Love is Like Obsidian

by TheCrimsonDM

The Middle of Nowhere

Stopping by in a the middle of nowhere was never fun. The stop wasn’t even Trixie’s idea, it was Maud’s. It wasn’t that Trixie was mad about the stop, but rather that she was worried about making it in time to her next show. So while she waited for her companion to collect rocks or whatever it was earth ponies did, Trixie went out into town. Ignoring the sour looks she received from a few of the village's residents she made her way to one of the local shops.

She found a small store, full of random knick knacks, and interesting things. Most of the stuff here wasn't interesting enough to buy, at least not when she only had her small wagon to keep things in. instead she had and idea of what she wanted, a little something special for Maud.

Trixie walked up to the stallion at the counter. “Excuse me, do you have any rocks? Gems, or precious ore?”

The stallion scratched his beard for a moment. “I do have something.” He leaned down under the table and picked up a wooden box that he set down on the table.

Trixie opened it up, and frowned. “So, this is it?” Trixie inquired, disappointment filled her voice.

“I’m sorry, miss, but that’s all I have left,” The stallion explained.

“How much?”

“Five bits.”

Trixie let out a disappointed sigh. Well it’s better than nothing I suppose. She’ll just have to suffer otherwise.

Carefully Trixie used her magic to levitate five shiny golden bits and placed them on the counter. Following that she closed the box and closed the latch. She picked up the wooden box with her magic and tucked it neatly into her saddlebag. Trixie gave one last look at the old store, and the various knick knacks that lined the shelves. This was a lovely little souvenir shop.

It was time to leave, after all she had a time frame to keep in mind. She quickly trotted out the door and left the little old shop behind. Only after the door closed and the Trixie was on her way did she consider the task at hoof. I have to make in a few hours. Ugh, why did we have to do this on hoof, couldn’t we just use the train like everypony else?

The little village wasn’t anything to really take in. Aside from the store, there were a few small houses, and an inn. Trixie had opted to stay in her wagon with her companion the night before though. After all why should she have to pay for a dirty little room, when she could enjoy her perfectly cozy wagon.

Near the edge of the village sat her ‘new’ wagon. After the last one had been destroyed she had to work hard to get another one. Finally after getting enough bits together she had bought this new wagon, even though it lacked the ability to transform like her old one, she could still call this place home. It also didn’t hurt to be sharing it with good company.

The wagon had her cutie mark painted on the sides and the front door, but there was also a diamond painted in steel gray colors next to it.  A little addition she had made to signify her renewed life as an entertainer, it also had a little more meaning to her.

“Hey, you in there?” Trixie called out. After receiving no reply she opened the door. Her smile disappeared once she saw how empty it was. The twin sized bed in the back was a mess, the pillows tossed to the sides and the blanket was on the floor again. Trixie shut the wagon door. She really needs to clean up after herself. I mean, I love her and all, but this place is a mess.

The sounds of hooves clip clopping along at an even pace alerted Trixie to somepony walking up from behind the side of the wagon. The gray earth pony walked towards Trixie with a flat expressionless stare, the blue dress she wore had a few brown stains near the bottom. The purple mane looked far too close to Twilight’s mane style, but it was minor issue on an otherwise lovely body.

Trixie stepped down the ladder and smirked. “Guess who’s turn it is to clean the wagon?”

“Yours,” Maud replied flatly, before walking past Trixie and up the ladder.

Well that was rude, it’s not even my turn.

Trixie followed behind and stood at the open doorway. “Oh really? And please tell me, Maud, why is it my turn?”

“Because I said so,” Maud stated. She than looked at Trixie, at the door, and then at Trixie again. “In or out?”

“What?”

“Are you coming in, or going out? I’m changing, so make up your mind,” Maud said.

Trixie walked in and shut the wagon door behind her forcefully. She then sat down in the corner and huffed. “You’re being rather crass today.”

Maud didn’t reply, instead she began undressing. Trixie’s first response was to look away, shyly, but when she saw the bruises, Trixie couldn’t stop staring.

What happened to her? How did she get hurt? Did somepony do this to her? I swear to Celestia that if anypony hurt my Maud, I’m going to strangle them.

With her shallow breathing, and the fiery rage filling her chest, Trixie stood up and snorted. “How did this happen?”

“I fell off a cliff.”

She did… what?

“Trixie, you should try and breathe slowly. You’ll faint if you keep hyperventilating.”

Trixie shook her head and began pacing back and forth in the tiny wagon. “You fell off a cliff? Fell off a cliff? How did that happen?”

“I was collecting samples and misjudged my step.”

Trixie stopped and stared at Maud. “You don’t ever make mistakes, so that means you’re lying to Trixie.” I just know somepony hurt you. They found out how close you were to me and decided to take revenge. I will ruin their lives for this insult, for this injustice against all equine kind.

“Trixie, breath,” Maud said.

“You were hurt, tell me who hurt you, tell me so that Trixie can destroy them,” Trixie demanded hysterically. I will destroy them.

“Breath,” Maud said loudly.

The world started spinning and everything was turning white, but Trixie didn’t care. I can’t let you get hurt because of me, I have to protect you, you the only one who really loves me.

“BREATH!” Maud shouted.

All of a sudden the world decided to turn on its side. The floor of the wagon smacked hard into Trixie’s face and suddenly she inhaled deeply. As she lay there coughing violently, Maud laid beside her and gently brushed a hoof through her mane. With her lungs burning, Trixie looked up into Maud’s eyes and asked, “What happened?”

“You had another panic attack. Will you be okay?” Maud asked, her tone had become gentle.

Great, I freaked myself out again. Now I’m just a fool, I bet she’s mad at me now. I let my emotions get the better of me and now she’s upset.

“Trixie.”

“What?” Trixie asked quietly.

“I’m sorry that I scared you.”

Trixie looked away. She tried to roll over, but something hard inside her saddlebag poked at her side. Oh that’s right, I forgot what I was even doing.

Carefully Trixie rolled onto her belly before lifting the wooden box out of her saddlebags with her magic. As the box was set down in front of Maud, Trixie smiled. “This is for you, Maudie.”

With a single hoof, Maud pushed the lock off of the box, and then opened the top. Inside there was a collection of black misshapen rocks, each one was fairly small. I searched really hard for that obsidian, I hope she likes it.

The tiniest curl of Maud’s lips formed an almost smile. Maud looked Trixie in the eyes and slowly leaned forward. ”I love obsidian.”

Maud’s lips gently touched Trixie’s cheek. As Maud pulled away, Trixie couldn’t help but to smile at Maud. Slowly Trixie looked down at the box. “You know, I love obsidian too… it’s always there to take care of me when I need it.”

“Even when obsidian over reacts to an accident, I still love it,” Maud agreed. “Maybe the obsidian would like to cuddle?”

Trixie nodded.

Maud stood up, and cringed as she did. Trixie joined her and together they walked over to the tiny bed and climbed on. As Maud wrapped her forelegs around Trixie.

“You’re show is going to go just fine,” Maud promised.

“I hope you’re not mistaken,” Trixie said.

“I don’t make mistakes, remember,” Maud replied.

They stayed together, cuddling one another for quite awhile after that. Trixie couldn’t be more thankful that she had such a loving pony to take care of her. With Maud’s help, she knew that things were going to be just fine.