Moondancer saw the not so eager to be there pony standing right in front of her. About the same age, pink, not unusual, violet hair with a string of light blue. She seemed bored, too bored, or at the very least totally disinterested in what was happening. She looked at Moondancer as someone might look at paint drying or grass growing in the garden. Either she was waiting for someone to break the ice and say something, or she had absolutely no business being in a bookstore to begin with. Moondancer could have just ended the situation right there, saying :
''Get out of here.''
But she was over such frivulous and superficial feelings. To be fair, she was Twilight's apprentice, and if Twilight herself sent this pony to her as help, she could be right, right ?
''So, Starlight Glimmer. Twilight sent you here looking for a job.''
''Yeah.'' she said, finally looking at Moondancer in the face.
''Have you ever had any previous jobs ?''
''I was sort of like a mayor once, other than that not much.''
''Mayor ?''
''Yeah, sort of like a town mixed with a commune.''
''Ok, and besides that ?''
Silence.
''Nothing else. I now live in Twilight's castle, hoping for something to do when we're not saving the world.''
''Yeah great, well Twilight sent you here to actually do something.''
''SHE sent me here because I kept emptying her fridge. She said something about improving my social skills and earning some cash to buy what I want.''
''Niiice, that's the spirit. Ok, show me what you can do, stack those books, they have just arrived.''
It was a carton box full of books, and with the help of some magic, Starlight was actually able to dispose the book in an ordinated manner on the shelves, she definitely knew what she was doing.
''Uh. Not bad, quick and efficient. You know your way around books. Figures, you live with Twilight.''
''So, this is it ? I thought landing a job would have been a much more difficult task.'' said Starlight confidently.
''Oh yeah ?! You didn't even arrange the books ...''
''In alphabetical order, by author. Or do you want me to re-arrange them by topic ?''.
Moondancer was surprised. That's exactly what she wanted to say.
''What ? I've got enough of this shit with Twilight already. I know what she wants. And something tells me you're no different.''
''First, go fuck yourself.''
''Point taken.''
''Second, arranging books in the store is only part of the job. You also got to welcome the customers, create a minimalistic and still believable connection with whomever is going to enter through that door.''
''And what do you know about all this ?''
''More than you, probably.''
''Ugh. Ok, so I just gotta say ''Hello'' convincingly right ?''
''Pretty much. Ok, I'll be the customer and you'll be the employee, ready ?''
''Yeah, ok.''
Moondancer went at the door, and opened it slowly.
''Good morning.''
''Hi, honey, how ya doin'?''
''Just take the salute and go on'' thought Moondancer.
''I was just looking through the newly arrived books, and I wanted a suggestion.''
''Sure, what kind of books are you looking for ? Like some authors in particular or regarding a specific subject ?''
''Ok, ok not so bad, that's right.'' thought Moondancer, having finally some hope in Starlight's complete disregard for every kind of decency.
''Well, I was looking for some John Green books, you got something like ''Looking For Alaska'', or other books like that ?''
''I'm sorry ma'am, we sell books here, not teen-love bullshit. Try looking on TV or at the nearest high school.''
A moment of silence. Then Moondancer spoke.
''Starlight Glimmer, right ?''.
''Yeah, why ?''.
''You're hired. I'll fetch your papers, follow me in the office.''
At the desk Moondancer pulled out a contract and a quill, Starlight was ready to sign all the papers.
''Ok, it's not that much, I just need a sign here, here and here. You gotta fill the last two papers, formalities, I know, but it's regarding your salary and especially your insurance.''
''Insurance ? It's a bookstore, not a factory.''
''Well, safety on the job is imperative, regardless of the place you work in. Besides, it's bureaucracy, I know, but you wouldn't believe how many ponies get injured handling books. Between accidental spirits summonings, getting pulled in comic books and good old bonks on the head, Canterlot has established obligatory monthly inspections by the royal guards. Either the prices to open a library have skyrocketed in Canterlot or everyone is scared shitless to even open a book, but opening a bookstore there is a hellish operation now. The legislation here in Ponyville is much more lax.''
''Are you kidding me ? Seriously, it's not like we're smuggling baby dragons over the border.''
''Wait, what ?''
''You wouldn't believe all the shit I did before knowing Twilight, it's a long story.''
''Yeah, mine too.''
''Seriously, we should, like, talk it over after work one of this days, eh ?''
''Don't push your luck.''
''Eh, it was worth it.''
The last papers were filled, the contracts were signed, and with a little (well, very little) newfound respect for each other, Starlight Glimmer was appointed as an employee at Moondancer's bookstore.
''Ok, so welcome on board, Starlight. We start on Monday, 8 a.m. till 12 am. and then 3 p.m. till 7.30 p.m., we close on Sunday, I understand certain situations with Twilight and the others, so whenever there's an emergency regarding Equestria, send me a letter or something, you can also let Twilight vouch for you if it's an emergency. Check the calendar for the holidays, treat the customers right, and then you can leave at the end of every month with your hard-earned cash. Got it ?''
''I'm in, yeah.''
''Very well, also, your first job is to go out there and tell everyone of your job, so they'll know about the bookstore, we gotta start planning the opening day.''
''Yeah, sounds right, what's the name of our store again ?''
''Food For The Ants. Book and Music Store.''