Vinyl was preparing a large pan of spaghetti alla puttanesca. She had visited Custom Fit before returning home to write her letter, where she apologised for her actions. She had then bought more cigarettes, to Custom's annoyance, which he tried his absolute hardest not to show. She had also bought spaghetti, garlic, sea salt and basil, all for the purpose of making her dish.
Vinyl had the recipe memorised. She had been cooking puttanesca for years, it was one of her favourite meals. The contents were simple, and the dish easy to make, yet the flavours were complex. There were often arguments between chefs of note over whether to use parmesan or mozzarella cheese as a garnish, some insisting that one cheese destroyed the cultural authenticity of the dish and others asserting that the other took away from the taste. Vinyl had never decided which side was correct, so she often had both cheeses at once.
At this moment, the spaghetti had been salted and was boiling in a pot, and the pan (which had been oiled) contained garlic, medium strength chilies, green olives, cherry tomatoes, and salted water from the spaghetti pot. The dish was not exactly how Vinyl would have it if she was planning to eat alone. She added the chilies for Octavia's benefit, which she preferred mild or non existent in a pasta, and added basil despite believing that parsley better complimented the sauce. Still, the dish would be tasty, mild changes to her preference or not.
I'm looking forward to eating something. I've not had more than a breath mint all day. I'm looking forward to seeing Tavi too, I wanna tell her about my day. Also, I'm curious about hers. She always leaves a note when she goes out, but this time, no note. Unless I'm not looking hard enough. I wonder if everything is okay with her? I hope she isn't worrying about me, there's nothing to worry about after all, I feel great. Well, whatever she's been doing, chances are she's been gone a while, as I've been back for a couple of hours. She'll likely appreciate the meal.
Vinyl and Octavia did not eat together often, due to their conflicting schedules and sleeping patterns, as well as the other obligations which made up their busy lifestyles. In fact, they didn't do much together at all. This, however, had not been the case around six months ago, when work for both of the mares was slow, and they had a lot more time to spend together. It was during this time that Vinyl had learnt Octavia's culinary preferences, which she was often happy to adhere to. Vinyl had also learnt that she was the better cook of the pair, reinforced by the fact that Octavia had always seemed to grow slightly excited when it was Vinyl's turn to cook.
Well, excited by Tavi's standards. Personified in this case by a roughly five degree upward curvature around the mare's lips.
Vinyl laughed at her little quip and proceeded to drain the spaghetti, before removing the lid from the other pot and adding capers, as well as the inferior basil plant. Vinyl was glad that she was able to get her timings to work in conjunction, and would not have to wait any longer for any one pot than the other. Doing so would make certain parts of the food colder than others, and Vinyl believed that an inconsistency in temperature was the easiest way to ruin a meal. Proud of her efforts, she took both pots off of the heat and proceeded to dry two recently washed plates, cloth in hoof, before laying them out and grabbing a ladle in her mouth with which to serve up the golden pasta. Vinyl's stomach growled in impatience, her mouth teased by a metal substance which she couldn't exactly eat.
I really should use magic for this bit. I mean, I hardly ever drop the food, but when I do it's such a waste. Still, there's the five second rule, right? Or is it the three second rule? Hmm, I'm not really sure it applies to saucy foods. Like what am I gonna do? Slurp it off the floor? Guess that's not an option. I really should use magic for this bit.
As Vinyl spooned the last third of the dish onto the plates, impressed by the presentation she had managed to display, and the lack of mess, the door shut behind her, hard, and she dropped the ladle, its contents landing between the two pristine platefuls of food and splattering violently, painting the worktop, both plates, the floor, and Vinyl's muzzle.
Vinyl's first instinct was to shout, but she had no time for that. Octavia had just returned, and she had to salvage their dinner before she saw Vinyl's slip up. As she frantically scrubbed at the worktop, cloth in her magic's grasp, she used her front right hoof, along with another cloth, to wipe at the floor. Vinyl had managed to clean up a majority of the mess, and was facing the plates on the table, opposite to the entrance to the adjoined living room, seasoning her plate with cracked pepper, when Octavia trotted up behind her.
"Hello, love, what are you doing? Is that spaghetti I see? Oh, Vinyl, you should not have gone to the trouble! You have been having a hard time lately, you should have let me take care of the cooking and relaxed a little--"
Octavia stopped speaking as Vinyl turned to face her, her praise almost instantly replaced by raucous laughter, which she attempted to stem as Vinyl realised what had caused her outburst and furiously wiped at her mane, scowl ever present on her face.
"You know white stains, Vinyl. You may have to be put in the wash." Octavia teased.
"Uh, our washing machine's broken, Tavi? We're literally living out of cardboard boxes here. Vinyl growled, glaring at Octavia, before doing a double take, astonished. "Hold on, was that a joke? Seriously, Tavi, you make like three of those a year, I'm surprised. Plus, you were really upbeat just now. What happened? Did DJ Pon-3 finally respond to your fan mail?" It was a sharp response, as always, but lacking in punchiness due to Vinyl's shock.
Octavia chose to ignore her last comment. "Yes, Vinyl, it was a joke." Octavia adopted a mock haughty tone. "And I believe it was executed rather well, do you not?"
Vinyl's shock gave way to a short, raspy giggle, which she quickly caught. "Tavi, stop. You sound like even more of a snob than usual. Anyway, what's all this about? Have you been attacking the red wine again?"
Octavia gasped in the most fake, dramatic manner known to equine. "I resent that! How could you accuse me of such a thing, Vinyl? You know I have not so much as touched wine in days! Besides, I prefer my ales."
"Okay, so you've proven you know Tavi's taste in booze, keep going." Vinyl cocked an ear as she waited for the impostor to slip up on some vital piece of information, as they were bound to. She had heard of changeling spies before, but never thought she would encounter one.
What if she was a changeling spy? I suppose it would make sense. I mean, I have literally just started meetings with the Princess. But how would they mobilise that fast? Unless Tavi's been a changeling from the start? I guess that would explain why she spends so much time in her room, she must get tired of her second skin. Vinyl eyed Octavia, who still hadn't responded, considering all the little details she knew about her.
Nah, it can't be. Changelings feed on love and affection, Tavi's the most asocial mare I know. Then again I'm a close runner up. At least I have social skills though. Well arguably. I know how to deal with fans at least.
"I was at the spa today, Vinyl." Octavia stated, tone merry and upbeat, but all affectation gone.
Vinyl laughed aloud. "So that's it! You're always pretty relaxed after a spa visit, or so I've noticed. I haven't seen you planning for one lately though? I didn't know you were due for another visit yet anyway. What'd you get, then?"
Octavia smirked, brushing her mane to the side. "Oh, just a little bit of everything. My, it was rejuvenating. I have felt absolutely fabulous since! You'll have to smell this new lotion I bought, if you like it I could go to the spa and order another, also--"
"Wait wait wait." Vinyl interrupted, shaking her head as she spoke. "You mean to say you got the whole shabang? When have you ever done that? I thought you were very systematic about these things. In fact, I know you're very systematic about these things. What's with you?"
Octavia bit her lip slightly before responding, she had thought Vinyl might notice that something was amiss. "Oh come now, Vinyl, it is not that big of a deal." Octavia sighed before continuing, holding a hoof up so Vinyl didn't try to cut in. "I will be honest. Your little transgression yesterday showed me something. You had been keeping yourself chained up, under lock and key, afraid to really be yourself."
"In the end, you started to feel terrible, and then, at my insistence, you started to get help. And now, look at the change in you! Do you think the Vinyl Scratch of yesterday would be up making us dinner, and cracking jokes? And that is just one day! I have realised that it would be selfish and hypocritical to expect you to make changes in your life when I am not exactly perfect myself, so I am attempting to loosen up, ever so slightly. Today, I went to the spa on a whim, and even had a general discussion with both Aloe and Lotus!"
"By the way," She paused here to wink at Vinyl, who was still processing Octavia's words. "I found out about your little hooficure sessions. Maybe we shall go together in future. But, I digress. The point is, the whole process was both invigorating and liberating! I have felt free all day long. So that, along with my pleasure to see you, and eat this sure to be lovely meal you have cooked us, is 'what's with me'."
"Whoa, you used a contraction." Vinyl blurted. Blushing slightly, she reiterated. "I mean, you didn't have to Tavi... You really don't have to change how you act at all, I like you just the way you are, always have! I guess if it makes you happy though... Wait, does this mean I have to deal with jokes from you often now?!"
Octavia chuckled at the look of worry growing on Vinyl's face. "First of all, I was quoting you. Second, I use contractions sometimes, just not often. For example, when I am preparing for a performance, it is often a lot faster and easier to speak with contractions and colloquialisms. Third, I doubt I will make jokes that often. You really should clean your face though."
Vinyl pouted. "I wanna eat first. No use cooking it if it goes cold before I get to dig in, is there?"
Octavia nodded in concurrence. "No, that would be a waste. I mean, what would be the point in purchasing the ingredients, spending a length of time preparing the food, cooking it, and serving it up, if it were not to be thoroughly enjoyed when eaten? It is important to enjoy every moment of a good meal. Primarily, it is what makes the build up worth the wait. Imagine reading a food review where the critic spoke at length about the recipe, the creative process, and the serving of the food, but then said nothing whatsoever about the actual consumption? No indication as to whether or not it was enjoyed, just the knowledge that it probably was. That would be quite the redundant piece of information, don't you agree?"
Octavia was once again interrupted, this time by Vinyl's attempt at a fake snore.
"You're right, this is awfully loquacious of me. And honestly, after all this build up, I'm curious to see how this meal will taste, aren't you?"
Vinyl beamed. "Of course! Tell me what you think once you've had a bite?"
"You really know how to put a mare on the spot, don't you, Vinyl?"
Vinyl leaned up against her chair and brushed her chest off before sitting at the kitchen table, her plate levitated over along with Octavia's. "I know a great many things, Tavi, except for one, that is."
"And what is that, Vinyl?" Octavia remarked, an ounce of sarcasm present.
Vinyl waited for Octavia to take a bite, her expression indistinguishable.
"What do you think of the food? I'm dying to know now, honestly."