//------------------------------// // Trixie's Special Hat // Story: She Knows How To Treat A Lady // by MysteriousStranger //------------------------------// “You have a brother?!” Rarity exclaimed, completely taken off guard. The situation completely unexpected. Not only had Trixie confessed something personal, but she had also talked in first person. “Had a brother... He was the only pony I could rely on. My parents were nice to me, but my brother always found time to spend with me... he was my only friend. Every time I needed something, he was there, even with the tiniest problem. He was a magician, and he was the reason why I decided to become one on the first place: to follow in his hoofsteps. But one day, he woke up ill and no doctor could help him… he died within a week. But before he died, he gave me his hat to remember him and made me promise to fulfill my dreams and be good. I was just a filly back then, my mother and father were also devastated. I tried to keep my promise and I still went to school, but everypony was being mean to me! Until, one day, I couldn’t hold back anymore. I became what the bullies were, but not before making them regret for what they did to me!” Rarity had to wipe her wet cheek from such a sad story. It all made sense now, why Trixie was the way she was, and why she wasn’t fond with anypony. Trixie suddenly looked at her and realized that she’d said too much. She quickly stood up, not stepping with her injured leg, and pointed at the white pony. “Listen now, fancy lady! If you tell anypony about what Trixie just said, she won't forgive you! She might have let you tell Twilight Sparkle about Trixie being here, but this must remain a secret!” There was something about the way that Trixie spoke and looked at her that it actually scared Rarity. “I-I won’t tell anypony!” The fancy Unicorn said, waving one of her forelegs in front of her. “You better not! Trixie doesn’t know how you managed to deceive her and make her talk about her personal life, but that won’t happen again! Now, if you don’t have anything else to say, get out of Trixie’s sight!" Rarity nodded and quickly trotted to her workshop, closing the door behind her. “For a moment or two there, I thought she’s been corrupted by the Alicorn Amulet, again! She obviously wasn’t joking, I better keep my mouth shut.” She muttered before walking to one of the mannequins. She started to think on a design for a new dress to keep her mind busy. But different thoughts hit her anyway. “No wonder why she loves that hat… it might be old fashioned, but it’s still special for her. Maybe if I find it, then she would change. Right?” Rarity shook her head. “Be realistic, Rarity! It flew away in the middle of a storm, it could be anywhere!” The fashionista focused on her work after realizing that she would never find Trixie’s hat. She remained in her workshop for the rest of the day, thinking what she could do for Trixie, even during the afternoon when Sweetie Belle arrived. The filly tried to talk with her, and tell her about her adventures, but Rarity didn’t actually listen to her. So instead, Sweetie Belle went back with Trixie, who was now reading Little Mares. “You’ve become pretty fond of my sister’s corny books?” Sweetie Belle asked once she sat on the couch. “Not really. Trixie doesn’t have anything else to do but reading these things.” The blue Unicorn replied, looking uninterested but she was actually enjoying the book. Maybe it was because they were about something she’d never got the chance to experience: Love and generosity. She had to keep reading and find out what happened next. The filly stared at the mare suspiciously. Trixie noticed this, and looked at Sweetie Belle, afraid of what was she going to say. “Wait a moment…” Sweetie Belle said, scratching her chin with her hoof. Trixie gulped, was she so obvious? Could the filly see that she was enjoying the books. “Weren’t you the pony who once came here to show off her magic, and later returned to banish Twilight from Ponyville and enslave us all?!” Trixie’s eyes went wide as she lowered the book, surprised for the sudden question. “Umm…Well…” The Magician pony mumbled. She really didn’t want to discuss her last ‘visit’. Fortunately, Rarity stepped inside the living room just in time. “Sweetie Belle, first, do not shout in my boutique, our guest is right in front of you! Second, do not overwhelm her with such questions!” Rarity scolded her younger sister. “S-Sorry, sis, but I just remembered who she was and I couldn’t control my voice...” The filly said, looking down. Her sister sighed. “It’s fine, darling. But apologize to Trixie.” Sweetie Belle slowly looked up. “I’m sorry…” “You are forgiven.” Trixie said with a serious expression. “And yes, Trixie is that pony... but the slave part doesn’t count! Trixie was corrupted!” she quickly added. “By the amulet you searched and put on of your own free will.” The fancy Unicorn added, glaring at Trixie. Trixie nowfocused her attention on Rarity. “She did not know that it was too powerful for her to handle!” “And that ignorance almost consumes you forever; your jealousy blinded you!” Rarity said, raising her voice. Trixie stood up, dropping the book on the floor but this time, her injured leg on the air. “Jealousy?” She asked, outraged. “You couldn’t stand that somepony else proved to be better than you in front of an audience, you were determined to beat Twilight in one way or another!” Rarity was starting to get furious. Sweetie Belle looked from one mare to the other, scared. She really couldn't stand quarrels. “Trixie just wanted to get stronger than Twilight Sparkle, slavery was not part of her plan!” Trixie said, also raising her voice and starting to get furious. “You are lucky that Twilight came up with a plan to save you from the amulet!” “Trixie didn’t ask for anypony's help, she could have solved it by herself!” “Yeah, right. And you made me do those awful banners!” “Hey, don't insult Trixie's banners!” “Stop it!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed when she couldn't stand it anymore “Seriously, you two are driving me nuts!!! Why don’t you just propose to her already?!” The filly panted for the few moments, before turning to the door that lead to the other room and approached to it, turning to see the older mares one more time before leaving. Her eyes were wet. “Rarity, I came here to have fun and spend time with you instead of going with mom and dad. Is this your idea of fun?! Having quarrels in front of me? Next time, I’ll go with our parents!” With that being said, the filly turned and left the room, leaving the mares alone and confused. Rarity looked at Trixie, who was picking up the book she dropped. Rarity could swear that she was looking a bit sad. But she didn’t know what was on her mind. These books are pure fantasy, there is no kindness or love on the real world! Anypony seems to be able to leave the past in the past. Trixie angrily thought. I will not read anymore lies! “Trixie…?” Rarity quietly said. The Magician pony slowly looked at her. “What?!” “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to bring that up, I don’t know what happened to me.” Trixie looked at her host in the eyes for some moments, noticing them wet, she didn’t know why but she didn’t like to see that. “Trixie will let it pass, as long as you don’t do it again.” The magician pony said with seriousness. Rarity smiled. “Oh thank you! And I promise that I won’t! It’s time for tea, you would want some?” Trixie thought for a moment, before slowly nodding. “Great! Now be patient, please, I’ll make it right away!” The fancy Unicorn headed to the kitchen with a smile on her face while Trixie laid on the couch again, opening the book. Maybe not everything is a lie… The blue Unicorn though, before continuing from where she had left off. As soon as Rarity reached the kitchen, her smile faded as she thought of Sweetie Belle. Poor Sweetie, I should have controlled myself. I know how she feels about quarrels… I need to properly apologize to her. But, once again, she’d mentioned something related to love… Why does she keeps mentioning it? The fashionista put a teapot filled of water on the stove. And I still want to do something for Trixie to cheer her up, which is normal, but why do I feel so awful for not being able to do so? Rarity sighed and took three cups with her magic just as the teapot started to whistle. She put everything on a tray and took them to the living room. *** The next morning, Rarity woke up with her sister sleeping on a mattress on the floor at the feet of her bed. Sweetie Belle said she could sleep in a sleeping bag, but Rarity insisted on putting down a mattress. The sisters made up the afternoon before, when Rarity brought her a cup of tea and talked. The fancy Unicorn apologized to her little sister and promised to make it up. But it couldn’t be today; Rarity had the weekly spa day with Fluttershy and she had never cancelled it. The plans for the day were easy, eat breakfast, work until the appointment for the Spa and relax, talking with her best friend before going back home. Hopefully, her guest wouldn’t need anything, causing a modification on the plans. The white pony was now making breakfast. Trixie was still asleep so she was careful to not make any noise. She woke her up once breakfast was served. “Trixie, time to wake up…” Rarity whispered as she shook Trixie carefully. The magician pony barely opened her eyes. She opened them wide as soon as she felt a hoof on her touching her. “Get your hoof off from Trixie!” Trixie said, sitting and getting away from Rarity. “You don’t need to be rude! I was just trying to wake you up, or would you rather eat your breakfast cold?!” Trixie crossed her forelegs and looked away, hissing. “Just… go. Trixie can stand up by herself,” Trixie kept her rude attitude. The fancy Unicorn controlled herself to prevent her from raising her voice, she just turned and went back to her room to wake up Sweetie Belle. When they got back, Trixie was already on the table, eating. “Where are your manners?! Wait for everypony to be on the table before eating!” “Tbwixie waff fungry!” “And swallow before speaking!” Trixie swallowed. “Happy, Princess?” Rarity opened her mouth to keep arguing but Sweetie Belle looked at her and remembered her promise. Rarity, instead, gulped and spoke as calmly as she could. “Please, behave on the table.” “You are not Trixie’s boss…” the Magician pony mumbled, before returning to eat. Rarity sighed and sat on the table to eat her breakfast. After breakfast and working, Rarity was ready to go to the spa. She was at the door of her boutique, the sign that read “Closed for an hour” already on the door and she was saying goodbye to her sister. “I’m sorry to leave you again with her, but I promised Fluttershy…” “Don’t worry, sis, you go and have fun!” “If something happens, go see Twilight, she’s closer and knows that she’s here.” “I will!” “I’ll be back in an hour,”The fashionista said, before turning and starting her way to the spa. “See you later Rarity!” The filly said, waving her hoof as her sister left. She closed the door when she couldn’t see Rarity anymore and she walked to the front of the couch where Trixie was reading Little Mares and stared at her, smiling. “What?” the older mare said with annoyance, looking up from the book. “Have you ever had a special somepony?” Sweetie Belle asked, grinning. *** “I’m Rarity, I have a reservation for two today, has my friend shown up yet?” “Good afternoon, Miss Rarity! We were waiting for you. And your friend’s name is...?” The receptionist said with a smile on her face. “Fluttershy.” “Y-Yes?” A quiet voice was heard from behind Rarity. She turned to find a shy Pegasus by the door. “Fluttershy, darling, Just in time!” The fancy Unicorn smiled. “We have much to talk about, come on, let us go in!” “O-Okay…” Fluttershy said, following her friend. They first took a mud bath. “So, Fluttershy, how’s everything with you?” Rarity asked as she relaxed. “Wonderful, it couldn’t be better. I look after the cutest critters, I have the most wonderful marefriend, I have great friends and soon, the eggs of a bird family will hatch. I couldn’t be happier. How about you, Rarity?” The timid Pegasus said on her usual quiet voice, but with an added cheerful tone. “I don’t have anypony in mind; I just can’t find the stallion for me, but I know that there’s somepony out there for me, it’s just that he hasn’t found me yet. But I’m patient.” The white pony said, smiling while she relaxed. Fluttershy looked at her best friend. “I admire your patience, Rarity, the best of life comes the more you wait.” “When did you become Coltfucius?” Rarity said, looking at Fluttershy with a surprised face. “A month, more or less,” The timid pony said, still smiling. “Since you started dating Twilight?” Fluttershy nodded happily, causing Rarity to giggle. “And Trixie?” The shy Pegasus asked. The fancy Unicorn suddenly blushed and got nervous. “Wh-What about her?” “Umm… well, is she being mean or something?” Fluttershy asked worried and in a low tone, ashamed fort making her best friend nervous and not knowing how she did it. Rarity released the air she had in her mouth and spoke, after recovering her usual white on her cheeks. “It is not easy, Fluttershy; she’s arrogant and already got my nerves more than once. But even after that, I won’t kick her out, she’s still weak to be on her own and doesn’t have anywhere to go. Sometimes I wish I wasn't so generous…” “Don’t be like that, Rarity… You are doing the right thing by letting her stay with you, who knows? She may change… I hope…” “I know, I know… But what if she doesn’t? I know you changed Discord, but he isn’t like her.” “He was the God of Chaos…” “Yes, but I prefer him before Trixie! Oh, don’t look at me like that, dear, I wasn’t yelling at you, I was yelling at myself,” The fancy Unicorn said after seeing her friend looking offended. “O-Okay… But what are you going to do?“ Fluttershy said, recovering from the pain her best friend mad accidentally caused her. “I don’t know, I thought about making her a new hat since she lost hers, but she refused! The only way I could cheer her up is if I find her hat but it got lost in the storm...” Rarity sadly said. “Why doesn’t she let you make her a new one?” Fluttershy nervously asked. Rarity knew she would ask that and remembered her promise. “Because… because… because you know how she is; she doesn’t trust my skills!” The Unicorn lied, smiling nervously, Fluttershy realized this, but didn’t dare ask. “I-I see…” The rest of the session went on relaxing, with them talking about their days. Fluttershy told Rarity about a surprise she had that morning. Somepony had knocked on her door before she was able to go to the kitchen to make her breakfast and Angel Bunny’s. When she opened it, she found the local mailmare on the other side with a package. Inside, there were already made breakfast for her and also for Angel bunny, with a letter that said: Good morning, Shy! I woke up early and took the liberty to make you and Angel your breakfast since I know your favorites, bon apetit! With love, Twilight. “Oh, wow, you are so lucky darling!” The fancy Unicorn commented. Fluttershy blushed as she smiled in response. Once the session was over, Rarity accompanied her best friend to the exit of Ponyville before going back to her boutique. “I had a great time!” Rarity said with a smile once they reached the exit. “Me too… I have to feed the critters now and see if the eggs hatch. I’ll see you later Rarity.” “I’ll see you later, darling!” They hugged and Rarity waved at Fluttershy as she left. Once she couldn’t see her anymore, she turned and started to walk back to her boutique, she looked at the beautiful sky while she thought about what to do with Trixie. But as she was looking at the sky, something caught her attention in one of the trees. She stopped and took. She noticed something blue jutting out from the branches. “That’s strange… What can it be?” Rarity softly hit the tree a few times and the object moved a bit. “Could this be…?” Rarity used her magic to remove the object from the branches. It was Trixie’s hat; she’d just found Trixie’s brother’s hat! “I can’t believe my luck! I have to wash this before give it back to Trixie!”