Rainbow Dash wasn’t the best at telling when somepony was trouble – she would be the first to admit that about herself. Usually by the time she would notice that somepony was having some sort of problem, it would be far too late and helping them would become a major difficulty.

But when the loudest and proudest pony she knew was staring at her bowl of oatmeal in complete silence for fifteen minutes and not reacting immediately to her ‘glorious mane’ falling into the bowl, even Rainbow Dash could tell that something was up.

Unfortunately, talking to ponies about their problems wasn’t Rainbow’s department. That was more the type of thing that Applejack or Twilight would do. But what of her other friends? Rainbow Dash mulled it over.

‘I guess Fluttershy would try to ask what’s up, but then back down when Trixie gives her the evil eye. Pinkie Pie would… do something crazy. Rarity’d take her to the spa…’ Whilst Rainbow Dash wasn’t particularly interested in visiting the spa, an idea crossed her mind.

“Hey,” Rainbow Dash called out. Trixie only nodded her head in response. “You wanna go do something? Like bowling, or checking out my new moves or something?”

“Sounds good,” Trixie said flatly. Rainbow Dash waved a hoof in front of Trixie’s eyes, still receiving no response. She then tried to clap her forehooves together next to Trixie’s ear. This seemed to snap the showmare out of it as she jumped with a start. “W-What?!”

“What’s with you?” Rainbow asked in a slightly-annoyed tone.

“Nothing,” Trixie answered quickly, using her magic to lift her spoon out of her bowl. “Why would think that something’s wrong with Trixie?”

“‘Cause you’re about to eat your hair?” Trixie stopped the spoon just short of her mouth and examined it, finding that her mane was mixed with the oatmeal on it. “C’mon, what’s up?”

“It’s nothing,” Trixie repeated, placing the spoon down and gagging as she brought a napkin up to her mane. “Trixie is merely still tired after last night’s activities, that is all.”

“… Well, I guess we did kinda go to sleep at like three in the morning,” Rainbow Dash admitted with a sly grin.

“Trixie will have to borrow your shower in a few minutes,” Trixie said as she picked up her spoon again and resumed eating her breakfast.

“Yeah, sure. Just don’t take too long. The bowling alley has a special offer if you visit in the morning.”

“Bowling alley?” Trixie asked with a confused look.

“I just asked if you wanted to do something later, like bowling. You said yeah.”

“Oh, yes! Of course.”

Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes as she watched Trixie picking up the pace and averting her eyes as she continued to eat. ‘She’s hiding something. I just know it.’

“The Great and Powerful Trixie shall make use of your shower now, then,” Trixie announced as she placed her finished bowl down onto Rainbow’s table.

“Hm? Ah, sure.” Trixie walked past Rainbow Dash and into the direction of Rainbow’s bathroom, leaving the blue Pegasus on her own as she sighed and resumed her own breakfast. ‘Well, maybe she is just tired. A little fun today should snap her out of it.’

After her shower, Trixie followed Rainbow Dash out of her cloud house and, after some initial refusal, finally gave in and allowed Rainbow Dash to carry her to the ground as opposed to ‘simply’ giving Trixie a lift on her back.

When they had touched down, Trixie decided that they needed to make some kind of arrangement for that. “Your house is too high in the first place,” Trixie argued. “It’s a safety hazard.”

“Only if you don’t have wings,” Rainbow Dash countered. “Or if you don’t use a cloud-walking spell.”

“What if the spell suddenly wears off because Trixie spends too long up there?” Trixie asked. “It’s dangerous. You need to bring it lower.”

“Do you realise how hard it is to move a cloud that big?”

“Based on its size and its structure, about ten? Eight if the Pegasi are strong enough.”

“Six, actually,” Rainbow corrected with a proud grin. “The Pegasi in this town are pretty strong. Anyway, what’ve you got against me flyin’ ya down? Does the Great and Powerful Trixie have stage fright?”

“Perhaps the Great and Powerful Trixie simply doesn’t want her mane to become roughed up,” Trixie returned. “If you really don’t want Trixie to ride on your back, then we could always purchase a chariot and-”

“I’m not pulling you around on a chariot,” Rainbow Dash immediately told her in a flat tone. “No. Way.”

Trixie huffed and turned her head. “You’re impossible.”

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. ‘Besides, chariots don’t come cheap y’know? Not the good ones, at least.’ Rainbow noticed Trixie staring off into space as she continued walking beside her. She stretched out a wing to poke Trixie’s side, exacting a start from the mare.

“Are we there yet?” Trixie asked, taking a breath to calm down.

“Just a few streets down,” Rainbow told her. “So, you any good at bowling?”

A smile crossed Trixie’s face. “Once, the Great and Powerful Trixie performed in a grand tournament, one held exclusively for nobles. They had invited Trixie as a special VIP after witnessing her spectacular skill and grace.”

“Did you win?” Rainbow asked. Trixie’s smile fell and she simply continued to walk, her pace picking up a little bit. “You lost, didn’t you?”

“The game was rigged from the start!” Trixie shouted. “Those filthy nobles wouldn’t be able to live if they had lost to a pony whose name held no value, so they made sure that Trixie finished last.”

“Uh-huh.” Rainbow nodded her head, more out of obligation than actually believing the showmare’s story. She picked up her pace to match Trixie’s and noticed eyes staring into nothing again as she grew quiet. Before she could think of something else to say, a voice called out to the two of them.

“Why if it isn’t Ponyville’s newest couple of sweethearts.” Rainbow’s ears pinned back against the sides of her head and she frowned as she stopped and turned to the source of the voice: Rarity. “Out for a morning stroll together? Oh, you two are just so darling together!”

“Don’t mind her,” Applejack said as she stopped beside Rarity, tipping her hat to Trixie. “Mornin’ you two. Ye’re out a lil’ early. Dash usually sleeps in ‘til noon when she’s not workin’.”

“Rainbow Dash suggested that we go bowling,” Trixie said.

“Bowlin’?” Applejack asked with a raised eyebrow.

“And Trixie apparently agreed to it,” Trixie continued.

“‘Apparently’?” Rarity asked. “Well, in any case, it’s nice that we happened to bump into each other this morning.”

“Still doesn’t explain why ye’re out an’ about this early,” Applejack said.

“Dash said that the bowling alley has a discount if you visit in the morning,” Trixie explained.

“Applejack, come now,” Rarity said, leaning against Applejack’s neck and nuzzling it gently. “Love means you make compromises. You recall how many times I cut down my beauty sleep on account of your own schedule.”

“Yet ya still won’t lemme into our room ‘til ah wash mah hooves to the point they sparkle,” Applejack deadpanned.

“In any case, young love does not sleep in,” Rarity explained with a blissful smile directed at Trixie and Rainbow Dash. “Oh, how I wish I could relive the early days of our own love. All the dates, the late-night talks, the excitement that rushed through my body every time we kissed-”

“Okay, we get it!” Rainbow Dash shouted, gagging and shuddering at the romantic notions coming from the Unicorn’s mouth. “We’re not quite as lame as you two, though. We don’t do cheesy romance, ain’t that right?”

Trixie replied by leaning her head against Rainbow’s shoulder and moving her body closer, causing the Pegasus to blush as her wings slowly opened up. “But Dashie, Trixie was hoping that we could spend some time by the lakeside and watch some fireworks together later tonight.”

Rarity giggled at the display, whilst Applejack gave Rainbow Dash a competitive grin. “Oh, you think we’re ‘lame’, do ya?”

“… Maybe,” Rainbow said as she nudged Trixie away. The showmare ended her act as she paid Applejack some attention. “What of it?”

“Well then, ah’d say this calls for a lil’ friendly competition.”

“What’d you have in mind?” Rainbow asked, returning the grin as a fire sparked in her eyes.

“You two’re goin’ bowlin’, right? How ‘bout we join ya an’ see which couple does the best?”

Rarity gasped and clapped her forehooves together in excitement. “A double-date! Oh, this is simply wonderful! We haven’t double-dated since that time with your brother and Cheerilee!” Rarity leaned forward and whispered, “And she was such a stick in the mud the entire time, saying it was too embarrassing with her brother there.”

“Well excuse me fer feelin’ uncomfortable on a date with mah brother an’ Apple Bloom’s teacher there!” Applejack turned back to Rainbow Dash. “So how ‘bout it? You game?”

Rainbow Dash raised her hoof and spit into, Applejack doing the same moments after. They bumped their spit-covered hooves together. Rarity and Trixie cringed and shook their heads at the expectant looks that the two gave them.

“Are they always this…” Trixie struggled to find the correct word.

“Uncouth?” Rarity suggested. “They have their moments.” Rarity shot a glare towards Applejack. “I expect you’ll be washing that hoof before putting it anywhere near me.”

Applejack’s ears drooped as she muttered, “Yes, ma’am.”

Rainbow Dash made a whipping motion with her tail, before turning to Trixie and being caught off guard by her glare. “The same goes for you,” Trixie said. “The Great and Powerful Trixie will not have something so disgusting tarnishing her freshly-washed coat.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Rainbow muttered. The four walked together down the road, heading through the streets of Ponyville as a group. “Didn’t mind it last night,” Rainbow added in a quiet voice.

“What was that?” Applejack asked.

“Nothing!” Trixie insisted, her face red as she shot a glare at Rainbow Dash, who was whistling innocently beside her. “She is simply trying to incur Trixie’s wrath. Just keep moving.”

At the bowling alley, things were starting to heat up in lane seven as the battle between two teams began. Team ‘TrixDash’, which consisted of Trixie and Rainbow Dash, and took seven minutes to form due to the two arguing over whose name would be first, were up against team ‘RariJack’, consisting of Rarity and Applejack.

The rules were set. One full game, where the two scores of each pony in a team were added together, and the losing team would have to do what the winning team told them to. The only reason that Rarity agreed to this term was because she was confident in Applejack’s strength – having been carried by her many times before across puddles and small streams – but she realised her mistake when Rainbow Dash stepped up to start things off: bowling was a game of not just strength, but precision and patience.

Rainbow Dash lay her ball down and crouched down at the red line at the end of the lane, closing one eye and grinning as she determined the perfect angle for a strike. “Heh. I got this.” Rainbow Dash picked up her ball and bowled it down the lane, turning around and sticking her tongue out at the competition.

“Maybe you should keep your eye on the ball,” Trixie suggested. “That won’t be a strike.”

“What?!” Rainbow Dash asked as she turned around, catching her ball knocking over all but the three rightmost pins. “No way!”

“There’s more ta bowlin’ than jus’ getting’ the trajectory,” Applejack told Rainbow Dash. “Ya gotta use the right weight ball, too.”

Rarity breathed a sigh of relief. She was worried that Rainbow Dash, being a weather pony – a job that required accuracy, precision, and a keen eye – would be a force to be reckoned with. But with the extra variable of the balls weight, plus the added factor that they were playing a grounded sport, she felt at ease once more.

“Man, this sucks,” Rainbow complained as she looked at the balls available to her. “How do I know which weight is right?”

“Trial and error,” Trixie told her. “Unless you can run all of the calculations off the top of your head, but Trixie suspects you’re not that bright,” she added in a teasing tone.

“Ugh. Now I remember why I haven’t done this more often.” Rainbow Dash picked out a ball at random and approached the lane, sweat dripping down her head as she wondered how much spin she should put on her ball.

“You done much bowlin’ before?” Applejack asked Trixie. “Ah played a bit back in school, but now-a-days ah’ve got too much goin’ on down at the farm.”

“The bowling alleys in Canterlot were far too expensive for Trixie to enter,” Trixie told them. “Not only did you have to admission fees, but you were required to supply your own ball and wear some fancy horseshoes at all times.”

“But you’re a travelling pony, aren’t you?” Rarity asked. “Have you not visited any alleys on your journeys?”

“There was one time,” Trixie said. Rarity nodded her head, requesting that she go on. “There were a pair of con artists, pretending to be amateurs and challenging ponies to games with money on the line. Then they showed their true colours and made off with all the bits.”

“That’s low,” Applejack commented, a disgusted look on her face.

“Now, this was back when Trixie had first started travelling. Her old roommate had a gig in Manechester and so Trixie decided to check it out. The two of us played the guys at their own game and Trixie made a bet they couldn’t refuse.”

“So ya pretended ta play bad at first, then trounced ‘em teach ‘em a lesson?” Applejack asked.

“Not quite,” Trixie replied. “Keep in mind that Trixie had never bowled before in her life. Instead, Trixie challenged only one of them, and her partner Scratch used her knowledge of sound and vibrations to… give Trixie an edge.”

“You mean you cheated?” Rarity asked.

“It wasn’t the score that mattered in that game,” Trixie said. “It was cornering them into a frightening spot. All Trixie had to do was act confident and merciless as she continued to score strike and strike, and by the end of the game the two would think twice before swindling ponies again. And it worked like a charm, too.”

“What happened to the two after they lost?” Applejack asked.

“They split, no pun intended,” Trixie answered. “As for the money, Scratch took it to pay back all of their victims. It was pretty fun.”

“But basically,” Rainbow Dash said as she joined the four, having returned from scoring a spare, “You’re still a total newb at this game?”

“A newb flowing with natural talent,” Trixie corrected, leaning over to kiss Rainbow Dash on the cheek, catching the Pegasus by surprise.

“W-What was-”

“If you get a strike next time,” Trixie whispered into Rainbow’s ear, “The next one’ll be on the lips.”

Rainbow’s eyes widened, and her blood started to flow faster. Trixie grinned, seeing her motivational tactic working well.

“Ah guess ah’m up then,” Applejack said as she rose from her seat. “Lemme show ya how it’s done,” she boasted to Rainbow Dash.

“I just hope your sister didn’t get her skills from you,” Rainbow retorted. She had heard from Scootaloo how Apple Bloom’s attempts at earning a bowling Cutie Mark had gone, and quite frankly part of her would like to have seen it for herself.

“I’m afraid you have no chance here, you two,” Rarity told her two opponents. “I massage Applejack’s muscles every day, and quite frankly, I don’t think either of you can match up.”

“Don’t tell ‘em that!” Applejack shouted as she picked up her ball, carrying it towards the red line with seemingly no trouble at all.

“Whilst her muscles may be impressive-” Trixie began, earning a nudge from Rainbow Dash. “Well they are! Don’t get jealous now, Dashie.”

“I’m not jealous,” Rainbow told her. “I just don’t think you need to go checkin’ out other mares when you’ve already got me. Especially not my friends.”

“Trixie was merely making an observation,” Trixie said. “Anyway, Trixie was about to explain that magical strength trumps physical strength. And as you cannot see magic with the naked eye, you cannot make any assumptions until you’ve seen Trixie’s skills for yourself.”

“Darn it!” The three turned to see Applejack blushing at her outburst. Behind the farmer, a lone pin was standing at the end of the lane, in the left-hoof corner.

“Ooh! Too bad,” Rainbow Dash taunted, earning a scowl from Applejack.

“Not to worry, Applejack,” Rarity encouraged. “It’s still early. We can still win this.”

Trixie leaned back into her seat as she watched Applejack step up to the line and wait for the mechanism at the end of the lane to lift back up. ‘Here I am taking it easy when I should be preparing for my battle against Melody. The problem lies in Melody’s musical capabilities. Sound is a dangerous force, because it can make the listener feel things they’ve never felt before.’

“Trixie,” Rainbow Dash called out.

Trixie nodded her head and put a hoof to her chin. “Trixie?” Rarity asked. Trixie gasped as she remembered where she was and rose her head to find the other three looking at her. “Is something wrong?”

“Hm? Oh, not at all!” Trixie quickly rose to her hooves and approached the lane, seeing that her turn had come up. “Trixie was merely preparing herself, that’s all.”

“Well, time ta show us what ya got,” Applejack said with a smile as she sat down beside Rarity, watching as Trixie picked up a ball with her magic and approached the lane.

“… Hey, you guys?” Rainbow Dash asked in a hushed voice as she leaned forwards.

‘Let’s see,’ Trixie thought as she stopped at the red line. ‘Based on the minimal air resistance in here and the weight of ball, and the amount of spin I intend to put on, then the optimal angle should be…’ Trixie licked her lips and bowled the ball, watching as it curved towards the centre… and then continued to curve into the gutter. ‘… Right. The floor itself has special properties. This is bad.’

“Trixie’s been actin’ weird?” Applejack asked, receiving a nod from Rainbow Dash. “In what way?”

“She’s been all quiet,” Rainbow told her.

“that is weird,” Rarity agreed.

“And she keeps staring at nothing, like she’s thinking about something really hard.”

“What did she say when ya asked her?” Applejack asked.

“She said there’s nothing wrong.”

“… An’ ya jus’ left it at that?” Applejack asked. “Ya didn’t point out her behaviour or press her until she spoke?”

“I’m not good at stuff like talking about problems,” Rainbow Dash said. “And besides, she just said she was tired, so I figured taking her out to do something fun would wake her up, but…”

“Maybe she doesn’t mean that she’s tired then,” Rarity suggested. “Maybe she’s exhausted, but not in the sense that she wants to sleep.”

“What do you mean?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Well, think about what she went through last night,” Rarity told her. “Perhaps what she needs isn’t sleep or an activity to wake her up. A nice, refreshing visit to the spa should work simply wonders!”

“I was afraid you would suggest that,” Rainbow said with a sigh, “But I guess it’s worth a shot… Maybe you’re right. Maybe she just needs to unwind. But I don’t really-”

“Don’t worry,” Rarity said, sensing Rainbow’s concerns. “We’ll accompany you.”

“We will?” Applejack asked.

“Of course,” Rarity answered. “This double-date isn’t over just yet. And besides, the spa is the perfect place for us to get to know her better, don’t you think?”

“Well, that could have gone better,” Trixie said as she approached the group, who immediately pulled away from their huddle and looked up at the scoreboard.

“Eight?” Rainbow asked, giving Trixie a sly grin. “What happened to ‘newb with natural talent’?”

“She’s still here,” Trixie said as she took her seat. “Remember: trial and error.”

“Ye’re up, Rarity,” Applejack said. “G’luck.”

“I will do my best,” Rarity said as she got up, turning around and walking away from the lane. The group watched in confusion as Rarity approached the reception desk, exchanging some words with the pony on the other side. The pony gave her something. It was a special sock for her to wear over her hoof, with a certain emblem on it in the shape of a diamond.

Rarity came back to the group, a grin on her face as she approached the balls. “Oh, by the way, I came here a a lot as a filly with my father,” Rarity said as she examined the balls one at a time, finally settling on one in particular.

“She has her own bowling guard,” Trixie pointed out, receiving a nod from an equally-surprised Rainbow Dash.

“Good luck!” a voice called out two lanes over. The four mares turned to see two mares – one a pik Unicorn, the other a white Pegasus – and one pink Earth Pony filly standing two lanes over, each one wearing a sock similar to Rarity’s.

“Oh, they’re here too!” Rarity waved back to the purple mare waving towards her.

“Amethyst Star, Diamond Rose, and Diamond Tiara?” Applejack asked as she looked over at the group.

“She has her own team,” Rainbow Dash pointed out. Trixie nodded.

Rarity stepped up to the red line. “Go, go, Diamond Cutters, STRIKE!” her teammates chanted from two lanes over as Rarity gauged the angle, licked her lips, and bowled the ball into a graceful strike.

Flicking her mane she turned around, Rarity walked back towards her stunned friends and took a seat besides Applejack. “Rainbow Dash, I do believe that you are up next.”

Applejack grinned and wrapped her foreleg around Rarity. “Well, ah can’t say that didn’t take me by surprise.” Applejack put her hoof underneath Rarity’s chin and leaned in to kiss her. As she pulled back, she said, “But ah’m likin’ this new side of ya.”

“My father always wanted a colt,” Rarity explained. “Unfortunately for him, this was the one sport I was willing partake in, as it didn’t involve my coat becoming filthy.”

“I think we might be in trouble,” Rainbow Dash said as she unsteadily rose to her hooves.

“Now now, do try to relax,” Rarity said. “Oh, Trixie. How do you feel about paying a visit to our local spa after our match?”

“The spa?” Trixie asked, putting a hoof to her chin. “… Well, Trixie already took a shower this morning, but I suppose that a visit to the spa is always a fine way to unwind.”

“Then it’s settled,” Rarity declared as she leaned against Applejack.

Rainbow Dash groaned but gave in as she approached the lane. ‘This is totally backfiring on me,’ she thought to herself as she grabbed a ball at random, dropping it almost immediately beside her hoof and jumping back with a start. She heard a giggle behind her, and turned around to find Trixie stifling her laughter. ‘… Well, maybe it’s not too bad.’

Picking up the ball again, Rainbow approached the lane and remembered Trixie’s little motivational offer for scoring a strike.

“Somehow, we ended up tying,” Rainbow Dash muttered to herself. She was sitting inside one of the Ponyville Spa’s many bathtubs with Applejack, staring down at the warm water that smelled like apple cider with a frown on her face. ‘This isn’t actually so bad, but I can’t let them know I think that.’

“You still on ‘bout that?” Applejack asked, shifting her hoof to splash some water into Rainbow’s face. Rainbow Dash splashed back, and the two were interrupted by a loud cough Aloe, one of the spa managers who was busy tending to Trixie’s hooves off to the side. Her sister Lotus was tending to Rarity’s mane beside Trixie.

“Oops.” Rainbow Dash smiled sheepishly as she rested her back against the side of the bathtub. “Eheheh… Sorry ‘bout that.”

“Honestly,” Rarity said, “No matter how many times I bring her here, Applejack still has to act like such a foal. She can’t sit still for three minutes.”

“Well ‘scuse me fer wantin’ ta have a lil’ fun as opposed ta jus’ sittin’ ‘round, soakin’ in water while y’all get yer coat an’ mane all prettied up.”

“There are plenty of ways to have fun,” Rarity told her.

“Ah’m not much into all that gossip stuff,” Applejack said. “Now back at the farm, when Apple Bloom an’ ah took our baths together and we had our lil’ splash fights, that was fun!”

“Bathtime is not supposed to be playtime,” Rarity said. “I expect such behaviour from Sweetie Belle, not from a grown mare like you.”

“But Rarity,” Applejack said with a grin, “We ‘play’ all the time in our tub back home.”

Rarity’s eyes almost bulged out of their sockets and she blushed intensely. “L-Let’s change the subject!”

“Why?” Trixie asked. “Trixie thought you loved talking about gossip.”

“Well, I know much better gossip!” Rarity said. “Such as the time that Applejack joined me for a dinner with Fancypants, and she confused the water that she was supposed to wash her hooves in with ‘free drinking water’.”

Trixie, and even Rainbow Dash, both chuckled at that, whilst Applejack furrowed her brow at Rarity. “Well how ‘bout the time y’all showed up for mah cousin’s rodeo in that froufrou getup of yours an’ complained when it got all dirty?”

“Nopony told me that we would be sitting at the front, in the splash zone!” Rarity defended. “Let us not forget the time that you fell into a vat of apple cider and showed up to dinner with my relative completely drunk!”

“Trixie thinks we have a winner!” Trixie turned her full attention to Rarity.

“Oh, it was simply dreadful!” Rarity put a hoof over her forehead as she recalled the night’s events. “She threw out all of the fruit that weren’t apples, convinced my niece and my nephew that we are just cartoons that only exist for six to eight months out of the year, and practically hit on my parents!”

Rainbow Dash could barely control her laughter, holding onto the side of the tub so that she didn’t slip and fall into the water whilst she was still laughing. Applejack herself was hiding half of her head underwater, wishing she had her hat on to hide the other half.

“Wow, Applejack,” Rainbow said as she wiped a tear from her eye. “I knew you were a fun drunk, but-”

“Shut up,” Applejack muttered as she rose out of the water. “It’s not like ah’m the only one ta show up to a fancy dinner party drunk.”

“What d’you-” Rainbow stopped and turned to Rarity, whose face now donned an expression of worry. “Y-You don’t mean-”

“Eeyup,” Applejack said, a victorious grin back on her face as she reclaimed some ground. “Some fancy dinner party she dragged me to up in Canterlot, about her new clothin’ line or somethin’, but wouldn’t ya know it? She lost her latest design sketch an’ went crazy tryin’ ta find it. When she couldn’t, she tried ta calm herself down with ‘a lil’ drink’.”

“What happened next?” Trixie asked.

“Well, let’s jus’ say that that night, she certainly wasn’t a ‘proper lady’. Quite frankly, she’s lucky ah was there, ‘else her tongue woulda been of Blueblood’s mouth fer weeks.”

“BLUEBLOOD?!” Rainbow Dash shouted, holding onto her stomach as she fell backwards with laughter. “That guy?! Really?!”

Rarity whimpered and turned her head in shame and embarrassment. “At least I kept my clothes on during my night of shame!”

“Doesn’t really make much of a difference when we don’t normally wear clothes ta begin with,” Applejack pointed out. Her attention turned to Trixie. “Alright, yer turn,” she said. “We told you ours, now you tell us one of your drunken shame moments.”

Trixie simply chuckled at the request and turned onto her front as she motioned for Aloe to begin massaging her back. “Sorry, but I’m afraid that is a story for special audiences only.”

“Your marefriend doesn’t count as special?” Rainbow Dash asked.

Trixie looked up into Rainbow’s eyes, which proved to be a mistake. After making eye contact, she found it much harder to refuse her request. “… To be honest, Trixie doesn’t remember much about it,” Trixie began, “But when you wake up by the Canterlot Falls with your head in wheel and an orange cone on your head, then it’s probably a good thing you don’t remember.”

“An orange cone?” Applejack asked. “What’s that?”

“No idea. But it was there when Trixie woke up. As for how Trixie got out of that accursed wheel…” Trixie gasped as she thought about that time. ‘I could use a variation of that spell! No, it’s too old-fashioned. Melody’s not just some countryside heckler. She’s a student from Celestia’s School, which means I have to go all out…’

Rainbow Dash’s smile fell as she found Trixie staring off into space again, mumbling something to herself as she lost all focus for everything around her. “Hey, Trixie?” No response came. “Trixie!”

“What?!” Trixie jumped and turned back to Rainbow Dash. “Oh. Um, you’ll all have to excuse Trixie. She’s feeling lightheaded, and would like to get some air.”

“Would you like me to accompany you?” Aloe asked, but Trixie shook her head and as climbed off of her massage table.

“No need. Trixie can take care of herself.”

The mares all watched in silence as Trixie made her way across the room, using her magic to wrap a towel around her mane and her lower half, and exited through the door on the other side.

“See what I mean?” Rainbow Dash asked as soon as the door was closed.

“Yes,” Rarity said, “I believe I understand, now.”

“She was definitely actin’ mighty odd,” Applejack said. “But she was doin’ jus’ fine ‘til then. What happened?”

“I don’t know!” Rainbow Dash said, groaning and leaning back against the side of the bathtub. “I really have no clue…”

“Then maybe y’all should try talkin’ with her about it,” Applejack said. “She is yer marefriend, after all.”

“Perhaps she’s still feeling unwelcome in our town,” Aloe suggested. “I know the feeling. When our spa was set up, there was much public concern about the services that we offered. Many believed we dabbled in quite questionable acts.”

“It was thanks to Miss Rarity that our business was able to be saved from bankruptcy,” Lotus added with a smile. “It was certainly a difficult time, though, feeling the mistrust of the entire town on our shoulders.”

“Oh! I know!” Aloe ran out of the room, returning a few moments later with a flier in her mouth. She spat it out onto the now-empty massage table, and Rarity leaned over to see what it was. “The town hall holds a bingo tournament every week, and today just happens to be the day it is held! Perhaps you might consider taking her? It is a great way to meet the ponies in this town.”

“Bingo?” Rainbow asked. “That’s kind of slow and boring.”

“Ah think it’s a great idea,” Applejack said. “We could all go together an’ have a blast, an’ maybe help ease some o’ the tension between Trixie and the townsfolk.”

“It’s in the late-afternoon,” Rarity pointed out. “In the meantime, we could try something else to see if we can help Trixie to feel better.”

A growl came from somewhere in the room. Everypony turned to Rainbow Dash, who was grinning sheepishly as she held her hooves over her stomach. “Well, I think we’ve sat around in water long enough,” she said as she climbed out of the tub. “Let’s go get some lunch. Maybe she’ll feel better on a full stomach.”

“It is around that time,” Applejack said as she followed Rainbow Dash out of the tub, looking over expectantly at Rarity.

“Oh, fine,” Rarity gave in with a sigh. “I knew we should have stopped at Fluttershy’s and invited her along…”

At the nearby restaurant just around the corner to the Ponyville Spa, the four mares had ordered their meals and were sat around one table outside, enjoying their lunches in the bright, warm weather that Ponyville was experiencing that day.

The four were sitting in an uncomfortable silence as they ate. Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash were focussing on Trixie, who was eating her sandwich slowly whilst staring blankly at it.

“Say something,” Applejack whispered to Rainbow Dash.

“Like what?” Rainbow asked. Between being focussed on her own lunch and being generally unsure of what to say in situations like this, Rainbow Dash was at a complete loss for words.

“Trixie,” Rarity called out. Trixie responded by raising her head. “I was wondering, what exactly do you like about Rainbow Dash?”

“What kinda question’s that?” Rainbow asked.

“I’m just curious,” Rarity said. “I’m interested in what exactly it is that Trixie herself sees in you, that’s all.”

“What Trixie sees in Dash?” Trixie asked. “Well, that’s…” Trixie lowered her half-eaten sandwich down onto her plate as she thought about it. “That’s a good question,” she said, “But Trixie isn’t sure if she can answer it to the degree you’re looking for.”

“Jus’ simplify it, then,” Applejack said. “Tell us what features ya like best ‘bout her, an’ what sets her apart from other mares.”

“Well for one,” Trixie said quickly, “She doesn’t spend her time mocking Trixie or defacing her home.”

Rarity gave an uneasy laugh. “Well, that’s certainly an important quality in a marefriend, to be sure…”

“But really,” Trixie continued, “Dash took Trixie by surprise. Trixie thought she had our kind all figured out. We form communities with others, whether they be in the form of towns, exclusive clubs for the rich, or even petty street gangs. Those communities stick to their own kind, and those without anywhere to go have to fend for themselves.

“But when Trixie was fighting a hopeless battle against the entire world, Dash stepped in and joined Trixie’s side.” Trixie turned to Rainbow Dash, who gave a proud smile at the story. “And it wasn’t a trick, nor did she wind up betraying me when she saw how large our foe was. She stuck by Trixie’s side, and has continued to do so.”

“Rainbow Dash always sides with the underdog,” Applejack told her. “Well, after her friends and family.”

“Dash’s looks may only be above average-”

“Hey!” Rainbow protested.

“And her personality may take some getting used to-”

“Coming from you?” Rainbow asked.

“But…” Trixie smiled at Rainbow Dash. “… She helped Trixie. She showed Trixie that not all ponies are her enemy. And most importantly, she was the first pony in a long time that Trixie has felt she can trust, and Trixie wants to continue trusting her forever.”

“That’s so sweet,” Rarity said, a wide smile crossing her face. “When did you realise it was love you were feeling?”

“Trixie wasn’t sure at first,” Trixie admitted. “Trixie just didn’t want Dash to leave her side, but from the time we’ve spent together so far… Well, Trixie has never been happier. It certainly feels like love. And it seems Dash doesn’t want Trixie to leave, either.”

“How so?” Rarity asked.

Trixie grinned, and answered, “Well, whenever we wake up together, it’s quite hard for Trixie to slip out of Dash’s hold without waking her.”

“Awwww,” Applejack said, turning to the blushing Rainbow Dash. “Ah didn’t take ya fer the snugglin’ type, Rainbow Dash.”

“I-It’s only because she keeps taking all of the bed sheet!” Rainbow Dash said. “I have to stay close or else I’ll get cold!”

“So to put it simply,” Rarity said, “You fell for Rainbow Dash’s loyalty? Her most charming aspect, if I do say so myself.”

“I bet my coolness had somethin’ to with it, too,” Rainbow said, stretching her forelegs in front of herself. “She must’ve been blown away by my sweet moves in the air.”

“Your ‘coolness’ was simply an added bonus,” Trixie replied, picking up her sandwich and resuming her lunch.

Applejack motioned for Rainbow Dash to lean forward. “Hey,” she whispered, “Maybe y’all should talk to her now. About why she’s been actin’ off today.”

“I don’t know…” Rainbow Dash whispered back.

“Ya gotta ask her if ya wanna help her,” Applejack told Rainbow Dash. “If ya need some privacy, ah can pull Rarity aside fer a moment.”

Before Rainbow Dash could respond, Rarity gasped, drawing everypony’s attention to her. “I just thought of something great we could all do together!”

“A hot air balloon ride,” Rainbow Dash said in a flat tone as she peered over the edge of the basket, looking down at the fields beneath them. “Why?”

“Oh, come now, Rainbow Dash,” Rarity said, leaning against Applejack as she stared off into the distance at the mountains outside of Ponyville. “You may be able to see this every day, but for those of us who remain grounded, this view is simply to die for.”

“Even then,” Applejack said, “Y’all probably fly so fast ya don’t even take the time ta ‘ppreciate the view itself.”

“I appreciated it plenty,” Rainbow said, “As a filly.”

“I’ve been meaning to drag Applejack along to a flight for a long time now, since our last one was back when we had only just started dating,” Rarity explained. “It just seemed like it would be a nice memory for the four of us to experience this beautiful scenery together.”

“It was a great idea,” Applejack said, wrapping a foreleg around Rarity to bring her closer towards herself.

Rainbow Dash simply stared off into the distance as she leaned on the edge of the basket with a bored look on her face. She glanced to her side to find that Trixie was also staring off silently into the distance. Her expression was a mix between peaceful and concerned. It was as if Trixie was trying to enjoy the sight, but that something was stopping her.

A yawn behind Rainbow Dash prompted the Pegasus to turn around. She found Applejack and Rarity sitting down with the backs to the side of the basket, Rarity snuggled up against Applejack’s chest and in the farmer’s forelegs whilst Applejack’s hat covered her eyes. Their chests were raising up-and-down peacefully.

Rainbow Dash decided that now was probably the best time, but she was still unsure of what exactly to say as she turned back to face Trixie. “… Uh… Nice view, huh?” Trixie nodded. “Of course, it’s better when you’re actually flying, as opposed to just drifting like this slow thing is doing.”

“It not bad,” Trixie said as she continued to stare off into the distance.

“… Alright, level with me, Trix,” Rainbow said, grabbing Trixie’s shoulder and spinning her so that their eyes met, “What’s goin’ on?”

Trixie blinked and tilted her head to the side. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t play dumb with me,” Rainbow Dash said, making Trixie flinch. “You said earlier that you trust me. That what you like about me most is that I stuck up for you without betraying you. Well, if you trust me so much, then you shouldn’t have any problem telling me what’s got you so worried.”

“Dash, I-”

“Tell me, Trixie,” Rainbow Dash insisted. “Just… tell me already! I gotta know, or else I’m gonna be the one who can’t stop worryin’!”

Trixie stared into Rainbow’s strong, determined eyes. There was no getting around this, the showmare deduced. No talking Rainbow Dash out of it, and no dodging the bullet. Trixie sighed.

“First of all, you can’t tell anypony else.” Rainbow Dash nodded her head. “Alright… This may sound a little farfetched, but it is the truth.”

“I’m listenin’,” Rainbow Dash said.

“You see,” Trixie began, “There is a pony that Trixie knew from her school days. Well, not knew particularly well, mind you. Trixie just happened to have encountered her before. This same pony has challenged Trixie to a sort of contest. A contest of showmareship.”

“What? When?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Soon. That’s why Trixie has decided to stay behind for a little while longer. Trixie was simply going over her strategy for how to defeat her, that is all.”

“… That’s all?” Rainbow Dash asked. “There’s nothing else? ‘Cause I don’t quite believe that…”

Trixie bit her lip. ‘I guess… I can tell her… I can trust her, after all.’ “Well,” Trixie continue, “This pony has expressed a certain condition. The condition being that if Trixie refuses to show up, then the entire town will be… The town will pay the price.”

“What?!” Rainbow Dash shouted. “That’s… And you were just going to keep that all to yourself?!”

“Trixie had no intention of running away,” Trixie said. “Besides, it would have done little good. If news of this reached the Royal Guard, then Melody would attack anyway. Melody is able to control animals using some form of hypnotism, so Trixie is likely being monitored as we speak.” Trixie eyes shifted towards the same flock of birds that had been flying alongside their hot air balloon since they had taken off.

“Even so,” Rainbow Dash said, “We can’t just let her get away with that!”

“We won’t,” Trixie said. “The Great and Powerful Trixie is going to defeat her during her challenge, and then she will leave with her head hanging in shame. And… this may be able to help Trixie rebuild her career.” Trixie shook her head. “No. Even without that in mind, Trixie cannot turn down this challenge. It has been so long since Trixie has had anypony to compete with… And she misses the feeling.”

Rainbow Dash saw the smile spread across Trixie’s face. She recognised it as being the same smile Gilda wore whenever somepony picked a fight with her, or that Lightning Dust had whenever Spitfire gave the two of them an advanced challenge. It was also the same smile that Rainbow Dash herself had probably worn her entire life, whenever presented with an obstacle course that nopony thought she could take.

“Is there any guarantee this isn’t a trap?” Rainbow asked.

“Trixie cannot remember Melody well,” Trixie said, “But she could have killed Trixie at the time that she issued the challenge. Well, she could have tried, at least,” Trixie added, flicking her mane. “The fact that she issued the challenge in the first place means, despite having nothing to gain from a mare who’s hit rock-bottom, means that this is simply a means for her to test her skills against me.”

“But if she loses, won’t she just attack the town in a fit of rage?”

“If that happens, then we will deal with it,” Trixie said. “Until then, it’s not like we have much choice but to cooperate with her demands, right?”

“… I guess you’re right,” Rainbow Dash said. “Just be careful, alright?”

“You are aware of who you are speaking to, right?” Trixie asked with a grin.

“I am,” Rainbow said. “You’re reckless and a hothead, like me. But this mare sounds like trouble, and I can’t have my marefriend coming back to me in a body bag.”

“… Trixie will keep that in mind,” Trixie said.

“And I’m glad,” Rainbow Dash continued, “That it wasn’t anything serious. I mean, I thought you were worried about the townsponies, or feeling sick and were too proud to tell me or something.”

“You were worried about Trixie?” Trixie asked, taking a step closer to Rainbow Dash and lidding her eyes seductively.

Rainbow Dash blushed and took a step back. “W-Well, maybe ‘worry’ is a bit of a strong word. I was just a teeny-tiny bit concerned, that’s all.”

“You were feeling down because you thought that Trixie was down?” Trixie asked, leaning forward and nuzzling Rainbow’s neck, rubbing the top of her head against the underside of Rainbow Dash’s chin. “Trixie apologises for that, but appreciates your ‘concern’.”

Rainbow Dash gulped as Trixie pulled back, gazing deeply into her eyes and slowly moving forward a little bit, stopping short of Rainbow’s face. “A-And just so you know, you don’t have to do this alone,” Rainbow said. Trixie looked at her quizzically. “If things get too rough for you, or if they start to look bad, you know I’ll be there to help you at any time, right?”

“… Of course,” Trixie said, her tone expressing the sudden surprise she was feeling as she took a step back. Now it was Rainbow’s turn to turn on the charm, reaching her forehooves forward and grabbing a hold of Trixie’s shoulders, leaning forward one inch before stopping, deciding to tease the showmare a little as punishment for making her worry earlier.

“Kiss her already,” Applejack said, startling the two mares and causing them both to jump back. Applejack couldn’t help but laugh.

“Applejack, you ruined it!” Rarity complained, thrusting a hoof against Applejack’s foreleg. “That was one of the sweetest things I have ever seen or heard from Rainbow Dash, but now the moment is destroyed.”

“Y-You two were awake?” Rainbow asked.

“We sure were,” Applejack said. “Ah figured ya wouldn’t talk ta Trixie unless ya felt like y’had some privacy, so ah asked Rarity ta play along fer a bit. Sorry ‘bout that.”

“Though I have to say, that was rather sweet of you, Rainbow Dash,” Rarity added. “And it’s not just her,” she said to Trixie, “But the two of us, as well, who shall be by your side at any moment. And the others too, of course, so don’t hesitate to call out to us if your ever feel cornered.”

“Of course, we won’t tell anypony ‘bout this mare fer now,” Applejack said, rising to her hooves and helping Rarity up. “Unless things start lookin’ bad, that is. In return, don’t scare Rainbow Dash like that again, alright?”

“Hah! Who was scared?!” Rainbow Dash asked. “It old you, I was just curious, that was all!”

“I could have sworn you said the word ‘concerned’,” Rarity retorted with a chuckle.

“Well you heard wrong!” Rainbow Dash said. “How much longer is this stupid balloon ride going to take? This is way too slow!”

“Trixie will try to keep in mind that Dash is a sensitive sort,” Trixie said, ignoring Rainbow’s attempted change in topic.

“Sensitive?!”

“She’s very precious to us,” Rarity said, reaching a hoof and tugging at Rainbow’s cheek. “We would hate for her to be feeling down.”

“You guys suck!” Rainbow Dash shouted as she batted Rarity’s hoof away and retreated to a safe corner in the basket, turning her back to the laughing mares as she sulked over the edge of the basket. ‘Darn it! I try to be supportive and caring, and this is what I get!’

“Hey,” Trixie whispered as she approached Rainbow Dash from behind and leaned over close to her ear, “Thanks for asking. It actually felt good to talk about my problems to somepony for once.”

“… Well, I’m just glad you’re feeling better,” Rainbow said as she wrapped a wing around Trixie. “Moping around and lookin’ all emo doesn’t suit you.”

“We’re nearing the landing pad,” Rarity announced as she looked over the edge of the basket. “Oh. I do believe that bingo tournament that Aloe mentioned will be starting in fifteen minutes. Sounds like it might be fun, right?”

“Sounds like it might be boring,” Rainbow Dash responded.

“Says here the prize is one hundred bits,” Applejack said as she read from the flier that was given to her by Aloe.

Rainbow’s ears twitched. “… Welllll, I guess if you guys want to go so badly…”

“Dash,” Trixie said, “You have bit coins for eyes right now.”

“Hey, you could use that money to fix up your trailer, right?” Rainbow suggested.

Trixie hummed in thought and then nodded her head. “You raise a valid point.”

“Ah think that settles it then,” Applejack said. “So, same teams as earlier?”

“I think we should switch it up a little bit,” Rarity said.

“How so?”

‘Team Unicorn’ was written across the top of one bingo sheet, set on the table before Rarity and Trixie, both of whom were sat opposite of their opposing team.

‘Team Awesome’ was scribbled across the top of the bingo sheet laid out in front of Rainbow Dash and Applejack. Applejack had agreed to let Rainbow Dash pick out the team name as long as it was kept to something short and simple.

“So, it’s the Unicorns versus the awesomes,” Rainbow Dash said.

“Clearly you are not aware that Unicorn is the superior race,” Trixie retorted with a harrumph.

“Now now, guys,” Applejack said. “Let’s try ta keep this nice an’-”

“You two are goin’ down!” Rainbow Dash challenged, her pen at the ready as she waited for the game to begin.

“The Great and Powerful Trixie will have you on your knees by the end of the evening!” Trixie declared.

“… You two are aware that bingo is all luck-based, correct?” Rarity asked.

“Trixie’s luck is stronger than anypony else’s!” Trixie boasted.

“I dunno,” Applejack said. “Rainbow Dash ‘ere once crashed into a barn at full-speed, yet she didn’t break a single bone in her body. That seems pretty lucky if’n ya ask me.”

“In any case,” Rarity said, “Let us not forget why we are here.”

Trixie raised an eyebrow in confusion. “To play bingo?”

“We thought this might be a good way ta help ya settle into the community,” Applejack explained. “Lotsa folk are gathered here tonight. This’s a good chance t’get ta know some ponies.”

“Well that doesn’t sound very likely,” Trixie said with a roll of her eyes.

“Don’t give up before y’even start puttin’ the barn together,” Applejack told her. “Ponyville’s full of nice ponies. Y’jus’ have ta give ‘em a chance.”

“Uh, except those two,” Rainbow Dash said as she pointed towards two teenage mares chatting in the distance. “Those two are kinda hopeless.”

“But Cheerilee’s nice,” Applejack said as she pointed behind Trixie. Trixie and Rarity turned around to see two purple Earth Pony mares sitting behind them. “Howdy Cheerilee!”

The two mares turned around, and one of them smiled and waved back at the group. “Why hello there Applejack. And Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and…”

“Trixie,” Trixie told her. “The Great and-”

“Powerful,” Cheerilee finished. “Yes, I remember you.” Trixie’s ears fell against the sides of her head. “My two students, Snips and Snails, have really come a long way in their studies thanks to you.”

Trixie’s ears perked back up again, though certainly not at the mention of the two colts’ names. “Thanks to me?”

“Oh yes. They say that they want to become just as great as you are, so they’re working extra hard to make it happen. Their grades are still a bit lacking, but they’ve certainly been making progress, that’s for sure.”

“Let’s just hope they don’t try to enslave our town in the future,” the mare sitting beside Cheerilee jeered. Cheerilee nudged the mare with a disapproving look on her face. “What? She totally did that, remember?”

“Yet she’s here now, and all we are doing is playing a nice game of bingo,” Cheerilee said. “Why not just leave it at that, Berry Punch?”

“Easy for you to say. You weren’t forced to squash grapes into wine without any rest and with a whip constantly reminding you to speed up for almost a whole day!”

“You made her do that?” Rarity asked, her voice shaking a little bit.

Trixie remained silent as she looked into the mare’s glaring eyes.

“That was some time ago, wasn’t it?” a voice beside Berry Punch said. Everypony turned to see two donkeys, one male and one female, sitting to the side. It was the male one, with the tall blonde wig, that had spoke. “Word is she wasn’t in her right frame of mind back then.”

“So what? It doesn’t change what she did,” Berry Punch argued.

“No, it doesn’t. But where will holding a grudge get you? I’ve been to a lot of places in my time, met a lot of ponies, and let me tell you, I’ve seen a lot of decent folk fall victim to circumstance and commit horrific actions out of either desperation or tragic misunderstandings.”

“What are you saying?” Berry Punch asked. “That we should just forget what she did?”

“I think what Cranky’s saying,” Cheerilee said, “Is that we should forget what Trixie did, but merely look past it, and see her for who she is now.”

“Right,” Cranky said with a nod. “She’s not possessed by that amulet anymore, so why try to make an enemy out of her? Why try to fight with her when you could be having fun with her?”

Berry Punch turned back to Trixie, who was doing her best to stay strong under the mare’s judging glare. “… I don’t know if I can-”

“Why don’t you do the usual, then?” Cheerilee suggested, reaching down into the bag besides Berry Punch and pulling out a bottle of wine and two wine glasses. “You made up with Time Turner this way, right?”

Berry Punch took the glasses quickly and offered one to Trixie, who grabbed a hold of it with her magic despite not quite understanding what was going on. Cheerilee opened the bottle and poured out two equal portions of wine, one for Berry Punch, and one for Trixie.

“OnetwothreeGO!” Berry Punch shouted, tilting her head back and downing her glass of wine quickly.

Trixie was still confused, and quickly looked behind herself for confirmation. She saw the other three mares nod towards her, and turned back to Berry Punch as she downed her own glass.

“And it’s settled!” Cheerilee announced as soon as Trixie was finished.

“Alright!” Berry Punch said as she grinned and swung a foreleg around Trixie. “I guess I can give ya another chance! Anypony who appreciates a fine glass of wine’s gotta be an okay pony in my books!”

“Um… thanks?” Trixie said.

“See?” Rarity said as soon as Berry Punch released Trixie, allowing her to rejoin her friends. “It’s not that hard to get along with others.”

“… Maybe it’s just this town then,” Trixie reasoned. “Maybe this town is just weird.”

“Well, duh,” Rainbow Dash said. “Why d’you think we like it here so much?”

“EVERYPONYYYYYY!” Everypony held their hooves against their ears as a familiar cheery voice screeched through a microphone’s speakers. “Oops, sorry!” Trixie turned to the stage to find Pinkie Pie smiling sheepishly out into the crowd. “Anyway, are you all ready to get your game on?!”

“Looks like it’s starting,” Rarity said.

Trixie turned towards Rainbow Dash and Applejack and tipped her hat at them. “Well then, may the best team win.”

“We will,” Rainbow Dash said, “But at least try to put up a fight.”

Applejack and Rarity both sighed and facehooved in unison. “We got two of ‘em now,” Applejack said to Rarity.

“Yes,” Rarity agreed, “And with Pinkie Pie on stage, I have a feeling things are going to get very loud here tonight.”

“Today was simply wonderful,” Rarity said as stopped alongside Trixie, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack just outside of the town hall, “But I’m afraid we must be parting ways here. The two of us have arranged to attend dinner at the farm today.”

“That’s cool,” Rainbow Dash said. “We should hang out more often. But, with less spas, and definitely less hot air balloons. Seriously, how can you stand moving so slowly?”

“We should do this again at some point,” Applejack agreed. “Ah guess we’ll see y’all tomorrow then.”

“Take care, darlings,” Rarity said as she waved goodbye, following Applejack moments later down the path that led towards the farm.

Rainbow Dash and Trixie both waved goodbye themselves and then turned to leave in the opposite direction, Rainbow Dash kicking off of the ground and hovering in the air beside Trixie whilst Trixie walked.

“So, your place tonight?” Rainbow asked as she stretched her forelegs and yawned.

“Actually,” Trixie began, “If it’s all the same, Trixie would like to spend the rest of the evening, and the night, planning her strategy for her battle against Melody.”

Rainbow Dash stopped, prompting Trixie to do the same. “Oh, uh, right… Well, I could still help, right?”

“But that would ruin the surprise,” Trixie said with a grin. “Trixie wants to see your delightful look of awe and wonder as she dazzles you with the most spectacular show you’ve ever seen in your entire life. Also, Trixie could do without the distractions,” she added bluntly.

“What distractions?” Rainbow Dash asked with furrowed eyebrows.

“The neck-kissing? The running your hooves all over me? The-”

“Okay!” Rainbow Dash said, descending quickly to shove a hoof into Trixie’s mouth. “Watch it! There might be kids around here.”

“In any case,” Trixie continued, “Trixie just needs some time to plan on her own, and to get an early night’s rest.”

“… If you say so,” Rainbow Dash said, rolling her eyes and turning around with a sigh.

Trixie detected a hint of disappointment in Rainbow’s voice, and used her magic to pull the Pegasus back, rotating her body so that they were facing each other and moving forward to bring their lips together.

“Trixie will make it up to you,” Trixie said as she pulled away. “Just be patient, okay?”

Rainbow Dash sighed once more, but this time followed it with a smile. “Right. You do what you need to do, and kick some serious flank tomorrow!”

“You got it.” The two hoof-bumped and Rainbow Dash took off into the sky towards her home. Trixie watched with a smile until Rainbow Dash was out of sight, at which point she furrowed her brow and began marching down the street. The smile was still present, but it was joined by a look of heavy determination. “I’ll definitely win.” Trixie shook her head. “I have to win.”