Chapters It was a cold, rainy night for downtown Manehattan. It was close to ten when a unicorn made his way out of a small shop. He had keys in his mouth and saddlebags on his back. He levitated a small umbrella to protect him from the falling rain as he locked the door.
He spat out the keys into his saddlebags. “Eww, those keys taste horrible.” He said out loud. He started paying attention to the rain. I should really get home, it’s getting worse...
The unicorn began trotting down the sidewalk.
-
Not minutes later and the rain was now down pouring. Most ponies were in their homes now, warm and comfy. This was not the case for a certain mare. This mare wore the coat of light azure, her mane two shades of a light cornflower blue. Her cutie mark appeared to be a wand with a cape behind it. She wore a cape to cover her and a pointed star-designed hat upon her head.
She sighed. “Ugh, this rain is going to ruin Trixie’s style.” The unicorn whispered. She lied down in the alleyway, giving up all hope to find shelter. Nopony wanted her, she could accept that. She could die in that alleyway from a sickness, nopony would notice.
The mare hid from the rain the best she could. The hat and cape helped a bit, but not enough to keep her dry. She curled up into a small ball. “Trixie should try and sleep...” The mare said closing her eyes. The rain beat against her body.
“Hey, are you alright?” The mare’s eyes opened, thinking she heard a voice. No, it is just Trixie’s mind playing tricks on Trixie. Suddenly the rain creased its attack on her. “Is that a no?” She looked up and saw a colt.
He was a unicorn, about the same size as her. He had a midnight blue coat and a sky blue mane. His mane covered half his face, probably just because of the rain. From what one could see, he had some mareish features and his eyes were a violet color.
“Oh, hello.” He said.
“What do you want?” The mare asked defensively.
“What? I don’t want anything, I was just making sure you were okay.” The colt answered. The mare noticed that he was levitating an umbrella above her, letting himself get drenched.
“Trixie is fine.”
“You don’t look that way.”
“Why do you care?” She asked, slightly being rude.
“Because I do, now what’s your name?” He asked.
“Trixie.”
“Oh, so that is your name, I guess I coulda guessed that.” He paused. “Well Trixie, my name is Moonlit Star. Anypony could see that it is only going to get worse and I really don’t want anypony to suffer in this. So, if you have nowhere else to be, I could let you crash at my place.”
“Trixie doesn’t need your help!” Trixie defended herself once more. However a flash of lightning and a roar of thunder seemed to think otherwise. The colt looked towards the clouds.
“I don’t think I’m the only one who disagrees, but I can’t force you.” He turned to leave.
“Wait.” Trixie looked down at the ground, her pride about to be hurt. “Trixie accepts your generous offer.”
A midnight coated hoof appeared in front of her. “Can Trixie stand?” Trixie took his hoof as he helped her to her hooves. “I live in a motel not much further from here, so we should hurry before one of us gets sicks.”
Trixie nodded in agreement, and Moonlit led the way. He levitated the umbrella over Trixie the rest of the way to the motel.
-
“Mom! I’m home!” Moonlit shouted as the two made their way inside. Trixie was damp, while Moonlit was now drenched.
“You live with your mom?” Trixie asked.
“Of course not!” Moonlit said. “It was a joke, I couldn’t go live with my mother if I wanted to. She lives too far away, and I can’t exactly leave this place yet.”
“Oh, Trixie thought you were serious.”
The umbrella was closed and levitated into its own little spot. “Well I wasn’t.” A roar of hunger was heard between the two. They stared blankly at each other for a second.
“Trixie sees that you are hungry.” She commented.
“Oh, and you aren’t?” Moonlit asked, laughing slightly. “Come on, let’s go get something from the kitchen.”
“But, Trixie is still wet.”
“I’m soaking, it isn’t that big of a deal.” The two made their way into the kitchen, Moonlit started opening drawers?. “Uh, anything special you like?” He asked.
Trixie glanced around. “Trixie doesn’t see anything that-” She stopped suddenly, her eyes locked onto something. Moonlit followed her gaze, which landed on peanut butter. “Is that peanut butter?” She asked.
“Yes, it is. I haven’t opened it yet.”
“Trixie loves peanut butter.” She said, and Moonlit levitated it out. He smiled.
“Well, if I just gave you this and a spoon would you be alright until the morning.” He asked. He was joking, but Trixie apparently didn’t see it.
“You would give Trixie the whole container of peanut butter?” She asked.
“Umm, yeah, sure. If it is what Trixie wants.” Moonlit answered , levitating the container over to where Trixie was standing.
Trixie took it and unscrewed the cap on it. Using her magic, she peeled the protective paper. Below the paper, was the glorious peanut butter.
“Here.” Moonlit said, hoofing a spoon to Trixie. She took it and began to eat the peanut butter.
“What about you?” Trixie asked. He thought for a few seconds.
“Well, I’m sure I’ll find something.” He answered. “There isn’t much time left for today, so after you finish that we’ll figure out a sleeping arrangement, alright?” Trixie just nodded, because it is difficult to answer with a mouthful of peanut butter.
About ten minutes later, Trixie finished the peanut butter. Moonlit just decided to skip eating anything. The two went into the main living room. It was kinda small, and only had a few things.
“That couch is really not the best to sleep on.” Moonlit commented.
“Trixie doesn’t mind.” Trixie told him.
“Yeah, but I was thinking. Do you want to sleep on the bed tonight? It is more comfortable and you seem like you deserve it more.”
“You would do that for Trixie?” She asked.
“Well you are my guest.”
“Why do you assist Trixie?”
“Why shouldn’t I?” Moonlit answered. “It is because...” He stopped for a second. “That is what friends do, right?”
Trixie was slightly surprised at his answer. “Trixie is your friend?”
“Of course! Why wouldn’t you be?”
“Trixie thought you only felt sorry for Trixie. That is why you are letting Trixie mooch off you.” She told him.
“You’re not mooching. Mooching is by choice, I’m kinda forcing you. But I just don’t feel sorry for you, you are now a friend of mine and friends have each other flanks, right?”
Trixie stayed silent. She felt useless and that she was only going to be taking advantage of Moonlit. Moonlit knew this, but he still smiled and welcomed her inside. Maybe Trixie did have a friend.
“Yes, you are right.” Trixie agreed.
“Alrighty then, now I could take the couch like I said. And you have the bed, is that alright?” Moonlit asked. Trixie gives up trying to argue... She thought to herself.
“Indeed it is.”
“Good, because I wasn’t letting you say no.” Trixie can see this... She continued to think. “It is getting late, are you going to sleep soon?” He asked.
“Well, Trixie does need her beauty sleep.” She commented.
“Then it’s settled. You can take the bed and the room is right over there.” He said, pointing to a door. Trixie opened the door and looked inside. It was a small room, the bed was a single bed that was parallel with the wall.
“Sorry if the room is a bit small. I usually don’t have anypony over.” Moonlit told her.
“Trixie doesn’t need space.” Trixie said entering the room. She sat on the bed. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it wasn’t exactly comfy. Looking on the bright side, it was a major improvement from the alleys and streets.
“Well, I guess I should let you get some sleep. If you want I can take your... wear and wash it.” Moonlit offered. Trixie removed her hat, revealing more of her mane. The sparkly hat was still damp from the rain, which had not lightened up at all.
“No, it will be fine. Trixie just needs a place to put it for the night.” Trixie informed him. Moonlit walked inside the room, but more specifically the closet. After a bit of rustling, he stepped aside.
“Inside there should be okay, right?” he asked. Trixie glanced towards the closet. There was enough space for her cape and hat. That was probably because most of the things that were hanging before were now on the floor.
Trixie used her magic to remove her cape as well. She levitated the clothing into the empty space.
“I guess that is a yes?” Moonlit asked.
“Indeed, now if you would please. Trixie requires rest.” She said. Moonlit sighed and walked to the door. He turned to Trixie.
“You know, it isn’t exactly nice to demand things.” Especially in your situation... He walked out and closed the door behind him leaving Trixie all by herself.
She lied down in the bed. Trixie isn’t demanding.
Celestia was obviously doing her duty of rising the sun, for it did early next morning. Trixie awoke to the perfectly aimed beam of light from the window. It slightly annoyed her, she tried to roll over and go back to sleep.
Moonlit opened the door to the room just moments after Trixie closed her eyes once more. She could hear him, but didn’t want to be bothered so she acted as if she was asleep. Trixie heard the faint sound that levitation magic makes and another door open.
What is he doing? Trixie thought to herself. She couldn’t help but peek. She slightly opened her eyes.
Moonlit’s back was turned and he was levitating something into the closet. Trixie didn’t know what, but she wanted to understand what he was doing. Moonlit began backing out of the closet, and Trixie immediately closed her eyes.
She heard quiet hoofsteps. They weren’t heading for the door however, they were moving in Trixie’s direction. She thought that maybe she had been caught, and that Moonlit was going to force her to rise out of bed. But instead, she felt the blanket levitate and then tuck around her.
Moonlit tucked the blanket quite slowly, trying not to wake the secretly awake pony in the bed. After he finished tucking Trixie in the best he could, he took a moment to admire her. She’s kinda cute when she is asleep… He smiled, and turned to leave.
Once Trixie heard the door closed, she opened her eyes. “Well then, let’s just see what you are hiding.” She said quietly while getting out of bed and moving towards the closet.
When she got to the closet, she saw nothing unusual or different from the night before. Her cape and hat were right where she had left them. She reached out to grab her hat, but when she touched it, something felt off about it.
It’s warm… Trixie thought to herself. Why is Trixie’s hat warm? She pondered a moment on why the hat was warm. All she could come up with was one answer. Moonlight…
Trixie trotted over to the bedroom and opened it with her magic. She stepped out and looked around for the colt. Where is he? Her thoughts were interrupted however by small snores. Trixie looked over to where the snores came from.
In front of the coach, on the floor lay Moonlit sleeping happily. Trixie wanted to ask him why he would touch her stuff, but waking him up and forcing him to answer questions would make her seem demanding. She did not want to prove Moonlit right about her being demanding. Trixie decided to wait until later to ask.
Instead Trixie looked around for something to do to pass the time. She noticed that everything was cleaner than it was the night before. Things were more organized and less dusty. She didn’t think too much of it though and made her way to the kitchen.
The counters and cabinets were spotless. The sink was clear and sparkly. Trixie was now becoming surprised. Did Moonlit do all this?
She opened one of the cabinets, it was full of cans. Cans that were almost perfectly organized. How..?
As she slowly looked through most of the kitchen, her confusion only grew. Trixie couldn’t believe Moonlit did this all by himself. Instead, she denied that he did.
She opened another cabinet, this one having boxes. At first glance, the boxes just seemed nicely packed and placed. However, as Trixie read through the names of the food that each box contained, she realized something slightly stunning. All these boxes are in alphabetical order. But how could a simple colt do all this in a single night?
Trixie’s stomach growled, telling her to put the organization skills that Moonlit had aside and complete her goal for being here. Food. She surveyed the room for something. The only thing that wouldn’t take too long to cook, or in this case toast, was some of the pre-sliced bread left on the counter. It was lined up parallel with the wall.
Trixie levitated two slices of the bread, and located the toaster. She placed the slices in the holes and pushed the switch-like handle down, but when she let go it came right back up. This process repeated a few times before Trixie got aggravated.
“Why won’t this idiotic machine listen to Trixie?” She asked out loud as if somepony would answer her. She glared at the foul machinery, but then noticed something. The toaster that held Trixie’s bread, was unplugged. Using her magic, she plugged the toaster in, giving it the power to grant her wish of toast.
“You thought you could trick Trixie?” She pushed the handle down once more. It held this time. “Ha!” Trixie turned to the fridge. And now for the jam.
She opened it and found it a bit more empty than she thought it would be. After scanning the fridge, she realized that the things were not in an alphabetical order. Trixie wasn’t surprised. She began looking through what there was in it.
It took a bit longer than somepony would expect to find it, considering the jam was in the shelf Trixie checked the last. She closed the fridge and took the jar in her hooves. She tried to unscrew the lid of the jar, but after a second try she realized what was wrong.
“Of course the lid would be stuck.” Trixie whined. She tried even harder to unscrew the lid. She gritted her teeth and her eyes opened wide as she attempted to open the sealed jar of jam. The jar remained closed.
“Is that so? Fine!” Trixie said, now annoyed with everything that was refusing to listen to her. She levitated the jam jar with her magic, and focused on the lid. Using a great and powerful amount of magic, the jar’s lid finally gave and popped off.
“Heh, Trixie is the vic-” Trixie was about to announce her victory over the jar, when she was interrupted by a loud beeping noise. When she looked towards where the noise came from, she mostly saw a black smoke.
The toaster had caught on fire and was now flooding the room with smoke like a snoring dragon. Trixie dropped the jar and froze. The smoke got thicker and she couldn’t think of what to do. The beeping dug into her mind, causing her to not think of anything.
“Unplug the toaster!” A voice shouted. It took Trixie a moment to realize that Moonlit had awoken and was coming towards the kitchen. He ran up to the sink and levitated a cup up. Trixie’s mind caught up at this point and she did what she was told. Using her magic, she ripped the plug out of the socket. Her tug was too powerful, and she ended up bringing the burning toaster onto the floor.
Moonlit filled the cup with water from the sink nearby. He spun around and flung the water in the direction of the toaster. There was a sizzling noise and the smoke got thicker. Did she unplug it? I forgot to check… Moonlit thought to himself.
The smoke got to Trixie and she coughed slightly. “Is the fire out?” She asked, after she had a small coughing fit. Moonlit got a bit closer to the ground, trying to avoid the smoke.
“I think.” He said. The beeping of the fire alarm continued, and it began to annoy Moonlit with each and every high-pitched beep it made. He wasn’t waiting for the smoke to clear to stop it. “Trixie, go open some windows.” He commanded calmly. He took a small breath and then held it.
“Moonlit, what are you doing?” Trixie asked as she saw him walk right into the smoke. He would tell her, but he decided opening his mouth wasn’t a good idea. He just had to find the smoke alarm. However, the smoke began to burn his eyes now too.
He wiped his eyes hoping it would help, but of course it didn’t. He coughed slightly, and tried to not breathe in. Dangit. He closed his eyes hoping the first time was just a failed attempt. I can’t hold much longer. I’ma gonna have to step out. The beeping continued, it seemed to mock his failure at stopping it. Then Moonlit realized something. The beeping is right above me, so…
He felt around with his eyes still closed for the fallen toaster. Once his hoof tapped it, he smiled allowing smoke into his lungs. After a couple more small coughs, he took the toaster with his magic.
“Shut the hay up!” He said, as he launched it towards where he thought the beeping was coming from. There was a loud crash when the toaster came in contact with the ceiling. Moonlit decided now would be a good time to move somewhere with higher oxygen concentration. However the force of gravity was faster than him. The remains of the toaster came down and smacked Moonlit down onto the ground.
“Moonlit, you idiot! What did you think would happen?” Trixie scolded. She had done what she was told to, the few windows in the room and surrounding rooms were now open. The smoke was slowly crawling outside.
Moonlit’s first reply was a couple well needed coughs and a moan of pain. After getting his senses straight he was able to answer Trixie properly. “I thought the alarm would stop, which it did.” He was right, apparently launching smoking toasters at alarms could stop them.
“Trixie isn’t amused.” She said, in a straightforward tone. “And she now understands why the jam was so firmly locked. It is so you can practice being the brute that you are.” Moonlit looked up at Trixie.
“What about you? You just almost burnt the place down.” He said as he slowly rose up off the floor.
“Trixie is not to blame here!” She was withdrawn at his comment. “The toaster was just not efficient enough to handle Trixie.” She said, trying to escape any guilt that could be placed upon her.
“I was only kidding.” Moonlit stated. “I didn’t tell you that you really shouldn’t use it. Because it decides to do, well that.” Moonlit looked at the remains of the toaster.
“Trixie knows that now. Trixie also knows that she hasn’t had breakfast yet, and now that stupid toaster is in pieces. As is the smoke detector, but that’s not really bad thing. But still.” She began, but Moonlit didn’t care to hear any rants about breakfast.
“Well, I haven’t had breakfast either.” He interrupted. “I don’t feel like making anything right now and your attempt wasn’t successful, so I think we should just go somewhere and order breakfast.” Moonlit said.
“Where would we even go?” Trixie asked. She truthfully didn’t want to go anywhere, but she decided it was best to not test anymore kitchen appliances.
That is actually a really good question. I don’t know what she likes, or if she is allergic to anything. Moonlit thought for a second, but then he realized something completely unrelated. He raised his hoof and placed it on the side of his head, right below where the toaster had retaliated back against him. When he brought the hoof back in front of his face, there was blood. Trixie didn’t seem to notice so he quickly hid the hoof.
“Just flawless…” He spoke aloud. When he noticed that Trixie was staring at him questioningly, he had to come up with something to cover his slip of the tongue. “Oh, uh, why don’t we shower first, we will have had time to think and we can decide afterward?” Moonlit said, hoping she would agree so he would have time to deal with everything.
“Fine, Trixie showers first though.” She announced and stepped out of the kitchen area.
Have I even told her where the bathroom is? Moonlit thought to himself. Oh well, if I haven’t she can find it on her own. Moonlit returned his attention back towards the blood on his hoof.
He sighed and moved towards where he had placed the medical supplies. “Stupid toaster.”
Trixie spent a few more than a few moments finding the bathroom on her own while Moonlit tried to hide any signs of the fire in the kitchen. The bathroom wasn’t big, a toilet and a bathtub taking most of the space. There was a small mirror and a towel holder next to the mirror on the opposite wall then the tub aligned with. Trixie examined the whole room, the only thing she enjoyed at least a bit was that the small amount of wallpaper in the room was very close to her coat color.
What was Trixie expecting? She continued into the room and closed the door behind her. She turned on the water in the tub and let it run till it was at the temperature she was pleased with. Not blazing hot, not freezing cold, but in the middle of the two was the perfect spot. Trixie then stepped into the shower, allowing her to wash any unpleasant smells off of her.
Moonlit was still in the kitchen, he just finished cleaning the mess remaining of the toaster and was now levitating it towards the small plastic garbage bin. He realized that the toasted hunk of metal would take up the whole bin; he didn’t care though.
I’ll get it out eventually. He thought as he it dropped into the bin. Moonlit yawned, having not slept for even an hour before the fire broke out in his kitchen. Maybe I can just give her the bits and let her go out on her own.
Moonlit slowly made his way to the room and began looking through it for some bits. Under the bed was the first place he checked, then the small dresser. He searched the entire room before spotting the closet. I really should have remembered that. Moonlit thought while he mentally facehoofed himself.
Inside sat his saddlebags containing some bits. He dragged them out and counted how many there were to decide if he should toss more in or not. “A few more won’t hurt.” He reassured himself. He then levitated a small jar full of bits out from the back of the closet and put 6 more bits into the saddlebags.
Moonlit levitated the jar back into the closet and set the bags on the bed. After he dragged his hooves down his face in exhaustion, he noticed something that didn’t add up. Moonlit only had two towels, but unlike Trixie, none of them was in the bathroom.
Great… He thought to himself as he picked one up.
Trixie was just beginning to wash her tail when Moonlit knocked on the bathroom door. “What is it?” Trixie said slightly irritated, “You know Trixie is showering.”
“Well would Trixie like a towel to go with that shower?” Moonlit said, mocking her a tad. Trixie had no idea what he was talking about. She looked towards the towel holder, noticing what she had forgotten.
After a few seconds without response, Moonlit spoke again.
“If you want, I can step in a give you one.” He offered. Trixie didn’t like the sound of that at all.
“Trixie is naked and showering!” She shouted at him. Moonlit thought about what she said for a second.
“You’ve been naked all morning, showering does not make it any different.” He tried to reason with her. Trixie tried to think of a response to keep him out, but couldn’t find one. She pulled the shower curtains along the whole bathtub before answering.
“You may place it on the holder, then you get out till Trixie is finished.” Moonlit sighed as he slowly opened the door. He used his magic to neatly hang the towel he had onto the holder.
“I still don’t understand why it matters so much.” He commented before exiting and closing the door. Trixie let the water run over her for a couple minutes before finishing up her shower.
Trixie used the towel that Moonlit left to almost completely dry herself up before she stepped out. Moonlit appeared to be asleep on the couch, snuggled with the only other towel he had.
“Moonlit,” Trixie said, shaking him slightly. “Trixie is done with her shower.” Moonlit’s eyes opened slowly as he sat up.
“Five more minutes.” Moonlit complained. Trixie slumped and sighed at his comment.
“Go, Trixie doesn’t want to wait much longer.” She ordered him. He got off the couch and hung the towel around his neck.
“Alright, but do you mind putting your towel back in the closet inside the room? It would be nice if you did so.” Moonlit asked before heading to the bathroom and closing the door. Trixie shook her head and turned to the room.
Moonlit hung the towel where it belonged and started the water. I really need to wake up… Burning would wake somepony up, right? He thought as he turned the water to hot only. After letting the water run over his hoof to test the temperature, it started to have a burning feeling. Moonlit wasn’t completely sure about what he was doing, but stepped in anyway.
Trixie opened the closet, put the towel inside with her magic and examined the closet for a brief moment. She glanced at her hat and cape and remembered why she woke up at all. Trixie levitated the hat to herself.
After a quick examination, Trixie put it on and tied her cape around herself. She then walked out of the bedroom.
Moonlit was just starting to get used to the burning sensation when he heard Trixie knock on the bathroom door. “Come in.” He said, not caring about how she felt about that. She paused for a moment before shaking it off.
“Moonlit, did you touch Trixie’s unique clothing?” She asked through the door. Moonlit sighed and with a little magic cracked the door. Steam came out from the crack towards Trixie.
“Alright, what was that? I couldn’t hear you like that.” Moonlit explained.
“Trixie wants to know if you touched her stuff without permission.” She told him. He thought for a moment about what she was talking about.
“Oh! You mean the hat and cape? Yeah, I washed them.” He admitted as he began rinsing his mane.
“Why?” Trixie asked slightly irritated.
“Because they were dirty. I don’t think you should be wearing things ruined with mud and other dirty properties.” He answered calmly.
Trixie shook her head. She then looked around and thought about what Moonlit had said. “How? Trixie has yet to see a washing machine.” She announced.
“The motel has one that you can put bits in to make it work. It’s just down that way.” He replied and waved his hoof in a direction as if Trixie could see that he was pointing. She just ignored that he did that.
“Fine, are you almost done? Trixie is waiting.” She said, trying to sound frustrated.
“I guess,” Moonlit told her. “I should only be another five minutes or so.”
“Well Trixie is going to be in the room until you are ready.” She stated like she was royalty. Trixie then closed the door and proceeded back to the room. Moonlit smiled.
I don’t think she realized how bad that just sounded. He thought with a smirk across his face. Oh well, I shouldn’t keep her waiting… Wait. Moonlit shrugged it off and continued his shower.
Trixie sat in the room alone on the bed. She pushed the saddlebags to the floor so she could lay down. Why is Moonlit so nice to Trixie? Is he trying to trick Trixie? What does he want? Trixie thought to herself, her hoof slightly smacking the bed with her last question.
Trixie heard the door open and looked up. “Well you sure are making yourself at home.” Moonlit said as he stepped in and saw the saddlebags on the floor. Trixie looked down at them and levitated them onto Moonlit’s back.
“Trixie is ready to go.” She stated and began to get up.
“Have we even decided where we are going?” Moonlit asked. Trixie stopped for a moment before recovering and proceeding out of the room.
“Trixie believes you can decide.” She said, leaving him with the choice.
“But, wait. I can’t decide.” Moonlit told her as he followed her to the door to the outside.
“Why not?” Trixie asked when she reached the door.
“Because I can’t decide things, you’re giving me too much responsibility.” He answered her and was about to continue.
“Moonlit!” He stopped and looked at her directly. “Just pick a place where Trixie can enjoy herself.” She told him.
Am I supposed to feel encouraged? Nevermind, I’ll just think of something. Moonlit thought before nodding. “Alright then, let’s go, I guess.”
“You have decided?” Trixie asked, making sure.
“Of course.” Moonlit said, opening the door. The duo stepped outside, Moonlit closed the door and locked it. “Let’s get going, shall we?” He asked and looked towards Trixie, who only adjusted her hat. I’ll just take that as a yes.
Moonlit began to lead the way into Manehattan proper.