//------------------------------// // Red Skies // Story: Serenading The Fading Light // by Flash Notion //------------------------------// My tiny kitchenette looked like it had been hit by a food tornado. There was pancake batter on the walls, a stack of bowls and pans and measuring cups in the sink, and a sticky spot on the floor that smelled of maple syrup. Scattered across the counters was a field of flour decorated with chocolate chips and crushed fruit. Standing in the center of all this was my roommate. After a full minute of stunned staring, she finally noticed me standing in the doorway. “Sunny!” Sonata grinned. “Check it out- triple pancake breakfast!” “Um... okay. What's the occasion?” “Pfft.” She waggled a spoon in my direction, dripping even more batter on the floor. Her apron was practically coated in the stuff. “Do I need an 'occasion' to make my bestie the best breakfast?” “I guess not.” I picked my way across the disaster zone and settled onto a rickety stool, which had been supplied when I bought the place and was probably old even then. “They do smell good- is that pumpkin?” “Yep!” Sonata shoved aside the detritus of her efforts and plopped a plate of perfectly plump pumpkin pancakes in its place. Butter melted down their sides, with drizzles of syrup shimmering in their heat. I decided to worry about my kitchen later. Moments later we were both gorging ourselves on flapjacks. Several bites passed before I finally allowed myself to breath. “So-” I swallowed the last bite- “How're your classes going?” “Greay!” she sprayed. “Werr goin' o'er the dif'ren kines of voishes.” She swallowed. “Teach says I'm a probably a lyric soprano, but I dunno. I kinda wanna be a soubrette.” Sonata pointed her fork across the table. “How are you doing finding a school?” I frowned, just a little bit. “Not as well as I hoped. Most of the good art schools are pretty far away. I'd like to stay close by. Stay with my friends,” I said pointedly. “Aw, shucks,” Sonata giggled. She took another bite. “Y'know, this pumpkin recipe is really good! Why can't we have pumpkin stuff all year round? Why's it only this time of year?” “Probably because this is when pumpkins are ripe. Also, if we did, it wouldn't be special, and probably wouldn't taste as good.” “I guess you're right.” Sonata sighed. Then she perked up. “So I guess I better enjoy 'em while they last!” She got up and put another stack onto her plate. “You want more, Sunny?” “Nah,” I waved. “I'll save mine for later. Also-” I pointed up at the clock. “I think you might have to, too.” Sonata looked up and frowned. “Whaddya talking about, why-” Her eyes unfocused and seemed to slide sideways for a minute. “Ohmigosh, I'm gonna be late for work!” She dropped the plate onto the counter and took off. The apron flew away, and in seconds she was at the door. “Sorry I can't help clean up, but Mr. Cumin said if I'm late again he'd put me on dish washer instead of waiting tables.” “Good luck, then!” She paused in the door just long enough to smile and wave, and then she was gone. I smiled back and shook my head. My roommate was a bit scatterbrained- Pinkie Pie lite, I sometimes called her- but she really had come a long way. As I started washing our own dishes, I thought about how strange it was. If you'd told me, back when we first met, that Sonata and I would one day be living together, I'd have refused to believe it. I mean, how could I, one of the Elements of Harmony in human form, have an ex-siren for a roommate? She and her sisters were evil seductresses who tried to enslave my school and conquer the world. Not something that makes a good first impression. But, a few months after we defeated them, I found Sonata living out of an alley, of all places. Alone. Afraid. She reminded me of myself after PrincessTwilight and her friends stopped me from enslaving the school, but without anyone pulling her up. Part of me wanted to leave her to rot. But Sonata always seemed like the least nasty of the three Dazzlings. So I offered to help her. I'd take her in, teach her everything my friends taught me. Show her how to be a better person. It took a little convincing, but she agreed. Her only condition was that my friends not know about her yet. She's hesitant to trust them, but I can't blame her. I was, too. There have been some rough spots. After I got back from Camp Everfree, she was pretty upset. Sonata was jealous of my magic, especially since I was partly responsible for her losing her own. She let it go, but made me promise to never use my geode on her. I promised. Just to be safe, I try not to wear it around the house. And then last year she disappeared for a few months. Just left, with no warning or explanation. When she got back, she refused to talk about where she went. Every time I asked, she shut down entirely. In the end, I decided not to press. She was back, and she seemed more dedicated than ever to turning her life around. I even helped her to find a job at a local restaurant called The Tasty Treat; I'd bused there for a while before finding better pay at the garage down the street. Coriander agreed to hire her on, and she's done pretty well. I also enrolled her in a music class. I felt bad that she wasn't able to sing anymore. Even I had to admit that the Dazzlings' songs had been amazing, and I couldn't imagine one day not being able to use my voice in harmony. So I planned out a bit of a surprise and signed her up. It was the happiest I'd ever seen her- all smiles for a week, and she insisted on treating me to dinner. Since then she's pursued her classes with the same fervor as her job. She's no lyrical sorceress anymore, but she's getting good. Life is good.