There was a slight spring in Sunset's step as she walked down the high school halls.
“Well, someone had a good night.”
Sunset spun around. “I'm not gonna say,” she teased. Though things quickly turned awkward when she realized the person asking was Rarity. “Ah! Rarity, I didn't mean....!” Her fears were quickly put to rest when Rarity gave her a gentle smile.
“At least you're not one to kiss and tell,” the fashionista joked, “And I would thank you if I never hear what you and my mother do.”
Sunset let out a light chuckle as she zipped her lips shut. “Mum's the word!... Erm...” she blushed at her awkward word choice. “So,” she rubbed the back of her head, “we're cool?”
“Yeah,” Rarity nodded, “Let me just make one thing clear though, Sunset Shimmer.”
Sunset raised a brow, “Oh?” She yelped as Rarity grabbed her by her jacket and slammed her backward into the lockers.
“If you do anything to break her heart, I'll make more than sure to do everything in my power to ensure you live to regret it.”
A smile crept across Sunset's face. “Understood.”
---
“Well, you certainly seem in better spirits this afternoon.”
Sunset checked the tuning of her guitar, “Rarity and I had a good talk today. We hammered things out and laid down some ground rules.”
“Oh?”
“Nothing that really effects us. She's just looking out for Sweetie Belle.” She strummed a G-chord progression as a test. “I listened to those albums you told me about. Why is all the good music old music?”
Cookie laughed, “We had crap back then, too. Only the stuff worth remembering is what survives. You'll see. Just give it a few decades.”
Sunset smiled, playing a riff from one of the songs she'd heard, “I don't know if I can wait that long.”
“That's really good! You learned it that quickly?”
“Rainbow is almost constantly changing our music. You learn to quickly learn things.”
“That's right” Cookie nodded, “I keep forgetting you play in a band.”
“I told you Rarity plays the keytar.”
“Yes. I need to ask her to play for me sometime. So, what else have you got?”
Sunset gave a knowing smile. Double checking her setup, she started the drum machine and began the intro to a instrumental rock piece.
Cookie leaned back and listened as Sunset made the guitar sing. She listened as Sunset put her own spin on the classic song. Once the drums started up, she tapped her foot in time. She watched as Sunset's fingers danced on the fret board. The younger woman seemed so lost in her element. Excessive power chords and complicated runs, she was a rock musician through and through.
She clapped when the song reached its conclusion. “You're amazing!” she smiled, making Sunset blush. “Did I ever mention that I traveled with a band?
Sunset had to think. “Maybe in passing. That does sound familiar.”
“Maybe I could go on the road with you sometime.”
“Only if you can drive better than Applejack's grandmother.”
Cookie laughed, “That bad?”
“Oh, yeah... Good news is we don't travel out of town all that often.”
“Well, regardless, I would like to sit in on one of your gigs. But, are the ears a common thing?”
Sunset nearly dropped her guitar. “Huh?” she reached up on her head and felt a little pony ear. “Gah,” she growled, “I thought we had this under control.”
“So it does happen often?”
Sunset sheepishly smiled, “More that I care to tell.”
“May I?”
Sunset let out a light chuckle as she leaned her head forward for Cookie to examine the ears. She felt trembling fingers brush against the sensitive hairs.
“They're so soft.” Cookie gently stroked and petted the ears. As she moved towards the base, Sunset slightly jolted, startling her.
“That tickles!” Sunset laughed, shaking her head.
“They really are very sensitive...”
“About as sensitive as any other pony's.”
Cookie watched with great wonder as the ears twitched under touch. Then, in a yellow light, the pony ears disappeared and Sunset's human ears reappeared. Cookie's jaw slackened. “You say all of you experience this?”
Sunset laughed awkwardly, “Yeah. We've gotten used to it. Just a little weird explaining it to others.” She stiffened slightly as Cookie brought her into a hug.
“Well,” the older woman said, “I find them absolutely adorable! They look so cute on you!”
Sunset couldn't help but laugh. “Yeah, Rarity thought the same.”
“You comparing me to my daughter now?” Cookie teased.
“Kinda hard not to,” Sunset shrugged, “I mean, Rarity and I have been friends for a while. You two are more similar than you know. You're both very determined and hardworking. You have both accomplished much. She's taken much after you. You must be very proud of her.”
“She sounds like a woman you would date.”
Sunset shook her head. “Not Rarity. We both agree we can be friends, and that's it. Besides, she's far too young for me. I like more mature women,” she smirked, “Maybe, if she were her mother's age,...”
“Oh, you little...!” Cookie playfully flung it a throw pillow.
“H-ey!” laughed Sunset, dodging the projectile, “Watch the guitar!”