//------------------------------// // I'll lay me down tonight... // Story: Gradient // by Lucky Seven //------------------------------// Gloomy. Downcast. Those were words that could describe both the weather, and the storm of emotions brewing in Sunset Shimmer. The gentle pitter-patter of rain impacting the window she sat next to was relaxing, but it wasn’t enough to tear her thoughts away from the meeting that lay ahead on this cold November day. Of course, she wasn’t even sure why she’d agreed to meet her, let alone here, of all places. It was, after all, the regular hangout spot for her clique, so it wasn’t unlikely that one of her friends could walk in at any moment and bear witness to the meeting. That would certainly mean nothing good as far as maintaining her image was concerned. After all, the last time her image came under fire, it was the fault of the very person she was about to meet. The sound of the diner’s front door squeaking open pulled her away from those bad thoughts, and she looked up from her coffee. It was her, of course. Sunset tried to offer a smile, but all that she could manage was a stare. It didn’t seem to phase the new arrival though, who quickly walked over and shuffled her way into the bench opposite Sunset. For a few moments, the two remained silent, as if expecting the other to speak first. Sunset clasped her fingers together, elbows resting on the table, and spoke first. “Hello.” The girl opposite her managed a tiny chuckle at that, and pulled the hood of her jacket back, freeing her rather poofy hair. “That’s it? Days of build-up to our meeting, and all you have to say is ‘hello’?” “What do you want me to say? ‘I forgive you’?” “I don’t know. Perhaps, ‘Why did you ask me to meet you here, Adagio’?” Adagio retorted, her voice coated in sarcasm. “Honestly, it’s a wonder that you were able to beat us when you’re so poor with words.” “I could leave,” Sunset warned her. “But you won’t,” Adagio smirked. “If you wanted to leave, you would have already.” After that exchange, the two resigned themselves to silence again, the only sound in the cafe coming from the tiny TV in the corner behind Sunset. The local basketball team was losing. Again. “Pity that the Canterlot Pegasi are so poor at basketball, is it not?” Adagio asked, looking to the screen. At that, Sunset rolled her eyes. “What?” “You!” Sunset found herself shouting, drawing a bit of attention to the pair. “You ask me to meet you here, and then you just want to insult me and talk about basketball!” “Very well, let’s cut to the chase,” the siren-turned-human drew her gaze back to the TV as she spoke, watching the game with interest. “My cohorts--” “You mean Sonata and Aria?” “Yes,” Adagio curtly responded, not a fan of being interrupted. Looking back down to Sunset, she continued. “They believe that trying to learn about ‘harmony’ would suit our interests.” “And your interests are…?” “Surviving, for one,” Adagio says simply. “While we’re not dying, we are not used to living a life without our pendants.” “Well, you have had them for thousands of years, haven’t you?” “And for many of those, those pendants were a part of our very being, not just some silly necklaces. You can thank Starswirl for that.” Adagio’s voice was laced with venom, yet she managed a small smile in her former enemy’s direction. “We want to know how you do it.” “How I do what, exactly?” Sunset tilted her head, a bit confused, and Adagio slapped a hand to her face in frustration. “How you manage to use your magic without the need of a pendant.” Sunset’s mouth formed an ‘O’ of surprise. She was definitely caught off guard by that one. Even after having lived here for a few years, she had never truly understood how, or why, magic seemed to come so easily to her and her recently gained friends. “I wish I could tell you, but I’m not entirely sure myself, Adagio.” “You don’t trust us,” the songstress replied, putting her hand to her forehead and looking down at the table. “I understand that. But you must understand, singing makes us who we are. Without our voices, we’re…” “Just other humans,” Sunset finished for her. She let out a sigh, and Adagio looked up at her, hopeful. “Do you know what it means to have a friend, Adagio?” “I… can’t say I do,” the usually cocky girl responded. “We never really needed friends, only each other.” “I know what you mean,” Sunset replied, taking a sip of her coffee. “Until Princess Twilight and my friends defeated me at the Fall Formal, I didn’t think I needed any friends. Just people to use so I could get my way.” “I used to believe Equestria was a wonderful place,” Adagio admitted freely. “But when we were told that what we were doing was wrong, my view soured. I don’t see the world as a colorful, vibrant place. Not anymore. It’s all just different shades of gray to me.” “I felt the same way. You feel that everybody is out to get you,” Sunset guessed, and Adagio nodded. “The world is a forgiving place, Adagio. But you have to learn how to forgive yourself before anyone else will.” “How can I do that?” It was strange, seeing Adagio so helpless. She wasn’t sure why, but she felt as if she had to help the girl by this point. “You need to let go of the past, Adagio. Holding on to those emotions, that hurt? It’s not good for you.” “I suppose you’re right, but saying I’ll let go of those feelings is far easier than actually doing it,” Adagio frowned. To her surprise, Sunset smiled at her. “You’re smiling.” “Because you’re right, it will be hard. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try, though,” Sunset argued. “You’re like I used to be. Used to having everything handed to you on a silver platter. The real world doesn’t work like that, though.” “Well how does it work?” Adagio raised an eyebrow. “The real world will you kick you in the butt and toss you to the curb if you expect everything to be handed to you,” Sunset said, giggling a bit at the eyeroll she earned from Adagio. “The world is a cruel place if you aren’t prepared to fend for yourself.” “Well, this was certainly enlightening, but you never did answer my question,” Adagio smirked. “How does magic work here?” “True magic comes from within,” Sunset replied vaguely, and Adagio rolled her eyes yet again. “Enough with the vague responses, Shimmer.” Sunset sighed. “You don’t get it, Adagio, and I can’t help with that. Maybe you will one day, when you finally understand friendship.” “Maybe. But for now, I bid you adieu,” Adagio said, sliding out from her seat and pulling her hood back up. She gave one last wayward glance at Sunset as she opened the door and walked out into the cold november rain, a small smile gracing her features. Sunset Shimmer managed a smile of her own as she looked down, taking another sip from her coffee. The sound of the door finally slamming brought an end to their conversation, but she was sure of one thing. It wouldn’t be the last time they spoke.