After a string of bad luck, Pokey Pierce's life seems to be heading in the right direction with the help of a new job and home. But can he get along with his pink co-worker given the evil glares she gives him?
“There she goes,/There she goes again./She calls my name,/Pulls my train,/No one else could heal my pain.” –The La’s, ‘There She Goes’
Pokey Pierce's luck seems to finally be turning around for him. However, there is one thing he just can't shake off, Pinkie Pie's stare of doom. Will she forgive him for always popping his balloons? Well, hopefully they'll make peace since they are now working together.
A party was being thrown at Sugarcube Corner one evening. Pinkie Pie, also known in Ponyville as the party pony, was the mastermind behind the celebration for her blue pegasus friend, Rainbow Dash. All of the pegasus's friends wanted to thank her for her work and of course Pinkie Pie was going to invite the entire town. Among the ponies that came to celebrate was a blue unicorn stallion.
His name was Pokey Pierce. While he often would attend the parties that Pinkie Pie would throw, he was always a bit uneasy about attending them. He had an uncanny ability of popping the balloons that Pinkie Pie would have decorated around. He had known about this "talent" since Pinkie first moved to Ponyville and threw her first party. Whenever he would pop one of her balloons, she gave a very grim stare to Pokey that seemed like it was stabbing into his very soul. He noted that she only did this to him, and no pony else. Despite the repeated "stares of doom", as he would call them, she continued to invite him to various parties.
Upon entering Sugarcube Corner, Pokey saw two of his friends off to the side. Making his way slowly across the crowded room, Pokey met up with Caramel and Big Macintosh.
"Hey, guys," Pokey casually called to them, as he got close.
"Oh, hello there, Pokey," Caramel greeted his unicorn friend.
"Howdy," Big Mac added with his low voice.
"Glad to see you have made it," Caramel spoke.
Pokey gave a nervous laugh, "Well, it's not really like I have much else to do."
"That's right, ain't it? You still don't have a job anymore do ya?" the red colt asked.
Pokey looked away slightly ashamed, "Yeah, well….I knew it was a temporary job with the postal service. I am just glad the grey pegasus recovered quickly after the awful crash she had into the trees. Poor gal."
"Where are you staying at, by the way?" Caramel asked in a slightly worried tone.
"Oh, I'm staying with Cheerilee right now. I have to admit she has been very generous for letting me stay with her for about a month now," the blue unicorn used his magic to take a cupcake from a nearby table to eat.
"Well, come applebuckin' season, you can stay on the farm if ya need to," Big Mac offered to his friend.
"Thanks, Big Mac. I really do hope my luck turns around. First, my small little home is destroyed by Discord and now I'm jobless again. Well, just got to keep hoping for a better tomorrow," Pokey gave an optimistic smile. His friends knew that he was taking the string of misfortune quite well, but they still were worried about him.
"You know, I think we might be able to put in a good word for you some where, Pokey," Caramel raised his hoof as he thought.
"Really? Where?"
"Well, right here, actually. Sugarcube Corner. Big Mac does do a lot of business with Mr. and Mrs. Cake," Caramel started, "And if we tell them you are quite in need of a job, as well as a roof over your head, I think they might be able to help."
"Eeyup," Big Mac added with a nod.
Pokey was unsure, "You think they would be alright with it? I mean, I'm almost as big of a screw up as you, Caramel."
"Watch it, pal," the tan pony was not amused.
"Ah'll go ask them now. Ah see them over there," Big Mac raised his hoof to point.
"Where?" Pokey quickly turned his head. As his head quickly turned, a small purple filly unicorn was walking and carrying a balloon. Pokey's horn punctured the rubber of the balloon and a loud pop was heard in the bakery. Everypony turned their head to the source, and saw the blue unicorn looking down to the small unicorn that looked like she was about to cry. Pokey raised his head up and saw a pink earth pony giving him her death stare. Pinkie Pie did not look happy toward Pokey. Immediately turning his head back to his friends, he spoke in a hushed tone, "I think I'm going to head out, see you later!" The blue unicorn with the frazzled mane hurried out of Sugarcube Corner.
Outside of the bakery, Pokey was underneath a tree, trying to hide from anypony who happened to see what had happened inside. He was hitting his head against the tree, cursing himself.
"Guh, why did you have to do that to that little filly?" he shouted at himself, "Stupid, stupid, stupid!" He continued to hit his head against the tree until his horn pierced into the bark of the tree. Pokey tried to push himself free from the tree, but to no avail, "Oh, come on!"
Big Mac and Caramel arrived a few moments later and saw Pokey stuck to the tree. The two were silent before Caramel felt a need to ask, "Um....Pokey? What's going on?"
"Oh, you know, nothing in particular. Just hanging out, knocking on wood. You know, nothing special," the unicorn's words were heavily sarcastic, "Care to help me out?"
After a few minutes of pulling and even a few unorthodox methods of trying to free the unicorn, Pokey was free and a bit shaken up.
"Anyway," Caramel continued, "we came to find you because Mr. and Mrs. Cake agreed to allow you to start working at Sugarcube Corner."
"What? Really?" Pokey was visibly surprised.
"Eeyup, we told them you needed a job and they said they needed some extra help as well. Ya start tomorrow morning, bright an' early," Big Mac added, smiling to his friend
"Wow, thanks guys. I owe you guys," Pokey said in an extremely grateful tone.
"T'is nothing," Big Mac brushed it off.
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The next morning, Celestia's sun rose into the sky and Pokey Pierce was trotting through Ponyville Square as he felt the warmth of the morning. He felt very happy and excited. It was a new day and a new occupation for the unicorn and he wanted to do his very best for his new employers. One thing he was taught as a young colt was to be completely dedicated in one's occupation and give an honest day's work, and he still lived by those words to that day.
Arriving at the bakery, he entered to the vacant main room and saw Mr. Cake.
"Oh, good morning, Pokey! Didn't expect you to be here so early," the yellow pony welcomed the unicorn.
"Good morning, sir! And I always feel being early is something that everypony should do with whatever they do," Pokey stated.
"Heh, alright, I like that about you already. If only your co-worker had that same attitude every morning," Mr. Cake laughed, "Anyway, let's get you started!"
Mr. Cake led Pokey to the back where he instructed the unicorn of his job for the day, mixing the muffin mix and loading them into the oven. Pokey understood and got right to work. He was quickly lost in his work and didn't notice a small reptile on a nearby counter staring at him. When he finally realized that the small alligator was on the counter, he paused from his work and trotted up to it to examine it.
"Now why is there an alligator in the kitchen?" Pokey asked to himself aloud.
"Because he likes the smell of banana nut muffins!" a very cheerful answered.
Pokey raised his head to see where the voice came from and saw the party pony, Pinkie Pie, enter the kitchen, "Hiya! You must be the pony who is working with me now! I'm Pinkie Pie, pleased to meet ya!"
Pokey was startled to see Pinkie Pie enter the kitchen. The pink pony walked up to her pet alligator and placed him in her messy mane where the gator made himself comfortable, "He always likes to watch me make muffins and other tasty treats!" Pinkie spoke with her energetic voice, "So then, who are you? Are you the new worker that Mr. Cake told me about last night?" Pinkie scanned Pokey from horn to hoof before continuing, "I thought you would be much more handsome, but I can live with this."
With her happy tone, Pokey couldn't tell if she was joking about the last comment or not. Nevertheless, he felt he should still introduce himself, "Uh, my name is Pokey Pierce. And yes, I'm the new worker," his voice was a bit shaken at Pinkie Pie's energy. While she was known throughout Ponyville for her randomness, the blue unicorn never got to experience it first hoof.
"Oh! I know where I know you from!" Pinkie Pie raised a hoof upon remembering.
"You do?"
"Yeah!" Pinkie's expression went from happy-go-lucky to one of anger and annoyance, "you're the pony who keeps popping balloons at my parties," her voice was one of disgust and loathing. She leaned forward toward Pokey, who felt unnerved and leaned backwards in fear. Then, like a switch, Pinkie's expression returned to her high spirits and cheerfulness, "Well, I hope we have fun working together and become great friends, Pokey!" With that, Pinkie turned around and went to put her apron on.
Pokey was frozen in his fear, still in his position from when Pinkie Pie had leaned forward with her "death stare". Finally thawing himself out of his fright, Pokey was trying to shake himself back to normal but not before asking himself, "Wh-What the heck just happened?"
Pinkie Pie returned with her apron on, and alligator still in her mane, and began to help Pokey with making the muffins for the day. As they worked, Pokey kept an eye on Pinkie Pie, who was continually happy as they worked. She seemed to have no negative energy about her. The two would have some small talk as they continued to work throughout the day.
Around mid-afternoon, Mrs. Cake entered the kitchen to Pokey and Pinkie hard at working, "Pokey, could you come with me for a bit?"
"Huh? Alright then, ma'am," Pokey replied, wiping his hooves on his apron, "Oh, Pinkie Pie, could you take the muffins out in three minutes please?"
"Okey dokey, Pokey!" the pink pony saluted to the unicorn.
Pokey followed Mrs. Cake out of the kitchen to the main room, which was pretty busy for midday. Mr. Cake saw that his wife had returned with the blue unicorn. Pokey was puzzled of what was going on.
Mrs. Cake was the first to speak, "Pokey, Mr. Cake and I have been talking and we think since you really don't have a place to stay right now, we'd like you to stay with us here at the bakery."
The unicorn was a bit shocked at the statement, "Really?"
Mr. Cake nodded, "Yup. This way, you will have a room of your own."
Pokey was extremely happy, "Oh, thank you so much, Mr. and Mrs. Cake!"
The Cakes smiled at the blue unicorn's happiness, "If you'd like," Mr. Cake started, "you can get your things and bring them over now."
"I will! Thank you again!" Pokey said as he went back into the kitchen to put his apron back.
Pinkie Pie saw that he re-entered the kitchen quite happily, "Heya, Pokey! What's got you in such a bouncy mood?" she asked with a smile.
Pokey spoke as he was taking his apron off, "Mr. and Mrs. Cake are allowing me to stay here at the bakery! No more sleeping on Ms. Cheerilee's couch!" His voice was filled with excitement.
Pinkie's ears perked up as she heard that he would be staying at the bakery, "Here? As in, here here?" she asked in a slightly concerned tone.
"Yeah, I'm off to get my stuff right now," Pokey said as he was about to leave out the back door, "Be back soon!"
After he left, Pinkie Pie looked up to Gummy who had stuck his head out of her messy mane, "It seems we got ourselves a new neighbor, Gummy." The alligator coughed twice before staring off into space again. "You're right! I almost forgot to take the muffins out!" she said as she went to the oven to pull the pastries out.
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Upon returning to the bakery with just one overstuffed saddlebag, Pokey was shown his new room by Mr. Cake. It was a very plain room with just a bed and a small desk. Mr. Cake did apologies that it wasn't anything great, but Pokey was just happy to have his own quarters again after the mishap with his home. He began to unpack his saddlebag, using his magic to sort everything out on his bed. There was a knock at his door.
"Come on in," he said aloud as he emptied his saddlebag.
It was Pinkie Pie, still in her apron, carrying a basket of cupcakes on her back, "Hiya, neighbor!"
"Neighbor?" Pokey echoed.
"Yup yup! I'm in the room right next to you," she raised a hoof and pointed to the wall on her left, "and I felt I should bring you a super-duper, room-warming treat!" Pinkie Pie lowered the basket from her back down the floor. The cupcakes were vanilla-chocolate swirl flavor, Pokey's personal favorite.
"Oh, thank you, Pinkie Pie!" Pokey said picking up the basket with his mouth and placing them on his desk, "I'm sure to enjoy them after I finish settling in."
Pinkie smiled to the unicorn, "Okey dokey, Pokey!" she giggled after speaking, "That is really fun to say!"
Pokey smiled back and shared in the laugh. He had to admit that it did sound like it would be.
"I should get going then, I need to go help one of my gal pals with something. I shall return later!" Pinkie gave a majestic tone to her last statement as if she was about to leave on a quest.
"Okay, I'll see you later," the unicorn said. He paused for a second before calling out to the pink pony, "Hey, Pinkie."
"Hm?" she paused midstride on her way out into the hallway.
"Would you possibly want to share the cupcakes with me later? I mean, I think I could use some help on eating them and all," Pokey gave a nervous laugh at his statement.
Pinkie Pie smiled, "Sure! I am pretty good at eating sweets, after all! I'll see you later tonight then, Pokey!" The party pony then left his room and made her way down the stairs.
Pokey smiled to himself, 'Seems like I'm finally on Pinkie Pie's good side.'
It was early evening when Pokey had finished unpacking his items and placing them in their new proper place in his new room. He returned downstairs and worked the front of the bakery for the remainder of the shop's hours. Mr. and Mrs. Cake stated that he didn't have to work so hard on his first day on the job, but he insisted that he would since he felt it was the least he could do to repay them. While he was working, Caramel entered Sugarcube Corner and saw his friend on the other side of the counter.
"Hey there, Pokey. How are things going for you?" the tan colt asked.
"I must say, things are finally looking up. I think Pinkie Pie doesn't hate me anymore," the blue unicorn spoke.
"Hate you? Pokey, I don't think anypony hates you, even Pinkie if you popped her balloons," Caramel pointed out.
Pokey was puzzled, "Then why does she always give me the death stares?"
Caramel shrugged, "I don't know, ask her. Anyway, before I forget, can I get a three chocolate cupcakes?"
The unicorn nodded and turned to grab them, still speaking, "Alright. Guess it can't hurt to simply ask."
"Yeah, what do you got to lose?" Caramel asked as he took the cupcakes from his friend and placed them in his saddlebag, "Who knows, maybe its cause she's keen on you."
Pokey blushed and retorted with a hint of anger, "Oh, ha ha. There is no way she likes me like that."
"Well, it seems somepony likes her, am I right?" Caramel asked Pokey with a smirk.
The unicorn blushed more, "Just go, Caramel!"
The tan colt laughed, "I'm just messing with you, Pokey, relax. I'll see you later." Caramel made his way out of the now almost vacant Sugarcube Corner.
After the last of the patrons left Sugarcube Corner, Pokey began to sweep up the shop manually and without magic. He was just about finished when a familiar pink pony was making her way back to her home. She saw the unicorn working as she entered.
"Hiya, Pokey!" Pinkie Pie called out as she entered.
"Oh, good evening, Pinkie. How was your day?" the blue colt asked his fellow worker.
"It was super-duper fun! But first, I must know, are we still going to eat those cupcakes? You promised!" Pinkie asked eagerly.
Pokey didn't remember it being a promise or a big deal about it, "Of course, I'm almost done down here."
"Okey dokey, Pokey!" Pinkie chimed as she hopped her way up the staircase.
Pokey smiled when he heard the pink pony say those words. He was getting used to her calling him like that and he honestly liked it. Finishing up his sweeping, Pokey locked the door and turned off the lights to the downstairs room. He trotted his way up the stairs to his room. Upon opening the door, he saw Pinkie Pie on his bed with the basket of cupcakes, already in the process of eating one. Both of them stared at each other for a few moments before Pinkie Pie broke the silence.
"Ah'm sowwy, Ah cooldn't waiit," the pink earth pony admitted as she spoke with he mouthful.
Pokey just laughed as he trotted up to his bed to grab one of the cupcakes, sat on the floor and began to eat one himself.
Finally swallowing her food, Pinkie reiterated what she said, "I'm sorry, it's just the cupcakes smelt so good when I past by your room. And they smelt super tasty when I was making them. And I was right!"
Pokey finished chewing replied, "Yeah, they really are good. Vanilla-chocolate swirl is my favorite flavor."
Pinkie gasped, "No way! That's my favorite, too! That's why I made them, so I can lick the batter out of the bowl after I was finished pouring it into the pan!"
Pokey laughed because he actually could imagine Pinkie Pie doing that.
The two continued talking about different things, mostly because Pinkie would change the subject from one thing to another without a second thought. She then got on to the topic of her day, helping Fluttershy take care of her sickly animals. After a while, they had finished the cupcakes and were sitting in silence.
Pokey took a deep breath and finally took a chance, "Hey, Pinkie Pie. I know this may sound weird but, do you have something against me?"
Pinkie Pie looked at him with a tilted head and a worried look, "Against you? Why would I have anything against you?"
"Well, for the longest time, it seemed like you have some sort of grudge against me for popping balloons at your parties. The same parties that you keep inviting me to, where I pop a few balloons by accident, and then you give me an evil glare," Pokey felt a shiver as he remembered the first time he saw the death stare.
Pinkie Pie thought for a second and then replied in her bright and cheery tone, "Oh! I remember those! Yeah, I just get sad when balloons get popped because I put a lot of work into where each balloon goes and I don't like to see them get popped before they are supposed to be popped!"
"Supposed to be?"
"Yeah! Gummy and I love to pop balloons after parties! It's so much fun!"
"Oh, huh. Alright then," Pokey never thought it would be fun to pop balloons, mostly because he keeps destroying them by accident.
"Uh huh!" Pinkie Pie nodded, "Besides, how could I possibly hate such a cute colt?" She surprised the unicorn by hugging him from behind.
This caught the unicorn off guard, causing him to fall forward with Pinkie Pie still latched onto his back, hugging him. To add to his already blushing face, Pinkie Pie lightly planted a kiss upon his cheek. Finally getting the courage to speak, "C-Cute?"
"Yup yup!" Pinkie exclaimed, "To be honest, I have liked you from afar for quite some time, and seeing you be such a super-duper hard worker, I knew you were just awesome!"
Pokey's cheeks burned as he spoke, "Well, to be honest with you Pinkie Pie, I've always kind of liked you back." Pokey pushed himself and the pink pony back up into the sitting position for them both.
Pinkie Pie's eyes light up like Celestia's sun at Pokey's words. Her hooves where just covering her mouth, which had the biggest smile that the unicorn had ever seen. She then wrapped her hooves around Pokey's neck, hugging him tightly and close to her. She let out a squeal of happiness, "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh! I'm so happy! Promise to never leave!"
Pokey was struggling for breath, "I promise I will always be by your side, now please let me breathe!"
Pinkie eased up on the grip on Pokey, who was gasping for breath. After recovering for a bit, he looked back at Pinkie Pie and the two laughed together. Pokey hugged Pinkie back, smiling.
"Did you really mean that, about being by my side and all of that stuff?" the pink earth pony asked the blue unicorn.
Pokey smiled and planted a kiss gently on Pinkie Pie's cheek, "Does that answer your question?"
Pinkie Pie gave a fake frown, "No! I need words!"
Pokey laughed, "Alright, alright. I do mean it, Pinkie. I will always be by your side."
The smile returned to Pinkie Pie's face, "Good, cause I will always be by yours, too!"
