//------------------------------// // The Sound of Silence // Story: The Equestrian Omni-Knight // by Azure5555 //------------------------------// Gentle knocking at the door, who o whom could be knocking at my door? Better question though, where the [EFF] am I? I reeked of fruit and vanilla and the bed I found myself was soft and bouncy. The room was a soft purple, posters of various musicians decorated the walls. The knocking had stopped in favor of a female voice. "If you're awake then breakfast is ready, if not then you are welcome to raid the fridge when you are." Melodic, refined even. This was not my student, this was not my basement, and where is that adorable boxing bunny? 'Where did the days go by!?' "I'm up. I uh...I think." The voice replied with: "Vinyl will be happy to see you, best not to leave a mare waiting." 'I think I know where I am now. How did I get here though?' My hooves (I need my old body back) held firm getting me past the door and to the kitchen, awaiting me were several pieces of toast, some cheese and jelly, and a pair of eggs. Round the table sat Vinyl Scratch, Ponyville's resident Disk Jockey, and Octavia Melody, cellist extraordinaire. Vinyl gave me an eye, the other still covered by her sweet shades, as she beckoned me to my seat. "Con permiso. So...good morning?" I ask sheepishly. Vinyl shot me a smile while Octavia simply returned the greeting. I fumbled a bit with my hooves trying to use the utensils at my disposal, not wanting to attempt eating without proper etiquette I decide to bring up my dilemma. "Miss Melody?" Octavia giggled a little at how I addressed her. "Octavia will be just fine. Is there something wrong with your meal?" She asked. "Oh no it smells divine, I was wondering how I came to wake up in your home." 'That and I'd love to know how you ponies hold things.' "It was Twilight's idea, you needed proper rest and recovery and there was no way she'd allow you to sleep on her couch. Let alone a hard stone floor." "But I like my basement..." Vinyl giggled rather audibly, Octavia sort of just scowled at me. After twenty minutes of just fumbling,(Vinyl laughing all the while I kept dropping my food) I finally got through breakfast after which I decided to excuse myself...to no avail. "I don't wish to impose, especially not after the kindness you both have shown me." I said. "Then humor us for a few moments more. There is something Vinyl would like to show you," The dishes were collected and deposited into a sink, Vinyl then lead Octavia and I to the living room. "This is our break-room, it isn't much but it's home. Vinyl if you please?" A closet opened to reveal a record player. Below it, a drawer opened to reveal an encased record. 'Vinyl must really like this one record if she keeps it sealed and out of sight.' I thought to myself. With the utmost care, the case was lifted upwards and the disc was lift out and placed upon the player. The room was flooded with a more than familiar song. "Girls just wanna have fun. I...I recorded this onto a- I made this disc!" Vinyl turned to me with a great beaming smile, lifting her foreleg into the air. "If this is the disc I made fifteen hundred years ago then that means-" Without warning the disc stopped, flipped over and began to play another tune. "You couldn't have known how special it was. There's no way." "In truth, she found it in Canterlot on a very troubling night. She wasn't more than five when she happened upon it. That night changed her life because of YOU." Replied Octavia. The music stopped again, Vinyl's magic still holding the disk. This time reversing it's normal rotation. 'No way. No frickin way...' [If you're listening to this, you aren't alone. The world has no doubt turned it's cruelty on you. Your peers have ridiculed you, your teachers have given up on you, your parents have told you that what you do just isn't good enough. That YOU are NOT good enough. That isn't true because you found this. You found me, and I'm here to tell you that YOU are good enough. You aren't just good enough. You are better. Don't ever give up,] The words started to become distant [*sniff* I think I need a moment, SELF ESTEEM TEAM!!] The disc stopped again, a cloth dabbing at tears I had failed to notice. "I really need to learn how to make better messages." Vinyl near toppled me, her shades hiding the tears in her eyes. "Vinyl and I hoped against hope that we would be able to share this with you. She was born with a vocal defect, no doctor or arcane spell could heal her, and it was as if her life had no future. You gave her the will to move forward! You saved her life and for that I am eternally grateful." We said our goodbyes, Vinyl wanted nothing more than to keep me for another day, but I needed a bath and I needed blood. Not that I mentioned that last part... "Where will you go from here?" Asked Octavia. "I need to speak with Mayor Mare about a permanent residence here in Ponyville, and I need to get to the library to undue my "transformation"." "I can't see why, you're a rather handsome as a colt. But, if it's something you must do, than I wish you good luck." With that the two musical mares gave me a peck on the cheek and saw me off. 'Aw, it's good to be loved. Now about getting me a new house.' Of course not two steps without some kind of excitement, this time in the form of a crash landing Rainbow Dash. "Ow...sup Cap'n?" Did she really just call me Cap'n? "Other than you? Not much, heading to town hall, see if I can't buy a house or something." "What? The library too cramped for you? I got a spare room if you want." "No, I mean yeah, but it's just...I uh, I really, REALLY want my own place. I want to be able to break stuff without having to face any actual consequence." "Okay, yeah I get ya. There's an abandoned property next to Turner's place. It's cheap too." "Cool, lets go get me a living space!" The walk was uneventful, thank fuck. Ponies either waved or excitedly hugged me before going on their merry way. "You're about as popular as I am! Good job hero, and about the other day..." "Forget about it, I don't want revenge, I want justice. No more needless violence and or bloodshed. In times of peace one must plan a coup accordingly, I ask only that you bear with me no matter how frustrating the long road becomes." "I've got your back Cap. Hey I think I see Mayor Mare!" 'And she's off like a bat outta Hell.' "And stop calling me Captain!" She didn't get far, I caught up probably halfway through the convo until they noticed me. ".......I can't see why you would even need a second home Rainbow." Said Mayor Mare "It's not for me it's for-Oh hey slowpoke! You're in luck!" Exclaimed Rainbow. Mayor Mare was caught by surprise, guess she didn't think I was the one with the housing issue. "Ponyville's Champion...yes yes...wh-what can I do to help?" "Please mayor, no formality between us. I'm just Azure, to you and to the rest of Ponyville. Rainbow told you about my situation?" "Yes of course, but that property is in such disrepair. Not to mention next to what is quite possibly Ponyville's noisiest resident," Mayor went inside Town hall and exited with a large binder. "Now we have a few other properties near the business district, one located next to the farmer's market, and if you are willing there are empty lots on the outskirts of town perfect for construction!" "Hm...Nah. I'll take the one by Turner's workshop. What's the going price?" "Are you certain? It really isn't the best we have to offer." "Which is why it's perfect! Rainbow, get a group to start clean up this instant. Oh and see if Time Turner can't sell us some metal, paint, and wood." "You got it. "Captain"." And she flew off before I could voice my concern. "Right. So Mayor, that price?" "Sir, I know you have your heart set on the property but please reconsider. I didn't want to say anything but it is home to a haunting. No pony has ever set hoof since...well that's not important." "Ten K, AND, I get rid of the ghost or ghosts." "Ten k? Ten...right this way Azure sir, You'll just adore your new home. Did I mention it's only a block away from the spa?" The paperwork wasn't much of a hassle, but I did have to sign various waivers dictating I knew what I was getting into. Documents in my possession, I didn't walk two feet out the door when Rainbow side-barred me. 'I've fallen, and I choose NOT to get up.' "You can't live there! It's haunted like you wouldn't believe!" Cried the rainbow mass of fear currently still tangled with me. "Dash, DASH! I know. I'm on it." "You're on it!? Last I checked you can't HIT ghosts!" "Pfft, chu don kno ma life. I just...need to get my body back, and I know just the place. We gotta hit up Twi first. Ready?" The fear ridden look on her face told me she was NOT ready.