//------------------------------//
// Decisions to be made 
// Story: A Life of Music 
// by Zenaron 
//------------------------------//


Decisions to be made 



“What do you mean?” Vinyl asked with the beginnings of a worried look on her face. 

Andy looked up at her trying to find the best way to say what was on his mind. After a few moments of contemplating he decided that 
the direct approach might be best. “It’s great that you and Octavia are getting along so well, but in less than a week were going to be moving on to the next town on our tour. How are you and Octavia going to continue this relationship of yours?” 

“I, uh…” Vinyl stammered out. To tell the truth she really hadn’t thought about what was going to happen when they moved on to their next stop on the tour. 

“And on top of that we wouldn’t be coming back to New York for six months at least.” Andy said with his hands spread wide. “Are you willing to try another long distance relationship like that?” 

Vinyl blinked a few times before slowly walking over to the couch and sitting down. 

A thick silence hung in the air for what seemed like hours. Andy sat back silently and let Vinyl sort through her thoughts.  

After what felt like an eternity, Vinyl’s head shot up. “Wait a minute, what if we had her perform with me?” 

Andy blinked a few times before raising a questioning eyebrow. “Come again?” 

Vinyl’s eyes lit up as she started piecing together a plan. “Yeah, she could play as my opener, or better yet what if she and I were able to play together?” 

“Wait a minute there Vinyl.” Andy said as he threw his hands up trying to get Vinyl to slow down. “Would that even work? I mean your two styles of music are so different, are they even compatible?” 

“I…I don’t know, but it’s worth a shot isn’t it? I mean if it did work it could be revolutionary.” Vinyl said bouncing with excitement. 

Andy sat back and thought it over. After a few minutes of contemplating he realized that Vinyl had a point. If it did work it would be pretty revolutionary. “You know you might just be on to something Vinyl.” 

“You really think so?” Vinyl asked a little surprised to hear Andy agree with her.

“Of course, if you two could make it work and make it entertaining. There’s no telling what could happen.” Andy said now smiling at the thought. 

“So what do we do now?”

“Hmm, will you be seeing her tomorrow?” Andy asked as he pulled his phone out of his pocket. 

“Yeah I was planning on hanging out with her until she has to go play at the bar why?”

“Good, bring her by the club. I’m going to see if we can use the stage while there closed tomorrow to see if your little idea will work.” 

“Alright sounds like a plan,” Vinyl said excitedly. “Is there anything else I should tell her?” 

“Just make sure she has her cello, and make sure to bring you’re A game.” Andy said as he looked up from the message he was typing out. 

Vinyl smiled widely and nodded her head in agreement. She could barely wait for tomorrow. 

Early the next day

BEEB BEEB BEEB… “Ugh,” Octavia let out a disgusted groan as she reached over and shut off her alarm. 

After a few more minutes of stretching and groaning Octavia started going through her morning routine. 

In the middle of drying off after her morning shower much to her surprise she heard her phone going off. She quickly made her way over and picked it up to see who could be calling her this early in the morning. 

Even more to her surprise, she saw Vinyl’s number displayed. 

“Well you’re up early.” Octavia said as she put the phone up to her ear. 

“Maybe a little,” Vinyl replied with a small chuckle. “Hey Tavi could you do me a big favor?” 

“I suppose so Vinyl, what do you need me to do?” 

“I need you to get you’re cello and some of your favorite music, and meet me at the club I played at the other day as soon as possible.”

“Uh…sure I’ll be there in about thirty minutes.” 

“Awesome I’ll see you then Tavi.” With that the Vinyl hung up and Octavia stood there staring down at her phone. 

“I guess I better get ready.” Octavia eventually said to herself as she made her way over to her dresser to get dressed.
Half an hour later

Octavia stood outside of the front entrance to the club with a perplexed look on her face. The club appeared to be closed as far as she could tell, there certainly wasn’t anyone inside and the lights were all off. 

“Hey Tavi over here!” Vinyl yelled from the side ally, as she waved her hand over her head trying to gain the attention of the cellist.

Octavia turned from the front door and waved back at Vinyl as she made her way over. 

“Well here I am just like you asked.” Octavia said with a soft smile. 

Vinyl nodded her head with a smile before she turned on her heel and started making her way down the ally, waving a hand beckoning for Octavia to follow her. 

Octavia quickly followed after her as the two made their way to the open double doors in the side of the building. 

They walked down the lit hallway in silence the only sound being the soft sound of Vinyl’s sneakers and the clicking of Octavia’s concert shoes. 

After a few minutes of weaving their way through the back halls of the club they made it to a short set of stairs that Octavia knew led up to the main stage. 

Octavia looked in slight puzzlement as Vinyl skipped up the steps and walked behind the curtain. Octavia continued to stand there trying to piece together what exactly was going on when Vinyl’s head poked back out of the curtain. 

“You coming Tavi?” Vinyl asked with an excited smile on her face. 

Octavia simply nodded her head before walking up the short steps and going behind the curtain that Vinyl was holding open for her. 

When she stepped onto the stage she was even more confused. Sitting on the stage was Vinyl’s DJ equipment just where it had been the other night but right next to it was a chair with a music stand in front of it. 

“So what do you think?” Vinyl asked as she stepped up next to Octavia. 

“Um…What am I supposed to think?” Octavia replied, her voice full of confusion. 

Vinyl looked over at Octavia in confusion and titled her head, when a loud voice came through the monitors. “Did you forget to tell her what we’re doing here Vinyl?” 

Understanding dawned on Vinyl’s face and she slapped her herself in the forehead. “I might have forgotten to mention it yeah Andy.” She said sheepishly. 

Octavia looked at the back of the room and saw Andy standing behind what looked like a sound board shaking his head at his cousin. 

“So what’s going on here?” Octavia asked with an arched eyebrow. 

“Well I was kind of hoping that you might want to play some with me.” Vinyl replied with a smile, motioning over to the center of the stage. 

“Oh,” Octavia said as realization finally dawned on her face. Octavia nodded her head and started walking over to the center of the stage. 

Vinyl gave her cousin a thumbs up as she followed after the cellist and got behind her tables. 

Octavia looked down at the music stand and noticed that there was also a wireless adjustable microphone attached to it. She nodded and placed her music folder on the stand and sat down in the chair. 

The chair was surprisingly comfy Octavia noticed once she was situated. She then sat her cello case down and used her key to open it up. She smiled softly at the beautiful instrument and the brand new bow as she picked them both up and started plucking the strings to cheek their tuning. 

“Hey I see your going to be using the new bow I got you.” Vinyl said with a smile as she picked up her head phones and secured them on her head. 

“Of course, it would be a shame to not put it to use Vinyl.” Octavia said returning the smile. 

“So are you ladies ready.” Andy asked through the monitors. 

“I’m ready whenever you are Tavi.” Vinyl said as she lifted her pink sunglasses up and placed them on her face. 

“Right, do you need to know what song I’ll be starting with?” 

“Nah, just play and I’ll figure something out.” Vinyl replied with a wave of her hand. 

Octavia nodded and started playing a soft flowing melody that slowly rose and fell, a melody that just seemed to draw the listener in to a sense of calm. Octavia began to close her eyes and allowed the melody to lead her as she continued to play.

Vinyl nodded her head slowly to the beat, and after a few seconds of contemplating she reached over and tapped out a simple drum beat on her drum machine that complemented and helped carry the pace of the song. 

Octavia started to slowly nod her head along with the drum beat.

Vinyl bobbed her head slowly and started to add small little sounds here and there to add to the ambiance and feel of the music.

Octavia opened her eyes in surprise and looked over at Vinyl. Vinyl returned the look and gave her a small thumbs up. Octavia smiled and started to add little extra notes as well making the song sound more full. 

Vinyl smiled widely and started adding more and more different sounds. Keeping the ones that added to the music and quietly removing the ones that didn’t. 

After a while Octavia came to the end of the song and Vinyl faded out all of the sounds that she had added until a thick silence filled the room. 

The two musicians turned to look at each other and both smiled brightly. 

The silence was replaced by the sound of one man applauding. The two looked to the back of the room and saw Andy standing behind the sound board clapping his hands together and smiling. 

“Wow that was awesome Tavi.” Vinyl said as she pushed her sunglasses up on top of her head. 

“Thank you, you were pretty incredible yourself.” Octavia said with a slight bow. “Would you like to play another?” 

Vinyl reached up and placed her glasses back on her head. “You bet I do.” 

The two continued to play song after song together. They played songs of all types and speeds. They moved between each song easily becoming accustomed to the way the other played. At a certain point Octavia and Vinyl switched roles, having Vinyl start the song and Octavia adding to the song wherever she thought was appropriate. 

After a few hours the two came to the end of another song. Octavia let out a content sigh. “Well that was a lot of fun thank you Vinyl.” Vinyl nodded her head in agreement.

“You two sounded great.” Andy said as he climbed the few steps to the stage. “So Vinyl are you going to ask her now?” 

Octavia raised an eyebrow and turned a questioning look at Vinyl. 

“Uh…Yeah so um Tavi, Andy and I were wondering if maybe you would like to play with me tomorrow and join me on tour?” Vinyl asked as she nervously rubbed the back of her neck. 

Octavia’s eyes grew wide and she quickly glanced between the two of them. Andy gave her a small smile and a nod, and Vinyl gave her a hopeful grin. 

“I…I don’t know what to say. I…I think I need some time to think about this.” Octavia finally got out. 

Vinyl visibly deflated but Andy quickly nodded his head. “Of course take all the time you need. I know this is a big decision to be made.” 

Octavia nodded her head in thanks and glanced down at her watch. “Well thank you very much I had a really great time, but I have to get going.” 

“Alright,” Vinyl said a little dejectedly. “Hey like I said I have a show tomorrow do you think you can come at least?” 

“I don’t know Vinyl give me some time to think about it.” Octavia said as she quickly got all of her stuff packed and ready to go. 

Vinyl nodded her head and helped Octavia get her stuff together. 

Once she had everything in order Vinyl and Andy led Octavia out of the building and the three said their goodbyes. 

“So do you think she’ll do it?” Vinyl asked with a hint of worry in her voice. 

Andy shrugged his shoulders, “I don’t know, she might. Just give her some space and time to think it over.” 

Vinyl nodded her head and let out a heavy sigh of defeat. 

“Hey don’t worry about it. Like I said just give her some time and will find out one way or the other soon.” 

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Vinyl said finally looking and catching one last glimpse of Octavia before she turned a corner. 

Latter at Big Pete’s Tavern 


Octavia let out a heavy sigh as she stepped out of the green room. She weaved her way through the maze of tables until she was able to make it to the bar. 

Edward smiled at her and inclined his head. “Hi there Octavia you sounded good as always.” 

“Thank you Eddie, how are you tonight?” Octavia said as she pulled up a stool and sat down in her usual spot. 

“Oh same old same old, nothing really interesting happenin’ around here, how’ve you been doin’?”

“Well…” She considered lying and saying she was fine and that not much was happening with her, but something told her that she should just tell Eddie the truth. “It’s been quite the week so far to tell you the truth.” 

“Really, well let me get you the usual and you can tell me all about it.” Edward said as he reached down and produced a small glass. 

Octavia nodded and rested her head on her hands and once again started thinking over Vinyl’s offer. But before she could get too far into it Edward placed her drink in front of her. 

“Now, why don’t you tell me what’s been goin’ on?” Edward asked with a smile as he rested his hands on the bar.

Octavia sighed and nodded her head. “So it all started after I talked to that blue haired girl…”  

Octavia went on to tell Edward everything that her and Vinyl had done over the last few days. How the two had talked on the way back to her apartment, about hanging out with Vinyl and Andy before her show, and how great of a time she had with Vinyl on their day on the town.

And finally she told him about Vinyl and Andy’s offer to join them on their tour. 

“Well that is quite the tale.” Edward said leaning back and nodding his head thoughtfully. 

“So, what do you think I should do Eddie?” Octavia asked with another heavy sigh. 

“I don’t know, but I think I know the question that you should ask yourself.” Edward replied as he leaned in a little closer.

“And what’s that?” 

“Is there any reason that you shouldn’t go?” 

Octavia stared at him and blinked a few times. Then the full meaning behind that question set in. 

“Why shouldn’t I go? Is there anything keeping me here? Would things be better if I went?” She quickly went through and mentally answered every question in her head and smiled. She now knew what she would do.

“Thank you Edward you’ve been the best friend a person could ask for.” 

“Ah, don’t mention it it’s the least I could do.” He said with a slight dismissive wave of his hand. 

Octavia giggled slightly and leaned in and kissed him on the check. “All the same thank you again.” She said before getting up and quickly grabbing her cello case and almost jogging out the door. 

Edward just smiled and nodded his head as the door closed behind Octavia. “Just another good day on the job,” He thought to himself as he went back to wiping down the bar.

The next night at the Club


“The show starts in about twenty minutes, you ready Vinyl?” Andy asked as he looked up from his phone. 

Vinyl was splayed out on the couch of the green room staring up at the ceiling. “Yeah I guess so.” She said with a heavy sigh. 

Andy opened his mouth to try and encourage her when there was a tentative knock on the door. “Who could that be?” Andy asked out loud as he got up and answered the door. 

Vinyl lazily looked over and nearly jumped off the couch when she saw the grey suited woman walk in. “TAVI!” 

“Hello Vinyl, I hope I’m not too late?”  

“Of course not, you’re right on time as a matter of fact.” Andy said as he closed the door behind them. 

Octavia made her way over to the other couch and sat down. 

“So does this mean that you’re going to join us?” Vinyl asked hopefully almost bouncing in her seat in joy. 

Octavia just smiled and nodded her head. “As long as you still want me along, then yes I would love to come with you.” 

Vinyl squealed with delight and tackled Octavia in a big hug. 

Andy smiled and shook his head. “Ladies, the show is going to be starting soon. So you both should probably get out there.” 

“Oh yeah right, you ready Tavi?” Vinyl asked as she leapt up and grabbed her shades. 

Octavia stood and straightened out her suit. “As ready as I’ll every be.” She said as she followed Vinyl out the door and grabbed her cello case. 

Vinyl reached her hand out and grabbed Octavia’s free hand. “So now that you’ll be coming with us, does that mean that you’ll be my girlfriend?” Vinyl asked with a coy smile.

Octavia tilted her head thoughtfully. “I don’t know you can be a bit annoying sometimes.” 

Vinyl gave her a pained look causing Octavia to smile. “Oh I suppose so.” She said as she gently squeezed Vinyl’s hand. 

Vinyl’s smile stretched from ear to ear as the pair made their way towards the stairs that led to the stage. 

Octavia didn’t know what the future might hold for the two of them, but she knew as long as she had Vinyl by her side everything would turn out alright. 


The End