Arias Are Always Performed Alone
It was a rare occasion that Sunset had an opportunity to eat out. Normally she’d make something for herself at home, or her friends would buy her something, but this evening she elected to go out and treat herself with some pocket change she made doing odd jobs. As much as she appreciated the generosity of her friends, it always left her feeling poor. Not that she wasn’t, but she didn’t like to be reminded of the fact that she was.
After some contemplation, Sunset decided on a local diner, knowing that the prices would be relatively affordable and the food would be good enough to still feel like a treat. Stepping inside, Sunset was greeted by the scent of coffee, sizzling meat, and fresh pies. Taking a deep breath, Sunset sighed happily at the pleasant aromas. When she saw that the counter had a sign that read “Please Seat Yourself,” she made her way over to the tables to do just that. She stopped in her tracks, however, when she saw three all-too familiar faces at one of the corner booths, arguing amongst each other.
“I thought we all agreed to keep our meals under seven dollars each,” hissed Adagio as she pointed an accusatory finger across the table at Sonata. “Why did you order the pancakes? They’re ten dollars! How are we supposed to pay for this meal?”
“I thought you said we could spend twenty dollars,” responded the blue siren indignantly. “I was being thoughtful by ordering the ten dollar pancakes.”
Aria rubbed her temples as she sighed, explaining to her sister, “We have twenty dollars total, Sonata. You needed to spend seven dollars or less. Now we don’t have enough money for the bill.”
Adagio growled in anger, burying her head in her hands. “You idiot. What are we going to do now? We can’t just leave without paying, I like this diner.”
As the trio continued to bicker amongst each other, Sunset looked on from across the diner with a twinge of guilt. Although she didn’t agree with their previous lifestyle of manipulating people with magic to get what they wanted, she couldn’t help but pity the three sirens in their current state. It had been a week since the Battle of the Bands incident, and she hadn’t really given any thought into what the Dazzlings would be doing now without their powers. Knowing what it was like to be stranded in an alien world without magic, Sunset empathized with them a little.
Sunset pulled her money out of her pocket, and frowned at the neatly folded bills. She didn’t have much, and she hated the fact that she was even contemplating helping the trio out at all. This was money that she worked hard for, and she didn’t owe them anything. They were villains, after all. They wrought havoc and chaos at Canterlot High, and they deserve to bear the consequences of their selfish actions.
At the same time, she couldn’t help but admit to herself that she made the same mistakes, and yet she was offered kindness regardless. She had help when she didn’t rightfully deserve it, and although it took time, she was forgiven for her actions. She found friendship, and she would be a hypocrite if she really tried to act like the Dazzlings didn’t deserve a chance too.
As she approached their booth, the three slowly quieted their argument and turned to glare at Sunset as she greeted them with the friendliest smile she could muster. “Hi, girls. I couldn’t help but uh… Overhear some of your talk.”
“What are you doing here,” spat Adagio as she narrowed her eyes at Sunset, “Are you here to gloat about your victory as you watch this pitiful display? Are we not even allowed a meal without being reminded of our defeat?”
Putting up her hands defensively, Sunset shook her head. “No, no. Nothing like that. I came here to have breakfast too, I just uh… Well, it sounds like you three came up short a few dollars, and I felt it would be right to help out a little.”
Adagio was quick to bite back, animosity in her words. “Help out? Like how you destroyed our pendants and left us powerless and impoverished to begin with?”
Sonata was quick to join in, a menacing scowl scrawled across her face. “I bet someone put her up to this. I bet this is some kind of prank!” Sunset expected Aria to join in, but surprisingly she didn’t. She just remained quiet, studying Sunset from the back of the booth, as though sizing her up for something. Ignoring that, Sunset turned her attention back to the other two Dazzlings.
“I promise, I’m not here with any ulterior motives,” she said, glancing down at the floor with guilt, “I honestly feel bad for what happened. I wish things panned out differently, because I know what it’s like to be left alone and without any support. I’m not saying we need to make up and be friends, and I know it won’t make up for taking away your magic, but if I can do something to help you I’d like to.” Looking back up at the girls, Sunset hesitantly took out the little money she had, and offered it to Adagio. Even though she was looking forward to having a hot breakfast, it was apparent these girls needed it more than she did.
The two siren sisters exchanged bemused expressions in between glancing at the money being offered. After a few seconds, Adagio slowly reached out towards Sunset, scowling skeptically all the while. When she didn’t retract her offer, Adagio snapped up the money and swiftly counted it up, pursing her lips.
“Forty five dollars,” murmured Adagio to Sonata, “We can probably make this last a few more meals, if someone doesn’t overspend again.” The youngest of the three stuck out her tongue at the jab, but a cross glance from her elder set her straight quickly.
Rising from her seat, the Adagio glowered at Sunset as she shouldered past her, both money and cheque in hand. “This doesn’t change anything, Shimmer. We’ll never forgive you and your friends for what you’ve taken from us.” Sonata followed suit, roughly bumping into Sunset as she got up to tread behind her sister.
With a frown, Sunset looked at Aria, expecting more of the same. It came as a surprise when the third siren didn’t attempt a slight against her. Instead, she seemed to regard Sunset with curiosity and caution, scooting out of the booth carefully. Looking her up and down one more time, Aria finally spoke.
“Seeing as my two sisters are too stubborn to say it, I'll say it for them. Thanks.”
Sunset was taken aback by this, having been expecting more harassment, and managed to smile in response. “It's nothing, really. It’s the least I could do, all things considered.”
Aria crossed her arms in amusement, shaking her head. “Normally, I’d say that ancient magical artifacts are worth more than fifteen bucks a pop, but considering that you just handed over all the money you had, I’ll give you an ‘A’ for effort.”
Sunset bashfully ran a hand through her hair, her cheeks warming up as she realized that she did a lot more than just pay for their meal. “Oh, yeah… I guess I’m eating ramen for the rest of the week. Whoops.” When Aria gave a small chuckle at that, Sunset smiled a little wider.
“How about this, Sunset? Seeing as I’m not terribly fond of starving to death, I’ll cut you a deal. I’ll humour you and give this friendship stuff a try, on the condition you treat me to a meal, and you don’t whisper a breath of it to anyone. Not your friends, and especially not my sisters.”
Sunset gave the siren a skeptical smirk, raising an eyebrow at the proposition. “That’s not really how friendship works, but you know what? I’m game. Do you have a phone that I can call or something?”
Aria shook her head, frowning. “No, I don’t. Not like I could afford a phone plan these days anyway.” She paused, thinking for a second before flashing a grin. “How about this? We’ll meet back here once a week, this day, this time. If my sisters ask where I am, I’ll just tell them I snared a boy or something.”
Sunset took a moment to consider the deal. She’ll have to probably find a real job to pay for Aria’s meals, but she couldn’t deny the idea of reforming a siren was appealing. It might even mean getting the other two Dazzlings to turn over a new leaf themselves, someday. Besides, it was only fair to give Aria a chance at friendship if she was willing, even if her compliance was conditional. Deciding that it was worth the effort, Sunset stuck out a hand with a friendly smile.
“It’s a deal then. Friendship or bust.”
“Hey, now you’re getting the hang of it!” Sunset beamed with excitement as she watched Aria carefully strum her acoustic guitar. The pair sat together in Sunset’s apartment, spending one of their appointed days together exploring new outlets for Aria to express her natural proficiency for music. Even though her singing voice was gone, it was clear that she still had an ear for music, and a talent for learning instruments.
Aria smiled back, her eyes sparkling with pride as began to improv a tune, her fingers nimbly dancing along the chords to create an uplifting melody. “Honestly, I didn’t think I’d get the hang of this so quickly. I can’t believe I’ve been in this realm for centuries and never thought to pick up an instrument until today. Really goes to show how much me and my sisters relied on our singing.”
Sunset chuckled for a moment, thinking the comment on being centuries old was just a joke, until she realized that Aria wasn’t laughing. The siren was looking at her with a confused smirk, as if to ask “What’s so funny?”
She gaped at the siren in shock, taking another moment to compose herself enough to speak. “Hold on, you’re seriously hundreds of years old? That wasn’t some kind of joke?”
Aria rolled her eyes, scoffing at the question. “Why would I lie about that? About five hundred years ago, we got into a fight with Starswirl the Bearded and his posse, and they tossed us in a portal that dropped us here. We’ve been living among humans ever since, surviving off our magic. Though, I think since you broke our pendants, we’re totally mortal again. I guess I’ll know in a few years if I start aging again.” Once she was done explaining herself, Aria went back to casually strumming the guitar, clearly disinterested in that line of conversation. Sunset however, was woefully unsatisfied.
“Wait, hold on, you said that Starswirl sent you here five hundred years ago? But he lived over a thousand years ago. Did his portal move you through time and space?” Sunset couldn’t help but be curious, being the former top magical student in Equestria. She was certain that the time frames didn’t line up, but knew Aria wouldn’t lie for no reason.
Aria shrugged, frowning. “How am I supposed to know that? I don’t understand pony magic. All I know is that when we first arrived, it was the turn of the fifteenth century. Toilets hadn’t even been invented yet, and everyone was really into art and arguing. Made easy meals for us.” Aria’s song slowly turned increasingly tumultuous, indicating her emotions better than words could.
Although she still was curious, Sunset decided to change the subject, diffusing the tension with a joke. “Well, all things considered, you look pretty good for a five hundred year old. You don’t look a day over sixteen.”
Aria stopped strumming suddenly, and Sunset worried for a second that she misspoke, but when the fuschia girl started to giggle, she allowed her shoulders to relax. Aria’s giggles turned to a loud laugh, and Sunset couldn’t help but join in, as the absurdity of reality set in for them both. Aria was a centuries old siren learning guitar from a pony who had just a month ago been a rival.
“You know, Sunset,” began Aria as she wiped a laugh tear from her cheek, “I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to make a friend. It’s pretty great to get away from my family and just… Enjoy life for a little while. Here you are, teaching me guitar and complimenting me, and it’s honestly some of the most fun I’ve ever had.”
Sunset smiled back, playfully punching Aria in the shoulder. “Hey, look at you, opening up to friendship. And here I was worried that you were just using me for free meals.”
Aria was quick to return the favour, planting a return jab into Sunset’s arm. “Hey, I can eat your food and enjoy your company. Besides, at this point, I don’t even care about the meals. I’m just happy to spend some time with you, Sunset.”
“Is that so,” challenged Sunset with a smirk, “Has the sneaky little pony charmed herself a siren? That’d be a first.” Sunset tittered at her joke, until she noticed that Aria hadn’t joined in. The siren’s face was twisted with emotion, her brow furrowed with contemplation as she stared at the guitar in her hands.
Backpedalling quickly, Sunset said, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to imply anything, I was just making a dumb jo-”
“And what if you have,” asked Aria, abruptly cutting off Sunset’s apology, “What if you did charm the siren? What then?”
Sunset sat, gawking at her friend in shock. Her mind was abuzz and she couldn’t think of any way to respond to that, with the words forming and disappearing as fast as they came, none being able to properly grasp the swirling whirlpool of emotions running amok in the inside of her skull at that moment.
Aria frowned, pursing her lips. “I like you, Sunset. I like you a lot, and I don’t know what to do with these feelings."
Sunset bit her lip, still not certain what to say. Finally, after a few seconds more, she choked out the words she had been grasping for, “Is this a confession, Aria? Are you asking me out?”
The siren raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms atop the guitar in her lap and looking utterly unimpressed. “No, I’m practicing for when I confess my love to Miss-Doesn’t-Exist. Yeah, I’m asking you out.” She paused, her expression softening before adding, “I never got this close to anyone else before. Maybe it’s because I always felt like I was going to live forever, but now that I know I don’t have forever, I don’t want to spend it by myself anymore. I want these years to count. I want to spend them with the first person who has ever made me happy. Is that too much to ask?”
The pair sat in silence, staring at each other. Sunset’s heart fluttered in her chest as she thought about what was being offered to her right now. She wasn’t yet sure how she felt for Aria, but she definitely liked her. Was she in love with the girl in front of her now? She wasn’t certain, because she had never really been in love before. Is it really something that just hits immediately, or is that just infatuation?
Sunset’s eyes met Aria’s, and she could see the adoration that her friend felt for her. She didn’t want to hurt her by turning her away now, especially at the risk of losing her new friend. Even though she wasn’t sure of her own feelings, she was confident that with time, she could probably grow into love. Besides… Who else could really understand what it was like to be the villain?
“Alright, Aria. You like me, and I like you. Let’s give this a try.” Sunset reached out, and took her friend- no, girlfriend by the hand, and smiled.
Aria smiled and leaned in tentatively, her eyes urging Sunset to do the same. Surprised, Sunset hesitated, but after a second, let herself be drawn in. As their lips met, any hope of guitar practice was lost in a flurry of emotion.
“Earth to Sunset Shimmer, are you there?”
Sunset snapped back to reality to meet an irate-looking Aria glaring at her. They were laying side-by-side on Sunset’s bed, and she realized she had been a million miles away, daydreaming again. Mustering an apologetic smile, Sunset responded. “Sorry, did you say something?”
Aria sighed as she frowned at her girlfriend. “Yeah I did, actually. I was asking you which of these two tracks sounds better. Or did you forget that you’re helping me make a song today?” She gestured to the laptop between them, pointing out the two parallel tracks of music displayed on the music studio program that Aria had learned to use last week. Sunset knew that Aria had been saving up for this laptop, and she clearly was putting it to good use, if the complicated strings of interwoven samples along the two parallel tracks were any indication of the siren’s passion for music.
“Right, of course I remember. I’m just tired is all,” Sunset smoothly fibbed. “I’ve had a lot on my plate since the Friendship Games, and I’ve been having to juggle my new job, my schoolwork, and getting the new student acclimated to Canterlot High. I’ve told you about her, right?”
At the mention of the exchange student, Aria’s face twisted in annoyance. “Yeah, you’ve brought her up like, a dozen times now. She’s practically all you’ve talked about for the past week, so excuse me if I’d like to go a day without you mentioning her.”
Sunset winced, but smirked mischievously. “Wait, don’t tell me you’re jealous of Twilight Sparkle. I barely know her. Not this one, at least.” Sunset’s voice was playful, but now she was genuinely curious as to Aria’s thoughts on the matter.
At the word jealous, Aria’s face twitched with anger as she snapped the laptop shut before scooping it up under her arm and getting up off the bed. “I don’t know why you’re making it into some kind of joke. Of course I’m going to be worried about some other girl when you constantly talk about spending more time with her than me.”
Sunset frowned, sitting up to face her girlfriend. “Well there’s not much I can do about us not spending time together when you insist on keeping us a secret. I only get to see you once a week, and you won’t even let me introduce you to my friends. I’ve been lying to them for the past three months about where I’m disappearing off to every Sunday. It’s not my fault I see Twilight six times as often as I see you!”
“Do you really expect me to believe your friends would accept me so easily,” Aria snapped back as she pointed an accusatory finger at Sunset, “Not to mention my sisters who would probably kill you if they found out I’ve been seeing you behind their backs.”
Now it was Sunset’s turn to be angry. “Yeah, I actually do think my friends would like you a lot if you just gave them a chance. But you’re so scared of being rejected by them and losing me, you don’t even bother to take the chance. You’re making it impossible for us to grow as a couple, and yet you’re somehow surprised that I’m drifting away from you.” When she realized what she said, she wanted to take it back immediately, but the effect was immediate.
Tears were already welling up in Aria’s eyes as she spoke. “We’re drifting apart? Is that what you think? Or are you just saying that to justify falling in love with another girl?”
Sunset opened her mouth to retort, but no sound came out. She so desperately wanted to say that she’s not in love with Twilight Sparkle, but the words were caught in her throat, unable to form. That was a lie she couldn’t bear to utter, even in her own defense. Even to save from breaking Aria’s heart.
The silence was deafening, to none more than the siren. Her tears were flowing freely from her eyes now as she turned away and ran down the stairs besides Sunset’s bed as fast as she could without tripping.
Scrambling over the bed, Sunset tried to follow her, but slipped and tumbled down the steps to her apartment’s floor. Landing hard on her back, she felt the wind get knocked out of her, and she groaned in pain as she watched Aria move towards the door, pulling on her shoes.
“Aria, wait…” was all that Sunset could manage to wheeze out, but if she heard, Aria didn’t say anything. Even with the dull thumping in her head from falling down the stairs, Sunset could clearly hear her girlfriend crying, a sound that cut into her like a knife in the gut. Even though she meant what she said, she didn’t want things to end like this.
“Sunset,” Aria said softly, her voice hitching between rapid breaths, “Thank you for helping me, for getting me back on my feet. I really do love you, and I’m sorry I couldn’t be better. If you really love her, at least make her happy.” Without waiting for a response, Aria left through the front door, slamming it shut behind her with resounding finality.
Sunset laid on her back, quietly staring up at the ceiling. Her mouth felt dry, and she didn’t even feel like crying. Things went so completely out of control so fast that Sunset just felt tired, and sore from her fall. Some part of her was relieved, selfishly enough, that she didn’t have to worry about Aria anymore. Most of Sunset however, felt terrible over the loss of a friend. She never should have led Aria on when she knew fully well that she had never loved her. At least, not the kind of love that Aria felt.
She remained on the floor for what felt like hours, but was more likely just a few minutes. When her breath had finally returned to her, all Sunset could do was scream into her hands. She screamed in a rage until her voice gave out, and then she went still again. She closed her eyes, and rolled onto her side, and stayed there for what really was an hour, not moving.
It was only when her phone buzzed that Sunset opened her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she climbed to her feet, and trudged back up her stairs to her bed, where her cell phone was waiting for her on the nightstand. Slumping down against the bed, she slid the phone off the nightstand and unlocked it, not wanting to leave someone waiting.
Sunset felt something catch in her throat when she saw it was Twilight who had texted her. Even though she didn’t want to, Sunset smiled, and began to type a message back.
Sunset stepped into the diner, scanning the seats with narrow eyes. When she received a text from an unknown number requesting to meet here today, she knew who it was. She wasn’t surprised in the slightest when she spotted Aria Blaze sitting alone in a booth in the back of the diner, the same spot where she had found her years ago. She didn’t see Sunset come in, and was currently on her phone, reading something.
For a moment, Sunset considered just leaving. Memories of their time together rose to the surface of her mind despite the weight they carried even after all these years. She had hoped that the Summer festival was the last time she’d ever have to see Aria, but at the same time, she couldn’t help but feel curious as to why the siren would call her out here now. On the off chance that it was actually something that Aria needed help with, Sunset couldn’t in good conscience simply walk away, even if she desperately wanted to. Cursing herself for her good nature, she approached the booth, steeling herself for what was to come.
When Sunset sat down across from her, Aria finally looked up from her cell phone. She looked tired, and more importantly, she looked older. Sunset mentally cringed when she remembered that she was the reason to blame for ridding the sirens of their immortality, even if it was the objectively right thing to do. Aria really was mortal now, and she was finally aging alongside everyone else.
“I didn’t think you’d come, Sunset.” Aria spoke softly, clearly trying to hide a tremble in her voice. Despite her nervousness, she smiled politely at Sunset. “It’s good to see you, really.”
Sunset’s voice was even and she spoke plainly. “What do you want, Aria? Where are you sisters?” She didn’t try to hide the scowl on her face, even in the face of Aria’s apparently good will. There was too much between them for her to ignore.
Aria’s smile evaporated as her lips curled down into a disheartened frown. “We were passing through the area, and decided to make a few stops. They wanted to go shopping, and I wanted… to see you.”
With narrowed eyes, Sunset glared at her ex. “How did you even get my number? You didn’t have a cellphone when we dated. Who gave it to you?”
Aria pouted slightly, as if she was offended. “No one gave me your number. I just looked you up to see if you were still in town. It’s pretty easy to find someone’s number these days if you know their name and city.”
“So you went snooping. Great,” replied Sunset with a roll of the eyes. “Don’t waste my time. Why did you call me here, of all places? Did you want to take a stroll down memory lane together, is that it? Because I’m not interested in a nostalgia trip.”
Now, Aria was beginning to look annoyed. “Is it so wrong to want to know how the one girl I’ve ever loved is doing?”
Sunset wasn’t expecting that answer, and she recoiled slightly in shock. It had been almost four years since the two of them had broken up, and she really thought that Aria would have been over it by now. “I… Are you saying you still have feelings for me, after all this time?”
Aria shook her head in disbelief, before sneering at Sunset. “Yeah, of course I’m still in love with you, idiot. It’s a wonder that the whole damn world isn’t in love with you, considering how amazing you are.” As agitated as she sounded, the words still carried a semblance of genuine affection.
Sunset found herself blinking in surprise, but the feeling quickly subsided. “You should know Aria, I’m with Twilight now. We just moved in together last week. I moved on, like you told me to.”
Aria looked to have winced for a second, but returned to her polite smile immediately after. “Good for you. I’m glad you’re making it work with her. I hope you’re happy together.”
Crossing her arms impatiently, Sunset leaned back in her seat. “We are. Is that all you wanted?”
Aria bit her lip as she clasped her hands together tightly. She took a deep breath, and looked Sunset in the eyes before finally speaking again. “I wanted to know if we could be friends again, Sunset. I miss you.”
Sunset raised an eyebrow at that, frowning again. “I don’t think so. Besides, don’t you have plenty of friends now that you’re touring with your sisters again? I’m sure you’re very popular.”
It was Aria’s turn to frown now. “If you’re talking about fans, we have plenty of those, but you know that’s not what I mean. You’re the only person I’ve ever been close with. The only person I’ve ever considered a friend. You have no idea how hard it is to be alone after being in love. I’m not even asking that we date again, I’m happy for you and Twilight. I’m just… sick of being alone again.”
Sunset looked away at the wall, thinking. She thought about the good times that they had together, during the short time they were friends. However, the good times only went so far, and just like any other time she ever thought about Aria, her thoughts eventually wandered back to the reason they broke up. The little happiness she experienced didn't make up for the neglect that plagued her the rest of the time.
Looking back to Aria, Sunset gave her an empathetic look as she finally shook her head. “No, I’m sorry, but I can’t have you in my life again, Aria. I'm sure you can find new friends if you try, but I don't think things will ever work out between us. I can’t just see you as a friend anymore, not after what happened last time we tried.” Not waiting for a response, Sunset turned away, rising from her seat and walking away.
Aria jumped to her feet, grabbing Sunset by the arm. “Wait! Don’t go, please! I’m sorry for taking you for granted before, I won’t do it again! I know what I did wrong, and I swear I’ll be better!”
Sunset looked down at her wrist where Aria was holding her, before looking up at the woman with disgust and disappointment.
"If you were going to change, you would have by now." Wrenching her arm free from Aria, Sunset just shook her head with disdain before walking away, not even dignifying the siren with another word.
Aria was left there, standing alone as the few other people in the diner eyed her curiously. She could feel their judging eyes all over her, but even then, she couldn’t help but stare at Sunset’s back up until she left the diner.
Aria let go of a breath that she didn’t realize she was holding, and slumped to the ground when her legs finally gave out. Shaking, Aria wrapped her arms around herself, and began to quietly cry. She didn’t even care that people were staring and whispering now. She was alone again, and this time, she only had herself to blame.
