When the only thing you've only wanted is taken away from you, what do you do? Go into the workforce.
When Princess Luna is stopped by Twilight Sparkle and her friends from ruling Equestria as Nightmare Moon, she naturally was upset that her long-awaited plan was foiled so easily. But now that the Alicorn is free of the burden, she no longer has anything else that she can do.
She has no social skills, no sense of self, not even her own bank account with funds in it!
When the times change, so must everypony else. With the upheaval of Celestia and Luna to nothing more than common ponies, Princess Luna does something she never thought she would have to; get a job at a low-end supply store to make ends meet.
She will try her best to make things work, hopefully without hurting somepony in the process.
''Curse you!'' Nightmare Moon, called out, stomping her hooves in retaliation. Twilight Sparkle and her friends with The Elements Of Harmony banded together to quell her rule of Equestria for all time. ''Ahhhhhhh!'' the feeling of the Elements purging her of her dark magic brought her pain and assaulted her mind until it was over. ''I will have my revenge!~''
Or so she thought.
After purging the darkness from her heart and the plans of the eternal night from her mind, she came back to her senses; she reverted back to Princess Luna, the small, afraid, and forgotten Princess in charge of bringing the moon up and monitoring the dreams of ponies.
And she hated it.
Everything! Her power of the dark magic, the secrets that were whispered in her ear when she embraced the darkness. . .the feeling of being the most supreme being in the known galaxy.
All gone.
All of her effort to become the greatest magic user ever was thwarted so easily. She should have been made, should have wanted her revenge, to make them suffer, to go into every corner of every world in every possible imagination, and make the tables turn and reverse this. But no matter what conclusion she came to, it would be for naught.
Now, here she is; powerless, emotionless, and tired. With nothing to show for it, Princess Luna was without.
The golden age of the two sisters soon came to an end.
Miniature Menagerie, Canterlot.
''Another good purchase,'' Spike stretched his arms and relaxed as he finished another sale today. That would make his 12th for the day. Being at Miniature Menagerie is certainly a different experience than most stores. The entire vibe of the store is vastly more welcoming from others that distinguished the products of the store from the competition. With the change of times since Princess Luna being stripped of her power as Nightmare Moon and the collapse of the two sisters' court, a brand new age of innovation was in full swing.
Twilight Sparkle and her friends were hailed as heroes for saving Equestria from the eternal night and given the highest of praise and reward.
Except for Spike.
He was forced to take matters into his own claws and support himself. Scouring job after job after job that didn't turn him down finally led him to Miniature Menagerie, on recommendation from Twilight, a small way to thank the drake for what he helped the pair accomplish in more of a reserved sense. The owner, a one Moon Dancer was happy to take Spike underneath her proverbial wing for employment; that and she had 2 spots to fill, and nopony really reached out beside the staff she already has.
That was close to 3 years ago, and neither parties have regretted the choice.
At first, Spike struggled with the bare basics manning the storefront; from stumbling over his words all the way to accidentally setting an unlit stove on fire. That was a day Moon Dancer did not let him live down. However, with time and corrective training, Spike soon became a crucial part of the store's integrity. After selling a brand new dining room set to Cheerilee, he walked back over to his counter, getting settled on his little stool that was made for the drake to peer over the top.
There were plenty of times where ponies would ask for assistance and be greeted by just a voice that scared the living daylights out of anypony.
''So, you feel like taking your lunch break a little early?'' Pinkie Pie asked, trotting over from a nearby backroom, adjusting her uniform. She always commented on how they look like penguins with black and white vests and gloves. ''I already ate all of my cookies so that should keep me good for a few hours.''
''Nah. I'm kinda in the zone, so I can just wait until we get close to closing,'' Spike said, then looked at his friend. ''How come you're the only pony who chose to live a normal life after what you guys did?''
Pinkie snorted and put a hoof around the drake. ''Because being all flashy and super-duper important is really boring. I mean, yea I could have done something more interesting, but it would be no fun at the end of the day; making ponies smile and laugh is something I can deal with for years to come,'' Pinkie smiled, pulling up a stool alongside her friend to observe the outside for a time. It was mostly slow today after 1 to 2 in the afternoon, so the next rush they would possibly get would be in 3 hours, tops. ''And when I found out you were working here, I just had to come along and give you a hoof.''
That made sense, if only a bit. He always wondered what would happen if everypony just stayed to what they were doing before Nightmare Moon was taken down. Applejack runs one of the biggest factories for distribution for the Apple family, Rainbow Dash is the 2nd in command for The Wonderbolts, Fluttershy is traveling around Equestria locating endangered species and cataloging them. And, of course, Rarity is the top designer for all the bigwigs in Canterlot, Los Pegasus, etc.
And Twilight. . .
Admittedly, after all, that happened, he would have thought that Twilight would be the one to stay mostly to her studies in Ponyvile, but with the winds of fate, off she went in search of answers. To what questions, he only could have guessed, but nonetheless, he at some point or another thought about his friends and how much he missed them. He was glad he had Pinkie Pie with him, or things may just drive him crazy.
He also occasionally thought about Luna and Celestia, how they just seemed to disappear from the face of Equestria after all was said and done. Luna, he could understand, but Celestia just seemed to appear like she never existed. And in the midst of the fall of the two sisters, a change of authority was needed.
After time passed, The Equestrian Council was formed from the shadows of the two sisters. With the implementation of them, the law of the land changed soon.
Most of the common folk thought next to nothing to it since the Equestrian Council soon outperformed what the pair could do by any stretch of the imagination.
And within the next few days, it would be the anniversary of when Twilight and her friends ended up freeing Princess Luna.
''Welcome to Miniature Menagerie, where we have anything you may need!'' Spike cheerily sounded off, the saying becoming second nature to him. Pinkie Pie trotted around and smiled at the guest who walked in with a black cloak over their head, a tense gait in their walk. ''How can we help you?''
The figure walked in a straight line, tracking in water from the small downpour outside, the pair becoming curious as to why they did not respond. A few moments later, they stopped and rummaged around in their cloak before producing a piece of paper and laying it on the table.
''Is the manager present?'' the figure asked, the voice sounding familiar to Spike.
''Can I ask why?'' Spike asked, curious. ''Maybe I can help you find whatever it is that you're looking for?''
''I need a manager!'' the figure yelled back, shocking the pair. ''That is unless you are the one that has the authority to give me money.''
''Money?'' Pinkie asked. Why would they need that? ''PSSST! Spike!'' Pinkie whispered. ''Are we getting robbed?''
''She can hear you, you know,'' Spike replied, extending a claw to the figure in front of them. But she did have a point; were they?
''Wait. That came out wrong,'' the figure cursed themselves in silence. ''I mean to say, you will give me money for tormenting the poor souls that are sure to come through here, seeking penance!''
. . .
Wait, that wasn't right either.
''You sure you want to see our manager?'' Spike asked, frowning.
''Yes.''
''At this store?''
''Yes.''
''Are you sure you didn't mean to go down the street to Death Hall? They do what you're talking about.'' Pinkie only said to the surprise of the pony in question.
''They really do that?''
''More or less,'' Spike replied, waving a claw back and forth, still wondering what exactly this individual wanted. ''And are you still sure this is the store that you want?''
''Y-Yes, produce the manager of this establishment so I rain suffering upon the masses!'' Pinkie only smiled nervously and still wondered who it was that was speaking to them.
. . .
Spike slowly proceeded to look at the paper that was brought in, to which it was a resume. When he looked to see who it was, the realization slowly began to sink in of who it was.
''Princess Luna. . .'' Spike breathed out, the figure tensing and taking a small step back. ''You're alive?''
''No, you must have me confused with some other Alicorn. I am only known as Loonaa.'' Loonaa took off her hood to show the princess of the night, indeed. But as to why she took her name and butchered it up was something only he knew that she knew, and probably wouldn't tell the pair anytime soon. ''I will allow you to produce the head mare of this establishment so I may bring light into this bleak existence of yours.''
Spike signaled for his friend to come over as 'Luna' began to go on a tirade. ''Just go get Moon Dancer, I'll keep her busy.''
''Oh, yes, yes!'' Moon Dancer cheered happily, as Spike and Pinkie Pie sat in the back room with Luna. ''I hope it wasn't too hard for you to find the store.''
Luna shook her head no and began to tell the group the tale of what happened, or she would have if not for Spike and Pinkie wondering what happened to her and her sister following the collapse. And something a teeny bit important. ''Luna wants a job to work here?''
''Yep, it's a favor that she wanted to cash in from her helping me get over my nightmares,'' Moon Dancer blushed a tad, clearing her throat. ''I never thought she would want this as repayment, but I am more than happy to provide Princess Luna-'' Moon Dancer was just cut off by the pony in question.
''-It's just Luna. Celestia and I have lost our sovereignty, and therefore are nothing more than common lower to middle-class ponies. N-Not that there's nothing wrong with that!'' Luna hurriedly said, grumbling to herself. Celestia told her to work on her talking skills, and so far; that has flopped.
''But where have you been all this time? We thought something bad happened to you.'' Pinkie walked over with a tray of some water for everyone.
Luna sighed and resolved to use her magic to pull her hood back over her face, lightly marred with small scars and darker spots on her. From the moment she walked in, both knew something was off. The way she walked was tense, the cloak she wore was torn and had seen better days, and upon being closer to her, the pair both understood, or rather; smelled that Luna was not in the best of hygienic conditions. ''I would not talk about it.''
The trio of workers looked at each other for a moment before shrugging and Moon Dancer continued her spiel. ''Anyways, Luna here is in need of employment, and since she came to me in her hour of need, I already took the liberty of securing her own uniform and getting the beginning part of her paperwork started.'' Spike looked confused.
Who would train her?
''Are you sure that you're able to work in this kind of environment? We don't bring in a whole lot of business, and what we do sell often needs a little bit of finesse when dealing with the upper crust, or snobs of Canterlot and beyond,'' Spike informed the princess, now common pony as she proudly stuck out her chest and assured the drake that the job would be done to the best of her ability.
While Spike was raised on a solid bedrock of not judging others unless he wanted the same, but even he knew; Luna may not be cut from the same cloth as most ponies in this day and age due to her time on the moon, and having to reacclimate to being around others.
He had so many questions, Pinkie probably not as many. And while help was certainly needed, this request came at the last second.
''So, you want Pinkie to train her, right?'' Spike asked, hoping to deflect from having to do any more things for the day.
''I will leave that to you, Spike. I want you to take her through the ropes for the next few days and see how she handles it.'' Moon Dancer said, looking at the drake and smiling.
Darn it.
''Ugh. Fine. Where do I start first?'' Spike knew he would grow to regret this. Especially by the next question that Luna had asked.
''So at what point will we terrorize the customers?''
''No, no, Luna. I told you in my letter that we're not doing that. If you wanted to do that, you should have gone-''
''-To Death Hall, yes, yes. But are we doing that here at all?'' Pinkie and Spike looked at each other and wondered how woundly tight her head was.
A few hours passed since Luna was brought into the fray, and with Moon Dancer providing him and Luna with the handbook about the store and her uniform, and as Spike figured, the first few hours of doing stuff was not at all like the drake thought; it was worse.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
For the past 20 minutes, Luna used her magic to bounce a ball against the nearby wall.
''I'm bored.''
''Then find something to do,'' Spike replied, as he organized the various different almanacs and atlas. He wished he didn't have to do this kind of stuff, but Moon Dancer was his boss, and if he wanted to get paid, he would have to train Princess Luna in the art of customer service.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
''Luna.'' Spike harshly said, locking eyes with her as she laid over the counter, her forehooves laying on either side of her head. Her unimpressed eyes reflected back to him as she stopped bouncing her ball for a second. ''Do. Something.''
''I am,'' Luna replied, continuing her ball throwing. Oh, why couldn't Pinkie have stayed a little longer to help him out?
''Something productive.''
''This is.''
''And I'm the king of dragons, but we all can hope. But we should help you rehearse your lines for when customers come in,'' Spike cracked his knuckles and walked over to the front desk. ''And stop slouching like that, you'll hurt your back.''
''I feel no pain.'' Luna simply replied.
''Down the line, if you keep doing it,'' Spike chimed back, reaching a claw underneath the desk and pulling out his clipboard with all the points Moon Dancer wanted her to be fluent in; greetings, knowing where everything is, tracking and deliveries that were sent into the store, to ring up customers, the works.
And from all indications, it appeared that she had the capacity to perform.
Until she couldn't.
''All right, let's take it from the top,'' Spike said, bringing the attention of Luna to him. ''Assume that I am a customer that just walked in, and take it from there.''
''Too easy,'' Luna thought.
''Excuse me, can I get some help?'' Spike asked as he walked towards Luna, hoping that. . .
''What does thou require from us, mortal?!''
She would stop talking in the old Canterlot Royal Voice, for one.
''I'm in the market for some new furniture.'' Spike said, crossing a line on top of the word 'Greetings'. ''I need to buy an Ottoman.''
Luna trotted over to Spike, wrapping a hoof around his neck, pointing to one of the corners in the back of the store, but then paused at what he said. ''What is an Ottoman?''
''Footrest,'' Spike said, taking her hoof off his neck. ''Focus.''
''The Ottomans are towards the back of the store, little one! Peruse them at your leisure, but do not look around for long!'' Luna bellowed, walking back to her desk and sitting down, Spike folding his arms. ''What? Did I do something wrong?''
Spike groaned and walked over to the aisle in question. ''Can I get some help over here, please?''
''I was told to help, according to the book, and that I did.'' Luna simply said, smiling as she was sure she aced that one.
''It's not just pointing them in the right direction; you also have to help them if they need a second opinion, or if they don't want something anymore. Did you look over that like I told you?''
Luna blushed, brushing off his question and trotting to where he was. ''Do you wish to trade for an Ottoman, mortal?''
''Customer. And sure, why not? But it's buy; we're past bartering.'' Spike said, thinking for a moment. ''Well, not here anyways. We accept bits.''
''Noted,'' Luna said, with a watchful eye.
''What can you tell about these different kinda ones?'' Spike looked up to Luna to see her perk up and poke around a few of the Ottomans and look at them curiously before speaking.
''U-Uh. . .they are footrests. And they are comfortable and nice-looking?'' Luna said, looking very, very confused.
''That's a start. But what is the differences between them?''
''Some are circles, and some are like tables.''
''And?''
''Ugh, Luna, come on. This is the 4th time we went over this,'' Spike dropped his clipboard, walking over to the alicorn who was in training. ''What about being nice to the customers is so hard? And why do you keep talking in 3rd person like I'm a peasant?''
Luna blushed and frowned when Spike gave her a look of no-nonsense. ''I must really be doing bad if we have to repeat this process.''
Spike grimaced and shook his head. He didn't want to admit it, but Luna was not doing so good in the ways of service.
''Was. I still hold domination of the Moon, but I am a princess no more.'' Luna said, then paused wondering if she would divulge the information that she hoped she would not have to share with anypony but her sister. The entire fiasco from years ago honestly was something that irritated her the more she thought about it. But she knew as well as the next pony that others were naturally curious of the real breakdown of Nightmare Moon.
They would need-
''-Excuse me, I have need of your best waste receptacle!'' a voice called out behind the pair, looking to see Trixie standing behind the pair in all her. . .glory.
Wait. Spike had an idea.
''Luna, this could be your big break,'' Spike nudged his coworker.
''Are you sure?'' Luna asked, not seeming to like the idea of conversing with the reject magician. Was this level of annoyance how ponies viewed her?
''What's the worst that could happen?'' Spike asked, patting her back. ''Just remember what I told you, and you should be fine.''
Spike had resigned to take a small break for a few minutes. Luna's last performance was less than stellar, but at least she didn't end up messing the kind of things that Spike first did when he came here. Plus Trixie may just be enough of the thing that Luna needs to help her adjust more to the modern world they know as of today.
''Here's to what's hopefully a good start of another employee at Miniature Mene-''
''-Spike!'' Moon Dancer rushed into the back room, her mane and tail frazzled as she looked at the drake with pure, unadulterated, rage. Uh-oh. ''What in the Flim Flam is going on out there?!''
''Uh? W-What do you mean?'' Spike was backed into a literal corner as his boss poked him with a hoof.
''Why is the store in shambles, and probably even more important; why is one of our customers a foal that's attacking Luna?!"
Spike had to shake his head at that; What the heck happened in the span of 10 minutes? And foal?
''I'm sure it's nothing,'' Spike chuckled and walked over to the door after narrowly avoiding his boss's swipe at him with her hoof. ''Luna, why is Moon Dancer saying that you-'' Spike was cut off by seeing the pony in question fly around the store chasing a foal who held her ball that she bounced and blew raspberries at her.
''-Get back here at once!'' Luna slid across the floor, crashing into a shelf filled with glass figurines, the impact of the glass spreading everywhere throughout the store as Luna crumbled under the weight. ''You will buy something before departing, or you will be thrown into the nearest waste bin!''
''The Great and Powerful Trixie will not succumb to your idle threats!'' Trixie galloped to the other side of the store, weaving in and out of the isles to avoid the Alicorn spotting her as easily. ''Change me back this instant!''
''. . .'' Spike merely looked on, Moon Dancer skulking behind him as she stared the both of them down. ''I can explain.''
''When I said train her,'' Moon Dancer put a hoof on her friend's shoulder. ''I meant the right way!'' the force of her shout made Spike's ears ring.
Granted, he did the best that he was allowed to do while training Luna, but he never thought she would take simple instructions out of proportion like this. And why did she turn Trixie into a filly?
''AHHHHHH!'' Trixie was tackled by Luna, the pair struggling for dominance before Luna chucked her out of the store's entrance, the look of less than desired joy on her face as she charged after the filly with a music box.
Luna and Spike sat in the office with Moon Dancer and Pinkie Pie as they went over the day's agenda. After the. . .events of yesterday, there had to be some kind of new policy put in place to accommodate for the ex-princess and her less than stellar customer-service attitude. Luckily, everything was able to fixed before business started for the next day.
''So, is anypony confused on what our new rules are?'' Moon Dancer asked, throwing a look of irritation to the newest member of the team who merely munched away at her bag of salt and vinegar chips. ''Luna.''
''I still will not apologize for what I knew to be right.''
Moondancer narrowed her eyes and sighed. ''You're lucky she didn't want to take legal action.''
''I would do it again,'' Luna commented, popping another chip into her mouth. ''Where will you have me today?''
That was a good question. Since yesterday, the only thing that was Moon Dancer's concern was the integrity of the store merch. And thanks to Spike's help, or the lack thereof, Luna would need some extra training to make sure the issues that could resurface would not.
''I. . .will probably have you just working on the afternoon shift with Spike; that often is when things tend to slow down, and I can just have Pinkie Pie and Steady Beat when he comes in on the morning shift,'' Moon Dancer decided, going over the adjust the roster for the week to account for the change she had set forward. ''Your days will be posted in a few minutes after the meeting is over, so you can go and check.'' Moon Dancer looked confused as Luna raised her hoof to ask a question.
''When will I be getting paid?''
Was she serious? That should be the least of her worries as far as she could tell.
''Luna, I know you may have been on the moon for millennia, but there are a few things to know with the modern times, such as working a week in the hole,'' Spike said, beginning to say what his boss was about to.
Luna visibly looked confused, searching around the store before speaking. ''We are to work in a hole for 7 days? I was not told about this.''
Pinkie Pie snorted and laid a hoof on Luna's shoulder, the Alicorn sneering at her laughter. ''What is so funny?''
''Silly Luna, there's no hole working here. You just have to wait a week before you get paid, is all.''
''A week!?'' Luna asked, looking even more confused and worried. Suddenly her chips didn't taste as good.
''Well, really it's more than two weeks before you actually get a decent payday,'' Spike said, throwing the Alicorn for a loop. ''It depends on whether you get paid every week or every other week. You'll just have to scrounge around until you get consistent income.'' the group observed Luna muttering to herself as she put the bag down and used a wooden washpin to keep the bag closed. ''What are you doing that for?''
''I need to conserve my snacks until I am paid.''
''So, what do you make of Luna so far?'' Moon Dancer peeked from in her office with Pinkie Pie.
''So far, so good!'' Pinkie spun around in her swivel chair, she was on break for the next half hour, so she would probably still help around the store when she felt it needed. She then looked at her boss in mild curiosity. ''Do you really need to have that out and ready? I don't think Luna's going to do anything that bad today.''
Moon Dancer looked down to the fire extinguisher on the floor underneath her legs as she gestured to it and then to the door leading to the sales floor. ''Just a little piece of extra insurance. I already lectured and made sure that they both know about what Luna needs to be familiar with and have down pact by the end of the week, or I'm docking her pay.''
Pinkie's mouth straightened to a flat glare at her boss. ''She doesn't get paid for two weeks, though.''
''My point exactly.'' Moon Dancer responded, then she noticed something out of the corner of her eye. ''Do me a favor and go stand by the Stocking room.''
''What for?'' Pinkie asked, slowly walking to the door as she looked to Moon Dancer thinking about something before thrusting forward a hoof and telling her employee to just keep an eye out. ''Ok, if you say so.''
When she left, Moon Dancer was only left to say one thing after she noticed the thing that got her attention. ''Let's see how she does. . .''
''T-Thank you again and have a good day, c-courtesy of Menagerie!'' Luna waved off a customer after purchasing some candle holders that were sure to accent the look of their bathroom once everything was set how they wanted it. After taking more of Spike's advice, and more at the behest of Moon Dancer making her focus, she made a small bit of progress from what she was told.
And it was only her second day, so she figured there could be a bit of wiggle room to have an error or two present.
But, with this job certainly came more restrictions than she was used to whenever she chose to remember what things were done by her ex-subjects, now fellow ponies when it came to the workforce. ''Was that good, Spike?''
The drake clapped his claws together and smiled a smile that Luna did not think could get any wider. She assumed that was good. ''Yea, I mean you stuttered here and there, but I guess that would still be happening with your second day, and having to adjust to more modern speech and customs. But better; every day should be some improvement,'' Spike hopped from his chair and walked around to the front of the store where he began to do some light sweeping.
''When do you think I can approach the point of being to your caliber?'' Luna asked, Spike, shrugging at the question. ''What does that shrug mean?''
''Just that. I don't know how long it can take for you to be where I am. Plus I don't think you even want to do that; I'm nowhere near perfect. It took years for me to get to where I am, and even longer to realize that I had the potential to be at this point.'' Spike's words struck a chord within Luna.
Potential?
Did she have the potential to. . .acclimate truly? Celestia always kept telling her not to fret over the small details and to look forward to the future. Something she still did not understand fully was her sister's forgiving nature over everything she tried to do, everypony she tried to hurt. . .and the pony she tried to become in the process.
No matter. . .she could worry later about that. She was pretty much on her own in this scenario, and it's up to her to make things better for her.
''Hey, Luna,'' Spike called out to her as he stopped his sweeping for a moment. ''Can you get rid of the trash?'' Spike pointed to a trash bin by the side of the desk, beginning to slowly overfill with trash.
Surely, that is well within the scope of her abilities. Just a little magic to incinerate it, and-
''-Without blowing it up,'' Spike said, looking over to her as the glint in her eyes dropped. ''Moon Dancer said you might have tried to do something like that. So actually take it out to the back and make sure-''
Curses. This job really did have restrictions.
''-Very well, I shall be back in a few minutes,'' Luna cut off the drake, walking to the back of the store, passing by Pinkie Pie as she pushed open a door and began to breathe in the slightly cold air of Canterlot's back alleys. The slightly grey clouds let little sunlight come through, but she was not worried in the slightest as she spied a dumpster down the cobblestone street.
And close by Death Hall, no less.
The dark blue and grey gothic style building moldings and braisers outside certainly appeared to fit the bill. And she wondered why she failed to go here instead.
Moon Dancer did want to pay back what Luna did for her, which was not much, in her opinion. But regardless, she was happy to be of assistance.
''I suppose this job will not be as difficult,'' Luna went to reach for the door to pull it open.
Only it didn't.
Pulling on the door, it failed to budge even an inch. A small knocking sound could be heard as she attempted to pull multiple times.
''You were right, Moon Dancer, Luna wasn't paying attention and locked herself outside!~'' Luna heard Pinkie Pie's voice as she blushed and kicked a small rock.
Spike woke up that morning as he did on most days; brush his teeth, make his bed, sit down with a bowl of some gem cereal, and played with Peewee before heading to work for the day.
Today, however, was different.
''Are you sure this is the place?'' Pinkie Pie asked as the pair finished following the directions of Luna's apartment. Moon Dancer made it a point for her newest employee to get better acclimated to this new world. Given the. . .escapdes of the other day, the weekend was a saving grace for the entire team. ''Luna's place looks abandoned.''
Spike checked the sticky note he was given by Moon Dancer and looked back at the address of the rather unsightly apartment complex. A standard two-level complex bathed in pale red and black, with a few of the metal guard rails missing as the steps leading to one of the upstairs staircases either chipped or broken off in bits. A faint smell of something rather unpleasant filled their nostrils the closer they ventured closer. ''This note says we're here, so we're here,'' Spike said, clutching the rail as he slowly traversed up the stairs, Pinkie following behind him with a wary expression.
The sounds of ponies beginning their routine on the street adjacent to them as the sun began to creep over the horizon. Why the pair had to be up at this gosh-forsaken hour was beyond them. ''Huuaawh, I wonder why Moon Dancer thinks this is a good idea,'' Pinkie exhaled, her breath coming out in a steamed exhale at the nippy cold outside. Spike zipped up his windbreaker and turned around the corner, facing a long walkway on the second floor with 5 units from the look of it, the doors facing to their immediate right in a line. The note said #12, which would be at the very end.
''Same reason you think it's a good idea to keep emergency frosting everywhere in your room.''
''Hey, what can I say? You never know when you'll frost a cake. . .or somepony.'' Pinkie replied in a cheery tone, catching Spike off-guard for a second.
''What?''
''Nothing!'' Pinkie smiled, pointing a hoof at the door they stopped in front of. ''We're here!''
The door was indeed a bit dingy, adorned with a few dents here and there, showing the plain gray coat underneath the chipped brown paint of the door. The black number 12 was crooked, and there had been faint streaks or marks of something following all the way down to the ground. Spike balled his claw up and knocked six times, each one getting progressively louder than the last before he stopped and stepped back with Pinkie, who looked at the door with a smile.
. . .
''Y-Yes. . .who. . .Hwaauh! is there?'' a low voice called out that the pair would have missed if they did not pay attention and listen. It sounded like Luna, but they weren't quite sure.
''Uh, Luna! It's us!'' Pinkie put her ear against the door as she semi-shouted. ''Spike and Pinkie Pie! We're here to wake you up early!''
Luna's voice began to mumble some before going quiet, though Pinkie just heard her mumble as if she was going back to sleep, muttering about why and the time the pair had shown up.
BANG! BANG!
''Oh, oh! I'm awake! I'm-Huwaah~. . .awake.'' Luna said before falling silent once more. The pair looked at each other before Spike took the spare key to her apartment that Moon Dancer gave him in the event something would happen to Luna; nothing bad, according to her own words, but the invasion of his coworker's privacy certainly was something he would question later on.
He turned the key, the clicking of the lock sounded rather rusty as it did not give to the turning of the key right away. He attempted to push the door open, only to meet resistance. Another forceful push yielded nothing against his tiny frame. ''Mind helping me out?''
''Sure!'' Pinkie agreed, helping to move the door with the drake as it slowly began to give way. Pinkie and Spike pushed with all their might, straining and grunting. The air quickly began to make their heads ache. Was Luna always this heavy? ''T-This door is. . .WHOA!'' Pinkie flew in the door, sailing through the hallway and flattening into the wall like a pancake. ''Ooo, P-pretty wall. . .'' Spike looked to see Pinkie wobble after standing up before melting into liquid after a flower pot that was set on a stand above her hit her in the head.
''You ok, Pinkie?!'' Spike hopped over Luna, who was currently on the floor semi-awake.
''Ugh. . .'' Pinkie's eyes lazily looked around before closing. ''I'm. . .soup. . .''
Spike clicked his tongue, turning around and looking to see Luna slowly find her way to her feet before she yawned, her horn beginning to ignite, the waves of magic unstable and pulsating wildly. Luna began to mutter some more, walking towards the pair slowly. ''Nooo. . .visitors. . .at this t-time.'' Luna said, yawning and scratching her itchy nose as she sneezed her magic zooming towards the duo as it literally exploded in their faces, the force knocking Spike back to the wall with Pinkie.
''Ok, that hurt,~'' Spike raised a weak finger that fell a moment later along with him, the magic that Luna hit him must have done something as he felt weak and liquidy. Speaking of which, Luna merely settled for settling back down, seemingly out for the count this time.
''Oh, look Spike!'' Pinkie exclaimed, sounding a bit more aware, though her voice sounded like she was underwater. ''We're soup buddies!''
Great. All they had to do was wake up Luna and get her ready for the day, and that didn't include being turned in a pony-dragon soup. . .thing!
Pinkie Pie felt funny, it felt like she didn't have any of her bones, and she couldn't really move all that much, but it still felt fun. ''This is like the time we had soup together; don't you remember? You had firecrackers,'' Pinkie chuckled, vibrating as Spike rolled his eyes as best he could, hoping to get away from his friend making any more puns before it got to be too late.
''Pinkie, no.'' Spike said, frowning.
''Oh come on! I got one more!''
Hmmm. Spike wasn't sure about that. But he would humor her. ''Is it soup related?''
''Nooooo.''
''Pinkie. . .''
''This would be bad if we had to work today like this, and we're soup,'' Pinkie chuckled, sounding genuinely worried but also had a hint of mischief. Spike knew he would regret this, but it couldn't be that bad, right?
''Fine, why?''
''Cause we'd be canned!'' Pinkie exclaimed, laughing up a storm. ''You think Luna can fix us when she wakes up?''
Ugh, this was definitely going to be quite the experience.
Luna sat on the stool with Spike at the front desk, the pair’s observation of the small window of Canterlot society there were given filling their minds with ideas. It was another slow day, and Spike figured it to be just as such, even with their new addition. “So, Luna; I have a question.” Spike wondered about something.
“What’s that?” Luna asked, using her magic to play with her bouncy ball again, catching it in mid-air before launching it back against the front wall of the entrance.
“If your imprisonment on the moon was 1,000 years long, how are you not dead?”
Luna was visibly shaken up by the question, not for what her co-worker asked her, but how he asked it with such a lifeless and blunt expression.
“Beg pardon? I don’t think I follow your question, Spike.” Luna said, stretching a hoof over her head in confusion. Spike stopped looking at the outside world for a second to look at the former princess of the land. Of course, she misunderstood what he asked.
Using air quotes for the parts he wanted her to focus on, he tried again. “I know why you got sent there and all that, but how did 1,000 years not kill you? Did you have water on the moon? Food? And how did you use the bathroom and stuff? Was the moon just one giant latrine?”
“Spike!” Luna blushed a bit, nervous and a bit miffed. “You don’t ask the Princess of the Night those type of-“ Luna was cut off by Spike putting a claw in front of her face, making her eye twitch.
“-Ex-Princess, and you can’t tell me nopony ever came to you and asked you that question after you came back,” Spike frowned, not buying the shtick. When Luna looked away, he gasped a bit. “You’re kidding.”
Luna sighed and adjusted her bow tie with her magic, not really wanting to discuss this, but the pair didn’t have much else to do, and it wouldn’t really hurt to tell him, of all ponies. Spike was the more levelheaded of Twilight’s friends. And he was indeed right about the ex-Princess thing, just a habit she would have to grow out of.
“Well, you are right in that you are not the first to ask that question, but you will be the first one, besides my sister who actually knows the answer. And it’s not something I’m too proud of.”
Spike stopped what he was about to say; proud? What did she do up there? Sacrifice a space animal?
Luna pouted, not really wanting to say this, but her and her sister both knew it was something to be done in a situation where you had next to no options, and this was something that had to be done for a millennia. Luna muttered something as she looked away from Spike, the absolute dread on her face just begging the dragon to know what she did to sustain herself on the moon for so long. “Um, excuse me?” Luna a heard a voice call out to her in the middle of her existential crisis.
“I ate my own hair, okay?!” Luna burst out, the exasperated groan that came out of her mouth afterwards making her to just want to crawl in a hole and die. “My mane has magical qualities, and is where most of the nutrients and vitamins that I consume lie! That’s why I am so small, and that’s how I survived; can you imagine just eating your hair, day and day out-“ Spike held a claw as he had to interrupt her rant.
“You were on the moon, so wouldn’t it be all night in and out?”
“Silence!” Luna returned the claw gesture with a hoof put in front of his face, making him stop and shrug. “Day in and day out, gnawing on your hair like it’s hay; do you know how mentally challenging that is to understand? I basically commited self-cannibalism!”
“Umm,” a voice called out again, only filled with a sprinkle of joy behind it. “I do stuff like that too.”
The pair froze, turning their heads to the customer in question, only to lay their sledges and surprise to mild rest when it was just Derpy, looking as innocent as she always has been. “Derpy?” Spike asked.
Derpy nodded as she looked the at pair, and chuckled. She didn’t mean to overhear their conversation, but Princess Luna shouted out the last part, so she got put into the conversation. “Sometimes I end up eating parchment when I forget I already made muffins,” Derpy whispered to the pair. Luna looked a bit worried as sweat bullets ran down her face as Spike looked mildly interested. “But don’t worry, Princess Luna; I won’t tell your secret.” Derpy said as she put a few number of bits to pay for the flowerpot she had been eying for a quite a while.
“Wait, Derpy. It’s just Luna!” Luna tried to tell Derpy, only she walked out of earshot before she could finish. Scooping up the bits and putting them in the register, Spike had to know one more thing as Luna slumped her head against the desk, her bouncy ball falling out of her magic and onto the floor. “Oh, this is worse than when I sold some of my hair to that restaurant for a month.”
“. . .You what?” Spike asked, his eyes as wide as saucers. “What did it taste like?”
A few stores down. . .
“What do you mean you don’t have The Moon Pasta?! That’s the whole reason I called off of work today!” A rather irate Pegasus flared his nostrils at the Earth Pony waiter who was given a verbal assault at their limited time dish. It sold like hot cakes after enough patrons tried it, but since they no longer were able to procure a steady source of it, it made all the more sense to discontinue it.
“I apologize sir, but we are unable to procure anymore of The Moon Pasta.” The Earth Pony chuckled nervously, trying to avoid the glare that he was being given.
“You better find some more before my hoof gets procured in your flank!”
Moon Dancer, Pinkie Pie, and Spike sat in the employee lounge in the back of the store as Moon Dancer went over the day's events. Fridays were always the time to go over what occurred during the week and to prepare for the following week.
Luna, however, was not present for some reason.
''So you mean to tell me either of you haven't heard anything from Luna this morning?'' Moon Dancer asked, curious as to why her employee was 2 and a half hours late, and for the third time this week. Moon Dancer had hoped that Luna would be on time to hear the report for the week so that everypony could be on the same page, but instead, for the past few days, Luna would walk into the store as if she had no idea of her being tardy. ''What in the world could she be doing every morning?''
Spike also wondered what she could be doing at a time like this, and on a workday, no less. Luna still had a lot to learn about the present times of Equestria, and it would be sometime before any semblance of change was noticed right away.
''Maybe she likes to sleep in later? We did end up getting turned to soup the other weekend when I and Spike went to check on her,'' Pinkie said, tapping a hoof against the table as she also thought more about why her fellow coworker was not here on time.
''Even with that; she still should know to be on time, or less it will reflect poorly on us and the store.'' Moon Dancer said, wanting to know more, but her hooves were tied at the moment; her workers could handle the store with no issue, but for her to up and leave was something she did not like doing.
That and Luna's apartment was on the other side of town.
''How about this? You just take care of the deliveries for the day, and we'll let you know when she comes and we'll send her your way,'' Spike said, walking over to the front of the store and sitting down on his stool to resume his shift and give Steady Beat a break. ''Whatever excuse she has could be valid, but that's something she would have to take up with you.''
Moon Dancer agreed with that, hoping she would not have to do the one thing she knew would be the case if something like this happened again. ''Well, ok, just send her to my office when she gets here.''
Pinkie Pie hopped over to the county with Spike, putting on their best face for the customers. ''Roger! You can count on us!''
A Few Moments Later. . .
Luna trotted into the store as she hummed a tune to herself as she sipped on her milkshake. Today was Friday, so it would be that much closer to the weekend, as well as closer to actually being paid from this job. She had no real complaints as of the current week, but the verdict on whether she wanted to stay long-term had yet to be seen. Moon Dancer was certainly a stickler for making things happen in a certain way when it pertained to Miniature Menagerie; to which she had no regrets.
''Greetings!'' Luna exclaimed as she walked into the store, feeling the cold air of the air conditioner across her skin as she put a bit of pep in her step as she wanted to get away from the heat outside. ''Have we had many customers so far?''
Spike waved a claw back and forth as he spied the drink in her magic, noticing the dull, almost mud brown color as she slowly sipped on it through a straw. ''What is that?''
''Brownie and peanut butter milkshake; Pinkie recommended it to me, and I finally managed to find time to get it,'' Luna hummed, slurping the drink with the happiness of a child. ''Would you like to try some?''
''You do know you were supposed to be a few hours ago, right?'' Spike asked, pointing at her. ''Do you even know what time it is?''
''12:30?'' Luna guessed, going over to the counter and setting down her drink to take off her coat and fold it up.
''Actually, 12:50. And Moon Dancer said she wants to see you in her office when you got here.'' Pinkie said, idly tapping her hooves on the table. Luna froze for a moment, wondering what it could be about. ''She's in the back taking a delivery.''
Unless. . .
''Surely it cannot be as bad as you claim, I am sure that whatever it is will be no big issue,'' Luna responded as she went to clock in, bringing over her drink as she ventured over to the back of the store, noting the lack of a few of the candles and candle holders. Looking over to the back where the large metal receiving door was open where Moon Dancer and a few delivery ponies were talking and discussing the shipment that just came into the store. ''Oh, Moon Dancer!''
Turning over and looking at her worker in surprise as she finished taking stock of the delivery items. ''Luna, you finally made it, I'm sure you would just love to explain to me why you were late; you must be bursting at the seams to tell us why.''
Luna paused in her current thought to look at Moon Dancer with a straight face. ''Well, I do tend to work longer than the others-'
''-You've been not here not even a month-'' Luna tsked at Moon Dancer trying to prove her point.
''And I feel I am able to accomplish the task given to me in the time that I am here.''
Moon Dancer looked at Luna; had she grown two heads or forgot that she was a princess before being brought down to this level? Wouldn't the idea of being on time and adhering to a set procedure make the process of life easier? Having a job such as this, especially when she was the one to build it from the ground up was unable to be flexible to the needs of a former princess having an existential crisis because she still lacks most of the social skills to interact with the average member of society and her former subjects at that.
''We do have a business to run, that I have worked to build to where it is, and I would very much appreciate it if you could be on time. An even better question than why you were late by so long would be why you were late for the past 3 workdays? What do you have to do that's more important than this?''
Luna hmmped, turning her head away from Moon Dancer as they ventured to her office, Moon Dancer taking a seat in her chair as Luna did the same in hers, sipping her milkshake all the while. The look of annoyance on Moon Dancer's face would have warranted a laugh if it were not for Luna having a mouthful of her drink that she would probably end spewing in her boss's face as she laughed at Moon Dancer's eyes that resembled a surprised deer.
Luna was unfazed as Moon Dancer trotted over to Luna, staring at her employee who looked on at the vision board that stated a few of the various ideas and a few of the projections for the company for the quarter. Moon Dancer inched closer to Luna, her eyes focused on the board as Moon Dancer remained unblinking at her. ''You're not making eye contact with me.'' Moon Dancer said. ''Do you wanna come clean?''
''I withhold any further statements.''
''Withhold what?! Why were you late? Do you want to work, or not?'' Moon Dancer looked at Luna, who still refused to make eye contact. ''And will you stop drinking that when I'm trying to talk to you? How is it not empty by now?'' Luna's drink appeared to be bottomless, and the smell of it was too. . .sugary. ''You know what? Forget it, it doesn't matter.''
Luna quirked a brow. It didn't? ''So. . .I am without consequence?''
Moon Dancer smiled, going over to her desk and writing down something on a notepad. ''For now. Just don't be late again without a valid reason, or it won't be good for you.''
Luna looked at Moon Dancer, wondering what exactly her boss could do to make the situation worse if she came late again. ''What could you do?''
Moon Dancer slowly folded her hooves and rested her chin on them, closing her eyes and humming a sweet tune; she often did this whenever she wanted to explode in anger, but knew she couldn't afford to actually get angry due to where she was, as well as who she was dealing with. Luna may have been a princess, but Moon Dancer was no ordinary pony.
''Short of firing you, quite a lot actually. I gave you this job not only because I wanted to repay the kindness you did for me, but also because I need somepony to actually work, and if you are unable or unwilling to do so, then I would have no problem resorting to less civil methods of compliance. And also understand this-'' Moon Dancer slowly tapped a hoof after every word she uttered. ''I will ensure that we will all be on the same page here at Miniature Menagerie.'' Luna slowly set her to drink down when she thought about what Moon Dancer told her. ''Dismissed.''
Working here just may be worse than being the former Princess of the Night.
Spike and Pinkie Pie came off the train, admiring the glow of the night sky as the breeze swept through the air.
''So, how long do you think this will take us; with the addition of Luna?'' Spike asked, cracked his knuckles, intent on getting this little errand out of the way so they could continue on about their business. ''Because something tells me that we should have taken Moon Dancer along with us, and this would be a whole lot easier than what I know it won't.''
Pinkie shrugged, fastening her saddlebags and walking ahead, clicking her tongue and sighing as she also thought about what would occur in this certain venture. It held no significant meaning to the pair, and Moon Dancer did have it as something that had to be done and should not be put off if it could be helped.
And Luna's performance would be measured to a degree to see if she could handle any future ventures that pertained to this.
''Don't have the slightest idea, but I know that the quicker we do this would be the quicker we can gauge her skill,'' Pinkie said, whistling with her hooves as the pair waited for a few seconds to see a shape appear over the top of the train that landed alongside Spike. ''Are you ready?''
''As much as I can say that I can; but I do wonder why I had to be on top of the train when you two were inside,'' Luna said, shakily exhaling a bit as the cold air of sitting on the train for the hourish long ride began to get to her. While not unbearable, she felt there was being an extra step taken on her behalf that she had yet to see if it was positive or negative. ''And why are we here of all places?''
Spike gestured for Luna to follow the pair as they traversed around the town of Appleloosa to go and initiate a trade deal with one of its many residents to gain a line of product for Miniature Menagerie. Moon Dancer did want to make a point of a good business owner to make deals face to face, though she was unable to due to needing somepony to run the store in the absence of her two best workers.
Luna could also use the experience if she were to stay long-term in the company to pull said deals by herself.
Pinkie and Spike were merely there as an extra form of insurance.
''This is one of the few places that Moon Dancer knows a few of the ponies that were willing to do business with us, and the product that they offer could be a good boost for our sales since some of our customers-'' Spike tapped a claw in his other hand to annunciate his point. ''-special order some items, and it would be better for them to buy direct where we can offer it at a slightly reduced price.''
''Wouldn't that make us lose money however if we charge at a different rate than those here?'' Pinkie snorted as Luna asked the question that Moon Dancer had a feeling that she would after almost immediately arriving.
''If you buy something from a place you typically have a good relationship with, it builds a connection enough to help the image of the business to help grow and keep consistent loyal customers; loyal customers generally equal to a more consistent flow of buyers,'' Spike said, consulting the yellow sticky note that held directions to the supplier who wanted to do business with Moon Dancer, though who only agreed to do the initial meeting at night. ''But meeting at night does seem the slightest bit curious.''
''Maybe they don't want to draw attention; maybe the product that they sell is questionable,'' Luna said, noting the dim candlelights of the few buildings spaced out, providing a warm backlight as the trio continued onto their destination. ''Moon Dancer did confirm this pony's. . .shall I say; trustworthiness in regards to business?''
''Totally!'' Pinkie exclaimed, raising a hoof to the air as she went over the first time she was sent to do something like with Spike and the kind of questions that Luna asked were more along the lines of what she also asked when push came to shove. ''Moon Dancer wants us to help her do her best to get business drumming up as much as we can, so she may be considering branching out.''
Luna pondered the small nugget of information as Spike led them to a church, the pale grey of the building contrasting the moonlight.
''And what is this place?'' Luna asked, noting the lack of lights around the church as well the harsh breeze that picked up the closer they came to it.
“Where Moon Dancer’s contact is. He insisted on meeting here so we can see first his product.” Spike said, knocking on the door a few time in a pattern before stepping back and waiting. A few rustles came, the sound of glass and furniture being moved before the door slowly opened, revealing a pony that both Spike and Pinkie knew from their earlier adventures.
“Wooo, apologies about y’all, had forgot about all that stuff in the way,” the Earth Pony coughed, waving the the dust out of his way as he spied the trio. “Heya there, Pinkie Pie, and Spike, of course.”
“Braeburn,” Spike nodded, pointing a claw to Luna as she waved faintly. “And of course you know of Luna, though this would be the first time you would meet each other.”
“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Princess. I do apologize for how I look, if I had know you were coming, I would have put on my best duds,” Braeburn chuckled, lowering his hat in respect.
Luna waved him off, chuckling as she once again had to inform those who were not told of the news that she was a princess no longer, and not to be upheld the standard of one as she and Celestia did not hold any power over the courts. “It is quite alright; I am Princess of the night no longer, so you need not refer to me as such anymore.”
Braeburn seemed to add something up in his mind before nodding to himself. “Had a feeling, what with all the rumors, and hearing it from the source just hammered that idea even further. Might I ask why you’re here with these two?”
“Employment from Moon Dancer. As a payback of helping to cure her from her nightmares, she agreed to give me a job at her supply store, and now she has on a ride-along job to learn the ropes, as it were,” Luna explained, the gears in his head turning and meshing as she regaled him with tales of what led to this point.
“Well, I’m sure the rest of that story is very much exhilarating, but I wouldn’t want you three to be out here any longer than needed. You lot did come here for business,” Braeburn gestured for the three of them to come inside. “Now, Moon Dancer did tell you what the product is and how to. . .shall I say; handle it?”
“We know that, but Luna doesn’t yet,” Pinkie said, walking alongside Braeburn as he hummed to himself. Not telling Luna should have been something that should have occurred before the start of coming here. It wouldn’t be an issue, per se, only make the explanation. . .unique. “Moon Dancer figured it could be a good way for her to expect the unexpected with the job.”
Luna paused her next step to contemplate about what was going on underneath the surface. Were they involved in illegal activities?
“Yea, you would be right in that assumption; I don’t think it’ll be that much of an issue.” Braeburn said, opening a door towards the back of the church, revealing something to Luna that would have made her backpedal if it was not for her years of experience of seeing things that went against the grain.
“What, pray tell; is this?” Luna tilted her head, not fully understanding what exactly was in front of her. “This is what we are selling?”
“Exactly; the terms Moon Dancer set for dividends were 50/45, with 5% in a long term investment over the next 3 to 4 years,” Braeburn nodded to himself, sweeping a hoof out to the spread in front of them. “There’s just the matter of transportation to Canterlot, and you all should be good,'' Braeburn stepped back, allowing the group to peer in and see what exactly they had in store for them. ''You should have no problem getting it where you need to with a little extra help.'' Braeburn said as he waited outside for them to finish their collection.
Luna shook her head, not wanting to believe what was in front of them as Spike and Pinkie merely got to work, unfurling a few sacks to pack the items in question. ''Spike, Pinkie; I pose a question.''
''Yea?'' the pair responded.
''Has Moon Dancer lost her mind, or was it that she never possessed one to begin with? I protest. . .where exactly did she find this? And why Braeburn of all ponies?'' Pinkie snorted as she finished loading her 3rd bag, balancing the other two on her back as she walked them over to the door.
''Silly Luna, these are probably the best things that ponies ask for, but it's hard to come by! I know it helps me sometimes when I have a bad day!''
''Same here,'' Spike agreed, loading his 4th bag. ''It does have other benefits, too.''
''But this? How will leaves help bring in more business?''
''Because they're a mix of a different kind of leaves that give off aromas when you boil them. Moon Dancer can use those to help make more exotic bath bombs that most of the customers ask for, but coming to Appleloosa to get it hikes the price up, and having Braeburn do all the work makes it all the more difficult with him not having the proper infrastructure.'' Spike said, loading yet another bag at the door.
Luna tilted her head. ''Yet Moon Dancer does?'' Pinkie nodded in response as Luna began to inhale the scent of some of the leaves as she looked walked ahead in the patch of leaves to see a small mountain of blue leaves tucked away in one corner in what looked like a cheesecloth sack. ''These leaves are familiar to me. . .'' a wave of irritation flashed through Luna's nose as she got closer to it, making her nose scrunch. ''Ah-choo!''
''Luna, are you ok?!'' Spike asked, running over to her as she was downed by the flowers, sneezing and rubbing her nose. When Spike came over to check on her, the sight before him made him want to almost laugh.
''W-What is the problem, Spike?'' Luna asked, her voice sounding a bit more amplified than usual as she turned over to face the drake.
''Oh, great.'' Spike facepalmed, calling Pinkie over to assess the damage of what happened. ''Luna got into the Poison Joke.''
''What happened to her?'' Pinkie asked, tilting her head as she walked up. ''Oh, I see. . .that's not a good thing.''
''How bad could it be? It is merely Poison Joke; nothing more. Am I discolored in any way?'' Spike and Pinkie looked to each other, then shrugged as Spike motioned for Luna to get up. ''And why does my body feels a bit heavier than it normally did?''
''Because you now have two heads,'' Braeburn said as he walked back in, picking up on what was occurring as it took longer than it normally needed to. Shaking his head as Luna slowly began to understand the severity of what he said as she began to freak out. ''And here I thought it would be an easy exchange.''
Luna walked into Miniature Menagerie, mumbling to herself as she recalled the events of last week. Spike and Pinkie Pie's little. . .excursion with Braeburn certainly made a place in Luna's mind on what not to do when it concerned the two of them. With picking up her morning drink and leaving a tad bit earlier than what she would have been okay with, the former princess of the night felt. . .ok for the moment.
When she set her coat down and breathed a breath, that was the moment where things took a turn.
''Come on, one of you guys has to do this! The day can't go on unless it gets done!'' Moon Dancer stomped a hoof on the ground, pointing to Spike and Pinkie, who looked hesitant as Moon Dancer advanced on them. Luna rolled her eyes as she was sure as whatever it was the three of them were debating could be handled with enough time and talking.
''Well. . .why not get Luna to do it? She is still new,'' Pinkie said, noting the lack of their newest worker who Moon Dancer was sure that wanted to have the initiative to prove herself to the new job and possibly even get promoted. The possibilities were endless. ''Plus is still an Alicorn, so she could-'' Luna interrupted the Earth Pony as she had had enough of her name being mentioned when she was not immediately there.
''To do what exactly now? More errands to far off lands to do Celestia knows where for another ambiguous transaction of goods?'' Luna asked as she walked into the fray, Spike and Moon Dancer looking to the Alicorn as she waited to be briefed on what was set to occur.
''Well,'' Moon Dancer said, walking over to the counter and bringing some papers with her as she prepared to go over the day's schedule. ''We have a. . .issue concerning a rival store of ours, and believe me if we let them get the upper hoof on us, then it will not be a good day for any of us.''
''Why is that?'' Luna asked, looking at the papers that detailed the rival store in question and how much more productivity and otherwise sales in contrast to Miniature Menagerie. ''And how do you have this much information about this 'other store'?''
''Pinkie,'' Spike pointed to his fellow co-worker, noting her ability to get information on almost anypony with enough time. . .and confectionary assistance. ''It tells us that we are about 15% behind this rival store in terms of what they sell, how they sell it, and more importantly; their image.''
''And why was I not told about this?'' Luna asked. Spike shook his head as he thought back to the Appaloosa excursion where Luna was a bit under the weather to where she had two heads and the interaction between the two of them where she mouthed off plenty of different ideas that she herself was unsure enough about that the other would merely agree or disagree with to the point of being a possible second personality that was possible repressed due to her time being on the moon and the acclimation of the entirely different life she had to adjust to. ''I would think it important to tell me about this 'Super Store'.''
''We did, Luna! You were too woosy to pay attention!'' Pinkie remembered the night in all its glory or lack thereof. Rolling her eyes at that comment, the time for action prompted Luna to ask what exactly they would be doing. She was sure that no matter what they had to do, that it would end in the result that they wanted.
''Well, we're down to two options,'' Moon Dancer poofed up a whiteboard with a pink and green marker, drawing Spike and Pinkie Pie's names and putting a divider between the two as she began to write down the base point of what each one wanted to have happened. Spike's idea was more akin to a full-frontal assault to demand the secrets of their success versus Pinkie's idea of going undercover to find the secrets without being found out. ''Pinkie wants to go in undercover, though it'll take longer.''
''Aye,'' Luna nodded agreeing with the idea but turning to Pinkie as she spoke up. ''And what of you, Pinkie?''
''And I want to go into the store and find out by just asking, and they should just tell us,'' Spike said, hoping that the way he wanted to go about things would bring about a better result than Pinkie. ''They would probably tell us everything we want to know versus taking time.''
Luna cast a thought to herself about the two plans, and even though her head was a bit clouded still from having two heads, she had to admit that Spike's plan would still be better to go with Pinkie's of the guise of being part of the rival store. "I may still be a little under the effects of Poison Joke, but if we are to ascertain the means of how they are able to produce more revenue than us.''
''You know, they haven't been in this part of Canterlot for very long, so maybe the name of their brand carried some buying power here,'' Spike thought about one possibility as to how quickly the business was booming versus their own.
Moon Dancer also wanted to agree, but she had yet to tell Luna her part in the grand scheme of all things. ''Well, I guess since Spike, myself, and Luna are in agreement, then that is what we will do. But, there is something that you all should know, especially you, Luna.'' Moon Dancer said as she looked at her worker.
''Hah! How bad could it possibly be?''
''Trixie is the manager of the store.''
Luna's eyes narrowed, looking to Spike with a focused glare as he backpedaled a bit, noting the serious look that threatened to tear him in two if he was not careful. ''What's the address?''
Luna and Pinkie Pie just finished helping Spike clean the front of the store when the small amount of downtime was given after lunch. Moondancer always did want a clean store whenever possible to help facilitate team cooperation.
Plus the understanding of being clean was a literal law that could not be ignored for vendors and shop owners.
''Well, that was pretty easy; so what else needs to be done before I can take my break?'' Luna asked as Spike sat on his stool as he finished counting the register before Steady Beat would be ready to take over so the drake could take his lunch break. ''I do enjoy the nice, and soothing sounds of the nearby park accompanied by the quaint, but mellow-'' Moondancer interrupted her.
''-What you're going to do is give Pinkie and Spike their breaks first; it's not that busy today, and you really can deal with the rush for a minute, it won't be that bad with you and Steady.'' Moondancer said as she gave her newest employee a tap on the shoulder with a dash of 'assurance' that it would be in her best interest to stay behind for the sake of the company rather than enjoy her time of quiet.
Luna's face nearly contorted in a way to disagree before the thought of her earlier conversation with her boss came to her mind, making her present idea of saying something to combat against her seem all the more. . .not good. As Pinkie and Spike took off for their breaks, Moondancer walked over to Luna, looking at her employee with a belayed look of surprise as Luna. . .began to execute without much of a fight. Could it have worked?
''Are you okay, Luna? Usually I would be butting heads with you for a minute or two at least. or did you figure it out how things were really supposed to go?'' Moondancer quirked a brow in a challenging nature.
''Oh, but of course; anything to get the job done, after all.'' Luna said, her tone sounding actually very cheerful to be dealing with customers to the degree the rest of her workers had.
Curious.
''Oh, really? Then I guess you wouldn't mind staying after since Spike told me that he'll need to leave early.'' Moondancer said, wanting to confirm something.
''But, of course. I do hope everything is alright; I would ask, but it would not be my place,'' Luna responded, humming a sweet tune to herself after helping direct a customer to the kitchen section. Steady Beat took a quick break to the bathroom, so Moondancer had some comfort knowing too many wouldn't have to go through this exchange.
''It was last minute too, you know,'' Moondancer's tone of voice had an air of nonchalance as Luna nodded along in a robotic nature. ''A visit from the doctor, and he may have to go in for an operation any day now.''
''Well, your health is more important than work, so being understanding in that regard is important.'' Luna said, Moondancer walking closer to her employee, noticing that her tone remained unchanging.
''Spike may lose his foot.'' Moondancer wanted to see how far down the rabbit hole Luna would go cover up. . .whatever was going on in her personal life.
''Well, he would still have one either way.'' Moondancer growled, slamming a hoof on the table as a customer set down a flower pot, causing it to tip over and fall to the ground, shattering into piece as the pony in question frowned, wanting to speak as Moondancer looked at her with raised eyebrows, causing her to back away.
''Luna. . .are you doing okay?'' Moondancer questioned, looking at the almost serene look of peace that Luna had, only contrasted by the tense body language she had. ''You know you can talk-''
''-Oh, no, no. Nothing is wrong, Moondancer. I merely see why you were simply pushing for fluidity in the business that you have worked so hard to build, so the least I could do is work to the standard that you put forward,'' Luna's eyes closed for a moment, her next choice of words surprising the unicorn. ''And work is a good thing. It allows you to live, to pay for things that you want, and too not end up being homeless, or staring down the proverbial barrel of an eviction order.''
''Wait, what was that last part; you kinda spoke it too fast.'' Moondancer said, shaking her head and flopping her ears to make sure she heard what she thought she did. From time to time, Luna would often say things that would get by the unicorn if she wasn't being as observant as she should have been.
''You heard what I said.''
''Luna!'' Moondancer shouted, mugging her worker as she groaned, throwing her head back before laying it on the counter, huffing a small breath out.
''What? I have done nothing wrong, at all!'' Luna argued, seemingly to trying to argue against what her boss tried to tell her, but to no avail. ''May have been a missed payment, and or noise complaint one too many where I came face to face with the Canterlot Housing Authority, but that's-''
''-Irresponible; Luna, you're older than a lot of ponies, only one-upped by Celestia, but you act like a 6-year old, and you think you can really justify your lack of coming into work when you know you can't to afford to?''
The lack of silence followed only by a well-timed cricket chirp did little bolster Luna's case.
''We all make mistakes.'' Luna said, nervously chuckling. Moondancer was unimpressed.
Moondancer shook her head as she walked away from her employee, wanting a good cup of apple cider to help her troubles. ''Not when said mistake can be the difference between living somewhere or out in the street in a cardboard box.''
''It could be worse, Moondancer!'' Luna shouted as the door to her office closed with her magic. ''Discord could work here!''
The rain came akin to a monsoon, Luna unable to enjoy the scenery outside for the streets of Canterlot. ''Spike, a question.''
The dragon piqued up, pausing his check of the day's receipts with a frown. ''Hmm?''
''Do you think about what faith does?'' Spike turned his head to look his partner in the face. ''Can it be the true end all?''
That question threw Spike for a loop, especially for the main reason that Luna was hopefully wiser beyond her years to ask that. But, she figured she may have asked merely to get another perspective. ''No, not really, but why do you ask if it could be an end-all?''
Walking around the counter and peering out to the streets of Canterlot and its denizens running about to get out of the rain and into warmth. Being a worker for the amount of time she had been at Miniature Menagerie, along with the recent 'issues' concerning the new rival store that suddenly became the topic of conversation for Moon Dancer in reference to faith. Faith that things would work themselves out, given enough time. ''Just an idea to ponder; nothing to warrant much worry,'' Luna said, closing her eyes as she laid a hoof on the counter and planted her chin on top, a silent exhale following as Spike looked on.
''Not to hitch a saddle to you, but did you ever get that civil case with Trixie handled?'' Spike's question nearly warranted a hoof to the face due to the bluntness of his statement. ''Moon Dancer did want to ask, but she just had me do it.''
''W-W-Wha? That's none of her or your concern! The Canterlot High Court is currently handing-''
''-You say that now, but knowing the legal process, them handling it may be more trouble than what it's worth, you do know that Trixie sued you, right?'' Spike's words made Luna look at her fellow worker with a gaze she hoped would be burning a hole into his skull, purely figuratively, of course. The situation with Trixie was. . .a delicate dance of sorts, and one that The Canterlot High Court would attend to since her case as her being the aggressors seemed to work out in favor with the judges. "If she comes in here spouting nonsense, that's your job.''
Walking back to her seat and sitting down, Luna glanced at Spike, bringing out her bag of salt and vinegar chips as she munched away, not wanting to hear more of the issue as she held the idea that her position at the store would more than likely be called into question, should Trixie surface at the store. As long as she didn't cause any trouble.
And to be fair, Trixie did decide to attack back at the notion of being as she said ‘cheated’ for the price of a table that unfolded into a bigger one with the slightest touch of magic. The price marked that day was the price marked, and Trixie's. . .issues on top of a generous 10% discount pushed the former matriarch to her limits for that interaction. ''I am sure that should Trixie have the courage to trot through those doors again, it would hopefully be the betterment of herself and her pride versus attempting to pick a fight with me,'' Luna huffed, popping another chip in her mouth.
''Uh-huh,'' Spike nodded, smelling the lie from a mile away, but choosing not to press the conversation further as he was sure that with time, Luna would in one way or another, find herself in trouble, and Spike wanted nothing more than to be as far away as possible as to not incur the wrath of Moon Dancer; he already received enough of that on a daily basis whenever he made small mistakes. ''You would think a somepony like you would be better at managing anger issues.''
''I will ignore that for the sake of our friendship and workplace, now let us talk about something else,'' something out of Luna's eye caught her attention and caused her to focus. ''Like who in Canterlot sent 'that'?'' Spike looked to see. . .something that she couldn't quite make out with words of description. The look on Spike's face was a mixture of the deepest level of confusion mixed with a hint of silent intrigue.
On a wooden cart sat a glorious chocolate sheet cake, adorned with light blue and yellow frosting surrounding the pastry. As it sat propped up on an angle, Luna could spy lettered frosting that looked to spell out something that the former princess looked to see as a challenge. Nay, a war of sorts would be the better way to describe the situation.
A war of attrition.
''Spike, inform Moon Dancer that I will be taking an early lunch; there is something I must attend to.'' Luna said, taking her chips with her after she forcefully took a ‘slice’ of cake in all its mouth-watering glory along with her magic as Spike looked in, contemplating if he should also indulge himself in the confectionery, only to note one thing.
Luna pushed the cart over, smushing the cake on the fine cobblestone.
