Sunset Shimmer had planned to move next to clothes shopping, but the near synchronous growls of stomachs and Raven’s comment about, “stuffing your pie holes” meant that food was the next order of business. There were no objections.

While standing in line to place their orders at the Garden Grove, Sunset examined what Twilight and the others had selected from the electronics store. She found five holo-tablets, two AR/VR headsets, a micro movie projector, and the box to Twilight’s new PAAL, which she had still yet to name.

Sunset turned to look at Tempest and Gauge who were, as usual, standing two steps behind her and Twilight. “Did you two pick anything out?”

“I grabbed that projector,” said Tempest with a shrug. “I figured out of all that crap if you could find a way to make more of those and project plays and whatnot on a screen like it showed that would be pretty nice.”

“I held the bag,” Gauge added. Sunset shook her head and chuckled.

Lunch was a quiet, simple undertaking. Sunset was thankful that there were still quite a number of vegetarian and soup/salad restaurants available in the city. While she doubted the smell of cooked meat would have deterred the two captains from sitting and eating, it did spare them all having to deal with the primary human staple that none of them were interested in. Sunset wanted her friends in a good, relaxed mood for clothes shopping. The meals were finished in short order and the four were up and moving again.

Sunset never considered herself a fashionista or, honestly, the most trendy when it came to style. That said, she did learn early on that clothes served as more than just a way to keep warm in a body that lacked essential fur. There was an art to proper clothing choices on Earth just as much as there was in Equestria. In a way, perhaps more so. To most ponies, clothes were a statement of station, wealth, and occasionally accenting what was already there. There COULD be a sex appeal to it, but for most ponies, clothes were just kind of... there.

For humans, it all mattered. Every piece said something different. So much nuance it was headache inducing. Sunset had learned from compliments by both males and females that she was just as beautiful by human standards as she was by pony. She learned how to use that to her advantage as a necessity of survival in a world that saw females as the ‘fairer sex’.

Sunset hated that term and all the connotations that accompanied it. Truthfully, Sunset did regret some of what she had done in those first couple of years of learning to play the role of a human and would take the memories of those awful deeds to her grave. In the end, however it had all been a valuable learning experience on what it meant to be human and led her down the path to school popularity and power. Old regrets aside, Sunset would gladly admit it was also just damn fun to try on new things just to see how they fit. All previous worries were cast back to the void as they entered The Maxx department store.

“Okay, first, Twily, grab that shopping cart. Next, let’s grab some stuff for Gauge since there is only one of him and three of us.”

“What exactly are we supposed to be looking for?” asked Tempest more curious than annoyed for once.

Sunset turned to Gauge and smirked at him. “You want something comfortable or stylish?”

Gauge glanced at his wife before finally asking, “Can it be both?”

Sunset grinned and giggled. “Good answer.” Sunset turned back to Twilight. “Twily, take Tempest over to the Ladies Section over there and start browsing. We’ll join you in a few moments.”

“Wait,” Tempest held up a hand as if to protest, “shouldn’t we stick together? I have no idea what I’m doing. I don’t do this kind of shopping. What are we even going to do with all this crap when we are done?”

Twilight stepped between her captain and her marefriend before Sunset could retort or fire off one of her usual snide remarks. “It’s fine, I got this. I’m used to being stuffed in strange dresses or such for one-time events. It might actually be nice to pick things for myself for once.”

Sunset nodded. “Those booths in the middle are changing rooms if you want to try something on. You should be able to eyeball most of the sizes, but you can ask an associate if you have a question. We’ll meet back up in a few.” The two princesses nodded and dragged their captains along behind them.

Sunset stopped in the middle of the Men’s Section and held up a couple of t-shirts to Gauge’s chest. The thestral in human disguise maintained his bemused expression. She kept the gray cotton shirt with a wolf howling to an oversize full moon while setting the other back.

“Okay, so I have something I need to tell you, but I didn’t want Twilight or Tempest to hear.”

“Strange, but go on.”

Sunset checked one more time to make sure it was just the two of them. “I want to propose to Twilight when we are done with this trip. In addition to upgrading Raven-”

“Thank you for that, by the way.”

Sunset smiled and nodded to her PAAL on the back of her hand. “I am going to have to hit a jewelry store tomorrow morning to find the stones and hopefully a setting I like. It may take a bit of time to explain or hunt for the right jeweler so I may need you to run interference. That could be anything from wanting to go sightseeing or pretend you have a stomach ache. I haven't quite figured out what excuse works best.”

Gauge’s yellow eyes brightened and he smiled and nodded. “I will gladly help, but I am confused why you would wait to come here for this. The rings will not fit your horns and I imagine explaining that to a human jeweler would be… problematic.”

Sunset acknowledged his comment while holding a pair of jeans to Gauge’s waist. They appeared a bit too small, so she selected another pair that was also denim but had a stone wash pattern to them. Sweet Mother of mine, his abs are like rock and his bulge is about to break the seams on his pants! Gah! I almost drooled on him.

Sunset shook her head and focused on the question asked. “To begin with, Twilight and I both hate the idea of having rings on our horns. Yes, unicorn couples traditionally wear their rings for a time, but they almost always take them off for comfort reasons. So, instead I’m going to go with the traditional zebra token of a connection set of earrings. A gem in the bottom stud, a connecting chain and a corresponding smaller gem in the top stud. I can have them made here and should size just right for pony ears with little to no adjustment.”

“Yes, that makes sense and I even like the idea, but again, why here?”

Sunset spread her arms and gestured to all directions. “Look around you, you see all these people? Not a damn one of them cares who I am. If I were to walk into a jewelry store in Canterlot or any town in Equestria it would completely ruin the surprise. Heck, even having a jeweler come to me would get spoiled. Nosey ass ponies from nobles to news writers would sniff my plans out in a heartbeat. Also, don’t tell Tempest.”

“I’m not going to lie to me wife unless you make it an order and just between us as friends, I would rather you not do that.”

Sunset grimace and groaned, but nodded. She did not want to put him in an awkward homelife position. “Okay, fine, but neither of you tell Twilight, THAT is an order.”

Gauge nodded his thanks. He then picked up a pair of khaki cargo pants with multiple pouches and a belt built in. Gauge held it next to his waist just as Sunset had done and nodded. “I like these.”

Sunset grabbed him a three pack of plain boxer briefs and then pointed towards the changing booths. “Time to try some stuff on.”

Twilight Sparkle held a cocktail dress in one hand and a more simple, conservative blouse top in the other. If they were going to go dancing some time she wanted something that she could move in. Neither really said ‘pick me’ so she put them back.

“Sunset Shimmer is up to something. I can feel it.”

Twilight giggled and picked out a pair of yoga pants and a sports bra for Tempest. They would fit tight, but would likely be comfortable and move well. Maybe could be paired with a loose dress? The only time I have EVER seen Tempest in a dress was her wedding day. No, how about a pair of shorts over the pants so she has pockets. Oh, I love pockets!

“Tempest, you should know by now that Sunset Shimmer is ALWAYS up to something. That quirky, beautiful mind of hers is always thinking. Always plotting.” Twilight paused, running fingers down the silky material of the dress before her. “I just wish it would start plotting our future together too.”

Tempest arched an eyebrow. “Something I should know, Your Highness?”

Twilight shrugged, her lip pouting as if she had just sucked on a lemon. “Just wondering if it will ever be the right time to ask about us. Or if I’m just being impatient.”

“You mean marriage?”

Twilight nodded. “I don’t want to be rude. I know she’s been through seven levels of Tartarus over the last few years, but I am ready for us to be… US. And while I generally prefer things simple and to the point this is a BIG DEAL. I want to do something grand and that takes planning and logistics, lists of the proper time of day and year and location and weather conditions and, of course, that we not be called away for royal business or some other emergency. So many different variables. I hate too many variables.”

Tempest picked up a tank top workout shirt that had a holographic design on it and examined it. Twilight nodded. It would go well over the workout top and with the yoga pants. “You sure want my opinion on this?”

“I greatly value your advice as both a friend and captain.”

“Honestly, don’t look at me for an example of the ‘right time and place’. I got proposed to in a seedy bat pony bar while already pregnant. You want extravagance, you should be talking to Princess Cadence. Personally though, you’re overthinking all of this. Just get a ring, walk up to her, trip the big pain in the backside to the ground and say, ‘marry me.’ Boom, done. She’ll have to say yes because she’ll be too stunned to say anything else.”

Twilight giggled a bit at the thought while holding up a cobalt blue dress with sheer sleeves, floral pattern top with exposed shoulders and knee length skirt that had just the right amount of frills to it. If she could find the right boots or shoes to go with it, it would be perfect. Ohhh, it even has a little matching jacket with pockets in case it gets chilly out. So pretty.

“You’re right, I probably am overthinking it.” Twilight glanced up to find Sunset handing Gauge a few clothes and directing him to a room before strolling over to her.

Sunset grinned and let out a little whistle at what Twilight had in hand. “For a night out?”

“You said we were going on a date, possibly dancing. I want to feel comfortable.”

“And look smoking hot while doing it. Yes, definitely that one.” Sunset kissed Twilight on the cheek before moving to the undergarments section. “Just going to get us a six pack of comfortable cotton panties and some cheap bras. You think we’re all about the same size?”

Twilight looked down at her chest then over to Tempest who suddenly felt highly self conscious that the topic was once again drawn to her misplaced teats. She was unaccustomed to having her parts examined so closely by any creature other than her husband.

“Just pick what you think is best,” Twilight smiled brightly, “I trust you.”

Sunset shot them both her finger guns and grabbed a black, white, and beige bra off the rack in the size that she knew matched her own. A moment later Gauge emerged from the booth.

“I apologize, princess, but I could not figure out how to, um, get out of this uniform to try these on. However, the numbers on the waist band did match from what I could see.” He wiggled his fingers as if to emphasize his point.

Sunset rolled her eyes and smacked her forehead. “Don’t worry about it. Let me grab something for myself and we’ll just roll with what we have and get a hotel room. We can practice with the fine art of finger usage and then settle in for the evening. I’ll show you how some of the tech works then we order room service dinner. Sound good?” The others nodded in agreement.

The Hunnington-Filmore hotel had always been a favorite of Sunset’s. They had an excellent vegetarian menu, quality staff, and both indoor and outdoor pools. Sadly, Sunset was not sure if they would have time for swimming, not to mention she had not taken the time to buy bathing suits and skinning dipping would bring the wrong kind of attention down on their heads. Perhaps next time.

Without hesitation, Sunset requested an executive suite with an adjoining room connected through their large bathroom that had two private toilets, a walk-in shower, a soaker tub with jacuzzi jets, and three sinks. The rooms were no less appointed with two large beds in each room, small sofas, balconies, and kitchenette and bar.

Twilight attempted to inquire the cost of such luxury, but Sunset simply held up a finger and said, “If you have to ask the price, you can’t afford it.” The desk attendant finished setting up the transaction and sent the unlock codes to Raven.

“Thank you for business!” said the bubbly attendant.

The four Equestrians did not say much in the elevator or on the walk to the rooms. It was not until Raven had unlocked the door and Sunset gestured for them to enter did Twilight gasp and both captains had to be ushered along from their gawking.

“Sunset, I have been in some of the most luxurious hotels in the world. Heck, I live in a castle. This is… this has to be costing you a small fortune.”

“Different world, different standards. While not cheap, this is not even the most expensive room in this hotel let alone the most expensive in the world.” Sunset dropped her bags and flopped on the bed with a long relaxing sigh. “Explore all there is here for a bit if you like. Bathroom is over there if you need to freshen up. Considering all that’s happened, plus I’m sure Twilight wants to tinker with her PAAL, we’ve earned the break. Like I suggested earlier let’s just order dinner and stay in tonight.”

Sunset felt the mattress dip as someone sat on it next to her. She smiled without having to open her eyes when a hint of lavender and parchment tickled her nose. Sunset smiled more when she felt fingers casually play with some of her hair which was no doubt sprawled all over their bed. Said fingers next brushed the hair back from Sunset’s face, tracing down her cheek, over her chin, and down the side of her neck. Sunset let out a quiet yet playful moan.

“So…”

Sunset opened one eye slightly. “So?”

“What…” Twilight paused, reconsidering her words. “Have any ideas on what I should name my PAAL?”

“It should mean something to you. A past assistant you had or friend you miss. In a strange way it’s kind of like coming up with a fictional character name for a game of O and O or such. If you really want to make it seem weird you could compare it to naming a child.”

Twilight spotted Tempest pointing to the other room and dragged Gauge with her so they could talk privately. “Do you think of Raven as an equivalent of a child to you?”

It was a good question and one Sunset had contemplated before, if not deeply or with much concern. Still, Twilight deserved an answer. “In a way. She is my friend, that I have no doubt. But she is also the way she is because of me. I’ve kept her by my side for years now. We’ve traveled all over this country and even through the mirror. Her personality matrix was shaped by those experiences and by me like a sculptor with a lump of clay.”

“Did you just compare me to dirt?”

“We are the clay and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.”

“Bible quotes from you?” commented Raven with an undertone of amusement to her voice.

“Nearly every hotel I have ever stayed in had a Gideon in one of the drawers, so I read the thing… more than once actually. Need I remind you I have an eidetic memory? Besides, there are nuggets of truth in all things if you're willing to see them.” Sunset took Twilight’s hand and pressed the palm into her nose and lips. “I was lost for so long. Rudderless atop a sea of alcohol and misery. I would have continued to be lost if not for you both. You two are so damn important to me. So yeah, even naming your phone can be as important as a child.”

Twilight looked down at her own PAAL that had not said much, but it did not know her that well yet and was most likely just observing her, trying to determine what was the best way to be of assistance. What would she name a child if she were handed one? Could she voice that old dream out loud? Could she tell her lover she DID want a foal of her own? Twilight bit her lip and shook her head slightly. No, not yet.

Sunset shifted a bit. “You okay, Twily?”

Twilight nodded and brightened, once again using her hand to brush hair over Sunset’s ear and down the side of her face. Be it a human or pony face, Twilight loved staring longingly into teal eyes and touching her face gently. Twilight's eyes next turned to her PAAL stuck to the back of her hand. “PAAL, do you know who I am?”

“You are my owner and user. Current account information lists you as Velvet Nightlight.”

“Please call me, Twilight.”

“Preference saved.”

Twilight nodded. “How do I give you a name?”

Twilight’s PAAL flashed a few colors across the screen. “My customization preferences are now open. You may change them anytime you like.”

“Very well, I would like to call you, Smartypants.”

“Hello Twilight, I am Smartypants. How may I help you?”

Sunset held up Raven and winked at her. The animated pony rolled her eyes. “Did I sound that bad in the beginning?”

“Yeah, but that’s all part of the experience I think.” Sunset giggled a bit and Twilight joined in. “I wonder how long it will take Isabella to get jealous.”

Before Twilight could comment there was a knock on the bathroom door. Both princesses chimed, ‘come in’ together. Tempest opened the door and stood at the threshold with a look that was one part annoyed, one part pleading. She pointed at her army uniform and sighed.

“How do I get out of this thing? These buttons are so damn small and I have no magic and, and these… fingers… Just… I need help. Please.”

Sunset rolled off the bed and examined the uniform. She tried to keep her expression neutral, but spotted Gauge sitting on the bed in the opposite room, also still in uniform, and her grin became Cheshire cat wide. “Permission to strip your wife?”

Gauge smirked in turn. “Permission granted.”

“Ugghh. You just had to make it weird, didn’t you?”

“Oh, quit being a big baby. You think I had it any easier the first time?” The smile faded from Sunset’s face as she set to work unbuttoning the uniform coat. Tempest swallowed her retort at being called a baby. The reality sinking in that the mare turned woman before her had been through this all before and more so, had done it alone.

“I’m sorry,” said Tempest Fury barely above a whisper, her eyes downcast as she turned in on herself a bit. The quiet vulnerability surprised Sunset and she stopped messing with the uniform and necktie to meet the solar captain’s eyes. “How did you… no, that the wrong question. Why? Why would you leave Equestria for all this, this strangeness? I can’t feel my magic and that is terrifying enough on its own. I’m constantly checking down, worried I’m going to trip over my legs walking upright on these… feet you said? I feel weak, vulnerable, naked, and that has nothing to do with the clothes. I hate feeling like this.”

Twilight piqued up. She had heard snippets over the last many years but had never had the courage to ask Sunset about those early days when she ran away and what it must have been like. Never wanting to make her friend relive the tale unless it was on her terms to tell. It had been hard enough for her that first time through the mirror and she had Spike to help keep her grounded. Sunset had no one.

Raven was always listening, that was part of her basic programing so that she could best assess and give advice or suggestions. Every PAAL included extensive and detailed information and research on human psychology and what to expect or diagnose when dealing with all the variety of mental issues and quirks that came along with the human operators. Raven had found over the years that Sunset Shimmer was often contradictive in her complexity. Perhaps all creatures were, since Raven had now had a chance to interact with more than just humans.

Sunset was sarcastic, crass, easy to angry to the point of dangerously violent and that was just her without coffee. At the same time, she was incredibly intelligent, creative, adaptive, and compassionate, always concerned with the feelings of others and would often put their needs before her own. She had a ’mental armor’ as it was sometimes called that was difficult to penetrate, rarely leaving herself off guard enough to talk about her past and what had shaped the fire haired demi-goddess into being she was now.

Sunset nodded, silently coming to a decision. Her smile was thin and full of melancholy, fingers more playing with the uniform components than removing them. “Well, keep in mind I did not know what was over here when I ran away. I was, shock of all shocks, a stupid filly who was arrogant, manipulative, and easy to anger when I did not get what I was after. Celestia treated me like she treated all the other students, with respect, but with certain expectations. My expectations were just higher than others as the personal student of the princess. Twilight can vouch for that. Not making an excuse for myself or her really. We both messed up a lot, badly.

“Long, painful story short, I wanted wings. I was willing to do anything to get them. Celestia said I was not ready and honestly, she was right. We fought and I thought I was being thrown out onto the streets to fend for myself by my mentor and the most important parental figure I had ever known. Celestia said later on she was just trying to curb my ego and arrogance, humble me or some half baked reasoning like that. Mom… really didn’t know how to BE a mom. So, trying to stick me out in the doghouse for a bit until I calmed down was her answer and I was having none of that. So, I ran.

“Ironically though, by jumping through that mirror with only a few essentials that I could quickly cram into a saddlebag while the guards were disabled and not clue one what I was stepping into I ended up being exactly where I was afraid I would end up in Canterlot. Cold, alone, homeless, and powerless.”

Sunset shuddered for a moment. Tempest, hesitantly, reached out and stroked Sunset’s forearm a few times. The rare gesture of kindness helped Sunset continue.

“I hit the ground running, well, more like hunch stumble crawled with my forelegs that were now arms and no hooves to speak of for a good two or three blocks. I had no idea how to stand or walk on two legs at the time. I scraped my knees a few times to where blood was running down my shins. Once I was certain no guards were chasing me or Celestia herself I found a hiding place and tried to think about what was going on. Oh, and I cried, a lot. I ended up sleeping in an alley that night. Thankfully the mirror gave me a jacket to keep warm.

“It took some time, but eventually I found my way back to the poral only to find it closed. I knew from Star Swirl’s notes it had a time dilation limit, but I had no idea it had been that close to the end of the alignment. Call it fate or destiny or whatnot. Either way, I was trapped and I did what anyone would have done. I panicked. I had no idea where I was, I had no magic, no food I knew I could eat after I finished off some dried bread that had been in my bag, no papers or ID to prove who I was, certainly had no idea what to do next.”

“Sunset.”

Sunset glanced over her shoulder at Twilight who was on the brink of tears herself and forced a kinder smile to reassure her it was fine. “I ended up eating out of trash cans for about a week or so. By the second week I had lost a lot of weight and was sick from some of the spoiled food. I had not showered in two weeks, I was covered in dried blood and vomit. I was terrified to approach let alone speak with any of the locals. After all, I had smelled cooked meat and seen them eating it like voracious dragons and griffons. I figured I would be next if I appeared weak and vulnerable to their eyes.

“Eventually, I came back to the statue and mirror portal. I figured I was going to die soon and had this delirious idea at the time Celestia could hear me if I was next to it so, I punched the base stone a few times while I cried. I vaguely remember screaming at it for Celestia to let me back in. Swearing that she would be sorry for killing me or some huge pile of bullshit like that. I guess it was hearing the name of the school principal that caught the attention of the janitor or campus security guard, can’t remember who found me first. I was pretty out of it by then. Regardless, they contacted Principal Celestia, Earth’s mirror counterpart to the princess, and she helped get me to a hospital so I could be treated.

“After they got me out of the danger zone health-wise I was sent to a homeless shelter not far away where they grilled me on where I came from who my parent’s were, the usual stuff. I gave them a shitacular story about being on the run from an abusive family and needing to start a new life. The shelter workers showed me only the bare minimum of kindness, but they did answer all me questions as best they could. Not really their fault, they had probably grown numb to it all. Every runaway has a sob story. But I got cleaned up, got clean food in me, and got registered to go to CHS. I think about one lunar cycle had passed by then.

“After than it was a series of bad decisions and dealing with bad people. Not great examples of humanity. I… I was… they did…” Sunset wiped a tear away. “I did what I felt I had to. It takes strength to survive. I thought at the time that meant being the meanest, cruelest, and at the same time smartest and most cunning, like living amongst a pack of wolves. You were either a hunter or you were meat, to be used, abused, and discarded. And that did work for a time. But I was lonely even amongst others. Even after I became better integrated in high school social society and could have been kinder. It’s easy to be mean, but I already knew that. It took a certain determined Princess of Friendship to show me that there was more to life than just surviving and that there are other kinds of strength.”

“I’m so sorry you went through all that. I just… damn.”

Sunset smiled more genuine and continued to undo buttons on Tempest’s uniform shirt. “It’s fine now. I survived. I learned to live again. Good and bad experiences shape us into who we become, but we are not a stone in a river. We can choose how those experience affect us. At the end of the day, no matter what universe I live in, no matter what body my heart and soul wear, I am Sunset Shimmer, and I refused to die whimpering. When I go, it will be kicking and screaming the whole way and every universe in existence will remember my name.”

“Now that I believe,” said Tempest with a smirk.

Sunset finished with the buttons, pulled the tie off, and opened the shirt. Her eyes widened and she went, “Huh.”

“What?”

A smirk crept across Sunset’s face. “Nothing bad, that’s… that’s just a really nice, unexpected bra the mirror gave you is all.” Tempest looked down at the strange harness that was keeping her ‘boobs’ as Sunset had called them in place. It was black with a floral pattern and appeared to be partially see through, able to easily make out her nipples against the material. “I wonder…”

Before Tempest could comment, Sunset reached behind the solar captain and pulled down the zipper along the back of the skirt and the green material fell to the ground. Just like the bra, the panties were also made of a black sheer material with a floral pattern and perfectly accentuated Tempest’s firm toned bottom. Sunset stepped back and nodded while grinning.

“Damn, you are hot.”

“Wha, what?! But, but I look like… are you… just…” Tempest blushed profusely and tried to pull the shirt slightly more closed.

Sunset could see Gauge admiring his wife’s backside with unblinking adoration, a lustful hunger to his eyes. She suspected he did not have any issues at all seeing the beauty that the solar captain could not no matter her form. “I know it’s not a body you are used to, but trust me, you look great. I’m sure Gauge would agree.”

“Without hesitation. My wife’s true beauty has always been who she is and that beauty carries over no matter the body that stands before me.”

Tempest did not appear entirely convinced, still trying to hide herself behind barely functioning hands. Sunset figured she just needed a little more adjustment time and was thankful she had splurged for two rooms after all. They were on vacation. They all needed some fun ‘personal’ time with their respective others. And with that mischievous thought in mind…

“The new stuff just slips on over your head and legs so I imagine you can handle that. Want me to strip Gauge now just to be fair?”

Upon hearing those words, Tempest’s legendary glare that made recruits whimper and dragons jealous at how it could melt steel returned in a flash. “No, thank you. I think I can handle it from here.”

Sunset grinned wider. “I really don’t mind.”

“I got it. Come get us when the food is here.” With that, Tempest retrieve her fallen skirt and closed the bathroom door on their side of the two rooms. Sunset continued to smile and giggled because it felt good.

“You know,” commented Twilight, who had been sitting quietly through the whole exchange. “It has been a long time since I last had hands. I think I could use some help with my buttons too.”

Sunset turned, licked her lips, and made a few grabbing motions with her hands. “I’m at your service, princess of mine.”

Author's Note

Good afternoon. And a cold afternoon it is. Good time to be inside, curled up under a blanket and do some reading!

I had, like I know others had, wondered what it must have been like for Sunset when she first came through the portal on her own. I had also wondered what both pony girls thought of undergarments. when having to deal with human anatomy. So, the shopping was fun for me.

Stick with me, things will get more exciting soon.

Questions? Comments?