‘As if I'd accompany you anywhere.’
Isn’t that what she’d said to herself just a week ago? Adagio settled into a half-smile as she followed her usual route, Sunset Shimmer walking to the left beside her. She glanced sideways at Sunset and saw her admiring the colorful view of autumn leaves on the low foothills nearby.
Hmph. Who would have thought?
She shook her head, and her smile broadened. A light breeze rustled the girls' hair now and then as the midday sun did its best to hold back the chill in the air.
“Hmm.” Sunset broke the silence with the first words spoken since leaving the house. “What’s on your mind?”
“Contrasting,” Adagio replied after a few moments. “Here I am now, walking with you. Feeling thankful and, for the first time in my very long memory, genuinely happy… I think.” She sighed briefly. “Yet just a week ago today I was walking this same path while Aria and Sonata were out with you and the others. Feeling… empty, and angry, and tired. And just so done with everything.”
She closed her eyes and added, “And so alone.”
Wrapping her arms around herself, she shrugged. “But then, that was how I wanted it. Even after all our years together, I still had no respect for those two. And then after what happened at the school, the thought of even standing this close to any of you, let alone talking about your rainbow-friendship bullshit was just… No.”
Adagio's expression hardened as she gripped her arms tighter. “I had to maintain my resolve. I wouldn’t let any of you have the satisfaction of seeing me break. No one deserved to get close to me.” She shook her head with a mocking laugh. “That all seems so ridiculous now,” she said softly. “What had any of it accomplished?”
“Believe it or not, I know the feeling.” Sunset looked down at the sidewalk passing by under their feet. “During my years back in Equestria, I was the greatest magical prodigy the realm had seen in generations,” she said with a flourish. “Or at least… in my own mind I was. Maybe in reality even. I mean, of all unicorns, the princess had chosen me. Course we can see now how irrelevant that was—” she gestured toward herself and then spread her arms “—considering where I ended up.”
Adagio smiled at her with a chuckle.
Looking forward again, Sunset continued. “But it also meant I was no stranger to pride. For as long as I could remember, I felt like I owed it to myself to accomplish everything on my own. No one was good enough to stand next to me… let alone support me.” Her eyes went unfocused and she added, “No one except her. Except Celestia.”
She took a breath and closed her eyes. “She was my everything. I saw her as my mother, my teacher, my only friend. Yet with all my ambition, I also saw her as my greatest rival.”
Sunset turned to look up at the sky. “And all along, I was blind to the most important lesson she'd been trying to teach me. That I couldn’t do everything on my own, that I was never meant to.” She met Adagio’s eyes. “No one is ever meant to.”
Adagio looked forward again and ran both hands along her scarf. “I think I know what you mean now. I really do.”
Sunset crossed her arms and let out a long breath. “It wasn’t until I saw how quickly Twilight reunited the others, and then being struck by that light, that I finally realized what Celestia wanted me so badly to learn.” She lowered her eyes with a sigh. “But by then it was too late to fix the damage I’d done. And I don’t think I’ll ever be able to, where she’s concerned.”
“I suppose that doesn’t surprise me, the pride thing,” Adagio said, nudging a twig off the sidewalk with her boot mid-step. “It occurred to me earlier this morning that… even with all our differences in age and experience, we seem to have a lot in common.”
After a few moments’ pause, she went on, “Yet one thing puzzles me. At the table earlier, and again just now, you mentioned that ‘light’. You seemed to imply just now that it… healed you somehow, as if instantly.”
Sunset nodded. “Before I even climbed out of the crater it left me in, I had this flood of clarity. It was so many different things all at once that I just broke down. Shame. Humiliation. This heavy regret. But also this feeling of release and freedom. It took me almost an hour to make sense of it all.”
Adagio shook her head. “It wasn’t like that for us. Not at all.” The memory of that instant and the sharp anguish that accompanied it flooded through her again. She held herself tightly and shivered.
“It broke us. It shattered us. After our attempt to keep going and being run off the stage, all we had left was this empty… hopelessness. Like everything we were was ripped away, with nothing to fill that hole. And then all the yelling and the arguing and the blame. That week that followed was probably the lowest point in my memory.”
“Yeah, I don’t get it,” Sunset said, narrowing her eyes with a shake of her head. “From my talks with Twilight, it was my understanding that the magic is supposed bring good things, not this emptiness you’ve all described. I mean, Aria told me once that she’d even thought about…”
“Yeah.” Adagio lowered her head, feeling her jaw tense at the memory. “She wasn’t alone.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Sunset lift a hand, as if to offer a touch of comfort. But then, biting her lower lip, she pulled it back and let out the breath she was holding. Adagio found herself surprised at the thought that she’d have welcomed the touch and frowned slightly.
Am I really so intimidating still?
Sunset ran the hand through her hair and then lightly bit her thumb, her expression twisted in thought. “It just doesn’t make any sense.”
The two walked in silence for a few minutes before Sunset stopped suddenly with an “Oh!”
“Hm?” Adagio turned to see the wide-eyed look on Sunset’s face.
“Discord.”
“Ugh…” Adagio shivered slightly and gripped her arms tighter. “What about him?” Why did you have to go and dig that up? Refusing to let the memory take hold, she buried it again quickly.
“That’s right,” Sunset pondered. “Maybe it was after you were sent here. You three had it bad when the Elements struck you, sure. But they went even further with Discord back then. When Celestia and Luna confronted him, the Elements turned him to stone on the spot.”
“So it’s not all happy rainbow magic after all.”
“No. Well… maybe yes, actually. This has me thinking about how it actually works. Being the Elements of Harmony, it would follow that their magic is the opposite of chaos and discord. So in a case like mine, the ‘yuck’ that the magic stripped off was just all the baggage I’d put onto myself. Under all that was still the real me.” She closed her eyes and rubbed the back of one hand with her other. “The part of me that sort of knew I was making a big mistake. And maybe there was still a bit of that light Celestia saw in me when I was little… before I lost sight of what was really important.”
Huh… Adagio recalled her experience in the hallway the night before. Even after everything the magic had stripped away, that small spark of warmth still remained. Had it really been there all along, just waiting to be discovered? She narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms. I think she’s actually… onto something here. “But in our case, our old magic was rooted in causing chaos and strife. It wasn’t just some vice we’d picked up. It had been everything we were over all those hundreds of years.”
“Right. The Elements saw no way to purge Discord of, well, discord. So the whole stone thing was a last resort.” Bringing a hand to her chin, Sunset went on, “But with you guys, the magic must have realized there was something in you worth saving.”
“I guess that'd explain the difference in how it’s been for us. Like you said, in your case, it was right there waiting for you. But it took us—” she lowered her head “—me especially—such a long time to find it, since I never even noticed it, let alone gave it any chance to grow. And something you said earlier is important too, I think.” Adagio looked back up at Sunset. “You talked about ‘clarity’, and ‘regret’ and ‘release’. I did end up feeling all of those things, and in the same sudden way you did.
"But it wasn’t until just last night. And there was something buried there. The best way I can describe it is this tiny spark of light. But it was only with Aria’s and Sonata’s help that I even realized it was there. And then, what they shared with me… It was able to grow and help me find my voice.”
“Friendship,” Sunset stated with a knowing smile. “That’s what they did for you.”
“Hmm. I suppose they did.” Adagio gave a soft hmph, and a feeling of warmth began to take hold. “This is what it feels like. And I’m only here now because they had it in their hearts to forgive me… and open my eyes to what I was missing.”
“Just like the girls and I did for them,” Sunset said softly. “And like the five of them did for me last year.”
Adagio returned Sunset’s smile and then looked around for a while at the autumn landscape, holding on as best she could to that warmth. Perhaps this was all worth it, even with everything they’d lost.
After strolling in silence for a minute, she said, “That puts something into perspective, actually. Your darkness may have only been skin-deep, but you had them. And they were already in that better place and ready to help you. But the three of us were all stuck in our hole without anyone to pull us out. Not until Sonata got up the courage to go and take that first step.”
“So in the end, maybe the magic did do you good after all…” With no hesitation this time, Sunset rubbed gently on Adagio’s shoulder. “I’m just sorry you had to go through everything you did to finally get here.”
There it was, Adagio noted. That touch. It was such a simple thing, but for some reason it meant so much. A gesture of genuine caring affection from one friend to another. That Sunset was concerned and comfortable enough to extend that to her felt like a big step forward. She closed her eyes for a few moments and took a deep breath.
But then, Ugh. Why am I making such a big deal out of this?
Perhaps because not even with Aria and Sonata had she shared anything like this until just last night. The three of them had been inseparable for centuries, but it was little more than an arrangement of necessity. But then that light from the Elements—it really did change everything. Without really understanding why, Adagio had begun to experience feelings of hurt and abandonment whenever Sonata and Aria chose the others’ company over hers. She kept telling herself that she was so much stronger and more intelligent than them—that they were the ones who needed her.
She hadn’t realized it at the time, but it was becoming clearer now. Some deep part of her truly valued and needed their companionship. And lately, it was more like that part of her needed their friendship. And now, here was someone outside of their circle who was willing to share that with her as well.
Sunset’s voice brought Adagio back from her thoughts. “It may be too soon, so you don’t have to answer this, but… After everything that’s happened, do you… miss what you used to be? I mean, compared to you I’ve only lived a short time. But this seems like such a sudden change after so long that it’d be hard for you to just… flip a switch, so to speak.”
After a long sigh, Adagio answered, “I don’t know yet.” She turned away from Sunset. “I want to say I don’t miss it. This feels good. But I can’t imagine from here on it’ll just be everyone holding hands and hugging. It’s going to be hard to forget. And should I want to forget?”
She folded her arms and looked back to Sunset. “Should I feel wrong just abandoning everything I’ve been for hundreds of years?”
Sunset bit her lip and was quiet for a moment. “Well… is there anything left from that old life you’d want to hold on to?”
Well, the power, of course. It had made life so easy with everyone around her being under her complete control. Though in the end, it was the adoration that Adagio craved, and the power was mostly just a means to that end. But then, what was the point? None of it was ever true adoration. She frowned at the reminder of her visions from the bedroom mirror.
Now that you’re under our spell.
Indeed.
And then there was the minor detail of losing their immortality, she recalled sharply. But as with earlier, she pushed that worry aside for now. Today was about focusing on this new brighter outlook. Adagio let out a breath and her shoulders slumped.
“No, I suppose not. Not after last night.”
She crossed her arms again. “After the magic broke us, I was resentful, sure. Actually, that’s not even the half of it.” She came to a stop and closed her eyes. “I hated you. With every part of me, I hated all of you. All that rage and bitterness. And then the despair…”
Adagio could feel the cold of the last few months beginning to seep back into her emotions, threatening to snuff out her struggling flame of contentment. No. I’m stronger than this. I’ve put all of that behind me. I really want to be happy now.
She turned her thoughts to Sunset, standing right there beside her. And I’m not alone any more.
“I feel good today. I really do. This still isn't easy, but… it’s getting better.”
Sunset smiled warmly. “I’m happy to hear—” The ringtone on her phone interrupted her. “Oh…” She quickly checked the number. “Sorry. You don’t mind?”
Adagio returned the smile and shook her head. Sunset took to pacing in a small area as she answered the call.
“Hi, Rarity. What’s up?”
Adagio heard a few of the elevated bits of Rarity’s exasperated speech. “Sunset! … MUST … others wouldn’t understand.”
“Shhh, it’s alright. Just breathe. Now who is this? Trend-who?”
“WHAT!? How could you not…” The buzz on the phone went on for about half a minute, but Adagio couldn’t make out much. She wasn’t really trying to though, as she was much more interested in simply watching Sunset, and how she was handling the situation.
“Sorry… I guess I’m just not caught up that stuff. Still learning about all your interests and such. Just take a deep breath. What can I do to help?”
The muffled voice continued for a few sentences before Sunset squinted her eyes and flinched at “—Applejack! APPLEJACK!” Lowering again to a bearable level, the voice hummed for another minute or two.
“I see…” Sunset stood biting her thumb again for a few moments before answering. “Look… Rarity. You’re a strong and talented person. I only wish I had the same kind of style and inspiration you carry around with you. It sounds like he means a lot to you, but think about a few months from now—or a few years from now. How happy would you be forcing yourself to live like something you’re not for all that time?”
There was some brief chatter in response, followed by a loud sniffle.
“I just know there are so many guys out there who would worship the thought of having someone as classy and talented as you in their life. Don’t change yourself. It’s not fair to you, and it wouldn’t be fair to him, either. You just have so much to offer. And I wouldn’t want to see you throw that away.”
After another half-minute of listening, Sunset responded, “You’re welcome. If you want get something to eat tonight, we can hit that place you mentioned earlier this week. … Yeah. … Sure, I’ll call you later. But please, talk to Applejack. It’s not worth letting this interfere with your friendship either. … You too, take care.”
Sunset pressed the button and turned back to Adagio with a quick, “Sorry, I—” but then stopped, likely due to the big half-grin Adagio was giving her. With a warm laugh she asked, “What?”
“You, just now,” Adagio replied. “And I can’t believe this word’s about to come out of my mouth, but that was… heartwarming to see. You did a good thing for her.”
“Oh I dunno, it’s just… that’s what friends do.” Sunset shrugged. Setting off walking again, she went on, “She was having a hard time, and I guess I just knew what to say. Though you noticed something I suppose I do take for granted now—something that was actually a really big deal to me all those months ago.”
She nudged Adagio gently with her shoulder. “Friends support each other. Over time it just becomes second nature, I guess.” After a brief pause, she added, “And then hearing the change in her voice and feelings between when she called and when we hung up really made me feel good. I guess it’s that… giving, or helping someone without expecting anything in return. It’s almost like the way it makes you feel afterward is what you get in return.”
Adagio gave a short laugh and shook her head. “Again, something that’s never even crossed my mind. But seeing it now, I think I understand what you mean.” The feeling of warmth again began to sprout, and she resolved to do something nice for Sonata and Aria later in the week. Exactly what, she wasn’t sure yet, as it would take some thought to really make it special. They deserved that.
The two of them had been walking for some time now, and the main street strip of shops downtown was only a few blocks away. Sunset asked, “Wanna get some coffee? We’ve walked this far. Might as well, right?”
A sudden heaviness settled into Adagio’s stomach. She recalled the nature of the trips she’d made into town over the last few months. All had been simple missions of necessity. Get to the store. Get what was needed. Get home. She’d made certain to avoid the social hangouts after everything that had happened.
So when her thoughts returned to Sunset's question, they brought with them a measure of that old worry. But then... Oh well. One step at a time, right? She forced a smile and in a soft tone replied, “Sounds great, sure.”
Another minute brought them to the door of the local coffeehouse, and Sunset opened it for Adagio to step through.
“Actually…” Adagio said. “Do you mind if I wait out here? I wanted to try. But I’m just not ready to face everyone in there yet.” Sunset nodded in reply. And in that moment, the look she shared with Adagio spoke volumes. On the surface, it was as simple as, ‘I understand.’ But layered within, Adagio saw strained memories of the very things she herself was feeling right then and there. You… get it, don’t you? You really do. She blinked twice and lowered her head, that revelation still spinning in her mind as she forced a breath. “Just a… small mocha. And… thanks.”
She felt a soft hand rest on her shoulder, followed by the gentle brush of a thumb. The door then whisked shut with hardly a sound as Sunset stepped inside. Adagio leaned her back against the wall between the doorway and the large front window, crossed her arms and closed her eyes. She wanted so badly to avoid conflict today. Not out of wounded pride or depression as in prior months but simply to hold on to this warmth that was beginning to take root.
So… Aria and Sonata, she thought. What could she do for them as a gesture of gratitude? Money was no object, of course. But at this point, Adagio realized that the cost or size of the gesture wasn’t important; it was the heart and meaning behind it. And while nothing could match what they did for her last night and this morning, it brightened her spirit and brought a smile to her face to think that—
“Well you’ve got a lot of nerve.” A female voice to her right startled her, and she turned to see a trio who appeared to be roughly her same physical age. Adagio didn’t recognize any of them but could wager exactly where they’d seen her before.
“Hiding out for a few months isn’t gonna make everyone forget what you did to us.”
Lowering her eyes again, her spirit sinking, Adagio said softly, “I know, I… wouldn’t expect it to. But these last few months have given me a lot of time to think. Look, I’m not here to cause trouble. I really am sorry.”
“Yeah, well I’m not.”
Adagio could only watch numbly as her assailant flicked the lid off her drink. As it spun end-over-end toward the sidewalk, she caught a glimpse of the steaming brown liquid inside the cup.
Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.
She pressed her eyes closed and slunk further into the wall, bracing for the scald and mourning the loss of one of her favorite outfits.
But then—nothing.
She heard the sound of footsteps shuffling off and opened one eye to see the three of them walking away. She then turned to her left and was taken aback at the sight of a shockingly intimidating Sunset Shimmer.
Sunset’s stance and expression softened as she continued to watch them leave. “I saw what was going down through the window. I know them. That one with the drink thinks she’s tough. So I had to dedicate some ‘special attention’ to keeping her in line a few years ago.”
She offered Adagio her coffee with a smug grin. “Looks like she still hasn’t forgotten.”
Adagio responded with a sly smile of her own. My, my. You’re full of surprises, aren’t you? She’d heard the stories, but witnessing it firsthand was another thing entirely—and without even a spoken word. And defending her. After everything at the school.
“You really were quite the alpha-bitch back then, weren’t you?” she nudged playfully.
“Yeah.” Sunset laughed. She took a sip of her own coffee. “Something else I guess you’re no stranger to.”
“Hmm, quite.” Adagio chuckled in return and gestured toward the path back home. “Shall we?” Pausing, she bit her lip with a half-sided smile and observed Sunset from behind for a moment before joining her. You’re an intriguing one indeed.
So this is it? It's a good end, I say.
5433553 Aww! I wanted to do that!
Why it's already the end :(
Good chapter and good story, though.
Hey, just wanted to say that you've really improved with your writing. This chapter didn't really have the same problem as the last had in my eyes. It did have a lot of heavy talk but it was broken up very well with light-hearted comments and other going-ons. I really have enjoyed this story of yours and do look forward to seeing if you will do another chapter. The only trouble though would be if this continues on beyond another chapter or two. Something is going to have to fall around here. Stories are only as good as their conflict. With Adagio's existential crisis relatively sorted, we're in the market for a new antagonist. If you wanted you have the capacity to wrap this story up with maybe one more chapter, or even calling this the end. Or you can make this the end of the first arch. The next centering around something new.
That's of course up to you o' glorious author. Whatever you decide I'll be here to read it shouting encouragement.
Edit: Make note of story complete status before inserting foot into mouth.
Sad to see the story end, but it did end appropriately to wrap things up.
Aw man. The editor didn't grab first comment? This is what I get for running off and watching a movie.
I said this all the way back when I was looking over chapter 1: Quite the fitting end.
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The number of times that's gotten stuck in my head while checking the page here.
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Thanks. Wraps up what I wanted to cover with this one. We'll see where things go from here, eh? ;)
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I agreed with your advice on the last one and kept it in mind. So that means a lot, thanks. And worthwhile thoughts on the chapter concepts, just generally speaking. ;)
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Thanks again. And for others' reference, I had that last line to the story penned before work finished on chapter two. I really wanted that throwback to how Adagio ended chapter one.
A great ending to a good story. Well done.
That was a great end to a great story. I really wish I could favorite and thumb up again but I can't... Oh well. It was still a really good heart warming story. I really liked hoe Sunset's and Adagio's walk went. Sunset really is the best person/pony to help the Dazzlings out like this. I have to say I really liked how you portrayed Aria and Sonata as well in the story even if it was a little dark at moments. Anyways I really enjoyed this story .
5434011 I'm sorry It was just right there, y'know?
Anyways, great story, OP! I haven't been following this long, but for the time I've known it I've been curious about how it all would end, and you did marvelous!
An absolutely amazing end to an absolutely beautiful piece of work... though I'm very sorry to see it end it was very well done.
Here's hoping you continue this in another story (if you don't, that's fine, I'm just saying) ^^
outside of their circle.
edit: the end? uh. i feel sad.
well, no story can go on forever, and i really don't think anything could make this more complete.
so... thanks for writing this.
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Thanks for the correction. And I did add that "of" after Csquared did his edit pass, so mah-bad there.
Will fix it.
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I blame Jondor
A very well done ending! I love your story from start to finish, I couldn't stop reading. Asides from the story being amazing, your grammar was great and your description of Adagio's emotions was just plain awesome. Thank you for sharing this story with us and I'm looking forward to more of your work!
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Thanks for positive feedback. I do have a few other ideas that I want to explore, but we'll see what comes out of the thoughts. One particular thing is an actual fic for that Twilight/Sunset "Messenger" artwork. Actually, my whole presence on fimfic here came as a result of making that art piece, so it'd kinda be a full-circle.
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Thanks as well. After everything, Aria sure loves her Sonata. (I so ship this, yes, just not directly in this story. ;). Still though, I can't help but wonder if adding that 'troubled' aspect of their past in chapter 3 garnered a couple of those downvotes, but it's the story I wanted to tell.
If there is one thing I'd really like to comment on besides how fantastic this story was, do you know what it would be ?
The fact that there is that very subtle Sonaria ship (which I find completely legitimate and real in this setting) and the beginnings of a possible SunsetxAdagio ship with their conversation at the end... Let's call it Sunagio for now...
Don't get me wrong, Sunlight and Sunata will be my top ships, but...Sunagio...will always be very close, and in no small part thanks to this work of yours.
I would love to say that I'd wish you'd make a sequel, but with where this ended off? Can't really see more to add. My only real thoughts are on everyone else's reactions to Adagio opening up as well. But that's another tale for another time, or for my imagination to contact for my own liking. Either way, it was an immense pleasure reading this and I wish you all of the best Skycatcher
Guess even she's terrified of Discord.
I really like how you're portraying Adagio, it shows that like with Sunset, people don't forgive and forget as easily as ponies do.
Not all the things was revealed, tho. Especially about their eternities. The most obvious that comes in my mind - they will lose their beauty but I'm sure there are much more "pitfalls" about that.
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[ego intensifies]
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You people and your shipping goggles. What a bunch of crock.
...Too far? Yeah, probably.
Okay, let's try this again.
For this story, shipping has absolutely no place. It doesn't fit with the tone of the story. It doesn't fit with the message of the story. It doesn't fit with the relationships presented in the story. In fact, to attribute the relationships presented in the story to shipping lessens the impact and the value of those relationships.
See, this story was all about Adagio's growth in learning to appreciate the values of friendship. The fourth chapter here did a pretty great job of exploring how much she's learned, and how much she still has to go. She's going through the basics of learning how to be a friend, and just how in-depth a friendship can be. She's perhaps even gained a close friend in Sunset Shimmer. It was a pretty beautiful thing to witness their hug as it demonstrated just how much Adagio has learned.
However, as I mentioned before, attributing that closeness to "shipping" or "romantic attraction" belittles every message the story is trying to send about friendship and just how important it really is. It flies in the face of saying the characters are that close simply because they're good friends who've recently shared a lot together. It takes the value of their long walk and conversation and completely destroys it. It says, "These characters didn't really bond. They just feel romantically attracted to each other. That's why they're so close."
So to say that there was subtle shipping in this story is to say that all of Sunset's efforts were for naught. That they were thwarted by some dumb romantic attraction. And since Sonata and Aria went through a similar process to Adagio, any shipping on their end is also entirely out of place in this story.
So while I really do appreciate the fact that you've enjoyed this story, I don't appreciate the shipping stuff. It just seems pretty insulting to what the story was trying to do.
While going over this last chapter, I may or may not have promised Sky that I'd murder anyone who tried to bring up shipping in the comments. Apologies, but a promise is a promise :P
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C makes some good points on the message here, even it a bit harshly through his anti-shipping goggles (couldn't resist ;). But I will note that I'm also a big fan of those two pairings (especially SunDagio), so I'm ok with folks reading into that, and your post gave me a little smile, Davester. Though for the sake of this specific story, the goal really was to illustrate that bonding on the friendship experience level, hence the absence of a [Romance] tag.
Anything that might lead into shippy waters would, I think, come much farther down the line after this foundation of friendship.
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I can't believe I agreed to edit for such a monster. I must have been insane.
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To C, I completely apologize if I ruffled some feathers there. I completely respect your view on things and honestly wish I could dial back my goggles settings a bit. Sometimes I jump to shipping a little TOO quick. I understand that the point of the story was more to bring out the best in the characters and give them all a chance at redemption. Doesn't mean my goggles won't fall into place while I read though. I'm a little bit of a romantic when it comes to character development or second chance stories.
As for Sky, I'm very glad that I brought you a smile in regards to my previous comment. I really do hope that whatever stories you happen to bring out keep going with the same strength as this story did and has.
To both of you though, keep rocking it. And all the best.
Also I feel I should quickly add, because I reread the last part of C's comment, that I unfortunately didn't really go into details on my view of their relationships. I meant to say that it was because of the bonding they had over the redemption and meeting the Rainbooms that they may have developed feelings for each other beyond "sisterly" or associates. A glaring error on my part, but originally commented on mostly because of the whole squealing and tickling thing in one of the later chapters. Again, my apologizes for the lack of detail on how I saw it. Doesn't mean everyone will see it that way, of course.
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Don't worry. All mentions of shipping as a positive thing thoroughly rustle my jimbobs. It's nothing personal.
Just remember this: Friendship is the only ship worth sailing on.
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Now this I can completely agree on.
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Oh hey, an edit.
I’ve recently begun having a number of tickle fights with my little sister. Clearly it’s because there’s romantic attraction.
Shipping goggles: Not even once.
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Granted, that waaaasss one of those lines I put in there as a "draw your own conclusions."
Like I said, can't resist with bits of that here and there. ;) Hence, fair-enough on both fronts.
I also want to close this story on a happy picture to contrast with how low Adagio is feeling in the cover art. So here's a scene around Christmas time, a few months after the events here. =) I don't think it's much of a spoiler, given the chapter titles and what they imply. But still, no pressure to click until finished reading.
th08.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2014/343/0/7/harmonizing_by_skycatcherequestria-d88z8nu.png
A lot of you have probably already seen this on dA, but I'd like to have it here too.
http://skycatcherequestria.deviantart.com/art/Harmonizing-498810522
Now that the story is over, it kind of makes me wish that there was a sequel or even a prequel to it. i really don't want this to end. XD
seriously though, i really enjoyed this story.
best of luck on whatever you decide to work on in the future, and take your time. we all have our priorities in life. :)
This was very heart-warmy, much feels!
Also, the theories on how the Elements operate seemed pretty well thought-out, I'm sure that somewhere, Twilight smiles! (or furiously jots down notes)
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tfw I get this notification popup as I'm reading your "Chill in the Air" ;)
Edit: and thanks. One of a handful of ideas that prompted me to write this was that bit about the EoH. My first thought was just dumping the ideas into a deviantart journal entry, but then decided it'd be a good reason to try my hand at fiction and really make something of it.
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It took her a while to get there, but I'd say she's happy with the way things turned out in the end.
This story screams crowning moment of heart-warming.
This is very sweet. I'm sad to see it end so soon.
I liked the discussion about the EoH. Especially considering Sunset, being a former student of magic, would be the type to speculate on such things. Same for the bit in the cafe -- it's a good demonstration that she has a past and complexity beyond merely being "the redeemed one."
And it's nice to see some muddying the waters -- Adagio's good mood isn't self-sustaining all the way through.
Criticisms? Well, sort of. You shouldn't take this as a "you're failing on these counts", but just some thoughts on what you're doing and what you could do instead.
First, you've devoted most of the narrative to Adagio thinking about how she feels and everyone talking about how they all feel, and comparatively little to demonstrations of the same. Consider, though, that those demonstrations -- the final decision, and ESPECIALLY the sirens singing together -- tend to be the most emotionally powerful parts of the narrative.
Second, the emotional tone of the story is pretty simple. It's very nearly a step function -- we go from angry and miserable to humble and optimistic. Not totally, no -- what I said above about muddying the water is still true, but apart from that there aren't many complexities.
Again, not failings. But maybe something to think about if you feel like writing more. And you totally should write more, because this was a lovely story.
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Thanks for the feedback--both the thumbs-up parts and the critique as well. Especially the bit about being too heavy on the narrative is something that crossed my mind more than once - both Adagio here and also some of Aria's parts in 2 and 3. I enjoyed finally getting Sunset into the picture here as well.
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Thanks as well. I really wanted to explore the thought of Adagio eventually getting to a place where she can enjoy a legitimate warm smile, after that Machiavellian 'dreamworks' grin she has most of movie. =)
I'm really glad I decided to give this a try. You surprised me with how in-depth the study of the characters was. Each point and counterpoint was made with thought behind it. I know Adagio is technically the main character, but the focus given to each of the girls makes this feel far more interactive and organic than a typical "Day in the Life" tale. Well done!
Awesome job with the story!
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Thanks for this. I really did try to give each of the four a chance to show some certain qualities.
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Thumbs-up. Thanks as well.
5526848 Ah-ba-dee, ah-ba-dyeeee.
s6.postimg.org/dd47s96ap/Pirate_Approved.jpg
Hm... I didn't bawl nearly as much these last two chapters as I did from the first two... might've just run out of tear rations for the time being,
I really loved the way you brought the Sirens 'back together' with music; considering how central a theme it is to what they are. It's part of what makes them 'them', and to really try and redeem them any other way just doesn't pack the emotional punch that an act such as that needs.
It's like 3am here so I need to hit the sack if I wanna be in any kind of shape for work tomorrow (which is technically in.... 4 hours. F$%&), but you want to talk more headcanon shoot me a PM!
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Whenever I would re-read this chapter while writing, or the few times since finishing, this is the same spot that would trigger me as well if I was in the right state of mind for it. And then onward from there, as you said.
And this chapter really is the one that packs the 'feels punch' in my mind, moreso than the last two. So it's not just a tear-rations issue, I think. ;)
Glad you enjoyed the ride.
Exploring their relationships was interesting, no doubt.
But me, I've something different stuck in my head now.
Have you ever considered submitting this story to Equestria Daily? You can find out how to do so here.
5536367 Where did that poem come from?
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I wrote it during about ten minutes of inspiration.
Sadly this didn't really do it for me. I was pretty dissapointed with how quickly Adagio turned, the story didn't spend as much time as I would have liked with her before having her come out of her funk. That made the following chapters feel meandering and aimless with everyone just talking about their feelings and I found myself skimming through as I got bored.
Maybe I came into this story expecting the wrong things, I give the story an up rating for effort at least.
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Appreciate the feedback, thanks. And you're not the first I've heard this from. Even myself, when I had finished writing the 3rd/4th chapters, I looked back and noticed how short chapter 1 was in comparison (first attempt at writing and all, heh). Spending a bit more time developing the conflict in addition to just the resolution is something I'm planning to keep in mind with future work.
More please?
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I'd like to. Just a matter of finding the inspiration and motivation to take it further from here. =) I do have some artwork in progress right now which is a scene of Sunset and Adagio following up after Messenger.
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Okay
Thanks for your answer, im looking forward to see the art, and also more of this great fic