//------------------------------//
// Bonbons and Bunnies 
// Story: Living in Equestria 
// by Blazewing 
//------------------------------//

I may have said this before, but it was amazing how completely the rest of the world seems to shut itself out when one is engrossed in a gripping story. The hours flew away as Moonlight and I sat together, snug and side-by-side, over Daring’s next adventure. We kept each other laughing over the overly-dramatic voices we chose for Ahuizotl and Daring, especially during the former’s hammy ‘the world will be mine’ speeches. Those were causing a strain on my vocal cords, however. Even after taking a break for lunch, allowing me to wet my whistle, I couldn’t keep up Ahuizotl’s voice, and eventually gave up at a very cliffhanger-esque point in the middle of the novel. Needless to say, it was a rotten time to leave off. 

“Aw, man, why’d we have to pick such a bad spot to stop at?” Moonlight groaned.

“I blame my voice for getting tired too easily,” I croaked, hoarsely.

“Well, this story’s super-intense so far,” said Moonlight. “An artifact that lets anypony, even if they’re not a unicorn, use magic? Who wouldn’t want that?”

"Twilight did say this was her favorite installment,” I said. “That girl is nuts about Star Swirl the Bearded, and this has his name written all over it.”

Moonlight giggled. I went to grab a glass of water, which was what I really needed.

“Lemme just grab a bookmark to save our spot,” I said, after a long drink. “Lord knows we don’t wanna stumble onto a spot in the book we haven’t seen yet.”

I took the book into my room with me, and Moonlight trotted after me. I didn’t have a bookmark sitting around, and I never felt good about the whole ‘bending a corner of the page’ thing, so I had to make due with an unused feather quill. Moonlight, meanwhile, was looking about the room nonchalantly, when she suddenly let out an ‘eep’ of surprise.

Someone was knocking at the door.

“Now who could that be?” I muttered.

The two of us crossed to the front door and I opened it up. There in front of it was Pinkie, wearing a blue, long-sleeved parka that fit snugly over her upper body, and a fuzzy snow cap the same color.

“Hi, Davie! Hello, Moonlight!”

“Hey, Pinkie!”

“Hello, Pinkie! Good to see you again!”

“Good to see you too, Moonlight! Isn’t it just a snow-tacular day today?”

As if to emphasize, Pinkie stuck her tongue out and caught a big snowflake on it, zipping it into her mouth with the speed and motion of a cash register drawer.

“But first snowfall snowflakes aren’t quite ripe enough,” she said, in a regretful tone. “I prefer January flakes, personally.”

(Ripe snowflakes? Now I’ve heard everything…)

“So, what are you guys up to?”

“We were just getting through a good chunk of the next Daring Do book,” I said.

“Ooh, neato! You two really like your Daring Do, huh?”

“It’s the best,” said Moonlight, zealously, before adding, in a more subdued tone, “but I shouldn’t spend my days just sitting around. I was actually hoping to find a job somewhere in Ponyville.”

I looked at her in surprise.

“Really?”

“Mm-hmm. I figure it’ll help me get out of the house more, earn some bits for myself. It is the holiday season, after all.”

Those were almost exactly my own reasons for wanting to get a job, and how coincidental that she should bring it up on the same day that I had decided to do the same thing. 

“Well, I think that’s just super-duper!” said Pinkie. “I’ll even help you!”

“You will?” asked Moonlight.

“Sure! I know just about everypony in Ponyville, so I know where they work, too! I can put in a good word for you, or help you get comfortable with it!”

“Pinkie, that’s very sweet of you,” said Moonlight.

“It’s the least I can do for a friend,” said Pinkie, smiling. “So, what kinda stuff are you good at?”

At first, it looked like Moonlight was considering her answer. However, a closer look at her face told me something wasn’t quite right. She was staring straight ahead, her gaze unfocused, almost like a zombie.

“Moonlight?” I asked. “You ok?”

Moonlight seemed to snap to her senses. She blinked and shook her head.

“Uh? Oh, my! So sorry. I guess I lost my train of thought. What was the question?”

Pinkie and I looked at each other. Should we be concerned about this? I’d never seen Moonlight space out like that before. Usually she was such a mellow pony. Pinkie, however, seemed to choose not to question it.

“I was just asking what kind of stuff you were really good at,” she said.

“Oh! That’s right! Well, I enjoy quiet things. Reading, house-cleaning-”

“House-cleaning?” asked Pinkie.

“I can attest to that,” I said, remembering how she’d helped make my house spic and span before the slumber party.

“It’s silly, I know,” said Moonlight, modestly. “I just like keeping tidy.”

“No, no, that’s not silly at all!” said Pinkie. “I can already think of a couple places that might use your help.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, like the library. There’s tons of books there, and Twilight likes being tidy, too! I remember one time, she got mad because there was one little speck of dust that got missed when she and Spike were dusting.”

“Oh, really?” asked Moonlight. “Well, I’ve never known myself to leave even a trace of dust behind.”

“Super! You might also do well working with Rarity. She likes to keep things neat and organized, and she loves reading romance novels!”

“Romance novels?” asked Moonlight, turning a slight shade of pink at the cheeks. “Oh my. I’m not sure if those are really my thing, but those certainly do sound like some considerable choices.”

“Howzabout I take you on down to the library and Boutique, then?” asked Pinkie. “We can get an early start!”

“That sounds wonderful, Pinkie.”

“You don’t mind, do you, Davie?” Pinkie asked me.

“Nah, I had some stuff I needed to take care of anyway. You two have fun.”

“I always do!” said Pinkie. 

Moonlight went to grab her hat and scarf, then rejoined Pinkie at the door.

“Goodbye, Dave,” she said. “Thanks again for the hospitality.”

“Anytime, Moonlight. I’ll see you both later.”

“Okie-dokie-lokie!” said Pinkie. “Bye, Davie!”

She bounced off through the snow, leaving big gaps in the blanket of white covering the ground, while Moonlight flapped after her. It was nice that Moonlight wanted to get a job and earn some bits for herself, but that only raised the question: how had she been getting by before? And what was with that space-out she did? Then again, who was I to talk, when I let my mind wander so often? At all events, I decided to take a walk about Ponyville, maybe scope out a prospective workplace of my own, so I went to grab my winter gear.


***


Well, as luck would have it, I had just stepped into Ponyville when I saw Bon Bon disappearing quickly inside her sweet shop. She had just pasted a sign on the window, reading ‘HELP WANTED. APPLICANTS INQUIRE WITHIN’. I cast a gaze toward the heavens.

“You’re good, Lord,” I muttered, appreciatively. “You’re very good.”

As I stepped inside, I was greeted by the sound of Lyra plucking at her lyre. Sure enough, there she was, seated on a stool, strumming her tuneful instrument. She began to sing a short ditty, to the tune of ‘My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean’. How fitting, considering the subject of the ditty.

“Oh, Bon Bon serves sweets with a smile
The tastiest candy you’ll see
But she’ll always go the extra mile
And save the best pieces for me”

“Very flattering,” said Bon Bon, “but you don’t know that for sure.”

“You can’t fool me, Bonnie,” said Lyra. “You and I both know you do, because I’m your bestie.”

Bon Bon looked at her. The unicorn gave her a silly grin, and, at last, the Earth pony chuckled and gave Lyra an affectionate noogie.

“I’d say it makes up part of her dues as taste-tester as well,” I quipped.

The two mares looked up in surprise.

“Hey, dude!” said Lyra. “You gotta stop sneaking up on us like this.”

“Yeah, that is starting to become a nasty habit, isn’t it?” I asked, meekly.

“Oh, don’t fret about it, Dave,” said Bon Bon. “What can we do for you?”

“Actually, the question is, what can I do for you? I saw your Help Wanted sign and came right over.”

“Oh!” said Bon Bon, sounding delighted. “You want a job here?”

“Sure. I mean, it depends on what kind of stuff you’d need me to do.”

“Dave, working here?” asked Lyra, looking excited. “That would be awesome!”

“Well, then,” said Bon Bon, in a more business-like tone, “welcome aboard.”

Wait, what?

That was it?

“You mean, just like that?” I asked. “But, don’t I need references? An application?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” said Bon Bon, waving my questions off. “The whole staff knows who you are.”

“And by ‘the whole staff’, she means me and her,” said Lyra, earning herself an annoyed look from Bon Bon.

“But, don’t I still need a job interview?” I asked.

“Not necessary,” said Bon Bon. “It’s the benefit of being a small business owner.”

“Huh. That’s convenient, I suppose.”

“I know, right?” asked Lyra. “Saved me having to put on a suit and make a resume`.”

“You invited yourself to be my taste tester, Lyra,” said Bon Bon, “as I keep telling you.”

“Potato, potahto,” Lyra said, carelessly.

“So, what exactly do you need help with?” I asked.

“I’ll be blunt with you, Dave,” said Bon Bon, “the holiday season is a busy time for workers in the food industry. It’s a popular time for sweets, candies, and baked goods. This is what we call one of our prime months, the others being October and February, since that’s when we have Nightmare Night and Hearts and Hooves Day, respectively. In short, this position I’m posting is only part-time. However, if you show me you can handle the responsibilities, I may call upon you again when duty calls. Are you alright with that?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Our working hours on a normal day are from 10 to 6, noon to 6 on Saturday, and we’re closed on Sunday, holidays excepting, of course. I can start you off at 5 bits an hour, for some counter-work and organizing the stock. Is that reasonable?”

I did some rough calculating in my head. 5 bits an hour, at 8 hours a day, plus 6 on Saturday was 40 a day + 30, making 230 bits a week. Setting that aside for gifts and cards for my friends, I could make it by Hearth’s Warming!

“That’s very reasonable,” I said.

“Excellent!” said Bon Bon. “Then, I’ll reiterate: welcome aboard!”

She held out her hoof, and I shook it firmly. Lyra beamed.

“We’ll have you start next Monday,” said Bon Bon.

“Sounds good,” I said. “May I just ask one question, though?”

“Yes?”

“What danger am I in of putting on weight while I’m here? It is a candy shop, after all.”

“Less than if you had my post, bud,” said Lyra. “You’ll fit in, but you won’t fit out.”

“Oh, who are you to complain?” Bon Bon asked. “You get all the free candy you want, and it's not like you can’t fit through the door because of it.”

“I know. Who said I was complaining?” Lyra asked, shrugging.

“You certainly make your opinions clear when I decide to bring you on a jog or walk with me,” said Bon Bon, tersely.

“That’s cuz it cuts in on my practicing,” said Lyra, before adding, in a comically dramatic tone, “You never interrupt the mistress at her musical mastery.”

Bon Bon was about to continue, but dropped the subject.

“Let’s just get you an apron for when you do start,” she said, finally. “Follow me.”

An apron? Sheesh, what would my family think if they saw me in a getup like that?

She led me toward the back of the store, and as we left the main room, I heard the door open, and Lyra proclaimed, loudly,

“Welcome to Bon Bon’s Bonbons! How can we satisfy your sweet tooth today?”


***


When we returned, it was to find Lyra talking to none other than Screwball. There was a paper bag full of long, stick-shaped candy on the counter.

“Yeah! Every first Tuesday of the month!”

Screwball was smiling eagerly, the propellor on her beanie spinning like mad. The two mares looked over as Bon Bon and I approached.

“Hello, Screwball!” said Bon Bon, kindly.

“Hey, Screwball,” I said. “I got your envelope. Thanks very much for the sentiments.”

Screwball smiled shyly, swinging her front hoof in a bashful way.

“I was just telling her about our bowling league,” said Lyra. “She’s excited about it.”

Screwball nodded energetically, making that odd jingling noise again.

“Well, we’ll be glad to have you on the team as usual, Screwball,” said Bon Bon. “And from what I hear, Dave’s going to be there as well.”

Screwball looked at me expectantly.

“I sure am,” I said. “I’ll be glad to see you there.”

Screwball beamed and clapped her hooves, each clap making a sound like the honk of a clown’s horn. Then, she placed a few bits on the counter and grabbed the top of the bag in her teeth, dragging it off its perch.

“We’ll see you later, Screwball,” said Bon Bon.

“Bye,” I said,

“See ya!” said Lyra.

Screwball wagged her tail by way of farewell and trotted out the door.

“She’s a such a sweet girl,” said Bon Bon. “Shame she’s so shy.”

“That was a tongue-twister,” muttered Lyra, before saying aloud, “Still, it’s awesome you’re gonna be part of the crew, man. I knew Bonnie wouldn’t say no.”

“Yes, well, some ponies have accused me of being too nice,” said Bon Bon, with a smile.

“And what’s wrong with that?” asked Lyra, coming over and tossing a foreleg over her friend’s shoulders. “The sweetest sweets from the sweetest mare, am I right?”

Bon Bon’s cheeks, especially the one pressed against Lyra’s, went pink.

“Lyra, don’t be so silly,” she said.

“Besides,” said Lyra, letting go of Bon Bon, “if you had given him my taste-testing job, I’d have been super-ticked.”

“Oh, please, Lyra, why would I take that from you?” I asked, banteringly. “I love candy as much as the next guy, but Bon Bon lets you sample her wares for a reason.”

“Exactly,” said Bon Bon, who appeared to appreciate my choice of words.

Lyra grinned broadly.

“I think you’re gonna fit in just fine, Dave,” she said. “Is there anything we can get ya today?”

“Nah, not today. I’ll have plenty of opportunities come Monday.”

“Right again, big guy,” said Lyra. “See ya then, if not sooner!”

“So long, gals, and thanks again, Bon Bon.”

“Thank you for offering, Dave. We’ll be glad to have you aboard. Have a good one!”

I took my leave of the candy mare and her taste-tester, mentally reveling in the fact that I’d gotten a job in Ponyville, while also making a mental note to try Lyra’s peanut butter gummy worms. 

As I left, I heard Lyra say to Bon Bon,

“You think with those hands, he could scoop twice as much candy?”

“Lyra…”


***


I didn’t see Moonlight as I was coming back, nor did I see her all the rest of the afternoon. She and Pinkie must have been keeping up their job hunt in every corner of the town. As I wandered about, school eventually went out for the day, and I could see little foals galloping and plunging through the drifts, laughing, making snow angels, and tossing snowballs.

*PIFF!*

In fact, a snowball pelted me right in the back of my head. I whipped around to see Scootaloo and Dinky, both wearing scarves and earmuffs, holding their hooves behind their backs and trying to look innocent.

“Ok, who did that?” I asked, warningly.

Both fillies pointed at each other, fighting to keep straight faces.

“Hold out your hooves.”

They both did, but both pairs were coated with snow. It was impossible to single one of them out.

“All right, I can’t prove which of you did it,” I said, slowly, “but lemme warn you.”

I bent down, scooped up a glove-full of snow and packed it into a ball for them to see.

“I’d better not find out which one of you little scamps did it. You don’t want me to have to use a size-Dave snowball.”

The fillies said nothing, their eyes on the snowball.

*PIFF!*

Another snowball hit me in the back of the head. I whipped around to see Apple Bloom, wearing a hat and scarf, one hoof outstretched. Scootaloo and Dinky burst into giggles.

“Apple Bloom?” I asked, surprised. “That was you?”

“Not the first time,” said Apple Bloom, giggling.

*PAFF!*

This time I dropped my own snowball. I turned around, and there was Sweetie Belle, wearing a miniature parka. So they had all been in on that, and made Scootaloo and Dinky the scapegoats! Those devious little stinkers!

“All right, all right, you got me,” I admitted. “I won’t lie, that was pretty clever. I was so sure that snowball had had ‘Hooves’ written on it. Now run along, before I decide to make a Dave snowball for all four of you.”

Laughing, and with calls of ‘Bye, Dave!”, the Crusaders trudged off through the snow, Scootaloo hovering above them all. Chuckling to myself over their antics, I made my own way off.

Call me a nostalgic fool, but seeing the countryside blanketed with a fresh coat of snow really took me back to my days back in my childhood home. Days spent sledding down hills, making snow angels, snowball fights, building snowmen, the kind of things you wouldn’t be able to do down South. It also reminded me of those winter Calvin and Hobbes strips I used to read all the time, whether it was an all-out snowball fight between the titular duo, a philosophical dissertation via a harrowing sled ride, or building creative, yet creepy, snow creations, there was something heartwarming about seeing a winter landscape in written, animated, or even filmed form. It really gave one a sense of appreciation for the beauty of nature in all of its forms, not just in spring or summer.

I wasn’t keeping track of how long I was out, but my face was freezing, the worst spot of it being my nose. I had also been rather aimless, content merely to wander and look about as I went. At all events, I caught sight of a familiar pony trotting through the snow, wearing a fluffy-collared coat that matched her sea-green eyes.

It was Fluttershy.

“Hello, Fluttershy!” I called.

The shy pegasus ‘eep’ed, much like Moonlight had earlier, and jumped slightly, her wings flaring out. When she saw me, however, she sighed with relief and folded her wings back up again.

“Hello, Dave,” she said. “You startled me.”

“Sorry. I just didn’t expect to find you, or, really, anypony, out here.”

“I was just making sure all of my animal friends were snug and safe in their homes for the winter,” said Fluttershy. “I like to bring them hot chocolate, an extra blanket, even a fluffier pillow, just to make sure they’re cozy. So far, they all are.”

“Well, that’s good,” I said. “Mind if I walk with you?”

Fluttershy’s face broke into a sweet smile.

“I would like that very much,” she said. “Perhaps afterwards, you could stop in for some tea.”

“I like the sound of that,” I said.

So, with Fluttershy close by my side, the two of us started off through the snow, chatting about this or that. The hot topic on the pegasus’s mind was the end of the race, with Scootaloo finally becoming able to fly.

“I had high hopes for her,” she said. “I knew she would learn how to fly if Rainbow Dash was teaching her, and I suppose I wasn’t too far off.”

“She deserves it,” I said, “after everything that’s happened to her. Who better to help her realize one of her biggest passions than her idol? Of course, I’m not saying Derpy didn’t do anything.”

“Oh, of course not,” said Fluttershy. “It’s a little strange now, to think that Derpy only adopted Scootaloo a few months ago. If I hadn’t known that, I would never have guessed she hadn’t been part of the family until then.”

“Heh, yeah,” I said. “She and Dinky get along really well, don’t they?”

“Not just with Dinky,” said Fluttershy. “I see how happy she is when Derpy or Sparkler takes her to the park to play. It’s like she’s always been there with them. It warms my heart to see her have a family of her own.”

“You’ve got an eye for the maternal, don’t you, Fluttershy?” I asked.

Fluttershy smiled bashfully.

“Well, it comes naturally when you’ve spent your life caring for animals,” she said. “You start to develop a maternal instinct for all living creatures. Good with animals, not so good with foals.”

“Oh?”

“I tried watching Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo together at once one night. It didn’t go so well.”

“Hmm, yeah, I can’t say I blame you. Trying to keep an eye on Sweetie Belle was a handful in and of itself for me. Still, you just seem like the mother type, Fluttershy.”

“To Angel, maybe,” said Fluttershy, grinning, “but I wouldn’t go much further than that.”

“How’s he been, by the way?” I asked. “The last I saw of him was when he was giving me the stink-eye through your window while I was raking leaves.”

“Was he?” asked Fluttershy. “Oh, that naughty bunny. He’s not a bad boy, really. He’s just a little independent, and set in his ways. He has helped me out a lot in the past.”

“Has he?”

“Oh yes. He’s a very smart bunny. He says it’s ‘all in the paw’.”

(Considering how rabbit’s feet are considered lucky, I’m not surprised.)

“You’re lucky to have such a smart critter as a pal,” I said.

“I know,” said Fluttershy, “and I know he knows. He just has a hard time letting it show. In fact, in a way, he reminds me of Rainbow Dash. They’re both a little rough around the edges, but deep down they’ve got good hearts.”

All of a sudden, Fluttershy clapped a hoof to her mouth and looked frightened, as if she had just let a naughty word slip out.

“Please don’t tell Rainbow I said that,” she pleaded. “She’s probably still mad at me about blabbing about her Wonderbolt plush.”

I put a reassuring arm around the cream-colored pegasus.

“My lips are sealed,” I promised her.

She smiled and rested her head against my side as we continued on through the snow.


***


True to her word, as evening was drawing near, we arrived at Fluttershy’s house, and she invited me in for a cup of tea. I had hardly crossed the threshold, however, before something hard smacked me in the side of the head. It turned out to be a half-eaten carrot, tossed by a grumpy-looking Angel Bunny, seated on the end of the couch.

“Angel!” Fluttershy scolded, though in a gentle tone. “We don’t throw things at guests. Dave’s here for a cup of tea to warm up. It’s been a cold day for both of us, and you’ve been snug and warm at home. I did invite you along, remember.”

Angel just rolled his eyes.

“I’ll go get the tea started,” said Fluttershy. “In the meantime, you and Angel can get to know each other.”

She said this with an optimistic smile, but I wondered if she even realized what she was asking of me.

“Er, sure,” I said. “I’ll bet we’ll get along just dandy.”

Angel crossed his front paws.

“Wonderful,” said Fluttershy. “Please, make yourself at home.”

She walked off to the kitchen, and, after taking off my snow gear, I took a seat in an armchair. Angel didn’t take his eyes off me once. For a while, I just sat there, twiddling my thumbs, trying to think of a way to break the ice. What was one supposed to say to a rabbit, anyway? The ticking of the clock seemed especially loud in the silent, awkward atmosphere.

“You’ve got quite a throwing arm,” I said at last, “to throw a carrot from all the way over there.”

Angel’s expression didn’t change.

“Fluttershy tells me you’re her smart little helper,” I tried. “All in the paw, she said you say.”

Angel still didn’t move. This wasn’t working.

“You’re not fooling me, you know,” I said, finally. “I saw you glaring at me through the window. I was just helping Fluttershy with the leaves. Was I butting in on one of your duties or something? If so, I apologize.”

At last, Angel did make a movement.

He blew a raspberry at me.

That little stinker! Here I was, trying to be nice, and he responds with a rude gesture!

I stuck my tongue out at him in retaliation.

He responded with a goofy face to mock me.

We kept at this silent, and admittedly immature, bout until we heard Fluttershy’s hoofsteps. Both of us cut it out at once as she came in with a tray held in her teeth, bearing a teapot, three teacups, and a plate of biscuits. She set it down gently on the table in front of the armchair and sofa.

“Aww, Fluttershy, you should have asked. I would have helped you carry that.”

“Oh, no, it’s no trouble,” said Fluttershy, “but thank you.”

She poured out the tea and handed the cups around.

“Please, help yourself to a biscuit or two,” she said. “I made them myself.”

“Don’t mind if I do,” I said, taking one.

The biscuits were light and buttery, and the tea, although a flavor I’d never tried before, warmed my insides just by smelling its aroma. It was the perfect cure for walking around on a cold day.

While Fluttershy was preoccupied with her tea, Angel peeked around her to look at me. Catching my eye, he performed a four-part pantomime: pointing to his own eye, tapping his forehead, pointing at me, then pinching his nose with his paw.

‘I-think-you-stink’

Why, that little…

Making sure Fluttershy wasn’t watching, I performed one of my own: pointing at him, moving my hands like I was operating a steering wheel, pointing at myself, then swirling my finger near my head in a ‘cuckoo, cuckoo’ fashion.

‘You-drive-me-crazy’

Angel just stuck his tongue out at me and resumed his tea.

“Have you two been getting along?” Fluttershy asked.

“Oh, yes,” I said, trying to keep a straight face. “We’ve been getting along just fine.”

“Oh, good,” said Fluttershy, smiling. “I’m so glad.”

I didn’t want to hurt her feelings by saying otherwise, so all I could do was sit and sip my tea. I hoped to Heaven that Angel didn’t treat her the same way he treated strangers.


***


Eventually, feeling warm and comfortable on the inside once again, I decided it was time for me to head home. I didn’t want to overstay my welcome, especially with that surly rabbit watching me like a hawk.

“Thanks very much for your hospitality, Fluttershy,” I said, putting all of my winter gear back on.

“It was no trouble at all,” said Fluttershy. “Feel free to stop by anytime. I’ll most likely be here at home with Angel. Better yet, you can always join Rarity and me at the spa again.”

“I’ll definitely consider that,” I said. “Until next time, Fluttershy.”

“Goodbye, Dave.”

With that, I took my leave of the kind pegasus and her rabbit housemate, stepping back out into the winter chill. It wasn’t as bad as before, however. The tea was doing wonders for my insides.

I had just reached home when Moonlight sprang up out of nowhere.

“Whoa! Hey there, Moonlight. You surprised me.”

“Sorry, I’m just so excited!” she said.

“Why’s that?”

“Pinkie Pie got me a job at Sugarcube Corner!”

“Sugarcube Corner? Moonlight, that’s great!”

“I know! It’ll be my job to make sure the displays are organized and the kitchen is tidy.”

“Sounds right up your alley,” I said.

“I start on Monday, but I’m just so excited! I feel like it can’t come quickly enough!”

Boy, she was so passionate about this whole thing. Then again, she wanted this, so why should I expect anything less?

“Congratulations, Moonlight,” I said. “I know you’ll do great. As for me, I got a job at Bon Bon’s.”

“For real?” asked Moonlight, surprised. “Dave, I had no idea you were even looking for a job! That’s great news!”

“Well, I didn’t want to say anything because I didn’t want to sound like I was copying off of you.”

“Aww, Dave, you didn’t have to do that just for me.”

She then let off a rather big yawn.

“I’m exhausted. Keeping up with Pinkie Pie’s not an easy task. I’m going to head for bed.”

“All right. Good night, Moonlight.”

“G’night!”

The cheery pegasus trotted off back home, while I went inside my own house. It was great that Moonlight had found herself a job in Ponyville. It was just surprising how similar our circumstances were: both of us working in sweet shops, starting on Monday, working with good friends. It was probably pure coincidence, of course, but it was uncanny, to say the least.

At all events, I went to get dinner started, after which I’d look over the assignment Ironmane had given me. The question was, would it be more or less time-consuming and exhausting as the last one had been? He had said he would give me harder stuff in the future. Would this be the start of it?

Speaking of Ironmane, he was a pony to consider in this holiday hubbub. Our relationship was strictly professional, of course, and hadn’t started off well at all, but that didn’t mean I shouldn’t find a way to express my gratitude for his services towards me. He would get a card, certainly, but if that didn’t turn out sufficient, what could one get for a stallion like him, so stiff and business-like?

Such a pony did merit careful consideration, lest he believe I was trying to insult him. Heck, even the princesses deserved some form of thanks for all that they had done for me, allowing me to even remain in Equestria being one of the top reasons. The question remained, what did you give to members of a royal court who more than likely already have it all?

“This is gonna be a long December,” I muttered to myself.

Thursday, December 1