah you did that a few times… The Cakes weren’t too happy with you, but alas, those are events of the past. What matters now is the present. Right now your job as a carpenter has left you being quite the busy human as of late. Seventy plus hour work weeks for the last two months attest to that statement.
You believed it was high time you got a vacation. Well, you started thinking about that AFTER your boss told you that you accumulated vacation time. You actually got four months ago. Your boss "forgot" to tell you that bit of information. When he realized his mistake he gave you a full week rather than three days. Ah the things a wooden shiv could get a human… but again you digress. At this point Pinkie was ecstatic to learn that you finally had free time.
So she took it upon herself to take you to one of the greatest vacation spots in Equestria: Las Pegasus. Upon arrival you came to realize that it’s just as much of a sinful city as yours is back on Earth. Various ponies lined the streets selling "merchandise" to tourists stupid enough to get sucked in. Other certain kinds of ponies would be about the streets at night selling other forms of "specialized services."
But you steered clear of those. You may have had no issues with sleeping with a mare considering you have little choice, but you didn’t want to risk getting some freaky pony disease on your lower half. The buildings themselves loomed upwards, into the sky; their size nearly rivaled the buildings you’ve grown accustomed to seeing in a large city. These ponies may have had architecture made for their convenience, but that didn’t stop them from being any less extravagant.
More than once you’d "ooh and aah" at the various structures around you. Flashing multi colored signs showed off the variety of Las Pegasus. Not one casino, nor strip club, nor dance club had a near replicated design. If Las Pegasus is known for its art as well as its attractions, then you must say the rumors do not skimp upon either detail. The sounds of slot machines as they procured the unfortunate patron’s bits away. The laughter of various ponies as they trot about, their lives resounding through the busy streets. The sounds of beggars as they scrounge around for bits. Thus was the cacophony that was Las Pegasus.
While it did catch your attention, it also reminded you that lady luck didn’t always smile. Unlike the city you’ve come to know upon Earth, Las Pegasus lacked the vehicles that produced those awful smells. Exhaust emitted from various cars in the larger cities would always play on your senses. Various factories placed throughout did nothing more than exacerbate the smell.
You could recall a few days where the pollution would collect in the skies above, blotting out a portion of the sun’s light. It’s unbelievably clean here however. While there may be the occasional newspaper floating around in the breeze, there isn’t anything more than that. No discarded cigarettes, no broken beer bottles, nothing. All in all you couldn’t think of a better place to go for your week.
Your first four days were filled with nothing but activity as Pinkie took you to various sites laid throughout the large concrete jungle. Though, you had to get used to something you hoped you’d never have to deal with again. Before the ponies took to accepting you they had a few choice words to describe you. "Hairless Minotaur" and "Freaky Monkey Thing" were among that list of insults. It seems as if the ponies here didn’t skip out on those hurtful comments.
There were varying creatures of size and shape. Minotaurs, gryphons, and even large dogs traveled through the city, yet YOU were the oddity. Without Pinkie you have no idea what you would have done to some of these unfortunate equines. She helped steer you in a more positive direction.
She’d shove pastries from various shops down your throat, she’d take you around the city, and of course you’d get to participate in the great game of losing all of your bits. At least that’s what you thought would happen. Even though Pinkie has the poker face of a small child she was able to come out positive. She went in with a good fifty bits and she came out with double that amount. You don’t know how she did it; then again you never understood how she worked.
As of now though, you’re nearing the end of your fourth day. While it was fun to get to go around the strip you have to admit that even though you’ve been happy, you haven’t felt relaxed. Even during that trip to the masseuse you felt restless. There was something missing that just kept you on edge. You have no idea what that could have been, but Pinkie had a suspicion. That’s why she’s leading you through the heavily crowded streets to a certain dance club in the distance. Even from here you could see the long, snaking line that wraps around the blackened structure. Through the windows you could see the bright flashing lights from within.
"Hurry up Anon!" Pinkie cries as she bounces towards the... ever so strong looking bouncer stallion. A single, orange coated earth pony stands guard at the front door. As you and Pinkie approached he narrowed his eyes to get a better look at you. When Pinkie gets to the bouncer she’s a flurry of words. "Hi Skippy how you been?" Pinkie’s smile is infectious and soon the bouncer himself is smiling, "I’ve been great! Works a little busy but you know how it is, who’s the monkey?" Skippy asks as he looks you over.
"He’s only my bestest buddy! Oh where are my manners? Anon this is Skippy I got him the job here!" Pinkie explains as she forces you and the bouncer into a hand/hoof shake.
"Pinkie just how many ponies do you know?" you watch in horror as Pinkie takes a deep breath. You know what’s coming. She’s about to explain everything at the speed of a machine gun’s rate of fire. Both you and Skippy force a hand/hoof to her mouth to silence her before she begins. "No Pinkie please... just forget I asked," you hope your request and Skippy’s rapidly shaking head get through to the zany mare.
"Okie dokie Loki! So can we get in? Pretty pretty please?" Pinkie flashes Skippy the puppy dog eyes. With a sigh Skippy moves the rope separating the two of you from within. With a quick thank you and while ignoring the angry glares of those forced to wait in line the two of you enter the establishment. Immediately your ears are assaulted with the deep bass being produced from within.
It was as if the building’s exterior was made with sound proofing material. Wading through the darkened hallways, you take a look at the blood red plush carpeting that lies upon the floor. Must be for hoof comfort. You spot various vinyl records lining the walls on both sides. Seems like a lot of musicians have made their way through here... or as the stage names suggest: DJ’s.
As the two of you walk towards a set of double doors you find a lone vinyl record to the right of the double doors. The name Vinyl Scratch: DJ-Pon3 lies engraved upon the record. Pinkie catches you looking at the record. As she talks she scales you like some cliff.
"Anon you’ve got a really good taste in modern music!" Pinkie exclaims while hanging off of your shoulder.
"Do what?" you ask as you look from Pinkie to the record.
"Yeah! DJ-Pon3 the baddest pony DJ to ever come through Las Pegasus! She might even be cooler than Dashie!"
"Something cooler than the pony with the biggest ego? No way." you say, your voice filled to the brim with sarcasm.
"I’m super serious! Come on she’s playing right now!" Pinkie shouts before dismounting you. She wraps a hoof around your hand and nearly drags you through the double doors. If you thought you heard bass before, you obviously haven’t had the pleasure of hearing this. The sound seems to assault your body. With each treble comes a waves of euphoria that sweeps through your body much like a wave washes upon the shore.
Though it is anything but calm and smooth. No, this music is violent. This beat is playing for those who’ve got something to get off their chest, music someone could really vent their frustrations by dancing alone. It starts small but soon the waves of noise expands until you find yourself a slave to. Your body begins to shake. You look around as ponies writhe and move in beat to the music.
The smell of sweat rises off of the patrons. They must have been going at it for a while. You tear your eyes away from the dance floor to take a look around the room. Various ponies walk around carrying plates or drinks, each of them wearing clothing that glows in the dark. It’s as if someone took the color and glowing property of glow sticks and stitched it into thread.
Whoever wasn’t wearing the glowing clothes were sitting upon round tables that dot the area around the dance floor. A bar filled to the brim with various bottles and labels sits at the back of the room next to the stage. A solitary earth pony runs the bar, and though he lacks digits; that doesn’t stop him from mixing drinks and serving ponies at the bar. The grace with which he moves about fulfilling every order given would bring bartenders back on earth to shame.
You know you’ll be getting a few drinks out of that stallion later. Right now something else entirely catches your attention. You cast your eyes to the stage and what you see leaves your jaw hanging loose. Between the flashing lights, around the speakers that bend and vibrate as they pump out the beat, stands a single unicorn. A mare with a coat of the purest white, and a cocky grin to match. She hides her eyes behind her messy electric blue mane and a pair of black and purple goggles. Despite that you can tell that she’s staring down at her party pony patrons in a state of bliss.
Just the way her magic works her turntables is causing you the same issue it’s causing every other thing out there listening. In a near state of hypnosis you make your way down to the dance floor, your eyes never leaving the dancing form of the DJ standing just a few feet above you So this is Vinyl Scratch? It looks like Pinkie wasn’t lying, this mare is definitely cooler than that braggart. You doubt Dash could pull off something of this magnitude. You nearly lose your balance as a few earth stallions come trotting by. When you regain your footing you glare at them.
"Hey watch where you’re goin ape!" calls the ringleader of the group. His little cronies snicker at his insult, some even throw a few your way.
"You’re the one who bumped into me!" you retort angrily, the one who first insulted you doesn’t seem to like you back talking. He closes the distance and puffs his chest out in order to appear larger. Unfortunately his intimidating posture falls short. He comes up to your solar plexus.
"So what if I did ya buckin freak, whatcha gonna do?" Seems like you’ve unintentionally called this stallion out and now he’s gotta uphold his reputation. His little friends are edging him on, "Yeah you tell em Blitz," calls one. "You done bucked up now baldy!" calls another. You’re feeling a little hot under the collar, but you’d rather not get kicked out of such a great looking place before you’ve had the chance to enjoy it. Plus if your black suit, white undershirt, or red vest got torn in any way Rarity would have a fit. Maybe this stallion will listen to reason?
"Hey, listen... I’m not lookin for any trouble now. Just tryin to enjoy my time. I’ll even overlook the freak insult," you say, holding your hands up defensively while taking a few steps back. This causes them to snicker amongst themselves. Blitz takes a few steps in order to keep himself in close distance with you. You have no idea if this stallion is trying to be ballsy or is a complete idiot. If he did start a fight it’s not like he’ll have any power... besides you could just grab him if things got out of hand.
"I dunno, maybe I oughta teach ya some respect." Blitz says, his smirk ever growing. Looks like you’re going to have to call out the big guns.
"What if I bought you and your little friends there a round?" you suggest. If you did... they might order the most expensive drinks they can thus draining you of your hard earned bits. Blitz’s eyes open in shock, he turns to find his cronies whispering among themselves. It looks like they seem to consider it for a few moments before turning back to look at you. They shake their heads and Blitz’s smile widens before turning back to you.
"I’ll admit ya seem like a bro... buuut it might just be better if we uh... drag your sorry flank outta here, beat your ugly monkey face black and blue, then take your bits for whatever we want." So it looks like Blitz is refusing your offer, "Yeah Blitz, I bet we could get Honeysuckle for another night!" says one of Blitz’s cronies. It seems like they’re going to try to beat you up and take your money so they can get a whorse.
Yeah that’s not gonna happen. You tried being civil but some ponies can’t be reasoned with. Too bad Pinkie disappeared; you could really use a friend at your back right about now. You ball one of your hands into a fist and prepare to swing.
"Oi! Do we have a problem here lads?" calls the bartender you recall manning his post at the bar just a few moments ago. Blitz and his cronies turn his way.
"I don’t remember this bein any of your business Marty. Why don’t you be a good little fairy and mix me a drink? I’ll pay ya here in a few minutes. Just gotta get some bits from my FRIEND here." Blitz eyes you, sizing you up.
"Fairy? Heh, from the way you’ve been sweet talkin this lad; it looks to me like you’re tryin to get em to be YOUR fairy for tonight." Marty seems to add insult to injury for Blitz’s pride. "Or maybe you’re the one who’s gonna take it up the rear? You seem the type." Marty chuckles and Blitz seems to lose his cool.
"You old buckin queer I’ll show you who takes it up the ass!" Blitz shouts angrily. You lose it right then and there. Blitz’s jaw drops when he realizes how he came off.
"Aye... that’s an interestin concept you got there Blitz. How about you stay after hours and I put you to the test? But won’t Sandy get jealous? Or was it Honeysuckle? I can’t seem to recall." Marty asks before winking at Blitz. You see Blitz visibly sweat.
"Grr... colts this place is buckin dead. Shitty DJ, faggy bartender, and ugly buckin apes. Let’s get outta here." Blitz says to his cronies before ushering them towards the door. As they’re heading through the door Blitz turns around and gives you a sign that signifies that he’s watching you. Marty believes it’s directed at him so he blows Blitz a kiss. Blitz retches before galloping out of the room. Marty laughs heartily as the once tough stallion is reduced to running away.
You turn to the bartender, "Thanks... thought I was on my own there." you say before wiping the sweat from your brow.
"And ya were, until a friend told me there was somethin amiss." Marty states, gesturing towards the DJ running the turntables. "Vinyl up there saw what was goin on and signaled me over here. Good thing too, they probably woulda took all yer bits when ya stepped outside." Marty comments before leading you over to the bar. When you take a seat on one of the stools you look up to see the DJ lost in her own little world. She works her equipment like a pro, her wide smile seems infectious and you too start to smile.
"Oi stop star gazin will ya!" Marty shouts before passing you a shot glass filled with a glowing light blue substance. You eye it warily before looking Marty’s way. "It’s a special brew I cooked up myself. First one’s on me since you got harassed by one of our regulars." You take the shot glass in your hand and give the drink another look.
"Thanks." you say before turning up the glass. You feel an electric shock as your taste buds react to the blueberry tasting liquid. When it slides down your throat you feel a familiar burn. Seems to be the kind of drink that really gets your attention. Whatever little bit of fatigue you were feeling seems to have dissipated upon consumption. "I call it the Scratch Special. Gets ya movin like them ponies out there. Vinyl came up with the name, I got the ingredients together." Marty proudly explains before cleaning one of the many glasses on the bar.
"What’s in this?" you ask before setting your glass down, "Magic," is Marty’s response. He chuckles before leaving you to your evening. You take another look towards Vinyl as she makes her music. Then you look in your coat’s interior pocket at your sack of bits. You feel grateful for what this unicorn did for you. Perhaps you should thank her with a few drinks. Seems like that’s the best way to make a friend around here...
A few hours pass as you watch the pony patrons have fun dancing to Vinyl’s beats, but like every performance it has to come to an end eventually. That’s when you finally hear the mare of the hour speak. She talks with an air of confidence that you could easily confuse with the way Dash likes to speak.
"Hey everypony I know you love me and can’t get enough of what I got, but I’m pretty beat." Vinyl says, her smile fading from her face. A collective groan rises from the dancers. "Now now chill your crotch tits I’ll be back up here tomorrow night." with that she removes her goggles for a brief moment to wink. And in that brief moment you find something that catches you by surprise. You’ve never seen a pony with red eyes before... perhaps she’s an albino pony? Do those even exist? Regardless you have to admit that you’ve just witnessed something pretty awesome.
You’re a big fan of the color red and to see such a color in a rare place like the eyes causes a few questions to surface. Are those natural? Does she use magic to change her eye color? Are they contacts? Questions you hope will be answered while the two of you share a few drinks. You watch as she makes her way off of the stage and down a set of stairs. It takes her a bit to wade through the groups of fans but eventually she makes it to the bar.
She takes a seat on virtually the other side of the bar from you. Looks like you won’t get to thank her just yet... at least not until the crowds disperse. You watch as various ponies crowd around her, saying random things and such. Plenty offer to buy her drinks while others want her autograph. A good half of the dance floor seems to swarm her and she just takes them with a grain of salt.
She gives them a cocky grin before leaning back on her stool. After that she starts talking with her fans, answering questions and the like. After a few dozen pictures some of the ponies begin to make their way back to the dance floor. You’ve decided you’re going to wait until the rest of them leave her be. You can’t help but feel like a stalker as you patiently wait on each and every pony to get done speaking to her.
It’s not until an overenthusiastic stallion has to be dragged out of the club does she finally have time to herself. The others have moved on to dance with the music set to automatically play on the turntables. Vinyl lets loose a sigh before her smile fades. She turns her attention to Marty before rubbing her cheeks. Seems like they’re sore from having to keep that grin going. While you feel like now might not be the best time, you make your way over to her regardless. When you take a seat at an adjacent stool she turns your way.
"Hey," you say with a smile, "Sup," she answers back. "So I’m sure you’ve heard it about thousand times tonight but you’re probably one of the best DJ’s I’ve seen."
She smiles at your comment, "Yeah, I get that a lot. I am pretty awesome." She just oozes confidence.
"Yeah I see, anyway I wanted to thank you for having Marty come break up that little scuffle." you say before motioning to the bartender in question.
"Nah man it’s no prob. Can’t stand it when Blitz walks around thinkin he’s got a pecker the size of Manehattan." Vinyl says before turning to Marty.
"So how about you let me buy you a drink?" you offer, causing Vinyl to laugh. Something about that laugh makes it seem like she’s looking down on you.
"A drink? A single drink? Come on man you gotta be offering something better than that." You sigh before shaking your head.
"Well that one drink just turned into zero." you say before passing a few bits Marty’s way. Vinyl seems to look at you with mock sadness as Marty passes you two shot glasses filled with The Scratch Special.
"So you’re not gonna offer me two or three? Gotta say I’m surprised." Vinyl says while eyeing your drinks from behind her goggles.
"Well I’m thankful you helped me out but I’m not gonna kiss your ass there Ms. Scratch." you say before turning up both shots. "Oh man that goes down good! If only a certain DJ wasn’t being all uppity with me. It’d sure be nice to have a drinking buddy." you say with a sly grin.
"Pfft whatever man. Hey Marty can ya get me some a what the big guy here’s havin?" Vinyl asks before pointing to your empty shot glasses. Marty produces a bottle filled with the glowing liquid out from under his bar. Before he can hand it to Vinyl you cut in.
"Hey Marty how much for that bottle?" you ask with a grin.
"Lad, this is the only bottle I got and it’s goin to Pon-3 over here." he answers while giving you an odd glance. You take this time to take a sort of risk. You pull out your entire sack of bits for the evening and set it in front of Marty.
"All my bits for you to give me that bottle instead of Vinyl here." you say while pointing to the drink in Marty’s hooves. Now this really gets Vinyl’s attention. While she looks at your bits you wink at Marty before pointing to Vinyl. Hopefully he understands what you’re meaning. He nods before flashing you a knowing grin.
"Ya know... your generosity has swayed me." Marty slides the bottle your way. Vinyl’s jaw drops as you grab the neck of the bottle. You swear you can see a single tear dripping down her cheek. She turns to Marty, her lower lip quivering.
"That’s not cool man," Vinyl says, her voice cracking.
"Sorry honey but this guy’s got ya beat." Marty says before grabbing your sack of bits. Vinyl watches as you slowly pop the top to the bottle.
"Dude, you seriously gonna torture me like this?" Vinyl asks.
You pretend to ponder her question, "Maybe if a certain unicorn apologizes to me she might get to drink her special liquor." you say while sloshing the contents of the bottle in Vinyl’s face.
Your gesture seems to do it for Vinyl, she sighs before saying in a very un-enthusiastic tone, "I’m sorry for tryin to squeeze a few bits outta ya." It’s a terrible apology but you were only trying to get her to say those words. You laugh before passing Vinyl the bottle.
"Consider it a gift," you say before placing your hands upon the bar.
"Dude you do realize I-" you cut her off.
"Get your drinks for free? Yeah I figured," you answer.
"If you knew then why’d you throw all your bits at this bottle just to give it to me?" she asks, completely confused by your gesture.
"I guess you could say I’m a lot more appreciative of your gesture than I let on." you say before placing your head in your hands.
"Really?" Vinyl says before she takes a swig.
You nod in response, "Yeah, I bet you don’t gotta deal with my bullshit but Blitz was probably the twentieth pony to call me a freak or a monkey tonight... I’ve only got one pony out here that doesn’t see me like I don’t belong and she’s..." you turn to the dance floor to find Pinkie bouncing around. "Out there," you finish while pointing to Pinkie Pie. "It sucks being constantly reminded that you don’t belong... But anyways, enough of my bull. I came to relax and wash my worries away."
When you didn’t get a response from the unicorn, you looked up from the empty glass you’d been staring into; only to find her staring down into her own glass with a mellow expression on her features. You jump a little when Vinyl passes a full shot glass your way, "Funny you mention washing your worries away when you gave me all your booze," Vinyl says with a giggle.
You smile before taking the glass in your hand, "Well look who’s buying who a drink." you say before looking her way.
"Don’t get used to it buddy I’m just feelin sorry for blowin all your bits on a bottle only to get jack shit." She says before Marty passes her another glass. She pours a shot of her own. She picks her glass up in a magical glow and raises it. When your shot glass invades her vision she turns to look your way.
"How about a toast?" you ask with a smile.
"A toast to what?" Vinyl asks in response. You shrug.
"I don’t know... bar buddies?" you ask. Vinyl shakes her head.
"Yeah sure, whatever you say." she brings her glass over and it clinks with yours. After that the two of you down your shots at the same time.
"So, sorry to just ask this out of the blue, but what you got going on with your eyes Ms. Scratch?" you ask before turning her way.
"Hey stop calling me Ms. Scratch you’re making me sound old. Totally uncool." Vinyl says with a look of mock shock. "And.. why do you want to know about my eyes?" She asks before pouring herself another shot.
"Well, cause I think they’re pretty kick ass myself. Red’s my favorite color." You say before showing Vinyl your vest. Vinyl looks to the crowd of ponies, then back to you. She seems to hesitate before something in her finally gives way and pushes her goggles up on her head using magic. She only offers you a quick peek before she puts her goggles back in their proper places.
You’re not satisfied with a that, you didn’t get a good look. So you decide to take another gamble. You reach out and snatch her goggles off of her face. Now you’re able to see those red orbs in full view.
Too bad she seems angry with you, "Hey what the buck man?!" she reaches out to take back her goggles but you put them out of hoof’s reach.
"I didn’t see anything, you can’t expect me to be satisfied with that," you say while holding her goggles ransom. Vinyl quickly shuts her eyes tight but she still looks your way. "Wait... is red your real eye color?" you ask before raising a brow.
Vinyl nods, "Yeah and not everypony likes that. When I give em a quick flash they think it’s the lighting. If they saw they were real they’d be jeering right now so give em here." she says.
"Hmm... nah." Your response causes Vinyl to clench her jaw, "How about... you give me a real good look? After that I’ll give you back your goggles." A minute passes between the two of you before Vinyl sighs in defeat.
"Fine..." she says before casting a glare your direction, giving you a generous look at her eyes.
"Whoa..." you trail off as you become enamored by her glorious... almost glowing red orbs. When you adjust your seating in order to get a closer look Vinyl backs her head away a little. "Vinyl... they’re... wow... I’ve never seen anything quite so..." She tries to finish your sentence for you.
"Crazy?" Vinyl asks before making a swipe for her goggles; you pull your hand away and out of reach again.
"I was going to say something along the lines of enchanting... or unique... I’d settle on mysterious." Vinyl’s glare turns into a look of confusion.
"Listen pal, if you’re wantin to get on my good side, lying won’t get you anywhere. Now give me my damn goggles!" As you reluctantly return her goggles you can’t help but notice she’s a bit embarrassed, judging by how red her cheeks are.
When she places them back on her face you chuckle, "Looks like your cheeks match your eyes." you smirk. Looks like you’ve flustered the DJ.
"Hey! Don’t mess with me like that buddy," Vinyl doesn’t seem to be playing around at this point. You raise your hands up defensively.
"Okay fine, just calm down. And I wasn’t lying." you add before turning back to your shot glass.
"Whatever you say," Vinyl mutters under her breath. Despite your little escapade Vinyl still pours you a shot each time you empty your glass. You stop after your fourth shot, not looking to get hammered, doesn’t seem like Vinyl’s stopping though. You hope this wasn’t brought on by you. Not much is said between the two of you. You can’t seem to find the gall to look Vinyl in the eye at this point. Yeah you messed up a bit.
Slowly but surely the pony patrons start making their way out of the bar. Only a handful of ponies remain including Pinkie. Vinyl seems to be having trouble keeping still on her stool.
"You gonna need help getting home?" you ask, concerned for the DJ’s well-being.
"Aye lad, I got her on that end." Marty says before trotting over to you.
"Alright... well I’m gonna head on my way." you say while getting to your feet. "And Vinyl?" she turns her head your way, "You should have a bit more confidence in yourself. You shouldn’t have to hide such a stunning part of yourself just because you’re scared of what ponies think." Vinyl doesn’t seem to acknowledge what you say. Instead she sits there in silence. With that you turn your back to the bar and walk over to Pinkie.
"Oi!" Marty calls out, you turn and open your hands as your sack of bits comes flying over to you.
Vinyl looks to you, then to Marty in shock, "W... wha?" she asks, dumbfounded. "You planned this?" She asks you. You shrug in response.
"Why are you surprised? You pointed it out yourself. You get drinks for free. I gave you the bottle and you willingly gave me some shots. So what did I pay for?" you ask with a grin.
"So... you did that... because?" Vinyl seems to really want an answer.
"Because you wouldn’t have taken me seriously. You would have seen me as another party goer looking to get you drunk. I’m not like everyone else out there ya know?"
You don’t know if your words left an impact on her, but before Pinkie comes bouncing over to you Vinyl asks you one more question, "What’s your name?"
You point to yourself before answering, "Anonymous. Nice to meet ya." you turn to Pinkie. "You ready to go?" you ask her.
"Yup! Let’s go Nonny!" Pinkie exclaims happily before bouncing towards the exit. You offer Vinyl a wave before following Pinkie out of the club.
Author's Note
This chapter was written by Aether, so be sure to check his other stuff out here.
Please read this blog post, as it directly relates to this story.
