Chapter 9: Truth.
“Look, I’m sorry Miss Trixie, but the truth is as the truth does. My rather unhappy demeanour is caused by your filing of my horn.”
Trixie sat on her blanket on the opposite side of the fire, sobbing into her hooves rather theatrically.
“Trixie cannot believe that her extraordinary efforts to clean you up have been turned against her so! Y..You’re terrible!”
“Now Trixie, we’ve been travelling together for a while now, I think you know me better than that. I wouldn’t have been so annoyed if it didn’t nullify my magic a-“
“Nullify!?”
Trixie looked up, only a few tear tracks having darkened the fur on her cheeks.
“Filing ones’ horn does not nullify magic! Where did you hear such nonsense!?”
Ro-siing frowned, offended.
“It’s common knowledge among the people! A zebras’ magic comes f-“
“Trixie is sorry, but she doesn’t see a zebra in front of her, she sees a unicorn. Trixie will have her companion know she files her horn often to keep it just perfect! Whatever is the matter with you? Can you not tell the difference between Unicorn and Zebra? Did Trixie really pick up a total idiot as a companion?”
Ro-siing almost bristled at the blatant insult, reminding himself at the last second that he must remain calm.
“Now Trixie, that’s not needed. I am many things, but an idiot is not one of them. I have seen myself what happens when a zebras’ horn is filed and it nullifies magic.”
“Ro-siing, Trixie is quite positive you are NOT a zebra.”
“What’s the difference?”
“There’s an entire world of difference! Trixie cannot believe you cannot see this!”
“Look at your monarchs th-“
“Trixie believes that, whilst here, they are yours as well!”
“Whatever. The monarchs of this land then. I don’t think they’ve ever filed their horns.”
Trixie suppressed a burst of laughter.
“Trixie doesn’t think Ro-siing quite understands how long the princesses have lived.”
“Oh how long could it possibly be? They’ll need to start searching for heirs soon.”
This time Trixie couldn’t help herself. She burst out into raucous laughter, tears still occasionally falling down her face. Ro-siing frowned in confusion.
“What is so funny?”
Trixie forced herself down to a giggle before answering.
“Trixie regrets to inform you that Celestia and Luna are immortal. Trixie really does find this quite amusing!”
There was a momentary pause as Ro-siing re-evaluated his position.
“... So how long have they lived?”
Trixie shrugged.
“I don’t know. Trixie is not privy to the ages of her esteemed monarchs.”
Something about what she said struck him as strange, but he shook it off before tentatively asking his next question.
“And you’re saying that it’s entirely possible they file their horns?”
“Of course that’s what Trixie is saying! Otherwise their horns would be positively massive by now! Honestly Ro, do try to keep up with the conversation.”
That self same feeling of something being different about the way she was talking hit him and suddenly it struck him.
She’s not angry or sad anymore... she’s... jovial?
This mare would never fail to surprise him. But he had the strange feeling he was missing something. He smiled experimentally.
“You’re not jerking my chain?”
“No, Trixie is not.”
“Not pulling my hoof?”
“No, Trixie is most certainly not.”
“And you’re not twisting my tail.”
“Oh, for Trixies’ sake, of course I’m not!”
That did it. He smiled widely. Trixie giggled.
“Trixie, you just spoke in first pony.”
“Did she?”
He trotted closer and sat beside her. She was on her back from laughing so much and she looked up at him, still smiling.
“Now now Trixie, you may as well speak properly now.”
“But Trixie is speaking properly!”
Ro-siing rolled his eyes in slight exasperation, more amused than irritated.
“Trixie, I meant you can speak in first pony in front of me, I’m not going to grab you and burn you at the stake.”
Trixie couldn’t help but giggle again and roll back onto her back.
“If you say so Ro-siing. Trixie isn’t sure whether I should speak as you wish or how Trixie always speaks. Will you help me decide?”
She smiled coyly at him and he chuckled.
“Oh ha ha Trix.”
His expression turned serious again.
“So, you’re sure I can still do magic?”
Trixie raised her eyebrow and levitated his guitar over to her hooves and plucked at one of the strings.
“Trixie is certain.”
He frowned and nodded, determined.
“Alright then.”
He focused on the guitar now in Trixies’ hooves and started a simple levitation spell, much like Trixie just used. His horn glowed baby blue and the guitar floated over to him. He smiled at the now surprised and pouty Trixie.
“I guess my fears were for nought hmm?”
“Of course they were! Why did you take the guitar away from me?”
He smiled and idly strummed at the strings.
“You’ll see Trixie, I’ve been working on something. Perhaps when it’s finished I shall show you?”
Trixie smiled.
“Trixie would like tha-“
He raised an eyebrow at her and she giggled.
“I. I would like that.”