Eight in the morning and Octavia and Vinyl Scratch were still sound asleep. Octavia groggily perceived the doorbell through her dreams, and she rolled out of bed, yawning.

Vinyl opened one eye, its crimson iris bleary with sleep. "There's somepony a' the door, Baby," she stated obviously.

Octavia rolled her eyes as she slipped into her robe. "I heard it, Sweetheart. I'm not deaf. I'll go tell them we're asleep."

"There's a better way of getting them to go away, you know. I swear, I have something that's way more effective then a bathrobe."

"Oh, really?" Octavia raised an eyebrow quizzically.

"Yeh. All ya have to do is take that whip I used for Nightmare Night and put on that weird saddle thingie in the closet." Vinyl flashed her trademark crooked grin, only slightly marring its effectiveness with her lack of huge purple shades.

"That's a bad idea, Vinyl. I don't believe in threatening ponies just because they wake us up early."

Vinyl facehoofed. "I meant they'll think we're doing something kinky. Ponies usually leave pretty damn fast when they think they're interrupting somepony's sexy-times. And if they don't, you can get really insulted at them for being so weird and messed up. Colts are usually more likely to ask to stay, but I've had the odd mare or two as well."

"That's even worse, Vinyl. Unlike you, I have a reputation." Octavia did her best to look horrified, but really she was trying not to laugh. The idea of Vinyl standing in the doorway wearing a saddle, with a whip in one hoof, yelling at some poor stallion was just too funny.

"But seriously, Babe. You should really try those things on at some point. I bet you'd look really hot in them. Besides, we've never done it like that before."

"No. I'm not doing that, ever." Octavia made a face. "Last time you tried to convince me to... try something new you ended up sleeping in the den, remember? You didn't like that, did you-- wait a second, why are you up here? You should still be down there from last night."

"I came back a couple hours ago. I got lonely."

"You're pathetic."

You still owe me that sexy massage for kicking me out of bed last night."

"Screw that. You're pathetic and insufferable."

"You can screw me whenever you want. I promise I won't complain."

You're really pushing it, Vinyl."

Ding-dong.

"Oh, right. The door. I'll be right back, Vinyl."

"I'll be waiting," Vinyl breathed seductively.

"Shut up." Octavia fought to hide a smile as she trotted to the door and opened it, an artificial frown forming on her face. "What in the name of Celestia are you doing here at this hour of the mor--"

"Good morning, Daughter. That's no way to treat your mother. I demand a little more respect than that, young filly." Sonata brushed past Octavia into the house in her customary way.

"You have no right to just burst into my marefriend's house like this, Sonata. You aren't related to either of us." Octavia said coldly, following her ex-mother into the middle of the living room.

There was a crash from the bedroom and Vinyl stumbled out in full saddle-whip-and-rope regalia. Octavia blushed crimson in embarrassment.

"You interrupted some very special business of ours, Sunny." Vinyl circled the two mares in a predatory way. Her voice dropped to a husky whisper. "And I don't like being interrupted, especially during such important business."

"Ugh, you truly chose a revolting mare to be with, Octavia. And you, whatever your name is, I'll thank you to not speak of or do such dreadful, sinful things with my daughter."

"I'm not your daughter anymore," Octavia snarled, her eyes hardening to match her icy tone.

"Oh, but darling, I thought we already went over this," Sonata caressed Octavia's cheek, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "I forgave you enough to still admit you diseased mutant of a mare are still my daughter in exchange for my being able to see my precious, little, grandfoal."

"I never forgave you, though. Remember, the last disowning in this family was me disowning you, not the other way around. Besides, why in Equestria do you think that I would want to still even know you?"

"Why, I'm your mother, dear," Sonata purred soothingly. "Isn't that enough?"

"No. Why are you even here?"

"I came to take what's rightfully half mine." The sugary smooth voice brushed against Octavia's eardrums, making her flinch slightly.

"W-what's that?"

Sonata grinned like the Cheshire Colt, toothy and menacing. "My grandfoal."

Sonata swept into the bedroom, her horn flaring as she levitated the four-year old filly out of her crib. "Come to Grandmama, Darling. I'm going to take you out for a very special surprise, today."

Vinyl shook off her saddle and stashed her rope somewhere Octavia didn't see, but she held onto the whip. "Back of, Sonata. This whip is good for more then just turning on your daughter."

"Oho, how noble of you. Defending your little family. Pity your only weapon is a cheap sex toy." Sonata giggled, still with Tambourine in her grasp.

"Trust me, I'm stronger than I look. I can and will hurt you if you take our foal," Vinyl growled menacingly.

"Oh, pish. You're as harmless as a newborn foal, Marshmallow." Sonata sneered. "I'm not afraid of your games."

"Mother, we're serious. If you touch one hair on Tambourine's hide, we'll kill you." Octavia stood next to Vinyl, a determined look on her face.

"Oh, now I'm your mother again? Your darling mama? Good to hear you've come 'round."

Vinyl glanced at Octavia, who nodded shortly. "Get 'er, Vinny!"

The whip surged forward in a burst of magic at it's hilt, and for a second Octavia thought in would hit its mark. But at the last possible moment Sonata's magic enveloped the flailing tip and stilled it in the air.

"Oh, alright, you win, for now," Sonata said drily, placing Tambourine back down on the bed. "I suppose I'll have to leave her with you until the trial."

"What?! What trial?" Octavia and Vinyl half-shouted in unison.

"Oh, my, I guess it must have slipped my mind to tell you." Sonata shook her head. "Dear me, I can be such a foal sometimes. I'm having you tried for custody of your daughter."

The two mares stood with open mouths, staring at the insane blue unicorn smiling before them.

Sonata trotted past them towards the door, her hat appearing on her head with a faint pop as the air above her head was displaced. "Well, it looks like I've got to go. I have a meeting with my lawyer, Heartstrings. Tata!"