The Rise of Passion

Starlight stepped off the train into the Crystal Empire. She had managed to draw Trixie in, and Cozy was bringing her up to speed. Gallus was improving at a rate Cozy was happy with, and soon, he'd be out and about, just like Starlight was. He just needed a bit more training. Not even a week, as of his evaluation today.

Starlight took a deep breath. She was a little bit nervous. She was going after Sunburst today, and while she knew him better than most ponies, she was also aware that he would be difficult to convince to join their side. She didn't know if she was capable of bringing him over to her side. Even Cozy had her doubts in Starlight's ability to bring him in. The advice she gave, while seemingly not helpful at the time, was looking better and better. "If you feel that this mission is going sideways, back off. Make this a probe, because you might not be ready."

She walked down the street at a brisk pace. Sunburst had a tendency to lose himself in his study, especially on weekdays. She had to catch him before he became too distracted, so she could use that to her advantage. If he could agree to coming back to her place without realizing what he was agreeing to, she could have Cozy Glow in her ear, helping her along. She wasn't going to try to convince him of anything, just to pop in for a visit. She was strong-willed, but it was much easier to hold onto your own thoughts than it was to push thoughts into somepony else's head. She needed the advantage, first.

She spotted him walking up the street as his study came into view. She glanced at the time by way of a nearby clock and realized that he was earlier than scheduled. She had to run for a bit in order to interrupt him. Luckily, he was absorbed in his scroll, so he wouldn't see her coming.

"Hey, Sunburst," she smiled, turning on the charm immediately. "You're back early."

He looked up from his scroll just before tripping over a cobblestone. He didn't fall, but the experience was enough to bring his focus back around. "H-hey, Starlight," he chuckled, glancing back at the offending pebble. "Yeah, I was tutoring Flurry Heart. She's a very smart young mare, and her studies are coming along splendidly. It seems that every day, she's brushing past my lessons and solving every puzzle I craft for her faster than the last."

"Sounds like you have your hooves full," smiled Starlight. Full hooves were a good thing. It meant he was distracted. "Do you mind if I come inside? It's a bit nippy out here."

"Right, right..." he blushed. "I forgot that you're not as used to that brisk northern air. It takes some time to grow used to it, so I guess I just don't notice it anymore."

"I would guess that wearing a blanket under your saddlebags helps."

Sunburst glanced back at his saddlebags and saw the knitted cover. "It was a gift from Flurry. Her mother helped her make it." He pulled out his key and unlocked his house, stepping inside. Several stacks of books sat on a few of the tables. To the right was a library with a couch that had used to be a living room before he ordered a few dozen extra bookshelves. To the left was a small kitchen and bathroom, and at the back was a bedroom on one side, and a small workshop and utility room on the other.

"Nice place," Starlight commented. "You finally have your own spot."

"It's okay," shrugged Sunburst, taking off his saddlebags and placing them on the table. "Not enough shelf space, though. Seriously, how hard is it to have an affordable duplex that's close to my work, within walking distance of the grocer, and has enough places to store my books? Is that so much to ask?"

"I recently bought a place, myself," smiled Starlight. "You should come see it some time."

"I wish I could, but I'm kind of wrapped up in life here at the moment. Tea?"

Starlight stepped forward. "I'll make the tea, if it's all the same to you." Sunburst was not exactly capable when it came to making food for himself. He had even burnt tea.

Sunburst nodded. "Good. That gives me time to unpack." He pulled open his saddlebacks and began unloading stacks upon stacks of books, notebooks and papers.

Starlight went into the kitchen and had a look around. There was no fridge, only a chest freezer, and lifting the lid showed her a bunch of frozen meals, along with a bag that had previously contained several tubes of yogurt that were now frozen yogurt. Closing that, she found that his cupboard was mostly bare. There was a big jar of salt and pepper to compliment his "set it and forget it" meals, and some stuff for tea. No fridge meant no lemon juice though, so she was restricted in her options.

She fired up the kettle and joined him in the living room, where he was already engrossed in his books, flipping through them as if he were searching for something. "What are you looking for?"

"Something to teach Flurry," he answered, not looking up at her. "She's soaking up all of my knowledge like crazy."

"Sounds like she likes you."

"Oh, yes, she and her mother trust me implicitly."

"Yes, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. What would you do if they weren't the princesses anymore?"

This was a big risk. Any normal pony that heard such a question would immediately consider it suspicious. But Sunburst was not a normal pony.

"I'd probably keep teaching Flurry. It doesn't matter her status; I just want to see her grow into the best young mare she can. Why do you ask?"

"So, no matter what, you want the best for her?"

"And for all ponies," he smiled, only just barely looking up from his work. "Hey, do you know where my book on thorium disappeared to?"

This was going to be trickier than she thought. He was doubtlessly loyal to Flurry and Cadance. She would be unable to make him see otherwise. Granted, she wasn't against those two, either, with the exception being that they would lash out at her for her vengeance against Twilight, but as they would stand in the way, Sunburst would stand with them.

"Starlight?"

"Hm?"

"My book on thorium. Have you seen it?"

She shook her head. "First time here. I don't know how everything's organized."

He blushed. "Right, sorry. I'll find it... eventually..."