//------------------------------// // Coming Home // Story: The Cold Streets of Baltimare // by DemonBrightSpirit //------------------------------// As much as I loathed that drab thing Trixie wore, some part of me—a very small part—longed for my own cloak. After all, it was beyond mortifying trudging through Ponyville with a ruined coiffure and with my makeup long gone. Even my fake eyelashes had been lost on the arduous journey home. If there was any solace to be had at all, it was that the boutique was strategically placed near the train station, so I didn't have to go far to get home. I couldn’t wait to fling the door open and step inside. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to be home!” Trixie came in behind me, shutting the door behind her with a sweep of magic. “Good for you. Now, about my bits…” I took pause, taking a moment to ponder how to tread this veritable minefield. It’s not like I didn’t have the bits or wasn’t going to keep up my end of the bargain, but I closed up shop before going to Baltimare. I didn’t have a single bit in the boutique. Of course, any reasonable pony would understand that, right? “About that... you see, I just need—” “Hey, you promised to repay me! Enough bits to get back to Baltimare plus enough to get me across the ocean.” Trixie stomped up to me, poking a hoof in my chest. “Don’t think that I’ll let you weasel out of it!” Swatting the hood away, I set a hard stare on Trixie. “If you would be so kind as to allow me to finish,” I said, my voice devoid of sugar. I brushed a hoof across my coat where she had so rudely invaded my personal space. “What bits I didn’t take with me to Baltimare, I deposited into the bank. I will repay you, I just need to go to the bank first. And you are out of your pretty little head if you think I’m going to go out looking like this!” I could practically hear Trixie’s teeth grinding as her jaw slid back and forth. Suddenly feeling the need to clear the air, I sighed. My magic wrapped around that hideous cloak as I pulled it off her. “Now,” I said before she could protest, “here is what we are going to do. First, this is going in the trash.” Not willing to allow it to stay under my roof, I opened my door and dumped the rags into the garbage can before setting the can by the curb. “Next, you are going to make yourself at home while I go take a bath and freshen up. Then, while I go out to the bank, you can get a bath of your own.” Grabbing parchment and a quill from a nearby shelf, I set them down on my work table. “While you wait, why don’t you make a list of anything you would like for me to pick up while I’m out.” Trixie stomped a hoof. “Just how long are you expecting me to stay?” “Listen, darling, I’m going to sew you a new cloak. While something like that won’t take too long, I’m afraid you will be staying here for the night.” I just couldn’t help but to smile a bit. “Unless, of course, you’re prepared to face the public at large without a cloak?” Balking, Trixie stepped back. “Like hay I’m staying!” She rushed over to the door and flung it open, only to slam it shut in the very next instant. “Easy!” I scolded. “The garbage pony is here. She took my cloak!” Ducking under the window, she peeked over the sill out at the street. How serendipitous. Now she would have to stay, giving me the chance to get it through that thick skull of hers that there was a place in Equestria for her. Of course, seeing that for herself would be even better, should she muster the courage. “They don’t bite, you know. Why don’t you try to go out and make some friends?” I put a hoof to muzzle, clearing my throat. “After you’ve had a bath, of course.” Turning back towards me, Trixie sent me a venomous glare. “This isn’t a game! Do you have any idea what happened the last time somepony recognized me?” I didn’t back down. “No, I cannot say that I do. However, I do have a very good idea of what would happen if you were to be recognized here. The ponies may demand an apology, but I can assure you with absolute certainty that they would never do something unseemly.” “Hmph.” She forcibly turned her head away. “And I am supposed to just believe you?” That was it. I stomped over, taking her chin in my hoof and turning her head to face me. “That is quite enough of this dire attitude. I won’t have it.” I felt her jaw muscles tense up as she met my stare, defiant as ever. “I have been nothing but kind and honest with you. The least you can do is try to appreciate what I’m doing for you instead of constantly questioning my intentions.” Swatting my hoof away, Trixie walked by me. She didn’t say anything, she just sat there in the middle of the floor. Her ears fell flat against her skull as she hung her head. “Whatever.” Breathing deep, I let out a long sigh. I wouldn’t make any friends this way. My eye caught my work desk and I realized that I should play to my strengths. As much as I needed a nice, long, warm, luxurious… as much as I need a bath, it would simply have to wait. Walking by Trixie, I pulled a few sheets of fabric from the shelf and donned my red-rimmed work glasses. A pair of scissors, sewing needles, and a few appropriately-colored threads floated from my drawers and coalesced in front of me at my work station. Taking a look over my shoulder, I quickly ascertained that Trixie’s stature was that of a normal pony’s, if a tad on the waifish side. It may have been better to get her actual measurements, but with a cloak, an approximation could be permitted. It wasn’t difficult remembering the color of her cape and hat, though the patterns eluded my mind just a bit. They were celestial symbols of the night, right? I would simply have to make do. Oh! I could use some gemstones for the stars. That would really make it stand out. A glance over my shoulder revealed Trixie still moping there in the middle of my parlor. Doubts bubbled up as I turned back to the fabric. Trixie didn’t want to be noticed. A gorgeous, eye-catching design would be the last thing she wanted. A sad sigh, and I shook my head, casting away my brilliant ideas. This job called for a more subdued hoof. I couldn’t use her old design, either. I needed something new, restrained, yet still elegant. Violet would do for the base material. That much would have to be conserved. It just worked so well with her eyes. A silver trim could add some flair without being too bold. But that would still leave the bulk of the material woefully empty. What might reflect Trixie without drawing too much attention? I looked back at her again, and this time my eyes settled on her horn. Of course! Trixie’s signature spell was fireworks, just as loud and fiery as her personality. I could embroider a firework pattern centered on each shoulder, spraying trails of color across the back of the cloak. Oh, it would be perfect! I cleared my throat, making sure to get Trixie’s attention. “Darling, this may take a bit. Why don’t you go ahead and get a bath?” I pointed a hoof at the stairs. “You can find the bathroom up the stairs on the left. Second door.” Barely hearing Trixie’s hooves on my stairs, I pulled a mannequin close, rushing to complete the cloak before my brilliant vision slipped away. Stepping back, I observed the cloak draped over the mannequin. It. Was. Perfect! Oh, the greens and reds of the fireworks design streaking across the deep violet actually gave the presence of fireworks against a late evening sky. Trixie would be sure to love it. Speaking of my ornery guest, she’d been up there for quite some time. I perked my ears up, but failed to hear the familiar sound of running water. Surely she had enough time to bathe. Walking over to the base of the stairs, I called up, “Trixie? Is everything all right up there?” No response. Doubt and fear bubbled up, urging my hooves to the stairs. After reaching the second floor, I went straight to the bathroom. The door was shut, and the light inside shone from underneath. Stopping at the door, I raised a hoof and gave it a gentle rap. “Trixie?” Again, no response. My heart skipped a beat as I opened the door and stepped inside. There, I found Trixie, soaking in the water with her head leaned back over the lip of the tub. From her lips, she breathed a light snore. A petite groan escaped my lips as I facehoofed. “Trixie…” I muttered, dipping a hoof into the water. Just as I suspected, the water was barely tepid. She must’ve fallen asleep quite some time ago. Reaching out, I gently smacked her face. “Get up, sleepyhead.” Trixie lurched forward, sending water everywhere. I jumped back. “Easy!” “Wh-what? Where am I?” Trixie glanced about. “You’re in my bathtub,” I said, doing little to hide the exasperation in my tone. “Would it be too much of an imposition to ask that you finish up? I would very much like the opportunity to take a bath myself.” Trixie slunk beneath the water, leaving little more than her red cheeks and eyes staring up at me. Raising her head up just enough for her mouth to breach the surface, she spoke, “Do you mind?” I rolled my eyes. Strolling over to the door. “Just let me know when you’ve finished up.” After turning the handle, I spoke up, “You really shouldn’t fall asleep in the tub. It’s dangerous.” “Get out!” Sighing, I exited the bathroom and headed to the stairs. I couldn’t blame her too much. It happens to the best of ponies, especially after a hard day. And Trixie’s had far more than a single day of hardship. Maybe that was why she’s become so very angry and despondent. Though it would seem it will take more than a bath to turn that pony’s attitude around. Perhaps a nice, brand new cloak would put a smile on that muzzle.