//------------------------------// // Fourteen: Sweater Weather // Story: Celestia's New Student // by Art Inspired //------------------------------// Trixie laid on the side of her bed on her back, her upper torso suspended by a chair. Moon Dancer hung from the ceiling mini-chandelier offering suggestions for the show, and Trixie always took them to heart. They’d been at this for about an hour or so, and though Trixie wasn’t exactly getting tired, she was just concerned with her mentor. “And then, when they’re all in my clutches... I’ll eat a peach! Mwahahaha!” Trixie gave a sarcastic gasp. “That’s terrible!” Then she started to laugh lightly. “I think we’ve got the show basically figured out. Say, Moon Dancer?” “Yus?” While she yawned, Trixie said, “Trixie is getting tired, and it has gotten late…” “Yes ma’am!” Just like she had done way over in Kiyak, Moon Dancer leaped down and landed on all four hooves quite gracefully. She then flew up to stop the creaking she caused with Trixie's roof piece, and after that was taken care of, she quickly flew down to the door. “If you need anything, I’ll be right outside keeping watch.” Right after saying that, she left Trixie in peace. For a moment, the showmare listened at the echoing of her door being closed. The silence that followed lingered for a good minute or two, but eventually, Trixie got out of her bed to go freshen up Dingo’s water and food bowl. “Dingo,” she called quietly to the motionless lump under her blanket. It twitched, and then slithered to the edge of the bed only to fall right off the mattress. Out came Dingo from the sleeves, panting in a way that made him look as if he were giving his master a great, big grin. Once his meal was prepared, Trixie said, “Here you go boy.” She soon returned to her bed to rest up. Meanwhile, Moon Dancer stood outside the room, her side satchel unzipped, and a pair of clawed weapons being checked upon. “I’m glad I didn’t need to use these over in Kiyak.” She zipped it back up, and looked out at the city beyond the white pillars, and at the setting sun. She considered returning to her quarters later on in the covers of evening to take care of a few things, and was just about to return to her post when a large shadow overtook her. Out from seemingly nowhere, a sweet voice asked the lone mare, “Where’s Druid Shield?” Moon Dancer turned around to see Princess Celestia suddenly towering over her. Now, if there was one thing Moon Dancer wasn’t used to, it was dealing with Luna’s very own sister. So, being caught like this, with her back turned the way it was while she meant to be on duty, she gulped. “Y-your highness… Ehh, what a surprise! Well, Trixie… That is, you see, Luna, err…” Princess Celestia frowned at the pony below her who was now starting to bite the nails of her hooves. Bowing respectfully, she backed away. With her eyes closed, Princess Celestia said, “Sorry, I didn’t realize I was cornering you.” This made Moon Dancer step more into the hall, and less on top of her bag. She then managed to say with some thinking space, “Umm, t-thank you, your highness. Now, where was I… That’s right. Trixie and I decided it would be best if I became her guard pony instead of Druid Shield. We already talked to Princess Luna and got her approval.” Celestia smiled, and said, “Then it is so. Seeing as how you’re Trixie’s guard pony, may I please enter her quarters?” The request alone made Moon Dancer’s face flush. “Ahh haha, very funny, your highness! You don’t need my permission. You’re the princess! Her mentor…” She stared at the serious facial expression Celestia kept brilliantly. “I’m quite serious, and I hadn't gotten the chance to explain the job the way I did with Druid Shield. Your responsibilities are easy to understand. You are Trixie’s sword. You are Trixie’s shield. Guard her as best you can at all times, especially when she’s not safely within her quarters unless explicitly dismissed by either me or her. Other than that, while she’s in her room, you are responsible for whoever else enters.” The batpony blinked a few times. “Alright…” “So, I simply must ask for your permission to enter. You’re not to allow anypony to enter without your permission to do so.” “Then, in that case, you may enter! Of course!” Celestia walked up to the door, but before proceeding, she looked back at Moon Dancer. “Before I leave you, where has Druid Shield gone?” “Oh, right. He’s on gate duty.” The princess’s face soon became concerning. “Moon Dancer, I assigned him to Trixie because of his magical prowess, I hope you realize." Moon Dancer's eyes darkened, and her frown returned. "Uhh..." "There’s certain quests Trixie is bound to embark upon that will require his assistance. He’s pretty much as powerful as Princess Twilight's own brother, Shining Armor, and that’s why I requested him special. He’s supposed to be under Luna’s command.” Moon Dancer’s eyebrows raised. “You care about Trixie that much?” Princess Celestia nodded. “I felt it necessary with Twilight Sparkle, and I feel the same way about Trixie. Just, this time around, I have my sister to help, and you batponies, too. Thank you.” Moon Dancer smiled, and replied, “Thank you, too. Although, you know why he can’t be Trixie’s guard, right?” “I think it’s only fair to inform you,” Celestia said while looking away. “That... he’ll be escorting Trixie on further missions.” Moon Dancer blinked while looking around before asking, “Why?” “The only reason you were the escort last time around was because you’d already been there, and somewhat knew the territory. Druid Shield…” She looked back. “He was actually supposed to go along with the you two of you, but Discord assured me that if he didn’t show up with my student within that ballroom, it wouldn’t bring you two any harm.” Moon Dancer shook her head, and voiced, “No… He’s my Special Somepony, Princess! Look, I can protect Trixie. I don’t want Trixie getting attached to Druid Shield. Alright?” Moon Dancer requested this with a pained expression. “He has a small crush on Trixie, I think… I wanna doubt.” A hoof rose to her highness’s lips. “Oh, I didn’t know… That’s why Luna shied away from selecting him for gate duty. I needed him, though. After seeing how much more strength the unicorn races of the batpony species can contain, I… Why didn’t she tell me he had special ties to the upper towers of Canterlot?” Moon Dancer confessed her thoughts. “She probably didn’t feel it right. Neither would’ve Druid, for that matter. He’s always followed orders as best he could, even when it means possibly letting down a friend...” The alicorn gazed downward in Moon Dancer’s direction. “That’s how you two came to be, then.” Moon Dancer nodded, her eyes fixed on the tall mare before her. “Yes, ma’am.” They stayed in the quiet for a long time, Celestia pondering. Then, finally, she suggested the perfect solution. “Why don’t all three of you go?” “Huh?” Celestia smiled quite knowledgeably. “That way, you’ll be there to divert Druid Shield’s attention from Trixie, and he can still do his job of protecting his party. I think making a rule for this is the only way to ensure everypony remains happy, don’t you?” She smile wider, and laughed. “I… guess that’ll work!” With the hoof of her highness touching the doorknob, the excited batpony stopped her slight screeches of enjoyment, and turned to assume position. She stood motionless by the door, and Princess Celestia entered gracefully, closing and locking the door behind her. Inside, Trixie sat at her bed with a book that rested on a pillow perfectly. It faced her, and she seemed so involved, the princess might’ve guessed she hadn’t noticed her presence, but the way her ear moved told Celestia her pupil knew of her presence. “Studying at this time of night? If I stay up much longer, I’m afraid I’ll fall asleep in the halls.” Trixie didn't look away from her book, and instead kept reading on seemingly completely fascinated by her studies. “Trixie knows it’s late, but now that she can do her fog spell so easily, Trixie is more eager to plan for her next upcoming performance than ever!” “Yes, about that.” Celestia came to sit in front of her student, and said, “Your next assignment, actually, will take place beginning week after next." "Why then?" Trixie asked. "Because of the Gala, remember?" "Oh," Trixie giggled, almost forgetting. "Now, for the assignment, what I expect from you is this: Choose a performance stage. Ticketing will be free, and word will sweep Canterlot of the random choice you shall make when the time comes.” “Ah, so when Trixie starts, there might be a grand crowd already there?”  “There will, and I expect your next show to be unique, too.” Trixie’s toothy smile soon turned to an expression of cunning. “I don’t expect myself to be quite impressed, but I at least hope to see the crowd react accordingly.” “Trixie can do this. Now, which stage would Trixie like to occupy?” She started getting out of bed, and walking towards the balcony, but gasped as she stopped. Princess Celestia had turned to start headed for the mirror, but hearing her student helped divert her attention. “What is it?” she asked. “It’s snowing!” Just out the window, one could see the beginnings of falling specks. At first glance, one would think it ash, but upon further examination, turns out to be those crisp flakes that freezes some of the land at the end of each year. “Why, yes, I believe it’s just about that time,” Celestia said. "Which is why we need to go ahead and hurry along with the Grand Galloping Gala before the weather really picks up." Before leaving Trixie to her own devices, Celestia held Trixie tight. "Celestia?" “I really must be on my way... But, before I go, you'll be wanting to meet me in the morning at the usual ballroom. It's about what you'll be wearing for the upcoming event." “Okay, Trixie can't wait!" Princess Celestia let go, and made her way for the exit. "Enjoy your evening, my new student,” Celestia soothingly whispered, but loud enough to be heard of course. Before Trixie closed the door to her balcony behind her, Trixie on the outside, a book magically lofted through the crack, and it closed along with the door leading to the halls close by, too. The following day would unfortunately not be met with chilling snow, but rather the same, bright sun above head, and the heat that came with it. Luckily for most in Equestria, it wasn't so bad thanks to the wind that was now blowing throughout the lands. Trixie's first action that day was to shower, freshen up, and unwillingly leave behind her cape and hat. Today, for the dressing, these things simply wouldn't be needed.