//------------------------------//
// Trixie 
// Story: Stranger in a Strange Land 
// by Andrew Joshua Talon 
//------------------------------//

Trixie stared at Ryan from behind a bookcase in the library. The Prince was, as usual, studying hard.

Honestly, despite the fact he was kind of a weird alien, Trixie found herself... Kind of liking him.

Sure, he was really serious all the time. And obsessed with beating Sparkle. But he did put out fires and helped others when asked.

That actually made this... More difficult, as she thought back to her mother's instructions.

"Trixie, it cost us a lot of money to send you to this school. I know you want to become a performer, but that won't cover our debts! So instead, you should get close to the Prince. He is some hideous alien, but if he can get you with foal? We'll all be set for life! So get to it!"

Trixie put on her best flirtatious smile, and walked out to Ryan. She sat next to him.

He glanced up at her, and briefly smiled.

"Hello Trixie. What can I do for you?"

"I..." Well she couldn't just throw herself at him. She needed an excuse... "I mean... Trixie needs homework help!"

That was the truth, at least. And it let her avoid thinking about her mother's instructions for a bit.

Ryan put down his pencil and nodded.

"Show me."

Trixie produced her homework for the last week... And her report cards. Ryan read through everything, his frown deepening.

"Did you put any thought into your career path before entering?"

"Trixie... I mean I wanted to be a stage performer. Like my dad," Trixie admitted.

Ryan immediately broke out his binders, folders, and numerous pieces of paper. He scanned and looked through them, writing like the wind on a piece of paper.

He then slid it over to her, and she looked it over in surprise.

"These classes emphasize performance oriented magic," Ryan explained, "and the acting club will be a big help. You should also consult with Mrs. Stagecall, she's got a lot of connections with theater companies. She can help you there."

"I... Why would you have all this?" Trixie asked in disbelief.

Ryan grinned.

"A prince needs to know who to talk to about subjects he is lacking knowledge in. It's not as important to know everything, as to know what you don't know and where to find it. Still, your grades do suck. So you'll need to get them up."

"Would... Would you tutor me?" Trixie asked.

Ryan hummed.

"I'm pretty busy..."

Trixie's face fell.

"But uh," Ryan said quickly, "it might be nice to learn how to teach somepony. That-that might come in handy some day."

Trixie frowned. She thought she was supposed to be using him.

But did she want to?

"Truth is," Ryan admitted quietly, "I think you're fun. And I don't want to... Ya know... Lose that."

Trixie flushed.

"Everypony else thinks I'm... Annoying."

"Maybe a little, sometimes," Ryan admitted, and Trixie pouted, "but I... Like annoying."

Trixie flushed again. Still, her mind was racing.

The chance to fulfill her dreams, and keep her mom happy? At least until she could graduate and escape?

That... Felt a lot better to Trixie than getting knocked up by an alien prince.

At Ryan's shy smile... It felt even better.

"So," Trixie began, "where do we begin?"