Finally.
It was Thursday morning. Rather, it was Thursday afternoon but Vinyl Scratch had just barely managed to pry her eyes open around the crack of two. Normally, Lyra would be over to see Bon Bon, endlessly harassing her to get her lazy flank out of bed, but Bon Bon had to work bright and early, so no Lyra was to be seen.
Not that Scratch cared. Today was her day. Today, she wasn't going to have to put up with any of Lyra's crap, or Bon Bon's somewhat annoying pacifism. No, today, Scratch was going to hang out with Octavia.
She took a moment to soak this in, and really think about everything for a second. The very thought of Octavia sent a shiver up Scratch's spine, but in a good way. An anxious way. The part that Scratch didn't get was why. Why did Octavia, a pony she didn't really know at all, make her feel this way? She couldn't get a grasp on it. There was no rhyme or reason. It's not like she was new to the whole dating mares thing; that was old hat. There was something about Octavia, something about her presence that made Scratch feel the way she did. And what a feeling it was.
It was a feeling that was completely foreign to the DJ. She felt a welling of emotion ready to burst through her chest when she pictured the eyes of her beloved. She couldn't help but smile as she relived her scent and her mannerisms. It was a pure, raw joy that Scratch hadn't had the pleasure to feel in a very long time. But why Octavia? It didn't make any sense.
Maybe there's bigger things running this joint, that I can't explain.
Scratch laughed out loud at herself.
"What, like Celestia and Luna are sitting at their palace thinking," Scratch threw her voice a few octaves higher. "Oh my! Let's make Vinyl fall in love with some mare she doesn't know! Wouldn't that be hilarious?!"
Scratch chuckled until she realized just what she had said. Her ruby eyes quickly darted to her door, hoping that she was indeed home alone. Not that she was in love with Octavia. That would be stupid. She just had a cute flank. And a great body. And a sexy voice. And beautiful eyes…
"Okay! Time to get up."
Scratch threw herself out of bed and pretended that she didn't just have a conversation with herself about being in love with somepony she didn't know. After another shower that lasted longer than it needed to, and far more checks to make sure she smelled good, she left the house to find Octavia.
Scratch kept the paper Octavia had written on within hooves reach for the last three days. She convinced herself that she just didn't want to lose it and let the grey mare think she was standing her up. That it had absolutely nothing to do with the sentimental value of the paper that Octavia had touched, had written on.
It was a pretty short walk and soon Scratch was staring at Octavia's apartment building. She felt her stomach do a twist, threatening to spill out all of its contents by way of her mouth.
Stop being a scaredy pony, march right up to apartment five, and knock on that dang door!
Scratch drew a deep breath and promptly marched behind the building. Her nerves were getting the best of her. The white unicorn beat her head against the rough brick. There was no way she was going to be able to see Octavia. She just knew it. She was going to have to turn around and go home because she couldn't stop her emotions from getting the best of her. As if somepony had flipped a switch, Scratch furrowed her brow.
"Ain't no way I'm gonna let somepony get the best of me. Shut up, emotions. I don't know who invited you to the party, but it's time to am-scray!"
Scratch spun on her back hooves and marched up to apartment five, knocking three times. After what seemed to be an eternity, a very tired looking Ocativa opened the door. Scratch flipped to cool mode.
"Hey. What's shakin'?"
"Oh my. I am terribly sorry, Vinyl. I totally forgot about our music date today! Please forgive me, something has come up that requires my immediate attention."
"Oh, uh, hey. Don't worry about it. It's all gravy."
"I am so sorry. I did not mean to stand you up, but… I am sorry Vinyl."
Scratch smiled weakly. "Ah, don't sweat it. You go take care of whatever it is that you have to take care of."
Scratch thought she heard another pony sniffle from behind the door. She raised an eyebrow while Octavia's glance into her house was a confirmation that somepony else was there.
"Do excuse me, Vinyl. Another time, perhaps."
"Yeah, sure. See ya."
Octavia shut the door quietly, but she could have very well slammed it on Scratch's head. Dejected, the DJ turned around and headed for home. Not that she wanted to be there either. She was sure that Lyra was bound to pop up at some point, meaning that she would either get lectured or get in a fight.
Scratch did her best to care. She felt like somepony had taken everything she ever wanted and slammed it in her face. At the same time, though, she did her best to hide her pain from herself. She couldn't stop the tiny voice in the back of her head from scolding her, though.
Really? Gonna get upset 'cause somepony stood you up? Chin up, bucko. This ain't the Vinyl that I know. Its only one day, you've got time. It's not like she's gonna do this over and over again. Just one day.
Scratch did her best to keep up appearances as she walked, fighting the muscles in her face from forming a noticeable grimace. To an outsider, she would seem apathetic at best. But inside, she couldn't help but feel sad. And not just the kind of sad where you want some pie but it's gone, Scratch noted silently. It was the kind of soul-crushing, heart-breaking, tear forming, energy sucking sad that didn't make any sense. It demotivated Scratch to the point where she just wanted to sit and stare into space. She tried to not let the negative energy consume her, but she failed miserably. It seemed there was only one thing she could do.
*******
It had been two full weeks and Scratch had been stood up three times total by Octavia. Meaning that there were no less than three mornings when she woke up feeling the wrath of the rum gods. Scratch squinted and took in her surroundings.
At least I made it to bed last night. This morning. This week. Ow. My face... head.
Vinyl was never one of the ponies that suffered from the curse of the hangover. She was always the one of the group that was up first after a tough night of partying and causing a ruckus. The last few weeks had been hell though. Vinyl made the conscious decision to see Octavia at the shop after being stood up, eager to get any sort of time with the musician. It soon became a regular sight to see the two sitting next to each other, laughing carelessly and playing music. The two seemed to be quickly becoming the best of friends. It was effortless in Vinyl's mind. It was as if her and Octavia were made to be in one another's life somehow.
Which is why it hurt Vinyl so much when Octavia stood her up. It wasn't that there wasn't always a good reason to do so. One night she had a concert. Another she had to log hours of practicing with her father. It just seemed too convenient. Perhaps the Octavia at the shop only put on a face and really didn't want to see Vinyl at all. Maybe she was just using Vinyl to... walk her home? And hang out with her all day? Maybe she just really enjoyed the attention. Vinyl pretended there was something in her eye causing the horrible stinging sensation as she pulled the covers over her head and curled into a ball.
"I don't know why I even bothered."
Scratch didn't even have the energy to open her eyes. She didn't care enough to. She was getting sucked into a lonely feeling of losing Octavia when she never even had her.
You. Cannot. Give. Up.
"Oh, shut the hell up."
Vinyl sighed and decided that she should try to get up and do... something. Probably rum. She threw the covers off of her head but found her body lacking the effort to try and move. And then, as if the princesses were continuing their chess match with Scratch's life, a giant cloud of pink over took the room.
"HI SCRATCHIE!"
"Ah!"
Scratch didn't have to be totally aware of her surroundings to know that Pinkie Pie had just entered the room. Despite the dark cave that Scratch slept in, the light pouring in from the open door was enough to make Scratch wince when she opened her eyes. That, and the vibrant shade of happy.
"Hi Pinkie." Scratch croaked.
"Scratchie! I have a super amazing totally awesome thing happening and you absolutely have to be there!"
"Shhhh. Make quiet happen."
"I'm having a Nightmare Night party this weekend and you have to come or I'll be the saddest pony of all the sad ponies ever to be sad! And that just wouldn't make a good party because if one pony is sad then everypony else would be all 'hey what's wrong' and then EVERYONE would be sad and that would be bad!"
"Pinkie, how do you talk and not breathe? That can't be normal. I feel like somepony should be observing you for science."
Pinkie giggled. "Oh, Twilight's observed me plenty with her hooky-uppies and machiney-weenies!"
Scratch opened her mouth to ask questions but thought better of it. Sometimes, it was just better to not ask.
"Be at Sweet Apple Acres at eight Saturday night!"
"Sweet Apple…"
Before Scratch could ask why it was at the farm Pinkie was gone. She shook her head and smiled to herself. A party was definitely a good idea, and the ponies in Ponyville were a little less than sane, so it was bound to be an awesome time. Well, that, and she could drink herself stupid to forget about a certain somepony. Scratch stopped mid-thought. She was so still, the movement of her chest when she drew breath was barely noticeable. Her eyes flickered around the room as her thoughts calmed from the whirlwind of excitement to focus on one thing: Octavia.
"That's it!"
Without another thought to her appearance or plan, Scratch sprinted out of bed and towards Octavia's apartment.
********
Vinyl Scratch paced back and forth in the barn, keeping care to stick near the door. She was having a great time with everypony, but there was only one pony she wanted to see. Scratch smiled knowing that Octavia was going to show up for sure. It didn't take much pleading but Octavia wasn't sure of going to a party where she didn't know anypony. Scratch used her smoothest voice and her, apparently powerful, friendship card to lure Octavia into coming. After she was done with her music for the night, that is.
"Man, I have never seen you so excited to get your mare on."
"Shut it, Rainbow. This one is special. So you better watch it, punk."
"Who you callin' a punk? I will end you!"
Scratch and Rainbow Dash threw their hooves in the air, smiling the whole while. Their play fight didn't last long as Vinyl found herself plastered to the door at every sound. She was well aware that everypony was watching her pace tirelessly in front of the door, but she just didn't care. When she saw a familiar shadow shyly heading towards the door it was all she could do to prevent herself from running out, ignoring the heckling calls of her friends ringing out in the distance. Octavia smiled warmly at Scratch when she was approached, letting her cooler persona take over.
"Hey. Didja find the place okay?"
"Oh, yes I did. Thank you."
"Great, great. How was practice?"
"It was very good. How is your night so far? Any crazy shenanigans as I know you are prone to doing?"
"Not yet, wouldn't let you miss any of my tricks! C'mon, let's go inside. Everypony is eager to meet you."
"Oh they are, are they?"
Scratch was glad that it was so dark outside the barn, because her face was a vibrant shade of red. She laughed and itched the back of her head nervously.
"Heh. Yeah. Well. You know. They want to meet the newbie."
Octavia nodded as a slow smile spread on her face. The two mares walked very slowly, enjoying the cool autumn night. Scratch was positively beaming while introducing Octavia to all of her Ponyville friends. A few of them she had to shoot looks to while Octavia wasn't paying attention for fear of saying something she would regret. The two mares settled into some seats and talked. And they talked until four AM when everypony was clearing out. Finally Applejack had to interrupt.
"Ah hate ta be a party pooper, but we're gonna head on ta bed and we need ta close up the barn."
"What? Oh. Yeah. Sorry AJ. Hey, great party. Tell Pinkie that I'm more than a little glad she invited me."
Apple Jack smiled and stole a glance at Octavia.
"Ah'll make sure ta let her know."
Octavia stretched and got up from her chair. Scratch watched her for a moment and followed suit, cautiously keeping her body close to Octavia's. Either she didn't care, or she didn't notice.
"I do not know the last time I had such a good time at a party."
The two walked into the significantly chillier autumn air. Scratch's breath caught.
"R-really? I mean, yeah, I'm glad you had a good time. Everypony seemed to like you."
"You think so? I thought I saw some of them giving me some weird looks."
Scratch's face flushed and she wasn't sure, but she thought she saw Octavia steal a glance and smile. The two slowed their pace as they neared the end of the road.
"Well, I suppose this is the part where I let you go home and sleep, eh Octy?"
"Why do you insist on calling me that?"
"Dunno. Fits you. I could call you Tavia. Or Tavi. Oooh, I like Tavi too."
"I prefer Octavia."
"Nah."
Despite the minor irritancy welling within her, the corners of Octavia's mouth pulled upwards. There was something about the clueless, confident mare that just made her smile, regardless of how obnoxious she was being.
"Well then, I shall have to call you… Valencia."
"Woah, woah. Hey, slow your roll there. That's countering a tap on the shoulder with a right hoof. Pick again."
"Hmm... Vina. It sounds just like Vinyl. I am merely doing what you did when you destroyed the sanctity of my name."
Vinyl ginned at Octavia. They sat silent for a moment as Scratch thought about her new nickname. Clearly, Octavia thought this would stop her from calling her Octy.
"Alright, Treble Clef. You can call me Vina. ONLY in private though. Nopony else needs to know about that. Octy."
Octavia cringed. Her thought process changed and she cocked her head to the side. Scratch's face contorted into one of confusion.
"What's up, butter cup?"
"First of all, you call me so many different things, I hardly find it fair that I may only relinquish the knowledge of your new name in private. And second…"
Octavia moved closer to Scratch, keeping her eyes deadlocked on the unicorn's face. Scratch's heart was barely beating within her chest. Her mind raced as Octavia got closer to her. She closed her eyes. Could she really be moving in for the kill? She felt Octavia's hoof graze her face and touch the brim of her glasses. Her eyes snapped open when she realized what Octavia was doing. Immediately she stepped back, causing Octavia to pout.
"Why ever not? What are you trying to hide?"
"Not hidin' anything Octy. Just like the glasses. Don't wanna chance losing them."
Octavia smiled as she noticed Scratch's head looking anywhere but her pouting face. This was something she would store for further exploitation. Scratch noticed that Octavia was still in a very close proximity to her. She couldn't help the goofy grin that plastered itself on her face.
"Well then, I must be heading off now. Perhaps we can get together soon? Perhaps tomorrow? I really had fun with you tonight."
Scratch beamed. "That'd be awesome. Let's do it. Meet you at the shop?"
"Of course. Good night… Vina."
Octavia turned on her hooves and began her short walk home. Scratch stared after her for a long moment.
"Good night…"
Scratch stayed glued to her spot for what seemed like forever. In the distance, she thought she saw Octavia look back. Her smile grew tenfold, barely keeping from leaping off of her face.
Told you not to give up.
Scratch smiled to herself and skipped home, feeling on top of the world. Nothing could bring her down.