//------------------------------// // Sleep - Trixie and Twilight Sparkle [HerpyDerpy] // Story: Table for Two // by KitsuneRisu //------------------------------// Liqueur coffee. One part whiskey. Four parts coffee. Two sugars as requested, and a generous amount of fresh whipped cream to top it all off. ‘Picks you up and puts you down,’ was the description. The perfect drink to finish off a not-so-perfect day. The Owner slid the order across the table to the only patron in The Cafe. Trixie, draped in her trademark cloak, put her hooves around the beverage and turned to gaze out the window. It was still pouring down – probably even harder than when she had arrived. She closed her eyes and listened to soothing cadence of the pelting rain for just a moment. Opening her eyes, she took a sip. It was strong. It was hot. And it was just what she needed. She let out an instinctive sigh of contentment and raised the mug again, but before it could touch her muzzle, there was a ringing of a bell and a chilled wind gusting in from behind her. She took another sip – a larger one this time. “Trixie?” On most other occasions, Trixie would be pleased to be recognized. “Yes, it is I,” she answered, offhandedly, without turning around. Twilight Sparkle walked over to Trixie’s booth. “Keep moving, Sparkle.” “What are you doing here?” Twilight asked, eyeballing Trixie suspiciously. Trixie let out a deep breath and lowered her mug back onto the table. “What does it look like? Trixie’s trying to enjoy her coffee.” Twilight placed a hoof on the table. “No, really. What are you doing here?” “None of your damn business, Sparkle,” Trixie growled, folding her front legs together. “And Trixie resents the implication. But if you must know, Trixie is merely passing by.” She continued after a moment’s pause. “What do you want from Trixie, anyway? Trixie is sure you already accepted her apology about the whole amulet incident.” Twilight tilted her head slightly and gave her companion a quizzical look, who sat still as a statue, eyes now glued to the drink in front of her. After a few seconds, Twilight snickered and deposited herself at the other side of the table. “You’re right, Trixie. My apologies.” The Cafe fell silent. No sound except for the rain. The soothing cadence vexed the showmare greatly. Trixie took another swig of her drink, and as she did so, sneaked a quick glance out of the edge of her eye. Twilight’s head was now resting on the table. In fact, so was the entire front half of her body, which was now sprawled out in a strange form that didn’t look in any way comfortable. Trixie cleared her throat. “Princess Sparkle... what are you doing here in the middle of the night?” “Couldn’t sleep.” The contorted form replied. “Haven’t been sleeping much lately. Thanks to Princess duties, and all.” “How’s that working out for you, by the way?” Twilight adjusted her head and looked up with a frown. “Insomnia’s never fun.” “No, fool.” Trixie pointed towards one of Twilight’s newly-minted wings. “That.” “Oh… why do you ask?” “Curious, is all.” “It’s… fine, I guess.” Trixie furrowed a brow. “You don’t seem overly enthused, Sparkle.” “Oh, don’t get me wrong,” Twilight said, sitting up. “It’s a great honor, and it’s beyond what I have ever dreamed of, but… I don’t know. I suppose it’s not as exciting as ponies think it would be.” “Isn’t it?” “Not really. In fact, I don’t think it’s changed much of anything at all.” “That can’t be true,” Trixie protested. “You’re famous now! Everypony knows who you are. And you’re practically immortal! And you have wings, and-” “Yeah, but none of that changes my lifestyle in any significant way. I still have the same friends, and I still do the same things I used to do on a daily basis. All those things you mentioned? They’re more of a pain than anything else. And I still don’t know how I feel about living for centuries on end, either.” She paused and looked backwards, extending her wings slightly. “The wings are nice though. I do enjoy flying.” “So you’re saying,” Trixie asked, slowly and deliberately, “that the thing you enjoy most about being a princess is that you can fly? Like the five billion other pegasi in Equestria?” “Well, I don’t think there are that many pegasi – or ponies, for that matter – in Equestria. And I’m also not as good at flying as your average pegasus yet, but yes. Flying is fun.” Trixie stared dumbfounded at the alicorn, who responded with a smile and a shrug. “I hate you so much, Sparkle.” Twilight laughed. “Hey, I think this is the first time I’ve heard you not refer to yourself as Trixie. Why do you do that, anyway?” Trixie didn’t respond save for narrowing her eyes in annoyance. “Ms. Sparkle? You appear to have had time to consider. Would you like to order now?” Neither mare had noticed The Owner now standing next to their table. “What are you having, Trixie?” Twilight asked, inspecting what little remained in Trixie’s mug. “Liqueur coffee.” “Any good?” “Yes. Very good, actually.” Twilight nodded. “I’ll take one too, then.” The Owner adjusted his glasses a little. “Very well.” “So…” Twilight started, with a casual tone. “Why do you do what you do?” “What do you mean by that?” “I mean, a mare with your skills? I’m sure there are a lot of options for you out there. I can’t imagine a showmare makes a lot of money, and it has to be tiring, traveling all the time.” “You’re mocking my choice of profession?” “No! I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just...” Twilight trailed off, looking down. “What?” “Curious, is all.” Trixie scowled. “I will humour you, only because you showed me the same courtesy.” “Okay?” “But first, tell me. Why can’t you sleep, Sparkle?” Twilight blinked. “What? What does that have to do with anything?” “Humour me.” “Alright...” Twilight tapped her hooves together. “I worry… about stuff. Especially now, with the whole princess thing.” “Simple worries,” Trixie said, nodding. “Is that all?” “Yeah, if you want to put it that way.” Twilight frowned. “So, why do you do what you do?.” “Because I’m afraid, Sparkle.” “Afraid? Of what?” “Of being forgotten.” Twilight scratched her chin, giving the answer a moment’s consideration. “So, you decided to be a traveling performer because you want to be famous?” “I don’t want to be famous. I’m afraid I won’t be.” “Isn’t that... the same thing? Trixie sighed and shook her head slowly. “No, it’s not.” Twilight rubbed the back of her head. She thought about pressing the question further, but something about Trixie’s demeanor made her decide against it. “O...kay? Still, a rather silly thing to be afraid of, isn’t it?” “Perhaps.” A moment passed “So, why are you afraid of being forgotten?” Twilight asked, unable to deny her unsatisfied curiosity. Trixie didn’t answer, but propped her head on an upturned hoof and looked out the window. Twilight’s gaze followed, but there was nothing except for the streaks of rainwater and the darkness beyond. She looked back at Trixie, who was still staring out wistfully into the nothingness. “Um… Trixie?” Trixie exhaled deeply and closed her eyes before turning back to face Twilight. “Do you know of a stallion by the name of Mirage?” Twilight cocked an eyebrow. “I… can’t say I do.” “Of course you don’t.” “Who is he?” “He was one of the greatest and most knowledgeable magicians in all of Equestria.” “That’s unlikely,” Twilight said, sitting up and leaning forward. “I’ve read about all the great magicians. All the way back to Starswirl.” “Not this one, you haven’t.” “So, who is he then?” “He’s my late father.” “Your father?” Twilight repeated. “Yes. He taught me everything I know about magic, and that’s only a small fraction of what he knew about the subject.” “Was he a performer too?” Trixie scoffed at that comment. “No. He was a janitor, at the library in Canterlot.” “But you said he was-” “Yes. Brilliant. Knew almost everything there is to know about magic.” “So why was he-” Trixie suddenly slammed a hoof onto the table, causing both her mug of coffee and Twilight to jump. “Because he’s also a fool!” she snapped angrily, her voice rising. “He spent his whole life reading books. Studying. Practicing. And for what? The only small thing of worth he managed to accomplish was passing on some of the crumbs to me. “He was afraid of change, afraid to do anything outside of his comfort zone. Nobody knew of his talents! In fact, hardly anyone even knew him at all.” Trixie shook her head and laughed to herself before turning to Twilight. “Listen, Sparkle. I love my father,” she said, the anger in her voice now subsided. “He was a good stallion, but he was also a coward that squandered all his skills and talents because he let his fears control him. When he passed, I promised myself I’d never let that happen to me.” An uncomfortable silence followed as Twilight looked down, fidgeting with her hooves as she tried to figure out what to say. “I didn’t mean to pry, Trixie. I’m sorry,” she said, eventually. “Sure you did.” “Well, I… I’m sorry either way.” “Don’t be,” Trixie said, before taking a final swig, downing the rest of her coffee. She wiped her mouth and pushed the mug to the side. “Tell me something, Sparkle. Why do you think you have trouble sleeping?” “I already told you. I worry about… stuff.” “What kinds of stuff?” Twilight took a moment to gather her thoughts. “I’m afraid of failing, of not being good enough.” “Why?” “Because if I fail, I’ll be failing my friends. My… subjects,” Twilight answered, shifting awkwardly in her seat. “But that’s not the only reason, is it?” “I-I never thought I’d have this much responsibility!” Twilight suddenly blurted out, throwing her hooves in the air. “I mean, being Celestia’s pupil? That was a lot of pressure. Then I become an element holder, but at least I had my friends to share that with.” Twilight sighed deeply, slumping back down. “But this… How could I possibly afford to fail at this?” she whimpered. Trixie watched as the princess attempted to bury her head into the table with the help of her hooves. Complete silence. The rain had stopped. “Sparkle.” “Hmmph?” “I used to have trouble sleeping too, you know.” Twilight peeked over one of her folded hooves. “Yeah?” Trixie nodded. “I had my worries too. I used to think… what if I hadn’t done enough? What if, despite all my efforts, nobody will know me? What if when I’m gone, nobody will remember my name? What if I end up just like my father?” Twilight sat up slightly. Trixie placed two bits on the table. “And you know what, Sparkle? That may be the case. But you know what else?” Trixie continued, standing up. “Maybe I don’t always go about it the best way, but I’ve busted my rump every day. Traveling. Promoting. Performing. Making sure at every show all the colts and fillies are entranced by the unforgettable performances of The Great and Powerful Trixie. And if I’m not remembered despite all that, I can at least honestly say to myself I made an effort. I tried my very best. And that’s a lot more than what I can say about my father.” She put on her hat and adjusted her cloak slightly. “And that, Sparkle,” she said, moving towards the door, “is why I sleep just fine.” And with the ring of a bell, Twilight was left alone with her thoughts. A moment passed. “Apologies for the wait, but here is your order, Ms. Sparkle.” Twilight added two more bits on the table. “Thank you, but I won’t be needing that after all,” she declared, getting up. “I’m going home.”