//------------------------------// // Surreal // Story: One in the Same Thing // by Snowflake Dissonance //------------------------------// Adagio pressed herself as flat as she could against the wall of her room, trying to listen in. Her mother had gotten a guest shortly after Adagio had retired to bed. Some old friend, not surprising since most Sirens chose to gain their Modules and immortality by extension. Still, such a late visit was uncommon and Adagio wanted to know what could be so important to warrant such a thing. The two elder Sirens were whispering on the other side of the hull, away from Adagio’s room, so it was difficult to make out what was being said. A few things drifted on the water to the eavesdropping siren. “…spreading all over, from what I’ve heard.” Her mother’s voice piped up then. “Even the deep-dwellers?” The friend gave a hum of affirmation. “Even down there. It’s far reaching… wanna take her… it’s the safest bet.” A gasp was heard from her mother. “The Surface? But… haven’t been up there for… dismiss our existence as myth…” There was a sigh. “Do you want her… blood gushing from her… or would you rather… healthy?” Adagio felt her irritation prick at not being able to hear them in complete sentences. From the information she was garnering, something had happened to some other Sirens, but what? And what did the Surface have to do with it? She only went up there when she was jumping with the dolphins, Aria, and Sonata. There was nothing of interest to Sirens on the mainland unless they wanted a more plentiful meal than what they garnered from the marine life. Taking a deep breath, Adagio turned her attention back to the conversation, hoping she could glean a little more info from the other Sirens. She wanted to know what was happening; she was of age now, so she could handle whatever it was. Glancing over to make sure Sonata and Aria were still snoozing, Adagio turned her ears back to the main room. “…sure the Surface is best?” her mother was asking. “Seems the best choice,” responded their guest. “It’s only attacking… and doesn’t let go… but not Surface-dwellers.” There was a pause before her mother spoke up again, her voice sounding more concerned. “I don’t want to worry them… Adagio hasn’t even finished her leadership classes… how to survive? Their type of song… not anything most other Sirens do.” “…just passing on the news. I’m gonna… don’t wanna be caught… not letting it get me.” There were a few flaps and Adagio momentarily covered her gills, wanting to remain as quiet as possible. “Take care, Cadenza,” her mother called. “We may see you sometime soon, if you don’t head too far in.” “Take care of yourselves, Fioritura,” their guest replied. “No need for any more Sirens to be taken.” There was silence before Adagio heard her mother return to her bed of kelp. Bubbles flowed from her lips in a soft sigh of relief as she uncovered her gills. Adagio allowed herself to drift to one of the holes in her room that served as a window. Something was amiss with the Siren world. From the implications of the conversation, Adagio could safely assume that something was attacking Sirens, but what? And what did the Surface have to offer in the way of protection that the ocean possibly couldn’t? Rubbing her temples, she was just about to return to bed when an odd sound caught her attention. It sounded like… someone calling her name? Drifting from the hole, Adagio made her way out into the waters, trying to see in the dark water. Sirens weren’t night-swimmers, so her eyesight wasn’t good at the moment, but she followed the sound of the voice. “Adagio…” The voice sounded… weak? Fragile? “Adagio…” She was getting closer now. The voice was clearer, but still just as… feeble as before. “…dagio…” She was almost there. Adagio could see a form in the darkness… she could almost make out the shape- “DAGI!” Adagio jolted up in bed, gasping for air (lungs, she only had lungs here, not the gills she possessed back in Equestria). Sweat (not ocean water) dripped down her back and made her clothes stick to her skin (human skin, not her golden scales). Heart racing, Adagio turned to smack the nearest thing to her, which happened to be Sonata. Yellow flesh met bright blue hair and the other siren stumbled forward slightly. “Aw, that hurt!” Sonata pouted. “And that’s no way to treat someone who just made you breakfast!” Adagio drew a hand down her face. “You interrupted it,” she grumbled. “Deciding whether or not to be grateful.” “Another nightmare?” an alto piped in from the doorway. Adagio glanced over to find Aria leaning against the doorframe. “Yeah,” the leader of the trio sighed. “Just as clear as the others, everything in perfect clarity and so realistic.” Sonata straightened up and cocked her head. “I don’t understand why you call them nightmares, Dagi,” she murmured. “The humans say nightmares are supposed to be scary dreams, but yours are always memories, and not very scary.” “I call them nightmares because of their realism, Sonata,” Adagio sighed, standing and stretching. It was their routine every time one of the others awoke her from a nightmare. Sonata would ask for it to be explained while Aria glared at the wall in irritation at having to repeat conversations. “Dreams are called that because mine are blurry and I can easily tell they aren’t real, that I can wake up any time. My nightmares are so clear, so sharp and real that I can’t tell if they’re really happening or not until I wake up.” Sonata slowly nodded, but the other two knew she would ask again the next time Adagio suffered a nightmare. Speaking of… “That was the third one this week, Dag,” Aria murmured. “You sure you okay? Do we need to feed again?” “No, I don’t think it has to do with feeding,” Adagio responded as she moved to her closet. “I’m just… it’s nearing that day, probably.” “The day you found her?” Aria said softly, to which her leader nodded. They tended to avoid talking about what had attacked their race, leaving the Siren Society in utter tatters by the time Star Swirl banished them. Still, the subject came up every time Adagio had nightmares. And they only grow in number around the estimated time Adagio found her outside their old home. Before the mood could get too dampened, Sonata cleared her throat. Adagio, just reaching for a towel, glanced to her friend expectantly. A beaming grin lit the blunette’s face as she clapped her hands behind her back. “So, about that breakfast…!” Adagio gave a dry chuckle. “Let me shower first, Sonata. Then we’ll eat.” “Kay!” the excitable young woman replied, cheerfully bouncing passed Aria and back down the stairs. Aria remained behind, watching Adagio gather her hygiene products for a moment. “Ya sure you don’t wanna talk about it?” she asked softly, allowing a rare moment of softness. “It’s not anything we haven’t seen before,” Adagio responded tiredly. “Besides, they always pass once the event has.” Aria shrugged and turned in the doorway. “If you’re sure. You heading out to scout for us today?” “Yes, I should only be gone a few hours.” Adagio grabbed her deodorant and strode to her bedroom door. “Are you two going to be okay without me?” Aria rolled her eyes, digging her hands into her pockets. “We handle it just fine, Adagio. We’ve gotten used to it after a thousand years in this hole, you know.” Adagio nodded and continued on her way, slipping into the bathroom. Aria headed down the stairs to find Sonata setting out the dishes. She leaned against the doorframe. “Don’t drop anything,” she called, startling the bubbly woman. Sonata gasped and just barely caught the plate she had been holding as it slipped from her fingers. Turning to level a glare at the smirking woman, Sonata contemplated throwing the plate at her. But Adagio would be upset because that was another plate she had to replace. Instead, Sonata settled for holding up the intact plate and sticking her tongue out at Aria before setting the dish down. “How’s Dagi?” she asked calmly. “She’s gonna be heading out after breakfast,” Aria responded. “Scouting for food.” “So, it’s a TV day then?” Sonata perked up at the thought. “I’ve been meaning to watch that cute movie with the mice that live in a garden-.” Aria held up a hand. “I’m feeling videogames,” she stated. “But will you be able to play them once Dagi leaves?” Sonata pointed out. “We get more energy from the larger population now, dimwit.” Aria waved off the concern. “I’ll be fine, but I really want to check out that game Dag got me last year.” Sonata’s eyes lit up. “You mean the one with the people who are actually robots and have to fight-.” Adagio appeared at that moment and Sonata switched her train of thought. “Adagio! I made pancakes! That aren’t on the ceiling!” Reflexively, Adagio glanced up before stepping into the room. “Well, that’s a relief,” she muttered as she settled at the table. “I take it you and Aria are trying to decide what to do?” “I wanna watch movies, but Ari wants to play games!” Sonata responded. “It’s not like it has blood in it!” Aria shot back. “There’s blood in the movie Sonata wants to watch!” “Is not!” Sonata shouted. “Is too! There’s blood when-!” Sonata covered her ears quickly. “Don’t spoil it, you idiot!” “Who are you calling idiot, dimwit!” “Nutcase!” “Peabrain!” “Lizard breath!” “Blueberry!” “That’s racist!” “Everyone’s a different color!” “Well your color is stupid!” “Your color doesn’t exist!” “Being stupid is worse than not existing!” “Well you’re worse than anything!” Adagio simply stood and made her way toward the front door. She would buy something quick at a bakery nearby. It was too early to listen to this right now. Grabbing her jacket from beside the door, Adagio made sure she had her wallet before slipping out the door. They would notice she was missing soon enough. Walking down the street, the yellow siren watched the humans going about their daily lives around her. She had acquired a relatively nice house in the town of Canterlot after realizing how dense and potent the population was in the area. If she recalled correctly, this town in Equestria sat atop a leyline, so the potency of the area was most likely a mirror effect of that. Still, it provided her and her friends good meals whenever they would pass through the area. Adagio turned her nose up in disdain at the humans milling about around her. These vermin had no idea that an immortal goddess strode before them. There was once a time in which she would make them cower and kneel before her might, but with the changing times, so went her legality in forcing others to her whim when she felt the need for force rather than song, which, admittedly, wasn’t too often. Still, these lowly creatures knew not of the power she possessed and went about their lives as if a creature capable of securing their death with a simple song weren’t right in front of them. Adagio sighed and kept going. She had tried to make the best of being in this revolting dimension. The three of them had certainly had wonderful times (the incident with the serial killer in Great Britain comes to mind), but it wasn’t Equestria, it wasn’t their home. With how much power was within Canterlot, Adagio wondered if, perhaps, they would gain just enough to find a way home. Thinking a moment, Adagio shuddered. There would be no Siren Society to return to if they did, though. The three of them would be the last ones, no doubt. I suppose I must give credit to Star Swirl, the siren thought, stepping into a bakery. His banishment saved our hides more than he’ll ever know. And I certainly won’t be the one to tell him. Even so, this place, with these creatures, wasn’t home. Adagio wanted to go home. And she had promised Aria and Sonata that she would get them there. No matter how long it took, they would get back home. Nodding to herself, the lead siren glanced around the bakery, noticing how packed it was. She would have to drag Sonata and Aria with her to check it out, but this might be a good next feeding ground. A small smile curled Adagio's lips. The energy was so close, she could taste it.