Vinyl loved her house in the way anypony would love their house. It was her home. The place where she went after a hard day and hid away from anypony she didn't want to see. The familiar blue siding and jet black roof was a symbol of safety. After a long night of work, she would look forward to those crème colored window sills and her beaten up drive way. It was the finish line at the end of a race. It was beaten and old, sure, but she loved it all the same.
Right now, though, the very sight sent a shiver up her spine.
She stole a look at Octavia who had no doubt pegged exactly which house belonged to the white unicorn. Her lavender eyes no longer looked wild but instead quickly tried to absorb every corner and nail of the house. Vinyl sighed.
"Well. Here we are."
"Is it just coincidence that your house is the same color of your mane?" Octavia teased.
"Hey! My mane is WAY cooler than my house. Not that my house doesn't reek of the same kind of awesomeness that I do, but it's not AS cool. It gets a B- on the scale of lame pony to me."
Octavia rolled her eyes and trotted towards the house. Scratch trotted ahead of her and spun around, staring her in the eyes. The corner of Octavia's mouth twitched in a smile causing Scratch to lose her train of thought. She was quite easily distracted as is, throwing Octavia's smirk into the mix was just asking for trouble. She couldn't help the contagious grin that crept on her face.
"What are you smiling at?"
"Nothing. Nothing. I just can't wait to meet Lyra."
Scratch lowered her eyes at Octavia, certain that she was hiding something. She looked back towards her house, which was no less than five feet behind her flank.
"Alright. Just, play nice." Scratch hated how much she was conflicted by this meeting.
Octavia smiled warmly. "As I said, I will be the most pleasant pony unless provoked. I swear."
Scratch nodded and slowly turned towards her house. With a gulp, she gently cracked the main door open. The house looked dark. There was a small hope in Scratch's heart that she wouldn't have to deal with this tonight, that is until she noticed the shining yellow light emanating from under Bon Bon's bedroom door. As if a sensor went off, Lyra came barreling out of the room and down the hallway, towards Vinyl Scratch. The sound of Lyra's hooves on the hardwood floor said she was angry and ready to fight. Scratch walked into the kitchen, just steps out of the doorway, Octavia followed close by. Before Scratch could turn the light on, Lyra made it into the pitch black room.
"Nice of you to show up. We need to talk." Lyra demanded.
"Uh, now's not-"
"I can't believe you would say those things about me. I thought we were friends, Vinyl. And who is this other mar –"
Scratch flipped on the light, revealing a very smug Octavia staring down Lyra. Lyra's mouth hung open as she seemed to short circuit, trying to redirect the destination of her sentence. Octavia smiled, enjoying every second of the embarrassed flush on Lyra's face. Scratch wanted to laugh at Lyra for finally getting caught, but at the same time, she just wanted this whole thing to be done and over with.
"Uh, and who is the other mare that you have right behind you, Vinyl? Is this the friend you've told me so much about?"
Like a switch, Lyra's voice was sickly sweet, as thick as honey. Scratch knew what Lyra was doing. She was embarrassed by her rant in front of a new pony, and if there was one thing that Lyra didn't take kindly to, it was giving ANYpony the opportunity to judge her for anything negative at all. Appearance was far too important to her. Even if it was somepony that she already had a predisposition to disliking. What better way to make herself look good than to not only set up Scratch in front of Octavia with a double ended sentence, but also to strategically throw her own complaints in as well. Anger flashed through Scratch's face until Octavia looked back at her and melted it all away. Scratch was hoping that someday she would be able to look Octavia in her beautiful face and not lose sight of the world around her.
What was I doing? Right. Lyra. Great.
"Lyra, this is my friend Octavia. Octy, this is my… friend, Lyra."
"Nice to finally meet you."
"Likewise."
"Well, now that you two have meet I think there is something Octavia needs to be doing. At home."
"Nonsense, Vina. I wouldn't dream of missing a night with you."
Lyra's nostrils flared at the same time her eye twitched. Scratch pretended not to notice. Mostly because she couldn't notice anything that wasn't Octavia. If Scratch's life rested on her thinking about anything other than Octavia, she would… probably think about food. But then she'd think about Octavia again, because that's really all that played through her mind.
"Ahem. Yes. Well. Bon Bon and I were going to head to The Square to do some window shopping. Might you two be interested in joining us?"
"Absolutely not." Scratch said.
"We would be delighted to." Octavia said, slightly louder than Scratch.
"Splendid. Let me go see if Bon Bon is ready."
As Lyra turned back down the hall, Scratch slowly moved her head to stare at Octavia. Her ruby eyes were as wide as they could stretch, not that Octavia could see them. Octavia returned Scratch's stare with a smile.
"Oh come now, you don't think I'd miss this, do you? She is proving that she hates a challenge. And if it is a challenge she wants, it is a challenge she will get."
"That's what I'm afraid of."
Octavia beamed at Scratch while Scratch contemplated the ways in which she could immediately get sick and stay home. Food poisoning was a likely culprit, but the bird flu would work for sure. Before she had an escape plan, Lyra and Bon Bon emerged from the back of the house. Bon Bon was characteristically smiling as she always was. Lyra's face looked put together in a last second effort to maintain control. Scratch knew that Bon Bon could be blissfully ignorant of her fillyfriend's true emotions at times, but even a rock could see through Lyra's guise. It's not so easy to hide a murderous spark in one's eyes.
"You girls ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be." Scratch sighed, wishing she did in fact have the bird flu.
The four of them walked out of the house in silence and headed up the road. Lyra and Bon Bon walked in front of Octavia and Scratch. Octavia seemed content in her thoughts, to which Scratch used to her advantage of stealing glances at the gorgeous mare. Scratch could have spent hours studying Octavia. That is until her pleasant thoughts were broken by the last voice she wanted to hear addressing Octy.
"So, Octavia, do you live around here?"
"I do. I live fairly close to Vinyl, actually. Only a twenty minute walk or so. It's nice. It makes hanging out a lot more simple."
"Uh huh. I see. Any coltfriends?"
"Lyra." Vinyl hissed.
"Oh, no. No coltfriends to speak of."
Scratch's ears perked up as she stole yet another glace at her favorite mare. She knew that Lyra's questions would be all over the board, but if she was going to ask questions like that…
"Has Vinyl told you about any of her secrets yet?"
Scratch tried to set Lyra on fire with her mind. She knew that she was going to have to deal with attempts to embarrass her, but this outright? Scratch was livid.
"Ly. Ra. What. Are. You. DOING?" Scratch hissed, venom lacing her words.
"Well I guess that depends on what you're referring to. I mean, I know lots of stuff about Vinyl, but we don't exactly sit around asking what each other's secrets are for hours on end. She did tell me that she has a soft spot for foals, though."
Lyra was tired of playing games. "Anypony could have told you that. Her favorite thing in the whole wide Equestria, though, is when you tick-"
"ALRIGHT WE ARE DONE TALKING ABOUT THIS. HEY LOOK AT THOSE PONIES OVER THERE MAN DO THEY LOOK LIKE THEY ARE HAVING FUN OR WHAT."
Octavia giggled. Scratch was getting a headache. She could practically hear the smug smirk on Lyra's face. Lyra turned her attention to Bon Bon and began to talk in a low whisper. Scratch figured she was just buying time until the next attack at her pride. It was only a matter of time, really. Instead of dwelling on it, Scratch tried to act like she didn't care and did the only thing she knew would upset Lyra. She talked to Octavia.
"No colt friend, eh? I always figured you were dating one of your band dudes."
"Vinyl, for the last time, it's not a BAND. And second, no I am not dating any of them…"
"You're hiding something."
"You can't prove that."
"Then tell me you're not hiding anything."
"Tell me my music is better than yours."
"Is not!"
"Then I am not hiding anything." Said Octavia smugly.
"No! That's not how this works!"
"Nope. You said it yourself."
"No, what I said is that my music is better than yours."
"And I said that you had to say that my music was better than yours. But you didn't."
"No… but I said my music is better, which it is, and you said that since I didn't say your music is better, that you're not hiding anything. But since my music IS better, then I win anyway because I'm AWESOME."
"No ma'am. I said that I was not hiding anything. And then I said that you had to admit my music was better. You refused. Therefore, not only is my music STILL better, but I'm not hiding anything.
She's so frustrating. So… beautifully… frustrating…
"Hey Vinyl."
Vinyl grimaced. "Just a sec, Lyra. That is not the way this works."
"Oh yes it is. It is simple fact-"
"Vinyl."
Scratch scowled at Lyra this time, not caring if she saw. "Just a second. I don't want to lose my point."
"… Right. I was just saying that your argument is invalid because I said so. I am not hiding anything and you know you love Party in Equestria."
Scratch made a fake retching noise to which Octavia laughed. Scratch's head flickered towards Lyra and Octavia rolled her eyes. Clearly, both mares were irritated with Lyra's interruptions.
"What did you need, Lyra?"
"Nothing." Lyra snapped.
Scratch sighed and looked towards the sky, deflated. Why was it so hard to keep Lyra appeased? She was sure that Lyra was just angry because Scratch wouldn't let her talk, but her and Octavia were in the middle of a conversation. It wasn't about preference of one pony over another, it was just common courtesy. And if there was one pony that knew courtesy…well, it probably wasn't the pony that ran stark naked through Ponyville's square after a few too many birthday shots, but that was not the point.
"Hey Vinyl, do you know what road we have to take?"
"Uh, not really Bon Bon. There should be signs I think. I haven't been out this way in a while. Are you sure we haven't passed it yet? I know there's a sign somewhere."
"Perhaps you'd know if you were paying attention."
Scratch's head jerked towards Octavia who was doing her best not to laugh out loud. Octavia's lavender gems found Scratch and sparkled. Scratch rolled her eyes but couldn't help the resentment she felt towards Lyra. At the same time, though, she was conflicted because she couldn't completely break free of the three year old curse her ex had put on her. It was frustrating to hate and love somepony at the same time.
******
The sun was beginning to set but The Square was lit up with ponies of all ages. It was such a nice night that there was barely any room to move. Lyra whipped around unannounced and practically knocked Vinyl and Octavia on their flanks. Her eyes were angry as they glared into Scratch's glasses. She could see that the trek over had worn on Lyra's nerves and she could also sense the contempt pouring out of her very soul. Scratch decided to cut her off before she made another snide comment in Octavia's general direction.
"I assume you'll be in Celestia's Secret?"
Lyra held her face tight. "I will. Are you coming?"
Scratch looked at Octavia. "Well, I actually had something I wanted to look at, and I was hoping Vinyl could help me."
The only movement on Lyra's face was a slight twitch of a nostril, followed by a fake smile.
"Wonderful. I shall meet you back here in an hour. Come Bon Bon."
Like an obedient dog, Bon Bon followed closely and without fight. Scratch put her forehooves in her face and stood still for a second, until she felt a light pat on her shoulder. She looked up to see Octavia standing there with a smile, and immediately felt her heart enter her ear drums.
"She sure is pleasant. Come on, let's go look at stuff."
"Do you really need my help with something? I mean, I'm not opposed to Celestia's Secret if that's the case. I can be an impartial judge, honest."
Octavia smiled. "No you oaf. I just made an excuse so we wouldn't have to deal with HER for the entire night."
The two wandered in and out of stores for quite some time, making idle chit chat and talking about the wonderful personality of Lyra. Scratch could feel her bond with Octavia growing stronger by the second. A few times, Octavia had playfully shoved Scratch for being her usual smart mouth self, which in turn made her try to find more ways to get a physical reaction out of Octy. She was long past the point of trying to figure out why she felt the way she did about Octavia. At this point, she was just trying to make her dreams a reality. Her reality began with as much physical contact as pony-ly possible.
Gotta take what I can get. My Luna I have problems… oh well! Let's see if I can get her to touch me again.
The two were in a small little shop with a wide variety of gag gifts and knick knacks. The kind of things you would only get somepony you didn't really want to talk to anymore. Or the kind of pony that was a distant cousin. Or both.
"So, Vinyl, I believe that Lyra was in the middle of saying something about a secret of yours."
"I… I don't recall. She was probably saying that I'm secretly, um, a turtle. Yep. I'm a turtle."
"You look more like a tortoise."
"What in the hay does that mean?"
"That means…"
Scratch was too absorbed in a 'talking human' toy to be fully paying attention to Octavia. The gray mare moved herself closely to Scratch and lifted a hoof, gently jabbing it in Scratch's ribcage.
"EEP!"
Octavia roared with laughter as the usually cool pony trotted a few steps in front of her, her white face painted in a familiar blush. She glared at the culprit, but there were no real traces of anger on her face. If only Octavia could see those eyes, though…
"Dude. Un. Cool."
"I thought it was quite cool."
"Oh yeah? How about this!"
Scratch jabbed a hoof of her own into Octavia's side. Her face fell as Octavia's laughter died down into chuckles, but not the good, ticklish kind.
"That is SO not fair!"
"Ah, life's not fair sometimes, dear friend."
"This is stupid. I want my money back."
"Well, I can just go home if you'd like."
"NO. I mean… no. Speaking of, though, it's about that time… isn't it?"
Octavia smiled at Scratch, who looked more than a little reluctant to go back and deal with her ex. Being around Vinyl helped Octavia relax and forget about certain members of her ensemble making her emotions a bit… difficult to deal with at times. Nevertheless, she enjoyed Vinyl's company. She wanted to continue enjoying it, too. What was it about those glasses though?
The two mares made their way back to the meeting point, finding a slightly more tolerable Lyra, now that she had spent some bits. The walk back was quiet, save from the giggling infiltrating the air from the back two ponies. Most notably, Octavia would tickle attack Scratch, much to the dismay and irritation of Lyra. Every time Lyra looked at Bon Bon, so she could look at this new mare, she noticed just how close the two were walking together. Not a moment too soon, the street for Lyra's apartment came up.
"Alright. Come on Bon Bon. I'll talk to you tomorrow, Vinyl. Nice meeting you, Octavia."
"And you as well. Good night!"
"Er, see ya."
Vinyl and Octavia both watched as Lyra's and Bon Bon's shadows faded into the distance. Scratch figured that Lyra had been counting the streets until she could leave. Jealousy probably was raging inside of her right now. She looked up at the now Luna dominated sky and sadly looked back at Octavia. She did her best to not let her disappointment echo in her voice.
"I guess you'll want to call it a night, then?"
"Well… not really. I'm having a really nice night and I don't have to do anything until afternoon tomorrow. So if you wanted to watch a movie or something…"
Scratch thought for a second. On one hoof, she was frustrated because Lyra was, as usual, intent on ruining a nice thing in Scratch's life. She needed a drink and some time to forget about her. On the other hoof…
Dude, who CARES? Octy wants to come home with you. Are you seriously standing here like a moron and not ushering her back to your place for a movie?
"Yeah, I'm pretty starved so I can make some dinner while we're at it. And I don't know about you, but I could use a drink after dealing with Controlling McCrazy all night."
Octavia smiled. "I would love a drink. Got any shots?"
Scratch smiled. Here's to hoping I don't end up naked again… wait.
"Sure do, Octy. Let's go get our drink on!"