Sugar Crush exited the fridge alone, her expression low and irritated. Once again, the mare made another attempt to hug Mineral Water. However, thanks to his stupid unicorn magic, Mineral made another spectacular departure. Despite the quick escape Mineral pulled off, Sugar could not remain upset with him for much longer. Excitement soon possessed her heart. Finally! Mineral is going to talk about Nebula with me! The thestral had wanted to have her friend open up to her from the very beginning of their friendship. Sugar knew that prodding the sensitive material that was Nebula would only upset Mineral. But the moment seemed right on asking Mineral Water to talk about his old friend. It may not have been two weeks since Sugar and Mineral met. However, what did hurt Sugar Crush was how Mineral Water became crushed with depression whenever the thought of Nebula was agitated. She felt helpless when she watched him cry, even as they were in the fridge. All Sugar could hope to do was to pry that sadness out of Mineral’s heart while maintaining the better remembrance of Nebula. Of course, the only way for the good memories to be focused on, Sugar Crush knew the bad had to be called upon as well. Knowledge always has a price to pay, be it time or a painful reminder.
Sugar left the kitchen to see Nightshade and Mineral talking with a crystal pony outside. The stallion they were talking with looked up at her. He said a few words before a hoof pointed at Sugar. Mineral and Nightshade turned around and smiled at the thestral. The way they stared at Sugar Crush made her uneasy, and the mare wanted to flee into the fridge just as Mineral Water did.
On its own, the front door opened and the bell rang a cheerful tune. A red-violet veil encased it, giving away who held it open. “Go on, Sugar,” Raspberry sang. “Business calls.” The small bell rang again, the door purposefully setting off the brass alarm.
Sugar gave one look back at her boss, a very nervous one at that, and then back to her friend, sister, and stranger. At the customer’s feet, a colt stepped from behind him and gave a small wave.
Unable to resist the urge to want to hug the foal, Sugar Crush persevered and went outside. “Good morning,” she said, specifically to the colt.
“Hello!” he beamed, his voice sounding a little strained. “Are you the one who made the Mineral Milk Cookies?”
“I am.” Sugar looked up at the older pony. “Have you tried one as well?”
“Yes I have,” the light-blue crystal pony replied. “Me and my son, Rough Diamond here, find your cookies quite unique.” The father ran a hoof through Rough Diamond’s white mane. The boy grumbled at the parental affection. “My son wants to know if it is possible to buy some cookies to go.”
Sugar Crush looked at her more business-focused friend for some telepathic advice. However, Mineral Water only gestured toward her short customer, leaving Sugar to make the choice. It didn't seem harmful to allow the colt a few cookies for himself or others he may want to share them with. “How much would you like?”
Rough Diamond didn't give Sugar Crush a number. “A whole plate!”
The request almost made Sugar’s knees give in. She detested how Mineral and Nightshade sat in their chairs with guilty grins. The thestral had to contemplate if she wanted to crush Mineral Water once she finally hugs him. But that thought had to wait. More important matters were at hoof.
“Why so many?” Sugar asked. “I mean, each cookie costs four bits. And depending on which plate you choose, would mean you or your father will have to pay quite a lot.”
The father’s stature rose, his light-blue chest puffing out. “You see, my son has recently received his cutie mark. He and I were coming here to the Chocolate Palace to see if any sweets were able to be purchased for his cute-ceanera, when we noticed you selling something quite unique.”
To avoid the foal’s question on purpose and allow herself to ponder about the sudden request, Sugar Crush smiled at Rough Diamond and said, “Congratulations on receiving your cutie mark, sweetie.” Rough’s cheeks flushed and his ears shied away from the mare. “What does your cutie mark look like and what is your special talent?”
The colt spun around a few times as if to be sure his cutie mark was still on his flank and did not fall off some ways back. Rough managed to still himself when he grabbed his rear. “I’m a gemologist, which means I study and identify gems! My cutie mark may look like it is a magnifying glass, and it is, but it’s more known as a loupe. Think of it as a smaller magnifying glass.” A brass loupe was placed firmly against Rough’s little body, easily standing out from his white coat. In the center of the loupe’s round glass was a light-blue diamond, large and magnified by the device.
Sugar Crush giggled, curious about the child’s intelligence. “How good are you at knowing what gem is what?”
“Well…” Rough Diamond sized up Sugar Crush with a hard stare. The thestral did not know how to make of his observation but kept silent. “I can tell by just looking at you that you aren’t a crystal pony, even though you might look like one.”
The comment did surprise Sugar, not expecting Rough to say such a thing. However, Sugar was not offended by the comment. She had a coat of Minerals Water’s Crystal Coat on. Rough’s father was not pleased with his son’s input. “Rough Diamond!” he said with a calm but assertive bark. “That was a very rude thing to say!”
“But she asked me how good I was at looking at gems,” Rough complained. “You know I can tell a fake gem from a real one.” At once, Sugar noticed the colt’s attitude shift to shame; she knew he caught onto his own unintentional insult. “Miss Thestral, I'm- I'm so sorry if I offended you.”
“You didn’t mean to be mean,” Sugar smiled. Knowing what will cheer up the foal, Sugar Crush extended an arm. She looked at the father, the two understanding what she was offering. “May I?”
“You may.”
Rough Diamond nervously walked up to Sugar Crush before reaching for the thestral’s neck. In kind, Sugar dipped her head low and held the boy. “You didn’t hurt my feelings, okay, sweetie?”
Again, the colt blushed. “Mmhmm.” He lifted his head, eyes glittering like the second part of his name. “So, can I have an entire plate?” With his guilt discarded, Rough Diamond was on the assault with a pair of adorable eyes.
It was obvious that Sugar would make a good sale by selling a huge bulk of her product. However, she had just started her day, and it had not been an hour since Sugar had begun selling. Raspberry’s horror story about running out of pudding came to mind. The thestral was not willing to give her employer a sense of deja vu, nor did she want to experience running out of product so quickly.
Then an idea popped into Sugar Crush’s head. She looked at the colt’s father and asked, “How about you order a batch of Mineral Milk Cookies? I want to be sure everypony else will get a taste of my cookies today and I want to have enough throughout the day.” Sugar, you are a genius, she thought, swaying back and forth with relief. Sugar took one glance at Mineral Water and saw him nodding with an approving smile. She made a good move.
“I would love to...” Rough’s father said; however, his tone suggested more was to be said. “...but…” Sugar’s swaying stopped. The word “but” was never a good sign when it is used after a nice set of words. “...my son’s cute-ceanera is today. It does bring me great shame to admit that I had no time to plan Rough Diamond’s special day. But my work is unpredictable, and there are no promises that I will have many free days to myself and son.” The light-blue parent placed a hoof on Rough’s little head and let off a warm expression. “It would mean the world to me if you would allow us to take one of your plates to celebrate a special day with my wonderful son.” The compliment made Rough blush. “I may not know when my next day will be off, or when there will be quality time to be with Rough. So an order of your cookies, though it is appreciated, is not plausible.”
All of Sugar’s relief was quickly dissolved by the father’s heart-filled story. A reality of her rejecting Rough’s wishes plagued the thestral’s mind as a sad colt’s diamond eyes glittered with tears as he walked away with his upset father. In need of assistance, Sugar Crush looked at Mineral Water for any possible input. But again, he gestured his head toward the family of two, giving no words of help whatsoever. Nightshade sat in silence, her slit pupils glancing between the customers and her sister.
Aside from wanting to break Mineral Water in two by not helping her in a time of need, Sugar had to answer the request. Should she give Rough Diamond a plate of Mineral Milk Cookies so he and his father can enjoy Rough’s cute-ceanera? Or should she deny the colt in fear that she may run out of cookies before the day was even close to being over?
It was not in Sugar’s fragile heart to break Rough Diamond’s spirit. Option two was never considered a choice, even though it presented itself. “Pick any plate you like,” Sugar said, sealing her fate.
Like a magnet, Rough Diamond latched onto Sugar Crush’s forelegs, almost causing her to fall over. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“Son, it’s rude to suddenly do that to somepony,” Rough’s father spoke, evaporating most of the colt’s excitement. The foal removed himself and pawed at the ground, embarrassed for his scolding.
Sugar Crush saw no harm in Rough Diamond’s joy and batted a hoof. “It’s alright. I didn’t end up hurt.” The mare pointed back at the Chocolate Palace and said, “While I get you a to-go box, choose any plate you want.”
***
A heavy gem thumped on the table. “Keep the change,” Rough’s father said with a smile.
“W-what is this?” Sugar Crush asked, astonished what was resting in front of Nightshade, who also stared at the clear-red stone with awe.
Rough Diamond pointed at the gem, “That is a five-pound ruby, which is about…” The colt muttered a few “duh-duh-duhs,” as his eyes rolled around in his head. “...11,330 carats.”
It was rare for Sugar to see her sister’s mouth gaped wide open in shock. Sugar Crush would have been amused by Nightshade’s rare expression but was too surprised by the generous offer. Mineral Water let out a small whistle but didn’t give any visible sign of surprise. Then again, he sells bottles of shampoo that may be the same amount as the rock on the table, so Sugar didn’t become fazed by Mineral’s lack of an extreme reaction.
Nightshade rose her hoof to grab the two customers’ attention. “What does Rough mean by ‘carats?’ I've heard the term ‘twenty-four karat gold’, however, he said a number I was not expecting.” She eyed the magnificent ruby, her face reflecting off of every edge. “Why is the ruby not twenty-four karats as well?”
The father cleared his throat to explain, but Rough Diamond poked at the parent’s leg. “Can I explain?”
“Of course, son.”
Like father, like son, Rough Diamond cleared his throat as well, but much louder as if to express the pride of his own intellect. “The difference is because a gem’s carat means how heavy it is, while a gold karat measures a gold’s purity.” Rough pointed a hoof at Nightshade as he continued, “Twenty-four karat gold, just so you know, means that is the purest sample of gold you can get; however, it is impossible to get gold that is 100% pure.”
Mineral Water did the same as Nightshade and rose a hoof. “So is karat a homonym?” The colt returned his response with a confused look. “A homonym word that is spelled the same, but can have two different meanings. Kind of like the word bug. You can say, ‘Don’t bug me,’ as in, ‘Don’t bother me,’ or you can simply refer to bug as an insect.”
Rough’s eyes widened, “Oh! I get it!” He cleared his throat again, a sign he was about to resume his professional informing. The adorable act infected Sugar Crush and the mare let a giggle escape. “They may sound the same, but they are spelled differently. Karat, with a ‘k’, is used for gold, and carat, with a ‘c,’ is used for gems.”
Sugar Crush smiled down at Rough, impressed with his skill of informing. “I wasn’t expecting to learn about gold and gems today,” she said. “All I wanted to do was sell cookies.”
“As they say,” the father spoke up, “‘you learn things every day.’” He then shook his head. “I apologize to cut our talk short, but my son and I must be going.” The bright pink box filled with Mineral Milk Cookies that sat on the table was picked up by Rough Diamond’s magic. “Don’t drop those, Son.”
“I won’t!” The two looked at Sugar Crush and began speaking their farewells. “Thanks for making something really cool!”
“I agree with my son. Good luck with the rest of your sale.”
The two ponies began to walk away, the sunlight twinkling their shiny bodies. “Goodbye,” Sugar Crush waved at them.
The sound of chair legs scratching the ground clawed at Sugar’s ears. “Good job with your first personal sale,” Mineral Water said. His voice only reminded the thestral how he did nothing to help her. Sugar snapped her head at the crystal pony, her ears bending at a dangerous angle. “What's with the look?” Mineral asked with a raised brow.
“Why didn't you help me! I thought I was going to die!”
Mineral Water only smiled. “I just thought it would be interesting to see you handle your first customer. And I think you did a good job, considering your pay was that ruby.”
“I agree, Sugar,” Nightshade added, though her eyes were hungry for the gem.
Sugar Crush observed her cookies. “I mean, I am really happy for what I earned. However, I only have four plates left.” She looked to Mineral Water, praying to Luna that he had something insightful other than shrugging and forcing Sugar to figure out everything on her own. “What will I do if I run out before the day is over?”
“Then you run out.”
The thestral frowned and thumped her face on the table. “You aren't helping!” Sugar heard Nightshade giggle at the expense of her sister’s misery.
“I'm… not trying to upset you,” Mineral Water said. “If I run out of shampoo and can't sell anymore, well, I can't sell any more until I make more.” Sugar Crush’s ears twitched and she lifted her head and saw the stallion standing beside her.
“But why didn't you help me with negotiating with the customer?” Sugar asked, her mood still not yet lifted.
“Like I said, I wanted to see you handle your first customer. I did not expect Rough to want an entire plate, but I thought it was better to have you deside what to do.” Mineral sighed and touched Sugar’s shoulder. “This is normal business practice. You will have to negotiate at times. Some ponies will try and make you feel bad, while some may try and flirt themselves into a ‘friendly’ discount.” The stallion pointed a hoof at himself, “Trust me, I have had many mares try to charm me with cute stares.” Leaning into Sugar’s ear, he whispered, “The only mare to successfully pry a discount off of me was Nebula.” Sugar Crush gasped and grinned at the crystal pony. “I'll tell you the story later.”
It surprised Sugar with how Mineral mentioned Nebula without getting upset. Perhaps it was a happy memory, or maybe it was an embarrassing one for either him or his best friend. The end of the day seemed so far away, and Sugar Crush wanted to finally get to storytelling with Mineral Water.
“What are you two whispering about?” Nightshade suspiciously eyed Sugar and Mineral as she rolled the ruby in her hooves.
“Business,” Mineral simply answered. He easily shifted his attention to Sugar and said, “I hope my words helped you in some way.”
“Just help me next time I need it,” Sugar half smiled. “I'm not a well-versed business pony like you.” Mineral Water rolled his eyes before returning to his seat.
“Just trying to allow you to have some on hooves experience,” he said.
Nightshade, still in love with the ruby, was still listening to their talk. “Maybe Sugar wants you to hold her hoof.” Mineral Water didn't react as dramatically as Sugar Crush. She flushed with intensity while the stallion slightly shifted in his seat.
“I don't mind helping her. That's why I'm here for moral support.”
Sugar Crush was glad Mineral Water didn't catch her sister’s comment. The poor thestral had already dealt with so much that morning; from the morning stress, to her sister arriving, to Mineral’s sadness, to Rough’s irresistible puppy dog stare. And it hadn't been an hour. With Nightshade’s sneaky embarrassing tactics at work, Sugar Crush worried about how the rest of her day would render out.