Showmareship

>you hear talk around P0nyville that Trixie has set up her stage again a short distance from town
>not wanting to miss this opportunity to see that hilarious situation, you make plans and get yourself to the show
>none of the mane 6 go because, as they put it, anything else was better than another show like that
>twilight however gave you a long lecture about the true meaning of magic on top of it
>at last, you arrive on cue as she teleports onto her stage in a cloud of smoke
>"Prepare to be dazzled as Equestria's most magnificent mare magician makes with the magic!"
>wow, points for alliteration
>her show continues to wow and astound you, as all sorts of tricks are done with clouds of smoke or sparks of light, always a different color
>she never once refers to herself in the third person, or as great and powerful
>maybe she took a slice of humble pie since she was last in p0nyville
>as the show goes on, all the attendees slowly leave, scoffing at her or just outright insulting her
>she never stopped the performance once, but you could see in her eyes how much it hurt
>finally the performance ended with you being the last remaining patron
>"Thank you...all...for attending tonight's performance! I will return tomorrow!"
>she turns away, and you could swear you saw tears welling up in her eyes before a cloud of smoke and explosions covers her escape
>you couldn't let this travesty stand
>she had obviously changed, so why didn't anyp0ny see it?
>the answer was obvious
>its all about first impressions
>you knew that feel far too well
>you felt it was your responsibility almost, to at least personally congratulate her on the show...and besides, she left before you paid for the performance
>you find your way to the door with Trixie's cutie mark on it and give it a shave and a haircut knock
>well, here they called it a mane-cut, but whatever
>semantics
>a few seconds later you hear a
>"Just one moment, please."
>and the telltale noise of blowing one's nose, then the door is opened
>Trixie is looking at you with puffy red eyes, no cloak or hat on at all
>"Y-yes? What is it?"
"Uhhh, I just wanted to say good performance, I guess."
>smooth, Anon. real frickin smooth
"A-and to pay for the performance!"
>"Its alright, keep the bits, human. So long as you enjoyed the show, that's enough for me."
>wow, you didn't expect anyp0ny to know you were a human...but then again, being the only one in Equestria kind of made you a big deal, she probably saw you in a magazine or something
"Well, yeah I did enjoy it, and so you deserve the bits!"
>"Hmm, well I guess I can accept them if that is how you feel. It means a lot to me that you, an otherwordly being not only saw my show, but enjoyed it so thoroughly. Tell me, how did I compare?"
"Compare to what?"
>"Your planet's magicians, Twilight Sparkle, perhaps."
>ohhhhh, that's what this is about
"Well considering we don't have magic in our world, you already take the cake. And you definitely have more flair than Twilight."
>"Hmm, yes. I suppose I do. Thank you for the kind words...I never got your name."
"My name's Anonymous, miss Trixie. Nice to meet you."
>"And you already have the pleasure of knowing who I am. Nice to meet you too."
>you hand/hoof her a generous 10 bits
>usually it was considered fair to tip one bit per being, but you felt the need to giver her some to make up for all the p0nies that left without giving even a cent
>She looks at you, bewildered by your offering
>"This is far too much, I-"
"Keep it, you earned it."
>"Thank you, Anonymous."
>silence hangs in the air for a few seconds
>"Would you...like to come inside?"
"Sure, thanks."
>you enter her abode
>it is filled with pictures of far-off places, wands and little devices you can only assume go to the fireworks that her stage shoots off
>"Welcome to my home, Anon."
"Wow..."
>suddenly transporting to a world of magic kind of dulled your senses to the wonder of it, but this is what magic was all about
>speaking of...you still wondered what all the fuss was about when p0nies started ditching the show
"Hey, uh...when the p0nies started leaving, you didn't stop them. Why?"
>"The show must go on, if I'm not mistaken. I couldn't let my feelings get in the way of the performance. It happens all the time, I'm...used to it."
>all the fricking time? criminy
"But...why do you put up with it?"
>"A lesson I learned long ago that I only recently took to heart."
"And that is?"
>"Showmareship."
"Come again?"
>"Showmareship. My mother and father used to try and teach me that the number one thing was to keep the performance strong, and not to get in your own way. I didn't realize it until I hit P0nyville for the first time, and realized that bragging and taking center stage was actually detracting from my performance."
>well, well...look who's all grown up?
"Well your show certainly was entertaining. Like that one part, where the jewel split apart into shards of light, and you put it back together with fire!"
>"Haha! Yes, that's one of my favorites. You know what? I'll let you in on a secret."
"Uh huh?"
>"Most of the things I do are slight of hoof! My magic conceals or casts illusions, I cannot truly teleport or cause a jewel to explode."
>if you weren't surprised by the awesome performance, you were blown away now
>she sees the look of surprise on your face and chuckles
>"I'm actually still learning magic in order to perfect the craft."
>you two share a smile, and you put a hand on her uh...shoulder...area
"It was great talking to you, but I've got to go home."
>"Wait!"
>you were getting up when she surprised you with the yell.
>"Perhaps, you'd like to come see my show tomorrow...and then...hang out later?"
"Sure thing, Trixie."
>"Then I shall expect your face amongst the crowd tomorrow. Good night, Anonymous."
"Good night, Trixie."
>you go home knowing that for better or worse, you made a friend, and a difference