//------------------------------// // Burnt Coffees // Story: The Regular // by Milo_Chalks //------------------------------// Sunburst made his slow trudge to work at the Crystal Palace. His mind was swimming as he tried to think of how to talk to Ristretto.Come on Sunburst; he had the guts to ask you out, now you are playing chicken, you gotta tell him what you think! He thought to himself, for some reason not managing to ease his nerves. He had never been one to think about getting into a relationship. He had been shocked, almost scared at the thought of a relationship, especially with a stallion. A slow day at work and a restless sleep had allowed plenty of time to think about it. Maybe it was worth giving him a chance…. Thwump! A cold and unforgiving signpost had decided to pull Sunburst from his thoughts. The several ponies on the cold snowy turned their heads as the orange stallion’s cheeks went hot enough to melt the snow he was standing on. Quickening his pace he made his way to the coffee shop hoping upon all hope that his particular barista friend was doing what he did best. Like every other day, the tinkle of the bell chimed its bright little tune, blissfully unaware of its surroundings as the nervous orange stallion pushed open the large glass doors. Sunburst made his way over to the counter. The barista was still shrouded by the giant coffee machine as Sunburst made his way to the front. Vanilla Latte as cheerful as ever placed down Sunburst’s usual like every other day. However, when he looked across to see the sweet gray stallion behind the machine, the image was replaced by a Ginger Mare steadily making another customer's order. Sunburst had never felt his heart sink so quickly down to his stomach. He absently placed an obscene amount of bits on the counter as he made his way to the barista machine. “Hi, umm, sorry to bother you miss, but I was just wondering if you knew where the stallion that does the morning shifts is?” Sunburst asked in his polite manner of speaking. The barista put on a warm customer service smile and readily replied. “Ristretto? He asked to start swapping shifts with me. Something about being busy in the mornings. I couldn’t tell you where he is sorry, when I see him I will say that uh..” she trailed. “Sunburst,” Sunburst politely replied. “I’ll say Sunburst was looking for you!” she cheerfully finished. “Thanks, I will let you get back to work.” Sunburst nervously replied before taking the coffee that the mare had made him. He gave a defeated smile and sat down in his usual place. However, he was in no mood to carry traditions, he had a couple of sips from his drink but took off for a day of work filled with thoughts about Ristretto. “Hey, Ristretto! Thanks for coming in a bit early.” “No problem Chai, thanks for taking over my morning shifts, did anything of interest happen on the morning shift?” Ristretto replied as he placed his apron on, ready to take over the lunch shift from Chai. “Well the boss came in and finally got rid of those stupid Pumpkin Spice Lattes, they cause nothing but problems and attract the weirdest of crowds, all those ridiculous ponies with hairstyles straight out of sci-fi movies.” They both laughed as they recall some of their clientele that would purchase the pumpkin spice during this time of year. “Oh and I nearly forgot, somepony came in, his name.. Starburst or something, orange stallion, he was looking for you.” She finished, waiting for a reply. Ristretto instantly went a little stiffer at the mispronounced yet clear name. “Uhh, okay thanks, Chai,” Ristretto said through a strained voice. “Is everything okay Ristretto? You look pale.” Chai replied concern evident. “No I am fine thanks, everything is fine! I will see ya later, have a good afternoon off.” Ristretto replied nervously getting set up at the barista station as Chai made her way to the door at her friend’s reassurance. “Okay Ristretto, I will talk later!” Chai called out as the tinkle of the bell signaled her leaving. Ristretto got into his rhythm of work, managing to block out all of the thoughts he was having. It was working, for around five minutes until once again he started thinking about Sunburst and his strange appearance in the coffee shop this morning. Why would he come in? To tell me that was too far? That he didn’t want to see me? Or maybe he would have just ignored me... Yeah, come in, get his coffee and just leave. Make it clear that he didn’t want to go on a date without hurting me too much. He is kind and sweet; he wouldn’t try to hurt me. He is so friendly and cute and…. “Ristretto! For goodness sake WAKE UP!” Vanilla shouted as the coffee he was pouring started overflowing with long since burnt liquid. A blush spread across the gray barista pony as he quickly drained the cup, tossed it into the bin and began making the customers dirty chai latte again. “Keep yourself together Ristretto, this isn’t like you, relax!” Vanilla Latte said with a concerned tone in her voice. “Sorry, I will be all right, thanks, Vanilla,” Ristretto muttered before finishing the coffee and placing it on the counter for the impatient customer tapping her foot. Ristretto continued the work day, until 5 pm, closing time. Vanilla and Ristretto quickly packed up and got out by 5:30. They lived down the same street but never really walked home together as the barista pony always finished before Vanilla. They started their trek through the cold winter ice towards their homes. “Hey Ristretto, what’s up with you and Sunburst? I mean, if I didn’t know any better, I would say you took that lunch shift to avoid something, based on the way you have been acting, I would say that you are avoiding him. You were good friends, even if you only hung out with him occasionally outside of work.” Ristretto took in what she was saying, looking ahead at the twilight sunset fading in the snow capped hills surrounding the beautiful glistening crystal streets of the empire. It wouldn’t be long before the snow melted, bringing back the warm rays of spring, already the dark days of winter were fading giving the beautiful city life again. Some colts were building a snowman by the park while some fillies walked around idly chatting away. It was an excellent time to be walking home. Ristretto could get used to walking home on days like this, however, at this time something else was occupying a fair chunk of his day. “Yeah well, you’d be right in saying that I have been avoiding him. I may have asked him on a date and he freaked out. He probably hates me now, and I am scared about what is gonna happen. I didn’t mean to scare him off, I bucked up badly this time and may have lost a friend in the process.” Ristretto somberly said to his friend and colleague. Vanilla pondered this for a moment. “Ristretto, you don’t know if that is the case, he could have just been overwhelmed. Who knows, he could be eager just to talk about it, maybe you’ll get that date that you asked him to. Just relax and talk to him, be natural, because there is no point being anypony rather than yourself.” Vanilla replied as she began to cross the street to her house. “I will talk to you tomorrow morning for your morning shift okay? Seeya later!” “Seeya later Vanilla! And thanks for the advice.” He called out to her as she crossed the road. Ristretto sighed as he reached his house, the snow chilling his hooves he was eager to get inside and light the fire and settle in for an early night. For the next day, it was about time he went and faced this directly. He is totally avoiding me! He hasn’t done a morning shift in three days. Did I hurt him when I ran off? Oh sweet Celestia, I would’ve hated to have hurt him. Oh, this is horrible! I have to explain everything. Sunburst quickened his pace to the coffee shop as he was getting anxious to see Ristretto. It had been four days since the love letter, and he hadn’t seen a trace of his friend. He made his way around the corner and looked through the window to see a familiar gray stallion standing at the barista machine. Sunburst made his way through the door and straight to the front where he placed the bits for his usual on the counter, waved a hello to Vanilla before walking straight over to an oblivious Ristretto. “Hey Ristretto” Sunburst gulped, uncertainty filling his voice. Ristretto looked over, smiled briefly then went back to working on the coffee, about two seconds passed before the silver pony looked back, his face going from a smile to completely shocked in the matter of a quarter of a second. Dropping the milk on the liquid rack his cheeks flushed red as he stammered a bit before finally working up the courage to speak. “H-Hi Sunburst, I uh-” He cut off not knowing what to say to his friend. “Sorry…” He trembled. “No no, you have nothing to apologize about. I’m flattered that you think like that about me and maybe I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did. Look, the truth is, I don’t know where I trot in this whole thing. I just don’t know if I am into stallions, mares or even both. But I don’t wanna stop being your friend. Who knows? Maybe something might come of it. What I am trying to say is I am kinda wondering if you’d wanted to do something together one day, you know, just as friends. What do ya say?” Sunburst explained, relieved that he had finally gotten it all off of his chest. “O-ok, yeah, I would like that, thanks, Sunburst I guess we should hang out one day,” Ristretto replied. Sunburst made his way around the counter and hugged Ristretto, embracing him in a friendly hug before smiling at his friend. “Thanks, Ristretto.” He beamed, and with a smile on both ponies faces, the usual morning routine began again, making a bright winter’s morning all that much brighter.