//------------------------------// // BONUS WORM: The Magician's Plight // Story: How To Love a Worm // by CherryPopsyPone //------------------------------// Starlight Glimmer’s extravagant ceiling was adorned was an assortment of adorable stars, matching the very whimsical design of the rest of her bedroom’s painted mural. Trixie was sure she’d counted every one of them thrice over at this point. What else had she to do? Boredom crept over her like an unpleasant raincloud whilst she lay on her back at the foot of Starlight’s bed. It was an impromptu visit to her best friend-turned-marefriend’s abode. Not an unwelcome one, but Starlight made it clear she had some studying she’d wanted to finish up on before they went out to do anything. Trixie was welcome to stay, so long as she didn’t make herself a distraction. A rather tall demand, but a challenge Trixie was willing to meet head on in order to spend time with her Glimmy. After nearly an hour of numbing silence save for the occasional page turn, the magician was beginning to question her own discretion. Well, there were other things to look at. She turned her head to the mare next to her. There she was. Resting comfortably on the bed was the aforementioned marefriend, reading a book spread out on the mattress with a peaceful smile. It was a book about magic. The kind Glimmy was good at. “Dr. Wizardstein’s Theoroid of Quanty-whatchamacallits,” or something. Volume seven. Trixie was happy and grateful to learn anything that could help with her act, but this stuff was beyond her, otherwise she might be trying to follow along. She noticed Starlight’s gaze was turned towards her suddenly. Must have noticed her staring. The mare gave Trixie a pleasant smile and wave. Trixie couldn’t help but return the smile. As Starlight returned to her studies, Trixie also couldn’t help but think she’d look adorable with glasses. Of course, she didn’t want to be creepy with her staring, dating or not. So, she began to look around at the other things around Starlight’s bedroom that she could see from this position, practically taking inventory. Some photos, some books, a few dozen kites. Nothing yet out of the ordinary. Trixie snickered to herself, spotting her own portrait she’d gifted Starlight shortly after they met. Next to it was... was that an equals symbol crossed out like a prohibited sign? Trixie would need to interrogate Starlight on the necessity of such a thing later. Back to snooping. An alarmingly large hourglass, one of those weird tools sailors used... A big poster of a moth? Why did- Wait. She’d remember hearing about this question that was going around. It was something of a trend for couples to ask eachother. It involved a bug of some kind... Right! Trixie’s eyes practically shimmered as she recalled the details. A worm. The illusionist pondered, her mind on a brand new track. Should she ask Starlight? Trixie promised she wouldn’t be a distraction, and even she thought it was a rather silly question. Then again, it was just a silly question! Anypony who took it too seriously would have to be out of their little pony minds. It wouldn’t pull Starlight away for too long, and Trixie had been well behaved long enough. The light blue unicorn sat up, having made up her mind. She gulped. Why was she so nervous about this all of a sudden? It was a stupid question. Almost a joke, really. But what if Starlight said no? Trixie bit her lip. So what if she said no? It just meant she didn’t like worms. Right? Who would like worms? Certainly not Trixie. She took a deep breath. She was way overthinking this. Just ask, you silly mare. Trixie cleared her throat. “H-hey, Starlight?” “Yes, Trixie?” Starlight eye’s remained focused on her book, smile unwavering. “Would you still love Trixie if she was a worm?” That got her attention. Starlight looked towards her marefriend in surprise. Trixie’s teeth remained gently clenched around her bottom lip in suspense of the answer. “Oh, Trixie...” Starlight’s gentle expression returned, smile loving and eyes forgiving. She closed her book and sat up, moving to be face-to-face with her magician. Trixie was flushed. With a hoof placed softly against her cheek, Starlight planted a gentle kiss atop Trixie’s head, just below her horn. The two mares looked into eachother’s eyes for a spell, before Starlight spoke: “You are a worm.”