“Alright, everypony,” said Hang Glider with a smirk, “place your bets. Ten bits per bet.” The Ponyville Post Office employees surrounded the small break room table, throwing their coins on the table. Somepony stood at the whiteboard, writing down the bets being exclaimed. In bold lettering at the top of the whiteboard said: Derpy’s Canterlot Bet.
“I bet she will lose the three boxes somehow,” said a stallion.
“I say she crushes the princess with a box,” interjected a mare.
“Something tells me Derpy will get lost, even though the castle is visible from outside,” laughed a pegasus. As the pony’s placed their bits and shouted their bets, the list got ridiculous very quickly. Somepony went very far with their bet, saying she will be ejected from the castle by one of the princesses themselves. The only pony who was not partaking in betting against Derpy was Sunshower Raindrops, or Raindrops as everypony calls her.
Her yellow fur stood out in the body of coworkers as she stood by the wall, angry at the entire ordeal. Derpy was an extremely close friend to Raindrops. The two have had many years of silliness and fun, mostly because of Derpy’s doing. When Hang Glider suggested that they make a pool for betting on Derpy’s visit to Canterlot, Raindrops went in full defensive mode. Raindrops argued the bet would break Derpy’s heart if she found out her coworkers didn't believe in her. Hang Glider’s counter argument was that if Derpy doesn't know about the bet, it won't hurt her.
Raindrops looked out the window, her yellow face and turquoise mane reflected back at the pegasus. No matter how ridiculous Derpy can be, be it her methods or character, Raindrops knew her friend was the best at her job, even though most of the employees didn't believe that fact. It did relieve Raindrops that Parcel Post did not partake in the bet taking. But he didn't do anything to stop the pool from being started, upsetting Raindrops anyways. Fed up with the betting, Raindrops decided to join in, and bet for Derpy. “I bet Derpy will be praised by Princess Celestia!” Raindrops exclaimed. She stomped over to the table and slammed her ten bits on the table. The coins jumped at her pounding, scared of her sheer force.
“Yo, reeeeelaaaaax, Raindrops,” Hang Glider grinned. “It's just a harmless game.”
“It won't be if Derpy is offended by this,” Raindrops argued. “And she will if she finds out.”
“She won't,” Hang Glider batted a hoof. Raindrops turned away, her tail almost wiping Hang Glider on the nose. She walked to the whiteboard, reading every bet written down. Out of all the fifteen bets, Raindrops’ bet was the only one positive. Why does no pony believe in Derpy Hooves? She was only a little clumsy, if not a lot.
A pony looked out the window and exclaimed, “Derpy’s coming!” The cramped break room was engulfed in panic.
“Somepony cover the whiteboard!” Hang Glider shouted. Raindrops was excited to hear Derpy’s story about Canterlot, but was entertained by her coworkers trying to hide their “harmless” game. A pegasus took one of the blinds and used it to shield the whiteboard.
The door to the break room grew quiet the moment the door knob twisted. And sure enough, Derpy Hooves stepped in. “Hi, Derpy,” everypony exclaimed.
Derpy yelped, taken off guard by the presence of her coworkers. A smile quickly overtook the mailmare and she said, “Hey, everypony!” She suspiciously looked at the ponies, grinning, “Did you want to surprise me with your support?”
“Of cooooooourssssee,” Hang Glider said.
The pile of bits twinkled in the afternoon light, drawing Derpy’s attention to them. “How come the table is covered in bits?” Hang Glider was at a loss for words, and was cursing internally, wondering why nopony covered the pot.
Being the big pony, Raindrops said, “It’s because we are celebrating how Princess Celestia chose you to deliver to her castle and we are doing a friendly lottery.”
“Can I join?” Derpy asked with an innocent smile.
“The umm… time to enter is… closed,” said Hang Glider.
Derpy scrunched her brows, “Darn…”
“But before we… draw the winner for the lottery,” said Hang Glider, “tell us all about your trip to Canterlot.”
Loving the attention brought to her, Derpy sat at the table covered in bits. “Gather ‘round everypony. It's gonna be good.”
***
Derpy and Raindrops left together, Raindrops grinning more than her friend. “I can't believe you won the lottery,” said Derpy, looking at Raindrop’s stuffed saddlebag.
Raindrops looked back at the post office, her coworkers looking back at her with irritated stares. “I just told myself that if I believed in you, I would win,” Raindrops beamed. She looked back at Derpy and asked, “So how handsome was Armstrong? Did you give him your po box so he can send you letters?”
The gray pegasus flushed, “He was really sweet and yes, very handsome. But no, I didn't give him my po box. I don't think he could deal with me, anyways, considering how he tried to do my job.” Derpy nudged Raindrops with her elbow, “Maybe I can hook you up and introduce him to you.”
Raindrops shook her head, her ears retreating back, “Oh, I'm not that pretty…”
“Are you kidding!” Derpy exclaimed. “Your sex appeal is so high, Princess Celestia has to move the sun into the sky to try and reach your status of sexy!” Raindrops flushed as other ponies walking down the street turned to see what Derpy was exclaiming about this time. As for Raindrops, the yellow mare brought an arm over her face, embarrassed Derpy's overly supportive demeanor.
“Derpy, please,” Raindrops begged, “you’re embarrassing me!”
“Oops… sorry…” The two walked in silence a few blocks, simply enjoying each other's company. Derpy wondered to herself if Dinky was at home and had finished her chores and homework. Then it just dawned unto Derpy that her daughter gave her chores to do when she gets home.
Just before Derpy and Raindrops were about to go their separate ways when somepony called out to them, “Hey, Derpy!” Both mares looked to see Time Turner briskly walking toward them. He stopped before them and nodded at Raindrops, “And Raindrops.”
Raindrops giggled a little at Time Turner while Derpy said, “Hay is for horses. And hello yourself.”
Time Turner laughed at Derpy’s attempt at humor. “How was your day?” the brown pony asked. “You seem to be in one piece, so I can assume all went well.”
“Of course it went well,” Derpy boasted. “Why else would the princess request me?” The mare realized the sun was setting and needed to leave. “Sorry, Time Turner, but I need to get home. Maybe tomorrow we can talk if you are not busy.”
“I can do that,” Time Turner nodded. His face was beginning to redden, “And maybe… I can tell you what I was trying to ask you this morning tomorrow as well.” The stallion looked at Raindrops, her brows wiggling when he turned his attention to her.
“Can you give me a hint?” Derpy asked. “And I'll give you a hint about my day.”
“Y-you first,” Time Turner stuttered.
“Okay.” Derpy tapped her chin, choosing what to say in her head. “It involves getting fined, a strong stallion, and a glass mural.” The only words Time Turner heard was strong stallion.
“O-oh… A strong stallion…” Time Turner muttered, his courage to confess his feelings shattered. “Well, your hint involves a… simple experiment.”
“Sounds fun!” Derpy beamed. “Anyways, I'm off .” The pegasus looked to her pegasus friend, “Bye bye, Raindrops.”
Raindrops looked at Time Turner, knowing very well what caused his sudden mood swing. But she answered with a smile and said, “Have a good rest of the evening!”
“Bye!” Derpy left in a slow strut, giving no notice to Time Turner's depressed stature.
"I guess Derpy grew fond of another stallion while out in Canterlot," Time Turner moaned. His ears were pinned backwards like an arm twisting in a wrong fashion. "Perhaps telling her how I feel is out of the question..."
Raindrops, Dinky, and various other ponies know of Time Turner's affection toward the cross-eyed mare. Trying to boost his moral, Raindrops said, "Don't worry. Derpy said she knew he wouldn't handle her like you can."
"But did she say he was handsome?" Time Turner asked.
"She... did... mention that..."
A dark cloud morphed over Time Turner's head. "Then there is no need for me to confess to Derpy..." Raindrops only rolled her eyes at the upset stallion. You are such a good friend, just such a hopeless romantic...