The Proposition (Rewrite)
It was a typical Saturday morning in the Dazzling house. Sonata relaxed in the living room, eating her favorite cereal and watching cartoons, while Aria and Adagio sat in the kitchen eating their breakfast and somewhat trying to enjoy one another's company.
“So, you got any plans for today?” Aria asked as she drizzled some syrup on her plate of waffles.
But Adagio, who was nose-deep in some book, just ignored her. Seeing this, Aria searched the table for something more tangible that might grab her sister's attention. Eyeing an unused napkin, Aria balled it up and chucked it in yellow siren’s direction. Sailing across the table, the small paper torpedo hit Adagio right in the forehead.
“Bullseye!” Aria giggled.
But Adagio was unamused.
“I swear, Aria, there times when you are more childish than Sonata.”
But Aria just grinned.
“You know, normally, I’d be offended by such a comment; maybe even a little disgusted, but today, I'll take that as a compliment.”
“Only you would.” Adagio mumbled. “Anyways, to answer your question, so that you'll leave me ALONE…no, I don't have any plans for today, okay? Now, be quiet.”
Satisfied with being answered, Aria nodded as she resumed her meal in silence. Unfortunately, that silence was short lived, as it was suddenly shattered by a loud, high-pitch scream coming from inside the living room.
Holding up a finger, Aria then pointed to the kitchen entrance.
“And cue Sonata…now.”
At the exact moment, Sonata came bounding into the kitchen, looking more excited than ever.
“Dagi…DagiDagiDagi! Guess what I just saw!”
“Everything you looked at.” Adagio replied sarcastically..
But Sonata just stared at her blankly, clearly not getting the joke.
“I…don’t…wha-”
“Never mind, Sonata.” Adagio rolled her eyes. “I swear, my humor is wasted on you simple-minded-”
“Hey! Who you calling simple?” Aria frowned. “I got your joke, for your information.”
But Adagio just waved the purple siren off, before turning her attention back to the youngest of their brood.
“Anyways, what is you want this time, Sonata?”
Perking up, Sonata clapped her hands.
“The Pet Emporium is having another sale on puppies! And I just gotta have one, Dagi!”
Hearing this, Aria just rolled her eyes. She had never seen one of these Pet Emporium commercials before, but she had witnessed the conversation that was about to go down enough times to practically recite it. Adagio, on the other hand, had seen a few of the commercials, but her answer always remained the same.
“No.”
“B-But they're so cute and fluffy, and I just have to have one!” Sonata exclaimed.
“I said, no, Sonata.”
“Why not?” The blue siren demanded, stomping her foot. All she wanted was a puppy to care for, love, and cherish. Was that really so much to ask?
Closing her book, Adagio pinched the bridge of her nose.
“Because we've been through this, Sonata. You're simply not responsible enough."
“Yes I am,” Aria mouthed in unison with Sonata.
But Adagio just groaned as she continued to further explain her reasons for not allowing her sister to have a pet, “Sonata, you can't even keep your room clean or take care of your other chores around the house. How can you expect me to believe that you can care for a living thing?”
Sonata thought about it for a minute. Adagio did have a point, she wasn't very good at keeping her room clean or keeping up with her other chores, but that didn't mean she wasn’t capable of taking care of a dog. Sonata was sure that if she tried her best, that she could do it, but there was no way that answer was gonna fly with Adagio. She would have to think of something else.
“What if I made you a deal.”
“Oh well, this outta be good.” Aria smirked, crossing her arms.
A similar smirk crossed Adagio’s face as she raised a curious eyebrow.
“What kind of deal?”
Sonata bit her bottom lip. She knew it was risky, making a deal with Adagio but, too late to turn back now. Taking a moment to gather her thoughts, Sonata proposed her idea to Adagio.
“Well, you say that I can't have a puppy cuz I'm not responsible enough, right? But, what if I can show you that I am?”
“I’m listening.” Adagio replied.
Raising a single finger, Sonata continued.
“One month. If I can keep my room spotless and keep up with all my chores for exactly one month, you have to buy me a puppy.”
“And if you don’t? Adagio inquired with a grin.
“If I don’t…” Sonata paused to think. “Then, I'll do both you and Aria’s chores for the rest of the year.”
The smile on Adagio’s face faded as she crossed her arms and legs, and considered Sonata's offer. It was an interesting proposition indeed, and the fact that Sonata had thought of it herself, was even more impressive. However, Adagio wasn’t entirely sold on the idea. “No,” she said, shaking her head. “I-”
“What?!” Aria, out of nowhere, shouted. Up until this point, she had been fairly quiet, for the simple fact that, her interest had been slightly piqued by the conversation thus far. However, after having witnessed Adagio shoot down, what was a pretty good deal, Aria was more enraged if anything.
Sonata, on the other hand, was devastated. She, too, had thought her idea was pretty good, but, apparently, to Adagio, it wasn't. Sonata could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. “You're such a meanie, Adagio! You never let me have anything!”
“Yeah, would it kill you to have a heart for once…”
“Shut up, both of you!” Adagio commanded, silencing each of the girls effective immediately. She wasn't sure where they got the gall, all of a sudden, to talk to her in such a way, but she wasn't having it. After several moments of glaring them back into her sisters place, Adagio lowered her voice and continued: “What I was going to say...was that I have a better idea.”
“Oh…” Sonata chuckled nervously. “I knew that.”
“Uh huh…”
“So, what's your ‘better’ idea?” Aria chimed in.
But Adagio just smiled as she removed herself from the table and made her way to the kitchen exit.
“Hurry up and finish eating. Then, go get dressed. We’re going for a drive.”
“Hey, can I open my eyes now?” Sonata asked, from the back seat. She had no clue where Adagio was taking her and Aria, but wherever it was, she couldn't wait to get there.
Aria, who was riding in the passengers seat, turned back slightly to see her younger sister with her hands over her eyes.
“Uh, no one told you to cover your eyes, Sonata.”
“I know, but I want where we're going to be a surprise!”
“Yeah, but, won't you already be surprised for the simple fact that you don't know where we're going?”
Sonata nodded.
“Yes, but this way, I'll be even more surprised!”
“But that doesn't-”
“Don't try to reason with her, Aria.” Adagio chimed in. “You know her brain can only process so much.”
“Ouch,” Aria chuckled. “and they call me the mean one.”
But Adagio simply shrugged.
After a bit of silence had passed, Aria spoke up once more, inquiring about the whereabouts of their destination.
“So, this place, are we close?”
“Mhm,” Adagio nodded. “It's just at the end of this block.”
“YAY! We're almost there!” Sonata cheered.
Several moments passed, and soon the Dazzlings had reached their destination. Pulling into the fairly vacant parking lot, Adagio parked the car.
“Okay, we're here.”
Gasping in excitement, Sonata dropped her hands and opened her eyes. However, the sight before her was not at all what she was expecting to see. There before her was a small run down building with no name. The windows were dark, making it hard to see inside and giving the place a very ominous feel to it.
“Uh, where are we?” Sonata asked as they got out of the car.
“Yeah, this place look kinda shady, Adagio.” Aria added.
But Adagio simply reassured them that everything was fine.
“Relax. Everything will be made clear once we get inside.”
Aria and Sonata exchanged unsends looks with one another, but nonetheless, took their sister's word for it. Crossing the parking lot, the three sirens made their way inside the building, where they were greeted with another surprise.
“ANIMALS!!” Sonata squealed, jumping up and down.
All around them, there were animals of all different sizes, species, and breeds. And there amongst them all was none other than Canterlot’s number one animal lover, Fluttershy.
“Hello girls, I've been expecting you,” she smiled while approaching the three sirens.
“You have?” Sonata tilted her head.
“Mhm, Adagio called me and said that you be stopping by.”
Sonata turned to Adagio, grinning for ear-to-ear.
“You are getting me a puppy!”
But Adagio just held up a hand.
“Not quite. I've brought you as part of our deal.”
“What do you mean?” Sonata asked, scratching her head.
“It's quite simple; you want to show me that you're responsible, right? Well, here is your opportunity to do so.” Adagio gestured to Fluttershy.
All eyes fell of the pink-haired beauty as she further explained what Adagio meant.
“Yes, uhm, Adagio has informed me that you want to get a puppy. But, she feels that you're not quite ready to own one, yet. So, I suggested that, perhaps, if you worked here, at the pet shelter, you could really see how much work there is in owning a pet, while also showing Adagio that can take care of another living being.”
Sonata thought on this for a moment.
“So, how long would I have to do this for?”
“That would be up to Fluttershy.” Adagio replied. “Seeing how no one knows more about animal care than she does, I think it's only fitting that she be the one to decide when you are ready for a pet.”
Hearing this, Sonata nodded in agreement. She wasn't at all sure what volunteering at the pet shelter would entail, but whatever it was, she was up for the challenge.
“Fair enough. When do I start?”
“Tomorrow. 10 a.m. Sharp.” Fluttershy instructed.
Nodding that she understood, Sonata gave the pink-haired girl two thumbs up.
“Perfect! I'll be here tomorrow at 10 a.m. bright-eyed and…and…and how does it go again, Dagi?”
“Bushy-tailed…” The yellow siren answered.
“Yes, that's it! I'll be here bright-eyed and bushy-tailed!”
Fluttershy chuckled and smiled in return.
“Until tomorrow then.”
With the deal settled, the three sirens said their goodbyes and exited the building. Once outside, Sonata couldn't help by do a little happy.
“This…is the best day EVER!”
To this, Adagio just chuckled to herself while Aria shook her head.
“And so it begins.”