(I don't own the music or this video.)
“Octavia?” Spike asked, surprised.
“Spike?” Octavia asked just as surprised as the dragon in front of her was.
“What are you doing here?” The dragon questioned the mare.
“I own the store.”
“Really?”
“Of course I do. After all, part of my name makes up half the store's name,” Octavia answers with a raised eyebrow.
Spike scratched his head, and replied, “Well, to be fair, I didn't know your last name. Though, now I can see why Vinyl said the boss is a nice person.”
The mare chuckled at his statement. “Yeah, that sounds like Vinyl alright. So what brings you here Spike?”
“I'm actually here for a part time job.”
“Well, we do have an opening at the moment. Do you have any skills, or past work experience?”
“Well, I've been Twilight's assistant for about ten years,” Spike started to count off his past work experiences. “I had done plenty of odd jobs all over town such as working at Sweet Apple Acres, baking at Sugarcube Corner, and helping around at the Carousel Boutique.”
“Impressive. Do you know anything about music?” Octavia asked.
“Well I own a couple of CDs, I'm familiar with most genres, and I play the piano.”
“Really? Are you any good?” the classical mare asked.
Spike shrugged his shoulders. “I'm at least decent.”
“Then how about you play me a song right now?”
“Um, sure,” he replied as the two made their way to the piano in the corner of the store. After Spike took a seat, he asked, “Do you have any requests?”
“Surprise me,” the cellist replied.
After giving it some thought, he gently placed his hands on the keys of the piano, and took a calming breath. His claws slowly started to dance across the keys as a soothing melody filled the store.
(I don't own the music or this video.)
The music starts slow, but it slowly picks up the pace. The music fills Octavia with confidence, to go out, and live her life to the fullest. Both Spike, and the grey mare beside him soon lost themselves in the music. Though, unlike Spike, Octavia noticed Vinyl walk into the store. The white mare put her finger in front of her lips in a gesture to keep quiet about her, as she sneaked into the back room. The store owner nodded, and she went back to focusing on the music. She wasn't familiar with the piece she knew by the notes, and the pace wasn't something a novice can play easily. As the tempo slowed, it ended on a peaceful note as if to convey a job well done.
Spike took a breath with a huge smile on his face that appeared during the song. His eyes still closed as he let the last few notes ring inside his head. He was snapped out of his trance by the sound of the cellist clapping. He turned his head to see Octavia clapping with an impressed, and happy look on her face.
“That was quite impressive, Spike,” she congratulated him. Spike rubbed the back of his head due to her praise. “What song was that?”
“It's called ‘Passion,’” Spike explained. "It's originally a song sung by a foreign singer, but I really liked the song.”
“So, you decided to turn it into a song that you can play on a piano?” The musical mare asked. Spike nodded his head in agreement. “I have to listen to that song when I get the chance. Either way, that was well played. You're officially hired.”
“Really, that quickly?” Spike excitedly asked.
“You have the skills, experience, and knowledge for the job. Plus, Big Mac had a lot of good things to say about your work ethic,” Spike made a mental note to thank his friend later. “Can you start tomorrow?”
“Sure! Is it alright that I do it in the evening? I want this job, but Twilight in is Canterlot, and I have to keep an eye on the library until she gets back.”
“Of course! What days, and times would you like to work?”
“I don't have a preference per say. How about we play by ear? Though, until Twilight gets back, I would like to work in evenings, and have Sunday off this week since I have a date.”
“Vinyl asked you out again?” The mare asked with a teasing smirk.
“I actually asked her out this time,” Spike answered as he sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck.
“Good for you! Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to close the store, and get a late lunch.”
“Sure,” Spike made his way to the door, but a thought occurred to him. “Oh, and I would recommend the Sweet Apple Arcs stand. They have the best apple fritters, and pies,” Spike thought to himself quietly, ‘More importantly Mac is minding the stand today…'
“That would sound good about now, and I love apples. Thank you for the suggestion,” the cellist said.
‘That's good, having a taste for apples will get her far with Mac, and she seems like a nice person,’ Spike thought to himself. The dragon made sure to have his back to the mare so she wouldn't notice the sly grin of his face. “No problem! I'll see you tomorrow,” and with that, the dragon left the store, and made his way to the library.
The music store owner waited until he was out of the store, and earshot before she yelled out, “He's gone!”
Vinyl opened the back door, and walked into the room. “Thanks for not telling him I was here,” the disc jockey thanked her.
“No problem, but why didn't you?” The grey mare asked.
“I didn't want him to be nervous because I was here,” she answered.
“Why are you here?”
“I wanted to see how his interview was going,” Vinyl explained.
“...You do realize that you did not make much sense, right? Octavia asked as she tried, and failed to understand her friend's actions.
“Maybe, but sometimes it's more fun to make no sense than to make sense. It makes life more interesting,” Vinyl answered with a happy grin. “Plus I got the chance to hear him play,” she added.
“True, he is quite skilled. Maybe, if you actually come, and help out every once in a while, you might be able to hear him play more often,” the cellist suggested.
“I just might…” the disc jokey said with a laugh as she helped her friend close the store.
After the two were outside, and the door was locked, Octavia asked, “Do you want to join me?”
“Nah. I'm still full, but make sure to bring back some apple pie. We can have that for desert!” Vinyl savored the idea. Her friend nodded as the two went their separate ways.
Spike slowly made his way to the Golden Oaks Library with a huge smile on his face as his mind went over what happened the past two days. He had gone to a club for the first time in his life, and not only did he have an amazing time, but he also met an incredible girl there. Later, on that night, the disc jockey asked him out to a date. The date went well, and he managed to work up the courage to ask her out again, which she gladly accepted. Now, he managed to land a part time job at a music store that he would probably enjoy. He had more fun in the last two days than he had in months. While the realization was a bit depressing, he wasn't going to let it get to him. Things are looking up for him, and he wasn't about to slip into the same rut he was in two days ago without a fight. A thought occurred to him that he didn't think about before…
What would Twilight think about all this?
Surprisingly enough, for this first time in his life, Spike didn't really care what Twilight's opinion would be. He had always done everything she wanted, what she asked of him, and competed tasks how she wanted. Lately, all it got him was the same routine day ; in, and day out. The one time that he did something different, out of the routine, was when he did not listen to her for a change. He couldn't be any happier. He had a tough time remembering the last time he had such a big smile on his face. He still loved, and cared for her like an older sister, but he was tired of his life as her assistant. Maybe it was time for him to build a new life.
“One step at a time, Spike,” the dragon said to himself as he entered the library. “One step at a time,” he reassured himself as he closed the door of the library.
Spike awoke the next day very early. He got out of his bed, and stretched, sighing in relief as his bones popped.
‘Alright, now that I'm awake, I might as well take a shower, and get something to eat. Then, I'll see what I can do afterwards.’
He went to the bathroom, and took a nice shower that relaxed his muscles’ tension from last night's slumber. He dried himself, and looked at himself in the mirror to notice any defects on his body. He noticed a loose dark purple scale on the side of his right shoulder, and pulled it off slowly. As it peeled off his other purple scales, a new, shiny scale was exposed to the air, blending in with the others, and making the dragon look better.
‘Lookin' good, Spike! Lookin' REAL good!’
He stepped out of the bathroom, walked down the stairs, and into the kitchen. He found his jar of gems, and gently took it off from a cabinet. He slid off the cap, and placed his arm inside it. His claw touched a hard object, and he licked his maw as he pulled out… a tiny ruby. His grin turned into a frown as he was disappointed that there were no gems left.
‘Maybe I should have eaten gems every once in awhile instead of eating them every single day… Where do I get food, now?’
He pondered for a moment until his mind finally found an answer.
‘I got it! I'll go to Sugarcube Corner! Hopefully, Pinkie Pie will have a gem cupcake that I can eat. Sounds like a good idea to me…’
He placed his empty jar back on its rightful cabinet, and left the kitchen. He then left the library into the streets of Ponyville.
As he strolled in the streets, he received a few stares and side glances from the bypassing mares, either taking an interest in him or wanting him for themselves. This did not go unnoticed for the young drake, and thought to himself…
‘It seems like Vinyl isn't the only one who likes me. It's like there is competition…’
He noticed from the corner of his right eye CloudChaser, and Flitter blushing lightly as passed by them.
‘I was correct,’
He thought as he neared Sugarcube Corner. The purple dragon then entered into the small bakery. Once he entered, a pink girl greeted him behind the counter.
“Hi, Spike!” she greeted him.
“Hi, Pinkie!” he greeted back.
“What brings you to Sugarcube Corner?” she asked.
“I need a sapphire gem cupcake. You got one?” he asked.
“Sure, do! Is that your order?” she asked.
“Yeah, how much is it?” he pulled out his bits as he asked her.
Pinkie Pie waved it off. “Don't worry, it's on the house!” she then went into the back of the store to prepare his cupcake.
He shrugged, and then seated himself at an empty booth. With nothing to do, he lightly tapped on the table, hoping to distract himself from hunger. Pinkie then rushed to where he was seated, and brought his blue cupcake to eye-level. He took it off her hands, and ate it slowly, savoring the rich, mineral flavor.
“Thanks, Pinkie!” he said through a mouthful of cupcake, frosting, and sapphires.
“No problem, Spike!” she said as she returned to the counter. As Spike continued to enjoy his cupcake, Vinyl entered into the bakery.
“Oh, hey, Vinyl!” Pinkie greeted the disc jockey.
“Sup, Pinkie! Do you have a a glazed doughnut?” she asked.
“Sure do! Be right back!” she left the counter, and went to prepare the DJ's doughnut. As she was going to sit on an empty booth, she spotted Spike eating a gem cupcake. She slipped in the empty seat in front of Spike.
“Huh?” Spike lifted his head to find Vinyl sitting in front of him with a wide smile on her beautiful face.
Spike blushed. “Oh, uh, hi, Vinyl. I'm just e-eating a cupcake,” he lightly stammered.
“Oh, really?” she smirked. “Or are you just admiring the view?” she teased him which made him blush harder.
“N-no, I - ” he was cut off as Vinyl kissed him on the nose. He was shocked at first, making him turn bright red. Vinyl giggled at the look on Spike's face. Causing the dragon in question to pout slightly at her mirth.
"Sorry about that, but you make it way to tempting," She said with a sly smile. "Plus you're really cute when you blush." The dragon continued to pout until and idea popped in his head. A matching sly grin spread across his still red face.
"Then allow me to return the favor." The dragon lean over the table and gave the mare a quick peck on her lips. A shock spread through her body at the contact that she liked very much. Just as Spike was about to sit back down Vinyl reach out with one of her hands and grabbed the back of his head.
"Did you think you can get away with just a peck?" She asked with lidded eyes and a small blush of her own. "I prefer something a bit more heated." The DJ slowly pulled the drake to her as her eyes slowly closed. Spike realized what was about to happen he did the same. Just as their lips were about to meet each Pinkie showed up out of nowhere and interrupted their little intimate moment.
“Here's your order, Vinyl!” she announced. Vinyl stopped as the two were less than an inch from kissing each other, and blushed as she was caught. Spike also blushed, and wished that he could disappear.
“Uh, th-thanks, Pinkie,” Vinyl stammered. Pinkie then left their booth, and returned back to the counter.
“So, uh, what did ya get?” Spike asked.
“A glazed doughnut,” Vinyl replied as she munched on the gooey flour. “What did you get?” she asked as she put her left arm under her breasts, making her cleavage show, and her shirt clamp around them tighter.
“I got, uh, a sapphire cupcake,” he held up the remains of his cupcake. “Well, it WAS a sapphire cupcake…”
Vinyl chuckled. “Hungry, weren't ya?” she asked as she slightly leaned forward, exposing more of her breasts to Spike. He tried to ignore her cleavage, but even then, he couldn't resist glancing down every so often at the good view of her large C cupped breasts.
“Uh, y-yeah,” He was putting a lot of effort to stay in control of himself.
“Well, if you're finished eating, could you join me on helping me on something at my house?” she asked in a sweet tone that Spike couldn't say no to.
“Sure, let's go. But I can't say for more than a few hours. I have to get back to the library and later today I start working Octavia's store.” he replied. They both left Sugarcube Corner, and gave their thanks to Pinkie Pie before they headed into the street.“So, what do you need me to help you with?” Spike asked as they neared her house.
“I just want your opinion on some remixes and songs,” she replied back. She opened the door to her house, and let the purple drake in.