The Siren Life

by Michael Hudson

A Hard Run

Aria ran along the jogger’s path in the park, her breath coming out in clouds from the early morning chill. The first rays of the sun were out to say hi, but she honestly wished they weren’t there. She didn’t want ‘nice’ things right now.

”What did you do, Sonata? Why didn’t you listen to us?”

“W-well, I thought-”

“Exactly, you thought!”

“Aria, no!”

Aria picked up her pace as she rounded the bend. Another jogger was coming her way, and managed to wave at her. She was not so kind, and lifted one finger towards him as they passed each other. He yelled at her back, and for a moment, she wondered how he would handle a punch.

She didn’t feel the same weakness Adagio did. When she flexed her muscles, she could feel them all tense, ready to make a living, or let loose some steam. Or…

”Well, happy Aria? You punched her off the cliff.”

“Oh, come on, we’ve all survived worse. Besides, she’s the reason we lost Starswhirl’s stupid challenge, so she deserves it.”

“I still want you to apologize to her, Aria. She is our sister, and if we wanna get home, and out of these… weird forms, than we’re going to need her.”

“Fine! Sonata, get the fuck up.”

“.......”

“Sonata!”

“.......”

Aria grunted as pain shot through her arm. She wasn’t like that anymore. She could handle the frustration now. Adagio was the one who couldn’t put up with either of them. Hated them, screamed at them. She… She…

”Aria, get off of her!”

“I liked it here, you stupid cunt, and now we have to leave!”

“Aria!”

The purple girl grabbed the sides of her head as she shut her eyes. The memories were lying. She had control, she could be calm, she didn’t let problems affect her. She was like Adagio that way. That’s why she could be-

”Leader? Are you serious? You’re mugging trick may have worked, but the first time either Sonata or I screw up one of your half baked plans, what are you gonna do?”

“Adagio, I swear to-”

“Swear what? To use that? At least I only yell”

Aria slumped against the tree she had punched, her body shaking. A thousand years, she’d been dysfunctional, able to get away with it because she thought it was okay, or that nothing would come of it.

The episodes were infrequent, when her dysfunctional side were com out. She wasn’t like Adagio, who just stopped caring over time, or Sonata who was always fucking stupid. No, she only did it when she got mad, or really drunk, or if she didn’t have a smoke in too long. She wasn’t like those two. She was… right?

Aria shut her eyes, her vision blurring from something in her eyes. It was so annoying, but no matter what, the bit of debri wouldn’t go away, and made something wet roll down her face.

And then she cried, realizing that she was still trying to excuse her abuse, or deny the guilt, even while her target had sought her out for comfort last night, just like the idiot she was.

Author's Note:

This chapter was written entirely because so many people didn't understand one part of the last chapter. Specifically, the idea that Adagio yelled and hit. However, no part of the siren family is 'functional'. You have the idiot child, who is a risk to anything the other two do, the screamer, and the abuser. You also just have varying levels on how each feel about that part of themselves.

So just remember that before now, their life was too easy to make the dysfunctional parts of them work, and fixing these things about their family is a large part of what will decide what happens to them.

Leave your suggestions for future chapters below.

Comments

[Regreme]

Well, gonna stick with the part I said in the first chapters as to what to do, BUUUUT this does clarify some things well alright.

[dangerbrony]

I thought this might be the case from the way Aria reacted. It's such a hard thing to confront the worst of yourself but I'm sure these three can manage all right. At this point I would suggest some cathartic activity for Aria such as boxing or demolition while Sonata tries to get a job to prove she isn't a complete failure. i'm not entirely sure about Adagio yet since we haven't seen from her perspective yet. Awesome work and looking forward to more.

[Eyeswirl the Weirded]

So it was Aria all along?!

The way the last few chapters went, I genuinely didn't see that coming, well-played, sir!

I'm guessing anger-management is out of their reach right now, so I'll stick with my previous suggestion.

[twilightfan28]

I think we should get a chapter in Adagio's point of view, the other two have ways of proving themselves, but no one knows what to do with Adagio, that's just my opinion

[Iron Comet]

It really sounds like Aria and Adagio are just too frustrated by the events in there lives. And they take it out on Sonata. I wonder if Sonata ever ran away or does she have a happy place to retreat too?

[ancientdragonduelist]

Noticed a misspelled word.

I'm curious if there's an overarching plot.

Adagio and Aria have what they need to survive and take care of themselves. Except stability. Or a way to calm down. Etc.

Sonata is indeed the child, and she needs them more than ever. They need her too, though only Aria realized this.

Are they still planning on trying to return to Equestria? Or making a life here?

[Michael Hudson]

7490958 Make a life here. They maybe know about the portal, but they have no reason to look at it as a way to return, especially since there's no guaranty as to whether or not they'll be able to have their magic back if they go back.

[BenRG]

It seems that the defeat of the Dazzlings has had an unexpected consequence - The dark magic that has surrounded them for so long is gone and with it, their ability to ignore the outraged screaming of their consciences. Who knows whether they have the mental strength to avoid being driven mad by all those centuries of guilt?