There were moments, not many but a few, where Trixie simply could not help but roll her eyes at the sheer saccharine sweetness on display as she observed the antics of Twilight, Fluttershy and all the rest of the Rainbooms. Oh, to be sure, the moods between the girls had cooled off considerably ever since Trixie's unexpected aid to Sunset a while back, but even so, she wasn't really "clicked" with the girls the way others were. But, let it never be said that the young magician isn't willing to be with them and want to spend time with them, and such was actually the case today, as she, Fluttershy and Pinkie were all sitting alongside one another on one of the many benches that dotted the outside of Canterlot High. It was the middle of their lunch hour, and while most students were inside enjoying their meals, these three girls had, by contrast, chosen to be outside, taking in the wonderful sunshine and gentle breeze. It was a pleasant time, all things considered, but as Trixie downed a few bites of her sandwich, she glanced over to her colleagues.

"So, got any plans tomorrow?" Pinkie asked.

Smiling sweetly, Fluttershy clasped her hands together before nodding.

"Oh, yes! I'm going over with Sonata and Lemon to the park again, and we're going to try and raise awareness for the Save-the-Birdies Foundation."

Pinkie giggled to that.

"Sounds good! Those poor little things are so lost and helpless sometimes! Falling out of trees or getting knocked over by bikes they didn't see coming!"

Fluttershy nodded solemnly.

"Quite right. It'll be good to help them out whenever we can."

Eventually, the animal-lover turned, looking to her latest companion.

"You know...you’re always welcome to join, Trixie."

Swallowing what she'd already had of her lunch, Trixie gave an appreciative nod to that offer before replying.

"Trixie is grateful for the chance, but experience has taught me that such things are unlikely to gain much attention. After all, if the crowds on the streets are unwilling to pay attention to astounding magic shows, then it's unlikely an appeal to help animals will work out much better."

Pinkie smirked to that.

"Nah! You should see Fluttershy in action! Ever since Sour gave her some pointers in getting people to pay attention, she's been really good at it!"

Fluttershy blushed, and Trixie took a brief moment of amusement in this before speaking up again.

"Well, I can't blame you for wanting to help them. You always did have an affinity for the little things."

Fluttershy looked to her, smiling at that remark.

"I've loved birds for as long as I can remember. And ever since I started to actually talk to them, it's been an even greater joy to spend time with them."

Considering that, Trixie let out a deep sigh.

"Yes...must be nice."

Immediately, the young couple beside her took on somewhat worried looks. They knew something was eating at her, though they couldn't tell what it was. Eventually, it was Fluttershy again who began to ask the question.

"Um...Trixie? Is something wrong?"

Trixie, folding her arms all of a sudden, shook her head.

"Not wrong exactly, but..."

Another exhale, and this time, she turned, looking to her two friends.

"Look...I've been wanting to get involved in magic all my life. From the time I did my very first card trick as a little girl, I've wanted to have magic be who I am. And seeing what you two can do...what all of you can do..."

Realisation came to the other girls, and Pinkie, being Pinkie, simply blurted out what they now knew.

"Oh! You're jealous, right?"

Now, it had to be said that there was no maliciousness or mockery in the way she'd said that, but even so, it irked Trixie a great deal to have her issues just laid out in front of her like that. But, she knew it wouldn't do to refute the point, as she understood in her heart of hearts that the party-lover was spot on with this. Instead, she took a moment to briefly calm herself before giving a single nod.

"Yeah...I guess I am jealous."

Pinkie, realising how her words might have come across, immediately slapped her hands over her mouth, looking more than a little apologetic. As for Fluttershy, her expression softened, and she offered Trixie a small smile, reaching forward and giving her a friendly pat on the shoulder.

"It's okay, Trixie. We've all had moments where we feel less than those around us. I used to feel like my music, for instance, was never as good as the rest of the band. And Pinkie sometimes feels like she doesn't do her essays as well as Sunset or Twilight."

Trixie looked to them both, raising an eyebrow.

"...Really?"

This time, it was Pinkie's turn to speak.

"Yep! Heck, you wouldn't believe how jealous I can get when I try some of AJ's apple pies! I can never make those things as good!"

Fluttershy smiled warmly to her at this, then glanced back to Trixie.

"You know...if you're interested...I could do a little translating for you?"

Trixie's eyes widened, and she seemed taken aback by that offer. It was an interesting thing, it had to be said, and as she pondered it for a time, she looked around. Sure enough, there were one or two birds sitting in the branches of a nearby tree, and then another just hopping about on the edge of the statue that stood outside the front entrance of the school. Tapping the end of her chin with her finger, Trixie considered the offer, then smiled, giving a nod to her magical friend.

"Alright then...translate away."

Clearly happy a being given the chance to do something she loved, Fluttershy glanced around herself, eventually settling on the bird on the statue. Touching her pendant, there was a brief glow of the thing, and then, Fluttershy placed her other hand behind her ear, listening carefully to what the aforementioned bird had to say. Trixie watched, her attention drifting from Fluttershy to the bird and then back again. Eventually, Fluttershy resumed her smiling, giving another nod before looking back to Trixie.

"That one over there is going over a mental list he's made for himself over where the best patches of grass are around here for finding worms."

Chuckling, Trixie looked over to the tiny avian.

"What...like he's remembering the best restaurants in town or something?"

Giggling, Fluttershy nodded in confirmation of that, prompting Trixie to then look to the birds in the tree.

"And them?"

Again, Fluttershy took a moment to listen, with Pinkie too now leaning in closer, genuine interest appearing on her face. Then, Fluttershy's expression broke out into pure and unfiltered joy, and she squealed happily before clapping her hands together.

"Oh, that's so wonderful"

Trixie looked to her with confusion.

"What? What is it?"

Still smiling widely, Fluttershy looked to her.

"Those two are going to be parents soon! The one on the left will be laying her eggs tomorrow!"

As one would expect, this led to simultaneous "awwww's" on the part of the three girls, and Trixie, now smiling herself, gave a congratulatory thumbs-up to the two birds in the tree, who happily tweeted before flying off. Sighing, Trixie turned her gaze back to Fluttershy, her expression far softer than it had been before.

"Thank you, Fluttershy. I...I appreciate that."

Smiling once more, Fluttershy gave yet another pat on Trixie's shoulder.

"If you ever need to know what these lovely animals are saying...I'm always here, Trixie."