October 1st, CHS
A few days had passed since Shuffle and Trixie were released from the hospital. Trixie had her friend Lavender Lace come to pick up her car since the doctors deemed her unfit to drive; instead, Tesla opted to drive the two home, which to tesla's surprise (and absent-minded lack of attention), Trixie actually lived right across the street from Shuffle and herself.
After wishing the magician goodnight, the pair arrived home, promptly crashing from the night prior.
The next day, Trixie was picked up by Shuffle’s mother, whilst he was sitting in the back of the family car, his music blasting in his ears. Trixie sat up front of the car, and the trio made their way towards CHS.
Upon arrival, the trio soon became a duo, Tesla heading off to work, and the two teens into the school.
“Firstly, since you are going to be seen hanging out with Trixie, you will have to talk to her friends Lavender and Fuchsia.”
Shuffle wasn't paying attention, his eyes constantly scanning the relatively small crowd for any foreign faces; having attended CHS for two months now, most faces were distinguishable.
Trixie continued the one-sided conversation until both reached the cafeteria.
“-and Lavender has a tendency to be meek, so make sure you don't get too loud around her,” Trixie finished as she turns towards Shuffle.
“You get all that?”
Shuffle nods as the two enter the cafeteria, only to be met with an audible POMF as confetti and streamers rained down from the ceiling.
“SURPRISE!”
Shuffle jumped back, already assuming a defensive stance, tensed up and ready before he noticed that the entire school had somehow piled into the cafeteria, a banner above a certain poufy pink girl who had dashed from behind the entire group pushing in between the two and wrapping them in a group hug.
“SowereyousuprisedIknowShuffledidntgethispartysoIthoughttomyselfsinceyoutwowehregettingoutofthehospitalIcandotwopartiesatonceisntthatsocool?!”
Shuffle got out of Pinkie Pie's grip.
“Yes, it is a surprise, but why this early? Also, how did you know we were in the hospital?”
“Well…” but before she could go back into full pinkie mode Shuffle covered her mouth.
“On second thought, I don’t think I want to know. Trixie, change of plans, I'll be over there if you need me,” Shuffle removed his hands from Pinkie and made his way to another table, away from the public eye.
Trixie, on the other hand, happily strode towards her own friends as the school started the party, which carried on into the first period. Shuffle chose to continue his surveillance over the students, memorizing faces with names, but also keeping an eye on the magician, not that it was hard since she was over the moon about being the center of attention.
After a bit, someone decided to sit at the same table as Shuffle. This time it was three girls, one with blue hair with a darker blue streak through it, the second with a wild mess of hair that had an orange with streaks of yellow, and the third had purple hair with green streaks in the twin ponytails.
The orange haired one was the first to speak up.
“So, you’re the elusive Shuffle Suite Pinkie was talking about. Why would CHS's local hero be sitting here in the corner by himself?”
Shuffle stared at the girl, and with a flat voice, he replied.
“It's far too early for this stuff for me. Besides, I'm not one for parties.”
The orange hair girl chuckled.
“What's so funny?”
“Considering what happened, and the fact of how opposite you are to Ms. Lulamoon, it's just funny. Plus, you two would make a good couple.”
Shuffle gagged on his drink as the girl finished her sentence.
“Oh, god no… Trixie is fine to hang out with, but she would need someone that could hog her attention. I've always been more of a background character.”
“This a shame. Everyone knew that comes here has had some kind of luck with the opposing gender, even that one girl Ink Quill, if I remember correctly; she and Gaige were a thing for a short time.”
“Ugh, I'm leaving. Thanks for pulling us around, as usual, Adagio,” Said the purple haired girl.
“Yeah, I kinda have to go too. I promised Warhawk that I’d help him with his truck, and I have to talk to Pinkie. BYE ‘DAGI!” the other remaining girl dashed off as well, leaving the two alone.
“And then there was one,” Shuffle said jokingly.
“I like you, and that's saying something. I don't like many humans,” the girl, now named Adagio, said.
“Duly noted, and by the name Adagio, I assume you are the one and only Adagio Dazzle?”
“You would be correct, it seems my reputation precedes me. Tell me, Mr. Suite, what do you think of the things we did when we had our magic?”
Shuffle took a moment to think of a proper response.
“Well firstly, just because these stories seem to be true, I'd say it doesn't matter now, history is written by the victors, and if I remember correctly you didn't win, so anything I'd say is purely hypothetical at best.”
Adagio chuckled.
“I see you know of Churchill’s speech. He was such a nice man,” Adagio said with a sour expression.
The two continued back and forth, their conversation lasting through the entire party. As everything was wrapping up, Adagio left to move towards her next class. Shuffle on the other handheld back to see who would remain, hoping to see a certain girl.
Finally, after minutes of waiting, he noticed the flame-like hair girl helping Pinkie and the other girls in their group cleaning up the impromptu party.
Shuffle took a deep breath, and slowly approached the group.
“Ms. Shimmer, may I have a word with you a second?” he said trying to sound as neutral as possible.
The first to respond was Rainbow Dash, who had only taken a step but was instantly in Shuffle's face.
“And what makes you think that she wants to talk to you, bub? After the crap you pulled, you're lucky I don't deck you right now!”
There were a few times in his life when Shuffle had to be intimidating, and now it was time to add another tally towards the total.
“My business here is with Sunset Shimmer, not you, and if you even try to touch me, I will gladly show you the meaning of fear,” Shuffle responded so low that the only person that could hear it was Rainbow in front of him. The tone had been so calm, yet filled with an incredible amount of malice, that it child Rainbow to the very bone.
Rainbow backed away from the boy, audibly shivering. Shuffle turned towards Sunset.
“Look, more important things have come up, and having this personal vendetta against you isn't conducive to my time, so I'm apologizing now, since I was proven wrong about the magic here a CHS; thank you for a few moments of your time,” Shuffle then made an about face and left the cafeteria.
All seven girls were silent, except for Pinkie, who was pushing her head around on the floor to sweep up the confetti.
“Well then, looks like that's that, I guess…” Rarity said
“No, it couldn't have been that easy. Did any of you notice what he said?” Sunset followed.
“Yeah, ah heard that this vendetta he had with you was doing something for his time,” Applejack spoke up.
“That, and something important had come up. What did he say to you, Rainbow?”
Rainbow twitched but quickly regained her calm, cocky composer.
“Heh, nothing important. He ain't that tough,” Rainbow retorted, rubbing her head and chuckling awkwardly.
Sunset held her chin, thinking.
“Could it have something to do with how he and Trixie were in the hospital?” Fluttershy asked.
Everything went silent as everyone worked to clean up the mess, each pondering the new event.
October 8th
With October came new changes to the season: the days became shorter, and the temperature in the town of Canterlot began to come down to a comfortable area, not too cold to wear heavy clothes yet, but cold enough to offset the scorching inferno of summer.
Today, Shuffle would be helping Trixie with her first show of the school year. Shuffle held onto the flyer that she had given him yesterday; since it was Friday, they were up and out towards Canterlot Civic Center, but not before having a very awkward conversation with Trixie's parents. Shuffle shuddered, remembering the incident…
-Flashback Start-
Sitting in a set of chairs was Star Shine and Granite Load, the latter looking exhausted but still sat tall, whilst the former sat with her husband with a scowl on her face.
“So, basically, that's what's going on Mr. Lulamoon. I'm not doing anything with your daughter, we are just practicing her act.”
Granite gave him a stern look, the two trading an invisible battle of wills, unknown to Shuffle, who was trying to not get beaten by a disgruntled father.
“I'll allow this for now, but that doesn't mean I'm not watching you, and if you try ANYTHING inappropriate with my daughter, I promise you, you will not like me.”
Shuffle gulped. “Understood”
As he turned to leave, now without a ride to CCS, he had to walk. After getting a few feet away from Trixie's house a notification was received on his phone.
“Will be at the center early for stage prep, meet me there.”
“God damn it, Trixie.”
-Flashback End-
Lost in his own thoughts, he never noticed he had reached his destination.
Trixie was sitting on the stage ledge, filing her nails as she waited for her new partner to arrive, a massive tome next to her; upon closer inspection, one would notice that the book had a rainbow of sticky notes sticking out of it.
Shuffle approached the stage quickly.
“Ya know, with this whole Blueblood business, I'd think you’d be more careful,” Shuffle said, annoyed.
“Yes. Trixie does know of our situation, but it’s been almost two weeks since Lariat showed up. Trixie wants to assume that he's going after some other hussy.”
“Fine, but next time, make sure your texts actually go through, please.”
“Trixie shall consider your thought. Now, the practice should be easy; first, we shall see your skill with sleight of hand,” Trixie handed Shuffle a stack of cards.
“The trick here is to slightly bend the card so your hand knows which one to grab,” Trixie took a singular card out from the deck revealing it to be the king of hearts, and pinched the bottom of it just enough for it to be noticeable to Shuffle, after a few seconds she replaces it in the deck at a random area.
“Now, shuffle the cards, and drop each one that's not bent in the hat.”
It was time for Shuffle to smirk as he manipulated the deck with practiced skill, another trick he picked up from his dad. He passed the deck through both hands with practiced precision, rapid firing each card into the hat until the only card left was the king of clubs. Shuffle chuckled as he dropped the last card, revealing it to be the king of hearts.
“Impressive for your first time! That was close,” Trixie cheered.
Shuffle smiled.
“Thanks, but all the shuffling wasn't something I picked up. My dad taught me how to stack the deck to favor me, but it seems I'm still rusty.”
“It's fine Shuffle, you did well for your first time. Let's move on to another trick.”
The two spent the remainder of the day trying and retrying tricks. By the time it hit sundown, Trixie went into her trailer, bringing out something in her hands.
“Ok, the last trick I've got to show you is called ‘The Dancing Spider’, and Greg here is going to help us,” In an almost uncharacteristic fashion, Trixie nuzzled the tarantula, who returned it like a puppy.
“Shoot, I forgot his flute. Do you think you can hold Greg while I get it?” Trixie handed the spider to Shuffle, and it scurried and jumped onto his arm. Shuffle winced but tried not to freak out, not wanting to get poisoned.
Shuffle brought the spider up to eye level, carefully looking at it. From weight alone, it was maybe ten ounces, plus all the fuzz on it looks slick. Shuffle rubbed the spider’s leg, feeling the goo on his finger.
“Hehe, I guess you just shed your skin, huh?”
Greg leaned forward in a way that would look like someone showing off a new fancy pin on their shirt; it was showing off, and it was absolutely amazing to think this spider was showing this amount of intelligence.
“Yes, it's very impressive, and you are too. Now I wonder why that Soul Writer boy doesn't like you.”
Greg tensed up, from looking at how the spider was acting it was almost like he was ashamed of how Soul reacts to him.
“You’re not trying to hurt him are you?”
Greg shook his body side to side.
“Are you just trying to play with him?”
Greg nodded.
“Wow, I've never heard of spiders being as smart as you Greg. I hope I made a good first impression on you.”
Greg crawled up Shuffle’s arm and nuzzled on his chin in a warm fashion. He laughed as the spider sat there, and the pair waited for Trixie to return.
The trio finished practice, Greg retreated into Trixie's hair, and the three got into Trixie's car, which was pulling her trailer of props. As they headed home, Shuffle turned to Trixie.
“So, how exactly did you acquire Greg?”
“Trixie didn't; he was given to me recently by Fluttershy. Apparently, he likes being on stage with Trixie, so naturally, Trixie adopted him. Everyone at school has a pet, and at first, Trixie was worried that Greg wouldn't like her, but as you can see that’s far from the truth.”
Greg popped out of Trixie's hair and watched the two have their conversation.
Trixie pulled up to her home and the pair got out.
Shuffle walked Trixie up to her door.
“Hey, Thanks for helping Trixie with her practice, it would be fun if you were to be my permanent assistant…” Trixie said so very low it was almost unheard by Shuffle.
“Ya know what, that would be fun. Plus, I'd like to learn more about your magic, Trix.”
Trixie blushed, chuckling awkwardly.
“See you at school tomorrow,” Shuffle said, turning to leave, but not before Trixie rushed to his side, giving him a warm hug and a peck on the cheek, which made Shuffle’s cheeks become an even deeper shade of red.
“Yeah, see you,” Trixie responded before disappearing into her home.
Away from prying eyes, Trixie let out a silent squeak of joy. Shuffle also had a bigger spring in his step; despite what was going on, the amount of joy he was feeling couldn't be brought down by anything.
Trixie walked into the kitchen for a drink before heading to bed, only to see her dad sitting at the family table, with a mug in his hand.
“Hi Daddy,” Trixie said joyfully, passing him for the fridge.
“Hey Lovebug, can I talk to you after you get your drink?”
“Sure dad, 2 seconds ‘kay?”
Granite nodded, taking a drink.
A few seconds pass before Trixie sits down in front of her dad.
“Trixie, you know I love you more than anything right?”
“Yeah, if it wasn't for you dad, I wouldn't be the magician I would be if you and my friends didn't support me. Why do you ask?”
“And this new boy, Shuffle Suite, is he someone I have to worry about?”
“No, he's nice, but he's not looking to date, we are just friends.”
Granite chuckled.
“That's where it always starts Trix, but that's beside the point. In a few days’ time, I will be going on a company trip; it will just be for a week, but while I'm gone, can you not do your magic? I don't want your mother losing her mind and calling me every day freaking out. Just until I get back, please.”
Trixie smiled. “Sure dad, I can do that,” Trixie yawned, finishing her drink, hugging her dad and heading to bed.
Granite rubbed the temples of his head, revealing a paper, beneath his left arm.
“How am I going to tell her the truth?” he said aloud, grasping the paper in his hand, putting it in a drawer of the island countertop next to the table. He got up, leaving the kitchen and heading to bed as well.