//------------------------------//
// Get a job! Wait, what are your qualifications? 
// Story: Golden Love 
// by enigmaMystere 
//------------------------------//

Flick's first thought the next morning is how somepony must have the a natural alarm clock with how perfectly the bed was position so sun would shine on it through the window.

He grumbles, lazily batting at the beams of light with a hoof, contemplating the merits of a set of blinds.

...wait, hoof?

He double checks. A familiar yellow hoof looks back at him, sunlight coming through it in some spots.

He groans, rubbing it down his face and grumbling quietly. "I hate it when I sleep on my leg funny..." He stares at it and focuses, which, oddly enough, causes his own leg to unfocus for a bit. When he can see it clearly once more, it's a talon, and he flexes each digit to make sure it works properly.

Luckily for him, only the sun was witness to this oddity, leaving the rest of the town blissfully unaware.

"Well... time to greet the day, I guess." He gets up and stretches, groaning as his back pops. "Gah, that hurts... why do their bones have to be susceptible to stuff like that?"

No one answers him, instead, the open door of the bathroom offers a counterpoint.

He sighs and walks over, grumbling to himself. "You win this round, bladder..."

Once the morning issue is taken care of, a more pleasant sight comes to light: meaning his librarian neighbor out on her balcony with a book and tea.

He walks outside, moving to the edge of the balcony closest to her and resting his elbows on the railing. "Hello, there. Glad to see you made it back home after that party, last night."

"Hmm?" She looks up, surprised. "Oh, wow, you live closer than I thought. Casual chat distance, in fact."

"It sure seems that way." He chuckles, resting his cheek against a talon as his eyes gleam with mirth. "I certainly don't object to having a beautiful view every morning."

She giggles. "Yes, I managed to catch the sunrise this morning and it was lovely."

"That was also... nice." His grin turns a little lopsided before he shifts his focus. "What are you reading, there?"

"A collection of data gatherings about the effects when reading while drinking tea when compared to doing the same but with coffee. I find it refreshing to start the day with." She rattles this all off with a simple smile.

He chuckles quietly, nodding to himself. "I'm glad to see a book centered on quenching one's thirst is refreshing."

She giggles. "Yes, though, I have found it's impossible to read without wanting a drink."

"I can only imagine." He gestures to her cup. "I can see which side you're on in that debate."

"It's how I was raised." She says simply.

"Oh?" He raises an eyebrow at her. "I thought you were raised here. Tea seems more like the snooty Canterlot scene."

She gives him a look as she daintily sets down her cup. "I'm from Canterlot."

If he had a drink, he'd be choking on it right now. "...y-you are? But... you're so nice! And... and the ones who came to Griffinstone were so condescending!" His face is bright red in embarrassment. "I... I'm sorry..."

She stares at him a little longer before smiling. "It's alright. I know ponies who were like that. They're... difficult."

He slumps over the railing, groaning quietly. "...please don't scare me like that again..."

Her ears fold back a bit even as she smiles. "I'm sorry, as true as it is about some, I just try to show ponies not everyone fits into stereotypes."

He suddenly perks up at her words, looking to her as though seeing her for the first time. "...you really are a gem, Twilight Sparkle." He smiles, placing a claw on his chest and bowing respectfully. "I hope we become great friends in the future."

She perks up as well, something in his words striking a chord in her. "I hope so, too."

"Heh, if luck be willing, maybe we can be more than that." He watches her face carefully, trying to see what she really thinks of the idea. Then again, this mare did have an air of innocence around her, some element that he found utterly irresistible.

"Best friends? We'll see." She takes another sip of her tea.

Case in point. He chuckles, shaking his head quietly. "Has anypony ever told you that you're absolutely adorable?"

She giggles. "My parents said that quite often, as did my brother."

"Hmm." He chuckles softly, leaning a little closer. "Yea, I can see that. On a different subject, what do you have planned for today?"

She taps her chin, bringing a scroll over with magic. "Well, I hadn't decided yet, but I do have. Checklist of potential things to go through."

Flick stares at the scroll floating beside her. "...is that a normal thing for you?"

"No, sometimes I decide the previous day." She quips, tail wagging proudly.

"I see." He chuckles, shaking his head. "Have you ever done something that wasn't on a list? Like an impromptu swim, or a date?"

"I go off my lists sometimes..." she pouts, looking at her hooves. "I just like to be organized."

"I figured." He chuckles, pulling away from his balcony. "I just like to tease."

"Well, at least you're nice about it." She smiles once more at him. "It's nice to talk in the mornings. Spike is too sleepy most days."

He stops mid-turn, looking back at her with a grin. "I'd be more than happy to have more conversations with you, no matter what time it is."

Giggling, she nods. "I'll keep that in mind. Maybe we can do this tomorrow morning and make it a regular thing."

"I'd like that." He nods and points over his shoulder. "Though if you don't mind, I have to find a job. Painting isn't a good source of income if I'm not well-known, yet."

"Oh! Of course, go ahead." She finishes her cup. "Good luck!"

"Thanks. I think I'll need it." He stands on his hindlegs and stretches, grunting in satisfaction before taking off, looking around at the town as a whole.

"Now... where to begin?"

A few options pop into his head as to employment. While pursuing his talent is preferred, he realizes that may not be the most practical option.

He realizes it might be a good idea to head back to the town hall. They might have a listing of available jobs. He flies past the library, making a mental note to check back there later.

Other ponies mill below and around him, going about their own jobs that day from selling at stalls to getting weather ready.

He briefly considers a job in a stall, but knows that he doesn't have any wares for sale, and he has no idea how competitive ponies are for sales in a place like that.

He sighs and lands right in front of the tall building, shaking his head. "Why can't these things ever be easy?"

The building says nothing.

"...don't know why I expected you to talk." He sighs and walks inside, kicking the door shut with a paw before making his way to the... new secretary. Huh.

The griffin slowly takes his place in front of them, resting a claw on the wood. He tries to find something to say, both to break the awkward silence and get the pony's attention. "...do you and that other guy take turns working the desk?"

Nailed it?

"Hmm?" She looks up, blinking at him. "Oh, hello, sir! Can I help you?"

"Oh, I was just wondering if you carry help wanted posters or the like." He tilts his head at her. "...do you?"

"Well, most places merely put out signs, but some do put advertisements through us." She motions to a board on the side. "That's where they simply stick posters, and the book to the side of it is for the more organized variety."

"I see." He turns back to her, smiling warmly and bowing slightly. "Thank you, miss. I hope your day goes as well as you are beautiful."

She blushes pink, waving him off. "Oh, why thank you."

"It's my pleasure." He chuckles and walks over to the board, making sure to see every available job so he can make an informed decision.

There's jobs in every aspect from flower shop assistant to weather pony.

He carefully combs over each of the flyers, taking a tag from each one he finds he might be able to do before pausing, staring at one spot in the corner. That eagle head of his slowly turns to look at the secretary, tapping the paper in question. "...do you know there's one here for escorts? Is that supposed to be here?"

"We did check, it is actually for escorting as in protecting."

He goes silent, then quietly nods. "Oh. Okay, then." He takes a tag for that and looks through them all. "Okay, so... model, pet walker, escort, cashier, weather duty, harvester..." He taps his chin and looks sideways at the mare. "Do you think I should grab any others?"

"I don't really know your talents, sir." She shrugs.

"Well, I don't exactly have one of your cutie patooties, but I'm good with my claws." He flexes one for emphasis.

"Hmm... massager at the spa?" She offers.

He blinks, glancing back at the board. "...it's not on here..." His gaze turns back to her, hopeful. "Could you help me with a general area to look in, please?"

Nodding, she gets up and goes over to a window. "If you go down this street, you should see it on your left."

He nods, smiling warmly and offering her a claw. "Thanks. If I get the job, would you be willing to try me out?"

"Sure! I know my back could use it..." She rolls her shoulders as she takes his claw.

He hums, rubbing a talon along the top of her hoof. "Maybe I'll learn massage anyways and see if I can't help with that back."

She giggles. "Well, thank you. I look forward to hearing if you get the job anyway."

"Thanks." He lets go and bows respectfully. "I'll be on my way, Miss..."

"Swirl Script." She smiles at him. "And who might you be?"

His smile turns into a cheeky grin. "Flick. You have a cute name, Miss Script."

"How nice of you." She giggles. "Too bad professional flirt isn't a job."

"There's always freelancing as a different kind of escort." He playfully ruffles her mane and heads out, whistling a tune to himself.

She smiles, watching him go as she fixes her mane. "Hope he makes good on that massage..."