"He's..." Octavia snuffled. "He has..." Another pause, accompanied by silent crying in the background.

"Wha–" Starlight started, but Trixie raised a hoof in an unequivocal gesture for her to stop. The magician's expression had changed from smug-casual to deadly serious.

This is new, Starlight thought. I've only seen Trixie react that way once before. More alarming, it was incomprehensible imagining Octavia in trouble. She was a star, a diva-to-be, one of five earth ponies to reach the heights of music. Spike had persisted for weeks to get tickets for one of her performances—one of the few gifts that earned him a kiss from Rarity. What trouble is she in? Starlight turned her ears in the direction of the voice crystal.

"He's back to gambling," Octavia said at last. "Last week I received a card from him saying how everything's going well and he's even considering visiting, and this morning... this morning I got a telegram from the bookies. The bloody fool lost our family cottage and it's still not enough to cover half his debts!"

That's... Starlight felt a block of ice form in her stomach. Up to now she thought she had gone through a lot, but she never imagined she'd hear anything of the sort. Dealing with problems that affected the whole of Equestria, she had never experienced the bitterness that happened in everyday life. Ears drooped, she turned towards Trixie. The Magician's expression hadn't changed one bit.

"Octavia—" Trixie began.

"Do you know what Trottingham bookies do to debtors who can't pay?" Octavia interrupted. "Dad's too old to survive that! If mum were 'ere it'd break 'er 'eart!"

"Octavia, listen to me." There was unexpected firmness in Trixie's voice. "How much are we talking about?"

"I don't know!" Octavia said, breaking off in tears once more. "More than I can afford. I'm out of savings and I've used my advance. I could ask Fancy for a loan, but what then? What do I do the next time my father starts gambling?"

"If it's about the money, I can—"

"To Tartarus with the money!" Octavia shouted, startling Starlight upright. "We're talking about my father! I can't get him to stop. I've tried. I've tried so many times. Each time he promises he will, then a few months later I get a telegram from home. I can't keep doing this, Trixie. I just can't."

"Do you still love him?" Trixie stood up from the chaise longue.

"Of course I still do! He's my father! He helped raise us. He and mum paid for me to study in Canterlot! I just..." The pause was this time followed by a sigh. "I just want things to be normal. Is that too horrible to ask?

Trixie didn't answer. She just stood there, staring at the active voice crystal as if she wanted to burn through it. Beside her, Starlight fidgeted hesitantly. It would be a snap for her to brainwash Octavia's father to stop gambling, just as she could make the bookies forget they were owed money... or maybe she could make Octavia forget the whole experience? That would save a lot of effort and technically would solve the problem.

"You know?" Starlight whispered tentatively, but Trixie just shook her head. Maybe I really have a brainwashing problem? I'll have to ask someone impartial about this.

"Octavia, I know I wasn't always the best role model when we were foals, but I think I can help you," Trixie levitated her hat and hat and cowl on. "But it would take some effort on your part."

"Trixie, how much more effort can I—"

"A different type of effort," Trixie interjected. "If your father joins a rehab program you'll have to take care of him everyday. Your work might be affected, and you can say goodbye to your social life."

"You've no idea how many times I tried to get him to join one of those." A hint of anger shined through Octavia's words. "He'd say no every time, even when I put an ultimatum."

"Let me worry about that." Trixie put on her hat. "Is that what you want, though? If I start this he'll resist. He'll even hate you for it. For months it will be like living with a roommate who despises you, but is only there because he has no choice. Later he'll try to manipulate you, guilt you into taking him out of the program. Then despair will follow." Starlight's eyes widened. It's scary how good an actress you are, Trixie. "It'll be like living with a ghost. Only after that there might be signs of recovery. Are you willing to go through all that for a single chance?"

Starlight bit her lip, staring at the crystal. I never thought I'd be thankful I'm an orphan. Don't know what I'd do if I— She turned pale. What if Sunburst had some problems she wasn't aware of? Sure, he seemed all cute and reliable now, but what if he were a comic book addict? A miniature maniac? An obsessive larper? What if he actually developed a taste for gambling, or drinking, or something? I have no choice. I'll have to act slightly invasively... for his own good!

"It was a mistake calling," Octavia said. "Forget everything I said, I—"

"Octavia!" Trixie said with a tone that made Starlight's hair stand on end. "Yes or no. It a simple question."

"Damn it, Trixie! How do you expect me to make a life changing decision just like that?!"

"Will delaying help?" Trixie squinted at the voice crystal. "I guess we can always continue this talk once you've sold your cello."

Silence. Starlight thought that Octavia had left. That's what most ponies would do. Actually, that's what she had done. The effects were catastrophic. Maybe I should have opened that letter from the school for gifted unicorns.

"You always were as direct as a brick in winter," a dry laugh came from the voice crystal. "What happens if I say yes?"

"Where are you?" Trixie made a circular motion to Starlight with her hoof. Starlight shrugged. What in Equestria is that supposed to mean?

"At The Marerific," Octavia said. "Five blocks from the Palace. Right by—"

"I know the place," Trixie cut her short, giving a new series of gestures to Starlight. "Clear your schedule and go home. I'll be with you in a bit."

"Trix... I... you really don't have to use magic because of me." Hesitation crept into the musician's voice. "I appreciate everything you're doing, but..."

"Don't worry, I won't." Trixie smiled to the crystal. "Just go there and wait for me. Oh, and prepare some of that shortcake? I love that stuff."

"...alright, Trix. It's not like my day can get any worse." In the background an argument erupted. "Strings, I didn't mean that! I just really am... not at my best right now."

"I know, I know," Trixie sighed. "Go to a pharmacy to get a calming spell then head straight home. Okay?"

"Thank you, Trix."

"See you soon, Octavia. Don't forget the spell." Trixie tapped on the crystal. The second its glow vanished she looked straight at Starlight, who was standing there with the most puzzled expression in existence. Changelings, civil war, and Scootaloo conquest paled in comparison to what she had just witnessed. "How good is your magic?" she asked without a moment's explanation.

"Pretty good." For the first time in her life, Starlight wasn't sure whether she should make such a claim. "What exactly do—"

"Can you teleport to Trottingham with somepony?"

"Maaaaybe?" The concern in Starlight's eyes grew. "Trixie, are you thinking of us teleporting to Trottingham then brainwashing the bookies into forgetting they’re owed money?" she gasped. "Not that I'm entirely against it, but we'll have to brainwash Octavia's father, then all the ponies he's gambled with, possibly the bookies' associates, oh and let's not forget Octavia. Not that she isn't your friend, but not everypony is open to using such methods. Oh, and—" a hoof was placed gently on her shoulder making her stop. Starlight looked at her friend with concern. She expected to hear ridicule, indignation, or mockery. Instead, Trixie just shook her head with a smile.

"We're not teleporting to Trottingham," the magician said calmly. "You're teleporting Octavia's father from there," she announced proudly. "Before that, I'll need a lift to Canterlot, though." She levitated one of the voice crystals towards her.

"What?!" Starlight shouted.

Oh, no! Oh, no! Twilight's going to freak! She started panicking in place. She's been telling me she disapproves of my contact with ex-villains from day one. It took months of convincing for her to accept me seeing Trixie, and now I'm... I don't even know what I'm doing! Kidnapping?! The father of a celebrity at that! I could dream of a talk with Luna after this.

"Trixie, maybe we can talk about this." Sweat trickled down Starlight's face. "It's not that I'm doubting your expertise in the matter..." By Tartarus, of course I am! You're a con artist through and through! True, a lovable con artist, but still! "Maybe we should rethink the whole..." she paused. Trixie wasn't listening to her. Instead the magician was zapping spells of some sort onto the voice crystal. "Trixie, what are you doing?" Starlight's curiosity took over once more.

"Modifying this beauty," Trixie smiled, casting another zap of magic. "I've read about a few undocumented functions that let you change the target of conversation. I sent a letter to the manufacturer about it ages ago, but did they fix it? No! They just keep adding superficial patches and don't bother with the core enchantments. And all because I'm not a princess." She Humphed. "Here you go," she tossed the crystal at Starlight. "Keep it with you at all times."

Just great! Starlight snorted. And now she's hacked Twilight's toy. Not like Her Geekiness won't freak out about that. Last time she saw me remove a package sticker without a checklist she nearly had a heart attack. Looking at the device, though, she had to admit that Trixie had done a rather good job; nearly flawless if Starlight could be any judge. This certainly wasn't anything she had come to expect from her friend. Despite her many other unusual qualities, Trixie wasn't overly good with magic. For some reason that inspired a certain degree of confidence.

"What exactly was your plan again?" Starlight asked. I'm so dead!

"Simple." Trixie started tinkering with another of the voice crystals. "You go to Trottingham and teleport him here. No, wait." She paused, her lips subvocalizing. "Better go to my cabin. Much better there. Just engage in some small talk, give him some crackers and what not until I get back, okay?"

"How am I supposed to recognize him? I've never seen Octavia's father."

"Please," Trixie waved a hoof. "A stallion with a famous daughter and a gambling problem? He's probably told the entire island about her."

"Oookay." Worst plan ever! "What about Twilight? She asked us to handle this caller catastrophe."

"Oh, she's probably busy on her end. Won't even notice us gone for a bit. Besides—" Trixie winked "—she doesn't need to know."

"Riiight." Starlight narrowed her eyes. Technically they were working to help a caller but she didn't approve of the method. Only she had the right to break the rules and no one else. "And I guess we leave the remaining voice crystals here until we're done?"

"Don't be silly. Spike will take care of that."

"Spike?" This just gets better and better! "And what by Celestia's mane makes you think that..." There was a moment of uncomfortable silence. The smug smile that formed on Trixie's face told Starlight all she needed to know. "For the sake of my sanity, don't say another word! I'll go to Trottingham, find the gambler, then wait for you in your wagon. And if Twilight ever asks about this I'll say I was brainwashed, tortured, and betrayed into doing it! Then I'll deny everything. Got that?!"

"You're just being a drama queen," Trixie rolled her eyes. "Besides, we'll be done in ten minutes. As long as you do your part."

"Of course." Put it all on me, why don't you? Just like that time with the manticore. With a grumble, Starlight summoned a saddlebag, put the voice crystal in it, and teleported to Trottingham... right under the pouring rain. A wave of icy cold greeted her, assign cold and miserable to her condition.

Damn it, Trixie! Starlight cast a series of spells—shelter bubble, dry spell, and a bit of warmth cover—just to return to more bearable level of miserable. The contrast from arriving in a downpour after being pampered in spa couldn't be greater. I'm so finding a way to have Trixie pay me travel expenses! A golden pass to the spa for two, for starters!

"So much for the easy part," she grumbled to herself. "Now I only have to find a stallion I haven't seen before, virtually kidnap him, and—" the voice crystal in her saddlebag started buzzing. Apparently, Trixie had added sound along with the other modifications. Oh, joy. New ways of getting me annoyed, Starlight thought.

Taking a deep breath, she levitated the crystal out and tapped it.

"What is it, Trixie?" She hissed. "I already said I'll find the stallion, so don't you even try guilting me into—"

"You forgot to send me to Canterlot," Trixie said, breaking Starlight's train of thought. Even in the cold of Trottingham, Starlight felt her cheeks burn. This was embarrassing, to say the least. Biting her lip, the unicorn quickly teleported back.

Please not the smug look! She winced, eyes closed fearing the humiliation. Cautiously, she cracked an eye open.

"You really need to relax," the magician shook her head, then put something which looked suspiciously like tickets into Starlight's saddlebags. "You'll thank me later." Trixie winked.

Two zaps later Starlight was back in Trottingham. This time, however, everything was as it should be. She was sheltered from the rain and cold, and Trixie was safely teleported to the center of Canterlot. There was only one slight negative side—Starlight had teleported to a pub... full of stallions.

"Why 'ello, love," the most shifty voice in existence greeted her. It was matched by a twice as shifty pegasus. Just looking at him made Starlight cringe. I thought such characters only existed in comic books, she said to herself. "Cannot read the sign, eh?"

"Sign?" Starlight blinked.

"’Tallions only, love," the pegasus laughed. "Not that me and the lads mind a surprise visit," he added with a wink. "Okay, lads, who brought the mare?" Mumbling and whispers filled the room. "I know you lot'r too cheap to buy a cake."

"Cake?" Starlight blinked again. "Sign? Mare?" Actually, I don't want to know. "Listen, I'm in a bit of a hurry, so if any of you happen to know of a stallion who has a daughter named Octavia Harmony..." her voice trailed off. For a moment of eternity, everyone seemed frozen, staring at her in silence.

Of course. Starlight sighed. They probably think I'm an idiot. Determined to kill Trixie upon her return, she took a brief look around. The pub—that much she could tell by the barrels, the bar, and the photos of drunk people on the walls—had an air of tradition that masked its unkept state. From what she could tell it was at least a century older than anything Starlight had been to, it was also meticulously clean. The patrons were a mix of earth ponies and griffins, with the occasional pegasus or unicorn. None of them were smiling.

"Well, thank you for your help." Starlight tiptoed towards the only door she could see. "I'll be go—"

"'Old on, love." The pegasus blocked her path. "I think we nee' ta 'ave a few words."

"No, no, no," Starlight waved a hoof, trying to inch away towards the door. "I'm sure that you wouldn't want anypony as boring as me to ruin your... festivities. I'll just—"

"'Ave a pint!" The pegasus nodded to what appeared to be the innkeeper, who on his turn started pouring a rather large bowl of ale. "Now, sit 'ere an' tell me what mess has me Tav gotten' 'erself into."