"Yo Tran," Vinyl shook the sleeping stallion.
"Huh, wha. . . Vinyl? What do you waaaant?" Tran whined, rolling over onto his side. He had a very long night, with the party and all. It took both him and Vinyl over an hour to move all the equipment from the party, discreetly. Apparently, Vinyl had gotten quite used to long nights, something Tran had never really been used too.
"You need to hear this," Vinyl said producing a small crank radio. She cranked it furiously with her magic, causing it to sputter to life.
"In other news, the pirate radio DJ known only as The Stallion gave a live broadcast from a party in an undisclosed location last night. This is the newest stunt done by the host in an attempt to subvert the Equestrian Guard's authority. When asked if they were any closer to discerning the identity of the anonymous pony, the Guard released only this statement: 'We are working tirelessly to apprehend The Stallion, and while we do have leads, there have been no major developments in the case, as of yet.' That's it for the news, now back to the latest hits. . ." The radio slowly died, the news-pony's voice fading into silence. Tran looked at the radio, a smile plastered to his face.
"Do I know how to work, or do I know how to work," he laughed confidently.
"Exactly," Vinyl agreed, "There's no telling how many radio stations are broadcasting that news report. Your fan base may have just got a whole lot bigger."
Tran's smile weakened a little, "Yeah, well, that means it's going to be even harder for me to hide my identity. Masking your voice and appearance can only go so far. You know what I mean?"
"Yeah, sure dude," Vinyl looked down at Tran's clock, "Hey. . . uh, didn't you have to be at Sweet Apple Acres at ten o'clock?"
"Yeah, why?" Tran glanced at his clock, causing his heart to skip a beat. Ten o'clock, on the dot. He was late for work.
*** Ten Minutes Later, Sweet Apple Acres***
"Where in the hay is that stallion?" Applejack was leaning on a fence that surrounded the property. She turned and kicked a small clod of dirt, causing dust to fly up. It wasn't like Tran to be late, especially during the week before harvest. As she turned to enter the orchard, she heard the distinctive sound of hooves coming her direction.
"Applejack!" Tran called out, running down the road toward the farm. His saddlebags were bouncing as his legs pounded the ground, "I'm on my way!" Tran stopped on the other side of the fence, panting heavily from running all the way to the property. "S-sorry I'm late," He apologized between pants, "I over slept."
"It's fine," Applejack smiled, "But you had me a little worried there, sugar-cube."
"I know, it's not like me to be late," he cleared his throat, looking down, "And I'm not one to make excuses, but I had a very, very long night."
"It's okay," she laughed, "You've never been late before anyhow! Heck Tran, you even showed up early a few times! I remember that one time you were in the orchard before any of us, busy preparing for harvest. That's good work ethic if I ever saw it, and you're talking to one of the hardest workers in Equestria!"
"Thanks," Tran felt his face flush a little at the compliments. Luckily his red coat hid it well.
"Well it's time to get to work," Applejack turned and began to walk in to the orchard.
"I'm right behind you," Tran eagerly jumped over fence, ready to start another day of work. Even though he was a unicorn, Tran had always preferred working with his hooves. He always felt manual labor was more satisfying on some very base level, and he loved being able to work in the orchard. Something about the open space in contrast to his small studio was freeing. It was almost his way of being normal Tran and not The Stallion.
"What you thinking 'bout sugar-cube?" Applejack looked back as they trotted towards the section of the orchard where they needed to place the baskets to gather the harvest, "You're being awful quiet back there."
"Oh, nothing," Tran looked at his saddlebags, which he brought with him every day. He couldn't bring himself full escape from his life as a pirate radio host, even here. In one of the bags he had a radio that he listened to all the time. It was his way of staying up on trends, a necessity that he couldn't live without. He pulled it out and turned it on, ready to work.
***One O'clock, Apple Family Barn***
"Soup's on everypony!" Applejack summoned her family to the barn. There were always tables set up around the barn, mostly for convenience. Tran pulled a brown bag out of one of his packs, laying them on the ground. He sat down and began to eat, radio still playing. Applejack sat across from him, and gave him the same look she gave him every day.
"You're sure you don't want none of Granny's cooking?" She said looking at his lunch.
"Yeah," he put his sandwich down, "You already pay me, so I figure I can supply my own meals."
"Whatever you say," Applejack shook her head. Applebloom walked over to the table with her plate and sat next to Tran. She stared at his horn for a little while then started eating.
"Uh, Tran," she paused as he looked down at the little filly, "How did you break your horn?"
"Applebloom!" Applejack scolded through clenched teeth.
"No it's fine," Tran assured Applejack, "Most ponies want to ask but just stare. Asking is a lot more polite, and flattering. And it's not that long of a story anyway."
Tran told them how he was an aspiring colt who wanted to enter radio. He did get a job with the CBG, but he was let off after an accident involving the cells used to power the tower.
"Wow," Applebloom was in awe, "I figured you worked in radio, 'cause of your Cutie Mark and all, but I didn't know it could be so dangerous."
"Just an occupational hazard," Tran shrugged, "And I recovered fairly quickly anyway."
"Do you ever miss your old job?" Applebloom asked.
"I do," Tran faked a sigh. That question was one he had grown used to answering, "I miss being able to broadcast every day. But I do love working around Ponyville a lot too."
As Tran stopped a news bulletin came over the radio, "We have breaking news! Equestrian authorities have a description of the pony only known as The Stallion. Yesterday morning a red unicorn was seen fleeing the Equestrian Guard. His description is that of an average stallion, save for a broken horn. No other details have been released as of yet, but the authorities assure us that-" Tran turned off the radio, looking nervously at the ponies around him.
"Is there something you're not telling us, Tran?" Applejack's question was laced with an accusing tone.
"Nothing, it's just a coincidence," Tran smiled uncomfortably. He looked down then back up. He had a genuine smile on his face now. He wasn't the best poker player, but it was a game he played frequently.
Applejack sighed, "You know we don't care if you are him, right?"
"I assure you that I am not," Tran lifted his glass, taking a large drink. He didn't like to lie, but he didn't want his relationship to change with the Apple's or the rest of Ponyville either. He felt really bad that he had to lie to Applejack, who he had a crush on for some time since arriving in Ponyville.
"Well I guess I will take your word for it," she laughed, "We'd better get back to work."
"Sounds great," Tran picked his saddlebags up and trotted off, back into the orchard.
***6 O'clock, Vinyl and Octavia's house***
"So you almost blew your cover, huh?" Vinyl looked at Tran, who was seated on the floor in front of her.
"Yeah," he shifted his weight, "You know, you and Tavi need to really get a couch or something."
"You almost got discovered, and that's what you're worried about?"
"Well, I mean," Tran paused, "Applejack said they wouldn't care if I was The Stallion."
"Yeah well ponies say things they don't mean," Vinyl replied.
"Yeah, but come on Vinyl," Tran laughed, "It's Applejack we are talking about here."
"Still, when a revelation like that comes around, situations change, dude."
"I guess you're right Vinyl," Tran looked at the floor and back to Vinyl, "When is Tavi getting back anyway?"
"Tomorrow," Vinyl said, "She sent me a letter, said that the live broadcast was the stupidest thing you had ever done."
"Well, I'm starting to think she may be right."
***The Next Day, Saturday to be exact***
Tran sat at the table, a bowl of cereal in front of him. He lazily stirred his spoon, not really interested in his breakfast. He had been listening to the radio all night, his custom when he wasn't working the next day. His eyes were half closed when Vinyl walked into the room.
"Sleep good?" Vinyl asked sarcastically.
"Ha ha," Tran replied, pushing the bowl away and laying his head down.
"Well I guess you should think twice about not staying up all night," Vinyl said.
"You're one to talk," Tran mumbled, his eyes now closed, "When you are preparing for gigs, or recording, no one in a one mile radius can sleep. Speaking of which, when are you going to start working on your next album?"
"Oh, I don't know," Vinyl took Tran's bowl and began eating his cereal. The spoon floated to her mouth then back to the bowl, "I thought I'd take a few months off."
"Yeah right," a voice came from the living room of the house. A gray mare walked in, a bow tie around her neck, and a cello case strapped to her back. Her accent denoted her class as a master musician in the Canterlot Orchestra. She sat her cello down in the entrance to the kitchen. Vinyl sat, spoon hanging from her mouth and Tran was upright, just looking on. "Well, don't talk all at once."
"We weren't expecting to see you so early, Octavia," Vinyl said, spoon still in her mouth.
"Yeah, well I got on the train right after the wrap party," Octavia sat down next to Vinyl.
"So how was recording? Did you bring me a copy of the record?" Tran asked eagerly.
"Recording was excellent, and no I did not, but I did bring you this," she got up and walked over to her cello case. After rummaging around for a while she produced a newspaper. She walked back over and placed in in front of him. She put a hoof on it, pointing to an article, "Read it."
Tran looked down at the paper. It was dated a day prior, the day after the live broadcast. This is what the main article read: 'The Stallion pulled a new stunt last night when he broadcast a live event. The pirate radio host is riding on a new wave of public support, even though the authorities see him as nothing more than a nuisance. Authorities have given a general description of The Stallion based off the reports given after the disturbance in downtown Canterlot yesterday; stating he is a red unicorn with a broken horn. Our reporters even went as far as to ask Princess Celestia what her views on Equestria Pirate Radio were. She only stated that he was a "nice pony" even if he is "often a bit brash". The authorities will continue to search for The Stallion and ask all civilians that have leads should report to the Guard.'
"Wow, Tran," Vinyl was reading over his shoulder, "I guess that wasn't such a bad idea after all."
"Are you kidding, it was a horrible idea!" Octavia yelled, "Now half of Equestria knows what you look like!"
"That's only a general description," Tran scoffed, "And I knew the risk anyhow. I've been at this for a while, and you don't have to worry Tavi."
"Don't have to worry?!" Octavia asked harshly, "Last time I checked you are living in my house, I have every right to worry!"
"It's okay Tavi," Vinyl tried to calm Octavia, "I'm sure Tran knows what he's doing."
"Ugh. . . fine," Octavia gave in, "Still, how do you know that the Equestrian Guard wont break down our door tomorrow?"
"That's why I try to space my broadcasts apart a little bit," he replied, "It helps mask my true location. They have no idea where I am. As far as they know I could be anywhere from Fillydelphia to Canterlot."
"Yeah, Tavi, you shouldn't worry. Anyway you know how Tran is," Vinyl laughed.
"Well. . . alright," Octavia replied, "Just be careful."
"Don't worry I will be," Tran smiled.
The rest of the day Tran thought about the implications of what he had done. He risked everything by doing that broadcast, but still he felt satisfied. He was gaining momentum, but still living a simple life. It was a double life, but he was right where he wanted to be.