As Octavia approached the door of Vinyl's class room in Canterlot middle school, she saw two Pegasi picking on her sister.
"Stop staring at us, freak," said the one on the right, Pacific Foam.
" Yeah, and why do you get to wear headphones when no one else does?" said the one the left, Wind Bracer, while plucking Vinyl’s headphones off.
"What kind of garbage is she listening to? Turn it off!" said Pacific Foam, with more menace creeping into her tone. "Or better yet, just smash them!" It was then that Octavia's hoof slapped the back of her head. Pacific foam kicked backwards causing Octavia to fall onto her saddle bags with a crunching sound. Letting out grunts of displeasure Vinyl's magic fought for control of the headphones as Wind Bracer tried to fly off with them.
It was then that Miss Winneypenny stepped in to break it up, holding the four fighting foals aloft in her aura. "There will be no fighting in this hallowed hall of learning." she said, letting go. "Sit down, all of you." With a scraping of the drawer, out came four disciplinary forms.
"Now take this to your parents and don't come back to school without them." The four fillies sheepishly took the letters and slowly trotted home.
Vinyl pushed the door open and standing at the sink was Melody. Vinyl held out the letters in her aura.
"What is this?" Melody asked, looking at Octavia.
'' Mom, some ponies were picking on Vinyl and I hoofed one of them. Now Miss Winneypenny wants to see you tomorrow." Octavia replied.
"That's not how a proper lady handles this sort of thing. I'm disappointed in you, Octavia. You can start your punishment with a extra hour of cello practice. Now off with you."
As Vinyl and Octavia brushed past her, Vinyl 45 said, "Don't be so hard on her. I remember a couple of scrapes I got in to at that age."
While the discussion continued on in the kitchen, the sisters entered the parlor. Octavia reached in to her saddlebag and pulled out a bent box now containing a broken bow.
"Oh no no no. Dad's going to kill me when he finds out!" Vinyl, seeing the bow, felt responsible for the fight. She dashed off with it, trying to fix it.
Melody "45, we are trying too..." Then Little Vinyl stomped her hoof with a frantic look on her face. In her aura sat Octavia's rosewood bow split in two. She then pointed to the bottle of wood glue on the bench. Octavia rushed in holding a badly damaged case in her mouth.Looking little Vinyl in the eyes, Melody angrily stated. "That's it, both of you go to your rooms. Just wait there till your father comes home."
A while later, Back Stage waited in the den as Scratch and Octavia plotted down the stairs.
Upon their entering, Backstage said, "Octavia, your mother's and I have talked, and we have decided your punishment will be for you to pay for the new bow yourself. To this end, you will forgo your allowance until such time as it’s paid off. Now to bed with you.
Octavia thought about defending herself, but instead just stated "Yes father." Before trotting of to her room. Vinyl wanted to tell what had happened but all she could muster was a sad look.
Backstage stared into Scratch's eyes. "Come here." Scratch sat next to him. "Now Vinyl, if it happens again you runaway and tell the teacher." Vinyl clapped her hooves twice to voice her understanding. "Good, now off to bed with you."
Back in the pair’s bedroom Octavia sat with her head firmly planted on her desk. With a slight grind several bits started sliding over next to her. When she looked up, she saw Vinyl’s pained face staring back at her.
"It’s ok, you don't have to share your allowance with me." said Octavia, pushing the bits back. Before they reached her, however, Vinyl turned away and went to bed. Octavia thought to herself "How do you argue with someone who can’t even hear you?" Instead out came "Thank you Vinyl" even though Octavia knew she never heard it.
The family arrived at school early that morning and sat in the office of Principal Lumince. "Come in and let us sort this out." Lumince said. In the office sat the two bullies and their mothers. " Now Pacific Foam, why did you start picking on Vinyl Scratch?"
"It’s not fair, she gets to have headphones and I don't."
"Like we don't, Foam. Don't be so selfish. And we like totally hate how she stares at us." said Wind Bracer.
" Don't interrupt sweetheart, it’s rude." countered her mother, Cloud Bracer.
" Like, sorry Pacific foam."
Principal Lumince, gesturing at Harmony and 45, said " Would either of you like to explain it?"
Vinyl 45 took off her dark sunglasses, revealing the same blood red eyes of Scratch. Tinged with a bit of malice, she began " My beautiful daughter needs them to see straight. And since she is deaf, she can only understand you if she reads your lips!" She placed her sunglasses on Scratch's head. In a more loving tone, she said "Maybe this will help."
Pacific Breeze, replied "Well it helps, I guess."
"Is that a fix though?” asked Pacific Foam pouting “I mean, it’ll just look like more favoritism."
"Perhaps if I make a P.A. announcement explaining Vinyl's needs. Will that suffice?" Then the school bell rang. Principal Lumince looked at the foals. "Go to class and I will see each of you at lunch." As the two bullies left and Octavia signaled for Vinyl to follow, shutting the door behind them. Once the door was closed, Principal Lumince said "There still is the matter of punishment. I am not opposed to letting you handle it. Provided they apologize to each other and to Miss. Winneypenny."
"She hit my daughter." said Pacific Breeze.
Vinyl harshly interrupted her with "While yours was mugging mine."
Harmony more calmly stated "I think you have a little more to gain by this."
Cloud Bracer, leaning over to her friend, said "Perhaps we should handle this ourselves, quietly." Upon each of the four mares finally ageing to the terms, they left their separate ways.
Both Vinyl 45 and Harmonic Melody were waiting at the door when school let out.
" So how did your day go?" asked Melody.
"We had to apologize to them and when I get home I have to right a letter to Miss Winneypenny." replied Octavia.
"It as it should be. But before that, we need to buy you a new bow. You still owe me 2 hours practice."
"Yes mother." replied Octavia in a low tone.
Vinyl 45 stopped Scratch. Then, after taking her shades back, said "Come on, let’s get you your own pair." Beckoning all to follow, the four made their way down to the shopping district.
The Vinyls broke off to the optometrist as Melody and Octavia entered back in to Domino's Acoustic.“Now, look around and see if there’s anything you like.” said Vinyl 45. “But behave yourself while I talk to this nice stallion.” She started to run off but stopped herself and walked to the displays. Vinyl 45 "I'm going to need a pair of tinted glasses made.” she said to the stallion at the register. “Here is her latest eye exam results.” Then came a tug on her bag. As two frames floated on to the counter, she looked down. "Did you find something you like? Cool." Scratch, levitating the first pair up, held just the brushed silver frames. Then the second pair floated up held by the pink glass. "So you want the silver frames with pink glass?" asked Vinyl 45. Scratch clapped her hoofs twice in agreement.
Over the counter came "They will be ready in about a hour."
"Thank you ." said Vinyl 45, turning back to Scratch. "Come along, we need to pick up dinner. " Scratch clapped again in agreement before the two walked out the door.
Meanwhile, back at Domino's Acoustic Melody and Octavia were picking out a new bow.
"Now Octavia, you may have any of them you wish, but there is a catch. The more it costs, the longer you will go without your allowance." At first she held a new rosewood bow. After looking at the price she remembered that her sister would be paying for half, even if no one else knew. She sorrowfully placed it back on the rack. She felt it was to much to ask of her. In the end she picked a modestly priced model with a plan black coat and the same style of the old one.
Melody was glad Octavia thought things through.
"Come now, we have to meet the others at the grocery store." Even at that price it still took a month to pay it off. Octavia learned two lessons from this; her actions have consequences, and that her sister would be there to help her through them.