WELCOME TO YOUR NEW HOME, SUNSET SHIMMER
Sunset stood, open mouthed, in shock at the sight before her. All of her CHS friends, the Rainbooms and Dazzlings, and Forte's family were all standing before her beneath the banner. Still reeling in shock and not quite comprehending what she as seeing, she spluttered out a response the best she could, given the state she was in.
"W-what..I-I don't.....what's happening?" Sunset stammered, struggling to comprehend the scene before her.
"It's your 'Welcome to your new home party!" yelled Pinkie, bouncing up to Sunset and giving her a bone crushing hug.
"My new...you mean, this is for me?" she asked, her eyes beginning to fill with tears.
"Yes," Forte replied, wrapping an arm around Sunset, "We felt you deserved a home to call your own, especially after we discovered were you had been living these past few years."
"My own home? But how could I afford this place? I don't even have a job!"
"My parents bought it and are prepared to rent it to you at no cost."
"B-b-but why?" Sunset asked, almost on the brink of breaking down in tears, "What have I done to deserve an apartment?"
"What have you done?" Forte repeated, slightly stunned at Sunset's question, "A lot, besides, even if you hadn't done all the magicky stuff, it still wouldn't be right to let you keep living like you were."
"Magicky stuff?" Sunset laughed, wiping away the tears, "Is that what you're calling it now? Twilight would be having a fit if she heard you."
"Well I don't know how else describe it. Either way, do you like this place?"
"I love it, thank you so much," she replied, giving Forte a firm hug and looking over to Fio and Travertine, "Thank you both too."
"You're welcome dear," Fio replied, "Now, how about we help ourselves to some food?"
"There's food here?" Forte asked.
"We ate a load of food before we came back!"
"So? I'm hungry."
"Does this mean I'm going to have to keep a fridge and cupboards full of food? Just in case you visit?"
"Probably," Forte replied before taking Sunset by the hand, "Come on Sunny, let's get some food. It won't eat itself."
Forte lead Sunset over to the table laden with food and began piling a plate up, an action mimicked by Sunset and the other girls. Soon enough, they all had some food and were sat in the lounge, where the topic of Forte's trip to Equestria came up.
"So, Forte," Fio said, "Did you enjoy your trip away?"
"Yeah, it was great. I'd love to go again."
"Did you do anything interesting over there?" asked Travertine.
"He went drinking with one of the Princesses," Sunset answered quickly, "And foolishly challenged her to a drinking contest."
"How was I to know Princess Luna could handle her drink that well?"
"Princess Luna?" queried Travertine.
"Yes," replied Sunset, "Over there, Celestia and Luna are princesses who co-rule the nation, and Luna is known for being 'a good sport' when it comes to drinking."
"Sounds like an interesting lady," he quipped, getting a slight frown from Fio.
"I met my counterpart too," Forte added, "He seems cool."
"That must have been an odd experience," Fio added, "Seeing someone who is essentially you. What about our counterparts?"
An uneasy look was shared between Forte and Sunset for a few moments before a slight nod from Sunset prompted Forte to fill his parents in on the matter.
"They're both dead," he replied solemnly, "Dad's counterpart died in a cave-in and mum's counterpart died a few years afterwards of Horn Rot."
"What's Horn Rot?" asked Fio.
"Let me answer that," Sunset replied, "Horn Rot is a neurodegenerative disease similar to Huntington's disease that begins in the brain and finds its way to the horn. Because it kills brains cells and because the horn of a unicorn is directly linked to the brain, the disease also kills the cells in the horn causing the outward appearance of it to change as well as greatly affect its functional ability, hence why it got the name Horn Rot."
"Is it painful?" asked Fio.
"Very," replied Sunset, "And as of yet, there is no cure and it gets progressively worse as time goes on."
"How did the other Forte take it?"
"Like any son who lost their mother," Sunset replied, "But he had excellent support from Equestrian Social Services, and Princess Celestia herself on occasion lended a helping hoof."
"Can the other Forte get the condition?"
"Possibly. Even though it's called Horn Rot, it can affect non-unicorns too. It's only because of what it does to a unicorn horn that it got its name."
"Is it genetic?"
"There have been cases where it's been passed on, but evidence obtained so far suggests it's not genetic."
"So the other Forte could miss it?"
"Possibly, it's too soon to know."
"Well, let's hope he doesn't get it," Fio added, glancing over to her own Forte, mortified at the thought of her son, and her not-son, in such pain without means of a cure or relief, "Does he know about us?"
"Yes. I think he was considering whether or not to meet you both," Forte replied, "Can't be easy for him."
Fio and Travertine shared a knowing look to one another before turning back to Forte.
"Well, if he really wants to," Fio began, "Then we don’t mind. We won't be offended if he doesn't want to, either."
"I'll see he gets the message. Anyway, what's everyone doing later?"
"Well, your dad and I will be leaving so as to leave you and the girls alone," Fio replied, "Will you be spending the night here?"
"If that's OK with Sunset," Forte replied, looking over to his girlfriend.
"Of course it's OK," she replied, shocked at Forte's response, "You don't have to ask, you dork."
"Well it is your apartment now, I didn't want to assume."
"That's very considerate of you, Forte," replied Sunset, "But you don't need to ask."
"I'll try to remember. I may also have taken the liberty of starting you a collection of films to go with the TV."
Sunset looked over to the centrepiece of the living room that was a 65 inch OLED 4K UHD TV, complete with 7.1 surround sound, "I noticed. It's big enough, at least."
"All the better when football's on."
Sunset couldn't help but roll her eyes, "Guys and their football."
"There's nothing wrong with football, Sunset," Rainbow added, "I play on the school team, remember?"
"I know, but I don't get what the big deal is. It's just a game."
"Just-," Forte spluttered in disbelief, "Sunny, football is more than 'just a game'."
"He's right, Sunset," Rainbow added, "Why not join the school team? We're after more players and you might just see how important football really is."
"Maybe," Sunset replied, taking a bite out of her cheese and onion quiche, "Let's see after we return for Spring Term."
"What about you Forte?" asked Rainbow again, "Interested in joining?"
"I might do, but I'm not really the sporty type."
"Neither's Fluttershy, but she did it for a bit once."
"Really?" he asked, looking over at her.
Fluttershy nodded, "It was fun, but I got too exhausted with all the running around, plus I had the animals to look after at the shelter."
"You did good, Fluttershy," Rainbow said reassuringly, "Remember when you helped us beat those jackasses from San Franciscolt."
"Good game?" asked Forte.
"2-2 draw, Fluttershy took one for the team to prevent us losing."
"You must tell us," Forte pleaded, "Don't leave us in suspense."
Fluttershy began playing with her hair and hide her eyes from view, "They don't need to know."
"What happened?" asked Sunset.
"Fluttershy here," Rainbow replied, "Having been beaten by the opposition striker, tackled the guy from behind and sent him sprawling across the pitch, screaming in pain, preventing him from going one-on-one with the keeper and most likely scoring the winning goal which would have put us out of the National School Cup."
"National School Cup?" queried Sunset.
"Slightly different from the league," replied Rainbow, "In the School District Leagues, school teams only play other school teams in their district, in the National School Cup you play against school teams from other parts of the country in a knock-out format. We didn't win the year Fluttershy was with us, only made it to the fifth round before Vanhoover Whitecaps beat us, but we still did better than expected that year."
"Sounds interesting," replied Forte, "Anyway, what happened to Fluttershy?"
"She got a straight red card, but in the replay we kicked their asses 5-0. They demanded a rematch claiming we cheated."
"I don't see how being a better team constitutes cheating," Forte replied, "They just sound like sore losers."
"You said it."
"I didn't mean to tackle him like that though," Fluttershy added, "I really was aiming for the ball."
"You don't have to pretend with us, Flutters."
"But I really was," Fluttershy pleaded insistently.
"Sure you were," Rainbow replied dismissively, "Anyway, aren't you going to give your girlfriend a tour, lover boy?"
"Yeah," Pinkie added, "You don't want Sunset to get lost in here, do you?"
"We'll take our leave now," Travertine said, with the smallest hint of perverse delight, but in a good way, of seeing his son being put on the ropes by a large group of girls, "I wouldn't want to disturb your tour."
"Bye sweetie," Fio said, giving her son, and Sunset, a hug, "Enjoy yourself, and look after Sunset."
"I will do. Bye mum, bye dad."
"Bye son, bye girls."
The girls all gave their farewells too, and watched the pair leave. As soon as they left, Forte felt Sunset wrap a firm arm around his shoulder, pulling him in close to her, "So, Pony Boy; how about the tour?
"There's only three rooms," Forte replied, "The joined bedroom and lounge, which we're currently in, the bathroom and the kitchen. Your bed's just up there, above your office/work area."
Everyone looked to where Forte was pointing to what appeared to be a very large shelf.
"Isn't that your PC?" asked Sunset.
"Was. I thought I'd give it to you after I got my new one, it seemed a waste to get rid of it altogether. "
"Thank you," Sunset replied, giving Forte a firm hug.
"Just don't lose your life to Football Manager."
"I won't. It'll more likely be World of Warcraft for me."
"So, shall we begin the tour?"
"Lead the way, Pony Boy."
"Right. Here we have a combined lounge with bedroom area in the corner, accessible by a stepladder, is a double bed with bedside cabinet and chest of drawers. Directly beneath is an office work area with a computer already set up on the corner."
"I've noticed there's a window directly facing the bed," Aria observed, before smirking in Forte's direction, "You'll want to make sure the curtains are closed before you get up to your kinky antics with Sunset."
Forte went beet red in embarrassment, whereas Rainbow on the other hand burst into laughter. Sunset and the other girls lingered varyingly in-between in their reactions.
"Why do you girls always have to make kinky related jokes?"
"Because it works," Aria replied, "Particularly with you."
"Can we continue the tour?" Forte asked quickly, desperate to move the conversation on and rid himself of his embarrassment.
"OK OK," Sunset replied, "We'll stop teasing."
Forte, having taken Sunset by the hand, lead her to the next room of the tour; followed by the rest of the girls.
"Here we have the kitchen which has an integrated fridge/freezer, integrated washing machine and dryer as well as an electric oven and four ring hob, also integrated," he started, doing a dire impression of an estate agent, "To the rear we have a window and door leading to a balcony, of which has steps down to the courtyard below where the communal bins are kept."
"I'm sharing rubbish bins with the neighbours?"
Forte nodded, "Easier to have fewer large bins than several small ones apparently. Anyway, there's also several cupboards above and below, filled with food and crockery, and drawers filled with cutlery. The units themselves have a glossy white finish that helps lighten up the room, to make it a bright and cheery place to be and cooking a more enjoyable experience."
Sunset walked over to the overhead cupboards and sure enough they were filled with all sorts of foods ranging from cans of soup, rice pudding, hot dogs, tuna, pasta and so on.
"There's a lot of food here," she said, moving from the cupboards to the fridge/freezer.
"It'll get eaten, don't worry about it."
"Now that is something I know you will help with."
"I can also help with the contents of your drinks cabinet."
Sunset blinked in shock, "I have a drinks cabinet?"
Forte nodded, "There's not much in it, just a small selection of whiskeys, bourbons, gins etc, and appropriate glasses."
"Travertine?"
"His idea. His favourite is Famous Grouse, my mum prefers Courvoisier cognac."
"What about you?"
"JD on the rocks."
"Wow," Rainbow replied, "You're not even out of High School and already you're drinking old people drinks."
"They're not 'old people drinks' Rainbow Dash," Rarity replied, "I myself enjoy the odd glass of gin now and again. What is it you drink?"
"Budweiser."
"Dishwater tastes better," quipped Aria.
"Hey! Budweiser is an awesome beer!"
"For you, maybe, but I prefer to taste something that doesn't make me want to vomit."
Rainbow only growled in agitation, clenching her fists and resisting the urge to throttle Aria for insulting her favourite drink. Noticing Rainbow's agitation and Aria stoking it, Fluttershy quickly stepped in the quell the rising tempers.
"Now now girls, let's not argue over each other's favourite drinks."
"Urgh! Fine!" Rainbow groaned.
"If I must," added Aria, smirking at the sight of a still grumpy Rainbow.
"Anyway," Forte continued, wanting to move on as quickly as possible, "Shall we continue the tour, or jump ahead to the film?"
A short while later, Forte and Sunset were sat next to one another on a two-seater sofa with dishes piled high with popcorn. Their friends had taken either to the floor or had taken chairs from the kitchen, and too had a mountain of popcorn between them.
"What are we watching?" asked Sunset, stuffing some popcorn into her mouth "Something good?"
"Star Wars."
"The original?"
Forte nodded, "A good film to test this equipment out, wouldn't you say?"
"I.....wouldn't know," Sunset replied hesitantly, "I've never seen Star Wars."
Several pairs of big, beady eyes turned to Sunset in bewilderment.
Sunset smiled nervously and threw a piece of popcorn in her mouth, "I guess I'll find out tonight if it's a good film."
"The originals are," replied Rainbow, "The prequels are....mediocre at best."
"Mediocre?" repeated Forte, "That's a big word for you, isn't it?"
Rainbow huffed indignantly, "Sunset? Gag and hogtie your boyfriend, would you?"
"She wouldn't dare do it in front of all of you."
"Wouldn't I?" Sunset replied, smiling cheerily at Forte and winking at him.
Feeling a chill run down his spine and a blush cross his cheeks, he nervously got up, "I'll get the film."
As he got up however, he felt his arm being tugged back, "It's already in the player, Pony Boy."
Forte reluctantly sat back down as Rainbow took the remote controls and handed them to Sunset, "Here you go Sunset."
"Thank you, Rainbow."
Before long the film started and the advantages of having surround sound made itself apparent as soon as the opening score started, filling the room with an intense noise that felt like it was going through you.
"While everybody is here," Rarity began, "I've been working on some new outfits for you all.....most of you anyway. I haven't had time to do anything for our Dazzling friends given their....late entry, into the group."
"Don't worry about it," Aria replied, "I like my look as it is anyway. I don't know about these two."
"I'm fine," Adagio replied, "Thank you anyway."
"I'd love a taco costume!"
"Calm down Sonata," Adagio groaned.
"Sometime before term starts, I'd like you all to come to my place to try them on so I can see how they look and you and see if I need to make any adjustments."
"Tomorrow?" suggested Sunset.
"I don't see why not. If you all come by first thing, we can go into town afterwards."
"Then it's settled," Sunset said, "But for now, it's film time."
*THE FOLLOWING MORNING*
Bright, winter sunlight filtered through the curtains into Sunset's apartment, or more specifically, directly in the direction of the bed still occupied by one of two dating teenagers. The other was already up and dressed and was currently making breakfast in the kitchen, the smell of which had begun to make itself known to the occupant still in bed.
"Food."
A few moments later, Forte felt himself being gently shook, "Come on Pony Boy, time to get up. Breakfast's ready, I've done you scrambled eggs on toast."
Wearily and groggily, Forte threw the covers away and began to get up, assisted by Sunset, "Thanks."
"You're welcome. The other girls are starting their breakfasts, so get it while it's hot, or before Rainbow eats it all."
"Will do. Any drinks available?"
"I've made a pot of coffee, but if you want anything else, just help yourself."
"Coffee will be fine, thank you."
Forte followed Sunset down the ladders to the floor below and followed her into the kitchen, passing the other girls who were sat around the TV watching Good Morning Equestria, the topic of discussion being the increase in train fares and how they rise faster than inflation.
"Greedy bastards," Rainbow could be heard saying, "How much more money do they want?"
Forte silently agreed, but continued to follow Sunset to get his breakfast. Sunset grabbed the plate with the scrambled eggs on toast and handed it to Forte, "Here you go, enjoy."
"Thanks, looks great," Forte replied gratefully, "Nice apron by the way."
Sunset looked down at her apron, showing a cartoon buck kissing a doe with the words 'Kiss the cook' written above, "Thanks, but don't flatter me just yet; it might only look better than it tastes."
"The apron or the eggs?"
A burst of giggles escaped Sunset's lips as she clutched her aching sides, "I'm pretty sure scrambled eggs taste better than a plastic apron."
Forte grabbed a fork and took a mouthful of scrambled egg and moaned in pleasure almost immediately, "This is rather good actually, I might stop by just for breakfast from now on."
"You're perfectly capable of cooking your own breakfast now and again, you know?"
"I do, sometimes."
"What can you cook?"
"Pancakes."
"Anything else?"
"Not really. I can stop myself from starving, put it that way."
"Am I going to have to cook for you from now on?"
"Well," Forte began to reply, overconfident with cockiness, "I am wearing the trousers and you're wearing the apron so-"
"'So' what? Pony Boy?" Sunset replied, looking unamused and folding her arms, "Do you care to finish that sentence?"
"Soooooo, I...we, could switch places now and again," Forte replied with a nervous grin and small beads of sweat on his forehead, "We are in an equal relationship, after all."
"Wunderbar!" Sunset replied, clapping her hands together in delight, "We can start tonight."
"Tonight?"
"Are you staying you don't want to spend time with me?"
"No no, not at all! I'd love to spend another night here."
"Then it's settled. Tonight, you cook while I relax in front of the TV with a glass of wine."
"Fine. What am I cooking?"
"I'll think of something. In the meantime, eat up," Sunset added, giving Forte a kiss on the cheek, "Your scrambled eggs are getting cold."
*LATER IN THE DAY, 12.45PM
CANTERLOT CITY SHOPPING CENTRE FOOD COURT*
After two hours of fashion hell in Rarity's boutique, at least as far as Forte was concerned, he and the girls were waiting for pizza on the city's shopping centre on the food court on the top floor of the centre, overlooking the several floors below and the people below looking for a bargain in the post-Christmas sales.
"So what are you lot doing later?" asked Forte, "Sunny and I are going to have a look in the department store, just to look for a few things for her new apartment to give it her own personal touch."
"I thought about having a look around to see if there's any jobs available as well," Sunset added, "Your parents may not want rent but I'll be damned if I don't pay the electric or water bills, or the council tax. How much is council tax in my new apartment?"
"About $120 a month, but given you're a student and living alone you should get a 50% discount."
"I'll stop by the council office when they open again and see if I can get it."
"What about the rest of you?" asked Forte, "Doing anything interesting?"
"I'm heading over to the music store," Rainbow replied, "I need some new strings for my guitar."
"I'll be looking around the clothes stores," Rarity added, "To look for new ideas."
"Would you like me to join you?" asked Fluttershy.
"I'd love for you to join me, darling. Would anyone else like to join me?" Rarity asked, looking around the girls, "Applejack?"
"Oh, errrrr...sure," Applejack replied, not expecting to be asked directly, "Why not?"
"Splendid, darling," Rarity replied, now smiling from ear to ear, "I have seen some of the most gorgeous dresses you must simply try on."
"Oh, sure," Applejack replied with a hesitant smile, "Sounds fun."
What hadn't escaped her attention was the snickering from Rainbow.
"Oh, don't worry about Rainbow, darling," Rarity said, also noting her snickers, "I have something very special planned for her."
"It'll never come to pass," Rainbow dismissed with a cocky smirk.
"I assure you it will, darling," Rarity replied with a cold venom that forced out a nervous laughter from Rainbow.
"You're only joking, Rares."
"We'll see who's joking when you're in a ball gown and tiara and dolled up to the nines in makeup."
"Ah would pay good money ta see that," Applejack replied jubilantly, hoping deep down that it truly does happen.
"Me too," added Sunset, "I bet Rainbow looks good in a dress."
"Well, I don't."
"You'd only know that if you'd worn one before," Forte quipped, incurring a stern frown from Rainbow.
"He has a point darling," Rarity replied, "Besides, what do you find so scary about wearing a dress? You're wearing a skirt right now."
"I can move around more freely in a skirt. With a dress I always feels like my air supply is being cut off and I can barely move properly."
"A problem I can't solve, so will you model a few dresses for me? Please?"
A rather extended groan made itself quite audible to nearby tables as Rainbow reluctantly gave in, "Fine, I'll model a few dresses."
"Thank you darling!"
"But only because you're my friend!"
A short while later, Forte and Sunset were alone again making their way to the department store that spanned all five floors of the shopping centre, carefully trying not to bump into the many other people that were also shopping, or just coming along for something to do.
"Christmas is only just over and shops are already ramming sales down our throats," Forte said, spotting the abundance of discount signs, "Surprising people still have money given how much they spend for Christmas."
"I won't complain too much if I can get a bargain or two."
"What are you looking for anyway?"
"Maybe a rug, some candle holders; I'll just see what there is and if I like it and the price is OK, maybe I'll get it."
"You're not filling your new flat with candles are you?"
"What's wrong with candles?" Sunset asked, slightly irritated at Forte's borderline heretical talk.
"They're pointless."
"They're not pointless," she replied grumpily, "They make places smell nice."
"For you, maybe."
"Well seeing as I live there now, and I'd need some pleasant aromas to overwhelm the food you will most likely burn."
"Ouch," Forte replied, "Surely I'm not that bad of a cook."
"Well, we'll see tonight."
"Speaking of your place, we haven't set you up with broadband yet. I think there's a stall set up here that sell some good packages, along with satellite and cable TV."
"Then why don't we go there first? Then afterwards go to the department store?"
"Fine with me. Equestria Telecoms is on the third floor I believe."
Within a couple of minutes the pair were approaching the stall in question, which also had TV’s on display showing their services.
"Hello there," said the sales assistant, "Can I interest you in our TV, broadband and mobile phone packages today?"
"Yes," replied Sunset, "I've just moved into a new apartment and need broadband at the very least."
"Well you're in luck," replied the assistant, "Until then end of the year, we have a Christmas Special package consisting of unlimited fibre broadband, landline phone with inclusive weekend calls to other landlines and half-price rates to mobiles, and our Ultra TV package which includes over 140 digital TV and radio channels including 25 HD channels and 3 4k UHD channels."
"What kind of channels?" asked Sunset.
"Equestria Geographic, Equestria Wild, Crime & Investigation, History, Sci-Fi to name a few. Also, as a broadband customer, you'd be entitled to half-price mobile contracts and have access to all six of our sports channels covering events such as the Equestrian Premier League, Ice Hockey, Rugby Union Premiership, Superbike Championship as well as Prench and Germanium football."
"Sounds good," Forte said, "How much is it?"
"Depending on the mobile contract you sign up for, prices start at $50 per month on an 18 month contract. After the period is up, it will revert to it's usual price of $75 per month."
"What do you think Sunny?" asked Forte, "It's a good deal."
"Are there any upfront costs?" asked Sunset.
"There is $9.99 charge for delivery of the 4K UHD TV set top box that provides all your channels, and the set top box itself costs $65, reduced from $100 for new customers."
Sunset rubbed the back of her neck undecided on the offer, while it was a good monthly price, the initial upfront costs put her off.
"I'm not sure," she replied, "I mean, it sounds good but I'm not sure if I should dive in straight away."
"Well if it helps," the assistant continued, "Our broadband package also comes with Ironclad Internet security software included in the price that protects your PC from malware, viruses, trojan horses, phishing and so on, as well as including 100GB of cloud storage. There is also 24/7 customer service on our freephone number."
"Hmmmm," Sunset pondered.
"If you sign up today you also get $125 gift voucher to spend at Marks and Sparks."
Sunset's eyes nearly boggled out of her head, "Sold!"
"So you'll sign up?" the assistant asked with a hopeful smile.
Sunset nodded, "Sure, like my boyfriend said, it's a good deal."
"Excellent," the assistant replied, "I'll just get your gift card and sign you up, if you'd like to follow me?"
"Lead the way."
A short while later, Sunset was now a customer of Equestria Telecoms, and had signed up to a package giving her the package previously described to her. All she had to do was wait for her PAC code to transfer her number to her new SIM when it arrived.
"Want me to be there when the engineers come to install the broadband?"
"Sure," Sunset replied, "I'm glad they're coming before school starts again."
"And you got your gift card now. Spending it today?"
"I might do, get a few things I mentioned earlier."
"Wanna head there now?"
"Sure."
Putting her now activated gift card on her bag, Sunset took Forte by the hand and walked with him to Marks and Sparks, which had an entrance just around the corner taking them directly into the bathroom department.
"Good place to start," Sunset said, "I want to see if they have any bath lotions then head down to the ground floor to check out their perfumes."
"Sure, whatever makes you happy. I'd like to check out the 2nd floor for the Premium Street chocolates, apparently at this store they can personalise a tin with your name on it, and put in only the chocolates you like."
"How much?"
"$12 for a non-personalised tin, $15 for a personalised one."
"Sounds great, I might get one myself. What's your favourite chocolates?"
"The green one, the green triangle, the purple one and the caramel swirl. What's yours?"
"The green triangle, the strawberry delight, coconut éclair, toffee deluxe and the fudge."
"Well I'll get you a tin, my treat."
"Aww, thank you," Sunset replied, touched by Forte's gesture.
"Tell you what, while you're here, why don't I go and get them now? It'll take a while with there being a queue."
"Sure. I'll come to you when I've finished."
"See you soon then."
"See ya, try not to eat all the chocolates before I arrive."
"I'll try."
*A SHORT WHILE LATER*
Forte, now in possession of two tins of Premium Street, walked over to Sunset who was sitting in a waiting area nearby, surrounded by a few bags of shopping.
"Hey Sunny," he said.
"Hi Pony Boy, been enjoying yourself?"
"Yep. Got you your tin."
Forte opened the bag and got out personalised Sunset's tin.
"'Sunset Street'," she said, "Sounds nice, what did you get for yours?"
"Forte Street. Rolls off the tongue more easily than Heldentenor Street. I had your favourite chocolates put in, by the way."
"Thanks. I don't like having to throw away ones I don't like, it seems a waste."
"Same here. Anyway, what do you want to do now?"
"Well," Sunset replied, "I thought about looking around for a job. I'll need one now I have bills to pay."
"Well there's plenty of stores here, there's got to be at least one that's hiring."
"Should be, what about you? Are you going to have a look for a job yourself?"
"Might as well. What have you been buying?" Forte asked, noting the bags.
"Oh just some perfume, candles, bath lotions, conditioner."
"Girl stuff?"
"They are not girl stuff," Sunset huffed in amusement, "Just because you're a guy doesn't mean you can't use them."
"I beg to differ. All I need is some shower gel and some deodorant and I'm done."
"I'm sure Rarity would disagree."
Forte rolled his eyes, "Surely you girls don't need so much...maintenance."
"Maintenance?" Sunset replied, hiding her amusement with mock indignance, "I am shocked and appalled, Forte Heldentenor. It's not 'maintenance' as you call it, just girls making sure we look good."
"Speaking of looking good, what are the chances we get more magical makeovers?"
"Considering recent events, I'm guessing it's highly likely. Why? Worried you might be be given something girly?"
"It's crossed my mind. I mean, how embarrassing would it be to be magically transformed into a sparkly skirt or dress like you girls do?"
"Even the toughest, hardest men of the ancient world wore skirts so you've nothing to worry about."
"I'm not a man of the ancient world and things have changed since then. "
"So? Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna wear trousers, things that were once associated with men."
"Your point?"
"Don't worry so much about what people think of you if you wear something not considered 'manly'. I believe that the men of Alba wear kilts, which are similar to skirts and no one says anything to them about it."
"Probably because an Alban man would punch them in the face if someone did, then go back to drinking his scotch."
"Exactly!" Sunset replied happily, "So what's stopping you?"
"I can't find any in my size."
"Nice try Pony Boy, but if you recall to when I borrowed a pair of your trousers the other day...we're the same size."
Forte went silent momentarily.
"Bugger."
"I have a spare skirt or two for you to try on if you want. You don't have to, but where's the harm in trying?"
"Fine," Forte groaned, reluctantly agreeing, "But only when we're alone."
"It'll be strictly between us, I promise you. Now, how about finding us jobs?"
After an hour of fruitless searching for jobs all over the shopping centre, Forte and Sunset had returned to the food court, exhausted from all the walking around and the never ending stream of rejections or being told no vacancies are available. Slumping back in their chairs, both of them couldn't help but wonder what they had to do just for a Saturday job.
"What do they expect of us?" asked Sunset in exasperation, "Why do I need experience to for a trainee position?"
"How do they expect us to have experience if no-one gives us a job in the first place?"
"Exactly!" Sunset exclaimed, throwing her hands up into the air.
"We haven't asked around the food court yet, have we?"
"No. To be honest I was kinda reluctant to. I didn't like the idea of working with food or having to deal with uptight restaurateurs and their high opinions of themselves."
"I'd be useless in a restaurant, unless people preferred to wear their food instead of eating it."
"I suppose I could give it a try," Sunset added, "At least then no-one can say I didn't put in the effort."
"I'll do the same I think, for the same reason. Where would you work?"
"I'm not sure, but I think there's a new sushi place that's opened. I might ask them if they have any jobs."
"Sure, I'll ask around the food court. Wanna meet back here in bit?"
"Can do. Shall we say....thirty minutes?"
"Fine with me."
Sunset made her way to the sushi restaurant, half hoping they wouldn't be hiring so she wouldn't have to work with food, and half hoping they were hiring so she would have a job. The restaurant itself was typical a Neighponese sushi outlet, and from outside didn't look too busy. Sunset looked around for any sign of job advert in the window, but upon seeing nothing, and against her better judgement, she went inside to inquire there.
She approached the main counter to who appeared to be a junior chef preparing food, and taking a deep breath, introduced herself.
"Excuse me?"
The chef looked up with an emotionless expression causing Sunset to smile nervously.
"My name's Sunset Shimmer, I was wondering if there's any jobs available at the moment?"
The chef didn't immediately reply and put down his knife, "Wait here."
The chef promptly left and approached another, larger and older looking man with a stern expression that only made Sunset feel more nervous. She watched as the junior chef approached and bowed to the more senior chef where they began to converse in their native tongue. After a few seconds, the junior chef bowed again to the senior chef and returned to his counter in front of Sunset.
"My master will see you in his office. Go to him at once."
"Y-yes sir," Sunset replied, trying to hide her nerves at meeting the stern faced Neighponese man.
She followed the head chef into his office where he immediately turned around and began speaking to her.
"You wish for a job at my restaurant?"
"Yes, sir."
"Have you worked with sushi before?"
"No, sir."
"Have you worked in a restaurant before?"
"N-no sir."
"Did you come for a job? Or did you consider the job an afterthought?"
"Afterthought?"
"You have bags of shopping with you."
"Oh, right," she replied, realising the point he was making, "Honestly, I was reluctant to ask because I've never had a job before and I was nervous about working in a restaurant and dealing with people."
"Why nervous?"
"I...I'm not sure. I guess I'm just afraid of failing."
"You wish to learn?"
"Yes."
"You desire to work?"
"Y-yes."
"Then I offer you a job as a waitress."
Sunset only just restrained herself from screaming in shock, "A job? As a waitress?"
"Despite your lack of experience, you wish to learn and you desire to work. Therefore, I offer you the chance to do both. Do you accept?"
"Yes! Thank you so much!"
"Very well. Return tomorrow at midday where you will be measured for your uniform, and introduced to your supervisor who will oversee your training. We shall discuss wages and work times tomorrow. I'm assuming you are a school student?"
"Yes, sir. I attend Canterlot High, Spring Term starts on the 6th January."
"Then there is plenty of time to make a start before term starts. Midday tomorrow. Do not be late."
"I'll be here on time sir, thank you again."
*MEANWHILE, OVER IN ANOTHER PART OF THE FOOD COURT*
"Why do they act like I have a contagious disease?" Forte muttered to himself, "They won't give me a job but they'll happily take my money."
"Are you OK there sweetie?"
Forte looked around to see who was talking, he was sure he was alone in his area of the food court. Looking around, he eventually saw a woman stood behind what looked like an ice cream parlour that, from the looks of things had yet to open.
"I'm OK," he replied tiredly, "I'm just getting used to being turned down for work."
"Getting told you need experience?"
Forte nodded, "It's too much of an excuse I feel."
"I know how you feel. I was in your shoes once. But now, I'm opening my own ice cream parlour."
Forte took a moment to look over the storefront and the bright, colourful sign above, "Why ice cream?"
"I love the stuff. I make my own."
"I don't know how to."
"Would you like to learn?"
"I suppose so, I'd be able to treat Sunset to a nice surprise then."
"Sunset?"
"My girlfriend."
"Oh, that's so sweet," the woman said happily, "I'm sure she'd love it."
"She will. I'm not too sure what her favourite flavour is though."
"What's yours?"
"Mint Choc Chip."
"Excellent. Mine’s blueberry. So, would you like to know how to make ice cream?"
"Why not? I like being practical and hands on."
"Great. You can start tomorrow."
"Start?" Forte repeated, confused at the odd inclusion of the word.
"Your new job. You're a sweet kid and you seem nice enough. That, and you want to work and are eager to learn. That's good enough for me, so I'm offering you a job. Do you accept?"
"Y-yes," Forte replied, staggered that he was actually being offered a job out of the blue.
"Wonderful. I won't have to go through the long task of advertising vacancies and doing interviews. Am I right to assume you still go to school?"
"Yes, Canterlot High. Term starts again on the 6th."
"Wonderful. In the meantime, would you like to come into my office where we can discuss wages and work times?"
"Sure thing."
"Great, if you'd follow me. My name's Soft Scoop, by the way" she said, extending her hand.
"Forte Heldentenor," he replied, shaking her hand, "Pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise."
Forte followed Soft Scoop into her office at the back of the premises, still in somewhat of an untidy state. Soft Scoop grabbed a wheely chair and pushed it across to Forte.
"Just sit yourself down, and we'll get started."
Forte sat himself down as instructed and watched as Soft Scoop tidied away and stacked mountains of paperwork together, assuming it was all business related.
"You wouldn't believe the amount of paperwork one has to go through just to open a small business," Soft Scoop said, "It's ridiculous."
"My dad goes through insane amounts of paperwork in his job."
"What does your dad do?"
"He's a construction engineer."
"Working on anything good at the moment?"
"The new Wonderbolt stadium. He's the Chief Engineer in charge of the entire construction."
"Wow," Soft Scoop replied, genuinely impressed, "Are you following in his footsteps?"
"No. I'm not so good with maths and I've seen what's required for the job. I'm more like my mother in wanting to work with music."
"Fiorituna Heldentenor?"
"Y-yes," Forte replied nervously.
"I thought I recognised your last name, but don't worry. I won't pester you about it or attract unwanted attention to you."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome sweetie. Now, down to business. My shop opens weekdays from 9am to 5.30pm, Saturdays from 9am to 8pm and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. My sister has agreed to help out occasionally during weekdays and every other weekend. When would you be able to work?"
"Well, definitely the weekends. The school day ends at 3pm and it would take around 15-20 minutes to get here from there, but I wouldn't mind working after school."
"Great. Well let's say that during the week, not every day mind you, your shift starts at 3.30pm and finishes at 6.30 pm? That includes an hour of helping shut down the store and clean up."
"Sounds great. What week days would I work?"
"We could alternate. So, let's say one week you do Monday, Tuesday and the weekend, the next you do Wednesday, Thursday and Friday."
"Sounds reasonable."
"Fantastic, and during holidays you can do the same week days but as full days. Is that OK?"
"Yeah, that's fine."
"Now, wages. As much as I'd like to pay you a decent amount I don't have that luxury at the moment, so I'm afraid the best I can offer is $7.50 per hour, the minimum living wage. I know the minimum wage is lower for your age but I don't feel it's right to pay you less for doing the same job as someone a few years older."
"$7.50 an hour would be brilliant."
"Splendid. Now, if you're prepared to start tomorrow and work at the weekend, that would be 22.5 hours over the next three days. Then next week we could start your rota on the Wednesday and go from there. Is that OK with you?"
"Sounds wonderful," Forte replied, a wide smile on his face, "I can't wait to get started."
"I'm pleased to hear that, and I look forward to having you. Oh but before you go, what size shirt are you? For your uniform?"
"Medium."
"Wonderful. I should have it all ready for you tomorrow."
A short while later, back at the very same table they were at before, Forte and Sunset were almost bursting with joy at each having gotten a job.
"I can barely believe it," Sunset said, "We both get a job in almost the same circumstances."
"I know, it's brilliant! I start tomorrow too!"
"Me too! Sort of, I have to go in tomorrow at noon to get measured for my uniform. What about you?"
"She said it should be ready tomorrow. I'll be working at the weekend too. Twenty two and a half hours over the next three days."
"Great. How much are you being paid?"
"$7.50 per hour. What about you?"
"I'm not sure yet. I'll find out tomorrow I guess. Anyway, how about we meet up with the girls and then head back to my place?" Sunset asked before sighing in content, "My place. I can finally say that without feeling any shame or embarrassment."
"There's nothing to be ashamed about having been homeless," Forte said, trying to be reassuring.
"I know, but I can't help but wonder if people would have reacted differently to me from the start had they known I had no home."
A few moments of silence passed as Sunset, and Forte, pondered what might have been had things turned out differently, and where Sunset might be now because of it. They were soon brought out of the silent contemplation by the voice of an all too familiar party loving girl.
"Hiya guys!" Pinkie said jubilantly, bouncing over to the pair and hugging them, "Have you two had fun?"
"Hey Pinkie," Sunset replied, "Yeah, you could say so. What about you?"
"Absolutely!" she squealed, "I bought us all a Super Deluxe Tub of sweets each from that new sweet shop on the second floor!"
"Caramel Fudge's Sweet Delight's?" asked Forte.
"That's her. Apparently she's from Cloudsdale and runs the store with her younger brother, Night Thunder."
"I might be wrong," Forte continued, "But I think their father runs the company that makes the steel for the new Wonderbolt stadium. I think his name's Vulcan."
"Why not ask him later?" asked Sunset, "Introduce yourself to them."
"Will do. Anyway, what are we doing now?"
"We could have a look in town," Rarity suggested, "There's still a few hours before the shops close."
"I'm up for it," Sunset replied, "What about you, Forte?"
"Sure. Anyone else?"
"We're going to head back," Adagio said, "Sonata and I are at work later and Aria wants to get an early night."
"I have a 5am start tomorrow," she groaned, "The delivery guy couldn't come at a later time, could he?"
"Well," Forte began, "I'm starting my new job tomorrow."
"Congratulations!" Pinkie and Sonata squealed together.
"Where are ya workin'?"
"The new ice cream parlour over there," Forte replied, pointing to it.
Applejack looked to where Forte was pointing and ever so slightly recoiled in horror at the location.
Oh darn it! That's right next ta our new apple store. Ahm dreading the day Rainbow turns up an' sees what ahm wearin'.
"You OK Applejack?" asked Rarity, gently placing a hand on her arm, "You zoned out on us there for a moment."
"Ahm fine, thanks," she replied not too convincingly, "Jus' the talk o' work has reminded me of all the chores ah still have to do at the farm."
"Well you need to go," Rarity continued, "You can do. We won't hold you here against your will."
"Ya sure?"
"Positive."
"Well, in that case ah'll probably see y'all before the new term starts."
"We will do, darling," Rarity replied, "Bye now."
"Bye guys."
"Bye Applejack," everyone else chorused as the watched the farm girl leave.
"We better get going too," Adagio added, "See you guys later."
Like with Applejack, Forte and the girls gave their goodbyes to the Dazzlings and watched as they too, left.
"And then there were fewer," Forte said to no-one in particular, "So, shall we go into town?"
Several hours and a trip into town later, Forte and Sunset walked into her new apartment with even more bags of shopping than before. Dumping them onto the floor and the sofa, Sunset let out a sigh of relief at no longer having the heavy bags dragging her arms down, and headed into the kitchen.
"I'm getting a lemonade," she said, "Do you want one?"
"Yeah, please. I'm parched."
"Two lemonades coming right up."
"Practising for your new job?" he asked, grinning cheekily.
Sunset raised an eyebrow and folded her arms, "Any more talk like that and you'll get your own."
"I thought waitresses were supposed to have people skills."
"I do have people skills," she replied with a sarcastic smile, "It's when I kick people out on their arse when they try to be funny."
"But if you did that, then how would I cook tea for you tonight?"
"Fair point, Pony Boy. You've earned yourself a reprieve. This time."
"Lucky me."
"I think not."
"Why not?"
"Forgetting what you agreed to earlier?" Sunset asked with a devious smirk.
"Oh....that."
"I feel ridiculous."
Sunset could barely contain her giggles as she stood and looked at Forte, now clad in her purple top and orange skirt.
"It fits you surprisingly well, you should wear them more often."
"Err, no."
"Why not? I have plenty to spare, I don't mind giving you a set for yourself."
"Why not add a fiery red and yellow wig to?"
"That's a wonderful idea!" Sunset replied happily, clapping her hands together, "We could start a trend where people pretend to be me by dressing up like I do!"
"Would you like me to start cooking now?" Forte asked, desperate to get the unravelling absurdity of the situation over with as quick as possible.
"Go right ahead Sunset- sorry, I mean, Forte," she replied, snorting with laughter as she picked up a familiar item from the morning and put it over him.
"Now," she continued, "Just hold still while I tie your apron."
It may have been only a few seconds that passed, but to Forte it felt like an eternity.
"There," Sunset said, "Nice and tight. Now, get in the kitchen and get cooking Master Chef, I'm getting hungry."
"Yes ma'am. Medium beef steak coming up."
"Make sure you season it though, and don't forget the veg."
"I'll sort it all out, don't worry. Wouldn't have though you'd like beef."
"Because the cows talk in Equestria?"
"Yeah."
"Well, I took a disliking to cows after one sneezed all over a new spell book during an outing with Princess Celestia."
"What happened to that cow?"
"Princess Celestia intervened before I could put the cow through the industrial end of a meat grinder."
"Wow. That's a bit...extreme."
"I love my spell books. Damage them at your own risk."
"I'll bear that in mind."
A short while later, Forte walked towards the sofa with two plates in hand, each with a slices of medium roast beef and steaming vegetables in gravy.
"Here you go," Forte said, putting it on the tray in front of Sunset, "One beef dinner with steaming vegetables."
"Thank you, it smells wonderful."
"Glad you think so. How's the beef? I've not overdone it, have I?"
Sunset picked up a slice of beef with the fork and examined it, "Looks OK to me. Now sit yourself down and have yours, Dancing On Ice is about to start."
Forte could do nothing to prevent the rather loud groan that escaped his mouth, "That rubbish."
Sunset gasped in horror, almost dropping her fork onto the floor, "Forte! How can you say such things?!"
"Well, it is rubbish. It's just people in shiny outfits, prancing around on ice."
"And it's a great show to watch!" Sunset exclaimed excitedly, "The women look amazing!"
"OK, OK I get it! It's a great show," he reluctantly agreed, sitting down, "I'll watch it. It is your TV after all."
"Yep. All 65 inches of it. Bigger than yours."
"Not the only thing you have that's big."
"I'm sorry," Sunset said, "What was that?"
"Nothing, darling."
"Hmmm," Sunset replied, "I could say the same thing about you."
"Say what now?"
"Nothing, darling. Now shush, it's about to start."
An hour later, the show finally finished, much to Forte's relief. By habit he went to grab the remote but had his hand swatted away by a much faster Sunset.
"Ah ah ah Pony Boy, my TV; remember? I decide what's on."
"Just please put something on more interesting than dancing," he said with a roll of his eyes.
Sunset, now with remote firmly in hand, scrolled through the guide until she found a programme that would certainly interest Rarity.
"This looks good," she said, looking sideways to Forte with a sly smile.
"What does?" asked Forte, who was busy clearing the empty plates away.
Sunset pointed to the TV and almost immediately Forte let out another groan of disappointment, "'Say Yes To The Dress'? How is that in any way interesting?"
"I couldn't explain it to you in any way you or any other guy would ever understand."
"Because I'm a guy?"
"Pretty much. Now, how about some ice cream? I think I saw some cookie dough flavour in there earlier."
"I'll get some. Speaking of ice cream I'll have to set my alarm for my new job tomorrow."
"Nervous?"
"A little."
"You'll be fine. It might be a little unusual at first, but you'll get used to it soon enough."
"I thought you hadn't had a job before?" Forte queried in confusion.
"I haven't. Well, not exactly, at least."
"Meaning?"
"I did have a work placement while I was still Princess Celestia's student, working in Equestria's version of a local council office. Princess Celestia later said it was to help me in preparation for what she had planned for my later role as her student. Until I kinda turned into a bitch."
"So you have some work experience?"
"Only a little."
"Any advice?"
"Try to resist hitting customers when they contradict you. Even when they're wrong and you're right."
"You say that like you've done it before," Forte said, squinting his eyes in suspicion.
"No comment," Sunset replied flatly, "Now, ICE CREAM AND LOT'S OF IT!"
Forte suddenly bolted upright, standing to attention, "Yes ma'am!"
Within a few moments he was back on the kitchen sorting out the ice cream, leaving Sunset alone once more.
"What a loveable dork I fell for."
*LATER THAT NIGHT*
Forte was following Sunset up the stepladders to her bed to settle down for the night, having already changed into their pyjamas.
"It'll feel a little odd," Sunset said, sliding under the quilt, "Sleeping with the mattress on the floor."
"It seems a little odd sleeping in an apartment where the bedroom is a glorified shelf over looking the lounge."
"It is a little unusual, but we'll get used to it."
"We?" Forte repeated, getting under the covers with Sunset.
"Well, you're going to move in eventually, right?"
"I suppose I will. Not just yet though, too soon."
"Yeah, we don't want to rush things," Sunset said, fluffing up her pillows, "Have you set your alarm?"
"Yeah, set it for 6.30."
"Great," Sunset groaned, "So I miss out on another lie in?"
"But you like getting up on a morning."
"I do. Do you think you can manage to make yourself breakfast?"
"I'm pretty sure I can manage getting myself a bowl of cereal."
"Are you sure?" Sunset teased, "You might spill some milk. Or miss the bowl altogether."
"Yeah, yeah, very funny Sunnykins. Now less talk and more sleeping."
"If you say so Pony Boy. Night night Forte, love you," she said, giving him a kiss.
"Night Sunny, love you too."