Amore hums a joyful tune, sitting in the cafeteria beside Veronica as she eats a cucumber and lettuce sandwich. Opposite them are Aqua Streak with Scarlet Orange drinking blood from her wrist. Amore taps her foot while using her spoon to play with her bowl of rice and curry.

Veronica raises an eyebrow, adjusting Amore's silver case between them. "Someone has definitely recovered from their particular dilemma. However, I dare say you're happy about something else?"

Scarlet Orange licks her sister clean before glancing up at Amore with a squint, "I dare say, she's practically glowing... Wait... No!" She leans forward, looking the mare over as she blushes brightly.

Aqua Streak comes out of her daze as she blinks, looking between everyone, "Oh come on, it's not like she had sex with Sugar F-" Her voice dies down as Amore blushes a very bright red, staring down into her bowl.

The three girls stare at each other with a smile as they gang up on the poor mare in question. Amore tries to look innocent as possible while eating her curry. Scarlet Orange bites her lip while leaning forward to place her head in her hand.

"So, how was indulging your first Vampire love session? It's different from how you felt as a normal, right?" Scarlet Orange asks, staring with admirable envy.

Amore plays with her rice, biting her spoon thinking, "It was... Intense. Everything was on fire and every fibre of my being was buzzing with electricity... Sugar Fizz is the most unexpected and indulgent experience I've ever had."

Scarlet Orange squees as she leaps up to hover, sitting down beside Amore, and hugging her. "Aww, our little Amore is spreading her wings at last~," The mare nuzzles her cheek gently.

Hearing someone clear their throat, the pair look up to see Sugar Fizz smiling with a raised eyebrow, making Amore blush deeply.

"Should I be jealous? I told you they'd notice it fairly quickly." Sugar Fizz smirks, adjusting a clipboard under her arm so she can lean across the table to give Amore a gentle kiss.

Aqua Streak stands up and rubs the back of her neck, "Hey, Scarlet and I were talking... We're very sorry for what we said before when you and Amore started being roommates. Back when we were foals, the three of us used to be good friends. I'm sorry we didn't try harder." She states, looking down.

Sugar Fizz smiles, standing up to gently stroke Aqua's chin, lifting it. "We don't have to dwell on it, she... Has a peculiar effect on people, it seems." She looks over a sheet on her clipboard, humming softly before smiling.

The yellow mare finished her lunch and looked at Sugar Fizz curiously, "What's up, do I have curry on my face?" She asks wiping her mouth, making Sugar Fizz smile.

Sugar Fizz shakes her head, passing Amore two sheets of paper. "Do you think you could help me with some student council business? I need to check on these departments to make sure everything is progressing smoothly for the Nightmare Night festival." Amore looks at the sheet, nodding before glancing at the second form which is a team registry.

Aqua Streak and Scarlet Orange look excited, "Oh, is it that time already? It feels like yesterday we had our last Supernatural Games." Scarlet Orange smiles widely.

Sugar Fizz nods, "We're handing out the team registry early this year to let groups have ample time to prepare their seven members. The games are an excellent way to test the strength of all the participating academies, offering rewards to the winning team." Sugar Fizz explains, seeing Amore's eyes light up with glee.

Scarlet Orange smiles and glances up, "Will the student council be taking part again this year?"

Sugar Fizz sighs, "Alas, not everyone on the council wanted to participate this year so likely not. Though I've thought about forming a team myself, as much fun as I'd have relaxing I'd relish putting Miss Light in her place."

Aqua Streak sits back down chuckling, "You two have the most unhealthy rivalry..."

Sugar Fizz rolls her eyes and waves her hand, leaning down to kiss Amore before leaving to continue her work. Amore ponders the sheet while biting her lip and humming, before glancing at the other piece of paper.

"I guess I should check on these departments first..." Amore states standing up as Veronica makes a whip noise causing the mare to blush, Scarlet Orange simply laughing.

Amore grabs her case from under the table, "Fuck you both! Assholes, let's go Aqua..." She states, leaving with the Pegasus in tow as she sipped a cola and adjusted her bag.

Aqua Streak is looking over the sheet Amore was given, the girls finding themselves on the west side of the third floor.

"According to this, our first stop is the book club..." Aqua Streak hums with an inquisitive look as she glances over the other clubs.

Amore glances back at Aqua Streak, raising an eyebrow. "What's up? Is the club president notorious or something?"

Aqua Streak laughs before sighing, "She used to be. Not going to lie, I'd say she'd rival you in being rebellious, but... Everything changed when we enrolled in Armonia; our little group was hit with various responsibilities that kinda just left Scarlet and me. I think Sugar has motives behind wanting you to check in on these particular clubs."

Amore contemplates it for a moment as she shrugs, "I don't mind running errands for her, I have a feeling today will be... Exciting~" She smiles widely, making Aqua Streak sigh in envy of her carefree spirit.

The pair come to a stop at the end of the corridor, seeing the plaque for Armonia's book club. Amore knocks on the door before sliding it open. Entering they can see the room is fairly decorated like a study. On one side are two sofas and an armchair around a coffee table meanwhile on the opposite side is a fully stocked bar.

"The fuck kind of book club is this?" Amore asks smiling at the bar, seeing all the bookcases stocked with a multitude of titles and scriptures.

"The fun kind, I assure you." A white Pegasus mare stated, closing a book and folding her glasses to put them both aside. Standing up, she straightens her forest green uniform and brushes a strand of teal hair with purple highlights behind her ear while walking toward the bar. "Might I interest Armonia's notorious rebel in a drink?" The mare asks, pointing to the whisky bottle on a cabinet beside the door before reaching over the bar to grab two glasses.

"From what I heard, you weren't far off my level not so long ago," Amore smirks, grabbing the bottle as she walks over to occupy the space beside them.

The mare sighs gently, "Once upon a time I suppose, but responsibility provides quite the shackles. I'd assume you told her about me?"

Aqua Streak shrugs, "I felt it was prudent to inform her who she was being sent to see, Tranquil Wind."

Tranquil Wind pours a little whisky into either glass, humming as both mares swallow it whole. "Hmm, I have a feeling this will be an interesting conversation. I can only assume Sugar has taken to playing her old game again."

"She sent me to check on the festival preparation of your club," Amore states, putting down her case to get comfortable.

Tranquil Wind pours them two more glasses, savouring the aroma as she swirls the amber liquid around for a moment or two. Leaning back against the bar she looks up at the ceiling, "I'll be honest... The commotion you've made since attending our little slice of estranged paradise has been beyond intriguing. Picking a fight with three of my pack the instant you arrived, then the fight with Sugar Fizz was entertaining. I didn't expect you to try to win; let alone manage to end the fight in a draw." Both mares down their drinks before being filled a third time.

"My mentality at the time was to find one of the strongest here and kick their ass..." Amore blushes deeply, swallowing the third glass. "I never expected any of this; especially not dating the mare I fought-" She suddenly frowns very deeply and practically scowls.

Aqua Streak chuckles loudly, drawing Amore's attention. "My sister put a bet on how long it'd take you to realise the rather amusing connection when you told us about Selene. How you fought her over at CEA before dating soon after."

"F-fuck off! I do not have a thing for mare's who kick my ass... Selene was false promises while Sugar was an unexpectedly sweet inspiration." Amore prompts Tranquil Wind for another refill which she knocks back eagerly.

Aqua Streaks holds her hands up in surrender, "Don't look at me. Scarlet started it." She shrugs with a playful grin.

Tranquil Wind chuckles before laughing, sighing as she matches Amore's pace. "You two being here reminds me of our high school days, fuck it was so lively and happy. Anyway... Please let Vice President Fizz know everything is progressing normally for the book club."

Tranquil Wind stands up, nodding slightly to Amore before heading for the door. The mare in question frowns, looking down at the two sheets of paper she was given, her eyes staring at the team registry. "No," Amore states placing her hand down and looking at the mare.

"Pardon?" Tranquil Wind bites her lip with a smirk, turning around to glance at Amore with amused curiosity.

Amore shakes her head, standing up to refill their glasses, sliding the other glass across the bar to stop closest to Tranquil Wind. "I'm putting the offer out. Join me and live a little; fight on my team for the games."

"A generous offer, but you see I'm quite content with the role I play. I admire you, Amore, but I chose my cage," Tranquil Wind shrugs, turning back towards the door.

"Let me give you the chance to spread your wings again... You claim to be content, but that doesn't mean you're satisfied. Are you the Armonia pack alpha or was that just a title flex?" Amore asks, staring at Tranquil Wind with a sincere expression, standing her ground.

Tranquil Wind struggles, glancing at the whisky glass and Amore feeling conflicted but not enough she couldn't see a clear choice. "Argh! Luna damn it, Scratch... You have some fucking big claws calling me out like that. Screw it, should be a pen here somewhere..." She downs the whisky before putting the glass aside, reaching over the bar to find a pen so she can sign the team registry.

Amore smiles, swallowing her last glass before putting it aside, too. "I'm sorry if I went too far-"

Tranquil Wind lightly taps Amore's chest with her fist, shaking her head. "Mhm, don't. I see no reason that anyone should apologise for speaking the truth, as harsh as it can be. My parents aren't average ponies, so I felt pressured to try and live up to everyone's expectations as their foal but... They never forced me into a path or tried to dictate what I should do, fuck I thought if I could be less like my 'father', then ponies wouldn't give me shady glances or whispers. Didn't want mom to be disappointed in me but she'd only be disappointed I thought lying to myself and them is something they'd want."

"Stuff happens and we deal with it. Sugar came back around. I'm guessing she missed you, too, sending Amore to your door," Aqua Streak comments with a smile, practically leaping to hug her friend.

Amore folds up the papers and puts them in her pocket, "I'm glad she did; even since starting here, I haven't really ventured outside the twins and her for friends till Veronica happened to join us. After the incident with Shintaku, I can only imagine she wanted to surround her marefriend with strong ponies I could count on should something like that occur again."

Tranquil Wind pries Aqua Streak off her after a minute or two, "Likely, Sugar enjoyed pulling strings. Manipulation was her forte and fuck if she wasn't damn good at it. The tailors were on your list, right? I would very much like to accompany you, there's something I've put off for a little while now."

Amore nods before all three girls leave the book club and follow Tranquil Wind who leads them off the third floor back down to the first, stopping outside a bathroom door.

"What's up?" Amore looks confused, tilting her head at Tranquill Wind.

Tranquil Wind looks around, humming lightly before glancing at Amore's case, "Could I borrow your sword for a moment? It's not ideal but we'll see how it goes."

Amore shrugs, setting her silver case down and carefully opening it before handing her scissor blade to Tranquil Wind, who then entered the bathroom. "Any idea what she could need with a sharp implement and a bathroom?" she asks, looking up at Aqua Streak.

Aqua Streak looks equally as puzzled while giving her a gentle shrug, "I can think of a few things, but none of them would apply here..."

After waiting for several minutes, Tranquil Wind steps back out of the bathroom to throw Amore her sword, both mares now wearing surprised expressions. Stretching hard, Tranquil Wind sighs deeply as she fiddles with what is now an improvised medium-length mane that drapes over the left side of her face. The right side has been trimmed back the best she could using Amore's scissor blade, the whole thing now a bit more eccentric. "You've no idea how much better this feels, shall we?"

Walking off towards the basement stairs, Amore snaps out of her daze as she puts away the sword before following close behind with Aqua Streak, "I mean, it suits you a lot better, but we could have visited the salon; it's literally right there."

They turn the corner to pass the salon, going only two doors down to the tailor. "I honestly couldn't wait to have my mane cut, this is a little urgent for me."

Aqua Streak is smiling widely, looking very giddy as Tranquil Wind leads them inside. After passing through a small thick archway, the room opens up into an oval shape with dress designs and charts covering the wall, racks of dresses at all stages of completion spread around, metal cages and rods holding various spools of fabric or other materials, a circle podium in the centre to display the current project. Coming out of a similar doorway on the left side of the room, from a closet which appeared to hold the majority of the finished works, was a light silver Earth Pony mare with a slender body and subtle curves, her dull pink mane having dark grey streaks in it. She wears the same colour uniform as Tranquil Wind but is styled with a dull silver scarf that's wrapped around her neck. Taking a deep breath, Tranquil Wind quietly approaches the mare.

"No, no, I've told you countless times now, I need that order of black material now. The festival is literally upon us and you've no idea how popular black is dear. I implore you to do your best, but if certain promises cannot be kept, well..." The mare states, appearing to talk to someone on an earpiece.

Amore and Aqua Streak watch as Tranquil Wind slides up behind her to squeeze her hip, making her spin around with a surprised expression. "Silver Stitch, working hard as always it seems."

The mare hangs up the phone and throws her earpiece off to the side onto a workstation as Tranquil Wind picks her up, Silver Stitch practically wrapping her legs like a vice around the mare's waist. "You took your bloody time, darling. How rude to make a lady wait." Her ocean-blue eyes lower halfway as the pair share a deep tender kiss.

Aqua Streak leans towards Amore to whisper, "They used to date back in high school, but when Tranquil put all that responsibility on herself she asked to break up. Silver, not one to let the mare go, promised to wait for her regardless of anything Tranquil tried to say. I've been dying for this exact moment to finally happen." She claps lightly, biting her lip.

"You know, for the tomboy one, you have some oddly girly moments." Amore nudges Aqua Streak who punches her arm in return, blushing deeply.

After several minutes, the couple in front of them let go of each other as Tranquil Wind puts Silver Stitch down gently. "You can thank Amore for 'this.' She prompted a good opportunity I couldn't say no to." She smiles while looking back at the pair by the door.

Silver Stitch brushes off her jacket, walking over to Amore to give her a tight hug. "I don't care how you did it, but it seems I owe you a great deal, my dear. You'll be sure to let me know if you need absolutely anything at all. You've already seen my handiwork with the piece you wore at the Von Scratch mansion."

Amore blushes deeply, "I did, thank you; it was beautiful. I'm glad to have been an influence here, even if I'm not entirely sure what I did. Sugar Fizz just asked me to check around a few clubs for their progress."

Silver Stitch smiles, looking at Tranquil Wind who shrugs at the statement, "Indeed, I've no doubt you were given three clubs, all of which are run by her high school friends. I don't know what you did to her, but that mare also appears much happier since you burst onto the scene."

Amore blushed further, "She makes me very happy..."

Silver Stitch smiles, "My, you are precious. I can assure you Sugar feels the same way. Just from watching the pair of you, it's obvious to us. Shall we go visit Miss Dusk then? See if we can't interrupt her afternoon nap." She giggles, now leading the group out of the tailors.

While walking further along the corridor, Amore hums a little before getting an idea. She glances at Silver Stitch while pulling out the registry in her pocket.

"I don't suppose you'd be interested in the Supernatural Games?" Amore asks, showing her the form.

Taking a breath, Silver Stitch shakes her head. "Dear me, no. I'm afraid not. I was taught a little self-defence but I'm more into making outfits and designing garments like my mother. I tried it once, last year, but it was a little more than I could handle admittedly. Despite my darling asking for some distance, the result of my match prompted her to push my opponent a little hard when they were put against each other. In her own way, it was super sweet." She glances back at Tranquil Wind who is blushing, looking to the side.

Reaching the end of the basement hallway, the group stopped in front of a door that has a ghost holding a teacup on the front of it. Looking confused, Amore frowns before Silver Stitch smiles, opening the door and letting them inside. The room beyond is fairly vintage, with a few cabinets and display units holding various objects from cups to figurines or other occult items. A medium-sized round table sits in the centre of the room with a few chairs set up around it, a tea tray with a fresh steaming pot sitting in front of a sleeping mare. From what she can see, Amore notices that they have a lavender coat, royal purple mane and tail with swirling pink highlights. Her uniform also appears to be that of a Supernatural student, adorned with a white lab coat and blue magician's hat with stars on it.

Silver Stitch goes to sneak up on her but stops as she suddenly speaks, "Ngn... Nice try Stitch. Is that Tranquil, as well?" The mare groans, lifting herself as she stretches.

"May I present, Moonlit Dusk, president of the occult research club and proprietor of the festival decorations," Silver Stitch smiles, holding her hands behind her back.

Moonlit Dusk rubs her eyes, yawning gently before looking at the group. Amore tilts her head, seeing that she has different coloured eyes, the right a peach colour while the left is a very distinct midnight blue. "Nobody told me we were getting the band back together; I would have worn my lucky lab coat." She smirks, standing up with a spin as she flares out her attire, "Oh, wait, I did~" Moonlit Dusk swallows her cup of tea.

"Umm, it's a pleasure to meet you, I'm-" Amore starts introducing herself but stops when Moonlit Dusk appears in front of her face, checking her out.

Moonlit Dusk hums, moving around Amore before clicking her tongue, "She could have done worse. Your reputation precedes you, Miss Scratch. Come on, let's walk."

The strange mare pulls Amore out of the room, followed closely by the others as they walk back down the corridor heading for the stairs. "Well, this has been a super productive morning~" Aqua Streak smiles widely, looking particularly happy.

Silver Stitch pets the energetic girl softly, smiling as well. "I'm sure your sister will be equally happy her friends have been reunited despite the year they spent estranged."

Amore suddenly feels the Supernatural Games team registry float out of her pocket and into the air where it weaves around her hands before going to Moonlit Dusk. "Ooh, the Supernatural Games, I'd forgotten about that. I didn't bother last year, so it slipped my mind. Gimme your back Wind." She states, placing the paper against Tranquil Wind's back as she summons a quill pen.

"H-hey, what's wrong with the wall?" Tranquill WInd states in protest as she's made to correct herself, being forced to face forward again.

Taking a moment to sign her name, Moonlit Dusk hands the piece of paper to Amore as she leaps to the front and makes the quill vanish. "Let's go see if we can catch her in the middle of work~" Moonlit Dusk smirks widely.

Sugar Fizz sighs deeply, sitting on the edge of the academy rooftop behind the railing as she stares at Symphony below. The mare is looking at a clipboard while talking to some other students as they sort out placements for the Nightmare Night festival.

"I didn't know you were adept at playing chess," Amore states, leaning against the railing beside Sugar Fizz who inhales lightly.

Sugar Fizz smiles warmly as she notices Tranquil Wind, Silver Stitch and Moonlit Dusk heading over to interrupt Symphony's work. "It doesn't sound as if my queen is complaining," she chuckles, standing up to glance at Amore.

Leaning against the mare, Amore inhales softly while nuzzling Sugar Fizz gently. "I think my king trusted me to be myself with helping her friends back together. Although I'll be honest, it doesn't feel like I did all that much passed recruiting Tranquil Wind. The rest just seemed to fall into place from that point on."

Sugar Fizz holds Amore's hand as they glance down at the scene below, seeing Symphony smile at the trio, talking and laughing. "Tranquil did what Symphony and I did, take on a load of responsibility when we graduated to Armonia. On top of that, she swiftly took over the Armonia wolf pack which added to her list of responsibilities much to Silver Stitch's chagrin. I'd like to imagine they are back together as I know it's been a long year for both."

Amore nods, "It was our next stop after I convinced her to join my team for the games. Silver Stitch's reaction made it feel like it had been a long time waiting for either of them. Then they took us to see Moonlit Dusk who was intrigued to join my team. Also, her club is... odd."

"Tranquil Wind is president of the book club and her pack often helps out with the labour for the festivals. Silver Stitch isn't so much a club as it is simply she and her mother who run the academy tailor. They generally provide costumes, dresses, and our uniforms. Moonlit Dusk would be the outlier other than when it comes to Nightmare Night as she is president of the occult research club, thus able to provide unique themed services for that time of year. I'm sure you know being president of the music club means the student council will look to you first for providing music for events and such." Sugar Fizz explains, pulling away from the rooftop railing to tug Amore with her.

Amore willingly gets moved away from the edge as she is pulled close to Sugar Fizz, "I did anticipate that, yeah. It's what I love to do and I can't imagine the club having any complaints about getting to play more music. Hmm, it's getting pretty late and I don't think we have anything else today if you wanted to retire to our room?"

Sugar Fizz smiles, "I've been questioning a lot since we met how I managed to earn such an amazing mare's affection. I'd love to. I want to indulge your attention as much as possible before we both become particularly busy with upcoming Nightmare Night preparations."

They both share a deep tender kiss before heading back inside and towards their dorm room. The reunited group below in the academy courtyard seemingly increased in excitement as the newly acquired trio convinced Symphony to take a break as everyone appeared to be moving toward town, no doubt aiming for Valentine's.

Author's Note

I apologise for how long this took to get out, I hardly seem to be able to manage lately dealing with myself, motivation and life issues. I hope people continue to enjoy how this fic progresses. I'll try not to make it so long till the next chapter.