Lavender Brooch started packing up her bag. It was two minutes until closing time, and she was ready to leave a little early. Nopony ever had much interest in buying jewelry this late, anyway. Before packing up completely, she grabbed a wipe from the back room and started to clean up the counter.
As she continued to wipe the smudges off the counter, she smiled at the many jewels inside the case. Ponies mostly came to buy jewelry for their special someponies, or mares would come in and treat themselves to a piece of fine jewelry. Either way, Lavender is always eager to help.
She was halfway finished with the counter before she heard the familiar jingle of the bell above the door. She paused and looked up, surprised there would be a customer at this time in the evening. It was a mare she was all too familiar with: Trixie. The day before, Trixie had come into the shop enjoying cinnamon nuts, inspiring her to grab some of her own. After a little magic mishap, she was able to get back to work again, but she did remember noticing Trixie looking very closely at the magnificent jewelry in her little shop. She probably came to buy what she was looking at.
Lavender quickly put on a smile. "Hello! What are you looking for?"
Trixie seemed like she was just running or something of the sort; she was just now catching her breath. After one large breath, she spoke: "I'm not too late, right?"
Lavender shook her head. "One minute before closing time. I can stay a little longer to help you."
Trixie put a hoof to her chest. "Oh, thank Celestia. I ran all the way over here because this has been bugging me all day and I kept putting it off because I was nervous and unsure and-"
Lavender raised a hoof, silencing Trixie. "Well, I'm here to help. What do you need, miss? And why are you so nervous? Am I that mean, dear?"
Trixie shook her head, her cheeks turning red. "No no no, not at all, ma'am. You see... I wanted to buy the most beautiful thing you have..."
Lavender smiled. "Well, all right! That wasn't too hard, was it?"
Trixie shook her head. "That's not all. I want to buy it for... the most beautiful mare I've ever known." As she said this, she tried to hide her face in her mane. "Oh, I don't know why I'm telling you all this, I'm just-"
"It's alright, dearie," Lavender cut her off. She walked to the left side of the case. "I know just the thing! And now that I know it's for a mare, I know to pick a mare's necklace and not a stallion's. That's assuming you're fine with a necklace?"
Trixie nodded frantically. "Yes please," she mumbled, moving her hoof in circles around the floor. Lavender gestured her over, and Trixie stumbled over, her breaths becoming more uneven.
Lavender took out a necklace with a large, perfectly cut topaz. It shined brilliantly under the light, and captured Trixie's attention immediately.
"Wow."
Lavender nodded. "Yep. This is just the most beautiful one, in my opinion. I've always loved topaz."
Trixie nodded. "Y-yeah. It's... perfect. How much is it?" She asked, keeping her glance on the necklace still.
"About 800 bits, dear," Lavender replied. Trixie's head shot up and her pupils shrunk.
"Oh... that's so expensive! I mean, I want it, but I don't know if it'll be worth spending so much money..."
Lavender set the necklace down and folded her hooves on the counter. "Well, that depends on who you're buying it for and why. Do you mind sharing your reason with me?"
Trixie eyed her nervously. "Well, I guess so. After all, I've been holding this in for a while."
Lavender nodded. "All right. Take as long as you want, dearie."
Trixie sighed. "There's this friend of mine..."
"Starlight Glimmer?" Lavender inquired. Trixie's cheeks heated up.
"Um... yeah. Wait, how'd you guess?"
Lavender shrugged. "I dunno. She was with you yesterday, so I just guessed."
Trixie blinked. "Okay. But, anyways, I... oh, I don't know... have a... fondness for her. She's such an amazing friend, and... so beautiful..." Trixie stopped herself and looked to the ground. "A-anyways, I want to get her this to show her how much she means to me... y'know?"
Lavender slowly nodded. "I do, actually. And, personally, if this is what you want to get her, then go for it. I can let you work for me for a time if you want to make more money after this."
Trixie blinked. "Really? That's... nice. Really nice, actually. Considering I've been putting off scheduling my next magic show, hehe..."
Lavender smiled. "Well then... will that be all?"
Trixie nodded. "Y-yeah. It is." She nervously moved her hoof along the ground once again, her eyes following it. "Um... thank you. I don't know how she'll react..."
Lavender boxed the necklace up. "Dearie, she'll love it. Anyone who receives something this gorgeous is sure to be appreciative. I know I would."
Trixie looked away. "I guess..."
"Then why are you so worried?" She asked, giving Trixie the bag. Trixie paused for a moment.
"Oh... I don't know... can I ask you something?" She started, "I mean, you're old, uh... I mean... you're older than me, no offence, of course, so that means you might know more about this stuff than I do."
Lavender nodded. "Yes, I will agree I am old," she answered with a smirk, causing Trixie to blush, "and I do have some experience. What do you need?"
Trixie gulped. "Do you think this will be a good way to... ah, I don't know..."
"Ask her out?"
Trixie's head shot up and a fire raged through her cheeks. "...Yes," she squeaked, her ears flattening.
Lavender giggled. "Dear, I think it's a splendid way. And if not, then you two can remain good friends, and she'll always be grateful for the necklace."
Trixie smiled. "All right... I will. I can do it. I'm the Great and Powerful Trixie, after all. Thanks again!" She replied, her voice shaky. With that, she exited the shop out into the breezy night, the wind catching her mane and blowing it to the side.
As Lavender was left alone in the shop, she giggled. Though she had to wipe down the counters once again, she felt happy she could help a young mare win the mare she wanted.