Interlude II: How to Make New Friends

When Sparky's time acting as a research assistant for the Technomancers neared its end, she began hunting for a new flat.  She hoped for more space for Pixie to play, though it was not a necessity if they could find somewhere near a good park.

She and Sweetie Belle were preparing to visit one of the potential locations when Sparky received a call for a meeting with the Hierarch.  She rescheduled the tour and left.  As she drove, part of her wondered why he wanted to see her.  Given his preference not to interfere with his Consilium members, he usually only ordered someone to his office when there was an issue.  Solstice Cherry's voice, always flat and unemotive, gave no clue if she was in trouble.

The Hierarch was alone in his office when Sparky arrived.  He nodded his greeting and gestured to a seat.

"Some Awakened go decades without needing to be here.  This is our second meeting in the past year."

"Yes, Hierarch.  It is a pleasure to have an opportunity to speak with you again."  Sparky was not trying to flatter him and she knew he was aware of that.  Even if he was about to yell at her, he still reminded her of a stern, yet kind, grandfather.  "May I ask why you requested this meeting, Hierarch?"

"I will get to the point."  He stood and opened his door.  "Sparky, do you know this Mage?"

Blue skin and silver hair entered Sparky's line of sight to take the seat next to her.  She wanted to laugh; only the knowledge that it would be inappropriate in that formal context helped her to control the impulse.  Her friend might as well have had a neon sign above her head declaring that she was on the cusp of Awakening, yet Sparky had never once noticed.  She pushed those thoughts from her mind and turned back to Bronze Luck, who had reclaimed his own chair.

"Yes, Hierarch, she's a friend of mine."

"I was told you go by Sparky?  I call myself Star Dust.  It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Same here.  Want to start the full introduction?"

As though reciting from a script, Star Dust said, "I am called Star Dust, a Witch, walking the Acanthus Path after writing my name in the Watchtower of the Lunargent Thorn located in the Supernal Realm of Arcadia."

"Sparky, a Warlock, travelling the Mastigos Path of the Supernal Realm of Pandemonium after writing my name in the Watchtower of the Iron Gauntlet.  Do you have a mentor?"

"Actually, I completed my apprenticeship while I was in Australia.  I just returned today."

"That explains why you stayed there so long.  How did you know I was here?"

Star Dust blushed.  "I have that picture we took together saved as my mobile's wallpaper.  When I met with Solar Helm to transfer into the Silver Ladder here, she happened to see it.  She brought me to the Hierarch to arrange a meeting."

"I'm glad it worked out this way.  Imagine if we had met at a Forum,"  Sparky said.  She could not stop a grin taking her face but did suppress a bout of giggles.  "Thank you, Hierarch.  If Star Dust is still unaffiliated, would it be permissible to take her to meet Orchid and see if she'd like to join our cabal?"

"Of course.  Will you go with Sparky, Star Dust?"

"Yes, Hierarch.  I also thank you for arranging this meeting."

He smiled and nodded at them.  "You are both welcome.  You are dismissed."

"You're going to love the cabal we're forming."  Sparky grabbed her friend's arm to lead her out the door.  Star Dust's Awakening story - if she chose to share it - could be asked later.  She just wanted to see Orchid's face when she met the potential member.

When they were back on the street, Trixie said, "I don't have a car right now.  Would you mind if I ride with you?"

"Of course not.  I'm in the garage across the street."

Sunset took them back to the Technomancer's sanctum.  While Sparky was a temporary resident, Star Dust had to ask permission to enter.  Under normal circumstances, they might have required some boon or pledge, but Sparky's work and forthright dealings had earned her some trust.  They only asked for a simple promise of good behaviour.

Orchid was in their shared room with Pixie.  The baby played with her favourite toy, a vehicle that lit up and played music depending on what she did with it, while her mother finished her schoolwork.  Both stopped what they were doing to greet the visitor.

As soon as Sparky closed the door, Sweetie Belle tackled Trixie in a hug.

"You're a Mage, too!"  Her voice was not as prone to squeaks as it had once been, but it still rose in pitch with her excitement.  "Did you Awaken while you were in Australia?  What's your Path?  Have you joined an Order?  Do you belong to a cabal yet?  Would you like to join us?"

"I can't breathe," Trixie gasped.  When Sweetie Belle released her, she wheezed, "I can't answer so many questions at once."

"Sorry about that."  Sweetie Belle giggled sheepishly.  "Here, you can sit at the desk.  Do you want to say hello to Pixie?"

"Of course."

Trixie took the offered baby.  Pixie giggled and smiled up at her new friend.  Her toys lay forgotten; she much preferred human company to any form of entertainment.

Sunset and Sweetie Belle sat together on the lower bunk.

"This room is sound-proofed," Sunset said.  "The Technomancers won't spy on us, either.  Once we close the door, we can use our True Names safely."

"Good to know."  Trixie paused to play with the baby's toes, eliciting giggles.  She alternated her attention between Pixie and the conversation.  "As to your questions, Sweetie Belle, I Awakened in Australia.  My mentor was my host; she sensed I was close to one and gave me a few gentle nudges.  It is something of a long story, but I ended up in Arcadia.  I'll tell you more about the Sydney Consilium later, but I did join the Silver Ladder.  As far as cabals go, I wouldn't mind joining yours if you'll have me."

"Of course we will, right, Sunset?"

"Absolutely.  We aren't official yet, since we need to wait until Sweetie Belle finishes her apprenticeship, but can call ourselves allies for now."

"That sounds good to me.  Now, as much as I want to stay, I do need to get myself settled.  I'm also going to start job-hunting.  Sunset, if you have any advise, I would appreciate it."

Sweetie Belle took back her daughter as Sunset stood with Trixie.

"Let me give you a ride.  I don't really have much experience with that right now, but I'll share what I do know on the way."

"I don't want to put you out."

"I wouldn't offer if it would."

Trixie smiled.  "I know you better than that.  Of course you would; you're too nice.  If you insist, then I accept.  I was not exactly looking forward to taking the commuter bus again."  She shivered.  "We don't exactly get along right now.  It's a long story."

Sweetie Belle insisted on another hug before she allowed Trixie to leave with Sunset.  The two young women were strapping themselves into Sunset's car as she asked, "Are you staying with your father or are you on campus?"

"It's ... neither."  Trixie squirmed a bit.  "Here's the address."

Sunset entered it into her own mobile's maps and discovered that it dropped a pin on a day hotel.  She knew it; she had stayed there shortly after leaving Equestria.  A couple gold bits bought her a room and no questions asked.  The place was seedy at best, located in a questionable part of town.  She quirked an eyebrow at her friend, who looked away.

"Can we please not talk about it?"

"I won't force you to, no."  Sunset started her car and backed into the street.  "But you might be interested to know that we're planning to move into a new flat of our own by the end of the month.  Would you like to be our roommate?"

"I, uh, are you sure?  Isn't it bad for friends to live together?"

"Not really?  I guess it depends on the people in question.  I mean, it's not like Sweetie Belle and I haven't had a few arguments.  I've disagreed with my other friends, too, but that's normal."

Trixie nodded.  "Then as long as I have the income to share the burden, I accept."

"Look, don't worry about it too much.  I won't pretend I'm loaded, but I can at least cover us to start.  My insurance payout from the accident will take care of it."  As Trixie opened her mouth, Sunset held up a hand.  "I know you'll keep your end of the bargain, I'm just saying that I'd rather you move in with us as soon as possible.  If you're still job-hunting, you can ... owe it to me later or something.  Okay?"

It took a moment to get a response from a dumbfounded Trixie.  "I....  You...."  She paused to place a hand over her chest and breath.  "Sunset, I appreciate that you want to help me.  I just don't want it to seem like I am taking advantage of you or using some sob story to wheedle you."

Sunset gave her a quick, friendly pat the shoulder.  "I'd like to live with my cabal-mates.  Sharing a burden doesn't have to be financial, you know.  Even if you can't contribute to expenses right away, your magick can help turn our place into a sanctum.  Neither of us would mind having someone else to help with babysitting if you think you'd be up for that."

"Thank you, Sunset."

They talked a bit more during the ride, mostly about job-seeking.  By the time Sunset left her friend at the entrance to the hotel, Trixie already had a plan.  Sunset would help her write a CV, then she would apply to placement agencies for temporary or contract work to build her experience.

Her natural people-skills quickly earned her a six month temp assignment as an administrative assistant.  By the time they finished moving, Trixie had also arranged to work for a local theatre troupe on nights and weekends.

They settled for a decent one-bedroom flat in the suburbs.  Trixie insisted on giving the bedroom to Sunset and Sweetie Belle to share with Pixie while she slept on the futon couch in the living room.

Their living arrangement was going well until their landlord sold the property six months later.  The new owner wanted to convert it into a strip mall and announced he would not be renewing any leases.  He had somehow arranged to have the whole area rezoned, leading Sunset to wonder if he had Kindred or Awakened backers interceding with the city council.

They had only received the notice the day before Sparky was called into another meeting with the Hierarch.  Sparky was not aware of having done anything wrong, though she was still learning all the unwritten rules and may have accidentally offended someone.  As Solstice Cherry had called and woken her a little before six in the morning, that only seemed more likely.

She arrived to find Bronze Luck and Dark Ace both waiting for her.  She took a seat and stayed silent to allow one of the two men to start the conversation.  If she was in trouble, it was better to learn what she had done first.  They both watched her, as though waiting for her to speak, which strengthened her impression that she had done something wrong.

Finally, the Hierarch broke the silence with a question.  "Sparky, you attended Canterlot High School until April of two years ago, is that correct?"

"Yes, Hierarch."  Perhaps they had learnt of her past at the school and no longer wanted her in the Consilium.  That would still be better than having to explain her demonic or angelic transformations.  "Has something happened there?"

"Since your Awakening, no."

They knew.  She prepared herself for dissection.  As least she could honestly tell them Orchid was uninvolved, though that might not mean anything as she was the sister of one of the parties.  Maybe Rarity and the others were also going to be in the lab, cursing her for their fates.

Ace spoke next.  "We are aware that, Orchid aside, you have friends who attended that school with you.  Would you be willing to identify one of them?"

Why they would make that request was beyond her.  If they did not know who had been involved in the magic at CHS, then the most likely reason was that one of them had somehow stumbled upon the existence of magick.  She started to wonder if one of her friends was a Sleepwalker; the idea was both exhilarating and terrifying.

"What do you mean?  From a line-up? pictures? my yearbook?"

"If one of your friends were to be present in the Great Hall, could you identify that person?"

"Yes, Hierarch."

The Great Hall acted as an art gallery during the day.  Perhaps Rarity or Fluttershy was enjoying a culture outing at six o'clock in the morning, somehow gaining access to the closed building.  A new question crossed her mind:  Were they resonating magic again?

The Hierarch nodded to Ace, who opened the office door.  Another person entered, and then he closed it again.

"Sparky, do you know this young woman?"

Feeling guilty and nervous, Sparky stood to face the newcomer.  If Princess Twilight were there, Sparky would laugh.  She could feel it building, the laughter that arises when one is thrown into some absurd comedy with no other possible reaction.  When she saw the pale purple skin, dark blue hair with pink and dark purple stripes, and lavender eyes, she knifed the laughter and threw it from a high bypass onto a busy thoroughfare.

"Yes, I do know her."  Sparky knew her quite well, prompting her to ask, "I'm guessing she's a Thaumaturge?"

Sci-Twi's forehead wrinkled in confusion.  "Ace said I'm an Obrimos.  Let's see ... I, uh, what did he say? ... oh, I wrote my name in the Watchtower of the Gold Key, located in the Supernal Realm of The Aether."  She seemed pleased to have remembered the details.  "I'm going by Dusk Shine."

Sparky face-palmed.  Leave it to that girl to misunderstand so completely how to choose a Shadow Name.  Yes, Sparky did not choose her own name, but that did not change that her friend had used basic substitution of her True Name.

"Nice to meet you, Dusk."

She turned back to the Hierarch.  "I can verify that Dusk Shine will be a good member of the Consilium.  If you don't mind, though, I am curious to know how she knew I was here."

"I felt her Awakening," Ace replied.  "When I got to her, we started talking.  Due to the surrounding events, I made a couple references to your Awakening.  She knew what I was talking about and showed me a picture of you."

"I accidentally said your name.  Sorry about that."  Dusk looked contrite.

Sparky shook her head.  "Don't worry about it.  Ace already knows.  Do you have a mentor?  When was your Awakening?"

"Just tonight.  It was like the stars were talking to me.  When I tried to respond to them, I ended up in The Aether."

"I trust Sparky was correct in that you will not repeat tonight's endeavours?" Bronze Luck asked.

"I promise:  I'll never set off a bomb or any other destructive weapon ever again."

"You what?"  Sparky was unsure she wanted to know.  She could also feel laughter somewhere inside her again struggling for freedom.  "A bomb?"

"Well, I thought the stars were singing to me and giving me insights into the universe, so I broke into the observatory to learn more and wrote a proof.  A professor kicked me off the campus when he found out.  One thing led to another, and I destroyed the physics building.  Don't worry, though:  Ace said no one was hurt."

Sparky shook her head.  "I don't know whether to laugh or cry.  Hierarch, is the Consilium going to help her out of this?  I can offer what resources I have if needed."

"I appreciate the offer, but that will not be necessary.  Sparky, as you seem to be friends, would you be willing to guide her through a few introductory lessons?  I believe we will have little difficulty in finding her a mentor, but she needs a prompt start to her education.  Perhaps you should introduce her to Orchid and Star Dust to see if she would be a good match for your cabal?"

"If Dusk is okay with it, I'd love to."  His unspoken warning was clear:  Dusk Shine could be used as a profile for a Mage at risk of becoming one of the Mad.  Sparky would never allow that to happen to one of her friends.  "I'll make sure she knows how to control her magick.  I'm sure she'd be a great match for the cabal, too."

"I know the dictionary definition, but does 'cabal' have the same meaning in this context?"

"Pretty much.  We form small groups to look out for each other and share information.  Orchid and Star Dust - you know them, too; I'll introduce you later - are in one with me that won't be official until Orchid finishes her apprenticeship."

"We can share information?  Like studying together and giving presentations?"  Dusk Shine could have started drooling and Sparky would not have been surprised.  "So ... are there books for this?  Do we get to write them when we make our own discoveries?  Oh, this is so exciting!  I'll need to stock up on sticky tabs and index cards.  Do you know if the office store still has that sale on coloured pens and markers?"

Dusk would require at least a few seconds to realise she was speaking to herself after Sparky's attention strayed to the Hierarch.  "Are you sure anyone will survive mentoring her?"

He gave her a smile.  "I am quite certain the individual I have in mind will give her a run for her money.  Dusk Shine, you are free to leave with Sparky if you wish.  Sparky, thank you for your assistance."

"Of course, Hierarch, and I thank you and Ace for calling me here.  Should I bring her back later?"

"We have Dusk Shine's number and address.  When her mentor is ready, we will contact her directly.  I wish you both a good day."

Dusk actually bowed as she backed from the office.  Sparky was pinching the bridge of her nose at that point.  It was going to be a long day.

When they were in the garage, Sunset asked, "Does Spike know anything about this?"

"Not much more than I do.  He was listening on the way here, but I wasn't sure if it was a good idea to let anyone else know he can talk."

"So he's in your car?  Get him, then you can both ride with me so we can talk on the way."

Twilight kept Spike in her lap for the drive.  Sunset opened by asking him to recount Twilight's conversation with Ace, which he was able to do.  That was a minor relief to Sunset; she was unsure how a talking, sapient dog would place in regards to the Lie, but he was either a magickal being like Karen or a Sleepwalker like Button Mash.

It was sufficiently early in the morning still that they were able to catch Trixie and Sweetie Belle before they had to leave for the day.  Neither was particularly excited about it being a Monday morning, but their attitudes brightened quickly when they saw Twilight.

"Another one?"  Trixie had a smile as she shook her head.  "Sunset, I'm beginning to wonder if being close to you is what draws us to the Watchtowers."

"But none of Sunset's other friends have Awakened, have they?"

"I was being facetious, Twilight."  Trixie hugged her.  "I wish I could afford to call in today so we could catch up.  Promise we'll get to talk later?"

"My only plans today are to start learning about magick from Sunset.  Unless something comes up, I'll be here."

Twilight accepted a hug from Sweetie Belle.

"I'm guessing Sunset told you that we're forming a cabal, right?  If you want to join, you have my vote."

"Same here," Trixie said.

"Thanks, girls.  I'd definitely like to, but we can talk about it later, okay?  I don't want to cause you to be late."

Karen only came out of whatever hidden corner she had been using for a nap after they left.  She glanced at the couch, where Twilight sat with Spike, before hopping onto Sunset's lap.  The Fae cat proceeded to groom herself nonchalantly.

"Aww, I didn't know you guys had a cat," Twilight said.  She patted Spike's head.  "You won't bother her will you?"

"He won't get within a tail's length of me if I don't want him to."  Karen continued her grooming.

"You can talk, too?  Did you get hit by a weird magic beam after jumping through a portal to some weird, creepy forest?"

"I come from Arcadia.  I'm a lesser incarnation of the Gentry called The Bogeyman, currently contracted to one Sweetie Belle for the purposes of shielding her daughter and any future children from monsters."

"She's also a sweetheart who loves kids."  Sunset stroked Karen's back, eliciting a purr.  "I'm sure you'll get along with Spike just fine."

"I'm sure we will, too, so long as he acknowledges the natural superiority of the feline race."  She gave one of her squeaky laughs and hopped to the floor as Spike started to protest.  "Come with me.  I know how to open the refrigerator.  There should be some de-boned fish left over from dinner."

Any resentment in Spike's eyes faded as he scurried after his new friend.

The rest of the day passed smoothly.  Sunset limited herself to summarising several broad categories and then allowing Twilight to ask a few targeted questions.  The goal was not for Sunset to be her mentor so much as to get her started.  They covered the ten Arcana, the thirteen Practises, the five Paths with their respective Watchtowers, and the Orders.

"Do you think I'd have a chance of joining the Mysterium?"

A brief image of Midnight Sparkly cackling as she rode on the back of an unchained god of the Time Before entered Sunset's mind.  She cleared it quickly; she wanted to encourage her friend, not clip her wings.

"I'd be surprised if they didn't want you.  Ace is their representative in our Consilium; you can ask him next time you see him.  They have to invite you, but I'm sure he'd be willing to tell you more if he's not busy."

Sweetie Belle and Trixie offered their own viewpoints both that evening and throughout the week.  It was Friday when Ace called Dusk Shine to meet with her proposed mentor; by that time, she had memorised all of the basic terms and names.  They had even walked her through her first Willworking.  She went to meet her mentor with bright eyes and a smile.

Sparky's training had taken over one year.  It was due to many factors, such as Pearl's style of not only communicating information but also ensuring Sparky fully understood each aspect of her abilities as one of the Awakened.  Of course, becoming Sweetie Belle's legal guardian and babysitting Pixel Bit had required modifying their learning plan and leaving more time between lessons.

Orchid was still in her apprenticeship.  Her school schedule and infant care required a slower pace, which sometimes caused her to mope that she was a failure.  A few good talks with Sunset reassured the girl that she was progressing well.

Dusk Shine's training required three months.  She received only one semester's suspension for vandalism and theft, but the Hierarch made good on his word to ensure she was not held responsible for the bomb.  She used that break from classes to devote herself to her magickal studies.  Her mentor, a fellow Thaumaturge of a similar bent regarding the many practicalities of colour-coded note cards, had a reputation as a taskmaster of a man, belittling the smallest failures while begrudgingly praising only the greatest of successes.  Dusk Shine received only four ear-lashings during her tenure as an apprentice.  Her mentor had expressed a desire to adopt her, but was rather disappointed to learn that each of her family members was alive and well.

They decided to wait for Orchid before officially declaring the formation of their cabal.  The Hierarch had acknowledged them privately, which already granted certain protections.  There was no particular reason to do it quickly, and they worried Orchid would feel worse if they did it without her than she did for stalling them.

When their lease ended, Twilight agreed to move in with them for the purposes of keeping the fledgling cabal together.  They had found a nice little place, all of them somehow fitting themselves into two bedrooms.  They all tried to control their possessions throughout the year, but there were too many people for a two-bedroom flat.  It was getting crowded; they needed to move.

Dusk Shine was compiling lists and cross-referencing every type of data she could, prioritising safety and crime-rate, schools for Pixie, and magickal resonance.  Star Dust preferred to leave the search to her whim, driving around the city and stopping when she felt an urge, which was providing locations almost entirely from the top of Dusk's list.  Sparky and Orchid stayed out of the discussion, afraid to join the madness.

One day, as Dusk was arranging tours of her top five choices and Star Dust for another three, Sparky's mobile rang.  She was fully expecting it, not at all surprised that the Hierarch wanted to see her.  Perhaps Applejack had Awakened.  Maybe she was to meet her human self that she had never been able to find.  Nothing would surprise her.

She vowed she would never plan to move again.

This time, all of the Councillors were gathered in the office as well as a man she did not recognise.  Bronze Luck introduced him as Jackpot, a high-ranking member of the Free Council's local Assembly.

"May I ask a couple questions, Hierarch?"

"You may."

"Was I called to meet someone that might know me?"

"No."

"Am I about to meet a Shaman?"

"You are.  Did Midnight Radiance or Star Dust divine that you would make a new acquaintance today?"

Sparky chuckled.  "No, I just seem to be meeting people every time I get ready to move.  Four of the Paths are already represented in my cabal, so I just guessed the last one."

After a pause, the Hierarch replied, "I see.  For what it is worth, none of us were aware you are in the process of moving.  You have my apologies for calling you at such an inconvenient time."

"It's not a problem, Hierarch.  We've only just started looking.  You have my apologies for disrupting the meeting."

Jackpot was the next to speak.  "In the interest of strengthening our relationship with the Consilium, we recently passed an initiative to send a few of our unaffiliated members to exchange information with Consilium cabals.  Based on the profiles we provided to Hierarch Bronze Luck and the Council, they feel your cabal would be a good match to spend time with Wild Tart."

"Please bear in mind that you are under no obligation to add another member to your cabal or even to accept spending time with this young woman.  This is only to last a few weeks to foster positive relations between a few Libertines and our own to improve the strength of the Pentacle in this area."

The Pentacle represented the alliance between the four Diamond Orders and the Free Council against the Seers of the Throne, though the alliance was frequently on shaky legs.  The Libertines hated the stuffy traditions of the Diamond, while Consilium Mages did not appreciate the lack of respect for the old ways the Free Council fostered in its converts.  Though she had almost no interaction with anyone she knew to be a Libertine, Sparky was intrigued to see if her cabal could build a relationship with one.

"I'm willing to give it a chance, and I'm sure the others will, too."

"We appreciate your willingness to make an attempt."

"Yes, thank you for keeping an open mind," Jackpot added.  "Let me get her."

Sparky waited until Wild Tart sat next to her to view the newcomer.  It was hard not looking out the corner of her eye, but she persevered and received only a hint of green prior to making a quarter-turn in her seat.

Hair in three shades of green, pale red skin.  Sparky tried not to laugh.  Despite yet another brutal murder of the humour welling within her, she could not prevent giggles when she recognised the former Shadowbolt.  "You're Wild Tart?"

"Oh, you're from-" she clapped a hand over her mouth.

"It's fine, they know I attended Canterlot High."

Jackpot spoke, bewilderment in his voice.  "Wild Tart, didn't you attend Crystal Prep?"

"Yeah, but I met Sparky during a competition between our schools."

Even the Hierarch seemed a bit stunned.  "I see you do know each other.  It is highly unusual for so many connected individuals to Awaken."

"Wait."  Wild Tart held up a hand.  "You mean other people Sparky knows are Mages, too?"

"Yeah, and you definitely know at least one of them."

"Radical.  Can we go say hello?  I wanna see who everyone is."

Most of the older gathered Mages chuckled, Solar Helm alone remaining aloof.  Though the Silver Ladder were normally the primary advocates for the Free Council, she did not share her Order's respect for other viewpoints.  Sparky was glad she was not a Théarch and briefly worried Star Dust would face some persecution for associating with a Libertine.  Then again, her friend had a knack for building her reputation solely on her own demonstrable merits.

"I believe proper introductions are in order," Solar Helm stated.  "Sparky, as you are the acting host, begin."

Once Sparky recited her overly long identification - which for some indiscernible reason did not include one's Order - Wild Tart took her turn.

"Call me Wild Tart, an Ecstatic named in the Watchtower of the Stone Book, enjoying the Thyrsus Path located in the Primal Wild."

When the Hierarch dismissed them, Sparky led her new friend out of the Great Hall.

"You like music, right?  I think you and Orchid are going to be great friends.  Want to ride with me?"

"Sure.  How many members are in your cabal?"

"Four, plus another four honorary members."

As they rode together, Sunset discovered that Lemon Zest had Awakened only a few weeks after she did.  They compared stories, though Sunset's was rather short.  She found the musician's far more interesting.

"I still find it hard to believe I dreamt up a whole, kinda surreal adventure after partying too hard.  Do you have any idea how mind-blowing it was to find out there wasn't a time-loop?  I thought I'd killed myself, but that never actually happened, either.  Not that I'm complaining, but I would have thought I was still tripping if I hadn't known deep inside somehow that the Watchtower was more real than me."

"Didn't the Primal Wild's magick arrange your Waking World Dream?"

"Yeah, but how do we know what the Stone Book set up for me and what came from my head?  Either way, that was a major ride.  I still wish I knew who or what my older self was.  I'd like to think it really was me, the part that knew I was losing control, but I just haven't ever been able to figure it out."

"Maybe we'll be able to figure that out together someday."  Sunset into her complex's parking zone.  "We're here.  The girls should all be home."

Lemon Zest pouted as she asked, "There aren't any guys in your cabal?"

That brought a laugh from Sunset.  "Two of our associate members, but one's taken and the other ... well, you'll see."

Twilight was gobsmacked when Lemon Zest followed Sunset into the flat.  Spike and Karen had been playing with Pixie, a simple game of tag, but they ended it when she decided that the visitor was more interesting.

Pixie toddled to Lemon Zest, a welcoming grin on her face as she pulled on the young woman's boot and said, "Hi."

"Hi to you, too.  What's your name?"

"Pixie."  She tried to hold up three fingers, but she could not quite curl her pinkie independently of the others.  "I'm three."

"You're practically all grown up already."  She patted the girl's head.  "Why don't you go play with the doggy and kitty again?"

"'Kay.  Bye-bye."

As Pixie went back to her game, Sunset guided her new friend to a seat.  Twilight sat across from Lemon Zest while Sunset gathered the rest of their group.

"You know, somehow, I'm not surprised to see you here," Lemon Zest.  "Did you Awaken at the Friendship Games?  Let me guess, Thaumaturge?"

"How does everyone keep guessing that?  And, no, it was a couple years later.  What about you?  Warlock?"

"Nah, I'm an Ecstatic."

By that point, the rest of the group was gathered.  Sweetie Belle knew of Lemon Zest, though the two had never interacted.  They shared snacks and drinks as the conversation flowed.  After a couple hours, Lemon Zest paused to stretch out in her seat.

"I don't know about you guys, but I'm looking forward to this exchange."

* * *

"By the time the exchange was over, Lemon Zest had already fit right in and decided to join the cabal.  We've all been together since then."

"What about Daddy?" Pixel Bit asked, her eyes drooping but still full of life.

"When he turned eighteen, your Mum and I set up a meeting with the Hierarch for him.  Since Sleepwalkers like you and Button Mash are considered adjunct members of a Consilium and honorary members of a cabal, it's not quite the same.  Besides, I told you about how he came to be part of our group last night."

"Yeah, but when did he move in?"

"Oh, that was right after he and your Mum graduated from CHS.  I mean, he was sort of living with us already, but that just made it official.  Do you remember their wedding?  He moved in a few months before that."

"I got to hold the rings."

Sunset kissed Pixie's forehead.  "That's right.  Now, it's time for growing girls to get some sleep.  I have one more story for you tomorrow about how you helped your Mum and me learn more about magick."

"I get to be a hero?"  Despite the sleep attempting to claim her, Pixie's eyes were wide.  "How did I do that?"

"No tricks now.  You'll hear all about it tomorrow night, okay?"

With an adorable pout, Pixie replied, "Okay.  Good night, Aunty Sunset."

"Sleep well, Pixie.  Maybe Pinkie Pie will visit your dreams tonight."