Luna's Apprentice

by ScientistTrixie

Arriving in Neigh Orleans

Trixie steadily got more anxious as they approached Neigh Orleans, her gaze more and more frequently drawn from her the princess sitting beside her to the town approaching in the distance. Below them in the far distance, the ocean hugged the shore line and sparkled in the midday light. Neigh Orleans approached in the distance as a collection of dark wood buildings, with channels of water traveling between different districts of the city.

“We will arrive in about 5 minutes, Trixie. If you wish to have a quick snack, I would go ahead and eat.” Luna chimed in, tactfully avoiding an eyebrow raise as the mare jumped. Judging from the wide eyed stare directed at her, Trixie had been so lost in thought she had forgotten Luna was with her. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. I am going to.. Um.. go talk with the guards for a moment.” She hesitated for a moment, before all but bolting to the small seating area for the two guards at the back of the chariot.

Trixie stared after her for a moment, idly rubbing her hoof across her tail in a nervous tick she had picked up from staying with Twilight. It really did seem to help her think things through, although she would never say as much to the egghead herself.

As her eyes slid over the buildings she could make out from there vantage point over the coast city of Neigh Orleans, she couldn’t help but recall her early years exploring the sprawling locale. She smiled at the bittersweet nostalgia, fighting the urge to cry at several of the memories that were surfacing. She avoided snapping her head to the side as Luna re-entered the chariot proper, appreciating the subtle respect her mentor gave her by not pushing her to talk.

As the chariot circled the city, preparing to land, Trixie was surprised to find she actually wanted to talk at the moment. She sighed quietly, before leaning up and pressing her hooves against the window.

“Luna, come here.” Trixie said nervously, eyes narrowed as she searched for the old weeping willow near the city center. “Do you see that fountain back there? Next to that building with the blue cabana?”

“I do.”

“There used to be a weeping willow there, in the middle of a large park. My mom and dad would take me there.. At least once a week? To sit and have a picnic. It was massive.. And years before, somepony had tied all of these colored bottles into its limbs.. When sunset hit, it would throw rainbows all across the clearing. It was really… pretty.” Trixie said, wiping at her eye as she remembered all the times she had experienced with her family in the town. Even though the city had grown and changed since she was last there, it was still as much a part of her past as everything else was.

“Over by the water channel over there, do you see that little dock?”

“Yes.” Luna avoided speaking to much, worried she would break whatever mood had Trixie seeking to share her memories with her.

“Me and my dad used to feed the ducks there. I’m actually surprised it’s still standing, it was pretty rotten if.. If I remember correctly.” Trixie was smiling a little, even though her heart throbbed at each mention of her dad. “Across from it…” She hesitated, trailing off as she gazed at a well kept theater building. Even from the air, she could make out the name of the theater across its facade.

“Trixie?” Luna put a hoof on the mare’s shoulder, eyes drawn to the theater building. “I didn’t realize that your family owned a theater..?” She said slowly, seeing the way Trixie swallowed dryly, and pushed away from the window suddenly.

“We still do.. I think. I mean, maybe mom sold it since, but.. It still has our name on it.” Trixie traced the gold designs on the floor, avoiding looking up as the chariot went into a dive towards the land below. “My dad used to perform there, theater magic and stuff you know? I know that theater better than you probably know the palace..”

Luna shuffled her hooves uncertainly, hesitating for just a moment before she trotted to the mares side. She felt Trixie tense up as she approached, but she allowed the princess of the night to extend a wing and wrap it around the mares shoulders.

“I understand today is going to be difficult Trixie. But you are so much braver than I was when I was hurting.” Luna confided, studying the city below as they approached. “I mean, here you are, returning to see your mother again. That’s probably doing a lot better then wielding dark magic and attempting to take over the country, right?” Luna said, poking at the mares belly with what she hoped was a reassuring smile.

Trixie cracked a smile, but also sheepishly shrugged. “Well… there was that whole Ponyville thing.. So If that had gone differently, who knows? You might be bowing to the Great and Benevolent Trixie right about now!” Trixie said with a pained giggle.

Luna couldn’t help but snort at that, but she was glad to see her student smiling. The pair sat in silence, only breaking the hug when the wheels touched down in the city square. As the wagon rolled to a stop, Trixie took several deep breaths, a smile appearing on her face at the familiar Neigh Orleans air and she couldn't help but basking in a few treasured memories. She wasn't sure how today would turn out, but she had hope in her heart!

Author's Note:

I know this is literally the shortest chapter I have written, but I seemed to have the absolute worst writers block with this situation. I think now that the pair are in the city, it will be a bit easier and the next chapter will be much longer. Work is also calming down so I will have more time to write.

Comments

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

I think you did a good job with it.

[AyanamiRei]

A touching chapter that makes me hungry for more

[Yubella]

“I understand today is going to be difficult Trixie. But you are so much braver than I was when I was hurting.” Luna confided, studying the city below as they approached. “I mean, here you are, returning to see your mother again. That’s probably doing a lot better then wielding dark magic and attempting to take over the country, right?” Luna said, poking at the mares belly with what she hoped was a reassuring smile.

Is it attempting when you already own said country? It seemed then and now Celestia still had last say and more power. Especially if you had to ask your equal for everything when they did as they pleased