My Equestrian Archives
Ch.6: Down On The Corner
Once again, I was up early the next morning. The sun was just peeking and peering upon the citizens of Equestria as I awoke. I could not help but to smile, looking at the mass amount of clothes sitting on my desk. Rarity had certainly made me a wardrobe.
Deciding on a white button-down shirt and khakis for the day, I hopped into the shower, letting my back relax as the hot steam and water untensed my muscles. Closing my eyes for a moment, I let my nervousness fade away. Working with Pinkie was sure to be interesting, but oddly enough, I looked forward to it so much.
As the clock struck 9 AM, I stepped out of the crystal castle and headed down the street. The bakery was straight ahead, and I knew the day would not be so hard. It was a 7-hour shift with a 40-minute break halfway through. "Keep your head up", I told myself. "You have worked in retail before. Its just desserts now instead of a lot of things."
Smiling as I entered the door, I saw Pinkie behind the counter setting up the bakery's new POS system. I could only shake my head. She appeared as bubbly as always.
As Pinkie saw me, she bounced towards me, jumping over the counter to greet me. She had a wide smile on her face.
"Hiiiiiiii!", she greeted, gesturing me behind the counter. "I just gotta show you the system here, and we will be all set to go at 10!", she cheered. I was stunned. All the desserts looked as if she had just made them.
"Pinkie?", I asked as I followed her, bumping the gate with my knee to open it. "How do you manage?"
She tilted her head, turning to me. "What do you mean?"
"Doing all this baking. This has to be a lot of work."
"Oh, it is!", she laughed. "I get up about 6 every day to bake."
"6? And you get this all done in 3 hours?"
She nodded. "Mhmm! Sometimes less. I simply figure out how much will be needed for the day, and have orders done ahead of time. And of course- "
"She has me to help, stranger", a voice interjected. I would see a yellow pony with an Afro hairstyle. "I gotta help my wife after all."
My eyes widened as the Earth Pony trotted up. "My names Cheese Sandwich. Pinkie and I bought this place from the old owners 2 years ago."
I smiled as I shook his hoof. "Wait. Then why did Pinkie want me to meet the Cakes?", I asked.
Pinkie beamed. "So, you could meet them", she smiled. "Plus, Pound and Pumpkin are cute as buttons! You had to meet them!"
I blinked. "Alright then", I said after a moment. "The POS system. Show me what I'm dealing with"
I checked my watch. 9:59. I had spent the last half an hour learning the ins and outs of the system. It seemed simple enough. Press the buttons for order, total, and press the numbers for the amount the customer gave you. If necessary, give them change. Pinkie turned to me.
With a flourish, at 10 on the dot, she opened the door. She smiled as Applejack trotted in, looking a tad exhausted. Scratch that. She looked like she had just arm wrestled a Hydra.
"You alright?", I asked with concern. Applejack nodded, wiping some sweat off her brow.
"Ahm fine Surgarcube. Ah just brought a bunch of baskets of Apples to da market. Whew. Its done though", she chuckled.
"Anyways, ah'll have A glazed doughnut and a Hazelnut capachino"
I nodded, putting in her order. "Could you do me a favor Applejack?", I asked as I bagged her treat.
She nodded. Her face turned into a grin as I asked her to tell Rarity I said thank you for the clothes. I had not got the chance the previous day, as she had been busy. "A massive order", as she called it.
"Ah think yah can tell her yourself", she smiled, as the aforementioned Unicorn came in, holding hoof and claw with Spike. The two came up to the counter.
"My apologies, David", Rarity said. "I got too busy to say have a good day to you yesterday."
I waved my hand. "Its fine Rarity. I forgot to say thank you for the clothes. I'm stopping by the Furniture store after work to buy a dresser."
AJ turned as she heard this, heading out the door. "Nope. Ah got an' old dresser that ah'll have Rainbow help me bring to da Castle for yah."
"Oh, you don't have to do that", I reasoned.
"Ah insist", AJ said, glaring at me. I glared back, before we burst out laughing.
"Okay", I said after I caught my breath. "Set it by the left window. I'll put the clothes away tonight."
She nodded, leaving.
*******
A few hours into my shift, around 1:30, Pinkie turned to me. She had just finished bagging an order for Mayor Mare, and I had finished ringing her up.
"Go ahead and take your break, David", she smiled. "You've worked hard today, and I REALLY appreciate it, Mister."
I smiled as I clocked out, having brought my lunch- A turkey sandwich and carrots. Sitting down at a table, I got to eating.
A few minutes in, I could feel someone staring at me. Like they were intensely looking at the back of my head. I turned around, to be greeted by a Mint Unicorn with Silver-White hair. She looked as though she was me with a good book- Uneasily happy.
"May I help you?", I asked politely. She continued to stare at me, before finally looking at my hands.
"Handssss", she drawed out, smiling, before laughing. "Sorry!", she said after a moment. "I've never met a human before."
I was quite confused. "Are there other humans in Equestria?"
She shook her head no as a Yellow Earth Pony came up. "There is not. And Lyra, I thought we agreed that you wouldn't bother him."
"But his hands", she protested.
"No buts", the yellow pony said before clearing her throat. "Sorry about that. My wife here really likes hands."
"They are awesome!", Lyra said. "They can pick things up and squeeze things and- ". She giggled, peering at mine closely.
"Uhh", I said. This Unicorn was freaking me out.
Thankfully, the other Pony had a solution, and began dragging Lyra out of the store. After a few minutes, they returned. Lyra looked embarrassed.
"Sorry sir", she said. "I just haven't seen a human before."
I ate a carrot before responding.
"Its. Fine, I guess? For future reference, you got way too close to me Lyra."
Lyra nodded, introducing me to the Earth Pony, Bon Bon.
I smiled as I returned to work, though a question focused on my mind. "How does Lyra know about hands so well?", I muttered, clocking in.
"Hi David", Twilight greeted as I walked into the Castle, a basket in my right hand. "Applejack and Rainbow Dash brought a dresser for you. Its right where you asked her to put it."
I thanked her, handing her a banana muffin. "Pinkie insisted I bring a muffin basked back with me", I said going to head upstairs to change.
"Before you go", Twilight started.
I turned to her. "Yeah?"
She grinned. "Tomorrow, make sure to dress nice. You are gonna meet my parents- and my brother."
A/n: I would eat carrots all day if I could lol. I hope you guys enjoyed!