Chapter 4
 
>You blink once, staring at the mare before you.
>She’s wearing a wizard’s hat and a cloak, lined with stars.
>She’s ‘standing’ upright, balancing herself on her back legs.
>She has this smirk on her face, with her forelegs open wide.
“The who?”
>Before Trixie could blare out again, Fancy Pants chimes in.
>”That would be the great and powerful Trixie, Anonymous, she is one of the most –ahem- recognized performers- like you.”
“I’m recognized? Thank you.”
>You let out a playful smirk and nod once to Fancy Pants, who smiles back.
>”Of course, old bean, with skills like yours-“
>”That is what Trixie is here to talk about!”
>Oh god, she’s talking in third person.
>The two of you turn to Trixie.
>”The great and powerful Trixie is here to challenge the only magician she has heard of!”
“Uhm, why?”
>”Because you are stealing Trixie’s audience!”
>You turn to Fancy Pants.
>You give him your best ‘whatthefuck’ face, and he only shakes his head worriedly.
“I am… Sorry?”
>”You better be! Now give them back!”
“Uh…”
>And Fancy Pants decides to take it up a notch.
>”Everypony, gather around!”
>Having caught some attention with Trixie’s obnoxious shouts, a crowd quickly forms around the three of you.
“Sir… What are you doing?”
>He ignores you, and address the crowd.
>”Everypony, everypony, listen. There is a contender to our Anonymous! Would we want to see their tricks?”
>The crowd goes bigger, and you hear cheers.
>You spot Fleur in the crowd, and you simply shrug.
>”It is a deal! Trixie shall go first!”
>Trixie quickly conjures up a basket, and a flute.
>She starts playing it rather badly, and a magic-bound rope rises up.
>Some clap, and you just roll your eyes.
“Right, my turn.”
>You take out a deck, jumping it from the left to right hand, a quick air shuffle.
>You slide a card with your thumb, and hand it to Trixie.
“Your card, ma’am.”
>She holds it with her magic, unimpressed.
“Right, let me guess your card.”
>The ponies look surprised.
“It is a 52 out of one chance.”
>Gasps, all around.
>Too easy.
“And I’m guessing it is a Queen of Diamonds.”
>Trixie gasps and turns the card to you.
>Claps/clops everywhere.
>”H-how?”
>You smile, and you show the deck to the crowd.
“Easy, all of them are queen of diamonds.”
>You chuckle, and the crowd joins in.
“Better step up your game, Trixie.”
>She groans in frustration, before fixing her hat.
>She opens her forelegs wide, and you see fireworks going everywhere.
>It slowly takes shape into a pony and- a bear?
>”And there Trixie was! An ursa major coming straight for her!”
>Really.
>Of all the tricks, a light show?
>You take another deck and start shuffling.
>You make sure to flick it to one hand once in a while, making fluttering noise of cards being pushed to position.
>Everytime that flutter is heard, the crowd looks to you.
>And you were pissing off the ‘magic’ mare.
>She stops her story once in a while, just to stare at you angrily, who yawned with boredom.
>”-Trixie was not afraid, Trixie-“
>Another pass.
>”WOULD YOU STOP THAT?”
>You pause, and look up to Trixie.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I was falling asleep, could you repeat that?”
>Trixie clenches her teeth in anger, and her projections melt away.
“Right, time for a real trick.”
>You subconsciously turn to Fleur, who smiles and claps.
>You take out a deck, and pull a card.
>You show it to Trixie, with a fake smile.
“Your card.”
>You then raise it high and show it everyone, and take the deck on the same hand.
>And the moment of truth.
>You throw the deck upwards, shattering the pack into a rain of cards.
>And with your eyes closed (for dramatic effect) you quickly reach out and grab the first card you feel.
>You feel cards sliding off your head and shoulders, and slowly open your eyes.
>Your eyes fall on the card in your fingertips, and you smirk.
>You slowly turn it to the crowd, and they all gasp.
>Trixie looks impressed for a second, before shaking her expression back to an annoyed stare.
>”So.”
>And with that, the crowd cheers and claps.
“So.”
>Trixie’s shoulders hunch up, as her face goes red.
>You swear you hear a kettle boiling.
>She slowly stomps away, and the crowd parts for her.
>Fleur comes next to you, looking proud.
>She nuzzles into your shoulders, locking eyes silently.
>You smile to her, and then turn to the crowd.
>You bow to the crowd, turning to greet everyone.
>”NO!”
>You hear a shriek, as Trixie returns to view.
>”I will not be ousted a monkey! I want a second round!”
>You cross your arms.
“Shoot.”
>”You think you’re better than me, aren’t you?”
“Trixie, you look flustered, have I offended you somehow?”
>She boils her anger for a minute, trying to keep what is left of her composure.
“Good, then we are done.”
>Fleur takes your side as you leave, before Trixie shouts behind you.
>”I see what is going on here! Too busy with that bitch for a simple challenge, how many stallions did you mount today, Miss Fleur?”
>Before Fleur could respond, you turn around quickly.
>The crowd suddenly goes quiet, noticing your expression.
>”Anon…” Fleur tries to stop you, but you are already moving.
“What did you say?” You point at Trixie.
>She flinches a little.
>You had this from Blueblood; you’re not having any more of this.
>Then she smiles, she knows she hit a nerve.
>”A wench, a prostitute, a bitch. Noted, human?”
“You are on. A week from now, this spot. Got it?”
>”The great and powerful Trixie accepts your challenge! She will ready herself for this.”
>Trixie makes haste, as the crowd cheers once more.
>Fancy Pants comes to you, with a worried look on his face.
>”My boy, are you alright? You lost it back there.”
“I’m fine, could we set this place up for the challenge?”
>”Of course! It will be the talk of Canterlot, I assure you.”
“Thank you, sir.”
>”And Anonymous…”
“Yes?”
>”What do you plan on doing?”
“No idea.”
>You don’t utter another word, and leave with Fleur.
>”Huh, someponies.”
>Fancy Pants clears his throat, and returns to the dinner party, already buzzing about what was to happen.
 
>You wrap her scarf around her long neck, making sure to cross the end gently.
>She blinks once, before clearing her throat.
>”Anonymous…”
“I know what I’ll do, Fleur.”
>”Care to tell me?”
>You smile again, but shake your head.
“A magician never reveals his secrets.”
>She can’t help but to smile as well, as the two of you enter the embrace of the cold winter.
>Guess it was a bad day to wear a hat.
>The wind was picking up, and the two of you needed a retreat.
>”I suppose the night isn’t very welcoming tonight.”
>You glance around, squinting your eyes to get a better view.
>And in the distance, you spot a small orange glow.
>You call to Fleur, and motion her to follow.
>A closer look reveals that it is the same coffee shop from before.
>You open the door for her, as she happily strides in.
>You duck slightly, and enter the building.
>Most of the customers were leaving, with the bored staff eyeing the two of you.
>You take the same seat from before, after pulling the chair for Fleur first, of course.
>You order two drinks, and stare out to the cold world.
>”It looks so peaceful in here, don’t you think?”
“It does, indeed. Something beautiful and intriguing from a distance… Like a blooming rose, but something that will-“
>”Sting you when you go too close?”
“Exactly.”
>She goes silent for a while, and you turn to her.
>She quickly breaks eye contact, staring at some invisible spot on the table.
>Her new position lets you notice the white dust on her head.
>Soft, sprinkling dust.
>There’s some snow on her mane and head- even on her horn.
“Hey, you got some…“
>You slowly reach out and begin to brush them off, surprising her.
“Just hold still, trying to get them off…”
>She watches intently as you wear out the snow on her soft mane.
>Your hands reach for the back of her ear, and it twitches once.
>She looks away, blushing lightly.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t-“
>”I-it’s alright. Just cold, that’s all.”
>She fakes a smile.
>You look away, and back to the scene outside.
>Your drinks arrive, and you quickly sip it.
>The warm drink is a reprieve to your cold hands and body.
>You turn to the barista and smile, and he returns it.
>He urgently points at Fleur with his head, telling you to go on.
>You can’t help but to grin.
>”What’s so funny?” Fleur asks.
“Just random thoughts.”
>”Well, I have all night, until this storm blows over.”
“Thinking about how I’ll go against Trixie, that’s all.”
>”Does this mean you’ll tell me?”
>You sigh.
“To be honest, I have no idea.”
>Fleur looks surprised for a second, before lifting her cup to herself.
>She blows on it, before taking a sip.
>”Then how will you solve this problem?”
“I suppose I’ll figure something out.”
>”Anonymous…”
“Fleur, has anyone ever told you-“
>”To shut it?”
>She shoots a stern gaze on you.
“… T-that you are beautiful?”
>That shut her up.
>Her cheeks fluster to a bright red, before she starts to stammer.
>”N-no…”
>You smirk, noticing her reaction.
>”B-but you’re w-welcome to it.”
>She glances around quickly, and begins to rub her legs.
>”Is it suddenly c-cold in here? I can’t tell.”
>Your eyes roll over to the fireplace far on the other side of the room.
>She turns and starts chuckling nervously, looking around.
>”Oh, silly me, I-I’m fine!”
“Fleur?”
>”Must be because we’re so close to the window…”
“Fleur.”
>She freezes, and looks to you.
>You stand up, and go to her seat.
>”W-what are you doing?”
>You get to your knees, and wrap her with your arms.
“Better?”
>She lets out a squeak as you hold her, but soon melt into your arms.
>”Better.”
“Alright.”
>You let go.
“Time to get you home. It’s getting late.”
>”The storm?”
“Over since few minutes ago.”
>”You don’t have to walk me home…”
“Nonsense, can’t let a lady go home alone in the dark.”
 
>You blow the snow falling in front of your nose, watching it dance.
>Fleur was walking beside you, not talking since.
>You slide you hands into your pocket, admiring the view under the bright moonlight.
>Your shoes leave marks on the thick snow, as does Fleur’s hooves.
>You were in a richer district in the city, tall fences and mansions.
>Fleur stops in front of a house.
>”Well, this is my home.”
>You glance in, noticing the wide garden.
>You whistle in astonishment, before crouching down in front of her.
>You fix her scarf, and brush the snow off her mane again, and you feel her ear again.
>This time, it doesn’t flick away, but moves under your fingers as you caress them gently.
>She looks into your eyes, not saying a word.
>She doesn’t need words right now.
>Neither do you.
>Her eyes close, and she leans her neck closer to you.
>You do the same, soon feeling the cold, velvety lips.
>Your hand slowly trail upwards, holding the back of her head, under her flowing mane.
>You pull away soon enough, and your hand moves to her cheek.
>She lets out a small smile, before saying her goodbyes.
>She then silently walks into the mansion, and you walk away.
 
>Tonight was definitely interesting.
>But as you fall into slumber, you still can’t shake one thought in your head.
>How were you going to beat Trixie?