//------------------------------// // Home // Story: Eyes of a Musician // by artsofallkinds //------------------------------// All characters either belong to Hasbro and the Hub or to the Brony fan base as a whole, with the exception to OC ponies, who belong to their respective owners. Enjoy! -Arts ---------- Chapter 4: Home Wind is powerful. The wind itself could and can be any strength at any moment. No one told it what to do. It could be non existent, or maybe a gentle push on your fur. Or it could be all you can hear, sucking up whole cities in no time flat. Sometimes dangerous, yes, but sometimes enjoyable, too. Free as a bird... But the term “free as a bird” didn’t really seem relevant if one thought about it. The bird itself is unchained, yes, but what is it riding? Can a bird truly be free unless a strong wind blows it off course of centuries-old migratory patterns? Could a strong wind help it escape a predator, or might it push a hatchling out of its nest too early? The wind is what’s free, the bird just a slave to whatever blows its way. Wind can mean the difference between life and death, especially for a pegasus like Everbreeze. She’s rode the currents of wind ever since she was young. She was taught by her mom, and a few of her older siblings; her dad wasn't extremely... prevalent in her childhood. Most of her time was spent with her mom, if anypony at all. But it was those moments alone that she really treasured, above anything else. Now she was fleeing because of that time alone, the midnight wind violently whipping at her fur. A strap-bound bag hung over her back, holding the only objects she had to remember her old life by: a framed picture of her family and a small device she had no name for, but used religiously. It created a beautiful noise when she pressed her lips to one end and carefully pushed air through the complex tubing. There was food, too, but if what she heard was legitimate, then she wouldn't need that anymore. She was off to a place where she could be accepted. Her unnaturally bright blue eyes led her through the blinding and soaking storm, her ears informing her of the guards still somehow chasing her. With great exasperation, she realized she'd have to shake her pursuers before she could go even within the vicinity of the rumored old, wooden house that holds haven beneath. With a tilt to the left, she shifted into the wind and quickly felt her course alter, barely keeping balance as every tired muscle and joint in her body protested. It was becoming harder and harder to stay aloft. The lamps behind her, cutting through the storm, followed her in her altered course. They wouldn't leave her that easily. She desperately dove below the tree level, attempting to avoid the branches as she sped along. The lights dove down too, shouting at each other through the roar of the rain to keep up; they wouldn't let a 'Bright Eye' get away. Everbreeze thought about dropping her bag so she wouldn't have to carry so much, but immediately thought against it. She would rather die then forfeit what was in there. Suddenly, a branch shot out of the darkness and flat into Everbreeze's face. The pain was sudden and shocking, spinning her and throwing her down onto the dirt floor of the woods. Stars flew across the edges of her vision, a dull and throbbing tone muting any sound but itself. She could barely think. But as she watched the darkness, the nothingness close in around her, she thought she felt something grab her by her hoof. ----- Vinyl woke up. Naturally, she checked her surroundings for other ponies before doing anything else. Being on the run for four years will do that to a pony. But as she looked around, Vinyl remembered the occurrences of the past few days. Relaxing her head back on the unbelievably comfortable pillow, she drifted through her recent memories. --- Vinyl and Octavia had been completely overwhelmed by the friendliness and acceptance of the Rhythm Underground's ponies. Quick Step had assigned them a room, which had a couch, a chair, a table, and a separate room for... well, the other necessities. The suite only had one bed, but Quick Step had guessed (with a wink) that that wouldn't be a problem. Octavia had sung her lullaby song, and the two had slept like foals that night in the other's hooves. The next day Quick Step had introduced them to the general system of their new home. Everything was very fair, in the girls' opinions. Ponies voted on new rules and laws the small 'government' thought up. The economy ran on the same bits that the outside world ran on, too. The government mostly kept out of economic affairs, except to pay those in the government and to fund concerts held every week by compensating anypony who wanted to perform a new set. If the crowd enjoyed it, they got more money; a magic crowd-enjoyment-measuring-meter specified the perfect and fair amount. Some talented ponies gained all of their income from these performances. There were taxes, but they were completely on a weekly collection basis. Everypony had to pay the same amount, even Quick Step and other ponies in the government. It all pooled into a treasury and the ponies voted on what to use it for. If somepony wanted to, say, start up a fashion business, like a certain stylish pony they met by the name of Rarity, the population voted by magically unchangeable slips of paper if she should be given a loan from their vaults. This vote, in particular, had passed, and the loan was given and quickly paid off as Rarity's fashion expertise changed many ponies' opinions on clothing. Quick Step showed Vinyl and Octavia both floors of the Rhythm Underground. The topmost floor held the residential hall, where he said all the ponies lived and often hung out. The small government also had its offices on this floor; it was the hall Quick Step had led them to when he had the pair sign the papers. The wooden balcony around the main square was well supported and held the magical lights in place. When you descend the stairs, things become more complex. The main floor has the somehow-grassy square, where ponies often meet up, eat, chat, and play their instruments. The foals and colts have their school lessons here as well, run by a mare known as Miss Cheerilee. They hadn't seen her or any kids last night because it was well beyond both of their bedtimes; the children because they need their sleep, Cheerilee because she has to keep up her energy to deal with the kids. But they were out today, Miss Cheerilee giving her lesson and the kids paying attention somewhat. There was a hall under where the entrance to the government hall is that leads to the retail hall. Here, shops and stalls are opened daily for ponies to browse. They met the Cakes (the town's baker family), their two kids, and their kitchen hand, Pinkie Pie, who had met them yesterday and thrown them the celebratory party they had after the music had finished. They also met the head of the library who, even though a library was a free thing for anypony to use, also had a space in the hall. Her name was Twilight Sparkle and her assistant's was a small dragon called Spike. They had similarly met Rarity in her shop, where they were immediately fitted and measured. Rarity boasted that she had everypony's measurements memorized so she could make clothes for anypony at anytime. The clinic was at the end of that hall; Nurse Redheart introduced herself and told Quick Step that the patients were looking up. Quick Step told them he'd leave the rest of the exploration up to them, as he had a meeting to attend, but left them at a much worn doorway in the town square. He winked and went his way. The two looked at each other and Vinyl bravely pushed open the door. Inside was a large storage area. There were shelves upon shelves, each labeled. Instruments, sorted by type and name, lined up and filled a majority of the room. Pipes with flayed ends, wood forms keeping strings taunt, sticks and cylinders, even a few large devices with black and white... Vinyl couldn't actually think of a name for them, but even that instrument, too. They were all there. Octavia had squealed in delight. "Vinyl... Do you think...?" "He wouldn't have brought us here if..." continued Vinyl. They looked at each other yet again and both smiled wide. Octavia grabbed Vinyl in a huge hug and took off to try the many devices in front of her. Vinyl happily sighed and followed her partner. The two explored every inch of the racks. Vinyl picked up something labeled as a 'Bass Guitar' and strummed a hoof along the strings, but found them coarse and too thick to work with. Octavia saw something labeled a 'Flute' and blew through it, only to create a note that might have been able to shatter glass, had there been any nearby. Vinyl was looking through some of the larger stringed instruments when something caught her eye. It looked old, but very peculiar in size; it was between the larger and smaller ones like it, and seemed to be the only one of that size. She read the label: 'Double Bass, requires bow'. "Huh, okay," mumbled Vinyl, looking back to the basket of sticks with wide strings labeled 'bows'. She took one and brought it back to the Double Bass. She held it as the picture under the sign depicted, her standing on her rear hooves and holding it up, using her magic to support the bow, and drew the bristly fur across the taunt strings. She liked the sound. It was like the guitar she had tried, but more full and echo-y. It grew in intensity if the bow moved across the string faster, and the note would shift if she moved her hoof not holding the bow up or down along the string she was playing. But it wasn't her. It was too calm, too pleasant... Too Octavia. "Hey, 'Tavi?" she called out. "You might like this." A shrill note, not unlike her experiment with the flute, sounded before Vinyl got a response. "Sure, one second." Hoofsteps echoed dully on the packed dirt floor. When Octavia rounded the corner, Vinyl could have sworn her eyes grew in size. Her muzzle hung open as she eyed the instrument and walked to her friend. "I... I saw something like this last night... But it looked to big..." she stated. She replaced her friend and imitated her position, holding the Double Bass like Vinyl had been. "Um, can you give me that?" she asked. Octavia hadn't seen the diagram, which depicted a unicorn only, but regardless Vinyl hoofed the bow to her friend. She held it, notched in the crook of her hoof. She somehow found a good grip there and proceeded to pull the hairs across the strings. If Vinyl's playing had been any good, Octavia's single note was that of something better then the song Vinyl had heard the night before, which was the closest thing to heavenly she knew of. The note was the opposite of scratchy, the pinnacle of smooth. It rose softly and slowly, hitting a kind of apex as she ran out of bow and naturally pulled it back towards herself. It was a measure of perfection in Vinyl's ears. "...I don't know," said Octavia, with obvious uncertainty. "It feels a little-" "Do that again," Vinyl asked. Red eyes pleaded their case at the brown earth pony. "W-what?" stuttered a shocked Octavia. "That, what you just did. Please, again," begged the unicorn. "Oh, um, okay," Octavia got out. She straightened herself out again and once more pulled the bow across the string. "Oooh," sighed Vinyl as the note filled the room again. She closed her eyes as the note once more grew to its fullest and shuttered as it receded. "Yes, that's nice," she said as she reopened her eyes. Octavia opened her eyes, too, and smiled at the Double Bass. "You know... That did feel really, really good." She set the bow back up on the strings. "Aw yeah," Vinyl said as a new note reached her ears. It grew in volume 'till that wonderful apex, then shot a shutter through Vinyl as Octavia moved her hoof and switched the note. The final note faded away as the bow ran out of space, tugging Vinyl's heartstrings with it. "That's amazing," complemented Vinyl. "Thank you, and... And I think you're right," confirmed Octavia. --- Vinyl looked at the Double Bass, now polished to shining perfection and resting against their room's wall. Quick Step had invited Octavia to lessons on how to use it, which she gladly accepted. Vinyl couldn't be happier; for her partner because after four years of running she was finally doing something she loved, and for herself because every night Octavia would come home with a new note to play for Vinyl's eager ears. Octavia, always seeming to wake at the perfect moment, began to stir. Vinyl reached out her hoof and laid it on top of her now roommate's shoulder, so she could be the first thing her partner thought of that morning. "Good morning," yawned the brown earth pony, pushing herself closer to her companion. "Good morning," responded the white unicorn, wrapping herself tightly around her lazily cuddling... marefriend. There's no denying it now, Vinyl figured; it was official ever since the kiss a few nights back. Strange how the Rhythm Underground made her comfortable enough with herself to explore, and experience, this kind of thing she didn't have much time for back Aboveground. Aboveground... such a fitting name for the rest of Equestria. Exposed, unpredictable, vulnerable; this is what the Aboveground meant to the ponies of their new home. Not many ventured up, simply because they wanted to leave their past behind. They couldn't be happy out there. Vinyl and Octavia laid close together in their bed for a few minutes. Why they never fell asleep like this, Vinyl didn't know. Maybe one of them tossed in her sleep? "I guess we should probably get up now," sighed Octavia. She didn't shift. "Probably," breathed Vinyl. Her eyes remained closed. "Start the day, meet some new ponies," continued Octavia softly, as if the air around them would shatter the moment if she talked too loud. "Maybe," confirmed Vinyl, holding her friend closer still. Her head rested on the side of the earth pony's. "Just sitting here in bed would get nothing accomplished," whispered Octavia, smiling dreamily and mentally laughing at the sarcasm of the conversation. "Uh-huh," agreed Vinyl. She couldn't decide whether the pillow was comfier then Octavia or not. She'd have to keep laying her head on Octavia's then, just to make sure. They hugged there together, simply enjoying the other's company and touch, getting 'nothing' accomplished for who knows how long. The hotel-like window by the door (currently curtained off) betrayed signs of activity from the outside world, but the girls didn't care. Their lights were off, their mare was with them, and their day was starting perfectly. Until the alarm bell rang. Vinyl and Octavia both shot up in shock. It was kind of like music, but not pleasant. Neither of them actually knew what it was, but they could both felt that something as loud and shrill as this had to be important. Quickly, the two unkempt mares trotted out of their room, Vinyl grabbing the unnecessary key to their door from her nightstand (the only real use for it would be for privacy). They moved along with the crowd of stunned ponies to the second floor balcony. Two mares, one mint green and the other yellow with purple and pink hair, blocked some of their view of the main plaza, but they still saw the scene: The pegasus with the rainbow mane (a performer by the name of Rainbow Dash, so the pair had been told) was just flying off of the balcony with another pegasus on her back. Quick Step and a red stallion ran out of the doorway that led to the Aboveground, just behind the multi-colored streak. Unfortunately lacking wings, both earth ponies resorted to taking the stairs as Nurse Redheart appeared from the crowd. Worried conversation filled the hall. "Okay everypony," began Quick Step, breaking through the gathered ponies on the ground floor, "by the looks of it we have a concussion, a lot of injuries, and fatigue. You know what to do." The crowd grew silent as Nurse Redheart began her work. The unconscious grey pegasus was on a table in the center of the square, giving everypony a good view. The nurse began to prepare ice bags and pillows to ease the patient back into the world. A rouge voice separated itself from the crowd: "Her wing looks broken!" The crowd murmured things like "That's horrible!" "Terribly unlucky," "Worse then just broken," and "Poor thing," before dying back down into a worried silence. "You'll have to set it, might as well do it now," instructed Rainbow Dash. "We definitely want that to heal right." "Noted," said the busy nurse. After putting a rag in the pony's mouth, she found a wooden splint in her medical bag and, using the advice of Rainbow, pressed the unconscious mare's wing suddenly back into what Vinyl assumed was how it was supposed to look. The pegasus's eyes flew open in shock, then squeezed shut in pain. An agonizing scream filled the air before the nurse yelled at her to bite down, which she did. She shuttered through the pain, the alto only dulled as the waves of apparent agony continued. She eventually stopped, her brow sweaty and her breath hard. The nurse removed the rag from her mouth and tied the splint with fresh gauze, but the new arrival still kept her eyes closed. The crowd let out a collective sigh of relief when they say the pony was awake and taken care of. "Oh, thank Celestia, she's up. Nurse Redheart, you're a miracle worker," sighed Quick Step. "I just did what I knew how to do," sighed the nurse. "I'll get her to the hospital room as soon as she can be moved. Until then, thank you, everypony, for your help. I can take it from here." The crowd began to move around them again, off to their jobs or lessons. Quick Step, however, made a motion at Vinyl and Octavia, telling them to meet him down by the table. The two trotted in that direction, curious about the patient. Quick Step greeted them as they walked up: "Hello, girls. It's been quite the night for me, so don't blame me if I'm snappy. This is Big Mac," he motioned to the stallion on his right, who nodded his head, "and he, Dash and I were just in time to save this mare here." They walked towards the table to take a better look at her. "She was flying away from the guards, probably looking for the Underground. We were keeping pace with her, waiting for a moment we could get her away from her chasers. And when she collided with a branch she didn't see and toppled down, we got that opportunity, as bad a cost that opportunity was to get." The grey mare was lying on the table on her back, supported by pillows. Her long, blue and green mane was tangled and soaked in either rain, sweat, or both. Her wings were spread out on the table, one wrapped in the temporary cast held in place by gauze. Both eyes were screwed shut and she was muttering to herself incomprehensively. "Poor thing," sighed Octavia. "She was in the best care we offer. Seriously," Quick Step said, sounding like he was about to explain another aspect of the Underground to the two new mares. "We gather everypony here to see if they can catch anything the nurse doesn't. That way, patients get literally the most attention possible. If two heads are better then one, then many must be even better, right?" "I can see that," agreed Vinyl. "Big Mac, could you give me a hoof here?" asked the nurse. She had tied some ice bags to specific parts of the unfortunately injured mare and by the looks of it she was ready for transport. "Eeyep," said the large stallion. Vinyl realized this was the one who said the same thing a few nights ago, before the song. Big Mac walked over to the table and took a second to look at the mare. Before he looked away to help the nurse, however, her eyes slowly opened. Green stared into blue for a moment, and if Vinyl could compare it to anything, she could have sworn the shared gaze looked like fireworks. After a few seconds, the mare tilted her head away, breaking the moment. Her eyes were wide, and was it just the bruises or were her cheeks red, too? "Alright, I'm just gonna move you onto this stallion's back. Are you okay with that?" asked the nurse clearly. "S-sure," shuddered the injured mare. Her voice was light and high, but still mature, and seemed caring even in that one word. The nurse cautiously pulled the pony onto Big Mac perpendicularly, and with hooves hanging off either side. The mare had closed her eyes, but Vinyl's feminine rumor-mill side had to wonder if it was out of pain, or maybe shyness. ----- Octavia pushed opened the door to her apartment, carrying the Cello-like instrument on her back. It was heavy, but all the same compensated by its sound; beauty came at a high price, and this beauty was worth every cent. She saw her partner on the couch, promptly passed out in a rather crude fashion. One of her back hooves was on top of the couch's cushion, and one of her front hooves was dangling off the side. Octavia loved her for it, but Vinyl was just so strange sometimes, even in the way she napped. Regardless, Octavia set her Double Bass down and grabbed her bow. Positioning herself, she played a simple string of notes she had perfected that day. Calm and slow, she believed it would be a great thing to hear as one woke up. Octavia watched as her unicorn partner flickered open her eyes and saw what the sound was. Her red pupils were only fractionally shown, as her eyes were still half-lidded. As the string of notes replayed itself, Vinyl's eyes rolled into her head and she sighed in pleasure. She closed her eyes again and, without moving, smiled and listened to the song. After a few bars, Octavia decided that was enough of a wake-up call. She ended the piece on the last note, drawing it out just a bit to signify the finish. With no more music, however, Octavia heard a small humming, still continuing her tune, coming from the couch before it stopped in sudden embarrassment. Vinyl's eyes fluttered open and she pouted her lip. "Done so soon?" she half-asked, half-pleaded. "Well, that's kind of all I know how to do," Octavia shrugged. "And it's amazing, keep doing it!" encouraged the groggy unicorn, still in the same position on the couch. "Uh-uh, that's all you get," teased the earth pony, setting down the stringed instrument and stashing the bow. "Aww," whined Vinyl, rolling off the couch and face-first into the floor. Muffled, but still comprehendible, she continued: "I like your music; I need to hear it all the time." Still pouting, she looked up. "Pleeeeeeese?" "Vinyl," Octavia giggled, "My hooves are tired. And it's not like we're never going to see each other." She plopped herself down on the couch. "Now come here, I'm in need of a hug," she smiled. Vinyl giggled. "You know you're always going to get a hug from me, whether you like it or not," she said. She pounced up and grabbed Octavia, laying in between her and the couch cushion and wrapped her hooves around her neck. They sat there for a few moments, enjoying the other's company. They found early on that cuddling with their partner was an activity they both greatly enjoyed, so they often found themselves in the other's hooves. A minute later, Octavia broke the silence. "Vinyl, can we go check on the poor mare from this morning?" she asked. The earth pony couldn't help but worry about the new arrival, and had to see for herself if she was okay. Vinyl pouted. "Aww, but we just started," she complained. "It's been really bothering me, though," explained Octavia. Putting on her best doggie face, she turned to Vinyl and said "Pleeeeeeese?" "Depends," giggled Vinyl. "Will you play for me later?" "Oh, of course, if we can go right now!" smiled Octavia. "Right now?" asked Vinyl disapprovingly. "Come on, pretty please? We can get back to cuddling tonight," Octavia pleaded. Vinyl paused for a second. Octavia knew what she was thinking about. On one hoof, she could stay here with a less-then-satisfied Octavia, who would probably not be up for cuddles. On the other, she could spend a few minutes checking on a very sick pony, scoring a few brownie points with Octavia, getting more willing cuddles, and listening to more of Octavia's music. There, unfortunately for the still-groggy unicorn, wasn't much of a choice. "Okay, let's go," sighed Vinyl as she got herself up on her hooves. "Yay! Thank you, Vinyl!" Octavia said, jumping up and kissing her marefriend on the cheek. The earth pony saw white cheeks grow red cutely as she walked to the front doorway. The two mares trotted through the hallways close together, no longer afraid of either hiding themselves or who they were with. They made their way down the stairs of the balcony and through the retail hall to the infirmary. They walked into the only room in the Rhythm Underground they knew of that had tile floor and asked Nurse Redheart if they could see the mare. "Oh, her name's Everbreeze," explained the nurse. "She's been napping all day, so I don't see why not. Go ahead, fourth room on the right." "Everbreeze," both mares copied. Octavia liked the name, and had to wonder what her cutie mark was. She hadn't seen it that morning. Vinyl took the lead and opened the door to the fourth room on the right. She poked her head in, but stopped dead in her tracks. She slowly slid backwards and quietly closed the door. "She's fine," Vinyl said. "Wait, hold on," Octavia began. "What's in there?" "Nothing," pleaded the unicorn. "Let me see!" she cried. Vinyl blocked the door. "C'mon, let's go ba-" Octavia pushed past her partner, annoyed. She opened the door and poked her head inside. The mare was sitting up on her bed, and Big Mac was sitting next to her. Her grey fur was dry and groomed, as was her blue and green mane. His mane was blonde and slightly ruffled, his red coat also slightly lacking attention. They both were facing the wall opposite the door. They were close together, almost touching. Actually, Octavia realized they were touching. On the lips. She backed out and closed the door softly. Purple eyes wide with shock, she turned to her partner. "Was she...?" "Uh-huh." "But he...?" "Uh-huh." "...But how?" "I don't know. And honestly, Octavia, it's none of our business." Still in a state of confusion, Octavia followed Vinyl out of the infirmary and all the way back to their room. She couldn't figure out for the life of her how any relationship could move that quickly. She hoped it had a logical explanation. She hoped even more the two knew what they were doing. "Don't worry, I'm sure they're fine," Vinyl reassured. She reached into their icebox and pulled out two bottles of juices. "Apple cider or cherry juice?" "How can you be so... Nonchalant about that?" asked Octavia. "Simple, really," Vinyl said, pouring herself a glass of the cherry juice. "I can tell Big Mac is one of those respectable types. The courteous ones that every girl admires as out of their league. And when you wake up to find this kind of stallion hanging over you and volunteering to help you, how can you not fall head over hooves for him?" Vinyl took a gulp from her juice. "Naturally, he wants to take care of her, and she wants to be taken care of by him. Maybe one of the two got daring and acted on instinct, doing what they both wanted. Who knows? But it is what it is." She took another swig from the glass. Octavia was stunned for a second. "How did you know all that?" she asked. "Easy," smiled Vinyl. "Just keep an eye open, you'll be amazed at what you find." Octavia sighed and smiled. "Okay, I believe you. I'm watching them, though, just to be sure." "Whatever makes you happy," grinned Vinyl. "Oh, but do you know what would really make me happy right now?" Octavia asked her partner. "Hmm... I don't know, what?" Vinyl responded playfully. Octavia smiled and suddenly sprinted to the back of the room. She jumped into the air and spread-eagle dived onto her shared bed. She quickly flipped under the covers and held herself down as best she could. "Wha- Hey!" exclaimed Vinyl. "And you can't make me move!" laughed Octavia from under her sheets. "Is that a challenge?" Vinyl questioned as she set her cup down. Very quickly, the room was filled with giggles as the earth pony was unsuccessfully wrestled with. Both parties pushed and shifted, but neither could get the other to stop in her efforts, so eventually they both gave up and dropped flat on the bed, panting hard. Vinyl and Octavia laid next to each other, giggling and catching their breath. Vinyl softly grabbed Octavia above the shoulders and held her close. Octavia was shocked, but by no means mad or annoyed. In fact, as her partner's breath slowed, she realized she enjoyed it very much. It was a cute gesture, and Octavia decided to return it. Slowly, she hugged her marefriend back. Lazily humming her lullaby tune, she smiled and shut her eyes, feeling her body grow numb as sleep overtook her. Even that night, in the sea of dreams, she knew Vinyl was there next to her, sleeping soundly and lovingly holding her. And she was happy. ----- OCC: 'Sup bronies? Huge thanks to my friend Everbreeze for letting me use her character! And yes, she specifically asked to be shipped with Big Mac. If you didn't think I gave enough of an explanation, then tell me to ask her what she thinks went down. And remember, if you want your OC in a chapter, you can send an application to me! Check Chapter Two: Trust for details. Sorry about this being super sappy and stuff. I'm experimenting. Not to mention, Vinyl and Octavia are a couple that want the attention from each other after not being able to act on their feelings for 4-ish years. Imagine that, then imagine finally getting the chance to. You'd more then likely get sappy about it as well. Thanks for reading! -Arts