Vital Mender

“Hello, miss Mender. I am chief Pumper. Please, have a seat."

"Thank you, sir." I sat down, trying to hide my nervousness. Don't get me wrong, I've always loved meeting new ponies, but there's always just something about a job interview that just isn't even remotely fun.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you." He cleared his throat and continued. "Let's see here... Ah, here we go. Looking here, I see here that you just graduated from the Canterlot Fire Academy, yes?” He began.

“Yes sir.” I answered quietly. “I graduated three weeks ago.”

"I see here that you also took extra medical classes while attending the fire academy. Are you interested in fighting fires, or more interested in practicing medicine?"

"I did take several medical classes, the emergency medical ones in particular, but yes, I am also interested in fighting fires. My special talent is healing magic, which is why I took all the extra medical courses." I really couldn't tell where he was going with his questions.

The interview went on for awhile longer, with Pumper asking me various questions about seemingly everything. He seemed to be all over the place, but I answered best that I could.

"...i'm going to be blunt miss Mender, I want to know why you chose Ponyville, of all the departments in Equestria?" He asked flatly, then continued. "As I am sure you have heard, we have one of the lowest call volumes of any equestrian town. To be honest, this is the first time we've actually had a pony from the Canterlot Fire Academy applying here in a long time, and I've certainly never had a mare such as yourself apply before."

"The truth sir?" I looked down at his desk, slightly dejected. "The truth is... I tried all of the big city departments first. Not a single one even got so far as to give me an interview." I answered hesitantly. This was the furthest I had gotten, and I needed a job so badly. I couldn't afford to mess this up. So, if he wanted the truth, I had to give it to him.

"So tell me then, do you know why they turned you down? Did you perform poorly at the fire academy?"

"No, I graduated at the top of my class, with honors sir. I even set a new school record for maintaining an air shield."

He paused for a minute, seemingly considering what I had said. He almost looked surprised.

"Did any of the other departments actually tell you why they wouldn't even consider you for a position?"

I sighed. "The different departments kept telling me they were not in need of somepony of my... stature. My other classmates had no trouble getting hired." I was getting really uncomfortable with the direction this interview was going. I guess it showed on my face, because the next thing he said made me so happy.

"Well, I think I understand now. That won't be an issue with us. My sons will see you bright and early at six tomorrow morning for the physical agility half of the application process. That will be all for now, miss Mender. Have a good day."

I slowly stood up, stunned at what had just happened. He was going to give me a chance! I almost couldn't believe it. I was ecstatic! I really thought I was going to be turned down again after he started asking those questions of his. I guess it's my lucky day today!

Best. Day. Ever!

As I stepped out onto the unfamiliar streets of Ponyville, I took a deep breath and let out a happy sigh. With a smile spreading across my face, I decided to go find something to eat before heading back to my hotel room.

I was still a little apprehensive about moving to a new town, but it seemed much more likely now that I would be staying here. I was still a bit apprehensive being out on my own. I hadn't actually left Canterlot by myself up until now. At least Ponyville was close to Canterlot.

My thoughts raced as I trotted across the bright little town, but then quickly stopped altogether when I felt something rather large running into my side, and my hooves leaving the ground. I went flying, and landed on the back of my head several feet from where I had just been standing. When I woke up, I saw a big coppery stallion standing above me.

“Oh gosh, are you okay?” He asked.

“Seventeen plus cupcake equals walrus” I mumbled.

He reached out a hoof and helped me stand up, and led me wobbling over to a bench on the side of the road. After sitting there for a few moments my head finally stopped spinning and I regained coherent communication. I looked over and realized that it was the same stallion that I had met in the waiting room, Copper Core.

"Vital? Oh gosh, I'm so sorry, are you alright?"

“Yeah, I’ll be fine, as long as I don’t get hit by another train.” I answered still rubbing my head. Then with a small burst of magic I took care of the little cut on my hind leg. Then I turned and asked. “So did you see what hit me?”

"Yeah, that was me. I'm sorry about that, I'm a bit on the clumsy side." He looked over at me with an apologetic look. "You sure you're okay? You kinda went flying there, and unicorns don't typically do that. Heh."

“I’m alright, really. I enjoy a short trip off the ground every once in a while, but I usually prefer to take such flights with a pegasus.” I giggled. “Now back to business, the rumblies are invading my tummy and I must vanquish them!” I hopped down off the bench, I picking a random direction and starting to walk.

“Rumblies? Wait what?” He asked me, hopping off the bench and walking in step with me.

“I’m hungry silly. I am going to try to find some food, but I don’t know where anything is in this town.” I replied.

“Well, that makes two of us then. I kinda skipped breakfast this morning. Mind if I tag along?” He asked.

“Sure! Do you know where to find some food by chance, or should we explore together?” I answered. It’s always good to have somepony to talk to, and I hate being by myself. It’s even worse here though, because I don’t even know the area.

“I… hmm. I there was this one place I remember seeing. It looked like one of those gingerbread houses, but life sized. Sugar… cube corner, I think?” He said

“Ooh, that sounds really cool! I wonder if they sell sugar cubes!!” I answered excitedly, and started trotting off.

“Uhh, it’s this way, Mender... “ He said, pointing in the opposite direction with a hoof.

“Heh, I uh, I guess I should let you lead the way.” I giggled as I turned to follow him.

He snickered and I fell in step beside him. “Seems like you’re a bit out there sometimes, Mender.”

“I get that a lot. Most ponies think I’m really strange, which I guess I am sometimes. I just have fun and enjoy stuff, if that means I’m crazy then that’s fine with me.” I told him with a grin.

“Strange? Heh, I can see that, but hey, I’ve been called strange myself. Normal is boring.”

“So how did your interview go?” I asked as we walked up to the door of a giant gingerbread house. I guess he wasn’t kidding, this place looked like it was literally made out of baked goods. The sign over the door read Sugercube Corner.

“Wow that was fast, I guess this town really is small. Huh, this place looks like you could take a bite out of it… Anyway, it went just fine. I was told to be back in the morning for the physical agility test. The boss was… very interesting, to say the least. He really seemed to be all over the place with his questions.” He explained as we sat down at one of the small round tables.

A pink pony with a curly fluffy mane came bouncing over to our table. “Hi, my name is Pinkie pie what can I get for you two? Also I don’t think I know either of you, and I know everypony in Ponyville. So if I don’t know you that means you're not from here, and if you aren't from here then you're from somewhere else, and if you're from somewhere else then I should throw a welcome to Ponyville party, because I throw parties every time somepony new comes to town!” She somehow managed to say in one breath.

“Hi Pinkie, my name is Vital Mender, and this is Copper Core. We are here applying to the Ponyville fire department. So we may be moving to Ponyville soon.” I wasn’t sure if she heard the last half of what I said, because as soon as I said Copper’s name she looked at him and started laughing.

“hehehe, sorry he is copper and his name is Copper. That’s funny.” she said.

“It’s ok I said the same thing when I met him. Also I will take a glass of water and two blueberry muffins please.” I told Pinkie as Copper watched us both, I couldn’t decide if he was grinning or if he was annoyed. “You should probably order too Copper.”

“Oh, right, sorry I kind of zoned out for a second there. I will have a cola and do you have any clover sandwiches?” He said after shaking his head like he was trying to knock the words loose.

“Of course we do!” Pinkie replied. “I will be right back with two blueberry muffins, clover sandwich, a glass of water, and a cola.” Then she turned and bounced back to the kitchen.

“Anyway, thats great we both made it to round two.” I said to Copper, trying to continue our conversation from before. “I think the agility test will be a lot easier than the interview. What do you think?”

“Agility test?” He seemed a little uncertain all of a sudden. “Oh, right, that. I honestly have no idea what to expect. I’ve only worked with stuff that prevents fires. I’ve never actually fought them.”

“If you want some help I have some ideas of the kind of things we will be doing” I told him.

He looked at me with a small smile. “Okay, yeah. I… I’d like that. Thanks, Mender.”

“The first thing you should know is don't rush. You need to take things slow enough that you do them right. I'm sure we will be running at some point, I'll bet there will be a timed gear check, and some sort of teamwork exercise." I began to explain.

Before I could get into any detail our fluffy pink waitress came bouncing up with our food. "Enjoy the food! If you need anything at all just let me know!” Pinkie beamed, and then she turned and bounced away.

“Ooh, these look yummy!” I exclaimed, as I took a bite out of a muffin. It was so warm and fresh, I bet it just came out of the oven. “If the food here is always this good I could really get used to living in this town.” I told Copper.

“Well, I’ve had better. It’s not bad though.” He replied indifferently. “I’m kind of a picky eater.”

“I’m sorry, maybe next time you should try the muffins. I can tell you for a fact that they are great.” I told him cheerfully. “Anyway, back to what I was saying. The test tomorrow, we should try to be on a team together, that way I can help you through the things you aren’t sure about.”

“That would be really nice of you, but won’t I slow you down?” He asked, with a slight dip of his head.

“Of course not, I could do this kind of thing in my sleep. Besides if we are on a team I won’t have to worry about getting somepony that doesn’t know what to do.” I explained.

“But, I don’t really know what I’m doing...” He said slowly.

“That’s why I’m going to explain it silly.” I told him with a giggle. “So first thing you need to know is…”

It took about an hour and a half for me to explain everything. Copper was just staring at me. I’m not sure how much he absorbed, but hopefully it was enough.

“That should be about it.” I said finally.

“Huh? Oh, okay. That was quite a bit to take in. I’ll try to do my best tomorrow.”

“Good to hear.” I smiled at him. We both got up to leave and walk out together.

“Well, Copper, it’s getting kinda late. I should probably head back to the hotel and get some rest. We both have a very busy day tomorrow.”

“Yeah, that we do.” He hesitated. “So... I’ll see you tomorrow then?”

“Yep, remember, tomorrow morning at 6!”

“Alright Mender, see you in the morning then.” He waved at me as he trotted off.