The Cello and The Guitar

“That’s the second time this week that Octavia has worn that silly tuxedo to school!” Rarity exclaimed as the rest of the Rainbooms looked towards where she was pointing, and sure enough, a granite skinned, ebony maned girl strode into the cafeteria, clad in what was a most likely exorbitantly priced tuxedo. “I don’t recall hearing that she was performing anytime soon, so why would she possibly be dressed like that?”

“Maybe she just likes looking fancy?” Rainbow shrugged nonchalantly as she kicked her sneakers up onto the table, rattling it as she leaned back in her chair. “I mean, just look at yourself, Rares.”

“You dooo like dressing up.” added Pinkie Pie, the girl finishing her umpteenth cupcake of the lunch break.

“Yes, but within reason.” a small blush spread across the fashionista’s pale features as she tried to sidestep the dig.

“Sunset?” the amber teen shook her head when she heard the questioning tones of Applejack, turning to look at the farmer who had a worried look on her face. “Is there a reason why yer starin’ at her?”

“Heh, leave it to Shimm to fall for a girl from another world!” Rainbow Dash teased, only to get blindsided by a perfectly lobbed apple bouncing off of her forehead, causing her to careen back wildly on her chair. “Ow- Hey! What the hell!”

“Seriously? You do know the reason she wore that thing at the start of the week was cause her Mother came to the school to tear the Principals a new one over the results of the Battle of the Bands, right?” Sunset shook her head at the athlete as she recover her apple from off the table. “What do you think that means about today?”

“I could feel the whole school shake on Monday…” Fluttershy whispered, hiding behind her hair like usual.

“That still doesn’t explain the starin’, horse-girl.” Rainbow sneered back, the whole table groaning at the gravitas of a missile that the girl possessed.

“What’s wrong with worrying about someone?” the Equestrian asked incredulously, her palms flipping towards the ceiling.

“She was probably just lost’n thought, Dash. Relax.” Applejack finished the conversation, swiping the girl’s feet off of the table in a smooth motion. “Now, everybody, keyword EVERYbody, Dash, remembers that we got the band room reserved for after classes today, right?”

Various noises of confirmation echoed from the other five members of the Rainbooms, with Rainbow Dash grumbling as she crossed her arms.

“One time…”

“And we’ll never let you live it down.” Sunset teased as she stuffed another mouthful of salad into her mouth.

“Oi! I don’t-” Rainbow paused as everyone, Fluttershy included, glared daggers as her as she started to move to her feet. ‘O-Okay… Maybe I do…”

Sunset left the five younger girls to chat amongst themselves as Rainbow tried desperately to defend herself from their verbal jabs, instead shifting her head over towards Octavia and her friends, the four now seated alone at a table towards the exit.

The mulberry eyed girl giggled at some comment that Bon Bon appeared to make, her hand moving up to cover her mouth so her lunch didn’t spray out, earning a small jab in the shoulder from Lyra who was seated beside her. Sunset could almost hear the music radiating from Vinyl’s headphones, yet she responded in her own mute manner.

“You really are worried about her, huh?”

Once again Sunset shook off her unnecessary staring, coming to focus on the five girls that sat with her, each studying her as she came back to earth. “I guess?” she responded, shrugging slightly. “I mean… Back when I was the old me, I did some digging on everyone at the school, and I do mean everyone. And Octavia isn’t exactly the most lucky of individuals. Just promise me that none of you will mention anything about this, okay?”

“Why don’t you go and talk to her quick?” Rarity gave a small smile as she nodded at Sunset. “I mean, not only will it relax you, but it will help continue to build your new, better name amongst the students, right?”

The rest of her Gaian friends nodded as she looked around at the four of them, Sunset giving a small chuckle as she finished off the last of her salad, before stuffing her water bottle and apple into her signature leather jacket. “Well, I’ll be back?”

She made her way quickly across the cafeteria, returning waves and call outs, as well as grinning when she caught a few of the students staring at her a little more intently than may be publicly polite. She kept a steady pace, weaving in and around students, before pausing and waving towards Octavia when the girl noticed her.

“Heya, Octavia! Lyra, Bon Bon, Vinyl, good to see the three of you as well.” she grinned as she nodded at each in turn before she took a seat beside Bon Bon and across from Octavia, the familiar scent of strawberry shampoo swimming delicately through the air as Sunset lowered her voice closer to that of a whisper. “I hope I’m not overstepping bounds, but are you alright? I mean, usually you don’t wear the tux unless you were going to be performing, or if.. Y’know…”

“I am fine, Sunset, thank you for asking.” Octavia wore a polite smile, her face a proverbial stone wall of well practiced poise and restraint.

“What’s got you so worried, Shimmer?” Lyra leaned closer, eyeing the newcomer carefully. “Start of the week was one thing, but this?”

“I promise I’m not up to anything other than making sure a fellow student is fine, okay? Like I said, apologies if I’m stepping somewhere I shouldn’t be.”

“She’s just trying to be nice, Lyra.” Bon Bon chided. “That’s all.”

“Well I got my eyes on you.” Lyra glared as she shot two fingers between her golden orbs and Sunset.

“Alrighty…” Sunset chuckled as she turned back to Octavia, studying the girl’s face in detail.