For the Record: Chapter 1

>In the grim darkness of the 2nd millennium there is only war
>You check your ammo as shots fly past you, screaming through the air
>...Not enough...
>Somewhere a scream is heard
>Was is someone you knew?
>A shell strikes the cover you're crouched behind
>The enemy is dug in...
>...But so are you
>A private crawls over to you
>”We're pinned down, sir! We lost three in the last two minutes!”
How many of them are there left??
>”I don't know! We can't get a clear vantage point!”
>Someone shouts in the distance
>”Grenade!”
>You reflexively roll away as the grenade goes off
>The private is dead
>You're alone
>Alone, pinned down, with no hope for reinforcements
>”They're scattered! Forward!”
>The order to charge rings out over the sounds of battle
>The enemy is coming
>You steel yourself and leap out of cover, laying down suppressing fire
>If you're going out, you're going out fighti-
>A round strikes your forehead
>Another hits you square in the chest
>You fall back, going into shock as you feel something trickle down your face
>As you lay on the ground, the sounds of battle fade
>You hear the muted yells from your allies as the enemy overtakes them
>The ground feels cold...
>You close your eyes slowly, letting it happen
>Then a pair of hooves push you, snapping you back into consciousness
>A face appears above you
>”Man, you really got into it, huh?”
>Vinyl takes off her mask and laughs at your face as you look around, dumbfounded
>You are Anonymous
>And you really, REALLY need to stop getting high before paintball

>”We're gonna get some drinks, you coming, 'Sarge?' Losers pay”
...Yeah, yeah
>”Can't believe you, man. Really thought you'd gone native that round”
...Shut up...
1/x

>”...So then THIS guy comes into the club and I could just TELL he had no buckin' idea what was goin' on. He sees my setup, and I mean he takes ONE look at my setup and he goes all wide-eyed, turns around, and runs out!”
>Vinyl gestures wildly with her hoof, recounting the story of how the two of you met
>”I thought I thought I'd scared him off until he came back at like, midnight or something with two bottles of Applejack Daniels hidden on him. I still don't know how in Tartarus you got that past the bouncers!”
>You lean back in your chair, smugly
Ancient human secret, Vy
>”What, being a jackass? Anyway, dude comes up to me after my set and starts tryin' to lay on the charm, all smooth-like”
>You groan loudly
>She turns to you, a massive grin on her face
>”Hey, not my fault you went with the dumbest pickup line ever”
>A stallion across the table pipes up
>”What'd he go with?”
>Vinyl looks back at the table
>”Hey baby, they call me the Tacker. Why? Because I'm a SHOE-IN”
Hey. That is a classic, alright?
>”Whatever you say, chief”
>The table erupts in laughter
>”So he gets all disappointed; doesn't show it, but it's pretty obvious, and I'm like 'You know what? Guy's got stones saying something that dumb in public.' So I invite him back to the green room and turns out he's a promoter! Just got out of a big performance for his client and wanted to celebrate with some tail. And who can blame him for having good taste? Eh?”
>She motions to herself smugly
>”Been buds ever since. I even set him up with my opener that night, because I'm nice like that”
2/x

>You look to the side as you take a drink to hide the smile on your face
>”Anything ever come of that?”
>You put your drink down
She was clingy as Tartarus! I ever tell you she followed me to work after we broke up?
>”Nooo...”
Yeah. Scared the hell out of my secretary. Just showed up out of the blue with a letter or something
>”What'd it say?”
It was blank. She just needed an excuse to get to my office
>Vinyl feigns shock
Security got her
>She slaps a hoof on your back, grinning
>”I hate you. I wish I could get shit to go that well for ME”
What can I say? Perks
>”Perks implies they come with the job and not from you being callous”
>That cold voice, that uptight demeanor...
>A hoof comes up to kick your chair back onto all four legs
>Urhk, that kick...
You ever consider farm work, Octavia?
>The gray pony looks at you sternly
>”I might have to, if this is how my manager acts”
Hey, come on. Give me SOME credit. Who got you the gig at the Gala last year?
>”...you...”
And who got you the gig playing Luna's birthday?
>”...you did...”
Exactly. So you were saying?
>Her stern glare intensifies
>”You, Anon, are the very model of a modern major asshole”
And you love me for it. Want a drink? I'm buying
>No response. Just more glaring
>”You seriously forgot”
Forgot what?
>Octavia's hoof flies to her face in frustration
>”I can't believe this. I've been looking for you for an hour. We've got that meeting with Fancypants at five and you're here drinking with Vinyl!”
>The DJ waves enthusiastically
>Octavia nods curtly at her before turning back to you
>”We have to go. Now.”
3/x

>You get up to follow Octavia
>Vinyl, looking disappointed that the gray mare isn't staying for drinks, yells after you
>”You're not off the hook for losing that match yet, Anon! We're going clubbing tonight! Your treat!”
>Octavia smirks
>”Serves you right. Maybe I'll tag along and make sure you don't get into any trouble”
I blame you for this, you know....And are we going straight to the meeting?
>”No, we're going to your house to change you out of...whatever it is you're wearing”
>You think for a minute before you make a sharp right
>Octavia goes wide-eyed
>”Where are you going? We could be late as is! Anon!”
Calm down, Octy. Making a detour
>”A detour? We're on our way to meet with Fancypants a- wha...?”
>You stop in front of Hoity Toity's boutique, look back at the confused pony, and walk inside, laughing
>Hoity walks out to the counter when he hears the door chime
>”Afternoon, Anonymous. What can I do for you?”
How's it going, Hoity? I need a favor
>”What is it?”
Have any of my spares in the back?
>”Always. Forget another meeting?”
You know me
>He smirks and walks to the back
>Octavia slowly creeps up to the counter behind you
>”What was that all about?”
>Before you answer, Hoity is back with your suit
>”Here you go”
Thanks. You're a lifesaver
>You walk to the changing room and switch clothes as fast as you can
>Deciding that pants and shirt are enough to start walking, you throw the jacket over your shoulder and stride out to meet Octavia as you get your tie on
Alright, let's go
>The two of you leave the boutique and you finish tying your tie, flattening it out, and putting on your jacket
4/x

>Octavia looks taken by your sudden air of professionalism, though her illusions are quickly shattered when you open your mouth again
...So what's this meeting for, again?
>She stares at you in silence, probably contemplating some of her life-decisions, as you stare blankly back
...That was a joke. Lighten up a little, Octy. I've got this
>”Please be serious, Anon”
>You arrive at Fancypants' office and take a seat while his secretary lets him know you're there
>The clock strikes 5:00 just as you sit down
>You flash Octavia a smug smile, to which she responds by sighing heavily and looking at the door
>The secretary calls over to you
>”Anonymous, Octavia? Fancypants will see you now”
Thanks
>Octavia follows you into the office and you give the secretary a wink when you pass by her desk
>The mare blushes as the door closes behind you
>Fancypants sits behind an imposing wooden desk, watching as you walk in
>”Good afternoon, Anonymous”
>He nods to your client
>”Octavia”
>As you and Octavia sit down, Fancypants turns to you
>”I got your letter, Anonymous. I have to say, I wasn't considering contacting you for this”
It's perfectly suitable, Fancy. You just have to expand your horizons
>”I don't know...”
Oh come on, Fancy
>You get up and walk around behind Octavia's chair
You know I'm right. This mare's got the talent to create exactly the atmosphere you want
>”Well, I-”
You saw her play at the Gala. Disaster aside, she was the star of the evening
>Octavia squirms in her seat as you gesture towards her
>Fancypants looks sternly at the two of you before sighing
>”Alright, I'll give her a shot. I don't know how much experience you have with mood-setting music, Octavia, but I'll trust Anonymous on this”
5/x

Glad to hear it
>You sit back down. Octavia looks at you with a mixture of apprehension and astonishment
Now let's get down to brass tacks, Fancy
>The stallion turns to stare you down as he takes a seat
>”I'm already going out on a limb with this. Don't expect a-”
Fifteen hundred
>”You're out of your mind”
Look, we've got travel expenses to think about. Not to mention shipping gear and lodging...
>You lean forward
>”I'll give you seven hundred. It's not that far to Ponyville and I'll arrange your lodgings with some contacts”
Make it an even 1k and you've got a deal
>Your fingers are folded tightly. You point at Fancypants with your index fingers as you speak
>”Eight hundred”
Nine-fifty
>”Nine”
Nine and you let me rent out one of your recording booths for a session
>Fancypants mulls it over for a minute
>”Okay. But I swear to Celestia, Anon, if you buck this up I'll have your head delivered to my office in a box”
I can live with that
>The stallion smiles
>”I'll have the contracts drawn up in the morning. Be here at ten, you two”
Thank you, Fancypants. You won't regret this
>”I'd better not”
>You get up and shake his hoof before leading Octavia out of the office
>The secretary smiles sheepishly at you as you exit
>Octavia pokes you in the ribs once you're out of earshot
>”You're not seriously thinking of-”
No. That'd be dumb. Doesn't mean I can't butter her up though. You can do a lot if you've got someone's secretary on your side
>”Think you'll really be able to string her along like that?”
Fancypants changes his secretaries every six months or something. Trust me. I know what I'm doing
>”That's what worries me”
6/x

>Octavia looks up at you as you loosen your tie
>”How long has it been since you had an actually meaningful relationship?”
You mean like...
>”You know what I mean, Anon. It's always the same 'Clop and Drop' with you. It can't be fulfilling...”
>She sure knows how to bring down a mood, this one
What, a guy can't have some no-strings-attached fun?
>The mare keeps looking at you, concern evident on her face
>”Fine, I'll drop it. Just...think about what I said, alright?”
...Sure
>The chance to change the subject comes. You jump on it
So are you gonna come with us to the club tonight? I have a feeling Vinyl's got something planned
>”Well, it sounds like it might be fun, but we have to get to Fancypants earli-”
Octy, come on. We should celebrate! You're playing for Fancypants' big opening in Ponyville! It's the first big-time concert space to open there and I just got you a spot playing for the keynote!
>Octavia looks at the clock tower in the main square
>”I suppose a few drinks couldn't hurt...”
Atta girl. Meet you at ten? Usual place
>”Alright, see you then, Anon”
>You walk off to change your clothes
>The opening is a week away. You played this one close to the chest, to be sure, but it looked like Fancypants was having trouble finding talent for his event
>If your luck keeps up, you'll be able to get Octavia known in Ponyville as well as Canterlot. The cosmopolitan crowd is a good one, but if you want your client to really make it big, you've got to stretch yourself out
>But now's not the time to think about all that
>Vinyl's going to be waiting
>You've got to get ready to party...
7/x

>The alarm clock the next morning is like a banshee in your ear
>Through the haze of sleepiness you paw at the end table to turn it off
>Beside you there's a stirring
>A mare with a cream-colored coat slowly opens her eyes as you turn over
>”....mmph....good morning, Anon~”
…
>You look at the mare, with her bright blue eyes, her roughly tousled mane, her toned, perfectly defined flank...
Morning...uh...
>The phone rings before you have to try to remember her name any further
Hold on just a second
>You roll over and pick up the receiver while the mare slowly gets out of bed and walks unsteadily to the bathroom
...Hello?
>As she goes, you stare at her flank as it wiggles and swings from side to side...
>”...and then we've- Anon, are you paying attention?”
…
>”ANON”
...hmm? Oh, sorry, Octavia. What's up?
>Octavia blusters on the other end of the line for a second
>”Do you KNOW what time it is? We've got to be at Fancypants' office in an hour!”
Calm down, Octy. It's fine. I'll meet you at the cafe on Celestia Boulevard in a half hour and then we'll head over to the office, okay?
>She sighs heavily
>”Alright”
>There's a pause
>”By the way, what did you end up doing after I left? I know I called it a night pretty early...”
>You look to the bathroom where the mare is just coming out to collect her things
>She looks up at you with a smile, eyes half-lidded
>”I'll let Fancypants know you might be a tad late”
>Your hand goes over the phone to block your voice from Octavia
You're a doll
>She blushes and brushes your cheek with her lips, whispering
>”Anytime”
>You hear Octavia groan disdainfully
8/x

>The cream-colored mare saunters out of the room and you turn your attention back to the phone
>”You're unbelievable, Anon”
Hey, I'm not the bad gu-
>”What's her name?”
…I don't have to answer that...
>”Just get yourself presentable, okay? Cafe. Half-hour”
>She hangs up abruptly
>You lie back on the pillows for a minute or two before getting out of bed and getting dressed
>On the kitchen table you find a business card with a home address scribbled on the back
>You raise an eyebrow and smile, putting the card in your pocket
>A quick look at the clock lets you know you've got ten minutes to get to the cafe
>From how she sounded on the phone, Octavia would probably kill you if you're late
>Her words from yesterday afternoon come to mind
>”How long has it been since you had an actually meaningful relationship?”
>You look up at the clouds and idly thumb the card in your pocket, smiling a little to yourself
Who needs it?
>It's a short walk to the cafe where you said you'd meet Octavia
>After ordering a coffee, you take a seat outside and wait for the gray mare to show up
>You don't have to wait long
>Before you know it, you can see her walking up the street
>You take a drink of coffee and watch the mare as she comes around and sits down across from you
>She looks like she's trying to set you on fire with her mind
Good to see you, Octy. Coffee?
>”You just don't think about your actions, do you?”
>She looks concerned now
>”Did you even think about what I said to you yesterday, or did you just throw it out the window the second you saw her flank?”
9/x

Okay, in fairness, it was the second AFTER I saw her flank. Besides, what does it matter? I'm happy with what I do-
>”Are you really? Are you happy only ever knowing mares for a couple of nights at most?”
>You shrug a little
If you don't want coffee, we can just head to the office
>She looks off at the street, ignoring the fact that you haven't answered the question, and sighs
>”You think Fancypants will give us the deal you got yesterday?”
>You take a sip of coffee before replying
He will. He's been having trouble finding talent for the Ponyville show. Not very many classical artists want to sacrifice gigs in Canterlot to play in some small town
>”...But we do?”
Yes, we do. These other ponies might be content to stay in Canterlot playing for the elite, but I think you want to reach a wider audience
>”It would be nice to travel for shows like Vinyl does...”
>She looks off into the distance
So this is where we work on that. You've got a foothold in Canterlot and that's a good start. We're doing well here. It's time to take your talent out into the rest of Equestria, but to do that we have to start small. First Ponyville, then the world! That's my motto
>You jab at the air with your coffee mug
>Octavia looks at you and smiles
>”It really is hard to believe you're the same guy who keeps up with Vinyl and her partying”
Just because I like to have fun means I can't do a good job? I'm making sure you get the recognition you deserve for your talent
>”You're ridiculous”
You're welcome
>She looks out at the street
>”We should head to the office. It's almost nine-forty”
10/x

>The two of you walk into the office waiting-room, talking as you go
>As you open the door for Octavia, you make sure the secretary sees you
>She blushes when you make eye contact and you give her a sly smile as you approach her desk
Morning, miss. We've got a ten-o'clock with Fancypants
>”Good morning to you, too, Anon. I'll let him know you're here”
>She gets up and walks into Fancypants' office
>You turn to Octavia and give her a thumbs-up
>The gray mare wears a look of abject horror on her face as she looks from you, to the secretary, and back again
>She mouths at you silently, motioning at the secretary with her hoof
>”Seriously?”
>You shrug and smile a little bit at her, mouthing back
Oops...
>Octavia rubs her temples in frustration as the secretary comes back
>”He'll be ready in just a few minu- are you feeling okay, miss? Headache?”
>You turn to her warmly
She'll be fine. Just stress, I'm sure
>”Alright, let me know if you need anything”
>She bats her eyes at you
Will do
>Octavia leans over ans whispers furiously in your ear
>”Are you out of your bucking mind? You did NOT seriously take HER home last night!”
>You whisper back, mocking her tone
I totally took her home last night!
>”Wh- how- how did you even manage to DO that??”
I don't remember A LOT of last night, but I remember seeing her on the dance floor
>You wrap an arm around Octavia's neck and bring her close-in before continuing
It was MAGICAL
>She pulls away, blushing hard
>You lean back in your seat and the two of you wait for Fancypants
>A few minutes later the secretary pipes up
>”Anon? Fancypants will see you now”
11/x

>Octavia gets up quickly and goes into the office ahead of you, flustered
>You follow her, chuckling to yourself
>Fancypants sits behind his desk, staring out the large window overlooking the Canterlot skyline
>He turns around in his chair as you and Octavia approach the desk
>”Good morning, Anonymous, Octavia”
Morning, Fancypants
>”I've got your contract here, ready to sign. I just need your names here, here, and here”
>You look the contract over quickly
>Everything looks like it's in order
>You slide the paper over to Octavia for her to sign first
>As you take it back and put your signature down, you speak
Glad we could come to an understanding, Fancy. Octavia here'll be perfect for what you want
>”This isn't going to be some glamorous solo act, Anonymous. We've got a set already planned. Just mood-setting music. That's it”
Roger
>You hand the contract over to the stallion before shaking his hoof
Pleasure doing business
>You take a few steps toward the door before stopping and turning back around
Oh, and Fancy?
>The stallion looks up and narrows his eyes
>”What is it, Anonymous?”
Next time you're having trouble booking talent, don't leave me out of the loop
>You flash him a devious smile and walk out
>Fancypants looks down at the contract and then back up as you close the door behind you
>”Son of a bitch...”
>You straighten your tie while you walk past the secretary's desk on your way out
Might want to give him a minute or two in there. Just a heads-up
>She giggles while Octavia snorts and heads to the lobby without you
>Eventually you catch up to her, letting her know you're there by putting a hand on her shoulder
So...want to get lunch?
12/x

>After lunch Octavia goes to practice the set and you head to your office
>It's a modest-sized room overlooking some of Old Canterlot
>You managed to get your hands on it when the last company to own the floor went under
>That Gala gig really paid off, even if the night WAS cut short by that perfect storm of chaos brewed up by the so-called “Elements of Harmony”
>You laugh to yourself as you walk past your secretary
>”How are you, Anon? Big night?”
Always is
>”I hope Maxie didn't give you too much trouble. She can be a real handful”
How do you know about that, May?
>May Bell smiles knowingly
>”We secretaries stay in touch, Anon. Just let her down easy. I don't want any sobbing unicorns coming to ME at two in the morning again”
>She adopts a scolding tone with the second sentence
I apologized for that...
>The mare looks at you condescendingly
>”And you'll keep doing so until I say you're done. Now you've got a visitor. Ms. Scratch is here to see you about a contract she'd like you to look over”
Alright, send her in in a couple minutes
>You walk into your office and sit down just in time for Vinyl to come bursting through your doors
>”ANON! What's up??”
>Her ruby-red eyes are alight with excitement
>”You seal the deal with Fancypants?”
You know it, Vinyl
>She punches your arm
>”I knew you could do it. Octy's first out-of-town gig! It's gonna be awesome! When do you leave?”
Couple days. I want to scout the place out
>”Cool! We're gonna have a buckin' blast down there! You ever been to Ponyville? I know a mare down there who can party like NOP0NY else!”
Yeah, sounds li- wait...we?
13/x

>Vinyl laughs in your face
>”Duh! You think I'm gonna miss Octy's breakout performance?”
>She pauses
>”...Plus we can party like CRAZY down there! There's whole fields for outdoor raves, there's a friggin' BARN, think of the possibilities, man!”
>THERE'S the Vinyl you know
>She's visibly shaking in her chair
Alright, that actually sounds awesome, Vy. We're staying at Sugar Cube Corner. Fancypants hooked us up
>”Sweet! This is gonna be the best weekend ever! I gotta go get my stuff ready!”
>The unicorn bounds off her chair and over to the door before stopping herself and walking calmly out
>”...I knew something was up with that contract. Thanks a ton, Anon!”
>She walks past your secretary, who pokes her head in and stares skeptically at you before shutting the door
>You look over some papers on your desk and think about the week ahead
>With all the work you'll be doing for the gig, you might be pretty burnt when it comes time to party...
>You stop when you see an ad from Ponyville's Library
>It features a violet unicorn with a bright streak running down her mane
>Instinctively you cock an eyebrow
>...Then again, it could be worth your while...
End