//------------------------------// // Dumb Idea // Story: Tripped Out // by Majin Syeekoh //------------------------------// Sunset looked at Twilight sitting on the edge of her bed in her pajamas while staring intently at the slip of paper in her hand. “Mmh.” Sunset licked the back of her teeth. “Are you going to… ingest it, now?” “Not yet.” Twilight glanced at the alarm clock, then back at the paper. “I’m waiting until seven P.M., mostly to make recording the arc of the experience mentally easier.” She rubbed her face with her free hand. “Also, I’m a little bit nervous,” she continued with a chuckle. “This isn’t exactly like drinking a cup of coffee.” Sunset pulled out her phone and started typing on it. “I’m sending a group text out to the girls that we’ll be unavailable for the evening.” She pursed her lips. “Due to heavy illegal intoxication.” “Sunset!” Twilight shot a glare at Sunset and clenched her teeth. “I’m joking, Twilight,” Sunset said as she typed out the message, then hit the send button on her phone. “I just told them I was helping you with an experiment.” She put her phone away. “Which isn’t too far from the truth, I’d imagine.” Twilight grunted. “No, it’s not illegal to be intoxicated like this in our jurisdiction!” Sunset cocked an eyebrow. “But you said it was illegal to have this chemical.” “It’s illegal to possess the chemical, sure,” Twilight said, “but once it’s inside the bloodstream, they can’t charge you for possession, which is useful to remember if I need any emergency services.” “That was a pretty large list of side effects,” Sunset said as she looked up and to the right. “Most of which―” Twilight removed her glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose “―most of which can be mitigated by having a positive mindset and being in a warm, comfortable, and safe place.” She put her glasses back on and looked back at Sunset. “And with warm, comfortable, and safe people.” Sunset looked away and rubbed her wrist. “I thought Dagi would fulfill those.” She growled a bit. “At the very least the warm part.” Twilight let out a warm chortle. “You’re funny, you know that?” She sighed and looked up. “Warm and comfortable, sure, but―oh! It’s seven.” She glanced at Sunset with a wide-eyed purity. “Wish me luck!” With that, she put the paper in her mouth. “That isn’t ominous,” Sunset said. “Remember to wish me luck next time I have a salad.” Twilight tittered close-mouthed. Sunset stood up, walked over to Twilight, and put a hand on her shoulder. “Just stay positive and remember that I’m here.” She smiled at Twilight, who smiled back and put her hand on Sunset’s. Sunset caught eye of the amethyst geode around Twilight’s neck, which mimicked the ruby geode currently around hers. Visions of destruction flashed through her mind. Sunset removed her hand from Twilight’s shoulder and pointed to her geode. “You know, maybe you should remove that just so you don’t accidentally rip down a wall, or, uh, cube your bed.” Twilight’s eyes widened before she removed the necklace and put it on her night stand. “Right.” She nodded. “Safety first. Being able to lift objects with my mind would probably be dangerous during a mind-altered state.” Twilight glanced at Sunset’s own necklace. “I wonder if your empathic abilities would fare as well…” Sunset fingered her amulet and walked to Twilight’s desktop. “Do you want me to put on any music?” she asked as she grasped the mouse. “Oh, yeah!” Twilight said. “There should be a playlist called ‘Soothing Music’.” “Found it.” “Dagi helped me set it up.” Sunset groaned loudly as she slumped into the computer chair and rubbed her face to the soundtrack of the promised soothing music. “What’s wrong?” Twilight asked. “No, it’s just…” Sunset massaged her face. “Mmh.” Twilight looked down and rubbed her chin. “You two said you knew each other.” Twilight exhaled. “But I’m gathering you two didn’t get along so well.” Sunset looked nowhere in particular as she rubbed her thumb and index finger together. “Yeah, last time we met we got into a bit of a scuffle, to say the least.” Twilight put her hand on her lap. “And you’re both still holding a grudge?” Sunset leaned back while rolling her eyes up and left. You don’t know the half of it. The momentary silence was interrupted by the sound of Twilight’s stomach rumbling, which caused her to blush. “Hey, Sunset, could you make me something to eat?” Sunset rubbed her forehead. “You could get it yourself.” “I could,” Twilight said as she looked at the clock, “but I’m not entirely sure I’d be able to make it back up the stairs afterwards.” Sunset scowled at the clock. “Fine. What do you want?” “Quesadillas, please!” Twilight said as she clasped her hands together. “Grilled, though. I don’t like the texture when they’re microwaved.” She grabbed her phone. “Also, I’m texting you Dagi’s number so that you two can maybe make up. I don’t like the idea of my friends not getting along.” Sunset’s jaw clenched as she felt her phone vibrate in her jacket pocket. “Would you like anything to drink, your majesty?” Twilight chuckled. “Since you asked, water. Bottled. Please.” She shuddered. “I don’t like the flavor that comes out of our tap.” “Uh-huh. What corner of the world would you like your cheese to come from?” “Oh, whatever’s in the fridge is fine! Nice for you to ask, though.” Sunset didn’t roll her eyes, but she came close. “Right,” she said. “Well, I’ll try to be as quick as possible, then. Don’t get in too much trouble while I’m away!” “Sure!” Twilight said with a big smile. “Also, you say that jokingly, but most people actually die in bed. So, that’s good advice!” This time, Sunset did roll her eyes. Sunset sighed pleasantly. She looked around, then came to the realization that she wasn’t actually sure where anything was in Twilight’s kitchen. She rubbed her hands together. “Let’s see here…” She opened a cabinet. Canned goods. Nope. Another. Cereal. Nope again. At least the cheese was inside the fridge, so that was a start. She grabbed a few bags of whatever until her phone started buzzing, which caused her to hit her head and swear loudly. She pulled out her phone and glowered at the number. It was Adagio’s. Dammit, Twilight. She answered, put it on speaker, and placed it on the table. “I’m guessing Twilight told you to call.” “You’re so perceptive,” Adagio said through the phone, her voice sweet as poisoned honey. Sunset grunted. “Right. By the way, you wouldn’t happen to know where the tortillas―” “Cabinet next to the stove.” They were there. “… Huh.” Sunset said, taking them out. “That’s an original place, I guess.” “Yes, I know it’s a weird place to put grains, but that’s where her parents decided to place them.” A chuckle emerged from the phone. “She finds it unusual, as well. She sure does love her quesadillas, though.” “Yeah, but usually we get them when we’re out,” Sunset said. “We never thought to discuss kitchen layout at the time.” “Is this why you answered the phone, by the way? Tortillas? Cooking help?” Sunset finished the quesadilla, put it on the grill, and leaned her head in her hand. “Yeah, uh, no.” “Figures.” “I, uhm.” Sunset took a deep breath and clenched her teeth. “Look, I didn’t expect to see you here.” “Same here. You’re very lucky that someone else was around.” “Hm.” Sunset grinned. “So I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.” She curled her hands in front of her. “Honestly, I just wanted to―” “Strangle me?” “Mhm.” “The sentiment is shared.” Sunset checked on the quesadilla and flipped it. “Look at us,” Sunset said. “Bonding over wanting to kill each other. Twilight would be proud.” Adagio giggled. And Sunset didn’t. Because, she found out, maybe she wasn’t quite joking. She was seriously considering strangling someone. And her stomach dropped. Not for long, though. Soon enough, Adagio talked again, bringing her back to reality. “Hello? Sunset, are you there?” “Uh. What? Ah!” Sunset blinked. “Right, uh. Where were we?” “Killing each other.” “Oh yeah. Right.” Sunset massaged the bridge of her nose. “I don’t think that would end well considering recent developments.” “You mean Twilight.” “Yes.” “You mean me being friends with Twilight.” “… Yes.” Sunset tapped a few times on the table. “Well.” She sighed. “She seems to trust you.” “And I trust her back. Because we’re friends.” “Right.” Sunset rubbed her face. “And I’m pretty sure if she trusts you…” Sunset trailed off before she shuddered, “physically, then you’re not trying to hurt her.” “You know, that thing you just said seems to disturb you a little. Which is hilarious, mind you. By all means, keep going.” “Shut up.” “I’m not even the one doing the talking, Sunset.” “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” The smell of melted cheese caught her attention. “Lemme remove the quesadilla from the grill. It was… ” “Pleasure talking with you as well. Although, word of advice?” “From you? No, thanks.” “Lovely. But—you’re really bad at lying to yourself. You should work on that.” “Sure. Bye.” “Toodles.” The call ended. Sunset placed the quesadilla on the plate and covered it with a paper towel in an attempt to keep it warm. She went back to the fridge to grab the bottled water and paused for a bit. Me? Bad at lying to myself? Serrated memories scarred her thoughts. Tell me about it. Sunset’s brief self-flagellation was cut off by her phone vibrating against the table. She snatched two bottles of water from the fridge and hurried over to check the notification . It was a text from Twilight Come upstairs I’m feeling something Sunset inhaled sharply as she pocketed her phone, grabbed the quesadilla plate, and rushed upstairs… … To find Twilight excitedly examining her hands. She looked up at Sunset in awe. “It’s weird,” she said. “I think it’s coming on. It’s like I feel…” She stuck her tongue out. “Exposed. And enclosed. At the same time.” “That’s… Nice, I guess.” Sunset placed the plate and bottle on the nightstand. “I’m not sure it was worth a text, though.” “What do you mean?” Twilight asked as she took off her glasses and stared Sunset in the eyes. “Of course it was!” she said with a grin. “I want you to be here with me when this happens!” “… Why did you take off your glasses?” “Because I wanted you to see that I was telling the truth,” Twilight said as she put her glasses back on. “The eyes are the window to the soul.” Sunset stared at her. Twilight stared back, smiling. And Sunset managed to smile back. “It’s nice that you’re enjoying yourself.” She patted Twilight on the shoulder. “I’ll be at the computer.” “Okay!” Twilight said as she went back to reexamining her hands. This was going to be a long night. Four bottles of water and an empty plate later, Twilight was busy on her laptop. Sunset had moved to her phone after Twilight had requested the ambient light from her desktop be shut off, because it ‘messed with the mood’. “Wow.” Twilight broke the silence after a while, voice showing the faintest trace of surprise. “I am really intoxicated.” She took her pulse with her wrist. “Still elevated, par for the course. Although the sparkling lights around the mirror threw me off guard for a moment. I don’t remember that happening last time.” “That’s because you were— ” Don’t bring it up. “—Otherwise distracted.” “Right.” Twilight nodded. She then grunted and eased herself out of bed. “I’m going to go to the bathroom.” She looked at Sunset expectantly. “Could you follow me there?” “As long as you don’t expect me to hold it for you, sure.” “But… but there’s nothing to hold! Female biology doesn’t―” “Yeah, okay, wow.” Sunset walked over to Twilight and patted her on the back. “You are out of it. Joke, Twilight. That was a joke. You okay?” Twilight raised a finger and started walking, Sunset in tow. “I’d argue that I’m really in to it.” She took careful steps. “The ground feels really wobbly. My sense of spatial perception must be misaligned.” “Suppose so,” Sunset said as she opened the door, which Twilight scurried through. At least she’s still Twilight. “Air, kinda curved there. Another sensory mistranslation.” “Mhm.” “And we made it to the bathroom!” Twilight finally chirped, turning on the light and giggling. “That was an interesting short trek.” “We walked twenty feet across the room, but okay.” Twilight giggled again. “Wish me luck!” And she closed the door behind her. “Okay,” Sunset said as she clasped her hands together and leaned on the wall next to the bathroom door. Sunset pulled out her phone and played around on it a bit. Funnily enough, the night wasn’t going as poorly as she’d expected. The biggest obstacle she’d faced had been forcing the quesadilla down Twilight’s throat, and from there on the evening had just consisted of Twilight making notes of the effects and little else. Nothing out of the ordinary for someone as studious as her. Knowing her, she’d do the same thing if she ever drank. Sunset chuckled at the thought of― The time on her phone said eleven-fifteen. She shouldn’t have been in there that long, she thought as she knocked on the bathroom door. “Twilight, did you fall in or something?” “Jeez, no, I’m fine,” Twilight she opened the bathroom door with a dumb grin on her face. “You sound like my dad.” Sunset sighed. “Oh, Sorry, I―” Then Twilight grasped her hand. “I was just thinking about something. Must’ve gotten distracted.” “You’re, uh.” Sunset looked at her held hand. “You’re holding my hand.” “I figure that would be safer, is all.” And it was safer. Twilight barely had time to talk about the air’s geometry in this part of the room before they made it back to her room. “So, uh. Twilight.” Sunset made her sit on the bed, and took out her phone. “What were you thinking about?” “Wings.” “… Wings?” “Yes. I was wondering why I had wings when I ponied up.” Twilight’s eyes were wide as she spoke. “Well,” Sunset said. “That’s simple, actually. You have wings because your counterpart has wings.” Twilight shook her head. “It can’t be that simple. You said.” Twilight pointed at Sunset without looking up. “You said that Twilight has both wings and horn because she earned them by creating new magic.” She went back to typing. “So I’m sitting here trying to figure out what kind of new magic I created.” “It’s probably―” Sunset started before her heart caught in her chest. “It’s probably what?” Sunset looked up and closed her hand in front of her. “How do I say this…” “I mean, it can’t be from Midnight Sparkle because how could I earn a gift from becoming something so evil, right?” “Hh.” Sunset bit her lip. “Actually, I’ve literally never heard of anyone simply dissolving the structure of reality before.” “Huh.” Twilight frowned, gave this a thought, typed something on her laptop. “Well,” she said. “New magic is new magic, even if it’s more thanatosian in nature.” “I’m not even sure that’s a word.” “Well, it is now.” The rhythmic clacking of the laptop keys provided a certain rhythm to the exchange. “The, um.” Twilight rubbed her eyes. “The word would be an adjective that would classify the attached noun as being related to death, and I can’t think of anything more related to death than what I―” Small pause. “―what she did.” A pall set over the room as the mood noticeably shifted. It must be nice to be able to attach your past monstrosities to another being. Sunset rubbed her head. Okay, um… positive mindset. She forced a smile on her face. “So I understand you and Adagio get along rather swimmingly.” “Oh, yeah!” Twilight said as a smile appeared on her own face. “She’s really nice and she can keep up with me intellectually, which is a relief.” She hummed. “She was also a lot of help when Timber and I decided to split up.” “Yeah, long distance relationships can be tough.” Sunset pouted. “I thought we were a lot of help, though.” “Oh, no.” Twilight waved a hand while keeping her eyes trained on the monitor. “You were all great help emotionally.” She hummed. “She just helped in a more… physical manner.” Sunset rolled her eyes. So I keep hearing. “It was really nice of her!” “Yeah, there’s a name for that,” Sunset growled. “Friends with benefits.” The typing coming from Twilight became more furious as she paused for a second, then smiled. “So it is! I’ll have to tell Dagi next time I see her.” Twilight grunted. “You know, rotten roots grow the sweetest fruits. That phrase describes you perfectly. Even if it’s biologically impossible. Did you know that?” Sunset sat at attention as her eyes popped open and her blood ran cold, Twilight looking unusually smug with herself. She felt something coming on. Something bad. “I, uh,” Sunset said as she stood up, “I’m going to use the restroom. Try not to go anywhere.” “I don’t think I could even if I wanted to right now!” Sunset rushed out. Once inside the bathroom, she put the lid down, sat on it, gripped her face, and took slow, controlled breaths. It wasn’t helping much. She’s just not herself right now. That was a lie. Twilight was being Twilight right now. And Sunset was bad at lying to herself. Maybe her tongue is just loose. So she already thought all those things; she just hadn’t said them out loud. Maybe… maybe… maybe she just thinks I’m a horrible― Sunset’s phone rang. She pulled it out of her jacket pocket and picked it up. “Hello?” “Get in here now something weird is happening!” “Twilight, I can hear you screaming from your bedroo―” “Please thank you!” Sunset rushed out of the bathroom to find Twilight grabbing her head, the laptop to her side. “What’s wrong?” she asked, grabbing her arm. “Twilight, are you—” “They’re trying to get into my head!” “… Who’s trying to get into your head?” Twilight’s mouth curved into a rictus for a moment. “I don’t know! But they’re trying to get into my head!” Sunset looked. “I don’t see anyone trying to get into your head.” Twilight glared at Sunset. “That’s because they’re from outside reality!” “Twilight, there’s nothing outside of reality. I don’t think―” “Liar!” Twilight pointed an accusing finger at Sunset. “Equestria is outside of this reality!” Her hand darted around robotically. “So. That. Must. Mean that there are other realities!” Her head started twitching as she grabbed it. “And they’re trying to get in me!” Sunset took a deep breath, then pulled out her phone. “I’m calling 911.” She managed to dial the first number before she caught Twilight’s geode pulsing on the night stand in time with a familiar cerulean masquerade mask flashing on her face. Twilight hyperventilated, then screeched as her back arched and a pair of midnight blue avian wings blossomed from her back. Sunset dropped her phone. I think we’ve sailed clear past 911.