The door slamming broke Octavia out from her reverie as she studied the sheet music for her next performance with the Canterlot Philarmonic, and the stream of half-yelled swearwords from her housemate Vinyl Scratch drew her out from her room.
“Vinyl? What happened?” asked Octavia, as Vinyl stalked around the kitchen
“I can’t believe her! To break it off now, after I was so close!”
“Vinyl, what in Equestria are you talking about?”
“I’ll show her. Yeah, I don’t need her. I can do just fine without her.” Octavia crossed the room and gave the very tip of Vinyl’s horn a flick with a hoof as Vinyl stomped past her.
“What?” growled Vinyl, and Octavia momentarily reeled back. She’d never, ever seen Vinyl this angry before.
“What’s the matter, Vinyl?” asked Octavia.
“It’s Bottom Line,” said Vinyl, stalking over to the couch and sitting down, “my manager. Or former manager, anyway.”
“What happened?” said Octavia, sitting down besides Vinyl.
“She dumped me. Just dropped me like a bass line. Tore up my recording contract right in front of me. Said that my music ‘wasn’t in line with what the record company wanted to put out anymore.’ Span some story about management or something. Just said that, then walked out the door, wishing me luck. Yeah, right,” finished Vinyl, her face souring, “I’ll show her.”
“Vinyl,” began Octavia, wrapping a hoof around Vinyl, “remember what happened the last time you made a song while you were angry?”
“It went platinum faster than anything and was a massive commercial success because everypony could feel my anger through the music?” muttered Vinyl, and Octavia paused.
“Very well, that’s a bad example. Do you know what happened the last time I tried to write a song while angry?”
“You don’t get angry, Octy. You drink tea,” said Vinyl, a hint of a smile flitting across her face.
“Okay, also a bad example,” conceded Octavia, finally getting a proper smile from Vinyl, “My point, Vinyl, is that nothing good will come of you acting out of anger now. Take a few days. Calm down, and if you still feel like you need revenge on Bottom Line, you can go about it...mostly rationally. You are still a fantastic musician, Vinyl, recording contract or no.”
Vinyl Scratch took a few deep breaths in and out, calming herself somewhat.
“Yeah, thanks Octy. Guess I lost my head for a minute there.” Octavia smiled at her friend.
“Do not worry about it too much. Your reaction, given the circumstances, and how much you have been looking forwards to this, was understandable.”
“Still can’t believe that she just dropped me like that, though. I’ve never done anything bad for the company. This was going to be my first actual paid-for legit album, Octy!”
[Time]
“Oh well,” muttered Vinyl, getting up from the couch and heading for her room, “I’m gonna go and burn some stress off.”
“Vinyl? Please don’t break the windows.”