//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 - Middle ground (Part 2/2) // Story: Trixie's Threeway Trouble // by crowscrowcrow //------------------------------// Ting-a-ling! In a flash, Trixie dropped to the ground with her forelegs over her head, bracing for impact. Meanwhile, Sweetie Belle, destroyer of worlds, happily trotted through the door. “Hi, Rarity!” “Welcome to Carousel Boutique, I am afraid we’re closing for a little whi—Oh, hello girls. Did you forget something? It’s only been...” Rarity looked up from the mannequin and toward the clock on the wall.  Somehow, the white mare managed to go even paler.  “Two hours!?” Rarity nearly knocked over the mannequin herself as she jumped up to gape open-mouthed at the clock. “Oh, I am dreadfully sorry. The client arrived and she just had all these last-minute changes one after the other. She only just left a moment ago.” It was alright. Nothing to worry about. It was just the bell, not the Belle, this time. Still twitchy, Trixie picked herself up off the floor and took a few unsteady steps further in to allow the door to close, then slumped against it with a sigh of relief. It was somepony else’s problem now. “That’s okay!” Sweetie Belle chimed happily as she ran up to Rarity. “We had a great time! I got to have two ice cream cones! Trixie taught me how to do magic! Oh, and Mrs. Sorbet said she’d never seen anything like it and she might as well retire!” Apparently, the curtain ring had been reattached, but left open this time, undoubtedly to prevent the rushing Sweetie Belle from taking it down once again. “That’s nice, dear.” Rarity stroked the excited filly’s mane as she arrived, fixing the smoking stray strands back into curls. She didn’t even seem to notice she was doing it while pinning a ribbon of some sort onto the dress. “Why don’t you go play in your room? I just need to speak to Trixie for a bit.” Was she not even going to react to this? Trixie could hardly believe it. “Can I show you my magic first?” asked Sweetie Belle. This time, it seemed Rarity actually heard what was being said as she looked away from the mannequin she was working on. “Magic?” “No!” Trixie shouted, making the poor filly flinch. “Erm, Trixie means, no… because you… erm, used it so much already! Yes. You’ll burn out if you don’t get plenty of rest, a couple days worth at least.” “Oh, she’s right, Sweetie.” Rarity chimed in. “I’m sorry I missed it today, but you can show me in a few days, okay?” “Okay, Rarity!” said Sweetie Belle before running off and clambering up the stairs. Just before she vanished from view, she paused and turned and waved at Trixie. “Thanks again!” Giving a weak wave, Trixie watched the filly disappear from sight. The little hooffalls became more muted until finally they too faded after the sound of a door pulling shut. What a day.  It was almost enough to consider whether maybe those Ponyvillians had a point after all, regarding her influence on the youths. So far, three out of four foals she’d interacted with had nearly brought disaster upon Ponyville. Sweetie Belle, Snips and Snails… only Applebloom had bucked the trend. Appropriately enough. Rarity made a final stitch and then stepped away from the dress with a satisfied look. “Oh, yes! This is spectacular!” “Sure.” Trixie was entirely sure this dress was no different than it had been when they left. “Now then…” The curtain magically pulled shut around the dress, obscuring it from view and breaking the enchantment it must have had on Rarity as she finally turned around to properly face her guest. “What brings you here?” “Uh, you asked Trixie to come here.” “That’s right! I remember now. Alright, come on over here.” She parted a different set of curtains and revealed a similar platform. This one was without a mannequin, however. Rarity must have caught the confused look in Trixie’s face, as she spoke up. “We told the girls we were going to take some measurements, remember?” “Trixie didn’t think we’d actually do that,” she said, but allowed Rarity to usher her onto the platform anyway. The last few hours had taken the fight out of her already.  The curtains were pulled shut, giving some greater sense of privacy than the large open studio had. “Oh, this is just in case they ask about it. Now, try to stay still and look straight ahead… a little bit higher than that… good.” Rarity took a few more moments positioning Trixie then brought out the measuring tapes. The first one wrapped around Trixie’s barrel and pulled taut. “So, how have you been?” “Just fine, thank you.” Trixie was reminded of visits to the dentist, probably the petty small talk before a dreaded event. At least this didn’t involve sharp metal hooks in her mouth. The soft, almost caressing, slither of the measuring tape along her fur was much more pleasant. At this rate they’d be here forever. “I noticed Twilight and Dash finally made up,” Rarity said while jotting down some numbers on a notepad before the tape moved and encircled her chest. “They are trying to be tightlipped about it, but I did hear you were involved on both ends of that, positively. Our little Rainbow Dash in particular seems to be very pleased with you, so… and I do hope this isn’t too forward… Why exactly can I not talk to one of my friends about her own relationship?” Or not. “Cutting straight to chase, are we?” Trixie chuckled, nervously. She could feel the tape pull a little tighter around her, as if to indicate she wasn’t going anywhere without an answer. “Fine, Trixie did promise, so… you know that thing the three of us have... what did you call it... a menage a trois?” “Of course.” "It turns out Rainbow Dash doesn’t know." The room fell silent, seconds later it was joined by Rarity falling onto a couch Trixie was pretty sure wasn't there a second ago. Trixie knew a cue when she saw one. Once Rarity had recovered, she told her everything. She started with the most important part, that none of this was her fault. That Rainbow Dash must have misunderstood something somewhere along the way. How it had led to breaking things off with Fluttershy until Trixie sorted things out with Rainbow Dash. How that had led to Fluttershy insisting she did the sorting out herself, despite Trixie's concerns. It was hard to stop after that. To Rarity's credit, she played the role of the understanding listener perfectly. She only hummed and nodded here and there to show she was listening, and left the story to Trixie. She wasn't sure why Rarity kept measuring her shoulders every time she reached the hard parts, though Trixie found breathing easier each time it happened. Once Trixie’d pulled the whole story out of her hat, Rarity stayed quiet. Trixie hoped she hadn't been distracted by her mesmerizing talent, because just the thought of going over it again gave her a bigger headache than Rainbow Dash ever had. “That’s quite the predicament…” Rarity gave her a sympathetic look. “What do you think will happen?” “Obviously, Trixie’s hope is that we clear up the misunderstanding and live happily ever after, but...” Trixie sighed and sat on her haunches. “Trixie hasn’t had much luck with hopes and dreams as of late. She’s not sure what she’s going to find when she goes home tonight. Maybe she’ll have to pack up and leave town...” Her chest tightened painfully at the idea. “Best case scenario, two loving ponies who are eager to welcome you home.” Rarity smiled as she came to sit beside Trixie on the little podium. She averted her gaze and went on, though. “Worst case scenario… Rainbow Dash feels cheated and wants nothing more to do with you or her. Fluttershy feels guilty for ruining what you two had and can’t bring herself to be in a relationship that caused so much hurt. She wouldn’t kick you out, of course, but it may be so awkward that you no longer will feel welcome.” Trixie felt a cold chill seep into her. As much as she’d tried not to think too hard on the potential consequences, she’d been painfully aware that the whole situation could turn out horribly, but hearing it laid out crystal clear like that was difficult to stomach. It wasn’t just her own happiness on the line, but the friendship between Dash and Fluttershy as well. She had not even considered that she could ruin that on her way out. Had Fluttershy? She must have. No wonder she was so nervous. “Honestly, you’d rather risk losing them both than to settle for one?” Rarity shook her head. “What were you thinking? It’s such a greedy gamble. I know you like to go big, dear, but isn’t this a bit much?” Lowering her head, Trixie muttered. “You are right…” “Oh?” “But if Trixie did the sensible thing, that would mean leaving Fluttershy in the cold! She pined for Dashie for so long and then Trixie stole both their hearts. Is Fluttershy supposed to be alone while she gets to watch her crushes be together?” “That doesn’t sound so bad.” A slightly more flushed Rarity commented. “A-anyway… Is that true? Are you really doing this for Fluttershy’s benefit? That’s awfully selfless of you.” Even if Trixie had not been a master of subtlety, she still would have picked up on just how unconvinced Rarity was. And rightfully so, as Trixie had not actually paid that line of reasoning any thought until just now in an attempt to sound a little better. In truth, she just wanted them both. It was a nice coincidence to find out afterward that they were also interested in each other, but she’d mainly treated it as a way to have her cake and eat it… Maybe she deserved to lose. “There is no need to look so glum, darling.” Rarity said a little too cheerfully as she stroked a stray lock of hair out of Trixie’s face with her hoof. “Sure, this gamble of yours is irrational and a little bit selfish, but… so is love. If that’s something you want to share with both of them, then maybe it’s worth the risk.” Trixie perked up. “You think so?” “Only you can answer that, darling. I’m sorry if I scared you before, but you had to fully grasp the stakes. All three of you will be affected.” Rarity moved back to the abandoned fainting couch in front of Trixie. From her new position, they could easily lock eyes. “What do you think?” “Does it matter? It’s too late to back out.” Trixie groaned. “All Trixie can do is go home and see if she’s stumbled into one more disaster.” “I recognize it can feel that way, but you are only looking at the extremes. The happily-ever-after and the unmitigated disaster. While those are possible, they aren’t helping you, Trixie. It’s not realistic.”  “But those are the options. Failure and success!” Trixie protested, though she had to give way a little bit. “Maybe it won’t be as severe, but it’s still practically the same thing. How is this not realistic?” “No, no.” Rarity shook her head in that annoying disappointed way that reminded Trixie of an impatient teacher. “You simply found the most optimistic outcome where everything is amazing. That’s what you were thinking about when you came up with this plan, isn’t that right?” Trixie wasn’t quite sure how Rarity had figured that out. Had she said something to that effect? Rarity seemed to take her silence for affirmation.  “Of course, even you would realize there are two sides to every coin, and later you started thinking about what would happen if it went wrong. You already had the best ending.” Rarity held up both hooves in an imitation of a scale, one hoof far below the other as though to illustrate the weight.  Trixie looked at the mime act, waiting for a point. “From there, you ended up imagining an outcome as horrendous as the other was fabulous.” She brought both hooves closer together. “To balance those scales.” “So, you agree then that Trixie had a balance.” Trixie pointed a hoof in Rarity’s face to drive her point home. “See!”  “No, darling, just because you found the most optimistic and the most pessimistic outcome does not mean you are realistic.” Rarity sighed and took hold of Trixie’s hoof, moving it out of her face. She held onto it afterward, kindly patting. “It just means you spend the day oscillating between best and worst. That won’t help you, Trixie.” It was odd. Trixie did not feel the instinctive pulse to argue. She couldn’t be sure if it was because Rarity had a point, or because her accusing hoof was currently being held down and given calming rubs. “Suppose Trixie went along with this… then what?” Showing a slight smile, Rarity let go of Trixie. “Well, both of these outcomes don’t require any further action on your part, so you aren’t thinking about what needs to happen next. After all, if it goes wrong, you imagine an unrecoverable calamity. How would you even plan for that? Other than to run away?” Trixie’s treacherous eyes involuntarily darted over to the saddlebags by the door. She snapped back, but it was too late.  Rarity had followed her gaze and was now giving the bags a long stare. Why was Trixie feeling guilty!? She’d done nothing wrong! Not really. Rarity took a shaky breath, then slowly turned back again, meeting Trixie’s eyes. “Oh, darling… no...”  “What? What do you think is in there? A week's worth of rations and a sleeping bag?” Trixie snarked. She magically pulled the bags into her hooves then roughly tossed them at Rarity. “Look for yourself! It’s just some stage props! Not even good ones, because nopony in this deadbeat town seems to, to… Trixie doesn’t even know what.” Trixie did not find it necessary to mention that, in truth, she had exactly that sort of bag already waiting for her at home. Neatly prepared and stacked up by the door. The main difference was, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had been the ones to make it for her a month ago, back when she was afraid she wouldn’t be allowed to leave. Funny how now she was afraid she wouldn’t be allowed to stay. “Oof!” Reeling back on the couch, Rarity managed to catch the bags as they struck against her chest. Annoyingly, she’d managed not to fumble it and set it down beside her. Flipping the flap open, she revealed the contents. All perfectly innocent looking items, of course.  Some wooden drinking cups, balls, dice, handkerchiefs, lengths of rope, and three decks of cards. As well as a single, solitary lemon, which could not in any way be mistaken for some kind of meal. Who would eat a single lemon? Folding her forelegs across her chest, Trixie waited nervously for Rarity to conclude her search. “See? Trixie was not preparing to disappear.” It may just be a complete coincidence that if she were to leave town, a pony of her talents could probably get by for a while with just the tricks those props would let her do.  Not that those thoughts at any point ever crossed her mind as she was looking for them. Nor were they hastily suppressed. Not once. Never! “Oh, my.” Levitating the bags back toward the door frame, Rarity brought her hooves together in an apologetic gesture. “I’m sorry. I just… wel, I wouldn’t have blamed you. You know? If all this had made you take some precaution. It’s the smart thing to do.” “Smart?” Trixie let her hooves slip from the tight cross and sink into her lap. “You don’t think it would seem kind of… like Trixie doesn’t believe in them? Dashie and Fluttershy, that is. It’s one thing to be nervous about going to meet them, but… actually buying things to leave…” Rarity was quiet for a beat longer than Trixie would have liked. It felt as if she was looking right through her, for just a moment.  “No… Not at all.” Rarity shook her head. “I think that maybe somepony who did that might worry that maybe she isn’t worth it. Somewhere, deep down.” “What an utterly preposterous notion.” Trixie chuckled as she shifted away from the edge of the platform, from Rarity and her vexingly plausible guesswork. Averting her gaze, she feigned interest in the dimming light outside, the day was almost over.  “...Out of curiosity, what would you have said?” “Heh, you’re just like Rainbow Dash.” Rarity stifled a giggle, though a soft smile remained on her lips. “Ah, but to answer your question… I suppose I might tell such a pony that even if she were dreadfully unlucky and lost a lover or two, there are more ponies that care about her wellbeing than she might realize. That won’t change, no matter how badly she loses a gamble, hum?” Trixie knew what Rarity was trying to say, of course. The act was twice as transparent as her own. It just didn’t make sense to her.  “Why do you even care?” Trixie asked. “Oh, you know the answer to that already, don’t you?” Rarity said while moving onto the edge of her seat. “It’s what friends do…” “Of course it is.” Trixie made a show out of rolling her eyes, and tried to ignore the fuzzy feeling inside her. “Look, message received, alright? You can stop now.” “If you insist.” Rarity grinned as she reclined on her couch once more. “What were we talking about before?” “You were complimenting The Great and Reasonable Trixie on her balanced expectations.” “Yes, something to that effect…” Holding up her hooves, Rarity briefly went through the weighing motions as she mumbled to herself before her attention snapped back onto Trixie. “Ah, of course! My point really was you’ve excused yourself from having to do any further work on your relationship.” Did she just accuse her? “Erm, what?” Trixie asked, graciously extending some leniency to her friend. Rarity had proven she was attempting to help. Even if Trixie wasn’t quite sure what this was supposed to accomplish. “Explain.” “Of course, if the worst disaster truly strikes, there’s nothing you can do. But even if it is a fairy tale ending, there’s nothing left to do. As nice as that might be...” Rarity briefly seemed to get lost in thought before shaking her head. “Those are the extremes; I think you are far more likely to end up somewhere in between, don’t you?” Trixie gave a slow nod. “When you put it like that… Trixie supposes so.” “Then wouldn’t it be better to mentally prepare to fall somewhere in that wide middle ground? With effort, you can still move from there to a better outcome,” offered Rarity, as though it had been obvious to her from the start. “Maybe they’ll have questions, or be uncertain, or feel hurt. Rather than spending all day feeling like your actions no longer matter, focus on the things you might have to work on after all the cards are on the table.” Trixie tilted her head just slightly to the side, thinking quickly. Had she failed to prepare for the majority of outcomes? Wouldn't what she ‘planned out’ so far work for this middle ground Rarity was talking about? No…  it wouldn't. A chill ran down Trixie’s spine.  While it was nice to know she wasn’t powerless to make it better, now she was gripped by an even scarier prospect. “...what if it’s bad and Trixie messes it up?” she asked so quietly she wasn’t even sure Rarity could hear, or if she wanted her to.  “It is true that you might be about to take a serious stumble, but do you know what a great pony once said?” Rarity asked as the corners of her mouth slightly curled upward, not unlike a cat. “What?” “She said to just commit and go with it. With the right attitude, every stumble is simply a half-step toward greatness!” Rarity repeated with a Cheshire smile, even adding the little flourish that Trixie herself had done when she told Sweetie Belle.  Trixie rolled her eyes. “Very funny.” “No, really. I think you made a great point.” Rarity urged. “Think about it. You were afraid to go home because you’d convinced yourself that you don’t have a say in the outcome anymore. And now, because you might make it worse. What kind of attitude is that?”  “Uh, realistic?” Trixie offered. “Perhaps, but you are chasing a dream Trixie, aren’t you?” asked Rarity, clearly without requiring a response as she carried on. “How are you going to get it if you don’t believe in it?” Believing in her dreams. When was the last time anypony actually recommended that to her? When was the last time anyone needed to? It came to her so easily.  Why was this different? “I just want to stress that I mean this in the nicest way possible. Trixie, dear…” Rarity closed her eyes and took a breath before they fluttered open, fixing Trixie with a surprisingly gentle stare. “Since when were you realistic?” “What!?” A hot flash of anger sizzled through the numbing cold. “Trixie is not realistic? How dare you! How dare you say something so, so… absolutely true!” Rarity held an uncertain expression. “Pardon?” “You’re right,” Trixie sprung to her hooves. “Realism is for ponies who are not extraordinary! Even if Trixie messes up and it is all shattered into more pieces than a hammered watch in a handkerchief, then all that means is that the Great and Powerful Trixie will have to work her magic and put it back together, good as new!” “Delightful as it is to see you this self-assured, perhaps dial your enthusiasm back a little? You are at about a twelve and I really think you’d be better off at maybe an eight or se—Gah!” Rarity lost the latter half of that sentence as Trixie suddenly pulled her into a tight hug. It probably wasn’t important anyway. “Thank you,” said Trixie as she gave Rarity an extra squeeze for good measure. “Trixie’s been so caught up in the stress of today that she forgot who really runs the show. She’ll be the one to decide when the curtain is drawn.” Her mind raced with the new possibilities. As scary as it was, there was no pony in the world more adept at turning any perceived failure into marvelous success! All she had to do was put her brilliant mind to it! “Y-you’re welcome.” Rarity brought her hooves around Trixie to return the gesture, or to tap out; it was hard to tell. Either way, Trixie released her. “Before we go on, perhaps some tea to calm down? I have a lovely jasm—” “As much as she enjoyed this little distraction, the Great and Powerful Trixie has kept her eager audience waiting long enough!” She flashed a confident smile before she parted the curtains and hastily made her grand exit. Ting-a-ling! Rarity sat on the couch, astounded and abandoned. Perhaps even a little abashed. She had not even gotten around to half of the topics she had really wanted to discuss with Trixie tonight. Perhaps it would have been wise to ask about the encounter with Spike before asking about Rainbow Dash? Oh, but then again, she had been positively dying to find out what that had been about. Besides, how was she to know that Trixie would storm out immediately? She’d looked exhausted when she came back with Sweetie Belle. Oh, that’s right. Remember to check on her. She got up and latched the front door. There were to be no more clients today. All that mattered now was to consider how she was going to help salvage this burgeoning relationship. It simply would not do to allow two —three?—- three of her good friends to come apart at the seams like this over something as silly as a little bit of miscommunication.  No, not at all. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had been on the edge of that ‘will they, won’t they’ wedge for such a long time. She’d vowed to herself to allow that to progress at its own pace, but if Trixie was going to shake things up regardless, well, it was only fair that somepony was around to ensure they’d fall to the correct side. So many wondrous ideas had been stockpiling all these years. Finally, they were going to be put to good use. Perhaps she could begin by penning a love letter in the other’s name? No, no. They were well beyond that now.  “If Trixie was right, the backstitch of the entire garment is most certainly Rainbow Dash… If she snapped, well… that would be difficult to repair.” If only there was something she could do to ensure Rainbow Dash would stay with the trio. Ah, there was that one option, if she was willing to prey on a terribly unfair weak spot.  “I do apologize in advance, Rainbow Dash, but… I do believe I may have to tattle on you just a little bit. Good luck backing down when your personal little cheering duo shows up!” Rarity rubbed her hooves together with a devious smile. Tap Tap Tap! Snapping out of her benevolent scheming, Rarity looked toward the window. Trixie was there, staring her down. Rarity stared back, trying very hard to act as though she had not been caught worse than that time Sweetie Belle noticed her sneaking a tub of ice cream out of the fridge at two in the morning. “T-Trixie? What are you doing there?” Trixie pointed a hoof toward the locked front door. Following the direction, Rarity’s gaze fell upon the forgotten saddlebags, still propped up against the door frame. Returning her eyes to Trixie, Rarity offered up an awkward chuckle and worked on opening the window. “Hehe… I’ll just go get those for you and you can be on your way.” A nice, chic blue glow surrounded the bags and pulled them closer. A moment later, they changed color to orchid as Trixie took over. “Great.” Trixie rested her hooves on the windowsill, preventing the window from closing again. “So, what was that about?” “Designing!” Rarity said, a little too hurriedly for her own liking. “Right…” Levitating her bags through the window, Trixie looked at her for a moment, then showed a smirk eerily reminiscent of when Opalescence discovered how to open the fridge. “Trixie has to go home now, but how about tomorrow we do some ‘designing’ together? If Trixie has nothing better to do.” “You design? I, oh!” It took her a moment to decipher, but this was most definitely an invitation to serve as a backup plan, wasn’t it? Then, Trixie was asking to be included in her matchmaking plot? A mare on the inside as it were.  Rarity smiled. “Yes… Yes, that would be wonderful. Actually, we’re having a little party tomorrow evening at the library. Would you be a dear and remind Fluttershy of that? I have the suspicion she didn’t hear a thing we discussed this morning.” “Trixie will do that. See you tomorrow.” It was dusk by the time Trixie made it back home. The long trek and cool air had dampened her enthusiasm down to a low simmer. Little niggles of doubt had plagued her along the way, but such petty demons were easily slain by the Great and Fretful Trixie. It just wore on her a little. Once she came around the last bend in the road, she finally laid eyes on the cottage.  The light in the living room was still on. Fluttershy was waiting for her. Possibly Rainbow Dash was too. She felt the fire rekindle inside of her at the thought. Whatever awaited her inside, it was going to be the next step toward her goal! She broke into a gallop for the final stretch, crossing the little bridge in a single bound. She rushed up the garden path, but slowed to a trot as she spotted something unusual. There, by the front door, barely visible in the encroaching dark, sat a pair of green saddlebags. She recognized them instantly. The consistent sight of them had been comforting those first few weeks, and mundane after that. They’d merely been gathering dust inside. But, it was strange for them to be outside. She’d come to a complete stop now, her heart beating in her throat. Was this a sign? If so, what did it mean? What if it was bad? A number of mundane explanations faintly echoed through her mind that she would have prefered to grasp onto. An accident. A similar bag. A tradition. A joke. A colony of very ambitious ants. But, she couldn’t banish the big looming fear that perhaps this was a warning. Feeling a shiver, Trixie took a small step back away from the door.  Was it possible that Rainbow Dash was angry and waiting for her? Had Fluttershy secretly moved the bag outside for her to notice? What if it was bad? A flash of orchid light, she pulled the bags away from the door and flipped open the lid. A supply of oats, some bits, and a light blanket. The faint glimmer of hope that these simply looked similar was snuffed out. A weakening wobble in her hind legs had her drop to her haunches with a thud. It was getting harder to breathe. What if it was bad? This had to be bad. Maybe she should go in? What if it was bad? She had good last memories now. She could just leave. She should just leave. What if it was bad? Stop it! Do not panic! You coward! She scolded herself while easing the stranglehold she had on the bag.  What if it was bad?  If she wanted to leave, she had all the supplies on hoof to make it out of Ponyville okay.  By now, the last of the light had vanished over the horizon, but it wasn’t the first time she’d traveled by starlight. Or maybe, maybe she could go back to Rarity’s place?  Or…she could stop going around in this same sun-forsaken circle all day! What was she even worried about? There was nothing in the world that the Great and Powerful Trixie could not deal with! She was the most amazing pony to ever exist. It would take more than a little scare to stop her from getting what she wanted, right? With a shaking hoof, she pressed against the door. It didn’t budge. Another flash of cold washed over her as she found herself confronted with a locked door. A sickening feeling rose from her stomach, yet it also strangely made her feel more determined. As though a challenge had been offered by life, daring her to run away. Well, life was about to get a… Oh, right. Trixie pulled the door open outwardly, like she’d done dozens of times. She totally had not at any point in her pathetic panic forgotten which way it went. Thankfully, nopony had seen that, but she was going to have to live with that stupidity from now on. Well, assuming Rainbow Dash didn’t end her the moment she walked into the living room, which at this point didn’t even sound all that bad. Taking a steadying breath, she stepped over the threshold, dropping both bags to either side of the door. She noticed a slight lemony scent now that she was on this side. No turning back now. Whatever she was going to have to deal with, it could only get better if she worked on it. Or whatever Rarity had said. Point was, she was not running. “Uhm, hello?” Fluttershy asked, head poking out of the kitchen. “I thought I heard the door… Oh! There you are, Trixie. We were worried about you. Well, uhm, I was. Rainbow Dash said you would be fine. And you are. Fine. I mean, you are, right?” Was there any sound sweeter than Fluttershy’s adorable nervous rambling? Little else put Trixie so at ease than her voice, except maybe the knowledge that she’d been on the minds of her two favorite mares in the whole world. Trixie pulled the door shut and trapsed further into the cottage and swiftly pulled Fluttershy into a hug. Breathing in the lovely honey scent of her mane, she gave a sigh of relief. “Trixie is now. It’s just been a little stressful today. She knows she promised to let you do it on your own, but Trixie didn’t know if she could trust herself if she was nearby.” “Oh, uh, t-that’s okay. I’m glad you were so thoughtful...” Fluttershy replied, squeezing Trixie as she returned the hug. There was a noticeable tenseness in the otherwise soft mare. Well, there always was, but more so than usual. “By the way, Trixie found this outside.” She kicked the supply bag. Fluttershy tensed more. “Huh?” Fluttershy peered over Trixie’s shoulder. “Oh, thank you. I thought I’d clean the foyer to keep my mind off, uhm, well… And, I guess I forgot I moved it out of the way.” Of course, it was something so simple. Trixie was glad she at no point worried about that. “Oh, ‘the foyer,’ is it? That seems a little ambitious,” Trixie teased as she looked around the simple door leading directly into the living room.  Fluttershy mumbled some sort of far too weak protest. Trixie patted her on the back. “Relax, Trixie likes it when you are ambitious. Speaking of which…” “What?”   “So,” Trixie asked, expectantly. “How did it go?” “...” Trixie pulled away just enough to be face-to-face with her, holding her by the shoulders. It was no surprise to find Fluttershy had trouble looking her in the eyes. Seeing her so nervous, Trixie was starting to feel it bubble back up as well. What if it was bad?  No, that wasn’t the right attitude. So what if it was bad? “Fluttershy?” Trixie asked, breaking the long silence in the cottage. “Trixie asked how it went. It’s okay, we’ll figure it out together.” Fluttershy pulled back, entirely hidden behind her mane. “Uhm… I… I didn’t… ask... I’m sorry.” She had one job. “Oh, really? Heh, that’s funny.” Trixie replied, the picture of self-control and tranquility. So tranquil, in fact, that Fluttershy was squirming under the increasingly calm and collected grip on her shoulders. “If only Trixie had known. She needn’t have worried then. All. Day. Long.” Trixie was going to scream. “Really, Trixie is so glad to know she’ll have to wait another day to find out how it all turns out.” Trixie was going to scream and send Fluttershy down a rabbit hole. “Maybe this time Trixie will just sit on the couch and watch the seconds tick by on a clock. Really savor the moment.” Trixie was going to scream, send Fluttershy down a rabbit hole, and then push a big rock on top of it. “T-Trixie, uh, could you, ouch, maybe…” Fluttershy asked, shrinking under her grasp. Trixie was going to scream, sen—Something bit her!? “Gah!” Trixie screamed and stumbled backwards, holding her aching ankle. “Angel!” Fluttershy picked up the demonic little bunny and backed up a step, looking even more tremendously guilty. “I’m sorry.” Why did she have to look so much like a kicked puppy? “You know what?!” Trixie asked, fuming, hurting, and flagging. “W-what?” Fluttershy moved Angel behind her back, seemingly aware that Trixie would need to see the dastardly thing in order to paint his fur pink again. Pushing past her, Trixie ascended up the stairs, leaving a puzzled Fluttershy in her wake. “You can sleep on the couch tonight!” Come morning, they were going to have a long talk.