Mason's POV
There was no need to have a house filled with hungry people...and ponies early in the day, so I awoke earlier than usual to get breakfast going. I noticed the sun, alone in its morning ascent rose quietly, until the ripping of cardboard boxes resonated through the house. Once the box's contents were emptied, mixed with milk, and one extra egg; it was mixed together, with a few lumps, and ready to be cooked. So, I turned on a griddle and left it to heat, which should have been done earlier, yet was forgotten.
Soon enough, pancakes sizzled on the hot griddle ,and I felt my pride rise as the pancakes did. The smell of cooking pancakes filled the kitchen before drifting throughout the house. I knew within a few minutes the others would be awake, which would be fine. Though, before they did, I thought to make myself some special pancakes and perhaps something else to accompany the pancakes. Unfortunately, when I looked around my kitchen there was nothing else to go with the food except more pancakes and a glint of a hidden bottle. A smirk crossed my face as I examined the bottle. I could still make my special pancakes, just as long as no one else ate them.
Octavia's POV
My nose filled with the aroma of slightly overdone pancakes. To be honest, the only reason I came out of my slumber was from the slight fear that someone may be burning the house down. I, for one, didn't want to be part of that. Besides, I still had a life to live and music to play. Anyway, through the feeling of possible fire, I did sensed my hunger pique because of the smell. Perhaps it was time to get up.
I turned to Vinyl who was sprawled on the bed , still asleep, and snoring. Her earphones were placed in hear while some song played loudly enough for me to hear the melody. That might explain why I could never get a good night sleep, but that's beside the point. She seemed not to even know I was awake or what time it was. It would seem I would have to wake her up the hardway.
With a slight push, I sent her over the edge of the bed and onto the floor.
"What in the..." Vinyl yelled as she poked her head from the side of the mattress, " I was dreaming of foals for some reason. I'll say the dream had this sweet soundtrack to it..."
"Yes...Vinyl...the dream where the foals are eating cotton candy shaped like musical notes, while a hydra shuffles after them," I said, remembering a dream she had told me a while back.
"No ...well there was cotton candy, but no hydra...they were happy. Playing around and calling me moth-"
At that moment, Mason's mother knocked on the door and spoke, " Not sure if you two are awake or not, but I know you can smell that breakfast cooking. By the smell of it, Mason's cooking, so we need to get down there and watch him."
"Yes Mrs. Williams, We both will be down shortly." I replied, "Finish telling me about your dream later, Vinyl. Right now, I'm hungry."
Mason's POV
With a huge pan of pancakes in the middle of the table, everyone gathered around and took their seats. I passed out the plates to everyone and took my seat. I could see everyone's faces looking at each other, wondering if the food was good to eat. I didn't take it as an insult; my cooking has been none not to be the best but still, I felt a little irritated by it.
"Look guys, I know they don't look the best, but they taste just fine, " I assured, " Plus, you ate the food I cooked the other day."
"That is true...I suppose if he's alive then I suppose they're okay, "Ana spoke in a low voice, still unsure. She reached for the pancake on the top of the pile, brought it towards her lips, and took a bite. With her mouth filled she spoke, "They aren't the best thing in the world, but they I had worse."
With that, everyone dug in without mercy, piling their plates high with food. I felt proud that my cooking was good enough for them. Good enough to make it where everyone focused on their food and not conversation. I didn't mind though. Having them around was what really mattered.
"Mason, you did some good work here. I think 'm going to have one more," Vinyl spoke as she reached for one more. I didn't mind at all until she took a bite. In fact, I felt great until she took a bite. "This tastes weird. Maybe...like...can't put my hoof on it."
"Maybe he cooked it wrong?" My father suggested, but Vinyl shook her head in disagreement.
"Let me try, " Ana said as she reached over and tore a piece, "Tastes...like Jack Daniels. Shit Mason! Thought I said no more drinking."
My mouth opened ,but only a hoarse sound came out. That is, until I came out with a way to weed my way out.
"Technically, I ate it so..."
"That's bullshit and you know it..."
I began to scratch my shaggy beard and uncombed hair, finally gaining some ground through my mistake, "Well, you didn't stop smoking. Can't expect me to do as you say when you don't follow your own words."
"True, but my habit wasn't ruing my life, now was it?"
I couldn't say anything about what she said because it was truth. Her habit wasn't going to ruin her...unless she got caught. My habit, although legal and fun, was destroying me. So, she had a point. One I truly didn't want to admit, but nonetheless, I admitted defeat.
"Okay, my bad. I messed up," I apologized," Never again."
"Somehow, I don't believe you." Ana said, sarcasm oozing out of her words.
Anastasia went around the table asking if anyone wanted the tainted pancakes. When the only one who wanted one was Vinyl, she grabbed the pan and tossed the rest away. I felt my heartbreak a little as I watch the food enter the trash bin. It wasn't like I didn't have a ton of other boxes of pancake mix; it was the fact the bottle was the last bit of alcohol I had. The last taste of blacking out freedom. I suppose it was time to change; I am a bit young to be passing out every night. That's for older men.
We all rose from the table, cleaned our mess, and began to go our separate ways. My parents returned to their room for an after breakfast nap. The rest of us stood in the kitchen, finishing up the cleaning. I didn't know what they were planning to do with their days, but I planned on not doing one thing today. Not with the week I had.
"Mason, you do know that grooming oneself is a great part of one's well being, " Octavia informed as she put away a dish, "and before you ask...yes, I saw you fussing with your beard and mane. You're starting to look bad."
Vinyl and Ana turned to look at me; one quick observation and they agreed I wasn't the most stunning horse at the rodeo. Ana came over and began grabbed a chunk of my hair. From seemingly nowhere, she summoned a pick, slid it deep into my hair, and flung her arm upwards. The pick was caught near the mid section of my hair; that's where all the knots and tangles held strong. They did, but I didn't. I let out a wail of pain and grabbed the part of my head that she damaged.
"Tangled, knotted, and maybe even matted. He's probably been ignoring his hair for a while. Probably taking care of it every so often-still not enough though. It may take some work to get it back to normal," Ana explained, " I suggest taking him to a professional."
"No. Professionals cost credits ,and that's something I can't be throwing around at the moment." I managed to say through my pain, recalling the amount used to get Vinyl and Octavia, "I'm pretty much broke at the moment."
"No expense is too much for a stallion to look his best, " Octy stated.
"How about I just do it for free?" offered Vinyl, " When I was on the road for tours, my team would keep everypony looking nice; I even picked up a couple things."
"Free sounds nice..." I said, accepting the deal, "After some business, we can do it."
Octavia and Ana both had unsettling looks on their faces. They asked me if I was sure about the plan, which I replied with a nod of my head. If my hair was as bad as they say it was, then Vinyl couldn't mess it up any worse.
So, with a farewell, we all retreated to our different area until later. Ana went to my room. I went to my studio, and the ponies went to their room.
Anastasia's POV
Mason's talk of not having enough credits really got to me even if I didn't show it. With my business, loans, and other things all flying around, money was getting a bit stretched. So stretched I had to make a choice earlier this week that affected me in a way.
I'm surprised Mason hasn't asked me why I've been at his house for the past couple of days. Perhaps it's his blind trust or his dense skull. Either or, I'd have to tell him soon. Tell him that I sold my home for my business. Well, our business if you can count ten percent that's his. That's beside the point. The point was that my club was making enough money to support itself. That was it. Not enough to pay the loans I had to use to get it up and running. I, for one, didn't want to lose everything I worked for and go to a labor camp to pay off my debt, so I did the next best thing...sold my home.
It wasn't as if I was ever there to begin with. The place was gathering dust and needed some TLC. Rather, it needed someone to fill its empty walls more than 3 hours a day. So, I threw it on the market and within a couple weeks, it was bought by a nice, small family. Their smiles made the day seem better, but the credits that transferred into my account made it seem great.
With those credits, I lowered down the loans to a comfortable place in which I could sustain myself and the club. Which at this point, is all that mattered.
Throwing those thoughts out my head, I began to drift to sleep. That is, until my phone rang.
I answered and tried not to sound annoyed, " Hello, this is Anastasia of Club Genesis. How may I help you?"
"Yes, Good Evening ma'am, I am Shelly from L.A's Loan Services, " spoke a young voice on the other side, "I was just calling about a loan you got through us."
"I don't know why you're calling...I paid more than enough to ensure you all are off my back for a while."
"Oh yes...we know. This is just a courtesy call to thank you for your payment and to remind you that any debt not paid off will result in immediate seizure of assets and the person sent to a labor camp to pay off the rest of the debt."
"Yes...I know."
"Oh goody. Then that ends our conversation. You have a good day."
"You...too, I suppose."
The woman hung up the phone and returned to ruining other people serenity. I threw down my phone, tightly coiled the covers around me, and tried to get some sleep. It seemed like these companies knew when to call and ruin your day. Fortunately, I wouldn't let it get me down. I've done everything right up till this point and deserve good nap. Though, deep in my mind, I knew I would have to tell Mason my situation.
Mason's POV
I have no clue why I went to my studio. I suppose it was one place to get peace and alone time. Though, I planned on using this time to check on my credits. Dropping that much money for Vinyl and Octy truly did hurt, but I don't regret it. I just have to come up with some way to build myself back.
"Okay ,Tesla, tell me the profit from my sales and such," I said out loud to my electronic helper.
"Well, profits from the single you released are still pouring in ,and of course Percy is getting his percentage. Credits from the rapper you helped are slowing down as his sales lower too. Though, he sent an email thanking you and hinting at future collaborations. "
"Alright...I can dig that," I spoke, then I wondered something, " If I didn't do anything else, how long could I survive with what I have? "
"Seeing as you have six people...wait... four people excluding your parents...calculating...you can live up to six months off of your savings if it's just a diet of beans and rice."
"That's it? Any options to make that number a bit larger?"
"Percy suggests you get back into the music scene; he told me to tell you that. Also, I hear investing wouldn't
hurt."
"You know, I think my dad knows a thing or two about that...maybe I should ask him."
"They often say ask for help before diving into something like this, Tesla said before fading and returning, "Also, you have a bill from the local market for 764 credits in regards to damages and food costs."
"What...?"
"They sent a bill along with a message saying not to return with your pony helpmates or wife."
"Send the credits along with an apology... wait wife?"
"Will do, Mason."
When Telsa went to handle business, I leaned back in my chair and began to think. Nothing to serious, but think about how I should get a better grip on life. That or life will grip me. So, I searched through my music files and found an EP I've been saving for a rainy day. So with a quick click, I sent it to Percy for evaluation. Once that was done, I decided to look up some information about this investing thing while I applied the medicine to my wounds.
Octavia's POV
Neither Vinyl or I felt like going back to sleep. I sat on the bed debating on practicing my cello or not while Vinyl fiddled with the laptop Mason had gotten her, possibly choosing a song for today's competition she'll be attending. Now, I was still uncertain how credits worked here, but 5000 of anything was a lot. Of course, this amount of bits and the thought of what Mason said earlier, got me thinking.
"Vinyl, we need to talk." I stated, looking towards her, and as always, her ear were crowded with her earphones. I gently pulled one out and repeated what I said.
"About what?" She replied.
"You remember when we first came here and I spoke to you about us eventually finding our own place?"
"Yes...but this again, Octy? Comeon...we haven't even been here a half a year and you're already talking about moving on. Keep calm and go with the flow."
"Yes yes yes...the flow. You always speak of the flow, yet I'm the one who has to watch out for any dangers ahead."
"What does that mean?" Vinyl inquired, sitting up from her spot and closing her laptop.
"It means I'm the one looking ahead to the future. We can't live here forever, Vinyl. Soon enough, we will have to find our own path."
"And how do you know that path isn't with Mason and Ana?"
One few occasions has Vinyl actually made valid point, and this was one of them. I honestly couldn't say that she was wrong, but I couldn't say she was right. All I could do was hold my tongue and what for her to say something.
"Look, Octy," Vinyl spoke in a low calming voice," I know this place is a bit scary for you. Hell it's scary for me. Not knowing where anything is and having these hate groups attack at random times. It's crazy. I also know you rather have your feet planted firmly into the ground for security, but right now we have to settle into the dirt first. You already have a job lined up for next year or something which is good. So, until then, let's just enjoy ourselves and see where life takes us. Besides, We're about to have five-thousand credits in our pockets. "
"Don't forget to subtract the fifteen percent for Percy."
"You know, I was never good at math."
"It's still a lot, " I said, smirking a bit at my love," You should hurry and get ready. That competition is at six."
"A great DJ never shows up on time."