For the Record: Chapter 8

>You trudge down the street in the glaring sun, rubbing your temples.

>Last night is a blur. There's a recollection of something... piratey?

>The sun feels like it's stabbing you in the brain.

>Eventually, you arrive at Sugar Cube Corner.

>There's no one in the bakery when you walk in. Some clattering can be heard from the kitchen, so you walk to the counter and peer as best you can.

Anyone here?

>Like a flash, Pinkie bolts to the counter from the kitchen, looking as chipper as always.

>”Nony! Did you have fun at the party?” she asks.

>You throw a smile on your face and lean on the counter.

Yeah, it was great. You and Vy know how to put a shindig together.

>”I haven't gotten to plan a party with Vy-Vy in forever!”

Well, you two put in a lot of effort. I appreciate you doing that for Tavi.

>Pinkie smiles up at you. You eye the coffee machine behind her.

Say, could I get some coffee to wake myself up?

>”Sure!”

>She goes back and starts preparing a cup.

You made it down to the concert hall to see Tavi play, right?

>”Of course. I wouldn't have missed that.”

What did you think?

>Pinkie turns back to you and places the cup on the counter.

>”I thought it was great, even if nop0ny was dancing.”

>You grin at her answer.

Not your usual music, huh?

>Pinkie shrugs.

>”I like every kind of music. Just some make me happier than others.”

I can respect that.

>You glance up at the stairs, wondering where Octavia is.

>”This is your last day in Ponyville, isn't it?” Pinkie asks.

>You take a sip of coffee.

Yeah, our train's leaving a little after noon, I think.

>The mare's face falls a little bit.

>”Just when I was getting used to having so many friends here...” she sighs, before perking back up again. “But that's what visits are for! And you'll be back to visit us, right?”

1/

 

Yeah, definitely. And if we can't make it down, I know we'll stay in touch.

>Pinkie beams.

>You feel a warmth in the pit of your stomach seeing her so happy.

>”So,” she says, suddenly sounding coy. “What were you up to with Twilight last night?”

>The question, coupled with the sound of hoof-falls on the stairs, sends your stomach into a Gordian Knot.

>”Yes, Anon,” Octavia says, coming over to the counter, “what were you doing with Twilight?”

>A bell rings in the kitchen. Pinkie yelps and zips away, leaving you and the grey mare together.

>Octavia's eyes are piercing.

We met at the bar after you went off with Arpeggia. Talked for a while. Nice mare to talk to. Good talk.

>You take a long sip of coffee.

>”You just talked? Nothing else?”

>She looks suspiciously at your neck, searching for hickeys.

We--

>At that exact moment, Pinkie comes back from the kitchen.

>”Sorry, I forgot the cinnamon buns were in the oven. They almost burned!”

>You breathe a sigh of relief for the mare's sudden intrusion.

>”What were we talking about before?” Pinkie says, tapping her chin. “Oh yeah! Did you have a fun sleepover at Twilight's house?”

>Your eyes go wide.

>Octavia reddens and starts shaking, staring furiously at you.

>”You... you... did what!?” she yells. “I can't believe you! The nerve! After you agreed not to! You told me you'd back off, Anon!”

Will you just--

>”She's a good mare! Why can't you just keep your hands off?”

Listen! It just... happened, alright?

>Octavia looks at you like you're stupid.

2/

 

>”It just happened?” she asks. “Are you being serious? Nothing ever 'just happens' with you. It's always a play. You've said it yourself, haven't you? 'There's always a plan,' remember?”

I remember telling you that the plan is usually 'wing it.'

>”What was the plan this time?”

>You thumb the coffee mug.

>Pinkie has disappeared again. You don't blame her.

>With a sigh, you recompose and look Octavia in the eye.

Look, I don't need to explain myself. You hardly know the mare better than I do. What happened happened. Leave it be, would you?

>”I don't think—”

Have a good time with Arpeggia?

>Octavia reddens again.

>”I-- that is none of your-- don't change the subject! Ponies' sake, I can't believe you actually did this...”

If it makes you feel any better, I don't remember any of it.

>The mare's jaw drops.

>”What do you mean you don't remember?”

Look, I drank a lot last night. Everything after eleven is a blur.

>”Then how do you know you... you know?”

Well, this morning I woke up in her bed, naked, so there's that.

>Octavia just stares.

>Pinkie comes back bearing a tray of cinnamon buns.

>”Breakfast?” she asks.

>The cellist takes a bun and walks off, casting an occasional glare back at you.

>”Sorry,” Pinkie whispers to you. You pick up a bun and tear a piece off.

Happens. Don't worry about it. She was bound to find out anyway.

>”Did you really forget everything last night?”

I was really drunk. More than usual.

>”So that's why you two were so dancey!” the pink pony giggles.

Dancey?

>”Yeah! You did this thing where you went all jerky-like!” she starts dancing a crude impression of The Robot.

I was robot drunk? No wonder I don't remember.

>”But you had fun, right? And Twilight looked like she was having a good time. I haven't seen her smile like that in a long time!”

3/

 

Well, I hope this doesn't put a damper on things. She seemed happy enough this morning, though.

>You do your best to keep yourself looking on top of things.

>The door behind you flies open and slams against the wall.

>”Aaah, I need coffee! The sun is stabbing my brain!” Vinyl shrieks.

>You turn around and stare.

Jesus, Vy, you look like hell.

>The DJ hauls herself to the counter and looks at Pinkie with wide, pleading eyes.

>”Pinnnkieeee,” she groans, “coffeeee...”

Guess you had a busy night?

>”I'm never drinking again.”

You said that after the Big North Music Festival, too. Remember that? We drank all the vodka in Stalliongrad.

>”Ugh.”

>Pinkie pops behind the counter and slides a mug over to Vinyl.

>”Five cream, eight sugar, just right!”

>”Just right,” Vinyl smirks. She perks up almost immediately after sucking down the whole cup. “So, big guy, have fun with Twi-Twi? Saw you leave together. You looked real chummy.” She leers at you and leans in with a toothy grin.

>”He doesn't remember,” Octavia calls from across the room.

>”Figured,” Vinyl answers. “You were robot drunk.”

Heh, you saw that?

>”Everyp0ny saw. It was terrible.”

So where'd you end up?

>”After the party? I went to get acquainted with one of the locals.” She turns to Pinkie. “You know the one. Insists on everyp0ny calling him 'Doctor' for some reason? Weird. Still, he was a good lay.”

>”How can you talk about it so casually?” Octavia asks.

>”Not all of us are uncomfortable with our sexuality, Tavi,” Vinyl returns.

>”You mean you aren't as tactful.”

>”Call it what you want. Doesn't change the deed. Did you say hi to Arpeggia for me, or were you too... busy?” Vinyl coos. Octavia turns red once again.

4/

 

>As the cellist quickly retreats to her breakfast, Vinyl tucks into a cinnamon bun.

>”So, we heading out today, chief?” she asks with a mouth full of pastry.

Yeah, after lunchtime. Noonish, I think, right Tavi?

>Octavia nods.

>”What are you gonna do til then?” the DJ asks.

Hang out, probably. Do some packing.

>”Don't you have to help clean up the barn?” Octavia says.

>”Nah, I got my roadie to do it.”

You brought your roadie here?

>”Of course!”

And he didn't set up?

>”That's the fun part! I'm not gonna let him do it!”

Makes sense.

>”You gonna say goodbye to Miss Teacher before you go?”

Is that a joke?

>Vinyl shrugs.

>”You should pack. I'm having lunch with Rarity and the others before we go and I don't want to be rushed,” Octavia pipes up.

I assume I'm not invited?

>”That's right. You can go and do something with Vinyl. I'll meet you at the station.” She gets up and walks back to the stairs.

5/

 

>'So,” Vinyl says as the two of you walk out onto the street, “What do ya wanna do?”

Dunno. We've got what, three hours to kill?

>”Well I'm not gonna just sit around. I'll go crazy!”

There's not a ton to do in this town.

>”There's plenty to do.” She leers at you.

>You stifle a laugh.

We haven't done this in a while, have we?

>”What, just... walked?”

Yeah.

>The two of you go a few more feet in silence.

It's boring as shit.

>”I know,” she groans.

Gotta be something to do. I mean, Octy's going to lun--

>You grin and look at Vinyl. She's got the same look on her face.

>”Thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?”

Let's get planning.

 

>A few hours later.

>You've left Pinkie laughing on the ground far behind. Vinyl is just ahead of you, cackling madly as the two of you sprint away from the cafe.

>There's a mass of paparazzi swarming the place, snapping pictures while the two of you make your escape.

She's gonna kill us. You know that, right?

>”Worth it!” Vinyl calls back. “Did you see the look on her face? Priceless!”

>You rush into Sugar Cube Corner and collapse in hysterics.

6/

 

>It's another half hour before you and Vinyl get to Ponyville Station.

>As you walk onto the platform, you hear the train's horn sound off in the distance.

>You turn to Vinyl.

Looks like we're just in time.

>”Aww, I was hoping to stand around waiting,” she replies sarcastically.

>”Finally,” Octavia groans when you come up next to her.

>Standing in a circle with the cellist are Pinkie, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow.

>You steal a glance back towards the ticketing office, but see no sign of Twilight.

>”What kept you? Were you busy laughing at our expense?” Octavia asks.

>”A little,” Vinyl answers. Octavia scowls.

Oh, come on, Octy, lighten up. It was pretty good, you have to admit.

>”I'm glad to see you're in high spirits again,” the mare shoots back.

I try not to let stuff get me down. You know that.

>Octavia eyes you warily. You turn to her friends as the train rolls up to the platform.

Thanks for your help this week. It was nice meeting you all.

>You look Applejack in the eye and smirk.

And it was a pleasure doing business with you.

>”Be sure to let us know if you come back to visit,” Rarity pipes up. The conductor starts yelling.

>You pick up your bags and start towards the train.

Will do. I'll see you around.

>Vinyl gets on the train ahead of you. You follow her, giving Octavia some more time on her own.

>The two of you wait for the cellist in the small atrium leading to the compartments.

>As the train lurches forward, she walks past you, heads into a compartment, and promptly shuts and locks the door before you can follow her inside.

>You look back at Vinyl and shrug.

>”She mad?”

Little bit.

7/

 

>Passing by the now locked compartment, you open the next one and wave Vinyl in. You give the mare a sarcastic bow. She responds by opening her cooler and tossing a bottle at you.

>You take a seat and open the beer.

Here's to a successful week.

>”Hear, hear.”

>The two of you toast and down the drinks. You kick your feet up on the cooler, thumbing the empty bottle.

>”So, got any plans for when we get back home?”

I gotta set up some meetings and get my messages from May this afternoon.

>”Gettin' right back to work? That's not like you.”

>She leans in over the cooler.

>”Hey, you know Octy's not here. You can gimme the details.”

Of what?

>”You know of what. You got the librarian! I wanna know all about it. She one of the kinky quiet ones? It's always the quiet ones, you know. I bet she's into some--”

>Vinyl stops short when you put a hand in her face.

I couldn't tell you.

>She squints at you, disappointed.

>”You seriously don't remember any of it? You're not suddenly going 'don't kiss and tell' on me, are you?”

Everything after the grog is blank, I swear.

>The DJ flops back into her seat and wriggles another beer out of the cooler.

>”Well, it'll all come back to ya, I bet.”

Maybe.

>Vinyl floats another bottle to you. You open it up and look out the window to watch the countryside go by.

>”What's your plan from here with Tavi?”

>You rummage through your pocket and pull out Minor Seventh's card.

Gonna set up a recording sesh at Fancy's studio first chance I get. I want that demo mixed and mastered so I can send it up to Minnie in the next couple weeks.

>”Minnie? Lemme guess, her idea?”

>You grin and shrug.

>Vinyl laughs.

8/

 

>Canterlot is as bright as ever when the train finally pulls up to the platform.

>You haul your suitcase off the car and stretch.

>Vinyl and Octavia follow. The DJ hails a carriage and hugs Octavia goodbye, leaving just the two of you to walk through the city.

I think that was a good trip, don't you?

>Octavia doesn't answer.

Oh come on, it was just a prank.

>”You just can't stop doing these things for a day, can you?” she says.

It's part of my charm.

>”You promised you wouldn't go after her.”

I didn't mean to do it.

>”Do you regret it?”

No.

>She groans.

What? Look, I'm sorry I broke my promise, but I really didn't mean to. And it's not like I hurt her or anything. She seemed perfectly happy this morning.

>”How do you know she wasn't faking?”

She wasn't. Trust me. I know these things from experience.

>You circle in front of her and walk backwards.

Come on, can I at least get a smile out of you? We did good this week. You did good this week.

>”And I should focus on that, right? That's what you're saying?”

It's either that or you can stay mad at me.

>The mare rolls her eyes and sighs.

>”I suppose I can forgive you. It's not like you meant any harm.”

Great! I'll see you later, then.

>”What? You're leaving?” She narrows her eyes. “Where are you going?”

Work. May's probably got messages for me and I've got to set up that recording date for you.

>She keeps looking at you suspiciously.

What?

>”Is everything alright? You seem... I don't know, eager to leave?”

I'm great. I'll get in touch tomorrow after the meeting. Meantime, get some rest. You really earned it, Octy.

>You shoot the mare your warmest smile and walk off towards your house.

9/

 

>Three blocks from the office, you decide there's no sense hurrying and slow your pace to take in the city.

>Ponyville has its charm, sure, but there's nothing quite like living in Canterlot.

>You take a detour through a small park.

>”Anon! Is that you?” a mare calls out.

>You stop and look to see a cyan unicorn come up to you.

>Blanking completely on the name, you smile and turn to face her.

Hey...

>”Diamond Mint. We met a couple weeks ago.”

Oh yeah, the housewarming party for May, right?

>”You remember!” she smiles.

Of course. You came with Marble White, didn't you?

>”And you spent the whole night hitting on us.”

Was I that obvious?

>She smirks.

>”Somewhat.”

>You feel the mare brush up against your arm.

>”Anyway, it's great I ran into you just now. There's a party at The Softshod tonight, if you'd like to be my date.”

A party, huh?

>”Mhm. Starts at eight. Would you like to come with me?” She bats her eyes. “I'd love it if we could have a repeat of last week.”

>You see the glint in the mare's eye and nod.

Alright, sounds like fun. I'll pick you up. Remind me your address?

>”1732 North Bridle Street, Apartment 12C.”

>You jot the address down on a slip of paper.

Great. I'll see you then.

>”Likewise.”

>You start back towards your office with a renewed spring in your step.

End