//------------------------------// // I'll go to work // Story: My Little Pony: Friendship is Fate // by Kujo Blaze //------------------------------// I feel sorry for Applejack, but I should prioritize work. I didn’t promise to be there, but I said I’d do my best to be there, so I should do so. “No, sorry, Applejack. I’ve got plans, so can we finish it some other time?” “Plans…? Oh, yo' muss mean yer wawk. So'ry t'trouble yo'. This hyar isn’t an urjunt matter. Don’t wo'ry about me an' hoof it to wawk.” “Sorry. I’ll continue first thing tomorrow morning, so can we call it even?” “Hm? Ah told yo', it’s not thet impo'tant. Th' urjunt stuff was finished this hyar mo'nin'. Yo' kin finish th' ress when yo'’re free, Sto'm, dawgone it.” “I see. Then can I finish it when I don’t have work?” “Sho'nuff. I’ll rely on yo' agin then, Sto'm.” Applejack says farewell and leaves the classroom. “…Well.” I should hurry off too. Even though there’s no set time to be there, I should head for the neighboring town if I’m going to go to work. “…Geez, I thought I was only helping out, but they gave me 30,000 bits.” Call it receiving a windfall, I guess. Copenhagen, the place where I worked today, is like a liquor store and a bar, and a lot of ponies are needed to restock inventory. It’s a big job that takes like five ponies, and it doesn’t hurt to have more to help. But the boss just said to everypony in his usual tone, “If you can come and help, please do.” …Completely relaxed about it. But as it turned out, I was the only one who came, along with the boss and his daughter, Neko. “You idiot! There’s no way ponies will come if you ask like that!” Neko was scolding the boss, but I showed up to be a victim, defying their expectations. They welcomed me with a cheer, and we decided to clean up the storage area as best we could. …And so, before we realized, two hours had passed and we’d finished restocking the inventory. “I’m surprised. Storm, are you some kind of workhorse or something?” After work, the boss eats a brown cake while being impressed. “Not at all. I’m just used to heavy jobs and I’ve worked here long enough to know where things are. I haven’t been working here since I was small for nothing, you know!” “Oh yeah. Has it been five years already?” “About that long. You were the only ones that would hire me right after my father died.” “Whoa. No wonder I’m feeling old.” He eats his rum cake. Neko is drinking hot sake next to him. The family is well balanced, as the boss likes sweet things while his daughter likes spicy things. “But you really helped us out. I can’t just give you a cake for all this work, so here’s a token of my appreciation.” He hands me three 10,000 bits bills. A reward unmatched for the three hours of work I did, much more that I would get for even a week’s worth. “Oh, thank you.” I hesitate, but decide to accept what I’m given. And as I’m leaving Copenhagen… “…Mmm. Hold on, Storm. Who’d you hear about today from?” Neko stops me while curled up in front of the heater. “Um, I think it was Klein.” “…Sheesh, that idiot. Don’t push your work onto a student. Well, so you came here today even though you didn’t have to?” “Uh… well, it was like, ‘come and help if I wasn’t busy’.” “…Klein’s an idiot, but so are you. Oh well. You never turn down anypony asking for help, do you? You took care of the store when dad and I got sick too.” “Hm? I don’t think that’s true. I don’t take impossible jobs. I only accept things I can do.” “…Hm. But you were sick too back then. I don’t really care. But what I’m saying is, you’re a good pony and a bit stupid, so I’m a bit worried. Tell Pinkie Pie to come and see me from time to time.” Neko circles her hoof while drinking some hot sake. She seems to think I’m a firefly or something. “Okay. …So, just tell Pinkie Pie that?” “Right. See ya, don’t push yourself too hard.” “…Wow, I’m already pas the bridge.” I made it from the neighboring town of New Ponyville back into Old Ponyville while I was daydreaming. Congratulations you earned 30,000 bits. Too bad you can't use it. :P Continue