Vinyl's Free Time
Just Another Day
Author: Draconis187
Celestia’s sun decided to poke through my curtains and wake me from my slumber. Damn the weather ponies for scheduling clear skies for the day. It wouldn’t have been too bad if I hadn’t come from a seven hour set that ended three hours ago at the local radio station. Oh well, nothing a cold dip in the tub and a large cup of coffee wouldn’t fix.
I rolled to the right and fell out of bed. I did this for years and perfected it to an art since I always landed on my hooves. I threw off what part of my blankets still remained on my body and walked over to my bathroom. I looked into the mirror and gave my mane a quick brush. After splashing my face with some cold water to wake me up a little, I took out my coloured contacts and placed them in. Most ponies don’t realise that my eyes are naturally red but I suffer from nearsightedness and thus the reason I wore contacts. The choice of wearing coloured ones was just for laughs, hearing ponies argue what my natural eye colour was hilarious even if Tavi kept asking me to stop the rumours.
After making sure my contacts sat properly and made my eyes a moderate cerise, I went to my bedroom window and threw my bedside speakers around so they faced the window, pumped the volume to 12 and pressed play. It was time to wake up Ponyville in style.
“Aw yeah! Good morning Ponyville!” I shouted as I shoved my window open with force, causing it to fall to the ground for the fifth time this week and it was Tuesday today. The window smashed to pieces as it hit the floor. I lose more windows that way.
With my morning ritual finished, I went back to the bathroom and got into the tub. Being a unicorn had it advantages and telekinesis was a massive plus to one’s daily routine. After washing up and drying off, I went to make myself something quick for breakfast and that cup of coffee that was calling my name. Or Tavi’s, I don’t speak coffee.
As I was finishing up with breakfast and downed a whole pot of coffee, there were a series of knocks at my door. I grabbed my favourite – and only – pair of shades and donned them as I opened the door. Turned out to be three little fillies, I believe they were called Appleblotch, Sweaty Bell, and Scotchaloo.
“Hi!” The white unicorn said in a voice that made me want to just d’aww right there and then. “We’re with the Foal Free Press and we were wondering if we could interview you?”
“Didn’t you little fillies do this before?” I asked, remembering the Gabby Gums incident that almost destroyed the town, figuratively not literally.
“Yeah but we gave up gossip once we found out it hurt other ponies’ feelings,” The orange Pegasus said, trying not to look me in the eyes. “We’re doing normal interviews now and we wanted to interview you.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “Huh, why not? Come in,” The three fillies’ expressions brightened as they bolted inside my home. “So what do you want to know?”
“Well, kinda everything ta be honest,” The light yellow Earth pony said. She reminded me of an orange pony that lived nearby, maybe she was related?
“Well, you may have to more specific than that. Besides, I need to get to the train station. A friend of mine is coming,” I said, remembering Tavi was coming to visit.
“Is it your special somepony?” Sweaty Bell asked, her big green eye trying to bore into my soul for the answer.
I gave a chuckle as we exited the house. “Nah man, she’s a cousin.”
“Then why do you live alone?” Scotchaloo asked.
“Well, our careers tend to keep us apart, location-wise but we make an effort to meet up once a week for a picnic or something. It’s kinda cool even if we end up arguing,” I said, getting some rather confused looks from the fillies. “You’ll see what I mean.”
“What does she do?” Scotch asked. “Is it cool?”
“She’s the First Chair Cellist in the Canterlot Symphony Orchestra. It’s kinda boring but she enjoys it. It’s not my kind of jam but I respect it on a more pro level,” I said as we got to the station.
I walked up to the ticket booth to get some info. “Sup, can you tell me when the train from Canterlot will be arriving?”
“Sure thing,” The blue stallion replied, looking over to a piece of paper. “It should be here in a few minutes.”
“Sweet, thanks man,” I said with a wave, returning to the three girls.
“So, is she comin’?” Appleblotch asked.
I gave a nod and grinned. “Of course, she ain’t one to be late. It’s one of her pet peeves. Trust me on that.”
“Ok,” The three fillies said as I saw the train come into view.
“This is going to be an awesome day,” I said with a grin as the train began to pull into the station before grinding to a halt.
A light grey Earth Pony came out, carrying herself with dignity and form of most ponies you see from Canterlot, specifically the higher circles. Sadly for her, it did little to defend herself from my glomp attack.
“Tavi!” I shouted, hugging my cousin tightly.
“Vinyl would you mind letting go! Ponies are watching,” She said, blushing in embarrassment. She had an image to maintain and I just crushed it in three seconds, a personal best.
“Oh come on, no smile for your cus, cus?” I said with a sly grin. “Oh and these are our adopted fillies.”
“What?!” She squealed. She rolled her eyes as I fell on my flank in laughter. “Very funny… Vanilla Scratchington.”
I shot bolt upright. Only my family knew of my full name and it was my biggest weakness. I hated my full name. You see despite my demeanour, I’m a Canterlot mare through and through. It’s why my house stays clean most of the time but my bedroom doesn’t due to my rather messy lifestyle. Octavia always held my full name like a dark cloud over my head and - like the blackmailer she was - always used it out of fun or to stop me in my tracks. It was super effective every time.
“Tavi!” I shouted, folding my forehooves and pouting. “You know I hate that name.”
“I know, now may you tell me your names?” She said, addressing the trio of misfits.
“Name’s Scootaloo!” Scotch said, I guess I had her name wrong.
“Sweetie Belle, ma’am,” The Unicorn said. Okay, nought for two. I can’t be nought for three could I?
“Ah’m Applebloom,” The last filly said with a smile. Sweet Celestia’s fake beard, I was completely wrong on all three counts. Whatever, I’m not perfect.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Octavia, despite my cousin’s nickname. Please don’t use it, it is rather embarrassing,” Tavi said, addressing the mares with a smile.
“So shall we go crash at my place then?” I asked with a smile.
“That would be prudent Vinyl. I brought my cello if that’s alright. We are playing next week for some delegates from the Griffon Empire and I need to practise my part,” Octavia said as a pony brought the large behemoth of a wooden instrument before gently placing it on the floor.
“Okay, I needed to do the dishes anyway. Oh and the cello’s fine,” I said as I picked up her cello’s case with my magic.
We got a couple of funny looks as we walked through town. We were both rather famous musicians in our own circles and ever since the Gabby Gums incident with ponies thinking we were each other’s special somepony, we got even more curious looks. Thankfully if this little interview between us and these three fillies goes well, I can give the issue a broadside from my bass cannon.
Once we got home I realised my speakers were still pounding the area with wubs, I placed Tavi’s cello in the living room and walked upstairs to shut the speakers off. I didn’t want to sit with the doctor’s bill for every deaf pony in Ponyville. I walked back down the stairs and found Tavi had already pilfered the red wine. Then again, I only get it for her. Berry Punch makes the best alcohol this side of Equestria. And that’s no lie.
“So that’s why she likes Ponyville?” Scootaloo said with an intrigued look on her face as she wrote in a notebook with a pencil.
“That is correct, she likes the quiet of Ponyville,” Tavi affirmed as she took a sip from her glass.
“Only so I can break it myself, more satisfying that way,” I said with a sly grin. “Bit early for wine isn’t it?”
“This coming from a pony that drinks more than Berry Punch?” Tavi retorted with a smirk.
“Touché. Want any breakfast Tavi?” I asked, trying to win a conversation with her is hard. I actually had to think before I spoke.
“Yes please, some boiled eggs and some toast would be rather lovely,” Tavi said as the three fillies barraged her with more questions.
I went into the kitchen and donned my ‘Wub the cook’ apron. I opened my fridge and took out some eggs while taking out a pot and filling it with water. I placed the dirty dishes from my previous meal into the washer and cranked up the bass. I placed the eggs into the pot and placed it on the stove while I got some whole-wheat bread and stuffed two slices into the toaster.
“What in the hay is that?” The orange Pegasus asked, pointing at my dishwasher with shock.
“Just my dishwasher,” I replied with a smirk.
“But, isn't it a subwoofer?” She asked, now dumbfounded as the speaker continued to pound the dirt off the dishes. “That shouldn’t be possible.”
“Screw that, I’m Vinyl Scratch!” I said, puffing out my chest proudly. “I even made a bass cannon that leaves mile long craters in its wake and I use my turntables as a mixer.”
“Wow, that’s amazing!” She said as she realised she stood in presence of the wub master.
“I can do anything with wubs,” I said with pride. “Your breakfast is nearly done, Tavi!”
“Thanks Vinyl,” Her voice called out from my living room.
I lifted the eggs from the pot and paced them into holders, the toast jumped out of the toaster and I grabbed them too with my magic before slicing them into little strips, just the way Tavi liked them. The next bit was the butter, sure putting it on the toast before slicing it sounded like a better idea but I didn’t give a damn.
“Thanks again Vinyl dear,” I turned around and found Tavi walking into my kitchen with a smirk and the other two fillies coming up behind her.
“Anytime Tavi. Now, let’s get back to you three,” I said, addressing the three fillies who looked at me with a smile. “Shall we do this?”
“Okay!” Sweetie Belle cried out as the three of them pulled out a small notebook and a pencil. “How did you two meet?”
“Family reunion, where else?” I said with a grin as Tavi rolled her eyes.
“Please be serious Vinyl,” She requested as she took the top off of her egg.
“Fine,” I replied, admitting defeat this once. “I’m not kidding about the family reunion thing. This was years ago, before I moved to Ponyville. I had just gotten my Cutie Mark after I blew out all of the windows in my room with my first attempt at creating a bass cannon. Music was always my passion but my tastes… were not up to Canterlot’s snobbish standards.”
“Boring…” Scootaloo remarked, looking rather unimpressed.
“That same bass cannon cracked my bedroom wall and shattered my mother’s crystal glass set. It caused the chandelier from the living room to fall and shatter as well as crack every other window in the house.”
“Ok, now that sounds cool.” She said, perking up. Score one for me and the power of wubs.
“I had gotten mine when I played for one of our uncles who owned the local opera house in Canterlot. It was also with the self same cello I carry with me now,” Octavia said, not even trying to outdo me. Then again, she always saw it beneath her to engage in such rivalries. Our music on the other hoof? Don’t get me started.
“Anyway…” I said, rolling my eyes from under my glasses. “Tavi was playing on her own for our family up on a stage. I decided the get-together needed a bit more, umph if you catch my drift.”
“She took out her bass cannon and a small turntable before blasting me offstage with her ‘wubstep’,” Tavi said with slight disgust.
“Her folks were none too happy with me and neither were my own,” I said, half laughing. “I had blasted Tavi into the buffet table and she was unlucky enough to land in the cake. Either that or I had really good aim. I had never laughed so hard in my life,” I added with a smirk.
“So that’s how you met? Sounds like you got off on the wrong hoof,” Sweetie Belle replied, looking rather confused.
“We did, we even had our first argument as I got out of the cake. I had never been so furious and humiliated in all my life,” Tavi said, smiling. “We made up in the end. How, I don’t recall.”
“Neither do I to be honest, but we did start to see more of each other as our music talents had us put into Celestia’s School for the Musical Arts,” I shrugged. “I was in the class opposite her. School was nothing short of a pain but I did learn how to properly multitask with magic as I was told to try a variety of instruments.”
“How did you end up graduating then?” Sweetie asked with another confused look on her face.
“She didn’t,” Tavi replied nonchalantly.
“Ya dropped out?” Applebloom looked rather dumbstruck as she looked at me.
“Nah, I did graduate. Tavi’s only pulling your manes. I actually graduated top of my class,” I said proudly. “I even still have the certificate… somewhere.”
“I thought you said you hated school?” Scootaloo asked, now completely lost.
“Just because I didn’t enjoy it doesn’t mean I didn’t do my best.” I replied. “I just looked beyond it. The students that graduated at the top of their respective classes were allowed to play one song at the graduation party we had. I was already working on the fourth version of the bass cannon at the time and thought it was the perfect opportunity to test it out.”
“I walked out onto the stage to a sea of strange looks. I will admit I was shaking in my hooves but I donned my shades and pulled out my gear,” I said, readying the finisher. “The bass cannon worked perfectly, I blasted the roof off the place in under a minute. Today, my personal best is twenty nine seconds.”
The three fillies were awestruck as I recalled that evening. “I met Tavi again that night, sitting on her own. Good looking mare like her with that sparkling personality? She should have been beating off stallions with her cello. So I walked up to her to find out her date stood her up. Not cool.”
Tavi facehoofed as she recalled what I did. “He is still deaf, you know?”
“Should be. I didn’t strap him to my bass cannon to push him down the train line only to be found eight hours later for nothing. Yeah, I had some real anger management issues,” I said, hanging my head slightly. “But enough of that! Ever since then, we have been close. No matter how busy we are, we always make time to visit each other.”
“That was cool!” Scootaloo smirked as she looked to her friends. “Anything else girls?”
“Uh… what is your actual eye colour?” Sweetie Belle asked as she read her notebook.
“Aw, that’s easy,” I said as I took off my glasses. “Why am I even wearing these indoors anyway?”
“Magenta? Wait… they’re not red?” Scootaloo asked.
“Some things will have to remain secret my little reporters. My natural eye colour is one of them,” I replied as cryptically as possible.
“Fine, what about your relations with Pinkie Pie?” Scootaloo asked.
“Simple, she helps me out with gigs at her parties or events like Rarity’s fashion show,” I replied, shuddering as I remembered the disaster the so-called ‘fashion show’ ended up being. Not even I would wear that junk, no matter how drunk you got me.
“It certainly was not exactly her finest work,” Tavi agreed, finishing the last piece of toast before wiping her muzzle with a napkin bearing her Cutie Mark.
“Yeah but… next question!” I said, detracting the subject.
“How do you sleep if you maintain a radio show that ends so late at night?” Sweetie asked.
“I just sleep in late. Solves all my problems,” I replied with a smirk.
“Uh huh. Why do you wear those glasses?” Scootaloo asked as she looked at my shades.
“Part of the whole DJ-Pon3 persona girls,” I replied. “Besides, they look cool.”
“Right, last one. Why did ya move here?” Applebloom asked.
“Saving the best for last are we?” I chuckled. “Simply put, I moved to get away from all the prissy ponies in Canterlot. My family were some of them including Tavi, but she I can tolerate as she doesn’t look down on others. She’s made a few friends here in Ponyville: Roseluck, Carrot Top, Rarity and even Lyra Heartstrings to name a few.”
“But my sister is a prissy pony,” Sweetie Belle argued.
“But she saved Equestria on more than one occasion. The vast majority of the ponies in Canterlot would rather hide or just ignore the pleas of others. It’s actually kind of sickening,” I retorted.
“Thanks, we’ll get this to the school right now. Thank you Vinyl, oh and you too Miss Octavia.”
Tavi just chuckled. “Just Octavia is fine children, now go on.”
The three fillies ran out my door, leaving it to blow and bang in the wind. I chuckled as I finally remembered to remove the apron.
Tavi looked out to the hallway with a small grin. “Nice girls, they seem just a little too…”
“Playful? Crazy? Inquisitive?” I asked helpfully.
“They appear to be the fourth option: all the above,” Tavi said with a smile. “They mean well but I just worry that their curiosity will land them in trouble.”
“Nah, that’s just them on a daily basis,” I said with a smirk. “Want to head for the usual spot?”
Tavi smiled at me as she went to pick up her cello. “I’ll be waiting.”
I went upstairs and grabbed my latest bass cannon, – up to version nine now – hefting it up with my magic and running down the stairs. I also grabbed a few records and one of my more portable turntables before closing my house up. I then casually walked with my things up to Ghastly Gorge, where Tavi and I usually have our picnics. It’s secluded and has great acoustics. I will admit I did some bass cannon testing here. I am not responsible for what happened to that cyan mare that one time she flew through here… at least not directly. She still thought she hit the wall with enough force to cause a rockslide.
Tavi was already waiting for me once I had arrived, her cello was out and she was playing a slow tune. She did this to tune the wooden thing and I wasn’t going to stop her. When it comes to our music, I always a form of maintain professional courtesy towards her tastes and profession, even if it wasn’t my kind of jam. Give me wubs any day of the week.
“You ready yet?” Tavi asked impatiently as she played a few more bars on her instrument as I hooked up my turntable to my bass cannon.
“Yeah, I’m ready,” I replied. “On three. One… two… three.”
I placed the head on the record and pressed play while Tavi began to play as well. I put the cannon's volume down low so I didn’t blast a mile long crater into the dirt or drown out Tavi’s playing. I don’t find her particular music boring but when we combine them, it feels like I’m in heaven. You tend to lose yourself in the music at the clubs and concerts but for musicians, we control it. We are like brainwashers, the Ponies in Black or whatever conspiracy theory you believe in. We decide where the ride takes us and we revel in it. Celestia ain't got nothing on us.
I was left smiling at the end. “Nothing like a jam session with family.”
“While I would not quite use those words, yes it was a rather enjoyable composition,” Tavi agreed as she removed the bow from her cello’s strings.
“You said you were practising something, would you mind playing it?” I asked, intrigued and trying to see if I can get a sneak preview.
“Of course. It was the reason I brought my cello in the first place,” She replied with a smile.
She made sure she was comfortable and began to play a soft melody. Again I must ask: why is she not beating potential suitors off with that thing? Her accent would enrapture anypony into listening to her and anypony would kill to have her talent and fame. I mean, First Chair Cellist for the Canterlot Symphony Orchestra? The honour couldn’t be higher.
I’m not jealous though. I like to have my followers head banging the night away and getting wasted. Being in that group would bring too many responsibilities and I run as far away as possible from that dreadful word. I still don’t really care for that kind of music but when Tavi plays, it pulls at your soul’s strings.
“So what do you think?” She said. “I still think I need some more practise.”
“Tavi, that was lovely as always. You worry too much,” I reassured.
“And you worry too little. You are so carefree, why?” Tavi asked as she got down on her hooves.
“Just part of who I am, I guess,” I shrugged.
“Yeah, that’s sounds like something you’d say. That and ‘screw that, I’m Vinyl Scratch!’” Tavi giggled as we looked up at the clear blue sky.
“Yeah,” I said as I laid down on the grass.
The rest of our little outing was filled with us getting up to speed with each other’s lives. I finally paid off the house after three years and Tavi finally managed to let go off what happened at the Grand Galloping Gala a while back. Mental note: inform Pinkie Pie, even though I’ll most likely forget. Afterwards it was sadly time for Tavi to leave. I made quite the scene at the train station. If anypony didn’t know any better, they’d think we were lovers who would never see each other again.
“See you next week?” I asked as Tavi gave her cello – in its case – to one of the ponies.
“Of course, it’s your turn next week,” She teased. Whenever I visit her, she tends to drag me to my folks house.
I swear one of theses days I’ll find something to use as leverage against her or my name isn’t Vanilla Scratchington, Vinyl Scratch and DJ-Pon3.