//------------------------------// // Falling into Darkness // Story: Inconvenient Roommates // by Harmony Split //------------------------------// Chapter seven: Falling into Darkness Vinyl felt safe in the embrace of Spitfire, feeling the wings of the wonderbolt gently squeezing around her. Her mind was working hard, thinking about what Spitfire had just told her, that her feelings were more those of friendship now. She trusted her, but why did she cry while saying it? It wasn’t really the time to think about it, there were other things to worry about. “Thanks for everything Spits.” Vinyl said, strengthening the embrace. “I’ll always be there for you Vi, just like I promised…” the yellow mare responded, making her heart jump in joy. They both enjoyed their time together and Vinyl’s mind wandered to Octavia. Was it really love she felt, or in the end was it just friendship? She just couldn’t tell at the moment, and maybe it was better that way. The last time she saw Octavia, things didn’t go quite according to plan. ‘Maybe I’m putting too much thought into this.’ she thought, trying to calm her feelings. It was hopeless, every time her mind wandered towards the grey mare she could feel her heart stuttering in pain, but it was some kind of longing pain. She just couldn’t bare the thought of never seeing Octavia again. Thinking more about the grey mare and hoping for a life with her, while enjoying the warm embrace from Spitfire, she soon fell in sleep, a last whisper escaping her before diving into her dreams.         “I’m coming for you Tavi...”         Pain. I feel it in every part of my body, but at the same time a pleasuring warmth. Now the pain is worse and I’m trying to open my eyes, without success.         Besides the pain I can feel that I’m laying on something warm, and that I’m covered by something familiar. After a while I can hear music, and I can recognize it instantly as Octavia’s music, causing my eyes to finally crack open.         Oh buck no         I’m laying in the room at Octavia’s house, the same room I slept in before I left her. The music is growing louder and I’m standing up from bed, curious what she is playing and ignoring the pain in every muscle. I open the door, and I find myself in the corridor leading straight to the forbidden door.         This is indeed Octavia’s house, but why am I here?         My hoofsteps are continuing on automatic, bringing me nearer to the door, and the music is still growing louder. Finally I’m in front of the door, but I’m hesitating, thinking about the last time I went in.         Wait… of course! This is just a dream! It can’t hurt me, so why don’t I go in there?         I open the door, trying not to cause any sound as I walk in and see Octavia playing in the middle of the room just like when I still lived with her. Her eyes are closed, small tears running down her muzzle while standing on her hind-legs and playing her cello. It just looks beautiful… and my feelings starting to rumble again…         I guess Spits and Sassa are right, I do have feelings for her…well, maybe...         Octavia is still not aware of me, so I decide to go in, sitting down before her and just watching and listening. It’s amazing. I have no idea what song it is, or if it’s even a real song, but it is the most beautiful thing I've ever heard. Every note she plays has me further enraptured... Enraptured? Heh, that sounds like something she would say, but I guess if it fits... I would be happy to sit here and listen forever. Sadly, this moment only lasted for a few seconds.         The music stopped and Octavia opened her eyes, the tears still running down her muzzle. She wiped some of them off and then her eyes meet mine. At first I thought that she would smile, but now it’s switching to fear, and now to pure anger. Somehow I know what to prepare for, but the words still cut deep.         “What are you doing in my room? I believe rule one was clear? Never enter this room! In the end, I suppose that you are just the messy and untrustworthy mare I guessed you were in the beginning.” she says, her gaze burning right through my eyes. I just stay silent, shocked by her words and she continued. “Is there any reason at all why you opened this door? Why you came inside and watched me?”         This is a dream…  so why is it hurting so much?         Feeling tears on my muzzle I'm trying to answer, but only a inaudible whisper makes it’s way out of me “Because I love your music.” It leaves unheard and Octavia continues.         “I should have left you out there! That I was too blind to see what you really are…” she is screaming now, before stopping and a look wandering up her face I could not decode. “Leave my house!”         “What?” I say, finding my voice back and now my tears are flowing, not just dripping slowly anymore.         “You heard me. Leave. My. House. Now!” with that she turns around, not even caring about me anymore.         The last sentence isn't reaching my ears. Everything is going white in my head, my feelings rumbling like never before.         Why does it hurt so much?         “Tavi… please” Only a whisper from me, but she ignores it. “Why are you doing this to me?”         Nothing, no sign that she is even listening, so I stand up and leave the room. I hesitate at the door, and I think that I hear some crying, but then I just decide to leave and close the door behind me. My steps lead me through the entrance of her house, leaving it, and then I can feel more tears blurring my vision. Its even starting to snow now, adding more and more to the layer of snow already laying on the ground. It hurts so much… why? Spits and Sassa might be right, but what can I do about that?         I’m just walking, not really paying attention to my surroundings, and soon I find myself in a small alley. My legs are feeling tired, so I sit down on a bench, and try to gather my thoughts while watching my surroundings,. Wait… I know this place. It’s where I nearly froze to death… and then met mum again... It indeed looks just like the alley I nearly died in. The rotten bench, the small sign on the wall showing an advert for a club. Thinking once more about Octavia, my mind is starting to bring up a dangerous idea. It’s a dream, so I can decide what will happen… well although that’s not working great so far. Maybe I can copy what will happen so I just have to stay here and die to see mum again. It is a dumb idea, but my mind is filled with pain and Octavia, so nopony would assume that I could make a proper decision at the moment. Sliding off the bench, I lay down on the cold ground while thinking back. Was there even any way for me to change it? Is there any way to get back to Octavia? It seems so unreal after everything that happened. The snow is covering my coat, and soon I feel all of my limbs going numb. I wait for the pain, but nothing comes, just the numb feeling and my vision slowly fading. I’m not scared… instead it feels rather good. Maybe Octavia is right, I’m not trustworthy to anypony and maybe I’m not even worth anything at all. If it ends like this, everything will be just fine… At this moment I’m not even thinking about the dream anymore. Satisfied with my feelings, I’m starting to accept my end and that it will be better for everypony in the end. Then I don’t feel anything anymore. *** I think it has been hours, but suddenly I’m able to feel something again. Something warm and gently wrapped around me, with something soft under me. I’m not dead, how is that possi… I’m still dreaming, buck it! Cracking my eyes open, I can spot a familiar place, one that I called home a long time ago. A small bed, turntables and speakers in one corner and just a small closet in another while a big poster of Club ‘Harmonic’ is on the opposite wall of my bed. Definitely my room at the apartment I lived in while I went to school. While I’m trying to find out why I’m dreaming about this, a knock on the door causes me to jump up. “Vinyl, sweety? Are you awake now? Your friend is waiting in the kitchen to take you to school.” a suddenly very familiar voice says behind the door. When I don’t answer, still figuring who that is, the door is opens and a mare I would never forget in my life steps in. “Mum?” my voice is sounding rather ill. “Is everything alright dear? You look like you just saw a ghost.” she says, coming closer and smiling at me. “Yeah, everything is fine.” I lie, trying to gather my thoughts once again and standing up. “Good, you should get ready fast, I doubt your friend will wait much longer.” with that and a quick hug she's walking outside, humming a song I do remember quite well… The hug felt real, even though I know that she isn't anymore… and that song is my old lullaby Walking across the room on shaking legs, I look into a small mirror in my closet, checking my mane and tail. I look like I did as a filly, several years ago... After quickly fixing them with a brush, I leave my room and head to the kitchen, led by my memory. Never in my life I could have guessed who would be sitting there and eating pancakes. Octavia... “Good Morning Vinyl.” the young filly Octavia says while motioning towards the dish. “Want some? They are really delicious.” My mind is working, trying to remember that day but it seems it got buried by the past and mums accident. I already know that I met her nearly at the beginning of school, but could never guess that we always went to school together. “Do I have to remind you that it is very impolite to not greet me in the mornings? I know that you are not a pony for early mornings, but please feel free to be at least a bit kind to me.” Octavia continues, raising an eyebrow. “Sorry Octavia, I don’t know what's wrong with me. Good morning to you and yeah of course, I would love to have some.” I’m replying, sitting down and grabbing some of the pancakes. “Is everything alright Vinyl?” she asks, looking a bit concerned at me. “Of course” I lie. “Why?” “Because you usually use my nickname, not my full name.” Octavia is cocking her head slightly while mustering me. “Sorry Tavi, guess I’m really tired today.” I’m hoping that she will stop asking questions. After finishing my pancakes I grab my saddlebags and we leave the apartment, but not before a small hug from my mother. While walking downstairs to the exit, Octavia is silent before sighing once we are outside. “Is something wrong?” I ask, shooting her a nervous glare. “Have you decided what to do yet? Your time runs out today.” her voice is nervous, maybe with a small sign of anger. “Decided what?” now I’m just confused. “Your decision Vinyl! Are you going to choose Beauty or your music?” she says, almost whispering now. With that my mind stops, realizing what day today is. It is the day where Beauty Brass forced me to make a decision. One I never made. My mind is going into panic-mode again, forgetting all this is just a dream. Beauty Brass… What shall I do now? “Vinyl?” “Uhm sorry Tavi, I was lost in my mind.” “You remember what I told you yesterday?” Octavia is looking at me, something is in her eyes I just can’t figure out. What did she tell me yesterday? I’m pretty sure that it is important. Remember, Vinyl! Octavia sighs but also smiles. “I told you that you should listen to your heart. Do what feels right, it is now Beauty or your dreams. But remember, I will always stand at your side no matter how you choose.” the next sentence is barely audible “And I don’t really like her anyways.” I feel a smile appear across my muzzle, but quickly decide to hide it. Maybe the day could be good. Spending time with Octavia, talking, I can take care of that later. Sadly, my plans end once we are around the next corner. “Vi my love, you are late!” Beauty Brass says once we are in reach. “Oh, and you are here with that filly again.” she sniffs and her next words are directed to Octavia. “Would you mind leaving us alone?” Octavia gives me a quick hug which I, much too her surprise, immediately give back, squeezing her a bit harder. With a blush on her cheeks she trots away, smiling at me. A small harrumph pulls my attention away, Beauty glaring at me seemingly angry. “So, you admire other mares now Vi? That’s the point?” I sigh, shooting a glare back. “Tavi is really a good friend and always there for me, don’t you get fancy ideas.” Why the buck did I just said this? “It has been more than three days now Vi. Yesterday you weren't able to give me an answer, so I want one now.” Beauty is smiling, but her voice sounds strong. That’s the Beauty I love. Strong, smart and just beautiful. I thought I forgot her, but now that I think about it, I still love her. “You don’t have an answer again?” her voice is dropping a bit, sounding cold now. “Your music is more important than your marefriend, that’s it?” My heart is clenching but I’m answering without thinking “So you are demanding me to choose between my music that is my destiny after my cutie mark and you, my marefriend?” “Indeed my love. You get until the first break at school, then I want your answer. Four days is more than enough time.” with that the topic is ended for now, but she leans in and plants her soft lips on mine, making feelings return that I thought I thought I’d lost long ago. My heart is pumping stronger and faster than ever before and I can feel the spark rising in my mind. This is what I’ve missed for months. I’m still in the dream but what now? Beauty Brass breaks the kiss, motioning towards the road. “We should go, lessons are starting soon.” I just nod and follow her, walking in silence for several minutes before reaching the school. Even now we are not talking and I’m just following her to our classroom. Beauty Brass is sitting down in the first row, staring at me, but my gaze went to the last bench row. Octavia is sitting on the last row, lonely, but winking at me. What I’m about to do may be stupid, but I move up and sit down next to her, not seeing Beauty’s glare. It just feels right, sitting next to Octavia, and she just raises an eyebrow in surprise before turning her head to the board in front of us again. “Good morning class.” a voice says, quickly followed by a tall stallion walking in to our class. “I hope you all had a splendid weekend. I myself just had a nice one. We will continue with musical history of the alicorn timeline again.” The whole class sighs, even Octavia which surprises me. I’m curious and turn my head towards her, watching her annoyed expression. She sees my gaze and quickly turns to me, sticking her tongue out and winking. I feel weird again… Again Beauty is seeing every action but it seems like she holds onto herself. The teacher is continuing his lecture but I’m not really listening, my eyes glued on Octavia. Even as a filly she is elegant, beautiful… I’m not thinking anymore but without knowing I’m leaning towards her more and more until our fur is touching, this is the point Beauty starts freaking out. “Are you crazy? What do you think are you doing with that mare Vi?” I just look towards her, startled, her gaze glaring at me while moving towards me. “Are you deaf? You are my marefriend for Celestia’s sake!”         I’m still just looking at her, not knowing what to say. My silence is too much, Beauty Brass turning around and galloping out of the room, crying loudly.         What have I done? Every thought about this being a dream is passing away, my heart struggling hard.         Beauty is my marefriend, not Octavia… Wait, what the buck I’m talking about?         Just as I’m trying to stand up the teacher is looking at me annoyed. “Miss Scratch, sit down again this instant! If you leave now to run after Miss Brass I’m going to send the next letter to your mother!”         I hesitate, but sit down, I could still talk to her later. At least I’m hoping that.         This is getting weirder and weirder with every minute.         Just as I’m trying to concentrate again I feel something soft and turn my head to the source, a smile stealing it’s way onto my muzzle. Octavia is leaning against me and smiling.         “You will be fine Vinyl. I said I will stand at your side and I will keep my promise” she whispers, causing me to smile even more.         “Thanks Tavi, you’re a true friend. But what should I do with Beauty now?” I don’t know why I’m asking that, but it seems just right.         “Go to her after school, try to talk with her. It’s the best you can do now.” she replies.         “Will you come with me?” I’m asking, really curious.         “No, you have seen how she reacts to me. You have to do it alone and I won’t stay in the way of your love.” her voice almost sounds sad and for a moment I think I can see tears in her eyes, but after she blinks there is nothing.         As if she would be interested in me. I’m starting to imagine things… What the buck am I thinking? This is a dream!! Or is it?         It doesn’t really feel like a dream, more like painful reality. I can feel every part of me, how can a dream be that real? Somehow I feel protected at Octavia’s side, but also a huge amount of pain because of Beauty Brass.         “Miss Scratch will you finally start to pay attention? I won’t repeat anything just for you, so please listen to my class.” the teacher snaps me out of my mind, looking angry.         I just mutter an apology and try to pay attention to the class, though I’m not quite successful with my thoughts being about Beauty.         I should be over this since years ago, but still this dream affects my feelings in a way I just can’t predict.         I’m not able to figure out whether it’s reality or a dream at the moment, everything seems more than real. My feelings, my mind and everything around me seems real. The soft touch of Octavia leaning against me feels real.         Wait… what?         I turn my head, just to see that Octavia is indeed leaning against me. She is turning her head also, looking into my eyes, something in her own I can’t identify.         Is this really what happened in past? Why can’t I remember these feelings then?         No, there is a better Question         Why would I ever forget Octavia after memories like this?         I think about it for a while, but I just can’t figure it out, so I decide to worry about it later. I listen to our teacher and his theory about the music during the Alicorn era. It’s kinda interesting, if also weird because the old era contains only classical pieces.         For me, the class couldn’t be over fast enough so I could head to Beauty, but as soon as I raise from my chair once the bell rangs, Octavia is pushing me back.         “Did you forget? We have our double lessons every week on wednesday. There is another hour to get over with.”         Sighing, I sit back and flash a thankful smile at Octavia, who is blushing and concentrating on the teacher again.         “Do any of you know who wrote this piece?” he just asked, while letting a piece play from a gramophone.         I couldn’t recognize it but Octavia is jumping up, waving with her hoof.         “Yes, Miss Melody?” the teacher smiled.         Melody? Oh yeah, her last name was Melody at that time. Why did she change it again?         “This piece is written by Princess Luna herself, about nine hundred years before her banishment to the moon, but there is no official date. She dedicated it to an old friend of hers, even his or her name is unknown still today.” Octavia is speaking fast, but loud with excitement. “Exactly, Miss Melody. This piece is called ‘Falling into Darkness’, it tells a story of a mare that loves an old friend she met again after a while, just to be left alone due to various circumstances, although we only know some of these.” Wait… this somehow sounds familiar. Interested in knowing more I raise my hoof and he finally notices me after a while. “Yes Miss Scratch?” “What are the known reasons if I might ask?” I’m starting, trying to stay vague. “Well, as far we know one of the reasons is a tragic accident in the family of her friend. Another one is suicidal thoughts, although we don’t know why.” he replies while Octavia is just raising an eyebrow at me. The same reasons Octavia and I lost contact back then… Even though the suicidal thing doesn’t match up, at least I don’t think it does. “Let’s hear some more of the song.” our teacher says, and with that he lets the gramophone continue the song. The song is familiar, but I just can’t remember where I’ve heard it. As the piece is growing into a darker, slower note my heart skips a beat. It’s the song that Octavia played when I disturbed her and the one she played in the dream.... why did I forget everything? I enjoy this, so why couldn’t I remember before this dream? It is a mistery to me which I just can’t untangle, everything seems clear, but at the same time confuses me a lot. While my mind is struggling, the bell rings again and the teacher looks up, smiling. “Alright, that’s it for today. I will see you tomorrow.” he says before leaving the room. This is the chance to make things right. I stand up and share a look with octavia, who nods with a smile, then I’m already rushing out of the room, my hooves managing their way automatically. The fear of losing Beauty again drives my hooves forward, straight to a small house I would never forget. Hesitating, I stare at it, afraid to knock. Is it really wise to just knock there now? What if she just needs some time? “Ah buck it, that’s not me.” I murmur before trotting towards the door and knocking on it. No response and also no sound from inside. I still know where her spare key is, but again I’m hesitating. Can I really do this? Still unsure, I reach out with my magic, grabbing a key from a small plant that was buried in the earth beneath it. I put the key in and turn it, just to hear the lock click once before pushing the door open. Ready or not here I come… Just as I’m about to move forwards, I notice small sounds from down the corridor. I could identify those sounds anywhere, being nearly the same result of Cloud Kicker’s and my ‘games’ as I would lovingly call them. Usually they make me excited, but this time they are jolting against my heart, stabbing through it like a rusty knife. Why… so fast… no… My pain is pushing me towards the door and I just can’t stop myself, I open the door, needing to know the truth. What I see in Beauty’s bed, the bed I shared many times with her makes me shatter apart, only leaving pain and numbness in me. Cloud Kicker…  Beauty Brass… No… Just no… Both mares in the bed jumping startled, but only Cloud Kicker is looking at me with shock on her face. Beauty Brass on the other hoof is getting up and walking towards me, smiling slightly. “W-why?” my voice is sounding hurt, but lifeless… everything gone that is marking her as my own. “Because you waited too long Vi, now go.” she answers me, her smile growing bigger. “I don’t need you anymore in my Life” The words are repeating in my head, causing my eyes to fill with tears and my heart feeling full of pain. I’m not realising anymore that this is a dream again, everything feels way too real. With a last look, I turn around and run out of the house, onto the streets. I keep running and running, my hooves carrying me home. Home, to mum. Where I'm safe I run around the last corner, already seeing the apartment complex. At the same moment I can see my mother crossing the street towards our home packed with saddlebags, before she sees me running towards her, waving. From one moment to another her expression changes, I think it’s because she can see my face and the tears now. It’s like slow motion, I’m running towards my mother while she is waiting for me… in the middle of the road… The next thing I see is a small chariot driving out of control down the overhang of the street, nopony on it… and it’s heading directly for my mother. “Mum, out of the way! The chariot! Muuum!” I’m screaming towards her, but it seems she can’t hear me. The chariot is gaining more speed downhill and I’m speeding up, driving my body over it’s limits but to no use. Everything in my mind goes white, and the only thing I hear is a scream, and then saddlebags falling on the ground, followed by the loud ‘thud’ of a body… followed by my own after my legs give out. *** I crack my eyes open, which is difficult due to all dried tears. I’m laying in my room in the apartment that I shared with my mother again. But something is different, everything is way too quiet. Not caring about anything at the moment, I standing up and leave my room, heading towards the kitchen. “Mum? Are you there?” I call through the corridor, still walking. No answer. Reaching the kitchen, it’s empty and I’m starting to panic. No, no, no it can’t be! I run around the apartment, searching every room, but nopony besides me is here. Trotting back to the kitchen I can see a piece of parchment on the table, a black band around it. No, please… My heart is tearing apart even more, but I’m still opening the letter. As I read it, my legs are shaking and every breathe feels like I’m inhaling pure acid. Dear Miss Vinyl Scratch, We have heard about what has happened, and would like to offer our sincere apologies for your loss. We would also like to offer the ability to take time away from school to cope with said loss, and resume your classes at a later date. We at The Canterlot Music Academy hope that you will soon be able to return. With well wishes, The staff of The Canterlot Music Academy Tears are staining the parchment, blurring away the ink, and with it the words. Once I finish the letter my magic fades away, letting the letter fall onto the ground. Pain and numbness are the only things I feel, my mind pure white. Everything is gone, everypony is gone… My mind hurts, trying to focus on the difficult truth, which is answered by a breathtaking pain coming from my heart. I’m getting frantic, not knowing what to do now, so I sit down at the table, trying to focus my mind. The last pony worthwhile to me gone. At this moment I’m not even giving one thought to Octavia. Beauty tore my heart apart, and now mum… How should I handle it? You don’t have to. What? Who are you? I’m you Vinyl. I know how you feel, and I also know the solution to end this pain, Great, I’m basically talking to myself. You’re not crazy Vinyl, you just experienced the hard truth today. What truth? That you are not worth anything anymore. I’m trying to argue, but somehow my mind is at peace with this fact. I’m not worth anything anymore, the last ponies that made me feel worth something are gone. The solution is easy Vinyl. Leave this world and all the painful truth behind you. You can even be with your mother again. Mum… The last thing my mind catches is something sharp on the table, reflecting the light. Just as my magic tries to catch it the world fades black “THAT IS ENOUGH!” a loud, somehow familiar voice is booming towards me. I’m falling down into darkness, the darkness surrounding my body. Everything that was just here is gone now, leaving nothing left. The pain, however, is staying. It seems like hours of falling, but after mere minutes I find myself in a small opening in a forest, the bright moon shining down on me. “Thou had some painful dreams, Vinyl Scratch.” a voice says behind me, causing me to jump up. A tall mare is making her way out of the forest, her dark coat shimmering in the light of her own moon, wings spreading wide open. It is Princess Luna. I quickly bow in front of her and start murmuring an apology, trying to stay there until she tells me otherwise. “Thou shalt know that there is no need for that in front of us.” she is saying while walking towards me. I stand up, a bit confused. “What happened?” “We saved thee before thine nightmare could take a bad end.” Luna replies with a warm smile. “Wait.. a dream… But it was bad!” I’m realising it was indeed a dream, but the pain still feels real. “The nightmare made thee think that everything is real. We were watching the last piece and we also have to admit that it looked terrifyingly real.” Luna’s smile changes to a  frown as she finally folds her wing to her sides. “I never knew that all of those memories were still inside me...” my mind is rumbling. “Those memories never left you, Vinyl Scratch.” her smile is returning and she is sitting down besides me. “Everything was gone, and now I can nearly remember everything Luna.” I sigh and look to her. “Can I ask you something?” “Sometimes painful memories are buried deep in our soul, and of course, Vinyl Scratch.” “Call me Vinyl, please. My full name sounds so formal. Also… in my dream at school we talked about a piece you made, Falling into Darkness?” I watch her expression as I pause. Her expression hardens a bit, but she nods “Yes, what about it?” “I think what happened to me and Octavia is similar to what you experienced.” I say carefully, not trying to hurt her or make her angry at me. “That might be true, Vinyl. If it is like that, thou should already know the truth and what thee would have to do now.” her expression relaxes and the smile returns. Now I’m a bit confused “What truth? That it hurts?” “Think about Octavia and guess again, we shall wait for thine answer” Octavia… I left her behind at that time. I left her without letting her know why or trying to stay, just walking away from the pain. I hope you can forgive me, Tavi. After thinking about it some more a smile steals it’s way onto my muzzle and Luna cocks her head slightly, meeting my gaze. “We assume that thee know the truth now?” her smile is reappearing “I still have something that is worthwhile to me. Maybe I have to work on it so it feels like I’m worth it again, but it means the end of all of this pain.” I say out loud, surprised by my own words. “But how can I ever do this? If I can make her remember she will hate me.” With a smile, Luna gently wraps me in an embrace with her wings. “Trust us when we say that she will not hate thee. Just try it.” she finishes with a smile, then my vision fades away again. Vinyl woke up, laying on her bed in the hospital. At first she was confused, but soon she woke from her dream. She looked around and also noticed that Spitfire was gone, the room empty. “Ugh, what a nightmare.” she muttered, levitating a glass of water from her nightstand. Thinking about what happened she shuddered, the pain from her dream coming back and tears running down her muzzle. It was like she experienced everything a second time, from Beauty Brass to her mother, and it wasn’t a pleasing thought. Luna helped her, and this was also a mystery she couldn’t solve, but there was a truth, she discovered thanks to the Princess. “Luna helped me all those times in my dreams while I was homeless…” thinking back at the hard time after the disaster at the club she shuddered, but then she reminded herself of the dream again “I have to find Tavi and talk to her…” she said to herself, her words full of confidence. Her mind was disturbed by muffled screams coming from the door, then a loud ‘thud’ like something heavy was falling, followed by a curse. Just as Vinyl was wondering what was going on outside, the door opened and revealed a turquoise pegasus struggling with a grey earth-pony, followed by a grinning yellow pegasus. “What the buck is going on here?”