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// Mares and Marks 
// Story: Sweet and Spicy 
// by Dragonlord Daoka 
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	Dust rose into the chill morning air as a solitary wagon trundled towards the still sleeping Ponyville. The weathered wood creaked and groaned, the gentle swaying motion lulling the single passenger into a doze. The stallion in the harness, as tough and solid as his trusty wagon, glanced back briefly and chuckled.	“Now Pep, how d’you expect ta help me sell our stock at market when ya cain’t even keep yer eyes open for ten minutes?” his passenger glanced sleepily up at him.
“Sorry ‘bout that Pa.” the young rose colored mare apologized “Guess I stayed up a lil’ too late las night.”
“Readin’ them mushy books again, I’d wager.” came the teasing reply.
“Not this time.” Pepperdance replied, a bit smugly. “I was readin’ up on new salsa recipes.” after a moment’s thought, she added “Though since you hafta lump all the ingredients t’gether, I guess it sorta WAS a mushy book.” Father and daughter shared a laugh as they entered the outskirts of town. 
Pepperdance had been away from the town for three long months, and she was eager to show off her newly acquired Cutie Mark. The trio of red chili peppers stood out on her rosy flank, and her scarlet mane hung in a braid over her left shoulder. She was almost the complete opposite of her father, Dug, with his slate grey coat and short black mane. His muscled flank was adorned by a crossed shovel and pickaxe.  
“Scoots is gonna be so jealous.” Pep thought. “Wonder how her and her friends are doin’ anyhow.” she had been away from Ponyville for so long, it was possible that the three fillies known as the Cutie Mark Crusaders had earned their marks as well. The farm mare always had gotten along with younger ponies better than any who were her age. “Cuz they’re all nuts…” she smirked to herself “Colt-bands this and fashion trends that… never a care for anypony ‘sides themselves.” her reverie was interrupted by their arrival at Market Square.
“An’ here we are.” Dug said, coming to a halt behind their booth. Pep hopped down and helped him out of the harness, then they set to work arranging the two dozen types of vegetables for sale. Halfway through the habaneros, she was hailed by the next booth over.
“Well howdy there, Pepperdance! Ain’t seen you fer a spell.”
“G’mornin’ Miss Applejack!” Pep replied happily “I had ta help my Auntie Cayenne fer a bit, but guess what?” she turned to give the apple seller a side view.
“Yeehaw, ya’ll got yer Cutie Mark! An’ a mighty fine one, at that. I reckon yore Ma is proud as puddin’.”
“She sure is.” Pep agreed “When Aunt Cayenne hurt herself, our pepper crops started sufferin’. And Ma cain’t run the farm and watch lil’ Roma at the same time.”
“I ken unnerstand that. Applebloom is still a hoof-ful sometimes.” her emerald eyes twinkled with suppressed mirth 	   “Speakin’ of, she’s gonna be mighty jealous when she finds out.” Pepperdance giggled at the thought
“Well, I’d best be getting’ back ta work. These veggies ain’t gonna arrange themselves, after all.”
“That’s the truth. Ya’ll take care now.” the farm mares waved a final farewell, and returned to their work.

Half an hour later, Pep was seated behind the counter of her family booth, whistling happily as the town began to stir around the Square. A few early shoppers were already  at the dairy stands, and an older gentlecolt was perusing the nearby tomato stand. Dug and some other farm folk were gathered round a small table in front of Sugarcube Corner, sipping coffee and talking business. She glanced around her own display, which was arranged by Scoville units. The dozen pepper varieties ranged from sweet green, red and yellow bells to volcanic Ghost. A polite cough caused her to flinch, and she looked up to see the older stallion who had just been at the tomato stand.
“Pardon me, sir.” Pep said brightly “Didn’t mean ta be ignorin’ ya. How can I help ya’ll?”
“No problem, young un.”’ the wrinkled old face smiled “Do you have any jalapenos in?”
“We sure do! Grew these un’s my own self.” she replied, placing a small bushel of shiny green fruit on the counter.
“Well you must have quite the green hoof, young filly. These are the finest lookin’ peppers I’ve seen in a good while.” the customer selected four of the largest peppers and placed them in his bag.
“Thankee kindly, sir.” Pep told him, trying not to sound too pleased. “I do ‘ave a fondness for the lil’ beauties. Oh, and that’ll be three bits.”
“A bargain for such lovely specimens.” the gentlecolt beamed. “I’ll be back once these are gone!”
“Have a nice day, sir!” Pep called after him, scooping the coins into the lock box. “Whatta nice ol’ feller. Hope all my customers are that nice.”
As the morning passed, Pepperdance did a brisk business, selling out of the red and yellow bells and most of her jalapenos. When Dug returned just before noon, he found her slumped against the barrel of cubanelles. When she noticed his return, she jumped up excitedly.
“Lookit Pa, I sole all them bell peppers and my jalapenos are a hit!”
“I can see that.” Dug replied, trying to suppress the pride in his voice. His little filly was growin’ up! “How’s about I take over so you ken get a bite o’ lunch?”
“That sounds wunnerful, Pa.” she replied wearily. Her stomach gave a low growl, and she blushed slightly.
“Be off with ya then.” he told her, smiling gently as she gave him peck on the cheek, then dashed off. 

When the dust had settled behind Pepperdance, Applejack walked over to speak with the proud father.
“Howdy Mr. Miner.”
“Howdy yerself, young Apple. How’s ol’ Granny doin’”
“Jes peachy, thanks. And how’s your family doing?”
“The missus is recoverin’, and our new colt is a chip off the ol’ block.”
“Seems like young Pep is growin’ into quite the business pony.” the orange mare winked.
“Aye, gets it from ‘er Ma. As well as her talent with growin’ veggibles.” he frowned slightly “Has her head in the clouds more often than not, though.”
“Tain’t a bad thang.” Applejack replied “Young un’s oughta have a dream ta follow.”
“Rarely have I heard truer words.” the grizzled stallion agreed. Dreamin’ too much can be dangerous though.”
“That’s true. Ah don’t think ya hafta worry bout Pepperdance.” Applejack assured him. “She’s got a good head on ‘er shoulders.”
“I appreciate the kind words young un.” Dug replied. “But it seems as if we’d best get back to work. The afternoon crowd be comin’.” The farm folk said their goodbyes and prepared to face the oncoming rush.

Pepperdance sat outside a small café, munching the last of her hay fries and enjoying the early spring sunshine. As she rose to leave, placing bits on the table as a tip, she heard an unpleasantly familiar voice.
“Well, well, look what the dust blew in.” came the snide comment “Little miss super chef has returned at long last.” the speaker was a white coated Pegasus mare with a lilac mane. She was a year older than Pep, and sported a bunch of purple grapes as on her flank.
“Hello, Sugar Grape. What d’you want?” Pep asked warily. Sugar came from an old farming family too, but because they sold the ‘highest quality grapes in Equestria’, they had little in the way of kindness or decency. Pepperdance couldn’t stand them.
“Now Pep, is that any way to speak to an old school chum?” Sugar asked innocently “I merely wanted to congratulate you on earning your Cutie Mark. Finally.” the white mare’s face split with a haughty sneer. “It only took you what, two years longer than the rest?”
“Mayhaps, but Pa sez that the rarest flowers always bloom late.” the farmer replied “At least, your brother Concord always thought so.” Sugar Grape’s amethyst eyes flew wide with rage.
“You leave poor Conny out of this! You’re the reason he got shipped off to the Royal Guard Academy!”
“An’ how the blazes is that my fault!?” Pep demanded “He’s the foal who tried ta force ‘imself on me. I was jes protectin’ myself!” Sugar faltered, horror painting her delicate features
“He did WHAT!?”
“Oh, never tole ya the whole story, did he?” Pep snorted “He prolly tried ta blame the whole mess on me.”
“Well, yes… but…”
“Look, don’t worry bout it, Sugar. I forgave ‘im, even if his apology was forced. Now, if’n you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna head to Sugarcube Corner for dessert.” Pepperdance trotted off in the direction of her favorite sweet shop, leaving a frazzled Pegasus behind her.
Making her way through the Market, Pepperdance glanced around at the nearly infinite stalls and booths, her bits clamoring to be spent with every step. As she passed a blacksmith’s forge, she wondered idly how Concord was doing at the Royal Guard Academy. The mental picture of him sweating and grunting as a drill sergeant bellowed at him gave her a fit of  giggles. When they had subsided, Pep became aware of a familiar buzzing sound to her left, and just managed to dodge an orange and purple blur as it whizzed past.
“Scoots!” she called after it, hoping to catch the young filly’s attention. The blur ground to a halt, and the Pegasus looked back in excitement.
“Pep! You’re back!” Scootaloo cried happily. Pep trotted over to her and they hugged. “You got your Cutie Mark!? So not fair!”
“Aw, boo-hoo.” Pep teased “It showed up bout a week an a half ago, as I was helpin’ Ma ‘n Aunt Cayenne in the gardens.”
“I really like it! It totally suits you.” Scootaloo admitted
“I thought so to, Scoots. So, where’s the fire?”
“Oh, no fire. I’m just late meeting Sweetie and Applebloom at the Library. We have to help Twilight out, cuz we messed  it up yesterday.” 
“Typical.” the farm pony said, shaking her head in amusement “I prolly don’t wanna know how, do I?” Scootaloo grimaced. She and her two friends, known as the Cutie Mark Crusaders, were perpetually in trouble around town. “Have fun with that. I’m off ta Sugarcube Corner.”
“Okay! See ya around, Pep!” the hyperactive filly took off again, her tiny wings beating frantically. Pepperdance watched her go, grinning, then joined the line outside Ponyville’s premier sweet shop.

While waiting in line, Pep thought longingly of the triple chocolate muffin she intended to buy. The mere thought of the dark confection was enough to send her salivary glands into overdrive. When the rosy mare finally made it to the front of the line, the bright pink salespony gave a squeal of delight.
“Pepperdance! It’s SO good to see you back in town!”
“Hey there, Miss Pinkie.” Pep replied heartily “Believe me, it’s good to BE back.” she leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Got a big batch o’ yer favorite Ghost pepper sauce brewin’ back home.” Pinkie Pie bounced happily
“Just in time, too! I’m down to my last bottle.”
“Brought some along, if’n you’d care fer a preview. Left it at the booth, though.”
“Sounds awesome! I’ll drop by after work. Now then, the usual for you?”
“Yes, please.” Pep answered. Pinkie Pie slipped through the swinging door to her right, and returned promptly with an enormous cupcake that oozed chocolate. Pep reached for her coin pouch, but the party pony stopped her with a mock stern hoof shake.
“Oh, no you don’t. Friends who recently earned their Cutie Marks don’t pay on my watch!” she smiled and laughed 	“Congratulations Pepperdance!” Pep blushed slightly as the other customers cheered. She took the confection gratefully unable to resist a small nibble.
“Thankee kindly, Miss Pinkie, everypony.” she looked around, still a bit embarrassed. “But I gotta be gettin’ back to the Market, else I’ll be late. G'bye!”
“See ya after my shift!” Pinkie called after her.
Pep headed back to the Market Square, eating her delicious dessert. She stopped to wait for a line of carts to pass, and found that she had finished it. Regretfully, she wadded up the wrapper and tossed it in a nearby trash bin. As the soggy paper landed, a cry of dismay echoed up out of the trash can. 
“Aww, right in my face.” Pepperdance, startled by the voice replied
“Um, sorry ‘bout that. Didn’t know anypony was in there.” 
“Oh, that’s alright. I was hoping somepony would come along and find me. I think my friends forgot about me. Again.” Pep walked over to the bin and glanced in. A small colt looked back up at her with bright blue eyes. “Good afternoon, Miss. My name’s Pip.” the rosy farm mare giggled at his accent.
“Nice ta meetcha Pip. My name is Pep.”  she helped him out of the bin, and picked the soggy wrapper off his head. The colt had a brown and white splotched coat, and a short brown mane. 
“You’ve got a funny accent, Miss Pep.”
“It ain’t half as funny as yours, Sir Pip.” she smiled at the energetic little colt. “So then, ya say yer friends forgot ya?”
“Yes.” Pip replied with a sigh “We was playin’ hide n’ seek, but that was ages ago. Now I just want to go home.”
“Do you live here in Ponyville?” Pep asked
“Yes, miss. We moved here from Trottingham a few months ago.” 
“I see. Well, I’ll help ya out. Oh, and as much as I appreciate the politeness, my friends call me Pepperdance. Pep fer short.” 
“Okay mi- Pep! My real name is Phillip, but it sounds too fancy for me. Most ponies call me Pipsqueak.”
“I can unnerstand that.” the mare agreed “Pepperdance is kinda a mouthful. Now, where’s yer house?” Pip lead her down the alley and paused, clearing trying to remember the way home. 
“I- I can’t recall.” he admitted. “There were so many ponies around, I got all mixed up.” 
“Well, I’m heading back to the Market, would ya like to accompany me, and we’ll see if’n ya remember the way? Else we could wait for Miss Pinkie Pie ta show up. She knows everypony.”
“Oh, yes, Miss Pinkie is really nice! I’ll just wait with you, if that’s alright.” the colt smiled up at her, his innocent eyes filled with trust.
“No problemo, Pip.” she redirected their steps towards the Square. “Now tell me, do ya like spicy food?”