Vinyl sighed heavily as she trekked toward the front doors of the Harwan, coffee clenched loosely in her hand. Leaning against the heavy door, the DJ slowly pulled her keys from the shorts she wore, pausing only to rearrange her cup before sliding in the key and unlocking the tumbler. Pushing back from the building, Vinyl leaned backward and tugged on the handle, pulling open the ornate doors before slipping inside the lobby and heading toward the main stage. The normally energetic DJ lagged as she walked, the lack of sleep from last night catching up quickly.

Moving into the main room, Vinyl brought up the lights and then stepped outward, direction heading toward backstage. The DJ approached the large black piano and sat at the bench, her tired arm allowing her a long swallow of the still-hot coffee. Leaning back against the piano, Vinyl let out a long breath as she relaxed a moment, chancing closing her eyes for a second. Briefly feeling herself slip away, Vinyl jerked forward, sunglasses jostling slightly at the violent motion. Grunting to herself, the DJ hefted to her feet, the exhaustion in her body greatly hampering the normally fluid motion.

Taking a moment to walk around the stage, coffee in hand, Vinyl languidly paced, attempting to shake the sleep from her eyes. It had been almost 5 by the time Vinyl had returned from her DJing at Rave, having been kept by a drunken Lyra whose only intention was recanting all of her childhood in one mistake-riddled night. Even after sleepily stumbling in her door at the ridiculous hour, Vinyl had been drawn to her equipment, a new muse taking hold of the DJ for long hours. After she had eventually finished, the time had worn to almost ten, causing the DJ to curse her habits as she attempted to switch back into a normal mode of existence.

A smile formed on the DJ's lips as she recalled the session she went through just this morning, the splendor she felt at creating new music helping in the release of sleep from her sore body. Pausing just beside the large piano, Vinyl tucked her free arm around her midsection, her thoughts again wandering to the powerful urge to create musical perfection. Tossing a look over her shoulder, Vinyl ran her glasses-covered eyes over the piano, a mischievous grin taking shape on perfect lips.

Turning to face the piano, Vinyl placed the throwaway cup on the edge of the instrument before taking a seat, her hands moving up to reflexively uncover the keys. Flexing her fingers, the DJ placed her hands before playing softly, an unnamed tune pouring out of the blue-haired woman with incredible precision. After playing the piece in its entirety, Vinyl leaned back, body humming with energy at the music. Pushing the bench back with her legs, the DJ began an energetic pace of the stage, her fingers itching to create once more. Flipping her sight upward, Vinyl peered at the clock hidden just out of sight, mind ticking away the time it would take for Octavia to arrive.

Pleased at the hour she still had, Vinyl slipped through the back curtains and turned, feet taking her toward a back office. Taking out her keys, Vinyl used the correct one, skillfully unlocking the door as she slipped inside. Grabbing the black hardcase from the corner of the room, Vinyl exited just as easily as she came, stopping briefly to lock the door behind her. Moving along the back hallways of the venue, Vinyl stopped at the stage to drop off the instrument before heading toward the storage closet. Again, she disappeared before emerging, a large amplifier pushed under her direction toward the stage.

Shuffling through the curtains, Vinyl disappeared to another part of backstage as she set up the amp, connecting it to the main power of the large theatre. Plugging a long cable in the amp, Vinyl slowly slid back toward the stage, smile only growing as she continued. Moving back toward the lights of the stage, she tossed down the cord as she bent down to open the hardshell, eyes glittering with pleasure at seeing the sleek instrument in the silk-lined case.

Lifting the revered guitar upward, she slid the blue strap over her shoulder and settled the weight of the instrument against her hips, pausing to revel in the familiar feeling of the V. Stooping to grab the cord, the DJ hooked up her guitar and adjusted the volume just slightly, spine tingling as the gentle hum greeted her. Fingers absently moving up to stroke the strings, Vinyl settled her fingers in a simple chord before bending again to grab a pick from the case. Kicking away the case, Vinyl settled into her familiarity, left hand again shifting upward to tickle the frets of the custom V, a small 'heh' escaping the DJ as she plucked a string.

The soundwave washed over her, chills exploding across the pale skin to leave fields of goosebumps across her flesh. Sliding her fingers down the strings, she reveled in the sound from the amp before she fell into playing, fingers shifting quickly across the neck as she played. For long minutes, the DJ played, the almost forgotten song working to ignite an intense flame in the woman, the sound erupting a long-dormant passion inside her that shifted into a heat that warmed her entire body.

Skilled fingers shifted easily over the strings, alternating between trills and gentle strumming, her body eventually fading into a full song, causing the DJ to bounce around the stage in overjoyed motion. After a while, the DJ stilled, her hands dropping the guitar to hang against her hips, her smile impossibly wider after the shortened session. Again her eyes drifted to the clock, a chuckle escaping after realizing she had spent almost the whole hour playing. Laugh growing, Vinyl slid off the guitar and unplugged it before tossing the cord just behind the curtain, intent on moving it later. She placed the V back in its case and closed it before placing it on top of the piano. Grabbing the cold coffee, Vinyl made quick work of the center walkway, her body exploding out of the building as her eyes searched the street for any signs of Octavia.

Exactly at one, a large yellow cab pulled up outside the Harwan, the back door opening to reveal the cellist as she slid smoothly from the rear seating. From her perch against the wall, Vinyl whistled low, shadowed eyes taking in the exquisitely dressed Octavia as she slammed the door shut, rearranged her purse, and approached the trunk, the lid having been popped by the driver that scrambled out of his seat to assist the musician. Vinyl smirked as her eyes slid over the nervous Octavia, carefully taking in the pencil skirt and plain gray blouse she wore, fingers tingling at the sight. Seeing the man struggling to free the large cello from the back, Vinyl pushed off from the building and tossed her empty cup in the trash as she approached.

Nodding to the driver, Vinyl turned toward Octavia, smiled etched on her face.

"How punctual. Back it up, I got it."

Octavia stepped back from the car, allowing Vinyl the room to easily slide the cello and its case from the trunk of the cab. The driver, thankful it was out of his car, tipped his hat to the women before sliding back in and pulling easily back into traffic. Octavia turned her attention back to the DJ, her lavender eyes taking a long minute to travel across the white camisole and gray-and-black plaid board shorts that the DJ wore, focus hovering over the chain attached to musician.

"What... are you wearing?"

Vinyl, amused, looked down at the simple outfit before glancing back up at the socialite.

"Clothes? What are you wearing?"

Absently, Octavia straightened her blouse.

"I had brunch with my parents."

Vinyl nodded before turning toward the Harwan, cello in hand. Octavia shuffled forward until she was beside Vinyl, heels clicking against the sidewalk before entering the building. Vinyl made easy work of the center walk before shifting over and heading toward the side steps, stopping only when she leaned the cello against the piano.

"Sorry, I forgot the chair. Be right back."

Octavia placed her purse to the side and settled on the stage, hands clasped in front of her as her eyes wandered the vast space. Looking toward the right, she paused for a moment, mulberry gaze taking in the large amp just inside the curtain. Vinyl's reemergence distracted her from the thought, however, and she smiled automatically at the DJ as she placed the chair back at center stage. Once she straightened, Vinyl smiled at Octavia.

"Do you want to try and play on your own, or should I play for you again?"

Octavia frowned suddenly, the unease in her shoulders building quickly.

"I don't... know. I suppose I'll try on my own, first."

Vinyl nodded and went to remove the cello from its case, the weary eyes of the cellist working her over as she carefully lifted the large instrument. Grabbing the bow, Vinyl walked the few steps to the tense Octavia and offered the well-loved instrument to its master. Nodding, Octavia reached out, pausing just for a moment before grasping the instrument and sitting down. Adjusting her angle, Octavia pulled the cello against her, the large instrument finding its nook instantly. Pleased, Vinyl smiled and receded, her body moving to sit on the bench just out of sight of the cellist.

Octavia breathed in deeply before exhaling slowly, her bow hand lifting to rest against the strings, though it moved no further. Octavia shuddered, shoulders tensing as she looked down at her beloved cello, feeling instantly ashamed of the large instrument in her grasp.

"Octavia?"

The cellist jumped at the voice, not realizing Vinyl had come to stand beside her. Octavia shifted her focus over, lavender eyes staring intently at the blue Chucks the DJ wore. Swallowing, the musician finally lifted her eyes to regard the jockey.

"Yes, Vinyl?"

"When did you learn you loved the cello?"

Octavia blew out a breath, the motion causing the carefully placed bangs to shift gently. Slipping her eyes closed, Octavia focused on the memory, a familiar feeling building in her chest at recalling the first time she had heard the alluring music. Opening her eyes, she refocused on Vinyl who had dropped to the stage to sit Indian-style, mouth curled up in innocent curiosity. Offering a sad smile to the DJ, Octavia inhaled before responding.

"When I was a little girl, I had gathered a love for all things classically composed. Being the daughter of Virtuosa Cash and Viktor Melody, I grew up knowing and loving the finer things in life. On my eighth birthday, my father finally caved at my wishes for seeing a live, classical music act. So on that same night, my father and I arranged a trip to this very theatre."

Vinyl snickered, smile widening at the cellist.

"Got a lot of memories here, don't you, Tavi?"

Reacting instantly to the nickname, Octavia scrunched her nose, displeased.

"If you would be so kind, could you please refrain from using that name? It's simply barbaric."

Vinyl laughed out loud at the offense, drawing a red-faced huff from the dark-haired woman. Holding her hands up in surrender, the DJ flicked her fingers forward, silently urging onward.

"Sorry, sorry. I'll be good. Now, you were saying?"

Taking a moment to smooth her hair out of habit, Octavia readjusted herself and cleared her throat, lavender eyes shifting to focus on the smirking DJ.

"Yes, as I was saying.... It was a chilly night, having been in the dwindling days of November... I remember being bundled up in my favorite pea coat and clinging to my father's hand as he led me through the front doors and toward our seats. It was the most incredible thing I'd ever seen... This theatre, so rich in class and steeped so deeply in culture... I'll never forget the sensation I felt the moment I saw it lit up before the show."

The lavender eyes of the cellist moved across the auditorium before her, a strong sense of reverence echoing through her. She chuckled to herself and shook her head before bringing her emotionally-fueled gaze back to the DJ.

"It's still the same, this place. Not a detail has changed, and it is still my absolute favorite place to perform. This is the same place I saw her, and felt an incredible need to pursue, just as she did that night. After my father and I sat, not long after the lights dimmed, a surreal silence swept across the entire gathering. Instantly, I felt the anticipation buzzing around me. My heart almost burst free of my chest at the tremor that pulsed through all those people."

Vinyl nodded in respectful silence, intrigued as she watched the cellist vividly recall the memory from so long ago. Octavia, who had closed her eyes as if to watch the memory dance across her mind's eye, shifted to refocus on the DJ, hooded lavender eyes glowing.

"After a moment of waiting, a lone spotlight lit the stage, and from the left, she emerged. She was elegantly dressed in a pitch black performance suit, and around her neck was the trademark emerald bowtie. She was the very image of class and grace; her long red hair had an energy all its own, and from my seat in the very front row, I could see the fire in those sharp, carmine eyes. That image struck me so, I was virtually speechless for the entire performance, so wrapped up in the sight of her."

Octavia stared outward as she recanted, her eyes losing their focus as the image of the musician came rushing back to her with force.

"I watched in rapt silence as she played the cello with absolutely no effort. The entire performance, her eyes remained closed, as if playing directly from her soul with little regard. So much passion, so much skill and poise... Camille Violoncelle captured everything I ever wanted in one, solitary moment... The very next day, my father bought me my first cello, and I dedicated my life to perfecting the craft."

Vinyl nodded before getting to her feet, smile mysterious.

"That feeling... remember that feeling, Octavia, and play."

Octavia relaxed for a moment before lifting her playing hand once more, this time allowing the bow to slide sensuously across the strings. Taking her cue, Vinyl back pedaled before sitting on the bench, her focus enthralled by the music currently coursing through the atmosphere. For a long time, Octavia simply played, switching between pieces with practiced ease. The tempo shifted every so often, the tone of the music fluctuating as Octavia played with varying degrees of emotion. Vinyl sat on the piano bench, hand in her chin as her elbow leaned casually on the instrument just beside her, smile pleased. The DJ slipped her eyes closed as she focused on the notes, the soothing music swirling masterfully around her.

Eventually, Octavia slowed her play before finally stopping to collect herself, bothered by the thin layer of sweat forming at her hair line. The cellist turned in her seat, lavender eyes searching for the DJ. For a moment, she simply stared at the blue-haired woman before Vinyl finally reacted, her body shifting backward to stand. Slowly approaching the cellist, the DJ kept her movement smooth, mouth twitching in a smile. She stopped just beside the raven-haired woman before a full smile split her lips, causing the cellist to shift nervously.

"That was... incredible."

Octavia flushed at the compliment, suddenly apprehensive.

"I played what I felt."

Vinyl nodded and gently nudged the cellist, grin cheshire.

"Know how long you played?"

Octavia shook her head at the question, unsure of what time had transgressed.

"No. How long was it?"

Vinyl chuckled for a minute before refocusing her shadowed gaze on the cellist.

"Almost two hours."

"Two-- Goodness, Vinyl, I didn't mean to..."

The DJ shook her head quickly, the motion drawing a frown from the seated player.

"Relax, Octy, it was amazing just to watch. You lost yourself in your music, and that's something you need if you're gonna get back on that horse of yours."

Narrowing her eyes, Octavia stood, balancing her cello on its retractable endpin before moving her supporting hand to clasp the scroll atop the large instrument, allowing the cellist to lean toward the DJ with little restraint.

"My name is Octavia, Miss Pon-3."

Vinyl chuckled at the attempted menace before sticking out her tongue at the cellist. Octavia, upon seeing the metal ball of the DJ's tongue ring, jerked back reflexively.

"My word, what is that?"

Vinyl pulled her tongue back in and paused for a moment, mouth twitching into an even larger smile.

"It's called a tongue ring, prissy pants."

Octavia tore her eyes from the DJ's mouth to shift upward to the double stud in the jockey's eyebrow. Laughing humorlessly, Octavia straightened in her pose, face twisting with displeasure.

"You have metal in your face, metal in your mouth... Is there anywhere else on you that has metal where there should not be metal?"

Vinyl stood for a moment before shrugging, hands moving to tug at the hem of the camisole she wore. Octavia reacted quickly, free hand shaking before her as she shifted her focus away from the DJ, mildly horrified.

"Oh, for the love of Celestia, please don't."

Vinyl paused, shirt up just enough to expose the bar in her navel. For a handful of seconds, Octavia kept her eyes shut and face turned before slowly opening the nervous lavender eyes to peak meekly at the DJ. Gaze landing on the black note beside the third offending piercing, Octavia shifted forward at the sight.

"Your eighth notes are backwards!"

Vinyl chuckled at the statement, causing the muscles in the toned stomach to twitch as she laughed. Sliding her shirt back down, Vinyl put her hands on her hips as she regarded the appalled cellist.

"Yep. Always been a little off the beaten path. I can't help how nature decided to brand me, now can I? Personally, I think they're awesome."

Octavia leaned back on her heels, her mind reeling at the backward notes.

"That would drive me absolutely insane."

Vinyl laughed again before poking at the cellist's hip, lip sliding between white teeth as she rocked forward on the balls of her feet.

"Why, what's your mark?"

Huffing, Octavia absently smoothed the fabric of her blouse before shaking her head at the curious DJ.

"Sorry, Vinyl, but that is for my eyes alone."

Smirking, the blue-haired DJ shook her head.

"I can just ask Symphony, she'll tell me."

Octavia, having started toward her case, turned to look over her shoulder before ignoring the question and reaching for the handle. Opening the snaps with her free hand, she slipped the case downward to lie open on the stage before gently placing the prized cello back into the safety of the hard case. Sliding her bow into its rightful place, Octavia closed the lid and secured it before standing up once again, lavender eyes focused on the quiet DJ.

"Symphony hasn't ever seen the mark on my skin."

Vinyl nodded, hands moving upward in surrender.

"Okay, you win."

Satisfied, Octavia nodded before hefting the large case and walked a few steps forward, focus set on exiting the stage. Vinyl walked the few steps to stop her, hand absently reaching for the case in her hand.

"Ya know, you can just leave it here. There's no point in lugging it back and forth if you're just going to keep coming back to practice."

Octavia hesitated for a minute before slowly nodding, gracefully handing over the instrument to Vinyl. The pair headed toward the back of the stage and slipped through the curtains, Octavia reflexively walking toward the storage area. Confused when Vinyl turned the other way, she walked quickly to catch up to the DJ.

"Where are we going? Aren't you putting it in storage?"

Vinyl shook her head at the question and shot a quick smile to the confused cellist.

"Nah, it might get confused back there. I'm gonna put it somewhere safe, so nobody touches it."

Walking a few more steps, Vinyl stopped suddenly before cursing under her breath, body twisting back around to regard the raven-haired musician.

"I left my damn guitar on the stage piano."

Shifting the large instrument over to the smaller woman, Vinyl slipped past Octavia before disappearing. Emerging from the shadows a moment later, Vinyl continued her journey toward the back office, stopping only to switch cases with Octavia to make the transition easier. The glasses-toting DJ stopped at the proper door and stooped to stand up the cello before fishing out the keys and unlocking the heavy door. Once inside, she flipped the switch on the wall and motioned for Octavia to follow.

Octavia gasped at the large space, eyes instantly drawing toward the large desk positioned tastefully in the corner.

"Vinyl, what on earth are you doing in Record's office!?"

Tossing a delinquent smile toward the cellist, Vinyl laughed out loud in the space between them.

"I keep my guitar in here. Guy's never back in, don't worry."

Suddenly feeling nervous, Octavia stepped backward.

"Vinyl, how can you just waltz into this man's office and stow your instruments in it??"

Her whisper was harsh in the still atmosphere, causing Vinyl to chuckle mercilessly.

"Relax, Octavia. We're just keeping our things safe."

Propping the large cello case in the corner, the blue-haired jockey turned and held her hand out to Octavia, motioning for the case she still held tightly in her grasp. Uncertain, Octavia clenched it tighter before finally relinquishing control and sliding the handle into Vinyl's waiting grasp. Leaning the guitar against the cello, Vinyl finally turned and grabbed the cellist's hand, pulling both of them out of the vast office before closing and locking the door behind them. Vinyl turned toward Octavia in that moment, shadowed face alight with mischief.

"Calmed down yet?"

Octavia shook her head before following Vinyl out of the web of hallways and back onto the stage. Once in the open space, Octavia sighed deeply, mood suddenly shifting. Vinyl, sensing the sudden change, approached Octavia to stand just before her.

"Hey, why the long face?"

"I don't think I can do this. It feels good while I'm doing it, but the after effect... It's just..."

Vinyl nudged the cellist, waiting patiently until she looked up.

"You got this, Melody. Don't even worry about it, okay?"

Octavia shook her head, nerves humming.

"You don't know that. As much as I want it to be behind me, it's still very much in the way."

Vinyl frowned at the news before she tilted her head up, lips moving in a pout as she thought for a moment. Seconds later, she refocused her sunglass-covered eyes to quietly regard the cellist.

"Octavia, have you ever written your own music?"

Caught off guard from the question, Octavia looked hard the DJ for an extended period before sighing, shoulders sagging in defeat.

"Once. I never finished the piece."

"What stopped you?"

Octavia absently rubbed her upper arm, a strange feeling swirling in her gut.

"Honestly, I don't know."

Vinyl nodded to the woman before heading toward the stairs. Octavia followed, stooping as she walked to retrieve her purse before rejoining the DJ, mind blank. Both women walked down the center aisle in companionable silence before slipping outside. Vinyl turned to lock the doors behind her before zeroing in on the cellist.

"Okay, then your homework is to finish."

Octavia looked closely at the DJ, attempting to judge her seriousness. Seeing no waver in the straightened mouth, Octavia smiled out of reflex.

"You're serious."

Offering only a nod, Vinyl smirked.

"Very. You never know what'll happen."

The cellist thought for a moment before half shrugging, her lavender eyes moving to look the DJ up and down. Stopping for a moment, the cellist looked up at the sky before looking back at Vinyl, mind racing.

"Would you like to get some coffee? I'm beginning to feel faint."

Vinyl grinned at the question before lifting a hand to run through the wild blue hair.

"Wow, only our second encounter and already you're asking me to coffee. Look at you, tiger."

Flushing at the statement, Octavia narrowed her eyes at the jockey, eyebrows twitching.

"Excuse me. I was only trying to--"

Vinyl laughed out right at the comment, her humor tickled at the emotions Octavia so easily cycled through.

"Just bustin' your balls, Mizz Melody. I'd like some sort of sustenance, I'm still running on that protein bar from this morning and the caffeine high wore off two hours ago."

In that moment, Octavia twitched, hands moving to seek the cellphone that vibrated in her purse. Seeing the contact name, she grimaced before answering the call.

"Hello, Mother."

Vinyl watched in fascination as Octavia spoke quietly into the phone, her face morphing into an array of emotions before her eyes narrowed dangerously. Conversation drawing to a close, an irritated smile crossed the cellist's face automatically, shaded eyes flashing.

"Kisses, mommy."

Octavia slid the phone back into her purse and exhaled sharply before focusing back on Vinyl.

"I'm sorry--"

Vinyl smiled and half-shrugged at the attempted explanation.

"No worries, kid. I need to crash anyway, haven't slept yet. See you tomorrow?"

Octavia frowned at the news before bobbing her head in affirmation.

"1 o'clock, sharp."

Pleased, Vinyl yawned and started off in the direction of her building, hand going up in a half-hearted goodbye, feet lagging just slightly in her gait. Octavia watched the DJ for a moment before hailing a cab, waiting patiently for one to stop.

It was the eighth day of stepping out onto the curb before the Harwan that Octavia noticed a form of happiness resurfacing in her chest. After turning back to close the door of the cab that kindly dropped her off for the eighth time, Octavia stopped in her forward journey toward the doors to look around the front of the large theatre. Vinyl had not been out front to greet her today, and Octavia frowned at the newfound information, unsure of how to proceed. Cautiously approaching the doors, a small bit of relief flooded her mind as the door opened at her command.

As she walked into the open lobby, a loud burst of music greeted her sensitive ears. Sliding through the inner doors, Octavia paused just inside the entryway, mulberry eyes trained on the DJ as she played her guitar with wild enthusiasm. The cellist watched carefully, mind twirling in wonder at the pure energy pouring from the DJ as she performed, hair wildly shaking as she tuned more into her performance.

Octavia hadn't realized she walked forward until she was just inside the first row of seats, eyes still glued on the other musician. The DJ's wild hair was damp with sweat, and the half-tank she wore clung to every curve of the jockey's lithe form, stopping just above the black and blue barbell. Spinning around in her session, Vinyl stumbled upon noticing the cellist, the music stopping suddenly as she smiled slyly, body straightening.

"Shit, it's one already? Sorry, Octavia."

Vinyl unplugged the guitar and kicked the long cord aside before wiping the blue sweatband on her upper arm across the damp forehead, cheeks flushed with effort. Octavia smiled and moved towards the steps, finally reaching the stage and approached the DJ in a smooth motion. Vinyl slid the guitar around to rest at her lower back before absently running her hand through the wild locks.

"I didn't know you played guitar, too. What can't you do?"

Vinyl chuckled and shrugged, face twisting into a wry grin.

"Eh, I have a few hobbies. I'll go get your cello."

Moving toward the piano, Vinyl lifted the guitar over her head before resting it on the piano and then disappeared through the curtains. After a moment, she reemerged, familiar case in hand. Octavia smiled at the blue-haired woman, elated as seeing the instrument again, her fingers missing it since the day before. Vinyl did as she had the past seven days, pausing to place the case before pulling the instrument free. She approached Octavia, arms outstretched to offer the instrument.

Octavia, purse still on the crook of her arm, shook her head a minute before moving to dig through the large bag. Taking out a small packet of worn papers, she offered the sheets to Vinyl. Reaching out her free hand, Vinyl gently accepted them before looking them over in curiosity.

"What's this?"

"It's my... my piece. I believe I've finished."

Vinyl looked it over, mind working to hear the notes in her head as she scanned the sheet, smile widening.

"This'll be perfect for tonight."

Confused, Octavia frowned before sliding her purse to the floor and accepting her instrument from the DJ.

"What's tonight?"

Vinyl looked up and smiled, lips smoothing in her contentment.

"Your show at the Harwan."

Octavia blanched at the news, her hands almost dropping the instrument and its bow.

"My what!?"

Author's Notes:

Not much has occurred in this chapter, but it was a necessary evil to get me to move along. Apologies for any mistakes, I've kept odd hours and tried to catch them all in my three-time review. I would also like to point out that this story is not about Octavia's redemption, but the following months after meeting Vinyl and the tentative friendship they attempt to build. You know what they say when you mix water and oil. Enjoy?