Chapter 60: Parental Guidance
When Bryce arrived at the construction site the following Wednesday morning he was a little surprised to find Ambrosia there as well. While the rest of the crew was busy at work, the papyrus yellow mare was not.
Instead, she sat at the edge of the site as if waiting for someone. And the glare she gave the human at his approach made it obvious who that someone was.
Bryce was close to passing the mare by, when she asked, "Hey, can we talk?" Bryce stopped. He kept her in the corner of his eye. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry. Sorry for what happened the other day." She waited for Bryce to say his piece but he held his silence. "It's just... Why the buck weren't you more careful? I mean..." She stopped herself before she could go any further. "Look, I really need this job. I know you didn't mean to almost get Jack killed, or worse. But..." She let out a sigh and shook her head. "I'm sorry."
"It's fine," Bryce said.
Ambrosia felt like fighting him for his response, but she knew it wouldn't do her any favors. "Bryce, can I just ask one thing? Why are you always doing so much more work than everypony here?"
Bryce gave a shrug. "It's just the way I am, I guess. I've always done better when I work with my hands. I mean, back on the farm I'm always finding something to work on. I like to keep busy with something."
"Really? What kind of stuff do you make?"
"Well..." Bryce rummaged around inside his satchel. "I don't leave home without it." Pulling his hand out of his satchel Bryce now held a little wooden Fluttershy on his palm.
"Whoa! That's something." She took it and began to look it over. "You made this yourself?"
"Yeah, I did."
"This must have taken a lot of work."
Bryce took the figure back when Ambrosia offered it. "This one took me about two or three hours."
"Two or three hours? That's impressive. Do you have anymore?"
"Well, not on me. But I have a few in my room."
"About how many?"
Bryce curled and uncurled his toes as he thought. "30, maybe 40."
Ambrosia eyes opened in surprise. "That's more than a few. I don't know if I should be asking this, but do you think you could make a couple dolls for me?"
Bryce gave a smirk. "Well, you're a little old, but I could make a few for you."
"No, not for me. It's for...somepony else. I mean, you wouldn't know them because they're...in another town..."
"It's fine. I'll make you a few. Anyone you want them to look like in particular?"
"No, anything you can make will be great."
"Okay then I'll get on it whenever I have the time. But now, we have work."
Bryce made to leave, but Ambrosia had more to say. "But, Bryce, I'm serious when I say you need to be careful. I know it was unintentional, but what were you thinking."
"Well, to tell the truth, I wasn't. I've had a lot on my mind recently. Not anything I feel like talking about though."
"Whatever. Just try and keep your mind on work. You don't want to end up like the stallion you replaced."
"Why, what happened to him?"
Ambrosia rubbed the back of her head as she breathed in through her teeth. "It's best you not know. Now go on to work. Oh, and this doesn't make us friends, but you...do good work."
Bryce left the mare behind, allowing her time to change into her gear. As he entered the building Rivet said, "Hey, Bryce, good ta see yuh. How'd things go with Amb?"
"Well, she apologized."
"That's good. Ta tell yuh tthe truth we really can't do this without her. We're already two weeks behind schedule and we need every workin stiff we can muster. I'd hire more, but we can't afford it. Hay, we barely have enough now to pay you, me, my brother, and the rest."
"Well, I'm sure something will come along."
"Yuh think so?"
"Yeah, but don't count on it this year. Probably more around the new year. Then more after next summer."
Rivet shook his head. "That sounds nice, but that doesn't help us now."
As Bryce and Rivet were chatting, Ambrosia was busy changing into her work belt, hard hat, and vest. Just as she had placed her hat on her head, she heard somepony call, "Psst!"
Looking around, Ambrosia found nopony. When it came a second time she found the source: A large bush not far away.
She took a few steps towards it. "H- Hello?"
Ambrosia almost jumped back when she saw a slate grey hoof jut out from the foliage. It looped inward, beckoning her forward. Though cautious, she made her way closer the pony hidden within the bush. After she was close enough to see the yellow eyes of the stallion, she said again, "Hello?"
"What do you know about Bryce?" The stallion asked.
"What...?"
Thunderlane rolled his eyes. "What do you know about Bryce?"
"Uh... W- What's it to you?" Ambrosia demanded.
"What color are his eyes?"
"His what!?"
"Hiseyes!? What color are they!?"
A,mbrosia narrowed her eyes. "What's it to you!?"
"Just answer the questions! Have any pegasuses lost their flight since Bryce started working here?"
"You must be blind or dumb; there aren't any pegasi here."
"Oh...well...that's good. Has anything weird happened since he started here?"
"No, except that we have a large hairless gorilla on the crew."
"Nothing!? Come on, there has to be-"
"Look, I don't who you are, but you obviously have something against Bryce. Now if you excuse me, I have-"
"You don't understand!" Thunderlane shouted. "He's dangerous!"
"You can say that again. Just the other day he left a pail of nails on the edge of the floor that almost fell on top of Jack. And after that Jack was rambling about 'somepony picking him up and throwing him'. Whatever it was saved his life."
Thunderlane went silent. "Somepony...picked him up? Who did it?"
"Nopony. What I think is Jack saw the pail coming and jumped out of the way. There's nopony alive with enough muscle who could pick up his flank. Now would you go on and beat it. I have-"
From the site, Rivet called, "Hey, Amb, are yuh workin today or are yuh gonna chat up that shrub all day?"
By the time Ambrosia looked back into the bush Thunderlane had ran off. She turned back to Rivet. "I'll be right there, boss. I was just...you know."
"Oh... Well wipe yourself up and get over here. It's workin time."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For a few hours now Rocksalt had waited for Bryce to get off of work. It was a hard thing for the dull brown colt to do, but when you had only one person you could confide in there was little one could do to pass the time. Last week Bryce had spent time with Rocksalt, as he had promised. Though Rocksalt could tell the human was trying, Bryce's attempts to try and raise his outlook on life had proven fruitless.
In his short time in Ponyville Rocksalt had created quite a reputation for himself, and regardless of how much Bryce pushed him the colt could never get in good with any foal in town. It mattered not how civil he acted towards the other foals they would laugh in his face, not believing he'd changed in the slightest.
At the sound of the steam whistle, Rocksalt let out a sigh. In just a few days Rocksalt would start his first day of school. In a few days the dull brown colt would be left a complete laughingstock to his entire class. Not over how he had tried to make nice, but for being set back a whole grade. He could hear their words now. Calling him names like 'Rocks for Brains' or 'Rockdolt'. He would have to think of a way to get sick, and fast. There was no way he would be going to school on the first day.
"Hey, Kid."
Rocksalt almost jumped out of his skin.
"Hey, easy there. It's just me," Bryce said to calm the colt.
"Oh, hey, Bryce."
"Well, yuh ready?"
"Uh... I- I think I'm gonna take a rain check today. I'm not feelin too well."
Bryce looked him over. "Are you sure?"
Rocksalt forced himself to cough. "See, I'm not feelin too hot."
Bryce took a knee and placed the back of his hand on the colt's forehead. "You feel normal." He looked Rocksalt over a second time. "I'm thinking there's another reason you're not feeling well." Bryce placed a hand on his shoulder. "Look, I know it's not turning out like we wanted it to, but that's no reason to give up now."
"Bryce... I don't know..."
Bryce slapped the colt on the back, getting his full attention. "Come on, there's still time. Tell you what, we'll give it one more day. If we don't find anyone your age by the end of the day then I'll drop it. What do you say?"
"Bryce..." Rocksalt looked up to the human, seeing his light grey eyes. "I... I guess I'll give it one more-"
"That's great. But let's go get something fresh to snack on while the farmer's market's still open. I've got a taste for some cashews.
Making their way through the town square, with a quick stop for a slice of juicy watermelon for the colt, Bryce and Rocksalt came to the nut stand and its even nuttier owner.
The light chestnut stallion who ran the stall was the first to speak. "Oh, Bryce, hello to you and..."
"Hey, Kernel, this is my friend, Rocksalt."
"Hello to you, as well, Rocksalt. And how are you both this fine day?"
"I'm okay, but the kid's a little down in the dumps."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. What's the matter?"
"He starts school on Monday and I've been trying to help him find a friend. And it's not.... You know."
"Is that so?" Kernel Nut looked down to Rocksalt. "Well you're in luck. My two daughters are about to start their schooling on Monday, too."
"Oh... Really?" Rocksalt asked, thinking the worst.
"Quite so. In fact, they're here with me right now. Oh bother, where has Almond-"
As if answering her father's call, Almondine jumped out from her hiding place in a bushel of macadamias. "Hey there, Old Man Bryce!" She shouted at the top of her lungs.
Recovering from the shock, Bryce said, "Hey there, Almond."
"Almond, what have I told you about touching the produce like that."
"Oh, sorry, Dad."
"Almond..." He held a hoof on the bridge of his nose. "You must stop doing this, Almond. Why can't you be more like your sister?" Kernel pointed a hoof to Pecan, who wore an apron matching her father's. He gripped his daughter by the shoulder. "Look, I don't mind you being here, Almond, but you must behave yourself. I can't sell nuts if they're crushed or have been touched. Do you understand?"
"I... I do..."
"That's good. Now why don't you say hello to Rocksalt. He's going to be in your class. Pecan, you come say hello, too."
"But Dad," Butter Pecan protested. "What if we get a lot of ponies and you need my help?"
"It's almost time for us to head home. I think I can manage from here." Before the almond colored filly could say another word, her father added, "You've been a great help today, but you shouldn't worry about work at your age. You're only a filly." Kernel untied the apron from his other daughter's back. "Now come and introduce yourself."
Though reluctant to venture from her father's care, Pecan did as the stallion asked.
After seeing this exchange from the three ponies Bryce felt responisble. Since the incident at the playground the once inseparable and indistinguishable twin fillies were now as different as night and day.
Almond, who had been thrown from the merry-go-round, had become more adventurous and daring; not caring much for rules or how harmful something might be. Pecan, in contrast, had become little more than a mouse. After seeing her twin's near death experience she was afraid to go more than a few hoofsteps away from one of her parents outside the house.
While their mother was at her wits' end with Almond's stunts, and pleased with Pecan's obedience, Kernel found it hard which of the two needed more attention.
"Honestly, I love them both," Kernel said to Bryce, "but I don't know who needs more help."
"Yeah, well, I guess I'm to blame for that." Bryce replied.
"You have need no worry yourself, Bryce. Well, not with me, at least. If my wife were to find out I'd allowed you to see them she'd skewer us both, roast our hides on the barbie, and have us for dinner."
Bryce gave a smirk. "Well, I'm sure she'd get a better meal out of me. My fat would season me good."
Kernel gave a laugh. "Yes, I'm sure, but let's hope it never comes to that. Forgive me for asking, but isn't Rocksalt the colt who not only toilet papered all the stalls and plays baseball with rocks, but also attempted to publically humiliate you?"
"Well... He is. But he's gotten better about it."
"I'll take your word on it, but why help him after such a degrading encounter?"
"I know what he done, but he's young. What kind of person would I be if I returned a child's spite with spite? He's not a bad kid he's just going through a tough time at home. All he really has is his Mom and his Dad doesn't want anything good to do with him."
"Bryce, this sounds like it's personal to you."
Bryce didn't meet the light chestnut stallion's eye. "In a way, it is. But I mean it."
"Well I can give him a chance, I suppose. My girls seem to be getting along well with him, thus far. They're... Hang on... Almond!"
From above them, Almond said, "See there, Rocko, it's as simple as that."
"Uh, Ah don't know," Rocksalt said in disapproval. "It looks kinda dangerous."
Looking up, Bryce and Kernel found the bold filly attempting to balance on the signpost above the stand.
Kernal could hardly contain himself. "Al- Almondine, you get yourself down from there right this second, young lady!"
Her father's shouting caused her to shake, but she kept her balance. "Dad, I was just-" Before she could finish her sentence, there came a loud *snap*. Looking to the source, everyone could do nothing but watch as the signpost cracked under the filly's added weight.
"Almond, jump!" Her father shouted.
Listening to his words Almond jumped just as the post gave and tipped over. She landed in a barrel of peanuts that had been placed in her path.
Kernel ran over to check on the filly. Clearing away peanuts he found her to be unscathed. "Oh, thank Celestia you're alright." He grabbed Almond up in his hooves and hugged her tight to his chest. "Almond, you must, must stop this behavior now."
"I was just showing Rocksalt how to climb."
"Yes, but that was very dangerous." He dropped the filly on her hooves. "Say goodbye to your new friend, girls. It's about time we packed up and headed for home."
"Goodbye, Old Man Bryce! Bye, Rocko!" Almond said.
Pecan, however, remained silent.
As Kernel went about packing up his produce, Pecan struggled to get her father attention. "Dad, did you see it?"
"Yes, Pecan, I saw. Your sister almost hurt herself, again."
"No, Dad. It was Bryce. He-"
"Not now, my little nut. We have to get home before your Mama starts to worry. Could you go and help your sister stay out of trouble?"
Butter Pecan wanted to push the issue, but she didn't want to distract her father while he was working. Right now she would let him work, but when she got home she was going to tell her family how Bryce had saved Almond by floating the barrel of peanuts to break her fall.
Little did the almond colored filly know was that she was not the only pony to see this happen. Across the way, hidden under a pile of yellow squash Thunderlane sat and watched. With a evil grin the pegasus rubbed his hooves together. He had the human. He had all he needed to expose Bryce, but the problem lay in showing everypony his bad, evil side. All he had to do was bide his time and wait for his moment to strike. It might not get him his flight back, but Thunderlane could revel in the thought of Bryce being the most despised thing in Ponyville.
A stallion cleared his throat. "Sir," the stallion said to Thunderlane. "I can't have you touching the produce. Either buy something or get out of my squash."
Trying to save face, Thunderalne made to run off, but the squash that served as his hiding spot tripped him up. He busted open a few of the fruit in the process.
"Welp, now somepony has to pay. And it's gonna be you, friend." The stall owner said.
The scowl on Thunderlane's face was enough to scare even the bravest of foals.
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"Well, what'd you think of those two girls?" Bryce asked.
"They were kinda nice." Rocksalt said, giving an unseen grin. "That one was a little shy, but her sister was crazy. Did you see her when she climbed up that pole?"
"Yeah, Kid, that was something else. But don't say that to her face, okay?"
"I won't. She's nuttier than a squirrel turd. Wouldn't even give me a chance ta talk. Kept on wantin ta challenge me in a hoof race or wrestling match."
"So, are you feeling any better?"
Rocksalt hesitated. "I... I do. It'd be nice ta have a few foals I know, but..."
Bryce noted the dull brown colt's pause. "What's wrong?"
"I'm just thinking about what all the others are gonna say. I mean, they're all gonna know I was held back and when that happens I'm sure I'll lose'em. And then they'll laugh at me."
"Hey, don't worry about it. I doubt they'll find out."
"But what if they do? What if... What if the teacher knows about it and tells on me."
"Even if she does, I doubt she'd do anything like that." He could tell the colt heard what he'd said, but it only managed to dampen his mood. He caught something out of the corner of his eye. "Hey, Kid, come over here." Bryce led Rocksalt over to Ponyville's job board. "What if we found you a job? Maybe all you need is a sense of purpose; something to show you that you matter? It worked for me. If anything you'll be making some money."
"Ah don't know."
"Well, it wouldn't hurt to look, would it?" Bryce eyes shot around the board, looking for anything a pony Rocksalt's age could manage with ease. Bryce stuck a finger on a post. "Here's an opening for a busboy. No, wait, it's for a bar." His hand shot over to another slip of paper. "How about a courier. Though I guess that won't work for your schooling."
Bryce looked about a few more times, flipping over the newer posts to see if there was a gold mine underneath.
"Bryce, I don't think there's anything-"
"Ah ha! Eccolo!" Bryce ripped a post off the board and looked it over. "This one's perfect." He held it down for Rocksalt to see.
"Uh... A paperboy?"
"Yeah, it's perfect."
Rocksalt looked over the paper in Bryce's hand, struggling to read the bigger words. "It does look good, but it says I'll need to get up early. And I'll need my Mom's permission. She'll never go for that."
Bryce reread the post a second time, not leaving out any of the fine print. "I can work with this. I have a way with words."
Before Rocksalt could get a word in, Bryce walked off in a random direction. He went a few feet, then stopped before heading in a second random direction. After a few more times, Bryce stopped in his tracks and looked to the dull brown colt. "Kid, I'm lost. And I just realized I don't know where your house is."
Rocksalt rolled his eyes, trying to keep back a chuckle. "Here, follow me."
The dull brown colt led Bryce through Ponyville ending up on the outskirts of town. The houses here were not as large, more spread apart, and were not as well kept as the ones closer to the center. Despite this, they were still large enough to where they could give a pony family a home. The pair eventually came upon a house with a rickety white picket fence out front. The paint on the facade had cracks and fades running all over that formed creatures that would defy Clive Barker's imagination.
Rocksalt took a quick stop at the mailbox, which hung on its post by little more than a nail. Inside there were a few letters. He took time to look at the writing on the envelopes. He must have looked through the letters at least a dozen times before looking at the ground in disappointment.
When Bryce was led inside, he heard what sounded to be a heavy ice cream mixer. Rocksalt yelled, "Hey, Mom, I'm home!"
The mixer stopped revving, and a mare called back. "Rocky, how was your day?"
"It was good, Mom."
"That's good. Oh my, is it that late already? Do you know what you want for dinner? I think we still have a some casserole left over. Or we could have a frozen dinner."
"Eh, it doesn't matter ta me, Mom. But Ah have a friend with me."
"Oh, is that so?" Whipping Cream came out of the kitchen. She didn't notice Bryce until she was in the other room. "I don't have much to offer, but I'm sure- CELESTIA!!!" She said in shock, not expecting a human for company. After catching her breath, Whipping Cream said, "I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting... I don't know what I was expecting, to tell you the truth."
"It's alright. I'm used to it. Wait, haven't I met you before?"
The plump mare gave Bryce an odd look. "Uhm, I don't think we have."
Bryce placed a hand under his chin. "I'm sure I've seen you somewhere."
"Well I can promise you you haven't. Did my son promise you dinner?"
"No ma'am."
"Oh, that's good. I'm not trying to be rude, but we just don't have very much foodwise."
"Well, I'm going to wait until later before I eat. But I'm here more to talk with you about your son."
At hearing that, the white cream mare straightened up. "Oh no, has he gotten into some kind of trouble? Because I can assure you he's a good boy."
"Mom, it's not-"
"This has nothing to do with anything he's done," Bryce interjected.
"Oh, well that's a relief. What are you here for then?"
"Well, Ms...."
"Whipping Cream."
"Ms. Cream, I've spent some time with your son the past few weeks. You know, trying to give him a friend. Well, today was a pretty good day. He met a couple of foals that will be in his class. And while I'm sure that's important to you I think something that could boost his mood would be if he got himself a job."
The whole time Whipping Cream had been nodding to Bryce's words, filled with pride for her boy. But when Bryce got to the part about getting a job she stopped; her smile lowering. "I don't know. What kind of job did you have in mind?"
"Well, this." Bryce handed the mare the flyer from the town job board.
She gave it a quick look over, feeling a little uncomfortable about the proposal. "Newspaper delivery?" She looked to her boy. "I'm sure this would be a good thing for him to do. But... It's for so early in the the morning."
Rocksalt looked to Bryce, as if to say, See, I told yuh she wouldn't go for it.
But Bryce face responded, Trust me, Kid. I'll bring her around. "Ma'am, I realize it's something where Rocksalt will have to get up extra early, but I know he can handle it."
Whipping Cream looked the flyer over again. "I still don't know. He has school starting Monday."
Bryce took a knee, bringing himself to her level. "How about this: What if I agree to get up early too and keep an eye on him for a few weeks?"
"Would you do that for him?"
"Well, he's worth it."
Whipping Cream gave a sigh. "Rocky, do you really want to do this? Would you want a job as a paperboy?"
"Y- Yeah, Mom. I mean, I could bring us some more money in."
The light cream mare shut her eyes and breathed in deep. "Rocksalt, go to your room. I want to say a few things to your friend."
The dull brown colt did as he was asked without question.
After hearing the colt's door click shut, she looked to Bryce with a serious expression. "I've given this some thought. And, if you'll hold to your word, I'll allow it." She pointed a hoof in Bryce's face. "But you better watch him like a hawk. That boy is...is all I have left. If anything happens to him while he's on his route I will never, and I mean NEVER forgive you."
Bryce grabbed the mare's hoof in his large hands. "Ma'am, I promise you now I will watch that boy as if he were my own. If I don't, then you may do with me as you see fit."
Her heart still racing inside her chest, Whipping Cream nodded. "Would you please wait here?" She got up and went to her son's bedroom.
While the light cream mare was gone, Bryce thought on where he had last seen her. He knew he'd seen someone her exact same shape somewhere; almost as if she was the same pony, but had a different color palette. By the time Whipping Cream and her son returned he still had yet to figure it out. She hadn't lost her serious expression.
"Well, can he have the job?" Bryce asked.
The mare's stern look melted away, showing a reassuring grin. She nodded.
"Alright!" Bryce held his palm out to Rocksalt, receiving a high five from the colt.
"Now you both should hurry back to town while the newspaper is still open."
The two boys ran for the door, until Rocksalt said, "Hey, wait a sec." He turned back, wrapping his hooves around his mother's neck. He whispered in her ear, "Thanks, Mom." The colt added a kiss before setting off with his human friend.
"Well, that was sweet of you, Rocky."
Rocksalt shot Bryce a glare. "Forget yuh saw it. And don't call me that, either."
Bryce held out his hands. "Hey, I'm not one to judge. But it proves there a sweet side to that rough exterior. Wait, sweet... Sweet...tart... No, Sweetheart. Nurse Sweetheart."
"Uh, what about'r?"
"Your mom and Nurse Sweetheart look exactly the same."
"What are yuh goin on about?"
"They look the same, except your mom's cream and the nurse is purple. Ha, knew I'd figure it out."
"I...don't see it. I know who you're talkin bout, but I don't see it."
"Well, next time they're together you'll see it."
"I have, and I still don't see it."
"Well... Just thought I'd put that out there."
On the other side of the road, going in the opposite direction, was a unicorn with a light indigo coat and a curled, lime green mane.
Bryce shook his head as he walked onward. Either people aren't very creative, or Rarity's gone to extreme measures to regrow her mane and got more than she bargained for.