Gel slowly enters the kitchen, grumbling quietly to herself. ...need...apple juice... She opens the fridge, rummaging through it in search of her favorite drink. Not seeing it in the front, she leans in further, half her body in the fridge as she attempts to peer behind the rows of milk jugs.
A barely coherent voice echoes through her head. Gel? Where... where did you go?
I'm in the kitchen... She yawns quietly, blinking her bleary eyes in an attempt to clear her vision.
It takes a good ten seconds of silence before he responds. If you're looking for your juice... I moved it to the door so you wouldn't have to dig for it... Will you come back to the couch? His mental tone has a slight pleading voice to it at the end.
She blushes brightly, embarrassed. ...oh...um...s-sure... She starts to pull herself out of the fridge, but gets jammed between the milk and the top of the fridge. ...um...I-I think I'm stuck...R-Rhino?
He sighs. One second, let me get Mercury off my nose... After a moment he walks into the kitchen to see her backside hanging out of the fridge. I... don't even know how you managed to do that... He walks up behind her and starts chuckling at the situation. Seriously, the first thing you do this morning is get stuck in the fridge? He laughs out loud as he sticks his own face into the fridge to see what she is stuck on.
...I don't even know... She pushes against the back of the cooling device and finally gets herself out with a large amount of force. The momentum causes her to fall back against the table, making the furniture flip over on top of her. ...it's like today's just not my day...
Rhino shakes his head before lifting the table off her and setting it where it was. He walks over and sits down, using his lap as a pillow for her head. Want me to kiss it better?
She blushes brightly, looking up at him. I-I'd like that...
He leans down to kiss her forehead.
She quickly tilts her head up, capturing his lips with her own. ...you're right, love...I needed that... She giggles softly, tenderly nuzzling his cheek.
He smiles, giving her neck a small lick of affection. You seem to be awake now... I take it more couch time is out of the question?
Gel blinks, thinking about this a bit. ...I'd say no...but I needed to be up, anyways... She sighs quietly as she gets back up on all fours, her horn lighting up subtly. ...I need to get a job...I mean, I could live off the bits I still have, but...I want to keep them in case of emergency...oh, by the way... She looks to the kitchen doorway, as a small bag of bits floats in. ...half the rent, right? She drops it on the table. That should cover it.
He doesn't make a move to take the bits. Good job remembering... but... he nudges the bag of bits away, that was the agreement for a roommate. Things have changed now... I'm not comfortable asking my significant other for bits. He looks at her. "I understand if you want to find a new job, but don't force yourself into one you hate."
She frowns softly. "...but...I-I want to make a contribution..." She rubs the back of her neck, her gaze falling to her hooves. "...I-I have so many bits...please..." She nudges the bag back over. "...think of it as...a late birthday present...and a thank you gift, all in one..." She looks up at him, a small smile on her lips. "...sound fair?"
He has a small frown as he sighs and takes the bag. "I'm still not comfortable with this... but, I don't want to see you down if I don't do it. You already gave me a wonderful birthday and I have no idea what you would be thanking me for. I'll just put this in the funds and try not to think about it too much, it sits easier on my mind that way."
She gently kisses his cheek, giggling a bit. "...thank you, love...I think I should go, now..." She winks, heading towards the door. "...a job isn't going to find me, right?"
He smiles as he waves to her. "Good luck!" As she leaves, he sighs as look down at the three pets that have come in and are all looking up at him with big eyes. "Alright, alright, looks like all of you get a day with Dad."
Gel arrives at her first stop, staring up at the fancy building in front of her. ...here goes nothing... She clears her throat and knocks on the door, putting on her best friendly smile - not too small, not too overwhelming. ...it's not a bad thing to arrive ten minutes before she opens, is it? She thinks for a bit, confused. ...I should've practiced a bit...
She hears a voice approaching the door. "Now who could that be this early in the morning..." The door opens to reveal the alabaster fashionista. Her eyes focus on Gel a moment before she smiles. "Miss Angel, you're a little early, but do please come in and I'm sure I can help you."
"T-thank you, Miss Rarity." She follows her inside, glancing around curiously. ...it doesn't seem any different from when I described it in my book...well, aside from a few new dresses and a few more sales, obviously...
Rarity seems to debate flipping her sign to open, but chooses not to for the moment. She turns to the other white unicorn and smiles. "So dear, to what do I owe the pleasure of this little visit? Another dress fitting, a potential purchase, maybe just small talk?"
She flinches, her attention snapping back to the white mare. "...a-actually, I wanted to ask you something." She smiles softly, tilting her head to one side. "Are you...currently hiring?"
The dressmaker tilts her head to one side. "Hiring? Oh dear... ummm, well, I suppose I've always run the shop by myself..." She looks to one side, muttering to herself as looks at a stack of papers. "Business has been good lately... I could maybe use a helping hoof..." She turns back to the mare. "I could maybe use help with a few things."
"That would be great!" Gel blushes bright pink, averting her eyes in embarrassment. "...um...s-sorry about that...w-what would you like help with, Miss Rarity?"
She looks at the clock. "Well, since I open in a few minutes, while I finish setting up, can you do me a favor and sort out those order forms?" She points to the stack of papers. "Just filter them into separate stacks by article of clothing so that I can get through them easier when I get into the zone." Rarity's horn begins to glow as she shifts the dress models to the display windows while organizing the others in a particular way.
The blonde pony nods, smiling brightly. "...I think I can do that..." She heads over to the stack, quickly picking them up and glancing over each one of them. Got it. Three orders for dresses, two for capes, seven for socks and one for a...coll..ar...I'm gonna pretend I didn't see that... In a blur of magical speed, the papers fly into four stacks. She quietly giggles, nodding to herself. Score one for memory.
Rarity looks over and sees the papers done as she flips the sign to open. "Excellent work, darling." She looks around the shop a moment before looking to Gel with a serious face. "Now, your next assignment may seem... well... unusual. However, I assure you it is very important. I need you to find my cat, Opalescence. You don't need to bring her here or disturb her in any way because she is very picky who she takes to, I simply need to know where she is." She lets out a ladylike cough. "It's a precaution that has started serving me well."
She blinks at this but slowly nods. "...okay...m-may I ask what she looks like, first?"
The alabaster mare realizes she forgot to include that tidbit. "Oh, silly me, she's a white persian cat with a bow in her hair."
"T-thank you. I-I'll look for her now." She sheepishly smiles and rushes off, trying to find the feline. Shouldn't be too hard, right? I just have to locate a cat and report that info to Rarity... She slows down as her thoughts trail off, realizing something. ...this is exactly the thing I did for my hive. Huh.
She searches room to room in both the shop and living areas of the building. She makes attempts to call the cat's name, but feels foolish after the dozenth time. Finally, on a whim, she checks the laundry room. There laying on top of a basket of clothes fresh from the dryer as most cats will do, is her quarry. The cat looks up at the new mare with an indifferent look before settling down back into the designer fabrics.
Target acquired. She stops, tilting her head to one side. ...why did I phrase it like that? She's just a cat... She thinks about it for a bit and shrugs, heading off to find the other white mare.
As she re-enters the main shop, Gel quickly has to duck a tape measure as it flies around the room. Rarity is humming to herself as sewing instruments of all kinds float around the room while a dress forms on the mannequin in front of her. She seems to have entered her 'zone' as she called it.
She stares at this a moment, worried. ...how do I get my message to her? It's not like I can just give my psychic link to her...I don't even know how to do that, with ponies... She puts her hoof to her chin, a small smile coming to her face. ...maybe I could float a note over to her. That way, I don't have to worry about being hit! She quickly locates a scrap of paper and a pencil, both from her journal supplies, and, writing down her message, carefully levitates it to the busy mare. ...she'll see it, right?
As the single object covered by another unicorn's aura floats in front of her, Rarity stops and looks at it curiously. She glances quickly back to Gel. "Thank you Darling, now quickly, before I lose my inspiration, fetch me the Sunset Orange velvet from the closet there, would you?" She points to the closet off the main shop before resuming her work.
Gel beams, heading off to the closet. Sunset orange. I think I know that color... She opens the door and stops cold, jaw agape in shock. ...t-that's...a lot of orange... She stares at the pile, looking up at the numerous colors of fabric. ...why are they all on the bottom? She sighs, carefully examining the labels on each of them. ...sherbert...sienna...ah! Sunset! She gleefully pulls it out and turns to the other mare, re-examining it in the light. ...that's strange...I thought bolts were rectangular, not spherical...wait, what's that rumbling sound?
The rumbling sound, as it turns out, is the sound of almost all the stacked orange cloth balls shifting at once. A single fluffy ball falls to the ground in front of the mare before they all practically leap toward her because of the upset of balance. She doesn't even have time to scream as she is soon buried in orange and carried along in the center of the shop. The flood of fabric soon overtakes the unsuspecting fashionista as well, sweeping her hooves out from under her as she shrieks. The wave takes out the dress she had been working on and only finally stops its rampage as it hits the far wall.
She pokes her head up above the tide of tangerine, sheepishly holding up the sunset sphere. "...um...h-here you go, Miss Rarity?"
Rarity looks up at the ceiling, unsure whether she wants to shout or cry. She stays silent for a moment before sniffing and saying quietly. "Miss Angel, it appears I was too hasty in hiring an assistant. This is causing... a bit too many flashbacks of some of my younger sister's attempts to... help me. If you would, please show yourself the door while I compose myself. I still welcome you as a customer and delightful conversationalist, but I think I'm going to go back to working on my own..."
Her ears fold back against her head, but she nods, politely smiling at her. "...I understand...t-thank you for the opportunity, though..." She quietly wades through the balls and, opening the top half of the door, slips outside, leaving the fashionista alone in her sea of orange.
***
Gel arrives at the tree-house, staring up at it once more. ...here it is...Golden Oaks Library... Her eyes drift to the side, and she furrows her brow in confusion. ...do they realize they have a bee's nest attached to their home?
She shakes her head, dismissing that thought while stepping forward. Why bother them with it? It's obviously not a problem, if it's been there for so long without an incident... She raises a hoof and knocks on the door, a small smile forming on her lips. ...I hope I'm correct about who's going to answer...
The rhythmic clicking of nails on wood floor premeditates it being opened by the small familiar draconic form. He instantly brightens up upon seeing her. "HeyAngel! I was wondering when you were going to come by again!" He stands back to let her inside with a wave of his claw.
She smiles brightly, giving him a quick hug before stepping inside. ...how do I go about this? She takes a deep breath before turning to him, her smile now nervous. "...s-so, Spike...h-how's it been?"
He shrugs as he closes the door. "Meh, it's living with Twilight. It's full of schedules, mental stimulation, and literacy. Although I have been slowly convincing her to give me time off some days, so that's a good thing."
She nods. "...always good to have some time to yourself..." A thought occurs to her, making her visibly brighten up. That's it! "...maybe I could...help you get even more time off?" She clears her throat. "You see, I'm looking for a job...I was thinking I might be able to have one here...i-if that's alright, I mean..."
Spike crosses his arms in thought for a minute before nodding. "Ok, that last time we got a new assistant was a bit bumpy, but I like having him around now. Plus, this will really help me to be able to get out of the house." He turns to go upstairs but turns to look at her as he reaches the first step. "One second, let me just go put in a good word with Twilight."
A short time later and the two unicorns are heading down the basement stairs. Twilight chats as they go. "I must admit, I never really gave much thought to hiring another pony to help out around here." She laughs a moment. "Spike did make a compelling case for you though, how did you manage to convince him?"
She shrugs, keeping her eyes on her hooves so she doesn't accidentally trip. Definitely don't want a repeat of this morning... "...I figured he could use some more time to himself...and I decided to help him out...after all, what are friends for?"
Twilight nods happily. "Exactly, friends help each other out!" They reach the landing overlooking the basement as Twilight turns to the 'adult literature' closet. "Now, for your first assignment, you remember this closet. Well, we just got a few books back..." she levitates them out of her bag, "...and this section needed to be reorganized anyway." She opens the door. "Just sort them by author, alphabetically, then by pairings."
"...author, alphabetically, then by pairings...I think I can do that..." She nods before remembering something. "Oh! That's right!" She pulls a couple of books out of her bag, sheepishly smiling. "I-I was going to return these yesterday...b-but I forgot about it..."
Twilight tilts her head to look at the books before her horn lights up and what appears to be a 'mobile librarian's kit' floats out of her bag. She scribbles on a few pieces of parchment and stamps the book before floating it back over to the mare. "There you are, all set! Let me know when you're done and if you want to take out any more!" Twilight unlocks the door to the closet and heads back up the stairs.
"Will do!" She waltzes into the room, staring at all the books. ...let's see... Her horn lights up and half of the books fly off the shelves and into the air around her. ...'Making Sweet Music'? That should go under pony with pony...'Hands of Fate'? I've never heard of that, before... She flips open the book to read the description on the inside of the dusty jacket. ...oh...wait, what's a siren?
In short order, she quickly sort through all the books, putting them in the proper order. ...well...that was easy...and I still have time left over... She puts a hoof to her chin before stepping out of the room. ...maybe I should ask Twilight if- hey, what's that? She quickly heads down the stairs to the basement, curious about the glimmer she saw.
Among the various machines of unknown uses and origins strewn about the floor, one relatively small one rests on the center table with bits and pieces around it. It is a simple-looking thing from the outside, pretty much a metal box with a few controls on it, topped with a glass dome containing a green gem.
She tilts her head, approaching the device and poking it with a hoof. "...what is this thing?"
As she touches it, the gem starts to glow brightly. A small siren starts to go off from the box, echoing through the room.
Gel claps her hooves over her ears, falling over in pain. "Make it stop! Make it stop!"
The sound of running hooves comes from the stairs before a single click shuts off the sound. Gel Feels herself being lifted back onto her hooves with magic. "Sorry sorry sorry, I didn't realize I left that on!"
She groans softly, shaking her head in an attempt to get rid of the ringing. "...w-what was that?"
Twilight blushes and smiles sheepishly. "It's... Well... It's just a little... changeling detector I've been working on... It still has a few kinks though, it goes off at almost everything right now, sorry again..."
If the white mare could pale, she would've at those words. A-a changeling detector? I need to report that r- She cuts that thought off, realizing something. ...oh, right. I decided that I'm staying here...I should probably mention this to Rhino, though... She refocuses on the other mare, sheepishly smiling. "...s-sorry, I just realized I can't work here because...I'm allergic to oak trees! If I rub up against it, I break out in hives. Please tell Spike I'm sorry!" She nervously giggles before running up the stairs.
Twilight blinks, stunned for a moment as she responds to the mare that is no longer there. "Umm... ok then..."