//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2: Mid Life 
// Story: The Charmed Ones 
// by ninjintonic 
//------------------------------//

As I arrived home after a long intense morning workout while my sisters are still fast asleep, I exhaled in relief, enjoying the peace and quiet while I still can. Otherwise, what was more likely to happen is coming home to two idiots pulling at each other's hair because Ria pulled some kind of silly prank again on Nata. I instinctively opened the fridge to grab a small box of a protein drink, pondered over the past few days on what Ria's been filling her days with because she's been a bit more distant than usual.

After finishing the last sip of my drink, I plopped my gym bag on the floor beside a living room couch, approached a nearby mirror and undid my pony-tail. My hair has always been naturally straight, somewhat similar to my sisters but a tad longer. People had always recognized me for my hair being puffed because I thought it would be a smart idea for people to visually point me out as the leader of the two. I gazed at my reflection and sighed. I've lately been finding myself rekindling the past on things we've taken for granted. I had to remind myself everyday that those days are now just a distant memory. We have more bigger fish to fry. We're faced with no options but to live our lives the normal way... or the hard way. Each day I wrestle with the hardest smile on my face to hide the insecurity behind this vessel and there's only so much I can hold. I'm sure Ria and Nata are aware in the state I'm in... I mean, I can still stand with pride being the leader, the prettiest, and the smartest, but as I think about it, all that isn't really important anymore than the fact that we now only have each other, and it's my responsibility as the oldest sister to take care of them. It's what I've promised to do for mother when she was alive. 

What would mother do at a situation like this? She did tell me one thing, and that is to learn how to appreciate what I already have before time makes me appreciate what I had. At times of trouble like today, not sure how I can live by that rule, but maybe it was our destiny to have our magic stripped from us. What do I know..

I slowly put up a scornful look at my reflection, recollecting the tragic incident that happened years ago at Canterlot High. To this day, I just can't let it marinate in my system how such pathetic little group can surpass our siren magic. We were so close, but she ruined it; Sunshit Shimmer.

For now, I'm going to leave all that shenanigans behind and just enjoy the relaxation while I still can like the human that I am... Well that's the sentence that I don't use everyday. I rolled my eyes, turning away from the mirror and headed to the bathroom for a shower.

*Phone vibrates*

I paused to the sound of my text message that was coming from a nearby table lamp, probably work-related? I headed back to the table and picked up the phone, turned it on to see who texted:

Nata: "Dagi! I can hear you out there, could you please hand me my nintendo switch? it's by the couch."

I rolled my eyes, tossed the phone back on the lamp table and shouted out towards her closed bedroom, "Nata! get off your ass and get it yourself!" The nerve.





An hour later, seeing how two of my idiots are already munching on the table before me, I stood in front of a nearby mirror hung on a wall by the living room and started combing my hair. "G'morning girls.."

Sonata, with a smile on her face, looked at me with a mouthful of cereal, "Good Morning, Dagi!"

Aria didn't pay any much response but sat silently and continued devouring her cereal. 

"What you girls been up to?" As I continued combing my hair, "It's unlikely you girls to sleep in this late.." I glanced at Aria because the question was intended for her.

Aria was swirling her spoon around her bowl of left over cereal and sighed, "... nothing... Same crap different toilet.."

"Care to elaborate?" I continued to comb my hair.

Aria bit her lip, "No.."

"You've been weird lately... And it's discomforting." I replied.

Sonata let out a small burp, "Oh! I think Ria has her period!"

I narrowed my eyes at Aria confusedly, "Wow really? for a week? You should go see a doctor or something. No one should be in that length of pain."

Aria with a quick retort, "For Pete's sake is nothing like that! Do you really believe her?!"

Sonata and I giggled, I put the comb down by the lamp table and sat next to the girls and poured myself a bowl of milk and cereal.

Aria rolled her eyes followed by a small chuckle, "Yeah... I bet that workout in the gym is just an excuse so that you can pig out the entire day... Or were you probably at a guy's house getting some serious..."

I pointed at her with a spoon, "If you even dare to finish that sentence, I swear to Celestia."

Sonata took a bite of her cereal, "Dagi, I uhh bought something from amazon..."

"I know... you purchased a useless piece of machine and a TV for your room that's not going to benefit your future... I know..." I sighed.

Sonata responds, "I'm going to pay you back this Thursday. I promise."

"Yeah whatever." I took a bite of my cereal, "Wait a minute, I thought you have work today..." Raising my eyebrow.

"Say's who?" Sonata smirked.

"Aw.. Look at her being cute already so early in the morning.." Aria with a sarcasm remark, "Nata, do you know that even after we lost our magic, you've gotten much worst?"

Sonata narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips at Aria, "I wish you get out of my life and shut up!"

"GIRLS!" I shouted, "Not today please! You both can maul at each other when I'm not here, okay?! or grow up or something..." I rolled my eyes and took another bite of my cereal, "... What about you Ria?"

"What about me?..." Aria raised her eyebrow.

Raising my eyebrow back at her, "Don't make me ask twice..."

Aria sighed. She thought she would've learned by now that coming to the dining table when I'm around would be kind of a risky move because I'd shoot her with countless of questions. She began tapping her fingers on the table trying to hide the nervous look on her face. She thought maybe telling me now would be a good idea so she can finally get it out in the open.

"I..." Aria stumbled in words, "I have decided to open up a bar club."

A smirk etched on my face, "You're kidding, right?"

Sonata jumped up from her seat seemingly excited about the big news, "OMG! when is the grand opening? I wanna go I wanna go!"

"Sonata! Calm your ass!" I reprimanded.

Aria cleared her throat, "Friends at work pitched in the idea that I should open up a Bar Club.... So I did."

"You've decided without telling me?" I questioned.

"I decided to name the bar club Sirens." Aria concluded.

I quickly stood up and placed the bowl in the sink, "Ria, I don't know what's gotten into you but I don't have time today to stress over your stupid decision."

"I've been trying to find the right time to tell you but obviously I was wrong so excuse me." Aria replied.

"I gotta go to work... You go do you. It's your life, I'm not your mother." I grabbed my coat then headed outside and slammed the door shut.

"... You could at least support me like a sister.." Aria muttered under her breath.

"I support you!" Sonata let out a bright smile, "Hell with Dagi. You prove her wrong that this whole thing is a good idea. Plus It would be fun! We could also perform in the club!"

"Nata..." Aria rubbed her temples, "I hope you remember that we no longer have our voices."

"Oooooo!! We could sing opera and stuff!" A lightbulb goes on Sonata's head.

"Or I could just keep talking and talking and nothing registers in my stupid little sister's small brain." Aria said to herself and rolled her eyes.