Chapter 5
Trixie awoke with a warm weight resting on her chest. Slowly she recognized the rhythmic movement of another pony breathing beside her. She opened her eyes and saw the librarian princess cuddled up next to her, sleeping peacefully with her head resting on Trixie’s chest. Trixie smiled down at the lavender alicorn and cursed the goddesses for bringing morning so quickly. The barest hints of dawn were slipping through the windows. Trixie using her magic to support the princess, she carefully slid out from under her, placing a few pillows in her stead. Trixie went to her bathroom to get ready for her day of work at the apple farm. Looking back at the sleeping princess, she sighed, wishing she could have slept there cuddled up for the whole day. She shook her head and stepped into the bathroom.
“A nice shower will help wake me up.” she thought to herself. She turned the water on to let it warm up, while brushing her teeth. After a few moments of brushing and a quick swish of minty green mouthwash, she stepped into the shower stall, letting the steaming hot water run over her body and mane. She held her head under the spray thinking on last night, how kind and gentle Twilight had been.
”I will have to think of a way to repay…..ahhhh!” Trixie’s thoughts were cut off as the hot water was cut off and was replaced with a frigid torrent. Trixie screamed and jumped back out of the shower stall, frantically trying to readjust the water’s temperature with her magic. Twilight laughed at the sight. Trixie’s normally silky and voluminous mane, dangled limply around her face, dripping water on the floor.
“Morning Trixie.” Twilight sing-songed.
“You! You will pay for that.” Trixie threatened pointing a hoof menacingly at Twilight.
Twilight closed the gap between them and whispered in her best sultry voice ”Maybe you should spank me.”
Trixie blushed, her brain was unable to form an adequate response to the normally quiet librarian's forwardness. Twilight leaned in and lightly kissed Trixie’s cheek.
“Or I could go make us some coffee.” Twilight smiled.
“C-coffee is good.” Trixie finally managed
“Finish your shower and I’ll make coffee then.” Twilight said, waving a hoof to the shower stall.
Trixie grumbled something that sounded like “this isn’t over,” and stepped back into her shower stall. As Twilight turned to walk out of the bathroom, a glint of silver on the floor by the bathtub caught her eye. A pair of scissors were laying on the floor. She picked them up in her magic with the intent of putting them back on the vanity. As the scissors floated up toward their home, Twilight stopped them mid path, noticing a small crimson stain on the lip of the ornate bathtub above where the scissors lay. Twilight’s heart sank as she floated the scissor to her for closer inspection. There at the sharpened tip was a matching small crimson stain. A quick flick of magic and the stain fluoresces bright green as did the stain on the tub. Mind racing, Twilight teleported to the kitchen bringing the scissors with her. Once Twilight arrived in the castle’s massive kitchen, she went through the motions of making coffee, holding the intricately engraved silver scissor in her telekinetic field, letting them rotate slowly as her mind churned. She knew in her gut that the crimson stains she had found were blood, but the small forensic spell removed any doubt. With the coffee set to steep Twilight sat down at the table staring into space as her mind wondered.
“She tried again? No she didn’t, at least not seriously. If she had, there would be more blood. She took a shower last night, no time for a bath, so it must have been the first night when I left her alone. She had time and means, so that tells me that even presented an almost ideal situation, she lacked motivation. She chose to live. I guess Celestia was right, she has to want to live. I can’t take away her pain or change her past, all I can do for her is be there for her and give her a reason to live.”
Twilight was pulled from her thoughts by the clip-clop of hooves on the crystal floor approaching. The scissors disappeared in a flash of magic as Trixie pushed the kitchen door open with her magic. Twilight put on her best, calm smile. A face and practice that she had learned from her royal mentor. Twilight had learned first hoof that Celestia was a ruthless poker player.
Trixie trotted on and sat across the table from Twilight, using her magic to pour a coffee for herself as Twilight just watched. She lifted the mug to her muzzle, and inhaled deeply, letting the dark earthy aroma fill her nose before taking a long sip. A look of pure bliss slipped over Trixie’s face as she relished in the bitter taste on her tongue, and the warm sensation as the drink made it’s way to her stomach. She sighed contentedly and set her mug down. Reaching out with her magic, she grabbed a loaf of bread.
“I’m going to make toast. Do you want some Twilight?” The alicorn took a sip of her coffee and shook her head. Trixie shrugged in response and placed two slices in the toaster and pushed the lever down. As the toaster did it’s work, Trixie returned her attention to the small table that held her coffee and a silent alicorn princess. Trixie picked up her coffee, took another sip, and set it down in front of her.
“Twilight, you have a terrible poker face. What’s bothering you?” As Trixie spoke, she unconsciously gestured with her forehooves, unknowingly allowing Twilight a glimpse of her fetlock and the small healing wound there. Twilight sighed heavily, allowing her head and shoulders to slump before looking back up to the azure mare before her.
“Trixie I don’t know what we are yet but I consider us, at least freinds, and maybe more.” Twilight smiled a small smile at Trixie who blushed slightly in return. “I’m not really sure how to handle this situation but I guess it’s best to do it quick, like ripping a band-aid off.”
Looking confused, Trixie started to ask what Twilight had meant when there was a flash of magic.
There, floating before her encased in a magenta aura, was a set of ornate silver scissors with a blood stain on the tip of the blades. Trixie said nothing but looked down at the floor, deeply ashamed.
“Trixie I’m not mad. I’m just concerned. I care about you and I don’t want you hurt. I can’t take away the pain that you've endured in your life, I wish I could. All I can do is be there for you and try to give you a reason to live.” Twilight gently lifted Trixie’s muzzle with a wing, forcing her to look her in the eye. Trixie was surprised to see wet trails that ran down Twilight’s face.
“Trixie, you are important to me. Promise me you won’t try anything like that again.” Twilight pleaded. Trixie just nodded with tears starting to trickle down her own cheeks. Twilight pulled Trixie off her seat into a tight wing hug which neither mare wanted to break. They sat there enjoying their closeness until Spike entered the Kitchen a few moments later.
“Bleh! What is it with chicks and hugging?” Sipke groused. A muffin propelled by magenta magic pelted the purple dragon between the eyes knocking him to his butt. Both mares started giggling at the “Oof Thump” noise that Spike made. Trixie took another sip of her coffee. Then panicked. The sun was starting to rise above the horizon. She finished the mug in a gulp scooped her toast up in her magic.
“Sorry, Twilight. I have to go. I was supposed to be at Sweet Apple Acres at “Sun up”.”
“Oh don’t worry, that’s just for breakfast.” Twilight waved a hoof dismissively.
“Breakfast? But-”
“Oh no, if you work, you eat. It’s an Apple family thing. Although Granny Smith’s fritters are to die for.” Tell you what. Why don’t I just teleport us over there?”
“Umm okay, I guess. If it’s not any trouble.”
“Apple breakfast? I’m in!” Spike said jumping onto Twilight’s back.
“But won’t it be rude just dropping in like this?” Trixie asked.
“Trixie, you don’t know this yet. So I’m going to tell you. Granny Smith cannot cook for fewer than a dozen ponies.” Spike said giving the azure unicorn a very convincing knife hand. When Trixie looked to Twilight for her opinion, Twilight shrugged and nodded. Mollified Trixie stepped close to the lavender alicorn who put a warm wing over her causing Trixie to shiver with anticipation. Then with a flash of magic they were standing on the front porch of the Apple Family's homestead.
The air was heavy with the delicious smells of baking pies, frying fritters, and apple pancakes. Twilight licked her lips and knocked on the door. The door opened and all three visitors were ushered in by a little red-haired ball of energy that was Applebloom. Spike had been right, the breakfast table was littered with massive quantities of every apple themed food that Trixie could imagine, and it was all delectable. Trixie was in awe at the amount of food Applejack and her family could eat. She stopped counting when Applejack finished her seventh hoof-sized fritter. Even the littlest Apple had easily eaten twice what Trixie had. As the breakfast wound down, Applejack started to dole out assignments. Big Mac was to pull the manure wagon over the fields that he had plowed the previous day and Trixie and Applebloom were to spread the manure. Applebloom retched, Trixie just nodded her head accepting the assignment with dignity, Applejack and Twilight were on dishes. With everyone heading out to work, and Granny Smith napping in her rocking chair, Spike patted his distended belly and waddled off with Big Mac to get a couple of whiskey bottles from the reserve before he hooked up to the wagon.
Once alone in the kitchen, Applejack started washing dishes and Twilight fell into rhythm drying and putting them away.
“Alright, spill it missy.” Applejack said turning to her friend. “What’s with The Great and Defeated Trixie out there. Why is she doing community service, an’ why is she staying your place?”
Twilight grimaced and flattened her ears “She’s homeless, a mob burned her wagon and she’s been run out almost every town she’s been to since.”
“Now I’ll be the first to say I didn’t cotton to the old Trixie, but that’s no call to burn her home.” Applejack said
“She said that they were upset about her attacking me.” Twilight said, shelving another plate. “But the worst part is now she’s very depressed and tried to kill herself.”
“She what now?” Applejack asked shocked.
“Apparently Trixie has had a rough life. She was orphaned at a young age and bullied in school. That’s why she became ‘The Great And Powerful’ Trixie. That persona gave her some control and confidence. Where Trixie was too weak to stand up to bullies, The Great and Powerful Trixie could. She was Powerful in the only way that she knew how, the way she learned from bullies first hoof.” Applejack had stopped and was watching Twilight talk now “She tried to kill herself in front of me Applejack.” Twilight said looking down at her hooves gathering her thoughts.
“I don’t see how community service helps her but she's welcome on the farm.”
“Thank you and her community service is part of my plan to get her back on her hooves. I've drafted a press release, actually it should be in the paper today, that explains Trixie is in my custody and is doing community service to repay for her crimes against the crown. Hopefully, ponies see this a fitting punishment, I mean she was annoying but it’s not like she killed anypony.”
“He- Yeah she was a bit full of herself weren't she.” Applejack chuckled dismissing the subject.
“Thanks again Applejack.” Twilight closed the gap between them and hugged the orange mare. About that time, Spike returned to the farmhouse carrying two glass bottles filled with an amber liquid.
“OH! Got yourself the good stuff there.” Applejack said prideful of her family's wears. “Since when did ya become such a drinker ta need two bottles?” Applejack asked her friend.
“I owe Celestia a bottle and the one you gave me as a castle-warming present is empty.” Twilight said abashedly.
“How in the hay do you owe the Princess of all Equestria a bottle of ma whiskey?” Applejack asked her interest genuinely piqued.
“mundmgf gmrtn” Twilight mumbled looking down and away.
“Say what now?”
“She drank Twilight under the table is how.” Spike said laughing as he traded the bottles for another fritter.
“You're kidding me?” Applejack laughed turning to the little dragon.
Twilight blushed deeply at her behavior, drinking and carrying on was so uncouth, so unprincess like.
“Nope, they split the bottle the other night.” Spike said around a mouth full of fritter.
“Twilight.”Applejack said in a chiding tone making Twilight’s ears lay down “You were drinking with Princess Celestia?” Twilight nodded. “And ya didn’t invite me?” Applejack chuckled at her joke.
“Umm sorry.” Twilight tried.
“You tell ole Sun Butt that next time if she wants a challenge, I’m her mare.”
“Wait. You- Sun Butt-no.” Twilight sputtered and finally ended up with “I’m a challange.”
“Twi hon. Applebloom could out drink you.” Applejack said placing a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder to soften the blow.
“She’s not even old enough to drink.” Twilight said indignantly knowing full well that things were different on a farm.
“No she ain't, but every time the Crusaders spend the night in that clubhouse of theirs, a bottle goes missing. I still ain't figured out how they’re getin a hold of it.” Applejack said staring directly at the small purple dragon
“I plead the fifth.” Spike said
“Wait. Spike ‘the Fifth’ means you are invoking your right to protection against self-incrimination.” Twilight said starting to lecture the small dragon
“Yeah I know. Bye!” And the little dragon was off running full tilt anywhere Twilight wasn’t.
“SPIKE!”
“Twilight it’s fine. They ain't hurting anypony and it ain't nothing me or Big mac didn’t pull when we were young.” Applejack said, laughing at the little dragon’s hasty retreat. Twilight shook her head making a mental note to talk to Spike about this later.
“Come on Twi, we got dishes to do.” Applejack said breaking Twilight’s concentration.
And with that the two mares settled back into the rhythm of washing dishes and putting them away.
___________________________________________________________________________
It was little before noon when a small flash of teleportation magic made Princess Celestia look up from her paperwork. There in the center of her massive desk sat a large hoof-blown bottle filled with an amber fluid, sealed with red wax and an apple-shaped monogram. A small scroll was tied to the bottle’s neck. Celestia reached out with her magic picking up the bottle plucking the scroll off the neck to read. As she unrolled the scroll she simultaneously peeled back the wax seal and pulled the cork.
Dear Princess Celestia,
The Empire of Friendship hereby makes reparations to the might of
Canterlot in the form of one bottle of apple whiskey.
Thanks for talking with me the other night, it helped me a lot. I know
that I’m a princess now too but I still value your guidance and
advice above all others.
Sincerely yours,
Twilight Sparkle
P.S. Applejack said, and I quote, “Tell ole Sun Butt that next time if
she wants a challenge, I’m her mare.”
“Oh did she now?” Celestia mused to herself. “That could be an interesting evening.” Princess Celestia rang a bell with her magic and a butler appeared almost instantly.
“Two rocks glasses and some ice please.” The princess said bringing the bottle to her muzzle taking a deep sniff of it’s contents. The sweet smell of green apples was heavy with a background hint of oak and vanilla covering the pang of alcohol. The butler returned setting a silver tray down on her desk and was dismissed with a wave of her hoof.
“Oh captain.” Celestia called out. The door to her office opened and in stepped a heavily-armored pegasus He was muscular and grizzled. His left eye was gone long ago scratched out by a manticore.
“Yes your Highness?” He said as he stepped in.
“Captian, this bottle just appeared on my desk, the note claims it is from Twilight Sparkle. But it could be from anypony.” Celestia said placing two ice cubes in each glass and pouring a measure of whiskey in both.
“Your majesty, with all the warding in place around this room, I doubt that any pony but Princess Twilight could get anything in here.” He said confidently.
“True but perhaps you should taste it to make sure it's not been poisoned.” Celestia said floating a glass to him and smiling.
“Perhaps I should.” He said, smiling back while accepting the glass. He sniffed the glass and took a sip letting the pang of alcohol fade and the aroma of apples hit his nostrils before swallowing. He let out a contented sigh.
“I think your majesty this bottle might be poisoned. I should take it and get it checked.” he said smiling as he sat down in the chair across the desk from her.
“Oh Timber, you’ll not get your hooves on my bottle so easily.” Celestia snorted taking a sip from her own glass. “So how is your wife? Is she still upset about your eye? I mean I think the scar makes you look quite dashing in a roguish fashion.”
“No your majesty. It’s been ten years since I saved her from that manticore. We have two fillies now. And I think my scar does make me look dashing as well.” The captain said lifting his glass, the princess matching his toast. He smiled tipping his glass back for another sip.