Chapter 91 - An unexpected behavior.
Every morning I wake up, I usually ask to myself, “Why being a CHS student was an utter pain?”
Each subsequent day I felt I was doing a chore instead of something amusing and fulfilling. I don’t even know what was the reason I was struggling every morning. Oh, yeah. I forgot. My stubbornness to keep up with Sunset Shimmer’s inhumanly achievable performance was my new… obsession. I wanted to defeat her in something that will leave a lasting mark on myself. My confidence. Or at the very least, do something useful for the community who has trusted me so far.
Except Bon Bon. She is bitch.
That was reason enough to get out of bed every morning.
As I walked through the street of the school, to my surprise, I saw from afar that Midnight was sitting on the bleachers of the school fields. When I got closer by, I noticed that she was looking down the floor with a strange and gloomy expression.
I got nearby her and tenderly tapped her shoulder in the hopes of cheering her up. She slowly looked up at me, giving me a weak smile in the process. There was something wrong with her… but I didn’t grasped what it was. She greeted me softly and started talking about what happened yesterday on her end.
I felt a little annoyed on the part of Blueblood’s involvement.
“Huh… So he said that?”
“Yes.”
“And did that bother you in any way?”
“…Just a little. But I’m fine now. Thanks.”
“I see.”
“Nitty… you are angry.”
“Midnight, I… Of course not.”
“Yes, you are. I can… tell now.”
“And why the hell do you think that?”
“Because I can see your face forming a scary expression.”
“I’m fine.”
“Nitpick Bittersweet, please… Don’t lie to me.” She said with deep remorse.
“…Alright, fine! Yes, I’m angry! I’ll give Blueblood a painful scolding next time I have fencing practice with him!”
“Please don’t. In the end, everything turned out to be fine. I read her a story, and she liked it. It was a success. Even the nurse in charge told me that I did great for being the first time.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah.”
“To be honest, some part in me felt that you were getting into trouble. I’m glad that I underestimated you once again.”
“…Really?”
“Well, yeah! I mean, you never actually read a story to a-!”
“No, I mean the ‘underestimating me’ part! You think I did good?”
“Yep. No doubt about that.”
“Thank you!” She finally started to relax. “Still, I must return the card to Blueblood today. After all, I promised.”
“I’ll give it to him, personally.”
“Nitty…”
“Trust in me. I’ll deliver it safely.”
“I don’t doubt that at all. The problem is the way you are intended to do so.”
“Give me the card, child.”
“No.” She frowned rather dubious. “I’ll do it myself. You don’t fool me, you are angry... Please don’t be angry.”
“You really are making progress in reading body language.” I said in hiss and cynicism.
“Not really… It’s only with you. I have never noticed before how expressive you are in reality. I just… need to pay a little more attention to your... face.” She played with her hair rather slowly, her sight looking down to the side of the grass.
“So you never listened to me at all before? Typical.”
“I always listen to what you say, it’s just that I started to pay more attention than before! And by the way, don’t call me a child again. I am a grown woman.” She said a little cocky.
“Bitchy and greedy today, are we? You are still a childish teenager in my books.”
“Language.”
“You are impossible! Sometimes I think that I’m talking with someone else!” Her face assumed an expression of shock. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She said cuttingly.
“Midnight…”
She sighed with a lack of energy. “I had a weird dream regarding someone else, that’s all.”
“And that’s it?”
“Yeah, that’s it.”
“…I don’t believe you. Something is bothering you, and it’s not what the pain in the ass of Arbelth told you. I can tell.”
“It’s… nothing. Believe me.”
I was about to raise my voice, but she didn’t deserve that. Giving her my best and modest grin, I caressed her cheek and said, “Come on. You can trust me. I won’t let you down on purpose, I promise.” She smiled sweetly to that. “See? There isn’t a reason you should be lying to-!”
A face filled with rage. A vicious, merciless tackle. “I’M NOT A LIAR!” I found myself on the ground, suffering an intense pain on my back from the fall. With the same velocity, I saw the figure of Twilight Sparkle running to the school.
“What the hell just happened?”
My instincts screamed to me that I should be enraged and scold her as soon as I had the chance. But as I walked to the school, the familiar bell made its morning song. Classes were about to start, and I wasn’t in the mood to waste my time on a worthless discussion.
Besides, I didn’t want to be late for classes.
….
During lunch break, I had the now-usual meeting with the school committee in the library. Midnight wasn’t present. Something about a terrible headache all of the sudden. I didn’t mind since I wasn’t in the best of moods today. It didn’t help either that I forgot to bring my lunch, making me spend some money in the process.
Miss Cheerilee wasn’t happy when someone raised his voice high inside her sanctuary, but she knew it was for scholar purposes so she let it pass... from time to time. But today, nobody of the committee had any ideas to introduce. I don’t even think that flies were flying inside of our heads.
Sunset whispered to me that she was worried about our mutual friend. But just thinking of her again made my head hurt stronger, my face of hypocrisy and serenity was starting to crumble into pieces already. I didn’t know how much I could maintain my façade of being patience.
Until I resolve this issue with her or explode in an attack of fitting rage, I don’t think I could be at ease today.
I focused all my energy in thinking something positive. Something that would improve my clearly deficient mood. Studying for my possible test to go back to the academy when this was over proved to be a good start. I still need to take Sugarcoat before Raven to clarify the details and reinforce reality and not rely on a lingering hope.
Perhaps I missed the academy… just a bit.
Since progress wasn’t moving on and our presence wasn’t really contributing anything, the council called it a day. We went our separate ways, further walking away from each other. Sunset stopped me for a while, wanting to talk something with me. It ended up being about exchanging reading material. It’s been a while since we discussed about that. To my surprise, it didn’t end in arguing. Instead, it felt refreshing to us for a change.
In the afternoon, school businesses was so laid back that I almost fell asleep while cleaning the dining hall of the orphanage. Applejack, may the Truth bless her with all its glory, helped me in finishing my task in the absence of Sugarcoat and Soarin.
From all the individuals that consisted of Shimmer’s circle, the Sheriff was my favorite by far. Besides Midnight, of course, who didn’t assist to the activities because she felt even worse in the last hour of school.
Unlike the others, Applejack was so down-to-earth and straightforward that I came to think about the rarity of someone like her getting along with that little group of colorful characters. Then again, my group was way more dysfunctional, so perhaps it was just good chemistry from her part. I enjoyed her company in short bursts, and I could swear that she enjoyed mine as well. Or that’s what I believe. As long as we don’t argue about something pointless, I was fine with her presence.
The day at least ended well, considering what happened this morning, and it was time to fall asleep.
….
Two days later, on Thursday morning, I woke up in a particular good mood. I have been eating healthy as the doctor recommended me, my last few nights of rest were long, pleasant, and reinvigorating. I felt somewhat better. Still, it would be wise of me to keep taking my meds and do my activities as passive as possible. It was my free day, and I didn’t want to ruin it. No need to worry about my duties, leadership, and all that crap that has haunted me for the past few weeks.
But I won't deny that I felt alone. Not for the students, or Lightbulb and Dancer... But Midnight. We haven't talked about anything since the incident. And every time I tried to talk to her when there was a chance... she simply excused herself and leaved. I felt that something was happening to her... but I couldn't beg for her to talk about. My patience was unlimited, and it has been proven several times. Trying to be selfish once again, I just focused on my future.
Today I was a free man after classes, and it felt surreal just thinking about it.
One of my friends texted me early in the morning, giving me the update for today’s meeting. She said that they would come out of school at five in the evening if nothings gets in the way. Although they did a fine job so far in assisting to the institutions and do their part of the collaboration, in the end, the academy had more classes and responsibilities than my new school. Period tests were in the corner for them as well, and they needed to study harder than before.
Sugarcoat was the one who worried me the most from the bunch. Recently, her temper has reached a point where she stressed herself by every tiny detail that delayed her efforts. It reminded when I met her for the first time. At least we agreed on something, silently. This competition was a worthy experience for our future careers, and all that we have learned so far was good for everyone involved, not to mention that I met colorful people along the road, and I must be grateful for that.
But coming back to the present, I couldn’t wait for the clock to mark five with thirty.
….
So majestic was to walk to the suburbs at a snail pace without any pending in my mind. Since she was more than qualified to replace me on my position, I let Bon Bon take the ropes of the carriage for today. The woman’s sharp mind and quick judgment was more than enough to face any troubles that may appear in the road ahead. She assured me that she will have it all under control, and after witnessing her skills so far, just for once I accepted to trust in her.
After a long travel in foot, I finally reached the front of the shady door that held a paradise inside. Arriving someplace earlier could be considered troublesome by some, but arriving one hour before my appointed meeting took place, I wondered why. It isn’t that difficult to achieve, at least, under normal circumstances.
The knob looked particularly welcoming today. I can already smell the fragrances of perfumes and subtle aromas of the sophisticated foods that the chefs of the restaurant were preparing with grace and delicacy. Holding the present box at my side and raising my fist to my heart’s level, I just told to myself, “This will be a good day.”
I opened the door, and the colorful furniture that The Dazzle’s family bar had dawned on my pupils once again. On the counter, cleaning the surface with a white cloth and masterful hands, Adagio Dazzle soon became aware of my presence. Her prideful, seductive lips formed a smile, her eye frowning in a welcoming manner. I could see that there were clients in abundance today. All of the tables were brimming with energetic costumers enjoying their time with their respective groups. From families to friends to lovers, the tables were singing songs and creating enduring memories for the years to come.
Thankfully, the gang and I reserved a special table with a week of anticipation. I sat in one of the chairs of the counter meanwhile the others arrived and the owner of the locale walked away from to the kitchen. I took a glimpse at Adagio’s new selection of alcoholic bottles in the wall. It seems that her brand selection increased drastically. Perhaps income was going as steady as she planned. After all, this was a niche restaurant that targeted the rich folks.
For the most part.
I soon noticed that she was now sitting beside me. A medium sized glass of iced cold lemonade was put at the reach of my hand with a small but generous portion of cheese sticks, our eyes making contact.
“On the house!” She said with her usual charisma and strong-willed tone.
“And what did I do to deserve such generous gesture?” I couldn’t help but follow her game.
“You may not be a regular, but you are definitely one of my favorites, sweetheart. Besides, you and your friends REALLY paid good money for the occasion.”
“Is everything ready?”
“Who do you think you are talking to? We even have a special dessert for your private festivity; a Cajeta cake. Sonata really outdid herself this time, I assure you!”
“Caje… What?”
“Cajeta. It’s a special candy made from thickened, caramelized goat milk. I even did a quick journey to Celmaya, Froggyjuato in Tenochxican to gather the ingredients!” Said Sonata with a sweet smile while lending me her phone. She took countless selfies on the points of interest of the city. Wearing typical clothes from the town, she looked gorgeous. “The attractions are amazing, the tacos are divine, and the people are really nice! …Except the rich ones. They’re so rude and meanie!” She said annoyed with a cute but grumpy face. “Nah! I enjoyed my stay anyway!” She recovered quickly. “We should go the two of us together sometime and eat tacos there! In that place it’s always Taco Tuesday!”
Oh, how cute are her glimmering eyes!
“Don’t flirt with our loyal customer and go back to the kitchen!” Said Adagio between teeth with a scolding voice. Sonata mumbled daggers at her elder sister as she joined the rest of her kitchen’s teammates.
“I know I’m a poor, hopeless guy but at least let me dream in having a nice trip with a cute girl.”
“Believe me, you wouldn’t last a day with her. Your life would be far easier and fulfilling if you just treat her as a respectable worker and nothing more. Don’t even try Aria either. She is worse.”
“You’re definitely sister-of-the-year material.”
“They are idiots. MY idiots. And that’s all there is to say on the subject.” Said she with finality.
“And how about you?”
“I’m beyond your reach, sweetheart! Come back in one thousand years and we’ll see!”
“Alright, fair enough. Such a shame, Sonata is almost kind of my type.”
“You know, my patron, there was this small ‘but’ that bothered me of you that I didn’t grasp what it was until now. It’s all clear to me now.” She rested her finger on my chest. “You are a very fickle man.”
“What do you mean by that? I know what I want, my self-esteem isn’t that crappy and I don’t follow orders like a Yes-Man!”
“Oh, I know that! You are strong-willed in some of those areas! But for starters – Wait, wait a minute! Butterheart! Freshmint! Number seven and fifteen, now!”
“Coming, Miss Adagio!” Two waitress rushed to their clients and served them with grace.
“You really are the bossy type! I like it!”
“See what you did there?” She pointed out at me calmly with a refreshing, triumphant smile. “What I’m referring to is your fickleness to turn your eyes at any attractive women you spot!”
“It’s not my fault that your restaurant is full with such kind of ladies! The owner included, of course!” I chuckled somewhat assertive.
“I’m flattered!” She brushed her puffy hair while giving me a refill. “But you tend to put us women in a higher regard! In a good way, at least. There are real perverts in this world, like this guy who came here last week. I believe he was from a local public school nearby. Just remembering his face gives me shudders.” She made a displeased gesture.
“I just admire beauty, that’s all!”
“Well, in all the time I have known you so far, my patron, you have mentioned that my sister is cute, that Miss Reem was pretty, that Shimmer was your type for a time, that Fluttershy and Sugarcoat had great assets, and that Gilda IS your wife. It won’t be that long when I hear you praising Twilight Sparkle’s cuteness and treasure her like the rest!”
“Hey, hey! I only have one treasured girl in my life and she is studying right now in Manehattan!”
“Who’s she!? Tell me!!” She said with excitement.
“My little sister!” I said prideful.
“That’s a boring letdown for sure.” She said disappointed. “Be serious, please.”
“I’m a man that is free like the wind! The architect of my own destiny, forever chained to the bewitching of the females’ charms and gifts! A poet who never writes his poems down, destined to witness a woman’s heart, but never being able conquer it! A fervent believer of women’s rights and power to choose their own paths ahead!”
Grandfather would be proud of me.
“I thought you didn’t believe in destiny!”
“For the sake of good poetry, I’ll use the word.”
“Hehehehe! You’re a terrible poet then, Fickle Man!”
“But I’m not fickle!”
“The ultimate romantic failure, Fickle Man.”
“Of course not!”
“Would you date me this Saturday and bring me roses and chocolates as a tribute for such honor?”
“And then we’ll exchange a passionate kiss, right?”
“You truly amuse me sometimes, my patron!” She almost laughed. “And the answer is no. Believe me, you are far too young for me!” She bewildered my hair… More so.
“Typical.”
“Let’s talk about this another time with more privacy! I need to help my juniors to prepare today’s main event!” She left me to enjoy my drink and appetizer at peace.
It was a nice, short conversation.
….
She was never someone that arrived late to an appointment unless something important got in the way. I could almost feel her presence here. I was this close to eat some badass potatoes and a small chunk of a big ass hamburger.
I was this close to share a little time of quality and respite once again.
A tap was felt on my shoulder, followed by a playful punch. Gilda sat beside me and rested her arms on the counter. She had a little glimpse of eye bags. No doubt Sugarcoat was pummeling her with Champion duties every single night.
“You look tired.”
“At least I don’t look like crap all the time.”
“You sound tired.”
“At least I don’t sound like crap all the time.”
“You talk bullshit.”
“At least I don’t spill crap all the time.”
“I love you.”
“I know.”
“Fucking arrogant bitch.” I put the box in her hands. “It’s yours.”
She opened it. “Oh.” Her eyes brightened. “You really got them.”
“My girl can’t run with crap in public parks during her training sessions.”
“Black and white. Mikedidas. The best sport shoes in the market.” She gave a long look at them. “I like them.”
“Don’t forget the socks there. They match.”
She chuckled somewhat warmly. “Thanks, Nit…”
“Happy eighteen, old hag.”
“You really are an expert in ruining moments, you big stupid asshole.”
“I exist to serve… Oh, come here!”
You know, sometimes you only need something as simple and old-fashioned as hug to make you feel right.
“Happy birthday, Gily. I hope you have many more years to come and all that crap that someone says during these shitty occasions.”
“Thank you for everything so far, Nit.”
“Don’t mention it… I’m so tired, you know?”
“Me too, Nit. Sug is driving me insane.”
“You? Tired?” I giggled. “You never tire.”
“Even gods burn out from time to time.”
“Ah, bullshit.”
“Shut up, you little shit.” She tried to crush me, to no avail. She released a defeated sigh and said, “Huh… I’ll crush you another day.”
“Now, now.” I separated from her just a little and grabbed her waist. “We haven’t shared my promised meal yet.”
“Hamburger?”
“With a badass meat.”
“Potatoes?
“Oven baked. And salty, as the tears of Lightning Dust.”
“Yummy, my current favorite! Next time I hope they are from Dash.”
“Soon I may be able to do something about that.”
“One Hyper Dazzle Deluxe Hamburger and oven baked potatoes to table one!” Aria and Sonata walked to the reserved table with our food and beverages while Adagio escorted us there. A private table surrounded by some specially designed walls for private conversations was our spot.
“Blueblood really didn't joked about wanting some privacy today.”
Gilda clapped her hands somewhat viciously. “Forget about it, I’m fucking starving!”
We sat down rather anxiously. Our eyes were looking at the meal in front of us like wolves feasting on the prey that was soon would be in his claws. I wanted so badly to grab a potato, but Gilda deserved the honor to give the first bite.
“Enjoy!” The three sisters choired.
We began eating our super-sized hamburger. It was worth the paying fee… It didn’t last fifteen minutes. The rest eventually joined us, and the main meal was served.
….
“So my mighty friend slept below the table in the lounge and my intellectual friend never found her until the end of the lunch break! I was so entertained searching for her upside down as well!” She clapped with a sense of fulfillment.
“Oakwood, shut up. It wasn’t funny.”
“You are such a party popper, my intellectual friend.”
“I can’t believe you never found her, Sugarcoat! Father says that the griffonians’ snores are famous for being easy to recognize!”
“Someone wants to die today...” Said Gilda menacingly.
“This ape doesn’t snore, Blueblood. Whether it’s a blessing or a curse, I’m glad she doesn’t.”
“She does, Sugarcoat. But she tends to do it like an actual lady; Soft and sweet!”
“Shut up, Nit.” Gilda swallowed her pasta rapidly.
“That is indeed disgusting, my mighty friend.”
“Mah birthdah! Mah grules!” Her cheeks became like two balloons.
Sugarcoat slammed her hand on the table while ravaging a slice of pizza in anger. “We were lucky that Cinch cancelled our emergency meeting because Mrs. Harshwinny called her regarding our Thanksgiving business! I never saw the old witch with such frightened expression before! The horror if she had terrible news for us and this brute wasn’t present. What if we did something wrong and we are still unaware of it?”
“Calm down, Sug! We have it all under control!”
“WE MAY HAVE SCREWED THINGS UP AND WE DON’T KNOW IT YET, YOU STUPID OVER-SIZED APE!”
“Hehehehe! It’s been a while since you yelled like that! I wish you did it with Zap as well!”
“Shut the fuck up, Bittersweet! Don’t mention that name!” Her face was reddish in rage. “You know how many favors I had to ask to Sunny Flare just to cover our absence and make sure that all of us were available for this!?”
“Oh, for God’s sake, Little Maiden! You have done so many favors to Miss Flare that I’m surprised that she hasn’t given you her blood and buttocks by now!”
“Quiet, Blueblood! This is serious!”
“For the first time after a long while, my intellectual friend, I must agree with my brother! You exaggerate once again for God knows how many times you had done so since day one!” Reem pronounced with great emphasis, then she drank from her fresh lemonade. “Oh, it has the right amount of sugar!” She was pleased.
“Never I thought I would live long enough for you to turn against me!”
“I will always be at your side unless you seriously need a painful slap from my hand. But please understand that you are simply paranoid again, my intellectual friend.” She drank her whole glass and looked at it with sadness. “Never the good things last long. Can I ask for tea? Someone please bring me some tea!”
“Anyway, please stop worrying for naught! Our peons will do just fine without us, Little Maiden! I’m sure they have it all under control right now!”
“I hope so for your sake, Prince Arbelth Blueblood! Cinch isn’t as forgiving as I – STOP MESSING WITH MY HAIR, YOU TWO!”
“It’s just that you are so cute when angered!” Gilda smooched her cheeks. Small strands of hair were appearing in Sugarcoat’s smooth mane. Her eye twitching viciously.
“And it’s such a waste to allow such a young, magnificent woman walk on this earth without a proper man at her side! You have a terrible temper, a paranoiac personality, and your taste for anime simply sucks, but I’m willing to sacrifice myself and become your formal lov-!” A thunderous slap bypassed the walls and echoed in the restaurant. “WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR!?”
“You deserved that one, and you know it, you unbelievable asshole!”
“I was messing with you just a little like usual, you stupid little brat! I didn’t deserve the slap!”
“I’m aware of that and I’m so sorry! It’s just that you are such a remarkable punching bag that I couldn’t resist the urge of abusing you today! You should consider becoming my personal piece of trash!” Said she with a mix of mockery and anger.
“I beg your forgiveness, Candie Sugarcoat.” She clenched her teeth at hearing her hated name. “My bullshit detector was suddenly overrun by all the shit that you suddenly spilled from your mouth!”
“You dare to speak to me like that after all I have done for you!?”
“Tell me what’s wrong with you? Now I really know that you´re angry with me. Spill it out if you have a problem!”
“I still haven’t forgiving you for making me worried last weekend! For abandoning us in a time where we need you! Every time I think about the mountains of work that’ll come soon, I imagine how useful you would be if you were still at Crystal Prep! Our side! Not helping those puny, useless slimes from CHS! And the major insult is YOU replacing US with that pain in the ass of Twilight ‘Doormat’ Sparkle!”
“What the-!? I would never replace you with her, and you know it! Just accept that she is a friend of mine like we understand that Zap is one of yours!”
“I told you to not mention that traitor's name!”
“Ah, I get it now! You are reflecting what Zap has done to you on me! Guess what!? Unlike her, I would never replace you with that annoyance of Sergeant Loyalty!”
“I don’t know. You managed to avoid us for one month after you transferred, remember?” She said dryly, bathing her words with a coat of poison while avoiding eye contact and drinking her beverage.
“Bitchy today, are we?” I was getting pissed off. “It’s not my fault that things ended up like this! My intention was never to lose contact with you! Deal with it for once, ok!? You are not the only one with personal problems right now!”
“Did you –? No… No! Screw you… You stupid, ungrateful, and INSUFFERABLE BASTARD!”
“Do you want to take it outside?”
Gilda suddenly burst into laughter. “MARRY ALREADY!”
“Are you fucking kidding me!? Cinch Two-Point-Oh would be a terrible wife!”
“Because you clearly are a man worthy of my company, you imbecile!”
“In his defense, my intellectual friend, when you snap, your horrible temper is indeed unbearable!”
“Unbearable is every time I must hear your pathetic excuses of avoiding your responsibilities during Sunday morning! Without me, you would have failed biochemistry and become the laughing stock of the nobles!”
“For the love of God, my intellectual friend! You know those are optional, and we clearly are not talking about our performance in the school!”
“Indeed, my sister! I for one declare that we will never work on Sundays ever again!”
“But you never contribute anything on Sundays, Arlbelth! You always pull from your ass a random royal ceremony that never makes sense!”
“Bittersweet is right! It was always both us that forced you to work and make everything succeeded… together… Agh! Alright, I get it now! I’m sorry for screwing with you, ok!?”
The tension was gone. Two watery pair of eyes, regrets and remorseful feelings were floating between she and I. We both sighed deeply and after a brief, long moment of silence, I had the bravery to say, “You’re not the only one who messed it up, but I forgive you.”
“Stupid, that’s my line, you waste of oxygen.” She said with her normal arrogance as we made a manly hand-shake.
And soon we all laughed together while I started an assault to Sugarcoat's ribs... She wasn't amused.
“Now that Sug finally released her troublesome demons to the air, let’s start over! Where are my presents?”
“Before the presents, there must exist cake first!” Reem rang a tiny bell she brought with her. “CAKE!” She said royally.
Sonata brought us the cake she mentioned before. It was too sweet for me, but good nonetheless. Gilda couldn’t eat more than one slice since she was full to the point of almost throwing up. Reem and Sugarcoat surprisingly loved it, considering their nitpicking with sweets. Blueblood wanted to hire her permanently as a lead chef. Adagio politely declined his offer.
The mood improved spectacularly when it was time to open the presents. Blueblood gave her a protein bottle from a high grossing company of health and she was so damn happy about it. I mean, Arbelth sucked in giving gifts and last year’s choices were a testament to it. Still, Gilda used the dress he gave her on two occasions. She never wanted to wear it again, but the Royals managed to put her in the right situations to do so.
Sugarcoat gave her a training vest and shorts. Combined with my shoes, her training gear was practically complete. Everything was going smoothly… until it was Reem’s turn.
The little pain in the ass.
I don’t know if it was a simple vengeance for making her suffer during Gily’s hellish training sessions, or it was simply her nature of trolling her loved ones at every opportune turn she had. In the box, there was a painfully beautiful t-shirt of the highest quality of Ulplima cotton and trends.
Thanks for all those unwanted lessons, Rarity.
On the front side, an imprinted image of Sugarcoat when she disguised herself as Pirate Moon during last year’s convention was proudly highlighted on the black cotton with countless tiny stars bathing her. On the back, there was a hilarious, hyper realistic fanart of Gilda disguised as Pirate Mars with magical glitter coming from her wink.
Blueblood, Reem and I wanted to burst into laughter so badly that it wasn’t funny. It was rare for Arbelth to bit his lips with such intensity. Reem hid behind her victorian fan and was clearly pinching her arm with all of her strength. I just avoided eye contact with the Pirate Scouts. We managed to control our cynical emotions in the end. To do otherwise would mean the creation of two short-lived serial killers who were looking at their first three potential victims with crazed eyes.
It was a nice party in the end.
….
Today my body was brimming with youthful, unlimited energy that I couldn’t keep sleeping after six in the morning. My journey to my educative institution felt like a stimulating compromise instead of a chore. I felt new. I felt alive.
I felt reborn. Nobody can screw my day today!
“Bittersweet, thank goodness I caught with you on the road. We need to talk… it’s important.”
I was too happy to let such inconveniences hinder my day.
“What do you need, Shimmer? I’m all ears!”
“I can see you are in a really good mood today!” She said with disgusting, sweetly smile. “This will be smoothly between us then!”
“Yeah! What is it?”
“Let’s talk about it on the road.”
She gave me the brief summary of her problem, and all I had to say about it was, “Are you sure?”
“She’s acting strange lately! Sudden headaches, bad temper, lack of focus, and she barely responds the texts that I write her!”
“Now that is worrisome.”
“The girls tried to make her talk, but they didn’t find anything wrong with her!”
“Care to explain?”
“Every time she is with the whole group, Sci-Twi is being Sci-Twi! The usual nice girl we know!”
“Sci-Twi?”
“Oh, it’s a name that Princess Twilight came up with to differentiate the two of them! Pretty clever, huh?”
I will keep my feelings on the matter to myself, thank you very much.
“But the problem is what?”
“When she is alone with me… she looks gloomy.”
“Gloomy? Well… a few days ago she looked like that as well. She even pushed me to the ground.”
Painfully.
“Why did she do that?”
“I don’t know! Believe me! When I tried to cheer her up, she suddenly screamed, ‘I’m not a liar!’ and ran away from me!”
“Did you tell her something that might have triggered that weird behavior?”
“You think it’s my fault, right?”
“Not really… It’s just that you have the bad habit of saying things the wrong way, even if your heart is in the right place.” She smiled tenderly at me.
“…I see. Thanks for the compliment.” I made a short pause. “Let me try to remember what I said exactly… Mmm…”
I remembered the important things that I told her that day without skipping any important detail. Shimmer didn’t see any harmful words that could have triggered Midnight’s odd behavior.
“Perhaps Blueblood was the one at fault with this.”
“I think so too. Let me talk to him in the afternoon and see what exactly did he told her. I didn’t asked him the past few days because I sincerely forgot about it.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.”
“Well, it’s for our friend, right?”
“Indeed… I’m glad I can count on you.”
“The feeling is mutual… for once.”
“You’re as mean as ever.” She playfully tickled my rigs, and I discreetly shunned her away.
We walked together to the class of Ethics in beautiful silence.
….
I always considered Mrs. Harshwhinny a very competent teacher from the beginning. Far too competent to the point of giving the extra mile for us that she fell sick. It seems that the poor teacher had a terrible discussion, to say the least, with Abacus Cinch.
According to Vice-Principal Luna – Truth, she is so damn gorgeous – we had a free hour. Following Shimmer’s strategy, we both avoided contact with Midnight for the sake of giving her some space. Giving her time to reflect and relax. She didn’t tell the plan to her friends in hopes of someone of them noticing if our absence made any significant impact on her behavior.
Shimmer went to the band room to write on her weird book, and I went to the second floor of the library to take a long nap. Oh, wait. I can’t take a nap just yet. My favorite vending machine, the only real convenience store inside this wretched school, just had a resupply yesterday. I needed some of my trusty Chocolate of Spirit.
Truth bless black chocolate.
After eating the whole thing, I finally reached my original destination. Just when I was about to relax on the chair, my back was assaulted by two exquisite hands.
“Damn it, Midnight. You nearly…” She reached the sweet spot on back’s massage. “Oh, that felt nice…”
“Language. And how did you recognize me with just my hands alone?”
“The pressure…” I nearly groaned in a state of comfort. “…You always apply a soft pressure and the size of your hands is unmistakable for me by now.”
“You really are goofy sometimes!”
“And you really have grown some guts to say that with such tone, Midnight.” I said almost cynically. “I haven’t forgive you from what happened last time!”
“Oh, well! I learned a thing of two of courage from the best!”
“Don’t try to change the subject. I thought you were with the girls now.”
“I was, but I went to the bathroom.”
“This is the library.”
“I saw you and wanted to be with you. Now sit.” Said she somewhat rudely.
“Excuse me?”
“Just do it.”
I didn’t have any reason to deny her. When I sat down, she continued her gentle massage. “Let’s see.” With a motion of her hands, I loosened my arms and submitted to her kind gesture. Midnight, slowly but surely, got closer behind me… Closer... Strangely...
I have a bad feeling about this.
“What’s wrong with you these days?” I asked with suspicion. She gave me a questionable humming as a response. “I mean, you’re acting more indifferent than usual.” She started to hum a lullaby very softly. I recognized the song; Shine like Rainbows. She did it kindly… Lovely. “Midnight? You are worrying Shimmer and I.”
“Now she noticed me, huh?” She moved her hands with a mastery I never thought was possible from her.
“Why did you say…? Huh… Stop ignoring… Damn, it feels good.” My head landed on the table.
“Unlike her, I have never ignored her for a cheap knockoff… ever…” She stopped. A warm sensation was felt on my side. Her delicate nose was exhaling on my ear. “Say… Someone asked me once if I was happy with the way I am now. I have wondered ever since why that particular question rubbed me… on the wrong way.” Her tone sounded deeper than usual. “And it finally hit me when I joined with the rest of the girls after our activities were done these past few days.”
“You can tell me if you want. Uh, just saying.”
“I knew I could depend on you…” She said… seductively?
I looked at her in the eye and her irises were darkened as a night without moon and star.
“What’s wrong with you, Twilight Sparkle?”
“How… did you call me?”
“By your name! The one you were given to since birth!”
“Oh… true!”
“You want to share something with me, right?”
“Yes. I’m glad you always pay me attention.”
“I always pay you attention when it’s possible.”
“And I’m so glad to hear that, my friend... Mine.”
Something rubbed me the wrong way with her freezing tone.
“Where is Spike?” I said in hopes to lighten the mood.
“With the girls. I wanted to be with you alone and leaved him with them.”
“You said that you went to the bathroom first!”
“Did I? Huh… Anyway, you’ll listen to me… right?”
“Ah… Well… Just take a seat and I’ll hear you out.” She put her arms on the table and rested her head on them. The only thing that bothered me was that her body was practically invading my personal space. “Comfy?” But I didn’t shunned her away. I couldn’t.
“Yes.” I could partially see her face behind her shoulder. Only one of her black pupils was looking at me.
“Now tell me what’s wrong.”
“Sunset told me that cousin Twilight will pay us a visit tomorrow. It’s always about her, isn’t it?” I could see her bad temper through her expressions. “Princess Twilight is so amazing! She can do this! She can do that! We’re practically her number one cheerleaders!”
Ok, that terrible imitation of Sunset was honestly hilarious.
And now I understood what’s going on. It didn’t take me so long to acknowledge that this is exactly the same as Sugarcoat’s dilemma with Indigo Zap. With some key differences, of course.
Jealously, a sense of abandonment. With how many people here have sing songs of praises and exaggerated feats made by this Princess Twilight, it’s obvious that my little, beautiful Scientist was experiencing an inferiority complex. Just like the one she has with her brother. Who is awesome. But the difference was that Midnight loved her brother, and the feeling was mutual.
On the other hand, this Princess Twilight is a mystery but to Sunset. And that wasn’t a pleasing consolation for her. The best course of action was to get more information before I start to talk sense into her.
“Why Sunset was the one to receive the news first instead of you? Aren’t you supposed to be family?”
“Aye. But she is closer to her… but just because of her magic only.” Her voice had the subtle gloominess from the last time. “The girls were so excited about it. They even planned another slumber party. Get together in one place. Eat pizza. Have some fun… but…”
“I see. You are worried that she may steal them from you.”
“Bon Bon told me that I can be special, even if she exists in my surroundings. That it wasn’t pity why they befriended me… That I matter to them.”
“She… was the one who asked you the question of you being happy recently, right?”
“…Yes.”
Even if she is a woman, I’ll kill the bitch if she told you something out of place.
“Did she told you anything else in particular?”
“From yesterday? Yes, that I matter… But last time… I… don’t remember very well.”
“Last time?”
“We talked about some things on an alley in the suburbs. But… I don’t remember everything. It’s… a cloudy memory.”
“Too bland were the things that she told that you don’t remember it completely?”
“No.” She said… ghastly. My Sixth Sense suddenly made me shudder in fright and I straightened my back. She was still in a resting position, but I could sense it. Her eyes possessed a sinister glow. “The more I try to remember, a terrible headache emerges on the back of my head. I want to remember all of what she said… but it hurts… it simply hurts. I don’t like it…”
I didn’t know if my stress kicked in again or the library’s sources of light suddenly faded away. Strange creaking sounds were heard in the stands of the room. What frightened me the most… it was that nobody was here.
We were alone all of the sudden.
Slapping myself to regain my focus, I stood behind her and rested my hands on her neck, slowly traversing it as gingerly as possible. With each passing second, I started to apply more pressure in her skin. Eventually, my hands fell to her shoulders without hurrying motions, exploring her figure and descending to her lower back. She sighed pleasantly, and the unbearable aura dissipated as fast as it arrived.
My Sixth Sense going back to sleep.
As I continued my poor attempt to give her a massage, I remembered something from my memory lane. I once appreciated how peculiar Twilight Sparkle was. It was in this library where I came to the conclusion that she was beautiful and sincere. Back then, I didn’t know why I felt attracted to her since we enrolled here. But I think I know now. Perhaps the trait that amused me the most from her was that she could be like a clear, transparent mirror. It reminded me of the gang.
Like them, sometimes she was silly, other times she was insufferable. Sometimes she was funny, other times I wished to crush her little neck. She was persistent, and started to search for what she wanted for herself not long ago. But unlike them, she was still innocent.
Too. Damn. Innocent.
“Nitty…” She was falling asleep, her trademark sweetness in her voice finally coming back. “I’m so sorry for hurting you on the fields.”
“Hehe, give me a kiss next time you feel better and we’ll call it even.”
“How can I say no… to such a steal?”
“I always give the best deals to my friends. Now stop mocking me and fall asleep already.”
“… Hey.”
“What now?”
“Promise me… that you’ll never replace me… with Princess Twilight…”
“You too?” I mumbled to myself. Everyone thinks that they are replaceable recently. I released a soft laugh at that. “I would never do such a thing. I didn’t forget about my friends from the academy, or my friends from middle school. I’m pretty sure that I would never abandon you. Look at me in the eye.” She lazily moved her head in my direction me, her eyes suddenly acquiring a weak, yet sincere glow. “In the brightest light of a shooting star, or in the darkest shadow of the coldest night, you will always be my one and only Twilight Sparkle. I would never replace you with a cheap imitation.”
Tiny stars shinned on her pupils. “You know… suddenly I feel… sleepy… I’m so…” With a deep, long yawn, she soon fell asleep. A small, crystalline tear made a sad river on her cheek. I cleaned it from there and kissed her cheek like I would kiss my little sister during a thunderstorm night.
“You must be facing some nasty demons lately. When you defeat them, I’ll treat you some peanut butter ice cream.”
“You’re really full of surprises, Boss! I didn’t expect of you to be this kind.”
My peace was shattered with the unmistakable voice who spoke behind me. My head slowly turned around at her silhouette, powerfully standing with a prideful aura and arms crossed. Her face had a surprisingly delicate expression, eyes wide open with a gentle smirk. She was looking at me with admiration… I think.
“Bon Bon, you are supposed to be in class.”
“I asked permission to go to the restroom.”
“If my memory serves me right, going to the bathroom in the middle of the class is not possible.”
“That rule was abolished by the teachers last week, remember?”
“Really? Nice.”
“Boss, I need to talk with you in private.”
“I can't leave Twilight alone like this.”
“I assure you that we won’t take long. Come.”
The owner of the artic eyes guided me to the hallway. Making sure no one was in our proximity, she finally dropped her façade and those piercing pretty eyes looked at me with amusement.
“What is it, Bon Bon?”
“You’re angry with me, I can tell. Let me guess. Twilight told you about our little conversation, didn’t she?”
“If you screwed with her in any way I swear I’ll kill you myself!”
“I didn’t do such a thing. I just told her the reality of her current situation. If she wants to take it the wrong way and be paranoid with her loved ones, it’s her fault, not ours. But it seems that you calmed her down, so things should be back to normal… For a brief time.”
“What did you tell her exactly?”
“It’s a secret.” My fists were clenching to the point of feeling my nails messing with my skin. “By Lyra’s name, I give you my word that what I do is with the best of intentions!”
My instincts, as much as they didn’t want it to admit, told me that she was telling the truth.
“…Alright, I’ll still believe your word for now.”
“Thanks, Boss! You won’t regret this in the long run! Say, I’m sure you have heard about the incident that happened on the suburbs last week!”
“What incident?”
“Didn’t Lightbulb tell you about it? It was in the newspaper he brought last time!”
“No.” She gave me her phone with the newspaper’s webpage opened. “A whole alley severely damaged!?”
“Yes! It seems that several public properties were destroyed by an unknown source! Impressive, isn’t it? A whole hard-steel trash container crushed to a pulp, and several cracks on buildings’ interiors! The problem is that there wasn’t any clue to be found on how did this happened! At first they thought it was a prank, but the containers had the official government number registration burned in the metal, so they are the real deal… or what’s left of it. They must have been professional troublemakers to have made it so silently… Or perhaps real magic was involved!”
“Enough with the bullshit! What does this have to do with Twilight?”
“Don’t be deceived by an innocence that could prove fatal, Nitpick Bittersweet! Unlike me, they won’t show you their true, nasty intentions until their real selves snaps out in an explosive reaction of unexplored, unknown emotions! Beware…” She walked away.
“Of what? …Bon Bon, answer me!”
She looked at me with an obnoxious smile. “Heh, who knows?”
It became a routine, really. The thing she did when she summoned me for something. She came to me in any kind of form, informed me of something seemingly trivial at first, and finally she walked away and left me with doubts that would haunt me for days. This time was no different. But I didn’t have time to waste on her. As I went back to my seat, I decided to ignore her for once.
“I should tell Shimmer about this… And skip some details.” I mumbled as I started to play Fire Seal again.
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Can i kill Sweetie drops/Bon-Bon?
rs246.pbsrc.com/albums/gg105/SCSone/Untitled12.gif~c200
Like, right now?
Typical two-faced Bon-Bon.....
As for Twilight, well.... that feeling of being inferior is really going to mess with her psyche. Someone's going to have to do something...
Oh, and also...
As long as she's got magic on her side, Nitpick has no prayer of that..... just saying.
Good to hear from you again. Hope things get better for you.
7863190
My good reader, take a long look at the image of such a gorgeous, athletic, and lovely teenager.
content.internetvideoarchive.com/content/photos/9722/410847_017.jpg
Look at those cutey, rounded eyes!
Do you really want to kill such a beautiful character? Besides, she is a much needed in the story to waste on the grave.
(Sarcasm.)
7863241
Bon Bon is love but two-faced, Princess Twilight has existential issues ('Lesson Zero' and 'It's About Time' episodes her best examples) and no doubt Sci-Twi is the same but the motivations I'll do them differently, and what a terrible story would this be if Nitpick was a Gary Stu. I don't have the best grammar but I need to compensate it with something else.
And thanks for your good wishes, the feeling is mutual.