//------------------------------// // Working is Beneficial For Your Health (part 1) // Story: The Truth About Girls (Vol. 2) // by TheMareWhoSaysNi //------------------------------// Just beside their tray filled with Jerusalem artichoke linguine and sweet chestnut-apple crumble, Twilight and Pinkie Pie put a newspaper, and started to rummage through the pages, the unicorn-headed pen of one of them in their hands. “Do we agree?” the girl with straight hair asked. “Something we can do on weekends, downtown and with flexible schedules?” “Yes. If that’s possible, something not too physically difficult.” “Oh yes, this is a good idea. I can’t carry heavy things.” At the same time, they leaned over their newspaper, and started to read announcements, following the lines with their fingers, ready to circle the ones they liked best. Obviously, they had conferred together in advance before organizing their search. The rest of the band, with them at the table lunch, was staring at them without understanding the purpose of all this. “What you two are up to?” Sunset Shimmer, sitting next to Twilight, asked. She wrung her neck in order to have a glimpse at what the two friends were rummaging through with such a seriousness. “I need money to get me a new laptop… With my birthday and my grandmother’s tip, I don’t need it in loads, but even so…” “And my oven is dead”, Pinkie Pie went on. “My parents are on a part of the planet where they can’t be reached, like almost always, so I have to find a solution on my own so I’ll be able to buy a new one.” “And that’s why we decided to find ourselves a casual work.” Everything was clear now. This mystery wasn’t a real one, and quickly, the biggest part of the table resumed their current activity. To celebrate their six months as a couple, Rainbow Dash and Soarin had gone to the restaurant together and exchanged gifts, since they both thought Valentine Day to be commercialized and idiotic. She’d spent a lot of money in order to buy him wireless headphones so he could do his sports with music when they weren’t together and he’d done the same giving her a polaroid camera of the latest fashion as a present. It was flat, white with a rainbow on it and she claimed she loved it more than her own life -  which could sound worrisome, coming from her. Each time it was in her hands, she couldn’t help but taking pictures during breaks, like some were addicted to selfies. It was this year’s revelation: she enjoyed taking pictures. The problem of this new vocation was that everything else seemed to be of a lesser importance. Like geometry classes, asking the gardener not to let the climbing rose die, or paying her canteen in place of her father… To get her focus on another kind of topic was something like a miracle. She would probably get over this whim eventually, as soon as she would have had her guitar chords repaired, for example… or received her delivery for 35 mm film roll. On the other hand, Fluttershy was really interested by her two friends’ conversation. Her and Big Macintosh were dating for less than Rainbow Dash and Soarin that , but she often thought they would become more like a couple if they gave each other gifts as a sign of their feelings… For now, all they did was walking hand in hand, having strolls in parks and outings together, and chastely kissing to say goodbye. In all honesty, the young woman was happy, but a little unsatisfied. It wasn’t exactly what she had imagined. When she asked advices to Rainbow Dash, the latter told her it would be counterproductive to compare. Each couple was different, especially as their characters, shy and reserved, had little in common with Soarin and her, swifter and fiercer. To give her boyfriend a gift maybe would be a good way to unlock something, since she was dreaming of passionate confessions and fantasizing of a great love story like in the novels she liked to read before going to sleep. Her trouble, and it really held her up, was that Pinkie Pie and Twilight had organized this search together. In comparison, she didn’t really need money. What her parents gave her for her “young woman” expenses basically was enough. Wouldn’t they regard her desire to work as a whim equal to Rainbow Dash’s new interest for photography? She nervously fingered the tie of her school uniform and sighed deeply. It was foolish to be afraid. They were her friends and they were always up to mutual assistance. “Would it… bother you if I started searching for a casual work with you? I’d like to buy a gift to… somebody… ?” The two teenagers looked up from their newspaper, and blinked for a few seconds, a bit stunned. They knew Fluttershy was very shy and rather jittery, with a likelihood to be a push over. In front of a little scrupulous boss, she would probably get trapped, not mentioning what could potentially happen if a patron scolded her… But after all, if she wanted to try this experience, why not? It even was better if she was helped by her two friends, rather than attempting to do this on her own. “Of course, it doesn’t bother us. Come closer”, Pinkie Pie said with a wide smile. Reassured, Fluttershy stood up and put her chair between the two girls, while at the other side of the table, Rainbow Dash was busy taking a polaroid of her half-empty tray, in order to compare it with the full tray of earlier. Applejack rolled her eyes, and took a mouthful of her pasta dish. “What kind of job are you guys looking for?” Sunset Shimmer questioned. “Bosses often object to hiring high school students because they need an authorization from their parents and well, they’re obliged to respect a lot of rules…” Out of them all, she was the only one to have a job outside of school. Applejack and Rainbow Dash’s indifference came from the fact they never really knew the necessity of earning money on their own. The first girl was paid by sponsors and her own family for the photo shoots and the advertisements she shot. If it asked a certain effort, it had nothing comparable with a regular job with rules and schedules to respect. As long as the second girl was concerned… Her father forbade her to work, considering he could support his daughter financially without her getting her hands dirty in a fast-food. Without the precious parental authorization, it was impossible to find a work as a minor. It also included brands of sports items which asked her to be their image. When she’d accepted a photo shoot for a roller-skate brand, Mr. Rainbow Blaze had threatened to press charges. For all that, she hadn’t feel concerned by all this to the extent of giving her friends a piece of those more than important information. “How did you do for the tattoo workshop?” “My boss is my grand-uncle by marriage… Yes, it’s string pulling.” “So nobody would want to hire us?”, Fluttershy asked, already discouraged. “That’s not what I said”, Sunset Shimmer answered, shaking her hands. “But it may happen to be a little more complicated than what you girls expected. There probably isn’t a lot of announcements for high school students in your newspaper…” Indeed, most of the announcements more gladly asked for College students, whether this was in connection or not with their chosen discipline. For all that, there was no way they would give up. They needed money, and were resolute to do their best in order to find a job that would help them to reach their goal. It was more than a question of money. It was a question of determination. -------------------------------- “Ah? No, never mind, Rainbow Dash. Thanks anyway.” Twilight hung up, aggrieved. They would never find a job! As a last resort, the three young girls asked their friend to see with Soarin whether the Royal Aerobatics Fleet wasn’t looking for secretaries, or assistant to the secretaries, during the weekends. The answer Rainbow Dash just gave them was unequivocal. Once again, they were too young and too inexperienced for such a work. Since answering to announcements happened to be unsuccessful, they both had decided to go and solicit enterprises and stores spontaneously. They had worn their most beautiful clothes, hadn’t forget to bring around résumés, cover letters and parental authorizations. The end of the afternoon already was under way, and they hadn’t find anything yet. Their age and lack of experience, as well as their choice to work exclusively on weekends always was a problem. Everywhere, they were repeated that College students had a better profile. Thinking door-to-door would be more effective, Fluttershy had given a rendezvous to Big Macintosh for around the end of the afternoon, so they could spend a bit of time together before going home. She had thought if the girls and her would find a job and could start by the next weekend, then she wouldn’t have much time to share with him, and this way, she would make it up to him. Of course, she hadn’t foreseen their search would be so unsuccessful. At first, the young woman thought it would be best to postpone this date. This way, Twilight, Pinkie Pie and herself would have been able to keep on searching. Her two friends talked her out of doing this, disappointed, and certain it was compromised for today, anyway. With a bit of luck, something would be available tomorrow. It was the hope they were sticking to. And so they decided to greet Fluttershy’s best friend, before going back home, where they maybe could go on a job scrawl on the Internet, just in case a casual work would be available somewhere. On this November day, the air outside was freezing, and people felt snow wasn’t far away. When they were chatting together, a white and fleeting smoke escaped their mouths. People around didn’t take long strolls in the streets, and were walking hurriedly. Fluttershy didn’t want to have Big Macintosh waiting in this freezing cold. He already was spending a considerable amount of time outside in order to photograph people for the site. It wasn’t fair to make him suffer from the same treatment after work, especially as they were supposed to relax together. Having a glimpse of his back, a wide smile appeared on her face. It was impossible for her to hide it. The prospect of being with him, especially after something so trying, always was pleasant, if not exciting. He never said much, but she liked the fact there were no pressure since she wasn’t quite a talker neither. With him, she knew her modesty would be understood. When he turned around and saw him smiling enthusiastically as well, her heart skipped a pleasant beat. Fluttershy thought that, really, he was even more handsome when he was smiling. Him doing it so scarcely made the thing precious and delightful. As soon as she was near him, he took her hand, and pecked her cheek. The young woman was so pleased by this sudden public display of affection that she didn’t immediately notice her big brother was here as well. Seeing Twilight and Pinkie Pie with her, Zephyr’s eyes reviewed the surroundings behind them. Fluttershy knew who he was expecting to see… Unbelievable. With how Rainbow Dash was treating him, he kept on hoping. Yet it was more than obvious she had no interest for him. Even her dating Soarin hadn’t calmed down his ardors. She hoped she never seemed so pathetic to Big Macintosh, or she would never recover from it… Her brother was the only one who she displayed character with, this character she had deep inside herself, which she often was ashamed of, since it was colored with a hint of cruelty that scared her in others, and even more in her. And so, conversely to her friends and Big Macintosh, Zephyr wasn’t much surprised when she addressed him this little remark: “Rainbow Dash is attending the Wondercolts from Canterlot University’s latest basketball game… You know, her boyfriend’s team. Her boyfriend who isn’t you.” This year, her brother had decided to go back to College. Naturally, he subscribed to the same university as his coworker and only friend, which meant he often had the occasion of meeting with the boy he regarded as his rival. More than this, even… Soarin was known by all the students fond of sports, and they were many. This little acerbic remark made his jaw clench, but proud, Zephyr tried his best to take it with dignity. It happened to him rarely enough for it to be noticed. Eager to change of topic, he chose to speak to his little sister’s two other friends. He never been a perceptive person, but even him could notice their smiles were façade, and that in reality they weren’t as happy as they tried to appear. As evidence, the pink-haired dynamo, the one who always scared him a little, hadn’t screamed anything yet, nor bounced everywhere, nor raise her fist in the air – nor the three at the same time. “Is there something wrong?” “True ya’ll look like yar under the weather”, Big Macintosh added. Well, Fluttershy, snuggled against him, seemed to be quite alright. It wasn’t hard to understand it was because she was with him. All the same, he also had felt something wasn’t normal. Pinkie Pie hadn’t said anything yet. And this really was a bad sign. “We all are looking for a casual work, since we all three need money…” “Eeyup, this Ah know”, Big Macintosh answered to Twilight. This fact made Zephyr’s eyes opened wide. His little sister needed money? Yet, he knew she had pocket money, and their parents even were more generous with her since she “at least had grown a brain”. Obviously, she was hiding things to him, and until then she always confessed everything to him… Even though in reality, she hadn’t confessed to him that she had a crush on his coworker, and chose to tell it to her best friends instead. It probably was the natural course of things. She had him for years, unable to bond with anyone else because of her shyness, and now she had a solid group of friends and a boyfriend. What a long way traveled in such a short amount of time! “And no one wants to hire us. They all say teenage girls are too clumsy, and too often stuck at their cellphones.” “What about Sugarcube Corner? Ain’t ya doin’ extra work there sometimes, Pinkie Pie?” “We asked, but Mrs. Cake told me she couldn’t afford to hire the three of us. And we want to be all three together. To support each other.” “Oh, Ah see.” “Same thing with fast food restaurants”, Fluttershy went on. “They agree to hire one of us or two of us, but never all three together. I start thinking we’ll never find anything.” It was just like Fluttershy, Zephyr thought. If something was on her way, she’d always choose to go back home rather than trying to go through anyway. The best for her was what was sure and very little dangerous, even figuratively. Tenacity had never been her thing. A personality trait both brother and sister shared. Usually, he was no help or comfort to her, and was likely to pat her shoulders telling it wasn’t serious and she could always try again later. He knew well then that she would never try again on something she considered as a failure. Not this time. This time, he would be her savior. And even Big Macintosh wouldn’t rival him. Back when he was looking for a job, before he was hired by Canterlot Street Style and returned to College – in fashion and merchandising – he had made the encounter of a man whom he had kept connection with, just in case. The latter had let him know that if he ever lost his job, he would hire him. He was convinced that all he had to do was ask, and the man would hire the three young girls. Especially as he owed Zephyr a favor because he had accepted to deliver a parckage around the East area, in exchange of his silence. It was his chance or never to appear as a hero. If Fluttershy could tell it to Rainbow Dash with it, she would probably be impressed by the wideness of his network. Every chance was good to take. “I know someone. If I tell him about you, I’m sure he’ll agree to hire you.” “Really? What would we have to do?” Twilight questioned. “Selling items to tourists. Well, these are wandering booths, never settled at the same spot, but don’t worry, he has the authorizations for that. It’s legit.” The three girls glanced at each other. Of course, they could find better comfort and working conditions, but it was their only option left. The situation was urgent for Pinkie Pie and Twilight; they couldn’t allow to spend more time searching. Since they had nothing else in prospect, they agreed to let Zephyr talk about them to his friend. If he accepted and they didn’t find anything else, they’d have this option at hand. The sooner they could start, the better it would be. After a few minutes and discussions, they all let the couple alone to spend time together. Fluttershy didn’t have so much time in hands to spend face to face with her boyfriend. And although she loved her friends, she also liked being without them from time to time. Zephyr, on the other hand, was very satisfied about how things were turning out. His little sister would forever be grateful, although he ignored why she needed money so bad. It didn’t matter to him. The way his good deed would restore his image was the only thing important in his mind. And with a bit of luck, he would gain compliments from Rainbow Dash for this beautiful gesture of altruism… At least that was something! ---------------------------------- Last night, Pinkie Pie had phoned to Twilight who had phoned to Fluttershy. They had done researches on Internet and hadn’t been able to find an announcement fitting their requirements. After a discussion of thirty minutes, the three young girls had drawn the conclusion that they would accept Zephyr’s offer. It wasn’t the work of their dreams, but it was a work. When they met this morning, on their way to their classrooms, they could talk about nothing else than this. Each had different questions that tickled them, yet they were rather enthusiastic at the prospect to start. They wouldn’t even have to work for a very long time. By the end of their probation period, they would probably have enough money for their mutual spend. Every morning, the girls met on the way half their classrooms and the Guiding Class’s. They chatted together until the bell rang, and then Twilight went in her own room. The other pupils studying with her never hung around in corridors before or in-between the courses. As soon as they arrived, they went to their classroom, opened a book, a notebook and they reviewed. Back in days that seemed now foreign to her, she too was like this. Nothing mattered outside of studying. She had no friends, and no other will than to review and learn. When she saw her classmates, Twilight was ashamed of her former behavior. She used to pass by so many simple pleasures of life… Her dream hadn’t change, it was a fact, and getting a Royal Scholarship in order to study astrophysics in Canterlot University still was her number one project, the ambition of her youth. However, this wasn’t the only thing that mattered to her anymore. And in no way was she envious of those she rubbed shoulders with in her class. Oh, they could believe they were at the pole position to steal her title of student number one just because she wasn’t spending twenty-four hours a day with her nose plunged into books. She wasn’t neglecting any detail and still had the intention of ending this year as the valedictorian. Sunset Shimmer, Applejack and Rainbow Dash already were here. They were chatting and laughing, while one of them showed the others the pictures she had taken on the previous day with her polaroid camera. As they approached, the three others noticed it was nothing but pictures on which appeared Soarin, playing basketball . And after this, she would keep on claiming there was nothing to prove that she was in love… It didn’t matter. They also had their little scoop, and it was almost as exciting as the crushing victory of the Wondercolts. To be convinced of it, their dazzling sunny mood was enough… Pinkie Pie fell on Rainbow Dash’s neck and made her shoulders move as if she was in a nightclub. “Wow, what’s happenin’? Did ya girls swallowed happy pills or sumethin’?” Applejack asked in front of this wave of outlandishness more exuberant than usually. “No need”, Pinkie Pie giggled. “If there’s something they should never give her, that’s this!” Rainbow Dash claimed while putting her pictures back inside her bag. It would be a lie to say that this kind of behavior didn’t annoyed her at least a little, yet the young woman chose not to make a comment about it to her friend. She knew that anyway, it wouldn’t stop her. So, it was best to let her act freely. It was Sunset Shimmer who devoted herself in order to stop this little mystery. “A good news in prospect?” “Yes”, Twilight answered, proud of herself. “The girls and I had found a job.” “Congratulations! What is it?” “In fact”, Fluttershy said. “My big brother found it for us.” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Rainbow Dash producing some kind of groan that she decided to ignore. In all likelihood, if Zephyr thought it would have any kind of positive impact on Rainbow Dash, he was wrong right across the board. “We’re going to sell souvenirs to tourists”, Pinkie Pie claimed. “I can feel I have the streak of a good businesswoman.” “You’re going to scare them, hell, blaring like this”, Rainbow Dash hurled, rubbing her ears. Sunset Shimmer let out a small chuckle, patted her friend’s shoulder, and resumed the conversation. “This is great! Is it going to be in one of these small boutiques surrounding the Royal Palace?” “Not really… They’re traveling booths. So, we’ll never be at the same spot every day.” Surprisingly, Twilight saw her three friends looking at each other in an odd manner, as if they were on the same wavelength that they were the only ones to decipher. “What’s wrong?” she dared asking. “Well…” “This type of thangs are scams. The stuffs are kinda… fell off the back of a truck.” “Really? You think so?” Twilight suddenly felt like empty of energy. It didn’t seem good. She didn’t really want to be meddled into something that was on the verge of legality. What if it ruined the future she was trying to prepare for herself? It was a huge risk. On the other hand, neither Fluttershy nor Pinkie Pie seemed to be disheartened from their friends’ revelation. Although Rainbow Dash testified them they would have to read the contract with a lot of attention, and make sure the enterprise wasn’t inconsequential, even offering to make it verified by her father’s attorney, they swore Zephyr promised everything was legit and there was no reason to worry. All the same… She would go and see, give it a test, because she really needed this money, but she would pay attention and at the least suspicious display, Twilight promised herself she would give up and tell her friends. Yes, they wanted to work, nevertheless, they weren’t ready to put themselves in danger for that. Well, it was what she hoped.