//------------------------------//
// Chapter 8 (One Step Closer) 
// Story: Scratching the Surface 
// by Johnny_Bell 
//------------------------------//

Vinyl opened her eyes and moaned, headache setting in.
“Ow my head.” She held her hoofs against her head, then looked around. She wasn’t in her bed. She wasn’t even in her room. She was in a room that was colored white, had a few pictures of her roommate Octavia on the walls. She soon figured she was in the grey mare’s room, but why? There was a slight movement next to her. She looked to see Octavia, looking back at her. Octavia’s mane was a mess, probably from sleeping, or so she hoped.
“Well, good morning.” The grey pony greeted the unicorn.
“Morning... Why am I-”
“You walked in here, thinking it was your room, then passed out.”
“So...nothing funny-”
“Nothing that I recall.” They sat there in silence for a little.
“Are you sore anywhere?” Vinyl asked, holding her head again.
“I beg your pardon? I’m fine. It looks like you’re the one who’s a little sore.” Octavia laughed, then stood.
“Just a normal hangover.” Vinyl said, also standing.
“Well, if you don’t mind, I’m going to take a shower and fix my mane.
“And I’m gonna...” She closed her eyes. “Find headache stuff.” They both left the room, Octavia into the bathroom and Vinyl headed for the kitchen. She opened a cabinet above the stove and pulled out a bottle. Taking only two pills, with a small drink, Vinyl proceeded to walk out of the kitchen.
“Ugh... Head is so cloudy...well, I still have time to brush my teeth this morning before Octavia gets in her shower.” The dazed unicorn walked down the hall and into the bathroom, to see a surprised grey mare.
“Vinyl! Out! I’m in here! Get out!” Octavia screamed. Vinyl covered her ears.
“Oh that’s right.... You were already in here.”
“OUT!”
“Ow! Easy! Don’t have to scream my ears off.” The unicorn used her magic to grab her toothbrush and closed the door behind her. “I mean it’s not like we’re the same gender or anything.” She added sarcastically.

“You invaded my privacy!” Octavia wasn’t done yelling at the unicorn, who still had a headache, for the morning’s accident. They were once again walking the streets, heading to a building that was holding musical auditions. The grey pony was carrying her cello, balanced on her back.
“Great Celestia, mare. You act like it’s something new to me.” Vinyl said, wearing her shades to block out the sun instead for looks.
“No, It’s the fact that you knew I was in there.” The grey mare stated blankly.
“Tavi, baby, I forgot. My mind was so clouded-”
“That you forgot a conversation that occurred less than two minutes BEFORE that?” She huffed. “And don’t call me Tavi!” Vinyl sighed. They stayed silent the rest of the walk.

They reached the building, and Vinyl looked over to her roommate.
“Now or never.” The unicorn thought to herself, then quickly leaned over and kissed the earth pony’s cheek. Octavia froze instantly, and Vinyl whipped around in front of her.
“Look, what happened this morning was an accident. Let’s put it behind us now. I want you to have a wonderful time in there. It’s what you need.” Vinyl lifted her shades, squinting due to the bright light and smiled. “It’s what you want, yes?” Octavia put a hoof on her own cheek.
“I...Vinyl.” The unicorn shifted to her side.
“Just remember Octavia, whatever happens, I’ll always be here for you.” The white pony snugged against her. “Because I care.”
“Vinyl...” The cellist stuttered, still surprised.
“Shhh. Take your thoughts, turn them into wonderful music. I’ll wait for you out here.” Vinyl shoved Octavia to the door. “And knock them out of their hooves!” She shouted as the earth pony reached the door. Octavia stopped, then turned to look at the smiling unicorn. She smiled back, then proceeded inside, mouthing “Thanks Vinyl.”
“Ya done good Vinyl. Ya done good.” The unicorn stated, then sat on a bench outside the building. She looked around, noticing hardly anyone on the streets and wondered why. The crack of lightning reminded her.
“Oh that’s right....rain.” Vinyl stated as the rain started coming down. It was nice and cool, but not cold. She sat there, enjoying the nice temperature of the rain, letting it soak into her mane. She let out a happy sigh. Something about natural water just made her feel like herself. The rain slowly picked up the pace coming to a heavy downpour. She closed her eyes and listened to the soothing sound of the rain for a while.
“Hey silly! What are you doing out here?” Vinyl opened her eyes to see Pinkie Pie out on the street, wearing a rainbow umbrella hat.
“I’m uh, waiting for a friend. She’s inside, wowing some other ponies with her music.”
“Okie dokie lokie! Oh, I do have news for you. Rarity’s show will be this weekend at her shop, are you still going to be her DJ?” The pink pony bounced over to Vinyl.
“Yeah, of course. Do I need to make my own track?”
“I think she said something about that. So yeah, I would. Oh! I remember! Yes, you need to make your own track, but it needs to be mellow.” Pinkie bounced around.
“Mellow. Alright, I think I can do that.”
“Cool! I’ll go tell Rarity now!” The pink pony  then bounced away in the downpour. Vinyl shook out her mane, just to have it immediately soaked again, and started thinking of a calm song for her first gig. She sat there for hours in the rain, just bobbing her head, creating music in her mind.

“Oh my goodness, Vinyl, how long have you been out here?!” Vinyl’s concentration was suddenly cut by Octavia’s voice. The unicorn blinked out of her daze.
“Huh? What....Oh, right. Your audition thing.” Vinyl said, picking herself up off the bench. “I dunno, how long were you in there?” Octavia’s eyes widened.
“About four and a half hours.” Vinyl lowered her head.
“Wow. And I’m not even close to coming up with a good song for the show.” She then straightened up. “Speaking of which, how did your...thingy go?”
“Let’s get home and dry you off first.” The grey mare placed an extra umbrella on Vinyl’s back. The white mare sneezed.
“Thanks.”

The two mares reached their apartment, and Vinyl walked down the hall.
“Hey, Tavi. Come, we’ll talk while I warm up in a bath.” She motioned for the grey mare to follow her.
“Uhm, isn’t that an invasion of your privacy, Vinyl?” Octavia hesitantly asked. Vinyl turned around, and took off her wet shades.
“It’s not invasion of privacy if I ask you to join. Besides, all I want to do is talk about how you did.” The grey earth pony looked at her roommate, then shrugged.
“Well, I suppose you’re right. I’ll join you after you’re in the water.” Vinyl rolled her eyes and smiled.
“Whatever make you feel comfortable.” She added as she walked into the bathroom and turned on the hot water. She watched her rippling reflection as the water slowly rose in the tub. The tune came back to her head, slowly making the unicorn bob her head with the beat again. She then got in the tub once it was to her liking, and called for her roommate.
“Alright, I’m here.” Octavia said, walking in with her night-mask on. Vinyl burst out laughing.
“You’re kidding, right? Please tell me you’re kidding.” the grey mare sat on a seat she had also brought in.
“What?” She looked around, unable to see anything. Vinyl used her magic to take off the blindfold, and she dunked it in the water between her hind legs. “Hey! Vinyl! Not cool!” Octavia reached for the blindfold, but stopped when she saw where it was. She held her mouth in a gasp.
“Now that you can see my EMOTIONS while we talk, let’s start.”
“Vinyl! My night-shade! It’s wet! I can’t sleep with something wet in my eyes.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure it’s dry before you sleep. Now, how did your audition go?” The unicorn sank lower into the bath water, letting the water set in around her neck. Octavia sunk a little in her chair and frowned.
“They said my musical talent was too...”
“Too...?” Vinyl sat up a little, looking over at her roommate.
“Was too ‘emotional.’ They wanted it to be less...flowing.” Octavia met Vinyl’s blank stare.
“That makes absolutely no bucking sense. ‘Too emotional,’ how in Equestria-” vinyl stopped herself when she saw the grey mare blush a little and her jaw dropped. “No way. I caused it, didn’t I?” Octavia looked down.
“The cheek kiss threw me off a bit, and when you told me to put my emotions into music, I did. I thought it was beautiful, long, passionate, and put together nicely, but the judges thought it was too much.” Vinyl ran a hoof under the mare’s chin.
“And I told you I’d be here for you. I promise we’ll get you an awesome gig.”
“Thanks Vinyl. You’re an awesome mare.”
“You know me, I try.” Vinyl placed her hoofs behind her head, then sneezed. The two laughed.

“I have to say Vinyl, that was a brave move.” Octavia and the white unicorn were now in the living room, watching a murder mystery on TV.
“What was?”
“Asking me to join you in the bathroom. At first it sounded...awkward, but I’m actually glad we did talk.” Octavia leaned against Vinyl. “I was actually in a sad mood once I was told I wasn’t picked.” Vinyl placed a hoof around her friend.
“And I knew you were, that’s why I wanted to talk.” Just then the phone rang. “I got it!” The unicorn let Octavia sit back up and she grabbed the phone, holding it with her magic. “Yo, this is Vinyl Scratch.”
“Miss Scratch, is your roommate, Octavia, there?” A voice said on the other side of the line.
“Who wants to know?” she asked, turning to the couch. There was a laugh on the line.
“That’s an interesting way to talk to your Princess.” Vinyl’s eyes widened.
“Celestia! Oh my, I’m so sorry! Yes, she’s here give me a second.” Vinyl gently set the phone on the counter, then ran up to the grey mare.
“What?” She asked, shocked.
“Celestia! Phone! FOR YOU!” Vinyl shouted. Octavia’s eyes dilated.
“No way!” She ran up to the phone and held it to her ear.
“Wow. Lucky.” The unicorn mumbled to herself.
“Hello?...yes, this is she.....Hello princess! It’s an honor!......yes?......oh you did?......You want me to what?.......Why of course!.....yes.....yes.... Lovely! I shall practice right away!.......thank you so so so somuch, Princess Celestia.....alright, I’ll see you there.....yes of course...thank you again, goodbye.” She hung up the phone and stayed still.
“Tavi?” Vinyl walked up to her. “What was that about?” The grey mare slowly turned around with a huge smile on her face.
“Celestia wants me to play at the Grand Galloping Gala!”