//------------------------------// // 2 - Meeting // Story: Glimmer In The Mirror // by Hclegend //------------------------------// Starlight couldn't believe her eyes still. The bane of her high school days, right there on Eris, pretending to be her friend? Cracking open the beer, she took a swig. It tasted like garbage, but it was cheap lager. "So, how are you going to handle this?" Tree Kicker asked. "Anger and bile?" Starlight asked innocently. "Don't think that'd be the best solution," she replied worriedly. "I know she caused you some trouble in Canterlot High, but she's a better person now." Direct Message - Sunshine#2661 Sunshine: You still there? I know it might be a lot to take in, but I can provide proof? "This is getting weird. Do you think it's getting weird, Tree Hugger?" "Eh," she nonchalantly replied before taking a large swig of lager. This was going to be a long afternoon. Suddenly, an image appeared on Starlight's dusty laptop screen. It was of a orange skinned teenager with red and yellow hair, holding the camera in one hand, while having a note in the other. Hi Glimglam! - Sunshine#2661 It was written out so neatly. That combined with the gleaming, almost adorable smile on her face was actually pretty convincing. Glimglam: Wow. That is some neat handwriting Sunshine: IKR? So, do you believe me now? Glimglam: I'll concede that you are most likely the real Sunset Shimmer, Sunshine Sunshine: Fantastic. But now what do we do? Starlight's stomach coincidentally decided to inform her that she had not eaten. Despite the grocery shopping she did earlier, she didn't want to cook either. Tree Hugger was probably too baked to cook anyway. Glimglam: How about you and me meet up someplace to talk over lunch? Sunshine: Good idea! I know just the place. Do you know where Sugarcube Corner is? Glimglam: It's just a few blocks from my apartment. What time do you want to meet? Sunshine: Funny thing is that I'm already there Glimglam: I guess I'll head there now. I'll give you a wave when I'm there Sunshine: Sounds good, TTYL! "Tree Hugger, I'm going out. Don't burn the place down while I'm gone." Starlight grabbed her jacket from the coathanger near the door before taking about 20 dollars in cash from the drawer and hurriedly exiting the apartment. Walking down the stairs to the ground floor of the complex, she saw the bubbly receptionist, Sonata. Only noting the fact that she was munching down on her lunch before rushing out of the door into the mid-spring day. It was overcast and drab, just the way she liked it. No sun blinding her eyes, but no rain soaking her to the bone either. It was a good compromise of weather for this time of year. Reflecting that, the temperature was slightly chilly, but not bad enough for her jacked and shirt combo to be inadequate. At worst she'd get a few funny looks going down the few blocks to Sugarcube Corner. Walking down the sidewalk, she was definitely hesitant to meet her reason for dropping out from Canterlot High in the first place. The months of mental torment really took her psyche down a few notches, along with her grades and social circle. That along with the threats of physical harm if she told anyone certainly didn't help her and in the end, she stopped attending entirely. Before she knew it, she arrived at the low-key building. Peeking inside, she saw Sunset playing about with her phone with two beverages on the table she was sat at. There was no point in chickening out now anyway. Walking in with a confident stride, she walked over to Sunset and lightly tapped on the table. A small jolt from Sunset indicated that she in fact, heard the tap. "Oh! I'm sorry!" She hurriedly put away her phone before looking at Starlight. After a moment, she put her hand underneath her chin and gave a pondering look."Starlight? I don't think you told me you were visiting from Equestria." Starlight was now confused. "Uh, what's "Equestria?" Is that some sort of foreign European country?" Sunset had to stare for a moment before regaining composure. "Oh, I get it now . Sorry, I just have a friend from another dime- continent that looks exactly like you," Sunset clarified, glad that she could clear this up with the identical Starlight before things got too weird. "Ah. Guess I should confirm who I am then," Starlight took a seat opposite to Sunset, before taking the cup closest to her and smelling it. It was tea. Perfect. "I am the same person you was talking to a few minutes ago, Glimglam#6812, otherwise known as Starlight Glimmer. It surprises me that you knew my name already, though." "Lucky guess." Sunset took a drink of her coffee before setting it down. "But honestly, I don't recall seeing you in Canterlot High, no offence." "None taken," she coolly replied, leaning back a little in her chair to seem more relaxed than she actually was. "If it's any consolation, I never really had friends at Canterlot High anyway, so that's probably why you don't recall bullying me into submission." The last words came off a little more bitterly than she intended. "Oh... Well I tried to forget about what I did. It was really guilt inducing when I looked at someone and the first thing that popped into my head was 'Oh yeah, I gave you a swirlie!' or 'I made fun of your mother's death.'". Sunset crossed her arms and looked away with regret in her eyes. "There was a reason I had to earn my redemption, ma'm. There were a few who outright stated that I should just go and never come back. Some said it more politely than others." "Still, without the chance to earn that respect, I wouldn't have become who I am today, so it was a blessing, really." Sunset finished, idly picking up her coffee and taking another sip. She seemed to have brightened up at least. Starlight was surprised. In her absence, Sunset had gotten the kick in the teeth she had needed in order to stop being a bully. Even if it meant some disproportionate retribution on her end. "Well, that's good to hear, at least. Also, I forgive you." "Starlight's unselfish act of forgiveness was rewarded with hot coffee straight to the face." "Excuse me?!" "I said that I forgive you, Sunset. Seeing you now as a much better person is... Inspiring. It makes me want to improve too." She took a moment to wipe off the coffee with a nearby paper towel. "And as you might imagine, I have a grudge against someone for effectively ending my social life and my high school education. I think you know who it is." Sunset shrugged, "Not the first time that's happened actually. Broke apart a group of friends with manipulation. They ended up realising it was me with some outside help and eventually thwarted my plans for world domination. Eventually became my own friends, funnily enough." "So you're just surprised that I don't hold a grudge anymore? I can bring it back if you want." she said, giving a cheeky grin. "Nah, I think it's best to leave it." Sunset held out a hand. "It's nice to meet you by the way, Starlight. I'm Sunset Shimmer." "It's nice to meet you too. I'm Starlight Glimmer." She took her hand and shook it hard.