Celestia’s smile was as wide and as genuine as it’s ever been as she and Luna followed the deer Elder into his tent as the village of Maederhallow roared with celebration. The joyous laughter, the instruments that played happy tunes, and the occasional magical firework that exploded in the night sky filled her with as much joy as those who celebrated the defeat of the Gorgon. Having spent her day with the deer of Maederhollow and her fellow ponies, she couldn’t help but felt the pang of concern in her stomach when the Elder approached her and Luna to speak privately.
As the Elder lead them inside the larger tent, she shared a quick look with her sister. Luna looked back at her and gave a slight shrug as she followed after the Elder.
“I take it this is not a simple celebratory talk, Elder?” Luna asked as the Elder took his place within.
As much as she wanted to correct Luna on her bluntness, Celestia couldn’t help but agree with the question.
“It is, and it isn’t,” the Elder said as he closed the tent flap with a charge of his antlers.
“A cryptic reply as any,” Luna mumbled as she rested upon one of the pillows.
A small smile tugged at the corner of the Elder’s muzzle, and Celestia felt her own pull as she realized what the Elder had done.
“As amusing as the teasing is, Elder, I too would like to know what this meeting is about,” Celestia said as she also sat. “You wouldn’t pull us aside just for congratulations.”
The Elder took in a breath through his nose and let it out slowly. “Indeed, Princess, there is one more matter we need to settle before you depart our forest. The Gorgon is sealed away once more, the magic holding her prisoner as strong as it has ever been, however, she can still be a danger. Now that she is awake, she could still reach out to others to try to free her.”
Celestia frowned even as Luna spoke. “She won’t have the chance to escape again. My sister and I’ve placed our own magics as further barriers to keep her powers contained to her holding chamber alone.”
“But the deer still intend to watch over her prison, no?” Celestia asked before the Elder could speak.
He gave a soft nod of his head. “Yes, Princess Celestia. We have lived quietly in our forest for centuries since the Purges, but we only had one goal: survival. Now though, with the world changing so rapidly, we have realized that it is not enough for us to merely survive in this world. Now, we realize we have just as much a duty to our world as your children do.”
The sisters nodded, urging him to continue.
His ears flicked as a rousing cheer came from the party goers outside. “Our new purpose is to make sure the Gorgon stays locked away, for us and for every creature of the world we share.”
A soft smile pulled at Celestia’s lips. “When Drasil first called for us to see her, I—we—never expected to see that the White Tail still lived. I had thought…” She looked at the tent ceiling a moment, choking back the catch in her throat. “Thought I’d never have a chance to right the wrong I had made all those years ago. The wrong I had done to the White Tail.”
“The wrong that we had done,” Luna said, turning her gaze from her sister to the Elder. “We are more than willing to assist the deer in their task. You need but to ask of us.”
Celestia could see the flurry of emotion darting through the Elder’s eyes before he closed his them once more to collect himself.
“There is something more, isn’t there?” Celestia asked.
He nodded before opening his eyes. “I had never dreamed that peace between our people would be possible, but the four who came here first, they showed that—even after so many years of animosity—they were still willing to offer the hoof of friendship to us. A hoof I thought we’d never see.” A warm smile inched across his muzzle. “You both have lead your people well, Princesses.”
“You would find Equestria welcoming of the White Tail, Elder,” Celestia said, even as elation made her heart flutter.
“I believe it.” He stood straighter. “However, there is one more who wishes to speak with you.”
The two tilted their heads. “Who is this?”
Even as they asked, a few roots emerged from the ground underneath him—wrapping themselves around his fetlocks. The Elder closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, they were pure white.
”Celestia, Luna, greetings once again," the wise voice of Drasil said.
Celestia smiled wide as she stood on all four legs again. “Drasil, it is so good to hear from you.”
”And you. I, despite my initial hesitation in calling, am glad that you both responded to my plea for help and the saving of my children.”
“Are you well enough to do this, Drasil?” Luna asked, the concern heavy in her tone. “The Harbinger’s poison has not yet had time to run its course.”
”I am well enough, for now, Luna, despite how tiring it is. The poison was potent, but with time and effort, I shall heal. I wished to speak with you both while I still can.” The Elder looked between them. ”You do know what happened down in the prison when the one known as Trixie sealed the Gorgon away?”
The sisters shared a nod. “We were surprised to find that she had such magical potential within her. I knew she was a talented magician, but not so much in raw magical power.”
”The potential is there, Luna, I had to help coax it out of her. Even now it still remains there, waiting to be tapped once again. My aid, however, wouldn’t have been enough if it wasn’t for the faith in herself that she grew from her friends. Your children, Wanderer, Tourmaline, and Tormod, have shown that the magic of friendship exists even if they are common ponies. They are truly remarkable.”
A heartfelt chuckle escaped Celestia. “If you had asked me that when they were foals hugging my fetlocks crying because they thought I was going to punish them for an accident, I would’ve told you that even then.”
Luna turned a raised eyebrow at her.
Celestia’s eyes widened. “I never told you that story?”
“You did not,” Luna said, her tone going flat with mock indignation.
Another humored chuckle left her. “I’ll have to share it with you when we walk with them back to Greensborough. I am sure Wanderer will try to embellish some of the truth if what I remember Tourmaline has told me about him is true.”
“Sounds like a certain sister I know from when she was young,” Luna said, a cheeky grin pulling at her expression.
”Even so,” Drasil said. ”They are welcomed to return whenever they wish. They will find my forest inviting to them, and those they bring with them.”
Celestia and Luna both bowed their heads. “We thank you, Drasil, it will be a small step in making amends for the past. Your children will be welcomed in Equestria as well. We are eager to amend the bridges between them.”
”Slowly, but yes.” A faint smirk pulled at the Elder’s expression. ”You both are welcomed as well.”
Before Celestia could form a thankful reply, Drasil said, ”On one condition.”
Celestia’s brow furrowed even as Luna asked, “Which is?”
”Share stories and news of what has happened beyond my forest. I have much catching up to do.”
Celestia tried, but her laugh burst from her before she could control it.
-0-
The party had raged for two days after their return to Maederhallow. In that time, Faithful Watcher had spent nearly all of it with her friends. She knew the time was coming. On the third day, Rogue had insisted that they start back for Greensborough. Claiming that he had a city to manage and the mountain of paperwork that was no doubt waiting for him.
Here it was, the dawn of the third day that Faith gathered with her friends a final time. A warm, yet sad smile graced her features as she spoke with them.
“You will… all come back to Maederhallow again, yes?” she asked as they settled saddlebags on their backs.
Wanderer’s lop-sided grin spread across his face as he tipped the brim of his hat out of his eyes. “Are you kidding? There’s still more for us to find out here, of course, we’ll be back to see you, Faith.”
Her smile spread a bit more. “I will look forward to seeing you all again. There is so much we have been through together, the village will be so quiet without you.”
A cheeky smile made its way across Tourmaline’s face as she tossed a few stray locks of mane out of her eyes. “Without Wanderer’s snoring to keep everyone awake at night, I’m certain it’ll quieter.”
He shot a glare at her. “I don’t snore…”
They shared a chuckle before her gaze settled on Tormod as he stood ready to leave. She looked at his leg and the new brace that wrapped around it. “Does it still bother you, Tormod?”
He blinked as he was pulled out of his musing to look at her. “Not near as much. Your medicines have helped a lot, and the new brace you made fits better than the old one.” He lifted his leg to flex a few times before tenderly resting it down again. “I’ll be fine before long.”
Her ears laid back as she asked, “There are healers out there who can help you when you need it, yes?”
“There are hospitals out there I can go to if I need it.” He looked down at the oak-wood brace, a thoughtful frown forming. “I might end up getting a new brace when this one wears down. Something metal maybe so I can still keep up with those two. Speaking of which, if I don’t corral them, we’ll never get anywhere.” He stepped over and laid his good leg around her withers in a hug. “You take care, and don’t let your grandpa keep you busy all the time that you have no time for yourself.”
She smiled a bit and leaned into the hug. Her smile couldn’t hold, however, as he stepped away. If only he knew. Her responsibilities would keep her away from seeing them anytime soon. The village would need rebuilding, the wounded tended to, not to mention the task of overseeing the Great Mother’s recovery from the poison. She was going to be kept busy and kept busy for a while.
“Trixie thinks you look awful gloomy, Faith,” Trixie said as she sat next to the doe. “Trixie wonders what it could be?”
She turned as Wanderer and Tourmaline traded light-hearted barbs at each other. “It pleases me to see them having made amends,” she said in an effort to avoid the subject. “When I first saw them, they were at each other's throats. It had made it easy for my people to sneak up on them and captured them without violence.” A small wispy smile tugged at her muzzle, her gaze going distant. “To think, that all of you would become such dear friends to me. I would not have ever thought it.”
“A lot of things happened that Trixie wouldn’t have ever thought would happen,” she said as she secured her hat and cape. “But, in the end, it all worked out. The Gorgon is locked away again, everypony is safe, and we’ve all become friends.” She lifted her head, a truly confident grin on her face. “And Trixie has finally proven without a shadow of a doubt that she is the Greatest and most Powerfulest.” Winking, she nudged Faith’s side. “Especially when she’s with her friends.”
Faith closed her eyes, forcing back the well of emotion that wanted to escape her. However, she swore she wouldn’t cry, not in front of her friends or anyone until she was back in the privacy of her own tent. “I’m going to miss you all,” she finally said.
Trixie’s brow furrowed as she looked at her and Faith could see the confusion in her gaze. “You make it sound like we won’t see you ever again, Faith. Greensborough is not that far away from Maederhollow, you are always welcome to visit Wanderer and the others anytime you’d want, and you’d be the first person I’d see when I make my return to Greensborough. I have to come and perform for the deer, they’re my biggest fans.”
“If it were that simple,” she whispered, her gaze dropping to the ground.
Tilting her head at the moping doe, Trixie’s horn took on its aura and she floated a couple of jars full of colored dust. “I made these for you. So that you can continue to practice while I’m gone. When I come back, Trixie will need the help of her best assistant to put on a spectacular show for everypony to see.”
A genuine, happy smile graced her features. “Oh! Thank you, Trixie. I most certainly shall!” She took the jars in her own magic and set them next to her. “I always enjoyed our time practicing your spells. I enjoyed them very much.”
“As did Trixie.” She pulled the doe into a tight hug. “Trixie won’t ever forget your confidence in her when she hadn’t any for herself.”
They both looked up as Princess Celestia and Luna approached the small gathering of ponies. “If everypony is ready to leave, the White Tail have generously offered to escort us all back to Greensborough. We should leave soon to make most of the daylight.”
As the former Bringers stood and collected around the Princesses, Faith smiled as Wanderer, Tourmaline, and Tormod walked towards her. Before she could get in a word for a proper farewell, Wanderer pulled her into a tight hug one that was joined by the other two. Faith bit her lip and embraced her friends, choking back the lump that formed in her throat.
“We’ll see you soon, Faith,” Wanderer said as the group broke the hug. “Take care of everyone.”
“Stop on by Greensborough when you can,” Tourmaline said, stretching her wings out. “We’ll treat you to some of our cooking for a change.”
“Something that doesn’t involve acorns,” Wanderer mumbled.
Tourmaline elbowed him in the side, earning a grunt from the earthpony. “At least with the deer, we don’t have to worry about you getting us lost this time.”
“Will you lot hurry up already!” Stone Hoof hollered, the pegasus still sporting a few bruises from the fight. “Some of us got work to get back to!”
Tormod huffed before he motioned to the others as the pony caravan started its way for the forest. With a final farewell and wave, Faith watched as her friends disappeared into the tree line. As she stood there, she forced her eyes shut to quell the tears that threatened to pour.
“Well, Faithful Watcher,” the Elder said as he stood next to her. “In a half year’s time, we have seen ponies for the first time in centuries, made peace with those same ponies who have been our enemies in the past, and seen the Gorgon safely imprisoned. It has been a very eventful time.” He turned to look at her with soft, yet curious eyes. “And yet, I feel you are not a joyous as I would have expected.”
Her ears laid back against her skull, even as her posture sagged a bit. “You know why, Grandfather. I know you taught us all not to make attachments but… with them, I could not help it. They just… They are my friends.”
The Elder nodded. “As much is obvious, Faithful.”
She looked back at the tree line, blowing a sigh through her nose. “I see why now, why you warned us against it. If partings like this are so painful, we should never form them.” Lowering her gaze, she sighed again. “I was a fool.”
“No, you were not.”
Her ears perked up as she turned to regard her grandsire. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that you were not wrong in forming friendships, Faithful Watcher,” he said as he looked in the same direction she had. “Friendship is a powerful thing. It drove those four to actions they might not have otherwise done were it not for the bonds they formed with each other, and with you. For years, our Elders taught us our ways to protect us. To protect us from a harsh reality that meant us harm, but now, after these events, I have learned that they also kept us away from forming bonds that would have served us better than seclusion.” He turned his gaze to her, a soft smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “A lesson I learned from you, my granddaughter.”
Her eyelashes fluttered as she blinked.
“All of the memories I carry are of bitterness, anger, and betrayal,” he continued. “Memories of a past that once was, and not a world that is.” He lifted his head to stare into the sky. “I believe it time that new memories should take their place. Memories of trust, loyalty, and friendship.”
“What do you mean, Grandfather?” she asked, even as she felt the beginnings of hope stirring in her chest.
“Go, Faithful Watcher,” he said even as he turned a warm, loving smile towards her. “Go out there with your friends, see the world, and return to us with new memories for younger White Tail generations to learn from. Happy memories to replace the ones of old.”
If it were possible, she was sure her jaw would have hit the ground. With a barely contained squeal, she hugged him tightly—not caring for the show of emotion normally reserved for private.
“Thank you, Grandfather. I will—” her eyes widened as a thought hit her. “But, I cannot leave. I have my duties to the village. If I leave, who will care for the sick and wounded, what of the Great Mother? I cannot leave her.”
He smiled again, a smile telling her he expected as such. “It is with the Great Mother’s blessings, that she wishes you to go. I will see to the Great Mother. You go and see what the world has to offer. These old bones of mine still have some years left in them yet.”
To say she was elated would’ve been an understatement. She took a half step towards the tree line before she stopped and ran back for their tent. “I need to hurry and prepare if I’m to catch up with them! I will make you proud, Grandfather!”
Even as she dashed off, a warm, humored smile graced his face. “She will be an Elder unlike any before her. To the betterment of the White Tail,” he said to himself even as he drew in a long breath to let it out slowly. “Though, I will still miss her.”
-0-
The town was abuzz with excitement as Wanderer lead Tourmaline and Tormod towards Greensborough’s city hall. The return of missing family members, the news of what had happened deep within the Forest of the Oak, and the arrival of the White Tail had the ponies of the small logging community abuzz with excitement. Even now he could see other ponies gather around Faithful Watcher and the other White Tail that had accompanied them, each speaking in a near drone.
“If I didn’t know better, with all the attention they’re getting, I’d be afraid the deer would be overwhelmed with all the new things they’re seeing,” he said to the two as the deer were lead off by the crowd.
“Personally, I think they’re liking the attention.” Tourmaline tucked that stray lock of mane out of her face once more. “Once Faith assured them they meant no harm, the deer relaxed. I saw them eating at Colton’s yesterday, and they about ate everything the restaurant had.”
“Speaking of food, that dinner Dad made for us was fantastic,” Tormod said as his tail flicked. “After months of living off the White Tail’s rations, it was nice to have a home-cooked meal again.”
“Even if Mom almost burned the rolls again,” Tourmaline said, giving Wanderer a cheeky wink.
He rolled his eyes. “Yes, Mom’s not the best cook around, but she’s far from the worst. I can think of one pony off the top of my head right now who puts her to shame,” he said as he glanced over at her, a smug grin on his face.
Tourmaline raised an eyebrow at him. “What’re you talking about?”
“I remember when she tried to teach you how to cook. I’m still surprised the whole forest didn’t burn down.” He scurried out of her reach before she could swipe at him. “Thank Celestia there was a rainstorm that day!”
She growled at him, her face bright red. “You will pay for that remark, Wanderer!” she threatened, her tail flicking irritably.
“There is reason we don’t let you cook that often, dear sister,” Tormod said, giving her a similarly-smug look.
She glowered at the two. “I hate you both.”
“Promises, promises,” Wanderer said with a dismissive wave as he slowed for them to catch up. “Though, I swear it felt like we were foals again when Mom lectured us after we told her everything.”
“Mom was just worried about us, and you know that,” Tourmaline said, fidgeting with her necklace. “You have to admit, we aren’t the most careful adventurers around.”
Tormod’s ears laid back against his skull. “That’s an understatement.”
“You’re not wrong,” Wanderer said, as he pushed the brim of his hat up. “But I’d like to think we’re smarter now, considering everything.”
The two hummed their agreement and made small talk before city hall came into view.
“I wonder what Rogue wants from us? His letter wasn’t specific,” Wanderer said as he climbed the steps for the entrance.
Tourmaline scoffed. “If I know them at all, they’re likely gonna blame us for everything. Nothing changes with him or Scarlet.”
“I disagree—” Tormod started.
“Big surprise,” Tourmaline grumbled, earning a humored chuckle from Wanderer.
“I honestly think, with everything that’s transpired, they’ve changed a lot,” Tormod said, ignoring Tourmaline’s teasing. “One doesn’t go through traumatic events like what they went through without changing somehow.” He gave the two pointed looks. “The three of us should know that more than anypony.”
Wanderer slumped, his ears pinning back. If he was being honest, he couldn’t have argued. When his body was used as Tyranny’s puppet, it felt like he had been locked in a dark room with only one window to view the outside world—through Tyranny’s eyes. From what Scarlet told him while under the influence of the Gorgon, he couldn’t tell which one had been worse.
“Well, time to see what he wants,” he said as Tormod opened the door to the building. “Let’s just hope it isn’t a fine or something.”
“Optimist,” Tourmaline said before Rogue’s voice sounded from the office, calling them in.
“Wanderer, Tourmaline, Tormod, come in and have a seat.”
As Tormod stepped ahead, Wanderer shared a look with Tourmaline before following. Inside, Rogue sat in his office chair, flanked by Scarlet Scroll who stood watching them. As Wanderer looked between them, he and Scarlet shared a look before the pegasus averted her gaze.
“So, what’s this about, Rogue?” Wanderer asked before taking an offered seat. “What’s so important that you had to call us to city hall for?”
Tormod shot him a withering glare, but Rogue didn’t seem to react. “As blunt as ever, Wanderer.” He looked between them. “I asked you three here because we wanted to speak to you privately. As busy as we’ve been, this seemed the only way we can.”
“What did you want to talk about?” Tourmaline asked as she and Scarlet traded stares.
A slow sigh escaped Rogue’s nose as he closed his eyes a moment, collecting his thoughts. “This has never been easy for me—for us—but I want to admit one thing: We were wrong.”
The three of them blinked, their jaws falling open.
“We were wrong about the three of you,” Rogue continued. “Growing up, you frustrated me to no end with your carefree attitudes. Everything seemed a game to you and you didn’t care about the consequences of anything you ever did. And it was sickening to see the three of you somehow manage to always get away with it.” He looked between them a moment. “You caused more than your fair share of trouble in the past.”
Before Wanderer could voice a protest, Rogue raised a hoof to stop him. “Let me finish speaking, Wanderer, this isn't easy to do.” He looked over his shoulder as Scarlet draped a wing over his back, giving him a soft smile. A small smile played across his own muzzle before he looked back at the three. “I want to… apologize for my attitude. Considering everything you’ve done for me, my wife, Stone, and everypony in Greensborough, I owe you an apology for my behavior.”
Wanderer sputtered as his mind struggled frantically to make sense of what he just heard. ’Rogue? Apologizing? What sort of Discord-created dimension have I been teleported to?’
“You can close your mouths now,” Scarlet said, a sparkle of humor in her one visible eye.
“I...we—er… wha?” Tourmaline sputtered before her brother came to the rescue.
“We thank you for the apology, Rogue, but that isn’t the only reason for this meeting, is it? You’ve had the chance to do this whenever you wanted on the way back to Greensborough, what else did you want to say?”
“Again, you’re too sharp for your own good, Tormod,” Rogue grumbled, running a hoof through his neon-yellow mane.
“It wasn’t just for saving everypony from the Gorgon, Tormod,” Scarlet said. “You three rescued us, the three of us who tried everything in our power to make your lives miserable since we were foals. Anypony else might’ve not even bothered, considering everything, or let us die. You had every right to let something horrible happen to us, but you stood up for us when the deer wanted us gone.” A faint smile flickered across her muzzle. “It made us realize some things we never considered before.”
Finally getting her shock under control, Tourmaline looked around the office. “Three?”
“Stone sends his regards,” Rogue said, sitting straighter in his chair again. “He said he’s sorry, but in his own way.”
“Gruffly?” Wanderer snarked.
A chuckle escaped the other two. “Yes. He wanted us to tell you and Tourmaline not to hit so hard next time.”
“No promises,” Tourmaline said, flipping a bang out of her face.
“But, we realized how foalish we’ve been towards you three,” Rogue said before he stood up and offered a hoof across the desk. “You saved my hide—and likely everypony in Equestria—but more importantly, you saved Scarlet’s life. For that, I sincerely thank you.”
Wanderer looked at the offered hoof and blew a low sigh through his nose. “Truth be told, we should apologize too,” he said as he shook the offered hoof. “We, as you said, weren’t the most responsible ponies around.” His grin inched across his face. “We still aren’t. But we’ll try not to bring trouble to Equestria again.”
“We never expected differently, Wanderer,” Scarlet said before she looked at Tourmaline as the other pegasus still frowned. “It’s going to take more than an apology for you, isn’t it, Tourmaline?”
Tourmaline huffed before responding. “I’m not as fast at forgiving,” she admitted. “But, I will get there eventually.”
“It seems a trait pegasi share,” Rogue said before Scarlet lightly whapped him upside the head with a wing.
“I know, right!” Wanderer commented before he found himself similarly assaulted by a winged appendage.
They spent the next hour talking and reminiscing before leaving town hall. Wanderer went to sleep later that night—curled next to Tourmaline—with a feeling of contentment. Finally, things had come to a conclusion that not even he could’ve ever imagined. Feeling that, at last, that he had made up for some of the mistakes he had made and made a positive difference in another pony’s life.
“I’ll still remember what I did, but I won’t feel guilty again,” he whispered to himself.
“Mm, what did you say?” Tourmaline asked, her voice heavy with sleep.
“Nothin’, Tourmaline.” He lightly kissed her neck. “Just musing.”
As his marefriend dozed back to sleep, another smile spread across his face as he watched her. ’I’m not the only one to change somepony’s life for the better.’
-0-
A few errant snowflakes drifted around Trixie’s face as she floated the last of her purchased supplies into her wagon. Making sure it was tied and secured, she turned to look over her shoulder.
“Faith? Do you have everything you need?”
“I do!” Faith called, as she carried over a pair of saddlebags. “I see why ponies use these. They are much more convenient than my satchel.”
“Trixie’s glad the store was able to make a set to fit your frame,” Trixie said as she secured the final blanket to the wagon’s side. “Trixie thinks they took it as more of a challenge to make them than anything else.”
“And he was kind enough to give it to me for free,” the doe said as she set her saddlebags on an available hook. “I will admit, the concept of having to buy things is so odd. In Maederhallow, we share everything with each other.”
“You’ve got a lot to learn yet,” came Wanderer’s voice from around the wagon as he, Tourmaline, and Tormod joined them. “It’s gonna be a lot to take in, trust me, but it'll be completely worth it.”
“Yes!” Faith cried, the doe’s ears and tail waggling. “I cannot wait to see Equestria! I will get to see all of the big cities, the high mountains, and even the sea! It is supposed to be a giant lake that stretches farther than the eye can see! I cannot wait to see it. There is so much to see that I feel that I am about to explode!”
Trixie smiled as the doe practically shook. “Well, The Great and Powerful Trixie is going to be traveling to the cities for her return tour, so what better way to see Equestria than to travel with a friend and assistant? If we hurry, we’ll get to Baltamare just in time for their Winter Wrap Up. It’s a sight to behold.”
“It’ll be cold this time of year,” Tourmaline said, her scarf swaying in the soft breeze. “Just don’t get bogged down in the snow somewhere on the road.”
Trixie gave her a confident smile. “The Great and Powerful Trixie has faced far worse than a silly snow storm. She’ll get there with plenty of time to spare.”
The pegasus smirked at her. “I just hope you remember how to pitch a tent.”
“Trixie won’t need…” Her eyes widened before she narrowed them at Tourmaline, a daring smile on her face. “Oh, I see what you did there.”
The two mares shared a chuckle before Trixie looked at the two stallions, her gaze settling on Tormod as he looked at the snow-covered ground. Her head tilted as the unicorn’s posture was stiff, his tail giving little flicks here and there.
“Tormod?” she asked, “Is there something wrong?”
He lifted his gaze, his blue eyes staring into hers’ before he cast them down again. She could see that he shook on his hooves—something she wasn’t used to seeing from her otherwise reserved and confident friend.
“I… ah… Have something to ask you,” he said.
“Hmm?” She hummed before Tormod gave Tourmaline and Wanderer a pleading look.
“Well, we… ah! Have something to go get before you leave!” Wanderer said, his voice rising. “We should get… the thing... before, you know, you leave!”
Tourmaline facehooved before tugging him away by the ear. “Come on, Faith, we’ll need your help.”
The doe looked between them, her eyes wide. “I do not understand, is there something wrong with—”
“Faith! Come on!’ the two said.
Looking between Tormod and Trixie, her eyes widened. “Oh! Right. I am coming.”
As the doe bounded after her friends, Trixie looked back at Tormod as he took in a deep, calming breath. “Trixie… I wanted to…” He lowered his head again, a thick blush across his cheeks. “I wanted to ask you something.”
A slow, warm smile spread across her face as she realized what he was trying to do. As sure as Tormod always tried to be about every situation he found himself in, apparently there were a few things the unicorn stallion still wasn’t sure about.
She sat in front of him, giving him a soft smile. “Go ahead and ask.”
Lifting his gaze, she could tell he took the metaphorical plunge. “If we’re… ever in the same city… during our travels. W-Would you mind if I took you out to… dinner sometime?”
A soft smile flickered at the corner of her lips. She hummed and tapped at her chin. “Well, let me think.” She stepped forward and lightly kissed him on the lips—almost laughing when he went as rigid as stone as their lips met.
Sitting back, she smiled wider at the wide-eyed, but happy look on his face. “Trixie would like that very much.”
The truly genuine smile on his face, she admitted, was the happiest she had ever seen on anypony’s face.