Octavia slowed to a trot as she approached Vinyl’s house. She could see a dim light flickering from the uppermost windows, and she heard what sounded like angry murmurs. Glancing behind her to make sure that Medley and Fluttershy were following, she took a slow breath, then stepped up to Vinyl’s door and knocked. “Vinyl. This is Octavia, with Medley and Fluttershy. We would like to talk to you.”
There was no answer.
“Vinyl.” Octavia knocked again. “We want to see you. Please let us in.”
After a long silence, she heard a grouchy voice. “Ten seconds, Tavi.”
Vinyl’s house was as dimly lit as before, this time with only a small light flickering at the very top of the dome. Vinyl was up there, lying flat on the top few bars of the jungle gym and angrily scratching away at some parchment affixed to the ceiling. Many of the other parchments had been ripped off the wall. The room didn’t just look like a bat cave anymore; with the lighting, the architecture, and the crumpled paper and other junk on the ground, it looked like some ancient ruin.
“Could we please talk to you?” called up Octavia.
“Time's up,” was Vinyl’s response. "Bye."
Octavia hesitated. She looked back at her other two friends. “I am not certain I can do this,” she murmured.
“One way to find out,” said Medley.
“But... if I make a mistake, I will only hurt her worse. You two understand this sort of thing--”
Fluttershy gently put a hoof over Octavia’s mouth. “We wouldn’t be giving you this chance if we didn’t think you could use it,” she said. “We believe in you, Octavia.”
“Well, she does, anyway” said Medley, though her smile indicated that she wasn’t quite serious about her own lack of belief. “Come on, Tavi. You said you wanted to be a friend. This is when you show it.”
Octavia took another breath and began to speak more loudly. “Vinyl, I cannot talk to you at this distance. Please come down."
Vinyl made no response.
Octavia frowned. She didn't think she would be able to make any progress from the ground, but Vinyl's bizarrely constructed house would make reaching her a challenge. "Could either of you two fly me up?”
Medley pursed her lips. “If this jungle gym wasn’t here, sure, but as is, it’ll be a tight squeeze. If I clip a bar, we both fall down.”
Fluttershy nodded. “I can go up on my own, but I’m not agile enough to take you with me... sorry...”
Octavia hooked one arm around the nearest bar. “Very well. I can climb this. I exercise, and--”
She tried to haul herself up, slipped, and in a few seconds, she found herself dangling upside-down six inches above the ground.
“...and I feel very silly,” she muttered, as Medley and Fluttershy tried to stifle their giggles.
After a few false starts, Octavia began to climb up the jungle gym in earnest. It was not as difficult as it looked; the bars were closely spaced and Octavia was able to ascend without too much contortion. There were a few horizontal segments that were more difficult, but by carefully feeling the bars out in the dim light, she was able to make it across them without incident. In this manner, she soon neared the top of the jungle gym.
And then she put her weight on a bar, only for it to slip and gave way.
With an awkward yelp Octavia felt herself start to pitch forward. She thrust a leg out at the next nearest bar, knowing she would be too slow. Below her, she saw Medley and Fluttershy begin to move under her. She tensed, bracing to fall on them--
But something caught her, and she felt herself floating to the next bar. Looking up, she saw Vinyl watching her. For a moment, her anger seemed forgotten, and she looked almost bemused. “Careful,” she said. “That one’s a trick bar. Falls when weight goes on it.”
Octavia was stunned for a moment. “Trick...? Why would you have a trick bar?!” she demanded.
Vinyl blinked. “Uh, Tavi. This is my lair. Awesome lairs need traps.” Her voice added the unspoken ‘duh.’
“But... but...”
“No more traps from there, though. Come on. You want to talk? Alright, fine. Get up here and talk.” Vinyl’s horn glowed, and she illuminated a path up the rest of the jungle gym that was presumably free of trick bars. “This way's fine.”
Octavia gulped, then continued up the path. Fortunately for her, she found that it was indeed safe. “I suppose I should be lucky you do not have any pits with spikes in them,” she said.
“Oh, I turn those off when I’m expecting company.”
Octavia looked at Vinyl. “...I have no idea if you are serious.”
“Then I’m doing it right.”
***
Vinyl worked in silence for a few moments as Octavia examined the score. It looked loud and angry, with a thumping beat and a lot of distortion. “Are you alright?” she asked at last.
“Fine.”
Octavia raised an eyebrow. “Vinyl.”
Vinyl sighed. After a few moments, she said, “I work really hard, Tavi.”
The comment was so obvious that Octavia was unsure how to react. She said nothing, hoping Vinyl would speak again.
Vinyl obliged. “I designed every single piece of equipment for my performances. The microphones, the speakers, the pickups... everything. Do you have any idea what that takes?”
Octavia shook her head.
“This isn’t just acoustic magic. I have to enchant and transmute the speakers to give them the properties I need, conjure paths to move the music from my instruments to equipment, which is usually spread over an entire room, do abjurations so the feedback doesn’t turn this stuff into a pile of slag... everything. The spells in my equipment? Maybe they’re not as flashy as Trixie’s, and they’re not as theoretically solid as Twilight’s, but they’re mine. No other pony in Equestria does what I do. And do you know why?”
“For your music?”
“Yes. I want to be the greatest DJ in Equestria. I have such incredible music in my head, and I want to give it to the world. The magic isn’t there yet. My music isn’t there yet either; sometimes I look at what I write down and it’s so far off from what’s in my head...”
Octavia squeezed Vinyl’s hoof. That was one feeling she could certainly sympathize with.
“I want to be the best. And every. Single. Thing I do is geared towards that. That’s why I do so many shows, even when they don’t pay well -- I need to get my name out there. That’s why I design all this equipment. That’s why I took the gig for Trixie even though she was a complete jerk. That's why...” she trailed off. “But nopony understands.”
“I understand,” said Octavia, her mouth moving before her brain had quite caught up to it. Wait. Do I?
Vinyl frowned. “No you don't. I mean, I appreciate that you try, but you don't know why I do half the things that I do."
"Try me," said Octavia, her brain still lagging behind her mouth by a few seconds.
"Okay. Fine -- do you know why my house is so dimly lit? Think it’s ‘cause I just don’t like light?”
Octavia opened her mouth to say that she didn’t know, but then she shut it again. That wasn’t the right answer. She is my friend. I need to make an effort to understand her. This is important.
She shut her eyes for a few moments, working out some possibilities. When she thought of Vinyl’s shows, though, the answer struck her in a flash. “Your shows are often poorly lit,” she said. “The dance clubs and bars you specialize in have very poor lighting. You need to be able to run your equipment, fix problems, and perform without the benefit of good lighting. You are training yourself.”
Vinyl let out a long breath. “Exactly right. I once had a show where the speaker blew up halfway through. I had to switch to my backups, then get it fixed, all in almost complete darkness. But this is what it takes.” She shook herself slightly. “Same with the jungle gym. I mean, yes, it’s awesome, don’t get me wrong -- but I wouldn’t need to literally live on it if that were all it was. But I have visions, sometimes, of things I want to build... speakers as big as a house, that could play for an entire city at once. Systems that require climbing inside them to fix or modify them, because they’re just that massive. I’ll need to be agile someday.”
She was silent again for a few more moments. “A lot of ponies just think of me as a blue-maned idiot. I show up and play some music with a lot of drum and some distortion, and that’s all there is to my life. I am tired of ponies assuming that I'm an moron because my music is bass-heavy, and I’m tired of unicorns telling me that my magic is stupid because it’s too applied or because I don’t have a degree or it isn’t showy enough... look, I can take bad reviews. Every musician gets them. But when the so-called greatest mage of this generation tells me that I’m only fit to be one of her groveling students, or the mare who throws more parties than anypony in this province except Pinkie Pie tells an audience of thousands that I suck, it hurts.”
Octavia was silent for a long moment. “We know you are more than that, Vinyl.”
“We?”
“We other five Bearers. You guided us through the Everfree Forest. You defeated a golem warrior set in place by the most powerful mage in Equestrian history, the Burning Sun Herself.”
“Yeah, but that’s got nothing to do with music,” groused Vinyl. “Those two, Trixie and Twilight, represent the nobles and the intelligentsia. And every time I see them, and ponies like them, I feel like I’ll never break through. And never be able to play this music inside of me... because all the ponies that matter think I’m some lazy mule with nothing better to do than mess around...”
Octavia was silent for several moments. Finally, she began to talk softly into the DJ's ear. “Vinyl. I know none of those things they think of you are true. We all do.”
Vinyl glanced at her. “Oh yeah?”
“I know you work hard, because I have walked by your house at night, unable to sleep, and I heard you working with your machines or your music despite the late hour. I know how many performances you give. I watch how hard you work at every piece of music, continually editing and modifying until you believe it to be perfect.” She gestured down at the equipment bay below them. “I am aware of how much effort you put into designing every single item you will use in any of your shows. I have seen you throw away speakers when they faltered in the narrowest frequency ranges, even though it meant you would have to build more.
“And I know how much you put into your music because I listen to it. I admit that I still do not understand ‘wubstep’ entirely, but I can hear the passion and drive. Even if I do not know what your music is saying, I can hear its clarity, feel its power, and be carried by its emotional content. Your music is good, Vinyl. And it would not be good if you had grown lax anywhere along the line, in composition, practicing, constructing your equipment, or anything else. Nopony could produce what you have produced with halfhearted efforts.” She smiled at Vinyl. “Anypony who knows anything about music can tell how good you are.”
There was a long moment... and then Vinyl smiled.
The tension seemed to leave her body, and she lowered her quill hoof back to her side. “It’s nice to hear somepony say it now and then,” she said. "Thank you."
Octavia nodded her head.
Vinyl chuckled, and just like that, she was her usual merry self. “Those two are idiots. But who cares? Noble idiot, egghead idiot... whatever. I’ll outperform them both and show them. And they’re in my next song, of course.”
“... they are?”
“Yeah?” Vinyl pulled another parchment down from the ceiling; it was the one she had been working on when Octavia had arrived. “Let me know if you like the lyrics.”
Octavia scanned them. “Vinyl, I... you cannot play this.”
“Why not?”
“Because... because...” Octavia tried to come up with a reason Vinyl would accept. “Uh...”
Vinyl grinned. “Something the matter?”
Octavia eventually managed to say, “They are not accurate. First of all, Twilight Sparkle is probably not that flexible.”
Vinyl blinked. “...accuracy is overrated, Tavi. But fine. I’ll make it Trixie.”
“No! I mean...”
***
Some time later, Octavia carefully climbed down from the jungle gym. She felt tired and drained, but also good. I think I helped her. I really think I did.
Fluttershy flew up to talk to Vinyl next, while Medley led Octavia into the other room. “Nice going,” she said.
“Thank you.”
Medley smiled slightly. “And you thought you were bad at being a friend. Compared to those two unicorns tonight? You rocked it.”
Octavia blinked. “I helped Vinyl, but they have more--”
“Okay, look. It’s easy to be friendly to happy ponies that like you. Twilight’s got a dozen ponies who think she’s the smartest pony in Equestria; of course she can be nice to them. They’d probably give her the coats off their backs if she asked for it. Trixie’s got a whole lot of ponies that she’s bribed with free stuff; of course she makes them happy. But I don’t think either of them could have cheered up Vinyl.”
“You don’t?”
“Twilight would probably have gone on about how her books indicate Vinyl is wrong to be sad or something, and Trixie wouldn’t care in the first place. You did.” Medley put a hoof on Octavia’s shoulder. “I know you’re still struggling, but honestly? That was a very friendly thing you did tonight.”
Octavia smiled. “Thank you.”
The two sat in silence for a moment before Medley got up to grab them some hay sodas from Vinyl’s ice box. “I wonder how the show went,” said Octavia, at last. “With both of them there.”
“Who cares? Twilight won’t want to see Vinyl now, not after that, and Trixie’ll probably leave once the praise dries up. I doubt we’ll ever hear from them again.”
***
Twilight Sparkle, graduate of the Canterlot Mage’s Academy, certified wizard (specialties: evocation, conjuration, enchantments; yes, three specialties was uncommonly many, but then again she was a very uncommon mare) trotted towards the Everfree Forest. Her face burned.
Trixie had humiliated her. Gotten her on stage, then cast all sorts of gimcrack illusions, gussied up foal spells that any oaf with a horn and a few ounces of talents could produce, to embarrass her. The pusillanimous fool hadn't dared take on Twilight in any real magic duel; no, she had just done some stupid illusions to please the masses. Twilight’s magic was better; that was obvious; but how could she show that to the others? You couldn’t expect the laymare to appreciate a lovely, subtle painting over the bright nonsense of a schoolfoal, and magic was no different. Flashy, whiz-bang cantrips would always win in the mind of ponies who lacked the training and technical knowledge to appreciate true magical craft.
But fine. She could deal with that. She had herself a plan, and she would not be deterred. She was Twilight Sparkle, graduate of the Canterlot Mage’s Academy, etcetera. Nothing could stop her.
Smiling, she slipped into the Everfree Forest and out of sight.
A few moments later, the air rippled, and Trixie Lulamoon stepped out from behind a shimmering curtain of nothingness. Her eyes narrowed as she considered her next move.
Finally, she made up her mind. “Spike. Come on,” she snapped.
“Aw, Trixie, can’t we go back to the wagon?” asked Spike, hurrying to catch up from his hiding place behind a big tree.
“No. We’re following Twilight Sparkle,” said Trixie. “Let’s go. Quietly.”
The two followed Twilight, and quickly, all three were lost to the sight of Ponyville eyes.
Please oh please oh Please let that happen to them.
I don't see how you can put a baby bear to sleep with wubstep...
Something like Bach Cello Suite I can understand though.
Twilight really needs some real friends. I almost hesitate to say this, but even more than in canon. There at least she had Princess Celestia to keep her head from getting too large to fit on her body.
Hopefully what is about to transpire will knock at least a bit of sense into her without, you know, destroying the town or something and putting her on the run from the law or somesuch...
Vinyl's friends (even Octavia, now) are less shallow than Trixie and Twilight's followers. I'm assuming that it was intentional for Bluenote (laughter) and Lyra (Kindness) are absent for this one, just like their counterparts in the Mane 6 didn't play any significant role (other than watch) in Boast Busters.
I'd laugh if they ran into some poison joke...
2773242: Yes, to keep the parallel, I used the 4 Bearers corresponding to the 4 that were used in the actual show.
I have to say that I like how you've made you're version of Vinyl more then just a generic crazy awesome depthless one note DJ. So kudos there. Also, for some reason the idea of 'big ego' Twilight amuses me. Keep up the good work!
Great conversation between Tavi and Vinyl.
Stupid unicorn antics incoming in 3... 2... 1...
Great!! And MIMES? You Magnificent Bastard!
But what about Spike? Does he avoid it by riding on Trixie's back(if she even allows him on)? Also, will Spike crush on anypony, or were you implying that with Scootaloo?
Oh, wait, I get it now! Twilight and Trixie, both exceptionally powerful mages, are going to have a showdown, and Vinyl and Ponyville are going to be caught in the middle of it! It's a microcosm for the conflict between Burning Sun and Nightmare Moon, with Cadance and Equestria caught in the middle. Very nice! Hopefully this ends with a bit less damage to Ponyville than last time.
Vinyl's friends are much better friends than Twilight's disciples or Trixie's fans, I am certain of it. Not that I would assume that any of those ponies are bad ponies, but they almost certainly don't care for their objects of adoration nearly as deeply as Vinyl's friends care for her.
I really have to feel sorry for Vinyl here. She works really hard - I love your descriptions of all of the work she does - and yet she doesn't have the fame, recognition or probably even actual talent of Twilight or Trixie. She needs a hug.
I for one would like to see Trixie and Twilight become mimes. Who wouldn't?
And very heartfelt scene with Octavia and Vinyl. People so rarely consider the effort and dedication that goes into art when all they see is the finished product. To quote an comic-book artist, "It takes me nine months to create a comic book that can be read in twenty minutes."
On the other hoof, Vinyl doesn't get to see the countless hours that Twilight's likely spent studying, researching and struggling to get things right just so she can rattle off those facts with confidence, or the preparations Trixie has to make before every show. The seesaw swings both ways, yeah?
That scene with Vinyl was really good.
2773171
Maybe, you make it dance so hard that it collapses in exhaustion?
Of course that could be bad for the town it's dancing in.
Hopefully, Trixie and Twilight don't try to one up themselves here,
"Look I can control an Ursa Minor!"
"That's nothing I can control an Ursa Major!"
*Walks up to Twilight and smacks her upside the head* No, you moron. You got up on your own accord.
Anyway, great post. And of course the lair needs traps! I like Vinyl here, too. She works hard, to play hard!
*sigh* I'm hoping that Twilight and Trixie can avoid doing something stupid, but, alas, with their colossal egos that's not going to happen.
This is going to end badly.
2781563: He's about the same age as in the mane-verse.
My view is that he's adopted, probably when Trixie said that she wanted a cool pet or a younger pony to boss around or something. (Being nobility, I would imagine that Trixie's parents could well have foreign contacts, including maybe some wherever dragons live). Trixie views him mostly as a pet who does stage tricks and functions as a mobile ATM; he likes that she feeds him well, so he doesn't whine about the infantilization too much.
2775022: True, but Vinyl wasn't the one saying the other two were inferior to her. She probably does recognize that they work hard, and just wishes she could receive the same recognition from others.
Funny, you're using the right jokes at the right times at the right volume.
And cue the Ursa Minor.
You are a master of musical magic.
Twilight you idiot, Ursas are no jokes.
So there is a method to her madness. My assumption as to why she stays in the dark like that would be so that she can focus on the music in her head or the music that's playing. But actually training the eyes for bad lighting. The reason for the jungle gym I was able to partly get. I was off by a few mostly insignificant nuances. And though she didn't point this out, I'll bet that the trick bars aren't just boobie traps. I'll bet that if inside of a device working on something, when she's climbing the inside, she'll never know when she comes across something that's loose. So she either has to know what to look out for or know how to feel for something that's loose before applying her weight on it.
If that's got nothing to do with music, imagine just how dominant Vinyl would've been over the Twin Tyrants if their challenges were music-based.
I know it's not her style. But I think Vinyl should write a book about her methods. That way, even nobles would be able to understand that she's a book that shouldn't be judged by her cover.
Impressive. I hate C!Twilight more than I hate L!Twilight. Somehow this Twilight is more narrowminded than L!Twilight. I didn't even know that was possible! First of all, unless the painting you're referring to is modern art like this...
popcanvas.co/image/cache/catalog/Products/mondrian%20pattern%20I/mondrian_pattern_1_onwall-1000x1000.jpg
...then I think a layman can easily determine the difference between a professional painting and a child's drawing. Also, many children, though may not be talented artists, may have more inspiration than some professionals. So don't so easily disregard a child's painting. Also what if the child and the professional were making significantly different paintings? Perhaps the reason a layman couldn't tell the difference is because of how different the paintings are.
She is right that the same applies to magic though. But since her other points are unsound, the point about magic is null and void. Also, buck you, Twilight! You've insulted children and laymen adults in a single sentence!
Yes, please! The audience didn't step in any Poison Joke! Why should the audience have to suffer from mimes? Besides, Trixie had already experienced similar mimefications in the Lunaverse and the Flipverse.
2773171
Well, you never know. Maybe the vibrations are in the perfect frequency to put the Ursa to sleep.
2774137
Well, if we go with Spike crushing on Generosity, as many stories tend to do, (Octavia in the Manehattenverse, Rainbow Dash in A Minor Variation, Time Turner in the Flipverse (with Twilight in Spike's role), etc.), then I'd figure that the most likely bet is Fluttershy.
2776990
It's the Lunaverse Twilight and yet made worse because her ego is that much bigger. Which also suggests that she's not that good of a person. If I were in her position, got into a prestigious school, and graduated with record-breaking skill, coming from a position of low power, I'd be humbled by that prestige. Don't get me wrong, I'd certainly be proud of myself. But I'd keep my ego in check... most of the time.