"That...must have hurt."

Adagio gave a grim nod.

"Indeed."

The two had continued to walk together, through the streets of Canterlot, the sun having long since set. The air was cool, and there were few, if any, other people about the place. In the silence that persisted between them, only the sounds of their footsteps could be heard. This carried on for some time, with Adagio looking, for the most part, quite nostalgic on the whole affair, until finally, she was the one to speak up at last.

"When my plan to dominate that realm had failed, I confess, I'd never really planned on what to do with my child once he was born. I knew I would keep him with me, he was my son after all. But..."

Narrowing her eyes, she turned to Sunset.

"...now he was a prince without a kingdom."

Sunset considered this, and could only imagine how disappointed Adagio must have felt back in the day when that fact had sunk in for her. But, in a desperate bid to lighten the conversation, she put on a smile, clearing her throat a little before speaking up.

"So...Forte then? How was he?"

Adagio chuckled, looking ahead as she answered.

"He was a sweet boy. Never cried once during his early years. As he grew, it was clear to me that he'd largely inherited his Father's looks. Messy brown hair, that same innocent smile. But his eyes..."

Looking back to her companion, a look of pride crossed Adagio's face.

"...those were my eyes."

Sunset nodded to this, her own expression becoming more curious as they walked.

"Was it difficult for you? Raising him, I mean? He was your first child after all."

Adagio nodded.

"Oh, to be sure. I was uncertain of what to do, at least at first. But, after a while, and with my sisters' help, we fell into a good routine."

Lifting her hands out of her pockets, Adagio folded her arms as she kept on walking.

"But, he was only half Siren. He kept many of those human tendencies, like needing actual food for sustenance. My sisters and I could go for days without it, provided that we had enough negative energy. But him? He needed to be provided for."

A smirk formed upon her face as she continued.

"Aria became quite proficient at archery, given how often she took to hunting. Even if we didn't have a child to provide for, I think she'd have kept it up, if only for the pleasure of it."

A grimace crossed Sunset's face at that, but, as they continued onwards, she brushed aside a few stray hairs that had fallen in front of her, after which she looked to Adagio with interest.

"So...you had no trouble with him at all?"

Hearing that, a more serious look crossed Adagio's face, and she let out a sigh, turning to her companion slowly before speaking in a lower tone.

"Oh, there was one issue. And...I think you can probably imagine what it was."

Birdsong filled the air in the great forest, and all around there were the usual sights and sounds of such a place, from the cool breeze to the trickling water of the nearby stream. In the middle of it all, however, there was a small clearing, and within, a rudimentary camp of sorts. It was centred by a small campfire, which was blazing away. Beside it was none other than Adagio, who had just approached the thing with a handful of fresh logs. Casually, she threw a few on, and mere moments later, they were alight. Smiling at this, she turned, looking upon her sister, Sonata, as she was kneeling in the ground nearby. She had a few tools in her hand and was, at this moment, making use of what was clearly an animal fur of some kind.

"Making progress, sister?" Adagio asked.

Sonata turned to her, smiling as she did so.

"Yes. We should have a few cloaks ready by the evening."

Adagio nodded, smiling at her sister's efforts, but, before she had the chance to say anything further, she was distracted by the arrival of a different, and noticeably younger voice.

"Mother!"

Turning, Adagio maintained her smile as she saw that there, running towards her from the tree-line, was Forte. The boy had grown considerably, and was clad in simply brown garments, bearing a wide smile upon his face. As he ran towards his Mother, Adagio noted that he was carrying something, which, when he finally slowed down, he presented to her with a look of pride.

"I made you this."

Adagio took the gift into her hands and examined it. It was a simple necklace of flowers, forged from a number of rather colourful specimens from around the forest. Instinctively, she looked to her son with affection, reaching forward and gently placing a hand upon his shoulder.

"It's lovely, Forte. You should be pleased with yourself."

The boy beamed at the praise, and rushed forward, embracing his Mother in a hug. Although somewhat taken aback by this gesture, Adagio nevertheless composed herself soon afterwards, smiling warmly before returning the embrace. When they finally parted, Forte continued to smile, before rushing off once more, this time over to where Sonata was working. Clearly, he had an interest in what his Aunt was up to, but, before Adagio had an opportunity to do or say anything else, she turned upon hearing the clear sound of rustling tree branches. She looked on just in time to witness her other sister, Aria, finally returning from one of her forays, and, as always, she'd caught something. The bodies of several large rabbits was firmly held in her hand, while in the other was her make-shift bow. As usual, she looked rather pleased with herself.

"Dinner is served."

Adagio raised an eyebrow at that, but nevertheless gestured to the fire, prompting Aria to make her way over in readiness to prepare their evening meal. Forte noticed this and ran over, looking a fair deal excited at the prospect of what they were eating tonight. However, this happy moment was soon stopped, when, all of a sudden, all four of them began to hear something. It was a sound that was rare in these parts, but it was still unmistakeable; people. Forte seemed curious, but for the Sirens, they had an entirely different reaction, as they looked to one another with knowing nods. Clearing her throat, Adagio smiled sweetly to her son.

"Forte, sweetie? Could you be a dear and stay with the rabbits for a moment? Your Aunts and I need to do something."

The boy looked to her, keeping that same smile of his.

"Alright, Mother."

Adagio nodded, but, as she looked to her sisters, her expression became more serious. She got to her feet, gesturing silently to the other two, who nodded intently before starting to follow. Forte looked on with curiosity, but still remained where he was, watching as his Mother and Aunts moved further and further away. The three Sirens walked silently together, making their way past tree after tree, until finally, they happened upon the source of the sounds. A group of what appeared to be hunters of some kind were resting beside a fallen tree, discussing their latest kills. Upon seeing them, Adagio, Sonata and Aria got to their knees, keeping low and quiet as they watched the group. But, after observing them for long enough, Adagio looked to the others, bearing her usual smirk.

"Same as always, girls."

The others nodded, bearing equally-mischievous smirks of their own. Their pendants began to glow with anticipation over what they knew they were about to do, and, after taking a deep breath, the Sirens opened their mouths in unison, letting out the soothing and harmonious tones that they had used so often before. It took a few moments, but eventually, their enchantment had the desired effect, as the tone of the hunters changed from one of camaraderie, to one of hostility. Further still, and it was outright aggression to one another, which inevitably led to the sounds of fighting amongst them. And through it all, the green mist, that clear sign of negative magic, seeping through the undergrowth around them. The power was drawn to the pendants as Adagio and her sisters continued, and, before long, it was absorbed.

The Sirens, at this point, stayed quiet, ceasing their song as they stayed hidden. Their meal for the day had been taken successfully, but even so, they dared not reveal themselves just yet, instead staying low as the hunters began to move off, quarrelling and occasionally fighting one another as they drew further away. In time, they were completely out of earshot, leading to the three Sirens finally feeling safe enough to stand up once more. After giving herself a brief stretch, Aria let out a sigh of contentment.

"Ah! That's better! I cannot tell you how much I've been looking forward to that!"

Adagio nodded.

"Indeed. It was a most fortunate coincidence that we happened upon them today."

However, to Adagio's horror, the moment was then interrupted by the arrival of an all-too familiar voice.

"...Mother?"

Immediately, Adagio's face turned a shade paler, and she spun around soon afterwards. Sure enough, there he was. Forte, having apparently followed them, looking to each of them with both worry and confusion. The Sirens said nothing, instead looking to the boy with concern, until, at last, Forte focused his attention solely on Adagio, his voice hushed and unsure.

"What...what are you doing?!"