//------------------------------// // A Hard Run // Story: The Siren Life // by Michael Hudson //------------------------------// Aria ran along the jogger’s path in the park, her breath coming out in clouds from the early morning chill. The first rays of the sun were out to say hi, but she honestly wished they weren’t there. She didn’t want ‘nice’ things right now. ”What did you do, Sonata? Why didn’t you listen to us?” “W-well, I thought-” “Exactly, you thought!” “Aria, no!” Aria picked up her pace as she rounded the bend. Another jogger was coming her way, and managed to wave at her. She was not so kind, and lifted one finger towards him as they passed each other. He yelled at her back, and for a moment, she wondered how he would handle a punch. She didn’t feel the same weakness Adagio did. When she flexed her muscles, she could feel them all tense, ready to make a living, or let loose some steam. Or… ”Well, happy Aria? You punched her off the cliff.” “Oh, come on, we’ve all survived worse. Besides, she’s the reason we lost Starswhirl’s stupid challenge, so she deserves it.” “I still want you to apologize to her, Aria. She is our sister, and if we wanna get home, and out of these… weird forms, than we’re going to need her.” “Fine! Sonata, get the fuck up.” “.......” “Sonata!” “.......” Aria grunted as pain shot through her arm. She wasn’t like that anymore. She could handle the frustration now. Adagio was the one who couldn’t put up with either of them. Hated them, screamed at them. She… She… ”Aria, get off of her!” “I liked it here, you stupid cunt, and now we have to leave!” “Aria!” The purple girl grabbed the sides of her head as she shut her eyes. The memories were lying. She had control, she could be calm, she didn’t let problems affect her. She was like Adagio that way. That’s why she could be- ”Leader? Are you serious? You’re mugging trick may have worked, but the first time either Sonata or I screw up one of your half baked plans, what are you gonna do?” “Adagio, I swear to-” “Swear what? To use that? At least I only yell” Aria slumped against the tree she had punched, her body shaking. A thousand years, she’d been dysfunctional, able to get away with it because she thought it was okay, or that nothing would come of it. The episodes were infrequent, when her dysfunctional side were com out. She wasn’t like Adagio, who just stopped caring over time, or Sonata who was always fucking stupid. No, she only did it when she got mad, or really drunk, or if she didn’t have a smoke in too long. She wasn’t like those two. She was… right? Aria shut her eyes, her vision blurring from something in her eyes. It was so annoying, but no matter what, the bit of debri wouldn’t go away, and made something wet roll down her face. And then she cried, realizing that she was still trying to excuse her abuse, or deny the guilt, even while her target had sought her out for comfort last night, just like the idiot she was.