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// The Mare behind the Counter 
// Story: A Day in the Life of Tempest 
// by Tempesttheblindpegasus 
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	As he walked into the café, he was greeted by a few friendly hellos from the waiters and waitresses.  He grinned and walked to the bar, sitting on his usual stool by the large glass window.  Flitter hopped onto the counter and looked at the small menu placed in front of him by a pink and blue mare.

“The usual,” Tempest said to the mare.  “And a bowl of fruit for Flitter.”

“Alright, I’ll be right out with those, Tempest,” The pink and blue mare smiled and walked to the order window to give the cooks the order.

Tempest leaned his head on his hoof and began to think.  He thought about his mother.  She looked after him after his father died.  She was practically the only parental figure he looked up to.  But since “it” started, she got worse and worse.  He frowned and flicked his ear. Something brought him out of his deep thinking.

“Tempest? Hello?” The pink and blue waitress was back and trying to get his attention.

“Hmm?” He shook his head to clear any thought about his mother. He had time to worry about her later… “Yes?”

“Uh, they ran out of oats, but we’re getting a new shipment in an hour.  I hope you don’t mind waiting…”

“Oh, of course not, I won’t mind at all,” Tempest smiled slightly and nodded.  “I’ve got plenty of time today.”

After Tempest got his meal, ate, paid, and got too shy to ask the pink and blue mare out, he and Flitter left the café and headed for the hospital.