The evening sun dipped behind the mountain range adjacent to Ponyville, drenching the sky will all sorts of oranges, pinks, and purples. Though it was a common occurrence to love watching the sun rise and fall as the day trudged on, Trixie actually found sunsets to be quite ugly. Something about the colors rubbed her the wrong way. She didn’t have much time to take notice of the sunset this afternoon, however, as she was assiduously occupied with getting ready for the night’s dinner.
Trixie was well aware of her list of limitations. While she was amazing at a multitude of tricks, skills, and talents, cooking was certainly not one of them, and Trixie knew that serving Starlight a burnt, amorphous blob for dinner certainly wouldn’t win her any favors. Going with reservations at Shetland’s was definitely the way to go. Plus, it was one of the most expensive restaurants Ponyville had to offer… relative to Trixie’s paltry bank account, at least.
She took a seat at her vanity mirror, eyeing herself up and down as best she could. “Okay, Trixie,” she began, “time to make yourself look the best you can possibly be.”
She squinted, finding it difficult to point out anything she could do to improve what was already great. Finally landing on the sweep of hair towards the front of her scalp, Trixie’s demeanor brightened.
“Ah hah!” she exclaimed. Licking the bottom of her hoof, Trixie raised her foreleg and moved a bit of hair a few millimeters to the right. “Perfect.”
Now to decide what I’m wearing. Looking over at her familiar wizard’s cape and hat, Trixie pondered whether or not to wear such attire. They were going someplace fancy, after all. She would be remiss to squander a chance to dress decidedly different than normal.
Trixie opened a small drawer beneath her mirror, filled with all sorts of knickknacks, accessories, and trinkets. Fishing out a small piece of fabric from the back with her magic, she quickly fastened it around her neck and stood back to get a good look in the mirror.
A small, lavender bowtie now adorned her neck, matching the color of her usual attire without being too loud or noticeable.
Perfect. It’s cute, but it’s not too cute. Wouldn’t want to upstage Starlight.
With the bothersome task of apparel now behind her, Trixie smiled once more in the mirror before grabbing her clutch bag and closing up her wagon. Within seconds, she was on her way to Twilight’s castle and a night out with her best friend.
Trixie giggled to herself. It had been years since she had gone somewhere nice, and even longer since she’d had someone to go with. Despite this night being a token of goodwill towards Starlight, Trixie had to admit she reveled in the chance to have a fun “girls night out” for once. As much as she still disliked Twilight Sparkle—in a more competitive sense, if anything—Trixie had to admit that the princess was right about one thing: having friends really is a unique and amazing feeling. She only wished that she’d realized it sooner.
Crossing the threshold between Ponyville and its outskirts, Trixie glanced around at the mishmash of ponies trotting around town. Whether they were making their way home from work or spending time with loved ones, Trixie noted that the small village seemed more bustling at this time of day. Not surprising, as this was around when most ponies went out to dinner, but noticeable all the same. Drifting her eyes towards some outdoor tables situated in front of a restaurant, Trixie took note of a pair of ponies unflinchingly snuggling out in public, giving quite the display of affection without worry of judgmental eyes. Cute, Trixie supposed. It must be a good time to go out on a date.
Trixie’s throat caught on something.
Date.
Wayward thoughts of the weird conversation from the previous day slammed right back into Trixie’s conscious, as did the confusing emotions that came with it. Why did Starlight have to go and call this a date? Didn’t she think that was weird?
Trixie shook her head, trying to physically rid herself of the thought. Honestly, she wasn’t really sure why that conversation made her uncomfortable. Friends, especially girl friends, jokingly flirt with each other all the time. Or, so she’d heard. She’d never actually had one before Starlight. But yes, that was definitely what it was. She was just overthinking. Maybe, just because she’d never actually been on a date before, the word itself sent her into panic mode.
She exhaled. Breathe, Trixie. It was a harmless conversation, and there’s no reason to even think about it. Don’t bog yourself down during dinner with this.
At that, Trixie had moved past it. Or at least, she told herself that her great and superior intellect had willed itself to move past it. Whichever works.
Finally arriving at the front door to Twilight’s castle, Trixie put all the energy she could into her right hoof as it pounded three times against the crystalline surface.
“Starlight!” Trixie called, not caring who else she bothered. “I’m here to pick you up! Let’s go get dinner! I’m hungry! Oh, and… apologetic! Trixie is here because she’s hungry and apologetic!”
A few seconds passed, although to the impatient Trixie, it seemed like an eternity. Waiting was never really her thing. Luckily, right before she was about to resume yelling, the tumbling clicks of the main doors opening began to echo outwards. Trixie stood up straight, hoping to look the part of a gentilemare ready to escort her friend somewhere nice.
Unbeknownst to Trixie, Starlight had taken the concept of “dressing up” a bit more seriously than she had.
The lavender unicorn stood there in a dark purple dress that curved along with her body onto the floor. The color graduated into an almost pink towards the back, and it was generously studded with diamonds throughout. A slit went up the left side, revealing Starlight’s thigh.
Trixie’s heart began to thud. Oh. Oh no.
“Hey, Trix. You think you screamed at me loud enough?” Starlight smiled, seemingly bashful to be seen in a dress. “Uh, I hope I’m not, you know… overdressed, or anything. I don’t really know the dress code for eating out fancy.”
“Buhh…” Trixie drooled. Pull it together, you troglodyte! “NO! No, not at all! You look… great! Beaut—er—amazing! You look amazing! Certainly fit to be seen at dinner with the great Trixie!” WHAT. IS. HAPPENING?
“Hehe, thanks, Trixie.” Starlight cocked her head. “I like your bowtie. Looks cute.”
Stop saying things, please! “Uh… thank… you?” Things were getting awkward. Why?
Starlight picked up on the mood. “Oh, yeah, it’s kind of weird seeing me in a dress, huh? Yeah, I’m not entirely used to it either.” She took a step outside of the doorway and closed them behind her. “Would you believe this thing is almost three years old? Rarity made it for me when I first came here. I know it’s hard to believe, but in between having a neglectful, solitary childhood, and running a small village under an iron hoof for a few years, I never really had a chance to go out and buy a real dress. Or have any reason to wear one.”
Trixie simply smiled and nodded.
“Um…” Starlight raised her brow. “That was supposed to be funny.”
“OH!” Trixie replied. “Yes, haha, village, dress, hmmm. I got it.”
Starlight frowned. “Oookay. Well… you ready to have dinner with me?”
“AHEM!” Trixie coughed, more to get her voice back into her throat than anything. “Yes, of course! Our great and delicious dinner awaits! It’s only a few minutes away!” Starlight’s smile returned, and the two made their way down the staircase and off in the direction of Shetland’s.
For a brief moment, Trixie was silent. She was still pondering why Starlight’s dress had struck her so hard. Was it because Trixie felt outperformed in the outfit department? No, that wasn’t it. Starlight herself said that the bowtie was cute, and Trixie knew that was certainly true. Besides, even on a bad day, a pony would have to perform a miracle to look more put together than Trixie.
Or maybe, just maybe, the dress reinforced the stereotype of what somepony going on a date would wear. Yes, that must be it. She still had some weird hang up about that word. Trixie huffed. She was certainly above such underdeveloped thought. With that, Trixie had permanently removed any and all worry from her mind. Just like she had done five minutes ago.
“So,” Trixie began, clearing her voice. “Aside from any… unfortunate, pond-related accidents that were nopony’s fault in particular, how was your day today?” Nailed it. Just like that, Trixie was back in control.
“Heh, asking me how my day was, hm?” Starlight asked. “Wow, you really are trying to get on my good side.”
“Hah!” Trixie mocked offense. “Trixie asks how well your day is going all the time! It shows how good of a best friend she is.”
“Oh, I know,” chuckled Starlight. “I’m just messing around.” She batted a hoof, as they rounded a corner to Ponyville’s main street. “All in all, it was pretty good. Like I said, I got to work super late. But, Twilight was pretty understanding of it all. I mean, she has dealt with you before.”
“Humph,” scoffed Trixie. “That’s one way to put it.”
“Right. Anyway, I had to do the usual, guidance counselor-type stuff. You know, listening to the kids, sorting out their problems, sitting there wishing I had somepony like me to talk to like that when I was a little filly.”
“Deep,” Trixie mused.
“Tell me about it.” A passerby waved to Starlight, who waved back accordingly before continuing her story. “Uh, sorry. She delivers our mail. Anyway, yeah, things were pretty run of the mill until somepony came along and offered me flowers and dinner tonight. And things have been pretty great since then.” She turned to Trixie and smiled, her dimples warming Trixie’s heart.
“Y-you’re really into those flowers, aren’t you?”
Starlight closed her eyes and exhaled longingly. “Yeah, I know it’s weird, but nopony has ever really… done anything for me before. At least before I met Twilight. So, it’s still weird for me when somepony goes out of their way to get me something. I… sometimes I feel like I don’t deserve it.”
Trixie lurched back, now actually offended. “What? Seriously? Starlight, you deserve all the friends and kindness in the world.”
Starlight gave her a look. “Do you really mean that?”
“Of course I mean it!” Trixie replied, amazed somepony could ever think that way about themselves. Especially Starlight. “You’re the best friend anypony could ask for! You gave me a chance when no one else would! You deserve love and respect from every single pony in this town. And I mean that.”
“Wow,” Starlight blinked away what seemed to be tears rimming her eyes. “Thank you, Trixie. That means a lot to hear you say that.”
A smug smile adorned Trixie’s face. “Yes, well, what is the great Trixie, if not a kind, honest friend who likes spoiling her bestie?” She stopped in her tracks and looked behind Starlight. “Which, if you’ll grant me this dramatic moment and look behind you, is why I brought you here.”
Starlight turned around, finally noticing that they’d arrived at their destination. Shetland’s, a restaurant that was designed with a rustic, old world type design (that much of Ponyville shared anyway), stood snug in between two other businesses nearby. It’s warm, inviting smell practically beckoned the two inside, so, with a glance back at Trixie and an accompanying nod of approval, the two made their way inside the doorway.