Resting Witch Face

by Aragon


Bubbly Brews

Twilight Sparkle was, like. Super happy.

“You two,” she said, and the manic grin in her face was so self-congratulatory it made Trixie look humble, “are such good friends! Look at you! You’re so sweet to each other! You’re so mushy!”

Trixie scowled. “Shut up.”

“Acting all tough, talking about good and evil. You just wanted to live together! You were worried about each other!”

“Shut up, shut up, shut up. Shut up!”

“Aaaah.” Twilight giggled. “Friendship truly is the gift that keeps on giving. You’re welcome, by the way.”

Trixie glared. “Aren’t you supposed to be in terrible pain?”

And Twilight said nothing, and just grinned a bit harder.

The place was a hospital, because Ponyville might be small, but it housed Rainbow Dash, so it really couldn’t do with just a clinic. Twilight’s room was small, with green walls and white curtains, but the air didn’t smell sterile. It was cozy, and smelled of wood and perfume.

Twilight was in a full body cast. All four legs, neck and back; there were band-aids on her ears, and her left eye was covered up with her old black eyepatch. 

Starlight and Trixie were standing on each side of the bed. Starlight was carrying a bouquet of flowers, which she left on the bedside table—and then she sighed. “Twilight,” she said, putting a hoof on the bed. “What happened? How are you like this? You didn’t say anything in that letter.”

“Oh, this?” Twilight looked down at her own body. “A book fell on me. And then the rest of the bookshelf followed.” She wagged her tail a little more. “It’s not as bad as it seems!”

Starlight blinked, and looked at Trixie. Trixie arched an eyebrow. Starlight squinted. “The doctor told us you’ve broken, uh. Pretty much every bone in your body? Save the face?”

Twilight nodded. Her neck noticeably cracked. “Yeah!”

“Then…?”

“I’m really used to this by now. Did you know a piano fell on me once? That was a doozy.” Twilight wiggled her legs a little, and made a point to not wince in pain. “So this is not a big deal. Give me a day or two and I’ll be perfectly fine.”

Trixie was still arching an eyebrow. She flashed her horn, and one of the flowers from the bouquet on the bedside table floated across the room towards her. Trixie bit it in half. “You’re going to heal every bone in a couple days?” 

“Alicorn princess! We heal fast.”

Trixie swallowed. “Uh-huh.”

“But how could this happen?” Starlight pressed, nudging the bed so Twilight would look at her. “A bookshelf fell on you? You could have teleported away, or shielded yourself, or…?”

“I was sleeping.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, ultimate power doesn’t mean anything if you don’t see it coming. But it really isn’t that big a deal! Mostly I’m annoyed I’ll have to clean my room again. Which reminds me…” Twilight smiled. “I’m so glad you two finally worked out that misunderstanding. You’re moving in with Trixie, then?”

“…As soon as we get the money, I suppose, yes. Do you mind?”

“Oh, you don’t need my permission to do anything, Starlight. You know that.” Twilight’s one visible eye mellowed. “I’ll miss living with you, though. You were always the best roommate I could’ve asked for.”

“Aaaw. I’ll miss you, too.” Starlight smiled, and caressed Twilight’s hoof. She flashed her horn, and a flower went flying towards Twilight—and another towards Starlight herself. “So you’re… okay with witchcraft, now? Or do you still think it’s a bad idea, or…?”

“Starlight. I’m in the hospital.”

“Yes, that literally doesn’t answer my question.”

Twilight nibbled on the floating flower. “Mmm. I love daisies.” Then she swallowed, and looked at Starlight. “Well. I still think it’s dangerous and silly to try witchcraft. Me getting hurt was the best-case scenario.” 

“I mean,” Trixie muttered, frowning. “If you’re just gonna say it.”

“But,” Twilight said, looking at Trixie for a moment, and then going back to Starlight, “I do appreciate why you thought of witchcraft, and I understand that, well. Your intentions were good! And if we’re discovering new schools of magic while we’re at it, then that’s wonderful.”

“My intentions. So, friendship.” Starlight smirked. “You’re okay with it because it’s about friendship?”

“I’m okay with it because it’s about friendship!” Twilight said. “You were both lying to each other to be nice without the other noticing! I can’t be annoyed at that. That’s precious.

Trixie snorted, and mumbled by the side. “You don’t have to be so smug.”

Twilight spoke with unfiltered glee. “I really, really do, Trixie.” She savored every word like fine wine, swishing it around her mouth before letting it out. “I taught Starlight everything she knows about friendship, and she taught you. So, you’re welcome.

“Shut up.”

Twilight chuckled, and then looked at Starlight. “So what have you learned about witchcraft? You haven’t actually told me.”

“Yeah.” Starlight bit on her floating flower, too. “She has control over witchcraft so far, but it’s more unconscious than conscious. Wishes versus desire, you said, right? Pretty much that. We’ve been trying to find a treasure, but all that’s happened so far is that Trixie keeps being nice to me.”

“Uh-huh.”

“More than usual, I mean! She’s always sweet. Right, Trixie?”

Trixie swallowed the rest of the flower, perked up her ears, and gave Starlight a look of honey and sparkling water. “I’m always amazing, yes. Only the best for the best.”

Starlight waved a hoof in the air, and then looked at Twilight. “She found my favorite kite! Stuff like that.” 

“Hmmm.” Twilight looked at Starlight, then at Trixie, then at Starlight. “Uh-huh. Right. So—no treasure. No money, you mean?”

Trixie was the one replying this time. “I kept asking for it but nothing came.”

“Right.” Twilight nodded—her neck cracked again; once more she didn’t seem to notice—and then she looked at Trixie. “Say, Trixie? My back itches a lot. Can you go out and ask Nurse Redheart if she can bring that scratching stick of hers?”

Trixie frowned, and looked at the door. “Why would I do that.”

“Because I’m asking you?”

“That literally doesn’t answer my question.”

“Actually,” Starlight said, speaking a bit louder than necessary, “would you mind bringing me a drink while you’re on your way? I saw a vending machine downstairs, and there’s something in the air of this room that makes my throat hurt.” She gave Trixie the puppy look. “Please? If it’s not too much to ask?”

So Trixie left.

The moment the door closed behind her, Starlight turned to face Twilight. “You wanted her out of the room?” she asked.

“Yeah, thanks for catching that.” Twilight flashed her horn, and floated another flower towards her. She took a bite, and then pointed at the door. You could still hear Trixie’s hoofsteps in the corridor. “Starlight? Are you and Trixie just friends, or is there more…? I mean, are you two…?”

Starlight’s eyes went wide, and she leaned closer to the bed. “Oh my gosh,” she said, suddenly whispering. “So you’ve seen it, too? Like, it’s not just me.” Her ears perked up. “This is definitely flirting, right?”

“Yes. It is actively uncomfortable to be in the same room as you two.”

Starlight grinned, but it was a nervous grin. She fiddled with her hooves a little, still whispering. “I know!” she said. “I’ve been wondering—I’m not really good at this whole thing? So I didn’t know if, if I was reading too much into it, or… You know?”

Twilight took another bite of the flower, and swallowed. “I don’t,” she said. “I really, really, don’t. But you two are definitely flirting.”

“Yes! She’s flirting back, isn’t she?” Starlight giggled, and then looked at the door. “I keep second-guessing myself, because she’s very good at getting compliments? And I feel I’m the one who initiates every time, so I’m worried she might be just playing along and not really…”

“Starlight.”

Starlight looked at Twilight. “Yes?”

“You know how Rarity and Applejack get when they talk to each other?”

“Yes.”

“You two are like that but more blatant.”

Pause.

Starlight covered her mouth with a hoof and giggled again. Her tal swished side to side a little. “I know,” she said. “I’ve been trying to see how far I can push it, but she just plays along every time. And she really only uses witchcraft to be nice to me, it’s like she’s a natural.”

Twilight rolled her eyes, though there was a hint of a smile to the gesture, and finished the flower in one last bite. “So… Are you together, are you going to be together…?” Twilight squinted, trying to find the words. “You’ve done anything romantic already, or—?”

“Not yet! But, I mean, we’re moving together, so I guess that’s a possibility? Do you think we’re going to do anything soon? Does it look like it?” Starlight frowned, looked at the door again. “Maybe I should try to do something now instead of waiting?”

Pause.

“Starlight, look, I realize I’m not your literal mother, but I definitely am your mother figure, and I don’t know how comfortable I am discussing what you do or don’t do with—”

“I’m talking kissing, Twilight,” Starlight said. “Making out.”

“Oh. Oh!” Twilight’s ears perked up. “Well!”

“I am literally never going to discuss anything else regarding the topic of romance with you, trust me.”

“You have no idea how relieved I am after hearing that.” Twilight let the air out of her lungs, and then frowned. “So, I take it you want to…?”

“Yes.” Immediate reply. Then Starlight blinked, and looked to the side. “I mean. Mostly I just don’t want to make Trixie uncomfortable, and I am really bad at this, so I’m trying to, uh. See where we stand?”

“Well, you’re literally moving in together.”

“We are! I can’t wait.” Starlight smiled, and then rubbed the back of her head. “You know, it’s actually kind of relieving to hear it’s that obvious. It means I’m not just reading too much into things, right? We’re still new to this whole thing, so it’s a bit scary to—”

The door opened, and Trixie came in. “I got you a soda! Catch!”

Starlight sprung to action immediately, catching the can in midair with a burst of magic. Her back was straight, her tail was naturally curled up and unswish, and there wasn’t even a hint of a blush in her face. “Thank you!” she said, winking at Trixie, and cracking the can open. “How much do I owe you?”

Trixie waved a hoof in the air. “My treat.” Then she looked at Twilight. “I didn’t talk to the nurse, by the way.”

“Figured.”

“You just wanted me out of the room anyway.”

Starlight sipped her soda, and cast a glance at Twilight. Twilight shrugged, which made her entire back crack. “Perhaps.”

“Pfft.” Trixie rolled her eyes, and looked at Starlight. “What did she do? Say you can’t move in with me because I’m terrible?”

Starlight finished her sip, and frowned. “Trixie! Twilight would never say that.”

Twilight smiled. “That is literally what I said, yes—”

Starlight glared. “Twilight.”

“—But we both know Starlight would never listen, so.” Twilight smiled at Starlight, and then looked at Trixie. “I actually asked Starlight about what you did with witchcraft, in case she was hiding something from you. She wasn’t.”

This made both Starlight and Trixie perk up, and look at Twilight with the exact same expression. 

“What?” That was Trixie.

“Why would I do that?” And that was Starlight.

Twilight regarded both, and then flashed her horn and floated another flower towards her mouth. “Because, you know,” she said. “Maybe something witchy happened without Trixie noticing. I can see you lying about that just to protect her, Starlight.”

This made Trixie look at Starlight, while Starlight herself just looked down. Trixie frowned. “What do you mean, to protect me?”

“Well,” Twilight said. “Let’s not beat around the bush—what happened to me was obviously witchcraft, Trixie. I’m sure that shelf was always going to fall on me while I was sleeping; I put too many books in there. But then the cats came after me once I was under all the rubble.”

This made Starlight look up. “The cats, too?”

And Twilight wiggled one of her legs in full cast to vaguely point at her own face. “Why do you think I’m wearing the eyepatch?”

“Ew.”

“I didn’t try to do anything to you,” Trixie said. She was still frowning, still looking at Twilight. “I never tried to—”

“Trixie, you can’t control witchcraft,” Twilight interrupted. “You said it yourselves; you’ve been trying to find a treasure, and all you could do was to be nice to Starlight, right?”

Trixie’s ears went flat against her head. “Mhmm.”

Starlight gulped, and forced a smile. “It was very nice, though! I really liked that, Trixie.” 

“Mhmm.”

“Not wishes; desires,” Twilight said. “You don’t get what you consciously ask for—you get what you subconsciously want. You wanted to be a witch, so you got your broom and your cats. You like Starlight, and nice things happen to her. But you and I, we don’t like each other a lot, do we?”

Trixie smiled a little. Ears still against her head, tail still between her legs, but she smiled a little. Simple happiness in her voice. “We don’t.”

And Twilight smiled, too. Because she knew friendship comes in many forms, and platonic hatred can be one of them. “We really don’t,” she said. “You keep throwing books at my face. So, sure, consciously you weren’t trying to hurt me. But, subconsciously—”

“She made an entire bookshelf fall on you,” Starlight finished, looking at Trixie. “Because deep inside, part of her wanted this to happen. Oh, Trixie…” 

Trixie looked at her, heartbroken. “Starlight, I—” 

“Right, let me stop you right there, because I know where this is going,” Twilight said, speaking louder than the both of them. She flashed her horn, and the can of soda floated towards Starlight, who took it. Then a flower floated towards Trixie, who also took it. “Okay, so, Trixie, Starlight is not disappointed in you. She’s just worried about you because you might hate yourself for hurting me.”

Trixie blinked, and took a bite off the flower, looking at Starlight.

Twilight looked the other way. “And Starlight, Trixie doesn’t hate herself for hurting me, she’s just scared you might be disappointed in her.”

Starlight frowned, and sipped from the can, looking at Trixie.

Twilight nodded, and looked up at the ceiling. “So none of you is angry at the other or anything, and you’re just really good friends. That’s it. No drama whatsoever, okay? Also, nopony feels guilty about the fact that I’m in the hospital. Which is actually kind of sad, now that I say it out loud, isn’t it?” Pause. Smile. “Well, except for Fluttershy. She thinks she could have talked the cats out of attacking me. Fluttershy’s so nice. I should take her out for dinner some time.”

Trixie swallowed, and then pressed a hoof against her chest. “You aren’t angry? You were just worried? For me?

Starlight gulped, and pretty much melted on the spot. “You were only afraid of disappointing me? Oh, Trixie, you could never do that!”

And then they both laughed, and crossed the room, and hugged each other.

Twilight said nothing. She just saw them laugh and make cooing noises at each other for three, five, fifteen seconds, and then she cleared her throat with a cough. “You done?” she asked.

Trixie gave her a sneer. “Not at all.”

“Actually.” Starlight giggled, and pushed Trixie aside. “Visiting hours are going to end soon, so we should probably wrap this up.”

“Aaaw.”

“Yes, well.” Twilight sighed. “Trixie, your task now is to work on controlling witchcraft. Ideally you would get it to listen to your conscious wishes only, but if that’s too much, you could try to make it so it only happens when you want it to.”

Trixie frowned. “And how do I do that?”

“You tell me. You’re the ones who have been researching witchcraft.”

“Well.” Starlight rubbed her chin. “The only thing we know about witches is that they’re wicked. And lately you haven’t been wicked at all, you’ve just been lovely. So maybe…?”

“I should be a little bit worse?” Trixie asked, cocking her head to the side. “I could do that! I could go and annoy your whole town if you want to.”

Twilight snorted. “I’m sure it won’t take that much of an effort.” Then, for the first time since Trixie and Starlight had been there, she winced. “Eugh. My back itches a lot. Starlight, can you go talk to Nurse Redheart? The scratching stick? I’d ask Trixie, but she won’t do it.”

Starlight arched an eyebrow. “Wait, you actually wanted that?”

“Yes.”

“I thought you just wanted to get rid of Trixie?”

“Yes.”

Pause.

“Are you asking me this because you want to get rid of m—”

Starlight.” 

“Right. Okay.” Starlight nodded, took another sip of her soda, and waved a hoof. “I’ll be waiting for you outside, Trixie! See you tomorrow, Twilight. Take care, and if you need anything, send a note, okay?”

“Sure, sure.” Twilight nodded towards the door. “See you tomorrow, Starlight.”

Starlight left.

Trixie turned to Twilight, flashing her horn so Starlight’s soda would float towards her. “So,” she said. “I threw a bookshelf at you, Princess.”

“Yes. But I know you didn’t choose to, and I’m not mad. Redemption takes time, and you couldn’t control it.” Twilight shook her head. “Not what I wanted to talk about anyway.”

“What.”

“Trixie.” Twilight’s stone was steely. Her one eye pierced Trixie like a spear. “Are you and Starlight just friends? Or are you…? You know. Together? Don’t make me say it.”

Trixie’s eyes opened wide, and then she cocked her head to the side, a smirk on her face. “Ooooh?” she asked, walking closer to the bed, ears perked up. “And why do we want to know, Princess?”

Twilight took a deep breath. “Listen, she’s an adult, and she can do whatever she wants, but—we both know I don’t like you.”

“So, what? You don’t approve?”

Twilight thought about it. “I wanted to ask you not to hurt her,” she said. “But to be honest? I don’t think I approve of you in particular, no. You’re—”

“I,” Trixie interrupted, “am perfect for her. And I’ll make her extremely happy.”

Twilight frowned. “So you aren’t just friends?”

“Aaah, hah, hah.” Trixie finished Starlight’s soda in two big gulps, and then threw the can over her shoulder. It missed the garbage can by a long shot, but she didn’t pick it up. “We’ve never been just friends, Princess Twilight. You already know that.”

And then, she left, cackling all the while.

Twilight waited until the echo of Trixie’s hoofsteps disappeared before cracking a grin, and then a hearty laugh. Almost a cackle, really. Very similar to Trixie’s.

Because that’s the thing about Trixie, wasn’t it? She was a contrarian. You had to play the game with her.

“Starlight,” Twilight muttered, still laughing, “you’re very welcome.”