//------------------------------// // An Ordinary Day // Story: The Princess of Friendship Works Part Time? // by smxsonic //------------------------------// Quickening’s was a quixotically niche store.  It sold a cavalcade of “nerd” items such as: Comics, cartoon collections, knick-knacks associated with popular TV shows, themed chess-sets, luxury underpants, little tiny dancing bears and the like. But, For Twilight, It was the large variety of books that endeared the job to her. It felt just like the Library. Speaking of which, after a quick glance from the clock, Twilight could see that it was almost time for- “Hi Twilight!” a cacophony of six mismatched voices rang out. It was like clockwork, about an hour or two into her shift, her friends came to visit. “Girls, you don’t have to come by and visit me every day” Twilight murmured while finishing stocking the books on their shelves. “Aw, Shucks, Sugar, It ain’t every day.” Applejack drawled sheepishly, rubbing a toe against the ground. Twilight chuckled, “Near about.” “Well I actually wanted to know if the newest Daring Do book was released” Rainbow Dash pushed herself forwards, leaning over the counter into Twilight’s face.. “A Gift for Scootaloo?” Twilight teased, her arms folded and her smile knowing as she leaned slightly away from Rainbow Dash. “Uh, yeah sure” Rainbow Dash confirmed nervously, leaning back some from the counter. “Oh, Rainbow, don’t be so nervous, I did Introduce the pony Rainbow Dash to the series.” Twilight sketched a quick picture of the pony reading a book, and pointed to it demonstratively. “Yeah, Yeah, Just tell me where it is,” Rainbow groaned, slamming her head against her arms on the counter. “It’s in the Adventure Section, It just came out, so the cover should be facing out” Twilight replied, gently lifting Rainbow Dash’s hair out of her eyes, then twisting her head to point her in the right direction. Rainbow dashed off to retrieve her book. Twilight turned to her friends. “So what’s going on with you guys?” She asked, sitting back on her little stool behind the counter “Oh, you know, Darling, just the usual” Rarity said, twirling a lock of her own hair sensually around a finger “Although we did want to talk to you about something when you had time.” “I have a break in about 30 minutes” Twilight said raising her Eyebrow in question. “A Band?!” Twilight asked incredulously. She and her friends sat around a snackbar table next to Quickenings for Twilight’s Break.  Sunset had also given Twilight her phone back. “Yep, CHS is holding a music showcase, and guess who roped almost all of us into her Band?” Applejack Explained. “You guys could’ve said ‘No’” Rainbow Dash growled. “Wait, ‘Almost Everyone?” Twilight asked. She was answered by everyone almost unconsciously looking at Sunset. Twilight turned to Sunset with her eyebrow raised. Sunset saw this and Stammered, “W-well, Rainbow did ask me, but, nobody is going to want to see Demon Girl up on stage” “And here I thought you were over it…” Twilight commented in a slightly worried tone. “ Kinda hard to get over something that you’re constantly reminded of.” “Do you need to see Cadence again?” Sunset grunted softly in response. Twilight rolled her eyes and turned to the others. “Well I can’t join you guys, Between School, Research, and Work, I just don’t have the time” “Research?” Rarity asked “It’s Silly, but-” “The Princess here is trying to see what what magic there is in this world” Sunset interrupted. Twilight shot her roommate a glare, and sighed, “Predictably, nothing’s come up. Don’t get me wrong, I Love you guys, but… I still get homesick, you know.” “It’s okay Twilight,” Fluttershy piped up, “We understand how you feel” “You should still totally watch us rehearse!” Rainbow cried. “Our songs may not be nothin special, but our rehearsal is” Twilight chuckled, “Okay, okay, I’ll sit in on one rehearsal, but for now I have to get back to work. [hr/] Twilight returned to work and was about to go to register duty when Trixie almost materialized in front of her. “ Hello, Twilight Sparkle,” Trixie greeted “Hello, Trixie Lulamoon,” Twilight replied evenly, crossing her arms. “How was your break?” “It was fine, but now, if you would be so kind I would like to get back” Twilight’s eyes were half lidded and she headed toward the cash Register. “Well, Fine, I won’t Tell you about your twin” Twilight’s eyes went wide and she turned toward Trixie. “My Twin?” “Oh, so now you’re interested in The Great and Powerful Trixie’s story, are you?” Trixie’s smile gaining a cat like quality. “Trixie, I don’t have time for this!” “Oh, fine, fine, It wasn’t anything much, Just that there was a girl in here that looked just like you, I was about to bother her, when I realized that she did her hair much differently than yours. It still had that silly highlight that yours has.” Twilight frowned at that last statement, “Is that all, Trixie?” “Oh, am I boring you? At least you are of a challenge in the Battle of Wits than your little clone. Poor dear seemed intimidated by nearly every soul she came across. She would probably faint at the sight of yours truly!” Twilight raised one eyebrow while still maintaining her stoic half lidded countenance, “Well, that was interesting, Trixie, but now I have to get back to work.” Trixie turned on her heel with a condescending “Hmph” to punctuate it. Leaving Twilight to finish her shift.  Of course, Twilight now had more on her mind than ringing people up. [hr/] “A Disguise?” Rarity gasped dramatically, “Whatever for? After work, Twilight had gone over to Rarity’s boutique and immediately asked if Rarity could work on a disguise.   “Well, It’s for In case I see… Myself….” Twilight explained feebly. Rarity rested her chin in her finger and repeated, “In case you see yourself?” Twilight gesticulated wildly with her hands while failing to form any kind of comprehendible statement. She then took a deep breath and said, “I… guess it was one of those eventualities I never considered when I first realized I had no way to get home.” Rarity put her hand on Twilight’s shoulder, “What was that, Darling?” “That I would meet… This world's Twilight.” Rarity cocked her head to one side. “Why is that distressing you, Twilight? From what you’ve told me, I Would LOVE to meet My Pony Self! Oh, the Fashions we would come up with together…” Rarity started to drift off as Twilight sighed deeply. “You have context, Rarity, This world’s Twilight doesn’t know anything about Equestria. If she sees me, Who knows what she’ll do!” “Well, It can’t be all that bad,” Rarity reasoned. “Maybe,” Twilight said, “But I don’t want to take that chance.” Rarity pursed her lips in thought, “Well then, Darling, let’s get to work. The two girls went to work, designing a persona that Twilight could don if she ever met her twin.