//------------------------------// // Out in the Cold // Story: Siren's of the Night III // by The Crazed Werewolf //------------------------------// Sunset stood just inside the main entrance of Canterlot High. She was waiting for her younger sister and her cousins to join her. She would have waited in front of the school, but a light rain had begun to fall and had turned the little bit of snow that had accumulated into slush. She gave a friendly smile to those students that acknowledged her, some of them even wished her luck during the Friendship Games that were happening at the end of the week. It wasn't long before she could hear Sonata's voice. It didn't take her long to locate her cousin. She was walking with Rarity. She noticed that Rarity was carrying a large duffel bag that seemed to be stuffed to capacity. The two of them seemed to be engaged in an intense conversation. They both passed right by her without even acknowledging her presence. That's ok, I wouldn't want to disrupt their conversation, she thought to herself, I'll just wait for Scootaloo and Aria. She didn't have to wait long, she heard Scootaloo's excited voice as she was telling Aria about her day. Ever since the truth about Anon-A-Miss had come out, Aria had taken it upon herself to watch over Scootaloo. "Hey girls," Sunset said as she bounced up to them, "Want to go to Sugarcube Corner for some double espresso chocolate shakes?" "We, uh, can't," Scootaloo replied, "Aria is helping me with a project about sea life the afternoon." "Uh yeah," Aria replied, "I am." With that they both exited the school. Sunset watched as they turned in the direction of Luna's house. "Oh my," a voice that Sunset recognized as Fluttershy's said. "You alright Sugarcube," Applejack asked, "you look like someone stole your favorite horse." "I don't know," Sunset said, "both of my cousins and my sister just blew me off. I mean I know that we don't have to do everything together, but I enjoy their company." "Why don't you come with us over to Sugarcube Corner, Rainbow said that she would meet us there after she finished practice." "Alright," Sunset replied, "maybe Adagio can join us." Sunset tried calling Adagio five times, it rang once, the first time she called before it went to voicemail, ever time she called after that, her voicemail had answered. Noticing the frown on her friends face, Pinkie tried to cheer Sunset up when she wasn't waiting on tables or making an espresso for a customer. The Cake's had hired Pinkie just after the New Year, in order to allow Mrs. Cake time to stay home with her two newborn twins. "Why would they exclude me from whatever it is that the four of them are up to." Sunset said, clearly frustrated. "Maybe they figure that it's too dangerous for you." Applejack replied. "Then they shouldn't have dragged Scootaloo into it what ever it is," Sunset said clearly upset. "Maybe they are planning a surprise party for your birthday," Pinkie suggested. "Pinkie," Sunset replied, "you know as well as I do that my birthday isn't until June, it's only the first week of February." "We know that," Pinkie responded, "do they know that?" "Um, Pinkie," Fluttershy said softly, "you were there when Sunset told her sister and her cousins when her birthday is." "Oh right," Pinkie said, "sorry about that." The bell over the entrance to Sugarcube Corner rang, and Sunset saw Rarity enter the cafe. She was still carrying the duffel bag, but now it was noticably empty.I wonder, Sunset thought, what was in the bag? She didn't want to cause a scene in Sugarcube Corner. She decided to just ask Scootaloo tonight after dinner. "My the weather has turned just dreadful," Rarity said as she took a seat next to Applejack. Sunset noticed that Applejack seemed to smile as Rarity sat down. I'll ask about that later. The chime over the door rang again as Rainbow Dash came into Sugarcube Corner. Rainbow was soaking wet and had a towel with her. "Your Aunt can be a real bitch," Rainbow said to Sunset as she sat down. "What did Luna do," Sunset asked her friend. "Well," Rainbow answered, "since we lost to Everton High last week she had us doing wind sprints in the rain on the football field." "Sorry," Sunset replied, "Luna can get pretty competitive." Rainbow shook her hair and ran the towel through it. "I've noticed." She said with a smile. Then she grabbed Sunset's root beer float and took a long sip. "Hey," Sunset said. "Thanks I needed that." Rainbow said playfully. It was at that moment that Pinkie appeared with a root beer float for Rainbow. Sunset reached across the table and took it before Rainbow could even grab it. "Mine," Sunset said with a growl. "Would you two please stop with the foreplay and kiss already," Rarity said coyly. "We weren't flirting," Rainbow said, "were just friends." "I have to agree with Rainbow," Sunset said. "Um," Fluttershy said, "you both looked like you were flirting." We weren't flirting," Sunset said starting to get flustered, "Rainbow tell them we weren't flirting." "Hey Sunset," a new voice said. "We weren't flirting," Sunset reiterated as she turned to face the new comer, only to find herself face to face with Flash Sentry. "I have no idea what you're talking about," Flash said. "It's nothing," Sunset said as she felt her cheeks blush, "what can I do for you?" "Do you know how to reach Aria," Flash said, "I've been trying to call her all afternoon, but her phone keeps going to voicemail." "Honestly, Flash," Sunset replied, "I've been trying to get a hold of her all afternoon. Scootaloo told me that Aria is helping her with some school project. That's all I know." Guess I'll just keep trying then," Flash sighed as he walked away. They're up to something, Sunset thought, it's not like Aria to blow off Flash, she has been head over heels for him since they started dating. I need to get to the bottom of this.