Sweetie ignored the disgusted looks as she bit down into her fruit bat, enjoying the delicious taste of illusion. Looking up, she smiled warmly at Twilight, and wiped her mouth with a napkin. Twilight gently levitated utensils as she ate, disguising her horn magic as something a lot less intensive.
“So how’s the strawberry Sweetie? Is it mixing with the meat well?” Twilight waited patiently as Sweetie pretended to finish the food in her mouth. Really, the filly had become extremely gifted at subterfuge. Twilight would never admit it, but she worried Sweetie was too gifted.
“Oh yes! When you suggested eating fruit bats, I never thought the meat would compliment the fruity taste that comes from their peculiar diet.” Sweetie smiled warmly, and Twilight chuckled. After a few moments of pretending to eat, Twilight wiped her mouth again, and regarded Sweetie.
“Why did you want to do this anyway? It’s quite a strange prank, don’t you think?” Twilight watched Sweetie put down her fork, and took the cue to behind ‘cleaning up’.
“I was talking to Discord last loop, and he asked me if I was gonna eat one of the chickens he made. I said no and he ate it. It was probably only a ball of magic, but I thought it might be fun to try it one loop, even if pretend."
“I’ll have to have a talk to Discord when the loops end,” spoke Twilight, writing down a note in her looping journal.
“So Sweetie, how are you doing?” Twilight leaned forward, regarding Sweetie with wide eyes. Sweetie blinked, and tilted her head.
“Uh okay?” Sweetie didn’t entirely understand why Twilight was asking. Twilight sighed, recognising the confusion.
“Sweetie, you’ve been stuck in a Time Loop for probably months now. That doesn’t come without some problems. I’ll ask again, are you ok?” Twilight watched as Sweetie looked away, ears flopping down and up quickly. After a moment, she sighed and put a hoof to her forehead.
“I’m okay for now. There’s plenty of stuff for me to do. I gotta grow my magic, go through a few pranks, see a few things. Maybe one of them will give me a clue to get out of this. As long as there’s something new I can do, I’ll be fine.” Sweetie gave a sad smile, and watched as Twilight lent even further over the table.
“And what if there isn’t anything new?” Twilight watched warily, keeping her eyes trained for any slight change in Sweetie’s face. Sweetie looked at Twilight, bit her lip, and turned away.
“I don’t know,” she answered truthfully, lowering her head and looking at the ground. Ears flopping back, she rubbed her shoulder with a hoof.
“I could travel, maybe. But I don’t know what to do when everything I could do has been done, I just don’t. A-And it scares me okay? I don’t want to think about it. It’s a dark pit I don’t want to look down. So please Twilight, don’t ask me what I’ll do. Because I fear the answer.” Sweetie closed her eyes, face scrunching up as tears began to leak down her face. Twilight instantly brought the filly into a hug, letting her sob as she stroked Sweetie’s hair.
“I promise, I’ll never mention it again. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Twilight closed her eyes, magic quickly writing a note in her journal. Sweetie could always read it, but Twilight had a feeling the filly hadn’t looked inside yet. Sweetie sighed, stepping back and wiping her eyes.
“I’ll be okay,” whispered Sweetie, giving a shaky smile as she watched Twilight stand up. Twilight smiled, and they both began making their way back toward the castle in silence. Passing Sugarcube corner, Twilight motioned to Sweetie, and they entered. Mrs Cake was currently serving the counter.
“Pick what you want from the menu.” Twilight stepped aside and let Sweetie order, levitating out her bag of bits. Twilight knew Sweetie probably had money of her own, but it was one of the few things she could do in her short timeframe with the filly that might at least be somewhat meaningful.
“Thanks Twilight.” Sweetie ordered, and they left the store, heading back toward the castle. Sweetie bit into her treat, allowing the taste to encompass her. Living in the moment, she savored the thoughtful gift, ignoring everything else as the taste traveled along her tastebuds.
“Come on, let’s go see if there’s anything hidden in Spike’s secret room.” Twilight winked, and Sweetie grinned, leaping toward the task with gusto. It turned out the fluffy toys masked a gem hoard, which Twilight immediately scolded Spike for. Was he trying to get fat?
Sweetie watched this with a sad smile, and looked away.