May 15th, 1936 – 10:30AM
Queen Twilight Sparkle
Somewhere in Rural Equestria
I could picture the headlines now.
Queen Sparkle, dead at 35.
This morbid title, a picture of my face, and another of a shattered motorcycle strung along some unassuming stretch of countryside.
That was how I felt every time Sunset got me to ride her Harley. An event which happened uncomfortably frequent, due to her affinity for this deathtrap.
I clung to her, like a shipwrecked survivor clings to a piece of driftwood, holding onto her for dear life.
On my first couple of trips, I had screamed like an idiot. Now, I merely furrowed my brow and went limp, as we blitzed through the backroads of Equestria.
Maybe one day I would find this fun.
After all, Sunset seemed to enjoy it.
Her love was apparent every time we went for a ride. She had a certain smile, that I saw nowhere else, and her eyes sparkled with youthful wonderment.
It was even possible for me to understand why she loved it. The wind in your hair, the freedom of the road, getting away from your responsibilities. All of these were understandable. Hell, I even understood why she loved the speed and daunting turns, as adrenaline was a very measurable substance.
However, even with all these pieces laid out before me, I could not solve the mystery of actually making this an enjoyable experience.
Yet, even though I hated it, I always conceded when Sunset’s wanted to ride.
Why did I do that?
Because I knew she loved it, and I would do anything for that smile, and for that little twinkle of childlike excitement.
We took a corner at breakneck speeds, my jaw clenching as I screamed.
I heard Sunset snicker softly, and my gaze narrowed into a fiery glare.
Well never mind, then! Sunset’s feelings were now cancelled! The good times were cancelled! I couldn’t believe her audacity!
Doesn’t she know that I’m the Queen?!
I would have her beheaded for this! That was, if she didn’t get us beheaded with her, so called, driving!
I shuddered as my mind turned to statistics. Usually, this was comfort food for my thoughts. Today it just fed into my anxiety, as I remembered details from a report discussing fatality figures for various automobiles.
God, I was such an idiot at times.
Mercifully, the Harley began to decelerate, as we approached our destination.
It was a manor fit for a Queen. A palace that rivalled Canterlot Castle in terms of size, with additions built upon additions to create a sprawling complex. Yet it still held a certain rustic humbleness which seemed to clash with its imposing regality.
This was Faustian Estates, my family’s home away from home.
The grounds around it were protected by a wall of tall hedgerow, with only a single break allowing for a gatehouse. As we passed into the royal lands, the roads transitioned to cobblestone as we bounced towards the entrance.
I noticed three servants coming forward to greet us.
Sunset brought her motorcycle to a halt, killing the engine.
The three servants shallowly bowed.
“Your Majesty,” Coco Pommel said.
I shakily dismounted the bike, praying that my quivering knees wouldn’t collapse. “Miss Pommel, it’s always a pleasure to see you.”
“You as well.”
“I hope everything’s in order.”
She nodded. “The pantries are stocked, the rooms are clean, and the grounds have been groomed for your arrival.”
“Thank you so much, Coco. You have no idea how much I needed to get away from Canterlot.”
“I can only imagine.” She frowned. “And may I say how so sorry I am to hear about your loss?”
I purposefully frowned. “Thank you, I appreciate your kind words.”
“Do you need anyone to take your things?”
I looked back to the motorcycle, which was only lightly burdened by a few small bags.
“We should be fine on our own,” I said. “Though, if it isn't too much trouble, I wouldn’t mind a cup of tea? I need something warm to help settle my stomach.”
I shot Sunset a sideways glare, and she at least had the courtesy to look a little ashamed about what she’d done.
“Of course, ma’am,” Coco said.
“Thank you so much, dear. I’ll be in the garden, showing Sunset around, if you wouldn’t mind bringing it out when it's ready.”
Coco nodded before turning to her staff and delegating their responsibilities. Once she was finished, the three of them said their goodbyes and returned to the manor.
I then looked back to Sunset, who had finally moved away from her bike.
“So, we survived,” I said.
Sunset chuckled. “Did you have doubts that we would?”
“After you passed that lorry, I honestly went limp and prayed that we’d make it in one piece.”
“Oh, come on, it wasn’t nearly that bad.”
“He honked at us!”
She shrugged. “So, what? A lot of people honk.”
“You were speeding.”
She snorted. “That speed limit was way too slow, and you know it.”
“What if an officer pulled us over?”
“Well, I would’ve banked on you using your royal prerogative, or whatever, to get me off the hook.”
“You realize that only applies to people who are related to me by blood or marriage.”
Sunset walked over and draped an arm around my waist, pulling me close.
“Well then, I guess we’d finally have an excuse to get married.”
“To get you out of a speeding ticket?”
She nodded.
“I’m sure the public would be thrilled,” I muttered.
Sunset smirked and leaned forward, planting a kiss upon my lips. Though this wasn’t some brief peck, but rather a union of our two persons, that strengthened with each passing moment.
I pressed against Sunset, forcing her to support my weight. I then opened my mouth and allowed our passion to deepen, with her breath momentarily lingering upon my own.
My pulse quickened, as my still quivering knees threatened to finally give out.
The kiss felt like it lasted an hour. Though, when we broke apart, the sun hadn’t shifted an inch in sky.
“Is that a better reason?” Sunset asked.
I flushed, still tasting her upon my lips.
“It’s…” I cleared my throat. “...definitely a stronger case to make.”
Sunset drew back, though not before pinching my rump.
I yelped. “You little bugger.”
She grinned. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I glared, wagging a finger menacingly at her. “You’re going to pay for that.”
“Oh, I know.” Her grin turned mischievous. “And I can’t wait.”
I felt my cheeks redden, as Sunset snickered.
I ignored this and motioned for her. “Come on, let’s go for a walk. I want to show you around.”
Sunset nodded and followed after me. “So, this was your summer home?”
“One of them.”
She chuckled. “One of them?”
“We also have one up north, and another on the coast. Though this one has always been my favourite.”
“Why’s that?”
“I have fond memories of it.”
“Oh?”
“Back when we were kids, me and Shinny used to spend our summers here. We’d go on quests in the gardens, hiking in the woods, bug collecting, you know, silly things like that.”
“It sounds like you had a lot of fun.”
“I did.” I sighed, shaking my head. “I miss those days.”
“How are things between you and your brother?”
“Well, he says he loves me, but he sees my current course of actions as misdirected. So, I’d say thing are a little tense.”
Sunset placed a hand on my shoulder. “I’m so sorry, hun.”
I waved her off. “Come on, let’s not worry about that right now.” I smiled at her. “We’re on vacation, so let’s try and have a little fun. After all, I can think of a couple things we could do together, in privacy of nature.”
Sunset cocked an eyebrow.
I grinned. “For instance, I know this perfect little alcove where no one would ever find us. Two adventurous women could get into quite a bit of mischief there.”
It was now Sunset’s turn to blush, and I savoured every hue of her reddened complexion.
May 16th, 1936 – 8:30PM
Ms. Sunset Shimmer
Faustian Estates – Reading Room
I cut my teeth in Neigh Orleans.
I was a girl from the bayou who should’ve been chewed up and spit out by the big city. Yet, I rapidly made a name for myself and became one of the best trumpeters in the Prench Quarter. Within three months, I was signed to a club, and by six, I was playing with all the big names, Vinyl Scratch, Brass Section, Country Blues.
My musical skills grew in that city, and so did I. I went from an angry teenager with dreams of using a pipe bomb to change the world, to a bright young woman whose life became centred upon her creations, upon her music, and upon her love of jazz.
Then one day, after what I considered to be the best performance of my life, I was approached by a man in a suit. He was a record producer from the even bigger city of Manehattan, who wanted me to move up north and join his record label.
After much consideration, I signed his contract and was whisked away. I then spent even more years practicing, creating, and recording music with a group I soon came to enjoy working with. It was a good gig, until I found myself in love with the lead singer.
That story was long, but ended with a divorce, my contract suspended, and me forced to play various nightclubs, just to make rent.
However, I persisted and over the years, my accent may have faded and the cold may have sapped my memories of Neigh Orleans, but I never lost my love for jazz.
So, knowing this, I could safely say that I was intimately familiar with my instrument and the music it produced. I knew where my trumpet belonged, where it excelled, and most importantly, where it should never be.
That was why I felt so nervous, attempting a piece with just my trumpet. This was a place it should never be. In an environment with no strings to accompany it, no other brass to enhance it, nor any percussions to support it. In all aspects, it should’ve sounded terrible. It was just a single instrument, and that made me feel exposed. I was naked to the world and I knew that every single flaw would be easily heard.
Yet, my audience of one seemed utterly engrossed. Twilight just sat there with a reassuring smile, her gaze staring through me in a trance. It was obvious that she was deep in thought, really focusing her attention on the music, and absolutely nothing else.
It was the same look she had all those years ago, in that Manehattan nightclub. Back when I had no idea who she was, and only saw a beautiful woman staring at me with complete admiration. Those piercing eyes had looked exactly the same, entrapping me with ease.
I knew from the beginning that she was something special. I could tell by her smile, by the way she held herself so respectably, and in the way her lips moved, silently sharing the vocals with our singer.
When our piece was finished, I remembered rushing to the bar to meet her.
She introduced herself, as if I should’ve known who she was.
I could remember answering with a dumbfounded, ‘who?’
At first, she looked shocked, maybe even a little offended.
However, she soon recovered and laughed. It was such a pretty laugh, one I would do anything to hear.
In fact…
As my current song began to wind down, I purposefully blew just a little too hard, ending my performance with a shrill musical typo.
This knocked Twilight right out of her trance.
I then sheepishly grinned, and played one final piece. A woom-woom-woom-woowoowoo.
It sounded far better on a trombone, but it still made Twilight snicker.
Mission accomplished.
With my performance finished, I placed my trumpet aside and made my way over to Twilight, settling down beside her.
There was a half-finished bottle of red between us. So, I decide to pour myself another glass, making it a little emptier.
“Did you like the song?” I asked
“Yes, it was very pretty. What’s it called?”
I swirled my wine. “I haven’t come up with a name for it yet. It was uh…a piece I started before I left Manehattan.”
“Oh really?”
“Yeah, it’s hard to tell without the lyrics, but it’s about a rough-n-tumble gal who meets a high-class lady.”
Twilight grinned. “I wonder what inspired that?”
“A girl.”
“What kind of a girl?”
“A very pretty one.”
She chuckled. “Any other redeeming features?”
“Well, she’s smart, fun to talk to, a bit of a dork…”
“HEY!”
“What can I say, she probably has the largest book collection I’ve ever seen.”
“Owning a lot of books doesn’t make her a dork,” she mumbled.
“No, but she also loves crosswords, and don’t even get me started on the way she dances.”
She threw up her hands. “When did you become such a bully?”
I leaned in close to her. “But, even if she is a bit of a dork, I still love her immensely.”
“Hmmm and I’m sure she loves you too.”
She kissed me, and a spark instantly blossomed between us. Soon both our lips parted, allowing our kiss to grow hungry and impassioned, with the temporary meeting of our tongues.
I could taste the lingering fruity essences of the wine upon her lips, and I had no doubt she could do the same.
Soon, I found my hand upon her thigh, gliding under her skirt. Then a moment later, her hand was against my blouse, moving towards my…
There was a knock at the door, as someone barged in.
“Your Majesty,” Coco called. “There’s someone on the phone for Misssssss-”
Me and Twilight broke apart, quickly scrambling to our own ends of the couch.
Coco froze, with a reddish tinge invading her complexion.
There was no way she could ignore what had just happened, especially with how much evidence we left behind. The ruffled nature of our clothing, the presence of Twilight’s lipstick on me, the way the two of us blushed like teenagers. It all pointed to what we were up to.
Coco stepped back towards the door. “I’ll…uh…I’ll let them know you’re busy.”
I abruptly stood up. “No, no, I’ll be right there.”
She nodded and immediately ducked out of the room.
I groaned and shook my head.
“Who is it?” Twilight asked.
“I have no idea.”
I took a few moments to compose myself, using the back of my hand to rub away Twilight’s markings.
“I’ll be right back.”
As I left the room, Coco was waiting by the nearest phone, making idle small talk. She noticed me, and informed the caller she was handing the phone over.
I grabbed it and gestured for Coco to leave.
She did so without comment. The poor thing was probably petrified over her little interruption.
“Sunset Shimmer speaking, how can I help you?”
Harshwhinny’s voice came through. “Good evening, Miss Shimmer. I hope I’m not interrupting anything important.”
I snorted, my gaze drifting to the reading room. “No, nothing at all.”
“Are you sure? You sound distressed.”
“I was just playing some music for Twilight. I get pretty passionate about it.”
“Oh wonderful, then I’ll keep this brief. I just thought you’d like to know that your marriage is saved.”
I blinked. “What?”
“It took a lot of sacrifice, but forbidding a national disaster, you’ll have the votes necessary to confirm your marriage.”
“W-what?! How?!”
“Well, I found enough Tories willing to kick Fancy while he’s down, Labour of course just adores you, and the Whigs lack the spine to turn against a reigning monarch. It's a rather haphazard coalition, but they all assured me, that I'd be receiving their support when the time comes."
“Holy shit, I don’t know what to say.”
I couldn’t help but grin like an idiot.
“I thought you might enjoy the news,” she said.
There was a strange happiness in Harshwhinny’s tone. It was nearly human. Well... as human as Harshwhinny could manage.
“Damn straight I do. Oh my gods, how could we ever repay you?”
She chuckled softly. “I wouldn't be opposed to a wedding invitation.”
"Of course, you got it.”
"Well, I’ve taken enough of your time, Sunset. I’ll let you get back to things. Who knows, the news might even enhance your musical performance.”
I felt my cheeks warm. “Have a good night, Harshwhinny.”
“You as well, Sunset.”
The line went dead, and I returned the phone to its cradle.
This was so surreal. For the first time in ages, it felt like a weight was lifted from my shoulders.
Me and Twilight were going to get married. MARRIED!
I closed my eyes and laughed. It was a brief, but incredibly giddy sound, which echoed through the manor’s empty halls.
The only thing that saved me, from the brink of full-blown hysteria, was Twilight poking her into the corridor.
“Sunset, is everything alright?”
I grinned at her. “Twilight, we can get married!”