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Oblivion to Triumph 2,211 words
Only one bottle!2,357 words
Triumph to Oblivion1,480 words
Embracing New Ideas4,386 words
Family Court1,562 words
A Warm Summer Evening3,435 words
Mornings are Only as Good as Breakfast1,346 words
Father Daughter Conversation1,703 words
Monday Evenings are Always Eventful 1,817 words

Monday Evenings are Always Eventful

I wake up Monday morning feeling like total shit. I really shouldn’t have though; I had a good night’s sleep and everything. I think. I’m not sure exactly when I went to sleep, but I did get to bed at about eleven. Anyway, school, bleugh. Still, at least it’s a Monday, so getting back early won’t be a problem. I wonder how Vinyl is. It’s been such a short time, yet, damn these petty emotions. I tell you, last Monday I’d not have been feeling this at all. Last Monday I would have gone into school, accepted my fate, and promptly buggered off, content with the company of my cello. This Monday, I get all this teen angst about having offended a pony, that, by all rights, I shouldn’t care about. Honestly, I’m seriously debating the worth of this friendship thing.

Now, now, Octavia. I shouldn’t think like that. I’ve had a lot of fun come from this. I’ll probably have a lot more if I play my cards right. Now, all I have to do is get to school and hope that Vinyl isn’t getting cosy with Golden Tiara. Then again, that could be funny. Just imagining a lesbian Golden Tiara. But more depressing. Definitely more depressing. Honestly, I wouldn’t put it past her to do that just to spite me. No, Octavia, use logic. There’s no way she’d do that. I’m not important enough for her to do it. I suppose it doesn’t matter anyway. I’ve had a good week. Golden Tiara would have gotten her laughs, and Vinyl would go around being Vinyl. I’m sure, given some time, I could forget about the whole ordeal and get back into my normal routine. Which, let’s face it, I quite enjoy. C’mon, Octavia, no use overthinking stuff. Let’s appreciate that it’s a bright, sunny day, and enjoy the atmosphere as we walk to school. That’s one thing that I’ll never get bored of.

Upon reaching the school, it doesn’t take me long to find out that Vinyl isn’t with Golden Tiara. Actually, she’s quite excited to see me. We greet each other and enter school. I can’t say the day ends up being very interesting, but it’s not horrible. After all, work does have certain therapeutic qualities to it. But I’m glad when it’s done, and by the fourth lesson, I go quite quickly to the music hall.

This time, I’m the one taken by surprise. As I approach the hall, I am blasted by the sounds of a twangy electric guitar, and some lyrics that I can’t fully comprehend. It sounds like a more modern version of some of those oldies we were listening to by the river. There is occasionally a pause as Vinyl thinks about how to continue. I’m impressed.

“Ta-ta-tav...”

I opened the door and the music instantly stopped. Vinyl blushed as I walked towards the stage, “What is there to be embarrassed about?”

“Oh, nothing. I was just writing a song, and I thought you were a teacher.”

“Oh? May I hear?”

“I’d rather not. It’s not your kinda thing, and I wanna get it just right before I play it to anypony.”

“Suit yourself. I’m just curious, that’s all. Anyway, do you fancy coming over to mine this evening?”

“Sounds fun. Will your folks be there?”

“No, don’t worry about them either. They’re a little harsh, but they’re good ponies. Their reasons for not wanting me to see you were indeed noble.”

“And a little homophobic, if you ask me.”

“Put yourself in their shoes; if a randomer comes over and your daughter is caught snuggling up next to her, you’d be concerned. Especially if you don’t know said randomer.”

“Uh, no. If I was in that situation, I’d be glad that my girl got it on, then disappointed to hear that she never did.”

“Really? That would be your mother’s attitude?”

“Eyyup.”

“Wow, that’s a bit screwed up.”

“Well, the last part is, but feeling pride when your kid does well is a good thing.”

“I suppose so, but shouldn’t matters like that be private?”

“Well, kinda. I guess it’s weird from where you’re standing. Mom has always acted as support for me, though. So I’m pretty open with her.”

“That’s strange.”

“Tavi, what you’ve got goin’ on is strange. Your parents peeking into your business like that.”

“Well, I do have a reputation to uphold. I am to be married at some point. Can’t go round with the reputation of a lesbian.”

“Really?”

“Yes. A pony by the name of Filthy Rich,” Vinyl is just struck speechless by that one. After a few moments, I continue, “I’ve not met him very often, but he seems like a nice chap.”

“What? So you’re telling me that your parents just arranged that whole thing?”

“Why, of course. It advances the family. Can’t have me making rash decisions, can we?”

“So you get married for career reasons?”

“Pretty much, Vinyl. It’s rather important that I get a good marriage if I want to continue the family line. Especially since we’re not very high up at the moment.”

“Tavi, there are things more important than money.”

“Well of course, but I am of the belief that business and pleasure can go hoof in hoof. I won’t complain about it if he’s good, and with time, love can grow out of it.”

“But you get no choice! Isn’t that important?”

“Not really. Not everything is about me, Vinyl. Knowing that I have a small part to play in the history of my family is good enough.”

“If you get too caught up in the whole family thing, you might just forget what’s important.”

This is getting bloody tedious now, I say, “Seriously, Vinyl. What’s more important? What becomes of my family, or me enjoying myself in a silly fling that I’ll end up regretting?”

“Tavi, there’s no point to life if you can’t enjoy it.”

“And I plan to! Just in a different way.”

I think by now Vinyl is getting the point, “Okay, Tavi, whatever you say. But do you wanna get drunk tonight?”

“Absolutely.”

*****

It wasn’t long after school that Vinyl and I are in the same position as we were last week. The records are playing, we occasionally have a bit of a dance, the only difference this time is that the wine isn’t as nice. I really love this atmosphere. It’s good to be able to let go of everything, kick back and have fun. That’s why I like Vinyl, her carefree attitude is a breath of fresh air on an otherwise grey day. Pfft, almost sounds like I’m coming from a romance novel. But seriously, all of this dancing, drinking, and chatting is so much fun. To be able to just talk absolute shit for hours on end, not remember a word of it, and continue for longer is truly a wonderful thing. We can just sit there listening to music, side by side on the sofa without a word. Things like this make life absolutely wonderful. Still, quite drug-like though, isn’t it? Really, can I not get a moment without negative thoughts? Octavia. You’ve had plenty. You’re just feeling a bit skeptical at the moment. You’re seeing this whole thing as quite dangerous, correct? Urgh, correct. Exactly. Anyways, just try to think about it logically. Lying about this sort of thing isn’t what Vinyl would do, is it? Unless she’s a total psychopath, then she’s a genuinely good friend.

“Urgh, wine’s gone,” Says Vinyl, waving the empty bottle around. By this point, she has melted entirely into the sofa. Then again, I’m not really one to talk, am I?

“Urgh!” I grunt angrily in disdain, “I’m not getting another one.”

“But why, Tavi?”

“Too… too, d-runk.”

“Oh, Taaaavi!!!”

“Shudup. I’m not getting it.”

“Urgh! Fine! But I’m not playing the next record.”

“Oh, you bitch.”

Neither of us wants to get off the sofa, so neither of us do. I get a bit nervous, but not the kind I felt earlier. Vinyl is slowly and not so subtly moving towards me. Without words, I just accept fate and allow her to cuddle up to me. I can’t say it’s unpleasant, nor can I say I’m unfamiliar. Just something feels a bit iffy. Maybe it’s just general nerves that I’ve been getting since our last encounter. Or maybe it’s happened before and I’ve been too drunk to remember. Perhaps it could even be the fact that she is cuddling particularly tight this evening. Nevertheless, Vinyl is warm and cosy. I should just stop complaining and let her cuddle me. I just can’t shake that feeling, “Hey, Tavi?”

“What?”

“You’re awesome.”

“Thank you,” All I want is sleep now. We can figure this stuff out later, but right now it’s time for a nice kip.

“No, like, really awesome,” My response isn’t a very graceful one, I simply grunt in acknowledgement that she’s talking to me, “I mean I like you.”

“Likewise, now can we just get to sleep?”

“No, I mean like… Nevermind.”

Urgh, she does fancy me, doesn’t she? Then again, what do I expect from a really good friend who happens to be a lesbian, and happens to be cuddling up to me right now? Actually, it puts me to rest. At least I know why she’s been such an awkward turd all this time. Urgh, but I don’t want to move. Nor do I really want to be her girlfriend. Would ignoring it do the trick? Or is that just accepting it? Alright, perhaps the best trick is just honesty, right?

“Vinyl, I understand you fancy me. I appreciate your frankness, I’m flattered, truly. But I can’t say I’m looking for a partner.”

I can feel Vinyl starting to move away from me.

“I didn’t tell you to stop cuddling… But! This is not a romance!”

I can feel that Vinyl wanted to dispute that. But I don’t think that she can really argue with my request.

“Thank you.”

“Of course. Now, just don’t make this any creepier for me than it already is. The only reason I’m not entirely uncomfortable with this is that I’m a bit drunk… And I’ll admit, it’s quite nice.”

Author's Note:

And so begins the romance. I'm likely to write another chapter, at least during this week so prepare for that. Maybe more. Although next week I will be on a sailing trip so no wifi for me.
As always I want to thank Forgotten Existence my editor for her great job in editing. I know I must be hard to put up with at times, but she's just so bloody great. However poor girl needed to get to bed as she finished my editing, and listened to my rambles, so sadly no banter for you.

Anyway we're now on 20,000 words! So nearly as long as The Prince.