Octavia closed the door behind her and sighed. "What a night!" She trotted to a nearby lamp and turned it on, illuminating her small penthouse. She sighed again and giggled. Her performance tonight had been given a standing ovation. She was used to it, but usually there was always another musician or two with her. Tonight however, it had all been for her. They had stood and applauded for her!

A grumbling stomach reminded Octavia that she had not yet eaten dinner. She looked up at her clock to discover it was nearly midnight. "Better late than never I suppose." She walked to the kitchen and looked through her cupboards. Several bare shelves reminded her hat she needed to go shopping the next day. She finally made herself a daisy sandwich and sat down at the table.

'Knock Knock'

Octavia paused mid-bite and stared at the door. Who in Equestria could that be? She stood up and moved towards the door.

'Knock Knock'

She froze and thought for a moment. It was midnight, she was alone-

'Knock Knock Knock Knock Knock Knock Knock Knock Knock Knock'

Octavia backed away. This wasn't good. Somepony was trying to break in!

"Come on Octavia! Let me in!"

That voice... Octavia groaned and walked to the door. She opened it slowly and looked out. It wasn't a robber. It was much worse. The white unicorn smiled at her. "Hey sis!"

Octavia opened the door the whole way. "Vinyl. What are you doing here?"

Vinyl Scratch smiled. "Can't I visit my little sister without her thinking I have an angle?"

Octavia narrowed her eyes and glanced down at the knapsack next to her sister's hooves. Vinyl fooled her gaze and chuckled, pushing the sack away. Octavia sighed and stepped aside to let her in. Vinyl smiled and trotted in, her knapsack levitating behind her.

Octavia closed the door and turned to find her sister sitting at the table...eating her sandwich. She scowled. "Do you want to tell me why you're here?"

Vinyl swallowed the last bit of the sandwich and grinned. "So....I got thrown out of my apartment. Apparently it's not cool to have a party in the complex. We were in full swing when the landlord showed up. He pulled the plug on my system and threw me out."

Octavia closed her eyes and put a hoof to her face. "When was this?"

Vinyl shrugged. "I don't know. Two, three hours ago? I would have been here sooner if I didn't have to take my equipment to a buddy's place for safekeeping."

Octavia looked up, her eyes burning. "And what made you think it was okay to come here?"

Vinyl jumped up and smiled, holding her hooves up. "Because we're sisters! And sisters look out for each other!" She pulled Octavia into a hug. "Thanks for letting me crash here."

Octavia pulled out of the embrace. "Didi say you could stay?"

Vinyl rolled her eyes. "If you weren't going to let me stay, you wouldn't have let me inside."

Octavia frowned. What the hay was she thinking? Why had she answered the door?

Vinyl ran over and jumped onto the sofa, laying out and sighing. "I never knew you had such a nice place Tav. Pretty posh."

Octavia walked back to the kitchen and began preparing another sandwich for herself. "Good things come from performing."

Vinyl chuckled. "I hear that. I get to go to so many parties and meet tons of cool ponies all the time! How are things going with that fiddle of yours?"

Octavia shuddered. "It is not a fiddle. It is a cello. Please remember that for future reference."

Vinyl's smile dropped and she made a serious face. "Oh yes ma'am. I will make sure to take note of all your brilliant suggestions and apply them in the future." She fell over laughing and Octavia shook her head. Why did her sister always have to be so...goofy?

Vinyl finally calmed down and sat up. "So where do I sleep. I'm bushed!"

Octavia turned to her as she finished preparing the sandwich. "I'm afraid I don't have a second bed. So-"

Vinyl jumped up and down. "So we'll bunk together! Super Awesome Sleepover!"

Octavia shook her head. "No! You get the sofa."

Vinyl stopped jumping and looked at the sofa. She shrugged. "That works too." She laid down on the sofa and got comfortable. "Night."

Octavia smiled. "Night." At least she could have a peaceful night now. She ate her sandwich and walked to her bedroom. Before she got there, a loud noise sounded from the living room. You had to be kidding. She snores?! Octavia walked into her bedroom and shut the door. The snoring was muffled, but still audible.

Octavia climbed into bed and sighed in relief as her head hit the pillow. She tried to focus on her performance earlier that evening. It had been a wonderful accomplishment. She had been praised at the after party. And what's more is that she had four more performances at the concert hall. A smile crept to her face at the thought of four more standing ovations. Maybe even an encore! She had always wanted to be asked for an encore.

'HHNNGGGH!!'

Octavia's eyes flew open. Really? How could one mare make so much noise?! She groaned inwardly and turned over, determined to tune out Vinyl's snoring. She pressed her pillow to her ears. This was going to be a long night. At least she hoped it was only one night.

"Please only be tonight."

Octavia was woken by the crashing of pans in the kitchen. What was Vinyl up to now? She turned over in bed and looked at her alarm clock. It was 7:30.... 7:30!!! She had to be at rehearsal in a half hour!

Octavia burst from her room after hurriedly getting herself ready for the day. She froze as she passed the kitchen. There were pans and cracked eggs everywhere.

Vinyl stood in the middle of the chaos and smiled. "Surprise?"

Octavia's jaw dropped. "What did you do to my kitchen?!"

Vinyl shrugged. "I was trying to make breakfast. It'll be ready soon." Whatever was cooking in the pan behind her started to smoke. Vinyl sniffed the air and turned. "Dang! Not again!"

Octavia frowned. "Look. I don't have time for this right now. I have to be at rehearsal in-" She looked up at the clock. "Ten minutes! When I get back, I expect this kitchen to be spotless."

Vinyl waved her away with a hoof. "Alright. Jeez, try to do something nice around here..."

Octavia forced herself to keep quiet. She stormed out the door, leaving Vinyl staring after her.

-------------------------------

Octavia struck the last note and froze. She looked out at the empty concert hall. Well, almost empty. A single pony was sitting in the front row. He stood up and sighed. "Just a few beats behind the tempo."

Octavia let her head hang. "Sorry Maestro. I'll bring it back up."

Maestro shook his head. "Perfect rehearsals leading up to opening night. Now the morning after I find you rushing in, barely on time, and letting yourself slow down. What's going on?"

Octavia sighed. "Sorry. I had an unexpected guest last night. It was a bit of a shock. But that's all. I promise I'll play better than last night."

Maestro smiled. "As I always expect from you my dear. If you continue playing any better, you'll be able to outperform Strativarius."

Octavia rolled her eyes and grinned. "You say that to me every time I have a concert. And you can't even compare us when old Strat has been dead for centuries."

Maestro chuckled. "Maybe I say it all the time because it's true. Shall we try from the top again?"

Octavia nodded and took her starting position.

"HEY TAV!!"

Octavia froze in fear. It couldn't be. She glanced to the back of the hall. It was. Vinyl was trotting down the aisle towards he stage.

Maestro stood up. "Excuse me Miss, but this is a private rehearsal."

Vinyl grinned. "That's cool. I just wanted to hear how that fiddle of hers sounds."

Octavia buried her face in her hooves. "Oh no."

Maestro turned to the stage. "I take it this was your...unexpected guest?"

Octavia nodded slowly. "Yes Maestro."

Vinyl grabbed Maestro's hoof. "Maestro huh? I'm Vinyl Scratch. I'm Tav's older sister."

Maestro pulled his hoof away and looked at Octavia in surprise. "Older sister?"

-------------------------------

Octavia walked slowly down the road with Vinyl.

Vinyl took in the sites, smiling happily. "I always liked This area of Canterlot. So fancy."

Octavia rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you're used to a more rugged look, aren't you?"

Vinyl shrugged. "It all depends on the gig. Speaking of, you've got a pretty sweet gig yourself. Why'd you have rehearsal though?"

Octavia looked at her sister in shock. "Why? Because I have to continually make sure that my piece is perfect. If I can't perform it perfectly, then I might as well be playing..." She shuddered. "A hoe-down."

Vinyl shook her head. "Come on Tav. You've already got the gig. And you play amazingly! That Maestro was way too picky with how you played. He must have had you play that music a dozen times. And I thought you played it perfectly every time!"

Octavia felt a small smile forming. It was reassuring to have somepony telling her she was good.

Vinyl continued. "I mean, look at me! I never practice and I do great every time I get up at the tables."

Octavia stopped walking. She glared at Vinyl. "We're not talking about your silly records and machines! We're talking about a musical instrument that takes years to perfect! Do you know how much schooling I went through to get where I am?!"

Vinyl stopped, her eyes narrowing. "Since you were a filly and discovered your talent. Mom got you a cello and you haven't put it down since. That was fourteen years ago Tav! Fourteen years! That's more than enough and you're still not satisfied!"

Octavia stared wide-eyed at Vinyl. She had never heard her sister get angry before. She tried to say something, but her mouth wouldn't open.

Vinyl shook her head. "And what did I do while you were busy being a prodigy? It took me two months after you to find my talent. And then I scratched my first record by accident! Sure I didn't spend fourteen years perfecting it, but it still took practice. I spent all my spare time finding my own unique rhythm. Not that you would have noticed though. You were too busy plucking your strings."

Octavia finally found her voice. "I...I never knew you were so....passionate about your music."

Vinyl huffed. "Not all of us have to be in the stiff upper class to have passion for something."

Octavia looked down at the ground. "I'm sorry."

Vinyl put a hoof on her shoulder. "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped like that."

Octavia looked up at her sister and smiled. "I want you to come to tonight's performance."

Vinyl tipped her sunglasses down and stared at Octavia. "You're crazy."

-------------------------------

Octavia filed through her clothes in the closet. "This will be good for you Vinyl. A little culture."

Vinyl laid back on the bed. "I don't need culture! Culture doesn't fit in my line of work!"

Octaviaturned to her, holding up a dress. "What do you think?"

Vinyl looked up. "Nice. It'll look good on you tonight."

Octavia giggled. "This one's for you."

Vinyl rolled off the bed and backed away. "Oh no! You're not getting me to wear a dress to your concert!"

Octavia looked hurt. "But it's Carneighgi Hall! You have to dress up for a concert there!"

Vinyl shook her head. "It could be Canterlot Castle for all I care! I'm still not wearing a dress!"

Octavia groaned and hung the dress back up. She turned back to her sister and frowned. "What will it take to get you to wear something nice for tonight?"

Vinyl thought for a moment. A smile grew on her face and she chuckled.

-------------------------------

Octavia froze, the last note echoing through the hall. The applause began and she bowed.

"Woo-hoo! Go Tav!"

Octavia couldn't help but smile. Despite her telling Vinyl to not cheer, she kind of liked hearing her do so. She looked up to see Vinyl jumping up and down amidst the crowd of ponies, many of them looking at Vinyl in disapproval. Octavia took one more bow as the curtain fell. When the curtain touched the stage, she turned to exit. She only made it a few feet before Vinyl came through the stage door, running towards her.

Vinyl collided with Octavia and hugged her. "You did great sis!"

Octavia returned the hug. "Thanks."

Vinyl pulled away and smiled. "And you won't believe what I found out before the show. You're going to pay up on our deal tomorrow!"

Octavia's eyes widened. "What?"

Vinyl's smile grew larger. "I got a gig tomorrow night! And you get to come and party with me!"

Octavia held still until the curtain fell. She moved off stage to find Maestro waiting for her.

Maestro smiled. "An excellent performance my dear! Even better than the matinee."

Octavia smiled. "Thank you Maestro. Have you considered my request?"

Maestro nodded. "Yes, yes. We can move our rehearsal to noon tomorrow. Won't you at least tell me why?"

Octavia looked up at the ceiling. "I'm spending some time with Vinyl tonight. You know...sisterly bonding?"

Maestro narrowed his eyes and looked at her for a moment. He gave a curt nod to the door and Octavia grinned.

-------------------------------

Octavia opened the door to her apartment and trotted in. "Vinyl?"

Vinyl appeared from the bathroom, a comb running itself though her mane. "Hey! You ready for an awesome night?"

Octavia shrugged. "Sure. At least I won't have rehearsal in he morning to worry about."

Vinyl rolled her eyes. "About to have the best night of your life and you're still worried about rehearsals with Maestro." She grinned mischievously. "Isn't he a little old for you Tav?"

Octavia looked shocked. "Don't be so vulgar! Maestro has been my teacher for ten years now." She returned the smile and winked. "Besides, I'm into stallions a little closer to my own age."

Vinyl laughed. "I didn't figure you for a flirt!"

Octavia's smile faded and she began to look nervous.

Vinyl let the comb return to the bathroom and approached Octavia. "What's up?"

Octavia looked at her sister. "Well....this party you're doing...I'm not going to have to worry about...you know..."

Vinyl smiled. "Finding yourself a stallion? Of course not! If any stallion comes up to you that you don't like, let your hoof meet his face!"

Octavia was shocked at the idea. "Just throw a hoof? That's a bit violent."

Vinyl chuckled. "Okay, maybe don't knock him out, but just make sure he knows you're not interested."

Octavia smiled. "Thanks.... What about if I find one that I.....like?"

Vinyl winked. "I'll leave that up to you sis. Just don't leave without me. Don't want you getting into trouble on the first party."

Octavia groaned. "I think I have enough trouble with you here."

Vinyl smiled and shoved her. Octavia shoved back and they laughed.

Vinyl looked up at the clock. "The party starts in an hour. We better get over there so I can set up."

-------------------------------

Octavia looked around at the loft she was standing in. It was a polished wood floor with a glass ceiling, giving a perfect view of the moon. She looked over at Vinyl, who was setting up her sound system. "Is this the sort of place you usually perform in?"

Vinyl shook her head. "Nah! This is some rich pony's kid who just has great taste in music. I usually play gigs in places like old warehouses or in a basement. You know, somewhere private and that can hold a ton of ponies."

Hoofsteps announced the arrival of another pony. Octavia looked towards the door. A white stallion with a jet black mane was walking in.

Vinyl looked up and smiled. "Hey Scooter!"

Octavia walked slowly towards Vinyl and the stallion. How did Vinyl know him? She stopped a few steps from the two.

Vinyl motioned to the stallion. "Tav, this is Scooter."

The stallion rolled his eyes. "That's what she calls me. My real name is Scout." He held out a hoof. "You must be Octavia."

Octavia shook hooves with him. "How do you know my name?"

Scout smiled. "Vinyl talks about you every now and then. You're a cellist, right?"

Octavia smiled. "Yes."

Scout chuckled. "You're right Vinyl. She's very polite. She could teach you a thing or two."

Vinyl rolled her eyes. "That'll be the day. Tav, Scooter here is my agent. He's the one that got me this gig."

Octavia nodded. "An agent? So formal!"

Scout gave her a smug look. "The Fillyharmonic aren't the only ponies with agents. Your sister's got great potential in the music industry. I'm working on getting her a record deal."

Octavia looked at Vinyl. "You never mentioned that!"

Vinyl frowned. "Well you never mentioned me to Maestro."

Octavia narrowed her eyes. How to retort? A smile formed and she glanced at Scout. "You never mentioned you had such a handsome stallion managing your schedule. Isn't he a little old for you?"

Vinyl smiled and started laughing. "Okay. I had that one coming."

Scout looked between the two. "You two are definitely related."

-------------------------------

Octavia stood off to the side as ponies were dancing around the loft. The only lighting in the whole place was a set of strobes, some blacklights, and the moon. And the only thing that could be heard was the vibrations from the bass speakers next to Vinyl. How had she not gone deaf from all this noise?

Octavia slowly inched around the edge of the mob until she had a clear shot to Vinyl. She ran over and sat next to her. "Is it always so loud?"

Vinyl looked at her. "Tav! What's up?"

"Does it have to be so loud?"

"What?"

"LOUD!!"

"Loud? What do you- Oh! Just a sec."

Vinyl reached up and pulled something out of her ear. She winced slightly at the increase in sound, but shook it off.

Octavia's jaw dropped. "Earplugs?! You mean you don't even listen to what you're playing?!"

Vinyl laughed. "Of course I can hear what I'm playing! These just make it softer. This music's playing loud enough that I can hear it even with the earplugs in."

Octavia looked down at the earplug in Vinyl's hoof and back up. "Do you have an extra pair?"

-------------------------------

Octavia, at Vinyl's prodding, had taken to the dance floor to mingle. Unfortunately, this meant that Octavia would have to dance. she had never been particularly good at it. Playing the minute concerto in 48 seconds? Easy. Dancing at a party? Four left hooves.

Octavia looked around at the ponies. All of them were dancing away, some performing pretty impressive moves. She tried to copy some of the mares around her. The milder moves that is. She thought she was doing a decent job. And then she heard a snicker behind her. She looked over her shoulder to see a mare and stallion staring and grinning. Octavia stopped dancing, the two ponies turning away now hat heir entertainment was over.

"You've never been to one of these before, have you?"

Octavia looked forward and found Scout in front of her. She smiled sheepishly. "No."

Scout winked. "Don't worry about it. You're used to silent concert halls. If you had had good moves, I would have been suspicious."

Octavia smiled. Scout looked around at the dancing ponies. He looked back at Octavia and smiled. "Follow my lead."

Scout positioned himself in front of Octavia and began to move slowly. Octavia watched his hooves and mirrored the movements.

Scout shook his head. "Don't look at my hooves. Look at my face."

Octavia looked up at Scout. He had a soft smile as he looked at her. "Let your hooves follow the music. Pretend that your hooves are your cello. Make them play to the beat."

Octavia smiled and nodded. He had explained it perfectly. She kept her eyes on Scout and let her hooves begin to move. Without realizing, she began mirroring Scout's moves.

Scout chuckled. "We'll look at that! The concert pony can dance!"

Octavia looked down at her hooves to see them moving in perfect time with the music. She looked back at Scout, beaming. "I'm dancing!" She looked up to Vinyl's table. "Vinyl! I'm dancing!" She knew Vinyl couldn't hear her, but that didn't stop her from yelling it anyway.

-------------------------------

Vinyl slowed the last record down until it stopped. Everypony applauded. Vinyl raised her hooves over her head and bowed. The applause continued for a full minute. Vinyl gave a final bow and motioned for the ponies to stop.

The applause died and Vinyl smiled. "WHO HAD FUN TONIGHT?"

The room exploded in screams.

"I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!"

The screams were deafening, even with her earplugs in. When the noise died down, Vinyl nodded. "Good. Because that's all I got for you."

"AWWW!!"

Vinyl laughed. "Alright! One more dance!"

"YAY!!!"

Vinyl put on another record and pumped up the volume. The music started and everypony began dancing again.

Octavia walked up behind Vinyl and tapped her on the shoulder. Vinyl turned and smiled. "Looks like you were having fun out there. Scooter's pretty awesome, isn't he?"

Octavia did her best not to blush. "Yeah." She looked out at the crowd. "So does every party want to have another dance?"

Vinyl smiled. "Yeah. Nopony wants the party to end. So I give them one more. What do you call that at concerts? An encore?"

Octavia nodded, her smile fading.

Vinyl pushed her glasses up to her mane. "Tav?"

Octavia shook her head and smiled. "It's nothing. I...I just realized how tired I really was. Thanks for bringing me along tonight."

Vinyl kept eye contact for a moment before smiling, nodding and turning back to her table.

Octavia sat down. She ran over everything her sister had done. Vinyl had mentioned her to her agent. Vinyl got encores with every performance, something Octavia had only ever dreamed of. And what had Octavia ever done for her? She had denied her existence. She had scoffed at her musical knowledge and experience.

Octavia slowly stood and walked towards the exit. She had decided to wait outside. Where nopony would see the pooling tears in her eyes.