//------------------------------//
// Day 2 
// Story: Third Times the Charm 
// by Alpine~Dragon~Queen 
//------------------------------//

Day 2

Cool Saturday morning air; not something Vinyl often went out into for more reasons than one; mostly because she’s usually dead tired from the rave the night before. Though, she had no time to sleep this morning, she needed to get supplies for the little get-together with Rainbow’s friends tonight after the rave.
Vinyl sighed as her Hoover cane finally bumped into the door for the little general store; the whole way from the rave she had been bugged by ponies either wanting her autograph, hitting on her or offer to walk her across the streets. There was only so much she could take.

“Oh Miss Vinyl, let me get that for you!” Vinyl’s eye twitched below her glasses at the sound of the colt’s voice, he was always here when she came shopping for herself and he was a little TOO helpful for her taste.

“Thanks, Haystorm.” She grumbled softly as she waited for him to open the door and walked through once he did.

“Do you need any help today, Miss Vinyl.”

“Yeah, called ol’ Feather Drop for me, will ya.”

“Uh.. Uh.. I think he’s doing inventory right now, but I can help you today!” Hay said hopefully as she grabbed the hand basket from him, oh how he got on her nerves.

“Oh, that’s okay than. I’ll just shop on my own.” She started for the isle she knew was pasta when Hay suddenly grabbed her wrist.

“Miss Vinyl, wait! You can’t do this on your own!”

“Ya wanna bet? Ol’ Feather Drop set up a Braille system on each of the items for me.”

“Oh… But still, wouldn’t you rather have help? I’m rather strong, I could carry all you items for you!”

“I’m more than capable, thank you, Hay.”

“Bu-!”

“What’s goin’ on ‘ere….!” Vinyl smiled at the sound of the old pegasus’ shaky voice, “Oh, hello Vinyl. Long time no see, girly..”

“Hello, Feather Drop.”

“I was just helping Miss Vinyl, sir, you can go back to your chair now.”

“Nonsense, I always help out this lovely filly when she comes about. You can run along now, boy, go on shoo!” Feather Drop and Vinyl laughed softly as Haystorm walked away grumbling.

“Ugh.. Thanks, Feather, thought I’d never get rid of him!”

“Oh, that silly boy, he really does a thing for you though….”

“Yeah, him and every other colt in Ponyville!” Vinyl scoffed as they headed down the isles.

“Now, missy, that brings up a good point… You should have a handsome young colt helping you not some old geezer like me.”

“You’re not that old, Feather. And he’s out there, I just haven’t my hands on him yet.”

“Well, ya better get a move on it. No tellin’ what that Hay will do to get you before another does.”

“You’ve right! I’ll grab myself a good colt and make it public to the whole of Equestria! I just gotta bide my time…”

“Atta girl!”

~~~~~~That Night~~~~~~

The rave was finally over and Vinyl was dog tired; Saturday raves were always the worst! She collapsed on the bed and ran a gentle hand over Time’s jacket before hiding it again, she only had minutes before Rainbow burst in with her crowd of friends. 

“Knock, Knock!” Rainbow yelled as she barged in, the door banging against the wall, making Vinyl roll her eyes.

“Hello, Dash, your friends here too?”

“Yup, wanna meet them!?”

“Sure, why not….?” Vinyl slowly sat up on the bed as she heard the others spill in around her.

“Hello, everyone, I’m Vinyl Scratch.” She offered out her hand.

“Hi there! I’m Pinkie Pie, that big party out there was awesome!” A hyper active sounding pony said as she hurriedly shook the white unicorn’s hand. The next one wasn’t so easy.

“HELLO, VINYL. MAH NAME’S APPLEJACK…!” Vinyl pulled her head back as the sound hurt her ears.

“Nice ta meet ya, AJ but I’m blind not deaf…”

“Oh, hehe, sorry about that, sweetie….”

“It’s ok.”

“Hello, my name’s Twilight Sparkle.” That one was easy enough.

“H-hello….. I’m Flu-…..” Vinyl blinked behind her glasses in a confused manner as this newest pony trailed off into silence.

“Excuse me….?”

“I-I’m Flutt-….”

“What was that…?”

“HER NAME IS FLUTTERSHY.”

“Oh, Applejack, darling. Do quit that, she can hear you fine.” A new pony pushed her way through and took Vinyl’s hand, 

“Greetings, I am Rarity, lovely room you got here.”

“Uh….. Thanks…?!” These ponies were so different from each other that it was starting to weird out for Vinyl.

“Alrights, girls! Let’s get this party started!” Rainbow yelled, getting them all to come into living room like part of Vinyl living space. 
Rarity started to follow the other six when something blue sticking out from under one of Vinyl’s overstuffed pillows caught her eye.

“Oh my, that shouldn’t be there….. I bet the poor dear doesn’t even know it’s there.” Slowly, she walked around to the other side of the bed and pulled it out.

“Oh my!” She gasped and nearly dropped the article of clothing because of the state it was in; it was torn slightly around the cuffs and hem, had what looked like tiny blood stains on the inside and there were two large holes in the back. Even from where she held it at arm’s length she could smell a strange scent on it… Like tea and bananas… What in Celestia’s name!?

“Hey Rarity! What’s takin’ so long!? You’re missin’ all the food!”

“Oh, sorry. I’m coming, Rainbow Dash.” Rarity called back to the group as she head for them, Time’s jacket still in hand, 

“Vinyl, dear, I found this horrendous looking jacket sticking out from under your pillow.” No one expected the fruit juice that flew from Vinyl’s mouth at the mention of that.

“Uh.. Uh… That’s ok, just put it back. I’ll put it away later…” 

“Oh no, dear, I must insist that I take it home with me and wash it. I simply must get this dreadful smell out and stitch up these holes.” Rarity told her matter-of-factly, almost to the table now.

“No! Don’t touch it! It’s mine!” Vinyl quickly scrambled from her seat and grabbed blindly at where she heard Rarity’s voice, she had to get Time’s jacket back! The holders of the Elements stared in shock at the look of horror on Vinyl’s face as she groped blindly in the air for Rarity. Twilight looked to Rarity who could only blink before the purple unicorn walked over to the fashion designer and gently took the jacket away.

“Sorry, Rarity, but I think we should give it back. It seems important….”

“But..! But…! It’s a horrid mess! I could fix it for her!”

“I don’t think she wants that.” Twilight gave her friend a look and Rarity finally agreed, “Here, Vinyl.” The purple unicorn gently handed it to the worried white one.

“Thank you…” Vinyl pulled the jacket to her chest and pressed her nose to the collar, whispering softly, “Time……”
The strange action causing a shared confused look to come over the faces of the mane six; it was gonna be a long night…