"Trixie's new bed is quite satisfactory," the blue magician announced, having given it a test run the night before.

"It's pronounced thank you, Trixie," Twilight remarked, her eyes never leaving the the pages of the book in front of her. She lay on the floor, her back to Trixie, who was sprawled out on a couch behind her, looking the very definition of boredom.

"Is this really what you do all day?" The restless magician inquired.

"I certainly try to, but with the constant distractions I have to deal with, it proves quite difficult."

Trixie sulked, staring vacantly at the purple unicorn in front of her. Restless, she found herself jumping off the chair and walking towards the pony sitting before her. Twilight's ears pricked up as she heard hooves approaching.

"Trixie, what are you-eep!" Twilight squeaked as she felt two hooves wrap around her waist.

"Just trying to entertain myself," Trixie whispered into her ear. She placed a hoof on the side of Twilight's face, turning it until they made eye contact.

"What... I...," Twilight whispered, breathless, her adorable blush once again covering her face.

"Shhh," Trixie whispered, leaning in to touch her lips with her own.

Trixie blinked as she came back to reality from the daydream. She began to feel even more restless now that her bored mind has began straying towards those thoughts. She found herself wondering what Twilight would think if she knew what she had just fantasized about. This only served to make her more agitated.  

"Hey, I know," Trixie spoke suddenly, trying to take control of her wandering mind. "We should have a drink!"

"Seriously Trixie?" Twilight responded, looking up from her books. "You really want another drink after your performance a couple of days ago?"

"Hey, that was a... strange circumstance. Trixie never usually gets quite so intoxicated. I swear to you that I know how to handle my drink... usually."

"I dunno Trixie. Besides I don't really drink myself, so there isn't much around here."

"Oh come on Twilight, I did your dumb chores for you, at least try to be fun for once in your life."

"You know Trixie, generally if you want something from another pony, it helps if you don't insult them as you ask."

"Really? Trixie has had no issues with this method in the past."

Twilight's ears drooped in frustration.

"Alright. I do have a couple of bottles of cider that Applejack gave me as a gift. I'll go fetch them."

"Yay!" Trixie cheered, pleased with getting her own way.

"On one condition!"

Trixie's mirth quickly left her.

"What now? Don't tell me you have another stupid list for me."

Twilight struggled to contain the anger she felt from Trixie calling a list stupid. She briefly contemplated scolding her again, but she could already hear Trixie's laughter that would result from allowing her to see how much insulting parchment had gotten to her.

"I just want to know what you are doing here Trixie."

"Ahh... yes," Trixie lifted a hoof to her chin. "I figured that would come up eventually."

"It was probably silly of me to assume you were going to just tell me at some point?"

"Probably." Trixie agreed.

"So you'll explain if I get you something to drink?"

"Well, alcohol tends to loosen most lips. I figure its worth a shot. What have you got to lose?"

Twilight was aware Trixie had guaranteed nothing, but decided it was worth a try.

"Alright, wait here."

*

"This is really quite decent stuff," Trixie announced, taking another sip from her glass.

"Of course, the Apple family know their cider. You've met Applejack before. Orange coat, always wears a hat?" Twilight giggled, the cider already taking effect on the drink-inexperienced mare, causing her speaking to double in speed.

"Sounds somewhat familiar," Trixie agreed.

"So tell me what you want my help with Trixie," Twilight asked, the cider giving her the confidence to be blunt.

Trixie stared down at her glass, her mind in a desperate scramble to find some excuse or method of avoiding the topic. The alcohol in her system made the task no less difficult. She briefly cursed herself for managing to back herself into a corner like this. She glanced up at Twilight, who was smiling and waiting patiently for her answer.

"Are you much of a teacher Twilight?" She answered eventually. She figured she may be able to skirt the issue by addressing it just slightly.

"A teacher?" Twilight responded in confusion.

"Yeah, have you ever thought other ponies things? Magic even?"

"Oh well sure, I've given a lecture or two back in school, presentations and things like that. I often give my friends lectures but they... don't seem to appreciate them as much." The sudden image of Rainbow Dash rolling her eyes flashed through Twilight's mind.

Realising she had Twilight distracted, Trixie saw her opportunity to steer the conversation her way.

"I bet you would be a good teacher Sparkle." Trixie knew that compliments were a foolproof way to manipulate another pony.

"Wow, thanks Trixie," Twilight began to blush, the sudden unexpected compliment catching her off guard. Trixie smiled as she saw her usual charms taking effect.

"Why don't you tell me about some of your time back in school? What lectures did you give?"

A wide smile crossed Twilight's face at this request.

"You really want to hear about my school days?!" Twilight asked again, excited by a request she had not before received.

"Sure, as long as there is another bottle of cider on the way."

"No problem!" Twilight announced with enthusiasm, dashing into the kitchen once again.

*

"Wow, it's gotten pretty late," Twilight noted, a yawn escaping her mouth as she observed the darkness outside. "I think I'm gonna hit the hay. You coming Trixie?" The new bed had been placed in the same room as Twilight's, Trixie having refused to sleep down in the basement. Spike had decided the basement sounded more appealing than sleeping in the same room as Trixie, so he opted to move down there himself instead.

"Yeah, uh, I'll be up in a minute." She felt relief as she realised she had managed to postpone her intentions for another while longer.

"OK!" Twilight smiled a crooked smile, her head swaying slightly. Trixie giggled.

"You know you're quite cute when you're drunk Sparkle."

"I'm not drunk!" Twilight rejected, her words containing a slight slur. A blush was beginning to form on her face, a mixture of Trixie's comment and the alcohol. "I'm just tired," she claimed, looking away from Trixie with embarrassment.

"You're cute when you blush too."

"Cut it out Trixie!" Twilight demanded, failing miserably to hide the smile forming on her face, and the blush dominating her cheeks. "I'm going to bed!" With that she ran up the stairs, only stumbling twice on the way.

Trixie watched her go with a smile. Finishing her drink, she got up to follow, only for her eye to fall on the book Twilight had been reading earlier. She approached it, scanning the cover. 'Advanced Transformation Magic' was printed on the black leather cover in gold text. She opened the inside cover, revealing a large intricate stamp. 'From the library of Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns'. Her forehead creased into a frown upon seeing the stamp.

"Of course..." she muttered to herself.