“So terribly sorry for the delay, girls. We just had to run some things out to the car,” Rarity explained as she and Sunset joined the rest of the group at the table in the food court of the mall.

“S’alright, Rares. Just got here mahself a few minutes ago.” Applejack tipped her hat slightly. “The extra hour worked out in mah favor. Mac needed help with the barn door—that stubborn hinge finally gave up the ghost an’ he needed an extra set of arms ta rehang the darned thing.” One tanned hand swatted Rainbow’s fingers when the athlete tried to steal some of her fries. “Hey! Get yer own!”

Dash grinned unrepentantly, and Pinkie giggled. “But Applejack,” the party planner pointed out, “don’t you know that fries stolen from a friend’s plate taste the best?”

Sunset had to hold back a laugh, resting her bag on the ground next to her chair. Fluttershy glanced down at the bag, then back at Sunset. “I thought you took all your things to Rarity’s car,” she commented quietly while Applejack continued to fend off the assault on her fries—now from two fronts, since Pinkie had joined in.

“I did,” the redhead told her honestly, “but these aren’t my things. They’re my presents for you girls...for Christmas?”

The fry war stopped, Pinkie half bouncing over to Sunset’s side of the big table they were all gathered around. “That works out great!” she cheered, “Cuz we got presents for you too, Sunset Shimmer!” She launched herself further towards Sunset in a tight and exuberant Pinkie Pie hug, which the former unicorn returned, feeling joy bubble up inside her and escaping as a heartfelt laugh.

After getting the pink ball of energy back to her seat, Sunset began handing out the gifts to each of her friends, trying to ignore the ball of nervous anxiety sitting in her gut. “I...wasn’t sure of exactly what the rules are for Christmas—it's not Hearth’s Warming, despite the similarities—so I...tried to get things I thought you guys might like.”

“I’m sure it will be fine, darling,” Rarity assured her. “There aren’t so many rules as you might think beyond ‘it's the thought that counts.’” She took the opportunity to hand out some slim packages of her own to her friends.

“Yup!” Pinkie was still bouncing with excitement, but at least she was staying in her own chair, Sunset mused. “It's all about giving gifts that will make the other person happy! Even if what makes them happy is a pair of boring old socks!” She winked conspiratorially as she pressed a heavy package into Sunset’s hands. “Psst! It's not socks!”

“That’s good,” Sunset joked. “Because I just bought socks.”

“Looks like you bought more than socks, Shimmer,” Rainbow countered, miming popping the collar on a jacket. “Badass upgrade—here. This should help you complete the look—the other one is just for fun.” She tossed two brightly wrapped packages at the redhead.

Curious, Sunset pulled the paper off the smaller present, revealing a pair of leather biker gloves. “Oh!” She pulled one on, flexing her fingers and watching the way the leather moved. “Thanks, Dash! These will keep my hands warm without risking my grip!” Then she tore into the second package...and took in the black t-shirt’s image and words with confusion that turned to amusement, looking to her friend for explanation.

The athlete just grinned wickedly. “What? It’s a grumpy unicorn shirt for our unicorn!”

Rarity and Fluttershy leaned from either side to read the shirt, and both burst into giggles. The front of the shirt had the image of a cute, somewhat cartoonish little unicorn (or what humans thought unicorns looked like) with words printed above and below its adorably scowling visage. Fluttershy peered up at Sunset. “Would you really do that with your horn?”

Snorting with amusement, she turned the shirt to show it to everyone else at the table. “Not usually,” she answered. “But in a pinch, yeah, there’s precedent for it. Horns are pretty solid and pointy. I could do damage with mine.”

There was another round of laughter, before the group of girls set to opening their assorted gifts, Sunset holding off on her own pile of packages to watch anxiously as her friends opened what she’d given them.

“Seriously?! No way, Sunset—how did you find one of these?” Rainbow waved the photo of the bike body Sunset had sitting in her loft.

“A guy I know from the junkyard—I asked him what kind of bikes they had that needed some serious TLC, and he dug that one up for me. The frame is still good, and the major components are fine, but it needs a major overhaul and a whole lot of cosmetic work done before you can hope to drive it.” The former unicorn rubbed an elbow sheepishly. “Thought maybe I could help you rebuild it.”

“That’s. So. AWESOME!” Rainbow punched a fist into the air, almost taking out Applejack’s soda in the process.

The farmer rolled her eyes and rescued her drink, before tipping her hat to Sunset. “These’re some mighty fine boots,” she acknowledged, before tapping a finger on the seed packets. “These...raise so many questions. That’s mah handwritin’, but Ah didn’ write this...that mean we’ve all got doubles in Magic Pony Land, like Principal Celestia?”

“Most people, yeah. It's...a little weird because of some temporal variations, but there's a lot of overlap.” Sunset chewed her lip.

“S’at mean there’s another Sunset Shimmer?”

The redhead looked up from the tabletop to see five pairs of eyes studying her intently. “...if there is...I’ve never found her—and I did look, when I first got here and realized there were human versions of ponies I knew. I’m not sure if she never existed or if she’s got another name, or if shes just...maybe in another country or something.” A shrugged. “I try not to think about it much, because otherwise it gets a little too deep into ‘existentialism’, if you know what I mean?” Sunset changed the subject before they could go any further, running amber fingers over the quilt that had been in the package ‘from the Apples.’ “This is beautiful.”

“‘S from all of us, me, Mac, Bloom, an’ Granny. Thought mebbe ya could use a warm blanket fer the cold season.”

The quilt was warm and soft to the touch, and when she brought it close to her face, the faint odor of apples, cinnamon and other spices tickled her nose, a bit of the Apple family home lingering in the handmade gift. “It’s wonderful—and it smells like the pies Granny Smith bakes,” she murmured. “I cant wait to put it on my bed.”

“There is something to be said about the ‘magic’ of an Apple-quilt, darling. I’ve had one for years and not only does it prove time and again to be the warmest blanket I own, but no matter how many times it's washed, it still smells like the Apple kitchen.” Rarity was running her fingers over the blank book’s cover, tracing the gems set in the cover. “This...this made like your magic journal, isn't it? Did you get this from Equestria too? Its gorgeous!”

Sunset felt the anxiety melt away as each gift was received with positive reactions. “Yeah. I thought you could use it as a design sketchbook or a fancy diary or something. It's spelled against dirt, liquids, and basic forms of damage or wear, so it should hold up.”

“It’s so light! I have paperbacks that weigh more than this! More enchantment?” The designer hefted the tome, flipping through the smooth textured pages. “And this color! Such a beautiful shade of ivory, Sunset, and without the rough grain of so many sketchpads!”

“Well...hooves aren't great for grip strength, and without opposable thumbs, heavy books are hard to manage if you aren't a unicorn, so most books are made with featherweight enchantments as part of the materials.”

Pinkie chose that moment to peer over the book. “Yours might be blank, but mine has recipes!” she crowed. “I can't wait to try some of these! Magical Pony desserts have to taste amazing and magical!”

Sunset found herself listening with half an ear to Pinkie Pie rambling about the recipes as she opened the gift from Rarity, finding a beautiful set of fancy fountain pens, one modeled to look like a quill, their holders modeled after inkwells. Blue-green eyes met the tailor’s, and Rarity winked, speaking in a whisper to her alone. “I thought you might appreciate these for when you write to Twilight or when you’re drawing those strange symbols in your notebook.”

That drew another smile from the former unicorn—human writing utensils had nothing on the feel of a good quill, but these looked like the best of both worlds. “They’re great,” she responded earnestly. “I cant wait to try them out.”

A soft sound came from her other elbow, and a green envelope entered her vision. “Um, Sunset?” Fluttershy began, ducking a flailing Pinkie hand. “Here. Merry Christmas.”

Extending an envelope of her own, Sunset took the card, opening it carefully. Inside was a cheerful Christmas card showing kittens dressed up in little Santa hats. Opening the card to read the message, Sunset found a folded piece of paper falling into her hands. Her eyes read the words she found there, Fluttershy’s neat handwriting providing an offer to help her find a pet at the animal shelter and triggering the wisp of a half forgotten memory from long ago...

“Little sun, there you are! And covered in mud...Sunset, what have you been up to?” The concerned face of the princess came down to the filly’s level. “I did ask you not to wander off...”

“But...Princess!” the mud caked foal protested. “I didn't! I was helping, like you!” Distress rose in her voice, and she could feel her tiny cargo stir weakly against her neck, shivering. “I could feel her crying, and she needed my help! She’s so cold though, Princess Celestia, and it took me so long to dig her out...can you help her?”

Ageless eyes blinked in confusion as sticky hooves caked in mud and grime from the mudslide stricken town retrieved a tiny, filthy, weakly cheeping baby avian from her back, holding it up for inspection. Instantly, golden magic encased both filly and hatchling, warmth seeping into muddy, chilled bodies. “Oh, Sunset...this is a phoenix hatchling—how did you find her?”

Worried blue-green eyes were fixed on the tiny creature whose pain and loneliness had reached out to her in a way she couldn't explain. “She was cold,” she repeated, “hurt and trapped in a dark place with no light...and I could feel her. She was sad. I dug her out...dug them all out, Princess, but I wasn't fast enough for the others.” Tiny ears drooped, one hoof reaching out towards the hatchling whose shivers were slowing as the magic heated the air around them. “She’s all alone now, and no one should be alone like that...can she stay with us?”

Sunset found herself blinking back a few tears—she hadn't thought about Philomena in years, and she wondered now what had become of the phoenix who had been the closest thing to a friend she’d had in Equestria. While the fiery avian didn't speak, she had always shared an understanding with Sunset, even if her temper led towards pranks and practical jokes instead of sabotage and revenge. The number of things the phoenix had helped her get away with was too high for her to count, but even that bond had become strained in the months before her exodus through the portal.

“Thanks, Fluttershy,” she murmured, finding herself giving her soft-spoken friend a tight hug. “Maybe we can make plans for that for after the new year?”

“That sounds wonderful, Sunset. I just know you’ll find some kind of special animal friend at the shelter! There’s so much to choose from!” The pink haired girl was all smiles as she held up the ‘gift coupon’ Sunset had given her. “And, if its not too much trouble, maybe you’d be able to help me organize a project for the local park to clean it up and put in feeders for local wildlife? There are so many wonderful creatures in the park in spring, and they bring such joy to everyone.”

Sunset’s mind was already mulling over the suggestion. “If that's the project you want me to help with, I’d be happy to, Fluttershy. I really like the park too, and I would love to see it cleaned up. I’m sure a bunch of the people at school could be convinced to help too—a lot of students use the park.”

Her gaze trailed over the rest of their group, warm and content to bask in the feelings of camaraderie. The initial buzz over the exchanged gifts had fallen off, replaced by more normal conversation as the six teens let the afternoon creep by.

Rainbow tossed her empty soda cup at a nearby trashcan, pumping a fist in victory when it went in without hitting the sides. “So...what’s everybody doing for New Years?”

Applejack leaned back in her chair. “Actually wanted ta talk about that with y’all,” she replied lazily. “We always go out ta the back forty ta the firepit and do fireworks an’ such. Rares and her sister always come, an’ last few years we’ve had Scootaloo show up too...an’ Ah was thinkin’ if any of yall were int’rested, theres always room.”

The rainbow haired soccer star stared intently at the farmer. “I just have one very important question for you, AJ. Will there be cider?”

“Both kinds, but Granny’s rules apply—no gettin’ shit faced, an’ if ya drink the hard stuff, ya stay til mornin’.”

“Sign me up for New Year’s Eve at Sweet Apple Acres then! Oooh yeeeah! Cider!” Dash was practically doing a victory dance in her chair.

“Ooooo...” Five heads turned towards Pinkie, whose summer-sky blue eyes were bright with glee. “That’s a stupendous idea! We could have a big New Years Eve Sleepover Party!”

Applejack shrugged. “Ah’m game. Granny already expected most if ya ta show anyhow. Rarity was gonna bring Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo over that afternoon so they could hang out with Bloom an’ their new friend...uh...Gabby? Think thats her name.”

“A slumber party sounds like it could be fun,” Fluttershy agreed, before making a face so unlike her it made Sunset feel more than a little concerned. “It would get me away from Zephyr for a night too—he’s becoming exasperating.”

Pinkie leaned across the table. “What about you, Sunset?”

What about her? The redhead ran her fingers through her hair. “Well, I was just going to hang out at home, maybe read a book or play a game...” That and message Sparky frequently to make up for the fact that her girlfriend was out of town for the rest of the week to spend New Years with extended family. “...but a party with friends sounds like more fun, even if I’m still not well versed in sleepovers.”

“What? Are sleepovers just not popular in Equestria?” Rainbow asked derisively. “I would've thought magical ponies would know how to have fun.”

In that moment, the table’s stained surface became very interesting while Sunset fought the blush staining her cheeks. “No...I wasn't exactly popular in Equestria. Or here. My first experience with sleepovers was while we were fighting the Sirens.”

Silence held dominion over the table for a long time, and Sunset hesitantly raised her eyes to see her friends staring at her with a myriad of expressions. “What?” she asked when she could no longer stand the quiet.

Her vision was filled with pink right before reality seemed to be hit by an earthquake...or maybe it was just Pinkie Pie, holding her by the shoulders and shaking her so vigorously that her chair almost toppled over. “First no birthday parties, and now no slumber parties?! How come we’re just finding out now?!”

“Pinkie, dear, stop shaking Sunset, before you make her sick.” Rarity frowned, brows furrowed as she looked at the redhead. “Though I am also curious why you never said anything.”

Now that her eyes weren’t rattling around in their sockets, Sunset sighed. “I thought it would have been obvious,” she replied, crossing her arms over her chest. “You were right there when I crawled out of the hole at the formal. I said as much...and it's not like I’ve hidden the fact that I’m super new to having friends at all.”

Applejack was quiet and contemplative, green eyes flicking to the others at the table before she spoke. “Guess we all just figured ya had friends back when in Equestria. Like at yer magic school.”

“Not a one,” Sunset sighed again, unable to hide the bitterness. “Most of the students hated me, either because I was better than them, or because I didn’t have a family pedigree a long as my foreleg. At least at first...since I'm sure some of them hated me later because I was a horrible bitch. And you girls know what I was like once I got here—I didn’t exactly endear myself to anyone, what with all the blackmail and intimidation and manipulative games.” She laughed, the sound filled with self-deprecation. “Everything I’ve learned about friendship came after I took a rainbow to the face.”

The table was quiet again for a while, before Rainbow blurted, “That’s messed up.” Heads turned towards the athlete, who looked rather put out. “Seriously! For a bunch of magical unicorns that apparently turn hugging out their problems into a magical weapon, they sure sound like a bunch of shitty, small minded hypocrites.” Her fist slammed into the table. “What a bunch of assholes.”

“It sounds more to me like ponies are just as human as you or I, Rainbow Dash,” Rarity pointed out gently. “Some sound horrid, but others, like Princess Twilight are not, and Sunset is proof of the complexity and layers to their minds and personalities—that despite the differences in society, culture, and species, they make mistakes and show heroism just like we do.” Dark blue eyes flitted to Sunset. “Still, darling, I wish you had clarified this all sooner...perhaps we might’ve handled things a bit differently.”

Dash scowled, mouth opening to retort with something that was likely unflattering, but Pinkie bounced put of her chair again. “We have to fix this! This New Years Sleepover is Sunset Shimmer’s first official real slumber party, and we have to make it the best ever! We’ll pull out all the stops: s’mores, party games, staying up all night, junk-food and sweets until we cant take any more, all of it! Whaddya say ladies? Are you with me?!”

The former unicorn watched in a sort of bemused shock as her friends immediately joined in with Pinkie’s enthusiasm, their voices overlapping as they all put forth ideas and suggestions for the party—even the normally quiet Fluttershy raising her volume to an audible level. It was chaos, chaos that was finally interrupted by Applejack putting two fingers in her mouth and letting put an ear piercing whistle.

“Alright, y’all...we can't make plans if no one kin hear each other. ‘Sides...might be more fun if each if we make the activities a surprise for Sunset...” The farmer grinned across the table at the redheaded teen.

“That’s a great idea, Applejack!” Pinkie’s eyes had an manic gleam to them. “Each of you can message me later with your suggestions and we can plan the party that way, and then I can call you, Sunset, with the things you need to bring! We’ll make this a super duper special surprise sleepover party!”

Looking around the table at each of her friends, Sunset began to wonder if she should be excited or afraid.

Not a lot to ramble about this week.

The "Philomena as Sunset's pet" idea is something I've seen done in several places, but the first place I actually encountered the concept was a little comic by Adge--this one here. It was a cool little headcanon idea that I played around with when first coming up with the universe for Rubicon. Granted, I'm taking it in a bit of my own direction, but yeah, that's where I first got the idea.

Hope everyone enjoyed this week's chapter! See you next week! I'm super excited for next week's chapter, because its something I've been on pins and needles waiting for...I just hope people enjoy it and what it does for the story! :}