//------------------------------// // Part 12: The Precious Music of the Most Sacred Darkness // Story: You've Been Acting Strange These Last Few Days // by sethbramwell //------------------------------// Part Twelve: The Precious Music of the Most Sacred Darkness Octavia glanced to the clock before studying her reflection in the mirror. Thirty more minutes until she was due at the theater. Distractedly, she hoped she could find a cart to bring her in, as her evening gown was just too perfect to risk walking as she typically would. She could hardly believe she had forgotten to reserve one… Her troubled face stared back at her from the glass. The red mark had, thankfully, faded to near invisibility. Anypony would agree, she looked ready for the evening. Her mane was up in a graceful style she had long ago mastered but rarely used, and her usual pink bow tie and white collar had been eschewed in favor of the elegant silk gown in order to look her absolute best for the occasion. She was well-versed in the music to be performed, without a doubt. There should have been no nagging worries on her mind, and as far as the performance was concerned, there were none. But there was Vinyl. No word, no appearance; Where was she? What had happened? How could Octavia possibly give her best without knowing that she was safe? Knowing full well that Vinyl’s phone was still among the scattered mess on her bedroom floor, Octavia picked up her own and dialed it, hearing her ringtone echo through the empty house until the voicemail picked up. “Yo, you got Vinyl! Leave it at the wub, baby!” Then the echoing bass that Vinyl had somehow used to replace the standard beep. Octavia took a deep breath and spoke as steadily as she could. “Vinyl, This is Octavia. I- well, I do not know where you are, but… perhaps you remember my telling you about the command performance concert for Princess Luna. It is almost 4:30 on the sixteenth, and I am about to leave to go to the theater.” A breath to steady herself before continuing. “I am worried, Vinyl. I wish you were here. If you come home while I am still gone and you hear this… please stay and wait for me. I really want to talk to you. I- I hope you get this message-“ Another loud wub signaled that the recording had stopped, and she despondently pressed the end button as she lowered the phone to her side before placing it in the small black clutch purse she had chosen for the evening. Octavia stepped to the corner of her room where her cello stood and grasped the handle of the case, carrying the heavy instrument with practiced ease. She walked through the hall and then the living room with an eerie feeling that she tried to force from her mind as her hoof reached for the door handle. Something was amiss, though she couldn’t put her hoof on what it was, beside the obvious. She took a last apprehensive look around the room, almost feeling as if Vinyl were standing there and she had walked right past her without noticing. Strange… she thought as she realized everything was in place as normal and her hoof pushed the door handle down to open the door. She turned her head to look outside and froze in horror at Vinyl’s body slumped on her stomach mere feet from her. The cello was dropped instantly as she jumped to her side, no longer caring in the least about her dress. “Vinyl? Vinyl! VINYL!” she cried desperately, rolling the unicorn onto her side and slapping at her cheek. A cough, a sputter, and some indescribable mess dribbled from her mouth, and the DJ looked to her with a weak but genuine smile. “Tavi…” she spoke groggily. With everything forgotten in that moment except her friend, Octavia gathered all the strength she had ever built from carrying her cello for years on end and scooped Vinyl into her arms to carry her inside, noting the lack of her sunglasses and that her front hooves were clutched around something tightly. She stumbled to the couch and laid Vinyl’s body down as gently as she could when the unicorn spoke again in the same weakened voice. “Got something… Tavi… I’m sorry…” Her forelegs fell open as she slipped into unconsciousness once more and something fell to the floor. Overwhelmed, the cellist looked down to the floor and saw what Vinyl had been cradling… a plain, vintage black rubber turntable mat. Tears began to stream down her cheeks as she picked it up and looked to Vinyl’s unconscious, twitching form. “Oh, Vinyl…” she whispered before setting it down and kneeling beside her, her foreleg wrapping over her as if to stop the tremors that tortured the unicorn… ***** The tension behind the curtain was palpable. The Equestrian Orchestra had a history of joking amongst the musicians before performances, but none dared to even entertain the thought this evening. Each colt was dressed in full black tie, each mare in an elegant black evening gown. Ponyakov, not one to ever be outdone, was in full white tie dress and was at that moment furiously pacing up and down the stage cursing under his breath. Hardly anypony dared to breathe loudly, let alone speak. As Ponyakov crossed the stage and passed by Pezzo and the empty spot beside her for what seemed like the hundredth time, the second chair cellist snuck her phone from her small bag and hurriedly texted while hiding the phone behind her cello. >Octi, where are you??? Moments later, the phone vibrated in her hoof and she looked down. >Not coming. Vinyl. Explain later. “Miss Pizzicato!” Pezzo looked up. She had never realized Ponyakov had started toward her. No wonder the colt was a renowned conductor if he had heard the quiet vibration from the opposite end of the stage. “I assume you are communicating with Miss Melody. Where is she?” Pezzo swallowed hard. There was no way to lie. “She- She is unable to attend this evening, Mr. Ponyakov.” “Unless she is in a hospital or a morgue, she has no excuse.” the red colt growled furiously. Pezzo remained silent as Ponyakov’s eyes locked on hers and he found the answer he sought. “That unprofessional waste of a musician!” he snarled. “Miss Pizzicato, take first chair position. We shall have to make do with one cellist, as will this orchestra after tonight. Miss Melody’s days as a musician are ended anywhere but street corners!” The other musicians somehow contained their revulsion at this threat. Pezzo closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. She gently laid her bow and cello down on the stage and looked to the conductor. “With all due respect, Mr. Ponyakov… I will not play cello for this performance if you have any intention whatsoever of damaging Octavia’s musical career in anyway.” All eyes returned to Ponyakov as the conductor’s lips curled tightly around his teeth. “Oh, a mutiny, is it? And if I told you I would not hesitate to ensure your career is ended for such insubordination?” Pezzo looked to the floor as if considering. “Well, then, I suppose I would have no choice but to do as you say and perform.” she replied softly. Ponyakov smirked with smug victory. “Although, if such an ultimatum were issued… I would not hesitate to demonstrate on my cello exactly why my family name is Pizzicato.” The conductor’s face fell as Pezzo continued with a grin. “Just imagine, sir… one of Bithooven’s most beloved classical treasures, but re-imagined with a nice…” Pezzo swung her hips to accentuate her point- “… bebop edge.” The musicians were sweating at the exchange. How did it get so hot in here? Perhaps it was the fuming Ponyakov, who many would swear had steam escaping from his ears. “You… would never work again.” he grumbled maliciously. Pezzo merely smiled serenely. “Neither would you, sir. Not with letting a Royal Command Performance be derailed so spectacularly, or performed sans cello with so many solos written just for it.” “You wouldn’t dare!” the conductor spat, fast losing his resolve. All the frustration of the past weeks escaped Pezzo’s lips in one precise, calculated strike. “Try me… plot face.” Some of the musicians gasped, some tried not to snicker, and one of the violinists felt her legs go out from shock as she struggled to regain her balance and not fall to the floor at the words. Ponyakov looked around at the orchestra, furiously addressing the group as a whole. “Is there nopony else among you who can play the cello???” Pezzo held her breath. She knew for a fact that there were indeed at least two others who were proficient enough in her instrument to take over. Not a single hoof was raised in response as the query was presented. “No pony at all?” Ponyakov tried desperately before realizing he had no card to play anymore. After a moment that felt like an eternity, he snorted out a furious breath. “Very well. Perform as you know you should, and Miss Melody’s… and your… careers will be spared. But I warn you… Never set hoof in Marescow!” “No intention, sir. Too cold.” Ponyakov spun on his hoof and stormed off to try to calm himself before curtain. Once he was safely out of earshot, Pezzo collapsed in a chair as her fellow musicians crowded around her, some thanking her while others simply wondering if she had lost her mind. ***** Vinyl twitched violently on the couch once more, this time hard enough to throw Octavia’s leg off and snap her awake. “Oh, Luna, my head…” she moaned as Octavia looked to her. “Vinyl? Thank Celestia! I’ve been so scared-“ Even in her weakened state, the DJ smiled at her. “I’m just glad you’re here.” She said softly. She squinted her eyes at Tavi, taking in the fancy dress. “Tavi… why are you dressed up…” Octavia shook her head. “It doesn’t matter, Vinyl. Not now.” She replied softly. Somehow, Vinyl’s fevered mind made the connection. “The- the Luna gig…” she began as she tried to stand. “You gotta go-“ Her legs tremored once more, and she fell back to the couch. “I’m not going anywhere, Vinyl.” “But- But you have to-“ “Shh.” Octavia sat next to her and placed her forelegs around her, holding her close through the trembling. “Just rest. I’m not leaving, and you aren’t either.” Vinyl’s eyes closed as she rested her head on Tavi. “Thank you…” she whispered softly as she tried to fight the pain back. Why hide your face from me? Why turn away? All I wanna do is pull you closer and say: I'm feeling kinda tired, but it ain't exactly beating down my door. Now just why could this be? Will you listen to me? - Excerpt from "Sleazy Bed Track" Written by The Bluetones ***** Princess Celestia sat back and watched as Luna looked around excitedly from their private box. She was so tired, but she had promised she would not miss this concert. It had been her sister’s desire to experience a performance like those of the days before Nightmare Moon, and now it was finally happening. The murmuring audience fell silent as the house lights flickered on and off. The curtain at center stage parted, and Ponyakov emerged to applause. He held his hoof for silence for a moment before addressing the crowd. “Good evening, fillies and gentlecolts. Before we commence, I must announce a slight change in the program. I am afraid our lead cellist Miss Octavia Melody is indisposed. Taking her position will be our most talented second chair cellist, Miss Pezzo Pizzicato.” There was a quiet murmur in the crowd at this news as Ponyakov suppressed his disgust at bowing to Pezzo’s demands. “And now, it is my honor to extend my thanks and most humble welcome to their majesties Princess Celestia and our benefactor of the evening, Princess Luna.” Ponyakov finished with a bow as the ponies in attendance looked up to the royal box and applauded. Celestia smiled and waved to the audience as Luna unexpectedly stood, her eyes aglow as she began to speak in the Royal Canterlot Voice. “FAITHFUL SUBJECTS! YOUR PRINCESS OF THE NIGHT IS MOST PLEASED TO BRING YOU THIS GLORIOUS EVENING! NOW, LET THE PRECIOUS MUSIC OF THE MOST SACRED DARKNESS BEGIN!!!” The walls in the theater reverberated with the echo as Luna sat down contentedly and Celestia looked to her wearily. “You just can’t resist, can you?” Luna merely giggled like a school filly as Ponyakov addressed the crowd once more. “Without further ado, I present to you the Equestrian Orchestra.” The curtain parted to reveal the musicians, ready to perform and put this evening and its stress well behind them. Ponyakov’s friendly smile to the audience immediately disappeared as he turned to face them and used his magic to raise the baton. The music began flawlessly and swept over the crowd as the ponies in the audience sat and drank in the opulence of the evening, save one purple unicorn who connected the name of the absent cellist with the image of the Earth pony who had come to see her shortly before about those tablets… ***** Miles away, Vinyl shook awake again as Octavia pressed the damp cloth to her burning head just above her horn. “My back…” she groaned softly. “The couch isn’t the best support.” The cellist began, looking to the hallway. “Your bed isn’t made, but if you want to use mine-“ Octavia’s words trailed off abruptly in mild embarrassment as Vinyl grinned teasingly at her, her capacity for innuendo not impeded in the least despite her obvious discomfort. The grey mare’s face flushed. “That’s not what I meant, Vinyl!” Vinyl’s eyes fluttered open and closed. “I know. I know. But… would you help me there?” Octavia’s expression softened as she helped her friend to her feet. “Of course.” she said softly as the pair walked slowly down the hall to Octavia’s room with Vinyl shivering despite the heat radiating from her. The tortured unicorn climbed into the neatly made bed and lay back, looking up to her beautiful friend. She looked so amazing in that evening gown, she was hesitant to even consider what she was about to ask. Her stomach churning, her head throbbing, and her body shaking from chills all seemed to not matter at all as she asked softly, “Tavi… I understand if you won’t… but would you please just lay with me?” The cellist’s eyes opened wide as she looked to her friend. “Never mind, I get it-“ Vinyl began, her words stopping suddenly as Octavia wordlessly climbed onto the bed and lay beside her, one foreleg lifting up to hold her close. Vinyl looked to her with surprise. “If you want to be held.” Octavia said, her voice nearly a whisper. Vinyl merely smiled and cuddled into Octavia’s legs, her eyes closing and shutting out the light. Let Tartarus come, she thought. I’m safe. Octavia held Vinyl close through the shaking, the sweating, and the labored breathing. She closed her own eyes as she silently thought, Rest easy, Vinyl. I’ve got you. The silence of the house was finally a comfort, not a painful reminder. The two mares drifted to sleep, the worry about the concert, the future, and all the trivial moments of the last few weeks seeming to dissipate in the darkness. All you've gotta do is baby kick off your shoes and lay down. Climb up here with me and let's forget about sleep, just lay down with me. Lay down next to me. - Excerpt from "Sleazy Bed Track" Written by The Bluetones ***** The moment of silence was shattered by the thundering applause. Ponyakov bowed to the audience, as did the musicians behind him. Even over the noise, one could still hear the Royal Canterlot Voice ring out once more as Luna spoke. “BRAVA! BRAVA! HUZZAH! THE CONCERT HAS BEEN A MOST GLORIOUS SUCCESS!” The Princess of the Night turned to her sister and smirked as she poked at her sleeping form. “Aahh!” Celestia woke with a start, blinking. “What- what did I miss?” Luna could only shake her head with an amused grin. The curtain lowered as the audience began to slowly file out and Ponyakov turned to the musicians under his charge once more. “May I say you have proven… adequate. The performance was not a failure. I wish you each success in your futures. Now if you will all excuse me…” The red stallion took a deep breath, puffed out his chest, and marched offstage to meet with the audience members in the lobby. The musicians each gave a collective sigh of relief as they silently (or not so silently) thanked Celestia their time with Ponyakov was finally ended. Pezzo looked once more to Octavia’s empty seat, never removed from the stage despite it not being used. She cased her cello and retrieved her phone only to see there were no new messages. Concerned, she fired off a quick text: >CONCERT’S DONE, ALL IS FINE. HOW ARE YOU? Moments later the phone buzzed with reply. >I AM FINE. CALL IN THE MORNING. TAKE CARE. The pink cellist gave a weary grin as she slipped the phone back into her clutch and collected her cello to head home. ***** Octavia set the phone back down on her bedside table, grateful the unexpected sound had not roused Vinyl. Despite her tremors and distress, she had finally fallen into what seemed a peaceful sleep, her breathing in a calm rhythm at last. Octavia smiled wearily at her friend, finally at peace herself. Her eyes scanned her room and settled on the bookcase where her record player sat. Slowly, carefully, she slid her legs free from Vinyl’s exhausted form. The DJ shifted slightly but did not wake up. Rather, she began snoring quietly. Octavia could only stifle a laugh at this as she quietly exited the room and walked to Vinyl’s. Somehow, she located the DJ’s headphones in the mess and carried them back to her room. Vinyl had settled deeper into the pillows and seemed to sleep with a serene smile on her face. Octavia reached to her tall bookcase and retrieved a spiral-bound notebook with pages of musical staves and then stepped to the record player. She plugged the headphones softly into the jack and selected the album. There was a project she needed to finish. She sat down on the floor and leaned against the wall beside the player as the music filled her headphones, the noise cancelling features ensuring Vinyl would not be disturbed. She opened her notebook and found the correct page…