“You want me to do what?”
“Just hold onto it for a bit.”
“How long is a 'bit'?”
“Just until I can figure some stuff out.”
Applejack looked at the geode, then back at Sunset Shimmer. “May I ask: Why me, exactly?”
“Because you live the furthest away.”
Applejack's face still read of confusion, but she relented. She held out her hand. “Fine, I'll keep it for ya as long as ya like.”
Sunset dropped the geode into the farmer's hands. “Thanks, Applejack.”
“Don't ya go thankin' me yet. First sign of Equestrian magic trouble an'—”
Sunset held up her hands, “I know, I know. Now, I gotta get going. Thanks again.”
“What did I jus' say?” Applejack warned.
---
Sunset breathed a sigh of relief as she stepped into the kitchen. Her geode was safely far away with Applejack and Wallflower was at the opposite end of town with her study group at the university library.
And here was Sunset, out of reach of everything. Nothing to influence her thoughts.
“See ya ditched the necklace.”
“Good morning to you, too, Wasabi,” Sunset grinned, “And it's not a necklace.”
“Whatever,” Wasabi waved, “So, girlfriend issues sorted out yet?”
“Like I would let you know.”
Wasabi looked hurt. “Oh, come on, I tell you all about me and Kimchi.”
“... and I don't listen to half of it.”
“You really know how to hurt a boy.”
“Which is why I date girls," Sunset joked, "Is my rice ready yet?”
Wasabi nodded. “In the warmer.”
---
Sunset placed the sushi platter on the shelf. “Pick-up! Twenty-eight!” she called. She stepped back and stretched.
The lunch crowd was beginning to thin and she would soon be able to take a quick break. Moving around some, she took stock of her ingredients. She was almost out of everything.
Seeing her opportunity, she made her way to the walk-in refrigerator, glancing at her phone as she did so.
No texts from Wallflower.
“She must be in deep studying.”
“Still worried about Wallflower, I see.”
Sunset sighed. Not now, Wasabi.
“She's just stressed. I told you, she has finals next week.”
“Yes, yes, but you know what a gossip glutton I am. What else?”
Sunset just rolled her eyes and walked off.
“Fine, be that way. But, did you know?” Wasabi's voice fell to a whisper, “Paddy Cake is leaving us for that new Indian place that opened downtown.”
“Good for him,” Sunset thought.
---
It was late when Sunset pulled into the apartment parking lot. Wallflower still hadn't texted her. Though Sunset thought it odd, it wasn't completely unheard of. When extremely busy, neither girl would glance at their messages, much less their phones.
Sunset had barely sent out any messages. None of any significance, just general “Thinking of you” notices.
She had hoped Wallflower had a semblance of an idea for dinner.
She'd only given the matter a small thought.
After a full day of rolling sushi, the last thing Sunset wanted to eat was any sort of East Asian cuisine.
Maybe a deep dish pizza, or lasagna.
Or... the idea seemed to hit her: Indian.
Ever since Rarity first took them to the Tasty Treat, Sunset had developed a taste for Indian food. The problem was there weren't too many restaurants in the area.
The more she thought of it, the greater the idea sounded, the more she could taste the spices with her mind. In fact, she could have sworn she smelled it a she opened the apartment door.
She took in a deep breath: “Something smells good in here.”
“Should hope so,” Wallflower was standing in the kitchen. By the looks of it, she was in the midst of setting the table. “Got us some paneer tikka masala and a vegetable curry.”
The smile faded from Sunset's face. What the hay?
“Is something wrong?” asked Wallflower.
Sunset blinked. “What? No. Just...” she chuckled awkwardly, “I was also thinking of Indian food.”
“Huh... We must be on a similar wavelength, or something.”
“Yeah...” Sunset laughed. She was relieved when Wallflower joined in.
“Well, my little sushi roll,” Wallflower said, “go get out of those clothes and we'll eat.”
---
“Already? Wow, that was fast.”
“No! It's worse than I thought!” Sunset glanced at the bathroom door. Wallflower was still inside getting ready for bed. “I don't know if I can keep it on this side anymore,” she typed, “I'm going to give it to Princess Twilight to hold.”
“Ya really think that'll work?”
“I have no other option.”
“What does Wallflower think of all this?”
“I haven't talked to her yet. I don't want to bog her down any more. She's stressed enough about these exams.”
“But you will talk to her?”
“Yes, AFTER her exams.”
“Well, if yer gonna come to pick it up, ya better come soon. I'm headed over to Cousin Goldie's. She's having kittens.”
“You mean one of her cats is having kittens(?)”
“That's what I said.”
Sunset thought it best not to press further into that issue. “Okay,” she texted, “I'll stop by tomorrow morning.”