Trixie lounged in the library, checking over a few books and munching on cookies. It was nice to relax back at home after being on the road. Her little trip had not been very calm at all.
Still, not even Starburst was around at the moment, so that was something. Trixie yawned and checked the time. It was the early afternoon, and now might be a good time to visit Zecora and stock up on medicine.
She went out the door and got onto her skateboard. She saw a few ponies about. Most of them shied away from her because of residual bad memories from the two times Trixie had almost gotten Ponyville destroyed. Some merely didn’t want to get run over by the skateboard. Only a few knew about her radiological issues, and not even all of them understood the implications.
Despite all that, nopony screamed and ran. Ponyville was not perfect but was still perhaps the nicest, most accepting town in all of Equestria. Trixie felt lucky to live there.
She encountered Rarity on her way down the street. Trixie stopped to chat a bit. Rarity pulled a long cloak out of her saddlebags and wrapped it around herself. They cloth looked very heavy, and Trixie suspected that it might be lined with lead. She took a few steps backwards to give Rarity some space.
The other mare’s expression softened at the gesture. She may have known that being around Trixie posed a health risk, but that didn’t stop her from being sociable. “Good afternoon, Trixie.”
“Hi Rarity. I was just on my way to Zecora’s.”
Rarity nodded. Her eyes shifted away from Trixie’s face. At first, it appeared that she might be sizing up her rump, but Trixie realized that Rarity was merely taking her measurements visually. It was something that Rarity just did.
Not that Trixie would have minded being sized up. She did not prefer mares, but as solitude because of her condition wore on, she had become a bit less picky.
“You know, dear, I was thinking,” Rarity began. “What if I were to get you some sort of shielding garment?”
Trixie blinked. “Shielding from what?”
“Why, it just seems more efficient to keep the nasty radiation contained under lead lining rather than having everypony else wear protected cloaks.”
That did make sense. Hmm. Maybe a lead cloak would also offer some armor-like qualities. Trixie smiled. “That would be great, thank you. I would pay you.”
Rarity waved a hoof. “Oh, don’t worry about it. I would be doing it as a public service. No offense to you, of course.”
Trixie nodded. She couldn’t help that her body was basically a health hazard.
Rarity’s eyes looked around before going back to Trixie. “While I’m here, can I tell you a secret?”
“I suppose.” Trixie’s ears pricked forward.
“I also want to limit the number of lead cloaks because of supply and demand. The fewer ponies who have them, the more ponies will want them. If I only make the one cloak for you, I’ll be swamped in business. I must admit, it’s a rather evil plan, but as the Element of Generosity, I don’t see why I can’t also inspire other ponies to be generous. With their wallets.”
Trixie blinked. “Okay…why are you telling me this?”
Rarity looked taken aback. “What…you don’t keep secrets like your father?”
“He did what?”
Rarity shook her head. “Good thing I’m not the Element of Honesty. Okay, let me tell you what he was up to. Valiant was secret keeper for a number of ponies in town. While I never claimed to understand his psychotic morals or motivations, he always refused to break a promise. If you told him something in confidence, you could count on him never to reveal it.”
Trixie thought about it. Yes, she did remember something like that. And Rarity was right—Valiant was not a perfect, or even good, pony, but he refused to break ironclad promises. There was something admirable about that, even if she wasn’t sure what it was.
“What secret did he keep for you, Rarity?” Trixie asked.
The white mare grumbled. “Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter now. Back when I first became a vampire, he was the first to know. I got better, but apparently Valiant still hasn’t told, not even you.”
Trixie shrugged. “Well, I did know I little bit about that. Twilight told me, as she was sort of the coordinator for the local vampire population. I know Valiant was one for a little while, just like you. Was there anypony else?”
Rarity nodded. “Cheerilee. Valiant accidentally turned her but then for some reason couldn’t reverse it.”
That was a shocker. Trixie had noticed something strange about the local schoolteacher, but assumed it was just because she disliked Valiant. As it turned out, that was correct, but not the root of the problem.
Trixie bid Rarity goodbye and rolled away. It was slightly difficult to keep her mind on the road with so much new information.
She approached Sweet Apple Acres. Trixie had tried to avoid the farm ever since Granny Smith had died of supercancer. It may or may not have been the radiation from Trixie that caused such a disease to manifest.
Big Macintosh was standing near the fence when Trixie came by. Mac looked at her a little more intently than usual, which for the stoic stallion may as well have been a shout. Trixie stopped. “Hello, Big Macintosh.”
Mac nodded in greeting. “You keepin’ secrets now that Valiant’s gone?”
“You make it sound like he isn’t coming back,” Trixie huffed.
Shrugging, the red stallion spoke again. “Well, if that’s true, then I guess I need a new pony to tell my secret. I’m a werewolf, Trixie.”
Trixie threw up her hooves. “Did you have to tell somepony that? Have to tell me? Now I’ll be compelled to remember that juicy bit of information but never tell. I could have been happier not knowing!”
Mac looked slightly disappointed but said nothing. That slight look was still akin to a major-league case of puppy dog eyes and Trixie sighed. “All right, fine.”
She left before she could get in any deeper. Also, it kept her from contemplating the information too much. Vampires, werewolves, what next? This trip back home to Ponyville was becoming more stressful all the time. She had no idea that Valiant’s apparent disappearance would leave such a large gap in the lives of Ponyville residents. Trixie might have to leave town again before any other ponies tried to get her in confidence for their secrets.
“Trixie, so nice of you to come,” said Zecora when Trixie arrived at her hut. “I must tell you a secret. I have a sore on my bum.”
Trixie gave her a look. Zecora chuckled nervously. “Of course, it matters not to you. Here, try this medicine. It’s something new.”
The zebra gave her some pills. They looked similar to the ones Trixie had been taking. She examined the capsules. “What’s new about them?”
“It’s experimental and new. I have only a vague idea of what it will do.”
“But it will stop me from turning into a monster as long as I keep taking them?” Trixie asked.
Zecora nodded. “Of course it will. That is the main function of each little pill.”
“But what are the side effects?” That seemed like an important thing to know.
“If we are lucky in this medicine I have produced, then each pill should cause your emitted radiation to be reduced.”
“Really? This is fantastic news!” Trixie automatically moved forward to hug Zecora.
“I do hope it works. That’s what I was trying to do, you see.” Zecora smiled awkwardly. “But could you please step away from me?”
“Oh, sorry.” Trixie retreated. “I guess I should start taking these pills first.”
“Here, take this plant and place it by your bed.” Zecora showed her a small plant in a pot. “You will know you are cured if after a week of exposure the plant isn’t dead.”
Trixie nodded. “I’ll do that. Thanks a lot, Zecora.”
It seemed only right to give the zebra some money for her trouble. Trixie rolled away and out of the Everfree Forest feeling good. Her mood was tempered slightly by the sight of the Flim Flam Brothers coming up the road, but it had been a while since they had come to Ponyville. It looked like they had learned from the cider incident and were merely sticking to selling small items this time. Trixie wondered how long they would be staying.