Inconvenient Roommates

by Harmony Split

Divided mind

Chapter 2: Divided mind

Octavia was a mare of her word. For four days and three nights she sat next to Vinyl’s bed in the hospital, just waiting for her to recover. Vinyl’s condition when Octavia had found her had been very serious, and even after four days she was still confined to bed, sleeping most of the time, and only waking for two small meals each day. The doctor explained it as a form of hypothermia and said that her body would just have to recover over time; her system had started to shut down after all that time in the snow, and would need a while to get started again. While Vinyl spent nearly all day asleep, Octavia was barely sleeping at all.

“I am so sorry, Vinyl, it is all my fault, no matter what you say,” she whispered.

Hearing a small knock she turned towards the door. Baritone was standing on the other side, waving at her.

She nodded slightly. “You may come in Baritone, but please try to be quiet — Vinyl’s sleeping.”

“So I was right about you — you were thinking about this mare, I suppose. How is she?” he asked, surprising Octavia.

Octavia gulped and looked at the sleeping mare. “She will be fine once she’s recovered. But the doctor said that might still be a few days and I promised not to leave her.” She turned back to face Baritone. “And that is exactly why you are here, I imagine.”

A small nod was his only answer and Octavia looked at Vinyl again.

“I just can’t… not until she’s back on her hooves again. My apologies, Baritone.”

Baritone kept looking at her. “I know I can’t change your mind. I have to accept your decision, Octavia. Just make sure it hasn’t been for nothing,” he said, leaving.

Alone with Vinyl again, Octavia’s thoughts returned to why she was acting so peculiarly, and why she felt so good about it.

***

Everything was black around her… again. She was still powerless, unable to open her eyes. She heard the doctor explaining something about her status, and the pony answering him was Octavia… Vinyl got that weird feeling again and it stuck in her chest. She would give everything to have Octavia as her friend and roommate, but why? This feeling was definitely new and she just couldn’t understand it at all. Maybe she was just really happy that Octavia was at her side? She drifted off to sleep again, thinking about the possibility of a life with the proud grey mare, a small smile on her muzzle.

Vinyl stood in a room, a small blue-coated colt in front of her. She was shaking yet unsure why, looking around.

“Whoo… what we got here? Still a blank-flank? I guess somepony like you will never get a cutie mark. Never!” the colt shouted at her.

Vinyl felt bad and wanted to hide somewhere, to be completely safe. She cried, trying to step away from the colt, small pearls running down her muzzle.

“Ohooo… she’s crying now! What’s wrong? Looking for your mummy?” He pushed Vinyl against the Wall.

The next thing she heard was a voice with a strong accent. “You should be ashamed of yourself Mr Frost. Leave her alone and would you be mindful of the fact that until a few weeks ago, you yourself were missing your cutie mark?”

The colt named Frost blushed and walked towards the new arrival; a rather tall filly with grey coat, long black mane and eyes of such a beautiful lavender colour that Vinyl could barely compare them to anything else.

“Oh, Melody is finally awake. Finished doin’ your beauty sleep? That reminds me… you’re a blank-flank too! How about you fine proud miss-you-can-kiss-my--”

That was the end of his sentence because he was upside down now, held by a small blue grip of Vinyl’s magic. “Don’t say anything you’ll regret. Now get lost!” Vinyl was proud of how confident her voice sounded.

As soon as she loosened her grip, Frost yelped and ran away. Catching her breath she was aware of Melody’s stare, looking at her as if she were deciding if Vinyl was worth speaking to.

“I suppose we are even now Miss Scratch, but I am very surprised of you,” she finally said.

‘Wow! She has an accent and sounds… so proud… like those rich idiots in town but she seems way nicer’ Vinyl thought looking at her.

“Well, usually I’m tougher but if someone mentions my blank-flank, I’m kinda… you know” Vinyl muttered. “I think you understand me.”

Melody relaxed and chuckled a bit. Vinyl thought even her laugh sounded melodic. “Well, Miss Scratch, this still doesn’t explain why you were… supporting me.” Her gaze met Vinyl’s.

“Urgh… please call me ‘Vinyl’, I just can’t stand this formal talk. Why did I help you? I guess I’m a friggin’ mollycoddle, but I suppose it just felt right.”

Melody snickered. “A mollycoddle? And it is nice to make your acquaintance, Vinyl.”

Vinyl sighed. How could she explain this word to somepony like her? “I meant that I am way too soft.”

“Then it is indeed nice to meet you, soft Vinyl. My name is, well, most ponies call me Melody.” She looked into Vinyl’s magenta eyes. “But I think you can call me Octavia” Her voice was almost a whisper.

***

Octavia was woken by Vinyl grumbling in her sleep. She was dreaming about something — her muzzle twitched erratically. Why did Octavia feel so bound to a pony she would never even come close to under normal circumstances? It was a mystery to her and she just couldn’t entangle it. Maybe it would be better ignore her feelings and just act like normal. Maybe all of this would fade after a while, but one thing was settled in her mind: Vinyl would be her new roommate.

Still struggling with her thoughts, Octavia recognized that Vinyl was awake now, watching her closely.

“Ah, Vinyl, you are awake. Feeling better?” she asked Vinyl, trying to push these strange feelings away.

“Yeah, Tavi, kind of. I’ve been watching you for some time but you looked like you’d just drifted off. Everything alright with ya?” Vinyl looked a bit worried.

“Of course, Vinyl, and please don’t use nicknames for me” she replied.

It was a lie. Of course everything was not alright. Octavia nearly blushed. Why was she lying now? For Vinyl, or for her? Or for some other reason? This wasn’t making any sense!

Magenta eyes were watching her. “Okay, Tavi. I hope ya don’t mind me asking why you searched for me? You practically slammed the friggin’ door on me when I left your place.” Octavia noticed how Vinyl’s eyes changed their colour as they reflected the light.

‘Okay’, she thought ‘stop getting lost in her eyes. They are unusual, nothing more.’

She sighed “Unfortunate choice of words, Vinyl. Quite simply, I wasn’t searching for you. I went home from my appearance that evening and just found you.” Another lie. Oh, dear Celestia, where would this lead to?!

Vinyl’s face seemed to droop a little, but that might have just been in Octavia’s imagination. Scratching her muzzle, the white mare stared at her.

“And why are you staying here if it was just by accident?” Vinyl groaned. “Thanks for caring I guess; but I’m going to be OK, so you can leave Octavia.” She turned over, putting the blanket over her.

‘She doesn’t even want you around her!’ said a voice in Octavia’s head, then another answered ‘No, she wants you around; you are such a classy mare after all!’

The grey mare huffed. “It is my fault you left without your things, Vinyl. Please say that you will move into my house; I couldn’t leave anypony at the street on Hearth’s Warming Eve. No exceptions!” This time she was being honest; except that she couldn’t allow everypony to be her roommate.

Vinyl’s cheeks reddened recognizably as she turned back to face Octavia. “Thank you, I guess, Tav-- I mean Octavia.”

Octavia felt it again; she had to get out of there. While heading towards the door, she looked back at the white mare and sighed. This could be difficult; yet she wasn’t sure how she was going to treat Vinyl like everypony else. But, being the pony her parents raised, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem. At least that’s what she’d hoped.

“I will be here when they release you from hospital. Until then I must get back to my rehearsals, as I have rather neglected them. Get well soon, Vinyl.” With those words she left the room.

***

Two days later Vinyl was still lying in hospital. She was able to walk again, but still felt tired and powerless due her sleepless nights. It was always a dream about Octavia or the past; difficult for Vinyl to stay focused. The dream of her first meeting with Octavia at school only made things worse.

‘Tavi wasn’t crying because she likes you,’ the voice in her head told her. ‘She was just going home, found you and felt guilty; nothing more, you silly mare.’

Vinyl was sure that she would be homeless again after Hearth’s Warming Eve. Octavia had just said that she could stay during the holidays; they hadn’t spoken about anything long term. She didn’t feel like she could just tell the grey mare about her dreams, and how they’d known each other when they were younger. Small pearls ran down her muzzle until she noticed that Octavia was at the door.

“The doctor says that you can go home; which means you will be coming with me.” She looked at Vinyl. “Are you crying?”

The white mare quickly blinked away her tears. “No, of course not. Why should I friggin’ cry? There’s nothing going on for that.”

Octavia eyed her skeptically but her expression quickly softened. “So shall we get going? This will be a long day for me and I have my rehearsals this evening.”

Vinyl just stared at her. Octavia’s voice sounded almost like the day she had stood in front of her door, and she wasn’t sure if that was a good sign.

“Sure, Tavi, let’s go.” She climbed out of bed with some effort, onto her shaking hooves. Vinyl felt the weight of Octavia’s stare on her.

Vinyl signed some release papers and they left the hospital, walking slowly towards Octavia’s house. It was a beautiful day and Vinyl couldn’t help but look at the grey mare besides her from time to time. She was unsure how this would end, but Octavia’s recent actions seemed like a bad sign to Vinyl.

“She was different that night laying on me,” she muttered nearly inaudibly. But only nearly.

“I beg your pardon?” Octavia looked at Vinyl whose cheeks reddened.

“Nothing, Octavia, I’ve just been thinking about some stuff.” She just hoped that Octavia missed the whole sentence.

The grey mare nodded and they continued towards the house. Once there, Octavia opened the door and stepped in, leaving it open for Vinyl, who hesitated.

“Now come in already — you’ll get cold out there,” Octavia called.

Vinyl shuddered and stepped in; into a house she had barely expected to see again, let alone enter. She followed Octavia and they sat down in the living room, the grey mare looking at Vinyl. They remained silent — that kind of awkward silence nopony could stand — and Vinyl slid around in her chair uneasily. She reached to readjust her shades but found there was nothing on her snout. “Oh damn it! My friggin’ shades! I lost them!”

Octavia sighed. “No, they are here; I kept them safe for you; you are welcome.”

Vinyl looked at Octavia; the shades were in her hooves. She murmured her thanks and levitated them back into the usual place on her snout. At least the grey mare wouldn’t see her eyes anymore, and that had to be a good thing. Looking at the fireplace she drifted into her thoughts again, unaware that Octavia was watching her. Maybe things would be OK; at least for a time. Vinyl tried to stop thinking about the time after Hearth's Warming Eve. She feared that Octavia would throw her out — no, she was quite sure of it.

A slight cough brought her attention back to the grey mare. “How about I show you your new room? I… have arranged some things to make it comfortable. Follow me.” She continued nervously. “I… excuse me, I’m not used to talking for so long with another pony or having a cohabitant here.”

“Yeah, no problem, just lead the way, I guess,” Vinyl answered, following her.

They walked down the corridor and for the first time Vinyl realised how big the house was. Octavia must have been lonely in this house, but perhaps a high-class mare like her would feel it was completely normal. The grey mare walked towards a door at the end of the corridor and pushed it open. Vinyl was left speechless — it was a big room, almost a small apartment. At one side was a large bed — far bigger than she was used to, a small wardrobe, and a desk with a chair.

“I just set up the necessities here and left the rest of the room empty in case you had some furniture in storage or somewhere.” Octavia looked away from her; the white mare could have bet she was blushing.

Vinyl gathered her thoughts. “No, I don’t have any furniture left; nothing at all…” She thought about the horrible night she had lost everything, and Vinyl felt some tears running down her muzzle. “I think I have to rest a bit. Thanks, Octavia.”

Octavia tarried, but closed the door, leaving the white mare alone.

***

She hurried down her corridor into the kitchen. A nice cup of tea and some music; yes, that was what she needed now. Realising what she nearly had done made Octavia giggle. ‘Just hold on a minute’, she thought. ‘I nearly hugged her, and now I’m… I’m even giggling senselessly? What in Celestia’s name is wrong with me?’

Trying to breathe slowly and steadily, she prepared the tea and took it to the living room. She placed a record on her gramophone and sat down. The sound of a cello came from the record and Octavia was able to concentrate again. There was no other solution, keeping herself detached was the only way to survive. Her parents raised an honorable and proud mare; not a simple mare that could be friends with somepony… like… Vinyl. What would her friends think of her? Not to mention the kind of ponies who came to her performances? No, Vinyl was just her housemate, nothing more. But how could she maintain this boundary, even for herself? She wasn’t sure about that, and was also unsure where her friendly feelings for that mare had come from.

‘I should stop dwelling on it,’ she thought, ‘over-thinking it will only make things worse.’

At least she should try to help Vinyl get back on her own hooves. She just knew the right pony to ask.

***

Vinyl quickly hid her tears when somepony knocked at the door and opened it.

“Vinyl, I’m going to my rehearsals. I want you to come with me and wait until I’m finished; I would like you to meet somepony.” Octavia stepped in, looking at her.

Octavia looked different. Her mane was shimmering like silk, brushed perfectly flat; around her neck she wore a small bow-tie. Everything suited her perfectly.

“Vinyl? We don’t have time for you to daydream!” The grey mare was annoyed.

‘Damn, concentrate Vinyl! It’s not like she’s totally beautiful with…’ Vinyl cut off these thoughts and blushed. “I’m sorry, Octavia. I can do that — I owe you so much, so I’ll start with this.”

“You don’t owe… I mean there are some rules for today. First, you will wait outside until I come get you after the rehearsal. Second, you will not tell anypony that you are my house mate at the moment, understand? Third, no behaving weirdly! No ‘friggin’, no slang, no nicknames, just nothing… what’s wrong?”

Vinyl lay on the bed laughing. She just couldn’t help herself. “You… you just said ‘friggin’! It’s so funny to hear you say that!”

“VINYL!” Octavia sighed, “this is not jocular.” She blushed. “Now will you acquiesce to these rules?”

The white mare looked momentarily confused. “jocul… acquie… what? Oh, yes, I agree.”

Vinyl got onto her hooves and followed Octavia to the next room. It was full of records, notes and papers. There was a big case in the middle of the room, and beside it a desk with a chair. Octavia lifted the case onto her back and left the room, closing the door carefully behind her.

“Rule number one in this house: you shall never enter this room.” Octavia walked through the corridor and went outside, Vinyl right behind her. “Now let us go”

Together they walked through Trottingham, towards the concert hall. It was huge and Vinyl couldn’t help but admire Octavia’s job — to be able to play here all the time. They headed to the small performers’ entrance at the side, far away from the main entrance. Vinyl followed the grey mare but waited in front of the door.

Octavia called from inside. “Get yourself in here; it’s too cold outside and I definitely didn’t save your life only to let you freeze again.”

Vinyl walked through the door and found herself in a kind of café.

“You will wait here until the rehearsal ends — and please, don’t touch anything.” With these words Octavia rushed through the next door, leaving Vinyl alone.

She sat down, looking around. Maybe this was the room where Octavia hung out in her free time with her friends? Her eyes roamed around the room, stopping at a small picture on the opposite wall. It was of Octavia with a big instrument Vinyl recognized as a cello. Sapphire had taught Vinyl very well during her career, so she could recognize almost any instrument. Looking closer she noticed that there was a pony at Octavia’s side. The others in the picture were gathered around them at quite a distance. This stallion might be her best friend or something. Staring at the picture of Octavia, Vinyl lost track of time.

***

“Octavia, you are late again! Why did you ask Toe-Tapper to come here directly instead of collecting you at home?” Baritone seemed angry this time.

Octavia lost her temper. “I have enough problems in my life right now, and you should know that better than anypony! Let’s drop it and start practising, Baritone!” She replied far louder than intended.

Everypony was looking at her. It was more than uncommon for Octavia to lose her temper that easily. Feeling everypony watching her, she just sighed and unpacked her cello, assuming her usual position on stage. Rehearsal was short, and Octavia caught herself thinking about Vinyl while playing. It was insane to be thinking about a mare she had just met as if she were a dear friend, but she couldn’t help herself.

After the last note had been played, Baritone approached her. “Why are you still worrying about that mare, Octavia? She’s a distraction and a bad influence.”

“Stop questioning my choices, Baritone. I know what I am doing, and this is exactly why I need your help!” Octavia was about to lose patience with him and Vinyl waited.

Thoughts bubbled in her mind. ‘Why is it important to hurry? Just because of Vinyl? Wait… NO, I’m doing it again. Stop thinking about her, Octavia, she’s not in your class!’

“You really can be stubbo… wait, what?” His jaw nearly fell to the ground.

“I need your help getting her on her hooves again, Baritone. Her cutie mark are two reversed bridged eighth notes, so I guess her special talent is music. You know every agent and producer, and all the club owners, so I know you could help her,” she explained.

He seemed nearly speechless, staring at her. “Reversed bridged eight… why do you feel you have to help her Octavia? This is the first time that you’ve seemed to care about anypony beside your father.”

Octavia sighed “I don’t know, really I don’t. But you owe me, so if you won’t to this simply as my friend, then I am asking for it so we are even.”

‘Wow another lie; you're getting better at this’ she thought sardonically.

Octavia could tell that Baritone seemed unsure. The stallion had a crush on her and had never been able to hide it; Octavia wasn’t really interested in him.

Finally he answered. “Okay, Octavia, I’ll do it. We won’t be even and you know why. I just hope for your sake that she is worthy of your friendship.”

That made her blush. “She is not my friend, Baritone. I am just helping her; it is almost Hearth’s Warming Eve, so I just can’t just throw her out on the street.”

“You know that is a lie. I could tell from the way you looked at her back in the hospital. Stop trying to fool me, Octavia, you more than anypony should know better.”

“Maybe you are right, but please don’t tell her; I have my reasons. Now, follow me, she is at the performers’ cafe and waiting.” With these words Octavia headed to the door, but Baritone stopped her.

“Octavia, may I ask you something?”

She blinked. “That depends on what it is, Baritone.”

He sighed. “Is she special to you? What I mean is, is there something different about her that could explain why you are acting like this? I’m just worried about you?”

Octavia sniffed. “I know why you are asking, but I guess it is fine. I don’t know what I should think about that mare, but something tells me she is important. It feels like I know everything about her, but I can’t even understand it myself. Everything I do for her just seems right, you understand?”

‘In Celestia’s name, even I don’t know why it’s like this!’ she said to herself.

Baritone chuckled. “I guess. Now let’s go and get your friend.”

Together they walked through the door, Octavia unsure about her feelings and the whole situation.

***

Vinyl was still staring at the picture when she heard steps; she sat down quickly and played with her hooves. Then a voice… a somehow familiar voice called her, like nopony had since months.

“I don’t believe it. Those shades, that cutie mark… long time no see DJ-Pon3! It is you, right?”

The white mare was startled. She saw a stallion besides Octavia standing in the door.

The gears started turning in Vinyl’s mind. ‘I know him… I can’t have seen him in years… he’s changed a lot…’

Octavia seemed surprised too. “Baritone, you know her? Why didn’t you say anything at the hospital?”

“I’m sorry, Octavia, but I didn’t see her cutie mark or her shades, so I simply didn’t recognize her,” he explained.

Vinyl stared at the stallion. “Baritone? Oh buck, it must’ve been years since I last saw you… so you’re into classical music now, huh?”

He stared back. “And the most successful DJ of the world stands here without anything now. What happened to you?” Octavia kicked him with her rear leg. “I mean, well, I can help you and Octavia…” Octavia gave him another kick. “Well, I have just the idea to help you make your comeback.”

The white mare stared at them both, trying to gather her thoughts. “Aha… so what now?”

“Well, I suggest we talk a bit at my place while Octavia goes home — she seems tired,” he said. But Vinyl felt that there was something hidden in his voice.

Octavia tried to say something but Vinyl spoke first. “Yeah, I guess so. She’s done enough for me and this will be a long chat, Baritone.” Baritone knew that she had understood his hint.

The grey mare looked at them and sighed. “Well, I think you are both right. I’m heading home but I will wait up for you, Vinyl. Have fun.” With these words she stepped outside, leaving them in silence.

Baritone was the first to speak. “We should definitely speak, Vinyl, and not only about your career”. Vinyl looked at him and was about to answer, but he continued. “Not here! I know Octavia very well and she might be eavesdropping on us even now. She is a marvelous and well-bred mare, but has an incredible sense of curiosity. Let’s go to my place.”

Together they headed out to Baritone’s home, unaware that Octavia was in fact hiding between the next column.

Baritone asked Vinyl to take a seat and she did so, feeling uncomfortable. Something was wrong but she didn’t have any idea what. Baritone opened a small bottle that Vinyl would recognize any time.

“I’m not drinking that stuff, you should know that,” she sighed, “and I don’t understand why you are helping me or what’s going on in general.”

He stopped, only filling his glass. “Well, sorry then; time passed by and there are a few things I may have forgotten.” He sipped at his glass, staring at Vinyl. “Why am I doing this? Because I care about Octavia, and she’s stubborn enough to care about you.”

The white mare snorted. “Oh friggin’ hell, you’re so not right, Baritone! She couldn’t care less about me; after Hearth's Warming Eve I’ll have to leave her house again!”

He looked up. “She told you that?” Vinyl nodded. “Oh, okay, that’s not so good.” He continued slightly nervously, “but I’ll help you anyway. For old times’ sake, Vinyl.” He smirked.

“Oh, I know what you’re trying to hint at, but let me say one thing: I’ve changed! Not much, and perhaps not enough, but I’ve left that insane part of my life behind! No more drugs, not too much alcohol… okay, maybe still too much alcohol, but definitely not any more of that weird behaviour that you remember.” She sighed. “I’m may not be the all-new Vinyl Scratch, but at least I’m an improved one.”

“I’m glad you’re keeping away from that stuff. I heard about that evening from Sapphire and hoped she was wrong.” He laughed. “I guess she was right, but you paid for your mistakes, and that leads me to another thing,” he said, watching her closely.

Vinyl felt uncomfortable. “And that would be?”

“Octavia” he responded. Vinyl tried to say something but Baritone stopped her “Let me talk! I’m not a small colt anymore; I can see that you like Octavia! I… I don’t know if she likes you too, but it is uncommon for Octavia to be acting like this.” His gaze was threatening now. “If you do anything bad to her, you’ll regret it, Vinyl; I swear that!

“Well then, you’ll be glad to hear that I like Tavi. I admit, I like her a lot. And I can promise you that I would never hurt her; but besides that I’m pretty sure I’ll be homeless again in three days, because she doesn’t like me.” She sobbed. “Do you think you could find me a new home for after then? I’ll work really hard to earn my bits, I promise!”

“I think a friend can, and I’m sure he will help you right away. Let’s go!” With these words, he stood up and went to the door, Vinyl following him.

***

Octavia nearly got caught by them when they stepped out of Baritone’s house. There was just enough time to hide around the next corner. She tried to eavesdrop but without any success; hoping that Baritone had said nothing to Vinyl. Following them from a distance, hiding behind corners, she caught small snippets of their conversation.

“… really a home for… next days?” Vinyl asked.

“I’m pretty sure… now hurry, the… opens… a bit and…” Baritone responded.

Oh, for Celestia’s sake! She was just too far away to hear everything; but getting closer would risk getting caught. Still struggling with what to do, she noticed they were heading right towards the corner she was hiding in.

“… pretty sure about… you out after… Eve?” Baritone asked.

Octavia was able to hear more and more; at least for some moment.

“Yes and I intend to… that moment. She got enough… without me; you, the rehearsals and…” It looked like Vinyl was sobbing.

“Well maybe… But ow stop thinking about that now. I’ll help you,” the stallion answered her.

After that Octavia didn’t hear any more as she was trying to hide in a small alley.

‘So Vinyl thought she would make your life more difficult,’ a voice in Octavia’s mind whispered. ‘Well, maybe at one point that was true, but at the same time you’ve never felt better.’

Sadly Vinyl would never know that; Octavia was just too focused on her work, her friends, and everything her parents had told her to value in life.

“Ugh! I should go home and practice a bit,” she told herself, walking straight to her house.

Maybe there she would be able to forget Vinyl, at least for some time. On her way she went past a club called ‘Flashing Lights’ and there was a crowd waiting outside. There amongst the waiting ponies she saw Vinyl and Baritone. At that moment, Vinyl hugged a pony that Octavia couldn’t see properly, but her heart stopped for a moment and some kind of rage filled her. Shaking her head, she ran home. What was wrong with her?

***

The white mare wasn’t aware of Octavia, who had run away like Nightmare Moon herself was chasing her.

Vinyl let go of her old friend. “Neon! I can’t believe you ended up here!”

The pony she had just hugged was a light-blue unicorn with almost black hair, like the night sky.

“Yo, Vinyl, wassup? It’s been months since we last met. And yeah, I kinda own this club now… rocking it every night,” he chuckled. “Baritone said you could use some help?”

Baritone sighed and stepped into the conversation. “Yes, indeed. I hope you two don’t mind, but I have to get back to the concert hall now. You can tell me later how it went, Vinyl.” Waving, he was already on his way.

Still chuckling, Neon put a foreleg around Vinyl, leading her into his club. It was simply amazing — two floors high with a customised bar, a huge stage, and other impressive things.

Vinyl gasped, “Neon… you really made it to the top.”

“You might be right there, but now let’s talk.” He sat down in a corner full of chairs behind the stage. “I know what happened that night, and you know what I mean. It wasn’t fair of Sapphire, but you ruined everything.”

Vinyl’s thoughts went to the night when she’d lost everything. Drunk and high on drugs, she hadn’t even been able to perform; instead she’d just thrown up at the stage and fallen unconscious. “Well, yes, but that’s why I’m here now. I need a home in around three days and a job.” She sighed. “Yes, I know that’s a lot to ask for, but I would pay everything back.”

Neon looked at her in disbelief, then suddenly fell off his chair laughing. “Oh, Vinyl, don’t be so serious! You were the pony that pushed me to the top, so I’m happy to help you! Just give me a day and I’ll sort you out a small appartment. Come back here tomorrow. And about the work… how about every second day, from 10 til 3 at the night to start with?”

Vinyl was overjoyed. “Awesome! You know what seems weird? Since I met Tavi, it is like everything is going my way. I get help, I meet old friends. Nearly everything is great!”

Neon sighed. “Nearly, Vinyl? C’mon, we’ve known each other way too long for you to think that you can hide something from me. It’s about that stuck-up mare, right?”

“Don’t call her stuck-up! She’s maybe a bit… upper class. But I think she can be really nice!” Vinyl looked nearly bruised. “And yes, it’s because of her. I’m not sure about everything, but let’s talk about that another time, Neon. Time for me to head home and…”

Her friend sighed. “Sorry to interrupt, but you’re living with that Octavia right now, yes? So why do you need a home in three day, if you like her so much?”

Now Vinyl really felt uncomfortable, but Neon was her friend after all. “You see… she rescued me… without her I would certainly not be sitting here with you. She… well she’s let me stay with her during Hearth’s Warming Eve, but after that I’m going to have to go again. So in around three days.”

Neon seemed to understand. “Well she sounds nice for a posh mare, but it doesn’t surprise me that she won’t allow you to stay longer. I’ll have something ready for ya tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Neon! I’ll pay everything back, I swear! Uhm… would you mind lending me some equipment for work? Sapphire took my turntables you know…”

Neon gave a small laugh as response. “Sure, you can even practise a bit — it must’ve been a long time since you were on the decks. How about you turn up early tomorrow, around four?”

“I’ll be there, but it’s definitely time to go, or Tavi will lay awake all night.” Vinyl blushed a bit.

Neon stood up and hugged Vinyl. “Stay safe, and whatever it is bothering you, don’t give up! You’re just not yourself, ya know? Oh, and try to be sober tomorrow! We’ll celebrate your comeback soon enough!”

“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of Neon!” she laughed, letting go of the stallion and heading to the door.

Trying to find the way to Octavia’s home Vinyl, thought about that mare. She would throw her out in three days, she was sure about that! But tomorrow was Hearth’s Warming Eve so maybe there was a chance. So what to do then? Unsure of what to do, Vinyl finally found the right direction to head, arriving at Octavia’s house after a small walk. She intended to knock at the door, but it was ajar so she pushed it open. It seemed like Octavia had been waiting for her. Slowly shutting the door, she recognized some music; it was coming out of the special room she had been told to never enter.

“Octavia, are you home?” Vinyl called, but there was no response.

She walked slowly down the corridor to the door and listened; then stepped in.

***

Octavia was in her music room and played her cello. It was one of her new compositions but it felt incomplete. She heard Vinyl calling, and tried to ignore her; she had left the door open so Vinyl could enter and go to bed. The grey mare played the whole song through, and started to feel guilty thinking about Vinyl. Tears formed and ran down her muzzle, but she told herself that it was for the best if Vinyl remained her lodger, not her friend. She finished the composition and blinked the tears away, only to see Vinyl laying in front of her.

“That was amazing, Octavia.” The white mare clapped her hooves.

Octavia wanted to be proud and thank Vinyl, and maybe add that Vinyl was a true friend. Sadly, her head still screamed that Vinyl was only her housemate.

“I thought I’d made rule one clear? You may never enter this room, remember?” she nearly screamed. “So why are you here then, Vinyl?!”

Vinyl seemed shocked. “I’m so sorry, Octavia, but you were playing so beautifully.”

Octavia ignored it. “GO! And never enter this room again, or I might regret letting you stay here, Vinyl!”

The white mare began to cry. “I was just trying to cheer you up after I saw you crying while playing. I really like your music.” With these words Vinyl galloped out of the room, leaving small pearls of tears as a trail behind her…

Now it was Octavia’s turn to be shocked. Why did she keep acting like this, while a part of her kept telling her that she should let Vinyl know that she liked her, and would love for her to stay as her housemate forever? Perhaps it was because she knew her friends and her family would never approve. Putting her cello down, Octavia went to bed, still shocked by her behaviour.

Octavia couldn‘t get to sleep. Every time she started to drift off, a dream pursued her, showing her that she could be happy with a friend like Vinyl; yet she wasn’t able to accept this. Trying to avoid dreaming, she had a horrible, disrupted night.

***

A loud knock.

Octavia wasn’t responding.

Another one, this time really loud.

Murring, Octavia stood up. “What is it, Vinyl?” She opened the door. “I was sleeping! Whatever it is, I’m sure it can wait until later.”

Vinyl stood in front of her, without shades and smiling.

“Well, today is Hearth’s Warming Eve. I thought we could go downtown and grab a bite… I mean have dinner? I would like to thank you for everything you’ve done for me, and to say sorry for last night.” Vinyl blushed a little.

Octavia felt her heart jump, but her mind disciplined it quickly, reminding her that nopony would agree with her friendly feelings for that mare.

“I don’t think that is possible Vinyl, and besides, my schedule is full today.” She hated herself for those words.

“But why? It’s only a quick meal; nothing that would take all day.” Vinyl seemed uncomfortable.

Octavia was about to agree, but the lessons her parents had taught her dictated her behaviour. “Because I say that it is not possible! You are my housemate and we don’t have any other relations, so I might add that this would be very inappropriate for us. Besides that, we are completely different — haven’t you realized of that? It is just wrong, and it will always be. Was there anything else?”

Vinyl stood there, taking a while to find her voice again. “No. Only to tell you that I’ll move out. Thank you for everything, but I guess it’s time to go.”

“Well this is indeed sorrowful, but I don’t have time for your valediction.” Octavia tried to sound sarcastic. “Please shut the door carefully after you, would you?” Octavia closed the door, leaving a speechless Vinyl.

Once she heard that Vinyl was gone she fell on her bed, crying bitterly.

Author's Note:

Yaaay it's done.

Thx to VitalSpark for the new edit.

Next Chapter will be a pure Vinyl one.

Comments

[DonnEStarside]

Wow. I really can't wait to see more of this. There are some grammar and spelling issues I've noticed but nothing too bad. =)

[Harmony Split]

>DonnEStarside:
Thx. I'm not Native-english so yeah got some probs with it.
Trying to update it weekly or at least every 10 days so stay tuned

[SpitfiresSpitfire]

aww yeah

s1.postimg.org/vwhh4qodb/spitfire.jpg

[psp7master]

A very powerful chapter. I'm really enjoying this story! ^^