//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Motorcycles // Story: Tears of Sunlight // by JWolfSilver //------------------------------// Sunset was curled up on the couch, reading through her book while waiting for Celestia to get off the phone with the construction crew for the upcoming Friendship Games. Sunset didn’t understand why she needed a construction crew for the field but she found it easier not to ask. After a while, Celestia walked into the room and smiled, “Are you ready to go?” Sunset raised a brow and smirked, “Yeah. Are you?” Celestia sighed, “Not at all. So, let’s go before I change my mind.” Sunset chuckled as they both climbed into Celesta’s Car and pulled away. “You’re the one who said I was ready.” Sunset said. “Yes, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.” Celestia said, “When you have kids, you will be just as terrified when they want to get their motorcycle licenses.” Sunset smiled, still getting used to Celestia referring to her as her child, “Yeah. I’m honestly surprised that the pictures Luna showed me didn’t scare me off.” She shuddered. “At least this way you won’t drive stupidly.” Celestia commented. “And I passed my test first try!” Sunset said, “Besides, you should be happy that you won’t have to drive me around all the time.” “The fact that Chrysalis was one that taught you how to ride a motorcycle makes me nervous.” Celestia admitted, “She’s been in two accidents since high school.” “She’s OK at least.” Sunset said. “‘OK’, is a relative term.” She sighed, “I’m just glad that I’m the one teaching you how to drive a car.” “Yep! Can’t wait to race Luna to school.” Sunset grinned to Celestia who shot her a glare, causing the younger girl to laugh. “You and my sister are going to be the death of me.” Celestia grumbled. “Awe, but you love us!” Sunset said. Celestia smirked as she jerked the car to the side, sending Sunset’s head into the window. “Ow!” Sunset remarked. “Oh, I’m sorry, I thought there was a snarky teenager in the road. Must have been my imagination.” Sunset stared at her blankly for a moment before laughing but it did put the argument to rest. Soon, they pulled into the dealership and waved as they passed a familiar black skinned woman. “Hey Chrys.” Sunset greeted as they met her at the doors. “Hey kid.” She said, giving Celestia a quick hug, “You ready?” “Yes” “no” Sunset and Celestia said at the same time. Chrysalis pat Celestia on the arm and spoke sweetly, “I wasn’t asking you.” Sunset chuckles, “It’s OK, Celestia, I’ll be fine.” Celestia rolled her eyes, “Let’s get this over with.” The three of them entered the dealership and were immediately greeted by a young man, about 21. With green skin and light blue hair that was slicked neatly to the side. “I smell a fresh license!” he said, looking at Sunset with a smile. “Hi Clutch.” Sunset greeted, “I am finally here to buy something!” Celestia and Chrysalis exchanged confused glances. Clutch noticed this and looked at the two women, his smile never fading. “Sorry, I’m Sidebar Clutch but people just call me Clutch.” He extended his hand to Chrys, “I saw you ride up earlier, you must be Chrysalis.” The woman hesitantly shook his hand before he looked to Celestia, “And you must be Sunset’s mother, it’s nice to finally meet you. Alright, so today everything in here is half off for Miss Shimmer, here.” Chrys’s jaw dropped and Celestia choked on her saliva. Sunset’s eyes widened, “Uh, Clutch, you don’t have to do that.” “Nonsense! I already cleared it with the boss. You were a big help to Matte and I. We would have never made it through those exams without you.” He said. Sunset finally looked at Celestia and Chrysalis who looked completely lost on the situation. “I spent a little more time here than I care to admit.” She admitted, “I ended up helping Clutch and Gear with their college physics while I was here.” Chrysalis was the first to respond, “You know what, I’m just going to roll with it.” “That’s probably best.” Celestia replied, “You still amaze me sometimes.” Sunset grinned, “Now that that’s out of the way, let’s go shopping!” Clutch pretty much walked around with them as he and Sunset had been through this many times before. After Sunset had gotten the OK from Celestia to try for her license at Christmas, Sunset had come to visit the dealership in some of her free time. She had made friends with Clutch and Matte, his roommate. Sunset had overheard them one day as they were working through a physics problem and wound up tutoring whenever she was in. After a while, Chrysalis helped her pick one of the bikes she okayed and they were good to go. “Thanks for the sale guys!” Clutch said. “Thanks for the deal.” Chrysalis said. “So, it’s still cool if I e-mail you for physics, right?” He pleaded. Sunset smiled, “Absolutely.” “Thanks!” He said, “See you around.” When they walked out to where the bike was parked, Celestia watched the doors, looking concerned. “What’s up, Tia?” Chrysalis asked. “I’m not sure how I feel about a sixteen-year-old helping a college boy.” Celestia explained. Sunset studied Celestia’s face for a moment before realizing what the issue was. She smiled for a moment before giggling, “You don’t have to worry about that, Celestia.” “I am concerned as to his intentions.” Celestia said, “This is not a laughing matter.” This only made Sunset laugh more, “Yes, it would be if I wasn’t also helping his ‘roommate’.” The air quotes around ‘Roommate’ immediately got Chrys’s attention and she started to chuckle. It took Celestia a moment before she was laughing as well, “I am really glad I didn’t mention my concerns to him.” Sunset laughed, “Let’s go!” She said excitedly as she took her helmet from Celestia. Celestia and Chrys head to the car but, in one quick movement, Celestia and Chrysalis swapped keys. Sunset looked on in curiosity as Celestia headed to a motorcycle Sunset didn’t recognize and lifted the seat to pull out a soft pink helmet and a black leather jacket and put them on as she hopped on and started the engine. “Since when do you have your motorcycle license?” Sunset Yelled after they started the bikes. “Since she was 14.” Chrysalis yelled as she pulled the SUV up beside them. “See you at the house.” Celestia smiled at Sunset’s surprise, “I‘ve never seen you ride before so I had Chrysalis take her out of storage. Shall we?” Sunset revved the engine for a moment and nodded with a grin. Celestia pulled out fist and Sunset fell in beside her as they came to the light. “Try to keep up, Sunset.” Celestia said just as the light turned green. Sunset didn’t know whether to be insulted or invigorated but leaned to invigorated when she saw that Celestia wanted her to follow her as they were going for a bit of a detour. It became abundantly clear that her adoptive mother was testing her. They weaved in and out of traffic, down streets sunset didn’t even know about, down to the old side of town and through several back alleys and eventually made it to the highway outside of town. They had to have been going for an hour before Celestia gestured to the gas station next to nice looking diner. When they pulled up in front of the diner, they shut of their motorcycles and removed their helmets. Before Sunset could speak, Celestia walled over and looked at her fuel gave and nodded, “You started at half a tank and we’ve gone about 30 miles. Keep that in mind while driving, you don’t want to run out of fuel and be stranded on the highway, trust me.” “You got stranded on the highway?” “Several times.” Sunset snickered. They went into the diner and chose a booth near the window. “That was awesome!” Sunset said, “If you knew how to ride, why didn’t you teach me?” “Chrys’s father was the one who taught her and she taught me and Luna so I figured she would be better suited.” She smiled, “Besides, I thought it would be more fun to see your face when you got your first motorcycle. Turns out I was right.” Sunset snorted, “It did kind of surprise me but it was fun following you around!” She chuckled, “Never thought I’d say that.” The waitress came over and place a pot of tea in front of them. Celestia poured them each a mug then smiled, “Well I never thought I’d be referring to you as my daughter a few months ago, so I guess we are both pleasantly surprised.” Sunset smiled and took a sip, “I still think stealing that crown was the best thing I ever did.” “I really hope you don’t plan on repeating those transgressions, mind you.” Celestia joked. “Well there goes my plans for next week.” Sunset said with a grin. Now in a moment of regret, Sunset made Celestia laugh…. with tea in her mouth…right on to the waitress who came to get their orders. The two of them looked, horrified but not as baffled as the waitress who, calmly, smiled and walked away. They exchanged looks, each took out a twenty, slapped it on the table and ran out the door, all in sync. They laughed when they made it outside. “It isn’t funny!” Celestia said, still laughing, “That poor waitress.” Sunset had to sit down, laughing so hard she had tears coming out of her eyes. Celestia shook her head as she put her helmet on, “Alright, let’s fill up and go home.” Sunset smiled and followed her lead.