I wasn't aware how Vinyl would take the news.  I wasn't aware of how the reaction of visiting parents would suit her.  I thought it would be typical: something along the lines of 'Oh no, how am I going to tell my parents I'm gay and my marefriend is living with me?'  Either that, or one of those happy, uneventful visits where the parents already now of their kin's preference and accepted it long ago, and just have friendly conversations with the kin's partner.  

That is what I expected, but sadly none of that happened.

"Come on, Vinyl.  Please unlock the door."

"No way."

"Please?"

"Nuh uh."

I sighed.  As soon as the news came forth that Vinyl's parents would be dropping an unexpected visit sometime today, Vinyl did not hesitate to lock herself up and refuse to come out.  I don't know anything about her parents beside what she told me a few months back at that restaurant, but from her explanation, they don't seem that bad.  Well, at least from my father.  However, a memory tugged at my mind.  I do recall her saying right before my father visited that she hasn't been so 'honest about her family either'.

So here I find my marefriend locked in the closet and refusing to come out.  I tried everything from standard negotiations and reasoning to sympathy.  Still, she refuses to come out of the closet.  Stubborn lump.  It's not like when her parents get here they won't find out she's still in the closet.  It's not really that hard to figure out.  

I banged on the door again in a futile attempt to try to get her out again.  "Vinyl, please.  I'm sure you're just overreacting."

She scoffed.  "I'm pretty sure this is non-overreacting."

"Underreacting."  I corrected automatically.

"You don't even know the half of it!"  She said as if she ignored me.  "My parents are just...just...they're like...they..."  By this point I heard her sniffle and start mumbling incoherent words.

I took one last deep breath and prepared one last speech.  Hopefully I can get through to her; it hurts me to see her in pain like this.  "Vinyl, you know I'm not one to judge your past," at least not anymore, "From what little you have told me, I can tell your life wasn't exactly a walk in the park.  I don't know what you've been through, and I won't tell you 'I know how you feel' because you and I both know that's not the truth.  But, I am here to help you.  Please just talk to me Vinyl, it's easier to go through this together rather than alone and hidden behind your own walls of worry and self doubt.  Please, come out of the closet and talk to me."

There is a moment of silence, with the only sound being the decreasing sniffles of Vinyl's sobbing.  I contemplated whether she was paying attention to me and just break the door down with a strong kick.  If I dictated that heart-warming speech for no reason I'm going to amputate her horn.  

Bloody hell.  Curse me for having such violent thoughts at a time like this!  My marefriend is crying in a closet and I'm mentally threatening her over a speech?  Maybe it's the stress talking.  Maybe I am just stressed out about meeting Vinyl's parents.  I am hoping that they'd be at least half as good as my father, but judging from Vinyl's reaction, that is far from the right answer.

Right before I was about to (hopelessly) knock and plead again, the knob made a clicking sound before it turned.  The door opened and Vinyl's head stuck out from the frame.  Scarlet eyes caked with more scarlet lines from her silent sobbing, with a certain spark in them that pleaded for help, stared back at me.  Thank the Light!  Now I can finally, and hopefully, calm her down.  

Her gaze is glued to the floor, and she spoke in a soft tone.  "Ok, we'll talk.  Just...can you come in here?"

My expression is perplexed.  "Pardon?"

"C-can you come in the closet with me?"

My eyebrow rose.  "Why?"

Her hooves twiddled.  "Because."

"Again...why?"

"I...It's...comfy?"

I sighed.  Fine, if it'll make her talk I'll oblige.  "Alright."  I said before entering the closet.  Contrary to popular belief, it was actually quite clean and organized in here.  A shelf adorned the back wall with it's contents being extra blankets, pillows, sheets and the like.  To the right is a few hangers with some winter coats or jackets hanging off of.  What amused me the most though was the size of the closet.  I swear it's larger than the second bathroom!

Aqua colored aura surrounded a chain hanging from the ceiling and the room illuminated as soon as the door closed.  Vinyl's eyes still looked even more scarlet than normal, along with a sorrowful root buried deep within them.  I can tell it runs deep; I can see it in her.  This will be a very emotional talk.

Instinctively, I motioned to bring Vinyl into an embrace.  She accepted without hesitation and held me tight.  A few bones in my back cracked, and I grunted from the force, but said no more.  No amounts of pain will stop me from calming down my marefriend.  I allowed her a moment of silence to collect her thoughts while I stroked her mane.  Over the weeks of being in this relationship, I have discovered that stroking her mane is the most effective method to make her feel comfortable.  When she would come home late at night and get a headache from that terribly loud ear-drum-deteriorating club she DJ's at once or twice a week, I always helped her fall asleep by doing that.  

The sobbing turned into soft sniffles before they soon ended altogether.  The whole time I awaited patiently, allowing her to tell me when she feels ready.  Eventually she is able to lift her head back up and make eye contact.  Her voice is strained and hoarse.  "My parents don't love me."

With those words another piece of my heart broke off.  "Why would you say that?"  I asked worryingly.

Her grip around my midsection tightened.  "They never did.  From the day I was born they never cared for me.  My dad said I was a mistake...I was never supposed to be born...."  Oh my... "...They never treated me right.  They always treated me like a...like a slave.  Ever since I was able to hold a broom I did everything from sweeping...to washing dishes...to mowing the lawn...doesn't sound too bad right?  That's basic chores every foal does, but no!  I literally did everything!  And if I did something they didn't like...or if I didn't clean the house to their liking, my dad would beat me.  They never took care of me right.  Sometimes, they even 'forgot' to feed me and I had to steal food from the market!"

The tears are now flowing freely down my cheek.  All the feelings of remorse and pity broke free from my head and escaped through my eyes.  My muscles tensed as I held Vinyl tighter, not wanting to do anything else but tell her everything will be alright.  All the pain she is having from her parents is equal to the pain I feel from just her being in pain.  I can't stand it, I want to make her happy again, I want to make her laugh, to smile, to hear her adorable giggling.  

"But..."  Vinyl pressed on, even through the discombobulated words due to the mass amounts of tears.  "W-when they c-called me today, t-they said they wanted t-to ap-apologize....for everyth-thing.  I can't do it, Tavi!  I can't!  I-I just c-can't forgive them for e-everything they d-did to me!  I don't want them here!  I d-don't want them in my l-life anymore!"

Vinyl couldn't take it anymore.  Her sobbing turned into uncontrollable bawling.  I held her tighter than before, hoping that the closeness of my body will sooth her.  I don't know what to say, I don't know if I can say anything that will help her right now.  I can only hold her, stroke her mane, and whisper into her ear that I will help her get through this.  That she will not be there alone to face her parents, I will be there by her side, always.

(\/);,;(\/)

My ears shriveled at a high pitched noise.  My brain pounded against my skull as I groaned.  I opened my eyes to find myself still in the closet.  Vinyl and I must have fallen asleep some time ago.  Looking down, I noticed the mare in question laying still on top of me entangled in my arms.  My chest was matted with dry tears, and maybe a little bit of drool...ew.

This time, my ears perked up at the sound of that high pitched ring.  Bloody hell, what is that?!  A third time, this time I could swear it's a bell or something.  Vinyl stirred underneath me a little before muttering something along the lines of 'five more minutes'.  What time is it anyway?  The bell rang a fourth time, this time my face fell as I recognized what it is: A doorbell.

Which means Vinyl's parents are here.

My heart skipped a beat as the memories from earlier today flooded my mind.  All the things Vinyl said to me about her parents, all the horrors she had to face during childhood, all the inhumane acts that she described that surprises me how she is not either insane or completely mentally unstable.  

I looked back into the closet, where Vinyl still lays dormant in slumber.  I really don't want to wake her, nor make her have to face her parents, but I promised her that we will get through this together.  I made a vow to my marefriend, and I intend to keep it.  It would be wrong of me to neglect the one I love.

With heavy hooves and a solemn heart, I treaded over to Vinyl's sleeping form in the closet.  A smile was on her lips as she dreamt.  She looked so peaceful in her sleep, what a shame that I will have to end whatever wonderful dream she might be having.

"Vinyl."  I said sweetly, "It's time to wake up."

She muttered something incohearent.

I started to nuzzle her cheek.  "Come on Vinyl, you have to wake up."

"Fffphy?"

"What was that, dear?"

"Vwhy?" She repeated.

I sighed deeply.  I had to choke out my next words.  "Your parents are here."

Immediately, she rolled over onto her side facing away from me and covered her ears.  I nuzzled her again.  "Please Vinyl, I promised you we'd get through this together."

"Can't we just pretend we're not here?"  She asked in a small voice.

For a fifth time the doorbell rang.  I leaned down, hugged Vinyl, and kissed her on the cheek.  "I don't want to do this as much as you do, but we have to.  We have to open the wounds to clear the infection.  I know you don't want to see your parents ever again, but if they are even willing to try and make things right between you and them, isn't it worth a chance?"

Vinyl stared at me with trembling eyes for a few seconds.  A tear almost escaped her scarlet orbs before she blinked them away and weakly nodded.  After another quick hug, both of us stood up and walked to the door.  After some hesitation from Vinyl, and after some nudges from me, she finally opened the door.

And my jaw hit the floor.

It took more than a few seconds to realize exactly what was standing at the door.  The mare is a creme coated unicorn with a light blue mane.  Nothing out of the ordinary there right?  Yes, but the thing standing next to her was the overzealous sight.  The stallion, if it is even a pony, was a yellow coated earth pony with a short black mane that was tremendously muscular!  The other mares in the room looked like dwarves compared to his size.  I can see why Vinyl is so scared of him, he looks like he can take down a squad of minotaurian soldiers without breaking a sweat!

Vinyl looked sadly at the two ponies at the doorway.  She took a deep, silent breath before speaking.  "Mom...dad..."  Her tone is hollow and void of emotions.

The stallion spoke up, his voice was booming and felt as if the house shook.  "Well took you long enough, Vinny!  We've been standing here for ten minutes! I was just gonna leave and come back tomorrow, but your mother insisted you were probably blaring that so called 'music' of yours and couldn't hear the doorbell."  Before Vinyl gave them permission to enter, the mammoth of a pony and his companion nudged passed their daughter into the house.  I swear Vinyl cursed under her breath.  

Her mother stopped next to Vinyl while the yellow behemoth continued on.  She looked at Vinyl and smiled.  "My have you grown."  She said in a motherly tone.  "How have you been lately?  Everything going alright with your music career?"

"Yeah...everything's fine."  Vinyl grumbled.

"Well that's good to hear.  Come on, let's talk more in the living room."

Slamming the door a little harder then necessary, Vinyl trudged over with her mother to where her father was sitting in the living room.  I followed close behind and sat next to her on one of the couches.  Her parents looked at me for a few seconds before her mother spoke up.  "So who's this?"  She asked while pointing at me.

"My marefriend."  There didn't even seem to be a strand of emotion in her voice.  

Wait...she's always telling me she wants to keep our relationship a secret, but then just bluntly states it infront of her parents?  Well, I know Vinyl has had other marefriends in the past; they probably already know of her preference.  Still, I wish she would be less...scared of what the public would think.  Sometimes, I don't like to hide our relationship.  We are both famous (slowly climbing back up) musicians, and if word got out about our relationship, well I don't even know what would happen.  

Her mother tilted her head and blinked at the sudden news.  "Well, that's nice.  Aren't you going to introduce us, Vinyl?"

With one hoof propped against her head and resting on the arm of the chair, and the other pointed to me, she said, "This is Octavia Harmonious."  Her hoof then moved to the muscular blob of pony sitting on the other couch.  "That's my dad, Bulldoze."  Her hoof trailed to her mother,  "and my mom, Bluebell."  Bulldoze...of course....how fitting.  

Her mother smiled at me.  "So Ms. Octavia, how long have you two been together?"  

I have yet to see how Vinyl's mother is as horrible as Vinyl made her out to be.  Her father though...I'm not sure about him.  He hasn't talked much, and he's looked disgruntled ever since he he came in.  "Oh, for about a little over a month."  I said politely.

Bluebelle giggled.  "Oh my, you two have to tell me that story, I'm sure it's lovely!"

I smiled.  Why on earth would Vinyl say such horrid things about her parents?  Her mother seems as polite as can be!  I'm sure that we'll get along quite nicely.  I just hope that Vinyl can accept the amends they wish to make.  I know it might be hard considering everything they did to her, but if they are at least trying to make amends isn't that worth something?

"I need a drink."  I turned my head to notice Vinyl abruptly standing up and marching off towards the kitchen.  Her hoofsteps were loud and threatening to crack the hardwood floor.  

I regarded her parents before smiling nervously and chuckling.  "Why don't I fetch us all some drinks?  Would you two like anything?  Water, tea, soda, juice?"

"I'm fine, thank you."  Bluebelle replied with a nod.

Bulldoze raised a brow before speaking in a gruff, deep voice.  "Got any beer?"

I cleared my throat, "Umm, no sorry.  Vinyl doesn't drink alcohol and I only drink when I go out."  Besides, beer is just appalling.

I saw his gargantuan yellow hoof clench the arm of the couch, making a slight but audible crack in the frame.  "What?!  No beer!  Dammit I hadn't had a drink in hours!"

Oh deer...oh Faust this is not good!  Dear gods above please have mercy on my soul!  This is it, the end of me!  I lived a good life, mostly.  Oh what cruel fate to be murdered by a living bulldozer!  There will be no trace of me left, only a pile of Octavia dust that will be mistaken as normal dust and lint and be swept up by a vacuum or broom!

"Honey, please calm down."  Bluebelle said softly.  She then reached her hoof over to hold Bulldoze's, but he swatted it away forcefully and gave his wife a sneer.  She winced and scooted away from him on the couch.  I don't blame her, that stallion (if it is a stallion, he looks more like a minotaur in a pony suit) is horrifying beyond all belief.

"Just get me some water..."

Without wasting another second in the same room as the cross species dresser, I trotted to the kitchen to see Vinyl leaning over the sink with a glass of orange juice in her hooves.  I did not hesitate to embrace her in a comforting hug.  Not feeling the gesture being returned, I stepped back to regard her.  "Vinyl?" I said.

She took a swig of her orange juice and looked at me with hazy eyes.  "I can't do it, Octavia.  I just can't."

I placed a hoof on her cheek.  "Can't what, love?"

She sniffled and hesitated to answer.  "I can't stand them here.  I just want them to go away, or hide in the closet again until they go away."

I held both her hooves in my own and forced her to look at me.  "Come now, it's not that bad.  I know they've put you through a lot in the past, but if they are at least willing to try to apologize, isn't that worth something?"

"I guess..."

I quickly kissed her.  "Thank you.  I do have to ask though, why would you say such horrible things about them?  Your mother seems lovely.  Although...your father does scare me."

A weak chuckle escaped her lips.  It is full of sorrow, but it is a start.  "Yeah...he does that to a lot of ponies.  And for my mom...well she was more bearable than he was, but she still treated me like crap.  But...actually...she never really beat me like my dad did..."

"Hey!  What's taking so long in there?!"  Said a gruff voice that echoed through the hall.

I gulped.  "I better get those drinks."

(\/);,;(\/)

As I closed the door to our room, I allowed my tense muscles to finally relax.  I leaned against the door and slid down until I sat on the floor.  I don't think my heart nor my brain can handle this amount of tension and stress all at once.  Just being in the same house, let alone the same room, as Vinyl's father just takes too much out of me.  

Although, disregarding Bulldoze for the moment, Vinyl's mother is an absolute delight.  She's very polite and talkative with this cheery attitude.  I still can not see how Vinyl perceives her to be a witch.  Maybe she was like that in the past, but as far as I know she is an angel.  Although, every now and then while she is talking Bulldoze gives her a stern glare.  The times she notices it she visibly winced.  The times she misses it, the giant would nudge her and Bluebelle would gasp and look around nervously.

All throughout the time Bluebelle and I were talking, Vinyl was just watching us closely like a hawk.  Her eyes were squinted in concentration, and she kept stealing glances between her parents and I.  Of course there was on occasion where she would join in on the conversation, but most of the time she was just in the background.  The same goes for her father.  He, too, preferred to not get into the conversations.

The highlight of the day is when less than ten minutes ago, when we all agreed it was time to say goodnight, and after Vinyl showed them to the spare bedroom.  Bluebelle approached Vinyl, placed her hoof on her shoulder, and apologized.  It was an apology unlike any other that I have ever heard.  She poured her heart and her soul and every fabric of her being that made her a moral pony.  She cried out for forgiveness, for mercy, for a second chance at being a real mother.  She cursed herself and her husband for being such horrible, gruesome parents all those years ago.  She told her that none of it was her fault, that it was theirs for taking out all their anger and stress from daily life on her.  For all the horrible acts they committed on Vinyl, they should be the ones who are hanged on the gallows.  Nay, not even death is such a mercy to a horrendous crime.

Through the cryptic, stone cold mask Vinyl had put on when her parents first entered, I saw in her eyes a glimmer of hope.  Hope that one day, although it may be months or years in the future, she will finally come to accept her parents back into her life.  Hope that they will keep to their promise of redemption.  Hope that they will become the parents that she never had as a foal.  

And as I stood there, tears of my own leaking from the dam in my eyes, I knew that things will be alright.  I knew that her parents, more so Bluebelle than Bulldoze, have spent many hours thinking this through.  Thinking what they will say when they meet Vinyl for the first time in years, thinking of how they would earn back her trust and companionship.  I knew it was genuine, and I just hope Vinyl will see to it too.

I yawned and stood back up.  Vinyl is already in bed threatening to depart from the waking world.  With a smile on my lips, I carefully crawled into bed with her and wrapped in between her arm and chest, and the other behind her head to calmly run it through her mane.  I heard her moan in content and wedge closer to me, closing any gap between our bodies.

My eyes grew heavy as the embrace of sleep wrapped us like a phantom.  Before I left reality into my dreamscape, I saw for the first time today that Vinyl smiled.  It was peaceful, though still drawn with worry and doubt, it was a start nonetheless.  I yawned once more, gave Vinyl a short kiss, and closed my eyes.

(\/);,;(\/)

Ceiling....nice to meet you again...how have you been?  I see you're holding up quite nicely.  How's the fan?  Is he doing well?  'Hangin' in there' as the common folk say.  Uggg....What bloody time is it?  2am...curses.  Confound this stress, it drives me to lack of sleep.  I slowly crawled out of bed, only to land on my back as I miscalculated the height of the bed.  Bloody...hell...This is just what I need, waking up in the middle of the night and unable to fall asleep, and talking to the ceiling again.

I need to go for a walk.  Something that will clear my head of all this stress and fear that I will be squashed by a giant yellow monster.  As quietly as I could, I made my way to the door of our room and prayed to Celestia that the hinges obey my command to be quiet.  

Success, the hinges are quiet.  I will spare them...for now.  Alright, so first I need to find a flashlight if I'm going for a midnight stroll through the neighborhood.  I believe Vinyl has one in her studio.  Now if only I can make it there without running into every wall to there from here.  At least some moonlight seeped through and into the house.  

Still trudging through the house in this near blindness, and attempting to avoid end tables, doorframes, lamp posts, or any other odd and end furniture.  It was only by focusing hard on a crevice of light from the floor was I able to notice that the moonlight finally seeped into the house in one room.  Sighing in relief, I extended a hoof towards the door and opened it.  

Only then to realize one thing:  I'm in Vinyl's studio.

Only then to realize a second thing: There are no windows in Vinyl's studio.

Only then to realize a fourth thing: It was a new moon tonight.

Only then to realize a fifth thing: In my half asleep state, I skipped 'A third thing' in my mental list.

So what exactly is making that light you ask?  It couldn't possibly be the moon, for there are no windows.  It can't be an artificial lighting, for the switches are off and none of Vinyl's equipment is on.  Except for one piece of equipment, one that is common among the middle class.  One that a stallion can use for anything from art, to business, to entertainment, or to just paying his taxes.  That item is a computer.

The only problem is, Vinyl's computer is on, but in place of the charming, beautiful scarlet eyed DJ filly, was a gargantuan, living bulldozer on steroids.  I gulped and broke out into a cold sweat.  My breathing became heavy, and my muscles grew tense.  The yellow monster locked gazes with me.  I knew then and there that my life was coming to an end.  This is where I die.  My final resting place.  Merciful Faust please take me to heaven.

His gaze narrowed at me.  My heart stopped.  It was like staring down the barrel of a gun.  The sheer intensity of his gaze intimidated my heart to the point of committing suicide.  My brain was close to committing suicide, too.  I should probably second that motion, suicide seems like a more painless death than being trampled, pulverized, turned to paste, slathered on a crumpet and eaten for breakfast.

Just when I thought that I was going to pay Death a visit, the beast spoke.  The very halls of the house heaved from the boom of his voice.  "Octavio."

I was too scared to correct him.  I just started shaking and mentally praying.  Should I say something to him?  His stone gaze bore into my soul, threatening to petrify it.  "M-M-Mr. B-Bulldoze."  I finally said.  "H-h-how are you?  Sleeping well?  Everything to your liking?"  The neighbors could hear me gulp.

I felt hardened eyes grant a stay of execution from my soul, granting mercy to me only to bore it to the computer.  He grunted, from the sounding of it, he sounded aggravated.  "No, I have insomnia.  Can't sleep."

"O-oh...what a shame."  A small silence passed by with the only noise belonging to the occasional clicking of a mouse and tapping of keys.  "So um...m-may I ask why you're using Vinyl's computer?"

It took him a second to answer, and his gaze never left the screen.  "Checking my e-mail."

Ok...ok...ok...everything's going ok....At least he's not doing something malicious.  Even if he was, what could I do to stop him?  "W-well uh..."  I started.  "I'll just get going and uh, leave you be."  I turned around and faced the door.  "Good night!  Sleep well!" Oh no.  I didn't need to turn around to feel the death defying gaze being cast my way.  "I-I-I-I mean don't sleep well!"  Bloody hell!  "I-I-I mean uh, um, uh...goodnightseeyoutomorrow!"  

With that, I high tailed it out of the studio room, closed the door, heaved against it, prayed, breathed in heavily, prayed some more, fell to my knees praying, prayed, begged for mercy, prayed, gave my last words, and did I mention 'prayed'?, because I prayed!

Only one phrase can sum up my situation right now.  In the words of Vinyl Scratch: I'm totally bucked.

Maybe if I make a break for it now, I can escape with minimal bodily harm.  If only I can see five feet in front of me, or at least find a bloody light switch.  I couldn't move though.  Try as I might, my muscles were in lock down from the amount of adrenaline withdraw from my bloodstream.  My entire body aches from the sudden exertion.  I am frozen, both physically and mentally out of fear, leaning against the door to Vinyl's studio on my rump.  

And so I sat there.  I was too frightened to think about how long I sat.  I was too frightened to even think clearly at all.  I feel like a foal, scared of the dark and stuck awake in the middle of the night.  It's as if the door behind me is the closet, and inside is some boogeyman or monster.  In this case, though, it is very much real.

Once my muscles rebooted, and feelings in my forelegs and hind legs came back, I started to shift my position to stand up.  Putting a front hoof on the floor and pushing up with my back hooves, I slowly and achingly stood back up.  The room was still pitch black, meaning I will still have trouble finding my way back into Vinyl's room.  

I really need her right now.  I need to crawl back into bed and tightly snuggle up to her so much that there is absolutely no space in between our bodies.  I need to feel her warmth.  I need to embrace the feeling of safety in her arms.  I need her to be there with me and do anything to calm me down from my near death experience.  

Some part of me regrets convincing myself that attempting to amend Vinyl with her parents was a bad idea.  I should have just listened to her and pretended that we weren't home.  That gargantuan would not be in our home, Vinyl wouldn't be manically depressed, and I wouldn't have ten years of my life fade away in a single day.

"Haha...stupid mares."

My ears perked and my blood ran cold.  I slowly turned around, assuming the half-yeti was behind me, but only finding darkness.  The door crevice was still flickering blueish light, but nothing beyond a few inches off the floor.  The door was still closed, meaning that Bulldoze did not notice me and probably assumed that I left.

"Now let's see where I put that flash drive..."  Some indistinct sounds followed his voice.  "Here we go!  Now I just have to put that in here...open this file...da de da de da..."

Frantic typing and clicking followed.

I risked it.  I risked everything: my life, my sanity, my dignity, everything.  With the most quiet hoof I can conjure, I twisted the door knob to the right.  It felt like hours had past before the mechanism retreated into the knob enough so that the door could swing open.  I only risked it open enough for one eye to look in.

There he was, still sitting at the desk and staring at the bright screen.  Thank Faust he didn't notice me.  Sticking out from the side of the computer was a flash drive that had a small light on it.  From behind the screen, Bulldoze smiled, then started to laugh.  It sounded a little too maniacal.

"Oh Vinny.  You're rich and famous, but you're so fucking stupid."

I had to hold in a gasp.  I quickly retreated back from behind the door.  How dare he say that to her!  After all those apologies and shed tears from earlier!  Did they mean nothing?!  Was this all some sort of act?!  If so, then why are they here? Are they only here to steal her money?!  Is that why they came here all of a sudden?!  Vinyl is rich and famous, and they probably want to dive into some of that fortune.  It makes sense!  Those greedy, corrupted, manipulative, BLOODY WANKERS.  

This is an abomination!  It truly is a decapitation of morality!  Who in their right mind would even consider from stealing from their own daughter?!  That corrupted money grubbing piece of shit!  No, I'm not even going to uphold my chivalry anymore, fuck that I'm PISSED OFF!  I have half a mind to charge in there with a sledgehammer and smash his testicles into paste!  

If only...if...fucking...only...Even in the fog of my rage, I still have my mindset clear: I cannot fight that leviathan.  What I can do, however, will be just the same...Peeking through the crack in the door, I saw that one of Vinyl's many recording equipments was just an arms length away.  If I could just press that button, I could expose that rotten, corrupted, mother fucking thief!

I just have to lay low, and stay behind the door while reaching for the record button.  I licked my lips, laid on my stomach, and stretched out my foreleg.  It was almost in my grasp, just need a few more inches.  I risked a glance back at Bulldoze, he was still smiling and had his eyes firmly locked on the screen.  The button was so close now...just...one...more...final...stretch!

A faint red light flashed on, and almost indubitable squealing sounds of a tape being wound up sounded.  Success!  Now I have to wait and see if this dickhead says any of his plans out loud.  Damn, I really should stop picking up bad speaking habits from Vinyl.

"Almost..."  He whispered.  "Ha!"  He pulled the flash drive out of the socket.  "Bank accounts, passwords, social security, everything right here on this drive.  You stupid so called 'daughter' of mine, maybe you should try getting some better virus protection?  Maybe some anti-hack software?  Hahaha!"

The light from the screen went off and the sound of a chair rolling across the floor echoed through my ears.  My eyes went wide as I realized he is leaving the studio.  By the time I thought of a way to get out, it was already too late.  I couldn't just run out of the hallway for he would surely hear my hoofsteps.  If I were to be caught....

With quick thinking, I slipped behind the slim lip of drywall that goes about six inches from the wall to the doorframe and stood on my hind legs, hoping that I was skinny enough and that it was dark enough for him to pass right by me.  This is the craziest, stupidest, most death defying stunt I have ever pulled in my life, but it is all I had.

The door opened inward.  My blood pressure skyrocketed.  A shadow of a leviathan stepped out slowly through the opening.  I closed my eyes and silently uttered a last prayer.  Mighty hoofsteps thundered through the hallway.  I was too afraid to risk opening my eyes to see when the shadow leaves.  So for now, I'm just going to stay still until I can hear my sweat drop on the floor.

I couldn't tell if it took minutes or seconds.  For all I know, the sun could have come up and it would have been the next day already.  When I was absolutely sure there was not a single sound left in the house, I opened my eyes, silently dropped to all fours, and entered the studio.

To the left of the door was one of the recording equipment Vinyl uses for her music.  I was lucky enough to spot it before Bulldoze's greed-toothed mouth foolishly muttered his plan out loud.  Now in the morning, I can show this to Vinyl and expose him for the rotten corrupted bastard he really is.

What then after that, though?  Obviously we cannot confront him about it.  If he knows that we know about his flash drive, it will be the last thing we ever know about!  We have to call the police.  Hopefully a few squads of authorities can take him down...with the help of a few battalions of Royal Guards.

I pushed a button on the machine and ejected the tape.  I can't let this out of my sight, not even for a second.  Vinyl has to see this as soon as possible.  Taking one last look over my shoulder to ease my paranoia, I swiftly but silently left the studio and bee-lined for Vinyl's room.  I tucked the tape under the pillow and checked the time: 2:45am.  I can't just wake her up, and I don't think I can fall asleep with this concoction of stress, paranoia, and adrenaline running through my veins.  

I guess I'll just give the ceiling more company.

(\/);,;(\/)

Sleep is irrelevant.  It is only a weakness in the brain that is meant for wasting your life.  I don't need sleep, who does?  It doesn't do anything important.  That whole thing about 'it rejuvenates your brain' is a conspiracy.  I know what you're thinking though, that you can't go very long without sleep lest you pass out.  Well you know what?  I haven't come CLOSE to passing out even though I have been up since yesterday morning.  Screw science, I'm right.  

My eyes are bloodshot.  My ears are drooped.  I have this strange feeling to eat a pickle, and Vinyl is STILL ASLEEP.  I want to wake her so badly, but she just looks so bloody cute!  I can't wake her up, it would go against everything morally good.  She just looks so peaceful, so content with herself, so comfortable in what seems like a peaceful dream.

Damn you Vinyl.  No, not only for being absolutely adorable while sleeping, but for actually BEING ASLEEP.  See those closed eyes?  I WANT THAT!  My eyes refused to close since yesterday!  My mind feels like another contingency broke out.  

Screw it, I'm done.  "Vinyl!"  I yelled.  "Get up you lazy, sleeping, adorable thing you!"  Just because I can, and also I'm not in the right of mind, I yanked the sheets off the bed.

Almost immediately Vinyl yelped and jumped from the bed.  Her horn was charged with magic, ready to defend herself from danger.  Only problem is that I'm the danger at the moment, and if she shoots me with a bloody magic bolt I'm going to use that phallic shaped thing as a nail to build that shelf I've been wanting in her room as of lately.

Vinyl looked at me and sighed with an eye roll.  "What was that for?!  I was sleeping!"

I gave her my own eye roll.  "Obviously, but that's not important right now."

"Not important my ass!"  She huffed.  "Do you know how important sleep is to me?!"

My only reply was a death glare.  With the help of the bloodshot eyes, it made it look more convincing.  "Oh really?  Well do you know how much I would absolutely love to close my eyes for one damn minute?!  I am on the verge of yanking my mane out and feeding it to a parrot!  I need more sleep now than you need in a week!"

She raised an eyebrow at me.  "What the hell crawled up your ass when you woke up?"

"THAT'S JUST IT!  I didn't get a wink of damned sleep at all last night!  Now I would kindly appreciate you to not insult my ass.  You know, the one you couldn't keep your hooves off of last night?!...Wait....two nights ago?!"

She took a step backwards.  "Jeez Tavi!  Seriously what is your problem today?!"

I am about ready to make another threat because my mind can't currently process one I haven't already used.  So instead, I just reached to the dresser next to the bed and held the tape in my hooves.  "Listen to this, then come talk to me.  Do not even attempt to wake me until you are done, and those Celestia damned parents of yours are out of here!"

With that said, I slammed the door in her face, unceremoniously plopped onto the bed, pulled the covers over my head, and said 'Screw the world, I need sleep.'

(\/);,---  Only to be awoken by a tremendous, thundering roar a few minutes later.  I threw off the covers and jumped off the bed.  What the bloody hell was that noise?!  My heart skipped a beat as I realized what could possibly be out there.  All thoughts of sleep and exhaustion escaped my mind.  There was only one thought running through my head as I heard more crashes and bangs: Vinyl's father.

I'm so stupid!  Why didn't I think about Vinyl's ungodly megalodon father?!  He could crush her like a bug! Dammit I could have been there with her!  I could have stood defiantly against her father with her by my side when we exposed him for the corrupted monster he is.  But now, I'm going to lose the only pony I've ever loved!

I galloped through the hallways of the house so fast and hard I think I may have cracked the floorboards a few times.  It matters not when the life of my marefriend is on the line.  When I finally made it to the living room, the sight that I was expecting was not the one happening.  I thought something along the lines of Bulldoze standing over a beaten, bruised, bleeding Vinyl.  However, what happened was nothing of the sort.

Bulldoze is currently being surrounded in a blue aura, lifted several feet of the floor, and holding his neck as if being choked.

Bluebelle is backed into the corner of the room, mortified, with a hoof over her mouth and an expression that was shifting between fear and surprise.

Vinyl's horn is engulfed in a blue aura similar the one around Bulldoze's.  Her eyes were now completely colored in a blood crazed haze.  Her teeth were clenched so hard that her jaw threatened to break her teeth.

The entire house shook.  The amount of pure magical energy radiating off of Vinyl is too much.  Arcane sparks flew everywhere, pictures that were hung on the walls and on various surfaces fell over.  I could barely even stand.  It is pure chaos.

"You!"  

That isn't Vinyl's voice, but it is coming from her mouth.  The voice sounded...evil...almost demonic.  It was deep and shook the house even more.  My blood ran cold from hearing it.  My entire body shook from the fear and arcane power resonating all over the house.  Death himself would cower from Vinyl.

"You son of a bitch!  Stealing my money, hacking my computer, committing identity theft ON YOUR OWN DAUGHTER?!  You know what?  Scratch that...I'm not your daughter, because you're not my father.  No father would ever abuse his child.  No father would ever abandon them and leave them to fend for themselves at six years old.  No father would stoop so low as to steal money from his daughter.  You stopped becoming my father when you stopped loving me...and that was the day I was born!"

With a mighty heave, Vinyl threw her head back and tossed Bulldoze out the front door!  He smashed through the door and landed outside.  The three remaining ponies in the room carefully observed the damage done to the stallion.  It seems that when he was thrown outside, his head impacted on a tree, knocking him out.  

The three of us stood over the fallen giant.  Vinyl's bloodlust faded away and her eyes returned to normal, save for a venomous death glare she still held that was redirected to Bluebelle.  

"Were you in on this too?!"  She said accusingly.

Bluebelle said nothing.  She just continued to stare at the fallen giant.  For a few seconds she stayed like this until she positioned herself in front of him.  It was then when Bulldoze started to groan and come to.  However, before he could wake back up, Bluebelle slammed her front hoof into his jawline and knocked a few teeth from his face out.

She then turned to Vinyl with sorrow eyes.  "Vinyl, let's go back inside.  I need to show you something."

Still keeping a stern gaze, Vinyl warily followed her mother back into the house.  Bluebelle sat back on the couch and sighed.  Vinyl sat on the recliner chair adjacent to the couch, keeping a watchful eye on her.  With a deep breath, and a small, almost unnoticeable tear, her horn lit up.  With a flash, her whole body changed.

She was covered in markings.  Scars, bruises, cuts, stitches, and a black eye.  Her chest and stomach looked the worse, as if she was in a fight more than once.  Her face had a few small cuts with one large stitching through her forehead.  Parts of her coat were missing and I can see her bare skin clearly.

I gasped at the sight.  The poor dear looked like she's been through a prisoner of war camp and tortured!  Even Vinyl widened her eyes at the sight.  I almost felt like shedding a tear, but I held back.  I need to know if Bluebelle was in on this heist before I show any sympathy.

With a shaky tone, Bluebelle began her speech.  "Vinyl...before I say anything I just want you to know that I love you.  I always have since the day you were born.  I know you might not believe me, but you have to trust me.  Your fath--Bulldoze always said you were a mistake that should have never happened.  He tried multiple times to get rid of you, but I protected you.  I used everything in my power to make sure you weren't thrown out into the streets as a foal to die..."  Her eyes were glazed over as she reminisced on the past.

"When you were old enough to hold a broom, Bulldoze forced you to work.  He always told me the only way you were allowed to live with us is if you earned your keep.  I always tried to help you, always tried to do some of the chores myself so you wouldn't have so much, but he always stopped me!"  At this point, she was completely in tears.  "He would beat me to the point where I couldn't even move almost every day!  Remember when Uncle Crosley came to take you away?"

"Yes."  Vinyl answered after a second.

"I was the one who called him.  I told my brother everything that happened the second I got the chance.  The second I was out of sight from that monster I took advantage of it!  I wanted to do something.  I wanted to make him stop.  I wanted to give you a better life, one that you deserved.  One filled with happiness and love, and I finally did it."

There was a few seconds of silence.  The only sounds were the occasional sniffling from Bluebelle and I.  "I've been thinking for so long about seeing you again.  I've always tried to convince Bulldoze to finally apologize and accept you as his daughter.  Whenever I even mentioned your name, he would do this to me."  She pointed to the scars and bruises on her body.  "It was only until yesterday when he finally agreed.  I didn't know why or how, but I was stupid enough to believe he finally wanted to make amends.  I never knew he wanted to steal your money, Vinyl!  Please you have to believe me, I never wanted to hurt you!  Never!"

The two mares, mother and daughter, stared at each other for a millennium.  The atmosphere of this house is the most intense spot on earth at the moment.  Diamonds could be cut by the stillness.  The fabric of the universe could be cut easily by one false move.  

I looked over to Vinyl, who was on the verge of a breakdown.  She was visibly trying to single-handedly hold up a dam keeping back a monsoon of tears.  She sealed her eyes and looked away.  The arms of the chair heaved under the pressure of her clenched hoof.

"Mom..."  She finally said, voice barely above a whisper.  "I...please...I'm sorry!"  Faster than I can even think, Vinyl lunged at her mother, nearly flipping the entire couch over backwards.  The two embraced and cried on the others' shoulders.  I looked upon the sight with my own tears running freely.

On the inside, I'm surprised.  I'm surprised how quickly it took Vinyl to forgive and trust her mother.  I'm proud of her.  Proud of how she listened to my words about trying to accept them yesterday.  I'm happy that they were reuninted, but I still can't get the feelings of sympathy for both of them.  All the hardships they faced living with that monster is too much to bear.  

"I'm not afraid anymore."  Bluebelle said.  "I'm not afraid of him anymore.  It's been over twenty five years, and I'm finally free."

Vinyl looked up to her mother.  "You don't have to worry about him anymore, mom.  I'll make sure they throw him in prison for life."

"Thank you, Vinny.  Not just for stopping him, but for trusting me.  You don't know how much it means to me to have my baby back."

Vinyl smiled, the first genuine smile I've seen since yesterday.  "You don't know how much it means to me to have a mom.  A real one this time."

Bluebelle tightened her grip.  "I swear to Celestia Vinyl that I'll be the best damn mother in the world.  For every year you had to suffer in your childhood I'll make up for it until the day I die.  I promise."

Vinyl put her head back on Bluebelle's shoulders.  "Thanks mom."

Another silence passed.  I looked back to the newly reunited mother and daughter.  Hmmm, I suppose I should leave them alone.  This is a rather intimate moment between them and I shouldn't intervene.  I'll just quietly retreat to Vinyl's room...

"Octavia, wait."  I turned around to see Bluebelle smiling at me.  "I have to thank you.  If it wasn't for you, Vinyl would have not accepted me.  In fact, without you Bulldoze would have gotten away with all her identity information.  So thank you.  Vinyl most certainly has chosen the perfect marefriend."

I nodded.  "Thank you Mrs...or should I say Ms. Bluebelle.  I'll give you two some alone time now.  If you need me I'll be napping."  I gave a sheepish smile and retreated around the corner.

(\/);,;(\/)

It was always hard saying goodbye.  Weather it be two ponies in a relationship trying to figure out who should hang up the phone first, or a mother and daughter parting ways after a heart filled reunion.  Bluebelle now stands at the front door with Vinyl standing next to her.  I was awoken a few minutes ago to also say goodbye.  

About two hours ago, according to Vinyl, the police showed up to apprehend Bulldoze.  Lucky he was still unconscious, or else Vinyl could have been charged with murder.  Unless they make it out to be self defense.  Luckily it didn't need to come to that.  It took nearly five stallions to finally subdue the leviathan.

With a final hug, Vinyl and Bluebelle said their last goodbye.  Right before Bluebelle was about to turn around and leave, Vinyl said one last thing.  "What will you do now mom?"

She craned her neck to look at Vinyl.  "Hmm?  What do you mean?"

"Well...now that he's gone, what's going to happen to you?  Are you just going to go back home and...I don't know..something?"

Bluebelle sighed and looked down.  "Vinyl, in all honesty I don't know what I'm going to do.  Even before we decided to visit you the house was going under foreclosure.  That's probably why he tried to steal your money.  I'll think of something I guess...Wait a second, what's today's date?"

"The 4th of January."  I replied.

Her pupils shrunk.  "Oh no...oh no oh no...It's too late to make any payments on the house!  It's already way past the deadline!  The house is already gone..."  Her head hung low again.

Vinyl and I looked at eachother.  I knew we were sharing the same the thoughts.  The look of determination in her eyes as well as concern was all I needed.  Vinyl walked up beside Bluebelle and hugged her.  "You know mom, you can always stay with us if you don't have anywhere else to go."

Bluebelle's head immediately sprung up.  "Vinyl, I-I couldn't."

"I don't wanna hear it!"  Vinyl snapped.  "I will not let you live in the streets when there is a perfectly good, warm home right here!"

"Trust me, the streets are worse than you think."  I added.

"Yeah, just ask Tavi.  She lived on the streets for a year!"

"Thanks for being so enthusiastic about it, honey"  I deadpanned.

She smirked.  "I try.  Anyway, mom, c'mon!  You can totally stay here!  I have an extra room.  Even if I didn't I still couldn't allow you to just walk out of here and live under a bridge."  I rolled my eyes.  

Bluebelle looked between Vinyl and I.  "Vinyl...you would really let me live with you and Octavia?  Even after--"  A sudden surge of magic sent Bluebelle flying in the air and trailing behind Vinyl as she guided her into the house.

"Alright that settles it, you're living with us, no more questions asked."  She dropped Bluebelle onto the couch.  

As soon as the magical aura subsided, Bluebelle lunged at Vinyl.  "Oh thank you so much Vinny!"

Vinyl chuckled.  "Alright alright!  Enough with the sappy stuff today, I've had enough already.  Let's just do something fun."

"Like what?"  Bluebelle asked.

Vinyl looked around the room as if trying to find an answer.  However, the answer came in the form of a rumbling in her stomach.  She sheepishly smiled at her mother.

Bluebelle smiled devilishly.  "Race you to the kitchen?"

Vinyl mirrored the smile.  "You're on!"

It warms my heart to see those two reunited.  All the stress has been lifted off my shoulders.  I feel at ease again, calm with myself and the world around me.  Especially after that nap!  Celestia I feel good!  Everything is just wonderful!  It seems that the last obstacle has been cleared.

Well, not really.  There is still one obstacle left.  I looked out the window at the setting sun, contemplating when, or if, my father ever comes back to reconcile with us.  I hope he can look past Vinyl's attitude and character.  I don't want anymore hatred between family in my life anymore, I want us all to be united. He is the last piece left in making us sort of like a...family.