It is an early Christmas Morning, and as folks wake up and children rush for their presents, a young blonde girl wakes up in her sleeping bag, as she stretches, and sees in her room, or more of a shared room, she is the first one up. Around 3 teenage girls all sleep here too, with wild and unkept hair, far to one side. She has gotten used to this by now, sleeping around strangers. 'At least this place isn't under surveillance.' She thinks to herself, as she stretches. She itches her back, and soon heads to the bathroom, to get the process of cleaning herself up over with. 'Same shit different day.' she thinks to herself, as she grabs her things and walks to the bathroom, keeping her valuables on her.

She washes up, having been needing a shower, as she thinks over her plan so far. 'So far it has gone well, Father hasn't called me or sent the boys after me, so he thinks I am not in real danger. Linda has kept my money safe in my account, but they're still frozen, so that means they want to wait me out on this...and I am in the right city thanks to my mother's note. Now, I have to somehow find her, though I think that girl and her mother can help me since they seem wealthy, maybe they know her? Or...maybe they can help me find her. I am pretty much lost now, this place is so big.' She thinks to herself, as she finishes up her shower, and begins drying off.

She pulls out the necklace her mother gave her, as an early Birthday gift, and rereads the note she left.

“Happy Birthday Sweetie, they won’t know you're gone. I am living in the area of Canterlot City, I left you a plane ticket to the nearest airport a city over, in case your father finds it, can't have him find me. I also got a bus ticket to the airport, a chip to put in your phone to turn off the GPS, and some money for you. I know I haven't been around much, but I finally have myself settled down safely here. I won't let him get away with stealing you from me. I love you, and I want to see you again. -C."

She sits down, and sighs, as she looks at herself, wondering how much she looks like her mother she barely can remember. 'I hope I can find you, mom. She thinks, before she finishes up, and heads out, wearing a large hoodie. She soon gets ready to head to the kitchen, get her meal, and start her search.

------Meanwhile with Sunset------

Sunset wakes up in her warm bed, snuggled up tight due to the coldness of the room. She feels tired though, perhaps from staying up, or due to how early it is. She gets up and puts on her big robe, and slippers, as she shuffles to her bathroom to wash up a bit, and notices her eyes look off. She leans into the mirror before she suddenly sees her demonic self's face, and it speaks. "YOU'LL NEVER BE RID OF ME WEAKLING, I WILL BE BACK!" It says, before grabbing Sunset and dragging her into the mirror, as blood leaks from her demon-self eyes, and she feels hot red pain in her face and back of her skull. She tries to fight back but feels weak, and tired before she feels her face slide through the mirror-like she is drowning, and suddenly she sees nothing, and an oddly-familiar voice says, "Sunset, Wake up."

Sunset bolts up from her bed, panting as she shakes, shocked at her dream. She shakily takes some breaths, and soon grabs her phone nearby and uses it to check her face. She sees herself staring back, no signs of her demonic self-present, as she lays back down, and tries to calm down. She reads the clock, seeing it is early 10 in the morning. and she takes deep breaths and holds herself. 'It was just a dream Sunset, that thing is gone, keep it together.' she thinks to herself, as she sits up, and checks her room. She manages to see everything is in order, and soon she hears Celestia and Luna talking quietly below, along with the smell of breakfast coming up.

Sunset slowly exits her bed and grabs her robe, and phone, as she slides on her slippers. She avoids her bathroom entirely and opens her door. She looks down, to see the living room is normal, it is light out, and her helmet and jacket still sit by the tree, along with the other presents, as Luna walks over and looks up at her. "Sleep well Sunset?" She asks, though gives her a look of concern as Sunset can probably tell she is a bit pale from the sudden nightmare.

"Sort of, uh, another bad dream is all." Sunset says as Luna sighs, and nods, knowing she has gotten them since the Fall Formal, as Sunset told them this when she first came to stay here.

"I see, well we can help you recover from it, hopefully not another nightmare about....that night?" She asks, as Celestia looks concerned, soon finishing up making large waffles and some coffee.

Sunset hesitates, and nods, "No it was the formal, sort of, I just...wanna forget it." She says as Luna nods, and Celestia speaks, "Of course, we can help you do that, though don't forget-" Sunset nods and finishes her sentence, "To write it down in my book, I will. I hope this next session won't freak him out." She says, as Luna chuckles.

"I do think Dr. Wolf is not the kind to be scared by nightmares Sunset. Also, I will say, I wish Psychology back in my youth was so well understood. Would have saved our folks a lot of money." She says, as Tia nods, and both seem to sigh, and while they smile, both soon look down, and swiftly the topic is changed. A common occurrence is when they mention their youth.

Celestia soon sets the food down on the coffee table, as she sits down, with Sunset by her, and Luna on the other table. "So, I was thinking, we open presents, relax, enjoy our brunch, then maybe check out the motorcycle. I am...surprised Xavier got you one."

Sunset shrugs, and smirks, "I was surprised too, but then again, he is also overly giving I mean he got gifts for everyone for me and seems to give a lot out. I did a bit of research last night, and his most well-known donations are to things like cancer research, disaster relief, and other big things. He has little shade on him, outside of being secretive, and oddly enough he seems to be magic, and so is the bike." Sunset states, as Luna and Celestia nod, though also seem a bit, confused.

"I am, still shocked magic exists here." Luna says as she looks at Sunset, "Uh, nothing personal, I just thought, it was all, fake." Sunset nods and Celestia speaks, "Though, this does explain a lot of weirdness in this city if magic is weird, that is even before you arrived."

"I mean, you do have a portal to Equestria here, open or not, magic might flow through. I could study it in spring, for now, coffee." She says, and drinks it down, sighing as the warmth flows into her. Celestia and Luna nod, and drink up some of their coffee, as they have some small talk and bond with the delicious food and the warmth of the living room. Soon though, Sunset gets a text, which is from Shy, who sends a short text: "Hi, hope your morning is good." Sunset smiles a bit and replies: "I am fine, Merry Christmas Shy." she looks up, and notices Luna with a curious look, as does Celestia.

"Shy checking in on me," Sunset says, as both nod and smile. "That is very kind of her." Celestia says with a growing smile, as Luna nods, "Yes, very, and you seem happy about it." Luna adds, lightly teasing Sunset, who smiles a bit.

"Yeah, I feel bad about, well what I did before, and want to make it up to Shy." Sunset explains, as both nod, and Luna smirks, "Perhaps some outings together will help, you two and maybe Jacklin or Rarity, a mutual friend who isn't so hostile." She states as Celestia nods. Sunset nods, and smiles, "A great idea Vi- I mean...Miss Faust." She says as Luna chuckles, "You do recall your my niece now right? Just Luna is fine Sunset." She says as Sunset rubs her neck.

"Right sorry." Sunset says as Celestia puts a hand on her shoulder, "Your fine Sunset, we'll be taking things slow with being a family, an odd one too. Though, since we're all done eating, let's open gifts." She says, as both nod, and soon put their dishes away, as they get ready to find out what they got each other, as Sunset got them both some small things.

Sunset, Celestia, and Luna soon go about opening their gifts and are pleasantly surprised at the contents of them. Celestia has a new set of shoes for work, comfortable sweaters from her mother, a new romance novel, and a box of exotic teas from their friend Cadence. Luna has gotten a new video game, Breath of the Wild, as well as the Switch and the game Splatoon. A household gift too, but she also got a gift from someone called "M" who sent her a fancy high-tech set of headphones, and also goth Celestia a gift too, a tablet.

Sunset was spoiled, not only did she get the bike and the gear for it, gifts from her new friends, plus having a mother and aunt in her life, but also several pairs of clothing, all fitting her style, a gift card for some tech stuff, and lastly surprisingly, a guitar and microphone, as she looks at this all, as Tia and Luna smile. "I thought you might like the gift card, but the guitar was something I know you wanted." She says as Sunset looks at Tia, and then sets the guitar down, soon hugging her. "Thanks...Mom.' She says, as Celestia is caught off guard, but sighs, and hugs her.

The warmth of another and the joy she feels helps keep the slight coldness of her nightmare away, as soon the trio begins to have a great morning together, as they celebrate inside, together, and soon begin to test out and set up the new console, and enjoy their gifts, and preparing to have a good rest of their Christmas together.

------Back At the Shelter------

The mysterious girl finishes her food and hands it to the volunteer, a grumpy old man, who wishes her a merry Christmas as his wife is cheerfully welcoming folks. She soon walks to her table and sees her stuff there, but also a young teen girl there. "So, you new in town?' The teal-blueish-haired young girl looks at her, and she smirks. "I can help you find a good job down by the shopping mall. Folks spend a lot on late gifts and such." She says as the mysterious girl sighs.

"No, I am fine, thanks though." She says as the odd girl nods. "Alright, though what's your name?" She asks, as the mysterious girl sits down, and thinks. 'Should I...tell my real name? Probably, she seems to be local, and also not someone Father would talk to, so she is the perfect company.' "My name is Catherine Cr-" She stops, and then corrects herself. "Jackson, Catherine Jackson." She says, holding out her hand. The pale-skinned girl nods and shakes her hand.

"Names Vinyl Scratch, and may I ask why an out-of-town gal like you is over here? Judging from the accent, and you being a bit underdressed, I say you are from California." She says as Catherine is shocked she got it right, and sighs.

"O-oh, well I am from there, and I have just been, traveling is all." She says, as Vinyl nods, and asks, "So, why you here then and not a hotel?" She asks as Catherine sighs, "I spent all my money trying to get here, I didn't know the prices for food in the area, and I been walking from the city over to here since a week ago." She says, as Vinyl nods, "Oh, well I also been here a few times, often to help actually, usually we have more folks but many seem to have had a good year, or so I hope. And uh, how did you overlook food costs?" She asks, as Catherine sighs, and looks down.

"I uh, had a very restrictive diet before coming here. I am also, looking for some family in the area-" Vinyl interjects, "So you're a runaway then?" She whispers as Catherine looks down, but nods. "Well, some advice, would be to call your folks here or back home-" Catherine sighs, "No... then Father wins and I go back to that stupid home." She says, mumbling, as Vinyl looks at her, purple-lensed glasses blocking her eyes. "Oh, I see, a runaway from home trouble. Not smart, but also if you made it this far, you got guts."

"Well thanks, though, now I have to find my family here. I never got their numbers or didn't even know they lived here till recently." She says, quietly, as Vinyl smirks. "Well, maybe I can help, we both can go looking together for her, and I know some folks who can help. Also if you gonna be staying a while, you may want better living conditions. I got a place mostly for myself and my own semi-regular roommate, but she goes to her family's home upstate a lot, and we got more room. No cost to you, I make enough to cover most of it." She says, calmly, as Catherine is quite shocked at this offer.

'Can I trust her, I mean, I need a better place to stay, those three girls give me the creeps, and I can't just live here. She could help me, she lives here, knows the city better than me, maybe she knows mom? But, she could know who I am, and that won't be good.' she thinks, and mulls it over before she sighs. "I...think I'll take this offer, though only until I contact my family here, mainly my mother." She says, as Vinyl nods. "Alright, first then, let's get you actual winter clothing and not jeans with those cheap gym sweats and that big hoodie." She says, as Catherine nods, grabbing her stuff, and mumbling, "I packed light."

Vinyl soon guides her out and into the streets, as both begin to do some checking for stores open, and Catherine hopes her choice is good. They soon walk uptown, and Catherine wonders how she will get any clothing herself, before Vinyl instead guides her into a store labeled "The Traveling Collectables" as she follows her inside.

This store is full of items, from clothing to shoes, canned goods, and also antiques, and some more various goods. An odd little shop, feeling cluttered and chaotic yet organized in some way. Vinyl looks at her and speaks, "Alright, grab some clothing, I know the owner, let me tell him you need some good stuff and he'll give it to you, Now washing it all is still advised, but hey, free clothing is free clothing." She says, and walks up to the back of the house, as Catherine sighs, but soon goes around looking.

After almost an hour, she has gotten four nice shirts, three t-shirts, a thick long sleeve sweater, some sweatpants, several more hoodies, and also a winter jacket. She also got a spare pair of boots, and a baseball cap to wear. She walks to the back, to see Vinyl talking to the owner, or hopefully the owner. A dark-haired, average-height man, who oddly has a mask on his face, as he speaks.

"You know if I didn't love your music and your help here, I would make you pay instead." He says as Vinyl chuckles, "Yeah yeah Cole, I know. But hey, if you find that vintage player, I will buy it." He nods, and smiles, as she walks over. "Okay, your all set, now, let's bag them up and head to my place to warm up." She says, as Catherine speaks, "Are you, sure, I really don't-" Vinyl: "Catherine, I am helping you out, so let's go." She says, helping Catherine get everything bagged up and checked off Mr. Cole's list, as he wishes them both a Merry Christmas.

Both soon take a long walk out and to the suburbs, arriving at an average suburbs residence, with Christmas decorations and children playing. The cold nips at Catherine, as Vinyl carries most of the stuff, as both soon arrive at a cozy home, two stories, maybe a basement. It seems so small to Catherine, so quaint. Something she can see her mother living in. Vinyl opens the door for her, as they walk in, take off their wet boots, and Catherine feels the place is a bit warmer.

"Here let me turn the heat up," Vinyl says, helping put things away. The home is well decorated, with posters of musical artists, several DJ PON-3, and classical artists and awards. A large gray sofa compliments a white loveseat, with a large TV, several sets of game consoles, bookcase end tables and a large gray-brown-and black rug leads to the open kitchen, which is very large, along with a small dining area leading to the back deck and what Catherine thinks is a normal backyard.

She sees stairs leading down to a basement, and a set leading upstairs, as the place has decorations, a small Christmas tree set up and oddly smells of dog. Catherine is on edge at this and speaks, "Do you..have a dog?" She asks, Vinyl shakes her head. "No, sorry we had to puppy-sit for Tavi's mother, my roommate, and uh, well sadly due to how often that happens we just got that smell here too.' She says, and looks at Catherine, "you...allergic?"

"No no, just, I don't like dogs." She says as Vinyl chuckles, "Oh the puppies will love you, now, relax, get comfortable, and here." She tosses her a small set of papers, a roommate agreement. "Just reads those and signs when needed, Tavi made them up for us, since I have other roommates come and go. Friends from out of state, and if she asks, you can say your one of them, just lie about being a musician."

Catherine chuckles and speaks, "I am one though, I can sing. But alright...though it says rent here-" Vinyl: "Just know that isn't for you, unless either A, your folks here can't take you in, or B, you want to stay here. Also do know me and Tavi go to school, local high school, and uh, if you want we can help ya get into it if you staying in town." She says as Cath nods.

"I'll think on that, thank you." She says as Vinyl smiles, and Cath sees, that her teeth, specifically the canines, are oddly sharp. "No problem Catherine, I was in a spot like this once before, I know how shitty it is, so I make it my goal to help anyone in similar shit out." She says, and leaves, going upstairs, to probably get laundry so she can wash their clothing. 'No no, I have to wash it, no help here.' she sighs, as she thinks of the others at home who wanted her to get away, and hopes they are enjoying Christmas with their families. She then gets a text on her phone, as she checks it.

It is from Linda, and she sent a kind message. "Merry Christmas Catherine, your father hates this, but I am keeping him from being stupid. I know we never got along, but do know, that I am here for you. Hope you're safe." And then Catherine notices her bank updates, she has access to her money, though it is set to an "Amount Limit" which means only 200 dollars in one purchase, and not over 1,000 in a day. She sighs, but softly smiles, 'If it weren't for you Linda, I would have been worse off.' Catherine sends a thank you text to her stepmother, and looks outside the window, as she sighs.

Soon she and Vinyl begin to discuss roommate stuff, and info on who her mother is, which isn't much as Catherine only has a picture from 12 years ago when she was five, and her note. Vinyl says she knows friends to help, but puts it on hold so Catherine can rest and recover, though Catherine hides her newfound money access from Vinyl for now. Both spend the evening getting to know each other, in the cozy small home, unaware of the crow watching them.

Well, now that was interesting, seems more folks are getting involved. But to see how Catherine related to Sunset, and why she thinks Sunset or Celestia can help her, is unknown. Perhaps we shall learn soon enough dear listener. But for now, relax and be creative, and kind in your days. And know that when you are all ready for a story, I have a story to tell you. Good day, evening, or night to you my listeners, and be kind to one another.

Author's Note

Okay, so finally out of the Six Day period, and now new events can occur. The introduction of a new character might have taken center stage, but showing how Sunset is bonding and having a better time with her new family was not enough for this chapter. Plus it is fitting to find new friends and family on Christmas, and for Sunset this Christmas shall be one to remember for sure.

I hope you all enjoy this chapter, know I will keep to this schedule and also keep the quality of the chapters, either rewrites or new ones I am adding into what I have pre-made, up to decent levels. However from here on, sometimes jumping and summarization will occur, to help carry along the story between long periods of time that may need to be shown.

Also, the Traveling Collectables is an inside joke, as it is my DND Campaign's "Shop of Everything" and Cole Lector, the owner, is a pun name based on Collector. So hope you all like this, and know the Catherine-Vinyl mystery plot will be reoccurring.