Chapter 1
Roseluck waited alone at a table, searching through the crowd inside Sugar Cube Corner. Between ponies waiting in line and milling about, she struggled to keep her eyes on Lily Valley. Her girlfriend was standing at the front counter placing her order with Pinkie Pie. I hope she picks vanilla today.
She lost sight of her as ponies moved in the way. Like her garden in a stiff breeze, colors of ponies shifted and swayed, each lost in their own world.
The mare she was looking for came back into view. She had balanced on her back a tall, white-filled glass on a small platter along with two straws. Right again! They shared a smile as Lily slid the tray to the table and took her seat.
Lily continued the story she’d been telling before she had split off to order their shake, “He kept trying to pull the cart. Every time the broken part of the wheel hit the ground, more apples fell off. He kept stopping to pick them up, then go a few steps further. Can you believe that?”
Rose finished a pull of creamy sweet goodness while watching her girlfriend’s sweeping hoof motions and sparkling eyes. “And nopony stopped to help him?”
Lily slurped with a quick gulp of their shake, bumping noses with her in her eagerness to return to talking. “It was early and nopony else was around to lend a hoof. Daisy hadn’t even shown up yet to open with me. Market Square was still empty and there wasn’t anything I could do to help.” She twirled a lock of mane around the tip of her hoof. “Also, I didn’t want to interrupt him. He seemed to be coming up with another one of his sad songs.”
“You’d imagine with that unicorn he’s been googly-eyed over he’d have happier things to sing about.” Rose enjoyed another sip of vanilla. “Kinda strange he was so early even with a broken wheel though.”
“I guess he came early because of the wheel. Maybe he knew it’d take him a long time to arrive because of it and started out early?”
“Maybe he came early because he thought he’d get a few early sales like we did, so he could close shop to enjoy Hearts and Hooves Day. We sure had a great time, didn’t we?”
“Oh, yes!” Lily clapped her hooves together. “We had those lovely sandwiches, and you know how I love watching the other ponies being so adorable and affectionate. Did you see Lyra and Bon Bon exchange gifts? So sweet!”
Rose nudged Lily’s straw, drawing her attention back to their meal lest she wind up drinking it all herself. She enjoyed another unplanned nuzzle and close up view of Lily’s pretty yellow eyes. “Next year I’ll be sure to get you something. Seeing your eyes light up like theirs would be a treat to last all year.”
Lily giggled and kissed her nose. “Every day is a treat with you, but I know what you mean. I might know of a gift for you already.”
After the last of their milkshake drained away, Rose was content to enjoy the warmth in her breast. She shared a companionable stretch of silence, gazing into Lily’s eyes. Ideas for gifts that might light those eyes up tumbled over each other inside her head. One nagging thought bobbed in and out among the others. She’s already thought of a gift for me? Are we drifting out of sync? Why haven’t I already thought of something if she has?
The pair walked beside the peaceful Ponyville path alongside a pond. Their tails twined, and their shoulders brushed against each other from the closeness of their pace. Alongside them swam a paddling of ducks, begging in pitiable quacks for more bread. A small bag hung from Roseluck’s neck, empty save for a few tiny crumbs.
Their usual self-appointed lunch break was almost over, and the noise and bustle of Market Square lay out of earshot ahead. Among the familiar buildings flanking their route was Bon Bon’s Candy Shop.
“Hey, let’s stop inside for a little bit.” Lily pulled away from Rose, out of their comfortable and matching pace towards her proposed change of destination.
Roseluck frowned. “We had sweets for lunch. If you’re still hungry, you can snack on our discount stock.”
“I’m not hungry. I just want to talk for a bit.” Lily brushed a strand of mane behind her ear to keep it out of her eyes; the simple gesture still managing to look cute on her every time Rose saw it. “Although, we both know how hard it can be to leave her shop empty-hooved.”
“We need to get back to the stand, Lily. It’s a slow week after the holiday rush, but that means we need to get every sale we can and not miss out by staying closed late after lunch.”
“Oh, come on. It isn’t a big deal. Besides, I haven’t gotten to talk to Bonnie in days, and I want to see if she’s still wearing that cute hat Lyra got her.”
With a resigned sigh, Roseluck turned to follow Lily into the candy shop. You talked to her for hours yesterday. A friendly bell was rung by the door’s opening and closing, and inside a riot of colors and shapes, enough to rival their own flower stand, greeted them. Of course, the scent in the air couldn’t compare with the fresh potpourri she and Lily enjoyed every day.
Lily skipped ahead to the counter, pulling away from Rose. Bon Bon emerged from a back room, smiling at Lily. “Welcome, Lily. What brings you by? Decide on something different for lunch today?”
“Oh, we already ate. I wanted to share some juicy news.”
Bon Bon’s ears perked up at that mention and she leaned over her counter close to Lily. “Oh, do tell?”
Tuning out the chatter between her girlfriend and Bon Bon, Rose approached the barrels of bulk candies, putting on a show of browsing. Nice to see you too, Bon Bon. Just window shopping, thanks.
Unlike the Cake’s place which enjoyed a lengthy lunch rush, Bon Bon’s shop was empty that time of day. Like our stand. Rose mused on times Daisy brought up the suggestion they get a building of their own to bring in more business like Sugar Cube Corner. Rose and Lily had to remind her each time that you needed the business first, or you’d be wasting bits on the building.
At least Daisy is in the garden right now, so we’ll have fresh stock for tomorrow, instead of wasting time chatting.
Rose leaned away from the other mares and closer to the candy barrel, flattening her ears as Bon Bon let out a high-pitched giggle. Bon Bon is one of our regular customers for “ugly flowers.” Some of these candies were made from flowers I grew. She picked up a few of the treats from the sea of candies in front of her. When they’re a funny shape or wilted she hides them in these shells. She tilted her hoof and rained them back into their rainbow ocean. Even the food dyes used to color them come from flower petals.
We set them aside for her instead of throwing them away. We always make sure to pay attention to what she needs when she buys from us.
Roseluck walked back to the exit and opened the door. First bringing it into gentle contact with the bell, then past it to avoid making as much sound as possible. Once the door was clear, the clapper fell and gave a few half-hearted tinkles. She glanced towards the two mares at the counter, gabbing away with accompanying hoof gestures and laughter.
“… and then I saw Royal Riff talking to Amethyst Star later that same day!”
Lily gasped, scandalized. “No way!”
“Yes way! He even gave her a heart-shaped balloon!”
“Poor Cheerilee! Do you think she found out?”
“How could she not?”
They were oblivious to her. She swung the door wide enough to allow herself passage, wondering if her caution had even been needed. She stepped outside, then headed back to Market Square to reopen their stall.
Roseluck relaxed in the mid-afternoon sun from her open flower stand, watching ponies go about their business in Market Square. She considered pulling out the book she had checked out from the library. After further reflection decided she wasn’t in the mood for reading and contented herself with pony watching. That was more Lily’s thing, but without her around, it seemed right for Rose to do so. If nothing else to keep an eye out for approaching customers. The lunch rush had ended before she and Lily had gone on break, and the evening dinner rush wouldn’t pick up for another hour. Daisy was tending gardens today, and Lily was probably still at Bon Bon’s—
She blinked and looked again and confirmed Bon Bon was indeed walking through the market towards her stand. Rose wondered where Lily was if not still with Bon Bon. Her posture shifted from relaxed to attentive, a reflex developed through hundreds of days of encounters like this one over the years.
“Afternoon, Roseluck. How are you today?” Bon Bon’s smile was friendly.
“Welcome, Bon Bon. Slow afternoon as usual.” She fell into her business smile easily. This is how a proper salesmare pays attention to a customer. “What brings you here? Looking for a midday snack that won’t leave you tired before the end of the day?”
If she noticed the tiny barb, Bon Bon gave no sign. “I was chatting with Lily.” Of course she was. Rose suppressed the urge to roll her eyes, maintaining her friendly mask. “She was so enthusiastic about the gift exchange Lyra and I had on Hearts and Hooves Day that I wanted to do it again. Well, to see if I can get another smile out of Lyra with a gift that is.”
“Sounds like a lovely idea. Did you have something in particular in mind? Flowers are a great spontaneous gift.” Rose leaned in to pay close attention to her customer.
Bon Bon tapped a hoof under her chin thoughtfully. “Well, I remember from Mare’s Day that it’s a good idea to match her mane. Lily of the valley matched the white in Lyra’s mane, wouldn’t it? And it feels fitting for the inspiration behind the gift.”
The customer was always right. She should encourage this line of thought and worry how many lily’s she could sell. Despite the obvious wisdom, accommodating this gift sat ill with her. They might lose a sale if she disagreed with the customer, but they could afford it.
“That’s sound,” Rose cautiously began, eyes scanning the stock on the shelves for inspiration.
“I’m hearing a ‘but’ though.” Bon Bon raised an eyebrow. She too was a businessmare, even if she was the customer in this context, and her own instincts were probably raising alarms.
Rose’s eyes settled on one of the lower shelves they sold from less often. “A bouquet does make a good gift for a special occasion or no occasion at all. They make for a pretty addition to the home while they last, and delicious when eaten.” She paused again, continuing before Bon Bon could once again point out the unspoken word. “But.” She smiled. “Something perhaps more enduring might stand out from the usual bouquet.”
“I’m listening.” Indeed, Bon Bon tilted her head and her ears were focused towards Rose.
“We sell small plants, suitable for a windowsill, countertop, shelf, or even outside in the garden.” Rose’s smile widened to her best and most friendly. “Such a gift matches the green of Lyra’s coat and mane instead of the expected white of her highlight.”
Bon Bon frowned. Bad sign. “I don’t fancy the chances of a potted plant living very long in our house. We’re both busy mares, and I don’t have the green hoof you have.”
Roseluck swished her tail at the unintentional compliment. “It is true any living plant takes more care than cut flowers not expected to last long anyway. Some take hardly any care at all though.” Turning her back to Bon Bon for a moment, she pulled her suggestion from the shelf and looked over her shoulder to her customer with a smile. Then, with dramatic flair, lifted the gift-to-be into view: a small cactus.
“What?” Bon Bon’s eyes narrowed.
“Hear me out!” She set the cactus on the counter between them. “It is a hardy little plant. Give it as much sun as possible, and don’t water it more often than twice a year. The humidity in the air is more than enough.”
“That does sound simple.” She raised one eyebrow while giving the thorny plant another once-over. “But it certainly isn’t what I’d call pretty. How is this supposed to make a good gift?”
Rose pointed a hoof towards the small bloom crowning the central trunk. “It still flowers as you can see.” Lyra is into strange things, isn’t she? She plays that fancy harp-thing in our simple town. “While it may lack the raw beauty of other flowers, such as roses, you have to admit it has an exotic appeal.”
“Exotic perhaps, but I’m still not seeing the appeal.” She was at least looking over the cactus, a good sign. “It is rather green. A pink flower though? It matches nothing on Lyra. I guess the yellow center matches her eyes at least.”
She giggled. “Surely you can think of something pink on Lyra that matches.” She stuck her tongue out playfully, then went back to her giggles.
Bon Bon’s eyes widened, then she blushed and ducked down as if to hide from the other ponies around them. “Rose!” she whispered.
“I mean her tongue. Whatever is going through your mind?”
“N-nothing. Nothing at all.” She bit her lower lip, focusing on the cactus as the blush in her cheeks faded. “Still, these thorns seem aggressive looking. Not friendly flowers and leaves.”
Rose blinked at her, adopting what she hoped was an innocent and confused look. “Does she seem ‘aggressive’ when you see her horn atop her head?”
“What? No. I mean. No, of course not.” It seemed her staring at the cactus was more to avoid Rose’s gaze than to examine the plant.
Rose grinned and leaned forward, trying to get into Bon Bon’s field of view and meet her gaze. “If you’re worried she won’t be thrilled with it, then it wouldn’t make for a good gift. However, I’m sure if you explain it to her, you’d hit your goal of getting to watch her eyes light up, wouldn’t you?”
Bon Bon stopped trying to avoid her and smiled after a thoughtful delay. “Maybe you’re right. She’d be confused at first, but I can imagine that conversation.”
Success. “For you, only 5 bits. Would you prefer to take it now or pick it up later?”
“Now is fine. I’ll get it home while she’s still out and figure out how to best present it to her.”
“Be sure to tell us how it goes. Lily will want to know too.” Underneath the counter were several cubby holes with a variety of wrapping materials and bags. This tall cactus will need a taller bag. She reached for a suitable one to her right.
Before retrieving it she paused and let a mischievous grin slip out. Ignore me and distract my Lily will you? She moved her hoof one cubby to the left and retrieved a short bag with little carry handles which reached only halfway up the cactus’s trunk. After opening the bag up and setting it on the counter, she lifted the cactus by its pot and lowered it into place.
Bon Bon had already placed five shiny coins on the countertop. They exchanged smiles, shook hooves on the deal, and retrieved their acquisitions. “I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow.” Bon Bon then closed her teeth around the carry handles, lifted her plant and winced as the thorns poked her cheek.
Rose held her breath, fighting back laughter. Putting the coins away gave her ample opportunity to hide her mirth. She waited with bated breath as Bon Bon walked away, trying with limited success to keep the cactus from jostling and stabbing her cheek.
As Rose was about to give in to bouts of laughter, an unfamiliar filly approached Bon Bon and placed a blue helmet on the cactus to protect Bon Bon’s cheek. The two exchanged smiles and a few words she couldn’t make out, then Bon Bon merrily went on her way. The filly watched her leave, then scampered off around a bush out of sight.
Roseluck frowned. Her prank had been ruined before she could have a laugh at it, and now the mood had passed.
She felt a hoof on her shoulder and turned to see the smiling face of Lily at her side. “That was naughty of you. We have deeper bags.” Lily grinned and swished her tail behind her. “I thought you liked Bon Bon.”
Rose looked after the mare in question walking away, carrying her cactus with a cheerful smile and a blue helmet bumping against her cheek. Well out of earshot. She gave in to the urge to giggle. It was at least silly-looking, even if her revenge had been foiled early. “I do. I was just annoyed, I guess.”
Lily pressed into her side and chuckled. “Annoyance? Or perhaps it was jealousy guiding your hoof, hmm?”
Rose met her sidelong glance with one of her own. “Maybe a little.”
“Awww. That’s sweet of you.” Rose felt a soft kiss on her cheek. “You were worried Bon Bon stole me away from you?”
“Not completely, no. Sometimes you two get lost in your own little world together. I didn’t like anypony else commanding so much of your attention.”
“You could have come up to the counter and joined our conversation.” Their tails intertwined behind them.
“Would have been a better idea, yeah.” She sought out one of Lily’s hooves to hold. “Maybe I was being a bit crazy and testing you. I left and neither of you noticed.”
“Oh, we noticed. She even asked me if anything was wrong with you. You were being kinda mopey, you know?” She gave Rose’s hoof a gentle squeeze. “So I told her you were worried about missing sales. And I dropped a bunch of hints she might want to buy Lyra a gift. It took awhile, but she finally got the idea to come to buy something.”
“Wait, you sent her my way to apologize or something?” She raised an eyebrow and turned her head to look more squarely at her girlfriend.
Lily toyed with her blonde locks then shook her head. “Not to apologize exactly, no. I figured you were in the mood for something like this. What’s the point of having thorns on a rose if they’re never used, right?”
Rose stared at her, jaw hanging slightly.
“Of course, I didn’t imagine something this literal would happen. Why a cactus?”
“It reminded me of what we were talking about at lunch. How Big Mac is always singing those sad songs. Like those cowboys around Appleoosa. I saw the cactus we got from there and it fit. Seemed like a strange enough gift, and I suppose the melancholy fit my mood.”
“You’re right. You are a bit crazy.” Lily poked her chest.
“Crazy for you.” She poked back. “We’re the only two sane ponies in this crazy town.”
“Are you calling me sane?” Lily leaned in close until their noses almost touched. “You find the sweetest things to say to me, Roseluck.” She planted a kiss on her lips. “No wonder I love you and have you on my mind every moment like you have me on yours.”
“I love how you always know me so well and what I’m thinking. I worry sometimes I don’t keep up.”
“You’re fine.” Lily tousled her chestfur. “I mean physically too. I love every part of you, even your thorns. You’re a beautiful knight protecting me from the horrible spies and bandits.”
“If we’re waxing poetic, then you must be the beautiful dawn to my knight.” Rose grinned.
Lily rolled her eyes, then raised her nose skyward and waved one hoof in a circle. “What say you to closing up shop and starting our night a little early, milady?”
“I say that’s a wonderful idea, my radiant sunshine.” Rose pulled the cash bag out of its shelf and slung it over her haunches. The two of them operated several levers, catches, and folded their stand into a travel cart. They settled into the harnesses side by side and pulled it home behind them.
“You should have seen the blush on Bon Bon’s face when I suggested the pink flower on top was a match for Lyra.”
The two mares giggled as they walked in the late afternoon sun.