Bright sunlight beamed through the window into the bedroom. The sound of birds chirping merrily met Twilight’s ears as she woke. Raising her head slightly, she noticed the figure of a blue pony propped up in a sitting position against a pillow, her front hooves folded across her chest. The beds were positioned end to end, so Twilight could clearly see Trixie’s face. She was staring out the window, a forlorn expression covering her visage. Twilight propped herself up in a similar position against her pillow.

‘’Good Morning Trixie,’’ Twilight said grinning pleasantly, not quite sure what else to say.

‘’Oh, morning Twilight,’’ Trixie responded halfheartedly. Her gaze barely left the window.

‘’Did you sleep well?’’ Twilight inquired, feeling awkward trying to engage the mare in small talk after everything that happened the night before.

‘’Well enough,’’ Trixie rebutted, still little emotion in her voice.

Trixie was aware how short she was being with her new friend, but the pain of last night still hung heavy on her chest. She glanced over at the bookish unicorn, a sympathetic smile painted across her mouth. I can’t take my anger out on her. Just look at that face. She sighed.

‘’Shall we ... get some breakfast?’’ Trixie suggested, trying to break through her mood.

‘’Oh, sure!’’ Twilight's smile widened at the positive response from the pony. She glanced at her bedside clock. ‘’Oh it's nearly eleven; Spike has probably been up preparing some food already!’’

The two ponies stepped out of bed and walked downstairs in silence. As they approached the kitchen, a waft of tasty aromas met their noses. Twilight pushed open the kitchen door to see Spike clad in a white apron and chef’s hat, flipping pancakes in a frying pan.

‘’Morning ladies!’’ he greeted cheerfully. ‘’Breakfast is just about to be served!’’

The sight of the happy dragon brought a huge smile to Twilight’s face. Spike in particular had found Trixie extremely irritating last time she had come to Ponyville. He called her unbearable, and literally begged Twilight to shut her up. Yet here he was, smiling in her presence and even cooking breakfast for her. The sight made her think back to Applejack’s visit last night, and how understanding she had also been. Twilight was sure she couldn’t have found better friends in the entire world. Maybe Trixie just might learn a thing or two about friendship here Twilight thought happily, her mood on the disastrous situation getting lighter.

They sat and ate breakfast together, enjoying idle small talk. Trixie was quiet for most of it, but as the meal went on she seemed to regain her gusto, launching into a story or two about her travels. It warmed Twilight to see the show pony getting her groove back. Twilight glanced at the clock and remembered an errand she had to run.

‘’Sorry guys, I have to run over to Sugarcube Corner to pick up something off Pinkie,’’ she explained.

A look of nervousness grew on Trixie’s face again.

‘’You can wait here Trixie, don’t worry I’ll only be a few minutes. Spike, why don’t you give her a tour of the library while I’m gone?’’ Twilight suggested.

‘’Sure ... I guess?’’ Spike agreed, feeling awkward at the prospect of actually being alone with the pony he had grown a hatred for last time they met.

‘’I’ll only be a few minutes,’’ Twilight repeated, noticing the dragon's skepticism. ‘’And why don’t you get settled in Trixie? You still haven’t unpacked your things.’’

‘’Oh yes, Trixie will get on it right away!’’ the mare replied happily.

Twilight smiled, noticing the third person reference returning to her speech. She bid the two farewell as she left the library.

*

The usually short journey to Sugarcube Corner felt a lot longer to Twilight this afternoon. She was nervous about what ponies she may run into, thinking back to her outburst. She didn’t regret anything she said, the crowd had acted horribly, but the thought of facing any member of that mob again was not pleasant.

While she passed by a few ponies who simply kept to their own business, she didn’t run into anyone whose face she could recall from the mob. She hoped that when she did eventually see those ponies again she could think of them as an individual, and not a part of that teeming, horrible mass. She approached Sugarcube Corner with her head low, staring at the ground deep in thought. This unfortunately caused her to walk straight into the door frame of the building.

‘’Ow!’’ she yelped in surprise, pain flashing across her forehead.

The noise alerted a certain pink pony who was standing behind the counter inside the store. She looked up to see Twilight stagger inside, rubbing her forehead.

For the second time in as many minutes, Twilight’s head collided with another object. Fortunately, this was soft, warm and ... pink? She felt two hooves wrap around her and pull her into the pink mass.

‘’Oh Twilight I hope your okay! I saw the whole horrible incident from my bedroom last night! I ran outside when I heard the yelling then I saw it was you yelling and then you teleported away and then I ran over towards your house but I ran into Applejack but she said to leave you be for now and...’’

Twilight pulled her head away from Pinkie’s chest, gasping for air due to a mixture of Pinkie’s lung crushing hug and her face having being buried in her coat.

‘’I’m ... fine Pinkie,’’ Twilight panted. ‘’I’m not the one who needs cheering up right now,’’ she added, catching her breath.

‘’Oh yeah, that mean old crowd was after Trixie weren’t they?’’ the party pony realized. Her eyes suddenly grew wide with excitement.

‘’Some pony needs cheering up! This is exactly what Pinkie’s job is, it's time for a -!

Twilight shoved a hoof over Pinkie’s mouth, knowing exactly what the last word of that sentence was going to be.

‘’Think about this Pinkie, do you really think Trixie is going to want to attend a party probably filled with all the ponies who were throwing stuff at her last night?’’ Twilight lectured.

‘’I guess ...’’The pink pony admitted dejectedly. ‘’Not even a little party?’’

Twilight looked thoughtful for a moment.

‘’Hmm; Trixie probably isn’t ready to leave the library just yet,’’ Twilight raised a hoof to her chin pensively. An idea clicked in her head. ''How about a sleepover, just the usual six of us plus Trixie? It’s the perfect way to teach her about friendship and she won’t have to go outside!’’

‘’A slumber party!’’ Pinkie yelled excitedly. ‘’Just leave it to me Twilight, I’ll organize the whole thing!’’

Twilight only now noticed the flour covering her snout. It had come from Pinkie's coat. Looking at her friend, Twilight observed that the usually pink pony had patches of white all over her. Her eyes also caught Rainbow Dash sitting idly stretched out in a chair in the corner, front hooves behind her head. The pegasus was also covered in flour.

''Hey Rainbow,'' Twilight greeted ''why are you two ... never mind, I'm sure I don't want to know...''

''Hey Twilight; what, the flour?'' Rainbow grinned devilishly ''Me and Pinkie were -''

''I just said I don't want to know!'' Twilight yelled, cutting the pegasus off. ''Do you want come to this slumber party tonight?'' she suggested, looking for an opportunity to change the topic of conversation fast. Pinkie giggled beside her.

''I dunno Twilight,'' Rainbow replied frowning, hopping down from her chair. ''I mean, you might have your reasons for bringing Trixie back to town, but it seems to me she's more trouble than she's worth. She wasn't exactly a blast last time she was here.''

''But she can actually be really sweet Rainbow,'' Twilight appealed. ''She bought me dinner when I went to see her in Manehatten!''

Rainbow still looked unconvinced.

''Come on grumpy!'' Pinkie chirped, jumping on Rainbow's back and wrapping her hooves around her neck. ''It's now officially one of my parties so you have to be there!''

''Fine,'' Rainbow groaned. ''Just don't expect me to be best friends with Trixie.''

''Just try and be ... civil Rainbow, that's all I ask. Did you see what happened to her last night?''

''No but Pinkie told me all about it. I will admit it sounded pretty horrible, even for a rat like Trixie.''

Twilight was surprised by how much Rainbow's insult to Trixie hurt her. ''Calling her names certainly won't help Rainbow, just try and be nice.''

''I'll try,'' Rainbow agreed.

''That's the spirit!'' Pinkie grinned, hopping in front of Rainbow and giving her pegasus marefriend a quick kiss on the lips.

''And you two better behave yourselves tonight as well,'' Twilight added. '' Keep the public displays of affection to a minimum!''

Pinkie giggled again. ''We'll be good Twilight, Pinkie promise!'' She smiled. Rainbow just rolled her eyes.

''Alright, can I get those ingredients I ordered off you?'' Twilight asked.

''Okie Dokie Lokie!'' Pinkie sang.

*

‘’And that’s the library!’’ Spike finished enthusiastically as he and Trixie returned to the main foyer. ‘’So how long do you think you will be staying?’’ He asked politely.

‘’Oh ... Trixie is not sure. This is a lovely home you have here, staying a while would not be unpleasant, and Trixie was thinking of taking a break from traveling anyway.’’

‘’Um ... cool,’’ the dragon responded awkwardly, fumbling for conversation. ‘’Well I’ve got some chores to do,’’ Spike lied. ‘’I’m sure Twilight will be back soon. Just make yourself comfortable!’’ he left Trixie to herself with that.

This isn’t a bad place at all Trixie thought to herself as she looked around the library, its many books stacked on tall shelves and arranged in messy piles and precarious columns. The town outside though ....

Trixie was rescued from the troubling train of thought as the front door opened, Twilight walking in levitating a plastic bag with her magic.

‘’Hey Trixie,’’ she smiled, placing the messages down. ‘’Good news, we’re having a friendship lesson today! We’re having a sleepover!’’

Trixie’s face dropped, her eyes taking on a nervous look again.

‘’Oh no don’t worry, it’s just my close friends. Hopefully some ponies who will be your friends soon too!’’

Trixie still looked nervous.

‘’Come on it will be fun I promise, why don’t you help me get this room organized for tonight? I've got to move all these books out of the way!''

''Sure,'' Trixie smiled at the bookworm.

*

Celestia’s sun was beginning to set as Twilight finished the final touches to the room. She glanced at the sleepover manual she had read thoroughly many times before.

‘’I almost know this book by heart by now,’’ she giggled. ‘’I think I can do without it.’’

‘’You have a book on sleepovers?’’ Trixie asked, a small grin creeping across her face. She found the purple unicorn's adoration of books adorable.  ‘’That’s cute.’’

‘’I’ve books on everything Trixie’’ she smiled, blushing strongly at the last remark.

The two ponies caught each others' eye. The gaze lingered, and a tension started to build in Twilight’s chest. She felt a strange tingling sensation in her stomach as she took in Trixie’s eyes, her wonderful silver mane framing them like a portrait. Time seemed to slow. Trixie just sat there, looking back and smiling. Each second that passed made the tension grow stronger. What the hay is going on? I feel like I can’t move! The tightness in her chest and tingling in her stomach reached unbearable levels. She opened her mouth to speak but no words followed.

*Tap*Tap*

She jumped in surprise at the knock on the door. Relief flooded her as the tension drained out of her body.

‘’I’ll get that!’’ She burst out a little too loudly, practically sprinting to the door.

She opened it to see her five best friends standing outside, sleeping bags and other personal belongings on their backs. Pinkie was visibly struggling with her load, which was far greater than the others. Despite this her smile was still the widest.

‘’Hey guys, come on in,’’ Twilight greeted, moving aside to allow her friends through.

When Trixie caught sight of Twilight’s friends, her heart sank once again. I remember these ponies; I made fools of them last time I was here! She had hogtied the orange one, ruined the hair of the white one, and humiliated the blue one as well. Could this get any worse?

Strangely though, the ponies were all smiles upon seeing Trixie. They walked happily into the room, greeting her as if they had only just met. The rainbow pegasus was the only one who seemed phased, not saying hi like the rest of them. I suppose they can’t ALL be so forgiving she thought to herself.

Twilight also noticed how civil her friends were being. She already spoke to Applejack, Pinkie and Rainbow about the incident, but not Rarity or Fluttershy. Although, Fluttershy had not been present at Trixie's boasting show, and even if she was Twilight only expected the element of kindness would still be courteous towards the unicorn. As for Rarity, she surmised that the gang must have had a talk with her beforehand. She wanted to ask Rarity if she had seen the incident last night, but decided against bringing the unpleasant memory up. Tonight was about having fun.

The five arrivals began unpacking their things around the room, unfolding sleeping bags and other belongings. Pinkie was throwing up garish decorations, somehow simultaneously placing sugary foods around as she did so. Decorations and sweets seemed to literally fall out of the pony as she dashed around the room. She produced a large glass bowl from one of her many bags, and started to fill it from a bottle with a pink drink that smelled like some sort of fruit punch.

Twilight introduced her friends by name, each kindly greeting Trixie in response, apart from Rainbow who simply waved half halfheartedly in response while scooping herself some punch. Trixie thought she was more than lucky to get a positive reception off four of the five ponies.

After the ponies were settled, the fun started. Pinkie started up some music and they began playing games, dancing and laughing together. Some time passed, and Twilight was ecstatic to see Trixie having a good time, getting along great with her friends. Things were going well, almost too well....

Twilight began to notice how silly her friends had been acting. Even the initially cold Rainbow was now high hoofing Trixie and laughing with her. She went over to inspect the punch that Pinkie had prepared, Twilight having only had a little of it herself. She took a sip and tried to taste it thoroughly. She could only get a fruity taste. She pulled Pinkie aside.

‘’Is there alcohol in the punch Pinkie?’’ she interrogated

‘’Uh huh! Just a lil’ though, I thought it might help Trixie relax!’’ the pink pony admitted.

‘’Well, I guess it is working,’’ Twilight agreed, looking over at a laughing Trixie. Twilight wasn’t much of a drinker herself. ‘’A little warning would have been nice though!’’

‘’Oh lighten up Twilight, I only put a little in there; I'm sure the other ponies have realized it by now!’’ The party pony giggled. ‘’It’s not like it will get them hammered or anything!’’

Pinkie trotted off to rejoin the party. They continued with the festivities until Pinkie abruptly turned off the music.

‘’You know what time it is? Truth or dare time!’’ she announced.

The ponies gathered round in a circle excitedly. This was always a fun part of the night. Twilight considered how the alcohol would affect the game.

It started off innocently enough, simple truths and silly dares being performed by the gang. They seemed to go particularly easy on Trixie, which Twilight appreciated. She looked over at the azure pony, her gaze lingering for a little longer than your average friendly glance.

Rarity caught the look.

The white unicorn could spot a look of passion a mile away ,even if she did tend to see them where they didn't exist, and she started to put the pieces together. It makes so much sense now! She thought to herself, struggling to hide an excited giggle. Twilight wants that boastful mare! She grinned deviously to herself as a plan began to form in her head, the small levels of alcohol in her system fueling the idea.

‘’Your turn Rainbow!’’ Twilight called out.

Rarity was sitting beside Rainbow, and grabbed her with a hoof, whispering in her ear.

‘’What?’’ the confused Pegasus whispered back, ‘’Why?’’

‘’Just do it, trust me it’ll be hilarious!’’ Rarity hissed back. ‘’Think of it as a prank!’’ she suggested, knowing Rainbow’s weakness.

The others looked at the two strangely as they had their private hushed conversation.

‘’Alright, I guess?’’ Rainbow responded, still not understanding but curious to see how this played out.

‘’I pick Trixie!’’ Rainbow shouted out finally, pointing a hoof at the blue pony.

‘’Trixie picks dare!’’ she replied.

Perfect, Rarity grinned to herself.

‘’I dare you to ... kiss Twilight!’’ Rainbow demanded.

Twilight’s brain nearly exploded.

‘’What?!’’ the purple pony yelled.

‘’Well, what are you waiting for Trixie?’’ Rainbow smiled.

‘’Very well!’’ Trixie announced, standing up and walking towards a slightly shaking Twilight, a strong blush appearing on the librarian's befuddled face.

Trixie approached Twilight. The purple mare closed her eyes in nervous anticipation, scrunching her face up in the process. Trixie’s heart melted at the sight, and a heat started to rise up in her, the alcohol in her system lending strength to it. Trixie is going to enjoy this!

She closed her lips around Twilight’s. The purple unicorn’s face relaxed upon the contact, a fierce heat flushing through her body. Her heart began pounding, and her stomach felt as though butterflies had taken residence there. The room around her began to melt away.

She felt a tongue brush her lips and they opened subconsciously. Her heart began to pump faster as she felt Trixie’s tongue roll over her own. She couldn’t form a coherent thought, completely lost in the moment. She felt hooves wrap around her neck, and she found her own migrate towards Trixie’s waist. The muscles in her shoulders where Trixie’s hooves made contact felt as though they melted away. Her knees felt weak, and she was sure she was going to collapse at any minute.

The group stared in stunned silence. Rarity’s jaw was on the floor, having had no idea how far Trixie was going to take the dare.

''You weren't expecting this were you?'' Rainbow whispered to Rarity inquisitively, who could only respond by shaking her head, mouth still agape.

After a period of time which seemed to occur in a different plane of existence to Twilight, Trixie broke the kiss, stepping back from Twilight as both ponies returned all four hooves to the ground.

A few moments of silence followed. Trixie just stood there smiling, and Twilight swayed slightly, eyes half lidded, feeling as though her brain had flown out her ears. Eventually, a voice broke the silence.

‘’Woooooooo doggie Trixie! It only had tah be like, ah peck on the cheek!’’ Applejack hooted.

‘’The Great and Powerful Trixie does everything to her best ability,’’ the show pony replied proudly. She left a dangerously unbalanced Twilight still swaying in place as she returned to her spot in the circle.

‘’I’ll say!’’ Rarity responded to Trixie’s comment. ‘’You surely did not hold back anything there darling!’’

‘’Are you alright Twilight?’’ Fluttershy asked in a quiet concerned voice.

‘’Bluh?!’’ Was the closest thing to a word Twilight could manage.

‘’Looks like someone had fuuuuuuun!’’ Pinkie sang.

The group laughed as Twilight slowly regained consciousness.

‘’Wha...what’s going on?’’ the confused unicorn questioned.

The gang laughed at her again. Twilight could only blush furiously in response.

‘’A bit dizzy there Twilight?’’ Rainbow mocked.

‘’I’m just ... surprised’’ Twilight responded indignantly.

‘’Riiiiight, surprised,’’ the pegasus chaffed.

Trixie looked over in Twilight’s direction and smiled. Twilight’s face heated up and she could only look away and smile in response.

The girls continued the game, becoming less enthusiastic as the hour grew later.

‘’If it’s all the same to you ponies,’’ Trixie stood up stretching. ‘’Trixie is going to retire for the night. It has been a long time since Trixie has slept in a proper bed after travelling so much. There is a bed upstairs calling Trixie!’’

‘’Oh, of course Trixie go ahead,’’ Twilight allowed, still blushing when looking at the show pony. ‘’See you in the morning!’’

The group bid goodnight to Trixie as she cantered upstairs.

The rest of the ponies settled into their respective sleeping bags, Pinkie and Rainbow sharing a large one together, as Twilight turned out the lights. They were all soon fast asleep, except for Twilight, who’s mind was racing.

I’ve never been so confused She thought to herself. What were all these feelings she was having? Why had that kiss felt so ... amazing? Did she like Trixie? Did Trixie like her back or was the kiss just part of the game? She was a little tipsy off the drink, maybe she didn’t take it seriously. She lay awake by herself for what felt like forever, her mind constantly returning to the blue unicorn who lay upstairs ... in her bed.

She looked over at Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie cuddled up in their sleeping bag together. She felt a pang of jealousy at the two mares' happiness. Do I want the same thing? With Trixie?

Twilight honestly didn't know. She had always been so caught up in her studies that she really never gave much thought to such feelings. The only other pony she could think of that made her feel such strong emotions was Princess Celestia but that was different. She admired Celestia but had never gotten these warm excited feelings around her. I must have a book on this somewhere she thought to herself. She hated not knowing the answer to a problem.

Twilight felt more irritated the longer she lay awake. Sleep wasn't going to happen. She was used to insomnia, when you think all the time sometimes you just can't shut your brain off. She got up quietly and began walking upstairs. What am I doing, she thought, her legs on auto pilot. She crept quietly into her bedroom.

Approaching the bed, she looked upon Trixie again, a content smile painted across her mouth. She looked even more alluring than ever, her soft breathing the only sound in the room.

The urge to climb into bed with her struck again, and this time Twilight couldn’t resist it.

‘’Psst, Trixie.'' The blue pony stirred. ''Would it be alright if I got into bed with you?’’ she asked, her mouth and voice having seemingly been hijacked from her control. The words sounded bizarre having come out of her mouth.

The blue pony replied sleepily ‘’Oh ... sure ... go ahead,’’ She agreed motioning aimlessly with a hoof, never opening her eyes in the process.

‘’Thanks,’’ Twilight whispered back, climbing into the far side of the bed. She wanted to wrap her hooves around Trixie, but she seemed to regain control of her actions and decided against it. She felt content just being in the same bed with her.

She closed her eyes and drifted peacefully to sleep.