drip
drip
sooo hot...
drip
drip
Damn that mechanic, why didn’t he come to fix the air conditioning before graduation? Trixie thought as sweat dripped from her brow. Trixie looked over to see her friend, Fugal, silently mouthing something to her.
“Trixie. Trixie.” They made eye contact. “Hoof-fan,” the pegasus mouthed. Fugal then slipped a thin piece of paper with slits of wood embedded into the page for structure. Trixie accepted the fan, grinning.
“Thanks,” Trixie mouthed back, taking the fan and smiling back at her friend. Trixie then waved the fan subtly behind the chair in front of her. A few ponies around her gave her envious looks as the two relished the air current. Fortunately, nopony made any particular fuss, after all, it was graduation.
“...And now, I’d like to introduce our student speaker for today’s commencement. A few words from your student body president Fugal Moonglade.”
“Good luck,” Trixie mouthed at Fugal, as her friend turned to trot up to the podium.
Fugal gently glided up to the podium, her aquamarine coat and silver mane portraying the fine grace of a well-practiced speaker. “Ladies and gentlecolts, today I am privileged not only to represent our wonderful student body as president, but also as today’s speaker. Firstly, I’d like to thank our valedictorian, Trixie for giving me the opportunity to speak on her behalf. Such a friend is an emblem to what this school represents: love, sharing, and, most of all, learning together. Today we take a big step forward into the world. We know not where we will go, but we will go together. And I speak to my fellow students, as much as to the audience in attendance when I say this: we will all make mistakes. I can say this from experience; from hundreds of assignments which were riddled with red ink; from forgetting my lunch. It's going to happen. That in mind, I am sure you all remember there was one such mistake this last fall.” The ponies on stage giggled, as they recalled the event.
Trixie laughed remembering the not too distant memories of ‘The Stig’ crashing a carriage into the side of the school building sped into her head. The crazy earth pony was trying to “drift”, he said. But all that happened was two ponies got sent to the nurse's office for snow rash and a newly furnished hole sat in the east hallway’s wall. Trixie remembered how school was canceled for the next few weeks as repairs were made. It was a good time.
Fugal continued, “The point I am trying to make is that sometimes you make mistakes, and when you make mistakes you need to remember… No. You need to force yourself to try again. I don’t know exactly what a “drift” is - however, I do know that The Stig wanted to be the best racer in the world! And to that, I wish him the best of luck. I pray that you never lose sight of your dream. And that goes for us as a class, we are going out into a big world with lots of ponies. Keep sight of your dreams and together we can make them a reality. Thank you.”
Fugal’s speech was met by a roar of applause as the audience stomped their hooves into the ground appreciatively. Fugal then came back to her seat, an approving smile coming from Trixie.
“Good job,” Trixie whispered.
“Thanks for letting me speak,” Fugal whispered back as the applause died down.
“Thank you, Ms. Moonglade, for that wonderful speech. And just to be clear, we have recently installed a concrete barrier to prevent such an accident,” the agitated principal spoke. “Now, on behalf of the faculty and the ever-faithful PTA, I am proud to present Elizabeth Primary School Class of ‘87 with their diplomas.” The principle left the podium, moving to center stage where a decorative table held hundreds of diplomas.
Trixie sat there waiting her turn, musing over the speech, her mind wandered as it often did when not attending a task. She analyzed the structure, message, and delivery with friendly scrutiny. Unfortunately, Trixie found herself impatiently tapping the floor beneath her, there is only so much analysis that can be done on a five-minute speech.
Bored with the idea of having to wait, she counted, three, four, five more rows. Letting out another low sigh her eyes drifted, resting as they fell upon the audience. Trixie's curiosity had been peaked with a new topic to occupy her anxious mind. Her view wasn't great, but the auditorium was quite nice with several levels for the audience to look upon the stage. She peered at the crowd full of energy. Trixie was surprised, she had suspected that she would feel small and pressured as most who struggle with speaking do in front of massive crowds, however, the adverse was true; it felt good. There was this buzz about the audience, a dull, hazy mixture of emotions, which Trixie found entirely appetizing to watch.
The energy of the crowd faded, bringing Trixie back to reality. Trixie smiled, as she visually sorted through the audience finding whole families, friends, and others who she had known while at Elizabeth.
Trixie eyed the parents in particular musing in how many had come, it was nice to see all these ponies gather together for the sake of their children.
Trixie bit her lip, stuttering the part of her mind tempting a dangerous thought. She had to keep those emotions bottled up. It needs to be this way, she rationalized. It's better this way. The solid argument persuaded the pooling thoughts to leave her brain quickly focusing back to the audience for another look to distract herself.
“Hmmmm, this is interesting,” the analytical part of Trixie's mind started to reel. Trixie had begun to notice a pattern. It seemed that there were a few different reactions from the audience. There was the type of pony that just barely passed filly school and hadn't received any awards, these ponies received a small number of stomps from the audience and then really loud cheers from their friends and family in the audience. Then there were the few that received a few awards such as a letter in athletics or academics. These seemed to receive the best reception as these students were well known and therefore much of the audience participated in the congratulating. Trixie wondered how they would react to herself, she had the highest scores in every class she had taken. Although that wouldn't mean she would receive the loudest applause.
The row in front of Trixie rose and slowly trotted to the front. Trixie mentally prepared herself, after this she would be done. Nervously, she fiddled with her hooves waiting for her row to be called up.
The row in front of her refilled, the ponies were noticeably more relaxed. Then Mrs. Shimmer, Trixie's previous magic professor and the one responsible for helping Trixie get her cutie mark, orchestrated her row to stand. Trixie's mind went blank at the order, following the instructions perfectly without a moment's delay. They lined the front of the stage, Trixie became unnerved at the massive crowd which now looked upon her.
“Rumble Ramble” the speaker announced. It was almost too much for her to take, it was so different from before, the energy of the crowd was overwhelming. Like the sun that is so beautiful to look at, but burns at the same time. Trixie's heart was racing now, fully alert.
“Rocky Silver” She forced herself to look away from fear that the energy she was feeling would render her unconscious. Trixie felt a shiver of excitement, the pony in front of her was walking up to receive her diploma.
“Vinyl Scratch” The audience exploded with cheers and whistles as a large group of ponies near the front screamed and hollered like there were at a New Year's Eve. The sound those ponies made was deafening, Trixie almost put a hoof to her ear but restrained herself, she was next.
Time seemed to slow as Trixie entered the spotlight “Our valedictorian, Trixie Lulamoon!” the crowd exploded with applause. Trixie faced the crowd to see the faces of her admirers. A jolt of lightning shot down her spine. The crowd was alive! The faculty were all looking with admiration and pride at her, the crowd, everypony applauding her achievement. Trixie felt energy the likes of which she has never felt. It was like Celestia herself had just infused her with power. Trixie felt so full that her mind couldn't hold itself together, the crowds energy overtaking her puny vessel, filling her to the point where she couldn’t feel anything, except pure bliss. Trixie stood there a moment in a state of shock and enjoyment.
She felt a tap on the shoulder. Trixie turned to see the principal looking at her worriedly. Trixie blushed accepting her diploma she waved a hoof to the crowd whose applause was slowly fading. Trixie walked to the right of the stage, still buzzing with the energy she waited for the row to return.
“Our salutatorian and student body president, Fugal Moonglade!”
The audience went wild again applauding Fugal profusely as she professionally accepted her diploma. She bowed to the audience curtly before joining Trixie, winking playfully at her apparent mishap. Trixie blushed.
A moment later the row finished and Trixie started the trip back to her seat. The feeling, the energy, it left her as fast as it came. Trixie’s hooves grew heavy, the butterflies no longer present. The few moments on stage felt like hours.
Trixie's mind finally came back to her. what was that? she wondered. As she was more of an academic type, Trixie had never had so many people cheer for her. The sensation rebounded in her mind a thousand times a second. Trixie's eyes gazed into the crowd in awe of the energy it had given her. Trixie received a nudge to take her seat. She blushed, embarrassed as Fugal anxiously motioned her to sit. Trixie's heart grew colder as she did, the light which once filled her was now slowly fading. She looked up again to see the crowd from her row, the energy spiking for an instance before vanishing entirely.
Trixie, grunted as she felt her body go numb, the lovely sensation of bliss replaced by helpless confusion and emptiness. Trixie glared at the front row. Oh, how she now envied the front row. Her mind now filled with regret for not taking the speaking position her mind and heart aching with every thought. She put a hoof to her chest, feeling a hole manifest itself where the crowd's light and energy once filled.
Trixie silently whimpered as the all too familiar feelings once again took hold. Even at graduation, it seemed she couldn’t be free of them. A single tear formed. Then another, quietly making their presence known to the ponies around her. Trixie looked away from Fugal, pretending to have caught something of interest in the crowd.
This wasn’t the first time Trixie had, well, precipitation in the eyes. Trixie was very familiar with blank tears. She often had them in class randomly, or while eating dinner, or even while playing outside of all things.
Uncontrollable and inevitable they came silent and without reason. In the past, Trixie tried so hard to make them stop, but she knew better now that it was useless to try. One of the many things she had learned about herself over these last years was that she had no control over these unexplained tears.
However this time, the tear felt very normal, and although worth hiding from Fugal. Trixie stared off into the crowd trying to omit all emotions and memories. Her conscious mind begging her emotional psyche for solitude and peace.
The last row took its seat behind Trixie. The principle then continued her speech, Trixie paid no attention to the remainder of the speech with her head hung low in her hooves trying to hide her tears. She sat there for what seemed like an eternity, dazed by her emotions as the world warped around her.
“Trixie, Trixie!” Fugal nuzzled the whimpering mare, “Trixie, are you alright?”
Trixie finally came to, having missed tossing her cap she now sat in the middle of the group of ponies filling out.
“I’ll be alright,” Trixie sniffed, “just let me... clean myself up.”
“Ok, if you’re sure you’re ok, I am going to go meet up with my parents. Remember, we are going to be at 'table A' and bring an appetite. I don’t want Ms. Sniffles anywhere near the deserts.” Fugal smiled widely, trying to improve Trixie's mood.
Trixie giggled, a smile cracking onto her forlorn face as memories of one specific birthday party flooded in, “Ok, I’ll see you there.” she waved Fugal off as she went to greet her parents.
Forcing herself to the restroom, Trixie quickly trotted off, head downcast to avoid as many faces as possible. Her eyes frantically glanced upward for a restroom sign. Finding her target destination she bolted for the facility.
A loud scream later, she opened the door and gracefully entered another.
When Trixie arrived she was greeted by a forlorn face, with four tears traced lines downward from her eyes. Trixie stifled a giggle at her ridiculous reflection, the mirror giving her every reason in the world to clean herself up. After a half dozen splashes of water in the face and a quick brushing, Trixie joined Fugal in the reception room.
The reception room itself was a massive room, well-lit by a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. At the room's perimeter were tables cluttered about with fancy Hors d'oeuvre and other dishes ranging from small salads to cupcakes to candy bars. The room itself was already packed, clusters of ponies sitting and wandering about getting food and socializing. Groups of three and four everywhere with an occasional large group together chatting about the ceremony and what they all planned to do with their lives.
Trixie glanced over toward the buffet, spotting Fugal and a few of their friends waiting in line. “Hey, Fugal, so, sorry about that, I just-”
“Don’t worry about it,” Fugal cut her off, “everypony gets a little emotional during graduation. Come on let's get some food.” She waved for her to cut in line.
Trixie smiled, joining the group in line.
“So, Fugal,” Another pony asked, “what are your plans? I heard a rumor that you were going to try and join the guard or something, is that right?”
“Well, I am considering the possibility. There are some really great opportunities in the guard. Plus, I don’t really have anything else I am terribly interested in. Although just for fun I would prefer the Night Guard, their uniforms are much better than the Solar Guard.” The group laughed.
“What?” Fugal said in mock offense, “Style is at least half of the job, I’ll need to look impressive, and the Night Guard uniform is just better. It really is a shame the dayguard has such a simple and boring design.”
“Uhh, Fugal,” Trixie spoke up, her eye fidgeting “I read somewhere that the Night Guard is just a myth, the special forces division of the guard, and specifically the Night Guard was dissolved a long time ago.”
“Ohh come on Trixie, you can’t believe everything you read. They’ve got to be out there. Who do you think keeps Equestria safe at night? hmmmm?”
Trixie smirked, “Fine, maybe they do exist, but I am not going to believe you till you're one of them.”
“Ohhhh, that sounds like a challenge. And since you beat me to valedictorian, I guess I have no other choice. I will find the Night Guard and join their legion!” the group looked at the two worriedly as the argument grew.
“FINE!,” Trixie yelled, winking subtly to Fugal, “Be that way! Become the “legend”, but remember that forming the Night Guard doesn’t count.”
“Says who?” Fugal rebutted in an angry tone.
“Fillies,” a pony in the group tried to break the tension, “its graduation, please act your age.”
“No, I can not stand for this,” Trixie huffed, crouching low in an offensive stance, “as Valedictorian I will dethrone this pegasus for her insolence.” The surrounding crowd continued to grow as more and more ponies spectated the match.
“Ohhh that is how you want it to be, I see. Then we fight to the death?” Fugal yelled, a small giggle leaking through the stern face.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way!” Trixie screamed, blinking twice. The two of them charging each other at full speed yelling the whole way.
The crowd went wild, as ponies scrambled away; others tried to get between the two of them.
Trixie and Fugal spun and dove over each other chanting “Moonglow, Moonglow, principles away, clap your hooves and dance the night away”. Trixie sending a particle explosion toward the ceiling and Fugal arcing lightning into the shape of a star.
The entire ballroom was silent except for Trixie and Fugal who were laughing uproariously.
“Thank you,” Trixie began, laughter making her voice barely understandable, “Thank you, thank you, we will be here all week. I mean hour, or at least till we get kicked out.” Trixie finally pulled herself together helping the still laughing Fugal off the floor.
After a minute more the crowd dissipated and the line continued to go through the buffet.
“So, everypony says I should join the Guard. I think I’ll give it a shot,” Fugal spoke casually to Trixie.
“Really?” Trixie said, a little shocked. “I didn’t know you would be into that.”
“Yea, turns out pegasus with control over their passive magic is rare, so I'll be almost guaranteed a high ranking spot in the guard if I join. That is of course after basic training, which I hear is excruciating.”
“That sounds, uh, cool,” Trixie tried to sound enthusiastic.
“Don’t worry Trixie, the guard isn’t all that. I will always be me, Fugal. But it does mean that I am going to be away for a few months during basic.”
“So wait, you already signed up?”
“Well, yea... sorry I didn’t tell you, everything got all crazy before graduation. And the sergeant, my recruiter, gave me only a few days notice before basic starts next week. Which means I’ll be leaving tomorrow.”
Trixie stared wide-eyed at Fugal. Shock and sadness filling her countenance.
“Hey, none of that!” Fugal spoke up, “remember its graduation, I am sure you have your own plans anyway, it's not like either of us was going to be in Manehattan for very long anyway. Speaking of which, did you decide whether you're going to university?”
“Well, I talked to an adviser and they suggested that I wait a few years, take up an occupation as an apprentice or something before attending,” Trixie frowned disappointed. “There is also that invitation to Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns on my desk, I still haven’t decided about that either. I mean magic has always been interesting to me, but I just don’t know if I could do that for my entire life.”
“Hey, you're talking to someone entering the guard. I don’t know if I want to be in the Solar Guard, or even Night Guard if it exists. I’ll have to judge if I want to continue serving after my first tour which is only one year. But what I do know is that I have a talent for lighting, and the guard needs that. I've found something special that I excel at. I am sure you will find that special something and pursue it.”
Nearing the end of the buffet, Trixie picked up a slice of chocolate cake. “I guess you're right,” she finally conceded. “I just haven’t found it yet. I hope I find it soon too; I am starting to run low on funds,” Trixie said wearily.
“Well, I am sure you will find something soon,” Fugal chose her next words carefully, “and if you ever need a place to stay for a few months my doors will always be open.”
“Thanks, It's good to know I have somepony looking out for me,” Trixie smiled as they headed back to their table with two plates stacked full of candy, cakes, and a few vegetables for good measure.
“Hey Fugal, Trixie, we're over here,” Fugal’s parents waved them over. The two of them weaved through the crowded ballroom, nearly dropping their meal a few times before finally reach the table. “Honey, your father and I just want to let you know that we are so proud of you for getting salutatorian. Smarts don’t run particularly strong in the family, however, you have proven that with good determination and a strong will anything is possible. Congratulations!”
Fugal blushed, hugging her mother affectionately.
“And Trixie, thanks for helping our daughter learn so much, you have been a great influence on her as well as being awarded valedictorian, congratulations!”
Trixie blushed, “It was nothing, Fugal is really smart.”
“Yea, big sis, you’re wrealy smart,.” Fugal's younger brother, Esque said. The group laughed and started eating.
The next few hours flew by, countless jokes, stories, and laughter echoing from the family at the table. Remembering times gone past, some good, others not so much. But like all good things, they come to an end to make way for the new.
Trixie stood outside the convention, hugging Fugal tightly. “You be safe in the guard ok, I don’t want any letters telling me that you blew up or something.”
“Ahh Trixie, you worry too much, I’ll be fine.” Fugal said, tightening the hug, “And don’t worry I’ll be back before you know it.” Fugal finally broke off the hug heading to where her family was waiting for her. “Goodbye, Trixie, have fun!”
“Goodbye, Fugal, good luck in the guard!” Trixie waved, turning to go back and grab her things inside.
When Trixie had all her stuff together it was already starting to get dark, a cold wind flowing through the streets warning of the imminent night. As it swept by the mare, a cold shiver went down her spine, a recollection of what happened in the auditorium playing in the back of her head. The energy that the crowd possessed was truly a miracle to behold, it was the first time she had been applauded by a large group of ponies and it felt wonderful.
Another gust of wind swept through leaving a lasting chill, calling Trixie to head back to her apartment. Trixie swept the feelings aside intending to revisit the topic later. Her mind began to process all the parents she had just met, and their names and faces sorting them like a bookkeeper her wares. She noted how they all had a profound expression of pride for their children's accomplishments. It was something that Trixie had always removed herself from, but now without school, without anything... her mind was empty.
Trixie’s mind wandered to that taboo.
Her brain subconsciously swept the questions aside deferring to other pressing matters. The usual list compiled in her head. ‘What is planned for the rest of the day?’ and the all too familiar ‘What homework needs to be done?’ and don’t forget the ‘What is planned for tomorrow?’ They probed her mind, answered one after another, until only one remained. A solemn question that Trixie dared not ask. But it persisted. “Are your parents proud of you?” the question echoed through her mind. Trixie couldn't answer, nor did she want to. Then another question rebutted her silence.
Do they even care?
. . .
. . .
Trixie didn't move, her brain had asked something that she had repressed for so long that it burned her soul to even think of it. Memories flooded Trixie’s mind, the love of her mother’s caring hooves, the loyalty of her father. Trixie began to whimper as the torrent of conflicting emotions flooded her senses. Love, Kindness, Pride, Loss, Loneliness, and shame whirled about. A maelstrom of memories, faces, and dark places whipping violently through her consciousness.
Seven years ago, Trixie came back from school to her family’s apartment. She found it empty, with most of the furniture missing and all of the appliances gone. She didn't understand what was going on and so decided it better to go and wait for her mommy and daddy to return and explain it. So she went to her room which was completely normal aside from a note on her desk, which she failed to notice. She spent the next few hours practicing some magic that her current instructor said was crucial to her development as a unicorn. Trixie wasn't so sure about that though, it seemed kind of back-hooved. The homework was to perform a form of telekinesis that grabbed and sealed the air around an object. The seal was to prevent the object or objects from falling out, though Trixie already knew how to directly root her magic into objects so that they would move as instructed. It seemed like a step backward, but it was still challenging so she wanted to master it. After another half an hour, the sun dove under the horizon and the dim moon rose to take its place. Trixie was hungry and now waited patiently on the couch for her parents to return. 9, 10, 11... the clock rolled along unaware of the message it conveyed. Trixie fell asleep. The next day she awoke to an eerie silence. She got up and headed to her room. The window shades were open and a beam of light shone upon her desk, and more specifically a piece of paper. Trixie grabbed and read the note. She ran to the next-door neighbors interrogating them about the note unable to believe its contents. Trixie didn't go to school that day. She stayed home waiting; waiting for her parents who were gone.
Trixie stumbled through the streets wandering from street corner to street corner tears flowing and whaling as she couldn't answer the painful question. The lights grew blurry as she continued to stumble, sobbing profusely. There was nothing else, except to try and answer the question without an answer. A few passing pedestrians looked at her in surprise, not sure what to do in her state of hysteria.
Trixie's eyes met the sun, searching for solitude in the fiery mass as it softly landed on the horizon leaving the city in darkness. The breeze, which merely chilled her moments before, now felt colder than ice. Trixie couldn't get herself together. It was an impassable question, a question she couldn't answer no matter how hard she tried. In exhaustion she collapsed, tears cascading from her eyes accompanied by a chorus of sobs and the occasional sniff. Her heart, earlier filled with the energy and passion from her admirers now left only a near-empty well, filled with sorrow.
Trixie remained there, for a long time. Her hooves, wiping across her puffy eyes, did little to stop the torrent of tears. She mourned, alone and near the wayside gutter she curled up hoping for an escape. The drops forming a small puddle below the mare’s crumpled form.
Pop!
Her ear perked up, snapping toward the sound.
Pop!
Again, this time turning her face to the noise.
Pop!
The noise echoed through the streets again. Trixie, overwhelmed by curiosity and in need of a break from her question, forced herself to stand. She felt weak, like she hadn't eaten in days. She stumbled, tripping as her hooves quivered from her trauma.
Pop!
Blue and red rays of light shafted across the grim street through an alley as Trixie approached the commotion. Trixie enthusiastically raced down the narrow alley the noise growing louder with each step. Jumping over a trash bin and cardboard box, Trixie exited the alley into the city square filled with ponies. Near the center, a tall black stallion stood atop a mighty stage overlooking a massive audience.
“Behold!” A deep voice rang out over the audience. “From the great arcaneries in Canterlot! Taught only to those Celestia deems worthy!”
The black stallion rose up on his hind leg coming into full view of Trixie as his horn began to shimmer. His glowing horn then brightened many times into a mystic blinding black aura. The surreal light enshrouding the audience, shattering reality with its brilliance.
The light faded, revealing a cacophony of brilliant creatures, which burst forth into and over the crowd. Finches, eagles, and phoenixes flew over the audience with a radiance befitting a god. They glowed phosphorescent in the sky, leaving beautiful trails of particles behind. The plaza was brought to an uproar, furiously applauding and squealing in delight as the creatures flew through the sky.
Trixie was lost, she was no longer in Equestria, but a magical land of beautiful mythical creatures lighting the night sky. Her eyes were ablaze with joy and wonder at the sight. It was the most wonderful thing she had ever seen.
A small creature, a cute green rabbit, tucked its way toward Trixie. It hopped energetically in between the hooves of the crowd stopping to look at Trixie’s distraught mane and crass face. At first, the creature gave a look of confusion. The mare's face was stained with streaks from her eyes to halfway down her coat. The bunny immediately jumped upon her head and started to tickle Trixie, who burst into laughter. The green creature bounced about the mare like a hummingbird a flower.
Parts of the crowd laughed alongside Trixie as the bunny playfully tormented her. “Stop it, I can't take it anymore.” Trixie let out between laughs. The bunny obliged her request and then rested atop her head for future scheming.
Trixie attempted to dismount the varmint, swinging her head side to side. Though this accomplished nothing as the bunny was near weightless and was hanging onto her horn. Trixie chuckled “Fine... if you really want to stay with my horn. I won't stop you. Just don't blame me if others start to think of you as a hat.” The bunny's ear perked up in shock.
The bunny then leaped from her head and headed back toward the stage. Trixie giggled, relieved to have avoided her torturer's grasp. Trixie smiled and waved to the creature as it made its way back to the stage.
The stage lit up again, cascading the air with sparks and magical flares, which set the sky aglow. The black unicorn again stood atop the stage, except this time he was accompanied by hundreds of glowing creatures of all different color and shade. Trixie was filled with a feeling of euphoria as she saw the bunny standing beside the black stallion waving to the crowd with its little paws. “Thank you!” the stallion waved to the crowd. “We at JackRabbit have a show every week and everypony is welcome.” The stallion, and the entire cast of creatures then stood and took their bow. The crowd went wild with applause as the show came to a close. “Thank you and Good night.” Then with a loud poof The stage was filled with smoke and the stallion and creatures onstage vanished. The street was loud with the noise of applause for a good minute as the smoke cleared.
After a short while, another stallion walked on stage to make an announcement. “Thanks, everypony, for coming out tonight. We are going to have a cast-and-fan meeting in a quarter of an hour in front of Frontage Fashion.” He pointed a hoof toward a shop with a few ponies setting up a tent and some tables. “I hope to see you all there, and thanks for coming to the show. It was great having such an energetic crowd. Also if you want to see more amazing feats come on down to Jack Rabbit's for the show of your life. Only at Jack Rabbit’s will we reveal our best and most daring performances.” The stallion then mumbled on for a few more minutes about showtimes, vaguely hinting that there would be new tricks in the upcoming shows and side-performances by aspiring magicians. Followed up by a few more remarks about how great the night was, he finished by inviting everypony to come to get autographs and talk to the performers.
Trixie raced to be first in line to meet the performers. Even with her frantic run to the line, several dozen ponies already waited ahead of her. Trixie hated waiting, but for this opportunity, it was more than worth it.
Trixie looked over the cast, a crew of a dozen creatures, ranging from ponies to griffons, signed autographs and taking pictures with fans. Trixie neared the end of the line, looking over to the announcer, who was talking with a few of the residents about local performances.
“Next,” a crew member said.
Trixie walked up to the black magician nervously “Thank you.”
“What’s your name dear?” he replied.
“Trixie”
“That's a nice name, do you want me to sign something, Trixie?” Trixie fumbled around a bit as she remembered that the entire reason why everypony was there was to get a signature.
She blushed “ohhh, umm... I don't have anything to... Wait!” She then poked through her small saddle bag looking for a sheet of paper. She found her graduation certificate and handed it to the stallion.
“Well, look what we have here! Congratulations young lady it looks like you just got out of school, and not just for the simple honors of passing your classes either.” The magician was a little shocked to see the list of awards on the paper.
“Are you sure you want me to sign this?” The magician’s surprised voice questioned.
“Yes please, it would mean the world to me to have you sign it!”
“Ok, but don't go and blame me if you don't like my signature, it's not that impressive.” A pony behind him let out a small cackle at the remark.
“Its fine, go ahead,” she said hastily, noticing the numerous hostile eyes peering at her for taking up so much time.
“Ok. Here goes.” the stallion said with a grin. He magically lifted the quill from the pot of ink and started. Trixie's mind was blown! The quill spun across the page like a rocket, zig and zagging across the page like a wild hedgehog popping up from hole to hole. It took him a grand total of 5 seconds to finish his name. Then the quill finally stopped, it let off a whiff of smoke.
It was an elaborate signature, one like Trixie has never seen before. It seemed to glow slightly like it had been infused in some magical spell. Trixie had seen him sign his name earlier from an elbow in the line but up close it was a completely different experience. “Thank you, mister... Uhhh” reading the complex signature aloud “Black Flair”.
“That's my name sister, hope you like it.”
The mare’s vision faded as a bright smile crossed the stallion's face.