Susan was insane, there was no other explanation in giving a teenage girl five thousand dollars with instructions to buy some clothes and things to decorate her room with. Not that Sunset wasn’t grateful, but she really didn’t know what to with all that money. She had never seen that much money at one time. Of course Susan warned her not to get used to it as it was a one time thing to get Sunset started making her room more…well, her room. So now she was staring up at the entrance to the mall after getting off the bus as she wondered what to do.
Despite it being a little passed eleven she doubted she would be hungry anytime soon after the huge breakfast Susan had cooked for them before having to go to work with a promise that the two would decorate the Christmas tree and decorate when Susan got home from work. So now she had plenty of time to look around and plan what to get before calling a taxi to come pick her up unless she didn’t have too much to get back on the bus later. Then again since she only brought seven hundred with her she doubted she would have to carry.
Taking a deep breath she pushed onward while for once actually enjoying the Christmas decorations surrounding her instead of feeling pain and loneliness at the site of the festive decorations. The amount of people going back and forth around her was a little intimidating as she wasn’t used to shopping that much during a holiday shopping rush like this. The few times she did brave it was when Rarity dragged her along to do some girl bonding but it was nothing like this. It just drove the point home that this city was much larger than Canterlot with a more dense population.
Looking at the map when she first entered the mall it was easy to see it was twice as big as the mall in Canterlot making Sunset wonder why everything her seemed so much bigger. While it would probably thrill Rarity and to some extent Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, it didn’t exactly do the same for Sunset. Especially seeing how many of the shops were clothing stores. There was a music shop she wanted to visit for sure and maybe the book and art store, but most of the clothing stores sounded way too much like the ones Rarity always gushed about. She decided the easiest way was going to be just to look around despite not wanting too as she was feeling the effects of showing off her magic to her mother including the telekinesis and the electrical energy she could summon though she didn’t show off her transformed state yet. She could tell the knowledge of what Sunset looked like then bothered Susan, but she was thankful that the woman wasn’t using it to push Sunset to be her missing daughter and still treated her like her own person.
Walking down the large corridor in the middle of the large crowds she passed at least five different clothing stores she immediately wrote off upon seeing the prices in the windows and displays right outside the entrances. It wasn’t until she came across the Miss Discount store that Sunset decided to enter as they were advertising huge sales with summer apparel up to seventy-five percent off. She spent a little time browsing until she came across the perfect jacket and pair of boots to add to the gift she got from Rarity. It would be the perfect ensemble so she grabbed them as well as a few tops, skirts and pants to try on. Most of them were considered summer apparel so she ended up getting everything for two hundred dollars which included her half leather jacket and boots for her new outfit, five different colored tops while being a little disappointed that they couldn’t do alterations or add images, three skirts and four pairs of different style pants. It was the most new clothes that she had got herself ever since coming to this world, or she guessed back to it.
She skipped the book store seeing how packed they were which surprised Sunset seeing that the book store. She did go into the art store which she was thankful that they would deliver so she was able to get a drawing desk and an easel there. They also agreed to deliver the few canvases she bought as well as they new pack of brushes and few new colors of paint that she needed. She was happy she was able to get all of that though she couldn’t help feeling guilty as it cost her more than she would have liked being nearly three hundred dollars but Susan had made her promise to buy a few expensive things despite Sunset’s protest.
She wanted to do a little Christmas shopping but she wasn’t too sure what to get Susan yet and she did want to find out if anyone else would be over for Christmas as she realized that the woman may have plans with friends or extended family such as Velvet and her family meaning Twilight. As much as she has found out about her mother there was still so much to learn.
Her thoughts were interrupted as she came across a music store that wasn’t on the map. There was one deeper into the mall that was supposed to be a huge national one that Rainbow always talked about wanting to visit. One that Sunset had planned to, but this one looked like it could be a newer one since it wasn’t listed in the mall directory on the map and it also looked like it was privately owned meaning not a franchise store. It was Sunset’s kind of place.
“Welcome to Good Vibes, can I help you with something miss?” A pale skinned girl with hair obviously dyed blue asked giving a smile while the boy with the black mohawk and way too many piercings behind the counter gave her a glare unsettling her a little.
“I’m just looking for now, thank you.” Sunset said with a smile to the girl while unsure of how to respond to the boy.
“Just let me know if you need anything.” The girl said before shooting a glare at the boy.
“I will, thank you.” Sunset replied before going down the aisle that had guitars hanging up on hooks where they could be easily seen or taken down and tested. She wasn’t sure if she should waste anymore money but she didn’t want to upset Susan by not getting a few things. She did need a new guitar even if she liked her old one since she left it in the music room during Anon A Miss and somebody decided to throw it down or something as the neck was cracked and when she played it the sound just didn’t sound right. Just because she promised to get a few things didn’t mean that she had to get the most expensive.
Looking through the prices she found the cheapest and fell in love with the black one with a blue firebird airbrushed on it. It was eight hundred dollars though which was four hundred more than the neon pink one. While she didn’t mind the color exactly, it was more Fluttershy or Pinkie’s thing. The rainbow stickers didn’t help her opinion of it very much as she slowly reached up to take the pink guitar down. She knew she didn’t have enough with her to pay for it at the moment but she did see lay-a-way signs as she came in.
“Can I try this?” Sunset asked the girl who was trying to act unnoticeable while trying to follow her.
“Sure, come over here and I’ll get you plugged in.” The girl said leading Sunset over to where a couple amps sat with a few stools. “I love your hair, I really wish I could naturally have hair like you guys. I just wish I could remember where I saw you before.”
“What are you doing, Maxie? Why waste your time hooking her anything up, it isn’t like she can afford it.” The boy from earlier snorted as he walked up to them earning another glare from the girl.
“I didn’t ask you Nate so take your attitude and shove it before I take a guitar and shove up your nose.” Maxie growled out earning a wide eyes look from the boy as if believing she really would.
“I’m getting my uncle.” Nate whined as he hurried in the back.
“I’m sorry, I’ll leave.” Sunset said trying to hand the guitar back.
“Sit your butt down over there and try the guitar.” Maxie ordered in a stern voice though friendly smile, “Ignore the spoiled brat who thinks he’s a rocker, I think his mom dropped him on his head as a baby.”
“He’s right though, I can’t afford it.” Sunset sighed, “I didn’t bring enough with me.”
“That’s what lay-a-way is for sweetie.” Maxie said waving off Sunset’s concerns as she handed a cable from one of the amps to Sunset to plug in her guitar.
“Do you think you can keep up?” A new voice asked taking another stool with a red guitar getting both girls to look. He was already plugged in and wearing a cocky grin earning a dropped jaw from the girl.
“Matt, right?” Sunset asked as she checked the tuning keys and strummed the strings a few times testing it before Maxie handed her a pick.
“Yeah red, we met at my grandfather’s pet shop.” Matt said.
“Your from Cobalt Blue, I love your guys’ music.” Maxie squealed.
“Well Matt, the question is can you keep up?” Sunset asked giving him a cocky grin as she used her confidence to beat down the shy feeling that was trying to bubble up. She would not let this boy fluster her again, she was awake and fully in control of herself. Instead she started playing with Matt joining in pretty quick and both keeping harmony as more and more people filtered into the shop to see what was going on. A few moments later Sunset noticed Nate come back dragging a bald man with fire tattooed on his head and arms with just as many piercings as Nate if not more. Sunset couldn’t help feeling a little playful and stuck her tongue out at the brat before giving a smug grin. She had to fight a snort of laughter when the older man smacked the boy upside the back of the head.
As the two stopped playing the large crowd that had gathered began giving the two applause much to Sunset’s embarrassment. That was kind of a mixed bag when she played with the Rainbooms as she loved feeling the appreciation from the audience yet it made her feel a little shy at times. Sunset tried to concentrate on the embarrassed glare the boy was giving her though ended up dragged into answering questions about how hard it was to learn to do that and if she was famous. Thankfully Maxie provided interference as the bald man had both Sunset and Matt follow him to the back.
“First, I’d like to apologize for my idiot nephew, I think he has a case of the stupids.” The man said earning a couple snickers from both Matt and Sunset. “Anyways, I own this shop and my name is Devin.”
“I’m Sunset Shimmer.”
“I’m Matt Olsen.” The two teen said shaking the man’s hand each.
“Thought so, I keep up with all the local bands from semi popular high school bands to those who are about to make their big break. I’ve actually seen Cobalt Blue play a couple times, you kids are great. As for the Rainbooms, your girls are really good though you might want to think about selling CDs as well as your songs on iTunes.” Devin said. “I’d even put some in my store for you no charge with you girls getting all the profits. Same to you Matt since I like helping local bands.”
“What do you mean iTunes?” Sunset asked as she narrowed her eyes angrily.
“There’s links to them on your manager’s, Rainbow Dash’s website.” Devin said motioning to a wall plastered with posters criss-crossing each other where the was one of the Rainbooms with Sunset surprisingly front and center. “There’s even other things like posters of you girls and other things.”
“Why am I not surprised?” Sunset groaned as she rubbed the bridge of her nose.
“Anyways you kids probably tripled my business for today with that stunt you pulled so in return I’ll give you fifteen percent off anything you buy today.” Devin said.
“Thanks man, but I’m good for now.” Matt said stuffing his hands in his pockets.
“Can I put this on lay-a-way and pick it up tomorrow.” Sunset asked showing the man the guitar she had with her.
“Well, I’m not sure I should sell you it.” The man said grinning a bit.
“What do you mean?” Matt growled.
“I noticed you in the security camera and watched to do see what you were going to do when I recognized you. I was hoping you would play since I wanted to hear what you could do in person like this. I saw you pining over ol’ blue and I guess I could do you a little better since they are both used. I can knock it down to five hundred since I thin it would suit you more.” Devin said. “I’ll still be making a profit on it and I’ll know it will go to someone who will appreciate it.”
“Can I put it on lay-a-way?” Sunset asked as she really did want to get that one.
“You said you are picking it up tomorrow?” Devin asked getting a nod in confirmation from Sunset. “Then don’t worry about it, I’ll hold it back here for you and you can just ask for me when you come to get it.”
“Tank you very much!” Sunset said feeling a little excitement as she had really loved it.
“So, want to grab a bite with me?” Matt asked as he gave Sunset a look that screamed predatory before she could feel a faint pulse of magic coming from him that she had felt only one other time. A trained magic user could hide their power easily but Matt didn’t seem to have any real training.
“Well, I’m pretty stuffed but I wouldn’t turn down a drink. I am rather thirsty.” Sunset said.
“This way then milady.” Matt said bowing to Sunset who gave a mock curtsey in reply.
“Why thank you kindly Sir Olsen.” Sunset said in her best imitation of Rarity earning a snicker from the boy and a giggle from Sunset herself.