Matter of Pride

“No capes?! Oh, I’ll show her!” The power blue maned unicorn stormed down schools hall in a fiery rage. “Who does she think she is! Too flashy? Too flashy?! She wouldn’t know flash if it bit her tail!”

“Fail me? Fail Trixie?! She wants substance? Practicability?” all was quiet spare the heavy clacking of hooves echoing the school corridors and the occasional gasp from onlookers. Trixie’s class mates knew better then to try to talk her out of one of her moods, she was a mare on a mission. No power alive or otherwise could stop her now, Celestia herself might think twice about dealing with Trixie in this state.

The headmistress’s door burst open with a great buck from the angry mare. “Ms. Trixie! I was lucky enough to be warned of your arrival. You noticed I unlocked the door, and in good foresight I see. You owe the school enough bits as it is, I wouldn’t want to make you pay for a new door as well. Lovely cape you have there dear.” Trixie’s eyes narrowed even further, “Headmistress Lionheart! This is ridiculous!”

“I agree my dear. A grown mare storming about the school halls like a spoiled filly, striking fear into the hearts of her peers and abusing school property. Ridiculous, absolutely.” Mrs. Lionheart was known to be no a nonsense, down to earth, and above all brave mare. Her simple desk job here was like running the gauntlet daily, no one that entered this school took their classes lightly. This was Princess Celestia's school for gifted unicorns after all. The egos ran high here, and few ran higher than Trixie’s.

“She failed me, Mrs. Lionheart. Failed me.” Trixie tried her best to sound as if she had simmered down; she figured she might be able to talk her way out this situation if she played her cards right.

Mrs. Lionheart sighed opening a folder that lay on her desk “Ms. Trixie… I don’t think you understa-“ . “No! It’s her that doesn’t understand! Do you know why I was accepted to this school Headmistress? Because I am a gifted unicorn. This IS Celestia’s school for gifted unicorns, is it not?”

“Miss Trixie, I would appreciate it if you would reframe from interrupting me.” Mrs. Lionheart’s eyes turned compassionate to flat anger, Trixie recoiled. “Miss Trixie, I will say this once, and I will not repeat. So I suggest you calm down and listen before I personally escort you from the building.”

Trixie had much respect for Mrs. Lionheart, her ability and the manner that she carried her self reminded her of her late mother. She was indeed very powerful, and her experience spoke volumes. Trixie, no matter how upset, respected Lionheart a great deal in her own way.

“Mrs. Sunbeam has her reasons to have held you back Trixie. It says in your report that you were difficult in class and would routinely disobey orders.” She frowned, eyeing Trixie carefully. “Her orders were degrading! It’s like I had returned to magic kindergarden! She treated me like a child! Trixie will not take part in a class that refuses to recognize her ability.”

“Trixie… You have potential, that is for certain. But Mrs. Sunbeam is right; You focus far too much on flash and theatrics rather than practical magic. You are indeed powerful, Trixie, it’s in your blood. You were the apple of your mother’s eye, she knew you were destined for greatness, but sadly Trixie this school is not your stage.”

Trixie shrank at mention of her mother. Mrs. Lionheart wasn’t bringing her up to get under Trixie’s skin, she had been around ever since Trixie could remember. A family friend, and aunt figure to Trixie, she knew the sting of that terrible day just as well as anyone in the family. Trixie and Lionheart’s relationship was a close one, but this was business. If Trixie had to, she was sure she would be able to stay with Lionheart for some time. But getting her back into the class she had failed? Not in this lifetime. Behind that desk, she is all business.

“Headmistress, please.” The flame had died, Trixie sounded like an injured child. “Not my stage? Because I can put on a show I am being held back? This school meant a lot to my mother. How would she feel If she knew I…” Trixie held back tears.

“I truly am sorry dear… Maybe you can come back sometime, but you can’t continue study this year. It’s already been decided.” Lionheart paused, gently meeting Trixie’s eye. “Your mother would be proud, I’m certain. You are a beautiful young mare with your whole life ahead of you. You can fix your mistakes with time, or carve an entirely new path. You have her sense of pride and determination; there is nothing you can’t do.” Mrs. Lionheart closed the folder and filed it away. “Trixie, get some rest. You are a mess dear, you need to calm down. Don’t let this break you.”

“Yes. I’m sorry … It’s not your fault. Trixie has acted out of line.” All of Trixie’s former strength failed her. It all she had just to turn to the door and leave.
Tears begin to stream down her face as she faces away Mrs. Lionheart.

“I’m sorry mommy…I’ll make you proud. You’ll see.”