//------------------------------// // Baltimare Ballet // Story: The Stars in Her Eyes. // by OzoPoni //------------------------------// It was a few hours until sunset when Trixie was showing me how to set up the fireworks and when to set them off. I was well hidden behind the curtain on the stage extension of the wagon. I was neck deep in fuses and explosives, so needless to say I was nervous. The fireworks might not have been as much magic as they were science, but the way Trixie used them in her show was brilliant. She was brilliant. Trixie was going on and on about how Baltimare paid the most bits for her performances, but the food wasn't the best. At the mention of food, my stomach started to growl so loudly, Trixie nearly froze in place. "I suppose you're hungry. No worries, once we are done here, you can get us some food." "Why don't we both get food?" I suggested, not wanting to be an errand pony, but also not wanting to upset Trixie. "Don't be ridiculous. Trixie needs to prepare for tonight. Now let's hurry so you can get Trixie a smoothie." Trixie was probably just being snide because of pre-show preparation. She'll probably be better after the performance. I thought to myself as I ordered a smoothie for Trixie, two hay patty sandwiches, and some water for after the show. All the items were placed in a paper bag that I carried in my mouth as I trotted through Baltimare. It's been so long since I've been here. I wonder if any of the ponies I knew back then are still here. I was so caught up in my train of thought that I didn't see the stallion that I ran into head first. "Hey!" He shouted. I scrambled back to my hooves and tried apologizing. "Ah fowwie!" I spoke with the bag in my mouth. The stallion scoffed and walked away muttering some obscenities. I shook it off and continued my way getting back to Trixie; making sure to pay attention this time. From just a few yards away, I saw the mint blue mare looking over a few things. She wasn't wearing her cape or hat, which was rare to see in public. She looked amazing, and when she heard me coming, she turned to face me. "There you are. The Great and Powerful Trixie needs you to wash her cape. Use a gentle soap and cold water so it doesn't shrink." I told myself that washing her cape probably wasn't that bad of a thing to ask. She had a lot to prepare for the show since there were more ponies. "After that, we can relax for a few minutes and then begin the show." "You should have been more careful." Trixie scolded me. "I'm sorry," I hung my head in shame, "I didn't know that would happen." During the show, I had set off a fuse that was a little to close to my muzzle. A few sparks burned me and I knocked over the stand it was on. Instead of shooting into the air, it shot straight at Trixie. Fortunately, she was able to use her magic to put up a shield which caused the fireworks vibrant sparkles to surround her like a bright glowing sphere of fire. The audience loved it, but unfortunately for me, Trixie was furious. Also, my hoof was very close to the rocket before it went off, causing pretty significant burns. "Trixie should send you home. Or even leave you in Ponyville with your cousin." She snorted, "You're just lucky that little mistake of yours earned me more bits." Ponyville? Home? After only two days? This can't be happening. "Trixie, I'm sorry. It was a mistake and it won't happen again." "I know it won't." She spoke flatly. I suddenly felt sick to my stomach. I had always dreamed of meeting Trixie, and I was more than just lucky to travel with her. I was happy. Could this really be the end? After just one mistake? "Trixie..." my voice caught in my throat as I held back my tears. Please don't send me away! Please! My mind screamed, but my mouth made no such sound. "If y-you want me t-to go, I will." What? No! That's not what I want! If Trixie hadn't been wrapping my hoof in bandages, I would have slapped myself. But Trixie wasn't wrapping my hoof; The bandages were still wrapped in a beautiful blue aura, but they didn't move. For a moment, it felt like time had suddenly stopped. When I looked at Trixie, even she seemed frozen. She looked lost in thought, but she obviously wasn't angry. She looked hurt. After a moment, she finally spoke. "Fine." Ponyville Ponyville was a haze. Trixie didn't say a word after she finished the bandages other than "Take care of it." I felt like I was kicked in the stomach all night. I passed ponies: they didn't say anything about the bandages or my limp. Instead ,some said hello, others waved or asked if I was having a good morning. I didn't say anything, or wave, or ask about their mornings in return. The only things in my head were a nauseating droning sound and how I made an amazing mare mad at me beyond words. The ponies didn't seem to mind me ignoring them, though. They were beginning to to head for an Unusual stage-wagon that rolled into the middle of town. I made my way to an old-timey building that had a hanging sign with an envelope and the words "Post Office." Maybe they'll have Zo Zo's address. I thought to myself as the door suddenly flew open and a grey pegasus crashed into me. "My bad!" She exclaimed, trying to help me up. "It's ok." I mumbled. I noticed the saddle bag with envelopes and my curiosity got me. "Hey, you work here, right?" "Yeah!" She answered excitedly, "My name is Ditzy Doo, but most ponies call me Derpy." "Derpy?" "I don't mind it too much!" Another look over of her and noticing how her eyes pointed two different ways made me understand why people would call her that. I shook my head, getting back to my point. "Do you know where a pony named Ozone lives? He's my cousin and I'm trying to find him." The girl seemed to be lost, but in a minute or so, she dumped her saddle bag and began searching through the letters and packages. I stood there awkwardly until a letter was shoved into my face. 1008 Alfalfa Ave, huh? "Thank you so much." I said and ran off without helping Ditzy. I began my halfhearted trot through Ponyville. I had no idea where Alfalfa Avenue was, but I knew how to read signs. I started to soak in the feel of Ponyville: Everything was old fashioned, they had a Coffee Lobby, and the ponies were friendly enough. It was someplace I could live. And then I remembered how Trixie was kicking me off here in Ponyville, even if I was the one who said I'd go. My head started to swim again and I felt like I was seconds away from throwing up before I heard a familiar voice. "Hey, what are you doing here?" I looked up and saw an orange stallion with a black mane. "Lanti?" I asked. "Yep! And it's good to see you! Are you here to visit Ozone?" "Huh? Oh- yeah- yes I am! Where is he?" I asked "He's at the house. C'mon, I'll take ya there." Lantern and I walked to their house, and we began catching up and telling me stories about long nights of drinking. The thought of alcohol made me gag at first, but a thought occurred to me: maybe drinking would take my mind off of Trixie. Just the thought of her name made my throat swell and caused tears to build. How could I mess up so badly on the first night of helping a performance? "You alright?" Lantern looked at me. "Yeah, I'm fine. Why do you ask?" I lied through my teeth. "First, there's that." He pointed at my bandages, which I then tried to hide, "Second, you're normally a lot cheery-er." "That's not a real word." I teased him. "That isn't my point. You know Ozone is gonna flip out whenever he sees that. Not to mention angry at who did it." I sighed, "My hoof was an accident; I burned it. Secondly..." I kicked my hoof at the ground. "Mare troubles?" He asked, half joking. I was shocked, but Lantern had a knack for guessing what was wrong with ponies. I accepted my defeat. "Yeah. I made her mad." "Did she burn your hoof?" He cocked an eyebrow. "No! I told you that was an accident. I burned it on some fireworks. What happened-" Lantern looked even more confused. "How in the hay did you burn your hoof on fireworks?" I really just wanted to be in a place where I could sit down and take a breath without being questioned every three seconds. What I really wanted was to be back with Trixie, but she was probably performing by now. I gave him a look and he figured me out pretty quickly. "Alright, we'll talk about it when we get home. By the way, it's good to see you again." He pulled me into a hug before we set off to Alfalfa Avenue. "It's good to see you too."