My tiny kitchenette looked like it had been hit by a food tornado. There was pancake batter on the walls, a stack of bowls and pans and measuring cups in the sink, and a sticky spot on the floor that smelled of maple syrup. Scattered across the counters was a field of flour decorated with chocolate chips and crushed fruit.

Standing in the center of all this was my roommate.

After a full minute of stunned staring, she finally noticed me standing in the doorway. "Sunny!" Sonata grinned. "Check it out- triple pancake breakfast!"

"Um... okay. What's the occasion?"

"Pfft." She waggled a spoon in my direction, dripping even more batter on the floor. Her apron was practically coated in the stuff. "Do I need an 'occasion' to make my bestie the best breakfast?"

"I guess not." I picked my way across the disaster zone and settled onto a rickety stool, which had been supplied when I bought the place and was probably old even then. "They do smell good- is that pumpkin?"

"Yep!"

Sonata shoved aside the detritus of her efforts and plopped a plate of perfectly plump pumpkin pancakes in its place. Butter melted down their sides, with drizzles of syrup shimmering in their heat. I decided to worry about my kitchen later.

Moments later we were both gorging ourselves on flapjacks. Several bites passed before I finally allowed myself to breath.

"So-" I swallowed the last bite- "How're your classes going?"

"Greay!" she sprayed. "Werr goin' o'er the dif'ren kines of voishes." She swallowed. "Teach says I'm a probably a lyric soprano, but I dunno. I kinda wanna be a soubrette." Sonata pointed her fork across the table. "How are you doing finding a school?"

I frowned, just a little bit. "Not as well as I hoped. Most of the good art schools are pretty far away. I'd like to stay close by. Stay with my friends," I said pointedly.

"Aw, shucks," Sonata giggled. She took another bite. "Y'know, this pumpkin recipe is really good! Why can't we have pumpkin stuff all year round? Why's it only this time of year?"

"Probably because this is when pumpkins are ripe. Also, if we did, it wouldn't be special, and probably wouldn't taste as good."

"I guess you're right." Sonata sighed. Then she perked up. "So I guess I better enjoy 'em while they last!" She got up and put another stack onto her plate. "You want more, Sunny?"

"Nah," I waved. "I'll save mine for later. Also-" I pointed up at the clock. "I think you might have to, too."

Sonata looked up and frowned. "Whaddya talking about, why-" Her eyes unfocused and seemed to slide sideways for a minute. "Ohmigosh, I'm gonna be late for work!" She dropped the plate onto the counter and took off. The apron flew away, and in seconds she was at the door. "Sorry I can't help clean up, but Mr. Cumin said if I'm late again he'd put me on dish washer instead of waiting tables."

"Good luck, then!"

She paused in the door just long enough to smile and wave, and then she was gone. I smiled back and shook my head. My roommate was a bit scatterbrained- Pinkie Pie lite, I sometimes called her- but she really had come a long way.

As I started washing our own dishes, I thought about how strange it was. If you'd told me, back when we first met, that Sonata and I would one day be living together, I'd have refused to believe it.

I mean, how could I, one of the Elements of Harmony in human form, have an ex-siren for a roommate? She and her sisters were evil seductresses who tried to enslave my school and conquer the world. Not something that makes a good first impression.

But, a few months after we defeated them, I found Sonata living out of an alley, of all places. Alone. Afraid. She reminded me of myself after PrincessTwilight and her friends stopped me from enslaving the school, but without anyone pulling her up. Part of me wanted to leave her to rot. But Sonata always seemed like the least nasty of the three Dazzlings. So I offered to help her. I'd take her in, teach her everything my friends taught me. Show her how to be a better person. It took a little convincing, but she agreed. Her only condition was that my friends not know about her yet. She's hesitant to trust them, but I can't blame her. I was, too.

There have been some rough spots. After I got back from Camp Everfree, she was pretty upset. Sonata was jealous of my magic, especially since I was partly responsible for her losing her own. She let it go, but made me promise to never use my geode on her. I promised. Just to be safe, I try not to wear it around the house.

And then last year she disappeared for a few months. Just left, with no warning or explanation. When she got back, she refused to talk about where she went. Every time I asked, she shut down entirely. In the end, I decided not to press. She was back, and she seemed more dedicated than ever to turning her life around. I even helped her to find a job at a local restaurant called The Tasty Treat; I'd bused there for a while before finding better pay at the garage down the street. Coriander agreed to hire her on, and she's done pretty well.

I also enrolled her in a music class.

I felt bad that she wasn't able to sing anymore. Even I had to admit that the Dazzlings' songs had been amazing, and I couldn't imagine one day not being able to use my voice in harmony. So I planned out a bit of a surprise and signed her up. It was the happiest I'd ever seen her- all smiles for a week, and she insisted on treating me to dinner. Since then she's pursued her classes with the same fervor as her job. She's no lyrical sorceress anymore, but she's getting good.

Life is good.

Hours later, the kitchen was spotless and the dishes were put away. The grueling effort was worth it, though. There was more than a week's worth of breakfast cooling off in the refrigerator and freezer.

Once the apartment no longer resembled a trash heap, I settled into the couch with my laptop. It was time to take another look at my quest, see if I would have more luck this time.

Fixing cars was a great way to bring in cash, but I kind of wanted to do something else with my life in the long run. I loved my music. But us Rainbooms could never become famous; one slip up and we'd reveal Equestrian magic to the whole world. So I've been thinking about my other hobby.

Art.

Painting and sketching and sculpting, it's all really cool. Especially painting. I have a knack for it, I guess. That's what all my teachers used to say. So I've been trying to find a school close enough to Canterlot that I could study at, get really good. Unfortunately, it hasn't been going well.

I clicked out of the latest browser tab, another disappointed sigh escaping. I could get into any of these schools, of that I was certain. But none would let me stay here, with my friends.

I flopped back.

Maybe it didn't even matter. It wasn't like I was desperate for cash. I didn't even want to be famous- at least no more than any other person. And plenty of artists had gone ahead without schooling.

For a while, I simply stared at the ceiling. I may have even dozed off for a bit.

But the next thing I knew, the door slammed open. Sonata stomped inside, eyebrows scrunched and teeth grinding.

"Home already?" I said automatically. I glanced at the clock- it did seem a little early, but not unreasonably so.

Sonata didn't answer me. "Something wrong?"

Still no answer. I got up stiffly and wobbled back to the kitchen. Sonata had out a frying pan, a cutting board, and a row of ingredients. I took note of the corn tortilla shells and package of ground beef. "That bad, huh?"

She dropped the meat into the pan and poured on the sauce. Then she started chopping lettuce. Finally, Sonata spoke. "You won't believe what Mr. Cumin did today."

"You're right; he was always so nice." I slid onto my stool again. "What happened?"

The knife slammed into the board harder than necessary. "He's been on my case all week. Every little mistake, he just goes off! Like I'm not a person."

"Well..."

"You know what I mean! And it's not just him; the customers have been super rude and impatient, too. I mean, I'm only one girl!" She stabbed the knife into the board, breathing heavy. Then she muttered something I couldn't quite make out.

"What was that?"

"He cut my hours!" Sonata grouched. "I'm not allowed to go back. This week or next week. How am I supposed to afford that cute outfit I saw at the mall?"

"The red one, with all the sequins?"

"Exactly!"

I couldn't help rolling my eyes. But I smiled, too. "You have plenty of cute outfits, and that one wasn't thatexpensive. We'll figure something out." She kept glaring at the cutting board. "Besides, now you have more time for your classes! Don't you have that big project you're working on?"

Sonata sighed and turned to stir the meat. "Yep- we gotta take a musical and turn it into a different style. Like, from classical to pop or something."

"Sounds fun! Oh, and hey-" I leaned over the counter. "Now we can go to the Nightmare Night Festival! You said you wanted to, but couldn't because of work."

"I did? Oh, yeah. I did." Sonata started grating cheese onto a plate.

"It's perfect," I insisted. "We can dress up, and have a little fun. Then I can introduce you to my friends, and-"

"I don't think now's the best time, Sunny."

I frowned. "But- I can't keep this from them forever. They're my friends, Sonata. I bet Pinkie Pie already knows, and just isn't saying anything. But you know how she is with secrets."

"I know, can't keep 'em. I know, I know. But things just don't seem right, y'know?" Sonata spooned some of the beef up to her mouth, and her face lit up again. "But this is! C'mon Sunny, it's Taco Tuesday!"

"But it's Thursday," I pointed out.

"Who cares?" She shoved a perfect tortilla treat under my nose. "Eat up!"

I shrugged. Why not? Intestine-rotting or not, Sonata made the best tacos I've ever had.

"We are going to Nightmare Night though, right?" I asked.

"Yeah, sure." Sonata waved the question away. "I'll just be a ghost or something. That way nobody will have to recognize me. Kay?"

"Er- yeah."

I took a bite of taco. It was good, but there was a slightly bitter taste at the back of my throat. I really wanted Sonata to meet the others, for real. They deserved the truth, and she deserved them as friends. I just knewthey'd like her.

Sonata started talking about the best way to cut up a bed sheet for her costume. I put on a smile, though my thoughts were still distant. A fact she seemed to pick up on.

"Sunny?" She snapped her fingers under my nose. "Hel-looo, Earth to Sunset!"

"Sorry!" I squeaked. "What were you saying?"

She smirked, but restarted. I payed much closer attention this time.

We could deal with it all later, I decided. Coriander wasn't a bad guy; I was sure he'd come around soon enough. In the meantime, we'd be a bit thriftier. And as for my friends, my fellow Elements, well... If they couldn't handle waiting another few weeks to meet Sonata, then I'd really misjudged them. And I'm pretty sure I hadn't.

"I'm home!" I called, dropping my keys in the bowl by the door. A bit cliché, but it worked.

When Sonata didn't answer, I shrugged and wandered upstairs to my bed. I wanted to collapse into it- Not in these clothes, I winced. Being called in on Sunday wasn't part of the plan, but when Mr. Plugs called and told me there were three wrecked cars and I could get overtime, well... Still, I was glad to be home. I quickly changed out of the greasy work shirt and jeans and into something more comfortable. Better.

Now I collapsed into my blankets, letting the springs squeal and bounce me around. I tangled myself up in their softly scented warmth.

"Sunset?"

The muffled voice barely penetrated the quilt around my head, but it gave me pause. "Sonata?" I stood up, still mostly tangled, and peered over the railing. "Where-"

I was tackled from the direction of the stairs; Sonata almost knocked me over. Instead, we tumbled back onto the bed,, and I came up with her literally crying into my shoulder. I winced again- her nose was running all over my clean shirt. Teardrops wet my shirt as surely as any sprinkler.

"Okay," I said. "Okay." I wasn't sure what else to say just yet. "Hey, you're okay." Awkwardly, I patted her hair. I noted that it seemed a bit less poofy than usual. "Talk to me."

Sonata snerked and wiped her nose with the back of her hand. "I- I..." Her bottom lip wobbled. "Bwaaaaaaaah!" She went back to crying, and I tried my best to not get rolled onto my back.

"Jeez, Sonata!" I decided a different tactic was needed. "Come on, tell me what's up. If you don't, I'll tickle you!"

"You-" Snerk! "-Wouldn't!"

I grinned and scrabbled my fingers against her side. Instantly, she squealed and jumped away. "Doooon't!" She squirmed against the bed a moment longer before stopping and glaring at me with puffy eyes. I simply grinned wider.

"Meanie," she pouted.

I shrugged. "Now will you tell me what's up?"

She nodded. "I was expelled."

"Come again?"

Sonata curled her knees up against her chin and rocked on my bed. She wore an over-sized sweatshirt, and had clearly been crying for a while. The shirt itself was a mess of crumbs and candy shards.

"You remember that big project we've been working on?" she sniffled. I nodded and waved for her to go on. "Well, Blue Note picked this really complicated thing, something about seamen, I don't even know! But it was way too hard, and they just kept pressuring me; I couldn't get the songs right, and they wouldn't let me take a break, and they wouldn't let me switch, either. And then Blue Note, he- he shoved me!"

"Seriously?" My eyebrows shot for the ceiling. I thought about the easy-going saxophonist. "I guess you never really know someone..."

"I was so upset, I slapped him back. That's when Miss Coloratura told me to leave." She frowned into her knee-space. "I know I shouldn't have hit him, but it was just too much!"

"I'm guessing the 'he started it' argument didn't work either, huh?" I slid over closer, and offered half the blanket.

"Nope." Sonata pulled the cloth cocoon around herself.

It struck me suddenly that this was actually a big deal. "Well... it's their loss," I decided. She glanced my way for just a second. "I mean, you're a great singer! And they helped you get there. So if they kick you out of their group now-"

"They're a bunch of big doody-heads." I smiled at the childishly spiteful words.

"Yeah. So no worries. Here's an idea," I suggested, "Why not find a job singing?"

"Like... at a bar?"

"Well- not exactly." I got up for a moment and retrieved my laptop. "Check it out: Filthy Rich owns that big hotel downtown, right? Well, the other day I saw that they remodeled and are looking for singers in their new lounge."

"Huh." Sonata peered at the screen. "I dunno..."

"At least think about it? You'd be the best one in the house, I guarantee."

"Sure." She couldn't have sounded less enthused if she'd tried, but it was something. I bookmarked the page and tossed the laptop down the bed.

"So," I held up the remote, "Wanna veg out? I've got Punkin Chunkin on DVR."

Sonata looked at me, and at the remote. Then she looked out the window. "Nah," she said. She wiped her face again, inadvertently smearing more mucus around. "I'm gonna go to bed. See ya' in the morning, Sunny."

"See you," I murmured, watching her stumble off. With my quilt, I realized a moment later. "Hey!"

"Thanks, by the way!" she called, then latched her door shut.

I stared at the closed door a minute, then sighed. Whatever; it was covered in snot anyway. I trooped down to the couch and grabbed all the throws. Then I reconsidered, and trooped back up to grab a pillow, and curled up on the couch, instead. I felt warmer there. In spite of the cold moonlight coming through the window.

I got up and closed the curtain.

Now, where'd I leave the remote? I wondered. I wanted to watch some pumpkins get smashed.

I woke up, unsure. Unsure where I was, or of anything really. I felt something against my side, something big and soft, and-

Oh, right. The couch. I fell asleep on the couch.

So what woke me up?

I blinked in the moonlight, my fuzzy brain taking a minute to realize it was still nighttime. I sat up and looked around the loft, noting that nothing seemed too out of place. Still, my hand instinctively went to my throat. My fingers wrapped around the familiar jewel, and a slight tingling flooded my body.

Power hummed in my skin now. More confident, I swung my feet out onto cool carpet. I got up.

Moonlight was flooding in through the big window, filling the entire main living space. It cast everything in shades of silvery blue and black shadows. The effect was so strange; I almost wondered if I was really awake.

And then I heard something.

A voice, as soft as the light. It wove its way into my ear, stroking my senses. I felt... longing. I wanted to go home.

"Upon an autumn's morning..."

My eyes were drawn back to the window. There was a figure there, little more than a shadow herself. One moment, she was there, the next, she wasn't. I couldn't seem to focus. Watching her, I shivered.

"With haste I did awake...And left behind what all I'd known..."

She leaned against the window, as though reaching for the moon. The light brought her face into sharper detail, and with a start, I finally recognized Sonata. It was strange- she hardly seemed real in the night. She looked ethereal, a true ghost. No costume required.

"For the ne'er ending lake.

"A journey long and dangerous... And always so alone... Crying out with e'ery step... I wish I- I wish-" She suddenly faltered. Slowly, her hand traced over the glass panes. She left trails in the slight frost that covered the old windows.

"Don't stop!" I blurted. Then cringed.

Sonata blinked, slowly. She turned. "Sunset," she said with equal slowness. "You... heard?"

"Um... yeah."

Her eyes seemed to refocus, an expression I'd seen a lot, and not just on her. She was coming out of her own little world. "Sorry," she said, with a slight grin. "I couldn't sleep after all."

It was my turn to react slow- I was still studying the shadows of her face, and the way they shifted in the light. "What was that song?"

Sonata's mouth quirked down. "A memory."

"Ah."

Silence.

"I guess you could say it's my... it's a siren song. My song. The one I always hear."

"Does that get annoying?"

"Sometimes."

The words faded into nothingness. I wasn't sure what to say- I'd never woken up to someone singing before. Let alone in the middle of the night.

"Am I doing this right?" Sonata said suddenly.

"Hows that?"

"It's just..." She drew her arms in tight, like a hug. "It was easier, before. Back when it was just me and Ari and Dagi. I know we were the bad guys, but we didn't have to worry about all this stuff. We didn't have to worry about making friends, or disappointing people, or- or hurting..." She broke off.

The shadows darkened.

"Sonata-" I struggled to my feet, the cool floor almost burning. "Sonata, it's good that you worry about that stuff. Nobody wants to, believe me. But if you don't, you end up going to a really bad place. The kind of place where you, I dunno, turn a high school into zombies for your own personal army?"

"Been there, done that." White flashed, for just a moment. I felt a thrill. She'd smiled, that was a good sign.

"Exactly. I know I don't want to go there, ever again."

"I don't think I want to, neither. I like people smiling when they see me. But all the rest of it..." Sonata turned back to the window. "It was a lot simpler."

I thought about that. "I guess so. Back... before," I forced out, "Everyone around me was either an obstacle or a tool. There was no room for their feelings or anything like that. That changed when I was beaten."

"So how do you deal with it?"

"You just accept it. It can be exhausting, at first." I walked over and picked up my quilt, trailing from her door to the window. "But that feeling? Worrying about other people? That's what makes you different from Aria and Adagio. It's what makes you better." I draped the blanket over her shoulders. "We should get back to bed. Don't want to be too tired tomorrow."

As if on cue, her mouth opened wide in a yawn.

"You're right. Thanks again, Sunny," she said. She took a step forward, almost smacking into the window. Gently, I turned her around. "Whoops," she giggled. "G'night."

Sonata wobbled off to her room. I smiled, too, and felt my eyes close, slowly.

And then they snapped open.

I watched Sonata stagger the last few feet to her bed and collapse onto it, butt in the air. Her snores dug their way out.

But I barely noticed. I was focused on something else, something I'd felt. Or heard.

I was trembling.

And I was sitting on the couch. How-

I glanced up at the clock, and saw it was half an hour later than I remembered it being. What...

My arm. It was tingling. As Sonata passed, her arm brushed my arm. Contact.

The geode.

My hand flew up again, grabbing the crystal. It was warm. Not from my skin. From use. The magic was active. No...

I ran through it again. The sensation. The stolen thought.

That can't be right. It can't be true!

I replayed the conversation in my head. I thought I'd been convincing her... I was convincing her. It made no sense.

One more time. I recalled it. Seven words.

Sorry, Sunset... But I have to go.