Do You Believe in Magic? [Trixie/Silver Tongue ]

[Trixie Lulamoon]

”Well this is a little better than last time Trixie was on a blind date…” Trixie mused as she sat down to her table.

Unlike last time, which was basically a picnic, Trixie had found herself in Las Pegasus sitting in a dinner and show theatre for apparently one of the best magic acts in the town. Of course that was a lie; Trixie was just eating dinner. But the second best magic act was sure to be something entertaining to watch. But there was still sometime before then so that her and her date could get to know one another and blah blah blah.

Trixie glanced down at the card that was supposed to be informing her of her date. Unfortunately she had no idea who this Silver Tongue was. Hopefully he’d at least be tolerable. Her last date was okay, seeing as he was interested in Trixie and her magic. What was his name again, Big Mac or something? Ah whatever, that was a long time ago. As long as it stayed at about that level of okayness, Trixie could probably tolerate this whole thing. And if it was bad, well, at least she could watch a magic show, maybe get some ideas. Or even better, get invited on stage and get to show off her own skills…

But wanting that to be a secret, should it happen, for now she had her hat and cape kept in her saddlebag. As far as the rest of the world knew, she was just an extremely beautiful mare out on evening with a date.

[Silver Tongue]

Silvers original thought was to sign up for a blind date to get some free love to feed on.  Yes, it was probably a bad way to go about things, but he was hungry, and he was still trying to remember how the scouts got their food when they weren't able to feed directly.

At least, that was the plan.  He sighed as he looked at the card.  A name he recognized.  A showpony he'd seen at shows once or twice before.  She was a pretty decent entertainer, but she only showed a love for herself.  How would he feed on THAT?

He shook his head, and grinned at his reflection.  It was just a challenge.  One he could overcome he was sure.  Or maybe, just maybe, he'll actually have a good time and Trixie is different off stage. He made his way out, heading for Las Pegasus, and ultimately his date.

---

Of course it would be at a magic show...  It made sense, an entertainer like Trixie would want something like this, right?  He entered.  Still setting up, meaning a bit of time before their conversation would be put on hold to watch the magician.

He looked out over the crowd and spotted a Blue unicorn with a Silvery-white mane.  "_{Whelp, there she is...}"  He moved through the room, approaching Trixie and her table.  "Trixie, if I'm not mistaken?"  He started, bowing low.  "I am Silver Tongue, the story teller from Ponyville, and I believe I'm your date for the night?"  He pulled his chair and sat down, looking to her.  "It seems I lucked out with the pairings.  I couldn't have asked for anyone better to spend the evening with." 

[Trixie Lulamoon]

It wasn’t long before Trixie found herself being approached by a stallion who apparently knew her. It seemed that he was to be her date for the evening. Normally flattery would get someone quite far with her, but as this was just the introductions the “couldn’t have asked for anyone better” lines were still just in formality stages. Still, she would take the compliment, but if he was expecting anything he was going to have to step it up a bit.

”Trixie recognizes your luckiness, but unfortunately Trixie doesn’t know who you are and so can’t return the compliment. But, if you’re a story teller, maybe you can start by telling Trixie a little story about yourself?” she responded, leaning her head on one hoof as she rested a foreleg on the table.

While she enjoyed a good story, she wanted to see how this story teller would work under an audience who didn’t seem particularly excited to see her. That was when a magician truly revealed themselves; twas easy to be a good one when the audience liked you, but as she knew quite well working with a hostile audience could bring out very different things.

[Silver Tongue]

But, if you’re a story teller, maybe you can start by telling Trixie a little story about yourself?

And there it was.  Not even five minutes into this encounter and his least favorite story subject came up, Himself.  He had several stories he could tell.  He traveled around the world, he fought in several battles, and he helped break Canterlot.  Hmm, maybe he could tell that story first...  Sorta.

"Well, I guess to get a feel for who one truly is, you'd have to know how they act in points of stress.  So, how about I start with the Changeling Siege on Canterlot?."  He asked, taking a deep breath to focus his thoughts.  "It was a harrowing time, the sound of the shield shattering still echoes in my head.  The sound of the pavement and glass cracking as they came down...  The look on the faces of the ponies.  After a short while of my running, I decided No more.  I stood tall in the face of the changelings, and started fighting back."

He leaned back in his chair a bit, thinking again.  "Not sure how much good I did, but I did all I could.  Then, when they were cleared out of Canterlot, I blacked out..."  He looked to her with a slight grin, and a chuckle.  "Of course, that doesn't really paint me as much of a hero, huh.  After that, I spent time travelling the world, staying in dangerous places like the Everfree...  Anything specifically you want to know?"

[Trixie Lulamoon]

Trixie remembered hearing about the Changelings attacking Canterlot, though at the time she was personally on the other side of Equestria. Apparently he was there, battled some Changelings, and then travelled the world. Meh, it was a start, but it didn’t tell her that much about him except that he got beat up by Changelings. It would be like introducing herself by talking about how an Ursa Minor crushed her wagon.

”Trixie hope that’s not how you start off all your introductions because Trixie didn’t learn anything about you at all except that you got beat up by a couple of Changelings.”

Trixie’s slight boredom aside, she figured now would be a good moment to tell a little bit about herself in the most absolute Trixie way of doing it of course.

”Let Trixie show you how you make a real introduction.”

With that Trixie stood up, flipping her mane a little bit to make sure it wasn’t in her face before she started on about her absolute favorite topic; herself.

”There was once a little filly who studied at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. She spent her time learning the grandest and most powerful of arcane arts to mesmerize the mind and to deceive the eye. Illusions, spectacles, all were part of her domain. But the passage of time moved on, and soon that young filly, now a mare, had to leave the School. Her love of illusion still burned strong, however, and now she wanders the land, performing feats never before seen by mere pony eyes. Fortunately, tonight you shall be graced by this amazing mare, for I am,”

At this point Trixie’s horn glowed as she disappeared in a blast of smoke, reappearing on her rear hooves on the table in full cape and hat. She did not, for once, add in fireworks and sound. She didn’t want to upstage tonight’s entertainment before he even showed up after all.

”The Great and Powerful Trixie!”

Her proclamation done, she got back down on all fours and made her way off the table, sitting back down as calmly as if she had just gotten up to stretch.

”See, that’s how you make an introduction; you tell them a bit about your past, play up your strengths, tell them what you do, and then make sure they don’t forget your name.”

As if to punctuate her point, she levitated her glass of water up to take a sip.

[Silver Tongue]

Silver nodded, impressed by the introduction.  It's true, when he met ponies he wasn't typically asked for a major introduction like that.  He thought for a moment before grinning.  "Well then.  After a display of that caliber, nothing is going to look any good."  He said, Shifting in his seat a bit.  "Sorry to Disappoint, though had I started with 'A colt with the power to topple governments' I figured you would have gotten bored."  He said with a bit of a chuckle.

He thought for a moment.  The stage illusionist inviting the Illusionist to a show to watch an illusionist.  He idly wondered if Trixie planned that due to a common interest, or because she wanted to scope out her competition.  "Y'know.  I'm a pretty skilled illusionist, myself.  After the impressive display of fireworks, I'm excited to see more of what you can do."  He said with a grin, looking the magician over for a moment.

He levitated the hat from his head and set it on the extra chair as a blue flower twirled its way into existence between the two of them, hovering for a moment before floating over to Trixie.  What would usually be an easily identifiable trick may be a bit harder to decipher, as no glow on Silvers horn, or around the flower, came to life as it hovered in front of Trixie, waiting for her to take it.

[Trixie Lulamoon]

”Hah, if you had started with that Trixie would have rolled her eyes in disbelief,” she responded to the “topple governments” quip. And they said that she had an ego.

Still, he was at least impressed from the sounds of it, which was always a good way to get on Trixie’s good side. But that he was also an illusionist could be interesting. No doubt that Trixie was most likely the better of the two, but she could appreciate a good trick or two from others. Especially if she could find ways to incorporate new spells and ideas into her acts…though after that one time she almost got sued by some other magician she had learned to be a little more careful about it. Simple tricks yes, career defining tricks no.

”If you can keep Trixie’s interest, maybe she’ll be willing to show you a few more tricks later,”she replied as she watched him summon up a flower.

About the main thing of interest in the trick really was the lack of a magical aura, but Trixie did know of the existence of spells that allowed a pony to mess with the color of their aura. Theoretically one could make it invisible, though admittedly it was something beyond Trixie’s knowledge. Light refraction could have also been involved, though that might have left the horn glowing. For now, all Trixie could do was give a slight smile of approval. Whatever he did, it was at least interesting.

”May not have much flair to it, but being able to hide your aura is a neat trick. Trixie might be able to stand being with you for a little while longer after all,” she stated as she levitate the flower and placed it on the table in front of her.

[Silver Tongue]

”Hah, if you had started with that Trixie would have rolled her eyes in disbelief,”


As he thought.  She talks big, but still has realistic expectations.  That should make things move a lot smoother.  He laid the flower down on the table in front of Trixie gently and relaxed into his seat.  Perhaps this night wouldn't be nearly as bad as he thought.


”If you can keep Trixie’s interest, maybe she’ll be willing to show you a few more tricks later,”

"I guess I'll have to try my best for the one and only Trixie."  He smiled a bit,  and looked at her with a ponderous look.  "Magic intrigues you, it seems.  But it makes me wonder.  How would an Earth Pony entertain a magician such as yourself?"  He asked, his horn glowing for a very brief moment as it vanished entirely, leaving his hair laying as if the horn was never even there.

"It's also intriguing, why you would choose this Venue as our date.  Our meeting is early enough to get some conversation before the show, but when it starts, our conversation would have to take a back seat... And the show?  Surely there's not much more the Great and Powerful Trixie could learn.  Came to see the competition?  Perhaps heckle a bit?"

[Trixie Lulamoon]

Trixie closed her eyes and gave a slight “tsk tsk” as she shook her head. The whole “she’s only interested in magic” thing was a mistake, if understandable based on her own particular interests and amazing magical abilities.

”While Trixie enjoys a good magic show, Trixie is entertained by all types of skills. It’s a question of talent and performance. Magic is, admittedly, can make the latter easier to do, but Trixie is also appreciative of those who can replicate the amazing feats of magic. Tis why Trixie makes sure to be very well-learned about the workings of fireworks or basic sleight-of-hooves tricks.”

As for the choice of venue, Trixie had no role in that. It was probably chosen by those organizing the event simply because, well, they were both illusionist and could probably relate to the show somehow.

”Trixie didn’t choose the venue, but it makes some sense since we’re both illusionist. At the very least the show would give Trixie something to talk to you about and, should it turn bad, we could always bond over some heckling,” she said with a bit of a laugh.

”Of course, Trixie is capable of sitting back and letting somepony else have the spotlight, just for a bit. Besides, it makes it easier for Trixie to be able to absorb all that is happening so Trixie can later make it better,” she continued. She recognized that she wasn’t perfect, but one didn’t have to be perfect to be better.

”But what about you? What series of events brought you into Trixie’s presence?” she replied, a little more sly now as she waited to see what new information her date would bring up. So far he had been rather tight lipped, and that was starting to be intriguing and annoying. But it was only a matter of time before the Great and Powerful Trixie would open whatever secrets he was hiding.

[Silver Tongue]

The more he talked to Trixie, the more Silver found the rumors to be false.  She didn't seem all that self centered and arrogant.  Maybe just a little bit, but really, who wasn't?  He nodded in agreement.  "Yeah, watching others preform magic always intrigues me."

She didn't choose the venue?  That was interesting, but it made sense.  Perhaps she was from around here and it was the proper thing for the male to travel for this kind of thing.  He was alright with travelling a bit to meet new ponies.  "Yeah, Heckling sounds fun.  But let's hope it doesn't come to that between us." 


”But what about you? What series of events brought you into Trixie’s presence?”


"Well.  It'd been a while since I met anyone new, or found a mare to go out with, so I figured, why not.  I signed up and, frankly, am happy with the results."  He paused for a few moments thinking before he looked to Trixie.  "Now, why did someone as lovely as yourself need to sign up for something like this?"

[Trixie Lulamoon]

”Quite simple really; Trixie was bored, and travelling in a wagon isn’t exactly conducive to meeting new ponies,” she replied, taking a sip of some water she had ordered earlier. She just left out the stuff about the Ursa and what not that had also complicated her interactions with ponies.

While it seemed he was fine with the date, so far Trixie had found herself merely tolerating the stallion’s presence. Something just seemed off about him, but she couldn’t put her hoof on it. It was probably that all he ever did was make her answer questions or deflect everything to her. And while Trixie didn’t mind talking about herself, she did kind of prefer to have others talk about her. Or flirt with her, or do anything but whatever it was he was doing. About the only thing of interest he had really done so far was his magic act.

(Un)fortunately for Silver, Trixie wasn’t exactly beyond giving advice when she felt it would be appropriate.

”Now then, while Trixie has the floor, Trixie would just like to offer some advice if you’re really wanting to meet some new mares,”

”First, Trixie has noticed that you still haven’t really told Trixie anything about yourself. Magic tricks are fun, but there is only so much those can do if the pony doing it isn’t actually making any other efforts to talk.”

With that Trixie then laid back a little, sipping her water a little more before getting on with it.

”Second, lighten up. That really polite speech thing you got going? Doesn’t really make you sound all that smooth; makes you sound like one of those up tight Canterlot snobs , and if you’re all stiff and uptight than you’re dates going to feel the same way.”

Trixie smiled a little as her eyes narrowed a little.

”So come on then, why don’t you try telling Trixie a little about yourself, for real this time.”

[Silver Tongue]

”First, Trixie has noticed that you still haven’t really told Trixie anything about yourself."

”Second, lighten up. That really polite speech thing you got going? Doesn’t really make you sound all that smooth; makes you sound like one of those up tight Canterlot snobs"


Silver had listened to the advice Trixie gave him and nodded.  "Fair enough.  Though, I 'sound like one of those up tight Canterlot snobs' because that's how you fit in around Canterlot."   he shifted a bit, getting more comfortable, and taking a drink of his water.

"I'm from Canterlot.  Lived there most of my life.  My father was a bit of a circus performer that called himself 'The Great Thunderhead'  he had magic that let him do light shows with electricity."  Silver  looked toward the table, thinking for a moment.

 "I've spent my entire life in Canterlot.  Being from a circus isn't the most lucrative of occupations, so I set out on my own and scraped my way to the top, using my Illusions in... Various ways.  While I didn't attend Celestias school for magic, I learned all of my magic on my own, and almost feel like I have more of a connection with it than I normally would have..."

"My Illusion has kept me alive all these years.  It's helped me avoid conflict, helped me acquire my bits, and helped me feed."  He said, taking another drink of his water, looking to Trixie.  "Not as exciting a story as the tale of the Great and Powerful Trixie, but it's my story...  and I hope it's to your liking."  He idly wondered... How much of the history Trixie could pick apart.  He wouldn't openly admit it, but only his last few lines were truly him... But he wasn't about to tell her 'Chrysalis trained me in my magic and I fought in her army because that's what Changelings do.'

[Trixie Lulamoon]

Trixie listened as Silver got a little more personal, which seemed to satisfy her wondering why he wasn’t saying much about himself. The mentioning of a “The Great Thunderhead” piqued her curiosity, however, seeing as she also enjoyed doing light shows, and knew how to mess with electricity a little (well, she makes lightning at least). She would have to ask him about his father’s tricks and, if he didn’t mind, if Trixie could incorporate some of it into her own show.

The rest of his story seemed fine as well; self-taught illusionist working hard to get bits. The feed line was a bit odd, but she took it to mean just from the bits and what not. All in all this was somepony she could at least respect. Still really wasn’t getting that “spark”, so to speak, that she thought was supposed to be there. But not all dates ended in success, and Trixie did pride herself on having high standards anyway.

”Trixie is well aware of the difficulty being a travelling illusionist can be, and for that Trixie can at least state you have Trixie’s respect,” she replied, giving him a bit of a smile, but just a bit before turning her glance towards the stage,”Unfortunately for you that’s about all you seem to inspire in Trixie. It’s nothing personal, by the way, but Trixie just isn’t feeling much else is all.”

After a moment Trixie kind of realized that sounded a bit harsh. She turned her attention towards a small satchel she had brought, using her magic to levitate open it and procuring a piece of paper she placed in front of Silver.

”But if you are interested in just hanging out, here is the list of places Trixie will be travelling too when she hits the road. And maybe if you’re lucky, Trixie will let you assist in an act or two.”