Trixie sighed as she approached a familiar sight. How long had it been? Ten Years? Eleven?
She climbed the few stairs leading to the door. She noticed it still had the gold decorations she used to hate. They were yelling how unworthy the passing ponies were to enter the house.
She stared at the knob. Unlike the decorations, it had been recently replaced, but it was still as pretentious as the former, so it merged well in the whole picture.
This was a bad idea. She had run away from her parents. What was she expecting? That they would welcome her with open-legs, crying how much they had missed their daughter?
She was still staring at the abyss that was her fears when she felt a nudge.
“Come on, Trixie, you can do it. I’m here.”
Starlight, her first and very best friend, her only beacon in this ocean of expected disillusionments. She, the Great and Powerful Trixie, master of illusions, had one audience she couldn’t fool besides herself.
“Starlight, I…”
The words were escaping her, only leaving a tear gently running on her cheek.
“You’ve come all the way here. You will regret it if you don’t finish it.”
Starlight was right, as always. She had to do it. No magic trick, no bargain. She had asked her friend to come mainly so she couldn’t bail out.
Trixie lifted her hoof. It was heavy. She still managed to lift it high enough, and let it fall back against the door.
Once, twice, thrice.
The sound of hooves echoed inside. The closer they came, the faster Trixie’s heart was beating.
The door opened, letting appeared a familiar face.
“Yes?” said Mr Lulamoon, before his eyes recognised who had knocked. A smile graced his usual scornful face. He had more wrinkles than she remembered. “T-Trixie?”
He grabbed her in a gentle hug. The next words he said were the most painful and the most comforting Trixie had expected.
“I’ve missed you, sweetie.”