//------------------------------// // All The Right Moves // Story: Perfect Pitch // by Wolfie 03 //------------------------------// Vinyl felt hopeful about how things would go from that point on. Since Octavia had told everypony else about her nodes and after the pretty bad performance at their first 'gig' (and Vinyl felt it would be their only gig), the DJ thought that things would change in the Equestrian Girls. She was quickly proven wrong in the next day's practice. Claire seemed to cling even tighter to what they had been doing though she did ease up a tiny bit, something that Vinyl was willing to debate on how very little she was actually letting up. The white unicorn promised herself that if Claire didn't let up on Octavia she was going to take matters into her own hooves and soon; the DJ did not want to see her one best friend she ever have be in constant pain because she wouldn't stop singing. The situation didn't actually require Vinyl to do anything, since a few days after revealing her medical condition Octavia stood up for herself against the demanding pony. “Octavia, you have to hit that last note! Regionals are a little over a month away, and this has to be perfect!” Claire reminded the group as they took another break. “I can't. You know why, because of my nodes.” Octavia responded as a few of the others stated 'nodes' or 'her nodes' at the same time. Vinyl was pleased to see others standing up to the controlling mare and smirked, glad that Octavia wasn't going to let Claire ruin her voice any more than needed. “Well, then, someone needs to solo.” Claire said with a shrug and frown, she didn't want to remove one of the best singers but she didn't want to really hurt the light-gray mare. The fact that Claire was giving in surprised most of the others and no one thought to suggest themselves or others for the solo; except for a double bass player who saw the chance and took it. “I think Vinyl should solo.” Octavia suggested as she nodded towards the unicorn in question. Vinyl was a little surprised, she was only barely paying attention and was, at the time of her nomination, checking that Octavia wasn't too bad off yet and needed a moment to remember the topic at hoof. “I wouldn't mind soloing, I guess. If I could choose a different song and the arrangement for it though.” Vinyl nodded to herself, possible songs already starting to run through her mind when they were abruptly cut off at Claire's response. “No, you'd do the set as is and that's final.” Claire said with a glare and tense smile. Vinyl was a little shocked and felt her temper start up once more. “Claire, these songs are old and tired. We have to go with the flow, go with the times and change things up. DJ's and all good singers know this and are constantly keeping up and changing with the evolution of music. If we want to win, we should do the same!” Vinyl stomped a hoof as she tried to present her case to the stubborn pony. “We stick to tradition! If you don't like it, you don't have to solo. Would anyone else want to solo?” Claire broke from the odd staring contest with Vinyl (it was hard to do when one contestant was wearing sunglasses) and looked at the others in the room. Pinkie Pie started to jump up and down while waving a hoof wildly in the air. “Oh, oh, me, me! I'd like to solo! Can I, can I?” Pinkie Pie's innocent joy and excitement of singing lessened the growing tension and caused Vinyl to smile as she mused how it seemed to be the pink mare's talent to make others happier. “You don't mind, do you Vee?” Pinkie's smile dropped a little as she looked at the DJ, who shook her head no and smiled back at the party mare. “It's ok Pinkie. I'm sure you'll do fine.” “Good. Then Pinkie Pie will solo... And please, stick to the set as it's written.” Claire asked as she rubbed a hoof on her temple, having gotten rid of one problem only to deal with another instead. At least the pink mare would do as told and not deviate too much from the plan. After that, they spent the rest of practice working on the solo that had been changed, with lots of stops to remind the hyper pony to stick to the plan. By the time the day's practice was over, none of the others knew if they should be amused or annoyed at the constant stops; all save for two who were thinking of different problems. Octavia could tell that Vinyl was upset at Claire's refusal to update their set and waited until they were back in their own room before confronting her about it. “Vinyl, are you going to be ok?” Octavia sat next to the white mare who had taken a seat in front of her desk. Vinyl's brow was furrowed as she tried to understand why someone would cling to old ways that it was going to cost them in the long run. “Why? Why is Claire so dead set on using the same old things over and over again?” Vinyl turned to look at the mare next to her, wanting to see if it was just something she didn't get because of her up-bringing in an orphanage. “Claire Belle wants to get back to finals and she knows that the songs used before helped them get there. She's going with what she knows has worked in the past.” Octavia sighed, thinking of how tensed and stressed out the cream earth pony has been lately because of it all. Vinyl shook her head, unable to see how Claire couldn't see how no one else used the same songs twice. “Octavia, you know things have to change, especially music. You know we won't get far if we use the same thing over and over again.” Octavia couldn't think of a counter argument, her own experience in music saying much the same; so instead of continuing the discussion, Octavia merely gave the DJ a quick hug before gathering her things for classes that day. “I'll see you this afternoon, alright?” Octavia asked as she turned towards the the door but glanced at the unicorn to see if she was annoyed by her lack of response for why Claire clung to old ways. Vinyl merely sighed and waved a hoof in a small slightly dismissive circle. “Yeah, yeah. We're good Tavi, I'll see you later.” Vinyl levitated her headphones to lose herself in newer music before classes started; wanting to remind herself that there was better and up to date music in the world even if someponies wouldn't admit it. For the next two weeks, Claire ran them through the whole performance as well as some techniques to harmonize and even some improvisation, to the slight confusion of the rest of the team aside from Octavia, who knew what was going to happen soon and worked just as hard as everypony else to get ready. It was the day of the Music major's performances when Claire told everyone to meet at the old pool on the edge of campus at 10pm that night after all of their clubs and performances were over, for the A Cappella Riff Off. Most were nervous and yet excited, something Pinkie claimed was 'nervoucited' (whatever that meant), while Vinyl just looked to her roommate for a better explanation. As the others realized that the gray mare was going to explain in a clearer manner than the cream one, they gathered around to listen instead of leaving the practice room right away as they would usually do. “The Riff Off is something the different A Cappella groups do together in an effort to show off. We'd sing songs based on a 'category' and if you know a song that starts with or has a word from whatever song is currently being sung, you can 'cut them off' as it were. You try to sing the best/most and try to prevent the other groups from doing so. And you have to start on the last word sung or else you don't qualify.” Everyone's expressions cleared as they understood their objective and while Claire nodded in approval of the explanation. They went their separate ways after that as some got ready for classes or tried to not worry too much about their performances that night; which was the majority of them actually since most of the singers were in some kind of Music Major. To make it less stressful for those involved, if a pony was to perform that night as part of their classwork, they had no classes that day. Vinyl, sensing that she'd need as much energy as possible, relaxed and took naps during the day time. Since she didn't want to mess up Octavia who would be performing something different every half hour during most of the three hour presentation, Vinyl tried not to bother her as the gray mare seemed to be meditating on her bed, or had possibly fallen asleep sitting up; the white mare wasn't sure which and didn't want to disturb her to find out. Vinyl had her whole evening timed to the last minute to be able to watch as much as possible of Octavia's performances with the various instruments that she plays. Unfortunately, the DJ line up was done in order of seniority and popularity, meaning that the more senior and well known DJs went last while the rookies went first; which also meant that Vinyl would miss the first performance of Octavia's as a jazz player with the saxophone, which was something she had been looking forward to. Vinyl had always wondered how an earth pony could play the saxophone but felt it would be weird to ask for a private show to find out. The music portion of the presentation would take place indoors, in a room that was specially magicked so that the music being played would stay in that particular room and not disturb the rest of the musicians. It had one long hallway with ten rooms that held a different kind of music: the orchestra, DJs, country, pop, jazz, opera, soft rock and hard rock; each was set up so that one end was the softer tones and the other was the harder tones. The doors were to be kept shut for as much as possible though the hallway had special magic on it to prevent most of the sound from escaping their issued rooms. The Clowning Majors was set up in one room while the Science Majors were in the last one, this ensured that neither Major would have to face the elements of nature unless they wanted to; some did in fact need open air, so by the time everything was ready to start it had spilled out from the one building to the nearby vicinity along with the obligatory food and drink stands. Vinyl couldn't be sure but she thought she saw a certain light-gray mare during her set, though when she searched the crowd afterwards she couldn't find any sign of Octavia and continued with her plan, watching her roommate perform set after set that night. The light-gray mare went through different genres of music and instruments as though it was second nature to her; and after hearing her play, Vinyl knew it to be what Octavia was meant to do in life. The earth pony played with as much passion as when she sang, bringing life and emotion to both her the music and ponies listening. Octavia soon noticed her white shadow and began to play as though they were only ones in the room, which helped her calm her nerves at playing so much in front of so many. As Vinyl followed Octavia while she went from room to room to perform, the unicorn noticed some of the other Equestrian Girls in the performances nearby doing their own projects. Pinkie Pie was a rather good clown, doing lots of tricks and feats that the white unicorn didn't want to understand and doubt that she ever would. While she couldn't stay to watch more of the act, she had seen enough to know that it was literally what the party pony was meant to do, bring happiness to others. Lyra played the lyre in the string quartet with Octavia and Vinyl thought she saw Carrot Top in the crowd watching as well, though it was hard to tell with how many were there to see the quartet perform and it was rude to search and find out. Arpeggio and Claire were singers, the former of more opera-like songs and the latter of more recent pop-like songs, debunking Vinyl's theory that the cream-colored earth pony didn't know any songs from the past few years at all. The orchestra actually played as back up to a lot of singers, so the white unicorn got to hear the two sing complete sets with the light-gray earth pony providing part of the background music. Beautiful Composition played in the orchestra as a piano player with Octavia as a double bass. The purple-navy unicorn had actually composed one of the pieces the orchestra played that night and Vinyl had to admit it was a pretty good piece; even though she didn't like classical music all that much. Near the end of the night's performances, with only half an hour left, Octavia finally finished all of her songs and tried to catch up with the white unicorn before she could disappear into the milling crowds. “Well hello there Vinyl. Fancy seeing you here.” The gray pony smirked at the sight of the flustered unicorn. “Oh, ah, well hi. Fancy indeed, ah, uh, this, this isn't the hard-core rockers...” Vinyl tried to seem confused as to how she got there but gave up the act when she saw the earth pony trying to hide her giggles behind a hoof. “Well, I just wanted to see you were any good at all those instruments you have.” Vinyl explained with a blush as she rubbed the back of her head. Octavia giggled once more as she led the way outside of the room that they could speak without interrupting the last performance. “So, was I any good?” The gray mare smiled warmly at the white one who was determinedly looking elsewhere as she tried to rid herself of her blush. “Yeah, you were pretty good; you know, for a classical pony.” Octavia playfully groaned and gave Vinyl a light shove. “And here I thought we were over this; though I suppose your music isn't as grating on the ears compared to most DJs.” Vinyl raised a brow at this comment, unsure if it was serious or not when Octavia decided to reassure her with a nudge to her shoulder and small smile. “It was a joke. I did manage to hear you set; I just had to rush back to my own performances, otherwise I'd have spoken to you at the end of it. Your mix was very good, you must have hidden it pretty well since I thought I had heard most, if not all, of your mixes already.” Vinyl gave a small smile, happy that Octavia liked what the DJ had worked hard to keep hidden in order to surprise the gray mare. The two friends spent the last half hour before they were to all meet for the Riff Off by getting some refreshments at the stands that seem to be just about everywhere during these kinds of big projects. They discussed the various types of performances that had happened that night, though Vinyl did most of the explaining since Octavia hadn't been able to leave her spot for most of the night. Before long it was time to go to the old pool and take part in a particular tradition of the college's A Cappella groups. Vinyl hadn't had much time to explore the campus and had to follow Octavia, who had started to gather a following of some of the other Equestrian Girls who also didn't know where to go. They walked northwards, away from the dorms and sobriety houses, and even a little beyond most of the music classrooms. The pool was really large, going down at least ten feet, and had long since been emptied of its original contents. It was hidden away among the trees, no longer in use after the school had made a deeper one that was indoors in a more central location. As the different A Cappella groups gathered in the empty pool, Vinyl noticed how some other ponies sat around the edge, excited for the show that was to come. The four main groups stood in the different corners with a dark-gray maned and black coated unicorn stood in the center with a cellphone out. Vinyl couldn't help but be interested in how the unicorn had a spot light as a cutie mark and that his phone seemed to be a very advanced type, able to project a wheel of choices onto the wall behind him. Almost like he was meant only to spotlight and highlight others and things, never meant to be the one front and center of the stage. She wondered how he was roped into all of this and what his major would be, but shrugged and settled in the back of the group, wanting to see how this played out before she tried anything. Everypony was chatting together and psyching themselves up when a siren-like sound went off (made by the Hidden Potentials) everyone became silent and looked to the center unicorn. The ponies along the edge stopped playing with the spotlights and focused them back into the pool, some lighting up the different groups while most stayed in the center for the singers who would try to win the Riff Off. “Welcome to the RIFF OFF! I'm Lime Light, and I'll be your judge for this evening! Are we ready?!” Lime Light looked to the ponies around him who all shouted affirmative. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ A/N: At this point, we get into A Cappella singing. There will be a triple line after all the singing if you do not like to read songs typed out, though if you do continue to read there are links to actual A Cappella singing these very songs (and very much how I hear the ponies singing it). ___________________________________________________________________________________________ “Alright! Our first category is -!” Lime Light shown his phone onto the wall, the wheel spinning until it came to a stop. “Songs about magic!” Claire yelped in surprise and excitement, running forward to the center of the pool only to have the Treblemakers suddenly jump forward and start to sing. “I got the magic in meeee Every time I touch that track It turns into golddd Everypony knows I've got the magic in me When I hit the flow the girls come Snappin' at meee Now everypony wants some presto I got the magic in me These tricks that I'll attempt Will blow your mind Pick a verse, any verse I'll hypnotize you with every line I'll need a volunteer How about you, with the eyes? Come on down to the front And -” The teal colored earth pony who was leading the song was cut off by one of the Hidden Potentials, a red unicorn stepping up as she made a cut off sign with her hooves as she smoothly transitioned into her own song. “And now you're gooooooone Gone gone gone, so long! I put a spell on youuuuu And it was stronggggg So strong, so strong, so strong! Your wretched little lives Have all been cursed 'Cause of all the witches working I'm the worst I put a spell on youuuuu And now you're miiiiiiine Watch out! Watch out! Watch out! Watch out! If you -” The red unicorn was cut off by Claire who stepped forward making her own cut off sign and leading the Equestrian Girls into the song. “- If you believe in magic, don't bother to choose If it's jug band music or rhythm and blues Just go and listen, it'll start with a smile It won't wipe off your face, no matter how hard you try Your feet start tapping and you can't seem to find How you got there, so just bloow your miind If you believe in magic, come along with me We'll dance until mornin' 'til there's just you and me And maybe, if the music is right I'll meet you tomorrow, sort of late at night And we'll go dancing, baby, then you'll see How the magic's in the music and the music's in me, yeah Do you believe in magic? Yeah, Believe in the magic of a young girl's soul Believe in the magic of rock and roll Believe in the magic that -” Suddenly Claire trailed off uncertainly as one of the High Notes, a brown peagasus, stumbled forward with a hoof outstretched and tried to sing. “at, aatt... What kind of magic spell to use Slime and snails or puppy dog tails Thunder or lightning, then baby said...” The peagasus trailed off as everyone stared at her in shock and no one from her own group joined in. Lime Light trotted up next to her and pointed with a hoof. “The side effects of eating unknown herbs everypony. You are, -” here everyone who knew what was going on clapped their hooves twice and making the cut off sign as well as joining in saying the line,“- cut off!” The brown peagasus trotted back to her group as everyone laughed a little (herself included) while being shooed away by Lime Light who pulled out his phone once more. The High Notes settled down onto the ground, fine with having been disqualified from the Riff Off, they still got to see an amusing show between the other groups. “The next category is … Songs about breakups.” Lime Light turned from the wall to face the remaining teams who all jabbered excitedly and started to all come forward when Lyra burst through singing. “At first, I was afraid, I was petrified Kept thinking, I could never live without you by my side But then I spent so many nights just thinking, how you did me wrong And I grew strong and I learned how to get alongggg And so you're back, from outer space I just walked in to find you here with that sad look upon your face I should have changed that stupid lock I should have made you leave your key If I'd known for just one second you'd be back to bother me Oh now go, go, walk out the door, just turn around now 'Cause you're not welcome anymore Weren't you the one, who tried to hurt me with goodbye? Did you think I'd crumble? Did you -” She was cut off by a dark-golden coated peagasus from the Treblemakers who jumped forward and held his fore-hooves to his chest in a pained way as he began to sing. “- You didn't know all the ways I loved you, no So you took a chance, and made other plans But I bet you didn't think that they would come crashing down, nooo You don't have to say what you did I already know, I found out from him Now there's just no chance For you and -” Just as they were getting into the song, Cloud Kicker cut them off with the signal which turned into a sassy movement of 'no' as she sang. “- And he don't knowwww I dug my key into the side Of his pretty little souped-up 4 wheel drive Carved my name into his leather seeeeaatts I took a Louisville slugger to both head lights Slashed a hole in all 4 tires And maybe next time he'll think before he cheats Right now, she's probably up singing some White-trash version of Shania karaoke Right now, she's probably saying, "I'm drunk" And he's a thinking that he's gonna get lucky Right now, he's probably dabbing on 3 dollars Worth of that bathroom Poloooo Oh and he don't knooooww That I -” Another Treblemaker stepped forward, his dark blue coat blending into the night around them as he cut the Equestrian Girls off once more as he began to sing. “- I still love you Though we touched and went our separate ways Troubled times Caught between confusion and pain, pain, pain Distant eyes Promises we made were in vain, in vaaain, in vaaain If you must go, I wish you loooove You'll never walk aloooone, take care my looove Miss you, love Someday love will find youu Break those chains that bind youuu One night will remind youuuu How we touched and went our separate ways If he ever hurts youu True love won't desert youu Youu -” Vinyl cut the stallion off, thrilled that this style of face off existed and joining in with a passion as she began to sing, bringing her hooves to her chest as she belted out the song with a passion. “- You're settled down That you, found a girl and you're married nooow I heard that your dreams came true Guess she gave you things, I didn't give to youuu...” At this point, the other Equestrian Girls joined in, having figured which song it was and providing most of the background while accenting the lyrics as needed. “Old friend, why are you so shyyyy? Ain't like you to hold back or hide from the light I hate to turn up out of the blue, uninvited But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it I had hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded That for me, it isn't over Never mind, I'll find someone like youuuu I wish nothing but the best for youuuuu, tooooo Don't forget me, I beeegg, I remembeeer you saaid Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts insteaaad Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts insteaadd...” By this point, most of the other groups stepped back, watching in awe at the white mare who sound as though she had personally gone through the very same heartache and sung about it for the world to know. “You know how the time flies Only yesterday was the time of our lives We were born and raised by a summer haze Bound by the surprise of our glory daays. I hate to turn up out of the blue, uninvited But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it I had hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded That for me, it isn't oovveer Never mind, I'll find someone like youuuu I wish nothing but the best for youuu, tooooo Don't forget me, I beegg, I remember you saaid Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts insteaad, Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts insteaad Nothing compares, no worries or cares Regrets and mistakes, they're memories made Who would have known how bittersweet this would taste? Never mind, I'll find someone like youuu I wish nothing but the best for youuuu, toooo Don't forget me, I beegg, I remember you saaid Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts insteeaaaad Never mind, I'll find someone like youuuuuu I wish nothing but the best for youuuuu, tooooo Don't forget me, I beegg, I remember you saaid Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead…” ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ The Equestrian Girls finished their song and looked on as everyone else cheered and stomped their hooves, aside from the Treblemakers who seemed a little peeved that they had done so well. The girls were excited and waved to everypony around, thrilled that they were able to sing together perfectly and beat out the other A Cappella groups; perhaps they stood a chance at the upcoming competition after all. Lime Light stepped forward, appearing solemn while Vinyl turned to face him, the others coping the motion soon afterwards, all hoping for news of their win. “Sorry fillies, but the word you need to match was 'you' and you sang 'you're'. You are-” everyone followed along, the Treblemakers being the loudest “-cut off! Trebles win!” Lime Light waved to the all stallion group who began to cheer, shout and parade out of the pool to celebrate their 'win'. “WHAT?!” Vinyl shouted in disbelief, she was starting to wonder if she had been knocked out or dreamed up their last song; she couldn't understand how they didn't win, they had followed the rules. “I've never heard that rule before! Grrr, come on girls, let's go.” Claire ushered the others away from the ponies who were laughing and getting into the party mode while the Equestrian Girls were saddened by the quick turnaround of their 'victory'. Everyone slowly trotted out of the pool, along the way Vinyl had a bad feeling of what was going to be said and as Claire opened her mouth once more, she gritted her teeth in expectancy. “I want everyone to make a list of what you did wrong.” “Oh come on! You can't be serious! 'A list of what we did wrong'?! What we did back there was cool and amazing and we should do more stuff like that!” Vinyl stood in front of the cream earth pony, unwilling to let her brush it off or to not listen to what the unicorn was saying, Vinyl just knew that she had to try and convince Claire to not play the blame game. Claire huffed at the confrontation pony and threw back her mane before continuing. “Obviously something had to have gone wrong because Lime Light has been judging these things for years now; he knows what he's doing, so the fault is ours.” “Wha- ah – grrr. I say that he just didn't want us to win after what happened last year! We were doing great, listening to each other, singing songs that everypony can get into!” Vinyl stomped her hoof to empathize her point. Claire glared at the unicorn and stomped her own hoof. “That's not true, we must have mixed up the rules and we have to work even harder to prove that we have what it takes!” “Well I think-” “The Draconequus feeds on our disharmony.” Windy Day spoke to everyone in general but watched the two arguing ponies, causing Vinyl to cut off suddenly as she heard yet another odd statement from the peagasus and took a moment to look around herself. They had come to a stop before completely exiting the pool and their argument had a large audience of ponies who weren't even trying to hide their amusement. White ears flipped back as everyone on the team realized that they had become the laughing stock once more and they all stood still for a moment before Claire tried to gain control of the situation once again. “Ok everypony. Hooves in, 'ah' on my count-” “Wait, on three or after three?” Cloud Kicker asked while most simply put their hooves into the circle, not wanting to make more of a scene than they already did. “On three,” Lyra started to say as Arpeggio as tried to help clarify at the same time. “After three.” The two started their own argument while the others looked on, and Pinkie Pie's eyes weren't the only ones spinning in confusion by this point. Claire felt the beginning of another headache as Cloud Kicker threw up her hooves and quietly ask to nopony specificity, “why can't we get this right?” A statement that Claire Belle agreed with a hundred percent, but decided it was already too much trouble and just turned away in frustration. The others stayed in the circle for a moment longer before following their leader up and out of the pool, silently heading back to the rest of the campus to try and forget the night ever happened. Before they all went their separate ways for the night, Vinyl pulled Windy Day to side in order to speak with the soft spoken mare. “Why are you so hung up on this 'being of chaos'? Are you a discordian?” Vinyl questioned as she checked that nopony else was listening in, she wasn't sure what she would say if asked what was going on. “I believe he will one day return, just as it was prophesied in this book, my personal copy of 'Predictions and Prophecies'. Would you like to borrow it?” Windy Day pulled from her long mane a book with a light blue cover, which she then offered to the unicorn who was a little shocked that the mare kept such a book on her being at all times. “Oh, uhm, sure. Thanks. I'll look over it tomorrow and give it back in the day after, I guess.” Vinyl grabbed the book in her light blue magic as she hesitantly turned away from the peagasus. “Have a nice night then, Windy Day...” “Good night! May Nightmare Moon not visit you in your dreams this night!” Windy Day waved slightly as Vinyl looked back with a raised brow, unsure if she wanted to comment on that or not. The DJ opted for silence and merely dipped her head in acknowledgment before continuing on her way back to her room. As soon as Vinyl entered her dorm room, she was tackled to the ground in a tight hug from a light-gray earth pony who had started to fear the worse when the white unicorn didn't come back right away. “Vinyl! Where were you? What happened? You didn't try to track down Claire and continue arguing did you? Hey, what's the book?” Octavia noticed the light blue book that had landed onto the ground as she pulled back a little to get a better look at the mare, the book having been released from Vinyl's magical hold as her focus was distracted by the sudden hug. “Huh? Wha- oh. The book. Yeah, I got it from Windy Day, that's why I was a little late to come back.” Vinyl scratched the back of her head as one of her own hooves slightly returned the hug which Octavia didn't seem willing to end any time soon; even going so far as to continue it as she looked at the book in curiosity. “Oh? What kind of book? Nopony ever seems able to hear her, I wonder what kind of things she likes. Though you may know, you seem to be able to hear her just fine, and Pinkie Pie seemed to have some extra sense about these kinds of things...” Octavia trailed off as she stared upwards in an unfocused manner, to which Vinyl raised a brow in wonder at the normal sounding conversation happening in a tight hug. “Yeah, it's because of my hearing; since their so sensitive, I can usually hear what she's saying; which is actually pretty weird stuff... Are we going to continue to sit right in front of the doorway? Not that I mind the hug, but ah, there are more comfortable spots to sit and hug...” Vinyl looked at the mare who blushed, realizing that they were indeed right in front of the door and that she hadn't let go of her roommate during the entire time of their talk. “Oh, uh, sorry about that. I was worried that you had stormed off and done something you would regret later.” Octavia let go and took a few steps back as Vinyl got up from being knocked to the ground and levitated the book into the air once more. As Vinyl settled down onto her bed, Octavia got a proper look at the title of the loaned book and was even more curious about what kind of things very soft spoken peagasus may like. “Predictions and Prophecies? Does Windy Day like fortune telling?” “Hmm? Oh, no, ah, it's more like she believes them to be true and has apparently been trying to, ah, warn others of the 'impending doom'...” Vinyl raised a brow at the odd sounding reasoning while she glanced over at the earth pony who settled onto her own bed. Octavia raised a brow as well before both started to lightly laugh at the self-appointed mission of the sky-blue peagasus. “Well, at least she wants to help others. Any particular one she has been talking about?” Octavia said with a small smile as Vinyl set the book onto her desk before settling down for bed; it was well after midnight by this point, and between their project performances and the Riff Off, both mares were exhausted. Vinyl debated internally for a moment as she watched her roommate settle into bed as well before deciding to go ahead and paraphrase what Windy Day has been saying since the first meeting of the Equestrian Girls. “Well, she's been going on about this 'being of chaos' who's a 'draconequus'?” Octavia rubbed her chin in thought and shook her head in ignorance of who it might have been referring to. “Sorry, I don't know of any 'draconequus' nor 'being of chaos', which you would think is something they would cover in history class... Are you going to be alright Vinyl? I know that you were upset at how Claire handled our loss at the Riff Off...” Octavia looked over at the white mare as she rested her head on top of her hooves. Vinyl stiffened a little, remembering the argument all over again before sighing in defeat. She knew that she wouldn't be able to convince Octavia to join her in arguing with Claire and that the gray mare would just be saddened even more at the constant fighting. “I'll be alright. Yes, it's annoying but I'll play nice with others, especially Claire. Promise.” Vinyl rolled her eyes as she lay on her back with both hooves behind her head, making it so she missed the extremely pleased smile Octavia had on because Vinyl was going to try and get along with Claire. “Thanks Vinyl... Goodnight.” Octavia softly called as she settled further into her bed, feeling the Sand Pony already calling her to the land of dreams. The unicorn smiled as she glanced over at the mare who was already falling asleep, glad that she knew the other well enough to put her mind at ease and make her happy with a single promise. Now she just had to try and keep her promise. “Yeah, yeah. Goodnight Tavi.” Vinyl turned away in order to face the wall before removing her glasses in order to settle down to sleep; it had long since became habit to do this in order for nopony to see her cerise eyes and curse her for them. Vinyl knew she would need all the rest she could get in order to try and 'get along' with the stubborn cream mare in the morning; a task that she didn't look forward to but it was important to Octavia and that's all that mattered to the unicorn. Though she didn't want to start thinking of why it was so important to keep the earth pony happy and healthy at all times.