//------------------------------// // Trixie Awes the Princesses With Tales of Her Deeds // Story: Chasing Winter // by Raging Mouse //------------------------------// Chapter Sixteen: Trixie Awes the Princesses With Tales of Her Deeds The debriefing took place early next morning in the common room above the cisterns. Broth had been checked by the medics and declared reasonably fit for somepony who had wrestled a minotaur. He now sat to Trixie’s right by an octagonal table in the middle of the room. Crystal and Visi were on Trixie’s left. The crystalline were being debriefed by themselves one floor up. An army officer by the curious name of Strawberry Fields (Sergeant Major) sat opposite Trixie, flanked by two assistants. She was an old pegasus: one of those military people with blank spots in the dictionary where ‘retirement’ should have been. She didn’t seem that affected by her apparent age: her green mane was perhaps a bit duller than usual but she moved as quickly and agilely as anypony else and her mind had proven sharp enough during the small-talk she’d had with Trixie while they waited for everyone else to be seated. She lifted a cream-coloured leg and knocked on the table to request silence. “Let’s get this debriefing done so you ponies can return to your homes. We – that is, the military and by extension the crown of Equestria – have the journals you’ve written so this won’t be anything too in-depth: we just have a couple of questions we’d like answers to before talking to you all becomes a matter of correspondence or one-on-one meetings. All right?” She looked at each pony, getting a nod from them all. Her assistants were both male unicorns and were scribbling notes. One of them paused at a signal from her in order to give her a piece of paper. She put it on the table in front of her and squinted at it. “Hmm, alright: first things first! I trust you’ll explain in the journals but please report the fates of High Life and Terra Incognita.” Trixie found her companions all turning to look at her. She blushed and cleared her throat while shifting in the suddenly uncomfortable chair. “Um, Terra was blown into a deep hole in the ice by a storm the windigos created. She... died from her wounds. We couldn’t retrieve her body. As for High Life... He fled after attempting to kill me and sabotage the expedition. I assume he froze to death on the glacier.” Strawberry Fields grimaced and looked to her left, waiting for one of her assistants to finish writing down Trixie’s statement. Then she took a deep breath and sighed. “That sounds like trouble. It’s probably something that will require clarifications and further statements from you all. You have my sympathy and my condolences.” Trixie was unsure if the sergeant major was commiserating due to the death of Terra or due to the paperwork it would cause so she only nodded. Strawberry spoke again. “You have returned with an unknown civilian. Who is she? Why and how did she join the expedition?” Again, all eyes were on Trixie. I should be on a stage. That would make this less uncomfortable. On the other hoof then I might fall back to the old tactic of trying to embarrass the source of my discomfort. Not a good idea here. Trixie shifted in her seat, realising she’d been silent for longer than was polite. “Her full name is Princess Electrum Sheen of Unicornia. She’s a refugee seeking asylum in Equestria and I have agreed to introduce her to Princess Celestia. She... has been of some assistance to the expedition, including saving my life.” The sergeant major stared at Trixie as if she’d suddenly grown an extra head. “Are you... sure?” Trixie nodded. “The details are in my journal and I was hoping to explain everything to the princess anyway.” Strawberry still seemed to have difficulties swallowing Trixie’s statement but she nodded slowly. “All right... Princess Celestia is still here so I’ll relay that you wish to have an audience before her. She’ll probably want to confirm your claims personally anyway.” “Thank you.” “All right... Next question, or should I say next issue: Trixie, as acting leader of the expedition I’m afraid the burden falls to you to decide upon this next item. Equestrian Intelligence, or E.I. for short, has put all of you under low-grade surveillance since your actions had the potential to affect the nation. It turns out one of your expeditionary members has been leaking information about your actions to an outside agent, in clear violation of Equestrian confidentiality laws.” Visi had squeaked halfway through Strawberry’s sentence and was now trembling so hard that her wings produced a shuffling sound from the feathers grinding against each other. Her face was beet red and she stared straight ahead, mouth half-open and lips quivering. Crystal laid a soothing hoof on her shoulder while Trixie spoke. “You’re referring to Visi here, aren’t you? We’ve found out. But what do you mean I get to ‘decide’?” “It’s army tradition. Expedition leaders get to decide to what extent the crown seeks legal repercussions against team members who’ve committed crimes during or related to their expeditions.” Strawberry glanced between Trixie and Visi. “I take it that you’ve found out and Visi has freely told you her side of the story. What you might not know is that the Canterlot Enquirer had every intention to break their contract and publish Visi’s reports immediately. We put a stop to that, of course.” “Aaaaaauugh!” Visi literally flew up from her chair to hover right above it. She swung punches at the air and yelled in Roaman. Trixie knew enough of the language to recognise a long and colourful string of expletives and curses. Crystal reached up and tugged at one of Visi’s hindlegs, managing to pull the little pegasus back into her chair. Everypony else just stared in silence at her. Visi growled. “Look, I don’t care anymore about me! I don’t want to see those jerks get away with tricking me like this! I’ll give you their names and everything else you want!” Strawberry glanced at Trixie before answering. “We might be able to build a case against them with your help but you can pretty much forget about getting paid. From us or from them. And that’s on top of whatever Miss Bellatrix decides should be done with you.” Visi slumped and hugged herself, looking smaller than usual, while her eyes watered. “But... I have no money left! If I don’t get paid then...” She hiccuped. Her display of misery didn’t move Strawberry Fields. “We have laws for a reason, miss Visi. You should break them only if you are prepared to face the consequences. If we hadn’t noticed your little deal and the Enquirer had actually published something then the damage would’ve been much greater. We’d have prosecuted you for espionage in addition to whatever Bellatrix decides.” Trixie cleared her throat. “Look, at least she’s been helpful. Can’t she get paid her wages even if she doesn’t get her share of the reward money?” The sergeant major stared down at the table’s surface for a couple of heartbeats before sighing. “Fine. We can agree to that. I take it you’re not going to demand any other repercussions?” Trixie pondered. “Well, not against her... but... perhaps an addendum of hers regarding the acts of the Enquirer, to eventually be published in the Enquirer together with an apology, might be in order.” Strawberry shrugged. “All right.” Then she turned to Visi. “We’ll hold you to that.” Visi nodded glumly back. Then she flew out of her chair and gave a lightning-fast hug to Trixie before returning. Strawberry cleared her throat and looked at Trixie. “All right... Next item of some concern to the E.I: the matter of assassins being sent against you, Miss Bellatrix.” Trixie had been prepared for that after hearing that they’d been under surveillance so she merely raised an eyebrow while meeting Strawberry’s gaze. “Yes? What about them?” “I’m sorry to say that the Bluebloods have too much political clout for us to simply prosecute them for their misdeeds.” There was a growl and an unintelligible mumble from Crystal. Strawberry ignored it. “But we’d like them to be taught a lesson for letting their family affairs interfere with matters critical to Equestria as a whole. That’s why we’ve introduced an advisor of law to the minotaur gentleman known as ‘Wallbreaker’.” Trixie laughed. “So he made it to Canterlot? That’s hilarious!” The sergeant major smirked. “Not only did he make it: he and his claim have proved very difficult for the Bluebloods to dispose of. He arrived at the city gates and bellowed out his mission for all to hear, including no less than ten guardsponies and two reporters who happened to be there at the time. When he arrived at Blueblood Estates he had what can only be described as a mob following him.” The smirk disappeared. “As a result there’s a little question the E.I. has passed along through me to you: where is Lobelia Blueblood?” The mirth disappeared from Trixie and she gazed coolly at Strawberry. “Lobelia Blueblood passed away near the place called Frostmirror.” She shrugged nonchalantly. “What’s left of her is still there, I guess, unless the rimewolves found her.” “How did she die?” “She just fell over. I guess she must have had a heart after all since it seems to have stopped suddenly.” “Noted.” Strawberry Fields nodded to the expeditionary team. “That concludes this debriefing. We’ll no doubt have further questions once we’ve read your journals and there’ll probably be more after that once they get declassified and the academics get to read them but for now your assignment to the crown is considered ended. Congratulations are in order, I believe. As an initial show of appreciation you’ll have use of this tower for a week so you can rest and refresh before rejoining civilisation.” She glanced at Trixie. “One more thing: some of you have learned state secrets and I’d like to remind you to keep them secret. This meeting is adjourned.” She scooted her chair back and rose. “Miss Bellatrix, I’m supposed to deliver my report to Princess Celestia now. I’ll pass along your request in the meantime so make sure you and, um, Miss Electrum are prepared.” Trixie nodded and left. ****** Trixie walked through the door to the attic room Celestia had chosen for her stay. The solar guard who’d held the door open shut it after she’d gone through. In front of her was a low table with seats for two, currently occupied by princesses Twilight and Celestia. The table held a simple tray upon which rested two cups and a pot of tea. By the looks of it the two princesses were finishing up a meeting, a theory that received instant confirmation when Twilight smiled and nodded at Celestia before rising from her seat. “Thank you for the tea, Celestia. I can see that you’re busy so I won’t take up more of your time.” Celestia smiled back and arched her eyebrows. “You’re welcome to stay, Twilight. Everything regarding the expedition concerns you as well.” Twilight was already walking towards the door and smiling at Trixie but she stopped to answer Celestia. “I know, and I’m sorry to rush off so soon, but I’m too concerned for Rarity. I want to be by her side right now.” Celestia nodded. “Of course. I wish both of you well.” “Thank you, Celestia.” Trixie stepped aside to let Princess Twilight pass. Then she focused on Celestia who was already watching her. “Bellatrix Lulamoon, come have a seat.” Trixie obeyed wordlessly. She walked to the recently vacated chair and clambered into it until she was facing Celestia and looking at her expectantly. Celestia spoke after a moment’s silence. “Sergeant Major Strawberry Fields said you had something you wished to discuss?” “That’s correct, Your Highness. She no doubt informed you that we had picked up a passenger?” Celestia nodded. “She did mention one ‘Electrum’. Cadence also spoke of a unicorn mare who’d appeared greatly surprised by her appearance when they met. I take it they are one and the same?” “That’s right, Your Majesty. She’s not a citizen of Equestria and I’d like to introduce her to you so she can seek asylum and affirm her identity.” This made Celestia raise an eyebrow. “We have forms for that kind of thing. Why would she need to see me personally?” Then she glanced down at the cup of tea in front of her on the table, grabbed it with her magic and brought it to her mouth in order to sip from it. Trixie opened her mouth, thought better of it and waited until Celestia lowered the cup. Then she coughed gently into a hoof, swallowed and spoke evenly to try to hide her nervousness. “Her full name is Electrum Sheen, Princess of Unicornia.” Celestia froze momentarily staring with widening eyes at her cup. Then she blinked and raised her head to gaze at Trixie. “I see. Does she have... proof of this claim?” Trixie tilted her head. “Well... My journal ought to, hopefully, lend some evidence... but I believe she could convince you if you discussed it with her. How is your old ‘cornish, Your Majesty?” That brought out a smile. “A little rusty. It was already dying when I learned it. But I think I can manage.” “Perfect. Will you see her?” “Yes. Please, call her in.” Trixie slid off her chair and trotted to the door. Opening it revealed Electrum standing in front of the guard. Trixie’s eyes slid from Electrum’s apprehensive face to the bundle of blankets by the princess’ side and her eyes widened. Looking back up Trixie saw Electrum looking at her expectantly so she cleared her throat. “The Princess agreed to see you. Come in.” Electrum picked up the bundle and did as told, walking past Trixie. When Trixie turned around she saw that Celestia and Electrum had locked gazes and some kind of wordless communication seemed to flow between them, though Trixie couldn’t discern if it was a contest of wills or something else. Celestia was the first to speak, in ‘cornish. “You are the pony Electrum, queen – no, excuse my rusty language, princess of Unicornia? And you are here to seek asylum for yourself?” Electrum nodded and spoke as formally as Trixie had ever heard her speak. “We are indeed Electrum Sheen, though our title is currently hard to define. One matter of correction is in order: we are here to seek asylum not only for ourselves but for our daughter.” She gently set the bundle of blankets down on the ground. After gazing curiously at the blanket for a while Celestia nodded and made a sweeping gesture to the empty chair by the table. “Of course. Please, have a seat so we can discuss this. I am out of tea, unfortunately, but I could send for more.” Then she switched to equish. “Miss Bellatrix, would you kindly tell the kitchen staff to send up another pot of tea and a bowl of biscuits, please?” Trixie’s face fell but she fought valiantly to restore it to neutral. Veiled behind the request was the underlying wish that she’d stay out of the room while the princesses talked. “Of course, Princess.” She bowed quickly and left, the guard closing the door after her. Hearing it shut she stopped and turned to look at it. After sighing she trotted down to the ground floor. The tower’s ground floor was dominated by a kitchen surrounded by pantries and storage closets. The stairs came down behind a trio of huge bread ovens and the heat from their freshly cleaned, repaired and ignited innards radiated through their backs to lightly cook anypony using the stairs. The floor was a frenzy of activity, and in the middle of it all Broth limped with an air of weathered superiority. He noticed Trixie as she was on the last few steps, grinned and waved her over. “Hello, boss!” He had to shout into her ear to make himself heard above the din of the kitchen, comprised of arguing chefs, clattering pans, sizzling sauces and bubbling pots. “We got orders from Princess Twilight that she’d, and I quote, ‘Pinkie-promised a party to the returning expedition team’. I have no idea what a Pinkie-promise is but when I thanked her for the thought and suggested we might prefer just resting she seemed about to panic so I quickly agreed to it! So we’re having a ‘welcome back to Equestria’ party tomorrow by royal proclamation!” Trixie also didn’t know what a Pinkie-promise was and was about to inquire further when a friendly clap on her back by Broth forced all the air to leave her lungs. Broth continued shouting into her ear while she wheezed. “If you ask me a royally decreed party is the best! The entire tab goes to the crown so I took the liberty of ordering a large selection of the finest in liquid refreshment that the Crystal Empire can produce brought here for the festivities! On the food side we have cakes, pies, salads, soups and various kinds of dessert that taken together could decay the teeth of an entire regiment! It’s gonna be great!” Trixie managed, after some wheezing and coughing, to produce enough respiratory control to shout an answer. “That’s great... wheeze... but I came here because the princess wants more tea and biscuits!” Broth nodded, threw a mock salute and trotted over to a stove where a pot was just beginning to whistle. He gingerly took the pot’s wooden handle in his mouth and lifted it onto a nearby tray. Then he ran into one of the storerooms for a moment, reemerging with a bowl of tasty-looking chocolate-covered treats as well as a box of teabags, both of which he added to the tray. Then he waved Trixie over and shouted to her face. “Would you bring this up to her? We’re kind of busy making food here!” Trixie pretended to think it over before nodding. Broth had saved her from asking to do it. She took the tray in her magic and walked up the stairs again, shaking her head in amazement at how noisy a kitchen could be. Back on the top floor she nodded to the solar guard and raised a hoof to knock on the door. Celestia’s faint voice bid her enter so she nodded to the guard again to make him open the door. As she walked in she saw Electrum, seated at the table, was now looking quite tired. The bundle of blankets was now resting beneath the table. Princess Celestia smiled at Trixie. “You brought the tea yourself? That’s very kind of you, Miss Bellatrix.” Trixie gingerly switched the new tray with the one on the table while stammering her reply. “Ah, well, the kitchen is very busy right now and I have nothing to do so I thought this was the best solution.” “Well, why don’t you pull up a chair and join us for some tea? The formalities have been done with anyhow.” “Oh?” Trixie tried to keep her voice to only a moderate amount of interest while she pulled a chair up to the table with her magic. “How did it go?” Electrum smiled at Trixie and spoke to her in ‘cornish. “You’re looking at Equestria’s newest duchess.” She shot a glance at Celestia. “And incidentally one of its greatest landowners.” Trixie sat down and glanced between the two ponies in front of her. “What about your Unicornian titles?” Celestia answered, still smiling. “She relinquished them when she asked for what remains of Unicornia to be incorporated into Equestria. We agreed that a duchy would be the closest match for Unicornia, using the last rules made for such a thing. We’ve essentially created a new Equestrian noble house for her even if it does trace its ancestry to Unicornia.” “Well allow me, the Great and Powerful Trixie, to be the first to welcome you! I’m pretty sure house Lulamoon would love to cooperate with you any way we can, though we can ask Mom more about that when we get to Canterlot.” Electrum peered at Trixie. “Any way?” Then she glanced down at the bundle containing the changeling egg. “I’m probably going to need a lot of help raising my daughter.” Now Celestia looked troubled. “Bellatrix, are you aware of the nature of Electrum’s... daughter?” Trixie nodded and sighed with relief as one huge elephant in the room evaporated. “I met her biological mother. Queen Furmici wasn’t at all what I’d expect a changeling queen to be.” “And you, knowing their history in Equestria, are prepared to let Electrum raise a changeling queen as her daughter?” Trixie blinked. When had this begun to involve her? “Um, yes? Because if the changeling turns out anything like Queen Furmici then it’ll be alright? But it’s not my decision to m—" Celestia interrupted her, speaking politely but firmly. “I am hesitant, to put it lightly, to allow a hive to form within Equestrian borders – even with pony supervision. Electrum has told me of the agreement between her mother and Queen Furmici and I am unsure if these less constraining environments will produce something equally harmonious. Still, Bellatrix Lulamoon, if you are prepared to vouch for Electrum and her daughter then I will allow it.” “Well of course I vouch for–f—" Trixie stuttered to a halt. “Hold on, are you making this my responsibi—?!” Again Celestia interrupted her. “Yes. I am. Princess Electrum can’t be held responsible for the poor pony-changeling relations in Equestria and she had no way of knowing before you told her, so she’s blameless. Not allowing her to raise the egg would be cruel but the dangers of allowing it are impossible to measure. This is a risky venture, Bellatrix, and one that you, in your role as expedition leader, have already decided to allow. So don’t claim it’s not your decision when you’ve already made it.” She watched Trixie’s mouth open and shut silently for a while before pressing on. “Electrum and the young changeling queen are your responsibility: the former for as long as she desires your aid and the latter for as long as the queen and her possible descendants exist within Equestrian borders. They are my subjects, of course, and therefore ultimately my responsibility, so I expect you to keep me up to date. The duchess will receive a modest monthly stipend to help her govern and develop her territories and you can request additional finances should the changelings require them but I’ll want a good explanation for any of that.” A squeak was the best Trixie could produce in the way of answering. Celestia smiled gently at her. “Apologies if I sound harsh. Please don’t think I am upset or disappointed. You are as much a victim of unforeseen circumstances as Electrum is. That said, I need to walk the line between ensuring the safety of my subjects and letting them do as they please and this is a potential problem. Do be careful. Oh and tell no-one, of course. Changelings aren’t officially welcome in Equestria and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Celestia sighed. “But you have my blessing. Your hearts are in the right place. And now I must fly.” She turned to Electrum. “Sun shine on you, Duchess, and welcome to Equestria. I’m sure we’ll meet again soon. I look forward to the interesting times you’ll bring about.” She turned back to Trixie while rising from her chair. “Good work, expedition leader.” Electrum and Trixie shared a long and silent look after the princess had left. Electrum was the first to speak. “I thought it best if I told her.” “It probably was. Having her find out for herself would’ve been bad.” Trixie shook her mane. “Now I think I need to rest and read a bit. There’s a party planned for tomorrow.” ****** A cascade of bright flowers floated gently down on the audience, welcomed by oohs and aahs. A more adventurous crystalline tried snatching one of the glittering blossoms in her mouth and her delighted surprise quickly prompted others to see what they tasted like in the moments before the spectral flowers faded from existence. When the crowd looked down again they saw they were standing among tall grass, complete with summery fragrance. Wind whipped at the illusory stalks as the ponies bent their necks to sniff and nibble. Then a rumble of thunder rolled overhead, making many of the ponies gasp. Dark clouds churned in a spiral overhead, lit from within by occasional lightning. Then arcs of electricity played on the surface of the roiling mass, converged on the center of the spiral and struck down in a massive pillar of light. When the ponies regained their eyesight they saw Trixie standing in the blast center, head bowed dramatically and cape flapping in the wind as trails of lightning played on her fur and earthed themselves next to her through long arcs. She straightened out to smile at her audience as the illusions faded and normal lighting restored itself. “That’s a little sample of what’s to come from the Great, the Powerful, the All New Trixie!” She bowed again. The cistern, even decorated for party, was still so featureless that the thunderous hooves of applause were multiplied many times over, making the din of the small audience’s approval seem magnified to a crowd of hundreds. Trixie didn’t mind. In fact she appreciated very much the audience’s own illusory tricks, her mind already hell-bent on coaxing similar reactions from crowds all around Equestria. The ponies mingled, walking up to the buffet tables and grabbing plates. Some came up to praise Trixie, verbally or by a friendly clap on her shoulder. She was in the middle of accepting praise from three crystalline when a voice from her side triggered flashbacks to Ponyville. “Well, dear, you’ve certainly improved your act since I last had the delight of witnessing it.” Trixie’s head whipped around to face the unicorn with white coat and exquisite purple mane who was looking at her with a slight smile. She stammered. “Uh, M-Miss Rarity? You’re... up?” Rarity nodded. “Indeed I am! And in no small part thanks to you I’ve been told. I’m not one to back down from a debt, even one of gratitude, so let me know if you ever find yourself in Ponyville. We’ll work on expanding your wardrobe so it suits one...” She produced a good-humoured smirk. “...of your ‘great and powerful’ status.” “Uh...” Trixie blushed and fidgeted. “Thanks. So. Um. How much do you remember?” Rarity tossed her head slightly, letting her mane exaggerate the motion. “Almost nothing, fortunately enough. Only images of snow and ice, really. It seems the experience of being a windigo doesn’t translate well over to a pony mind so I really can’t tell what it felt like.” She shuddered. “Fortunately, in my humble opinion.” She smiled again, revealing her teeth, before continuing. “Twilight has been an absolute gem to me and read that journal of yours out loud by my bedside while I still felt too weak to rise, so I’d know a bit of what I’ve been through.” She leaned in closer to Trixie as her smirk grew from friendly to predatory before continuing in a hushed voice. “It took a couple of tries, because when we got to the bit in the middle she became really excited and went off on a couple of her endearing little tirades. They are of course part of her very own lovely charm and, let me tell you, this one was a champion! I haven’t seen her so unhinged since she missed the deadline of her friendship report to Princess Celestia! She spent fifteen minutes pacing in circles on the ceiling while ranting about Starswirl the Bearded and Clover the Clever!” Rarity giggled. “It was so – so Twilight!” Trixie saw Rarity’s eyes flicker momentarily to look over Trixie’s shoulder. She could feel her doom approach and drew her face slowly into a fearful grimace. “So... Princess Twilight has read my journal?” Rarity nodded and smiled. “Indeed she has, dear. Watching her face whenever she reached the interesting parts of the text was priceless. I didn’t know eyelids could twitch that fast!” Now Rarity was grinning and openly staring past Trixie’s ear. The showmare became aware of a slight growl. “And she’s standing right behind me, isn’t she?” Rarity nodded once, a deep and slow nod combined with a massive grin. “Indeed she is!” There was a pause. “What is her expression right now?” Rarity tittered. “Why don’t you turn around and find out? She won’t bite.” Her face fell into a worried, distant frown. “Pardon me, I think I need to go lie down. I’m feeling a bit cold around my tummy.” She walked away. Trixie looked after her while wondering if running was an option. Probably not: Princess Twilight could already teleport before being granted the powers of an alicorn. Oh, and now there were her wings to take into account as well. So Trixie turned around to meet and immediately wilt in one of the most intense stares she’d ever seen. The purple alicorn in front of Trixie was not the image of harmony and contentment. Princess Twilight’s eyes were bloodshot, her mane was an erratic mess and her ears were twitching at random intervals. She spoke quietly. “I caught the latter half of your show. Your talent with illusion magic has really improved. It’s a shame most ponies can’t really appreciate it. Only somepony very knowledgeable in magic theory would know that multisensory illusions on such a scale are considered theoretically impossible. And you! You didn’t even break a sweat!” Trixie tried a disarming grin. It didn’t disarm anything. Twilight moved closer until their muzzles were almost touching. “It’s almost as if you were given a unique source of genius-level knowledge but that’s ridiculous. Sharing headspace with Clover the Clever and being gifted a previously unheard-of book by Starswirl the Bearded doesn’t happen in a rational universe.” Trixie tilted her head and unfocused her eyes. “Does a rational universe produce... what was her name... oh yes, Pinkie Pie?” “Yes. As a safety-valve.” “Well then. Discord?” “Trixie, promise me you’ll lend the book to me once you’ve finished reading it.” Twilight felt a tug on her tail but ignored it. “I’ll owe you a huge favour.” Trixie sat down on her haunches and brought a hoof to her chin, pouting her lips in intense contemplation. “Well... all right.” She grinned, partially from relief. “As for the favour... Let me introduce you to somepony. Princess Twilight, the mare so mesmerised by your tail is Crystal Brightfeather. Crystal, say hello to Princess Twilight.” Crystal was gently running her hooves through Twilight’s tail while shaking her head and mumbling. “The colours are wrong! There’s Blue! My mane isn’t blue, it’s purple! It’s wrong!” She seemed distressed when she looked up – her eyes were moist and her lips quivered.  She jumped back with a start when she realised both Trixie and Twilight were looking curiously at her. “Sorry! Sorry!! It’s just – I – Argh!” Crystal crumpled to a heap and covered her head with her forelegs. Trixie chuckled at her. “Relax, Crystal. I’m sure the princess is used to strange ponies tugging at her mane and tail by now.” “Huh?” Twilight turned to Trixie with a confused frown. “Why would strangers come up to me and tug at my hair? Nopony has done that since I was in magic kindergarten.” “Really? Nopony?” Crystal sat up and glared enviously at Twilight. “Then I wish I was you!” There was a slight pause as Crystal’s eyes crossed while her brain reran the sentence she’d just spouted unfiltered. Then she exploded into hysterical laughter.