//------------------------------// // My first day of work! And it's not going well... // Story: You Sure know how to Hold a Grudge. // by Solar Caesar //------------------------------// Cyril's first day of work was today. Not that bad of a job, Cyril thought. His servant uniform was a well tailored,black suit with a white shirt and black tie. Very well tailored indeed. How bad can this be? Cyril thought as he adjusted his tie. *buzz* Cyril walked over to the intercom in his room and pressed the button. "Yes?" he said. "Cyril? Hi, this is Twilight." "Oh, hey Twi. What's up?" Cyril asked her. She truly wasn't so bad once you got to know her. He honestly thought that she was a geek, but she was also a Princess, so she obviously had to know her stuff. It wasn't easy with a job title that big. "Are you ready to start your first day of work?" she asked me. No, actually. I want to get out of here as soon as possible. Cyril thought. But I didn't say that. Instead, he said, "Yep". "Glad to hear it!" she told him. "Everyone in the castle is aware of your presence. So don't be afraid of getting pounced." ".......Uh, okay. If it does happen, then whoever did it will have a lot of explaining to do. Plus, I know their answer would be 'but he's a Changeling', and that would definitely count as spec-ism. And then I'd return the favor." ...... *awkward silence* "Uh, that was a little dark wasn't it?" ....... "Um, Twi?" "Oh! Sorry Cyril. A maid just entered my room. I asked what she was doing here and forgotten that I had asked her to come in earlier. Uh, anyway, do you want to come over to my room tonight? I want to ask you some questions." she asked him. "Question's? About what?" Cyril asked. "Oh, just about where you're from, your species religion, culture, family, hobbies. I'm curious about you Cyril." Twilight told the Changeling. "Curious. You want to write a book, don't you." "W-what? Would you really think I'd befriend you to make a book? That's s-s-st-stup-" she gagged. "I know you Twi. And it's okay." "Phew!" she gasped "I could never go through with that!" "Whatever, Twi. I get off duty at 7:00. how does 8:00 sound?" "Perfect! See you tonight!" *beep* I guess we could get to know each other more, Cyril thought. *beep* Cyril walked over and pressed the intercom again."Yes?" "Is this the new servant? The Changeling?" a pretty female voice asked. "Yes, this is Cyril." "Ah, yes, hi. The mare in room 209 has ordered room service. Come down here and get her tray please. Her food is beside the kitchen with all the other lunch trays. It has the number 522 on it." "Thanks for the info. By the way, what's your name?" asked Cyril. "I'm the order handler, Roseluck." the mare said. "Hello Roseluck, nice to meet you." said the Changeling. "Uh, Hi, nice to meet you." she answered. "Hey, want to sit together at lunch? I'm not hard to spot. I'll be the only Changeling in the room." Cyril heard a giggle, followed by a "Kay". And then the call ended. Well, better get that mares food, Cyril thought. As Cyril trotted down to the kitchen, he got some strange looks. It didn't bother him that much. Not many ponies were used to seeing a Changeling walking through the halls. And he understood why. As Cyril reached the kitchen and picked up tray 599, he felt about 30 pairs of eyeballs headed his way. Actually, make that 300. Don't look up, Cyril thought, don't look up, don't loo- Cyril's thought's were interrupted by a ticked off-looking Chef pony in his face. "Um, yes?" Cyril asked the colt nervously. "Are you the new recruit?" the colt asked Cyril. The colt had a green coat and blue eyes. "Yeah..." the changeling replied. "Watch your back" the colt threatened "The Princesses may have forgiven you, but me, and most of the other ponies in here have not." The colt stared at him for a few seconds, then walked away. Well, he was nice, Cyril thought. As he collected his tray, Cyril wondered how much hate he'll receive during this job. He took his tray into the nearest elevator, which had conveniently opened when he started approaching the elevator doors. The only other pony in the elevator was a maid, who looked terrified at the sight of the Changeling. It got awkward as the elevator went up the first few floors. Cyril could feel her trembling. Cyril decided to break the silence. "You don't have to fear me, I'm not going to hurt you." Cyril said. "I'm not so sure about that," the maid said "I have the right to be suspicious of you." "I know you do. It's all new for me too. New home, new job. It's crazy for everyone." "It's more crazy for me actually. What's next, Chrysalis runs for president?" the maid said, her voice rising. "Relax, I just was trying to make friends." Cyril assured the mare. As the elevator doors opened, the mare exited and said, "Well, good luck with that." As Cyril started towards room 209, he wondered what the reaction from her would be. I guess we'll find out. Cyril thought. When he reached room 209, he knocked on the door. The Changeling waited patiently for the mare to answer. The doorknob moved to the right, and the door opened. A mare with a blue coat and blue and white mane answered. As soon as she caught sight of the Changeling, her eyes opened wide. For some strange reason, he knew what she was thinking. "Relax, I'm not here to hurt you. I'm just the knew servant. That's all." he told the nervous mare. "You ordered room service?" "Y-yeah." the mare stuttered. "Well, nice to meet you, miss...?" Cyril said as he handed her the plate. "Colgate." she finished. "Yes. I hope you enjoy the food, madam." Cyril said in his best gentlecolt voice. He turned around and started to leave, when- "Wait." Yes, miss?" "Uh, here's you're tip. For, you know, not hurting me." the mare said. She plopped roughly ten bits in his hoof. "Um, thank you...Colgate." Cyril told her. He was truly thankful. "You're welcome...Cyril" the mare said before closing the door. Gee, I've made my first friend! Or, I hope I made a friend, Cyril thought. But the changelings thoughts were very rudely interrupted by a horn. "All servants and workers, please report to the cafetorium." a loud voice on the microphone said. Cyril started to walk down to the cafetorium for lunch, bringing his tray with him. What friends will I make at lunch? Cyril thought.