//------------------------------//
// Netflix and thrills 
// Story: Anything but Normal 
// by mr. tallyman18 
//------------------------------//

The ride had been mostly quiet, Between Norman's Silent discomfort and Sunsets restrained glee the two had been able to keep themselves occupied for most of the trip.  A few times Norman considered asking Sunset to slow down, but thought better of it, she probably wouldn't have heard him over the roar of the engine and honestly he wasn't quite sure slowing down would make the ride any less terrifying.
He hoped he wouldn't have to drive back here himself again, aside from a few brief glimpses of some smaller landmarks, including a sign that indicated they had entered into a gated community, Norman had little baring on where he currently was. 

Most likely that was because he had taken to burying his face in the back of Sunset's jacket in a desperate attempt to look away from the rapidly moving scenery and pretend he was anywhere else, desperately trying not to retch at the smell of leather mixed with Sunset's overwhelming perfume.

Still, eventually the vehicle slowed as they pulled up in front of a rather impressive house. Not quite a mansion per say, but certainly a rather lovely two story building, complete with a stone pathway leading up to it and a quaint little patio overlooking the lawn. The windows were each draped in expensive looking purple curtains that Norman could see even from outside the house.

Norman gawked at the not-so-humble abode, completely caught off guard by it's stature.

"What's the matter Norman?"

Sunset asked tentatively, bringing his attention back to reality, and the fact that he currently had his arms wrapped around her. 
Quickly he removed his hands from her waist,  not wanting to further compound his already confusing and guilty feelings by keeping his hands on her.

"Well, I guess I didn't expect your house to be quite, like this."

"What did you expect?"

Norman paused a moment to consider the question. To be fairly honest he wasn't sure what he expected, whenever he'd stopped to think about how Sunset might live he usually assumed she lived in fairly humble means, considering she was essentially an orphan in this world.

"Well, nobody's ever talked about visiting your home, I guess I assumed you didn't have one."

"Yeah well, you know what they say about assumptions and what they make out of people."

Sunset said, setting down the bikes kickstand and dismounting the vehicle, After which she walked down the path towards the House, followed closely by Norman.

Upon entering, The first thing that stood out to Norman was the expansiveness of the entryway, how vast and almost intimidating it seemed, even after seeing it from the outside.

Briefly Norman wondered if she had used some kind of spell to manipulate the law of conservation of mass and create a house that was larger inside than it was outside, but it quickly dawned on him that it more likely it just made good use of vertical space.

Aside from being spacious and well built, Sunset's house seemed to be beautifully decorated with eclectic bits and bobbles she had collected, most prominent of which was a small brass sculpture hung on the wall in the shape of a blazing sun.

All in All, Norman was pretty sure the house and all its contents were worth far more than he would ever see in his lifetime.
Meanwhile it was clear from her smug expression that Sunset was enjoying his awestruck expression as he gawked at her home.

"I take it you're impressed?"

"You're never getting another free sandwich out of me ever again."

Norman replied curtly, Trying his damnedest not to sound TOO impressed.

"We'll see"

Sunset said in a Singsong voice.

"So, if I asked how you could afford all this stuff would the answer mentally scar me for life?"

In response to his question, Norman received a disapproving pout from the former unicorn, as well as sharp slap across the head which nearly swept off his hat.

"If you really want to know, I took a big stash of valuables with me when I left Equestria."

"What, did you rob a queen or something?"

"Might as well have."
Sunset mumbled sadly.

Norman looked up from a small statue of a horse he was examining and gave sunset a concerned glance.

"Most of the stuff I got were gifts from my mentor, Princess Celestia, stipends, presents, all things she gave me out of the kindness of her heart when I had been her student."

"And that got you all this?"

"Well, precious minerals are apparently a lot more rare and a LOT more valuable here. I mean, our main form of currency is solid gold, and gems are common enough to be made into dresses and baked goods."

"Baked goods?" 
Norman repeated, dumbfounded.

"Wouldn't it be more honest to just round up all the poor people in your world and start burning money in front of their faces?"

"Considering the giant middle fingers to the heavens you humans build and conduct business in I don't think you have any right to judge."

Sunset responded, smirking with amusement.

"Point taken."

Norman conceded as he cast his eyes away in slight embarrassment.

Unfortunately before he could continue, he was interrupted by a massive, earth-shattering bark. Quickly his eyes began to dart around, searching for whatever dire creature emitted such a sound.

"Garble!"

Sunset Squeeled Happily from the foot of the stairway, running to embrace some red and yellow blob that was descending the staircase.
Upon closer inspection it appeared to be a dog, or at least some mangy, red and yellow eldritch horror that closely resembled one. 

"How are you doing today Handsome?"

She cooed softly as she knelt down and scratched the dog-monster just underneath its chin.

The beast gave what could only be described as an appreciative gargle, bearing its jagged and razor-sharp teeth into a rough approximation of a smile before licking Sunset's hand.

Giggling at the sloppy show of affection, She turned towards Norman, causing the massive creature to do the same.

"I'd like you to meet my dog, Garble. Say hi Garble!"
Without missing a beat "Garble" leveled a festering glare at Norman, growling fiercely as it sized him up.

"He's....cute"

Norman said insincerely as he put on a forced smile. 
Garble snarled viciously at him, apparently able to smell his blatant bullshit as clearly as the vibrant cologne that soaked his shirt.

Upon seeing the exchange, Sunset moved between the two. Hastily attempting to assuage Norman's growing concern.

"Oh, don't mind him, he's just a little grumpy after I was gone for so long. Luckily Miss Tenderheart was willing to watch him for me while I was away ."

In response Garble burped up a small patch of floral print cloth. 

Sunset's eyes widened as she recognized the patterns and slowly she began walking towards the front door.

"Uhhh, I gotta go check something, hold tight here OK Norman?"

Cautiously, Norman cast a glance over to Sunset's dog, which was now slowly stalking towards him with a murderous gleam in its eyes.

"Well actually.."

"Awesome, I'll be right back."

Sunset said happily as she hurried out the door. Leaving him with the beast, it's hulking frame slowly creeping towards him.

"Steady....uh....Garble" 

Norman said nervously, slowly backing away from the massive creature as it stalked towards him,it's jagged teeth dripping with drool.
The beast woofed loudly, clearly not placated in the slightest and now looking to the frightened teen as if he were a particularly cowardly bag of kibble.

After it became clear that no obvious escape route's were in sight, or at least none that he felt assured wouldn't simply give the creature a free bite at him, Norman cast his gaze skyward, deciding that in this instance, perhaps an appeal was in order.

"Please lord, if you get me out of this I promise never to spit in another snobby customers drink ever again."

Garble simply stepped forward and growled in response. Causing him to panic further, desperately reaching for some other bargaining token.

"Or loosen the lid on their coffee cups so they spill hot coffee on themselves."

He added hastily.



Sunset groaned miserably as she set on the path back home from her neighbors house.  Wondering all the way back how such an tiny old lady could yell so loud. 

Sunset made a mental note to never piss off Miss Tenderheart again. Not that she would likely be talking to her again for a while. The nerve she had, calling her dog an "Unholy abomination against god and man"

Sure, Garble was a little rough around the edges, and sure he might have tried to eat Miss Tenderhearts leg, but that was just him....adjusting.

That being said, she made it a point to not waste any time getting home, Suddenly far less confident in the decision to leave Norman with her dog. 

It'll be fine, I'm sure Norman is perfectly safe, it's not like I've been gone that long.
Slowly, as if fearing what she might see behind it, she pushed opened the front door.

"Norman? Garble? you there? and uneaten?"

She didn't really know what she expected as far as a reply, but she had hoped to get at least some confirmation against the worst.
However, as she entered the living room the first thing that met her ears, was not a the bark of a dog, or cries for help from her guest, but rather, what sounded like a list of apologies

"..And I'll never take a dead rat from out back and sneak it into the meal of someone I don't like, Or cut costs by serving expired....oh, hey Sunny."
Sure enough, there stood Norman, perfectly safe and casually leaned against a wall, greeting Sunset cheerfully, as if some great burden had just recently been lifted from his shoulders.

"Uh, hey Norman, you OK? Garble wasn't any trouble was he?"

The young manager blinked a few times, having just remembered the massive dog that had been threatening him.

"What? Oh, no not really, in fact he's been pretty quiet"

Out of the corner of her eye, the former unicorn spotted her dog who sported a thousand yard stare after having been privy to the depths a human being could sink after three or four odd years in the fast food industry.

"Uhhh....good to hear."

Sunset said cautiously as she called garble to heel and took a seat on a nearby couch, treating him to a light scratch behind the ear to relax him.

"Mind If I take a seat?"
Norman asked, pointing to the empty spot next to her.  She nodded and let him take his seat, doing her best to hide the tiny smile she couldn't help but pull.

"So How did it go with that thing you needed to attend to?"

He continued taking seat next to her on the couch. Sunset sighed audibly, the disappointment and rejection still fresh in her mind.

"It was exhausting. To think Mrs. Tenderheart would have the nerve to call poor Garble an abomination"

Norman raised an eyebrow at her response.

"Why exactly did she call him that?"

"Well, he did try to chew up her leg a little."

"How do you chew up someones leg "a little?"

She looked down at her dog, her resolve slowly dying down as she saw him continuing to chew on the floral print fabric.

"It's all my fault."

She said guiltily, as she reached down and scratched her canine companion behind the ears.

" I should have known better than to leave him with her, or with you, he's obviously not ready to be around other people."

"Maybe, but y'know the only way to really be ready is experience."
Norman Suggested with a shrug, Sunset merely continued looking downcast at her dog.

"I'll tell you what, Why don't you Have me watch Garble next time? if today is any indication I'd say I'm pretty good with him already."

She lifted up gaze to look at Norman for a moment, there was trepidation in his face as he offered, but he looked like he was at least relatively confident in his offer.

And she really did need someone to watch garble for her while she was fighting abominations.

"Well, that'd certainly help if you think you can manage it."

"If I couldn't "Manage" I'd be in the wrong profession, wouldn't I Sunshine?"

He replied happily, his signature "Almost smile" present on his lips.

Sunset felt her eyes roll almost of their own volition at Normans typically cheesy line, though she did return his half-smile at least. Quickly she grabbed the remote off a nearby coffee table and clicked on the TV, happy to settle in and relax after a long day.

"Well, you are coming to me for financial help aren't you."

She answer back with faintest hint of smugness.

That struck him silent, prompting Sunset to look away from the fantasy/sci fi b-movie she'd put on to glance at him. 
He looked away, not quite in shame or depression, but with a degree of hard contemplation present in his expression, perhaps rethinking his decision.

The trepidation he seemed to feel at the shop in accepting her help hadn't completely gone away it looked like.
Whatever Smugness Sunset had felt faded as she attempted to rectify the situation. 

"Hey it's fine, lucky for you I have a soft spot for roguishly handsome bartenders." 

She said in her best attempt at a "sultry" voice.

"Roguishly handsome?"

Norman replied with amusement, his gaze lifted slightly from the floor by the compliment. 
"That's certainly a new one."

That sentence piqued Sunset interest Immediately, Suddenly her movie seemed far less interesting now in comparison to whatever juicy secrets she could glean about her crush.

"What are some of the old ones?"

She asked as she scooted closer to Norman taking the opportunity to get a discreet whiff of his cologne, a musky, rich and somewhat oaky mixture that blended rather well with his own natural scent in her opinion. Silently she wondered if she could get away with stealing his hat again.

She was quickly snapped out of her thoughts when Norman spoke up.

"Well Normy for one,  Pretty boy was another, but most boys in Canterlot high get that one, there was that one older woman who insisted on calling me slugger, it was really awkward."

Sunset raised an eyebrow, she'd always thought of Norman as attractive, but she always felt her particular interest in him was just her preference. At the very least whenever the subject of "boys" came up in conversation among her friends his name never seemed to appear.
She continued to scoot closer to him, a slightly possessive mood overtaking her as she responded.

"Sounds like you're popular."

A dry Chuckle from the boy next to her indicated her initial disbelief wasn't unfounded.

"Hardly, persistent more like, been trying to find that special someone ever since Blue and I parted ways."

That answer was far more likely and appealing to Sunset, if Norman was already on looking for love then it likely wouldn't be too hard for her to ask him out.

"So, how's that been going so far?"

"So far, I've decided to step out of the dating game."

A look somewhere between shock and disappointment graced the former unicorns features as she heard his answer.

"What? really?"

Norman nodded, wistfulness clear in his expression and voice as he continued.

"I'm tired of being a one night stand Sunshine, I've been around the block looking for love and I've got no interest in going around again."

Sunset's disappointment quickly soured into full-on bitterness at that news, she knew it'd be far harder to get him to return her feelings now, at the very least she wouldn't be able to directly ask him out now.
And worst of all, every other girl in Canterlot and their mother apparently got a shot with him beforehand. 

This isn't fair, I saw him first, I should have gotten to him sooner.

"Well I know a few women that are gonna be dissapointed to hear that."

"They'll forget about it eventually....they always forget."

Bitterness and self doubt were clear in Normans voice as he spoke, which Sunset recognized immediately, After seeing it in his exchange with Barry Punch at his soda shop. 

It occurred to Sunset that most of his break-ups probably weren't voluntary, after all, it was pretty easy to be heartbroken when you seem impossible to notice.
But then something else occurred to her, a tiny and admittedly amusing fact. Slowly she placed a supportive hand on Norman's hunched shoulder.

"I never did."

She said fondly.

Norman stared at her for a few seconds, the wheels in his head slowly turning, for a minute she worried if she'd made a mistake and he might be angry about her bringing up her time bullying him so lightly.

But thankfully he seemed to appreciate the humor of the situation and gave a small chuckle in response.

"I suppose not. Whatever else you did you didn't forget. Even when I kinda wished you did."

"If it makes you feel any better you were always my favorite."

She added playfully.

"It doesn't but thanks anyways."

Sunset let out a light giggle at his dry response before turning back to the movie. Apparently the President's son, who was a soldier in the a-mare-ican military had fallen in love with an alien of some kind, at least she thought it was, to her it just looked like an actress in blue body-paint.

However before she could think about the idiotic implications of a race of aliens defined by color in a world where everyone was multicolored, Norman spoke up again.

"So, Sunshine..."

"Yeah"

Norman paused for a minute and bit his lower lip, likely indicating he was debating wether or not to ask something.

"How are things on your end as far as dating goes? I haven't really seen you with anyone besides Flash "did I mention I have a band" Sentry."

Norman questioned, adding small air quotations on towards the end.

The comment took Sunset slightly off guard, she wasn't exactly expecting this question. Truth be told she had fooled around a little before flash, looking for a guy to latch onto to boost her standing mostly.

But unfortunately Afterwords it became pretty clear to everyone who she was, and even after the fall formal and the battle of the bands most guys still tended to keep a "look but don't touch" policy with her.

Before she could respond Norman shook his head and cursed under his breath.

"Sorry Sunshine, I don't know what I was thinking, asking something personal like that.....just forget it."

"N-no, it's alright, it's just my love life has been kinda boring so far. I mean even when I was with flash we never even really made out or anything."

That wasn't entirely true of course, She had on occasion enjoyed some brief lip-locks with her ex-boyfriend, sometimes it was as extra incentive to make sure he'd do something for her, other times it was for her own enjoyment. 

Regardless, a little white lie did nothing to hurt him, and if she was lucky he might be more inclined to be with her if he thought he was her first.

She turned softly, bringing out her best Innocent-doe-eyed expression.

"Truth be told, I've never even kissed a boy."

"Oh believe me Sunshine, it's not all it's cracked up to be."

Sunset blinked at the younger man's casual response, spending a few moments trying to mull over the implications of that sentence.

"H-how would you know that."

"I ran into a guy who told me had a crush on me, I figured I shouldn't turn him down if I didn't know for sure, so I gave it a shot."
Sunset knew for a fact her face was as red as a fresh sweet-apple-achers apple, even without the burning sensation flaring up in her face.

Luckily it was far less obvious to Norman, who casually continued his story, much to Sunset dismay and excitement.
"I gotta tell you, I gave it my all and sure there was a little bit of a naughty thrill to it but at the end of the da-" 

The words slowly stopped registering properly in Sunsets mind, Instead giving way to vivid daydreams of her crush engaging in all manner of make-out sessions with some equally attractive mystery man.

Unfortunately her fantasies were rather rudely interrupted by the genuine article.

"Anyways the point is you're not missing much Sunshine. Trust me we're both better off single."
"Y-Yeah, here's to the singles life"
This is so unfair. 
She thought ruefully, now regretting her lack of haste in approaching him earlier even more.

Garble, who had been sat next to the coach, once again adopted the horrified thousand yard stare.

Completely oblivious to these thoughts, Norman simply glanced towards the TV, clearly struggling to make out what was going on on-screen.

"Sooo....you have any idea what's happening here? cause I'm lost."

"Ugh...no clue, they're trying to figure out how to stop the alien menace...or get to second base with them? I don't know I wasn't paying attention."

She answered back, waving the question off in disinterest.

"So, why'd you put it on then?"

Sunset shrugged, the honest answer was she had wanted something on in the background to glance at while she relaxed and enjoyed his company. But she didn't really feel like explaining all that to Norman.

"I've heard good things about it?"

The dubious expression he fixed upon her indicated he didn't quite believe her.

"Hush you."

She said in mock indignation, jabbing him lightly in the arm, and causing him to smirk slightly at her overplayed reaction.

"I didn't major in conjuration at Celestia's school for gifted unicorns, to be talked to like this, Mister."

"A major in conjuration? Impressive......I think."

Sunset huffed lightly in response, her anger shifting from playful to genuine soon after thinking about her time at celestia's school for gifted unicorns.

"It damn well better be, It was probably one of the worst experiences of my life."

She said bitterly, recalling a particularly harrowing experience where some particularly nasty teachers threatened to send rule-breakers to detention in tartarus.

"You wanna, y'know, talk about it?"

He asked casually, in that same detached and yet somewhat empathetic voice he'd usually address his customers with.

She cast a sideways glance at him, she'd never really talked about her time as a student at Celestia's school for gifted unicorns with anyone, between her friends who wouldn't likely understand, and twilight who would probably rather gush about everything she learned there, she didn't really have anyone to really rant to on the subject.

But half of Normans job was listening to people rant about their problems, no matter how little sense they made.

"Alright, just hang on a minute, let me go grab a drink."

"Not to worry Sunshine, I gotcha covered" 

He replied confidently, as he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small flask.
She eyed the object warily, being perfectly within the legal drinking age Sunset was able to have alcohol in her possession, Norman however, was only nineteen and the fact that he had a flask of booze on him at all times was....worrying.

The old her would have used it as blackmail, maybe as a way to wrap him around her finger. The new her however, simply had to settle for not liking it.

Still, finding no real reason to turn down free booze, she took a swig from the flask, letting the bitter taste and light burn of the beverage run its course before beginning her rant.

"So first of all Conjuration is kind of an offshoot of teleportation, more or less involving porting items from different planes of existence. Now this could mean anything, object, resources, energy, and of course living beings."

Norman nodded at her explanation, though she wondered if that was because he really understood it, or was simply humoring her, regardless she continued, more for the sake of getting it off her chest than for anyone to hear it.

"So you've gotta make sure your coordinates are right and since you can't just eyeball it you're pretty much forced to minor in divination, and that's a whole different can of worms."

Countless hours spent at a crystal ball, searching for a specific plane, for specific coordinates, for a specific plant that grew in a specific grove, only for her to fail the assignment for drawing in "Unnecessary matter" through the spell in the form of a few blades of grass . 

When executing her Original plan of mutating the Canterlot high students into bloodthirsty monsters and invading Equestria, the first target on her very long shit-list would have been the asshat divination professor who gave her that hateful assignment.

"And there were no other Students or teachers that were worth sitting through it to see?"

Norman asked tentatively, he didn't seem to confident in his question, most likely he was simply teasing out the answer he already suspected.

"Nope, Funny thing about studying an arcane science associated with summoning demons and monsters, Anyone who majors in it is gonna be either a bitch or a megabitch."

"So, if you hated it so much, why'd you put yourself through it?"

Sunset sighed sadly, recalling two of the many people she was glad to leave behind in Equestria.

"Because my parents made it pretty clear that's what I would be studying. If nothing else, tapping into other planes of existence is an easy way to show you have power."

"And lemme guess, showing off is exactly what mommy and daddy dearest wanted out of her award winning daughter?"
Norman said knowingly, Prompting her to look up at him in surprise, before nodding in agreement and looking away.

"Yup, Prettymuch. About the only time they ever wanted anything to do with me was when they were parading me around in front of her socialite friends." 

With a light sigh she opened up the flask and took another swig from it, silently wishing she had something a little stronger.

A moment after, Normans open palm made its way into the corner of her vision, prompting her to glance over and see him with a pleasant, but still somewhat "expectant" look aimed towards her.

Immediately she realized he wanted a drink, again, despite being under the legal drinking age. She cast her gaze from him to the flask at her hand before downing it all in one single gulp and handing it back to him.

"Oops, Sorry."

She gave a sweet, slightly inebriated smile at him before handing it back.

"Classy.."

He replied with a slight grimace as he took the now empty flask.
She stuck her tongue out at him playfully. True he might be mad now, but she'd rather him be a little cross with her than have to watch him intoxicate himself in front of her.

After trying in vain to tease out a single drop from the empty container he sighed and shook his head in defeat.

"Just as well I suppose, Auntie Jubilee would want me back in time for dinner soon and I'd rather not have to explain to her why I'm out late with booze on my breath."

"Just tell her you were out with a woman who rides motorcycles and wears leather."

Sunset teased, quickly throwing on her black leather jacket, and turning off the nonsensical alien movie.

"Anyways, It is getting kinda late, how about I drive you home."

"How about you stay here and don't get arrested for D.W.I."
Norman said, waving the empty flask towards her.

She winced slightly and nodded.

"It'll be fine, I can take a cab from here...."

"Fair enough I suppose, Maybe we could get together again like this another time?"

Sunset asked hopefully, trying her best not to sound desperate.

"Sure thing, Sunny. Just… try and keep the pony magic to a minimum when I’m around, could you? That rainbow shit can’t possibly be good for my health."

She scoffed and cuffed him lightly on the shoulder.
"I'll keep that in mind the next time you need a rescue from some slavering monster, smart guy."

He simply gave her his usual half-smile before walking towards the door.

"See you soon Sunshine."

"Yeah....you too."

Sighing Dreamily, she leaned onto a nearby wall, already she'd managed to get her crush back to her house. That was more than most people got out of their first date, that's for certain.

And to think, all this started out so terribl-

Suddenly realization struck Sunset, quickly she ran over to the doorway after Norman.

"WAAAIT!"

She shouted through the doorway.

Immediately Norman froze on the spot, cautiously turning on his heel to look back at her.
Nodding to him, she rushed back inside and ran through the beautifully furnished living room, eventually making her way to a beautifully crafted jewelry box, sitting atop a table.

Hastily she flipped it open and rummaged through it, occasionally pulling out amethyst's, sapphires, and rubies of various sizes, before eventually settling on a bright blue topaz.

Alright, this should about cover it

She thought to herself as she hurried back to the door, covertly placing the gem in her pocket.
Norman Still stood just outside the door, though considerably less stiffly than she after she'd yelled for him.

"So....I just remembered, I didn't give you the help you came here for."

She admitted bashfully.

He looked as if he was about to respond, before a look of realization overtook him.

"Oh yeah, I guess I forgot."

"Having too much fun?"
She asked, a noticeable cat-like smirk appearing on her face.

"Maybe."
He admitted coyly, apparently not quite willing to admit to it fully.

"Well either way, I have a feeling this might help out." 
She said confidently as she pulled the bright, shining, blue topaz from her coat pocket. Turning it over subtly in her hand to show off the fine cut and caret of it.

"All the way from Equestria. And if my guess is correct its going price should be just enough to cover your repair bill."
As she spoke, she looked over at Norman expectantly surprised he hadn't responded.

To her surprise however, rather than a smart remark or a cool and collected smirk, all she received from him was a rather dumbfounded stare.
Eventually he stuttered out a rather worried response.

"I-I....Sunset, you can't be serious! I can't take this."

She frowned, slightly frustrated at his stubbornness after she insisted on letting her help him.

"Well too bad cause I'm giving it to you." 

She said insistently, grabbing his hand and forcing the gem into his palm. Normally she would respect someones desire to refuse her help, but this time it felt, important to her. She wanted him to accept it, She NEEDED him to accept it.

Unfortunatly Norman seemed, unsure about her offering, almost frightened by it. 

"I-I won't be able to pay you back for this Sunset, It wouldn't feel right."

He sputtered nervously, desperately trying to palm the gem back to her.

Gently, she grabbed his open palm, and closed it back up.
"You don't have to pay me back Norman, it's a gift."

Finally relenting, Norman pulled his hand back, opening his palm to once again look at the large, bright blue gemstone in all it's glory.
He seemed enraptured by it, It occurred to Sunset that he might never have seen this much money in his entire life, she wondered briefly if she should tell him how these gems grew all over equestria and how often they were used as simple gifts and rewards between friends.

Before she could decide however, he spoke up again.
"Why are you really giving this to me?"

He asked in a sober tone, all traces of his smarmy sarcastic tone seemed to have dissolved away as he presented the question in his most straightforward voice.

"Excuse me?"

"I don't mean to look a gift horse in the mouth, but this really doesn't seem like the kinda thing you give to someone who you've only been friends with for a couple days, Why would you give this to me?"

She could have just admitted to it right then and there, come out and told him how she felt, especially now after giving him such an apparently appreciated gift, She get her perfect high school fairy-tail ending, all she had to do was just reach out and grab it.

But what if he refused?  What if even after her gift he still wasn't able to return her feelings? or worse if he turned down the gem entirely. 
After so many times hearing it from both the other students during the battle of the bands as well as her own friends during the windigo incident , she didn't think she could take that kind of rejection again, not from him.

"I...think you're a good guy."

"T-That's it?"

He asked incredulously, almost disappointed. 

Nodding her head, she began to give a more in depth explanation. Some kind of middle-ground between admitting her feelings and keeping them guarded.

"I gave it to you because, I think despite all your fooling around, your bad habits, your snarky attitude and the fact that you mentally scarred my dog....twice."

She pointed to Garble who stood at the foot of the coach, whimpering slightly.

"...Despite doing everything in your power to try and deny it, I think you're sweet. And you have people that depend on you...people I know you don't wanna let down."

A smile graced Norman's features as he heard her explanation, not a half-smile or amused smirk, but a real, genuine expression of happiness overtook him, a small tear forming in the corner of one of his vibrant, amber colored eyes.

"You're sweet too Sunny, you know that right?"

She nodded happily in agreement, Before being surprised as he latched on to her in a sudden hug. Which she happily returned, thankful he couldn't see her quickly reddening face.

After a good minute or two, Norman, much to Sunset's dismay, broke the embrace and headed out the door.
"So I guess this is goodbye, for real this time."

"Sadly it looks that way."

Sunset watched contently as Norman walk out the door, happy to know she helped him,  and maybe got a few brownie points with him for it.
However, he stopped just shy of exiting, taking a moment to turn around and speak to her before walking out.

"I'll....find some way to pay you back for this Sunny, I promise."
And with that, he was off. 

Pay me back huh?
She thought as she wandered lazily back to the couch to lay down. content with the progress she'd made in her new prospective relationship.
I could certainly think of something.
She thought happily, as a few "less than pure" thoughts popped into mind.