If there was one way to put Twilight Sparkle into a good mood, it was to surround her with machinery. Old or new, simple or extravagant, few things made her happier than to be around massive amounts of gadgets and gizmos. And today, that was exactly what she was getting. Working at the electronics store, right in the heart of the Canterlot Mall, the former Crystal Prep girl had a genuine look of joy about her as she set to her work. She made sure all of the store's products were where they needed to be, she guaranteed that the customers she received were given all the advice and help they were needed, and all-in-all the store was better for her being there. After all, efficiency was her bread and butter, and when you added technology to that mix, what could have been more fun for her? However, she had been working at that store for some hours today when, of course, another customer could soon be heard entering the place. Twilight, who had been setting up one of the display computers, could hear this person approaching, and so, after adjusting her glasses slightly, she turned, smiling.
"Welcome to the store! How may I...Trixie?"
The young scientist had the right of it, as Canterlot High's resident amateur magician was indeed entering the store. She appeared to have something of a flippant look about her, walking about with a nonchalant way, looking over computer after computer, before finally turning to look to Twilight herself.
"Oh, hello there, Twilight. Been working here long?"
Blinking, Twilight raised an eyebrow.
"Um...yes? For some time now, actually."
Trixie nodded, turning her gaze yet again to the various products around her. She made her way further into the store, all while Twilight watched her.
"Is...is there something I can help you with?"
Trixie turned to her again.
"Hmm? Oh, it's nothing, really. It's just...well..."
Then, she struck a pose, sweeping aside some of her light-blue hair and putting on one of her trademark look of confidence.
"...the Great and Powerful Trixie..."
Suddenly, her bravado slipped a bit, and she gave a somewhat nervous cough.
"...um...may be in need of some...technical expertise?"
Twilight, naturally, was a little taken aback by this.
"You...want me to help you with something in particular?"
Letting out a grunt of irritation, Trixie took a step forward.
"Look, my band and I got together over the weekend."
Twilight nodded.
"Oh, the...Illusions, right?"
Trixie smiled.
“Ah, I hear you've heard of us. Our reputation precedes it, it would seem."
Twilight smiled back.
"Rainbow mentioned it to me. She said you were pretty good during the Battle of the Bands before I arrived."
Trixie snapped her fingers.
"Oh, yes, that's right! You weren't there yet, were you?"
Twilight shook her head, prompting Trixie to continue.
"Well, long story short, my band and I decided we wanted to make a music video and post it online. The only problem is...well..."
She paused, looking around herself, as though worried somebody might arrive onto the scene and hear her.
"...none of us are very good at...you know...making that kind of stuff."
She then shrugged her shoulders.
"Truth be told, we don't even know of the computer we have is even good for that sort of thing."
Twilight nodded.
"I see."
She pondered that situation for a moment, then looked back to Trixie.
"What kind of computer do you have, if I may ask?"
Reaching into her pocket, Trixie pulled out what appeared to be a paper instruction booklet, handing it to Twilight.
"This was the instruction manual when I got the thing."
Taking it, Twilight narrowed her eyes as she gazed upon the tiny text in front of her. Then, her eyes widened.
"Trixie...not to put too fine a point on it...but if this is the computer you're using, then there's no chance that you can make proper videos with it!"
Trixie grunted.
"I knew it!"
Soon after, however, Twilight resumed her earlier smile.
"Not to worry. My friends and I can probably help you with it if you..."
But, she was halted by a raised hand from Trixie.
"Ah, ah, ah! I appreciate your offer, Twilight, but Trixie will do this herself. It'll feel more...um...what's the word?"
Twilight considered that.
"...Rewarding?"
Trixie's smile widened.
"Yes, that’s it!"
She placed her hands upon her hips.
"What I truly need right now is some new hardware. Something that can do exactly what I need to make my music video as impressive as possible!"
Twilight nodded, then turned, gesturing to a small computer right on the counter where they were standing near.
"Well, we just got this model in last week. It's the latest graphical technology. A full-on HKY five-thousand series!"
She squealed with glee.
"Have you ever seen anything quite as impressive in a regular computer store before?"
Unfortunately, Trixie, who clearly wasn't as tech-savvy or as in-love with machines as Twilight was, merely nodded, forcing a smile.
"Um...yes. It certainly looks...nice?"
But, Twilight was able to pick up on that pretty quickly, and so let out a sigh.
"It's a good computer and it'll do what you need."
To that, Trixie returned to her smile.
"Now that’s what I like to hear! How much?"
Twilight pointed to the edge of the counter, wherein the price of the aforementioned computer was indeed displayed. Trixie leaned forward, squinting slightly to get a better look at it, only for her eyes to then widen considerably.
"...Ah."
Standing tall again, she looked to Twilight with some hesitation.
"Do you...um...have anything that might..."
But Twilight finished her words for her.
"You're working with a budget?"
Trixie nodded, answering her, and so Twilight, giving a nod of her own to show understanding, stepped back slightly, pointing to another model of computer that was right next to the first one.
"How about this?"
Trixie too stepped forward, looking to the price of that second computer. When she was done, she looked to Twilight, shaking her head. As before, Twilight stepped back, pointing to a third computer. And this went on for some time, with Trixie rejecting computer after computer, no matter how much the price dropped. In the end, Twilight simply sighed.
"You know what...I'll just go to the cheapest one."
And so she did, going all the way to the end of the shelf, with Trixie close behind her. There, there was a computer smaller and much older-looking than all the others, and Twilight soon began to talk about it.
"In truth, we were planning on clearing this one out. It's our oldest model and, well, it's not exactly a cool brand anymore, whatever that means these days."
Trixie, looking to the thing, took to asking the obvious question.
"Will it make my video?"
Twilight nodded.
"It has pretty much the same features as the others. Not as up-to-date, but it'll do it."
Trixie considered that for about five seconds, before smiling and reaching out her hand.
"Deal!"
Twilight, though she knew that was coming, still gave a sigh and a smile, accepting the hand and shaking it.
"So, will that be card or cash today?"
Trixie opened her mouth to speak, only to stop when, all of a sudden, she was struck with a look of realisation. She started patting herself down frantically for the better part of a minute, all while Twilight watched. Then, at the end of it, the magician chuckled nervously.
"You know...I just knew I'd forgotten something when I left home.
Twilight, understanding, let out yet another sigh.
"I'll...hold it back for you until you get back."
Smiling to that, Trixie turned, beginning to rush out of the door, while Twilight shook her head slightly and began to pick up the chosen computer. But, just as she was heading to the counter to get it stored away for later, she stopped when she heard Trixie called back.
"Twilight?"
The spectacled girl looked to her.
"Yeah?"
Trixie's face softened, and she smiled to her.
"...Thanks."
Slowly, Twilight smiled back.
"...You're welcome...o' Great and Powerful Trixie."
To that, Trixie smirked a little.
"Oh...I do so love it when other people say that!"
