Twilight schedules Crescent's first job and Crescent isn't very happy about it.
Crescent has spent years having each day the same down to the minute. Every moment was scheduled for her at Canterlot Mental. Now is her first day of work and she's looking forward to a day where she gets to make her own decisions. Unfortunately Twilight wants to make sure this day goes off without a problem, and schedules things accordingly. What will Crescent do?
Crescent Moonbeam woke up and stretched. She smiled, she’d been in Ponyville for a week now and nothing had happened. She’d been able to meet Twilight’s friends some more and had spent a few lunches with Derpy.
All of it had been organized or chaperoned by Twilight, and had been thankful for that. Ponyville was very different from the hospital, and it had somethings Crescent had needed to get used to, Twilight had helped a lot with that, but she felt she would be alright now if Twilight would let her..
Crescent smiled again as she remembered that her job started today. Finally something I’ll get to do by myself. She stretched again andthe door burst open.
“Aaahh!” Crescent yelled flailing around in her blanket. She fell over and the blanket tangled itself up around her. “Mmpfmghfmlh.” Crescent said muffled as she tried to unwrap herself once again.
“Good morning Crescent! It’s time to get ready for your first day of work!” Crescent recognized Twilight’s voice. The blanket was illuminated by a purple glow and pulled away from Crescent. Crescent fell out onto the floor slightly surprised.
She sat up rubbing her head. “Good morning to you too Twilight. And I was already up, you could have just knocked.”
“Well I’m just excited. As your Mentor, it’s my job to get your life situated and your first job is a wonderful opportunity.” Twilight said enthusiastically pulling a scroll out from behind her. Crescent’s eyes widened as Twilight let the scroll unroll to the floor and bounce a few times across the room.
“I’ve got it all planned out. Get up was the first one on the list.” Twilight turned the list around to show Crescent the first box as she checked it off. She pointed to the next box. “Next is to get ready for the day. I’ve separated that one into different stages to account for everything we need to do.” Crescent pulled the scroll close and eyed the bulleted list with dismay. She hadn’t put her glasses on yet, so she needed to squint to read it.
“Cosmetics? I don’t have any with me, and why do you have stretching on here? Meditation?” Crescent asked looking over the different items.
Twilight smiled off to the side looking a little abashed. “Well I didn’t know exactly what kind of morning routine you had, so I just planned for everything.” Twilight explained.
Crescent looked up from the scroll relaxing her eyes. “Thanks Twilight. I’ll be there for breakfast just give me a second.” Crescent said stretching.
“We’ll be waiting, you can keep the checklist in case you want to look over it. I have a copy.” Twilight smiled and trotted out of the room.
Crescent blinked and looked over the list again. “She has a copy of this.” She muttered unbelievingly, setting it off to the side.
Crescent reached over to the shelves and put her glasses on. A few books and papers were scattered over the shelves now, Crescent had only half-heartedly unpacked so far. She pulled the medicine jar and spoon off the cupboard and took her daily spoonful for the day.
She grimaced and her horn sparked. She looked up at it worriedly. “I really should ask Zecora or maybe even Twilight why that happens. It is interesting.” She mumbled, stood up, and headed for the bathroom.
She mumbled to herself while she finished getting ready. “An entire checklist. Just for getting ready? It’s starting to feel like the hospital all over again.” She brushed a tangle out of her mane sighing. “It’s alright. She can’t possibly schedule everything. Right?” She smiled at herself in the mirror. Her mismatched eyes looked back. “Right.” She responded, adjusting her glasses She gave her mane and tail one last brush and headed off for breakfast.
Crescent kept talking as she walked to breakfast. “It won’t be like that. It won’t be thirty minutes of free time, then group therapy until twelve, then thirty minute lunch, then Awareness Practice for two hours, and a meeting with Dr. Silver Remedy. It won’t be like that.” She crossed through the castle until she found the stairs again.
She stopped at the top of the stairs and looked at the banister. She looked around. Nopony was around and she always wanted to try this. “Why not.” She said and hopped on, sliding down the banister. She grinned as she slid down, and leaped off the end with a little shout of surprise. She skidded across the floor into a wall.
“Crescent!” Spike rushed up from down the main hall. He helped Crescent up. Crescent shook her head and fixed her glasses. “Are you alright?” Spike asked as they walked towards breakfast. “What did you do?” Spike asked opening the door.
“I tried sliding down the banister. I didn’t think it’d be that hard.” She admitted looking over her shoulder.
Spike laughed quietly and patted her side. “Don’t worry about it. I tried it once too.”
Twilight had a book propped open and was reading while she ate cereal. She looked up when they walked in and instantly raised a checklist over the table and ticked a box off. “Excellent. Now we can move on. Breakfast.” She said and waved them over.
Spike walked over and took a bowl off the table. He filled it with some cereal and milk and began crunching noisily. Crescent looked over the table for a second. Cereal? She thought a little sadly.
Just like the hospital again. She shook herself and walked over to the table. She grabbed a bowl. What was I expecting? Of course they eat cereal! At least they aren’t pouring it for me. She thought.
“Here let me get that for you Crescent.” Twilight levitated the cereal box.
Crescent snatched the box out of the air a little hastily. “No!” Twilight and Spike looked at her surprised. Crescent looked abashed and poured the cereal into her bowl. “Sorry. I like to pour my own cereal.” She muttered and started eating.
“That’s alright. Though you could have just said something.” Twilight said looking back at her list. Crescent crunched through her cereal.
“After breakfast we’ll head to the post office so we’ll have plenty of time to figure out the rest of your schedule.” Twilight said looking over the checklist again.
Crescent stopped mid crunch, nearly choking. Twilight and Spike looked over at her as she coughed. “The rest of my schedule?” She asked.
“Yes. One of the best ways to make a good first impression at a job is to-” Twilight pointed at the book she was reading. “show good organization and consistency in your performance.” Twilight quoted. Spike rolled his eyes and Crescent felt a little bit of worry creep into her.
“What kind of Mentor would I be if I let you go to your first day of work unprepared, and with this list, you won’t forget anything!.” Twilight ate some more cereal. “You won’t have to worry about anything. It’ll all be right here for you to check, and if you ever get behind I’ve included some hints to help you get back on track.” Another bite of cereal, she looked over at Crescent.
“Where’s your list? Did you forget it upstairs?” Twilight asked.
“I guess I did” Crescent responded moodily. She stood up and sighed. “I’ll go get it.” At least she could do something a little off schedule.
“No problem. Let me do it.” Twilight’s horn shimmered and the list popped into existence on the table before Crescent could protest.
Crescent sat back down and ate silently, hoping the rest of the day would be better. I’ll be sorting mail. Not terribly interesting, but it was surprisingly enjoyable. Crescent smiled, remembering Derpy knocking all the scrolls and packages over. I’ll get to see her again too. Crescent finished the rest of her cereal.
Twilight looked at the clock. She checked a box off the checklist. “Excellent. We should get going now.”
Crescent stood and checked the clock, then stopped. “Twilight. It’s seven.”
“Yes! Plenty of time to head for the post office and get situated and make the rest of the schedule.” Twilight smiled, winding her checklist back up and walking to the door.
“The rest of my schedule.” Crescent muttered and picked up the list Twilight had made her. She groaned as she followed towards the door.
“What’s wrong Crescent?” Spike walked up beside her. They crossed to the main room where Twilight was waiting.
Crescent looked at Twilight who was looking over the rest of her list and smiling. Crescent shook her head. “Nothing Spike. It’ll be alright.” She half muttered to herself. Spike looked at her skeptically.
“What?” She looked back at Spike.
Spike shook his head. “I’ve heard that before, and let me tell you, if you have something you want to tell Twilight, tell her.” Spike pointed at Twilight. Crescent watched Twilight as they walked closer.
“Um, Twilight?” Crescent asked as they walked up.
“One second. I realized I had part of the list duplicated. You’d have been going in circles if I hadn’t noticed.” Twilight squinted at part of her list and scribbled it out.
Crescent stood there for a second while Twilight fixed the list. Spike motioned for her to ask. She looked back at Twilight, who was looking over the list again. Spike made a more frantic motion. “Um, excuse me for a second.” Crescent dashed off to one of the side rooms without waiting for a response. She closed the door and started pacing.
“What can I say? She just wants to be a good Mentor. What do you say to that? I’m sorry Twilight, but could you back off? I really think I’ll be alright and your lists are making me anxious.” Crescent shuddered. Lists and schedules, how much of her life had been lists and schedules until now.
“I thought I’d seen my last list when I came here. Yet no I find out that cousin Twilight is the Princess of lists as well as friendship. Like the fact that she has the entire library organized and cross referenced seven times over.” She muttered. Everything she’d done had been on a list. Everything had been on a schedule. All those attendants, doctors, and even other patients all standing, waiting, making sure you never left the schedule.
“Still, she is trying to help. I can’t blame her for that. I did ask her to be my Mentor after all and this is how she thinks. You can’t blame someone for trying to help you, even if you dislike how they do it.” Crescent paced around the room anxiously.
“So do I tell her? How do I tell her? I mean it is just a list, what will she think if I get this upset over a list? I don’t think she’d write the hospital about that, would she?” Crescent stopped imagining the letter showing up on Dr. Remedy’s desk and her being recalled to the hospital. Crescent shook the image from her head.
“No she wouldn’t do that. Still... I don’t want her to think I don’t appreciate what she’s doing…” She started pacing again, muttering the whole time.
Spike opened the door. “Um, Crescent, are you alright?” He asked.
Crescent stopped pacing and breathed. “Yes, I think I am.” I’ll just get to work, smile, wave goodbye and then ignore the list the rest of the day. Crescent nodded to herself. “Yes, I’ll be alright Spike.”
Spike raised an eyebrow. “What? I’ll be fine. What do you think could happen?” Crescent asked as they walked back to Twilight again.
Spike shook his head. “I don’t know, but the last few times something like this happened somepony regretted it.” Spike warned.
“Nothing like that will happen.” Crescent assured herself. “I mean what could possibly happen?” She asked as they reached Twilight.
“You might be surprised.” Spike muttered.
Twilight looked up from her list a little worried. “Okay we lost a little time, but we can make it if we hurry.” Twilight walked out the door at a quick pace. Crescent and Spike followed. Just ignore the list. You can go about your day after that. Crescent thought quietly in her head as they walked into Ponyville.
Crescent, Spike, and Twilight walked into Ponyville. Twilight was reading off a list, while Crescent looked around the town. She took a deep breath, it still felt nice to be outside and about. Canterlot Mental had been mostly inside, and when she’d had the weekends free with her parents, they’d still stayed inside mostly.
Ponyville was fairly quiet this time of the day. Only the shopkeepers and some of the stall ponies were really active, most everypony else was still waking up.
They walked through the quiet streets quickly. “Good, we’re back on track.” Twilight checked her list once again. Crescent rolled her eyes, but kept following.
“Alright we’re here.” Twilight stopped in front of the Post Office. A closed sign still hung on the outside of the door though you could hear somepony walking around inside. As they approached, Crescent could hear a mild grumbling from behind the door.
Crescent was a little apprehensive at the grumbling, but Twilight checked her list and smiled. “Right on time. Now onto introductions.” She opened the door and walked inside. Crescent remained outside. She kicked at the ground a little worried and combed few stray hairs back into her main.
Spike poked her in the side. “You should probably follow her.” Spike suggested. Crescent sighed and adjusted her glasses. She took a deep breath and trotted inside.
“Good day sir. This is your new employee, Crescent Moonbeam.” Twilight introduced Crescent as she entered. The stallion behind the counter had a mail cap on and a stack of scrolls in his hooves. He was pale yellow with a white mane and tail.
“Good morning.” He grumbled and set down the stack of scrolls. He motioned for Crescent to follow him into the back. Crescent hesitated for a second, Twilight nodded in the stallion’s direction. Crescent walked in after him. The stallion stood by a shelf in the back. He was grumbling to himself as he sorted through the shelf. Crescent walked over to him.
He spared her a glance then took a hat off the shelf. He flattened it out and handed it to her. “Should fit your horn.” He said as Crescent tried it on. It did fit her horn, as well as her mane, glasses, and most of her muzzle as it slipped over her face.
Crescent lifted it up so she could see. “It is adjustable you know.” The stallion said as he looked back through the shelves.
Crescent huffed. I’m not stupid you know. She rolled her eyes and felt around the back of the hat. There was the adjustable strap. She fiddled with it for a second or two trying to get it undone. She felt something take it from her hooves and slip it tight, setting it snugly against her head.
She turned around to see Twilight peeking through the door. Twilight winked, Crescent nearly glowered, but stopped herself in time. She’s just trying to help. Crescent assured herself. I still could do it myself. Stop thinking that. Crescent shook her head and readjusted her glasses.
“Will these fit?” The stallion asked holding a pair of saddlebags. Crescent took them and slipped them on. She adjusted the straps and felt the weight of the bags. They’ll do fine. Though why do I need them for sorting? Crescent thought.
The stallion nodded. “Good. Now, I’m Abacus Slate. I manage the Ponyville Post. I understand you’re the applicant?” He asked. Crescent figured a nod would do just fine and did so. Abacus continued. “Alright. I know you applied for work as a sorter specifically, but most ponies will do most jobs. So you’ll start off sorting, but you’ll be delivering some letters this afternoon. Is that alright?” He asked.
Well that explains the saddle bags. Crescent thought. I don’t think delivering will be all that much worse than sorting anyways. Crescent nodded again.
“Alright then. Day starts at eight, that’s thirty minutes from now, so do whatever you’d like until then. I’ll train you when you start.” Abacus escorted Crescent to the front desk and gave her a shove past the desk towards the door. He stepped back into the back room, shutting the door behind him.
Crescent slid across the floor on her rear and hooves trying not to fall over. She stopped in front of Twilight, who was standing on tippy-hooves. She looked up at Twilight who was grinning. Twilight pulled out the list and handed to Spike. “Take notes.” She said. “So what’s your schedule like?! What are you doing first?! How do you sort letters properly?” She barraged Crescent with endless questions. Crescent assumed it was to fill out the rest of the schedule Twilight was planning.
“Um Twilight?” Crescent interrupted. Twilight stopped. Spike rolled his eyes and got ready for notes. Crescent looked around a little awkwardly and adjusted her new cap. “I’m not trained yet. He said to come back at eight.”
Twilight looked a little surprised and glanced over her list in dismay. “Great! Now the whole schedule will be off!” She sat on the floor glaring at her useless list.
Crescent nearly let a sigh of relief out, but stopped herself. I won’t have to deal with the list after all! Crescent coughed. Twilight was looking over her list with a keen eye. Spike spared a glance at Crescent and nodded at Twilight.
Crescent rolled her eyes, but Twilight started scratching her quill across the list with a look of determination and Crescent suddenly felt nervous again. “Um Twilight? What are you doing?” Crescent asked.
“I didn’t account for this, but if I move some of these around and revise my original estimates…” Twilight scribbled more furiously. Crescent watched as nearly the entire schedule was re-written right before her. Her heart fell as she watched.
She knew Twilight had good intentions, but she’d been looking forward to a day she could spend doing things herself. Spike nodded again and Crescent sighed. Crescent started to speak when a crash sounded outside the door. Crescent recognized it. Only one pony made crashes that sounded like that.
She flung the door open to see a mildly disheveled Derpy dusting herself off outside the door. “Derpy!” Crescent helped her off the ground and gave her a hug.
Derpy hugged her back. “It’s good to see you Cress! So you start today?” Derpy asked grinning.
“I sure do!” Crescent responded enthusiastically.
“Good! Have you met Mr. Slate yet?” Derpy tilted her head to the side.
“Yeah.” Crescent looked over her shoulder and leaned in close to Derpy. “Is he always like that?” She asked.
Derpy took the one step over to the post office door and started to pull it open. “What do you mean?” Derpy asked as she stepped through the door.
“Derpy!” Abacus shouted. Derpy jumped back through the door knocking Crescent over and sending them sprawling in a heap. Crescent blew her mane out of her face as they struggled to untangle themselves from each other. Derpy knocked her wings into Crescent more than once, and Crescent bonked her horn against Derpy several times.
Eventually they got untangled to find Abacus and Twilight looking down at them. Twilight looked worried and Abacus looked annoyed. Crescent readjusted her cap as she stood, trying to look presentable.
Derpy stood and saluted. “I’m here Mr. Slate Sir!”
Abacus shook his head and put a hoof to his forehead. “Yes you are. Derpy, I take it you know the newbie.” He gestured at Crescent.
Derpy nodded. “Sure do! I’m her recruiter!” She waved at herself.
Abacus checked over his shoulder at the town clock which chimed started chiming eight. He sighed and opened the door to the post office. “I’ll guess we’ll start your training. The Temps don’t get here till eight thirty anyways and Parcel has the day off.” He gestured Derpy and Crescent inside. They entered, Crescent silently thanked Celestia that Twilight wouldn’t be able to complete her list.
“Um sir?” Twilight said before the door closed. Crescent stopped in her tracks and tried not to look guilty.
Abacus looked over at Twilight. “Yes Princess?” He asked politely.
“I’m trying to help my cousin settle into Ponyville would you mind if I accompanied her for her training at least?” Twilight asked. Crescent desperately wished Abacus would say ‘no’, but she could tell he wasn’t going to deny her. He stepped aside and waved Twilight through the door.
Twilight quickly entered the Post Office, handing Spike a scroll and a hasty “Take notes.” The door closed and Abacus walked to the backroom. Derpy followed quickly careful not to disturb any of the stacks of paper. She still knocked over two of them trying to skirt others. Crescent nudged the scrolls back into piles as she followed. Twilight came in last with Spike following.
“Alright then.” Abacus took a deep careful breath and started explaining the many duties of a mail sorter. He even had pull down charts diagramming the parts of a letter.
Crescent sat with rapt attention for the first few minutes, hoping Twilight would notice and decide the list wouldn’t be needed, but eventually she found herself drifting as Abacus began a detailed description of proper sorting techniques. Twilight moved closer to get a better view of the diagram.
Derpy flopped against Crescent, nearly snoring, jolting her back awake. Crescent nudged Derpy the other way trying to wake her up. Derpy tipped upright and then further falling over the other direction. Crescent caught Derpy before she hit the floor, she spared a glance at Twilight to see if she noticed, and cautiously set Derpy upright. She let go of Derpy and turned her attention back to Abacus.
“Now the stamp must be placed in proper accordance with-” Derpy fell into Crescent again. Twilight kept watching Abacus and Spike was busy taking notes, so nopony noticed. Crescent tried to lean Derpy back upright only to have her fall back at her. Crescent caught Derpy and set her upright again. She looked back at Abacus.
Whoomph! Crescent turned around and saw Derpy sprawled out on the floor behind her. She looked at Twilight. She knew Crescent and Derpy were friends, what would she think if she saw Derpy asleep in the middle of training? Would she think Crescent wasn’t paying attention either? Crescent growled quietly and started looking around for something she could prop Derpy up with.
She found an empty box and pushed it under Derpy. Derpy fell halfway into the box and tipped it over herself. Bonk! Derpy hit the floor again before Crescent could catch her. She looked around for something else. She heard Abacus droning in the background. Something about improperly sealed letters.
She saw a crate carrier and tossed it onto one of the ceiling beams and wrapped Derpy up in it. Crescent slipped and the whole thing fell down on top of her. Crescent dug herself out from under Derpy and the tangled cords and looked round desperately for something else. Her eye fell on her saddlebags. Abacus stated something about Mail Carrier policies.
She placed one behind Derpy and looped the straps over the top of her placing the other saddle bag down in front of her. Derpy started tipping backwards, but crescent dropped a box on top of the front saddle bag. Derpy stopped moving suspended on the saddle bag straps. Crescent sighed in relief and turned back to Abacus.
“And that’s all you really need to know. Any questions?” Spike was scribbling on his page and Twilight was checking over his work.
“Nope. You’ve certainly covered everything Mr. Slate.” Twilight took Spike’s notes and started working on her list again. Crescent started panicking. Oh come on! I was right here! I listened to practically the whole thing! I don’t need a list. Crescent fumed silently.
Was everything going to be this way? Sure, the first few days had been introductions Crescent had understood why Twilight had scheduled everything, especially after her first day running around Ponyville. Still… that didn’t mean she’d always need supervision. Would she? Crescent started panicking even more as Twilight smiled and rolled up her list.
She calmed herself down. It wouldn’t always be that way. Even today she could always ignore the list and move on with her life. It won’t be that hard.
Twilight walked over to Crescent, who grinned nervously. “Oh don’t worry.” Twilight waved a hoof and barely spared Derpy a glance as she handed Crescent the finished list. “You’ll do great and if you forget everything.” She tapped the list. “It’s all in there. I even have some special bits in case you forget something.” She smiled again at Crescent, who grinned nervously down at the floor.
“Thanks Twilight.” Crescent said unenthusiastically. She wasn’t looking forward to ignoring all of Twilight’s hard work. Twilight smiled, Spike raised an eyebrow and shrugged. They walked out the door waving Crescent goodbye.
Abacus walked up and tapped Derpy on the head. Derpy spluttered awake and tangled herself up in Crescent’s saddle bags. Crescent flinched as Derpy hit the ground with a resounding crash.
“Good use of the saddle bags.” Abacus said helping Derpy to her feet. Crescent smiled weakly. Once Derpy was settled Abacus turned back to Crescent. Crescent looked back. “Alright then.” He checked the clock. Crescent heard the front door open and close. “Sounds like you start now.” Crescent smiled again. She took her saddle bags back from Derpy and tucked Twilight’s list in the bottom of one. Alright how hard could this be?
The rest of the crew walked in. Most of the ponies were yawning and seemed half asleep. They blearily started going about their work. Hats were donned and most of them sat down to a pile of letters and began sorting them into smaller piles. Others began pulling the letters from the past day and sorting them into bags. Crescent joined the group around the pile of letters.
Some of the ponies looked at her, but most seemed too asleep to notice at the moment. The bags looked like they were the different routes that the post ponies would take in a few hours to begin their deliveries. So what were the piles? Crescent picked up a letter and looked at the address. 225 N Bloom Blvd., Canterlot.
These were the outgoing mail. Crescent watched as more piles began to develop. She started picking through the main pile. Canterlot, Manehattan, Manehattan, Cloudsdale, Canterlot, Crescent sorted each letter to its assigned city.
The other ponies eventually started blinking sleep from their eyes and began talking to each other. “How’s your garden doing Goldy?” one pony asked another.
“Oh alright. I’ll be quitting soon so I can take care of my carrots now that the seasons back.”
“Well that’s nice. Think it will be a good harvest? I heard you had a few rotten carrots last year goldy.” One pony grinned tossing a letter onto a pile.
“I always have a good harvest.” Goldy sniffed back. Crescent kept sorting letters quietly. Canterlot, Cloudsdale, Vanhoover, Baltimare, she rattled through each of the town names sorting them out. When she reached a letter that didn’t have a pile already she tossed it into an empty space and kept sorting. Crescent heard a small cough behind her, but the other ponies were talking, so she ignored it.
The cough came a bit louder and Crescent looked up from the letter in her hooves. None of the ponies were paying much attention to her at the moment. None of them looked like they’d coughed, or heard anything either.
“Ahem!” Crescent turned around surprised. She still didn’t see anything. She checked her memory to see if she’d taken her medication that morning. She rolled her tongue around her mouth and could still taste the bitterness in her mouth despite breakfast. She felt a light tap on her flank and she looked down.
Crescent blinked unsure of what she was seeing. It was a mini-Twilight, looking slightly annoyed. Crescent blinked again. The Twilight stayed put, and grew even more annoyed.
“Well?” It asked pointing a hoof at one of the piles Crescent had just started. The one letter sitting alone on the floor.
“Well, what?” Crescent asked. She furrowed her brow. Maybe she needed to talk with Dr. Remedy about a new dosage.
The mini-Twilight rolled its eyes and sighed heavily. “Routine for new mail piles states that you must first confirm that nopony else has started a pile of that city or address before starting one and informing everypony of the pile on its creation.”
“Why should I listen to you?” Crescent asked.
The mini-Twilight rolled its eyes again. “I’m a Reminder. We’re created to remind ponies of their duties and responsibilities. You forgot to confirm that the pile hadn’t been created and didn’t tell anypony about the pile you did make, so I’m here to remind you about it.” It explained.
“Umm… OK. Um…” Crescent turned back to the other ponies around the pile in the center. A few had started watching her without trying to be obvious. “Anyone have a letter pile for Vanhoover yet?” She asked. All the ponies looked at her, then down at the different piles on the floor. They shook their heads. “Ok I started one over here then. I hope that’s okay.” Crescent noticed the mini-Twilight Reminder thing nod in satisfaction. The other ponies just shrugged and went back to sorting again. Crescent turned back to the Reminder.
“Ok, is that it?” She asked. The Reminder nodded then turned to the door of the back office and started walking away.
“Where are you going?” Crescent asked as she picked up another letter.
“I’m not going anywhere.” The pony next to her responded. “I’m staying for the next few weeks at least.” He sorted a few letters as he spoke.
“I wasn’t talking to you. I was trying to ask her.” Crescent pointed at the Reminder that was walking away. The pony next to her nodded and shrugged, before going back to sorting. A few of the other ponies started looking at each other with raised eyebrows. Some even whispered and tilted their heads in Crescent’s direction. Oh great. Crescent thought. I guess it couldn’t get worse than being crazy on the first day though.
The Reminder turned to face Crescent when another cough came from the other side of her. Crescent turned to find another mini-Twilight Reminder on her other side. “What?” She asked.
“You forgot Employee Etiquette #4: Be polite and courteous to other employees.” It waved at the pony next to her. “You really should offer him an apology.” Crescent sighed and turned to the pony next to her.
“Sorry.” She muttered, tossing a letter into its correct pile.
“For what?” He asked.
“I was a little snappy earlier. I’m sorry.”
“Oh that’s alright.” He leaned in a whispered. “To be honest, that was nicer than most ponies at this hour can muster.” He grinned at her. Crescent missed a letter pile and she felt another tap on her flank.
“I missed a letter. I know I did. Just hold on.” She picked up the letter and moved it to its correct pile. Another tap on her flank. She looked down and saw two Twilights standing next to each other. One looked pacified the other was still annoyed.
“I resorted the letter! What problem do you have with that?” She asked. She ignored the skeptical looks she was receiving.
“Mail Policy states that incorrectly sorted letters must be readmitted to the central pile before being resorted.” It stated. Crescent looked at the four assembled Reminders, the one by the door had rejoined the group, then at the clock. It was only five minutes since Twilight had left.
“Are you all going to tell Twilight what I forgot?” She nervously asked. They all nodded, Crescent looked at the clock again. Four mistakes in five minutes! What will Twilight think of that? Crescent panicked. She’ll think I can’t even do this without her help! I won’t be able to get away from anything! The list will just be the start! She felt a tap on her side and turned, expecting to see another Reminder, when she saw it was the pony next to her.
He had a concerned look on his face. “Are you alright? You seem a little distracted.” The other ponies nodded with his statement.
“You can’t-” She looked over her shoulder at the Twilights walking towards the door. “Never mind. Just first day of work problems is all. Would you excuse me for a second.” Crescent stood and trotted after the small group of reminders. What do I do? I don’t want Twilight to think I can’t do things without her help, but what can I do about them?
She crept up behind the Reminders and coughed to get their attention. They turned and looked up at her. “Hi, would you mind not telling Twilight about my mistakes? For now at least?” She asked smiling. The Reminders shook their head and the first one spoke.
“We have to do as the spell requires. We will inform the caster of our purpose before our termination.” The lead Reminder seemed to quote while the others nodded. Crescent nodded along with them worriedly.
Well that was a longshot anyways. What else can I do? Could I trap them somehow? That’d keep them from telling Twilight for a little while at least. Crescent leaned forward and nudged one experimentally.
“Hey!” It looked offended and backed away from Crescent’s probing hoof. They were definitely solid, at least to her.
Then Crescent had another thought. How do they form? What is the spell attached to that generated them? “Sorry.” Crescent apologized halfheartedly. “I was wondering something though, where did all of you come from? Where’s the spell if I might ask?” Crescent watched them closely. The Reminder she’d nudged looked annoyed, but it gestured over at her saddle bags.
“There’s a list of all our duties and reminders on a schedule in there. We’re linked to that.” It explained.
Crescent nodded and quickly snatched the Reminder up. Immediately all the Reminders began protesting loudly demanding that she let it go and let them be on their way. Well Crescent wasn’t going to do that. She moved over to her saddle bags with the protesting Mini-Twilights following her. She dumped the first one in and all of them stopped for a second before turning and trying to run out the door.
Crescent cut them off and chased them back towards her saddle bags. She scooped them up and dumped them inside the bag before closing it and strapping it tight. She watched the bag squirm with shouts of protest. “Hey! You’re not supposed to stop us!” One of them called from within the bag. Crescent caught a faint flash through the bag.
“You’re supposed to be sorting.” Another voice called. Another flash.
“Don’t forget to neaten the piles every few minutes or so, so they look nice.” Another voice and another flash.
“Try and make a new friend today.” The Reminder called, Twilight wasn’t just interested in helping Crescent with her first day of work. The bag was now, notably, more full than it had been before. Apparently the Reminders were still coming from the list inside the saddle bags. Crescent adjusted her glasses and ran a hoof through her mane distractedly, she’d need to figure out what to do about that.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” The pony from before asked. Crescent turned around and noticed that all the sorters had stopped to watch her and a few of the delivery ponies had entered the room and were watching curiously as well.
“Just checking on somethings. I brought a lunch and wanted to make sure it was still fresh.” Crescent lied hurriedly.
“After only 30 minutes?” Goldy asked skeptically.
“I like to be safe?” Crescent tried, quietly walking back to the sorters. She started sorting again and after a few worried looks and whispers the others went back to work as well. Crescent tried to lose herself in the sorting, but she couldn’t help glancing at her saddlebags.
A few flashes happened in the next fifteen minutes, but the strap to the bag held and kept the Reminders trapped. After another half hour and another few flashes the bag began to bulge dangerously against the strap and Crescent began to worry.
Could she let them out now? What would happen if she did? They’d tell Twilight she’d trapped them inside her bag. Crescent began tapping her hooves against the floor. She wished she could get up and pace. What could she do? They’d probably break the bag eventually and get loose anyways. Could she get rid of them somehow? Crescent kept tapping her hooves as she worried.
The pony next to her leaned over. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think any of us have asked your name.” He said.
“No you haven’t.” Crescent responded distractedly watching the saddle bag.
He stopped for a second. “So what is your name then if you don’t mind?” He asked.
Crescent sighed and put a hoof to her head. “Sorry, I’m Crescent Moonbeam. Nice to meet you.” The other ponies nodded and introduced themselves. Crescent tried to remember their names, but she was still too distracted by another set of flashes and the increased struggling of her bag.
After introductions, conversation started up again. Crescent noticed that the ponies had stopped whispering about her. “So Crescent, I’m going to assume you’re new in town since nopony’s seen you before, what brought you to Ponyville?”
“Umm…” I came here after getting out of Canterlot Mental Hospital to get a fresh start in Equestria. Didn’t seem like a good introduction to start with. Thankfully Crescent heard her name called from the front.
“Looks like Abacus is calling you. We’ll finish introductions later.” The pony smiled and Crescent gratefully went to go see what Abacus wanted. She sighed with relief as she walked through the front.
“What do you want to see me about Mr. Slate?” Crescent asked.
“Grab your saddle bags. We’ve got enough sorted that I want you to go delivering with Derpy for your first day.” Abacus said.
Crescent got excited. It would be her first time delivering and she got to do it with Derpy! Then it turned to worry and fear when she remembered what she had trapped in her saddle bags.
“Is there a problem?” Abacus asked when Crescent had stood there a few more seconds than necessary.
“No sir.” Crescent smiled nervously and turned to go get her saddle bags.