Maud applied her makeup, making sure it looked perfect, just like she does every day. She brushed her mane, humming a tune that Pinkie somehow sent her in a letter. One thing she has learned from being around her family: never question Pinkie and her abilities to break physics. Ever.
"You're up quite early..." Crystal Geode sleepily commented as he rose from the bed, stepping near her. He smiled at the sight of her. "So... you have something to tend to?"
Maud shook her head. "I don't think so."
Geode nudged up against her. "Good. I have a suggestion."
Maud turned to him, an eyebrow raised. "Oh?"
Geode nodded. "Yes. How would you like... maybe... working at my shop? Like... actually getting paid instead of just volunteering?"
Maud blinked. "Oh... thank you for the offer, but-"
"You don't want to work with me?" He asked.
Maud shook her head. "It's not that, it's just... I have... another career in mind."
Geode looked at her, puzzled. "What is it? We don't have a rock farm here."
Maud's ears fell back on her face. "I know that." She said, though it sounded like a bit of a snap. "I want to be a teacher. Teach young ponies about rocks."
Geode slightly laughed. "I think the school has more than enough ponies asking for that position."
Maud's look turned into a glare as she turned her back on Geode. "Oh well. They're currently hiring for next year. I'm leaving now. I'll be getting an interview." She said as she felt a hoof on her back.
"Maud, I'm sorry, it's just... I've already got a great idea of what you would be doing if you worked with me, and..."
Maud turned back to him. "So you assumed? You guessed what I would choose?"
Geode looked to the floor. "Whoops..."
Maud turned. "I guess... I'll go have the interview. I'm sorry, but this is something I've been wanting to do ever since leaving geology school. Hopefully I'll get the position."
Silence was heard as Maud walked away.
"Good luck..." Geode said, causing Maud's ear to flick.
"Thanks." She replied as she stepped outside. The winter air was frigid, but she was alright. She was used to rock farming in these temperatures.
After walking for a short amount of time, guilt lumped in her throat. I could have at least given him a chance... I'm sure his ideal lifestyle was us doing everything together... I almost want to turn back... She thought to herself, looking back at the mansion. She then looked forward, and saw the Empire's castle brilliantly glistening in the sunlight. An idea instantly came into her head. Maybe...
She started trotting forward. She knew what to do: see Princess Cadance.
She knocked on the door to the princess' throne room, and was greeted by a familiar face. Crystalline smiled at the sight of her friend.
"Maud! Come on in!" She said as Maud entered, she managed a friendly smile towards Cadance. Cadance returned with a smile.
"Maud! Hello there! Is there anything you need?"
Maud started moving her hoof around the ground in circles. "I... came for love advice."
The guards turned to the princess, their eyes wandering. Cadance blinked before clapping her hooves together.
"Guards, you are dismissed," she said before Crystalline took off her helmet, giving her head a quick shake.
"Princess-"
"Crystalline." Cadance replied as Crystalline blushed.
"Whoops. I mean... Cadance?"
The princess smiled. "Yes?"
Crystalline's ears fell. "Well... I... I kinda need..."
"Advice?"
Crys sheepishly nodded. She then turned. "Oh, and can Maud stay in for when I ask for help? I mean... considering she's been in a relationship and everything..."
Maud nodded. "Sure thing."
Crystalline smiled, though it looked like she was troubled, before walking out into the hallway.
Cadance diverted her attention to Maud. "Now, Maud, what's the matter? Did something happen?" She asked, concern rising in her voice.
"Well... sort of..." Maud started. "I mean, I don't know what to do when I disappoint my coltfriend."
Cadance nodded, understanding. "That's understandable. Most young mares feel guilty the first time they disappoint their stallion."
Maud's tail flicked. "Well, it's not the first time."
Cadance blinked. "Oh." She said as she blushed from embarrassment. "Would you like to share what happened?"
Maud moved her hoof along the ground, wanting something to kick. "Well... today, I mentioned wanting to work as a geologist for the school here. To teach. And... Geode wanted me to work in his store. He's pretty disappointed that I declined the offer, and I feel bad. Should I work for him?"
Cadance shook her head. "Maud, if you want to be a teacher, be a teacher. Sure, his happiness might be important to you, but if he can't be happy for your success in another area, then he isn't a very good coltfriend."
These words hit Maud like a ton of bricks. Cadance quickly took notice of this.
"Oh my goodness, I didn't mean it to sound like that, I-"
"It's okay, I get what you mean," Maud said.
Cadance put forth the best smile she could muster. "Oh... okay, well... why don't you try to get a job interview at the school. If you really want to do this, don't let anypony else get in your way."
Maud smiled lightly. "Thank you. And should we get Crystalline?"
Cadance's wings ruffled as she remembered about her guard. "Oh, yes! Are you alright with calling for her?"
Maud nodded as she turned. "Sure thing," she said as she made her way to the door. She opened it slightly. "Crystalline, you may come in."
Crystalline walked in and shut the door behind her. She looked between Maud and Cadance before her form deflated.
"I... I don't know what to do..." she mumbled, looking to the floor.
Cadance jumped up from her throne, spotting the distressed look. "What happened?"
Crystalline looked up to Cadance. "Well... Uh... Gallant asked me out... and I said I'll get back to him... but... I don't know if I'm ready..." She turned to Maud. "Maud, when you started dating Crystal Geode, was it just because you thought he was cute? Or..."
Maud shook her head. "We started dating because we loved each other. He was the one the Choosing Stone led me to, remember? I helped him overcome an obstacle in his life, and because of that, he really opened up to me, and I opened up to him."
Crystalline raised a hoof. "Right!" She then turned back to Cadance. "And... I don't know what to do..."
Cadance lifted up the unicorn's head, whose eyes were on the brink of tears.
"Crystalline, do what your heart tells you."
Crystalline looked away from the princess. "But... I'm still slightly heartbroken over Flash... and... I..."
"Maybe this is a good opportunity to forget your thoughts about Flash. Do you like Gallant? I've seen you glance his way a couple of times; and that look in your eyes was distinguishable as admiration."
Crystalline's ears shot up and a blush spread across her cheeks. "Uh... well... sort of... I mean, I just thought he was cute a first, but... I don't know if there's anything else..."
Cadance gave a warm smile. "Well, give him a chance. Who knows? Something great could come out of it."
Crystalline's lips started to curve up into a smile. "T-thanks."
"No problem! Good luck with that!" Cadance said as she turned back to Maud. "As for you... good luck with your interview!"
Maud smiled back to Cadance. "Thanks. I might need it."
"Hello, I am Maud Pie, and would like to interview for a job as a geology teacher here at the Crystal Empire high school."
The mare across from Maud nodded her head, a small smile climbing her lips. "Geology? There aren't many ponies who apply for this job." She moved a few papers. "And, ironically, it appears that one of our geology teachers are leaving after this year ends. So, keep going. Where did you go to college and what degrees do you have?"
"I went to the Canterlot School for Geology. My major degree is in mining, identifying, and working with rocks, and my minor is teaching others about geology."
The mare wrote down a few notes. "Okay... how much experience do you have with high schoolers? Are you good with discipline?"
Maud thought for a moment. "Well... I don't have much experience with high schoolers, but I have experience with discipline. I am the second oldest out of four siblings, so I had to discipline my youngest sisters when they would get in trouble."
"Mm, okay. Where did you grow up?"
"I grew up in a rock farm outside of Ponyville."
The mare flashed Maud a smile. "Wow, so you've had experience with geology your entire life?"
Maud nodded. "That is correct, ma'am."
"Well, honestly, no one else applying for this position isn't nearly as... familiar with geology as you are."
Maud smiled. "Well, thank you."
The mare put her hooves on the table. "Well, there is another restriction we have on if you're a teacher here."
Maud's ears flicked. "Yes?"
"You have to be able to make your lessons fun in a way. We believe students absorb the information better if you connect with them or add some fun to the lesson. This will require getting to know the latest trends and always staying with it. Do you think you could do this?"
Maud nodded. "Probably. I'll be able to ask other teachers how they keep up with everything."
The mare giggled. "Oh, they all have ways of doing so." She then wrote the last of her notes. "Alright! Thank you for your time, Maud! I still have a few other ponies to evaluate, so... expect a letter within a few days that will explain if you got the job or not!"
Maud rose from the chair. "Thank you. I look forward to it."
"Hey, Maud?" Geode asked as he walked over to her, holding a piece of mail in his hooves.
"Yes?" She asked, looking up towards him.
"There's something for you, from... the Crystal Empire high school."
Maud jumped up. "Oh, yes." She said as she grabbed it. She opened it and read the contents. A smile climbed up her cheeks.
"Geode!"
"Huh?"
"I got the job!" She said as she showed him the paper.
"Really?! Congratulations!" He said, throwing his hooves in the air. "We need to have celebratory pancakes tonight!"
Maud put her letter on the table. "Can't say no to that. Though... I thought you would be upset... since I know for sure I won't be working with you when school starts next year..."
Geode nudged her. "Goodness, I wouldn't be a very good coltfriend if I wasn't happy for you! That's a ready great job!" He said as he enveloped her in a hug. Maud returned it, still smiling.
I think I've heard that somewhere before... she thought to herself.