Vinyl Scratch and Octavia are stuck as college dorm mates. Will they end up loving or killing each other? After all, its not like you haven't read this story a thousand times, right?
Now, I know this is an overused story idea. Vinyl and Octy, dorm mates. Only read this sixty thousand times. So what's new this time around? Well, three unique twists. One, Vinyl is half changeling, and her abilities are feeding off emotion in general, not just love. But she doesn't know this. The more she siphons off of others, the more worn out they become, which can lead to having severe side effects eventually. The other two secrets are spoilers, and I can't be telling you them, can I? Although I do give a tiny hint of both of them in the first chapter.
This is a reboot of my story The Formative Years, but its significantly different this time around. No reckless self inclusions. Less major plot twists. Octavia is a steadier character, who shows real growth. The inclusion of Lyra as a main character. And after the first few chapters, the story lines will be have started going seperaye ways. And above all, no TARDIS stealing ponies killing the Master and ending the story. So, read on.
I sit down on my bed, my eyelids drifting shut as I listen to the music. Having just done my daily run, I decided I deserve a little relaxation.
As in spending the rest of the day drinking pop, playing games, and messing with our turntable? Not very healthy.
I ignore that little voice in the back of my head.
My chin rests on my chest, and my breathing slows down. I hit the volume up button a few times, and smile. My headphones are amazing. Monster DNAs. I’m listening to one of my own songs. Loud and exuberant, like the rest of the album.
I think I hear somepony calling my name. I slip my headphones around my neck.
“Vinyl” My dad, a white pegasi, calls me from my doorway.
“Huh?”
Really? Huh? How stu-
“Whats up?” I cut it off.
“You got a letter” He tosses a thick white envelope on the foot of my bed. “I think it’s the academy”
I pick up the envelope in my magic, and tear it open. I take out the cover letter. I read through the acceptance letter. It says I’m in, but with all the flowery language that I expected.
“You get accepted?” My dad asks me.
I jump up and squee in reply. "Full Scholarship!"
He laughs. “Your mother would have been proud. Listen, you know that new restaurant that opened up down the street? Let’s eat out for supper”
---
I drag the bow across the strings of my cello, and it produces a low sound in return. I’m tired from doing my daily cardiovascular workout, but I force myself to support the instrument. No rest.
“Octavia” My mothers prim voice calls to me from my doorway. Shes a dark grey unicorn, same as my father.
She levitates a thick white envelope over to me, which has already been opened, and read through. “The Academy has accepted you” She says stiffly. "We have agreed to pay your full tuition"
"Of course they accepted me. They would be mad not to" I say, mirroring my mothers tone.
"Octavia, your father and I have agreed that I shall take you out for dinner tonight". My ears perk up. "This is a big, if predictable, occasion, and a small amount of celebration is not out of line"
I stand, and offer my mother a small smile. She returns it.
My parents may be strict, but they aren't bad parents. "Mother, may I ask where we are going?"
"Tis a surprise" is all I can get out of her.
---
Me and Dad walk down the street, laughing and talking. Sometimes, he almost feels more like an older brother then my father.
"So what's green, red, and goes round n round n round?"
I think, trying to figure out the punchline. I quickly give up.
"A frog in a blender" he says, grinning.
"Hoh mah gawd" I chuckle.
"So what are you going to do about your friends?" He asks me.
"Friends? You know how I've had a hard time making any here. The few I got are all online"
"Alright. I wish you could've had an easier time at this school"
"Nah! Did I tell you my favourite quote by deadmau5?"
"Nope"
"'The less time you spend fitting into everyone else's thing, the more time you have to do your own thing'. Pretty cool, huh?"
"It does fit you pretty well. Now that we're kinda on the topic of music, how goes your latest EP?"
"I'm on schedule. I've got three original compositions done, and I'm working on the fourth. I've done two remixes"
"And the colab project with Neon Sky?"
"Waiting for her to get back to me"
"Hm. So when you gonna let your old man work with you? I understand the concepts pretty well, and I have tried using your programming"
"Not yet. I want to be at the top of my game, so it comes out perfectly"
"So all good?"
"All good. Is that it up there?" I point to a new brick building.
"That's the spot. I've heard it's good"
The two of us walk in, and order a table for two.
---
My mother and I walk through the streets silently. I remember all the etiquette training she had me do.
Head up, neck strait. Do not make eye contact, but don't stare at the ground. Do nor look at the others around you. Take measured, precise steps. Take precise, measured steps.
The crowd parts before us. I trail behind and to the left of my mother. She splits the masses, and I follow in her wake.
I take a moment, and admire her at work. She has a presence to her that makes even the largest, toughest stallion back away. I have been on the receiving end of that air far more then I would like.
I lack her power. My trainer says it is because I lack the right traits. My father says it is due to the fact I'm a mudpony.
We arrive at a large red brick building. The crowd at the doors splits before us, all except a white unicorn and a white pegasi.
We wait in line behind them. My mother stares at them, as if questioning why they didn't part and bow before us. I think they hardly ever noticed us.
---
I notice the crowd behind us split, as a dark grey unicorn, and a charcoal grey earth pony approaches. I turn back to my dad, who's talking with the receptionist. He slides a few bits across the counter, and the receptionist pockets them. I over hear the words 'best seat' and 'quick service' from the receptionist.
"Just give us what's available. We're nopony special" he says.
I turn and look at the new arrivals behind us. The unicorn is giving my dad the stink eye. I instantly get a bad vibe from her
Seems like a stuck up bitch the voice agrees.
The young earth pony, however, just seems curious. I smile at her. She notices, and stiffins. She raises her head, and looks down her nose at me. I stick out my tongue at her. She does a double take, shocked. Her eyes flicker to the older mare, then at me. She makes a face at me. I grin again, and she just looks confused.
She's just as isolated as you are.
How so?
Can't you feel the loneliness coming off her?
I mean, how am I isolated?
Oh, come on. You hide behind your shades. You hide behind a username and a droid screen. You hide behind your hole DJ persona. You isolate yourself willingly.
And how does she isolate herself, if you've got the answers.
Look at her. Tell me what you see.
I see a somewhat cute made, who is rather confused at the moment.
Why is she confused?
Because I was messing with her.
No.
Then why the fuck is she confused?
Figure it out.
You.
My god, why are you so stubborn?
Fine. She's confused because she's not in situations like this.
Why not?
I dunno... because she isn't around other ponies.
There ya go.
"Coming, Vinyl?" My dad asks me.
I take one last look at the two behind us, and then walk with my dad.
As I walk, I hear the older mare's prissy voice say "Give us you best seats"
"Yes ma'am, right away ma'am" the new receptionist says.
---
I lean back in the chair, appreciating the good meal I just ate, tapping my hoof to the beat of the song playing through the speakers. And eavesdropping on the two mares, who were seated right behind us.
"Ugh. Mother, why did we come here?" I'm assuming the younger one asks.
"I thought you'd enjoy it" her mother says.
"You know my tastes. This" she pauses. I assume that she's waving her hoof at the whole place, since I can't see her. "Isn't my taste"
"Well, appreciate the thought"
"What kind of music is this?" Octavia asks.
I decide to introduce myself. I turn around, and look at the two. I notice the little bow that the one called Octavia is wearing. “deadmau5” I say.
“Excuse me?” the mom says.
“The music. It’s made by deadmau5”
“I’m sorry. My name is Octavia. You are?” the child asks me, holding out a hoof.
“Vinyl Scratch” I say, bumping her hoof. She looks confused at this gesture. “What you apologizing for?”
“Well, this isn’t your conversation” She says.
“Well, I was just being friendly. No need to be so uptight”
“Yes” The mother says. “Turn around, and continue your date with you boyfriend”
I look at her. “Excuse me?”
“That is who he is, isn’t it?” Octavia asks.
“Well, for your information, he’s my dad”
“He’s a little young, isn’t he?”
“I dunno. But he’s raised me just fine”
“Apparently not, if he allows you to be this rude to others”
“Well, I’d rather be this than the stuck up pony you are”
“Excuse you. I am not stuck up. I am educated, not stuck up”
“Same difference to me”
“Well, not to me. You obviously aren’t as high class as I am. Peas-”
“Octavia” Her mother says sharply. “Enough. Now, you. Vinyl” She spits my name. “Leave this conversation”
I smirk at Octavia, and turn back to my dad.
Well handled. Although you should've been more aggressive.
"Ready to go?" He asks me.
"Yeah. Let's blow this popsicle stand"
He writes a check for the bill. He puts down ten bits for the tip, and I contribute five. We get up and leave, I nudge Octavia with my flank as I walk by her.
"So you like it there?" My dad asks.
"Loved the music playlist. The food was pretty good too"
"Same here. Although it would be nice if they played some more rock"
"Why, hoping your band would come up?"
He sighs. "I'm not in a band, never have been"
"Then where did you get your sick bass guitar skills?"
"Just picked them up along the way"
"Oh really"
"Yup. So what where you saying to those two behind us?"
What will you tell him?
"They where wondering what the music was. So I told them. Nothing exciting"
"What where they like?"
I pause for a moment. "Uptight" I say, and the voice choruses with me.
Dad does double take, hearing something different in my voice. I clear my throat. "Sorry, rough throat" I lie.
He stares at me for a moment. "Whatever. So, when are we going to see the dorms?"
"Well, its June now, so in about two months" I answer.
"Well, might as well start getting some essentials"
---
“Octavia. Let’s leave. I regret ever coming to this place” my mother says.
My mom writes a check, and then stands up to go. As we leave, I watch our waiter check the table for a tip. We didn’t leave one.
“Octavia, dear, never ever become like that horrible pony” my mother warns me.
“Yes, Mother. Believe me, I would never want to be someone as... as...”
“Uncouth?” She offers.
“Yes. Uncouth. And so rude”
“Good”
We walk out the door, as stiff and prim as when we arrived. The crowds split as before. A few solitary drops start hitting my back. I look up, and dark grey clouds are over head.
My mother hails a cab simply by staring it down. We get in it, and tell the cab our address.
“Eh, uptown huh?” The cab driver says in a heavy Manehatten accent.
“Just take us there, without the chitchat” My mother says coldly. "Class starts in two months" she says to me. "I shall get you all the necessary items"
The rest of the ride is spent in silence. When we arrive at our house, Mother pays the fee, and we get out.
---
A few drops hit my ear, making them twitch in annoyance.
"We gonna get a cab?" I ask.
"Nah. Only if it starts pouring"
Soon enough, it does. We spend a few precious moments getting soaked before we get a cab.
We get in, and tell the cab driver our address. We make small talk as we drive. When we arrive, we thank the driver, pay, and give a generous tip.
We get out, and my dad walks around the cab onto the sidewalk. I look up into the sky, up at the massive boiling grey clouds. The rain has nearly dissipated now. A few cold drops land on my upturned face. I look back down, and walk into my home, a cramped apartment building.
---
We get out of the cab. I walk around onto the sidewalk, and look up at the sky. The rain is dying out finally. I stand for a few moments, looking up into the grey bellies of the cloud. A few straggling drops fall on my face, chilling me. I walk into my house, a luxurious mansion.
I roll over, onto my stomach. I stretch, and then yawn. "Ahm allradee up"
My dad laughs. "Sure you are. You know what day it is today?"
"The day I finally sleep in?" I reply sarcastically.
"The day we check out your dorm" he says.
Just like that, I'm up. I flip out of bed, and grab my comb. I run it through my hair, trying to get all the knots out.
Dad tosses a can of Red Bull at me with his wing.
I catch it in my magic, and crack it open. "So you want me to be an alicorn?"
He laughs, and I then hear a muffled thump from the hallway.
"Fall down again?" I call out.
"Yeah. Don't come rushing to see if I'm okay"
I smile, and finish combing my hair.
Try him again. Find out the truth.
"Hey dad, can I ask you something?"
"If your trying to get me to admit I was part of a band once, no"
---
My dad and I stand in the dorm, having just finished getting all my stuff in.
"So who was your dorm mate? Something Philharmonic, right?" My dad asks.
"Yeah, although I can't remember her first name either" I agree.
Well, I know who it is. If its not her, what's the point of this story?
Oh really? Do tell.
Sorry. No more fourth wall breaks for now.
I hear some muffled voice outside the main door.
A charcoal grey pony and her mother walk in, conversing lightly. The stop dead when they see us. We stare at each other for a while.
"Well, if it isn't the skank and her father" Octavia says.
"Oh look, its the stuck up brat and her mothership" I return.
"Now children..." her mother says.
"Well, she's the one who started it" I say.
"Oh puh-lease" Octavia whines. "You where asking for it"
"How the fuck was I asking for it?"
"You inserted yourself needlessly into our conversation"
"So that gives you the right to say shit like that?"
"I can say whatever I like to a low class person such as yourself"
"Listen to yourself! Low class. What is this, the middle ages? And just coz your on a higher social ladder doesn't mean you get to call me a skank and imply I'm dating my dad"
"I can do whatever I want. Its a free country"
"Alright, that's enough" My dad says. "You two are gonna have to live with each other. And you can't do that if your gonna kill each other. Vinyl, apologize"
I gape at him. "Dad, you can't be serious. Are you taking her" -the voice speaks with me for a single word- "side of this?"
"I am not. I am reigning in my daughter"
"Your father is right. Children, enough" Octavia's mother says. "Octavia, apologize for your words"
Me and Octavia stare at each other, waiting for the other to give in first.
Your own father takes her side.
It means nothing!
Your inferior to a complete stranger.
I am not. I am more important to him than her.
Then why isn't he supporting you, instead of supporting her?
He wants the fight to descelate.
Then be a good, submissive child, not the bad, disobedient one you are. Descelate it.
I take a few steps towards Octavia. Her eyes widen slightly in fear. Her mother closes in, ready to spring into action if I threaten her daughter.
"Sorry, Octavia" I say, holding out my hoof.
She continues staring at me, her face set in stone. It takes her mother nudging her to prompt her to speak.
"I also am sorry" we shake hooves.
Our parents look at each other, and nod.
"Well, you've got a week until first semester starts. Get used to each other" my dad says.
"Octavia, I expect better from you from now on, understand?" Her mother says. She nods.
"And you, Vinyl?" My dad looks at me, "you'll be better behaved?"
--- Two days later ---
“So, did you see that massive factory that was put up near Ponyville?” I ask my confectionary making friend.
She sighs. “Lyra, is this another conspiracy theory about your aliens?”
“Nonono. Well, yes. But no” I pause, and gather my thoughts. “Conspiracy, yes. Aliens, no. So, the government is trying to genetically breed, or something, parapsrites, so they won’t be so harmful any more. But some mad scientist bent on world destruction has taken over the project, and has changed it so they eat only us. What do you think happened to Applejack?”. My friend shakes her head in disbelief. “Bon Bon...” I whine.
She smiles a little. “Lyra, this is worse then your theory that this planet we live on is extremely old, and that-”
I blush. “Hold on, that was an old theory of mine. No need to say it out loud”
“Well, according to what you said, we weren’t the first sentient species on this planet. They, the ones before us, used to have a massive empire, united as one, across the whole land. They could even travel to other worlds, as if that where possible. But they had no magic, they had this science. Using this science, they made some kind of super virus, that wiped out their kind, but infused our ancestors with magic. Which gave rise to us. And that there are still a few isolated pockets of them out there”
“Okay, at the time I had some really good evidence behind that”
“Whatever. I don’t think the readers want to read through pages of the countless pages of us going back and forth on your humans”
“Whatever” I cave.
“So you’re starting second term soon?” She asks.
“Yeah! I can’t wait! Oh, on that thought, gotta run!” I take of sprinting.
“Wait! Lyra!”
That was getting a little embarrassing. Oh well, even though I hate it, I still gotta keep up that facade, to make everything fall into place. Even though I’ve done this time and time before, it never gets easier.
As I run, I pull a pair of glasses out of my bag, and put them on. Time to switch facades.
I hop on the back of the train right as it leaves the station.
“Ma’am!” one of the attendants says in surprise.
I quickly flash an official looking badge at him. “Madam Heartstrings” I say, laying a heavy parisian accent on.
“Yes ma’am” He says.
I walk next to him to an empty seat, and sit down. I pull an white folder out of my bag, with many important looking papers in them. I’m about to open them, when I glare at the two sitting next to me. They look spooked, and look away. I put the folder away, having intimidated them.
--- Later ---
The train pulls start to pulls into the station at Canterlot. I jump out the back, before anyone notices. I take the glasses off, and stow them in my bag. One of the universities massive dorm rooms looms before me. I ruffle through my bag, and pull out an official looking transcript. It states all my necessary information to gain a room.
I walk in the main door, and strut in like I own the place.
“Excuse me, miss?” the receptionist says, waving me over.
I walk over to her, making sure to keep a dazed look on my face.
“Miss, do you live here? You missed registration”
“Oh! Sorry, I was out of town. Here!” I pull the papers out of my bag, and hand them to her.
She looks through them, a serious look on her face. “Alright” she eventually says. “Room 28, fully furnished. Third floor, you got a suite to yourself”
I smile, and let myself in. Despite being called a suite, its only the size of a modest apartment. The door opens up into the main living room. A couch sits by the opposite wall, a window above it. Across from it, a large flat screen is screwed to the wall. To the left wall is a plush lay-z-boy recliner, and a coffee table sits in the middle of it all. To the right is a small island, which seperates the kitchen from the living room. Stove, fridge, freezer, toaster oven, all in stainless steel. A dishwasher sits underneath on of the counters, next to the sink, waiting to be used. It looks like everything I need is here.
I walk into the bedroom, pleased with what I find. A comfy looking bed, and a desk against the wall. I take a look at the bathroom, and find everything in order.
"Nice place" I comment.
"Of course. We take care of those with noble blood"
I try not to look surprised. It is my fault, since I didn't read through my forged papers.
"What do you play?" The assistant asks me.
I turn around, and look at her. Mild interest, not suspicion. "A plethora of things. You play?"
"A little bit. You must be good, considering your cutie mark and you name"
"Yeah, I got mad skills with the harp. I'm also a pretty good bassist"
'Wow' I think to myself. 'Half of that was true. Way more then what normally comes out of my mouth'
"Oh, interesting"
We both turn as we hear muffled yelling. I can make out a feminine voice, which sounds Italian and prissy, and a slightly lower, and also feminine, voice, which is mess of conflicting accents. I can make out German and Bostonian, although there's something terribly familiar and sinister in it that I can't place
"Who's that?" I ask.
"Oh, just your neighbors across the hall. Its impressive that we can hear them through both room's soundproofing. They can't be any more different" she says.
"I'll have to stop by and say hi"
"I'd wait till they're done. Give it a few hours"
"Hours? Hot dayum" I say surprised.
"Well, you might as well see for yourself" she tells me.
"For the last time, Vinyl, stop leaving things scattered all around the room!" Octavia shouts at me.
"And for the last time to you, miss cleansiness, chill!" I look at the latest offender. A can of pop on my bedside table. "Its just a can of pop"
"THERE'S SUGAR IN THERE! Do you want ants in here?" She screams.
"We're on the third fucking floor. We won't get ants!"
"BECAUSE YOU'RE THE EXPERT ON ANTS?"
"MAYBE I AM! BUT I KNOW YOU AREN'T"
"I'VE HAD MORE EXPERIENCE THEN YOU HAVE KEEPING A HOUSE CLEAN!"
"BASED ON WHAT?"
"CONTADINI IGNORANTI!" Octavia screams.
"Excuse you?" I ask confused.
"Ignorant peasant" she says.
"Did you just insult me in another language?"
"Yes, I did! Which shows I'm multilingual, which proves I'm more intelligent, which makes me the authority here!"
"Hochnäsig göre" (stuck up brat) I say to her.
"German?"
"Knock knock" a new voice says.
The two of us turn to the new arrival. A lime green mare, with white and green hair and golden eyes.
"Lyra Heartstrings. You two?" She says.
"Who gave you permission to barge in here?" Octavia shouts at her.
"Sorry?" the newcomer offers.
"SORRY?? I'LL SHOW YOU SORRY YOU-"
"Now, Tavi, calm down. She probably wanted to see you, the source of the commotion" I interject before things get ugly.
"Do not refer to me as such! And it twas not me, but you, who are to blame for this here fiasco!" As she says this, whatever accent she has becomes more prominent.
"Should I call you Oktettea then?"
"No! You shall refer to me as Octavia, and Octavia alone! And you!" She turns to Lyra "Leave at once!"
"I want her to stay, and she's my guest. But you know what? I'm hungry. Are you Lyra? Let's go out and see what resteraunts are within walking distance"
I turn and leave, and thankfully Lyra does too.
Elsewhere
An unlikely duo sits together at a restuarant. One is unhappily married for twenty years, one has sworn to abstinence after his last girl. The married one has a grey coat, with black hair combed around her horn. Her eyes are a dull green, worn down after a full life. Her cutie mark is a treble clef. The abstinent one is a pegasi, with a coat as white as pure snow. His eyes are a light steel blue, and his hair a bright neon blue. His cutie mark is a bolt of green magic.
He takes a sip of his glass of vodka and lemonade, and she from her glass of wine.
His name is Bass Chaser, and hers is Melody Philharmonic.
As you have most likely already guessed, the pegasi is Vinyl's father, and the unicorn is Octavia's mother.
"How can you stand that garish concoction you call a drink?" Melody asks him.
"Its kinda sweet because of the lemonade. Try some" he pushes the glass towards his companion. She picks it up, and takes a small sip.
"Not as terrible as I expected it to be. Now, try a real liquor" she slides her drink towards Chaser. He takes a good sized gulp of it. "Not so fast! You have to savor the taste". He takes another, smaller drink, and waits a moment before swollowing.
"Not bad. But not my thing"
They return each other's drinks, smiling.
"So what do you think they'll do?" He asks her.
"Oh, they'll argue for a long time. But then they'll start to learn how to deal with each other, I hope" she says.
"Well, they'll have to. Ain't got no other choice. After all, with the bribe we gave the headmaster, he'll have make sure they stay with each other!"
They both laugh at that. The conversation drifts into more interesting topics, namely music.
"So do ya play anything?" He asks her.
"Some. Violin, mostly. But I'm competent with many instruments, namely the flute and the piccolo. Do you?"
"Just the bass guitar. I'm alright with it. I think me playing for my Vinyl is what made her want to be a musician"
"Interesting. From a young age we instructed Octavia in music. It's in our family, we have a long line of musicians"
"Yeah, I'm the opposite. My family is a long line of scientists. They shunned, and eventually disowned me. I decided to move away, change my name, the whole kit and kaboodle”
“Oh my. Were you that against your family?”
“We never got along. We haven’t talked since a year before I got my little Vinyl”
“You mean she hasn’t met her grandparents?” She asks with concern.
“No. It’s a bad idea to also. They, uh, didn’t like her mother”
“I can tell this is a tough subject for you. Shall we move on?”
He’s relieved. “Yeah, definitely. What about your family?”
“Nothing special. Just musicians for many generations, and way back a little noble blood"
"Oh. I see. One of those families?" He says darkly.
"Oh please. Do I seem like the stuck up snob type to you?"
He hesitates. "Which noble blood?"
"Some Duke. The familial lines have unfortunatly faded over time"
The bartender comes by, and refills both their glasses.
"Well, I can tell family is touchy for the both of us. And music leads back to family. So what do you think our daughters will end up being?" Chaser asks.
"How so?"
"Well, will they eventually get over each other? Be friends, or something more? After all, opposites attract"
"Excuse me? Are you suggesting what I think your suggesting?" She says, appalled.
"My bad. I assumed your stance on this touchy subject, and I guessed wrong"
"No, I'm okay with it. It's just my Octavia is not. She inherited more from her father then is healthy"
"Her father" he pauses "your husband. What is he like?"
She's silent.
He returns the silence for a while, then speaks. "Another bad subject, I assume. Well, if not that type of politics, how about The War?"
"The Changelings?" She asks. "I am for the war. Do you know how much our repairs cost? I say we settle the score"
"Hey, they're not all bad. I say make those who did the damage pay"
"Are you implying there's a good changeling?"
"Possibly. You know, I use to travel a lot, to many countries. Along the rode one time, I met a Changeling. She had a disguise on at the time..." he starts his story. It all plays over again in his head.
Walking along the high road, on the way to the Griffon capitol. An attractive mare entered from a side road, and the two walked shoulder to shoulder for a long time.
Even after all the years, he still remembers how she looked. A light blue, almost white. Steel blue, almost. She had a long, flowing blue main, with a matching tail. There was a slight wind that day, making her hair ripple, and reflect the sunlight.
Slowly a conversation started between the two. This conversation meandered among many subjects.
Eventually, he asks if she has a place to stay. She says no, and he offers to share a room with her. She can take the bed.
She hesitated. "I would accept, if I could, but you would shun me"
"How so?"
"This is a disguise. I'm a changeling" with that, she was engulfed in green flames. When they subsided, a black chitin with green eyes and wings stood in her place.
He said he didn't mind, and that she seemed like a nice person.
She thanked him, and accepted the offer.
After that, they continued their travels together.
And that's where the truth and the story change. The story goes on to say that they said good bye after their travels, and he hasn't seen her since.
Melody sits in silence. She looks at the clock overhanging the bar. "I must get going. My husband will be waiting for me. How much do I owe you?"
"Not a bit. The pleasure was all mine. Wait for me to pay, I'll walk you to a cab"
She nods. He waves the bartender over, and pays his bill.
The two walk out into the night, laughing and talking. He waves a cab down for her, and the two part. Him walking, her riding.
"So where are we going?" My companion, Lyra, asks me.
"I'm not too sure. We're walking to the entertainment district, I want to get something to eat at a nicer place. Then a movie or something" I say.
"Okay. So do the two of you always argue?"
"Pff. Yeah, she's always a bitch"
"Maybe she's trying to make things be right, at least in her mind"
I'm silent as I think this through.
"Anyways, what you hungry for? I know this side of town pretty well"
"I was thinking pizza. Sound good?" I ask.
“Yeah. There’s a good place down the road a bit” Lyra says.
The two of us continue walking.
You ready for a random perspective shift?
Huh?
You’re confused. What did the voice mean about a random perspective shift?
You continue walking with your friend Lyra to the pizza parlor.
You and her continue talking. Not about anything in particular, but just chatting.
Vinyl Scratch, be another character. But who shall you be? And how shall that new character be relevant to the story? And it’s not displaying very good writing skills by introducing another main character at this point, is it? And why are we ripping off the Homestuck transition slightly? Find out the answer to these questions and more on next times episode of The Monster Inside! Now for these important messages from my sponsors!
Brought to you by McDonalds! When’s the last time you ate, you fat piece of lard? Five minutes ago? Ten? *Gasp* Fifteen?! Well, no matter how long, it’s been way to fucking long! [] Lug your fat American ass down to McDonalds today!
Also by, Darth Fader! I find your lack of bass... Disturbing. You, do not know, the power, of bass. [] Come to the darkside of the beat. We have wobbles.
In part by, Nazi puns! How did jew nazi this coming? Anne Frank-ly, I’m surprised you didn’t! That’s right, keep Goebblesing these up. That’s it, I’m done. I’m gassed. I’m baked as well right now.
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Hahaha. Who am I kidding? I don’t have sponsors. I just wanted to waste your time, and make you laugh at the same time. Now back to your scheduled programming.
You and your friend arrive at the pizza parlor. A slight wind picks up, and you can feel it teasing your main and tail.
"Come on, let's eat" Lyra says. She opens the door for you, and the two of you enter.
The waiter sits you and your friend at a booth. "What can I start you two young mares off with? We proudly serve Faygo products"
"Faygo?" Lyra asks.
"I'll have Moon Mist" you say.
"Same, I suppose" Lyra agrees with you.
"Alright. I'll be right back with your drinks, and then I shall be back with your order" he says.
He leaves and quickly gives you your drink, and Lyra hers.
Elsewhere
You busy yourself in the kitchen. The sizzling of the green bell peppers in oil fills your ears, along with a light piano track you have playing.
You pause a moment, sensing the bow tie is off centered. You check your reflection of a teapot. A fifteen degree deviation from parallel. Unacceptable. You straighten it, and fix it so its in a more acceptable position. Your mother gave it to you after a rather... unfortunate happening.
You push the memories down. No need to focus on the past when you're in the present.
You put a clove of garlic on a cutting board, and quickly and efficiently dice it with your hooves. You then scrape them into the pan with the sautéing peppers, and add some seasoning.
You wait a few moments, and then put the peppers with the rest of the prepared meal, consisting of mainly of a barley and pepper sandwich, and a side of salad.
You sit down at the table, and eat your meal. Your dorm is rather silent for once, as your abominable room mate is out.
Something lights up from our shared room. You try and focus just on your meal. But you want to snoop on her going ons so badly.
One peek can't hurt. You abandon your meal for a moment, and walk into the room.
You look at the offender, a computer. It’s back to the screen saver, a spinning record, with a red inner circle, and a jagged scratch running through it. You look for the mouse. You find it, but in the left hoof position. Never knew she was a lefty.
You tap the mouse, and the screen flickers on, lighting up the previously dark room. You blink, your eyes having already adapted to the darkness. You look at the screen, and try and comprehend what your seeing. In the top right corner is that same spinning record, and some character with a pair of sunglasses on.
You realize it’s her email inbox. You look at the newest one, from a sender named U-PON-2. You wonder who it can be. You move the mouse, and click on the email.
Hey Vinyl. We listened to that drum demo you sent us, and was wondering if you’d be interested in our band. As you most likely know, we’ve only got us a bassist and guitarist, so someone with your skill set would be pretty good. Get back to us whenever. Oh, and my brother is waiting for another date with you.
You sit for a moment, trying to figure out what you read. Maybe she applied for a band?
“You find anything interesting?” She says. She’s so close to you, you can feel her hot breath on the back of your neck.
You jump, shocked you didn’t hear her. “Th-this is-sn’t-t what it l-looks l-like!” You stutter.
“Oh really?” She takes a few steps, giving you your breathing room. You’re glad, as you don’t do well when you feel crowded. “Then enlighten me”
Your attitude goes back to it’s normal condescending tone. Just as father taught you. “Enlighten? Didn’t know you had enough brain cells to rub together to use such big words. Good job, Vinyl. Maybe antidisestablishmentarianism is next?”
She looks at you with a blank look. “What?”
“Thought so” You sneer. “So you’re trying for a band, then? Figures”
“Whaddya mean by that? Bands are good music”
“Yes. Lots of thrashing about on a non classical four and six stringed instruments, hitting three drums, and pointless screaming is considered good music. And your phrasing was wrong with that sentence. It’s not ‘bands are good music’, it’s ‘bands have made some good songs’”
“It’s not ‘you’re being helpful’, it’s ‘your being a little bitch’”.
“Takes one to know one” You say.
“The last time I heard that, I was a single celled protozoa” She quips back.
“Well, maybe I underestimated your knowledge”
She advances a step. “And it’s not just pointless screaming. It’s-”
You cut her off. “Let me stop you. From how you worded that sentence, your implying there is some pointless screaming”
She briskly walks up to you, and gets right in your face. You’ve only ever seen one other person look so angry. She would give your dad a run for his money.
Her face is inches from you, and her right hoof raised to smack you across the face with a brutal back hand. You stand your ground, straightening up from your already tall position, making yourself a good six inches taller than her. You glare down at her, and her purple eyes glare right back up at you. You heart beats quicker, expecting a fight.
It infuriates you that her, someone lower class than you, would even think about, much less actually, stand up to you and your superior class. You lean over her, fully intending to use your superior height and size against her.
She crouches down a little, slightly intimidated by your technique. She pulls her lips back and growls at you.
“Don’t touch my stuff again” She says in a low voice.
You interpret this as an olive branch, to avoid the fight that is brewing. “Fine” You back up, and back down. She takes a few steps back, and straightens up fully.
I sit in my darkened room, fighting off a massive headache.
"Drink too much last night?" Octavia's snide voice comes from the direction of the doorway.
I want to scream fuck off at her with all my might, but I can't seem to make my mouth move.
"What, can't answer me? Know I'm right?" She continues.
Her voice softens. "If there's anything you need, let me know, alright?"
My mouth speaks on its own accord. "Go to class. I just need to sleep it off"
She looks at me for a moment, unsure of the voices sincerity. "Are you sure? You know what, I don't owe you anything. Feel better" she leaves, leaving me trapped.
I try to lift myself up. My limbs don't respond to me.
"Hello again dear." it speaks both inside my head and through my mouth.
'What do you want?'
'Only what's mine. I want a body' It stands me up, and walks me in front of a mirror. 'But not this one. I want one more... Me.'
'What are you talking about?'
Blue flames engulf my body. If I could, I would've jumped. All that I can see are the blue flames. But oddly, they don't burn. Magic.
A new voice enters the fray. 'Rogue drone 35. You are attempting to access the hive mind. Your genetic structure is impure. Your location is noted. Prepare for incoming task force.'
'No, wait! I can explain! the original voice shouts. I'm a half breed, yes, but mentally I'm pure. Due to chance we are two personalities. She is pony. I am one of you'
'Task force recalled.'
The flames subside. An insectoid body stands where I used to be. I recognize it, even though the color scheme is different. Blue, instead of green.
'Changeling!
'Yes. She flares her insectoid wings. :I am.'
A new sense assaults my mind. I can feel all the ponies around me, and I can feel their emotions to a degree. Its unsettling, as it doesn't feel right to have that much access to a person's soul.
'Enjoy this. This is power'
But I don't want this power.[/color=#26a4af] I focus on my right hoof. I will it to move with all my strength.
It stays stationary.
The changeling in the mirror smiles after noticing my struggle. "You know, us changelings feed on love. But, we aren't all that great at making others love us. That Octavia girl has interest in you I believe. Feed me" It says both out loud and in my head.
I feel a haze of black, all my sensory input halting for a moment, and then I can move. I look at myself in the mirror.
I'm still a monster.
That's right. You're a monster.
I ignore it, but it still knows that what its saying has an effect on me.
Im sure most ponies would be having a mental panic attack right now, but I grew up like this. It never could control me, but it always made its presence known.
I check the digital clock on my bedstand. Nearing ten thirty. Well, Octavia thinks I'm staying home for the day, so I might as well. I go into the kitchen, my mission to find breakfast.
---
I look at the name on my folders.
Lyra Heartstrings
I don't quite remember where I came up with the name, but it stuck. Through all my various adventures, the constant has been my name.
I look up at the professed scrawling on the chalkboard. An advanced physics lesson. He's good, except for one thing. He's wrong.
I glance around, making sure the actual students to my left and right are paying attention to the professor, not to me.
I open my laptop, and pull up the email provider.
I rub my brow, trying to remember what I all have to say.
I enter the first address, U-PON-2, and I make the sender appear to be the mare across the hall, Vinyl Scratch.
Hey, getting back to ya. I'd love to talk things over with ya guys bout the band. If you guys wanna meet me at this bar, Friday night at, say, seven? Oh, and bring your brother ;). You gotta buy the first round though, buddy.
I read it over, checking that it all sounds good. I click send.
A few moments go by, and I get notified that the email went through, and to anyone other than myself, it was sent by that band.
I make a new email, from the band to Vinyl.
So, my brother and I (mainly my brother) where wondering if you wanted to meet us at a bar downtown, at about 7 Friday night. Ill be coming with to talk band stuff with ya, but I'm sure you and him will have fun. Oh, and first round is on me. See ya there.
I click send, and it goes through without a hitch. I shut my laptop, and mentally return to the lecture.
I quickly grow bored of hearing something I know, and my eyes drift around the room.
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a cute blue stallion eye balling me. I decide to have a little talk with him after class.
] Lug your fat American ass down to McDonalds today!
] Come to the darkside of the beat. We have wobbles.