//------------------------------// // 1. White Noise // Story: The News and the Noise // by DudeManGuy //------------------------------// “Good morning Equestria! This is DJ Pon-3 comin’ atcha with the news, and the noise. Now call me crazy, but is it getting hot around here? Whatever they’re planning at the weather factory, I’m excited. Can you say thunderstorm? In Canterlot yesterday, there was a small rally to petition for an extension to the residential area. The city is a bit crowded lately I must admit. Now this petition was brought directly to the princess, our ‘esteemed’ ruler. Well, she said no! I’m an understanding pony like the rest of you, but come on? Maybe somepony should bring her there, so she can see exactly the conditions we commoners have to deal with. In other news, Stalliongrad has halted production on nuclear energy. Why you may ask? Earlier this week there was a big scare. Meltdown baby, that’s the problem. An undisclosed facility has been breached not once, not twice, but three times. Security at an all time low I’d say. Stay tuned guys and gals, but in the meantime, have something to tap your hooves to. I’m bringing to you my main man, the fastest MC in all of Cloudsdale, you’re listening to Racehunter.” Pinkie yawns a great big yawn and turns over. Her radio turned itself on, as her alarm was set to the radio setting. Opening her eyes wide in excitement, she sits upright and claps her hooves. “SHE’S ON EVERYPONY!” she yells out the window. Vinyl Scratch was a close friend of Pinkie, though in her case that was a redundant statement. They knew each other from the many parties that they have hosted together. Being a party planner, you tend to know the names. Pinkie Pie walks down the stairs during the music break to greet Mr. and Mrs. Cake. Each was busy baking something, but Pinkie knew that they liked her company. "Good morning Cakes!” she says. “Lovely day isn’t it?” “Oh yes Pinkie, it certainly is. You’re not on the clock today so you’re free to go play if you’d like.” says Mrs. Cake. They were looking forward to maybe having the house to themselves today. Pinkie nods, but quickly gasps and dashes back upstairs. “I can’t believe I almost forgot!” The music on the radio stopped and the voice of Vinyl Scratch could be heard once again. “Nothin’ like a good beat to start off the day. Speaking of beats, check this out. We got a bit of an outbreak of fighting happening in Manehatten. Reporters say that it could be something in the water. Further investigation shows that the effort to keep the water wells clean have been dropping like flies. Are they too busy to ensure our health? Other sources claim to be getting what tastes like Ever Free water from their taps. I can understand chlorine, but Ever Free water? What are those guys doing?! There’s no need to panic yet Equestria, a little Ever Free never hurt nopony, but just to be safe, buy a filter. Anyway, that’s all the time I have girls, and stallions? Treat ‘em right. This has been DJ Pon-3, scratching out.” “EEEEEEE She’s SOOOOOO cool!” squeals the blur of pink racing around the room, practically falling over on Twilights floor. Pinkie took her radio over to Twilights library to listen. Twilight raises an eyebrow, a bit bemused. “Pinkie, how do you know her again?” “Well duh silly! She played at your brothers wedding! I’ve gone to more parties with her than I have with even you guys!” Pinkie explains. Realization dawns on Twilight. “Oh! You mean that’s your friend Vinyl? Wow that is cool Pinkie!” she says excitedly. “How does it feel to be friends with a famous pony?” “It feels like, totally awesome!” Pinkie jumps in the air, waving her hooves wildly, and then proceeds to bounce around the room in excitement. Just then, the door opened and in walked a slightly perturbed Applejack. “Twi, did you hear that gal on the radio just now?” Applejack asks. “Well, yes actually. Pinkie brought her radio over so I could listen to it.” she says happily. “Hey, you ok? You seem angry about something.” “I ain’t angry Twi, just a little miffed about what that no good radio pony said about our princess!” “Oh Applejack, don’t take it so personally. It wasn’t an attack on the princess, I’m sure she was just a little upset about being cramped just like anypony else would. She never said she hated the princess, just didn’t like her situation.” Twilight explains. “I don’t see why anypony would ever actually hate Celestia.” Pinkie finally calms down, still trotting in place happily. “Yeah, Vinyl’s totally cool. Why would she play for the princess all the time if she hated her?” “Wait, who’re we talkin’ ‘bout now?” Applejack asks confused. “Vinyl Scratch! Only the coolest filly to hit the stage!” Pinkie mimes scratching a record. “DJ Pon-3, mix master extraordinaire!” “So yer tellin’ me you like this political jibber jabber?” seeming a bit bewildered that Pinkie actually cares about current events. “And besides, we water our trees with Ever Free water! Tain’t nothin’ wrong with it!” Applejack explains, almost seeming offended. ----- Vinyl Scratch removes the large headphones from her ears and places them on the table. Her first broadcast went well, or so she thought. She didn’t actually know how it went over, since she had just now got off the air. Powering down the entire console, she sighs and gives a tired yawn. She was up all night after all, playing a gig down at the Mane Dish. It was a rather popular club with the younger crowd. Walking through the streets of Canterlot, Vinyl makes her way towards the lower class residential area. She passes a couple sitting at a table, a radio on the table between them and a newspaper in the stallion’s hooves. “Oh isn’t that just splendid dear?” the mare asks. “I’ve never heard a pony speak her mind like that to the entire nation! Why that must take some kind of confidence.” “Mmhm” the stallion replies, barely paying attention. Well at least somepony liked it. Vinyl smiles a little, and her cheeks flush slightly. She had to admit to herself, it felt good hearing others talking about her. Her pace turns into an energetic trot as she continues on home. Opening the door, she looks around. Room mate not home? Cool. “YYYYYYYYYESSSSSSS!” she yells in excitement. Jumping up and down, Vinyl celebrates alone. The party night life was fun and all, but having alone time was still nice. “I nailed that bitch! By now the broadcast should be reaching Stalliongrad. Oh man... Like, ponies all over Equestria are totally listening to my voice. Like, right damn now! Holy...!” the door slams open. She had forgotten that they got an extra room attached to their studio, since Octavia couldn’t sleep through Vinyl’s morning routine. And out stumbles Octavia, bags under her eyes and a deadly glare. “Oh... uh, hey Phil!” Octavia narrowed her eyes more. “I can excuse your mixing... sometimes. But when you come in shouting and jumping around it kind of makes it hard to sleep. You’re lucky I was about to get up anyway...” she yawns, closing the door behind her. “Now if only I could have slept any last night. Must you prepare for a show here? At midnight? I’m playing at an event this evening and I need to be rested. And one more thing.” Vinyl cocks her head. “Don’t call my Phil. It’s not my name.” “Whatever you say Miss Octavia Philharmonic.” Vinyl says in her best mocking impression of Octavia’s high society accent. She laughs to herself and plops down in front of the tv. “Yo did you pay the bills last night?” “Oh for heavens sake Vinyl, you know I didn’t have time! How in Celestia’s name did I get stuck living with... you?” Octavia looks in the mirror to fix her hair and do her makeup. She did have a busy day ahead of her. Vinyl sighs and gives up trying to turn on the tv. “Well I am totes gonna be famous soon, so you best get used to it. Did you hear me this morning? I was like, the voice of Equestria!” “I was asleep, in case you forgot Scratch. I’m sorry I missed your show but maybe don’t keep me up all night next time.” Vinyl’s ears flatten in disappointment. “Well try to catch the next one. I want to know what you think! Hey, do a shot with me to celebrate!” Vinyl produces a bottle of potato vodka from the fridge and pours a couple of shots. “Vinyl Scratch you know I do not partake.” Octavia huffs, almost as if insulted. “Ah come ON! You can’t tell me you’re happy to just drink, bluh, wine? I mean, where’s the kick?” Vinyl raises an eyebrow, as if she has the upper hoof. As if this were an actual debate. “UHG! I’ll take the stupid shot if it will make you happy.” the two click their glasses together and Vinyl lets out a long and satisfied sigh. Octavia however makes a face that couldn’t be anything but disgust. “How do you drink this... stuff?” “By being the shit” Vinyl offers with a completely straight face. She then laughs and gives Octavia a light punch on the shoulder. “Nah just kiddin’, you get used to it after a while. I am still awesome though.” Straightening out her bow tie Octavia opens the door to exit. “I’ll be back home tonight, make sure there’s actually a dinner to come home to this time, remember it’s your turn to cook.” “Yeah yeah, I’ll get right on that.” Scratch retorts uninterested. She continues to try to turn on the tv to no avail. “Oh, and, have a good day, k?” “Yeah... You too.” Octavia smiled a little as she walked out of the apartment. If there was one good thing about this whole talk show thing it was putting Vinyl in such a good mood. ----- “HAVE YOU HEARD THIS FILTH MY SISTER?” Luna asks. She had stayed up because she heard that there was an event on the radio in the morning. Being one of the rulers of Equestria, she thought it would be fitting to listen to see what the hype was about. “THIS ILL INFORMED INGRATE HAS SLANDERED THY NAME!” “Oh please calm down sister, it’s really alright.” Celestia assures. She wasn’t particularly worried, after all it was just a bit of outrage from being denied a bigger living area. “She was only looking out for her fellow ponies, not calling me into question or making threats. I think it’s harmless, and in fact inspiring for such a talented young filly to make a stand like that!” She smiles. “But sister, you cannot deny that said subject’s message rung with a hint of acid. Perhaps We shall investigate?” Luna requests. Celestia only shakes her head and sighs, giving a warm smile. “Celly, you must understand We are only worried for Our sister.” “I understand Lulu, but it’s alright. If it comes to a point where I have to intervene then I will be able to handle myself. Now get to bed, it’s awfully late for you to be up!” Celestia laughs. Luna gives a rejected frown and nods. She turns around and walks out the door, and off to her own chambers. “Hmmm, I wonder if Twilight knows about this?” ----- “Oh man, did you hear that Dash? That was totally cool! I didn’t even know ponies could talk on the radio! Man, this totally changes everything. It’s like... Whoa, it’s like we’re living in the future!” Scootaloo bounces around wildly underneath a fluffy white cloud. Upon the cloud was a tired but happy Rainbow Dash. “Calm down squirt, it’s just a talk show. Though I gotta admit, the idea of talking to all of Equestria is totally rad. Could use less politics though.” She chuckles. Rainbow Dash was never one for political debate. She liked to let the Princess handle that and just live happily with whatever decisions were made. “And man, the way she stood up to the princess! I didn’t even know we could DO that! Ah man, Celestia sure got what she had coming!” Scootaloo shadow boxed around the clouds shadow. “Now hold it, don’t go saying things like that about our princess! Also, it wasn’t even like, a total diss or anything, just a different opinion. I’m sure Princess Celestia had her reasons for denying the petition.” Dash shakes her head to clear her mind, realizing that she had actually caught herself debating politics. “Uh, anyway, I got a whole sky to clear and a whole storm to prepare!” She exclaimed, but then stops just before taking off. Storm? There wasn’t a storm coming for another few weeks! She shakes her head again and shoves with her hind legs, leaving her signature rainbow behind as the cloud underneath her dissipates. “Well I thought it was cool...” Scootaloo says in a rejected tone. ----- “I’m back, and there better be food on that table!” Octavia shouts as she enters the room. Her first sight is exactly what she was afraid of. Vinyl Scratch is sprawled out on a bean bag chair on the floor, a bottle of whiskey in one hand and an empty bag of corn chips laying on her chest. The bottle being empty, Octavia presumes that she blacked out while pretending to watch the tv that wasn’t on. Letting out an exasperated sigh, Octavia takes off her jacket and her bow tie and brings them into her bedroom. It was the one organized place in the whole apartment. Upon walking back out to the main room, she does notice something in her peripherals. Pushed up against the wall, there was a table adorned with a tablecloth. On top of it rested two plates, two wine glasses, and a candle. There was also a rather decently prepared vegetable stir fry in the middle. There was also a note. “Hey girl hey, I made this dinner for us but you were out later than I expected. Sorry I went ahead and clocked out. I assume I’ll be out by the time you get home. Damn did I already drink half that bottle? Well shit sorry. Maybe another night? I’ll probably never hear the end of this. -Scratch” Octavia sighs as a smile creeps onto her face. “Oh you...” she mutters as she sits at the table. The vegetables were still hot, so she decides to go ahead and eat. Fork meets food, food meets mouth, and it was enjoyable. Well, it wasn’t bad at least. Octavia relished the flavor of it, though it had some kind of odd kick to it. Probably alcohol that wasn’t properly cooked out. Either way, she ate. Then, there was a stir on the bean bag. “Uhhhh I’m gonna feel this in the morning...” Scratch pulls herself up. “Oh hey you’re home... cool. I made...” she stops for a second. Her mouth hangs open as she searches for the words. “Stuff.” Vinyl falls over forward, nearly planting her face into the concrete floor. Octavia was quick however, and caught her shoulder before she slammed into the ground. “Thanks...” “Scratch, how ever do you live with yourself?” Octavia questions. “Like this...” Vinyl replies in a defeated, almost melancholic voice. Octavia gives a worried sigh and hoists her room mate up. “Well you really should try to control yourself a little better. All this drinking is not only hurting you, it’s hurting me.” “Sorry” “Don’t be, get better.” “Yeah...” and then she blacks out once again. Fortunately they made it to the bed before, and Vinyl collapses on it. Satisfied that she was comfortable and safe, Octavia returns to finish her meal. She also takes a hold of the newspaper which was sitting on the floor, unopened. ----- “Teaching!?!?” Vinyl Scratch shouted. She had been woken up to a rather... Awkward conversation. “Look Scratch, You’re my best friend, and I mean that sincerely, but you’re on a path of self destruction that I don’t enjoy watching.” Octavia crossed her arms and huffed. “But... but... I got my radio show! You’ll see, things will get better, I’ll get better! But teaching?” she demands. “Yes, the teacher down in Ponyville put an add in the newspaper about having an opening for somepony to come in and teach a class. I think it would be good for you to not only get out of the city, but to be exposed to a more wholesome life style. Not to mention the friends you could make.” Octavia counters. She was serious about this. “Now hold the phone here, what am I going to teach to a bunch of kids? How to be an alcoholic?” The two freeze and stare at each others eyes as Vinyl realizes what she just admitted to. “I guess... I may have got carried away.” “Not may, you did.” Octavia looks away in frustration. “I can take care of the apartment myself. In fact I might be able to clean it up for once. Now I think it would be fun for you and the children if you perhaps taught them how to play your...” she indicates the turn tables. “Noise makers there.” “Well fine!” Vinyl Scratch wipes a tear from her eye as she is clearly offended. “I can take a hint Octavia! I’ll pack up and leave. Hell I may never come back.” she also turns away, flinging her glasses across the room. Octavia remains stubborn, but she had to admit to herself that maybe she could have acted with a little more grace. “Just go Scratch... Just go!” A galloping of hooves on concrete is heard behind Vinyls back, and she turns to see Octavia lock herself in her room. “I have a problem Philly... I’ll get better... fuck...” Vinyl begins packing. It would be a long road to travel, but she knew she could get better. Besides, maybe Octavia was right. The fresh country air and the smiling faces of a tight knit community could do her good. The door slammed behind her with force. The air was thick, as was the lump in her throat. Another tear trickled down her cheek as she made her way to the exit. The train station was close enough. The broadcast would have to come from a new town. Octavia sat on her bed, tracing the lines caused by the hay stuffing. The minutes slowed to a crawl as she looked up at the mirror on the wall. “Come back soon Scratch... Come back soon.”