It was her turn to walk to the cafe this time. Her turn to walk through the rain, not that she cared. The street was empty aside from her. All she could hear was the sound of the rain, and her own feet splashing through the many puddles populating the sidewalks, leaving her with nothing but her own thoughts to keep her company. Thoughts of the girl she was about to meet for the third time in nearly as many weeks.
It was true that she was trying to better herself, but trying to talk to her was like talking to a brick wall. Sunset would consider herself lucky if Adagio took anything she said to heart. Still, it may have meant something that Adagio was the one waiting this time. It didn’t take much longer for Sunset to reach the cafe. Pulling the door open, she stepped inside and immediately relished in the warm air.
Finding Adagio didn’t take long. Her hair was basically a giant sign alerting everyone around her of her presence. Pulling her hood back, Sunset slid into the seat across from her, and let out a sigh. “Sorry I kept you waiting.”
“No need to apologize,” Adagio replied. “I enjoy our chats.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Sunset smiled. “Though I’m sure you didn’t call me here just to chat,” she guessed. It was obvious as soon as Adagio had first spoken. Her tone was far less confident than normal, replaced with that of a girl who was likely unsure of herself.
For her part, Adagio mirrored Sunset with a belated sigh of her own. “Was I that easy to read?”
Sunset giggled. “Well, when you’ve spent nearly a year of your life remaining nervous about your own future, you kind of pick up on it a bit easier in others.”
“I see,” Adagio replied simply. For a few moments, the two remained silent. Silence that was broken when Adagio suddenly blurted out, “I found a new means of acquiring income.”
“You mean a job?” Sunset asked, doing her best to contain her laughter at Adagio’s description.
“Yes, at the local supermarket. Though I can’t say I enjoy it.”
“Well, not many people enjoy their jobs, Adagio. They’re just a way to get money and support yourself.”
“Our voices used to serve the same purpose,” Adagio argued. “At least when we had them, we didn’t have to pay rent.”
“But that was wrong,” Sunset argued. “Not paying rent is cheating the landlord out of money. Don’t you think they need it to support themselves too?”
“I… suppose,” Adagio admitted. “Had someone done the same to us, I doubt we would have liked it very much.”
“Right.”
For the first time since Sunset had arrived, Adagio took a sip from her coffee mug. When she was done, she looked up to the high schooler. “Ginger gives coffee a… unique taste, wouldn’t you agree?”
“I wouldn’t know,” Sunset replied, her face a mask of neutrality. “I’ve never thought to mix the two together.”
“Ginger adds a bit of tang. Coffee, even with sugar and milk, is far too bland for my tastes,” Adagio explained, taking another quick sip. She gave a little ‘ahh’ of satisfaction and gently placed the mug back down on the table.
“No offense, Adagio,” Sunset began, carefully trying to decide what to say next, “but what does coffee with ginger in it have to do with anything?”
“Everything.” Adagio paused for a moment to look outside. The gentle pitter patter of rain against the window was the only sound in the cafe. For the first time in a long time, she felt at peace. Keeping her gaze fixed on the outside world, she asked, “Do you know why I texted you to come here, Sunset Shimmer?”
“Not a clue,” Sunset replied honestly. “Why?”
“I’ve been thinking long and hard about what changes I need to make in order to… adjust, properly. Aria and Sonata have been rather insistent about one change that they believe we should make.”
“Oh?”
“Mm.” Adagio took another sip of her coffee. “Tell me. How receptive would the students of Canterlot High be if we were to return?”
Sunset stared at Adagio, trying to word her response nicely. She couldn’t, though. “Not very, most likely.”
The former siren blew a bit of air out of her nose at Sunset’s blunt response. “I would expect nothing else. I suppose that will just have to be my next challenge, then.”
“Going back to school?”
Adagio smirked, a little chuckle escaping her lips. “I suppose, by extension. Though I was referring to the bullying that we’re likely to face.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing you can’t handle, Adagio. I was never under your control, but in a way, I was,” Sunset replied. “You have a way with words, I’m sure you can get the students to stop whenever you want.”
“I don’t want to, though,” Adagio frowned. Sunset’s jaw dropped. “I would rather work my way back to the top fairly than by using my… charms. Anyone can make another person treat them nicely by using hurtful words, or manipulation. I want to try making friends the way you did.”
Sunset smiled at the girl in front of her. She was trying to change, even if it was going to be difficult. And that was all that mattered. “I’m surprised, Adagio. When you first texted me to come here, I had my doubts that you were actually trying to change.”
Adagio sighed. “I can’t say I blame you. For a while, I was convinced I couldn’t change. But I want to. I have to.”
“Well I’m glad to hear that,” Sunset replied. “And I hope you manage to find your way at Canterlot High. I’ll be there every step of the way to help you, if you want it.”
“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind,” Adagio smiled. She could tell that their conversation was over. This time, she didn’t leave the cafe.