Step Two: Conduct Research
Okay, so I'm really doing this?
The first part of my plan, although not fully fleshed out, was centered around one thing: gathering information.
The intel could be anything as long as it pertained to Sunset Shimmer. It was a lot less creepy than it sounded. I just needed to know a few things... like whether or not she likes girls. You know, the foundation of my entire project depended on that. A simple yes or no, but the question framed around it wasn't easy to ask.
Hey, are you gay? Short and to the point, but way too direct. No one would ever ask that out of the blue, especially without an ulterior motive.
Girls are cute. Am I right, Sunset? Nope.
So I have this friend who's wondering about your sexuality...
"Thanks for helping set up, Twilight." Pinkie Pie said, breaking me from my thoughts.
"Uh, yeah, no problem."
I didn’t really know how I got to Pinkie’s house. One minute I was at CHS, the next I was helping the party girl decorate her backyard, carefully setting rock shaped centerpieces on each table.
"Pinkie, the helium tank ran out," Sunset called, carrying a heavy looking green canister with both her arms. "I think it might have a leak 'cause it ran out pretty quick."
Oh yeah, that's why.
"Oh, that’s weird!” Pinkie responded in between fits of giggles, her voice high-pitched—well, suspiciously higher pitched than usual. “Just go into my room. I have a ton more in there. You never know when a tank just randomly runs out." Following the bouncy girl's instruction, Sunset disappeared behind the back door.
Now that I thought about it, this was probably the first time I was alone with any of Sunset’s friends. And aside from the music playing from a small radio, it was quiet. I also definitely didn’t know Pinkie long enough to carry a conversation.
I could ask Pinkie Pie, I thought. It would definitely help to get it off my chest at the very least. I didn’t even necessarily have to tell her that I like Sunset. I also didn’t even have to tell her that I like girls. Just a simple “I like someone” would be enough.
As far as I knew, she was a kind enough person. It seemed unlikely that she would just run off and tell everyone who I liked. Besides, when was I going to get another chance to talk privately with someone I knew? If anything I heard from the girls was true, the place would be swarming with people in about an hour or two.
But what if Sunset comes back? What if she overhears me?
Nevermind that. Just get it out there.
All this debating was going to tear my brain apart. Yes, it would’ve been much easier to just talk to someone about it, but I still had trouble bringing myself to say anything. I glanced around the backyard, searching for the party girl who seemed to move at a mile a minute.
After a few seconds of scanning, I finally caught her standing by the cooler, helping herself to a bottle of cider Applejack had donated for the party.
Whelp, here goes nothing.
"Hey, Pinkie Pie," I swallowed the nervous lump forming in my throat. "I need your help with something."
"Sure thing, Twilight."
As fast as a slinky rolling down stairs, Pinkie made her way towards me, carried by a small armada of balloons. Smiling, she floated down from her half-foot gap and took a seat next to me on a white folding chair.
"Can you keep a secret?" I asked, my voice a low whisper even though Sunset Shimmer was a good fifty feet away and behind by a wall. Instead of answering, Pinkie nodded vigorously, literally zipping her mouth shut with metal teeth. How? Don't ask.
I swallowed again, feeling the dryness set in as if my body refused to admit that I was crushing on Sunset.
"I, uh, I really like this girl. Like, like like, but I don't know if she... you know? Like, likes girls."
What am I even saying? It was probably just pure gibberish to her, straight from the foreign land of Gibber, located smack dab in the center of the continent of Incoherence, floating in the sea of Ambiguity.
"Uh, huh," Pinkie droned, nodding her head slowly. "So this girl you, like, like like."
"You're mocking me, aren't you?" I groaned, nearly planting my head into the table. If it wasn’t for a compassionate hand patting my back, I would have just given up asking her for help.
"I'm not!" She defended, holding back a warm giggle. "I'm just making sure that you actually have a crush."
"Gah! Don't call it that!"
"What? A crush?"
"Yeah that. Just don't... say it out loud."
"Why?"
"Because a crush has a real possibility of..." I paused, not wanting to finish the thought.
"Leaving you crushed," Pinkie finished.
"Yes, that exactly."
Pinkie racked her brain, or at least that's what I assumed since I literally heard gears turning in her head. About a second or two later, the colliding metal clicked knowingly before an idea sparked in her mind, full light bulb and all.
"Ooh, I know how about we ask Suns—"
"No! Not her!" I gasped, grabbing Pinkie's arm and keeping her from rushing out into the house.
A sly, almost entertained grin began to form on Pinkie's face, slowly getting wider as the realization hit.
"Ohhh," Pinkie hummed. "You've got a crush on Suuuuun~set."
"Not so loud, Pinkie!" I yelped, releasing her arm. I couldn't really blame her for the teasing. It was just something teenagers did when they discovered their friend's developing love life. Mock endlessly and ruthlessly.
"Sorry, Twilight, I just thought it was cute hearing you get all flustered over her."
"Gee, thanks."
"Hey, Pinkie!" Sunset yelled as she stuck her head out from a second story window.”I couldn't find any in your room."
"Check Marble's room maybe I left one there!" Pinkie suggested before turning back to me. "That bought us about a minute."
I paused in thought, not really knowing what to do next. Alright, so Pinkie now knows that I like Sunset. What now?
"You wouldn't know about Sunset's... preferences, would you?"
"She did have a boyfriend one time."
"A boyfriend?" I repeated, my voice faltering in disappointment.
"Although knowing where she's from, I'm surprised she found anyone attractive."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Oh, nothing," Pinkie brushed off, refusing to explain when I asked her again.
"Found it!" Sunset announced as she walked out of the house, carrying an identical looking tank. "You'd think they'd be lighter when they're full."
The party girl ran over to Sunset's side and helped her place the tank next to the balloon station. I couldn't help but feel the slightest twinge of jealousy. It should have been me helping her out, but Pinkie Pie was much faster than I was. Plus, I was always a poor runner and an asthmatic, so a brisk walk was the most I could handle.
Not knowing what else to do, I stopped by the coolers and grabbed large bottles of soda, dropping two on each table. I did the same with bowls of rock candy, sneaking samples after I had set the last of the tables. Yep. It was sugar.
Afterwards, I wandered around the backyard, admiring the decorations. On the center table there was a cake that read, "Go Get That Rocktorate, Maud!" It was cute enough to earn an entertained giggle, but that was really about it.
Still, I couldn’t help but admire the commitment to the theme. Only Pinkie Pie could actually get a rock-themed party off the ground.
The rest of the backyard was littered with the same caliber of jokes which I personally didn't mind, but there are only so many rock puns a person can take. I leaned against the side of the bounce house (complete with rock climbing wall) took a sip of the bubbly soda, watching Pinkie and Sunset fill up balloons. If I could, I would have helped, but it was clearly a two-person job. Pinkie would fill up each balloon and Sunset tied it, strung it, and fastened it to a chair or fence post. They worked efficiently without me; I would just get in the way.
After we were finished, all we had to do was wait for the guests to arrive. Maud wouldn't be back for another hour; Pinkie's other sisters volunteered to keep her out of the house until the party started. Anything to avoid setting up a party for the who knows the how many-eth time. Something also told me that Pinkie threw parties for even more trivial reasons.
Sunset and I slumped down on Pinkie's couch, leaning back and collecting our breaths. The hostess was off in the kitchen grabbing a pair of root beers, which I respectfully declined once she came back. One soda was enough for me—two would be pushing it.
"I'm gonna take a shower," Pinkie announced. "I've got glitter in my bra."
"What else is new?" Sunset joked, kicking her feet up onto Pinkie's coffee table.
"Touché," Pinkie shot back as she playfully jumped up the stairs. "Money's on the table if the pizza guy swings by!"
About a minute later, a soft cascade of water sounded in the distance, leaving me alone with Sunset Shimmer. We sat in an interminable silence, and I hoped that the pizza would show up just to have something to do. But of course, the “half hour or it’s free” guarantee didn’t apply for an order of two dozen pizzas.
Almost hearing my internal pleas, Sunset reached for the remote and switched on the TV, saving us both from any real social interaction.
The room was filled with the sounds of a national talent show. Several acts passed, ranging from dancers and singers to even stage magicians. Sunset would always point out the secrets behind each magic trick. It took until the third magician before I even bothered to ask how she knew how every illusion worked.
"I read a lot of magic books when I first got here," she explained after debunking a teleportation magic trick. "Obviously, it wasn't the same as the kind of magic at CHS. All those hours wasted."
It wasn't until the show focused on a singer when I got my first taste of hope.
"She's cute," Sunset mused casually before taking another swig of root beer.
Unable to stop myself, I blurted, "Would you date her—I mean someone like her?"
She shrugged. "I don't see why not."
Possibly the best news I could have heard all day.
"Though," Sunset retracted, "I could do without her stuffing her bra. A little bit of confidence goes a long way."
It took every bit of self control not to squeal in delight at her answer. I had a chance. A small chance, but at the very least, I wouldn’t be shot down by a simple, "I don't like girls like that."
I leaned back into Pinkie's recliner, at ease at the information I just got. Of course, I still had a lot more work to do before I could even consider asking Sunset Shimmer out on a date yet.
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This is cute so far! I'm enjoying it. Thank you for writing!
So... Twilight hasn't realised the implications of Sunset originally coming from the other side of the portal yet? Or, more specifically, has no-one mentioned to her that her humanoid guise is camouflage rather than her real body shape?
Cute. Progressing rather nicely. Really enjoy the narrative here: it just seems to sound like Sci-Twilight.
So, based on this chapter, I'm assuming the fact that Sunset is actually a magical unicorn from another dimension never came up? Also, I have to wonder why Twilight here is a bit confused here about Sunset's comment on much better magic. Based on the events of Friendship Games, wouldn't Twilight already know that Sunset is a bit knowledgeable about real magic and not magician tricks?
I apologize if I missed anything here that justifies the reaction as it has been a while since I watched the movies, but this bit just seemed to stick out to me as odd.
Still, enjoying this series. Keep up the good work.
HiddenMaster out.
6785714 Hot damn, you're right. I just rewatched Friendship Games, and I just realized the problem with that specific joke. I'll probably change it to something similar, since most of the joke could still come from Sunset's initial discovery of the human world's magic rather than Twilight's confusion.
That's what I get for trying to be funny. Thanks, dude, I totally had a logic flub. And yeah, no one's told Sci-Twi about Sunset being a unicorn. They didn't do it in the movie, so at least I got that detail right.
6785688 You'd think one of the first things they'd mention would be something along the lines of: "Yeah Sunset Shimmer's a magic horse" or something. They never did in Friendship Games, so I'm just running with it.
This would be a good time for the whole "horse woman" thing to come up.
This is incredibly well written and uses the perspective wonderfully. I can't wait to read more!
Twilight u can do this just ask her out
This is a great story so far. can't wait for the next chapter
Rarity could help Twilight about her SunLight Project x3
6786412 Some people over think stuff like that.. I know I do.
6786899 true
Always wondered about that whole sentry thing. I figured it would have been some kind of confusion from being transformed into a completely different species, or that Sunset dated him for popularity rather than out of affection.
Princess Twi keeps switching, which is why she apparently does not notice he has the personality of a deck chair.
Speaking of whom, what is she currently up to? Will she make an appearance?
6787769 In Rainbow Rocks, Sunset outright calls herself out for dating Flash for his popularity. Don't know how he got so popular, but we'll just take the movie writer's word that he is.
Coincidentally, the next chapter answers some of your points like the one above concerning everyone's second favorite deck chair. I just need to make the final edits before I post it.
6790209 Maybe there will be a plot twist revealing that he's been evil all along and using some kind of black magic, explaining why someone would date HIM for popularity, or even why Twi apparently has some deck chair affection.
Then again, I do not hold out hope that the writers start to understand that whole "believable romance" thing, judging by what they presented to us so far (the Cakes being an exception here).
I guess it is, as always, up to fanfiction writers to fix that mess.
Wow, this has got to be the most entertaining and compelling story I've read so far. You do a great job of making me want to read more. Plus you update so quickly!! :D I can't wait for more and more of this to be written. I want to see Twilight finally say something to her.
Also, her wanting to do research really made me laugh (because of course she would) and made me think of a BuzzFeed video- "When You Try To Figure Out If Your Crush Is Gay". It was that exactly!!
Wonderful story!! Can't wait for more updates! ♥
Btw- I have to mention. For some reason I think motorcycles are the most romantic things, and I had previously been thinking that I wanted to read more where Sunset gave Twilight rides. Literally hours later I READ THIS. XD I was so excited to see her say she doesn't drive cars. When she offered the ride home I hoped so much for a motorcycle ride! Thank you so much for that. You should think about adding it in more ;D
6786876 More like turn it into a romance drama with Twi confessing her love in a weird over the top way.
Nice story, but let me help with some mistakes.
That i isn't supposed to be there.
At that underline, there is supposed to be a period. As in .
One again, nice story, and keep up the good work!
......hehe...I see what you did there.
6791066
Sunset Shimmer dated him because he plays lead guitar in a band and that impresses high-schoolers.
Twilight paid attention to him because Human Flash Sentry looks a lot like a humanized version of her brother and thus felt familiar in a strange, disorienting world. Think about it-- blue hair, shield personal symbol, white shirt.
Brain immediately picked out:
Celestia help me.
You are right about the rock puns. We had to make a motion of no rock puns in meeting because one guy who make a rock pun every time he spoke.
6961731 The statement is false though, I'm sure Maud is way better with rocks.
6787769 "I never really LIKED him liked him. I was just using him to become more popular."
OBJECTION! A real scientist wouldn't have started dancing without more evidence than that, not to mention that having the answer fall like an apple on your head like your name is Isaac fucking Newton is ridiculous! A real scientist experiments! A real scientist investigates!
But seriously, fun chapter.
Sci-Twi is an introvert...but still its hilarious.
Ahh, this entire start.
I am legitimately surprised that I've never seen human Pinkie say this before. I imagine it happens with distressing frequency.
Well, distressing for non-Pinkies.
The only real problem I have with this, and it's a minor problem, is that Pinkie Pie is probably the worst person Twilight could have told her secret to. Pinkie is terrible at keeping secrets because she loves spreading exciting news. In the episode "The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows", she learned that Cadence and Shining Armor were having a baby, and keeping it a secret until they revealed the news themselves almost broke her. Other than that, great story.
I'd be very much supprised if that was the only place she had glitter.
Best to just go with it if I were you.
See how can pinkie can help your situation twilight.
Did you really have to share that.
You might just get it sooner than later twilight.
This is actually some really great world building
pinkie you have glitter everywhere, always. i see your little trick