//------------------------------// // Bridge: Reminiscing // Story: The Life and Death of a DJ // by Syn3rgy //------------------------------// This bridge is dedicated to EquestrianAnarchist, QuickFix, and DaMagiks. Lets not forget Starlight Sparkle either! Here it is you four, and the two words are divided by a capitol 'X'. …What’s done is done, Vinyl,” Octavia cooed, rising a hoof to brush a freshly fallen tear from my face. Bitterly, I swatted the helping gesture away. “Octy, you wouldn’t understand, ok? You didn't see the look on his beak, I did!” I sniffled. “He left, and that was two months ago. It’s like he’s been avoiding me ever since that night.” I closed my eyes and brought back the tender memory, the part before I told Orrick about Dawn and his wing rot. I’d been doing that a lot lately, obsessing over the feelings that were passed between us in the midst of intimacy. It was as if I wanted to ignore how horribly I messed up, how stupid I was. From the minute that griffon walked out, I’d been regretting, and it’d only gotten worse as the days he avoided me increased. Fifty-eight days, yes, I’d been keeping track. “Well, I might not have seen the look on his beak, but I did get to talk to him after it all. He was frustrated, angry... but most predominantly regretful. You two should meet somewhere, somewhere nice. It’s clear that you’re both regretting your choices.” She stopped to look up at the ceiling thoughtfully; after a moment or two, she continued: “I have a performance at the Masquerade in three months. If you can last that long, I know Orrick will be attending. I’ll reserve a seat next to him for you, and then maybe you’ll have the opportunity to talk it out with him.” For the first time in the last half-hour, my tears stopped falling as I opened my heart to the possibility of having a second chance. “You think that would work?” I mumbled, disallowing myself to feel anything more than a little hopeful. “I know it would. It’s not like he doesn't like you, or you him. You guys just hit a bump; I think you two make an excellent pair.” I blushed and quickly, my prior sorrow was forgotten. “You think?” “I know. I wonder what your foals would look like.” My jaw dropped. It was as if Octavia had just relayed my deepest fantasy. “I don’t know, maybe like pegasi with eagle wings?” “That would be pretty interesting. However, no matter how your foals will look, they’ll be a hoofful while you’re raising them. Anything with griffon blood is a challenge.” I smiled as a funny idea came to mind. “Then you can come over and help us! You’d be our dear, sweat, auntie Octy!” “No thanks.”Octavia visibly shivered. “Foals aren’t my forte… the upbringing will be purely on your and Orrick’s shoulders; thank you very much.” I laughed, but then my face crumpled. Suddenly, I was feeling sad again. Damn these emotions! “Listen to us, talking about a future where we’re old. I’m not ready to be old, I’m afraid of it. Settling down and having a family; the idea seems almost unfathomable at this point.” “And so it should,” Octavia explained. “Celestia knows that I’m not ready even for a long term relationship. We're still young, Vinyl, full of opportunity and zeal… keep that in mind. Time has a way of changing things.” “Indeed it does.” I sighed. “Indeed it does.” We both zoned out, lost in the confines of recollection. The dull drone of my electric fridge sounded far too loud. Octavia eventually broke the silence with a huff. “Listen, the past is the past dear. Look to the brighter future! We’re graduating tomorrow, we're out of school, and here we are, moping about.” I kept my gaze down, unable to look at my friend. A hoof came into view, one that gently nudged my chin up. Octavia’s washed-out purple eyes gazed back at my rose ones. “Listen, Vinyl, you have to get a hold on yourself,” she whispered, pulling my face closer to hers. I didn’t resist. I could feel her breath tickle my nose; it smelled like tea. I leaned in as well, gazing deeply into those velvety depths. The world around and behind Octavia faded out, leaving only the faint buzzing behind; it was like I was experiencing tunnel vision. “Do you remember all those times we spent hanging out with each other?” Octavia asked, starting out hesitant, but then picking up the pace. “Alone, talking about things... bonding?” I nodded, unable to break the gaze. “Yes, of course I do, Octy,” I replied, laughing to myself as I recalled the countless times we’d ‘bonded’. “You were always so aggressive when we were doing it. Did you know you were my first?” Octavia asked. “No.” I shook my head. “But I do remember how excited you were that night.” “How about we play once more; for old times sake,” Octavia said quickly, her voice slightly desperately. “I have a new strategy that I want to try on you.” I pulled back momentarily to ponder my options. My heart was beating in excited anticipation, and I felt a bit heated. “Yes, I think that’s a good idea,” I finally said, smiling temptingly. “But this time, I get to dominate you.” “Unlikely, but you can give it a try!” Octavia retorted, allowing a tinge of cockiness to enter her voice. “It’s on. Get the stuff out, I need to prepare. Mind if I go to the washroom?” I asked. “No, I’ll have everything ready by the time you get out,” she replied. I nodded and got up, pushing the kitchen’s barstool out of my way so that I could make it to the washroom. As I crossed the floor of my dorm, I quickly turned back to see what Octavia was doing. She reached into her saddlepack and pulled out something smooth and sleek, with a wide base that eventually tapered off into ridged cap. Good, she’d started pulling out the pawns, and then, soon after, the chessboard itself. I smiled, rolling my eyes before turning around and closing the bathroom door behind me.