Start Of A New Life

by Madox


Chapter 8 - Home Sweet Home (Part 2)

Chapter 8 - Home Sweet Home (Part 2)

The appearance of Lyra at the cottage to help her 'friend' Trixie was a surprise for the rest of Twilight's friends, one none of them expected. Of course, they were glad that there was a pony in town besides themselves that wanted to be friends with Trixie, but remembering what Twilight said earlier about Trixie and friends they silently decided not to call that fact out to the show mare.

The group worked for a few more hours until the sun started setting and they decided to call it a day. They all said their good byes and retreated to their homes.

The next day Twilight and Trixie made their trip to the cottage after breakfast, depending to start early their task, much to Spike's delight, who couldn't wait till the cottage was ready and Trixie could finally move out.

As the two mares came in sight of the cottage they were surprised to see that Lyra was already waiting for them. But what truly surprised them was that she was not alone. Trixie stopped and froze on her way, her eyes growing wide when she saw Bon Bon standing besides Lyra.

“I can't believe that she dares to come here after what she said yesterday,” Twilight grumbled besides her. Lyra had noticed the two and walked over to them after she said something to Bon Bon who stayed behind.

“Hey girls,” Lyra said as she reached them. “I know what you are thinking, but I can assure you that she did not come to cause trouble. She wants to talk with you, Trixie.”

“Seriously?” Twilight asked in disbelief. “After she treated her yesterday with violence she wants to talk now?” Lyra nodded. “What do you say, Trixie?” Twilight asked. She did not like this, but it was not her decision to make. If Trixie wants to talk with Bon Bon, there is not much she can do.

Trixie was silent for a minute while she thought about what to do. She finally took a deep breath.

“Trixie will talk with her. She can not avoid her forever, so it would be the best to talk it out.”

“You are right,” Twilight admitted. “We will give you two some privacy, but if she does or says anything wrong, call us.”

Trixie nodded in agreement and Twilight and Lyra walked off, the latter nodding to Bon Bon who walked over to Trixie.

“Hi, Trixie.”

“Hello, Bon Bon.”

They both sat in front of each other, none of them looking the other in the eyes, not saying a single word. A few moments of silence passed before Bon Bon sighed and spoke again.

“Trixie, I'm sorry for what I said yesterday. When I saw you I thought you would try to do something bad again, and I was afraid. After what happened the last time, I wanted to make sure you know that I won't stand by this time and do nothing, so I tried to be intimidating. But when you just turned and left, and even apologized with so much sadness in your voice, I knew that I messed up big time and felt really bad. And then Lyra came back in the evening and talked with me about it.”

Bon Bon finally looked up into Trixie's eyes. “I still don't trust you, Trixie, and I don't think that will change very soon. But Lyra accepts you and I trust her. So as long as you don't mess up, I will accept you as well.” She moved her gaze to her hooves. “I hope that you can forgive me for my nasty words yesterday.”

She looked up when she noticed a blue hoof enter her vision and saw Trixie, her hoof outstretched and a small smile on her face. “Trixie will accept your apology.”

Bon Bon was surprised. Of course, she has hoped that Trixie would forgive her, but not that it would be so simple without any comment from the show mare. Without waiting, she shook Trixie's hoof. “Just like this?” she asked in disbelief.

“Yes, just like this,” Trixie said after setting her hoof back on the ground. She looked over to the cottage were Lyra and Twilight were waiting. “A few months ago, Trixie would have acted different, much more aggressive probably. But after every single thing she did, she was forgiven by the ponies who suffered the most just like this. So Trixie thought she could try that as well and see for herself what it feels like.”

Trixie was not able to say anything more before she was pulled into a hug by Bon Bon. “Maybe you have changed, Trixie. And you can come to my shop again, as long as you behave.”

“Thank you.” Trixie tried to pull away from the embrace, but was hold in place by the candy maker. “Bon Bon?”

“Only one last thing I want to make sure you know,” Bon Bon whispered. “I accept you here and hope that you will be happy, but if you dare to hurt my Lyra in any way possible, no matter if physical or mentally, I will make you feel my wrath, and not even Celestia will be able to stop me. Do you understand?”

Trixies eyes grew in side while hearing that. She didn't dare to say something, so she simply nodded. “Good,” Bon Bon said before she released Trixie from the hug. “Now I need to go, my shop won't open itself. Bye, Trixie.”

Bon Bon walked away from the cottage, waving to Twilight and Lyra on her way. Trixie stood there a moment longer, processing everything that had just happened before she walked back to Twilight and Lyra.

“Hey, Trixie, is everything okay?” Twilight asked.

“Sure, everything is good. Bon Bon apologized and we are good now,” Trixie said. She had decided not to mention what Bon Bon said. She already was the cause of enough trouble, she didn't want to make it even harder on Twilight.

Twilight knew that Trixie was hiding something, she could see it in her eyes. But Trixie was her own mare and could make her own decisions, so if there was something she doesn't want to tell Twilight there was nothing she could do.

“Okay, so I guess we should start working. The others should be here soon as well.”

Trixie and Lyra nodded in agreement and together they made the rest of the way to the cottage, Twilight walking ahead of the other two mares.

Lyra leaned her head slightly in Trixies direction. “Don't take Bonnie's threats serious, Trixie,” she whispered.

Trixies eyes grew in surprise. “How did you know?”

“You are not the first one she has threatened. She can be a little overprotective if she thinks someone might hurt me, but she never did anything to anypony before. She could never truly hurt anypony, she is a big softie at heart, no matter how tough she might act.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Yes, I am. And I will talk with her about it, again.” Lyra started to blush. “Even if it is kind of cute of her that she has threatened half the town to protect me. But whatever, let's get your home fixed.”

Trixie looked after Lyra when she ran towards the cottage. 'This town is really strange.'

~*~

The restoration of the cottage resumed without bigger distractions. The only disturbance occurred near the end of the third day, when Filthy Rich finally made his appearance to check on the promised reparations and to meet the mare who would live in his house.

Of course, like the rest of the town he knew about what Trixie did in the past, but he has not been in town during her short reign in Ponyville and didn't meet her before in person.

He was very impressed how much the group managed to do in these few short days and confirmed the deal he made with Applejack and Twilight that when they finish the renovations Trixie could live for free in the cottage till the end of the month after the next Winter Wrap Up. If she still wants to stay after this time period, she would need to pay rent.

He also made it clear that this is not an act of pity or sympathy from his side, but simply business for him. He did not mention that he thought about denying the deal at first, but if the granddaughter of his oldest and best business partner as well as the element bearers are vouching for Trixie, how could he say no?

~*~

At the end of the fourth day the group sat together in the main room of Trixies cottage. There was still a lot to do on the inside and the outside, but the holes in the roof and the window shutters are repaired and the cold autumn wind of the night could not blow through the cottage any more like before.

With this taken care of Trixie decided it was time to leave the library. In her opinion she had been a burden to Twilight long enough and it was time to get on her own hoofs again.

Now they all sat around the table, celebrating Trixie's moving in. It was not easy, but they managed to convince Pinkie not to make such a big deal out of it. Lyra had brought some sweets from Bon Bon as the candy makers peace offer, and Applejack organized a small barrel of cider, much to Rainbow Dash's joy.

“Well, Trixie, how do you feel now that you got your own place of living?” Twilight asked.

Trixie looked around the room. It was a huge change from the previous state, even if it could still use a bit of paint on the walls and more pieces of furniture to make it look more lively.

“Trixie's not sure how to feel,” she said. “It's been so long since Trixie had a real place to live besides her old trailer and--- OW!”

Trixie raised one of her hoofs to hold the side of her head and shot a glare at the mare on her left. “Lyra, would you please stop that? It hurts!”

Lyra shrugged in response. “Sorry, Trixie, but you know the drill.”

Of course Trixie knew, but that didn't mean that she likes it. Soon after Lyra started helping she learned that Trixie thought about getting rid of her habit of talking in third person and she came up with something her dad did when she was a filly to help with her candy addiction back then. It helped at least for quite some time, until Lyra found her biggest piece of candy which she is dating now.

Now every time Trixie starts talking in third person Lyra would give her a light bump with her hoof against the side of Trixies head. At first, it was just annoying, but after a few days of constant bumping Trixie was glad that she got blue fur, otherwise the small bruises would clearly be visible by now.

But Lyra's plan worked, and after some time Trixie started talking normal, or at least she tried most of the time. But still, it doesn't mean that she likes it.

“One day Tr- I will repay you for your 'help',” Trixie glowered.

“Can't wait for it,” Lyra said with her typical grin on her face.

“Whatever,” Trixie rolled her eyes. She turned her gaze around the room, until her eyes met with a box that lay behind Rarity. The unicorn had brought it with her earlier, and when asked about it only said it's a surprise for later.

“So, Rarity?” The mare turned her head when Trixie addressed her. “What is it now with your surprise? Trix- I cannot deny that I'm quite curious about it.”

“Oh, of course, darling. I think I let you wait long enough for it.” She lifted the box with her magic up, but instead of putting it on the table and opening it, she walked around the table until she stood besides Trixie and placed it in front of her. “After all, it is a little present for you.”

Trixie looked at Rarity in surprise, her eyes wide open. “A present? For me?”

“Of course. See it as my way of welcoming you. I'm sure you will like it.”

“But...”

“Ah ah ah, darling. I won't accept a no, I insist.”

At first Trixie wanted to argue, but then she thought back to a talk with Twilight a few days ago. She told her a few things about her friends and their specific elements. She mentioned that sooner or later Rarity would probably come along with a dress or something similar and, as the bearer of generosity, she would not accept a no as an answer.

Trixie decided to follow Twilight's advice on this one. “Thank you,” she said with a small smile. “It... it's been a long time since Tr... I got a present.”

Trixie took her time observing the box in front of her. It was a simple white box with no way to guess what might be inside of it.

Not being able to hold her curiosity any longer Trixie used her magic to lift the lid in the air. The moment she was able to look inside the box Trixie froze in place, her eyes growing wide and her jaw open. The lid of the box fell to the floor as Trixie's magic dissipated.

Inside of the box was a very familiar looking purple hat with star pattern and a matching cape.

“Well, what do you think?” Rarity asked. Her mouth still open, Trixie levitated both pieces out of the box and hold them in her magic in front of her, still not saying anything.

“Trixie?” Twilight asked after she noticed that Trixie was frozen. All around the room the talk subsided as everypony noticed Trixie's state. Twilight put a hoof on Trixie's shoulder. “Are you okay?”

Trixie ignored Twilight and wrapped her hooves around the hat and cape and pulled them to her chest, a single tear running down her cheek.

“Oh my, did I do something wrong?” Rarity asked in concern. “I only had my memory to relay on as a reference.”

“Thank you...,” Trixie whispered. “Thank you so much. This means so much to Trixie. It's perfect.”

Lyra raised her hoof to bump Trixie's head again but was stopped by Twilight who shook her head. She could see that it was something very emotional for Trixie, Lyra's attempt of helping her was nothing she needed right now. She looked back at Trixie again who was still holding the garment close.

“Trixie, are you sure you're alright? You mentioned before that your hat and cape are replaceable and it sounded as if they are not important.”

Trixie relaxed visibly but still hold on her new garment. “That's only partly true,” she slowly said. “It's true that they are replaceable, Trixie lost the original ones a long time ago.” Trixie stopped for a moment, pain and sadness visible on her face. “But Trixie holds every single one close. They are like a memento, and it pained Trixie that she had to sacrifice the last ones.”

“Well, I'm glad that you like them, darling,” Rarity said with a smile. “How about you put them on? I could only rely on my trained eyes for the size, but it might be that I need to adjust them to you.”

Trixie nodded in agreement. It's only been just over a week since she has lost the last set, but it felt like an eternity to her. She couldn't wait any longer. She used her magic to put the cape around her neck and the hat on her head. They fitted perfectly, and Trixie was happy to feel the familiar weight on her body once again.

She stood up on her hind legs and with her arms raised to the ceiling she shouted. “Be prepared, everypony! The Great and Powerful Trixie, the most talented unicorn that ever lived, has returned!”

The cottage fell into silence after Trixie's short speech, before Lyra turned her attention to Twilight beside her.

“Now?”

“Yes,” Twilight said with a nod.

Lyra did not wait any longer and bumped her hoof against Trixie's head.

“Ow, that hurts!” Lyra bumped her head again.

“No, bad Trixie. No boasting and third person.”

The rest of the group couldn't resist and erupted in laughter, with a grumbling Trixie in the middle. But it didn't take long before she couldn't resist any longer and was laughing as well.

~*~

Later that evening Trixie lay in her bed, which was in fact the spare bed from the library Twilight has borrowed her for the time being after they had to throw out the old one.

Even after she got used to the feeling of a real bed again after long weeks of being homeless, the first night in a new and unknown location is always strange. Because of this she lay awake, turning from one side to the other in her task of finding sleep.

Slowly she got used to the sounds of her new home. The creaking shutters of the windows moving in the wind, said wind howling around the cottage and through small holes in the walls she still needs to find and fix and the dripping faucet from the kitchen.

Slowly Trixie drifted off into sleep.

Creeeeeaak

Only to be awake a few moments later. She sat up in her bed, ears on attention. 'That was definitely not one of the shutters,' she thought to herself. 'Sounded more like one of the creaking floorboards in the living room.'

Trixie stood up from her bed and walked slowly and quietly to the door of her bedroom that leads to the living room. She put one ear on the door and listened for any sounds from the other side. She could hear somepony walking around and thought that she even heard somepony talking. 'Of course, the first night alone here and I got some burglars,' Trixie thought. 'But not for long.'

~*~

In the darkness of the living room everything was silent, but suddenly one of the wooden boards from the wall in a corner began moving and a head appeared from a hole behind it. It looked around the dark room before it entered fully. The filly held the board to the side and made the hole wider.

“Okay, girls, everything is fine. Come on in.”

Two more fillies appeared from the hole and crawled inside the room, looking around the dark place.

“Are you sure this is a good idea, Scootaloo?” Sweetie Belle asked. “This place is creepy.”

“Of course it's a good idea,” Scootaloo said. “This time we will get our Cutie Marks for sure.”

“Ah'm not so sure Ah want a Ghost Hunter Cutie Mark, Scoots,” Apple Bloom remarked. “Crawlin' around creepy places and lookin' for things Ah can't even see most of the time does not sound that good ta me.”

Scootaloo stopped her stroll around the dark room and put her hoof to her muzzle. “Hmm, if you say it like that it does not sound so cool anymore.”

Apple Bloom walked up to Scootaloo. “Glad that ya see it the same way. Now let's get out of here. If Applejack finds out that Ah'm not in bed she will ground me for who knows how long.”

Creeeeeaak

Both fillies jumped in the air out of shock. They slowly turned around and looked at Sweetie Belle who was standing near the table with a sheepish smile on her face. “Sorry, the floorboard is creaky.” Both fillies relaxed, before Sweetie called out to them. “Hey, Scootaloo, didn't you say there was nopony living here?”

“Well, yeah. This place is abandoned after all. Rumble said something about a witch that lives here, but I don't believe him. Why do you ask?”

“There is food on the table.”

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom looked at each other before they walked over to look at the table. True to Sweetie's words, there were fresh leftovers all over the table.

“Scoots?”

“Yes, Bloom?”

“Can we go now?”

Before Scootaloo could say anything else, there was another creaking sound from behind them and the three fillies froze on the spot.

“Sweetie Belle, please tell me that was you again,” Scootaloo said with a trembling voice.

“T-that wasn't me.”

For a few moments there was silence in the cottage, before the sound of approaching hoof steps came from behind the trio.

“Apple Bloom, tell me you are walking around behind us.”

“Ah'm standin' besides you, Scoots.”

“I was afraid that you would say that.”

The steps came to an end behind them. The three fillies hesitantly turned around slowly and looked up at the mare standing in the darkness of the room. The mare used that moment to illuminate the room with her magic in a dim light.

“Would you care to explain what you are doing in Trixie's home?”

“Aaaaaaahhh, it's the witch!”

~*~

“We are sorry,” the crusaders said together, their heads lowered in shame. After they screamed and started running around the room in panic, it has Trixie only taken a few moments to catch them in her levitation and to calm them down. Now they stood in front of her apologizing.

“It's okay, girls. This is Trixie's first night in her cottage after all and nothing happened. But still, you shouldn't go into someponys houses, even if you think they are empty. It could be dangerous.” Trixie looked over the fillies in front of her, and her gaze lingers for a moment on Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. “You two look familiar. Are you related to Applejack and Rarity?”

The fillies in question looked at each other. “Yeah, they are our sisters,” Sweetie Belle said. “How do you know them?”

“Wait, aren't ya that magician that took over the town some time ago? What are ya doin' back here again?”

Trixie looked away in shame, her eyes closed. “Yes, that was Trixie and she is sorry for everything. She came back for some help from Twilight and now has to stay in town for some time. She and her friends helped Trixie to get this cottage and repair it over the last few days.”

“Huh, Applejack never said anythin' about that. Sweetie, did Rarity say anythin'?”

“I never saw her over the past week, I have been with my parents lately.”

“Well, at least nothing happened neither to you nor Trixie's home, so we are all fine,” Trixie said with a smile. It seemed that these fillies got no problem with her being in town and that made her feel better.

“Still,” Sweetie Belle said and made a few steps forward, “I think we need to make it up to you somehow for intruding.” Sweetie Bell thought for a few moments before she got an idea. “I know, I will make you breakfast later, does that sound good?”

Trixie couldn't resist but smile at the filly. “That sounds...,” Trixie stopped when she noticed the other two fillies behind Sweetie Belle. Apple Bloom made gagging motions and Scootaloo lay on her back, her tongue rolling out of her mouth. Trixie gulped. “... Lovely?” Sweetie Belle beamed at Trixie, probably already thinking about what to make for her.

“Now, Trixie thinks it's time for you to get home before your families notice you are gone. Don't worry, Trixie won't say anything,” Trixie said with a smirk.

“Thank you, Trixie,” the trio said with smiles.

Trixie opened the front door to let them out and the crusaders said their goodbyes. While they walked away, Trixie watched them for some time. Sweetie Belle turned around one more time and waved, which Trixie replied.

'Maybe staying here won't be as bad as I thought,' Trixie thought to herself with a smile, before she walked back inside and closed the door.