Just tell her that it’s late and we should just call it a night. I think to myself as Lyra and me walk to Octavia and Vinyl’s place. Now if you’d been paying attention you’d know that right now Octavia is pissed at me for eyeing her girl’s flank. Lyra is the mare who saved my ass once today. (Berry punch was gonna kill me, true story.) and I’m an insensitive jackass. No offense to any actual asses reading this. All of these things put together and it being really, really late puts me in a very bad place. “So Bon Bon,” I hear. “How exactly do you know Ms. Melody?” Lyra asks as we make our way along the short road to Octavia and Vinyl’s place, I really should stall for time.
“Oh you know, normal ways. She was new to town so I became friends with her. I don’t even really remember how.” That’s a lie. That is a huge lie. I was at a bar (what else is new) hitting on anything and everything when Octavia walked by. I said some really stupid pick up line and she kicked my flank. Two days later I had Pinkie Pie help me track her down to apologize, we’d been “friends” (and I’m using that word very loosely) ever since. Come to think of it that’s how me and Vinyl became friends too, okay accept Vinyl laughed at the pick up line and let me buy her a drink as long as I understood I wasn’t getting any where with her that night.
I’m kind of really grateful I didn’t meet Lyra like that. Me getting into fights is normal, me drunk and hitting on anypony is also normal but I think I’d rather have had her save my flank from Berry Punch then get creeped out by me hitting on her at the bar. Thank Celestia we didn’t meet at the bar.
Of course my little trip down memory lane leads right to Octavia and Vinyl’s door. Of course Lyra is patently waiting for me to knock, and of course my hooves feel like lead. With a deep breath and a confused look from Lyra I knock on the door gently. Luna in Canterlot it has to be like midnight by now. Please, please be asleep.
I hear some noise from the living room, “I wonder who that could be?” says a familiar, violent voice. Please don’t hit me, please don’t hit me, please don’t hit me. I can hear some other muttering from the living room. Weird I expected Vinyl to be more awake than Octavia, actually I kind of expected Vinyl to just not be home. Oh right, it’s Tuesday. Vinyl hardly ever takes weekday gigs, not enough money for her awesomeness. Wait…why is…oh sweet mother of Celestia please tell me they didn’t just…eww, eww, no bad mental images go away. Octavia opens the door, “Hello how can I-?” She stops mid-sentence and glares at me.
I chuckle a little bit nervously, “Heeeeey Tavi….”
With hoof raised and ready to attack Octavia yells, “How DARE you show your face here after what you did!” She’s just about to strike me when she’s grabbed by a what is now very familiar green magical aura. “What the?!” Octavia shouts struggling against the magic, and then she notices Lyra.
Lyra looks at Octavia with pleading eyes but still refuses to let her down, “I’m so sorry Ms. Melody. Please don’t be mad at Bon Bon it was my idea to come here. I’d heard you hate meeting fans but I just had to meet you, and when Bon Bon said you two were friends…well I couldn’t help myself.”
Octavia then glares at me, “Bon Bon,” She growls. “you didn’t take my advice did you?” Aw crap, cats out of the bag.
Lyra tilts her head, she also lowers Octavia a bit. “Advice?” she asks her eyes full of concern.
Well crap, Okay Bonny just lie like you always do. I look Lyra in the eyes and am about to tell her the “truth” when I just notice how sad her eyes look. She looks so betrayed and she hasn’t even heard what I had to say yet.
Crap, “Earlier I was checking out Octavia’s girlfriend’s flank. She kind of hit me in the face and told me to get my own unicorn.” Granted Octavia said stupid unicorn and as far as I can tell Lyra’s really smart. Smarter than I am, pretty too. “So, Octavia thinks you and me are dating. We’re not Tavi…she really just wanted to meet you. Berry showed up early and big surprise almost decked me too. Lyra saved my life, twice now!” I’m beaming, I told the truth. Wow. That actually feels pretty good.
Lyra lowers Octavia. Crap, she’s mad at you now! Run! No one moves. It’s quiet.
Lyra at last speaks, “That is…” she pauses and then smiles at me. “the funniest thing I’ve ever heard.” She laughs, Octavia no longer held by Lyra’s magic comes over and lightly hits me.
I look over at her and she smiles at me, “I want to hate you.” She says with a small grin. “I want to hate you for staring at Vinyl. I want to hate you for bringing one of my fans here. I want to hate you for so many things Bon Bon, but that is the most impressive feat I’ve ever seen you accomplish. Well done.” I feel pretty awesome right now, and I only got a light tap instead of a full on hoof to the eye. “Would you two like to come in? It’s rather late but I’m sure I have some coffee some where. Besides, someone owes Vinyl an apology.” Octavia says glaring at me and gesturing us in.
I can see Lyra holding back, “Yes, that would be lovely thank you.” I can see the rabid fan girl in her eyes just wanting to freak out. I can just see all the things Lyra wants to ask Octavia written plain as day on her fuzzy green face. Who’s your inspiration? Vinyl. I love that one song about love and junk who was it for? Vinyl. Do you practice with anyone or do you prefer to practice alone. She practices in front of Vinyl. Octavia is deeply devoted to her mare and I really shouldn’t have tried to come between that, ever. Wow, now I feel like utter crap. Thank you brain.
We make it to the living room, and there’s Vinyl laying down on a beat up looking sofa. It’s plaid and scratchy looking with stuffing coming out in places. It’s obviously something Vinyl picked up before her and Octavia moved in together. She looks up from her…book? Vinyl can read? Okay, dumb question I know Vinyl can read, but who knew she liked to read? She sees Octavia and smiles, she notices Lyra and looks confused, and then she sees me. Vinyl closes her book and gets off the sofa. She looks pissed. It’s super easy to tell when Vinyl’s pissed. Her fur sticks up a little more, and her eyes that are normally magenta start looking kind of red. “What’s she doing here?” Vinyl yells. “And who the hay are you?” Yeah her eyes are doing the red thing right now. Poor Lyra, I should do something.
I step between Lyra and the very pissy Vinyl trying to smooth things over, “Vinyl I’m-”
I get cut off by Vinyl, “You have some nerve coming herrrrrrrrrr mmmm…” That’s a weird sentence. I look over to see Octavia scratching behind Vinyl’s ears and Vinyl just melting. Octavia stops and Vinyl’s face goes bright red but her eyes go back to her normal magenta, “Octi not in front of company.” She looks back at me. “I still think you should apologize.”
I smile, “I was trying to and you interrupted me you big jerk.”
Vinyl playfully pushes me, “Horse face.” She calls me laughing.
I push her back, “Big butt.” Friends are weird, one minute they want to rip you a new one and the next they’re calling you stupid names and everything’s cool. “Any way, this is Lyra. She’s a huge fan of Tavi’s and saved my flank from Berry earlier.” I smile taking a seat on one of the cushy recliners that were clearly Octavia’s. Lyra sits next to me, she’s probably just nervous. The chair is just big enough for the two of us and Vinyl and Octavia take the sofa.
Vinyl still looks super embarrassed, “Well nice to meet you Lyra, name’s Vinyl!” Lyra nods. She’s so shy all of a sudden. I can see it on her face she’s trying to keep it together so she doesn’t make Octavia angry. I tap her gently with my hoof and she jumps slightly and then moves closer to me. “You know you can talk, or like ask Octi questions. She doesn’t bite…much.” Vinyl grins blushing. Octavia who seems totally calm nods at Lyra with a smile.
Lyra fidgets but keeps her place right next to me. I can’t stand how cute she is. “I…I don’t know what to say. There was so many things I’ve always wanted to ask you but now that I’m here…” She pauses and looks at Vinyl. “I think I’ve found my answer to all of them. My biggest question was…well…about a year ago I found a drastic change in your music.” She’s shaking so I put a caring hoof around her. “It just seemed…fuller. You’ve been making the songs for her haven’t you Ms. Melody?”
Octavia smiles, “Yes. I had thought someone would have noticed…so I became reclusive.” Is…is Octavia crying? Oh crap she’s crying.
Lyra looks like she feels terrible. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean…I really enjoy your newer songs! They’re better honestly. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
Vinyl hugs Octavia and I feel bad, “Nah, you’re fine Lyra. See most of Octi’s fan base is from Trottingham and Canterlot. You know how narrow minded those fancy types can get. Octi didn’t want to loose fans over something as silly as you know love.” God I’m a terrible pony. This whole time I’ve been trying to split them up so I’d have chance with Vinyl. They’re perfect for one another and I’m just…I’m the worst pony there is. I rub my eyes quick. No crying Bonny. Keep it together.
Everything’s quiet again. “I’m still sorry.” Lyra says. “So, um…how did you two meet?” Vinyl and Octavia look genially surprised by this question. “I don’t want to pry…you two just seem so close. I can understand why you wouldn’t want to jeopardize this.” Octavia smiles bigger than I’ve ever seen her smile before.
Vinyl just blushes with this little grin on her face, “It was Bon Bon actually.” Oh yeah I forgot about this. “She came up to me after we’d been friends for like two weeks and told me I had to meet this friend of her’s named…What did you call Octi?”
I clear my throat a little bit, “Tavi McAnnoyed all the time.” Not a creative nick name but a true one.
Vinyl laughs, “Yeah that was it!” Octavia doesn’t look amused at all. “But she goes to me you’ve got to meet my friend. So, we met up at this bar and well I only learned like four things that day. Don’t say their stuff taste like watered down donky piss, don’t stare at the one eyed bar tender, don’t change the song on the jukebox, and I wanna spend the rest of my life with that grey fire starter.” Vinyl’s totally beaming and Octavia just kind of leans into her more. I only kinda remember any of this. I remember telling Vinyl she had to meet me at this run down old bar we used to go to a lot but I don’t remember like anything after that.
Lyra looks just as puzzled as I feel, “Wait, I can understand the wanting to spend the rest of your life with Ms. Melody part but what about all that other stuff?” She asks.
Vinyl scratches her head, “Yeah I guess most of that stuff’s pretty weird huh? Story time. Everyone gather round Aunty Vinyl.” Vinyl gestures for all of us to come closer which is kind of funny. “No?” No one moves. “Alright fine. So I meet Bon Bon and Octi at this old run down bar me and Bon Bon used to go to. Her and Octi are already there sitting at a table near the jukebox. I sit down and introduce myself to Octi and at first we’re just kind of there.” Vinyl scratches her head again.
Octavia smiles and pats her girlfriend on the back, “I remember thinking that Vinyl was the stupidest looking pony I’d ever met and wanted nothing to do with her. I was at a loss for friends though.”
Vinyl smiles and then continues on with her story, “I’m glad you gave me a second chance.” Octavia smiles back. God I’m an awful pony. I was the one who introduced them just so I could gloat over how hot my friends were. I’m so terrible. “So after a few minutes we get some drinks and I’m just kind of swirling it around because it tasted like piss. I even said very loudly it tasted like piss. Now I could already tell the bar tender was getting miffed but Octavia got up and changed the song on the jukebox. I’m telling you Lyra it was like someone set off a gun in the place. Everyone just stared at us for a few minutes. Then Bonny here who was drunk by this time goes to the bar tender, “What’s up with your eye?” I just about lost it.
The dude was wearing an eye patch so I can see why you’d ask that Bon Bon but still. Right after that everyone in the bar turned on us and we got in this huge brawl. Bon Bon was out for the count in like seconds. She was really drunk and one good hit just sent her flying against the wall. So me and Octi are back to back fighting like six guys each and then after a few minutes of fighting and having each others back we just start covering each other moves. It was like we were in perfect harmony. I could hear the our combined tune in my head and it sounded epic. So we took Bon Bon home and just kind of kept hanging out. Went to get some coffee, talked music…and well started dating like a week later.” And that would be why I don’t remember anything. I must have been so drunk and got hit so hard that I just kind of missed everything.
Wow I feel terrible. I spent all that time hitting on Vinyl and trying to get them to break up and here it was it’s kind of my fault that they’re together in the first place. Together and happy. I rub my eyes with my hooves. What the hell is wrong with me? Can’t I just let my friends be happy? No, of course not because I’m a selfish pony. A bad, terrible selfish pony. I was also useless in that fight. That’s right good job Bon Bon just pick fights and let your friends save your flank. Your perfect flank. At least I have that going for me. “So what brings you to Ponyville Lyra?” Octavia asks. Oh no.
Lyra hesitates, I can feel her stiffen up. I nudge her a bit and she kind of stares at me. I try to give her this, “you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to” look but I’m not sure if it gets past. She nods at me, not sure if it was a, “I understand.” or a, “okay I’ll talk” nod but she does answer Octavia’s question. “I had a fight with my fiancé and my father sent me here to cool my head.” She said the whole thing in a sad a matter of fact kind of way. “It wasn’t a huge fight but father thought that it was my fault and that I should rethink what this marriage would mean for him, the family, and his business. He thought the country air would do me good.” Lyra becomes even tenser and she starts crying. “He didn’t even care that Comet…” She trails off as if she’d said too much. I hug her tight and she just breaks down and cries harder.
I pat her on the back, “Maybe we should go…” Lyra sniffles loudly in my forelegs. Not how I pictured this night going, like at all. I was going to go home, heat up some left over and watching cooking shows until I passed out on the sofa. Instead I’m in Octavia and Vinyl’s living room trying to console a mare I just met a few hours ago because her dad and her boyfriend are jerks. Admittedly this seems better than watching cooking shows but I just feel so sorry for Lyra. I just want her to be happy, why can’t she just be happy? No one argues with me on leaving so I help Lyra out of the big, soft recliner and Vinyl and Octavia walk us to the door. Octavia and Vinyl both give Lyra a huge hug and this just makes Lyra cry more. She holds onto Octavia for like ten whole minutes which was kind of off but at the same time I just want Lyra to stop crying.
We say our good byes at last. I begin to walk home humming a nice tune softly, it seems to calm Lyra down a bit. We get half way to my place when I realize we’re half way to my place. I stop, “Lyra where are you staying right now?” How could have not thought to ask that before we left Octavia’s?
She sniffles loudly. Lyra had stopped crying a few minutes ago but she was still pretty upset, her eyes were blood shot, and she looked like she hadn’t slept in days. She thinks for a minute and then her eyes get all teary again, “Oh no…” She lets out as little more than a peep. “I’ve been so busy I hadn’t even…I don’t have any place to stay.” She whales loudly.
I pat her comfortingly on the back, “It’ll be alright.” I say with a sorta sad smile. “You can stay with me tonight. I’ve got a nice big, comfy bed you can have and a nice lumpy, old sofa for me.” She insists that she’ll sleep on the sofa but I’m not having it. “Listen Lyra I’d sooner share my bed with you than let you sleep on that sofa.”
And that’s how we got here. Lyra asleep in my bed, cuddling with me, occasionally crying a little in her sleep and me just wide awake cursing the world, cursing myself, and cursing the stupid unicorns that made her cry like this. God help me if I ever get my hands…hooves (what are hands) on either of those two it’ll be hell to pay.
Chapter Four Hell to Pay