Friendship & Magic
Star Swirl the Bearded's Book for the Magical Traveller? Check. Incantations for the Wise and Worried? Check. Pegastart Travel Guide: Cruises Editions? Check. Checklist? Check.
Twilight's horn glowed as she magically zipped shut her suitcase. She glanced down at her luggage with a content look on her face and smiled. Behind her she heard a small yawn and some blankets rustle. Grinning, she spun on her back hooves and greeted her little dragon Spike with an enthusiastic cheer.
"Goooooood Morning Spike!"
Spike tried his best to glare at her through his red tired eyes, gave up and rolled over, tucking his blanket underneath his purple scales.
Using her magic, Twilight levitated her luggage bag in the air above her head. She trotted down the wooden stairs and into the living room of her house.
Her mind raced, "she was ready to go, this would be the best vacation ever! She could get caught up on her readings, work on some writings, practice her magic, and best of all she could be with her friends non-stop for an entire five days!"
She slammed open her door to Ponyville and was greeted with silence. The pre-dawn darkness enveloped her senses as her smile faded from her face.
"Ugh, not again..." she said out loud.
---
Rarity's horn glowed a soft purple as her magic spun a crimson ribbon around a whicker flower basket handle. She opened her eyes and peered at her work, hastily unwrapped the ribbon and started again, only to be interrupted by a rampaging filly joyfully jumping across the room. A high pitched song erupting from her muzzle.
"Vacation is what's best for me! Making s'mores so happily! Vacation is what's best for you! Me and Scoots and Apple Bloom!"
Rarity's mouth opened in protest at the scene, but her complaint quickly turned into a laugh as her sister Sweetie Bell started her next improv verse.
"Camping, hiking and canoes! That's what we all like to do! For summer is the perfect blend! To..."
Her song trailed off and her face contorted. She looked up at her sister with a perplexed look, questioning what she could rhyme with blend to complete her song. Rarity finished the rest of the song for her.
"For summer is the perfect blend, to live and learn and make new friends."
Sweetie Bell's face lit up as she started jumping again, taking her song from the top. Rarity looked back up at the ribbon hovering over her horn and tied it once again to the basket handle. Satisfied with her knot this time, she signed a card and slipped it between some flowers. The gift basket was the least she could do for the Apple family since they agreed to host Sweetie Bell while Rarity was away.
Rarity called over to her sister, telling her to grab her bags as it was time to go. The group of friends was meeting at Sweet Apple Acres that morning to depart and Rarity wanted to get there a little early to settle Sweetie Bell in.
---
The sound of laughter echoed through the apple orchard and Fluttershy smiled. She was excited to go on a vacation with her very best friends in all of Equestria, she was just a little bit worried about her friends back at home too. She had asked her pegasus friend Derpy to feed the animals twice a day. She just hoped that Derpy wouldn't live up to her namesake and forget. She convinced herself that it would be okay and trotted through the fruit bearing trees towards her friend's barn house.
Celestia's sphere had just fully crossed the horizon, bouncing rays off of the apples, still fresh with dew. The shiny red fruit in contrast with the green leaves were a perfect projection of the summer to come. Still she couldn't help but feel like there was something out of place, she didn't remember the color pink being an ordinary part of an apple tree. Fluttershy stopped, cocked her head, and narrowed her eyes, trying to make out what she was looking at.
Pinkie Pie leapt out of the apple tree, knocking over Fluttershy and landing on top of her. Confetti came from somewhere and she blew violently on a kazoo.
"Happy going away to us, party!" She yelled at the top of her lungs, then blew the noise maker again. Fluttershy squee'd and gave a shy smile.
Fluttershy's pink friend let her escape her grasp, but started following her to the Apple family house, talking insistently about things ranging from candy, to how exciting it was to be throwing a party so early in the morning.
"I mean, who knew that we could throw a party for going on vacation!? Then I'll throw one for us when we come back! How exciting!" Pinkie chirped at the thought of a coming home party, and bounded off in the direction of the farm house.
Upon entering the old house Fluttershy saw the owner of the constant giggles. AppleJack and Rainbow Dash we grinning from ear to ear, trying to hold in their laughter while Twilight sat glaring in a corner. Rainbow Dash was the first to notice Fluttershy.
"Hey Fluttershy! Guess what ol' Egghead over here did again this morning!" Twilight sighed and moved away from the group to talk with Granny Smith and family. "She woke up early again! Just like last year's winter wrap up! Three hours before the sun even rose!" She couldn't contain herself anymore and burst into another fit of giggles with Applejack following soon thereafter. Fluttershy laughed a little at Twilight's over enthusiastic tendencies, and a grin spread across her face. She was ready to go on a cruise ship with her best friends.
---
The group gathered around Twilight's hot air balloon. The sun was low in the sky, and the day still young, but the mares leaving on vacation couldn't contain their enthusiasm. Despite it being so early in the day, they had already all filled up on a cake that Pinkie had made for their going away party, leaving the leftovers for the residents of the Apple house. Granny Smith and Big Mac waved good bye as the group entered Twilight's balloon. Sweetie Bell frolicked with Apple Bloom behind them, only pausing when the balloon took off.
"Bye Rarity! I love you!" came Sweetie Bell’s little voice.
"Have fun sis'!" Said Apple Bloom prior to being tackled by Sweetie Bell. The two ran off together towards the barn before either of their sisters could tell them to behave.
The group peered down at the shrinking farm house and the rows of green apple trees sprawled out beneath them. Next stop, The Equestrian Coast.
---
"I see it! I see the ship!" Rainbow Dash came bursting through the clouds in the direction of the large purple balloon, scattering pieces of cloud throughout the sky. "We're so close!"
The groups ears perked up as their blue friend delivered the good news. After 6 hours of doing nothing but playing hoof, paper, scissors they were ready to set sail. Rainbow Dash circled the balloon once and zipped off towards the ship again. Fluttershy peered over the edge of the balloon and confirmed that what Dash had said was true. Twilight excitedly leapt up and began lowering the balloon so that they dipped below the clouds and into view of the coast line. Applejack let out a small breath of amazement as the view rendered itself to the group.
"Ah ain't ever seen anythang like this." She whistled an approving tone and continued gazing over the edge of the balloon, hooves propping her over the side so she could see it all.
A few minutes later they touched down near the port and hopped out of the balloon. Twilight tied it down and the group exited, carrying their few bags. Rainbow Dash was already excitedly talking at a crew member outside of the ship when the rest of her friends met up with her.
"So we can leave the boat whenever we want right? I mean, I gotta stretch my wings somehow! Can I get a wake up call? And what kind of food is there? I don't like parsley so can I get everything without parsley? It makes me sick and then I can't fly as well..."
Rainbow Dash was interrupted by a separate crew member who was standing by a ramp leading into the ship. " LAST CALL! ALL ABOARD!"
The group swiftly trotted up the ramp with the crew member in tow. When they were all inside the crew member pulled up the ramp and closed the door. A horn sounded and the large ocean liner began its journey.
Pinkie Pie let out a squeal of excitement and jumped a little into the air. "I'm going to find the buffet!" She sped off through the red carpeted hallway towards the dining area.
The others made up their mind that they would go their own separate ways and meet in the ships restaraunt for dinner and a show later that night. Rarity and Fluttershy went to unpack, Rainbow Dash went to explore the ship, Applejack decided she was a bit peckish two and met Pinkie at the buffet, and Twilight immediately plowed her muzzle into her Pegastart Travel Guide.
---
The sun had started setting and from the deck of the cruise ship only the shimmering sea was visible. The group had started gathering at the fancy dining restaurant on the ship. The restaurant was in the back of the cruise ship, and the windows on one side looked out over the Equestrian Sea. Circular tables scattered throughout the room and across from the windows was a stage for guest performers. The tables had a deep red colored cloth draped over them with pristine white napkins laying on top. The drink glasses were made of crystal, a band of gold lined the brim. The menus set in the middle of the table read "Le Cheval" in a royal golden scrawl.
Rarity couldn't help but gasp as she entered the room, she was dressed in her finest attire for the fancy dinner and her hair was done perfectly beneath her large hat. A steward came forth from seemingly nowhere and offered to take her coat. With a bat of her lashes and a smile she offered her hoof made jacket and stepped forward, scanning the room for her friends.
She found them at a table nearest the stage, all of them but Twilight were already there. Walking up to the table Rarity glanced at the stage. Props were set up for whatever presentation awaited them during dinner. Looking back at her friends she noticed their attire. Applejack was wearing her usual cowboy hat with a button up plaid shirt. Rainbow dash was not wearing anything special at all. Pinkie Pie had something related to candy on, and Fluttershy had a cute little dress that complemented her cutie mark. Rarity picked the seat furthest from the stage, leaving the nearest seat left for Twilight when she arrived. A waiter came around and asked for drink orders, explaining that when Twilight arrived they would bring her beverage separately. The group all ordered water except for Pinkie Pie, who decided it was a fine time for some grape juice. The waiter bowed lightly at the knees and was off to fulfill their orders.
Twilight arrived shortly after the waiter had brought their drink orders, she was wearing a light purple dress that clashed with her natural color. Her face still buried in her traveling guide. She got to the table and plopped down in the seat nearest the stage.
"Hi everypony! I read here that our cruise usually stops at 2 different small islands and lets us roam around for a little bit! What should we do there? We can go hiking and exploring, or we can lay on the beach" she was cut off by Rainbow's sarcastic response.
"Or we could do something fun, like race around the island and see who's the fastest." Applejack seemed to like that idea and nodded her head in approval.
Noticing that the waiter was close, Rarity beckoned him over signaling to Twilight. The waiter understood and took her drink order. One glass of water and a glass of grape juice. Pinkie perked her ears up.
"You can do that??! I'll take a water too please!"
Her excitement of being able to have two drinks caught the debonair waiter off guard and he simply nodded before hustling away. For the first time since she was there Twilight pulled her snout out of the book and looked around. Le Cheval was full of guests all talking and eating, waiting for the show to begin. Rainbow was talking to Applejack about a new personal best she had recorded in her flying speeds, and Fluttershy was gazing off into the sunset through the large windows. Other people around the dining hall were grazing on appetizers and drinking fine wine. They were all well dressed, but nopony came as close in style to Rarity.
It was then, without warning that the show that would entertain them during dinner started. A loud crack caught the audience off guard, Twilight started with a jump, bumping her chair into the waiter who was bringing the grape juice and waters.
"Fillies and Gentlecolts!" Came an exulted voice from the stage.
Twilight turned around just in time to see the waiter that she bumped fall forwards, drinks rifling towards the stage. She leapt up and tried to stop the flying beverages from crash landing on the performer. Using her magic she was able to prevent the two waters from splashing the stage, but the grape juice was just out of reach. As the goblet of juice doused the performer, Twilight fell face first on the stage, her eyes meeting nocturne blue hooves standing in a puddle off grape juice.
The entire dining hall of Le Cheval let out a gasp, some began to laugh lightly, while others just broke into chatter. It was Rainbow Dash who pierced the whispers and murmurs.
"You!" Attacked Rainbow Dash.
"You!" the performer countered.
"What are you doing here!"
"What are you doing here?! Other than ruining The Great and Powerful Trixie's performance!"
Twilight heard this and grimaced. She used her magic to bring the remaining two drinks down onto her table and stood up on all fours. A nervous smile crept across her face as she brought her eyes up to see the juice soaked mare. Her hat was damp and the point drooped down to one side, dripping drops of juice onto her starlight colored mane. Her eyes were shooting daggers at the group as she began wringing her cape out. Stewards came from both directions and tried to assist her in cleaning herself up. Speaking in her stage voice she sent them off, declaring she didn't need help.
Still on the stage, Twilight offered to help by wringing out her hat. Trixie looked at her, glaring, tears starting to form in the corners of her violet eyes.
"Don't you think you've done enough already?" She pulled her hat off of her head, and looked at the white stars on it stained with purple juice. That was all she needed to lose her self control. Tears streamed down her face and she vanished in a snap, the same way that she had entered. Twilight was left on stage, her head bowed in remorse as the stewards came and cleared the broken goblet and juice.
The rest of the dinner continued despite the fact that there was no performance for the crowd to watch. The group noticed that their table kept getting awkward stares sent their direction, and sometimes they caught people pointing and whispering. Twilight apologized multiple times to whoever would listen, and it was shortly before the group finished dinner when Applejack had to tell her off.
"Ah know sugarcube. We all know that you're sorry. It was just an accident, I'm sure the rest of the guests understand that too." Twilight shifted nervously in her seat, glancing at nearby guests for looks of disapproval.
"Yeah, and I'm sure Trixie will forgive you" offered Fluttershy.
"I personally think she deserved it after what she did last time she was in Ponyville." Rainbow Dash threw in her opinion, only to be kicked under the table by Rarity.
"Nopony deserves that, her mane was soaked!" Rarity exclaimed, "and that grape juice will be a chore to get out of her clothing!"
The sun had set behind the horizon and Luna's moon was hanging in the sky. Twilight lowered her head again, she felt awful for ruining Trixie's performance. She really was sorry.
---
Pinkie Pie was running, running down a long hallway. A cake was at the end surrounded by stars and the moon, but the closer she got to it the further away it went. It was like it was running away from her.
"Hey! Get back here! You can can't run forever you tasty little pastry you!" Pinkie screamed at the levitating dessert.
It turned out that it could run forever, and soon Pinkie Pie got tired and started to stumble, she tripped and fell off of the edge of whatever she was on. Falling, she could see the treat mocking her from above.
Pinkie woke with a start, her mane was ruffled and her covers were awry. She muttered something about a stupid cake and clambered out of bed. She looked out the window and glanced at the position of the moon, gathering that it was early in the morning. She stretched and headed for the door. She could always go for a midnight snack to help her sleep.
The hallway was covered in a soft plush carpet, colored red, to contrast with the pale golden walls. Fancy design laced the carpeting making a pattern on the ground. Pinkie hopped between the designs, carful not to touch any of the lines with her hooves. Fun games like those were always her favorite, easy to play and entertaining regardless of the time. She called it "don't step on the lines", it wasn't a very creative name.
She reached the bar and sat on the bench, hindquarters extended in front of her body. The bar tender came over to her and asked her how it was going. She mentioned that she couldn't sleep and could do for a midnight snack. Something sweet and calming. The bartender gave a nod and stated that he knew just the thing as he disappeared into the kitchen. Pinkie glanced around, then jumped with surprise. To her left was Trixie, drinking a glass of milk, her mane was amiss and her head was resting on her hoof. She hadn't noticed the pink party pony sit down next to her.
The waiter returned with Pinkie's treats. A light blueberry tea, steaming, and a warm buttered cinnamon muffin. As the waiter moved towards her, Trixie's eyes followed. With a stutter Trixie straightened up, her eyes narrowing. Pinky smiled feverishly and let out a small giggle. The performer rolled her eyes and went back to her slouched position, stirring her milk with her magic.
Pinkie broke the silence. "You shouldn't really drink milk this late at night" She offered.
Without looking up Trixie responded. "Oh, and I suppose you're an expert at this, aren't you."
"Well, no. But I'm just trying to help." Pinkie said, trailing off.
"Save it, please" Trixie sighed and motioned to leave.
Pinky stopped her and asked her not to go. Trixie glanced at her and asked why.
"Because!" Pinky paused for a second. "I think we should be friends...let's start over"
Without anything better to do, and unable to sleep due to her ruined performance Trixie had no other choice but to accept the pink pony's offer. Pinkie started off by ordering the unicorn the same thing that she was having, and then asked her what she was doing up at this hour. Trixie explained how she couldn't sleep because of the performance and how she would give anything to be able to rewind back to the show and start over.
They sat for awhile and nibbled on their muffins while their tea cooled. Trixie asked why Pinkie was awake at this hour and she explained her dream, giggling when she admitted that she had no idea what it meant. Trixie laughed a little bit at the obscure randomness of the nightly vision and they sipped their tea. Then Pinkie brought up the performance again.
"So why are you here, I mean..." She trailed off. Trixie looked at her intently. "I mean, on the cruise ship, what are you doing performing here? Don't you normally use your wagon?"
The pair sat for a while, not speaking. Just sipping on their tea. Trixie cleared her throat and looked back at Pinkie.
"I can't get any jobs on the mainland." She said, and knowing that Pinkie was expecting more, continued. "Ever since my debacle in Ponyville I can't show my face anywhere without getting laughed off stage. All the normal small towns I visit have heard of my failure and won't let me perform. I have no work anywhere. I had to come out here where nopony knew my name. And now...now I even botched this performance. I'll never get any work anywhere..."
She dropped her head to stare at her tea and sighed. Pinkie sat with her head in her hoof, looking at The Great and Powerful Trixie, who was now just Trixie to her. She shifted on the bench to fully face the light blue mare, and nudged her shoulder with her muzzle.
"Hey, I know. We'll get you a job in Ponyville again!" Pinkie said excitedly.
Trixie glanced up. "Don't bother trying, it's not worth it."
"Nonsense! I know a few ponies in Ponyville, we'll put out some flyers, they'll love to come see you!"
"You really think so?"
"I know so." Pinkie instantly replied.
She had just finished her last sip of tea and was feeling rather sleepy again. She could tell Trixie was in the same boat, and offered to walk back with her. A smile had crept onto Trixie's face and she agreed. On their way back to their rooms Pinkie showed Trixie her game 'don't step on the lines'. They laughed together as they hopped back down the hallway. At a T intersection in the hallway they stopped, Pinkie was to go left, and Trixie right.
"Pinkie Pie," Trixe started.
Pinkie stared at her with wide, tired eyes. "I just want to say thank you, Pinkie. You made this night a little bit better, and while I don't have many friends, I was hoping that I could have the pleasure of calling you one?"
Pinkie nodded her head ecstatically and hugged her new friend. "Good night Trixie!" She exclaimed. They parted ways.
---
The next morning came with a fog horn bellowing throughout the ship. The new sun blasted through a window, casting a prismatic rainbow hugh on the already rainbow colored pegasus. Rainbow Dash pulled her pillow over her face, trying to block out the sound and the light. With a groan though, she gave up and rolled out of bed. She brushed her teeth and did a few wing stretches before leaving her room to go find the others for breakfast.
In the dining room where Trixie's failed performance took place last night, she found her friends. Apparently Rainbow was the last one to rise. Her friends greeted her with a smile. On the table were steaming cups of coffee, and glasses of orange juice. A bowl in the middle held a variety of fruits and a platter next to it held some pastries. Rarity poured Dash a cup of coffee with her magic, and with a thank you she eagerly took it. Sipping it, she analyzed her delectable options. She chose a large grapefruit and began cutting it, then asked the group what their plan was today.
"Well." Said Twilight, with her travel guide open. "Today we're stopping at an island and we have the whole day to do whatever we want!" Rainbow's eyes lit up.
"Hey everypony! Who wants to play a game of Pony-Ball!? Rainbow looked around the table, expectedly.
Applejack looked up from her oatmeal and stated her approval. Twilight said that she would rather explore the island and study the indigenous wildlife and herbs. Rarity claimed that the game was too rambunctious and uncivil for her tastes, but that she would gladly watch. Pinkie, didn't know what it was, but would be happy to learn, and Fluttershy explained that she wanted to go find some native creatures she could befriend.
With that the ship came to a slow and the captain announced their arrival at the island. A few minutes later the group was outside, standing in Celestia's warm sun, parting ways. Twilight and Fluttershy grouped up and left to go explore the island. Rarity set up a beach blanket in the white sand and an umbrella to shelter her from the sun, her enormous sunglasses stretched over her face. The competitors gathered around in a crescent shape and looked at each other.
"Oh Luna, I forgot. We can't have uneven teams in Pony-Ball!" Rainbow Dash kicked at the ground, scattering sand into the breeze. "Rarity, are you suuuuuuure you don't want to play?!"
Rarity met Dash's request with a quick apology and then lay down in the sun, letting her white coat warm up in the rays. The soft sound of the ocean breaking against the beach was broken by Pinkie's excited voice.
"I know somepony who might want to play!" With that she ran back to the cruise ship, up the ramp and disappeared from sight.
To pass the time Rainbow and Applejack kicked the ball between themselves. The sand morphed beneath their hooves and the sun beat down from above. The breeze from the sea made the temperature perfect. Applejack kicked the ball to Dash, who let it scoot by her and come to a stop a few feet later. She was looking at the ramp connected to the ship. Pinkie had just emerged with Trixie next to her.
"Nuh-uh. No way Ho-Say. We are so not playing Pony-Ball with Trixie! All she'll do is brag about how good she is, and that's my job!" With those words, Dash turned the other way.
Pinkie ran up to Rainbow Dash and turned her to face the pair. Trixie hid herself behind PInkie's frame, a little scared from the over competitive pegasus. Always the welcoming mare, Applejack walked over to stand next to Pinkie.
"Well excuse me Rainbow Dash! It's my understanding that we need an even number of ponies per team! If you don't let Trixie play, then we're not playing at all!" Applejack nodded her head in agreement.
Rainbow Dash turned to face the three and rolled her eyes. She agreed to let Trixie play, and they formed the teams. Rarity watched the game with mild excitement as Applejack and Trixie played on a team. Neither Pinkie, nor Trixie had played before and started off a little slow. Much to Rainbow's enjoyment though the game picked up and it turned into a close match. Rainbow and Pinkie beat their opposition by a few points and with the final point being scored they all went over to Rarity, collapsing in the sand. They soaked up the sun for a short while and then Trixie spoke up.
"Thanks for letting my play everypony. I've never done that before, it was fun!" Trixie exhaled and smiled.
"You're welcome to play with us anytime Trixie" Said Applejack, excited that they had found a new player for Pony-Ball.
"And, well, you're..." Started Rainbow Dash. "You're actually kind of good, despite what I originally thought." she said with a sly grin.
Pinkie smiled at Trixie as if to say " I told you so" and Trixie smiled back. She liked this cruise more than she thought she would.
The sun drifted lazily over the sky and and the ponies lay in a circle impacting the warm sand. They dozed in and out of naps, brief conversations were had between the friends about things back at home. Rarity asked Applejack if she thought Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were behaving. They all giggled at the thought of Big Mac trying to entertain the Cutie Mark Crusaders by making crafts or singing with them.
Rarity finally offered up the idea to go play in the crystal clear sea. Everypony agreed instantly and they all leapt up, racing each other to the shore where the cool waves were sloshing over the porcelain sand.
When they had cooled off and noticed other ponies making their way to the cruise ship they decided it was time to return and clean up for dinner. They climbed out of the water and shook their manes dry. Rarity used her magic to pack up her beach umbrella and towel into an oversized fashionable bag. Rainbow Dash and Trixie entered the ship together and before they could part ways Rainbow spoke.
"Hey Trixie. Um, feel free to join us for dinner okay? Tonight in Le Cheval."
Without waiting for a response she sped off, leaving a faint rainbow trail in her wake. Trixie smiled and left to go clean up. She supposed it wouldn't be a terrible idea to join them all for dinner.
---
Trixie donned ordinary clothing instead of her usual cape and hat, tonight she wasn't performing. Well she probably wasn't performing ever again after what happened last night. Ponies in small towns wouldn't go to her shows and now she lost her gig on the cruise ship. She would have to find another line of work, unless Pinkie could actually pull through with getting a show in Ponyville.
She had to admit, she wasn't entirely thrilled that she would be joining Twilight for dinner, but the way that the rest of the group had treated her had left her wanting more. She had never really had friends growing up, just a few ponies that she ran away from when she started her traveling career.
"Well", she thought out loud. "It would be an interesting night."
---
Fluttershy was first to dinner, as usual. It's not that she was overly hungry or anything, she just enjoyed watching the other ponies come in. They had interesting personalities, all a little bit different from one another. She had picked out a table near the windows in the back and sat on her chair, rear legs extended in front of her. Ponies of every type filtered in. Pegasi, unicorns, and earth ponies alike trotted through the doors, either in a group or alone. Some looking for snacks, others preparing for a satisfying dinner. She noticed that the stage was lacking the decor it had last night. Since the failure of Trixie’s performance she must have canceled the rest of her nightly shows. Fluttershy was saddened by that as she really had nothing against the blue unicorn. As a matter of fact she rather enjoyed the show she put on in Ponyville.
It was then that Trixie walked through the doors. The yellow pegasus let out a soft squee and shrunk down in her seat. Trixie walked slowly over to the table and offered up a quiet greeting.
Fluttershy didn't respond. She blushed and shrunk away a little more. Trixie explained how she had played Pony-Ball with the others and how Rainbow Dash had invited her to dinner. Fluttershy, remembering her manors that Rarity had taught her offered a seat to the blue mare and straightened up in her seat.
A few silent moments passed and Fluttershy lifted her head. " I liked your performance in Ponyville." she said softly.
Trixie blinked at her and blushed. "Really?" She found it hard to believe that the yellow pegasus could lie, so accepted it as truth. "Thanks." She responded calmly.
Trixie then started to explain how she put on her performance. She used a short range teleportation spell, like Twilight, to enter the stage without being seen. And when she wanted something to do her bidding she reached out with her magic and used it like an extra limb. Fluttershy had never really thought about magic that much and she was drawn to the unicorns words. It was then that others from the group started to show up.
A few minutes passed and like usual Twilight was the last to show up, again her nose buried in her book that was levitating in front of her face. This time the book was regarding magic and how to use it, as she read her mouth silently moved in relationship with the words on the page. Trixie cowered in her chair, this was the moment she was fearing. Ever since the purple unicorn had defeated the Ursa Minor and left Trixie on the run, there weren't many fond thoughts about her.
The ship hit a wave and swayed lightly, catching Twilight off guard, she stumbled a little bit and started to fall into the table. On instinct alone, Trixie sprung up and caught her between her legs before she could make impact. Twilight looked up from the book she was reading and met her eyes. She dropped her book with a thud on the table and flailed her hooves, pushing herself up from Trixies embrace.
"Ohmygosh" Twilight stuttered. "I'm sorry...again!"
Trixie looked down at the ground, "It's okay, it wasn't your fault." she said, rectifying her fall and what happened last night. Trixie sat back down in her seat, looking down at her plate.
Applejack spoke up first. "We're sorry we didn't tell ya earlier Twi. We all kind of made friends with Trixie while you and Fluttershy were out explorin', and since ya'll didn't get back until late we didn't really get a chance to tell ya'll." Applejacks words twanged encouragingly around the table.
"That's..that's excellent!" Exclaimed Twilight. Trixie raised her head, and flattened her ears. "I'm so excited! Does this mean you can forgive me for ruining your show last night?"
Trixie didn't know how to respond. She hadn't expected Twilight to accept her so kindly that quickly. "Ye...Yes?" She stammered.
Twilight beamed from ear to ear, her excitement could be seen by all. Trixie looked around at her new friends that she had picked up over the course of the trip. They all smiled at Twilight's excitement, and Trixie let out a small laugh. If she couldn't have her performance, at least she had some new friends that she could visit every now and then.
Twilight's face drooped and Trixie looked concerned.
"What's wrong Twi" Asked Rarity, her head cocked.
"Why aren't you performing tonight Trixie? Weren't you supposed to perform every night on the cruise?"
Trixie stood, unable to explain the situation without offending Twilight. She breathed a sigh of relief when Pinkie Pie spoke up for her.
"Well ya see, since we ruined her show last night, she feels like she can't perform now. That she'll get laughed off the stage. And she already can't perform on land in her normal cities because of what happened in Ponyville!" Twilight gasped and stepped back.
"I'm so sorry Trixie. I didn't know! I was just trying to protect Ponyville, and I'm really really sorry about last night!" she took a step towards Trixie’s chair and then lit up.
"Wait" was all she was able to get out before she went galloping off in the other direction.
Trixie looked around at the group, apparently Twilight did this a lot because they didn't look all too surprised.
---
Drinks came and Twilight was nowhere to be seen. Trixie had indulged in a glass of milk and was softly chatting with Pinkie Pie when the lights in the restaurant dimmed. The guests in the room quieted down and everyone looked around confused. Suddenly a voice came from the stage and spotlights lifted to illuminate the curtain.
"Fillies and Gentlcolts!" came the omnipotent narrator. " The Great and Powerful Trixie, and her trusty assistant, Twilight Sparkle!"
The guests clapped and cheered, as Twilight came on stage, they were clearly impressed that their performance had continued longer than last nights had. Twilght used her magic to guide a spotlight towards Trixie, and her voice echoed through the now silent restaurant.
"If our main performer could come up here" She boomed, and Trixie saw coming from the stage, her cape and hat floating towards her. The hat landed on her head and Twilight's magic fastened the cloak around her neck.
Trixie glanced nervously around the table. Pinkie Pie nudged her with her hoof, Applejack winked and Rainbow Dash gave her a smile. Rarity offered up her support and Fluttershy just sat there, with a large grin on her face, clearly excited for the show that was about to occur. That was all the support the show pony needed. She smiled and used her short range teleportation spell to flash up onto the stage, a loud crack emitted through the restaurant just as before. Twilight jumped a little at the sound, but didn't spill any beverages this time, Trixie laughed and looked at Twilight with eyes that surpassed gratitude.
Her show went off without a hitch and was even better than expected as she utilized Twilight's assistance. With their magic combined they put on a performance worth remembering. When it was over the crowd clapped their hooves together in approval. The two unicorns bowed lightly at the neck and returned to their seats in the back of the room. Since the performance had finished most of the guests began to leave, having eaten their fill. The 7 ponies in the back of the room remained the latest into the night, Fluttershy and Twilight told stories about what they had found on the island that day, and they swapped ideas about what to do the next coming days.
It was late into the night when the group had decided that it was perhaps time to go to bed. As they were all getting up, it was Twilight who asked Trixie if she would join them with whatever adventures they would go about doing tomorrow.
Trixie thought for a moment. "Only if you join me up on stage again tomorrow" She said questioningly. Twilight nodded her head in approval and grinned.
"I would love to" she smiled.
---
The waves rocked the ship back and forth as the moon glinted off the soft waves. With the window open Twilight could her the slapping of the waves up against the side of the boat. A cool breeze blew through the window and her lantern flickered, casting shadows through the ponies cabin. She was sitting on the ground by her bed, a piece of parchment in the air. Her quill flicked swiftly over the page leaving a clean black scrawl on the sepia stationery. She would send it as soon as she got home.
"Dear Princess Celestia..."