//------------------------------// // Chapter 18 // Story: Octavius // by Master Koschei //------------------------------// “What the bloody fuck do you think you’re doing here?” Vinyl was seething with anger as Octavius and Dash walked back into the house with mister Scratch. “I thought I told you to get lost!” “Violet, calm down,” her father placed a hand on her shoulder and stared into her eyes. “We’re all going to sit on the couch here and talk everything out.” “No, dad!” Vinyl slapped his hand away. “If Octavius is just another pompous pretty boy, I don’t want anything to do with him!” Dash stepped forward. “Vinyl, c’mon, girl,” she started. “You know Tavi better than that, right?” The DJ stared at Octavius intently, as if trying to see into his very soul. Octavius met her gaze silently, hoping she’d listen to reason. Finally, she sighed. “You’ve got ten minutes to convince me that you’re not some selfish narcissistic prick.” Octavius smiled and walked into the living room, followed by Dash, Vinyl and mister Scratch. Vinyl, Dash and Octavius all sat on the couch; mister Melody occupied an armchair. He cleared his throat before he began speaking, “First of all, I’d like to apologize for my earlier behavior. It was unfair of me to assume that Octavius was like the rest of his family. From my understanding, he’s trying to get away from that?” He looked to Octavius questioningly, who nodded in confirmation. “Right, now, I think, Vinyl, you’re owed an explanation as to why I hate his family, and why his parents are assholes. “Back in high school, I was quite the social guy, going out to parties pretty much every weekend and making new friends. I was living the good life in my eyes. Everyone knew me, and I knew everyone. Small town life was fantastic. Then one day, my dad got a promotion. He was going to be a manager of a new branch out here, but he had to move to get the job. We packed up and came out here. “On my first day of my senior year, I met Ludwig Melody. He was a prim and proper pianist who always dressed super nice for school. Not in suits or something, but, like, polo shirts and slacks. Very upper crust. He carried himself with an air of superiority that just always bugged me, but I wanted to try to be friendly. So one day I walk up to him and try to talk, but before I get one word out, he gets all snooty with me. He dismissed me as a ‘lower class ruffian’ and turned away. “Now that typically wouldn’t have bothered me; I’d have just shrugged it off and moved on. But every time the fucker saw me, he had some snide comment to make, be it about my clothes, my hair, hell sometimes he’d say something about how I walked! But I tried to ignore it. “Then one day, the bastard really ticked me off. Maybe it was the look he game me while he insulted my girlfriend, calling her a slut and a whore; maybe it was nothing more than built up anger. I really don’t remember what happened, but I vaguely recall tackling him to the ground and whaling on him. “Eventually, someone pulled me off of him, and I was taken to the principal’s office. He was cleaned up and brought in as well. Before I had the chance to defend myself, his hoity toity parents showed up and immediately said they were pressing assault charges. I spent a year in jail because of that asshat. I missed my graduation, my girlfriend left me, and it’s now incredibly tough to find a job!” Mister Scratch stared at the dumbfounded group. He grinned. “I’ll tell you what, though, breaking his nose felt fantastically satisfying.” Vinyl stared at Octavius. “Dude,” she said, fighting a grin. “You’re dad was a bitch.” “He never once mentioned you, though,” Octavius looked to mister Melody. “Would you if he beat the hell out of you?” Dash laughed a bit. “Man, you’re parents put on one hell of a show, but they’re really just a couple pussies, aren’t they?” “Which reminds me,” Vinyl said, turning to her dad. “Why DO they act so superior to everyone else?” Mister Melody shrugged his shoulders. “I think it has something to do with who their parents are. Honestly, I’m not sure. Maybe they feel entitled since they come from such prestigious families. I really don’t care, though.” Vinyl looked back to Octavius. “Can you make me a promise?” The cellist nodded. “Don’t be like them. You’re not a spoiled brat. Mostly.” She smirked as Dash busted out laughing. “I still remember first meeting you, man. You were SO uptight! You wouldn’t even chill out when you were drinking your coffee or anything!” “Says the one who was spitting donut crumbs everywhere?” Octavius grinned as Vinyl quickly turned her head away, stammering to come up with an excuse. “Yo, lovebirds!” Dash interrupted the pair with a smile. She looked at Vinyl. “You wanna come back with us?” Vinyl nodded, standing. “I’m sorry, guys.” Dash waved a dismissive hand. “Girl, if it really upset me when you get all dramatic, would I still be standing here?” Vinyl blushed slightly, quickly running upstairs to get her things. As Octavius stood, though, mister Scratch grabbed the cellist by his good arm. Octavius looked back at him. “You be kind to her, you hear me?” His eyes told the cellist that the older man was dead serious. “You may be an alright kid, but that’s my girl. You fuck up, I fuck you up. Got it?” Octavius gulped nervously and nodded, turning to see Vinyl coming back down wearing a back pack. “Ready to go?” She grinned at the cellist, her red eyes hidden once more behind her sunglasses. He nodded, waving goodbye to mister Scratch as he walked out of the door with Vinyl and Dash, heading out into the snow and back towards the diner. Dash turned to the DJ. “So listen, Christmas is in two days. I’m finishing up Scootaloo’s room, and I’m going to make some treats for the party. Meaning I’m going to need the diner to myself for tomorrow.” She turned with a smirk to Vinyl. “Why don’t you and Tav-Tav go on a hot date tomorrow? Just be back by sundown, you two.” She grinned wide as Vinyl blushed hotly, before Octavius spoke up. “You know, Vinyl,” he said. “I’d love to see some more of the town. Why don’t we go somewhere fun, then grab a bite to eat, and head back? It should be a great time.” He smiled at the DJ, who smiled back and nodded. “Then it’s settled!” Dash clapped her hands together. “You two go out and party, and I’ll stay and get ready for the REAL party!”