Reinventing Trixie

“Dude. Wow, seriously? That's... I mean, wow, I've never seen anything LIKE that.”

Vinyl gives Gilda a nod of agreement. “Jeez, brony, color me entirely impressed. And maybe a little jealous!”

You can't help but chuckle. “I can't even begin to say how thrilled I am with how well it came out. I can't thank you enough for all your help, Rarity.”

The unicorn gives you a broad smile. “I should thank you! Your ideas were a unique challenge, and I'm beyond thrilled that I could help you bring them into being. Jewel Glitter and Forgehoof loved the idea, and I wouldn't at all be surprised to see this kind of thing become a trend!”

“Well, if anyone asks where it came from, you can bet I'll be dropping your name and theirs.” You give the fashionista a wink, before leaning back in your chair and putting the little box back in your jacket pocket.

Gilda takes note of your expression. “Nervous?”

“Like you wouldn't believe.”

“I can understand that, dude. But... honestly? This whole thing you're setting up... it is awesome. I don't usually even go for this sort of thing, but I can't wait to see it happen!”

“Thanks, G.” You give the griffon a smile. “But still....”

“ 'But still' nothin', brony.” Vinyl raises her shades to look into your eyes. “Believe me when I tell you this- you've got nothing to worry about. Everything's gonna go just fine.”

“I'm in full agreement with Ms. Scratch, Donovan.” Rarity gives you a reassuring smile. “Such an exquisitely elegant plan could only see success! I daresay just knowing of it may have spoiled me- this is a high bar to clear!”

You chuckle. “Well, I just... I want it to be special.”

“Dude... trust me.” Gilda puts a claw on your shoulder. “It's gonna be.”

(-)

It's 8:30PM, and you're just wrapping up your performance at the Gala. The reception you've gotten was interesting- just as Twilight had warned, a lot of the upper-crust nobles had done their best to ignore your show, as well as the pre-performance crowd-mingling you've done through the evening. Not all of them, though; one in particular, Fancy Pants- a good friend of Rarity's- has proven to be very personable, and you notice that several of the other nobles seem to fall in line with his opinions as soon as he gives them.

As far as the rest of the crowd goes, though- they love it. Ever since the G3 dropped its strict “invitation only” requirements and allowed a number of tickets to be had by the public at large via contests and the like, attendance had grown... and the general “feel” of the event had gone from a hoity-toity bore- no offense to Hoity Toity, who's actually a decent pony himself once one gets past his mannerisms- to a more populist, energetic affair. And you like to think that you and Trixie have helped with that, as the attendees have told you and her quite a few times how much they enjoyed the tricks you performed in the crowd- and judging by the genuinely pleased looks all three Princesses have as they watch you finish up the act, you've had the effect they were hoping for.

“Thank you so much, Canterlot!” Trixie calls out; you've eschewed your typical microphone/speaker setup, since the stage has a magical enchantment that projects the voices of everyone on it. “This has been a wonderful experience! Good night to you all!”

You swallow an unexpected lump in your throat. It's now or never. “Trixie, wait,” you say.

She turns, her surprise plain on her face. “Donovan?”

“There's one more trick for the act.” You beckon her over to stand in front of you, so that both of you are easily visible to the audience. “This particular trick is one I've been working on for a while now. A simple one, but the results ought to be worth it.”

You reach behind her ear and make something “appear”- a small velvet box, which you bring around to show her. You actually hear her breath catch in her throat as her eyes lock on to it. “D- Donovan?” she stammers. “What...?”

You drop to a knee in front of her, holding the box up to her as you open it. Inside is what you spent three months working to design and have made- a gleaming silver ring, set with an amethyst carved perfectly into the shape of her cutie mark. Trixie's jaw drops as her eyes go as wide as you've ever seen them. “This is your part of the trick,” you tell her. “Where you transform me into the happiest man in two worlds with a single word.”

It's a wonder your heart hasn't burst out of your chest with how hard it's pounding, but you manage to speak the words you've been practicing by yourself in front of a mirror for weeks on end.

“Trixie... will you marry me?”

For a few seconds that seem to last an eternity, she's utterly speechless- and the hall has gone almost completely silent in anticipation, just like you have. Then the broadest smile crosses her lips, and tears begin to fall from her eyes as she gazes at you. “How could I possibly say anything but 'yes'?!” she declares.

You take the ring out of the box and slip it onto her horn; it fits perfectly. As you stand, she remains still for just a moment, trembling, sniffling, fighting back tears, and then-

poomf

-she's in your arms with a flash of blue-white light, hugging you tightly, and you swing her around a couple of times. “Trixie!” you exclaim. “Did you just teleport?!”

She blinks in shock. “Did I?” she asks. “I... I wasn't even trying, I just wanted to hold you....” She shakes her head after a moment. “I can think about that later,” she decides, brushing her cheek against yours before turning her head to look out at the audience. Only now do you realize that they're applauding- even the haughty nobles who were doing their best to ignore you before are at least giving you polite hoofstomps. Everyone else, though, is grinning and stomping or clapping... including the Princesses, especially Cadence, who's giving you the most approving look you've ever seen from a pony. You know you've done well with a marriage proposal when you impress an alicorn Princess of Love.

As you and Trixie wave to the audience in thanks, she leans her head near yours to whisper in your ear. “Beatrix Marie Trellis... I think that has a nice ring to it. How about you?”

You can't help but chuckle, even as you hug her tighter against you. “I'm okay with that.”

-END-