//------------------------------//
// Chapter 29 - Regal 
// Story: Trixie's Forest Retreat 
// by crowscrowcrow 
//------------------------------//

Trixie slowly trotted through the ancient throne room, it was a complete time worn mess. And yet somehow it seemed easy to imagine how everything had been a thousand years ago. Most of the tapestry was still there, and in surprisingly good shape considering their age.

Why did I ever do that? Do I even listen to myself? ‘Trixie is the most desirable unicorn’ Indeed! What’s wrong with me. I get a little bit of praise and it goes right to my head. 

Rainbow Dash had left almost as soon as Trixie’s hooves had touched the ground, apparently quite eager to leave. Trixie could not really blame her, and if she had the option she’d have preferred some time alone herself.

Or maybe the problem is that I actually do listen to myself. She got so mad at me. Why do I have to be such a foal.

She did her best to keep her attention on the castle itself, to keep from thinking too much. She admired the way it still stood after so long, but worried about the crumbled ceilings, and even more about those that had not yet crumbled.

Well of course I know why, I-I guess I just really wanted to believe that somebody actually loved me. Even at my lowest, or especially at my lowest. It just felt so good it had to be true, I wanted it so badly.

She paused nowhere in particular then just stared ahead, lost in her own mind. She felt like she was missing something important. She had found plenty of reasons to think favorably of Rainbow Dash, but then there was the reaction to the kiss. Even if it was a misunderstanding it had been much too strong, like she had done something unforgivable. It hurt to think she had ruined any chance of being on friendly terms with her again.

Rainbow Dash did so many things for me, even if I just scorned her for it at the time. In hindsight she was just trying to help. She saved me. It was so easy to tell myself it was out of love, not her guilty conscience. I just lied to myself. Maybe… she had a point? Is it really love? Do I really love her? Or—

“Uhm. Trixie? Do you like that painting?” Fluttershy asked, standing beside Trixie. Looking at the fractured large frame hanging askew on the wall, She did not get the appeal.

Trixie snapped out of the thoughts that snuck up on her, coming to realize she’d been staring at the same paled scraps of canvas for a while.  “W-what? Oh erm. Trixie thought she recognized it. Yes. Anyway, do you think this would happen to Canterlot if it was abandoned?” Gah since when am I such an emotional wreck, get it together Trixie. It was a stupid misunderstanding. There’s no point in pining on it, just focus on this trip, on Fluttershy.

“C-Canterlot? I guess so? Though there is no forest around there. Oh, maybe the private garden of the galloping gala would overgrow the city! I would love to see that. All those wonderful creatures all throughout the city.” Fluttershy went quiet while she stared blankly at the painting, no doubt lost in her own thoughts this time.

Trixie could not help but smile while she watched Fluttershy speak about something with so much passion and then simply space out. She decided not to disturb her for a while, content to just watch her in silence. There was something so soothing that just radiated from Fluttershy, it seemed like no trouble at all to keep the calm around her. 

That’s kind of cute. I did not know she liked that garden so much, she’s always so quiet. 

Finally Trixie broke the serenity. “Do you like that painting, Fluttershy?” She smiled and kept her voice soft, trying not to disrupt her dream world too rudely.

“Huh? Oh, I’m sorry. But I guess I see what you saw it in now.” Fluttershy smiled back with a blush. 

Trixie giggled with the reaction and shook her head. “Yes it really speaks to the imagination, doesn’t it?” She turned to trot further down the halls towards what looked like the throne room. But she halted in her tracks when an unfamiliar sound rung out behind her, quiet but ever so sweet. 

Still looking at the painting, Fluttershy laughed. 

Trixie had often heard Rainbow Dash laugh, generally at her, but never Fluttershy.  It was almost musical, and it ended far too soon when Fluttershy caught Trixie looking at her.

Note to self: Tell more jokes.

“Oh sorry, were you waiting?” Fluttershy lowered her head a bit, causing her pink mane to shield her while she made her way over to Trixie. She looked towards the throne room then back at Trixie.

Trixie tried to hide her disappointment behind an overly bright smile while she shook her head. “Oh no not at all, come on we have a lot of castle to explore. Did you know that a thousand years ago Princess Celestia and Princess Luna ruled together? They even have two thrones in the main throne room. From what you showed me though it seems Luna went to her own private throne room, since there was only one throne there. What do you suppose they needed three throne rooms for? Assuming Celestia has one as well.”

Fluttershy looked up through the fallen in ceiling, gazing up at the sky while she thought on the question. “M-maybe it was a compromise? They were sisters after all. Perhaps the castle was divided in two and they were not supposed to go into each other’s part? Like a private room?”

Stepping into the throne room, Trixie smiled. “Hey very good! See just being here you can start to imagine a story of how it was here.” She pointed to the pair of thrones. “Over there would be where they were together, but they each rule at different times so they would only be here in the mornings or evenings. Or I suppose during important events that needed them both, otherwise their own thrones were probably used.”

“Oh, that’s right. Princess Luna is nocturnal.” Fluttershy followed behind Trixie coming closer to the thrones. She glanced back towards the door. The room was so big it almost felt like it was outside, though that was no surprise as it was so easy to see outside through the broken walls while encroaching plants brought the forest inside. In that way, It was a reminiscent of  Fluttershy's own home.

Trixie nodded to the question, unaware Fluttershy was looking away, her sights set upon the pair of thrones raised on a small platform above the rest of the room. With a giddy smile she climbed the steps and settled into the old chipped blue throne. It was a bit filthy but she was not about to let that ruin her chance. “Trixie always wondered what the world would look like from a throne, The Great and Powerful Trixie could get used to this!”

Fluttershy turned her attention back to Trixie and gasped. “W-what are you doing? W-we can’t do that, can we? Even if they are O-old they are still the Princess’s.” Her eyes shot up at the sun shining through the open collapsed roof as though she was expecting Celestia to come down that very moment.

Trixie laughed while waving a hoof dismissively. “Do not worry yourself, Fluttershy, if they cared for these they would not have left them behind. Come on up here, you have got to try this. Now, you have the Regal and Truthful Princess Trixie’s promise nothing will happen. Princess Fluttershy.” She grinned widely while motioning Fluttershy closer. Though she said that, still Trixie glanced up at the sky when she saw Fluttershy do so just to check she was not watching royalty decent. 

“Oh uhm… that’s okay, I’m fine down here.” Fluttershy just smiled uncomfortably while Trixie looked down at her bemused.

“You cannot be serious how often would you get a chance to do this? It’s really comfy here, Princess Fluttershy. Look Princess Celestia’s throne even goes well with your coat color, as Princess Luna’s goes with mine, surely that is a sign that it is okay,” Trixie groaned while she leaned back in the throne, placing her hooves on the armrests.

“I-I don’t know… This does not seem right.” Fluttershy took a step away. Letting her eyes flick between Celestia’s empty throne and Trixie, she pinned her ears against her head.

Trixie paused and stared down at Fluttershy as she took careful step back. “Don’t be like that. That’s a direct order from Princess Trixie. Now get up here!“ Trixie tapped her hoof on the arm rest impatiently. Why did that pony have to be such a spoilsport? All she wanted was to have a bit of fun with her on some old thrones. Why is she being so difficult!

Fluttershy flinched as Trixie yelled at her, nodding a little and mumbling something so quiet Trixie could not make it out. She climbed up the stairs towards the throne, averting her gaze from Trixie. She no longer tried to argue.

Trixie smiled widely as Fluttershy gave in and went for the throne. “That’s the spirit! Welcome Princess Fluttershy.” She performed a  curtsey from her throne. “Oh right. Princesses don’t do that.” She giggled and sat back down, looking out over the court. “See isn’t this fun?”

Fluttershy stopped before Celestia’s throne, fidgeting with her hooves as she just nodded. Her eyes cast down at the floor. She set one shaking hoof down on the very edge of Celestia’s old throne.

Letting her gaze sweep across the empty court, Trixie imagined royal guards, subjects, and even a jester. She returned her eyes to her fellow princess and watched while Fluttershy seemed to have trouble to get on the throne. “Huh? Do you need Trixies help? It’s not that high just hurry up and jump.” She looked puzzled at the trembling Fluttershy, then her face rapidly paled.

Good job Trixie make her hate you too. It’s a good thing there are only two ponies that will even speak to you. Just imagine how much work it would be if you had to burn any more bridges today.

Trixie felt her blood run cold. Struggling to form words to call out, her tongue felt frozen. Wait! Stop! Trixie leaped out of her throne towards Fluttershy, tackling her and sending both ponies sprawling across the floor. Trixie could hear the surprised cry from Fluttershy below her. “I-I’m sorry!” She hugged Fluttershy tightly. “I’m so sorry, please don’t hate me.”