Practice Under the Moon

Ch2. Moon Town

Rocky and Trixie made their way through the rest of Whitetail forest, as the cold winds began to pick up nearly throwing Trixie to the ground several times. After a short rest, the two continued their way towards Moon town for the harvest moon festival, and the many star cakes that await.

Rocky led Trixie through most of the many dangers and even helped her across a raging river. The longer Trixie was around Rocky, the quicker they became friends. After talking last night Trixie learned that Rocky was more of a hard worker than she first thought. From what she has told him, Rocky has been going from town to town doing any odd jobs that would come his way, and to top that he said that he wouldn’t ask for much in return.

More importantly, the Gem’s and Jewel’s claims were far underestimated. Before Rocky and Trixie left Dream Valley, he paid for a mother’s groceries when she didn’t have enough bits to pay for herself, and he didn’t ask for anything in return.

Trixie was really impressed with the way Rocky seemed care for others and still be able to care himself without a worry in the world. He would tell Trixie stories of his home and all of the other diamond dogs and hounds he used to call friends. Trixie was simple left in awe about the compassion that he would carry for others. She was reminded much of her father when she thought of Rocky, the old memories bring a smile to her face.

However, right now Trixie was less than happy...

“I thought you said that this was a short cut.” It has been a full day since Rocky and Trixie have left Dream Valley. Now they were cutting through most of Whitetail on a tip Rocky got from one of the shop-ponies.

“It is a short cut, I think...Come on, it can’t be much longer.” Rocky called back continuing up the rocky terrain. As a diamond dog, Rocky had little to no troubles with just about any environment that he would face while traveling. Trixie however, was a different case, and her struggling was showing it.

“You better be right about these star cakes, or I’m going to be pissed.” Trixie said nearly spilling yet again, the cold winds making it hard to climb the rocky surface. Rocky sighed knowing that it would take longer for Trixie to make it across then him.

He made his way back down the hill, with absolute ease, and offered his hand to Trixie. “Here Trixie, take my hand.” Rocky said determining that it would be faster to carry the mare.

“I’m doing quite well, there is no need for you to help me.” As much as Trixie wanted to take Rocky’s hand, her stubborn nature wouldn’t let her accept the help. It was one of the many habits and quirks that she got from hanging around her father for most of her life. Even she and the stallion would find themselves arguing about the simplest things, only for her mother to break them up.

Rocky sighed, already sick with the mare’s stubborn attitude, for it reminded him of his mother far too much. “Hey!” He grabbed Trixie’s wrist and carefully pulled her on his back. “Put me down, right now!” Trixie struggled against Rocky’s strong grip, but was completely useless against the diamond dog’s strength.

“Quit moving around Trixie and just sit tight.” Rocky said, starting to resume the journey up the rocky hill. “You know for a unicorn mare that has a fractured horn, you’re pretty stubborn.” Trixie didn’t respond to the dog and just started to pout like a little foal.

Eventually though, she did start to relax and become more comfortable with begin on Rocky’s back. “Say Rocky, why do you travel around so much?” Trixie asked trying to learn more about the dog.

“Well, when I was a pup it was just me and my mom. And when I got older, I started to take on as many jobs to support her as much as I could.” Rocky said with the faintest of smiles. “Though, mom found a dog when I turned sixteen. After a while me and him did start to get along, but it didn’t stop me from working so much.” He continued as he reached the top of the hill.

Trixie hopped down off of Rocky’s back and she could see Moon town in the distant. “So what happened?” Trixie asked showing actual interest in the story.

“Mom told me to move out, and find a life of my own.” Rocky said with the smile growing into a laugh. “Okay when I said ‘move out’ it was more like she packed up my stuff and literally kicked me in the ass until I was out on my own.” He said his laughing growing by the second. “So I’ve just been going around traveling ever since.”

“Do you ever visit?” Trixie asked.

“Kind of hard to visit, when she on the other side of the world.” Rocky said in a vague tone.

“What do you mean? You’re not from Equestria?” Trixie asked mostly catching on to what Rocky was saying.

“Nope, I’m from a pack of diamond dogs in the Zebian forest.” Rocky answered lifting his stuff on his shoulders. “Come on, we need to keep moving, the sun will be going down soon.” The two then started to make their way down the hill and towards Moon town.

Short moments later, they found themselves in the middle of the tourist trap, and it’s famous moon harvest festivals. The streets were packed full of ponies working on last minute preparations for the festival, and others traveling to the town to partake in the once in a year event. Thanks to begin raised in a forest and hunting for food all his life, Rocky’s sensitive diamond dog ears could hear the hushed whispers of ponies reactions to seeing him and Trixie traveling together, but he ignored all of them already used to overhearing pony’s gossip.

However, whispers about Trixie were the most unsettling. Most ponies were going on about how she would put on a magic show in their town and go on and on about being able to defeat a Ursa Major, and how she is the powerfulest unicorn in all of Equestria. Rocky was thrown for a trip, he knew better to listen to gossip, but it didn’t help that he knew nothing about the mare.

“Man, there are sure a lot of ponies here. You think that we’ll be able to find a place to stay?” Trixie asked Rocky but he didn’t hear her. “Rocky?” She reached out to Rocky’s shoulder, shaking him out of his daydream.

“Huh, what?” Rocky asked not having heard a word of what Trixie said.

“I asked, do you think that we’ll be able to find a place to stay.” Trixie repeated. “Rocky are you okay? You seemed distant.”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Rocky quickly answered. “Umm...it shouldn’t be that hard to find a place to stay. Though, we should start looking, I can tell that things are going to be a bit tight.” Rocky said a couple of inns catching his eye along with the long line of ponies waiting for a place.

Trixie caught onto what Rocky was looking at and let out a big sigh. “Great, now what do we do?” She asked not wanting to wait in that line.

Rocky paused for a moment thinking of anything that he knew would help. “We could try the outskirts, usually ponies would want the best spots, so those are going to be our best change.” He said making his way to the outskirts of the busy town.

Just as Rocky said, there were almost no ponies in this part of the town. The streets were much more vacant and much easier to move around in. Only a few ponies could be seen out this far in town, Rocky guessed that they were business owners and town’s folk that lived on this side. The two resumed their quest in finding a place to rest for the night. Their quest was short as Trixie pointed out an inn that looked more or less empty.

Rocky got a better look at what Trixie was pointing at. It was a small looking building, that was in a remote part of town. Seeing no real problem with it, the two made their way to the building. Rocky pushed opened the door causing the little bell to ring on the top of it.

“Hello, and welcome to the Shady Moon!” The mare owner, a cobalt-blue earth-pony with an green mane wearing a white dress.

“Hey, I’m Rockwall and this is Trixie,” Rocky said greeting the mare, “By any chance do you have a spare rooms?” He asked hoping to Cerberus that the mare did.

The mare started to look through her daily log book for Rocky’s answer. “Why yes we do, but…”

“But?” Trixie said stepping forward.

“But, we only have one room with one bed, so…” The mare said apologetic, much to Trixie dismay

“Well looks like we’re sharing a bed.” Rocky said in a nonchalant manner.

“What?!” Both mare shouted at the dog.

“What, not like we’ve many other options.” Rocky said still in a nonchalant manner.

Trixie stared at Rocky in a complete disbelief, “Don’t you think that its a little too early to give up?” She asked, the mere thought of sharing a bed with anypony let alone, not to mention a diamond dog, sent a burning blush to her face.

“Umm, Trixie? You should look outside.” Rocky said pointing to the door. In a huff, Trixie stormed to the door to see what Rocky was talking about. She pushed opened the door and her eyes searched the empty streets.

Or so she thought it was empty…

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Trixie soon relieved that Rocky was more right than he knew. The once empty streets were filled with all types of ponies looking for a place to stay for the moon harvest festival. She quickly closed the door and turned back around, an unreadable look on her face.

“See my point?” Rocky asked with a smug look on his face.

“Shut up and get a room already.” Trixie said in a flat tone. Rocky chuckled and pulled out a bit pouch to pay for the room.

“So how much would it be, Miss?” Rocky asked the mare.

“Penny.” The mare said, confusing both Trixie and Rocky. “My name is Penny Bits, and that room will be twenty bits a night.” Penny said with a smile.

Rocky let out a whistle of amazement, “Wow, that’s a lot cheaper than I thought it would be.” He pulled out the necessary amount of bits for a night.

Penny giggled at the dog, “Well, something tells me that you two are travers, so there’s no need to charge more than what’s needed.” She said with a warm and genuine smile.

“Wow, thanks a lot.” Rocky said grateful for the mare’s kindness

“Yes, thank you a lot.” Trixie said with the same amount of gratefulness as Rocky. Penny handed Rocky the room key and waved them off. They made their way up the stairs to the living areas of the inn, Rocky took note of the cozy, and homey feeling that he got when he was walking through the halls to his room.

Trixie on the other hand took note of the few rooms that the inn had, quickly understanding why there was only one room left. “Let’s see...room 112.” Rocky said reaching the last room on the left of the hall. He unlocked the door with the room key, letting Trixie go first. There wasn’t much to speak about the room, it was average in size and seemed to only have one bathroom. Rocky tossed his stuff towards the corner of the room and thrown himself on the small couch that was somehow placed in the room.

“So Trix, want to go get something to eat?” Rocky asked feeling his stomach getting ready to brake at him like a mad dog.

“Sure fine,” Trixie said feeling quite hungry herself. “Wait, what did you call me?”

“Umm...Trix?” Rocky was unsure if that was the right thing to say or not.

Normally Trixie would have told the dog off for calling her by a nickname, but for some odd reason she didn’t care. For some reason as long as it was Rocky calling her by that name, she didn’t feel the need to correct him. Upon this realization had tow effects on her. For one, she was glad that Rocky was already that comfortable with begin around her. However, she had no idea where these thoughts and feelings were coming from, and Trixie was quite irritated by this fact.

“Yo, Equestria to Trixie. Is anypony home?” Trixie was broken out of her thoughts by Rocky waving his hand in front of her eyes.

“Huh, what?”

“Hey Trixie are you okay?” Rocky asked out of concern, “You were just standing there for a while.”

“Yes, Tri- I mean, I’m fine.” Trixie fakely reassured, nearly falling back into her old habits. “I need to go to the bathroom.” Before Rocky could questioned her anymore; Trixie dashed to the bathroom, and the sound of the door being shut rang out. Rocky was left guessing what’s wrong with Trixie but soon gave up with guessing.

“Umm...Okay?” He called out to the empty room, having no idea what to do.

Trixie quickly made her way to the single bathroom in the room. She quickly shut the door and turned the sink, splashing cold water on her face, in hopes to shake off the unnerving feeling that she would get from Rocky. It has only been one day since she has know Rocky and it feels like she have known him for years.

“Come on Trixie, you’re just still tried from the horn-injury. There’s no need to be acting like this.” Trixie said to her reflection in the mirror, trying to reassure herself.

“Oh really?” Trixie’s eyes shrunk when she heard her own reflection talkback to her. Not accepting this she looked around the bathroom expecting Rocky to be pulling some kind of trick. “No you silly mare, right in front of you.” The reflection taunted.

Trixie slowly looked a the mirror and saw that the reflection was standing there smirking at her. “W-who are you?” Trixie asked not understanding the situation.

“I'm you and you are me.” The reflection answered with a mocking tone.

“Ha! There is only one Trixie Lulamoon and she is me.” Trixie called back, crossing her arms as though she had won an argument.

“Believe what you want Lulamoon, the fact still remains that I’m you. Also you can get over yourself.” The reflection snickered. “Face facts Lulamoon, you’ll never succeed in anything until you be real with your feelings.”

Trixie stared at the reflection with a confused look, her patients growing thinner by the second. “W...what are you talking about?” Trixie asked afraid of the answer. The reflection started to unsympathetically laugh at the poor and confused mare. “And just what is so funny?!” Trixie demanded, wanting to blast the mirror with magic, but she remembered that wouldn’t work.

“You,” The reflection said breaking out in another fit of dark joyous laughter. “Trixie Lulamoon, you are what so funny. You know? I’m almost want to tell you everything, but I’m going to let you figure it out on your own.” It finished wiping a tear from its eye.

“What, I don’t...I don’t understand.” Trixie managed to stutter. She could tell what was worse; arguing with herself in the mirror, or the fact that she is losing the argument.

“Of course you don’t, and you’ll never will.” The reflection said showing no empathy to Trixie. “You know what? Forget it, you really are a loss cause.” The reflection flatly said fading away from view.

“Wait! What do you mean? Tell me!” Trixie shouted unknowably sparking her horn. The reflection smirked, yet it didn’t yield to Trixie’s demands. “Don’t run from me! Answer my questions!” Trixie continued her demands, the brightness of her horn matching her anger and irritation.

Just as Trixie was going to question the fading image, a hard knock came at the door. “Trixie? Are you alright?” Rocky’s voice called out from behind the door.

“Y-yeah I’m fine.” Trixie quickly called back. Laughter from the caught tore her attention away from the door. “And what are you laughing at?”

“A helpless foal…” The reflection faintly said before fading away from sight. Blinded by a cloud of nerve-racking emotions, Trixie pushed through her horn-injury, and fired a bolt of magic at the mirror. It shattered into thousand tiny fragments, most of which managed to cut Trixie. Due to the injury on her horn, even the most basic magic was far too much for the show-mare.

Trixie fell back onto the cold tile floor, consciousness failing from her. The door busted open and Rocky was by Trixie’s side almost immediately. “Trixie, Trixie!” He tried everything he could think of to span Trixie back into reality. “Come on Trixie, you didn’t try and use magic did you?” He asked when he saw the thin line of smoke coming from Trixie’s horn.

However, Trixie was unable to respond to any of Rocky’s questions. Everything around her was growing darker by the second and the last thing she saw was the determined face of Rocky.

Three hours later

Consciousness steadily returned to Trixie, the dim light of a lamp lighting the room. She strained her body to started the trying task of sitting up, pain and numbness rocking her every bone in her body. She rubbed her throbbing head in hopes that the pain would be smooth. Slowly the darkness faded from her eyes, and she was able to get a better look at her surroundings. From what Trixie could tell, she was lying in a fairly large bed with the streets wrapped around her.

Before she could question what was going on, the door slowly opened by Rocky. He and Trixie locked eyes for a moment before Rocky gently closed the door, and walked over to Trixie. “Hey Trixie, how are you feeling?” He asked with a soft smile, carefully sitting on the bed.

“I feel like...I feel like my body want me dead.” Trixie said warily and if her blood-shot eyes was anything to go by, Rocky could tell that she wanted to do no more than sleep.

“Well that’s what happens when you use magic with a fractured horn.” Rocky said with a little of sarcastic joy. He pulled out a bag of ice and handed it to Trixie. “Here figured that you’ll have a headache.”

“You’re so funny, thanks.” Trixie said with a hint of irritation and humor. “Ahh...much better. So how long was I out?” She asked unable to get a sense of how long she was out.

“About three hours, so it’s close to nightfall.” Rocky answered.

“And the moon harvest festival?” Trixie asked remembering the whole reason they were in Moon town.

“What about the festival?” Rocky asked with genuinely confused as to why Trixie would bring up the festival.

“Didn’t you want to go?” Trixie asked dumbfounded by the dog.

“Yeah, but I just can’t leave you here.” Rocky answered, causing Trixie to blush.

“And the star cakes?” She continued to question, not believing that he would gave up the change to have one.

Rocky shrugged in an uncaring manner, “We can get them some other time, not like Moon town is the only place to get them.” He said getting up from the bed. “Wait here.” He walked out of the room before Trixie could say anything to him.

Trixie was again left alone, only her thoughts left to comfort her. All of which went back to Rocky, who have saved her life twice in two days. See? Maybe it’s time we stop acting like a foal and admit to our feelings… A disembodied voice called out to Trixie. Her eyes shank when she heard the voice, it sounded just like hers only younger and very timid.

“W-who are you?” Trixie asked trying to not let her anger get the best of her again.

I’m you and you are me...we’re one in the same. The foal’s voice said as though to finish the line of the reflection. Come on me, why do you always run from your own feelings? The voice asked, continuing with the timid voice.

“Please…” Trixie breath out tiredly, “Please, don’t do this. Just leave me alone.” She bagged the voice, far too wary to answer any of the unwanted questions.

N-no me, it’s not fair to do this to yourself...Don’t push him away like the others.

“Stop.” Trixie tried to sound firm, in hopes it would get the voice to go away. “I know exactly what you’re trying to do, and I’m sick of it.” She ended the argument before it even had a chance to start.

But- The voice stop when Rocky opened the door, carrying a glass of water.

“Here,” Rocky handed Trixie two small off-red pills. Trixie cocked her head in confusion, not sure what she was supposed to do. “Don’t worry they're just pain meds that Doc gave me before we left the hospital.” Rocky reassured her worries.

Trixie quickly popped the pills and down half of the glass without second thought; wanting to no longer deal with the throbbing pain. Rocky and Trixie could hear fireworks go off “So much for the harvest moon festival…” She in a low tone. Trixie felt really guilty that they couldn’t attend the festival, and Rocky could hear it in her voice.

Rocky nudged the sadden Trixie with an elbow. “Well...we still could look at the fireworks.” He offered with a cheesy smile. Trixie slowly glanced toward Rocky, cracking a smile, and having a good laugh; something she hasn’t had in a long while.

See? The foal’s voice returned, With him around, we smile, we laugh, we live. Why can’t we just stay? Trixie did her best to ignore the voice as she tried to move to take Rocky’s offer. However, the pain medication was already kicking in, and caused Trixie to lose her balance. Rocky was there right before she hit the ground, and once again their eyes met.

Rocky’s deep pools of amber, sent a shiver down Trixie’s back. For some reason, they made her feel safe, and like all of her problems didn’t exist. Her horn not broken, her life not just one run around to the next, and they gave her strength to keep moving onward.

Trixie’s eyes told Rocky a similar story. The purple irises spoke of determination, strong will, and strength; all traits she got from her father, and her time on the road traveling. Rocky was amazed at the mare’s stubborn and strong hearted personality. He’s met a lot of mares and ponies on his travels but Trixie was in a whole different league.

The two stayed there for what felt like an entirety, until a loud bang of a firework spanned them back into reality. They turned away from each other, realizing that they have been staring for a very long extended period of time. Rocky was the first one to break the awkward silence, “So, umm...we should get to the window if we want to catch the rest of the show.” He said helping Trixie to her feet.

“Y-yeah, we should.” She said too nervous to look Rocky in the eyes. Trixie tried to walk on her own, but she lost footing, and fall against Rocky who caught her. “T-thanks.” The blush on Trixie’s face couldn’t be any brighter, and her light-blue coat did nothing to hide it.

Rocky nodded with a smile, “Anytime, here let me help you.” He took Trixie’s arm and gently wrapped it over his shoulders. This allowed Trixie to lean against Rocky for better support, the two made their way towards the opened window to watch the fireworks show.

They were awed by the flashes of different bright colors, but more importantly they were enjoying each others presents. With each rainbow explosion, Trixie could feel herself growing to like just simply begin around Rocky. The spectacle reminded her of the festival she and her father would go to when she was just a filly. In fact the more she thought about her father the more Rocky seemed to be like him, but this wasn’t true.

As much as Rocky seemed to be like her father, he wasn’t. He was her first real friend, someone that actually cared how she and others felt. He was strong, kind, and very generous that it almost made her envious. All of Rocky’s life he gone without any magic and still turned out better then she has with magic. Even if he knew zebra magic, it was the same as unicorn magic; which required a few days of lesson, versus years of experimenting and planning.

Rocky gave up the chance to go to the festival and have a really good time, just to look after her. It was because of her that he wasn’t able to go, it was because of her that he missed out on this celebration. But his eyes told that he didn’t care, he would rather stay behind and make sure that she was alright, then go.

Now do you get it filly? The cold voice from the mirror called out. Face it, only dad would treat us like this, and yet he isn’t dad.

Yeah! The foal’s voice chimed in. He’s Rockwall, Rocky, the only reason we're still around.

Great, voices inside my own head can make more sense of my own life. Trixie mentally sighed paying more attention to Rocky then the fireworks. Maybe I should be honest with my feelings…

There you go filly.

Yay! We get to keep being with Rocky! Trixie quietly giggled. When she finally put the pieces together, she quickly realized that the voices represented her own self-doubts and hopes.

Sooner than Rocky wanted the display of fireworks had ended, “Hey Trixie, where you want to go next?” Rocky asked, thinking the show was over. He caught Trixie wordlessly staring at him. “Trixie? Yo Trix.” She still didn’t respond, and just started to lean closer to Rocky; each inch feeling longer than the last. Rocky didn’t know what Trixie was trying to do, but for some reason he didn’t mind.

Trixie slowly closed her eyes as the gap between started to close. Soon they were mere inches away from each other, Trixie felt like her heart was going to beat right out of her chest. Time slowed to a stop when their lips finally met, a hot wave chased over Trixie. His coal sent washing over her once again, numbing her already numb mind.

Rocky could taste the sweetness of Trixie’s lips, to him it was sweeter than any star cake could ever be. Feeling adventurous, Rocky prodded the outside of Trixie’s teeth with his tongue asking for entry. Trixie opened her mouth to allow him entrance, and immediately Rocky took control of the kiss. She moaned into Rocky’s mouth as a sign of approval, however, the need to breath out weighed the sloppy kiss.

The two parted with a line of saliva connecting their lips. Trixie was heavily panting while she stared in Rocky’s deep amber eyes, the feeling of safety and security she got from him made a smile stretched across her lips. She wrapped her arms around Rocky’s torso and placed her head on his shoulder, a happy and content sigh escaped her lips.

“Happy, aren’t we?” Rocky joked placing his hands around her back. Trixie didn’t respond, instead she just buried herself further into Rocky’s growing winter coat; her breathing tickling the soft fur.

Suddenly a series of colorful explosion rocked the inn. Rocky and Trixie were presented with another astonishing spectacle of the fiery colors. The bright flashes could be mistaken for the stars of the night sky. In a final rapid session the fireworks lit the night, leaving the two in complete awe.

As soon as it was over, the town lit up in a uproar of cheers and other sounds of celebration. The smile on Trixie’s face grow in size, she always enjoyed hearing the joyous cheers of ponies. “Hey Rocky?” She asked not moving from Rocky’s fur coat.

“Yeah, Trix?” He asked rocking back and fore.

“I think I know...where to...go…” Trixie said in a yawn her eyes flattering close.

Rocky looked down to hear the soft snoring of the short mare. He chuckled and carried Trixie to the bed, he gently set Trixie down, and wrapped the sheets around her. As gently as he could, Rocky crawled in the bed with her, and wrapped a protective arm around her. Trixie scooted closer and took her spot in the nest under Rocky’s chin.

Soon the two were off to sleep, they may have missed the moon harvest festival, but they found something much better in Moon town.

Author's Note

Finally, its finally done. Welup, I'm going to go work on other stuff now. Maybe I should sleep first? Nah anyway, where do you think that they are going next? What does Trixie's newfound feelings spell for them, will you ever see clop?

Well I'm asking so tell me, I really want to see what you guys come up with.

-Till next time.