Adagio yawned as she sat up and stretched.
Brisk, bright sunlight streamed in through the window right next to the bed she shared with Aria.
Looking beside her, Aria was curled up, hugging a pillow while drooling.
Probably having a pleasant dream.
Adagio looks at the calendar.
It was now June.
She couldn't believe that it had already been half a month since they were reunited with Sonata.
They had also began to slowly make friends at Canterlot High.
Just the thought of it all made Adagio feel warm and fuzzy inside.
She hugged herself and wiggled a bit while smiling.
Getting up she walked out of the room before bumping into Professor Chaos.
"Oh, Professor, good morning."
"Ah, good morning my dear Adagio. Slept well, I presume?"
Adagio nodded.
"Yeah, out like a light, rested up like a baby."
He chuckles heartily.
"I'm glad to hear it, my dear. Though, I think your hair is having a worse day."
He pat Adagio's poofy hair.
Adagio ran into the bathroom to check her hair.
Ugh, it was all frizzed out and messy..
Adagio quickly went to work, fixing it up.
After two weeks of staying with the Professor, Adagio and Aria were given the choice of where they wanted to live.
They decided to stay with the Professor.
Something about him just drew them to him like a magnet.
Speaking of magnets... How DO those things work?
Aria managed to sneak up on Adagio while she was fixing her hair.
She gave Adagio a hug from behind.
"Morning, 'Dagi."
"Gah!"
Adagio jumped a bit.
"Oh... Good morning, Aria."
Aria poked Adagio's belly gently.
That usually told Adagio that Aria wanted her out of the bathroom so she could use the little filly's room.
Adagio chuckled.
"Alright, alright... I'll go start on breakfast."
"Mmm... Thanks, Adagio."
Even though you both were making more friends, and getting closer with Sunset and her group, Aria was still not very vocal.
At least... Around others.
>>2074097120740971
Around Adagio and the Professor, Aria seemed to talk openly.
Maybe she was just shy? Nah, not Aria.
Adagio went into the kitchen to begin looking for meal ideas.
"Hmm..."
Professor Chaos chuckled as he say in his chair, reading the paper.
"Trying to think of what to do for breakfast, Adagio?"
"Yeah... I think I might just make some bacon and eggs. Not really feeling the fancy stuff today..."
"No worries here, just don't burn yourself."
Adagio stuck her tongue out at the Professor.
"I never do!"
Adagio and Aria listened to the teachings of the Professor quite bit.
He taught them both how to try and be good friends...
It really showed with how Sunset, her boyfriend, and the others treated them both..
Though, Adagio really wanted to just cry more often than she let on.
No matter how good of person she became... Her past always would find some way to haunt her.
Even now, she still pondered about her role as a leader... Should she really be the leader?
Adagio shook her head.
No use in debating over it now.
She quietly made some food as Aria walked out of the bathroom.
"Eggs and bacon?"
"Eggs and bacon."
Aria smiled at Adagio softly.
Adagio couldn't explain it, but since Sonata returned, everything just felt... Better.
Adagio and Aria were slowly growing closer and closer together.
Sonata didn't stay with them, but they still felt linked somehow...
Maybe the Professor could explain that one.
>>2074168120741681
Aria laid out on the couch in her purple footed sleeper.
"So, what's on the agenda for today, Professor?"
"Well, dear.."
He looked up from his paper.
"I was thinking we could all go to the beach."
Adagio nearly stopped the pan of eggs when she heard that.
"Did you just say..."
"The beach!?"
Discord grinned behind his paper as we went back to reading it again, amused by the response.
"Yes, yes I did. Seeing as it is an extended holiday, and we ARE getting to the hotter months... What better way to cool off than a trip to the beach?"
Adagio finished making the food, taking them out of their cooking stations and onto some plates.
"Well, that's awfully kind of you but..."
Aria tilted her head backward over the arm of the couch to look at Adagio.
"We don't have any swimsuits."
Discord chuckled softly.
"Oh, you'll be surprised girls... But by the smell of it, food is ready."
Aria's stomach growled loudly.
If it was any louder, the people in China would have heard it.
"And it sounds like you have one monster... Of an appetite."
Adagio rolled her eyes at the poor excuse of a joke.
Aria facepalmed.
"What? I thought it was clever."
Aria just softly glared at him.
"...Terrible."
The three of them ate breakfast.
It wasn't uncommon now for Aria and Adagio to compete over the food.
But... That was only when the really delicious food was on the line.
Sometimes, it looked like little sparks shot from their eyes as they fought over it.
Today's opening meal was cooked to perfection, everyone was enjoying it.
Discord kept his mouth full so he wouldn't spoil their surprise.
This didn't stop the girls from pestering him.
Eventually his mouth got so full he almost choked on it.
"Jeez, Professor... You really gotta slow down."
He chugged his glass of water, forcing the food down.
"Well it wouldn't be so bad if some people weren't so impatient about their surprises!~"
"Psh, please.. You KNOW you can't hide it from us."
>>2074337220743372
Adagio pointed her bacon-riddled fork at Discord before gobbling up the food.
Aria giggled at her.
"She has a point you know."
Discord ate at a more casual pace now.
"Well, girls... I'm sure you'll see it soon enough."
The girls gave him their pouty faces as they ate.
The girls took turns showering after cleaning up the dishes.
Adagio and Aria didn't mind sharing the bathroom between showers, as the mirror was in a more secluded place than the shower.
Discord slipped into their room, which one conveniently right next tot he bathroom.
He left two boxes on the bed and left to go back to his paper.
Adagio hummed as she showered, her voice still as melancholic as when the bands played together.
"Hey, Adagio?"
"Yeah, Aria?"
"Do you ever wonder... How we got our voices back?"
Adagio went silent to think as she washed her hair.
"Sometimes I do, yeah... But then I think back to Sonata."
"Sonata? Why?"
Adagio shrugged.
"Think about it. She got her powers back before us, right?"
"Well, yeah but she was pushed to it."
"...Or was she?"
Aria leaned forward.
She sat on the toilet in front of the sink and mirror.
"What are you getting at?"
"What if... Now, just hear me out..."
"You're not seriously going to say what I think you're going to say."
Discord stood on the outside of the door with a sly grin.
They spoke almost in unison.
"What if it was the magic of friendship?"
He chuckled and walked away once more.
He always had a keen ear for what others were saying...
"Are you serious right now, Adagio? Magic of Friendship? Gag me..."
"But just think about it... How else were we beaten at the Battle of the Bands?"
"Uh.."
"How did those girls have those powers?"
"Well..."
"And how else would Sonata have gotten her powers back?"
"Erm..."
"I wonder if that is what the Professor was talking about... The Magic of Friendship..."
She flipped her hair back, smiling softly.
"I like the ring to that."
"Ugh, Adagio..! You're such a dweeb."
>>2074348620743486
Adagio giggled softly.
"But a dweeb you love."
Aria blushed a bit at the tease.
"...Moot point."
Adagio finished with her shower and stepped out, wrapping a towel around herself.
"All yours, Ari."
Aria made a face.
"Gee, thanks."
Adagio took her secondary towel and began to dry her hair.
Somehow, the mirrors in this house didn't fog up when someone was using a shower...
Convenient enough.
"I really hope you don't believe in that, Adagio... It all just... Doesn't sound right to me."
Aria stepped into the shower, dropping her towel off onto the floor and closing the shower door.
"Well.. I can't say that I do believe in it, but I can't say I don't... More like..."
She examined herself in the mirror.
"A realm of possibility."
Aria rolled her eyes.
"Riiight.. And let's say this.. Magic of Friendship is actually real. What then?"
"Well.. It would explain a lot of things, sister."
Aria shuddered a bit.
Just hearing Adagio call her "sister" made her all giddy.
"I suppose so... But I think the bonds of people is a better explanation than the magic of Friendship... Even if we ARE from Equestria..."
Adagio shuddered at the mentioning of Equestria.
She didn't know if she could ever get over their past there... Or if they'd ever get to see that land again.
"...Sorry for bringing it up."
"No, no.. It's fine. It is a part of our past we must face and embrace."
"..."
Aria fell silent.
Any speak of their "golden age" past really upset her.
She still wasn't that good at conveying her emotions... But she was learning.
At least now whenever there was a problem, she'd go to Adagio about it.
Adagio finished drying herself off and got dressed.
She wore her usual t-shirt top, but with more of a dressy skirt on the bottom.
"So many things have changed, Aria... We're becoming new people."
"Yeah."
"...Does the idea of a new life scare you?"
Aria didn't answer.
>>2074363620743636
Adagio grinned to herself quietly.
She knew that Aria's silence meant she was upset, afraid, unsure or embarrassed.
Sometimes, she'd purposely catch Aria off guard with some embarrassing comment.
Regardless, even the idea of a new life gave Adagio the jitters...
"It... Does kind of scare me a bit."
Adagio looked at the shower door.
"But... As long as I still have you, at the minimum... I think I'll be fine."
Adagio giggled at the sappy sentiment.
That was something else Aria was good at... Being sappy.
"And I feel the same way about you, Ari."
Aria stepped out of the shower and dried herself off.
Adagio went to work fixing her hair.
"I still don't get why you keep your hair like that... Must be impossible to maintain."
Adagio shrugged.
"I just like how it looks on me. Besides, it's not like yours with double ponytails is any easier..."
"Actually.. It kinda is."
Adagio rolled her eyes before blindly smacking Aria on the butt with her hair towel.
"Ow! Adagio, why you little..!"
Adagio giggled before she got the same treatment, causing a yelp to escape her.
Discord chuckled softly as he heard them tormenting one another.
A few minutes later, both of the girls walked out of the bathroom, fully refreshed and ready for the day.
"Girls, while you're out and about, why not go look in your room?"
"Our room? Why? Are you planning to lock us in there again?"
Discord chuckled.
That was an amusing prank he pulled on them...
Turns out Aria is deathly afraid of spiders.
"I swear, if you lock us in there with more spiders..."
"Relax, relax.. I'm not going to lock you in there, and there are no spiders."
The two of them looked at Discord suspiciously.
"Just trust me, alright? No door locking. No spiders."
"Fine... We'll entertain you this once."
Adagio and Aria walked to their room.
Everything seemed to be in place.
Two boxes were sitting on the bed, one addressed to Aria, the other to Adagio.
"Uh.. Professor, what are these?"
>>2075129720751297
"What is what, my dear?"
"These... Boxes."
"Open them and find out!"
Adagio and Aria look at one another before shrugging.
Opening the small, rectangular boxes revealed something wrapped up with a latter on top of both of them.
"Letters?"
They girls looked at each other again.
Adagio sat on the bed and opened hers.
It looked to be some sort of... Greeting card?
Discord crept up to the doorway as Adagio read it out loud.
"Dear Adagio. We didn't quite know when your birthday and Aria's birthday were, so we decided to buy you both a gift anyway. To be honest, it was Sonata's idea, but we all pitched in to buying them. They were hand tailored by Rarity and Coco, and modeled using Sonata. We hope that you both can enjoy them."
She paused.
"...Anon, Sunset, and everyone else."
She flipped it over.
"P.S. The Professor was in on this too, though he didn't want me to say anything."
There was a goofy little drawing of Discord on the back.
Adagio giggled.
Aria looked at hers.
"Mine says the same thing."
Discord sighed and rolled his eyes.
"That Anon, I swear..."
The girls jumped at the sound of his voice.
"Professor, were you really..?"
"Of course. I'm the one who told them that you two needed these gifts... And they were more than happy to accommodate."
Adagio unwrapped the contents of the box and held up a two-piece bathing suit. Orange and Purple in flame-styled patterns.
Aria's was a two-piece that was teal and dark pink.
"Wow... These look amazing."
Discord coughed.
"Why not try them on?"
Aria steamed.
"Not with you standing there!"
Discord chuckled softly.
"Of course not. I'd leave you two to dress yourself in privacy."
He bowed and walked out, closing the door behind him.
"That man, sometimes..."
"Hey, lighten up Aria... He just means well."
"Even so..."
>>2075155020751550
Adagio and aria took five minutes to get the suits on.
They had to help each other because of those blasted ties in the back.
Discord leaned against the wall outside of the room.
"Are you girls ready yet?"
"Yes, Professor.. We're ready."
Discord opened the door slowly.
"Last chance. If you aren't ready, say something."
"We said we were ready, now just hurry it up."
Discord fully opened the door as he gazed upon the two girls.
He thought to himself for a few moments, stroking his beard.
Aria looked away, blushing from the embarrassment.
"Well..? Don't just stand there.. Say something!"
Discord smiled widely.
"You two look fantastic."
"...Really? I don't believe you."
He stepped aside from the door.
"Go see for yourselves."
Aria mumbled but followed Adagio into the bathroom.
The mirror was big enough for them to be able to see what they needed to see.
"Wow... These DO look nice..."
"And they feel great."
The girls began to strike some silly poses.
Discord merely laughed whole heartedly.
"You two look like you're ready for a fashion show!"
Adagio used the space between where they were standing, and the door, as a runway.
"Hello, boys~"
Adagio winked and wiggled her fingers at the imaginary males.
Discord kept laughing.
Even Aria couldn't help but try to stifle her giggling.
"Well, now that model time is done... Anyone up for a small road trip?"
Adagio and Aria looked at one another.
"Road trip?"
Discord put on a large hat.
"Beach trip, ladies!"
Adagio couldn't believe they both forgot about the beach...
"Are we EVER ready!"
"Just remember to pack some clothes, towels, and sunblock... Don't need you both turning into dinner on me."
He laughed softly once more as he took a picnic basket and his own supplies and walked outside.
"Did he just...?"
"I think he did..."
Adagio and Aria looked at one another.
"HE JUST CALLED US FOOD!"
>>2075696920756969
Discord sat outside in his white convertible.
Sure it was... Questionable, given the taste of the newer generation...
But he still liked it.
One arm out the window, roof down, sunglasses on, pink plad shirt..
Today was going to be a good day.
He honked the horn twice.
"Come on girls, the sun's a wastin'!"
"Yeah, yeah, we're coming!"
Adagio and Aria dragged two suitcases with them.
Discord lowered his sunglasses to look at them.
"What, did you pack for an entire week?"
"..Just safety. This way, our individual things won't get nabbed... Especially thanks to those little tracking device thingies."
Discord shrugged.
"Hop in, girls."
They put their luggage into the trunk and close it before jumping in.
Belted in, Discord slowly backed out of the driveway and took his time getting to the highway.
"Next stop... Beachland!"
As they got onto the highway, Discord floored the gas.
If gravity wasn't a thing, the girls swear that they would have flown out the back.
Discord merely grinned as wind whipped his face.
Just doing this really made him feel alive.
"Good lord, Professor! Can you slow it down a bit!?"
"What? I can't hear you!"
"You're going too fast!"
"Still can't hear you!"
Adagio and Aria held onto one another for dear life.
The car began to slow down.
The girls looked beside them.
"Hey, Adagio.. I recognize that car."
"Isn't that...?"
The front passenger window of the car rolled down.
"Hey, hey! Professor Chaos! Kickin' ride you got there!"
"Brad!"
Discord chuckled.
"You're damn right it's a good ride. Think you can keep up?"
Brad laughed.
"A race? Let me guess... Canterlot Beach?"
"Bingo."
Brad gripped his steering wheel.
"You're on!"
He rolled up his window as he took off ahead of the trio.
"Hang on girls, this is about to get bumpy!"
Adagio and Aria held onto each other tighter.
Discord once more put the pedal to the metal.
>>2075710520757105
It was intense.
Both cars were bobbing and weaving through the crowd of traffic ahead of them.
Yet, neither driver lost their nerve or their speed.
Neck and neck throughout the whole ordeal...
The highways opened up to a clear shot to the beach.
Brad rolled down the window.
"You're not bad for an older fella."
"Older? Son, I may be a generation ahead of you, but I STILL have my energy."
Adagio rolled her eyes at the terrible punchline.
"Now burn rubber, or go home crying!"
Discord shifted gears as the car shot forward, leaving the Bradical Brad in the dust.
Discord slammed on the brakes a few seconds later, swerving into a fresh parking spot.
A perfect park.
Some other teenagers who were watching clapped and held up signs.
10
10
Call me!
One of the girls glared at the other.
The one with the Call me sign flipped it over to a ten.
Adagio and Aria cheered.
The intensity of that race must have sparked their competitive sides.
Brad rolled up into the next spot before getting out.
He walked up to the car and fist bumped Discord.
"Sweet driving, Prof."
"You aren't so bad, yourself, rookie."
"Maybe I learned my driving from your class!"
They both laughed.
The girls were experiencing some major jet lag from that speed.
It took them a good few minutes before they could even move.
"Is it safe yet?"
"Yes girls, it's safe. You can get out now."
Adagio and Aria stepped out.
Immediately the scent of the ocean washed over them, giving them good chills.
"So THIS is the beach, huh? ...Nothing impressive."
Discord chuckled and rolled his eyes before opening the trunk.
Think that now, Aria.. But we all heard you screaming back there.
Adagio and Aria grabbed their things.
"Hey, girls. You should come with me! I know the perfect place to set up camp down there!"
The girls shrugged and followed him down.
Discord followed in suit, just at a more leisurely pace.
>>2075724120757241
Brad rooted his umbrella into the sand and unfolded it.
The shadows it created were massive.
"Wow..."
Adagio and Aria stepped onto the sand.
Their feet and flip flops were met with the warm, toasty sand.
Their faces almost screamed "I came" as they felt it.
"This sand..."
"It's so warm..."
Discord and Brad both laughed.
"That's because the sun heats it up. Fun fact, when heated enough, sand turns to glass."
"..Interesting."
Adagio wiggled her toes.
"It feels so weird."
Discord set up his stuff a bit forward of them.
"What are you doing there, Professor?"
"I'm..."
He puts on a hat and takes out a fishing rod.
"Going to fish!"
The girls rolled their eyes.
As if he'd ever catch anything.
Brad looked along the shoreline.
"Hey, I think I see Anon and the others!"
The girls look at him.
Anon?
That would mean that Sonata was with them too.
"Where. Are. They?"
Adagio sounded highly demanding.
Brad pointed down to the left.
Adagio and Aria squinted their eyes.
No mistaking that red and yellow hair..
And that blue ponytail.
"Well? Do you see them, 'Dagi?"
"Yeah.. I'm certain it's them."
Aria smiled softly.
>>2075747720757477
Adagio and Aria ran down the beach toward the group.
Brad laughed a bit and set down his breach chair.
"So what are you hoping to catch, Professor?"
"Oh just some fish. That's all. ...Maybe a shark."
"Shark?"
Applejack squinted and pointed toward the running duo.
"Hey, ain't that..?"
Sonata turned around.
"It's 'Dagi! And Ari'!"
She got up and ran after them.
She plowed them both down with a glomp.
All three girls giggled.
"Ari'! 'Dagi!"
"Hey there, Sonata. I see you guys had the same idea."
Sonata looked at them, tilting her head.
"Same idea? Oh! The beach! Yeah."
The rest of the group got up and moved over to them.
Rarity chuckled softly.
"I knew that they would look gorgeous in those clothing."
"As always, Rarity... Yer works turn out just right."
Sonata got off of Adagio and Aria.
The other two Dazzlings sat up in the sand.
"Hey guys uh... Thanks for the gifts. We wouldn't have been able to come otherwise."
You chuckle softly.
"It's no problem, Adagio. Once the Professor told me you were lacking swimwear, we were more than happy to help you two out. We have a net set up just a bit further down the beach, care to play?"
Adagio and Aria looked at one another.
"Play what?"
Rainbow Dash bounced a white ball on her head.
"Beach Volleyball, obviously!"
Aria shrugged.
"Why not?"
The girls followed Anon's group down the beach to a wide open, secluded area.
They weren't lying, there was a large net set up next to the water.
"So uh..."
"How DO we play this game?"
"Bahaha! You mean you haven't played volleyball before?"
The girls shake their heads.
Sunset put a hand onto Adagio's shoulder.
"Then sit back for a round and watch us play."
She took her head off once she felt the warmness of Adagio's shoulder.
"...And put some sunblock on."
Adagio grinned awkwardly.
The group split up, four to a side.
Adagio and Aria took turns lathering sunblock onto one another on the rocks.
>>2076736320767363
Aria rubbed some onto Adagio's back.
It was cold, but it felt nice, almost like a massage.
"Are you sure that this will be a good idea, Adagio?"
"Oh, lighten up some Aria. It's just a silly little game."
The watched the ball go back and forth between the two sides.
So much coordination was needed to play it... But they followed along with ease.
"Soo... It looks like the back left corner does the serving for each side..."
Aria nodded as they swapped places.
"I wonder why they only use three bounces to get it over.. Wouldn't it be easier with more?"
Adagio shrugged as she slapped some sunblock onto Aria's back.
Aria yelped from the sudden chill.
"ADAGIO!"
This broke the concentration of everyone in the game.
They all laughed.
Aria buried her face in her hands out of embarrassment.
Adagio giggled.
"And here, you say I'm the bad one..."
The round drew on.
By the time it was halfway over, Adagio and Aria had a good grasp on the game.
Serving, keeping the ball moving, trying to score...
They also got to see that Sunset had one hell of a spike.
The last serve took some time to finish, but it ended with Sunset's team taking the point.
"Yeah! That's how we do it!"
Adagio and Aria walked down the beach toward them.
"So... How are we going to split the teams?"
Everyone looked at Rainbow Dash.
"Well uh.. I guess you guys can have the Dazzlings, Sunset and Anon... And we'll have the rest."
They looked at one another, mumbling.
"Sounds fine to me."
The two teams broke apart and took their positions.
Sunset handed the ball to Adagio.
"You're up first for serving, Adagio."
She nods and looks at the ball, and where she aimed at.
"Any day now, Adagio!"
Adagio tossed the ball up and hit it with an incredible force.
The ball went careening toward Fluttershy who held her arms up to stop it.
Thump.
The ball ricocheted into the air and was passed along the team until it came back.
"Ooh! Ooh! MINE!"
Sonata jumped up and shot the ball back.
>>2076745320767453
The game was very back and forth.
Each team kept the ball going for quite some time with some minor mishaps.
Brad ended up sitting on the rocks next to them, cheering both teams on.
"Yeah, come on girls! You got this!"
It came down to this.
Score was tied.
Final serve.
Rainbow tossed the ball up and struck it.
The ball was coming straight for Adagio.
"I've got it! I've got iiit..!"
She brought her right arm back to hit the ball.
"Mine!"
Sonata charged at the ball.
Adagio brought her arm forward.
Sonata jumped, but lost her footing.
Time seemed to slow down on her descent.
"I don't got this...!"
Her hands clipped Adagio's top, causing it to untie.
Adagio hit the ball back.
No one seemed to go after it as they all just stood there blankly.
Brad whistled.
You cover his eyes.
Sunset covers yours.
"Huh..? Why is everyone staring at me?"
A cool breeze blew by.
Adagio looked down at her bare chest before covering herself up.
"SONATA!"
Sonata giggled awkwardly.
"Um... Oops? Sorry, 'Dagi..."
Adagio began to fume at Sonata.
"Why of all the rotten things you could do...!"
"It was an accident, I swear!"
Aria sat on the sand, laughing.
"Oh man, Adagio... The look on your face!"
Adagio picked up her top and stormed behind the rocks.
Aria got up and ran after her.
Sunset looked at you sternly.
"You. Saw. Nothing."
You sigh.
"Yes, dear..."
She looked at Brad.
"I.. I saw nothing, Sunset!"
"...Good."
>>2076752420767524
Aria helped Adagio get her top back on.
"It wasn't that bad Adagio..."
"Everyone. Saw. My. Breasts. Aria. EVERYONE."
"Just your friends... And accidents like that happen sometimes..."
Aria tried to console Adagio.
"Even so... To be exposed like that..."
She curled up into fetal position, the embarrassment just eating away at her.
"I see it all the time, Adagio... It just..."
She sighed softly, tying the knot once more.
"We're all friends here Adagio... One little slip up won't stay with us forever."
"Yeah... I guess."
Sonata crept up on them.
"Um... Adagio?"
She actually address Adagio by her full name for once.
"What is it, Sonata?"
"I uh... I'm sorry for what happened... I really didn't mean it, honest. I just kinda tripped."
Adagio remained quiet.
"I lost my footing when going for the ball and it just... Happened."
She sat down next to Aria.
"If it makes you feel any better.. I accidentally walked in on Anon getting dressed."
Aria and Adagio both looked at her.
"Seriously?"
She nods.
"For realzies. I... Wasn't supposed to tell anyone, but... I guess I'm just a sucker for accidents..."
Sonata looked down as she wiggled her toes in the sand.
"And that's why you just came over here?"
"I just wanted to apologize for doing that... It was bad."
Adagio went quiet again.
"Well.. I'm sure she appreciates the apology, but she just wants to be left alone for now."
Sonata nods and goes back to the others.
Aria sat down next to Adagio.
"Really, Adagio... You know that this isn't the worst that happened to you."
"Yeah, I know..."
The others sat around the net, drinking some water.
"Do you think she'll be okay?"
"Yeah, Adagio is a strong girl. She'll get over it quickly."
"I hope so..."
>>2076768320767683
Adagio and Aria made their way out from behind the rocks.
The both of them kept quiet.
"Hey girls... Feeling any better?"
Adagio shrugged quietly.
Sonata looked down in guilt.
You put a hand onto Adagio's shoulder.
"Hey, listen... At least once in our lives, things like this happen. It's happened to a lot of us... You time just came before some others."
Adagio looked down quietly.
"...Does it really happen to everyone?"
"Yeah, it does."
Sunset put her hand onto Adagio's other shoulder.
"It's always just am accident because of someone tripping up... or something catching clothing."
"Or in Nonny's case, me walking in on him!"
"SONATA!"
Everyone from the main group yelled at her at the same time.
Adagio, Aria, and Brad couldn't help but laugh.
"What? It's true!"
You glare at her.
"Doesn't make it okay to talk about it!"
She shrugs.
"Anyhow... None of us hold it against you. Mistakes happen."
Adagio nodded.
"Yeah... Thanks. I guess I feel a little better now."
You stand there triumphantly.
"Anyone up for a swim?"
They all nodded in agreement.
"Last one to the floating dock buys dinner!"
You and a few others charge into the water.
Adagio, Aria, and Brad charge in behind you.
"Hey, no fair! You got a head start!"
"AIYEEEE!"
Discord's ear twitched as he looked down the beach's shoreline.
"Water must be cold something fierce..."
He laughed quietly.
Adagio held herself as she violently shivered.
"What's the matter, Adagio? Can't handle getting wet?"
She glared at Brad.
"No one told me it was THIS cold!"
Aria splashed her, sending another wave of cold water over her.
"ARIA!"
"You snooze, you lose, Adagio!"
Aria began to swim to the dock.
>>2076985420769854
Against her better judgment, Adagio swam after her.
By the time she got there and got on, most of the others were already on.
Last one there was Rarity who floated along on a pool toy.
"Rarity! Were you even TRYING?"
"Why of course not, my dear! Why would I partake in such a silly race?"
"Ugh, fine... Suit yourself then. You're paying tonight!"
Rarity shrugged.
"So uh... Now that we're here... What do we do?"
Everyone looked at one another.
"JUMP!"
Without warning, they all charged off of the dock, jumping into the water.
They took Adagio with them.
The resulting wave tipped Rarity and her pool floaty over.
Adagio seemed to struggle to find which way was up.
Everyone else had surfaced.
"Uh... Guys? Where's Adagio?"
They all look around.
Adagio was losing control of her lungs.
They needed air. NOW.
Her mind began to panic as she flailed.
Aria dove under the water and brought Adagio up just in time.
Adagio took a large gulp of air, panting.
"Next time... Give me... A little warning... Would you?"
"Heh... Sorry about that... It's just a tradition we do."
Adagio pouted.
Aria kept her afloat, giggling softly.
She quietly booped Adagio on the nose, causing the orange haired girl to cover it.
"Aria!"
"Heh... Gotcha."
The two of them swam back up to the docks.
For the rest of the afternoon, the group would freely talk and swim.
Adagio and Aria seemed to be having quite a fun time with the others.
Brad looked down the beach a ways.
"Hey girls, I think the Professor is trying to get our attention."
They both look in his direction.
Discord looked like he was flailing, but was really trying to call them over.
Aria pouted softly.
"Aww, is the fun over already?"
Adagio sighed.
"Yeah, looks like it is."
Adagio and Aria stood up and hugged Sonata.
"You behave yourself, Sonata."
"Yeah, no getting into trouble."
Sonata sniffled softly.
"I won't... I'm staying with Nonny and Sunny, so they keep me out of trouble."
Adagio and Aria smiled softly.
"Anon, I swear if anything happens to our Sonata...!"
You hold up your hands defensively.
"Hey now... Nothing will happen. Just.. Take it easy."
Adagio turned around and hopped into the water.
Aria follow in suit.
They both swamp up the length of the beach to where Discord was standing, rod over his shoulder.
"So, girls. Did you have a fun time?"
They shook some of the salty sea water off of their bodies as they got out.
"Yeah.. I suppose we did."
Discord raised an eyebrow at her before looking at Aria.
Aria shrugged.
"Alrighty then. We'll talk about it after."
The girls helped him gather their beach supplies up before storing it into the car's trunk once more.
"Did you catch anything, Professor?"
"Hmm? Oh, yes. Caught us enough fish to last us a few days. Thought it might be nice to teach you girls how to properly fillet a fish, maybe make some sushi too."
Adagio and Aria looked at each other as they set their towels down on the seats.
"Fillet? Sushi?"
Discord chuckled as he closed the trunk and moved to his driver's seat.
"Two ways to prepare a fish for eating."
"Oh. Well... The more the better, I guess."
The girls got into the car before Discord took off onto the highway ramp again.
He waited a bit before looking at Adagio in his rear view mirror.
"So, ready to tell me what happened today?"
He drove at a casual pace, so the wind wasn't blasting their ears like before.
Adagio looked down at the floor.
Aria leaned forward between the seats and whispered to Discord.
"Oh. Oh my. That DOES sound embarrassing."
Adagio bit her lower lip, just thinking about how Sonata tripping would cause such a scene.
That girl always was clumsy...
"Well, Adagio.. You aren't the only one that's happened to."
The orange haired girl looked up at him in the mirror's reflection.
"A few years ago, Anon was pants in one of my classes. Except they got too good of a grip and... Yeah. You can see where that one went."
>>2083335520833355 (You)
Adagio tried to stifle a giggle from the thought of you being "pantsed" in front of the class.
Even Aria cracked a little smile.
"Hoo wee.. That boy was so mortified that not even I could help him out. Took him a good two months before he'd be willing to stand in front of the class again."
"It sounds like it was a real heart breaker... Especially for the ladies."
Aria snickered a bit.
"Adagio.. You're SO mean!"
Adagio shrugged innocently.
"At least I'm not that one who walked in on him!"
Discord smiled as he listened to Adagio and Aria happily chat away.
By the time they got home, the sun was still barely peeking over the horizon, giving a very pretty red, orange, purple, and navy blue color pallet to the sky.
Looking out in the direction of the sun, Adagio and Aria's eyes sparkled with amazement.
"Wow... That's so pretty..."
"Yeah... Who knew the sun could do that?"
Discord chuckled and put a hand onto Adagio's shoulder.
She looked up at him.
"You girls never watched a sunset before?"
"No, well, yes, uh... Kind of. I suppose that we never really DID get a chance to just.. Enjoy it."
Discord chuckled once more.
"Watching the sun rise and set is one of the most beautiful things the world can offer. Take it in, girls. Maybe some day you'll share it with someone special."
Adagio and Aria looked at one another before looking back at the sunset.
The sun slowly sunk behind the darkened horizon, the night sky pushing it away.
Yeah, maybe some day Adagio would share a moment like that with someone special...
"Come on now girls, let's get our stuff inside. I have another surprise for you."
The girls helped to unload the car and put everything where it should be.
As Adagio finished sorting out the clothes, Aria was able to sneak up behind her.
She poked Adagio in the sides, making her jump and squeal.
"EEP! ARIA!"
Adagio turned around and stomped a foot, steaming at Aria.
Aria couldn't help but fall backward onto the floor, giggling.
>>2083353520833535 (You)
"Oh man... You... Hoo... You should have seen the look on your face, Adagio!"
Just thinking about it made Aria laugh harder.
Tears were even coming to her eyes.
Adagio puffed out her cheeks and pouted, blushing softly.
"It wasn't that funny!"
Aria tried to mimic Adagio's surprise face and her squeak.
It only caused her to laugh more.
"Oh, yuck it up, Aria... I'll get you back for it..."
Adagio stormed out of the room.
Discord poked his head in the back door.
"Girls? Are you finished yet?"
"Yes, Professor!"
"Good, I want you two to come out back with me!"
Now what in the world would he have outside now...?
Adagio managed to drag Aria outside.
She softly glared at her purple haired companion.
"It wasn't. That. Funny."
"And yet, it so was."
Discord coughed.
Both girls immediately straightened up.
"I hope you girls weren't fighting."
"N-No sir... Of course not..."
Aria just couldn't keep herself from cracking up.
"What's so funny, miss Blaze?"
"Just Adagio's face when I snuck up on her and poked her sides!"
Discord chuckled softly.
"I suppose that IS kind of funny, albeit a mean prank."
Adagio rolled her eyes.
"What is it you wanted, Professor?"
"Ah, yes.. Ahem. We're going to camp out here for tonight!"
"Wait, what?"
Aria pulled her arm back in excitement.
"Yes! Camping!"
"But how will we do that?"
Discord pointed to a couple of large, green bags.
"The tent supplies are in there... And I'll teach you two to make a proper fire pit."
Aria ran off of the back deck and over to the bags.
Adagio followed suit at a more casual pace.
"But how will we...?"
Discord turned some flashlights on.
"Riiiight."
Unraveling the bag's ties revealed various pipes, stakes, cables, and a set of hammers.
"So we're supposed to make a tent of this, right?"
"That's the idea."
Discord handed them both a set of instructions.
"Let's see if you two can do this as well as you handle yourselves in the lab!"
>>2083373820833738 (You)
Aria cracked her knuckles before wiggling her fingers.
"Alright, let's get down to business!"
Adagio shuddered.
She did not like it when Aria cracked her knuckles like that... It felt and sounded so wrong.
She looked at the instructions in front of her, twisting and turning it every which way to try and make sense of it.
Adagio analyzed each part before coming to her own consensus.
Who needs some stupid instruction book?
Aria was well under way with her tent, quickly piecing things together and planting the stakes for the ground tarp.
Adagio seemed to still be struggling with figuring out how the form worked for a tent...
"Do you need some help, Adagio?"
Aria didn't even look at her.
"No, no... I have everything... Under.."
The pipes made a loud creak as she tried to force it together.
In an instant it just exploded and parts went everywhere.
adagio blinked a few times out of minor shock.
"...Control."
Discord almost fell over from laughter.
"Ah ha ha! Oh, you two are the best fun I've had in AGES!"
Aria's tent was fully constructed and ready for use.
She even went over to help Adagio, explaining how the pieces worked like a puzzle.
"So... The reason it exploded was because I had the wrong pieces in the wrong places?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
Adagio and Aria got the covering of the tent onto its skeleton and flipped it upright.
"...Tents are hard."
"But they're also fun."
Together they attached the tent to the stakes and ground tarp so it wouldn't blow away if a large windstorm came.
Discord looked up from his book before clapping.
"Good job girls. Ready to learn how to dig a fire pit?"
"Can we rest first? My arms are tired from all the building..."
Adagio slumped in a lawn chair.
Aria shrugged.
"Fine, you can take a five minute break for now..."
Discord got up and went behind his shed for a few minutes.
"This is going to be a long night."
"But totally worth it!"
>>2099409320994093
Adagio and Aria watched Discord roll out a bunch of large stones from behind the shed.
"These, girls..."
He paused to catch his breath.
"...Are what you're going to use to shield the hole."
Adagio looked at Aria.
Aria shrugged.
"What about shovels? Surely you can't expect us to dig a hole without those... And there is no way we can do it with our hands. ...Or those rocks."
"Yes, yes... Just hold on."
Discord dug into his pocket and brought out a set of keys.
He opened the shed and dug around inside of it, causing a large amount of noise as he moved things around.
"I know I had them in here somewhere..."
"Ah ha! Here they are!"
Discord popped out with two large gardening spades.
"Aren't those garden shovels?"
"Yep."
"So you mean we've been weeding without those the whole time?"
"That's right."
Aria groaned.
"Good job, Professor. Good. Job."
Discord laughed a bit before setting the shovels against the shed and locking it up.
"You'd better get to making that fire now. It'll get cold soon."
Adagio and Aria took turns with the construction duty. One of them would dig until they were tired and then switch to moving the rocks.
It took them a good ten minutes, but eventually they had a suitable hole.
Not too deep, and good enough shielding with the stones.
Discord clapped slowly.
"Good job girls. Good job. Now, who's ready to fry some fish?"
The girls both slumped into their chairs.
"Can you do it tonight, Professor? I'm beat..."
"Yeah, same here... Those rocks were HEAVY."
Discord shook his head and chuckled.
"Sure girls."
The fish sat over the open fire as they sizzled and cooked.
The three of them talked about the shenanigans they had on the beach.
"So, while we were playing volleyball.."
Adagio shot a glare at Aria.
"Not. Another. Word."
Discord raised an eyebrow at them.
"You know, miss Dazzle, you can't hide forever."
Adagio shrunk down a bit.
"I know... I just..."
>>2099422520994225
Aria rolled her eyes.
"Adagio's top came off, and everyone like... Totally saw everything."
Adagio's face immediately went beet red.
She sank even lower in her seat.
Discord actually didn't laugh.
He sat in his chair, thinking quietly with a solemn expression.
"...I am very sorry to hear that, Adagio... It's hard for a teenager to have to deal with such a thing... But at least it was just your friends."
"Even so... I don't think I could ever live that down."
Discord sat forward and turned the fish over.
"It's happened to Anonymous a few times."
"Yeah... I heard the story."
"Well, I'll tell you what."
Adagio and Aria looked at Discord.
"I'll give you two some money tomorrow.. and let you both do what you want. Maybe that'll help you."
The girls looked at each other.
"Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean... People are still kind of..."
She paused as Aria continued her thought.
"Suspicious of us."
"Of course, of course... A simple shopping spree for you two would surely help lighten your mood. I bet you'll have forgotten all about it!"
The fire crackled as sparks flew upward.
"...Thanks Professor."
"Did Sonata at least apologize?"
Adagio nodded.
"Yeah, but.. I couldn't help but be angry with her... That clumsy dolt.."
Discord chuckled heartily.
"As is to be expected my dear."
He took one of the sticks that had a fish impaled on it and sniffled it.
"Smells like the fish are done."
Adagio and Aria each took a stick.
Aria shrugged.
"Time to dig in!"
She took a bite before releasing the fish.
"HOT! HOT! HOOOOOT!"
Adagio and Discord both burst into laughter.
"Wow, just... Wow, Aria..."
Adagio wiped a tear from her eye.
"It is fresh out of the fire... Why would it NOT be hot?"
Aria looked at her stomach as it growled loudly.
"...I was hungry..."
>>2099429620994296
The three of them ate their fish in silence.
It was a tad bit too salty for Adagio's tastes.
Each bite made her cringe from the taste.
Even so, they finished their meal.
Aria slumped back into her chair and pat her stomach lightly.
She gave a soft burp of approval.
"That was some good fish..."
"Coulda been less salty..."
Aria shrugged.
"Well girls, I think we've had enough excitement for one day, don't you?"
Adagio gave a loud yawn right on cue.
Aria and Discord both laughed.
"I'd say that's a yes."
"Well.. It was a long day..."
"You two go on and get ready for bed. I'll put out the fire."
Adagio and Aria nod before heading into the house.
Discord got the hose and turned on the water before going to dousing the fire.
Adagio sat on their bed, pulling on her fleecy bottoms.
"Are you really still upset over today?"
"Yeah, kind of.. I mean I didn't exactly WANT to show everyone my... stuff."
Aria nodded slowly.
"Yeah, I understand...."
Adagio looked at Aria.
She seemed a bit... Off tonight.
"Is something bothering you, Aria?"
"Huh? Oh, no. I'm fine."
Adagio put her top on before standing up and straightening it out.
"You can't hide from me, Aria... I know something's troubling you."
"It's nothing Adagio!"
Aria snapped at Adagio before puffing her cheeks a bit.
Adagio giggled softly.
"Okay then, miss prissy pants. No need to get all uptight about it."
Aria said nothing as she finished putting her own PJs on.
"I wonder what we'll do tomorrow..."
Aria and Adagio walked off of the back porch and onto the grass.
It was almost pitch dark, minus the few rays of moonlight that broke through the night's clouds.
"Um... Adagio?"
Adagio looked over at Aria.
"Yeah?"
"Do you mind if we take the top off of the tent before we sleep?"
Adagio blinked a bit before grinning.
"Aww, is wittle Aria scawed of the dark?"
Aria steamed a bit.
"No! I just... I like to watch the moon and the stars."
>>2099447620994476
Adagio walked with Aria to their tent and opened the ceiling flap.
"Must remind you of that night, huh?"
Aria didn't respond.
"Actually, come to think of it, where did the Professor get off to?"
The girls looked around.
A dark shadow crept up behind them.
A sudden chill went down both of their spines.
Slowly they turn around to a mask wearing creature.
"BLOOGAHGUALA!"
Discord jumped toward them.
Adagio and Aria both screamed at the top of their lungs, holding onto one another for dear life.
Discord fell back with laughter.
"Oh ho ho... That NEVER gets old!"
Adagio fumed and stomped over to him, snatching the mask off of him.
She raised her free hand...
SMACK!
Discord sat there, stunned.
Aria held her hands over her mouth.
It took a minute for the realization of her actions to sink into Adagio.
"Oh my god, Professor, are you okay!? I'm sooo sorry."
He stood up and held his face a bit.
Adagio had long nails... But no blood was drawn.
"No, no.. I suppose I did deserve that. After all, scaring two young, beautiful women like that isn't exactly... The best move."
He coughed and took his mask back.
Adagio quickly wrapped her arms around him.
"I just.. It was one thing led to another and... I guess it was just instinct."
He gently pat her head.
"It's okay, my dear. It happens... You're just tired. Let's go sleep."
"Yeah..."
Adagio and Aria laid out on an air mattress in their tent, covered up by a fluffy blanket.
They just stared at the stars quietly.
"..Adagio? Did you really mean to hit the Professor?"
"...No, I didn't."
Aria rolled onto her side, back to Adagio.
"I'm sorry if I scared you... I just... It just sorta happened."
Aria didn't respond.
Adagio rolled toward Aria and gently wrapped her arm around her.
Aria felt her breath getting warmer.
"...I still love you, Aria... I'd never want to hurt you."
Aria took a shaky breath.
"Yeah... Thanks."
"Now come on.. Let's see if we can find some of those silly shapes."
