Chapter 10 - One way or the other (Part 2/2)
Aw yeah!
The Welcome-Trixie / Make-up / Rescue-from-Befriend-Zecora / Curse-Away / Or-whatever-Party at the library!
Probably the only good reason to ever go to a library.
Well, that and magical curses.
Rainbow Dash wasn’t entirely sure what it was about anymore. She just knew she had the best new story. Nopony else had anything weird happen to them right after the last weird thing they all did together!
Trixie and Applejack hung on her every word as she told them of the break-in at her place. Heck, Trixie looked super shocked!
“That's when I heard a noise from upstairs, the burglar was still in my house! Bad luck for him, right?” Rainbow Dash flexed to give Trixie a quick reminder of what she’d been missing with all her random disappearing acts.
“Ah reckon ya done showed him what fer?” Applejack held out a freshly filled mug to her, clearly loving it.
It was cool of Applejack to bring an apple cider keg.
It would have been even cooler if it actually had cider in it, instead of apple juice.
Stupid Apple traditions.
“You didn’t hurt her did you?” Trixie’s face was even paler than before.
“Heh, that’s the crazy thing! I charge into the room and there’s this little filly snoring on my couch, under the Cloudsdale Junior League flag that I thought I lost!” Rainbow Dash chugged her mug. “You shoulda heard her rattle on when I woke her up. Apparently, she’s my biggest fan!”
Meanwhile, Twilight and Pinkie Pie were arguing. Something about using the library for parties more often. It sounded like a great idea, but Twilight wanted it to be boring instead. Spike was trying to act as a referee between them.
Rarity and Fluttershy were having a much quieter talk by themselves, but they kept looking in her direction. Obviously, her story was the most interesting! She was totally gonna tell them the story from the beginning next!
Right after she finished up here.
“—and that’s when her aunt told me she’d get me the medal back tomorrow.”
“Glad to hear it all worked out.” Trixie looked much more at ease now that she had her happy ending.
Apparently, Trixie was a sappy sucker for success stories. Good thing every patented Rainbow Dash story was about success!
“Yeah, shame that she sprained her wing when she flew up there and got stuck.”
“Does that take long to heal?”
“Eh, it’s not so bad, I... hang on…”
Rarity waved her over.
“Huh, guess she really is eager to hear the start of it.”
Not that Rainbow Dash could blame her. Even though Fluttershy was right there, she probably wasn’t the best to talk to. Parties really weren’t that girl’s thing; she looked so stiff and nervous.
Trixie looked over her shoulder at Rarity and Fluttershy. “Well, don’t keep your eager audience waiting, Trixie will find you later, maybe you could demonstrate how you flew her back, mhm? We’ll see about that ‘Biggest Fan’ claim.” She winked and pulled Applejack off to go break up Pinkie Pie and Twilight.
“Heh, tease.” She fought back a blush. Nothing was as uncool as blushing in public.
Typical of Trixie to try and leave her ‘wanting more.’
Rarity eagerly greeted her when she approached. “There you are, Rainbow Dash! Listen I need you to do something for me.”
“I know I know.” She’d have to remember to split her awesome tales up more often, she’d get to wow ponies multiple times!
On second thought, the same story every time would be boring for HER… What if she just had multiple adventures instead? Genius!
“So, I just got home when—”
“Pardon me, Rainbow Dash.” Rarity rested a hoof on her shoulder and pushed her slightly to the side so she could see the little group behind her. “I would love to hear all about it… but Trixie is perfectly distracted right now. I’d like you and Fluttershy to pick up ‘the package’ from my boutique.”
Package? Oh, right! Trixie’s costume! But...
“Wait, I thought you were supposed to bring it?”
“I may have been somewhat preoccupied when I left. I’m not proud of it. Look, I’ll keep her busy her while you’re gone." Rarity sighed and brushed aside her mane. "Fluttershy knows what it looks like, but it’s heavy and I need you to carry it for her."
Fluttershy gave her an apologetic look. “I could try.”
She had to lug around something heavy because Rarity got distracted? Great.
A quick check back.
Nope, Applejack was busy.
Drat.
“Ahh, fine. Come on, Fluttershy.”
“Did you find it yet? This place gives me the creeps.”
She hadn't noticed how dark it was when they first walked in, but only a few rays of moonlight were managing to fight their way through the many curtains that crossed the room.
It lit up just enough to make out the crowd of faceless fake ponies that surrounded them. Some wore half-baked clothing ideas that Rarity must have been experimenting with, or worse, maybe those were supposed to be worn like that.
Rainbow Dash shivered.
“It should be here… uhm… oh...”
Fluttershy had lit a candle and braved the darkest corner, shrouded by the stowed curtains. Rarity must have been busy. There were more bundles than expected and Fluttershy was, of course, hesitant to disrupt the pile too much.
She was sure Fluttershy had it covered.
Normally, she’d have jumped on the chance to scatter the pile and hurry this up, but… well, it wasn’t as if the pile would come to life mid-jump and swallow her whole… that was just silly! Hah!
“Can we just bring all of them? I’ll find a—Huh?”
Rainbow Dash eyed the shadowy silhouette of a nearby mannequin.
Did that one just move?
She could have sworn...
“No!” Fluttershy turned toward her and all the shadows fled, leaving just the overgrown puppets. “I, uhm, I mean… no, I’ll find it. Just… just a little longer, if you don’t mind.”
It was the candle.
Of course. The flickering light as it moved was just messing with her.
Yeah, that's all.
“Fine.”
As Fluttershy resumed her search, the light went with her.
That was definitely why stuff looked like it was moving. No ‘Night of the Living Mannequins’ or anything like that. Tough luck, she’d been really hyped up to kick some evil thing’s ass, but every opportunity turned out to be a dud lately.
“Yes, sorry… uhm…” Fluttershy moved deeper into the belly of the boutique. She could barely see her anymore. “Rainbow Dash?”
“Yeah?”
“...” Fluttershy kept her back turned. Her wings clamped tightly to her sides.
There was no response, but Rainbow Dash could hear her breathing. It was slowing down. Was something suffocating her!?
She took a quick step forward. “Fluttershy?”
Fluttershy set down the little candle. She tensed and sucked in a sharp breath. “I love you.”
“What?” Rainbow Dash stumbled to a halt.
“I-I love you.” Fluttershy turned around with a stilted composure. The corners of her eyes glistened in the candlelight as she turned, but her face was dark now that she was facing her.
This couldn’t be real. There was only one logical explanation for this.
Okay, so Fluttershy is possessed. Do not panic.
After a moment, Fluttershy trembled.
Uh-oh! Whatever reaction Flutterghost wanted from her, dead silence wasn’t it.
“I’m s-sorry. I… It's okay if you feel different... I just always wanted to tell you, but I’m s-such a coward. I just… I didn’t want anything to change. For us to change, but… but it’s c-changing anyway. So, so I...”
She sobbed.
Forget it! Ghost or not. She couldn’t stand by and watch Fluttershy cry, ever.
What kind of ghost cried anyway?
She took the final step forward and grabbed her by the shoulders. “Hey. Slow down.”
Was she always this soft? When was the last time she actually touched her?
Not the time!
“I’m sorry.” Fluttershy whimpered as she rubbed her eyes. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”
Okay. That sounded more like the Fluttershy she knew. She wasn’t possessed.
That was good.
Wait. Then she was serious about all that stuff?
That was bad.
…Or was it?
No, no it definitely was!
Don’t panic. This wasn’t the first time she’d misunderstood something.
“Fluttershy, you, uhm… did you mean like… romantically?”
Fluttershy averted her gaze then softly nodded. “...Yes.”
Panic!
“L-like, how long?”
“…I realized how I felt in year two of flight school… I don’t know when it started.”
She stumbled backward as the room twisted around her.
“Years!?” She grabbed her head before it spun off. “Why didn’t you tell me!?”
Fluttershy lowered her head.
Impossible. No way. Years? She would have noticed. She totally would have caught on. There would have been hints.
A smile. A stare. A blush. Something like that.
Each thought stirred up a memory of exactly that.
A whirlwind kicked up in Rainbow Dash's mind, flashing glimpses of half-forgotten moments between them.
A time, many times, and others when she’d caught Fluttershy looking over. It all had seemed so innocent. Just wishful thinking that she’d shamed herself for entertaining.
A fire burned in her chest. How blind could she be?
All this time. All this time!
Everything felt like it was closing in on her. The walls, the curtains, the mannequins.
Especially the mannequins!
“Gah! I can’t believe I was this stupid!” She took another step back. “All that time wasted! Why didn’t I just tell you!?”
“Tell me what?” Fluttershy stepped in after her.
A mannequin bumped into her from behind.
“That’s it!” She whirled around and decked it straight in the face. The stupid thing flew across the room and crumpled into a heap of plastic limbs and torn-off stitches in a corner.
Better.
Sort of.
At least she had some room to breathe now.
“Uhm.” Fluttershy paused mid-step and stared wide-eyed at the pieces, then took a step closer anyway. “Tell me what?”
As Fluttershy moved in, a beam of moonlight caught her face. Rainbow Dash’s whirling thoughts slowed to a crawl.
Was this her first good look at Fluttershy tonight?
She looked... different.
Her fur was always clean, but now it shimmered in the moonlight as if she’d spent hours with a hairbrush going over every inch of it.
Her mane kept the usual windswept look, but it was styled out of her face, kept back by a butterfly hairpin. It didn’t let her hide those soft, round cheeks that framed her adorable face.
They looked like they were on fire.
They felt almost as hot.
When had she moved her hooves up to those cheeks? Whatever. She enjoyed the soft fur under her soles. She felt Fluttershy’s muscles tightening underneath.
Right, Fluttershy was tense, barely breathing as she waited expectantly. A slight tremor gave away that she was nervous, but she was still staring her down.
Those innocent, bewitching, beautiful green eyes were on her. She was looking at her in the way Rainbow Dash had always wanted. With those eyes.
Why had she never noticed it before? Had she written it off? There was no mistaking it now.
Fluttershy saw her that way too. For years. Just like her.
And Fluttershy had told her first! So much for being ‘the fastest’ pony ever. Heck, she was failing to tell her even now that this was everything she ever wanted. She was right there in front of her, and Rainbow Dash’s dumb mouth just wouldn’t form the words.
But… why did it hurt? She had to think, but it was difficult to look away.
When she finally managed to pull her gaze down a little, she only had an even harder time.
Fluttershy’s cute nose slightly flared, her muzzle twitched, her lips slightly parted.
They seemed so inviting.
“Tell me wh—Mph!”
They were soft. Of course.
Who needed words anyway?
She felt Fluttershy slip her forelegs around her, pulling herself close.
So close, she felt the rapid thumping in Fluttershy’s chest against her own.
It felt right. After all this time. She couldn’t help it. She had to explore more. Experience more.
Those soft lips, like their owner, offered no resistance as she probed deeper.
Rather, she was welcomed happily.
The taste of mint was on Rainbow Dash’s lips and crept over her tongue as she quickly ran it over them for a second. That was a surprise.
It was as if Fluttershy had brushed them just moments ago.
It was nice.
What other surprises could there be?
She ran a hoof down from Fluttershy’s cheek along her neck and down her side.
Fluttershy gave a muffled mewl. Surprised, perhaps.
Not objection, that was for sure, as Fluttershy caressed the exploring hoof with her feathers.
That was a nice trick. It took the guesswork out of this.
She’d have to remember that next time Trixie…
Trixie!
“No!” She pushed Fluttershy away.
“Wah!” Fluttershy toppled over and landed flat on her back.
Rainbow Dash cringed inwardly.
The hardest thing she’d ever done!
The dumbest thing she’d ever done!
“No no no!” She hit herself in the head with every word. It didn’t hurt enough. “I’m such an idiot!”
“Ow...” Fluttershy softly hissed as she sat up, rubbing the back of her head. Damnit, she’d hurt her too. “W-what's wrong? I, uhm… I didn’t, y-you know… mind...”
Was she for real?
“Trixie! Duh!” She shouted at her, like an even bigger idiot. “I shouldn’t have done that! But, but I always liked you and… Gah! I’m sorry! I gotta go!”
She flared her wings.
Fluttershy’s eyes widened. “W-wait! Where?”
“I dunno! Just ‘GO’!”
Where was the door?
She zipped a circle around the room, but found herself enclosed on all sides.
Trapped!
“Why are the curtains everywhere now!?”
“Rainbow Dash! Calm down! If you don't I… I, uhm…” Fluttershy bit her lip. “If you leave, I-I’ll tell Trixie.”
Her chest froze, and the rest of her with it.
“No no.” She landed in front of Fluttershy. “I, I just need to think! That’s all. I need air!”
“Please… just come sit down.” Fluttershy pleaded as she patted the floor beside her. “We can, uhm, t-talk about it… if that’s okay?”
No choice.
“Just don’t tell, Trixie. Please? I… oh, Celestia...” She dropped down onto her haunches. “This is exactly what she was afraid of...”
Fluttershy gave a hesitant nod. “I won’t, but… Uhm…Oh… That felt… nice, didn’t it?”
“...Yeah.” She couldn’t deny that, but the fact it felt so great also made her feel worse. How did that work?
Fluttershy blushed.
She couldn’t tell whether it was embarrassment or something else. “I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry.”
“Because of Trixie or…” Fluttershy folded her ears back and turned away. “Or am I just no good?”
“What? No!” She grabbed Fluttershy’s shoulder and turned her back. “No, you’re great! Awesome even! If I wasn’t already with Trixie, I wouldn’t even have to think about it! It’s just… I am...”
“...Thinking about it?” Fluttershy asked, quietly.
Fluttershy had picked up on her choice of words before she even had done so herself. Without Trixie, there was nothing to think about. She’d go for her adorable lifelong crush in a heartbeat! But with Trixie… well… she did have to think about it.
Gah.
She’d definitely meant to say ‘with Trixie’ at the end there, but… she was thinking now.
Fluttershy was quiet, even more so than usual, like she was holding her breath.
Right, Fluttershy knew what her thinking face looked like, and apparently she was giving her room to do just that. Great…
Could she abandon Trixie for Fluttershy? It didn’t feel right to just kick Trixie to the curb just like that.
“Figures that I waited for years and gave up only a couple of weeks too soon…” Rainbow Dash groaned, letting her hoof run down her face. “If I’d known this was ever going to be a question, I wouldn’t have agreed to be with Trixie in the first place.”
Heck, she hadn’t been really sure about Trixie to begin with. She’d only agreed to date her to give her a fair chance. She’d made that clear. Trixie knew it. It wasn’t set in stone, right?
So, it wouldn’t be unfair to put an end to it either, right?
...
Maybe she needed a second opinion.
“So… I’m thinking…” Rainbow Dash sighed as she turned to her only available friend, Fluttershy. Yeah, that would be fine. “I’ve known you for years… while I only met Trixie a month ago, and the first half of that we didn’t even get along! This should be easy, right?”
“Uh-huh,” Fluttershy quietly affirmed, but said nothing else. Aside from ever so slightly leaning forward, Fluttershy stayed still. She probably hadn’t realized she’d moved given how much she was trying not to disturb the moment.
“On the other hoof, it’s been a surprisingly great couple of weeks, you know? Trixie is weirdly adorable when she’s not being insufferable; sometimes even when she is... She’s smart and funny. She even helped solve my fight with Twilight. I can tell she really cares. It feels nice to know she wants me, even if she’s kinda needy. Although… not lately, I guess.”
“Oh?”
“...I feel like she’s been avoiding me ever since we talked about stars and stuff a couple of days ago. Sure, it was sorta busy with that Zecora thing, but everypony else was around. Heck, I see more of you than of her.”
Fluttershy bit her lip. “Maybe… she had a good reason?”
There was only one thing that came to mind.
“She did talk about leaving…” Her chest felt tight. “You know, taking her show to different cities and stuff. Lots of plans… but I wasn’t in them. Maybe it hit her that we’ll have a choice to make. Maybe she’s already made hers...”
“Oh… I’m sorry.” Fluttershy rubbed her hoof along her foreleg, nervously. “I… I did see her bring home new stage props, but that doesn’t mean anything, right?”
Fluttershy was too innocent to see what it meant.
“...I see.”
It was weird. A sleep-deprived Applejack had catapulted her into a metal railing once, ribs first, but this still hurt more.
Could Trixie just kick her to the curb like that?
It wasn’t set in stone. They both knew that this had been a trial run, right?
So, it wouldn’t be unfair to put an end to it, right?
But...
Rainbow Dash slumped to the ground, forelegs folded under her head. “I… I guess I didn’t realize before… that Trixie could be the one to bail too.”
Why did this not make her feel better? It was perfect.
If Trixie ditched her, then she could be with Fluttershy without any guilt. Trixie would leave so there wouldn’t even be that awkward thing of running into her. Except maybe if she tried to do another show in Ponyville, but Trixie would probably avoid the town after last time.
She’d never see her again.
Did she really matter that little? Or was it hard on Trixie too? It had to be hard.
“Rainbow Dash?” Fluttershy pulled her back into reality. “I, uhm… I don’t mean to push you but… Do you like her better? You… you could always just go with her when she leaves… I-I’d understand.’”
Right. She had to make a choice.
“No matter who I pick, it’s gonna hurt somepony.”
Fluttershy gave the tiniest of nods. “...Probably.”
Hold up.
What if she didn’t have to make one?
She perked up. “Hey, would it be alright with you if we waited a little longer?”
“Huh?” Fluttershy looked confused.
“I mean, I gotta stay in Ponyville. Trixie’s gotta leave. So, if it’s gonna end anyway… I’ll talk to Trixie and tell her I understand, so she’ll stop avoiding me. We can just have a nice time until she has to go and then...” She stood and offered a hoof to Fluttershy with a smile. “...It’ll be us? How’s that sound? Nopony gets hurt.”
“W-what, but… but…” Fluttershy stood almost as motionless as the mannequins. The only difference was the slight shiver through her whole body. Her eyes were wide as though she’d spotted some terrible monster was standing right behind Rainbow Dash.
A quick look back. Nothing there.
“Uh, Fluttershy?” she cautiously tried again.
This time, Fluttershy broke free from whatever spell she was under. “Yes? Oh. Oh!” She blinked and quickly took the offered help to get back on her hooves.
“Are you okay?” She came up alongside and wrapped a wing around Fluttershy. “I… look I know that maybe it’s not fair of me to ask you to wait but... ”
They’d done that for years anyway.
“Mhm? Oh no. No no, it’s not that... It’s just…” She snuggled in under the wing and gave a nervous smile. She felt so tense. “I just realized why you were talking about such strange things. You misunderstood. I’m so so sorry, I wasn’t clear before.”
It was her turn to freeze. “Huh?”
“I don’t want to replace Trixie for you…” Fluttershy looked away, embarrassed. “I, uhm, I want to j-join you… both.”
“Uhhhhh...” She stared at Fluttershy, totally dumbstruck.
Was this real? Maybe that whole possession thing was back on the table after all.
Fluttershy’s whole demeanor had changed. She was all smiles now.
“What… what do you mean?” She had to ask. If only to make sure. “Like… I don’t even know what to call it.”
“W-well… that is… both uhm… A-all of… uhm...” Whatever confidence had briefly taken hold of Fluttershy quickly melted away and left her red-faced and stuttering as she tried to explain herself. “Three of us… t-together… no choice, s-so nopony gets hurt?”
Despite how little of that was coherent, she got the gist of it.
She wouldn’t have to choose between the two of them, if she just chose both.
That was crazy.
“That… that’s one way, I guess, but, uh, how does that even work?” She scratched her head. Every couple she was aware of were two ponies, no more. Heck, it was in the name. “Besides, I don’t think Trixie would go for that.”
Oh, Celestia, she could see herself walking up to Trixie already. ‘Hey you are cool and all, but can we see other ponies too?’ That would totally end well.
Rainbow Dash shook her head. “It’s not a bad idea but...”
There was no way she was gonna ask.
“I, uhm, I’ll ask her,” Fluttershy said.
“What?”
“I mean… you agree, so I just have to ask Trixie, right?” Fluttershy looked more confident now. “I… I can do that.”
The idea of talking to Trixie about this didn’t scare her off? She’d rarely seen Fluttershy so determined.
Impressive. Too impressive. Did Fluttershy want this so badly that she forced herself to act even if she was normally so timid? She had to respect that.
Rainbow Dash gave a slow nod. “If Trixie’s onboard... I guess I’m cool with it.”
It was all going so fast, even for her. It was hard to keep track of all the thoughts and questions that kept popping up in her head. Why now? How does this work? Is it even legal? How would their friends react? Would Trixie be angry?
She was forgetting something. Something obvious. It was staring right at her.
Right!
“Wait a minute. You like Trixie?” Rainbow Dash could barely believe it! “What on Equestria could attract a sweet, innocent, scaredy pony like you to somepony so loud, obnoxious, and full of themselves as Trixie?!”
“I, uh, s-she reminded me of you...” Fluttershy blushed bright red and looked away.
“Oh.”
“Mhm.”
She couldn’t argue with that.
“Oh my, look over here.” Fluttershy pulled away and dipped into a dark corner. She emerged a moment later with a package. “This is the one with Trixie’s costume.”
It was wrapped in purple paper with a blue ribbon. Yeah, that was probably it.
“Finally! Let’s get out of here.”
At long last, the fledgling lovers had realized they'd always been such. And at long last, they left the boutique.
“Finally!”
Rarity pulled off the featureless mask that had so wonderfully disguised her as just one more simple mannequin.
Now she could get out of this uncomfortable get-up. It was hot and most disagreeable with her mane, but she’d do it all again to get her front-row seat to the culmination of her greatest project!
“It’s a good thing I was here to lend a little bit of magic to the evening. They never suspected a thing!”
Though, she’d sweated it for a moment there when Rainbow Dash lashed out. Standing perfectly still was harder than it sounded.
“That was absolutely adorable, but… I’m going to need to talk to Fluttershy at some point… All is fair in love and war, but there are treaties, darling.”
For now, she’d just have to hurry and get back before those two found her missing!
As promised. 
Since we already have a pretty good idea of whether Trixie is okay with this, I don't think this counts as a cliffhanger. 
I recognize this has been a long time coming, much longer than I actually thought it would take, so if you're still here for this... Thanks for reading and hanging around. I hope you'll have fun seeing where the story goes from here. I'll try to be more succinct. 
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Alright alright! I know that I did a bunch of reviews back to back and you got some crazy expectation in your head that I could keep that pace up but let's be real. If I had that kind of stick-to-it-tive-ness within me all along I would have finally gotten around to either my idea for an Applejack focused One Punch Man parody, my long form exploration of what it feels like to be an secondary character in a series that isn't about you (already handled with more skill by Background Pony) or my very short and weird story about Pinkie growing up on a rock farm. All great things that I've been literally thinking about for YEARS but can't bring myself to sit down and do.
But for you, I will sit down for the next two hours at least and pound out some drivel trying to explain how it is I feel about this most recent chapter you've written for Trixie and her journey to friendship and heartbreak. (Please note that any bitter tone I may have at this is a joke and I'm sorry it took so long for me to find it in me and sit down to write all this.)
Ah finally! The party that we've been waiting for! So many chapters spent on build up and-wait, where are you going Dash?
I do like that the characters all finally got a chance to celebrate the apparently many things that have been accomplished since they last managed to have a party, haha. It's almost a shame that this scene was from Dash's perspective since she has so little interest in anything about the party and is just so excited to show off her latest adventure. But I suppose, in the end, the party is really just a vehicle with which to drive this plot a little further forward. WE AREN'T SUPPOSED TO CARE ABOUT IT SO WHY DO I?! To be fair though, I didn't really mind so much the first time I read it. I was too focused on Dash being oblivious to the dramatically ironic subtext of this scene.
I think you managed to capture some of Dash's endearing side here in her POV. She is so eager to share her successes and just so genuinely believes that her friends will be so excited to hear her little adventure and she just wants to perform so bad. The little braggart.
I'm glad that Trixie come across as pretty horrified about her mistake in forgetting Scootaloo, although now that I'm reflecting on it she has pretty good reason. The last time she remembers Dash getting worked up enough to get into a physical altercation she was concussed pretty badly. Thinking that she might have accidentally set Dash up to plow directly into a child would be pretty horrible. Although I do find it entertaining that she must NOT be thinking clearly or Dash is a good dramatic story teller because she MUST know that if Dash were to nail a poor kid in the face she wouldn't be preening so much when she tells that story.
Actually, that leads me a bit into a meandering thought. How much does Trixie really know about Dash at this point? I keep asking this question and they've made some strides since then to learn and know about each other, but was Trixie just wrapped up in her own fears at this point (as she would be want to do and just start ignoring common sense) or did something at the back of her mind really have her worry that Dash might have actually gotten into a physical altercation with a child and then bragged about it to her friends? I'm guessing the first but it has me thinking about how well Trixie would be able to predict or read Dash at this point. I think it's pretty clear that Trixie can pay attention and diagnose the moods of other ponies when she cares to. She does a pretty good job of reading Fluttershy in just about everything that doesn't have anything to do with a reality she might not want to confront. But we don't really see her do that with Dash at all.
Now I know that may just be because Dash doesn't really require some of that careful attention or those eggshells, but it still leads me to wonder how Trixie would handle any kind of actual, long term relationship with Dash that wasn't just two ponies learning to connect and enjoy each other's company. They will need to have another real clash at some point so we can see their characters defined in relation to each other a little more clearly. But then, to be fair, I think we may be coming up on just such developments!!
Anyways, moving on to Dash looking at Applejack as "pretty cool" for bringing some juice but also looking at her as cheap labor. I do appreciate that she is so blind to romance that Dash's first instinct is to pawn Fluttershy and her chore off onto Applejack. Haha, you doofus! Lucky that Rarity timed looping in Dash so masterfully. Properly devious!
I am also happy to see that Trixie has a way of worming into Dash here. Dash has some legitimate feelings about Trixie at least on a physical level for sure and is flattered by the attention. It will be ever more interesting to see how that causes conflict later when she comes to terms with Fluttershy's confession (YES I KNOW THAT HAPPENS LATER IN THE CHAPTER I'LL GET THERE BUT I'M TALKING ABOUT LATER NOW).
Anyways, after that long, winding, meandering thought I am finally able to come back to my initial rumination on Trixie's relationship with Scootaloo. I'm happy that we saw it all come to a lucky end. You reminded me that the three fillies aren't even friends yet! It feels so weird to think that so I just plumb forgot. I almost can't wait to see how Trixie's early introduction either twists the narrative (maybe she decides to try to get them to all be friends so they'll leave her alone but in a typical Trixie fashion utterly fails to understand anything beyond more basic relationships) or how she has no real effect on the three of them at all besides them complaining about some crazy older mare they know that gets into trouble all the time.
Now I know it doesn't make for great story to have all of the supporting cast always talk about the protagonists...but I can't help but confess that I'm always curious about how ponies are really feeling about Trixie at any given time. Trixie is so fully of neurosis-es that it makes divining how ponies feel about her from her own POV somewhat...difficult. Haha. Anyways.
Last thought on this scene. Despite Rarity's masterful manipulation...Dash makes it pretty easy. How could Trixie's outfit POSSIBLY be that heavy? It's like...two pieces of clothing. Maybe the human equivalent of a stage costume Possibly bulky but not that heavy or difficult to carry. Haha, Dash, you getting played hard! Not good news for you when you go up against Fluttershy.
Alright, onto the confession scene! We'll start with some lighthearted stuff. Dash's nervous nature here was pretty funny and I loved that she saw Rarity move LONG before we were aware she was there (and also, dang Rarity you had to have RACED back to the boutique so that you could get there first and get dressed up to spy on them you voyeur). It was pretty humorous to see Dash be the legit scaredy cat and for Fluttershy to be so overwhelmed by her other fears that she doesn't even notice the creepy environment...or maybe she is comfortable in Rarity's boutique after dark? Are Rarity and Fluttershy like...sleepover buddies or something? Obviously not recently due to Trixie but it makes me wonder a bit since they appear to be closer to each other than some of the others in the Mane Six. But I suppose that's neither here nor there.
Also Flutterghost sounds pretty cute.
Fine, onto the confession. Man, Fluttershy admitting that she didn't want anything to change but that things were going ahead and moving along anyway was pretty relatable. It can feel pretty overwhelming to think that all of the options we have on how to spend our time today might just change drastically in the future. In a lot of ways, I think that's what I've liked a lot about this story from the beginning. Trixie is just such a great catalyst to forcing everyone around her to change to allow her to fit in and such a great canvas for change herself. It's fun to watch everyone on the back-hoof when trying to figure out how best to live their lives when this new, chaotic element is introduced and is so intent on sticking around. I wonder, if the story were to go on long enough to hit the Discord arcs and if those arcs were to resolve anywhere close to canon if the Six would be more prepared for handling a new, dramatic friend(?) that they really should watch themselves around just to be safe.
Aw, such a nice confession Fluttershy! Too bad for the both of you that it happened now instead of earlier. Pretty great that we get to see how it might have turned out if not for a certain baby blue obstacle.
I liked Dash thinking "if this was real, then there would have been signs" and then remembering all of the signs. I think it just goes to show how they were just so both on that same, fearful wavelength of not wanting to risk anything for more happiness.
RARITY! Seriously! Take THREE steps back! You'll blow your cover. Or get sucker punched.
...too late. Although once again I do love the additional tension and humor this scene takes on after a second read-through.
I guess I'm not too much better than Rarity though. Commenting on all this sweet, romantic fulfillment does seem somewhat like peeping...but it's very sweet to see the two of them finally connect...
And boom, even when she isn't here Trixie is causing some sweet, sweet conflict.
I think it sounds very much like Dash to have her first instinct when in crisis to escape. To move. To take some PHYSICAL action. Dash is pretty surprisingly decisive and willing to act as something of a leader, but here she's confused and gives into her very base instinct to just avoid the problem right now. If she had gotten away I have no doubt that her very core loyalty would have brought her back to Trixie but I do wonder what form that whole exchange would have taken with Dash having time to get her head on crooked.
And so here we come to the part of the chapter where Fluttershy begins to play Dash like a rainbow fiddle. She knows that Dash would do ANYTHING to not have to confront feeling like a traitor in this moment. And I'm so happy that Dash is thinking enough about Trixie in this moment to not JUST be mortified at a generic betrayal but the EXACT betrayal that would likely hurt Trixie the most. Which, saying out loud, does give Fluttershy some ammunition in her further social maneuvering.
I'm also happy to see that Dash has to legit think about this. She is torn between two things she wants and Fluttershy sees an opening. If she wasn't already with Trixie...well, if Dash is still considering then Fluttershy still has a chance at winning? Here is where I think Fluttershy crosses the line. EVERYTHING about this setup is basically orchestrated by Trixie because Fluttershy couldn't do it herself. And I realize that in a lot of ways Trixie might have deserved it because she is reaching beyond her grasp but Fluttershy is far from a pony innocent of the knowledge of what she would be doing to her supposed friend. Even if Fluttershy had no interest in Trixie as a lover she was supposedly Trixie's friend and the very thought of taking advantage here is so very dirty when she knows that it would likely just destroy Trixie...
But we're still getting into the drama!
See, this is what is so devious about Fluttershy in this scene. "...Fluttershy knew what her thinking face looked like, and apparently she was giving her room to do just that." Here Fluttershy takes an opportunity that by literally just saying and doing nothing but waiting. This silent encouragement to consider the possibility of leaving Trixie for her is pretty smooth.
And even better is Fluttershy's reading of the mood following this silence. She can see that Dash is strongly considering leaving Trixie and so Fluttershy makes a pretty clever choice here of not pushing one way or the other. If she were to hint that Dash should break up with Trixie then Dash might do it but then Fluttershy would be partially responsible for any fall out. She keeps her nose clean by just NOT saying something that would help make Dash's decision easier.
And knowing all this it makes the dramatic tension higher that Dash looks to Fluttershy for help making her decision. I wonder how Dash would react to knowing that she might have been so easily manipulated in a moment of such vulnerability by her best friend? That would have to be some complicated emotions!
It's sweet to hear Dash talk about some of Trixie's more...favorable points. Despite everything and in the face of her strong relationship with Fluttershy...Dash has built SOMETHING with Trixie. She does feel a real fondness. Interestingly I think this would be Dash's first real relationship as well?
And here we get to some of the most dramatic manipulations from Fluttershy. Her progression as she's seen Dash putting up token resistance has been to start by testing the waters, floating the possibility, encouraging Dash to explore the possibility of breaking up with Trixie and now she's progressed into some...kind misunderstandings. Taking advantage of some of the knowledge and insecurities of the other two ponies to let Dash come to her own conclusion. If Fluttershy had proposed the possibility of Trixie leaving then she might have had to contribute and potentially lie but here she gets the same result without having to commit to anything. But then Fluttershy DOES commit. She makes a real proposal and informs Dash of some evidence that would support her erroneous conclusion.
Dirty Dirty Dirty
And Dash just eats it up with that little "Fluttershy was too innocent to see what it meant". If there is anything demonstrated in this chapter it is that Fluttershy is kind, meek and quiet but she is FAR from innocent. If only she had enough bravery to display an iota of this subterfuge years ago then Dash would have never stood a chance.
Still...Kinda does make me wonder a bit. I am wondering if Dash does know anything about this side of Fluttershy. Maybe she is blind to it in the same way that Trixie is, but Dash has known Fluttershy longer. In this moment Dash may be overwhelmed by emotion and not see it, but I wonder if she would connect any dots later...but I kinda doubt it. Dash almost seems to look down on Fluttershy sometimes. Or maybe "look down on" is too harsh and "underestimate" is better. She, like everyone else, excuses Fluttershy because she's too nice to do this kind of thing. Maybe Rarity has had some better perspective...and if not before she probably does now!
Nobody likes the idea of being rejected. I know this scene is probably also meant to show Dash has stronger emotions than expected to Trixie, but it could equally be read as someone with a huge ego and self-worth having to confront the possibility that they aren't Celestia's gift to mares. That she might end up being the one dumped. I'm glad that there is some consideration towards the very real likelihood that if they were to split up that Trixie would likely never return to Ponyville...or at least would never return for Dash. I like to hope that Trixie might return to Rarity in the dead of night for some comfort once in a while but she would probably avoid Dash however possible. But maybe that's just me hoping to see Trixie really growing some real friendships with other ponies! I have to admit that despite my hopes that it is more likely that a heartbroken and stubborn Trixie wouldn't return to Ponyville unless she had a very good, very petty reason.
And here Fluttershy makes her final, desperate gamble. She bets it all on Dash thinking she has to make a choice now. Unfortunately for Fluttershy, Dash is a PRO at dodging responsibility. It's practically her job! I mean...obviously I don't think Dash understands romantic relationships at all with her way of trying to avoid hurting anyone but it is a way that Dash would be able to avoid having to make a choice! Or do anything at all to really decide on how her own romantic life plays out. But the problem with plans like that is that really it would hurt BOTH Trixie and Fluttershy. Neither of them would feel chosen. Trixie is just tolerated for the rest of her stay and Trixie is too proud for that. And Fluttershy would feel like she wasn't CHOSEN so much as the default option.
It's still funny though that by just coming up with a bad suggestion it forces Fluttershy's hand.
I suppose I'll have to wait until the next chapter to see if Fluttershy actually caught sight of Rarity standing behind Dash or if she simply caught sight of how ugly her own manipulations were in this moment. I'm really curious!
Anyways, now we finally reach the beauty of most of Fluttershy's ploys. The innocenence and benefit of the doubt leading to people trusting that they must have just misunderstood her. As if everything she just said was normal for someone to say when they didn't understand you saying "strange things". And the line "Fluttershy's whole demonor had changed. She was all smiles now." made me both simultaneously creeped out and sad for her considering all of the theory I laid out just now. She really tried hard to reach for that victory but now she's having to pretend that her goal all along was to feel like she was in second place. Like she was brought into her own love life because of a misguided, selfish and greedy mare that just doesn't understand relationships. And maybe that's no fair, but I can only imagine that Fluttershy would feel more than a little bitter about losing out on the love she's dreamed of because of some traveling hussy and now if she wants even a bit of her own dreams back she has to play nice with the mare who stole Dash away.
So I totally sympathize with Fluttershy, but that doesn't mean I have to like how she goes about her manipulations!!
I also want to point out that Dash is really misunderstanding the concept of "choosing both of them". This scenario really is just Dash not having to make any choice or take any responsibility. At least Trixie is daring to dream big and is genuinely reaching for both ponies. Here Dash is really just avoiding having to make a choice and Fluttershy is being forced into the situation so she can at least have a chance at being with the one (singular) mare that she chose. I don't expect THAT to ever come to a head, no sir!
Haha, I had a good chuckle at the dramatic irony of Fluttershy volunteering to go talk to Trixie about this threesome idea. Boy, if Dash didn't know any better it would look like the whole thing was Fluttershy's idea! And that she was so eager for the plan that she went out of her way to negotiate with Trixie when Dash knows that Fluttershy is bad about putting herself on the spot like that. Haha, man. I bet Fluttershy feels confident now, but it will be at least 3-4 chapters before she manages to finally have a conversation with Trixie after chickening out two or three times.
And finally...I wonder how honest Fluttershy was there at the end about what "attracted" her to Trixie. Because I think that in a lot of ways Trixie and Dash are similar but they have some pretty distinctive qualities that at this point Fluttershy would be well aware of. Like I really believe that Trixie is honestly more observant and attentive than Dash is but that Dash is more reliable than Trixie. But they're both pretty clearly head over hooves for Fluttershy, haha.
And I'll skip over the Rarity scene at the end because I feel I've commented extensively on it throughout this chapter's review!
And despite your reassurance that there were NO CLIFFHANGERS in this chapter...I mean, the subtext just disagrees!! I can't wait for the next chapter and for the first review in a while I'm going to actually HAVE to wait! It's a tragedy come true!
But thank you as always for writing. I'm still loving this story and the drama surrounding these poor, pastel ponies. I hope you enjoyed this review. Please keep in mind that I write these all in one sitting as a kind of stream of consciousness so I don't go back and really review it at all outside of fixing some of the more egregious spelling mistakes so I'm aware I miss things and misread some stuff so I hope you don't mind too much. Please forgive me!!!
I'll probably forever root for Trixie! Good luck with the next chapter and I hope that current events are kind to you!
I eagerly await the next chapter.
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Hey there!
So sorry for the late response, but every time I sat down to write a response to your comment, I'd read it and then felt inspired to continue writing the chapter, which ultimately was your goal so I went with the impulse. xD
Which is why I ended up putting this off till the latest chapter was complete, but now I have the chance to finally give this the proper attention it deserved. ^^
Granted… that took a bit longer than anticipated, my apologies.
Well now, don't sell yourself short. I'm positive you could do it! Heck these sound like great ideas you could have fun with. My only recommendation would be to start with a short story. You've left comments longer than many stories on this site, you know. xD
I’m pretty curious what your weird take on Pinkie’s life on the rock farm is like.
Great drivel if you ask me.
It's good to unwind in the rough and tumble world of my little pony. xD
I wish I could have given them a bit more of that but...
That's actually a bit of a cheat on my part. It makes total sense in the narrative for the party to exist and it allows for some great stuff, but I'm so painfully uninterested in parties that in order to get through it I ended up taking the PoV of the characters least invested in the actual party aspect of it. You might notice that trick making a comeback later.
Fun fact, originally this sequel was going to start with this party but I had such a hard time with it that it ended up contributing to the hiatus. The story was reworked to its current form where we ended up at a party anyway but a bit later and more plot threads resolved outside of it.
I like how it turned out better anyway. ^^
Dash is always a good place to put your focus.
I blame her parents. xD
It’s below the surface in this scene, but yes, Trixie is just not thinking it through at all. She’s too busy freaking out internally about forgetting Scootaloo, whether RD knows she sent a spy, and general stress about how that might affect her and FS’s plan.
It’s just her knowledge of story structure that has her realize RD is leading the story toward the part where she confronts her burglar and along with the flexing has her briefly panic about an entirely new unintended consequence for her actions.
True. She can do it, but it takes her effort.
She maybe thinks of RD (and AJ) as ‘simple’. That’s not to say Trixie thinks of that as a negative, but that she likes to feel that she doesn’t have to try to understand RD. It makes hanging out with her much less mentally taxing than FS (or Twi/Rarity).
She might not be entirely accurate in her assessment, though.
I love her, but RD is kind of a jerk sometimes. xD
It is a wilful blindness on RD’s part that required years of practice to perfect.
Bless shipper Rarity. ^^
Definitely. ^^
Yes, they’ll have to see if it’s a purely physical thing or something more when that time eventually comes.
( ;P )
I know right? The three of them together is such a staple of the series that it’s weird to be in the time period where they aren’t yet. If we get too impatient maybe I’ll need to have Trixie sort that out before ‘Call of the Cutie’. xD
Oh, I’ll keep that in mind. Maybe there’ll be a good natural opportunity to touch on some of that. ^^
Well, you know… FS is not used to carrying more than a bunny or two. ^^;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4GqgcEMqTQ
Though, I’ll admit that I really should have given Rarity a better lie.
It sure isn’t. xD
I’m not claiming it one way or the other, but maybe she got there late and had to sneak into the room. Though, personally I think it’s much funnier to picture Rarity in full sprint while pulling a mask on. xD
It’s one of the best bits about RD. She’s got feelings below her awesome demeanor that she’d rather not surface, but they are there. Whether it’s an unexpected love of reading or devotion to a pet… or something scary. She’s so cute. ^^
However, for Fluttershy it’s a little different. There used to be plans for a scene where Rarity and Trixie work with FS to work out what setting and situation would make it easiest for her to talk to RD. That scene was ultimately cut and instead we have just the elements in the story that would have been decided on.
For example, FS would have a harder time in a well-lit room where she’d feel exposed, but an easier time in a dim one that masks her insecurities a little.
You are correct. xD
https://derpicdn.net/img/2020/7/31/2412115/large.png
Fluttershy would have been perfectly content to just let everything meander on as it was. As somepony scared of everything, of course that would include ‘change’. It’s probably a good thing that a ‘chaotic element’ arrived. Even if she’d not be so sure. >.>
That is an interesting idea. I don’t intend to carry the story on for that long, but I’ll file it under ideas for future short stories after this one is done… yes, that might be better labeled ‘far future’. ^^;
https://derpicdn.net/img/view/2014/12/11/782690.png
They were more alike than they realized, in more ways than one. ^^
No Rarities were harmed in the making of this chapter, probably. ^^;
I’m glad you liked that. It was fun to play a little bit with the limited knowledge the characters and reveal more later.
I hadn’t thought about that, but you’re right. I guess technically the same goes for pretty much all entertainment media when you really pull on that thread! o.O
They are so cute together. Gah. Finally. ^^
Once the CMC go into the Cutiemark Interpretation business, maybe they’ll point out that Trixie’s mark isn’t for magic, but for tragic. xD
Yep. She’s a very physical pony. Usually, her ‘fight’ response would be well ahead of the ‘flight’ response, but there’s nothing to fight in this situation so off she goes. ^^;
Oh, absolutely. I also like the idea of how things would have progressed if she’d escaped successfully and then at a later point come clean to Trixie about all of it. Trixie after all is in on the scheme that RD ruined with her escape, but it also brings all the pieces together that she really needed to progress to the end goal regardless, just very differently.
If things had gone that way, maybe we’d be spared the next manipulative part...
Yup. Here we go.
She has a pretty good idea of what buttons RD has for pushing too.
I’d tease about how pleased you are with Dash’s anguish, but I’d be the world’s biggest hypocrite. xD
Oh, she absolutely does, and she dang well knows it.
She’s being a terrible friend, to say the least.
This entire segment I could not have put any better myself. Beautiful. ^^
One of my personal favorites is the moment when RD laments that Trixie has been avoiding her lately and FS keeps quiet, knowing perfectly well this is only because Trixie was giving them space so FS could try to confess.
(Well, to be fair, her conscience initially leads her to suggest Trixie might have a good reason, but she does nothing to correct the conclusion RD comes to after.)
If RD finds out FS’s game, I don’t think a thundercloud over the cottage is gonna cut it.
Long overdue too. Some of that she might only be really thinking about when she’s mentioning it. It’s hard for her to talk about stuff she’d consider ‘mushy’, but if it was gonna be to anyone, she’d trust FS not to laugh at her while she talks herself through it.
Yes. It’s all new to her.
Despite how clever it is, it’s realllly not FS’s proudest moment morally. She’s doing a great job leading RD where she wants her, but even if she succeeds, she might crack under the guilt the next morning when the adrenaline’s worn off.
Oh, heck no. They’d be married by now. xD
Mhm, it is an interesting idea. Like, maybe RD could have noticed FS getting something done with her charm, even if FS herself wasn’t really aware of it herself.
I don’t feel that FS herself even knew she had it in her until Trixie came along. She might simply never have been desperate enough to take conscious steps, but that doesn’t mean she never took some unconsciously.
Like… we know that living in Ponyville was FS’s idea and RD came along despite it hindering her Wonderbolt goal. FS got everything she wanted in that scenario.
Maybe if someone gave her a nudge. ^^;
It’s hard to tell if it really is ‘underestimating’ at times, to be fair. xD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOElEezNM4A
It’s a good thing Rarity is snow-white or ponies might ask her why she looks so pale the rest of the night. xD
‘Celestia’s gift to mares’, I gotta write that down. xD
You’re right on both counts.
The intent is for RD to discover she has stronger feelings than expected. Originally, she pretty much rebounded into the relationship and might not have thought of it as something serious long term.
The level of affection has been unequal since the start. leading her to take Trixie’s affection at least a little bit for granted. Until now, when she is suddenly presented ‘evidence’ that Trixie will leave if things continue as they are.
One of the endings for the story I’d considered did involve them breaking up and Trixie leaving Ponyville for good. Granted, at the time she didn’t have the same relationship with Rarity she is now cultivating.
(Some would argue that she’s better off with her. xD)
https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/2/21/Trixie_looks_at_the_Alicorn_amulet_S3E05.png/revision/latest?cb=20121207165610
Truer words have never been written. xD
Noone has ever accused RD of understanding romance too well. ^^;
Oh, yeah, no. It’s a lousy idea.
I’d like to think RD would at least have the presence of mind not to inform Trixie that her replacement was already waiting in the wings.
Of course, that would probably cause problems of its own down the line. ^^
Sometimes a dumb idea trumps a clever plan. xD
Y-yeahhh... >.>
Easily my favorite bit about her ploys. She can’t handle conflict, so she only acts if there is little to no chance of getting caught up in one. That plausible deniability (to herself) along with her reputation keep her fairly safe from any fallout.
She definitely reached further here than she ever did, though, and her excuse is a bit weak. It might work on Dash, who has her mind on so many other things that she could probably be convinced the sky is green, but maybe less so on 3rd parties...
I’m glad you can still feel for her even after her dirty dirty dirty tactics this chapter.
A little Bitter? Who? Fluttershy?
https://derpicdn.net/img/view/2016/6/25/1186294.gif
...Yeah, okay. She might not be thrilled about the whole thing.
We’ll have to see whether bitter or guilt wins out after tonight. ^^
Good. ^^
That’s pretty much exactly what I’d hope for. It’s a bit of a scary balance to try and strike cause I feel it can so easily tip straight into ‘unlikable bitch’.
Heh, all three of them come into this relationship with such wildly different approaches.
Trixie is being greedy, for both of them.
RD is being speedy, for a solution.
FS is being seedy, for… liking plants, yeahhh
So very brave of FS to take herself out of her comfort zone this far to get what she so clearly really wants to happen. I mean, that does seem to be the only conclusion that RD could draw from this right? xD
Funny you should say that… ^^
That is a good question. FS may have appreciated their similarities to begin with, but it may just be that it’s a nice quick answer that RD will understand and not question too much.
I look forward to exploring their differences in the near future. ^^
Well, good news. The wait is over. :D
And now the wait begins anew. QQ
Thank you for writing this massive review. Fair trade. xD
I absolutely did, multiple times. I think it’s a great format so don’t you worry. I really appriciate all the effort you put into these and I always want to put forth at least a fraction of that effort in reacting to let you know I’m thoroughly enjoying these. ^^
Thank you. ^^
Seriously, though. I hope you give writing a shot. If you put in even a quarter of the effort that goes into these reviews, I’m sure you can finish a story. Let me know if you do. I always liked Believing and I’m certain you’d only get better with practice!
Almost thought FS was about to do something horrible there but seeing her admit to liking Trixie even if we know her way of thinking was nice. Really good chapter to help heal a bad day. XD
Waiting years for this only made it better.
Oh good, at first I thought Fluttershy was going to try to tear Rainbow and Trixie apart.
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You might be right.