Trixie’s belly growled.

“Is Trixie hungry?”

Strapped tightly in the holding construction, she looked up at me, her lower lip trembling.

“How do you feel about carrots? Do you like them?”

She only slightly nodded.

“Good. You see, even though the stick”—I hovered up my scepter— “proved very enlightening for you, a balanced lesson also involves a carrot. You’ll have a chance to earn it. Now, doesn’t that make you glad?”

The light glittered in her eyes as she looked up at me.

“I’ll get you some water tomorrow. That way, you’ll have a metaphorical carrot with your real punishment. The latter you’ll get for free, but the former you’ll have to earn. If you prove yourself to be an extra good pony, I’ll even get you some hay. The non-metaphorical kind. Aren’t you glad to have a pony like me to care for the nuisance that you are?” I lit up my horn and glanced at my scepter.

“I’m very glad?”

“Good.” I cut off my magic.

“Er… ”

“What?”

“Could I, um, perhaps bother you for a glass of water before tomorrow? I’m really thirsty.”

“No. It starts with a glass of water and ends up with me wrapped in slimy tongue tentacles.”

“Umm, whaa...”

“The answer is no! I want you cured, not spoiled.”

“Okay… ”

“But tell you what, Trixie, I can provide you with some more of my own moisture if you beg me for it.

“I’ll pass...”

“Yeah, I know you will. I’ve got my fill for today so you had zero chances, to begin with, but I was kind of hoping to see you beg. Oh well, there’ll be plenty of that in the future, anyway.”

She silently growled.

“I know it’s hard on you Trixie because I’m not giving you enough attention, but things will only get worse. You see, I’m going to have to leave you for the night. It’s getting late, and I still want to make a journal entry.”

A sigh was all she uttered.

“You’re right, you do deserve more attention than I’m giving you. By the power of collaboration, I can extend my stay with you. Let’s write my journal entry together. That way we can spend some more quality time each other. What do you want to commemorate from today?“

“Absolutely nothing.” She hugged her tail. “I only write positive things in my secret personal journal.”

“You mean the one I found under the floorboards in your wagon? The one I copied and sent to every library in Equestria?”

“Wait, you did what?”

“I titled it: ‘Self-delusions of a mad-mare by Trixie Lulamoon’”.

She gasped, but no words came out of her mouth. Her cheeks turned ever more reddish.

“Fine, I’ll start, and you just jump in if you have anything to add, okay?

Dear journal,

Trixie came today. She was so delighted to see me that she jumped straight into me as soon as she entered the Rainbow Kingdom Friendship Castle.

At some point, we seemed to be at an impasse, but we managed to work out our differences.

Trixie enjoyed it so much at my castle that she had no choice but to prolong her stay.

I tried to play a grateful host and offered her the biggest room in the castle for the duration of her vacation.

She only came recently, and we’re already almost like sisters. She borrows my clothes to wear, and I even gave her my necklace. We’re really bonding.

During the day we read, ate, played some games, learned about friendship. Oh, the joy! I felt we were getting really close to one another. She felt our connection deeply as well, I can certainly attest to that.

I’ve already planned what we’ll be doing tomorrow. We’ll probably run out of time again, and we won’t be able to do all the fun things I planned, but I’m sure I’ll be persuasive enough to convince her to stay with me for more than just one day.

Also, I’ll need to speak with Spike. Trixie made him upset. I’m going to have a long talk about kindness with her tomorrow.”

Trixie thumped a hoof against the ground. Her body swayed left and right.

“You weren’t much help, but I managed to solo it. You really should learn how to cooperate more. I’ll add this subject to tomorrow’s endurance lessons.

So, Trixie, how do you like my company so far?”

“You’re teaching me a lot. I think I am becoming a better pony with every lesson you bestow onto me. But I think I would need some time alone to, em, think about it all.”

“I’m very pleased to hear that. You’ll have a whole night alone to think. I promise I won’t disturb you in that period.”

“Thank you, Twilight.” She smiled and nodded maniacally. “That’s all I need; one night alone without supervision.” She grinned. “I really appreciate that you’re willing to give me some privacy.”

“I know you do.” I nodded back at her. “Before I let you be, however, we have some business to attend to. Are you ready for this?”

She cocked her head and raised both eyebrows.

Author's Note

Don't forget to participate in the Comment section minigame when you're done reading this chapter.