Stutter Vinyl


                                            1.
                                            
                                                >The smell of fresh baked bread filled your nose as you looked over the tiny stall in the main Ponyville plaza.

                                            2.
                                            
                                                >You were out to stock up on some food essentials for the week and this stall was your go to with prices and taste it offered.

                                            3.
                                            
                                                >Feeling the rather slim amount of bits left over from the rest of your shopping trip, you scanned each loaf carefully before finally picking up the perfect one and painfully placing the last of your hard earned money on the counter.

                                            4.
                                            
                                                >You leave the stall as you look over your small haul of groceries, making sure you hadn't forgotten anything.

                                            5.
                                            
                                                >Eggs, sugar, bread, milk, music gradually getting louder, you even managed to snag some meat-

                                            6.
                                            
                                                >Wait, music getting louder?

                                            7.
                                            
                                                "OOF!"

                                            8.
                                            
                                                >You're knocked out of your train of thought as you feel something, or rather somepony, crash into you.

                                            9.
                                            
                                                >Stumbling backwards, you hit the ground with a thud as your vision readjusts from the sudden impact.

                                            10.
                                            
                                                >In front of you, a white unicorn with neon blue striped hair and purple shades sits just as dazed.

                                            11.
                                            
                                                >Looking next to her, you spot the source of the music as headphones lay on the ground, a steady and admittedly catchy beat emanating from them.

                                            12.
                                            
                                                >Next to them is a small saddlebag with a unique symbol embroidered on it.

                                            13.
                                            
                                                >Shaking your head, you can't help but silently and quickly mourn your just bought bread on the ground before looking to the pony.

                                            14.
                                            
                                                "I-I'm really sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going and didn't realize you were coming right at me!" You apologize as you rush to stand and offer your hand to help her up.

                                            15.
                                            
                                                >The smaller unicorn seems to orient herself quickly as she looks up at you with a blank stare.

                                            16.
                                            
                                                >Her face getting slightly redder as she accepts your hand gently, helping herself back up to her hooves.

                                            17.
                                            
                                                >Oh man, you didn't piss her off did you?

                                            18.
                                            
                                                >I mean, you did kinda just ram into her, but she wasn't looking where she was going either!

                                            19.
                                            
                                                >And your poor bread...

                                            20.
                                            
                                                >You're brought out of your internal monologue as you see her levitate her saddlebag and earphones back onto her with a faint purple glow.

                                            21.
                                            
                                                >And...your groceries?

                                            22.
                                            
                                                >They float in front of you with the same glow, waiting for you to take them.

                                            23.
                                            
                                                >The small unicorn looks away, the red still slightly visible on her face as she avoids looking at you directly.

                                            24.
                                            
                                                >"S-s-s-ssssorry..." She stutters out in a barely audible husk, her voice seemingly not used in a while.

                                            25.
                                            
                                                >You look at her with a small amount of surprise before grabbing your groceries out of the air.

                                            26.
                                            
                                                "N-no no it's my fault, I wasn't looking where I was going. Are you, uh...okay?" You awkwardly say as you adjust the bags in your hand, making sure nothing is missing.

                                            27.
                                            
                                                >She nods, still finding everything except you the most interesting thing there is.

                                            28.
                                            
                                                >Standing there in silence, the intense feelings of uneasiness and discomfort only get worse.

                                            29.
                                            
                                                "My name's Anon! W-what's your name?" You blurt out with a soft smile, desperate to break the silence.

                                            30.
                                            
                                                >She glances at you, seemingly trying to figure out what to say before she opens the saddle and begins rooting around for something.

                                            31.
                                            
                                                >Glancing at her bags again, you get a better look at the symbol.

                                            32.
                                            
                                                >Three geometric bars followed by a three with a similar look are embroidered on the flap.

                                            33.
                                            
                                                >Suddenly, a piece of paper blocks your vision.

                                            34.
                                            
                                                >Flinching back slightly, you read the flyer.

                                            35.
                                            
                                                >"DJ PON-3: TONIGHT ONLY AT THE TRANQUILIZER BAR!" is printed in bold, neon colors.

                                            36.
                                            
                                                >You look over to the pony, her face having shifted from embarrassment to an almost smug look as she seemingly waits for you to realize who she is.

                                            37.
                                            
                                                "DJ Pone Three...? Is your first name DJ or Pone?" You ask in genuine confusion.

                                            38.
                                            
                                                >You knew ponies were named after their special talent, but "DJ" seems a little on the nose...

                                            39.
                                            
                                                >The smug look on her face is quickly replaced with an almost concerned stare as she takes the flyer from your hands and scans it herself.

                                            40.
                                            
                                                >She blushes even harder as she sees her name isn't actually printed anywhere on the paper.

                                            41.
                                            
                                                >Looking away with an almost completely red complexion, she quietly answers you.

                                            42.
                                            
                                                >"M-m-my name is V-v-v-vinyl Sssscratch." She manages to get out after a few butchered attempts.

                                            43.
                                            
                                                >Her stutter seems to have gotten worse with her mounting blunders.

                                            44.
                                            
                                                >You can't help but to smile at her cute manner of speaking.

                                            45.
                                            
                                                "Vinyl Scratch, huh? It's nice to meet you, Vinyl. Thanks for picking these up for me." You gesture to the bags of groceries in your hands.

                                            46.
                                            
                                                >She looks at you again, her dark shades hiding her eyes, but you still feel her intense gaze through them as she nods.

                                            47.
                                            
                                                >Gently, you take the flyer from her magical grip and read the contents again.

                                            48.
                                            
                                                >Seems she playing tonight at a place called the "Tranquilizer Bar."

                                            49.
                                            
                                                >You recall seeing the building before on your night walks, it mostly being a late night dance spot known for it's rather rowdy and exciting live shows.

                                            50.
                                            
                                                >You glance back to Vinyl who's seemingly busy tracing circles in the dirt as she patiently waits for you to read the flyer.

                                            51.
                                            
                                                "Are tickets still available for this?" You ask, to even your own surprise.

                                            52.
                                            
                                                >These types of events weren't really your style, but something is really making you want to see this awkward little pony perform.

                                            53.
                                            
                                                >She looks at you with an ecstatic grin before it quickly drops from her face, her ears drooping as she shakes her head.

                                            54.
                                            
                                                >The sight of her defeated head shake breaks your heart as you hand back the flyer.

                                            55.
                                            
                                                "Aw, that sucks...Doesn't help that I'm broke at the moment as well. I would've loved to see you perform."

                                            56.
                                            
                                                >She nods, looking more dejected by the second.

                                            57.
                                            
                                                >"Me t-t-t-too...sssssorry for run-run-runnnning into you..." She stutters out softly.

                                            58.
                                            
                                                >Taking the paper, she opens her saddle with a sigh and puts it back before stopping and looking to you with a small devilish smile.

                                            59.
                                            
                                                >You return the look but with confusion as she takes the flyer back out and a pen from her pouch.

                                            60.
                                            
                                                >Vinyl quickly scribbles "Anon: VIP" along with her signature and geometric 3 logo on the back in pen and gives it to you.

                                            61.
                                            
                                                >Looking at the paper, you can't help but chuckle at the crude solution.

                                            62.
                                            
                                                "I don't think this'll count as a ticket, Vinyl." You playfully remark.

                                            63.
                                            
                                                >With a dismissive hoofwave, she points to her stage name on the other side in big bold letters before pointing back to herself with another smug look.

                                            64.
                                            
                                                >With a small laugh, you pocket the flyer.

                                            65.
                                            
                                                "If I get thrown out, I'll never forgive you." You tease her, getting an eyeroll and smile in response as she places her headphones back over her ears and starts to trot past you.

                                            66.
                                            
                                                >She looks back one last time, giving you a wink before turning the corner and disappearing from your view.

                                            67.
                                            
                                                >A strange fluttering is felt in your chest as you start to realize what you might've just signed yourself up for.

                                            68.
                                            
                                                >Shaking your head with a smile, you begin your trek back home.

                                            69.
                                            
                                                >This time with a bit more pep in your step.

                                            70.

                                            71.
                                            
                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                            72.

                                            73.
                                            
                                                >Night comes quickly after your run in with Vinyl.

                                            74.
                                            
                                                >Standing outside the building with the deep, thumping bass, you can't help but feel very out of place.

                                            75.
                                            
                                                >Looking around, you see sparse groups of various ponies, all dressed in rather revealing or flashy clothing.

                                            76.
                                            
                                                >Maybe you should've put something a bit more impressive?

                                            77.
                                            
                                                >Before you can overthink and get cold feet, you quickly make your way to the door where a living fridge of a stallion with a buzzcut to rival the navy guards the door.

                                            78.
                                            
                                                >You'd ask if he's a reincarnated brick wall if you didn't think he'd eat you right there on the spot to hit his macros.

                                            79.
                                            
                                                >Another group of ponies are already there and eager to enter thankfully.

                                            80.
                                            
                                                >All of them showing him some kind of ticket before he nods and steps aside.

                                            81.
                                            
                                                >Surprised there wasn't the sound of stone on stone when he moved back to his original spot, you approach him while pulling out the signed flyer.

                                            82.
                                            
                                                "H-hey uh, can...I get in with this?" Offering him the piece of paper.

                                            83.
                                            
                                                >He arches an eyebrow at the non-ticket as he looks at it.

                                            84.
                                            
                                                >"You think you're slick huh?" He asks in a gruff voice.

                                            85.
                                            
                                                >Going wide eyed, you quickly shake your head.

                                            86.
                                            
                                                "N-no! I had ran into Vin- uh DJ Pone Three earlier and she said I could come in!"

                                            87.
                                            
                                                >"You have any idea how many times I've heard that tonight, pal?"

                                            88.
                                            
                                                >You gulp as he steps closer.

                                            89.
                                            
                                                >"I really don't appreciate my time being wasted." He says, his temper getting about as short as his manecut.

                                            90.
                                            
                                                >Before you figure out this guys preferred method of assault, your shirt is quickly grasped by a magical aura and you're dragged backwards as Vinyl walks ahead of you.

                                            91.
                                            
                                                >"Hey, this the Tr-Tranquilizer bar? I'm playing here tonight and c-can't find the VIP entrance." Vinyl asks in a surprisingly more fluent and collected manner as she shows her badge with 'DJ PON-3 - ALL ACCESS' printed on it.

                                            92.
                                            
                                                >The bouncer gives her and the badge a surprised look before quickly nodding.

                                            93.
                                            
                                                >"O-oh uh yes! The performer entrance is in the back, ma'am!" He gestures towards the side of the building.

                                            94.
                                            
                                                >Vinyl looks where he gestures and gives him a grin.

                                            95.
                                            
                                                >"Thanks dude, I'll g-get my assistant out of your mane now." She says rapidly as she trots off with you in tow.

                                            96.
                                            
                                                >As you are dragged by her around the side of the building, you just barely notice how tense her face is and how fast she seems to be blinking.

                                            97.

                                            98.
                                            
                                                >Reaching the rear entrance with considerably less ponies around, Vinyl lets go of your shirt.

                                            99.
                                            
                                                >She leans against the wall, trying to catch her breath.

                                            100.
                                            
                                                "Hey, Vinyl, you okay?" You ask, her sudden shift in demeanor being pretty alarming.

                                            101.
                                            
                                                >She takes a few deep breaths, steadying herself before she nods to you.

                                            102.
                                            
                                                >"S-s-sorry about th-that...whole assistant th-thi-thing..." She stutters softly, her speech pattern returning to what you were more used to.

                                            103.
                                            
                                                "Don't worry about it, I'm just glad you saved me from Sergeant Manslaughter's wrath before it was too late." You chuckle to her.

                                            104.
                                            
                                                >She lets out a laugh, nodding in agreement.

                                            105.
                                            
                                                >"N-not before you've s-s-ssseen my show at least!" She says with a smile, her face now seeming much more relaxed as she looks up at you.

                                            106.
                                            
                                                "You only saved me to fill out your show attendance? I'm hurt, Vinyl." You tease her with a dramatic huff, crossing your arms.

                                            107.
                                            
                                                >She simply rolls her eyes and playfully taps your leg.

                                            108.
                                            
                                                >"Y-yeah, so you b-b-better have a ton of f-f-fffun!" She says with a smug grin.

                                            109.
                                            
                                                >Giving her a half-hearted glare, you can't keep the charade up for long before bursting into laughter with her again.

                                            110.
                                            
                                                "Maybe I will once we get inside, rather than standing out here and laughing like a pair of idiots?" You quip back as she starts heading towards the door, still chuckling.

                                            111.
                                            
                                                >You both make your way through the back entrance with Vinyl leading the way to the green room.

                                            112.
                                            
                                                >"Th-this is one of my favorite places t-t-to play at!" She says as you make your way through the winding halls of the club's VIP area.

                                            113.
                                            
                                                "I thought you didn't know this place very well?"

                                            114.
                                            
                                                >"I j-j-just made that up t-to get you back here, d-d-doofus. I know th-the owner of this club f-f-from a few years ago." She says with a small smile.

                                            115.
                                            
                                                >That fluttering feeling in your chest returns at her words.

                                            116.
                                            
                                                >She really wanted you to come to this show, didn't she?

                                            117.
                                            
                                                "Thanks Vinyl. I'm glad I could make it too." You say with a gentle smile towards her.

                                            118.
                                            
                                                >Vinyl looks at you with a surprised look, her face getting redder by the second before she quickly faces forward again and quickens her pace.

                                            119.
                                            
                                                >"N-n-nnnno problem, d-dddude...." She quietly mutters, her words prolonging as you make it to the green room door.

                                            120.
                                            
                                                >'VINYL SCRATCH' is written into a gold plaque on the wall next to the doorframe.

                                            121.
                                            
                                                >She wasn't kidding when she said she liked playing here.

                                            122.

                                            123.
                                            
                                                >You enter the well lit and furnished room, various drinks and snacks adorn the table as Vinyl takes a seat on the couch against the wall with a sigh.

                                            124.
                                            
                                                >"T-take whatever you want, I c-can't stomach anything b-before I play."

                                            125.
                                            
                                                >Looking at the small bags you see it's mostly different types of flavored oats and sugar cubes.

                                            126.
                                            
                                                "I think I'll uh...pass too."

                                            127.
                                            
                                                >Taking a seat in a chair across from Vinyl, you awkwardly fiddle with your hands as you look to the little unicorn.

                                            128.
                                            
                                                >You notice her looking at you before quickly looking away again.

                                            129.
                                            
                                                >"S-s-sssso do you ever g-go to clubs, Anon?"

                                            130.
                                            
                                                "Not really, I'm not much of a 'big crowd' kinda guy. But this one seemed like a pretty fun change of pace."

                                            131.
                                            
                                                >Vinyl's lips curl into a subtle smile at your words.

                                            132.
                                            
                                                >"You've already g-got VIP access, Anon. N-nnno need to b-butter me up more."

                                            133.
                                            
                                                >Now it was your turn to roll your eyes at her teasing right before a staff member knocked on the door and peered in.

                                            134.
                                            
                                                >"You're on in 10 minutes, Scratch."

                                            135.
                                            
                                                >Vinyl simply nods, giving them a smile as they return the gesture and leave you two alone again.

                                            136.
                                            
                                                >As the door clicks shut, you notice Vinyl's hoof begin bouncing on it's own as she saves and closes her work.

                                            137.
                                            
                                                >"G-go ahead of m-me, Anon. The m-m-mmmain door to the d-dancefloor is at the end of the hall t-t-to the left. T-take this so you c-can stand in the f-front." She tells you as she levitates a spare VIP badge towards you, her hoof bouncing a bit faster.

                                            138.
                                            
                                                >Noticing her body getting more panicked, you look at her with a worried expression as you take the badge from her magic.

                                            139.
                                            
                                                "You sure you're gonna be okay, Vinyl? You seem pretty...on edge..."

                                            140.
                                            
                                                >She gives you a dismissive wave and a smile.

                                            141.
                                            
                                                >"I'll b-be fine. This happens b-before every show of m-m-mine." she assures you in a way that would've worked if not for her jaw beginning to clench tighter.

                                            142.
                                            
                                                >Instinctually, you lean forward and gently ruffle her mane, your fingers gliding through her soft mane.

                                            143.
                                            
                                                >She freezes up at first from the sudden contact before quietly leaning into your touch, rubbing her head against your hand.

                                            144.
                                            
                                                >As your fingers massage her scalp, she lets out a small sigh of relief as her ear twitches and her hoof gradually slows down before stopping it's bouncing entirely.

                                            145.
                                            
                                                >You slowly remove your hand from her head, earning a small whine from Vinyl before she blushes and covers her mouth in embarrassment.

                                            146.
                                            
                                                "Break a leg out there, Vinyl. I'll be cheering the loudest for you." You say with a grin as you open the door and step out.

                                            147.
                                            
                                                >"Don't worry about m-m-me, Anon. I'll play my best f-for you." She says softly to herself as she watches you leave, still covering her face.

                                            148.
                                            
                                                >Walking down the now bustling hallway to the main door, you glance at your spare VIP badge.

                                            149.
                                            
                                                >Written on it in neon blue ink is "See me after the show" followed by a smiley face and her signature 'PON-3' symbol.

                                            150.
                                            
                                                >You smile to yourself as you arrive at the main doors to the dance floor and open them.