Soon after Tavi left the apartment I made myself comfortable on the couch. Letting out a deep sigh, I put my head back and let my eyes rest on the skylight. In an attempt to find some inspiration I spent the next few minutes watching some lone clouds floating in the sky. It didn’t take long and I came up with some vague ideas of what I wanted. However…vague ideas weren’t enough to compose a tune that would live up to my standards.
Jumping back on my hooves I wasted no time and headed for my bedroom. Opening the nightstand, I then picked up my personal notes. That pile of unorganized sheets contained pretty much everything that happened this month and concerned my work.
Annoyed by the fact that I had put off organizing my stuff again, I levitated the bundle back to the living room. Dropping the sheets on the couch, I let out a deep sigh. Well…it could be worse. At least Tavi wasn’t here to rub it in…
A mischievous grin spread across my face as soon as I became aware of the implications. Maybe this time there was another way to get myself some inspiration. Passing the fridge, I grabbed myself something to drink and walked into Tavi’s study.
To be quite frank…I never liked that room. It was all bleak and gloomy. How Tavi could get any work done in a place like that was far beyond me. I’d probably go nuts…
Ignoring the shelves and everything else that was emitting the uncomfortable feeling of…excessive cleanliness my eyes fell on the only thing that looked remotely interesting; a wooden drop-front desk. Unlike any other object in the room this one was actually covered in dust. Was there a reason why Tavi didn’t bother to clean that particular desk? Well…only one way to find out…
“Buck!” I hissed.
Of course it was locked. What was I even hoping for? However…the lock didn’t look like a proper one. Yeah…probably just one of those worthless, decorative locks that even a foal could pick. Moving an ear close to the lock, my horn lit up in a subtle glow. Even though the lock was as simple as expected it took me a lot of time to pick it. Maybe things would have gone a bit quicker if I had used a paperclip instead of raw magic. Nah…I guess this was the safer option. A clip might leave some marks on the lock. Besides, it also reminded me of the good old times. I could still remember the grin of my foster father when he found out that I taught myself lock picking just to avoid mom’s curfews.
When I finally opened the desk I probably had a similar grin plastered across my face. What I saw wasn’t what I expected. Instead of an organized workplace with files and folders I found myself in front of the worst hodgepodge I had ever seen. There were books, notes, ripped out pages, envelopes, pictures, even an old newspaper.
Curious as to why Tavi would keep such an old newspaper, I pulled it out of from under the papers. My first assumption was that she had probably kept it out of vanity. After all it was a pretty big deal for most ponies when they got into the papers for the very first time. However...once I caught a glimpse of the headline…I knew that I’d been wrong.
Royal Guard drops all charges against Venal Melody
Today was truly a glorious day for justice. Venal Melody (51), former CEO of Sweet Symphonies and his wife Glamorous Act (42) are now finally able to close the darkest chapter of their life. Always in pursuit of justice, the royal guard finally managed to accumulate new shocking evidence in Mr. Melody’s case. As it turned out all the allegations against Mr. Melody were in fact unfounded.
Three up to now unknown ponies (19, 23 & 25) fabricated those lies in an attempt to discredit the poor victim. However, according to the guards that was just the first step of the villains’ ruthless plan. Their real goal was to make Mr. Melody desperate enough to pay them in order to tell the truth. Yes…as horrible as it may sound…those three especially picked Mr. Melody to be the target of a convoluted extortion scheme. However, no matter how smart they were they couldn’t outrun the long leg of the law.
After their plan failed and they got caught they testified that Mr. Melody was never on the take, never purposely forced anypony into bankruptcy and never attended any kind of tribalistic meeting. As a result even “Shining Armor”, the captain of the royal guard, publically apologized for all the trouble they had put him through. Nevertheless, Mr. Melody didn’t accept the apology.
“Please captain, there is nothing you have to apologize for. You were just doing your job…and a good one at that. I don't even like to think what might have happened if your guards weren’t so persistent in pursuing the truth. “ our humble victim replied.
...
At that point it looked as if everything important had already been said...so I only skimmed over the rest.
Justice was served...the wife had also a few words...yada yada yada...and everypony was happy and buttering each other up. Blergh...
Just when I thought there was nothing more to the article I spotted two words beneath it. The letters were barely readable but I could still recognize what was left them as Tavi's hoofwriting. After concentrating for a few more moments I finally got their meaning; Bucking Liar.
Shaking my head I put the newspaper aside. Well to be honest that didn't really come as a surprise. I already figured that Tavi's parents were no saints but the possibility that if her father really forced innocent ponies into bankruptcy was no laughing matter. However...it wasn't my place to sell out her family. That was a problem Tavi had to sort out herself...
Letting out a frustrated groan I focused my attention on the other stuff that was lying right in front of me. Tavi's half finished compositions immediately piqued my interest...but I was NOT here to rip-off Tavi's work, I was here for some inspiration. So instead of dwelling on Tavi's actual work...I took a look at some of the postcards and photos in front of me.
While most of them showed Tavi on some boring formal occasions there were a few intriguing ones among them. One of them, for example, showed an elderly mare smiling in front of the rainbow falls. When I flipped it around it read: Enjoying my vacation so far, love Gran. The next picture I eyed a little closer made me giggle. It looked like a big fancy dinner party with a younger Tavi, her family and a lot of nobles. However, amidst all of them one particular stallion stood especially out. Apparently Tavi wasn't very fond of him, considering that she had actually put some effort into replacing his face with a crude drawing and putting the words Prissy Plotface right on top of him. Hmm...that was actually quite adorable...
Never thought that the same Tavi who always tried to act so mature in front of others could be such a childish pony. Well, except when she was wasted or getting high on vampire pheromones. Vampire pheromones...the fact I even considered something like that...was proof of how messed up my life really was. Sometimes I still hoped that all of that was just some kind of big prank...
However, my thoughts came suddenly to an halt when I spotted a certain tear stained letter. What in the world could be bad enough to make Tavi cry? I knew that it probably wasn't something for my eyes but...
Dear unknown pony,
if you are reading this I've finally mustered enough courage to do what I should have done a long time ago. All my life I simply carried on because I had the hope that one day things would finally get better. As it turned out I had been wrong. Well...at least I somehow shook off my cowardice and finally managed go through with it...
I didn't need to read any further. No...I couldn't read any further. My gut was revolting and I felt the sudden need to slap a certain pony repeatedly across the face. Stomping on the ground in anger, I could hear my own raspy voice.
"That idiot! That bucking idiot..."
I continued venting my anger for a few more moments before my thoughts caught up to me. That bucking drawer was covered in a thick layer of dust...so Tavi probably never opened it since she had lost her job. However, what if she was still thinking about stuff like that? What if...
Then I slapped myself. What the hay was I even thinking? If all that devastating vampire stuff wasn't enough to break her...there was no way it would ever happen. Still...bottling stuff up and keeping secrets like...that. Tavi had a lot of explaining to do...and I sure as hay wouldn't let her off the hook easily...
When I finally calmed down enough...I realized that my right forehoof was glinting with blood. Letting my eyes wander from the damaged hoof to the floor I noticed several glass shards scattered across the room. Buck, my glass! I must have dropped it when I found Tavi's stupid note.
Well...at least it was already empty when it hit the floor. That would make cleaning the mess at least a little bit easier. Fetching a broom, I immediately started to give the floor a sweep. A few moments later I was already covering my traces. I locked the drawer and tried to come up with a way that would make it look as neglected as before. Of course, being a unicorn and a bucking genius helped quite a bit with the last part. Who besides me would ever think about blowing into a heater and catching the dust motes with her magic?
So after I repeated said process a few times, I sprinkled the dust on top of the drawer. Assured that it would be enough to fool Tavi, I made my way back to the living room. Of course I knew that I had to confront her...but I'd rather not have her come home and freak out over the opened drawer while I wasn't even there.
Back in the living room my mood dropped even further when I spotted the huge pile of forgotten papers I had left on the couch. Right...I had originally planned to get some work done. However, after all that stuff I had to deal with...there was no bucking way that was still gonna happen. At least not with my current attitude...
In order to make good, successful music...I had to be happy. No pony in all of Equestria would enjoy the work of uninspired artists in a foul mood. However...there was something I could still do; organizing my stuff. Hmm...why not? At least all that way all of the bureaucracy wouldn't get in my way when inspiration finally decided to hit me.
So the first thing I did was to split the huge stash into four smaller ones;
The first one was for everything concerning my gigs and appointments.
The second one was for the stuff I scribbled down whenever I got a surge of inspiration.
The third stash was for everything I could already dispose of.
The fourth was for everything else.
As I worked myself through the papers I felt a smile spreading across my face whenever I caught a glimpse of my previous ideas. Oh yeah…that stuff would pretty much write itself. However, when I set eyes on a certain piece of paper I immediately froze. The note was kept rather simple and only contained a name, a date and a time; Neon, today and according to Tavi's clock…
“Buck!”
…twenty minutes from now on. Horseapples! I couldn't stand up Neon...again. Last time I did that he got all sulky and stuff...
So without wasting any more time, I headed for downtown. Rushing through the streets and using every possible shortcut I barely wasted any thoughts on the stuff I had just left in the living room. The only thing I did regret was that I hadn't left a note for Tavi but hay...she'd figure out that I'd been in a hurry...
Panting and sweating I finally arrived at our usual meeting spot; the Salty Snob. It was just the usual run of the mill pub with the typical old and grumpy barkeep. However, there was something ponies should know about this place before visiting...
“Buck off, blowhard. Your kind isn’t welcome here…” I could hear the angry voice of the barkeep.
Only seconds later a puzzled stallion hurried out of the pub. Straightening his bow-tie and murmuring something about illiterate brutes he then gave the place a last disapproving look and trotted away haughtily.
Well...I couldn't say that I was surprised. Down here it was a well known secret that the the owner, Salty Grafter, waged a vendetta against Canterlot's elite. So whenever one of those clowns makes an appearance at the Snob, Salty makes sure that they won't come again. Hay, that old pony even went as far as to name his pub the Salty Snob just to spite those pesky nobles.
Putting on my trademark smile I entered. A lot of heads turned in my direction and ponies began to whisper. While some of them were probably confused why a successful entertainer like me would visit a rundown pub like that...most of the steady customers simply nodded when I passed them. That was one of the things I truly loved about that pub; the ponies here kept to themselves. I bet even Discord could march in and order a couple of beers and no pony would give a buck about it...
Walking towards my usual spot at the counter I noticed that the old barkeep had already picked up the pace. Before my flank could even touch the stool, Salty had already finished preparing my favorite cocktail; the bramble.
“Sup, Vinyl? Haven’t seen you in a while.” the old pony said and hooved me the drink.
“Well, I’ve been quite busy…”
“Busy…eh? What kind of busy are we talkin about?”
“The worst kind, Salty…the worst…” I said and took a sip.
“Huh? So…they’ve bothered you too? S’ppose they haven’t found anything. Buckin waste of tax money if you ask me…“ he said and rolled his eyes.
“Nah…I wasn’t talkin about the guards. I just had a lot of… private stuff going on…”
“Oh…I see how it is.” the old pony said with a knowing grin. “So…the great Vinyl Scratch is no longer on the market huh? What a shame. I guess some of your fans will have to cry themselves to sleep now. Or they’ll simply continue doing what they’ve always been doing; fantasizing bout you and clopping their hooves off...” he added slyly.
Of course he had to say that exactly at the moment when I was taking a sip. Half laughing, half coughing I spilled some of my drink.
“Nice one.” I replied and put my glass back on the counter.
“Ahhh…just tellin the truth, Vinyl. Can’t help but bein sexy, can you?”
“Nope. Unfortunately…I was born this way.” I replied theatrically.
“So Vinyl…what brings you here?” he asked before he added in a barely audible voice “Trying to buy something…special?”
“Nope. I’m just here to meet a friend. Oh...and of course I'm also here to enjoy the most excellent service only an establishment like yours can provide, good sir.” I added in my best posh noble impression.
“Celestia be damned, I hope that’s not your way of telling me that you’re now bucking a lawyer?”
“A lawyer? As if I’d ever risk a house ban for something boring like a lawyer." I replied and gave him a wink.
"So...mind telling me who it is? That colt must be pretty special if he managed to tame a wild mare like you..." he said and wiggled with his eyebrows.
"First, it's a mare, secondly...it's non of your business." I answered now clearly annoyed.
"Come on Vinyl...spill some of the juicy stuff. How is she in bed ?"
"For the love of Celestia...if you don't shut up...I swear I'll rip you a second..."
"I don't think Tavi would approve of your strange fetishes, Vinyl. Ripping other ponies a second plotho-..." a male voice suddenly interjected.
"Hey Neon..." I said and faced him with a devious smile. "...I was just thinking about that one time when you offered to share your bed with one of your groupies. What was her name again...Cross Dress?"
Neon turned visibly pale. However before he could even come up with a snarky remark Salty already took interest in what I said.
"Oh that sounds interesting. What happened? Was Neon too wasted to find the entrance?"
"Nothing happened. Not...a...thing."Neon replied icy. "And Vinyl...I thought we agreed to never mention it again..."
"Oh come on, you know old Salty can keep a secret." the old man tried again.
Well...as amusing as it was to watch Neon trying to avoid that particular topic I decided it was time to put him out of his misery.
"So...what's the reason I'm here again?" I asked Neon and the nosy old guy immediately grew silent.
"Ughh...so...you remember when I told you about that creepy stallion two weeks ago?" he asked.
"Nope. Can't say that I do. I had a few other things on my mind..."
"Well...during my last gig the same dude showed up at the VIP lounge. After I was done performing he walked up to me and asked if you were a friend of mine. Confused to where that was leading I told him; sure I'm friends with Vinyl. You have a problem with her?"
"Ugh...drop all the heroic stuff and just tell me what he wanted." I sighed.
"He wanted to meet at a place you feel comfortable and talk some business with you."
"Please tell me you didn't..."
"Well...according to my cousin that guy is pretty...influential." Neon said and looked around the room before he lowered his voice. "So even if you aren't interested...at least hear him out, kay?"
"Huh? Your cousin? You aren't talking..." and I also lowered my voice considerably "...mafia, are you?"
"What? No! Of course not..." Neon said but I could see him getting more and more nervous.
"So...what's so scary about that stallion?" I inquired.
"Well yeah...you see...thing is...even the mafia seems to be afraid of that dude..." Neon said, now visibly uncomfortable.
"The mafia...or just your stupid cousin?" I asked with a deadpan expression.
"I know that Dim Light might not be the sharpest tool in the shed but hay...if he says that the whole mafia is afraid of somepony...I bucking believe him. Besides...you of all ponies should know how highly he thinks of his...buddies." Neon said, obviously referring to that one time where his cousin tried to hit on me. "Do you really think he'd sully their name by calling them cowards?"
"Uhh...yeah...whatever..."
Not that I didn't value Neon's opinion...but at that point I'd dissent. The few times Neon's cousin actually had tagged along with us were more than enough to figure out what kind of pony he was; a boastful shmuck. Even though I was pretty sure that his loyalty to the mafia ran deep...he also struck me as a gullible idiot. So, no...unlike Neon I wouldn't think of that guy as a reliable source.
However, instead of blurting out that his cousin had probably just been on the wrong end of a bad joke...I decided to keep my thoughts to myself. After all...to Neon that pony was family...and I had to accept that, whether I like it or not.
"Dim Light? You mean the Funnypony? Isn't he the errand colt of..." Salty tried hijack the conversation but...he immediately lapsed into silence when the door swung open.
In fact he wasn't the only one; the whole room was suddenly quiet. All the eyes were glued to the pony who had just entered the pub. Ignoring anypony else the guard walked up to us as if he owned the place.
"Salty Grafter, I presume?" he asked haughtily.
"Who wants to know?" Salty replied, deliberately focusing on cleaning a glass instead of the stallion.
"The equestrian crown...and you rather not forget that...peasant" the guard hissed.
"I'll try to remember it." Salty said and paused for a moment before he continued "So, what can I do for you Mr. Equestrian Crown?"
While Neon and I tried our best to keep a stoic expression, most costumers already started chuckling. Sweet Celestia...if that guy wasn't right next to us we probably would have joined in.
"So you think your funny?"
"No, sir..." Salty said "...why would you ever come to that conclusion? I merely offered you my assistance Mr. Crown."
"My name isn't Equestrian Crown you senile fart." the guard shouted before the chuckles started anew.
"Oh my...I'm terribly sorry, sir. It seems there has been a misunderstanding. It never has been my intention to poke fun at you. Hmm...I guess that means I owe you a reconciliation drink." Salty said with a smirk.
"Hey, Salty...can you get me something...unusual while you're at it?" I suddenly threw in.
Salty reached for a dark green and a bright yellow bottle and began to mix me something called "Zebrican Hellburn" before he shifted his attention to two black bottles. One of them was some kind of berry syrup while the other was probably Salty's cheapest batch of rum. When Salty put down the drinks in front of us the guard eyed his drink suspiciously while the customers started to place bets on him.
"Oh...that's gonna be good. Ten bits he actually drinks it."
"Twenty bits he is gonna cry..."
"Oh come on...don't be such a scaredy-cat. Salty isn't that kind of pony. I'd trust him with my life..." I whispered to the guard who was still eyeing his glass warily.
"If you trust him so much why don't we just exchange drinks and see what he is really made of." the guard hissed under his breath.
"Fine..." I said, took his glass and flushed it down in one go.
"Sweet Celestia...I must have switched the drinks." the barkeep said aghast when he looked at my empty glass.
"Knew it! Have fun at the toilette..." the guard hissed with a smirk before he downed his drink.
"Ah...sir...maybe you shouldn't drink tha-..." Salty said just a moment too late.
A moment later the stallion was coughing and sweating. He got rid of his helmet and began to fan himself. Without the helmet, the guard enchantment was no longer working and we could see a pink stallion with teary-eyes and a very red head. At that moment a lot of bits changed owners...
"Oh my...what's wrong buddy? You don't look so...hot."