//------------------------------// // Chapter Two: TLC // Story: Hearth's Warming on the Rock Farm, with Trixie Lulamoon // by TheCrimsonDM //------------------------------// Trixie’s Hearth Warming Story Chapter Two: TLC Written by TheCrimsonDM The stars remained stationary in their fixed position in the dark sky as the landscape rolled by. I couldn’t help but to watch the scenery pass outside. I had tried to sleep, but found it simply impossible. the other three ponies sitting in the car with me were sleeping quite soundly. I envied them. I can’t believe that I’m going back there now. After what I did to Pinkie Pie while I was wearing the Alicorn Amulet, I should never even bother this family again. What kind of horrible pony must I be to continue asking for help from them? I couldn’t stop thinking. I wanted too, I swear, but sleep just wouldn’t come to me. It was like I was being tortured for my past sins, for my failures, and maybe for my very existence. Once upon a time I could remember the smiles that ponies would have during my shows. The fact that I could make so many ponies so happy was… wonderful. That was the past though, because while I rode that train, all I could think of was all the sorrow I had brought to the world and all the problems caused by me. If only I had been a better pony… When I finally got to sleep, I didn’t dream. There was nothing but bitter cold blackness surrounding me. Even if I had been able to dream it would certainly have been a nightmare, or even worse a memory of something good. Sometime around noon the next day, the train stopped and I got out onto a small loading platform. I was the only one getting off at this stop, and as I took a look at the shabby village and flat barren landscape. I could understand why nopony would want to come here. In fact the only reason that I was even here was because of how desperate I was. I refused to spend another Hearth’s Warming on the streets. The small village was not my destination. There was actually a rather large rock farm just a couple of miles out where the Pie family did their work. Hard and physically exhausting as it may be, it was still work none the less. That was my destination. Through thick snow covered roads I made my way towards the farm. On several occasions I nearly tripped over rocks hidden underneath the snow. Finally I reached the two story house that served as one of the only buildings on the entire farm. Just outside stood a large egg shaped rock. Holder’s Boulder it was called, and if I remembered one thing about it, I remembered never to touch it. I avoided the rock and went straight to the door. I lifted her hoof, and stopped. It occurred to me that I could turn around and leave. I could run away, and never have to face the family I had hurt. It would’ve been so much easier. I’m not sure how long I stood there with my hoof frozen in the air, staring at the door. Despite the cold, I was sweating. There was no way that I could push myself to knock on the door. This place was happy, it was loving and warm. It was something that I didn’t deserve. Since I was unable to actually knock on the door, I lowered my hoof and my head. “Trixie!” a rough voice called out from behind me. I spun around to face it and found three ponies staring at me. Limestone, the one who had said my name, stood in between her parents, Cloudy Quartz and Igneous Rock. I gulped. Guess there’s no running away now. “Trixie, could thou lend us a helping hoof?” Cloudy Quartz asked in a kind voice. They were each carrying saddlebags packed with various foods and a few other items. I wasted no time in lifting some of the bags off of their backs with my telekinesis. Cloudy smiled at me and nodded for me to follow her inside. I did just that. “Why were you just standing there? Did Marble not answer the door?” Limestone asked. “I, um,” I replied. “Actually shouldn’t Maud have answered instead?” Limestone asked. “She didn’t leave Marble all alone did she? I am going to be so pissed if she left!” That was a bit surprising to hear, but I should have expected it. “Maud’s here?” “Yeah, it’s almost Hearth’s Warming. You missed out on the last couple of celebrations. Las year was psychotic. We went to our cousin’s farm, and did things their way. It was weird. Their coming back this year too,” Limestone said. “At least you’re here this time, what did you just forget that we exist?” “I… did you actually want me here?” I asked, a little taken back by the implication in her words. “Well duh! You lived on our farm for a year, you’re practically family,” Limestone said. She looked thoughtful for a moment, and then smiled. “Scratch that. From here on out; your family. No arguing you got that, Trix?” I nodded. I knew better than to argue with Limestone over anything. I couldn’t help but to smile. Just inside I followed Cloudy into the kitchen, there was no sign of either Maud or Marble. Limestone dropped her saddlebags inside the kitchen and trotted out saying, “I’m going to find Maud and make sure that she didn’t ditch.” Igneous Rock and Cloudy Quartz both began putting food away, while I set the bags down carefully next to the others. It felt awkward being back here, and without anypony mentioning what happened right away either. I felt so out of place. “Doth thou plan to stay long?” Igneous asked his tone flat and impossible to decipher his emotions from. “Didn’t Cloudy tell you what I was here for?” I asked. Cloudy Quartz looked back at me. “I thought it might be best if thou were to ask in person.” I didn’t like that, I just wanted everything to be done and said already. Having to admit my failures myself… I really didn’t like the idea. I sucked it up and tried to relax. “I would like to return to working on the farm… if you would have me.” “What happened to thou,” He asked. “Where is thy old accent?” I hate to admit it, but it took me a moment longer than it should have to understand what he was talking about. Last time I was here, I was still talking in third person, but that was long ago back when I was still… me. Honestly I didn’t know what to tell him, or even how. If Cloudy didn’t relate my letter to him at all, than that means he didn’t know what I had been through. How much could I actually say, when it took me so long to simply write it down. “I’ve been through… a lot. The old accent is gone now, it doesn’t really have a place in my life anymore…” I explained. “Last time thou worked for me, thou ran off without warning,” he said. “I didn’t mean too. I was planning on coming ho- I mean I was planning on coming back here. It’s just that…” I tried to think of how to explain it, how to talk about what happened to me, about what I did without breaking down. Just talking about it was like hammering at a brick wall with my bare hooves. “It’s okay, Trixie. Take thy time, we art patient,” Cloudy said kindly. I nodded and sniffed. My eyes were beginning to burn but I refused to cry. “I saved up a lot of money while working here, and…” I knew that I couldn’t lie to them; I would have to tell them the truth, tell them just how much of a failure I really was. “I just wanted to be special. I bought something that should have made me good at magic, and with it I was going to come back here and be able to actually help out on the farm. I know how weak I am, but I wanted to get stronger so I could help you.” I sniffled. “It’s not fair. I just put it on and suddenly it was like, like I changed. My goals changed, and I got lost. Whenever I try to remember everything that happened it’s all covered in a fog, I can’t remember it very well. All I really remember is how I went to Ponyville, and how I…” I closed my eyes, and felt the wet drops run down the sides of my face. “I did something really bad. I’m so sorry.” “Doth thou remember what it was?” Cloudy asked. “Bits and pieces,” I said. I sniffed. “I hurt ponies. I know that, and I… I hurt Pinkie Pie. I know that I’ll never be forgiven for that, I know. I’ve tried to stay away from you for so long, because I know how horrible of a pony I am. I’m sorry that I have to come here and bother you like this, I… I’m so sorry.” Two warm legs wrapped around my neck and pulled my head forward into a soft and warm embrace. Cloudy held me tightly. “Shhh, it is alright. Pinkie Pie has already explained the event to us. We know how that terrible old amulet was evil, and how it had corrupted you. We forgave you a long time ago, Trixie. I just wish thou would have come home sooner.” Maybe it was because she was holding me and treating me kindly when I knew that I didn’t deserve it, or maybe it was because I my emotional walls had finally taken enough, but either way I broke down. I opened up the flood gates, and I sobbed into her chest as she held me. I broke down so completely that I wasn’t sure there was even anything left when I was done. She took it though, Cloudy Quartz took all the pain, all the suffering and injustices done to me, and she gave me something in return. She gave me love.