...Are Better Together
In the past, Starlight had always worked out her own problems, facing them and finding solutions. She didn't spend her time wishing or hoping things would work out by chance. And though there was a completely acceptable way (besides mind control spells, an idea that was absolutely off the table) to solve her dilemma, she was trying to come up with a way to get what she wanted without causing any hurt feelings or asking her friends for help. Try as she might, there was no perfect answer. So even though she felt it was silly, Starlight closed her tired eyes and made a heartfelt request to whom ever was listening to her thoughts; a wish to find sometime to think and figure out her situation.
She needed some time to decompress and relax with no distractions. It had been an extremely busy two years for her. She enjoyed her work as Student Councilor and teaching classes, though it could be challenging. Finding time to spend with her friends while being committed to the needs of the students had become difficult, especially Sunburst and Trixie.
The friendship she shared with each of them had gradually become deeper and more affectionate. She really enjoyed being with both of them but Starlight wasn't certain if either of her friends would understand her feelings. She had dropped some hints but had not discussed it with them directly. Frustrated, she did exactly what she would have told her students not to do; she avoided the situation by focusing on her job at the School of Friendship. She was causing herself to be more stressed out, but just didn't feel confident enough to talk with anypony, much less the ones she cared so much about.
She wished she could figure out a way to have some down time without feeling guilty telling everypony she wanted to spend the holiday alone. Much to her surprise, the situation had worked out convienietly despite her concern.
As she was about to tell them her plans, Twilight asked Starlight if she would stay at her castle during the holiday. A hooffull of the students were spending the holiday at the school and Twilight wanted a staff member close at hoof. All of the other teachers had already commited to various activies and wouldn't be readily available. It was the perfect opportunity for Starlight, especially when she found out everypony had made plans to be away for the holiday.
'Maybe it was just a coincidence,' she thought. 'Or maybe wishes could be granted.' Either way, it worked out perfectly.
Twilight and Spike would be celebrating with their family in Canterlot. Rarity would be busy with the annual Hearth’s Warming pageant. Pinkie Pie and Applejack were hosting their extended family at the Apple’s farm this year. Rainbow Dash would be in Couldsdale performing a Wonderbolts show and then relaxing with her parents. And Fluttershy and Discord would be together, likely in one of Discord’s odd but interesting chaos dimensions.
Her two closest friends were going to be busy, as well. Sunburst was in the Crystal Empire assisting Princess Cadence with the annual holiday festivities and caring for Flurry Heart. Trixie would be performing in the Empire with her latest magic show.
As they walked through the festively decorated Ponyville town square heading for the train station, Starlight listened to Trixie tell her about the new show while she admiried all the Heath’s Warming decorations, the aroma of delicious treats and foods and the antics of the foals running about. Trixie regained her full attention when she verbosely announced the title of her latest venue.
“It shall be called ‘The Great and Powerful Trixie’s Magical Holiday Extravaganza Tour’ and it will stunning!”, Trixie stated emphatically, beaming her confident smile for effect. Starlight smiled but rolled her eyes just a little.
“I’m sure it will be as stunning as the mare performing the show.", she said with a wink. "Don’t you think the name is a bit much though?”
Her friend scoffed. “It is a show business tactic designed to excite and entice the audience! It lets them know that I, The Great and Powerful Trixie, am about to preform the greatest holiday show that pony eyes have ever witnessed!” She turned her head and flipped her mane haughtily, glaring at Starlight. “And it would be a much bigger show if you would stop being selfish and agree to be my magical assistant.” Trixie then gave her a narrow glare. "Trixie also thinks that there is more than going on between you and Twilight Sparkle than 'friendship'!" She emphasied the last word with a harsh tone.
Starlight gaped at her friend in wide-eyed amazement at the accusation and stepped back a bit. She recovered quickly however and gave her a flat look.
“I'm being selfish?”, she responded with an annoyed tone."And just what are you trying to imply about me and Twilight?" she growled, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes, because you seem to enjoy spending all your time at the school or doing things for her instead of Trixie." She distractedly inspected one of her hooves. "Trixie is willing to forgive and allow you to accompany her…if you hurry. Trixie has a train to catch.”
“You self-centered, egomaniac,"was her first thought but closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, Starlight calmed herself before replying. “Trixie, we already discussed this. I’m not going. I’m sorry but I already made plans."
Her gaze then turned hard and her voice took on a firm tone. "And that was a very rude comment to make about Twilight. She is a wonderful friend and a good pony. You should be ashamed for even having that sort of idea about me, too.", Starlight scolded.
“Oh, so castle-sitting for the ‘Princess of Friendship’” making air quotes with her hooves “is more important than spending time with your best friend?! Trixie was going to make sure to mention you as Trixie's magical assistant!”
“Trixie, there would only be two of us in the show.”
“That is not the point! Trixie is willing to share a bit of the credit and fame with her friend, who is abandoning Trixie in a time of need!”, she wailed despairingly, throwing her foreleg over her eyes.
“Wow…and I thought Rarity was a drama queen,” Starlight replied, a deadpan expression on her face. "What is really bothering you?"
Trixie dropped her leg and stomped her hoof against the snow covered ground. Her demeanor changed almost instantly. Looking at her friend with sad puppy dog eyes, tears brimming at the edges, she whimpered, “Trixie will miss you! And we won’t be spending Hearth’s Warming together!”
“I’ll miss you, too, Trixie.”, Starlight replied quietly, reaching out and holding her hoof in her own. “But you’ve performed solo shows before and had terrific performances. The Crystal Ponies always love your act. We spent Hearth’s Warming Eve together today and we had a great time. You’ll be back in a couple of days, anyway.”
“Trixie supposes you are right.” She glanced down at her hooves. “Trixie is sorry for calling you selfish and accusing you." she muttered contritely.
“It’s alright," Starlight said quietly. “ I know you’re just didn’t want to spend the holiday by yourself. But I'll make some time to spend together when you get back, okay?”
Trixie sighed. “Very well. Trixie must sometimes suffer for her art. And you must suffer without my esteemed company, so we are even.”
Rolling her eyes and smiling slightly, Starlight said, “Fair enough. Now, let’s get you on that train so I can go back and pout alone in the hot tub.” She winked and stuck her tongue out at her friend.
They laughed together as they trotted on through town.
The train to the Crystal Empire stood puffing and steaming as they walked onto the station platform, filled to capacity with ponies and creatures traveling across Equestria for the holiday. Starlight was carrying Trixie’s bag in her magic and was about to pass it to her so she could get into her car. Trixie stopped, looked into the station and asked her to hold her bag while she went to use the ‘little fillies room.’ Urging her to hurry, Starlight remained on the platform while Trixie rushed inside the crowed station.
Slipping into the crowd so she wouldn’t be seen, Trixie made her way into the lobby. She looked back to be sure Starlight wasn’t watching her. Satisfied she couldn’t be seen, she trotted past the restroom door to the telegraph window. She tapped the the desk bell and the agent, a stallion, appeared at the window.
“How can I help you, Miss?”
“Trixie requests that you send an urgent message to the Crystal Empire.”
“Of course! Please filled out the form with the message you wish to send and I’ll get it out promptly.”
She picked up the offered pen in her magic and quickly filled in the required information, hoofing it back to the agent and placing a single twenty bit coins on the counter. The agent read over the message on the form and then glanced at the coin. He looked back at her and started to speak when suddenly Starlight ran up and grabbed her by the hoof.
“Come on, you’re going to miss your train! The conductor is calling for every pony to board. What are you doing over here? The bathroom is on the other side! Hurry!”
Trixie smiled at the stallion, who was still giving her a confused look. “Trixie thanks you for your assistance. Good day!”
As Trixie and Starlight turned toward the exit to the platform, another unicorn stepped up to the window placed a message form on the window counter.
As they approached the doorway to the restroom, Trixie turned to Starlight and said, “You know, I’ll just wait and go on the train. Bye, Starlight! See you soon!”
Trixie took her bag from Starlight’s aura and trotted quickly into the train car. Starlight waved to her as the train’s whistle blew and it began to move away form the platform.
She stood watching as the train departed and grew smaller in the distance. She breathed a sigh of relief, not just at getting her friend on her way, but at the peaceful feeling that began to wash over her. As Starlight began walking back to the castle, she took her time to enjoy the decorations, the singing and the holiday spirit all around her. It really was nice just to have time to herself and slow down.
In the middle of her thoughts, she realized that Trixie had not referred to herself in third pony when she ran off to the train. ‘Just in a hurry, I guess. Maybe she’ll make it a habit!’, she chuckled to herself.
The telegraph agent looked over the stack of messages that he needed to send. Picking up the next one he read it through again, shook his head and began tapping his key:
Urgent message, Crystal Empire Castle stop
Attention: WZ stop
All is prepared as planned stop
Meet as arranged stop
Target is unaware end
‘It doesn’t make much sense to me,' he thought, ‘but for 20 bits, it doesn’t matter!’
Starlight slowly poured the lavender scented bath beads into the stream flowing from the faucet into the large tub in her bathroom. As she swirled her hoof in the warm water, she breathed the calming aroma in. She let out a contented sigh. She lit her horn and pulled up her mane into a loose ponytail. She eased herself into one of the tubs seats and slid down until her chin was just touching the surface. The cold of the winter day and her cares were being absorbed by the steaming pool. Starlight again lit her horn and with a quiet hum, the bubble jets began to massage her shoulders, barrel and legs from all directions. She closed her eyes letting the scent of the beads, the aroma of the candles she had surrounding the hot tub and the sound of the bubbles lull her into peaceful state.
After a while, she sat up a bit and looked out of the large window that looked out onto the river and Canter Mountain. Perched on its side, Canterlot Castle shone like a beacon in the dark, cold sky. The glow from the streetlights in Ponyville highlighted the slowly falling snow. Using her magic, Starlight levitated a mug of cider to her lips. After a long sip, she raised it in a toast.
“Happy Hearth’s Warming, to me.” she said warmly. “Best present to myself, ever!”
Starlight eased back down into the warmth of the tub. ‘Maybe a little self-indulgent , but I most defiantly needed this!’,she thought. ‘Just some time to myself. Cozy up with a book, sleep late, practice baking cookies and then eat them all…some perfect alone time.’
After a few more minutes of soaking, she sat up again to look at the snowy scene outside, gazing idly at the falling snow. As she continued to watch, a movement caught her attention. Was that some pony or something walking through the garden? It looked like a pony but she couldn’t be sure.
Who or what would be out moving around on a night like this? It was bitterly cold out. She looked back to the area where she thought it was, but it had disappeared. Starlight shook her head. ‘I must be getting sleepy. Maybe it’s time to get ready for bed.’ She continued to look out the window for a minute, just to be sure. Seeing no further signs of anything but the snow, she finally started to stand up, when she heard a noise from outside of the castle Her ears swiveled in the direction of the sound. She turned off the tub pump, stood still and listened carefully. After a moment, there were a couple of dull thumps and she thought she heard a voice. It was faint, but sounded like it was coming from the door on her side of the castle which lead outside.
Starlight wasn’t expecting anypony; certainly not today and defiantly not this late at night. She quickly extinguished the candles, darkening the room so no pony could see her. Climbing carefully from the tub, she grabbed a towel, drying off quickly as she silently crept toward the window and peeked around the edge facing the door.
Standing in the knee-deep snow next to the door, two figures cloaked in dark hooded robes greeted her vision. Her eyes went wide when a dim light shone from beneath one of the hoods, illuminating a horn and a long, pointed object.
The pony’s face wasn’t visible but she heard a muffled voice say, “ Well, since we don’t have a key, I’ll use this knife to pick the lock. Once we’re inside, we’ll find her and do whatever we need to put an end to this nonsense.”
A column of vapor rose into the cold night air from under the other shape’s hood as the other voice muttered, “Agreed. We need to make her understand and bring her to our way of thinking. Or she will deal with the consequences.”
Starlight stood deathly still, wide-eyed and trembling in fear and confusion. Who were these ponies? What did they want? Were they here to do her harm? Were they looking for Twilight or one of the other Elements? Apparenly they had harmful intentions for some pony. And here she was, alone. All of her friends were far away. The entire of Ponyville was fast asleep at this hour and too far away to call or run for help. She was on her own and starting to become very frightened and overwhelmed.
She turned away from the window and looked around her room. A sliver of Luna’s moonlight shone through the window and onto the wall where her dresser and mirror stood. The light illuminated a picture of Starlight and her friends gathered for her friendship graduation ceremony. The smiles and well wishes from each of them brought her encouragement and gave her strength every time she looked at it. Looking upon it, the fear and uncertainty faded and courage and resolve took their place. With renewed determination she turned back to the window.
‘I’m one of the most powerful unicorns in Equestria. They don’t know who they’re up against! I’ll show these hoodlums that nopony messes with me or my friends!’, Starlight raged to herself.
She crept to her bedroom door, opening it slowly and listening to the ponies attempting to unlock the outer door at the end of the hall. She considered teleporting outside to confront them but after thinking a moment, decided on a different solution. Powering up her horn, she channeled her magic up to the ceiling.
‘Let’s make some snow ponies…’
Outside the door, there was a yelp of surprise followed by a heavy thud as all the snow from the side roof of the castle crashed down. The sound of muffled voices filtered through the heavy oak panels.
“What did you do?!”, one growled in anger.
“I can’t find my glasses! What did I do?! You were trying to open the door! You must have set off an alarm!”, the other cried in panic.
Starlight flung open the door and a small avalanche flowed through the opening along with the two cloaked figures. They didn’t seem quite so menacing as they moaned weakly and struggled in the snow packed around them. Before they were able to free themselves, Starlight plucked them from the pile with her aura. The sudden movement made the two yelp in surprise.
“Wait! Put me down! I get vertigo when I’m levitated!”, pleaded the first intruder.
“Please stop! We mean no harm!”, whimpered the other snow caked form.
Starlight brought them closer to her, careful to keep her distance, though they were securely held in her grip of powerful spell. In the darkened hallway, the glow of the aura surrounding them intensified her already angry glare.
“Who are you?! What are you doing trying to break into Princess Twilight’s castle?”, she angrily demanded.
The floating cloaks stared in shock, their eyes wide in fear.
Starlight intensified her power and shook them. “Speak!”, she commanded.
“P-please, wait! We can explain!”, the first one exclaimed.
That’s when she noticed something familiar in the voice.
She cast a second spell and roughly pulled the cloak from one of the figures before her and revealed a very cold and glassless…
“Sunburst! What in Equestria!?”, she gasped loudly.
Removing the other cloak, Starlight found a shivering and whimpering Trixie.
Dumbfounded at the revelation, Starlight lost her concentration and her magic dissipated. Trixie and Sunburst yelped as they fell, landing with a splat in the freezing slush on the hallway floor. She stared at them in shock and curiosity. Her mouth opened and closed a couple of times as she tried to process what had occurred. After a minute, she finally spoke.
“What is going on and why are you both here?" she asked concerned but with an edge of aggravation in her tone."I thought you each had plans for Hearth’s Warming.”
Sunburst shivered and nodded in response. “Oh we did, just not the plans we told you about.”
“T-Trixie and S-Sunburst performed a feat of epic deception in order to give you a Hearth’s Warming surprise visit. S-Surpise!", Trixie chattered.
“Yes, It certainly is a surprise. Good job, you two.”, Starlight replied sarcastically. Her tone changed to concern as she continued. “You scared Tartarus out of me, sneaking up here and trying to get in the way you did! I could have really injured the both of you! Why didn’t you just tell me you were coming?”
“I-it would have spoiled Trixie’s magnificent plan.”, muttered Trixie, meekly.
Starlight turned to Sunburst. “And you went along with her idea? I thought you were the smart one.”, Starlight chided.
“A-Actually, I planned most of this. If Trixie hadn’t forgotten the key, I doubt you would have caught us.”, Sunburst chattered.
Starlight face hoofed, turning back to Trixie.
“How and where did you get a key to Twilight’s castle?”, she asked sternly.
“T-Trixie told her about our surprise and Twilight gave Trixie a copy.” She paused. “S-Starlight?”, she begged quietly with tears beginning in her eyes.
Her expression softening, Starlight responded carefully. “Yes, Trixie?”
“Trixie knows you are upset with her but could the Freezing and Wet Trixie discuss this in a warmer place?”
Starlight shook her head, giving her a little smile. With a small laugh she walked over to her half-frozen friends sitting before her.
“Come on”, she chuckled, eyeing them playfully. “Let’s warm you two snow ponies up. I have a warm tub all set up and I’ll get you some hot cider.”
As she helped them to their feet she continued, smiling at them.
“Then you can tell me all about this surprise visit.”
Taking their wet cloaks, Starlight guided Sunburst and Trixie into her bathroom and to the large tub.
“Climb in and get warmed up before you catch cold. I’ll hang these up to dry and be back in a few minutes.”
Sunburst sighed as he stepped into the tub, then looked at her with a startled expression. “Did you see my glasses? I think they might be in the snow.”
“I’ll find them. I need to close the door and clean up the snow anyway. Trixie, did you lose anything outside?”
“Only Trixie’s dignity.” she replied glumly. Then she gasped. “Trixie’s hat!”
Starlight grinned at her. “I can find your hat but your dignity is long gone!”
“Har-de-har." Trixie replied spitefully, sticking out her tongue."And Trixie thought we were friends.”
“Only a friend can tell you the truth!”, She winked back, as Trixie threw a sponge at her retreating form.
Returning to her bedroom she hung the soaked clothing near the fireplace. She stoked the fire and added a few logs to warm the room a bit more. Then she walked back into the hallway and using her magic, began searching through the melting slush for her friends’ missing items. After a few minutes, she located the glasses just inside the door and the hat stuck outside in a bush. She also found a large sack sitting just past where the snow from the roof landed on the ground.
She set everything in the hallway, out of the pool of melting snow. Her magic made quick work of removing the slush and drying the floor. After the floor was cleared, Starlight shut the door, gathered up what she had retrieved and she returned to her room. She hung Trixie’s hat by the fireplace, set the sack in a chair and put Sunburst’s glasses on the dresser. Finally, she stood next to the fire for a moment, warming her hooves and considering her unexpected guests.
She was happy to see them both, most certainly! Even if it changed the plans she’d made, she always treasured spending time with Trixie and Sunburst. It really was a sweet gesture for them to travel here to share the holiday with her. Even when they’d almost scared her out of her skin and caused a huge mess. They always made her happy even as they sometimes tested her patience.
They made her life more fulfilling in each their own ways. Sunburst shared a passion for magic and researching old legends; Trixie was a kindred spirit, full of fun and mischief and just a bit rebellious. Though very different, they brought balance to her soul. She adored them both dearly and couldn’t imagine life without them.
Which was part of the reason for her needing to be alone; to think her feelings out and decide how to navigate a relationship with one of them without hurting the other in the process. She’d been trying to come up with a solution for weeks, to no avail. There was a solution she actually thought might work. She just wasn't sure how either of her friends would react to the idea.
Starlight looked at the fire and shook her head. This decision would wait another evening. For now, she would make them comfortable and happy. After all, they had traveled far and endured the cold and a fairly harsh welcome. ‘Totally their own fault, of course!’, she laughed to herself.
She poked her head into the bathroom and saw her friends quietly soaking in the warm water.
“I’ll be right back with the cider”, Starlight called. “I found your hat and glasses. Were you carrying a sack?”, she asked.
“Oh, yes!," replied Sunburst, “I almost forgot!”
“It’s part of the surprise that Trixie brought for you.”, the showmare chimed, grinning widely.
Sunburst turned and gave her an indignant glare. “Hey, it was my idea, too.”
“Very well…Trixie will share credit for my wonderful idea.”
Her two companions collectively rolled their eyes. Starlight smiled and cast a teleportation spell and with a flash of magic she disappeared.
As soon as Starlight was gone, Sunburst and Trixie quickly climbed out of the tub and trotted into the adjoining bedroom. Not having his glasses, Sunburst tripped over the sack and landed muzzle first onto the floor. Groaning, he slowly stood up as Trixie levitated his glasses onto his face. He rubbed his nose and blinked at her.
Trixie grinned and lightly booped him on the snout.
“You should be more careful. You could have damaged the box.”
“Thanks for your concern.”, he replied flatly.
“Of course! Now let’s get ready to spring this surprise.”
“Are you sure about this? What if Starlight…”
“Trixie is not worried. Everything will work out.” She gave him a winning smile and a curt nod of her head.
Sunburst untied and opened the sack, retrieving a package wrapped in purple stripped paper with an ornate silver bow on top. He passed the passed the box to Trixie while he retied the bag. Then they both returned to the tub, hiding the box under a towel.
Climbing back into the water, Sunburst was quiet for a moment as stared into the water. Trixie followed and sat beside him. After a second, she pushed his shoulder with a hoof.
“Hey, Sunburst.”
He turned to look at her.
“It’s going to be fine. Trust me.” She smiled and gave him a wink.
He nodded in reply and sighed.
And then they both yelped and jumped when Starlight teleported in next to the tub with a loud ‘pop’.
Starlight giggled at the startled look her friends gave her. She raised an eyebrow and coyly said “Wow, you two are certainly nervous. Don’t worry, I’m not dropping any more snow on you!”
Both of them grinned widely back at her.
“ I certainly hope not! Once an evening is plenty, thank you!,” Sunburst laughed nervously.
She gave them a searching look then shrugged and offered a mug of hot cider to each of them. Starlight then slipped into the warm water and levitated the mug toward her friends.
“How do you like it?”
"It’s very tasty. Is that cinnamon?”, asked Sunburst.
She nodded enthusiastically. “It’s a recipe Applejack shared with me. I made it myself.”, Starlight stated proudly.
“Trixie is delighted with the flavor! Good job, Starlight.”, the magician crooned.
Starlight blushed lightly and took a long draw of her cider. She sighed, closed her eyes for a moment then settled back. Opening her eyes, she spoke quietly.
“So, which one of you is going to tell me what is going on?”
Trixie choaked on the cider she had just swallowed and Sunburst was suddenly very interested in the tile on the side of the tub.
She sat up and looked to both of them with a friendly but determined gaze.
“Whatever it is, you don’t need to worry. We’ll always be friends.” She paused and swallowed an anxious lump in her throat. “I promise.”
Sunburst started to speak but Trixie raised a hoof and said, “Please, let me begin.” He nodded and Trixie turned to face Starlight.
“Trixie knows about your feelings for her and Sunburst. You haven't said as much, but we could tell something was troubling you. We most certainly didn’t wish to add to your worries by making you feel you would lose either of us as friends. So, Sunburst and Trixie discussed the situation.”
She looked at Starlight with a neutral expression. “We found a solution which should make the decision less stressful for you.”
She motioned to Sunburst, who lifted the towel and brought the package out, levitating it before Starlight.
She looked curiously between the package and her friends.
“What’s this? A good-bye gift?”, Starlight said jokingly. Sunburst had the same blank expression as Trixie wore. She looked at both of them and then back at the package. A sad frown crossed her face. “Oh…um”
“Please, just open it”, urged Sunburst.
She nodded and took the package in her aura, removing the wrapping very slowly. ‘No need to rush bad news!’, she thought sadly. Setting the paper aside she held a beautifully crafted wood case. She looked at her friends curiously.
“Open it up”, whispered Trixie, smiling slightly. Sunburst looked at her expectantly.
Starlight looked back to the case. Unfastening the latch, she hesitantly lifted the lid. Inside, resting on a dark velvet lining, were three silver pendants. Three circles, each surrounding a familiar cutie mark, linked together so they overlapped and joined one another. At the center of the intersection of the rings a small heart shaped ruby was set. They gleamed warmly in the candlelight and Starlight couldn’t help but gasp at their beauty. She looked to her friends with wide-eyed wonder, unable to utter a sound. 'Could it mean...?', she wondered.
“Trixie told you she would like them”, she addressed Sunburst with a smug smile and a wink.
He glanced over at her with a concerned look. “I suppose she does. She hasn’t said anything, though.” He turned back and looked at Starlight questioningly. “Are you alright?”
She didn’t respond immediately, which began to concern her companions. After what seemd like a full minute of absolute silence, Starlight blinked once, then twice and closed the case. Still levitating it in front of her, she composed herself. Giving them each a stern glare, she crossed her hooves and addressed them.
“So, this was your plan, uhm? The two of you just got together and made a decision about what I’m going to do without any input from me, just assuming I’d go along with it. Have I got that right?”
Trixie looked at her with a mix of shock and concern washing across her face. Sunburst had a similar expression, as he frowned a bit and looked back at her. They were both quiet for a second before he spoke.
“We just thought that deciding for you not to have to decide would be an easier decision.” He paused and his frown deepened as he glanced at Trixie. “That really sounded better when I said it to you earlier.” His ears folded back and he looked down dejectedly.
Trixie leaned toward Starlight, tears brimming in her eyes. “Trixie did not mean to upset you. We just wanted you to be happy and not have to choose only one pony to be with”, she said pleadingly.
“You mean you wanted to be sure I picked you.”, Starlight deadpanned back at her.
“Trixie had no doubt you would choose her.”, she replied haughtily. The realizing what she’d said, looked away, ears folding back.
“Well, perhaps a little doubtful, yes. Trixie can be a bit much at times, she knows.”, she said contritely.
Starlight continued to give them a firm stare. Her two friends began to fidget and became extremely interested in looking at anything except their seemingly angry friend.
She finally broke the silence with a short sigh.
“Well, I had already considered dating you both, anyway. I just thought I would have to be the one to bring it up.”, she said flatly, with a small smug smile coming to her face. "But it's nice to know that we all feel the same about each other.", she laughed, finally.
Her words took a moment to register with them. Sunburst gave her a confused glance but then grinned as happy tears formed in his eyes. Trixie blinked and looked baffled for a second, her eyes wide and mouth open. As her mind caught up to the moment, she glared a bit at Starlight.
“You tried to deceive Trixie!”
Starlight stuck her tongue out at her. “Next time, don’t be so sure of yourself!”
“As if you could do better than Trixie.”, she huffed and splashed water toward Starlight.
Starlight laughed and blocked the water with her magic. Then surrounding her friends in her aura, pulled them into a tight hug.
“I did do better. Now I have the both of you!”, she exclaimed.
Later, after they had dried off and were settled together in front of the fire, Starlight retrieved the case and placed the pendants around each of her new partners necks. Together, Sunburst and Trixie helped put her own necklace on. She smiled affectionately at each of them, as they nuzzled one another in turn. She brought a blanket from the bed and wrapped it around them, feeling warm and pleased.
“Thank you both for coming here. I have to admit, this was a much better Hearth’s Warming than I’d planned for myself.”
“Any holiday celebrated with the Great and Powerful Trixie is always better!”, the showmare chirped.
Sunburst and Starlight rolled their eyes and laughed with her.
“This relationship is going to take a bit of work. We’re so very different from one another.”,he sighed as he smiled at his two friends.
“It’s going to be okay, though.”, sighed Starlight contentedly. “We’re always better together.”