Vinyl Scratch was on her way to Sugarcube Corner, the workplace and home of her friend Pinkie Pie. She had done as Rarity had asked and gone to see her immediately after unpacking.
Pinkie Pie was known far and wide as a party pony. It often wasn’t even considered a real party if Pinkie wasn’t there or involved in some way. Vinyl also knew she was a very loyal worker and caring friend though, underneath all her bizarre energy.
Vinyl approached the door, certain that Pinkie would know she was about to knock due to a combination of Vinyl’s letter and her Pinkie Sense. Vinyl wasn’t disappointed; she hadn’t even brought her hoof down from knocking on the door when it was burst open by Pinkie.
“Vinyl Scratch! Oh I’m so super-duper uber happy to see you again! How was the train? Where are the others? When do I get to decorate for your Graduation?” Pinkie asked, as she proceeded to squeeze all the air out of Vinyl in a hug.
“Pinks…Air…” Vinyl croaked.
“Ooopsie Doopsie Whoopsie. My bad Scratchie.” Pinkie said, releasing her iron grip around Vinyl.
“No super big deal Pinks. I just can’t answer all your questions if I can’t get any air.” Vinyl answered Pinkie while massaging her ribs a little.
“Now,” Vinyl began. “To answer all your questions in order. The train ride was fine. The others are getting fitted for dresses and suits by Rarity or unpacking their stuff. And you can come up and decorate the school once me and the others book our return train.” Vinyl told Pinkie, glad to see her friend hopping in place at all the news.
“That’s great Scratchie! Now tell me what’s wrong.” Pinkie announced to Vinyl.
Vinyl instantly felt her eyes widen. Had Pinkie been able to pick up on that already? She knew Pinkie was good, but not that good.
“W-What do you mean Pinks?” Vinyl asked, knowing Pinkie would probably see right through her lie.
“Oh Scratchie. We’ve been friends ever since you first came to Ponyville. Aside from Rarity, I know you best here. Did you think I wouldn’t notice the slight tilt of your head or your misplaced hoof steps? All that tells me that something’s on your mind.” Pinkie announced, as energetic as before, but quieter so as to not arouse unnecessary attention.
“Okay Pinkie. I’ll tell you what’s bugging me. But can we go inside and into a separate room first? I’d prefer it if everypony didn’t know.” Vinyl asked.
“Sure thing Vinyl. The Cakes are out right now, so it’s a perfect time.” Pinkie answered her, leading Vinyl inside.
They quickly climbed the stairs to Pinkie's Room. Well, Vinyl did at least. How Pinkie could hop up and down stairs always eluded her. Once they arrived at the room, Pinkie went first to clear her room a bit and move her Party Cannon. She returned momentarily and showed Vinyl to her bed, where they could sit and talk.
“Okay Scratchie. We’re safe to talk here. My room’s super-duper noise proof and nopony enters without asking me.” Pinkie announced to Vinyl, taking a still seat herself to prove she would listen intently.
“Thanks Pinks. Let me start.” Vinyl said, stopping as she realized she had no idea how to say all this out loud.
What were her feelings for Octavia? Were they even feelings for her? No. Vinyl knew she had feelings for Octavia, and that they had begun 3 years ago. And now they were a whole lot stronger.
“Well Pinks, I’m in love.” Vinyl stated, waiting for the inevitable emotional explosion.
Pinkie stayed quiet for a moment, before launching herself all over the room.
“Oh my gosh Scratchie! That’s great! Who is it? Huh? Huh? Huh?” Pinkie ecstatically asked.
This was where Vinyl felt a snag. Would her old friend accept her as she was? Or would she shun her?
“Uhm well…It’s one of my classmates.” Vinyl began, deciding to edge into it.
“Oh! Are they one of the Valehooftorians here right now?” Pinkie asked.
“Actually, yes Pinks. They are here in town right now as one of the Valehooftorians.” Vinyl felt it become easier as Pinkie came to the conclusion on her own.
“Hmmm…” Pinkie thought, her hoof on her chin.
The room remained quiet for a while. Pinkie got up occasionally to bounce around for a bit or look at Vinyl. Even once, she raised her glasses to look right at her eyes.
“Is it Octavia?” Pinkie asked, happy to see Vinyl’s jaw drop.
“H-How did you know?” Vinyl answered with a question, not understanding how Pinkie could know. She had only mentioned Octavia once or twice in her letters to Pinkie, and not in as near great detail as in Rarity’s letters.
“My eyes. They see a lot you know. You may not even know yourself, but you write Octavia’s name slightly differently from everything else in your letters. And I can’t imagine anypony else from what I’ve seen of your performances with her at your Concerts.” Pinkie answered calmly, only getting another shocked expression from Vinyl.
“You came to our Concerts? How? How does a pony with you coat and mane colour hide?” Vinyl voiced aloud.
“I had Rarity make me a cloak so I could come and see your shows without making you nervous that I was in the audience. Rarity comes too, in another cloak. We sit closer to the back, but we hear everything you and the others do. And when you play with Octavia, your beats seem to flow smoother and you seem calmer.” Pinkie told Vinyl.
“Wow Pinks. I had no idea I did all that. What else do you know about all this?” Vinyl asked, almost jokingly.
“Well, I don’t really know cause I haven’t met her, but I think Octavia feels the same way.” Pinkie answered, hoof on her chin again.
This time, when Vinyl’s jaw opened wide, her sunglasses came right off too.
“WHAT?!” Vinyl almost yelled at Pinkie.
Pinkie wasn’t fearful of Vinyl’s volume though. She knew Vinyl just wanted an answer.
“Well, Octavia plays calmer and smoother when she plays with you nearby too. It’s a lot more noticeable with her, but I doubt unless it was somepony like me listening, nopony would ever notice.” Pinkie explained, picking Vinyl’s glasses off the floor as she did.
“Pinkie!” Vinyl shouted, turning to Pinkie and grabbing her hooves in her own. “Do you swear what you say is true?”
“I’ll do you one better Vinyl.” Pinkie answered. “I Pinkie Promise it’s true.” Pinkie finished, smiling as she saw Vinyl's face light up.
This was it. Vinyl knew she had felt that something good would come out of this trip, but she hadn’t expected this. All she had expected was a bit more hang time with Octavia. She hadn’t expected to find out that Octavia felt something for her too.
“Thank you Pinkie.” Vinyl said, pulling Pinkie into a hug.
Pinkie was very surprised. Vinyl normally wasn’t this expressive.
“It’s fine Scratchie. I’m just happy to help. What are you gonna do now?” Pinkie asked Vinyl, releasing the hug.
“Well, I’d like to go tell her, but I think she’s visiting somepony else right now. I’ll wait til after our fitting session tonight.” Vinyl explained.
“Great idea Scratchie! Come tell me how it goes when you can. And don’t forget to bring me back with you when you leave Ponyville!” Pinkie told her.
“I doubt I could ever forget you Pinkie. I’ll see you soon okay?” Vinyl asked, turning to leave and go back to the Carousel Boutique.
“Okie Dokie Lokie!” Pinkie answered, waving to Vinyl as she did.
Vinyl set off from Sugarcube Corner, a new bounce in her hoof steps. She now knew Octavia felt something for her. Whether it was as strong as what Vinyl felt or not, she didn’t care. All she knew was that she had to tell Octavia.