The whole forest was peaceful while they walked among the trees, taking in the sights and sounds of the woods. The canopy blocked much of the sun, but what shone through brought about beautiful shapes of light over the damp moss-covered bark and the forest floor.
Much of their time was filled by Trixie expounding in graphic detail the full horror of the tests she had to undergo. She made sure to emphasis that she barely made it out alive, after all, dying of boredom had been a legitimate danger.
Meanwhile, whenever asked, Dash vehemently insisted she had spent the entire morning doing paper work for her new position, but what the papers were actually about changed in each telling. It always ended in Dash making a dismissive comment, followed by another question on the tests.
At first, Trixie had suspected they were headed towards the mountains, which made her slightly fearful that rock-climbing was not entirely out of the picture.
M-maybe she wishes to show Trixie the cave of the dragon they chased out? Maybe it left something behind, like gems, or a ring Dash wishes to present to Trixie?
She couldn't tell if the horrors of the climb would be worth receiving such a gesture from Dash. Luckily, she didn't have to contemplate for long as Rainbow took a quick left turn, followed a minute later by another, leading them away from the mountains.
Slowly, it began to dawn on Trixie: they were walking along the edge of Ponyville. Whatever Dash had planned must have been on the other side, but she’d planned this roundabout forest route to spare Trixie another trip through the town itself.
Smiling with that realization, Trixie gave Dash another nuzzle as they took yet another left. In addition to the usual chirping and rustling, Trixie noticed the sound of a gently flowing river in the background.
“Enjoying yourself?” Dash asked, as she returned the affection with a stroke of her wing through Trixie’s mane, before it came to rest on her back again.
For any other type of trip, this route was just atrociously indirect, but Trixie was not going to complain about having to walk a little longer, if she got to spend it like this. Trixie did have one little issue though. As enjoyable as their walk was, the roots and uneven ground made it near impossible to walk next to Dash for more than a few seconds without tripping.
Trixie gave a small nod in reply to the question. “The view, sounds, scents, Trixie think it’s all just wonderful… Oh, and the forest is okay too, she supposes.” Winking playfully, Trixie watched Dash change colors.
Despite her obvious blush, Dash rolled her eyes. “You are such a cheeseball! Do you get all your lines out of those trashy romance stories?”
Trixie felt as though she’d been caught red-hooved. Her cheeks burned furiously. “W-what! No! O-of course not!” She scrambled for some type of defense. “Sure, Trixie knows a fair number of those types of stories, for her job! And yes, maybe she had spent more than a few nights reading novels that were perhaps not exactly Shakeahoof, but that hardly means… uhm, well, that is….” Trixie started to lose focus as the grin on Rainbow Dash’s face just kept getting bigger. She sighed. “…Trixie believes this hole is deep enough as it is now. Just bury her.”
“Hah! You totally do! Oh, oh, wait! Is that where you got all your ideas on romance from?” Dash was already chuckling just from the idea alone.
There wasn’t much point denying it now, though Trixie begrudgingly glared at Dash for asking. “Yes, okay! Are you happy now? Trixie never had a marefriend, or coltfriend, so she read about it instead!” she all but screamed indignantly, sure her face had to be on fire at this point.
“Ohmygosh! No wonder you had a plan for how you thought we were supposed to go about this!” Dash sniggered, that cursed grin never leaving her face. There was not the slightest attempt to hide the mirth in her voice. “Was that why you thought if you just kept kissing me it would work out eventually? That’s too good!” Dash burst out laughing.
“T-that was not what Trixie thought! And even if it was, it totally worked! Who are you to talk anyway? Trixie knows you don’t have any experience to begin with! All you’ve ever done is hang around Fluttershy and scare off suitors.”
“Hey! I got plenty of second hoof experience, thank you! Pressing your lips all over another pony works? Pfft, yeah right, you’re lucky you’re not bad looking, Trixie. Any pony else might have had you put in jail." Dash laughed, and took another left.
However, Trixie froze solid, and nearly dislocated Dash’s wing as she snagged on her neck while Dash tried to walk forward.
“Besides, Fluttershy scares off plenty of ponies on her ow—Ow! Hey! What gives?” She took a quick half-step back, and shook her wing loose while looking over her shoulder.
“J-jail?” How could she have forgotten about something so important? Trixie couldn’t believe what a fool she’d been. When she was told she would be better soon, her only thought had been of how to make some bits so she could stay with Dash and Fluttershy, but her problem was much bigger than that. “T-they’ll come to take Trixie away soon.”
“What?” Dash took another step back so she was besides her. “Whoa, Trixie, relax. I was only kidding, I didn’t actually report you for that or anything.”
Trixie lifted her head up to look at Dash, taking in the sight of the beautiful, worried pegasus, and committing it to memory as best she could. There was no telling how long she would have to do without that sight soon. “No, don’t you get it? Trixie is still a criminal.”
“Uh, oh, I kinda forgot about that.” Dash admitted, and raised a hoof to scratch the back of her head sheepishly. “You weren’t worried about it as much, so I guess it slipped my mind.”
Trixie wasn’t sure how much she really should be telling Dash, but she could really use somepony to talk to. How was she ever going to be more open with her if she didn’t put some trust in her? “…That’s because Trixie wasn’t so worried about the law, she still had trump cards to play.”
“Trump cards? Well why didn’t you say so? Don’t worry me like that geez.” Dash groaned.
“W-well… Trixie doesn’t really have them anymore.” She sighed, and looked down at her hooves to avoid Dash’s questioning look. In a near monotone, she explained her plan. “…One of the Elements of Harmony pursued and attacked Trixie, hurting her badly. It would be a big scandal if that got out. The Ponyville hospital allowed Trixie to be at the mercy of her attacker, and the incident repeated, which makes Ponyville itself responsible for Trixie’s suffering as well.”
Trixie could feel Dash tense up beside her. She couldn’t bring herself to look Dash in the eye to check, but she was sure she was hurt to be reminded of the incident. After a moment, she took the silence as a sign to continue. “When Trixie is taken to court, she would be able to reveal that, and claim she must be compensated. It would probably cause big problems for the element bearers and for Ponyville. The whole thing would take all the focus off Trixie as a villain, and make her the victim. Especially, if Trixie spins a horrible tale. Nothing too devoid of truth, just some tweaked details.”
“You, you wouldn’t, would you?” Dash asked hesitantly.
Trixie lifted her gaze up to Dash’s eyes. “Oh, Trixie would have. You’d never get into the Wonderbolts with a criminal record. Nurse Redheart would have been fired. Fluttershy would be an accomplice after the second time, and while Trixie doubts Fluttershy would get punished by the law, she would probably get her peaceful life ruined by journalists.” She rattled off the little list, then let out a long sigh. “…And Trixie would be so busy saving her own plot, that she’d only realize what she’d done afterwards.”
It took Dash a second to respond, presumably she was too shocked to even think straight after that. However, her eventual response was completely predictable: anger. “You’re going to do all that!?”
In any other circumstance, having Rainbow Dash angry at her would have been terrifying, and if Trixie was honest with herself, it still was a little bit. “No you foal! That’s the problem! Trixie can’t do that now that she actually cares what happens to them, to you! Now Trixie will just be on trial, they’ll bring out all the stupid rumors to wreck her credibility, and she’ll be guilty!”
Dash’s scowl broke up, as she gave Trixie a confused look. “Huh? Wait, so, what are you gonna do then?”
Faking a sudden keen interest in the leaves around her hooves, Trixie avoided eye contact. “Trixie doesn’t know… If Trixie runs, she can’t ever come back. But, if she stays, they’ll take her away anyway…” She couldn’t stop her shoulders from shaking as she spoke. “T-Trixie’s scared, Dash.”
Familiar warmth wrapped over Trixie’s shoulders. With surprising strength, Dash’s wing pulled Trixie against her. “You’re not going anywhere.” There was not a single hint of doubt in her voice. “I promise.”
5017826
You predicted it four hours in advance, are you a prophet!?
Nopony Better not even think of laying a good on Trixie while Dash is around
Ponyfied Shakespeare?
5019069
Yeah, Trixie is living proof its a bad idea to mess with Dash.
Yes.
Also, wow,first twice in a row? You are on a roll all of a sudden.
Hmmm...
-----------------------------
As much as TrixDash is cute and all, this recipie needs someone nice and smooth to accent the spiciness of those two.
Moar Flutters!
--Spade
5019102 bloody, beaten proof, though at least now she's healed up and Dash can give her an apologetic sponge bath later
Kinda funny really cause I always thought when I got first comment it would be because I was hell enthusiastic and reading quickly, but recently I've been feeling shitty and reading averagely... makes ya think.
I'm still wondering exactly what crimes Trixie thinks she did, is it a crime to be a showmare and spin tales for others enjoyment? is it a crime to be incapable of defeating a giant monster?(if it is then the entirety of Ponyville other than Fluttershy and Twilight need to be arrested)
5019164
Spongebath? Never! Maybe a tonguebath
Aw, sucks. I hope you feel better soon.
5019158
Mhmm
Hungering for something sweet and spicy?
5019197 ah yes, tongue bath is much better
Thanks mate
5019191 I think it's just that she may be held accountable for the ursa minor causing destruction to Ponyville, even though we know she did nothing wrong, she could be held accountable.
5019191
Well,that is the thing...
It is not about what Trixie thinks she did, she knows she didn't do anything. Its about about what everypony else thinks she did.
5019230
I don't think Trixie could be held accountable for that.
5019230
5019391
Well using my fancy smancy legal knowledge (law student so take with a large grain of salt), she technically might be liable in a state that shares responsibility for the negligence of the foals. We're talking like maybe 5% but she could still be held partially responsible. Snips and Snails would still be held mostly responsible and Trixie would have a great argument of pointing out that the foals are not her responsibility (wth were their parents doing allowing the foals to go into the forest AT NIGHT. Heck, they could be breaking curfew which would further protect Trixie) and they acted completely independently of her. Her only claim was that she had defeated a giant star bear, not that she would defeat it this time nor that she would fight one if it came into town. Heck, she actually has a good case of suing Snips and Snails for the reckless/negligent destruction of her wagon. Then again, this is based off my knowledge of the American legal system.
5019391 it's justice system logic, it was brought to town indirectly because of her and as she is the only adult evolved, she gets the blame, despite the fact it was wingus and dingus' fault
The worst they'd get is some community service (which I think is what they actually got), Trixie however, not so lucky.
5019237 Except that public opinion has little to no relation to the prosecution of criminals. Assuming that Ponyville lawmakers don't practice and encourage mob justice (which seems unlikely or a lynch mob would have probably shown up at Fluttershy's cottage at some point), there is very little she could be charged with. Oh, the townsponies could accuse her of a bunch of things, but any judge would dismiss most of those accusations out of hoof. The worst she could probably be charged with successfully is false representation (not aware what the exact legal term for what that is), by fronting herself as somepony capable of dealing with and Ursa Major, which she is, in fact, not.
However, the actual misconduct was carried out by Snips and Snails, who were duly punished (insomuch as minors can be punished, who knows what the actual codes behind such things are). She did not actively solicit somepony to bring the Ursa into town, so the impetus for the incident is in the colts' hooves. Furthermore, the key witnesses (ie Twilight and the others) are all ponies with too much integrity to lie about something like that. So, any trial that resulted from said accusations would not last very long at all.
5019429
I think you mean involved, not evolved. Trixie didn't tell snips and snails to find an ursa. If I tell someone I did something, and they go do something stupid on their own without my knowledge, I would be in no way responsible. The only way Trixie would be responsible would be if she encouraged then to find an ursa, which to my knowledge she didn't do
Oh my. o.O
Maybe it would be a good idea to dedicate a conversation in a future chapter to this topic. Considering how many people commented on this aspect, it probably won't do to just explain in the comment section.
5019452
Good points all around. ^^ (which I may have to steal for later.)
Though it does require one to assume Trixie would get a perfectly fair treatment.
Trixie is there in secret, so that might be why the lynch mob did not show up. ^.~
Today I leaned that the national animal of Scotland is the unicorn. All I can think of Trixie now.
HHHNNNNG THAT ENDING! Why so adorable????? I love this story every chapter. And need I even point out what you could have done to cause drama? I'm almost beginning to think you make all these drama scenarios just for little ol' me!
....
(yep im doin' this again....)
5021076
Hah, that's amazing.
Apparently they have two national animals, the other is a red lion.
Sadly, there is no appropriate picture of this.
i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj120/ryonalionthunder/MLP/Scotland_zpsfc3c4bd4.jpg
I've decided to rectify that wrong.
5023532
I'm right and on the internet? This sounds like blasphemy because people are always wrong on the internet! :P Eh, I'm just glad you follow the goal of consistency. Now I just need you to keep up the good work and please for the love of all the gods both foreign and domestic, do not burn out before the story is done.
5023695 and to think we could've used this flag if we'd voted for independence. This is truly the most important factor here.
*cough*Zecora*cough*
Anyways.. the herd mentality and the large amount of lead in Ponyville's water supply would probably guarantee a guilty verdict if a jury trial was involved.
And I fully expect the lynch mob to show up now, what with Derpy being convinced that Trixie steals children. That'd make a nice ending. Dash, Flutters and Trixie all strung up and the rest of the town reduced to glass and ash by an angry princess.
5026254
I'll consider it.
Honestly. I don't know why Trixie's worried, other than any jurry would be a kangeroo court. Since Trixie under the letter of the law did nothing illegal. The Ursa attack, the property damage, the false rumor of her attacking some pony, Ditzy claiming evil things about Trixie. She didn't do anything legally wrong. And any arrests or attempt at arrest would be false imprisonment, and would end in a mistrial. And a public apology by the mayor.
Trixie as a reader of cheap romance novels is hilarious. She'll have so much to share with Rarity. Including Rainbow Dash, if I'm lucky
And it's a good thing Trixie fell for her caretakers, else she'd have used her trump cards. This would have been messy.
And awesome too, but you knew that.
Comments;
Whoever doubted she was a storyteller?
Trixie, serial ladykiller.
Virginity confirmed.
Oh yeah baby.
I hate you.
5810686
Based on recent observations. I am starting to think you might be shipping Dash and Rarity.
fc07.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2012/028/3/c/trixie_is_slowpoke_by_klarnetist-d4nv29e.png
Would have been quite a different kind of fic.
Heck yes.
That's a good point actually. Maybe I needn't have worried.
It is worth noting that one-night-stands don't constitute a relationship. And Trixie is reading 'romance' novels... but lets be real here, it totally is confirmed.
Accept the truth? Take responsibility for her own actions (she basically committed fraud)? That would be what an adult would do.
6764010
She didn't commit fraud. Where'd she commit fraud?
So far. She had a show (there was no charge fee). Told a tall tale, sure, but it was part of the act. And there have been many more worse / verbally thrashing ways Trixie could have dealt with hecklers in a Charge-by-Donation show.
Then the parents of Snips and Snails, let them go unsupervised into a forest known to hold such things as Timberwoves, Cragodiles, Manticores, Poison Joke, Hydras, and other dangerous / potentially lethal things. To wake up and enrage a Star Beast.
That and in order for their to be fraud. The false information (or in case Trixie's story) must be done with the willing intent for the other person to act upon it. Which then results in injury or loss. From what we see in the show Trixie was surprised that the children were dumb enough to get an Ursa; never intended her story to be acted upon; and was done not with the intent of it being acted upon, but to cow hecklers while stimulating a crowd.