After a lovely Christmas with her newfound family, Sunset sits at her desk on this fine morning, as she writes down her good and bad dreams, and also looks at her journal, wondering if Twilight is having a good Heart's Warming. She yawns through, as deep down she has become more of a night owl, due to her nightmares. However she does get naps in, but for now, she worries not about her dreams or her Equestrian friend. No, today she goes out with Celestia and Luna to get some groceries, and also to get gift cards to send to her extended family, as Celestia has informed her mother, aunt, and distant cousin about this, along with their friends like Dean Cadence about Celestia adopting Sunset.

Though they want it kept quiet, as some folks they know will not approve of Celestia's actions, as she is unmarried and as Luna put it, "They will find this more of a sign of her never getting married." Sunset sighs, as she leans back in her chair, and checks her laptop for the time. It is only 10:34 am, and they will leave in almost an hour and a half. She is already set to go, and might even try to stop by some places, like the shelter she has stayed at and maybe the Animal Shelter.

As she thinks this over, Sunset notices a text pop up, from AJ, which says, "Hey, Heads up, uh I am gonna be busy, some extended family is coming over for New Year's eve, and so we are gonna be cleaning and preparing. I would invite you, but I won't stress it." Sunset chuckles, and replies, "I would come but Shy already gave me an offer to a party she is being dragged to. I hope we can hang out still though." She sends it, looks at her dream journal, and soon closes it. She checks on her tattoo, and the bright-eyed crow tattoo is still looking well, though her arms do still look a bit, unsightly.

' No, not unsightly, they are showing I am surviving.' She thinks to herself, as she gets up and heads to check on her guardians, and also maybe ask about how to get her into driving lessons so she can try out her motorcycle sooner than later. Sunset soon heads down, and joins her adoptive mother and aunt for breakfast, enjoying a peaceful morning before the busy afternoon.

--------Meanwhile with Catherine--------

Catherine wakes in her simple room, as she is confused before recalling yesterday's events. She and Vinyl met up and she chose to stay with her as she looked for her mother, a task that seems much harder than she first thought. Her mother had not given much for Catherine to work with, besides the city, and she is expecting her. However, due to reasons, Catherine can understand, no phone numbers, addresses, or locations were mentioned in the note. She recalls her mother's name and thinks to start looking through sites with Vinyl's laptop for Chelsey's in the area, and if any of them have moved here roughly 10 years ago or so.

However, first comes her daily chores of self-care, and thus she gets up and uses the much nicer shower in her small but cozy guest room, to get ready for the day. After a long, comfortable shower and changing into some of her new clothing, she exits her bathroom to her room, and sighs. She cleans up herself, gathering feathers, a ruined pillowcase, and her old clothing. She tosses the feathers away, along with the ripped-up cloth, and puts her laundry in the hamper. She then leaves her room and walks down the stairs, arriving to see Vinyl, still at her desk, headphones on but glasses off. Her dark red eyes scan over a dim computer screen before they dart up to stare at Catherine, before Vinyl speaks, "Oh...hey Catherine. You slept in."

"Yeah, so uh, whatcha doing?" She asks, walking to the kitchen to get something to drink, as Vinyl speaks, "Oh just some research for you, uh...and I got good and bad news." Catherine sighs, as she grabs some orange juice, and pours herself a glass, as she puts it back and walks over. "What's the good news?" Catherine questions, not liking how Vinyl has a nervous expression.

"I got in contact with my friend, and he got me a list of folks from 10 years ago who moved here, till around 5 years ago. All older women, roughly around how old you think your mom should be." Catherine nods, drinking some juice before sitting down, preparing for the bad part.

"That is good, what's the bad news then?" She asks as she sits forward, avoiding pressing her back into the sofa. Vinyl awkwardly chuckles, and shows her the list, of over 100 women who are named Chelsey or formerly had the name of Chelsey, of the right age range, and moved here within the right time. Catherine stares in disbelief, before groaning, and looking down. ' Why the fuck does nothing ever go my way?' she thinks to herself, as Vinyl chimes in, "On the bright side, we can maybe narrow it down more, though my contacts can't help us any further. I would suggest the cop-"

"No cops, I don't trust them." Catherine states, as she sighs, 'Especially since Father has so many working for him.' she sighs, and Vinyl nods, before responding, "I mean I get sometimes cops are bad, but maybe I know one who can help us. He's actually a friend of mine dad. Or we could maybe try to get help from a Private Detective or maybe someone from Tavi's fam can help us. I mean it's a shot in the dark if they could since it's the holidays, but maybe."

Catherine looks at Vinyl, and can tell, she means well and wants to help. However Catherine feels stressed and mentally exhausted from her getaway and flight here, as well as being so foolish and even with Linda's aid, she can't really trust that her money or living situation is stable. 'Anything beats that prison.' She reminds herself, as she sighs. "Vinyl, we can worry about this later, I think I need a mental day off from this, and maybe wait for a bit, so I can actually afford any help. Do recall I am broke and need a job to pay for a Private Detective or anything. Also if my mother lives in the city, as I am working she will find me. After all, I am not very hard to miss." She says gesturing to her appearance, and her unique eyes and accent. She hopes her mother would recognize her, even after so long apart.

Vinyl nods, smirking as she looks at Catherine. "No your not, though no offense, but you gotta get something with your hair if you want to hide from folks." Vinyl suggests as Catherine nods, as she hasn't really thought about hiding from Father if he came looking. ' It would be good to hide from him, even if it means mom won't instantly recognize me. Will also lessen the chance press will notice me too." Catherine thinks, and then nods.

"Yeah, I think I will, you know a place? Though uh, wouldn't that hinder me from being found by my mother?" She states as Vinyl nods, "Yeah, though if your mom ran all the way here from Cali, and so did you, I can only think of what is going on. So, maybe hiding is good, plus I think your mother could spot you easily. My mom always says she will recognize me even if I got green hair and became a hippie." She jokes as Catherine chuckles a bit, sighing as the two sit and share some chuckles.

"I will believe that though...why..do you want to help me?" She asks, as Vinyl sighs, and looks at her. Vinyl looks to debate the topic of answering, before closing her laptop and adjusting in her seat to look at Catherine better. Vinyl seems, very uneasy, cautious even in her body language. She sort of prepares for a bad reaction yet, keeps her face calm and not changing expression, as she picks how she explains this carefully.

"Well, the honest answer is, because I ran away from my folks two years ago, due to a nasty dispute I had with my Mother. She and I don't see eye to eye on a lot of things...mainly uh, my career path and...sexuality." She says, and Catherine looks shocked but slowly nods. Vinyl signs, and leans back against the sofa. "She wants me to become a CEO-type lady, I mean I am smart, good with dealing with folk and such, but my talent is music making and partying. Literally, I make nearly 2 grand from some of the gigs I played, and my music sales and popularity are climbing. And I am still in school, without a label or any help, and improving my skills and music catalog. My dad gets me, he always does, minus who I like. They both are old-school in a way, they're not religious, but they don't get why I want to be with a girl and not a guy. My mother says it would be a scandal, my dad just really wants grandkids one day, though saying I'll adopt helps him sort of accept it. He's just trying to understand, but also struggles." She sighs, and looks up at the ceiling, as Catherine processes this.

Catherine thinks, Sounds like me and my family, except it seems she had a better life and an actual dad. And she is into girls, wait is that why she is nice to me? No no, she probably can tell I am not into girls, am I? Father never did like me learning sex ed or talking about dating anyone. Wonder what Mom would do if I asked her. Questions for later.' She sighs, and decides to shelf such questions for later. "I can see the similarities, to some extent, though you seem to be on better terms?"

Vinyl sighs, "Sort of, uh, see me living on my own helps them teach me responsibility and try out being an adult early on, before college, and see if this is who I am. And...the uh..roommate part is sort of a...white lie. Tavi is my girlfriend, and we keep it hush-hush. So uh, don't tell anyone." She says as she looks at Catherine.

Catherine blinks and sighs in relief, "Ah I see, well that is fine, I can keep a secret, though I will say that my father is a controlling individual, and not very kind. I only made it out this far thanks to my stepmother, my actual mother sending me the tickets and such, and my butler helping me escape. I don't think me and my father will ever see eye to eye, he is a big dreamer and idea person, I just want a simple life." She says as she keeps leaning forward, and Vinyl nods.

Vinyl nods, and then gently puts her hand on Catherine's shoulder, "Well maybe that is for the better, perhaps this will all pass, he will get over whatever happened to make you run away, and you and your birth mom can live here happy. Once we find her that is. I gotta say it is very shady of her to hide from you, or it just shows how dangerous...well your father is. If he is dangerous I am just making some leaps in logic."

Catherine sighs and gives a small smile, as she leans back, slowly and gets comfortable, though this bothers her a lot. The soft tingly feeling returns as she lays back against the sofa and sighs. "He is dangerous, but he is loving. Just also has a lot of responsibility and stress. Though locking me in our home for seven years was a horrible time. Until I went back to public schooling for a bit, before recently, and came out here. And uh, how did you and your mother get back on good terms?"

Vinyl nods, and speaks, "Well, that is a long story for another time, and to your father being dangerous, nothing to fear, Tavi's parents would probably either sue him or have him somehow legally sent to prison if he comes to mess with you and thus messes with me. They are, no pushovers. But, we can talk more later, if we wanna eat, we gotta cook."

Catherine gives her an odd look, as Vinyl sighs, "Never cooked before?" Catherine shakes her head and wonders if she touched a nerve with Vinyl, or was being too open. "Ah well, here let me help you get to know the basics," Vinyl says, as Catherine nods, and gets up, as both begin to cook and let their knowledge gained of each other sit in their minds.

--------Back With Sunset--------

Sunset and her family have driven out to the city to go shopping, as they walk around the open mall area, which has many holiday deals and events going on for New Year's Eve. They so far have gotten a few things, mainly the gift cards and some better dress shoes for the Party, as Celestia and Luna both got invited to the party Shy is going to, via her mother sending them texts after some planning from Shy and Sunset. Now they are going to the smaller stores here for some small items to send with the cards to the extended family, along with visiting the animal shelter to see Shy, who is for sure working as Sunset got confirmation via text.

It is sort of awkward to be out in public with her principal and vice principal, as many students give them odd looks and she has seen Mr. Cranky give them a nod. Sunset sighs, as she remembers she wants to check in on the Shelter here in town, just to make sure they don't need help. ' They helped me out in tough times, so maybe I should do so too.' She thinks before she runs into someone, and they both fall down.

"Ugh, sorry I wasn't-wait Sunset?" Says a familiar voice, of Flash Sentry, as Sunset looks at him, as she gets up. Celestia and Luna look back, and notice this, as Sunset speaks. "Uh...h-hey Flash." She looks around, slowly getting up, as she sighs, "So, how-" Suddenly she is hugged, and Flash sighs before he lets her go, and speaks, "....It is..good to see you okay. C-can we talk?" He asks, as Celestia and Luna approach, and Sunset panics, not sure what to do, as she really didn't want to run into Flash.

"Are you both alright?" Celestia asks as Flash looks at her. "Oh, Principle Celestia, I am sorry were you-" Sunset sighs, and speaks, "We are fine, though we have to go-" Celestia chimes in and speaks. "Wait, let's take a moment, and go perhaps have a snack and talk. Is your mother or father here?'

"No, I am out on my own, just walking. My folks are busy setting up the house and I got nothing else to do." Celestia nods, and Sunset sighs, realizing why she wants them to all talk. ' Because we dated.' She sighs, as soon Celestia and Flash agree to snacks, as Luna checks on Sunset.

"I can tell this bothers you." Sunset sighs, "Yes it does, though I guess now is better than at school." She says, and Luna nods, "Agreed, more controlled and a safer environment. Don't worry, we'll be here to help keep things civil." She says, as they headed to a small coffee shop for snacks, warmth, and to have this dreaded discussion.

They enter and order their drinks of tea and hot cocoa, and some muffins or scones. They then decide, due to Flash noticing how Sunset loons uneasy about this, to perhaps do this conversation someplace more private. This is found via a small workspace room in the coffee shop, for folks to have meetings in. They all sit inside, with Flash and Sunset across from each other.

Flash sighs, and looks at Sunset, oddly checking her arms, as she keeps her long sleeve sweater rolled up. "So uh, my folks got the email about what happened, and I just want to know if you're okay Sunset." He states as Sunset looks at him, and replies, "Yeah I am fine." She says, sounding a bit harsh, as he sighs.

"So, uh you, got some new clothing and a good jacket, which is nice. Though uh, do you have my old one?" Sunset looks at him, and smirks, "Yeah I do, why want it back?" Flash chuckles, and shakes his head, "No, it's yours now." He says, as both chuckle, and sigh. A tension is between them as Luna and Celestia keep quiet and let them bring whatever it is up naturally.

Soon after a minute, Flash looks at Sunset, and speaks, "Sunset how, how long have you been..." He stops, unsure how to explain it, but Sunset sighs, "Before you, and I, really hope you don't ask about why. That can be for ano-" Flash chimes in, "You came from Equestria like Twilight." He says as Sunset blinks, and he chuckles, "She talked a lot about it before she left, also uh..weird being into two Magical girls from other worlds." He says as Sunset blinks, before chuckling.

"I mean you do have either a thing for crazy or for the nerdy girl." Flash looks at her, and speaks, "You were never crazy, though you being a nerd was very cute." Sunset blushes, and speaks, "well true, though uh, I will...say I am sorry for dumping you. Especially since I made it hell to date me."

"Sunset, at the time I was made and angry, but now I am over it. I am just worried about you, as I do still feel like we're friends still. Even after everything, and especially now your old wannabe friends tossed you-" Sunset looks at him coldly, and speaks, "Flash me and the girls made up somewhat." He stops and blinks.

"Oh, I see, sorry. I didn't know, and hey that is great, maybe this time they will listen to you." He says, as She nods, and eats her muffin, and he looks at her arms. He then speaks up suddenly, "You got a tattoo?" Celestia and Luna watch, as Sunset nods, and sighs. She rolls up her right sleeve, showing her tattoo, and her scars. "Y-yeah...part of my therapy, self-improvement and thinking better of myself. It helps, though gotta wait for some weeks between tattoos." She explains as Flash looks at her wounds, and he seems like he wants to reach over, but stops.

"I...see. It is very pretty. Though why a raven?" Sunset chuckles and rolls her sleeve back up. "It's a crow, and because it is symbolic of the person who helped me, and well saved my life." She informs Flash, as both eat some of their muffins and relax, before Flash gives Sunset a warm smile, and speaks. "Sunset I am happy you are still around and know I got your back alright?" He says, with such, honesty and with a genuine smile, that Sunset recalls why she dated him.

'Flash you are too damn nice.' She thinks, and then smiles back. "I got it, and thanks. I'll try to keep an eye out for you too, in case more magic gals jump over and might be single." She says, teasing him as Flash chuckles. "Sure, though I'll make sure to return the favor." He says, as both soon begin to chat casually, as they used to, as Celestia and Luna seem happy they have rekindled their friendship.

After about half an hour of talking about new gifts, Sunset's motorcycle, and Flash offering to help her learn to drive, the two soon part, this time with a side hug and arm-bumps, as flash heads to a music store, and Celestia and Luna watch him go with Sunset. Celestia smirks, and Luna speaks, "A very nice young man."

"Yeah, he is, though I blew my chances with him," Sunset says, knowing that is mainly for herself, as while she wants to be friends with Flash since they both have gotten over their past issues, she knows Twilight likes him and wants to not take him from her. Celestia nods, and speaks, "Indeed, though having guy friends is good, helps you out a lot, and you two are close, like you and AJ."

"Yeah, known them both the longest." Sunset informs before Luna speaks, "Yes, though we do have to get home to make dinner, so let's get back to shopping." She says, sounding, a bit jealous, or maybe, sad. Sunset wonders why but Celestia nods. "Yes, let's go, and I am glad someone has your back at School Sunset when Luna and I can't."

Sunset nods, and hums, 'Yeah, it is good he has my back, though if that backfires on him, is the question. She worries, as they continue on shopping, passing by a blonde lady in nice winter clothing, who nods to them and goes into the coffee shop. They all soon head off to the Animal Shelter, as Sunset smiles, happy to check on her friend and hopeful about returning to school, with one major hurdle passed for now.

Well, Sunset has rekindled an old friendship, and our newcomer Catherine seems to be getting along well with Vinyl, though both seem still out of their element and unsure of the future. Though why Catherine wanted Sunset's help, and if she will get it, is still unknown. Well, we will see later my dear listener, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter of the tale. Know I am here to tell my story whenever you are wanting, so come sit down and enjoy. Good day, evening, or night to you my listeners, and be kind to one another.

Author's Note

The next chapter is out, and I am so far keeping up now. I am working on my old story arcs, involving a subplot, though trying to balance it and the main plot is a lot of going back to my planning doc and reviewing chapters to correct myself. If you all have problems don't be scared to tell me how I can fix them. Mainly in handling B-plot exposition or grammar/word usage. I might have jumped the gun, though that could be me retrofitting old chapters and adding in new ones, so I am trying to keep the narrative connected.

Or I am overthinking and stressing over nothing and these chapters are some of my better ones. Longer sure, but also more dynamic. Hopefully, you all like them too. Also do know, that Flash in this is just a cool kind dude and friend. And Vinyl is the gay chill gal you can just hang with.