Chapter 2: Control.
Vinyl Scratch awoke the next morning and readied herself for the brand new day. Before she leaves she puts on her trustworthy goggles and heads to her favorite store in all of Equestria; the music shop. Vinyl Scratch spends hours each day trying out new equipment that she hopes to obtain for herself one day.
“What's your fascination with techno and trance?” The store manager once asked her. Her answer? “Because it speaks to me.” she replied. Computer created beats captivated the filly. She literally felt that she could understand every beat created, as if it were her own language.
Once she finished indulging herself in her own personal heaven, she retired to her home. Upon entering her abode, she attained the goggles from her face and placed them on the coffee table next to her DJ set. She put together a little something for the fashion show that Rarity was holding that day and Vinyl was hired to play.
Vinyl worried though. She worried about her ability to respond to others if somepony decided to strike up a conversation with her. Even then, Vinyl's confidence levels were high. Her determination to speak to somepony could not be restrained.
It was almost time for Vinyl to leave for her gig. She packed up her Turntables and records, thus heading to the door.
“Don't forget your goggles, Vinyl.” Star Shy said, standing at the bottom step of the stairs.
“Oh, right. I almost forgot.” Vinyl laughed. She set her stuff down by the door and grabbed her goggles. After putting them on, She grabbed her satchels, placed them on her back, and leaves.
“That's odd. . .” Said Star shy, heading back upstairs to her bedroom.
Once there, Star Shy sits at her desk, finds a blank piece of paper, and reports back to Manehatten.
“3:27PM. Vinyl Scratch almost forgets her goggles before leaving the house.” her report to Manehatten said. She waited a few minutes and received a reply.
“Does this mean she. . .?” the reply read.
Star Shy immediately wrote back. “Very unlikely, But it isn't impossible.”
Moments later.
“Just be careful.”
Vinyl Scratch arrived to the event and set up her equipment. She did her best to avoid any communication, not until she was ready. Ponies of all kinds gathered to watch the fashion show, even Hoity Toity, an important representative of fashion in Canterlot.
Vinyl turned her table on, then the lights dimmed, and, using her magic; set the needle upon the record. Joyed that her equipment worked on the first shot, she smiled and bobbed her head to the music that she created. Spot lights moved into place and a voice was heard over the speakers.
“Since the beginning of time, the elite of Equestria have longed for pony fashions that truly express the essence of their very souls. Patiently waiting decades, no; centuries, for the perfect pony gown. Today, at long last Equestria, your wait is over. Let's hear it for the breathtaking designs of Ponyville's own Rarity!” said the young dragon.
The curtain lifted and revealed the gussied up ponies. Everybody gasped and gossiped as Twilight, Apple Jack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie made their way to the end of the cat walk. Sounds of disapproval flooded the audience. Hoity Toity did not look impressed.
“Oh, those amateurish designs look like a piled on mish-mash of everything but the kitchen sink” he criticized. Everypony around him laughed. “It's a travesty is what it is. Those outfits are the ugliest things are the ugliest things I've ever seen. Oh, for shame. Who is responsible for subjecting our eyes to these horrors? Not to mention wasting my valuable time.” he continued.
Rarity came out from behind stage, her head hung as she walked down the cat walk. Only the young dragon cheered her on. The crowd gossiped some more to her arrival and nervous smiles took shape on the center stage ponies.
The event ended and Vinyl Scratch disassembled her gadgets, stuffing them into her bags and levitating them onto her back. Almost everypony was gone. Vinyl Scratch had one last chance to talk to somepony. She scanned the crowd and spotted a colt. She hopped down from her platform and made her way to him.
Vinyl shyly walked up right behind him and caught his attention. “Um, Hi.” she said.
She picked an Alicorn as her first conversation. A rainbow bolt shot out from within a dagger implanted his dark green hide as his cutie mark and blue, spiked, mane surrounded his zig-zagged horn. Scars of all shapes and sized covered body, not to mention he was also missing a wing.
“Oh, Hey.” he replied then realized who she was. “Oh! Hey, you're the DJ. DJ Pon-3 if I'm correct.”
Vinyl Scratch's heart raced. She had a strong feeling that the conversation would be ruined because of her. She felt the line “What's it to you?” with a rude tone of voice bubbling up in her throat. She closed her eyes for a moment to concentrate.
“Yeah, that's me.” she blurted with kindness. Her eyes shot open, but the colt didn't seem to notice.
“I loved the music. Such a fitting choice for such an event.” he complimented her.
Comfort washed over her. I finally had control over myself she thought and giggled in her mind.
“Thanks. “ She said, blushing lightly and digging at the ground with her hoof.
“I'm Oxide.” the colt said, extending his hoof to her.
“M-my names Vinyl Scratch.” she replied shyly. Her heart pounded as she rested her hoof into his and shook.
“Nice to meet you. Hey, I gotta go. Where do you live? Maybe I can come by tomorrow and we can continue talking?” said Oxide. Vinyl Scratch agreed and explained to him where she lived. Oxide absorbed it into his memory and before he left; complimented on her goggles. For once, Vinyl Scratch felt normal.
Excited, Vinyl Scratch galloped all the way home. She finally had a normal conversation with somepony who wasn't her sister. Once she arrived, she dropped her gear, took off her goggles, and raced to her room.
“How did it go?” Star Shy stood in the middle of the hallway, blocking Vinyl's way.
“It went great!” she yelled, her eyes opening wide, and a huge smile stretched over her face.
“I'm glad you had fun. Care to share details?” Star said, moving aside for Vinyl to get through.
Vinyl explained to her, while she prepared for bed in her room, “I talked to a colt.”
“Really? How did that go?” Star Shy asked.
“Really well. I controlled myself this time, Sis'! I didn't blurt out a rude response or come off as boring to him. He's actually coming here tomorrow to hang out.” she shuddered in excitement.
Star Shy stood in the doorway of Vinyl's room. “That's good. Looks like somepony has a boyfriend. What's his name?” she teased and winked.
“Oh, stop it sis'. His name is Oxide. Now, the faster I get to bed, the faster I get to see him. So if you don't mind, I'd like to sleep.” Vinyl worried that her demand came off as rude, but Star Shy smiled.
“Okay, Okay. Goodnight Vinyl.”
“Goodnight Star.” Vinyl crawled into her bed and turned off the lamp.
Star Shy, as usual, went directly to her room to report to Manehatten.
“10:39PM: Vinyl Scratch has control over her responses and emotions in a conversation with a colt.” She wrote. Before sending it, she stared at several of the words. “Control” and “conversation” riddled her mind. Finally, she sent it, and within moments received a reply.
“Hmm. . . This is odd. Very odd. Are you sure she didn't lie?” It read.
“No. She's incapable of lying. I think. I'd believe she lied to me faster than believing she could formulate her own response with control of her emotions.” Star Shy sighed as she sent it.
That was the final report for the night. Star Shy switched off the lights and slid into bed.