Sunset Shimmer: Student of Magick

Part II

The day of the Congressus Peculiaris was no different than any other day. The weather was changing as the calendar rolled into spring, bringing increasing warmth and moisture as rain fell nigh-constantly. Very few people in the city would ever know that the night to come would see a good number of individuals that normally occupied horror films and nightmares meeting at a particular building downtown.

Sunset Shimmer, one of the few people to know something about the city's many secrets, was practising her skills at driving a standard transmission. Thanks to Magnum and Rarity's assistance, she had purchased a Corvette on Monday. The car was about Sunset's age but in excellent condition. Magnum had talked the dealer into a small discount for the minuscule amount of hail damage. Even though she had been able to stay well within her budget, it represented the largest investment she had ever made - as human or a pony. Still, she was happy, especially once it was registered in her name.

She practised along the property's drive, stopping at each end as she taught herself a feel for switching between first gear and reverse. She had just killed the engine by releasing the clutch too quickly when another vehicle entered the drive.

Rarity waved as she passed. Sweetie Belle was giggling from the passenger seat. Sunset did not know what had caused her good humour, but she was glad to see her young friend was feeling better. They stopped next to Sunset.

"Is everything alright, darling?"

"Yeah, I just didn't give it enough petrol. This is the first time I've killed it today, so I think I'm getting the hang of it."

The girls shared greetings while Sunset restarted her vehicle. When she was ready, she led the way back to the house to park behind the garage without killing the engine.

The flat already looked drastically different than it had when Sunset first saw it. In one week, she had unpacked all of her belongings, which included several housewarming gifts from her friends. Rarity had created a full set of curtains and drapes for each window with different embroidered patterns that matched their respective rooms, such as little fruits and vegetables for the kitchen. She had plans for two full bath sets and a set of bedsheets, not charging Sunset for any of them because they were "on-going housewarming gifts and will make your home fabulous and make you feel far more at ease."

Sweetie Belle dropped onto the love seat, the largest piece of furniture in the living room. She laid herself across it, her legs dangling over one arm. Despite giving her sister a reproachful glare, Rarity made no comment.

She instead turned her attention back to Sunset. "Are you certain you don't mind keeping her for the night? I wouldn't want her getting out of hand and causing you problems."

"I wouldn't have offered if I wasn't sure. Besides, I really like spending time with Sweetie Belle. I'm sure we'll have fun."

"Please let me know if you do have any issues." The tiniest bit of stress on the final word likely referred to the girl's emotional breakdown the previous week. While Sweetie Belle had been doing much better since then, her family were all concerned for her well-being and had become perhaps a bit over-protective. "I do wish I could stay and properly catch up, but I did promise Pinkie Pie I would get those decorations done by tomorrow."

Sunset and Rarity shared a brief hug. The fashionista patted her sister's head and extracted a promise to behave before departed.

When she was safely gone, Sunset Shimmer and Sweetie Belle became Sparky and Orchid. So far as anyone they would meet that night was concerned, they did not have any other identities. Pearl had told them the conceit was universal amongst the Awakened; attempting to learn another Mage's name was considered a high crime that carried a stiff penalty. Sparky already found this change as simple as breathing, but Orchid was only beginning to grasp the idea. Her secondary personality was not yet developed.

Orchid's cover story for needing to spend the night with Sparky was a need for help with a big programming assignment due the following Monday. She had completed it the previous Thursday with a little help from Button Mash. Likewise, all of her weekend homework was already complete. That left the two the entire day to prepare for the Congressus Peculiaris.

They spent the rest of the morning and the early afternoon with Pearl, learning the intricacies of interacting with the city's Awakened population and the other supernatural inhabitants. First was the formal introduction: Shadow Name, Path identifier, Path name, Supernal Realm, and Watchtower name. For no reason even Pearl could name, the introduction did not include one's Order - if the speaker belonged to one. Sparky knew what to use for each, but Orchid had only a Shadow Name. Sleepwalkers having them was not even a common practise in many Consilia. She would merely be introducing herself as "Orchid, Sleepwalker in the employ of Sparky the Warlock."

"Wait, why Warlock?" Orchid asked. "I thought that was for boys."

"Each Path has a traditional name associated with it," Pearl explained. "The Mastigos have started ta use 'Psychonaut' sometimes lately, but Ah can be a little old-fashioned. 'Sides, 'Witch' already belongs ta the Acanthus Path. That help clear it up?"

Orchid nodded, though a little confusion was still evident in her expression. "Okay, but why have different names for the same thing?"

"It's 'cause we always want the perfect word ta describe somethin'. Different folk all over the world have their Paths different names, 'n we just kept addin' ta the dictionary."

She went on to explain that the Vampires and the Werewolves were only to be called Kindred and Uratha respectively. While they did not oppose their vernacular names, they preferred their own. The Kindred's leader was called a Prince, but the Uratha did not have a centralised authority. They elected a representative each year, vesting that person with the right to act on their behalf much like one would see in a representative government.

Pearl spent an hour explaining some of the politics as well. Mage cabals, Uratha packs, and Kindred coteries had significant overlap, yet included subtle differences that were known to cause many spanners to appear in the social gears when one was not cautious. The stereotypes made for good baselines, but just as mundane society hated to be typecast, so did their counterparts despise being viewed as casting from a single mould.

"What is the Concord?" Orchid asked, her eyes spinning.

"We formed it about thirty years back after a big war between all three of us. Back then, we had a different Hierarch who thought it was a good idea ta pick a fight with the Kindred." Pearl shuddered. "Those were dark days, girls. The fightin' went on fer a year, then both sides tried ta get the Uratha on their side by attackin' 'em 'n framin' the other side.

"After another year, we'd all worn each other out. A whole bunch of the leaders of all three sides had died, leavin' space fer smarter heads ta move up. Our current Hierarch took the lead, Prince Night Star brought the Kindred ta heel, the Uratha agreed ta vote on a leader fer their packs, 'n we all made peace. Ta make sure it wouldn't ever happen again, we created the Concord ta let us work out our problems 'n get ta know each other."

"So we each take a turn to host it each year?" Sparky enquired.

"Awakened host in spring, Uratha in summer, Kindred in fall. Equinox and solstice, just fer the sake of it. We've tried ta get the Lost inta the mix, but they ain't budged. There's hope they'll open up ta the idea over time once they see how well it's workin'."

"So it has been working?" Orchid echoed Sparky's question before the latter could speak.

Pearl nodded. "Tensions are down, but it took about a decade. We got folks talkin' ta each other, even a few mixed cabals, though Ace says they use each other's names dependin' on the situation."

After another hour of learning such etiquette as when it was appropriate to offer one's blood to a Kindred, Sparky was tempted to mimic either world's Twilight and start making a checklist. She discarded the idea because referencing such a document during a conversation would likely turn away anyone approaching her. She settled for storing the information and hoping she was mentally cross-referencing everything correctly to take advantage of her eidetic memory.

They took a nap in the afternoon, since Pearl warned that the party usually lasted the night. When they rose, they took an opportunity to shower before dressing for the evening. Sparky wore black jeans and a dark blue casual sweater that displayed her figure without being overt. Orchid preferred blue jeans, a violet undershirt, and a white dress shirt with a flower pattern along the bottom edge of the collar. On investigation, Sparky realised the flowers were orchids.

"Rarity embroidered it for me," the girl confessed. "She saw me trying to do it and took over when she woke up from fainting. How does it look?"

"Orchid is wearing orchids." Sparky chuckled. "It's great. Anyone with any sense of humour will appreciate it."

Orchid blushed at the compliment. They took turns working on each other's hair, trying to find a perfect style and failing. Neither had any particular skill or practise with it and were saved when Pearl came to check on them and saw the growing tangles.

She brushed and straightened Sparky's hair, then used simple clips to hold it back and highlight the red streaks. Orchid's proved to be more challenging, as the natural curls resisted brushes and sprays. Pearl finally settled on using a similar style to what she had given Sparky, though she took advantage of the natural bounce to give it a waterfall of colour.

Pearl kept her hair in her normal bun, though she had added some pins with little fruit tokens dangling from them. She wore a simple black dress and very light amounts of makeup that clearly was applied to accentuate rather than to hide. Sparky had to admit that Pearl was quite beautiful and hoped she would look as good when she reached whatever Pearl's age was, though she was beginning to suspect her mentor's use of the Life Arcanum helped.

"Y'all look perfect. Ah swear, yer gonna be turnin' heads so fast them boys'll get whiplash. Maybe a few girls, too."

"Thanks for the help, Pearl," Sparky said. "Let us know when you're ready."

"Then let's a get a move on. Midnight's had plenty of time ta fleece the early birds."

They rode in an anxious buzz. Pearl was experienced with the annual meetings, but Sparky and Orchid had only the day's lessons to prepare themselves. Both spent the ride reviewing parts of those lessons and pestering their driver with any noticed gaps or areas of confusion. She smiled and took everything in stride.

Rather than take her usual truck, Pearl had opted for a red Firebird that she kept in perfect condition. Such a vehicle was a status symbol. According to Pearl, both Mages and Vampires tended to judge one another on appearances and possessions. Sparky did not doubt her; people everywhere could behave that way. She had spent years around a royal court, after all, and had taken advantage of those lessons when climbing the social ladder at CHS.

Four young men and an equal number of young women wearing valet uniforms waited outside the Great Hall when they arrived. Three of the men each took a door, opening them for the arrivals and offering their hands to help the ladies to their feet. Sparky caught a few images from her assistant's thoughts that suggested he definitely found her attractive.

"Thank ya kindly, gents," Pearl said to her own assistant.

He produced a ticket, tore half of it to offer to Pearl, and then seated himself in the car. He placed the second half of the ticket on the front dashboard. Before he closed the door, Pearl offered him a tip.

They made their way up the walk to the front entrance. Orchid was visibly trying to keep herself impassive as per Pearl's instructions but could not seem to resist furtively glancing about herself.

Dusk had already fallen. Lamps of varying muted colours lit the walk, each shifting between hues as they passed. Other than the valets at the drive and the lamps, nothing indicated the building was in use that night. The windows were dark, though Sparky could see curtains were in place to block the light and an external view of the interior.

As usual, they used the side entrance, a servant's door next to the big primary double doors. There was a coat check available, though none of them needed it. After that, they passed through the inner door, finally reaching the Great Hall.

If the two previous Forums Sparky had attended reminded her of a lord's private party, that night pulled at every memory she possessed of affairs such as the Grand Galloping Gala she had attended as Princess Celestia's personal student. Four tables of hors d'oeuvres occupied a stretch of the wall, staff keeping the platters full and fresh, artful placements of every morsel she could imagine drawing attention to one another. She felt her eyes flick over the tables, marvelling at someone's ability to use something as mundane as plates of food to convince eyes to move in a certain pattern. There was a full bar available, two tables of other drinks placed on opposite sides of the bar with an ice sculpture on each.

The Great Hall had a few tasteful decorations, mostly banners and ribbons. Like the food, they had been arranged to draw the eye around the space until one's attention settled on the dais, where three high-backed seats rested. The plush chairs were identical, set close to one another in a straight line overlooking the Great Hall.

Small tables occupied much of room, each with six seats. None of them had placards or anything to force seating arrangements. Either the guests already knew the appropriate pecking order or it was meant to be a social free-for-all.

The only thing missing that Sparky would have expected to see was a dance floor. Both ponies and humans liked to dance at social gatherings, whether to have fun or to gain status by being just a little better or having a more perfect partner than those around them. She knew several dances in either form, though she did not intend to participate if it did become an option. She did not have a partner, and she was not entirely comfortable with all the people around her.

Immediately behind the entrance was a table staffed by a late-middle aged man. He stood straight, a welcoming smile on his face, hands neatly folded behind his back. His suit was perfectly crisp, the navy blue complementing his grey hair. Name tags in orderly rows like an army occupied the table's surface.

"Good evening, Miss Pearl. Welcome to the Congressus Peculiaris," he said when they entered. His voice did not have the stereotypical English accent, but he did enunciate clearly. Without looking, he lifted one of the name tags and offered it to her. "How are you this evening?"

"Kibitz, it is a right pleasure ta see ya again," she said, taking the offered tag and pinning it over her heart. "All's good here. Ya been doin' well?"

"Quite, Ma'am. Thank you for asking." He turned his attention to the others, already offering two more name tags. "You must be Miss Sparky and Miss Orchid."

"Yes, thank you," Sparky replied as she took her tag. A simple diamond shape filled the space next to her name. Below the diamond was an 'X'. All three were in a sparkling midnight blue. Mimicking Pearl, she pinned the tag over her heart. "Kibitz, was it? It's a pleasure to meet you."

She had to remind herself not to offer her hand. Like in Equestria, serving staff were to interact at a guest's whim and never to act or to speak beyond their station. They were below the guests, after all. She settled for a polite nod.

"I work for the Hierarch, Ma'am, so you will see me on occasion." He changed his attention to their youngest member. "Miss Orchid, should you ever need any advise from an experienced Sleepwalker, please have Miss Sparky or Miss Pearl pass word to the Hierarch; I or one of the other staff would be pleased to teach you."

"Thank you very much. I'm sure I'll need it."

She was struggling a bit with the pin, working it too quickly when she realised there were other guests in line behind her. Sparky placed a gentle hand on her friend's shoulder to guide her to the side. Orchid lost her concentration and winced as she stabbed herself, a small bubble of blood forming on her index finger. She ignored it as she finally placed her tag, though she did leave a tiny stain of blood next to it.

"Pearl, do you have any bandages?" Sparky asked, nodding at Orchid's wounded finger.

"No, but Ah can use a bit of magick ta help with that."

She took Orchid's bleeding finger and drew a shape into the air around it. Unlike the magic common in Equestria, there was no flash or spark, nothing visible or audible that would draw attention to magick being worked. Instead, Sparky felt the little bit of power flowing as the pin prick wound closed itself.

Considering Pearl had healed a knife wound and a collapsed lung, that bit of magick would have been child's play. Despite having witnessed both of those events, Orchid's eyes were wide as she stared at where the blood had been dripping. "Thanks, Pearl."

"Glad ta help. Let's get us a table so we can check out the food."

While the event may have been primarily focused on socialisation, food and drink were always a significant part of any such gathering. The night was not exactly a feast, but more than a few were likely to treat it that way.

Pearl selected a table off-centre, three rows from the front, then demonstrated that the name tags had two layers. The back pulled free and folded to become a placeholder. The symbols on the second tags were the same. Orchid's was a glittering soft-hue pink, with only a half-lidded eye after her name.

Like Sparky's, Pearl's tag used blue, her name followed by the diamond. Beneath the diamond was a series of polls with spikes on either end, getting smaller as they descended. Sparky recognised the symbol as being that of the Silver Ladder, Pearl's Order and one of four that formed the Diamond.

"Why do I have a diamond on my tag if I don't belong to a Diamond Order?"

"It 'cause of ya bein' in the Consilium, haystack. If ya choose ta join a Nameless Order, they'd put a question mark on the end. There's a different one fer the the Free Council, a clockwork or somethin'."

"So then why does mine just have an eye on it?"

"See how it's not fully open? Yer a Sleepwalker, 'n it's a simple way ta let everybody know. The colours do the same. C'mon, girls, let's get us some grub. Ah can answer yer other questions later."

The plates had floral patterns and were slightly larger across than Sparky's hand. There were no utensils, which Pearl explained would be provided at their tables.

The foods were wonderfully varied to fit a wide number of tastes. Each platter had the name of its contents in a beautiful yet legible script. From fine French cheeses to fruit salads with accompanying toothpicks and various dips, there were soups, breads, and sauces with names Sparky could not hope to pronounce. They even offered a full carving table, beef, pork, and poultry all available.

One table was clearly meant for vegetarians, with full vegan platters labeled as such beneath their names. Sparky almost regretted not having learnt of human vegetarianism before acquiring a taste for meat but had later decided it worked in her favour both before and after her reformation. Despite having no problem with it now, she primarily focused her attention on the vegetarian table, taking a bit of about half the options. She also ladled herself a bowl of vegetable beef soup from another table.

When they returned to their table, they found full sets of silverware that matched the plates already placed for them. They left their food and went back to the drinks.

"Either of y'all ever had wine?"

Orchid had not, but Sparky was no stranger to it in her previous life. Even young ponies would be given some at formal events, though responsible adults kept it to a very limited quantity. She nodded.

"Ah know yer young, Orchid, but Ah think ya should take a single glass. It'll help the night pass a bit easier 'n make ya a little more relaxed."

"Okay, I'll try it."

Pearl stopped them. "Don't do it unless yer sure 'n ya know ya won't take too much. Ah've been around the block enough ta know it'll help, but Ah don't want ya thinkin' that Ah'm 'enablin'' or some such."

"I trust you," Orchid replied. "Just ... I've never had alcohol before except for trying a few sips of my Dad's beer a couple of times. Is there one that actually tastes good?"

"Ah'll order one fer ya. Sparky, ya okay on yer own?"

"Yeah, thanks."

Pearl ordered some kind of Riesling for herself and Orchid, which were served in stem glasses. Sparky noted that the floral theme prevailed still, the likenesses etched into the glass in such a way that light refracted through any liquid within one would illuminate them. The effect was not as impressive with white wine, but Sparky could picture an etching of a rose glowing red with an inner light, much like any of the Awakened.

Sparky requested a screwdriver instead of wine. She knew from previous experience that she had a higher tolerance than most of her gender or age and that she sobered much faster.

The bartender nodded at her order, then produced several oranges that he cut and juiced himself. The juice went into a shaker before the bartender presented several different vodkas for Sparky's selection. She looked over the labels, but she only recognised Grey Goose.

"What do you recommend?"

He nodded as though expecting her question. "Arbikie is nicely smooth with a fruity kick and tends to mix well with nearly any citrus."

"Sounds good to me."

He added generous helping to the shaker before mixing her cocktail with dexterous flourishes that spoke to a great deal of experience. He ended by tossing the mixer from his back over his shoulder and catching it without so much as loosening the cap.

"On the rocks or neat?"

Sparky had to close her mouth before she could find her words again. "On the rocks, please."

He produced a traditional lowball glass, added a few ice cubes, and poured a drink. A final flourish in the form of a glass drink stir with a diamond on the end prepared her drink. Sparky thanked him with a smile as she left a tip on the counter before returning to her table.

The Great Hall was still quiet with very few guests in attendance. A little over an hour remained until the formalities started, but Sparky had expected at the least her fellow Awakened to be earlier if only to claim the best seats.

Being early was its own reward, granting them a chance to claim their domain and prepare a defensible position. Though she was to spend the night in the company of monsters, Sparky was excited. The evening promised an opportunity to learn, after all, and she was nothing if not studious.