[POV: Trixie]
The trip from Manehattan to Canterlot was long and irksome, but the time that Trixie had spent with Joe was unforgettable. The trip itself had taken over two weeks, after all one would have to travel a good number of miles to go from Manehattan to Canterlot, and they still have yet to get to the Equestrian capitol. But in that time Trixie and Joseph had gotten even closer. Though Trixie was still unsure how to act without holding her painful past back, rather than setting it free, but since she had she's felt lighthearted and happier. With nothing really dragging her down anymore she was left in peace among the clouds and with her best friend. But one of the best parts was the fact that Trixie's nightmares were less prominent compared to before, something she was grateful for.
"So Trixie," Joe said, breaking the silence, walking up to her right side, in his pony form to keep passerbys from panicking. "Have you been to this capitol that you said we're going to?" he asked, trying to make conversation.
Trixie let out a small sigh, leaning over to rest her head on his neck, something that's gotten to be something of a habit as of late. "Not since I made a big mistake." she simply stated, not wanting to elaborate any further. Hunting down that dumb amulet was a pain and a half, and what she did with it was worse than she thought it would be. Becoming more and more evil was definitely not what she had been expecting.
Joe smirked, obviously trying to change the subject, "So where are we performing in this city? A bar? A cafe?" a thoughtful look crossed his face for a moment, "An amusement park?"
Trixie giggled at that last guess, but shook her head, "No, we aren't scheduled for another show for another month. I just wanted to see Canterlot again, preferably without needing a cloak covering my face."
Joe raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. Trixie could only imagine what he must be thinking. Than again, he does know about me to almost the deepest level...He and I... shaking her head to remove the fantasy she was about to dream up. If Joe wanted that, than he would suggest as much. No use in trying to fulfill her desires for someone to love if he doesn't have the same 'craving'. After all, she practically forced herself onto him.
The duo's conversation lulled into a peaceful silence and bliss that only travailing with someone near and dear could ever achieve. And Trixie wouldn't have it any other way.
Within the span of three hours, the Equestrian capitol known as Canterlot finally came into view. The marble buildings carved from the stone of the mountain that it was built into, clean and pristine. Gold covered roof tops showing the riches of those that resided in the city of splendor, reflecting the days dying light giving way to Luna's night. But the cherry on top was the castle, a place that the solar and lunar rulers of the land governed their land. A palace of gargantuan size and the marvel of all Equestria.
The sight was always breathtaking, regardless of how many times Trixie has seen the city. Joseph, on the other hoof, had an impressed look on his face as he gazed upon the city. "Marvelous" he whispered, awe apparent in is voice as he looked upon the bright city with those bright, stunning grey eyes of his. Trixie smiled when she saw the look on his face.
The two kept whatever else they had to say to themselves, both appreciating the view that was before them, and each others company as they approached the large city.
Night had fallen once the traveling pair had reached the city limits, large defensive walls with armored guards aplenty, keeping the denizens safe throughout the night. When Joseph first saw the guards, a strange look crossed his face and he seemed deep in thought. Almost as if he was debating something. Trixie didn't take much notice in it, Joe did that every now and then, even if he didn't seem to notice himself, and Trixie found there was no need for concern.
With some searching the pair had found a decent place to spend the night, where Trixie left what she's called home for years in a safe stable, securely locked, and daily essentials, like toothbrushes, were taken out. After checking out a room and unpacking a few things Joe seemed to be deep in thought again about another thing.
"Uh, Trixie?" Joe asked, a bit of nervousness in his voice, barely noticeable, but still present,"Why don't the two of us go out and just...spend some time out? Relax a bit more."
The suggestion caught Trixie off guard. Surely he didn't..."You mean go out and have fun?"
"Well, that or do whatever you want to do. For the night at least, I think you deserve it." he said, ending his statement with a small chuckle, rubbing the back of his head.
Trixie's heart fluttered as ideas of what they could do together, but after quickly calming herself down she gave her partner and best friend a smile, "I'd like that. I'd like that a lot."
Trixie hasn't had this much fun in a long while. Apparently there was some form of traveling circus that they hadn't come across on the road that had set up inside one of the two parks in Canterlot. Trixie had enjoyed the show with many acrobats and ponies with incredible strength or skill, and the few booths with games that it had to offer, One booth especially Trixie enjoyed, considering the sight of Joe trying to throw a baseball with hooves and missing every time was hysterical. He'd left the stand with a small blush present, a skittish booth attendant and a laughing Trixie trying to comfort him.
"You weren't that bad honest!" Trixie giggled, the obviousness of her lie entertaining, at least for her.
"If somehow getting one of the balls stuck on the top of the booth isn't considered bad, then I don't know the definition of the word." he mumbled, a faint smile on his face as they weaved in and out of the crowd.
As they moved about inside the grounds one booth in particular, by the edges of where the booths had been set up, had caught Trixie's eye. The only thing under a small open tent was a alabaster unicorn with a red and black mane and tail sitting besides a blank canvas resting on an easel and a tray with paints of many hues nearby. After grabbing Joe's attention and convincing him, the two walked up to the stallion.
The accented painter, as he explained, was doing free portraits for the night, and with some more mild convincing from Trixie, the two sat besides one another as the artist continued to paint. A relaxing half hour passed before he finished, showing a beautifully made painting of the two unicorns, deep in embrace, looking deeply into the anothers eyes. The brushed texture added just that extra bit of pizazz to the piece, and the stallion asked if he could keep the painting to show to others. After a short discussion, the two consented and went on their way.
Trixie let out another small sigh and put her head in it's usual place on Joe's muscled neck, following along as he walked out of the small fair grounds within the park. A few minutes of walking later and the two found a place with the most spectacular view. The valley that is watched over by the Canterlot, caught under the majestic light of the night sky, lights from a small number of towns showing the civilization in the valley, and adding more stars to the night, some turning off as families started to go to bed and dream.
Joe stopped, quickly looking around before softly moving Trixie's head from his neck and changing back to normal, sitting down and staring at the sight. Trixie took the hint and sat on her haunches beside him. The two were silent, marveling at the sight as they had with the city, enthralled at the image worth thousands of words. Neither of the two wanted to break the comfortable silence that had accumulated, but something seemed to be on Josephs mind. The fact was especially obvious when he cleared his throat and looked to Trixie with the eyes that she fell in love with.
"Trixie," he started, a look of uncertainty written on his face, "Look, there's something that I've been thinking about for a while," Trixie turned to look at him, emotions battling for dominance behind his unknowing eyes, "The three and a half months that we have spent together have been a life changing experience for the both of us. Many things about the both of us have been revealed to the other through some means. Honestly," he let out a quick, sad chuckle, "If someone had told me that I was going to befriend a cerulean unicorn from another universe, I would have found the nearest physiological institute, stuffed them in a straight jacket and leave them there. But now...now that I've experienced what I have, know what I now know and to have met those that I did, I'm a changed man. Would I trade that in for more fame or glory back on Earth? No. No, I wouldn't." Moving closer to her, Joe took one of her hooves in his hands, and gazed into her eyes, his own telling the story that his mouth was reciting, "A month a half ago, you did something that I never anticipated, outright kissing me, with no warning. I will say this, you surprised me, that is for sure." he chuckled once more, more mirth than thoughtfulness in it. All of this, making a painful but sweet knot in her heart, and making tears start to form in Trixie's eyes.
"With that one action and paired with the fact that you were so willing to show love, love out of anything, to a creature that you hadn't ever heard of two months prior. It was what got me thinking, and with all that thinking that I have done, only recently have I come to a conclusion." he released her hoof and put a gentle hand to her cheek, "I think that we can have a relationship beyond that of a friend or partnership." With that, Trixie's tears spilled over, the feeling in her heart changing from a tough knot to rose in full bloom, a smile on her face as she quickly tackled her friend and gave him a hug, trying her darnedest to convey her relief in that one motion. Her best friend, the best one she's ever had, and her new coltfriend.
Joe accepted the hug, wrapping his arms around her. The bond between the two had lasted what felt like a blissful millennia, the two keeping the other safe in the embrace. Though Trixie was still letting a few tears of relief fall, she could have sworn that one drop, just one, had fallen onto her head. After a while, the two released their hold on the other, Trixie sniffing a bit as they did so. The silence from before came back, but with the feelings of joy and happiness in the air, rather than a lack of tension.
I can't believe it...Trixie thought, looking back to the night sky above, a smile gracing her face, he feels the same... she let out a small, nearly inaudible sigh of relief.
"Hate to ruin the moment, but it's way to sappy for my tastes." came a deep, nearly demonic voice, one that had been in many of Trixie's sleepless nights. Snapping her head in the direction of the voice, she saw Joe. Only different. His hair was as dark as a starless night, his skin pale, his clothes black as pitch, and his eyes, what used to be bright, warm and full of knowledge, was now dark, cold and calculating. Turning head to where Joe was moments prior, she saw him almost perfectly normal, the only thing different was his hair, which was now a snowy white.
Trixie looked from one Joe to the other, confused as to what she was seeing, which was both Joe's, the white haired one now standing like the black haired one, glaring at each other.
"Blake. You're not supposed to be out here, you split personality." the lighter Joe growled, moving between Trixie and the nega-Joe.
'Blake' let out a harsh, barking laugh, "I'm nothing of the sort Joey. Much more than a voice in your head." another laugh, "I'm your worst nightmare."
To Be Continued...