Sunset Shimmer: Student of Magick

The weekly Forums were a convenient way for Mages to gather on neutral ground. They were the Congressus Peculiaris on a small scale, only for the Awakened and those directly attached to them - such as Orchid and other Sleepwalkers. It was a good way to brush elbows with Mages from all walks of life - sometimes literally when they gathered to listen to the Hierarch. Deals and trades could be brokered with numerous parties to act as witnesses. Though only half of the Awakened community attended regularly, that still allowed for opportunities non-existent elsewhere.

Pearl had many contacts in the Consilium, which meant that she was constantly socialising to maintain her connections and would frequently arrive much earlier than Sparky. For all of Pearl's acquaintances, her only regular visitors to the farm were Ace, Clash, and Midnight. Invading another Mage's sanctum without permission was a high crime. Inviting one to visit usually meant expecting a return invitation, while also opening oneself to the risk of theft or injury. Most Awakened were not so depraved as to do anything illegal - under the Lex Magica, at least - but paranoia ran deep.

Sparky was pondering her new society as she entered the Great Hall. After years of isolation, not all of which had been self-imposed, her experiences with the joy of having friends had stirred hope for an opportunity to become close to other Mages. Joining an Order would be a good step, but she had also learned about cabals.

A small, somewhat intimate group like what she shared with her friends was her ideal. There were many problems with that image, though. Most who were interested in belonging to a cabal already did. A few outcasts and misfits remained, scattered amongst those simply refusing to form close bonds to others. She was unlikely to receive an invitation to join an existing group; likewise, none of the unaffiliated would want to follow someone so new, even if Sparky had no intention of making herself into a leader. A couple years of dedicated service to her Order and building a reputation would be necessary.

'Just like Rarity?' her other self asked.

'There are right ways and wrong ways to build and keep a reputation. The old me, the old Rarity, and Abacus Cinch are examples of what not to do.'

'You do realise that every time anyone here sees you, they're forming judgments about you, right? You already have some kind of reputation.'

'I know. Once I figure out what they think about me, it'll help me figure out what to do next.'

'If you want to know where you stand, why don't you try talking to someone else? See those three at the buffet table? Don't they look familiar?'

Sparky looked in the direction indicated and saw the Trois Fleurs cabal, the young women who had watched her poker game against Midnight. A glance about the Great Hall showed Pearl, Ace, and Midnight were nowhere to be seen. The people she tentatively called friends were the safe choices, but Sparky's inner voice had been correct: She needed to get to know her fellow Awakened.

She decided to take the opportunity to speak with the Trois Fleurs. They only attended every few weeks and usually left quickly, so she had not been able to have a conversation with them since their initial meeting.

'Has it really been over a year?'

'Time sure does fly. On that note, it's time to quit stalling, you wuss.'

They all nodded when they saw her approaching them. Greetings were always the hardest: Being too friendly left one vulnerable, while being too brusque kept others at bay and burnt social bridges. Positions and acclaim, notice and notoriety all played a role in social interactions; a Mage needed to be conscious of her own standing in relation to all the others around her.

Being Pearl's apprentice and friendly with Dark Ace and Midnight Radiance lent Sparky a certain level of status. That it was borrowed prestige stayed in the forefront of her mind.

The young women of the Trois Fleurs seemed friendly, without any obviously significant Consilium standing, so they were an excellent starting point for Sparky to branch into making her own acquaintances. Certain Awakened could be just as snooty and harsh as members of the nobility, but Pearl and the others assured her that most could be friendly - if not friends - with repeated good contact. They were far slower to open up to others than Sparky was used to seeing. Therefore, she set herself a few simple goals for the coming chat: Break the ice, avoid causing offence and forgive any that might be directed at her, and then end the conversation on a positive tone. It would be perfect.

"It's nice to see you again." Sparky nodded in return to the young women. "How is everything?"

"We're doing well. Girls?" Jade Mind replied, accompanied by nods from her cabal-mates. As the cabal's leader, she had some limited ability to speak for them that was primarily limited to Consilium business. "We've been a little curious about you, you know."

"Oh?"

"Well, you beat Midnight Radiance with an impressive, untrained use of Space - even if you did invoke a first-degree Paradox - but you didn't do anything after that. We've all been trying to figure out where you're going next."

"I'm just glad I won." She affected a smile and a mock-conspiratorial whisper. "Between us, I don't see that happening again, at least in the near future."

"Keeping your cards close to your chest?" Sparky was unable to tell if Walker's pun had been intended. Her face and her voice were neutral. "You've got to have something planned."

Sparky offered a smile she hoped displayed the sincere vibe she wanted. "I really don't. Midnight challenged me to a game; you saw exactly what happened. I'm just focused on my apprenticeship."

Walker's expression had not changed. "Got any research going on?"

"Hey," Amber Wish stepped in front of cabal-mate. "Research and study are private. She'll mention it if she wants to show off."

'Show off? Not ask for help? Actually, never mind, that sounds about right.'

Pushing Amber Wish to the side, Walker leant into Sparky's ear and whispered, "Nice to see you again, Sunset Shimmer."

Sparky nearly leapt backward; though she just managed to stop herself, she still felt her eyes widen. "What did you say?"

"God, you really don't recognise us?"

Jade Mind looked ready to punch Walker. Amber Wish glanced between her cabal-mates as though debating whether to let them fight or to attempt to stop them.

Not wanting to make a spectacle in general and especially not when she had the Councillors' eyes, Sparky asked, "Would you like to talk in one of the conference rooms?"

Amber Wish sighed, rubbing her temples. When neither of the others replied, she said, "Yes, we would. Jade, Walker?"

The meeting rooms were available by way of a schedule board monitored by a Sleepwalker. Sparky was disappointed not to see Kibitz there, but the older gentleman was essentially the major-domo of the Sleepwalkers. The man overseeing the schedule board was much younger than Kibitz, but still likely close to being twice Sparky's age.

When they asked for a room for an indeterminate length of time, he only replied, "Fifth door on the right," and made a note.

The space was larger than where Sparky and Midnight had briefly talked after their card game. This room was more like a small conference room, seating up to six comfortably at an oval table. The Trois Fleurs sat together on one side, Sparky facing them. Except for Walker - who had dropped her neutral demeanour to be openly hostile - the cabal's members displayed unease, though Sparky could not read their exact emotions as all three kept barriers in place.

"Why do you think I should know you?"

All three held up bracelets, charms dangling below their wrists. It was risky, as someone associating those tokens to any form of personal symbol would be able to abuse the sympathetic connections they offered. It took Sparky a moment to place Jade Mind's, but the particular flower combined with the young woman's two-tone red hair only brought to mind one person.

"Rose? So you must be Daisy and Lily."

When they nodded, Sparky let her body collapse back into her seat. She was relatively safe; they had a good reason to know who she was when she was not Sparky. While Walker's hostility meant that the possibility existed they would use their own magick against her, confirming their identities ensured they would not leak hers to anyone else lest she revisit the deed upon them.

"I never expected to see anyone I knew here."

Walker, also known as Lily, glared. "I don't think you do know us, since you completely forgot about us. We're only a year apart, you know. I've been waiting for you to say something to us, but now I know why you didn't."

"What do you want me to say?"

Jade Mind, who had clearly understood that a Shadow Name should never give a clue to one's identity, again pushed Watcher back. "Sorry about that. She's never really forgiven you."

"I understand."

"Honestly," Amber Wish, or Daisy, said quietly, "we've been wondering about you since we heard that you left CHS. When you showed up here with Pearl and ... Orchid, was it? Well, we didn't know what to say."

Though the three were not sisters, let alone triplets, they had a tendency to speak as though they were. Jade Mind picked up the conversation immediately.

"You beat Midnight in a poker game, but then you didn't do anything. We weren't sure if you were just biding your time to make a move."

"It was just like what we heard about when you showed up at our school: Beat Gilda, someone considered unbeatable, then let the rumours build you up," Walker finished. "You rode that wave to the top, didn't you? That and using Flash Sentry."

Sparky sat up, placing both arms on the table with palms up in the hopes that the ancient gesture of peace would offer some proof of her sincerity.

"I didn't even think about how that poker game might look. Midnight asked me to play, but I don't think either of us expected it to end the way it did. There wasn't really anything for me to do afterwards. Really, if I had thought it would make such a big wave, I would've turned her down."

"It didn't really matter to anyone else." Walker waved her hand dismissively. "It's just that we know you."

"Don't listen to her. It did matter, Sparky. A lot of people were talking about it. I think everyone wondered if you had something planned, but they've mostly dropped it since then."

Walker changed topics. "When did you Awaken? At the Fall Formal?"

"Awakening stories are private," Amber Wish objected. "Sorry, you don't have to tell us if you don't want to. That's usually something trusted associates share."

"I'm fine with sharing it, especially if it'll help prove I'm not out to cause trouble. I didn't Awaken then, but that might have been easier. Since you've been here for a while, I'm guessing you heard about the hate spirits at school?" When the others nodded, Sparky continued, "They were influencing everyone to hate me. The spirits possessed some of the students and attacked me. That was when I Awakened. I have some pretty nifty scars from that if you'd like to see them."

Jade Mind shook her head. "I'm good."

"So, does anyone else here go to Canterlot High?"

"We're the only ones other than you and Orchid, and nobody else knows we attended there. It'd be too easy for them to find out our True Names."

"That's why we won't say anything about you." Amber Mind gave her a pleading look. "We can't let this get into our normal lives."

Sparky nodded. "I understand. I won't say anything about you, either. Is that why you don't attend the Forum much?"

"We prefer to come together, but it's hard to do since we all work."

"We are planning to move in together soon, so it'll be a little easier."

"Let's just tell her our life goals, why don't we? Why are we being all chummy-chummy with Sunset Satan?"

Sparky sighed. "Listen, I know you don't trust me after everything I did, but I really did change. I'd like to try to be friends ... if you'll let me."

Walker scoffed. "Didn't those other girls try that during your freshman year? We heard what you did to them."

"I don't expect you to trust me. Just, please, give me a chance to prove myself. I've been trying to make things right with everyone I hurt, but I can't even remember all things I've done or the people I wronged."

With a smirk, Walker said, "Give us each a small favour."

Before either of her friends could react, Sparky said, "Done. Let me give you my number. You can message me when you've decided."

"You don't have to do that," Amber Wish objected. "You didn't really do anything to us directly except make fun of us a few times. Besides, personal and Consilium business shouldn't overlap."

"We're willing to give you a chance," Jade Mind added. "Everybody who was at CHS last year knows what you did for Sweetie Belle. I don't think she'd look so happy if you were still the bully you used to be."

"Owing you a favour will help you feel more comfortable with me, right?"

"Just don't expect us to be your friends anytime soon."

When the girls had Sparky's other life's contact saved, they adjourned. Walker gave the "I'm watching you" sign, but the other two looked to be satisfied. Some time remained until the Hierarch would give his remarks, so Sparky decided to help herself to a little food. It was a Sweet Apple Acres week, after all.

Solstice Cherry, the Herald, was waiting for them in the hallway. "Sparky, you have four requests to meet after the Hierarch's speech. Dark Ace, Marble, Solar Helm, and Flawless Sword, in that order. Which meetings do you wish to schedule?"

"All of them at their convenience. Thank you."

"You're getting ready to join an Order, huh?" Jade Mind's expression of surprise echoed Sparky's own feelings. "I guess your apprenticeship is coming to an end?"

"Yeah. That's why I wanted to talk with you when I saw you were here. I need to start getting to know other Awakened on my own, after all."

"I don't think all four of the Councillors usually show interest in a single person like that," Amber Wish commented. "If word of that gets out - and it will - it'll be like after you won the poker game."

"I swear to you that I have no idea why they're wanting to talk to me."

"Leaning toward any of them?" Watcher's voice carried a hint of caution. All three of them belonged to the Silver Ladder, which placed an emphasis on leadership and guiding others. If Sparky joined, it would effectively call her earlier words into question. It was not what she was considering, but she planned to keep Pearl's advice in mind.

"I've thought about which Order I'd like to join from time to time, but I'm not set on one. Even if I were, it's not like there's any guarantee that one would want me. Besides, I want to talk with them a bit first before I decide."

"I don't think any of our Councillors would rush you, so take your time to decide," Jade Mind advised. "It's hard to change Orders once you've joined one. You pretty much have to go Nameless then."

"I'll keep that in mind. Thanks."

The Trois Fleurs went their own way, giving Sparky time to think about her meetings as she ate. She had no idea how long they would take and did not relish the possibility of getting home with the rising sun. Still, it did feel nice to know that all four Diamond Orders had at least some interest in her. Based on what Pearl had told her, the Councillors would not waste their time just because another was interested in her.

Even if they were only curious to meet the girl that had won a poker game against Midnight Radiance, Sparky knew she could earn her own place in one of the Orders. It may not have been mandatory to join one, but she had seen how useful it was to have built-in allies and a springboard to develop relationships, even if the many bonuses included obligations.

She put aside her thoughts of how one networked in the Awakened community. The upcoming meetings did make her nervous, so she spent her remaining time thinking of possible questions and responses in both directions. Even though a Mage could only join one, she hoped to make a good impression on all of the leaders.