Trix of the Trade - Chapter 27

“… No way. Better than anything Canterlot can whip up?”
>”Psh, you know Canterlot likes to be all… frilly.”
“Frilly?”
>”You know. I mean, no offense to them but the fireworks shows are… fancy! Sounds like an oxymoron to me.”
“I guess. So,” You attempt to peek over Rainbow Dash’s shoulder to get a better look at who’s here. So far a few nameless guards are hanging around. You can hear commotion in the room but can’t see any of it. Two thrones sit on the opposite side of the room in front of the large window that gives an amazing view of the city. “Who else is here?”

>As those words leave your mouth, the starry night that is Luna’s hair pokes out from her purple throne.
>”All of us, of course. And some rich ponies, a couple diplomats and ambassadors. Not including guards, there’s about twelve of us here.”
“That’s, uh…”
>You can see it from here. Luna’s snout poking out from her throne. Once you fall silent, her nostrils flare and she lets out a heavy exhale.
“That’s just fine. Hey, can we come in now?”
>”Oh, hehe! Sorry. It’s kinda cold out, isn’t it?”
”A little bit. Feels good in here—Oh, hello?”
>Trixie quickly squeezes between you and the door, paying no mind to Rainbow Dash before walking into a corner and taking a seat.
>”… She hasn’t changed much since she was in Ponyville.”
“I… guess she hasn’t.”
>”Is she just gonna… sit there?”
>You sigh at the fact that you have to go through this all over again.
>But she can wait this time. You have people you want to talk to.
>”Anyway, come on in. There’s food over there and the Minotaur over there has a million stories to share. All of them terrible, just a warning.”
“Noted. Food. Excuse me.”
>”Tch, all stallions are the same.” Rainbow Dash mutters and shakes her head.
>You plainly ignore the hell out of Applejack and Fluttershy having a conversation on your way and peruse the selection of delicious looking… vegetarian foods.
>No one here eats meat besides you. Crap.

>Regardless, the seasoned vegetable platters and fruity delights are enough to get your mouth watering.
>It seems you’ve already grabbed a plate without noticing. You begin placing jelly dipped strawberries onto your plate when you hear a pony approach you from behind.
>Except when you turn, it’s actually a six foot tall minotaur.
“Hello?”
>”Hey, how’re ya doin’ friend!” His voice is… nasally. And really dorky.
>This brown minotaur comes off as intimidating at first. The blood red sash attached to a single, large spiked pauldron on his left shoulder made him look like he was here to murder.
>But the moment he opened his mouth, he became as threatening as a puppy terrier. And annoying as one too.
>”Names Clyde buddy, chief advisor to the Warlord of Gorehorn Clans of Taur. I like to come here every year ‘cus I, well, cus I kinda like it! Ahyuck! You wanna know what we use to make fireworks back at home? Imp skin and unicorn dust. Speaking of, I have this fantastic story about Imps.”
>Oh my fucking god.

>It takes a full thirty minutes, but you manage to duck the Minotaur for now. Fucking Clyde.
>You receive pained looks from everyone. It seems they’ve suffered the same fate as you.
>Most ponies have taken a seat in the few rows of seats to the sides and behind the thrones.
>Celestia and Luna are still chatting with each other and the ponies next to them, and as much as you’d like to say hello to Celestia, you’d have to talk to Luna too.
>Some other time.
>Looking around the room, you see most ponies are completely bored of each other by now. They try their hardest to maintain interest but they only want to see the fireworks go off, and the sun doesn’t even set for another hour.
>You soon glance at Trixie, who is sitting in the same spot she has been the whole time. In the corner that draws the least amount of attention.
>Not wanting to really go on the same side of the room as Clyde, you opt for Trixie. At least her bullshitting is interest—… Hm. No, not really. You might strangle her if she talks about that stupid Prince Blueblood thing one more time.
>Still better than Clyde though.
>You sigh before slowly meandering around towards Trixie, trying to make it look as casual as possible.
>She spots you the moment you move in her direction, eyeing you the entire way over.
>You crouch down a foot away from her and rub the back of your neck while looking around to make sure no one is looking.
>Ponies are looking.
>”What are you so concerned about?”
>You twist your head back in her direction, to find her wearing a disappointed look.
“Nothing. You alright?”
>”Trixie does not like being here. Ponies here look down on Trixie like she is nothing.”
“No they don't.”
>She glares at you.

“You just have a lot of bad blood between a few of these ponies.”
>She glares some more.
“You know, have you ever tried to be more fun at a party? You soak up attention everyone you go, until ponies are actually enjoying themselves. What’s wrong?”
>”Trixie only likes to party with ponies she likes. Trixie doesn’t like the ponies here. Simple as that.”
“What about me?”
>”… You are not a pony!”
“And that’s the only reason?”
>Trixie ducks her head in embarrassment before muttering out,
>”And… I like you to a certain extent. Don’t ever make me say it ag—“
>Trixie stops as a shadow overcomes the both of you from behind.
>You turn around to be met with a jarring sight.
>Princess Luna bearing down upon you with a stern look.
>”We see you have accepted Rainbow Dash’s invitation. We find this…” She struggles to find the next words and focuses on Trixie instead. “And you are Trixie.” Luna’s eyes dart between the two of you. “We… admire your tolerance for him.”
>Crap. Here we go. A smirk is already apparent on Trixie’s face.
>”It is an honor, my princess. For the both of us. And he does get hard to tolerate very often, but he does as he’s told.”
“Trixie—“
>”We also know of your dreams about him. We advise against it. His mind is… I’m sorry, I shouldn’t say more.”
>You can’t believe Luna is spreading this crap still.
>You try to hide rolling your eyes, but Luna cocks her head a little more when she sees your expression.
>”Then again, maybe we should tell Trixie about your… insanity?”
>”What?”
“Luna, for god’s sake, I’m not insane. Look,” You turn to Trixie. “When I first came to Equestria, I understandably had nightmares. Crossing dimensions without any warning and coming across talking horses is a little more than jarring.”
>”Nightmares? When a pony has a nightmare, it’s surreal, but understandable. Your nightmares… I can feel a headache coming on just remembering it.”

>This. This is why you hate talking to Luna. Her initial opinion of you was alright until she checked on you one night while having a nightmare.
>’Keeper of Dreams’. ‘Protector from Nightmares’. Yeah, well. For a princess, she sure complains about her job a lot.
“Well if you’re going to keep being a crybaby about it, I’m still not letting you back into my dreams.”
>She stares at you long and hard.
>”That is not under your control.”
“Then feel free to visit tonight, babe.”
>Luna’s eyes widen in surprise and she gets several degrees angrier.
>”Anonymous...” Trixie mutters from behind you.
>”How… how dare you presume—“
>”Sister! And… Anonymous!”
>Celestia has caught wind of the storm brewing over here and has stepped in to intervene.
>”Sister,” Luna steps back defensively. “A-Anonymous here has made a presumpt—“
>”Dear, Luna. Anonymous has been on the road for several long months now. He must be understandably tired.”
>”Sister,”
>Luna continues to press, but Celestia urges her away quickly and stays behind, looking incredibly awkward and embarrassed.
>”Anonymous… how have you been?” She says with a forced smile.
“Pretty great, actually. Sorry about—“
>”I should’ve stopped her once I saw her walking your way. I know how she feels about you.” She looks to her sister who is sitting back in her miniature throne, hanging her head a little. “She’s still having trouble adjusting to… everything. And a dream or nightmare has never been defining factor of a pony.”
“Or human.”
>”Right. What Luna saw was… it was—“
“Celestia, we’ve been over this.”
>”Yes, yes. She’ll have to accept you’re a wonderful po—person on her own time. Until then, I’ll keep her out of your hair for the rest of the night. I want all of my little ponies to be happy, and forget their worries on the night of a new year.”

>Celestia looks back at her sister one more time.
>”I’m afraid I must attend to other things for the time being. I would love it if we could catch up sometime tonight or tomorrow, if you have the time.”
“Absolutely. I’ll see you later.”
>”Good bye, Anonymous.”
>You give Celestia a short wave as she walks away before turning back to Trixie.
>Her jaw is on the floor.
>She takes a moment to search for the words she’s looking for before blurting out, “Did you just flirt with the princess?!”
>Suddenly the weight of your words to Luna, ‘Then feel free to visit tonight, babe.’ Falls heavy upon your shoulders. You suddenly feel light headed and ill to the stomach.
“Shit, I did. Didn’t I?” You whisper. A chuckle escapes you. “I did. Oh, wow. Where did that come from?”
>Trixie looks at Luna for a few seconds before coming up with a another question.
>”What did she mean, about your nightmares?”
>You sigh and rub your eyes.
“When I first came here, I was scared. I was scared out of my mind. And… I had nightmares. Luna, being the curious little mare she is, decided to drop in and see what was giving me nightmares. One minute later, she’s in my room, calling me an unnatural abomination.”
>”Over a dream?”
“A nightmare. And, yeah. I’ve come up with a theory that pony nightmares are pussy shit compared to what a lot of humans go through. I can’t say for sure though.”
>Trixie is trying to put on a comforting smile, and it does work a little. You give her a quick pat on the shoulder to reassure her that she’s helping.
“It’ll bite me in the ass someday, but until then I won’t worry about it. So, how do you feel?”
>”Alright.”
“Hungry?”
>She shrugs.
“I think I saw lemon bars over there.”
>Her ear twitches.
>”Bring me the platter.”
“Or you can come with me and grab your own plate.”
>”Yeah, yeah.” She says in an almost hypnotic state.

>Once you managed to lure Trixie out of her corner, she opened up to ponies around the room much easier. Aside from your Ponyville friends, she’s been able to hold steady conversations with everyone else, if not at least endure their presence.
>Fluttershy even complimented her sweater. Although it seemed slightly forced and Trixie wasn’t too receptive.
>Things got a little hairy when Clyde tried talking to Trixie for one second too long and you thought someone, namely you and Trixie, were going to be kicked out.
>What surprised you the most about the whole day was that your Ponyville friends weren’t really paying much attention to you. They weren’t ignoring you, but they seemed to mostly keep to themselves. Rarity, Twilight and Rainbow Dash seemed to be whispering about something most of the time.
>So you and Trixie spent most of your time sitting between the door and snack table.
>As Pinkie snatches up some snack and instantly consumes them, you catch her attention before she can hop away.
“Hey, Pinkie.”
>”Sup, Anon?!”
“What are those three talking about?”
>Pinkie glances over at them before shrugging and turning back to you.
>”I dunno. You want me to go ask?”
“Nah, not any of our business anyway.”
>”Okie! So what are you two talking about?”
“Us?”
>You look down at Trixie and notice she’s completely uninterested in what’s going on around her.
“Nothing, just hanging out. It’s a little boring, to be honest.”
>”Mmmhm! I asked Princess Celestia if I could bring in some balloons, just to liven it up a bit, but she was like—“
“Not appropriate, right?”
>”That’s exactly what she said!”
>You chuckle a bit before drifting off again. Pinkie quickly turns her attention to Trixie.
>”Hey, Trixie-Trixa-Trix!” With each syllable, Pinkie got a little closer. Trixie quickly became uncomfortable. “Did my,” She leans in far too close for Trixie’s liking. “Secret friend find you yet?”
>Trixie immediately panics and pushes Pinkie away.

>”Friend?! Trixie has no idea what you’re talking about.” Her attention darts up to you. “Anonymous, make this strange one leave Trixie alone. We do not wish to be disturbed right now!”
“Relax, Pinkie’s harmless.”
>”Okay! I’ll go over there!” She says without pointing anywhere. “Bye Anon!”
>She then leans into Trixie and whispers something in her ear before bouncing off, leaving Trixie ticked off.
“Don’t let Pinkie get to you. You know she means well.”
>”I only wish she did it from across the room and silently.”
“Fat chance.”
>You refill you small plate once more with sugary treats, only eating out so you have something to do.
“… So, uh… having fun?”
>Trixie shrugs a little.
“Wanna step outside?”
>”Definitely.”
>You breathe a sigh of relief and open the door for Trixie, then follow her out.
>The wind has picked up a little since the sun has begun to set, making things a little chilly but you’ll get used to it. You’ve just been in that stuffy room with stuffier politicians for too long.
>Trixie seems more relaxed as well, as she hangs her head over the railing to look at the ponies below.
“Hey, uh… sorry to drag you along.”
>”Hm?” She lazily turns her attention to you.
“I should have realized that you wouldn’t have much fun here. You’re not really one for stuff like this.”
>”Hmph, Trixie is fine. There’s no need for you to babysit her.”
“No, you’re talking in third person and getting defensive.”
>”Am not.”
“Shut up, yes you are.”
>Trixie rolls her eyes and looks back down at the street. That didn’t go very smoothly.
>Thinking about it, you haven’t been smooth at all tonight. Rather jaded and uncomfortable.
>You’re out of your element here. Small talk with ponies who make way more money than you? And no motivation to sell them something? Yeah, you were fucked the moment you walked up here.
“Damnit.”
>”What?” Trixie is at full attention once more.
“Oh, just… thinking.”
>”About what?”
“Nnnnnothing. Hey, quick question. How would you spend this night?”
>”Hah, well—“ Trixie takes a pose, but you cut that out immediately.
“Answer honestly this time.”
>”Ah…” Trixie deflates a little before retaining a casual sitting pose. “Well… every year I like to park myself somewhere in town with a good view, wherever I may be, and spend that night on top of my wagon. Watching the fireworks…” She trails off at the end of her response, and you’re left with a feeling of nostalgia.
“Yeah, sounds like what we did.”
>”Who?”
“Back home, on Earth. For the New Year, we, my friends and family, would park our cars together in an empty parking lot, have a few drinks and party it up with some tunes playing. When the countdown started, we’d all lay on our hoods and wait for the fireworks. We’d always try to park under where they were shooting it off, unless it was too crowded. After that, we’d drink champagne and stuff. The cops caught us once, let us off with a warning though.”
>Trixie has a confused look on her face.
>She doesn’t know what half of the things you said are.
“… I just, miss stuff. You know?”
>”… Yeah.”
“So… what about your friends and family?”
>Trixie sighs again.
>”There’s nothing to talk about with my family. My sister is pathetic, and my mother is even less.”
“And you don’t want to talk about them… at all?”
>”No.”
“So what do you want to talk about?”
>”I don’t know… maybe we could not talk for a minute?”
>You nod in agreement, and then lean against the railing next to Trixie. It isn’t long until that door opens, and someone disturbs your peace.
>”Wonderful…” Trixie mutters.
>However, once a golden-clad white hoof steps out, you and Trixie immediately jump to attention.
>You hear Celestia trying to appease a few ponies as she’s taking small steps out. It takes almost a full minute for her to finally shut everyone up and close the door on them. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, before greeting you with a gentle smile.
>”I apologize for not being able to speak to you earlier, Anonymous. Luna gets uncomfortable when we speak so casually.”
“It’s also not very good with foreign ambassadors riding your withers that hard.”
>”Clyde got to you too, did he?”
“Oh hell yeah he did.”
>Celestia opens her mouth to respond, but then notices Trixie bowing at her hooves.
>She gives a light hum before speaking.
>”Rise, Trixie. This is one of the few moments in my life I can be act casual without political fallout and talks of a coup.”
>”M-my princess… You remembered my na—“
“Whoa, wait. Are you serious?”
>Celestia scoffs in disgust.
>”I’ve been in my seat of power for many millennia. There are some ponies who think that is a few years too long and want me and my sister removed. Of course, ninty-nine of the population of Equestria seem to be happy, and my approval ratings are through the roof. It’s half of the rich, those who leech off the poor who want the power I have, only to abuse it.”
>Celestia snorts, and yours and Trixie’s silence speak loud enough for her to hear.
>”I apologize. I’ve needed to get a few things off of my chest. The events leading up to Holiday appearances are stressful, but nothing I’m not accustomed to.”
“But… a coup?”
>”I was overexaggerating, Anonymous.”
“Sure…”
>”But I didn’t come out here to annoy you with political backwash, I wanted to see how you and Trixie were doing. The last time I checked, you were both barely getting along, but you’re still travelling together it seems.”
“Yeah, we’re at each other’s throats a little less now. The business has run into a small hitch, but we’ll get through it.”
>”And do you have a friendship report for me this time?” Celestia adopts a sly smile.
“Aww shoot, left it in the wagon. Oh well, maybe next time?”
>You and Celestia stare at each other with sarcastic smiles for a second before bursting into laughter, then as Celestia finishes, she looks down to Trixie.
>”I’m afraid I know little more than your name, miss Lulamoon. Why don’t you tell me about yourself.”
>“Why… do you act like this with Anon?” She responds meekly.
>”Ah, I imagine that would cause confusion. You see, I am not Anon’s princess.”
>”… What?”
>”He is a guest in my kingdom until he can return home—“

>You are Trixie.
>”Return home.”
>She continues on, but you’ve severed your connection with reality for the moment.
>The concept of Anon returning home has never crossed your mind. Yes, he’s mentioned it and you’ve internally guffawed at how silly the idea was, but the princess sounds confident he has a way home. Will he return? Of course, judging by the way he talks about it. He’d abandon you in a heartbeat for his old life.
>And you can’t take that. How could you answer his inquiry about friends when he’s your only one, and how can you afford to lose that? You can’t, especially when you want more than a friendship. When you were counting on more than a friendship.
>”—And his integration into pony society has gone far better than I expected. That is why he is our guest. Because while he may not belong here, we welcome him and house him until he can go back.”
“… Of… course!”
>”And might I ask you where you’re from? I want to say a performer such as yourself is from Las Pegasus, am I correct?”
“Erm… yes, Princess Celestia. My mother raised me and my sister…”
>You can see Anon paying very close attention and you don’t think you’re ready to open this closet yet in front of him. To your luck, the stairs downward are rattling with either something heavy, or many, many ponies.
>”Oh no…” Celestia whispers.
>”What’s that?”
>”The night group.” Celestia sighs in annoyance, which is something you’d never thought you’d see the princess do. “I’m soon going to be dealing with many loud, dunk, needy rich ponies and politicians.”
>”Lame.”
>”… The lamest. I must take my leave. And… I must ask something terrible of the two of you.”
>”Rainbow Dash already explained we had to leave once the sun set, and we’re okay with that.”
>”Very well.” She looks over to the rattling metal staircase once again. “One more thing, Anonymous?”
>”Mmhm?”
>”Don’t make suggestive comments towards my sister.”
>Anon balks and attempts to play it off cooly.
>”Psssh… shhhaahh. Naaah, that didn’t happen. She must have mishear or misinterp—“
>”Anonymous…”
>”… Sorry.”
>Celestia’s expression remains stoic for a moment, before she cracks a smile and attempts to duck inside before she’s seen.
>”Have, have a lovely evening, Anonymous and Trixie!” Celestia says through a subtle snicker from inside the room. Before Anon can reciprocate, the Princess closes the door behind her.
>And once more, it’s you and Anonymous alone.
>Not for long though. A large crowd of snobby ponies is on its way up, and you want to escape. You’ve wanted to escape since Vinyl showed her stupid spikey hair and her dumb purple glasses.
>Just as you think of them, the ponies start emerging from the staircase. They all stare at Anon, at best.
>Eventually a mare with blonde hair and a darker blonde curly mane walks to Anon and half-drunkenly compliments his own mane. Which is messy. Stupid drunk.
 >The others usher her inside the quickly crowding room and make passing apologies to Anonymous, all the while you’re standing alone in the corner.
>A few stallions eye you up, but it’s nothing compared to the attention Anonymous is getting.
>A part of you hates him for how easily he gets noticed.
>As the first crowd stuff themselves into the room, Anonymous lets out a sigh of relief.
>”I hate that.”
>Your response is rather silent, and Anon begins to feel awkward.
>”You wanna just… go back to the wagon?”
”Why would you want that? You dragged the both of us out here anyway.”
>”Yeah, but… Luna and Clyde are getting on my nerves and my friends are ignoring me. Kinda wishing I didn’t come.”
“Hmph… very well! If you insist on making sure that most of our day was wasted, then Trixie feels compelled to return to her wagon where she can finally leave this nightmare of a social event.”
>”It wasn’t that bad. Maybe you should try learning to actually socialize at social events. Or in general.”
“Maybe you should learn to keep your mind out of the gutter… With the princess. Seriously.”
>”I blame that entirely on Vinyl.”
“I’d like to blame a lot of your problems on Vinyl. At least I’d know what to get rid of before I can fix you…”
>”What?”
“Nothing, let’s go.”

>Despite what seemed like Anon’s mild enthusiasm to return to the wagon, it sure was difficult to get him there.
>Once out of the tower and Middle Park, he became very social with the small groups of ponies on the streets and the little market stalls that kept open for business during that night.
>He forced you to stop and wait for him as he listened to some guitar playing bearded pony for a short while.
>And you even had to wait while he helped a little filly find her mother.
>But of course, you fancied a conversation with a few ponies on the streets as well. The gentle strum of the guitar coupled with the artist’s soft voice was soothing and a great contrast to the excitement around you. And you were the one to find the filly’s mother.
>With the stress of being around those princesses and several ponies who already hate you all gone, you’ve been able to get in tune with Anon’s mood. His excitement seemingly radiated off him and you were basking in his glow.
>Ugh, that sounded weird.
>But nonetheless, the sun has been long set by the time the both of you return to the wagon. Anon takes no extra time to climb up top to pull it out of its parked space, and you eagerly join him up top as he slowly brings the wagon forward through the ponies lingering on the street.
>There’s a short period of quiet you start getting distracted in the mellow feel of this part of the city. Instead of looming towers and bustling ponies, one or two story homes line the cobble streets with dull lanterns lighting the sidewalks. Many windows are darkened with the families out of the house, but you see the flickering of a candle in a window occasionally.
>The ponies along the sidewalks are consumed in festive spirit as midnight draws closer and closer. Many are in small groups of friends or family with mugs of beer and cider being passed around. There’s also the occasional couple either walking together, snuggling side by side, and the omnipresent make out session. Your mind instantly inserts yourself into the situation, with many different guys you know cycling through the other. One in particular is sitting next to you.
>That very though should send you into a twisted crisis that you force upon yourself, but you find it difficult to care right now because you’re feeling great tonight.
>A nudge from Anon causes you to focus, then he points to a pony stumbling along the sides of the road.
>”A little too early to be that drunk, don’t you think?”
“It’s poor manners to be blackout drunk before the celebration even starts.”
>”Hmmm… I think he can make it. Barely, but he can do it.” Anon’s expression suddenly stiffens, and he straightens his posture. “That reminds me…”
“What?”
>”Nothing. Er… you’ll see.”
“What is it? I don’t like surprises so you’d better tell me now.”
>”You’re a magician. Surprises are like… your job.”
“I still want to know what it is.”
>”Damn, it’s beer alright? Some old stuff I stashed way back when.”
“When what?” If he stole your Neighagra Falls Brown Ale… you knew you didn’t drink that one.
>”When nothing. We’ll crack that growler open when we find a good spot.”
>The thief!
“Hmph… I’ll just have to kick your flank later then.”
>”Do it after a few glasses. It’ll be funnier that way.”

>It takes a short while before Anon finds a good spot, but he manages to come across a wide forked road that takes a steep angle downwards in the direction of Middle Park. Anon parks the cart sideways against the split in the road, in front of some business that closed down for the night.
>”Be right back.” He mentions before hopping out of his seat and quickly descending into the wagon. You hop over the back of the bench and sit along the railing to get a comfortable view at the park.
>You hear some rummaging around downstairs shortly before the clinking of glass. Minutes later, Anon comes back up with your prized ale in one hand, a couple mugs in the other and blankets draped over his shoulders.
“What are you doing? Did, did you get Trixie’s blanket from out of her room?”
>”Yeah, it’s cold and shit’s gonna suck if we’re out here too long in it.” He balls up your blanket and lobs it in your direction, revealing his own, frightening smaller blanket underneath it. You shuffle yourself comfortably under the blanket while Anon sits down a few feet away.
>Stupid idiot, why did he have to sit that far away when he’s concerned about the cold?
>After getting himself comfortable, he strains to pull the cork from the bottle, soon coming out with a loud pop. He fills the mugs halfway before passing you one, which you snatch up in a magic grip and hesitate to take a sip.
>Would it be weird to make a toast? It shouldn’t be, you think.
>Yeah, you’re going to make – he’s already taken a large gulp.
>He sets the mug off to the side, stretches, and leans back into the railing to relax.
>”This is nice.”
“It’s okay…”
>”Let me guess, something about the company?”
“Hm, perhaps. For starters, he didn’t bother to toast when we’re celebrate.”
>”Got me there,” He lifts his mug in your direction, which you gladly clink with your own while you sneak a few inches his way. You take a sip of the beer, which is its rather bitter, unimpressive self. But it leaves a cool feeling on your mouth that makes you would to inhale through your mouth to get the sensation.
“Aaahhh, and second,” You set your mug down so you can make exuberant hoof gestures. “I’m drinking with a thief. This wasn’t your beer to take.”
>”I was rescuing you. You should thank me.”
“Third, you’re far from a handsome stallion”
>”I’m one of a kind, baby.”
“And you’re sometimes more stupid than a doorknob.”
>”Okay, that was a legitimate blow to my ego and I don’t appreciate it.”
>You smirk at his sarcastic comment before taking a few gulps of your drink.
>”Oh, are you done?”
“Mmm. Yes.”
>”Damn, if that’s all, I must not be half bad.”
“Yeah…” You catch yourself staring a little too long and instead focus on the city in front of you. “Maybe a quarter, or probably a third. Definitely not half.”
>Anon chuckles and stares ahead as well. You can hear the echoing crowds start to get louder, and some ponies in the nearby homes are beginning to come out to watch the fireworks.
>”Is it already time?”
“I think so.”
>”I wish there was a way to tell it’s getting clo—“ Anon is cut off by the bright glow suddenly being cast upon a sliver of the moon. “Yo, what the hell is that?”
“You don’t know?”
>”No.”
“Well, some say it’s the moon, casting off its former self to look brighter and more vibrant for a new year, a new age.”
>”That sounds pretty crazy.”
“Oh, it is. It’s princess Luna who does it. Ponies figured it out when it stopped after she was banished to the moon.”
>”Does that mean ponies here haven’t—“
“That’s right. It’s likely why this year's turnout is exponentially larger."
>The glow of the moon gets brighter as the light slowly consumes it. The deafening cheers get even louder by the second, and you’re glad you’re not down there. The moon nearly consumed by the light, the excitement of the city around you is electrifying, giving you thoughts and terrible ideas. And incentive to do them.
>You quickly shuffle over to Anonymous and immediately stop as he notices you. He scoots a few inches away with an uncomfortable look on his face before turning his attention back to the fireworks.
>Great move, Trixie. You should know this big oaf by now.
>What DOES he like? All of your charm for sure.
>… Not the inflated ego.
>He seems to enjoy your sense of humor a little bit… shoot, that’s all you seem to remember.
>But what does he like about his other friends? That they’re there for him, but if that were the case, he wouldn’t have left Ponyville with you. Are you starting to break a sweat from trying to think about this? You are. Trixie, you pig. Just… do something!
>And you seem to do the opposite. You feel your body relax shortly before going completely limp. Your body falls in Anon’s direction and your shoulder catches on his hip and you slide to a stop before hitting the wooden surface.
>You could also say you’re leaning on him… comfortably.
>Anon’s jerk reaction leaves you worried for a moment. His elbows remain raised above you, looking like he’s still deciding whether this is okay or not.
“Don’t pretend you haven’t been wishing for this.”
>DON’T GAMBLE WHEN THE ODDS AREN’T IN  YOUR FAVOR, TRIXIE!
>But he shrugs and lays his arms back down, one along your body restfully. You cannot believe that worked.
“And don’t you dare think about telling other ponies about this.”
>Anonymous chuckles.
“I mean it.”
>”It’s not like they’ll believe me. ‘The Great and Cuddley Trixie.’ What a tall tale.”
“That’s right, so don’t you think about telling any other pony, lest you look like a fool.”
>Anonymous lets out a bemused hum before you dig your head into his side. You can feel your heart race but at the same time, it feels like everything has slowed down. Something has finally decided to right for once and the universe is giving you a little extra time to enjoy it. You lose that perception of time as you stare at the fireworks popping off in the sky in a trance, only broken by the occasional sip of beer or cough from Anonymous, along with the faint sound of his heartbeat.
>Time passes and the two of you have yet to move. All that’s changed is that you’ve polished off most of that growler by now. You’re feeling the buzz a little by now and it’s likely Anon feels the same right now. Nothing has been said between the two of you, but for once you don’t feel pressured to force a conversation, and it’s nice. You, not talking. What a concept.
“Hey, Anon?”
>And so much for that.
>”Mhm?”
>You actually don’t know what you were going to say after that, but you blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.
“I don’t want you to go home.” You say in a tired tone.
>You feel Anon tense up for a moment before he scratches gently on your shoulder. You’re not sure, but you think that’s a positive message.
>After a soft exhale into his shirt, you press your nose even further into his side. You feel like you could be like this forever. In the embrace of another, their touch and scent soothing your senses. You could probably fall asleep right night in spite of the fireworks.
>Everything is perfect.
>”Hey, Anon! Hello?!” You hear before loud knocking could be heard on your wagon door below.
“Are you fucking—“
>”Dash?” Anon shifts away from you and peeks over the edge of the wagon.
>”Anon!” Rainbow Dash flaps up and lands herself on the roof with you, passing a glace your way but remaining focused on Anonymous. “Hey, we were going to go party and I think this one was looking for you.”
>”Who?”
>”Yo!” You hear another familiar voice from below. A dreadful, familiar voice. “I told you we’d go partyin’ tonight!”
>”I didn’t forget, let me change real quick.” He turns to you. “You want to come?”
>By locking yourself in your room and working out a few frustrations? Sure.
”Tch, very well. Allow Trixie to change into some appropriate attire.”
>”Hat and cape?”
“But of course.”

>After a brief explanation of how Rainbow Dash met Vinyl on the street, Vinyl leads the way to a place she says isn’t far from here.
>She wasn’t wrong, after about a half an hour you’re standing in line at what looks like above-average club. Vinyl is sweet talking the bouncer while Rainbow Dash is sweet talking Anon. But Vinyl manages to at least tear them apart when she returns with a few VIP room passes. Wow, guess who isn’t getting one?
>You’re all led into a complex that looks much bigger on the inside than the outside.  The lighting is of course sporadic but seems to like the color purple a lot. All the furniture lines the side and there’s one cluster of couches coffee tables on this side of a moderate sized dance floor. There’s a stage on the far end of the room but right now only a DJ with a small setup operates it. The dance floor is packed, but the seats seem deserted at the moment.
>Out of the corner of your eye, you see Rainbow Dash wrap a hoof around Anon’s arm. You can’t hear what she says but she points to the bar afterwards, shortly before Anon signals he’s going to the bar with her and leaving you.
>You step to follow but Vinyl next to you extends a hoof, then points to a nearby empty table along the wall. You rolls your eyes and follow her to it.
>She slides in on one side and you the other. Vinyl peeks over to Dash and Anon before leaning across the table for her voice to be heard.
>”Hey, so Pinkie told me everything and you needed some help bagging this guy!” She shouts over the noise.
>Wow, those are some weird lyrics to a song because the fact Vinyl said that just doesn’t really process in your brain.
>”Yo, you there, blueberry?”
“She told YOU?!”
>”Yeah, remember when she said she’d get you someone to help you? That’s me. I know dudes and I know hearts. If you want to do more than get inside a guy’s metaphorical pants, while literal this one very rare case, I’m your chick.”
>This is insane. And probably a ruse.
>“Look, I ain’t foolin’. You and I don’t get along so well but the way I see it; Anon is going to end up with you,” Vinyl uses a hoof to shift your head in the direction of the bar. “Or he’s going to end up with her. And I gotta be honest, I don’t like her hair.”
“But why me instead of her?”
>”Because Pinkie asked me and I owe Pinkie a lot of favors. I got a plan, be right back.”
>Vinyl slides out of her seat and gives you a moment to think this over.
>You really don’t like her, but Anonymous and Rainbow Dash are looking closer every time they’re together. And you have no particular reason to distrust Vinyl for this, but it all feels fishy.
>She returns a moment later with two glasses of some very colorful liquid.
“… Alcohol won’t solve my problem.”
>”No, it won’t. But,” Vinyl looks around suspiciously, then pulls a small bag of lime green pills from under the table. “This will.”
“I’m not going to drug Anonymous!” You blurt out.
>Vinyl shushes you.
>”They’re not for him, they’re for Rainbow Dash”
“What?!”
>”You want her out of the way, right? These will make her way too tired to stick around. She’ll be out of your hair for at least the night with one of these.”
“Hmph… If it gets the annoying rainbow-colored hair harlot out of the way, fine. As long as she doesn’t… die.”
>”That’s the spirit. Okay, pay attention.” Vinyl removes one pill from the bag and drops it in the right glass. “You see it, right?”
“Yes.”
>”Good. What I’m going to do is walk over there and steal Anon away from her. Then like, a minute later you go to her and get her to drink this. Don’t buck this up. If you drink the wrong one, you’re losing a big opportunity here. I’ve got a ton of things lined up for you and Anon tonight.”
>She what? Is she… did she really do all of this for you? It’s all favors for her friend, but regardless, this is a lot. It must pay to have good connections.
“Tha-“
>”Alright, you’ll see me in a few.”
>Vinyl darts out of the seat once more, leaving you alone with two glasses of some funky liquor, one of them being drugged. Oh no, which one was it? The right? Yes, the right, you can see the pill dissolving.
>This whole business feels dirty but despite that, it’s a kind gesture. Sort of.
>And you might actually get somewhere with Anonymous tonight! It’s morally ambiguous but it just might work!
>Scanning the room, you see Vinyl talking to the DJ on stage for some reason, but soon after it becomes clear once the music changes to something slower, and something sultry. The feminine voice describes a tale of, oddly enough, going to clubs, stealing stallions away from mares and bedding them without guilt, as if it were an obsession.
>Vinyl does as she promised and approaches Anonymous at the bar. A few words and waving hoof gestures later, she takes him away from Rainbow Dash as promised, making her look very annoyed. Okay, thirty seconds. You spend that time looking at the RIGHT glass. Not the left. Right is right.
>With a deep breath, you pick up the two glasses with your magic and trot over to the bar Rainbow Dash is sitting at, looking bored out her mind.
>You set the glass down in front of her in a way that makes a loud THUNK noise, and it is the right glass. You can barely see what is left of the pill as it continues to dissolve. Rainbow Dash quickly turns her attention to you. You’ve adopted an annoyed look, as if you’re not happy for the same reasons as Rainbow Dash.
>”What is this?”
“A drink. And a toast to our continued failure.”
>”I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
>You set your own glass down in front of you with a much softer noise.
“Sure you don’t. Think what you will of Trixie, she is not unobservant. Nor are you subtle.”
>Rainbow Dash groans and hits her head on the bar.
“Come on.” You prod at her. “We hate each other every other moment of our lives, let’s at least make one where we pretend we don’t.”
>She sighs and lifts her said before taking her glass into her hooves. You lift you own with magic and clink rims with each other.
>”Yeah… forget all this crud for one night.”
“I’d toast to that every night if I could.”
>Dash brings the glass to her lips and tilts it entirely horizontal, consuming the liquid in just a few gulps in the time you get one sip down.
>And that, Trixie, was an easy victory.
>However, being so focused on Rainbow Dash’s own drink, you fail to see the half dissolved lime green pill inside your own.

>Off in the VIP section, Vinyl and Anonymous pass several private parties in open rooms. All look enticing to Anonymous but Vinyl led him deeper into unknown territory. It was nearly the backend of the long, curved hallway where no rooms were occupied did Vinyl stop and open the curtains to a small, empty but cozy room with a circular couch and a couple tables.
>”It’s nice but I’d hardly call it a party.”
>”You know, Anon.” Vinyl closes the thick curtains behind you, tying the two ends together so it wasn’t opened with a gust of wind. “I think it’s time I showed you just how hard two ponies can party.”