//------------------------------//
// The New Martyr on the Block 
// Story: Like a Phoenix 
// by Pyro Kittens In Suits 
//------------------------------//

“For the last time, I don’t need them and you’d be doing me a favor by taking them.”

Though the sun managed to shine through long enough to start it’s inevitable goodbyes to the remaining hours of the day, the remainder of snow and sleet covering the school grounds still managed to bring the temperature to a chilling feeling. As was evident by Sunset Shimmer pulling her scarf closer to her, as she argued with her new acquaintance from Crystal Prep, draped in her own pink scarf complete with a large pom pom at each end, over a thinly wrapped present. 

“I just don’t feel comfortable taking this from you.”

“You’re too proud for handouts.” Candy said matter of factly. 

“That’s not it, I’ve just never felt right taking things from people since…”

“Since you stopped taking it by force?”

Sunset took a deep breath, confirming Candy’s suspicions as she turned away from her. 

“Look,” She started, getting Sunset’s attention. “If you wanna make up what you did that semester or two ago, you gotta learn when to accept other people’s help. It’s a healing process that includes you just as much as the other people you’ve hurt, and it starts with not being a freakin martyr, forgiving yourself, and just taking the dang gift already.” The hastily wrapped package was once again shoved towards Sunset, perhaps with more gusto than either had expected as the wrapping crumbled slightly in the process. 

Reflecting on the passionate tone Candy had taken while chewing Sunset out, she supposed it might be considered rude to reject a gift for no real reason. She made a small huff of frustration, before finally accepting the soft package and carefully removing the outer layer. Her hands touched on thick material, black, knitted and sized for a feminine figure. As she moved to unravel it, she realized she held a small pair of wool leggings perhaps a little shorter than she would have initially preferred. Her hands warmed at the touch of the soft cloth, and her legs felt colder in comparison. 

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Start with thank you, and we can move on from there.”

“Thank you,” Sunset said. “But I don’t even know if I coul-”

“Don’t even start with that again,” Candy hastily cut her off, surely repressing a groan. “It’s a gift, accept it and leave it at that. Also go put them on, I’m freezing just looking at your bare legs.” 

Though she still had it in her to argue about accepting perhaps a slightly bit more lavish gift than she was used to, Sunset bit her tongue and smiled as she disappeared into the school in search of a bathroom to try on the new addition to her outfit. 

It was only a couple minutes of waiting outside the school before Candy noticed the doors open again, revealing a now cozier Sunset Shimmer with a troubled expression. 

“Are you really sure it’s okay for me to have these?” She said again. “I just don’t know how comft-”

“I told you countless times, I’ve got two sisters and a mother’s worth of hand-me-downs, presents, and more. I’ve got the rest of the semester to start cleaning out my closet before I’m drowned in another span of my sister’s newest creations, as well as whatever my other sister deems too childish for her.” Candy said, a almost devilish smirk adorning her features. “Plus everything I said about learning to accept gifts and getting over yourself isn’t me just spitting out nonsense for the fun of it. So could you just give it a rest already?”

Finally seeing as all her objections remained pointless at Candy’s consistent insistence, she stopped her protesting and instead basked in the newfound warmth. 

“Thanks.”

“No problem.”

“Not just for the leggings,” Sunset continued. “But for that comment earlier. For telling me to stop being a martyr and get over myself, I didn't know I needed to hear it. But I think your right.”

“Believe me, wouldn't be saying it if I didn't believe it myself.” The next sentence was said so quietly Sunset barely caught it over the sudden wind. “And I'd have to believe it if I've been through it.”

The next few minutes were spent in thoughtful silence until the familiar chime echoed from Candy’s phone once again, and she said her goodbyes. Sunset following suit a few moments after her, happily content and warm even if the school turned off the heating for the night.