> Closing Time > by Just A Random Pegasus > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Beautiful > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lavender Brooch started packing up her bag. It was two minutes until closing time, and she was ready to leave a little early. Nopony ever had much interest in buying jewelry this late, anyway. Before packing up completely, she grabbed a wipe from the back room and started to clean up the counter. As she continued to wipe the smudges off the counter, she smiled at the many jewels inside the case. Ponies mostly came to buy jewelry for their special someponies, or mares would come in and treat themselves to a piece of fine jewelry. Either way, Lavender is always eager to help. She was halfway finished with the counter before she heard the familiar jingle of the bell above the door. She paused and looked up, surprised there would be a customer at this time in the evening. It was a mare she was all too familiar with: Trixie. The day before, Trixie had come into the shop enjoying cinnamon nuts, inspiring her to grab some of her own. After a little magic mishap, she was able to get back to work again, but she did remember noticing Trixie looking very closely at the magnificent jewelry in her little shop. She probably came to buy what she was looking at. Lavender quickly put on a smile. "Hello! What are you looking for?" Trixie seemed like she was just running or something of the sort; she was just now catching her breath. After one large breath, she spoke: "I'm not too late, right?" Lavender shook her head. "One minute before closing time. I can stay a little longer to help you." Trixie put a hoof to her chest. "Oh, thank Celestia. I ran all the way over here because this has been bugging me all day and I kept putting it off because I was nervous and unsure and-" Lavender raised a hoof, silencing Trixie. "Well, I'm here to help. What do you need, miss? And why are you so nervous? Am I that mean, dear?" Trixie shook her head, her cheeks turning red. "No no no, not at all, ma'am. You see... I wanted to buy the most beautiful thing you have..." Lavender smiled. "Well, all right! That wasn't too hard, was it?" Trixie shook her head. "That's not all. I want to buy it for... the most beautiful mare I've ever known." As she said this, she tried to hide her face in her mane. "Oh, I don't know why I'm telling you all this, I'm just-" "It's alright, dearie," Lavender cut her off. She walked to the left side of the case. "I know just the thing! And now that I know it's for a mare, I know to pick a mare's necklace and not a stallion's. That's assuming you're fine with a necklace?" Trixie nodded frantically. "Yes please," she mumbled, moving her hoof in circles around the floor. Lavender gestured her over, and Trixie stumbled over, her breaths becoming more uneven. Lavender took out a necklace with a large, perfectly cut topaz. It shined brilliantly under the light, and captured Trixie's attention immediately. "Wow." Lavender nodded. "Yep. This is just the most beautiful one, in my opinion. I've always loved topaz." Trixie nodded. "Y-yeah. It's... perfect. How much is it?" She asked, keeping her glance on the necklace still. "About 800 bits, dear," Lavender replied. Trixie's head shot up and her pupils shrunk. "Oh... that's so expensive! I mean, I want it, but I don't know if it'll be worth spending so much money..." Lavender set the necklace down and folded her hooves on the counter. "Well, that depends on who you're buying it for and why. Do you mind sharing your reason with me?" Trixie eyed her nervously. "Well, I guess so. After all, I've been holding this in for a while." Lavender nodded. "All right. Take as long as you want, dearie." Trixie sighed. "There's this friend of mine..." "Starlight Glimmer?" Lavender inquired. Trixie's cheeks heated up. "Um... yeah. Wait, how'd you guess?" Lavender shrugged. "I dunno. She was with you yesterday, so I just guessed." Trixie blinked. "Okay. But, anyways, I... oh, I don't know... have a... fondness for her. She's such an amazing friend, and... so beautiful..." Trixie stopped herself and looked to the ground. "A-anyways, I want to get her this to show her how much she means to me... y'know?" Lavender slowly nodded. "I do, actually. And, personally, if this is what you want to get her, then go for it. I can let you work for me for a time if you want to make more money after this." Trixie blinked. "Really? That's... nice. Really nice, actually. Considering I've been putting off scheduling my next magic show, hehe..." Lavender smiled. "Well then... will that be all?" Trixie nodded. "Y-yeah. It is." She nervously moved her hoof along the ground once again, her eyes following it. "Um... thank you. I don't know how she'll react..." Lavender boxed the necklace up. "Dearie, she'll love it. Anyone who receives something this gorgeous is sure to be appreciative. I know I would." Trixie looked away. "I guess..." "Then why are you so worried?" She asked, giving Trixie the bag. Trixie paused for a moment. "Oh... I don't know... can I ask you something?" She started, "I mean, you're old, uh... I mean... you're older than me, no offence, of course, so that means you might know more about this stuff than I do." Lavender nodded. "Yes, I will agree I am old," she answered with a smirk, causing Trixie to blush, "and I do have some experience. What do you need?" Trixie gulped. "Do you think this will be a good way to... ah, I don't know..." "Ask her out?" Trixie's head shot up and a fire raged through her cheeks. "...Yes," she squeaked, her ears flattening. Lavender giggled. "Dear, I think it's a splendid way. And if not, then you two can remain good friends, and she'll always be grateful for the necklace." Trixie smiled. "All right... I will. I can do it. I'm the Great and Powerful Trixie, after all. Thanks again!" She replied, her voice shaky. With that, she exited the shop out into the breezy night, the wind catching her mane and blowing it to the side. As Lavender was left alone in the shop, she giggled. Though she had to wipe down the counters once again, she felt happy she could help a young mare win the mare she wanted. > For You > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- As Trixie arrived at the castle, she tentatively knocked on the doors, hoping it would be Starlight who would answer. That would make it easy: she wouldn't have to show this nervous side of herself to anyone else. It was quite embarrassing of the Great and Powerful Trixie, after all. However, to her dismay, Twilight opened the large doors and gave a bright smile. "Trixie! It's good to see you! What are you here for?" She asked, causing Trixie to look away. "Um... Starlight..." She replied meekly. Twilight nodded. "Okay, I'll get her!" She replied, closing the door behind her. Trixie felt like her heart was going to push out of her chest. She took a few breaths, walking up and down the steps and then pacing around in circles at the bottom of the stairway. She had never asked somepony out before; who knew how Starlight would react! Especially since they were best friends! What if this damaged their friendship?! The door opened, causing these thoughts to momentarily halt in Trixie's mind. She felt her heart plummet into her stomach, and it start beating even faster. "Trixie!" Starlight exclaimed, walking down the steps and embracing her friend. Trixie was too nervous to return it. "What are you doing here?" Trixie tried to keep her gaze on anything but Starlight. "Um... I... have something for you." Starlight smiled. "Oh! Is it in that bag?" She asked. Trixie nodded, and Starlight's gaze turned worried. "Trix? Are you okay? You don't seem like your normal self." Trixie could feel sweat beads running down her face. "Yeah, yeah! Never been better!" She lied, levitating the bag over to Starlight. Starlight grabbed the bag with her magic, and opened it. As she opened the small box, she gasped. "You... you got this for me? Trixie, I..." She started, levitating the necklace and putting it around her neck. Her eyes were huge as she looked at the beautiful necklace. Trixie couldn't help but notice that she looked absolutely stunning with it on; even more so than normal. She looked to Trixie and smiled. "I am so grateful. Thank you so much! But... why, if I may ask?" Trixie's cheeks felt like they were going to burn off. "Well... I wanted to ask you something." Starlight nodded. "Yes?" Trixie took a deep breath. "Would you... maybe... want to go out sometime? Like... more than friends?" Starlight stared at Trixie for a second before putting her hooves around Trixie's neck. The next thing Trixie knew, Starlight's lips were up against hers, and Trixie felt like she was flying. Trixie passionately kissed her back, quickly throwing her arms around her warm body and feeling butterflies whirl in her stomach. As they pulled apart, Starlight lowered her eyelid. Trixie gazed into those blue eyes like they were the last thing she would ever see. "Meet me here tomorrow, four o' clock." Trixie nodded. "Got it." With that, they pressed their lips together again, with Trixie almost positive that she was the happiest mare in the world.