“I’m sorry Sombra,” said Mrs. Cake, “I know your shift’s almost over, but Aria’s running a little late.” Her attention was divided between him and the swarm of customers forcing themselves into the shop.

Sombra closed the door behind him, carrying a sack of flour. “Its alright, I still have time before the bus comes.”

“Then maybe you can hand Mr. Cake the flour so you can help.” Aria barely squeezed herself through the crowd, eagerly dropping her bag onto the floor; it landed on the ground with a heavy thud.

Sombra did not see Aria as the beautiful young girl that others saw, with lush, purple, hair and a face that could have belonged to a model. Sombra looked at Aria only to detect anger or boredom, the signs that revealed just how much she hated her job. Now, as the crowd became more dense, Aria’s frustration became more visible.

Mrs. Cake saw it too. “I’m really sorry Sombra,” she said, trying to to keep things in order before the rush became overwhelming.

But Sombra would not let the tension get to him. “Its alright, I can stick around a bit longer. Besides the bus doesn't show up for at least an hour.”

This is all right, Sombra thought. Mrs. Cake is a nice person, she’ll pay me for the overtime; and if I miss the bus, I can talk with some of the people here while I wait.

“Then get the next register,” barked Aria.

He was going to put out a great deal of work, Sombra knew this. It was not a question of how many customers they would have. People from Canterlot High always came to Sugar Cube Corner, whole groups of them, and he, along with everyone else, would work tirelessly to keep the line moving at a steady pace. But that meant the bakery always had business, and Sombra’s pay was consistent. So he wouldn't let himself be stressed, just because he had to work a few extra hours. It just meant more money for him.

Sombra cashed orders, while Aria registered them on the pad. Mrs. Cake had talked with Aria about smiling towards the customer. Sombra couldn't imagine Aria smiling. Her attitude was cold and blunt. She made no effort to hide it. If she hates this job, she would have quit by now. Something was keeping her here, and although Sombra couldn't confirm this, it made Aria into something more compassionate.

The rush was finally over, and Sombra was able to check out of the bakery. Although he had missed the bus, Sombra could look forward to a bigger paycheck. He sat alone, by the window. The few people that remained were conversing in their own little worlds. This must be what friends do after school, thought Sombra. Do they always come here? Maybe they go to the movies, or help each other study. When they graduate, will they still be friends?

And what happens when they argue? Make up probably. No sense throwing away friendships over silly fights.

“Excuse me”

Someone was looking over Sombra. He didn't see her coming. Suddenly he was staring at a young girl, with curly, orange, hair, and a kind smile. She was incredibly pretty.

“Mind if I sit here?” she said.

“N-Not at all,” said Sombra.

“Sorry by way,” she said. “All the other seats were taken.”

“Its alright.” Sombra scrambled to find something else to say. “My names Sombra by the way.”

He inwardly wanted to kick himself for making such a blunt statement, but the young girl didn't seem to mind.

“Adagio. Im a friend of Aria. Poor thing forgot her lunch running all the way over here.”

“Really. I haven't been here very long so we haven't spoken much.” That was a lie. Aria had made it tacitly clear she didn't want to make conversation with him.

Adagio smirked. She knew Sombra was lying to her, and the boy was prepared to apologize when she spoke.

“Aria’s hardly the social type, but thanks for being nice.”

Adagio adjusted her seat, and then leaned closer to Sombra, her foot just inches away from his. She looked more and more intently at Sombra. It made the boy blush.

“Can’t say I've seen you around here before, though I don't come here often,” said Adagio.

Sombra was thinking of a response. The girl was much closer than he wanted. Adagio might have been flirting with him. Probably not. Maybe she was just being playful; but it could mean something good.

“Hey,” someone shouted from the doorway.

Adagios smile quickly evaporated, and a blue-haired girl walked to stand beside them. Must be a friend of Adagio, thought Sombra, though, looking at Adagio, he may have been wrong.

“Something you need, Sonata?” Adagio seethed.

“Well you forgot Aria’s lunch on the bench,” Sonata explained innocently.

Adagio stared at the bag and glanced at Sombra, seated across from her. She smiled, embarrassed.

“So is this that guy you talked about. How does he work exactly? Does he have a magical switch or something?”

Adagio glared angrily at Sonata, gesturing her to shut her mouth. Sombra looked at the pair, confused by the sudden change in Adagio’s attitude. Sonata didn't seem to understand. Her eyes were still fixed on Sombra. Around his neck, she noticed a cheap necklace, with small curved pendant. She reached out her hand but stopped when Adagio grabbed ahold of her arm, twisting it, as she forced Sonata’s hand back.

“I’m sorry, Sonata can be pretty handsy sometimes.”

“Uh, no problem,” said Sombra. This is getting really weird, he thought.

“See, we’re students at Canterlot High, and the schools abuzz about a new student coming. I didn't recognize you, so I thought maybe.”

“Oh, yes, Im transferring into Canterlot High tomorrow.” Was this the reason why they acting so strangely? It seemed like a great deal of fuss over one person, though Sombra could think of little reason to care.

“I thought it was because…” Sonata was immediately interrupted when  Adagio waved a number of bills she pulled from her pocket.

“Go get us some muffins, Sonata,” said Adagio through gritted teeth. Sonata casually, and quietly, accepted the bills and made her way to the register.

“Im sorry about all that. Sonata’s a bit…” Adagio mulled over the proper word to describe her.

“… quirky,” suggested Sombra.

Adagio laughed softly. “Yes, quirky. Please pay her no mind. She’s always like this.”

Adagio tried to say more, but was interrupted when Sombra got up from his seat. Behind her, through the windows, a large bus had passed by, and the boy was slinging his bag over his shoulders.

“I’m sorry, but thats my ride home,” said Sombra. “Maybe I’ll see you around at school.”

“How about I give you a tour of the school? Its sort of a thing we all do there.”

“I’d like that,” said Sombra, while heading towards the door. They waved at each other before Sombra left for the bus. Adagio groaned, looking back at Sonata, who was fiddling with her fingers beside the counter.

She grabbed Sonata by the arm, forcing her to walk with her out of the bakery.

“Could you be any more dense?” shouted Adagio.

“What’d I say?” asked Sonata.

“That little nobody is the key to getting our Equestrian magic back, and you had to stomp in and nearly ruin our chances. Don't you understand how lucky we are?”

“You don't even know if has Equestrian magic? I mean you bumped into this guy one time. Are you sure it wasn't a fluke, maybe?”

Adagio glared angrily at her, more so than Sonata thought was possible. Adagio grabbed Sonata by the collar of her sweater pulling her within inches of her face.

“This wasn't a fluke. He has Equestrian magic. More importantly, he has magic we can get to. But we need to be extra careful, otherwise we’ll lose whatever chance we have of restoring our power. Or maybe you like sounding like a tone deaf seahorse.”

Neither of them enjoyed losing their ability to sing, and it was all the more painful when they realized just how greatly they depended on their magic. Even their basic needs depended on their ability to sing, and Sonata knew that, if they could get their powers back, she and her friends could, at least, not have to struggle so much. Sonata smiled sheepishly, hoping to soothe Adagio before she could lash out at her.

Adagio calmed down, trying her best to breath evenly. The stress is getting to me, she thought, I can't let myself fall apart like this. She let go of Sonata, smoothing out her collar. Sonata’s right, it could have been a fluke, and Sombra really is just some nobody she bumped into. But if it wasn’t, she thought, then we can have our magic back. We wont have to deal with these people anymore. I don't need them to adore me, she thought, just let me be able to control them again.

Adagio and Sonata said nothing as they walked back home. The wind was picking up, and Adagio could see that Sonata was getting chilly. These are cheap sweaters, she thought. I should have put out for something better. She leaned closer to Sonata, hoping that somehow it would make her warmer. Ill fix this, she thought, and then we wont have to be cold anymore.

Back at the bakery, Aria was on break. Seated by the window, eating the muffins Sonata bought for herself, she peered inside the brown, paper bag.

It was full of damp dirt.

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