//------------------------------// // Chapter Two // Story: Two Hearts Enclosed // by FallBlau //------------------------------// Soft whispers. Murmured breath. Clear sound. “I love you...” Hushed silence. Bated breath. Shaking hands. “I know.” Bleary eyes. Sinking gravity. Eternal waiting. “Useless....useless.” Narrowing vision.. Fading shapes. Darkness. Darkness. Trixie awoke with a startle as she felt the cold water hit her like a thousand knives; the entire room spinning as she sprang from her bed, drenched to the marrow. “Hey!” she yelled. “What was that for!?” On the opposite end of her cell, Sister Sparkle stood with a now empty cup and a stern demeanor. “Rise and shine,” she said curtly. “Chapel is in half an hour.” “Hay and feathers!” Trixie exclaimed, wiping her face. “Was that really necessary?” “It's time to get up,” Sister Sparkle replied. Trixie moaned as she looked outside to see the stars were still glistening in the evening sky. She felt the dreary tug of drowsiness urging her to lie down again on the bed, but the cold vapor of the water sent shivers down her spine, and forbid her from resting. Trixie shivered and shook, yawning a bit as she got out of bed and stretched. “Are you up?” Sister Sparkle asked. Trixie nodded, leaning on the ledge. “Yeah, I'm up...I guess.” “Good – get ready.” Trixie glared at Sister Sparkle before turning back to her dresser. “Well, I see you're in a good mood this morning,” Trixie grumbled. “I'm not really a morning person,” Sister Sparkle replied. “Neither am I,” Trixie countered. “Which is why I’m wondering why you woke me up with a glass of water.” “You weren't getting up,” Sister Sparkle shrugged. “You could have just shaken me or something,” Trixie said, putting on her habit. “It was on hand, and besides, a little water isn't going to kill you.” No, Trixie thought, but a lot will drown you. Trixie shook her head as she shrugged herself awake, trying desperately to resist yawning again. “So, how did you sleep?” Sister Sparkle asked. “Like a rock until you decided to douse me.” “Oh, stop complaining, will you? It wasn't that bad!” “Was so!” Trixie protested. “And, I'll have you know, I was in the middle of a dream, before you so rudely interrupted it.” “What were you dreaming about?” Sister Sparkle asked curiously. “Oh...” Trixie said, looking off. “I can't remember now, to tell you the truth. I guess I felt like I was falling.” “I have those every so often. I hear they're quite common.” “I always heard that if you don't wake up before you land, you die,” Trixie said. “You think it's true?” “I don't know whether that's true or not – but if it is, you should be thanking me for saving you before you reached the bottom.” Trixie rolled her eyes. “I think I would have survived...” she grumbled. Trixie finished getting ready, and after a quick trip to the lavatory (which was located down the hall), she followed Sister Sparkle with the other sisters through the cloister and back to the chapel. As she traversed the dark halls, Trixie could not help but feel a perceived change in the atmosphere. The bright and inviting warmth that she had felt yesterday afternoon traveling the same route had been replaced with a strange unfamiliarity. Was it the solemn, stone-carved effigies seemingly staring at her from above? Or the gloomy shadows against the stone? Trixie could not tell, but the settings vaguely reminded her of what she imagined a medieval torture chamber might have looked like. When they reached the two doors that lead to the sanctuary, Trixie made for the stairs to ascend to the balcony as she had the day before, only to be stopped by the sister. “Here,” she said, tugging on her sleeve. “Come and sit down with the rest of us.” “But..I'm still a novice,” Trixie said. “Yes, but we all participate in Morning Fellowship.” “Morning Fellowship?” “It's a ritual we do to start each day. It's an invocation of the Holy Mother's blessing on the day.” “Why is this any different than last night?” Trixie asked, raising her eyebrow. “Come on,” Sister Sparkle said, leading her. “You'll see.” “It's too early in the morning for all of this...” Trixie grumbled, following her. The two proceeded into the sanctuary where they took their places in one of the pews near the front, while the other sisters found their seats. When everyone was finished, a prayer was given and a short song was sung, after which, the Abbess stood before the assembly. “Sisters,” she began, “We're gathered here this morning, as we are every morning, to begin the day by the means most pleasing to the Holy Mother. We are here reminded that we are all sisters, of the same blood – the blood we share with our creator. It is therefore suiting that we honor this link, with ourselves and with the divine, by the symbolic drinking of the blood.” She then held up her hands and turned toward the massive, stained-glass edifice. “O Holy Mother, we take increased devotion to keep ourselves pure and humble before your sight, that we may seek our spiritual fulfillment through you. May our industries this day be blessed, and may the fruits of our labors prosper, so that the entire world may now your eternal and universal love. Amen.” The entire assembly responded in kind and the sisters began to file in two columns from the center to the front, where a giant, gold goblet was brought forth and laid on the table before the altar. Each sister then proceeded in turn, bowing and getting a sip from the cup before being blessed by the Abbess and dismissed. Trixie waited in curious expectation as the line inched closer to the front; watching as the others took their sip, one by one, until it was her turn. Just before she was about to kneel, however, she heard Sister Sparkle whisper in her ear: “Wait for me.” She nodded and then kneeled before the Abbess, who gave her a small smile and put the edge at her mouth and tilted it up. Trixie breathed through her nostrils as she felt the burning liquid trickle down her throat and was instantly flushed with warmth. When she was done, the Abbess leaned forward and placed her hands on Trixie's forehead and made the same “o” shape she had seen her make the day before. “Be blessed and go in peace,” she said softly; and with that, Trixie followed the other sisters out the back exit on the other side of the room. When she reached the outside of the chapel, she waited by the double doors for Sister Sparkle to come, all the while feeling strangely uplifted. That stuff sure does kick in quick, Trixie thought to herself. Trixie began to hum silently to herself as the seconds ticked by until Sister Sparkle made her way out the door – her posture upright and a stride in her step. “Ready?” she asked, motioning for Trixie to come with her as she started walking down the hall. “Yeah,” Trixie said, following her. “So, how do you feel?” Sister Sparkle asked. “Great,” Trixie said. “Like...I'm not tired at all now.” “That's expected,” Sister Sparkle said. “The Blood Potion works very fast.” “Blood Potion?” Trixie asked. “Yes, the Blood Potion,” Sister Sparkle replied. “It's brewed from an extract of the blood root; a very dangerous plant– potentially poisonous; but it makes a wonderful morning pick-me-up.” “Poisonous?” Trixie asked, choking slightly, “If not mixed right,” she said. Trixie's face turned white and she gagged a bit, expecting the purging to begin at any moment. “No fear of that though, “Sister Sparkle continued. “Sister Fluttershy, our infirmarian, is very meticulous about it all. She does wonders with those herbs of hers. You said you met her yesterday, didn't you?” “Yes I did,” Trixie said, nodding. “Nice girl...are you sure it's not poisoned?” “Pretty sure. And yes, she is a sweet dear,” Sister Sparkle said. “A bit timid – but sweet. Don't know where we'd be without her though. She keeps us all well and fit, and that's the important thing, I guess.” “How long have you known her?” Trixie asked. “Funny you ask that,” she replied. “I’ve known her ever since I first got here. The Abbess assigned her as my tutor when I was just a novice myself.” “So quite some time, then?” “Four years, as I think I mentioned before. And the most important thing I was taught was this: there’s no substitution for hard work; which is exactly what we’re going to be doing.” “Joy,” Trixie said dryly. “Are you sure that potion was safe?” “Absolutely....maybe.” “Stop!” Sister Sparkle laughed. “Sorry, it's perfectly safe, I assure you. Here,” she said as they reached the end of the hall. “Follow me.” Sister Sparkle opened the door and led Trixie outside into the crisp, morning air. At once the two departed the cloister and traveled up a dirt road that wound into the hills; passing by the ancient trees and flowing creeks of the forest as they ascended the gradually rising slope of the mountain, until they arrived at a wide valley, where a few sisters with baskets and trimmers stood tending to trees that lay in tidy rows along the basin’s slope. “What is this?” Trixie asked. “This is our Apple Orchard,” Sister Sparkle replied. “In the fall, the sisters here harvest these apples and take them back the cloister, where we make them into cider. In the meantime, they water the trees and make sure they are pruned and taken care of.” “Looks like fun, actually,” Trixie said, looking over the idyllic landscape. “This is not what we’ll be doing,” Sister Sparkle continued. “The Abbess has assigned me to the west-field – which has been fallow now for over two years now. So, in accordance with the crop-rotation manual, which I consulted this morning, we will be planting corn this year, since the last crop harvested there was tomatoes.” “Uh-huh...” Trixie said, not half paying attention. “Do you know anything about farming, Trixie?” Sister Sparkle asked. “Nope, not a thing,” Trixie replied. Sister Sparkle shook her head and laughed. “This is going to be fun...” They ventured to the valley's edge, where there was a large expanse of flat-land that lay apart from the other plots. “This is the west-field,” Sister Sparkle said. “And this...” she continued, walking her over to a contraption made of wood and iron “...is a plow.” “A...plow?” Trixie asked. “Please tell me you know what a plow is...” “How am I supposed to know?” Trixie asked indignantly. “I've never been on a farm!” Sister Sparkle sighed. “Just...get over there, and tie this rope around your waist.” “Wait...” Trixie said, looking over the rope that was attached to the plow. “You're not expecting me to pull it, are you?” “Well, it's not going to pull itself, is it?” Sister Sparkle asked. Trixie stared at her. “Look...” she continued. “It's not that hard. We'll do a row or two, so you can get the hang of it. Then if you're tired, I'll take over; but someone has to guide it.” Trixie sighed. “Fine...” Trixie wrapped the rope around her waist and idled as Sister Sparkle readied herself on the back. “Ready?” Sister Sparkle asked. “Ready.” “Pull!” Trixie lurched forward, expecting the plow to follow behind her; but her feet lost traction, causing her to lose her balance and fall to the ground. “Well...that's didn't go as expected,” Trixie said dusting herself off. “Try it again,” Sister Sparkle said. “And this time, put your back into it.” I'll put your back into it, Trixie thought. “Ready, pull!” Trixie stooped forward again, only this time, she managed to keep her center of gravity, and with much willpower, began to pull the plow up the hill. “There we go...” Trixie strained as she pulled the wrought iron and steel through the fertile ground. As Trixie ascended the gradually rising slope of the valley, she marveled at her own strength. She had never done any sort of physical labor before in her life – being rich, after all, afforded one that luxury – but she found this new experience exhilarating, in a quaint sort of way; like she was a proud farmer working the land by the sweat of her brow. When Trixie reached the crest of the hill, she stopped; already panting and out of breath. “There...” she said. “Done.” “Done? We're not even close to done!” Sister Sparkle exclaimed. “How much more is there to go?” Trixie asked, leaning on her knees. “I would say....at least another two hundred, at least.” “Ugh...” Trixie groaned. “I want a break.” “You just started!” “But...I'm tired.” Suddenly there was a loud crack and Trixie felt a sting on the rear of her flank. “Hey!” Trixie yelled. “What was that for!?” “Get up there!” Sister Sparkle commanded, smacking Trixie's flank again. Trixie squealed in pain. “This is outrageous! How can you-” Crack! “Ow! Stop that!” Crack! “Alright, alright, I'm going, I'm going!” Trixie exclaimed. “Just stop!” Crack! Trixie yelped in pain as she turned the plow around for another pass; pulling as hard as she could, desperate to escape wrath of Sister Sparkle's riding crop. All the joy of she had felt going up the hill, suddenly vanished as descended it. Now, instead of an honest farmer working the land, she felt like a slave toiling under the sun – with a literal whip driving her on from behind. “Please...” she said panting. “Let me rest... I'm so tired.” “No pain, no game, Trixie,” Sister Sparkle replied. “Do two more rows and we'll stop.” “That's what you said two rows ago!” Crack! “WHY!?” “Less chatting, more pulling!” Trixie bit her bottom lip to keep herself from swearing. “Yes, ma'am!” she said, clenching a smile. Trixie pulled and pulled until the thought that her legs would give out under her. At last, though, Sister Sparkle pulled on the reigns and caused the plow to come to a stop. “Please...” Trixie said, wheezing. “I can't....go on.” Sister Sparkle brought the plow to a stop dismounted, at which point, Trixie collapsed on the ground. “Not bad, Trixie,” she said, looking over her work. “Ten rows in an hour. I'm proud of you. See, now was that so hard?” “Not at all,” she said, digging her hands into the dirt, still trying to catch her breath. “You sure did whip me into shape...literally....ow,” she said, rubbing her sore posterior. “Sometimes all it takes a little nudge.” More like a forceful horse-whipping. “Now, are you ready for another go?” Trixie got up and turned towards her, smiling candidly as she could. “Oh sure,” she replied. “But may I try guiding it? I mean, if that’s alright…” Sister Sparkle hesitated. “I don’t know…” “Oh come on,” Trixie said, laughing slightly. “No hard feelings about earlier, right? It’s like you said yesterday: we can cooperate.” “I guess so…but here; let me show you how it’s done.” Sister Sparkle went over the basics of how to guide a plow and keep the rows even with each other. After a very lengthy discourse about the necessity of knowing the topography of the land, she handed the reigns over to Trixie. “Like I said before,” she continued, “this is really hard – much harder than the actual pulling. Are you sure you’re ready?” “Oh yes, Trixie thinks she can handle this nicely.” “Alright,” Sister Sparkle said, trying the rope around her own waist. “But remember to start slowly. Just take it nice and…” Crack! Crack! Crack! “Ow! Hey!” “Fun being whipped, isn’t it!?” Trixie yelled. “Doesn’t feel very nice, does it!?” “Okay, okay,” Sister Sparkle said. “I had this coming, but still, you need to…” Crack! “Up!” Sister Sparkle, stunned into silence, grudgingly turned forward and started to pull, straining as she ascended the hill. “Let’s see if we can do twenty rows,” Trixie said, smiling. “Shall we, Ms. Sparkle?” “Twenty rows!?” Crack! “Less chatting, more pulling!” Sister Sparkle turned back and pulled with all her strength as they turned around for another go. “No hard feelings, huh?” she grumbled. “None at all,” Trixie replied, a smug grin of satisfaction on her face. “But I think you were wrong about this work, Sister Sparkle.” “Oh?” she strained. “In what way?” “It’s not hard at all,” she replied. “It’s dreadfully good fun.” Crack! Sister Sparkle cringed in pain. “Yeah…” she breathed. “You just wait, I’ll show you good fun, I’ll…oomph!” At that moment, Sister Sparkle lost her footing and fell face-first into the earth; coating herself in mud. Trixie bellowed with laughter as Sister Sparkle wiped off her face. “It’s not funny!” Trixie only responded by laughing harder. “Oh wow, this is too much!” she exclaimed. “Help me out of here!” Sister Sparkle cried, trying to haul herself out of the muck, only to slip and fall back into the mire. Trixie continued laughing until, all at once, a solid mass of damp earth landed on her face. As she cleared the dirt from her eyes, she turned her attention back to Sister Sparkle, who stood with her hand over her mouth, giggling. “Oh…it…is…on.” Trixie said. “Bring it,” Sister Sparkle replied. Trixie immediately hurled herself into fray and began tossing a barrage of mud at Sister Sparkle, who returned in kind. In the space of a few minutes, they were both covered in dirt from head to toe, but still determined to triumph over the other. Finally, though, Trixie managed to get the better of Sister Sparkle, and was soon mercilessly flinging mud at her as she crouched in the mire, shielding her face with her hand. “Give up!?” Trixie yelled. “Never!” Sister Sparkle exclaimed defiantly and hurled herself at Trixie's legs, toppling her to the ground. The force of the lurch sent both of them rolling down the hill at high speed through the rows of the freshly tilled soiled – the momentum of the fall causing them to keep rolling until they came to a shaky stop at the bottom of the valley, where the land flattened out. The two of them immediately tried to get up and continue their battle; but this soon proved to be too much for either of them to accomplish. They staggered about, dizzy and disoriented, until they both collapsed, the one beside the other. “Trixie...” Sister Sparkle said, panting. “Yeah?” Trixie replied. “Truce?” “Truce...” Trixie groaned, her head still spinning. “How do you feel?” “Like I'm going to be sick...” Sister Sparkle said. “You're not the only one...” Trixie couched her head in her lap and tried to regain her sense of balance, while Sister Sparkle lay clutching her stomach beside her. “That was quite a fall...” she said, some of her senses returning to her. “How far do you think we rolled?” “A hundred feet, if not more,” Sister Sparkle said, getting up. “I'm amazed that...amazed that..” she held her head, clinching her eyes in pain. “Are you okay?” Trixie asked, moving towards her. “Yeah,” she groaned, sitting down. “Just my head...” “Do you need help?” “No, no. I think I'll be alright. Just let me lay her for a bit...” “Alright,” she said, sitting next to her. “We can stay here for a while. No rush right?” “We...we still have to finish up...but not right now. We can wait a bit...” Trixie nodded, propping her hands behind her head as she gazed up at the sky. “What time do you think it is?” she asked. Sister Sparkle rubbed her temples before pulling out a little contraption that hung on a cord around her neck. She examined the dials on the little gadget, swaying it back and forth a few times while squinting. “A little after ten,” she said at last. “What is that thing?” Trixie asked. “How can you tell?” “A sundial,” Sister Sparkle replied, shaking her head. “It tells the time, based on where the sun is. My parents got it for me for my birthday a few years ago.” “May I see?” Trixie asked. Sister Sparkle took it off her neck and handed it Trixie. “Just hold it up to the sun and look at where the shadow lands...” Trixie shielded her eyes and gazed down on the glistening, steel pendulum, which showed it to be, indeed, a little after ten. “That's neat,” Trixie said in genuine admiration, giving it back. “But what are all these sliders for?” “To make adjustments,” she said. “The sun's position changes based on where you are and what time of the year it is; so these have to be taken into account.” “But wait...” Trixie said, puzzled. “Doesn't Princess Celestia raise the sun?” “Yes,” she replied, fine-tuning the levers. “But she moves it in predictable patterns –these patterns are what make this possible.” Suddenly, a shrill voice pierced through the air behind them. “What is going on up here!?” Trixie and Sister Sparkle turned simultaneously to see the Abbess storming up the hill towards. ““Never in my whole life have I heard such a commotion! You two could be heard for miles around! And I come up here to find this! Why all the noise!? And why are you two coated in mud!? Sister Sparkle, explain yourself!” Sister Sparkle looked dumbfound at the Abbess, unable to form words to respond. “Well?” “Well, you see..,” Sister Sparkle began, rubbing her head.. “We uh...we uh...” “Tripped!” Trixie spluttered. “Yes!” Sister Sparkle exclaimed. “We tripped!” The Abbess raised her eyebrow. “You...tripped? How?” “We were uh...uh...” “Plowing!” “Right, plowing! And uh....we lost our...” “Footing!” “Yes, our footing. And Trixie and I went tumbling down the hill and that's how we got coated in mud, as you see. Yup, that's exactly how it happened.” The Abbess raised her eyebrow. “Okay, that makes sense; but why all the noise?” “It was a terrifying fall,” Trixie responded collectedly. “We couldn't stop, so we were calling out for help.” “I still don't understand,” the Abbess said. “How did you two fall from all the way up there, to down here and not be able to stop?” “It was a stupid mistake,” Sister Sparkle said. “Clumsy, really. We had forgot to unhitch the plow and I tried to get Trixie to stop and so I pulled on the reigns, but the harness broke, and it sent us both flying.” Trixie nodded eagerly. “Yeah, what she said.” The Abbess eyes them suspiciously a bit more, scrutinizing their story with their appearances. “Is that the truth of it, then?” “Yes, ma'am,” the two of them replied in unison. She looked down and then turned around, gazing off into distance. “Sister Sparkle...” “Yes, Abbess.” “Take yourself and Trixie back to the cloister and get washed up. I expect both of you to be ready for midday Chapel.” “Yes, Abbes,” she said, nodding dutifully. “But what about the rest of the field?” “A day's work is a day's work, Sister Sparkle. We finish whatever we start – you know that, just like the rest of the sisters. I expect the both of you to finish this during your recreation time tonight, is that clear?” “Perfectly, ma'am.” “Good. Now hurry – chapel is an a hour.” Sister Sparkle nodded and turned to her companion. “Come on,” she said. “Let's go.” They two of them departed together; trekking down the narrow path as it snaked around the valley's edge, back to the monastery below. It was only when they had put a little distance between themselves and Abbess, that they began to speak freely again. “You know, you didn't have to do that,” Sister Sparkle said. Trixie arched her eyebrow. “Do what?” “What you did back there, with the Abbess – you didn't have to do that. You didn't have to vouch for me; you could have left me out to dry.” Trixie shook her head, smiling. “What? And let you have all the fun? Never.” Sister Sparkle chuckled. “Still, it's was nice what you did, and I appreciate it – even if we did get a little carried away.” “It's not a big deal,” Trixie said. “I'm sure you would have done the same for me.” “Certainly,” Sister Sparkle replied. “I'm just glad we got off as light as we did; the Abbess usually doesn't tolerate these sorts of shenanigans.” “Maybe you caught her on a good day,” Trixie said, shrugging. “Maybe...” “Plus,” Trixie continued, “She doesn't exactly strike me as the kind of person who would go out of her way to punish others; like she said herself: 'The rules are strict, but fair'.” “What is fair and what is not fair is entirely subjective,” Sister Sparkle replied. “But as for the Abbess's conduct, I have no complaints. She keeps order, that's the important thing; which is the key to finding inner harmony.” “Have you found inner harmony, Sister?” Trixie asked. Sister Sparkle looked down. Several moments of silence passed between them until Trixie decided to speak again. “I'm sorry,” she said. “I didn't mean to...” “No, no,” Sister Sparkle continued. “It's quite alright. I guess, to answer your question: I've not found inner harmony. But who can, really? With all the misery and suffering in this world, the cares and the worries, who can truly say they've found true peace? Only the dead.” “That's a rather morbid thought,” Trixie murmured. “Yeah...” Sister Sparkle said, looking away. “But death is not the end, I should hope.” “You doubt?” “I think we all do, at some point...” “Never thought I'd hear someone like you say that,” Trixie said. “It's only natural to question what you don't know.” “But surely someone would know? Right?” Trixie asked. Sister Sparkle shook her head. “We rely on those above us to guide us spiritually and morally in the right direction, but, truth be told, I very much doubt if even Celestia herself knows what lies beyond the great unknown. It's all a matter of hope, really; but I guess, that's the essence of faith – hoping.” Now it was Trixie's turn to be silent. She gazed and saw that everything, the sun, the clouds, and the sky were still there, but now instead of the usual easiness she felt, there was a blackness welling up inside her. It was as if the entire world had been turned on its head. What was she feeling? Doubt of what she had always taught was true? Disbelief that it was a Sister who was telling her this? Trixie did not know what to say or do and suddenly found herself in an emotional limbo – one where she felt like she was drowning in her sense of uncertainty. “What about you?” Sister Sparkle asked. “Surely at some point you've questioned it?” “Actually, I haven't...” Trixie replied softly. “What's wrong? Why are you like that?” “I...don't know,” Trixie said. “I feel...empty now. Like I don't know what's real anymore.” Trixie continued to feel the darkness brood inside of her until she felt a warm hand wrap around hers. She looked up a Sister Sparkle flashed a demur smile. “Don't worry,” she said. “I'm real at least, you see?” At that instant, Trixie felt a strange comfort come over her. Sister Sparkle's touch was like a beacon in the darkness. And in a brief moment of sincerity, the storm of her doubts subsided and everything was made concrete again; the dimensions of existence clearly understood. “Thank you,” Trixie whispered. The two continued their journey to the cloister in silence; a serene concord permeating their amity, until they came to entrance and entered the front hall. “Where do we go?” Trixie asked? “Follow me,” Sister Sparkle replied. They traveled down a few corridors until they reached a long hallway, where there was a single, latched door on the right. Sister Sparkle opened the door and went inside. Trixie followed behind her, only to be greeted by a rush of hot air against her face as the sister undid the latch and opened the door. “What is this place?” Trixie asked, coughing a few times. “This is the bath,” Sister Sparkle replied. “A bath? It's like a sauna in here!” Trixie exclaimed, peering through the thick clouds of steam floating over the vapid waters. Sister Sparkle laughed. “Nothing like a good sweat though to help you unwind” she said, going over to a cupboard. “Now undress so I can send your habit to the launders.” Trixie gasped. “Undress?” she asked. “Yes, Trixie,” Sister Sparkle replied. “Undress. Or are you going to bathe with your clothes on?” “Wait...” Trixie said. “The bath? As in one?” “That's correct,” Sister Sparkle replied, starting to take off her own clothes. “We all bathe together.” “S-stop!” Trixie sputtered. “What?” Sister Sparkle asked. “Never bathed with another girl before?” “No!” Trixie exclaimed. “No I've not!” Sister Sparkle rolled her eyes as she folded her habit and put it in the cupboard. “You don't get out much, do you?” Trixie blushed. She had always been afforded the luxury of bathing alone. She never thought, not in a million years, she would be sharing a bath. The idea seem impossibly embarrassing to her. She shielded her eyes as Sister Sparkle removed the last of her undergarments, leaving her entirely exposed. “This is not right,” Trixie said, folding her arms and looking up at the ceiling. “Right or not,” Sister Sparkle said, inching up to bath's edge, “but I'm not going around smelling like caked mud and dirt.” The sister slowly lowered herself into the steaming waters. “Yeah, that feels nice,” she said, sighing contentedly.. “Care to join me, Trixie?” Trixie pouted. “Absolutely not.” “Suit yourself,” Sister Sparkle said, shrugging. “But you won't have time to bathe after me – chapel starts in less than an hour.” Trixie made no attempt to respond. She would not be moved to degrade herself in such a way; nothing in the world was worth this sort of humiliation. “Honestly,” she said, waving her hand, her eyes still firmly shut. “You country bumpkins have no sense of decency.” “Oh?” Sister Sparkle asked, playfully giggling. “How so?” “Yes,” Trixie replied. “You see in the city we have a quaint concept; it's this new thing we like to call privacy. You know, the expectation that there are boundaries and that individuals should be allowed to do certain things ALONE.” “You really don't know what you're missing,” Sister Sparkle called as she started lazily swimming. “The water is nice and brisk. It's like all your troubles are just floating away.” Trixie mulled. She had not had a bath since she had left from home nearly two days ago and was feel rather dirty, especially after the day's debacle. She listened for a few moments more as Sister Sparkle took her time indulging herself in the bath until she let out a defeated sigh. “Promise not to look?” she asked. Sister Sparkle closed her eyes. “Promise.” “Turn around,” Trixie said. “Really?” “I wanna make sure you're not looking!” Sister Sparkle sighed. “Fine.” She turned around and confined herself to the corner on the far side. “How's that?” she asked. “Good,” Trixie replied. “Now don't turn around.” “Yes, your majesty,” Sister Sparkle said facetiously. While Sister Sparkle waited patiently in the corner, Trixie made her way over to the cupboard and took off her habit and her other layers of clothing; depositing them the same bin from earlier. When she was down to her undergarments, she stopped. She looked over shoulder in the sister's direction, only to see she was still turned around. “Alright...” Trixie murmured. She let her bra and panties descend to the cold floor below and put them in the launders, shivering in the drafty air as she tried to cover her exposed top with her arms. “Done yet?” Sister Sparkle asked. “Not yet,” Trixie replied, dipping her toe in the water. “Well hurry up. I'm getting bored.” Trixie hesitated. “Just jump already!” Trixie took a deep breath and, gaining a running start, jumped into the pool. She immediately surged to the surface, gasping for air. “Sweet Celestia that water is hot!” she yelled. “Why didn't you warn me?!” “I told you it was brisk!” “Yes, but not scalding!” Sister Sparkle laughed. “May I turn around now? Or would you like me to stay in the corner until you're done?” Trixie rolled her eyes. “You can turn around.” Sister Sparkle did a back-stroke and lazily floated next to Trixie. “How does it feel?” she asked. “Wonderful,” Trixie replied, brushing her hair. “How do they keep it so warm?” “The kitchen below,” Sister Sparkle said, pointing down. “They're always baking bread, so they use the excess heat to warm the bath.” “Interesting,” Trixie said, dipping her head and resurfacing. “Does everyone use this?” “Everyone, all at once.” Trixie shook her head. “Seems terribly invasive.” Sister Sparkle shrugged. “You get used to not having any privacy after you've been here a while,” she said. “Everything is designed to be as 'sisterly' as possible.” “Yet you're not allowed to talk to anyone,” Trixie replied. “How are you expected to be close to anyone if you can't talk?” “It's strange that you mention that,” Sister Sparkle replied. “I know it's now our purpose here to fraternize, but as much as I try to get to know people, most of the time I feel like I'm surrounded by complete strangers; faces I've seen a thousand times over but...completely unknown to me.” “What about at recreation?” Trixie asked. “Surely there's some way.” “There's always some way,” Sister Sparkle said. “After all, observing and obeying a rule are two entirely different things.” “What do you mean?” “Come now, Trixie, don't be so naive. Do you really think anyone takes the whole 'no talking' thing seriously? The Sister's are always chatting; that's why the Abbess had to add in the 'no gossiping' rule later.” “Well, then why is getting to know others so hard then?” Sister Sparkle sighed. “I don't know, to be completely honest with you. I've tried to talk with them and be friendly but...they never seem to take to me. They always whisper when I go by or give me …looks.” “Well, you seemed pretty intimidating when we met yesterday...” “And I don't mean to either, it's just...this place, the sisters... they start to get to you after a while. But you, Trixie, you're different from the others; I could tell that yesterday when we met.” “Me?” Trixie asked. “How so?” “I don't know...it's something though; just can't think of it.” “I don't blame you,” Trixie said, rinsing her hair. “There's a lot about me to like.” Sister Sparkle rolled her eyes. “Not least because of your narcissism.” “Oh please,” Trixie said, cleaning her nails. “You know I'm not into pain.” “No, that's....” Sister Sparkle paused, looking away. “Something else entirely, Trixie.” “Oh? What?” “I'll tell you some other time.” Trixie frowned. “You're going to have to offer an explanation, sooner or later.” “Nah, I'll just continue to keep you in the dark and let you guess – much more fun that that way.” Sister Sparkle replied, smiling. “You would,” Trixie replied. “What's that suppose to mean?” Sister Sparkle asked, paddling. “You've been nothing but an enigma since I arrived here – an impenetrable wall of secrecy.” Sister Sparkle shrugged. “What you see is what you get with me.” “I don't believe that,” Trixie said. “I think there's more to you than you let on; like you're hiding some deep, dark secret.” Sister Sparkle chuckled. “No, I have no deep, dark secret, I'm afraid.; Just lonely,” Sister Sparkle said, looking down. “And looking for a friend, I guess.” Trixie felt a tug on her heartstrings as she looked at the saddened sister. She really must not have any friends if she's telling me all this, Trixie thought. She wanted to lend her some sympathetic words, but something held her back; something that made her bite down on her lower lip. I sure hope she doesn't take this the wrong way... Trixie moved closer to the sister and smiled softly. “Well,” she said, trying to act casually. “You seem like a nice enough person. Why don't you and I be friends?” Sister Sparkle looked up, her expression rife with confusion. “What?” “Yeah,” Trixie continued nervously. “We can be....you know... girlfriends.” Trixie immediately regretted saying what she did, but it was too late now. The only thing that was left to do was wait for the inevitable response. The silence dragged on, but just as she was going to say something else though, she was met by a pair of willing arms, which wrapped themselves firmly around her neck, causing her to gasp in surprise. “Well,” Trixie chuckled nervously. “You sure are friendly, aren't you?” “Thank you,” Sister Sparkle whispered in her ear. “You have no idea how much that means to me.” Trixie blushed as she felt the sister's naked body rub against hers. “Don't mention it,” she said, trying to push her away. “What are friends for, right?” Sister Sparkle suddenly pulled away from the embrace and gazed into Trixie's eyes. “Remember though,” she said sternly. “You can't tell anyone. This has to be our secret. You promise to keep this a secret?” Trixie looked down, butterflies filling her stomach. “I promise,” she said softly. Sister Sparkle nodded. “Good. I know you won't say a word. I trust you.” “But Sister Sparkle, what if...” “Please,” she said, smiling. “Call me Twilight.” “Twilight...what if someone catches us?” “You leave that to me,” Twilight said. “I'll think of a way to keep in touch. In the meantime, we need finish bathing; chapel starts in less than thirty minutes.” Trixie nodded and silently went about finishing her bath. Although she felt at ease in the warm waters, Trixie felt a deep disquiet inside of her. She only been in the cloister for a day and she was already breaking the rules. She knew she was forbidden with making relationships, but something about her just seemed to...click. Trixie pondered the chances of getting discovered. She didn't want to put her new friend into unnecessary risk, but surely she knew the consequences....otherwise she wouldn't have approached her, right? A flood of thoughts and doubts raced into Trixie's mind as she and Twilight dried off and donned themselves in new habits. What did this all mean? What would the others think of her? Was this even real? These and more she pondered, but just as before, they were silenced when the sister's delicate hand held hers, as they made their way to the chapel...