//------------------------------// // 13 - Coming Clean // Story: A Lunar Sunset // by ed-stoneman //------------------------------// Sunset Shimmer walked to the front door, coffee in one hand and a grin across her face. “Hello Sunset dear, we are here as requested.” Rarity's voice carried through the entryway with ease.  Punctual as ever, with all of the girls in tow.  Surprisingly, she even had Rainbow Dash with her and on time. “Hi girls!  Come on in, we are in the kitchen.” “Um, who do you mean by ‘we’?” Fluttershy hid behind her hair at the idea of someone else there.  Before Sunset could answer though, the group walked into the kitchen, finding Luna there, bared stomach and all. “What’s the big secret Sunny? You had us rush over here after classes, an- OOF” Rainbow Dash was walking backwards into the Kitchen, talking to Sunset.  Her thought was interrupted when she backed into Applejack. “Uh, Dash… you may want to turn around.” “Hello ladies.  Thank you for coming over.  It is very much my fault that Sunset was not forthcoming about why she asked you here.” Luna was leaning against the island in the kitchen, both hands holding a cup of coffee, under a small smile. “CALLED IT!” “Really Pinkie dear, must you be so crass?  Hello Vice-Principal Luna, it’s a pleasure to see you here.” “Please Rarity, we aren’t at school, Luna is just fine.  I can only imagine how awkward this already may be, and I do not want to add to that.  I think that we can all afford to be a little informal.” “Oh!  Well, yes… of course, Luna.” Luna dimpled a smile at Rarity.  She was well aware of the amount of tact that the younger woman was using. “Who wants coffee?” Sunset broke into the conversation with a little more volume than was strictly necessary.  Pulling mugs out of the cabinet, she was thankful that her caffeine addiction necessitated purchasing the coffee pot with the extra large carafe. Once the girls were all served and arranged around the island, Sunset broke the silence. “I’m sure you are all wondering why I gathered you here today.  I want to talk about my upcoming plans for world domination.” Without exception everyone shot deadpan looks at the redhead. “Really, Sunset?  That’s the best you could do?” “I don’t know Rainbow Dash.  I thought it was quite funny.” Sunset smiled at Fluttershy. “At least someone gets my humor.  So, you all know that Luna came over this past weekend to look into the magic issues that we have been having.” Pinkie Pie just grinned as her hair extended and small pink ears appeared on her head and wiggled for a moment before flashing out of sight again. “And you know what became of that.  We went this morning to talk with Principal Celestia and let her know what happened.” “Uh-oh” “You are quite correct Rainbow Dash.  My sister was not nearly as accepting of this situation as could be hoped.  But once presented with facts, she was forced to at least acknowledge where we stand.  However that acknowledgement came with a price.” “What exactly are you getting at Luna?” Applejack was straight to the point as she filled her coffee, and walked around the island to top everyone else off. “Celestia made a few requirements of Sunset and myself, in order to protect her own position at the school.” “As of this morning, I have graduated from CHS.  However between my own lack of legal paperwork, and to cover the forced graduation, I can’t apply for any kind of educational grant or loan in the future.  Because my birth certificate and other information were all falsified to begin with when I arrived from Equestria, that wasn’t much of an issue for me anyhow.  Nothing I have could pass that degree of scrutiny.  The other provision is that I try to not be on school grounds or at school functions.” “I wish that I could graduate early!” Sunset rolled her eyes at the prismatic-haired girl. “So, what are ya’ plannin’ on doin’ then Sunset?” “Because gold is the basic form of currency in Equestria, I managed to come here with quite a bit of cash.  Most of it has been sitting in accounts gaining interest and being saved to live off of for the future.  Some has been invested and that seems to be doing quite well.  I was going to take some from my savings, and open a small martial arts gym for women.” “That would be totally AWESOME!” “Um, that does make sense.  I know that you work really hard to beat all the guys at your normal gym.” The comment from Fluttershy was nearly drowned out by the manic giggles from Rainbow Dash. “I have the experience, I just need to write the business plan in order to get the bank to agree to let me buy a building.” “Well, it does seem like you have your plans ahead of you.  Is there anything perhaps that we could do to help, dear?” “I would actually have a request of you ladies.” Sunset raised her eyebrows as the older woman spoke up. “Two things actually.  First, if you could please try to dispel any rumors among the other students when they learn that Sunset is no longer at CHS.  Letting them know that she has left the school and is working on a business opportunity should suffice, or you can send them to me.  Second, don’t drift away from Sunset.  I want her to keep her friendships with all of you.  If you see her, or us, excluding you - please speak up.  It is not my intention to change her relationships with any of you.” “Awwwwwwwwwwww” Pinkie Pie appeared next to Luna and wrapped her in a hug. “That’s so sweet of you to think of us.  But I wouldn’t worry about that at all.  Auntie Pinkie thinks that this will work out a-ok!  Now come on girls, let’s let these two lovebirds fly.  My Pinkie-Sense says that there is a date coming up and they need to get ready!” Luna just blinked in astonishment.  She hadn’t said anything about dinner to anyone but Sunset.  How could Pinkie have known? “Um, it might just be better to assume that Pinkie is always right.  She usually is.  Anyway, thank you for being good to Sunset Shimmer, and, um, I hope that we get to spend more time with you soon.” The yellow-skinned girl gave a soft smile, and an even softer hug to Luna before following the remainder of the group out of the house after saying their respective goodbyes. Once the door closed, Sunset came back in to the kitchen and wrapped Luna in her own hug. “That went better than I expected.” “Mmmhmm.” “But I have to wonder, do you think that I would drift away from my friends because we are dating?” “No, of course not.  Sometimes though, I think that it is good to remind them that I am not here to take you away from them.  I want you to have your friends and a life outside of me.  Every relationship needs that kind of separation, otherwise you may end up entirely dependant on the other person.” “I never really thought of that.  Back in Equestria, ponies only really dated inside of their own social group, and so everypony was always friends with one another already.  That never really became a concern.” Luna nodded at that.  It made sense in a way, though with the way her relationships in the past had gone, it seemed like a quick path to a failed partnership. “Pinkie Pie was right about one thing though.” Sunset raised her eyebrows in question. “What was that?” “We need to get going, because we have dinner plans.  And, as delightful as I look in your clothes, I think that I need something clean from my apartment.” The redhead laughed uproariously, wrapping her arms around Lunas bare midriff and pulling her close. “You do look amazing, but I suppose that you are right.” Luna leaned her head back on Sunset’s shoulder and turned her chin in for a brief kiss. “Go get ready, then we can swing by my apartment so that I can change too.”