Trixie and Daring had not been involved in many of my recent shenanigans. That was cool, I understood they both had their own lives going on. Still, it was nice to get together and catch up sometimes.
Sunset was working on a project that involved the mirror portal and corresponding human world. I hadn't asked what she was up to this time and figured she would tell me if I needed to know.
Unfortunately, that meant I had to get my place ready for Trixie and Daring's visit all by myself.
What, you thought Cordoba knew how to clean a house?
She helped, I'll give her credit for that. Still, a seventeen ton death machine like Tin Mare probably would have been more useful.
When Trixie and Daring arrived, they found me in the middle of working on a different project. Namely, a seven ton death machine. I had decided that with Tin Mare inhabiting her VTOL airframe, I needed more capability in the striking role. The result was a boomerang-shaped drone that was still under construction. I hadn't even come up with a catchy name for it, to say nothing of a distinct personality.
I greeted Trixie and Daring in the front room. While it may have been clean, there was still stuff stacked all over. Weapons, pieces of weapons, hardware, Starlight Glimmer's ghost in a glass jar.
"So how's it been?" I asked, gesturing them to sit. "Lots of adventures?"
"Lots," Daring confirmed.
"Treasure? Ruins?"
Daring nodded. "The usual."
"How's the magic going?" I asked Trixie.
"It's going. In fact, that was kind of what we were here to talk to you about," Trixie replied. "We were looking for a new venue to debut a never-before-seen trick."
"Sounds cool. Were you looking for a place or looking to build a place?"
"What do you recommend?" Daring asked.
"Oh?" My eyebrows went up. "I didn't know you were so involved, Daring."
Daring flushed. "Well, Trixie has been going with me on so many archeological expeditions. I agreed to help her out on stage."
"There are certain tricks that are really handy to have a pegasus assistant for," Trixie explained.
She went on. "Back to the original question, I think a place where we can set up a permanent show would be held. I used to live life in my old wagon and I've kind of started to like the idea of staying somewhere for a while. Plus, maybe if we built a new event venue here in Ponyville, it could be used for other things besides just my act."
"An investment," I said. "I like it. Maybe if we get enough revenue and clout I can finally buy back majority ownership of Valiantco®."
"Twilight still has it?" Trixie asked.
"Well, and the estate of Bruce Springsteen."
Trixie and Daring nodded sympathetically.
"What do you want to make this place look like?" Cordoba asked.
"Well, if we're going to make it accessible to others, it'll need to be versatile," said Trixie.
"I was kind of thinking some sort of southwest style," said Daring.
"And not to mention enough flair for the Great and Powerful star attraction." Trixie grinned and placed a hoof on her chest.
"As it so happens, I think I have a designer who might think she owes me a favor," I said.
Coco Pommel didn't think she owed me a favor, but enough money and imposition can get a lot of people to do a lot of things.
At any rate, she got the design laid out well enough and the rest of us built it over the course of the next few days. I brought in Tin Mare to help with the lifting. It reminded me again that I needed a name for her future sidekick, the attack drone.
The building hosted its first show not too long after. Even though it didn't have a formal name or dedication, which was something else I reminded myself I'd have to come up with.
The show sold out of tickets its first night. I guess anything for a spectacle in Ponyville.
Trixie and Daring stood at the front, greeting guests as they came in. I paused for a hug. "Give 'em the ol' razzle dazzle."
"What was that?" asked Razzle Dazzle.
"Not you." I turned back to Trixie. "You know, sometimes I really hate this place with weird pony names. Every catchy phrase is someone."
"I mean, I'd be in a real pickle if I wasn't," said Catchy Phrase.
With that out of the way, Cordoba and I went to find a seat. The lights went down and the curtain came up. Sure enough, Trixie did a razzle dazzle. I mean, maybe she would have done Razzle Dazzle, but Daring was keeping her on the surprisingly straight and narrow. Trixie and Daring really were good for each other.
It had actually been a while since I'd seen Trixie show off her talent. She wasn't in the business for nothing, either. Knowing it was unicorn magic kind of took some of the wonder out of it, but that didn't mean it wasn't nice to watch.
But the grand finale, oh man. Trixie and Daring really had been working on this trick. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it.
They unfurled a banner that said Congratulations, future grandfather Valiant!
"Holy shit," I said, idly clapping along with the rest of the crowd. Not only did I have to name an attack drone and a venue hall, but now also maybe a baby.
Cordoba leaned over, looking confused. "But which one of them is having it?"