"Knock, knock," Rare Chance said as he pushed open the door to Magnate's office. "Have a moment?"
Magnate quickly rose to his hooves. "Of course, sir."
Rare Chance chuckled, waving a hoof as he walked inside, the door shutting behind him. "Sit, sit. I'm your boss, not a princess."
Magnate responded with a polite laugh before sitting back down. Laugh for the boss. It was right there in his job description between 'Put together reports' and 'Give presentations on reports'. He had just neglected to see it when he accepted the position.
"I just came to let you know that the yearly reviews are coming up. You know what that means." Rare Chance tapped a forehoof on the desk. "This year might be your year."
His year. Magnate's chest swelled with pride. He had been working toward that promotion for so long, and it sounded like this year was finally the one.
"Thank you, sir." Magnate smiled. "I look forward to my review."
Rare Chance opened his mouth to speak further, but paused. His gaze drifted away from Magnate's, and Magnate tried to follow its direction.
And that was when he saw it.
Taped to the side of his stapler was a red paper heart, and on it were the words, "You can do it!"
"What's this?" Rare Chance asked, his brow raising.
Magnate had never felt his face so hot as his magic ripped the note off the stapler, crumpled it up, and tossed it in the bin. "Nothing! A joke. Just a prank. It's nothing. Nothing at all."
Rare Chance's brow remained up before he chuckled. "Pranks! It's good to see you're finally getting along with your coworkers. Keep it up!" He tapped the desk again. "Keep it up."
Though he was certain his face was still red, Magnate tried to smile with utmost professionalism. "Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."
Waiting until his boss had left and he was alone again, Magnate raised his hooves to his burning face. Lovey! How did she even get that there? When had she broken into his office? Why?
No, he didn't have time to think about this. He had to get the presentation ready for the end of the week. He'd just have a talk with Lovey after he got home. She'd probably be in his apartment waiting for him, anyway. Probably with dinner ready.
Unbidden, a smile had spread across his face. He realized that when he saw a few of his coworkers pressed up against the glass that separated him from them.
"What?" he mouthed, and his ears flattened back when they all responded with exaggerated smiles. "Get back to work!" He waggled his hooves. "Slackers!"
This was ridiculous! Yes, he would definitely have to talk to her. For now, however, work needed his focus. His magic pulled the calculator closer, only to reveal a pink paper heart had been hiding underneath it.
"You're the best!" the note said.
"Lovey," Magnate grumbled. He started to toss it in the trash bin with the first, but hesitation gripped him. Instead, he levitated the red heart out, the crumpling undoing itself as it joined the pink one in hovering in front of him.
"You can do it!" Lovey's voice said in his mind as he read her hoofwriting over again. "You're the best!"
The smile started to return. It was completely unprofessional, but it was a nice gesture on her part. She meant well, after all. He pulled open a drawer and went to drop the notes in it instead of the bin and froze when he found yet another heart.
"I love you!" the note exclaimed.
Magnate rose from his seat and glanced about his office. All right, now this was becoming less sweet and bordering on ridiculous. Just how many of these hearts had she hidden?
It turned out she had hidden thirty-seven. Or, rather, he could only find thirty-seven. It was such an odd number that he feared for how many he was still missing. "Don't give up!" had been hiding inside a folder. "Hi Handsome!" was inside the lampshade. "Don't work too hard!" fell out of a book. The list went on and on!
"Magnate?" a voice asked from the door. Magnate jolted upright from where had been crawling under his desk, narrowly avoiding hitting his head against the underside, and saw one of his coworkers standing there.
Who was it? Sealed Deal? Magnate frowned. "Yes?"
"Are you all right?" Sealed Deal tried to smile. "You've been tearing your office apart for the past hour. Did you lose something?"
"The past hour?!" Magnate jumped out from under the desk. He stared at the clock in shock. "Why didn't you stop me sooner?!"
Sealed Deal's attempt at a smile failed and fell. "Because you always say to never interrupt you unless it's important."
"Losing an hour of work is important!" Magnate hurried around to sit down and pulled his reports toward him. "An hour!" He scowled. "What a waste!"
Oh, he was going to give her a piece of his mind. He needed work to be strictly about work! He had put far too much time and effort into this promotion to blow it by searching for pointless little notes. Quickly, his magic pulled a drawer open, stuffed the hearts in it, and, as he pushed it shut, he shoved the thought of them from his mind.
Magnate's gaze darted about the various papers in front of him. Bits... bonds... stocks... expense ratios... index funds... All of the information stared back at him in disorganized chaos.
"Knock, knock!" a much-too-cheerful voice chimed.
"What now?!" Magnate jerked his head up, then blinked.
Lovey stood in the doorway to his office, a little basket balanced on her back. "What now?" She giggled. "It's lunch now, silly!"
Magnate waved a hoof to gesture her in, glaring at the ponies who leaned out of their cubicles to look. "I pay for a pony to deliver my lunch. You know that."
"I don't know that!" Lovey reached up, grabbed the basket, and set it on his desk.
"Yes... Yes, you did. When we first met." He eyed the basket. A bunch of grapes poked out beside what looked like a wrapped sandwich.
Lovey giggled and shook her head. "That wasn't when we first met!"
"Okay, all right. But you still knew that." Curiously, his magic lifted the sandwich to see what was underneath it. A sugar cookie in a clear wrapping with a lopsided smiley face drawn on it in yellow icing.
"Oh, yes, I knew that!" She placed her forehooves on the desk and fluttered her wings. "But I don't know that."
He glanced up at her. "What? You just said you knew that, so of course you know that."
She shook her head, her silky pink tresses bouncing freely. "Nope!"
After a moment of waiting for her to explain—and, of course, she didn't—Magnate pressed, "Okay. So how did you knew that but not know that?"
"Because I cancelled the delivery service for you!" She beamed. "I can bring you lunches now, which means we can spend a little time together while you have your lunch break! So I knew you had it, but now I don't know it, because you don't!"
"You... cancelled..." He gave a long, drawn-out sigh as he tried to work through it all. She meant well. He just had to keep repeating that. She meant well. "I don't take a lunch break. I just eat while I work. That's why I have a sandwich delivered."
Lovey made a small 'o' with her lips, then nodded and dropped her rump down to sit on the floor. "That's okay!" She rested her chin on the edge of his desk. "I don't mind if you work."
His ears flicked back. She meant well. She just wanted to be with him. He could eat and work with her there and they'd both be happy. This could work. Giving her a smile, he bobbed his head. "Okay."
Just as his magic unwrapped the sandwich, Lovey asked, "So, what are you working on?"
This wouldn't work. He glanced between her and his calculator. "I'm trying to focus."
"Oh, right! Of course." She wiggled some to settle into a different position, keeping her head above the desk. Her mouth opened, but she quickly snapped it shut. She shifted again. Her mouth opened and closed.
He had to give her credit. For Lovey, she was doing really well. Unfortunately, every time she moved, he glanced at her. He couldn't help it. His productivity was dropping dramatically with her there.
"Lovey," he finally said, sighing and straightening up.
She perked straight up, much like an affection-starved dog. "Yes?"
"Why don't you go home?" He offered a smile. "We can have dinner at my place and I'll tell you all about my day. How does that sound?"
"Oh, okay!" Lovey jumped to her hooves. A few rapid, excited flaps of her wings lifted her off the ground. "That sounds great! I'll be waiting for you, then, darling!" Before he had a chance to react, she flew over his desk, kissed him, then zipped out of his office.
That uncomfortable heat crawled back into his cheeks and he ducked his head when he saw eyes staring at him through the glass. Ponyfeathers. How could she be so casual about everything? He shifted in his seat and ran a hoof through his mane to smooth it out. They were going to have to have a talk, but for now, he needed to work... once he stopped blushing.
His ear flicked at the sound of laughter. That was abnormal. He looked up and gawked at the most unfortunate sight out in the main room.
Lovey was surrounded by all of his coworkers. She was talking to them. They were talking to her! Oh, Celestia, what kind of things was she saying? Some of them were laughing! His hooves couldn't move fast enough to get him around his desk and to the door.
"Lovey!" he shouted, unfortunately bringing all the attention to him. "Go home!"
"Aww," a few of the ponies around her said as Lovey squealed and fluttered over to the elevator. For the most part, the crowd dispersed, but that one stallion who was always talking to Magnate approached.
"Lovey, huh?" Deal... Striker? Deal Whoever grinned. "She's a real cutie, Magnate! Congrats! What's her name?"
Magnate's ears flattened to the side. "Her name is Lovey Dovey. Don't you have work to do?"
"Yes, but—"
"Then perhaps you should get back to it if you want to get anywhere in your career," Magnate snapped as he turned to retreat back into his office. These laze-abouts were too complacent. They were happy with their meager paychecks and content to underachieve. Well, not Magnate, he—
Just barely loud enough for Magnate to hear, Deal grumbled in a low and bitter voice, "What does a pony like her see in him?"
The door swung shut, leaving Magnate alone in his office. He stood there, blinking a few times. Why did his chest hurt from a few simple words? He'd heard worse said about him before. Slowly, his gaze fell to one of the heart-shaped pieces of paper that hadn't made it into his drawer.
In silly, curly hoofwriting, the little pink heart tried to assure him, "You're the best!"
But was he really?
yay, more lovey is always good!
Yes you are Magnate, just give it time and you'll see you love your little pegasus.
Oh dear. Being torn between one's two loves is never pleasant.
I always love to see more Lovey!
Somewhere else in the city an arts and crafts pony is busy counting their stacks of bits courtesy of Lovey Dovey.
It seems Lovey has trouble with boundaries. She's a sweet filly, means well and all that, but she seems to have trouble with social cues.
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Ah, but does he really love work? Or does he love to be happy and is conflating a good performance review with happiness because he doesn't actually know what makes him happy and he never bothered to try finding out because there was always so much work to do and he was always busy so he must have been happy being why would he do something that didn't make him happy unless it was so he could ignore that gnawing pit of loneliness in his chest that no amount of paperwork could ever hope to fill?
Anyway, food for thought.
I hate such questions. Ponies like Magnate deserve unconditional love too. More so than others...
Everypony deserve love. Even the grumpy ones. Just ask Cranky.
7272814 Agreed. ponies, and by extention people like that, are the lonliest because they dont feel it... Its a shame. Needless to say it should be interesting to see how it plays out -offers some fine aged wine-
Lovey is a riot, I love seeing her antics. And how she drives the poor stallion abit batty, but then again I feel he could use it
Lovey is adorable, though I admit, I wouldn't personally like a girlfriend like her. it would drive me nuts. Still, reading about her antics is always a joy.
Also, for those who don't know, there is a Quill and Blade live Q&A tomorrow. Details can be found here.
I want to see this "The Talk" too, because Lovey is all kinds of ridiculous...
I just hope Magnate can curb his brusqueness during the course of it.
7272814
As snide as that instance was, it can be a valid question. I don't know what she sees in him. That's what this story is about though, right? We assume they're going to meet up at some point (personality- and life-wise) and truly become a part of each others' lives. But right now it's just her injecting herself wholesale into his life.
What does she see in him, other than the love line?
(On a related note, I can think of at least one instance where I've legitimately wondered that question in real life.)
Just be slightly less grouchy, Magnate, and all will be fine.
Or, you know, aim for good natured grouchy as opposed to just plain grouchiness grouchy.
7273595
He is ambitious, which I despise being often depicted as a flaw. He is dutiful, willing to do efficient work in a mundane, tedious environment even. That is a testimony to the strength of his character. He is organized... well, bar when he has to deal with countless notes from Lovey... Responsible, reasonable, logical. He seems a bit anti-social, but that is not a vice. He seems like a good, stable pony, one that can become an anchor for somepony slightly out of touch with reality, like Lovey.
The "what" that has to be seen in a person to love them does not always have to be gallant chivalry, or sappy sentimentality, or even boundless romanticism. Sometimes we simply need someone... dependable.
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Now I really want to see him be good-naturedly grumpy.
"Hey! HEY! What're you young underwriters doing hanging out in my doorway? Git. Git!" He brandishes a ruler. "Lazy layabouts, the lot of you."
Grumbles some more as he sits down at his desk. Out of the corner of his eye he notices his coworkers still outside the office.
"Didn't I say 'git'?!" He grabs a rubber band and a pencil, using the pencil to stretch out the rubber band like he's going to fling it at the closest pony.
His coworkers skedaddle while giggling/chuckling. He smiles too.
TBH, as much as I enjoy reading about Lovey's antics, I wouldn't like someone like her as a friend or more as I can't stand high energy people or those who don't respect personal space.
I can understand how Magnate must be feeling. He just has a different perspective of what to expect out of work and others. He is projecting his notion onto others. I'd be worried about him if he didn't get the promotion because he probably wouldn't understand why (as he would feel he's done everything correctly based upon his own beliefs). Should be interesting if Lovey can get through to him.
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7272615 Sometimes I just gotta write that Lovey Dovey! And that Magnate. They're both actually really fun to write.
7272645 I think they both have some issues of their own to work through!
7272647 Especially when the two just don't seem to mesh!
7272659 I always love to write more Lovey!
7272670 Hahahaha. "I need a hundred sheets of red and pink craft paper, stat!"
7272753 Boundaries? True love knows no boundaries!
7272763 Ahh, I love it when you get all analytical on characters. You're so good at it!
7272814 It's an extremely hurtful question for anyone to hear, especially folks who are already thinking it to themselves.
7272932 Exactly!
7272953 He needs a little Lovey Dovey, and she needs a little Magnate! They both just need to be a little more like each other to balance themselves out...
7273193 Oh, gosh, as fun as she is to write, I think I'd have a low tolerance for being around her. I could see either finding her really funny, or REALLY annoying.
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7273595 The talk will be soon! Well, soon in the story. With the infrequent updates, soon may not be super soon for us, but... soon!
7273774 Hahahaha. "good-naturedly grumpy" I am putting that on Magnate's resume as his goals for the year.
7274894 It would be pretty hard for him to get passed over for a promotion, wouldn't it?
7275398 True love may not know boundaries, but it also knows how show respect for personal space.
7275398
I got to thinking about it after reading this, Crystal, and I've come to the conclusion that I'd probably find a way to cope if a girl like Lovey flounced her way into my life. I mean, when does that ever happen? Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, y'know?
Magnate doesn't know what he's got, so maybe what we need is someone who speaks his language.
"Magnate, I have some advice from one go-getter to another. It's not every day that a new customer with massive earning potential waltzes in through that door, steps up to your desk, and announces that they have the deal of a lifetime for you. Yes, it seems an unlikely scenario, but it does happen on occasion. Don't let how strange some of the contractual conditions are stop you from seizing a golden advancement opportunity, Magnate, because right now I don't think you can see the pony for the pink."
(I just really want to use that terrible last line! Wheeeeeee! )
7275398
Analytical? Me? Oh, Crystal, sweetheart, I don't analyze anything! That could be construed as giving advice and would open me up to all sorts of legal liability.
I just talk. When I talk and what I say happens to seem like a commentary on a present situation, it's just coincidence.
What you meant to say was that you love it when I get all coincidental on your characters.
This is a cute story. Looking forward to updates
Heh, Magnate's boss thinks he's pulling the pole out of his butt.
Boss is sort of right, but doesn't know the cause.
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡° ) hue
Could it be that adorable, little pink mare? Gee, I'm not sure.
Lovey Dovey is as wild and crazy as Pinkie Pie...
"better make sure she never meets Pinkie", as someone said in "Shifting melodies".