Clark Luscon was a polite and well-mannered man. He was raised to say "please" and "thank you", he kept his house clean and he had taken great care of his parents until they died.
After his parents' passing, Clark Luscon inherited the family business. It was a big business, filling half a skyscraper with offices. Clark Luscon was the CEO. He was the boss. He decided what kind of paperwork his employees had to do. He decided which million dollar deals were worth it, and which weren't. He also decided what his staff had for lunch.
Fluttershy was a polite and well-mannered pony. She was raised to say "please" and "thank you", she kept her house clean and she took great care of any animal that asked for help.
Fluttershy never inherited anything, simply because no one had died yet. So she had her own animal shelter, a place where everyone was welcome, as long as they didn't eat each other. Fluttershy was the owner. She also was the friend of all the animals. She made sure they had enough to eat. She made sure they had a safe place to sleep. She also made sure that every animal had at least one fluffy pal to cuddle with.
Clark was quite content about his life. He had a great income, a beautiful big apartment in the middle of New York, and his job was safe and steady.
Clark liked safe and steady.
Some mornings he had trouble getting out of bed. He didn't know the reason for this, but he figured it had something to do with his age. His hair was turning gray, slowly but surely. He had wrinkles in his face and he sometimes saw his eyes looked a bit droopy. This did not worry him, since he had enough money for every surgery he could ever want. But it sometimes did stop him from getting out of bed with a smile on his face.
Fluttershy was very happy with her life. She had plenty to eat, an adorable cottage built in a tree, and her friendships were safe and steady.
Fluttershy liked safe and steady.
Some mornings she had trouble getting out of bed. She did know the reason for this, it was simply because she feared what social situations she might encounter that day. Ponies sometimes thought they were allowed to cut in front of her in a line, or they laughed when she tripped. This did not worry her, since she was friends with the tough and awesome Rainbow Dash who stood up for her every time somepony treated her unfair. But it sometimes did stop her from getting out of bed with a smile on her face.
Clark liked to get up early. It was four in the morning when his alarm went off. He rolled over, groaning, his age pestering him again. He wondered if he could stay in bed all day and if anyone would miss him. He could do whatever he liked, he was Clark Luscon. But people would call him. Ask him where he had gone.
He silently cursed smartphones, tablets and laptops. Those miracles had turned his life into a social hell. Everyone could talk to him at any time of the day. And he had to answer them. Always. Because if he turned off his two phones (house and office), his tablet and his laptop, they would come knocking on his door.
Clark decided that today, he hated people.
Fluttershy liked to get up early. Angel had woken her up with cuddles and kisses and her furry friends had made her breakfast. She did not know what time it was, but that didn't matter. On this winter morning, it was still dark outside, but the cottage was filled with candles and fireflies. Fluttershy couldn't wait to go outside.
She quietly fluttered down the stairs, so she wouldn't wake up the still sleeping animals. Those miracles had turned her life into social heaven. She couldn't live without them. Every animal could come to her at any time of the day. And she had to answer them. Always. Because she was Fluttershy and this was what she loved doing.
Fluttershy decided that today would be the best day in her life.
Clark Luscon lived alone for reasons. Good reasons, or so he thought himself. A wife would demand attention and time and he simply couldn't give that to her. Children would tire him and ask even more. And a dog would be nice, if Clark didn't hate animals.
'Taxi!' Clark yelled. He had to put one of his two briefcases on the pavement so he could hold up his hand. Fortunately, the taxi stopped and Clark got in.
'Good morning sir, where are we going today?' the taxi driver asked.
'Luscon building, 222 Left Street,' Clark replied.
'Ah, working for great Mr. Clark?'
Clark sighed. 'I guess you could say that.'
'I heard he's a boss from hell.'
Clark Luscon didn't say anything.
'It's extremely cold in the building. Like, always,' the taxi driver continued. 'It's ridiculous. And there are no plants, no paintings, anywhere!'
'Where did you hear this?' Clark asked.
The taxi driver hummed three notes before replying, 'Oh, sometimes I drive his employees to work.'
The rest of the taxi drive, none of the men said a word.
The cab stopped in front of a tall building with "Luscon Company" in big brown letters on the front, above the double door.
'We're here. Have a great day, eh...'
'Luscon,' Luscon replied. 'Clark Luscon.' He slammed the door shut and walked through the doors with big angry steps.
'Good morning my angel,' the yellow pegasus pony sang. Her bunny friend sat on her shoulder while she was still in bed. Tapping his feet, he waited for breakfast.
'Don't worry, I'll get out of bed in a second.'
She climbed out of bed, spread her wings and glided down the stairs, as usual, making sure that none of her sleeping animal friends would wake up. She quietly trippled past a bear sleeping on her living room carpet - one that Rarity made for her from fabric leftovers, completely recycled and eco-friendly. With Angel on her back, she reached the kitchen, only to discover a family of mice had fallen asleep in her salad bowl.
'Uhm... I'm sorry, little mice...' Fluttershy whispered. 'Eh, hello?'
One of the mice woke up and squeaked.
'Yes, yes,' Fluttershy replied. 'This is Angel's breakfast bowl. We, eh, we'd appreciate it if you would find a different place to sleep.'
The mouse woke up his family and they climbed out of the bowl. The smallest one waved at Fluttershy as he followed his family across the counter, down the lamp cord, and into a hole in the wall.
'Now, Angel. Would you like radishes or lettuce today?'
It was Clark's secretary's birthday. Her office - a small room next to Clark's - was decorated with balloons and a banner that said "Clarice 30". Clarice had brought muffins for the people who worked on her floor, but she didn't bring enough for everyone.
'Good morning mister Luscon,' she said and smiled, holding his door for him.
'Morning Clarice. Happy birthday.'
'Thank you, sir,' she replied. She knew Clark didn't really care about birthdays or other celebrations, but it was nice that he acted like he did. She just hoped he wouldn't notice the empty plate, where only a few crumbles were left of the stack of muffins she had brought in earlier.
Fortunately, Clark walked right past the plate and fell down into his huge leather chair. Today would bring three things. One, paperwork. Two, million-dollar deals. And three, employees complaining about how much (or rather, how little) they were paid.
Clark was not entirely ready.
Sweetie Belle turned eleven today. As the middle one of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, it left Scootaloo as the only one who was ten years old. The Carousel Boutique was decorated Pinkie-style, with balloons, banners, rainbows, flags, confetti, and of course a huge cake that looked like the Cutie Mark Crusader logo. Sweetie was kind enough to invite everypony from her class, including Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Maybe she'd get a cutie mark in forgiving bullies.
'Happy birthday, Sweetie Belle,' Fluttershy said. 'I brought you a present!'
With her newfound magic, Sweetie levitated the wrapped package to the table and dropped it there, a little clumsy still. 'Thank you Fluttershy!' she shrieked. 'I'll unwrap it in a bit, when everypony has arrived.'
Fluttershy took a seat next to Rainbow Dash and Rarity. 'She's growing up so fast!' she exclaimed. 'I can't believe she was only seven years old when we guys met!' She sat down with a small piece of cake, not wanting to eat too much and feel guilty about the others. This day would be lovely. There would be music, singing, dancing and delicious treats from Sugarcube Corner.
Fluttershy was ready.