Mom.
That one word echoed through her mind, conjuring up memories and emotions that Celestia had buried a long time ago. However swallowing her own emotions in order to respond to the teen, although as she did her voice broke slightly.
“You see me as a mother-figure?”
She asked, her voice faltering on the word mother which instantly caused Sunset to shrink back, removing herself from Celestia's embrace and gripping her cast with her good hand.
“Kinda, is that okay? I mean...It's okay if it's not. It's just...You've been so kind to me and well...You said I was family and that you loved me and I-I might not really understand how it works but I'm pretty sure that I love you too and....” Her voice trailed off and Celestia could see that girl's expression darken before she glanced up at her, lip trembling and eyes practically pleading with her.
“I know you said nothing would change but...You also said you wanted to give me a choice so...If it's okay. Can I call you that? At least at home?” Sunset's voice wavered a bit as she spoke. Why isn't she saying anything? Did I mess up? Is she angry?
The silence felt like it would choke Sunset however suddenly Celestia pulled her into a sideways embrace, careful of her injuries.
“Oh Sunset, I already thought of you like a daughter.”
That was the only answer Sunset needed before the tears came.
“I promise I won't make you regret any of this.” she managed to sob out, only to feel Celestia lightly hit her on the back of the head.
“Nothing you could ever do would make me regret this.”
Sunset smiled despite her tears, her grip tightening on the woman as much as she could without hurting either of them.
Meanwhile, Luna was furious, staring at the computer as she went through the tapes that the hallway cameras had recorded. How could people do something like that then laugh about it? Hell, Celestia could be a bitch when we were that age but even she wasn't that big of one. She thought as she slammed the computer shut, not noticing that her touch left visible static electricity dancing across the plastic.
I probably should check on the kid...She's probably pretty badly hurt after all of that. Plus Celestia probably nearly had a breakdown when she heard that Sunset had been attacked. Probably thought she lost yet someone else she cared about...Everyone behind that will pay for putting her and Sunset through that. One way or another. She's already lost so much...I fear that if this shit isn't stopped, we'll lose Sunset too.
She thought bitterly as she got to her feet, heading toward the door.
Discord is supposed to start work as a 'substitute' tomorrow while Chrysalis and I try to round up all the delinquents behind this whole mess! This thing has gone too far already! This shouldn't have happened anyway! They should be old enough to know how this sort of thing could affect someone. Unless that is what they wanted! To drive someone into complete hopelessness!
Thunder sounded overhead, causing her to glance up to see that the sky was turning pitch black.
Hmm..They weren't giving rain. Oh well, I'll just stay at Celestia's until the storm is over. She thought as she picked up her pace as she crossed the street. She didn't even knock, using the spare key that she had been given ages ago to just let herself in, only to find both her sister and Sunset sitting on the couch.
“Okay...this is not weird at all. Why do both of you look like you've been crying?” She asked, watching as Sunset blushed while trying to compose herself though Celestia just glared over at her.
“You sure know how to kill a moment sister.”
The response made the navy skinned woman laugh.
“Yes well...I found out who the assailants who attacked Sunset and I need to know how far she wants to take this. I know if it was up to me I would have their asses popped into juvenile hall.”
“Who was it?” Celestia demanded, trying to swallow her own anger so that she didn't end up doing something she would regret, though she had to agree with Luna's desire to see the group face charges. But that wasn't exactly her call to make, was it?
“Those three boys who have been caught defacing school property more than once. What were their names?” Luna answered, earning an unreadable look from Sunset.
“do you mean the diamond dogs? I don't remember their names but that's what everyone calls them.” she questioned.
Why would they up and attack me? I mean, I never directly did anything to them. They were always to themselves. The teen wondered, though the older women exchanged a look.
“I'll see if anyone knows their names.” Luna replied then glanced at her sister.
“How are you two holding up? Today must have nearly drained you both.” she asked, glancing worriedly at Sunset as she took in the extent of the injuries, though mostly just scrapes and bruises.
“I think we're both emotionally drained.” Celestia answered wondering if she should tell Luna what had happened up until twenty minutes ago, though she couldn't help but wonder how Luna would react to that.
Would she accuse me of trying to replace...Shaking her head to rid herself from that thought she turned her attention toward Sunset, who still hadn't moved from against her side.
“You want to tell her or should I?” Celestia asked, causing the girl to look up with wide eyes before a ghost of a smile graced her face.
“are you sure?”
Luna couldn't hear Celestia's response to that because she whispered it to Sunset, who broke into giggles.
“Uh-oh, what did you put her up to Tia?” Luna asked, trying to hide the amusement at their antics as she tried to figure out what they were plotting.
“Oh, nothing Aunt Luna.”
The navy skinned woman blinked in surprise at the sudden title, not quite sure what to say though she eventually smirked.
“So you two finally stopped beating around the bush? I was wondering when one of you would let it slip how you felt...or if we'd be old and gray before that happened.”