//------------------------------// // 1 - Discovery // Story: From A Clean Slate // by Vv_-Carnelian-_vV //------------------------------// The sun hung in the autumn sky, slowly drifting westward as evening approached. The city of Canterlot bustled with the after-work traffic that appeared during this time of day. This would normally be a day Sunset Shimmer would be driving home after practice with the Rainbooms, as today was such a day. However today was Friday, the beginning of the weekend. Sunset had a ritual for days like Friday. She would wake up, shower, eat, walk to school early to make it on time, go to class, go to practice, then after all that she would take the long way back to her apartment. She did this on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and with the exception of school she would do the same on Sunday. She followed this habit since the Fall Formal, or at least shortly after. She came up to an intersection and glanced in both directions as the walking signal turned on. She crossed the street and began to pull out a bag filled with several small gold coins her world called "Bits". She counted out twenty-two, the same as always, then stuffed the pouch back into her coat pocket. She contiuned to walk until she passed a man wearing old and ragged clothing, wrapped in a dusty old coat he was using as a blanket. She glanced at a small open tin that carried several coins and bills. She smirked and picked two Bits out of her coat and dropped them into the tin and walked off before the man woke up to notice the gift. All he heard was a low humming melody coming from down the street, but when he turned to look all he saw was someone walking around the corner, too late to be seen. "Thank you again, Golden Girl..." -Later that evening...- Sunset handed a small girl the last two Bits that evening, receiving a hug in thanks before the girl ran off to join her friends. Sunset smiled as she turned to the direction of home, only to spot a girl with white skin and purple hair a few yards away watching her. It was Rarity, she had her arms folded as if she was giving herself a hug to keep warm. She gave Sunset a curious look as she started walking towards her. "Sorry for... err... following you." Rarity whispered in a nervous tone. Sunset gave Rarity an awkward shrug. "It's... fine... So, I assume you've been following me since I left the school?" She asked with curiosity. Rarity nodded in response. There was a growing silence as they stood under the glowing orange sky as the sun began it's descent behind the horizon. Sunset motioned towards the path she was to take. "Would you like to walk and talk? We shouldn't be out too late." Rarity nodded again at Sunset's question and the two girls walked side by side in a awkward absence of conversation, neither sure what to say. Finally Rarity spoke up. "So... How long have you been at this, not that it's bad of course, but I must say it was not what I would have expected from many people." This caused Sunset to look over to Rarity with a confused look. "Well... just a little after the Fall Formal... I had some of my money from Equestria on me while I walked back to my apartment when my car broke down one day. I kept passing by beggars and orphans and others in similar situations. I eventually noticed that I had been giving each of them a Bit after one of them said thank you..." she chuckled a bit. "Bit?" Rarity inquired, unfamiliar with the term. Realizing this, Sunset pinched her nose in annoyance of herself and pulled out a Bit from her wallet, one she kept on her in case of emergencies. "Equestrian Money. Each one is made of pure gold, which is more common in Equestria. We also use gems but Bits is what we measure value in." She explained patiently. She handed the coin to Rarity as the designer inspected it closely in awe. "That's so fascinating... And to think both of those are worth so much here... Wait, we got side tracked didn't we?" The white skinned girl chuckled. Sunset joined in the laughter. "We did, but we did break the silence a little..." She paused to regain her composure, "Anyway, when I got home I felt... Better. Like I made up a little for what I did... It was confusing at the time, but I came to realize that it was something I should keep doing. So I gathered most of my Bits and separated them into equal piles. I ended up with fifty piles of twenty-two Bits each. So on each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday I would give eleven people two Bits each. I always made sure I don't get the same person twice a week, and the next week I check to see how they are doing while I make my 'walks'... I made a lot of people's lives better since I started this... It's also helped me during that time with the sirens..." Rarity listened to Sunset as she spoke, feelings for the former bully emerging. She never knew that Sunset Shimmer had such a kind and sharing side. "I sort of wish you would of told us. I know that I would of liked to at least lend a helping hand..." She trailed off as Sunset raised a hand. "I thought about it at one point, just before the Friendship Games, but I figured that this would be a great... well, ritual for me. For lack of a better word. Kind of like your dress making or Applejack's chores. This just feels... 'me' you know?" Sunset closed her eyes and smiled, unaware of Rarity's gaze. The last of the sun vanished and a chill flowed through the air. Both girls shivered as they began to approach a decent sized apartment complex. Sunset stopped and look at the building. She then turned to Rarity, giving her a smile. "Well, this is my stop..." Her brow then furrowed and she opened her mouth as if wondering if she should ask a question. Rarity spoke up for the fiery haired young woman. "Is there something you would like to ask me?" Sunset looked at her friend with a bit of surprise. "Well... I was just thinking... Would you like to spend the night? I know it seems out of the blue, but I just thought that since it's the weekend and we don't spend a lot of time apart from the others that it would help us get to learn more about each other? I mean, I could give you a ride to your place real fast if you'd like..." Rarity looked a bit taken aback by this offer, but then composed herself and decided. "That sounds wonderful, and an absolutely great idea."