The Parasite

The next week of college classes went smoothly. Sunset turned in various assignments, got some work back with good scores, and even had to take a few tests. But mostly she just had to get through hours of lectures. She dutifully took notes and filled out her planner in each class, wanting to keep track of everything she had to do.

She made time to chat with her friends when she could, but mostly she just focused on getting to Friday. She and Carnage were both eager for the weekend. Despite how she ate three meals a day, she could feel her symbiote growing hungry for blood once more. She tried not to pay it much mind, but his hunger fed into hers, until she was craving living flesh and warm blood as well. And the worst part was, it didn't even really disgust her anymore. It was unsettling how fast the other has changed her, and she couldn't help but wonder if she was changing him too in any way. If she was, he didn't bring it up.

Sunset was sitting in her last class on Friday when her phone vibrated. She checked it and saw a text from Zinnia, who she's been talking to regularly since trading numbers.

My shift ends at three if you wanna get coffee or something?

The class ended at 2:30 PM. Sunset looked up at the professor out of instinct, but he was fine with people briefly texting on their phones. It was up to every individual student to pay attention and it wasn't his problem if they didn't.

So Sunset sent back, Sure, I'll meet you at the store. What's the name again?

Zinnia sent her a pin. It was about a ten minute walk away. She worked for a gardening center selling flowers, seeds, and tools. She loved flowers and wanted to one day have a house where she could grow a big garden. But for now she made do with indoor plants in her apartment, and sometimes visited local parks and botanical gardens to enjoy the flora there.

When the professor let them go, Sunset took her laptop and books back to her room to drop off, and went back outside, checking her phone again before heading for the store. She waved to Rainbow, who was jogging around with her soccer team warming up for practice.

Sunset also saw Twi heading to the science department, likely going to her physics class. They said hi to each other but Twi didn't have time to talk, which Sunset was familiar with. She didn't finish classes until about four even on Fridays, and then usually went to the library or sought out additional tutoring. Sometimes she even tutored people herself. She often wasn't back at her dorm until six or seven. Maybe even eight. But she didn't seem stressed over it at least. She was happily busy.

Sunset was familiar with most of her friends' schedules. Pinkie wouldn't be on campus today at all, instead working at the bakery, since Fridays were often busy. Rarity would be done for the day by now but was probably hanging around with her fellow fashion major friends. Fluttershy was likely in her Intro to Animal Care class. And of course, AJ was handling business at her family's farm.

Sunset took her time getting to the store, knowing Zinnia was probably busy right up until the shift ended. But even walking slow, Sunset got there ten minutes early. The store had a decent number of customers. She went in and wasted time browsing the potted plants. The store was small enough that she could hear Zinnia an aisle over talking to a customer about roses.

The customer moved along and Zinnia walked back toward the front counter, not seeming to notice Sunset. Sunset quietly followed her. She got right behind her when she stopped to adjust a display, waited for a moment, then loudly said, “I got a question about zinnias!”

Zinnia jumped and turned around, then laughed. “Oh, hey! Didn't even notice you. I'm gonna check in with the boss and clock out.”

“Alright, no rush.” Sunset hung out near the front while Zinnia finished her shift and went into the employees only area to clock out and put away her apron. Once everything was taken care of, she said goodbye to her manager and returned to Sunset, leaving with her.

“Finally,” Zinnia commented once they were outside, messing with her hair. She had it in a ponytail while working, but now she let it down, keeping the band around her wrist.

“Long day?” Sunset asked.

“Kinda. We just sold out of one of our more popular brands of fertilizer and won't be getting more in until tomorrow, which isn't too long to wait, but people were pretty mad about it anyway.”

“Seriously? People get mad over not having fertilizer?”

“Most people just said okay and didn't mind. But we have a few customers that are, um...” Zinnia checked to see how far they had walked from the store, then said, “Difficult. Everything in the store has to be just like they want it or they throw a tantrum.”

“That's wild.”

“That's just how retail is. Still, it's way nicer working here than when I worked at a hardware store back home.”

“You worked at a hardware store?”

“Well, I was in their outdoors section. But yeah. Right in a big city, bigger than this one. I never thought people could get so heated over grills and tulips and stuff but well, they can.”

Sunset shook her head, chuckling. “Yeah. Most people are alright, but the rude ones really stick with you, huh?”

“Mhm. So how was school?”

“Great! It was a pretty boring week, nothing too exciting. I'm just looking forward to the end of the school year.”

“I bet. So have you been to Cafe Hut before?”

“I don't think so, I usually hit up this other place, the Sweet Shoppe, since my friend Pinkie's worked for the owners before so we're on real good terms with them.”

“Oh! I might have to try it out. But Cafe Hut's good, they have all these fun specialty coffees, like there's one that's a mocha with caramel and chocolate chips and it's so good!”

“Ooh, sounds delicious.” Sunset didn't care much for regular coffee, but she loved flavored ones.

It was a few more minutes before they got to the cafe, and they talked about Sunset's classes while they walked. Zinnia was politely interested in hearing about the different courses, but admitted that she never did too well in school herself and so decided against attending college.

“That's understandable, it's not for everyone,” Sunset said. “You can definitely have a happy life with a high school diploma and a good work ethic.”

“Yeah! I just really hope this current job works out because if it doesn't, I'll probably start looking at finding a military recruiter or something...”

“You? Military?” Sunset laughed. “Now that'd be something. Sorry, you just don't look like the type who'd want to do that.”

“I don't, not really, but like, it's a backup plan. Definitely a last resort.”

“I get ya.” Sunset nodded, and idly wondered what Zinnia's pony counterpart did for a living. It would be amusing if she actually was a member of the military in Equestria. Perhaps a Wonderbolt or a Royal Guard.

When they went into the cafe and perused the menu, Carnage spoke up in Sunset's mind. We have so much free time for the rest of today. We could get a start on taking down and eating that Whistle human! Why are we socializing?

Because we're doing that tomorrow, Sunset replied patiently. Today I just wanna unwind and hang out with a friend. We have to travel all the way across the state, so we'll save that for tomorrow morning.

Ugh, fine! But don't make me wait too long or I might wanna pick off some of his lackeys on the way to his office!

You're depraved.

And you're boring.

Sunset stepped up to the counter, ordering the mocha with caramel and chocolate chips that Zinnia had mentioned. Zinnia got the same thing, along with a bag of dried apple slices. She insisted on paying, and Sunset briefly argued, but finally allowed her. Zinnia had invited her out, after all, so it was fair. But Sunset planned to return the favor soon.

Once they had their coffees, they found a table in the corner of the room to sit at and continued talking. Sunset told Zinnia about her past, as it was something she wanted to always be upfront about. Zinnia was sympathetic toward her, though definitely confused about her being from a world full of sapient equines and creatures that humans considered mythical.

“I know it sounds weird, but that was my home,” Sunset said. “But now I have a happy life here and I wouldn't change anything.” She told her about the friendships she's made since that fateful Fall Formal, and how much good she and her friends have been able to do for this world.

“That's crazy, you guys are like, superheroes,” Zinnia said in a hushed tone.

“I guess you could call us that, but we don't really think of it that way, it's just... doing the right thing. We all have such special gifts due to bonding with Equestrian magic, and we want to use our powers for good.”

“It's so cool that you guys can do all that. I'd heard stories but never thought I'd actually meet one of you. I think I'm gonna go online later and look up all the news about you and your friends!”

“You'll find plenty.” Sunset blushed a little. It was still strange for her to think about how famous she was. Once, she desired nothing more than everyone's obedience and adoration. Now she knew how overwhelming popularity could be. So she did her best to just be humble and not draw attention to herself in public.

Zinnia took a long sip from her cup and gazed around the room, and Sunset did too, taking in the decor. The small shop was quite cozy, with a fireplace, couches and armchairs, and various paintings on the walls. Though the place was small, it was popular. Most of the furniture was in use, people hanging out with friends or just using their laptops or reading.

After about a minute of companionable silence, Zinnia said, “So, any big plans for the weekend?”

“Huh? Oh, nah.” Sunset looked back at her and grinned. “Just uh, probably gonna relax. Get homework done and stuff, the usual.”

“I have work tomorrow unfortunately,” Zinnia sighed. Then she brightened. “But after that, I have Sunday off so I'm gonna relax too! We could go do something if you want.” When Sunset considered, she quickly added, “Or not, sorry, I shouldn't just assume you'd wanna do anything...”

“It's okay,” Sunset assured her. “I was just thinking if I had any plans with the rest of my friends. Oh, you know what? I think you should meet them!”

“Really?” Zinnia's eyes widened. “All your friends?”

“Sure, or those of them that don't have anything going on, I guess. I'm sure they'd love to meet you!”

“Oh wow, meeting Canterlot's heroes, that's so... yeah! If they're cool with it, I'd love to meet them!”

Zinnia's eagerness was endearing. Sunset took a drink to hide her smile, opening her chat app on her phone so she could hop into the server she shared with Twi and the others. “Here, let me see what they're all up to and we can arrange something.”

“Thank you,” Zinnia replied softly. Sunset glanced at her and stared when she saw the other's eyes glistening with tears. “I really thought I wouldn't be able to make any friends when I came here, it's been so lonely. I'm glad I met you.”

Sunset's heart ached. Zinnia has already told her about how she had trouble making friends growing up. She was always the quiet girl in school, keeping to herself and being known for little else other than the way she always drew flowers in her notebooks and liked catching ladybugs at recess. She never really managed to make any permanent friends, and had a difficult home situation that kept her from hanging out with people often. So she simply grew up alone.

Sunset put her drink down and got up, walking around to Zinnia's side of the table and pulling her into a hug. Zinnia was surprised, but slowly hugged her back, resting her face against her shoulder. “I'm glad I met you too.”

Zinnia's hands moved up Sunset's back and she pulled her closer, shoulders shaking slightly. Sunset's empathy magic allowed her to feel the other's tearful happiness and relief, and she held her for a good while, just letting her get it all out. Then Carnage demanded to know why she cared so much for someone she just met a week ago.

Because she's a person in pain, and if I can take that pain away, I'm going to. That's what friends do.

It's so interesting. How you choose which people to offer sympathy and which to strike down. How you've turned many foes into friends and yet, see others as worthy of death. I'm not sure where or how you draw the line.

Sunset didn't feel like having that conversation right now, just bluntly telling Carnage to look at her morals and figure it out for himself. She could sense that Zinnia was relaxing, and then the other leaned back, brushing her eyes off. “Sorry, I don't usually get so emotional...”

“It's okay. You don't have to apologize for crying.” Sunset offered her a napkin, and she wiped tears from her cheeks.

Sunset sat back down and Zinnia put the napkin down, sighing. “It's just nice, you know? Being able to talk to someone. And if your friends are free to hang out on Sunday, I'd like to hang out too. If that's okay.”

“It's totally okay. But let me ask them.” Sunset sent a message asking her friends about their plans. She's briefly mentioned Zinnia to them, and now asked if they would be interested in meeting her. The responses were overwhelmingly positive, and they began discussing things to do. Lunch at Applejack's, a visit to the spa, shopping at the mall, maybe a trip to the zoo?

“Well, they all seem excited to meet you,” Sunset said after a few moments. “Especially Pinkie, she loves making new friends. Expect to give her a full report on your favorite flavor of cake when you meet her, because she'll probably want to bake you one.”

“Will she get mad if I say I prefer pie?” Zinnia joked.

“Not at all, in fact she'd probably hug you. She loves making pie for her friends too.”

“She sounds wonderful.”

They didn't stay for too much longer after that. Sunset and her friends came to an agreement on what to do on Sunday, planning to meet at the Sweet Shoppe in the morning so they could meet Zinnia and perhaps have breakfast, and then they would carpool in Pinkie's Party Van™ to the zoo for a day of fun. Fluttershy was ecstatic about it, as there was a new butterfly garden she was desperate to see.

With that decided, Sunset and Zinnia decided to head out. Zinnia wanted to shower and tend to her plants at home, and Sunset didn't want to take up too much of her afternoon.

“Oh, it's no problem, I loved hanging out,” Zinnia said. “I'll see ya later!”

“See you.” Sunset waved and Zinnia jogged away.

Finally, Carnage groaned. That was even more boring than your classes.

I know you don't care about friendship, but it's something that's important to me. I'm sacrificing a lot for you, I'm risking getting into a lot of trouble with these attacks we have planned, and we've already done stuff that... I didn't like. The least you can do is accept that I want to hang out with my friends sometimes.

Carnage grumbled to himself. He was getting tired of playing nice with this creature. He was close to just taking full control now, abandoning this pretense of killing the 'bad' and focusing only on the weak. The ones who weren't worthy of hosting his future spawn. But he told himself to have patience. There was plenty of time. He was still learning her ways so he could imitate her later. Once she was lulled into a false sense of security, then he could seize control with no resistance. And if she did find the will to fight back, he would know exactly how to threaten her to keep her silent.

Hang out with your friends all you want. But remember who must spend every waking moment with you. Who only wants you to reach your full potential.

She hummed, walking back to the campus. I know how you feel. But this relationship isn't going to work without compromise. We just have the one body, we have to share it. We'll do your thing, you know, eating... people. Ew, still not used to that. And we'll do my thing. Which involves college and spending time with my friends. We can both get what we want.

Compromise. Yes. We will compromise. Do as you wish. This was only a temporary frustration. Carnage would go along with her nonsense for now. At least this meeting with her new friend had one benefit.

He had one more weapon to hurt her with later.