"And it was no different for me," Sunset continued. "The Elements... 'unlocked' something in me. Something that I'd know I'd kept locked, that I'd cowed into submission in the name of moving up in the world. Suddenly that part of me wasn't afraid to say what it thought anymore. And the more I heard what it had to say... the more I started to wonder if it had a point.
"I fought it as hard as I could. It hurt so much, and there was no escape from it. Ever. To the point where, one afternoon, I just started walking, for hours, not caring where I ended up... or if I made it back. The way I saw it then, things wouldn't have been any different, either way. Nor would anyone have cared. I certainly hadn't given anyone reason to."
Sunset balled her fists and shut her eyes tight, only realizing she'd done both when she felt Starlight's hands on hers. She opened her eyes to see Starlight staring back with support and reassurance, and also grabbing one of the table napkins and handing it over.
It was only there for a moment, but Sunset saw... something in Starlight's eyes. Something... connecting, that she hadn't ever seen in anyone else's eyes in this world. Something that communicated the same sadness Sunset knew all too well, from her loneliest nights.
Sunset blinked, and her vision sloshed, leaving her unable to pursue further for the moment. She made a mental note to try again later. Tactfully, of course.
"Thanks." Sunset dabbed at her eyes, tossed the tissue into a nearby wastebasket, and took a deep breath before continuing. "It was that same evening I met Zecora, though 'collapsed in front of her door' is probably more accurate. She let me in, cooked the best meal I had in years, and let me sleep in her spare bed for the night.
"And then, the next day, she offered to listen to my story. All of it." Sunset huffed, blowing stray strands of red hair to the side. "Not that she had much choice—I was a total wreck. Ended up blubbering my whole life story even though she technically never asked me to go as in-depth as I did, and even though I knew it'd be impossible to believe."
Starlight tilted her head. "When you say 'whole life story'..."
Sunset nodded.
"Yep, thought so," Starlight nodded back and 'hmm'ed. Her eyes narrowing, she asked, "She... doesn't have anything on you, does she?"
Sunset laughed. "Only the part where I kind of owe her everything. Really, though, Zecora knows everything about everyone within a tri-city radius, including who I really am. But in the time I've known her, I've only ever seen her use that knowledge to the benefit of those same people." She sighed, resting her elbow on her table, and her chin on one hand. "I truly haven't seen anyone with others' best interests at heart since Celestia. Either of them."
Sunset hesitated, before looking at the menus they'd been given, and taking one in her hand. "Which also means she knows my real Equestrian age, beyond these bodies the mirror gives us." She looked up at Starlight, sliding the other menu towards her. "I'm guessing you're close?"
A sly smile crept across Starlight's lips as she crossed her arms over the table. "I mean, feel free to guess. Then halve it."
Sunset chuckled and rolled her eyes. The track playing over the sound system changed to something slightly more upbeat, and containing more pianos. "All I mean by that is: do you drink?"
Starlight's eyes and mouth momentarily bulged, looking if she were about to burst from sudden laughter. In the end, she slouched back in her booth seat with a wistful sigh. "I'm a schoolteacher, Sunset. No offense to your mom—and you still haven't explained that bit yet—but whatever she's got here, I doubt it's anywhere near strong enough."
Sunset's hand flew to the booth bell. "Challenge accepted, on her behalf."