Vinyl sighed as she levitated her saucer back down to the table before her. It was nice being in such a peaceful environment, at least for a while. Vinyl allowed another deep breath to come into her lungs as she laid back in the couch.
"So, Octavia?"
"Yes, Vinyl?" Octavia replied, looking her friend in the eye.
"What WERE you doing in that club last night? Honestly, because your story doesn't quite check out."
"Didn't your mother ever teach you it was rude to be nosy?"
Vinyl looked downward, a frown now growing across her lips "Um, no, I guess not..."
"Well it is. However, I suppose you deserve the truth, even if it does make you uncomfortable. I have many friends there I suppose. And other reasons..."
Vinyl looked back to Octavia, who's eyes averted her own. She raised an eyebrow, "Like?"
"Well...It's...it's strange..."
Vinyl sat quietly as Octavia bowed her head and looked away, somewhat in shame, somewhat in embarrassment. She took a long breath in before continuing,
"I was always raised to believe that 'fillyfoolers' were lesser, immoral ponies...it's what my parents said, it's what I believed...but not too long ago, I found out a good friend of mine, Lyra, was a...a 'fillyfooler'... Celestia, I hate that word, don't you? It seems so...demeaning, I suppose...anyhoof, I found out she was, let's say, 'into mares', by her invitation to her wedding." Octavia chuckled a bit and looked upward in recollection, "I remember opening the letter and being so shocked...and I didn't know what to think! All my foalhood I was taught they were just bad ponies, but I had known Lyra all my life! She wasn't a bad pony at all! And how could I have known her for so long and not even known she was into mares?! I even knew she was in a committed relationship! I knew the ponies name, Bon-Bon, just not her gender apparently." Octavia chuckled before becoming somber again, "I was very confused for a while...it was the first time the world had showed me that the standards I was raised to believe were just...wrong."
Vinyl levitated her tea back to her lips, taking a sip before pulling a small notepad and paper seemingly from nowhere and nodding quietly, "mmhmm...go on."
Octavia shot an annoyed glanced. Allowing her scowl to change to exasperation, she continued her story,
"Well I ended up attending her wedding as the mare of honor...it was an absolutely beautiful ceremony. After that I just...couldn't find anything wrong with them."
Vinyl nodded, "That's a very cute story, but I didn't ask you why you were tolerant of...um...mares into mares...I asked you why you were at the club. It just doesn't seem like your scene, not because of the crowd, but the atmosphere."
Octavia smirked, "My 'scene'? I suppose it's not, no, but as I mentioned before I played a large roll in Lyra's wedding...and her bachelorette party... It was at Fillyfoolers, and at the time, the club was a nicer establishment. I guess I just grew particularly fond of the club, even though I can hardly tolerate the music they play..."
"Careful," Vinyl warned, "that's my bread and butter you're insulting..."
"Well I hardly see how it's music! It's all repeating patterns and noises! How does one put soul and fire into the press of a key?! Or the push of a button?! No matter how wll you perform, or feel the emotion of the piece, it will not change!"
Vinyl frowned, "Ocatvia, putting yourself into music is important, yes. The only difference is, with my music I put myself in when I write, not when I perform. Have you ever even written a piece for anything other than cello?"
Octavia opened her mouth to speak, but was at a loss of words.
Vinyl leaned in a bit, as if sharing a secret, "Have you ever even written music for the cello?"
Octavia remained silent.
Vinyl gave an annoyed look, "Octavia...you can't feel true emotion in somepony else's piece! Because it is their emotion! Their piece!Music let's you get what's inside of you out, so the rest of the world can hear. It's meant to be broadcast and felt, but not relived. That's why cover bands are always shit."
Octavia giggled. "I suppose you're right Vinyl...my composer writes all of my music...it...it has always been easier to follow than to feel, I suppose..."
The pair remained silent for a moment, Octavia deep in thought, while Vinyl merely stared. She saw so much activity and wonder in the mare across from her, so much emotion that seemed to be sealed in a conditioned layer of society and judgment.
"Octavia?"
"Yes, Vinyl?"
"What do you 'feel' right now?"
"...I...I don't know...confused?" Octavia looked to Vinyl, clearly suspicious of the point of this conversation.
"Why?"
Octavia sighed, "I...I guess I have been living within music my entire life...it's been everything I am...everything I do...so how do I put that into music? My life has no romance, no struggles, no pain nor adventure...how am I to write music about music? And furthermore, why, if all I know of life is music, is the most disheveled, party-going, craziest mare I have ever met giving me the most profound speech of my art I have ever heard?!" Octavia raised her voice, throwing up her hooves.
Vinyl smiled, "My life is what makes my music, and where I go and what I do makes up my life. It just happens to keep bringing me right back to shady places like that."
Octavia sighed, "As is my story as well...but nothing happens at my 'clubs'! It's the same lot of stuffy ponies merely sitting and listening, until I have performed and felt the works of somepony's very heart being poured onto a stage, into an audience, only to be met with 'polite applause'...perhaps that's why I like clubs...you can pour yourself into something and transform a crowd's behavior! When you are finished you can bask in a roar of approval, not a simple pattering of hooves. You can make a club jump, or sway. Dance or come together...there is a reason nopony attends formal concerts with the intention of attracting mates."
Vinyl chuckled before looking into Octavia's eyes. "It sounds to me like I know how you feel right now."
"How?" Octavia raised a suspicious brow. Surely if she didn't know her own head this mare didn't.
"Trapped, frustrated, and above all, bored." Vinyl stated matter-of-factly.
Octavia sat still for a moment, basking in the raw truth of what she was told. It was true, she wanted to escape her classical, stuffy regime and live freely, chaotic almost. She was tired of the order, the rules, and above all, what was right and wrong.
"So I am...but it's not as though I can simply change my life." Octavia scoffed.
"Why not?" Vinyl asked curiously.
"What? What do you mean 'why not'? I have...a job! And friends, and...and an apartment! I have so many responsibilities!"
"So?" Vinyl asked in the same manner, "Can you grasp this concept, Octavia? That you can always just leave? Quit? Move on? That's what I loved about what I do, if one day I just decided 'I'm done with Canterlot, going to Trottingham!' do you want to know how long it would take me? The trip to Trottingham and 30 minutes to pack." Vinyl stated, unamused by Octavia's theatrics.
"How could you do that? Just get up and leave on a whim?!"
"Because whims are your brains way of telling you that now is the perfect time to do it."
Octavia blinked. "Come again?"
"Spontaneity is the way life should be lived. Not 'according to plan'. Plans fail, fate doesn't seem to, it just has bumps in the road. You can't say you failed to get where you're going if you've got no place in mind."
"So...you're telling me...that if I want to do something I should just...do it? Without question?" Octavia sat, wide-eyed.
Vinyl kicked back and put her hooves behing her head, stretching out, "That's my philosophy."
"And...how has that worked out for you?" Octavia put a hoof to her chin, adopting a somewhat smug smile. 'There's no way this mare makes the kind of bits I do, or had anywhere near the grades... Octavia thought.
"Well, I'm certainly not as wealthy as you, or as 'classy' but I'm happy. I'm happy with where I am and what I do, and honestly? I wouldn't trade that for the approval of the princess herself."
Octavia took a moment to think, 'Happy? You traded all of that just to be...happy?' "Do you even care what anypony thinks of you?"
"Just my friends, or ponies that I decide their opinions matter to me."
"So basically, you just run through life with no plan, not a care in the world, doing what you want, when you want, and not giving even a fraction of a buck what anypony thinks about you?"
"Pretty much." answered Vinyl, now closing her eyes and letting out a breath relaxing.
"That sounds...fantastic." Octavia replied, eyes wide open. 'Just being...happy...'
"Then try it. Nopony's stopping you."
Octavia blinked a few times before standing up, a blank expression upon her face. She simply stood, walked around the center table to where Vinyl sat calmly upon her couch, closed her eyes...
and planted a gentle kiss upon her lips.
OH SNAP!!
Update! And the kiss was sudden. In a good way, of course
i live a life like that not a care of what people think of me cause i am happy ;D
am I... first? I doubt it, so I won't hold my breath.
OH MY AMAZING CHAPTER WOOHOO!!!!
Edit: Just like I assumed, beaten by moments. Ah, such is the life of a reader.
doesn't matter to me. I'm about to pass out anyways.
Thanks for the wonderful chapter. It's given me some things to think about.
This is blossoming into a wonderful story, I hope you keep writing, because I know I will keep reading it.
Certainly earned the 5 stars I've given it.
First. Also, you are a fantastic writer. Please, continue
Excellent!! Keep up the good work
WOO! Go Octavia!
Nice chapter and I loved how Vinyl manages to explain things to Octavia so well because of her background instead of inspite of. Can't wait for the next chapter.
We see what you did there Octavia 168645 I post a comment return later and edit it makes things easier so try that
Wow - that was... out of the blue.
I've been interested in where this was leading, and now...
I still want more. What's next on Octavia's list of whims? I want to know!
Now hurry up and write!
- Midnight Specter
P.S - You could probably do well by reading over your work a couple of times out loud before you publish it - occasional pacing issues occur, as well as misspelt words and suchlike. It would be a significant quality increase, even just ridding yourself of those things.
168695
A great idea, though I don't know if I'll retain the knowledge of it, such the result of my sleep-addled brain and my exhausted state.
Alas, I thank you verily for the assistance, no matter the help it gives.
Still not used to this fandom; so many are just... not trolls or dks and it's weird to get used to
Happy to be part of an amazing community such as this.
OH snap!
168699
I do try to, unfortunately I don't have a word program to write these stories on. I just open up a new chapter and write as I go. half the time I don't even know what the next chapter will be about when I start
(╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻
My reaction to cliffhangers.
Боже мой, я сделать счастливым его из! sorry bout the Russian... It's my happy language
Le gasp! It just got real ponies, can't wait for the next chapter. I'm really liking this fic, one of the best romance fics I've read so far.
168742
Ah, I know that feel, bro.
Perhaps for the sake of quality, take more time between chapter releases; I know for a fact that the majority of readers won't mind another day or two if they get an even better chapter by the end of it. This website's editor gives you ample freedom to write however you will, and all it takes to spend more time on a chapter is to not click the 'Publish' button.
Everypony knows that it's for good for both the writer and reader to spend a little more time checking for mistakes
Planning, too, is necessary - winging it through a story can eventually lead to inconsistencies and contradictions within the plot, characterisation, and other things. Even if it's as simple as, to use your story as a base;
- Octavia and Scratch meet at Fillyfoolers, get drunk
- Scratch wakes up at Octavia's pad, gets over hangover
- Scratch and Tavi talk about life the universe and everything, kiss
Then perhaps;
- Scratch goes home, very confused, Tavi wonders if she went wrong
- Vinyl realises she liked it and goes back for more; hot ensues
Blah, don't mind me anymore, I'm just rambling.
Still, remember that readers don't mind a bit extra time for a bit better quality. And if they do... well, they suck.
I hope I've been helpful at all, in any way
- Midnight Specter
You are a great writer
168742 OpenOffice.org has a free word program you can use.
and wow, I bet vinyl wasn't expecting that. Spontaneous Octy! Woot!
168766
нет проблемы моего друга, это приятно найти другой русский!
must read all of the OctyScratch!!!
As a musician, I loved Vinyl's speech. The modern "music" industry feels lacking in music that reflects emotions other than falling in love and heart break. That's why I enjoy 80's bands so much. They write about falling in love, being cheated on, getting your heart broken, having a good time, watching someone die from drugs, being told that you're a worthless piece of shit, and so much more. Music is an art form. It should be made to reflect yourself, and not to make a quick buck. I think I might wrote down Vinyl's speech. It is very touching.
well, grammatical errors aside, this was a wonderful chapter. grand job
also, i love the 'just write it' mentality. who needs plot? (not the good kind of plot, of course. we all need dat. ) but yeah, i love writing crap without knowing where it's going. course, my mind usually writes stuff before i can type it out, so my stories all have defined plots in my head ah well. writings fun.
I get a lot of comments about grammar errors...anypony want to be a pre-reader?
Since all of us here are bronies, I feel that we all live like Vinyl does, not caring who thinks what about us.
BAM! also cliffhanger MUST HAVE MORE EDIT: 168923 Google Chrome has a spell check you should try it! Anyway that's just a suggestion
I was looking for another good Vinyl/Octavia story, and this third chapter has confirmed that I will be watching this one!
168931 not really, some bronies do care a lot about what others think about them. I kinda do, i let people that are cool and don't judge know. My best friend knows and he hates me for it, here's one of his quotes from steam chat.
caloo: lol how do u not like or even tolerate bronies *(I was kinda mad at him at this moment because was after he unfriended me for being a brony)*
Sgt.(name disclosed): because i consider them gay, or if not gay, then have seriouse mental issues... *(I hate him for this)* **(I added the name disclosed)**
caloo: :l *( i think he blocked me after i said this because he didn't answer after that)*
As you can see my friend is an bucking asshole about it, see why some bronies care what others think about them (i still don't too much lol)
also my fellow bronies don't take this 6 foot 5 russian seriously
168721
it's not realy mlp fans arn't trolls, so much as trolls arn't mlp fans
Honestly, after reading this, I just wanna throw my computer and all of my crap out the window, burn my apartment to the ground, crash my car, and get to the nearest highway, throw out my hoof, and hitch hike to the next city.
I hate this craphole I live in. I just live here because I feel like I *must* live here...
I'm a musician. And this city sucks. It eats at my soul...
I've always just wanted to leave, and wander for years...
But my parents aren't so fond of that idea...
So tell me, Vinyl...how do you make that come true, huh?
How do you just... leave...
Tell me...please..............
. . .
Watching you, now. And keeping track of this story. So far VERY enjoyable.
one, OH SNAP
Two, I like where this is going
three, MOAR!1!!
Looks like Octy's rebellious teen phase came a little late! And also she's experimenting.
I'd just like to say I much prefer the idea of her and Lyra being friends than rivals, Thanks for that!
WWooooooo! OCTY!
-Glassed
168797 oh, I'm not Russian I just spend some time teaching myself it I'm very limited on what I know but anyway держать по написанию can't wait for more
OHOHOHOHOHOH
168923
I wouldn't mind.
And great story, can't wait for more!
169114
that is also true ^.^ but then again, we do have ...
whatever, I still enjoy our little fandom.
169424
Me too, I wish I was Russian anyway.
Anyhow, great story! Just what I needed to cure my terrible hangover
And that fillies and gentlecolts is why Vinyl gets all the bitches.
I was about to stop reading, but I persevered. The last part was worth it.
Grammers errors just give me headaches
that was a twist lol
In the third chapter, the correct word is 'role' not 'roll'. 'To play a role' versus 'a roll in the hay'.
I didn't see any other mistakes. Great job!
Loved the ending! Just perfect
About grammar/prereaders: mainly, you seem to miss spaces. Also, most writers use italics instead of underline for emphasis. If you hop on FimFiction's irc I'm sure you could snag a prereader. I would do it, but I've got enough on my plate and have to have somebody preread my stuff anyway
That is some deep shit man.
I love it.
I've read enough Vinyl Octavia stories by now to realize that they all really take after one another. Not to say that this story isn't good, oh no, the descriptions are wonderful and the dialog is spectacular. I also enjoy the way you've set up the characters, I like your portrayal of them to say the least. Every author is different in that respect though
Aside from grammatical errors here and there, you have a good story on your hands
i LIKE I LIKE....... I LIKE..............
I like how it was a causal conversation then at the end it was BOOM a sock to the face of awesome lol i approve.
169123 Damn straight to everything you have said. I am military though, wish i could just walk away
Oh god please give me more.