//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: Melody at Sunset // by shadowslayer133 //------------------------------// The buildings, trees, and passing scenery flew by as Sunset sat quietly in the passenger seat of Adagio's car. While she tried to focus on them her mind was far too distracted by the events of the last few hours. Even now she found it hard to process it all. She sat with the long time banished Queen of the vampire, Adagio Dazzle, on a date of all things. While she enjoyed the stories about her she never expected to meet the vampiress, let alone to survive the encounter if she did. Yet here she sat, and worst of all a part of her mind liked the idea. She turned her head to take in the driver, her eyes wandering across her purple dress, up to her hair. She clearly put some time into her appearance for this date. She wondered how Twilight would feel, knowing she made friends with at least one of the legendary sisters, and would possibly become the girlfriend of another. Adagio's gaze turned to her, a feral grin spreading across her face as she caught Sunset watching her. Quickly averting her gaze she turned back to the window, squeezing at the hem of her short dress with nervousness. "Something on your mind, Shimmer? Me, perhaps?" Adagio spoke with an air of clear playfulness in her voice. "I noticed you seem to really like the color purple. Your dress is purple, as was the kimono you wore last night" Sunset answered, turning back to her. She would face this head-on, she decided. Who knows, maybe something could work out between her and Adagio. As much as she tried to deny what Sonata told her, a part of her did want to try. "I suppose I do," Adagio replied, her gaze drifting back to the road. They lapsed back into silence, much like most of the drive into town. When Adagio finally awoke she simply told Sunset that she hoped she had slept well and complimented her on her dress. But beyond that, the two hadn't spoken much. Sunset decided to break that silence. This had been bothering her since she woke up. "Adagio, I have to know. Did you change me in my sleep?" There was a hint of clear discomfort in her tone, Adagio noticed. Though she would expect nothing less, considering the situation. "No, I used hypnosis on you. While you were under I brought you to your room, told you to change, and to get some sleep." she replied, putting up a hand as Sunset opened her mouth to reply, cutting her off. "And don't worry, I do not plan to hypnotize you again in the future. I simply didn't want you to have a panic attack" Sunset seemed to relax at that, a small bit of tension leaving her body. Adagio smiled, hoping by the end of the date she would feel completely relaxed around her. It didn't take long to reach the intended destination from there. A small cafe in the middle of town, surrounded by other small local businesses and the park which housed the portal to Equestria, which made Sunset feel a little nervous. "I thought you would enjoy this place, seeing as you're a pony I know you likely don't eat the meats offered in most dishes. I hear the salads here are quite large and filling. I admittedly don't know much on vegetarian diets, so I hope this was a good selection for you." Adagio offered, getting out of the car and walking over to Sunset's side, opening the door for her. "I've eaten here before, the food is good. I actually live right down the road" she replied, getting out of the car. Sunset knew due to being marked Adagio would find her no matter where she ran, so she might as well be honest about where she lived. The two sat outside at a small table, Sunset ordering the Greek Salad. Once alone Adagio leaned in, her eyes gazing into Sunsets with interest. "I know we both have questions, so why don't we get started. You said you studied magic, so I assume you're a Unicorn?" "I am," Sunset answered, biting back her nerves. "My magic is what I miss most about Equestria, besides my friends." Adagio nodded "You mentioned having friends, but you also mentioned a lust for power. Were you banished?" Sunset became stiff, her eyes darting to the park and then back to Adagio. Her body language made it clear she did not want to answer this question. With a soft sigh, Adagio leaned forward in her chair, reaching out with her hand to place it over the back of Sunsets. She hesitated a moment, slowly lowering it until the two touched. She heard Sunset swallow hard, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Listen, I want you to be honest with me. I have no desire to harm you, or anyone else. I am genuinely interested in you, Shimmer. Don't be afraid to answer me. My sisters and I have mellowed out quite a bit over the years. We feast to survive, not because we enjoy hurting others, and we even make sure not to take enough to cause them lasting harm. Besides, if I really wanted to I could simply order you to tell me everything, or hypnotise you once more. I am making a genuine effort here" Sunset appeared apprehensive, seeming to debate with herself if she should take Adagio at her word. She gave Sunset time, smiling a little as she spoke softly after a few minutes. "I was the student of Princess Celestia. I betrayed her in search of power, believing I needed it to make friends. In reality all power would have given me was the ability to force ponies to stay by my side. You can't force friendship, which Twilight and our friends showed me when I tried to steal her crown. Ultimately I chose to come back here, I have too many bad memories in Equestria. Although it's a lot more lonely" Adagio's eyes widened at this. If she understood Sunset correctly she had come and gone more than once. "Are you telling me there's a way back and forth between the two worlds?" A meek nod from Sunset answered that question. Adagio was stunned. To think there was a way back to Equestria this entire time. Not that she cared to use it now, however centuries ago she likely would have returned in search of revenge. That fear was painted clearly on Sunset's face. It seems despite Adagio's earlier attempt to appease her fear, it hadn't completely worked. "Relax Sunset, I meant what I said. My sisters and I are not interested in returning to Equestria. We quite enjoy it here" A small nod was what she got in return. At this time the salad was brought out to Sunset, so she slowly began to eat. Her eyes remained on Adagio as she did. "So" Adagio began, grinning at her "the student of a princess. How lucky I am, to be on a date with someone so famous" Sunset shook her head "I'm not her student anymore, so it doesn't matter" "It does too" Adagio shot back "She picked you, Shimmer. You must have shown great potential. You're clearly intelligent, and I'm sure you are very skilled with your magic. I wonder if you could have defeated me, had we been in Equestria" She grinned again, her playful tone returning as she watched Sunset. Sunset herself couldn't help the small smile that graced her features, looking up from her food to fully take in Adagio. "I wouldn't go that far, but thanks. Um, why are you so interested in me? I've theorized about it since I woke up. First, I thought you'd keep me around as food, but then Sonata and I talked and I began to believe there was another reason. Was it because I complimented you, called you a queen?" Adagio's grin grew as she responded "That was rather nice, but no. There are many things about you that I like, such as the fact that you're also from Equestria. I find you rather attractive too. But the real reason I wanted to get to know you better was that you helped me realize how lonely I am. Seeing as you're lonely too I had hoped we could be there for each other. Help each other fill in the others gaps. If we don't work out in a relationship then maybe we can do the same as friends. Whatever your comfortable with, Shimmer" A small blush stained Sunset's cheeks as she listened to Adagio talk. It hadn't been because of something as selfish or vain as simply enjoying her compliments. She found her attractive, she wanted them both to feel less lonely. She finally sat back, letting go of the last bit of tension and fear. Sure, maybe Adagio wasn't telling the truth, but something was telling Sunset that she was genuine. If Adagio wanted to hurt her, to force the truth from her, she would have done so. Instead, the two sat, Adagio giving her time to answer the questions and taking them as honest. Finally, a genuine smile spread across Sunset's face as she turned her hand around in Adagio's grasp, taking her hand in her own. She would give this a try, for both of them. Sunset squeezed Adagio's hand as the two walked down the familiar street, a soft blush staining her cheeks. Having just finished her salad at the cafe Sunset decided to show Adagio her apartment, the latter paying for the meal and following after the fiery redhead. Her blush grew as Adagio laced their fingers, tightening her hold of Sunset's hand. "We're here" she announced, nodding to the small apartment complex in front of them. Adagio frowned, looking thoroughly unimpressed as she followed her upstairs, the two soon stopping in front of the third door on the right. Reaching into her bag Sunset procured her keys, sliding them into the lock and opening the door so the two of them may enter. The apartment was small and clearly cheap, Adagio noticed with growing disdain. The living room consisted of a couch, a tv, and her personal laptop which sat on the coffee table. The laptop was currently closed, with a decal of a red and yellow sun sitting proudly on top. It was the same one Adagio saw on Sunsets bike before they left this morning. "Your cutie mark?" Adagio asked, gesturing to the laptop with her free hand. Sunset turned to regard it for a moment, then nodded. "Oh, yeah. I had them custom made" That answered that question. Looking around the rest of the small space she found the living room was connected to the kitchen, which housed a microwave and a small corner table, as well as a few cabinets for storing food or dishes. How did Sunset live in this cramped apartment for so long? She spotted another doorway, one that likely led to the bedroom with a connected bath. Or at least she hoped it had a connected bath. "This is barbaric" Adagio hissed, soon turning to face Sunset who unlaced their hands and approached her laptop. She turned to her as she sat on the couch, shrugging her shoulders. "This is all I can afford. I only work as a waitress down at the malt shop. I don't make nearly enough to live as lavishly as you and your sisters" Sunset replied honestly. Adagio scoffed at the idea. "Well, it's a good thing you're dating someone with more than enough money and space in her home for you to stay too. Pack your things, Shimmer. I refuse to let you sleep in this competition for a cardboard box for another night" "It isn't that bad" Sunset defended weakly, "I mean, it has heating at least" "It has heating? Never mind then, this place is clearly fit for royalty" Adagio replied with obvious sarcasm, gesturing around the room with her hand. Sunset rolled her eyes. "I'm not royalty" she stated bluntly. "You are a student to Princess Celestia-" "Former student" Sunset quickly corrected, cutting Adagio off. The woman pressed on regardless. "Semantics. Besides, you are currently dating a Queen. That certainly makes you royalty in my eyes" Sunset sighed, a small smirk coming to her lips. "You sure love calling yourself that" "Because it's the truth" Adagio playfully responded, finally walking over and taking a seat next to the fiery woman with whom she hoped she could make a lasting relationship. "And if things don't work out between us?" Sunset asked softly. "Then I'd still rather you stay with my sisters and me. As I said before, if things don't work out romantically I'd still like to be your friend. Come on, Shimmer, I'm already here to help you, and my sisters are just a call away. Won't you let us?" Sunset's mind harkened back to Equestria, to her friends offering to help her in a similar way. She had let them, so how could she possibly turn away Adagio and her sisters now? "Fine," She reluctantly agreed, "But we won't need the others. I don't have much" Sunset stood from the couch, making her way past Adagio, and through the doorway, the vampiress assumed lead into her bedroom. She waited for only a moment, opening her mouth to ask if Sunset needed assistance, but closed it as she soon returned with the items she went to collect. She set them on the couch next to her, reaching over and grabbing her laptop along with her small collection of movies, stuffing them into her bag. Adagio glanced down at the handful of items Sunset brought from the bedroom, first picking up a book and reading the title with interest. "Daring Do and the Quest for the Sapphire Stone?" "It was a gift from Rainbow Dash. She wanted me to read it, so we could talk about it when I return to Equestria in two years" Sunset answered, "She promised to have the full set for me by then" "You should tell her about Indiana Jones," Adagio said, noticing the DVD collection in Sunset's hand before she placed them in her bag. Sunset chuckled and nodded her agreement. "If I can get them to come over to this side I'll have a watch along with them" Adagio grinned, turning back to the small pile of items. First, she picked up a scarf, its colors matching Sunset's hair. Then a half-empty bottle of apple cider. More gifts from her friends back in Equestria, she assumed. Next, she picked up a small picture frame, inside sat a photograph of Sunset and six colorful ponies, along with a baby dragon. The ever regal Princess of the sun sat off to one corner, smiling down at all of them with obvious pride. "You look so happy," Adagio said, smiling down at the picture as she felt a warmth in her heart. Sunset sat beside her once more, placing her now overly stuffed bag and the few items she grabbed beside her. "I was. For the first time in my life, I didn't feel alone anymore. I had friends, and I made up with Princess Celestia. I knew that at least in one world I didn't have to rely on nobody but myself" Reaching over Adagio took both of her hands in her own, meeting her eyes as she leaned in, pulling the two of them closer together, prompting another blush from the redhead. "I promise you, Sunset. No matter where you go, be it this world or Equestria, my sisters and I will always be here for you too. You will never be alone again"