Friendly Neighborhood Sirens

>You thought that finding a world close enough to your own would be grand.
>Not that there was nothing wrong with Equestria and all its wonders, but there were far too many creature comforts you had grown up with on Earth to have truly given them up.
>Using doorways without hunching over was a big bonus, as were the reduced abductions from the villain of the month.
>The last one was far too grabby with her claws, plus, you wound up hanging inside of a cage over a pool of lava!
>Fluttershy was the one to rake the villainess over the coals for that trick.
>Equestria has far too much excitement for your tastes.
>Twilight agreed with you and, as a result, managed to pull some strings to help you get set up in this human version of Twilight’s home.

>It's still eerie how some things are the same as on Earth, yet radically different; the muscle car you’re stepping out of looks like the ones back home, but it utilizes a weird, quiet motor you don’t understand.
>Slamming its door shut, you haul the groceries you just purchased into your hands, heading for the front door.
>One thing that didn't change all that much was the need for food and having to get it, even if the cashier at the store flirted way too much for your tastes.
>Like, you get that you're the woman in this strange world, but there's gotta be a limit.
>For a while, the female cashier was too busy giving you mooneyes to check you out!
>You had dinner to make, an-

>"Hello there handsome."
>That was behind you, turning towards the voice you see a silhouette in the dim light of the nearby park.
>Hookay, ominous throaty voice in the dark is already off to a good start.
"Hello?"
>Your voice comes out more tense than you expected.
>This is an alternative version of Equestria, so it can't be that bad, right?
>Stepping into the light, you catch sight of a figure in a hoodie and some sweats, with orange curls that are just peeking out from the hood.
>There’s a flash of red at their neck before it’s quickly tucked away, the gleam of something orange draws your eye to their breast where you can see some cheap sticker.
>Channeling your inner man, you take a step back because fuck getting shanked by some hobo.
>"Care for a hand? Those bags look awfully heavy.~"
>That voice...
>It sounds oddly familiar to you, but you can't quite place it.
>The bags in your hands are heavy though, come to think of it.
"Yeah, they are. What do you want?"

>You think you catch her muttering something about stubbornness before two more people step into the light.
>Their hips are cocked to the side, and you can just make out a slight sway in their step.
>You take another step back as more bad ends flash through your head, until your back is up against your door.
>"Listen Sugardick, we'll help you out with those heavy bags, and in return you could do us a tiny favor." The one on the left practically snarls out her words, but the one in the center elbows Snarky in the ribs, hard at that.
>"What my friend is saying, is that you look like you could use some help. We'd do it for free, but a favor wouldn't be too much to ask, would it?"
>The one on the right pipes up,  having almost skipped across the street towards you, "Hiya! I'm Sonata! Want me to get that door for you?"
>As she introduces herself, her hood falls back, and you catch sight of mischievous amethyst eyes and a long ponytail on the top of her head that bobs with the near infectious energy the girl had.
>Sonata reminds you of a lemur that was about to find a particularly tasty nut crack open, or that little shit Rainbow Dash when she was getting ready to play a prank on you.
>Despite that her earnest smile puts you at ease.
>Muggers usually don't introduce themselves to their victims, right?
>You get the feeling that this isn't normal, but maybe in Humanland it's basically common courtesy?

>The porchlight finally kicks on, damn sensor was screwy, but finally you got a better look at Sonata.
>Sonata didn’t look like a dirty hobo, some wrinkles in the hoodie, but she’s a teenager looks like, you doubt that’d she did her own laundry that often.
>Still random kids helping out strangers from the goodness of their heart?
>Especially teenagers, there’s gotta be a catch to it.
>As you mule it over in your head, you swear Sonata's eyes seem to glow, no that was the porchlight catching her eyes.
>"It wouldn't be too much trouble for us to help, would it?" she says.
>Aw, she sounds so sad about not being able to help you.
>Maybe this is the neighborhood watch or something?
>That sounds about right, the cheap sticker you’d notice on the first one was also on Sonata, you could see a cute little figure with their hand held out, under the figure was NBH.
>Ha! You were right!
>Wonder what the heck these kids did to get stuck with babysitting a street, still if they wanted to help.
"I don't see why not. Just let me get the door unlocked.”

>There’s still a tickle in the back of your mind, as if you just turned your back to a predator.
>Nah that’s because you know someone’s behind you, that’s why you feel a shiver crawl up your spine.
>Now if you could just get your groceries to stay put, you’d be able to reach your keys in your pocket.
>You nearly lose the milk as your fingertips JUST brush the edges of the key ring.
“God damn it.”
>”You want some help?”
>You freeze feeling the words caress your ear, your nerves suddenly hypersensitive as adrenaline rushes thick and heady.
>Eyes wide you tilt your head just to the side to see Sonata standing right next to you!
“Personal space much?”
>The words just slip out before you can catch them, but at the near blinding smile coming from the girl you find it hard to begrudge her.
>You frown as the thought races by, you like your personal space so why are you so chill with-
>“I can get the door for you if you want.~”
“. . .Alright. It’s in the front right pocket, gold key.”
>The fact that your arms were getting heavy with the weight and you wanted in your damn house is the only reason you’re okay with this.
>”Mm good choice in color, though I’m partial to sapphire more than gold.” Sonata says as she reaches into your pants.
>What an odd response, maybe she’s a bit simple in the he-!
>The dainty little hand easily sneaks into your pocket, sliding down into the depths as Sonata swiftly rummages into your pocket.
>That’d be fine and dandy, if the damn girl didn’t just rub your dick on the way in!
“Hey!”
>There is a faint jingle of keys as Sonata has already pulled away that impish smile spread wide across her face. “Found them!~”
>You narrow your eyes in response before nodding your head to the door.
>The other two you notice are already on your porch, Grumpy looking annoyed, Curly has her arms crossed looking impatient.

>"Tada!~ Here, you want my friends to help you put your groceries away?"
"Your friends?"
>"Yep! There's Adagio, and that’s Aria. Be careful though, Aria can be a bit of a grump!"
>Your bags are lifted up from your arms as 'Aria' shouts at Sonata, "I'll show you a grump, you little nit wit!"
>Watching as Aria runs in with your food after Sonata, you turn to Adagio.
"Bwhu, I get that you girls are part of the neighborhood watch or something, but isn't this a bit much?"
>Adagio pulls back her hood and - wow that's a lot of curls, seriously did she just stuff her hoodie with them or something?
>You notice that not all of the curls had escaped the hood, instead you can see her hair had curled around to be tucked away in her neckline.
>Was she, was she using them to improve her bust?
>She says something, but you shake your head.
"I'm sorry, what?"
>"It's no trouble to help Mister, my sisters and I were merely patrolling through. Believe it or not, Aria was the one who suggested helping you."
"That's the grumpy one, right?"
>You'd almost call the smile that crossed Adagio's face cruel, but you've seen cruelty back home, this was just ornery in your opinion. "Yes, the grumpy one. Well, we best hurry up before your food goes bad!"

>Shortly after you put away the food, you felt a touch guilty; here you were getting help from the goodness of these girls hearts, and you have what to show for it?
>An idea sparks in your head as you see Sonata and Aria sit at your table to relax while Adagio finishes putting away the last of the pantry.
>Turning to the fridge, you crack it open and grab four pudding cups that you had just bought.
>You'd intended to use these as a desert for lunch while at work, but oh well.
"Heads up!"
>The girls all perk up in time as you toss them each a pudding cup.
>Sonata flails about and nearly drops hers, while Aria merely catches the cup with a quick motion and, Adagio let's hers fall into her hands.
"Spoons are in the drawer next to the sink. Figured I owe you girls a snack if nothing else."
>"Thanks!" Sonata chirps already on the way to the sink.
>"We're quite grateful for that Mister - I'm sorry, I never got your name?" Adagio says while Aria is peels her pudding open with a hungry gleam in her eyes.
"Anon, just Anon's fine."
>"Anon then." Adagio takes one of the spoons from Sonata as she passes before taking a bite of her own pudding cup. "While we're here, was there anything else you needed help with, by chance?"
>You take a moment to enjoy the pudding cup while you think.
"Can't say that I do, aside from some chores, but you girls must already be busy. I don't want to cause any trouble for you."
>Adagio shares with you a smile then takes another bite of her treat.
>What draws your eyes is the way she's eating it.
>She slowly savors the rich creamy texture before letting the spoon slide smoothly from between her lips.
>Damn those lips look full, were they always that full?
>You realize you're staring and turn away, hastily gobbling down your pudding.

>Casting your gaze around for something else to talk about, you find Sonata staring at you with hunger in her eyes.
>Realizing you've caught her, Sonata quickly goes back to eating her dessert with vigor.
>Girl loves her sweets, you could respect.
>None of that Great Value crap, no sir, got you some premium stuff.
>Not that you recognize any of it, but it's the principle of the matter damn it!
>”I'm sure it wouldn't be that much trouble at all Anon, of course if you want to keep leaving these treats out for us afterwards.”
>You notice her gemstone glimmer in the over head light, so that’s what the red flash was from earlier.
>Now you’re sure that these girls aren’t hobos out to get you, that piece of gem would have been hocked faster than you’d blink.
“Actually,” You say slowly lowering your snack on the counter, “I did have a few things you could help me with if you wanted.”
>Adagio raises an eyebrow, face so innocent that you'd swear butter wouldn't melt in her mouth, you get the feeling she's honed in on your next words that belies her nonchalance.
“Yeah, if you girls wanted, this is provisional mind you, but if you wanted to come in from time to time to dust and spruce up the place. I have to work some longer hours at the office, so the place gets dustier than I'd like. I could pay you all if it would be too much a hassle.”

>”I wouldn't say no to money, how much you willing to pay?” Aria interjected pointing at you with her spoon. “It can't be much if they have you doing office work, let me guess secretary right?”
>Despite her blunt manner you take Aria’s question seriously, pay for all three at once would no doubt stretch your funds to the max.
>So why were you trying to hire then on as maids?
>Before your able to call off the whole idea Sonata pipes in, “Ah come on Aria, we do need to find work, but not for pay, networking remember? That's why we’re doing the whole neighborhood watch thing.”
>Ugh, networking, you hate that term, but if this place is some weird mishmash of Equestria and your own home you can’t even be a cashier if you don’t have at least SOMEONE to vouch you’re not a scumbag.
“Your doing the watch for references?”
>“Yes, we wouldn't want to pressure you into paying us, but if you'd be willing to give us a good review for our work however, while we’re doing the neighborhood watch, we’d be ever so appreciative.” Adagio says her empty sweet devoured while you were distracted by her friends.
“If your doing it for references I'd be glad to help,” Even as you say this you get a vague feeling of guilt, your taking advantage of some teens for free housekeeping essentially. “Here tell you what, if you girls are alright with it I’d give you pay for the work, won't be much but it'll be enough for what I can spare.”
>”Really!” Sonata squeals in delight sitting up from her chair sliding it back.
>Aria looks incredible smug at your declaration while Adagio looks on with concern.
>”Anon we wouldn't want to impose on you, if you can't pay us then we'll make do.”
“No no, it'll be fine, tell ya what if you up for it you can crash at my place if you need to, I mean you girls live nearby right? So long as you tell your folks where your at I think it would be fine. I know the summer around here has been said to be hotter than a bonfire at times.”

>Instantly as you say this a chill races up your back, the lizard brain shrieking in danger of predators nearby causing you to look back to Aria and Sonata.
>Aria is leaning against her stool contentment oozing from her pores, Sonata on the other hand had just finished licking the last chocolate up from her spoon.
>That was weird.
>”Thank you Anon, we greatly appreciate it, with the coming school year could we also impose on you for days that are too cold as well?”
“Oh it wouldn’t be a problem,” You answer Adagio automatically, “Just make sure to dress warm for autumn as well, there have been plenty of times when I thought I was fine only to get sick the day after because it was just cold enough.”
>”We’ll keep it in mind Anon, in the meantime we got our patrol to continue right Adagio.” Aria says pointedly glancing at the clock in your kitchen.
>Briefly a flash of irritation crosses Adagio’s face, if you hadn’t been facing her you’d have missed it, “Of course, it has been quite a treat to talk with you Anon, I hope you have a pleasant evening.”
>”Make sure to leave us some pudding when we come back!” Sonata chirps
>”Sonata do you have to always think with your gut? How you’re not a whale instead of-”
>”Girls, let’s go.” Adagio simply commands, that’s the best explanation you have at how quickly Aria shuts up face flushing at the tone.
>Like a mother duck with her ducklings the duo soon follow after Adagio, Sonata humming along and Aria looking glum for some reason.
>You’d think it’d involve Adagio shutting down her comment, but what was she going to say that was so bad?
>A person?
>A horse girl?
>Glancing at the clock you find it’s already near eleven, it’d only been nine when you finally arrived home!
>You’re used to keeping better track of time.
>As you pick up the discarded snack packs you muse to yourself, strange girls but it does make your heart warm a touch that they’re trying their best.
>You must still be getting used to having people, actual people not small dog sized ponies in your home, that’s the only reason why felt so on edge.
>Plenty of horror stories back home about stranger danger and then waking up in Mexico missing a liver or something.
>Still you do your nightly rituals and go to bed, you did have work the next day after all

>Side street of town, three girls argue with one another.
>”We had him Adagio, why the fuck did we not go for the kill?”
>Oh seas and waves grant you patience with idiots.
“Because dear sister of mine did you not notice how wary he was? How difficult it was just even doing something for him?”
>”That's why we were helping you right?” Sonata adds in sitting on top of a crate legs swinging.
”Correct Sonata,” You turn back to Aria as she grinds her teeth, “We have to be careful, you know that.”
>”Or maybe your not willing to make a move, he wasn't even a source of the Equestrian Magic, he just drenched in it. The risk would have been minor, that is, unless your losing your nerve?”
>Insubordinate little wretch!
>You move like lightning hauling Aria up and into the stone behind her with a crack of broken masonry.
“I have NOT lost my nerve, I am the one that has kept us safe through the years and when I say a mark is too dangerous,” You lean closer to the terrified girl to whisper in her ear, “What does that mean then?”
>Aria mumbles under her breath forcing you to shove her deeper into the wall.
“What was that?”
>”It means the mark is too dangerous!” Aria shouts panic making her squirm under your grip.
>Despite Aria’s struggles your grip is like iron, unyielding.
>Your point made you let the girl drop to the ground as she hisses in repressed pain.
>Sonata stretches her arms above her head nonchalance almost visible as she watches the display before her, “Now that Aria’s in time out, what’s the plan Dagi? I know you’ve always got one.”
>Even if Sonata drives you up the wall with her antics you knew there was a reason why you kept her around.
“Here’s what we’re going to do. . .”

>It’s been a week since you first met the Dazzlings, the fact they even had a group name tickled your funny bone, though you don’t quite understand how they dazzle.
>None of them had names that brought to mind of shiny gemstones for example, you’re getting off track.
>So far the girls have yet to take up your offer to spend the night during their patrols, which is understandable.
>You’re an unknown after all, new guy on the block and you’re already offering your place to stay?
>That’s enough to spring any number of warning bells in your head, the way the girls looked had you convinced they were alright, to the extent you can trust a teenager to be at least.
>You’ve seen the girls on their patrols from time to time usually passing by your place when you get off work, usually in pairs, makes you wonder why they don’t all walk together unless they were doing it in shifts.
>Still you had stuff to do on your first day off, mainly hitting the gym!
>Have to stay fit after all, all those forms that need to be moved about barely do anything for staying healthy.
>Walking to the gym you adjust your gym bag when you spot one of the girls, the blue one.
>Sony? Sona? Sonata, Sonata that’s it!

>Sonata looks to be walking in her casual clothes as you can see a simple blue purse hanging from her shoulder.
>Yet before you’re able to call out to the girl you see a figure in a hoodie sprinting at Sonata knocking her prone!
>”Oof! H-hey!”
>Your bag is already falling to the ground as you charge ahead.
>The assailant rips Sonata’s purse free before booking it down the street, damn it you can’t tell what color they are, they have gloves on!
>Leaping over Sonata you call back to her.
“Call the cops! I got him!”
>”A-Anon wait!”
>You’re already striding away legs pumping furiously as you struggle to keep up with the thief.
>They turned down an alleyway on a dime, you however skid slightly as you try to keep up.
>Feet pounding you follow down the alleyway grinning as you catch sight of a chain link fence blocking the way forward.
>You have him now.

>Of course as you think this the thief proves you wrong, he leaps atop a crate then springboards off it to a dumpster, before using the extra height to briefly run on the walls landing on the other side of the fence.
>The thief briefly pauses to glance back at you and the only thing you can make out past the mask are purple eyes that challenge you to attempt to follow.
>You might not be as agile as others, but you’re not letting this punk get away!
>Forgoing any attempt at parkour, you simply leap halfway up the fence and climb.
>The scratch of sneaker on pavement alerts you to the thief running as you crest the peak of the fence.
>You’re not going to catch him if you try to climb down.
>Oh this is going to hurt.

>This plan was stupid, this chase is stupider and Anon is the worst, even more than Sonata!
>From all appearance the human looked to be simply another pawn to subvert, but Adagio was still acting cagey about Anon.
>Bringing you here, running for your life from a man that towers over you by a good foot or more, even if you got to knock Sonata on her ass you’re having doubts that this was wise.
>Still it looks like Anon can’t tap his magic if he’s not even able to keep up with you in this pathetic body.
>”WAAAAAAAAUGH!”
>You jerk to the right, barely avoiding the barreling green missile that lands with a thud into the ground.
>Triton’s Fins, that was too close.
>How’d he even make that jump!?
>There is a grunt from the human as he starts to move.
>No time!
>You’re running again turning the corner and not stopping to look back.
>Doubling back and taking different alternative routes at least three times you finally return, soaked to the bone in sweat to the hideout.
>Pfft, hideout was being generous, it was more of a warehouse that had no one using it.
>”What’d you learn?” Adagio asks coming from the shadows.
“Normal enough to me, I didn’t feel any magic from him, at least any that was active at least.”
>”Nothing? I’d have thought. . .” Adagio murmurs to herself holding her chin in her hand before looking up at you, “How fast were you running?”
>Peeling the hoodie off you let out a sigh of relief, it’s only Adagio clearing her throat that prompts you to continue, “I dunno about half speed, I wasn’t going full out he’d never catch me if I did.”
>”Still to keep up with you, are you su- where’s Sonata’s purse?”
“I’ve got it?”
>Looking towards your hoodie you find a noticeable lack of purse.
>”Aria, where is her purse?”
“. . .That tricky son of a bastard.”

“Ow, ow, ow. . .”
>You are able to keep walking under your own power, but you think you might have sprained something bad.
>Soft impacts from the purse hanging from your shoulder helps alleviate the throbbing in your legs and arms.
>You manage to retrace your steps half way back to find Sonata, who you see was jogging up to you.
>Despite yourself you find your eyes tracking to her breasts before wrenching them up to her face.
>You're at least five years her senior, focus you idiot!
>Even if they were huge compared to any other teenager you've seen before.
>. . .
>That sounds a lot worse in your head.
>”Anon! Are you okay, I saw you take off after him and, oh your hurt.” Sonata skids to a stop before you, her eyes tracking over your body before zeroing in on your limp.
>The coquettish girl fades away as her eyes narrow and her mouth turns into a scowl as she asks, “How bad is it?”
“It’s nothing really, just rolled wrong on it when I jumped the fence.”
>You try to wave her off her concern only to be surprised as she ducks under your swinging arm to wrap it around her neck, her hand coming to rest on your hip as she takes on your weight.
>It’s hard not to admit, but a sigh of relief passes your lips as the pressure on your ankle lessens.
>”I knew it, damn it Anon, you weren’t supposed to get hurt.” Sonata says bitterly before you feel her stiffen under your arm.
“What?”
>Turning your gaze down you see her eyes are wide before the sun catches those sparkling amethysts, “You didn’t need to get hurt on my account, really it’s my own fault for not kee-”
>Sonata stops speaking for a moment, then looks between the two of you, confusion on her face that slowly turns into shock, “You got my purse back?”
“Yeah, I saw the thief with your things and,” At this point you’re forced to shrug despite the pain, “I just started running after him.”
>Sonata opens and closes her mouth a few times before a shaky laugh comes out, “I’m, wowie I don’t even know what to say to that except, thank you. Here there’s a bus stop, let me take a look at your ankle.”

>Awkwardly shuffling over onto the bench you sink down into the seat.
>Feeling your shoe being gently taken off you glance down to see Sonata holding your leg in her lap as she kneels to look over your ankle.
“Alright doctor, how bad does it look?”
>You don’t think it feels that bad, but you’ve been wrong before.
>”Looks like some swelling, a few bruises too, but it doesn’t look that bad.” Sonata says making you lean your head back in relief.
>You’re rather glad Sonata took the time to take off your shoes, it feels heavenly without it on, almost like a cool summer breeze playing o-
>Eyes snapping open you jerk your head up to see Sonata lightly blowing on your ankle.

“Sonata, what the heck are you doing?”
>”Blowing on your ankle of course.” Sonata says frankly before putting action to word with another small gust of wind.
>Despite yourself your ankle tingles with the soft caress of wind over your skin making goosebumps form.
“But, why?”
>Shrugging Sonata looks up from her work to you, “It’s something that my mother did when I got hurt it’d help me, so I figured it’d help you.”
“Wasn’t that for cuts and actually really bad for you?”
>”Not when it’s someone close to you that does it!” Sonata chirps eyes closed in a impish smile
>At your silence Sonata slowly loses her smile as she asks, “We are close right Anon?”
>Alarm races through you at the hurt tone that begins to show in Sonata’s voice.
“What? Of course! Yeah, I mean you and your sisters are always welcome at my house, I just, never really thought we were ‘that’ close.”


>You bring a hand up to slap your face, why did you say that.
“What I mean to say is-”
>You’re interrupted instead by a slim pale blue finger pressing against your lips.
>Following the arm up to its owner you see Sonata smiling at you brightly, so bright in fact you’d swear you say she was glowing.
>That’s silly however as it’s just the early morning sun doing that after all.
>”You’re adorable when you’re embarrassed.”
>You know you’re flushing red with embarrassment by now and Sonata delights in it as she laughs that choker of hers flashing in the morning light.
“Oh shut up, when is the bus suppose to get here anyway?”

>”Not too long now, are you saying you don’t enjoy my company Anon?”
>Catching the glint in her eyes you simply sulk crossing your arms.
“I’m not giving that a proper response, it’s a trap I know it is.”
>Sonata giggles before she points, “Oh the bus is coming, let’s get your shoe back on.”
“I can do it, you don’t need to help.”
>Sonata holds her hands up in the classical surrendering pose as you bend over for your shoe.
>It takes you till the bus arrives to squeeze the swollen ankle into the shoe, but you’ve no time to tie the laces.
>Good enough.

>Grabbing onto Sonata’s outstretched hand you haul yourself up and limp onto the bus.
>”Ain’t that cute, your boy get hurt on a walk?” The bus driver a middle aged woman by your guess asks Sonata.
>”Yep!”
>Hey now, that’s not true.
>Before your able to even correct her you’re lead on through the aisle to find a seat.
>You fall more than sit into the seat as you hop into it leaning against the window as Sonata sits beside you.
“What was that all about?”
>”Hmm?”
“With the bus driver, I didn't just trip for nothing you know.”
>Sonata rolls her eyes, “If I told her what really happened, do you know how long that bitch would have told me off for not doing it myself? I thought you wanted to get home fast?”
“I-”
>You pause as you thought that through, you’d forgotten the whole slight sexism that went around here.
>You could see where that would have lead, but surely it wasn’t that bad was it?
>You’re drawn out of your thoughts as you feel a hand creep into your own.
>Sonata gives you a slight smirk as she squeezes your hand, “Besides, I’m repaying the favor aren’t I? Who knows what types might take advantage of you while your like this.”
>Squinting at Sonata you slowly bring your free hand up and bop her on the head, lightly of course.
>”Hey!”
“Don’t be weird.”
>Sonata starts to let go of your hand in response, but you hold fast making her look at you in confusion.
“This, however isn’t weird.”
>Sonata’s eyes widen and you can see a blush come to her cheeks as you squeeze back with your hand.
>Suddenly those wide eyes narrow and you feel the back of neck prickle as if you were staring down a shark before Sonata giggles as she tugs on your hand to make you lean on her!
>”Good.”
“Sonata! Come on.”
>”Nope, you wanted this, besides I’m surprised you’re not more tired.”
>You tried to hide a yawn that escaped you as Sonata spoke, but she nods her head at you.
>”Like that, just rest your eyes for a minute, it’ll not be that long a drive.”
“Make more sense to stay up then, if it’s so short.”
>Before Sonata can speak you yawn again turning your head away.
“But, I can see you’re point, just make sure to wake me when we get there.”

>”Anon.”
>Shifting in your sleep you grumble before falling back into your light snooze.
>”Anooon~”
>No strange voice, sleep calls time for rest.
>”If you don’t get up I’ll have to resort to drastic means!~”
>You shan’t tempt me from the siren’s call of sleep!
>There is a long enough pause that you start to relax back into your sleep at peace once again.
>Just as you're about to fall back into the dreamland once again you feel a faint breeze run across your lips.
>You didn't leave the windo-
>Soft, smooth and with a hint of something spicy, has you snapping your eyes wide open to see brightly shining amethyst eyes boring into your own.
>”Guess the old tales are true then.” Sonata says giggling to herself before leaning back from you, leaning back into her seat the imp crosses her arms under her bust as she smirks at you.
>You hiccup, a faint spark appearing behind Sonata’s head making your eyes widen in panic.
“W-what tales are you talking about?”
>”Why just that for every prince charming there’s a princess to kiss him awake of course!” Sonata leers at you now as she wiggles her eyebrows making you sink into your seat palming your face.
“That is so dumb.”
>”Is not.”
“Is so.”
>”Is not.”
“Is so.”
>”Is not.”
“Is so!”
>”Is so!”
“Is not!”
>”Is so and you know it!”
“I swear to god, it isn’t and if you don’t stop wi-”
>Wait a minute
>The shark grin from Sonata has you narrowing your eyes at her as you point.
“Did you just bamboozle me?”
>”I sure did!” Sonata sing songs back to you looking quite proud indeed.
>Cocky little thing, isn’t she?
>You yawn stretching out before letting your fingers twist just so.
>Sonata who was watching you with a languid pose suddenly stiffened before turning her head suddenly to look behind her.
>You watch her crane her head looking back and forth before giving her a gentle poke on the shoulder.
“What you looking for?”
>”I felt, a breeze or someone breathing on me…” Sonata says slowly eyes narrowed as she leans back to look around the seat behind her.
“There’s no one there, you sure you’re not making things up?”
>”I’m not!”
>”Hey love birds!” The matronly bus driver from up front calls back, “You getting off here or not?”
>Cursing under your breath you start to stand only to wince at your ankle acting up again.
>”Hang on silly.” Blue arms help steady your stance as Sonata helps you walk down the aisle.
>”You take care of your lover boy now, you hear?” The bus driver advices Sonata who flashes her a cocky thumbs up.

>The bus door closes behind you both before it releases it’s brakes with a hiss and roars down the road leaving you and Sonata to stand on the sidewalk a few paces from your house.
>”Come on then Lover Boy, let’s get you inside.” Sonata says taking the lead as you follow along for the ride.
“I really wish you and your sisters would stop that.”
>”Stop what?” Sonata asks raising an eyebrow at you.
“The whole flirting thing, you, all three of you look way too young for me to even date.”
>You think you’d insulted Sonata as she starts to shake.
“Listen, you girls are great, ama-”
>You’re quickly interrupted by Sonata laughing.
“What’d I say?”
>”Wow, you’re just, and you think-” There is a snrk from Sonata before she wipes her eye with a free hand, “My sisters and I aren’t that young, trust me on that. I mean we’ve been around for years!”
“Really? You hardly look it.” You reply pausing as your door comes up, you start to reach for your keys only to not find them!
“Shit.”
>”Looking for these?” Sonata dangles your keys before your face as she giggles at your face.
“When did you?”
>”Like I said Anon, I’ve been around for years! You learn quite a few tricks to pass the time.”
>You digest that little tidbit as Sonata unlocks your door before throwing it open, walking in and letting Sonata kick the door close you hobble to the couch.
>”You just sit there and rest, I’ll get your medkit.” Sonata says already walking down the hallway to the bathroom.

>Despite yourself you can’t help but watch as Sonata walks down the hall before leaning back into the couch and carefully undoing your shoe.
>What did she mean by being around for years, she looked like a teen, maybe sixteen, eighteen nineteen tops.
>Hardly enough to be considered around the block after all.
>”Nurse Sonata is on the case!”
>Turning around to the sudden yell you see Sonata posing in a T pose with the medical kit you’d bought a few weeks ago.
“Is that a reference to something?”
>Sonata deflates as she groans, “Yeah it’s from Heart Stoppers of Hellscapes, how can you not know it? It’s amazing!”
“Some of us have jobs they have to attend to, hard to keep up with your fancy neighpon cartoons you know.”
>”They aren’t cartoons!” Sonata argues back stomping a boot on the floor her eyes promising hellfire.
“Alright, alright calm down, they aren’t cartoons.”
>Sonata relaxes, her frame loosing the tension that had her hopping mad as she comes around the couch before sitting on your coffee table.
>”Sorry, Aria always gets on my case about wasting my time with my shows and she never seems to get it, it drives me up the wall at times.” Sonata says before she taps her lap with a spare hand, the other already holding the bandage.
>Grunting you lift your foot resting it carefully in Sonata’s lap.
“Yeah I get it, you’ve got something you like and your sister doesn’t like it, still.” You pause drawing Sonata’s attention.
>”Still?”
“They still are animated motion pictures.” You grin at Sonata as she stares at you blankly.
>”I don’t get it.”
>You really need to work on your jokes more.
“N-nevermind, hey if you want you can hang out here or if you were busy going somewhere else…”
>You trail off feeling a touch morose at how you sound, come on you’re a man!
>So what if you feel a bit lonely in this weird horse girl land?
>You got television for that!
>”Sure.”
“Wait what?”
>Sonata giggles again, “I said sure, I don’t mind, but first you need to take some medicine.” Reaching into your medkit you see her pull out a pill bottle of aspirin.
>Taking the offered pills you start to take them dry only for Sonata to grab your arm, “What are you crazy? I can get you a glass of water, you’ll tear your throat out doing that you know.”
>Shrugging under her attentions you relent to Sonata’s whims leaning your head to rest on the couch to stare at the ceiling.
>It was only a few minutes at most before the blue girl was back again handing you a glass of water.
>With glass in hand you take your medication, watching as Sonata bodily hops over the back of the couch to land with a quick thud on the furniture.
>”So what do you have on the T.V?”
“Don’t know let’s find out.”
>Channel surfing you start to relax as the medication was starting to take effect.
>Sports.
>Game show.
>Game show.
>Cartoon about cryst-
>”Hey go back!”
>Startled out from surfing you look over to Sonata who nods her head to the T.V, obliging her you flick the button back to see some small pudgy kid try to go on adventures with his magical guardians.
>”Oh I love this show!”
“Really?”
>”For realsies~! It’s so fun and random, plus the gems look really cool and pretty!”
>Turning back to the screen you see the stick figure one pull a spear out of her forehead of all places.
>”Plus they can do basically magic, it’s science, but its still crystal magic.”
“Hm, you mean like this?”
>With Sonata’s eyes on you, you simply twitch your hand which held the remote and in the quick motion had replaced it with a queen of hearts.
“Tadaa.”
>Sonata suddenly leans in close to you with wide sparkling eyes, “How’d you do that?”
>Smiling you use the card to bap Sonata on the nose making her wrinkle it in confusion.
“Magic, of course, I’ve been really interested in how to do tricks like that an-”
>”You can do magic? Lemme see some more!” Sonata says as you grin taking the card and switching it back with the remote.
“It’s not real magic, but a few tricks that are handy nonetheless, watch and be amazed!~”
>You’re a touch limited in your situation, but reaching down you tap into the small spark inside.
>It feels almost like your belly is warm with drink as you replace the remote with a full deck of cards.
>There is a gasp from Sonata and that strange feeling of hunger passes over her eyes before its quashed by excitement, “That’s still magic, but what’re the cards for?”
“Easy, watch.”
>Tapping the top of the deck you hum and haw before offering it to Sonata, “Go ahead and pull 26 cards off the top, you’ll find a four of clubs on the 27th one.”
>”You’re kidding.”
“Just do it.”
>Squinting at you for tricks Sonata slowly starts to count out the cards, “I doubt you’re magic is that great, that’s like some pretty powerful divination stuff.”
“Hey now, don’t lose count, and beside a magician needs his secrets after all.”
>”Even the ones that don’t need it?”
“That’s part of the charm and mystery isn’t it?”
>Sonata keeps a skeptical eye on you before flipping the last card over and her face blanches, “No way.”
>There on the top of the pile was the four of clubs.
“Told ya.”
>”No way! Show me some more!” Sonata exclaims excitedly pushing the pile of cards to you.
>Which would be fine, if she didn’t send all the cards flying at your face with how eager she was.
>Automatically you twist your hands freezing the cards in place held with a cyan aura.
>Shit.
>”I knew it!” Sonata shouts smiling with a far too wide grin, “You are a wizard!”
>DEFLECT! DEF CON 5! THINK DAMN YOU!
>Eyes darting back to Sonta and the cards you struggle to come up with something only to let out a grunt.
>There is now a Sonata laying on your side eyes on the T.V, “That’s cool, hey I think this is a new episode!”
>What.
>Huh.
>”Hey you going to move the cards, they in the way.”
“Uh, yeah sure.”
>Twitching your hands again, you have the cards easily stacked back up on the table before letting your hands drop on your lap.
>Sonata beams up at you before making herself comfortable against your side and resuming her show.
“Is that it?”
>”Hm?”
>You start to wave your hands around, “The magic? You know the big aura glowy thing with the cards?”
>”Yeah, what about it?”
>She’s joking right, no, she’s serious those eyes bore into your own with naught a care in the world, she doesn’t see anything wrong with you having magic.
“I expected,” At this you simply let your hands drop back into your lap, “I don’t know what I expected, you to be angry or curious, but you’re just acting like its a Tuesday.”
>”Well it is Tuesday so you’re not wrong.”
>You simply raise an eyebrow in return.
>Sonata holds your gaze without flinching before an explosion from the T.V catches her eye, “Oh man! The afro got smashed, lemme finish watching this Anon!”
>At a loss of what to do you relent, which makes Sonata smile quite brightly as she wiggles in place getting comfortable on your side.
>You start to watch the show for lack of a better thing to do, maybe Sonata has some good taste?
>Some kid is getting abducted by aliens and is trying to rescue some friends of his from said aliens, looks neat if nothin-
>You can hear a gentle hum rise from Sonata her eyes focused on the screen.
>Listening to the tune for a few bars you start to relax on the couch.
>By the time the credits roll you feel boneless and quite content in the morning daylight.

>”Anon~”
>Breathing in deeper than you had before you lazily turn your head to see Sonata right in front of your face, amethyst eyes seeming to sparkle, but in their depths you can feel something hungry gazing back at you.
>You freeze, there’s not better word for it, the T.V, the birds outside, even the light traffic outside your house, all of it simply just stills as this blue girl draws closer.
>It feels like your moving through thick syrup on a cold winter day as your mouth starts to open.
>Leaving you completely defenseless as Sonata darts in for a kiss.
>Soft, so very soft, you can even taste some type of be-
>There was tongue!
>You raise your hands trembling yet, it feels...nice.
>Despite your own hesitation, your hands come down to rest on Sonata’s waist while her tongue gently plays with your own.
>Are you getting lightheaded?
>The faint black spots in your version are a pretty good sign for it, yeah.
>Sonata finally relents a small strands of saliva breaking apart between the two of you, her face is flushed bright red.
>To be honest you feeling pretty damn steamy yourself.
>You could just catch a hint of red light coming from her necklace as you both pull away.
“Wh-what was that all about?”
>”Didn't you like it?” Sonata replied looking hurt.
“Wha- I mean of course I did!”
>”Then there’s nothing to worry about right?” Sonata said leaning against you, instantly you feel like your on fire as the subtle touch of her ‘charms’ press up on your arm.
“I guess, uh do, does...this mean we’re togeth-”
>Interjection thy name is finger.
>Sonata smiles up at you before placing another kiss on your cheek.
>”Don’t worry about it, sides you look like you need a nap right, got that ankle all messed up being my own little hero!~”
“I don-”
>A yawn interrupts you then making Sonata smugly smile at you.
“Oh shut up.”
>Letting your head fall back you simply watch the television barely paying mind that the morning had reached near noon.
>Before you know it you’re drifting off despite your best attempts, Sonata was right, maybe  a nap would be good for you.
>The last thing you see is the television and more importantly Sonata holding onto your hand with her own.

>Happily skipping down the street you feel like it’s Taco Tuesday and Taco Thursday, you must be Sonata!~
>The overflow you’d collected from Anon is great!
>It made him a touch tired, but that’s alright made him ju----ust right for being your little cuddle slut!~
>Wiggling in place you take a turn down the road following the faint scent of Aria and Adagio.
>You can’t wait to tell them both, you won the Anon bowl!
>Passing by a broken mirror you look over yourself with a happy smile, doing a few poses you nod, yep like it was even a contest.
>Even the nasty look of the alleyway isn’t as bad while you're running hot on Anon’s magic, the muted colors are hidden away by the mundane reality just seem to pop out to you.
>Bypassing the long ago locked doors of the warehouse you climb up the rickety fire escape the pig iron rattling with each step you take.
>Ducking into the broken down window you swing your legs over the window sill onto the nearby stack of crates you and the girls had stacked up after breaking in.
>Wobbling with the Jenga tower you wave your arms about before hopping down from crate to crate before hitting the concrete from the last box.
>”You’re not very discreet Sonata.”
“Aria? What’re you doing?”
>”Keeping watch you, idiot.”
>You stare at her for a long moment with a blank look.
>Aria furrows her brows at you, “Aren’t you going to go talk with Adagio?”
>You simply keep staring.
>”Oh for Triton’s left flipper, Sonata!”
>You don’t respond, but you smile on the inside as you can see your favorite vein on Aria’s head start to throb.
>Aria begins to snap her fingers in front of your face.
>As that doesn’t work the purple grump groans as she rubs her eyes with a hand, “This is why you are the WORST!”

“Oh, Hi there Aria! What’re you doing there?”
>And there goes the vein, man Aria really needs to see a doctor about that, be terrible if she had a heart attack.
>Seeing Aria start to draw close with her fingers twitching you perk up as if remembering.
“Right! I forgot, you were keeping watch, but for what? Nothing in this town can even hurt us if we’re careful.”
>”I don’t know, ask Adagio, she was the one that’s been acting all paranoid for some reason.”
“‘Kay.”
>Walking by Aria you pause as a purple hand snaps out to your shoulder.
“Aria?”
>”Something’s...different about you.” Aria says slowly eyes closed before taking a deeper breath through her nose, “Yeah, your scent, it’s stronger?”
>Eyes snapping open Aria can only see your smug face as you stick your tongue out at her.
“Noticed that finally? Gee Aria you must be losing your touch if it took you that long to figure out~!”
>You see what’s going to happen next already, Aria wouldn’t take that lying down, and you can feel her grip tighten on your arm.
>So it comes as a surprise to the both of you as you easily break free from her grip.
>Stumbling forward a step you look down at your arm, then slowly raise your gaze to Aria who's standing in shock.
>Flashing Aria a smirk you slip away with your tongue sticking out at the purple menace.
>Oh, you can feel the surge of hate directed your way but it tickles you blue inside at the thought of it, hardly anything could ruin today!
>"Sonata."
>You freeze midstep as Adagio steps from the shadows the bare bulbs of the warehouse casting her features into stark relief, "What have you learned?"
>It feels like you're trying to weave your way through a coral maze of firestone, so you try to answer as best you can.
"I got close to Anon, managed to walk him home afterward, you were right 'Dagi helping him out these past few days really has gotten his trust."
>"We're low enough on magic as it is Sonata, I'd have expected you to have understood that."
"I know, I know, it'd be so much easier if we could have simply charmed him into letting us stay with him is all."
>"And then our magic would have been used up Son-" Adagio cuts herself off before looking at you with narrowed eyes.
>"What did you do?"
"Me? Oh uh, a funny thing about that, I got rather close with Anon earlier today an-"

>CRACK!

>Oh dear, Adagio's fist is buried in the crate next to your head, that's not good.
>"Sonata, sweetheart, spit it out." Adagio's eyes gleam red as they bore into your own.
"I had a sip of Anon's magic!" You blurt out in a rush.
>It's quiet, oh you're in so much trouble.
>You feel Adagio lift your chin up to look you better in your eyes.
>My those are rather sharp looking fangs, wait.
>Alarmed you push your sister away even as you can see a faint hint of magic slip from you into her maw.
>Smacking her lips at the taste Adagio hums aloud, "Now isn't this interesting, hints of Shadow with an infusion of Harmony in it and of the Sea, but that'd no doubt be you of course..."
"Adagio what the hell? You don't steal magic from your sister!"
>"Oh, I shouldn't then? When did my darling little sister decide that she's the one in charge, hm?"
>Despite your magic you take a step back as Adagio stalks closer towards you a predator's gleam in her eye.
>"I think you need to be reminded why I'm the one in charge Sonata."
"N-no you don't, for realsies."
>Even as you say that you leap back as Adagio pounces!
>Cracking cement from her impact Adagio chases after you as you run weaving through boxes as fast as you can.
>You think you'd lost her only to be sucker punched as you turn the corner.
>The purple tresses give away your attacker as you double over trying to breathe.
>Stunned as you are it doesn't take much for Aria to bring you into a hold with your arms behind your back and her arm around your neck.
>"You've done it now Sonata." Aria says in answer to your questioning eyes.
>"Ah, Aria thank you for catching her."
>You stiffen in place watching as Adagio calmly walks towards you.
>"Sonata, Sonata, whatever am I going to do with you?"
>This isn't fair!
>You don't steal magic from the family that's all you'd said!
>Your eyes burn before Aria yelps in surprise and you fall forward small wisps of shadow falling off your form.
>Surprised you have just a moment to take in the change before Adagio is reaching for you.
>Panicked you swing with your arm catching Adagio across the face with your shadowy limbs that pass right through her!
>Adagio gives a strangled yell as she tries to claw off the shadows that clung to her neck.
>You watch her for only a moment before being tackled to the ground by Aria.
>Growling you writhe and struggle against Aria, you're stronger than her, but can't get the right leverage!
>Your struggles intensify before you remember the magic of course, however before you can slip away you feel sharp fingernails resting against your neck.
>The message is clear even as you can hear Adagio's voice hoarse now from the bruises you can see already forming around her neck.
>"That's enough of that little sister, now are you going to share?"
>You give a brief thought to trying to slip away, but the sharp claws of Adagio and tight grip of Aria on your arms stifle that thought in its crib.
"...Yes, Adagio."

>Grunting with the effort, you swing your hoe, chopping up another layer of sod to be tossed aside.
>Working in the sun is killer on you, but with all this free time you’ve been having from work, you’re determined to get this deck built damn it!
>Looking over the work you’ve done so far you nod with pride. Sod removal is about done. Checking the phone for the next step, you let out a groan.
>Damn those tool stores!
>As if you’re made of money to purchase the tools they are using in their guide.
>Grumbling under your breath. You wish your magic was able to do more than just simple illusions and sleight of hand tricks.
>Would it have been so terrible to get transmutation?
>You saw what Twilight was able to do to a simple orange!
>...Granted your pond back in Equestria got infested with the Froranges when she miscast the spell, but semantics!
>Point is that transmutation would be a very handy skill to have.
>”He~~~~ey Anon~!”
“Sonata?”
>Indeed it was. Alongside her stood Adagio and Aria as they come up from the small gate to your backyard.
>Sonata is already running up arms spread before your own arms are filled with cheerful blue girl.
>”Missed you~” Sonata chirps as she rubs the top of her head against your chin like an overly affectionate cat.
>Your hands twitch unsure of where to go, this is not a hug friends share with each other are the neighbors going to see, never mind that what about her sisters?!
>”Relax Anon. Sonata already told us about you two.” Aria smirks at her sister. “Isn’t that right Sonata?”
>You can feel Sonata stiffen in your arms for just a moment before she turns and sticks her tongue out at Aria. “Oh shut up. You're just jealous.”
>”What’re you up to anyway Anon?” Adagio interrupts  the two, leaning against the side of your house, looking over the pile of sod and the exposed dirt in your backyard.
>Your hand settles on Sonata’s hip while you use your other hand to wave over the construction site. Well more like a giant hole, but its a work in progress.
“Ladies, you’re seeing the first stages of my brand new deck I’m building myself!”
>Sonata sounds suitably impressed as she gasps, the motion doing interesting things to her chest feeling it on your side.
>”Can’t you just pay someone to do that?” Aria crosses her arms, not looking impressed at all.
“I could, but then where is the fun in that? Besides I want to do something with my own two hands to show I could do it, that and it’d make for a bitchin’ place to do a barbeque.”

>Sonata tilts her head up to look at you. “Anon? How come you don’t just use your magic for making your deck thing?”
“Sonata!”
>”What?”
“Don’t just what, you don’t do just say that.”
>”You’re awfully paranoid about your magic, Anon, why’s that?” Adagio asks, arching an eyebrow at you.
>You wave your free hand about as you try to explain, you’re not sure what you’re planning on doing with it, but it helps you vent.
“Oh, you know, just thought to not advertise that I have magic because folk might try to take advantage of me for it or—who knows— maybe the government winds up paying me a visit and then Agent Smith is holding a probe to my head asking me questions!”
>”That made no sense, whatsoever” Aria says. “You can just snap your fingers and they’ll forget about you anyway.”
“That’s not how my magic works to begin with!”
>Stepping away from Sonata, you pinch your nose.
>”I wouldn’t worry too much about Sonata spilling your secrets,” Adagio interrupts again while you’re debating where to hide the bodies.
“What?”
>”Most people tend to ignore what Sonata’s saying most the time.” Aria snarks at her sister’s expense
>”Yeah, people think I’m just touched in the head at times, but that’s alright. I just see things differently than most. Like did you know that the lizard man temple still had lizardmen in it? They got really mad when we stole some of their gold.” Sonata chirps, eyes sparkling brightly at the tidbit of information she said.
“Again, what?!”
>”What my sisters are trying to say, is we’ll keep your secret if it’s that important to you, Anon.”
“Somehow I doubt that Adagio seriously it’s only been what a week since you found out,  Sonata?
>”Aw Anon, I’m sorry, really, but they’re my sisters, we share everything together.”
>You’re still not happy about this, but the puppy eyes you face off against are weakening your resolve mightily.
>Arms wrap around your waist and suddenly you can feel a thick amount of poofy hair under your arm.
>”Yes Anon, we share everything~”
>That tone does uncomfortable things to your pants, despite your libido you continue to frown.
>"Oh by Triton's tail, what's going to make it up to you?" Aria snaps at you, throwing her arms down, fists balled up.
"What?"
>"Don't act all coy, I know exactly what you're doing and it pisses me off!" Stepping back from Aria as she stomps her way towards you.
>You find you're stuck as Adagio holds you in place, a glance down reveals her watching Aria with narrowed eyes before a purple hand grabs the front of your shirt dragging you down to see angry amethyst eyes.
>"Well? Out with it you giant clam tease!"
"Clam down, you crazy purple bitch!"
>Oh dear, that twitch above Aria's eye is probably not a good sign.
>"Did you just pun me?"
"What's the answer that doesn't end with me in the dirt?"
>Ah, that vein is throbbing now.
>"That's enough now you two," Adagio pushes you and Aria apart with surprising strength for such a small woman, "Anon, why don't you have Aria help you with your porch."
>"What?!"
"What."
>You snap your eyes to meet with Aria's who turns her head with a huff, "If it'll get him to stop being a basic bastard then sure, I guess."
"Eh, shouldn't Sonata be the one to do the hard labor, since you know, she was the one to spill the magic beans."
>"Sorry Anon, I didn't really think it was that big a deal." Sonata says with a grimace, "Not that Adagio or Aria gave me such a choice, to begin with."
"Wait, you forced her to share?"
>You round on Adagio who smiles genially with her hands held up the broken gemstone glinting in the sun, "Now Anon, we were concerned for Sonata, she had been left all alone by herself with you, you can't say we couldn't be worried right?"
>A surge of understanding flows through you making you slowly nod before you frown, you were upset with Adagio, a family doesn't treat each other like that, or they shouldn't at least.
"What do you mean, I wouldn't have hurt her or something crazy like that."
>"We were curious, Aria especially, right Aria?"
>Turning to look at the purple grump you find her sharing a look with Adagio, unspoken words passing between the two of them before she rolls her eyes, "Yeah, I was just so /curious/ about what Sonata had gotten up to, so can I just start helping or are you going to cry more?"
"No, I suppose not but you could learn to lose the attitude."
>"Whatever."
>With a clap Adagio beams at you, "Excellent, in that case, Sonata and I will leave you be to get to work. We've things to take care of back home after all."
>"We do? I thought we wer- Ouch! Adagio!" Sonata exclaims as her ponytail is pulled on by her poofy haired sister.
>Adagio's pleasant demeanor doesn't falter an inch as she leads her blue sister away, "Have fun now!~"
>The gate to your backyard slams shut as the two sisters soon disappear from sight while Aria sighs the events of today seeming to drag her spirit into the ground.

"This is going to be great I can just tell."
>"You noticed that too?"
"It's hard not to notice when your sister throws you under the bus, it's odd how you jumped under it as well."
>Aria rolls her eyes again, "It's to make up to Sonata more than anything else, Adagio is always on about keeping the family happy."
"Mm, in that case, we might as well get started then. Grab that measuring tape there and start here."
>So it goes through the hours of daylight you have open, you both working together to measure, mark, measure again then you start to dig for the posts.
>Aria reaches to grab one of the shovels, you lay a hand on her shoulder prompting her to look at you in confusion.
"Listen you've already helped a bunch, you don't have to like break your back for me."
>A flurry of emotions pass through Aria's eyes before she relaxes letting go of the shovel, "If that is what you want then, who am I to argue?"
>Striding over to the bags of instant cement piled up Aria takes a seat arms resting on her knees as she rests her chin in her hand.
>Satisfied you start to dig the holes for your posts.
>Huffing from the effort you jump atop the long-nosed shovel the dirt clinging to the earth even as you pried it open.
>The website you'd found had mentioned using the hardware approved machine to dig out the holes with ease, but you could read between the lines.
>Pay us hundreds of dollars for this machine you'd use only once!
>Even as your saving money your back and legs argue otherwise, pausing you take a breather checking on Aria.
>Aria continues her watch eyes glued to your form before they lock onto your eyes.
>There's a sense of hunger in those lavender eyes that make your skin prickle at the sheer intensity of it.
>You can faintly hear some birds singing their songs in the neighborhood before Aria breaks the silence.
>"Tired?"
"A little."
>"You've done a pretty good job, how about we switch for a bit? You get yourself something to drink?"
"I suppose, this is some rather thirsty work, I think I've got some lemonade somewhere in the house."
>Passing the shovel over to Aria you tromp inside bustling about as you look for a pitcher and some of that instant mix of lemonade, you know you had it in here.
>You don't think you were gone that long as you come out with the pitcher on a makeshift tray in the way of a cutting board with some glasses on top.
>Taking a moment to let your eyes adjust before spotting Aria.
>Forgoing her jacket Aria digs deeply into the earth, her t-shirt splotched with dirt stains as sweat liberally pours down her skin, what draws your attention is that she's already on her third hole while you had been gone.
>The fuck?
>Aria flexes as she drives her shovel into the dirt before pausing to look at you, "What?"
>Shit you said that aloud didn't you?
>Waving your hand over the neatly piled dirt and excavated holes you let that explain to Aria.
>Eyebrow raised Aria looks at the holes then back at you with confusion mounting on her face, "Yeah? That's what you wanted isn't it?"
"Da-tib..." You splutter before trying again, "Yes I did, what I was wanting to know is how you've done three while I was gone!”
>Aria leans on her shovel looking over at your own attempts before she snorts, "Easy you're weak."
>"It's my job to be the muscle Anon, just like it's your job to be the pretty face and drink dispenser of course."
>With that flippant comment Aria easily swipes one of the glasses quickly drinking the lemonade in large gulps, some of the sugary drink slips past her mouth to dribble down her neck mixing with the sweat.
>One final gulp of lemonade and Aria sets the glass down with a satisfied sigh.
"Glad that I'm so vital."
>"Hey don't worry about it, it's what I do. Good drinks, by the way, got a few more of these holes left  then you can keep doing the rest of the minor work while I do the heavy lifting."
"Yeah well, some of these steps will need team lifts and working together so don't think you can get a-"
>Holding up a finger to you the young woman walked over to the pile of cement bags.
>Aria with a grunt easily lifts one of the instant mix cement bags up with one hand and cocks an eyebrow at you.

"...Guess I'll get to work on making that cement mix then."

>"Can’t' believe you left the pantry empty."
"To be fair, I did have help."
>"You could have told Sonata to stop stuffing her fat face and Aria to help enforce it."
"Adagio."
>The girl in question flicks her hair behind her in disdain, "What, they both need a little reminder of their place."
"They're your sisters."
>"And?"
"You shouldn't treat them like that is all, a little kindness goes a long way." You shoot back still staring at the list of things you need to buy.
>You're surprised then when you feel soft fingers firmly guide your face down to look at Adagio as she says, "Which is why we have you."
>Shocked you are left standing there like a dork before mechanically collecting various groceries on your list, which you note, Adagio had commandeered from you while you were distracted.
>"I'm just glad you don't buy nothing but junk food, honestly, you'd think you could live off of tacos or meat buns like those two," Adagio says scanning over the list with a critical eye. "Oh, some fish sounds nice."
"It's not that bad, they have a good selection of food groups in them."
>"Anon, they are greasy, sloppily made nasty fast food made by underpaid teenagers that most likely spit in them for spite. Besides, the food pyramid is a myth."
You wince at the acidic reply then ask, "What about when I make them then?"
>"Cooked with love and care to just be platable, but do you have to do it every other night?"
"You've never mentioned disliking it before when your brood comes over, so I figured you never minded it."
>"I was busy at the time."
"Every night?"
>"I might not have wanted to bitch about free food, look don't overthink this."
"What I want to know is what has you so busy you just shovel food in your mouth without stopping, I mean those old books you're always reading have to be something special."
>"I do not shovel food down my mouth!"
"Adagio, you ate a whole taco in like three bites."
>"They always fall apart when I'm eating them an-" Adagio's reply is cut off as she stops in place, the poofy mane around her bristles almost protectively around the girl.
>Before you can ask what is wrong Adagio yanks your cart down a random aisle, baby care products you distractedly note.
>"Anon hide us now."
"Wha-"
>"Anon."
>The tone Adagio used booked no argument her eyes boring into your own as she holds the cart in a death grip.
>Frowning at what's going on, you nevertheless nod and from your fingers erupt faint wisps of shadow that could be barely seen by the naked eye.
You reach up to Adagio's face before /twisting/.
>Like ripples in a lake Adagio's face is soon replaced with a rather plain looking girl with high cheekbones, a pert nose, and turquoise eyes.
>The changes continue over the girl soon changing, even more, attributes as her poofy orange mane twist into two long sea green braids hanging down to her back while her clothes change from their brightly colored to dull casual clothes of a hoodie and jeans.
>You do much the same to your form assuming the guise of a too thin man with curly hair dressed in a ragged get up of a t-shirt and khaki pants.
With a snap of your fingers, the shadows recede from your hand and you lean heavily on the cart, form changes on the spot always took it out of you like that.
>Adagio looks over her new form before giving a quick nod and starts to lead you away by the cart, "Excellent, now hurry we-"
>"Blessing's of the Lady to ye!"
>At the end of the aisle stood a tall stranger with a grey overcoat and what you think is a priest's collar around his neck, you could spy glinting under the fluorescent light a gleam of a yellow sun shaped in a cross. The short cropped light slate grey hair sat atop a weather-worn Paris white face that held a genial smile as the priest approached with heavy thumps of his boots.
>"Oh hello Pastor, how are you?" Adagio responds with little hesitation.
>The hell is Adagio up to?
>Taking note of the prolonged pause you shuffle your feet before letting out a delayed greeting of your own.
>"So sorry to bother ye both, but you two wouldn't have come across some of my flock recently? Wee Lassie, two-tone blue hair with little loops around the ear, yellow cream skin?"
>Tilting her head back in thought Adagio thinks before saying, "Haven't seen her, what about you?"
"Ah, can't' say that I have."
>"Well thank you both for your time then."
>The too heavy footsteps continue by as Adagio grips your hand to drag you away.
>"By the way," You both freeze at the priest's words, "it does the mind good to see such foresight of the young in the world, may the Lady bless your family."
>Glancing towards the baby care products and then at Adagio you feel yourself flush.
"Ahah-I"
>"Thank you, Pastor blessings on you." Adagio says with a simpering smile before she grabs your hand with a grip like iron quickly dragging you away.
>"We need to go."
"Okay, but what the fuck?"
>"Not now."
"Ada-"
>Even as you try to ask questions Adagio whirls around holding a finger to your lips, "Shh!"

>After collecting your groceries, what few that you had you slam the car door shut and start to drive.
>You notice that Adagio is tense, that slowly starts to leak out the further away from the store you get.
"Now are you going to share?"
"..."
>You look over to see Adagio staring out the window with a far away stare, fingers rubbing over the red gemstone she has.
"Adagio?"
>At your prompting Adagio comes back from whatever vistas of daydreaming she was lost on, glancing towards you then out the windshield the teen sighs.
>"You deserve to know,” Adagio says then you catch what she mutters to herself, “I didn't think it would come to this, we were supposed to be safe."
"Adagio, talk to me here, I can help."
>"Let's just say we were really lucky you had that trick of yours."
"Don't expect it to happen all the time, now come on Adagio quit avoiding the subject."
>Your insistence on talking sparks a fire in Adagio as she finally turns to face you, "Fine! You're not going to believe me, it's too stupid."
Sparing her a glance form the road you reply, "You're talking to a guy who has magic, I think my bullshit meter is pretty high all things considered."
>Adagio scours your face for a moment, but your already watching the road,"The priest, Pastor Dust as the street calls him, has been hunting my sisters and I across the country claiming we're unholy abominations."
>That whole sentence is enough to make you hit the brakes harder than you intended at a stop sign.
"What."
>”Hey be more careful with the road! I Told you it's hard to believe."
"Did you not get a restraining order? Call the cops? Anything like that?"
"By the time we managed to find some cops and explain everything the Pastor showed up before kicking off their heads."
"That's a joke, right?"
"Did you not hear how heavy his boots were?"
"O-ok, but, holy shit Adagio, can't we go to the police station and-"
"Won't work."
>Before you can ask why you hear loud honking behind you, a few cars are already waiting for you to move on.
>Hastily you check the road before making the turn and continuing the conversation.
"What do you mean?"
>"Every time we involve other people they tend to die, get a promotion, or simply vanish. It's why we've been living off the grid for as long as we could."
>This is some next level fuckery going on here.
"So you involved me into this crazy shit?"
>"You're literally the closest thing to a change in the status quo for months, I thought that..."
"That'd I'd come in to save the day like some big damn hero? Adagio this isn't some fairy tale!"
>"Anon, I nearly lost my sisters to this creep once, I was desperate."
>The house is there, you turn the car into the driveway and shift into park with a thud.
Turning to Adagio you wave a hand about as you raise your voice, "So that justifies you putting my life at risk because of some meth head who thinks he's working for some god?"
>Adagio looks shocked and hurt, but she simply places her hand on your own, "Please, I'm sorry, I just wanted to help my sisters." The sunny day glints off the red gem covered as it is by Adagio’s other hand.
"Anon?"
>You’re silent, your gaze razor sharp at Adagio, and this shit show that was dropped in your lap.
Breathing deeply you say with a grimace, "Just, just let me unpack this shit show in front of me."
>Opening the door to the house you and Adagio bring the food in.
>Your face set in a frown the whole while as you work until you slam the car shut.
>"Anon."
>Ignoring Adagio you start to sort your food, canned goods, fresh goods, frozen goods, all need their own little place.
>Damn it Twilight, you and your sorting songs, you muse to yourself as food is put away with a touch more force than you wanted.
>"Anon?"
>You closed the door on the cabinet and stretched feeling your back pop in place as you let out a sigh only for you to hear.
>"Anon!"
"Alright already!" You snap back.
>"You weren't answering me." Adagio says tension undercutting her words as you face her.
"You've got to admit that it's a lot to think through Adagio."
>"I'm sorry, I just, I know that I dropped this all on you without any warning. I had thought, I had hoped that finally, we'd lost the bastard.” Adagio says stepping away from you to lean against the countertop arms crossed.
"He didn't recognize you thankfully."
>"Because of this." Adagio replies waving a hand over her brown twin braided hairstyle and changed clothes, "How long is this supposed to last? It feels like my normal clothes and I can feel my hair still the same as before."
"Just for the rest of the day, it's just twisting the shape of it."
>"Oh good, I don't want to stay like this forever."
>Something’s not right here.
"Adagio?"
>"Hm?"
"How'd you know?"
>"Know about?"
"This." You say gesturing with a hand and sparkles of white, black and grey follow after.
>"When Sonata caught you out, maybe a day afterward, why do you ask?"
"Why'd you do the whole neighborhood watch thing then? Why approach me?"
>"Promise not to be mad?"
"Depends, but I'll hear you out."
>Adagio doesn’t look pleased at the answer, however she sees the look on your face as she says, "We had just moved into the city and needed to find new places to work for, or at the worse mark for later."
"Mark?"
>"To”, Adagio pauses before clenching her eyes shut as she rushes the rest of the words out, “break-into-and-hock-what-we-could-before-taking-off-again."
"You were going to rob me?!"
>Holding up her hands Adagio hastily explains, "Only at first! Then you did something I didn't think would have happened in all my time on the streets."
>Realization washes over you then.
"I invited you in."
>Nodding Adagio lowers her hand saying, "Yes, and fed us, offered us jobs."
"It was just a pudding cup..."
>"Have you not noticed the amount of pudding Aria eats now?"
"I remember, mostly because Sonata whines about it, but I do."
>Adagio walks towards you before she smiles at you, "We all enjoy pudding cups because of you."
>Despite yourself you feel blood rush to your cheeks.
"Shut up, that's, that's silly and it was just some pudding!"
>You’re still processing how a simple pudding cup garnered such affection from three girls that you are surprised when Adagio sneaks in for a hug.
>With a tinkle of broken glass the illusion around you both shatters, the thick poofy hair from Adagio is all you can see from the hug.
>It’s comforting, for some reason, smells like cinnamon and oranges you note to yourself.
"It's not silly, those pudding cups became a comfort food to us because of you, you offered us help even without knowing it."
>You try to talk, but you don’t even know how to respond to this new side of Adagio, a thankful one without the sarcasm or biting commentary.
>Feeling tired you simply return the hug enjoying the soft poof your face lies in before your eyes snap open you know what you have to do.
>Pushing Adagio away you fail to notice the sprinkle of grey sparkles around her mouth that wink out of reality as she says, "Anon?"
"Right, come on then." You reply turning back towards the car and grabbing the keys you’d hanged up.
>"Wait,” Adagio was slow on the uptake, but she is soon walking behind you, “where are we going?"
"To get your sisters."
>You hear Adagio gasp, ”You don't mean."
Turning to look back on the threshold of the door you smirk before saying, "Can't just leave my help to be living out in the streets after all."
>"B-but the priest."
"I'll take care of it."