- >Another night in the dive.
- >Not that you mind, of course.
- >You belong here, whatever that means.
- >Your money is good, the bartender knows your favorite drink.
- >Life as usual.
- >Taking a sip of your standard, brandy, you hear the door open.
- >You know this mare, as does many others.
- >This time she's not a depressed wreck.
- >She's not even here to get drunk.
- >Trixie's here for business.
- >She has a gig here tonight.
- >You made especially sure to be here tonight to see it.
- >...but you know you would have been here anyway.
- >"The Great and Powerful Trixie demands another glass of wine!"
- >She's using the third person voice again.
- >That's an awkward combination of good and bad.
- >Good because it means she's in high spirits.
- >Bed because you have to listen to it.
- >Drinking all the brandy in the world wouldn't be enough to escape the third person.
- >Won't stop you from trying, though.
- >Downing another glass, you look to your companion.
- "You think you're ready?"
- >She scoffs at your 'bravado', as you're sure she would call it.
- >"You dare insinuate that Trixie would ever not be ready for a show?"
- >You dared.
- "Trix, this crowd isn't like your other venues, you know."
- >"How so?"
- >A quick glance around the establishment was all it took.
- >You knew this.
- >She apparently didn't.
- >To her, the world was a stage that was always watching.
- >Unfortunately for her, the watching eyes weren't always waiting for the next trick.
- >Those that weren't already glaring at Trixie's pre-show performance were thinking about doing so.
- >The bar p0nies weren't like the awe-struck masses that loves watching flashy fireworks.
- >You could swear they were praying for her next mess-up.
- >Trixie seems to be handling it well, by either being completely ignorant of this fact...
- >...or drowning herself with wine.
- >"You don't need to worry about Trixie, Anon. The show will be FANTASTIC!"
- >She throws her arms up in cheer, almost falling out of her stool.
- >The only thing preventing her from crashing into the ground was you holding her up.
- >That hold quickly changes to a grab, and you pull her out of the stool.
- >"Hey, unhand Trixie!"
- "Shut up."
- >The prying eyes quickly dissipate as you pull Trixie out of the bar and through the back exit.
- >"What are you doing?!?"
- >You made it out of the bar, now stationed in the ever so pristine back alley.
- >First order of business.
- "Trix, you gotta understand something about that crowd."
- >"Trixie doesn't need help with her act!"
- "I'm trying to make sure you don't screw this up!"
- >"Screw it up? The Great and Powerful Trixie would never!"
- >This is getting fucking old, fast.
- "Trix, listen to me, or you're going to-"
- >"GOING TO WHAT? Fail? Make a flank of herself? Get run out of town again?!?"
- >Tears are forming.
- >Oh god damnit what did you do.
- >"You think Trixie can't handle that again? Everyp0ny hating her?!"
- >The tears fall down her cheeks.
- >You gotta stop this.
- >"Trixie doesn't CARE what they think ab-"
- >Before she starts going hysterical, you act.
- >The force of the slap not only shuts her up completely, it turns her face slightly.
- >Before she can react, you grab her head and hold it still.
- "Listen. To. Me."
- >You've never slapped anyone before.
- >Ever.
- >Let alone a woman.
- >Or female p0ny.
- >You always held yourself with the air of a gentleman.
- >But this sent you over the edge.
- >For a while you've seen that mare walk in and out of this bar the same way.
- >Confident on the intake, depressed on the downslope.
- >Every time you shared your drinks with her to make up for the fact some p0nies didn't appreciate her parlor tricks.
- >Every time she would blame something rediculous, or say the crowd wasn't ready.
- >This crowd is ready for a show.
- >That mare can put one on.
- >And you're going to make sure it goes smoothly.
- >You're met with a subtle nod, tears still present.
- "You're a performer, are you not?"
- >She nods.
- "And performances change over time, right?"
- >"Yeah..."
- >Good, you're getting through.
- "You have one shot to make these people like the act, and I'm not gonna let you mess this up."
- >Looks like the tears have stopped.
- >"I...Trix...I'm sorry..."
- >She wipes away what's left from her cheeks.
- >"I just couldn't handle that again...not here..."
- "Then you need to put your nose to the grindstone and give these people something to cheer about."
- >With a smirk, the old Trixie is back.
- >"Alright!"
- "So, here's what-"
- >"Can Trixie keep talking in the third person?"
- >...
- >About an hour later...
- >The crowd has arrived, at last.
- >Seats are filled up, drinks have been served.
- >You sit at the stool up at the counter, your usual spot.
- >The bartender gives you a cold beer.
- >Not your usual drink, but you don't want to be too drunk for this performance.
- >After all, you helped her set it up.
- >Here's hoping she took your advice.
- >A red curtain covers most of the stage.
- >The lights dim across the bar.
- >It's time.
- >Once the bar is pitch black, a spotlight snaps on, pointing towards the stage.
- >In the background, a light piano kicks in.
- >It's a light tone, matching the anticipation in the air.
- >People shuffle in their seats, more than ready for the great reveal.
- >And when the curtains open, the reveal is no less than great.
- >The blue mare walks out on stage in a dress that is no less than classy.
- >A few steps towards the crowd, and she turns her head up.
- >The look of worry plastered on her face is obvious, at least to you.
- >She wasn't used to this set up.
- >You know it will work though.
- >She goes to speak, and nothing's coming out.
- >Oh no, no no no.
- >She's choking.
- >You aren't letting this go that easy!
- >Bringing a hand to your face, you put two fingers in your mouth, and let loose a whistle.
- >The kind of whistle a construction worker would toss at a passing girl.
- >Most of the time it would inspire embarassment.
- >But not this time.
- >That was the vote of confidence she needed.
- >The look of worry changes to a sultry grin.
- >"Hello boys and girls, and welcome."
- >With a turn, she tosses a glance that would knock any stallion off their feet towards the audience.
- >"If you're interested in feats that shock and amaze, look no further than Trixie~"
- >Her dulcet tones are meant to entice, and they are doing just that.
- >A cheer comes from the audience, followed by a few others.
- >You knew the crowd loves a little bit of flair.
- >Just not the flair she had in mind.
- >No, this is the way to go indeed.
- >You chug down some of your Blue Ribbon.
- >All going well, it seems.
- >"So, who wants to see Trixie..."
- >She flips her hair slightly, looking towards the audience once more.
- >"...perform some 'tricks'?"
- >They cheer her on, and the show goes on marvelously.
- >It wasn't your normal magic show.
- >The tricks were performed with a certain style that screamed elegance, in a way elegance can be screamed without it seeming unelegant.
- >The way she walked, talked, and performed oozed class and grace.
- >Truly a sight to behold.
- >Much better than her usual drabble of performing parlor tricks and challenging p0nies.
- >You won't tell her that though, she'd get offended.
- >The show ends, and the crowd applauds wildly.
- >The Great and Powerful Trixie strikes again, you suppose.
- >Turning back to the bar, you decide to finish off the night the right way.
- >A celebratory sparkling champagne, for the successful show.
- >As your back is turned to find the perfect bottle, a certain blue mare leaves the stage.
- >She walks towards a certain person, who happens to not be looking.
- >Wait, not looking?
- >Has he been there the whole time?
- >Was he even watching the show?
- >It was too dark...
- >When she goes to see this particular person, she's stopped.
- >By quite the handsome stallion.
- >He seems so nice...
- >Is he asking her to leave?
- >Well...
- >He's still not looking...
- >He clearly didn't appreciate the performance.
- >She takes the stallion's side, and leaves with him.
- >Okay, you picked out the perfect bottle...
- >...and when you turn around, she's leaving.
- >With a stallion.
- >You sigh and crack open the bottle.
- >Cheers to a good show, you suppose.
- >The glass remains untouched as you drink straight from the bottle.
- >Why should you care that she's leaving?
- >As you look back one last time, her eyes connect with yours before she walks out the door.
- >Yeah...
- >...why should you care...

