Vinyl guided the rumbling cycle to a smooth stop just outside a large, stainless-steel building trimmed in red and blue neon lighting, accentuating the large windows that featured a plethora of neon signs. Killing the engine, Vinyl held out her hand for Octavia, who graciously took it and slid off the back of the bike. Removing her helmet, Vinyl threw her leg over the side of the machine and stood just beside the unconvinced cellist before placing both helmets on her handlebars. The raven-haired strings player looked at the building for a long moment, eyes scanning the strange outer appearance of the supposed restaurant.

"You know, I've passed this eyesore of a building many a time, and never once knew it was a restaurant. What kind of place is this?"

Vinyl looked in merriment at the old-style diner before readjusting her bag and grabbed the hand of the cellist.

"It's a diner. Don't let the outside deter you, their food is incredible."

"And what kind of food do they serve at a diner?"

Snorting at the comment, Vinyl led them to the door and respectfully held it open for the still-unsure cellist. Once inside, Octavia looked over the decor, eyebrows drawing in deep thought. Vinyl slid in beside her and elbowed her gently before smiling at the woman who greeted them.

"Welcome to the Peg's. Hello, Vinyl!"

The DJ nodded to the server and tugged Octavia along to follow her to their seats. The woman placed down the menus and winked at the pair before skirting away, saying she'd return shortly. Octavia looked at the red vinyl booth before wrinkling her nose and slid in across from the exuberant DJ.

"Stop making faces or they'll stick."

Octavia made an even more displeased face at the DJ before curling her mouth to hide the smile that threatened to show. Instead, she picked up the menu and scanned it, lips pursing in thought. Vinyl chuckled at the cellist before looking over her own menu, her focus stopping to stare hungrily at the dessert section.

"No idea what I want for lunch, but there needs to be something sweet in my future. I'm banking on a big ass shake. What about you, Princess? What are you in the mood for?"

Octavia scanned the menu again, nose wrinkling in thought.

"Well, I've never had diner food, so I'm not sure. I don't normally eat at places like this."

"Oh, right, you're a D'Urberville's girl. Only the finest food from the finest ingredients in all of Canterlot. Well, I'll tell you something else: Peg's burgers are to die for, and they make the thickest shakes this side of the Everfree Forest."

Octavia flushed at the jockey's pleasant tone, her lavender eyes crinkling at the enthusiasm in which the jockey spoke. Still, she bit her lip in consternation, those same lavender eyes focusing intently on the DJ's smiling face.

"Would you be upset with me if I told you I've never had a milkshake before?"

Vinyl stilled her movement, mouth dropping open in shock. Quickly tilting her head, she waved the waitress over, making the older woman move faster in her approach. She sidled up to their table, kind blue eyes smiling.

"Yes, Pon. What'll you have?"

"Not sure yet, Dottie, but my friend here needs a milkshake, stat!"

Octavia blushed before waving her hand at the musician.

"N-no, that's not necessary. I could do without the calories and--"

"Nonsense. What do you want, chocolate? Vanilla? Peanut butter!?"

Octavia flushed at the discomfort that started to build in her shoulders. Passing her desperate eyes to the server, the cellist flashed a nervous smile at the other woman. Catching the hint, the older woman tapped her ticket book and gently patted the cellist on the shoulder.

"Take your time, hun. I'll be back in a bit to check on you girls."

Once gone, Octavia cast an uneasy smile to the DJ and leaned forward, voice escaping in an exasperated hiss.

"Please don't put me on the spot like that!!"

Vinyl held up her hands and smiled apologetically before leaning forward to peer at Octavia's menu.

"Sorry, O. It's just crazy that you've never even had a milkshake. You have to get one, you won't regret it!"

Octavia turned her attention back to the menu, lavender eyes thoughtfully scanning each choice on the long list. Vinyl hovered just before the cellist, foreheads almost brushing as they both read the list, the blue-striped DJ offering her own thoughts and reviews of the choices as they both perused the items. Octavia stopped just above one, a manicured fingernail going up to slide along the words as she read them.

"A delicious cocktail of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice creams, mixed with fresh bananas and strawberries and topped with hand-made whipped cream, drizzled with hot fudge, and topped with a single cherry. Nuts upon request."

Vinyl nodded approvingly and smiled at the cellist as she raised her eyes to gauge the jockey's reaction to her choice. Pleased, her focus shifted back to the menu as Vinyl receded back to her own seat and closed her menu. Dot, after allowing the cellist ample time to choose, returned to their table.

"All right, ladies, what'll it be?"

Octavia cleared her throat and smiled thankfully at the older woman.

"Yes, ma'am. I'd like your tomato-basil veggie burger? And is it at all possible to get that without the mushrooms?"

"Of course, love. Mozz okay? And to drink?"

"Yes, the mozzarella is fine. The Banana Split shake, please."

"Excellent choice. V? What about you?"

"You know what I like, Dot. Make sure you burn it and throw in some flare. And get me the trashcan shake, if you'd be so kind."

Smiling at both women, the waitress collected the menus and left to place the order. Once gone, Octavia cast an amused look to the relaxed woman.

"What did you order?"

"A shake with a bit of anything and a burger with absolutely everything."

"Do you come here often?"

"Nah, like once or twice a month, tops."

Octavia nodded and sat back in her seat, eyes shifting to look out the large windows. Her thoughts wandered aimlessly for several seconds before a question surfaced in her subconscious, causing her focus to pull back toward the DJ.

"Vinyl... how do you know Symphony?"

The musician straightened at the question and pinned her lenses on the cellist.

"Symph and I went to school together. She was the new girl--transferred in midyear--, and shy, and I got to talking to her a bit. Her inner beast came out once when she got into an argument with Sapphire Shores, though, and I had to break them apart. I thought it was the most awesome thing ever witnessed, and we've been friends ever since."

Octavia chuckled at the visual image, smile glowing brightly.

"Yes, Symphony can have quite a temper on her, but I love her dearly."

"How'd the two of you get to talking?"

Octavia bit her lip in thought as she remembered the first time she'd ever spoken to the violinist, the vivid memory causing a short laugh to escape her.

"Symphony and I went to Miss Lenoir's Academy for Gifted Musicians... I bumped into her when I was rushing to get to a rehearsal, and I wound up hitting her in the head with my cello case while she was bent down tying her shoe. It was mortifying-- I was in my first year, and she was a year ahead, and I almost fainted from the shock!"

Vinyl was shaking with laughter as the cellist recanted before both broke down into veracious giggles. The DJ shook both her hand at the strings player before choking out another laugh.

"Wait wait wait, you bludgeoned Symphony Strings with a giant cello case your first year??"

Octavia, red-faced from both her embarrassment and her giddiness, only nodded, causing the jockey to laugh even harder. Octavia managed to calm herself just enough to finish the story, waiting for the DJ to settle before she continued.

"Yes, well. She stood up and looked as though she was about to tear me to pieces, but from what she tells me, I looked so pathetic that she didn't have the heart to scream at me. Instead, she took my case and walked with me to rehearsal, where we were both supposed to be, and we talked after. From then on, we met up for rehearsals and then had lunch, and before I knew it, we were spending almost all of our time together."

"So your cute little sad face saved you from a reaming and gained you a friend? Damn, and I thought I had skill."

They continued to share stories for a time before Octavia smiled brilliantly at the DJ as she heard the waitress walking up with their tray of food. Dot opened a stand and placed down the large tray before skillfully dishing out the plates to the two musicians. After placing the large milkshakes, she collected her stand and tray and paused just beside their table.

"Look good, girls?"

Octavia nodded to the waitress, smile widening.

"Wonderful, thank you."

Vinyl merely nodded, mouth already full with her first bite. Octavia focused on the DJ and the large pile of food that the DJ joyously referred to as a burger. The cellist shook her head at the happily munching jockey before eyeing her own burger. Pausing to look at the sandwich contents, Octavia finally managed to slide her hands under the soft bun and lift the burger to eye level. Smelling it gently, she leaned forward and took a small bite, jaw moving slightly as she chewed, the intense flavor instantly greeting her hesitation. Her eyes fluttered closed as the sensation splashed through her before finally swallowing.

"That is incredible."

Vinyl wiped her hands on a napkin and took a sip of her shake before grinning at the impressed cellist.

"Taste the shake, and you'll be in heaven."

Shifting one hand from her burger, Octavia moved the large cup closer and took a long drag off the red-striped bendy straw. A moment later, an appreciative moan wafted gently from the cellist.

"Oh my goodness, I'm never leaving."

Vinyl nodded enthusiastically, grin smug.

"Ha, I told you. No faith in the Pon 3."

They ate in companionable silence for a time, both swept up in the flavors as they gratefully ate. Vinyl, having quickly devoured her monstrous burger, pulled her shake before her and sipped on it thoughtfully. Octavia glanced up at the empty plate and laughingly exhaled through her nose, sauce-covered fingers grabbing at a napkin to wipe at her face.

"You're finished already?"

"Yeah. I have a big appetite, and I needed the energy boost."

Octavia nodded and finished the remaining bites of her burger. Placing her plate on top of Vinyl's, she too pulled her shake forward to finish the last few sips of the thick beverage.

"So tell me how you and Lyra met."

Vinyl snickered and pushed her empty cup away before thoughtfully scratching at her cheek.

"Heartstrings and I have known each other since kindergarten. Once, on the playground, some big bitch took Lyra's toy and I dropkicked her in the chest. The teacher told my parents and I got in trouble, but Lyra thanked me for saving her monster truck. We've been best friends since that fateful day."

Octavia grinned, eyes crinkling with elation.

"That does seem very like you, being protective I mean."

"You have no idea."

Dot returned to clear the table and inquire about their meal and ask about dessert. Having both women decline, the waitress placed the check with a smile and floated away from the table. Vinyl plucked up the bill and folded it before her, elbows moving up to lean on the smooth surface of the table. From across the way Octavia beamed, eyes vibrant with simple happiness.

"Vinyl, are you going to the Canterlot Musician's Academy show this weekend?"

"Nah. I've made plans in P-ville with some friends. I need to get fitted for some digs. And besides, that's red carpet and VIP treatment, you only go if you get an invitation, or you're added to the guest list months in advance. I know the deal. Are you?"

"Yes, I... I go almost every year. But this year... Concerto asked if he could 'have the honor' of taking me. So this will be the first year Symphony isn't my date."

Vinyl nodded and cast her eyes toward the windows.

"Yeah, Strings told me that Pitch asked her to go, too."

"Yes, we're sharing a limo. I just didn't know if I'd see you there..."

The jockey turned back toward the cellist, smile radiant.

"What do you want to do now, Octavia? Your choice."

"Oh, I-I've just been going wherever you wanted, it's easier."

"Well, that's not what I asked you. What do you want to do?"

Octavia frowned at the question, eyebrows drawing lines in her forehead.

"I don't... know."

"Come on, girl. You always do what everyone else wants of you, what about you? What do you want for a change?"

"Oh, I have no--"

"You do know."

Octavia searched the purple lenses across from her, face warping in confusion for a moment. After a second she sighed and forced herself to relax, eyes closing as she filed through her mind for something she'd been meaning to get to recently. For a few seconds, Vinyl searched the placid face, smirk growing wider with each passing moment. Eventually, Octavia opened her eyes, vision zeroing in on Vinyl.

"Well, the Monet exhibit is still at the--"

"Aw, man, the Art Museum! I haven't been there in ages, I heard they got in some Dali paintings and expanded the surrealism stuff. Let's go!"

Slightly taken aback by the DJ's contagious enthusiasm, Octavia still remained in the booth even after the jockey slid out to stand.

"You... know art?"

Vinyl fished free her wallet and scooped up the check; she paused and offered her hand to the thoughtful Octavia.

"I'm just full of surprises, aren't I?"

"Yes, you... certainly are."

Octavia and Vinyl started toward the large set of stairs that led up to the Art Museum, both seemingly excited to see the treasures inside. Octavia threaded her arm through Vinyl's and bumped into her, a carefree laugh echoing from the player.

"Oh, Vinyl, it feels so absolutely rebellious to pull up outside such a cultural icon on the back of a motorcycle!"

Vinyl grinned evilly as they continued their journey up the steps. Once paid for and inside, Octavia breathed in deeply and detached from the DJ, booted feet taking her a few steps toward the right. Vinyl stepped up beside the cellist and spread her arm out in a low bow, causing Octavia to playfully swat the DJ.

"Lead the way, Miss Melody."

Octavia nodded and began their journey through the many winding halls of the Museum. They began in the Equestrian Art galleries, which allowed the cultured cellist to prattle on about the different pieces and time periods as if she were an expert on the subject. Vinyl smiled at the cellist, humored by her soulful direction and over-joyed explanations of the exhibits. The blue-haired DJ respectfully followed behind Octavia as they moved, her attention split between the joyful cellist and the artwork as they made slow work of the massive museum.

Eventually leaving the Equestrian wing, they wandered through European and Asian galleries, filtering briefly through the American wing before eventually breaking apart at the cusp of Modern and Contemporary Art. Vinyl exited toward the Dali exhibit, leaving Octavia to pass through the halls and make a beeline for the Photography and Prints part of the museum. After almost an hour, and Octavia was slowly strolling through the black and whites of the exhibit, sighing happily as she stopped before her favorite photograph, eyes scanning the familiar planes of the picture with controlled nostalgia. Eventually, however, she tore her sight away from the picture and continued onward, intent on finding her boisterous friend.

Returning to the large Modern galleries, Octavia stopped before a particularly interesting piece, eyebrows drawing in thought as she looked over the curves and dips of the thick lines of the painting. Vinyl, who had also begun a journey to find her companion, finally stumbled across the cellist as her eyes were glued to a particular, abstractly explicit piece in the gallery. Smiling mischievously, she sidled up to the cellist and stopped to stand beside her, head tilted to look up at the painting.

"The female body is a beautiful thing, isn't it?"

Snapping her head to the side, Octavia frowned in thought.

"I beg your pardon?"

Tugging on the back of the cellist's designer blouse, she backed them up a few steps and had the raven-haired player tilt her head just so. After a moment, a dark blush covered the cheeks of the flustered cellist, her hands flying up to cover her mouth in distress. Vinyl curbed her laughter and playfully nudged the cellist, whose eyes had brimmed with barely controlled tears of embarrassment.

"Oh my goodness, I didn't even notice! I was trying to figure it out for almost fifteen full minutes!"

"Hey, hey... Calm down, no need to get yourself all worked up. It's just a painting, nobody here is judging you for being fascinated by it. The guy who painted this wanted people to think about his work and take their own thoughts away from it. That's the point, isn't it?"

Octavia nodded and blinked away the fitful tears before turning toward the DJ and smiled sadly.

"Thank you, Vinyl. For being so wonderful today."

Nodding happily, the DJ put her arm around the cellist and steered them toward the exit. Octavia relaxed easily in the jockey's embrace, her face lighting with a brilliant grin. Vinyl slid her arm down from the cellist's shoulders as they approached the doors of the museum before opening the exterior door for the cellist. Once outside, Octavia stopped, rapt attention focused on the breath-taking sunset unfolding before her.

"I've never seen the sunset from up here before... It's astounding."

Vinyl nodded and watched the colors for a moment before sliding her phone from her pocket, low whistle escaping her at the time.

"Well, I can honestly say I've never spent two hours in the Art Museum at once."

Octavia tore her eyes from the sky long enough to peer over the DJ's shoulder to catch the time. She smiled and nudged the jockey, lavender eyes bright in the dying rays of the sun.

"Well, we started our day late, then spent hours in the arcade, almost an hour at lunch, and now two in the museum. All in all, I'd say it was a pretty good day!"

Vinyl chuckled as she tugged on the hem of the cellist's shirt before starting toward the stairs.

"Yeah, but we're not done yet. It's almost concert time, and I don't want to miss out."

Octavia fell in step with the DJ as they descended the stairs, eyes going up to regard the spin doctor.

"Do I know of this band? Will I like them?"

"I think you're going to have a blast."

The two musicians walked down the block, having parked almost two blocks from the venue. Octavia frowned in the low light of twilight, the sun having all but disappeared from the sky. A large group of people stood in front of the building, sectioned off by red velvet ropes. Octavia moved a subconscious step closer to Vinyl, lavender eyes widening the closer they walked to the group.

"Vinyl, you remembered your tickets, right? I know we stopped so you could get changed--"

"What tickets?"

Mortified, Octavia peered up at Vinyl, only to be met with an impish grin. Waltzing up to the large bouncer, Vinyl tipped her chin at the big man. Slowly, the man flicked his eyes up to the odd pair.

"Names."

"Pon 3 and company."

With an exaggerated sigh, he scanned the list of names before him, slowly licking his thumb before flipping down the top page. With a bored grunt, he shifted and jerked his head to the side.

"Proceed."

Smiling smugly, Vinyl led the uneasy cellist past the tall man and into the neon atmosphere of the club. There was already a large group of people inside the venue, taking up most of the floor space of the hall. Swallowing nervously, Octavia shook the hand in her grasp, stress settling hotly in her belly.

"Vinyl, I don't like this."

"It's okay, I'll be right here."

Another group of people filtered in behind them, finally filling the floor to capacity. Shuddering against her will, Octavia stepped back into Vinyl, nerves fraying as the people moved in around them. The DJ put her hands on both the cellist's hips and leaned down to talk over the loud hum of the chatter in the room.

"I won't lose you."

Threading her thumbs in two loops of the cellist's jeans, she shifted them toward the front, the DJ's guidance making quick work of the throng of people. Upon seeing the barrier, Octavia reached for it and gripped it tightly, her heart rate through the roof in her stress. Vinyl slid in behind her and placed her hands on either side of the barrier, effectively protecting Octavia from the moving entity of the crowd behind her.

"You'll be safe here. If you can't deal, we can leave, no problem. Just let me know."

Her voice resonated deep in the cellist as she shook her head, intent on toughing it out through the concert. It wasn't long before the opening act came on, effectively pumping up the crowd. Octavia had relaxed significantly, almost enjoying the strange music the band performed. Vinyl had leaned in occasionally, offering different tidbits of information as the openers finished their set. The DJ had released her hold over the cellist, allowing her an ease of movement, but never going far enough to upset the musician. The stage lights dimmed as the main act was being set up, allowing Octavia a moment to look at the jovial jockey.

"I'm sorry for freaking out before! I'm not good at this sort of thing!"

The noise of the crowd was still above a normal speaking level, causing the cellist to lean close to the DJ and attempt to yell over the noise. Vinyl nodded as she heard the cellist before leaning down to respond.

"I hope you're at least having fun!"

Octavia nodded quickly and readjusted to her place beside Vinyl. After a long wait, the stage lights finally came up, revealing the band as they filtered onto the stage. The cheers from the crowd made the cellist wince, but she flashed a reassuring smile to the DJ. The two singers approached their mics and addressed the audience, a second wave of shouts causing a tingle to bolt down through the cellist, her shaking hands moving to grasp the barrier in her discomfort. Vinyl, after her voice died down, quickly squeezed the cellist before refocusing on the musicians as they began to play.

The first song wasn't as bad as Octavia had been expecting; the second song had her bopping her head with the beat and by the fourth song she was dancing along with the strangers around her, lavender eyes shining in the many lights of the show. The music had slowed down for a few songs, allowing the audience to settle enough and sway together as the soft music filtered over them. Octavia smile widely at the powerful voices as she closed her eyes, mind drifting in time with the words as they trickled through to her subconscious. Blinking open her eyes, she looked over at Vinyl as she swayed as well, lips silently singing along with the words, cheshire grin taking permanent residence on her face.

As the slow song ended, one of the singers stood and picked up the mic before kicking over the stand.

"Let's crank this shit up!"

The opening to the song took Octavia by surprise, the strings section of the tune making her smile brightly. The drums added, followed by the guitars and the second singer approached her mic, mouth opening to sing. Octavia felt her body move in time with the beat, her hands going up as her body bounced along with the people around her. She opened her eyes to look at Vinyl, smirk growing.

"Don't even talk about the consequence, cause right now you're the only thing that's making any sense to me. And I don't give a damn, what they say, what they think think- cause you're the only one who's on my mind. I'll never ever let you leave me, I'll try to stop time forever, never wanna hear you say goodbye-bye."

Octavia bumped into Vinyl, eyes wrinkling in merriment before the jockey started dancing with her, in time with the beat pulsing around them. Octavia threw her hands up, hair shaking as she moved.

"I feel so untouched and I want you so much that I just, can't resist you. It's not enough to say that I miss you. I feel so untouched right now, need you so much somehow. I can't forget you. Been going crazy from the moment I met you."

The song continued, the infectious beat causing the cellist to throw all inhibition to the wind and simply enjoy the music. The lyrics filtered almost unacknowledged through her psyche, though the felt a strange pull at their message. She opened her eyes to look at Vinyl again, the movement drawing the focus of the DJ as she lipped the words to her, smiling breaking through as she pulled the cellist into dancing yet again. Eventually the song had wound down, but segued perfectly into another. Octavia kept pace with the crowd around her, striking her as the mass of people moved as a perfectly in-tune unit. Vinyl stayed just by her side, her focus bouncing between her and the band as they continued to play.

Eventually, the musicians stopped the music for a moment and left the stage, before coming out for the obligatory encore. Octavia found herself right at the front, screaming along with the mass of fans behind her. The twin singers approached their mics for a final time, one of them offering a bright smile to the crowd before her.

"Okay, fuckers, you deserve it! Final song and then we gotta bounce!"

Vinyl's voice joined in as the crowd screamed a final time before the guitarist began the last song, causing an even louder scream to echo through the crowd. The players on stage smiled.

"Here we are, so whatcha gonna do? Do I gotta spell it out for you? I can see that you got other plans for tonight, but I don't really care. Size me up you know I beat the best. Tick tock no time to rest. Let 'em say what they gonna say tonight, but tonight, I just don't really care."

Octavia locked eyes with the DJ and smiled as they moved together.

"Come on baby, we ain't gonna live forever. Let me show you all the things that we could do. You know you wanna be together, and I wanna spend the night with you, yeah-yeah. With you-ou. Yeah yeah, come with me tonight, we can make the night last forever, oh-oh."

Vinyl grasped both the hands of the cellist and spun her before they broke apart to jump along with the music. The crowd around them rocked along as more of the song continued, the musicians on stage bouncing along with the fans as they played.

"Let's pretend you're mine-- we can just pretend, we can just pretend-- yeah-yeah. You got what I like, you got what I like, I got what you like. Oh come on, just one taste and you want more. So tell me what you're waiting for!"

The chorus began again as the two musicians danced together in the audience, the two-tone DJ mouthing the words as they spun around each other and laughed, the cellist bopping her head along with the familiar words as they washed over the audience. The song finally ended and a chorus of cheers and screams rocked the house, the reserved cellist screaming out her excitement before she turned and squeezed the DJ in a surprise hug. Smiling down at the cellist, Vinyl grabbed at the small wrist and tugged her, signaling the idea for a quick escape.

Once through the large group and outside, Octavia chuckled as she stumbled into Vinyl, humored energy igniting a burning joy deep within her chest.

"Oh, Vinyl, that was so much fun!"

"Glad you liked it. It's gotten pretty late, you ready to go home?"

Octavia narrowed her eyes in thought as they continued the journey toward Vinyl's bike.

"Actually... no. Do you have your keys to the Harwan?"

Vinyl looked down at the small set of keys that she had fished from her bag and frowned.

"Uh, no. They're at home, why?"

"Would you play with me again?"

Vinyl smiled as the words trickled through her brain before nodding at the expectant cellist. Squealing with delight, Octavia threw an arm around the DJ and chuckle softly.

"Thank you, Vinyl!"

Beaming down at the strings player, Vinyl nodded. They approached the bike and climbed on before heading toward Vinyl's apartment; stopping off to grab the keys, the two musicians made the familiar journey toward the famous theatre. Pulling up just outside the massive front doors, Vinyl killed the engine and both women slid off the cycle. Grabbing the bigger set of keys out of her pocket, Vinyl unlocked the doors and quickly slipped inside, feet making short work of the space separating her from the alarm. Dialing the code, she sighed deeply as her phone began to ring a moment later. Answering it on a whim, she smiled even before hearing the familiar voice on the line.

"Yeah, just me. Don't call the cops... Yeah, I'll reset it, don't worry. Thanks, night."

Octavia smiled teasingly at the jockey, eyebrows drawn high on her forehead.

"Do you break in here often in the middle of the night?"

"Nah, not too much. Just when good-girl cellists feel like being breaking a few rules!"

Octavia laughed joyfully before tugging Vinyl toward the large center doors. Vinyl veered toward the left to head through a side door and into the switch room. Hitting the proper switches, the house lights were brought up to burn low and the stage lights were switched on, illuminating the polished floor in a familiar soft glow. Vinyl slid out of the booth and rejoined the cellist before guiding them toward the stage. Once there, the jockey left to gather the house cello and chair for the blissful strings player.

Returning just a moment later, Vinyl placed the chair and opened the familiar case, a wave of remembrance sweeping through her at the motion.

"Remember the first time we met and you tried to lynch me with your eyes?"

Octavia nodded and chuckled low, her earlier excitement having been dialed back to her normal, calm state.

"Yes, I... I didn't know what to make of you. But you blew me away with your manner and talent."

"Ooh, my talent? Why, Octavia, you do care!"

The cellist snorted before graciously accepting the cello from the snarky DJ. She took her seat beside the massive black piano and positioned herself just so. Lifting her eyes to peer at the DJ as she cracked her knuckles, Octavia smiled peacefully.

"I'd like for you to start, if you don't mind?"

Vinyl nodded and rolled her shoulders before she lifted the cover and placed her fingers on the black and white keys. Counting briefly in her head, she finally began to play a slow, soulful piece. For a moment, Octavia allowed the music to flow through her before picking up her bow to play. She fell into herself as she played, body swaying gently as the two pieces harmonized, adding a growing feeling of completeness to the music.

Seconds turned to minutes, and minutes to hours as they played with felicity, their own music bending and cascading through each other, creating a brilliant symphony with their melodies. Octavia finally felt the music coming to a close and pulled a long note, allowing Vinyl to finish her own piece before a thick silence settled over the two musicians. Suppressing a shudder, Octavia finally opened her eyes to settle on the DJ, dazzling smile glowing beautifully in the lights of the stage.

"I've never harmonized so well with someone before, and I play with an orchestra. Your music seems to have a life of its own."

Vinyl nodded before she slid back the bench to stand and stretch. The exhaustion she had felt creeping upon her all day was suddenly back with a vengeful force, causing her energy to sap almost entirely. Tiredly, she walked to the center of the stage and plopped down, legs curling beneath her as she leaned her elbows on her knees. Octavia smiled and stood as well, shifting her body over to place the cello on the stand before approaching the tired DJ. The cellist sat as well, legs folded the same, knees faintly brushing the DJ's as they sat across from one another.

"Vinyl, can I ask you something?"

"Shoot."

"Do you... sing?"

Vinyl smiled reflexively before running her hand through the wild hair. She turned her head to look out over the many rows of chairs that littered the auditorium before refocusing on the raven-haired woman. For a moment, she paused, words tumbling in her brain as she mulled over her answer.

"I... used to. I don't anymore."

"Symphony told me you have an amazing voice."

"Symphony needs to shut up sometimes."

Vinyl leaned back on her hands and tossed her head back, breath escaping in a deep sigh.

"I haven't... I-- My. Fucking Celestia, why can't I--"

"I'm sorry, Vinyl. I didn't mean to--"

The DJ sighed heavily again before tilted her body forward once more, elbows returning to rest gently on her knees.

"I... I haven't sung since the night my mom died."

Octavia frowned deeply at the simple statement before moving her hand to rest gently on the DJ's forearm, thumb rubbing small circles on the pale skin.

"I didn't mean to bring up bad memories, Vinyl. I was just curious. So much of you is interesting to me, I was just wondering about how your voice sounded."

"It's not your fault, Tav. You don't know."

"No, I... I don't. Would you... like to talk about it?"

Vinyl exhaled sharply and snapped her head to the side, face bowing toward the stage in thought. Eventually she tilted her head back up to peer at the patient cellist.

"It's a long, sad, aggravating story about giving up hope and me losing my shit, you sure you want to sully our good time with something like that? I don't know how you'd hold up."

Octavia's frown only deepened at the words, though her deep lavender eyes offered silent sympathy to the pensive jockey.

"I'm sorry, Scratch... I didn't mean to-- You can talk about it if you like, I'm always here if you need someone. No strings."

For a long time, Vinyl simply looked at Octavia, lips neutral. From behind her glasses, her eyes skipped down to the hand that still warmed her skin and the thumb that hadn't ceased its movement. Smiling to herself, she refocused on Octavia's kind eyes.

"You sure?"

Octavia nodded softly and offered a sweet smile to the hesitant pianist in hopes of calming her mood. Sighing deeply, Vinyl nodded and began.

"I was less than three days from graduating... The night my mom died, I was at school, in the mixing booth, just trying to keep my head straight. My dad called me in a panic and told me I needed to get to the hospital immediately, that my mom didn't have much time. I blew out of there in a hurry and put a call in to Lyra to let her know what was going on. I got to the hospital like, twenty minutes later and almost tackled a nurse that got in my way. I managed to get to my mom's room in time to see my aunt come out in tears and basically collapse in the hallway."

"I came around the corner and stopped dead. She looked so little in her bed, and I was afraid to get much closer to her, like I'd break her or something. But my dad called me over-- I'll never forget the look on his face. I'd never seen anyone so lost. But I looked down at her, and she managed to open her eyes and smile at me."

Vinyl's knees began to bounce in her nervous emotion, a flurry of tears swirling just behind her eyes that she tried desperately to kill. Shaking her head, she moved her palms to rub down the cloth of her jeans, just to keep her hands moving. Biting her lip, she shook off the uncertainty and continued.

"She told me that she was proud of all I was doing and all that I had become. She told me, 'Vinyl, you've got so much passion in you, I don't want to see it go to waste. Follow your heart, wherever it may lead you. Always have a voice.' I had been crying so hard at that point, I almost didn't hear the last part. She looked at my dad and told us she loved us both and then she just died. She just fucking died."

Octavia was unsuccessful in stopping her tears, and she sniffled gently as they came in waves. Still, Vinyl shook with pent up energy, knees still bouncing wildly against the stage floor.

"I flew outta there like a fucking bat out of hell and disappeared. I didn't know what to do. I wound up in a park somewhere and just cried all night. A part of me shattered that night, and I started to spiral into a black, black hole. I threw all of my attention to the pain, ignored everybody in my life, and trucked through graduation. I was top of my class."

Vinyl absently cracked her knuckles as she continued her story, legs never ceasing in their movement.

"After graduation, I just disappeared. I started drinking heavily, I tried drugs, I broke up with the strings player I had been dating for two years... I stopped talking to Lyra. Nothing felt important. I poured all of my grief into my music, but I couldn't bring myself to sing it. I tried. I tried everything."

"Eventually, Spitfire found me almost a month later and started hammering shit into my head and told me I was being selfish and that I had no right to abandon my friends like that... We got into a huge argument, which turned into a brutal fist fight... I broke her arm, she broke my nose, I attempted to punch her, missed, hit a wall, broke my hand... The noise alerted the neighbors and the cops were called. My hand was cast; I couldn't even write or play music..."

Octavia shuddered at the emotion coursing through her and forcefully stopped herself from hugging the oddly disconnected DJ. Her own knees felt as though they were shaking, though they were visually still. She reached a hand out to the DJ and squeezed the lower leg that was still curled underneath the woman. Vinyl tilted her head up to look back at the cellist before shaking her head sadly.

"The only thing I had to get me through that pain was now gone. So then everything got worse. I was a raging alcoholic with a busted hand and strong ass painkillers. Lyra tried every day to get in to see me, so I just stopped coming home. I lived out of my friend Bone's place. The drugs I was on really fucked with my head, and one night, I took a walk through downtown Canterlot... I was super drunk on 101 Rum, and high as a kite on some cocktail of drugs... I stumbled into an alley and fell in front of a busted whiskey bottle. Without even a second thought, I grabbed a piece of it and sliced my arm..."

The DJ tilted her arm, underside up, to the cellist, the pale, jagged white scar now glaringly obvious. Octavia gently grasped the forearm and slid her free fingers down the long, deep scar, tears splashing against the pale skin as her emotion bubbled to the surface.

"Oh, Vinyl..."

"Yeah. Got my vein. I bled a lot. A part of me wanted to just bleed out in the alley, but something in my head told me not to. I remember casually scanning my contact list and then just randomly called Lyra... I felt so calm then, like everything was fine. She picked up on the second ring, even though it was like 4 in the morning. I told her what happened, and kinda described where I was, and she freaked the fuck out. Like, totally flipped her shit."

"Well, do you blame her??"

Vinyl smiled gently, breaking the tension she could feel building in the cellist.

"She called an ambulance and beat it there. She was crying and calling me stupid and took her shirt off to stop the bleeding and then hugged me like she was never going to let me go. The EMTs got there a few minutes later, and they rushed me to a hospital... Needed stitches, they kept me for a psych test and then had me stay at the hospital for two weeks. It turns out that Lyra had been so beyond worried about me that it put a strain on her and B's relationship. Luckily though, Bonbon came to the hospital to curse me out but told me she still loved me, and that I should stay okay so that she could have Lyra back."

"Needless to say, I got my ass back on the straight and narrow, went to AA for 8 weeks, and turned my shit around. Spitfire didn't talk to me for almost three years, but recently we got back into it, so that's good. Lyra now won't go more than two days without talking to me and demands we hang out at least once a week. Bonbon likes to slap me around from time to time, and Symphony pretends that I didn't lose my mind for a while. It hit her pretty hard. So uhh... moral of the story is that I uh. I haven't sung in a number of years."

She smiled cutely, attempting to change the mood that had settled heavily over the pair. Octavia finally released her hold on the DJ's leg and wiped quickly at her eyes before laughing loudly, to keep from crying harder.

"Oh my goodness, Vinyl, I probably would have lost my mind if you ever did that to me. You're okay now, though, right?"

"Yeah, I'm okay. Sorry, I didn't mean to go all postal on you, but you asked."

Octavia nodded and smiled, despite the harrowing story. Still, she tilted her head in thought, puffy eyes looking over the exhausted DJ.

"And how do you feel?"

"Ehh... I don't know. Weird? I've never talked about it with anyone else, so I guess I feel a little mellow?"

"Those songs you played tonight, they have music, don't they?"

"Yeah, they do."

Octavia stood and offered her hand down to the seated DJ, smile wide, nose crinkling as she sniffled.

"Vinyl Scratch... sing for me."

Author's Notes:

This chapter was supposed to go up yesterday... Anyway. I was listening to The Veronicas whilst thinking about this chapter, and two of their songs popped in to fit pretty well. I've never put lyrics or things of the like in a story, but I figured I'd try. 4ever and Untouched. I hope you enjoy? Also, my Beta is working, so please excuse mistakes. I'll fix them as I find them. I've noticed that my spacing between paragraphs has been wonky with recent chapters, so I hope to finally fix that. Sorry.... B out.