"Heartstrings, I'm going to crawl through this phone and slap the life out of you."

"Good luck getting those hips through that tiny phone. And come on, you know I'm just kidding. You've been all sulky because Octavia's been busy. 'Octavia's busy, when do I get to see Octavia, life is sooo hard.'"

"I do not act or sound like that, idiot."

"Oh, right. It's more like 'I have such feels for the super hot cellist with the sweet ass legs that hasn't even noticed me really yet, WOE IS ME.'"

"I will not humor you with a response, you vile overlord. I'm going to bed. Make sure you check your closet for zombified DJ murderers, or you could get got."

"Say 'hi' to your girlfriend when you get around to seein' her, Scratch! LOVE YOUR FACE, SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR OUR VG MARATHON! BYE!"

Vinyl hung up the call and ambled slowly into her room, face scrunched in displeasure, body devoid of any real energy. She had been up the entire night and day before and still had not been able to sleep. Almost noon, and the DJ was forcing herself to finally attempt to lie down and catch the rest that had been alluding her for almost two days. Stripping out of her clothes, Vinyl turned down the covers to the large bed and sighed happily, body already anticipating the feel of the luxurious mattress. Slipping under the covers, Vinyl moaned quietly as the cool silk soothed her burning skin, gently cradling the soft shell in a calming embrace. Bloodshot carmine eyes fluttered closed after a moment, a wide smile forming on her face as her body finally began to relax.

For a few moments she laid, body tingling in anticipatory giddiness of the sleep she so desperately craved. The silence of the dark room was suddenly shattered by a thumping bass beat, the wubs from the offending device echoing deeply through the room. The DJ let loose a whine as she turned her head toward the charging cell just beside her bed, eyes falling shut in defeat. Forcing her body to turn, she grabbed the phone off the nightstand and answered it, barely suppressed groan causing her voice to drop an octave.

"Scratch.."

"Hello, Vinyl. Did I wake you?"

Sitting up at hearing the soft accent of the caller, Vinyl scrubbed at her eyes with her free hand.

"Nah, girl. I'm up. What's shakin'?"

"I'm sorry it's been so long since we've spoken-- my schedule was bombarded with people wanting my company at various events. I've--"

"No problemo, Octavia. You don't gotta report to me. People been cool with you getting back to playing, I guess? Your popularity must have skyrocketed again."

"Yes, well. You know how people can be, they want what's hot and in."

Vinyl chuckled to herself and resettled under the covers, her exposed skin prickling as a sudden chill passed over her. The red-eyed DJ propped her phone against her cheek as she curled up, eyes attempting to close against her will.

"Yeah, I hear ya. So what's up?"

"Well... I was wondering if you were at all busy today?"

"I'm pretty wide open, just a concert I wanted to go to later tonight. You?"

She could practically hear Octavia think through the silence that stretched on for a moment, allowing the DJ a moment of content. Eventually, the cellist spoke up, cutting into Vinyl's focus.

"Actually, I was curious to know if you'd like to spend the day together. I need to escape the monotony, my mind has been spinning for days. I've called off two appointments just this afternoon for some time to breathe."

Vinyl was sitting up again, her interest piqued at spending the day with the raven-haired cellist. It had been almost three weeks since she had lunch with the two strings players, and all subsequent contact had been rebuffed by the cellist's busy schedule. Vinyl's smile brightened at the aspect as she was already throwing the blanket off her bare legs.

"So you want to play hooky? I am so game!"

The jockey heard the other woman laugh gently on the other end, the sound causing an echoing wave of elation to spread through her like wildfire.

"I wouldn't be opposed to some sort of adventure today..."

Vinyl paused in her step, smile growing even larger at the words. Still, she maintained her composure, even as she happily paced the hardwood of her bedroom, legs moving her in a small circle beside her bed.

"Adventure is my middle name. I just need a shower and I'll come pick you up. You at the tea shop or something?"

"No, I'm at home. I've been playing a little this morning, and I'm just finishing some tea."

"Okay, you do that, and I'll wash off my day-old dirt and throw some clothes on. And where is it you reside, prissy pants?"

"I live at the Waldorf, number 614."

Vinyl, who had grabbed a pen and paper to write down the address, chuckled as she straightened at the information.

"Shit, that's like, three blocks away. I'll be there in a bit. Make sure you wear practical shoes!"

Octavia peered down at the phone in her hand and then at the black Manolo stilettos she wore, her perfectly sculpted eyebrows crinkling in thought as she heard the DJ disconnect the call.

Vinyl finished tying the laces to her knee-high blue boots before bouncing upward and approached the coffee table, eyes set on the half-gone cup of caffeine and sugar that awaited her. She wiggled her body, attempting to quickly drain herself of the lingering exhaustion she felt pulling at her conscious. Downing the rest of the drink in one fell swoop, the jockey bounded into the kitchen to deposit the cup before turning on her heel to return to the living room. Snatching up her glasses, she slid them snuggly over her bloodshot eyes and nodded in satisfaction before grabbing at the small set of keys just beside her mail.

Rocketing herself back toward her bedroom, the blue-streaked woman kicked at the door and trotted toward her bedside table to pick up her charged phone, sliding it deftly into her front pocket. Stopping quickly to make the bed into a semi-decent state, she grabbed at her earphones and connected them to the jack on her phone. Taking one more second to check her appearance in the mirror, she grinned at what she saw, mostly pleased at the sight. The skin-tight, dark blue jeans that tucked into her boots clung perfectly to her and were torn in all the right places, tastefully adding an edge to her already frayed style. The blue and white leather studded belt was partially visible from beneath the hem of a comfortable black tank, the large reverse quaver buckle glinting wonderfully in the filtering sunlight of the room.

Vinyl snatched her thick-banded watch and put it on as she walked back toward the front door, smile glowing despite the glaring exhaustion she felt settling in her bones. Pausing a final time, Vinyl carefully picked up the piano-charm necklace she wore and slid it around her neck, fingers easily hooking it in place. Taking a final look around, Vinyl picked up a few more things and finally opened her door and stepped out, turning to quietly close and lock the heavy wooden door. Making quick work of the hallway, Vinyl opted for the stairs in an attempt to keep her body at a higher level of activity, and she quickly descended the few levels.

Hidden red eyes peered thoughtfully at the watch on her wrist, the time causing a mischievous grin to spread.

"Octavia won't mind me stopping by a little sooner than expected, right?"

Vinyl popped out of the elevator and strolled leisurely down the hall. She peered thoughtfully at the numbers as she walked by, pausing just slightly at each one. Eventually arriving at the correct door, Vinyl rapped her knuckles gently on the polished wood of the opposing object before withdrawing her hand and tucking it easily into her front pocket. She rocked on the balls of her feet as she waited patiently for the cellist to open the door. A loud bang from inside the apartment gathered the DJ's wandering attention, and the muffled scream had her plowing through the door in a panic.

"Oct--"

The cellist was sitting on her kitchen counter, wide lavender eyes looking in horror at the waves of water currently pouring out from beneath her sink. Vinyl dropped her cargo at the threshold and rushed toward the water, pausing long enough to stuff her cell into the shocked cellist's hands before dropping down toward the flood. Sliding on her knees through the water, Vinyl opened the cabinets and was greeted by a wall of the rushing stream, momentarily blinding her sight from the spewing break in the plumbing. Thankful she was wearing her glasses, she lifted her hands and quickly reached through the geyser to fumble blindly with the shut off valve. Dropping her head down, Vinyl ducked below the water and lunged forward, slippery fingers finally finding purchase on the knob as she violently twisted her wrist.

Turning the spigot quickly, Vinyl cursed colorfully as the water finally weakened before stilling to a humble drip. Letting out a breath that sounded oddly similar to a beast-like growl, Vinyl unfolded her long frame from beneath the cramped space of the sink, her bent elbows knocking cleaning bottles down as she detangled herself. Once free of the cramped space, she sat back on her heels and shook the droplets free that clung to the wild tips of her now soaked hair, ineffectively clearing her of the cold water that currently clung to her skin. Half turning toward the red-faced Octavia, Vinyl blew tiny droplets from her lips before smirking up at her companion.

"What the hell'd you do, call the pipe a mean name?"

Octavia looked down at the small lake on her floor before looking back up at the wet Vinyl and smiled sheepishly.

"No, I... I don't know what happened. I was washing my teacup when I heard a horrible sound..."

Vinyl attempted to wipe her wet hands on her equally soaked jeans and grimaced at the lack of progress. Standing slowly, so as not to slip in the large puddle, she turned her torso toward Octavia before a small chuckle escaped her trembling lips.

"I think you're emotionally abusive to your plumbing."

Octavia smiled kindly at the words before her eyes dropped to scan the jockey. Not an inch of the spin doctor's front was dry, and the already tight fitting clothes seemed to hug her body even more so than before. The lavender gaze slowed as her focus steadied on the clear outline of the jockey's navel piercing that stood out against the thin, wet material currently covering the well-toned stomach. Frowning slightly, Octavia turned her lips up in thought before her eyes shifted passed the slowly rolling droplets covering the neck and face of the drenched jockey before eventually reconnecting with the ever-present glasses of her musical friend.

"Goodness, Vinyl, I'm sorry! I'll get you a towel!"

Before the cellist could step down into the puddle, Vinyl whipped her hand out to stop her.

"Don't worry about it. I'll run to the hardware store and pick up the stuff to fix your sink. You just avoid the ocean, and I'll be back in a bit."

Vinyl turned to walk back toward the door, her heavy boots making small splashing sounds as she walked through the mass of water. Stopped just at the edge of the tile, Vinyl hesitated, eyes looking angrily down at her wet boots. Weakly, Octavia threw the hand towel at the DJ as she stood thinking, a small smile forming as Vinyl turned and caught it without effort. Putting the towel on the plush carpet, Vinyl dried the soles of her boots as well as she could before she made slow work of the carpet separating her from freedom, mindful of the water that still rolled down her body in an attempt to escape.

Stopping at the door, Vinyl turned to regard the still-unsure cellist.

"Try not to get too wet. I won't be too long."

Octavia nodded weakly before watching Vinyl leave as quickly as she had come.

A little more than a half hour later, and Vinyl was shuffling through the door, plumbing supplies in hand. Her clothes can dried to a less-wet state, though she was still uncomfortably damp in the sticky clothes. Vinyl smiled wide at Octavia as she stood at the edge of the kitchen, conflicted eyes staring intently at the group of towels currently covering her floor. While Vinyl was away, Octavia had attempted to clear the water as best she could, and she had removed all the supplies from beneath the sink to allow easier access to the makeshift plumber.

Setting down her bag, Vinyl quickly looked over the sea of towels before acknowledging the strings player.

"Good job, O. I'm just waiting on uhh, my buddy Cross to drop off some tools. I... assumed you had zero in your apartment."

Octavia turned her head, face warped in humored disbelief.

"Why, Vinyl. You should have asked."

"...you have tools somewhere?"

Octavia hesitated before grinning sweetly at the DJ.

"No, I don't. I may have a small screwdriver somewhere, but... I'm sorry, Vinyl. I wasn't planning for our fun, adventurous day to start out wet and... under a sink."

Her voice trailed off as the sculpted eyebrows drew tightly together in her guilt and upset. Vinyl only laughed it off and moved to kneel before the sink again, damp head shaking in amusement at the delicate cellist.

"Chillax, homeslice. Doctor V will have your mess all cleaned up in a jiffy."

Her cellphone, that Octavia had safely placed on the coffee table, began to ring, signaling the arrival of the tool-bearing Cross. Vinyl stood up as Octavia bent to gather the ringing phone and closed the distance between them. Vinyl accepted the phone before answering it quickly.

"Yo, Cross, you here?... Yeah, 6th floor. Meet you at the elevator."

She gave the phone back to Octavia and quickly left the apartment, only to return a moment later with a small box of tools. Holding up the box in mild victory, Vinyl headed back toward the sink; she gathered a few tools and knelt down before twisting over and sliding underneath the cramped space. The red-eyed jockey grimaced as she settled, the wet frame of the cabinet painfully digging into her back, surely leaving a wet spot in its wake. Octavia, in her curiosity, had stepped nimbly over Vinyl and hopped atop the counter as the two-tone musician shifted her hips to give better leverage on the pipe.

A metallic clang and a slew of creative curse words had the cellist blushing and casually leaning over to look more at the DJ.

"Is there anything I can help you with, Vinyl?"

"Yeah, you got a fucking hacksaw?"

Octavia straightened at that and thought for a moment before the sound of laughter wafted up to her. Her dark lavender eyes focused on the visible legs as they shook with the jockey's snarky laughter. Vinyl cursed again before wiggling her body free of the confining space and cast a seemingly annoyed look up at the cellist.

"Do you at least have a flashlight?"

Octavia nodded and slid down before climbing over the DJ once more to disappear down the hallway. A few moments later, she came back into view, large black Maglite in hand. Vinyl nodded her approval and waved the player back over.

"You're gonna have to hold it for me, that little flashlight Cross gave me ain't doin' jack squat."

Octavia nodded enthusiastically, face breaking into a large smile at being able to assist the DJ. Vinyl again laid back and slid her body under the sink. She lifted a finger to point where she needed the light.

"Right here, as steady as you can. I have to get this jacked up pipe out of the way. Jeez, when was the last time these were looked at?"

Octavia nodded quietly, forehead set in concentration as she pointed the strong beam at the rusted pipes. She watched in mute fascination as the DJ lifted her well-toned arms up to set the wrench against the rusted connection before coiling her core and pushed, voice coming out in a growl as the jockey attempted to turn the busted connector. From her position beside Vinyl's hip, Octavia could see the muscles in the jockey's taller body twitch and shift with the effort, drawing the eyes of the cellist in with distracting gravity.

Eventually, the rusted pipe had given way, causing the DJ to jerk painfully with the failing seal, her elbow knocking the inside of the cabinet as her body fell back against the lip of the cabinet. She hissed in discomfort, which instantly worried the focused Octavia.

"Honestly, Vinyl, are you okay?"

Grumbling incoherently, Vinyl regained her relaxed position as she continued to twist the pipe wrench in hopes of dislodging the smug pipe.

"Yeah, Tav. Fine."

After a few more tense moments, Vinyl tossed the busted pipe out from under the sink before eventually pulling herself out for a quick breather. Black and orange-red particles littered the DJ's arms and chest, a few even having enough nerve to take refuge on the irritated face of the blue-streaked woman. Absently wiping her hands on a dirty rag, she jerked her head toward the supplies, white teeth standing out against the smudges on the sarcastic face.

"Octavia, be a love and fetch me that nonsense so I can reassemble your blasted sink."

The raven-haired musician bit her lip to keep from laughing as she stood to retrieve the requested items. She returned to her seat on the floor and held the bag open for the grumpy DJ; Vinyl picked through the items before finding what she looked for. She sighed before shifting her body back into the cramped space, eventually waving her finger for Octavia to shine the light.

For long minutes they worked in silence, the cellist handing the needed items to Vinyl as they were required. The force of the water had misaligned one of the pipes, which called for Vinyl to curse steadily as she continued her work. Eventually though, Vinyl had finished wrapping the seal around the trap and slid it into place before tightening it in an almost hateful motion. She scurried out from under the sink and rolled to her knees, back protesting at the uncomfortable position. Absently waving her hand at the sink, she focused her hidden eyes on the nervous cellist.

"It's now or never, Octy. Flip-a the switch-a."

Snorting at the silly words, Octavia stood and cautiously approached the sink. She placed an unsteady hand on the tap before exhaling and quickly turned the knob. For a second, there was just a gurgle, before the water came rushing out with the proper force, the simple motion drawing an excited squeal from the normally reserved cellist.

"Oh my stars, you fixed it!"

Vinyl nodded slowly, the exhaustion from her morning knocking gently at the backs of her eyes. She cracked her back into place and twisted this way and that, attempting to loosen the tense muscles. Moving to look at her watch, she frowned before sighing heavily.

"Ah, damn it."

Octavia turned her still-excited attention to the DJ and pouted as she watched the large watch slip off the DJ's wrist. Realization dawned on her as Vinyl stood, sullen, at the busted timepiece.

"Oh, Vinyl... your watch."

"It's cool. Forgot I was wearing it."

Vinyl knelt to collect the trash from the new equipment and deftly tossed the watch in the trash bag before tying it closed. Octavia frowned but bent to help pick up the wet towels. After the quick clean up, Vinyl stood in the newly dry kitchen, hands at her hips, and snickered.

"Okay, since we've now wasted like, two friggin' hours on your sink, are you ready to go out and have some actual fun?"

Lavender eyes lit up as full lips twisted into an excited smile.

"Absolutely."

"Good."

The DJ closed the tool box and tossed it under the organized sink before turning back toward the door. Stooping to pick up what she had originally entered with, her face morphed into a mischievous mask, broken only when Vinyl began to laugh. Octavia eyed the object warily, stomach tensing at what it represented.

"Vinyl... please tell me that's not a motorcycle helmet."

The DJ pulled up smoothly to the curb and stopped gently before killing the engine of her bike. The cellist, who had clung almost painfully to the DJ in the short commute, lifted her head reluctantly from the jockey's shoulder. Vinyl chuckled as she flipped down the kickstand and shifted her hips to better support the weight of the woman that was practically attached to her.

"Was that really so bad, Octavia? We only went four blocks."

With a trembling hand, Octavia straightened slightly before warily moving her booted foot toward the ground. Once anchored for a minute, the muted cellist slid off the bike and stumbled before regaining her footing; Vinyl slid off the machine and removed her helmet in a fluid motion.

"You know, we can take some cabs today if you're really uncomfortable with it."

"N-no... I-I'll be okay... Once I can... feel my legs."

Laughing heartily, Vinyl approached the cellist and wrapped her arm around her shoulders as she led them toward the front doors. Snapping out of her shock, Octavia looked up in wonder at the large building.

"Vinyl, you live in the Astoria?"

"Yep. Last couple'a years now. We'll only be here a sec, I just want to get changed."

Amazed, Octavia nodded dumbly as she walked through the front doors, the large helmet still planted firmly on her head. Vinyl playfully nudged the cellist as they waited for the elevator, lenses sparkling merrily in the bright lights of the lobby.

"You look cute in a motorcycle helmet, O."

Blushing furiously at the comment, Octavia casually slid the helmet off and shook free her hair, perfectly manicured nails brushing through the soft bangs. Vinyl swallowed gently at the sight, mouth smiling reflexively. They both entered the elevator at the same time before Vinyl tapped the '4' button and leaned casually against the wall. Octavia swung the helmet back and forth as she nervously wrung her hands, her flushed cheeks burning gently in the rear of her conscious. With hooded eyes, Vinyl looked over the cellist and smiled warmly at the meek woman. With a ding, the heavy metal doors opened, allowing both musicians to skip easily into the hallway. Making quick work of the long hallway, Vinyl coasted around the corner and stopped outside her door. Quickly selecting the right key, she was turning the tumbler and stepping inside, cellist in step.

Tossing her helmet on the couch, Vinyl flopped down on the overstuffed sofa and began to undo the high laces of her blue boots. Octavia walked casually around the living room, impressed.

"You have a very nice place, Vinyl. Not at all what I was expecting..."

"Were you expecting a hovel, with stuff lying around and basic chaos?"

"...I wouldn't say hovel."

Vinyl snorted out a laugh before sliding her second foot free of the boot. Without thinking, she stood and pulled the damp tank over her head, playfully shaking her hair as it settled wildly. Octavia turned quickly at the sight, cheeks burning at the casual act of the relaxed DJ. Vinyl continued toward the bedroom before calling over her shoulder.

"Back in a sec!"

Octavia, after standing still for a long minute, released the breath she had been holding and turned back around. She approached the couch and sat, curious eyes still wandering around the apartment. She tilted her head at the large, covered object in the corner, mind drifting with her thoughts as she disappeared into herself for a moment. Vinyl reappeared a few minutes later, dressed in equally tight black jeans and a white tank. She stopped suddenly once she noticed the spacey Octavia, feet taking her toward the prone cellist. Vinyl sat on the coffee table across from the black-haired player and reached for one of the boots before carefully brushing her hand across Octavia's left knee.

Jumping almost out of her skin, Octavia focused her eyes on the smiling DJ and playfully slapped the jockey's arm.

"You scared me, Vinyl."

"Sorry."

She retied the second boot and then shot up, energy returning with vigor.

"You ready to go have some fun now, Mel!?"

The cellist in question wrinkled her nose at the newest nickname.

"My name's--"

"I know, I know. Octavia. I'll get a nickname for you yet, believe it!"

She grabbed her helmet and bag off the couch and then tugged the other woman by the hand and pulled her to stand. Octavia followed just behind her company as they both strode out of the apartment.

"So where are we going first?"

Smiling brightly, Vinyl threaded her arm through Octavia's and leaned in suspiciously.

"You'll see."

Vinyl coasted to a stop just outside their destination and sighed happily as she looked up at the building. Octavia, head buried between the DJ's shoulder blades, relaxed slightly as she felt the bike shut off.

"Are we... there?"

Vinyl nodded and grabbed at the hands locked around her waist and gently pulled them apart. Still holding one of Octavia's hands, Vinyl slid from her seat and turned toward Octavia, her face flushed and eyes closed tightly.

"Come on, you big puss. We're here, you can breathe now."

Octavia relaxed just slightly as she blinked her eyes open, violet orbs bright in the glittering sunlight. She cast her eyes to Vinyl and then to the rather nondescript building just behind her, her face morphing into confused skepticism.

"Where are we?"

Vinyl slid her helmet off and reached her hand for Octavia's, allowing a quick moment for the cellist to remove the headgear and hand it over. Connecting them and tossing both over the handlebars, Vinyl offered a steady hand to the still seated cellist. Octavia gave her hand to the ever-grinning DJ, uncertain still about the vehicle beneath her. Simply enough, she threw her leg over and dismounted cleanly, stumbling just a little in the last second before standing firmly on her own two feet. With a giddy smile, Vinyl tugged the hand still in her grasp and pulled Octavia toward the brick building.

"Vinyl, what is this place?"

Her searching eyes scanned the building's exterior for any sign, but only saw the sign '5C' done up in common, neon lights that crawled halfway up the building.

"...what's '5C?'"

Vinyl laughed out loud at the question before opening the door and pulled the cellist inside. Octavia's mouth opened in shock as she absorbed her surroundings, eyes widening at the many sights and sounds of the massive building. Vinyl laughed once more before guiding the dazed musician toward a small booth to the side. She released her grip on Octavia and shifted the bag she carried to her back to reach in her pocket for her wallet. Placing a bill on the counter, she smiled widely at the clerk

"Change it up for me, Carnivale."

The elderly man smirked and nodded before sliding the bill off the counter, only to replace it with a hefty bag of coins a moment later. Octavia, from just behind the DJ's shoulder, frowned at the large sack.

"Vinyl, if you'd like, I can chip in--"

Vinyl snatched up the bag before spinning around to keep her shouldered bag out of reach of the cellist.

"I said you could bring your purse if you really needed to, but I told you: I'm treating today. And don't you dare think otherwise."

Octavia frowned and motioned to the large trove of coins the DJ still held.

"That was a good deal of money you just turned into simple pocket change, what's this even for? And what's 5C?"

The older man behind the counter chortled at the bereaved Octavia, his creamy orange eyes twinkling in the flashing lights of the building.

"Vinyl, who is this marvelous young lady?"

"Oh, Carny, this is my friend Octavia Melody. You know, Cellist Extraordinaire."

His smiled widened beneath the gray mustache as he reached his hand out in pleasant greeting. Smiling through her confusion, she moved forward to shake his hand.

"You... know of my work?"

The question was tentative, unsure of whether he was being sincere or just polite. Again, the man chuckled.

"No, ma'am. I've heard your music, you play marvelously. And to answer your question, 5C means--"

"Carmine Carnivale's Crazy Convivial 'Cade."

Octavia blinked at the mouthful before laughing gently at the name.

"I can see how that can be a pain to relay."

Vinyl smiled before nodding to the man and slid her hand into Octavia's once more.

"You can explore in a second, I want you to play Alien Apathy 7 with me!"

Octavia blanched at the name as Vinyl led her through the boisterous arcade.

"That... doesn't sound promising."

Vinyl stuck her tongue, ball and all, out at the cellist before winding her way through the many machines on the floor before stopping at her desired console. After releasing the cellist, Vinyl shifted her bag strap to cross over her chest before digging in the coin bag for the required number of tokens. She gestured to Octavia to pick up the large blaster as she loaded the coins; Octavia frowned deeply but did as asked and picked up the neon blue gun. The machine made a noise as the last coin was slid into the slot, the large screen jumping to life before her very eyes, causing her to flinch unexpectedly.

Vinyl straightened and smirked at the cellist as she stood, tense and still, blaster dangling from her left hand, as her wide eyes scanned the shifting scenes of the game. Vinyl slid in behind her and nudged at the gun, signaling for Octavia to lift it. She did as instructed, and looked at the screen and the bouncing crosshairs, her eyebrows drawing even tighter against her forehead.

"Vinyl... is this some sort of gory, killing, shooting all-violence-and-no-fun game?"

"Yep. Now relax, spread your feet, and aim."

"Vinyl, I'm not comfortable with killing... things."

"They're alien monsters that look nothing like anything you'll ever see in your lifetime. I have to teach you how to shoot, there's a tutorial."

Octavia cast her eyes back to the screen and attempted to do as told and forced her body to relax slightly. Her eyes focused on the screen and the blue crosshairs as it moved along with her. Exhaling shortly, she rolled her neck and prepared herself. She split her attention between the game and Vinyl's words as she explained various things about how to play before she finally began to shoot. It was easy, once she got used to it, and she watched in merriment as her score grew. From her placed behind the cellist's shoulder, Vinyl chuckled and moved to the slot next to Octavia.

The DJ knelt and added her own tokens and pressed the button as she picked up the red gun. She nudged Octavia with her shoulder and placed the gun casually over her shoulder.

"You're player one, don't get us killed."

Feeling a rush of excitement roll through her, she nodded confidently and refocused her vision on the screen.

"Bring it on, you alien menace!"

Vinyl chuckled incredulously before falling into her own relaxed stance.

"Get ready, here it comes."

The game opened and they began their assault on the many enemies on screen. Vinyl shook with laughter as she saw Octavia almost duck and jump at various things throughout the game, causing her own focus to shift more from the game to the cellist. After only two levels, they had both been killed, and as the Continue screen counted down, Vinyl holstered her gun and held her midsection in burning laughter. Octavia smiled wide as she holstered her own gun, her flushed cheeks adding to her appeal.

Vinyl straightened after a moment and playfully shoved the beaming musician.

"Not too bad, Octavia, I gotta say. But you totally distracted me with your moves!"

Both women shared a laugh before Octavia jokingly punched the DJ's arm.

"That was actually fun!"

"Yeah, that's the point. Come on, this place is three stories, we have a lot to look at!"

Octavia wandered aimlessly through the massive crane game wing, her eyes delightfully scanning the many prizes in the cases. She had tried her hand at a few and found them both fun and marvelously infuriating. Still, she was drawn to them, and was happy to look over the many booths. Turning the corner of one set of cranes, Octavia stopped suddenly at one, her eyes staring intently at a small, stuffed raccoon. She approached the crane and stopped, heart melting in her chest at the simple cuteness of the stuffed toy. The raven-haired player slid her hand into the pocket of her designer jeans in search of one of the many tokens Vinyl had bestowed upon her when they parted ways just a short while ago. Happily finding one, she slid the coin into the slot and steadied her hand on the control stick.

Tongue out in concentration, Octavia positioned the crane just above the creature and hit the drop button, eyes delighted as the crane clamped directly on the fuzzy animal. She watched with barely controlled glee as the raccoon was scooped up and raised, her body bouncing on the balls of her feet as the small plush began its ascent. Her happiness turned to stress a second later, however, as the raccoon began to slip from the steely fingers. Octavia pressed her hands to the glass as the crane began its sideways journey, all while the raccoon slipped further and further. Much to her dismay, the adorable stuffed raccoon, along with Octavia's heart, slid free of the crane and fell awkwardly against the outer wall of the drop chute.

Octavia stared longingly at the creature before she shoved her hand back in her pocket in search of another token. A dozen tries later, however, and she was coinless and distraught, standing in front of the head-standing raccoon. Dejectedly, she left the crane hall in search of Vinyl, her heart illogically breaking in her chest. Eventually she found Vinyl in Racer Alley, shamelessly whooping a teenager at Street Racing Nitro, her tongue out in smug victory.

Upon seeing the cellist, Vinyl slid out of the bucket seat and bounded up to the woman, already sensing a mood shift.

"Well, I'm all played out. You hungry?"

The cellist nodded and attempted to shake free the melancholy she felt settling over her. They both turned toward the exit, but were stopped when Vinyl suppressed a shudder.

"Sorry. I'm gonna hit the little girl's room, then we're all set. Meet me up front?"

"Yes, of course."

Vinyl nodded and then took off in a random direction, leaving Octavia to wander toward the front. Eventually, Vinyl had found her way back down and led the way to her bike. Once outside, she turned toward the cellist and lightly tapped her arm in disguised support.

"What happened, did you lose at a game or something?"

Octavia hesitated at the answer before smiling sadly at the DJ.

"Yes, I was doing so well. But I eventually lost."

"What were you playing?"

Octavia scrambled for the name of a game she had passed, finally blurting out the first title to cross her mind.

"Pac-man!"

Vinyl smiled sweetly at the cellist before handing her the helmet.

"That game is such a bitch. You'll get better at it, don't worry."

Octavia smiled at the simple gesture, a comforting heat spreading through her body at the DJ's genuine concern. She waited patiently for Vinyl to straddle the powerful machine before she slid in behind her, hands going up to gently hold the DJ's waist. After the arcade, the motorcycle didn't seem so bad. Vinyl turned her head to regard the cellist before firing up the loud engine.

"Anywhere you want to eat?"

Octavia shook her head and settled against the DJ as she turned over the massive engine, causing the arms around the jockey to tighten slightly.

"Surprise me."

Author's Notes:

I'm sorry it's taken so long for an update! I also know this chapter comes in at a very weird place, but it was oh so fun to write. I really just wanted something that shows that their friendship is building and they're still learning how to act around each other... I hope it's doing its job!