Sonata came into the apartment, humming an annoying commercial tune Aria wished she could forget.
“You seem extra happy today,” Aria commented, looking up from her drawing she had been working on of the three of them in their siren forms.
It wasn’t something she thought about doing. Drawing, that was. Honestly, it was more a means to an end to shut up her fellow rainbooms after getting enrolled at CHS. It was all under the generous forgiving nature of Sunset Shimmer to give them a second chance at life with their powers gone. At some point, they were all told to pick up a hobby rather than moping around the apartment the rainbooms helped them get or sulking around at their jobs. Aria had agreed to try drawing, if only to be left alone. That said, she soon found the hobby to be rather soothing. Seemed like a better idea than Sonata’s, which was to try to relearn how to sing. Or with Adagio’s when-
“Yeah, life is wonderful!” Sonata interrupted Aria’s thoughts.
“Meh, it’s okay,” Aria said, hiding the faintest of smiles. Hey, her sister was an airhead, and she’s never admitted this to anyone, but at least Sonata was her airhead of a sister. “Guessing your date went well?” Aria added with a smirk.
“Oh, it was so sweet!” Sonata swooned. “Octavia took me ice-skating. I kept tripping the first couple of times, but she was always there to hold me up and-
Aria chuckled and went back to her drawing. Ever since Sonata had made her new group of friends, and girlfriend, she had been away from the apartment more and more. It made Aria slow down in her doodling at the thought that she actually found the quiet, if not bad, bothersome. With Adagio gone, she had become more or less in charge. A very mixed blessing. Much like Sonata was as a person; someone who could drive her crazy, yet also someone she loved dearly. Over the years, she had come to find the best way to cope was to tune her out. Listen less to the ramblings of tacos and enjoy the boundless energy her sister radiated. The trick was to only pick up a few words here and there so as to seem like she was paying attention. Which was why today, she felt off put when she heard Sonata say,
“-and we’re both so nervous and excited for moving into our dorm next week, that we joked about if such a word existed that combined the two! I came up with exciteervous, she made the word nervexcited and—
“Hang on!” Aria said, giving Sonata her full attention as she set her pencil down. “What was that?”
Sonata blinked. “Oh? Nervexcited vs exciteervous? Yeah, Octy had the better idea, but thinking back, that’s only because I think Pinkie Pie—
“The part before that!” Aria snapped, causing Sonata to jump. She took a breath and asked, “Something about a dorm, and you moving into it? Sorry if I heard wrong.”
“No,” Sonata said slowly, a look of concern on her face. “You heard right. The dorm Octavia, Vinyl, and I will be sharing for college.”
Aria looked at her in confusion.
“For Canterlot Community College?” When Aria didn’t say anything, Sonata added, “I thought I told you this months ago.”
“Probably,” Aria said with a shake of her head. “So, you’re telling me, you got into college?”
“That’s right,” Sonata said with a smile, albeit, not the high-energy one Aria normally saw. “Music major.”
“Uh-huh,” Aria nodded. “And, you’ll be moving there, out of here…” She pointed around the apartment, breath shuddering. “Next week?”
“Ye…Yes?” Sonata answered hesitantly. “Sorry. I honestly thought you already knew the plan.”
There was a pause. A long, uncomfortable pause. Until Aria broke it with a roar of laughter.
“Oh, that’s a good one, Sonata!” She caught her breath by slapping her knee. “You, moving out, to college. Haha!”
“I’m being serious!” Sonata pouted, stomping her foot for emphasis.
“Sure you are,” Aria said, wiping away a tear at her sister’s pouty face. “You know what, how about Adagio and I join you when she gets back? She can major in mathematics and I’ll get a degree in rocket science!”
As Aria continued to laugh, Sonata’s look of distress quickly changed to one of worry.
“Wait, do think that…ugh.” Sonata rubbed her forehead. “Yeah, I’m sorry for thinking you were simply okay with this.”
“Hey now!” Aria called out as Sonata walked, as opposed to skipped, to her room. “Why the long face? Shouldn’t we be planning your first frat party?”
Sonata turned to give Aria a look. A look that caused Aria to, for a moment, consider the idea that she may have pushed Sonata a little too far. Sure, she had no doubt Sonata loved her girlfriend, but the idea that they were already playing house? Not that she knew they’d be so serious so fast, but still…
Sonata shook her head, and walked into her bedroom.
Aria shrugged, thinking, “Whatever!”, as she went back to her drawing. “College. Cute one, Nata,” she chuckled as she focused on Sonata’s tail fin. That was, until a piece of paper fell in front of her.
“Hey!”
“Read it,” Sonata said plainly. “It’s my acceptance letter.”
Aria blew on her lips. “Alright, I’ll play along,” she said, picking up the letter. “Although this joke is slowly pushing into…the….
Dear, Sonata Dusk,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into Canterlot Community University. On behalf of everyone at CCU, it is our pleasure to tell you that you have met the requirements to attend starting this September. Included is your student ID number. Although you will have to come in-person to get a student card, you can use your number now to—
Aria stopped reading. Her attention was instead focused on the rather credible-looking logo of the school. There was an odd twisting feeling in her stomach, but she brushed it aside to focus on this well drawn out prank.
“Wow!” she nervously chuckled. “You’re really committed to this-
Sonata held out her student ID card.
“Huh, a nice fake ID, Sonata!” Aria said, not really fooling herself.
“Ari,” Sonata uttered, being the somberest Aria had ever seen as she sat down next to her sister. “I, I know we’ve been thought a lot these past several months, but—
Aria stood up, looked down at Sonata and started to say something. Instead, she simply grabbed her sketchbook and took off towards her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.
Sonata curled up into a ball on the floor.
*****
“So, you found her the next morning, passed out on the kitchen table, several cans of beet littering the floor, and drooling over one of many pictures she drew of herself kicking Octy to the curb?” Vinyl asked, making sure she was on level with what Sonata had just told them.
“Some are a bit less pleasant than others,” Sonata groaned as Octavia pulled her in closer into their side hug. “But that just about sums it up.”
It was the following day and after discovering her sister like that, Sonata had called up her friends on the account of an important matter. After figuring out when the girls were all free, the five of them; Sonata, Vinyl, Octavia, Lyra, and Bon Bon, found themselves in the mall's food court at ten o’clock.
“I thought you said you already told her,” Bon Bon questioned, sipping on a soda.
“I did! Several times in fact,” Sonata exclaimed, using her free hand to pinch her nose. “But she has a habit of tuning me out when I get overly excited. I only recently found out she does.”
If there was one thing she loved about her new circle of friends, it was how they made her strive to be a more likable person. Be it with Bon Bon pointing out the value of slowing down from time to time when making candy, Lyra showing how that didn’t mean sacrificing her charming and energetic personality when they went to concerts or played dance evolution, or Vinyl teaching her the art of being chill and emphasizing with others. There was also the lesson of not needing to manipulate people to get what you wanted. And of course, there was Octavia.
Octavia.
Certainly, the most pleasant surprise of her life! What started as her offering some instrument lessons when Sunset suggested she get a hobby, became something much more when Octavia took the time in helping her to realize she could still sing with her voice. Then there was the day she discovered that, after weeks of frustration in not finding an instrument she was good at, Octavia asked what the real issue was. Sonata opened up about her fears, then Octavia took her hand and asked her to hum a few simple notes. They both cringed for a bit, until, to Sonata’s joy, she found her natural singing voice was just as beautiful as before! Afterwards, there was much hugging and blushing. Sometime later that week, Octavia offered to hang out after school, just the two of them, where a magical moment on a park bench occured, forever binding their souls.
“Well, I suppose it’s better now then when you’re walking out the door with your bags,” Octavia assured as she ran a finger through Sonata’s hair.
“Yeah yeah, blessings and all that.” Sonata said, laying her head on Octavia’s shoulder. “But, I don’t know…you think I’m being, maybe, a bit selfish?”
“What?” Lyra shot up, causing Sonata and Octavia to jerk apart. “Why would you be selfish in this situation?”
“Maybe because she cares about her sister and doesn't want to leave her distressed if she can’t handle it,” Bon Bon deadpanned.
“Yeah, well,” Vinyl huffed, “It’s not her responsibility if she can’t handle herself without a single person.” She frowned as they all stared at her. “What? Octy!” She focused on Octavia. “After all that shit we had to go through getting you to break away from your mom, back me and Lyra up here!”
“Well, sure,” Octavia fidgeted. “Hey! I’m not saying she wasn’t horrible, toxic, and the day you four got me to show her up wasn’t the happiest day of my life! Thanks again for letting me stay at your place until we move into our dorm, Vinyl.”
Octavia took several breaths through her nose. “However, she’s still family, and it’s not as if I don’t care. I owed it to her to have at least cared and tried to reason with her before breaking ties for my own good.”
“Oh, lovely,” Sonata moaned, looking down.
“What I think we’re all trying to say,” Bon Bon mentioned, “is that we still want you to work things out with your sister, but it’s not your sole responsibility to be her caretaker.”
Sonata looked up. “Huh, strange. Normally I’d be the more immature one of my sisters, and yet, here I am, sounding like I’m supposed to be my sister's caregiver because I’m apparently handling trauma better than she is.” She laughed. “Boy, are you guys rubbing off on me!”
Bon Bon slapped Lyra on the head the second she displayed her own cocky grin, then they all had a good laugh.
“So, what do I do then if she doesn’t want to accept the upcoming change?” Sonata asked, using both her hands to embrace Octavia. “Cause I really do want to go to CCU with you all.”
“Honestly, love, I’d say tell her straight!” Octavia said, giving Sonata's forehead a kiss. “Like with my mother when I told her I wasn’t going to Trottingham University and was in love with the most beautiful girl in school!”
Sonata’s cheeks burned and yet, the perfect thing came to her. Looking up at Octavia, she innocently said, “You’re crushing on Sunset Shimmer?”
As the other girls erupted in laughter, Octavia playfully flicked Sonata on the head and got a little extra revenge later when the two had a moment alone. Although if asked, Octavia would claim the extra long kisses were to ease Sonata's nerves.
She would certainly need them when she got home that night.
*****
“Aria?” Sonata asked, slowly opening the door. She peaked her head in to see Aria jump to attention.
“Sonata! I mean…” she cleared her throat and hid her sketchbook out of view. “Sonata. Have a good day?”
“Yes,” Sonata said timidly. “Can we talk?”
Arias' lip quivered, although the rest of her stood strong. “Hey, funny dream I had last night. You said you were going to college, and had plans to move out next week.”
Sonata let out a sigh. “No, I really am moving out next week and clearly we have things to deal with before I leave.”
Aria stared. “What’s this now?” she mused in fake confidence. “Trying to play the straight clam girl for a change.” Inwardly, she couldn’t help but wonder how Sonata could be so mellow.
“Aria,” Sonata began, walking towards the table and sitting adjacent to her sister. “Look, I know things have been hectic for the past couple of months.”
“Oh yeah,” Aria said, clenching her fist. “Losing our powers, you being more silly than usually-
“You know what I mean.” Sonata deadpanned.
“No,” Gaze narrowed, Aria snarled. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Sonata held her own gaze. “Come on, Aria. I know you’re being purposefully stupid and not that deluded!”
Aria most certainly did not know. She wasn’t thinking about that one night, at that club. She wasn’t thinking about Adagio having one too many drinks, or the ally, or the guy, or Dagi thinking she was still an invincible siren, or the confrontation with the gun-
“Adagio isn’t coming back,” Sonata pressed. “She’s—
“Stop being silly, Sonata!” Aria hissed. “We can’t die and we’ve survived worse than gunshots in this world all these years!”
“Ye…Yeah,” Sonata croaked. “When we had our powers, but they're gone now, Aria! And Adagio found that out the hard way!”
“So, what? You’re just going to leave me, out in this dangerous world? You think you can survive without me? You think that you can just leave me and be so selfish!”
And there it was.
“Is…do you really think…” Sonata started, deflated. “…that I’m so stupid I can’t handle myself, or that I’m leaving to get away from you?”
Aria frowned. “That’s…that’s not what I meant.”
“No,” Sonata sighed. Adjusting herself on the couch, she added, “but it’s similar language Octavia’s mom used when she tried to keep her from moving on.”
Aria shuffled nervously, fidgeting her fingers.
Sonata took her hand. “Look, it’s scary, not knowing what's going to happen to us now. But, you know what, being mortal and meeting my friends has honestly made me feel more alive in the past few months than I have been in all the years I’ve been immortal. Life’s too short, and I want to make the most of it, and I want you to do the same.”
“Yeah, well…” Aria sniffled.
“Hey, it’s not like I’m leaving. I’ll come visit, and you can visit me as often as you like on campus, which won’t be far away.” Sonata shuffled her feet nervously.
Aria slowly looked up. “Al…Alright. You, you just,” she curled her fist. “You better freaking enjoy yourself.” She wiped her eyes. “I don’t want to have to say I told you so if you get your head stuck in a toilet!”
Sonata giggled. “I’ll do my best, but thank you.” She threw her arms around Aria, and Aria hugged her back.
****
A week had passed since Sonata had left for college. The day had come, Sonata’s friend came to pick her and her stuff up, and Aria said she didn’t think Octavia was bad to her face. A compliment, Sonata assured Octavia. Then she hugged her sister and, as hard as it was, let her go. Now, she found herself alone at the Canterlot mall, sketching on her notepad a picture of her and Sonata playing tag as guppies.
She had wanted to stay home and do this, but had promised Sonata and the new counselor that she at least get outside the house more. She originally felt tempted to call Sonata and see how she was doing and hang out, but it felt rude, and made her worry about how desperate she would sound. It would make her sound like she couldn’t last a week without her sister.
“That’s a lovely drawing,” someone said, causing Aria to jump and try and hide the sketchbook.
“I’m terribly sorry!” She realized the one named Rarity said upon looking up. “I do a bit of doodling myself when working on new designs before going to the thread and needle, but I’ll venture off into random things as well.”
There was a pause as Aria said nothing in response.
“Well, um,” Rarity said awkwardly. “I can go if you-
“No!” Aria said, coughing a little. “Sorry, just, well…you like it? Never really showed my art to anyone before.”
Rarity smiled. “Indeed. Oh, and a shy girl are we?”
Aria huffed. “Hardly. Just…” she paused for a moment, knowing what continuing into this conversation would lead into. And yet, thinking about how happy Sonata was now, she said, “Well, I’m still rather new and never found a practical use for drawing.”
Beaming, Rarity took a seat and shuffled through her purse for her own sketchpad. “Well, it can be good for getting your ideas into the world. For instance,” She flipped through it and showed off a more goth-looking dress. “I want to find the right balance of black, while still being colorful.” She showed off such a gown.
Aria cocked an eyebrow. “Huh, that’s…neat.” She bit her lip before saying, “You think about having it be scarlet? Heard that color’s really popular right now.”
Rarity hummed. “You know, I have heard that, but…” She eyed the bench. “May I?”
“Oh, um,” Aria blushed, scooting over and patting the wood. “Sure.”
Rarity smiled and took a seat and for the next several hours they went over designs and shared their sketches. Which, as Aria would come to admit, were some of the most relaxing hours she had had in a long time.
Author's Note
I can already hear the comments and reviews now; too fast paced, terrible grammar, not enough time to develop stuff. Which I’m not okay with, but with my past months anxiety, I knew it would be better to say I entered this contest at all than feel regret I hadn’t even tried. Oddly enough, I put some of the finishing touches on this story after a talk I had with my dad (yes, that one of you know me) on some of the struggles I have in wanting to change, and not with the ‘pony lifestyle’ but some genuine issues I’d probably have even without him. I may yet come back to this and try reduxing it for that reason, but for the renaissance contest this is the, to be judge entry. Still, I thank you all for reading, and if you have a moment in the comments, I’d love to hear more about how you deal with difficult life changes. ❤️
