//------------------------------//
// Confrontation 
// Story: Beggars can be choosers 
// by MurlocStalker 
//------------------------------//

One month has passed since the second parting of the siren sisters and the more than odd… revelation regarding the three girls that these days resided beneath his roof. The two girls had easily begun settling into the rules of the household. Aria had proven able to find just her kind of entertainment in town, and Sonata was apparently more than content with watching television with the recommended channels and services. In the meantime, something was eating away at Faithful. Ever since the six girls had spoken to him regarding the girls in his care he had come to question every single one of his decisions up until now.

Ever since he heard from them that Sonata, Aria and Adagio were actually mystical creatures known as Sirens. Aquatic, equine-like beings whom hypnotized their prey by song, and apparently, the three girls had attempted to take over the world through the means of their voices. He got little more information than that, and as such, he made attempts to study a bit regarding Sirens as they are known by in this world and see if there is any connection. What he found only served to give him anxiety. IF there was even just a speck of truth to the youngster's words, and by account of the “real world” legends, then the song wasn't their only means of hypnosis. They could also easily seduce and control a man with looks and personality alone.

Could it be that they have controlled him from the very beginning without him knowing so? The doubt gnawed at Faith's psyche. They couldn't have though, right? After all, he would have supposedly, “broken” their control when he punished them for breaking one of his rules. But what if  that was them permitting it? What if it was just a one-time thing? Even the legends tell of men who could temporarily break free from their hypnosis during certain circumstances. He thought to himself regarding the possibilities.

With a heavy sigh, he got up from the couch. He turned off his TV and began making his way to his own room. It was nothing special compared to the other rooms in terms of decoration beyond the various banners and posters from different games and shows which was plastered on his walls. He sat down at his desk and computer, booting it up and began playing some of his favorite games. The sound of a bird's tweet was heard. It was a group of his friends which was inviting him into a group chat.

Putting on his headphones he accepted the invite. His ears felt like they were being blown off as an ear-shattering “WAZZUP!” rang through the headphones. Faithful reeled back and let out a groan of pain and discontent. “For fuck sake, guys!” Faithful called out. Howling laughter echoed through the headpiece. “Alright, who came up with this idea?”

“Me!” called a cheerful and feminine voice.

“Darn you, Little Grace!” Faithful cried out in a comedic fashion. “Anyway, what's up everyone, and what are we playing?”

“We were thinking of Overwatch for the moment. Thanks for introducing me to it, guys. It's damn fun!” spoke Succulent Chef.

“How's our brother doing back there? We hope that you haven't lost your touch.” came the voice of a man.

“Good to hear from you again, Sarge.  I could frankly say the same. Isn't the internet a bitch all over in Finland? Speaking of which, how was the trip?” Said Faithful.

Sarge, or more appropriately, Crescent Sergeant is one of Faithful Servant's oldest and most faithful friends. They had known each other ever since their school years, and had stayed in touch ever since.

Sarge began to chuckle. “Well I for one am a military man. I get constant shooting practice. Anyway, picking Bastion.”

“You're such an asshole for picking that guy.” Said Little Grace. “I'm going with Zarya if any of you are rolling heal.”

“I can go with Anna on this. But we all know why you pick her.” Said Faithful in a joking, yet mocking tone.

“What? I can't like strong girls in video games?”

“You can, but you don't have to be some muscle beast in order to be good or strong.”

“Leave her be, Faith. We both know that she just wants to munch on that carpet of hers.” Sarge answered.

“Oh, you know it, boi.” Said Little Grace.

“...Don't say that. By the way, Faith, how are things going with your new girlfriends?”

Faithful sighed rather loudly. “I suppose that you told them, Grace?”

“I did. Was that bad of me?” She asked innocently.

“I suppose not. Quite frankly, I need you guys' help with something. Something related to that topic.”

“What's the problem, bro?” Sarge asked.

“I am getting hysterical and paranoid over here. Ever since Rarity and her friends told me something related to the girls.”

“Which is?”

“Apparently they were more than just Canterlot's bad girls. They were, or are, monstrous creatures from another world. I know that it sounds insane, but-”

“Wait, monsters from another world?!” Little grace cried out. “Please, for the love of god, don't tell me that they are called The Dazzlings.”

“I...I am not sure. That could have been their group name. I just know them as Sonata and Aria really.”

“Faith, I am telling you this as your friend. You need to get them out of your house right away. There is no telling what they will or can do to you.”

“Are you serious, Grace? They can't possibly be so bad that they need to be thrown to the street.” Sarge protested.

“You don't know shit about them, Sarge. My little sis was there, she experienced it first hand.”

“Then tell me what happened, and let's see if your stories add up.” Faith told her as their game began.

Whilst shooting and owning foes, they kept up their conversation. As their battle was reaching its end, so did their argument. At every accusation thrown towards the girls, Faithful did his best to protect them, to defend both his actions and theirs based upon the information which had been granted to him by the girls. In the end, it just seemed futile as even Sarge appeared to be taking Grace's side.

“I'm telling you, Faith, you need to get rid of them. They are just going to use you.”

“...I need a break. I'll see you guys later.” And without further warning, Faithful Servant switched off his computer and began walking out of the room. As soon as he opened up the door and turned for the right, he noticed Aria standing by the door, leaned back against the wall in a nonchalant fashion. They said nothing. They just stared at one another, almost as if they were waiting for the other to back away. “What did you hear?”

“I heard you talking to someone. About us.” Aria answered.

“Good. Then go fetch Sonata. We are going to have a talk in the kitchen.” Faithful spoke as he walked past Aria and down the stairs and into the kitchen. After a few short minutes, Aria came into the kitchen, stoic as per usual, with a concerned looking Sonata in tow. “Thanks for coming, girls. There is just something I really need to get off of my chest.”

“No worries. So what is it that you want to ask?” Aria asked.

Faithful gestured towards the chairs, silently asking them to sit down. After they had all taken a seat by the table. Faithful began rubbing his eyes, a habit of his whenever something he was doing either felt stupid, embarrassing or both. “So, girls… As you very well know, a few days ago at Rarity's shop, I was dragged upstairs for a chat. I think you both know pretty well what it was that we were talking about.”

“You were talking about us. About our time in school.” Sonata answered.

“We did. And by their own testament, you girls are… were, quite a lot more than you were letting on.”

“We told you from the very beginning, Faith. We were the school's bad girls. Worst of the worst.” Aria told Faithful as if this was all obvious and needless to bring up.

“Yet there is more to it than just that, isn't there?”

“Like what?”

“… Just let me be straight forward about this, and I would prefer a fully honest answer regarding this. Are you girls really from some other world?”

Sonata was the first to speak up after a few moments of awkward silence. “Faith, I don't want to be mean, but do you even realize how crazy that question sounds?”

“Oh, definitely. I feel insane for even considering this an option for discussion. I feel like I belong in a straightjacket for bringing this up. But all the same, this needs to be said, and this needs to be talked about, regardless of the insanity, otherwise it will drive me nuts. So tell me, are you from another world than this? Are you some sort of mythical seas creatures?"

Aria and Sonata just looked at each other for a moment. No signal was needed. No nod, no wink no nothing, because they knew exactly how to handle the situation. 



Adagio sat in the corner of a street, only a ragged blanket to help and keep her warm in face of the encroaching autumn cold. Adagio held up her cup, quietly begging for any spare coin they might have. One man who stopped temporarily by opened up his wallet to search for any change. Finding nothing, he shook his head apologetically and moved on. Adagio stretched her hand out towards the man who was leaving, just moments away from begging him to come back. Adagio had grown ever more unfortunate after her last rejection of the prospect of joining Faithful and her sisters. She could feel her determination falter. She had begun to consider the prospect of joining them being a more fitting destination than starving, alone and cold.

Coming to grips with that there would likely come no one less for today, Adagio packed up her things and retreated to her dump of a home, her strides lacking any semblance of the pride and confidence from the past month.  She huddled back to her corner and buried herself into her reeking couch and wrapping her blanket around herself in an attempt to keep warmth. As she covered from the winds there, flashes of past memories flew by her. Times with her sisters and the many plots and times they shared together. She could feel a pressure behind her eyes, something attempting to push it's way out. She would not allow it. Not even alone would she permit herself to be so weak.

"Miss?"

Adagio got up in a flash and turned her whole body towards the direction of the voice. She felt anger, distaste and only a slight bit of fear. Before her stood the same two men as before. The scumbags whom had attempted to try and purchase her "services". His voice was been softer than previously, almost sweet when he spoke this time though. Adagio rose up and attempted to strike a pose of confidence and strength, only to utterly fail as her body seemingly refused to obey. The world spun and she nearly toppled over herself, had it not been for the intervention of a large pair of arms catching her. She looked up from the slowing whirl to find the gray-eyed man holding her in his arms. "It's ok. I mean you no harm." He spoke softly as he helped her back to the couch. "Forgive us for frightening you."

Adagio did not utter as much as a word as the man aided her descent to the couch. Once she was down on stable ground, she looked at the two men before her, now seemingly awfully helpful compared to their previous behavior. "What do you want?"

"We only want some time with you. Nothing has changed. But we see the error of our approach the previous times." Spoke the bigger and burlier man. "We were rude and our offer was too beneficial for one side only. We realize that, and we apologize for not considering your end of the spectrum."

"Awfully well spoken for a muscle berg." Adagio retorted. "But your purpose is still the same, so my answer is the same as well. Leave, or else."

"Yes, we are here for the same thing, but I would like to think that we are more considerate now." Spoke the gray-eyed man as he sat down beside her. "Listen, we saw you out there previously. We know your situation, and let me tell you; You are not gonna be able to make it much longer like this. You need help."

"I won't stoop down to taking help from useless garbage."

"Then don't accept help. But accept work for an agreeable sum." He spoke as he rummaged through his pocket. In the corner of her eye, Adagio took notice of something which looked like a handle protruding from one of his coat's inner pockets, however, the thought was easily pushed aside as after some slight struggle, he pulled out a bundle of money bills and held it in front of Adagio. "One thousand bucks. All yours if you just spend some time with us. That's all we ask. No strings attached, no further demands, just some time of entertainment for both of us and then this is yours. Simple as that."

Adagio couldn't help but feel astonished by the amount before her. She felt tempted to accept the money, but she knew what that would entail. She was about to speak, but she couldn't.

Something within her stopped her.

She tried to speak the words. To force out the rejection of the prospect, but she couldn't. The hunger she felt kept her from uttering those words, the cold kept her from uttering them, the stench kept her from uttering them. Some ungodly reason was keeping her from sending them their way.

"...A couple of ground rules first."



"So... that's your story?" Spoke Faithful.

"It is. We're sorry that it isn't what you expected, but it is honestly all there is to it." Sonata replied, trying to sound as soothing as just humanly possible.

"No magic, no nothing? I'm just gonna go and assume that all of my friends and their friends, in turn, are absolutely crazy?" faith groaned as he buried his face in his hands. "God help me."

Sonata was mere moments away from reaching forth and trying to comfort her host, but she was interrupted by him suddenly rising up from his seat and heading towards the front door. "Where are you going?" She asked.

"Heading out to get some air, maybe catch up a bit with my friends. I'll be back in a bit. I have my phone on me, so if you need to reach me, my number's in the home phone." He spoke, and with that, he left.

Faithful traversed the city of Canterlot, not really having any particular destination in mind to arrive at. The bustle of the active city served quite well to distract him from his occupied mind. Either side of the spectrum he took part in felt absolutely mental. If he were to believe Aria and Sonata, that meant his friends were either lying or they were crazy. On the other hand, if he took his friend's side, then he was crazy to believe the nonsense and sending young girls out into the harsh life of the homeless.

He needed further input before he made a decision of what to do. After about forty minutes of just mindless walking, he came to the conclusion that asking around at the School of Canterlot and see what the alleged victims had to say. If Grace and Rarity's story was correct, then the whole school would know of it, and a whole school could hardly be wrong about this, right?

As he began to make his way to Canterlot High, he came by a place a bit familiar ahead of him. It was the way which led to Adagio's alley. Suddenly conflicted of where to go, he pondered the options. On one hand, he could just go ahead towards the school and it would reduce the risk of an infuriated Adagio. But then again, who was he more likely to trust, some school youngsters he didn't even know, or a woman whom had belonged to the group and thus would have a lot more insight. With just the right words, he might be able to lure out the truth from her.

Making up his mind, he headed in towards Adagio's place, ready to grab the bull by the horns and get his answers straight from the source. As he closed in to her spot, he began to hear voices. Adagio's was in there, but more than that, there were two other voices, that of men unfmiliar to him. He was about to turn around the corner to her dump of a place, when he heard the voices again, thus pressing himself agains the wall and keeping himself out of view.

"One thousand for a couple of minutes of entertainment along with the rules we established. Do we have ourselves a deal?" Spoke a soft and smooth voice.

"Let's just get to it." Spoke Adagio, immediately followed by the rattling sound of a dumpster coming into contact with something. Faithful turned the corner and the sight before him was enough to send him into near shock. Adagio stood there, leaning her body over a nearby dumpster, her dress pulled up and thus exposing her thankfully still clothed rear, with a foreign man positioned right behind her, with his hands positioned around the zipper.

"Adagio..." Faithful spoke up, drawing the attention of everyone gathered in the alley. "What in the hell is happening here?"

Gently pushing the man behind her back, Adagio rose up a bit as she saw Faithful stand before her. "Faithful, get out of here. You are not welcome here." She demanded, trying to make him leave. "This has nothing to do with you."

"You're right, but it has everything to do with you." He spoke and took a bit of a passive and unthreatening stance, trying to calm down the now seemingly aggressive men. "Adagio, please, stop this, Let me help you. Come with me."

"I have told you this before, and I am telling you it again, I am not coming. I will not stoop so low as to accept help from low-life."

"Adagio... You are selling yourself." He spoke, his voice growing almost desperate, but still kept in check. "You are giving away your body for money. One can't stoop lower than this. You've reached the bottom, now you can only go upwards. Come with me and we can come with some sort of arrangement. I understand how you feel, I know what you are going through-"

"You don't know anything! You don't know anything about me. You know nothing about my sisters. You k now nothing, Faithful!"

Still keeping his stance, Faithful slowly began to approach them. "But I do, Adagio." He spoke as an idea struck him. "Your sisters has told me everything. I know where you come from. I know about what you have done to survive." As he said these words, he could see the hesitation in Adagio's eyes, her stance softening. "I can't say that I have everything grasped yet, but I know more about you than you might think? And with that in mind, I am still willing to do everything it takes to help you and your sisters back to your feet. So please, just trust me. Just this once." he spoke and extended a hand towards her.

Adagio still hesitated to accept his help. She needed to know more. Had they really told him everything? She needed to know! "What was our group at the school called?"

"The Dazzlings. You used your voices to hypnotize the school."

Adagio was flabbergasted that he knew this, but it was not enough. "Whe-Where did we come from?"

"Equestria, a land of equines and all sorts of creatures, you among them. The beautiful and magnificent sirens. Ask me anything else regarding all that, I will know it, so please, trust me. Trust me as your sisters did, take my hand and follow me. I will get you back on your feet, I can make you and your sisters strong and independent again. Please..."

Adagio felt her resolve shattering. She extended a hand forwards to reach his, but she was suddenly tugged backward by a powerful grip. "She is going nowhere. We have an arrangement, and she has already taken our payment. We will have our due."

Adagio was about to retort, but Faithful got there first. "I understand. Adagio, give them back their-"

"Not good enough. Do you have any idea how much time we have wasted on waiting for this bitch to crumble? We will have what is owed us, and if you get in the way," From the man's inner pockets he pulled out a knife of considerable size, it's sharpened edge gleaming against the faint light. "We will just have to remove you."

Suddenly the situation got a lot more dire. Any mistake on his end could end the life of himself or Adagio. And one of the possibilities scared him to no end. "OK, very well, I get it. You have been waiting and you don't want your time to be for nothing." He spoke as he drew out on the time, trying to think of some way to convince them to leave. He couldn't take them on by any means. With a knife and a man nearly twice his size before him, fighting was no option. Then he came to the idea of what could be done. The only thing he could do. "How about that I pay you for your trouble? Ten thousand bucks for you to spend however you please, along with the return of the money you paid? Sounds good?"

"Am I expected to believe that you are carrying that much money on your person? Give me a break." Spoke the colossus of a man.

Without a word, he slowly pulled out his cell phone from his pocket. "See this? I have a mobile bank in this thing. It contains my entire account inside it." With a few swipes of his hand, he managed to open the app up, with which he showed them the amount in it. The two men were astonished by the amount of money he had at such easy disposal. "Ten thousand, just like that, if you just walk away from here. You even have my solemn swear that I will tell no one about what happened here."

The two men looked at each other, and with a nod of understanding, they returned their gaze towards Faithful. "The whole account. Give it to us and the login codes, and then we will leave."

Adagio was about to protest, for whichever reason, she did not know, but once more, Faithful beat her to it. "Of course. Just... give me a moment. I'm gonna write down the codes and passwords to it in the notes, so you can always open it." After he had done as he promised, he extended the phone towards the man who proceeded to let Adagio go and approach Faithful, taking the phone in hand. "And you will tell no one?"

"No one will know, I swear. Just take this, and leave her be." Faithful replied.

The man took the phone from Faithful and put it into his pocket. He extended his hand once more for a handshake. Not wanting to cause offense at such a delicate moment, he grabbed it in a firm grip. A knowing smile was shared between the two.

"Just to be safe though."

The grip turned hard in his grasp, making Faithful cringe in pain. Then came the piercing pain. He gasped and fell to the ground. Adagio stood paralyzed on the spot, the shock preventing her from uttering a sound or moving a muscle. And in the midst of the confusion, the two men took off like the wind, leaving the man and woman behind, not a trace of them having been there beyond the stab wound in Faith's abdomen.