"Relax, babe," Octavia cooed as she leant over a very flustered Vinyl, whose nethers felt like they were on fire, whose whole body ached for closeness, her mind wild with longing. The cellist placed a firm, bold kiss on the DJ's lips. "I'll do everything myself. You just relax now."

Vinyl nodded; and yet, she could not feel at ease, her shoulders heavy with tension, her lips dry with wild worry. "O-octavia..." she whispered, licking her lips as the cellist tossed her lips over the spinner's neck, eliciting a moan from the wild-haired woman. "I-I'm not sure..."

The cellist silenced her with a kiss. "I'm sure." Octavia smiled slyly, her hot breath falling upon the DJ's ear as she leant even closer, making Vinyl arch her back just so her naked breasts were touching the oh-so-pleasant skin of the cellist's flat, sexy belly. Her nipples rubbed against the tender breasts, sliding down to Octavia's navel. "My little DJ~" Octavia purred hotly into Vinyl's ear, the spinner moaning in delight as the cellist started planting kisses all along her body, closer and closer to-

The phone rang, making Vinyl jerk up in bed, opening her eyes but for a moment before falling into a sleepy daze once again, almost rolling off the couch, her whole body sweaty, her thighs slightly wet, emitting a well-recognisable smell of arousal. And yet, it was not the Sooooome people say a man is made out of mud~ of her alarm; it was the marvellous Moanin' by Charles Mingus, the bari chucking out the theme with bawdy vigour. It was a call. Feeling extremely horny, disgruntled, and just a little ashamed of her vivid dream, Vinyl reached for the phone lazily, unable to bring herself to open her eyes yet. "Uhuh." It's probably Neon. Weeh.

"Vinyl?" Octavia's voice reached her ears through the speaker. Vinyl's eyes shot wide open as she finally fell off the couch with a soft thud, the carpet softening her fall somewhat, as she still kept a firm grip on her mobile phone, pressing it against her ear. She... She can't smell my... uh, of course not, the DJ's sleepy brain concluded as Vinyl tried to come up with some decent non-sleepy words. She'd never felt this sleepy before when waking up. Getting up from the floor, Vinyl assumed that it must be about five in the morning, while she usually woke up several hours later. That's the only explanation.

Shaking the remains of sleep off with a shrug of her shoulders and a back-and-forth of her head, the spinner replied, "Octavia? Is that you?" Of course it's her, you idiot. Keeping the phone between her head and shoulder, Vinyl tried to find her socks vainly in the calm, orderly chaos of the room.

"Yes." Vinyl tiptoed about the room, fishing out her socks from behind the couch where they had inevitably fallen after spending the night on the back of the slightly-stained piece of furniture. "You sound sleepy - did I wake you up?"

Vinyl sat down on the couch, making an effort to put on a sock. "Kinda," she grunted, her fingers clenching the blue fabric. "That's all right. Must be something important for you to call so early." Finally, the spinner succeded with a huff and proceeded to the other sock. "About five?"

"Eleven," Octavia corrected her with a poorly-concealed chuckle. "But yes, I admit that's a little early, at least to me." There was a moment of silence on the line, interrupted only by Vinyl's near-silent grumbling. "I take it you're used to waking up a little... earlier?"

Vinyl nodded with a small blush, subsequently realising that Octavia could not see her - which prompted another blush at what Octavia would think if she saw her now, in her bra and pants solely. And just as the spinner thought that, achieving victory over the second sock, she flushed crimson upon remembering that Octavia indeed had seen her in such an outfit already. "Yes, nine am at most days," Vinyl said aloud, now thankful that the cellist was not opposite her, but just on the phone. Vinyl paused for a moment, embarrassed at what she wanted to say; but the sheer desire outweighed the shyness. This time. "I guess I was just tired after our little night ride."

And that was most probably the reason. Last night, just when she'd taken Octavia home, she missed the right turn and was bound to circle the district about. However, Octavia, without paying attention to her apologies, had suggested that they go on a ride about the city instead. How could I ever say no? Arriving late at night, it was only obvious that she'd sleep like a log. And yet... There was one little gift they'd exchanged. Vinyl smiled, remembering the sheer pleasure of the feeling. Once more had Octavia kissed her on the cheek, her peck ending up somewhere dangerously close to her lips. And... And I hugged her. Though embarrassed, Vinyl was still incredibly proud of her little achievement, that breezy embrace that'd brought a warm, friendly smile to Octavia's face. Someday, Vinyl told herself, walking into the kitchen to get morning tea, I'll gather the courage and kiss her on the cheek too. After all, it was all good between... friends.

"So am I," Octavia replied with an audible giggle just as Vinyl picked up the kettle, sighing as she realised that there was no tea left. "Although, I'm used to going to bed late, and waking up late." Vinyl rummaged the cupboard in search for the sacred tea box. "I liked our little night trip. Thank you, Vinyl." Vinyl stopped, her cheeks flushing up a dark pink, her breath quickening as her heart leapt to her throat in a spur of deep emotion. Something very warm, something... A deep form of attraction. A scary attraction. "So, as a sign of gratitude..." The cellist chuckled on the line, prompting Vinyl to get back to her search.  "And, of course, as per our agreement... I managed to book two ticket for PotF concert."

Vinyl smiled, finally laying her sleepy eyes upon the tin can. "P-O-T-F?" she asked, taking out the tin and opening the lid promptly. Damn. No tea left. "What's that?"

"Poets of the Fall," Octavia replied in a warm tone. "It's rock, but rather... um... romantic." Once again, Vinyl had to calm herself. Just friends, Vinyl. No scary steps. 'Romantic', as in... 'Non-date stuff'. The little devil on Vinyl's shoulder shook her head with a facepalm. "So... Will you pick me up at ten?"

"Ten pm?" Vinyl asked as she took a glass and brought it to the sink. "It's a night concert?" The DJ began filling the glass with pure water.

"It starts at eleven." Vinyl turned off the tap, taking a long, satisfactory gulp. "I thought you were used to night concerts, being a DJ and all?"

Vinyl nodded into the empty space by force of habit. "I am." She placed the glass in the sink, between a neat pile of dishes and a stack of knives that had been long waiting to be washed. "Say, how did you manage to get the tickets for today? I thought they'd have been sold well in advance." Especially if it's a romantic and popular band.

"Well..." Vinyl could sense Octavia's beautiful smile through the phone as she smiled a little smile herself, unable to hold joy at the thought of the cute, sexy-assed cellist. "I brushed up some connections. After all..." Octavia paused, as if searching for the right words. "After all, it's for you."

Vinyl's mouth fell agape as she tried to muster up a response. This... This isn't just friendship. This is... something... And yet, she could not risk that. If she was wrong... Then their friendship would be ruined. But if I'm right? ...Should I tell her how I feel? Vinyl sat at the table, listening to the awkward silence: apparently, Octavia, too, was rather taken aback by what she'd said, probably without even thinking. But aren't things we say without thinking the way we truly feel? Hell, what do I even feel towards her? Attraction, that was for sure. But... Don't start that topic, Vinyl, the little angel on the spinner's shoulder warned her. You don't want to have that talk yet, the little devil agreed, for once. So, Vinyl said what she truly felt - carefully. "Thank you, Octavia. This means a lot to me."

"So... Will you pick me up?"

Vinyl smiled, taking a deep breath. Someday, I'll tell you, Octavia. When I'm ready. "Absolutely." Vinyl hung up, getting up and walking about the kitchen in tranquill contemplation. I do like Octavia, she realised. I like her physically and I like her character. There was attraction. There was infatuation. She only needed to know for sure that Octavia felt the same. And gather up the damn courage to ask the girl out. Yet, Vinyl noted, she was getting bolder in the presence of the wonderful cellist; bolder than in Neon's presence, it seemed. Maybe it's the therapy that I need, Vinyl mused, listening to the merciful ticking of the clock. Maybe Octavia is the best doctor for me.

And, as if on cue - as it so often happens - the doorbell rang, and Vinyl knew exactly, or, maybe, assumed based on her thoughts, that it was her brother. Vinyl tiptoed towards the door, avoiding carefully-stacked records, and opened the door without peeking, her hand weak and heavy with sleep as she grabbed the handle.

Indeed: just as she opened the door, Neon burst in, grinning, joyful, his ridiculous purple jacket and bordeaux-red trousers making him a ludicrous resemlance of a 70s pimp in Vinyl's eyes. "Hi, sis," he greeted the sleepy spinner, giving her a hug, the velvet of his trousers brushing against Vinyl's legs. "Decided to stay half-naked today?" He smirked, taking a step back from the now-blushing  DJ. He offered an exaggerated wink. "A special treat for Octavia?"

Vinyl felt the familiar pressure of blood rushing to her cheeks and forehead; and yet, there was a new, certain defiance that rose within her. Changes. Maybe changes were happening. Maybe it's even good. "Maybe," the DJ replied in a tinier voice than she'd expected; but she'd said it anyway, and that made her just a little proud inside.

Neon raised his brow. "Oh?" His  grin faded a little, dropping to a small smile. The agent proceeded to the couch, sitting down on it and patting his hand next to him.

Vinyl happily went up to her brother and took a seat next to him, placing her head on the man's shoulder. "I took her on a night ride, you know?" she said suddenly, the desire to share her happiness outweighing the embarrassment from what she was saying.

"You? A ride?" Neon laughed, jerking his head back comically as he patted the woman's back. Vinyl raised her head, casting her brother a mild glare. "I thought you didn't drive."

Vinyl humphed, placing her head back on Neon's shoulder, warm, gentle, accepting. Suddenly, she felt like a child again, in her brother's embrace as they rolled on the floor after a game of something-or-the-other. "Well, I do drive. Exclusively for her."

Neon fell silent for a moment, just sitting in place, Vinyl's head on his shoulder. "Vinyl, do you want to tell me something?" Neon asked, pretty much suggested, nudging the woman into an answer.

Vinyl sighed, collecting her thoughts as she tried to come up with a decent reply. The little angel on her shoulder smiled serenely and nodded, gifting her with a blessing. The little devil made a slurping sound with her tongue, rolling it over her lips as she mouthed, Octavia. "I... I think I love her," Vinyl said finally, wincing at her uncertain, stumbly wording. "Octavia, I mean."

Neon was silent for a while. His hand massaged Vinyl's shoulder: a gesture that Vinyl knew her brother succumbed to when he was thinking over something important. "I'm not sure, Vinyl. 'Love' is quite is a strong word, don't you agree?"

Vinyl shrugged slightly, Neon's palm still clinging to her bare shoulder. "I... I like the way she smiles," the DJ began carefully, the remains of her dream still vivid in her awakened mind. "I like the way she talks. I like what she says. I like it when she kisses me on the cheek when we say goodbye." The spinner smiled, closing her eyes in delight, the feeling of Octavia's lips on her cheek a touch of velvety bliss, the sound of her smooch a heavenly symphony, the liveliest beat. "And I so want to touch her ass!" she blurted out, flushing madly as she realised what she'd said.

Neon's hand retreated, the man turning, giving his suddenly-bold sister a curious and scrutinising look. Yet, he did not linger on the pink-faced (and -bodied) DJ, instead giving her a sympathetic and encouraging smile. "Well, she does have a nice ass." Yes, but it's MY nice ass, Vinyl immediately thought in defiance.  Well, not yet. The DJ sighed, leaning back, instead of using her brother's shoulder as a pillow. And it'll never be mine if I can't find the courage to confess. And, knowing herself, Vinyl knew that she would sooner faint from embarrassment than confess her true feelings for Octavia. "Octavia, I really really like you and want to know you a little closer." Is that just so hard? Apparently, Vinyl thought with a sigh, closing her eyes, it was.

"Vinyl." The DJ's eyes opened at Neon's serious tone. She looked at her brother, who seemed to have a strained, sombre expression on his face, a frown taking up his lips, lines tangled across his forehead. "I don't want to circumscribe you, but please... Be careful. Don't rush into it." The agent smiled sadly. "You are so vulnerable. Don't let her put you all around her. Step by step, Vinyl. Okay?"

Vinyl chuckled with ease, waving her hand in the air, even though her heart was beating faster, fear crawling into it maliciously. He's right. I probably should just... remain friends with her. Lest something happen. Good or bad. "You know me, Nini. I'd probably blush my way into oblivion before I can ask her out." Though, the very fact that I said this already shows... Vinyl dropped the smile gradually. Absolutely nothing. Just live your life, Vinyl. Don't reach for the stars. You might fall.

Neon chuckled with a lazy yawn that he concealed with his hand skilfully. "Yeah, that's true." On a spur, he ruffled Vinyl's hair with a laugh, in spite of his sister's protests. Then, he grabbed the woman in an embrace, keeping her close, his eyes closed as he clenched his fingers behind the spinner's back. "I love you, sis. I don't say that often, but I really do love you."

Vinyl giggled, trying to free herself from her brother's hug. "Nini, you tell me you love me every single week. I know that." She kissed the man on the ear, making him loosen the grip on her back.

"Ouch! Too loud!" Neon jerked back his head, clasping his ears with his hands. "Loud smooching! Smooching alert!"

Vinyl laughed, leaning against her brother warmly, snuggling up close. Neon stopped his mockery and smiled gently, stroking the spinner's back. "Sorry for not staying overnight recently, sis," he said, some pain evident in his voice. "It's just that Maddie is taking much of my time. I think I'm seriously falling for her." Vinyl smiled to herself. Seeing Neon settle down with one girl was very pleasant, especially considering that she was falling for Octavia, herself. Brothers in arms, Nini. "I promise I'll stay overnight today. I'll just pay a visit to Maddie's place and be right back to you, till the morning." Neon smiled earnestly.

Vinyl winced, looking away in embarrassment. "Um, Nini. I'm kinda..." She scratched the back of her head, her eyes still averted. "Octavia and I are going to a late-night concert today," she confessed shyly.

Neon, however, did not seem perturbed in the slightest. "And what are you doing today till the concert?"

Vinyl shrugged. "Just hanging out here at home, I guess." What else? She shifted on the couch, planting her face into Neon's shoulder, a surge of childhood-reminiscing tranquillity washing over her.

"Great." Neon rubbed his hands, making Vinyl slide a little towards the back of the couch and grunt in disapproval. "So, I'm off for a couple hours, and then we can hang out till the concert. Go for a walk, have an ice-cream. And then I'll just stay here at your place and wait till you return. Thus, staying overnight."

Vinyl lifted her head, looking at her brother with undeniable gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you, Nini. That sounds lovely." She closed her eyes, nuzzling into her brother's shoulder and neck tenderly.

And yet, the man pushed her away gently before spring up to his feet with a clap and a rub of his hands. "All right! The sooner I leave, the sooner I return! I'll be back in a couple hours."

Vinyl wanted to ask him to stay a little more, just to be held in his loving embrace, but decided against it. After all, he had a girlfirend now. And I don't. She could not be an usurper. Besides, he would really come back sooner if he left sooner. "Say hi to Maddie for me." Vinyl smiled.

"Sure will." Neon kissed his sister on the forehead before proceeding to the door at top speed. "Sure will."

"This night is going to be perfect~" Octavia sang as she brushed her hair once again, her clothes already waiting for her on the bed, even though it was barely afternoon. Better be prepared for the magical evening well in advance. "The kind of night on which I'll kiss that sexy girl~" The brush was put to its rightful place by the mirror as Octavia walked out of the bathroom, waltzing about the room. "She is cute and very shy, and I'll kiss her lips tonight~" The cellist danced into the bedroom, grabbing Mister Tummers and kissing him on the nose. "Mister Tummers, do you want to know something?" The bear did not show any sign of interest whatsoever. "I've just realised something, Mister Tummers. I'm falling for Vinyl. As in, not just physically." Octavia smiled, coming to a stop in the middle of the room, holding Mister Tummers tightly in her hands. "I like her shy demeanour. I like the way she talks. And she kissed me on the cheek too. That must amount to something! She might even like me back. Maybe..." The cellist fell a little more serious. "Maybe it can evolve into..." Love? the angel Octavia suggested. Threesomes? the devil Octavia offered with a shrug. "...Something greater."

Lightly, she grabbed the plush bear by the head and nodded it slightly, not to tear up the old, worn-out fabric. "Glad you agree, Mister Tummers. But I'm not even in a relationship with her." Octavia pondered, looking at the toy thoughtfully. "Yet." She walked to the kitchen, the smell of roast chicken assaulting her nose with taste, the spicy sauce sending her saliva rolling under her tongue. "Since she's so shy, I must be the one to take the necessary steps." The cellist placed Mister Tummers on the tiny kitchen table. "Drastically."

Octavia opened up the oven, breathing in the scent of heat, the smell of roast poultry salivating up her mouth. She extracted the tray with the regal fowl, gulping down the smell of pepper and roast peaches that accompanied the delicious bird, and placed it swiftly onto the wooden planks that had been conveniently prepared by the cellist just for occasion. With joy, both from having come to a conclusion regarding how she was going to show her feelings towards Vinyl and from expecting a gluttonous feast all for herself, Octavia sat down on the chair, rubbing her hands as she'd spat on them carefully, in order not to make the long way to the bathroom again just so a few drops of water could wash her already clean hands. The cellist took up a less-than-clean fork and a near-pristine knife, eager to dig into the meal, when a noisy, ear-shattering sound interrupted her peaceful dinner.

A phone call.

Grunting disapprovingly, Octavia staggered into the room. This better be Vinyl, telling me she wants me to come over and fuck her silly. Or else. Taking up the phone from the floor, where it lay among the once reigning piles of rubbish, and now merely several empty cups and wrapping paper, Octavia, however, could decipher that it was a number unfamiliar to her. Clearing her throat audibly, she picked up the phone. "Hello?"

"Octavia?" came a familiar voice; yet, the cellist could not get a grip on who it could be.

"Yes." The cellist paused. "And who am I talking to?"

"Neon, the guy who hired you," came the reply. "You might remember me."

Octavia gulped silently, her eyes widening at the remembrance. Neon had not left an impression of an easy man, even though he had certainly tried to make one. If anything, she was rather... scared of him. "Hello, Neon!" she greeted the agent with a grin that she put on automatically. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" Please don't fire me please don't fire me... Octavia collected herself.

"Oh, you know. Just checking in on the project." Neon fell silent for a moment. Octavia gulped once again. For some reason, there was an unspoken, serious firmness to Neon's tone. And Octavia didn't like it. "I... It has come to my attention that you two are going out tonight?"

Octavia winced a little. That's what it is. But of course. Neon was Vinyl's elder brother. He cared about her. He wanted to make sure she was safe. "Yes, that is true. A concert."

Octavia heard thorough munching, assuming that either Neon was eating or chewing on his lip. She decided on the latter. "I hope you take care of Vinyl. Look after her and... you know."

Octavia smiled. As I thought. "Neon, I'm pretty sure Vinyl is old enough to take care of herself. I do, however-"

"It's not about age," Neon interrupted. "It's..." The man paused, giving Octavia enough time to sit down in a chair, leaning back with a sigh. "Can you keep a secret?"

Octavia nodded to herself. What is he driving at? "I've been told I can." Octavia took up a half-empty bag of crisps from the floor. Half-full. Let's be optimistic.

"Okay, here's the situation." Octavia paused, the crispy goodness frozen in her hand halfway to her mouth. "Vinyl is rather... out of... that is... She is infatuated with you, Octavia." The cellist dropped the bag. The crisps rolled out on the carpet joyfully, finally free from their uncomfortable prison. "And this is why she may do something stupid. Now, she is just a child. She needs some guidance. So, please, if she decides to say, or do, anything stupid, don't do anything stupid yourself. Make your rejection mild, or, maybe-"

"There won't be a rejection," Octavia said firmly, with eagerness sudden even to herself. And yet, since she had already begun speaking, there was no turning back now. "I like her as well. She doesn't know yet, and, frankly... I didn't know she felt the same way about me. But I won't give you away," she immediately assured the agent. "It'll all happen naturally - if something will ever happen. That, I can promise." Octavia smiled to herself at the thought of something happening between her and the lovely DJ. And still... Kissing her is not an option yet, the cellist realised. In order not to hurt her, I have to take it slowly.

"Octavia." The cellist gulped at the sheer ice in Neon's voice. "I want to make one thing perfectly clear: Vinyl is not a woman to be toyed with and dumped. If you have any intentions, they better be serious. And genuine. If you're dishonest..." Octavia almost interrupted the man, but he added swiftly, "Don't play with her feelings. Don't toy with her emotions. If you break her heart, I'll make sure to break your whole life. That," he mocked with icy venom, "I can promise."

Octavia wanted to say a word in her defence, prove somehow that, indeed, she did want to have sex with Vinyl - but that she wanted so much more. That she, finally, wanted a girfriend. That she, finally, had found a woman she could adore. That she, finally, had found mutual longing. That she would cherish Vinyl, and never do anything bad to her. But Neon hung up, and the cellist had no intention of calling him back.

With a sigh, she leant back in the chair, rubbing her temples with her fingers. What do I do now? The cellist's fingers soon found their way to her closed eyelids, massaging them gently. Now, I wait for Vinyl to pick me up and then... then I don't kiss her on the lips like I wanted. I... I let it all play out naturally. Octavia sighed once again and placed her hands on her knees.

In the silence of the room, the clock struck two. Next Chapter: 8. The Concert Estimated time remaining: 5 Hours, 20 Minutes