Siren Duty

“So, you're probably wondering why I asked you here.” Aria looked up from the steaming beverage between her hands to the red and yellow-haired girl sitting across from her.

“That is one of the many questions I have asked myself today, yes.” Sunset nodded while placing her own cup on the table. “Although…” she paused looking apprehensively around at her surroundings. “I can’t say that I am familiar with where here is.”

Aria smirked at this, for she had chosen this particular spot for that very reason. The establishment which they were in, was simply known as The Grind, and it was one of Aria’s favorite hangout spots. Because much like her, the atmosphere was dark and brooding. As was also, the music and few other people who lurked within. Even more so, it was located on the outskirts of Canterlot, really giving it that ‘home away from home’ feeling as she liked to call it.

Sunset, however, did not feel that way. Everything about The Grind was eerie. The people, the music, the décor; it all sent shivers down her spine. Luckily, she remembered to bring her pepper spray in case things turned ugly.

“You really should try to relax.” Aria chuckled at her uncomfortable guest.

“I'm not not relaxed.” Sunset protested. “I just…how did you find this place?”

“I didn’t.” Aria shook her head. “At least, not on my own…The Grind is one of those ‘cannot be found – except by those who already know where it is’ places.”

Sunset nodded understandingly. “So, someone showed it to you?”

“Eh, something like that.” Aria shrugged. And by that she meant, having eavesdropped on a telephone conversation several months prior and hearing the directions to said hangout. But that’s was not a story Aria felt that she needed to divulge to Sunset at the moment, regardless of the skeptical look she was being given.

Clearing her throat, Aria continued with the actual reason she had asked to meet. “I wanted to talk to you about this whole…situation,” she said flatly.

To this, Sunset grimaced. She knew Aria was no doubt referring to the fight that had transpired between her and Adagio only a few hours prior. But, if Sunset was to be truly honest, that fight was the last thing she wanted to talk about. Nonetheless, she went along with the conversation. “What about it?” She asked.

Aria could hear the slight disdain in Sunset’s voice but chose to ignore it. “Look, I know that Adagio broke the only real stipulation of our agreement with Principal Celestia today, but I…I want to ask that you to please not say anything to her about it.”

Sunset raised an eyebrow at this. Telling Principal Celestia wasn't something she had planned to do. In fact, it wasn't even a thought in her mind until just now. But since Aria had brought it up, perhaps, Sunset thought, she could use this to her advantage.

Keeping up with appearances, Sunset leaned back and folded her arms across her chest. “And why shouldn't I say anything to Principal Celestia?”

“Because…” Aria lowered her gazed to the cup resting between her hands. It had long since lost its warmth, but it gave her something to do with her hands for the moment as she pondered Sunset's question. “I don't think that we need to make this situation any bigger than it already is,” she finally spoke up. “And it's not like Adagio has a habit of skipping school, so perhaps, you could give her a reprieve. Just this once?”

Hell to the no, Sunset scoffed. “Your agreement with Principal Celestia is your reprieve,” she said matter-of-factly. “And even that is far too generous in my book.”

Aria growled at this. Just who did Sunset think she was? Acting all holier-than-thou. Who was she to dictate what was too generous or not about their agreement wit the Principal?

“You know, Adagio was right about one thing: you are a bitch.” Aria remarked.

“Why? Because I'm holding you to your agreement?” Sunset questioned.

“No, because you're trying to act like you weren't in our position at one point.” Aria clarified. “You sought to take over the school too, Sunset, and if my memory serves me correctly, you also attempted first-degree murder. A crime that in-and-of itself should've had you looking at 10-20. So, if anyone is getting a ‘generous reprieve’ here, it's you.” Aria pointed a finger across the table.

Sunset sat stunned by Aria's words. As much as she hated to admit it, Aria was right. Her actions at the Fall Formal were much more sinister than the Dazzlings had ever been. That night Sunset had been so committed to her plans that she was willing to kill to see them fulfilled. By anyone's book, she should've been in the jail cell right next to the Dazzlings, but she wasn't. In fact, unlike the Dazzlings, she never once saw the inside of prison. Sunset's heart sank at this, for she now realized that she truly had gotten off easy for what she had done.

“You're right. I'm…I'm sorry.” Sunset hung her head shamefully.

Aria took a deep breath and shook her head. She hadn't asked Sunset here with the intention of pointing fingers, she only wanted to implore former unicorn to not rat Adagio out.

“Listen, Sunset, I'm not trying to make you feel bad. I just…if you promise not to say anything, I will make sure Adagio doesn't break our agreement again – or at least try to. Deal?” Aria stuck out her hand.

Sunset thought about Aria's proposition for a moment. “How do you plan on doing that?” She asked the siren.

“Honestly, I haven't the slightest.” Aria confessed. “But I know that none of us wants to go back to jail, so perhaps, the threat of that will be enough to keep Adagio in line.”

Sunset nodded. “Alright, I won't say anything to Principal Celestia, but just so you know, on the off chance that she does already know, I won't be able to interfere with what she decides to do with the three of you,” she replied, shaking Aria's hand.

“Fair enough.” Aria smiled.

Sunset looked at the time on her phone. “We should get going. It's getting late, and we have school tomorrow,” she said standing to her feet.

Aria, too, stood and followed Sunset outside. “I guess, I'll see ya tomorrow then.” She waved to Sunset before starting the long journey back home.

“Wait!” Sunset exclaimed, grabbing the siren's attention. “Did you walk here?”

“Uh, yeah?” Aria replied. “How do you think I got here?”

Sunset shrugged. “I don't know…I guess, I assumed there was a bus or something…anyways, you want a ride?”

Aria shook her head and waved her off. “Nah, don't worry about it, I can walk.”

“C'mon, Aria. It'll take you hours to get back home.” Sunset pointed out.

“Really, Sunset it's-”

“I'm not taking no for an answer, so just get in.”

Aria slapped her forehead but did as she was told. Secretly, she was glad Sunset had offered to take her home.

Adagio sat with her arms and legs crossed on the living room sofa, watching Sonata pace back and forth.

“What if she’s been hit by a car?! Or kidnapped?!” Sonata gasped. “Adagio, what if Aria’s been kidnapped?! We have to go find her!”

Adagio just rolled her eyes. She knew it was better to just let Sonata get all her rambling out before trying to talk rationally to her.

“They probably have her locked up in some cage like an animal! Poor Aria…why must the good die young!” Sonata dropped dramatically to her knees, clutching one hand to chest while raising the other in the air.

“Oh, would you stop.” Adagio finally cut in, having heard enough of the Sonata’s nonsense. “Aria is fine. She’s probably with 'you know who' at that underground coffee shop, she thinks we don’t know about.”

Sonata leaped to her feet and sat down on the sofa next to Adagio. “Yeah, but still…Aria’s been gone a long time, aren’t you just a little bit worried that something might be wrong?”

“Aria can handle herself.” Adagio replied dismissively as she picked up the remote and turned on the television.

Sonata grimaced. Adagio’s lack of concern for the only other member of their family was somewhat unsettling. “But, Aria is…our sister.”

Adagio could sense the worry and sadness in Sonata’s voice. She knew Aria was perfectly fine and that Sonata was working herself up for nothing, but if putting the young siren's mind at ease was going to grant her some peace and quiet, then so be it.

“Would giving Aria a call make you feel better?” Adagio asked.

“Yes, please!” Sonata grinned and nodded.

“Fine…”

Just as Adagio pulled her phone from the inside of her bra strap, the front door opened.

"Guys, I'm home!" Came a familiar voice.

“Ari! Sonata shrieked as she ran out of the living room to greet her sister. “You’re back! I was so – Sunset?” Sonata tilted her head. “What are you doing here?”

Sunset? Adagio grit her teeth. She stood to her feet and made way into the foyer, where Aria, Sonata, and Sunset were gathered. “What the hell is she doing here?” Adagio looked to Aria while pointing at Sunset.

“Relax, Dagi. Sunset was just giving me a ride home.” Aria explained.

“Well, you’re home. So, she can leave now.”

Aria rolled her eyes. Apparently, Adagio was still stewing from what had happened earlier in the day, despite their conversation. “Adagio can you just chill for like two seconds?” She beckoned.

Adagio ‘hmphed' while folding her arms over her chest. She knew Aria was about to share what the two of them had talked about, and while she was utterly uninterested, she allowed Aria to speak her piece before properly shutting it down.

“So," Aria began, catching everyone attention. "Sunny and I had a little chat, and after much convincing, she’s decided to not to tell Principal Celestia about you skipping school.”

Adagio stiffened at this. “You were going to tell Celestia?” She snapped at Sunset.

Sunset rubbed the back of her neck. “Well, no…at least, not a first.”

“You little-”

“Stop.” Aria stepped between the two girls. “You two are not going to start fighting again,” she said sternly.

“But she-”

“No, Adagio.” Aria glared at the orange siren. “The four of us are stuck with one another until Principal Celestia says otherwise, so we all need to start getting along.”

Adagio growled and looked away. She hated when Aria went all ‘parental’ on her. Nevertheless, Aria was right. The four of them were stuck with each other so it would be in all of their best interest to make the best out of it.

“Fine. Adagio conceded.

Aria nodded, then looked to Sunset, who nodded as well. “Good.”

“Does this mean, we’re all friends again!?” Sonata blurted out after several moments of silence.

“Eh, something like that.” Aria shrugged.

The car ride from school the next day was dead silent, with the exception of Sonata’s music blaring through her headphones. The effects of yesterday’s event still hung in the air, making things super uncomfortable for everyone, except Sonata, who was in her own little world as usual.

“So…is this really how it’s going to be between you two from now on?” Aria asked from the back seat.

Sunset and Adagio, who were in the driver and passenger seat respectively, shot a quick glance at one another before looking away.

“I’ll take that as a ‘yes’ then.” Aria shook her head. “So much for getting along.”

“We don’t have to talk to get along.” Adagio stated.

“Agreed.” Sunset added.

Aria pinched the bridge of her nose. “This is just sad.”

“Oh please, Aria, you and Sonata fight all the time.” Adagio objected.

“Yeah, but unlike you two, we don’t hold grudges. We fight and move on.”

Adagio scoffed and turned in her seat. “You are such a liar. What about that time when Sonata cut your hair while you were sleeping, hm? You were furious with her for weeks.”

“Well yeah! She cut my hair!” Aria threw up her hands. “And for what?! To see if it would grow outside like grass!”

Sunset tried to stifle a laugh. She could totally see Sonata doing something like that.

“Or the time you almost got arrested for kidnapping because Sonata thought it would be funny to place a ‘help me’ sign in the car window while you were driving her to the playground?” Adagio continued.

“What?!” Sunset exclaimed, turning to Adagio.

“Oh yeah, I got a phone call from the police station and everything.” Adagio replied. “When I got there, Aria was handcuffed to a chair while Sonata was eating donuts.”

Sunset smiled while shaking her head. “Aria must have been furious.”

“Oh, she was.” Adagio turned back in her seat. “She was absolutely seething. Shouting all sorts of curses and death threats at Sonata and anybody else who looked at her the wrong way-”

“I’m sitting right here, you know.” Aria chimed in. But Sunset and Adagio were no longer paying attention to her. But at least their getting along, she thought. Even if it was at her expense.

“Then there was the time Sonata pretended to have broken Aria’s pendant. What a day that was!” Adagio laughed.

Aria just groaned and slapped her forehead. “It’s going to be a long night.