Illusions and Trix

Setting up for a performance of the Great and Powerful Trixie was easier than a child's card trick. Even though it was in a theater of some size, Trixie barely had any props, and certainly didn't have the variety and size that I was accustomed to from my own shows.

"Are you sure this is everything you need, Trixie," I asked, though I kind of knew the answer since her caravan was pretty much empty.

"Yes, that should just about do it, "the unicorn replied, standing on the stage, while I happened to be standing stage right, "The only thing left to do is rehearse the finale."

"Trixie," I protested, "I am still not sure if this is a good idea. I mean, I know that I am something new and interesting, but are you sure this is the best way to go about introducing me? I mean, you want me to scream at you in my native tongue! I would be surprised if you didn't have ponies bolting for the exits."

"Of course! They will run out of here so fast, scared so out of their minds. Then everypony will wonder what the fuss is about and clamor to see the show for themselves. It's brilliant!"

I let out a long, dramatic, sarcastic, sigh, "This is either going to be spectacular or end in an international incident."

"Oh, you think so," Trixie exclaimed, completely serious.

"Let's just get this over with," I sighed.

"OK," Trixie said, "I'll set up with a story about practicing my routine and how you showed up. That's when you enter stage right.

I strode onto the stage, looking down at Trixie with all the real and theatrical malice I could muster.

"Good, good," Trixie continued, "then I say..."

*--*--*--*--*

"...begone foul beast!"

Trixie fired a shot of magic toward my stomach, which I was able to parry with my left hand. The blast bounced straight down, disintegrating upon impact with the hardwood stage. I scowled at Trixie and stood a little taller.

"Tsel'sya vyshe ty glupyy loshad'," I screamed, patting my chest with both my hands.

"The beast was ready for the first volley," Trixie exclaimed, narrating to the crowd, "but I did not expect it to dodge this."

The second shot was larger than the first, and flung straight at my chest, just as planned. This one I backhanded, sending it flying over the seats. After flying about 10 rows or so, it burst in a nice little pyrotechnic display. I was trying to judge the crowd's reaction. Most of them seemed worried, as if I was a wild animal who at any moment would go off-script and destroy the theater. Others seemed enthralled by the story and the subsequent staging of the fight.

"Это все, что у tебя есть?"

With that, I charged at Trixie over the short span of the stage. As planned, Trixie teleported away and got behind me, quickly conjuring up a length of rope and tying my ankles together, causing me to fall. I flipped over onto my back and attempted to still appear menacing from my downed position. Trixie used her magic to pull me closer to her, despite my theatric struggling. When I was within range, she produced another length of rope proceeding to wrap it around my entire torso, restraining my arms at my sides. The "capture" complete, Trixie bounced on top of my chest with her whole body weight, which made me groan in pain.

"And thus," she exclaimed in conclusion, "the Great and Powerful Trixie captured the wild human that you see before you this evening. Thank you and goodnight!"

Trixie doffed her hat and gave a little bow while the audience applauded magnificently. As soon as the curtain completely dropped, Trixie undid my restraints and I made my way off stage. For some reason, though the cheering probably warranted it, Trixie did not do a curtain call. Instead, she came right over to me and gave me a hug as best she could while standing on her hind legs.

"Listen to them," she said, hugging a little tighter than my ribcage would prefer, "They loved the show."

"I would say so," I agreed, patting Trixie on her now-hatless head.

"Thank you, Alexi. Thank you for agreeing to do this."

"You're welcome, Trixie, though I don't think I can do this forever."

"You're right," Trixie let go of the hug and returned to all-fours, "We'll have to come up with something new when we go to Fillydelphia. But for the time being, let's stick to this. It works."

*--*--*--*--*

The first thing the next morning, Trixie and I returned to "Coco's Couture" to hopefully pick up my new clothes. As soon as we got there, we spotted Coco Pommel, who almost seemed to be waiting for us.

"Hello Trixie," the little Earth mare greeted, "hello Alexi."

"Coco," Trixie replied, "have you got it?"

"Yes, well, only two sets so far, but I think you will like them. Follow me."

Coco led us into the back of the store, to her own little private workspace. Hanging by what I could tell were makeshift hangers were two sets of clothes. One a navy blue shirt paired with gray slacks, the other a white shirt paired with a new pair of black slacks and topped with a navy vest.

"Coco these are great," I said, walking over to get a closer look, "Are you sure they'll fit?"

"Unless you've gained 20 pounds in one day, yes."

I stepped back toward Coco, scooped down and picked her up in one motion. I had noted with Trixie that these ponies were relatively light, strong, but light. I brought her all the way up to my eye level, her hooves dangling with absolutely no idea what to do.

"Thank you Coco," I smiled, "You are the best."

Coco's blushed, her entire face turning a solid red color which contrasted nicely with her blue mane.

"You're very welcome," she replied in a very small voice.

I have no idea what came over me, but I had a sudden urge and I filled it. Switching the positions of my hands slightly, I hugged Coco into my chest. The mare had no chance of hugging me back, as I could feel her forehooves pressed against my sternum. After a few moments, I let go and gently placed her back on the ground, where it took her a moment or two to regain her footing.

"I only wish I had a way to pay you properly," I mourned, bowing my head more than was necessary to see the ponies.

"It's OK," Coco looked up and smiled at me, "Call these two on the house. But I'll expect some Bits if you want any more."

Fighting off the urge to hug her again, I walked over and grabbed my clothes, including the hangers. Slinging them over my shoulder, I thanked Coco once again, and led Trixie out of the boutique.

We got about halfway back to the inn before Trixie spoke up.

"Alexi, why do you not hug the Great and Powerful Trixie like that?"

"She deserved it," I answered, "maybe someday you'll deserve one too."

Trixie didn't say another word about it that night. I was worried that I might have made her sore at me, but that was all remedied by the next two nights of performances. Like the first, they went off without a hitch, the crowd eating up Trixie's show the entire time. And, like the first night, after the battle finale, everypony stood up and cheered. Unlike the first night, however, Trixie took her curtain calls.

Now that her little run in Manehattan was over, Trixie's next stop was in Fillydelphia, this time for a week. And as we boarded the train, with ponies staring at me the entire time, I had a nagging feeling that things were about to change.