Festive, bright music drifted on the early evening air, reaching Sunset’s ears long before they reached their destination, and the sounds reminded her of a Summer Sun Celebration in a small town when she was a filly, tagging along with the princess. The wave of nostalgia was bittersweet, and the former unicorn blew air out her nostrils in a sigh, turning her attention to the arm looped through hers and the way Twilight was leaning against her side. That was enough to bring her mood back from its momentary descent.

“So…what did you call this?” she asked Wildsong.

“Pride Picnic at the Pier. I totally forgot that it was this weekend, but we do it every year here. Its a lot of fun—local businesses put up booths, and there’s all kinds of fun, food, games, souvenirs, activities, performances, not just on the pier and the boardwalk, but on the beach too. There’s usually a big bonfire too, and sometimes they get fireworks.” The older girl was grinning from ear to ear. “We get people from all over the area, from neighboring towns and stuff, and a portion of the money—including the admissions money—is donated to charities. I’m just glad that Power mentioned it, or we would’ve missed it!”

…Mentioned it. Yes, that was one way to describe the conversation that had happened in the café, Sunset mused with more than a touch of mental sarcasm.

“…Okay…This place lived up to your hype,” Sunset conceded, leaning back against the seat. “I’m so stuffed I’m not sure I can move. I’ve not had something like that since—” she broke off, then continued, “…for a long time, well before I moved to Canterlot City.” From one Canterlot City to another, at least, she thought with a chuckle.

Twilight leaned against her with a sigh. “You are not the only one. That was the best gyro I’ve had since we went to this one place on a family vacation when I was eleven. I probably shouldn’t have eaten so much. Are you sure you don’t want me to pay for mine, Sunny?”

She shook her head. “Nope. I’ve got it. You can pay for our next date. I’ve got today.”

Wildsong squinted at her partner. “…forgot to ask, Angel. You wanna go dutch or you want me to cover today?”

Fingers played with the long part of Wildsong’s hair. “…I can get my own, Tiger, but if you wanted to treat me, I wouldn’t say no.” Glamour Shot shifted closer to whisper something in an ear studded with piercings, making Wildsong sit up straighter, a smirk coming over her face. “Sound like a good idea to you, Tiger?” she teased, winding a bit of multicolored hair around a finger.

“…Yeah that sounds—”

“Song! Sweetie, is that you? Oh its been way too long!”

Four heads turned to see a young man with an extremely chiseled physique heading for their table like a man on a mission. Song stared at him, surprised, but recovering. “Po? What are you doing back in town? Thought you were in LA!”

He pulled her into a bear hug. “Oh I am! But I couldn’t miss the festival! You know I go every year, and this time, I had someone special to bring.” His eyes crinkled at the corners. “Just like you, huh? Maybe we’ll see you there?”

What had followed that was a confusing amount of gushing as Wildsong’s old friend had, in Sunset’s mind, firmly earned a spot in her mind’s competition for most piercing squeal, right behind Glamour Shot but ahead of Pinkie Pie. Rarity was still the winner there, of course. He had reminded her a great deal of Pinkie Pie, except male, and not pink, his joyful exuberance and cheer translating to extremely touchy-feely, trying to hug even her and Twilight, all while making exclamations of joy. She’d barely managed to get between them with her most dangerous looking glare, making it clear that Twilight was not to be randomly grabbed by someone she didn’t invite to hug her. It had made things awkward for all of ten seconds before Power Lifter’s natural happiness reasserted itself and he moved on to another topic and hugged Wildsong again instead.

Still, his chatter about the festival had reminded Wildsong of its existence, and she talked them into going there for the evening. Sunset couldn’t say it was a bad idea—it actually sounded like a fun way to spend the rest of the day. The former unicorn wondered if she and Twilight could get some form of trinkets to remember the day with. A keychain or something?

“Oooh…” Twilight murmured from next to her, distracting her from her thoughts. “…This is…bigger than I expected…”

The dark haired girl was not exaggerating. Sunset had expected to see a series of booths and stalls set up down the pier. Not a sprawling carnival that had taken over the boardwalk, the pier, several huge parking lots, and a stretch of beach for a half mile in both directions. “…Yeah….Wow.” Flag poles flew flags and streamers in bright colors, and everywhere she looked, there were more rainbows than could be found in Bow and Windy’s shrine to their only child.

It was strange, Sunset decided, to see a celebration that looked like it belonged in Equestria, not the human world. At the same time it felt…good. The atmosphere was charged with positive energy that felt almost like a kind of magic in and of itself, and just getting close to it was making her feel a strange excitement that she could only recall feeling once before… Memories of a Crown landing in her hands made her shiver, and she shoved it to the back of her mind, pushing down the feeling until she had it under better control. This was completely different than that night, in every possible way, and she wasn’t about to let memories ruin it.

“It's a big deal here,” Wildsong confirmed. “…Everyone really gets into it. C’mon. Admissions are usually this way.”

Sunset let go of Twilight’s arm to fish out her wallet and pay for their admission. A rainbow stamp was pressed to the back of their hands and they stepped through the turnstile into pandemonium. Lavender hands grabbed her arm again, and she turned her head questioningly.

“I…don’t want us to get separated,” the smaller girl said, further tucking herself up against Sunset’s side.

The redhead grinned, kissing her girlfriend’s cheek. “Stay close then, and let’s see what there is to do.”

Twilight fought her laughter at some of the slogans on the t-shirts they were looking through, many of which were brightly colored. Sunset had an arm comfortably around her waist, more bemused by her reactions than by the t-shirts themselves.

“See something you like? Seems like it with you laughing like that.”

She shook her head. “No, I can't buy any of these. They're too obvious, and Mom and Dad would ask questions...” Her eyes lingered on a shirt that made a science joke that had managed to make her giggle. “As much as I might want a shirt, I can't risk it.”

Sunset nibbled on her ear lightly, sending a tingle down her spine. “...idea...what if you kept it at my place as a sleep shirt? They’d never see it, and when you're finally able to tell them, you can take it home.”

That was an idea she hadn't considered, and Twilight thought it over, trying to figure out any way it could go wrong. When nothing glaring jumped out at her, she reached out and ran her fingers down the sleeve of the shirt that she wanted. “...I suppose...it would be prudent to start keeping a set or two of sleepwear at your place, in the event we do any spontaneous sleepovers,” she agreed.

Laughing, her girlfriend hugged her tight. “Then why don't you pick out two t-shirts you like to sleep in? And I’ll find one for me too, so we can both have some fun new sleepwear for the next sleepover at my place.” Lips pressed to her neck, a tickly, light kiss that made her shiver in delight. “And don't worry about cost. It's my treat today, Sparky. I can afford to spoil you on our first full blown not-hiding-as-just-friends date.”

“Alright,” she acquiesced, sliding out of the embrace and away from the mouth that was threatening to compromise her ability to think straight. The science shirt was one she wanted—periodic table jokes were great!—but there were others that had piqued her interest with equally funny puns.

Sunset started looking through the racks of shirts while Twilight found her first choice in her size, and a moment later let out a sharp surprised laugh. “Okay! I found my shirt,” the taller girl called to her, holding up a black t-shirt with a rainbow banner across the front that had an equine silhouette across it, and the words “Proud Unicorn” below it.

It gave Twilight an idea...one that under any other circumstances she would have never had the courage to go through with. Feeling emboldened by the day and by Sunset’s unflagging confidence, she found a shirt that she wouldn’t have looked at twice before. “Only if I can get this one so we’ll match.” And before she could combust from embarrassment, she held up a similar shirt with a colorful horned equine on it wearing a saddle and the slogan “So Queer I Ride Unicorns.”

The redhead’s answering grin was wicked, with just a hint of sexiness to it. “Oh absolutely,” she agreed. “We can even wear them at the same time.” Checking to make sure the shirt she had was the right size, she tossed it over one arm and moved back to Twilight’s side. “Besides the shirts, did you want anything else? They’ve got a bunch of little stuff near the register.”

Twilight kissed her cheek. “Maybe? Can we go look?”

Sunset grinned and offered her arm, and escorted her giggling girlfriend up to the front to find out.

Her eyes spotted a booth among the many games that she might’ve had some chance at actually winning. “Hey, Sparky,” she murmured to the girl tucked up against her side as they walked along, her whole body suffused with warmth and happiness. “Wanna see if I can win you one of those cliched date prizes? Could be fun.”

The dark haired teen gave her a long look, arching a brow. Sunset snorted. “Yeah, I know they’re usually rigged, but I dunno. It could be fun to at least try? Unless they are glued together, I can usually knock down a few bottles. Besides, when are we going to get another chance to do silly date clichés like this?”

Twilight chuckled and shook her head. “Okay, one round, but if physics doesn’t beat out the rigged carnival game, then we go find something else to spend money on.” Purple eyes danced. “I heard someone talking about bumper cars a minute ago...”

The thought of a challenge made her grin. “Oh, you’re on! I bet I can cream you in bumper cars!”

Fingers played with the sleeve of her jacket. “Or...if they’re two-seaters, we can cream everyone else...” Twilight suggested.

“Even better. But first, let's see about me hitting things.” She pulled Twilight over to the game booth, handing her girlfriend the bag with their souvenirs in it, and paying the operator a few dollars for a chance at a prize.

The objective was fairly basic, hurling a lightweight rubbery ball at a stack of plastic bottles, with the goal to knock over as many as possible with only three shots. Sunset felt the ball in her hand, getting a judge for its weight and density, her mind crunching the same physics problem she would have used to hurl it like a projectile with her telekinesis, and gauging how much weight they had used in the bottom of the bottles to make the game difficult. Then she was left deciding how much she wanted to leave to chance. An easier throw with more likelihood of hitting would guarantee a smaller prize, but a riskier throw with more power gave her a chance at a larger prize. Eventually, she decided to split the difference, using her first throw to get a feel for the wind affecting the ball. As expected, it went wide. Smiling Sunset adjusted her aim with her second shot. It flew true, smacking right into the desired spot with just enough force to send about half the bottles scattering.

Victorious, she pumped her fist in the air. “Ha! Take that!” She turned to Twilight with a cocky smirk on her lips. “Pick your prize, Sparky.” She eyed the operator.

“Any of the ones on the middle shelf, right?” Twilight asked with a light blush on her cheeks and a smile on her face. When the young man nodded, she looked over her choices and then pointed. “That one. The one with the wings.”

Sunset grinned as the girl hugged the small plush owl to her chest. “Knew I could win you a prize,” she murmured. “Sorry it's not the biggest one, but...I didn’t think I could get enough force to win one of those.”

Twilight’s eyes shone behind her glasses, and she threw her arms around Sunset, hugging tightly. “It's perfect, Sunny. It's not about the prize anyway—it's about you being sweet enough to want to do something like that for me.”

The former unicorn wrapped her arms around Twilight in return, holding her close. Honeysuckle scent tickled her nostrils as she rested her face against Twilight’s shoulder. The contagious positive energy of the crowd was making her feel downright giddy, and the magic that was singing in her veins was only making it worse. Holding Twilight grounded her, gave her energy and mind focus, as she turned it towards making sure the other girl had the best date ever.

Glancing around, she spotted a little alcove between two nearby booths and tugged her girlfriend into it so they weren’t in the way of the crowd. This gave her the chance to cover Twilight’s mouth with her own, the want in her soul craving more than just the feel of a hand in her own or a friendly hug.

Twilight went still in her embrace, her arms loosening enough that Sunset started to end the lip lock, only for the dark haired girl to make a small sound and push further into the kiss, her tongue flitting along Sunset’s lip, begging access. She drew Twilight deeper into the alcove, completely out of sight of prying eyes, all so they could spend a few minutes getting utterly lost in each other. When they came up for air, Sunset touched her forehead to her girlfriend’s, finding comfort in purple eyes. “Still interested in wrecking people in bumper cars, Sparky?” Her hands slid down to rest on Twilight’s hips. “Or...did you wanna stay here just a little longer where no one can see us?” She smirked, before capturing Twilight’s lower lip with her teeth, nibbling playfully.

She smirked when the shorter form pressed closer, Twilight murmuring against her lips, “…What if I want both? Do I have to choose?”

Twilight was pulled to a halt when Sunset stopped walking, face turned up and sniffing the air with obvious interest. She inhaled through her nose, trying to figure out what had Sunset’s attention. That’s when her cousin popped up out of nowhere with a squeal of glee. “Twi! Sunset!” A paper plate was thrust at them, piled up with several sweet smelling treats. “Look what Song and I found! I bought you guys some too!”

Blue-green eyes zeroed in on the plate. “Is...is that funnel cake?!” Sunset practically snatched it from Glamour’s hands.

It did look like funnel cakes, Twilight decided, if a single funnel cake had been made using several different colors of batter, creating what resembled a collapsed rainbow dusted with sugar.

“Yup!” Glamour said cheerily. “That ones for you two to share. Song has ours...” she handed the funnel cake off to Sunset, before snuggling back close to Wildsong. The older girls exchanged a sweet kiss, before starting to pick at their funnel cake, engrossed once more in each other and paying Twilight and her girlfriend little mind.

A small piece of the festival food appeared in front of her nose, surprising her. Twilight jumped, only to realize Sunset was offering her a bite with two sugar dusted fingers. “Want some?” came the husky purr from the redheaded teen.

Twilight licked her lips, looking between those hungry eyes and the food being held for her to take. “Yes...” she whispered back, but instead of taking it with her hands, she leaned forward slightly to take it with her mouth—drawing the two fingers holding it past her lips as well.

Sunset’s eyes went wide, sucking in a sharp breath, especially when Twilight used her tongue to clean the extra sugar off those digits. A shudder went through her when Twilight pulled her head back to reveal two clean, if saliva-damp fingertips. “O-o-ooh,” she managed, her voice raspy with a hunger for more than funnel cake.

There was a saying that came to mind, in regards to turnabout and fair play, and Twilight broke off a piece of funnel cake, holding it up to Sunset the same way that her girlfriend had offered it to her, smiling at her. Then it was her turn to shiver in delight when Sunset took her time sucking the powdered sugar off her fingers, the sensation of the other girl’s tongue twisting itself around the end of her thumb sending a bolt of electricity right to her center.

A look was shared, and they stepped out of the main thoroughfare to spend the next fifteen minutes feeding each other the funnel cake, periodically sneaking in sugary kisses as well.

Glamour and Wildsong had found them again—somehow, Twilight’s perky cousin appeared to possess the unerring ability to hone in on her and Twilight, despite being in a moving crowd of a few thousand people spread out along most of a mile of beachfront in the gathering dusk. “Sunset! Twilight!” she called, like some freaky fusion of Rarity and Pinkie Pie (now there was a nightmare!). She had managed to locate the two of them exited a funhouse—they’d spent some time getting “lost” in the dark, in what was meant to be some mind of freaky hedge maze. Mostly that meant she’d taken every dead end corner as a chance to tease her fingers over Twilight’s stomach and sides.

“Hi, Glamour,” Twilight greeted her, smiling happily. Sunset had given Twilight her jacket, and she was happily wrapped up in the black leather, her arm looped through Sunset’s, head resting against her shoulder.

“So I checked—the Ferris Wheel line is actually super short right now, and its the perfect time to ride it, if you and Sunset wanted to go up before it gets super dark. Song and I were gonna go so we could watch the sun set out over the water—its super romantic! I thought we could wait in line together if you wanted?” Glamour gave Wildsong a look of utter adoration.

A giggle escaped the former unicorn at the unintentional symbolism and play on their names. “Could be fun,” she murmured in Twilight’s ear, “watching the sunset move into twilight.” It was far more forward and laden with meaning than she’d normally be comfortable with, but today? It just seemed right, and it was worth it to hear the sound that Twilight made and see the way her cheeks reddened.

“O-okay,” her girlfriend managed, voice practically a strangled sound.

Wildsong smirked knowingly, her arm around Glamour’s waist. “Then let’s hit the line before we miss our chance.” She kissed her girlfriend’s neck. “C’mon, Angel.”

Sunset and Twilight followed the older pair, and the redhead was a tad bemused at how Twilight’s cousin had also seemed to open up and relax over the course of the day, just like the nerdy girl tucked against her. This day really had been a good idea, she decided, for all of them. Glamour and Twilight were clearly enjoying being able to be more open, Wildsong was pleased to be out and about with her partner, and Sunset herself? She was finding herself watching humans acting more like ponies than she’d realized they could in a public setting, without that constant undercurrent of behavior that always left her constantly on edge and wary of danger, instincts screaming at her that she was surrounded by predators. The former unicorn wasn’t sure if it was the nature of it being a festive event, or if it was the portion of the human population being represented, or even this town itself, but she had never been quite so calm in the presence of any humans besides the girls and Twilight’s family.

The line for the Ferris Wheel was short, as Glamour had promised, and in only a short time Sunset was sliding into the seat next to Twilight. The bench was narrow enough to squish them together, but the redhead didn't see that as anything to complain about, especially when a lavender hand fell on her thigh, giving a squeeze. She covered the hand with her own, wasting no time in leaning her head closer, rubbing her nose against the rounded curve of the shorter girl’s ear. “No one will be able to see us once we’re above the crowd,” she teased.

The fingers on her thigh clenched, and Twilight turned her face so they were looking at each other. “That’s...a very good point...and Glamour was right that this is...considered an exceptionally romantic activity,” she noted nervously. “So perhaps...some more...romantic gestures would be perfectly acceptable given the atmosphere and privacy?”

“If you wanted me to kiss you, Sparky, all you had to do was ask,” Sunset teased, brushing her lips against Twilight’s briefly, before trailing more light kisses down the line of her jaw to her neck.

“I am asking,” came the whispered response. “Please, Sunny...”

Her innards squirmed at the plea, and she couldn’t resist the nickering sound that escaped her throat—it wasn’t perfect, but it was as close as a human could make, and it felt good to do. Twilight responded with a whimper, tilting her head back to give Sunset better access to her purple skinned neck. She nibbled lightly, carefully, with human teeth in the same way she would have with a pony partner, something she had teased her girlfriend with only briefly before.

She was not prepared for Twilight to let out a quiet moan, or for one of Twilight’s hands to wind its way into her hair, tugging her closer. “...Sunny...” she breathed, squirming in her seat.

It did wonders for her confidence, and with another soft sound, she bit down with just a little more force, less afraid of causing damage or upsetting Twilight. The fingers against her scalp tightened, nails scratching against her skin in a decidedly pleasant fashion. She moved along exposed lavender skin, until she could nip at Twilight’s ear. “This okay?” she murmured, feeling her heart racing.

Twilight exhaled a shaky sigh. “Yes...it's you, Sunset. Everything you do feels...” She giggled. “...like I never want it to stop, even if it means we miss the view...”

Sunset let a smirk play across lips that rested against Twilight’s cheek. “Speak for yourself...I’m enjoying my view, and look, it's even the same colors as the view over the water.”

“A superstitious person...might see that as a sign we were meant to be together,” the shorter girl commented.

That got her to chuckle. “And what does your impeccably rational and logical mind say about it?” Sunset asked, her fingers teasing along Twilight’s stomach.

Biting back a whimper, Twilight kissed her, an eager, hungry kiss that left her lips tingling. “That on top of having complementary personalities and comparable levels of intellect, visually we look good together...”

As she returned her attention to Twilight’s neck, Sunset couldn't help but agree.

Now that dark had fully arrived, it was time to light the big bonfires that had been set up along the beach. Glamour shivered in the cool night air, using it as an excuse to huddle further in the circle of Wildsong’s arms, soaking up her lover’s warmth. She wasn’t going to complain about that though—being able to be in her arms somewhere besides their tiny, cramped dorm room was beyond compare. The two of them were a bit away from the blaze, shrouded in shadows while they watched people around them.

“This was an amazing day, tiger,” she said, looking over at Wildsong with a smile. “I was scared earlier, about people seeing us, but...for the first time...I felt normal. No Mom on my case about how I should act to be in a relationship she thinks is successful, none of my family telling me about how I don't act like a proper lady should, no one judging me for loving you...part of me never wants this day to end.”

Song kissed her forehead. “First day of the rest of your life, Angel…you’ve got support from good people in your family who will love you regardless of which way you swing…you don’t have to deal with your folks anymore, and now you can focus on your schooling instead. Soon, you’ll get your degree, get your business started. You’re free to be who you are now.”

They cuddled together in silence, letting that thought and the warmth of their closeness seep into their souls. Around them, other couples took advantage of the darkness to steal kisses and intimate conversation, and even in the light of the blaze, affection ran rampant. She could even see her cousin, seated in Sunset’s lap, the two of them looking through pictures on Twilight’s phone from the day. It was a beautiful sight, seeing the painfully awkward, ever introverted member of her family come out of her shell, laughing and smiling and displaying the brilliant, vibrant and happy personality that Glamour had always known lurked under that anxious exterior. As she watched, Sunset said something, her eyes gleaming, and Twilight burst into laughter, bumping her shoulder into the fiery haired teen in mock chastisement.

“The picnic has really exploded this year,” her girlfriend commented. “I've never seen it so alive and active, not with this many people being quite so open.” Glamour could feel the hand at her waist hook fingertips into the top of her jeans and run lightly over the skin. “Reminds me why I’m out and proud, and why we advocate so strongly.”

Those fingers were distracting, but Glamour managed to make a noise of understanding that coaxed the other to continue. “Look around you, baby. Nothing has exploded, no one has been smote by an angry god, children aren’t in danger of corruption, and society isn’t collapsing because two girls are kissing or because two men are holding hands. All I see is a celebration of love and family and community, whatever those words mean to a person. It didn't start out this big, or as well loved and accepted a celebration, but people like Mama, and my uncles, and our families and friends, they didn't give up. They just kept standing up, saying, ‘we are people too, just like you!’ And look what it's done.”

Glamour shivered again, but not from the cold this time, and she stilled Wildsong’s playful explorations with a hand on her wrist. “Its...I’ve never seen anything like this before. I don't have words for how it feels to be here, tiger, but I love it.”

“And that's it exactly. That’s why I do like those before, standing up and saying as loud as possible ‘we are people, and our love is valid.’ Because I want this feeling everywhere all the time. Look at your cousin, how stressed she is about being caught, being found out, and how she is right now. They're looking at pictures from today, and I’d wager, the two of them are talking about how to hide the files at Sunset’s place, just like those pride shirts they bought.” Wildsong growled in exasperation against her neck, which had the side effect of making Glamour melt a little. “They should be celebrating how they love each other, not about how many layers of encryption should be on a hard-drive containing pictures of their first real date. People in love shouldn't have to hide or lie because it will affect their future careers or sabotage their chances at success in life.”

Glamour snuggled closer, tracing her nails along the back of her girlfriend’s hand. “Tiger, you make more difference than you know. You changed my life, and you helped give my cousin something special today.” She turned in the embrace so she could loop her arms around Wildsong’s neck. “Both of those are things I intend to show you my appreciation for later, when we’re back home...” Glamour Shot grinned into a kiss a moment later when her lover purred into her mouth. Oh yes, this was a wonderful day.

It was getting late, and the group was making their way towards the exit, but it was a slow and meandering trip, neither couple wanting to end the night just yet. Twilight couldn't remember the last time she had felt this good, this relaxed, even with the warm desire that had simmered in her core all evening, fueled by Sunset’s constant touch and open affections.

As they neared one of the parking lot areas that had the gate to the outside, they found a crowd gathered around a small stage with a sign that declared ‘Open Mic! Musicians welcome!’ and a man on the stage playing a guitar, singing a rather pleasant cover of a popular rock song from her parents' college days. Sunset’s eyes lit up, and she tugged Twilight with her to get closer to the stage. “Oooh! I like this song!” Twilight followed, amused—it was something else to see her girlfriend so bouncy and excited over anything.

They watched the singer play another song or two, before he stepped down to take a break. By that point, her cousin had managed to make her way over, grinning from ear to ear. “So, Sunset’s into music, hmm?”

“Yeah, she plays guitar.” Twilight wondered briefly why the question had been directed at her and not her girlfriend, only to realize Sunset was no longer standing next to her. “Sunset?” She began scanning the crowd in concern, because she hadn't even registered the redhead moving away from her.

“Um, Twi?” Glamour said, touching her arm.

Twilight turned towards her cousin. “What?”

“You might want to look at the stage.”

Curious, she turned her eyes towards the empty platform...only it wasn’t so empty anymore. A familiar figure was up there, a borrowed guitar in hand. She stepped up to the mic, a smile on her face. “Hey, everyone...so, none of you know me, but...I’m Sunset, and I just...wanted to play a little something I’ve been working on—I think it's finally ready to be heard by someone other than the walls of my house. Hopefully it’s not totally terrible.” That got a chuckle from the crowd.

Sunset bowed her head for a moment, her fingers already strumming over the strings—something Twilight would never get tired of watching her girlfriend do—and her foot tapped out a beat on the wooden floor of the stage. Then she raised her head and she started to sing.

Glamour put one hand to her mouth, eyes wide and startled. “Oh my,” she managed before falling silent, entranced. It was something she had in common with a number of people nearby, as the chords of the guitar blended with the clear voice that filled every ear nearby with something that was less a song and more an experience.

The emotion in the song was almost tangible, cast over the crowd like an enchantment from folktales of old; with each measure and syllable tugging on memory and heartstring, until music and emotion blended into one, seen and felt and heard in the growing crowd. Twilight could see the old pain rising up in Sunset as she sang, sang about a past when all she sought was power and control, and the way it had nearly destroyed her, painting a picture of a girl who had been in a very dark place when it all came down around her head. It made her breath catch and her heart ache, even as a deeper part of her cried out for Sunset that she was there—had been there, every step of the way—and if Sunset Shimmer would just look at her, she would do her best to banish that pain. She tried to move, wanting nothing more than to push through the crowd and climb the stage, but the press of bodies was packed too tight the closer the sea of humanity got to the stage…and her feet were frozen to the floor, refusing to answer her brain’s command that they move.

Twilight could only watch, and ride the emotional wave that crashed into her like a tsunami. Some part of her realized she was crying—and that she was not alone. The people around her teared up, and some among them…like her cousin…wept with her. She railed at that, for how could any of them truly know? For them, there was a distance, a disconnection. They didn't know her Sunset, didn't know the depths of the pain and anger there…not like Twilight Sparkle did.

Memories of Sunset sobbing into her shoulder on the floor of the loft, broken and battered and filled with self hate….memories of the haunted eyes of someone unable to sleep under the weight of their guilt, and alone in the world for so long that she had no idea what to do with kindness…fear and shame and confusion in a thousand moments where Sunset did not know how to feel or act when shown that people did, in fact care for her, about her… Twilight remembered them all, seared into her mind with utter clarity for the rest of her natural life—the blessing and curse of someone with near perfect recall—and the emotions they stirred in her now were as powerful as they had been when the events in question had originally occurred.

And when the notes of the song picked up, describing how in her darkest hour, she was buoyed by friendship and love, Twilight remembered the light in those eyes that had finally started to overcome the shadows when she had gained friends—first in Twilight, then in some of the people at her school…the first shy kisses and building emotions in their hidden, ongoing journey from best friends to something so much more…the way Sunset had tried so hard to change, to overcome her own past and the walls she had built to protect the heart of who she really was…the indescribable joy from the way Sunset had been drawn in and enfolded into Twilight’s family and how much it had meant to the redheaded teen whose entire life had been utterly defined by loneliness and the desperate need for someone to care…it transformed the agony that kept her frozen to the spot into a relief so powerful her knees threatened to give out.

The air that left her lungs was so much more than a sigh, full of the feelings the music was making her relive, and in that moment, it felt as though the crowd sighed with her, teary faces and watering eyes transforming into smiles as the song rose towards a crescendo and drug the audience along for the ride.

It was more than a little appropriate, Twilight decided, that Sunset compared herself to a phoenix in the song, standing there under the golden spotlight in the otherwise dark night. Her girlfriend was always like a being borne of elemental fire: passionate, intense, full of a drive and a vibrancy of existence that could easily overwhelm the unprepared, but never had she looked more like the embodiment of flame than she did right then. The illumination over her was at just the right angle that it turned red and gold curls into living flame cascading around her shoulders, and the way it reflected off the surfaces made it seem like Sunset’s entire body was alight with a faint glow. Standing there under that spotlight, fingers strumming confidently over the guitar strings, her shoulders back and head held high, Sunset Shimmer had an undeniable and powerful presence, a majesty that blazed outward and touched every person in the crowd with its inner light. In that moment, Twilight couldn't help but stare, unable to even breathe as she realized exactly how the girl she cared about could have held dominion over an entire student body as its queen—in that breathtaking moment, Twilight would have done anything Sunset asked of her without question or hesitation…

Some of that fiery hair fell forward as Sunset turned her head to lock eyes with Twilight, casting Sunset’s face in shadow. Despite that, Twilight found herself ensnared even further by the glowing of blue-green eyes right out of her most intimate and passionate dreams, eyes she would never mistake for anyone else’s. A shiver of want crawled up her spine, making her mouth go dry and her body feel like there was an inferno in her soul, even as the song reached its ringing climax. She had already been Sunset’s best friend, her girlfriend, her confidant…but right then, it was like she could feel Sunset’s very soul calling to hers, begging her for more, and all Twilight could think and feel and focus on was Sunset Shimmer, and how much she needed her.

Sorry about the delay. Its...been a rough 10 days here. My sleep schedule is hard fucked, I'm exhausted, and I hurt everywhere. Good news though is that Mum's surgery went okay, despite it being more difficult and extensive than anticipated. The downside is that she has to spend several weeks in a rehab place until the bone heals up around the new parts in her leg, which means lots of me going back and forth most days. Bleh.

Regardless, here's the next chapter in the ongoing fluff saga that is the girls on a date...

Including the final appearance of everyone's favorite Sunset song that I've ALSO been hinting at since like...chapter 40. >.> All those times she was noodling with a song? Or I referenced her songwriting notebook? Yup. My Past Is Not Today.

Figured having it here was a lot more impactful than Sunny singing on a rooftop in the dark. >.> Besides, I didn't spend 5 years playing a bardic mage (who was secretly a demon in disguise) in World of Warcraft to never make use of some of the weird ways music and magic can be put together ever again. After all, Jem and the Holograms taught me that "Music is Magic"...and well, Harmony has multiple definitions, the two biggest of which are: A balanced whole, and a blending of different elements in music to create a pleasing set of chords/chord progression. (Just because I cant play an instrument doesn't mean I forgot everything from chorus in middle school.)

A bit of a touch on Twilight's memory here...Twilight has that eidetic/photographic memory quirk...but there's an added element to it. See, memory is this weird thing. Its not just a sequence of events or images played back in order like a recording. Its five different external senses, your perspective, your emotions, and your thoughts, all blended together. Its why memories make us feel things, even years later. Its why a single sense...the smell of a specific food or a song or person's voice or the sight of a location can cause us to remember.

And Twilight's memory is near perfect.

Which means, when memories are triggered for her, she's not got that hazy edge to them that most people get. Hers are clear. Precise. A perfect recording of the events and all the data inputs.

She remembers something, and its like she's in that moment again. Not just sights and sounds and smells...but her emotions. Her feelings. Her thoughts. All of it. Her memories dont fade. They dont dull. They never obtain that weird tarnish of nostalgia that blurs the edges.

So yeah.

Hehe.

Lessee...

Looking into getting a piece of art done for the story by the same wonderful artists that did the cover. It'll be...of the NSFW variety, but I had to. The scene in question has been living in by brain since I rewrote the chapter with the steamy dream sequence of Sunset and Twilight in the library.

The plushie is not a parakeet, but I figured a tiny Owl that looks like the one pony Twilight acquired as a library helper was acceptable.

...and yes, this whole chapter was just an excuse to write the girls doing silly date things.

The title was originally written "Carnival" but I realized it didn't convey the right pronunciation I intended, so I swapped it for the Italian version, which is much closer to the intended "Car-knee-val" than the standard "Car-ni-val"...an important distinction since the latter is just some kind of faire/festival, while the first is akin to "Mardi Gras", or a riotous festival of color and a lack of inhibitions that religion likes to impose on people's lives because how dare you do things that are enjoyable?--and if that doesn't sum up the queer experience in western culture, I don't know what does.

Anyway...See you next week! Hope everyone enjoys the chapter!