The Art of Organised Cheating Part 1

You decide to order a hearty meal of starch and veggies. Since it’s a long trip, and it may be a while before you buy any food in Canterlot, you decided to get your money’s worth with a full sized meal.

Despite the quantity of food, the cook manages to prepare your order before your stomach growls at you again. You thank the chef, and even give her a tip for her service. She kindly accepts, and tells you to have a good day.

You bring the bag over to Lyra and Colgate on the station bench where you all decide to dine. It appeared that the train would be much later than you had expected, so you didn’t feel the need to scarf down a perfectly cooked meal.

The dinner was perfection. Lyra audibly burped in approval after finishing her tater tots, which got her strange looks from passersby. You found yourself licking your teeth for remaining traces of the sweet taste left from the meal. Colgate noticed this and reminded you to clean your back teeth.

About 15 more minutes have passed before the train arrived. Strangely, its presence gave you butterflies in your stomach. You didn’t know whether you were nervous or excited. It had to be a bit of both, considering the high stakes of these tests, and the fun you’ll have with your friends.

You find your way into the train, and like a marksmare, you’re able to pick out a familiar face in the large crowd. The face takes you back not too long ago. The past memories of this face enrage you, but the more recent ones calm you down before you do anything stupid.

“Hello, Trixie.” You greet the azure mare casually.

The pony recognizes her name and turns to look up at you from her seat. She removes her earbuds, and her previously uninterested face quickly turns into an excited smile.

“Good evening, Twilight Sparkle!” She gets up from her seat to embrace you with a warm hug. To think, not too long ago, this mare was your enemy. She was sworn to antagonism against you, and strived to best you. Now, those feelings still probably linger in the form of a friendly rivalry.

“Where are you headed, Trixie?” You think quickly before she answers. “Oh don’t tell me…”

“The T.W.A.T.s, I’m afraid.” She answers with a slight frown. “As if this vacation couldn’t stink anymore.”

You, and your party, including some onlookers, all laugh at the comment. “So, I’m guessing that’s where you three are headed as well?”

“Apparently so.” Lyra says with a sigh. “I’m Lyra, by the way.”

“Oh, Trixie is well aware of who you are. Trixie listens to your music all the time! In fact,” Trixie levitates her music player from her bag and removes the CD. There is a picture of a lyre on it. Lyra glows at the sight.

“Wow! I’ve gotta fan!” She cheers. You then notice that Colgate has yet to be introduced.

“Oh! Where are my manners?” You say apologetically. “This is Minuette, my…dentist.”

“Call me Colgate.” Colgate says.

“Nice to meet you, Colgate.” Trixie smiles again.

“Hey,” Lyra comes up, awkwardly, “you wouldn’t happen to have a place to stay, would you?”

This question catches you more off guard than it does Trixie. “Wait, what?” You ask with a dramatic double take.

Lyra and Colgate look at you, confused. “What?” They ask simultaneously.

“I thought you girls had a place to stay!” You exclaim. “You invited me, and everything.”

“Well,” Colgate begins, “we didn’t really have a place to stay. We just invited you to stay with us for when we found a place.” Colgate shrugged. “For company, you know?”

You sigh audibly and shake your head. You’re a little disappointed, but you feel you can only blame yourself for not being prepared.

“I don’t have any place for any one of us to stay.” Trixie says. “I’m sorry. I planned on renting a hotel room when I got there. Although, now, I don’t think I have the money to stay in a hotel.”

Colgate speaks up, “Well, we can all pool our funds together and stay in a nice room.”

Without anymore words on the topic, you all nod and agree, almost to change the subject.

CONTINUE