I sighed as I rubbed my forehead. I still really couldn’t believe what I had seen. I was angry as hell don’t get me wrong. Part of me is angry at myself for not asking how Sunset had made money without a job and part of me is angry at her for still doing it. I would have helped her find a safer, better job. I was currently trying to work up the courage to go to her room and talk to her. The car ride home was quiet between the two of us. The only people who really spoke was Lyra and Derpy talking to each other. They weren’t trying to ignore Sunset, they were just really stunned and trying to work their feelings out on it. At least they promised to not tell a soul about what they saw. Right when we got home, I sent Sunset to her room immediately and that’s where she’s been since. I’m not a cruel person, I made sure to bring her meatloaf with potatoes and water. I was kinda surprised she asked to try more types of meat, considering where she comes from but eh. Weirder things have happened and trust me, I’ve seen some weird things. I grabbed a small glass and a bottle of whiskey, pouring me a tiny amount in the glass and tossing it back. I don’t drink often but I had a feeling for this conversation, I’d need it. I quickly hid the whiskey bottle and tried to think of other chores I needed to do.
“You’re just stalling, Cheerilee. Go up there and talk to her,” I mumbled to myself. I gave a sigh and slowly worked my way up the stairs while trying to figure out what to say. “Well, gotta figure it out quick because I’m at her door.” Her door was decorated with a red and orange sun decal and a Hollywood Undead sticker. I paused and knocked on the door, it opening slightly and I walked inside. “Sunset?”
“Hi,” she mumbled from her pillow and I sat down next to her.
“We have to talk.”
“I know,” Sunset rolled over and stared at the ceiling. She had changed into her pajamas since I last saw her thankfully. I need to remember to confiscate her clothes she had been wearing. I’ll be damned if she’s keeping them.
“I’ll cut to the chase. What on earth made you think selling yourself was good idea?” She flinched and I immediately regretted it. Okay, maybe that was a little bit too direct of me.
“Do you want the truth?” Sunset sighed.
“Preferably yes,” I admitted. “It won’t make me any less mad but it might help tomorrow after I’ve slept.”
“Okay so we are on Christmas break right?” Sunset asked.
“Right,” I nodded.
“And we’re going to your sisters in a few days correct?”
“Correct,” I raised an eyebrow. I didn’t know where she was going with this. Sunset let out a long sigh.
“So I needed money to get everyone gifts and such. And then Lyra becoming friends with me gave me a panic attack about it. At first, I only did this to make money for food and to buy clothes and such. I didn’t know much about this world but I did know that attractiveness sells. It’s the exact same back home. When I first came here, I only had a handful of bits that I uh let’s just say borrowed from the royal vault. Don’t worry about them finding out about it, they have trillions of bits in there. They won’t notice fifty missing. Anyway, yeah that’s the whole story,” Sunset fell backwards onto her bed. “Especially with it being next week, that just sent my panic attack even higher.”
“Why wouldn’t you just ask me for money? Or ask me to help you get a job? There’s so many places that hire high schoolers. My first job was at a grocery store. All you had to do is talk to me Sunset,” I sighed and rubbed the bridge of my nose.
“Because I was embarrassed. How can I get you something using your own money? That doesn’t seem I don’t know, fair I guess to me.”
“I’m trying real hard right now to make that make sense to me. After next week, we are getting you a job. A real job. Have you had sex with anyone? Do I need to get you checked at a hospital?” I asked. I really hated even asking that to be honest. I was a bit uncomfortable. Sunset shook her head and turned a bright shade of red.
“No. I’m a uh virgin still. I’ve never slept with any of my customers. It’s come close when they offered a thousand for it. I didn’t know people blew that kind of money on people,” Sunset admitted while I let out a sigh of relief. “So I just did other things. I’m really good at them.” Now it was my turn to blush.
“Sunset. I could have gone my entire life without knowing that, thank you,” I brushed my hair aside. I really could live my entire life happily without knowing the details of my daughters sex life. Then again, she’s technically still a minor so it’s my job to educate her on the topic. Now I know how Aunt Cherry Jubilee felt when she gave me and my sisters the talk. “Do you know how dangerous what you were doing was? You could have been killed or kidnapped or worse. We are still going to the hospital regardless tomorrow when we do our errands. Just to be safe.”
“What’s worse than being killed or kidnapped?” Sunset asked and her eyes slightly widened when I gave her a look. “Oh.”
“Mhm,” I nodded. “Dangerous.” Sunset groaned and her head fell into her hands.
“Derpy was right to call me a whore. I am one,” she grumbled.
“She called you what? When did this happen?” I demanded. I had always seen the grey girl as friendly, not mean.
“It was an accident. She called me a whorse instead of a pony and in Equestria, a whorse means whore. It’s tricky,” she explained. “I am one evidently.”
“You are not a whore. You did what you had to do to survive. A very stupid choice of work but we all do things we have to do to survive,” I rubbed her shoulder and sighed. “You are being punished though. I won’t turn you over to the police obviously but I can ground you. I’m taking your phone and laptop for the next three weeks. And tomorrow, we can go get gifts for everyone and I’ll help you find stuff for my sisters.”
“Why aren’t you mad at me? Throwing me out?” Sunset demanded.
“Oh I’m very mad at you. And myself for not asking about how you made money. And I wouldn’t throw you out. That’s ridiculous,” I scoffed. Sunset looked out the window at the snow starting to fall again.
“Do you still love me?” I had to strain to hear her.
“Are you insane? Of course I do. Just because of this doesn’t mean I won’t love you any less. I’m supposed to guide you and help you make good decisions. I’ll let you keep your phone for the rest of the night but tomorrow morning, I’m taking it.”
“Okay. That’s fair.” I stood up and walked to the door. “Can you stay with me? I’m cold.” I turned around and nodded.
“Of course.”