Once we had returned to our room, Trixie used her magic to close the door and lock it.
"Where have you been? Trixie has been worried sick about you! Weren't you supposed to be with the Princess, learning new things? What have you been doing?" she asked, her anger almost palpable.
I told her about my activities, learning how to raise the sun, traveling to the other universe to check up on King Sombra, traveling to Earth to retrieve my vehicle, raising the sun in the other universe, learning how to fly and other things. Her anger seemed to dissipate a little.
"You got your car back?" Trixie grinned. "Trixie wants to go for a ride!"
"We could, if I were to change you and me into humans and teleport to my home world where we could take a nice long drive," I offered.
"Trixie wants to know what it would be like to be a human," she mused. "Trixie is getting tired of having to do scut work around the Castle -- Trixie is a magician, not a housekeeper! Doesn't Celestia have enough ponies to keep the Castle clean, neat and orderly?" she asked out of frustration.
"I will ask Celestia about assigning you tasks more suited to your talents, Trixie, but as long as we're staying here, we have to exchange something to pay for our stay. I'm sorry to hear they decided to make you do such menial tasks."
"That sounds acceptable. Trixie grows impatient with having to stay in this castle, Michael! She wants to go back to what she was doing before -- The Great and Powerful Trixie wants to perform for ponies again -- and she wants YOU to be there for her if things go bad for her!"
"My new responsibilities may preclude me from being able to attend your shows or assist you in that matter, Trixie," I stated flatly. I saw the azure mare's expression turn from one of sadness initially to one of anger. She glowered at me.
"If Michael is unwilling or unable to be there for Trixie, perhaps Trixie made a mistake in marrying Michael!" she exclaimed as her anger seemed to intensify.
"Canterlot is large, Trixie -- perhaps you can perform magic for ponies in various districts of the city -- the food's good here, too, as I'm sure you remember. How about the spa? Remember that? And if nothing else, I'm sure I can arrange for some free time for us to take my car for a ride," I suggested. As I mentioned these things, I saw Trixie's expression soften, then she smiled.
"Trixie remembers the spa -- and she would like such treatment once again -- but how is Michael supposed to pay for it?"
"I suppose I could ask Celestia for some money to do so -- but I'm not sure what I could do to repay her, other than perhaps assisting her with her duties in some sort or other. I have a feeling she wants me to attend Day Court and observe the proceedings -- maybe she wants me to be a stand-in, should she desire a break from her routine," I mused.
"And what makes you think you can handle matters of state?" asked the Sun Goddess as she entered our room.
"Princess Celestia! How long have you been listening to our conversation?" I asked with great surprise.
"Long enough, Michael. If you two would like to go to the spa, I can make arrangements for you both. Michael, indeed it is my desire to have you observe Day Court in my presence -- your estimation that I occasionally need a break is correct, and even though Luna can sit in my stead during Day Court, she finds it rather taxing to do so for an extended period of time. With enough discipline, you should be able to capably demonstrate your knowledge and adeptness at dealing with the issues of politics in Equestria. If you do well enough, I will allow you to remain in Equestria indefinitely."
Trixie gave me a hug when she heard this. I smiled at the Princess and said, "I shall do my best, Celestia."
"I'm sure you will, Michael. I will give you two a small pouch of bits so you two may enjoy yourselves for the rest of the day. Michael, I will need you to return before sunset so you can use your magic to lower my Sun. You have missed two days for that task and I shall not be happy if you make it three."
"What time do you normally lower your Sun?"
"Usually about 6:30 or so. Don't be late."
I turned to Trixie and smiled. "Looks like that gives us about nine hours, Trixie. Celestia, I will be back before six then. Thanks again for your generosity," I said, smiling at the Sun Goddess, who returned my smile with one of her own. She returned to her bedchamber as Trixie and I took a shower and ate breakfast before leaving for the spa.
The treatments for stallions are a little different from those for mares but otherwise not too much. I was surprised to discover that since I was now an Alicorn, granted royalty status, that I was given my treatment for free. I insisted on paying for it, though. The massage included some preening of my wings, a unique feeling if ever there was one! The hooficure was nice, too. I didn't get a mudpack or beauty treatment, but the sauna and hot tub relaxed me further. Trixie met up with me as our pampering was finished simultaneously.
"Trixie keeps forgetting how nice that feels," she said, smiling softly at me.
"You're not the only one," I chuckled. "So, are you feeling a little hungry? Care to get a bite to eat?"
"Yes, but Trixie is not in the mood for Prench today. Pick somewhere else, Michael."
I spotted an interesting looking cafe and motioned for Trixie to follow me to it. Some of the patrons were seated at outdoor tables conversing quietly. A chocolate brown earth pony mare with darker brown mane and tail approached us.
"Table for two, your Majesty?" she asked, bowing before us.
"I am not the Princess, ma'am, but a fledgling Alicorn. Yes, please, a table for two."
"Yes, of course. This way, please," she stated with reverence and seated us at one of the empty tables outside the cafe. She provided us with menus and asked us for our drink preference. I simply requested water and Trixie asked for coffee with a hint of cinnamon. We perused entree choices and gave our orders to the hostess, who once again bowed graciously before trotting back to the kitchen. Our entrees included salad, which was brought out to us first.
"Trixie wants to know how long we will have to stay in Canterlot," she mused.
"You don't like it here very much, do you?"
"Trixie is getting bored here -- she wants to get back on the road -- and she wants you to accompany her on her travels!" she smiled.
"I will discuss this with Celestia -- she still wants me to observe Day Court with her for awhile -- and I believe she wants me to get in more practice on raising and lowering her Sun. We might have to stay here for quite awhile, but I promise you that once we're free to leave, I shall join you on your journeys around Equestria -- and perhaps even into the Crystal Empire -- I would like to visit those lands and the ponies there." Trixie beamed at my statement as our entrees were brought out to us and my glass of water was refilled.
"Trixie is pleased to hear this! Trixie has been working on improving her show -- she can't wait to impress you, Michael!"
"Truthfully, Trixie, I have never seen one of your shows -- I'm sure I will be impressed even if you mess up," I chuckled. Trixie frowned.
"Trixie will NOT mess up!" she pouted.
"Just kidding, lover girl!" I laughed. She blushed partially out of embarrassment and managed to crack a smile.
"Trixie is looking forward to getting back on the road, sunshine!"
"I just hope this learning process doesn't take too long," I mused. We both finished eating and I paid the check, leaving a twenty per cent tip for the hostess.
"She reminds me of a certain human female waitress I remembered from a long time ago," I offered. Trixie gave me a side-long glance.
"What do you mean by that, Michael?"
"It had to have been about 30 years ago or so -- when a friend of mine and I were dining in a restaurant in a town about an hour's drive from my hometown. She was ... impressively built, to be blunt."
"Trixie thinks you should think about Trixie, not some earth pony hostess!" she admonished me.
"Relax, Trixie, you're the only mare I dream about -- I was just stating an observation, not expressing a desire. Regardless of your exterior appearance, I will always love you for who you are on the inside -- and nothing will ever change that, Trixie. I don't want you thinking bad about me please. If nothing else, please remember I love only YOU and nopony else will ever replace you in my heart." The azure mare gave a big smile and hugged me as best she could. "I guess I should resize myself!" I chuckled and used my magic to make myself her size again, then hugged her tightly in return, giving her a light kiss on her muzzle.
"Trixie loves it when you do that!" she grinned. "Tonight, sunshine ..." she whispered in my ear.