For the Record Chapter 11

>Vinyl is poking you in the side and leering.

>Octavia is glaring at you from across the table.

>Twilight is shifting nervously next to her.

>And here you are, searching for something to say to diffuse the cellist.

“I--” you begin.

>”So,” Octavia interrupts, “did you see to that business you had this morning?” Her eyes flit to the right, towards Twilight. You can practically hear her real question being screamed at you: 'You didn't do what I think you did, did you?'

>You scratch the back of your head.

“Yeah, didn't have too much trouble. I had a good guide, after all.”

>Twilight smiles to herself. Octavia notices.

>She coughs.

>”Twilight, can I borrow you for a minute?”

>The librarian's gaze alternates between you and the gray mare for a moment before she gets up and lets Octavia out of the booth.

>You and Vinyl watch the pair of them walk out of the diner.

>The DJ's leer intensifies once you're alone with her.

>”Anon, you slick bastard!” she says, grinning uncontrollably. “You slick slick bastard! I knew something was up -I knew it- but this is too good!”

“Heh. Thanks.”

>”You planned this, didn't you. That's what you were up to Saturday, isn't it? Getting in good with bookie over there?” She motions to the window. You can see Twilight and Octavia standing on the sidewalk, exchanging words.

“More spur of the moment, but I think I rolled with it pretty well. How much you wanna bet Tavi's telling her about 'my plan' or 'my history?' ”

>Vinyl adopts a mocking version of Octavia's voice. “I'm not judging -but I am-, and I won't try to stop you...”

>Twilight is talking now.

“Octavia, I appreciate the concern, but I can take care of myself. I know what I'm doing.”

>”You think that's what she's saying?” Vinyl asks.

“I know that's what she's saying.”

1/

 

>”Confident,” she smirks.

“Vy, I just spent four hours this morning looking at a thousand-year-old book of maps in alien-speak with that mare. Spent like an hour Saturday doing the same thing.”

>The DJ feigns insult. “You blew me off for a map-quest? That's cold.”

“Well, I did manage to tear her away from it. Took her down to that pub in Old Town. The one that's been around since Clover the Clever?”

>”You're a sly one. Bet she was gushing history the whole time.”

“Totally was.”

>”So'd you get in?”

“Nah. Gotta give that time. She's not one to just up and do that.”

>”So why all the effort? I know you like your challenges, but there were plenty of mares at the party.”

“More fun this way.”

>Vinyl looks at you weird. “Alright. But don't think this gives you a free pass on my parties. You're at the next one, got that?”

“Got it, Vy.”

>”Looks like Octy's done warning your study buddy.”

“Looks like it.”

>”You think she talked her out of it?”

“Doubtful.”

>”Sure?”

>Instead of answering, you just track Twilight as she quickly crosses in front of Octavia and slides into the booth to sit across from you.

>”Okay,” Vinyl whispers.

“Good talk?” you ask Octavia.

>”Very,” the cellist replies, turning to Twilight. “I just wish you'd told me you were coming. We could have done something together.”

>”Sorry. I was just so busy in town I didn't think of it. And then I ran into Anon...”

“There's always a next time, Tavi.”

2/

 

>The four of you finish lunch in short order. Twilight is the first to get up.

>”I really should go. I want to make one more pass at the Archive before I call it quits.”

“Alright. Don't worry about the bill. My treat.”

>”Oh! Thanks. Excuse me, then.”

>She slips past Octavia and starts for the door.

“I'll pick you up at eight. Don't get too wrapped up in those books, alright?”

>The librarian suppresses a laugh before leaving.

>”What are you doing?” Octavia immediately asks.

>”What do you mean?” Vinyl asks.

>”He knows what I mean.”

“What do you think I'm doing?”

>Octavia narrows her eyes. “I don't approve of this.”

“When do you ever?”

>”I- that's not the point. You're still trying to get her into bed.”

“And?”

>”And you said you wouldn't! You said you were going to lay off, and now you're going after her again!”

“You make it sound like I tracked her down so I could seduce her.”

>”You did that with Crystalbright.”

“Who?”

>Vinyl laughs. Octavia puts her head down.

“Anyway, I didn't go after her this time. She came to me.”

>”She what?” Octavia balks.

“She sent me a letter, so I went to meet her at the Archive and I ended up taking her out.”

>”And you didn't...”

“I don't know why you're harping on this. She's free to make her own choices.”

>”She told me the same thing.”

“It's not like I'm tricking her, either. She knows what's on the table.”

>Vinyl points a hoof at Octavia.

>”Just because she's a friend of yours doesn't mean she can't have a little fun.”

“If she weren't interested, she wouldn't have let me drag her downtown twice.”

>Octavia just sighs. “I don't know why I try to talk you out of things.”

“I never listen,” you laugh.

3/

 

>The DJ nudges you.

>”Hey, speaking of downtown, what're you doing tonight?”

“Nothing. You have plans?”

>”Late night paintball's open. We haven't done that in forever, feels like.”

“I could do that.”

>”Cool. Nine, then.” She drops some coin on the table and gets up. “I'll leave you two be. Sure you've got some business to talk. Later.”

>You wave her off. Octavia gets up shortly after.

>”I'm going to go practice,” she remarks.

“Just remember to finish in time to come out with us.  Been forever since we've gotten you doing our kind of thing.”

>She exits silently. You lean back in the booth.

>Out of the corner of your eye you spot Flambe approaching.

>”New friend?” she asks.

“Always making them,” you reply.

>The mare takes a seat across from you.

>”You're good at it, that's for sure.” Her voice is dripping sarcasm.

“You aren't still mad about that party, are you?”

>”It was my first time getting a carton of milk thrown at me.”

“Yeah, that mare wasn't happy. Memorable night, though.”

>”It was. Still managing the cellist?”

“Yep. How's the diner going?”

>”Good. More interesting than law, anyway.”

“Nice to hear.”

>Flambe smirks. “So how did you nab this one? She looks familiar.”

“Met her in Ponyville. She came up here for the weekend.”

>”Interesting. It seems unlike you.”

“How's that?”

>”Well, you seemed like a wolf among sheep when I met you.”

“What did I seem like today?”

>She thinks for a moment.

>”Most... unwolflike.”

>You aren't sure if that's a compliment.

4/

 

>You leave the diner a few minutes later, wondering about the last day's events.

>This certainly isn't what you'd expected to be doing once you got back from Ponyville.

>On top of that, Twilight is the last mare you would have expected to contact you, let alone come and visit, even if she did have an excuse.

>You decide to head in to the office.

>With any luck, you'll have something to do there.

 

>The office is empty when you arrive. May Bell's desk is vacant.

>You head inside your office and kick your feet up on the desk.

>As you sift through the papers, a thought strikes you. You grab your phone and flip through the directory.

“Let's see... historical landmark office, historical reenactments, historical preenactments...”

>Finally you find it.

“Aha! Historians! Why was that at the end of the list?”

>You dial the number and wait.

>Eventually, you get an answer.

>”Hello?”

“Good afternoon,” you begin, “is this the Canterlot University history department?”

>”It is. How can I help you?” The stallion on the other end sounds absolutely ancient, just like that one at the Archive looked.

“I'm looking for a book on Old Unicornian language and culture to help a friend of mine conduct some research, but I haven't been able to find anything in the Archives that suits our needs. You wouldn't happen to know of anything with information dating to the Early Period, would you?”

>”That's quite a specific request. Who is this?”

5/

 

“My name is Anonymous. I've been helping my friend research some Early Period city states and we've exhausted our avenues at the Archive. I'm hoping that it wasn't the be-all and end-all of historical information regarding that period of Unicornian history, but first I figure that I'll be of more use if I have a better understanding of the language. She put together a very nice cheat sheet for me, but there isn't much I can do other than cursory stuff if I don't really have a grasp of the concepts at work.”

>Why are you doing this? You don't have an answer.

>Apparently, neither does the stallion on the other end of the line.

>He goes silent for a few seconds before speaking up again.

>”What organization did you say you were from? Who is leading this research?”

“Just a friend of mine. She's got a historical streak, you see. I think she gets it from her teacher, the Princess.”

>Silence on the other end again. You stifle a laugh.

>”The Princess's student? Why didn't you say so to begin with?”

“I don't normally like to drop names.”

>The stallion lets out a hearty chuckle. “A meritocrat! Just like myself! Well, you're in luck, Anonymous. I happen to be a bit of an expert on the subject. Of course, I can't just go around lending university materials willy nilly, but I'd be happy to point you in a direction. You should be able to find some books covering Old Unicornian at the University book store, but if you want some of the most respected work on the subject, you'll want to check at the rare book emporium near the public gardens. Tell the mare who works there that Professor Schist sent you.”

6/

 

“Thank you very much, Professor. I'm sure my friend will appreciate it.”

>”Not at all. Tell her if she's ever in need of help, to feel free to call my office. I don't usually answer this phone, but it was ringing and I was the only one around.”

>You glance at your empty office.

“I know that feeling. Thanks again, sir. I'll be in touch.”

>A smile crawls across your face as you think about how Twilight will react to this new information.

>That is, when you give it to her.

“Give it a couple days after she leaves,” you say to yourself. “Should work, plus it'll give time to learn some of this stuff, probably.”

>You glance at the clock.

“Got time...”

>You look at the desk.

>Nothing going on there.

>You head back out onto the street and head for the public gardens.

 

>The mare at the book store lit up the moment you mentioned Professor Schist. She zipped to the back and, in seconds, returned with an extremely old-looking book.

>It cost you more than a few bits, but you walk out with the tome in-hand with time to spare before going to meet Vinyl.

>You decide to take the book to the public garden to look at what you're getting into.

>The first few minutes you spend on the bench go by uneventfully and you feel your eyes glazing over at the wall of text on the pages before you.

>Almost as if on cue to save you from this boredom, a voice pipes up.

>”Anon! Is that you? What is that book? It looks ancient!”

>You look up to see a cream-colored mare peering at the cover.

>”A Treatise on the Linguistic History of the Early Unicornian Period, from The Founding to the Battle of Clovefield Bridge? What is this?” she asks.

7/

 

>Before you can reply, she's sat down  next to you.

>”I didn't know you were such an intellectual. You understand this stuff?”

“Not really, but I'm trying to get a handle on it.”

>You put the book down next to you.

“So what brings you here?”

>”Oh, I was just in the area. I like to walk around the gardens.”

“Can't believe Fancy let you get a day off.”

>The mare laughs.

>”Oh, he's not so bad, you know. You should have heard him after we left the concert, though. I wish I could push his buttons like that. He was furious!”

“It was pretty funny.”

>”Did you get that recording done?”

“A couple days ago. We sent it out to Minor Seventh yesterday.”

>”That's great! I'm happy that's worked out for you.”

“Thanks. With any luck I can get Tavi on Minnie's short list for out-of-town gigs.”

>”So why are you out here? And reading history?”

>You cast a glance at the book.

>The mare -what's her name again?- cocks her head to the side.

“Just a passing thing, I guess. I have some downtime while I wait to hear back and setting up local gigs isn't that taxing.”

>”I know that feeling.” She kicks her legs idly. “Hey, Anon?”

>Maxie! That's it!

“Yeah?”

>”Are you doing anything tonight? We could do something, if you like.”

>While you're trying to come up with a response, she saves you the trouble.

>”I can see a 'no' when it's coming.” Despite her words, she smiles as she gets up. “Ah well. Spur of the moment.”

“You surprised me.”

>”It showed. Don't worry about it, though. If you can't, you can't.” She looks off towards downtown. “I'll see you around, alright?”

“Yeah, and Maxie?”

>”Mmm?”

“Are we good?”

>”Depends on your definition,” she giggles. “But yeah, we're good.”

>You watch her go before picking your book up again.

“Huh.”

8/

 

>”Get down!” Vinyl shrieks, diving for the floor. A volley of paint flies over your cover, splattering on the wall behind you.

>”Dammit!” one of your teammates says, “hit!”

“Okay, so that's five down. How many did we get?”

>Vinyl shakes her head.

“She's really owning being upset with me.”

>”General Gray-Ass? Yeah,” the DJ laughs.

>Another teammate pokes his head up and is immediately pegged.

>”She's in the tower again.”

“She's a regular Charles Whitman.”

>”Who?”

“Nevermind. Got a plan?”

>”Hide here until she runs out of ammo.”

“Boring plan.”

>”Got a better one?”

>You crack your neck.

“Get the guys on the left to distract her. I'm gonna rush the tower.”

>”What about her team?”

“Pretty sure they've hit about as much as we have.”

>”Well, gimme the signal.” She heads to the other flank.

>When she's in position, you nod at her.

>The team lets out a yell and bounds over cover.

>You dive into a bush and circle around. You can see the sniper in the tower tracking your team.

>On the flank, the diversion is starting to fall apart. Vinyl flashes you a glare from behind cover.

“Okay... let's go to work.”

>You dash to the stairs and quietly head up.

>The sound of the rifle continues over your head.

>You've got the element of surprise.

>This'll be fu--

>You reach the top of the tower to find Octavia lying prone with the sniper rifle...

>...pointed at you.

>”Surprise~,” she sneers, and pumps three rounds into your helmet.

9/

 

>You flop onto the deck.

>The cellist looms over you, triumphant.

“I don't know why you don't do this more often.”

>”It's barbaric.”

“You're good at it. Really lets out your inner psychopath.”

>”It helps to have motivation,” she smiles.

“Glad you found yourself an outlet. You're a natural.”

>”Don't spoil this for me.”

>You sit up.

“Wouldn't dream of it. You're on our team next time, though. Vinyl isn't a good Rambo.”

>”Who?”

“Don't worry about it. Still mad at me?”

>The mare sighs softly.

>”I suppose n--”

>”Hey, you two done making out up there?” Vinyl suddenly yells.

>The two of you look over the wall. Vinyl and the rest of your team are covered in paint.

>”Barbaric,” Octavia comments.

“That's a good look for you!” you call back. “How about you keep it like that?”

>”How 'bout you jump in a lake?” Vinyl calls back.

>You slide back to the floor.

“She loves it.”

>”Get down here already! I wanna get my drink on!”

“See?”

>”We should go down to them.”

“You're coming to the bar with us, right?”

>”Somep0ny has to keep an eye on you two.”

10/

 

>You set out from your house to meet Twilight around eight the next night.

>The two of you leave the bar around two in the morning.

>”I can't believe you talked me into this again,” Twilight says, swaying tipsily.

“The grog was your idea.”

>”Shhhhhhh.”

“And the singing.”

>”SHHHHHHHHHHHH.”

>She pushes against you as she walks.

>”At least I can sing,” she says smugly.

“There's a reason I'm Octavia's agent and not her vocalist.”

>Twilight keeps her smug expression, though it's tempered by the pink tinge that's taken over her snout.

>”Did she seem upset that I didn't tell her I was coming to Canterlot?” the mare suddenly asks.

“Who, Tavi?”

>”I know she doesn't like my seeing you, though not so sure why she felt the need to say it over and over. But it felt like she was a little hurt about it.”

“She's protective of her friends.”

>”Aren't you her friend, too?”

“That's a little complicated.”

>”Well, I'm sure she has her reasons. I've had a good time with you, though.”

>You stop at an overlook that faces downtown.

“It was fun.”

>”Are you disappointed I'm leaving?” she laughs.

“Slander and lies.”

>Twilight taps your side and gestures for you to lean down to her.

>She moves her face close to yours and holds it there.

>”My research isn't done. I'll back back in a week or two.”

>You find yourself at a loss for words. The librarian's face is still flushed.

>She notices and laughs.

>”This is usually where you get a kiss, isn't it?”

“It's been my experience.”

>”Well then I'm glad I can throw you off.” She lays a quick peck on your cheek and backs off from you. “I'll send you a letter when I'm coming back. Take care.”

>You stand there, dumb, for a full minute and a half after she's walked away.

End