//------------------------------// // Fire Floof // Story: The Potion Shop // by Ashfur //------------------------------// Mayor Silver was having a nice day.  More specifically, a day where he was having a charity luncheon for the local volunteer fire department at the town’s banquet hall, which had been rented out for the day.  The various pegasi who had a talent or at least a skill in utilizing rain clouds to douse raging flames, or talents working with fire were all in attendance and had already received a plaque for exceptional service over the past 120 years they had been in operation.  Silver was taking a bite of his honey-glazed roasted apples when his secretary tapped him on the shoulder. “Sir, I hate to interrupt, but you have an urgent meeting to attend.  Right now.” Silver sighed.  “Did we accidentally schedule two important meetings in the same time frame again?  I thought our new filing system fixed that.” “Juniper is outside and needs a word.” The mayor turned to address the fire marshal.  “Well, you heard the mare. I need to be sure this isn't something drastic.”  The marshal waved him off without protest. Everypony in town knew that when the normally formal and polite Juniper felt the need to interrupt anything,  it was important and usually preceded disaster. Outside, Juniper was waiting impatiently.  As soon as Silver trotted up to her, she began her questioning that bordered on interrogation.  “Silver, have you bucking seen the paper today?” “...yes?  Normally I just skip to the comics section and the sports, though, since most news in town runs by me.” Juniper didn't respond verbally.  Instead, she pulled the front page of the morning paper from her saddlebags.  In bold font, the front-page headline read clear for all to see: ‘Mane street expects economic Growth in the coming year’ “So?”  Silver questioned.  “The economy is looking up.  I don't exactly see a reason to to intrude on my luncheon.”  Juniper responded by removing part of the paper. It seemed a coupon had been printed on the next page for a sale on carpets.  Silver shrugged. “I still don't see your reasoning, miss Berry.” Juniper flipped the coupon over, revealing the cut off part of the headline. ‘Mane Growth’ “Oh no.” “Arca saw this two hours ago and hasn't left the lab since.  I fear the worst,” Juniper warned. “I thought I'd let you know before anything happens.” “Hey, Juniper!  Hi, Mayor Silver!” Juniper turned around, startled.  “Boss?! What the buck are you doing here?  And… why is your mane made of fire?” “Potion failed again.  You can take the day off while I fix the lab, by the way.  Oh, hey! Food!” Arca took notice of the charity luncheon's banner, and made to head in.  Silver stepped in his way, careful not to get too close to the flames emerging from Arca's head. “Sorry, Arca.  The luncheon is uh, uh… there's a dress code, and lab coats aren't in it?  Not even fire-resistant ones?” It was a longshot, but bullshitting usually worked on the loony alchemist more often than not.  “And, isn't that painful?” He pointed to the still-burning fire, where the unicorn's fur was starting to singe black. “Oh, excruciatingly!  But I'm hungry, too. Gotta keep your priorities in order!  Actually, I nearly forgot why I came over here. Juniper, I forget, is it stop, drop, and roll for a fire, or was it right hoof stomp, left hoof stomp, cha cha real smooth?” Juniper facehooved.  “The first one, boss.” “Thanks!”  Arca immediately dropped to the ground.  “Wait, roll. Uh, Juniper, could you or Mayor silver go get me a roll from the food place?  I'm not allowed in, apparently.” Silver sighed again, feeling a migraine forming in the back of his head.  “Just douse yourself in water, Arca.” “Oh!  That's an even better idea!”  A bright flash emanated from Arca's horn, and he teleported away.  A similar flash could be seen from inside the banquet hall. “Hey, can I use your bathroom?” “AIEEE!  FIRE! FIRE!  EVERYPONY RUN!” “I just need to find the ba- hey, cookies!” “Everypony stand back, we have an extinguisher!” *Fwoosh* “Hey, I was eating that!” “It didn't go out!  Arca protocol, everypony evacuate!” “Does that mean I can have some food?  Do you folks have rolls? Hey, quit running, that's not nice!” “I'm outta here, this town's crazy!” “HEY JUNIPER, COME IN HERE AND HELP ME FIND A SINK!” Juniper and Silver had to jump to the side to avoid the stampede of ponies evacuating the banquet hall.  Even the fire brigade was flying out, rushing toward the fire station to gather their equipment. “Nevermind!  The potion just wore off, everything is under control!  Anypony? Hello? ...Does this mean I can eat lunch here?” Silver just shook his head in disappointment.  “Ugh. Looks like the luncheon is canceled. Good thing too, because I need a bucking drink.  Or ten.” A single head poked out of a window.  “Want some potions to drink, Mayor Silver?” “No, Arca.  Just go eat.” “Yay!  Free food!”