Dear AJ, Rainbow and Pinkie,
Hey, girls. I can’t believe it’s been about a week since I moved into The Cathedral of the Sun. I won’t lie, I’m missing all of you already. This place is really quiet compared to Golden Tree. The only other people around other than Lady Inkwell are the prominence knights and the sun-touched, and neither of them really do much talking. I heard that Roseluck was still in the core with Lily and Daisy, but I haven’t seen them at all. I wish you could have met them when I came to Golden Tree. You’d have liked them.
I’ve been given a suite on the west side of the cathedral. The thing’s bigger than some of the houses in town, and full of tons of fancy furniture and stuff. I don’t like it. It’s just me and Philomena, and it feels so empty and lifeless. Extravagant and wasteful too. Why do I need so much space?
Light, listen to me complaining about getting to live in the Core of Heliopolis. I must sound so ungrateful. But, I miss you. I miss you all so much. I wish you could have come here with me, but Raven said no. I don’t get her. Sometimes she’s so nice. And other times, she’s just so cold and ruthless. Is that what living for thousands of years does to you?
Look at me rambling. I guess I’m just nervous. I start my lessons with Queen Celestia tomorrow. I have a feeling I’m going to be really busy for the next few weeks. I’ll write again when I have the chance.
With love, your sister,
Sunset Shimmer
P.S. Pinkie, just because I’m not around doesn’t mean you’re free to cause too much trouble. I don’t want to hear from AJ about another “lizard dance party” incident just because I’m not there to tell you ‘no.’
P.P.S. Rainbow, don’t encourage her!
*****
Sunset found herself in a great, expansive white void. Regardless of the direction she looked, she saw nothing but featureless space. There was no light. No darkness. No up or down. Only white as far as she could see. She wasn't even sure if she was floating in place or somehow standing on something.
Yet, despite the impossibility of wherever she was, she wasn’t afraid. If anything, she felt safe in the void, though she wasn’t sure if it was because of some inherent property of the space, or who had created it.
“Queen Celestia,” Sunset said timidly as she spun around, staring off into the all-encompassing white. “Are you there?”
There was a moment of silence before a response came.
“Yes, my dear Sunset,” she heard Queen Celestia say. Or rather, she heard the queen’s voice come from all around her, filling the air from all directions. “I am here.”
There was something oddly calming about hearing the queen’s voice. Some strange, ineffable quality that put her at ease and made her feel as though everything were right in the world.
“Where am I?”
“You are someplace safe,” the queen said with a warm, maternal tone. “This realm is one I’ve created for you to practice and learn to harness your flame. And not just you, but Philomena as well. She is a part of you, Sunset, just as you are a part of her, so she will need to learn these lessons by your side. Please, open yourself to her, so she can be with us.”
Doing as she was told, Sunset opened her bond with Philomena.
You there, Mena? Sunset sent.
Nope. I’m just a figment of your imagination, Sunny, Philomena returned in a playful tone.
Rolling her eyes, Sunset huffed through her nose.
Well, voice in my head that isn’t an adorable, fluffy little baby phoenix who I’m going to give lots of snuggles and kisses to when I’m done, if you know where Philomena is, tell her that Queen Celestia wants her to listen in on our magic lessons.
Sunset could feel the sensation of Philomena’s annoyance through their bond.
I’ll try to pass it on, but no promises. I hear she had a lot of naps and getting fed by her mom lined up for the day.
Tell her I’m sorry to interrupt that. I’ll be sure to stub my toe every so often so she stays awake.
…Brat.
Hi, silver, I’m platinum. You’re shiny.
Philomena sent a subtle mental shove through their link before they shared a moment of mirth.
“Philomena’s with us,” Sunset said into the void.
“Very well then, we can begin,” the queen’s voice said contentedly. “But, before we do, know that what I am about to teach you will change how you view your flame. Almost everything you have learned before about it and how to channel it will not help you anymore. As you are now, you cannot call on your flame to use magic as you once did. Its return will not come swiftly, nor will it be an easy process. But, it will be something you will gain, in time. And I will be here to guide you.”
“What do you mean, Your Highness?” Sunset asked.
“Allow me to answer your question with a question,” Queen Celestia said with a small touch of amusement, “If I were to show you a completed sword, would you know how to duplicate it if the only skill you had was the knowledge to temper metal?”
Sunset opened her mouth to reply, but stopped herself. She’d never made a sword before. She could guess at the process, but from what Bronze had told her, and what little she’d read in the manuals kept at the smithy, it was far more complicated than making things like nails or shovels.
“Well, no,” Sunset finally replied. “But, I don’t understand what that has to do with my flame.”
“The way you have wielded your flame up until now has been like a smith who only knows how to temper metal. Before, that would have sufficed, as that was all the knowledge you needed. But now you must know all of the steps in the forging process. You must know how to refine the steel, to hammer the blade into the right shape, to properly bevel its edge, to grind a fuller if needed and temper it correctly. And not just to make a sword, but many different things. That is what I will be teaching you here. From me, you will learn the fundamentals of using the flame to power your magic, and from that, I will give you the knowledge of how to harness its full potential.”
“I think I understand,” Sunset said nervously.
“Then we can begin with your first lesson into the nature of the flame you wield: the Sun.” As Queen Celestia spoke, a small sun appeared in the air before Sunset. She could feel the heat coming from its surface: powerful, intense, beautiful and dangerous all at once.
“The Sun is a dichotomy. It is the crucible from which all of the elements spring…” As the light of the sun poured down, earth slowly formed. From the earth sprang water, flooding the land. From the water came plants, covering the land in green. Soon, wind rushed past Sunset as the plants filled the empty sky with air. As they grew and aged, some died, and from the deadwood came fire as the heat of the sun mixed with the air. While the plants burned, the earth was transformed, and patches of molten rock erupted from below the surface, forming shining metals that were devoured by the waters, which boiled into steam, rising from the surface and falling as rain and snow, which formed into sheets of ice on the highest mountains.
“…a force of life-giving light…” Queen Celestia’s voice continued as new trees and plants grew from the desolation, coating the land in new green things to replace the old.
“…and of warmth and renewal.” The snow and ice began to melt under the light of the sun, turning into clouds that dropped rain onto the land.
Sunset watched in awe at the display.
“Yet it is also a force of destruction, as its flame and heat can burn the land and dry up all that life needs to survive,” Queen Celestia’s voice rang as the sun’s light bore down on the land, drying the water, setting fire to the plants, and scorching the earth. Soon, the ground erupted into flames as the sun’s light ignited the atmosphere and melted the stone, leaving only ash and dust.
In moments, the ashes blew away on an invisible, unseen wind, and Sunset found herself shuddering as she stood before the miniature sun, its light still shining down on her. She regarded the flaming orb warily as she realized that she’d never thought of the sun in such a way. It had always been a source of life and light, a blessed sign of her goddess and queen’s power and majesty. But never had she thought of it as a destroyer.
“As children of the sun, the sun-gazers naturally draw on the power of the sun through the flame within themselves. And from that flame, they fuel the magic of their tribe,” Queen Celestia’s voice calmly cut through Sunset’s contemplation.
While Queen Celestia spoke, three androgynous figures appeared: one was tall and muscular, one was slight and bore a great pair of wings on their backs, and one was average in build and height but bore a glowing elliptical gem in the center of their forehead.
‘Earth-weaver, sky-runner and fire-caller. The three tribes,’ Sunset thought as she looked upon the three before her. As she watched, the sun broke into three smaller balls of flame and flowed into the chests of the figures, causing the three of them to glow.
“Like the power of the sun, the flame can be used as a force of creation, life and genesis…” The three figures glowed with soft, white light as plants sprouted around the earth-weaver’s feet, gentle breezes and clouds formed by the sky-runner, and the glow of magic erupted from the soul-gem on the fire-caller’s forehead.
“…or death and destruction.” Sunset took a step back as the light became harsh and painfully bright. As it did, the ground around the earth-weaver’s feet cracked and erupted into jagged spikes, lightning and violent winds whipped around the sky-runner, and the light from the fire-caller’s soul-gem became harsh and dangerous as shards of metal, spheres of fire, and burning hot light began to swirl around their outstretched hands.
“It is the sun-gazer that decides the flame’s purpose. As a tool of creation, or as a weapon of destruction,” Celestia said as the three figures disappeared like sand blown away on the wind. “Both can come from the flame, and both are correct ways to use it, just as the sun is both creator and destroyer. The choice lies within each sun-gazer, and the consequences of that choice are theirs and theirs alone. Do you both understand?”
Sunset’s head was already swimming with what Celestia had told her. Even when studying with Bronze and learning the basics of spell-dancing, they had never delved so intensely into the very nature of their flame. Only its practical applications.
Mena? Sunset sent nervously. Did you understand all of that?
I kinda get it, Philomena replied, her own confusion at what she’d heard seeping through the bond. But… not really. You?
Same. I think I followed most of that, but I’m still a little lost.
“I… we… sort of get it,” Sunset replied, her voice quavering with uncertainty.
“It will become clearer, in time. What is important now is that you begin to understand,” Queen Celestia said as her voice reverberated across the void. As it did, a new shape appeared, this one also androgynous, yet now devoid of all tribal features. Within the figure’s chest there was a glowing well of flame that flickered and pulsed as though alive. Sunset stared in wonder at the new manifestation.
“All magic is harnessed by the three aspects of the wielder: body, mind, and spirit.” Three glowing glyphs with the runes for each aspect appeared in a triangle around the figure. “But it is the nature of the magic in question that determines what role the aspects play.”
“Fundamentally, the flame is magic born of the body.” The figure began to move, and as it did, the flame responded, flowing and twisting as the figure danced. “The flame springs from the body, and it is through the motions of the body that the flame is refined and directed to become magic.”
As Sunset watched, she saw the flame begin to shrink and weaken.
“And like all fires, the flame must be fed,” Queen Celestia said as the flames within the figure continued to dim.
“To feed the flame, it must be given the power of the mind in the form of emotion.” As Celestia spoke, glittering, crystalline sparks fell into the flame, causing it to burn brighter and brighter, spreading out of control and threatening to consume the figure. “When the flame consumes the power of the mind, it is able to be shaped into raw magic, and from that raw magic, the power of the sun can be harnessed, shaped and controlled. And it is the emotions fed into the flame that determine the nature of the magic it will make.
“Yet flame is greedy, and seeks to burn beyond its boundaries.” The flame within the figure continued to burn out of control. “If left unchecked, it will grow out of control and consume everything it can.
“But, as the flame is of the body, it can be contained by the power of the spirit. It is through your will, the core of the spirit, that the flame is held in place and shaped to your desire.” As the figure continued to dance, the flame was enveloped in a glowing, emerald shell, which contained it and brought it under control. The flame fought against its prison, but the shell held firm.
Sunset watched as the figure danced, the flame beginning to burn brighter and brighter as it was fed more blue “emotional dust”, yet was held in place by the power of the figure’s will.
“My queen, may I ask a question?” Sunset asked with trepidation to the white void.
“Of course, Sunset. What do you wish to know?”
Nervously, Sunset fidgeted in place, before finding her courage.
“From what I’ve read, those of us who wield the flame have always danced to cast our magic. But why?” Sunset asked. “If motion, feelings and will is all that’s needed, why dance? Why not make spells that simply use gestures?”
Sunset felt a strange, warm sensation flood the white void and settle over her heart like a blanket. In some ways, it reminded her of how she felt when Tender Heart would smile at her for doing a good job around the house, or when Bronze would compliment her on a particularly well-made piece of metalwork.
“Not many would ask such a thing, Sunset,” the queen’s voice said warmly. “Let me answer your question with a question: is there a difference between aimlessly pounding on a piece of metal and using proper technique to form it into something?”
Sunset opened her mouth to reply, but paused before she could, and stopped to think about the question.
“Well, yes. One actually makes something, while one is just pointless flailing,” Sunset said, her voice unsure.
”And that, right there, is why you dance to summon your flame. A dance provides structure and flow, rhythm and cadence, while acting as a means to focus your thoughts and intentions. It isn’t just about the motion, it is about the intent, and the way that intent manifests.
“In a lot of ways, it is similar to how one shapes metal while smithing. There is a rhythm to the process. A pattern. There are different hammer strokes. Different tools. But the intent is the core. Without the pattern, the heating, striking, refining and tempering, the metal will not be properly shaped, or hold its form right. Without the intent of the smith, all you are doing is mindlessly pounding on metal without any idea of what you are trying to make, or why. It is the same with the flame.”
Sunset pondered that for a few moments. She wasn’t sure if she actually understood the queen’s explanation but decided to not press the issue… yet.
“Do you have any other questions, Sunset?”
“Just one: from the legends I’ve read, the tribes embody the three aspects of life. Earth-weavers are the body, sky-runners the spirit, and fire-callers the mind. Does that mean that earth-weavers are better at shaping flame, because they’re the aspect of the body?”
Sunset was again touched by the strange, proud sensation.
“No, dear Sunset, they are not. Although you are right that the earth-weavers are the bodily aspect of the sun-gazers, no tribe of sun-gazers are inherently better at harnessing flame than another. Just as an individual body can be weak, and a mind can be strong, it is the individual’s flame, the quality of their minds, bodies and spirits, and their skill at spell-dancing that determines the power they wield. A sun-gazer with a weak flame that puts in the work to learn to spell-dance may never be able to wield as much flame as one with a larger or purer one, but they could be a better spell-dancer if the one with the greater flame doesn’t put in the effort to learn.”
There was a pause as the figure divided itself back into the avatars of the three tribes.
“But, that does not mean that the flame doesn’t manifest itself in different ways among the tribes. Tell me, do you know how the three tribes wield their magic?”
Sunset considered what was being asked of her for a moment. What did she know of the magic of the three tribes? Outside that of fire-callers, she only knew what she had learned from her sisters and through watching the adults of Golden Tree.
But, the queen had asked her a question, so she had to answer.
“I… know a little,” Sunset finally admitted.
“Then, tell me.”
“For earth-weavers, they use their flames to make plants grow, coax forth and shape rock from the earth itself, and help heal others. Sky-runners can control the weather, fly, walk on and shape clouds. And fire-callers can use their power to actively generate magic to enchant things, or summon elemental energy and light, as well as power runes.”
There was another pause, during which the three figures spread out and formed a triangle around Sunset.
“In the broadest sense, you are right. But, there is more to it than that. The flame enhances all aspects of the tribe that bears it in accordance with said aspect. Spell-dances are merely the most obvious, outward sign of the magic empowered by the flame. For the earth-weavers” –the figure of the earth-weaver stepped forward– “because they represent the body, the magic generated by their flame enhances and fortifies that which is aligned with the body. At its core, it lets them harness their flame to bring forth that which comes from the earth, the body of the world, as well as enhance those things that are of the body, be that body the earth, or that of their own physical form.”
Sunset thought about what the queen had said as the earth-weaver stepped back. She’d always wondered why Applejack and Pinkie were so much stronger than her, even with the physical strength she needed to work the forge. She’d known that it had something to do with their magic, but if the flame was passively enhancing their bodies…
Sunset was jarred out of her thoughts as the sky-runner stepped forward.
“For the sky-runners, the magic generated by the flame enhances that which is aligned with the spirit. Unlike the body, which seeks to be grounded and solid, the spirit seeks open places and wants to soar. And thus, sky-runners are able to fly, use their flame to move at great speed, enhance their senses, be at one with the air and the weather, and summon them to their aid when needed. Were it not for the flame, a sky-runner wouldn’t be able to soar as easily as they do, nor would they have the affinity for the heavens.”
Once again, Sunset considered what she’d been told. The sky-runner stepped back, and the fire-caller stepped forward.
“And last but not least, as the aspect of the mind, the flame of your former tribe manifests itself through the power of creativity and thought. The flame augments the mind of the fire-callers, giving them great intellect and problem solving capacity, and opens them to perceive the magic of the world, as well as use it to use their creativity to shape the world around them. By using the flame, a fire-caller can use the power of the flame to reshape aspects of the world with their mind, call on the elements, infuse objects with magic to augment them and command light.”
“I… think I understand,” Sunset said uncertainly.
“I would say that you are starting to,” Queen Celestia said with an encouraging tone. As she spoke, the three figures began to merge into one, while a new figure, that of a phoenix, appeared.
“And now, we come to the crux of the lesson: the phoenix-born.”
Sunset watched intently as strands of light intertwined themselves between the two figures. In the back of her mind, she could feel Philomena’s interest grow.
“As a phoenix-born, you are the sum of all the aspects: mind, body and spirit. But you are also so much more than that. You are the unity of harmony and the first beings born of fire.”
Sunset’s eyes went wide at that. Through their bond, she could feel Philomena’s surprise as well. Nothing in her studies had told her anything like that.
“What do you mean?” Sunset asked.
“When my mother created the world, the first beings born of fire were the phoenixes. And of the phoenixes, my beloved Lumina was the first. Through Lumina, the fire sprang. And from the bond between you and Philomena, her daughter, you are touched by that first fire.”
Sunset’s head was ringing with the weight of those revelations. Lumina was the wielder of the first fire? How could something like that have been left out of the legends?
“As the unity of the first fire and the light that is the flame,” Queen Celestia continued, “a phoenix-born is granted both the magic of the harmonious-ones, and of phoenix fire. Sunset, just as you are touched by Philomena’s fire, Philomena, you are touched by Sunset’s flame. The power of the fire and flame now exists within you, making you more than an unjoined phoenix.”
Before Sunset’s eyes, the phoenix-born and phoenix took on a distinct appearance. Sunset felt herself tremble a little as the former metamorphosed into a beautiful woman with cyan eyes, light amber skin, and crimson- and yellow-streaked flames for hair dressed in a simple yet elegant white gown, while the latter became an elegant, flame-colored bird with regal plumes on her head and glowing yellow eyes. After a moment, Sunset and Philomena realized what they were looking at: it was a vision of themselves as adults.
Is that really us? Sunset sent as she looked at the vision of her future before her.
I… I think so. You’re beautiful, Sunset.
So are you, Mena. Fire and light, so are you.
As the two of them stared, the vision glowed brightly and divided itself into four motes of light, which drifted to form a tetrahedron around Sunset, with one point floating directly above her. The motes soon expanded and took form again. The one directly above Sunset took the form of Philomena as she was now: a tiny chick. The motes surrounding her also took on new forms. Looking over her right shoulder, she saw the form of herself as a fire-caller that looked like an older teenager. To her front, the mote took the form of her as a sky-runner, though unlike her fire-caller self, she was younger, appearing as Sunset currently was, just past her first decade of life. Looking over her left shoulder, she saw the final mote take the shape of an earth-weaver version of herself, this one probably no more than two or three years old. Each was connected to the vision of Philomena and each other by a thin strand of golden light.
“What… is this?” Sunset asked as she slowly turned, looking at each of the figures in turn trying to understand what she was seeing.
“These represent how the both of you are at this moment, Sunset,” Queen Celestia said. “Or rather, they are your current potential for the magic of each tribe. As you were originally a fire-caller, you have the greatest potential for their magic, while your capacity for the others is weaker. Because you are imbalanced, you will not be able to call on the flame to actively use your magic. Only once all four aspects of your being are brought into balance will you be able to actively summon your flame through your spell-dances. This is the first stage of your training: achieving the balance needed to actively bring forth your flame. Once harmony has been restored within you, you will be able to begin using your flame to create your own spell-dances. Spell-dances that will be yours and yours alone.”
All four of the forms transformed into sculptures made of red sand which slowly disintegrated and blew away on an unseen wind, leaving Sunset alone in the white void.
“But… I know how to spell-dance,” Sunset said under her breath.
“That is true, Sunset,” Queen Celestia said warmly, shocking Sunset out of her melancholy. She hadn’t expected the queen to hear her. A few moments later, she kicked herself. How could she have forgotten that the queen had created this place? Of course she would hear her. “But, it is not a matter of your skill, it is a matter of your flame. The spell-dances you know are spell-dances meant for fire-callers. You are no longer a fire-caller. You are a phoenix-born. Just as you could not perform the spell-dances of an earth-weaver or a sky-runner before your ascension, you are no longer a fire-caller, so the magic of fire-callers will not work for you.”
“But, I thought I had the flame of a fire-caller,” Sunset protested. “Shouldn’t I still be able to use fire-caller magic?”
“There is a difference between being able to use the magic of a fire-caller and being a fire-caller. As a phoenix-born, you can create the effects of all three tribe’s magic, but it is not strictly the magic of the tribe. It is phoenix-born magic. To again go back to our metal-smithing metaphor, as a fire-caller you had access to one set of smithing tools, but could not use the tools for earth-weavers or sky-runners and therefore you could only make certain things. Now, as a phoenix-born, you have access to tools that are like the ones used by the others, plus new ones that are only available to you because of the phoenix fire you now carry. But, even if you chose to use the tools that are like the ones a fire-caller uses to make things that resemble what you would make with fire-caller tools, they are not fire-caller tools, and you must account for the presence of the other tools, and incorporate them into the process.”
Sunset, what’s she talking about? Philomena sent.
I’m not entirely sure, but that’s pretty much what Raven and Roseluck were saying: I’m going to have to learn everything all over again… from scratch. Joy…
Well… it could be worse?
Yea, we could be learning from Steel Sentry instead.
Let's not go there, okay?
“For the time being,” Queen Celestia continued, drawing Sunset out of her silent conversation, “we will focus on creating the symmetry within your flame. Once you are in harmony within yourself, I will begin your instruction into developing your spell-dances.”
Silence filled the void for a few moments as Sunset considered what the queen had said.
“I believe that will be enough for today, Sunset. After you have had a chance to refresh yourself and collect Philomena, I would like you to go to the Cathedral of the Sun’s library and ask the librarian for the first volume of my treatise on the foundations of rune-craft and enchantment. While it will be some time before you will be able to power them as you once did, it will be beneficial for you to begin to learn the true foundations of the craft.”
No sooner did the queen’s voice fade than the void began to swirl and split apart into long ribbons, revealing one of the large, marble chambers in Queen Celestia’s castle behind the featureless lines that made up their form. As the ribbons withdrew, Sunset found herself slowly floating downward as she gently landed in the upturned palm of Queen Celestia’s right hand. Looking up, Sunset stared into the gargantuan face of the queen smiling down at her pleasantly. Looking away so as not to stare, she saw Queen Celestia holding her left hand in the air above the hand Sunset was standing in, the white ribbons flowing into the massive, downturned palm.
Gently, Queen Celestia lowered her hand to the side of a raised marble platform at the center of the room. Once the edge of the queen’s hand was flush with the stone surface, Sunset slowly crawled off of the appendage. Now back on solid ground, Sunset turned to face the queen.
“Thank you, Your Highness,” Sunset said as she curtsied deeply to the queen.
“You are welcome, Sunset,” the queen said as she rose to her full, imposing height. “I will see you tomorrow.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Sunset said as she curtsied again, before turning from the queen and walking towards a waiting sky-car at the other end of the platform, where a pair of sun-touched were standing. As she approached, they opened the doors to the wooden carriage. Once she had entered and gotten seated, they followed, sitting opposite her.
You’re done? Philomena sent.
Looks like. But, don’t get excited, because after I come get you, we’re heading to the library. Sunset sent, before nervously looking at the sun-touched. “Once we’re out of the castle, can you take me to Lumina’s forest? I need to get Philomena.”
In response, the sun-touched nodded then bowed to her.
Okay. So… you said something about snuggles and kisses… you’re going to follow through on that threat, right? Philomena sent with a hopeful tone.
Chuckling to herself, Sunset found the edges of her lips curling upward into a slight smile.
Well, I did say they were for you, so I guess so. Get ready for the snuggling of your life, Mena, because I’m coming for you!
Noooo, please, not the snuggles. Anything but the snuggles, Philomena sent with obviously mock distress.
Even sitting through magic lessons with me?
…almost anything but the snuggles!
*****
Sunset exhaustedly rubbed her eyes with her hand and let out a groan as her escorts pushed open the main door of the Cathedral of the Sun’s library, the beginning of a headache starting to manifest itself behind her eyes and at the base of her skull. She was vaguely aware of a pair of sun-touched leading her to her suite, but she was too mentally spent to really notice their presence.
After a quick meal and visit to Lumina’s aerie on the slopes of Mt. Liakeed to collect Philomena, the two of them had spent most of the day in the cathedral’s vast collection of books.
When Sunset had first arrived, she’d been left speechless at the scale of the thing. Shelves upon shelves upon shelves of books as far as the eye could see, eclipsing the Golden Tree orphanage’s library by several orders of magnitude. And from what she’d been able to tell, this was only a fraction of the whole collection. From her resting spot in Sunset’s sling, Philomena had gently ribbed her over her reaction to the archive, which had earned her a gentle poke on the head.
Upon entering the library, Sunset was greeted by a single sun-touched who approached her and bowed before gesturing towards the stacks and tilting her head quizzically. Understanding that she was being asked what she was here for, Sunset told them that she was here at Queen Celestia’s request to start reading her treatise on runes. Nodding, the sun-touched gestured for her to follow as they headed into the archive.
After being led through the maze of bookshelves, Sunset and Philomena sequestered themselves in a secluded reading nook. On one side of the alcove was a large desk the appropriate size for someone her age, while on the other side there was a reading sofa of similar scale. Gesturing to the sofa, the sun-touched turned away and left, leaving Sunset and Philomena alone. Not sure what else to do, Sunset took a seat on the sofa to wait. After only a brief time, her escort returned with a large, wood-bound tome bearing Queen Celestia’s personal sunburst. Handing Sunset the book, the sun-touched gestured to the desk, before walking over and pulling a cloth-bound book, an inkwell, and a dip-pen from within the depths of their robes.
Approaching the desk, Sunset examined the cloth-bound book curiously, noting that it was full of blank pages. After asking if this was for her to take notes in, and receiving a nod from the librarian, Sunset thanked them and took her seat, before carefully extracting Philomena and her pillow from the sling and setting both of them on the table. Yawning, Philomena snuggled down into the cushion and began to doze off. Giving the baby phoenix an affectionate chin scratch as she fell asleep, Sunset quietly opened the tome and began her study session.
And so, after filling the first dozen or so pages of her notebook and feeling the onset of a study overload-induced headache, Sunset decided that she’d had enough. Blearily rising to her feet, Sunset gently moved a still-sleeping Philomena and her pillow back into their sling, grabbed her notebook and the tome, then made for the door. The moment she stepped out into the hallway, she had to suppress a startled yelp: right outside the door was the librarian, waiting with their hands clasped and arms hanging down in front.
You okay there, Sunny? Something wrong? Philomena sent as she groggily adjusted herself in the sling.
Nothing’s wrong. Just got a bit spooked by the librarian showing up out of nowhere, Sunset sent as she cursed herself for waking her partner.
Oh, okay, Philomena sent as she snuggled back into her pillow.
Sighing, Sunset felt the librarian’s presence approaching. Looking to the sun-touched, she saw them stand as though waiting for something.
“What?” Sunset asked tersely.
In response, the sun-touched simply pointed at the book in Sunset’s possession, then gestured for her to hand it over. Shifting her attention to the volume, Sunset nodded, and handed the precious volume over with a low grumble of irritation. One the librarian had the book, they snapped their fingers, summoning another pair of sun-touched, who approached Sunset and bowed. When Sunset returned her attention to where the librarian had been standing, she saw that they’d vanished, presumably to return the book to wherever it was kept.
Her frown deepening, Sunset gave one last glare in the direction she presumed the librarian had gone, before looking at her new escorts. Sighing and running her hand through her living flame, Sunset said, “Can you please take me to my room? I need to lay down.”
Bowing again, the sun-touched turned and began to walk towards what Sunset presumed was the exit. She found herself automatically following the two robed individuals, her mind drifting off as she walked.
You’re brooding, aren’t you?
Sighing, Sunset gently reached into the sling and petted Philomena’s head.
A bit. That book the queen had me reading gave me a lot to think about, Sunset sent with a tired sigh.
In a good way, I hope.
Depends on what you mean by “good.” I’ve been studying rune inscriptions for years, Mena. Years! I knew I had a lot to learn, but I thought I understood the fundamental theory well enough.
I’m going to assume that from the way you just said that, you don’t think that anymore?
No, Mena, I don’t.
How bad?
Well, to put it simply, pretty much everything that I’ve learned about runes amounts to the clumsy flailing of a half-blind baby. It's fascinating, and enlightening, and answers at least a dozen questions I’ve always had about how even the most basic tier one runes actually work, but it’s a lot to take in all at once.
Sunset could feel Philomena smugness at her through their bond.
What is it, fluff-ball?
I hear you complaining, but I can tell you’re loving this, Philomena sent with a lilt.
Sunset didn’t give Philomena the satisfaction of telling her she was right. Instead, she shifted her hand to affectionately scratch the spot just under Philomena’s chin.
You’re not denying it, Sunbutt, Philomena sent as she leaned into Sunset’s fingers. You were enjoying yourself, weren’t you?
…fine, Sunset huffed in annoyance that her distraction didn't work. I kinda was. It's nice to actually have some answers to the questions about runecraft that've always bugged me. Doesn’t change the fact that I’ve got a headache and want to pry my skull open to let off some of the pressure.
Sunset felt Philomena blanche at the mental image
Let’s not do that, okay? I don’t think exposing the inside of your head to the outside is a good idea.
No kidding? Well, so much for that idea. Guess we’ll just have to lay down and groan into a pillow.
If it makes you feel better.
It might, Sunset sent with a sigh.
“Hey, Sunset!” a familiar pair of voices called, pulling Sunset out of her brooding. Snapping out of her trance, she looked up and saw that they were only a few corridors away from the sky-rail platform that would have taken her back to her suite.
But what really caught her attention were the four figures standing near the platform’s entrance. Of them, the most obvious were Archduchess Roseluck and Amara, the former in a fairly simple red, four-tiered, flounced, ankle length dress and pink blouse with green belt-sash, with the latter perched on a leather pauldron on her partner’s right shoulder.
Yet the figures standing beside the archduchess were far more important in Sunset's eyes. There, next to the archduchess, were Daisy and Lily, both of them now in golden and white blouses and forest green, calf-length skirts. Both of the younger girls had looks of barely contained excitement in their eyes as they stared at Sunset.
Sunset was stunned. She hadn’t seen either of her friends since the ascension almost two weeks ago, and was afraid that they’d already left. Seeing them here though, she felt the fatigue of the day lift slightly as she returned their happy smiles and quickly walked towards them, barely aware of the sun-touched staying at her side as she did.
“Daisy! Lily!” Sunset cried as she approached, her heart racing with joy as both of the girls in question came towards her as quickly as decorum would allow. A few moments later, they met. Once within reach, both Lily and Daisy curtsied to her.
“Bright day to you, Archduchess Sunset Shimmer,” both Easterners said with a playful tone.
“Oh, come on, don’t do that,” Sunset said as she held out her hands, which Lily and Daisy took and squeezed affectionately. “I’m not an archduchess. Just plain, simple Sunset Shimmer.”
“Yup, plain, simple ol’ Sunset Shimmer, apprentice blacksmith and overachiever extraordinaire,” Lily said with a playful grin.
“Nope, nothing special about her at all. Although…” Daisy said as she let go of Sunset’s hand and squinted at Sunset while rubbing her chin as if in deep thought, “there’s something different about you. But I can’t quite put it to words. Are you doing something new with your hair?”
“Now that you mention it,” Lily chimed in without missing a beat, “there is something different. But I just can’t quite place it…”
Chuckling and rolling her eyes, Sunset’s smile grew wider.
“Oh, give it a rest you two,” Sunset said with a shake of her head.
“We don’t know what you’re talking about,” Lily said as she affectionately grasped Sunset’s right shoulder and squeezed it warmly. “All joking aside, it’s good to see you, Sunset.”
“Yea,” Daisy chirped as she bounced on her heels, before a sheepish look worked its way onto her face. “Um, Sunset, I don’t know if this is inappropriate, but is Philomena in that sling?”
Glancing down, Sunset smiled warmly as she felt Philomena shift a little.
“Yea, she is,” Sunset said.
Both Lily and Daisy’s eyes lit up.
“Would… would it be okay with her if we saw her?” Lily asked.
“Please, Sunset,” Daisy pleaded. “Archduchess Roseluck says she’s really, really cute.”
Shaking her head, Sunset opened her bond with Philomena as she chuckled a little.
Well, Mena, you want to come out and meet my friends? Sunset sent.
Sunset felt her partner smouldering on the question for a moment.
Eh, sure, why not.
“Sure, she’s fine with it,” Sunset said as she squatted down to set her notebook on the floor, before carefully extracting Philomena from the sling, cupping her hands to provide the little phoenix with as safe a platform as possible. Then, rising to her feet, she held Philomena up for Daisy and Lily to see. Both girls stared at the chick for a few moments before squealing with delight and pressing their hands to their cheeks.
“Oh! By the sun, she’s so cute!” Daisy squeed as she bent forward to get a closer look at Philomena. “I just want to cuddle her.”
“She’s so tiny and fluffy,” Lily said enthusiastically as a huge smile spread across her face. “Look at you, you adorable little treasure. You’re just too cute for words.”
Um… Sunset, are they alright? Philomena sent as she scooted back a little in Sunset’s hands, her concern touching Sunset through their bond. I didn’t understand a word of that, and they’re kinda creeping me out.
They’re fine. They’re just gushing over the cuteness that is you, fluff-ball.
Well, I am cute, Philomena sent as she swelled with pride at Sunset’s friends gushing, puffing out her chest and raising her head imperiously, prompting both of the earth-weavers to squeal again at the adorable display.
“What, no hello for me?” Sunset heard Roseluck say. Looking away from Daisy and Lily, Sunset saw the archduchess had arrived as well and was standing just a little ways back from the four of them.
“Of course. Hello, Roseluck, Amara. It’s good to see you two,” Sunset said to the elder phoenix-born and her partner with a warm smile as she drew her arms back in to cradle Philomena against her chest, much to her friends’ disappointment.
“That’s better,” Roseluck said, though her tone was playful. “So, how was your first day of training with the queen?”
Sunset’s smile deflated a little.
“Overwhelming. And exhausting,” Sunset said with a tired sigh as she gently pet Philomena’s head.
“Well, from what these two, as well as Raven and Dylis have told me, I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it,” Roseluck said warmly, to which both Lily and Daisy nodded enthusiastically.
“Thank you,” Sunset said with a shy smile as her face flushed with embarrassment, before a thought entered her head. “Um… not that I’m not happy to see you four, but what are you doing here? I thought you were heading back to Rose’s Blossom.”
A mischievous smile spread across Roseluck’s face as she tilted her head to the side, placed a finger on her cheek and looked up as though deep in thought.
“That was the plan, but I figured it would probably be a good idea to stay a little longer. I remember how lonely it was after my ascension, so I figured you could use some company until you settled in,” Roseluck said as she leaned down and put a hand on Sunset’s shoulder. “Though, if you were wondering what we were doing here specifically, we were hoping to run into you before you got on the sky-rail.”
Sunset’s face twisted in confusion as she regarded Roseluck.
“Is that true?” Sunset asked as she looked at Daisy and Lily.
“Yup! / That’s right.”
“Why?”
“Because, I figured after whatever lessons Queen Celestia gave you, you’d need some relaxation and some friendly faces. So, I came to invite you to join us for an afternoon of pampering at my personal hot spring on Mt. Liakeed. Nothing makes your tension and worries melt away like a relaxing soak in enchanted mineral water straight from Queen Celestia’s sacred mountain.”
“Please, Sunset?” both Lily and Daisy said.
Looking at her friends, she was greeted with both of them looking at her with concerned, pleading expressions. Sunset was stunned for a moment, before sighing and looking down at Philomena.
What do you think?
You’re not putting the choice on me, Sunbutt. Do you want to go?
Well, yea.
Then say yes! Why is this even a discussion?
Sunset’s eyes briefly shot to her notebook.
Ah, right, that, Philomena sent with a huff. I’m sure it can wait. Or do you really just want to go back to our room and groan into a pillow?
Okay, fair point.
Looking back at the assembled Easterers, Sunset smiled.
“Okay, I’ll come,” she said with a nod. “I just need to drop off my notebook at my room first.”
“Wonderful,” Roseluck said with a happy clap and radiant smile, before reaching down and snatching up Sunset’s notebook before she could react. “But, no need for the latter.”
Extending her hand to one of the sun-touched by Sunset’s side, she said, “Please take this to Sunset’s suite and put it someplace safe where she can easily find it.”
Sunset was about to protest, but Roseluck silenced her by placing a finger on her lips.
“Shh. Your notebook’s fine and will be there waiting for you when we get done. Right now, you don’t need that. You need a hot, relaxing bath, good company, some delicious food, fragrant herbal tea and to not be thinking about your lessons with the queen. Sometimes, you need to relax. This is one of those times, okay?”
Sunset’s face scrunched up a little in annoyance, but from the look on Roseluck’s face, she knew it was pointless to argue.
“Fine,” she finally said.
“Good good,” Roseluck chirped happily before clapping her hands twice. “Now, come along. We have a date with relaxation, berry tarts, and tea, and it never does to keep any of those waiting.”
With a bemused chuckle, Sunset began to follow Roseluck towards the sky-car while gently putting Philomena back into her sling, both Lily and Daisy close behind. Glancing back at her friends, Sunset smiled to herself. Maybe a relaxing visit to the spring and some time with her friends was what she needed.
*****
With a gentle jolt and the sound of a locking brace engaging, Sunset rose to her feet. After a short sky-rail ride to the roof of the Cathedral of the Sun, Roseluck had ushered them into a small wooden gondola. Once seated, Sunset heard the sound of wyvern wings descend and, with a creak of the gondola’s wood that Sunset knew was from the draconic beast grabbing the bar at the top of the conveyance, lifted them into the air and up towards the slopes of Celestia’s sacred mountain.
Sunset wasn’t sure how long they were in the air or how far they’d traveled, but by the time they’d landed, she could only see a fraction of Queen Celestia’s castle jutting above the line of the mountain’s slopes. From the position of the sun in the sky and the shadows covering the landscape, she realized they had to be on the east face of Mt. Liakeed.
Exiting the gondola after Roseluck, Sunset took a moment to take in the plateau before her. Covered in lush, vibrant vegetation and trees, Sunset realized that she didn’t recognize any of the plants before her. In addition to the foreign plants, there were dozens of small will-o-wisps floating in the air throughout the landing area, bathing everything in soft, enchanted light. She didn’t have much time to consider what she was seeing as Roseluck began to briskly walk towards the edge of the landing platform and down a short flight of stairs that led to a flagstone trail leading into the woodland. Not wanting to be left behind, the three girls jogged to keep up.
After a few minutes of walking through the will-o-wisp-lit woodland, they emerged into a clearing in the trees. Stretching out before them were numerous waterfalls cascading down a series of tiered pools, all of which were crusted in white minerals and releasing hot steam into the cool mountain air. Between the pools were swaths of grass interspersed with beds of wildflowers and tall, bushy juniper and maple trees. On the edge of the clearing nearest the mountain, Sunset saw a large structure that resembled a steep-roofed house. Yet it appeared to be formed not from cut logs or brick and stone but from half a dozen trees that had been shaped into a living building, their branches spreading out above the structure to provide it shelter and shade.
And, as with almost everyplace she’d been within the Core, there were a half-dozen sun-touched waiting for them. Though, unlike the ones back at the cathedral, these sun-touched were not dressed in long robes, instead wearing light-rose-colored tunics, deep green pants, red hoods with wooden masks carved to resemble roses.
“And here we are!” Roseluck declared cheerfully as Amara took to the air and landed in a nearby cedar. “Come on, girls, we need to get changed. Once you’re in your bathing attire, we can get comfortable.”
With that, Roseluck led them towards the building. As they entered, they headed down a side corridor lined with doors. Doors that they discovered led to changing rooms as Roseluck ushered each of them into one. Once inside, Sunset found the bathing attire that Roseluck had mentioned, such as it was. The outfit consisted of a long strap of red cloth wide enough to be tied around her torso to cover her chest, a pair of short red trunks, and a small towel.
After carefully removing Philomena from her sling and setting her on the changing bench, Sunset began to get changed into the provided outfit. It took several tries and some mild ribbing from Philomena to get the top tied on right, but once it was done, and she’d slipped on the trunks, Sunset emerged from the changing room to find Roseluck and her friends waiting for her. As they exited the building, Roseluck led them to one of the larger pools, one with several smaller, shallow sub-pools next to it at the top of a small set of steps. To Sunset’s surprise, Amara was already lying in one of the pools, her eyes closed and a look of contentment on her face.
“Sunset,” Roseluck said as they approached the pool, “Amara would like Philomena to join her.”
At the request, Sunset froze and looked down at Philomena, concern working its way across her face.
“Sunset, it’s okay. Amara won’t let anything happen to her,” Roseluck said as she smiled reassuringly. “I swear.”
Still unsure, Sunset opened her bond with Philomena.
You okay with that, Mena? Sunset sent as she watched Roseluck slowly step into the pool and lower herself into the water. Want to spend some quality time with your big sis?
That sounds nice, Philomena sent enthusiastically as she looked over at her sister.
Okay.
Looking to Roseluck and nodding, Sunset slowly walked to the pool where Amara was resting, the older phoenix rising to her feet and wading to the edge. Once Sunset reached her, Amara pointed towards the shallow end with her beak.
“She wants you to put Philomena in the shallow water,” Roseluck said from behind.
“Right,” Sunset said as she walked around the edge of the pool, until she was at the spot Amara had indicated. “Here?” she asked, to which she got a nod from the older phoenix. “Please take care of her, Amara.”
Receiving another nod from Amara, Sunset gently placed Philomena into the water, the warm liquid barely coming up to the middle of her breast. Philomena looked up at her, sending gentle reassurances through their bond that she’d be okay. As she did, Amara gave Sunset an approving look and waded over to her sister. Settling back down next to Philomena, Amara lowered her head and began to gently preen her little sister, filling the air with the beautiful sound of the baby phoenix's happy trilling.
Smiling at the sight, Sunset joined Roseluck and her friends in the pool. Stepping into the water and slowly lowering herself in, Sunset let out a happy sigh as she lay back and let the heat relax her in ways she didn’t know she could relax.
“You were right,” Sunset said airily, “this is great.”
“Isn’t it just?” Rosleuck beamed happily. “We’ve got a lot of hot springs like these near Rose’s Blossom, so when I learned that there were a few on Mt. Liakeed, I asked the queen if I could have one for myself.”
“I’m glad you did. I just hope that this time doesn’t end with you tarting me up like some sort of doll.”
“Oh come on, Sunset, you looked so cute in that outfit,” Roseluck tittered, with Lily and Daisy joining in. “It’s just a shame neither of your friends got to see it.”
“No, it isn’t,” Sunset said in a grumpy tone. “Give me simple, practical clothes or something made of leather any day over frills and lace, thank you very much.”
“If you say so,” Roseluck replied with a mock pout. “I still think you should let yourself dress nicely every so often. You’re far too pretty to let it go to waste like that.”
“Yea, no, just no. Being rough and tumble suits me more than delicate and frilly,” Sunset said as she sank a bit deeper into the water. “And I’m not pretty. You three are pretty. I’m coarse, and I like it that way.”
“You’re not giving yourself enough credit, Sunset.” Roseluck said with a touch of concern.
“I’m with Roseluck,” Daisy chimed in. “Just because you like being ‘rough and tumble’ doesn’t mean you’re not pretty. You are.”
“Yea,” Lily chimed in. “You’re like a desert tilliana. Sure, you're tough and prickly, but you’re still beautiful.”
“Maybe,” Sunset said, not willing to let on how touched she was by their reassurances, “but that doesn’t mean I want to wear frills and lace.”
“Give it time,” Roseluck said conspiratorially.
After that, the four of them fell into relaxed silence as they lay back in the spring. Closing her eyes and leaning her head back onto the grassy bank, Sunset let the hot water work its magic as she felt her fatigue melting away.
Sunset wasn’t sure how long they stayed like that, but at some point the quiet was interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching from the direction of the living building.
“Ah, thank you,” Roseluck said from somewhere off to the side. Sunset didn’t bother to open her eyes to see who it was. She was too transfixed by the blissful warmth of the spring.
A few moments later Sunset felt the water shift a little from someone moving around.
“Sunset, the tea and treats are here,” Roseluck said. “Come join us.”
Opening an eye, Sunset saw Roseluck, Daisy and Lily all gathered around a tray floating on the water’s surface. On top of it were four tall mugs of fragrant tea, a plate of small fruit tarts, several candied rose petals, and a bowl of some sort of elongate, obovate, purple-red berries that Sunset didn’t recognize.
Rising from her spot and wading over to the others, Sunset took one of the mugs of tea. Smelling it, she was greeted by a sweet, floral aroma with mild mint undertones. Taking a seat next to Roseluck, she took a sip of the tea, her senses filling with the sweet taste of the tea and the contradicting sensations of the hot liquid and cool mint. Sighing happily, Sunset closed her eyes as she took a longer, slower sip, the beverage somehow melting away even more of her stress.
“Looks like she likes it,” Daisy tittered.
“Guess she’s never had mountain blue-mint tea before,” Lily added.
“Oh, give me a break,” Sunset said in a mock-irritated tone. “Do I have to remind you that I’m from a small town in the Western Territory? And that I grew up in an orphanage? Fancy stuff like this was a little out of our price range, even during festivals.”
“Well, what did you drink most of the time?” Lily asked.
“Mostly plain water, or cider from Sweet Apple Acres. Wish I’d brought a barrel back with me. The tea’s nice, but it can’t hold a candle to my oath-sister’s best hot spiced cider,” Sunset said wistfully.
At the thought of AJ’s cider, Sunset’s mind began to wander back to last year’s Summer Solstice festival. Watching Rainbow competing with the other sky-runner kids in the relay race around town. Helping Bronze at their stand. Just barely losing to AJ in the pie-eating contest. Laughing at Pinkie’s comedy routine with her sister Maud. Playing the festival games with her oath-sisters. Participating in the Spiral Dance with everyone around the festival’s bonfire as the dusk approached, before heading home with Tender Heart and everyone from the orphanage once the sun’s light faded.
Those had been happy times.
But with the memories came an unpleasant reminder. That was the last Summer Solstice festival she’d attend in Golden Tree for years. And by the time she went home, would it be the same? Would Golden Tree be the same? Would it even still be her home?
Sunset felt a sudden wet line trace down her cheek as a low sob escaped her throat.
“Sunset?” Daisy said. “Sunset, what’s wrong?”
Inhaling deeply, Sunset reached up a hand and felt her face. As she felt the wetness, she realized that she was crying.
“Sunset, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you,” Lily said.
The tears were flowing freely now as another sob broke free of her throat. Setting the mug on the bank, Sunset drew her legs up and hugged them to her chest before burying her face between her knees.
“It’s not anything you said, Lily,” Sunset mumbled. “I'm just… thinking about Golden Tree, my oath-sisters and everything.”
Sniffling, Sunset hugged her legs tighter as she tried to get her emotions under control. But try as she might, thoughts of her oath-sisters began to invade her mind. Of everyone back in Golden Tree.
“I miss Golden Tree. I miss my family,” Sunset said with a heavy sob. “I… I just want to go home.”
Hearing the sound of splashing and feeling a slight wave in the water, Sunset looked up to see Daisy had joined Lily by her side.
“Sunset, would you be okay with me giving you a hug?” Daisy asked as she drew closer, worry overflowing from her eyes.
Sunset didn’t reply with words. Instead, she simply nodded, and soon found herself wrapped in Daisy’s arms. The sensation of being held so gently and so lovingly was too much, and Sunset’s carefully crafted defenses crumbled into pained sobs as all of the stress and loneliness finally broke free. She was only peripherally aware of Daisy’s warm hug and the sensations of concern and love being sent to her through her bond with Philomena.
“I want to go home,” Sunset sobbed as Daisy held her. “I just want to go home to my family and my sisters.”
Another pair of arms wrapped around her.
“I’m sorry, Sunset,” she heard Lily say. “I wish I knew what to say to make it better.”
Sunset didn’t respond, just continued to cry as she was held by her friends. Then, to her surprise, a third pair of much larger arms wrapped themselves around her.
“It’s okay, Sunset. Let it out,” Roseluck said calmingly. “Don’t hold it in. Just let it out.”
Somehow, Roseluck’s words caused the dam to fully break, and she broke down into full-blown bawling as she clung to the others as the unexpected, overwhelming emotions poured out of her. After a few minutes, the tears subsided and she found herself calming down. With one final sniffle, she hiccuped a watery, “Thank you.”
“Of course,” Daisy said as she gave Sunset a reassuring squeeze.
“Hey, we’re chat-lecti,” Lily said as she rubbed Sunset’s back. “You’d do it for us too.”
Sunset could only nod weakly.
“Sunset,” Roseluck said as she let go of her hug and rubbed Sunset’s back, “I know what you’re feeling, so I just want you to know that if you ever need to talk about it, you can talk to me.”
Turning her head away, Sunset muttered, “How can you know what I’m feeling right now?”
To Sunset’s surprise, a gentle finger slowly lifted her chin and turned her head to look Roseluck in the eyes. Kind, compassionate green stared into pained teal as a gentle, warm smile touched the elder phoenix-born’s lips.
“Because, Sunset, I went through the same thing,” Roseluck said. “We’re not like the others. Steel and Spitfire are from Heliopolis, and Raven… she’s lost more than either of us could ever understand. Me… I was uprooted from my home and family, just like you’ve been. So, yes, I do understand what you’re feeling, because I felt it too, six hundred years ago.”
Sunset sniffed as fresh tears threatened to break free.
“How did you make it through?” Sunset asked.
Roseluck sighed at that, and her eyes became sad.
“It just takes time, Sunset. You’ll see your home again someday. I can’t promise it’ll be the same as when you left, but it will be there. And so will your sisters,” Roseluck said as she leaned down and pulled Sunset into a hug. “Hey, if a nervous wreck, crybaby like me could make it through, I’m sure you can too.”
That got a laugh out of Sunset.
“You… a crybaby? Really?” Sunset asked incredulously.
“Like you wouldn’t believe,” Roseluck said. “I’d freak out at the littlest things, screaming about how horrible they were. I can’t even count the number of times Raven or Amara had to calm me down when I got worked up. But I made it through, and so will you.”
Hugging Roseluck a little tighter, Sunset felt her spirit begin to lift a little, and her loneliness dissipate just a bit.