"AUGH"
Sunset Shimmer's screams of terror reached her ears, welcoming her to the waking world. Eyes wide with fright, her chest heaved. Limbs flailed wildly, and slender amber digits clutched at crumpled bedsheets, as though they were a lifeline. Her breasts rose and fell as she took in her surroundings. She wasn't hurdling through the air in freefall, but in a room. Her room. Though the curtains had been drawn tightly shut, it was moderately lit, and with the sun already high in the sky, Sunset concluded that it was already well after the time that she normally got up.
Grimacing, she found her body was damp, as she pushed herself onto an elbow. Apparently, her nightmare had caused her to wake up drenched in a cold sweat. Lovely. A hand dragged down her face as she groaned, her eyelids heavy. First things first. Her number one priority was to get herself out of her sweaty pajamas.
Rolling out of a bed that hadn't offered her a good night's sleep was easy. She silently cursed the piece of furniture, taking her frustration out on it for not serving its purpose. It may have been silly, but for the time being, it made her feel better. Just beyond her bedroom door, she could pick up the fading aroma of coffee. Certainly, having a delicious mug of the dark brew would also make her feel better. But first, she had to make herself presentable, and after a rough sleep, she was a train wreck.
She definitely had her work cut out for her.
Fingers gripped the hem of her short-sleeved pajama top, pulling the garment up over her head. Boyshorts were quickly discarded afterward. Both articles of clothing were tossed into a laundry basket as she padded into the bathroom in her birthday suit. Finally freed of the smelly clothing, she went about her routine. Every morning, like clockwork, and in the exact same order Sunset would relieve herself, ensuring that everything was taken care of and properly cleaned on the porcelain throne, before then jumping in the shower. After a thorough wash with her favorite strawberry scented body wash and shampoo for her hair, she would rinse under the warm spray, and dry off with a fluffy, white towel that her preferred choice of fabric softener had advertized would make smell like sunshine.
Whatever sunshine was supposed to smell like in this world, Sunset Shimmer had quickly discovered, was a poor imitation of the unique, sunkissed scent that belonged to her former mentor. Though the chemicals that provided a pleasing aroma of sunshine to the towel were horribly innacurate and scientifically impossible in the human world, it wasn't entirely unappreciated.
Clean and refreshed, Sunset Shimmer strolled out of the steamy bathroom, and stared at the scene that awaited her in the bedroom. She had completely forgotten what a mess the place was! In her fitful slumber, she had managed to throw both comforter and sheets onto the floor, where they lay in crumpled heaps. Her alarm clock had also been a casualty. How on earth she had managed to knock the device from its place atop her bedside table, she hadn't a clue.
"Oh, Milky, I'm sorry that I knocked you down, too." the teen apologized to small stuffed feline that she spotted amongst the disaster. She loved the little plush, a present that Flash Sentry had won for her, back when they were dating. Though at that time, she recalled, she was only getting close to him to use him later on, for her own popularity. A sorrowful sigh pushed past her lips as the stuffed creature was held close. She never had romantic feelings for the blue-haired guitar player, and she hated who she had been in the past, but still-
Slender digits smoothed Milky's silky fur into place before carefully placing him near her pillow. He was the first gift shat she had recieved in this world. The plush cat was her very first friend, long before she had made true friends with living, breathing people. Her precious Milky also reminded her of her own pet cat back in Equestria.
Making her bed would have to wait.
Shaking herself out of her nostalgic reverie, she turned toward her drawers. Sunset found a robin's egg blue shirt, and a pair of blue-grey denim capri's in a lower drawer. A pair of orange boyshorts were grabbed from out her underwear drawer. Discarding her towel, she got dressed, and then ventured back to the bathroom to tackle her damp hair. A comb was lying in wait, right on the countertop. Wasting no time, it was in her hand and being passed again and again through her hair. Product was then carded through hair and scalp, to provide a barrier to resist harsh heat. Finding the blowdryer, it was switched on, and blasted her wet tresses with heat until they were dry. Additional product then applied to give her hair a gleaming sheen, and then styled with her curling iron.
It wasn't until two hours later, fully presentable and bed made, that the meticulous teen finally stepped foot out her room. The smell of coffee no longer lingered in the air, and whoever had brewed it was nowhere to be seen. "Figures," She sighed, eyes rolling. She had come to accept that whoever had provided her a room in their house, since the day she stepped hoof into this once strange world of fleshy, magicless bipedal creatures, was content on remaining utterly elusive. Not that she minded, much, anyway....
She shrugged a shoulder as her legs carried her into the kitchen, left perfectly immaculate as usual; just like every other part of the house. Sunset never had to lift a finger in the way of household chores, save for tending to what tableware she ate off of; and of course keeping the room she was loaned nice and tidy. Honestly, it was a pretty sweet setup; and she couldn't complain, even if she wanted to.
Opening the fridge, she found it restocked with an assortment of foods, where it had been nearly bare just the night before. A smile touched Sunset's painted pink lips as she found a fresh carton of eggs. Instinctively, she reached for it, but stopped. Her hand hovered in mid-air while she reconsidered. She could go through eggs like nobody's business, but today she was more in the mood for something sweet rather than savory. Scanning the shelves, Sunset found her prize in no time. There! Just beside a can of whipped cream lie a tube of cinnamon buns! Victory! Delighted, the canned dough was snatched up, the center strip ripped off. A sharp WHACK to the edge of the kitchen counter yeilded the puffy, delicious treat inside; just waiting to be baked.
Half an hour (fifteen minutes for the baking, and an additional fifteen to allow them to cool to a temperature that allowed them to be handled, without injury) seemed to crawl by to the eager, and hungry redhead. In attempt to pass the time, she had first fixed a pot of coffee, seating herself at the table for a full five minutes, before she had gotten up again. Going back into her room, she grabbed her phone, and checked any missed texts any of her friends had left since yesterday evening.
A text from Pinkie Pie, dated just this morning read: "GOOD MORNING, SHIMMY! Didn't c u by yur lockr B4 class. U ok?"
A text from Rainbow Dash, dated just 8 minutes later read: "1st period is starting. You playing hooky, or what?"
Around second period, she noticed that she has gotten texts from Apple Jack and Rarity.
"Are you alright, sugarcube? It ain't like you to be absent"
"Sunset, darling, what's your address? The girls and I want to drop by during lunch, and check in on you."
Finally, a text from Fluttershy read simply, "miss you", wih a heart emote.
Touched by the amount of concern her friends had for her, Sunset Shimmer smiled warmly, her heart swelling. The visions of her slumber already fading like a haze before the brilliant and warm rays of their friendship. Immediately, she sent each of them a text back, letting them know that she was fine, and had just woken up late. A quick glance to the time on her phone displayed 11:06. She could make it to school and still attend her remaining classes for the day.
"I'll be there soon." said the text she sent. Better late than never.
Once the cinnamon buns were out the oven, cooled, and drizzled with sweet, tasty icing, Sunset grabbed one to go and locked up, inputting a vocal command into the security alarm before she left. It was amazing how technologically advanced this world was, in comparison to the more magical capital of Canterlot, back in Equestria! Even though she had ample time to grow accustommed to the tech, there were all sorts of gizmos and gadgets that were coming out on a daily basis, to inprove of various aspects of people's lives.
Out the door Sunset went; quick strides carrying her across a path of grey. Bright green grass of a medium-sized lawn framed either side of the short length of walkway that led up to the house. Birds tweeted their cheerful hellos to her, and the bright yellow sun beamed down, providing warrmth to the world. What a beautiful day it was!
Opening her mouth wide, she bit into the warm, gooey treat that was dripping a generous amount of icing onto her fingers. Her nostrils were asaulted with the dizzying scent of cinnamon and glazed sugar. Unable to supress a tiny moan, she chewed her mouthful before licking her glazed lined lips. She went in for another bite.
Arriving at the entrance of Canterlot High School some twenty minutes later by bus, the crimson-haired youth noticed both Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash hanging around near the horse statue. "Hey guys!" Sunset smiled. How nice that she had a welcoming committee, when her friends were supposed to be enjoying their lunches with the others! "Sorry for the wait, and that I made you guys worry."
"Shucks." Apple Jack waved a hand, dismisively. "All that matters is that you're alright, and here now. Right, Rainbow?"
"Absolutely!" The enthusiastic athlete agreed."And that my guess was right! I told you that she'd come in twenty minutes flat, A.J.!" She boasted.
Her friend's conversation faded, nearly muting as a familiar voice that was as soft as wind chimes drew the mental focus of Sunset. "I never doubted that you would someday return...." Princess Celestia chimed. Apple Jack's words of reassurance- so eerily similar to what had been spoken in subconscious- now triggered flashes of Sunset Shimmer's dream back to the forefront of her mind.
Casting a glance to the portal that was located on one of the three smooth, ivory planes at the base of the towering statue of a rearing stallion, Sunset allowed the hints of a frown to pull at her lips. Just on the other side waited Equestria. Would Celestia be waiting for her, as she had in her dream? What did it mean? What was her subconscious trying to tell her?! Brow creasing in confusion, her thoughts were abruptly derailed, and a shiver along her spine thrust her back into awareness of her surroundings. Once more, Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash's conversation- or rather, mild debate- increased in volume, reaching her ears.
The feeling that she was being watched caused her hair to stand on end. But no sooner had she turned, hoping to scan the area for whoever...or whatever...was observing her, the chill was gone as quickly as it had arrived.
"What in the world-?" she whispered.