The Heart Asks Pleasure First/The Promise
(Composer: Nyman, from the film 'The Piano')
"Four," Vinyl Scratch intoned dully, lounging on the cracked leatherette couch with a magazine held loosely under one hoof. "I'm disappointed."
"Your manners haven't improved since yesterday, I see. Normally, a friend would congratulate me on a successful concert, not point out that I hit four bum notes. That I recovered from, might I add," Octavia sniffed, setting about the maintenance of her bow.
"You hit four bum notes. You want friends who lie and say you didn't?" Vinyl asked, an eyebrow raised.
Octavia put her bow gently back into the separate case she reserved for it (if nothing else, she had respect for her instruments) and shut it. "I would like friends who explained to the guards why they need so desperately to wait backstage for me every evening, yes. Security is beginning to grow concerned that you're a stalker."
Vinyl grinned and said nothing. Octavia groaned.
"Come, then. We can discuss my failings over an evening meal, if you're so inclined. A perfect performance is best achieved on a full stomach, my mother used to say."
"Your mother's smart," Scratch replied, and followed her.
The night-time corner café was full of its usual clientèle; the bohemian, the eccentric, the desperate saxophonist pony who busked there night after night and barely made enough to put food in her mouth. Octavia gave her a friendly nod and five bits as she walked in; Vinyl stopped stock still and listened intently for a whole song, her eyes oddly unfocused. The saxophonist, used to somewhat dotty listeners, paid her little mind.
"You're good. Not as good as her," Scratch said, and motioned to Octavia, "but good."
Before emptying her entire purse into the saxophonist's hat.
Octavia widened her eyes, but the saxophonist's reaction was to almost faint. As Octavia duly noted, that purse had been very full. Vinyl grinned at her with but a bare hint of sheepishness, before saying, "Pay for me."
After two salads had been delivered to the their table (out of Octavia's less-than-full pocket), they ate in silence; finally, Vinyl Scratch spoke.
"You're mad at me."
"Not mad. Just...perturbed. You are an awful lot of trouble for a friend I've only recently met. Usually, the way of it is to cement a friendship before calling for monetary favours. And my pay is not so great that I can afford to treat you often," Octavia pointed out, although she wasn't really sure why she was doing it. This fashion of talk seemed pointless when directed at Scratch.
"Money's no good. Can't eat it, can't make good music with it, can't talk to it," Vinyl began, and stopped suddenly. In decidedly cautious tones, she added, "I'll pay you back."
Octavia raised an eyebrow, impressed. It was certainly a starting point, if not a full recompense for Vinyl's erratic habits. "Thank you."
"You hit four bum notes," Scratch carried on, changing the subject in the blink of an eye. "You were distracted. Explain."
Octavia groaned once more. "I saw your glasses glinting in the audience. And again when you made your way backstage."
"I distract you?" Scratch asked, and seemed to be wrestling with an internal dilemma. "...Should I stop coming?"
"That wasn't what I meant."
A moment passed; Vinyl seemed deep in though. Octavia took the time to wipe her mouth primly with a hankerchief.
"Come to my house tomorrow. I'll train you to not be distracted by me," Scratch said finally.
"No," Octavia said softly, and didn't know why. She just didn't feel ready yet.
"I see," Vinyl Scratch sighed, and it came out like smoke. "I see."
Quite the interesting look into Vinyl and Octavias relationship. Interesting is good.
good writing, your style is... different from what im used to. different, but still good. i guess we just have a little bit of different styles of writing, mine is mostly based of being able to truly put you in the characters shoes, and ive learned alot from what somber taught me. so good job, i enjoyed it.
Love the way it's going. Keep up the good work, I want to see what happens next.
555524
Thank you kindly. I know fanon divergent characters aren't everybody's cup of tea, but they're at least a little different, a little new.
555648
Yup, everyone's got a different way of stringing words together. Can't say for sure what the strengths of my writing is, although apparently it must have some.
555849
HAAAAAAAASBROOOOOOOOO! I shall solve this by adding the AU tag, and setting the story in an alternate universe where the only difference is that Vinyl has red eyes. Or, alternatively, by just tagging a little note to the first chapter explaining the whole situation. Thanks for giving me the heads up, by the way!
555853
Well, I've got a few chapters pre-written and still waiting to post once I've edited them for the site, so you won't be waiting long.
To all: glad you're not completely disgusted by the story thus far, and thanks for taking the time out to comment!
556004
It's no problem, i don't mind either solution but the AU tag is a bit excessive...
556060
Ahahaha. I was kidding. I'll edit a little disclaimer into the story when I put up the next few chapters. Too lazy to do it right this second. Hope it didn't spoil the rest of the story for you.
556116
It didn't spoil anything, also its sorta funny I switched to this tab right as the alert popped up. Im so lucky!
556140
...what. I proclaim you a wizard, sir. The inqusitors will be over shortly. Do not be alarmed.
556177
... If you consider snipercraft magic then yes... They won't get within 500 yards of me anyways... Lol jk but I am aiming for joining the Marine Scout Snipers.
556186
Wow. That's a pretty intense ambition. I would say good luck, but it's probably one of those things where luck'll get you nowhere- only skill and determination. But have some good luck anyway, since it never does hurt.
Aww, shot down Vinyl, that's kind of sad...
I wan't to say real quick that I like how you use the word "smoke" as a description of voice. I haven't actually seen it anywhere else, and it's quite the little quirk that makes it all the better.
Good job