Gradient

by Lucky Seven

Swim in the calm tonight...

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.

Author's Note:

I love you all <3

Comments

[Eyeswirl the Weirded]

“I would rather work my way back to the top fairly than by using my… charms.”

Umm... What's the implication here? That it's 'unfair' to convince people not to bully you? That use of guile doesn't count as 'working her way back to the top' (whatever that means here)? That just taking abuse is somehow wholesome? Unless she was referring to magic she no longer has (I think?), there's nothing remotely wrong with using her way with words to get people to not pick on her or the others, and facing needless tribulation makes no sense whatsoever. Am I just reading this wrong?

[Lucky Seven]

7399047 "Charms" more meant like how she talked to Sunset to make her doubt herself, or how Sunset used to treat the school. Basically, being a total bitch.

[Eyeswirl the Weirded]

7399051
Hm. I guess it makes sense in the context of if she were to just be the new (old) Sunset Shimmer, but it didn't really come across in the dialogue.

[Lucky Seven]

7399053 Ah, I can sort of see that now. I apologize, I'll try to word it better.

[Eyeswirl the Weirded]

7399074
Don't worry about it, might just be me.

[Darkness Moon]

I love it
please next

[forbloodysummer]

I'm sorry, I hate to back up a criticism, but I must say that I too thought the line about using her charms was an odd one.

Magic I could understand giving her an advantage over others, and thus her reluctance to use it if she's trying to be fair.

But words are weapons available to everyone; I'm not quite sure how using words, bitchy or otherwise, would be unfair, because people could be bitchy right back?

Sorry, it's entirely possible I've missed something and misread the situation.

Also, I like your approach with this as a gradual discovery rather than a switch being flicked and suddenly a villain being good now.

[Lucky Seven]

7406079 She wants people to like her again, and you can't do that by insulting them back. She wants to prove she's better than that. I'm editing it now make that more obvious.

[garatheauthor]

This was a nice little gem that I finally got to reading. I really hope you get back into writing this and writing in general.

[Lucky Seven]

8098151
Expect more very soon!

[Ice Star]

9591895
Very soon, eh?