1735 replies and 40 files omitted.
>>129826The brass on the edges of the glass revolving doors gives them a gilded appearance
>>129827"Heheh, what?"
>>129828Iron blinks once, confused himself before pointing to his back. "You know, carry you on my back if you need it," he utters, starting to blush the slightest bit as he smiled sheepishly "that is not weird to say, right?"
>>129828Amber pushes through the doors and steps outside, but not before marveling at the lavish decorations of the station one last time.
>>129829"Heheh. It's not normal in public.
But who can judge when no one is watching?"
At the end of that, she partly tilts her head, and has a strange smile
>>129830Granite stone exterior with Ionian columns and other patterns of the neo-classical style. Going further down the 14 or so feet of stone steps down to the street level, and looking bad, a stone frieze on the station shows scenes of the industrial revolution in Equestria. Parts are grimy, and parts are chipped
>>129831Iron's sheepish smile is replaced with a small pout, tilting his head opposite of Sands with the respective ear drooped as he stared at her with a blank, puzzled look.
>>129831Even despite the visible wear the grandiose building far exceeds mere picture pictures, and it takes Amber's determination not to stay for a minute.
There will be plenty of time for that later… Amber turns left and trots down the street, looking at what's around.
>>129832"... What?" She is also confused
>>129833Buildings around are a bit less impressive than Union Station, but still bigger than almost anything she's seen before. Mostly they are brick, with some stone. The streets are a bit wide, and have a number of ponies on them while seeming somehow less populated than the three and four story buildings around would suggest. A small, black machine passes down the road at considerable speed, what Amber knows must be an automobile
>>129834Amber has seen automobiles a couple of times, but still the odd contraption surprises her.
There's no way I can get a job on this street, it's much too fancy… She trots down to the next intersection.
>>129834"What?" Iron repeats, lost in this interaction as his mind races to find a proper save. "I-I mean yes, I
totally get what you meant before," he spat out unconvincingly, giving one of the fakest, sheepish smiles she has probably seen in her lifetime.
>>129835Unfortunately, it's much the same story. Brick facades, mostly clean. Windows are not broken. May as well say "5 years of experience required"
>>129836She moves her lips about
"Hmmm"
She takes the cup, and drinks the entire cup
"Alright, I suppose I am ready"
>>129837Iron's strained, sheepish look only serves to redden slightly as he heard Sands hum softly before him.
Only after she announces she's ready does his embarrassed demeanor dissipates into a little exhale before quickly puffing out his chest as he poses proudly. "Alright," he states "let us go." His trotting is still a bit stiff over his small blunder but he carries on regardless towards the Watering Hole, ear open to any sort of small talk that may happen.
>>129837She looks around for a store that is likely common yet wouldn't need a specific skill set, such as a farrier's, a millinery store, or something otherwise service-based.
Roll spot:
[1d20+2 = 10] >>129838"Huh?"
Something about Iron confuses her, but she does not make a big deal about it
She very slowly follows behind him, her feet treading lightly enough to make no sound
>>129839Looking over, Amber sees a couple sights.
In the fore, is a larger building with yellowish stone and thin windows, with a stone belt under the windows on the first floor. What makes it special is the cloth draped over parts of the building, a couple trucks outside of it, and a few ponies going in and out.
Nearby, on the other side of the street and further down, is a store. It looks like a sort of general store or grocery store on the street corner
>>129840Iron keeps himself at a steady pace, mostly trotting in place for Sands to catch up his younger, more energetic self as they went down the stairs, making sure their room was closed beforehand, and out to the streets of Baltimare and travelling towards the Watering Hole.
>>129840Amber is attracted by all the activity going on.
If this is a store then it must be quite large and may have an opening. I like this neighborhood too. She trots over, but is careful not to interrupt the workers.
>>129842I'm assuming this means she goes for the larger of the buildings (There are more buildings, these just appear to be the best candidates within line of sight)
Amber enters, with a few ponies passing by at high speed towards the trucks. They pay no attention to Amber. Inside, there is a reception area with a table and a small mare. A hornless white pony with short cut green mane looks over, and talks to her
"Um, excuse me mam? We have to make sure you have no explosives on you before you go further into the building"
If there are any guards, they must be among the moving ponies, because they aren't there
>>129841She closes her eyes in reaction to the sunlight
"I hope it's not too far away..."
>>129847"I... do not think it is too far," Iron guesses blindly, never having consciously considered how long it took him to get to the Watering Hole, trotting along with her.
>>129847Amber widens her eyes and cranes her neck back.
"Explosives? Why in tarnation would I be carrying explosives?" she asks.
"I just wanted to ask if there is a position for another hoof to help out." >>129849What does Amber have with her?
"Positions? Yes, there are positions... What are you looking for?"
>>129848She picks up a paper object to block the sunlight, and walks for some time. Eventually, they reach it - the Watering Hole
>>129850Iron attempts to enter the Watering Hole for the second time this day, letting Sands enter first before scanning around for the furry unicorn...
(Well, furrier than usual,) he thinks to himself.
>>129851She looks around
"We must be hear kind of early"
No immediate signs of life
>>129850She is wearing a midnight-blue woolen dress (a variety obviously made for winter that covers the tail) with lighter blue stars and frills, and on top of this she has a black burlap traveling cloak with the hood down. She is however wearing a forest-green headscarf over her auburn mane, though her ears are allowed to stick out. She has two canvas saddlebags that are decently large and definitely have some bulk, though they are not close to being full to bursting. Needless to say that if this was a different season she would be quite overdressed.
"I was hoping that this might be a store where I could be a clerk. I think I can do almost any job though, and I, uh, just arrived in Baltimare. She has a bit of a confident smile.
>>129852Iron nods. "It seems like it," he mutters as he rubs his chin softly, looking at one of the empty table "might as well get ourselvs seated so we can pass the time here."
>>129853She looks over skeptically at the overdressed mare, as if not entirely convinced she isn't a terrorist. Still, she answers
"We have clerk positions open. Office clerk, not retail clerk. Typist as well."
>>129854She sits in a chair
"What are you waiting for exactly?"
>>129855He promptly sits on a chair next to Sands. "Either for Khoi to pass by here and give her that job I promised," he explains "or for Cauldron to do the same and maybe ask for a job to beat some of these new criminal ponies that are coming here."
>>129855Amber looks up and thinks.
"Hmmm, what does becoming an office clerk entail?" >>129856She blinks
"Does this 'Cauldron' work here?"
>>129857"Oh, answering phones, filing things, keep records, typing, sending memos and so forth."
>>129858"I am not too sure about that," Iron guesses, poking his chin "as she moves around quite a lot."
>>129858Amber thinks to herself for a moment.
I could do it but I don't know if I could do it well…working with my hooves is probably better for now."I, er, will consider it. Thank you for your help and have a nice day." Amber smiles and turns to leave.
>>129859"Is she normally at a bar in the morning?" She asks
>>129860"O.. kay then? Unless you had something else in mind?"
>>129861Amber smiles, this time a bit awkwardly.
"I'm just keeping my options open, I might take you up on your offer." She is as close to the door as is possible without impeding the movers.
>>129861"I think so," Iron answers unsurely "but I am not too sure if it has been random chance so far either."
Okay... I have to sleep now
>>129862And so Amber leaves the building, back onto the street
>>129868A new mlemming contender appears!Amber Sunset leaves the building and is now back on the sidewalk. What is the weather like?
>>129869Dun, dee dun dun!Wind blows to the west. A few clouds are darker, but the sky is more clear than not
>>129870It's a little bleak out. I hope it snows sometime soon!If it's safe to cross the street, Amber heads for the grocery store.
>>129871Amber enters the store to see that it is indeed a grocery store, with fruits like apples and cantelopes, oats, potatos, lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes , canned beans and corn, a few cans of overpriced robusta coffee, and a satisfactory selection of cigarrettes. No bread or pastry products though; there is no attached bakery. Austerity has reduced the variety of available fruits and cheeses, and greatly driven up the price of some items, coffee being the severest example, but it hasn't driven most products off the market.
>>129872>>129871In a way, it's actually kind of comparable to with the stores that Amber is familiar with. It's a small square floor plan on the first floor, some some shelves in the center and much product placed on the sides, although a few shelves are empty, presumably the victims of austerity. There's a staircase on the far left upon entering from the street that may or may not be a part of the unit at all, and in any case is not accessible to outside customers, at least at this time
>>129872>>129873She smiles and looks around at the homely store.
So many different types of foods! This variety is impressive. She approaches whoever is operating the cashier.
"Um…hello." Amber shyly rubs her knee with her other foreleg.
"I just arrived in Baltimare and…I'm wondering if you need some help around here?" >>129874He's almost hard to see when mber first enters, standing in front of empty shelves, cans and cartons of cigarettes, but there is a kind of small grey stallion, evidently an earth pony. He looks old, old enough, certainly to be a grandfather, and he wears black glasses with a small strap hanging down
"Why hello there young fillie" He says to her
"I suppose it's been a while since I've had help"
>>129876He smiles, weakly from under the wrinkles
"Well, thank you. I've had this space for seven years now. Since I moved to the Westside. My name is Plump Stock." He offers a hoof
>>129877She shakes his hoof, this time more gently than with Tone Beet.
"I'm Amber Sunset, it's nice to meet you. You moved here only seven years ago? This store looks like it's been around quite a lot longer–in a good way, I mean. It reminds me of home." >>129878"Well, I only moved too the West side seven years ago. I was in the east before then. Too many zebra there. I rented this spot after the last owner retired. I carried on his business. Where is home for you, young filly?"
>>129880"Oh, so you're out in the country then. We have a nice set here, since they started distributing the fall harvest a few months ago. We got very low on food at points in the War, but it's closer to normal now. Still have rationed supplies of coffee though, and prices are much higher than they were before the War.It's not farm fresh, no, but we get shipments regularly enough. Those bats love their tropical fruit, but most of those are in short supply on account of the blight and rationing. Just as well. I'd rather not sell to the bats if I could."
>>129881Her eyes widen and her ears swivel back.
"There are bats here?" >>129882He shakes his head
"Oh yes. Bat ponies. They come in from both north and South, from their little caves and enclaves. Mostly they work in the night shifts in the factories and dockyards. You'd best pay attention when walking around at night here, young filly."
>>129884"Uck" He shakes his head again "You better believe it could be anyone. And you better believe those books too. Be
extra careful in public places if you dress suggestively. They prefer young mares, and them do zebra too."
>>129885>dress suggestivelyAren't most ponies nude?She looks a bit perplexed by this but doesn't press the issue.
"Um…alright. Are you all alone in running the store?
It seems like a lot for one pony to do." >>129886Just keep dressing like she is and she's good"Oh, I had help from Wheat Whinny...." He turns his head down
"Course', it's been 19 months since I've seen him. Couldn't really afford anyone after that. I suppose there's a little more money now... I'm certainly not getting any younger..."
The mare laden with all her possessions frowns lightly. "Did he disappear? If you want I could take his place.
I don't need much, just a place to stay and enough to help support my parents."
>>129888"No, he was called to service... I suppose I may have an extra room available."
>>129889Amber pulls her lips together and looks away, nodding. After a few moments she turns back.
"I think I would like to work here."That was too easy >>129892Amber thinks to herself for a minute.
"Do you think it would be possible for me to work two jobs? Is this store busy all day?" >>129893"I don't know what you can arrange with other employers, but my busiest time is in the afternoon, and the morning for stocking. I'd rather not run at night."
Amber nods, maintaining a neutral expression. "Mr. Stock, you don't mind if I ask around? Do you know of any places you could recommend to me?"
>>129895"Well uh,,, Sure. I don't know where though."
>>129896She smiles reassuringly.
"Don't worry, I'll come back later today and let you know." She starts to leave the shop.
>>129897He waves to her
"Oh well okay now. Come back now you hear. Be safe..."
>>129898Amber must still be at the intersection. What does it look like down each street?
>>129899More buildings. Looking down one way is smaller buildings. Down another is a plaza, and larger buildings
>>129900Amber heads for the plaza.
>>129901A few larger buildings with domes and vaulted ceilings
>>129902Are there any malls or front-window shops visible?
>>129903No modern style malls. This plaza is mostly what appears to be government buildings, but there is at least one cafe. Small shops are more common elsewhere
>>129904Amber frowns and goes to that street with the smaller buildings. If it's safe to canter she does so.
>>129905It looks more or less safe. There are a couple shops
What are her options?
[1d20+2 = 8]
>>129907Not many.
Unfortunately I have to end here for the night
>>129909Amber will continue down the street.
>>129910Many shops and businesses exist, but two seem promising: a larger clothing store, and a soda shop. Despite tales of economic malaise in Baltimore, it looks like there are many unfilled job openings for creatures between the ages of 18 and 25 without a college degree.
>>129911Amber smiles to herself.
Selling clothing would be quite nice! She crosses the street if need be and trots up to the entrance.
>>129912Through a revolving door, Amber enters. It’s larger than the grocer, and generally more spread out. Most of the clothing is coats and formal wear, both male and female attire. Colors are fairly dull mostly, greys, blacks and whites.
>>129913Amber is practically beaming as she trots down.
I've never seen so many different clothes…they can't all be hoofmade. Amber looks around for a customer representative or manager.
[1d20+2 = 7] >>129914Amber sees a stallion holding some clothing
>>129916The stallion’s eyes are wide, and he raises his left leg
“Uh, yes?”
>>129917Amber looks to the left briefly before looking at the stallion, smiling awkwardly.
"I'm a pony who's just arrived in Baltimare and I was hoping that maybe you might have a position open for me?" She widens her eyes hopefully.
"I can do anything you need to be done around here, I can even sew a little! Please tell me it's possible." She gives a pleading look.
>>129919Amber bites her lip and takes a step back, blushing furiously.
"I'm so sorry. Er–have a nice day," she stammers out as she trots away.
>>129920Well.... surely there has to be
somepony working here
>>129922Then Amber wanders deeper into the clothing store until she finds a pony wearing uniform, manning (is that the right word to use?) a register, or perhaps a tailor with a tape measure around the neck.
>>129923Walking in, Amber comes across another pony looking at a cost, and there is something different in her demeanor. She is a fairly tall green unicorn, just past middle age, wearing a black colored dress. She looks at the coat as if she is studying if.
>>129925Amber approaches this mare a bit less eagerly.
"Hello, ma'am? Do you have a moment to spare?" >>129926She moves the coat to the side with a pinkish glowing aura. She looks at Amber with an almost bored expression, and says
“Yes?”
>>129927"I just arrived here and…and I want to know if you would like some help in the store. I think I can do a good job here." Amber gives a shy smile and she has been tapping the tip of her left front hoof on the floor.
>>129928She looks at her and squints her eyes slightly, Noe looking at amber with the same, inspecting look that she gave the coat
“And what kind of job
can you do?”
>>129930“Mhmm”
She now moves closer, circling around, looking at the free. At one point, she grabs a portion with pink aura, examining it
>>129931free what?The dress is of a coarse but soft common wool died a midnight blue. Details like four-sided stars are of a lighter blue and are evidently stitched in by hoof; the work is not terribly complex but is quite decent for an earth pony without a sewing machine. A faint lingering musty odor as well as its decades-old style in terms of length and frills at various locations including the cannons indicate that the dress is quite possibly older than the mare wearing it.
>>129932Something like >pic related, except of higher and sturdier quality, the stars being embroidered rather than shiny, and of the aforementioned winter style
>>129932>>129933Reee, it's supposed to be "dress""Hmmm..." She continues looking at the dress, and starts to talk to Amber without eye contact
"It's harder and harder to find that shade of dye anymore. Certainly not for country earthponies. Not any more."
Now she makes eye contact
"Tell me, what is it you imagine an a salespony does? Add up sales in the cash register? Is that why you mentioned 'arithmetic'?"
>>129934Amber rubs her pastern against her chin in a thinking pose for a few moments.
"I think…a salespony's job is to convince customers that getting clothes here is a really good idea, answer their questions, take inventory, and of course count items sold." She smiles nervously.
>>129935She raises both eyebrows towards Amber
"I suppose if you abstract from the process, that is what a salespony does, yes. But business is never conducted in the abstract, always in the particular. And it's these particulars that make or break a business, and that anypony must know to be even passable at that business. Before I continue, I should add that I do indeed expect every salespony to 'know arithmetic.' How else could I trust them with a cash register and money? But I will continue by rephrasing my same question: why is it, you believe, ponies buy clothing?"
>>129936Amber widens her eyes in surprise at this new question. She opens her mouth to speak, reconsiders, and then hesitantly starts talking.
"I would say, well, it's not always about getting use out of clothing, but, mmm, more to do with how it reflects oneself? How a piece of clothing fits or matches a particular pony can change how she views herself and what others think of her at that particular moment. Maybe some ponies like to look pretty in front of others, too." She anxiously watches for the older mare's reaction.
>>129937She nods
"I suppose that's better than I expected from a countryside earth pony. Clothing is a representation of oneself to others. Who they think they are, who they want to be, and who they want other ponies to think they are. Sometimes, it serves as a visual expression of those aspects of a pony that makes her unique and standout. More often, ponies simply want to blend in and be a part of the herd, with the qualification that the herd to which they wish to belong is 'professional,' or 'high class,' or a part of the accepted in-group of the place and time. And sometimes, just sometimes, a stallion wants a coat because he is cold in the winter.
But really, the question I asked you is a question that must not be considered 'answered,' but must be asked anew in each individual case. Why is
this mare buying an article of clothing, and for whom? What do they seek to accomplish with their purchase? Moreover, what are they able and willing to spend? Answering these questions with any great success requires both an innate talent for understanding others, and wisdom that can only be built with experience."
>>129939"And such is the limitation of a limited range of life experience."
>>129941"I suppose I can't expect much better at market wages... Perhaps on a trial basis. So long as you don't cause me to lose customers..."
>>129943"And why is that, young mare?"
>>129945I think it's time for another cuteness roll
>>129947She places a hoof to her chin looking at Amber
"We all have to start somewhere, I suppose. And you can start here if you can demonstrate how to use a cash register and how to hang up product."
Amber vigorously nods. "I can do that."
The old unicorn slowly wakes up as morning arrives...
>>129951Light makes its way into the room from the large glass doors and the windows to the right, though the morning sun shines through neither. Silver finds himself in a big, fluffy bed with a griffin sleeping next to him
>>129952He smiles, feeling wonderful from last night and from getting to wake up next to this wonderful sight. He cuddles up with her while trying to keep from waking her.
>>129953Her body and head face away from him and she at least seems to be asleep. Silver has unimpeded access to her back fur, the feathers, and her right wing. Her chest rises and falls slowly and softly as she sleeps, with more or less silent breathing.
>>129954He spoons the griffon and buries his snout in her soft neck feathers. He is content to stay like that for as long as she remains asleep.
>>129955She lays there, evidently sleeping, for some minutes more. There's no need to keep track of the passage of time, and Silver may even fall back into sleep before waking again. After some time, the breathing skips a beat, and Jubilosa's head moves slightly, followed by her whole body which starts to pull away until it comes in tension with Silver's legs and stops. She tilts her head back to look over to Silver.
>>129956Silver opens an eye to peak at the griffin. He's currently got his warm smile on as he sees her stir.
"Good morning Jubilosa. Sleep well?"
>>129957"Huh?"
Jubilosa places a foreleg down to prop part of her forebody up, and allow her head to look around the room. For just a moment, she looks almost confused
"... Yes"
>>129958Silver lets his griffon go to bring his head up as well.
"Something wrong?"
>>129959She is silent for a moment. Then for another moment, and Silver may think she is ignoring his question. Then she answers
"I am just sober, that is all"
>>129960The unicorn is silent in response, unsure precisely how to take that. His ears droop slightly.
"Ah...alright."
He scoots over to the edge of the bed, then off of it to stretch his limbs out and take a look outside out on the balcony.
>>129961There's a glass swinging door. It's locked, but it's locked from Silver's side. Beyond this, Silver can see that the deck is wooden, with a wooden railing, and has a small table and a couple chairs. Jubilosa sits up silently
>>129962Silver unlocks it, and sits down in one of the chairs.
>>129963Exiting to the outside, Silver can see the sun rising over the bay entrance, and a few boats, mostly fishing boats, moving along the bay. A thick plank of wood protrudes from the balcony, with a part of the railing in front of it on hinges, evidently a door
>>129964"Must be for fliers."
Silver sits down and watches the sunrise. He realizes that it might be a good idea to buy an ashtray for the balcony so he can smoke on it.
>>129965At least there is a small gap in the balcony that would allow water or cigarette ash through, though it would fall onto the lower porch.
After some time, Jubilosa slowly walks out, sitting in the chair next to Silver
>>129966Silver looks over to her.
"I am glad to hear you slept well."
>>129967“No bad dreams this time.” She says plainly. She does not look over to Silver, but instead to the water
>>129968Silver waits a few moments before asking his next question, dreading the answer.
"You were not so fond of last night, huh?"
>>129971"In the hallway. Did I kill that griffin? There were many hallways and many griffins, I know. The one with the colt I mean. Where I was stabbed."
>>129972"Hmm...I cannot recall if that was one of those we healed or not."
After looking down while thinking, Silver looks back at her.
"So that is what has your mind preoccupied...would you like to talk about it?"
>>129973She is silent for a moment, then blinks
"I didn't join the militia to be with Corazón, or when my country was attacked. I was fine flying milk around. I didn't want to fight for that... but when you all showed up... I wanted to show what griffins were. So I fought and got stabbed. I helped to save a
pony against griffins... damned Imperials, but they weren't threatening my country, my town, my love. I just wanted to show I wasn't an Imperial, that not all griffins are Imperials. To show how wrong you all are about us. I mean... some of us... But I couldn't be like this when it mattered..."
She hangs her head down
>>129974Silver leans over and takes her claw in his hoof. He looks at her with an old pain in his eyes.
"I understand this, Jubilosa. Do not blame yourself. You are too good of person to do so."
>>129975Silver takes her claw, and she neither pulls away or grips back. She turns her head further away from Silver
"Do you.... Do you know how much power you all have over me, how much
you have over me? I mean... I just bowed out of fighting for Corazón, but my fear of what you all would think got me to fight for you. Even what you were saying about last night... I'e had sex with you three times, that's as many as I ever had with the love of my life......"
She started to cry somewhere around "I mean"
>>129976"Oh Jubilosa..."
His heart breaks seeing her like this.
"I...I did not know you were suffering like this..."
>>129977"That's why I like the wine so much. And... Well, and you... It helps to keep my mind off things. But even the wine is a reminder..."
Now, she grips his hoof
>>129978Silver holds her claw as best as best as he can with his hoof.
"Whatever you decide to do, whatever you need, I will be there for you."
>>129979"I don't... I don't, I don't mean to be ungrateful...You and Khoi have been so nice... So supportive"
>>129980"No no, it is fine, Jubilosa. I am just sorry that we...that I, have made you feel that way. I do not want to have power over you, or to make you unhappy."
>>129981"You are nice to me... very nice... Nice in a way I am not sure any creature has ever been..."
>>129982"I have come to care about you, Jubilosa, in the time we have known each other. I want to see you happy."
>>129983"Can you tell me why?"
She turns slowly to him, looking at Silver with her big, yellow eyes
>>129984"You are kind, you are funny, smart. You have been through much in your life, have experienced so much hardship in small timespan and you still go on. You are not just good griffon but good person with kind heart. And I will not even get into how your exquisit external beauty matches what you have in your heart. You are just so..."
He looks into her eyes.
"...amazing!"
>>129985Her teary eyes gleam at Silver, as her lips slowly form up into a smile
"Thanks.... It means a lot to me."
She opens her wings
>>129985>>129986"Just... you don't think I'm a slut, do you? Not that there would be anything wrong with that, but I'm not... you're not..."
Either she doesn't know where she was going with that, she doesn't want to say it, or she doesn't know how to say it
>>129986He smiles back, gripping and shaking her claw slightly with his hoof.
"Thank you for being here with me. You matter to me Jubilosa."
>>129988She looks down at the shaking action, opening her mouth. The action seems to leave her speechless
"oh..."
>>129989His expression quickly turns into that of worry.
"Is something wrong? Did I say something?"
>>129990"Just... It's not... It's not like a business transaction, is it? Is it?"
>>129991"What...
His look turns to confusion, then to mortification.
"Oh no, no! Nothing like that, no! I did not...I am so sorry, I was just trying to make my appreciation of you known."
>>129992"It's okay... I appreciate you too"
>>129993He takes a deep breath, calming his expression down and smiling at Jubilosa once again.
"Thank you. It means lot."
He returns to looking out at the bay, while still holding her claw.
"Do you think Khoi knows about us, now?"
>>129994She gives him a sly look, tilting her head
"What do you mean by 'us'?"
>>129995He looks back.
"Well, you and I, now that we are performing some of that 'special pony friendship'."
>>129996She tilts her head back in a small action upon receiving this
"I
may have told her a few things while you were gone yesterday..."
>>129997"I suppose that would explain why she was so giggly."
He raises an eyebrow in curiosity and amusment.
"So...how much did you tell her? Go into detail at all?"
>>129018Fantasy Play starts jumping up and down on the spot. It is all very endearing and cute.
>>129998"Well, I may have given her a
few details... At first she acted like she was disgusted, then she wanted more information, had more questions, then she wanted more detail. She was curious about how it was done. I really don't think anyone had ever talked to her before about sex, or that she had ever seen any kind of illustration about how it's done."
>>129999"The tasks of a junior-most associate. Mare the cash register, place coats on the store racks
delicately, and tell mares that yes, their daughter would look lovely at the spring dance in that outfit."
>>130001D'awww!
It's a strange set of items, but not at all strange to the black cat, who wraps them in thin paper, and hands them over to Fantasy Play
"And there you have your items, little sorceress"
She smiles at her with a white, toothy smile
>>130004She lifts a claw up to wave at Silver
"Oh, beyond any doubt. A bit of a prude too. A curious prude, but they all are."
>>130003"Thank you," she says with a chirp.
She packs the things down her saddlebag.
She walks towards the door but stops. She turns around.
"Say," she says as looks away. "Is there anything I can get you?"
>>130005"Huh. I figured her culture was not very fond of extramartial relations, but I am honestly surprised she did not catch any kirin's eye. She is very nice mare, if that is applicable term for kirin females. Very pretty."
>>130006Her mouth opens up slightly to reveal a rough tongue behind the rows of white teeth
"Anything
you can get
me?"
>>130007"Splendid." She says, refraining from further speech
>>130009"So when do I start?" Amber asks.
"I just need to find a place to stay. Are there any apartments nearby?" She opens her mouth, presumably to ask more questions, but sheepishly closes it.
Don't get ahead of myself, I need to give a good impression… >>130009She nods with the force of one of those dolls with spring necks while reciveing a flick to the head.
"Yes. Is there anything I could get you for a night with you," she says but lifts up a hoof to stop any incoming comment. "I'm not talking about sexual favours. I just wanna snuggle and hug a nice and cosy catlady such as yourself. It would be like a dream come true."
Her eyes sparkle when she says the last words.
>>130008"I know, it seems strange to me. But she is younger than me, and her country has a dearth of males in her age group. That's part of why she wanted to emigrate, to look for husbands elsewhere. She had a chance when she was a nurse or something to catch a male in the army but she was too shy. That's what I could read from her, anyway."
>>130010"Oh, there are many apartments, even if there are far fewer openings than there used to be. But I'm not a real estate agent. As for you timing, after you've had basic training on our product, stocking, and the cash register."
>>130011Her eyes almost glow, big and focused on her. She bares her teeth wider in an awkward smile.
"Well, I am a business
kitty. And there are some items that are, shall we say, hard to come by. Tell me, are you an illusionist?"
>>130012"Yes, I remember her saying that was part of reason for coming here. I hope she finds someone she likes and that she learns more about sex before then. It can be embarrassing, being inexperienced with a more experienced partner."
>>130013She turns her head while looking at Silver, giving him an inquisitive smile
"Well that's an
odd thing of you to say"
>>130014He scrunches his snout and blushes.
"Well...it is not as if I started out being able to rut like I do now..."
>>130015"Is there some experience in particular you were thinking of?"
>>130016"Just when I first had 'special friendship' with my wife, Storm Warning. She had to guide us since I had no real experience with sex, while she had multiple sexual partners before we met."
>>130012Amber breathes a sigh of relief.
"I'm glad that I'll get some training. You see, I've never used a cash register before…" She looks a bit nervous in waiting for the older mare's response.
>>130018Silver gives Jubilosa a concerned look.
"Is something wrong?"
>>130019"Well it isn't too complicated to use, so long as you can count. Come this way"
>>130020"No, nothing is wrong." She turns and looks away
>>130021Amber trots after the manager. Their difference in age and dress must appeal peculiar to any onlookers.
Wonders where Fantasy went off to>>130022She walks up to the counter, which at the moment has no pony behind it
"Alright, make sure it is unlocked,
do not lose the key, make sure there is paper in the feeder. You'll find it in the till. Type in the amount of the sale here... now, you must understand that there are usually two prices, the nominal sales price, and the real one. Go with the lower number. We do that to make them think they are getting a deal. Sometimes there is a sale, but no number stated. That is where you will have to do math. Take that number, type it in here... take the money, put it in the drawer..."
She continues describing the details of the cash register operation
>>130023This seems sort of like a retcon"Did you feel hurt that she had partners before you?" She asks
>>130012"Yes, I am. A rogue one," she says with smile.
One of the three pieces of fleece fly up to the tip of Fantasy's horn. Pink energies emerges from her horn and envelopes the piece.
With a cocky grin, Fantasy brings up a her right hoof to the tip of her horn. Then in a quick smooth motions, she sweeps her hoof and draws a pink loop in the air before he hoof ends up extened to the side of her body.
Pop! Suddenly the piece of fleece and the pink arcane energies are gone and replaced by black cat with white spots standing on her extened hoof.
It likes its paw for a moment before it lays down sprawled out on the hoof.
"This is how may cat Slogo looks."