//------------------------------//
// Tea Time 
// Story: Moon Light 
// by theomegabrony 
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Chapter 3

Twilight had just finished having Spike send a letter explaining the situation with Trixie  to Princess Celestia, when the massive front door to her castle burst open with an immense boom. A rainbow contrail rocketed through the halls sending the tapestries fluttering and chandeliers swaying. Rainbow Dash flew up the stairs at full speed, banked to the right, sped along the hall and burst through the door into Twilight's library, sending scrolls flying, pages fluttering, and Twilight scrambling at the explosive intrusion. 
“Twilight! You in here?” Rainbow Dash called out turning in a quick circle while trotting in place.  She was wearing a huge grin on her face. 
“Rainbow Dash! You know you are always welcome in my home but please keep the speeds down.  You're making a mess. And Spike just re-alphabetized these scrolls.” Bemoaned Twilight. 
The rainbow-maned pegasus just rolled her eyes.
        “Sorry Twi.  I’m just too pumped up. You're never going to guess what happened today!”
        “Weren't you supposed to help Fluttershy with her bunny census?” Twilight asked distractedly while levitating scrolls back up and shelving them.
        “I did.  I wouldn't leave her hanging you know that.” 
        “Okay...So record baby bunny numbers?” Twilight guessed.
        “I have no idea I wasn’t counting.” Rainbow said dismissively. 
“Rainbow, I have a lot on my mind right now and I don’t feel like guessing, so just tell me already.” Sighed an exasperated Twilight. 
“Fluttershy put the moves on me!” Announced Rainbow grinning like an idiot. 
“That’s cool.” Said Twilight as she was sliding a few scrolls into place.
“5, 4, 3, 2, 1.” Dash counted quietly while allowing her friend to process the information just given to her. As Rainbow got to one, Twilight’s magic imploded and several scrolls that were levitating tumbled to the floor again. 
“WAIT, SHE WHAT!?” Dash just grinned at her friend with a little squee, excitement bubbling off her at a Pinkie Pie level. 
“Oh my gosh, I always thought you two would make such a cute couple!” Twilight proclaimed scooping Rainbow Dash up in a hug. Twilight noticed a small bruise on Rainbow’s neck as she was hugging her and could smell a bit of musk mixed with perspiration on her rainbow-maned friend. Knowing full well that the cyan mare would not let an opportunity to tease her such as this pass. Twilight seized the opportunity Time to suffer Dashie she thought to herself.
        “Oh my Celestia, is that a hickey?” Twilight announced with a smirk in an over dramatic falsetto that would do Rarity proud. Rainbow’s eyes bugged and suddenly shy, she threw a hoof over her neck to cover Fluttershy’s mark.
        “Ha-he- no- I- where would I get a hickey?” Rainbow bluffed. Twilight made a show of sniffing the air. 
“Huh? I smell sweat, lilies and is that estrus?” Twilight asked innocently. And Rainbow’s face burned an intense crimson. 
“Okay, fine. Fluttershy was in heat. She practically raped me. It was awesome! I have wanted her for so long. I had given up hope but she wanted me too. And you know how she can be about possible confrontation. So she waited till she was overcome by her heat and let her body go.”
“OH my gosh, we could call you guys RainbowShy.” She shook her head. “No, not the right feel to it, how about FlutterDash?”  Twilight was giggling like a school filly now.
“You know. I’m so glad I can come to you and have grown-up conversations, Twilight.” 
“Fluttershy and Rainbow sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G.” Sing songed Twilight laughing at the end of her verse.
“Whatever.” Laughed Rainbow. “And for your information it was on a cloud, not in a tree.” Rainbow then blew a raspberry at the lavender alicorn.
 “Either way, I just had to tell someone. Hey, wanna go for a fly to stretch our wing? I’m still jazzed up.” 
“Okay, but you better hope Fluttershy isn’t the jealous type. Taking another mare out for a night-time fly and all might make some marefreinds jealous.” Twilight teased.
The front door of the castle had just closed behind the two mares as Twilight was telling Dash about her visitor and new house guest. 
“I can’t believe she tried to kill herself. I still don’t trust her but if she’s that bad off she needs help.” Dash said seriously. Twilight nodded in response and stretched her wings. And one powerful stroke lifted in the air with Dash right behind her. They flew high into Luna’s night dipping, diving, and even doing a few barrel rolls.
 When Twilight had first gotten her wings, she was apprehensive of flying. She was afraid that at any moment her wings would fail and she would plummet to her death. But with practice, she became more reliant on them and came to enjoy flying immensely. The unparalleled freedom that it offered was unlike anything she had ever experienced before.That freedom had recently given Twilight insight into her friend Rainbow Dash’s obsession with flight. At the pinnacle of their flight, the two mares were silhouetted in front of the moon as they took in the night. Luna’s night was amazing. It was a deep shade of blue that was painted with constellations of stars. The pale moon rising higher and higher in its trek across the night, the cool gentle breeze that came out of the east, bringing the scent of damp earth and moon flowers with it. 
Twilight couldn't imagine how anypony would want to escape pain so badly, that they never want to see another day or night again. The lavender mare rolled onto her back and tucked her wings back going into a free fall.  As the night air raced past her face and wind increasingly swept at her mane, she tried to feel what Trixie had felt when she jumped off the dam. The wind stung Twilight’s eyes and made tears run up her cheeks but still she continued gaining speed. She changed her wings position and adjusted her pinions so that she went into a spiral. The ground was approaching rapidly. She was almost to the tree tops and still she felt only a twinge of fear laced with excitement. She pulled out of her dive at the last possible second, her hooves just dragging along ground, as she leveled off and rose back into the sky. Panting and trying to reconcile her free fall with Trixie’s.  
“Whoa Twilight! Awesome dive! I liked the spiral you put in there.” Dash cheered her friend on.
“Not bad for an egg head huh?” Panted Twilight.
“Yeah, not bad for an egg head.” Laughed Rainbow. 
Rainbow looked up at the moon “Oh horseapples. I gotta fly. I promised Shy a late supper at my place. Later Twilight.” And just like that she was gone.
“Good for her.” Twilight said to nopony in particular as she hovered watching her friend speed off.
“Indeed.” Came a familiar voice from behind Twilight.
“AAAHHHH!!” Twilight screamed and instinctively teleported twenty feet away charging her horn with power for an attack. As her eyes focused after her teleport she saw a massive white alicorn with a flowing multicolored mane, and she was laughing.
“Princess Celestia!” Twilight bowed her head and dropped the spell she was powering up. 
“Twilight, I’ve told you before you are a Princess now too. No need for such formality.” Came the melodic response from the leader of Equestria.
“Sorry Princess.” Twilight responded meekly. 
Celestia just shook her head choosing continue. “I got your letter and wanted to talk to Trixie and you. This is a very serious situation. A pony so depressed as to try and end their own life is a very fragile creature. They may lash out or even attempt suicide again.” Celestia said grimly and Twilight solemnly nodded in agreement.
“Yeah I saw the lash out already but she seemed fine when I left her at the castle.”
“I sincerely hope so, I hope that the friendship you can provide will be enough for her to want to live. Because that’s what it comes to, you may prevent a pony from dying but you can’t make them live.”
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The hot water felt fantastic, and the luxurious soap made Trixie’s coat feel devine. Trixie had been soaking in the tub for quite sometime now and was feeling supremely relaxed. A flicker of light from one of the candles shone a glint of metal on the vanity across the room. Trixie wrapped the metal object in a levitation field, lifting it to see what it was. A pair of scissors about a hoof width in length. She brought them closer to her. ‘This wouldn't be a bad way to go,’ she thought twirling the scissors in her magical field. ‘I could just cut the artery along my fetlock. I’ve heard bleeding out is like going to sleep.’ She eyed the scissors dancing in front of her. ‘Much better than jumping off a dam.’ She brought the tip of the blade to the skin of her right fetlock pressing the tip against the flesh drawing a drop of blood from her skin. She hesitated staring at the drop of blood making its way down her fetlock toward her hoof. What about Twilight? She took me in and gave me another chance. Here I am about to buck it up again. Trixie started crying, the emotions of the day overwhelming her. Forgotten, the silver-bladed scissors tumbled from Trixie’s magic and clattered to the floor. Trixie sat in the opulent bathtub crying until the water got cold forcing to get out and dry off.
Feeling a grumble in her stomach, Trixie ventured out into the castle after her bath in an attempt to find the kitchen. After some wandering and another billiards room, as she was almost sure that it was not the same one Twilight and her found earlier. She found some lights on and voices from the next room. Trixie recognized Twilight’s, but the other voice was familiar but Trixie could not place it. Trixie debated weather to head back to her room but the grumbling in her stomach pushed her into the kitchen. It had been hours since she had last ate and weeks since her last true meal. She opened the kitchen door and stepped in from the hallway freezing halfway into the room.  Twilight was giggling and sharing tea and sandwiches with Princess Celestia of all ponies. Both princess looked up at the intruder, and Trixie bowed down.  
“Your highness. I’m sorry to interrupt. I didn’t know you were in here. I’ll take my leave.”Trixie said as respectfully as she could.
“Yes, as you should. How dare you interrupt a royal meeting?” Came Celestia’s voice with an edge hard as steel. 
Trixie whimpered and started backing out the door without standing up
“Princess you’re terrible.” Laughed Twilight. “Trixie please come in here and ignore Princess Celestia. She has a wicked sense of humor.” 
Trixie chanced a glance at Celestia and saw a wry smile on her muzzle as she stuck her tongue out at Twilight.  Twilight, sensing her hesitation, floated a daisy and daffodil sandwich in front of the blue mare.
“I made sandwiches.” She offered temptingly. “Come have some tea with us.” Twilight floated the sandwich over and set the plate down on the table that the princesses shared. Timidly Trixie rose and sat at the table with the princesses and quietly began to eat the offered sandwich. An uncomfortable silence had settled over the table. As Trixie ate, she noticed a bit of a blush on both of the alicorn’s faces. She groaned internally, assuming she must have interrupted an interesting discussion for both them to be blushing. Twilight poured Trixie a cup of tea and set it in front of her. Trixie gingerly picked up the tea cup and took a large gulp while keeping an eye on the still smiling Celestia. The fiery liquid hit her tongue and throat, burning all the way to her stomach Trixie choked and broke into a coughing fit. Both princesses broke into a fit of laughter. Trixie’s eyes watered as she tried to get coughing under control. A pleasant aftertaste of smoky oak, vanilla, and apples hung on her tongue. 
“That’s not tea! That’s apple whiskey!” Trixie announced pointing accusingly at the tea pot. 
“Not just any apple whiskey. That’s the Apple family’s finest.” Giggled Twilight.
“Eeyup.” Celestia said in her best imitation of Big McIntosh’s trademark monotone response.
Twilight let out another fit of giggles at the princess’ imitation. 
        “It wouldn't be proper for princesses to be sitting around drinking whisky and gossiping.” Laughed Celestia good-naturedly. 
“Yes, most uncouth.” Twilight  said primly sipping her tea and promptly breaking into another fit of giggles.  
Well that explains the blushes, Trixie thought to herself. She started to take another sip of the whiskey, when Twilight’s giggle fit was interrupted by a  massive snort. Everything was silent for about three heartbeats as Twilight covered her muzzle with her forehooves. Then Princess Celestia burst into her own fit of laughter. Celestia was laughing so hard, she literally fell out of her chair.
        “Trixie, you have to be quiet and not say anything.” Twilight whispered conspiratorially as her horn glowed with a lavender aura. Trixie looked around to see what Twi was doing, but couldn't figure out what she was working her magic on. Trixie looked back to Twilight with a questioning look on her face, but the lavender alicorn just made a shush gesture with a hoof and nodded toward the seat that Celestia was crawling back into. It took Trixie a few seconds to process what she was seeing. There, on the regal alicorn’s face, was a thick black handlebar mustache. Trixie had to stuff some sandwich in her mouth to keep from exploding with laughter. Twilight had her best poker face on and was taking another sip of tea. Celestia wiped tears from her eyes, seeming not to notice her new facial hair. She took a sip of her tea as well, for her part Trixie was intently focusing on her sandwich but chanced a glance at Celestia who smiled and winked at her. Trixie looked back to Twilight just as she was setting her teacup down revealing her own new foo man choo. Trixie took another gulp of apple whisky feeling the burn run down her throat and then spread warmth through her entire body up to the tips of her ears. ‘Holy crap. What have I got myself into?’ Trixie thought to herself 
        
        “Does the Empire of, of Friendship surrender the might of Canterlot?” Celestia asked tauntingly and only slightly slurred. 
        “Nev...hic..ER!” Announced Twilight draining her tea cup and setting it on the table upside down with a thump 
“Yep, I’m going to puke.” The words had no sooner left Twilight’s mouth as they were immediately followed by heaving and semi digested daisy and daffodil sandwich. In an amazing show of magical skill, Twilight caught all the vomit in a telekinetic field and, in a flash, teleported it away. Both Trixie’s and Princess Celestia’s jaws dropped in astonishment. Still looking a bit green around the muzzle Twilight leaned forward on the table to help her stay upright.
        “The Empire of Friendship acquiesces the, the demands of Canterlot and will bring nachos to the upcoming Nightmare Night celebration in Canterlot. And we offer a bottle of apple whiskey as reparation for besmirching Canterlot’s good name.”
“Wohoo! Victory is Mine!” Princess Celestia threw her hooves in the air in triumph. 
“Alright, a mighty battle indeed Princesses. But I think it’s time for the Empire of Friendship to hit the hay.” Trixie said standing and helping Twilight to her hooves. Trixie and Celestia half walked and half carried the inebriated lavender alicorn to her bedroom. Trixie had one of Twilight’s forehooves over her neck as she was trying to get Twilight into bed when the librarian princess leaned her muzzle close to Trixie’s ear. 
        “You smell like lavender, I love lavender. Nom.” And with that Twilight bit Trixie’s ear. Trixie froze as shiver ran up her spine. She blushed deeply and became almost instantly aroused. Letting go of Trixie, a giggling Twilight fell back on to the bed. She looked up giving Trixie her best come hither look and patted the bed next herself. 
        “C’mere.” Twilight slurred. 
        “As much as I would love to, I’m sorry, Twi honey. You're drunk and I just wouldn't feel right. If you still feel this way when you wake maybe we can give it a try but not until your head is clear.”  By the time Trixie had finished speaking Twilight was snoring. Trixie floated her covers up leaned in giving Twilight a small peck of a kiss on her forehead. 
         As Trixie emerged from Twilight’s darkened bedroom, she met Princess Celestia in the hallway. The princess had a severe look on her face and all previous signs of inebriation were absent. 
        “Trixie, we need to speak.” The tone of the princess’s voice brokered no argument. Fortunately, it was easier to take the regal white alicorn seriously without her mustache.
        “Yes your majesty.” Trixie bowed her head a bit. 
In a flash, they were in Twilight’s library. Trixie “Eeped” as she was not expecting the teleport. Celestia settled on a pillow in front of the fireplace and indicated for Trixie to take the pillow opposite her. Trixie nervously settled on the indicated pillow, a host of things running through her mind. 
        “Trixie, I’ve heard of you; your stage act was quite popular there for a while.  I always meant to come and see it, but alas I never did get the opportunity.”
“Thank you your highness, you’re too kind. If I may how are you not drunk?”
“Oh my Little pony. I’m well over a thousand years old. It takes more than a bit of apple whiskey to get me tipsy. But it is fun to let my mane down for a bit, so to speak, and please, this is an informal conversation it’s just Celestia.”
“Umm, okay. Celestia, what did you want to talk to me about?” Trixie asked nervously. 
“As I have said, I have heard of you, from your act. And from your past transgressions here in Ponyville.” The single word transgressions hung in the air like an executioner's axe waiting to fall. “And I wanted to meet and talk with you, get to know you, and not your reputation.” 
“Oh, you’ve heard about that?” Trixie looked deflated, sighed, and continued. “I’m genuinely sorry, princess. I let some personal issues cloud my judgement.” 
“Indeed.” 
“I’ll leave the castle with the rising of the sun. I swear to never be a bother to the land of Equestria again, just don’t punish Twilight. She was just trying to help a pony in need.” 
“But my little pony, where would you go? And why would you leave?”
“Because I’m not worthy of Twilight’s or anypony else’s help. I don’t know, away maybe Griffen Stone or Saddle Arabia.”
“Why do you think that you are not worth helping?” Celestia asked genuinely concerned.
“Have you seen the pain I wrought on ponies? For Celestia’s sake…” Trixie cringed but Celestia just smiled and gestured to continue. “I made two little colts drag me around while I whipped them. What’s redeemable about that?” Trixie looked down and sniffed. “The worst thing I’ve done though.” Trixie held out her forehoof and showed the Princess a small red wound. “After Twilight went to the trouble of trying to help me, I almost threw it all away. I-I just I don’t even know why.” Trixie just sat there looking ashamed, her bottom lip quivering, as she tried to  fight back tears.   
“I see. Did you know that as Nightmare Moon, my sister plunged Equestria into a winter that froze not only crops, but ponies alike. Close to two dozen perished during our conflict before I banished her to the moon. I still remember each of their names. But she is now reformed and a beloved princess.”
“A-Ahh no I didn’t know that.” Stumbled the defeated blue mare.
“And Discord how much suffering has he caused? He is now reformed...ish.” Celestia waved a hoof dismissively. ”But my point is Trixie everypony is worth helping. All life is precious Trixie including yours. You are not a wicked pony and you deserve another chance.” 
“Thank you Princess.” Trixie was crying now. “But I don’t know if I can do this. I have been so angry, so bitter, so lonely for so long. I’ve felt empty for years now. But I laughed today with Twilight, a genuine laugh for the first time in… well a very long while. So I will try princess, maybe I can be a better pony.” Trixie looked up attempting to muster a smile.
“Good. I think Twilight has a plan to help get you back on track. Both of you have my full support, if you need anything just have Spike send me a letter. Now, I must go. My sister’s night grows short and I must be up with the rising sun.”
Celestia stood as did Trixie the massive alicorn wrapped her regal wings around the blue mare and pulled her close for a hug. Trixie couldn’t help but notice that she smelled of summer and sunlight. 
“I also believe Twilight might have a bit of a crush on you. She has mentioned you many times in her letters. And she focused more on a physical description than she does with most.” The princess whispered. 
Trixie reddened again as Celestia giggled and disappeared in a flash of teleportation magic.  ‘A crush on me?’ A thoughtful Trixie repeated and sat back on her haunches.