Octavia sat at her computer, mousing over her new friend on EIM. The picture shown in the top left of the page was a blurry picture of Vinyl surfing across the crowd with a red solo cup in her hand. That was a completely different Vinyl than Octavia had seen. Still classy as ever, but she looked like she was having so much more fun… so carefree. She wish she knew this Vinyl, this Vinyl seems fun. As Octavia clicked the text box to type a message, she instead received one from none other than Vinyl herself.
“Hey Tav, I didn’t think u knew how 2 turn a pc on. U have an EIM?”
“Yes, I made one in college. My roommate said I did not get out enough.”
“Well obviously. I mean u just discovered like what, 2 days ago u digged mares?”
“I do not think I typically like mares. There is just a single individual that caught my eye.”
“Aw, thanks treble-flank!”
“Treble-flank? I would much rather you call me ‘Tavi’.”
“So u do always have it in there.”
“Excuse me, but have what in where?”
“That stick hanging out of ur plot. I mean u even type uptight. Who uses half parentheses in a casual conversation anyways.”
“Are you, by chance, talking about apostrophes?”
“Yea, those thingies.”
“Did you receive a proper education?”
“Sorta! I finished high school and went to college for a bit. Does that count?”
“I guess. So tell me, what are you working on right now? I figured that you would be on the line because your music uses the computer.”
“Did u just say on the line?”
“Why yes, yes i did. Why? Is that incorrect?”
“No its just ridiculous. Its online. 1 word.”
“Sorry I am new to this whole interwebs business.”
“Well ull love it. There is tons of cool things on here. Check this out. www.dontstoptheclop.tia/foodplay/classicalinstruments/curious-lyrist.”
“MY GOSH VINYL WHY?”
“What u don’t like? I thought thatd be right up your alley.”
“YOU SHOULD NEVER EVER DO THAT WITH A LYRE, AND WHY CAKE BATTER?”
“I think her marefriend is a baker. And Tavi, its kinda hot…”
“NO IT IS NOT! IT IS BOTH DISGUSTING AND MORALLY WRONG!”
“Okay there tiger, lay of the caps key.”
“I CAN NOT SEEM TO TURN IT OFF. HOW DO I TURN IT OFF?”
“Thats too bad, once its one u can never turn it off.”
“VERY FUNNY. HOW DO I FIX THIS? I FEEL LIKE MY TONE IS CONSTANTLY AT A ROAR.”
“Lol”
“WHATS A LOL?”
“You’re kidding right? It means laugh out loud. You say it after something funny.”
“Found it! Vinyl theres a key you can press to turn the capital characters off.”
“Good job, you’ve reached foal status on a computer.”
“Says the mare with an elementary school vocabulary.”
“U bitch.”
“Vinyl!!!!!!”
“Its a joke babe, chill.”
“You just called me… well a female dog. How is that supposed to be considered offensive?”
“I have no idea. I guess it just was ment as a burn.”
“You spelled meant wrong.”
“And?”
“And fix it.”
“I cant. Its already all the way up there.”
“So? Just go back.”
“U cant just go back u silly filly.”
“Please stop with the nicknames.”
“You stop with the nicknames.”
“What is that even supposed to mean?”
“U read me.”
“Ok then… New topic of conversation… When would u like to meet up again?”
“Actually im glad u asked. I need you to come and watch me perform tomorrow.”
“You’re performing? Vinyl that’s terrific! Sure i will come and watch you preform. Do I need to buy a ticket?”
“Holdup Tavi im loling to hard… Its a club. Have u ever been to a club?”
“Well… No?”
“Ever been to any college parties?”
“No I barely stepped out of my room except to perform and sometimes eat.”
“Really? Damn Tav we need to go out and have some fun. Im sure ud loosen up after some hard drinks.”
“I do enjoy a nice glass of wine every now and then. What do you prefer as an alcoholic beverage?”
“Actually I had a drink named after me. It was a mixture of whisky, gin, sprite, and Blue Kool-aid. You drop a glow stick in that mix and you get the SHOCKER.”
“That sounds… terrible.”
“Nah its actually good. I dont drink anymore though.”
“Really? I would think that you of all mares would enjoy a nice glass of alcohol now and then.”
“Thats one of the reasons I quit. I hate when people can judge me. I want to be an individual. I want to be Vinyl Scratch. Not another alcoholic DJ. I guess thats sort of what I live by.”
“Thats very respectable Vinyl. You would rather not conform therefore you walk a seperate path from the rest of society.”
“Yeah, whatever that means sure. Thing is ponies hate when u try and be different. Look how society treats us.”
“I’m sorry?”
“Us… FillyFoolers.”
“Oh, I see. I hate that term, it leaves a disgusting taste in my mouth.”
“Are u sure u want this?”
“Want what?”
“We can try to keep us secret, but if word gets out. If ponies find out about us… am i really worth the label?”
“Of course you are Vinyl. I know we have not been acquainted very long but… you mean the world to me. I do not quite know what it is about you that is so special, but you are.”
“Aww thanks. Wait did u just call me special?”
“Yes, yes I did.”
“Oh, ok then. It was still sweet I guess. I mean im not good with all the sappy stuff. I guess the best way to explain how I feel about u is...”
“Its ok Vinyl, you’ll get it out eventually. I warms me plenty just to know that you want to be with me too.”
“But its not that simple. I don’t just want to be with you. You’re more than just another pony. You’re beautiful, talented, smart, caring, generous, kind. I hope i can add loyal to that list eventually.”
“Vinyl stop, my face hurts.”
“From what?”
“Smiling so enormously. Listen it is already after midnight… I think i should try and grasp a bit of slumber.”
“Yeah me too. Can I come by tomorrow?”
“Sure, I don’t see why not?”
“Alright, see u then u cunning stunt.”
“Cunning stunt?”
“Don’t worry bout it. Night!”
“Goodnight, Vinyl”
Octavia got up from her computer after signing out of her account and walked groggily up the stairs. She fell into bed with a smile on her face and drifted into a very content asleep almost immediately.
<(‘.’)>
Vinyl closed the laptop she was using and dropped it onto the floor next to her. She looked up at the ceiling, her thoughts moving a mile a minute. She didn’t know how to handle herself on stage now. She didn’t have the fire or passion to bring joy to the ponies that rejected her a few years ago. How could she do it? She wasn’t going to play for them. There would be one pony she would be playing for. One pony she would try and impress. One pony she would try to please. And she was going to do it.
With a determined smile on her face she closed her eyes and exhaled. The DJ felt content for once. She felt good… a feeling she had long since forgotten.