Chapter 1 - Welcome
This wasn't the greatest job in the world, but hey, it payed the bills so you couldn't complain. It did have some downsides that could be unbearable at times you'd admit that. The stores had prices that would bring in mostly upper class ponies who would tend to be a bit snotty specifically calling unnecessary attention to your peculiar form, a human, as you were quite the oddity in their world.
Occasionally customers would start overdoing it at the sampling table and would start slugging it out with one another which thankfully bulkier members of your staff would take care of. And of course, there was always that one light weight who couldn't keep their liquor down, providing their own 'sticky' interior redecorating to the hard wood floors. So guess who had the honors of cleaning that shit up. You of course.
Regardless, you still got some down-to-earth ponies you could tolerate, and cleaning up vomit while dealing with drunks, isn't as frequent as you would think in a small town winery. And again, the pay was decent, so your not exactly crawling up the walls. However their was one pony you start to recognize as a reoccurring customer. quite easily too, she would show up four times a week , during breakfast, lunch and dinner, to swing by the sampling bar as well as purchasing at least six different types of whine and those small boxes of crackers and cheese.
You sat there remembering the mare. She had a scruffy looking, dark pink mane and tail with a complementary lighter shade for her coat. she had rose coloured eyes, and a cluster of grapes accompanied with a strawberry as her cutie mark.
"Heh, I guess that mark speaks for itself." you chuckle.
"Hey! Boy! look alive we have customers!"
You snap back to reality and notice a dapper looking pony in a expensive, deep blue business suite giving you a stern, frustrated look. It was your manager, "Big Business". Yeah, quite the name I know, As it would suggest, he would get on your back every time if he suspected you slacking off or doing something wrong, which 99% percent of the time, you apparently were.
"Better get back in there son. If I lose even a single bit because of your negligence, I won't be afraid to cut you loose! There are plenty of other ponies who are lined up for your job should your time here expire!"
Same threat as always.
"Sorry sir, I'm just a little tired, won't happen again." You smooth out your apron to make yourself more presentable, and tend to the next angry pony at the front counter demanding service.
The day eventually draws to a close, the store vacant, but still carrying the aroma of expensive calone and perfume in the air, empty cups and toothpicks scattered on crumb filled sample trays. You tend to the main floor, sweeping up the mess after a hard days work.
"Wow, who would've thought white-collar ponies could make such a mess. huh, Ponies are still ponies I guess." You chuckle to yourself.
While sweeping near one of the sampling tables you notice a saddle bag slouched against one of the legs. Inspecting it further, it was filled with some of the store's cheaper wine poking out of the edges of the flap securing the bag. Picking it up, you look for any name tag or ID, but nothing. You decide you would keep it under the front desk thinking the pony will come back tomorrow. Unfortunately the store didn't have a lost and found, probably because it would be beneath this fine establishment. You slide it under the cashier stand were hopefully no one else would see it, and head for the doors, closing up shop.
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The next day is slow, few ponies here and there but relatively dead for the most part. It was monday so everyon- err. Everypony was busy working. You didn't understand why the place had to be open this early, noponies getting wasted at 10 in the morning. Almost on cue, the door bursts open and a pink scruffy mare staggers into the store almost knocking over the tables and wine baskets.
"Wazz up- *hic* everypony! any of you's seen ma saddle bag? i - *gurgle* left here.. I think.."
You jump a few inches from your seat, eyes darting in her direction. You watch as she stagers over to the few customers in the shop. The ponies step back as she approaches them, afraid of her sudden behaviour. You snap out of what you are observing and call out to the mare still tripping all over herself trying to get an answer form the other patrons.
"Ummm, excuse me, miss?"
She looks in your direction, lidded eyes with bags underneath.
"I found a bag last night, I think it might be yours."
The mare made her way to the front counter still struggling to keep her balance as she did.
"Wh-why thank you mr. ape guy, I'v been look-"
Before she could finish her sentence, she dove head first towards the ground, clocking her head on the front of the counter. Every ones attention is at the cash register.
"Oh sweet Celestia, are you alright?!" you run from behind your post keeping your gaze fixed on the intoxicated earth pony.
"Guh hehe." the fandango mare started climbing back up while you helped pulling her torso helping her get level. You get a look at her head which has a notable minor cut along her forehead.
"I'm ok, hehe, just a little scratch, no biggie. Believe me worse things have happened to me. But thank you very much Mr. Monkey man, its nice to see there are stil- *BUUUURP* -Gentlecolts willing to help a lady out."
You wince looking at her cut. "Maybe we should clean that up a bit. We wouldn't want that getting infected."
"Awwww *hic* Why thank you sweet heart. You know, you're pretty attractive for a hairless ape." she slouched in you arms, her hooves sliding underneath her trying to keep her balance even though you were holding her.
"Please ma'am, your drunk."
You take her to the washroom and prop the door open helping her inside. You turn on the tap and start cleaning her cut, rubbing a wet cloth on her abrasion . after a few minutes of cleaning her wound you notice she has been starring at you since you started.
"Something wrong?" you ask.
She blinks returning her attention to your question.
"Oh nothing, i uh- just never seen a human before."
You sigh, "Yeah I know i'm a little strange looking but I think and feel just like you." You snappily say.
"Oh I didn't mean it like that, I just meant it's interesting to see something I never have before."
You snicker a bit at her getting flustered. You have to admit, it was pretty cute, even if she reeks like alcohol. You bring her back to the front of the store, while pulling her saddle beg from under the cash register.
"OH HEY THATS IT!! Thank you!!" The mare cheered, grabbing the beg and inspecting it's contents."Everything is still here too, thank Celestia, I didn't have to buy new wine!"
The earth pony sling her bags over her back using her teeth, nearly bumping into more tables to her side.
"Thank you so much for holding onto my bag Mr. Ape man!"
"Not a problem, try not to hurt yourself ok?"
The mare giggled brushing her tail side to side.
"I think you'll find I am a fully grown mare Mr. Ape man. I can take care of myself."
The mare turned and made her way to make her leave, bumping into the side of the doorway on the way out.
You sat there in awe as to what you just witnessed. As you stared on, A cyan pegasus made her way to your counter while looking on in the same direction.
"Hehe, quite the mare isn't she." The rainbow mane pony chuckled.
"Quite the party animal." you laugh
"Thats Berry Punch, She's not so much a partier as she is a drinker, there aren't any AA meetings in all of Equestria that can help that mare. You see her a lot like that, don't worry you get used to it, I'm Rainbow Dash by the way, welcome to Ponyville."
"Rainbow Dash?" you ponder. It's no surprise that her name gets passed around town, she was one of the best fliers around here, possibly most of Equestria.
"Wow it's nice to finally meet you, I wouldn't think this place was your scene."
"Yeah, it isn't, i'm just pinking some wine up for a friend's birthday party. I myself prefer cider but she gets enough of it on her farm."
You rang up her purchase and sent her on her way.
"see ya around Human guy!"
You wave to her still lost in thought.
"Berry Punch, what a interesting gal."