//------------------------------// // 9. Celebrations // Story: Sunny's Days // by Anzel //------------------------------// Dolly had told me once that the older you get, the faster it feels like time moves. She was right. Of course, Dolly was right about most things. I think it was because we were so much alike. She’d been through what I was going through. It was still unnerving. Two months had just slipped by. I’d been going to school, practicing with the princess, visiting Melody, visiting Mrs. Peaches, and, of course, working. Work had been going pretty well, too. “No, Sunny! That is three pours. We only do two!” Pink Pearls said to me. “But she’s cute!” I replied. The white-coated mare with the blue and pink mane sitting on the other side of the bar chimed, “Thank you!” Pearls idly rubbed between her violet eyes. “Yes, she is cute—” “Thank you!” Blue-and-Pink said. “But it is two pours. Two pours is fair to the customer and fair to the bar. Come on, you work here like the rest of us, so act like it. Two pours from now on!” I levitated the drink to Blue-and-Pink. “Thank you, really!” she said before wandering off. Then I turned back to Pearls. “You’re right, I’m sorry. It won’t happen again! Please don’t give up on me.” Pink Pearls was a bartender and a very good one. She’d been promoted from junior bartender not long after Dolly had bought the building. That left Garnet as our only junior bartender. Which left a vacant spot. I was trying to earn it! Pearls was kind enough to show me how to do things even if she could be a little snarky. She was also really beautiful, too. Emerald had said she was a former model or something. Either way, she was helping me out by supervising me. “Sunny, three grape, one cherry, two orange, and one mango!” Emerald called my way. “Gotta go! Thanks, Pearlsie,” I said before hurrying down to the soda fountain. Making fizzy drinks was second nature to me now. In fact, I dare say I was an expert, which is probably why Dolly had taken the junior-apprentice part of my title away. I was just a sodajerk. I’d still sat in her lap when we negotiated my new salary. It didn’t go up much, but it was more for practice than true negotiation. As I was working on the drinks, a familiar voice said, “Excuse me, miss? Could we get a drink?” I finished up the last fizzy and floated them all down to Emerald before I turned around with a grin. “I’m not a bartender.” Melody winked. “Could have fooled me. Hey, Sunny.” She was out of the hospital! She was completely well! I knew it was going to be soon but they had kept saying it would be next week! With a squeal I leapt over the bar and into her hooves. Well, that had been the goal, anyway. I just don’t think Melody had seen it coming. She’d managed to catch me but then we tipped back on her stool and fell. We landed with a huff. “Please tell me I didn’t just hurt you!” I squeaked. Melody huffed. “Not hurt. Wind, knocked out.” Mares were staring at us but I didn’t care. I hugged her tightly and nuzzled at her cheek. “I’m so happy you’re well!” Dolly’s head poked over the bar. “Ma’am, I apologize that my sodajerk assaulted you. You can arrest her or I can fire her, if you like.” Melody’s perfectly healed forehooves were looped around me, hugging tight. She shook her head. “No, I think this level of service is what you need.” Dolly snorted. “We don’t run that kind of place. Either way, it’s nice to see you. When she lets you up, come see me and I’ll set you up with some celebratory drinks. Sunny, you can take the night off since I doubt I’ll get any work out of you now.” We hugged for a bit longer before Melody patted me on the back. “Okay, the floor is cold and a little sticky.” “Oh, sorry,” I replied before getting up and helping her do the same. We went to the end of the bar where Dolly had some champagne flutes waiting. Melody flushed. “This is quite the welcome home.” Dolly winked. “You mean a lot to Sunny and you’re a good influence on her. Plus, in my eyes, any time a royal guard comes back safe after being hurt, they deserve a party.” I levitated a glass and cheered, “To Melody being healthy!” Dolly did the same. “To Melody!” Melody, who was still quite pink, floated her glass as well. “To me, I guess!” We drank and then I smiled. “So what’s next, Melody?” “Well, I’ll go back on light duty for a little while and then back to work. Celestia knows I’m ready. Plus, if it is all the same to you, I’d love to go visit Mrs. Peaches this week. Assuming she hasn’t forgotten me after all of your glitz and glamour.” With the wave of a hoof, I replied, “Not at all! We talk about you all the time.” “Lovely,” she replied before laughing. “Well, it is good to be missed, even if it is ponies gossiping behind your back.” “Who said we were gossiping?” I asked. Melody leveled her gaze at me. “I know Mrs. Peaches and I know you. You were probably trying to line up a date for me.” Mrs. Peaches had been. A lot. For me, too. She wanted everypony to be married and have foals. “Okay, so maybe a little.” “See… Well, at least some things never change.” ☼ The bar was closed, it was late, but I had something special to do before I went home. Dolly was sitting in her office counting up the bits from the night. I let myself in and settled into the chair across from her. “Don’t you have work to do?” she asked. “Nope! I cleaned the soda fountain, put away all of my utensils, and even helped sweep up. Everypony else is about done, too. Aren’t you?” “Almost, without having to account for the building fund or what part I put away for rent, we’re ending up with more bits than I thought. Business has been really good, too. Did you need something?” I nodded. “Yup!” “What?” I’d come prepared. I dropped a little pouch of bits on her desk. “A receipt saying I’m out of debt.” Dolly scooped the bag up and peered inside it. I’d thought about putting springing snakes in there. The kind that jump out and go sproing! I didn’t, though. “Oh yeah? You’re a free pony now?” “Uh-huh!” She smiled. “I’m proud of you. I’ll just add this to the stacks and cross you off the list.” I held out my hoof. “What?” she asked. “Receipt!” Dolly peered at me. “Seriously?” “Get everything in writing, right?” She rolled her eyes, pulled out a piece of paper, wrote something on it and offered it to me. “There. One debt-free Sunny Day.” I accepted the receipt and peered at it. She had written ‘Sunny Day’s tab is paid’ and then drew a rather offensive little picture. “Thank you!” ☼ When Melody and I got to Mrs. Peaches cottage on Wednesday, her daughter Peachy had let us in. That was pretty unusual. Normally the elderly mare was waiting at the door for me. “She’s got a little cold, so she’s in bed. I know she’s going to be excited to see you two. While you’re here, I’m going to run out and pick up a few things she’ll need,” she’d said. Peachy and I didn’t really look alike. Peachy was a lighter orange, her mane was cropped short in a mom-style, and it was more of a pink than red. Plus I was taller and skinnier. Of course, I hadn’t had three foals yet. Mrs. Peaches was propped up in her bed and looking at Melody through her thick glasses. “You look so good! I’m thrilled that you’ve come to visit me. Sunny has been great company. Having you both here is a real wonderful treat.” “Well, I’ve missed you, too, Mrs. Peaches. You’re my first visit since I got out and I’m going to be coming back to see you weekly again. If that is okay with you.” The older mare grinned. “Of course it is! You can even bring your marefriend.” Melody smiled goodnaturedly. “I don’t have a marefriend, Mrs. Peaches.” “I think Sunny is into mares,” Mrs. Peaches whispered not too subtly. I giggled and pretended not to hear. I just dusted her bedroom and straightened up her lovely pictures. Mr. Peaches, may he rest in peace, had been a stud when he was young. A stud like Soarin, minus the wings. “Oh, she likes stallions. She is seeing a nice navy lieutenant right now.” Seeing? No! We just got together once a week for a date and adult happy fun times. And sometimes twice a week for the latter. Or three times depending on his schedule. He had a lot of stamina. “She hadn’t mentioned that,” Mrs. Peaches replied. “She’s just shy.” I snorted! Melody shot me an evil grin. “Sunny Day! Come over here and tell me about this stallion. Why haven’t you told me about him?” Melody had deflected the attention pretty well. I went over and settled by the bed to explain, “Well, he’s so busy with his career. He wants to be a Wonderbolt so he isn’t the marrying type. We’re just da—seeing each other.” “Not the marrying type? Well, maybe you should look after a stallion that is?” I briefly glanced at Melody. Oh, I was going to show her what-for later! “Maybe so, Mrs. Peaches. You don’t have any single sons do you?” She laughed. “You know I don’t and I like my daughters-in-law as much as I like you two. It is a shame that my boys didn’t meet you sooner. Now, you know I have met some nice stallions through my friends over at the bingo hall.” That was Mrs. Peaches, always trying to play matchmaker. Still, it was kind of fun. I never minded that she wanted me to be married instead of unentangled. Besides, some of those stallions that took their grandmas to the bingo hall could be handsome! ☼ It was after hours, but the Spearhead Tavern was packed full of ponies. All of the tables were full with all of the chairs facing the main bar. A massive grey pegasus with a long black mane stood on it, looking down at us through a pair of sunglasses. “Thank you all for coming tonight! I also want to thank Mr. Silverwind for staying open and hosting this event. Let’s give him a round of applause.” We all did so, stomping our hooves loudly. I was seated at a table with Melody, Strong Wing, and a few others I recognized from Helping Hooves. “Most of you know me, but I see a ton of new faces which is a good thing. My name is Gaea Shield and, despite my desire to never speak in front of crowds like this, I’ve been elected as the Helping Hooves Royal Guard liaison. All of your chapter captains coordinate with me and I coordinate with the main organization. “We’re here tonight for a few wonderful reasons. The first one is to recognize that Sergeant Ward, one of our most dedicated volunteers, has returned to duty after her injury.” Everypony started stomping again. There were even cheers. I didn’t even know if she knew all of these ponies but they were genuinely happy for Melody. It was amazing. “We’re also here to announce that the Canterlot Royal Guard currently leads the entire kingdom in volunteer hours. Our guards support this program more than any guards in any other city or province. Well done, ponies! You are setting the example, so let’s keep that up.” More stomping, more cheering, and a ton of pride. I’d been volunteering every Wednesday and I knew for a fact that some of the other ponies here did twice or even three times a week. “Finally, the program is expanding due to a surplus in volunteers. Instead of strictly elderly ponies, we feel there are plenty of young ponies that might like a big brother or big sister type mentor. The goal is to pair them with ponies who share their interests. “As you might guess, there are fillies and colts that are curious about the Royal Guard. That is where we come in. We’d like to shift some of you to that program. There isn’t a lot so it won’t be a big change but, when we have two ponies going to see a single pony, we feel we might do better by spreading out a bit. “If you have any interest, there is a whole list of little ponies up here. Find one and sign up. Otherwise, enjoy this celebration. You’ve earned it just like I’ve earned the right to get off this bar. Have fun!” We stomped once more before getting up and heading to the buffet. Melody looked around and grinned. “Look at all of these ponies! We’re doing so great. I’m thrilled to be back.” Strong Wing followed along behind her. “Yeah, and I like the idea of being a big brother.” “Well, you are a big brother,” I offered. He chuckled. “Yes, yes. I like hanging out with Cloud. Maybe I should find one of these colts or fillies? I mean, now that Melody is back you two can handle Mrs. Peaches.” “Nopony can handle Mrs. Peaches!” Melody teased. “Truth!” I added. Strong Wing laughed and set several cucumber slices on his plate. “If any two ponies can, it’s you two. She thinks you’re both great and I’m running out of excuses why I’m not married.” Melody and I giggled. Strong did not handle that part as well as us. The stallion snorted and left us while we finished making our plates. He headed towards the head of the bar to look at the young ponies that wanted mentors. As I watched him go, I looked around. The bar was full of armored or semi-armored ponies. If they weren’t armored, I could still tell that most were military. It was becoming second nature to pick that out. Spending time here or with Melody was making it easier to tell the difference. It was all about how they cut their manes, how they walked, and how they talked. Plus, I could now tell the difference between a Sergeant and a Guard 2nd Class. Which started to put a thought in my mind: I didn’t really fit in. “Melody, I noticed that almost all of these ponies are guards and that the guard has a liaison. It’s okay that I’m here, right? I’m not supposed to volunteer with the regular organization?” She shrugged. “Technically? Maybe? It doesn’t really matter, though. A volunteer is a volunteer. You don’t have to be a royal guard to do what we do. I mean, except that new thing. Do you really want to go to another chapter just because you aren’t a guard?” “No. Not at all. I just thought it was a little odd, is all. I didn’t want ponies to be cross with me about it.” Melody smiled and asked, “And since when did Sunny Day care what other ponies thought of her? What did you tell me? You define yourself.” I had said that! She was right. I did define myself. Just because I wasn’t a guard didn’t change anything, really. I didn’t want to go to another chapter. I liked this one. “Okay, so good point. It just tripped me up for a second there.” “That’s okay, Sunny. Besides, you could always just join the Guard,” she said with a laugh. I laughed, too. Me, join the Royal Guard? Yeah, right! That would be a joke. Right? ☼ Ms. Banana was sitting at her desk, grinning widely and swishing her tail. I’d learned that the mare always got excited when good things were about to happen. She loved making somepony’s day. It was just her nature. I had also learned that Ms. Banana loved stallions and making them very happy. That knowledge had come in a very convoluted, roundabout way from Mrs. Peaches. Mrs. Peaches’ oldest, Fuzz, had a foalhood friend in town. So, when Fuzz had come up to visit his mother, he’d invited that friend over. His friend was frustrated with his daughter, Banana, because she didn’t seem to be interested in settling down. She liked to go to bars to pick up stallions. Fuzz’s friend had wanted advice. While the two were discussing it, they didn’t realize that a pair of sharp ears was listening and hanging on every word. After all, Mrs. Peaches loved gossip. She had, of course, told Melody and me every bit of it! Then, when she had described Banana, I put it together that she and Ms. Banana were the same pony! Small city! At any rate, she didn’t quite keep the same rules as me but she was, evidently, not looking to get married, either. Just knowing that had made the class even easier. When the last filly arrived, Ms. Banana stood and clapped her hooves together. “Yay! You’re all here. Do you know what today is, girls?” Ley Lines raised her hoof. “Yes, go ahead!” Ley Lines replied, “The last day of class?” “Yes, and you all passed! I’m so proud and happy! Today is the day I get to give you stickers!” Stickers? What? The yellow mare stood up and went to the first desk. That was little Ms. Snow. She always sat up front and she always got the highest score and she always knew the answers and suddenly I just realized I was jealous of a filly that was probably five years younger than me! Bad Sunny. Sex Ed is not a competition. But what if it was… Ms. Banana appeared in front of me. “Sunny!” she said cheerfully. “Ah!” I squeaked, I was dreaming about competitive Sex Ed. “Yes, ma’am?” “I have a very special sticker for you!” She offered it to me. I tried not to bust out laughing. It was a big zucchini that had the words ‘Nothing Is Too Big’ written on it. My magic looped around it and I started giggling. Ms. Banana winked at me and finished up handing out her special stickers. “Alright, girls, you’ve all passed! You can talk to your advisors about what class you’d like for this spot next but we’re all done. Of course, if you have any questions you can always come back and ask me! Have a good day.” The fillies all stood. Most of them said goodbye, some even hugged her. I waited till they were gone before getting up and going down to her desk. “You’ve been really cool about having a pony as old as me in your class.” She shrugged. “It is all the same to me. Everypony should know about being safe and what sex is. Besides, you already knew more than all the fillies here from what I suspect was a lot of independent study.” She grinned. I snerked. “Oh, come on! Where was that during class?” “You know I can’t say things like that in front of the fillies. Besides, watching your face was priceless. You sure took it well, though, being forced into a class like this.” “Yeah, Apple Polish was teaching me a lesson.” She nodded. “Well, you could have been rude or disruptive, but you weren’t. You didn’t ruin things for the others and I appreciate that. Maybe I’ll see you around school?” “Maybe so! If you’re ever down by the Mare Contraire, stop in and I’ll get you a free fizzy drink.” Her ears wiggled and she waved a hoof. “Oh, well that isn’t my normal sort of bar but I guess I could make an exception for a free drink! Take care, Sunny!” “You, too, Ms. Banana.” I put my sticker on my saddleback, trotted out into the hall, and headed for Princess Celestia’s lecture room. It was all I had left. I’d finished up my preparation class for independent study last week. That one was easy and I didn’t honestly plan to work too much on my magic alone. When I arrived, the room was always filling up. Of course, Snow was already in her spot. I moved up to mine. This actually hadn’t been that painful. In fact, I’d really enjoyed the time I spent with Princess Celestia. Plus now I knew what other unicorns had to struggle with morally. In a way, I was special. My magic was cut and dry. I didn’t have to worry about making an ethical decision. Burning ponies was bad. Not burning ponies was good! The end. Still, learning more about ethics was interesting. Princess Celestia came through the door and we all stood and bowed. “Hello, little ponies! Today is a very special day. It is our last day together. Now I know all of you, besides Sunny Day, are going to say that is sad, but it’s okay!” There were some light chuckles. “I hope you’ve learned something and expanded your views on your magic and when to use it. It has truly been a pleasure to instruct you and I look forwards to seeing some of you in other lectures. Now, some professors like to teach up until the last minute and that is dedicated. I have a different tradition.” She looked to the door. It opened and two ponies wheeled in carts. On the first was a pretty big cake. On the second was a punch bowl. “Please enjoy these refreshments and reflect on magical ethics… or don’t! Either way, have a good time and thank you for your attention.” Well, that was certainly a surprise! We all came down from our spots to where the ponies by the carts were serving. While everypony else got in line, I went to the princess. She smiled at me. “I hope you didn’t mind my little joke at your expense.” I shook my head. “No, I earned that.” Princess Celestia winked and then tilted her head. She lowered it to peer curiously at my saddlebag. “Nothing is too big? What does that mean?” I pressed my lips together tightly to avoid laughing out loud. My hooves twitched and I took several slow, careful breaths. Easy. Easy. When I had some composure, I replied, “That no challenge is too big for me?” “Oh, how lovely. Ms. Banana’s work no doubt. That pony has a wicked sense of humor. I suspect when you say challenge, it may have a double meaning.” Oh come on! She knew, too? I happily shrugged and grinned. Then it hit me. “Wait, Princess, if class is done does that mean we’re done, too?” The alicorn’s ears flicked. “Isn’t that what you wanted, Sunny? To finish your classes, graduate, and move on?” “Well… yeah! Before I met you. I mean, I don’t love learning how to burn things but I like spending time together. I do want to graduate, though.” “I like spending time with you, too, but you should graduate. You should take the next steps into your life. If you would like, though, you can still come and visit me. I can see that you’re given a pass for the palace.” “You can do that?” I asked. “The last I checked, yes. Although sometimes my House Guard forgets I’m the sovereign. They have so many stuffy rules. I’m sure I can fit you in, however.” “That would be great!” I chimed before hugging her. Somepony behind me gasped. I gasped and let her go. “I’m so sorry!” The princess softly patted me on the head. “You’re fine. Now go have some cake and punch. This is meant to be a celebration.” “Yes, ma’am. Thank you for not executing me.” She laughed and shook her head. “Execute you? For a hug? Where do you little ponies come up with these ideas!” I shrugged and replied, “I dunno! Your guards are pretty scary outside of the school.” Then I went for cake. Who turns down free cake? ☼ Strong Wing had been very interested in the mentoring program. That wasn’t really my thing. Cloud Lance was enough to keep me busy when I saw him now and then. Despite that, when Strong and Melody asked me to go meet his new “little brother”, I’d agreed. He was nervous and worried that the colt wouldn’t like him or that it would be awkward. Melody thought if there was a group it might be easier. Of course, if it went well, we could go off and do our own thing. Melody had made me change before we left. Evidently mane down, coat glitter, and a tight t-shirt was not the appropriate attire for this occasion. One more reason not to be somepony’s big sister! The three of us were standing outside of Canterlot Preparatory School. Most of the other fillies and colts had gone home already. “Did we miss him?” I asked. “I don’t think so. He knows he is supposed to meet me,” Strong replied. I looked around. “He’s late. Not a good start.” Melody teasingly pushed me. “Careful, pot.” “I’m an adult! Mostly. I can be la—” “There he is,” Strong said, pointing at the top of the stairs and holding a picture up as if matching the two. The colt was fairly tall for his age. I figured he’d be off to Canterlot Academy or work soon. His coat was a reddish-brown and it was offset by a cream and red mane. He looked around curiously, spotting the group of us huddled adults, and came down the stairs. “You’re either Mr. Strong Wing or a tourist that has gotten really lost,” he said with a smile. Strong Wing put the photo away and offered a hoof. “That is me. Strong Wing. You must be Helical Gear?” “Yes, sir! Sorry I am late. I stay after sometimes to help Mr. Twitch with his projects. He is really into machines and we don’t get a lot of earth pony teachers here so I’m sure you understand. So, who’re they, your girlfriends?” he asked, pointing at Melody and I. Melody laughed and shook her head. At the exact same time I nodded eagerly. “Oh, yes, both of us!” That turned Strong’s face bright red. “No. She’s kidding. They’re friends of mine. That is Melody and this…” He motioned to me. “...is Sunny Day. She’s kind of a kidder.” “I am indeed!” “Cool! Me, too. So what are we going to do? Fly together? Learn Royal Guard secrets? Make machines?” Helical Gear then looked at Melody and I. “Although I guess they can’t fly. We could build a flying machine, though!” Strong chuckled and smiled. “Well, they’re going to go off and do some errands I think. You and I are going to head somewhere fun, figure out what sort of things you like to do, and make plans to do them next time. Although I’m getting a sense for it.” Helical Gear nodded. “Fair enough. I guess you should plan before starting.” “Smart thinking,” Strong replied before waving us off. “See you later, ladies.” “See you at home, sweetums!” I replied before giggling and wandering off. “Not helping,” Melody said with a grin. “Shouldn’t have brought me!”