>”Are we there yet…?”
>”I told you if you ask Trixie that one more time, she shall make you get out and *walk*!” Trixie yells back at the wagon, though she continues to plod along. The wagon follows, as such things are wont to do, as does the little yellow pony riding on it. “And keep your head over the edge! Trixie is fixing one of your mistakes now; she has no wish to clean up another.”
>Fluttershy moans lightly, the grass and flowers seeming to rush under her at a sickening pace.
>”I think this view is making me sick…” she whispers to herself
>”Then shut your eyes.”
>The pegasus does so, paying attention to the clatter of the wheels over rocks and dirt to distract herself from the sickness rising in her stomach.
>”Are we there yet…?
>”Almost.”
>The pegasus only answers with a small moan as the wagon depression in the road, rocking slightly.
>The wagon slowly lurches to a stop.
>”You can get off now,” Trixie tells her.
>”B-but… I…” Fluttershy whines, “I didn’t say it again…”
>”You’re home,” Trixie answers, slipping free from the yoke to help the drunk pony down from the wagon.
>The pegasus opens her eyes – her view filled with solid wood door to her cottage.
>”Oh…”
>”Hurry up, Trixie does not have all night!”
>”Sorry…” Fluttershy whimpers, accepting the unicorn’s help getting down.
>Trixie snorts in displeasure.
>”Do you need help getting inside?” she asks irritably, hesitantly pulling her hooves from the pegasus.
>Fluttershy wobbles unsteadily but manages to take a step forward unaided. Somehow, she manages to open the door and stumble through. She gets halfway across the room before she turns back to look at the unicorn.
>”Well…?” she asks softly.
>”’Well’ what?” Trixie snipes back. “Trixie is just resting before continuing on. Don’t worry, she won’t be here for long.”
>”Oh…” Fluttershy kicks softly at the floor, almost toppling over. “I thought you might like to spend the night…”
>The unicorn takes two steps back from the doorway, tossing her mane.
>”The GREAT and POWERFUL Trixie does NOT take advantage of drunks!” she insists, stomping her hoof for emphasis.
>”Yes… yes you do,” Fluttershy answers, her voice growing slightly bolder. “I’ve been to some of your shows… the ones down at the bar… and a few festivals…”
>Her head dips, letting her pink mane flow forward to obscure her face.
>”…taking advantage of drunks is basically your job…”
>Fluttershy kicks at the bare floorboards again.
>”Maybe – maybe Trixie understands that even the drunk need entertainment!” the unicorn shouts. “And that they pay better for her valuable time! But she would never – would NEVER –”
>”Oh, *that’s* what you thought!” Fluttershy giggles softly, teetering from side to side, “Don’t worry, neither would I.”
>”But –“
>”There is a guestroom…” the pegasus says, staggering further inside. “It just has to be more comfortable than that tiny pallet in your wagon.”
>She almost trips on the edge of the rug, prompting Trixie to blindly take a few steps closer in concern.
>”Well…?” Fluttershy asks again.
>”Trixie does not need *charity*,” the unicorn responds, taking a few steps closer. She hovers at the threshold, yet the brim of her hat is the only thing that crosses the boundary.
>She can feel the promise of warmth on her face. Though no fire has been lit and the cottage is downright chilly, it’s still far warmer than the air outside.
>Warmer than her wagon.
>”Trixie could pos-“
>”It’s not charity,” Fluttershy sighs, taking a step back towards the unicorn. “You’ve had fans and followers and henchponies, but…”
>She brings her head up a fraction, just enough to peer through her mane at Trixie with eyes full of pity and disgust.
>”… how long has it been since you’ve had a friend?” she asks, taking another step, teetering as she lifts her leg off the floor.
>”Trixie doesn’t need –“
>Fluttershy’s head droops back down.
>”It’s not charity,” the pegasus repeats, mumbling the words as she stares at her rug, “it’s kindness. And everyone needs a little kindness now and again…”
>The yellow pony tries to take another step forward, but stumbles to her knees. She quickly recovers, but not before Trixie steps hoof in the cottage. The unicorn now stands half in and half out of the cottage.
>”Thanks for bringing me home,” Fluttersay tells Trixie as she pulls herself upright. “I might not have been able to make it on my own.”
>She pulls herself onto her sofa, pulling a toss pillow under her head.
>”Too tired, gonna sleep here,” the yellow pony murmurs, shutting her eyes. “The guest room – upstairs… on the left. Whether you stay or go, please shut the door behind you.”
>Trixie looks over her back, into the dark night. At her cold wagon and her rough hay-stuffed mattress, the closest thing she’s had to a home in years.
>She doesn’t mind, not really – it was her choice, the life of a traveling magician. But...
>It *is* lonely.
>It *is* cold.
>And it’s not like it’s charity – she paid for the night’s lodging by bringing the drunk home.
>”I’ll stay…” Trixie says to the sleeping pony, pulling the door shut behind her. A blue aura surrounds a throw draped over the back of the sofa, pulling it over Fluttershy.
>The pegasus smiles into her pillow as Trixie climbs the stairs to the guest room.
>”See Twilight?” she whispers to herself. “I told you she wasn’t so bad.”