A soft whimper sounded as Sunset sadly turned to return the tray to the kitchen.
“Sunset,” she motioned for her girlfriend. Once within arm's reach, she grabbed a piece of buttered toast.
Sunset's face lit up. “You are hungry!”
“No,” Adagio said between bites, “I just hate to see you mope.”
“It's been nearly a week and I can count on one hand how many times you've eaten. How are you not hungry?”
“Nothing tastes good. I might as well be eating sand,” she popped the last piece into her mouth, wiping her hands on a napkin, “Whatever appetite I may have had, it's quickly lost.”
“What about water?”
“Acid.” Adagio cursed under her breath when she saw Sunset's eyes well with new tears. “Sunset, come here.” She pulled her onto the bed, holding her as tightly as her frail body could. “Now, what have I told you?”
Sunset sniffled and wiped her eyes, “That you didn't want me to worry.”
“Right. And what are you doing right now?”
“Worrying. But, I can't help it.”
“I know,” Adagio hugged tighter, “And I appreciate and love you for it.” She kissed Sunset's head and almost instantly regretted it. “Ah, jeez, could you please not cry? I've had enough with your wails.”
“I don't always cry,” pouted Sunset.
“You cried yourself to sleep last night.”
“You were awake?”
Adagio was about to utter a retort, but, not willing to face the impending waterworks, chose to change the subject. “Tell you what, let's do something different today. We've rented this beach house and we still haven't been further than the back porch.”
“We went out our first night. And this is only the third day.”
“You know what I mean. C'mon,” she gently pushed Sunset off the bed, “go get everything ready.”
With Sunset's help she got up off the bed and onto her feet. As Sunset grabbed their supplies, Adagio rummaged through her suitcase. “Where did you hide my swimsuit?”
“I threw it out. It was horrible.”
Adagio smirked as she found what she was looking for carefully folded and tucked away in a small compartment of the case. “You're horrible.”
---
Adagio took in a deep breath. The fresh, salty sea air was a welcomed change from what she'd been breathing the past few days. “Much better.”
“Yeah,” agreed Sunset, “we should open the windows more.”
“Would make the place a little less stuffy.” She wrapped her arms tightly around Sunset's neck as she was carried. She'd become so frail that walking, or standing, even for short periods had become exhausting.
They had purchased a wheel chair for moving about, but it was no good on the sand. For everywhere the chair couldn't go, she had to almost always be carried.
Not that Sunset minded. She liked the idea of holding her girlfriend in her arms. Plus, Adagio had lost so much weight, lifting her had almost been like nothing. The main problem was figuring out how to carry everything else.
“I think here is good,” Adagio said, throwing down the towels she had been holding.
Sunset kicked open one of the beach towels and gently lowered Adagio onto it. As she set up their little camp, Adagio watched the waves crash upon the shore.
“Just listen to that surf!”
Sunset smiled. “It is calming, isn't it?”
“Maybe to you. But it's a little bit more to me. I was born by the sea. In my egg, I was lulled by it. As I broke out of my shell, I was welcomed by its mighty voice.”
“Now I know why you wanted to come here,” Sunset said solemnly. She frowned slightly, “You came from an egg?”
“Sirens are closely related to dragons,” she smirked, “Silly mammal.”
“There are more? I thought there were just you... three...” Sunset winced. Aria and Sonata were still sensitive subjects for Adagio. Though it had been some time, the siren's mood always seemed to dip slightly whenever her sisters were mentioned. Even now, she noticed a sadness in Adagio's tone.
“There were more. Even when I was still in Equestria, most of our numbers had dwindled. I'm sure by the time we met you, my sisters and I were all that was left.”
“But, what happened to them?”
“Did you fail high school science? Creatures and species come and go. Equestria is no different.” She looked again to the water, “You ready to swim?”
---
“Bloody hell, it's cold! Don't laugh!”
“Why?” Sunset chuckled, “You laughed at me.”
Adagio huffed, “You didn't tell me it was this cold.”
“Yes, I did.”
“Did not!”
“Did too. And you'd better agree with me. Otherwise,” she gave a wry smile, “I'm of a good mind to drop you.”
Adagio's eyes narrowed, “You wouldn't dare.” She was met with the feeling of Sunset's support coming out from under her. “Wait!” she yelped, “Hang on! Sunset! Shit!” She had just enough time to hold her breath before landing in the water and falling beneath the waves. The water wasn't very deep and it wasn't long before her head broke the surface. “Why you...!” she growled. Launching off the bottom, she sprang out of the water and lunged towards Sunset, striking her with enough force, to knock her backward and cause both to fall into the water.
Sunset coughed slightly as she rose above the water. She looked around for Adagio to surface, but couldn't find her anywhere. A panic began to settle in before an arm grabbed her shoulders from behind and pulled her back below the waves.
Sunset struggled with the other body before both resurfaced. Giggles erupted as the two bodies emerged with a salty kiss.
Sunset playfully slapped Adagio's shoulder, “What was that for?”
Adagio unapologetically smiled, “You can be such a demon sometimes.” Her lips once again met Sunset's.
“And you can be such a siren.”
---
Back upon the shore, Adagio sunbathed while Sunset enjoyed a cucumber sandwich. “Did you ever go to the beaches in Equestria?” she asked.
Sunset shook her head. “Not really. There are lakes around Canterlot, and I spent a good deal of time at those, but, nothing like this.”
“So, you've never seen the ocean?”
“No, I've seen it. Multiple times. Just never this close up.” She took a small nibble of her sandwich. “Do you miss it? Equestria, I mean.”
Adagio took a moment to ponder it over. “Yes, and no,” she said at last, “Yes, I miss the magic. Yes, I miss the various creatures. But, at the same time, from what you've told me, the Equestria now is not the same one I left. I can't miss something I don't know.”
Sunset took another small bite of her sandwich, “Would you want to go back?”
Adagio gave her a curious look.
Sunset fiddled with her bread, “Do you want to go back to Equestria? You only have to say the word and I'll make the arrangements with Princess Twilight. Aria and Sonata, too, if you so wish.”
Adagio let out a sigh. “Sonata, I know, would have wanted to go back. Aria? Well, she was always fickle. Though, I'd really hate to separate those two.”
Sunset slowly nodded, “Well, just think it over and let me know.”
“Sunset,”
“Yes?”
“Are you about done? I want to swim some more.”
Sunset began to clean up her area, “Can you walk? Or do you want to be carried?”
“That depends. Are you gonna drop me again?”
A smile crossed Sunset's lips, “That depends.”
---
As the day came to an end, the pair returned to the house to watch the sunset from the comfort of the back porch. They snuggled closely together, cups of hot chocolate between them, Sunset's head gently laid upon Adagio's shoulder.
“Don't fall asleep on me,” Adagio smirked, “I need you to help me inside.”
“Really?” Sunset teased, “A big, bad siren like you needs help?”
“The word is 'reformed'.”
Sunset giggled, gently caressing her girlfriend, “That's not what you made me call you the other night.”
Adagio rolled her eyes, fighting back a smile, “You are so hopeless.”
“You mean hopelessly in love.” She leaned up for a kiss.
Adagio laid silently in the bed, listening to the sounds of the night. She listened to the gentle snores of Sunset, fast asleep by her side. She listened outside for the scampering of various animals, the song of the insects. She listened to the waves meeting the shore.
If she closed her eyes, she could see it; she could be there. For a moment, not so far away, was the beach where she and her siblings grew up. She could feel the coarse grains of sand on her scales. She felt the warm sun shining down. She could hear the shouts and laughter of her brothers and sisters.
She could remember how they played. How they used to venture between the shore and the shoals. The joys of letting go, allowing oneself to be tossed by the current. How they bathed upon the rocks for heat. How they laid under them to cool off.
How they hunted in pods for food.
Still, even then, in their little paradise, they quickly learned that the world was cruel. If a little siren wasn't careful, it could very quickly become someone's meal. If it ventured too far from the shoal, or got caught up in a strong wave, it could be washed away. Of her generation, not even half made it to receive a piece of Mother's Heart.
It was a rough upbringing, but it set them up for the rest of their lives. Alliances were formed. Boundaries were drawn. Survival was everything. And it set Adagio up for her whole life—to survive.
Adagio coughed. Something wet landed on her hand and a metallic taste came to her mouth.
Alarms sounded in her mind. She suppressed another cough as she jumped from the bed to the bathroom. The moment she crossed the threshold, she collapsed onto the cold tile. Her stomach wrenched, her chest burned, her throat closed. Another cough and red splattered onto the white marble. She coughed and more came.
She let out a painful cry. Every part of her body felt engulfed in flames. Her only relief was in the cold floor, though it offered her little.
“Please,” she pleaded, “let this be it.”
Her vision blurred as her consciousness drifted. She barely noticed two arms wrapping around her. She vaguely registered another body being pressed against hers. Though, as she listened, she caught the sound of a heartbeat separate from her own.
Adagio's jaw clenched. Her fingers found a shirt, and held it in a death grip. She wanted to scream, cry, something. But nothing came. Instead, she buried her face into the body and wept.
---
When Adagio opened her eyes, she was back in bed. Looking around, she found Sunset standing off to the side with a gentle smile upon her face. She looked tired. Adagio noticed that she was wearing different pajamas.
She noticed that she wasn't wearing any pajamas.
Adagio looked around some more. There was a faint linger of cleaning solution coming from the bathroom. The exhaust fan had been left on. The door was closed to muffle the sound.
Adagio turned her gaze back to Sunset. A small smile came to her own lips. “Guess I'm stuck here another day,” she said hoarsely. Her throat felt raw.
“You want some water?” asked Sunset.
“Maybe some.” She took a few sips of the glass Sunset provided before falling back down onto the bed. “Sorry to have woken you.”
“It was nothing.”
“Don't lie to me. I may be three-quarters-dead, but I can see you're exhausted. Did you even go back to sleep?”
Sunset said nothing, but her reaction told Adagio all she needed to know.
“So,” she said, raising a brow, “you'll sleep when I'm dead?” That got a verbal response from Sunset.
Adagio let out a laugh at Sunset's stammering and gestured her girlfriend over. “Now,” she said, snuggling up to Sunset, “care to explain why only one of us is wearing clothes?”
“Simple,” Sunset said, “I couldn't find yours.”
“Well, that's my fault for only having a few sets. Where are the ones I was wearing?”
“In the dryer. They should be done shortly.”
“Ooh, now I'm looking forward to warm pajamas. In the meantime,” she rubbed Sunset's back, “Why don't you get some sleep.”
“But, the laundry—”
“I'll get it. Or, we could just do without it for now.” She playfully tugged at Sunset's shirt.
Sunset's smile widened, “Now you're starting to sound like your old self.”
---
Adagio gently combed her fingers through Sunset's hair. She loved watching her sleep. She looked so peaceful and carefree. Adagio smiled. In such a time as this, at least one of them could rest. At least one of them was able to rest.
Rest has always been a foreign concept to Adagio. The ability to sleep for an extended period of time was always seen as a luxury to her. From her earliest memories, sleep had always been an activity conducted in short sessions. One couldn't sleep alone either—someone had to keep watch for predators.
More often than not, the guard role was given to her. She was among the strongest and feistiest. She was a fighter. If anyone needed protecting, she was one to give it.
Even when they no longer had anything to fear, Adagio still kept these strange habits.
She would stand guard over her sisters.
Now, even in her weakened state, she stood guard over Sunset.
She continued to comb Sunset's hair. The other woman softly moaned and slightly adjusted before emitting gentle snores. It always amused Adagio how Sunset snores sounded equine.
Still, Sunset's snores brought her sadness. It hurt Adagio to see her so exhausted.
From across the house, she heard the buzzer from the dryer sound.
Alighting from the bed, Adagio donned a robe. Leaning over she tenderly kissed Sunset's temple. “I'll be right back,” she said, though doubtful the other could hear her, “Keep the sheets warm till I get back.”
Adagio used the wheelchair as a walker to get to the garage where the washer and dryer were kept. She emptied the drier, setting the warm clothes in the seat of the chair and checked the washing machine to make sure there was nothing left.
She made her way back into the main house and towards the bedroom. Crossing through the living room, something caught her eye.
Sunset had left her book bag open on the coffee table. Normally, not a big deal. Sunset had often taken to borrowing books from Equestria to help keep her magic skills sharp. There would be long study sessions from time to time, absorbing the latest in magic theory. Adagio sometimes found herself drawn into the conversations and random experiments Sunset wanted to try.
Yet, something about one of the books in the bag that seemed different from the usual texts Sunset would have. Something about it was off; almost wrong. If Adagio held any such beliefs, she would have called it evil.
With grave curiosity, Adagio reached into the bag for the book. What she pulled out made her blood run cold. She'd only heard of such tomes, but never seen one before. Given what she had been told about modern Equestria, she thought for sure they had all been destroyed. Yet, here she was, holding a book which only held the most unholy of magic. One that summoned only the most unnatural of forces.
It perplexed her as to what Sunset was doing with such a grimoire. Sunset had admitted that she studied some texts, but it was purely academic. She was also adamant that she would never bring such books into this world.
Yet, one was here.
Adagio turned the book as she looked at it. Stuffed among the pages were bookmarks and various loose-leaf pages. Adagio opened the book to where Sunset had apparently been studying. As she glanced upon the pages, if she hadn't known fear before, she certainly knew it now. The loose pages were filled with Sunset's notes. Research from other sources, diagrams, spell circles.
“Sunset,” she gasped, “what are you planning?” Her heart leapt to her throat when she heard a sleepy voice.
“Are you coming back to be—”
Adagio slammed the book shut, turning quickly to face Sunset standing in the bedroom doorway. “What is this?” she demanded, holding up the book.
Sunset froze. “Adagio, I...”
Adagio remembered before they left Canterlot City, Sunset had wanted to do some last-minute shopping in Equestria.
“You didn't just go 'for shopping', did you?”
Sunset hung her head. “... No.”
“Whatever you are thinking, forget it.”
“But,...”
“Drop it, Sunset Shimmer.”
“I can't!” cried Sunset, “I can't bear to see you like this! I can't stand what is happening to you. You deserve better!”
“You don't know what you are getting yourself into.”
“You're forgetting I was Princess Celestia's personal student and a magic prodigy.”
“Then you know why I can't let you do this.”
“I can't just sit back and watch you die!”
“Then you had better leave now!”
Sunset stood silent. For a moment, she appeared as if she'd break down into tears. Instead, she turned back into the bedroom and emerged fully dressed. She pulled on her leather jacket as she made her way to the front door. “I'm going for a walk,” She said, simply, and shut the door behind her.
---
She fell onto the bed with a grunt. Why had she done that? It didn't make any sense. She'd been given an opportunity—an opportunity to survive. And she turned it down.
It confused her.
She'd never done anything like that before.
“Am I going soft?” she wondered, “Have I just given up? No, it can't be that.”
She reviewed what was going through her head.
“It's the spell”, she frowned, “It requires a sacrifice—one Sunset is eager to give.” Her features deepened. “Why did I stop her?”
Many had made sacrifices for her in the past. Each time, she'd accept them and move on. This was how she lived. This was how she survived. Everything was so she could survive.
What was stopping her this time?
She grit her teeth as a word entered her mind. Love. But, even that made no sense.
Of all the things, how could it be love? She'd been loved before. Many had done things for her out of love.
Adagio stared at the ceiling as the realization hit her. Many had loved her, but, had she really loved anybody?
“No,” she rationalized, “there had to have been someone.”
Her sisters. Surely, she, in some capacity, loved them. She'd certainly suffered them long enough. Could their relationship, born from necessity, have died in love? She was certainly grieved when she lost them, one after another. But, was it through love that she mourned?
She searched through her memories. There must have been some other creature down through the ages that she had some fondness for. Anyone who may have tickled her fancy.
Yet, as Adagio searched, she found none but one—Sunset Shimmer.
How could she know it was love? How could she be sure this wasn't just another means for survival?
When she and Sunset crossed paths after so many years, she'd already lost one sister. Sunset was by her side when she lost the other. Even in those days, Sunset was strong, compassionate. She'd been Adagio's lifeline.
She'd looked after Sonata when she couldn't. She saw to it that they were comfortable. She cleaned, cooked. It puzzled Adagio how someone whom she had hated for years was willing to do so much for her.
When confronted, Sunset would just smile and say, “I know you'd do the same for me.”
What did she mean by that? Did this idiot pony lose her mind? Of course she wouldn't do the same. If anything, she would do anything and everything to make it worse. She would mock, jeer, tell her she deserved it.
And she'd expected to Sunset to do the same.
Instead, she got the opposite. She got comfort. She got pity. She got love.
Adagio growled as, again, that word floated in her mind.
Their time caring for Sonata had brought them close together. She remembered the night they first held hands. She remembered the burn of her cheeks as Sunset's lips touched hers. She remembered the way the stars shone when Sunset said “I love you.”
Adagio had no idea how to respond. How could she respond? She thought, maybe, it was some sort of trick. Maybe, she had inadvertently cast some sort of spell over Sunset. Yet, there was something within her, however minute, that hinted that this may be real.
Had she truly fallen in love with Sunset? Even so, if this were all true, why now? Why must she experience true love now?
Her fist clenched, whether in despair or anger, she didn't know. “Is this some sick joke?” she hissed, “I'm dying, and now I experience love?”
She was pulled from her thoughts by the shutting of a door. Sunset had returned. Adagio wasn't afraid she wouldn't. Even as much as she tried to push her away, Sunset always returned.
“Adagio?”
Adagio looked up to see Sunset in the doorway, book in hand. This was a different book from earlier, but one that Adagio recalled also seeing in the book bag.
Sunset shuffled slightly before continuing, “That book wasn't the only one I brought from Equestria.”
Adagio raised an eyebrow, “Oh?”
Sunset opened her book and began reading:
I look to the waves, the doorway to my home Below them lies a world much unknown Many have scratched the surface, though many have tried To go below, to where I live, no land dweller can survive. And, though I can live both on land and sea, I call the water home. It is where I was born, from where my kind comes. It is where Mother is; it is where our life lies...
“And at the end,” finished Adagio, “it's where everyone dies.” She gestured for the book. Taking it, she flipped through its many pages. “Where did you find this?”
“It was in the archaeological section of Princess Celestia's private library.”
Adagio nodded slightly. Sunset had been making frequent trips to help catalog the former rulers' extensive collections.
“It would appear,” Sunset continued, “at some time, someone did find your civilization. Many of your writings had been found and translated into Old Ponish. I asked Princess Twilight to have them translated into Modern Ponish.” She cocked her head slightly, “By the looks your giving, I take it you remember them.”
“Most of them, yes. Many I've haven't heard in centuries. Some of these I'd almost completely forgotten. Have you read them?”
Sunset shrugged, “A few, just to get a feel for what was what.”
“They sound a lot better in their native language.”
Sunset laughed, “They sounded worse in Old Ponish!”
Adagio took Sunset's hand in hers. “I'm sorry,” she said, “I shouldn't have blown up on you like that.”
Sunset shook her head. “I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been meddling in that spell behind your back.”
“Let's just forget it, okay? We're both very emotionally overcharged.”
“But—”
“This is my fate, Sunset. I've accepted it, and I'm okay with it. I hope you can be, too.”
Sunset nodded.
“Now,” Adagio smiled, tugging at Sunset's arm, “get back into bed and I'll read you some of these.”
“In a minute,” Sunset pulled back with a slight giggle, “Let me get some lunch first. I'm starving!”
“Okay,” she let go, “but make it quick.”
“Just gonna make a sandwich and come right back. You want anything?”
Adagio shook her head, “No. I'm good. Maybe bring me a glass of water, though.”
Sunset smiled, leaning down for a kiss, “You got it.”
---
Adagio turned the pages of her book. She'd been through it several times, but each time she found something new. She laid back in her beach chair, her toes enjoying the cool evening sand. Not far away, a fire slowly died. Next to her, Sunset reclined on her own chair, slowly strumming her acoustic guitar. She had found the rhythm of the surf. Adagio listened as the waves and strings played in perfect harmony.
She let out a sigh and watched as the sun slowly descended into the water.
Sunset stopped playing to stoke the fire. “You want another marshmallow?”
“Do you feel like eating another one?”
“Why do you think I asked?”
Adagio smiled, taking the stick with an impaled sugary puff, “I still don't know how you can eat a whole bag of these things.”
“When you have a friend like Pinkie Pie, you'd be surprised just how much sugar you can actually eat. The key is to take it in slowly.”
“You speak from experience?”
Sunset chuckled as she resumed her strumming, “Let's just say, I've been sick more than a few times.”
“Speaking of Pinkie Pie, I've been meaning to ask you. What do your friends think of all this?”
The guitar took a sadder tone as Sunset let out a long sigh. “They were a little confused at first. I think as I explained the situation more to them, they slowly started to accept it.”
“So, they know... about...”
The chord faltered. “Yeah... I'm sorry, if I—”
“No. It's okay. They should know. Not if it really means much to them.”
“They were saddened to hear about Aria and Sonata. We'd speculated what'd happened to you after the battle of the bands. No one had ever thought that.”
“Yeah, well, it was a bit of a surprise to us, too. No one really knew what happened to a Siren that lost its gem. There'd been stories, but they were all legend.” She checked on her toasting marshmallow. Not satisfied, she returned it to the fire. “I anticipate I'll have another episode tonight.”
“Yeah... I've been thinking that, too. I'll have a bucket by the bed so you don't have to go all the way to the bathroom.”
“That's twice now they've come at night.”
“It does seem odd that you're fine during the day. Actually, I've noticed that you've been doing better since we got here.”
“Think being by the ocean has something to do with it?”
Sunset shrugged, “Maybe. Where's my marshmallow?”
Adagio laughed, “Coming right up.” She gently removed the evenly golden brown ball of gooey sugary goodness from her roasting stick and popped it into Sunset's mouth.
Sunset turned her eyes to her namesake, “It's beautiful tonight, isn't it?”
“Yeah.”
“This has always been my favorite time of day. Sometimes, I wish it could just last forever.”
Sunset was awoken by Adagio's coughing and the sound of liquid splashing into the plastic bucket. She quickly sat up and turned on a light.
Adagio was leaned over the side of the bed, coughing furiously.
Sunset ran to the bathroom to prepare a washcloth she had set aside and at the ready. “It's okay,” she said, wiping Adagio's face, “I've got you.” She took the bucket from the floor and held it closer to Adagio. She gently stroked the siren's hair.
Adagio continued to cough and spit. She reached out and grabbed Sunset's shoulder for support.
Sunset held Adagio's hand tightly. Her skin felt clammy.
Finally, Adagio fell back onto the bed in exhaustion. Sunset wiped her face then took the bucket to the bathroom to clean it out. Yet, while she was rinsing, she heard a shaking of the bed. Turning, she saw that Adagio was convulsing.
Nearly dropping her bucket, Sunset ran back to bed. She pushed Adagio further toward the middle and made sure she was comfortable.
“It's okay, Daj, I'm here.” She grabbed a hand and stroked Adagio's head. Though, a stone formed in the pit of her stomach. It was too early. They didn't come till the last stages of the disease. Even from she'd been told of Aria, convulsions only started near the end.
She thought Adagio had, at least, a month. Now, it appeared she could be gone within the week.
Was Adagio, somehow, on an accelerated track? If so, how?
But, even then, it didn't make sense. Sonata was coughing up blood several times a day before she started convulsing.
There was one thing Sunset did know, however. She knew she wasn't ready. “Adagio,” she bit back her tears, “I know you told me not to worry. But, I do. I can't lose you. Not to this. Not like this.”
---
Adagio sat by the bed. She cursed herself. Sunset had worn herself out—again.
Adagio watched the gentle rise and fall of her girlfriend's chest. She may have looked peaceful, but Adagio knew of the turmoil she held within.
Adagio snarled. She may have been in extreme pain, but it was nothing compared to the pain she felt for Sunset. It hurt her to think that her girlfriend was suffering on her behalf.
If she could, she would just stop it all now. To Tartarus with this damned illness and see her way out on her own terms.
But, that would only hurt Sunset more. What would it to to Sunset if she found her body? Adagio had heard stories of people who'd found the bodies of their loved ones. Though she'd never admit it, they'd always made her feel sad. That wasn't something she wanted for Sunset. She had to see this out all the way. For Sunset's sake.
Besides, she was a fighter. She'd always been a fighter. To give up would only admit defeat. She was determined to give this thing a battle. If she was to go down, she would go down under protest.
---
Sunset was a little confused when the doorbell rang. Opening it, she was met with a delivery man carrying bags of groceries in his hands.
“Grocery delivery!” he smiled.
Sunset slightly frowned, “I didn't order any groceries.”
“I did.”
Sunset turned to see Adagio wheeling toward the door.
That was enough for Sunset and she ushered the delivery man to the kitchen.
“When were you going to tell me about this?” she asked.
“What?” Adagio teased, “And ruin the surprise?”
“What surprise?”
The siren winked, “You'll see.”
---
Sunset had thought of Adagio as many things. Ocean goddess, temptress, sea serpent. What she hadn't figured on was grill master. “You seem really good at that,” she said, taking a sip of her drink.
Adagio turned away from the barbecue with a smiled, “Oh, I'm just getting warmed up.”
“I can see that.”
“Now, you're just being cheeky.”
“Come here and I'll show you cheeks. Maybe even grab some.”
“How much wine have you drunk?”
“Not enough.”
Adagio laughed as she tended to the food.
“So,” Sunset asked, “it all smells good, but what am I eating?”
“You'll see.”
“Can't I get a hint?”
“Can't you see?”
“I can. And I see fish.”
“Well, there you go.”
“You know I'm a vegetarian.”
“Can't you try anything new?” Adagio rolled her eyes, “We're by the ocean and all you want to eat is salad?”
“Do you have salad?”
“It's on the table.”
Sunset leaned over to see what was in the bowl at the middle of the table. “It's a seafood salad.”
“Yep.”
“I'm not getting away from this, am I?”
“Nope.”
“Can't I just have some greens? You know a bit of seaweed? Maybe, some sea cucumbers?”
“Sea cucumbers are animals.”
Sunset frowned, “They are?” A quick web search on her phone proved Adagio right. “Well,” Sunset said, falling back into her chair, “That explains why I've never eaten them...”
Adagio laughed as she moved the food from the grill to the serving platter. “I'm going to need you to carry this. That is,” she added with a twinkle, “if you're not too drunk to stand up.”
“Please,” Sunset blew her off, “you take me too lightly.” She took the platter from Adagio and the two walked to the table. “Okay,” she said, sitting down, “so, what have you cooked up?”
“Well, being that this is your first time, I decided to go easy on you.”
“Oh?”
Adagio piled on Sunset's plate with the various goodies, “Gonna start you off with a tuna steak, we've got some shrimp and scallops, lobster tail, and, lastly, mussels.”
“You got a little bit of everything, didn't you?”
“Consider this a starter pack.”
Sunset cut into her steak. “Is it supposed to be this color?”
“Yep.” She smiled as Sunset took a big bite of fish, “Well?”
Sunset didn't answer right away. She had taken on a bit of a bigger piece than she had thought. “It's really good,” she said at last, “Texture is a bit weird.”
“Well, that's meat for you. All you've ever eaten are plants.”
“Mmm,” Sunset was quick to correct, “I would say eggplant and certain mushrooms are similar.”
“Similar, not the same,” she gestured for Sunset to continue eating, “Also, for your information, pork is very much the same way.”
“Really?” Sunset said through a mouthful.
“Yep. You cook it all the way through and it can be confused for a pork chop in both taste and texture.”
“I take it you've done that.”
“Comes with learning how to cook.”
Sunset looked confused for a moment. “Oh, that's right. All of this you would have eaten raw.”
“Imagine my surprise upon learning that this species ruined perfectly good food by heating it.”
“I may have an idea,” Sunset took a sip of wine, “You gonna eat anything?”
“I've told you. I have absolutely no appetite. But, I may grab a nibble. For old time's sake.”
“Well, take some of the wine. I don't want to be responsible for drinking the whole bottle.”
Adagio shook her head, snagging a scallop, “One of us needs to stay sober.” She sat silently as Sunset continued to eat.
“Sunset,”
“Hm?”
“I've been thinking about what you offered. And, I would like to go back to Equestria.”
Sunset slowly swallowed her morsel. “I'll let the princess know.”
“I'm sure you can find me a nice, secluded spot on the beach.”
“I can take you back to your beach, if you wish.”
Adagio shook her head, “It's too far away. It's not even in Equestria. And, I'd like for you to come to visit me.”
“What about Aria and Sonata?”
“Let them be. They never cared much for the beach, anyway.”
“Well, I'll continue to look after them over here.”
Adagio smiled, “I'd appreciate that.”
---
“That was amazing!” Sunset wiped her mouth with a napkin, “I think you may just have a convert.”
Adagio laughed, wrapping her arms around Sunset's neck. Their lips met in a kiss. “You taste like a seafood meal.”
“Well,” Sunset kissed back, “whose fault is that?”
“You're welcome.”
“You wanna watch the sunset from here?”
“Sure. But, that's not for a while yet. In the meantime,” she straddled Sunset's lap, “I want to watch this Sunset.”
Sunset chuckle, running her hands along Adagio's back end, “Oh, really? What do you want to see?”
Adagio leaned in for a kiss, “What will you show me?”
“Nothing that should be shown outside.”
“Oohh,” Adagio moaned, “Now, that's the wine talking.”
“Maybe,” Sunset smirked, “Or, it could just be me.”
“Need I remind you that we're on a private beach? And we're hidden from the view of the neighbors? There's no one else to see.”
“Now who's talking dirty?” She pulled off her blouse and set it aside. “Now, what do I get to see?”
With a knowing smile Adagio slowly unzipped her hoodie. Her smile grew wider as she watched Sunset's face. “What?” she teased, “Didn't you notice?”
“Not really,” Sunset breathed, “You had your back to me most the time. And I like to look at your eyes when you look at me.”
Adagio chuckled, bringing their lips together, “It's your own fault, then.”
“Then, maybe, you should punish me,” Sunset kissed back. She moaned as Adagio pushed deeper.
“Don't give me ideas.”
Sunset only laughed. “Like you've ever denied them!” She snaked her arms tightly around Adagio, bringing her in closer. She closed her eyes as she drank in her lover. But, when a metallic taste hit her mouth, she suddenly stopped. “Adagio,” she said, gently pushing back the other woman. Seeing her face, her eyes grew wide. “Adagio, your nose is bleeding!”
Adagio looked confused for a moment before wiping with the back of her hand. Looking at it, she could only muster a meek “Oh-no...”
That's when the coughing started. Sunset held Adagio tight and let her cough over her shoulder. She eyed the hose to make for a quick cleanup later. She held onto her girlfriend as her body began to shake.
Slowly, Sunset maneuvered her chair further from the table. With enough distance, she managed to slide off it and onto the wood decking. She laid down and gently rolled Adagio off of her. She grabbed the seat cushion to use as a pillow.
Seeing that Adagio was in a good position, Sunset leaned back against the house's outer wall. “Well,” she sighed, “so much for that.”
When Adagio awoke, she was in the living room, on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket.
A little ways away, Sunset was seated on the floor, reading one of her books at the coffee table and enjoying, what Adagio could only surmise, was a large cup of coffee.
“Hey,” she managed to whisper.
Sunset looked up from her book. “Hey,” she smiled, “How are you feeling?”
Adagio shivered, “So cold.”
“Let me get you some more blankets.”
“What time is it?”
“Don't you worry about that,” Sunset said, emerging from the bedroom with a pile of blankets, “It's night, and that's all you need to know.”
Adagio looked forlorn as Sunset tucked her in. “I'm so sorry,” she whimpered.
“Don't be. You have no control over this.”
“But it's not fair to you.”
“And it's not fair to you if I leave. We promised we'd go through this together.”
Adagio wiped her welling tears, “I don't deserve you.”
“No,” Sunset said sternly, kneeling beside the sofa, “you don't deserve this. Whatever this is! And neither did your sisters.”
Adagio shook her head. “You're wrong. My sisters and I made a mistake. And we must pay the price for it.”
“I've made mistakes, too! And I was given a second chance. When I broke your gems, I thought you'd get one, too. And, for a while, it looked like you did. Only now do I realize that, instead of a second chance, I gave you a death sentence.”
“Don't be so harsh on yourself. There's no way you could have known. No way anyone could have known.”
“It's just,” Sunset choked, “it's just not fair!”
Adagio pulled her girlfriend in as Sunset broke into sobs.
---
As the day progressed, Adagio's health continued to deteriorate. When she wasn't coughing up blood, she drifted in an out of consciousness.
Sunset did what she could to be sure she was comfortable. When not cleaning out the spit bucket, or fulfilling Adagio's requests, she was at her side.
“Sunset,”
“Yes?”
Adagio swallowed. Her mouth and throat were so dry. “Can you move me to face the ocean? If this is my last sunset, I'd like to be able to see it.”
“We don't know this will be your last.”
Adagio caught the tears in her voice. She tried to be gentle.
“It's not a matter of knowing it. I can feel it.”
Sunset did all she could to keep from crying. “Okay,” she said, “give me a moment to set up the chairs.”
Adagio fell into the patio lounge chair with an oof! She shivered slightly until Sunset managed to wrap all the blankets around her. “Stay with me,” she groaned. She felt Sunset's strong hands on her shoulders.
“I'm not going anywhere.” She adjusted a small table to hold her coffee.
Sunset snuggled next to Adagio, wrapping blankets around them. She put her arms around Adagio and held her tight.
Adagio gladly followed the pull and came into Sunset, resting her head upon her shoulder.
“You still cold?” Sunset asked.
“Just a little.”
“You want some coffee? It'll warm your insides. I don't think I can put any more on your outsides.”
“Maybe, just a little.” She sat up slightly as Sunset brought the coffee cup to her lips. It tasted horrible. But, she didn't care much for coffee to begin with. Still, it felt nice to have the hot liquid flow through her chest.
She returned her head to its resting place. “It's a beautiful sky, isn't it?”
“Yes.”
“I'm glad you're here.”
“I'm glad, too.”
Adagio felt the grip around her tighten. She leaned further into it.
She watched as the sky turned a deep red. She saw the waves come inland, she heard them crash upon the shore. She watched as the sun slowly made its descent. She watched as it bid the world goodbye with its last light. She watched as the stars brought the night and ushered in the moon. She searched the horizon for the last glimmer of light.
When she opened her eyes, it was dark. But, not so dark that she couldn't see. Someone had left a lamp on. Not someone—Sunset.
“Sunset?” she called out. Her voice echoed in the house. She listened. It was quiet--too quiet. She didn't like this type of silence.
She stretched, her arm hit something. Looking, she realized it was the sofa. She felt around with her other arm. It was the floor. She was on the floor.
Adagio rubbed the sleepiness from her eyes and sat up slightly to look around. The coffee table had been pushed aside and the area rug rolled up. She looked around a little bit further and that's when she found her.
Sunset Shimmer laid a few feet away, her figure eerily still.
Adagio's heart froze within her chest. “Sunset? Please, no...” she reached out for her girlfriend. Her skin was pale and cold to the touch. “Sunset!” she cried, “No! What the hell have you done?” She grabbed a hold of Sunset and pulled her closer.
In doing so, a piece of paper fell from Sunset's hand. Adagio was quick to snatch it. Written on it, was a simple note:
You deserve a second chance.
“Dammit!” she wept, clutching Sunset's body tightly, “You fool! You damned fool!”
