//------------------------------// // Chapter Three // Story: Show and Spell // by maximus25 //------------------------------// “So your first day didn’t go that well, tomorrow will be better, right?” Applejack was frantically trying to calm a hysteric Trixie. “Applejack, Trixie made a filly cry today. She just wanted to learn magic, but instead got tears!” Trixie herself was on the verge of tears. “And now that other pony... Cheerilee? Hates Trixie. I couldn’t have thought of a worse start to this job.” “You got off on the wrong hoof, that don’t mean you can’t fix the situation.” Holding her out at arm's length, she looked into her eyes, “It’s not like you wanted to make her feel bad, right? You were just trying to identify a problem you saw, it’s just your methods were flawed.” “Is that supposed to make Trixie feel better? It doesn’t, but you may continue trying.” Applejack felt safe letting her stand on her own, “Trixie just wants to go lie down and do nothing for the rest of the evening.” As she was heading back towards the barn, Applejack called out, “Ah’m always here if yah need me! Dinners waiting for you if you feel up to it, as well.” Trixie entered the barn and flopped down on a hay pile. She thought back on the day. During the explanation part, Trixie was good. Trixie can work a crowd like no other, keeping them entertained for hours. One on one, Trixie is not so good, she should probably work on that. With that thought in mind, she drifted off into unconsciousness. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elsewhere, Rarity was dealing with her own distraught filly. “Oh dear, Sweetie Belle, please. Just calm down and talk to me, it’s okay.” She hugged the white coated filly, running her hoof through her mane. Sweetie Belle couldn’t stop crying, and that made it very hard to talk, “R-ra-rarity, I-i’m n-n-ot th-the w-worst u-nic-orn you’ve ever seen, right?” “Oh, of course not! You are just beginning, no one expects you to be perfect from the start!” She was beginning to calm down, so Rarity stepped back, laying down in front of her. She used her front hooves to wipe the tears from those emerald eyes. “What would make you think such a thing?” The stutter from her crying had lessened, “Well, Di-diamond T-tiara said-” “That Diamond Tiara. I thought we straightened this out weeks ago?” “No, she just got a little be-tter. She still teases us, but not as bad. Anyway, she said my special talent was probably being t-the wors-t uni-corn!” A fresh wave of tears, “And then, when T-t-trixie was trying to te-teach us magic, I just kept bur-burning things!” She practically wailed the last part. “Wait, why is Trixie teaching you magic? I thought she ran away from town.” Seeing that she was shivering, Rarity laid down on her side and pulled her in close. “It doesn’t matter, anyhow. All that matters is you, Sweetie Belle, not what anypony else says to or about you.” She began stroking her mane again, “You don’t think you’re the worst unicorn ever, do you?” Sweetie Belle was silent for a few minutes. When she spoke, her voice was stronger than it had been, “No, I’m not the worst unicorn ever. I just can’t stop lighting things on fire when I try to use any magic.” She sighed. “Remind me that I need to fireproof my store tomorrow, okay?” Rarity mumbled. Sweetie Belle noted the sleepy tone in that voice, and spun around to face her, smiling slightly. “Sure thing, Rarity. Goodnight, I love you.” “Love you too, Sweetie...” Rarity dozed off. Sweetie Bell snuggled up, resting her head on Rarity’s neck. They both fell asleep, content. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trixie was rudely awoken by Applejack, who was standing over her with a bucket of apples. “Trixie does not believe you can eat all those apples!” “Of course not, Ah’m gonna sell these apples, and you’re gonna help!” She put the bucket down and prodded Trixie with her hoof. “Come on, we’re gonna work on your social mannerisms.” “Trixie does not feel like it today.” She rolled away from the hoof, curling up to protect her soft underbelly. “One humiliation a week is enough, thank you.” “Well, Ah don’t care what you feel like doing. You’re gonna sell some apples, while Ah supervise. C'mon, it’s real easy. You don’t want a repeat of yesterday, do you?” Her hoof continued its search for the soft bits of Trixie, hoping to get her up. “Don’t make me get the water, sugarcube.” Trixie groaned, but began getting up. “Trixie does not like being treated so unfairly, and don’t think of touching Trixie with those hooves of yours ever again!” She went inside to wash up. An hour and a half later, she came downstairs feeling much better then she had when she had gotten up. It felt good to have brushed teeth again! She found a bowl of oatmeal on the table, which she ate hungrily. Skipping dinner had been a real bad idea. Stepping outside, she saw two carts filled with apples. “Do you expect Trixie to pull that?!” She gestured towards the left one. “Of course not, Ah wouldn’t want you to run outta energy before the day even began. Bic Mac’ll be pulling that one, and Ah got this one. That suit you alright, Miss Trixie?” She raised a questioning brow. “Of course, Trixie hates physical labor!” She huffed as if it was even a viable question. Applejack sighed, and they began their descent into town.