Twilight had almost meandered her way around the oversized room’s edges enough to get to the doors that would let her escape for a few minutes to the balcony. If her calculations were correct—and they usually were, she could get away with at least twenty minutes by herself before someone noticed she was missing and came to ‘check in on little Twilight.’ That would be enough time for her to send a response to the sweet and supportive message Sunset had found time to text her way. She just had to make it the last ten yards to the door...

“Twilight Sparkle!”

With an undignified yelp, the glasses wearing teen almost jumped right out of her skin at the voice behind her. One fist curled in front of her chest, where she could feel her racing heart through her shirt. “A-aunt Filigree...” she stuttered, turning to face the woman with pale blue-grey skin and shimmering, silver hair. “I-is something the matter?”

Beckoning imperiously, Platinum Filigree commanded, “Come over here, and let’s have a look at you, young lady. It’s been a year, more than enough time for you to grow into being a proper young woman.”

Sighing, Twilight obeyed. Her aunt—it was more like ‘distant cousin by marriage,’ but she’d been informed years ago that no one here appreciated her attempts to be accurate with her forms of address to extended relatives—was married to Uncle High Bar, heir to the ‘family fortune’ whose aging father was technically the current family patriarch, and even an imagined snub would make things uncomfortable for her parents. She joined the group of older females, feeling their eyes on her, dissecting her and mentally picking apart everything that was ‘wrong’ with her.

“Don’t make a face like that, young lady—it’ll put lines on your forehead before you turn thirty—and stand up properly! Shoulders back, chin up! No man worth his inheritance will want a young woman who scurries around like a member of the help.” Aunt Filigree made a sound of displeasure.

She could almost hear Sunset’s unladylike snort and snarky retort in her mind. Twilight bit back the snicker that she wanted to reply with, instead settling on a neutral, submissive tone to avoid challenging the woman’s authority, straightening her posture as told. “I apologize, Aunt Filigree.”

“I swear,” Great-Aunt Delicate Alabaster huffed arrogantly, “just what kind of education are your parents paying for, Twilight Sparkle? Certainly not one to help you get ahead like a proper woman of good breeding should.”

“I go to Crystal Prep Academy, Great-Aunt Alabaster,” Twilight answered in the same tone. “The highest rated and most academically intensive private high school within a hundred miles of Canterlot City.” Pride leaked into her voice. “I currently hold the distinction of the highest GPA and greatest academic standing in my entire school. If I keep that up through senior year next year, it’s practically a guarantee of a full scholarship to any university in the nation.”

“Academics?” A third woman that Twilight didn't recognize looked at her like she’d just presented them with a dead rat. “Sweet merciful heavens, child—they aren't sending you to a real school for young ladies? Are you at least taking lessons on how to present yourself in polite society?”

“This family has no need to raise ‘scholarship children,’” Great-Aunt Aurora added imperiously. “We have more than enough money in the account to pay for a proper education without resorting to such low-brow tactics.”

Summer Breeze interjected with a smile, having found a spot to join in the conversation. “Now, now...Crystal Prep is a perfectly fine environment—local for Twilight, but it is a boarding school too, and plenty of wealthy and affluent young men graduate from there, from all kinds of wonderful backgrounds. Any one of them would be fantastic material for a relationship.”

Another one of the women—Twilight thought she might be married to ‘Uncle’ North Star—muttered to her neighbor in a way that Twilight was clearly meant to overhear, “Someone really needs to put their foot down with young Night. Send her to a finishing school in Europe and be done with allowing this nonsense to continue. No girl of good breeding has any reason to be studying mathematics or the sciences!”

Twilight’s skin crawled unpleasantly. She really didn’t want to suffer through another conversation about how her love life should look. As bad as the disparaging remarks about her interest in academia and her aspirations towards being a scientist of renown could be, when they started talking about the subject of dating—which, for them was more like a cattle auction than any kind of search for love—it made her feel sick.

Especially the suggestion of her being romantically involved with anyone from her school; most of them, male and female alike, utterly despised her and treated her like something gross stuck to their shoes. Closing her eyes briefly, she drew on the affection from her actual love life to get through this, and remembered Sunset’s earlier remarks. None of this applied—she was quite happy in her current relationship, and that happiness had nothing to do with the number of zeroes in Sunset’s bank account. “Crystal Prep doesn’t exactly encourage socialization, Summer,” Twilight offered quietly. “The focus is on excellence in the curriculum, and its very competitive.”

“All the more reason for you to go to something more geared for young women. Academia is not the place to hunt for a husband or to make the kinds of social connections that can make your life easier,” Great-Aunt Alabaster informed her. “You’d be better off with some form of finishing school that would teach you how to dress better and talk correctly. You look like a spinster and sound like a librarian.”

“It's not all that bad,” Summer offered encouragingly. “Swap out the glasses for some contacts, and maybe some lessons on makeup and hair, and you’d turn quite a few heads, Twilight. You're a very pretty girl, and I’m sure you’d find someone who could make you very happy.”

Imagine that. She already had someone that made her happy, and she didn't have to fumble her way through a false pretense to get her either. Sunset liked her as is, and dressing up like some sort of rich princess would probably only make the redhead laugh. “I’ll keep that in mind, Summer Breeze,” she told the woman, in a vain effort to turn the conversation to something less stomach churning. “Glamour was kind enough to give me some very good tips on cosmetics earlier, and is going to get me information on where she purchases hers.” It wasn’t a lie, she told herself firmly. Some of what Glamour had said was tucked away in her mind, in the event that she and Sunset ever had the chance to go on an actual date date, and she wanted to look extra nice for her girlfriend.

Aunt Filagree tapped her wineglass thoughtfully with a nail. “Crystal Prep...I’d be wary of seeking a potential match there. A great many of their alumni burn out in college...barring, of course, the ones who stand to inherit.”

The teen fought the urge to roll her eyes. Her research had led to similar statistics, when she’d looked up the school a few years ago when she’d been constructing her argument for wanting to go there, but the numbers weren’t that much greater than the average. It was more than likely, she reasoned now that she had two and a half years at the school under her belt, that those who ‘burned out’ were actually the same as the ones who focused their efforts into sabotaging others rather than improving their own grades. A setting like college would mean endless fraternity parties and copious amounts of alcohol for people like that.

A frown quirked at Summer Breeze’s face. “Doesnt Crystal Prep have a nearby sister school? I think it's run by the heirs of the Solare family. I thought I’d heard about that somewhere...maybe a client?”

Twilight wasn't aware that her great aunt had the lung capacity to scoff that loudly. “That’s not a sister school—it’s a public high school that services the surrounding rural community. Those women are an utter disgrace to their family name—Stellare and Helios must be rolling over in their graves at the thought of such a...pedestrian career.”

“If you mean Canterlot High, it's also Crystal Prep’s closest rival. It’s not a private school, but it actually edges out a lot of schools in surrounding counties in terms of academic statistics. In addition, their alumni have a much lower rate than average of ‘burning out’ in college, for the ones that go on to it.” She paused, intending to stop there, but her mouth had other ideas that it failed to include her brain in. “My best friend goes there.” The words were blurted out before she could even think to stop them. Twilight fought the urge to grimace as the attention was once again focused on her.

“Associating with someone who goes to a public school? Twilight, dear girl, youre so much better than that.”

Her great aunt’s words were scathing and dismissive, and Twilight felt anger spark to life, overpowering the expression of passivity that she’d been using as a shield. Lips turned down in a scowl, and her eyes narrowed at the elderly woman, who was so fixated on this messy, confusing, and pointless concept of social status from a bygone era of classism, bigotry and sexism that she didn't even see Twilight as a person...that was something the nerdy girl was used to, but to have her dismiss Sunset as if she were nothing—likely the same attitude that was the reason that led to Sunset being alone in an apartment with no one to love her—it made something boil inside her.

Fists clenched, she raised her head and leveled her not inconsiderable intellect at the old woman. “Sunset is ten times the person you could ever hope to be. She’s intelligent, driven, and incredible in every way, and she treats me like an actual person, with a care about my thoughts and feelings and interests. You treat me like some sort of dress up doll, with utter disregard for how your words and opinions make me feel, all in some twisted attempt to perpetuate an attitude and belief system of entitlement and sexist ideology that relegates women to the role of manipulative socialites whose greatest contribution to society is her reproductive system and the social standing she affords the male who owns her. I have no interest in obsolete advice from seven decades ago, or in hearing you spew drivel about someone you’ve never met based solely on where she seeks education, and not on any factual data or direct observations. Especially in regards to someone who has been there for me more in three months than anyone in this room besides my parents have in my entire life!”

She was shaking now, from the force of her emotions, and the anxious knot in her guts was ten times worse than it had been now that the sudden anger had burned itself out. Twilight took a deep breath to stabilize herself, and turned on her heel to leave—she had to get out of there before she broke down into a panic attack. After her outburst, she was determined to not break down into a crying, catatonic mess in a room with so many people. It didn’t stop her from casting a glance at the somewhat stunned socialites as she did. The only one who didn't look offended was Summer Breeze, a small smile playing on her lips.

Pale fingers moved with skill and grace, pulling the brush through fiery hair in a motion that was sure and steady, despite the awkward position of sitting sideways on the old couch, one foot propped up on the coffee table as her toenail polish dried. "Sunset, darling,” Rarity commented, “I simply love your hair. Tell me, what do you do to make it look so fabulous?"

Sunset opened her eyes, confusion interfering with the pleasant sensation of someone else brushing through her wild mane. “Do to it? Nothing? I mean...I wash it and brush it out, but...”

Rarity continued to brush her friend's hair. "There must be something, darling. Otherwise I would have to be jealous of a friend’s wonderfully gorgeous, natural hair."

“I swear to you, Rarity, I don't do anything special—I like my sleep and I don't feel like cutting into it to spend an hour or more on my hair.” Amber fingers gripped her other elbow. “I’m not sure what you have to be jealous of.”

"Maybe she doesn't want to say because she uses that shampoo for horses?" Rainbow Dash interjected, cackling at her own joke like it was the funniest she’d ever heard.

“They sell it for humans too,” Sunset mumbled, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “I like the way it smells.” The quiet admittance from Sunset caused Rainbow to burst into another fit of raucous laughter.

The tailor sighed loudly, expressing her annoyance. "Don't pay her any mind, Sunset. She's just bored because she can't do anything until we won't notice her sneaking some nail polish for herself."

“Hey!” Rainbow protested, scowling at Rarity.

A smirk was sent the athlete’s way, before the designer softened her tone and continued taking her brush to the red and gold curls in front of her. "There isn't anything to be defensive of, you know. By human standards, you have lovely hair."

There was a long pause, as Sunset soaked in Rarity’s words. “It was...one of my better features in Equestria too,” she admitted hesitantly. “As ponies go, I’m pretty average.”

Rarity paid Dash’s continued spluttering in the background no mind as she worked her way down towards Sunset's neck and back. "I might not be the one you want to hear this from, darling, but you are quite attractive here."

That had the redhead rolling her eyes. “I’d clued in on that a while ago, since guys can't seem to keep their eyes to themselves.” If she sounded a tad huffy and annoyed, she hoped the tailor would chalk it up to Rainbow Dash’s joke.

Her friend either didn't notice, or chose not to acknowledge the huffiness of Sunset's response. Instead she placed the brush to the side and lightly gripped the back of her friend's neck. "Sunset, your neck feels like a rock. Is everything alright?"

Fingers on skin was a situation she hadn't been prepared for, and it showed in the way her muscles tightened up. The skittish, instinctive part of her back brain balked at the contact, contact she would have melted into if it had been lavender fingers and not snow white ones. “I’m fine,” she assured hurriedly, innards twisting.

This time, Rarity was not so deliberately ignorant to the redhead's tone. "Oh I doubt that very much, Sunset Shimmer. Your neck feels so tense it’s amazing you can even move it." Deft fingers attempted to massage Sunset's neck, but she gave up after a minute—the muscle knots were far too severe for her strength to counter.

“I make it work,” Sunset commented sarcastically, fighting against the urge to jerk away from the hand on her neck.

"This calls for immediate physical therapy,” Rarity murmured. "Sunset, I'm going to ask you something I hope you will say yes to." She paused for a moment, hand moving to rest on Sunset’s shoulder, the question that followed spoken in a soft and gentle tone. "Do you trust me?"

If she’d been tense before, she was rigid now, thoughts and emotions kicked up into a tempest with one question alone. Did she trust her friends? Could she put that kind of blind faith in others still? It had not always worked out well for her. Celestia’s furious visage from their last argument floated before her mind’s eye, glowering at her, and it took everything she had to control the sick feeling rising in her stomach.

Purple eyes and a softly smiling face dispelled the image of the angry mare. “....when you have friends, you trust them to help you, Sunset.”

The former unicorn expelled a ragged breath, slowly nodding her head. “Yeah...okay.”

Rarity leaned in and hugged Sunset briefly, before slipping off the couch, carefully hyperextending her toes to keep the drying polish from picking up carpet fuzz. “Just stretch out on your stomach, Sunset, and try to relax. We’ll get your neck loosened up in no time.”

Sunset watched in puzzlement as Rarity beckoned to the blonde farmer lounging in a recliner with one of Rarity’s ‘mud masks’ on her face. “Applejack, dear, I believe Sunset could use your particular skills in this area. Would you come work your magic?”

AJ joined them on the couch. “Just yer neck? ‘R ya shoulders givin’ ya fits too?”

Still not sure where this was going, the former unicorn chewed on her lip. “My shoulders are fine...and my neck doesn't really hurt...it’s just sti—ack!” A surprised sound escaped her when Applejack swung a leg over her back to brace that knee on the sofa so calloused fingers could find a grip on the back of her neck. Fear fluttered in her heart. “What are you doing?!”

“Just gimme a second...wanna make sure I get the right spots.” Those fingers probed her neck, repositioning slightly.

Sunset fought the urge to buck Applejack away from her. “That still doesn't tell me what you are do—ooooo...”

She almost went cross eyed when strong digits dug into the knotted, tight muscles of her neck, pressing firmly against points that caused a release of the tension in the tissue. She hadn't been lying when she said she didn't feel any real pain, but she hadn't realized how much tension and pressure was locked up in her neck. Sunset’s speech trailed off in a surprised sound of enjoyment and it was several moments before she could form a sentence again. “Sweet sunfire...that feels amaaaaazing...what are you doing?”

“Applejack is quite the talented masseuse when she wants to be. Do ponies not have the art of massage?”

Thoughts were hard to hold onto, but Sunset managed. “...not like this...hooves can't...ooooh..” her fingers gripped the couch cushion as a thumb pressed on a sensitive knot of flesh. “...now I know why Abyssinian massage parlors are so expensive in Equestria...hands gooooood...”

Sunset gave up on talking after that, when the sensation of a muscle uncramping in her neck triggered an incoherent sound of pleasure and utter relief to escape her throat. She was vaguely aware of Rainbow bursting into laughter and making some sort of ribald comment that made Fluttershy turn bright red and sent Pinkie into giggles, but she didn't care. It just felt too wonderful, and a part of her pondered the idea of doing this for her girlfriend, especially after a trying day or when her anxieties were high... Given how the other girl had reacted to Sunset’s lips on her neck, it could turn out to be something she would really enjoy...

The only part of the experience that continued to bother her was the feeling of being trapped, even if she knew consciously that Applejack wasn't going to hurt her. Instincts leftover from her birth form mingled with the alien ones attached to her current body, generating a strange mixture of panic and anger that seemed to only increase as Applejack’s fingers moved down and out from her neck to the space between her neck and shoulders.

Just when she thought she couldn't take it anymore, the sensation of being hemmed in disappeared, and she realized Applejack had gotten up and the neck massage was over. She scrambled off the couch, trying to keep her breathing steady against the rapid pounding of her heart. “Uh...thanks, Applejack,” she managed. “That...really helped...” Play it cool, Shimmer. No need to be a bitch about something stupid.

“Happy ta help, Sunset. Ah don't like ta see a friend in pain.” Green eyes looked her over, concern in them. “Sure yer okay? Ya look a little pale.”

She nodded jerkily. “Yeah...I just got up too fast.” The anger had melted away, but the rising sense of fear in her insides hadn't eased off at all. “I’m just going to hit the bathroom and then maybe get a drink—cider’s in the fridge, right?”

“Eyup.” A tanned hand squeezed her shoulder. “Go take a breather, Sunset, we’ll be here when you get back.”

Sunset managed to avoid fleeing outright, keeping her legs steady and her gait to a walk to avoid alarming them, but it was hard. She was nearly overcome with the urge to bolt for the nearest door and the wide open spaces beyond. What in Equestria was wrong with her? There was no cause for the feelings that were leaving her short of breath and with a heart that was racing so bad it hurt.

She made it to the bathroom and locked herself in just as the phone in her pocket vibrated. The former unicorn pulled it out with shaking hands, setting it on the counter so she could actually read the screen.

-Help-

Unreasonable, sourceless panic found an anchor in the message she received. Four letters from Twilight that had her hurriedly punching a call through to the other girl’s number, one hand flicking on the bathroom fan so she wouldn't be overheard.

The call connected, but no voice came through. Instead, Sunset heard the sound of hyperventilating breaths trying to be sobs. “Sparky,” she called, taking the firm tone almost automatically. “I’m here. I’ve got you. Focus on me, and breathe with me.” She made an effort to draw in deep, exaggerated breaths, slow and steady, like they'd done before. It had the added benefit of easing her own emotions and the effect it was having on her body, and by the time she’d gotten Twilight to the point where she didn't sound like she was choking, the unpleasant feelings had almost completely disappeared.

“You back with me, Sparky?” the redhead asked.

“...yes...I’m sorry, Sunset.” Twilight sniffled. “I tried not to interrupt your night.”

“You did exactly what I told you to do. Besides...I...needed to take a few minutes myself, so you caught me at the right time.” Sunset exhaled slowly. “Do you want to tell me what happened?”

*chortles* I want you to know that I've been looking forward to this chapter for a while, gang. I look forward to hearing what you think of it.

Poor Twilight, subjected to the attitudes of obnoxious, snooty relatives. No fun there. They are as toxic as her immediate family is kind. She let them have it though, and rightly so. Twilight Sparkle in either world does not take kindly to those who threaten her friends in any way.

Yes, Sunset uses Mane'n'Tail. It smells nice, its great for hair, and its jokingly background canon. Something about the horse-turned-human using the horse-to-human crossover product is hilarious to my nerdy brain.

In a twist, Sunset as a pony was only average in appearance, yes. There are...reasons...her human body is higher on the 'species attraction scale' than her pony one, but its complicated, mired in a bunch of world-building and spoilery shit, so... Except for her hair. Cuz in either species, that sort of natural, wavy curl is rare without deliberate styling, and hers isnt styled--unlike Rarity, who we see get 'drown rat syndrome' when she gets soaked, Sunset's hair retains the implication of curl under all kinds of conditions. So yes. Sunset has pretty hair. *pets the pretty pony*

I had other things I could say, but I forgot them, sadly. If nothing else, like I said, I'm interested in everyone's reaction/thoughts on this chapter, and I'm even more excited for the next one. :}