//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Shots // Story: Behind Her Purple Glasses // by Lyca //------------------------------// The interveiw went quite a bit better than expected, and Octavia had agreed somewhat reluctantly to allow for the young mare to become her new roommate. The cellist had, after all, been wanting one for quite some time. She just...hadn't expected it to be somepony like Vinyl. So, the unicorn had moved her stuff in and, learning that it was her birthday, Octavia had for some unkown reason, taken out a bottle of Jura whiskey to help her celebrate. An action that she would soon be regretting. But, she reasoned, it is her birthday, and she was kicked out of her parents' house today, so she deserves to be able to relax with some liquor. As soon as the alabaster mare saw the bottle, however, she had a different idea in mind "Shots!" she yelled at the top of her lungs, a huge grin on her muzzle and a hoof being thrust upwards. This made Octavia jump, causing the bottle to slip out of her grasp. She stared at the descending bottle in wide-eyed horror as it made its way towards her white carpet. Realizing her mistake in time, Vinyl grabbed the whiskey just as it was about to hit the floor and, smiling sheepishly, set it down on the counter. "Heh, sorry 'bout that, Octy..." she chuckled, adjusting her glasses. She stood up from her seat on Octavia's over-sized couch and, with unnecessary caution, softly walked over to her new roommate's home bar. Still recovering from her near-heartattack, the ash colored mare waved it off dismissively, a forehoof clutched to her chest. Holy crap, that pony is loud... "It's really no problem, Miss Scratch. I'm just glad you were able to catch the bottle before it hit the floor..." "Yeah, what a waste of booze that would've been!" "That Jura would've stained my carpet, and you're talking about a waste of liqour?! Do you realize how expensive this carpet is?" the mare yelled, when the only response was for Vinyl to law her ears back like a foal caught drawing on the walls, Octavia continued. "For Celestia's sake, Scratch! One would think you're an alchy!" "I...I-I'm not an alcoholic..." the downtrodden mare whispered to herself. As Octavia was now starting to calm down from her reprimands, she realized just how much like a puppy Vinyl looked at the moment. She is rather cute when she's done something wrong. Perhaps I shouldn't yell at her... "Vinyl, I'm sorry. I really shouldn't have had a paroxysm... I don't know why I assumed you would know that this carpeting costs one hundred bits for a square foot," Octavia said softly, trying to mollify the cowering pony. "Um...how about we go out to a bar, and I'll buy the drinks. You can have the Jura as a welcoming present. Ceasing her shaking, Vinyl raised her head and peered at the mare who just moments before had been terrifying. She seemed to look a lot younger than Octavia had first thought, but she knew the unicorn was eighteen. "You're not going to yell at me?" the frightened pony asked, finally sitting up from her cowering position. It was quite a sight, she had to admit, to watch as Vinyl went from what seemed like her normal self to a cowering little filly with so little confrontation. But as much as Octavia found it adorable, she did not want her new roommate to be afraid of her. "No, Vinyl," she sighed as once again, the white mare adjusted her glasses tight to her head. "I am very sorry for yelling at you, and I want to make it up to you by treating you to some drinks. Vinyl brightened considerably at this, and her mouth contorted into a goofy grin once again. With a swish of her tail the unicorn launched herself at the unsuspecting mare, wrapping her forehooves around her in a bear hug. "You're the best friend ever, Tavi! Now lets get this night started! i know this amazing pub a short trot away that is bound to have you wake up in socks and a saddle!" She threw the door to their apartment open and excitedly started to lead the way, swaying side-to-side in the fashion of a golden retriever that had just received a treat. Octavia, not too thrilled about going to a bar with such a description, followed slowly behind, the only protest a sarcastic mutter of "Oh,joy..." as she followed closely behind the rough-and-tumble unicorn. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Initiating randomness Vinyl stared intently at her sixth shot of rum, watching as the thud of the bass caused the honeyed liquid to ripple. With each deep tremor of the floor, a single drop struggled to break its hold on the force connecting it to its brethren, only to join them once again as gravity did its job. This was her element. The pounding music, the drunk ponies. She noticed every detail from the washroom doors to the tiny imperfections in the cherry wood tables. She had been here before, despite the illegality of it, and Octavia had nearly caused a scene when the bouncer had informed her that her usual booth was unoccupied. However, tonight something was different. Not the ash grey mare slowly sipping her third tequila sunrise, nor the new pink coated bartender. She knew all aspects of the normality of Pony Feathers, and the small amount of rum added to her perceptiveness, but she was having trouble placing the object of her suspicion. "Miss Scratch, you have been staring at that shot for well over five minutes! Either you're that much of a lightweight, or there is something bothering you," the voice of her new roommate rang out, only to die before its time as the blaring music swallowed it whole. Her concentration had been shattered, and her unease slowly dissipated under the amethyst stare of the pony she hoped to call friend. "Huh? oh sorry, Octavia..." Vinyl stated before rapidly tossing the liquid down her gullet. As the liquid let go its hold on the small glass, she noticed how a single drop managed to go astray, landing on a decidedly new gouge in the tabletop. one that she was certain she had not seen there this night. "There's just something weird about the bar tonight..." "Perhaps," Octavia sighed, "it is simply the fact that you're now of legal drinking age..?" She smiled encouragingly, placing a hoof on the edgy unicorn's back. It didn't help. Vinyl knew that wasn't the reason for the chill that ran down her spine. She adjusted her glasses and motioned a waitress over. Then she saw it.