A Slayer's Love

The moon was not supposed to be full, of that Sunset was fairly certain. And yet it was, hanging above the coven's home like the watchful eye of a giant, just peeking over the treeline. The fresh breeze carried with it the various sweet and bitter scents of the many plants in the small garden. Only the rustling of leaves accompanied the soft, slow hum of Adagio's voice.

The pieces of Sunset's armour had been set aside, along with the padded leather vest she wore underneath, giving easier access to the piercing wounds in her side and her upper arm. Sunset sat still on the small bench, flinching occasionally at the cold touch of the cloth Adagio cleaned her wounds with, and the sting of whatever tincture she had soaked it in.

She had put pressure on the wounds, in the simplest way possible, but only now did she really feel and see how deep they were. It bordered on a miracle that the changeling hadn't pierced anything vital in her abdomen. Perhaps it really was one, with the sun still overhead at the time. Her upper arm had been pierced entirely, smaller exit wounds on the other side, though each claw had missed the bone.

"I wonder," Adagio said aloud, suddenly interrupting her melody, "how long it has been since I called you a reckless fool."

"I was last here about two months back. So likely then, I would say."

"That makes it sound like I'm getting predictable." She wrung out the cloth, the mixture of potion and blood pouring into the soil. "But it's true all the same. If I hadn't insisted, you really would have run straight back into that changeling's lair."

"And I'm going to," Sunset added, watching as the witch covered her wounds and began to wrap bandages around them. "As soon as the others have prepared me a weapon."

Adagio clicked her tongue disapprovingly, but continued bandaging her, at first in silence, then picking up the melody again, the hum rising into vocalisation after a moment. Sunset braced for the sting when she pulled the bandages tight, but her wounds only responded with a dull ache. She released her breath and her shoulders sunk.

She knew she wasn't done, she still had something to do, but the tension fell off of her shoulders regardless. The breeze, the moonlight, the scents and sounds around them, it all brought with it a sense of familiarity. She closed her eyes and allowed her muscles to relax, Adagio's voice soothing the pounding in her skull. It had been months since she'd last been here, but nearly a year now since she had left this place, on an evening not unlike this one.

The twinge in her heart was dull compared to the sting of guilt she'd felt then. Dull enough to ignore it for just a moment, to just sit here a little while longer. Without her notice, Adagio's fingers had found their way into her hair, running through the bright strands slowly, working out knots, her thumb occasionally brushing over the back of her neck.

It all fell in on itself. Her adrenaline was spent, the exhaustion made itself known, both body and mind started to drag at her. Her head sunk and Adagio gently guided it onto her shoulder, her other hand lacing with Sunset's fingers.

The chirping of birds finally dragged Sunset back into the waking world. She opened her eyes, looking across the cluttered table in front of her. Slowly, she sat up on the couch, casting the thin blanket aside, and went to look for her things. She found her padded clothes and armour nearby, cleaned up to a reasonable degree.

She had finished getting dressed and was tightening the straps of her armour when she paused, a tingling in the back of her neck letting her know she wasn't alone. "I'm sorry I intruded for so long," she said curtly, reaching up to tie back her hair without looking at Adagio.

"Sure you are. Always sorry about everything." The soft steps closed in, stopping behind her. Sunset hesitated a moment before turning around. Adagio's eyes were sunken, her lips unpainted, unkempt hair hanging free over her shoulders. "After you're done, come back here."

"I... have to move on to Canterlot," Sunset said quietly. She wanted to avoid her deep stare, but couldn't quite tear herself away.

"You haven't paid yet," Adagio reminded her, an undercurrent of strictness in her voice. She tapped Sunset's breastplate, like she intended to bore her finger straight through it. "I'll give you a week before I drag you back here to give what we're owed."

Sunset raised her hand, gently putting her palm to Adagio's cheek. "I pay my debts. You know that. But I have to finish this hunt, first. Who knows how many more fell victim to that changeling while I was resting." She could see Adagio's eyes glaze over halfway through her argument, a twitch in her lip.

"Sure. Of course." She took Sunset's hand, holding it for a second before decisively pushing it away. She stepped back and behind the curtain parting the living space in two. A moment later she emerged with a heavy implement in her hands.

Sunset held out her hands for Adagio to lay the shaft of the weapon into. It was as heavy as it looked, the shaft itself made of dull metal, ending in a flattened head, which was darkened as if scorched by flames. She weighed the hammer in both hands, then in one, before holding it by her side, in lieu of an appropriate loop on her belt.

"That one is from Aria. She wants it back." She held out something smaller in one hand. "And this one is from Sonata. Use it on the heart." Sunset took the dagger, its silver-like material shimmering in the daylight flooding in through the window. Its blade was sheathed in embossed leather, though a glint of red was visible where the mouth did not quite reach the guard. Sunset slipped it into her belt, making sure it was within easy grasp.

"And from me," Adagio finally added. She reached into her morning coat's pocket and pulled out a small, patterned cloth with a short flourish, before planting a kiss on it. Her mocking smile finally returned to her expression as she reached out to tie it around the strap of Sunset's left pauldron, just beside her breastplate. "Go with my favour, valiant knight."

There was a slight twinge of disappointment, but two bewitched weapons were more than enough. Instead of bemoaning the mockery, Sunset decided to play along instead, taking Adagio's hand and lowering her head to kiss the back. "I'll return it to you without fail."