Won’t Wait On Love
By
littlepiegirl
The harsh buzzing of the phone against the coffee table’s oak wood produced a high-pitched whine in the unicorn’s ears. She thought it quite ironic, considering her ears were always creating the weirdest hums after a gig; surely they should be used to harsh noises by now?
She set down a record she was considering for her mix on the turntable, letting it spin freely; the only sound was a low buzz and moan as it whirled.
I really need to start putting this thing on silent, she thought with a small sigh. Losing her concentration in the middle of a studio session irritated her more than she liked to admit. It would always take a good ten minutes before she could return to the pinnacle of her musical potential. However, she didn’t need much help in this aspect; Vinyl Scratch could bust out an awesome tune in a hoof beat.
The strands of her electric blue mane bounced wildly, when she nodded to her work associate through the glass window to stop the heavy bass beat pouring out the speakers. Adjusting his shades, the stallion waved back. She grinned brightly, knowing how lucky a mare she was, having the opportunity to work with Neon Lights. There was no doubt in her mind that with the help of the most prestigious DJ in Manehattan, this new album would be the best of her musical career.
Realising her gaze of admiration was continuing longer than intended, she glanced away, blushing hotly. Neon was a remarkable musician and a cool pony to hang out with, but to Vinyl, that was all. She didn’t need to be chasing after colts, no matter how good their house remixes were. Sure, he was a good looking stallion; she could admit that. He just … wasn’t “the one”.
Many a mare would disagree, giving up their fore hooves just to be in the position she was right now, but Vinyl wasn’t interested in all that. Music was her only love. Music ... and perhaps sandwiches. The only two things in the world she needed.
Tapping the phone with a hoof to cease the awful buzzing, she jumped onto the leather, burgundy sofa. The soft fabric hugged her form as she lounged back, bringing the device to her ear.
“Yo, this is PON-3!”
“Hey, Vinyl, it’s Octavia,” a sweet, hesitant voice addressed, sounding a little fuzzy through the phone line.
Delighted, the unicorn sprung up at the sound of the mare’s voice. “Oh hey, Octi, what’s up?”
Calls from the earth pony were like finding a bit in your saddle bag: rare, but truly wonderful. As of late, both mares had been preoccupied with work, so their meetups had become rather sparse. It had come to a point where Vinyl was worrying about their friendship. She didn’t want it to wither away, neither did she want to seem too eager.
“I was wondering if you’re still coming to … my concert, because I-I’ve got a seat saved up for you.” The shyness of her cute accent was enough to bring the unicorn to tears. She gulped, as her mind struggled to form an answer.
“Oh no, that’s … that’s tonight?” she croaked, trying her best to sound surprised.
What was she thinking? Of course it was tonight. It had been rattling through her brain all week. Not only that, but trying to find a fitting, believable excuse had been hacking away at her thoughts. She didn’t want to lie, but this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and of all ponies, Octavia would understand. Wouldn't she?
Oh, Celestia! her mind screamed, telling her to answer. The harsh silence was like poison, with each passing second killing her from the inside-out. Say something, idiot!
“Aw, jeez, Octi, I’m so sorry, I totally blanked on this one. I’m actually in the middle of working on a big project with Neon Lights right now. W-we just hit a breakthrough with the … I just --”
Smooth Vinyl, real smooth.
“Oh,” Octavia whispered, the sharp pang of disappointment clear in her voice.
“Ugh, I d-don’t think I can make it tonight,” Vinyl gasped, gawking at the squidgy, red carpet.
She could only pray her friend would show her some forgiveness. However, this was beyond even Octavia’s threshold now. Why was the DJ even trying to convince her? Floating aimlessly in the back of her mind, Vinyl knew she didn’t deserve a friend like Octavia.
“Right.”
Vinyl shuffled, making the couch’s leather crackle. “I swear I’ll make the next one, though, like, I-I promise, okay?”
Octavia sighed into the phone. “It’s fine.”
Had she just done that, blown her best friend off because of her career? As her stomach lurched, she could feel the bitter taste of shame building. Or maybe, it was bile.
Great, I’m so ashamed I’m gonna hurl. The feeling of deception continued to be stuffed unwillingly into her brain, making her sweat like crazy. The earth pony was mad, but at least she had bought the excuse. Why didn’t I just tell her last week that I had the chance to work with Neon?
Causing Octavia any sort of pain would send the DJ into a frenzy of persistent worry. She couldn’t bear disappointing her by missing the show for a third time. Putting off telling the earth pony was her only solution, a horrible one, but a solution none the less. Why was she so desperate to ensure her actions resulted in permanent happiness for the cellist? Shouldn’t she just tell the truth?
Phew, at least I’m off the hook, her brain reassured. She broke the silence, her tone considerably more cheerful. She promised she would redeem herself next time they spoke.
“Awesome! Now, I really gotta get back to --”
“Actually, no ... no, it’s not fine, Vinyl,” Octavia announced coldly.
Oh crap! … It’s okay, she’s just a little mad.
“‘Cause … you’ve done this to me before and this is a-a really big thing for me and you’re not there to support me.” The earth pony’s words jabbed at Vinyl’s heart, each syllable tearing it slowly in two. She could barely breathe, never mind conjure a response.
Unable to move, she whispered, “yeah, I know, I-I just …”
“I just can’t believe you.”
Her mind scrambled to pull back any shred of belief that Octavia was joking. It was hardly the cellist’s sense of humour, but Vinyl was riding on that only stupid notion to make up for her friend’s anger. Despite staying silent, her thoughts, on the other hoof, were screaming for her to react.
Quick, apologise you featherbrain! Do something!
Still in disbelief about Octavia’s outburst, she stammered, “Octi, c-come on, you know how my schedule can get.” Vinyl could feel her friend seething through the phone, the silence a haze between them. “Look, after tonight, I-I swear it’ll be different, okay? We can go to that restaurant that you --”
“— I don’t want your sorry, Vinyl.”
She didn’t like where this was going, nor did she have the power to stop it. The words hung and buzzed about in the air, battering her entire sense of reasoning into a mushy pulp, before sliding out her jaw as a confused utterance.
“W-what?”
By the time she’d come to the firm realisation that Octavia was far from being persuaded back her usual self, it was all too late. Vinyl wasn’t a mare of many emotions, but she couldn’t hold back the uncontrollable sensation attacking, forcing her to crack.
“Consider this friendship over.”
Her lips moved before her thoughts had given her the confirmation to speak. “O-Octavia, come on, y-you don’t mean that.”
“You’ve let me down too many times.”
“Wait, no! P-please, Octavia!” she gasped, before the line died with a pop of static and low buzz. The crushing weight of reality broke her back like a fresh tonne of straw, paralyzing every inch of her body.
Levitating the phone down was about as much as she could muster. How could she have been so stupid? Her eyes were giving way to the approaching tears, before a muffled voice yelled though the sound booth window.
“Yo kid, we gunna get this thing done or what?”
Moving across to the mixer, consciousness reminded Vinyl of how heavy her stomach felt. It was like hurling a bag of wet sand, which was so dense she might sink into the floor. The idea was becoming considerably more appealing, as she fumbled with the bass settings. If the earth’s core had opened up and swallowed her down to oblivion, she would be rather pleased. No more pain, just poof, gone in an instant.
“I’m gunna lay down my verse,” Neon announced, poking his muzzle out the door.
W-what am I afraid of? her mind questioned sternly. Even if she evaporated into dust, Octavia wouldn’t care, especially now. She couldn’t put her hoof on the answer, but why did she have to lie? She didn’t want to disappoint her friend, but her way of executing the gesture was far from considerate. I just didn't want to hurt her.
Neon’s voice snapped her back to the task at hoof. “Kid, you alright?”
“Y-yeah, I’m fine. Go ahead, I’m ready,” she lied, faking a smile.
“Rad.”
As the stallion approach the microphone, she checked the sound levels, before flicking the switch to start recording. Staring at the “on air” sign as it radiated a dim red light, she sighed, continuing her cluster of thoughts.
I guess, I just … care about her too much to make her unhappy, even if it’s from telling the truth. But, she never gets angry with me, and I’m always annoying her and laying into her fancy cello music. She watched Neon deliver his lyrics with such energy and power, leaning against the table.
She would never do that to me. My music is “just noise” in her eyes, yet she comes to every one of my gigs … why?
She stifled a small smirk, remembering the earth pony’s disgust at the low hygiene standards of Vinyl’s regular club venue. The way Octavia had disapproved of the unicorn’s every action made the DJ chuckle. However, when the speakers resounded with that first beat, she had not complained, nor looked uninterested. To Vinyl, she was in pure awe, watching her in a way that she couldn’t describe.
Neon Lights’ words flowed through her mind, as if on a light breeze. They were present, but not a disturbance.
“It wasn't you, baby it was me.
Maybe our relationship isn't as crazy as it seems.
Maybe that's what happens when a tornado meets a volcano.
All I know is I love you too much to walk away though.”
Vinyl focused on the flashing lights on the board, listening to the stallion’s words more intently. His lyrics were always filled with so much emotion and depth, it was impossible to tear away.
Octavia doesn’t even like clubs, or anything I like. She leant back into the chair, closing her eyes, allowing the words to seep into her mind.
Wow … I guess she must really care about me. Jeez, it’s almost like she loves –
“Kid, you’re up,” Neon murmured, tapping her side. She blinked a few times, looking to her companion then the sound booth, her mouth agape in her sudden revelation.
Me.
ME.
“Me,” she whispered, grinning at Neon.
“That’s what I said, it’s your turn P0N-3,” he groaned, clearly wanting the unicorn to get things moving.
“I-I …”
Neon trotted back into the booth to adjust the mic stand height. “Yeah bro, you’re gunna be awesome.” He smiled back through the glass at Vinyl, who was still gawking aimlessly.
I don’t believe it … h-how - how hadn't I realised it before? M-me!
Her eyes flailed about, before finally meeting Neon’s. “Sorry, Neon, I-I can’t concentrate, I just –” She could feel the stallion’s pang of annoyance, even through his shades, which covered most of his expression “— I just gotta go!”
It didn’t take her long to reach the street. She bucked at a back door, almost splintering it off the hinges, leaping down a flight of stairs.
“Okay,” she panted, continuing down the alleyway. “Just gotta find the theatre, get in, and … ugh, well, I’ll think of something.”
Main Street was clear, apart from a few street vendors selling questionable fruit produce. Her hooves clopped wildly against the stone cobbles, as she thundered towards the theatre at the bottom of the road.
“Oh, Celestia, what am I … ugh … g-gonna say?” she breathed, struggling to maintain her gallop.
She hadn’t thought this through at all. Was there a casual way to tell somepony you had feelings for them? She slowed a little when she considered the question again.
Do I have feelings for Octavia? Does she even have them for me? Even if she did ... would she still have them?
The notion was becoming increasingly more preposterous the further she analysed the situation. The flashing lights perched on the building’s hanging balcony beckoned her over, enticing the looker to the bold title it displayed so proudly.
“One night only: Ponyville’s String Symphony starring Octavia Melody” it presented, Octavia’s name in a bolder, more eccentric font.
“Jeez,” Vinyl scoffed, approaching the entrance, guarded by a stallion with a stylish goatee. Smiling politely, she tried to rush past him as the rumble of hooves and cheers resonated through the door.
“Sorry, ma’am,” he addressed, pushing Vinyl back with a hoof. “You’ll have to wait until the interval.”
“B-but, can’t I just slip in the back? I swear I’ll be quiet,” she pleaded, shuffling on the spot.
The stallion pointed to a wooden sign nailed into the side of the box office. “No, I can’t. It’s house policy.”
Vinyl huffed madly. This is just my luck, stupid buck.
“Look, dude, I gotta get in to see my friend, I’m already late.”
He groaned taking a step forward, his frame covering the entire entrance. “Well, maybe you should consider arriving on time, then you won’t have this problem,” he hissed.
“Hey, come on! I told you my friend is playing right now, so let me in!” The DJ seethed, wanting to buck the stallion in the muzzle.
“I’ve said this to you already, I can’t let you in! I can let you in during the interval.”
“I don’t want to go in at the interval, I want to go in now!” she bawled with a hoof stomp. “I need to be in there right now, I-I gotta see her –”
Her entire process of thinking whirled around in her brain like pulling out a drain plug. She just needed to see her, that was all, then she could make things right.
“Sorry, can’t allow it,” the bouncer said, not moving from his position.
“Alright, fine! You wanna do this the hard way? We can do this the hard way!” she screamed, charging at the stallion, only to smack against his hard form. She felt his strong hooves force her backward.
“Oh no, you don’t!” he breathed, before Vinyl socked him clean in the jaw, a small grunt of annoyance escaping his lips.
“No! Get off me! I need to see her! –“She continued to push, but was no match for the earth pony’s strength “-- OCTAVIA!”
Her voice echoed around the street for a short moment, the pair still battling for the other to move away.
“N-NO!” she demanded, snapping forward. The stallion felt his knees buckle from Vinyl’s full weight, as he staggered sideways, tripping over his own hooves. He went down hard, causing the unicorn to gasp. His head slammed against a red robe pole, producing a metal clang.
Vinyl could only look on in horror, as her victim’s skull crashed into the pavement. In the spur of the moment, she hadn’t realised her own strength.
Oh, holy Celestia, I’m so dead!
Without a second thought, she found herself shoving the stallion into the door of the ticket booth, hiding the evidence. She felt like some form of criminal, wedging his bulk into the tiny room.
“I’m so sorry about this,” she whispered, placing a few bits on the counter as a peace offering. “Just … s-stay here.”
The stallion’s flaccid head hung over the chair as he drooled, much to Vinyl’s disgust.
“Alright,” she gulped, shuffling from the door to the much larger one into the main theatre.
Just breathe, you can do this. She sighed, bracing herself as she opened the door, meeting a wall of sound. Her eyes struggled to adjust to the sudden change in lighting, the theatre pitch black.
I can’t even see my hoof in front of my face. How I’m I gonna find … Octavia?
At first she thought she was in a dreamland, a fantasy. A single beam of light glowed softly against the earth pony’s figure on stage. The crowd was hushed, only making the mare’s voice sound more clear and remarkable to Vinyl’s ears. She took a step forward, unable to look away for even a second.
Murky smoke coiled about in the spotlight, the remnants of a smoke machine or perhaps a stallion’s cigar. The harsh, contrasting shadows made it impossible for Vinyl to meet her friends gaze, however the cellist was rather preoccupied to be analysing the audience.
The panic and anxiety from moments ago melted away, each syllable of Octavia’s song like a soothing remedy for Vinyl’s aching heart.
“You hurt me now, but I won’t cry. I am Octavia.
You hurt me now, but I won’t cry. I am Octavia.
I am … Octavia …”
The music faded, along with the spotlight. Vinyl swore, in that split second, a single, glistening tear fell from Octavia’s cheek, before the room sank into darkness. The crowd exploded in applause and cheers, the vibration of hooves making the DJ’s teeth chatter.
“W-wow …” she whispered, still gaping at where her friend had just stood. The lights glowed on slowly, announcing the intermission. With a final gulp, she trotted for the unattended side door. With everypony still marvelling at the performance, she slipped by with ease.
“Okay, okay … j-just have to find where she went.” She continued down a narrow hallway into the bowels of the theatre. The many doors confused her, none giving the slightest indicator that they belonged to the cellist. She tip-toed softly past a group of ponies drinking to their accomplishments inside one of the dressing rooms.
“Cheers, everypony!” a stallion announced, Vinyl slamming against the wall to hide, as the door was wide open.
“Yeah! Hey … where’s Octavia?” chirped a tipsy sounding mare. This perked the DJ’s ears, and she inched closer to the door frame to eavesdrop.
There were a few moans and “I dunno’s” before another voice spoke. “I think she went back to her dressing room, she looked kinda pissed.”
Vinyl groaned, staring off down the hallway once more.
“Dude, she’s so uptight, what she needs is a drink!” a young stallion slurred, before the group erupted in laughter and shouting once more.
Drunken idiots, what they need is a kick in the flank! she grumbled to herself, turning left to the last of the dressing rooms. Her eyes widened when she saw the remainder of an ash coloured tail disappear into the end room, the door slamming behind.
“Oct –” she shoved a hoof in her muzzle, ending her shout.
You can’t just barge in, she hates you remember? Vinyl crept silently towards the door, laying out her options very clearly in her mind. What should I say? Oh, Celestia, I’m so stupid!
The door came into view, displaying a tatty, wooden star, which had been nailed onto it badly. Octavia, I just realised something, I think I love … no, that’s dumb. W-what if she never wants to talk to me again … th-then --
She stared at the door, her hoof floating inches away from the wood, ready to knock.
“I c-can’t do …” She stopped, the whimpers of a mare resonating softly from the room spiking her attention.
Oh, please no, please don’t say I made her cry? Vinyl clopped down her hoof, unwilling to listen any further.
“I know,” she breathed, trying not alert her crying friend. In a flicker of magic, her phone summoned before her, hovering just above her muzzle. Vinyl wasn’t the best with magic, but she had perfected summoning the exact record she needed from thin air. It was pretty handy for her phone too.
With a hoof tap, the line started to ring, calling Octavia. Here goes nothing. Both the phone and the buzzing from inside the room called out in sync, before Octavia crossed the room to answer. Vinyl gasped in anticipation, hoping she would pick up.
“V-Vinyl,” Octavia sniffed, trying not to sound upset, but the DJ knew better. “I told you, this friendship is over. Don’t think calling me is going to make a difference, because it’s --”
“Octavia will you … will you just listen?” she pleaded, trying to keep her voice down.
“No, you listen! No matter what you do from this point on, whatever you say, I will not change my mind,” the earth pony snarled, Vinyl hearing every word though both the door and the phone.
“W-well, what if I did something ten minutes ago?” Vinyl’s chest lurched, waiting for a response.
“Vinyl, don’t try to be smart with me.”
“I’m not … just … let me say one thing, p-please,” she insisted, her voice beginning to crack.
Octavia hesitated, thinking over the request. “B-bu – alright, one thing and that’s it, do you understand?”
“Of course.” Deep down she knew if she didn’t say what was on her mind now, she would regret it for the rest of her life. An energy built up inside her, as she waited for the words to come. Finally, she spoke.
“Octavia, you’re the single most awesome pony I’ve ever met, and I really don’t know how we get along so well, but we just do. Sometimes, I think, why in Equestria would such a classy mare want to be around me, I mean, come on. I’m loud, inconsiderate, and totally selfish and you’re well … you’re the total opposite. You even went to my gig, and you hate my music, but y-you came anyway.
But, I can’t even make it one of yours. I lied because I didn’t want to upset you.I had this amazing opportunity with Neon and I-I just … I don’t know what the hay I was thinking. I just don’t want to disappoint you or hurt you. I g-guess that one backfired, didn’t it? All I’m trying to say is that … sometimes I act like I don’t care but, well, I do. I care too much! I know that sounds weird. I-I don’t deserve you, at all, and in all honesty, I … I’d die for you, Octavia. I … I would.”
Vinyl cracked, placing her head against the door, crying into the phone. The silence lasted for an age in the DJ’s mind.
“Well, s-say something! I can’t believe you … you –” she croaked, surprised the cellist hadn’t noticed she was just in the hallway.
“Vinyl,” Octavia purred. “I don’t hate your music, I love it.”
“Wait, what?” The unicorn snapped to attention, her eyes still glistening. Out of every response she had imagined, she least expected that one.
“Yes, I think it is wonderful. Would you like to know why?” Octavia sounded relaxed, placing deep meaning behind every word.
“Y-yeah.”
“Because it’s from you,” the earth pony chuckled, Vinyl almost feeling her friend’s smile through the phone. “If I am going to love anything in this world, chances are, if it linked to you, even in the slightest, I will love it.”
Vinyl gaped at the door, her thoughts becoming suddenly very clear. “Octi?”
“Yes?”
“I-I kinda … love your music too,” she admitted, unsure whether they were still talking about their music taste, or if it was some sort of weird metaphor.
“I know,” the cellist uttered.
“I … ugh,” Vinyl began, sounding rather casual. “I sent something to your dressing room, you know, a present.” She tried to contain her giggle.
“Oh, you did? I didn’t find anything in my room,” she mumbled, fumbling around for any sign of a gift. The DJ took a step back from the door.
“Maybe they … left it outside the door?”
“Hmm, perhaps, let me check.” Octavia continued her rambling, trotting across the room. Vinyl sighed, floating the phone away from her ear to listen to her friend struggling to unlock the door. “Hold on a second, darling.”
D-darling? The unicorn grinned, as clatters and bangs echoed into the hallway, Octavia fighting with the handle.
“I’m sorry, Vinyl, but I’m not sure if it is there, because I can’t get this” –Octavia thrust her whole strength into the pull, prying it open– “bloody door –”
Vinyl stood there smirking, as they met each other’s gaze, Octavia lowering the phone in her hoof.
“… Open.” The earth pony’s face fell, still unsure if what was presented before her was real.
“Oh, it’s here alright,” Vinyl spoke, inching closer to the grey mare. “You really need to chill out, Tavi. That door didn’t do anything to you.”
Octavia could only stare into her friends amazingly coloured eyes, admiring their underappreciated beauty. She moved closer, grinning as she did so.
Oh, Luna, be cool, be cool! Vinyl felt her back legs quiver, anticipating this moment, which she’d only dreamed about.
“OW!” She felt a hoof connect with her horn, the pain ringing around her skull. “What was that --”
“For Celestia’s sake, you are single-hoofedly the most irritating pony on this earth, Vinyl Scratch!”
“Octi?”
“Y-you … are,” she stammered, the tears cascading down her cheeks, as she tackled the unicorn in a powerful hug, nuzzling into her neck.
For the love of turntables! Vinyl kissed her forehead, returning the hug. She hadn’t been this happy in a long time, perhaps ever.
“I did see your show by the way. You were amazing, and that lighting made you look kinda hot.”
Octavia broke away, glaring at her partner. “Vinyl, Don’t be so rude!” she teased.
“Too soon?”
The pair returned down the hallway, their sides brushing together. Vinyl never wanted to be more than a metre away from the earth pony again.
“No, just you have a strange way with words,” Octavia smirked. A bell sounded from inside the theatre, alerting both mares.
“I guess you need to get back out there?” The DJ’s heart sank, she didn’t want her new love to leave. She could tell by Octavia’s expression, she too felt the same.
“I’m afraid so. I apologize, darling, but this is my big night after all.” She turned to head for the stage, before feeling her hoof entwine with the DJ’s.
“Hey, it’s a big night for me too. I had to gallop all the way here, then I knocked out that --”
A tender hoof pressed against the unicorn’s lips, making her shut up instantly. Vinyl’s mind reeled, unable to contain her newly discovered emotions.
“You talk too much,” Octavia breathed, trotting towards the stage. “Um, Vinyl?”
The unicorn continued to gawk uncontrollably at nothing, babbling random beginnings of words. “Ye-yeah?”
“You coming to watch the rest of the show?” The cellist smiled sweetly at her partner’s confused ramblings.
Vinyl trotted beside her, giving a seductive wink. “Buck yeah!”