//------------------------------//
// V 
// Story: CelesTea 
// by Zeitless 
//------------------------------//

With the ringing of the bell Celestia opened up the door, ensuring to use her hindleg to keep it from falling against her company. And with Golden Feather entering and the door falling back into its angle the noises produced by dozens of hooves hitting the asphalt and those of their respective voices faded to silence.

They were greeted by a familiar scent of chamomile and the sound of soft classical music, to which both needed a moment to adjust and quiet down their voices. Upon taking a deep breath the stress gathered outside escaped their bodies along with the exhaled air. Celestia only now realised how nervous she was.

Surely she's been in situations way more nerve-wrecking before, many of which would impact the entirety of Equestria and all the ponies and creatures living within. However this time something was different. This was not about politics or caring about all the others that lived in Equestria. Celestia was nervous because this store was something of her own.

"Wow, this is nice." Golden Feather let his gaze wander through the room. "It feels like being in the center of a hurricane. Quiet and comfortable within the city of business and suits."

Celestia's face brightened: "Thank you! This means a lot to me," she guestured towards the seating pillows near one of the wooden tables and they settled down. "The warm and refreshing break a cup of tea can provide is precisely what I want to offer. All those ponies out there look like they could really use a thirty minute break every now and then. Ensuring you are rested is essentially part of the work as well, don't you agree?"

Golden Feather nodded. "Yes, I do. Especially without the mayor in town I know the feeling of a long, exhausting workday. Without the lunch break in the middle I would go insane," he chuckled and let his mind drift off.

"But in reality there are many ponies in Manehatten that struggle with this problem. They come here to chase their dream, follow through with who they want to become and take reins into their own hooves. Unfortunately most of them got stuck along the way and end up working all day," he lowered his eyes, "On top of it all it's rather common that within companies ponies are even driven to compete against their co-workers in order to get promotions and salary raises."

Golden Feather scratched his neck: "I'm sorry, Celestia. I did not mean to get philosophical."

"There is nothing to apologize for," Celestia smiled, "What you're telling may be a sad truth, yet quite interesting to me. From the political point of view all I have ever known about Manehatten were the high numbers of workplaces, density of population and which important companies have their residence here. However, learning about your standpoint makes me wonder how you found your place in all of this. Because you seem to me like somepony who is satisfied with the simple things in life."

Celestia got up and turned to the counter, "Talking about, may I offer you some tea? I would honestly enjoy listening to your stories about your life in Manehatten."

He nodded, "I would love to, thanks," before chuckling and adding ironically: "I suppose I have to test the quality of the product you're selling."

Yet nervous as she was Celestia wasn't sure how much of it was in fact meant ironically. Feeling pressured she chuckled. "Hehe. Uhm, what sort of tea would you prefer then? Classical chamomile? Or white, green or black tea? Perhaps herbal tea? I've got it all here."

"Green tea, please."

"That makes two then."

She levitated two teabags from the shelves, filled two porcelain cups with water and used her magic to instantaneously heat it up.
Upon finishing the ritual by gently lowering each bag into the corresponding cup she gave them both a slight stir.

Afterwards Celestia returned to the table, both cups flying in front of her, and put them down.

"There we go," she smiled, "I suppose we can keep talking while we wait for the tea to steep."

However halfway between standing and sitting she hesitated and realised her own words.

What am I saying? Of course we can keep talking. Why am I even so nervous about all this? This is nothing more than a normal conversation. It may be about business but I've had far more important matters to deal with. So why can I not keep my calm attitude and find proper phrasings?

Nontheless Golden either did not notice anything or did a good job hiding so. "Thank you. Yes of course, what do you want me to tell you about?"

"Well, how did you decide to come here and work for the Mayor? Were you also chasing a dream like the broad majority you've told me about?"

"Oh, not at all," he chuckled, "In fact I was born in Manehatten and grew up here. My father always was a good friend of the mayor so after I graduated and as I was looking for a job he offered an internship to me," he stared off through the glass wall for a second, "To be frank, I never really felt the need to do something else. At the end of each day I know that I helped out a lot of ponies with their goals and dreams. And to me doing just that feels great."

"But what about your own dreams? Do you not sometimes think about leaving Manehatten to get to know more about Equestria or to make friends in other cities? Maybe study at a university in Canterlot or Trottingham?" Celestia took a breath, "What I am attempting to say is, you are still young and have your whole life ahead of you. Why do you already settle for a steady occupation?

"You are right, Celestia," he replied, "sometimes I do catch myself thinking about these things. Yet as I do so I always come to realise that I don't need to go searching the world when my destination is right in front of me. Spending every day at the town hall with the same ponies around me, walking through these familiar streets and eating at restaurants where I've grown to know their entire menu," Golden looked for the right words, "Well, my heart just tells me it's all I want."

Celestia took a sip from her cup before answering: "That is lovely to hear. To follow our hearts is what guides us to our place in life. Manehatten is indeed quite beautiful, if only all the other ponies would take their time to appreciate where they live as much as we do," she let the sentence fade. "I would be happy to provide this 'center of a hurricane' - as you put it so nicely."

Golden Feather finished a sip, then put his cup down and made eyecontact: "Thank you for the kind words. Nontheless I frankly do not think the pace of the streets would ever change. At least not within a couple of months or years," he guestured with his hoof, "It may be harsh but they have to work so much to keep up with their co-workers. Luckily as an official I don't need to endure such stress - thanks to your law ensuring an officials permanent employment that is."

"Yes, I did want to offer an equal amount of stabililty for ponies like you as officials provide for the government. But that is nothing but boring politics," she chuckled, "I've already served my thousand years. Now," she guestured, looking around the room, "Well, now I only have this tea store to worry about. What do you think of it?"

He let out a breath of relaxation and scanned the room, for the first time properly looking at the details. All the different aspects of the interior - the wooden vintage style of the furniture, the shelves displaying varying flavors of teabags, the simple yet quite welcoming counter with its register sitting on top, and the cherry on top of the cake: the classical music playing in the background and embracing how quiet and recreative this room could be.

Meanwhile Celestia found herself becoming more nervous with every silent second passing by. What does he think about it? Did I sort the flavors good enough? Maybe the door-lock is not save enough - I totally forgot about that!

But to the outside she managed to mask it entirely with her well-learned formal smile.

"I think you did a great job," Golden Feather finally announced. "Of course I have to also confirm the inventory and check off all those formalities later on, but I'm honest when I say yours must be one of the prettiest stores I've ever seen when doing this routine.

Upon being hit by a wave of relief Celestia's smile turned entirely honest.

Continuing with the declared follow-up checks and formalities and Golden Feather confirming Celestia's knowledge about taxation and maintaining a business properly on the papers, they both went on for the last few hours of the day.





"Alright I suppose that's it for today. If everything works out back at the Town Hall as planned then I can bring your permit over already by tomorrow afternoon." Golden turned toward the exit.

Albeit it being summer the sky was rather dark already. Many lanterns lit the streets that only few ponies were left wandering in. Now only a calm nightwind hushed along the walls of Manehatten.

"Thank you, I truly appreciate your efforts." Celestia replied.

"...Oh, also make sure to install a more secure lock for this place," he added after opening the door. "Although the streets of Manehatten are pretty save it would be a waste to risk your store's future for such a small thing."

"Yes, of course," Celestia replied hastily. "Thank you once again for all you have done."

"You're welcome. See you tomorrow," he waved her off.

"You too, Golden Feather."