Harmony U

Sunset Shimmer crossed the cobblestone road in front of the Throne Room Dining Hall (most students just called it the Throne Room) and cut through the grassy park-like quad to the library.

The campus was organized into several sections. On one side of campus were dorms and a few administrative buildings, the nurse’s office, and campus police. The middle section of campus contained the academic buildings, which ran through the center of campus in a kind of continuous marble promenade with huge ornate buildings on either side, connected by breezeways. Student’s called this section ‘the Castle Wall’ because the three openings between the buildings on either side of the promenade were archways and looked sort of castle-like. The side that Sunset currently found herself on was the larger side, which contained the student center, the library, two cafeterias, and a small selection of specialty shops for the students. These included, among other things, a Starbucks, a campus store, and the Sugarcube Corner dessert bar and cafe.

Sunset jogged up the steps to the library and pushed through the heavy doors. Instead of going through the automatic doors to the main library, she turned to the right and pushed through another, smaller door that led to the quiet study rooms. These rooms were isolated small rooms designed to be used by individuals or small groups who wanted a quieter, more cozy place to study.

Sunset peeked through window after window in the hallway. Some rooms were being used by groups with joint projects. Some had diligent-looking study groups. At least two were being used for naps. Finally Sunset saw the shock of purple hair she was looking for and stopped. She smiled and pushed the door open.

Twilight looked up from her book.

“Oh! Sunset! What are you doing here?” she asked, turning to face Sunset. She didn’t look displeased to see her, only surprised.

“Well you said in your text that you forgot your eraser, so…” Sunset held out a worn eraser brick.

Twilight took it, looking up at Sunset.

“Oh, thanks! You didn’t have to.” she smiled at her friend.

Sunset hadn’t changed too much since starting college a few weeks before. She still wore her leather jackets. She had most of the highscores on the arcade machines in the basement lounge. She could read memories with a touch. But Twilight did think there was something different about her. She couldn’t quite articulate it, but Sunset seemed more assertive, somehow. Not quite how she used to be before discovering friendship, but a little more so than when they had gone to Camp Everfree together.

It was probably a good thing. Even if she held onto some habits from her early highschool career, Twilight knew that she was a good person. If she was expressing her inner-self more, then Twilight was happy.

“So, umm, studying already, huh?” said Sunset, brushing a strand of red hair behind her ear. She sat down in an armchair next to Twilight. The furnishings of Harmony U were lavish. Study rooms came standard with mahogany wood tables, large whiteboards, and even patterned rugs.

“Oh, yeah… Not school stuff though. It’s… well, Equestrian.”

"Equestrian? But we haven’t seen anything magical in a long time. You sure you can’t put the books down for a while and you know, do college stuff? I hear Rarity and AJ are doing a girls’ night thing soon. Well, probably mostly Rarity. You know how AJ feels about girly-girl stuff.” Sunset chuckled to herself.

"I know. I just want to be… prepared, is all. I feel responsible for all the magic stuff we had to deal with. We’re the only ones with these powers and the ability to pony-up, after all. If anything else magical does happen, it’ll be on us to stop it. I don’t know, I guess something has just felt… off, lately.”

Sunset’s grin shifted into a look of concern.

“Hey, you're not responsible for all this. I don’t really get it exactly, but magic just… leaks into our world now sometimes, right? I mean, if anyone is to blame, it’s me...” Sunset looked to the side, losing herself in thoughts and guilt.

“No, no, that’s not what I meant! Sorry, Sunset.” Twilight reached out and grabbed Sunset’s hand apologetically, “I just… I guess I’m just nerding out and overthinking things.” Twilight closed the tome in front of her and looked at the tower of books covering the rest of the table. “Maybe I do need a girls’ night!”

Sunset perked up immediately, smiling. “Really? I mean yeah, ya big nerd, I think you need some sunlight anyway!” she teased. She realized she was still holding Twilight’s hand, but didn’t let go.

“But… how would I get sunlight if it’s girls’ night?”

“Eh, don’t overthink it. By the way… how is rooming with Rarity?”

“Oh, it’s fine. You know Rarity. It’s always something!”

Sunset could imagine a room filled with fabrics and sewing machines, wardrobes filled with more gowns and jewelry than one person could ever need. “Oooh, yeah. I know Rarity!” They both laughed.

Sunset stroked the back of Twilight’s hand with her thumb and went on more soberly: “You know, Applejack goes to the family farm every weekend. If you ever need to get away, you could come over to my place and…”

Twilight blushed and tugged her hand back. “I uh, better get these books put away or I’ll get in trouble. I um… yeah. See you later?” She was blushing and hurriedly started packing books up into small piles to carry out.

Sunset shrugged, smiling. Twilight was more than a little cute when she got flustered. Sometimes, Sunset couldn’t resist teasing her.

She got up to leave, but on her way out she stopped just behind Twilight, grinning.

“See you later, Twi-Twi!” she said, and slapped her hand lightly against Twilight’s ass.

Twilight let out a little “Eep!” as Sunset left.

She crossed the quad with a big smile on her face.