Drastic Measures
It was early afternoon in ponyville and Octavia Melody was currently working on a new musical piece. Her roommate, and friend, Vinyl Scratch, or DJ PON-3 as she was known by most, on the other hoof was fresh out of bed and looking for something to eat.
Octavia and Vinyl were very different from each other, even their tastes in music were essentially the opposites of one another, but despite that they were very close friends, so much so that they even lived together.
However the biggest obstacle in their friendship, even more so than any difference in personality or interests, was communication, and not in the way you might think.
The truth is that Vinyl Scratch was in fact unable to speak, and this did tend to be a problem on many occasions, including this very day.
"Vinyl please, I'm busy," said Octavia.
The DJ however, was having none of it and continued waving her arms around in a desperate attempt to convey some kind of message.
You might be asking, can't Vinyl just write down her thoughts? Well yes, she could, but for reasons beyond anypony she insisted on playing charades with Octavia on most occasions.
Octavia sighed, "Very well. What is it?"
Vinyl beamed at Octavia and lead her to the kitchen, and Octavia followed.
Vinyl proceeded to point out that they were out of several items, and made quite a show of how hungry she was.
Octavia looked at her with slight annoyance, "Then simply eat something else?"
In response Vinyl simply shrugged, demonstrating her uselessness with anything that could be considered cooking.
Octavia sighed once more, "Very well I'll make you something to eat,"
Vinyl smiled widely in response.
Octavia spoke to Vinyl as she prepared the meal, "You really should learn how to cook yourself y'know. What will you do if this situation comes up again and I am not around?"
Vinyl looked up in consideration before placing her front hooves over her heart and dramatically falling onto her back, acting out her own death.
Octavia found this humorous, however, not wanting to encourage Vinyl's lack of personal responsibility, she held back her laughter.
"I'm serious Vinyl. You must be able to take care of yourself if the time comes that you have to,"
Vinyl sat up and looked down towards the floor in an upset manner. She new Octavia was right. As much as Vinyl was annoyed by this fact, Octavia was usually right.
Octavia didn't like seeing Vinyl upset, even if just slightly, so she decided to help with this issue. "Here. Shall I teach you how to prepare your own meals?"
Vinyl looked back up at Octavia, and after a few seconds, smiled and nodded, going to stand by the grey mare's side to observe her methods.
"Here, first and most importantly you must always be careful with a stove-"
Vinyl listened closely as Octavia went on about the basics of kitchen work. Knife handling, proper temperature, hoof washing, things that in Octavia's opinion should be quite obvious, but even so she enjoyed teaching these things to Vinyl.
After around thirty minutes Octavia had made Vinyl some eggs and toast. Although it was an incredibly simple dish, Vinyl was more than satisfied.
Having already eaten Octavia went back to her work station. "Now if you'll excuse me I'll be getting back to work,"
Vinyl, already stuffing her face, happily nodded and waved goodbye as Octavia left the room.
Octavia sighed, in relief this time, as she was finally able to get back to work. She picked up her instrument and continued developing her new piece. Octavia closed her eyes as she was finally able to focus completely, no distractions, it was very peaceful........this lasted about 15 minutes.
Octavia opened her eyes and was startled to see Vinyl staring directly at her. Octavia couldn't help but wonder how long Vinyl had been staring, "Um.....do you need something else?" Vinyl simply tilted her head, silently asking Octavia what she was doing.
Octavia took a moment to reply, "Well I'm working on a new song. I thought that was pretty clear,'
Vinyl nodded and Octavia, still a bit puzzled by her friends behavior, continued her work. Or at least she tried to, however it was made a tad difficult since Vinyl seemed to have nothing better to do than stare directly at her.
Octavia didn't necessarily mind Vinyl being around, but the staring was quite distracting. After what seemed like forever Vinyl finally did something besides stare, which was point towards the front door.
Octavia gave Vinyl a look that asked her to elaborate. Vinyl did so by standing up and walking in a circle a few times before sitting back down.
Octavia tilted her head slightly, "You want to go for a walk?"
Vinyl smiled and nodded.
"Well i don't see why you're asking me. You don't need permission for something like that," Octavia stated.
Vinyl shook her head and pointed at Octavia, and then to the door.
Octavia took a second but then understood, "Oh you mean together! Well I'm afraid I am busy at the moment so I don't really have the time,"
Vinyl gave Octavia a sad look and silently asked again.
Octavia sighed. Vinyl was often what some ponies might call "needy". Octavia did find this somewhat cute at times, but she also found it annoying at other times (or even both in some cases). And at this moment, having already used up a fair bit of time cooking for Vinyl, she found it quite inconvenient.
"Vinyl I'm sorry but I really am busy," Vinyl's ears drooped, she frowned, and looked down at the floor sadly.
Octavia began to feel guilty but remained firm, "Oh don't you try and guilt trip me Scratch,"
Vinyl looked at her and her eyes widened, as if she was shocked that Octavia would think she'd do something like that.
Octavia gave Vinyl an unamused look and the DJ sighed and walked away unhappily. Octavia, thinking that was the end of it, started playing again. Vinyl however, had other plans.
Octavia stopped as she felt something against her shoulder. She looked over and saw none other than Vinyl as she l rubbed her head against Octavia's shoulder, lightly nuzzling her. On any other occasion Octavia would have enjoyed this, but Vinyl was really starting to get on her nerves.
"Vinyl I said no,"
Vinyl got a tad more aggressive and nudged Octavia, who responded by shoving Vinyl aside, in a manner that would cause Vinyl no pain, in order to get the DJ to leave her alone. Vinyl however wasn't finished yet and she poked Octavia in the side. Octavia's reaction was a high pitched squeak.
Vinyl tilted her head, having expected more of a grunt or even a shout. Vinyl poked Octavia again and got the same reaction.
Octavia backed away, "Cut that out,"
Vinyl then got an idea, something she was sure that would make Octavia pay attention to her. Vinyl waited a few seconds before walking around to Octavia's other side and gently brushing her tail against it. Octavia let out a yelp and backed away considerably.
"Vinyl what in the world are you-" Octavia stopped as she realized Vinyl was coming towards her quite menacingly.
"H-hold in what do you think you're doing Vinyl? B-back away," Octavia got quite nervous, as she had a feeling she knew what Vinyl was planning.
Vinyl leaped towards Octavia and tackled her to the ground, confirming Octavia's suspicious. "W-wait Vinyl quit it!"
Vinyl did not listen and began to tickle Octavia, who responded with high pitched giggling.
"A-are you serious Vinyl?? Your resorting to this??" Octavia said while laughing.
Vinyl nodded and continued her attack. Octavia had had just about enough at this point. She was going to put Vinyl in her place.
Octavia struggled to speak as she laughed, "Alright I see how it is!"
Octavia took Vinyl by surprise, and was able to get the upper hoof by grabbing Vinyl by the shoulders and rolling over so that now Vinyl was the one who was pinned. It was at this moment that Vinyl new she had messed up.
Octavia smiled down at her, and Vinyl fearfully waved her arms around signaling a surrender.
Octavia chuckled, "I'm afraid it's too late for that," Octavia said sinisterly. Octavia then proceeded to attack in the same why she had been attacked, and tickled Vinyl.
Although Vinyl was mute and did not laugh in the same way that other ponies do, she still has quite a reaction wiggling around, and attempting to escape. Octavia of course did not allow that.
Octavia was quite fed up with Vinyl so she was far more aggressive than Vinyl had been. Octavia even brushed her tail against Vinyl's back hooves, which increase Vinyl's reaction considerably. Octavia did eventually stop after a good while, once she was confident that she had made her point, and got up off of Vinyl.
Vinyl however, being quite exhausted, made no attempt to stand and simply laid on the ground. Octavia giggled and, finally, got back to her work. "Perhaps that will teach you a good lesson Scratch," Vinyl had no response.
Octavia was quite happy as, with all the distractions out of the way, she was finally able to finish her work. And although Vinyl had been quite distracting, Octavia did have to admit that she was quite a bit more relaxed after all of that, which made her work a tad easier.
Octavia smiled, being quiet pleased with how the day had gone. "Alright Vinyl I'm all done. We can go on that walk if you'd still like to," Octavia looked over and realized that Vinyl, probably due to the exhaustion and Octavia's music, had fallen asleep right there on the floor. Octavia giggled and pet Vinyl's head, "Perhaps when you wake up..."
The end