//------------------------------// // The Bartering: 3 // Story: Pinkie Pie buys a Human // by Ponyess //------------------------------// . I had in fact managed to swallow the last of my muffins for lunch, even if I had been a bit worried at first. As expected, business is indeed hectic.  While we made a killing, in sales; the workload is taking a toll on all of us.  Even the Twins are feeling the pinch. Something I really do not like, they are still too young to experience the kind of stress this is putting on us. Once I had slipped out from behind the counter and left work, I had taken the time for a single muffin.  I had to have something to eat, business on an empty stomach is a disaster waiting to happen. Even for me. As the door of the Sugar-cube Corner had closed behind me, with its merry jingling chime; I bounce towards the market.  Meeting ponies is inevitable, most all hours of the day; from dawn to dusk. I wave a hoof at them, one by one; enthusiastically and beam of a wide grin as I smile at all my friends. This had been such a great day; everything goes as planned and my friends are smiling.  With business booming, who has the time for a frown, even if it is tough to make time for the little things that change your day?  Even if the little things never change anything, or save the world. “Should I go straight for the target, or stop by any vendor, selling things I could make use of?” I ponder. “No, I need to see this griffon right away; before he has the time to leave town, or he runs out of the one detail inspiring me to set hoof on this adventure!” I tell myself, giggling at the situation. I still make the time; waving my hoof at every friend I meet, and smiling at any and all who may see me.  I have no time to grow a frown. "There he is, and he seems to actually have a few of these girls left!” I ponder; slowing down to a mere trot, as I approach the stand. This may be a new stand, but I have no fear of griffons; as a matter of fact, some of my best friends are griffons too.  I have no time, and little patience for separating friends by what they are, so long as they are friends. If you are new, I make an effort; making you a friend and welcoming you to town.  It is who I am, and what I do. Why bother changing it? That would be, as if I tried to make Applejack grow lemons? “Applejack loves her apples, the very once she spent her life cultivating; she knows them, like the back of her hoof!” I ponder; giggling at the thought, as if it had been a silly new joke I had just heard. I stop before the vendor griffon and smile at him, while eyeing the wares. “Hiya!” I then add for emphasis. “Hello!” he responds, smiling back. “What kind of humans do you have?  Are the girls fond of ponies?” I inquire, enthusiastically. “These are intended for indoors use and those are for farm work!  Since I am selling them in Ponyville, I would hope so” he responds, without going into any further details just yet. Maybe he is waiting for me to ask for the details? “Indoors sounds fine, and since they are supposed to be fond of ponies; I think I will have these three!” I conclude, pointing out the girls I found particularly interesting. Of course, I had not even asked him; what the going price rate would be, but that had never bothered me before. “Minimum price for an indoors girl is one hundred bits!  That is fifty extra, while the other two are one hundred extra; landing at a total of five hundred and fifty bits in total!” he points out. “Five hundred bits?” I try. “Five hundred and forty bits!” he responds. “Five hundred and ten bits?” I try. “Five hundred and thirty bits!” he continues. “How about five hundred, and twenty five bits?” I add. “Done, five hundred and twenty five bits for the girls!” he responds. “Okie dokie!” I respond, spilling bits on his counter. “Here you go, have fun with your new girls!” the griffon adds. “I sure will, see you later!” I respond. “Nice doing business with you, Pinkie; and see you later!” he responds. I had watched him release the girls, now taking possession of them.  I will have to move slow, leading three girls through to me. They can’t keep up with a mare like me.  I know I could have carried one, or possibly two, but three is a bit much. Maybe I should have had a cart? I lead the girls out of the market area, while pondering where I should take them next.  Ending up at Rarity’s boutique. “Of course, I need to dress them up, properly; even if I guess they could walk around as they are.  Not even ponies wear clothes all the time. While the more stuffy one in Canterlot likes to think we should!” I ponder. “Interesting house!” the red-haired girl mumbles, as we approach the Carousel Boutique. “It is a bit out of the ordinary, but Rarity is not an ordinary pony!” I respond. The ponequines are lined up in the showcase windows, clearly demonstrating the current fashion line.  Rarity had been working with these this week. Now she had put this on hold for the latest order. The order I had just given her a few hours earlier. “Why are dresses showcased in the window?” the golden blond girl inquire. “Rarity is a seamstress, she designs and craft these suits; for ponies to wear, if and when they so choose!” I respond. “Ponies wear clothes?” the girl with her black hair in a tight braid along the length of her spine inquire. “Yes, some of us do!  Either for business, or for personal taste!” I respond. The door bursts open, and three little fillies gallop out of the boutique. That is the cutie-mark crusaders, of course.  Even after they had acquired their marks, they still do stick together. Since this is Rarity’s home, sweetie Belle still lives here too.  Her friends had come to pick her up, for some reason. Once the dust had settled, and the air had cleared; I take the lead, after the crusaders had passed. “Right this way, I need you to see something!” I point out, as I lead the girls inside. “Since Rarity already has a pet cat, she should manage; besides, she faced IronWill, the minotaur!” I ponder. “Welcome to the Carousel Boutique!” Rarity exclaims, before she had seen who entered the shop. “Hiya, Rarity; I know it is earlier than expected, but I have a second reason to show up right now!” I respond, explaining the situation.