//------------------------------// // Sparkle // Story: Penance // by Bicyclette //------------------------------// The stars hung twinkling and plentiful in the black ribbon of the night sky, and Sunset was so lost in them that she didn’t even notice Twilight coming up from behind her until she felt the warmth of a mug of tea pressed against her wrist.  “Oh, thanks, Twi,” she said, as she turned to take the mug from her, their fingers briefly brushing against each other. She blew on the tea, and took a sip, the flavors of the rich liquid coating her throat as it went down.  She turned her gaze back upwards, and felt another warmth, this one of Twilight nestling her head on top of Sunset’s shoulder as she joined her in looking up at the heavens. “They’re beautiful, aren’t they?” Twilight said, her voice full of wonder. “Just imagine, once we get that observatory built. An entire new cosmology out there for us to discover and explore!” Sunset smiled weakly.  “Yeah, that’s interesting to think about…” Sunset meant to find something more to say, to match what Twilight was bringing to the moment. But instead, she just inhaled deeply, then exhaled deeply. “Actually, I was thinking about something else.“ “Oh, of course! Yeah, of course you were. Sorry. I mean, I just have that on my mind a lot, you know?” “No, don’t apologize. It’s good that you’re excited!”  Sunset felt Twilight’s arm wrap gently around her side. “But I’ve been talking your ear off about it all week! Or maybe our entire lives? I want to know what you’re thinking about! I mean, if you want to tell me.” Sunset opened her mouth to reply, then hesitated for a moment. “I don’t know. I kind of just want to pick your thing instead, you know? It’s a lot happier.” “Oh, now you have to tell me, Sunny,” Twilight said playfully. “You know the rules.” Sunset sighed, in mock exasperation, a genuine smile forming on her face. “All right. I’ll tell you. Having to relearn where the stars are again reminds me of when I first came to your world. It was the first time I noticed— that I realized that I missed Equestria. And well…”  Tears welled up in Sunset’s eyes as she put the feeling to words. “I just wish Starlight was here with us.” For the familiar grief and pain, Twilight gave her a familiar squeeze of comfort as she buried her face into Sunset’s neck. “Yeah. Me too.” Another squeeze. “Me too.” They just stood there, in silence, for a moment, Twilight gently rocking Sunset side to side, letting the silence seep in. “We just have to do our best, you know? She sacrificed herself so we could be here, in our new lives in this new world. Every moment like this—” she rocked side to side some more “—feels like it’s for her, you know? That’s how I think of it.” Sunset held the arm thatTwilight was holding her with, her skin soft and warm. “That is a nice way to think of it.”  “I think it is.” And a calm silence fell between them for a while, until Twilight spoke. “You know, that was Rarity on the telephone just now. They want to host us for dinner tomorrow before I leave for Wally.” “Oh, that’s great! I’d never turn down a chance to have Applejack’s cooking.” “Don’t you know it! And it’ll be nice to be forced to have a break from thinking about the expedition. I know everything is already literally packed and planned and ready, but that’s not going to stop me, you know?”  Sunset laughed. “I just hope Moondancer doesn’t get on your nerves too much this time around.” “Oh we get along fine these days! Honestly, it’s the support crew I’m anxious about. I mean, these things have gotten me pretty good at hiking, but I always feel like I’m slowing everyone else down.” It was Sunset’s turn to give Twilight a supportive squeeze on the arm. “It’s their job, Twi. You’ll be fine.” “Yeah, you’re right.” Twilight hugged her back. “But will you? It’s not like they’re going to run couriers all the way out to the Wallflower Memorial Reserve. You’re not going to be hearing from me for weeks.” “I’ll be okay back here, Twilight, really! It’s not like you’re the only person in my life.” She snuggled into Twilight’s face. “And I’ll even enjoy getting all the blankets to myself for the first few nights, before it just becomes missing you.” “Aww.” Their lips met for a kiss. Then they looked into each other’s eyes, and smiled. “Oh, and one more thing! Rarity did want to warn us.” “What is it?” Sunset asked, curious as to what could possibly be so important in that moment. “Amber Gem composed another new song on her recorder, and she is very proud of it.” Sunset groaned, understanding. “Thanks for that one! I’ll have to mentally prepare myself…”