Spike shielded his eyes from the bright sunlight that was assaulting his pupils as he left the hospital. He was beginning to notice you can never really appreciate the beauty of nature until you’re deprived of warmth and sunshine for a period of time.
Spike was really beginning to hate hospitals.
He strolled down the walkways leading from the building back toward town, running over his checklist of what he needed to accomplish before the day’s end.
Okay, I gotta go check up on Twilight, reorganize my comic book collection in anticipation of the new release coming out this week and then go to sleep.
Spike smiled as he continued his walk. It was a fulfilling day.
However, his smile and happy train of thought was brought to a screeching halt by a loud gurgling noise emanating from his stomach.
Okay, food first. Then check on Twilight.
Spike moved as quick as he could back through town where the local hayburger shop was. He could just raid the fridge for whatever was available at the castle, but he had the disposable income to burn, so he may as well treat himself to something he wanted. Besides, after a long morning of social work, he deserved a nice meal. It was hard work being that nice in the community.
Spike walked into the shop, the doorbell ringing as he did so, alerting the front counter employee to his presence.
“Hey there, Spike!” The pony calling out to him was a large stallion with red fur and a messy grey mane . “I wish you woulda’ warned me you were comin’. I’d have made sure to order double everything from my supplier this week.”
Spike rubbed his stomach and let out a deep laugh.”Sorry, but there’s no calm before this storm. Give me the usual, alright, Curly?”
“You got it, bud! Ayy,” the stallion shouted back to the kitchen. “I need a hot air balloon, drag it through the garden and kick some hot coals on it. It’s for Spike, so you know how he likes it!”
“Aye aye, cap’n!” one of the kitchen crew shouted back.
“Thanks, guys!” Spike said, walking up to the counter. “Mind hooking me up with a root beer really quick while I wait?”
“No probs,” the stallion said, sliding the beverage across the counter to him. “You want me to just put it on your tab?”
“That’ll be fine,” Spike said. “I’m gonna go grab a seat. Just yell when it’s ready.”
“Got it! Be out in a jiffy!”
Spike always loved coming to Curly Fry’s burger joint. It was nice having a place that knew him by name. Kind of like a home away from home of sorts. The dragon staked his claim at his favorite booth, the one in the far corner of the room, away from most of the hustle and bustle. It was his thinking booth.
The thought that primarily occupied his mind at the moment? The conversation he had with Derpy. It was true, he was allowed to have guests over to the castle, but at the same time, Twilight wasn’t always the most fond of having ponies she didn’t know very well, over. It was just her anti-social nature. That would be a conversation he’d have to have, but was not looking forward to. Especially considering he wanted Twilight to visit with her.
He loved Twilight to death, but it was not always easy convincing her to see things from his point of view, especially when she had her on thoughts on a matter.
Spike’s concentration was shaken by the sound of the doorbell ringing again, and the sight of two very familiar mares walked within his sight soon after.
“...And then I said to him, that’s not a bowl of Cocoa ‘Splosion cereal, that’s Twilight’s new experiment!”
“Haha! Trixie always loves your stories, Starlight. Especially when the involve Twilight.”
Spike chuckled as the two mares finished moving into the building. “Hey, ladies! Over here!”
The two mares broke up their conversation to isolate the voice calling at them.
“Oh, hey Spike!” Starlight said with a wave. “C’mon Trixie, let’s go sit with him.”
“B-But, the Hungry and Cranky Trixie needs to order her food!” the blue mare said with a pout.
“Oh, hush. We can do that in a second,” Starlight replied. “I want to ask him something real quick.”
“Oh fine, be that way. I’ll do your bidding, but only because you offered to pay.” Trixie stuck her nose in the air and followed Starlight over to Spike’s table.
Spike attempted to scooch over in the chair to make room but didn’t have the chance before Starlight violently butt-bumped him to the side and taking a seat.
“Ow!” Spike shouted, rubbed his now sore ribcage. “You know, just because I’m a dragon doesn’t mean I’m invincible.”
“Eh, get over it,” she said with a chuckle.
Trixie took a seat opposite the two and slouched her head into her hoof. “Good evening, dragon. I hope you know you’re interfering with the Famished and Miserable Trixie’s lunch time.”
“Hey there, Trixie,” Spike said. “Nice to see you again, too. If it makes you feel better, I’m just as hungry.”
“Ha, you mock my pain, mortal.” Trixie pointed a hoof at Spike, which he quickly knocked out of the way.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever.” Spike turned his attention from a very dejected Trixie back toward Starlight. “Anywho, what brings you guys here? Weren’t you supposed to go party in Canterlot or cause mischief at the pool hall? You know, the usual fare?”
“Well, that was the plan, but apparently Trixie failed to mention she’s on temporary ban from the pool hall. Uh, Trixie, would you like to explain this one to Spike?”
The magician mare rolled her eyes. “Trixie guesses she can regale you of the tale. To put it simply, the manager of this establishment simply was jealous Trixie’s prowess and stunning beauty. So jealous in fact, he refused to allow me entrance into said establishment for the duration of two weeks.”
Spike, arms folded, stared daggers right through her. “Uh huh, I’m so sure.”
“I guess I’m telling the story,” Starlight said. “She got caught using her magic to manipulate other players’ sticks to shoot the balls in the wrong direction. These were games she had bet on, by the way. In exchange for not calling the police, Trixie agreed to stay out of the pool hall for a duration of two weeks. Not to mention, during that time, she has to advertise the pool hall on her caravan.”
“Ha!” Spike belted out a hearty laugh. “Some things never change. I guess you’re the Banned and Blackmailed Trixie now, right?” Spike stuck his claw out and received a hoof bump from Starlight.
“Oh, be quiet, you two,” Trixie said with a sour frown. “Trixie will bounce back from this servitude. Only… eleven more days.”
“On a separate note, Spike, I actually did come over here for a reason,” Starlight began. “How’d your trip to the hospital go?”
“Huh? Oh yeah, it was great!” Spike leaned back and smiled. “I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but I did pretty good today. Seriously, I’ve never seen a filly that excited before.”
“Well, that’s sweet,” Starlight said. “Hear that, Trix? You could be using your showmareship for good instead of profit.”
“Hmph!” Trixie replied. “I’ll have you know that I used to entertain the fillies and colts of Ponyville General all the time. The children would wait for hours on end to see my spectacular display of magic and to hear my tales.”
“Really?” Spike asked, jaw slightly agape. “You’re kidding.”
Starlight shared a similar look of shock. “No way! You never told me this before.”
“Well, Trixie doesn’t always feel the need to share every detail of her life with others,” Trixie stated. “Also, it has been some time. After a few, shall we say, less than glorious incidents, I wasn’t exactly invited to come back.”
“What happened?” Spike asked.
Trixie let out a sigh. “As it would turn out, fireworks are not allowed within the confines of the hospital. Trixie was not aware of this fact. After a few hundred bits in damage to equipment, there was not an invitation to return for Trixie.”
“You set off fireworks inside a hospital?” Starlight questioned. “You didn’t think there would be any negative consequences of doing so?’
“They weren’t real fireworks,” Trixie said. “They were the illusionary ones I use in my shows. What happened, however, was the energy of said magic fireworks triggered the water sprinklers. The rest was history.”
“That would explain the water damage all over the floor boards in the children’s wing,” Spike said. “Well, either way, that’s actually pretty cool, Trixie.”
“Trixie thought so too,” she replied. “As spectacular and amazing as Trixie is, she has a soft spot for the fillies and colts that are less fortunate. But, be that as it may, what’s done is done.”
Spike rubbed his claw against his chin. “Maybe not, actually. I go there every week and I’m on pretty good terms with the staff. Maybe they’ll let you back in if I give you a good recommendation. Trust me, those kids in there would flip if they got to see a personal magic show.”
Starlight nudged the dragon with her hoof. “Spike, I literally can’t believe I’m saying this, but that’s a fantastic idea! It’s just the kind of thing Trixie needs. A wholesome, uplifting way to use her talents. What do you think, Trixie?”
“Well, it would finally be a worthy use of my ever so valuable time,” she replied, stroking her chin. “Trixie shall do it, but only for the good of those less fortunate.”
“Awesome!” Spike said. “I’ll let you know when I set it up. I’ll just look for the the only caravan in existence advertising a pool hall.”
Trixie stuck her tongue out at him and groaned. “Yes, yes, this is all well and good, but can we order now, Starlight. Trixie is very hungry.”
Starlight chuckled. “Okay, we can order now. And on that note…”
The three looked up to see the shop owner carrying a steaming basket of food over to their table.
“Here ya’ go, Spike! Just like usual, I gave you an extra side of onion and peppers.” The stallion set the food down and winked at Spike.
“Oh, you know me so well, Curly Fry,” Spike said, licking his lips now that the food was within his reach.
Trixie followed the food with her eyes, her stomach gurgling getting louder as it got closer to her. She couldn’t help but reach her hoof out. Maybe if she could just grab one fry then—”
“Back off, Jack!” Spike said, swatting her hoof away. “You’ll get yours soon enough.”
Trixie scrunched her face and slid back into the booth. “Trixie just wanted one fry.”
Curly Fry let out a chortle and swung out his notepad. “Speaking of which, ladies,what’ll ya be having?”
Starlight smiled at him. “I’ll have the classic size hay and cheddar sandwich with some onion rings. Get her the same thing.”
“But what if Trixie wanted potato wedges?” the mare protested.
“Do you want potato wedges?” Starlight asked.
“Well, no, but—”
“You see, you just like being difficult when you’re hungry,” Starlight responded with a nod. “Is what I ordered you okay?”
Trixie nodded. “It is acceptable to my palette.”
“Perfect!” Starlight said. “Give us two root beers to go with it, too.”
“Alrighty, you two,” the stallion responded. “I’ll get that in for you right away, alright?’
“Thanks!” Starlight said.
Spike, busy stuffing his face, took a brief pause to address the two. “You two have such a strange relationship.”
“I can’t argue with that,” Starlight said with a laugh. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way. You’re not friends if you can’t be a little weird with each other.”
Spike chuckled a bit and thought about the own friendships he’s made over the years. There was definitely some truth in that statement. A lot of it, actually. Sometimes, friendships are born in the weirdest places.