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Scratching the Strings

by Speedy Quill

Chapter 2: Perfection Or Passion?

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Perfection Or Passion?

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.

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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?"

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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."

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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.

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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!"

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