//------------------------------// // Nameplate (Applejack X Trixie) // Story: Paul's Friendship Collection // by PaulAsaran //------------------------------// Trixie was up at the crack of dawn and appeared to be testing a prop for a show. Applejack couldn't make heads or tails of it. The magician was focused intently on her work, so she knocked on the wagon. Ears flicked. "One moment." Trixie grumbled, moving a long part against another, thicker piece, until the two finally came together with a faint click. The mysterious pieces were then placed on the ground by Trixie's magic. "Hmm, tight fit. Maybe I can remake it?" At last she turned to Applejack. "Good morning! What can the Great and— Oh." Frowning and taking a wary step back, she asked, "You're... Hold on. The apple farmer?" "Applejack," the mare clarified. "Surprised to see you up." The hairs on Trixie's back bristled. "Is that a crime?" "Whoa, now." Applejack tried for a disarming smile. "I ain't here to start nothin'." "Considering how she treated you the last two times we met, Trixie finds that hard to believe." It wasn't an apology, but it was at least an acknowledgement. Not that Applejack had come for either of those things. It all happened so long ago that Applejack didn't much care anymore. Besides, Twilight was willing to tolerate Trixie now that she was Starlight's friend. There was no reason not to follow suit. This in mind, she decided to avoid the topic entirely and get to the reason she was here. "I only came by to give you this." Reaching under her hat, she pulled out a curved, heavy piece of wood. Trixie eyed it warily. "Something to beat me over the head with?" "Would you just take it?" Legs spread as if ready for anything, Trixie took the piece of wood in her magic. The moment she examined it, all tension fled. "This... is..." Removing her hat, Applejack sighed. "Found it in the wreckage. Only thing in one piece." Trixie's expression almost broke, her lips tightening to hold back her emotions. "W-why did you keep it?" "Thought you might want it back," Applejack admitted, looking away. "Seemed like fine craftsmareship. Besides," she finished quietly, "wasn't your fault that ursa came to town. Seems to me you lost more than anypony in the attack." Trixie's smile was a frail thing. "I miss that wagon. This is..." Abruptly, Trixie straightened up. Turning to her wagon, she raised the piece of wood until it was just above the door. It was polished, and darker than the wood of the wagon. Capital letters proudly proclaimed a single name: Lulamoon. "I'm trying to be better, you know." Applejack smiled at the mare's back. "I know." Trixie took a slow breath. Then another. As if the words sank hooks in her throat, "Thank you, Applejack. Was that all?" Applejack placed her hat back on her head. "Yeah. That was all." "Then Trixie would like to get back to work, if you please." "Get to it then." Applejack walked away, feeling a little lighter. "Reckon I got my own work to do."