//------------------------------// // Salespony // Story: Fortunate Misfortune // by OutOfTheBlue //------------------------------// I've found that changelings are affected in more ways than one by the emotions they consume. If an emotion is strong enough to overwhelm the changeling, they will devolve into a sort of shock that can take hours to recover from. --except from Among the Shapeless by Wanderlust. -------------------- I screamed in surprise as an unholy sound filled my room. It was like thousands of hungry nymphs all shrieking in unison. "What is that! Make it stop! Make it stoooop!" I finally tracked the noise to the clock of all things. I slammed my hoof against it and it stopped. I took a moment to catch my breath before slumping to the floor. I curled up and groaned as morning drowsiness returned. My stomach grumbled, causing me to stand. "Ugh. I need to eat. I guess I'll take a few bites as I deliver the flowers." I flopped down the stairs and donned my disguise before heading out for the day. I immediately walked back in. "Shower. Ponies shower, so I need to shower." ------------------------ I stood awkwardly by as Roseluck, Daisy, and Lilly threw various items into their saddlebags. Daisy turned to me as Lilly shoved baskets down into the bags. "So sorry to force this on you, but we need to go fill this order." Roseluck squealed as she ran by. "Pinkie sent us a letter asking for out help setting up flowers for the reception of the ROYAL WEDDING!" The three mares pressed together and screamed in excitement. Lilly darted over and asked, "So you're sure you'll be fine on your own?" I nodded. "I... think so." Daisy halted with a bag of soil over her back. "Don't worry, Lilly. If anything bad happens we'll be back in like two days." I nodded in an attempt to reassure the panicked mares. "I am sure it will be fine. Sooo... I'm not delivering flowers?" Roseluck ran by with a large pot on her back. "Nope! Just run the store till we get back." "Oh, okay have f--" With a rush of wind, they were running out the door. "--fun." I stood in place for a bit as I attempted to process what had happened. Apparently... I was now in charge of the flower shop. Only problem was... I had no idea what I was doing. "Uh... what should I do?" I mean, it's not like I've done this before. I can't even read! How am I supposed to sell flowers? I moved behind the inside counter and stood there, waiting for a customer. I'm not saying that selling flowers should be easy, but, come on, how hard could it be? I perked up as a pony entered the shop. I am a changeling. I am cunning, manipulative, and a master of mental warfare. I will sell more flowers than any single pony ever has. Confidence. I just ooze confidence. That confidence immediately piddled out once he made eye contact. "H-hello. How... may I help you?" The pony looked at me and raised an eyebrow. "Uh... what are you doing here? Where are Roseluck, Daisy, and Lilly?" I swallowed and mumbled, "They're not here." "Oh, where are they?" I shrunk back a bit. What? He was scary! "C-c-canterlot." He grimaced slightly, his ears folding back a bit and discomfort radiating from him. "Oh, uh... I guess, I'll, uh, well, are you still selling flowers or not really?" I nodded. He looked around before pulling out some bits. "Then I'll take... uh, a box of daisies?" I grabbed a box and threw them at him. He barely managed to catch it before I grabbed the proffered bits and shoved him out the door. "Byehaveagoodday!" I slammed the door and leaned against it, glad to be out if the sights of the terrifying stallion. "Oh sweet Queen that was awful. I hope I never have to do that again." *knock knock* "Uh, can I have my change?" I hurriedly shoved the bits back out the slot. "Okay, uh, you gave me too many... I'll just leave these here. Uh, good luck?" I opened the door and grabbed the bits before slamming it again. I took a few calming breaths before returning to the counter. "Okay, next one... next one will obviously be different. Not as scary." (One hour later) Carrot Top cheerily trotted down the street towards the flower stand. She needed thirty thistles and a pack of clovers for a recipe. She froze when she saw a large crowd spilling from inside to the outside of the shop, and they weren't happy. One mare yelled, "Come on! What are you doing! Just sell us the flowers!" Several ponies cheered before another yelled, "I need a dozen roses for tonight of my mare-friend will kill me!" "I need Lilacs for my bath!" "If I don't get rose petals by noon I'll be very peeved!" "Persimmons!" Carrot Top shoved through the crowd and saw ponies leaning over the desk, frantically shouting at somepony on the ground. She craned her neck and saw-- "Mirror!?" There, curled up on the ground shuddering in terror was Broken Mirror. Carrot Top narrowed her eyes and moved in front of him. "Hey! If you don't get out right now, I'm warning you, you'll be sorry!" A few tried to protest only to be cowed by Carrot Top's withering glare. Soon the shop was empty save for Carrot and Mirror. She carefully walked over to the silently sobbing stallion and sat down beside him. "Hey... you okay?" He took a shuddering breath before whimpering, "I-I couldn't do it, but they kept coming and they all got so frustrated and angry at me and I-I-I just... just." He broke down again into shuddering sobs. Carrot Top sighed before nudging his shoulder. "Come on, you need some cake." ----------------------- I sat in an empty daze as Carrot Top walked up to the counter to place our orders. I wasn't hungry for emotions anymore, but it had taken a toll. I hadn't intended to consume so much, but I had been overwhelmed and it had proven too much for me. Carrot Top returned and sat beside me in the booth. "You okay? You look a little... out of it." I nodded, incapable of a proper response. She lapsed into silence before Mrs. Cake approached with our food. She took one look at me before sitting down on my other side, a concerned look on her face. "Oh dear, you look dreadful. What's the matter?" I just looked down. I still felt... imbalanced from the strength of the anger I'd consumed. Carrot Top turned to Mrs. Cake and said, "Roseluck and the others left town and put him in charge. He wasn't prepared and... things got out of hoof. I practically had to break up a mob." Mrs. Cake held a hoof over her mouth before placing her hoof over mine, eyes shimmering. "Oh you poor thing. It must have been terrible, especially given your more... skittish nature. I hope this hasn't affected you too much. Ponies here are generally very kind, they just get frazzled by change is all." I nodded, still dazed. She gave my hoof a pat before returning to the counter. "If you need anything, just ask. Anyway, I'd better get back to work. Take care of him, Carrot Top." Carrot nodded before digging into her carrot cake. I absently picked at mine as I started sorting through everything. Hopefully I'd feel better in the morning.