Tangled Hooves

by Compromisations

Chapter 7

Despite the fact Trixie was hurrying, Starlight couldn’t help but follow close behind her.
The long path winding toward Trixie’s wagon seemed longer than usual. Starlight couldn’t help but admire the dappled moonlight on Trixie’s mane. “H-hey Trix. Your mane looks good. I.”
Trixie looked over her shoulder. “Thanks. But, you’ve been mentioning it all day.” Trixie yawned through her words.
Before Starlight could answer she was interrupted by an obtrusive squeak. “Oops, sorry.” Trixie rolled her eyes at the rickety door. “You should really get oiled, Trix.”

“Well, bedtime for me. I think.” Trixie trotted sluggishly into her wagon. Each hoofstep she took creaked against the wooden floor. Starlight grumbled to herself, attempting to clear away a few intrusive thoughts.
"Trixie. I can tell something's up." Starlight bounded up the Wagon stairs behind Trixie. “Starrrlight.” Trixie groaned. “I told you, nothing is wrong.” Trixie tried to imply her words firmly, but another yawn caught the magician off guard. “Well. If nothing is wrong, then you won’t mind me staying here tonight!” Starlight chirped happily. Trixie shot her a perplexed look.
“You want to stay here?” Trixie sleepily looked around her wagon aimlessly. “Why? Wouldn’t the castle be-”
“Just to check if you’re okay is all.”
“How do you plan to do that?” Trixie raised an eyebrow, trying to conceal a soft smile.
Starlight really hadn’t thought this through. Maybe those intrusive thoughts earlier had some merit.
“Well. If you wake up crying in the middle of the night, I’ll know I fulfilled my duty as a good friend!”
"You really don't have to stay here tonight. I'm really. I'm fine." Trixie paused, rubbing her sullen eyes again. "No. You're not." Starlight said, placing a hoof on Trixie's shoulder. "I know you're not." Starlight tried not to cry between her words. Trixie pushed Starlight's hoof off carefully. Nodding. "I'm too tired to stop you, Star-"
Starlight shoved her hoof in front of Trixie's mouth. "Not another word."