Twilight paced anxiously back and forth on the floor of the library. Four long weeks of self turmoil may finally pay off tonight! Her emotions leapt unpredictably from elation to sick fear at what the reply may be. Had she wasted all this time?

''Twiliiiiiight,’’ an irritated voice moaned ''can I please go to sleep?’’

Spike sat dreary eyed on a stool in the library foyer where Twilight had been pacing for the last hour.  He had his blanket wrapped up around himself covering his body and head. He yawned loudly, swaying slightly as he did so, almost tumbling right of the stool.

''Come on Spike this letter is really important. You can go to sleep as soon as you receive it,’’ Twilight explained.

''But it’s nearly three in the morning! And you still haven’t even told me what this letter is about,’’ The purple dragon complained.

''It's confidential Spike, but I assure you it is extremely important.’’

''Yeah whatever, it’s hard for me to care when I'm losing sleep over something you won’t even bother telling me about.’’

Geez that dragon can be a grump when he’s tired Twilight thought to herself.

''I'm sure it will just be a few more minutes Spike.’’

''You said that half an hour aaa....’’

Twilight spun around. The purple dragon was leaning back, mouth open. The letter was coming! She stared intently at Spike’s mouth.

''...go,’’ Spike closed his mouth. ''I was just yawning Twilight,’’ he retorted, noticing the unicorn's wide eyes staring at him.

She hung her head in irritation and resumed pacing. After about twenty more minutes (which felt like hours to Spike) the dragon’s stomach lurched.

''Finally!’’ he exclaimed, closing his hands round his stomach. Twilight’s heart leapt as the dragon emitted a flaming green burp. An azure envelope materialized in the hot fire and floated gently to the library floor.

''It’s here!’’ Twilight leapt down to grab the letter.

''I’m so happy for you Twilight...’’ Spike retorted sarcastically ''now if you don’t mind I'm going to bed!’’ he announced as he hopped down from the stool. Dragging his blanket behind him, he went downstairs and slammed the door shut.

Twilight didn’t even notice the dragon leave. Her eyes were fixated on the envelope in front of her. The same entrancing colour as her coat a thought whispered in the back of her mind. Where did that come from? She wondered. She dismissed it as she began carefully unsealing the envelope. Her heart raced as to what may be in the contents. Would she be rejected, or had her offer gotten through?

Her eyes nervously gleaned the letter after unfolding it:

Dear Twilight Sparkle:

The Great and Powerful Trixie has given much consideration to your request, and after consulting her extremely busy schedule Trixie has found an opening where she may meet you. Trixie has agreed to meet you tomorrow at twelve noon, but she refuses to come see you in Ponyville. The Great and Powerful Trixie would not be caught dead in that cesspool of a town again. Trixie will meet you at the Manehatten public library at the designated time.

Yours Benevolently,

The Great and Powerful Trixie

Twilight’s heart leapt with joy. Despite the insult to her and her friends town and the fact that the ink on the letter practically dripped with conceit, it made her so happy! She agreed to see her again! The last four weeks of confusion had not been a waste. She was finally going to get the answers she desperately sought.

When Twilight set her mind to something, she had to see it through to the end, no matter how absurd it may be. Trixie had become her latest goal. The azure show pony had never left the recesses of her mind since the day Twilight had banished the Ursa Minor. Trixie had shown talent. Unfortunately, she had not shown grace. Twilight had struggled with thoughts of wanting to extend her friendship to Trixie, sharing all the knowledge of friendship she had learned. The problem though was deciding if Trixie was worth having as a friend. There was also another deep set reason Twilight wanted to see the boastful mare again, but she couldn’t put a hoof on what it was. Eventually after thinking for weeks on it she decided to track down and send Trixie a letter, including a vial of dragon flame so that she could reply directly through Spike.

I’ve to meet her in Manehatten tomorrow Twilight mused. Better get packing. I can sleep on the train.

*

Twilight looked around groggily as she awoke from her slumber on the train. She was curled up on a seat in a small carriage on the Manehatten Express, a blanket draped over her. She rubbed her eyes as she glanced at the clock hanging over her makeshift bed. 11.15am it read. I must be nearly there! Twilight felt an excited flutter in her stomach at the thought. The train pulled into Manehatten central station roughly ten minutes later.

She wants to meet at a library Twilight thought, hardly able to contain herself. Not just the thought of seeing Trixie, but a library too! She struggled to decide which excited her more. Does Trixie know how much I love books? She decided it was just a coincidence she set the library as the meeting spot. It must have been a landmark that stood out. She still had to find it though.

She didn’t have to look far. Upon stepping out of the station she spotted an imposing glass building on the other side of the busy street. Despite the many ponies and carriages shuffling about she could see a large stone plaque with the words ‘Manehatten Public Library’ emblazoned in gold font. Twilight looked at the clock above the plaque. 11.40. Great! I have some time to look around the library!

Twilight was overwhelmed by the collection the library held. It dwarfed her little Ponyville library back home, and was bigger still than the students library she had access to in Canterlot. I could spend the rest of my life in here! Twilight thought giddily as she browsed the many shelves.

After some time Twilights eye caught a clock hanging over the library’s information desk. 12.20pm.

''OH NO!’’ She yelled, startling many library patrons who turned to the source of noise that pierced their peaceful reading. Twilight blushed as a resounding ‘SHHHHHH!’ was directed at her. She dashed outside.

And there she was.

A gallant azure pony with a wand cutie mark paced irritably back and forth. Twilight was taken aback by the sight. She hadn’t seen the show pony since the whole Ursa Minor fiasco. She forgot how dazzling her coat was, how brightly her purple eyes shined. Twilight noticed with a strange feeling of disappointment that she wasn’t wearing her magician cape and hat. Seeing the look of annoyance on her face, Twilight galloped over.

''Hey Trixie, I’m sorry I...’’

Twilight never got to finish that sentence. The moment Trixie laid eyes on her Twilight’s ears were assaulted by a barrage of angry words.

''YOU DARE KEEP THE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE WAITING!’’ The show pony yelled fiercely. ‘’TRIXIE GIVES UP HER PRECIOUS TIME TO COME MEET SOME NOPONY AND YOU KEEP. HER .WAITING!''

Twilight’s heart sank. Punctuality was one of her defining traits; she was never late. Nothing irked her more than a pony who kept her waiting and here she was, late to a meeting with a pony she was trying to become friends with and enraging her. This was a bad start. Her head drooped.

Trixie’s rage died as suddenly as it had built when she caught the look on Twilight’s face. She wore the most adorable pout the show pony had ever seen, her eyes looking down with embarrassment. Trixie’s heart melted.

''Ahem...you must excuse Trixie, she is not used to being treated so...unprofessionally.’’

Did I really just apologize? Trixie thought to herself. I knew there was something odd about this pony she mused. She’d never felt so obliged to apologize to somepony, especially since it was the other pony that had wronged her.

Twilight felt somewhat calmer after the subdued Trixie had spoken.

''I’m sorry Trixie, I just love books so much so I checked out the library and there were so many and then I lost track of time and...''

''Forget it,’’ The show pony interrupted. ''Let’s get down to business shall we?’’

''Business?’’ Twilight replied confused.

''Yes, you requested an audience with the Great and Powerful Trixie correct? What is it you wanted of Trixie?’’

Twilight stood somewhat dumbfounded. Why HAD she searched for Trixie? She had plenty of friends back in Ponyville, and Trixie certainly hadn’t made a good first impression. There has to be a reason I felt the need to find her Twilight tried to think scientifically, but she didn’t understand how she felt.

''Um...well...I was wondering if you’d like to be friends Trixie?’’ Twilight smiled nervously.

''Indeed, you mentioned such in your letter to Trixie. So what is it we must do to become friends?’’

Twilight giggled a little at the pony's words.

''Surely you’ve had friends before, Trixie?’’

''Trixie has had many acquaintances, admirers and fans, but has had no time for any one pony to call a ‘friend.’ In case you forgot Trixie is a show pony, and she travels far and wide across Equestria,'' the gloating unicorn explained, gesturing magnificently with her hooves. ''Trixie simply cannot be tied down to any one pony!''

Twilight felt a pang of sympathy. Trixie had never had a real friend! It would explain so much about her attitude.

''Well it’s your lucky day Trixie, because I’ve been studying all about friendship and would be honoured to teach you as a student!’’ Twilight grinned, the thought of being a mentor exciting her beyond words.

''Hold on! The Great and Powerful Trixie is nopony’s understudy!’’

Twilight grinned again at the boastful mare. Everyone in Ponyville had found the pony’s conceit vile and repulsive but Twilight found it...cute? No that can’t be the right adjective Twilight thought.

''Very well, then you can study it as my partner!’’

''That’s better! So, how do we begin?’’

''Um well...is there somewhere we could go for a walk?'' Twilight enquired. ''Maybe you could tell me about yourself Trixie.’’

Trixie’s face lit up. ''Certainly!'' She replied enthusiastically, excited at an oppurtunity to talk to herself. ''There is a wonderful public park near here. Follow me, and listen to the adventures of Trixie.'' As they walked Trixie launched into an exquisitely detailed story of her life; punctuating each dramatic event in her story with movements, magic tricks and expressions. They reached the park a few minutes after leaving the library, and began strolling pleasantly as Trixie spoke. She wasn’t telling Twilight about her life, she was telling her a story. This was what the show pony did, she entertained. Whilst Twilight realized this pretty fast she didn’t want to stop her. She was impressed with Trixie’s story telling abilities. She knew how to spin a yarn. Unfortunately, Twilight was very much aware that most of it was fabricated. Still, Twilight was engrossed.

''And that’s the story of the Great and Powerful Trixie!’’ She finished with a hoof to her chest, her nose raised high in a haughty stance.

Twilight clapped her hooves together in admiration.

''A very nice story Trixie but...’’ Would the pony be ok with Twilight pointing out it was all lies?

''...a friendly conversation is meant to involve two ponies,’’ She decided to explain instead.

''It did, you listened while Trixie spoke. Two ponies!’’ The show pony said matter-of-factly.

Twilight couldn’t help it. She thought there was just something so alluring to Trixie’s cocksure attitude. Why would I find such an insufferable attitude amiable? A thought in the back of her head suggested it was the pony carrying the attitude she liked. This is getting very confusing very fast Twilight pondered.

Twilight’s stomach rumbled. She hadn’t eaten since she left Ponyville hours ago.

''Would you like to go get some food Trixie?’’ Twilight suggested.

''Oh yes! Trixie knows all the hottest places to eat in Manehatten!’’ The azure pony replied enthusiastically.

The sun was beginning to set as they left the park, and streetlights began to illuminate their path as Trixie brought them to a posh looking restaurant.

''Oh I dunno Trixie, this place looks expensive. I didn’t bring many bits with me.’’ Twilight explained.

''No worries Twilight, allow Trixie to make up the difference!’’

Twilight was dumbfounded. Had Trixie really learned her lesson after the Ursa Minor incident? She's being so generous!

Why the buck am I being so nice to this pony? Trixie thought. She glanced over at Twilight, an adorable grin sitting on her mouth, her purple eyes sparkling in the light of the restaurant. Trixie’s eyes scanned the rest of the pony, lingering on her flank and cutie mark. She has quite a shapely...

''Trixie?’’ A voice snapped her out of her daze

Trixie glanced up to see Twilight looking confused, a brown coated pony with a quaffed mane and fancy red shirt standing irritably beside her.

''I think he wants to show us our seats’’ Twilight explained.

''Oh yes of course, please excuse Trixie!’’

They enjoyed a delicious dinner together, one of the best Twilight had ever had. Trixie had actually been telling the truth when she said she knew her restaurants! They talked for a while after the dinner was finished. Trixie dominated most of the conversation but Twilight didn’t mind. She listened attentively to the show ponies stories, her eyes fixated on hers as they shined from the light of the candle between them.

Twilight only now noticed how much time had passed. She looked at a clock, and realized it was getting late.

''Oh darn Trixie; I’m going to have to leave soon.’’ Twilight explained

''But the lessons have only just begun!’’ Trixie cried. She suddenly obtained a look of confusion on her face as she realized the level of disappointment in her own voice. She grinned awkwardly, hoping Twilight hadn't picked up on it.

''Well...you could always come back to Ponyville,’’ Twilight suggested.

''Never! That backwards little town...’’

Twilight had that face on again, except this time her eyes were wide and pleading on top of the pout. Trixie’s heart melted again. So adorable!

''Well...maybe Trixie will consider it.’’

''Yes, Yes, Yes!’’ Twilight leapt out of her seat and started hopping in place enthusiastically, forgetting the posh setting she was in. Many ponies had paused their eating to stare at her quizzically. She shrank down embarrassed as she realized the show she had made of herself.

''Yes indeed, back to ponyville...''

Trixie thought of the scene of her embarrassment. Looking over at the embarrassed lavender pony who out staged her. She would never admit it but Twilight had been magnificent. Trixie had never seen such raw magic power before. She had been mortified by the experience but she never held a grudge to the purple bookworm as she had astonished her with her performance. The rest of the townsfolk though, she wasn’t too keen on seeing. This can’t go well She thought. NO! Trixie is afraid of nopony, and cares little for what some hick townspeople have to think! I’m doing it!

''Let’s go get the next train!’’ Twilight jumped with enthusiasm.

''Yes...let’s,’’ Trixie replied, far less enthused. ''Trixie will just need to grab some things from her caravan.’’