//------------------------------// // III – Second Chance // Story: Frequency // by PaulAsaran //------------------------------// Chapter III Second Chance Tonight was a quiet one. Well, as quiet as the club could ever be, which wasn’t quiet at all. Weeknights tended to make for smaller crowds. Vinyl didn’t mind; small crowds were easy to please. Sure, she got a thrill out of making a packed club jump on command, but sometimes easy nights were nice. This time Vinyl was distracted, so that made the small crowd welcome. At the moment she had her headphones set so that only one ear was covered, allowing her to keep track of work while talking to Bouncing. He was looking over the sheet music she’d offered him with a studious frown. “I dunno, Vinyl.” He flipped a page. “This doesn’t seem like your usual style.” “That’s not a bad thing,” she told him. “Recall that my usual style didn’t exactly sell big.” He pouted, but only a little. “Hey, at least you got an album out in the first place. Some of us are still aiming for that milestone.” She offered a sheepish smile before working the turntable and starting the next song. “You’ll get there, Double B, and it’ll feel good.” “Yeah, that’s what ponies keep tellin’ me.” He flipped a few more pages. “Where’d you get the idea for this, anyway? It seems a lot more… ‘brooding.’” “Remember that annoying kid I spoke to on the radio?” “Yep.” Vinyl grinned and patted the paper in his hooves. “She might have been annoying, but the idea behind her little deception inspired that.” “Huh.” He set the sheet music down. “Maybe you should thank her.” “Oh Goddess, no.” She stuck out her tongue and faked a gag. “She’ll probably try to reel me in with more of her attention-grabbing angst.” He smirked. “Plus, you don’t wanna give her undue credit.” Vinyl raised an eyebrow. “You make it sound like I’m stealing from her.” “Maybe you are.” He punched her lightly on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, your dirty little secret’s safe with me. It’ll only cost you your eternal soul.” She chuckled and returned the hit. “Right, like I’d give it to you.” They were silent for a few minutes, both turning their attention to the music and the crowd. Vinyl found herself wondering about Adi for the first time in over a week. The pony was probably pulling her little stunt on somepony else by now. What the hay did she get out of such a twisted little game? Bouncing elbowed her in the ribs and pointed to the bar. “Friend-Zone Club Member, ten o’clock.” She shot him a questioning frown then turned her eye on the bar. It didn’t take long to catch his meaning: there, watching the crowd with an uncertain look, sat Flash Sentry. “There’s a face I didn’t expect to see around here again.” Vinyl studied him, trying to gauge his mood. At least he didn’t look all mopey and miserable like last week, though he definitely didn’t seem to belong in the club. Bouncing gestured with his head towards Flash. “Maybe he came here looking for you.” “Doubt it.” Yet even as she turned her attention back to the crowd, Vinyl’s stomach twisted just a little. Bouncing leaned against her and grinned. “You dodging?” She barked a laugh. “Dodging what?” He poked her in the ribs a couple times. “Maybe he’s into ya.” “Yeah, right.” She slapped his hoof away with a cheeky smile. “Don’t you have something better to do than annoy me?” “Yeah.” He snatched the headphones off her head. “I can take over and let you go talk to Prince Charming.” “Give me those!” She reached up, but he levitated them out of her range. “Come on, Double B, I don’t get off for another hour.” He grinned. “Daylight Savings Time?” “Not for another month.” She grabbed at the headphones with her magic. “Stop it, the song’s gonna end any second now!” His magical hold was just a little stronger than hers, but she was able to pull them down some. She stood up and stretched her hoof— Bouncing bumped her with his hip with just enough force to topple her from the bench. By the time she looked up he was sitting in her spot and had the headphones on. He shot her a wicked grin and started the next song. Vinyl sulked and mouthed ‘You’re a jerk.’ “Guilty as charged,” he said with a laugh. Vinyl considered battling him for the position again, but thought better of it; he was bigger, had stronger magic and wasn’t one to give up easily. Plus it wouldn’t look too good for the club’s DJs to fight like foals over a new toy. So, with a resigned sigh and one extra hard punch to his shoulder for good measure, she made her way to the bar. Velvet waved as she approached. “Calling it early tonight?” “Double B got grabby with the headphones.” “Heh.” Velvet looked towards the turntable. “Attention hound.” “Miss Scratch?” Vinyl’s smile faded, but only for a moment. She groaned inwardly and turned to Flash. “Well, if it isn’t Bolt Butt. How goes the pining and longing duty?” “Ouch.” Flash Sentry pressed a hoof to his heart. “Going right for the throat already, huh?” She smirked. “You’re the one trying to make goo-goo eyes at the Princess of Friendship.” “I guess…” He sat next to her, face red. “Look, I wanted to apologize for last week. I kinda made a foal out of myself.” Vinyl rolled her eyes and turned to the bar. “Dude, does this look like a shrink’s office? Ponies get plastered here all the time.” “That may be,” he replied, a touch of firmness in his tone, “but I’m supposed to be a Royal Guard. I shouldn’t have let it happen, and I imposed on you.” “So what? Even tightwad guards need to take a break every now and then.” She tapped the bar to get Velvet’s attention. “Luna in the Stars.” Velvet was already grabbing bottles. “You want the zinfandel?” “Surprise me.” Flash raised his hoof. “I’ll buy that one.” Vinyl let out a groan and shoved his hoof to the counter. “Dude, I work here. That means I get a discount. Save your bits.” “But I feel like I owe you.” He blushed once more and stared at the countertop. “Y’know, for dragging my intoxicated flank back to the castle.” “Well, you were pretty heavy for a pegasus,” she noted. “Look, I don’t let stallions buy me drinks.” Velvet set the dark drink before Vinyl with a grin. “Nope, she only lets mares do that.” Vinyl rolled her eyes, though the way Flash’s entire face turned red made her smile. “Shut up and put the dust in there already.” She obliged, letting a small amount of powder fall into the glass. Within seconds the drink began to bubble and produce a pale blue foam, and the liquid underneath shimmered as if it contained thousands of tiny stars. “Whoa.” Flash leaned down to peer at the glass. “How does it do that?” “Business secret.” Vinyl took the glass in her magic and dipped her muzzle in the foam, sucking down the beverage. “Ooh, peach zinfandel this time? Weird, but not bad.” “Wipe your face,” Velvet instructed, dropping a few napkins before her as she walked off to deal with other clients. As Vinyl did as she was told, she heard Flash quickly set something in front of her. Scowling, she pulled the napkins from her face and looked down. She blinked and reached to lift the record case. It was a very familiar one. “You…” She turned to find Flash looking anywhere but at her. “Is this yours?” He blushed and ran a hoof through his mane. “I, uh, didn’t choose this particular club at random. Y’know?” Vinyl gaped at him, then at the record case. “I sold maybe three hundred of these. Nopony has them.” “Well, I do.” He was finally able to look directly at her. “Would you mind signing it?” “Seriously? You want my autograph?” He resumed his determined study of the counter. “I liked it. What do you want me to say?” “No, no, it’s just…” Vinyl laughed and slapped him on the shoulder. “Sure, why not? My very first autograph!” There was an instant of delight on his face that rapidly faded to confusion. “First? Really?” “Yep.” She leaned over the bar and waved. “Hey, Velvet! Lemme borrow your pen when you get back here!” “I find it hard to believe that nopony asked for your autograph before,” Flash pressed. “Believe it, Bolt Butt, ’cause it’s true.” Now she was the one blushing. “So, uh, yeah, save it. Someday I really will be famous and this’ll be worth your weight in bits.” She focused her attention on the case in her hooves. “So… which song did you like the most?” He rubbed his chin in thought. “I’m not sure… ‘Radical Highway’ is the first on my mind, but ‘Neon Dust’ was pretty solid.” “‘Neon Dust’ was pretty solid.” She grinned and thought on the music in her head… then shook the memory off. “I’m gonna be trying something new next time. I mean, it’s great that you like what I did, but you’re kinda in the minority.” Flash’s wings started to open, but he quickly snapped them to his sides. “Next time? You mean you’re making another one?” “I had some inspiration recently.” She paused and turned to study him. “Come to think of it…” Flash noted her gaze and fidgeted. “What?” She rubbed her chin, her mind drifting back to the night he’d shown up. “Y’know, if you hadn’t gotten plastered here, I might never have gained the inspiration.” Flash busted out laughing. “You mean you were inspired by a drunk, heartbroken soldier you had to drag half across town? Goddess, that’s gonna make for some interesting lyrics!” She laughed in turn and whacked him on the shoulder. “That’s not what inspired me, ya dork. It was…” She sobered quickly. “It was… loneliness.” His smile faded and his wings sagged. “Oh.” Amid the heavy beats and flashing lights, their world became quiet. Neither would look at the other, and Vinyl found herself very interested in her drink. Although she tried to avoid it, her thoughts kept going to Adi. Even if she didn’t believe the story offered… how must that pony feel? Was she looking for attention because she was needy? What if there was something else involved? She was abruptly reminded of her father and his stories. He’d had a very powerful way of speaking, a way of making his audience vividly recall what he had to say. When he’d finally explained why he had that radio in the first place… well, she’d grown a lot closer to the old stallion afterwards. Could it be that Adi was reaching for the same thing? And she’d slammed the door in the pony’s face. “Here ya go.” Vinyl blinked and looked up to find Velvet standing over her and a pen being proffered. “You okay, Vinyl?” “Yeah, I’m fine.” She snatched the pen with a grin and flipped the record case so the album name was facing up. To Flash Sentry. Thanks for reminding me of the important stuff. Vinyl Scratch “I didn’t think you’d actually remembered my name,” he said as he watched her write. He accepted the case. “Thanks, you are officially awesome!” She pointed at him with the pen. “It took all my willpower not to address it to ‘Bolt Butt,’ so consider yourself lucky.” She stared at the record case in his hooves and smirked. “Dang, but that’s a missed opportunity.” “I’ll be a diamond dog,” Velvet chuckled as she took her pen back, “Vinyl’s got a fan. How long before you’re joining the mile high club and surrounding yourself with cute colts?” Vinyl grinned and elbowed Flash, making him blush profusely. “Give it time.” Flash leaned back, his eyes darting about wildly and a silly smile on his face. “C’mon, I’m not that desperate.” His eyes went wide when the mares exploded with laughter. “I m-mean, I’m not saying I’d have to be to, y’know… I’m just not interested in—that’s not what I meant!” Face burning, he pressed his forehead to the counter amid their ongoing mirth. “I’m gonna shut up now.” “Wow, kid.” Vinyl slapped him on the back. “If this is how you did talking to the princess, it’s no wonder you were in self-destruct mode the other night!” He shrugged her off with a scowl. “Kid? I’m probably older than you.” “And now he’s inquiring about your age,” Velvet cackled. “We’ve got a winner here!” His eyes went wide once more. “No! That’s not what I—” “At ease, soldier.” Vinyl shoved him playfully and grabbed her drink. “Do I look like the kind of mare to get worked up over you being an idiot?” Just to prove her point, she made a big show of drinking the entirety of her Luna in the Stars in one long chug. She slammed the glass down and sucked down air before wiping the foam off her lips. “Whoa, that stuff really goes down hard.” She raised her leg towards Velvet. “Gimme another!” “Looks like somepony’s in the mood tonight,” Velvet replied with a grin, taking the glass. Vinyl grabbed Flash and shook him. “My first fan! You’re dang right I’m in the mood. Fill me up.” Flash tried to pry her off, with little success. “Aren’t you still on the clock?” “Look at you, being all ‘by the book.’” Vinyl replied. “Don’t sweat it, kid. Drink up and have some fun.” “Would you stop calling me ‘kid?’” “Come on, kid.” Velvet set another glass before Vinyl, who snatched it up with a gleeful cry. “Would you rather she keep calling you ‘Bolt Butt?’” He cringed with a weak smile. “Well, when you put it that way…” “Hey!” Vinyl grabbed for the record case. “Lemme see that pen again. I totally have to write ‘Bolt Butt’ on there somewhere.” “I hope you’re happy.” “I am!” The buildings wouldn’t stop moving around, and Vinyl’s confident attempt to take a step back from Flash resulted in her plowing right into his side. “I'm very happy, shank you very mush.” “You do realize I head back to the Crystal Empire tomorrow, right?” He wrapped a leg around her shoulder, preventing her from a second attempt. “I’m going to be a zompony. Do you know how hard it is being a guard while also being a zompony?” “Hey, ash looong ash ya don’t try ta eat the prinshesses...es brainsh, who caresh?” Vinyl gave up trying to make her hooves obey and let herself stumble along. “Zomponiesh are cool.” “Whatever you say, Vinyl.” He grunted and pushed against her weight as they stumbled along. He pulled out a slip of paper. “Cardinal Street, huh? This way, then.” “Oh, look.” Vinyl tried to study him; she realized she was staring at his mane. She flicked it with a hoof and giggled. “Yer a zompony, right? Yer a… a zompony fan! My firsht zompony fan. Two firtsh in one night.” She thrust a hoof skyward and nearly fell on her face. “Thish night is so awshhome!” Flash tried to help her stand, but her legs were proving extremely stubborn and the street had apparently decided that it wanted to try moving like the ocean. She laughed at the silliness of it. “Oops,” she muttered as she fell to her haunches on his tail, “shtupid shtreet. Yer shupposhed ta stay shtill.” “Alright,” Flash grumbled, tucking the paper away, “that’s enough of this. Come on, let’s go.” His wings flared and he caught her up by the forelegs. He flew just high enough to keep her hind legs from dragging along the ground. “What ya doin, Bolt Butt?” She chuckled. “‘Bolt Butt.’ That’sh great!” “Yeah, real original.” Her eyes rose and she was rewarded with a menagerie of blurs floating past. “Woo, whatta trip! Ya ever try flyin’ drunk, Bolt Butt?” Flash grumbled. “I’m going to regret this in about five minutes.” “Lighten up.” She kicked her hind legs playfully. “Have shome fun. Higher!” ”I don’t think that’s a good idea.” “Higher!” She squirmed, her hooves just grazing the ground as he wobbled. Her voice took on a whining quality. “Higher, higher, higher!” “Would you stop that?” He rose a little and shifted his hold on her wrists. “You want me to drop you?” “Faceplant, splat!” She giggled and relaxed. “We need ta make a shport outta thish. We’d be million… milli… mutli… rish. We’d be rish.” “It already exists,” he replied with a sigh. “It’s called windsurfing.” “What? Shief! Shomepony stole our shport!” She began kicking again. “Find ’em, lock ’em up! Thash our patent, dammit.” “They’ve been doing it since the Great Winter, Vinyl.” “A-ha! Time travelersh, too. Dash illegal, innit?” She peered up at him. “Ain’t ya a cop? Shouldn’t ya be huntin’ dem down?” “I’m a Royal Guard, Vinyl. There’s a difference.” “Cop, guard, ya both sherve the pubic intresht, right? A crime’sh been comm… commi… shomepony don bad!” “Is this your street?” She blinked and looked forward. The swirling blurs did look vaguely familiar. “Shink sho.” He slowed and set her down gently. She promptly fell on her stomach. “Hello, ground. Meet mah mighty faesh!” “Alright, let’s see.” Flash pulled out the note. “Fourth apartment, Room 247.” He tucked away the note and started to help Vinyl off the ground, which wasn’t easy considering she was busy trying to hear the hoof-falls of buffalo in the stones. He got her halfway up when she noticed, curiously, that something was rising up in her stomach. “Aaaand there it is,” Flash said, stepping back as she threw up on the sidewalk. “Knew I’d be regretting it.” The world stopped moving for a moment and Vinyl managed to sit up properly. “Well, that wash pleashant.” “Indeed.” He pushed her along, gingerly sidestepping the mess. “You think you got anymore of that in you?” “Dunno,” she replied hopefully. “Take me for another shpin and lesh find out.” “Maybe next time.” He pulled her to a stop and made her turn. “This the place?” She looked up at the building, craning her neck back far more than was necessary and stumbling backwards a couple steps. “Yep, thish ish it.” The apartments seemed to stretch towards the stars. The stars. She couldn’t stop looking at them. Even as they began to shift and swim about in her vision, she stared. “Come on, then. You’re almost home.” “But ish Adi?” “Sure, whatever.” He dragged her up the steps and through the front door. She turned her head back for the exit but couldn’t resist his pull. “Whoo boy, stairs. This’ll be interesting.” Vinyl said nothing, letting him drag her wobbling form up to the second floor. A desperate voice wafted through her mind, a voice she’d not heard in over a week. Then her father’s stories came to her, and his sturdy voice blended with that of Adi’s to make a strange cacophony. She could see herself sitting in her kitchen, her father staring at her from over the radio with… shame? Frustration? Anger? She couldn’t tell. “I’m shorry…” Flash paused, leaning against the wall to catch his breath with her leg over his shoulder. “What was that?” “Ah shoulda kept t-talkin.’” “Nah, you don’t have to.” “Yesh ah do.” She reached for her doorknob, but it retreated from her. Apparently it was farther down the hall than she'd thought. She tried to pull away from Flash, but he held her tight. “Lemme go. Gotta… gotta talk.” “No more talking.” He stood and helped her forward. “We can talk later.” Vinyl let her leg fall and focused on moving. It wasn’t easy, considering the hallway was twisting around like she was in some giant, wet noodle. She wanted to get to her radio. She needed to get to her radio. It seemed to take forever, but they at last reached her door. She fumbled in her pack, her hooves clumsily digging through them. “D-damn it, hoovesh, shtop playin’.” A terrible tightness rose in her chest. “Here, let me.” Flash grabbed the pack from her feeble hooves and started searching. Vinyl leaned sideways in an effort to straighten the world out. Her eyes locked on the spinning numbers of her door. “Adi... I’m comin.’ Shorry, dad. I’m sho shorry…” “Vinyl?” She looked to Flash, an act that sent her reeling. He reached for her but was too slow; she fell against the wall and slipped to the floor, her sunglasses clattering on the wood. She was too busy crying to care. “It’s okay.” He finally managed to pull out the keys. “H-hey, calm down. Look, we’re home.” He unlocked the door and pushed it open before helping her up. Well, not really; her hind legs refused to work and she quietly sobbed, so he ended up carrying her inside. “Wow,” he said, “and mom said my place is a mess.” Vinyl just kept crying. “Daddy didn’ die. That meansh Adi’sh alive. Thash right, right? Ish not my fault…” “Of course it’s not.” Flash pulled her through the kitchen. Her eyes locked on the radio. She reached for it, couldn’t quite make it. Flash carried her past. “Let’s see, bedroom, bedroom…” “Wanna talk,” she whispered, weariness coming over her. “Lemme talk.” “Maybe later. A-ha!” Flash brought her into her room and dropped her onto the bed. “There. You just sit nice and tight. We can talk later.” She tried to stand, but her legs collapsed from under her. A sob broke out of her throat. “B-but… Adi… she needsh me.” “I’m sure Adi can wait.” Flash turned and made for the door. “G’night, Vinyl. Thanks for the autograph.” “What?” Her eyes followed him. “Yer leavin?’” “Uh, yeah. I’ve got work tomorrow.” “Don’t go.” She once again tried to push herself up. “I can’t foalsit you while you get sober,” he replied, pausing at the door. “I’m sorry, but—” “I wanna have toast!” He stared at her for a while, then raised an eyebrow. “Toast. Vinyl, do you have any idea how drunk you are?” “Nopony ever hash toast with me.” She rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling, tears falling unnoticed down her cheeks. “I wanna hear shompony talk ta me. No more shilensh. Talk ta me. I needsh ta be talked at.” He was silent for some time. Vinyl began to drift, and the voices came into her head anew. Her father’s, Adi’s, Flash’s, Velvet’s. The music of the club throbbed in her head and their voices washed around in tune to the beat. Yet it was just noise, a hopeless conglomeration of nonsense that started to sound like static. Her head felt… ‘thick,’ like it was stuffed full of cotton. So many voices, all demanding her attention, all asking her why. “M-make it shtop…” Flash stood by the bed, his hoof on her shoulder. “Next time I’m in town, you and I will have a nice, long talk. How does that sound?” She looked up at him. The room was spinning, but he was perfectly still in her vision. The static came to an abrupt end and world started to fade. “I… would like that.” She drifted into unconsciousness. The first thing Vinyl noticed was the pounding migraine. She languished in bed, trying desperately not to think or move lest she incur the wrath of her hangover. She’d been told of many things that could stop this ancient enemy of Ponykind, but in Vinyl’s experience none of them worked, so the best solution was to tough it out and try not to antagonize it. Eventually, the rumbling of her stomach outweighed her fear of the hammers in her head and she dragged herself out of bed. She poured herself some cereal and made sure to grab some painkillers to go with her orange juice. Chewing very slowly, she tried to recall the events of the night before. She’d gotten smashed after Flash Sentry showed up, but somewhere after that things were a blur. She was reasonably certain he had dragged her intoxicated flank home. Seeing as he wasn’t around, he’d probably left right afterwards. Ponies claimed she was a hilarious drunk, but she also vaguely recalled Flash saying something about having to work. What else had happened last night? Vinyl closed her eyes and tried to think. A particularly nasty sting hit her and she promptly aborted the practice. She pressed a hoof to her forehead and focused on relaxing. When she opened her eyes, the radio filled her vision. One thought came to mind: she needed to talk to Adi. The desire was so strong that she already had the microphone in her hooves. She paused and, bracing herself, tried to remember why she had to do this. What had spurred the thought? Closing her eyes once more, she focused on recalling as much as possible about the night before. Flash at the bar, him wanting an autograph, her getting smashed in celebration, some fuzzy nothingness… Stars. She remembered looking at stars. And then she remembered thinking about her father, though the context was unclear. She didn’t need to know the context. Remembering her father was enough. Pushing her half-empty bowl aside, she used her magic to pull the radio closer. A glance at the clock revealed it was a little past noon. What if Adi wasn’t on at all? Well, there was no way to know except to try, right? The power switch flipped and static hit her ears. “Adi?” She waited. No response. “It’s me, Vinyl. I’m here if you want to talk.” The static pierced her brain, agitating her migraine. She rested her forehead against a hoof once more and listened intently. “Adi, this is Vinyl. Come on, let me hear from ya.” Nothing. Vinyl tensed and realized she was holding her breath. “Adi, please. Talk to me. I promise I won’t hang up again.” Seconds ticked by. Vinyl started tapping her hoof on the table. She glanced at the clock. “Vinyl?” “I’m here!” Vinyl leaned over the radio with a grin, then winced and fell back as her head throbbed. “Ugh, yeah, I’m here.” “Are… are you really?” She rubbed her forehead with a scowl. “I am, really.” Silence filled the room. Vinyl watched the radio, ears low. “Adi, you there?” “Y-yes, I’m here. I just… I thought I’d imagined you.” “Pretty sure I’m real,” she grumbled. “This hangover’s way too painful for me not to be.” Nervous, brief laughter floated to her ears, followed by another prolonged silence. “Vinyl… I… I take it back, okay? I’m not really—” “Hold it right there.” Vinyl leaned against the table and thought on her words. “Let me tell you something before we even start, okay?” “Um… okay.” How to say this? If she was dealing with what she suspected, then it wouldn’t do to scare the pony off. She stared at the radio for several seconds, pouring over potential approaches. At last, she raised the microphone to her lips. “I don’t believe your story. Frankly, I think you’re living in somepony’s basement or attic and trying to get some attention.” She waited for a response, but Adi remained silent. With a sigh, she continued, “I do believe that you’re in some kind of trouble, though I don’t know what kind. If this is what I think it is… then fine. I’ll play along. I’ll talk to you, Adi, and you can tell me all about this little story you’ve cooked up.” A strange sound broke through the speaker. It took a moment for Vinyl to realize that Adi was crying. “You can keep up this act, Adi.” Vinyl paused to make sure she was getting through. “In return, you have to promise that, when you’re ready, you’ll tell me what’s really going on.” “Vinyl… I…” “You’ve got to promise, Adi.” Seconds passed. Vinyl rubbed her temple and wondered if this wasn’t all a waste of time. She didn’t even know what she was doing or how she would help. She only knew that she had to try. “Alright, Vinyl. I promise.” Vinyl’s shoulders slumped and she released a long breath. “Good. Thanks, Adi.” “B-but can I ask a question?” “Sure.” She pulled her cereal bowl back towards her. “Why did you come back?” The spoon paused before Vinyl’s lips. She stared at the radio, trying to think of a proper answer. She could almost hear her father’s voice ringing through the speaker. “I… I don’t know. It’s personal.” “I didn’t mean to intrude—” Vinyl shook her head, then cringed at the hammerblow the act produced. “No, it’s okay. Let’s not focus on why I’m here, eh? I just want to help.” “Oh.” Adi’s voice was hesitant. “Thank you, Vinyl. I… I really appreciate this. You have no idea what it means to me.” “I might,” she replied with a smile. “Now let’s stop being all mushy. You’re out in space, right?” “I thought you didn’t believe that?” She rolled her eyes. “I’m playing along, remember?” “Oh, right.” Adi laughed, though it was a weak sound. “Yes, I’m in space.” Vinyl settled down in her seat, relaxing as best she could. “Well then, let’s see how deep your story is. “Tell me about it.”