“So Miss… Dazzle was it? I had completely forgotten about your appointment to see me,” Mr Dusk said.

“That’s certainly alright,” Adagio smiled. Sonata had snuck the appointment into his calendar and had scored Adagio a chance to pitch her business to him.

Mr. Dusk scratched his head, then shrugged, “I guess it just slipped my mind, what with everything I have to keep up with! So, what can I do for you?”

“I was looking to discuss a… business interest,” Adagio smiled, her words carefully planned and prepared, “I need a startup loan to open a new club out in a small town set between Baltimare, Canterlot and Fillydelphia.”

“A club, you say?” Mr. Dusk looked at her curiously over his glasses, “Well, they do seem to be all the rage these days with the young folks. But in a small town? Tell me, how would you work with that?”

“The town is set between three very large cities. Which means the location is close enough to be convenient, but far enough out of the way to be discreet for anyone who might not want to be recognized,” Adagio smiled, sitting forward slightly.

Mr. Dusk mulled that for a few moments, then stood up to head over to one of his cabinets. He pulled out a road map, unrolled it across his desk, and indicated it to her, “It seems like a good plan. It would be about… here?” He pointed to a location on the map.

“Precisely,” Adagio said smoothly, glancing down at the map, “I’ve had the premises and the plans on hold for quite some time, all I need is the funds to get everything up and running.”

“I see. You’ve even taken the median income and age range accordingly?” He asked, to which she nodded, “All right, then. You have your business plan handy?”

Adagio nodded, “Mmhmm,” she said, taking a folder out of her purse and laying it on the table, which held floor plans, structural designs, bar menus, and ‘services’ offered by the dancers, along with a list of prospective employees already applied for the positions throughout the club.

“Hmm…” Mr. Dusk perused over the paperwork, nodding occasionally, “You have a very solid plan in mind, Miss Dazzle. I admire that, honestly. Too many prospective entrepreneurs walk into my office with nothing but what’s in their heads.”

“I’ve had plenty of time to put all of this together,” Adagio smiled, “Four years in business school gives ample opportunity to draw out your plans.”

Mr. Dusk nodded, sitting back down in his chair, “Okay, so what amount are you currently looking at?”

“Two hundred and thirty thousand,” Adagio said without hesitation.

Adjusting his glasses, Mr. Dusk pondered for a few moments, then chuckled. It wasn’t a mocking chuckle, it was more amused than anything.

“You did the math, I see,” Mr. Dusk smiled, “Usually I have clients asking for more than they need.”

Adagio giggled, “I don’t like to waste people’s time, Mr Dusk. Besides, I’d also like to get my startup loans paid off as soon as possible.”

“That’s a good plan,” Mr. Dusk nodded with approval, “I had to convince my wife of the same thing back when we had to get a loan for our first house!” He chuckled at this, then reached into his desk to pull out some papers, “All right, so if you’ll read this over and sign it, I’ll finalize the details.”

Adagio took the papers and scanned over them. It was a typical loan agreement, with a caveat of a 15% interest rate. Adagio quickly did the math in her head and came to the conclusion that if her revenue met her expectations, she would have the loan paid off in a year. The contract also stated that Mr Dusk was permitted to inspect the premises as long as she was still in debt. Taking her pen out of her jacket, she quickly signed the form and slid it back over to him.

Mr. Dusk took the paper, perused it for a moment, and then went to his computer. After he typed a few things, the printer activated and printed out a few other sheets. He stapled them together in two sets, handing one to Adagio.

“This is your copy,” he said, sitting back down, “I’ll get the last of the papers done, and I’ll call you within the next day or two. Does that suffice?”

“Of course,” Adagio smiled, reaching over and shaking his hand, “It’s a pleasure doing business with you, Mr Dusk.”

“Pleasure’s all mine, Miss Dazzle,” Mr. Dusk smiled, “If there’s anything, you have my card. Take care of yourself.”

Adagio smiled wider as she stood up and strode out of Mr Dusk’s office, descending the stairs to see Sonata hiding behind one of the hallway alcoves. As she strode past her, she cast her a quick grin and nodded excitedly.

“Yay!” Sonata whispered loudly, doing a little happy dance.

Adagio smiled as she continued, flashing three fingers behind her back at Sonata, which she took to mean “My place, three hours.”

Sonata nodded eagerly, doing a little more of a silly dance.

Adagio giggled as she quickly departed and got into her car, pulling out with a screech and driving away, finally allowing herself to succumb to a fit of squeals and giggles.

As soon as Sonata came through the door of her apartment, Adagio swept her up off her feet and into her arms, squeezing her tightly and peppering her face with kisses.

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” Adagio squealed, spinning around with Sonata in her arms as she tried in vain to contain her squeals.

“You’re welcome!” Sonata beamed happily, nuzzling her, “After all you’d done for me, I’m so glad I could help you!”

As Sonata hooked her legs around Adagio’s waist, Adagio grinned at her and pulled her in for a fiery kiss, one hand holding her rear while the other was wrapped around her waist. Moaning eagerly, Sonata returned the fervent kiss while holding to her tightly. They fell up against the wall, further securing her position as her legs tightened.

“Mmm,” Adagio moaned as she pushed her tongue past Sonata’s lips, grinding against her as she held Sonata’s back to the wall.

With her moans escalating, Sonata opened her mouth and met Adagio’s tongue. They dueled heatedly, while her hands fisted into the fiery curls. Hiking Sonata up higher, her hands snaked under her skirt to squeeze her rear, her other hand reaching up to grasp the back of her neck as she nibbled Sonata’s bottom lip.

“Nnngh…” Sonata moaned, shuddering against her as her hands coursed back down to her shoulders.

“Mmm, that’s my special girl…” Adagio whispered, pulling back from the wall and leaning against the countertop, settling Sonata against her as her tongue entwined with her’s.

“You’re amazing…” Sonata cooed, nuzzling her as their tongues danced.

“You’re more amazing,” Adagio whispered, flicking her tongue over the roof of Sonata’s mouth.

“Mmm… come on… I’m just me,” Sonata giggled happily.

“You sell yourself too short,” Adagio smiled, nuzzling her cheek, “You’re adorable, you’ve been so helpful, and the way you blush like that just makes me melt…”

“Aww… gee…” Sonata giggled, kissing her cheek, “I can’t help it… You’re just awesome to be with…”

Adagio drifted both hands to Sonata’s rear and squeezed, pulling her in and kissing along her neck, “I love you, Sona…”

“R-Really?” Sonata shook a bit, squeezing her shoulders, “You mean that…?”

Adagio stopped for a moment and considered what she’d just said. Then, after only a few seconds, she smiled and kissed her cheek, “Yes… I mean it.”

“I… I…” Sonata nuzzled into her neck, shaking a bit, sniffling, “I think I love you, too….! It just… feels so overwhelming to have someone mean it!”

Adagio smiled, nuzzling Sonata’s neck, “You’re so adorable,” she whispered, holding Sonata close to her and tightly hugging her, “I could just eat you up…”

Sonata giggled, “You’re really sweet…”

“You’re sweeter,” Adagio smiled, carrying Sonata over to the couch and sitting down, cradling the girl in her lap, “Now I’m the one who doesn’t want you to go.”

“Well, I won’t if you don’t want me to,” Sonata giggled, nuzzling her cheek.

Adagio patted Sonata’s bum in a smooth rhythm as she held the girl under her chin, “Good. I love you, sweetheart…”

“I love you, too,” Sonata cooed as she snuggled under her chin, “I wanna stay like this forever…”

“Me too…” Adagio smiled, “...How about I pick you up from school tomorrow?”

“Sure… that’d be great,” Sonata smiled.

“Good,” Adagio smiled, nuzzling Sonata’s cheek.

“Hey, Slutnata!” a girl jeered as she walked past her locker, “I don’t see your pedo bodyguard anywhere, do I?”

‘Act like Adagio… be all cool and confident… come on, she makes it so easy! I can do it!’ Sonata thought. She shuddered, then turned around, “I don’t know who Slutnata is, but she’s not here.” ‘Ha! That was great! I can keep this up!’

The girl stopped in front of her and pushed her back against her locker, smirking, “Ooh, Slutnata got a mouth on her now? Been putting it to work have we?”

“Ngh, would you just… go away!” Sonata struggled, “You’re not funny! In fact, you’re lame! If there was a ruler for lame, you’d be the Queen!”

The girl shook her, smacking her back against her locker and frowning, “You know, Lacey and Gem were pretty humiliated when your thug took their skirts and made them sit in class in their panties. I think it’s time we taught you a lesson,” she smirked.

“H-Hey! That’s not fair! They were trying to rape ME!” Sonata managed to push her away, “Just because… you guys suck doesn’t mean I have to suck! What’s your deal?! What did I ever do to you guys?!”

“You’re always sookin’ you prissy little rich bitch,” she growled, holding her in place as her hand trailed up Sonata’s leg.

“Get off me!” Sonata struggled, “Prissy little rich bitch? ...Really? Are you that unoriginal? Yeah, tell me something I haven’t heard before! Now go away! I’m busy! You smell like fish ass and I don’t like your face!” ‘Okay, that was lame...’

The girl slapped her as hiked Sonata’s skirt up, roughly dragging her fingers between her legs, “Keep digging your hole deeper, Slutnata. Nobody’s coming this time.”

“Now wait a second!” Sonata struggled, now reaching downward to grab her arm, “If you wanted me, all you had to do was ask and take me to dinner, first! I mean, seriously, what’s with you? Ever heard of asking someone before you sex them up?”

The girl slapped her again, pushing her back harder against the locker as her hand slipped into her panties, “No, really. I haven’t,” she sneered as a quiet set of footsteps sounded in the distance.

Sonata heard them, then struggled some more, “Wow, you’re not only stupid, but you’re rude! Good luck keeping a boyfriend!”

“Oh shut up,” the girl sneered as she drove her fingers into her as the footsteps got closer.

“Do you two mind? You’re blocking my locker,” came an irritated voice behind them.

“Why the fuck should I care?” the girl scoffed as she started to move her hand.

A pair of hands grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her back and both of them were staring at the single most intimidating woman they had ever seen. Her size even dwarfed Adagio as she effortlessly hoisted the girl off her feet and threw her aside.

“Because I said so,” she scoffed, grabbing Sonata by the shoulder and moving her out of the way as well, albeit far gentler, “Sonata, why does every girl in this school want to get in your panties anyway?”

The girl got up and lunged at her, but the taller woman reached out and slammed the heel of her hand into her face. There was a dull ‘snap’ and the girl fell back, screaming and clutching her nose.

“I…. I don’t know,” Sonata said, shaking a little, “Th-Thank you for helping me…”

“No problem,” she said, pulling her bag out of her locker and throwing it over her shoulder.

‘ASCENTIA KORTAI TO THE MAIN OFFICE NOW!’

“Oh fuck, you didn’t see me,” Ascentia said as she ducked out around the corner, “Bye Sonata!”

“Bye…?” Sonata waved after her, a little disappointed. Nonetheless, she sighed with relief and retrieved her backpack. ‘At least someone’s willing to help me...’

As Sonata made her way out to the front, where Adagio was waiting in her car, the gravity of what had just happened back in the hallway started to creep up on her. By the time she had sat down in the passenger seat, she was quivering.

“What’s wrong, Sona-baby?” Adagio asked as she pulled out onto the highway.

“Some girl… she tried to… tried to rape me again… as payback for what happened the other day. B-But, I tried holding my own! Honest! And then this one girl actually helped me…” Sonata murmured, shaking a bit.

“Oh my god!” Adagio reached over and draped an arm around her, “How far did she get?”

“She got… her hand down my panties!” Sonata began to cry a little, shaking more, “Oh god…!”

Adagio pulled off the road and onto a dirt detour, pulling her car to a stop and parking it as she pulled Sonata into her chest and holding her tightly, “Shhh, it’s gonna be okay, sweetheart…”

“Adagio, I’m scared!” Sonata whimpered, “Don’t make me go back there! One of these days, someone won’t be there to help me!”

“You won’t go back there,” Adagio whispered softly, “You’re going to come to Stalliongrad with me.”

Wide-eyed, Sonata looked at her, “W-What?”

“You heard me. When my club is up and running, you’re going to live in the apartment above it with me,” Adagio said firmly, running her fingers through her hair.

Wiping her eyes, Sonata looked at her hopefully, “You’d really… do that? I… Adagio, that’s… what would my parents say?”

“You father is my investor, and you’re ten years younger than me…” Adagio sighed, “...They wouldn’t be allowed to know.”

“...But what do I tell them?”

“If you’re going to come live with me…” Adagio bit her lip and looked nervous, “It would have to look like you ran away.”

Sonata hesitated, biting her lip, “...Okay. I’ll do it.”

“Really? You will?” Adagio looked surprised, expecting Sonata to say this was taking things too far, “I… Sona, that… that makes me so happy,” she smiled, nuzzling her cheek.

“Really?” Sonata managed to smile, “It’d make me really happy, too…”

“Alright, so… that settles it,” Adagio smiled, “You’re going to run away with me…”

“Wow… running away together! How exciting!” Sonata giggled, “When do we leave?”

“Two weeks from now,” Adagio said softly, “My club is going to be open next week, but you’ll have to delay a week so as not to raise suspicion.”

Sonata nodded, “Right… I can do that!”

Adagio did the math and realized that Christmas Break was starting tomorrow, so Sonata wouldn’t have to return to school before running away with her, “Alright… I love you, Sona baby…”

“I love you too, Adagio…” Sonata cooed, nuzzling her cheek, “You really are my guardian angel…”

“Yeah… I guess I am…” Adagio smiled, nuzzling Sonata’s cheek.

‘Or a cradle robber.’

‘You shut up.’

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