//------------------------------// // No Favor // Story: Her Honest Self // by Jhoira //------------------------------// Applejack looked up at the house in front of her. This was Trixie’s place and it looked perfectly normal. Chuckling to herself she knocked on the door, she really shouldn’t be surprised. It wasn’t like Trixie’s parents were about to let decorate their house in her beloved stars. Raising a hand she knocked firmly on the door only to notice the doorbell, laughing gently at herself she also rang the doorbell. The door was opened by a rather frazzled looking Trixie. Her hair was a mess, her star-spangled costume hat askew like she'd just thrown it on and her cape wrapped around her shoulders, blocking out her pajamas, mostly. "Yeah, I'll sign f... Applejack!?" Applejack was just barely raising a hand in a hesitant greeting when the door was slammed in her face and she heard yelling from inside. Though she wasn't one to smirk at other's misfortune Applejack couldn't help but grin at Trixie's embarrassment. Applejack wasn't sure what prompted Trixie to open the door like that though, Applejack would have never done such a thing outside of her house being on fire. After a few moments of waiting, while Applejack considered if she should knock again the door was opened by a middle-aged man. "Hello, I take it you're the Applejack Trixie was yelling about?" Applejack snickered a little as he let her in. "I assume you are Jack Pot, sir?" Applejack was confident in her assumption. He looked like what little she could remember of the posters, and he was a man in Trixie's house far, far too old to be an older brother. Jack Pot nodded. "I am, it's a pleasure to meet you." He chuckled a little, looking up the stairs. "And such manners, I hope that you might rub off on my daughter a little with that." He motioned upstairs. "Trixie's room is the first one on the right. Make sure to knock first, not that that seems to stop her from embarrassing herself." He chuckled to himself as he walked off, and Applejack did her best, but ultimately failed to suppress her snickering. Applejack climbed the stairs, grinning a little as she took a moment to look over the family pictures that lined the stairway. Smiling to herself as she saw they seemed to be a happy little family. She had no idea what Trixie's mother did but there were also pictures of Trixie helping her father in his performances. Applejack could tell, that despite the obvious 'smile because you're performing' smile, Trixie did seem to be legitimately enjoying herself. Which made sense, the girl wanted to be a stage magician, so she'd no doubt love performing with her father. Knocking on the door that she'd been directed to she called through the door. "Trixie, it's me." After a few moments, the door was opened by a properly dressed and groomed hostess. A bit overdressed and groomed once Applejack thought about it for a moment. Trixie had put on a very nice shirt that was somewhat revealing. A nice pleated skirt that, that due to Applejack’s association with Rarity, she knew was a designer skirt. The hat and cape were abandoned, hanging on hooks next to Trixie's bed. Applejack was not particularly surprised, the girl was almost as big a show off as Rainbow Dash. Trixie blushed gently, causing Applejack to chuckle. Trixie frowned and raised her finger to point at Applejack. “Trixie did not answer the door in her pajamas, Applejack!” Applejack shook her head gently as she pushed Trixie gently out of the way. “Don’t worry about it Trixie, it was cute.” Trixie mumbled quietly, “Well if she thought it was cute...” Applejack started to turn but Trixie walked past her speaking in a normal voice. Apparently Trixie hadn’t realized she’d mumbled. “Well, what do you think about the room?” Applejack looked about the room, pacing around it as she did so. She smiled a bit, the room had a fairly nice paneling already, she wouldn’t need to redo that. The closet was sizeable and had nice shelving for Trixie’s shoes. Applejack had to pause for a moment, did Trixie have more shoes than Rarity!? But with a quick eye roll Applejack continued around the room. Shaking her head a little Applejack looked at Trixie. “Hey Trixie, this place is pretty well put together, I’m not sure I could improve on it.” Trixie tilted her head as she looked around the room. Licking her lips as she bounced on her heels. “Well... Trixie thinks that... Hm... What about...” After a few moments Trixie shrugged, her room was fairly fancy. “Trixie supposes...” Applejack gave another small shrug but smiled, clapping her companion on the shoulder. “Oh well. If you just wanted a new look you should talk to Rarity. She’s got tons of ideas on that kinda thing.” Trixie nodded, smiling a little. “You know she would be good at that! Trixie hadn’t thought about it but she could use a new look for her room!” Trixie missed Applejack's look of confusion as the magician looked around the room in apparent delight. Though the smile disappeared from her face as she looked at Applejack. “What’s the matter?” Applejack has placed her hands firmly on her hips and leaned forward a little, getting a bit closer than most would be comfortable with. “What in the hay do ya mean ‘Trixie hadn’t thought about that?’” Trixie pursed her lips slightly. “Uh...” Applejack rolled her eyes and waved a hand. “Ugh, forget it. Whatever joke this was, haha, good one, Trixie. I’ll show myself out.” She turned to go only to be brought up short when she felt unexpected hands on her arm. Trixie had lunged forward, grabbing onto Applejack’s arm and shaking her head. “No, please! Don’t be mad!” Applejack sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. She wasn’t looking at Trixie but the girl did sound legitimately worried. “Let me guess, Trixie. Rainbow Dash put you up to this?” “What!? No!” The virulence of the response surprised Applejack. Turning to the magician she noticed that Trixie was now blushing. “T-Trixie did this on her own!” Applejack nodded, her annoyance giving way to curiosity. She was obviously missing more than just the joke here. “Ok, but what is 'this,' Trixie?” Trixie shifted a little nervously, avoiding Applejack’s eyes. “Well... Trixie just wanted to spend some time with you.” Applejack chuckled lightly shaking her head. “Ya coulda just asked, Trixie.” Trixie smiled, giving a hesitant nod. “So, What was your plan to do things after we didn’t work on your room?” Bouncing nervously on her heels Trixie scratched her arm. “Trixie didn’t really think that far ahead....” Applejack couldn’t help but let out another small chuckle. “You’re not great at this are ya?” Trixie nodded, mumbling something. “Hey, practice makes perfect, sugar cube.” Trixie’s eyes widened a little and then a grin spread across her face. “It seems you’re warming up to the great and powerful Trixie!” Applejack shook her head, still grinning. “Yep, but don’t let it go to your head, great and powerful Trixie.” Applejack turned and headed towards the door. “We can figure out what to do after I get back. Where’s the bathroom?” Trixie walked over pointing to a door across the hall to the right. Applejack nodded but frowned as Trixie closed the door behind her. “What the hay...?” Applejack frowned at the door but shrugged. Wondering if maybe in Trixie’s house it was considered proper to keep all doors shut. However, this musing had an unexpected side effect as Applejack heard what Trixie presumed to be private gloating. “She even has a pet name for me! Hehe!” Applejack rolled her eyes as she headed over to the bathroom, she called all her friends sugar cube.