//------------------------------// // Semi-Charmed Life // Story: Tangled Up In Blue // by ShotgunNeko //------------------------------// Vinyl Scratch let her eyes slowly adjust to the dim lighting inside the rehearsal hall. She silently thanked Celestia for the darkness. It had been a cloudy, overcast day and because of that she had spent most of it outside with Octavia. The cellist had come to love the days that the sun didn’t shine because it meant she and Vinyl could spend more time together. Even though the vampony’s eyes were less sensitive on these types of days, there was still something she found quite calming about the dark. The unicorn leaned back against the wall, as her marefriend hugged her tightly. It had been a whole day since she had woken up with Octavia wrapped around her body in the basement of Fangtasia. After they had tired themselves out physically, Octavia had shared the night’s events with her lover. Needless to say, Vinyl was not impressed. Between DJ PON-3 and Rainbow Dash, she feared for Octavia’s safety. If she believed that Octavia would listen to her, she would have told her to stay away from Fangtasia all together, now that she knew Vinyl’s secret. The unicorn was glad she didn’t have to hide that part of herself from the cellist, but at the same time, she wondered if she had made a mistake. The last thing she wanted was to be a burden to her lover. “Vinyl? Equestria to Vinyl Scratch?” Vinyl looked up. She had been so lost in thought that she hadn’t heard a word her marefriend had said. Octavia giggled softly at the bewildered look on the unicorn’s face. She couldn’t help but think that confused Vinyl was adorable. “Sorry Tavi.” Vinyl smiled weakly. “Are you all right?” Octavia asked, concerned. “I should probably be asking you that question. You’ve taken in a lot in the past day or so. How are you holding up?” Vinyl asked, stroking Octavia’s cheek. Octavia leaned into Vinyl’s hoof and sighed happily, feeling the unicorn’s other hoof wrap around her shoulders. Vinyl pulled her close, leaning in to kiss her neck. “You should know that I don’t scare that easily.” Octavia teased, pressing her lips into Vinyl’s hoof. If Vinyl had a heart beat, she was sure it would have skipped once or twice. Octavia’s warm body felt so good pressed up against her. She quickly contemplated whisking the cellist off to her dressing room for more sexy times. Octavia looked up at Vinyl and the vampony grinned seductively. “You know that I can tell when you’re thinking dirty things?” Vinyl’s smile grew wider, almost predatory. Octavia playfully smacked her lover’s shoulder. “Playtime is over for now. Frederick and the others will be here soon.” Although she was trying to be stern and authoritative, Vinyl could smell the heat rising from between her marefriend’s legs. Heightened senses were definitely one of the better parts of being undead. Speaking of, unbeknownst to Octavia they were not the only ponies in the auditorium at the moment. Vinyl had caught Frederick’s scent, but said nothing, allowing the jealous earth pony to watch them from the balcony. She didn’t want to upset Octavia, considering their last meeting with the pianist, so she had just kept quiet. Also, there was a small part of her that got satisfaction from the fact she knew her presence bothered him. But she had to admit, he most definitely had good taste. Yes, Octavia was a beautiful, talented mare, but she was also so much more. She had bounced into Vinyl’s life more than a decade ago offering nothing more than an affectionate smile. But it was more than enough. It always had been, right from the very beginning. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX TEN YEARS EARLIER Rain or shine I’m happiest When I’m with My Vinyl Scratch She makes me smiles She makes me laugh I just love My Vinyl Scratch The musically inclined filly sang happily as she skipped through the puddles on the walkway. She gripped a white unicorn plush doll between her hooves. When she had first seen it in the gift shop it had immediately reminded her of Vinyl Scratch, much to Vinyl’s chagrin. The vampony strongly denied any resemblance she may have had with the plush. She walked slowly behind her young companion, pushing Sapphire’s wheelchair through the hospital grounds. Although the unicorn had advised against it, the ailing mare had wished to come outside today. Sapphire knew it was one of the rare days that her vampony friend could join her outdoors and she wanted to feel the rain on her face, if only for the last time. “How are you feeling Sapphire?” Vinyl asked cautiously, adjusting the large umbrella she held above them. “I’m good Vinyl. I’m enjoying the sound and smell of the rain. How about you park me over there under that awning so we can sit and enjoy this together?” She asked, pointing to a bench with her hoof. Vinyl nodded and headed for the bench. She rolled Sapphire up beside the bench and sat down beside her. In mere seconds Octavia had climbed up onto the vampony’s lap, smiling eagerly as she hugged her plushie. A flicker of annoyance passed over the unicorn’s face before she reached out and wrapped her front leg around the filly’s midsection, steadying her. “Careful. I wouldn’t want you to fall.” Vinyl said sternly, causing Sapphire to laugh out loud. “What?” Vinyl asked, looking to her friend. Sapphire just shook her head, still beaming. Vinyl could feel her lips pursing into a smile as well. And before she knew it she was laughing too. It was something she hadn’t done in such a long time that it felt quite foreign. It also felt good. As she thought harder she realized she couldn’t remember the last time she had shared a genuine laugh with another pony. Vinyl looked down at Octavia and then ruffled her mane. It had been a few short weeks since she had first visited Sapphire in the hospital. In that time she had grown quite fond of their new young friend. It had been over two centuries since Vinyl herself had been a child and seeing life through Octavia’s eyes was like discovering a whole new world. It was a world full of hope, excitement and the innocence of youth. Sapphire sat back with a twinkle in her eye as Octavia entertained them with more singing and some impromptu dancing. She wasn’t sure quite how it had happened, but the young filly was managing to break the walls down that Vinyl had cemented around her heart. “Take good care of each other, my dear friends.” Both Vinyl and Octavia looked up as the simple sentence hung heavy in the air. Her words were followed by a sharp intake of breath and it was in that final moment that Sapphire Shore’s eyes closed for the very last time. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX PRESENT DAY “So, were on for later then?” Vinyl asked, straightening her vest. “Bon Bon is pretty excited to be cooking for somepony who can appreciate it.” Octavia laughed. “Yes, of course. I’ll meet you there after rehearsal is over. You mentioned Lyra and Bon Bon earlier, but is there any chance Applejack may stop by? I want to properly thank her for the other night.” Vinyl gave Octavia a sly smile. “Applejack is completely your type of mare. You sure you just want to thank her?” She teased. Octavia could feel a small blush forming. “I will admit that Applejack is...hmm...what’s the word I’m looking for?” “Sexy?” Octavia nodded, sporting her own devilish grin. “Does that make you jealous?” “Maybe, just a little.” Vinyl teased, pulling Octavia into another hug. “But you’re MY mare.” Octavia shivered as Vinyl’s body pressed up against her. She loved it when the unicorn acted jealous, even if she was only joking. “It wouldn’t matter anyways, Applejack belongs to Rarity.” “Belongs?” “Well that’s what Rarity would tell you anyways. I’m sure Applejack would have a different story. They fight like crazy, but at the end of the day, they’re fiercely loyal to each other. I highly doubt Applejack will stop by. She’s quite the workaholic. They both are. But I am sure there will be other opportunities to thank her in the future.” Vinyl said with a wink. Octavia wrapped her forelegs around Vinyl’s neck one last time, kissing her cheek. She then adjusted her bow-tie, sliding it into place. It was the perfect accessory for hiding the fang marks. “Be safe please.” Octavia murmured into the unicorn’s ear. “Of course Tavi, aren’t I always?” Vinyl said, pulling her dark glasses over her eyes. “I’ll see you tonight.” Octavia nodded as she let go of her marefriend. “Tonight.” She whispered. When Octavia turned to make her way to the stage, Vinyl took one last long look at her marefriend’s sexy backside, before slowly trotting towards the exit. While the unicorn made her way to the door, Frederick smiled in his seat. He motioned to a figure in the darkness who slowly unfurled her wings. “I told you she’d be here.” He said. “Nice job.” Rainbow Dash said, gesturing further up into the balcony seats. Within a few seconds, two more pegasi appeared before them, wicked smiles adorning their faces. The pianist watched as all three took off towards the door, knowing what was in store for the unsuspecting unicorn. “I’m so sorry.” He said, looking down as Octavia graced the stage. “This is going to hurt you, but I promise when it’s all over, you’re going to thank me.” XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Vinyl sensed the three ponies behind her as they mounted their attack. The unicorn turned, fangs bared, ready to fight her attackers. What she wasn’t ready for was the large 12 foot silver chain that was lassoed around her neck. The chain was thick and held together by many links. “Pull boys! Pull!” Rainbow encouraged, as Hoops and Dumbbell each took an end in their mouths and began to tug. Vinyl heard a sick, sizzling sound as her skin began to burn. She let out a blood curdling scream as the chain was wrapped tightly around her throat. Her hooves instinctively reached up to paw at the offending object, causing them to become scorched as well. “Damn it.” The unicorn hissed, as she fell to her knees. “Quick, she’s getting weaker. Throw her into the wagon with the others.” Rainbow commanded. Vinyl could only groan in pain as she was roughly pulled towards a small horse drawn cart. As she was shoved face first into it, the two pegasi lackeys threw another large chain over her back, causing the vampony to yelp in agony. She stared straight ahead, her body shaking with anger as the silver continued to burn her skin. It would not be fast enough to kill her, and so it would serve as a wonderful torture device. As her body thrashed wildly against her constraints, she turned and for the first time she saw that she was not alone. “LYRA? RARITY?” To be continued...