//------------------------------//
// Home 
// Story: Show Business 
// by Natedogg2006 
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Dawn may be much too early for most night owls, but the crack of noon was pushing it by even the loosest standards. In the bedroom of the golden oaks library, a pony was in the process of pushing that standard. 
Summer wrap up was a week before, and as a result it was just cool enough to be incredibly comfy under the covers. During their first winter together there was debate between both Twilight Sparkle and Beatrix Lulamoon as to who loved sleeping in on cool mornings the most. That debate had been put to rest the year before however, and the winner of that debate could now hear the hoof steps of the other approaching the bed. 
"Beatrix sweetie, it's time to get up," Twilight's words, not for the first time that morning, came out sweet and gentle as she nuzzled her marefriends cheek through the warm comforter.
Beatrix nuzzled back as she gave a big stretch and a very contentive yawn. As this yawn was coming to an end she managed to give a groggy, "five more minutes."
At these words, Twilight pulled the covers from over her marefriends body. Just as sweetly as before she spoke again. "Nope. You have officially used your supply of 'five more minutes' for the week, and it's Tuesday."
Smiling goofily without opening her eyes Beatrix tried, "four more minutes?"
Twilight leaned in and kissed her aggressively on the forehead. "Fresh out of those too, sorry. Get your cute flanks up, your breakfast is already cold. 
Before Twilight could pull away, Beatrix shot her forehooves up and wrapped them around the back of her marefriends neck. "If you want to heat things up, then how about you get back in this bed with me and we both stay here for about another hour." She licked her lips seductively. The gesture lost something do to the fact that she still refused to open her eyes. 
Twilight gave the lazy seductress a flirtatious lick to the nose and a suggestive hum. "Very tempting," she then pulled back, breaking the grip holding her and smiled as she watched the hooves that were holding her flail in the air for their target. "But some of the girls are coming over soon, they wanted to talk to you about something."
With a groan Beatrix finally rolled onto her side and lazily opened her eyes just enough to place her forehoof on Twilight's shoulder. "What do they need me for, can't you just tell them I'm sick or something?"
"I am not lying for you just so you can stay in bed."
"Well then can't they come talk to me up here," Beatrix was trying to pout as cutely as she could.
"That's definitely a no, you know what it smells like in here after last night."
Beatrix couldn't help but let out a little snort of laughter, "fine, I guess I'll wake up then."
"Good girl," Twilight said as she raised her own forehoof up to pat the one her marefriend was still suggestively massaging across her shoulder. "Spikes waiting to clear the table so hurry it up." Twilight turned to leave the room but stopped when she realized the hoof on her shoulder had rolled off fairly limply. Turning back, her lover was still laying comfortably on the bed and making no effort to start moving. She cast a glare at the mare before her, doing her best to ignore how cute the image was. 
Beatrix suddenly threw her top most forehoof in the air and in the most tired and childish voice she could muster exclaimed, "carry me!"
Twilight lowered her head and let out a long suffering sigh, mostly because it was all she could do to not melt to the adorable act her marefriend knew was working on her. With a groan Twilight lit her horn. 
A goofy smile came over Beatrix's face as she felt the warm comfort of a by now very familiar magical aura surrounding her and gently lifting her into the air. However she then noticed that she did not move in the direction of the bedroom door. No, she was definitely moving in the exact opposite direction, towards the door of the bathroom. And yup, that was definitely the sound of the bathtub running that was now coming to her ears.
"I'm up," she suddenly exclaimed as she tried to right herself while floating through the air. "I'm good, I can walk from here." She started struggling against the powerful force of her beloveds magic. "Twilight honey, you can set me down now." 
"Of course I can Beatrix sweetie, but you didn't ask nicely."
"Please?"
"Not nice enough," Twilight sing songed as she walked her struggling lover further into the room.
"Pretty please with sugar sprinkles and caramel on top?"
"Oh come on now sweetie, you know I'm watching my weight."
"Oh you are totally paying for this later," Beatrix exclaimed as she suddenly went still, closed her eyes, and lit her own horn. 
With a flash and a pop she disappeared, reappearing on the other side of Twilight a moment later. Her hooves made a gentle 'clop' as she landed. She sat with her eyes still clenched shut before slowly peeking one open and looking around. She turned around, leveling a hoof in triumph.
"HA!!!!! Less then an inch off the ground, while under duress, and barely conscious." She was more then a little smug, until she realized Twilight had already turned and was smiling very smugly as well. "I hate you so much."
"Love you too. Since you're definitely awake now, let's go get you fed." Beatrix extended her tongue and kept it aimed at that smug smirk as Twilight squeezed past her and back towards the bedroom door. 


Beatrix sat at the kitchen table eating her breakfast with enough enthusiasm to make it seem as though it was still fresh and piping hot. Spike stood on his step stool in front of the sink finishing up the last of his cleaning besides the dishes currently being used. Twilight was busy setting up for her reading day in the living room and as such was continually walking into the kitchen to ask Spike where various things were. Every time she walked through, Beatrix made sure to show she still did not approve of how she was woken up by following the studious mare across the room with an extended, food covered tongue. 
Twilight entered the kitchen again but this time did not walk over to the baby dragon. This time she actually approached the sneering mare at the table with a happy smile. "Beatrix sweetie, did you want to join me for my reading day today." The mares only response was to retract her tongue and abruptly turn her attention back to her breakfast. "Ok, two piles of pillows for reading then," she smiled as she said these words, especially as she noticed her still pouting marefriend taking a bite to cover her own smile. "Spike, are the extra pillows still in the hall closet?" she yelled across the kitchen as she noticed the water had stopped so he could hear her. 
Having finished his chores he hopped off his stool to respond. "No, I moved those down stairs. Here, I'll show you where." He started walking out of the room but stopped to address the still eating mare. "Trix, just leave your dishes in the sink, I'll get to them later." 
Beatrix was still impressed with how understanding the young dragon could be. That he could manage to put up with the quirks of both the mares living with him and not go crazy was amazing. But it was great that he was, the few days she and Twilight had tried to hide her real name from him had been a nightmare. He was the only one of Twilight's friends that knew. Though they all knew her back story, Twilight had permitted her to tell them a slightly edited one for her own sake. She didn't know how the others would react, but she hoped if it ever came up that they would handle it as well as he did. She gave the small drake a smile and a nod so he didn't get chunks of food sprayed at his face from her answer. He and Twilight left the kitchen together.
Beatrix was near the end of her meal just a few minutes later when there was a knock at the library door. An instant, "I got it",  came from Spike as he was finishing Twilight's setup for the living room. Twilight entered the kitchen again and Beatrix decided she still wasn't done being dramatic. 
"Sweetie, whenever your done it's ready for you in here." The response she got was another extended tongue. Playing along this time Twilight matched it. They squared off, each glaring harder at each other while trying to suppress laughter. 
"Howdy y'all, how's it..." Apple Jack and Rarity walked in at that exact moment. Blushes came to the couples cheeks and their tongues retracted slowly as the two new mares in the room looked back and forth between them. Apple Jack was the one who finally broke the silence. "She gave y'all the full routine this mornin' didn't she?" She asked Twilight.
"And then some," exclaimed Twilight. Trixie's blush intensified. 
"Starting the bath like that was still uncalled for." She defended desperately. Both Apple Jack and Rarity were already snickering in her general direction. 
"I've said it before, but you two are the most adorable couple. Even after over a year it's still true." Both Twilight and Trixie shot her matching disapproving glares. "Even moreso as time goes by and you both act more like each other."
"We do not," the pair said in perfect unison. Realizing what they had done their glares were now once again refocused on each other. Apple Jack broke out in boisterous laughter. Rarity couldn't help but release a squee at the antics. 
Trixie let out a growl of mild frustration as she levitated her empty plates across the kitchen to the sink. "Ok, if your done having your fun at our expense, what did you come here for?"
"Oh yes, thank you for reminding us darling, we almost forgot we need to make this brief. We left Rainbow Dash watching the crusaders so they wouldn't interrupt. We have a favor to ask of you."
Trixie gave an amused snort. "Must be one heck of a favor to leave those four unattended."
"That'd be the reason we gotta make this a mite quick," Apple Jack responded before launching into an explanation. "Ya see, we was out with them crusaders last week too. It was right after the last day of summer, just a few days after ya came back to Ponyville with us." Trixie nodded her head, wondering where this was going. 
Rarity was the one to continue the story. "Yes, and we were actually discussing this while the girls were off playing. The conversation actually drifted to the subject of your last show of the season in Canterlot that you invited us to." Trixie nodded again, having a better idea where this was going now. 
"Well, them little eavesdroppers heard us talkin', and well, you know how excited they can get."
"Yes, it was quite a show, and they must have heard as much from us. They begged us to take them to your next show."
"Well, I guess their gonna have to wait. I don't have any shows planned until after the new year."
"Yes quite, and we did endeavor to explain as much to them. But one thing Apple Jack definitely managed to pass down to her sister is her sheer stubbornness." 
"Yeah," Apple Jack started sheepishly. "Bloom went and thought up the idea that Sweetie Bell could ask for it for her birthday next week. Managed to convince the other two, now it's been the only thing any of them talk about all week."
Trixie was slightly taken aback. A show was one thing, but performing at a birthday party. While she had done it before, many times in fact, she had long since reached a level where such a thing should be beneath her. Those were the kind of gigs one takes when they are struggling to get by or trying to make a name for themselves. After a full season of sold out venues, even when her assistant was absent due to world ending emergencies, it should be absurd for her to even think of performing such a small show. And yet she felt her lips curl up at the thought. 
"You know what. After all the huge, high stress shows I've been doing lately, a small show for the girls and their friends actually sounds like fun." She paused for a second to think on it more, and her smile only grew more at the thought. "Yeah, it sounds like a lot of fun actually." She slid her chair back and with a practiced couple hops was on the table standing proudly. "No matter the audience, big or small. Bring them, and The Great and Powerful Trixie will give them a show that they'll never forget." Twilight smiled at Trixie's sudden excitement and began clapping her hooves to play up her big display. However as both mares looked back to their company they were met with apprehensive looks. 
"Yeah see, we was actually here ta' see if ya could maybe let them down easy. Find some excuse as ta' why y'all can't do a show for em'," Apple Jack said while lifting a hoof to scratch at the back of her neck. 
Trixie managed to keep from seeming offended while she climbed down from the table and went to stand next to Twilight who seemed as curious about this as she was. "Well... I guess if that's what you want I could do that. But I mean, I'm just not sure why. For such a small show I'd do it for free for you girls if that's the problem."
Rarity was the one to respond this time. "Oh no no no darling, perish the thought. In fact if you were to do the show I would insist on paying. No, the problem here is actually with the audience and the over all content of your shows." Twilight made no move but Trixie tilted her head in confusion. "It's, umm... How shall I say. The current level your shows have reached means they involve subjects that are not the types of things we would be comfortable explaining to our young sisters."
Twilight made a face of sudden realization, while Trixie was still stumped. "What do you mean? All kids love magic shows. I still don't know what the problem is."
"Magic isn't the problem, it's the other, more mature aspects you've been usi....."
"Oh for ponies sake. Ya' had Twi struttin' around on stage in what was basically lingerie durin' yer' last show."
That had caught Trixie off guard, thus her first response was not well thought out. "That costume was Twilight's idea though. Ow!" The mare next to her had elbowed her in the ribs. "What, it's true."
Apple Jack and Rarity casted very questioning looks to their normally reserved friend. Twilight dawned the biggest, fakest smile her friends had ever seen on her in defence of there sudden attention. Her horn began to glow and with a flash and a pop she disappeared. From behind the two other ponies Trixie could see one of the piles of pillows in the living room suddenly get larger. 
"It's always the quiet ones I guess," Apple Jack shrugged. 
"Quite," Rarity responded. "But regardless of where the antics come from, it would still be inappropriate for such young fillies."
"Yeah, I mean that still doesn't even cover the fact that y'all made out on stage like... Six times in one show. I'd like to put off having 'the talk' with Bloom for at least another year or two iffin' I could manage."
"...., Ok I guess I can see where you girls are coming from. I guess I didn't even realize how racy my shows have gotten." She gave a small, slightly apologetic laugh. "Playing off of Moonlight in my shows is a better draw then when you all let me claim I had beaten half of the Elements of Harmony in a dual."
Apple Jack gave a laugh as well. "Yeah I could see how that'd pack em' in."
The room stayed silent for a minute while Trixie thought. "You know, my shows haven't always been that crazy. I could probably scale it back and still put on a really good show for your sisters. With your permission of course."
Rarity put a hoof to her chin as she considered that for a minute. "Well I suppose we've only seen your shows since you've added Twilight, so we don't really know what they were like before. Except of course the one from your first trip to Ponyville." Trixie gave a very self conscious smile. "But I guess we could take you at your word if you say you can make it more age appropriate. What do you say Apple Jack?"
Apple Jack looked much less convinced. "You would just have to deal with your parents. I actually gotta try ta' act like a parent for Apple Bloom, and Celestia knows I got no idea what I'm doin'." She blew out a breath slowly before continuing. "Yeah, I s'pose if ya' could pull it on back it'd be ok. But ya' gotta pull it pretty far back mind ya'." She suddenly raised a hoof to point at the showmare. Trixie was slightly taken aback. Realizing how overbearing she was being Apple Jack quickly withdrew the hoof and ran it over the back of her head. "Sorry. It's not that I don't trust ya', I just always gotta be the responsible one is all. Y'all are a good friend. It's always nice when ya' come home to stay with Twilight, it makes her happy and it adds a little more fun ta' this little town. So if ya' can tell me honestly ya' can put on a good show for em', I guess I can believe ya'."
Trixie heard Apple Jack's whole statement, but by the end of it she wasn't really listening. She could only stare at the farmer in shock. And for some reason she was reminded of the first time she was introduced to Apple Jack as Twilight's marefriend. 



Trixie hadn't been too worried about returning to Ponyville itself. She went through many towns and she found that bad shows were quickly forgotten. Street performers could be remarkably interchangeable. So returning to a town were she had previously been badly received was usually less making up for past mistakes and more starting from a blank slate. But now she had something in this town that she never had before, ties. And with that came ponies that would definitely remember her. 
She was basically just passing through, only staying for two days with Twilight while on a trip between shows, and she was definitely not going to be performing. After that Twilight was going to be leaving with her for her first road trip with her to their next show. 
So it was with a feeling of anxiety she really didn't understand that she hauled her cart through town and to the large tree. She didn't have much trouble finding it do to it's size and the fact that she had spent some fair time glaring at it from below the hood of a worn old jacket as she searched the streets of this town for pieces of her old cart. The odd feeling of knowing there were ponies inside waiting for her had filled her with many conflicting emotions, especially since she didn't even know half of them. 
After spending much more time securing her cart then she normally would she finally found herself in front of the door. She initially found she had trouble raising her hoof to knock. However it had been nearly two weeks since she had seen Twilight at that point, so just the prospect of seeing her was enough to spur her on.
She had barely finished knocking when the door flew open and the most beautiful sight in the world to her greeted her. At that moment all trepidation left her and she met Twilight's diving hug with one of her own. In the tangle of legs and hooves that followed neither remembered when their lips had met, but they had just come together naturally. The thought that their PDA might be getting on the side of excessive was just coming to Trixie when a very dainty, "eh-hem" came from the room behind Twilight. 
Sheepishly the pair broke apart to find Rarity standing there tapping her hoof in mock impatience. "There will be plenty of time for that later," she said giving them a suggestive wink, "in the meantime, I think they're are some ponies we need to introduce her to."
Meeting Twilight's other friends was a lot less dramatic then her first real meeting with Rarity and Rainbow Dash, but it was no less weird. At one point during one of the ponies three massive rants Trixie had decided to hold her breath just for verification, and did indeed determine that Pinkie Pie did not need oxygen to survive. On the flip side of that, she spent a minute trying to remember Fluttershy's face. Clearly she must have in some way insulted her at a show somewhere before Ponyville, otherwise how could any pony be so nervous around her. But once it was determined that the shy pegasus was indeed happy to meet her, and no she was not scared of her for any particular reason, Trixie decided she actually seemed like a nice pony. Then came the final obstacle.
Apple Jack had stayed to the back of the group, and an impassive expression never left her face. This did nothing to alleviate the unease Trixie felt as she was finally led over to properly meet her. That expression combined with the pony connected to it made unease give way to full on fear. Trixie was a stronger then average unicorn do to hauling a cart for hundreds, maybe thousands of miles all across Equestria. But there was strong for a unicorn, then there was Earth ponies. And this pony looked strong for and Earth pony. 
"H.. hello," was all she could manage when she finally worked up the courage to actually speak. 
Apple Jack didn't respond, all she did was take two firm steps forward to plant herself uncomfortably close to the now shaking mare and look her up and down through squinted eyes. 
"So, y'all are the pony that's datin' Twilight." The way she had said it didn't seem like a question, and indeed Trixie knew that this pony had been told the full situation prior to their meeting. She had known that the pony who had publicly humiliated her was now dating one of her best friends and that this would be the one she was meeting that day. The one thing Trixie didn't know was how this pony had responded when she had learned about this. She had tried to ask Twilight, but Twilight had just insisted that it was better to find out for herself. So despite that it wasn't really a question, Trixie felt obligated to answer.
"Y.. yes," she managed as the pony drew even closer and looked into her eyes with a glare that felt like it was piercing her soul. 
After a long pause Apple Jack's eyes narrowed more and she spoke again. "I just got one question for ya'." She paused again to wait for Trixie to give her a nod. "Are y'all planning on making her happy?"
It was not the question Trixie had been expecting. She hadn't known what to expect, but it certainly wasn't that. But unlike any question she might have expected, she actually did have an answer to this one. 
"I've never wanted anything more in my life." She finally felt confidence return to her voice.
Once again something happened that she did not expect. Apple Jack pulled away and gave a warm smile. "Well that's all I needed to know."
Trixie's hind legs gave out do to shock and she sat gaping. Behind her she could hear light snickering coming from various occupants of the room. In hindsight Trixie knew that she should have just taken this as a win and been ok with it, but her shock at the moment led her to ask questions she'd of been advised to just leave rest. 
"Wait, is that it?" Apple Jack only nodded as she seemed to begin walking over to the door. "But what about all the things I did? I publicly humiliated you. Aren't you mad? You have all the reason in the world to hate me, why don't you?"
"Oh all that?" Apple Jack responded as she got to the door and began strapping saddle bags around her haunches. "Yeah I was a mite sore about that whole thing for a while. Iffin' y'all had come around after that I'd probably of bucked you right back outa' town." She finished strapping the bags on and turned back to Trixie. "But it's mighty hard to hold onto a grudge when there's work ta' do, and speaking of which, I gotta get back to the acres. Bottom line here is that Twilight trusts you, so I trust you."
Trixie had never been so disarmed in her life. She had been told about Apple Jack and how honest she was, and Trixie could tell it was true. She felt she could immediately believe the words from this pony, something she had never experienced from anypony much less one she didn't know. And yet here she was offering her trust without any conditions. Trixie could still only sit and gape. 
"That being said, y'all still gotta face the real obstacles iffin' ya' want the approval of the whole Apple family. So everypony is invited to an Apple family dinner tonight. Granny Smith and Big Macintosh will put ya' through the real ringer then." She gave Trixie a playful smile. "Don't worry though, Apple Bloom will like you immediately. It's just how she is." She then opened the door and gave a hardy, "see y'alls tonight," as she closed it behind her. 


As Trixie came back to the present she realized she felt the same now as she had back then. Apple Jack's honesty was so completely disarming that it was impossible to defend against. After she tore away your defenses with just a few words, what would come next would destroy all false pretenses and posturing you would normally put up. Trixie truely believed if the pony ever realized how devastating her simple, truthful words could be, she'd probably never speak again. 
Luckily she hadn't zoned out long enough for her pause in the conversation to be weird, but she was pushing it. She smiled reassuringly to the two mares standing before her just now starting to look concerned. 
"Well then I'll honestly say; I can put on a great show for the crusaders and their friends, and it will be one hundred percent clean. You can have Rarity white glove test it beforehoof even." That drew a smile out of the two. 
"That sounds devine darling. I'm glad we were able to work that out so well. Now if you'll excuse us, we need to go see how much of the town is still standing after leaving those four alone. Tata, and do give Twilight our regards when she decides to come out."
Trixie noticed a slight rustle of the larger pillow pile as she led the two through the living room and saw them out. She wanted to talk to Twilight right away, but she really had to get her thoughts in order first. She walked into the kitchen to get herself some water. At some point during the conversation Spike had snuck in and cleaned her dishes. This didn't surprise her, in fact she expected it to be the case. It felt... normal, like so many other things now were. Beatrix walked back into the living room and up to the pillows. 
"Twilight, you ready to come out yet. I really need to ask you something." The pillows shifted for a second before one lifted off the top and Twilight's head poked out from under it. 
"I don't know, I'm still trying to get the plates on that bus you threw me under," she said with mock contempt. Then she noticed the hesitance in her marefriends eyes and immediately stepped out of the pile to speak to her properly. "Sweetie, what is it?"
"It's nothing.. I just, gotta get a few things straight." She paused to regather her thoughts before continuing. "I guess the first thing I gotta ask is; where did that bag of bits go?"
"Which one?"
"The one I left with you the last time I was in town. You know.. the really big one, with all my savings." 
"Oh right. Don't worry, it's safe. I figured you wouldn't want it just sitting out, so I got that nightstand that's on your side of the bed and put it in there. It locks and everything. The key is just in the top drawer of it right now though."
Beatrix gave a small laugh. "That one answer is like an answer to all my questions." Twilight smiled at the response. "So let me get all of what I learned today lined up for you. I have a 'my side of the bed'. I have furniture that is just mine. I felt comfortable enough to leave my life savings somewhere where I can't keep a constant eye on it without giving it a second thought." She paused for a second to breathe and keep herself steady. Twilight seemed curious but knew it was better to let her get this off her chest. "For the first time in my life I've gotten used to somepony.. some dragon, taking care of me." She looked over to the pile of pillows Twilight had not come out of sitting next to a window. "I have a favorite reading spot that's right next to somepony else's favorite reading spot." She smiled warmly to Twilight at that one, a smile that Twilight returned. "I even have a whole group of ponies who know me well enough to know how much trouble I have getting up in the morning. And those ponies aren't just your friends, they're my friends too aren't they?" Twilight gave her a slight nod to confirm. Beatrix paused again, this time seeming apprehensive again. "T.. Twilight..... Do I, live here?"
Twilight stepped closer, taking one of Beatrix's hooves in her own and bringing their faces close. "For at least a few months of the year. But that's not what your really asking about and you know it."
Trixie gave a slight sniff before trying again. "I.. is, is this home? Do I have a home?"
Twilight pulled her even closer and nuzzled the side of her face comfortingly. "I'd like to think so. Since you first came here last winter I've wanted this to be that kind of place for you. And it wasn't because you never had a real home. It's because I wanted you to come home with me." 
Once upon a time a pony named Trixie had cried in front of Twilight for several minutes without her noticing. Right now she knew Beatrix was crying without ever opening her eyes, and it didn't take the moisture rubbing off on her cheek for her to be able to tell. 
They stayed like that for several minutes. Twilight was fairly certain Spike walked in on them at one point. The young drake had had the sense to stop himself before saying something and back out of the room slowly. Finally Beatrix pulled away and quickly rubbed her foreleg across her face. Her eyes were puffy and bloodshot, and yet the mare proceeded like there was nothing wrong.
"Ok, if you think you can keep putting up with me then I'd love for this to be my home." She smiled widely, Twilight did her best to match it. "I might not be an expert on this sort of thing but I think I know what I need to do next."
"And what might I ask is that?"
"I think that if somepony is going to have a home, then the first thing they need is roots in that place, and not just ties to that place." 
"That's one way of looking at it I suppose. So what did you have in mind?"
"I'm going to need a lot of help on this," Twilight tilted her head in question for Beatrix to continue, "because we have a very important show to put on."


"Ladies and gentle colts."
Moonlight had played hype pony for some of The Great and Powerful Trixie's shows in the past. Somepony to go out before and get the audience charged up and ready, to work them all into a frenzy. That was not what this was. 
"The Golden Oaks library is happy to present today, for your entertainment..."
Twilight had made it very clear that this was still a library, and the fact that the stage was held up by books proved that fact. Therefore this was a fairly quiet affair, the audience waiting patiently yet already giving their undivided attention. Despite the calm atmosphere the showpony could not remember the last time she was this nervous before a show. The bed sheet curtain seemed way too thin to hide her worry as she waited for her cue. 
"... The Bewitching Beatrix."
Beatrix lit her horn and lifted the curtain just enough to walk through. As she did she saw the entire crowd. The CMC had invited most, if not all of their class. Spike sat amongst them and yet it still didn't fill out the room very much. Behind were Twilight's friends, her friends, and to fill out the room some more most of them had brought along their pets. And every one of them was now giving her a puzzled look. 
She came to a stop at the front of the stage right next to a small covered table she had put there. She felt the boards of the stage shift under her as the book support did it's job about as well as could be expected. If she didn't know any better she might think it was her own knees doing the shifting. She felt naked and exposed, which she should probably expect seeing as she infact was naked. Being on stage with no costume felt alien to her. So little fabric as a hat and cape could be such a barrier, and could be missed so much when it wasn't there. 
She was still a showmare though, so none of this made it to her face. Instead she just smiled with confidence she did not feel. "Good afternoon everypony. We have an amazing show lined up for you today." This was not her usual brand of braggadocio, her words were calm and even as she ignored the questioning looks and plowed forward with the show. 
"For my first trick today, we've got an oldie, but a goodie." She reached under the table and made a show of rummaging around for a few seconds. She then pulled out a hat. This hat was dark purple and covered in stars and moons with little bells all along the brim with one dangling from the pointed top. Not the hat she was use to, but it was cheaply made enough for the trick she had planned. 
"From this simple hat, I shall pull from thin air, right here before you today, a live rabbit." There was an audible groan from the first few rows of the room. The younger patrons seemed unimpressed. With an amused smirk and not losing any of her confidence she addressed the unress. "Is there something wrong?" 
It was Scootaloo who actually spoke up. "Everyponies seen this trick."
"Everypony you say?" The magician responded in fained surprise. 
"Yeah, the rabbit is already in the hat," another filly added. 
The unperturbed showmare looked into the hat with the same mock surprise before turning the opening to the audience. "There's no rabbit in here."
Scootaloo again, "it's in a secret compartment."
The magician turned from mock surprise to mock shock as she turned the hat back to her. "Secret compartment? Twilight honey, did you put a secret compartment in your hat?" She asked as she put her hoof in the hat and started reaching around. 
"I don't believe so sweetie, I only spent about an hour making it." 
The mare on stage didn't seem to really be paying attention as she tried to see deeper into the hat while still blindly reaching around. Sharper members of the audience were now murmuring amongst themselves as it was noticed that she was digging her foreleg in way further then it should be able to go. She had it in past the elbow when she finally spoke again. "Oh wait, I think I feel something. This must be the secret compartment." She reached in all the way to her shoulder, stretching the brim of the hat substantially to do so. The audience all noticed the bottom of the hat bulge before it gave way. The magician mocked shock again as she looked down to see her exposed leg. "Uh-oh. Twilight, I think I owe you a new nightmare night costume."
The audience was now completely quiet as she waved her hoof around as she stood on her hind legs. This made it very clear the leg that was in the hat appeared to be less then half the length of the one holding it. She finally removed her leg from the hat and looked through it in a way that the whole audience could see through as well. 
"Well so much for secret compartments. I think I can still pull this off though." The quiet confidence had returned as she held the hat in front of her again. "Is everypony ready. On the count of three. One." She reached into the hat deep enough that her hoof should have come out the bottom but didn't. She then pulled it all the way out again. "Two." She reached in deeper, her hoof just poking out the bottom and flailing around for a second before pulling back out again. " Three!!!" She exclaimed as she reached in to the shoulder again. Her leg was clearly visible and empty through the bottom as she reached. With a rapid jerk she pulled back out, and as her hoof cleared the brim they saw it. In the crook of her hoof was a small, white, familiar bunny.
There was a small collective gasp as all attention suddenly turned to the back of the room and a butter yellow pegasus there. Her attention went down to her hooves where a single half eaten carrot bobbed back and forth. The audiences attention went back to the stage where the bunnies surprise was now giving way to his usual simmering anger. He kicked away from the hoof holding him and cut a path back across the room to Fluttershy.
"Angel bunny, what happened?" The bunny started wildly gesticulating and squeaking at her. "Now now, if you don't know what happened you can just say so. There's no reason to use language like that with foals around."
The crowd was now in stunned shock, but this only lasted until the now smugly smiling magician gave a small bow and asked, "so has everypony seen that one before?"
All the foals then broke out in screaming applause. With a flourish she swirled the hat around and smugly placed it on her head. At which point the now stretched out hat slid down her head and settled on her shoulders. The applause increased as it was now obvious the hat had nothing to do with the trick as her head was clearly not lost in the void of the hat and was in fact poking out of the top. 
"Yup, I definitely owe you a new costume honey." The audience now gave a laugh as she removed it from her shoulders and threw it to her waiting assistant just off the stage. "Now that I have your attention, I think it's time to really get this show going." She then proceeded to reach back under the small table, rummaged around a few seconds, and proceeded to pull out a trunk that had no business fitting under the table or even under the stage. "If my lovely assistant would join me on stage."
The rest of the show went on in that manner. Simple tricks with  the twist of a master magician that kept the crowd amazed. The highlight of the show was near the end when the usual assistant took a back seat and instead they invited the birthday girl up on stage. The trick performed, which involved dismembering and reassembling the filly in yet another large contraption apparently summoned from nowhere, had even the pony participating in it scratching her head. This was more difficult with how far head and hoof were currently separated. After putting Sweetie Bell back together she was immediately mobbed with questions upon stepping off the stage. 
It was after the crowd settled down from this that Beatrix moved the table off stage revealing no source of where everything from the show had come from. Taking center stage the magician took a bow. 
"Thank you so much everypony." Her eyes drifted up to the back of the room were five ponies stood. "it has been my greatest honor to perform for you today."
No sooner then she had risen from her bow, Beatrix was suddenly surrounded on all sides by excited foals. She could hardly make anything out as they each piled praises and questions onto her all at once. 
Not knowing any nonviolent ways of dealing with a bunch of ponies rushing the stage she could only turn to her marefriend for support. Luckily Twilight had already proceeded to the kitchen door. "My little ponies, it's almost time for cake." The swarm disappeared almost as fast as it had appeared. Beatrix was able to see the last of them enter the kitchen while Twilight gave the most supportive smile she could and gestured back to the other side of the room. 
Five ponies sat waiting, and she was able to smile genuinely as she walked back to them. 
"Hey girls. My name is Beatrix Lulamoon."