There are a few things that Twilight had never expected to happen in her life. Becoming a national hero was one of them. To become an alicorn princess is another good example. However, she was slowly finding out that Trixie having a crush on her was much more difficult to take in than anything else. She at first could only stare blankly at the door that Trixie had just recently used, and blushed. After a second or two of silence, she turned slowly, blinked, and asked Rarity, "She... had a crush on me? As in... She wouldn't have minded at all that we were kissing?"
Rarity didn't respond. She just stood next to the stairs looking tired.
"As in..."
"Yes, darling," Rarity finally forced out. "As in, you probably shouldn't have said those things to her."
Twilight nodded, and gulped while thinking this over. "But," she said. "Trixie... She hated me at one point. It almost doesn't make sense."
Rarity offered, "She's not the same pony anymore."
Twilight could only stare at her friend for a second. She then took in a deep breath, and began looking around the room. "To be honest... Well, let me put it this way... Do you remember the day she first arrived here in Ponyville? How... against I was to confront her?"
Rarity nodded, and asked, "Yes, but what about it?"
Twilight started to glance at her unorganized books scattered about the floor, and said, "I wasn't fully aware of my surroundings at first, but I knew Trixie could've been a great influence on my life back then. I was attracted to her emotionally, too. I mean, she was willing to put herself out there even though she had no real idea what in the world she was doing. Because of that... Because of my fear towards just how much of an influence she could've been in my life, I tried to avoid her at first. That backfired, and when it did..."
She looked back at Rarity, who nodded while holding the hoof that had been poked. "Everypony in town payed a price."
Twilight's expression was bleak. "What I'm getting at is... I'm starting to realize more and more that she and I should't be apart. Perhaps, we really are meant for each other. I was just being too stubborn to realize it."
Rarity looked away. She seemed serious, but after a moment, she yawned abruptly before saying, "Uh-huh! Sounds like you've got it all figured out. Now, what will you actually be doing to make up for all the harsh things you said to her?"
At first, Twilight's head just lowered itself. She wasn't all that sure, actually, but she wasn't about to admit this so hastily. There had to be something she could do for Trixie. That's when Twilight's eyes fell on a picture of herself in the hot air balloon. She was surrounded by all of her friends. It took her a second to figure out what she wanted to do, but once it came to her, she'd smile, and say to Rarity. "I'll take her on a date. That's what she's been wanting all along. Also, I'll pack some food for her, too."
Rarity agreed by stating, "Quite the idea you've got there, assuming I understand what you're getting at. You plan on taking her for a joyride on Pinkie's balloon, aren't you?"
Twilight simply asked, "With it being this late, do you think Pinkie will mind if I wake her up?"
Rarity answered, "I doubt she'll be all that upset, especially considering it's for a friend."
Meanwhile, Trixie sat all by herself. She had just finished lighting a campfire outside her wagon, and was still shaken by everything that had happened. Nervously, she brought forth some food that was hidden within her wagon, and began nibbling on some cinnamon nuts. In between her chewing, she mumbled, "Trixie didn't deserve such harsh words from Twilight Sparkle... What does she know?" She stopped for just a second, and reasoned, "Actually, she knows a lot. So, how could she be this dense? Ugh!"
She began chewing her last nut all too fast, and looked into her now empty sack. It was tossed to the floor, and Trixie just sighed after gulping the last nut down. She then looked around with pursed lips, and a growling stomach.
"Trixie might as well go to sleep," she finally said.
That's when just over the horizon, she could see something floating downwards, headed her way. It was a hot air balloon, purple in color, and massive in size. Twilight could just barely be seen sitting inside, waving for Trixie to notice her. The unicorn was stopped where she was, stunned by what Twilight was doing.
"Wh-what in the world... are you doing?" she asked.
Twilight just kept floating closer and closer, and shouted to Trixie, "I thought you wanted that date! So... here I am." Trixie breathed for a few seconds, still taking in the slowly approaching sight. Soon, Twilight would be justly above her, waiting for an answer. "So, uh... Trixie?"
"Yes, T-Twilight?"
"Do you... want to go out with me?"
Trixie scoffed in a shy manner. "Trixie thought you didn't like Trixie."
Twilight begged, "Look, I went through a lot of trouble for this." For another moment or two, Twilight simply stood there, waiting. Once Trixie started shuffling her hooves backwards, Twilight would mention, "You know, I also brought along some delicious food...!"
Needless to say, Trixie couldn't resist. She was slow to reply, but when she did, Twilight would see a slight smile on Trixie's face. "Did you say... food?"
Twilight helped her with getting on board, and they took off shortly following that. Through the skies they soared together, side by side, both enjoying the breeze. Twilight opened up the picnic basket she had brought along. She didn't wait hardly at all to give Trixie something to eat. While she ate, Trixie commented, "It's... been practically forever! Thanks, Twilight."
The Princess simply nodded while enjoying her own meal. Once they finished, Twilight put everything away again, and they just stood next to one another for a while, enjoying the view of the land stretching far and wide before them. Twilight turned to Trixie, and stated quite boldly, "Trixie, back at the library... I didn't give you much of a kiss, now did I?"
Trixie just stared at Twilight blankly.
"So, if you want to," Twilight continued, "I wouldn't mind trying it again."
Trixie could only stand there for a second, glaring at Twilight. She managed to mumble, "Y-y-you really mean that?"
Twilight nodded, and she was also blushing rather noticeably. "I, umm... I wouldn't have offered if I didn't mean it, Trixie."
Gulping, Trixie came up close to Twilight, and sighed. "Well, alright..."
She closed in, and Trixie could feel herself become lightheaded. It wasn't from being way up high, either. This time, Twilight really meant it. As it ended, Twilight noticed that she could also hear and feel the thumping of Trixie's heart next to her own. Soon, the balloon slowly came back down to the ground, and Twilight offered to Trixie that she come stay with her for the evening, and of course, Trixie agreed.
That night, however, after an hour or two of sleeping on the downstairs couch, Trixie would pack up her things and leave. In her place, Trixie planted a note for Twilight to find. It depicted her as being both thankful and regretful towards Twilight for the night before, and that next time Twilight saw her, that Trixie would be greatly appreciative if she refrained from showing such attraction.
The next these two would cross paths would actually turn out to be with a pony named Starlight Glimmer.