For the Record: Chapter 5

>”You didn't tell me Violina was going to be playing here”

>Octavia sits across from you at the table, glaring from behind her coping-sundae

I didn't know she'd be here. Fancypants must've signed her at the last minute

>”Why did he have to sign HER, though?”

She's got a big fan base here after that Nightmare Night festival she played. Fancy probably wanted somep0ny with a lot of draw

>”I don't have draw?”

You're an unknown outside of Canterlot, Octy. This is just how stuff works in the industry

>”You're really not helping right now, Anon”

Hey, you asked

>”You're usually better at saying what ponies want to hear”

Yeah, but I'm not trying to sleep with you or get a gig from you. You get to see my massive, throbbing bluntness

>She coughs on her ice cream and holds back a laugh

You know you're into it

>”Oh yeah, give it to me, Anon. I want your frankness inside me-”

>Octavia turns bright red and turns, wide-eyed, to see Vinyl standing next to her with a toothy grin

>”Woah, what'd I walk in on? I didn't know you COULD talk dirty, Octy”

>”I-it's not like that, Vy. Tell her, Anon!”

>You sit back and shrug

Dunno what you're talkin' about. Thought I'd finally gotten somewhere with you...

>”You're such a jerk! You're both jerks!”

>Vinyl leans in to her

>”Yeah, but you can't get enough of us. We're like catnip to you”

>Octavia puts a hoof to her face

>”Maybe rehab is in order”

>”Ah, rehab's no fun. You know they don't let you hook up with the other patients? Buncha prudes”

Hope you're joking, Vy

>”We'll never know!”

1/x

 

>Octavia takes a large bite of ice cream and glowers

>”It just sucks. Why's Violina have to be here? I'm nervous enough with these ponies from Manehattan watching me. Now I have to know that that skinny bitch is going to be standing backstage being all smug and successful?”

>She turns to you

>”How in Tartarus did you two date? What did you ever see in her?”

You're not gonna like the answer

>”Of course. It was probably something shallow, wasn't it?”

>You rub the back of your head uncomfortably

...Right. Anyway, just try not to think about it, Octy. You're gonna do great. Vy's got a big party she's setting up with Pinkie for afterward too.  AJ's letting them use the barn! It's gonna be awesome!

>Vinyl nudges you and winks

>”You gonna make your move there? Get Twi in the sack?”

>”Vinyl! Don't be so crass!”

>The DJ laughs at Octavia's reaction and carries on

>”How's that going, anyway? You almost in?”

I dunno. She's a tough one. I thought I'd get her friends on my side, but she doesn't seem into it. Maybe she's oblivious or something

>Octavia huffs

>”Or jaded”

Jaded? Seriously?

>”You're usually better at reading p0nies than this”

>She takes another spoonful of ice cream before continuing

>”She probably sees what you're trying to do. She's just not having it”

What, so she thinks I'm just some jagoff trying to get with her?

>”Aren't you?”

That's beside the point

>”Face it, Anon. She's on to you. Give up while you're ahead”

I don't think I've ever seen you this blunt, Octavia

>”Today's just full of revelations, isn't it?”

2/x

 

How about this? I'll make one last pass tonight and if it doesn't work out, I'll lay off your new friend. Sound good?

>She sighs and puts a hoof out

>”Fine. Just don't ham it up and don't come crying to me when you get rejected”

We'll see

>You shake Octavia's hoof and get up form your seat

I'm gonna go up to the farm. AJ's got a case of vintage Applejack Daniels with my name on it

>Vinyl smiles slyly

>”How was that tour she took you on? Did you check out her 'brewery?'”

That was a terrible euphemism, Vy. I really did just tour the place

>”Oh...Was it cool?”

It was exactly as interesting as you'd think it could be

>”So... not at all?”

Unless you're really really interested in how they make that stuff

>”You mean if you're nuts?”

>You shrug

She's good company and she offered me discount booze. How can I refuse? Anyway I'll be up there if you need me. Vy, make sure Octy doesn't go after Violina. I can see it in her eyes

>”Hey! I don't need a foal-sitter! I'm a grown mare! You're not my dad!”

>Vinyl smiles deviously and grabs Octavia's hoof before running out the door, dragging the gray mare along with her

>”Where are you taking me?? Let go!”

>”We're hittin' the spa! No buts!”

>You follow the two into the street and look towards Sweet Apple Acres

>There's only one more day to spend in Ponyville

>Better make the most of it

3/x

 

>While you follow Applejack around Sweet Apple Acres, you find yourself not paying attention to the orange mare in front of you

>Octavia's comment makes you think about your approach so far

>Applejack is talking about some detail of the brewing process when you decide you need to get some information

It's awfully nice of you to let us use your barn for our party tomorrow. I don't think I've gotten to thank you yet

>”Aw, 'tweren't nothin'. Barn doesn't get a lotta use'n the off-season anyway”

You coming to the party? It's gonna to be pretty crazy with Vy in charge

>”Ah bet. Pinkie knows howta throw a ho-down 'erself. Them two'll make it a rodeo”

So I'll see you there?

>”You bet. Ah never miss a Pinkie Party”

Awesome

>You walk with Applejack a little ways in silence before you speak again

I don't know how you do it

>”Do what?”

This. I know you said your brother and sister help a lot, but still. It's a big job you do here. I know I couldn't do all this

>She looks back at you proudly

>”Yeah, Ah bet ya wouldn't last a day doin' this”

You're probably right. It's just as well. I'm better suited for business stuff and talkin' to p0nies. Striking deals, you know?

>”Sure do”

Exactly. It's like what Twilight does-

>”It's not lahk what Twi does”

Oh?

>”Twi's not as schmoozey as you”

You mean not as social?

>”Ah lahk mine better”

So what IS Twilight's work like?

>”Nothin' lahk yers, Ah know that. She keeps the Lahbrary 'n' does research”

I saw that when I met her. Doesn't get out much, does she?

>”Not really. We trah gettin' 'er ta go out, but she says she's busy a lotta tha tahm”

>Interesting

4/x

 

Really? She seemed like she was having fun at the party a couple days ago

>”That was just 'cause she could stick with us th' whole tahm. Second th' music got loud 'n' we all went out dancin' she left”

That's no way to have fun

>”It's all about th' books with 'er”

Not a lot of room for meeting p0nies that way

>”Not attall. Ah think she got kinda soured on it before she came 'ere”

Soured?

>”She doesn't talk 'bout it much. Ah shouldn't either”

Fair enough

>That's all you need to know anyway. Jaded, just like Octavia said. That makes things a little harder

You're being a lot more open than you were a couple days ago. I thought Octavia said to be careful around me?

>”She did, but Ah know you've got no chance with Twi”

>Applejack laughs at the surprise on your face

>”Ah wouldn'ta said a thing if Ah thought ya could use it”

Touche, AJ

>”Never unnerestimate us country p0nies, city-slicker”

>You chuckle

Right back atcha. Now how about that reserve?

>”Raht this way. I've got a barrel a' twelve-year-old Applejack Daniels Ah kin have shipped out ta ya on th' next train”

Sounds good. How much'll it run me?

>”Usually Ah sell this stuff at ten bits a bottle 'n' there's about twenty, thirty bottles worth in here”

So two-fifty bits?

>”Ah'll cut it down ta a clean two hunnerd since Ah lahk ya 'n' yer friends”

That's still pretty steep

>”It's the last barrel a' mah first batch ever. 'Course it'll run ya a might more'n average”

Makes sense. I'll have the bank send you the payment in a couple days

>”Deal. Ah'll have the barrel shipped out when Ah get it”

Great. Nice doing business, Applejack

>Anytahm

5/x

 

>The library is as quiet as it always is when you arrive

>You can see Twilight on the balcony looking through a telescope at the Everfree Forest

>Her attention being entirely devoted to whatever she's looking at, you saunter to within earshot and cup your hands around your mouth

Hey! How do the neighbors look from up there?

>She jumps in surprise, knocking the telescope out of position

>”It's not- I'm taking notes on th- It's scien- You- What do you want?!”

You free tonight? I want to thank you for letting Octy practice here. Dinner?

>”I- Now's not- What?”

Dinner. Tonight. You around?

>The mare looks at you apprehensively

Come on Twi. It'll be a good time. I promise

>She sighs, seemingly annoyed

>”Fine, fine. Where did you want to go?”

AJ recommended me a place downtown yesterday. The Golden Hind?

>”I know it, bu-”

Alright great. I'll pick you up here at eight

>”Wait, eigh-”

>You're already walking back to the bakery

See you then, Twilight

>”Buh...?”

6/x

 

>Pinkie is running between the kitchen and the counter when you get to Sugar Cube Corner

>There's a line almost out the door of ponies waiting to be served and the bubbly mare is looking overwhelmed as you walk by up to your room

>Halfway up the stairs you turn around and walk back down

Hey Pinkie. Looks like the place's pretty busy. Need some help?

>Pinkie looks out at the line before turning back to you with a relieved smile

>”Sure! Can you take over the counter? It's been crazy this whole afternoon and the Cakes just left for the long weekend”

Say no more. What can I do?

>”Just tell me what the customers order and take bits. Prices are next to the register. Thanks a bunch Nony!”

No problem. Been a while since I've done a job like this. Should be fun

>You take your place behind the counter and start taking orders

 

>After a couple hours you've gotten into the swing of it. Pinkie dashes out from the kitchen every so often bearing ludicrous amounts of  sweets before dashing back in to bake more

>Then you hear her voice

>That haughty, self-satisfied voice that heralds the arrival of-

Fiddlesticks. Didn't know you actually bought your own food anymore

>She laughs sarcastically

>”I didn't know you stooped to doing service work anymore”

Just helping a friend out

>”Oh you do that now? My you've grown”

What can I help you with? I've got a lot of p0nies waiting

>”Oh come on, Anon. You've got time to chat with an old friend, don't you?”

When one comes in, let me know

>”That's awfully cold of you. I thought we left things on better terms than that?”

>You glare from across the counter

What. Will. You. Have?

7/x

 

>”Fine. Just give me a dozen eclairs and a half-dozen cream puffs”

Ten bits

>She drops the coins on the counter and you sweep them into your hand

You're number seventeen. I'll call it out when your stuff's ready

>”Goo-”

I can help who's next!

>You wave the next pony in line up to the counter, forcing Violina to the side

>After taking a second, you put a smile back on and start taking orders again

>A minute or two later Pinkie comes out with a box of eclairs and lays it next to you

Seventeen!

>Violina saunters up to the counter and you hand her the box

>”Thanks so much, Anon. See you at the concert tomorrow night”

>Her smug tone makes you want to raze cities

I'm sure I will

>You realize you're gritting your teeth and quickly compose yourself for the next order coming out

Twelve!

8/x

 

>A white mare walks up to the counter with a small filly following behind her

>”Good afternoon, Anon. I wasn't expecting to see you doing something like this”

Yeah, I've done pretty much all I can with the concert and Octavia's out with Vinyl so I'm helping Pinkie for a while

>”That's really good of you, helping somep0ny you've just met a few days ago”

It's no trouble. You had the dozen cupcakes, half-dozen eclairs, and a black-and-white cookie, right?

>”Perfect”

>You look down at the filly

Safe to assume this cookie's for you, little lady?

>Rarity watches as you hand the cookie down to the filly, who excitedly grabs it and runs off

>”Is everything alright, darling?”

That's a little out of the blue, Rarity. Why do you ask?

>”I can tell a fake smile when I see one”

It's a long story. Anyway, I'm a little busy and I'm sure you don't want to hear about some stranger's personal stuff. Thanks for the concern, though

>”Alright. Thank you, Anon”

Have a good day, Rarity

>She starts towards the door and you move back to the register before you see her turn back to you

>”Oh, and Anon?”

Yes?

>”Feel free to come by the boutique some time. I'd love to hear all about your work in Canterlot. Maybe you can share that 'long story' too”

>You catch her tone of voice and stop what you're doing for a moment as she walks out of the bakery

>Down, boy

9/x

 

>When you go to pick Twilight up you find her out on the balcony, still staring through her telescope

>After a markedly tense few seconds during which she just looks at you in silence, the violet mare finally deigns to come down and meet you

>”So what do you have planned, Anon? Wine-and-dine me?”

I don't think the Golden Hind serves wine. They're more into beers and mixed drinks, from what AJ told me

>She still looks reluctant

>”You didn't answer my question”

Hey, come on. I'm trying to do something nice here. Just bear with me. You might actually have a good time

>”Alright, whatever you say. Let's go”

>The Golden Hind sits a few blocks from Town Hall. You and Twilight arrive after a few minutes of awkwardly silent walking

>You open the heavy wooden door for her and she heads inside still wearing that half-scowl on her face

>According to your agreement with Octavia, you've got until the end of the night to make this happen

>As you walk through the place, you go through your mental playbook looking for a strategy and taking inventory on what you know about Twilight

>She's introverted, clearly. An intellectual; logical more than emotional, but what you've heard from her friends tells you she might just be putting up a front

>Octavia says she's jaded. Judging from the night so far you're inclined to agree. A naïve pony would have let something on by now. This one seems like she's actively trying not to give you any ground

>Maybe try to get on an intellectual level with her?

>You think back to the books you saw in the library...

>...Yeah, you're not sure you'd even be able to fake interest in obscure pony astronomical history

>Think, man, think...

10/x

 

>You find a booth and sit down

>There's another awkward pause before either of you says anything

>”Well here we are”

Sure are. Can I get you a drink while we wait for the server?

>She looks at the bar behind you and then at the menus to the side of her

>...

You uh, know what you'd like?

>Again she looks around, saying nothing. You see a slight blush on her cheeks and know what's happening

...You don't know anything about drinks, do you?

>”I- well-”

That's a 'no'

>She pouts a little bit. You're not sure if she's being playful or if she really doesn't like not knowing things like this

>Probably the latter

>”I don't usually get drinks...”

Nothing to worry about. I think I know what to get you

>You get up and walk to the bar

>Behind the bartender stand bottles of every kind of liquor imaginable. In front of him you can see tap after tap lined up in rows; a cornucopia of booze

>The stallion looks up from the glass he's shining

>”What'll ya have?”

Yeah, give me a Horse's Neck and uh...

>You think for a second, looking back at the mare sitting at the booth. Now that she's alone she looks more nervous than anything else. You turn back to the bartender

...Something strong

11/x

 

>Drinks in hand, you come back to the table

>You give Twilight her drink as you sit down and watch as she looks at it curiously

>”What's this?”

Try it first

>You get a cold look from the mare

Humor me

>”Alright...”

>With a thrum of magic, Twilight lifts the glass and takes a sip

>”It's not bad”

>She sets the glass back down with traces of a smile on her lips

12/x

 

>After having a drink Twilight loosens up enough for the two of you to have an actual conversation

>Granted her main points of interest are still more academic than you're used to, she seems like she's actually enjoying herself now

>You catch yourself thinking that you might just be able to pull this off

>Conversation eventually shifts to you once Twilight finishes a story about something she saw in her telescope some time

>”So how did you come to Equestria? All the books I've read and I've never seen humans mentioned in any of them”

>You cock an eyebrow

Are you really interested in my history or am I just another specimen to you?

>She smirks

>”I could ask you something similar”

>Sharp mare. Octavia was right. You play it off

Got me all figured out, have you?

>Twilight leans forward and take a drink

>Her snout has started to redden and she's begun to sway a little in her seat

>”A little bit. You belong in the city, clearly. You party and you goof off and you chase after mares. You use connections and relationships as tools because it's your nature. What you do for a living is proof enough of that”

>She finishes her drink and looks at you

>”Close?”

Pretty close

>You take a sip from your glass

>Twilight shifts in her seat looking a bit off-balance

>You grin a little

Had enough to drink? I was thinking ice cream next

>She fails to stifle a loud laugh

>”Seriously? What are you, twelve?”

>You look at her teasingly

I'm not hearing a 'no'

>”...”

That's what I thought. I”ll close the tab. Be right back

13/x

 

>On the way back from the ice cream shop you notice Twilight start to sway

You alright? You seem a little wobbly

>”Celestia, what was in that drink?”

>She looks up at you

>”Did you plan this? It didn't taste like there was a lot in it...”

There wasn't. I got you a Horse's Neck. It was mostly Ginger Ale

>”But I overheard you ask for something strong”

For me. Double of bourbon. Did you really think I was that much of a sleaze-ball?

>”..I might have assumed”

>You put a hand on her shoulder, prompting her to start, confused

Let's get you home

>”Is this one of those 'Your place or mine?' deals I've read about?”

Nope, promise. I can tell you're not that kind of mare

>”I appreciate it”

>The two of you come up to the library after a couple of minutes

>”Well here we are. You were right about one thing, Anon. I had a good time tonight”

Me too. I'll see you at Octy's party tomorrow night, right?

>She looks apprehensive

Come on. Everyp0ny's gonna be there. It'll be fun

>”I'll think about it”

Alright, that'll have to do. Goodnight, Twi

>”Goodnight, Anon”

>You turn to walk back to the bakery

>Looks like Octavia and AJ were right. Vinyl's going to have a field day as well

>Still, you don't feel as disappointed as you thought you would

14/x

 

>Vinyl and Octavia are sitting together when you walk in

>The DJ whips around when she hears the door-chime with a smile on her face

>”There's the man of the hour! Heard you helped my gal here this afternoon. Didn't know ya had it in ya”

>She nudges your rib as you come over to the table

>”Didja get your prize for your good deed?”

>Octavia interjects smugly

>”Do you really think he'd be here if he did, Vinyl?”

>She turns her attention to you

>”I told you she'd have none of it. You took her to the Golden Hind?”

How'd you know?

>”Applejack told me. I can't believe you'd stoop to trying to get her drunk so you could make you move”

I didn't. She had one drink- I'm hurt that you'd suggest that. She was very mature about the whole thing and I think we left it on a positive note. You should be congratulating me on that. It's rare

>Vinyl snickers

>”Didn't that showp0ny try to egg your house last week?”

Yeah, she missed and hit the house next to me. Pretty sure they called the cops on her

>Octavia balks

>”You don't know for sure?”

Why would I know? I was at work

>”But it was somep0ny you were involved with”

Was. Key word. That makes it a big load of not-my-problem

>Vinyl laughs hard. Octavia does not

>”Well, I'm glad you'll lay off Twilight from now on. It's a nice change of pace seeing you fall short a little bit”

That's real cold, Octy

>”I'm allowed”

Well savor it. I just came in for a donut

>”What?”

Yeah, I'm meeting Cheerilee in like ten minutes

15/x

 

>The bafflement on Octavia's face is priceless

You thought I couldn't see it wasn't gonna happen with Twi? I really was just thanking her for letting you practice at her place

>”Bu- you- you- I- wh-”

>Vinyl claps her hooves together

>”You crafty son of a bitch! You had ME going! Buck, man”

You know me, Vy. Now if you two are done, I've got a mare to meet. Make sure Octy gets her rest. You know how she gets before a gig

>Vinyl turns to the gray pony with a ridiculous grin

>Octavia looks unamused

>”And here I thought you'd have some kind of moment of clarity or something...You planned for all this?”

>You tap your nose

I thought you'd learned that about me by now. There's always a plan. Even if the plan is “wing it”

End