//------------------------------// // Chapter VIII // Story: Well, This Is Unexpected // by TheKing2001 //------------------------------// I grunted as I continued scrubbing the counters. I absolutely hated cleaning but well, I didn’t want rodents or bugs. Rats terrified the absolute hell out of me. Scary looking creatures. I looked back at the door as someone knocked out. “Sunset Shimmer! Come to the door!” Iron Will called out as he continued knocking. “Give me twenty to clean up my hair and I’ll be right there!” I called back. “Iron Will needs you to come to the door now.” I froze and stared at the door. I’ve never heard him talk like that to me before. Other tenants, yes but me? No way. I was nervous now. I hope to God I wasn’t about to get kicked out. “C-coming!” I called out hesitantly. I dried my hands off and strode to the door quickly, opening it. Iron Will stood in the doorway with a basket in his left hand. He was a large, bearded muscular man with a tattoo on his left arm that made me nervous at first when I met him. In all reality, he wouldn’t hurt a fly. “Hey Mr. Will. How’s it going?” I asked as I forced a smile on my face. “Pretty good Sunset. I told you to just call me Iron Will. I brought you a gift for early Christmas. I’ve also gotten some complaints about screaming coming from your apartment. I don’t care if you have sex in the apartment obviously but please take precautions if you’re going to be loud,” Iron Will said I turned bright red. “I- sex- what?” I stammered as I ran a hand through my hair. “I’m not having sex in the apartment! It’s uh other things.” “I won’t pry,” Iron Will said as he held out the basket. “My daughter made this so if there’s anything well, dirty in there, it wasn’t me.” I didn’t know he had a daughter but I wouldn’t push. I know he was divorced so it was fair to assume she lived with her mom. “I understand. Thanks Iron Will,” I accepted the basket gratefully with a smile as he shut the door. I carried it to the table and sat down, picking up a item. “No fucking way.” I flipped it over and turned even redder. “His daughter really got me a ball gag,” I said as I dropped it. I looked at it for a moment before laughing. “That is actually hilarious.” I continued looking through the basket. It had random hair products, another gag, lube and I burst out laughing again. If I was anyone else, I’d be offended but that was actually hilarious. I wanted to meet this girl in all honesty. “Maybe I’ll give Rainbow this lube and tell her it’s hair gel.” I didn’t give Rainbow the lube. I decided to be safe and just throw it away. I didn’t think Rainbow would entirely appreciate a prank like that. I didn’t want to go too far and be considered a bully again after trying to change. “Don’t take this the wrong way,” Applejack started as we all looked at her. We were sitting in the library at the computers. We all had a project in Miss Cheerilee’s class to work on. She was probably my favorite teacher. She’s nice. “But have ya ever thought about well manipulating people to do good things?” “Uh what do you mean?” I asked curiously as Rarity shot Applejack a glare. “I’m not entirely sure that is kind dear Applejack,” Rarity said pointedly as she continued her glare. “Nor nice to Sunset.” “It’s fine,” I said honestly and leaned towards the farmer. “What do you mean?” “Well, ya could always encourage Lyra to go talk to Derpy. If neither of em be honest to each other, then nothing will happen between em. The whole school knows they love each other, just not each other. Ya could encourage them both to go talk to each other.” That wasn’t entirely a bad idea. I still was a bit unsure about manipulating a relationship after I did it so much in the past. Especially if I could hurt someone unintentionally and be hated by that individual. “Okay,” I said as they all gave me stunned looks. “I’ll do it.” “Woah really?” Rainbow said in awe. “That would be epic of you! I’ll dead ass buy you a drink if you do this.” I rubbed my chin. “Alcohol?” I asked hopefully as Rainbow shook her head. “Aw damn. I’ll take a sprite.” “Aren’t you a bit young to be drinking?” Fluttershy pointed out quietly. I had almost forgotten she was there. “Uh no?” I said as I stood up. I walked over slowly to Lyra’s table where Octavia, Vinyl and Bon Bon were sitting around a table with books open. Most likely studying for upcoming finals. I faintly made out Rarity lecturing Applejack about something. “It’s literally right here Lyra, love-” “Hello,” I said softly as they all looked at me. Octavia gave me a cold look as I shuddered. “It was quite rude of you to interrupt me love,” Octavia chided as I hugged myself nervously. “I-I’m sorry,” I whispered and wiped my eye. “I’ll go.” I turned to leave as Bon Bon grabbed my wrist and I stared at her in confusion. She had surprisingly very soft hands. “Ignore Octavia. She’s quite prickly about decorum and all that,” Bon Bon said with a smile as she let go and gestured at an empty seat. “Please, sit.” I looked at all their faces and sat down. “So what can we do for you?” Lyra asked as she set her pencil down. “You’ve never talked to us before.” “I uh came to give you advice,” I answered as Octavia raised an eyebrow. Vinyl continued writing as she bobbed her head. How she didn’t go deaf from her music, I’ll never know. “About what?” Bon Bon asked. “Not you. Her,” I pointed to Lyra. “You know, we all know you like Derpy. And you can’t really expect her to come talk to you. She’s shy as all hell.” “I know. You really think I should? She’d probably hate me.” I rolled my eyes and Octavia made a choking sound. Vinyl slammed her hand onto her back and Octavia nodded gratefully. “Thank you.” “I’m sure,” I said as Lyra inhaled. “Okay.” I watched her stand up and leave as Octavia, Vinyl and Bon Bon gave me approving smiles. Bon Bon beamed at me as she slid a Starburst my way. Maybe Applejack wasn’t so wrong in the first place.