Trixie slowly creaked one eye open.
The inside of her wagon was starting to warm up, under what she could reasonably assume was the morning sun. Letting her sleepy gaze wander about confirmed the small streams of light working their way through her wagon, slipping through the gaps in the window shutters.
Murmuring senselessly to herself a bit, the unicorn rolled over in her tiny bunk, pulling the blankets with her. She found herself letting out a quiet sigh, pleased to hug herself against her pillow, as the streams of light settled somewhere other than across her face.
She hadn't slept well, despite having gotten to bed at an early hour. Which was odd, as she almost always slept incredibly well after a successful show, even when they weren't incredibly successful in a financial sense. It wasn't exactly something that she wanted to let out, but she often got anxious before her shows. When they went smoothly it was almost always a big relief.
Trixie could sleep like a log after a good show.
But, her conversation with the twitchy mare from the day before had inadvertently set off a lot of thoughts in her head last night.
And she was trying very hard to not hold it against the lovestruck, pink-coated yokel.
She'd even written something to that effect down before, as part of her new set of rules for being a better Trixie:
-Try not to hold the stupid, insensitive problems your adoring fans cause for you against them. It's not their fault...even when it very clearly is, even though everyone's still probably going to blame you for it, Trixie.-
It was actually one of the first things she decided to work on, this list, when she was just getting started on her big comeback. She'd even sent a copy to Twilight to look over with one of her response letters.
The showmare still didn't see what Twilight had found so hilarious about the new code Trixie was trying to live by.
Trixie let out another sigh, as she kicked her hindlegs about a bit to get more comfortable, shifting the blankets about in her tiny bunk. It was actually the perfect size, as far as she was concerned. Just enough room for her to get comfortable, but small enough to feel...cozy.
Between the various bits and pieces she used for her shows, her small collection of personal possessions, and the inner gears and levers of her wagon, there was only just enough room in there for Trixie. It was so cramped in there, she couldn't invite in another pony even if she wanted to.
Which is how she liked it
It was a space meant solely for Trixie.
It gave her a place to just be herself.
To not have to perform.
To relax.
To think.
Of course, thinking is what had kept her up all night, preventing her from relaxing, right after she had gotten done performing.
Her chat with Starlight Glimmer had weighed too heavily on her mind to sleep...
...Well, Trixie had gotten some sleep.
But, she'd still spent a lot of time thinking about things.
Things like family.
The mistakes she'd made.
Her days spent learning magic...
...and only barely keeping up with her fellow students. Sometimes not even keeping up.
It was stupid to even be thinking about that sort of the thing, Trixie had to remind herself, as she rolled over again in her bunk. She passed all the same tests they did. Nevermind that she only passed most of the practical exams through almost habitual loophole abuse. If she could think her way around a problem where others couldn't, that wasn't really Trixie's problem. Or so she liked to tell herself.
And if she could cast the spells, well, why should anyone care about some stupid written exam?
Eh, Twilight Sparkle probably would.
She'd probably tell Trixie to come clean about any sort of academic wrongdoing, all in a very understanding manner, while offering to teach Trixie everything she'd need to pass for real. Twilight would probably be all for wasting days and days over something that wasn't even important anymore, just so that it was done the right way. She wouldn't make Trixie come clean about anything, but be so encouraging about it that Trixie would feel like a huge disappointment if she didn't...
Rolling her head about, Trixie could hear a couple of bones popping in her neck, before shoving the blankets off. The morning sun was starting to warm her wagon and she wasn't quite ready to get out of bed.
It hadn't turned out to be that hard for her to find out that Twilight was Princess Celestia's personal student. She felt kind of excused for not knowing about Twilight before ever setting one hoof into Ponyville; Trixie had always been on the move, so she often got her news in fits and bursts.
Trixie had been showing off, claiming to be the greatest magician in Equestria, right in front of Princess Celestia's personal student. Twilight hadn't said a word, at the time.
One supposes that if you've been picked by the Princess of the Sun herself, you've got to have some sort of bewilderingly improbably moral fiber. So, that would probably mean that Twilight was probably just all-around a better pony that Trixie ever would be.
Trixie was jealous of Twilight.
Trixie knew that way back when she breaking open rocks and planning her ill-considered revenge scheme. It was the obvious answer for why the azure pony would hold such a grudge against someone that hadn't even done anything to her. Even after Twilight had saved her life from an Ursa Minor.
Trixie could admit that if she had even half the things going for her that Twilight did, she'd probably never shut-up about it.
Smart.
Pleasant.
Fairly good-looking.
Powerfully talented in magic.
A happy and wealthy family.
Taught by basically the greatest pony in the world...
...Trixie was definitely jealous of all that, even now. She might not resent Twilight for all of that anymore, but Trixie would trade her left hoof to be able to check off even half of that list.
Sure Trixie might have her beat when it came to good looks, but Twilight blew her out of the water in pretty much every other category.
It was selfish, but Trixie dearly wished at times that Princess Celestia had chosen Trixie over Twilight. Worse, she even had reason to believe it wasn't such an impossible idea, that it could have been her instead of the purple unicorn.
Trixe rolled over to stare up at the ceiling of her bunk, before giving a huff of a sigh.
Twilight deserved it more than Trixie.
Even if she had been the one chosen to be Princess Celestia's student, it wouldn't have been because Trixie was some sort of amazingly talented pony. It wouldn't have meant what she wanted it to mean.
Rolling over again she hugged her covers to her belly for a few moments, before taking in a deep breath.
No, if Trixie was going to be called the best, it was going to be because she was the best. Not out of pity. Not because Trixie just wanted it to be so. Not because she was living in the shadows of the past...
If she wasn't the best, it just meant she could still improve. Maybe she could even be a proper rival for Twilight, a friendlier sort of rival. If Trixie explained it to her, Twilight would probably be pretty understanding about the idea.
Aspiring to surpass Twilight Sparkle.
Twilight would probably even offer to help her do it.
Trixie could even form a whole new act built around the idea. Everyone loved a story about an underdog, loved the idea that a regular individual could reach the lofty heights that ponies like Twilight sat at through determination and hard work.
The idea brought a smile to her face.
Maybe she would visit Twilight after this, to start over with her fellow unicorn.
It would be a long trip back into Equestria, but it wasn't as if she was going to be making any bits in this little village.
She had to frown as she thought about it a bit more. Twilight would probably want Trixie to properly make amends with the residents of Ponyville, over the whole Alicorn Amulet incident.
That would kind of suck.
But it could work.
Making up for that fiasco would be difficult, but Twilight would be there to help smooth things over. And if she could fix things in Ponyville, it would be a big step towards restoring Trixie's own reputation.
Of course, Twilight would also want Trixie to make-up with her friends.
Her face got a bit pinched at that thought.
Trixie could probably stomach apologizing to that lot for Twilight's sake. At the very least, she could manage to apologize for the stuff with the amulet. But she had no intentions of apologizing for the Ursa incident. She didn't care what they thought about it, it wasn't Trixie's fault that a giant, cranky starbeast had wandered into Ponyville. She'd even tried to stop the stupid animal...
She'd probably just have to avoid Twilight's other friends.
They were jerks anyway. Probably end up heckling her again or something...
...Eh, whatever. If it could make things work, she could probably just fake an apology for Twilight's other friends. And then avoid them.
A few moments of thought, and Trixie nodded to herself with a smile.
That could work.
She liked this idea.
Reaching a hoof blindly for a pillow, she could even admit that she really liked the idea of seeing-
“Gyah-umph!”
Angrily shoving her blanket off of her head and with her face smarting from being planted into the floor of her caravan, after having fallen out of her bunk, Trixie glared into the floor.
Grumbling quietly to herself as she shuffled about in disorientation, the showmare quieted herself before standing-
Thunk!
-before collapsing back to the floor of her wagon, whilst grasping her head in her hooves. Rubbing the top of her head, in an effort to soothe away the pain, Trixie shot an irritable look upwards to her, perhaps, too-small-of-a-bunk. There was even a small dent in the wood where her horn had dug into her bed's underside.
“Stupid Twilight Sparkle...” Trixie muttered to herself, knowing it wasn't the purple pony's fault, but still needing someone to blame for her pain.
This time being mindful of her head and anything it might collide with, the drowsy magician slowly clambered to her hooves. Blindly reaching a hoof out to steady herself, she was almost too late in realizing what she was about to blithely lean against.
“Gyah!” Trixie quickly snapped her hoof back away from the precarious pile of props and fireworks that occupied most of the remaining cabin space in her wagon. Breathing a sigh of relief as she realized that she had managed to avoid disturbing the poorly organized tools of her trade, Trixie started working her way to the back of her wagon. She really needed to take some time to strap all of that stuff down, or one of these days she was going to end up buried in a pile of pyrotechnics and playing cards...
“...Eh, I'll get to it later.” Trixie quietly said to herself, as she used her magic to undo the latch on the backdoor of her wagon.
Stepping out into the fresh morning air, the azure unicorn let out a yawn before running her hoof over the top of her noggin once again. Satisfied that she wasn't going to have too large of a lump on her head, Trixie turned her attention outward. She was rather pleasantly surprised to find that, although there were a number of townsponies already up, they were mostly mind their own business.
Trixie half-expected the oddballs that made up this town to spend most of her morning greeting her, all the while sporting those painful looking smiles.
Stepping out of her wagon, Trixie was almost too busy letting loose another loud yawn to keep from bumping into something. Blinking for a moment as she looked down, it took the drowsy magician a few moments to realize that there was a large barrel sitting right in front of her.
Staring with a distinct lack of comprehension, Trixie had to wrack her mind on the question of why somepony would have set a barrel just outside of her wagon since last night.
Trixie quietly hummed to herself, recalling how she had asked the local ponies for a fresh barrel of water just the other day. Considering the barrel for a few seconds, she had to ponder whether these ponies could screw up something as simple as water, as badly as they did with muffins.
She still had that half-eaten travesty stuffed in her hat, waiting for a time when she could safely dispose of it. Perhaps with fire.
Trudging over, her horn lit up in a pink light, Trixie used her magic to unseal the barrel before setting the top to the side. Leaning over to give an experimental sniff, she took a careful eye to its contents, looking for any weirdness that would suggest that the village's inhabitants had managed to mess up clean water.
Glancing from one side to the other, just to be sure that no one intended on bothering her, Trixie leaned in with pursed lips to take a sip.
Leaning back up, Trixie gently swished the small amount of water about the inside of her mouth. Getting a good taste for it even as she cleared away that mouth gunk that was always waiting for when one woke up, she was pleasantly surprised by how cool and refreshing the water was. Letting out a loud gulp as she swallowed it down, the showmare gave a happy smile at this.
Apparently, you didn't need any sort of special talent to gather up some fresh water.
Taking one of her forehooves, she quickly splashed up a small amount of water, before wiping the gunk from her eyes. Trixie then gave a vigorous shake of her head, clearing the remaining liquid from her face. A bit cleaner thanks to her efforts, she took in a deep breath, before going in for a much larger drink.
Leaning back up, her eyes closed, Trixie briefly enjoyed the cool droplets cascading down her face and the soothing water heading down her throat. Going back in for one more big gulp of water, she tilted her head back. Gargling the water to clear up any remaining funkiness left in her mouth, she reared back before then-
“Good morning!”
-spitting.
Surprised by the intrusion of the vaguely familiar voice into this relaxing moment, Trixie found more than a bit of water sliding down the wrong pipe. This lead to her giving an awfully wet snort, that ended up simply moving a good portion of the fluid into her nasal cavity. So it was no surprise that Trixie utterly failed to notice Starlight Glimmer standing in front of her, as the showmare worked very hard to cough out the offending liquid.
It was also no surprise that, concerned with her own problems, Trixie failed to note the stricken way Starlight Glimmer was standing or the look of anger, shock, and disgust that the pink mare was sporting.
Nor did she notice the dripping of her recently expelled gargling-water, as it worked it's way down Starlight Glimmer's frozen face.
Dragging a slow, perhaps too forceful, hoof down her face, Starlight Glimmer found herself caught up in a desperate struggle to not physically assault her little town's newest arrival.
Her coughing starting to settle down, Trixie was using her own hoof to rub her nose in an effort to dislodge the water trapped up there. Without looking towards her fellow unicorn, she gestured her hoof towards the one that had startled her “Y-you can't just go sneaking up on the Great and Powerful Trixie like that! There's no telling what sort of-...magical things she could be doing. You-...Oh, it's you.”
Staring for just a second, Starlight Glimmer found herself putting her not inconsiderate willpower to the task of stretching her mouth into smile that utterly failed to reach her eyes “It's me! Just thought I'd take the time to check-in on our esteemed guest!”
Finally taking notice of the pony that had intruded upon her peaceful morning, Trixie found herself looking a slightly soggy pink unicorn over “Yeah. Thanks...Uhm, so Trixie's not sure if you remember, Starshine, but we had a certain-”
“Starlight.” The pink unicorn said through gritted teeth.
Raising an eyebrow at the interruption, Trixie paused to look back up “Huh?”
“My name. Is. Starlight.” Starlight Glimmer very carefully clarified.
“...Are you sure about that? Because you kind of look like a-”
Closing her eyes to avoid glaring daggers at the noisome magician, Starlight cut off Trixie with a sharp nod “I am actually pretty sure about this.”
“Well, if you're sure about that...” Trixie conceded after a moment before making an obvious show of looking over the unicorn opposite her “Why are you wet?”
Starlight Glimmer could feel her eye twitching.
Confused by what she felt was a bit of an awkward silence, Trixie found her gaze wandering. This inevitably led to her eyes resting upon the open barrel of water. The same barrel of water that she had been drinking from a moment ago. And cleaning herself with. And gargling-
Suddenly putting the pieces together, Trixie quickly gave an abashed look towards Starlight Glimmer “Oh...Trixie is supposing that she is the one that-...?”
Starlight Glimmer was rather impressed with herself when she managed to give out a hearty and not-at-all-crazy-sounding chuckle “What? This? There's no need to concern yourself with this. A happy accident is all this is.”
“Happy accident?” Trixie repeated with apparent skepticism.
“Yes. In fact, it's all very...refreshing. Yes. Refreshing.” The pink mare responded even as she tried to shake a bit of the spittle-laced water droplets from her hoof.
“Uhm, Trixie's really sorry about-”
“It's fine.”
“Trixie could help you clean off a bit, if you-”
“It's fine.”
“...You're fine being covered in my-”
Closing her eyes once more, in an effort to rein in the twitching, Starlight doubled down on her upbeat attitude “You know, I think a change of topic would be good for us.”
Trixie gave a slow nod at this, even as she kept her eye on the pink pony “Alright...Your eyebrows are sagging.”
“What!” Starlight blurted out before bringing a hoof up to her brow. Briefly feeling about, she quickly brought her appendage back in front of her eyes, revealing a series of wet smudge marks on her hoof.
Wiping her forehead again and with more force left her hoof covered in even more smears matching the color of her make-up pencil. Staring down at it, she found herself quietly cursing the merchant that had sold her such shoddy make-up supplies.
Her eyes darting up towards Trixie briefly, Starlight Glimmer slowly breathed in, before letting it out in a carefully measured laugh. Casually brushing her hoof on her side, she pushed as much of her tension and anger to the side as possible “Well...that's easy enough to fix, now isn't it?”
“Uhm...yes?” Trixie slowly agreed, even as her eyes remained focus on the area just above Starlight Glimmer's eyes.
“Something wrong?”
There was actually quite a bit of make-up left smeared across the pink unicorn's brow; it ended up looking quite a bit like the townsleader was sporting a particularly bushy unibrow.
Considering her options carefully, the azure mare just gave a quick shake of her head.
“Good...After all, it's certainly far too lovely a day in our town to while it away talking about make-up, isn't it?” Starlight said, finally feeling as if she was gaining just the smallest amount of control over things.
Resisting the urge to let her eyes wander back towards the other mare's unfortunate brow, Trixie kept her answer short “Uh-huh.”
Frowning a bit at the noncommittal response from the traveling pony, Starlight decided to move on to keypoints “So, tell me...just how are you taking to our lovely little community?”
“...Uh-huh.” Trixie replied again, even as her eyes inched upward once again. Blinking as she gave a sudden shake of her head, Trixie had to take a moment to re-focus on the question “That is- It's- Uh...Yeah. It's going great for Trixie. Really...taking to things.”
“Excellent. It really is nice to hear you're acclimating. Some don't always immediately grasp just how marvelous life can be out here.” The pink mare said with a demonstrative wave of her hoof to their surroundings “I truly think you'll only grow to love it here all the more after our little tour.”
“Well, Trixie's not so sure-...wait, tour?”
“Why, of course. It really is quite a relief to see you up so bright and-” Starlight began, as she began to extend a hoof over her fellow unicorn's back.
She was rather abruptly interrupted, as Trixie quickly slipped out from beneath her hoof. Keeping an eye on the pink pony, she started sidling back toward her wagon “Actually, the Great and Powerful Trixie has some...things to take care of. So, now might not be the very best time for this.”
Briefly given some pause as the showmare dodged her, Starlight briefly narrowed her eyes, before lowering her hoof again “Oh, but surely you're going need somepony to show around our town sometime soon. You certainly can't go on not knowing your way around here and I do recall some talk of introducing you to the Staff of Sameness.”
“...Trixie is starting to think that she may have given you the wrong idea, at some point.”
Blinking, it took a moment for Starlight to draw any sort of conclusion. She couldn't help but let a brief look of disgust cross her features, as the townleader recalled the...misunderstanding that had abruptly ended her previous conversation with the showmare “You can't seriously be-”
“It's really nothing against anypony here, but-” Trixie began.
Her fury briefly reignited by the presumption of the showmare, Starlight tried to put an end to that line-of-thought “I am not in love with-”
“-Trixie's has plans that will be leading her elsewhere.”
“What?” The pink mare blurted out, being quite caught off guard for more than one reason, her anger and disgust was quickly replaced with...well, the anger was still there. But, there was also some concern mixed in there now, as well.
“Trixie knows it's a bit sudden, but she really does need to be going. Morning really is the best time to travel, in Trixie's humble opinion and-”
“You can't leave!”
That loud exclamation was met by a startled and somewhat worried look from Trixie, one that Starlight couldn't help but notice.
But, she couldn't be allowed to leave. Not yet. Not when there was still so much to do with the deeply flawed individual standing in front of her. She wasn't ready to accept failure after everything she had already dealt with.
Awkwardly smiling for her benefit, Starlight carefully cleared her throat “What I mean is, you can't possibly be leaving already. You've only just arrived and I do believe there was some talk of repairs to your lovely wagon.”
“Trixie's pretty sure her wagon isn't in any danger of falling apart.”
“Well, of course not.” Starlight Glimmer said with a wave of her hoof and an uncomfortable laugh “But...I just know everypony here will be terribly disappointed.”
Trixie raised a skeptical eyebrow at that “How so?”
“It's just that you've been such a welcome addition to our town, with so many of our residents...admiring you, so much.” Starlight Glimmer very nearly had to say that through gritted teeth “I just know that they would feel ashamed if they did not get a chance to personally thank you for your wonderful show. Perhaps even with gifts!”
The showmare found herself pursing her lips at that thought, unable to completely dismiss it. It really did combine two of the bombastic unicorn's favorite things: Ponies adoring her and getting free stuff.
“Maybe...”
“And wasn't there something about a second show? I'm sure everypony here would just be heartbroken if you could not grace us with a farewell show, at the least.” The pink pony continued with growing certainty, relieved to see that she was getting through to the interloper.
“Trixie's not really sure she can afford another show here...”
“A small show then! Just as a way to bidding a proper farewell to all of your adoring fans.” Starlight quickly suggested.
Trixie had to stop herself from chewing on her lip, as she considered all of that. That did sound like the sort of thing she should be doing, as the New and Improved Trixie. Sure, her original plan felt more like something she would do, disappearing all of a sudden without any warning; there was definitely something of a pattern in her life. And she didn't really want to stick around this place any longer than she already had. What with the total lack of money to be made in this town and the moony-eyed mare that couldn't respect her personal space, it seemed like the most pragmatic route.
Really, the only time Trixie had held off for anything more that a quickly shouted goodbye was when she had made her apology to Twilight...
Trixie let out a heavy sigh at that thought.
“The Great and Powerful Trixie supposes one more small show couldn't hurt...”
“Marvelous! I'm certain you won't regret this very wise decision. Now or in the future.” Starlight Glimmer assured.
“Not really sure how wise it is...” The azure unicorn muttered to herself. It probably didn't matter much in the long-run, as she still had plenty of fireworks and magical supplies. And the ponies here, though dirt-poor, had been really nice to her. Shaking away the rationalizations and concerns, Trixie put on a bit of a smile “But, Trixie can't very well leave her fans without an encore!”
“Certainly not.” Starlight Glimmer quietly agreed, her smile becoming an almost predatory smirk for a few seconds. Reining in her brief exultation at having stalled Trixie's departure, she quickly resumed her friendlier countenance. Starlight soon gestured a hoof towards the rest of the town, before extending it to Trixie “And if you are going to be staying a bit longer after all, perhaps it is time for a more proper introduction to our town?”
Trixie had to stop herself from rolling her eyes at the painfully obvious attempt by the pink mare to spend more time with her “I-...that is to say, Trixie can't think of a reason why not.”
She really couldn't.
Whatever.
Trixie was still going to be gone by tomorrow, so why not let this lovestruck fan live the dream for one more day? It was annoying, but it really was Trixie's own fault for being as charming as she was, or so she told herself.
“Excellent.” Starlight Glimmer crooned, before turning back towards the rest of the town “If I could have everypony's attention!”
“We're doing this now?” Trixie asked with a raised eyebrow.
“I have some truly marvelous news for our town!” Starlight continued without acknowledging the question “It seems that Miss Trixie has decided to forego her travel plans-”
“Just for a day.” Trixie added, though her contribution seemed to largely go unnoticed by the crowd.
“-and partake in the bounty of our lovely town!” The town's leader finished.
This declaration quickly got the townsponies murmuring excitedly amongst themselves and before Trixie could get in any words several smiling ponies quickly crowded around her.
“That's so great, Miss Trixie!”
“You're going to love it here!”
“You'll never have to worry about being left out again!”
“I'd be happy to show you around!”
Trixie found herself taking a couple of steps back, as the townsponies quickly swarmed her, unsure how to respond. She was spared from having to do so, when Starlight Glimmer stepped over and waved the crowd back.
“Now, now. We must remember to be put our best hooves forward, everypony. After all, it does fall to us to properly demonstrate just how much better life can be.” The pink mare reminded. Striding through the crowd of excited ponies, the pink mare started moving towards the center of town “Now, let us everypony give a proper welcome to Miss Trixie! Let's all see those-”
Starlight came to an abrupt stop, as she started to pass by Sugar Belle.
The baker's faded purple eyes quickly darted up, as she glanced up towards Starlight Glimmer, suddenly very aware of just how conspicuously absent her own enthusiasm seemed. After all, how could she be anything but ecstatic at the thought of a new pony-
Resisting the urge to cringe as she noticed the attention being sent way, Sugar Belle quickly stretched her mouth into a welcoming, if somewhat painful, grin.
She briefly started, when she felt a hoof under her chin, gently forcing her head upwards.
“Let's hold that head up high, Sugar Belle. We got to let everyone see that smile.” Starlight said in a syrupy-sweet tone. Letting the hoof drop a bit, the pink unicorn brought it to her chest, as she closed her eyes for effect “For we all must remember that in our town, that we stand together! Heads high! With no pony forgotten!”
“...Uhm.” Came the town baker's hesitant response.
Starlight Glimmer found herself waiting for far too long for the expected cheers from her townsfolk. Cracking one eye open, the pink mare found her earlier annoyance flaring a bit, as she noted the vacant stare being sent her way by Sugar Belle.
Shutting her eyes again, Starlight Glimmer briefly cleared her throat “As I was saying to everypony, we all must work together to show Miss Trixie how wonderful life here can be!”
Again, this failed to get the reaction she was hoping for. Namely the beginnings of an up-tempo musical number that would have perfectly described the utopia she was trying to fashion for everypony.
Instead, she found herself greeted by uncomfortable staring and quiet muttering. Trixie, in particular, seemed to be avoiding looking anywhere near Starlight's direction.
Gritting her teeth a bit, as her ponies all managed to succeed in missing their cue, the pink mare forced herself into giving out a light chuckle “Well, I can't help but think that perhaps we need to work on our sense of...togetherness a bit more. It's almost as if we were just...wasting time in all of those rehearsals...”
“Uhm...Starlight?” Sugar Belle quietly spoke-up.
“Hmmmm?”
“Your-...Your eyebrows are a bit-...”
Staring for a moment at this hesitant response, Starlight looked across the crowd to find that most everypony present was either staring or very apparently trying not to stare at her face.
Bringing a hoof to her face and feeling around for anything unusual, she quickly realized that wasn't revealing anything. Her face pinched, the pink unicorn quickly pushed past the crowd to approach the still open water barrel sitting by Trixie's caravan. Using her forehooves to prop herself up, Starlight quickly took in her reflection...
Revealing the huge, uneven, smear of a unibrow that was taking up so much space on her forehead. Or rather, it was the huge, uneven, smear of make-up that uncannily resembled a unibrow that was revealed in that moment.
“Uhm, Starlight?” Night Glider called out, while reaching a hoof out towards the unicorn.
She quickly jerked it back, as Starlight Glimmer abruptly set all four hooves back on the ground. A moment later, the crowd of ponies was clearing a path, as their town leader steadily stomped her way back towards her own abode. Fairly few smiles were left on anypony's faces, as an uncomfortable silence descended over the street.
Rubbing the back of her head with a hoof, Trixie glanced towards Night Glider uncomfortably “Uhm, so...”
The pegasus, along with several other nearby ponies, gave a collective jump at the showmare's attempt to speak-up. Collectively turning their attention towards their guest, there were a few awkward moments where nopony seemed to know what to say.
Clearing her throat rather loudly, Night Glider tried to put on a smile for Trixie's benefit “I'm sure Starlight will be back soon...”
“That's right! She's probably just going to get freshened up!” Party Favor rather loudly suggested. Quickly moving to the front of the group, he turned back towards his fellow townsfolk “And I'm absolutely certain that she would want us all to make sure Miss Trixie feels entirely welcome, in the meantime! Isn't that right, everypony?”
This lead to a slight recovery in everyone's excitement, as Party Favor quickly earned himself a chorus of agreement from everypony else.
Still uncertain about all of this, Trixie found herself giving a tilt of her head “Uhm, sure...you guys aren't going to start singing and dancing, right? Cause Trixie doesn't think she can handle that right now.”
Several hours later...
“What do you mean you're not staying?”
After Starlight Glimmer had stormed off, Trixie had found herself on the receiving end of an entirely unwarranted tour around the little town. Unwarranted due to the colossal lack of anything interesting in the bleak little community.
Trixie honestly couldn't believe just how excited all these ponies were to be living in this place. She didn't want to be mean about it, but these townsponies didn't seem to be all that good at anything. One might have thought those horrific muffins were the absolute worst thing about the town, but just about everything else seemed to be vying for the position.
That 'cloak' Party Favor had offered her had been truly depressing to behold. Especially when compared to her own fabulous, eye-catching, and entirely lovely star-spangled cloak.
She was pretty sure she hadn't completely concealed her distaste for the...garment.
By the end of that sad little tour things were getting pretty awkward, as Trixie found it increasingly difficult to feign interest and everypony else found it increasingly difficult to pretend not to notice.
Trixie was pretty sure that the fact that she felt vaguely bad about this meant that she was doing a pretty good job at the whole being-a-better-pony-thing.
Still, she was rather relieved when the tour came to an end about an hour later, letting her finally head back to the snug confines of her caravan. Only to discover that the almost annoyingly earnest townsponies had just started working on her wagon's squeaky-wheel problem.
...Now that Trixie thought about it, she was actually feeling a bit skeptical about letting these ponies work on her precious wagon. They didn't seem to be all that good at...anything.
Regardless, she couldn't exactly retreat to her mobile sanctuary while a bunch of ponies of questionable ability were trying to fix it.
Which is what lead Trixie to her current circumstances; quietly nursing a glass of water in Sugar Belle's bakery...
...and once more explaining that she had no intention of sticking around in their quaint little town.
“Trixie's pretty sure she said this earlier, but she still plans on leaving tomorrow.” The showmare said with an off-hoofed gesture.
“But, that can't- Starlight Glimmer said-” Party Favor began at Trixie's side.
The blue mare let out a sigh, before slumping over the counter “Trixie heard what she said. If you'd heard what Trixie said, you'd know that she was eager to be on her way.”
“But...what?” The unicorn stallion blurted out, as if he literally couldn't understand what Trixie had just told him.
“Uhm, maybe Trixie has some business she needs to see to?” Sugar Belle quietly offered from the other side of the counter.
Considering that for a moment, Trixie gave a tilt of her head “Yeah. There's that.”
“I-Well, I suppose-...it's certainly not as if you're never coming back!” Party Favor declared in a upbeat tone, as he tried to reconcile the thought of somepony leaving.
“...Sure.” Trixie agreed with a forced smile.
Party Favor gave a vigorous nod at that “And perhaps you can even bring-”
“Do you not like it here?” Sugar Belle quietly asked.
Trixie was cut-off from responding by a loud gasp coming from her side. Glancing that way revealed Party Favor, a hoof over his mouth, staring towards Sugar Belle with the most scandalized look one could imagine. One might have thought he just saw someone kick a foal in the face, rather than ask a not unreasonable question.
“Sugar Belle! How could you?!” The stallion exclaimed, to which Sugar Belle could only duck her head in embarrassment. Party Favor quickly shook his head, before gesturing a hoof towards Trixie “How could Miss Trixie possibly not like it here, Sugar Belle?”
“Well, Trixie isn't entirely sure that this is the sort of place for her...” The showmare carefully offered.
Tilting his head in utter befuddlement, Party Favor seemed at a loss “But, don't you like it here?”
Trixie brought a hoof up to rub the back of her neck “It's not the worst place Trixie's been to.”
Unlike before, Party Favor seemed to finally pick up on just how unenthusiastic the mare was about his home. For the better part of the day he had faithfully accepted whatever politely noncommittal responses she had offered in favor of their little utopia. Watching her now, it was now painfully apparent that there was just something that just wasn't clicking for their latest arrival.
His jaw flapping helplessly for a few moments, he tried to smile once more “Uhm, perhaps Miss Trixie can explain how we can improve things here?”
Slumping her head forward, said mare started shaking her head “Trixie's getting a headache...”
“We came on too strong, right? I mean, we can always give you some more space if you want?” The stallion pressed on. Bringing his hoof up as if to declare that something had just occurred to him, Party Favor stepped a bit closer “It's the cloaks, right? I know it must seem like you're giving up a lot, but you'll get used to it! There's nothing wrong with being like everyone else, after all.”
“Party Favor...” Sugar Belle tried to interrupt, as she stepped around the counter.
“Maybe you're hungry! I haven't seen you eat anything yet, so you must be starving! I'm sure everything will look nicer on a full stomach!” Party Favor declared. Quickly turning towards the approaching Sugar Belle with an outstretched hoof “Can you go get Miss Trixie some more of those muffins-”
“No!”
Trixie was rather surprised to find that it wasn't her that had blurted that out, but rather the town's resident baker.
“S-Sugar Belle?” Party Favor stuttered in confusion.
The mare audibly swallowed as her fellow townspony stared “Th-that is, Miss Trixie doesn't want anymore of my muffins.”
“What are you talking about? Surely Miss Trixie must be-”
“They're terrible, Party Favor.” Sugar Belle sternly cut in
“What? No. They're just as good-”
“They're not. Or they are. I don't know...” The baker continued on her throat tightening as she tried to rein in feelings that had been building up for far too long.
Frowning with apparent concern for his friend's melancholy, Party Favor took several steps closer, leaving Trixie largely forgotten “What's wrong, Sugar Belle? There's no reason to be unhappy here, you know that.”
“I don't know. I-...I know how to do it. I know how to make muffins...” Sugar Belle muttered without looking up, before letting out a large sniffle “But, everytime they come out the same and they're just so awful. I used to be able to make ponies happy with my cooking...”
“Everyone's plenty happy with your muffins.” Party Favor tried to assure, even as he glanced around for some sort of assistance. He didn't know how to deal with this.
“Miss Trixie isn't.” The distraught mare said even as she rubbed at her eyes.
Looking for all the world like a startled deer when Party Favor looked her way, Trixie tried to shake her head to bring Sugar Belle's words back into place “Trixie doesn't really recall saying anything like that and-...actually, now that I think about it, I- that is Trixie thinks she really should start preparing for that show she promised everypony.”
This was really uncomfortable.
And Trixie wasn't one to waste anytime getting out of uncomfortable situations. She didn't know how to deal with ponies that were on the verge of tears or whatever it was that was happening here.
So, she couldn't say she felt particularly bad for edging her way towards the door.
“Miss Trixie wait! You have to tell her she's wrong!” Party Favor suddenly exclaimed, his chipper demeanor thoroughly gone now. He was desperate to find some way to make things make sense again “I mean, you really enjoyed Sugar Belle's muffins, didn't you?”
“Uhhhh...”
“That's the truth, right?”
“It's not that Trixie-”
“Please, just be honest with her.”
Trixie stared for a moment at that, before letting out a groan. Honesty was definitely one of those things that needed to be a part of the new and improved Trixie. That was one thing that Twilight had kept going on and on about in their letters and Trixie had even promised that she would make the effort for her singular friend.
“Trixie isn't really sure that it's the best idea for her to be honest.” The showmare hesitantly pointed out.
“Of course it is! Just tell Sugar Belle what you really think of her muffins.” Party Favor pushed, as he settled a hoof over the baker's withers.
“She doesn't-” Sugar Belle began to object.
“We're all friends here, Sugar Belle. Isn't that right, Miss Trixie?”
Trixie let her gaze wander towards the doorway of the building, wondering if perhaps she could just make a run for it. Glancing back towards the two distraught ponies that were staring at her, some quiet, annoying part of her told her that it was way too late to escape.
She was pretty sure it was her conscience...
...stupid Twilight Sparkle.
“You want the truth?” Trixie asked, not having to look their way to know Party Favor's answer. Taking in a deep breath, Trixie used her magic to levitate her remaining half-a-glass of water from the counter to her lips. Finishing it off in a few gulps, she set the glass back down on the counter before facing the duo “The truth is...those were the worst muffins the Great and Powerful Trixie has ever had the displeasure of being exposed to.”
This was clearly not the answer Party Favor had been looking for.
“Trixie is really, really sorry to say that, but you wanted Trixie to be honest. And Trixie really did appreciate the thought behind them, because Trixie loves getting free stuff from her fans.”
Rubbing her face once more, Sugar Belle looked back up towards Trixie with watery eyes “So, you really thought they were horrible?”
“They were offensive on both a physical and spiritual level.” Trixie replied with a firm nod.
“I- but- how can you say something so terrible?!” Party Favor exclaimed.
“Trixie tried to warn you.”
Before the stallion could say anything further, he was stopped by a hoof from Sugar Belle. Clearing her throat, she gave a weak smile “It's alright, Party Favor. I-I'm actually kind of glad to hear her say that.”
“...Really? Cause the Great and Powerful Trixie has a lot more she could say.” Trixie offered, her own surprise at this reaction apparent. Maybe Twilight Sparkle had been right about honesty being the best policy.
Shaking his head at that, Party Favor looked back towards his friend “But how can you be glad about that? What she said was so mean!”
“I-...I know that we're all really lucky to have found each other, that we've all managed to find this place. And I know I should be happier, but I just can't help but miss certain things.” Sugar Belle tried to explain.
“Well, of course, we all knew we would have to give up some things to find true happiness. Starlight Glimmer even told us so. You just have to give it a bit more time.” Party Favor said in a sympathetic tone.
“I've been here longer than you, Party Favor.” The baker deadpanned.
“Oh, right...”
“I'm not saying I want to leave all of you behind, but maybe-...maybe I could just sort of pay a visit to my old life?” Sugar Belle hesitantly suggested.
“But-...but what could be better than what we have here?” Party Favor asked.
“Trixie knows of a few things.” Trixie said, while raising her hoof to get their attention.
Shaking her head at this, Sugar Belle focused back on the stallion “Please understand. I mean, there's got to be some things you miss too? Ponies you'd like to visit? Things you'd like to do one last time? Maybe even...”
“You want your Cutie Mark back?” Party Favor asked with apparent skepticism.
Rubbing the back of one of her forelegs with her hoof, Sugar Belle glanced to the side before admitting the truth “Maybe. Just for a few days...”
“Starlight Glimmer would never-” Party Favor started to blurt out, before slapping his hoof over his mouth and glancing towards Trixie.
Blinking at the sudden attention being directed her way, Trixie raised an eyebrow at this reaction “Never what?”
“Nevermind!” Party Favor quickly blurted out. After a few awkward moments of silence, he turned back towards Sugar Belle “You see? Even if I-...even if you really wanted to, you can't just go wandering off out of town. You'd get lost! Or worse!”
“Actually, if you stay to the roads it's not really all that bad. Trixie manages just fine.” Trixie pointed out, leading to a brief moment of silence from the two townsponies.
Turning towards Party Favor, Sugar Belle made sure she had his attention before pointedly glancing towards Trixie.
“...You think?” Party Favor eventually asked in a hushed tone.
“Think what?” Trixie asked in an uncomprehending tone.
Sugar Belle gave a shake of her head, before sending a reassuring smile towards Trixie “It's nothing. We were just thinking-”
Knock-knock!
Party Favor nearly jumped out of his hide at the sudden interruption, with Sugar Belle having an only slightly less severe reaction. Both quickly turned their attention towards the building's doorway, where they both saw a familiar pegasus.
“Night Glider! We weren't doing anything!” Party Favor nearly shouted.
Cringing back a bit from this loud declaration the winged mare stared for a few moments, before giving a tilt of her head “I, uh...I was just coming to let Miss Trixie know that her wagon was just about ready...”
“Oh.” Party Favor and Sugar Belle said at the same time.
Bringing a hoof up to rub the back of her neck, Night Glider avoided meeting anypony's gaze for a little bit “So...what's up?”
Trixie glanced between the three equalized townsponies, before giving a shrug “Trixie has no idea what's going on here.”