//------------------------------// // Work Hard // Story: We, Who Are Different. // by Diabeto131 //------------------------------// Violet walked up to the door to Sugarcube Corner. It was early in the morning, and the bakery had just opened. As she stepped inside, she was overwhelmed by the smell of sweets and coffee. Pinkie waved at her enthusiastically from the counter. The dinning area was empty for the most part, save for Mr.Cake and Andrew, who was crouched next to a broken table. He was wearing a long sleeve flannel shirt and brown cargo pants with a tool belt. The table he was examining was broken into two. "How in the hell did this happen?" Andrew gawked at the table before rolling his sleeves up, and pulled a small flashlight from his belt. "The surface is split in two. Luckily, the only damage to the base was a bent screw." "We had a part-timer working a couple days ago, and he tripped and fell into it. I wouldn't believe it either if I didn't see it myself. So, what's the diagnosis, Sully?" Mr.Cake explained as Andrew stood up and placed the flashlight in a pouch on his belt. "Well, like I said, the base is fine for the most part, which is great considering it's bolted to the floor, but the table top is FUBAR. I'm gonna have to make a new one." He pulled a measuring tape out. "I'm gonna remove the piece that's still attached, measure one of the other tables for reference, and hopefully have the new table top done by lunch tomorrow." "Thanks, Sully, you're quite a handy fella." Mr.Cake thanked the human before returning to the kitchen. Violet stepped up to Andrew. "Hi Andy." Andrew jumped and turned to the Thestral. "You startled me there. You here for the job, Vi?" Violet nodded, causing Andrew to smile. "Great," He reached into his tool belt and pulled out a small notepad and pencil before handing them to Violet, "I need you to write down these measurements for me." Andrew walked over to one of the other tables and started measuring it, calling them out for Violet to write down. Afterwards, he grabbed a screwdriver and began removing the broken table top. Violet sat off to the side and watched him work. Ponies had begun to enter the bakery for their morning coffee. That's when Violet noticed the looks. While she caught few uncomfortable glances, most were directed toward the human. He didn't seem to notice them, or he didn't care. With a grunt, Andrew removed the broken slab of wood, and motioned for Violet to follow him. He led her to the backdoor of the building, saying goodbyes to Pinkie and the Cakes. Outside the backdoor sat a purple wagon that had a large wooden box, and several bits and pieces of wood, metal, and other parts in it. The side had the words 'Sully's Fix-It Wagon' painted in yellow. With another grunt, he tossed the broken table pieces in the wagon. "We're going to go to the Carousel Boutique, Rarity has a busted sewing machine, then we go to Sweet Apple Acres cause the Apple's wagon has a broken axle." He walked around to the front of the wagon, where a pony would normally hitch them self. He began to pull the wagon as Violet took to the air and floated next to him. "Today, I'm just going to show you what the job might entail, so at most, I'll have you hold something for me or write measurements. If you still want the job at the end of the day, I'll teach you how to do some of these things tomorrow." They started the trek to the boutique in relative silence, until Violet spoke. "So, is it just you?" She asked noting how it was only the two of them. "Yep, though that may change, depending on your decision at the end of the day." He let out a chuckle. "To think, I have a law degree on Earth, but here, my passion for tinkering got me a job I enjoy. I think I would have been a terrible lawyer. No, I know I would have been." "Then why did you get a law degree?" Violet landed and began walking. "My father made me do it. 'You have to make a name for yourself, son, and law school is just the place to get started.'" They arrived at the boutique while talking. "I've had many jobs, from fry cook to mechanic, but the one I hated most was being a lawyer." He shook his head and pointed at the boutique. "Have you met Rarity?" Violet shook her head. "She's great. If a bit uptight." The bell sounded as they entered the boutique. Violet gaped at all the mannequins and the clothing they displayed. You didn't need to be a professional to recognize the impressive craftsmanship of the garments. Jewels, sequins, and ribbons expertly placed in well woven cloths and silks. She was taken out of her daze by singsong voice calling from up the stairs. "Just a minute!" Andrew looked around the crowded room. "Must be a big order." The human began walking to the counter and leaned on it. Rarity trotted in with several spools of fabric in tow. "These going to Canterlot?" "Yes, darling, they are." She placed the fabrics next to an unfinished dress before turning her attention to Andrew and Violet, mostly to Violet. "Welcome to Carousel Boutique where every garment is chic, unique and magnifique. How can I help you dear?" She spoke with rehearsed words and a genuine smile. "I'm Violet, I'm with him." Violet gestured towards Andrew. "We're here for the sewing machine. You said it was broken." He raised a brow and the corner of his mouth rose in a sly smirk."Unless you just said that so you could get me alone with you." Rarity smiled and scoffed. "You wish. It's over there." She pointed towards the back of the shop, where a sewing machine, that was about a couple inches taller than Andrew, sat. Andrew walked over and began examining it's exterior as Rarity pulled Violet to the side. "What's your relationship to our dear Andrew?" Rarity asked with a smirk and one raised eyebrow, trying to speak low enough that the human, who was now attempting to remove a panel the size of his chest, couldn't hear. "Well, I met him last night in the park, and we talked a bit before he offered me a job helping him. I guess we're friends." Violet summarized. Rarity frowned before speaking even softer. "Was he sitting on that bench by the path?" Violet nodded. "The path that goes all the way around the park?" Violet nodded again. "Oh my." Rarity looked at the human with a worried expression, that quickly turned into one of surprise. "Careful Andrew, dear, That's rather.." "AH!" THUMP "Heavy." Rarity sighed as she lifted the panel off of the human. Andrew called out a strained 'I'm okay'. Rarity rolled her eyes in amusement before speaking. "Do be careful Andrew, that is an important piece of equipment." "Please Rarity, I'm a professional." He called back. He then began staring at the inner workings of the unnecessarily large sewing machine. "Now, if I was a busted dohicky, where would I be?" He scrutinized every inch of the complicated and crowded interior before exclaiming. "A-Ha! Found it!" He eyed the loose motor behind a few layers of machinery. He hummed as he thought of a way to get to the fist sized motor. He got onto his knee and pulled out his notebook and pencil. Flipping to a clean page he began drawing the parts between him and the motor. The room's other occupants stood behind him, looking over his shoulder. They watched in amazement as he drew. His accuracy was amazing as he sketched each little detail on the parts, including serial numbers and splotches of discoloration. He then wrote notes with arrows pointing towards certain areas indicating screws that needed to be removed to remove the piece, or put it back. After he was done, he placed the pencil in the spiral binding of the notebook before handing it to Violet. "Hold onto this, Vi. I need it so I won't forget how to put it back together." He then began removing a belt that was in the way. Meanwhile, the fashionista and the Thestral gardener gawked at the drawing. "The detail in this is amazing." Violet spoke quietly as Rarity did her best to recompose herself. "I knew he has a talent for the arts, but he still baffles me sometimes." Rarity then sighed heavily. "I wish the drafts for my dresses were this amazing." The notebook was pulled from Violet's grasp as Andrew had finished putting the motor back in place. His eyes shifted from machine to paper multiple times, occasionally pointing a screw driver at parts in the machine and on the paper. After ten minutes, the sewing machine was in one piece and functioning. Rarity floated a bag of bits over to Andrew, who grabbed them out of the air and started counting them. "Rarity, this is too much, I estimated fifty bits. You just gave me sixty." Andrew looked up at the fashionista, who waved him off. "Call it a tip, darling. Now if you can excuse me, I have an order to finish." Andrew shrugged as he opened the door with a bow directed to Violet. "Ladies first." Violet giggled as she left. Andrew went to follow her before Rarity called out his name. "Remember that we're here for you, alright?" She told him with concern written on her face. Andrew only smiled before responding. "Of course." And with that, he left. He started pulling the wagon towards Sweet Apple Acres with Violet walking next to him. It would take them a while to get to the farm, so he struck up conversation. "You can ride on the wagon if you want." He spoke with smirk. "I don't want to make it any harder for you to pull it." Violet argued, but Andrew only laughed. "If I can run full speed from a manticore, while pulling this wagon, with Applejack, Rarity, and three trouble making fillies in it, I can pull it with a plus one at a leisurely pace to the farm." So, with that argument, Violet sat herself on the wagon facing the human's back. After a moment of silence, Andrew spoke. "Where ya from?" "The Crescent Mountains originally, but I lived with my parents in Canterlot since Princess Luna's return." Violet answered as she watched the scenery go by. They had left the actual town Ponyville and have entered the country side. She could see the orchard in the distance, but she knew it would take them a little longer to get there. "What do your parents do?" The human asked as he rearranged his grip on the wagon. "They're both Lunar guards. They actually wanted me to join them, but they were supportive when I told them I'd rather be gardener." "Cool! You should've heard Dad when I said I didn't like being a Lawyer." He straightened his back and lowered his voice. "'At least get the degree, try it out, then tell me if you like it or not.'" "What did you tell him?" Violet got comfortable on the large box at the front of the wagon. "I conceded and went to law school, got my degree, and spent a year as a lawyer. As I figured, I didn't like it." He gaze shifted to the ground briefly. "But, I didn't get a chance to tell him that." Shaking his head, he asked another question. "You got any siblings?" Violet noticed his attempt at changing the subject, but decided not to call him out on it. "I have an older brother, but he moved away years ago, and we haven't heard from him since." She never really got to know him, so she wasn't too worried about him. "How about you?" "Two, a younger sister and brother, twins. Their names were Nathan and Sonny. Nathan was more like Dad. A no nonsense sort of guy. Last I remember, he was getting his law degree, which is good for him, cause he actually likes the idea of being a lawyer." Andrew began to chuckle. "But Sonny was more like Mom and me. She didn't want financial security, she wanted fun, and to be happy. She was the first to get married, and she even had a kid!" Chuckling, Andrew waved his hand through the air. "She became a stunt pilot! Had Dad worrying about her for months until she got pregnant." After recovering from his fit of joy, he continued. "Named her son after a famous stunt pilot, Arthur Everett Sullivan." Though it was hard to tell from her angle, Violet saw tears rolling down Andrew's face. "I'm sorry, Andy." He laughed before stopping the wagon and pulling a napkin out of his pants pocket. "Don't worry about it." He wiped off the tears off of his face before looking back at her. "I may miss them, but they don't need me. They will do just fine. I'm okay." He put the napkin away before looking Violet in the eye. "I've learned that while you can't live in the past. Trying to forget it will hurt you just as much. I've got the memories, even a few photos. I know they are alright, even if they don't know that I am." He grabbed the wagon and began pulling again. "Life is like an ocean, filled with waves and ripples. If you try to fight the currents, you'll only stay in place." They entered the farm and headed toward the house. Andrew noticed a familiar stetson nearby that hadn't noticed them yet. he brought a hand to his mouth and let out a sharp whistle, gaining Applejack's attention. She smiled and trotted over. "Howdy, Sully, what brings ya to the farm?" Andrew smirked and pointed at the farmpony. "Your wagon." Applejack's expression took a turn for the confused. "But, the wagon's fine." Andrew smirk retreated back into a frown. "Is it, AJ? Is it?" Applejack tilted her head. "Ah didn't call you here." Andrew nodded. "You're right. You didn't. Granny Smith did." Applejack went wide eyed. "Well, still, the wagon's fine." Andrew began pulling the wagon, with a confused Violet on top, towards the barn. Applejack quickly ran up and kept pace with the human. "Now, hold on, where ya goin'." "To fix your wagon." When they reached the front of the barn, he let go of the the wagon and pulled out a custom jack from the back. "The last time I fixed the wagon, I told you that if that axle broke again, it would have to be replaced." Violet and Applejack followed the human as he marched into the barn and up to the wagon in question. "Imagine my surprise when I hear from Granny Smith that not only did it break again and that you and Big Mac 'fixed' it, but that it happened, twice!" He was now glaring down at Applejack, much like a parent to a child who broke something. "It wasn't that bad." Applejack tried to argue as Andrew stuck the jack under the wagon and began cranking it. "We didn't think we needed to get ya for a crack." Andrew removed both wheels and a detached a few components, then he pulled out the axle in question. It was slightly bent in the middle with bits of tape wrapped around two points on it. He turned to Applejack with a deadpan expression and with little effort, snapped it in two, causing Applejack to wince. "Not that bad?" He let out a sigh. "Look, something like this," he motioned with the wooden sticks in his hands, "is dangerous, just listen to me when I give you a diagnosis, because what if this broke while you or Mac were pulling it. Either of you could get seriously injured." Applejack raised a hoof, only to be interrupted by Andrew shaking his head. "Don't worry about the price, I still owe you for when you let me stay in your house. Now, please swallow your stubborn pride, and let me fix your fucking wagon." Applejack bowed her head. "Ah'm sorry, Sully." "Don't fret about it, AJ. I only do it, cause I care." He marched past the two and began rummaging through the parts on the wagon. At this point, Applejack finally noticed the third party. "Who're you?" "I'm Violet Petal, and I'm working with Andy today." She answered with a smile. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance miss Applejack." She offered her hoof, which Applejack shook with a smile. "Just AJ is fine, any friend of Sully is a friend of mine." Andrew returned with a new axle and began putting the wagon back together. "Well, Ah gotta get back out there and finish my field. Thanks again, Sully." Andrew grunted in response as Applejack left, leaving Violet and Andrew alone. "Tell me about your mother." Violet spoke to break the silence. "What do you want to know?" Andrew responded from under the wagon. "What was she like?" Andrew stopped moving and was silent for a few moments, causing Violet to think that she crossed a line, but before she could apologize he spoke. "She was warm, welcoming. A lot of people loved her, and she loved a lot of people. And, as her kids, we couldn't do no wrong in her eyes. She was understanding, she listened, and above all else, she cared. I got out of some of the lowest points in my life by talking with her." He stopped working and just laid there. "Out of all of them, I miss her the most. Coming here was... it..." He mulled over his thoughts before continuing. "I was devastated when I realized I could never talk to her again." With a sigh he came out from under the wagon. "Well, we're done, and it's just passed noon, want to go get some lunch?" Violet nodded as they returned to the wagon. Violet sat on the wagon as they made their way out of the farm. It was a comfortable silence. She thought about the human in front of her. He's a little strange, but who isn't? She thought back to the boutique, to the way Rarity reacted to hearing about where Andrew was when they met. What happened to him there? Why was he on that bench so late in the day? These questions and more floated around Violet's head. But, they will have to wait. She was hungry. Food first. Questions later.