//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Tangled Hooves // by Compromisations //------------------------------// It took starlight a good half hour to navigate through the castle. She was beginning to think it was a lost cause. Getting stuck in Spike’s bathroom was never fun. After finding the front door, she was ready for a nap. Manually pushing the heavy crystal doors open, she was eagerly greeted. "Huzzah!" Starlight whipped around, attempting to locate the call. "Overrr heeerrreee!" "Ah! Hi Trix!" Trixie smiled egotistically, tipping her hat in a flamboyant manner. "Well, Starrrlight! I'm guessing the frrrriendship lessons didn't go so great?" Starlight yelped, signaling Trixie to be quiet. "Trixie! Twilight could've heard you!" "So what?" Starlight shifted her stance, looking down at Trixie. "Were you listening in on my lesson?" Trixie blushed, hiding her face with her hat. "N-no not at all! I just happened to overhear, is all." Starlight raised an eyebrow, tapping her hoof judgmentally. "What? I was just walking by, being adored by everypony. Plus, I was focusing on my magic anyway. Then, I just happened to hear Twilight yell from inside the castle, and I only stopped for a few minutes and-" "Trixie." Starlight huffed firmly, stopping Trixie instantly. "Mmm. So what if a little birdy told me, it's. Not like I would even care about your lessons!” Starlight sniggered, grinning down on her friend. "Trixie, you're shaking like crazy." "No! You're lying!" Trixie's hat fell off in the commotion, she quickly scrambled in hopes of hiding herself with her cloak. Starlight teased, poking out her tongue as she headed down the crystal palace stairs to meet with Trixie. "Relax Trixie. I was going to tell you about it anyway. But you should probably stop listening in on me. Just in case Twilight finds out.” "Ah, good. Glad we are in agreement then." Trixie regained her snooty Aura, tossing her cloak upward and allowing it to flow elegantly amongst the wind. Starlight raised an eyebrow, trying to call her bluff. "Ahah.. ha?" Trixie could only stammer in response. The two headed toward the spa, Trixie couldn't help but constantly fluff up her mane when met with a glance. "Twilight seemed a little tense today, didn’t she?” Trixie smiled to herself cunningly. “It may just cause her to get careless when it comes to the next magic lesson... Don't you think Starlight?" Trixie began to chuckle at her realization, menacingly kicking a rock off the path. "I don't know why you're still so adamant about surpassing Twilight. Haven't you learned yet?" Trixie scowled, playfully nudging Starlight. "Well. Learning wouldn't be the word I'd use. If you catch my drift." "Really?" Trixie scowled, pulling Starlight into a huddle. "Trixie may make mistakes, but knowing Twilight admitting defeat." Starlight rolled her eyes, smiling as she listened to another one of Trixie's plans. Starlight knew despite Trixie's mountainous confidence and brash attitude, she knew her flaws and was working to change them. Starlight always enjoyed helping Trixie work through her problems. Being able to work alongside Trixie was a real friendship lesson. Plus, she made everything fun. Trips to the general store, the drive-through at McSoys, Rainbow Dash's Wonderbolt tangents. Starlight had never imagined a day where she'd be so enthralled in Stage Magic, despite understanding all the magical aspects involved. The spa was busy today. Somepony had knocked over the chalkboard by the door. It took a while before they were finally able to get into the spa. Trixie rubbed her haunches as the line began to shorten. "How long does it take to get a hooficure!? Seriously!" Trixie shook her hoof angrily at Lotus who was positioned nearby. Starlight cringed as she saw Lotus tending to a clogged, unwashed basin. Just imagining the amount of loose drain hair Lotus was dealing with made her shudder. A hefty cloud of Spa steam washed over the both of them. Trixie's attention averted toward a stylish young mare. Her mane was wrapped in violet towels. Trixie looked away, swatting the spa mist out of her face. Starlight looked on eagerly, noticing a taller stallion standing beside the fashionable mare. Starlight gave the couple a friendly wave but was greeted by a judgemental stare covered in thick eyeliner. "Is there something you needed?" The mare let off a magical aura. On closer inspection Starlight found the aura beginning to put her at ease. It was strange, a soothing Aura coming off a mare who was as dismissive as a dragon. The fashionable pony stuck up her nose at the two. Probably after recognizing who Trixie was. "Eheh... well- yes actually. I was wondering what. Eh." Starlight was tongue-tied. Trixie stepped in abruptly, puffing her mane up again with pride. "I think what Starrrlight is trrrying to ask is what service did you order?" Trixie fluttered her eyelashes, proud of her confidence. The stallion looked at his girlfriend, nodding to her in a petty manner. He spoke up, possibly in place of the mare. "It was the new Crystal Empire steam sauna treatment. Good day to you." He nodded solemnly, almost as if shaken by Trixie's enthusiasm. "Trixie! We should totally get that!" Starlight tittered in excitement. Thoughts of glamorous magical steam began to surface. Twilight's classes had left her with one too many split ends. "Hah! As if I'd care for that. I barely let my own mother touch my mane." Starlight feigned a sulk in order to change Trixie's mind. "What? Stop looking at me like that! Trixie puffed her chest, stomping her hoof in an attempt to defend herself Starlight's cheap trick. "C’mon Trix, it's what best friends would do for each other." "Well. What's In it for me?" Trixie twirled her mane wearily, eying Starlight. "I'll pay for both of us." "Deal!" She exclaimed, tossing her cloak up in delight once more.