//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: Blueblood's Blush. // by Sophocoles //------------------------------// It was about two hours before Trixie had arrived at her mobile home on the outskirts of Canterlot. She had tried to set up closer to where she could perform, but apparently the Royal Canterlot Guards had some pretty strict rules on the subject. She had to twist their hooves just for them to allow her to perform at the Gardens, so she didn’t want to push it. On her back she carried her box of props and supplies. She shook from the weight of it. Normally, she would have used her magic, but she was too tired from moving her home and today’s show to do much with her horn. Yes, sometimes even great and powerful unicorns like Trixie get tired. Her mobile house was small and a bit worn down. It looked like a miniature version of a Victorian cottage. The outer walls were painted a fading shade of pink and lined with a newer coat of blue. The roof of the house was ever so slightly caved, giving the whole place an overall warm look. One window sat in the front of the house next to the door and offered a view of the small kitchen. The interior looked much more lively. The walls were lined with many portraits of The Great and Powerful Trixie, each one of her smiling brightly into the camera. Some of the pictures were of her foster mother. Those were placed close to her dresser, which was fitted with a large mirror and several drawers. Opposite to the dresser was the table and couch where Trixie slept. The final area was the kitchen, where not a single food item sat, except for the bright red apple on the counter. The whole place looked messy and disorganized. Trixie used her last bit of magic to push open the door. With difficulty, she climbed inside and dropped the box on her torn couch. It bounced up and down a few times before settling. Trixie just laid on the floor for a bit, her hair crossing in front of her face as she gained her breath. After a gasp or two, the mare forced herself up and gripped the box. She opened the box with shaking hooves and pulled out her collection pouch from today's show. Her heart felt heavy in her chest, for the pouch felt very light. She turned it upside down on her kitchen table and shook it until it was empty. Tiny clinks and clanks could be heard as the coins settled. A mere seven bits fell onto the table. Trixie looked sadly at the golden coins before putting them in the drawer opposite the couch. Slowly, she eased herself onto the fluffy couch. Well, it was not as fluffy as it used to be; years of sleeping on it caused it to harden and get lumpy. She buried her head in the fluff of the armrest and sighed. How could she keep on like this? She didn’t even have enough money to feed herself. Food... no. She reminded herself to not think of it. As if her stomach was reading her mind, it let out a low growl. She sat up to see if she had anything in the house to eat. She spotted the apple on the countertop and her ears picked up. Then she remembered it was the only apple and that she needed to save it for tomorrow. It wasn’t fair. All these Canterlot ponies had so much money.... Couldn’t they spare a bit or two more? Trixie recalled the laughter and the smiles on their faces. She thought the show was worth more than a few measly bits. Her stomach growled in detest of the lack of food. “Oh hush.” She stood, forcing her mind off of food. The blue mare crossed the floor to the mirror and stared for a moment, checking to see if her hair was that bad of a mess. She spent a lot of time in front of the mirror as it was. She wanted to look perfect for her audience. She was perfect, as far as she was concerned. Her hair was messed up from the long trip home. She sighed and grabbed the brush next to her. She held it awkwardly in her hooves, for she was not accustomed to using them for anything. She struggled for a good minute before it slipped out of her hooves and onto the ground. She let out a long dramatic sigh. “ Honestly! How do those earth ponies do it?” She bent down, picked the brush up with her teeth and attempted at brushing her hair again. She was more successful this time. Each of the bristles ran through her two-colored mane, putting the hairs back in place and untangling them. This hair brushing calmed her. She closed her eyes as her stomach forgot about her need for food. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she leaned back. She just sat there for for a few moments, allowing her muscles to unwind and relax. “Oh Trixie. You simply must relax more.” This talking to herself was a frequent thing. It normally hid the fact that she had no one to talk to; but there were those inescapable moments of realization when she knew that she was alone. Utterly and bitterly alone. Suddenly the image of the white stallion popped into her mind. She jumped out of her chair. “Oh my...I have nothing to wear.” She galloped to her small closet. She sorted through about 3 different outfits before she found a dress that seemed perfect for the occasion. The dress itself was a deep purple with a white ribbon tied around the waist that led down the skirt of the dress. The chest was decorated with blue and white stars and dots. In fact, if her wizard hat were to be translated into a dress, it would look quite like this. She set the outfit aside and crawled back on top of the couch. As she turned,her gaze once more fell upon the apple. She eyed it hungrily before closing her eyes and curling up. There she fell asleep, eager for the next day and the new experiences it would bring. --- Blueblood had a faint smile on his face as he made his way back to the castle. He still had it. He still had a way with the mares. It was not just the fact that he had been able to get a date, but with whom he got it with. Trixie was her name. He guessed the thing that really sold it were the eyes. They were such a deep shade of purple. This was no ordinary mare, he could tell. Maybe it was the way she carried herself... How she talked about herself in third person. It was, well, cute. He passed the poster he had seen much earlier that night, the one that had first tempted him to go and see the show. The stallion examined the blue mare on the cover and allowed himself a pat on the back. Nice catch, Blueblood. A real treat for the eyes. As he continued down his path home, he would nod to any pony he passed; he was not too sure they noticed, since they were too busy bowing to the prince. Nothing could get him off of this cloud nine. Again, the wind stroked at his face and tossed his mane around in its warm embrace. The Royal Guards parted and let him in the castle. He thanked them and made his way up to his room. He had his eyes closed the whole way, smiling broadly; this, however, turned out to be a bad idea. He bumped into somepony in his blind moment of joy. He fell to his side and let out a little ‘“Hmph” of surprise. For a moment, a very brief second, he got angry. His face flushed red and he stomped his hoof. Does no one understand that the floor is DIRTY? He scowled and turned to whoever had the nerve to knock him down. What he saw was the green servant pony with the red mane cowering once more. Again, she was hiding under her hooves, whimpering. She looked so very scared. Scared of... him. What exactly did she think he was going to do? His eyes softened at the sight. He cleared his throat, signaling the pony to look up at him. She did so. Her eyes met his in total horror and fear as to what could come next. He looked down at her, his face emotionless. Then the prince did something he had never done before. He held out his hoof. No, not for her to kiss it, but to help her up. At first, she only stared at it. Then she held out her own trembling hoof and grasped his. He pulled her up and before she could say a thing he walked away, this time with his eyes open. As he turned the corner to the hallway to his room, he saw Celestia before him. He didn’t hesitate to bow. This time it was a real bow. Blueblood could hear Celestia’s chuckling and straightened up to look at her. “Did you have fun, nephew?” she asked with a smile traced on her pale face. “Yes, auntie. I really truly did.” Celestia was taken aback by his sudden enthusiasm and lack of whining. “ Oh? What did you do?” She looked at him inquisitive and interested. “Well...” He placed a hoof on his chin, thinking of how to word it. “ I met a mare and asked her out. We’re having dinner here tomorrow.” Straight and to the point. Celestia’s eyes widened in surprise. “W-Well! That’s wonderful!” She nodded for one of the helper ponies to fetch them a glass of wine. Blueblood was apprehensive about accepting the cup, as he didn’t want to have another accident. Nonetheless, he lifted the glass simultaneously with Celestia’s. Celestia took a sip and set it down. She was not really into that sort of drink, but she made an exception for her nephew’s sake. After the glass, Blueblood thanked his aunt and returned to his room. He dressed in his sleep wear and climbed into his big comfy bed. He smiled as he pushed his face into his pillow. The stallion let out a happy sigh. He opened his eyes wide, realizing his mood for the first time. Throughout the night, he had become increasingly more happy. Why? He thought over the day and came to a stunning realization. Blueblood had a crush. A crush on the Great and Powerful Trixie. Not only that, but he liked her. A lot.