Washing glasses was not a good job. It was not a good job at all. After only a single week of doing it, I was miserable, exhausted, and too drained to even go out and have fun. Plus I still hadn’t heard back from Apple Polish, which was annoying. How long would it take to either let me graduate or not?
Then there was Melodic Ward. She’d turned me down and hadn’t turned back up to buy me dinner. I guess I had come on a bit too strong. Still, I am who I am! If I see somepony I like I’m not going to be shy about it.
On the work side of things, however, there was a silver lining. It was pay day. It would all be worthwhile. All of the glasses, all of the soap, all of the missed fun time!
I sat across from Dolly in her office while she looked at her ledger. There was a huge pile of bits off to her right. The Mare Contraire seemed like it made a ton of money.
“Alright, Sunny. I know this has been a hard week but you actually did a good job and stuck with it. I’m proud of you. Let’s see here… 40 hours regular time…” Dolly slid ten silver 20-bit pieces over to me. “And eight hours over time.” She slid three more to me.
260 bits? I’d worked all week for 260 bits? I reached for them but Dolly swatted my hoof. “Hold up there, filly.”
“What?” I asked. “Are there more?”
The mare laughed. “No. You have to pay taxes.”
I frowned. “Taxes? What taxes?”
“Employment taxes! What do they teach you at that fancy school? You have to give me 26 bits for the tax collector.”
I grumbled as she took two of the 20 bits pieces and then slid 14 bits back. “Okay, there we go,” she said.
Eagerly I looped my hoof around my pay and pulled it towards me. 234 bits. Virtually nothing. I couldn’t even pay rent with that… if I had rent. Which I would once the SGU made up its mind. Maybe I could live with Diddle and Dilly. That would certainly be cheaper and hotter. So much hotter.
Dolly cleared her throat, looking at me.
“What?” I asked.
The mare held her hoof out and stared.
Oh… right. Crippling debt. I gave her 100 bits.
“Well, thank you. Just think… only six more weeks of working and you can be debt free,” she said cheerfully.
I’m not positive but I think Dolly was enjoying my suffering. Either way, six more weeks of this seemed horrible. I needed a better job. I needed a better job right now!
☼
“Hey, Sunny!” Diddle greeted.
“Hey, Diddle. How’s it going?” I asked from my spot behind the bar.
The little pegasus wiggled her forehooves at me. “Things have been great! I missed you last week. Is Dolly working you hard?”
“Yeah… still is. Although, I’m getting used to it.”
She nodded and winked. “Well, that is good. How is school?”
“I still haven’t heard anything. Hopefully soon. What have you been up to?”
“The usual! I have a great story for you about last Sunday. When you’re free, that is!”
My ears twitched. Great Diddle stories were usually very exciting. “Okay, how about after work? Assuming some mare doesn’t scoop you up again.”
Diddle giggled and nodded. “Okay, but no promises, though!” She turned to head to the dance floor.
“Say, Diddle…” I trailed.
She stopped and looked at me. “Yeah, Sunny?”
“Whether I graduate or drop out, I don’t think I’m going to be able to afford my place. Would it be okay if… you know… I lived with you and Dilly for a bit? At least until I get a decent job?”
Diddle stared at me a moment. I’d been at Diddle’s place a thousand times. I’d stayed over half of those times. Living together was different, though. We’d be roommates with benefits.
Her ears wiggled and then she smiled brightly. “Of course! One rule, though!”
“Anything!”
The pegasus leaned across the bar. “Give up the fantasy of having a threesome with me and Dilly. I’m not doing adult fun time things with my brother around!”
Harsh! With a huff I folded my forehooves over my chest and nodded. “Agreed. How much is rent?”
“I dunno! I’ll ask Dilly when I get home. Have fun washing glasses,” she chirped.
“Yeah… thanks, Diddle!”
“Welcome!”
☼
The Mare Contraire was busy again. Really, really busy. At least it felt that way. Perhaps when I was on the other side of the bar I’d never noticed or cared. More mares being in the place just meant more options.
Tonight was special, though. A bachelorette party had invaded with about twenty mares. That was in addition to the normal crowd. Things were getting a little crazy out on the dance floor for sure.
Dolly subtly nudged me.
“What? I’m washing! I’m washing!” I protested. I was washing! What else did she want from me?
She peered at me and then jerked her head to the left a few times.
Slowly, I followed the direction of the motion and spotted Melodic Ward sitting further down the bar looking my way.
“Ooooh,” I said.
“Yeah, maybe stop washing for a bit,” Dolly said with a wink.
“You’re a very confusing pony,” I told her as I finished the glass I was working on.
Dolly snorted. “Hardly, filly. She’s a respectable mare! A royal guard. Maybe she’ll settle you down.”
“Is that your game?” I asked.
“Yup! So go have a respectable conversation with her and maybe don’t come on so strong this time.”
With a huff, I tipped my head up and trotted down the bar without further comment.
Melody smiled as I approached. “Good evening, Sunny Day. Working hard?”
“You know it! We’re crazy busy but it worked out well for me. I’ve never had so many tips before.”
The mare’s head tilted. “Do ponies normally tip the glass washer?”
With a shake of my head, I replied, “Nope, but if somepony tosses bits at me I’m keeping them.”
Melody’s brow arched and she grinned.
Quickly I waved my forehooves. “Not like that!”
“Uh-huh.”
“I’m a respectable mare!” I said in protest.
Melody set her chin in her forehoof. “Of course, of course. Well, respectable mare, how about that dinner? When is your next day off?”
Day off? We got days off? Dolly had been working me every night of the week. “I—”
“Tomorrow, she’s off tomorrow,” Dolly said, suddenly at my side. “Pick her up here at six.”
Melody nodded, “Six it is. See you then.” She set a few bits on the counter and headed off towards the door.
“Dolly!” I squeaked.
“Yes?” she asked.
“I get days off?”
She shook her head. “Nope! Not unless I say so and tomorrow I say so. Have fun… well, not tonight. Tonight, you wash. Tomorrow, have fun. Get to washing.”
I snorted and headed back to my sinks. After a quick glance at Emerald and then another at Lollypop, I set my tip jar back on the bar in front of me when they weren’t looking. After all, bartenders like them weren’t the only ponies that needed tips! Five bits an hour just wasn’t enough.
☼
Dolly was trying to primp and polish my mane. I lightly swatted at her hooves. “Enough, mother hen! I look great.”
The older mare snorted. “You look like you’re expecting a romp in the sheets.”
That wasn’t an entirely unfair statement. My mane was down and flowing, my tail was up, and I was wearing a tight black t-shirt. “And?”
“And this is a royal guard mare! She’s respectable. What did I say about coming in too hot?”
“Be sure to bring enough lube?” I snickered.
Dolly bopped me on the forehead. “I can’t do anything with you, filly. You’re on your own.”
“That has never stopped me before,” I teased before sitting on a stool at the end of the bar. “How about a drink?”
“How about you still owe me a lot of bits?” Dolly replied.
“How about you set this up so you could at least give me one on the house? Since you’re trying to marry me off like families used to do to the stallions of old. I’ll need liquid courage!”
Dolly glared but fixed a small sangria. She set it in front of me and replied, “I just want you to have a stable life.”
“My life is fine. I’m not going to get hurt.” I then stopped and looked across the bar at her. “Thank you, though, for being concerned. You’re a good pony and a good friend,” I added before sipping my drink.
“And you’re a good pony, too. Just… try to remember you’re worth more than being a bed buddy for random ponies.”
I liked being a bed buddy for random ponies but I got her point. Still, all Dolly got was a bobble of my head and a sip of my drink. It wouldn’t do to let her know she had me thinking.
Five minutes before six the door opened and Melody wandered into the Mare Contraire. She smiled and came over to sit on the stool next to mine.
Melody, unlike me, was not all done up. In fact she looked pretty much the same as she had the night I’d met her. Her violet mane and silver coat were well groomed but there was no glitter, no flare, or anything like that.
“Good evening,” she greeted me.
It was time to do my thing. With soft eyes, I glanced her way. “Hi there. Right on time, I see. I like that.”
She nodded. “It is kind of our thing. Ready for dinner?”
After draining the rest of my drink I stood up and chimed, “Yes! Where to?”
“How about Mangiatoia?”
“I’ve never been, so why not?”
Melody smiled. “Great! I don’t know many of the places in town yet but I like this one. Let’s go!”
☼
Mangiatoia had sounded like a fancy, expensive Itailian restaurant. That was not exactly the case. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t bad, but it didn’t scream super hot date.
It may have been the buffet. It could have been the bright lighting. Most likely it was the fact it was super family friendly and there were roaming gangs of fillies and colts reminding me of the worst possible consequence of adult happy fun time.
Melody didn’t seem to notice at all. “Isn’t this place great?”
“The food is good,” I said with the best smile I could manage. The food was good.
“I like places like this. Normal ponies with their families. It reminds me of back home.”
Back home, right. I didn’t know anything about this mare. “You said your job moved you here, so where are you from exactly?”
“A little town in the Unicorn Mountains called Copper Mane. Ever heard of it?”
“No, but I’m from out west, too, actually. North of Los Pegasus on the coast. Once I left home my mom moved to Tall Tale.”
Melody perked up. “Tall Tale? That isn’t far from Copper Mane at all! That is where we get most of our supplies. Small world.”
“Yeah, I suppose it is. So, did you pick Canterlot or did you just get transfered here without any say?”
“Oh, we have a lot of flexibility in picking our assignments. I wanted to see more of the kingdom and there were openings in the city guard here. Imagine that, a small town royal guard in the capitol. It is amazing! We just don’t have things back home that you have here.”
My ears wiggled. “Oh yeah? Anything in particular?”
“Well… the Mare Contraire, for one. Ponies don’t really mind it all too much as long as you keep to your own business, but a whole bar out in the open… I was shocked!”
“Canterlot is pretty progressive. Especially with Princess Celestia here setting the example.” Which she did. Princess Celestia was very, very inclusive. She also worked really hard towards pony equality and in supporting the arts.
“Yup! I’m thrilled to be here. Also to be on this date. You’re really nice and I’ll be honest, we don’t have unicorns that look like you back home.”
That was not a line I was prepared to follow. I stuffed some pasta into my mouth and bobbed my head.
Melody laughed and waved a hoof at me. “It’s okay. I know I’m plain-looking compared to you. I’m not ashamed of it.”
After swallowing I just shrugged, “As long as you’re comfortable with yourself. I have to ask though, if you found me so attractive, how come you turned me down?”
“Well, I don’t know how they do it here in Canterlot but I like to learn a little more than a mare’s name before bringing her home. You know, get to talk to her a bit, find out what she likes?”
That made sense, but also just seemed like a lot of work. I could start trying to date ponies long term when I was older. “I understand. Well, I’m kind of a different mare in that department so I think you should know that up front. You won’t find me lying or leading ponies along.”
Melody’s head tilted and she looked at me curiously. “How do you mean?”
Oh boy, I’m going to have to spell this out? “Well… uh… so that offer the other night was legitimate. I kind of make it a lot. Not that you weren’t very interesting that night! I just… well, I enjoy myself.”
“Oh,” the mare replied, sitting up straight. “So… you go home with mares a lot, then?”
“Well… mares and stallions, yeah.” At least we could get this out of the way after I’d had my free meal but before I’d made a mistake and given her the wrong impression.
Melody sat in silence, peering at me curiously. She didn’t look upset or angry, thankfully. Just kind of confused and perhaps a little disappointed. “And you just get a name and go… uh… you know…”
“Adult happy fun time? Yup,” I replied cheerfully.
The mare’s forehooves came up and wiggled. “Shhhh. Family place.”
Right! Family restaurant. “Oops, yeah sorry. Anyway, that is who I am. You should know that up front.”
“I respect your honesty. So then this date was kind of silly, wasn’t it? You don’t really date?”
“I do occasionally. Especially if a pony prefers it. There is nothing wrong with dates and getting to know somepony. I just usually skip a lot of steps. You were pretty suave that night and really nice so I wouldn’t say this is silly. Plus it means no hurt feelings. I hope it does, anyway.”
Melody grinned. “Well, you did let me buy you dinner before explaining.”
I lifted a hoof and looked her in the eye. “A girl has to eat.”
She laughed and nodded. “Fair enough. Eat up and then we can go.”
“Back to the bar?” I asked.
“Nope, back to my place. You can instruct me in the intricacies of dating and such in this city.”
Was that a pick up line? If Diddle had said that I’d have already had her on her back. I couldn’t read Melody at all. Oh well, back to her place sounded good at least. “Deal!”
☼
Royal guards lived better than students. At least Melody did. Her place was in Central Canterlot which was, in general, somewhat expensive. She had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a decent living room, and even a kitchen with an eat-in area!
My place wasn’t remotely as large and it was on the cheaper side of town. Of course cheaper didn’t mean worse. It was student housing and I was closer to all of the fun stuff that the more… cultured ponies of Canterlot weren’t outwardly into.
Then, of course, there was the disparity in furniture. Melody had a couch. Like, a real, nice couch. Not one that folded out into a bed. Plus sitting pillows! Of course I’d made myself at home on the couch.
“So… are you like a general or something?” I asked curiously while the other mare made tea.
She looked over her shoulder at me and softly laughed. “Not very familiar with the royal guard, huh? I’m a sergeant.”
“Nope! I don’t get into that kind of trouble. I’m a well-behaved girl. Is a sergeant good?”
Melody levitated a steaming mug my way. “Good? You mean high rank? It is a middle enlisted rank. It isn’t bad. Especially for a pony my age. Why?”
Wrapping the mug in my magic, I said, “You seem to be doing really well. This place is large for Canterlot. I didn’t know the royal guard got paid so much!”
She started laughing. Not a little bit either. A lot. So much so she had to put her own mug down.
“What?” I asked.
The mare shook her head and wiped her eyes. “Sorry! It’s just… we don’t make much of anything. Even as a sergeant.”
I blinked, “But… this place?”
She waved a hoof at me. “First of all, I have a roommate. He’s just out visiting his family. That splits the cost. Then, on top of that, we both get a housing allowance, which helps. All the difference we pay ourselves.”
“Oh… well, you still have a really nice place.”
Melody slipped over and settled next to me on the couch. “Thank you. I wanted it to feel like home so I probably spend a bit more on this than I should… but I don’t know anypony here. This is a big scary city compared to Copper Mane.”
I slipped a hoof around Melody. “I know how you feel. I was in the same boat. My mom sent me here because of a magic incident back in junior high school. Folks just didn’t know what to do with a filly like me out west. So off to Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns I went. Mom, of course, couldn’t remotely afford to live here. So I got to live in the dorm with the other poor unicorns. Not that the dorm was bad. Not in the least! It was lonely and scary at first.”
With a big smile I quickly added, “You get used to it, though. Plus you’re a big tough royal guard. If a filly like me can do it I’m sure you can too!”
The mare sipped her tea and then nodded. “Thanks. I know I can. I’m just getting adjusted is all. This city moves fast.”
“Yeah, it really does,” I replied before leaning over to nuzzle against her cheek.
Melody squeaked and shifted over. “Hey, now, Sunny, you’re supposed to explain the rules here, not demonstrate them for me.”
Drat! Foiled again. “Well, the rules are what you decide they are. If you want a respectable mare then you’ll find one. Tons of ponies meet up, date a while, get close, and then get really close. You can find a few like that at the Mare Contraire. You’d find a larger pool of those kind of mares elsewhere, though.”
I pressed on, “Then you have other ponies who just date around. They like to go out and have a good time. Usually you meet those in bars. I’m that kind of pony.”
She peered at me. “Don’t you want to find a special somepony and get married?”
“Sure! Some day. Not today, though. Not tomorrow either. I’m not old enough to even think about getting married or settling down. I don’t even know what I want to do in life yet. I also happen to really like sharing a bed with a pony so I’m not going to put that off because I’m not ready for marriage. I’m not patient enough.”
Her ears folded back. “I see. What about your reputation though?”
“What about it? Everypony at the bar knows I’m easy. Big deal.”
“It really doesn’t bother you?” Melody asked.
“Not at all. Nopony gets to define me. Nopony gets to say my value because of what I do. I’m not going to apologize because I like to cut to the chase for what I want.”
“You’re awfully confident.”
With a grin, I replied, “That is because I’m sure what I want in this particular regard. I might not understand where I’ll fit into Equestria, what the point of my magic is, how I’ll make money, or even what I want out of life… but I know I enjoy this and I’m not sorry. Now if you’re not into that, it is totally okay with me! You get to define yourself just like I get to define myself. Neither is right or wrong. Neither is better. Just different.”
Melody slowly nodded and listened while sipping her tea. She settled into the couch a moment before asking, “So if I take you into the bedroom, we just… you know, stuff. Then you leave and that is that?”
Oh, now that sounded like a curious mare considering my offer. “Well… kind of, yeah. I mean not exactly since obviously you’re really not into that idea. This sort of thing isn’t ‘my way or the highway.’ It is give and take.
“I’d hang around, cuddle, stay the night, and we could have breakfast. Then, if you like, maybe do it again sometime… but just with the understanding that I’m not the kind of mare you marry. At least, not right now. I want that to be very clear upfront. I like you, so I wouldn’t want to hurt your feelings.”
“Hmm… I appreciate your candor. What if I just want to be friends, then?” she asked.
“Then we’ll be friends. I actually don’t have many friends that aren’t special friends, so that is fine with me.”
Melody smiled and nodded. “Alright. You’re an odd mare, Sunny. At least to me. I’m sure I’m odd to you. I’m glad you like me, though. I like you, too.”
“Great! So… uh… what do friends do, exactly?”
The mare started to giggle and just rolled her eyes. “Oh, wow. Really?”
“Well, you get used to a particular lifestyle…”
“We do everything you do with other ponies! Just minus the part where you go off into the bedroom.”
I frowned at that.
“What?”
“I still want to go off into the bedroom. It’s pretty late, your bed looks comfy, and we can still cuddle, right? I promise to be on my best behavior. Meet me halfway here! Besides, if I’m bad you can just arrest me.”
Melody giggled a bit and sighed. “You really are an odd pony. Alright, come on. No funny business, though. Just cuddling and you explaining more about this crazy city to me.”
“Deal!”
You don't put "Sunny Day" and "respectable mare" in one sentence. At least not at this point in her life. I kinda like Dolly. She really tries to make something out of Sunny. Um... I'll edit this sometime tomorrow to add something more, I'm not sure how to phrase it right now.
Aww... She's all small town and not into being ravished.
Sunny will never be civilized!
Not until she gets a tiny unicorn and an world renowned athlete pegasus...
Ahhhh, taxes. More education about the real world for Sunny.
Heh, and here I was thinking that the one rule was going to be "pay your share of the rent on time".
Hah! As if.
Interesting detail there about historical marriage customs with regards to stallions.
And now I'm wondering about the backstory of this. Just something she's always done, or has it changed over time? I can imagine she's gotten some pushback from the upper crust on the issue, too.
Huh, that didn't go quite like I was expecting once Sunny had explained herself.
Not until a certain mare comes into the bottom of the picture at least.
Interesting. I like Melody Shes a sweetheart so far. Dolly has her heart in the right place, but... she has a very..very uphill battle.
Im wondering if Melody is the reason that Sunny always agrees to go on a date with someone if they ask?
Good chapter today, as always excited for the next one.
Sunny is more naïve than I thought. I'm not sure whether to chuckle or to groan
Colour me confused. If dolly is practically a mom to sunny, wouldn't sunny know it's not meant to be a fillyfooler bar as we found out in velveteen? Or did no one bother telling sunny. I know it's nitpicky, but as a chronic complainer a part of me is glad to finally have something to nitpick from the quill/blade-verse.
On the flip side, it has occurred to me that this is my only nitpick out of all your stories, so props to you guys
This chapter was sweet Anzel and I agree, Melody is fantastic and actually can resist the lead pony known as All the way Day.
6807056 Eh, I'll settle for a reply.
I wonder how Melody will play into this story. Seems like Sunny could use a real friend besides Dolly. Also, I'm thinking Celestia will have something to do with Sunny graduating.
And now that I said it, it won't happen, thank me later
Hmm, that was short. I hope future chapters will give me more inspiration
6807056 Haha well... not respectable in that sense for sure! We'll certainly see on the graduating thing soon. I think you, in particular, will like the next chapter. Hint hint :D
6807084 Guess not!
6807151 Azurites and Soarins have that effect on ponies.
6807392 Come on, this is Diddle we're talking about! Money is the least of her concerns ;D Celestia is working very hard to make sure all her ponies are happy. She doesn't like it when they pick on each other for things like sexuality, gender, and such! Bottom of the picture...
6807424 Dolly is a strong mare! If anypony can do it, it is her!
6807750 Could be! We'll certainly find out in the story. Thank you :D
6808150 She's just been leading a different kind of lifestyle for sure.
6808584 That really depends on if you take Nightingale's word as fact. We're also several years in advance of that point in the timeline and things may have changed. ;)
6809140 Melody is strong! GRAAR
6809347 curse you. my only nitpick, defenstrated. I will one day find something real to nitpick, but until then, and then, and after then, I will continue absolutely enjoying your stories.
6808584 Going to chime in since it's my character that caused the nitpick... Here's the best example I can think of!
There is a bar we go to. A lot of people would go there for beer and would think of it as a great bar that serves great beer.
We go there because it's a nerdy hangout with Doctor Who posters on the wall and a sign threatening that unattended children will be served to the Goblin King, and we play board games with our gaming group. To us, it's our game night bar. When I think of it I think of it as our gaming hangout more than a bar hangout.
Depending on who you ask you'll get a different story of what kind of bar it is!
Nightingale goes to the Mare Contraire because she likes the company of mares, it's not a rowdy bar, and it's easier for her to turn down a mare's advances than a stallion's, so she can relax. For her it's not a fillyfooler bar. Velvet and Sunny have a different impression! Nightingale isn't necessarily wrong, but she isn't necessarily right, either.
6809472 completely fair reasoning, and I'm really hoping I didn't come across as trying to be legitimately nitpicky.
6809516 No no no, not at all, I just thought of that bar example and thought it'd help clarify. It's a legitimate question because there seems to be conflicting information! Anzel and I like to write "conflicting perspectives" because that's how life is. Folks see the same thing different ways all the time. Plus, that means that readers can believe whichever story they prefer, because none of the characters are wrong, just biased.
So it's up to you to decide!
Is it wrong for me to post here just because I love to chatter with the authors and others loving all these stories?
6809994 Nah :) interaction is a big part of what makes our AU special!
6809347 That they do.
If only you and Crystal knew how much of a fan I am. oh and I think I'd rather not just use Miley in my fic Anzel I think it would be better for my writing development to use also a pony of my own, if that makes sense.
6810188 It makes perfect sense. Developing your own characters is great :D
I really like Dolly :)
I'm concerned is Dolly robbing Sunny. I know taxes and all but she is paying in coins and there does not seem to be a record of the payment. At least one that is traceable by a banking or tax establishment. Also only 10% taxes. I'm concerned or is Dolly lying about where those hundred bits are going.
6816802 Now I know Equestria is a magical fantasy land of rainbows and bugbears that could only exist in the imagination. Why is it always the finances that make that clear? Lol!
I kinda picture Sunny being voiced by Barbara Dunkelman, also known as Yang Xiao Long in the sense that both Yang and Sunny are comfortable with who and what they are, they're both fiery blondes and if you piss them off, well, god help you.