Why Question Everything
Five months have passed since the Dazzlings and former sirens, Adagio Dazzle, Aria Blaze, and Sonata Dusk, were defeated, stripped of their magic, and run out of Canterlot High School as a result of the Battle of the Bands. With their mysterious crimson pendants completely shattered and their supernatural powers of manipulation and influence all but extinguished, survival for the three now-normal human girls has been a struggle, to say the least.
Up until recently, the Dazzlings had been utilizing their magical charm to travel around freely and feed off others' negativity with negligible repercussions. However, in the wake of recent events, the girls have been left with little choice but to take up relatively permanent residence at a two-bedroom hotel suite in the city and to fend for themselves through traditional means. The transition has taken its toll on the three, but in a unique way for each of them.
For Adagio, the change was certainly rough, but her leader-like foresight softened the blow a great deal. Over the many years that she and her fellow Dazzlings were left stranded on the alien world, Adagio took it upon herself to master a handful of different skills with real-world applications, such as instrumental talent, on their travels, as part of a plan devised long ago to help keep the group on its feet in case their magic ever wore out or disappeared altogether. Adagio may have lost her magic, but her skills as a pianist helped draw the much-needed attention and admiration of those around her, thus allowing her to get a job at a four-star hotel. The hotel staff has Adagio play in the lobby as a background pianist, and sometimes in the concert halls, attending to gatherings such as parties and balls. Sure, she wasn't controlling the customers' and patrons' mind through other worldly means, Adagio did like seeing her music “move” people, giving the girl the satisfaction that she can still manipulate.
Sonata was a different story. As soon as the girls were settled in in their new home, she went out and got a job as a vendor. Her employer gives her a variety of things to sell on the street corners such as newspapers, ice-cream, and various grilled foods like hot dogs. Like her leader, Sonata is still able to manipulate; however, the girl does things differently. She convinces street dwellers to buy her wears and products and does a well job at it by telling jokes, conversing with customers, or juggling whatever she is selling.
As for Aria, she had no job, wasting space and time.
What a drag... Aria lay slouched on a couch, bored out of her mind. It was 12pm. It was Saturday. And it was quiet. Adagio was sitting at the kitchen table, eating her lunch, dressed in a shoulder-less red dress. For the yellow-skinned girl, it was another day with another event to attend to. For Aria, it was another day of boredom. It didn't take long before Adagio got up and went into one of the rooms. A few moments later, she came out and was now walking in lace-less slip-on shoes.
Looking down at Aria, the leader took a seat next to her. “You look bored.”
Aria scowled at Adagio. “You think?”
There was a short pause of noise.
“Aria, you seem to be more and more depressed each day.”
Slouching even more, Aria replied, “Really?”
“Are you still upset about our defeat?”
Suddenly, Aria made her move from the couch. She glared down at Adagio, attempting to intimidate her leader, but failing to do so. “Because of your FAILURE as a leader, we have lost our power.”
Making her move, Adagio stood up as well, displeased with Aria's snide remark. “Really? I didn't see YOU coming up with any bright ideas.” Adagio jabbed a finger at Aria's breast bone. “Either become someone else' leader or keep your mouth shut; and I don't want you to drag Sonata into this.” Quickly, Aria made for the door. She would rather storm off than to create another squabble because she knew how it would end.
“You don't know what it is like.”
Aria stopped in her tracks. A hand came over her shoulder; a yellow one.
“I know I failed as a leader in getting what we wanted...” It was rare for Adagio to become saddened. “But we now have no choice but to survive. You need to grow up and accept that.”
Stubborn as always, Aria yanked her shoulder away from Adagio and left the room, leaving the failure of a leader behind.
***
It was the only thing she can think of: walk around the city. This was Aria's way of passing the time by for the past few months. Even though it made her feel like time was moving forward, she still hated doing the same thing, day by day.
Aria's path was the same thing. Leave the city, pass Canterlot High School to bask in her defeat, loiter at the arcade, walk around the park twice, and sit at the coffee shop for a few hours.
And that is what she did after storming off and avoiding an argument with Adagio. Doing all of those things, aside from sitting in the coffee shop, took about four hours. At this time, it was afternoon. Aria had just finished her final lap around the park and was now making her way toward the coffee shop.
What drew Aria to such a place was the picture of the store's mascot: a siren, or in this world, a mermaid.
Before entering the door, she always looked at the mascot and smiled at it, happy with its past mythology.
“How many men have you drowned today with your convincing prices,” Aria smiled grimly as she entered the shop.
“Welcome to Starbucks!” A girl with light-blue hair gladly smiled.
Making haste to the front, Aria asked, “What is today's special?”
“If you buy a chestnut praline latte and a muffin of your choice, you get a free slice of carrot cake.”
“I'll get that.”
“Well, since you are such the regular, we got your special all ready as soon as we saw you through the window.”
“Thanks Coco Pommel.”
The cashier handed the goods over to Aria. “Your welcome. And umm...”
“What?” The light-purple girl looked irritated.
“Try smiling for once.” Aria was about to turn when Coco asked, “You forgot to pay.”
“Here.” Without looking, Aria flicked a ten dollar bill at Coco. The cost of everything was $6.78, but the Aria didn't care much about change. What was she going to do with change anyways? Spend it somewhere else?
For a Saturday afternoon, it was reasonably crowded. In fact, the place was packed with people. However, there was one table available in the back. A table for two with a reserved fold resting on top of it. Aria made her way for the table and sat down. Something was underneath the reserved note. It was a white sheet of paper with scribbled words. Aria removed the white paper and it read:
Reserved for Aria.
The best customer.
Aria wanted to prevent herself from smiling, but a small portion of her cheek perked upwards. At least I can get these workers to get what I want without them being told.
Aria looked at Coco and Coco gave a quick wave back before tending to another customer. Taking a sip of her beverage, the happiness was gone. The drink was a delicious one, but it reminded Aria about the reality she was existing in. Why do I feel so pathetic? Why do I get more and more depressed? But why do I feel somewhat happy every time I come here to this dinky old coffee shop? Why-?
Something caught Aria's attention. Or better yet, someone. Well look who it is.
It was Twilight Sparkle. The girl who was responsible for ruining Aria's and her sisters' lives. But something was off about the so-called hero.
Twilight was not dressed up in her pretty purple skirt, accompanied by her purple dog or group of friends. Instead, she wore a white lab coat, wore large spectacles, and her hair was held in a tightly wrapped bun. Still, neither the strange getup nor lack of friends didn't faze Aria. She was still angry with her.
As Twilight entered the store, she looked around awkwardly as if she didn't want to be there. The girl flinched as each person passed by her.
Why is she acting so strange?
Something was up and Aria needed to find out. Before leaving her table, Aria put the reserved slip back up just in case someone wanted to sit in her place.
Aria went toward Twilight, ready to give her a piece of her mind. But as soon as she approached the white shirted girl, Aria said, “Hey.” Yeah, great way to greet your enemy.
“Hello.” Twilight smiled slightly at Aria before looking back at the menu.
Immediately, Aria felt embarrassed. She didn't know what do to. Her worst enemy is standing right in front of her, and yet, she cannot come up with insult nor remark. All she could do was stand and stare.
Then Twilight asked, “Can I help you?”
“I need to go to the restroom and... you are in my way.”
“Oh... kay” Without hesitation, Twilight stepped forward so Aria can pass.
“Th-thanks.”
“No problem.”
Keeping herself calm, Aria went into the restroom. As soon as the door closed, the girl ran into a stall and slammed it shut. What was that all about!? She was not phased by my presence! But why? Maybe she is putting on a tough girl act! Yeah, that's it. However, Aria began to give it more thought. But... from what I remember, when that guy she really likes acted all harsh toward her during the Battle of the Bands, she went running away, crying like a little child. There is no way she would try to play rough.
As she was thinking, Aria began to paw at the wall of the stalls, reading some of the scratchings that were indented onto the plastic. Leaving the stall, she left the restroom and saw Twilight Sparkle still standing in her previous position. A long line was forming behind her and the customers were beginning to grow impatient. Even Coco looked slightly irritable.
Feeling the need to at least tell her something, Aria asked, “You having a hard time choosing?”
Twilight nodded. “Everything sounds so complicated.”
“I know. Even I don't know half of this stuff and I have been a customer since...”
The specs on Twilight's face shimmered with light as she looked at Aria. “Since when?”
“Since... a long time...” Aria's mind began to trail off. Why am I talking so casually with her?! I thought I hated her. Heck, I thought she hated me and my sisters!
“Hmm, well what do you get?” Twilight looked oblivious to Aria's trail off and seemed more interested in making a decision.
“Get the special,” Aria blurted out.
“Okay.” Walking over to the cashier, the girl made her order.
Several bystanders who were standing in line thanked and congratulated Aria for making the straggler make a decision.
As Coco gave Twilight her change, she said, “Next customer.”
Suddenly, the long line of people began to cheer and clap. This sudden act startled Aria and made her skitter past the joyful crowd of people. She was making her way to her table, when her shirt was grabbed. It was, once again, Twilight Sparkle. “Excuse me.”
Instead of jerking her arm away, Aria looked at the girl. “What?”
“Is it normal for bystanders to create fanfare after a transaction is complete?”
“No.”
“Then why did they do such a thing?”
“Because you took too long and were glad you made a decision.”
“Oh...” Twilight twisted her finger through her hair, embarrassed.
Finally mustering up the courage to tell off the purple girl, Aria said, “So, you don't recognize me, do you Twilight Sparkle?”
The girl looked at Aria in a mix of confusion and shock. “H-how do you know my name?”
“Come on. You don't remember? Canterlot High. Battle of the Bands. Me and the other syrins tried to take over the world. You and your friends blasted us with some crazy rainbow spell and our pendants were destroyed.”
Twilight still looked confused and asked again, “How do you know my name?”
What is going on?! How does she not even remember me or what happened at Canterlot High School?
Then Twilight asked another question, “D-did you say you were a siren?”
“Yeah,” Aria replied as she placed one of her hands on her hip. Twilight couldn't help but let out a laugh. “What's so funny?!”
“Umm, did you hit your head or something?” The purple girl had seem to have forgotten Aria's remark that she knew Twilight's name. All Twilight could do was giggle and it took a while before she gained her composure. “You do know that a siren is a mythical creature, right?”
“You seriously don't remember me?!” Aria was now the one in shock.
“Not in the slightest. Nor do I remember shooting you with the power of the color spectrum. I don't even think that is possible.”
Then Aria remembered something. She remembered seeing Celestia in a human form when Adagio brought her and Sonata to Canterlot High School. Sonata asked Adagio why Celestia was in this world, and Adagio said that this was a parallel world and has its own Celestia, while Equestria had the alicorn Celestia.
I guess this is this world's Twilight and the Twilight I know is somewhere else.
A voice came from behind Twilight Sparkle. “Your order is ready.” It was Coco Pommel as she handed Twilight her goods.
As the girl struggled to get a hold of everything, Twilight then asked, “So you say you went to Canterlot, correct?”
Letting out a sigh, Aria said, “Yes.”
“Can I ask you a few questions about the school and your experiences there? You did say some insane and illogical statements and I would like to know if there are strange activities happening in the school or its vicinity. I have been doing some observations and I need to get to the bottom of this mystery.”
“Sure.” Even though Aria was not very social, she might as well ease her boredom by talking with someone.
“But where do we sit? I don't see any tables available.”
Without looking back, Aria jabbed her thumb behind her and said, “We can sit at my table. It's always reserved for me.”
“You sure?”
Looking back, Aria saw three male teens at her table. Two were sitting in the chairs, while another on the ground, resting on his knee. One of them was wearing a black leather jacket and eating her muffin and carrot cake. “One second Twilight.” Walking to the barista, where Coco was working, Aria told her, “There are these punks at my table and are eating my stuff.”
Taking on look at them, she exclaimed, “How rude!” In a huff, Coco walked from behind the counter and into the dinning room. Aria was quickly at Coco's heels as the two girls went over to the three offenders. Twilight Sparkle was a bit behind them as she kept her distance.
“Excuse me,” Coco said nicely with a smile. “But this table is reserved for my friend here.”
The black jacket wearer replied, “I don't see her name on it.” Aria looked at the ground and saw the fold of her reserved seat. She picked it up and flashed it at the three teens. “Mustave' fallen on the ground.”
“Also,” Coco continued. “Do you have a receipt for that muffin and carrot cake?”
Irritated, the black jacket teen said, “I threw it away.”
“Then why didn't I see you order it at the counter earlier?” None of the teens complied. “I am sorry but I am going to ask you to leave.” Coco swung her arm and jabbed her finger at the door.
However, the teens did nothing but laugh.
“Did you hear her?”
“She wants us to leave.”
Looking around, Aria noticed that others were beginning to watch as the teens made a commotion.
Then the teen who was kneeling on the ground stood up. He had a spiked collar around his neck and towered over Coco. “You are quite the cutie.” Coco couldn't help but look intimidated at the tall boy. He smiled at her. “Why don't you go and get me a cup of coffee sweetheart.” Quickly, he pulled out a dollar bill and slipped it in the collar of Coco's shirt. “Maybe after wards, I can pay you a favor after you get off of work.” At this point, he was close to Coco's face, looking at her lustfully.
Feeling threatened, Coco swung an open hand and struck the collared teen in the cheek. The sound of the clap make everyone in the cafe look. Aria took a fast glance and noticed some of the guys were about to stand up.
Towering over Coco once again, the teen said, “I love a tough girl,” and reached for the innocent girl.
At this point, Aria had enough. She swatted the teen's hand with her own and said, “You heard what she said, didn't you?”
“Oh, another cutie. Yeah, I heard what she said.”
“Then you better comply or I will make you regret it.”
The teen felt challenged. “Go ahead! Make me regret it.”
Quickly, Aria grabbed her cup that was still sitting on her table and popped the lid off. Then she tossed the black liquid into the teens face. The boy yelled as the hot beverage burned his face and eyes.
“Why did you do that?!” the teen with the black jacket exclaimed.
“For harassing my friend.” Looking back at Coco, Aria saw the girl behind her as she clenched the back of her shirt. Turning back, Aria said, “Now... I am going to say it again... Leave, or you will regret.” Niether she nor Coco heard a reply back from either of the teens. Aria then noticed the tall one has regained his composure and he glared down at her. “Do you regret it now?” she said with a calm and light smile.
Instead of answering the question, he yelled out, “YOU BITCH!” With all of his wrath boiling in his blood, the teen hit Aria with an open hand. Coco screamed and Twilight brought her hand over her face in shock. Twilight noticed several bystanders stood up, ready to give the teen a piece of their mind.
At this point, the teen had regretted it knowing he let his anger get the best of him.
“You hit like a girl.” The teen flinched and took a step back. Aria had not moved her ground since she got struck. She just looked in the opposite direction. Like a lifeless doll that has come to life, Aria turned her head and glared at the teen. She then reached out an arm and snagged the boy's collar.
Violently, she yanked the lace and pulled the teen close to her face. “Do you regret it now?” she said grimly. With her one arm, she hurled the teen with all her might. He spun as he flew though the air. His back slammed against the wall where the bathrooms were, leaving an intent as he collided with stucco and wood. The teen's vision was a dizzy one, but he was able to see Aria moving toward him. He spun around and shivered on the ground as the girl moved in. Again, she grabbed his collar and this time yelled, “DO YOU REGRET IT NOW?!”
“Yes, I'm sorry!”
Huffing out of her nostrils, Aria tossed the boy onto the ground, but not as harshly as she had done before. The teen looked up to see his friends flabbergasted at what just happened. Weakly, the teen said, “C-come on guys... let's go...” Getting up, the collar wearing boy got up and limped out of the store and his friends followed in suit.
As soon as they left, Aria felt everyone's eyes on her. She looked at her open hands and then the indent of the teen's body that was imprinted on the wall. Aria was a bit shocked at how she handled the situation and how she had such a tremendous amount of power. Who would have thought that I still have my old strength. I guess the loss of my pendant didn't take everything away...
Of all the people who stared at Aria, Twilight Sparkle approached. With caution, she asked, “So... you are a siren, correct?”
***
It was early evening. The sun was out of sight, but a mix of orange and dark purple hung in the air. The coffee shop was not as busy as before and a few tables were empty. Twilight Sparkle and Aria sat across from each other. Twilight had a notepad in one hand and pen in the other. The notepad was riddled with notes and the pen nearly touched the paper as the purple girl looked at Aria with anticipation. On the notepad were questions that Twilight had asked and answers following the question. The only questions on paper that were not answered were personal questions like “how Aria got here and why” and “how she grew up.”
“And that's why I am here everyday,” Aria concluded.
“Interesting...” Twilight replied as she flipped a page over and began writing once more. Aria looked around the cafe to see some of the customers from earlier were still there, taking a quick glance at her; they looked away as their eyes met hers. Turning toward the cash register, she saw Coco talking to a male teen, probably taking an order. Then she saw a picture that hung low to the ground that covered the teen's indent in the wall.
“So!” Aria's attention was brought back to Twilight. “What have you been doing recently?”
Aria was hesitant. “Nothing.”
“What do you mean nothing? You say you are from another world and are a myth- I mean... a powerful creature of manipulation, attempted to take over our world,failed, and now you say that you have been doing 'nothing?'”
“I said I have been doing NOTHING!” Many of the customers looked at the exclaiming girl as they looked to see why Aria had yelled. She looked at them to get their attention off of her. “Sorry... I just hate it when people ask me 'what I've been up to...'” What am I saying? “Sorry?!” Pft! What have I become talking to a simple human...?
Quickly, Twilight closed her notepad and then reopened it, fanning through each page, looking with concentration.
Aria waited patiently for another question to be asked. Closing the notepad with a quick “bmp!” sound, Twilight placed her notes in her pocket and placed her hands on the table. “So, tell me a bit about yourself.”
Aria seemed a bit confused. “Excuse me?”
“Tell me a little bit about yourself. I've asked you about your power, your ability to absorb magic, and other technical stuff. I would like to know more about your personality and your livelihood.”
“You want to know more about me?”
Twilight giggled. “And here I thought I was the one asking questions.”
The small dose of humor made Aria crack a smile. “Well, I'm just curious about why you want to talk to me. I mean... I'm a monster from another world.”
Twilight folded her hands. “Why do you say that?”
“Because you seem to have a smart mind, you know that sirens can manipulate. How can you tell I am not just pulling your leg?”
Scratching her chin, Twilight replied, “Because the first question I asked you was how did you know me and you basically, in a different way, told me that there was something weird going on at Canterlot High. And when I began asking you questions, you said that the other Twilight Sparkle had a purple dog named Spike and I also have a dog with the same color and name; though he does not speak with words. At that point, you have clearly convinced me that you are telling me the truth. On a side note, it is interesting to know that I have another half who is a ruler from another world. Makes me feel special for some reason.”
“What if I was a stalker?” Aria was trying to counter Twilight's logic.
“Impossible. I have seventeen cameras on my house that scan my home and neighborhood twenty-four seven. I know who lives, walks, drives, and even jogs through my neighborhood and by my home. If anything, I would be more of the stalker than you would; though I am not nor ever will be.” Twilight scratched her head, wishing she hadn't said that last statement. “Anyways, I would have known if you had been around my vicinity.”
“And I can guess my strength gave away that I am no normal girl,” Aria shrugged.
“Pretty much.”
Somehow, Aria felt the need to question why Twilight was still conversing with her. “Okay, let me ask you this: why are you talking to someone who is evil and tried to take over the world?”
“Well, you are wrong on one account.” Aria looked confused. “You said that you are evil in present tense. Are you really evil as of right now?”
Aria took in a deep breath to reply, but nothing came out. She thought about the question. Am I evil?
Calmly, Twilight asked again, “Do you think you are evil now?”
But Aria didn't hear the question. In stead, more questions popped into her head. What made me evil? Was what I did evil? What makes someone evil? All the thoughts that flooded the girl's head made her drag her fingers through the top of her scalp and clench a handful of hair.
“Are you alright,” Twilight said with concern.
Aria did hear the question. “No.”
“How come?” Gingerly, Twilight reached a hand out and placed it on Aria's shoulder.
At that moment, Aria quickly looked up at Twilight and the lab coat wearing girl retracted her arm. “Alright Twilight, let me tell you a little bit about myself.” Aria's tone was in a bitter and sarcastic one and Twilight somehow knew she was about to rant. “When I was a little whelp, me and my sisters were confronted by a sorcerer by the name of Sombra. He told us that he can grant us the power to get people... or ponies in this case... to do what we want and give us what we want. And we were starving. We had nowhere to go and had no parents to tend to us. We were just born with no purpose. So, being young and naive, we were convinced. He then cast a spell on us and a red diamond appeared on our chests. Being the leader of our bunch, Adagio asked 'what do we do with these diamonds you have embroidered on our chest do?' He replied, 'All you have to do is sing.'”
“So we went to the nearest town and began to sing and the ponies began to do what we desired and give us what we wanted. Each one of my sisters took one of each race of pony to themselves. Adagio got the unicorns, Sonata received the earth ponies, and I had the pegusi. As we sang, we noticed that our magic had an effect on the ponies; they began to argue and fight amongst themselves. And being the young and dumb creatures that me and my sisters were, we took amusement in their quarreling.”
“From then on, we moved from town, to village, to city, seeing which race of pony would survive the strife that we would cause. But we didn't know what we were doing. We only saw ponies like insects. Small to our overwhelming power.”
“Then we get to what was our last city we “attacked”: Canterlot.” The word Canterlot made Twilight Sparkle's brows raise. “As we are being amused with ourselves, their ruler, Princess Celestia confronts us and says that we are doing wrong. We disagreed with the princess and attacked her with the power we have absorbed only so that we may not be disturbed. Noticing our power, she retrieved her most powerful fighter, Star Swirl the Bearded. When we tried to lull him to our demands, he was unaffected. Then he used his magic and banished us to this world.”
Aria paused for a moment before she continued. “As we arrived here in this world, my sisters and I noticed we were not ourselves but transformed as a human. We don't know why we were changed this way, but we were.” The girl's tone was becoming soft. “And we were young. We were just children without any knowledge of right and wrong. As we grew up and learned in this world, we began to hate the reality that we lived in. We had no choice but to desensitize ourselves from other people's emotions because they didn't care about us, so why should we care about them or anyone else? No one gave us a choice or a chance to change, so why should we be called evil when we didn't know what we were doing?”
Without realizing it, Aria had tears rolling down her face. She grasped her head in frustration as she clenched her eyes shut. “Why? Why must I exist? Why was I placed in a scenario were I didn't know what I was doing? WHY?!” Then she began to wimpier and cry. Aria couldn't remember the last time she cried. But that didn't matter. She was frustrated and confused.
Aria looked up at Twilight with sorrow. “...Why?” she begged. “Why bother question everything when there is no possible answer...?”
Twilight placed a hand on Aria's shoulder. “Because we demand an answer for everything.”
“What do you mean 'we?'”
“I mean everyone has a question that cannot be answered, but still look for an answer anyways.” Aria wiped her tears and looked up at Twilight. “Some things may not be answered in the way you hope or think. Let me ask you this: do you feel slightly relieved letting yourself cry?”
“I feel embarrassed that I had to feel like a weak child crying for their mother,” Aria replied. “But... a little.”
“And are you happy that someone was able to listen to you as a person and not, as you say, a monster?”
Suddenly, Aria was still. Her mind began to process what she had just heard.
She then heard Twilight ask another question, “Is there anyone here in this world who treats you like a regular person or better?”
Weakly, Aria answered, “Aside from my sisters...” She pointed at Coco. “She does... Every day I come here and she always welcomes me, always happy to see me. When I first came here, I blindly ordered something on the menu just for the heck of it. As I was leaving, she said, 'Please come again soon.' I don't know what compelled me to listen to her, but I did; I did come back, and she was delighted. But why?”
“Because it's nice to see a familiar face,” Coco replied. Both Twilight and Aria flinched as they didn't notice the girl standing next to them.
Turning her head, Aria asked, “Did you hear everything?”
“Only a little.”
Using the opportunity at hand, Twilight said to Aria, “Maybe you have your answer right here Aria.”
“Hugh?” Aria was confused.
“You said it yourself. 'Why must I exist,' correct?”
“Yeah.”
“Perhaps you were made to have a great friend like her,” Twilight said as she gestered toward Coco.
Aria chuckled. “So you are telling me I went through all this pain and suffering for hundreds of years, just so I can become friends with a simple human?”
Twilight didn't miss a beat. “Here is my counterpoint: are you suffering now? Are you going though any pain? Are you starving and living on the streets?”
Scratching her cheek, Aria collected her thoughts. “Well, I am having a hard time figuring out what I want to do now. I lost my amulet, so now what? Where do I go from here?”
Looking back at Coco, Twilight said, “Maybe your friend can help you out.”
There was silence between the three girls. Coco and Twilight looked at Aria with a smile as Aria looked at the table, thinking. She has never been this social or close with any other human, and yet this Twilight doppelganger has convinced her that there was purpose to her; that there were people that were willing to help.
Letting out a sigh, Aria said, “I guess I might as well try having some friends, starting with you two.”
Coco smiled with delight while Twilight looked in disbelief. “You want to be my friend?” Twilight asked.
“Why not? You listened to me rant about why I hate my own existence, and yet you convinced me there is still some meaning to life.” Aria then reached out her hand and held it in front of Twilight. “So, do you want to be my friend or not?”
***
It was 8pm. The ambiance of cars were heard from the hotel room as Adagio and Sonata were relaxing in their estate. Sonata was asleep on the couch with her hand buried in a bowl of tortilla chips. Adagio was sitting at their wooden table eating a salad while she was reading one of her weekly magazines.
She was about to take another bite when she heard a knock on the door. “Sonata,” Adagio spoke abruptly. Sonata let out a loud snort before coming to. “Can you get the door?”
The girl didn't reply, but got up after hearing Adagio's request. Sluggishly, Sonata made her way to the door. When Sonata grabbed the knob, she slowly turned it as she was beginning to fall back asleep. Slowly, the tired girl opened the door to see who was there. Then all of her exaustion left her. “Aria!”
“Hey,” Aria said as she have a lazy wave.
“You're home late,” Adagio spoke as she stood up. Her chair made a grunt as the legs rubbed against the wooden tile. Sonata moved out of the way as Aria went into the suite and approached Adagio. “What kept you?”
“People.”
“Really?”
“Mmhmm.”
Feeling the need to interject, Sonata said, “We were getting worried about you.” Adagio rolled her eyes as she heard Sonata speak.
“Thanks,” Aria replied and placed a hand on the light-blue girl's shoulder and let a small smile creep onto her face.
Something didn't sit right with Adagio. “Are you... feeling okay Aria?”
Then Aria's faint smile went away. “Yeah, what of it?”
“You are never nice to Sonata.”
“So what? I can't have my off days?”
Sonata smiled. “Well if she wants to be nice just for today, then there is nothing wrong with that.”
“Exactly,” Aria replied as she went into the living room and took a seat on the couch.
Adagio was in a cloud of confusion. “You seem different Aria. You usually come home and complain about something. Now you show up late and are behaving nicely to Sonata. Are you up to something?”
“Yeah, I am.” The crunching sound of a chip being broken and eaten followed Aria's sentence. In a muffled voice, she said, “I want to change.”
“Why?” Adagio asked.
“Why not?”
Sonata and Adagio looked at each other with baffled expressions.
“I think something happened to her today,” Sonata wispered to Adagio with a smile. “And I like it.”
“Just keep an eye on her. You never know if she is pulling some prank or something,” Adagio said back.
“Sonata,” Aria asked aloud.
“What's up?”
“Can I have your phone? I need to call someone.”
Instead of Sonata, Adagio said, “Who do you need to call?”
Turning her head, Aria looked at her siblings with a smile neither one of them has seen in ages. “My friends.”
