Two: An Indecisive decision
It could've been on purpose, the way the rays of excruciatingly powerful light came through the lofty blue curtains, striking Trixie’s tightly shut eyes on target, bringing her out of the slumber she was enjoying thoroughly. Inside her domain, she awoke peacefully, and without much attention accurately aimed towards her due decision. She’d spent all last night thinking about which road to travel upon, but still couldn’t be sure as to how she could possibly handle her predicament. However, it was time to decide, and she knew this well enough.
How could she choose like this, though, with such factors tied in? It was almost unbearable to her, how Celestia would give her an ultimatum. She appeared to be pretty strict, too. It certainly did seem that either Trixie was to become her student, or remain a performer. She shifted upwards, and felt Dingo’s bushy tail on her hind hoof. Trixie had lost count of just how many times she’d told him not to sleep on her bed, but had finally given up that day.
“I don’t know, Dingo.” He looked up at her with his pure black eyes, his small yorkie ears perked tentatively. “On one hoof, I’d be stupid to accept, and yet, I’d be stupid to deny Celestia. I could always use some help with my magic, but would it mean giving up what I love to do best?”
He merely sat there, scratched his ear a little, and stared back at her again.
“Maybe you’re right… Perhaps conversing with the princess will reveal some light on this… No…” She began to shake her head in unreasonable doubt. “I’m not being realistic,” she lied to herself. “Trixie knows exactly what becoming Celestia’s student would mean. I’d be cooped up there, in that huge, royal palace for nearly the rest of my days reading spellbook after boring spellbook! I’d never see another admirer again, and just study all the time! That’s not what I want to do… I’ve decided.”
She got out of bed, and looked out the other window to see the palace up above. “I’m leaving for Las Pegasus again. It’s not exactly an easy town to conquer, I already know, but I’ve got a fair fan base there. To stay here would try my patience with Celestia always being right up there.” She pointed to the top tower with a hoof, and finished after putting it down, “I’m leaving… I won’t be her student!”
With that speech done and over with, she turned to the coat rack found by her front door that held her cape and hat, and got dressed. Dingo whined a little after she opened the door, catching her attention. “No, Dingo. I refuse to give up performing! If I knew I could be both Celestia’s pupil and a local town performer, that’d be different, but it seems to me that the princess’s teachings will keep me utterly isolated from the outside world. I don’t want that happening, and I’m not about to take a chance! We’re… we’re done with this city.”
She lowered her head in grievance, remembering Solitude Trot and how far away she had to travel just to reach the Canterlot gates, but knew that Las Pegasus was the only other town she could live in. It’s where she had learned most of her latest and greatest tricks from, including the alicorn illusion. She’ll never forget that geeky colt’s face, and how smug he behaved down in the audience, and what a fool he made her out to be, just by requesting her to grow wings and fly away.
“At least this time, I’ll be prepared. Finding that one taboo shop before getting on the main road was a lucky discovery, and them having such a lifelike pair of wings was even better! Maybe I’ll run into him again this time around. It’d serve him right to mess with the Great and Powerful Trixie, to see me transform!” She nodded, and walked out of the caravan, ready to take on the lonely road that lead back to her former home; back to Las Pegasus.
In little time at all, she had herself strapped up again, the latches rubbing against her sides. It was an annoying feeling, but a welcomed one at that. It reminded her of all the times she was forced to pack up and leave, which she’d done so many times already, but to do it again this time around just felt wrong. Still, though, she got to it.
The gate she had entered through was only a few yards away, and yet, she couldn’t walk one inch without somepony from the nearby restaurant railing asking her, “You’re… leaving, Great and Powerful Trixie?”
She just looked up at the mare, noticing it was the same head of hair she’d styled yesterday, and nodded solemnly. “Trixie can’t stay here, you see… She has to go, but she’s sorry, and maybe someday, she’ll return.”
The country mare hung her forearms over the cold steel, and watched Trixie turn around the corner, assuming she might not ever see the performer again. In little time at all, Trixie would arrive to meet with the same guard she’d fooled not too long ago. This time around, though, he wouldn’t be so easily duped. “Well, look who it is… Come to make a mockery of me again, huh?”
Trixie’s front left hoof rose as if to block a possible oncoming assault while worry washed over her. “What? No, I just… wanted out of the city is all! I guess… you know by now…”
“That you didn’t actually open this here door? Yeah, I thought about it… You are… just…”
She braced herself by squinting her eyes shut, ready for the onslaught of insults. “Please don’t ridicule me…”
“Amazing!”
She opened her eyes to stare at his smirking face. “What?”
“You completely had me fooled! After awhile, I realized the diversity of you opening it, and when I opened it. It. Was. Mindboggling.”
Trixie tried her best not to smile at the humbling compliment, but couldn’t, so she hid her pride with her already hovering hoof, a rare thing to see Trixie do for sure. “Just… open the door.”
His own smile turned into a frown, and fast. “What?”
She just stood there, her head held low. “I can’t stay here, so I’m going back to where I came from. Just let me go, please.”
“You’re leaving?” he asked, his stature becoming almost limp with disappointment. “I never even got to see your show!”
“Let me go!”
A few ponies in the distance looked over, but soon, resumed with what they were doing, but they still observed in secrecy, hoping this wasn’t really happening. As for the guard, he just nodded, his brow furrowing. “Fine.”
The door opened for her, and for the longest time, longer than what it took to open the way for her, Trixie stared out at the rising sun. Hills upon hills, and then one star high above was what she saw. To choose her words wisely, Trixie would’ve described it as disgusting, but that wasn’t going to stop her. So, she started to walk, but was stopped by the guard again, him asking her, “What happened?”
Trixie waited for the answer to come to mind, but could only say, “I lost my nerve.”
He followed her out, and decided to ask after the door closed behind him, “Will we ever see you again?”
“Maybe,” she replied. “Maybe…”
This time, she wouldn’t stop until she was completely out of his sight. He was speechless by then, to say the least. So, he just watched on as Trixie went over one set of hills, and then another, until finally, she was too far away to see anymore. Yet, still, he looked forth, wishing to see her come back over that last, golden hill.
“I can’t believe she refused Celestia’s offer,” somepony said from high above.
He looked up while backing away from the walls to ask, “What offer?”
“The news is all over town! Celestia wanted her to become her new student!”
Another pony poked her head out from beside the others, and included, “She must’ve declined!”
Looking back, the guard huffed emotionally, and mumbled, “She wasn’t up to the challenge…? What could’ve made her shy away from such an honor?”
Eventually, the crowd left the tower banisters, only to continue talking with one another about the recent events. As for the guard, he stayed outside, trying to add up the math with mixed results. It just didn’t make sense to him, how such a mare like that could, as she puts it, lose her nerve.
The minutes ticked by all too slowly for Trixie. By now, she had lost count of just how many humps she’d gone over in one day, and her back ached tremendously from all that weight having to be yanked over the tops, and then slowly brought down due to the road becoming a harsh slope. She finally reached an all too familiar spot, the exact same clearing she’d camped out at just two nights ago. Even the rocky fireplace remained where she’d left it.
She settled herself here for a while to give herself a much needed break, and even considered staying the rest of the day and night, if only to contemplate her choice in life a bit more. With a few sparks from her horn, the left over campfire was ignited again, and she sat in silence, watching the sun race downwards towards a few houses just barely visible beyond the horizon. No positive thoughts came, though. It was all irrational negativity for her. Trixie had truly allowed her greatest fears to cloud her judgement on such pressing things, and there was no turning back… not without the help from a friend.
She stood back up gently, and was relatively surprised at how loud her shifting movements were. The rustling of dirt was amazingly sharp this time around, and the smell of the flames were all too distinguishable from the natural air. It almost brought about this sense of displacement, to know just how real her situation was. “Right about now,” she spoke to herself. “Right about now… Celestia is wondering where I am.”
She sighed, and turned towards her caravan, ready to start sulking, but not out here in the open. Even though she was beyond alone, if Trixie was to cry, she’d do it in privacy. She didn’t even want the chirping birds to know of her unquestionable despair. The door creaked open slowly, and while she trotted up the old, squeaky stairs, she took in the inside surroundings. There was the comforting bed in the back, a mirror to the side, and the plush pillows she’d laid on so oftenly whenever she needed a hug. Which shall be the shoulder she’d cry upon? Holding in her tears, she started to move distractedly towards the mirror.
Her reflection showed water behind her eyelids, predictably. It had to have been the only flaw of hers at this point, because everything else to her was gorgeous. Still, taking that in, she felt the moist line race down her cheek and finish its course right at her chin. It hung there for a moment, wiggling with every shaky tremble, and finally fell to the floor thanks to her bottom lip beginning to quiver.
Knock!
“Huh?” Trixie asked, almost jumping away from the stand. She curiously looking down at the drop of water on her wooden table, and silently remarked, “That… was loud.”
Knock!
Knock!
Knock!
She looked over at the door, where the odd noise was coming from, and asked, “Who could possibly be here, of all places…?” She sat up arbitrarily, only to stand up completely, and walked up to the entry way. She then softly placed her left ear on the surface, and asked, “Hello?”
“Trixie? Is that you?”
She gasped while backing away, unable to accept who was at her door. The timing couldn’t be more unbelievable. “Twilight Sparkle? It can't be!”
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It's extremely admirable that Trixie's sticking to what she loves even in the face of that. While she doesn't know it, I personally have my doubts about Celestia teaching Trixie the same way she taught Twilight.
5114186
Trixie seems to be taking the Sane, Rational Response.
Unfortunately, Celestia seems to have discovered Magic Twilight
Missile and has counter-attacked this rationality.
Hmm this was actually sorta expected. ....... maybe.
Your characterization if Trixie caught me a little off guard at first. But now I find it to be pretty appropriate. Trixie's a proud mare. Even after all she's been through.
Well, I honestly hadn't been expecting that. Good on Trixie to stick to her guns, though I'm inclined to agree with 5120834 's guess. Interesting development at the end, there...
5120927
To be fair, Trixie's rationale is coming from a what if, not a certainty.
5120927
Just because if fit Trixie's rational doesn't mean it was the right choice of course. It is appropriate for her character though and frankly Celestia recruiting Twilight to convince Trixie to take the offer also fits. Twilight is the only (living) pony who knows what being Celestia's student will really be like, the only one who can tell Trixie that Celestia won't expect her to be sequestered in the castle for the rest of her life studying. and like Europa said, Celestia wouldn't expect Trixie to learn the same way as Twilight as the nature of their magic is different. Teaching Twilight was about control and restraint of massive power so Twily could grow into it, teaching Trixe would be the opposite, showing her how to draw out her power and empower her spell casting.
I don't know...
I sorta didn't want to see Twilight's reaction so soon.
I like how you're showcasing Trixie's vulnerability though.
Still, thank you for the update. I ate every single word.
Oh!! *epiphany*
Maybe, Twilight doesn't know about the offer.
But-but-but you made it seem like everypony in Canterlot knew.
*sigh*
... unlikely, but plausible. *hooves crossed*
Alrighty then, so me thinks Twilight is going to talk her into accepting the offer.
Then again, I've been wrong before
*super epiphany!*
This is a dream!!! Luna is manipulatin' things in the background.
C'mon, we're reading a story about tricking others. And Trixie will catch onto the ruse, highlighting her talents.
*grasping at straws*
I'm going to point something out here. If this does not advance something big and important in the long run to the plot (I like the character development) and is simply a small bump on the road this chapter will ultimately feel like pointless filler that's there just for some padding. I'm not saying it is but I worry if you introduce things like this too much.
What kind of dog is Dingo?
Hmmm, know how that feels a bit better then I'd like. Very relatable.
Trixie has a PET? I'm surprised she can handle one, as much as it would ease the burden of not having a friend in the world.
I feel respect and sadness for Trixie at the same time. On one half, she is sticking to her guns because what she is doing, at this time in her life, is the thing that she derives the most enjoyment from. It has helped make her into the pony she is today and it is everything she loves; the fame, the admiration, the ability to wonder and amaze people and make herself look like the most incredible wizard since Starswirl. She is the greatest performer and illusionist in Equestria, possibly the greatest in it's history.
On the other hand though, this is the only life she knows and she is scared of leaving it behind. She is scared of the unknown, like most people in the world, and it is not everyday that something is presented to you that could change the foundation of your life.
Trixie loves what she does and what she does is something she has practiced at for many many years and it has become her pride and joy. But if becoming the student of Celestia means she has to give that up, then she would turn her back on it.
But in the end, it mostly comes down to is that she is scared, she doesn't think she is up to the challenge and doesn't want her life to change.
I understand her reasons, but I still feel sad for her.
Trixie evidently hates her style of life but is afraid to leave it because it's the only thing she knows.
I... feel like I missed something between the first half of this story and the second/
If Trixie enjoys her current life, what exactly is there to bemoan?
I would had gone there and told celestia that "I don't want to spend the rest of my pride years cooped inside the castle with my nose stuck in a book day in and day out" and then either just decline like that or the two of them would come up with a compromise.
Well, that was short lived. Okay, move along, story's over, nothing to see here.
*gets up and leaves*
*comes back and sits down*
Oh, fine. I'll stay for the rest.
5121290
s-media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/d1/49/da/d149dae8c3cd4c012768a35fcf7bed21.jpg
5121065 Well, Sunset Shimmer knows, too. But she isn't in that reality.
Those that think this is just a coincidence, please raise your hand.
(Not a single hand goes up)
I thought so.
I don´t know, i just hope Twilight doesn´t try to force her into being a student, i want her to make the decision alone.
I like it that she is hesitate at first, but if Twilight is going to talk to her about being a student of Celestia, i hope she isn´t talking until Trixie is running back to Celestia.
Maybe it would be better if Twilight don´t know it yet and Trixie told it to her. I don´t know, i just don´t like the idea if Celestia isn´t even trying to to it herself and probably maybe writes Twilight to trick her into being a student. I mean Celestia let her make her own choise, it don´t feels right if she still tries to get her somehow. Like i said, Trixie should tell Twilight the news on her own, Twilight should not know anything yet.
Whatever you do, please make it noticeable that Trixie made her own decision.
5122201
Heck even if she's in this cannon she still isn't in this reality is she? She off being a hoo-man
With the awkward phrasing and odd word choices, it is like reading a pony "Eye of Argon"
Well, that was... kinda expected. Yeah, good on Trixie for sticking to her guns. But I do hope she eventually decides to accept sooner rather than later.
5120927
Does that sound like somepony willing to fetch Twilight for Trixie?
Also, there's no hint that Celestia is desperate for a student. So there's no motivation to fetch Princess Sparkle to convince some mare, especially since Trixie is not necessary to save Equestria.
Worst case scenario though... Twilight was visiting Canterlot and overheard. But why wasn't that lavender pony in the Canterlot audience?
And why would the Author mention the sun falling down the horizon? Haven't you noticed that the Author rushed an entire day, so it could be nighttime by the end of this short chapter.
Or perhaps I'm overthinking this. Mwahahahaha!
I am curious how you will handle trixie meeting back up with twilight. If you need any help with editing, or want to bounce an idea off somepony, PM me.
5122081 I was actually thinking to myself last chapter "There's no way that Trixie could say no. If she did, that would end the story." XD
Of course, the author proved me wrong. Still, I very much dislike how Twilight appeared suddenly, not even breathing heavily. Do you realize the distance between Ponyville, Las Pegasus (I'm assuming it's long from it's description), and Canterlot. Celestia would have waited before alerting Twilight, who then would have to receive the message from Spike, then fly around looking for Trixie. Seriously, Trixie could have left along any route or road. Even then, why would Celestia ask Twilight to convince Trixie? Trixie had already made her mind up, to try and convince her, it's essentially forcing her to change her mind.
Sorry for the rant. I admire that Twilight is involved (shipping or not, I don't care or notice), but was that really necessary? It would have been better if Trixie rethought everything herself. :sigh: Well, I'll wait for explanations next chapter.
5120857
5120834
That would be funny to see though.
What if Trixie started acting like a Twilight-clone from Celestia's teaching.
"Noooooooooooooooooooo!!!!"
Interesting update
Ooooooohhhhhh! <attempted Discord squeal>. This is a great characterization of Trixie! I love the mix of arrogance and vulnerability.I cant wait to see what Twilight is up to...
...Welp, even if Purplesmart has something to say, Trixie still wouldn't be able to change it. She made up 2 days of travel in one day of frenzied pulling.
Still, I guess we're about due for a Death By Monologue from Twilight.
Well, there is the possibility that Twilight has no idea what's going on and just happened to wander by when she recognized the wagon.
And there's the possibility that Celestia is behind making Twilight go there and is scheming something.
Who knows.
That said, I agree that it's refreshing to see Trixie know better than to grasp for power without considering how it'll affect her (I'd think that the Alicorn Amulet has made her wary of that), and that she's considering her true priorities. However, fear of the unknown aside, there's also long-term priorities. Does she want to still be a wandering performer thirty years down the line?
And I don't think Celestia plans to let such potential slip through her hooves that easily, either.
Well, this is good to see. Quite the interesting turn of events. However, it's almost like you throw away one contrivance for another. Honestly, Twilight showing up like that is super contrived, but I have a sneaking suspicion she is a
hired assassinhired help for Celestia. She must really like Trixie.I'm likin' where this is going! Wonder what'll happen...?
This is a tough habit to break, but:
“I can’t believe she refused Celestia’s offer,” somepony said from high above. He looked up while backing away from the walls to ask, “What offer?”
This implies the same pony is asking what offer (the one who just mentioned her offer). It's always proper to separate each persons dialogue to a different paragraph. No matter how short.
I'm still reading though, just thought I should mention it. Could just be a simple mistake too.
Cap.
____________
Needs beginning " marks.
_____________
5181184
That is true. Both in the trade off, and Twilight being a hired assassin. A Snugglesassin, who kills with adawableness, and the snuggles. Until the target explodes into confetti and rainbows. I heard she was taught by the dreaded "Flutter Butters", the Element of "Death by Kindness".
> 3 hours earlier
"Dearest
studentfellow princess Twilight Sparkle, I need you to go gather a very important herb called super oregano for important pony reasons. It's identical to wild oregano, but may only be found at the following geographic location, within a square kilometer or so. Good luck and hope you don't bump into anypony entirely by coincidence!"- SunnyC
6456492
>super oregano
I lost it.
Roll the credits!
Actors