Anon-A-Miss(takes)

It had been a few days since Sunset had started working the counter at Bon Bon's. Luckily Pinkie hadn't come back in in that time, and neither had any other students from school. Word must have gotten out that Bon Bon had taken her in and, though she never talked about it, Sunset knew it was likely making her days harder than they should be.

Sunset had tried apologizing to Bon Bon for the trouble that she had brought on her, but Bon Bon simply waved it off stating that if people were petty enough to judge someone by what company they kept and not by what kind of a person they are then they weren't really worth knowing anyways.

Sunset still felt bad, but she'd given up on trying to talk to Bon Bon about it. That girl was so stubborn that she could probably give Applejack a run for her money. At that thought a frown graced her features, she had yet to receive so much as a text from any of them, even though she knew that even that was hoping for too much. After all they had made it pretty clear to her that they didn't want anything to do with her any more.

As much as she'd love to turn her thoughts to a lighter subject there wasn't much to do while manning the counter. There weren't exactly many customers coming through, and the ones that did didn't exactly stick around for idle chatter. Thankfully most days she had Lyra and Bon Bon to talk to, but Lyra had gone shopping for presents and Bon Bon was busy in the back working on filling out a big order they had recently received.

Now that she thought about it she should probably follow Lyra's example, after all this world's version of Hearth's Warming was only a couple of days away. She had planned on getting the girls something, but then this whole mess happened and now it was likely that they wouldn't even think about accepting a gift from her.

Sunset groaned in exasperation. Why couldn't she stop thinking about those five? No matter what topic came up all she could think about was them, and how they fit into whatever it was she was thinking about. She should have figured that it wouldn't be so easy to get over what had happened, but she thought that it would at least be easier to deal with now that she knew she had a couple of people backing her up.

She really needed a distraction from these thoughts, otherwise she was going to drive herself crazy. As if answering her prayers the entrance bell rang, catching her attention.

"Welcome to Bon Bon's Sweets Shop, how may I help you?" She recited from memory. It took her a second to register who it was that had entered the store. It was hard not to recognize two of the most famous, or infamous depending on which of the two you're talking about, students at CHS.

Vinyl Scratch waved enthusiastically at her while Octavia gave her a more subdued nod.

"Hey," She greeted them properly, wearing a smile of her own, "So what are you guys here for?"

Vinyl made a quick set of hand gestures that were too fast for Sunset to follow. Octavia, however, simply nodded before turning back to face her.

"We're picking up an order from Bon Bon."

Sunset nodded in understanding. It was an obvious answer really.

"Bon Bon!" She called out to the back.

"I heard!"

Sunset inclined her head in acknowledgement, even though she knew Bon Bon couldn't see her before turning back to the two in front of her.

"So," she started, trying to fill in the silence, "How've things been at Canterlot High since I've been gone?"

At that the two visibly grimaced and Vinyl made more erratic hand gestures.

"While not quite how I would have put it, I must agree. Things have been simply dreadful, and Anon-A-Miss has only gotten worse since you left."

While Sunset really wanted to know more about what was happening to the place that she'd been calling home for the past few years she knew a sensitive subject when she saw one so instead she opted to change the subject.

"So, uh, what's with all the hand stuff?"

"Oh, apologies dear, I assumed you knew already."

"Knew what?"

"Let's start with introductions, this here is Vinyl Scratch, or perhaps better known by her stage name DJ-PON3. She's a DJ and a trouble maker. I am Octavia Scratch, Vinyl's official girlfriend, and unofficial translator. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Octavia stuck out her hand and Sunset grasped it, giving her a firm handshake.

"Sunset Shimmer, though you probably already knew that."

"Indeed I did. I doubt there's a student in Canterlot High that doesn't know your name."

Sunset flushed red at that, remembering her less than coherent plan of taking over Equestria with an army of brainwashed high school students. It was then that something clicked.

"Wait, you said translator. Does that mean?" Sunset questioned, leaving it open ended in case it was a sensitive subject.

"Yes dear, Vinyl is mute. Don't worry too much about offending her it's something she's dealt with her whole life. And frankly? I'm still not even sure that she gets embarrassed."

Vinyl gave her two thumbs up which helped to ease Sunset's tension.

"Thanks. I've never really been good with talking to people, especially the ones with more 'sensitive' issues."

Vinyl makes a couple of signs while grinning.

"Vinyl says don't worry about it. Just talk to her like you would anybody else darling."

Thanks again. Actually I've been wondering for a while, how exactly do you hear anything with those headphones on? I mean I've never actually seen you with them off before."

"Vinyl learnt how read lips. She said, and I quote, 'It makes it easier for me to listen to music in class if the teachers know I'm still paying attention dude.'"

"Heh, I guess we all have our own quirks. So why do you like music so much anyways?"

"Oh dear." Octavia groaned in exasperation, "You should not have done that."

"Why?" Sunset sent a questioning glance at the gray teen, "Is it a sensitive subject?"

"Quite the opposite actually." She denied, "It's simply that whenever someone ask her about her love of music she can't stop talking about it."

True to her word Vinyl was vehemently flailing her arms around and it looked as if even Octavia had a hard time keeping up with her.

"To give you the simple explanation Vinyl finds the musical arts to be something of a replacement for her inability to speak. She believes that by putting your 'heart' into your music, metaphorically speaking of course, that words are not needed to convey a certain message. And while I certainly agree with her she's a little more 'vocal', if you will, about it."

"I know what you mean. While I agree with Lyra that Bon Bon has some of the best sweets I've ever tasted, it's like she's in love with way she goes on about it."

"I concur. Vinyl please don't say something so crass. No, I don't care if only I can understand you. As I was saying, with the way those two act around each other I would think it pretty obvious that they harbor feeling for each other. Alas neither have said anything yet."

"I know!" Sunset agreed passionately, "I talked to Bon Bon a few days ago and she still hasn't done anything!"

"I am afraid, darling, that all of us have given her the same speech, alas she simply seems to refuse to take our advice to heart."

"I can hear you ya know!" Bon Bon's voice echoed out from the back room.

Sunset flushed in chagrin whilst Octavia's expression remained neutral.

"That's the point!" she called back cheekily.

Though Bon Bon didn't reply verbally Sunset could almost see her rolling her eyes.

"So, 'all of us'?" She questioned.

"Yes, me, Vinyl, albeit there was a little less talking in her 'speech', and Ditzy have all tried, to no avail, to convince that girl that Lyra likes her just as much as she likes Lyra. Who knows, mayhaps you'll be able to convince her where we could not."

"Hey! Maybe I'm just waiting for the opportune time!"

"Well you're about to get it." Octavia told her, "After all what better time to confess your love than Christmas? Aside from Valentines of course."

"Christmas? Is that what it's called over here?" Sunset queried.

"Ah, right, I forgot that you weren't exactly a natural denizen of this world. Tell me if you don't celebrate Christmas what do you celebrate?"

"Well," Sunset started, tapping a finger against her chin, "Around this time of year there are two holidays that we celebrate. The first would be Hearth's Warming Eve and it's to celebrate the founding of our country."

"Your country was founded in the winter months then?"

"Actually it's more symbolic than anything. It's to represent how the pony tribes came together in order to defeat the windigos. It's a time to celebrate harmony and give gifts to ponies to show that you care about them."

"I see. What about your other holiday? You mentioned that you had two."

"Yeah, the other one isn't as big as Hearth's Warming though. Actually it might be more appropriate to say that we celebrate a pair of holidays. The first one is during the summer months, it's the Summer Sun Solstice, celebrating the longest day of the year. Then we also celebrate the Winter Moon Solstice which is the longest night of the year."

"We also have the Winter Solstice, but we don't exactly celebrate it. However it is surprising to know that our holidays seem to sync up surprisingly well. I'm curious at to what other holidays we have that there are equivalents to."

"I've actually been wondering that myself."

"Well perhaps we can meet up one day to discuss the differences between our worlds."

"I'd like that." Sunset admitted.

"Ah, apologies Vinyl, I got so caught up that I forgot to include you."

Vinyl gave her a winning smile before making a few signs at her which Octavia quickly repeated with a couple of extra added signs. The two then embraced before promptly separating, turning back to face Sunset. A few more hand gestures from Vinyl and Octavia nodded.

"I hope you don't think of me insensitive for this, but you don't have anyone to spend the holidays with do you?"

Sunset shook her head dejectedly.

"No, not really. I was going to spend it with- well point is I don't really have anyone right now."

She could see Vinyl and Octavia give each other a stare, not even needing signs to communicate silently, before nodding simultaneously.

"Then what are your plans for Christmas?" She questioned.

"I dunno," Sunset told her, shrugging, "Lay around I guess. Maybe watch some TV or something."

"That is simply unacceptable!" Octavia exclaimed, "I hope it's not too presumptuous of me, but we all have a slumber party at my place of residence whenever Christmas comes around. I think I speak for all of us when I say that you are more than welcome to join us for the holidays."

"No thanks, I wouldn't want to intrude."

"I must insist. I know that I, for one, wouldn't be able to properly enjoy the holidays knowing that there was someone out there suffering alone when I could do something for them."

"I don't want to ruin your holidays." Was all Sunset replied.

"Honestly you're more likely to ruin our holiday by not coming than otherwise."

"You should listen to her!" Bon Bon called out from the back, "She's a lot more stubborn than she looks!"

Vinyl nodded sagely in agreement and Sunset found herself forced to concede that, maybe, she should at least consider it. As much as she said otherwise the sound of a slumber party was just as tempting as it was painful. She still wasn't over what had happened with her other 'friends' but the thought of being alone during a time that was supposed to be spent with friends and family hurt her more than she expected.

Finally her emotions, pushed by the stubbornness of others, won out in the end.

"Alright," she sighed in acceptance, "I'll come."

Octavia grinned in victory.

"Glad to hear it dear. Now while we're here why don't we exchange phone numbers."

"Yeah," Sunset agreed, "That'd be nice."

The three of them quickly exchanged phone numbers when Vinyl's eye caught something on her phone that made her quickly gesture at Octavia.

"Ah, apologies, it seems I lost track of the time." She confessed, "We'll have to cut this session short, Vinyl has a 'gig' as it were to get to."

"Oh!" Sunset exclaimed in realization, "Sorry, I didn't realize I was going to make you late."

"You're not," Octavia waved off her apology, "We always get there early to set up Vinyl's equipment. It's simply that it takes a while to set up so we must be going soon. I apologize for not being able to stay and talk longer."

"It's no problem," Sunset told her, "It was fun just talking to somebody else for a while."

"I concur. Especially since Vinyl herself isn't much of a conversationalist." Octavia admitted, getting a good natured elbow from Vinyl and a light chuckle from Sunset.

"Hey Bon Bon is their order done yet?" Sunset questioned, not wanting to keep them any longer than she already had.

"Yeah." She confirmed, "I'm getting the last batch out of the oven now. Just give me a couple of minutes to get them ready."

Octavia nodded in understanding, even if Bon Bon was the only one who couldn't see her at the moment. Another minute or two of silent waiting later Bon Bon made her way out, seemingly not even struggling with the stack of boxes that went past her head.

"Woah!" Sunset exclaimed in astonishment, "You're who that order was for?"

"Indeed it was." Octavia told her, "As I said before Vinyl has a 'gig' tonight and whenever she plays I like to cater with Bon Bon's sweets. If nothing else it helps to pad out the crowds a little bit, not that she needs any help with that."

Sunset dipped her head in acknowledgement as the two split up the stack between themselves. Sunset found her legs leading her around the counter and to the entrance as she held it open for the two.

"Thank you." Octavia thanked her as she made her way out.

"No problem." Sunset dismissed her thanks, "I hope your show goes well Vinyl."

Vinyl gave her a thumbs up after setting her stack of boxes down in a gray minivan. Sunset gave them a smile and a wave as Vinyl got into the passenger seat and they drove off. Sunset felt Bon Bon put a hand on her shoulder and smiled at the physical contact.

"Why don't you go ahead and take the rest of today off." She said, "That was the last order I had today and I can take over the register until it's time to close up."

"Are you sure?" Sunset inquired.

"Yeah, I'll be fine by myself."

"If you insist."

--

Sunset had immediately taken the free time she had been given and had driven herself to the mall, intent on getting each one of the five girls presents. After all if they were going to give her the gift of friendship then it was only right that she returned that gesture, even if it was only with physical objects.

Vinyl was the easiest to buy for, given her clear obsession with music, but she had to consult the others when buying gifts for the rest of the girls as she didn't know them well enough yet. Especially when concerning Ditzy Doo as she had yet to even meet the girl.

So far she had gotten Vinyl a high-tech pair of headphones to replace the worn out looking set she was always wearing and had gotten Lyra a silver necklace that resembled a unicorn from Equestria. Her next destination was the mall's bookstore to get a book on this world's famous classical music artists for Octavia.

As she entered the store the familiar scent of fresh books assaulted her senses. She inhaled deeply and felt herself relaxing in the familiar environment. Sunset wasn't quite sure whether she should start in the music section, or the history section, but she figured it'd be more likely that Octavia would already own whatever book she chose from the music section so she decided to try her luck with the history section.

it didn't take her long to comb through the many shelves and find several good books to gift Octavia, in case she already had one or two of them. Satisfied with her choices Sunset makes her way towards the fiction section to get a couple of books from a cheesy romance series that Vinyl had informed her were something of a guilty pleasure for Octavia.

What she saw there nearly made her drop her books in surprise. There, browsing the books, was the one person that she simultaneously had wanted to see the most, and yet was unable to bring herself to face. Sunset swallowed dryly, happy that the yellow teen still had her back to Sunset.

She knew that she could handle all the others, Rarity's indignation, Rainbow Dash's anger, Applejack's resentment, and Pinkie Pie's scorn. Fluttershy was different though. Sunset knew that if she were to meet Fluttershy's eyes with her own there would be no hate, no sorrow, no grief. No, what Sunset was most afraid of seeing in those eyes was disappointment. The feeling of guilt that it would place in her stomach even though Sunset knew that she had done no wrong.

That wasn't a chance Sunset was willing to take, the presents could wait another day, but she couldn't bring herself to face that single timid girl. Unfortunately for Sunset her legs seemed to disagree as she found that she could no longer move them on command.

What happened next only took a few seconds, but for Sunset it felt like hours. Unable to move, or even look away, Sunset was forced to watch as Fluttershy turned to move further down the isle only for her eye to catch a glimpse of a very familiar red and yellow.

Almost painfully slowly Fluttershy's bright cyan eyes roamed upwards before settling on Sunset's own. She watched as Fluttershy's eyes widened in recognition and terror as the books she had in her grasp plummeted to the ground. Sunset didn't know why but she felt compelled to reach out towards her, but by the time she had extended her arm Fluttershy had already turned around and sprinted out of the book store.

When Sunset could no longer make out hide nor hair of the demure teen she took in a shaky gasp, not realizing that she had been holding her breath the entire time. Now back in control of her bodily functions Sunset hastily made her way to the cashier to pay for the books before heading back home. The other's presents could wait.