“Oooohhhh...” moaned Sunset as she woke up. Her arms cricked as she tried to stretch them. “Ugh...why did I run out of pear cider?” Sunset rubbed her eyes as she began lifting herself from her bed. 'Looks like this morning might be a bit painful...'
After her usual morning routine, Sunset found herself in the kitchen where Luna was dancing around, humming some tune. Celestia was sitting at the dining table, grumbling over a pile of papers. It had been a month since Sunset had joined the Music Club and the past month had flown by. Sunset found out that she was actually quite good with the guitar and thanks to Trixie's albeit egotistical approach in terms of teaching, she learned the basics rather quickly.
Sunset went over and poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down. She coughed as she spoke up, “Um...morning Celestia.”
“Morning Sunset...” droned Celestia as her pen scribbled on another paper. “I can't believe all this nonsense...ugh, what a bunch of-” Celestia looked up and tried to shine a grin. “Oh! Good morning Sunset.” she then blushed as she pushed the papers slightly aside. “Sorry about that. How are you this morning?”
Sunset knew this reaction. She had seen it once before after Celestia had some meeting from someone called Spoiled Rich. Looking at the papers though, Sunset thought it must be something else. “Uh...is everything okay Celestia?”
“Everything is...well, I'll be honest. Everything is just...annoying right now.”
“Annoying?”
“Yeah. Halloween is coming up and-” Celestia pointed to her sister who was still humming a joyful tune, completely oblivious of the conversation. “let's just say my sister loves the holiday a little too much. Thankfully I convinced her last year that this is still legally my house and she's not allowed to go overboard with the Halloween decorations. And the pranks she wanted to do...”
'Halloween...' thought Sunset as she nodded. 'I know I looked it up so I wouldn't embarrassingly react like I didn't know what it was. Which I didn't. But...I still need to ask Twilight about it. I'm guessing since I didn't know what it was, there's probably a different holiday in Equestria. Or no holiday at all.'
“Also...” Celestia continued. “I'm having to help this new transfer student into Canterlot High.”
“A transfer student?! At this time of the year? I mean, I know it's still kind of at the start but...”
“I agree Sunset. But...according to this poor kid's parents, they couldn't wait.” A long sigh later, “Ugh...and that means I have to do a bunch of extra paperwork and I have a meeting with the board next week. They want to do a full conference again.”
“That again? Last time you went, you came back looking like something had just died inside of you.”
“I know Sunset. That's what happens when you have to deal with Cinch, Spoiled Rich and Sombra all at the same time. It drains you like you're being sucked through a straw.”
'I have a feeling I don't want to meet any of those people she just named.' Sunset thought as she sipped another cup of coffee. “Is it just you going alone like last time?”
“Nope.” Celestia's eyebrows went up and down as a small smile appeared. “Luna will have to come with me this time. Only problem is the meeting is out of town.”
“Ah. Okay.” Sunset replied, believing she needed to exit the conversation. “Sorry that's happening to you.”
“It's fine Sunset. It's part of the job after all.” Celestia took one last swig of coffee. “Alright. Time to go to school Sunset. You ready?”
“Sure.”
A bit later at the school cafeteria...
“Hello darlings. How are you all today?” Rarity said as she sat down, her hand waving her hair. “I know I'm simply fabulous!”
“Hey Rarity.” Sunset responded with a smile. “I'm doing fine.”
“Same here.” Rainbow said as she gulped down some milk.
“Hello Rarity. Are you happy because of Halloween?” Fluttershy said in a calm kind tone.
“Indeed darling! I love this time of year!” Rarity cried with joy.
“You like scaring people?” Sunset asked, her view of Rarity never considered her to be one who loved frightening people.
“No darling. I love making Halloween costumes. It's the one time of the year where I can just go wild with crazy ideas! In fact...” Rarity's eyebrows hopped up and down as she leaned toward Rainbow Dash. “Rainbow...I could-”
“No.”
“Oh come now Rainbow! I'll even make one for free!”
“I don't care. I'm going as Daring Do and that's final!”
“But you went as Daring Do last year! And the year before that!” Rarity whined. “Surely you could do something different this year!”
“Nope. Not happening. She's so awesome that I should go as her multiple times.”
“But Rainbow!!!” Rarity whined again, her voice becoming more and more grating. Seeing the situation unfold, Sunset and Fluttershy looked at each other, trying to figure out what to do to stop them. After a minute or two, Sunset spoke up.
“Um...Rarity?”
“Yes darling?”
“Uh...could I ask you to make my costume?”
Rarity's eyes shined like diamonds. “Really?! Oh, that would be wonderful darling!”
'Why do I suddenly have a bad feeling about this?' thought Sunset as she began to witness another fashion rant from Rarity. After the rant subsided, they agreed to meet tomorrow after school. It wasn't long till lunch was over and Sunset found herself shuffling through her classes and finally, the Music Club.
“Alright Sunset, what did Trixie tell you yesterday in terms of strumming?” Trixie asked, showing off an authoritative pose.
“We talked about music note reading yesterday.”
“What?! No we didn't! Trixie knows we talked about strumming yesterday!”
“We talked about that two days ago.”
“But-but-but...that can't be right...” Trixie began to rub her chin in confusion. “Trixie was sure she going to teach you some more chords for the party two days from now.”
“It's cool Trixie. Just go ahead and teach me the chords now.”
“Oh...alright.” Trixie's face lit up. “But just this once pupil!”
Sunset giggled at Trixie's response. After a little more banter, the two began a session. As they began to play, Sunset shined a smile, her heart filled with joy. Sunset found Trixie to be quite the different teacher. She would admit that Trixie wasn't exactly the right fit in terms of teaching, but Sunset found it very easy to say the things that Trixie wanted to hear. It also helped that Sunset found reading music very easy. After a small session, a certain DJ walked over to them.
“Yo! You two are sounding tight!” Vinyl said as she adjusted her glasses. “You two will really help the sound for the school Halloween party!”
“Thanks!” Sunset replied while Trixie merely nodded.
“No prob. Now remember, you two gotta arrive early so I can test your sound in the auditorium, got it?”
“Of course! Trixie always arrives early!”
“Good. And remember...don't wear some costume that will get in the way of your guitar. That happened last year and...” Vinyl bit her lip in frustration from the memory. “Yeah. Don't do that.”
“I understand.” Sunset nodded.
“Good. I'll see you two tomorrow!” Vinyl said with a wave.
Later...
Sunset found herself at home again. After a small casual talk with Celestia and Luna, she finished her routine and shuffled off to bed. As she began to lay down, a small bulb clicked in her head. 'Oh yeah! I need to ask Twilight that!' she thought as she sprang up. She quickly went to her desk and pulled the book out. 'Now, let's see...'
Meanwhile in Equestria...
KNOCK! KNOCK!
“Come in!” Twilight exclaimed. The door slowly opened as a white blue-haired stallion enter the house.
“I'm home!” the stallion yelled as he closed the door behind him. “Where's my favorite sister?”
“SHINING!” Twilight said as hopped with joy to the front door. “You're home! You're home!”
“That's right Twily!” Shining grabbed his little sister and gave her a huge hug. “It's so good to see you!”
“Yay! Mom! Dad! Shining's home!”
“We heard Twilight.” Night Light said as he entered with a cheeky grin. “It's nice to see you son.”
“Hey dad. Where's mom?”
“She's in the kitchen. Don't worry, she'll be in here soon and she'll start hugging your neck like crazy like Twilight there.”
“Of course, I wouldn't expect any less.” Shining chuckled. He then patted Twilight's shoulder, causing her to slowly let him go. “So Twily, how ya been?”
“I'm been great! I love being Princess Celestia's student! I get to study all the time and take care of Spike and I now have a friend that I use a book to talk to with and...” the little filly began to drone on and on, causing Shining to just giggle and pat Twilight on the head.
“That's sounds great Twily.”
Night Light then walked over and grabbed his small daughter. “Let's let your brother come in and make himself comfortable, okay? Supper should soon be ready Twilight, so why don't you go wash up?”
“Okay!” Twilight exclaimed and zipped up the stairs. The two stallions watched her run away and both shared a chuckle.
“I hope she never changes dad.”
“I agree. So, how long you here for?”
“Not long, but at least till the day after Nightmare Night.”
As the two stallions began to talk more, Twilight rushed up to the bathroom by her room. She quickly washed her hooves while humming a jolly tune. Then, as she began to leave the bathroom...
BZZZT!
“Hmm?” Twilight muttered. “What was that?”
As she followed the noise, she glanced into her room. There, her eyes widened as she saw her bag vibrate. 'Wait a minute...if that's vibrating, then...' She quickly raced over to her and rummaged through her bag. 'Let's see...where is it? Ah-ha!'
Her horn glowed as she levitated the book out and began to flip through its pages.
Dear Twilight,
This may sound strange to you, but have you ever heard of a holiday called Halloween?
'Halloween?' thought Twilight. 'What's that?!'