Hammock for Two

Fireworks.

That was Trixie's favorite part.

They were particularly notable at this time of year—when the crisp, cool air of the far-northern reaches of Equestria seemed to bring all of time itself to an otherwise quiet standstill. The glare of the bright motes of light reflected off the snow, the ice, and even glinting off the Crystal Empire's infrastructure itself, visible in the distance, as color after color burst forth in a cacophony of light and sound. She gazed out across the crowd as her crafted spectacle burst forth.

Each pop--each wow--each gasp of awe reminded her of why she got into this line of work in the first place: to entertain.

Great and Powerful.

That was how she wanted to be remembered. Up until recently, it had carried a different meaning. But now it meant giving her customers the best she could possibly give. That kind of joy was something she was only starting to remember. But that wasn't her goal right now—this month's roadtrip of holiday-themed performances wasn't about Trixie. It was about trying to understand the spirit of Hearthswarming.

The fireworks finally stopped—to an uproarious applause. "Thank you!" Trixie said, a beaming smile on her face. She took a few bows, facing a different portion of the audience each time. "Trixie will be back next year!" she declared.
Appreciation hailed down upon her stage; applause and shouts, certainly, but also material things. Some of it valuable—the only thing that let her continue from one town to the next. It beat working back at the rock farms...

After some time, the crowd had dispersed and Trixie's admirers—mostly excited foals—had stopped interrupting her. She took the opportunity to rifle through the offerings as she collapsed her portable stage, loading it back onto the sides of her wagon. If she didn't stay at an inn tonight, there was enough bits to buy a gift for Hearthswarming--she didn't know who it would be for, but she felt like giving a gift to a friend might be the secret sauce of Hearthwarming that she was missing. Unfortunately, her spirits were starting to feel dampened. It was far too late: Hearthswarming was tomorrow.

Nevermind finding a place open that would sell a gift on the big day itself, even if she could buy it, there was no way to get it all the way to Ponyville on time. Still, Trixie wasn't one to give up! She was determined to try in spite of it all. A late gift was better than no gift at all. And above all, Trixie was not a quitter. And really, if she could buy a gift anywhere... it would be the Crystal Empire. Surely somewhere would be still open for business and selling gifts for last-minute shoppers like herself.

Trixie finished packing her wagon—it was dark, but this far north, dark didn't necessarily mean late. She had plenty of time, and if she started early, perhaps... perhaps she could catch a train from the capital immediately after her performance the next day? She wasn't slave to a performance schedule--her art tended to be more... spontaneous and impromptu. She would probably have to skip a meal or two just for the train ticket, and leaving her wagon behind for a day would be rough, but could she make it back to Ponyville before the day ended if she was quick about it. Probably.

The only way to find out, of course, was to try. And so, hitching a lantern to the front of her wagon for light, the Great and Powerful Trixie headed out the city's gates and onto the road meandering north through the arboreal tundra. Destination: The Imperial Capital of the Crystal Empire.