Celestia’s house was small, and well-suited to a pair of budget-conscious bachelorettes. Such also formed a ready-made excuse for their shyness – of course they could never have company, there wouldn’t be room for all.
Yet as the city warmed into springtime, Celestia’s oft-flighty ambitions lead her to announce a cookout. Space proved a little tight, but the sunny weather lured many participants to loiter outside with their meals. The Pie family sat at a table on the driveway, primly eating hamburgers with forks and knives. Sunset gave them a casual wave as she passed, earning only a nod from Limestone.
The grill was massive, and didn’t belong to Celestia. The owner stood behind it, ignoring the small line as he loudly regaled Professor Whooves. “But the demon couldn’t handle the power of my raw metal music and exploded, saving the souls of everyone on the mountain. The monks blessed me when I left, and bestowed on me the title of ‘Dragonlord!’”
“All I want is a hot dog,” Whooves said meekly.
“I gotcha,” Celestia stood next to Torch, manning her side of the grill while never breaking hip-contact with the man. She served Whooves, then beamed to Sunset.
“Hi, Mom. Hi, Torch.” Sunset didn’t yet know what to think of of the big lug, but Mom sure smiled a lot with him around. Better still, Twilight’s hacking of his internet history and Wallflower’s search of his house turned up nothing in the way of red flags. No need to mention that.
He was reliable, too. “Thanks for getting your grill. I thought we were out of luck when Redheart sent hers into orbit.”
“My pleasure, kiddo. Burger or Brat?”
“Burger.”
“Here, I’ve got one for her.”
Celestia slid the hot meat onto a bun, though Sunset couldn’t help but notice the work was done one-handed. The other held Torch’s arm.
“I think your friends are on the front porch. Although I do hope I can monopolize you for at least a little while this evening. Will you be spending the night?”
Sunset put on a cagey smile at their old in-joke. “I’ll think about it.”
Celestia leaned over the grill to peck her cheek. “Then I’ll make sure your room’s ready.”
Sunset took her plate and wandered to the food trays, collecting veggies and trading greetings with Celestia’s band. They had annexed a table for a poker game, though it was on hold as the soot-faced Redheart espoused details on the boss’ new boyfriend.
Sunset didn’t pay it any mind, knowing the nurse to be more fond of stories than facts. She entered the house, and followed the familiar sounds of video games in the living room.
...And the not-so familiar sound of Wallflower giving a frustrated shriek. “Mage Meadowbrook is broken!”
Luna gave a sly laugh. “You keep playing the slowest character. What did you think would–”
An abrupt grunt ended the taunt. Sunset came into view to find the pair sitting on the couch, with one more grinning as the game announced, “Stygian Wins!”
“You should play more and talk less,” Ember said, and gave the newcomer a friendly wave. “Hey, Sunset. Wanna take fourth?”
Sunset grinned. She wasn’t sure if she liked the idea of having a sister, but as a friend, Ember was cool as heck. “Nah, I’m heading over to my peeps. We still on for Saturday?”
“Yeah. I snagged you a helmet and everything.”
Luna gave a questioning look, and Sunset explained. “She’s gonna teach me how to ride.”
A motorcycle. Tirek’s teeth, Ember was awesome.
Luna pursed her lips. “Does Celestia know?”
“Not if nobody cops to her.”
“Heh.” Luna leaned up and planted a kiss on Sunset’s cheek, opposite where her mother did. “Be safe, alright?”
Sunset made the obligatory promise, and moved on. Brisk spring air hit her as she came to the front porch, the last of her little gang to get food. Twilight perched on the railing with a hot dog in each hand. Applejack leaned back into the porch swing with hat down over her face, apparently sleeping off the meal, while Adagio nestled with her head in the girl’s lap.
A low throb of defensive jealousy hit Sunset’s heart, leaving her a touch disappointed in herself. But she let it pass. Adagio was reading from a red leather tome, and looked up as Sunset touched her arm. “The journal holding up okay?”
Adagio shrugged. “Well enough to leave me frustrated. Sonata just spent three pages telling me how she sneaked six other students into an R-rated movie, then two more complaining about her punishment.”
Another shrug, and a light smile played on Adagio’s face. “Better that than something else, I suppose. I think they’re enjoying the chance to be like kids again.”
“And how are you?”
Sunset asked the question earnestly, but Adagio’s smile grew. “I’m not sadly longing for Equestria, if that’s what you mean. Coddled, protected… boring. Earth is better for someone like me.”
She closed the book, turning her eyes skywards. “I… need to change. Classical performers aren’t really around anymore, and I don’t care to be a trendy little pop-star. I need to work on my sound, my style. How to market without selling my soul to a record company. How to get noticed on the internet, and… oh, a lot more. This isn’t easy.”
She settled down a little deeper into AJ’s lap. “Good thing I have a friend who’s a business major. What about you, Miss Art Student?”
“Pretty simple, really.” Sunset had spent a lot of time thinking about it. “Nursing and pediatrics won’t leave any time for hunting, and I’m in for the long haul. I’ve already done backdrops for Prim Hemline of all people, so I’m pretty sure I can fly as an artist.”
“How’d the folks take it?”
“Luna said, ‘No problem Sunset, we’d love for you to live at home til you’re forty.’” Sunset scratched her elbow, still not sure how much of that had been a joke. “And, well, you know Mom.”
“Wouldn’t mind knowing her better,” Adagio leered.
Sunset sauntered to one of the chairs and set herself down. “Tough luck, sucka. She has a boyfriend.”
“Speaking of which, let’s talk Applejack.” Adagio peered out guiltlessly from her position. “You and me, Sunset, let’s catch her next time she leaves the shower and start making out right in front of her. Show her what she’s missing so she finally–”
“I’m awake,” Applejack grunted from behind her hat.
“Of course you are, you tensed up the second I said your name.”
Applejack unveiled her face, yawning. She idly scratched Adagio’s hair as one would a cat, smiling towards Sunset. “We got anything on deck, leader?”
“The big Rainboom bike-hike is Sunday.”
Applejack grunted. “Monster-wise, I mean.”
Sunset gave a thumbs-up, buying a little time as she worked down a too-large bite of hamburger. “With the graveyards back in order? Zip, zilch, nothing. We await the next disaster.”
“I can wait,” Applejack chuckled, slapping the hat onto her head.
Twilight huffed, hurriedly swallowing her last hot dog. “Speak for yourselves. I have to keep working on ways to prevent mind-control, and that’s just one project on top of a bunch of others.”
“I fixed up the truck!” Wallflower chirped. No one had noticed when she came outside. “And I put together a really good first-aid kit for it. Splints, wolfsbane pills, and everything.”
“Not trying to make this a contest, but...” Applejack shuffled, avoiding their eyes. “I’ve started practicing long-range shooting. It still bugs me that I couldn’t drop that ol’ werewolf, and I hope to the moon I’ll get ‘em next time.”
Adagio purred under Applejack’s scratching. “I’m already perfect.”
“And I just learned how to make silver bullets.” Sunset leaned back in her chair, grinning. “Sounds like the next trouble that comes along is going to have trouble with us.”
Applejack lounged backwards, sipping at her beer. “Then let it takes its sweet time, sugar.”
The wind picked up a little, chilling the early spring air. But it was a pleasant chill, that only brought love for food and fellowship.
Sunset stood, abandoning her empty plate. She meandered to the railing and leaned over it, smiling to the clouds. Good food, good friends, and the comforting weight of a pistol at her chest. Tomorrow she’d do breakfast with Mom and Luna, then the next day she’d go with the others to cheer on Wallflower at a video game tournament. Then art classes, motorcycle lessons…
Yeah, Applejack was right. Let the trouble come late and slow for a while.
Sunset patted the bulge under her jacket, feeling a new smile play out. She turned back to the group, and squeezed onto the swing with Applejack and Adagio.