My own take on what I think to be a new ship. Big Mac and Vinyl Scratch. Ship name in the Title.
For as long as she has lived, Vinyl Scratch has been mute. She has suffered in literal silence for not being able to express herself properly. Her best friend Octavia introduced her to music as a way to get her feelings across to other people, even without words. Then along comes a country boy who shares her same problem. To a lesser extent, of course. When one who cannot express herself meets one who is unwilling to do so, will they be able to make it work? With Vinyl's new magic, maybe they will.
Tommy Apple. Also known as "Big Mac" by his friends and family members. He is called this on account of his higher than average strength, and well toned body. Not to mention his Macintosh Apple Cutie Mark located on his chest, a part of his body very often seen by those around him given how hard he works on his family's farm, Sweet Apple Acres.
But he is not working this time. Oh no, not this time. Now, he is relaxing. Taking a little walk around town. Enjoying the view, seeing the sights and whatnot. His family members insisted that he take the day off and get some rest. In fact, they insisted to such a degree that he found His sister Melissa Apple doing his share of the chores when he woke up this morning.
Of course, he said nothing about it. He was happy after all. His family members had given him the day off. He was grateful to them. The last time he had a day off was almost three months ago. Of course, he was confused at first, and had given Granny Smith, or Meredith Apple, his signature silent question face, but all she said in response was, "Oh, just get out there already! We'll take care of every thing for ya here. Ya want a day off don't ya?"
After that he had made his way into the hustle and bustle of the town of ponyville. It had been a while since he had been out of the barn, so everything felt new and fresh, despite being the same old buildings he had always seen in his wonderful and beautiful hometown.
In fact, he himself felt refreshed and cleansed as he made his way through the crowds of the town.
He smiled, thinking of everything he could do now that he finally had time to himself. He could go out to eat, take a nap under a tree, or go hang out with Spike and Jacob, also known as "Discord" due to his tendency to make jokes about nearly everything and pull pranks on everyone.
He decided on the latter and went out to find them. He first went over to Twilight's to go and see Spike. He made his way down to the purple princess' crystal castle and knocked on the door.
"Just a moment!" came a voice on the other side of the door. He did as the voice commanded and patiently waited for its owner to come to the door.
It was only when he heard the sound of a lock coming undone that he perked up and stared at the door, waiting for Twilight to appear.
When she did, she was rather surprised to see who she did.
"Oh, hi, Big Mac! What brings you here this early? Don't you have chores to do over at Sweet Apple Acres?" She said with a smile. She never thought she'd see Big Mac of all people out and about here.
"Nope."
"Day off again?"
"Eyup."
Now, Big Mac didn't usually hang around Twilight and her friends, but given his sister's strong friendship with them, he thought he'd gotten to know them well enough through her. This was the only reason she knew of his rare breaks.
"Well, please come in. Are you here to see Spike?"
"Eyup."
After they were caught playing a board game by the girls, Big Mac, Spike, and Discord's little friendship was out in the open. So it was no surprise that Twilight knew.
Twilight smiled at him and called out for Spike. He soon came down the steps from the room they shared, all the while holding a can of "Liquid Horde" his favorite drink.
"Spike! What have I told you about drinking on the job?!" Twilight yelled at her assistant. "I swear! I give you one sip and you're like an addict."
"It's just coffee, Twilight. Calm down."
Spike was right. "Liquid Horde" was just harmless old coffee. With gem flavoring of course. Twilight however, disagreed.
"Just coffee? Just coffee? Don't you remember what happened last time you had even a sip of that stuff! In fact, look at you now!"
Spike had to admit, Twilight had a point The last time he had asked for a sip of her coffee, he set fire to his bed sheets. He was lucky it hadn't spread to further down the tree.
"Alright, alright. This is the last sip anyway." With that said, he chugged the last of it and threw it behind him without even looking. It landed in the trash can just as he turned to see twilight glaring at him.
"What?" he said sheepishly. "I can't help myself."
Twilight simply sighed. "What am I going to do with you?"
"What you always do. Ask for my help. I'm your number one assistant after all." Spike said, smiling.
Twilight smiled back at him. "Yes you are, Spike. Yes you are." she went over to him and kissed his forehead. All the while forgetting a certain someone who, at this point, had gotten very impatient.
"Ahem." came a voice just inside the door. Twilight jumped. She had almost forgotten!
"Oh, that's right!"
Spike was confused now. "Uh, what's right, Twi?"
"Spike, Big Mac's here to see you."
With that, Spike looked over to the door, and indeed she was right. Standing just inside the door with an impatient look on his face, no doubt from having to wait for their little spat to be over.
"Big Mac!" Spike shouted, happy to see one of his best friends had come for a visit. "You came!" He ran over to his friend and draped his arm around his shoulder. "Are you doing well?"
Big Mac smiled. "Eyup."
"Good. Good. So? What are we waiting for? You came to get me didn't you? So, let's go."
With that the two walked out the door. But not before Twilight yelled "Spike! Be careful!"
Big Mac laughed at his best friend's mother's/sister's/caretaker's over protectiveness, earning him a glare from Spike.
"Hey, Big Mac."
"Eyup."
"I heard there's a new club in town. And DJ-PON3 is gonna be there, spinning her records. You wanna go?"
This shocked Big Mac. He had never been to a club before. Like at all. But the prospect of a good time and some well deserved relaxation convinced him well enough.
"Eyup."
"Sweet." said Spike as he smiled at his friend.
Nighttime
Big Mac woke up with a smile on his face. He was excited for the night he was about to have. His family members were surprised to see that he was so happy when he returned to the barn. Melissa had been the first to talk to him when he got back.
"What's got you all high and proud today, Big Mac? Ya enjoyed yer day off?"
Big Mac only smiled in return.
"Eyup."
Melissa shook her head and decided to leave it at that, lest she ruin his day with her nosiness. She had to make sure Cecilia didn't bother him either.
Big Mac got up out of bed, made his way outside through the nigh cavernous building that was their barn, put on his clothes, along with his big brown scarf, and went outside.
Spike had been waiting outside for him to come. He knew they had made plans, but big mac never expected him to show up at the barn at this time of night. The dragon-kin boy, despite his species and rough exterior, was a coward.
They made their way through the darkness of ponyville, ey.es scanning for any sign of a party.
They soon found what they were looking for, as they began to hear faint sounds of music coming from a building that had never been there before. They were surprised they hadn't noticed it sooner, what with all the lights and sounds they could hear from it now as they got closer.
When they stepped inside their ears were further assaulted by the deafening sound that was coming from what they could now see was large set of speakers. And just above those was the girl whose music they had both come to hear. The famous DJ, the blue haired bombshell, the goddess of music herself, DJ-PON3.
"She's great isn't she? Her music is amazing."
Big Mac snapped out of his trance and regarded his friend. "Eyup."
But wait a moment. He may have said that, but now that he was out of his fun induced mini coma, he looked around and noticed just how uncomfortable he felt in such a crowded, lively, and altogether loud area.
"Nope!" He tried to turn away and walk off, but he was stopped by spike. As he tried to force his way through, a feat not so easily achieved, even far a guy as strong as him thanks to spike's dragon strength, he heard Spike say,
"What's wrong, man? I thought you wanted to come?"
"Nope!" was his only reply, but he understood it well enough. After all, he and Big Mac weren't just friends for show. He could already tell what he meant. 'I've changed my mind. I'm not comfortable here.'
Spike sighed and let him go, but before he could bolt in the other direction, he felt a hand touch his shoulder. He looked back to see spike with his eyes closed.
"Look, Mac. I know you're not one for this type of thing. Heck, neither am I. I work at a library under a princess for pete's sake. But...I know that if we just give it a chance, we might enjoy ourselves. Come on, For me?"
Big Mac considered this for a moment, then he sighed and smiled. "Eyup."
"Sweet! You never know. We might enjoy ourselves!"
The two friends made their way through the shuffling crowd until they found a spot where they had enough space to join the fun. Then they began to dance.
It was surprisingly fun. They both had a great time. They danced, got drunk, danced some more, talked to some people, etc.
But soon, it was time for them to go. And so they did, leaving all the hustle and bustle of night life behind for the day, and only bringing with them the memories they would carry of it all.
Little did they know, a pair of red eyes was watching them leave. A very specific one of them.
After the party, Vinyl went backstage and out of the building, slowly making her way back to her home where she lived with her roommate and best friend, Octavia.
She sighed as she opened the eternally unlocked door to their home. People had no need to lock their doors in Equestria, given the peaceful nature of the citizens.
She went inside and threw herself onto her bed. Octavia walked out of the shower right around the same time and asked,
"Another big night, yes?"
The shades loving girl simply raised her hand up, and slammed it back down onto the bed, indicating her frustration
Octavia gave her friend a worried look. "That bad huh?"
The girl simply nodded.
"Look at it this way. You have thousands of fans now. It's not like it was before."
The girl sat up, and gave her friend a small smile, still wearing the look of sadness that had painted itself onto her face not two seconds ago.
"No, it's not and you know it." came Octavia's reply to her unspoken sentence. Octavia had always been able to read vinyl's little expressions. She had been able to ever since they first met. This was how they became friends. That along with their love of music. "Those ponies love you. I always hear them cheering and having the time of their lives when you play your music."
Vinyl was upset now. She got up, gave her friend a "Really?" look, and started motioning wildly, her hands doing several motions to indicate her unspoken words once more. She put her hands to her heart, followed by throwing her hands toward her equipment to the side of their shared bed. Then, she did the same thing to the sides in what Octavia could only assume would be a frustrated tirade if she could speak. Finally, she placed her hands on her hips in a huff and glared at her friend.
"They don't love you, they just love your music? No one knows you for who you are? Then what about me. hm? What am I, chopped liver?"
Vinyl looked saddened now, she raised her hands in an apologetic "don't leave me!" sort of gesture, and got up to walk to her friend's side.
She held out her hands once more, pleading with the girl. Octavia smiled and took her hands, hugging her tightly. "Listen, Vinyl. Don't you ever say no one understands you. Even if the entire world doesn't know you. I always will. Remember that."
She hugged her friend tighter. "I know your...condition...doesn't let you express yourself to others, but that's what I introduced you to music for. So you could express yourself in that way."
Vinyl looked sad again as she looked down, shaking her head.
"You say that it doesn't work? That it's not the same?" came Octavia's interpretation. "Unfortunately, I must agree. Nothing compares to face to face interaction. But, what do you suppose we do? I love you, Vinyl, but we can't fix what we can't fix."
Vinyl looked up at her, tears in her eyes as she silently cried in her friend's arms, throwing up her own in an "I know!" sort of gesture. The two gave one last hug before Octavia let her towel fall from her body, revealing her sizable breasts as they bounced from the action.
"So, how did it go? How was the party in general, without all the deep personal drama?" She went to find clothes as her friend prepared another round of expressions for her to translate into words.
"You say you had fun? Wonderful. What track did you play tonight?"
She held up three fingers. Octavia nearly cried. "You played our songs? Oh my gosh I love you!" She ran to her friend and nearly knocked the wind out of her with a tight hug.
Vinyl struggled until she let go, then, after taking a breath, she motioned again. First a finger to the sky then a huge rainbow motion with both her hands as a huge grin spread across her face.
"A boy? Who? Is he hot?"
Vinyl nodded and her grin widened. Octavia's face now sported a grin as well. "You have to talk to him."
Vinyl smirked at her friend and raised an eyebrow. Octavia blushed. "Oh...sorry. I mean. You have to go see him."
Vinyl remembered how the boy looked. A red and black plaid button down over a blue shirt and blue jeans with black work boots adorned his body, and a head of messy brown hair took up the space on his head.. He was overall pretty handsome as well. Not to mention muscular. She could see his six pack through his shirt! She put her hands to her face and blushed.
"How did you spot him?"
Vinyl got up and did an impression of a runner.
"He was running from something?" said Octavia.
Vinyl made a wide dome-like gesture with her hands.
"He ran from the club?"
Vinyl pulled on her collar and faked a struggle.
"Someone was holding him back from running away? And you spotted him as he was leaving didn't you?"
Vinyl nodded.
Octavia turned her attention back to her clothes, as she had been only in her undergarments before now. "You really do need to go see him you know?"
Vinyl thought about this. She should go see him, but there was a problem. Where did he live? She opted to go outside tomorrow and search. She suddenly sighed, dejectedly.
"Oh don't give me that!" Octavia said, now putting on her PJ's and turning back to her friend. "You have to go outside sometime. Your job may get you money, but only you can get yourself a life."
Vinyl sighed again and threw her hands up in a "fine!" gesture, smiling at her friend as she crawled onto the bed next to her and lay back with her.
Vinyl closed her eyes and smiled as Octavia said, whispering in her ear, "Go get your man."
The two slept easy, unaware of the special event that was taking place inside of Vinyl.
Vinyl woke up the next days surrounded by warmth. She looked to her right and found none other Octavia, holding her close with her head on her shoulder.
She smiled at her friend and kissed her forehead before sitting up. She knew taht Octavia liked to sleep just a little bit later than she did. She said it was so she could have the energy to keep up with her, but she knew it was just so she could be closer to her best friend in the entire world.
She took a look around their room and found her music things sitting right where she had put them the night before. She looked at them, and decided not to move them. After all, she didn't have a gig tonight, so she wouldn't be needing them.
She was surprised however, to find that Octavia had woken up. A fact she was alerted to by the sound of a slight groaning to her right. She almost couldn't believe it. Usually it would take her another fifteen minutes to wake up, and even then another five just to feel up to getting out of bed.
Octavia was not a morning person. In fact, when she first saw Vinyl, Octavia had been surprised that the girl had even been able to wake up in the morning. Much less function in the sunlight. She had always thought that she would be more of a night owl like her.
The same could be said for Vinyl, who had always believed Octavia to be a morning person, what with how classy she was.
That fact was proven wrong on the first night the two spent together.
"Huh? Vinyl? Did you wake me up?"
Vinyl looked at her like she was crazy and made motions with her hands. But then something strange happened. Instead of having to interpret what her many hand gestures meant, Octavia could've sworn she heard Vinyl's voice in her head, saying,
"No. Or at least I didn't intend to. Sorry."
"Wow. Either i'm dreaming, or i'm going insane. I could've sworn I just heard your voice in my head."
Vinyl made some more gestures. She gave her a questioning look and put her hands out to her side in an "I don't know?" gesture.
Octavia heard it again. "What are you talking about? My voice? I'm a mute remember? I can't speak."
"No, I'm serious. I don't know what's going on, but I can hear your voice in my head, I just know it. Please believe me when I say that I am just as confused as you are, but that has to be the only explanation."
Vinyl shrugged. "If you say so."
Vinyl got up, now too awake to stay in bed thanks to Octavia's exclamations. She yawned and stretched herself out, unwittingly giving her friend a nice view of her body, which she gratefully took as an unexpected blessing.
"You've always been gorgeous, Vinyl."
"Thank you."
"Wow. I'm really gonna have to get used to our new mind speaking powers."
"Do you think its because i'm a unicorn? Did I get a new spell?"
"Even if you did, you never trained to learn any other kind of magic besides musical magic. And I can't imagine you suddenly having enough magic power to cast this without knowing it."
"You're right. What do you think it means?"
"Maybe it's a magical mutation to compensate for your lack of speech?"
Vinyl gave her a look that said, both figuratively and in her mind, "What? How do you even know that?"
"What. Just because i'm an earth pony I can't study the other races? I'm a musician, Vinyl. Knowing musical history is a very important thing for people like us."
"So, you're saying there's been a person before who's magic mutated to allow them to mindspeak?"
"No, I'm saying there was a unicorn with an ability to play multiple instruments at once. Arpeggio Dust I think his name was?"
"Tavi, with enough practice, any unicorn can do that."
"You know they can't. It takes years of study to learn how to properly play an instrument, even with the aid of being a unicorn! You know that just as well as I do, being one yourself."
Vinyl thought on this a moment. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Anyway, I need to go find this man of mine."
"You're going now?"
"Why not?"
"Well, how are you going to find him! It's not like you know where he lives."
"And standing around thinking about it is not gonna help me find him."
"huh. I suppose you're right. Go get him girl!"
"Will do, and with this new power, It'll be easy to talk to him." With that, vinyl headed for the door leading out
"Yes it wi- Oh no. Vinyl come back! Wait!" but she was already gone, the door left open a crack behind her.
"Geez! At least close the door properly!"
"Sorry, Tavi!" she heard in her mind as her roommate continued her walk.
Octavia glared at her back, but then smiled. "What am I going to do with you?"
After that talk, Vinyl had left their home to go in search of the man she saw that night, but, now that she was out here, she had to admit, Octavia had been right. How would she find him. She had know idea where he lived.
All she knew was what he wore.
She suddenly smiled. 'that's all I need to know.' She knew what he wore, so all she had to do was find someone wearing the same thing as him, and she would be home free.
She made her way down through the town with renewed resolve, waving to everyone she passed. She was going to find her man.
It was hopeless. She had been out here searching for him for hours. She had practically been all over ponyville by now. Where could he possibly be? The town wasn't that big. The biggest thing in it was that farm off to the side.
But that's when she realized. There was one place she hadn't been too yet. It had been so obvious that she figured it couldn't be there.
The farm! That's where he was! She smiled. "I've found you, my handsome stranger."
She began making her way there, a pep in her step and a shine in her eyes.
Once there, she made her way up to the barn doors and knocked three times, waiting for whoever was there to open the door.
When it finally did open, A girl with a stetson hat stepped forward. "Howdy, stranger! How may I help you?"
Vinyl began motioning her hands. First she pointed to herself, then she made a pleading face, and pointed inside the barn.
But the orange farmer didn't seem to understand. "I'm sorry, there, stranger, but I can't understand ya if you don't speak up. How 'bout ya try again?"
Oh! That's right! She had been so happy, that she forgot to use her mindspeak.
She focused and spoke. "My name is Vinyl Scratch. Nice to meet you."
"Ahhh!" the tanned girl screamed. "Granny Smith! I think Apple Bloom was right when she said there were ghosts hauntin' this place!"
Vinyl sighed and pointed to herself. "No. It's me. I'm speaking to you."
"It...Is it you, stranger?"
"Yes. Forgive me for not speaking to you the first time. See, i'm a mute."
"Yer a mute? As in, you can't speak?"
"Exactly. Now, I think was trying to introduce myself. My name is Vinyl Scratch and I came here to see someone."
"That there power o' yers is gonna take some gettin' used to. Ya said ya came here to see someone?"
"That's right. A boy."
"Oh-ho, a boy is it? Are ya maybe talkin' about Big Mac?"
"Who is he?"
"He's my big brother, and a mighty big help on the farm. Last night he came home and couldn't stop talking about a Ms Vinyl Scratch."
"He was talking about me?"
"Oh boy was he. Kept callin' ya a...Goddess of somethin' or other."
"He called me a goddess? I guess he meant of music."
"Of music? Ya mean you're that musician everyone in ponyville's talking about? You're that vinyl Scratch?"
"In the flesh." And with that she flashed a pose, smiling in slight pride.
"Now, what does a famous musician wane with my brother?"
At that, Vinyl blushed. "I came...to ask him on a date."
For the longest time, there was silence. Then Apple Jack turned around, walked into the barn, looked back at her, and said, "Just come on in. I'll take ya to him."
And with that, they made their way into the barn, Vinyl acting all giddy behind her guide. ""Oh, I hope he likes me."
"Oh, don't you worry miss. With the way he's been going on about you, he's sure to like you."
"Oh? What kinds of things has he said? Wait don't answer that. You already told me. Ahhh, a goddess..."
'Jeez, either this here girl's head over heels in love, or she's just as weird as Spike is about Rarity.'
"Well, here we are! Big Mac's room. Don't be surprised if he's already up though, we get up pretty early here on the farm."
Apple Jack had led her to Big Mac's room, and was now looking up at her expectantly.
"Well, go on. Open it up and step inside. It won't bite."
"Ohh, but he might. Does he even remember me?"
"Trust me. He remembers you. Now go on!"
Apple Jack pushed her close to the door and watched as she turned the knob and went inside.
AJ followed after her, coming up beside her in her big brother's room.
"Hey big Mac! I got a visitor for ya!"
At the sound of his sister's voice, Big Mac stopped what he was doing and made his way over to where she was.
When he saw who was with her, however, he fainted.
"See? Told ya he'd remember you."
Vinyl simply blushed and giggled. "Ahaha. haaah..." she stared at him for a moment before looking down. "What have I done?"
