Carousal Boutique's main/living room.
They sat around a table. Pearl spoke. "Let's start with her first photo album." It didn't say V. Scratch or R. Belle. The label was all dusty and some letters were hazy. The shaking in the saddle bag didn't help to shake dust of.
"What's this?" Sweetie asked her mother.
"This your sister's first photo album." Magnum answered. "She asked us to hide it, she does her absolute best to keep her double life secret. Ever noticed you've never a photo of her as a foal? That's why it's in such a dusty shape, you've never seen it."
"With all respect can you get on with telling how and why Vinyl has a split personalty?" Octavia requested.
"We will now, and it's not a split personality and don't call it that in front of her. She doesn't take that term very well if it's directed at her. She does not take it well, because she doesn't have it. We have the evidence from the diagnoses on paper." Pearl said as her husband held up said paper.
"What is it then?" Sweetie Belle asked showing either concerned about her sister or just want to get a reason to hate her less. Ditto for Octavia.
"We were going to answer it, but I keep getting interrupted. Now please be silent so can we tell the story."
"Yes mom/ma'm."
Pearl opened the album and turned so Sweetie and Octavia could have a good look at it. Like a better look at the baby pictures of the white unicorn in a baby box sucking an A-B-C block. It she had Vinyl mane color yet it was slightly curled like Rarity, only less ridiculous. Her eyes were closed. "Aw." Was the grey mare's and white filly's reaction. "Vinyl's adorable." Octavia felt the need to say.
"Reminds me of one of my baby pictures. Is that a coincidence?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"What do you think? You two are sisters, Sweetie, so of course you two are gonna have family resemblance. Ergo you look-a-like." Magnum lightheartedly snarked as he chuckled.
Octavia recognized the chuckled and put two and two together. "Wait, that's Vinyl's laugh. I can't believe I never noticed that." She felt stupid now. *Facehoof* "Ow..."
"She tends to chuckle as Vinyl, she uses my giggling as Rarity." Pearl said. "Like I said earlier she makes sure that her double life stayed a secret. And she does it great."
"No kidding. I'd never would have guessed it. Even if you told they were the same pony." Octavia told. "She must have been confused as all Tartarus about her identity with such contrasting personalities."
"She never had an identity crisis as far as we know. And if she did have it she must have hidden it well as well." Magnum speculated. "I think we've gotten off track again. And again keep in mind that we don't know everything. Especially what goes on in her head."
"And again, she's a perfectly sane young mare." Pearl said.
'It's was already doubtful when she was just Vinyl to me. Now she's the opposite of Vinyl as well.'
'Did the definition of sane change? Now I have to buy the latest dictionary.'
"I have an idea what you two are thinking and stop it." Magnum said as his wife was scanning through the album. There were some cute photos, funny photos, a photo of her chewing on a toaster and she was progressively getting older. She had Sweetie Belle's eye color.
*Sniffle* Everypony heard from upstairs. It was obvious who this was, the four on the ground floor got a ook at her. She looked like Sweetie Belle and Octavia saw her before. Only her mane was a real mess. Her shades hung on her horn, showing Rarity's blue eyes with Rarity's eye shadow, they also looked dry. She was also looking quite down.
The white young mare almost downstairs sobbing, stuffed nose and finally noticed the unexpected. "Oh! Wait MOM! DAD! You're not showing my baby pictures to the ponies who hate me the most right now!?" Her voice was neutral, Rarity's dialect and Vinyl's speech pattern, and her voice kinda cracked. Those ponies she mentioned fell kinda ashamed. Hiding their faces.
"Yes Sweetie, we were." Her father said the truth in a joking fashion. "We came by in case they wouldn't listen."
"...Thanks Mom and Dad..." She said dully.
"You sound sad. Did something terrible happen?" Pearl asked concerned.
"Well, two close ponies of mine unrealistically turn their backs without wanting the explanation, I only stopped crying because I was hungry and wanted some wine to wash the feeling away. Which is why I'm here now. To drink my problems away for today." Levitating Opal who happened to be hugging her leg, the unicorn hugged her back. Opal didn't seem to mind. The unicorn grabbed the nearest can of tuna for the fluffy animal.
The two middle aged ponies stared at their daughter and grey friend, sternly too. "That's how you've taken the news? She's always done her best to the both of you." Pearl said angry and a little out-of-character (Magnum also looked stern) but still a little calm, points at Sweetie. "She always does her best to be your big sister." Now points at Octavia. "And she gave you a home for free, supported you and you make her want to drink, do you two have justified reasons?" Pearl looked downright hostile. Both Sweetie and Octavia never have seen this side of her. It scared them a bit. It did show how much she cares about her first born. 'I hate being so harsh. I need to cheer up Sweetie dear, and then apologize to Octavia.'
"No, sorry./No, sorry." They are even more ashamed.
"No don't say sorry to her." Magnum said in a less harsh of a tone. "Now apologize to your sister, friend and/or housemate."
"Do you wanna go first?" Octavia offered to Sweetie Belle.
Sweetie nodded, she stood up and trotted up to her big sister. Looked up at her face with a face that just squeals 'sorry'. The older sister looked down to her little sis, not knowing what to expect her to say. "I'm sorry." She said sincerely. "I don't know what I was thinking."
"I think we were a little influenced by the dullness of walking through your tunnels, and maybe that's why we were acting so jerk-ish, I was also slightly annoyed at Sweetie Belle. No offence." Octavia said calmly.
"None taken(?). Can you ever forgive us?"
"If you can keep it a secret a little while longer, at least 'till I reveal it myself at my birthday. If I will reveal it, seeing how you two reacted I would be more then happy to never mention this ever again."
Sweetie Belle hugged her sister around her neck, tightly. "I'm sorry."
Her sister closed one eye because Sweetie grip was surprisingly powerful. *Cough* "SwEetIE, nEed. bReAThiNG. SPaCe." But she smiled. She was glad her li'l sister not mad at her anymore.
"I'm sorry." She repeated.
"You're forgiven."
"Well it's my turn." Octavia said. "But truth be told I can't think of a way to apologize." Octavia regretted to admit it.
"You don't have to." Vinyl said calmly.
"No, I have to do something. I always wanted to do something grand for in return for all the things you have done for me."
"Like what?" Octavia and the unicorn's parents shared a 'Are you seriously kidding me' face.
"Are you serious? You gave me a place to live for free, no strings attached. You don't hesitate to help me pay for something even if I didn't ask for it and you're my best friend with I regular contact with."
Pearl whispered something to her husband. "I think I'm finally seeing it too honey. They DO make a cute couple." Magnum chuckled and and her wife giggled.
Their daughter and Octavia heard them. They were not amused. The middle-aged ponies still quietly laughing though, even Sweetie found it slightly amusing though, she had two new targets for her shipping wall.
Octavia continued "And you made a dress for free for Fancy Pants' birthday, while in your alter-ego. I think I just have to make it up. I need to."
"You don't have to, Octavia. I still would've done things for even if mom and dad didn't come to help. Like, I still would've given the dress for free and let you stay in my house." Said Shades McEyeshadow
Now Octavia hugged her friend "You can call me by *Sigh* those nickname's again." Octavia said. Her friend was visibly happy about that. "When is your birthday?"
"Next Tuesday."
Octavia let her loose. "I will buy or get something amazing, Vinyl. I know it's a low way to fix a relationship, shut up, it's platonic." She said to Magnum and Sweetie. and possibly the other Belles. The grey musician continued. "I know it low to fix a relationship with money but I really can't think of anything else."
"I don't mind it, and again; do it only if you want to. There's nothing I really want."
"So am I forgiven?"
"You were already forgiven when you were willing to listen to my parents after they said they would explain."
"Speaking of which," Magnum interrupted. "let's continue with it shall we? We have gone off track, for good reasons but let's not get off track."
"Finally." Sweetie Belle said quietly.
"You're telling me. I've been waiting when you would go on with that piece of backstory." Said Pinkie Pie who also sat around the table. ...Everypony flinched during her line.
"PINKIE PIE!" Octavia shrieked on instinct, you would to if you were related to Pinkie and are indifferent to her.
"First things first: What are you doing here, dear Pinks? Secondly: How long have you been here? And third: and this I'd usually go like 'it's just Pinkie Pie'. But how did you get in here?" Asked the two-faced mare.
"Firstily: Don't you remember? I was supposed to show you the blueprint of your birthday party."
"Oh yeah! Can't believe I forgot that. Please forgive me. Pleasedon'ttellmeIforgotthatIPinkiePromisedsomething." Vinyl said that hastily and kinda scared. "Can you forgive in less than 20 minutes?" She said through her teeth.
"Nopey. There was no Pinkie Promise. Why are you so paranoid about promises, thinking that we've a Pinkie Promise?"
"Well since that thing with Applejack happe-"
"Anyways, Secondily;" Pinkie Pie said at the same while her white friend was speaking, as if she [Pinkie] didn't hear her. "I was here since a little while since you've made it up with Sweetie. It was the sweetest" Pinkie and Octavia giggled at Pinkie's pun, the rest were like 'haven't heard that one before.' sarcastically. Whether they thought it that way or not. The parents did smile a bit at the pun for nostalgic reasons. "thing I've seen all week that isn't Fluttershy related. It was cute too, but not as cute when you and Octy hugg-"
"Get on with the next one!" The not-couple said in perfect unison as if they were a couple. Once again, Sweetie and Magnum found it hilarious.
"'Kay. Thirdily; the front door was open."
The unicorn's face fell. "I need to close all doors immediately, I can't have anyone knowing about this!" She magicked all the doors shut. "We got sidetracked again. Where were we again?"
"We were going to ask you to tell about how you got your double life, Sweetie." Magnum reminded her.
"Thank you dad. Mom please use the appropriate pictures, so no baby pictures."
"I wasn't planning on it."
"Thank you. Listen good. It all began..."
...when I was just a little filly of seven. We lived in...
...Hoofington thanks for the reminder dad. I was a simple filly. I had a little amount of friends and little talent, or so I thought. I was stuck. I was a (for a lack of a better word) annoying and rebellious one, but wise for my years, the type with a lot of legitimate criticisms about the school's horrid teaching methods in the form wisecracks that said teachers hate. If it wasn't for mom and dad knowing where I was getting from I'd be more like a unicorn Rainbow Dash. Brash, egotistical and possibly stuck with a job that's a unicorn equivalent to the weather job. Yes, I understand it's shocking to know that, Sweetie Belle. I wasn't so lucky to get a Cheerilee, there were a few decent teachers but not that much. I had two interests, music of many kinds and sewing, a hobby I picked thanks to mom over here. I always wanted my cutie mark in music but I was never good at any instrument I tried. Even the Cello we had at home I couldn't get the hang of it. The note I could play was B as in Breaking glass.
I was however a great composer. So I had that going for me, but only getting an A for effort in music class wasn't good enough for me. I truly wanted to make music, so I had to find a way around it. So when I heard about DJ's and what they do, I was excited I could finally play music. And even created a successful new genre! It's too successful. I hate it since as you may have noticed that what all ponies talk about when it comes to music. No appreciations for the classics. But back then it was fun, a new genre that caused some mixed reactions, but it eventually grew on ponies. It was pretty impressive if I do say so myself, considering I had to do it five record players.
That's when I got my cutie mark, so mom and dad invited what few friends I had for my cutie-ceañera. It was fun and I changed my name to "Vinyl Scratch". It was appropriate.
I quickly grew to be quite became popular, even some of the teachers liked it. One of my admirers threw me my shades I still wear today as Vinyl. Or it was one of my haters because it flew in my direction at a high velocity. Yes, they were over-sized, I grew with them. Bet you never knew that 'Tavi. Come on don't look so annoyed. I also wanted to up my image with different colour eyes, so I bought three pairs. For the longest time I couldn't decide on blue, purple or red. Skipping ahead sometime ahead (ugh redundancy). I decided that purple works for regular Vinyl, and red for stage Vinyl... I know you are joking 'Tavi but yes there is a difference. I'll explain what I did with the blue contacts later.
All was fun for a few months and then we had to move to Ponyville. Why? Mom was pregnant with you, Sweetie dear. And correct me if I'm wrong, but you wanted to live in a quiet town especially for Sweetie Belle. I had to say good bye to my old horrible school, so I threw a party for them. One last old school wubstep party. It was nothing special.
On our first arrival to Ponyville was nothing special. The teacher said that the school that was mostly populated by blank flanks. I wanted to be one of them. To fit in with the rest. So made up a fake identity for fun. I used a spell to make my Cutie Mark vanish, before you say that isn't possible, I pulled it off. Mom and Dad surprisingly played along, and agreed to pretend I'm not their daughter when I was Vinyl. Questionable parenting skills there, but I wouldn't complain.
I bought purple tail and main extensions and a lot of hair dye of the same color. I wanted to be a pony that was pretty much what I wasn't. I became Rarity before I gave that side of me a name. I became a lady that day while using that name. You could say I covered my face with the Rarity mask. But I kinda became that mask after while. I can be both, and change on a whim. IT'S NO MENTAL DISORDER! Sorry, lost my calm.
I alternated between both personas on weekends. As Rarity I focused more on my other hobby sewing.
At age 8 I got my second cutie mark, and as far I know I'm the only pony with that trait. You already know that story Sweetie and Pinks. But 'Tavi doesn't, obviously. I was chosen to design to costumes for and upcoming play. I needed gems and suddenly my horn activated by itself. And dragged to the middle of nowhere, it stopped when I bumped into a rock. I was upset. That's until Rainbow did her famous Rainboom which shattered the rock (how I'm not sure) revealing a boat load of gems, beaming in my face. It damaged my eyesight slightly, but not that much, I had to enchant my shades and contacts sightly later that day, so I could see perfectly yet still wear contacts and shades. So yeah, I can barely see any of you right now. But that isn't important. When I finally found my way back home with all those gems I started working on the costumes.
During the rehearsal, my teacher complemented me on the costumes, no surprise there. What was a surprise however was the new Cutie Mark I got. You're saying you remembered to ask about my dual Cutie Mark? In due time. Honestly my parents thought was an impostor when I came home with a different Cutie Mark until it suddenly changed back, and forth, and back and forth eventually I could control it at will without using magic. Here have a demonstration, impressive is it not?
And no, Sweetie dear. I won't tell you how to use that Cutie Mark disappearing spell when you happen to be the first of the Cutie Mark Crusaders to get a Cutie Mark to still fit in. I'm also the inventor of that spell and it isn't written down anywhere.
Continuing on, so I had my second cutie-ceañera. While I was Ponyville's first party pony I didn't try to make it noteworthy. Because the darling "Vinyl" couldn't attend, Cheerilee showed up, that was about it. That was nice of her. On that day I decided to give myself a third name: Rarity.
Some months later Mom was almost in labor. And I had a small dilemma. "I don't trust my future sibling with keeping a secret, dad." So I decided that my persona who would make the best role model should be your sister, Sweetie. So I changed my third name to "Rarity Belle" so that there was almost no mistake that I was your sister.
Years later, I met dear Pinkie Pie, she easily figured out my double life. She also helped me to connect my work and houses via tunnels (it only costed me a lot of gems to Pinkie for the proper material). I also met Rainbow at the club. Years before I was friends with her as Rarity. I hate referring myself in the third pony. I adopted a lot of Vinyl's mannerisms from them plus my father. Rarity I got from mom.
After that I got my two different jobs, two different homes as two different ponies. DJ-ing was thankfully part time. So I had more than enough time for my duty at the boutique.
Around that time I've heard of you 'Tavi. And you know that story.
As years came by the secret became more important, and separated the personalities as much as possible (more like than I already did). Because what upper-class pony would buy something from somepony with even the slightest hint of a personality of a DJ (even if I live in Ponyville where there are none of these). And DJ who speaks in formalities would raise some eyebrows, not to mention the accent I fake as Rarity. And both jobs earn me a lot.
That's everything I could muster from recollection. But I feel like I didn't explain it very well. Do you need too know anything else?
"It did the job, I'd say dear." Pearl said closing the photo albums.
"I have a question." Octavia said. "What is your birth name?"
"It's..." Vinyl took about a minute to remember her own name, her parents and Pinkie laughed at the faces she was making. The former two did it with a little more worried tone. "Mom, Dad, I've forgotten it again."
"On you're first cutie-ceañera you became embarrassed by your actual name because it didn't fit you at all at the time."
"Oh, what is it? What is it?" Sweetie wanted too know it desperately. Pinkie looked just as excited. Octavia seemed curious just as well. Duh. She's one that asked.
"Sweetie Belle." Magnum said.
"Yes, Daddy?"
"No not you. That was your big sister's original name."
"What? My name isn't embarrassing!" Sweetie said a little... what's the word. Hurt? No something less, disappointed that her sister insulted indirectly. Pinkie laughed a little at that. Octavia would've joined her cousin if her standards were lower.
"It was for me at the time, Sweetie II darling." Said Sweetie I as she grinned. "It fits you perfectly though."
"How could forgot your own name?" Octavia asked her friend
"Simple really, I started to associate it with Sweetie II. I see your mouth moving Sweetie and I know what you gonna say dear. I will stop referring as Sweetie Belle II."
"Thank you. Any chance since I know the actual you that you'll do more fun activities?"
Her older sister was pondering. "After my birthday, as Vinyl if you don't mind that is. We could pass it of saying I'm your long lost cousin to anyone who asks."
"Thank you." Sweetie hugged her sister again.
"Sorry to interrupt but I have another question." Octavia said.
Sweetie still hugging her. "Ask away darling."
"Is there anyone else who knows about this at the moment?"
"A pony who specializes in disguising that I hire if I need to be at two places at once. She's a very convincing actress. And some of the staff at the hospital, etc."
The old ponies started packing things. "All right everypony it's late, let's go home. It's late and you need your rest Sweetie Belle."
"Yes mom./Yes mom." The sisters looked at each other and the whole family started laughing. "Old habits are returning, darling." Said Rarity Scratch.
"Don't lie, Sweetie." Octavia laughed on the inside, to the rest it was just a smile with barely noticeable shaking that signified that she was laughing in the inside. It was hard now seeing Vinyl with the name Sweetie Belle surrounding her. "You said that just because."
"I might have." She said with a very convincing face. "And stop calling me Sweetie, continue using the appropriate name for the appropriate time. Anyways I would like to thank you for listening, understanding and/or helping."
The room was filled with varying degrees of "No problem."'s. The Belle family (excluding Vinyl Belle) stood up said their good-byes and failed to open the door. "Sweetie, can you please unlock the door sweetheart?" Asked Magnum.
"Sure." She opened the door. "Good night, and Sweetie if you want to invite Applebloom and Scootaloo That is all right. But that means they'll be Pinkie Promised." Sweetie nodded. "No Pinks, you must stay here, we still need to execute our plan for my birthday." She put her shades in front of her eyes again.
"Oh yeah, I call it operation: Reverse surprise party!" Pinkie said rolling out the blueprint.
"Feel free to use the tunnels to get home or to work at any time. You pretty much need to because I don't think you have your key with you."
"How often do you sleep at our house?"
*Sigh* "Not often. Being a fashionista is comparable to being a baker for me. I need to live at my work to be remotely successful." Pinkie nodded.
"Understood." 'Tavi.'s emotions were hard to read. But it doesn't seem overly positive or negative. "Pinkie?"
"Yeah, Octy?"
"I need to talk to you in-private."
"You two can speak in-private in the basement." Vinyl spoke up, as she levitated the trapdoor. "It's soundproof you know."
"I've noticed. Good night, Sweetie." *Giggle* Vinyl frowned a little as Octavia and her hyper-active cousin trotted (more like bouncing in the latter's case) downstairs.
"I going to ask a question. And no it's not the one that I usually say to myself that's about you."
"The one where you say how I could keep up bouncing all day?"
"Yes, ever asked her if she thought if life would be easier if she actually was two different mares? And if she actuality said yes?"
"I happen to conveniently know that, yes, two yesses actually."
"Is that positive?"
"Yes. Three."
"One more question. You're basically a living Ponyville encyclopedia, do you know where I can arrange such thing?"
*Whisper* "Whisper."
"Thank you Pinkie, I'll try to think more highly of you now."
"No problem."
"You go to arrange Sweetie Scratch's birthday now. I need to prepare her present. First thing tomorrow I'll go ask her by saying that I know someone whose stuck in that situation."