Trixie’s heart was beating at a pace she found worrying. She was never quite so nervous around Pinkie before the recent turn from friends to…marefriends? They both went back to Ruby’s humble bakery for some celebratory treats. The bakery was little more than a counter and a kitchen, but it had a cozy warmth to it. Trixie and Ruby were sitting at a small table that Ruby had set up. Three chairs were there to be used, but Pinkie was clear on the other side of the bakery at the moment. She looked nonchalantly at Pinkie who was currently muzzle-deep in a freshly baked mixed berry pie. Did she always look so cute when she ate baked goods…?
Trixie was shaken out of her musing by a blue hoof waving in front of her face. Trixie turned to her newest friend, surprised. “What? Trixie was not…S-She was simply thinking about her performance,” she stuttered unconvincingly.
It had apparently sounded just as unconvincing to Ruby’s ears, if her raised eyebrow was any indication. “You keep…looking at Pinkie like that. Do you…have feelings for her…?” The question was asked awkwardly, with flushed cheeks that indicated Ruby’s embarrassment.
Trixie felt her skin heat from her neck to her ears in a full blush. “W-We’re together.”
The words filled Trixie with happiness and pride. She couldn’t have stopped her smile from forming if she tried. She tentatively looked to Ruby with some concern over her possible reaction. She was never good at reading ponies, nor predicting their responses.
Ruby gracelessly let her mouth gape before she realized that she hadn’t said anything. Noticing Trixie’s growing anxiety, she put on a reassuring smile, and patted her on the back. “That’s great?” It certainly wasn’t supposed to come out like a question.
Despite Ruby’s less than stellar reassurance, Trixie smiled haughtily. “It is pretty great!” Apparently, the questioning nature of Ruby’s encouragement had flown over Trixie’s head.
“She’s the best,” Trixie said with surprising sincerity. “And, Trixie is the best; so, deserving the best herself, it was only natural that we find each other.”
The absolute confidence in her tone was prideful, to be sure. But it was the way that she said it that made Ruby grin from ear to ear. She said it with such warmth. It became obvious to her that Trixie respected Pinkie in a way Ruby didn’t know was possible for her fellow blue-coated mare. “You really like her, huh? I never normally hear about two mares getting together like that, so it took me by surprise.”
“Once you become as worldly as Trixie, such things are hardly even worth noting,” Trixie said, causing Ruby to roll her eyes. Ruby had traveled around Equestria quite a bit. Trixie continued. “Besides, there is nothing ‘normal’ about either of us, anyway.”
That got a short laugh out of Ruby. “You got that right! That’s especially true for that ball of crazy over there.”
When Ruby pointed her hoof at Pinkie’s previous location, she became confused at her absence. “Does that mean we’re especially together?” Pinkie questioned, right next to Ruby. Ruby gave an undignified yelp and fell out of her seat.
Trixie was mortified. “How much of that did you hear!?”
Pinkie tilted her head. “Um, all of it? This bakery isn’t that big, and it’s not like you were whispering.”
Trixie sunk into her seat, as if the cushion would hide her. Pinkie was the best. Better than she was, though she would never admit as much. She knew that without Pinkie, she would have simply given up. She would have done something stupid like go after Twilight. She found that recently her thoughts never strayed to revenge. Maybe she simply realized that revenge was pointless. Maybe she just found something better to live for then revenge.
No, she admitted to herself. In a weird way, she was almost grateful that Twilight wrecked her life. She made friends, she only ever met Pinkie Pie, because of that awful day. If Twilight prostrated herself before her, Trixie might even…forgive her. It hit Trixie like a runaway wagon. The past was behind her now. She could rebuild her reputation. Her life could be better than it ever was before…maybe it already was.
Pinkie and Ruby stared with blatant concern as Trixie finished her inner monologue. As tears began gathering at Trixie’s eyes again, this time she did not resist so heavily. “I’m glad I met you, Pinkie.” Then, turning to Ruby, she said, “And I’m glad we’re friends, Ruby.”
They both looked utterly bewildered. Pinkie hurriedly asked, “What’s wrong?”
Trixie shook her head. “Nothing at all. Trixie is just happy. I think I should really tell you something.”
Before Trixie could say anything else, Pinkie left her seat and nuzzled into her neck, then transitioned into a hug. “Just let me do this for a while. I’ve wanted to ever since I heard what you said to Ruby.”
To Trixie’s surprise, Ruby also hugged her, from the other side. “I’m glad we’re friends, too.”
Trixie giggled at the impromptu group hug. A warmth, and contented feeling, spread through her. She sort of wished Maud was there. Then again, she didn’t strike Trixie as the hugging type.
Her basking in her happiness was cut short by the telltale noise of a casted spell. The hug was cut short as Trixie grabbed the mysterious letter that floated in mid-air. “Is this some new mail system that Trixie is unaware of?” she asked studying the letter with suspicion.
Pinkie leapt at the chance to help. “It’s a spell that Twilight uses when she’s sending letters to Princess Celestia!”
Trixie looked at the letter with an all-new wariness. “Twilight sent this?”
Trixie moved past her own trepidation and opened the letter. She paled considerably when she saw who sent it, and she read the letter as quickly as she could, growing more worried by the second. She dropped the letter when she was finished reading it, and she began pacing anxiously across the floor.
“Trixie, breathe!” Ruby said, causing her to stop. “What’s going on?” Ruby picked up the letter and couldn’t believe her eyes. “You know the Princess?” she asked in disbelief.
Trixie snatched the letter with her magic and placed it under her hat. “Thank you for the pie, Ruby.” She grabbed Pinkie’s hoof and drug her along. “We need to talk about something before it’s too late!”
Trixie galloped at full speed, and the letter seemed to weigh more on her head than it should.
Dear Trixie Lulamoon,
I know I have not talked with you for quite some time. However, I feel that it is, at least somewhat, my responsibility to alleviate this situation as much as possible. My student, Twilight Sparkle, is currently on her way to confront you. I believe that she is likely misinterpreting your actions. Please, do your best to be amicable. I am certain that this does not need to devolve into an argument or, heaven forbid, a fight. Understand that her heart is in the right place. She cares deeply about her friend. I implore you; look into your heart and try to understand each other. I know I have no right to ask these things of you, but I do not wish to see you both fight over misunderstandings.
I have this one sincere request that I hope, more than anything else I have written, you take to heart. Ms. Lulamoon, please do not let your negative feelings towards me cloud your judgment of Twilight.
Best regards,
Princess Celestia