Celestia's sun shone brightly in the sky. Fillies and colts were out playing in the sun to relieve their stress from their school day, mares were out window shopping for business outfits, stallions were buying train tickets, and Pinkie Pie was serving the customers at Sugarcube Corner as usual.
"Here ya go!" Pinkie chimed, handing a warm, tasty apple pie to Applejack.
"Thanks Pinkie. Sorry ta ask ya on such short notice," Applejack said.
"No problem! That's what best friends are for! Have a nice day!" Pinkie called out. She then positioned herself back to the register. "Welcome to Sugarcube Corner, may I take your order?" Pinkie Pie told the next customer in line.
"Hello darling!" the customer greeted.
"Oh, hey Rarity!" Pinkie greeted. "How are the boutiques doing?" Pinkie asked.
"Oh just fabulous! Anyway, I'm in a bit of a rush. I would like the usual, as always," Rarity ordered.
"On it!" Pinkie chimed as she hopped into the kitchen.
The usual for Rarity was an apple pie, a blackberry pie and a Manehatten cheese cake. Pinkie Pie made it up and hopped back to the register, handing the petite sized desserts to Rarity. Rarity gave Pinkie the bits to pay for the sweets and trotted out.
"Have a nice day!" Pinkie told Rarity as she headed out. Rarity just winked before she was out into Ponyville. She looked to see that Rarity was the last customer in the line. "Oh," Pinkie said aloud, seeing that the shoppe was now desolate of customers.
"Last customer?" Mrs. Cake asked.
"Yea..." Pinkie answered. Lately, they've been getting less customers since it was traveling season. Ponies traveling all around Equestria, but that didn't mean many foreign ponies were visiting Ponyville. Mr. Cake trotted up beside Mrs. Cake and cleared his throat before speaking.
"Pinkie, can we talk to you?" Mr. Cake asked.
"Sure!" Pinkie answered as she trotted over to where Mr and Mrs. Cake were. Mrs. Cake sighed as Mr. Cake started to fidget. What is going on? Am I fired? Pinkie's questions made her dizzy. For a second, she thought that she was going to pass out. She shook the thoughts out of her head, hoping that it would stabilize her more.
"Well, since business is lowering..." Mrs. Cake started.
"Maybe, we thought that you should get a second job," Mr. Cake finished.
"Now don't take that the wrong way! We still want you, we really enjoy you working here! But, you know, another job would probably be for the greater good," Mrs. Cake added on. Pinkie felt disappointed at first, but then quickly understood.
"Oh... okay, I understand." Pinkie said, feeling depressed. Well, back to working at the old Rock Farm I suppose...
"I know, we feel the same way. It's probably the best though," Mr. Cake told his worker.
"I know," Pinkie replied. She trotted out of Sugarcube Corner, sadness easily expressed upon her face. Her ears were drooped, her hair was less bouncy, and her mouth was making a small pouting expression. She sighed, where was she going to get another job? Think Pinkie, think! You don't want to be working on your family Rock Farm, now don't ya? I mean, not to be rude, but it's soooo boring! BONK!
"Oh, I'm sorry Pinkie! I guess I shouldn't be reading and trotting at the same time!" Twilight said. Twily, you're a GENIUS!
"Ah-ha!" Pinkie shouted, her ears perking up and her mane going back to it's usual poofy-ness.
"What?" the purple princess asked, obviously confused.
"Hey Twilight, do ya have any jobs that you need somepony to work on? I'll go on the cheapest salary!" Pinkie begged. Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes and giggled.
"Oh Pinkie, you're so crazy at times," Twilight said.
"No, I mean it!" Pinkie Pie whined. Twilight looked at Pinkie, only to realize that the pink mare was serious. Her eyes immediatly filled with regret.
"I'm sorry Pinkie, but I don't. How about Fluttershy?" Twilight offered.
"She's visiting her family," Pinkie countered.
"Rainbow Dash?"
"With Fluttershy."
"Applejack?"
"Don't wanna visit bad memories."
"C'mon Pinkie, that was, like, three years ago!" Twilight argued. "Are you still upset over that Cutie Mark incident?" she asked.
"Maybe..." Pinkie trailed off. This was just her lame excuse to not work at a farm. Sure, an Apple Farm was far more interesting than a Rock Farm, but she just wasn't up to the task.
"Whatever," Twilight muttered. "How about Rarity?"
"What would I do there?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"Hey, it's worth a shot." Twilight told Pinkie.
"Okay, I guess you do have a point," Pinkie gave in. "Thanks!" Pinkie thanked as she trotted away to the boutique.
"Welcome!" Twilight said before she trotted back to her castle. Pinkie Pie sighed as she headed over to the Carousel Boutique.
~~~
The little dainty bells shook and chimed their little jingle as Pinkie Pie trotted in.
"Welcome to the Carousel Bout-- Pinkie Pie? Why- er, what are you doing here?" Rarity asked in confusion.
"Well, Mr and Mrs. Cake said that I need to get a second job because of the season, and I asked Twilight if I could work there. She said that she didn't need any help and she suggested here. It's worth a shot, so do you need any help?" Pinkie asked, ready to hear Rarity say "no."
"Oh, why darling! I would just appreciate it if you could work here! You're probably the best I've got!" Rarity answered. Pinkie's jaw dropped when she heard Rarity's answer. Hey, it was better than nothing.
"As what, a model?" Pinkie asked sarcastically.
"No, no, no! I already have my mannequins for that job! I really need a photographer, and maybe you could take that position, since Sweetie Belle is always at school for most of the day," Rarity told Pinkie.
"Well, I do have a Bachelor's Degree in Photography, " Pinkie stated.
"What subject to you not have a degree in?" Rarity muttered sarcastically. She looked up at Pinkie and said to her, "Okay then, how about 50 bits an hour? That's the lowest I'll go."
"Deal!" Pinkie agreed, all happy and jovial again. Man, that's double of what I get at Sugarcube Corner!
"Aright, we need you to get started asap!" Rarity said. "
"Sure, I guess." Pinkie answered trying to sound more serious. Rarity suddenly then grabbed Pinkie.
"Makeover!" Rarity sang. Pinkie Pie, I mean Pinkamena, was waiting to see a messed up pink pony.
~~~
"Finished!" Rarity sang. Pinkamena walked up to the mirror. Her hair was still poofy, which was good.
Once the look entered into her mind, she gasped.
She had smokey eye makeup, with bold red lipstick. She had a zebra patterned long sleeved shirt that was black and silver that was shiny, but not too shiny. With black shiny leggings, and little black shoes, she looked different. More... serious.
"Thank you." Pinkamena thanked, practicing her seriousness.
"No problem darling!" Rarity replied. "It's the least I could do!" Rarity added on.
"But what about when I work at Sugarcube Corner?" Pinkamena asked. Rarity gave some thought, and that's when the door made its jingle again as Sweetie Belle came back from school.
"Hello darling! Any homework?" Rarity asked. "Oh, and how was school?" Rarity added on.
"Today was the best! I don't have any homework, it's Friday, and I got a coltfriend!" Sweetie Belle squeaked. Pinkamena gasped, but then covered it up. Rarity congratulated her sister as she got Sweetie Belle her snack, the petite Manehatten Cheese Cake.
"Pinkamena darling, would you like a snack with us?" Rarity asked. Sweetie Belle gasped.
"Pinkie Pie is here?! That's... odd." Sweetie Belle stated, just realising that she was here.
"Well, she is going to work here as a second job." Rarity explained as Pinkamena walked to the counter. Sweetie Belle gasped, with concern.
"Oh no, no, no! That is NOT the right shade of lipstick for you!" Sweetie Belle said aloud.
"Sweetie Belle, yes it is!" Rarity fought back. Sweetie Belle removed the lipstick with a wash cloth, and grabbed a dark pink lipstick from across the room. Pinkamena stood still as Sweetie Belle applied the lipstick.
"Finished!" Sweetie Belle chimed as Rarity gasped.
"Sweetie Belle! You were right!" Rarity said with shock.
"Told you." Sweetie Belle snapped as she opened the packaging for her snack. Rarity brought out the petite Apple Pie for Pinkamena, and the petite Blackberry Pie for herself. They all sat down and they all ate.
Pinkamena followed the way of how Rarity ate. She ate dainty, like a fancy pony. Well, she was a fancy pony. She followed Rarity's ways. When she was finished, she threw her package away.
"Alright. Let's practice using the camera and everything!" Rarity called out, as Sweetie Belle dashed upstairs to play Minecraft and Pinkamena followed Rarity to a big spacious room, ment for photo shooting.
"Alright, here. Set up the camera and the stand, okay?" Rarity asked.
"Okay." Pinkamena replied, getting the stand up. This was easy, Pinkie, I mean, Pinkamena, had done this many times. She got the camera ready and was just about to call Rarity when she came out with her gala dress.
"Here, let's practice." Rarity said.
"Okay..." Pinkamena trailed off. She adjusted the camera a bit while Rarity was trying to find the perfect pose.
"Okay, smile!" Pinkamena chimed.
"Uh... Pinkie darling?" Rarity said. Pinkamena looked up, confused. "Ponies don't usually smile in posing pictures." Rarity stated.
"Well that's silly!" Pinkamena cried out. Rarity beckoned her hoof down, as a sign to be serious. "I mean, go back to your pose." Pinkamena told Rarity. She got back into her pose, as Pinkamena made sure the camera was good to go.
She zipped her loud mouth closed as she took her first photo. She examined it for a bit, and then showed Rarity. She gasped, and Pinkamena was worried.
"It is simply amazing! You are a natural!" Rarity complemented. Pinkamena's face lit up, but quickly picked up her serious act.
"Why thank you. Would you like more taken?" Pinkamena asked.
"Why yes please!" Rarity chimed, as she trotted back to her place.
Pose after pose, photo after photo. Each one, better than the next. Pinkamena was getting used to her job quiet well, and before anypony knew, it was time for the Boutique to close and for Pinkamena to be Pinkie Pie again, and time for her to leave.
"Here you go, 10 bits. Have a nice night, see you tomorrow!" Rarity chimed as Pinkie was abut to leave.
"Wait." Pinkie said. "What time though?" Pinkie asked.
"Uh... 3:00 PM. That's around the time Sugarcube Corner has no more customers, am I right?" Rarity Pinkie, tagging the question on right at the last second.
"Yep!" Pinkie chimed. "Also, what should I wear?" Pinkie asked.
"Oh, anything formal, but not to formal, like a dress or anything, you know?" Rarity instructed.
"So... like a suit or something?" Pinkie asked.
"Yes! Makeup too." Rarity told her.
"Okay then, bye!" Pinkie Pie chimed as she opened the door, playing its jingle. When Pinkie stepped out into the cool, crisp but cold air of Ponyville, she sighed, ready to think about all that happened.
Okay, so let me get things straight. Mr and Mrs. Cake told be that I should get a second job. I took that advice, asked Twilight, she suggested Rarity, and now I work for Rarity. But... it's like I have an alter ego or something. Different name, more serious, more formal. Will it be like this for the rest of my life? No, don't be silly! It's like, I have two lives, well, I guess I actually do! Rarity did say I was a natural, so that's good. Also, I have no idea how to do makeup. I guess I'll do baby steps or something. I don't know! This is- Pinkie's train of thoughts crashed as a pegasus slammed into her.
"Hey! Watch it!" Pinkie shouted, then covered her mouth. Rarity was already rubbing off onto her, and so was her lipstick. This was bad!
"Pinkie? I never hear you say- uh... you know you're wearing makeup, right?" The cyan pegasus commented.
"Yes, I know Rainbow Dash." Pinkie replied.
"So, what's the occasion?" Rainbow asked.
"None darl-" Pinkie covered up her mouth. "Go to go!" She shouted, running all the way to Sugarcube Corner.
When she got there, she stopped and caught her breath. Rarity was reforming her! Pinkie was now saying stuff like "darling" and soon, she would probably pick up Rarity's petty accent! Pinkie sighed as she was about to open the door.
"You have some explaining to do Pinkie!" Rainbow Dash yelled from behind. Pinkie was startled by her. Jumping and almost twisting her left hoof.
"Be careful!" Pinkie shouted, sounding like Rarity.
"Okay, something's up. Tell me, or else I will bother you until you tell me." Rainbow threatened. Pinkie sighed as a sign of defeat.
"Okay. Mr and Mrs. Cake told me that I should get a second job, since we are getting less customers because of the season. I took their advice and asked Twilight. She said no but suggested Rarity. I didn't want to but it was better than nothing. I went over there, and Rarity wanted a photographer. She gave me this makeover, and then I tried my first photo, and she said I was a natural. I kept taking more and more. I now work for her I guess and yea..." Pinkie explained.
"Okay. So, let me get this straight. Mr and Mrs. Cake told you to look for another job because of the season. You took that advice and went over to Twilight's, correct?" Rainbow asked.
"Yes." Pinkie answered.
"Twilight said that she didn't have any job for you, and suggested Rarity?!" Rainbow continued.
"Yes." Pinkie answered.
"Rarity got you a job as a photographer, and gave you a makeover?" Rainbiw Dash asked.
"Yes." Pinkie answered.
"Anything else?" Rainbow asked, paranoid.
"Yes, actually. I have a new title, practically have an alter ego over there, and I'm getting paid a lot of bits." Pinkie said confidentially.
"Explain." Rainbow said, wanting answers.
"I am now Pinkamena the Photographer, I have to be more serious and formal, and Rarity is rubbing off onto me, oh, and I am getting paid 10 bits." Pinkie explained. Rainbow's jaw dropped with shock.
"Well, before you know it, you'll be Rarity!" Rainbow shouted.
"I know, I know darling." Pinkie said, letting her Rarity go through. She did a Rarity wink at her best friend as she opened the door, and that's when she realised that it was late at night.
Pinkie walked over to the counter and locked the doors, then looked at the clock on the wall with the only patch of light shining through the cafe.
It was 9:00 PM, she had to be quiet because of Pound and Pumpkin Cake, they were sure easy to wake! Pinkie quietly trotted upstairs, and slowly opened her door. She slowly closed the door once inside and then turned on her lamp to see Gummy.
"Hey Gummy!" Pinkie whispered. Pinkie took off her clothing and hung it up in her closet. She then got her blue and white striped pajamas and put them on. She then plopped onto her bed, snuggling herself under her covers. Once cozy, she realised that she still had makeup on. She shot up, sending Gummy to the floor, and got out of her bed.
"Sorry Gummy!" Pinkie whispered as she set Gummy on her bed again. She quietly opened the door as she tip toed into the bathroom. She grabbed her wash cloth blindly since she didn't turn on the light. She turned the water on for a split second so that she doesn't wake anypony up. She rubbed her wash cloth around her face. Sure the water was freezing cold, but she wasn't going to complain. Once she guessed that she took all the makeup off, she tip toed back into her room.
Gummy was still there, sure enough. Pinkie placed him in her hair and then turned off the lamp. She got herself cozy with covers, and before she could say "good night" to her pet, she was in a deep sleep.
~~~
Pinkie woke up the next day. She gasped, she was late for work! That's when Mrs. Cake came in.
"Pinkie, it's Saturday. I thought today was work day too." Mrs. Cake told her.
"Oh, okay!" Pinkie replied. She still got up anyway. Mrs. Cake let her alone as Pinkie tried looking for something formal.
Remember, formal, but not too formal, Pinkie she told herself. Finally, she found something. It was her mom's old tux. Grayish purple and white. It was not in it's best shape, but she could coax Twilight into fixing it.
Pinkie trotted into her bathroom as she placed the tux hanging on the door knob. She hadn't used makeup in a few moths, the most recent being the gala. She refused to put on lipstick this time. Maybe later. She tried to find her eye makeup, it took a while but she managed to. She had a lot for some odd reason, but she didn't question it. She found the exact same color as the tux, the depressed looking purple color. She took her time to put it on, afraid of getting it messed up.
When she finished, she liked her results. She tried using white eyeliner, but it was too blunt. She then tried white liquid eyeliner, and it went better than expected!
She grabbed her suit and trotted downstairs, and opened the door to leave, well... once she unlocked the door.
She headed towards the big tree which was Twilight's dwelling and a library. She felt something rustle in her hair. She used her free hoof to pull out Gummy. She placed him back in her mane and continued on her journey.
Once she arrived, before she could knock, somepony opened the door.
"Hey Pinkie!" Rainbow Dash greeted.
"Hey darling!" Pinkie Pie chimed. Rainbow Dash was getting used to it, but was still kind of bothered by it at the same time.
"Is Twilight here?" Pinkie asked.
"You called?" Twilight called out.
"Hey Twilight! I was wondering if you could fix this suit, you know, since it looks kind of Raggedy Ann." Pinkie Pie asked.
"Of course! Anything to help you with your job!" Twilight gave in quickly. Well, no coaxing... that's great! Pinkie thought to herself. She felt the weight life off of her as Twilight picked up the tux with her purple magic.
"Now be careful, since it was my mom's." Pinkie instructed Twilight. Twilight's jaw dropped when Pinkie said that.
"No, way! That is awesome! This is in better condition than usual to be that old!" Twilight commented.
"Yea, it's the first time wearing it so yea..." Pinkie trailed off.
"Wait." Rainbow said, looking at Pinkie. "Did you... put that makeup on all by yourself?" Rainbow asked. Twilight loked at Pinkie.
"Yea! This morning!" Pinkie answered.
"Ack!" Rainbow gagged, not being a girly girl.
"I'm sure Rarity will be proud of you." Twilight complimented.
"Thank you darling." Pinkie replied. Twilight didn't say anything as she casted a spell on the tux. Rainbow must've told Twilight about everything.
"Here you go Pinkie!" Twilight called out, giving Pinkie the suit.
"Thank you." Pinkie thanked as she went somewhere ponies couldn't see her. She put on her tux and trotted out.
"Nice!" Twilight complimented.
"Eww, vintage!" Rainbow gagged. Pinkie Pie didn't feel offended because that was expected of Rainbow. Twilight just nudged Rainbow in the side.
"Thanks." Pinkie thanked for the third time, as she headed out the door. "Bye you guys." Pinkie chimed as she headed out.
"Bye!" Twilight and Rainbow replied in unison. Pinkie closed the oak door behind her as she headed over to the Carousel Boutique.
The bells played their jungle as Pinkie walked in.
"Hey Rarity." Pink(amena) greeted.
"You weren't suppose to come here until 3:00." Ratity said.
"Yea, I know. But it's Saturday! The Sugarcube Corner is closed on Saturdays, remember?" Pinkamena told her.
"Oh yea!" Rarity remembered. "Oh my! I just love your outfit. Ooh! Your makeup too!" Rarity complimented. "Tell me, where did you get that suit?" Rarity asked.
"It was my mom's." Pinkie answered.
"Why my oh my, vintage looks fabulous on you!" Rarity complimented.
"Thanks." She repeated for like, the ten millionth time. She sighed as she trotted over to the fridge to find a blueberry muffin. Pinkamena took the muffin out and tried to eat it as neat as possible, which was extremely hard for the pink party mare.
"I just need to get my clothing rack and then I'll be ready." Rarity called out.
"Okay!" Pinkamena answered in response as she threw away the paper that was around the muffin. She found the camera with the tripod leaning against the wall. Picking it up, she noticed that the lighting was a bit off when she entered the photo shooting room.
She set the camera up then went to adjust the light. She only barely touched it when the tripod lowered a bit and the room was better. She smiled to herself as she trotted back to the camera, adjusting it, just in case.
"I'm ready!" Rarity chimed. She trotted out in a white, silky dress that was simplistic, she had pink themed makeup and was wearing glass heals, with barely a heel to be true.
"Alright..." Pinkamena muttered as the camera did its auto adjusting. She then took a picture. Rarity stood in another pose and she took another picture.
It wasn't long before Sweetie Belle awoke and found her breakfast in the fridge, since she was horrible at cooking. Sweetie Belle trotted upstairs and got ready for the day.
"I'm heading over for a CMC meeting!" Sweetie Belle called out, as she grabbed her cape from the coat rack by the front door.
"Okay darling, bye." Rarity replied, letting Sweetie Belle go. There was a chime meaning that Sweetie Belle had left. The door closed with a little click. Rarity looked back at the camera.
"Continue." Rarity instructed, and Pinkamena did so.
~~~
A month went by and a lot changed since then.
Sweetie Belle's coltfriend was finally introduced to Rarity; a cute brown colt named Button Mash. Rarity was iffy about him at first but she liked him a while later.
Mean while, Pinkie's two sided life has been quickly molding into one changed life. She's been acting more and more like Rarity to the point that she accidentally started talking like Rarity at Sugarcube Corner. And hey, she was raised to 15 bits now.
the whole situation was getting out of hand, and she was thinking of going full time at the Carousel Boutique, meaning leaving her first job behind.
Pinkie woke up at 5:00, an hour before Sugarcube opened. She had a note all written for Mr and Mrs. Cake. It was depressing, but she felt it was the right thing to do.
Pinkie hopped out of bed and quietly got ready. This time, she wore a white tux. And at this point, she seemed to have some of the same talents as Rarity, make up, fashion, etcetera.
She then applied pink eye shadow, some pink lip gloss, and white eye liner. She quickly added some pink blush before tip toeing down the stairs.
She tried opening the door slowly, the bells barely clanging against each other. She slowly closed the door and galloped over towards Carousel Boutique.
Meanwhile, Rarity woke up at 4:50 and got herself ready for the day. The usual; being the couple hour long time spent in the bathroom getting perfect, knowing that she was going to erase the make up later, only she took half an hour because she was doing a theme.
Simplicity.
It was easy, and obviously... simple.
Rarity trotted down stairs, trying to make little noise because Sweetie Belle was still sleeping. She wasn't trotting down stairs to get breakfast ready, but because she heard a knock at the door.
She opened the glass door, unbeknownst who was there until she let the pink pony in, and let her mind process the pony in front of her.
"Pinkie?!" Rarity gasped, astonished.
"Pinkamena." Pinkamena corrected Rarity.
"Uh, well... what brings you here early?" Rarity asked, slowly making breakfast from shock.
"Oh, I decided to work here..." Pinkamena paused. Gulping some sweet candy tasting salvia. "...full time." she finished. Rarity gasped, dropping the carton of milk on the floor, making a huge mess. Rarity stood there, with shock. Frozen, like an ice sculpture. It took Rarity a few minutes before she could mutter a single word.
"W-w-why?" Rarity stuttered, the shock slowly rubbing off.
"It just, felt right. We barely get customers in Sugarcube Corner." Pinkamena explained. She sighed, trotting around the huge milk puddle. A little tiny hook in her heart was tugging the rest of her heart, whispering to her-
"C'mon Pinkie, you love to jump in puddles, and it's a milk puddle, even better!"
Pinkamena shook the tempting thought off her shoulders. She grabbed a large piece of paper towel, cleaning up the mess.
Rarity, on the other hoof, was slowly recovering from her shock. Right then, there was another knock. Rarity snapped back into reality as she trotted over to the door to see Twilight Sparkle as she opened the door.
"Rarity, is Pinkie here?!" Twilight asked, as though she had an emergency.
"Uh... yea..." Rarity trailed off, shaking her head. Just the name 'Pinkie' made the shock come back.
"Pinkamena!" Rarity called. Pinkamena trotted over to Rarity to see Twilight Sparkle. Crap! Pinkamena thought to herself.
"Oh Pinkie, you need to work back at Sugarcube Corner!" Twilight informed.
"No." Pinkamena replied.
"Please?!" Twilight begged.
"Groveling isn't going to work Twilight." Pinkamena told Twilight. Twilight sighed, trying to find a way to convince Pinkie to work back at Sugarcube Corner. If she didn't, Ponyville will crumble into pieces if she didn't work where she used to again. There was only one option: force her too.
"No ifs, buts, or all that whatnots. You are going to work no matter what!" Twilight said in a infuriating tone. Pinkie shrank. She always hated seeing her friends upset.
"C'mon Pinkie, stop holding grudges!" The same feeling whispered. The tug in her heart was rapidly growing, to the point the point that her whole heart was tugging on her disagreeing conscience. Tears soon starting streaming down her face, and started smearing her makeup. She couldn't hold it any longer. She balled.
She cried, balled, you name it. Rarity had been melodramatic before but never like this, Twilight saw the pain and guilt in her best friends' eyes. Twilight walked in and Rarity helped Pinkie to the couch.
"Rarity, it's o-" Sweetie Belle yawned mid sentence. She couldn't believe her eyes, Pinkie was crying! Sweetie Belle said no more as she silently trotted down the stairs and get her breakfast from the fridge. Same as usual.
Pinkie cried until she had no more tears to cry. Rarity then gave Pinkie a big cordial hug. Pinkie returned with a light, shaky hug. The two split after a while.
"I'm, sorry..." Pinkie sniffed. Twilight gave a warm smile, saying everything, but she till said it anyway.
"You, are forgiven."