Twilight shifted back and forth on the platform of Ponyville train station, her hooves repeatedly lifting and falling to the ground below, making a clacking noise each time. She furled and unfurled her wings as she danced on the spot, adding a loud flapping to her nervous cacophony. Rarity, to her right, frowned in response to the noise.

“Twilight, can you please sit still?” she requested. “I’ve seen Pinkie Pie less energetic than you right now.”

“Ooh, I can’t Rarity! I’m just so nervous,” Twilight replied, continuing her tapping. She paused for only a moment to levitate a small, brown paper bag in front of her face.

“What’s that for?” Rarity asked.

“Hyperventilation,” Twilight explained.

“Hyper-“

Rarity was cut off by the high pitched shriek of a train’s whistle in the distance. Moments after this she looked to her side to see Twilight’s explanation in action. She had the bag around her mouth, and was now inhaling and exhaling large breaths into it, the bag expanding and contracting with each puff.

“Oh for the love of…” Rarity placed her head in her hooves, and got the feeling that this was only the first of many times she would do so within the moments to follow.

The train eventually appeared over the horizon, a large cloud of grey smoke billowing out from its engine. It slowed down as it approached the platform the two ponies were waiting on, slowly screeching to a halt. Its many doors swung open, releasing a throng of ponies onto the platform. Among them, Twilight spotted Trixie stepping off the train.

“There she is,” she squeaked, dropping her paper bag to the ground. “Rarity, what do I do?” she asked, throwing a panicked glance to her friend.

“Say hi perhaps?” Rarity suggested. “And be sure to compliment her, tell her she looks nice. Go on, I’ll wait here”

“But… I’m scared!” Twilight’s legs began to tremble.

“Of what? It’s just Trixie! You two have spent lots of time together already, remember that. I’ll stick around to help out if you need me.”

“Right, right… ok, I can do this,” Twilight took a deep breath, before making her shaky way towards the waiting Trixie, who was currently craning her head over the crowd. She finally turned to catch sight of Twilight approaching her, and threw the princess a grin.

“Ah, there you are!” Trixie hailed. “I hope you brought me something nice to greet me with!”

Twilight stopped in her tracks, eyes widening, her nervousness now reaching panic levels. Was I supposed to bring her something?! Rarity didn’t mention anything about bringing something!.

“Uhh…..” she managed to mumble out, frozen in place. Trixie raised an eyebrow in response.

“I was kidding Twilight, you feeling ok?” she approached the panicked alicorn.

As Trixie approached, Twilight caught a waft of the sweet smell floating from Trixie’s mane.

“Twilight?” Trixie repeated. Twilight only responded with a high pitched squeak that would make Fluttershy proud. A few meters away, the sound of a hoof slamming into a unicorn’s forehead could be heard over the fading din of the crowd.

“Oh, hey there Twilight!” Rarity called as she ran to the rescue. “Oh, and hello Trixie, I was told you’d be arriving today. I was just passing by and spotted Twilight and I figured I’d say hi!”

“Uh, yeah…” a thoroughly confused Trixie greeted. “Have you any idea what’s wrong with her?” Trixie pointed at Twilight, who had not moved an inch in the last few moments.

“Oh she’s just uh, feeling a little under the weather! Right Twilight?” Rarity asked out of the corner of her mouth, throwing a hoof into Twilight’s side. Twilight grunted as the hoof slammed into her side, and seemed to be knocked from her daze.

“Uhh, yeah, that’s right!” she agreed, her nervous grin stretching across her face as she nodded.

“Alright then…” Trixie responded.

The three ponies stood awkwardly in silence for another few moments.

“So… maybe you should show Trixie back to your place Twilight?” Rarity suggested.

“Uh, yeah, of course! Umm… this way!” Twilight began to stagger out of the train station. Trixie followed, her raised eyebrow threatening to leap from her forehead.

“Under the weather? Did you get a knock to the head or something?” A hint of irritation began to creep into Trixie’s voice as she followed Twilight.

“No, no…” Rarity answered. “She’s just been a little overworked lately and is just a little nervous because she wants to show you a good welcome.”

“Alright, and why are you answering everything for her?”

Twilight let out a quick sigh.

“I’m sorry Trixie,” she responded eventually. “I was just a little nervous about you coming over.” Twilight chose her words carefully, trying her best to be honest without explaining everything.

“Oh, well I guess that’s understandable,” Trixie’s voice had lost its irritation, being replaced with its usual smugness. “I’d be nervous too if someone as important as me was coming over.”

Trixie’s attitude managed to turn Twilight’s nervous grin back into a genuine smile, calming her nerves a little.

“Exactly, you're very fussy Trixie, anyone would have a hard time pleasing you.” Twilight began to relax as she fell back into the familiar jesting banter she and Trixie always engaged in. She paused for a moment, remembering what Rarity said. “You look nice today,” she said nervously.

“You say that like it’s a strange thing, I always look great.”

“Just thought I’d point it out. You uh… you also smell pretty good.” This comment caused Rarity to grimace, and Trixie to chuckle.

“You’re such a dork,” Trixie said as she laughed.

“Hey I was being nice!”

“You were, in an incredibly dorky way.”

Rarity stopped suddenly.

“Oh, look, there’s the Boutique!” she piped in. “It was nice running into you Twilight, I’ve got to head back to the store-”

Twilight’s eyes suddenly widened as she realised she would be left alone with Trixie.

“Uhh… are you sure you don’t want to come back for some tea Rarity? Just for a little while?” Twilight’s voice held a sudden desperation to it.

“Oh I don’t know, I have a lot to do…”

“Please rarity, I insist,” Twilight locked eyes with Rarity, pleading.

Rarity sighed. “Alright, fine. Just for a short while.”

“You don’t mind, right Trixie?” Twilight asked.

“No fuss to me…” Trixie responded, her tone confused once again at Twilight’s strange behaviour.

“Good, good. The library isn’t too far now.”

A few moments later, the three ponies stood outside Twilight’s treehouse. Twilight opened the front door.

“Come on in! She offered.” Trixie and Rarity entered the tree. “I’ll go make some tea!” Twilight suggested, closing the door. “Why don’t you find a seat over there Trixie?” she pointed to some nearby stools and a table. “I’ll be right back.” Twilight dashed into the kitchen

“Uhh, sure…” Trixie made her way to the seats.

“I’ll go help Twilight, if you don’t mind!” Rarity said. “We’ll be right back!”

Inside the kitchen, Rarity found Twilight dancing nervously on the spot.

“Why are you keeping me here?” Rarity asked in a hushed but sharp tone.

“I just don’t feel ready to be alone with her yet!” Twilight responded, also in a hushed voice. “Just stay for a little while until I feel a bit more relaxed, please.”

“But you two were getting on fine on the way here!”

“I know but, it made me feel calmer with you being here. Look you don’t have to stay long, just help me break the ice a bit more.”

“Uh, fine. May as well make some tea I suppose, should help you relax.”

Rarity used her magic to open a nearby cupboard. Her eyes lit up when she caught sight of its contents.

“Or, even better…” she said as she levitated a large bottle of cider out from the cupboard. “I think some leftovers from your party will help us here.”

“What? How’s cider going to help?” Twilight asked.

“Just have a glass or two of it, it will calm you down.”

“Hmm… I suppose it could work.”

“It will! Now go out and ask Trixie if she wants some, I’ll grab the glasses.”

Twilight left the kitchen to find Trixie sitting at the table, her head held up at her cheek by one hoof, her other tapping impatiently on the table.

“Sorry to keep you waiting Trixie,” Twilight offered nervously. Beside her the bottle of cider levitated in her magical grip. Trixie’s lifted her head as she set her sights on it.

“That doesn’t look like tea,” she pointed out.

“Oh, yes umm… I had some of this leftover from my birthday party. Would you like some instead?”

“Of course! I can’t miss an oppurtunity to see what Twilight Sparkle is like after a bit of cider.”

Twilight blushed at this remark. “I’m not much of a drinker.” she grinned.

Moments later Rarity entered the room, levitating three wine glasses beside her. She placed them on the table before sitting down. Twilight joined her, sitting across from Trixie. A few moments of silence passed as Twilight opened the bottle and poured a glass of cider for each of them.

Trixie took a sip of her glass and made a satisfied hum.

“This stuff is as good as I remember it,” Trixie noted.

Twilight swallowed her own mouthful of cider, a quip racing instantly through her mind.

“I’m surprised you remember anything from that night,” she responded with a grin.

Trixie narrowed her eyes. “I’d like to see you drink that much Sparkle, we’ll see how clever you are then.”

“I wouldn’t suggest it,” Rarity giggled. “I imagine Twilight would be unconscious after half that amount.”

“Hey! I’m not that bad, I’ve drank Applejacks cider lots of times before.”

“True, and you’ve fell asleep after doing so lots of times before too.” Rarity explained.

“Aww, don’t tell me you’re a sleepy drunk Twilight, that’s the most boring kind!” Trixie interjected.

“I’d prefer that over yelling-at-Celestia drunk,” Twilight grinned again.

Trixie pointed a hoof, stopped, took another gulp of cider, and then continued.

“Have you been practicing being snarky since I’ve last seen you or something.”

“Not really, I’ve just been reading your letters. They are like snarkyness one-oh-one.”

“I do what I do best,” Trixie shrugged, finishing off her glass. She looked around to notice the other two ponies had only drank almost half of theirs.

“Well, put your money where your mouth is Sparkle, drink up! See if you can keep up with me.”

A nervous look crossed Twilights face, and she glanced over to Rarity.

“What are you looking at me for?” Rarity said innocently, amused at the situation she had put her awkward friend into. “I can’t get drunk, I’ve got clothes to make later.” She gave Twilight a quick wink.

“Fine Trixie, you’re on.”

*

“Feeling dizzy Twilight?” Trixie asked, watching the purple princess swaying left and right on her seat over the two now empty cider bottles between them.

“No!” Twilight lied, struggling for balance on the stool. “I’m fine!” she slurred. “I’m not drun- gah!” Twilight threw her arms out as she teetered back on the stool, swinging them in circles. As she struggled to prevent herself falling, her wings flew out from her sides and began flapping wildly. This caused a number of loose feathers to free themselves from her wings and sail across the room.

“Twilight!” Rarity yelled as she observed the spectacle. The tipsy alicorn had just managed to find her balance again. “Have you not been looking after your wings? Look at all these feathers.” Rarity’s voice had the tone of a schoolteacher scolding a troublesome child.

“Uhhhhh, its haaaaard,” Twilight whined. Trixie began to laugh.

“Still haven’t gotten the hang of that wing comb?” Trixie observed.

“Twilight, you must take care of yourself, you’re a princess now, you can’t be going around with feathers flying out everywhere.”

“Bah! I’m tired of what I am and am not allowed to do just because I’m a princess now!” Twilight threw back. “Why does everypony have to keep treating me differently? I’m still the same Twilight!” Her voice grew louder, her speech speeding up. “But now its all, ‘oh, you have an image to maintain’ or ‘oh princess Twilight, can you get me a meeting with Celestia’?” I can’t even tell anymore if ponies just want to talk to me because they want to talk to me, or if they want to talk to a princess.” Twilight stared at the table, breathing heavily.

The other two ponies were silent for a few moments, before Rarity spoke up again.

“Twilight, I’m sorry, I had no intention of upsetting you. You know if I seen Rainbow Dash or Fluttershy with their wings in such a condition I’d complain to them too. I just brought up the princess thing because it just came to mind. I didn’t know it was such a point of irritation for you.”

Twilight sighed. “Its ok Rarity, you couldn’t have known. I haven’t really spoken much to anypony how frustrating it’s been. Well, I’ve told you Trixie, but you don’t seem to believe me that it’s irritating.”

“It’s just sorta hard to believe being a princess is such a terrible gig,” Trixie agreed.

“It’s not terrible, it’s just tedious at times. I appreciate ponies like you Trixie who don’t feel the need to treat me all special just because of some title.”

“Hey, anytime you need me to put you down or disrespect your position, I’m happy to help!” Trixie smiled. Twilight returned the smile, the two locking eyes for a few moments.

“Look at the time!” Rarity said, noticing the gazes the two ponies were sharing. “I really must be going Twilight.”

“Oh, alright, let me-“

“No its fine, I’ll let myself out. Good evening girls!” Rarity ran out the door, quickly shutting it behind her.

“Well that was kinda odd,” Twilight pointed out. Trixie shrugged.

“Any more bottles left?” she asked with a grin.

*

Another bottle of cider later, the two ponies found themselves splayed across Twilight’s couch in the library foyer, each ponies head lolling over the sides of its cushioned arms, their lower hooves crossing each other’s in the centre. Outside, the sun had set over the horizon. Twilight let out a loud yawn.

“Still awake there princess?” Trixie asked with a smirk, a slight slur in her speech.

“Yeah! I’m absolutely *urp*” Twilight interrupted herself with a loud burp. She threw a hoof to her mouth. “Excuse me.” she said, embarrassed.

“I will admit you’re handling the cider better than I expected.” Trixie offered.

“You shouldn’t underestimate me Trixie,” Twilight responded with a smile.

A few moments of a comfortable silence passed as the two ponies lay on the couch. The silence began to make Twilight grow nervous as she became aware of her lower hooves crossing Trixie’s, and how their current position could be interpreted as somewhat intimate from an outside glance. Her mind began to race as she remembered Rarity’s words, and the nervousness from earlier in the day, and she began to wonder if she should do something about it, the alcohol giving her a slight boost of confidence. She decided to try approach the matter indirectly.

“Hey Trixie, I wanted to tell you something about the letters you wrote to me.”

“Oh no…” Trixie groaned.

“What’s the matter?”

“I don’t wanna talk about those letters.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s weird!” Trixie threw her front hooves into the air as she answered, her voice raised. “It’s weird that you know all that stuff about me now.”

“But, there was nothing particularly strange in them for you to worry about.” Twilight argued. “You just told me a little bit about your childhood, how you didn’t get on with Celestia and your mom, and how you were still having some trouble with Celestia now. No big deal.”

“I never tell other ponies about my mom though.”

“Well you didn’t tell me much, just that you didn’t really get on with her.”

“Well whatever, that’s still more than I tell most ponies. It’s weird.”

“Well, all I wanted to say was that… I really liked the Trixie from those letters. She seemed kinda sensitive, sweet.”

“Exactly, that’s why I don’t like talking about those letters. The Trixie in those letters sounds like a dork, I don’t like it.”

“Well you think I’m a dork, don’t you like me?”

“That’s different, you're supposed to be a dork, ponies know you for being a dork. It works for you, it’s not my thing.”

“Well, maybe it is, you just don’t know it,” Twilight said with a smile.

Trixie responded with a yawn.

“You know what, I’m tired of this conversation.” Trixie lifted herself on the couch, turned herself around, and shimmied her way up the couch until she was able to lay her head on Twilight’s chest. “It’s sleepy time.”

“Wuh…” Was about all Twilight could manage during Trixie’s migration, her new position bringing a heavy blush to Twilight’s cheeks. Her tipsy mind blanked as she felt Trixie’s head resting on her chest, the magician’s hooves curled around her torso. She struggled to find something to say. “Bluh?” Was all she managed after many more moments of confused silence.

“Is there a problem?” Trixie asked, her eyes closed.

“Um, I’m just confused as to why I’m being used as a pillow now,” Twilight explained.

“Well, you’re doing a fine job as one, except that you keep talking. Pillows don’t usually keep me awake by talking.”

“Right…”

“Also, I think you’d make a good blanket too,” Trixie said as she raised her head and gently tugged at one of Twilight’s wings with her magic.

“What the…?” Twilight exclaimed as she extended her wing in response to Trixie’s magic. Trixie then used a hoof to curl the wing over herself, laying her head back on the confused alicorns chest.

“Night Twilight.” Trixie said contentedly, making herself comfortable.

“Umm, night…” Twilight responded, her face now burning red. A couple of minutes passed as Twilight lay with Trixie curled onto her chest. It was amazingly comfortable, Trixie’s body heat creating a warm blanket for her, the couch cushions beneath her beginning to feel softer and softer as she began to drift to sleep. I should say something she thought as she was drifting off. This seems like a good time.

“Hey, Trixie?” she whispered. Her only response was the sleeping unicorn’s soft breathing.

I guess it can wait until morning Twilight decided, her heavy eyelids closing.