Author's Note

I've never done anything like this before, hope you all like it.

A cold start to a hot night

Adagio Dazzle muddled through the slums of Canterlot City, gathering her thoughts and looking for a place to stay. I can't believe those two would actually leave me, after everything I've done for them. Her mind drifted to memories of the R.V. the three had been sharing until earlier that day. The betrayal hurt more than she wanted to admit, she realized as she felt moisture on her cheeks. "Now is not the time to get emotional" She scolded herself. "I've got to stay calm, finding shelter from this cold is more important than them." She pushed aside her memories focusing completely on the task at hand. Adagio pulled her jacket more tightly around her, trying desperately to get more coverage from the limited material. It's getting late Adagio noted as she saw the sun hanging low in the sky. Most of the diners in this city are family ran, so they'll probably be closing soon, and the only laundry mat that I know of has a strict no loitering policy, even for repeat customers.

As Adagio considered her options, or lack there of, a figure on a motorcycle pulled up beside her and Adagio froze. She was too tired to run, they would catch her if they gave chase, and she was unarmed except for a bottle of pepper spray, she doubted it would do her any good. I guess I've got to stand my ground and let this one play out.

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Sunset Shimmer drew in a long breath, letting the soothing sent of lavender and hazelnuts that permeated through her house fill her nostrils, before letting it out. She continued this cycle as she tried to get comfortable on the black leather sofa beneath her, but try as she might, she couldn't find a position that made her want to sit still and sink into the couch, as she would on any other day. Her restless legs weren't helping her, and neither was the fact that she was going to be spending the night alone.

Sunset had intended to spend the night at Rarity's house, but that plan had fallen through last minute when Rarity called out of school sick.
"I suppose its to be expected, it is the middle of winter after all, and she isn't exactly the hardiest person I know." Sunset exhaled, casting a glance down at her chestnut stained coffee table. She didn't exactly know what sort of wood it was made from, just that it was sturdy and pleasant to look at.

"I wish I could have my friends over, but there are just too many questions they might ask that I'm not comfortable answering... and a few things they might find that I'd rather they didn't." Sunset blushed a bit at the thought. As much as she enjoyed living here, being by herself in such a big house was lonely, and no amount of furnishing would change that. Sunset picked up her phone to see if any of her friends had sent her a text, she didn't recall hearing it go off, but there is always the chance that she had just been too lost in thought to notice. "Nothing", she sighed to herself before she noticed the time. "It's getting late and I'm not even remotely tired, maybe an evening ride will help me relax," she said to the empty house before getting up in a hurry, too thrilled to have an excuse to be out for a bit.

Sunset enjoyed riding her bike in the winter, the warm humming of the engine was the perfect contrast to the biting of the frigid air. She made her usual loop through town, easing to a halt as she approached a stop sign. She looked around to make sure nobody was coming, she would have been surprised if there had been, traffic is rare at this time of day in Canterlot city. Before Sunset could take off again, she noticed a familiar face passing beside her on the sidewalk. Sunset looked the other woman down, noting her voluminous orange hair and desirable hips, "yep, that's her."

Sunset pulled over in front of Adagio, who staggered a bit as she came to a halt. "W-what do you want," Adagio stammered taking a defensive position. Sunset was a bit confused by the fear in her voice, until she remembered she was wearing a full-face helmet on account of the cold. After a moment's deliberation, Sunset decided to remove her helmet, much to the dismay of her cheeks, as the cool wind stung them in greeting.

Adagio would normally have glared daggers at any member of the Rainbooms, but she was cold, tired, hungry, and couldn't afford to blow her best chance of getting inside for the night. She opted to stand silently and wait for Sunset to make the first move.
"So... what are you doing out at this hour?" Sunset asked since Adagio had just been staring at her.

"Lets just say I've found myself short on places to go," the bitterness in her voice told Sunset it would be wise not to pry any further. While avoiding eye contact, Sunset noticed that under Adagio's hoodie she was wearing a maid's outfit, and not one of those sexy french get-ups either just a plain blue work dress. Sunset decided not to inquire about it, this was their first encounter since the battle of the bands and she didn't want to run Adagio off.

"Hmm, she says she doesn't have anywhere to go, and I can't leave her out here to freeze to death." Sunset gave the matter a good mulling over before speaking, "Look, I know we don't exactly get along but I've got room for one more at my place, unless you'd rather sit out here in the cold." Adagio studied Sunset tentatively for a minute, not sure if she could trust the girl in front of her, before finally giving her answer in the most pleasant tone she could muster.
"That would be nice, thank you." She had nearly chocked on the words, but managed to get them out with the intended level of sincerity. Even though she had already accepted the offer, Adagio's mind still raced, " Not only am I playing nice with one of the girls who ruined me, but I've got very little choice but to stay in whatever hovel she calls home." Adagio let out a heavy sigh that caught Sunset's attention, but Adagio didn't notice as she continued her inner monologue. "Just let it go Adagio she's your ticket to a warm bed tonight, or floor more than likely, but regardless you can't let something as silly as pride keep you stuck out in this mess." A harsh wind blew as if to emphasize the point she was trying to make to herself. Adagio didn't snap back to reality until she noticed that Sunset had placed something in her hands. She looked down upon the shiny black dome she now held.

"I always carry a spare, just in-case." Sunset stated through a barely suppressed giggle as Adagio fiddled with the strap, trying to get the helmet to fit comfortably over her mass of hair. After a few moments, she made a contented noise that told Sunset it was time to dawn her own helmet and get moving. Sunset patted the back of her seat as Adagio carefully crept closer. As she climbed onto the motorcycle Sunset couldn't resist the cliche, "hold on tight." Adagio did as she'd been told, and viced her arms around Sunset's waist, they took off without a moment's delay.
Adagio had never been on a motorcycle before, and she was more than a little nervous, so she buried her face into Sunset's back. The leather of her jacket was cool, but not uncomfortably so. Adagio detected a sent she couldn't quite place, lavender and something else emanating from Sunset. Whatever it was worked well with the lavender to form a peculiar, pleasant, and comforting sent that made Adagio feel warm.
She opened her eyes experimentally, and was surprised to find that the wind didn't sting as badly as she feared it would. With the new knowledge in hand, she took to enjoying the sights as they pasted by. The sleeping city was quite beautiful under the pale light of the full moon. So enchanting was the spectacle, that Adagio hadn't noticed where they were until they passed the Canterlot Palace hotel."We're on the rich side of town, so either we're sight seeing or she lives over here." The later was seeming more likely as they came to a halt in front of one of the three massive houses that dominated Richland Dr.

"So... do you work here in exchange for living space?" Adagio inquired, as she stared at the mansion that they were now approaching on foot.
"Nope, it's all mine." A prideful smirk stretched across Sunset's face as she rolled her bike into the fairly small garage. Adagio couldn't believe how big she had just scored. "She has a mansion." Adagio had been so caught up in her fantasy that she hadn't noticed Sunset open the door.
"You coming in?"