Twists, Turns, Scars, and Steel

On her next day off from her job at the bakery, Trixie sat in her bed, bouncing a ball off of the wall and catching it. Whenever it fell short or landed elsewhere, she used her horn to pick it up and resume bouncing. It was something she had done countless times when she still had her cart, but back then, it was because it was raining, and it was all she could really do in her cramped cart. Now, all it was was a task that was a vain attempt to distract herself from her thoughts.

She had long ago admitted to herself that Vexillum was somepony who she wouldn't mind being at the very least good friends with. He was kind, unintentionally funny, and was generally more accepting of her quirks than some of the other Pryhans. And yet, if what he said was true, he didn't feel the same.

Her lethargic misery turned to mild anger. She had dropped so many hints, and yet he didn't pick up on one! Not to mention he wasn't even willing to give it a shot.

That anger turned back to sullen silence. She supposed it wasn't her place to make friends with everyone, and it was far from her place to tell someone like him what to do. Besides, it didn't matter. She had a job, and she was on the path to citizenship.

She was interrupted from her thoughts by a knock on the door. She tossed the ball into the empty waste bin by the door. As the thing rattled around inside, she stood up and made her way over to the door. She opened it, expecting Pryhan soldiers or maybe her landlord, not at all expecting a massive three-direction hug.

When she finally got the wall of mane out of her face, she took note of who it was that was hugging her. "Mom!? Dads!?"

Sure enough, Jack Pot, her biological father, stepped back and flashed her his well-known stage grin. He said, "How is my little filly doing?"

"F-fine", Trixie stuttered. "But, what are you doing here?"

"What? Is it a crime to check up on you?", Moonbeam asked.

Trixie bit back a tear, smiling and shaking her head. "No, no it's not. Come in Welcome to the Great and Powerful Trixie's new abode!"

She led the three ponies into her apartment's main room, the three of them looking around before settling on the basic furniture in the center of the room. Big Bucks slid a tin-foil covered tray onto the low living room table while her other father asked, "So, how has Pryha been treating you? Bet it can't stand up to Las Pegasus."

"Oh, it's actually quite a nice city", Trixie said, heading into the kitchen. "The people are friendly, most things aren't too expensive, and the only major problem is, well... I'm still not the best at the language."

Big Bucks said, "It certainly isn't the worst place you could've settled. I mean, Yakyakistan exists." When everyone looked at him, he sat down in one of the chairs and spread his hooves. "What? I'm not a specist. It's cold as Tartarus!"

"Ok, yeah", Moonbeam chuckled. "That's fair. Anyway, how have you been personally, Trix?"

Trixie stopped while looking around the chiller-box and sighed. "I've been fine. Finally breaking back into the show business after working at a bakery for a few months. You want water or grape juice?"

"Got any wine?", Big Bucks asked. "I heard these guys make great wine!"

"It's not even two, Bucky", Jack Pot teased.

Big Bucks said, "Hey. When in Pryha, do as the Pryhans do."

"Pryhans don't actually drink that much", Trixie said. "That's just a stereotype. And, no, I don't have any wine."

"Grape juice then", Big Bucks said. "It's close enough."

"Just water", Moonbeam said.

"Me too", Jack Pot said.

Trixie poured the drinks they requested, floating them over to them and pulling over a chair for herself. "So, I mean, is there any specific reason you all came here?", she asked.

"Well, me and your other father were looking for an anniversary vacation", Jack Pot said. "We talked to your mother about potential places, and she suggested we hit two birds with one stone and check up on you."

"Are you planning on crashing with me?", Trixie asked, remembering some of her father's scams and cons from when she was younger. "Because I don't have much room, and I still have a job."

"Oh, no, don't worry", Big Bucks said. "We've got a hotel room, and are planning on looking at some of the local landmarks and stuff."

"Then why are you here?", Trixie asked her mom.

Moonbeam said, "Well, a few reasons. One, I still want to check up on my daughter. Is that wrong?"

"No", Trixie said.

"Two, I heard Pryhan bathhouses are amazing", Moonbeam said.

Trixie smiled, remembering the time she had gone into one... during a meeting with Vexillum. She frowned and said sullenly, "Yeah. They are pretty great."

The three of them stopped smiling and looked over at her, concern written over their faces. Jack Pot asked, "Are you ok, Trixie?"

"I-", Trixie began, only to be interrupted by another knock on the door.

All of them looked over, and Trixie once again stood up to answer it. At the door, she was greeted by Vexillum, wearing a simple tunic and crusher cap, stepping from hoof to hoof nervously. He stiffened when he saw her answer the door and said, "Eh... Salve, Trixie."

Trixie, somewhat taken aback by his appearance, asked, "Vexillum? What are you doing here?"

"May I come in?", he asked. "I... I need to talk to you."

Trixie looked behind her at her parents, who were, in turn, trying to look past her at whoever was at the door. She asked, "Can this wait? I kinda have company over."

"I-I mean it can", he stuttered. "But, I think it's really important. I, I just need to talk to you about something."

Trixie looked back at her parents, asking, "Uh, can I have some alone time? I just need to talk to Vexillum here."

"Uh, yeah", Moonbeam said. "Sure."

"Why, what do you need to talk about?", Big Bucks asked, standing up and looking past Trixie at Vexillum.

Trixie said, "Me and him just need to work out some things. Come on, Vex."

Trixie headed over to her room, Vexillum following behind her. Trixie's parents watched Vexillum with curiosity, and the stallion looked straight ahead, sweat on his face.

As soon as Trixie closed the door to her room behind her, Vexillum removed his hat and put it down on the edge of her bed. Trixie asked, "S-so. W-why are you here?"

"Just a few things about last week", he said. "A few things. First of all, you dropped your payment." He pulled out a wad of script, placing it on her bed next to his hat.

Trixie, not even really remembering the money, said, "Oh, thank you. Is that it?"

"N-no", he said. "That is my second point, actually. Namely, how I acted. It, it was far from professional, and I apologize."

Trixie said, "That's fine. Now, if that's all...?"

"Just one more thing", Vexillum said. "About our relationship."

Trixie looked at him in confusion, asking, "Relationship?"

"Well, as I said, my family is rather traditional", he explained, a fresh layer of sweat on his coat. "And, a part of that tradition is not marrying or fraternizing non-citizens or doing anything like that. And, well... I suppose that the best way to get around that is to make sure you become a citizen, no?"

Trixie stopped at his words. She asked, "S-so you're saying...?"

"I-I'd like to take you up on your offer. If, that is, you'd be willing to now", he said, a smile gracing his face.

Trixie fixed him with her own smile, replying, "The Great and Powerful Trixie accepts your apology, and is more than willing to go out with you."

"A date, then?", he asked.

Trixie said, "If you wish. Now, would you care to meet my parents?"

"You will have to translate for me. But, otherwise, it would be my pleasure", Vexillum said, grabbing and putting back on his hat and opened the door for her.

She walked back into the main room and was greeted by the sight of her parents chatting away. "Ah, Trix", Jack Pot asked. "Now, would you mind telling us what all this was about, and who this is."

"He was just here to deliver my payment for that show I told you all about", Trixie said. "And, as for who he is? This is Aeterna Vexillum... my coltfriend."