As Days Go Byby DarkspineBronyChaptersAn Awkward StartSomething AstonishingCompetiton!An Awkward StartTrixie has never been patient. All her life she has been taught to jump straight into the moment, and to capture every seeking opportunity to complete tasks. Waiting is just a form of stalling to her. Might as well be considered procrastination. Or worse yet, a sign of weakness. Fear of the future. A cowardly pony. She is no coward, as she thinks to herself. She is bold, confident, and overall just perfect. Great and powerful. Waiting is not great nor powerful. Even though it felt like centuries, Trixie stood in front of the Pie family's door step for nearly five minutes. Each knocking tune her hooves play on the door did not seem to reach, or the Pies are just sluggish when it comes to guests. Trixie's pout grew, and faint groans like an irritated feline crawled from her vocals. Her boiling pot of a brain almost transformed her blue forehead to hot red. The waiting game has overstayed its welcome. "One last failed knock, then Trixie will find refuge elsewhere," the blue mare mumbled. She prepared her hoof to finish off its final tune. Either that concluding knock will attract an audience, or the musician will walk away with no standing ovation, money, and homeless. Trixie quickly thrust her hoof forward. Despite Trxie's last music piece remaining unheard, an audience of five stood in front of the showmare. And what a boring set of five it was. Blank expressions. Dark shades of coats. Clothes that would make Rarity gracefully faint. Trixie hollowly stared at the Pie family. Is the surname Pie really fitting for this bunch, Trixie pondered. When she thinks of "pie", she visions beautifully crafted pastries with a welcoming aroma. Nothing about these particular pies have aroma nor beauty. Trxie was not ready to participate in the shoes of a rock pony. Trixie's heart raced as her eyes darted to each furniture of the home. The walls were made of plain wood, and the dinner table rested in the middle of the living room. A couch is present, but it looked like a cat clawed the poor thing to death. Trixie is used to decorations and lively nature in the homes she visits. The blue mare wanted to cry over the lack of expression in the little home. "Well I am sure you are hungry, Ms. Lulamoon," Igneous Rock placed his hoof on her shoulder. "The meal is almost prepared. Have a seat please. My daughters can introduce themselves." Silence swallowed the mood over the dinner table. Trixie's uneasiness begged her body to nervously tremble. It would be an act of cowardliness if Trixie allows such movements to be witnessed, she thought. She must please the three mares that sit before her. The Pie sisters, Marble, Limestone, and Maud, studied Trxie's clothes. Bright stars complimented Trixie's purple wizard hat and cape. No wrinkles revealed themselves on the blue mare's attire. Crispness is the upmost important aspect of maintaining the cloth that keeps a pony warm, or so Trixie likes to think. She raised her nose up to the ceiling, eyes closed. "Are you impressed?" she asked. "The Great and Powerful Trixie oozes magnificence to her new admirers! No need for falling jaws, my latest audience. I can imagine the awe that is rustling in your blown minds!" "Well...." Limestone timidly opened, "it's kind of cool. I guess." The show mare's eyes popped. "You guess? You guess?!" Trixie slammed her hoof on the table. Marble Pie shook, and Limestone Pie shyly yelp. "Trxie will have you know that her brilliance will not be challenged. Shortly enough, you three will learn the charisma that the Great and Powerful Trixie has in store!" "I see that you girls are communicating just fine." Cloudy Quartz carried a large tray in her right hoof. The Pie mother plopped the plate on the round table. "Now I know this isn't the most appetizing meal, but money's tight at the moment, dears. I apologize for just having bread and milk as your first meal here, Trixie. As days go by, I'll have better food to await your hungry stomach. But please, enjoy yourselves. All of you." Trixie desired to pout, but even she didn't want to disrespect her new caregiver's wishes. She levitated the loaf of bread from her magic. The Pie sisters analyzed sparks from Trixie's horn. "What? Have you never seen magic performed in front you before?" Trixie darted. Marble and Limestone remained quiet. Maud, as throughout the entire dinner session, remained silent. It seemed that silence was the norm during dinner. Trixie already couldn't wait to leave. "I am greatly sorry, Trixie." "Sorry" has beaten Trixie's brain all evening. " We don't have any guest rooms, but you can share with Maud if you don't mind," Igneous continued, "Her room is quite spacious, she can fit an elephant in there and can still fit herself. Funny to think about actually." Trixie's head turned towards the gray earth pony. Maud stood still like a statue. Everything about the pony was gray, both physically and metaphorically. Trixie wished to barf at the site of Maud's plain dress. The expressionless pony's eyes glued to her new temporary roommate. Trixie bounced her eyes back in forth to avoid contact with Maud's. Maud slowly widen her mouth. "So....."she dryly spoke, "why are you here? You don't seem to be the kind of pony to be in a place like this." Trixie levitated her hat and placed it on her new rental bed. She plopped her bottom on the mattress. It felt as Trixie slammed herself on a boulder; the mattress lacked any form of comfort. Trixie's mind pleaded for her old bed. The purple cushion was like a puffy cloud floating in the air. Much of a difference of the hard rock that sat above her. The blue mare really desired to pout. "Well if you must know," Trixie started, "the Great and Powerful Trixie has traveled far and wide! From the bustling city of Manehatten to the aristocratic refuge of Canterlot. Hay, even to the depths of that hick town Appleloosa. Ponies of all of Equeastia adore Trixie! However, you and your siblings don't seem to appreciate the awesomeness that will have residence in your home. How unfortunate, ponies like you can't even admire when somepony great come to your plain lives." Trixie raised her nose in the air like the snooty ponies that march in Canterlot. Maud, still, stared at Trixie with little expression. "I....I think you're kinda cool actually." Shockingly, the blue one's eyes popped open like a filly just remembering she had homework due that morning of school. "Well finally a pony in these parts know when she sees an idol! Just don't try to out rank me, gray one. It would nearly be impossible for a commoner earth pony like you." Words didn't seem to smack Maud in the slightest. It's like she is a walking tank, prepared to take any bullet that is shot at her. Trixie yawned, and magically lifted the covers in the bed. She gently positioned in the bed to avoid a hard wham from the uncomfortable bed. "Trixie needs her beauty sleep, oh boring one," she yawned again. "Perhaps I can show you some tricks tomorrow if you are really dazzled by my presence." Being a unicorn comes in handy at times. Trixie magically lowered the lights of the lantern, thus shrouding the room in pure black. Trixie heard Maud rustling through her covers. "G' night....um....um" "Maud...." " Oh gracious me! Of course....Maud....good night!" Maud quickly fell into slumber. Trixie, however, slowly opened her eyes as soon as snoring became the only sound heard in the room. She studied Princess Luna's beautiful moon through the window. "So radient....wish I was as talented as Luna....." Tears slowly clogged Trixie's drowsy eyes. Something Astonishing Celestia's sun struggles to awake Trixie's slumbering body. The snoozing mare dodges the sun princess' fury beams. She digs under the cover for dependable shelter. Groans slips out of Trixie's closed mouth as she buries herself further in her cozy bubble. Trixie has never been a fan of the morning's daily greetings. "Trix....Trix....wake up, Trix." "No! Go away, peon....." Trixie rejects. Maud Pie stands above the veiled pony. She slowly shuts her eyes, and releases a loud sigh. Her hooves raises as a horse preparing for battle. Rapidly, Maud slams her strong hooves on the mattress. Trixie bounces from the mattress and meets her welcoming destination: the wooded floor. Pain pounds her back, and the covers that once protected her helplessly lands on her face. Temper cracks his hand readying to boil Trixie's displeasure. She hurriedly shakes the covers off her red face. Both Maud's still eyes and Trixie's heated eyes clashes. "How DARE you disturb Trixie like that! Why I.....if I weren't your honored guest I would punish you without question!" "And what would my penalty be?" Maud blankly asked. A large pout blossomed Trixie's cheeks. A justifiable reasoning to punish Maud is far fetch. "She could've thought of something!" Trixie shallowly answers. "A magician as myself has tricks up her sleeves. Oh why am I am bothering to lecture a disrespectful pony like you! Hmpth!" Trixie, as always, radiantly lifts her tiny nose in the sky. Maud casually just blinks her eyes and stares at the blue pony. "Well, anyway," Maud begins, "it's time to get up. Father said to meet him outside. We're going to show you around the rock farm today. Hope you're ready. Lots of stuff to do, Trix." "And one darn thing we're gonna get straight now," Trixie barks, "is that you are forgetting the I and the E in Trixie. T-R-I-X-I-E! Trixie! Got it?" "Ah. Trix has a better ring to it though." Maud's boring words rolled Trixie's dumbfounded eyes. "Good morning, girls. Did you both rest well?" Igneous Rock's pickaxe leans against his shoulder. The tip of the ax sparkles thus blinding Trixie's groggy eyes. She carries hers with a levitation spell. Magic, again, quite handy. "Yes, father. We have," Maud answers for both herself and Trixie. "Well I hope so, because today is going to be a long one. First day of work is always the hardest day of rock farm life, Ms. Trixie. I know you love to entertain, but the only pony here you can entertain here is yourself. I presume you are the creative type, you'll figure out something." "Trixie is not a worry wart," the blue pony bursts, "she can handle any challenge that is thrown at her! Give Trixie her worst." Igneous chuckled. "Well I admire your enthusiasm. Let's just see how much of that you can keep during work. Come along, young mares." Trixie confuses the gray of Maud's coat and the rocks passing by her wondering eyes. She is used to the lavish scenery of bustling towns filled to the brim with lively townspony. The Pies' little old town is short of civilians and nearly empty of buildings with the exception of mom and pop and law based businesses. Out of all the darn places to reside...."sigh". Trixie will have to settle for a place of poverty. "Well, ladies," Igneous halts the two mares. " we have arrived. Trixie, meet your very first customer." A round, large rock looms over Trixie's wide eyes. The sight was like a filly glaring at an angry dragon. Igneous studies the blue mare's expression, silently chuckling at the scene. "Ms. Trixie! Are you intimidated?" Trixie shakes herself out of her stupor. "Wh-wha-what NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Hahahaha! The Confident and Hardworking Trixie NEVER accepts defeat by intimidation." Igneous wished he rolled his eyes. "Glad to hear that, Ms. Trixie. Here's your pickaxe. Maud, dear." Maud's eyes stilly focuses on her father's. "You know what to do, dear." Igneous walks to Maud and whispers in her ears, "Make sure she doesn't hurt herself." The elderly pony winks and strolls back to the farm house. Maud turns her head and locks her pupils to the blue mare's. Trixie wants to look away, but something about Maud's eyes were captivating like a spell. A spell that was difficult to ignore. "Ahem," Trixie mumbled quickly. " Well! So....ugh, where do we start peon ? You don't have to go easy on me. Throw Trixie your worst!!!" "...if you say so....." Maud stated bluntly. The gray pony trotted in front of the stone goliath. She places her hoof on the rock, groping the lifeless beasts skin. She slowly moved back away from the rock. "Now listen carefully, Trix," Maud states to Trixie's dismay. Trixie blasted! TRIXIE!!!!!! "This rock here is a special case. It takes a lot of strength and focus to crumble this one down. I recommend you to stand back for this one. I hate for you to get hurt during crashing." Trixie raises her eyebrows as she looks at her pickaxe and back towards Maud. "And how are you going to take down that hunk of junk without a pickaxe? That's really stupid of you to try such a feat. You're just a dumb little Earth Pony!" Maud shuts her eyes and shakes her head. A quick tiny grin comes and goes on her face. Trixie lays her eyes to the ground. Sudden beatings of her heart slowly increased. That grin.....Trixie did not know what was about that grin......but.....it was....cute. Trixie's eyes snaps back to Maud's face. Her heart's beating slows down....kind of. "Well....it's very stupid....," Trixie repeats. "You'll see. Please, I'm warning you. Stand. Back." "Hmph!" Trixie's nose peaks back up to the sky as she trots away from Maud. The rock pony glares at the giant stone. Maud slowly raises her front hooves up and down. The puzzled blue pony had no choice but to witness the awkward act. Maud's sluggish stomping shares the pattern of a musical rhythm. Maud's rhythm grows as all four hooves dance together in harmony. Pebbles on the ground vibrated due to Maud's stomping even so that Trixie felt the earth's vibration. "What in Equeastria are you do-EEK!!!" Maud leaps and drills the rock with her bare hooves. Trixie wants to take cover, but her eyes forces her to watch the scene taking place. Maud's pounding transforms the single rock to multiple pebbles. The gray mare seems unfazed by the defeated microscopic rocks plowing her face. In fact, it appears that she is enjoying it rather. Trixie is astonished. Maud Pie's hooves gently lands on the ground. The massive rock was no more. Trixie shyly approaches the Pie while her mouth openly frozen. "That....was amazing...." Trixie soothed. Maud rubs her mane. "Thank you, but it's no big deal. I always do this, but I kinda like it. It unwinds me from stress. Just a dumb thing I guess." "Dumb, that wasn't dumb. That was impressive. I don't even think unicorn magic could do such a task. I loved it Maud......" Red covers Maud's cheeks. Trixie giggles. "What? Embarrassed? Don't be. It takes a lot to entertain the Great and Powerful Trixie." The blue one's poise blossoms once again. Maud swiftly looks away from her one mare audience. Warmth ignites Maud's red cheeks. A hoof met Maud's shoulder. "You know what, let Trixie show you something magnificent." Igneous Rock returns to a queer surprise. "BEHOLD MAUD! A SCULPURE OF THE GREAT......AND POWERFUL.....TRIXIE!!!!!!!!!!!" Standing on two and raising both arms in the air, Trixie granted Maud with the rock sculpture. The stoned art piece matches the stance of the blue pony down to the tea. Maud Pie's eyes sparkles at the self portrait with a hoof covering her mouth. Art has never been part of the Pie's entertainment. Igneous from a far witness the spectacular product. He chuckles. "She has a long way to go." Competiton!"You want ME to teach you how to sculpture!?" Trixie falls out of her performer-like attitude. "Yes," Maud answers calmly. "Our town hall holds a sculpture contest every year, I've always wanted to participate, but never seen to have the artistic ability to craft my rocks....and what you have been doing to the rocks is pretty neat....you can decline....if you want." Maud swiftly turns away from the blue pony. Red surfaced on Maud's cheeks. Trixie's eyes grows as she sucks in her lips. Witnessing the blushing Maud squeezes Trixie's heart. "I-I mean.....I am not the most artsy pony in the world but.....I am merely honored by your request. Trixie accepts!" Maud's face rapidly focuses back to Trixie. A crescent smile shines on Maud's face. The usual expressionless eyes of hers sparkles with pure delight. Trixie's cheeks fails to mask the red puffs engulfing her blue face. "We-well I am glad you have chosen me for such a fa-oh!" Maud's arms wraps around Trixie's neck. The warmth tugs at Trixie's back; she almost shivers from pure surprise and tranquility. Resistance was futile....Trixie's arm retaliates back. Two hugging ponies sit in the heart of Maud's room. "Anyhoof! Haha!" Trixie quickly releases her arms from the gray mare. She nervously brushes her mane from her left eye. "So.....when you want us to begin your session?" "Well," Maud timidly kicks her hoof as if she was trying to gently knock a golf ball in its goal, "I was hoping we could start sometime today." "Oh...oh! I mean, unless we have some work to do I don't know if that amount of training is possible." "Today is a free day, Trixie. We have all the time in the world," Maud smiles. That smile. That damn wretched smile Trixie thinks. How can a bland pony such as Maud Pie reveal the greatest smile? Trixie fights the temptation to just launch herself to Maud and peck those lips. Nothing is in her way. Trixie restrains herself greatly. "Y-yeah, I forgot that today is free. Well then, I suppose after breakfast we can began our first session." Anxiety eats Trixie's heart. "You are doing this wrong! You will never succeed at being a true performer pony!" The young Trixie Lulamoon drips her eyes to the wooden floor. Despite the lack of a true audience glazing their eyes at her, the emptiness of the auditorium still made Trixie's mind hallow. Imagine if an audience was present, but exits due to Trixie's poor performance. A horrid thought to be sure. Grandiose Lulamoon beams down at his daughter. "I can't have you honor our family's name with tricks like that. You'll make yourself and your elders look foolish! Picture this: "Trixie Lulamoon: now a grandiose laughing stock!' BAH! Can't have my name tarnish because of lackluster skills of you." Tears slides off Trixie's nose. "I am trying, father!" she yelped. "I really am!" "You don't try, Trixie. You do it! Trying is for the insecure. Doing is for the confident. Are you saying you lack the confidence of being a Lulamoon?" Trixie quickly shakes her head. "No father, I just-" "You just what? Tired? Sick? Not feeling it? Damn excuses, Trixie! You cannot get away with such words during a show." "I just need more practice that's all," Trixie spouts, "I am doing the best I can. Please father....." "That's the best you can do?" Grandiose closes his eyes and sighs. He turns and trots down the steps. "Father," Trixie calls, "where are you going?" "Away from you, Trixie. Until you can prove my worth stay out of my sight. Pack your things tonight, you're heading to your aunt's when Celestia raises her next sun. I can't have a disgrace like you living with me. For now, a life of poverty is where you belong." Trixie's mouth drops. Her wide watery eyes burns like a ray of the sun hurting your eyes. Her trembling legs pour her body to the stage floor. She curls up and weep for hours. Nopony enter the auditorium to catch the sobbing mare. "Are you okay, Trix?" Maud snaps Trixie out of her frozen stare. "You're spacing out again. I am worried." Trixie quickly waves her head. "No no no no! It's okay, I am just focusing as always. Worry not for Trixie." Maud slowly raises her left eye. "Are you sure? If you are not up for it today, I'll understand." Trixie gasps. "Please, Trixie is fine! You are so paranoid, Maud. Your greatness will be okay." "I wouldn't call it paranoia, Trix. I'm concerned. I mean, you do this space out all the time before work. Is there something you wanna talk about?" Trixie did not want to think about her childhood troubles. "Maud, please....just take Trixie's word okay?" Trixie lets out her arm. "Please." Maud sighs, and reaches for Trixie's hoof to shake. "Thank you, Maud. Now, where were we. Oh yes. Take a look at the boulder in front you. Study it hard, and analyze the structure of how you want your piece to be. Just focus. Carefully." Maud Pie shuts her eyes. Her hooves slowly began stomping the hard ground. Pebbles shivers in fear from the heavy tapping of Maud's hooves. The now alert Trixe step away from the gray mare. Maud then leaps to her prey, and mercifully attacks the boulder. The boulder reveals its fragile state by shedding the stone from its body. Trixie watch Maud whip the boulder apart. She was now the mentor, and Maud is her pupil. She never dream of teaching a pony anything. Maud lands back on the ground. She whips her hair from her eyes. "So, Trix. What do you think?" Trixie's mouth gapes at the Pinkie Pie themed sculpture, most of it was on point but some areas were crooked such as Pinkie's nose and fluffy tail. "It's a decent first start, just a little bit more practice and I think you got the gist of it, Maud. Keep trying." Maud smiles and hugs Trixie. The blue pony's heart slowly pumps as the warmth cuddles at her body. "Just keep trying, Maud. Nothing wrong with trying." After days of hustling and growing skills, the day of contest finally rears its head. The town hall is filled to the brim with ponies and the contestants veiled sculptures. The ponies speculate amongst themselves and huddle in their own little parties. Maud Pie and Trixie stand next to their hidden surprise. All the chatter rang Maud's ears causing her eyes to read the floor. "What's wrong, Maud?" Trixie places her hoof on Maud's shoulders. "You look terrified." "I am just nervous. What if nopony likes it?" "Bah! Who cares what other ponies think?" Trixie exclaims. "You are here for the fun of it. And if anypony has a problem with it, then to Tartarus with them. You are here to gain appreciators, not to see who the best sculpture is! Your audience is your real prize. And even if ponies fail to admire your glorious work, at least you tried." Maud grins. "Thanks, Trix. I hope you like the sculpture by the way. I didn't want anypony to see it yet, but I am sure you'll love it." Trixie chuckles. "I'm sure I will. It's crafted by you after all." Maud's face flourishes into red again to Trixie's delight. "All right, everypony!" one of the judge hollers. "Gather to your pieces, we are about to begin the critiquing. Please be positioned at your assigned stations." Anxiety tugs at Maud's chest, even though it seems impossible to see any form of nervousness sink out of her skin. Trixie slowly but carefully stomps her front hooves. She attempts a simple smile to shield her hungry curiousity, but the other ponies are not foolish enough to fall for such a trick. Maud and Trixie observes the other sculptures and the reactions of the audience, judges, and contestants. Both groans and awes echoes through the town hall. "Oh Maud," Trixie whispers to Maud. "It's our turn!" The judges approaches the two mares. Sweat rolls from Trixie's head. She almost peeps a little shriek when the judges arrives, but her throat restrains from shocking the critical trio. "Ms. Maud Pie," says a tall, brown female pony, "you can reveal your sculpture to the world." Maud nods, and pulls the rope from the sheets. Trixie's mouth drops. "I call this, "The Great and Powerful."' Maud's sculpture is a sheer replica of Trixie. The stoned Trixie raises her left hoof in the air like a victorious war pony. Each structure is crafted nearly perfected. The three judges analyze the sculpture then shift their eyes to Trixie. Red cheeks blossom on the blue pony's face. "Oh...," Trixie hums. The judges silently makes a decision and walk to their next contestant. Trixie's face rapidly shift to Maud's. "You did this for me?" Maud smiles. "Oh, Maudie! Oh!" Trixie places her hoof to her lips. Maud ears twitches. "Maudie?" Maud chuckles. "I like it, it's cute." "Oh...." Trixie hums once again. "We have come to a conclusion of first place, everypony!" All the ponies engulfing the town hall gather in front of the winners stand. Anticipation rose in the yells and cheers in the crowd. Trixie stomps her front hooves but only this time at rapid fire. "Oh Maud, what if this win isn't yours?" Trixie heavily breathes. Maud remains quiet. "And the winner of the Rock Sculpture Contest is........" The audience roar. Trixie's stomps increase. Maud still remains quiet. "....."The Great and Powerful" by Ms. Maud Pie!" Trixie gasps. "Wahoo!!!!" She waves her blue hooves in the air, leaps, and launches a giant hug around Maud's neck. "You won, Maudie! You won!" Maud giggles. "Even if I didn't win, me trying was enough. That's what you said." Trixie blushes. "Yeah. You're right. And just trying really paid off." A tiny tear drop surface from Trixie's eye. "It truly paid off."
An Awkward StartTrixie has never been patient. All her life she has been taught to jump straight into the moment, and to capture every seeking opportunity to complete tasks. Waiting is just a form of stalling to her. Might as well be considered procrastination. Or worse yet, a sign of weakness. Fear of the future. A cowardly pony. She is no coward, as she thinks to herself. She is bold, confident, and overall just perfect. Great and powerful. Waiting is not great nor powerful. Even though it felt like centuries, Trixie stood in front of the Pie family's door step for nearly five minutes. Each knocking tune her hooves play on the door did not seem to reach, or the Pies are just sluggish when it comes to guests. Trixie's pout grew, and faint groans like an irritated feline crawled from her vocals. Her boiling pot of a brain almost transformed her blue forehead to hot red. The waiting game has overstayed its welcome. "One last failed knock, then Trixie will find refuge elsewhere," the blue mare mumbled. She prepared her hoof to finish off its final tune. Either that concluding knock will attract an audience, or the musician will walk away with no standing ovation, money, and homeless. Trixie quickly thrust her hoof forward. Despite Trxie's last music piece remaining unheard, an audience of five stood in front of the showmare. And what a boring set of five it was. Blank expressions. Dark shades of coats. Clothes that would make Rarity gracefully faint. Trixie hollowly stared at the Pie family. Is the surname Pie really fitting for this bunch, Trixie pondered. When she thinks of "pie", she visions beautifully crafted pastries with a welcoming aroma. Nothing about these particular pies have aroma nor beauty. Trxie was not ready to participate in the shoes of a rock pony. Trixie's heart raced as her eyes darted to each furniture of the home. The walls were made of plain wood, and the dinner table rested in the middle of the living room. A couch is present, but it looked like a cat clawed the poor thing to death. Trixie is used to decorations and lively nature in the homes she visits. The blue mare wanted to cry over the lack of expression in the little home. "Well I am sure you are hungry, Ms. Lulamoon," Igneous Rock placed his hoof on her shoulder. "The meal is almost prepared. Have a seat please. My daughters can introduce themselves." Silence swallowed the mood over the dinner table. Trixie's uneasiness begged her body to nervously tremble. It would be an act of cowardliness if Trixie allows such movements to be witnessed, she thought. She must please the three mares that sit before her. The Pie sisters, Marble, Limestone, and Maud, studied Trxie's clothes. Bright stars complimented Trixie's purple wizard hat and cape. No wrinkles revealed themselves on the blue mare's attire. Crispness is the upmost important aspect of maintaining the cloth that keeps a pony warm, or so Trixie likes to think. She raised her nose up to the ceiling, eyes closed. "Are you impressed?" she asked. "The Great and Powerful Trixie oozes magnificence to her new admirers! No need for falling jaws, my latest audience. I can imagine the awe that is rustling in your blown minds!" "Well...." Limestone timidly opened, "it's kind of cool. I guess." The show mare's eyes popped. "You guess? You guess?!" Trixie slammed her hoof on the table. Marble Pie shook, and Limestone Pie shyly yelp. "Trxie will have you know that her brilliance will not be challenged. Shortly enough, you three will learn the charisma that the Great and Powerful Trixie has in store!" "I see that you girls are communicating just fine." Cloudy Quartz carried a large tray in her right hoof. The Pie mother plopped the plate on the round table. "Now I know this isn't the most appetizing meal, but money's tight at the moment, dears. I apologize for just having bread and milk as your first meal here, Trixie. As days go by, I'll have better food to await your hungry stomach. But please, enjoy yourselves. All of you." Trixie desired to pout, but even she didn't want to disrespect her new caregiver's wishes. She levitated the loaf of bread from her magic. The Pie sisters analyzed sparks from Trixie's horn. "What? Have you never seen magic performed in front you before?" Trixie darted. Marble and Limestone remained quiet. Maud, as throughout the entire dinner session, remained silent. It seemed that silence was the norm during dinner. Trixie already couldn't wait to leave. "I am greatly sorry, Trixie." "Sorry" has beaten Trixie's brain all evening. " We don't have any guest rooms, but you can share with Maud if you don't mind," Igneous continued, "Her room is quite spacious, she can fit an elephant in there and can still fit herself. Funny to think about actually." Trixie's head turned towards the gray earth pony. Maud stood still like a statue. Everything about the pony was gray, both physically and metaphorically. Trixie wished to barf at the site of Maud's plain dress. The expressionless pony's eyes glued to her new temporary roommate. Trixie bounced her eyes back in forth to avoid contact with Maud's. Maud slowly widen her mouth. "So....."she dryly spoke, "why are you here? You don't seem to be the kind of pony to be in a place like this." Trixie levitated her hat and placed it on her new rental bed. She plopped her bottom on the mattress. It felt as Trixie slammed herself on a boulder; the mattress lacked any form of comfort. Trixie's mind pleaded for her old bed. The purple cushion was like a puffy cloud floating in the air. Much of a difference of the hard rock that sat above her. The blue mare really desired to pout. "Well if you must know," Trixie started, "the Great and Powerful Trixie has traveled far and wide! From the bustling city of Manehatten to the aristocratic refuge of Canterlot. Hay, even to the depths of that hick town Appleloosa. Ponies of all of Equeastia adore Trixie! However, you and your siblings don't seem to appreciate the awesomeness that will have residence in your home. How unfortunate, ponies like you can't even admire when somepony great come to your plain lives." Trixie raised her nose in the air like the snooty ponies that march in Canterlot. Maud, still, stared at Trixie with little expression. "I....I think you're kinda cool actually." Shockingly, the blue one's eyes popped open like a filly just remembering she had homework due that morning of school. "Well finally a pony in these parts know when she sees an idol! Just don't try to out rank me, gray one. It would nearly be impossible for a commoner earth pony like you." Words didn't seem to smack Maud in the slightest. It's like she is a walking tank, prepared to take any bullet that is shot at her. Trixie yawned, and magically lifted the covers in the bed. She gently positioned in the bed to avoid a hard wham from the uncomfortable bed. "Trixie needs her beauty sleep, oh boring one," she yawned again. "Perhaps I can show you some tricks tomorrow if you are really dazzled by my presence." Being a unicorn comes in handy at times. Trixie magically lowered the lights of the lantern, thus shrouding the room in pure black. Trixie heard Maud rustling through her covers. "G' night....um....um" "Maud...." " Oh gracious me! Of course....Maud....good night!" Maud quickly fell into slumber. Trixie, however, slowly opened her eyes as soon as snoring became the only sound heard in the room. She studied Princess Luna's beautiful moon through the window. "So radient....wish I was as talented as Luna....." Tears slowly clogged Trixie's drowsy eyes.
Something Astonishing Celestia's sun struggles to awake Trixie's slumbering body. The snoozing mare dodges the sun princess' fury beams. She digs under the cover for dependable shelter. Groans slips out of Trixie's closed mouth as she buries herself further in her cozy bubble. Trixie has never been a fan of the morning's daily greetings. "Trix....Trix....wake up, Trix." "No! Go away, peon....." Trixie rejects. Maud Pie stands above the veiled pony. She slowly shuts her eyes, and releases a loud sigh. Her hooves raises as a horse preparing for battle. Rapidly, Maud slams her strong hooves on the mattress. Trixie bounces from the mattress and meets her welcoming destination: the wooded floor. Pain pounds her back, and the covers that once protected her helplessly lands on her face. Temper cracks his hand readying to boil Trixie's displeasure. She hurriedly shakes the covers off her red face. Both Maud's still eyes and Trixie's heated eyes clashes. "How DARE you disturb Trixie like that! Why I.....if I weren't your honored guest I would punish you without question!" "And what would my penalty be?" Maud blankly asked. A large pout blossomed Trixie's cheeks. A justifiable reasoning to punish Maud is far fetch. "She could've thought of something!" Trixie shallowly answers. "A magician as myself has tricks up her sleeves. Oh why am I am bothering to lecture a disrespectful pony like you! Hmpth!" Trixie, as always, radiantly lifts her tiny nose in the sky. Maud casually just blinks her eyes and stares at the blue pony. "Well, anyway," Maud begins, "it's time to get up. Father said to meet him outside. We're going to show you around the rock farm today. Hope you're ready. Lots of stuff to do, Trix." "And one darn thing we're gonna get straight now," Trixie barks, "is that you are forgetting the I and the E in Trixie. T-R-I-X-I-E! Trixie! Got it?" "Ah. Trix has a better ring to it though." Maud's boring words rolled Trixie's dumbfounded eyes. "Good morning, girls. Did you both rest well?" Igneous Rock's pickaxe leans against his shoulder. The tip of the ax sparkles thus blinding Trixie's groggy eyes. She carries hers with a levitation spell. Magic, again, quite handy. "Yes, father. We have," Maud answers for both herself and Trixie. "Well I hope so, because today is going to be a long one. First day of work is always the hardest day of rock farm life, Ms. Trixie. I know you love to entertain, but the only pony here you can entertain here is yourself. I presume you are the creative type, you'll figure out something." "Trixie is not a worry wart," the blue pony bursts, "she can handle any challenge that is thrown at her! Give Trixie her worst." Igneous chuckled. "Well I admire your enthusiasm. Let's just see how much of that you can keep during work. Come along, young mares." Trixie confuses the gray of Maud's coat and the rocks passing by her wondering eyes. She is used to the lavish scenery of bustling towns filled to the brim with lively townspony. The Pies' little old town is short of civilians and nearly empty of buildings with the exception of mom and pop and law based businesses. Out of all the darn places to reside...."sigh". Trixie will have to settle for a place of poverty. "Well, ladies," Igneous halts the two mares. " we have arrived. Trixie, meet your very first customer." A round, large rock looms over Trixie's wide eyes. The sight was like a filly glaring at an angry dragon. Igneous studies the blue mare's expression, silently chuckling at the scene. "Ms. Trixie! Are you intimidated?" Trixie shakes herself out of her stupor. "Wh-wha-what NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Hahahaha! The Confident and Hardworking Trixie NEVER accepts defeat by intimidation." Igneous wished he rolled his eyes. "Glad to hear that, Ms. Trixie. Here's your pickaxe. Maud, dear." Maud's eyes stilly focuses on her father's. "You know what to do, dear." Igneous walks to Maud and whispers in her ears, "Make sure she doesn't hurt herself." The elderly pony winks and strolls back to the farm house. Maud turns her head and locks her pupils to the blue mare's. Trixie wants to look away, but something about Maud's eyes were captivating like a spell. A spell that was difficult to ignore. "Ahem," Trixie mumbled quickly. " Well! So....ugh, where do we start peon ? You don't have to go easy on me. Throw Trixie your worst!!!" "...if you say so....." Maud stated bluntly. The gray pony trotted in front of the stone goliath. She places her hoof on the rock, groping the lifeless beasts skin. She slowly moved back away from the rock. "Now listen carefully, Trix," Maud states to Trixie's dismay. Trixie blasted! TRIXIE!!!!!! "This rock here is a special case. It takes a lot of strength and focus to crumble this one down. I recommend you to stand back for this one. I hate for you to get hurt during crashing." Trixie raises her eyebrows as she looks at her pickaxe and back towards Maud. "And how are you going to take down that hunk of junk without a pickaxe? That's really stupid of you to try such a feat. You're just a dumb little Earth Pony!" Maud shuts her eyes and shakes her head. A quick tiny grin comes and goes on her face. Trixie lays her eyes to the ground. Sudden beatings of her heart slowly increased. That grin.....Trixie did not know what was about that grin......but.....it was....cute. Trixie's eyes snaps back to Maud's face. Her heart's beating slows down....kind of. "Well....it's very stupid....," Trixie repeats. "You'll see. Please, I'm warning you. Stand. Back." "Hmph!" Trixie's nose peaks back up to the sky as she trots away from Maud. The rock pony glares at the giant stone. Maud slowly raises her front hooves up and down. The puzzled blue pony had no choice but to witness the awkward act. Maud's sluggish stomping shares the pattern of a musical rhythm. Maud's rhythm grows as all four hooves dance together in harmony. Pebbles on the ground vibrated due to Maud's stomping even so that Trixie felt the earth's vibration. "What in Equeastria are you do-EEK!!!" Maud leaps and drills the rock with her bare hooves. Trixie wants to take cover, but her eyes forces her to watch the scene taking place. Maud's pounding transforms the single rock to multiple pebbles. The gray mare seems unfazed by the defeated microscopic rocks plowing her face. In fact, it appears that she is enjoying it rather. Trixie is astonished. Maud Pie's hooves gently lands on the ground. The massive rock was no more. Trixie shyly approaches the Pie while her mouth openly frozen. "That....was amazing...." Trixie soothed. Maud rubs her mane. "Thank you, but it's no big deal. I always do this, but I kinda like it. It unwinds me from stress. Just a dumb thing I guess." "Dumb, that wasn't dumb. That was impressive. I don't even think unicorn magic could do such a task. I loved it Maud......" Red covers Maud's cheeks. Trixie giggles. "What? Embarrassed? Don't be. It takes a lot to entertain the Great and Powerful Trixie." The blue one's poise blossoms once again. Maud swiftly looks away from her one mare audience. Warmth ignites Maud's red cheeks. A hoof met Maud's shoulder. "You know what, let Trixie show you something magnificent." Igneous Rock returns to a queer surprise. "BEHOLD MAUD! A SCULPURE OF THE GREAT......AND POWERFUL.....TRIXIE!!!!!!!!!!!" Standing on two and raising both arms in the air, Trixie granted Maud with the rock sculpture. The stoned art piece matches the stance of the blue pony down to the tea. Maud Pie's eyes sparkles at the self portrait with a hoof covering her mouth. Art has never been part of the Pie's entertainment. Igneous from a far witness the spectacular product. He chuckles. "She has a long way to go."
Competiton!"You want ME to teach you how to sculpture!?" Trixie falls out of her performer-like attitude. "Yes," Maud answers calmly. "Our town hall holds a sculpture contest every year, I've always wanted to participate, but never seen to have the artistic ability to craft my rocks....and what you have been doing to the rocks is pretty neat....you can decline....if you want." Maud swiftly turns away from the blue pony. Red surfaced on Maud's cheeks. Trixie's eyes grows as she sucks in her lips. Witnessing the blushing Maud squeezes Trixie's heart. "I-I mean.....I am not the most artsy pony in the world but.....I am merely honored by your request. Trixie accepts!" Maud's face rapidly focuses back to Trixie. A crescent smile shines on Maud's face. The usual expressionless eyes of hers sparkles with pure delight. Trixie's cheeks fails to mask the red puffs engulfing her blue face. "We-well I am glad you have chosen me for such a fa-oh!" Maud's arms wraps around Trixie's neck. The warmth tugs at Trixie's back; she almost shivers from pure surprise and tranquility. Resistance was futile....Trixie's arm retaliates back. Two hugging ponies sit in the heart of Maud's room. "Anyhoof! Haha!" Trixie quickly releases her arms from the gray mare. She nervously brushes her mane from her left eye. "So.....when you want us to begin your session?" "Well," Maud timidly kicks her hoof as if she was trying to gently knock a golf ball in its goal, "I was hoping we could start sometime today." "Oh...oh! I mean, unless we have some work to do I don't know if that amount of training is possible." "Today is a free day, Trixie. We have all the time in the world," Maud smiles. That smile. That damn wretched smile Trixie thinks. How can a bland pony such as Maud Pie reveal the greatest smile? Trixie fights the temptation to just launch herself to Maud and peck those lips. Nothing is in her way. Trixie restrains herself greatly. "Y-yeah, I forgot that today is free. Well then, I suppose after breakfast we can began our first session." Anxiety eats Trixie's heart. "You are doing this wrong! You will never succeed at being a true performer pony!" The young Trixie Lulamoon drips her eyes to the wooden floor. Despite the lack of a true audience glazing their eyes at her, the emptiness of the auditorium still made Trixie's mind hallow. Imagine if an audience was present, but exits due to Trixie's poor performance. A horrid thought to be sure. Grandiose Lulamoon beams down at his daughter. "I can't have you honor our family's name with tricks like that. You'll make yourself and your elders look foolish! Picture this: "Trixie Lulamoon: now a grandiose laughing stock!' BAH! Can't have my name tarnish because of lackluster skills of you." Tears slides off Trixie's nose. "I am trying, father!" she yelped. "I really am!" "You don't try, Trixie. You do it! Trying is for the insecure. Doing is for the confident. Are you saying you lack the confidence of being a Lulamoon?" Trixie quickly shakes her head. "No father, I just-" "You just what? Tired? Sick? Not feeling it? Damn excuses, Trixie! You cannot get away with such words during a show." "I just need more practice that's all," Trixie spouts, "I am doing the best I can. Please father....." "That's the best you can do?" Grandiose closes his eyes and sighs. He turns and trots down the steps. "Father," Trixie calls, "where are you going?" "Away from you, Trixie. Until you can prove my worth stay out of my sight. Pack your things tonight, you're heading to your aunt's when Celestia raises her next sun. I can't have a disgrace like you living with me. For now, a life of poverty is where you belong." Trixie's mouth drops. Her wide watery eyes burns like a ray of the sun hurting your eyes. Her trembling legs pour her body to the stage floor. She curls up and weep for hours. Nopony enter the auditorium to catch the sobbing mare. "Are you okay, Trix?" Maud snaps Trixie out of her frozen stare. "You're spacing out again. I am worried." Trixie quickly waves her head. "No no no no! It's okay, I am just focusing as always. Worry not for Trixie." Maud slowly raises her left eye. "Are you sure? If you are not up for it today, I'll understand." Trixie gasps. "Please, Trixie is fine! You are so paranoid, Maud. Your greatness will be okay." "I wouldn't call it paranoia, Trix. I'm concerned. I mean, you do this space out all the time before work. Is there something you wanna talk about?" Trixie did not want to think about her childhood troubles. "Maud, please....just take Trixie's word okay?" Trixie lets out her arm. "Please." Maud sighs, and reaches for Trixie's hoof to shake. "Thank you, Maud. Now, where were we. Oh yes. Take a look at the boulder in front you. Study it hard, and analyze the structure of how you want your piece to be. Just focus. Carefully." Maud Pie shuts her eyes. Her hooves slowly began stomping the hard ground. Pebbles shivers in fear from the heavy tapping of Maud's hooves. The now alert Trixe step away from the gray mare. Maud then leaps to her prey, and mercifully attacks the boulder. The boulder reveals its fragile state by shedding the stone from its body. Trixie watch Maud whip the boulder apart. She was now the mentor, and Maud is her pupil. She never dream of teaching a pony anything. Maud lands back on the ground. She whips her hair from her eyes. "So, Trix. What do you think?" Trixie's mouth gapes at the Pinkie Pie themed sculpture, most of it was on point but some areas were crooked such as Pinkie's nose and fluffy tail. "It's a decent first start, just a little bit more practice and I think you got the gist of it, Maud. Keep trying." Maud smiles and hugs Trixie. The blue pony's heart slowly pumps as the warmth cuddles at her body. "Just keep trying, Maud. Nothing wrong with trying." After days of hustling and growing skills, the day of contest finally rears its head. The town hall is filled to the brim with ponies and the contestants veiled sculptures. The ponies speculate amongst themselves and huddle in their own little parties. Maud Pie and Trixie stand next to their hidden surprise. All the chatter rang Maud's ears causing her eyes to read the floor. "What's wrong, Maud?" Trixie places her hoof on Maud's shoulders. "You look terrified." "I am just nervous. What if nopony likes it?" "Bah! Who cares what other ponies think?" Trixie exclaims. "You are here for the fun of it. And if anypony has a problem with it, then to Tartarus with them. You are here to gain appreciators, not to see who the best sculpture is! Your audience is your real prize. And even if ponies fail to admire your glorious work, at least you tried." Maud grins. "Thanks, Trix. I hope you like the sculpture by the way. I didn't want anypony to see it yet, but I am sure you'll love it." Trixie chuckles. "I'm sure I will. It's crafted by you after all." Maud's face flourishes into red again to Trixie's delight. "All right, everypony!" one of the judge hollers. "Gather to your pieces, we are about to begin the critiquing. Please be positioned at your assigned stations." Anxiety tugs at Maud's chest, even though it seems impossible to see any form of nervousness sink out of her skin. Trixie slowly but carefully stomps her front hooves. She attempts a simple smile to shield her hungry curiousity, but the other ponies are not foolish enough to fall for such a trick. Maud and Trixie observes the other sculptures and the reactions of the audience, judges, and contestants. Both groans and awes echoes through the town hall. "Oh Maud," Trixie whispers to Maud. "It's our turn!" The judges approaches the two mares. Sweat rolls from Trixie's head. She almost peeps a little shriek when the judges arrives, but her throat restrains from shocking the critical trio. "Ms. Maud Pie," says a tall, brown female pony, "you can reveal your sculpture to the world." Maud nods, and pulls the rope from the sheets. Trixie's mouth drops. "I call this, "The Great and Powerful."' Maud's sculpture is a sheer replica of Trixie. The stoned Trixie raises her left hoof in the air like a victorious war pony. Each structure is crafted nearly perfected. The three judges analyze the sculpture then shift their eyes to Trixie. Red cheeks blossom on the blue pony's face. "Oh...," Trixie hums. The judges silently makes a decision and walk to their next contestant. Trixie's face rapidly shift to Maud's. "You did this for me?" Maud smiles. "Oh, Maudie! Oh!" Trixie places her hoof to her lips. Maud ears twitches. "Maudie?" Maud chuckles. "I like it, it's cute." "Oh...." Trixie hums once again. "We have come to a conclusion of first place, everypony!" All the ponies engulfing the town hall gather in front of the winners stand. Anticipation rose in the yells and cheers in the crowd. Trixie stomps her front hooves but only this time at rapid fire. "Oh Maud, what if this win isn't yours?" Trixie heavily breathes. Maud remains quiet. "And the winner of the Rock Sculpture Contest is........" The audience roar. Trixie's stomps increase. Maud still remains quiet. "....."The Great and Powerful" by Ms. Maud Pie!" Trixie gasps. "Wahoo!!!!" She waves her blue hooves in the air, leaps, and launches a giant hug around Maud's neck. "You won, Maudie! You won!" Maud giggles. "Even if I didn't win, me trying was enough. That's what you said." Trixie blushes. "Yeah. You're right. And just trying really paid off." A tiny tear drop surface from Trixie's eye. "It truly paid off."
