//------------------------------// // The Fourth, in which they have breakfast // Story: Vinyl and Octavia have a chat (and do some other stuff) // by Inky Scrolls //------------------------------// “-” “-” “-” “Vinyl.” “-” “Vinyl.” “-” “Vinyl!” “-” “Come on Vi, get up! It's already gone seven o'clock.” “-” “Don't think I don't know you're faking, missy.” “-” “Argh! Come on Vi, you've got to get up! We need to leave in just over an hour!” “-” “Fine. If you won't wake up, I shall have no other option than to... oh, I know.” “-” “-” “-” “Right. If you don't get up by the time I count to three, I'll pour this saucepan of water over you. I'm warning you! It's cold!” “-” “Don't make me count to three, Vi!” “-” “One, tw-” “!!!” “Exactly! You were awake all along. Now get up, lazy mare, and help me get breakfast.” “..?” “No, there was no saucepan. But there could have been, couldn't there? So don't risk it next time.” “...” “Yes, I know you're all warm, and comfortable, and cozy...” “..?” “No! I won't go back to bed with you, Vi. We've got to leave by half eight at the latest, so now it's breakfast time. Not snuggling time, breakfast ti- Vinyl, stop making eyes at me. You know we have to get up, so stop wasting time!” “???” “No! How many times, Vi? We have to get up. Can't you understand that? It's simple enough! Get – up. Not hard to follow! There isn't time now. You said yesterday y-” “...” “You said yesterday that you'd get up on time today, so just do it! Come on!” “...” “Agh! Fine! I'll leave you there. See how your boss likes it when you don't turn up, because I won't be covering f- wait, are you... laughing?” “..!” “Vinyl, y-” “..!” “Seriously, Vinyl, this isn't the time! I'm flattered you find me cute when I'm angry, but I do wish you wouldn't go out of your way to make me so.” “..?” “It isn't good for the heart, for one. And, furthermore, we don't – have – time! So come on, Vi.” “...” “Thank you, that's much better. Whew, I got all worked up just then. I can feel my heart racing.” “...” “No, I don't think it was remembering last night that did it. Fun though that was...” “..!” “Yes, yes, I know! We're in a hurry. Though we wouldn't be if you hadn't-” “...” “Fine. I understand you were enjoying just lying there, but that sort of behaviour should really be postponed till the weekend. Which, incidentally, is never long enough. Five days on, only two days off? I'm sure it isn't healthy.” “...” “Indeed. What will you have to eat? Muesli? Trottish porridge? Ooh, I know!” “..?” “You can try a cheese and chutneigh sandwich! Traditional Haynglish fayre; sweet whilst remaining... well, I suppose it isn't actually nutritious, as such, but it is tasty.” “...” “Of course, only once in a while. We mustn't let taste get in the way of health. And there are plenty of tasty foods that are also healthy. But, occasionally, I'm sure a cheese-and-chutneigh won't hurt.” “..?” “No need to sound so reticent, Vi! I'm sure you'll love it. It is, I admit, an unusual taste, for those used to hay and oats. And, I suppose, the philosophical and ethical questions one could ask about the cheese, which, after all, comes from the milk of another sentient being... hm.” “..?” “On second thoughts, let's just stick with maremite. You can't go wrong with maremite on toast, of a morning, can you?” “...” “Oh, really? But I thought you'd liked it last time? Ah well. It is an acquired taste, after all.” “..?” “Thank you, Vi, two slices, if you don't mind.” “..?” “Yes, well, one mustn't go overboard. To retain this figure one must eat well and take plenty of exercise.” “..!” “Vinyl, really! I assure you that isn't the only way I work off excess calories, even though for you that may be the case. Now, what will you have for breakfast?” “...” “Yes, and what else?” “...” “Nothing? Nothing else? How many times must I tell you, Vi, ponykind cannot live on powerdrinks alone! It says so. Have it if you will – though I strongly recommend you rethink – but you must have something substantial inside you before we leave.” “..!” “Vinyl! You really are the coarsest mare I have ever known. And I'm not at all sure that having my hooves referred to as 'substantial' is a good thing. But that's besides the point. What will you eat?” “..!” “Again, Vinyl! Honestly, anypony listening in on this conversation would assume you were a monomaniac about se-” “...” “Yes, that's a much better suggestion. Porridge. Good old, stoic, steadfast, porridge. Even the word sounds sort of... stodgy.” “...” “With maple syrup? Really? Do you really need it? Porridge tastes just fine on its own, Vi. You needn't add to it unnecessarily, y'know.” “...” “Are you sure I can't dissuade you?” “...” “Very well. Porridge with syrup it shall be. Is my toast d- ah yes, it's done. Be a dear, Vi, and spread some maremite on for me?” “..?” “Thinly! Very, very thinly. One must be sparing with maremite. It is rather... strong. I remember one occasion, back when I was at university in Manechester, a friend of mine dared somepony else to eat a whole spoonful, neat!” “!!!” “I know! I don't know what she was thinking... Anyhow, after a few seconds it evidently became a bit much for her, for she was violently sick all over the table. Most unfortunate. I hadn't yet finished my own breakfast. Wasted, it was! Ah well, these things are sent to try us. They are our cross. One must push on.” “..!” “Yes, I know it was only breakfast, but I was on a university budget, remember!” “...” “Indeed. Looking at the clock, Vi, I don't think you've actually got time for porridge. You can have it raw instead. It's just as healthy, and no less tasty.” “...” “Yes, you may still have syrup. As long as you try a spoonful without syrup first, to see how you like it. Deal?” “..!” “Jolly good! If you'll finish putting the maremite on that toast I'll pour the milk on your oats... the milk... ah- hm.” “..?” “Nothing, nothing. Do you know, I've heard that rice milk is rather tasteful. Perhaps we'll try that instead next week. Or I might get some today... yes.” “..?” “It was Bon Bon, actually, who put me onto it. She uses it in her cœliac-friendly chocolate. It's rather sweet, apparently.” “...” “Yes, I know what you mean. We'll do that.” “...” “Of course.” “...” “I have to say I agree with you, though don't forget what the Princess said about breezies. Unusual, I must say.” “...” “Hmm. Well, in any case, we're running rapidly out of time, so I suggest we get on with breakfast. A-a-ah! No syrup yet, young lady, not till you've tried a spoonful without.” “..!” “Come now! How d'you know you don't like it if you won't try it? Open wide now.” “..!” “Vinyl! You said you'd try it. Don't make me do frowny face!” “..!” “I will, if you don't uphold your word! Come on, eat up, Vi.” “...” “That's better. Here comes the aeroplane, nyoooowm! Om! There, that wasn't so hard, was it?” “!!!” “But at least you know, now! Go on then, here's the syrup.” “...” “Look at us, Vi. Acting like a pair of little fillies. You'd've thought we'd grow out of it, but no!” “...” “Yes. As my mother always used to say, we never really grow up. Just get older and go grey.” “...” “I know I'm already grey, Vinyl, thank you. I think she was referring to manecolour. D'you think you'll dye yours, when you start greying?” “...” “I suppose we'll find out at the time. And that time is not now! It's almost eight, so we must hurry.” “...” “Sorry. I'll stop talking and eat.” “...” “...” “...” “Well, that was nice! Nothing like a good bit of maremite on toast. And that was nothing like a good bit of maremite on toast.” “..!” “I'm kidding! Actually it was lovely. You did a good job at spreading, Vi. I know it sounds silly, but there really is a knack to it.” “...” “Indeed! Now let's brush our teeth and get ready to leave, we're off in just twenty minutes.” “..?” “Yes, I thought I'd walk with you part of the way. You don't mind me coming with you, do you?” “!!!” “Vinyl! Fine, I'll admit that yes, I did enjoy 'coming' with you last night. But now is not the time to discuss! Now is time to be getting ready to leave.” “...” “Well, if you're always waiting for me, you might as well do the dishes while I'm brushing my mane.” “..!”