Sunset Shimmer: Student of Magick

Cookie was able to make a late morning emergency appointment for Sweetie Belle with the girl's regular psychiatrist. Sunset did her best to avoid being seen or heard, though her concern that her presence could worsen her friend's depression warred with her pseudo-sisterly feelings of wanting to provide comfort.

She decided to remove the temptation to interfere by taking a walk. Purposefully travelling away from the school or any of her friends' homes, she wandered from one suburb to the next. They may have been fairly uniform, but she liked the houses and the different personal touches their owners applied. Different colours of paint granted a modicum of individuality. Toys in the yard spoke to homes with young children. An elderly couple sat together on a covered swing and rocked quietly. Both nodded to the young woman as she passed, who returned the gesture with a smile. The quiet time alone helped to soothe her own turmoil wrought by the recent events.

She walked back to the house once she was certain Sweetie Belle would be at the doctor's office. With everyone gone and no homework to do, the teen had nothing that needed her immediate attention. She could do whatever she liked with few interruptions. Perhaps Opal would beg for treats, but there would be nothing else to intrude on her quiet studies until mother and daughter returned.

Her mobile went off as soon as she settled into a comfortable chair with her laptop. Sunset shook her head as she fished the device from her pocket; of course someone would disturb her as soon as she thought she could enjoy a quiet morning.

She checked the ID and frowned. Ace was ringing rather than messaging her during school hours, which either meant he already knew what had happened or the news was important. Sunset Shimmer vanished to allow Sparky to take her place before answering.

"Hey, Sparky, I was sorry to hear about what happened at your school, but I have some good news for you."

"I wouldn't mind that. Will it make up for the last couple days?"

"The thing with the school or the thing with Orchid?"

Sparky sighed. Theoretically, she was supposed to be the one able to read minds. "Just tell me."

"You've got a mentor, if you're okay with that. Pearl won the right to take you on."

"Explain 'won'."

"I'd think it would be obvious: Apprentices are valuable. The chance to build up someone the way you think is best and have automatic influence with their associates later? You were at the centre of a bidding war."

"And I don't get a say in the matter?"

"Didn't I just say 'if you're okay with that'? This isn't some Consilium that sells apprentices."

Sparky thought over her options for a moment. She knew Pearl, who had shown herself to be kind and friendly and had saved Sparky's life after the battle against the spirits. At the same time, Sparky's studies under someone - somepony - for whom she had preconceived notions had not ended well. She debated the idea of studying with Pearl or of learning from someone else. The latter would not allow for disappointment, as she would not hold a preconceived image of the person. Having Pearl as a mentor was appealing, though, even if there was a potential to be hurt if the image and the reality failed to meet.

Ace was waiting for a reply. She allowed her hesitation to creep into her voice as she asked, "Do you think it would work out?"

"Yes. She was my mentor, and she really wants you because she likes you. It's not that there aren't other good mentors. If you want to talk with the Hierarch about it, he has the list of who expressed interest in training you."

"No, I trust you guys." Sparky took a steadying breath; the fights with Celestia had mostly been Sunset's fault. She was a different person now and would not repeat her mistakes. "Can you please tell Pearl I'd be happy to have her as a mentor?"

"You can tell her yourself. Meet me at the corner in five minutes."

Of course he knew she would accept Pearl and that Sparky had no other urgent business at the moment. She paused only to leave a note stating that she had been called to work before she slipped into her boots and left the house.

Ace met her exactly when he said he would. He only smirked when she made a point of checking her mobile's clock and nodding her approval. Sparky hopped into the passenger seat and the two departed the suburbs for the rural edge of civilisation. She had not yet visited Pearl's home, though knew generally where it was, and was surprised when they stopped at a farm neighbouring Sweet Apple Acres.

She did not know anything about the Prime Arcanum, but even she could feel raw magick flowing through the property. The arcane energies were converging on the farm like arteries to a beating heart.

'Is this a nexus?' she wondered. She decided to ask Pearl for clarification when time allowed.

The farm's drive was long, traversing a good distance before reaching the house. Sparky could see that Pearl grew and raised a wider variety of produce and livestock than Applejack's family. The property had to be at least triple the size of any of its neighbours. Sparky saw about numerous workers before the car stopped outside what had to be the house.

Pearl's home maintained the rustic farm building exterior of the early settlers while still taking advantage of modern construction practises and amenities. There was a satellite dish on the roof and the northern side had an attached, fully enclosed sun room facing a personal garden. They found Pearl crouched by her tomatoes, carefully observing some of the leaves and fruits as Ace and Sparky approached.

Without pausing her work or turning to face them, she said, "About time y'all got here."

Ace grinned. "It took some arm twisting, but Sparky agreed. She's all yours."

That got a laugh from Pearl, who stood to face her visitors, a wide smile on her face. She removed her work gloves before giving Sparky's shoulder a welcoming pat. "If'n yer gonna live with me, haystack, ya'll need a good sense of humour."

"Live with you?"

"T'ain't required, but it makes our study time easier. 'Sides, Ah heard ya've been with a friend since yer old place kicked ya ta the curb. 'Two birds with one stone' if'n ya like the idea."

Sparky nodded enthusiastically. "Thank you, Pearl. I promise I'll study hard, and that I'll work hard, too, but it might take me a bit to get the hang of everything around here."

"Hold yer horses. We'll talk talk about all of that, but let's go inside first. Ah'll explain what we'll be doin'."

Ace shook his head. "I'd love to stay, but I have a couple errands to run before I pick up Midnight. You want me to bring her this weekend?"

"That'd be a pleasure. See ya later."

He departed as Pearl guided Sparky into the kitchen. The room was a good size with the space needed to prepare even large meals. The counters were granite, complementing the wood of the cabinets, cupboards, walls, and floor. There was a large island in the centre with a few bar chairs and a swinging door that Sparky guessed led to a dining room. She sat at the island while Pearl poured them each a glass of cola with a little rum before taking a seat on the side adjacent to Sparky.

They sipped their drinks quietly until Pearl broke the silence. "Ah don't give a whole mess of rules or nonsense like that, but Ah do expect what few Ah give ta be followed."

The farmer paused for another sip before she said, "Don't go makin' a racket. New Mages love ta tinker, 'n Ah don't like gettin' woke up at some ungodly hour.

"Don't be drawin' attention ta the Secrets or do any Willworkin' when there's Sleepers around. Just follow the Lex Magica. Ya'll be able ta sense the presence of Sleepers soon enough. This rule changes a bit as ya learn more; Ah'll let ya know when we get there.

"Pay close attention when Ah'm in mah 'teachin' mode,' but take whatever Ah say with a grain of salt. Ah didn't invite ya here ta make ya mah clone, so don't be afraid ta try yer own style when ya feel like ya can do it safely.

"Other'n that, use some common sense. Ya seem ta have a good head on yer shoulders, so Ah'll say somethin' if'n Ah feel it's needed. Far as Ah'm concerned, yer an adult 'n Ah'll treat ya like one. Fair enough?"

Sparky had expected a small tree of a document in Latin, Greek, and some other language - possibly Demonic - that would need to be signed in triplicate using blood. She needed a moment to realise she had been asked a question.

"Yes, and thanks again, Pearl. Or is there some special name for mentors I should call you?"

"Ah'm Pearl 'n yer Sparky, leastwise when we're studyin'. Ah don't go with all that formal language stuff since it makes a divide between me 'n mah apprentices. Yer more'n welcome ta give me a nickname, too."

"And do you have some kind of schedule for chores or do you assign them as needed? I promise I'll work hard no matter what it is. I've lived on a farm before." She felt need to mention her experience had only been a few days of apple farming.

"Only one thing Ah want outta ya, haystack: Study, and not just magick. Ace told me about yer school. We'll help get ya set up fer university if ya wanna go on. If ya wanna get a job, do it. Learnin' magick's not full-time unless ya make it that way. Yer here until Ah decide yer ready ta make yer own way in the Consilium."

"But how do I pay you back?"

Pearl chuckled and put a hand over Sparky's. "Ya seen mah farm at all? Ah don't take apprentices ta do mah work fer me or ta milk 'em fer money later. Ah take 'em 'cause Ah like teachin' 'n helpin' them what's new ta the Truth. Think of me like all the best parts of roommate, teacher, parent, 'n friend mixed up together, all right?"

Sparky felt a small wave of emotion that she suppressed. She did not mind showing her emotions to her friends - and Pearl had just called herself one - but they still had to finish their discussion. Shedding tears would waste Pearl's time.

"Thank you, Pearl. Is there anything else I need to know to start?"

"Ah'll go over more later. Right now Ah'll take ya around the house 'n show ya yer space. Ah'm guessin' ya'll need a couple days ta move?"

"I could probably do it today if I had transportation, but I want to let my friends and host family know first. Knowing them, I'll have plenty of help, too."

"There's another rule: Yer welcome ta have a friend or two over, but yer responsible fer their behaviour. Ya don't gotta tell me ahead of time - though Ah'd appreciate it - but do let me know ahead if'n yer havin' a bigger slumber party. Just don't make a habit of those 'n we'll be right as rain. Main thing is that this house is also yer home, just as much as it's mine."

The house was comfortable and homey. Pearl's love for her home was quite obvious; Sparky could feel the care and attention paid to it over the years like layers of tree bark. While Pearl's life comprised the thickest 'rings' everywhere, Sparky could detect other presences intertwined with and beneath her host's. None of the others were immediately familiar, though Sparky thought she detected Ace and Midnight's echoes. She guessed she would eventually be able to recognise at least a few more and that she would likely place her own touches over time.

They visited the living room, which hosted cosy looking chairs, a love seat, and a couch. Sparky tested a couple of the seats and found them to be as comfortable as they appeared to be, earning one of Pearl's smiles. Pearl owned a television, but it was set off-centre as though not used frequently. There were several bookcases filled with a library-range of topics, both fiction and non-fiction. One whole bookcase was dedicated to romance novels. Two coffee tables with coasters and a few end tables mounted by lamps completed the major furnishings.

A door on the far side connected to the sun room. The thick glass was clear and sparkling to allow a view of much of the property. Only two pool chairs occupied the room at the moment, though Pearl noted that she kept a few plants there in winter.

She offered use of the study, requesting only that Sparky respect the half of the room occupied by a desk and filing cabinets. A new model iMac occupied the centre of the desk. Documents were in three neat stacks next to it, held in place by trays. She also had an iPad. The farm being a business, Pearl had a high-speed Internet connection and range extenders covering a few of the other buildings. She explained that she offset the cost by renting out a section of her property for a cellular tower.

There was a restroom next to the study, stairs next to it. They ascended to find two doors opposite one another on the landing.

"The right's mah room, the left's where ya'll be stayin'. Go on ahead 'n take a look."

Sparky left herself into the rear of the house. Her new home was an attached flat built over the garage, with all of the necessary amenities and plenty of space. Private kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bathroom, plus the door from the house was a keyed lock. The flat also had a rear entrance from the living room that accessed a large deck and stairs leading down behind the garage. Pearl gave Sparky a ring with four keys, one for each external house door and one for the internal connecting door.

"Ah do keep a copy of the keys fer this space, but Ah'm not a snoop. If'n Ah think yer doin' anythin' ya shouldn't, Ah'll talk about it first. So long as yer honest with me, Ah won't be comin' in here without yer permission 'ceptin' fer emergencies or any maintenance, 'n Ah'll try ta warn ya first. Think this'll work fer ya?"

"It's great, Pearl. Thank you." Like with the Apples, referencing 'repayment' even in a non-literal sense was not appropriate once the other party stated none would be expected or accepted. Sincere expressions of gratitude with being effusive were ideal. That was the hard part. "I'll keep my word and take care of everything."

"Ah trust ya. Accidents do happen, though, 'specially fer us, so tell me when one does and we'll get it fixed up.

"Ya've got yer own climate control here. Ah had this flat built solid, so set it ta whatever works best. Ah keep the rest of the house set warmer since Ah'm used ta bein' in the sun, but ya could set this ta freezin' 'n Ah'd never know.

"Now that ya got the keys, move in whenever ya like. Ah figured ya'd probably need the weekend, so Ah've got nothin' planned fer study 'til next week."

"Thank you again, Pearl. Just a couple questions: Do you want to swap numbers? and how do I get back home? Oh, sorry, make that three: Would you be offended if I tell my friends that you're my landlady?" Only at that moment did Sparky begin to wonder if she spent too much time around Pinkie Pie.

"Most important first: Ah usually recommend callin' me yer landlord, since it's part of the truth, so at least Ah won't be encouragin' ya lyin' outright ta yer friends. Ah'll give ya a lift unless ya'd like ta have a friend come fer ya. If yer mobile's with ya, let's get that done."

As they exchanged numbers and e-mail addresses, Pearl commented that she had yet to become accustomed to such an exchange being part of any form of relationship. She demonstrated skill using a smartphone despite that, not once hesitating to add Sparky's information.

Pearl gave Sparky a ride to the corner by Rarity's house, as all of the girls would still be several hours in school. Sparky had no idea how long Sweetie Belle's appointment would be and did not want to be distracting Cookie with messages.

When they stopped, Sparky hopped from the truck. She turned back to say, "Thanks for the ride, Pearl. I'll send you a message once I figure out my moving plans."

"Good luck with everythin', haystack. Let me know if ya need any help. Send my best ta Orchid, ya hear me?"

"I will."

As soon as the truck pulled from the curb, Sunset Shimmer replaced Sparky. She was eager to tell her friends about having a new place to live, though she decided to wait until after school. Knowing them, at least a few would stop paying attention to class.

'My own place. Sort of. I'm going to have to come up with something amazing to thank Rarity and her family for putting me up all the this time.' She resisted the urge to giggle, not wanting to risk causing a stay-at-home parent or any random passers-by to think she had a few loose screws. 'I really hope Pearl and I get along.'

'Why wouldn't you?' another voice answered from the back of her mind. 'She's just a kind, older female with lots of wisdom giving you magic - sorry, magick - lessons. It's not like there were any problems the last time.'

'Can it. You're not ruining the first really good thing to happen to me in a while. I'm a different person now.'

Sunset would not repeat her mistakes as a student. She promised herself that everything would be fine.