//------------------------------// // Starlight’s new friend (and Celestia’s obliviousness) // Story: Romantic Mischief // by TheHardie-Boy //------------------------------// “Are you sure you don’t want me to be there?” I asked. My name is Jake Taylor. Right now, I was with one of my marefriends, Twilight Sparkle, in the dining room, discussing the dinner to be had with Princess Celestia. “I’m sure, Jake,” Twilight answered, putting a plate down in its “proper place”. “Why? I get you want Starlight to have some sort of ‘confidence boost’ by bringing her own friend, but I don’t see a reason I can’t be there too.” Twilight hesitated a moment, trying to think of an answer. “B-Because if you’re there, Starlight might get a little too...distracted. Also, Princess Celestia is...unaware that you’ve returned to Ponyville.” “Nice try. Luna knows I’m back, so I doubt Princess Celestia doesn’t. Besides, even if she didn’t, we still got along great. I’m sure she would be happy to see me,” I countered. “Not in every purpose,” Twilight muttered, just loud enough for me to hear. Before I could respond, Starlight Glimmer, my other marefriend and Twilight’s pupil came running in with a smile stretched across her face. “Twilight, Jake, guess what? I made a new friend!” Twilight quickly turned her attention to her pupil, trying to hide a nervous blush. “That’s fantastic news.” I rolled my eyes and smirked at Twilight. “She’s great!” said Starlight. “Great!” agreed Twilight. “She’s powerful!” added Starlight. “Oddly specific,” I muttered. “Powerful?” Twilight asked. “She’s-“ Starlight was cut off. “Hello...Princess,” said a familiar, prideful voice, one I recognized almost immediately. Through the doors, walked an azure blue unicorn with a white mane, and eyebrows that just seemed to stick out. “Trixie?!” said Twilight, shocked. A few minutes later, after Starlight and Trixie left, Twilight and I were left in the dining room, alone again. “Well...that was a...surprise, to say the least,” I said, trying to lighten Twilight’s mood. She hid it well in front of Starlight, but I could tell she didn’t approve of Trixie. “You could’ve been a little more...present, you know,” said Twilight. She was right; I had stayed absolutely silent during the conversation, save for a simple “hello,” to Trixie. “I know, but since I’m apparently not coming to the dinner, what’s the point?” I countered. Twilight sighed and rubbed her face with her hoof. “What’s wrong with Trixie being Starlight’s friend anyhow?” I asked, legitimately curious. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m just not sure Trixie would be a good influence on Starlight,” Twilight explained. “Why? They’ve both been down similar paths. Sure, Trixie didn’t stick around for the friendship lessons, but...let’s just say I know for a fact that Trixie is not the same mare that took over Ponyville that one time,” I said. “How?” Twilight asked. “I ran into her during my time on the road. At first, I was a little...spooked, remembering our last interaction, but we got to talking, and I could tell she definitely wanted to get better,” I explained. “Oh yeah, you never told me what happened to you specifically the last time Trixie was here,” Twilight said. “Let’s just say it was...uncomfortable and leave it there,” I said, shivering at the memory. For those of you who want to know, when Trixie took charge of Ponyville, she was astounded by my appearance. So much so, that she wanted a...closer inspection, way too close for my liking. “I-I just don’t know. Trixie just still had that...snarkiness she had before,” Twilight countered. I rolled my eyes and gave Twilight a little poke. “You know, if I didn’t know any better, I would say you’re jealous of Trixie.” Twilight shook her head and backed away from me. “Jealous?! Of what?!” “Since Trixie and Starlight have something really personal in common, I think you’re jealous that Trixie might become a closer friend to Starlight than you are,” I said, giving a smirk to the princess. Twilight blushed, but still tried to hold her ground. “W-What? That’s insane! Of course I want Starlight to have something in common with a friend, but-“ “Look, you and Starlight are in a herd, remember? She’s not gonna forget about you,” I cut off. “I guess you right,” Twilight said with a defeated sigh. “Now back to our other conversation,” I said. “Seriously?” Twilight deadpanned. “I just wanna know why you don’t want me to come. It’s not like Princess Celestia and I have never met,” I said. “I know but-“ Twilight started. “And besides, the three of us always have dinner together, like a herd. The only difference is that Princess Celestia and Trixie...” I paused, putting two and two together. “Princess Celestia doesn’t know about the herd, does she?” Twilight’s blush returned. “And you’re afraid if she found out,” I added. “What?! No, it’s not that. It’s just...I try to keep the herd out of Starlight’s friendship lessons, so if she finds out now, she’ll wonder why you’re not with us, and it’ll become a whole big thing, and...ugh,” Twilight countered. I rolled my eyes. “Please?” Twilight said, giving me the eyes that she always gave me whenever she wanted something...usually cuddles, which I never turned down. I squinted, trying to look away, but I was glued to the irresistible cuteness that was Twilight Sparkle. “Fine! I’ll hang out with Spike and the guys...on one condition,” I said. “Name it,” said Twilight with a triumphant smirk. “Before she leaves, you have to tell Princess Celestia about the herd, or I’m gonna tell her myself. Deal?” I state, holding out my hand. Twilight walked up to me and shook my hand with both of her hooves. “Deal.” I held on as she tried to pull away. “And you owe me extra cuddles tonight too.” “Well, I can’t say no to that,” Twilight scoffed. I pulled her close. “My way.” Twilight’s brow furrowed. “Oooookay?” “So, how do you and Jake know each other?” asked Starlight. “Well, we met the last time I was in Ponyville, which was rather...interesting, and we ran into each other again in the road. I think it’s safe to say we hit it off,” replied Trixie. “So...the last time you came to Ponyville was-“ Starlight started. “I’ll tell you about it another time,” Trixie said through gritted teeth. “Anyhow, how do you and Jake know each other?” Starlight visibly blushed. “We met when he came back to Ponyville, and we just kinda...became friends! Y-Yeah.” Trixie rose an eyebrow. “Is that all, or is there something the Great and Powerful Trixie doesn’t know?” Starlight’s blush intensified. “Come on, we’re friends. You can tell me anything,” Trixie insisted. “Well...Twilight and I kinda...share him,” starlight muttered. “I didn’t quite catch that,” Trixie smirked. “Twilight and I share him,” Starlight repeated. “Just a little louder,” Trixie pleaded. Starlight sighed. “Twilight and I share him...romantically.” Trixie tilted her head. “How does that work?” Starlight shrugged. “I don’t know; it just kinda...does.” Trixie paused a minute, making Starlight nervous. Then she smiled. “Okay then.” “Really? You’re not...put off by that?” Starlight asked. “Like I said, you can tell the Great and Powerful Trixie anything,” Trixie smirked while Starlight simply giggled. Later that night, I was simply laying on my bed, reading a book. Spike had fallen asleep early, and the rest of my friends all went to see a magic show. I would’ve gone with them, but I wanted to make sure Twilight told Celestia the truth about us. This was not shaping up to be a very exciting night. Deciding it wasn’t gonna get much better, I made my way to the kitchen. I planned to simply grab something to eat, and go back to my room. I didn’t plan on intruding on the dinner. That is, until I took a wrong turn and came into the dining room. Inside, Princess Celestia sat at a well set up table, bored out of her mind. There was also a half-melted ice statue of her on the table. “Princess Celestia, nice to see you again,” I said, giving a little bow. “Oh, Jake Taylor, nice to see you too,” Celestia responded. “Umm, where are Twilight and Starlight?” I asked. “Not a clue,” the princess replied. I awkwardly rubbed my hands together. “So...” The princess shrugged. “Should I...join you?” I asked. “I don’t see why not. I doubt Twilight’s coming back anytime soon,” Celestia replied. I pulled out a chair and grabbed a plate. “So, how are things back in Canterlot?” “Same old, same old. Anything new with you?” “Well...I guess since Twilight isn’t here to tell you, I may as well,” I said. The princess suddenly became intrigued. “Tell me what?” I smirked. Twilight was gonna hate me for this...but it’s her fault for not being here. “Well, you see, Twilight, Starlight, and I are...” I started, pausing to pique the princess’s curiousity. “Yes?” she asked. “...in a herd,” I finished. The rest if the dinner was filled with nothing but laughter, and the princess left before Twilight returned.